Getting Started in Distance: It Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

GoPony Blog - Full Article

by Ashley
February 25, 2015

One of the big obstacles I see/hear about when it comes to people getting into distance riding is that it's overwhelming, they don't know where to start, and don't want to "mess it up." (Hey, I'm still there on that last one.)

I'm going to make it simple: Start with what you have.

Seriously.

The basics you need are (and this is just my opinion, FWIW, based on my own personal experience): A fit, sane, sound horse; a saddle that fits your horse and yourself; a tack set-up that fits and offers control; a way to carry water/snacks for yourself; a way to get to/from the ride.

The Horse: Yes, Arabians are the most popular breed in endurance. They excel at long distance in that they have been bred, physically and metabolically, for this sport. That doesn't mean other breeds can't do distance. The record for highest number of Tevis completions is held by a Quarter Horse. Start with what you have, as long as they are fit, sound, and sane. Some breeds may need more, or different, conditioning than an Arabian...

Read more here:
http://gopony.blogspot.com/2015/02/getting-started-in-distance-it-doesnt.html

Exercise's Effects on Horses' Back Dimensions and Saddle Fit

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor
Feb 4, 2015

If you're a runner, you've probably noticed that after a 45-minute jog your calf muscles seem a bit swollen or enlarged. They are responding to post-training fluid shifts, fiber hypertrophy (thickening), and the general strain of exercise. Horses' muscles, particularly along the back, respond to exercise in the same way. Have you ever thought about what effect this might have on your saddle's fit as your horse works?

Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS, and her colleagues at the Animal Health Trust, in Newmarket, U.K., did. They recently studied exercise-induced changes in horses' back dimensions...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35283/exercises-effects-on-horses-back-dimensions-and-saddle-fit?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=02-04-2015

Avoiding the Nuclear Option

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Eric Mitchell
Jan 28, 2015

In a column that ran in The Blood-Horse’s March 29, 2014, issue, we addressed the breaking scandal involving a video released and published by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). At the time we stated: Embracing the story as the full truth about horse racing is wrong, but dismissing the story solely as the fabrication of radicals also would be wrong.

The content of the PETA video did prove to be false and misleading, according to an investigation conducted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC)...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35246/avoiding-the-nuclear-option?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=01-29-2015

Coyotes Blamed for Michigan Horse's Death

Thehorse.com - Full Article

*Note update at the bottom*

By Pat Raia
Jan 29, 2015

A pack of coyotes is being blamed for the death of a Michigan horse that was a member of the Lapeer County Sheriff's Mounted Division.

Lapeer County Sheriff's Mounted Division Lieutenant Bruce Osmon said the 27-year-old mare was attacked by five or six coyotes on Jan. 23. The horse was a member of the Lapeer County Sheriff's Mounted Division, he said.

“She was used for special occasions such as parades,” Osmon said.

The mare usually lived in a pasture with eight other horses, Osmon said; however, at the time of the attack, she had been brought to an area closer to the barn for feeding...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35251/coyotes-blamed-for-michigan-horses-death?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=01-29-2015


**Update: MI DNR has closed the case; there were no witnesses who saw coyotes attacking; owners still believe coyotes responsible.
"Investigation into death of Oxford Township horse reportedly attacked by coyotes closed, says DNR" article here:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150212/investigation-into-death-of-oxford-township-horse-reportedly-attacked-by-coyotes-closed-says-dnr

Battle of the clones: when will a replica horse win Olympic gold?

Edition.cnn.com - Full Article

By Ollie Williams, for CNN
Updated 1612 GMT (0012 HKT) February 20, 2015

(CNN)To the untrained eye, Tomatillo looks like any horse.

To those in the know, the 18-month-old looks like one horse.

Tomatillo is the clone of Tamarillo -- a famous eventing horse who reached the Olympics in 2004.

Twelve years have passed since humans first successfully cloned a horse. The science is developing fast, but remains imperfect.

The current process takes a sample of cells from a horse's neck, swaps the nucleus of one of those cells into an equine egg, then gives that egg a small electric shock to stimulate development before it is placed inside a recipient mare and carried to term.

Yet Tomatillo, and a handful of others, represent near-exact replicas of sporting excellence and pose an important question: are we going to start seeing clones at the world's top equestrian events?

At the Olympic Games of the future, will a horse compete against itself for gold?...

Read more here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/20/equestrian/horse-cloning-olympics/

So … Can You Find Love or Good Endurance Riding Advice on Facebook?

EnduranceInstrospection Blog - Full Story

By Patti Stedman | February 15th, 2015

Let’s clear up that love question first …

I have no idea if you can find love on the ‘net. I’ve been with Richard for over 20 years now and while I’ve had a few exes “friend” me on Facebook I’m quite confident that when they saw that I hadn’t aged as well as they’d hoped, they moved on to some other ex-girlfriend.

The phenomena of Facebook and folks seeking or giving advice about Endurance Riding is a topic that can get just about any Facebook user a little wound up.

In fact, a few weeks ago, I opted to take a break from social media, finding I was taking it all (and myself) just a wee bit too seriously. No regrets. (You’ll be surprised to hear that Facebook has gone on, quite ably, without my daily participation.)

So what is it that goes wrong when experienced competitors and folks new to the sport meet together on Facebook?

With just 15 years in distance riding and only a few thousand AERC miles, I think I fall right in the middle of both ends of the spectrum. Since I’ve been involved in teaching a lot of endurance riding clinics the last few years, I can see the source of frustration on both ends. It saddens me that the discourse gets so contentious...

Read more here:
http://enduranceintrospection.com/so-can-you-find-love-or-good-endurance-riding-advice-on-facebook/

Contaminated Hay Can Cause Botulism in Horses

KER.equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 17, 2014


Horses are more sensitive than some other animals to botulin neurotoxin.

The bacteria that cause botulism are always present in soil, so horses are never far from the source of the deadly neurotoxin produced by these microbes. However, horses that develop botulism have often developed signs after eating contaminated hay. Frequent culprits could be large round bales that contained too much moisture when baled, or hay that harbored a dead animal that was accidentally picked up by the baling machine. The bacteria thrive in damp, warm, anaerobic places, and among horses that ingest the toxin, up to half may die, according to results of a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.

In the study, researchers looked at the records of 92 horses brought to the center because of signs of botulism. Treatment was provided for 86 of the horses. Survival rate was excellent for the 37 horses that were able to maintain a standing position, but of the 49 that could no longer stand, 40 died...

Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/contaminated-hay-can-cause-botulism-horses?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cd10cdc749-ker-horse-nutri-kentucky-equine-01_28_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-cd10cdc749-11166

Anabolic Steroids Still Issue in U.S. Racing

Bloodhorse.com - Full Article

By Frank Angst,
February 12, 2015 6:10 PM

Through the first 10 months of 2014, U.S. horse racing appeared on pace to register its fewest positive drug tests for anabolic steroids since the industry moved to outlaw the drugs from racing in 2008-09.

But six positives for the anabolic steroid stanozolol from Nov. 19 to Dec. 19 at Laurel Park ended all that, revealing that at least some trainers are still willing to chance administering the substances to horses in training. While some Laurel horsemen suggested failure to adjust to Maryland's new medication policies tripped them up, an examination of race records provides evidence that horses received stanozolol while in training...

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90121/anabolic-steroids-still-issue-in-us-racing#ixzz3RdjLcPDI

Australian Veterinarians Defend Equine Hendra Vaccine

Thehorse.com

By Edited Press Release Feb 5, 2015

Australian equine veterinarians have expressed concerned that recent commentary about the safety of the hendra virus vaccine could be misleading horse owners in high-risk areas.

“Horse owners are understandably concerned about reports of (adverse) reactions to the vaccine, and vets understand this as they work with vaccines all the time,” said Nathan Anthony, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc, president of Equine Veterinarians Australia (a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association). “But we’re very worried about comments in social media critical of the hendra vaccine’s safety. Horse owners in areas with a high risk of hendra may be receiving inaccurate information and basing their decisions about whether to vaccinate on misleading data and this could be dangerous.

“The truth is that the hendra vaccine does save lives," Anthony said. "Some horses are experiencing temporary swelling and a stiff neck after a hendra vaccination but the significance of this is no different to our sore arm after a tetanus vaccination and we should keep this in perspective.

“This is not a serious reaction. It’s relatively common and can be expected from any vaccination, and is a reasonable trade off to protect against very dangerous diseases."

Brian Sheahan, BVSc, MACVSc, an equine veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience, says horse owners can be confident that the vaccine is safe: “Our practice has administered more than 4,200 doses of the hendra vaccine without any serious side effects. For every 500 doses that we administer we are seeing only one or two horses that develop swelling and a stiff neck however this is temporary and it completely resolves within days.

Anthony added, “There have been 320,000 doses of the hendra vaccine administered in the last two years. All reported adverse reactions have been investigated and reports made to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, which independently assesses the investigations.

“If your horse has an adverse reaction to any vaccine, your vet should report this to the authority," he said. "You can also make a report."

The deadly hendra virus has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs. The virus is transmitted to horses from the flying fox, a type of Australian fruit bat.

Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from horses to humans; several humans that contracted the virus from horses have died since hendra was discovered in 1994.

“If you live in or travel to areas where hendra virus is a risk, you should seriously consider vaccinating your horses," Anthony stressed. “But don’t rely on hearsay to make your decision. Talk to your vet, and read the information about adverse reactions from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.”

Independent information about the hendra vaccine's safety and registration is available on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority's website.

Studying Exercising Arrhythmias in Sport Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By World Equine Veterinary Association Feb 5, 2015

By Vincent Gerber, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ECEIM, WEVA Treasurer

In general, athletes tend to be healthier than nonathletic individuals. However, elite athletes—including horses—have their own subset of medical problems, which include sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac death in horses is often due to malignant arrhythmias that develop during exercise.

Recent studies have shown that horses can develop certain types of arrhythmias occasionally, or even normally, while they exercise, often without consequence...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35274/studying-exercising-arrhythmias-in-sport-horses

What's in a Supplement?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Kristen M. Janicki, MS, PAS
Feb 2, 2015

Here's what current research, or lack thereof, is telling us about common equine supplement ingredients.

From vitamins and minerals to fats and yeast cultures, horse owners face hundreds of choices when deciding which, if any, nutritional supplements their horses need added to their daily feed. What really works, and what’s just the latest dietary fad?

In contrast to drugs, top-dressed supplements or those provided free-choice to improve nutrition or performance are regulated in a way that does not require research proving their efficacy and safety. But as with any bagged feed product, supplement labels must include the product’s purpose statement, ingredients, guaranteed analysis of nutrients provided, and directions for use. To help horse owners with their supplement decision-making process, we’ve taken a look at what scientists have discovered recently regarding common ingredients’ usefulness...

- See more at: http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35270/whats-in-a-supplement?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=02-02-2015#sthash.byWWV1RP.dpuf

Divergent Theories on Saddle Fitting

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Blogs Saddlefit 4 Life | February 2, 2015

There are many opinions and theories on saddle fitting. Occasionally, we have even heard riders say “I have been using my saddle for x number of years. It fits me perfectly and fits every horse I use.” I have to really bite my tongue on that one, but usually just manage to smile and say “Lucky you.” Some people are, unfortunately, just not open to being educated on the facts that have been substantiated in recent years through MRIs, thermography, and fibreoptic cameras, and do not realize the possible damage they are doing to themselves and their horses.

I am going to deal with two main theories on how to fit saddles properly, but there are probably several other variations on this theme.
Theory One

Many saddle manufacturers and their trained saddle fitters maintain that a saddle should have a narrow channel, therefore sitting on the spinal processes and ligaments. The tree is long and flat (resting on the shoulder and lumbar area) and sits with minimal weight bearing surface on the musculature.

In this scenario, the saddle barely moves because it is sitting on the spine (other than perhaps to twist during motion as it is ‘kicked back’ by the bigger shoulder – but this will be addressed in a future blog). This saddle rarely does need to be adjusted because bone structure and ligaments do not adapt and change their conformation through training like muscles do – and the muscles really won’t change much because the horse simply is not able to use his muscles properly with a saddle that fits like this. Often people will say “my saddle always fits” or “my saddle fits any horse.” They are semi-right, because one advantage to this is that they do not have to have a saddle fit or modified. The horse doesn’t really change...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/blogs/divergent-theories-on-saddle-fitting/

Drugs and Your Horse The Dangers of Medicating

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Drugs and Your Horse The Dangers of Medicating
 
In the management of horse health, injuries and disease, conscientious horse owners would never put their horse at risk; however, improper use of some commonly administered equine drugs can impact the health and safety of our horses more than we think. Seldom does a month go by when media attention doesn’t focus on a positive drug test in the horseracing world. The news leaves many in the horse industry to shake their heads and wonder how trainers or owners could do such a thing to their animals. But did you know that the majority of these positives involve some of the more commonly used drugs that we administer to our horses on a routine basis and which can produce some pretty unsettling results? 
 
Under Diagnosis and Over Treatment
 
Used to relieve pain, allow or promote healing, and control or cure a disease process, therapeutic medications can be effective when they are used properly, but are quite dangerous when misused. Phenylbutazone, or “bute,” is one of the most commonly administered prescription drugs in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family. When used properly, NSAIDs offer relief from pain and help in the reduction of inflammation and fever. Found in the medicine kits of many horse owners, bute can be prescribed for a plethora of ailments, including sole bruising, hoof abscesses, tendon strains, sprained ligaments and arthritic joints.
 
NSAIDS are invaluable as a medication, says Dr. Alison Moore, lead veterinarian for Animal Health and Welfare at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Guelph, Ontario. “When used appropriately, they are very safe; however, some horse owners tend to give too much of a good thing,” she says. Dr. Moore goes on to say that this form of drug (bute) is both economical and convenient, available in either injectable and oral formulations; but is most likely to cause problems if given too long or in improperly high doses, especially if horses are more sensitive to NSAID toxicity.
 
“If you look at the chronic use of bute, there’s certainly known ramifications from it,” says Dr. Moore. “There’s health derived issues including gastric and colon ulcers, as well as renal impairment. Renal impairment is more prevalent in older horses that have developed issues with their kidney function or with equine athletes that perform strenuous exercise and divert blood flow from their kidneys. Chronic or repeated dehydration is also a risk factor for renal impairment. Chronic exposure to bute is more likely to cause signs attributable to the gastrointestinal tract.”
 
Clinical signs of toxicity include diarrhea, colic, ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract (seen as low protein and/or anemia on blood work or as ulcers on an endoscopic examination), poor hair coat, and weight loss. In the event of such symptoms, the medication should be stopped and the vet called for diagnosis and treatment. While a different type of drug, flunixin meglumine (trade name Banamine), is found in the same NSAID family. “It’s not typically used as chronically as bute because it’s more expensive and mostly used for gastrointestinal , muscular or ocular pain, but if misused, especially with dehydrated horses, kidney and digestive tract toxicity can occur similarly to bute,” Dr. Moore notes.
 
Because of the deleterious effect chronic NSAIDS can have on your horse, it is even more important not to “stack” NSAIDS. This is the process where two NSAIDS, usually bute and flunixin, or bute and firocoxib, are given at the same time. Not only does the dual administration create gastrointestinal and renal problems as listed above, but bute and flunixin given together can cause a severely low blood protein that may affect interactions with other medications.
 
That Calming Effect
 
The list of tranquilizers, sedatives and supplements intended to calm a horse can be extensive, including some which can be purchased online or at your local tack shop. For example, Acepromazine, known as “Ace,” is commonly used as a tranquilizer to keep a horse calm and relaxed by depressing the central nervous system. It is available as an injection or in granular form and does not require a prescription. If given incorrectly, it can carry a risk of injury or illness for the horse.
 
“Tranquilizers can be used to keep horses quiet for training purposes or for stalled horses due to injury, but it can be difficult to control the dose when given orally,” states Dr. Moore. “The difficulty with chronic administration is you don’t know how much you’re dosing your horse or how the horse is metabolizing it. Since it is highly protein bound in the bloodstream, a horse with low protein may develop side effects more quickly or react to a lower dose. Side effects include prolapse of the penis, which is more of a problem in stallions, and low hematocrit, a measure of red cell percentage in the blood. At very high doses, the horse will develop ataxia [a wobbly gait] and profuse sweating.”
 
As every horse is different, and the correct dosage needs to be calculated based on the horse’s weight and other influences, Dr. Moore stresses the importance of having a vet oversee any tranquilizer use. It is also important to inform the veterinarian of any acepromazine given to your horse, as it can affect the outcome of veterinary procedures, such as dentistry that requires sedation.
 
Drug Compounding
 
In equine medicine, compounding is the manipulation of one drug outside its original, approved form to make a different dose for a specific patient, whether it’s mixing two drugs together or adding flavouring to a commercially available drug. However, mathematical errors can occur. Last July, Equine Canada issued a notice asking their members to use compounded drugs with caution citing that because these medications are not available as a licensed product, they may contain different concentrations compared to a licensed product. There have been several instances where the medication contained too little of an active ingredient, leaving it ineffective, or too much, which can result in death.
 
Compounded drugs and its related risks came to light several years ago with the high-profile deaths of 21 polo ponies at the U.S. Open Polo Championships in Wellington, Florida in 2009. After being injected with a compounded vitamin supplement that was incorrectly mixed, all 21 ponies collapsed and died. “The biggest issue with compounded drugs is that many horse owners are not often aware of what it means,” says Dr. Moore. “They think it’s a generic form of a drug, but it’s not. It’s the mixing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, wherever it comes from in the world, with whatever flavour powder or product the pharmacy or veterinarian puts together. When going from one jar to the next, the concentrations could be different. It could be twice the strength, and that’s harmful or half the strength and have little effect.”
 
Because this process is not regulated with respect to quality, safety and efficacy, there can be risks associated with compounding drugs. “Technically, veterinarians are not supposed to dispense a compounded drug if there is a commercially available product already, such as phenylbutazone [bute],” says Dr. Moore. “If your vet felt that there was a therapeutic use for a combination product of bute and vitamin E, then that is a legitimate reason for compounding it. But a lot of people want to use compounded drugs because they’re cheaper. But cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better.”
 
Dr. Moore explains that without careful attention to the appropriate dosage and administration, such as shaking the bottle properly so that no residue will settle in the bottom (or the last few doses will be extremely concentrated), health issues can occur. Compounded medications have provided a lot of benefit to horse health by providing access to products or product forms that would be difficult to obtain otherwise, but because of the concerns regarding quality control, horse owners should fully understand the potential risks of using a compounded product and discuss these concerns with their veterinarian.
 
Deworming Strategies
 
In the past, traditional deworming programs didn’t consider each horse as an individual, as common practice was to deworm the entire barn on a fixed, regular schedule. However, over the past 10 years, studies have shown there is a growing concern regarding parasite resistance to dewormers. Veterinarians now recommend that horses be screened for parasites by way of a fecal egg test first instead of deworming with a product that may not be effective against parasite burdens. A fecal exam is far safer than administering deworming medications that they don’t need. Dewormers are safe when used properly, including testing first and using a weight tape for an accurate dosage. Dr. Moore suggests contacting your vet to develop a deworming program that is right for your horse and your specific area.
 
A Question of Welfare?
 
Horse owners should be aware of the more frequent reactions to drug use in their horses and consider both the short term and long term effects before use. Consideration of the horse’s welfare should not only for the present, but also for its future.
 
With the use of drugs and horses, it’s important to:
• proceed with the guidance of your veterinarian; 
• use the lowest possible dosage possible in order to achieve the desired results;
• calculate the correct dosage based on your horse’s body weight through the use of a weight tape;
• closely monitor your horse throughout the course of treatment.
 
“It’s being very aware of the use of our common, everyday drugs. As good a drug as it is, when it’s misused, negative effects will occur,” says Dr. Moore. “There’s a greater importance on knowing the overall health level of your horse. It’s always best to have a good base point first, and because the kidneys and liver are the two main organs that process medication, it’s important to know that those organs are working properly. That’s why those annual veterinary wellness exams are so important.”
 
Sign up for our free e-newsletter at EquineGuelph.ca, which  delivers monthly welfare tips throughout 2015 and provides tools to aid all horse owners in carrying out their ‘Full-Circle-Responsibility’ to our beloved horses.  In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Equine Guelph is developing a 'Full-Circle-Responsibility' equine welfare educational initiative which stands to benefit the welfare of horses in both the racing and non-racing sectors.
 
Visit Equine Guelph’s Welfare Education page for more information.
 
 
Notes to Editor:
Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph.  It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups.  Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole.  For further information, visit www.EquineGuelph.ca.
 
Story by: Barbara Sheridan
 
Web Link:  http://equineguelph.ca/news/index.php?content=428

Media Contact:
Jackie Bellamy-Zions
Communications
Equine Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
519.824.4120 ext. 54756

Horse Eating Too Fast? Slow It Down!

KER.Equinews.com - FUll Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 25, 2014

Most horses love to eat; that’s normal. However, if your horse eats too much, or too fast, or too intensely, he may be in for some problems. Maybe he chokes, or gets fat, or runs out of hay several hours before the next feeding. As his owner, what can you do to slow him a bit and avoid feed-related problems? Fortunately, there are a number of gadgets you can use to smooth out his consumption of grain, grass, and hay. Each of these inventions decreases the chance of overloading the digestive tract and leads to a more gradual glycemic response as horses eat.

Slow-feeder grain buckets. A number of feed buckets have been designed to slow down horses that bolt their feed. The designs are slightly different but the effect is the same. A typical slow-feeder bucket has several wells or depressions in the bottom. Each well holds only a little feed, so the horse can’t gobble huge bites of grain. In days gone by, owners would put three or four large rocks in the feed bucket so the horse had to pick out the grain from among these obstacles. The same principle is used in slow-feeder grain buckets...

Read more here:
http://ker.equinews.com/article/horse-eating-too-fast-slow-it-down

Are You Crash-Ready?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Diane E. Rice
Jan 19, 2015

What to do if you have a hauling accident and steps you can take today to avoid a wreck in the first place

Cathy Gray and her daughter, Adrienne Higbee, never suspected impending tragedy when they headed home to Albuquerque, New Mexico, from the National Barrel Horse Association Super Show in Las Vegas on June 2, 2014.

Hauling two horses in a three-horse slant-load gooseneck behind their truck, they stopped suddenly, just east of Gallup, New Mexico, to wait in a long line of traffic for an accident half a mile up the road.

“I was watching in my rearview mirror and saw a car stopped behind me, (and was) praying that everyone behind them stopped as well,” Cathy recalls. “In an instant that car was spun into the median, and we were hit by an incredible force from behind.”

Cathy and Adrienne’s truck and trailer skidded into the ditch with Cathy steering in the direction of the skid, trying to keep the rig from rolling over. When the vehicle stopped, Cathy and Adrienne, seeing that neither was seriously hurt, got out of their truck to assess the damage...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35171/are-you-crash-ready?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=01-20-2015

Routine, Ride, or Rest?

Redheadedendurance Blog - Full Story

You love your horse. Their very footfalls speak of freedom, grace, and a bond that makes you shake your head in disbelief when people don't get it. You spend hours on them, hours on the ground, hours riding, hours reading. You have this goal called Endurance riding and people are sharing and posting and networking about it, touting miles covered and hills climbed and goals met. With the very best of intentions you heap steaming forkful after endless shovel load of advice, some worthy some not, who know's at this stage, into a mountain of Maybe-Knowledge at your back.

Your horse starts to look a bit fitter. Maybe starts moving a little faster. Oh, yes, this is endurance right, this grab and go and trottrotrot for miles thing?! Ideas, hopes, goals, and miles, yes, miles. More reading, notions of appropriate riding, changing diagonals, hoof angles, the right feed, chiropractic care. Your nose is to the ground and you are chasing this thrilling whiff of Endurance.

One morning you go to catch your steed and notice that your beloved glances at you askance, staring at the halter in your hand, perhaps taking a a step or two away from you. You're surprised, or sad, or mad. You love them, you're doing your best, what could be in their head? It probably happens more than just the one time, and your brain kicks over, cranking but refusing to catch.

There are many possibilities to investigate of course, including discomfort of some kind (tack fit, chiropractic care, ulcers, etc). If you've sorted all that out and are still scratching your head, it may be time to sit down and take a wide angle lens look at your riding schedule...

Read more here:
http://redheadedendurance.blogspot.com/2015/01/routine-ride-or-rest.html

Appeals Court Rules AQHA Can Reject Clones

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Pat Raia
Jan 15, 2015

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) can deny the registration of cloned horses, according to a Jan. 14 court ruling. The ruling overturned a lower court decision mandating that the AQHA include clones in its registry.

Some owners have used the cloning process—which was first performed on horses in 2003—to preserve their animals' bloodlines, particularly those of high-performance equines. In response to cloning as a way to preserve bloodlines, some breed associations ruled on whether or not cloned horses can be included in their breed registries.

In 2004 the AQHA board of directors approved Rule 227(a), which prohibits cloned horses or their offspring from being included in the organization's breed registry. The AQHA opposed the registry of cloned animals on several grounds including that cloning does not improve the breed and that only the most elite horses may be cloned over and over again for use in breeding programs...

Read more here:
http://considerthis.endurance.net/2015/02/throwing-boulders-and-un-tying-knots.html

Throwing Boulders and Un-Tying Knots - Patti Stedman

EnduranceIntrospection Blog - Full Article

By Patti Stedman | January 31st, 2015

Right around the cusp of the New Year, I was talking to someone who frequently gives me insight. At a time where people all around were making and talking about resolutions, we were talking about whether or not people really can make changes in their lives.

Her theory was this. The people who made significant changes usually ended up doing so in one of two ways.

The first group found that they had boulders in their path, but they needed to take the time to pick up each boulder, examine it for a bit, make peace with the reason it stood in their path, and then set it gently to the side. I nodded my head, I agreed. If Socrates said that “the unexamined life is not worth living” he would find mine invaluable; it has been examined and re-examined by me for the duration to date.

And then she said there were the Boulder-Throwers. The people who had decided enough was enough and cast the boulders to the side in their determination to make change. From time to time, she said, they’d need to come back and take a look at the boulder they’d thrown out of their way with such reckless abandon, but if you want quick change, boulder throwing is not a bad way to go.

I think there is a real transition that comes when you reach a “certain” age. You know what you know, you know what you don’t know, and you’re unafraid to say so in either case. You care less what people think, something I’ve always admired about women of ‘that’ age. I thought I didn’t care, but in the end, I did and I do, but I’m finding I care a whole lot less...

Read more here:
http://enduranceintrospection.com/throwing-boulders-and-un-tying-knots/