Wahetondailynews.com - Full Article
by Lori Ricigliano Jan 26, 2019
Have you ever wondered if your horse prefers to be scratched or patted as a reward? Well, a group of scientists in England had just that thought. The issue of patting versus scratching hadn’t been previously addressed in scientific studies, so Dr. Sara Redgate and Emily Handcock, Msc. of Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, United Kingdom decided to see if scratching the horses’ withers (withers are located at the top of the shoulder at the base of the horse’s neck) could potentially increase horse/human bonding and act as a more effective reward. Hancock noted, “Scratching is a natural behavior among horses, whereas patting is not. Riders and handlers should be encouraged to scratch rather than pat their horses as a reward.”
To test their theory, they observed 16 horse/rider combinations at the Grand Prix Special dressage test of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Overall, patting their horse dominated any other type of non-aid given contact by the riders. The reactions of the horses indicated 34 percent of the horses displayed visible behavioral reactions, for example: speeding up their movements when they received the pats. Those that received scratching rewards stayed calmer and moved less.
The scientists then investigated the effects of patting versus wither-scratching in 10 riding school horses. In this study, the handlers patted each horse for 30 seconds four times. They then scratched their withers four times for the same time period. The team recorded heart rate and behavior on all the horses...
Read more here:
https://www.wahpetondailynews.com/community/to-scratch-or-pat-that-is-the-question/article_4a8af542-2114-11e9-96cf-87f68d6b83de.html?fbclid=IwAR0zsVziuWb_rWWS8_1dZkjeKZduewWARx2HZmOxVzbwCS0dX5d8NtXCZpo
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
5 Reasons Why Cross-Training is Good for Your Horse
FEI.org - Full Article
29 January 2019
We look at how horses can improve by trying a different discipline…
If you had to ask the top pros, most of them would tell you that cross training and a multidisciplinary focus are key to producing a great horse.
Ingrid Klimke famously advocates for pole work for dressage horses, while Jos Lansink focuses a lot on basic flatwork and transitions for his horses and riders. The eventing riders will already be aware of the benefits of training for multiple disciplines!
So if you’ve ever wondered about taking your endurance horse for a dressage lesson or blasting round the cross-country on your dressage mount, you should keep in mind these five benefits of cross-training with your horse.
1. Improved coordination
Your Dressage horse can definitely improve their coordination from doing poles or small jumps, and your jumping horse can do the same by breaking down those transitions within the pace, or by going for a hack on uneven ground.
Teaching horses to work in different ways improves their body awareness and teaches them to work different parts of their body.
Work over raised trotting poles might help a horse to articulate the joints and pick their feet up, whereas hacking over uneven terrain might help to improve a horse who tends to stumble in the arena...
Read more here:
29 January 2019
We look at how horses can improve by trying a different discipline…
If you had to ask the top pros, most of them would tell you that cross training and a multidisciplinary focus are key to producing a great horse.
Ingrid Klimke famously advocates for pole work for dressage horses, while Jos Lansink focuses a lot on basic flatwork and transitions for his horses and riders. The eventing riders will already be aware of the benefits of training for multiple disciplines!
So if you’ve ever wondered about taking your endurance horse for a dressage lesson or blasting round the cross-country on your dressage mount, you should keep in mind these five benefits of cross-training with your horse.
1. Improved coordination
Your Dressage horse can definitely improve their coordination from doing poles or small jumps, and your jumping horse can do the same by breaking down those transitions within the pace, or by going for a hack on uneven ground.
Teaching horses to work in different ways improves their body awareness and teaches them to work different parts of their body.
Work over raised trotting poles might help a horse to articulate the joints and pick their feet up, whereas hacking over uneven terrain might help to improve a horse who tends to stumble in the arena...
Read more here:
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Chester Weber Awarded Becky Grand Hart Trophy
KER.com - Full Article
January 17, 2019
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff
KER-sponsored driver Chester Weber was presented the Becky Grand Hart Trophy at the recent Pegasus Awards ceremony, part of US Equestrian’s 2019 Annual Meeting.
The Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded to the best competitor of any horse or pony breed in international driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or para-equestrian competitions. Chester was recognized for his remarkable 2018 competition year, including earning an individual silver medal and leading the United States to its first-ever team gold in combined driving at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™...
Read more here:
https://ker.com/equinews/chester-weber-awarded-becky-grand-hart-trophy/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KER%20Newsletter%20012119&mc_cid=5f30330885&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
January 17, 2019
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff
KER-sponsored driver Chester Weber was presented the Becky Grand Hart Trophy at the recent Pegasus Awards ceremony, part of US Equestrian’s 2019 Annual Meeting.
The Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded to the best competitor of any horse or pony breed in international driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or para-equestrian competitions. Chester was recognized for his remarkable 2018 competition year, including earning an individual silver medal and leading the United States to its first-ever team gold in combined driving at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™...
Read more here:
https://ker.com/equinews/chester-weber-awarded-becky-grand-hart-trophy/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KER%20Newsletter%20012119&mc_cid=5f30330885&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
Veterinarian, Welfare Advocate Looks Back In New Memoir ‘My Friend, The Horse’
HorsePlayUSA.com - Full Article
Equine welfare and the global monitoring of horse diseases are critical areas of concern in the horse world. But 35 years ago, when Irish veterinarian Dr. Alex Atock began his first job in regulatory veterinary medicine as a racing official, he would not have guessed that one day his lifelong affection for horses would impact how horse sports are conducted worldwide, and that his stalwart advocacy for their welfare would improve their treatment near and far.
As a pioneer of international equine health regulation and welfare for organizations such as the Federation Equestre Internationale, World Horse Welfare, the Irish Turf Club and the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Alex Atock initiated programs and wrote policies still endorsed and followed by regulatory veterinarians and stewards around the world.
Atock’s role made him the top-ranking advocate for the horse on the global stage. His assignments from his employers and the racing or veterinary associations he served ranged from determining how disease outbreaks affect the movement of horses around the world, and how traveling horses may put others at risk, to affecting improvement of conditions for the sport of endurance in the United Arab Emirates, establishing the first horse inspections at international equestrian events, strategizing the welfare effects of summer heat at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and many welfare and safety aspects of sports conduct that are now taken for granted.
Now retired, Atock has put away his passport, and picked up a pen...
Read more here:
http://horseplayusa.com/veterinarian-welfare-advocate-looks-back-in-new-memoir-my-friend-the-horse/
Equine welfare and the global monitoring of horse diseases are critical areas of concern in the horse world. But 35 years ago, when Irish veterinarian Dr. Alex Atock began his first job in regulatory veterinary medicine as a racing official, he would not have guessed that one day his lifelong affection for horses would impact how horse sports are conducted worldwide, and that his stalwart advocacy for their welfare would improve their treatment near and far.
As a pioneer of international equine health regulation and welfare for organizations such as the Federation Equestre Internationale, World Horse Welfare, the Irish Turf Club and the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Alex Atock initiated programs and wrote policies still endorsed and followed by regulatory veterinarians and stewards around the world.
Atock’s role made him the top-ranking advocate for the horse on the global stage. His assignments from his employers and the racing or veterinary associations he served ranged from determining how disease outbreaks affect the movement of horses around the world, and how traveling horses may put others at risk, to affecting improvement of conditions for the sport of endurance in the United Arab Emirates, establishing the first horse inspections at international equestrian events, strategizing the welfare effects of summer heat at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and many welfare and safety aspects of sports conduct that are now taken for granted.
Now retired, Atock has put away his passport, and picked up a pen...
Read more here:
http://horseplayusa.com/veterinarian-welfare-advocate-looks-back-in-new-memoir-my-friend-the-horse/
Friday, January 25, 2019
Motion Sickness, Trailer Loading Troubles, and Your Horse
Thehorse.com - Full Article
Could motion sickness make a horse reluctant to load and cause him to scramble in the trailer? Find out what the research says.
Posted by Robin Foster, PhD, CHBC, Cert. AAB, IAABC | Jan 24, 2019
Q.My 11-year-old gelding is somewhat high strung and becomes nervous when hauled. I would like help in managing his nervousness, especially when trailering and, of course, safety is important! In the four years I’ve owned him, we’ve worked with various trainers and he is easier to load, but still scrambles constantly and lathers with sweat when hauled, even over short distances. I think he might have motion sickness. Do horses get motion sickness and what can I do?
A.Some horses do suffer from motion sickness, but not much is known about it or how common it is...
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/165668/motion-sickness-trailer-loading-troubles-and-your-horse/
Could motion sickness make a horse reluctant to load and cause him to scramble in the trailer? Find out what the research says.
Posted by Robin Foster, PhD, CHBC, Cert. AAB, IAABC | Jan 24, 2019
Q.My 11-year-old gelding is somewhat high strung and becomes nervous when hauled. I would like help in managing his nervousness, especially when trailering and, of course, safety is important! In the four years I’ve owned him, we’ve worked with various trainers and he is easier to load, but still scrambles constantly and lathers with sweat when hauled, even over short distances. I think he might have motion sickness. Do horses get motion sickness and what can I do?
A.Some horses do suffer from motion sickness, but not much is known about it or how common it is...
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/165668/motion-sickness-trailer-loading-troubles-and-your-horse/
Thursday, January 24, 2019
7 Things you may not have known about DMSO
EquusMagazine.com - Full Article
This odiferous compound has become a common treatment for a variety of inflammatory conditions. Here are a few interesting facts about DMSO's history and action.
CHRISTINE BARAKATJAN 17, 2019
Two decades ago, if you mentioned dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) around the barn you may have gotten puzzled looks in response. Back then, this industrial solvent turned anti- inflammatory therapy was relatively new to the horse world, and even if people had heard of it they viewed it as an unusual or even mysterious option.Since then, DMSO has gone mainstream. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses, but veterinarians regularly use the chemical “off-label” in other ways to treat a wide array of inflammatory conditions, from laminitis to neurological problems. When the DMSO’s distinctive garlicky smell wafts through the barn these days, people are more likely to nod knowingly than wonder what’s going on.
Nonetheless, DMSO is a little like aspirin---something that many people use without necessarily thinking too much about how it works. But learning more about DMSO may help you appreciate how it can be useful in maintaining your horse’s health and comfort. So here are seven things you might not know about DMSO...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/diseases/seven-things-about-dmso
This odiferous compound has become a common treatment for a variety of inflammatory conditions. Here are a few interesting facts about DMSO's history and action.
CHRISTINE BARAKATJAN 17, 2019
Two decades ago, if you mentioned dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) around the barn you may have gotten puzzled looks in response. Back then, this industrial solvent turned anti- inflammatory therapy was relatively new to the horse world, and even if people had heard of it they viewed it as an unusual or even mysterious option.Since then, DMSO has gone mainstream. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses, but veterinarians regularly use the chemical “off-label” in other ways to treat a wide array of inflammatory conditions, from laminitis to neurological problems. When the DMSO’s distinctive garlicky smell wafts through the barn these days, people are more likely to nod knowingly than wonder what’s going on.
Nonetheless, DMSO is a little like aspirin---something that many people use without necessarily thinking too much about how it works. But learning more about DMSO may help you appreciate how it can be useful in maintaining your horse’s health and comfort. So here are seven things you might not know about DMSO...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/diseases/seven-things-about-dmso
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Dealing with Fear on the Trail
Traimeister.com - Full Article
August 29 2018
One year ago (August 26th, 2017 to be exact) I discovered gravity in Central Oregon. I was riding in the Three Sisters Wilderness and feeling terribly comfortable and confident. One minute I was busy taking pictures of an outstandingly beautiful area. The next I was in a Bend, OR Emergency Room with some pretty grim news. The assortment of bones in my shoulder were newly arranged and had numerous additional pieces floating around. It wasn’t pleasant.
Fast forward a few months and past the worst of narcotics to when I first tried to get back on my mule Ruger. After awkwardly clambering aboard with an oddly wonky arm I realized that was nothing between me and ground but the same animal that I had been on during my accident. The comfortable and confident feelings were long gone. The next moment I was nearly unable to move. This was my first experience of being walloped by so severe a fear reaction. The anxiety lingered even after I got back on the ground.
Fear is a neurophysiological response to a threat, real or perceived. It activates our fight-or-flight response by stimulating the hypothalamus, which in turn directs the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system preparing our bodies for danger. This can happen suddenly or we can experience a slow drip of anxiety that creeps up on us as dread. We inherited this “survival circuitry” from our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Those who developed it were better able to survive having to wrestle a bear or run from a pack of wolves. During an encounter with fear, blood is shunted from our limbs so it’s more available to our hearts. Our breathing and heart rates increase; we sweat or shiver; our stomach “drops” and our vision narrows as our bodies prepare to flee or freeze. As much as we might like to eradicate this disabling feeling from our lives, fear is a central part of us. We might as well accept it. But how?...
Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/dealing-with-fear-on-the-trail/
August 29 2018
One year ago (August 26th, 2017 to be exact) I discovered gravity in Central Oregon. I was riding in the Three Sisters Wilderness and feeling terribly comfortable and confident. One minute I was busy taking pictures of an outstandingly beautiful area. The next I was in a Bend, OR Emergency Room with some pretty grim news. The assortment of bones in my shoulder were newly arranged and had numerous additional pieces floating around. It wasn’t pleasant.
Fast forward a few months and past the worst of narcotics to when I first tried to get back on my mule Ruger. After awkwardly clambering aboard with an oddly wonky arm I realized that was nothing between me and ground but the same animal that I had been on during my accident. The comfortable and confident feelings were long gone. The next moment I was nearly unable to move. This was my first experience of being walloped by so severe a fear reaction. The anxiety lingered even after I got back on the ground.
Fear is a neurophysiological response to a threat, real or perceived. It activates our fight-or-flight response by stimulating the hypothalamus, which in turn directs the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system preparing our bodies for danger. This can happen suddenly or we can experience a slow drip of anxiety that creeps up on us as dread. We inherited this “survival circuitry” from our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Those who developed it were better able to survive having to wrestle a bear or run from a pack of wolves. During an encounter with fear, blood is shunted from our limbs so it’s more available to our hearts. Our breathing and heart rates increase; we sweat or shiver; our stomach “drops” and our vision narrows as our bodies prepare to flee or freeze. As much as we might like to eradicate this disabling feeling from our lives, fear is a central part of us. We might as well accept it. But how?...
Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/dealing-with-fear-on-the-trail/
Monday, January 21, 2019
In which the reason that God made winter is discussed: a book review
Haikufarm blog - Full Reviewby Aarene Storms
January 20, 2019
I don't buy many books.
I borrowed this one from the library...but after reading it,
I plan to order a copy of my own. It's that good.
Denny Emerson's name may be familiar to readers because he's a famous 3-Day Event rider.
Others may know him because of his extensive endurance career.
He's has been riding horses longer than most readers of this blog have been alive. To hear him tell it, he's learned a few things along the way.
What I liked about this book:
Read more here:
https://haikufarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-which-reason-that-god-made-winter-is.html
Saturday, January 19, 2019
What your horse's hair whirls and whorls may mean
Equusmagazine.com - Full Article
Research shows that the direction of a horse's "cowlicks" provides clues to how he will behave when he spooks.
MICK MCCLUSKEY, BVSC, MACVSCJAN 11, 2019
New research suggests there’s a surprisingly simple way of predicting whether a spooking horse will turn to the right or left: Check out his facial whorls.
The equivalent of “cowlicks” in people, whorls are swirling patterns of hair; they are commonly seen on the forehead but can appear anywhere on a horse’s coat. The location and direction of whorls in humans are linked to early fetal brain development. In fact, abnormal whorls are common in children with developmental disorders...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/horse-world/whirls-hair-whorls-54193
Research shows that the direction of a horse's "cowlicks" provides clues to how he will behave when he spooks.
MICK MCCLUSKEY, BVSC, MACVSCJAN 11, 2019
New research suggests there’s a surprisingly simple way of predicting whether a spooking horse will turn to the right or left: Check out his facial whorls.
The equivalent of “cowlicks” in people, whorls are swirling patterns of hair; they are commonly seen on the forehead but can appear anywhere on a horse’s coat. The location and direction of whorls in humans are linked to early fetal brain development. In fact, abnormal whorls are common in children with developmental disorders...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/horse-world/whirls-hair-whorls-54193
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Shoeing the Low-Heeled Horse
Thehorse.com - Full Article
Some effects of the shoeing strategies farriers use to correct low heels in horses can actually be detrimental in the long run. Here’s how one farrier recommends correcting this frustrating lameness cause.
Posted by Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor | Oct 31, 2018
Low heels, also called underrun or collapsed heels, can be a frustrating cause of lameness in horses. Further, the effects of the shoeing strategies used to correct them can actually be detrimental in the long run.
So Simon Curtis, FWCF, BSc(Hons), PhD, HonAssocRCVS, an award-winning farrier based in Newmarket, Suffolk, U.K., proposed a long-term solution to the issue at the 2018 British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 12-15 in Birmingham, U.K.
While the terms low and underrun are often used interchangeably when describing horses’ hooves, they do differ.
“A low-heeled horse is one where the digit has a low angle but aligned hoof-pastern axis (HPA, how the front hoof wall aligns with the pastern) and the caudal (rear) hoof wall is not bent,” Curtis explained. “Underrun heels are associated with a negative HPA (when the pastern angle is steeper than the hoof wall) and are long and folded under the solar hoof capsule...”
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/162245/shoeing-the-low-heeled-horse/
Some effects of the shoeing strategies farriers use to correct low heels in horses can actually be detrimental in the long run. Here’s how one farrier recommends correcting this frustrating lameness cause.
Posted by Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor | Oct 31, 2018
Low heels, also called underrun or collapsed heels, can be a frustrating cause of lameness in horses. Further, the effects of the shoeing strategies used to correct them can actually be detrimental in the long run.
So Simon Curtis, FWCF, BSc(Hons), PhD, HonAssocRCVS, an award-winning farrier based in Newmarket, Suffolk, U.K., proposed a long-term solution to the issue at the 2018 British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 12-15 in Birmingham, U.K.
While the terms low and underrun are often used interchangeably when describing horses’ hooves, they do differ.
“A low-heeled horse is one where the digit has a low angle but aligned hoof-pastern axis (HPA, how the front hoof wall aligns with the pastern) and the caudal (rear) hoof wall is not bent,” Curtis explained. “Underrun heels are associated with a negative HPA (when the pastern angle is steeper than the hoof wall) and are long and folded under the solar hoof capsule...”
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/162245/shoeing-the-low-heeled-horse/
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
How Much Hay To Feed Horses: Where To Begin
KER.com - Full Article
September 13, 2018
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff
Horses thrive on diets rife with forages, whether it is a medley of pasture grasses, baled hay, or another forage product, such as hay cubes, hay pellets, or haylage. They are capable of processing huge quantities of forage to meet their nutritional demands, but where does a horse owner start in determining how much forage to feed?
An estimate can be made based on the horse’s age, body weight, and physiologic state. Here’s a quick reference table to illustrate expected forage consumption by horses...
Read more here:
https://ker.com/equinews/much-hay-feed-horses-begin/?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1686f16575-Focus_Jan19_Forage&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-1686f16575-11166&mc_cid=1686f16575&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
September 13, 2018
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff
Horses thrive on diets rife with forages, whether it is a medley of pasture grasses, baled hay, or another forage product, such as hay cubes, hay pellets, or haylage. They are capable of processing huge quantities of forage to meet their nutritional demands, but where does a horse owner start in determining how much forage to feed?
An estimate can be made based on the horse’s age, body weight, and physiologic state. Here’s a quick reference table to illustrate expected forage consumption by horses...
Read more here:
https://ker.com/equinews/much-hay-feed-horses-begin/?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1686f16575-Focus_Jan19_Forage&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-1686f16575-11166&mc_cid=1686f16575&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
Monday, January 14, 2019
Female Ranchers Are Reclaiming the American West
NYTimes.com - Full Article
As men leave animal agriculture for less gritty work, more ranches are being led by women — with new ideas about technology, ecology and the land.
Photographs by Amanda Lucier
Written by Amy Chozick
Jan. 11, 2019
Hundreds of years before John Wayne and Gary Cooper gave us a Hollywood version of the American West, with men as the brute, weather-beaten stewards of the land, female ranchers roamed the frontier. They were the indigenous, Navajo, Cheyenne and other tribes, and Spanish-Mexican rancheras, who tended and tamed vast fields, traversed rugged landscapes with their dogs, hunted, and raised livestock.
The descendants of European settlers brought with them ideas about the roles of men and women, and for decades, family farms and ranches were handed down to men. Now, as mechanization and technology transform the ranching industry, making the job of cowboy less about physical strength — though female ranchers have that in spades — and more about business, animal husbandry and the environment, women have reclaimed their connection to the land...
Read more here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/business/women-ranchers-american-west-photo-essay.html
As men leave animal agriculture for less gritty work, more ranches are being led by women — with new ideas about technology, ecology and the land.
Photographs by Amanda Lucier
Written by Amy Chozick
Jan. 11, 2019
Hundreds of years before John Wayne and Gary Cooper gave us a Hollywood version of the American West, with men as the brute, weather-beaten stewards of the land, female ranchers roamed the frontier. They were the indigenous, Navajo, Cheyenne and other tribes, and Spanish-Mexican rancheras, who tended and tamed vast fields, traversed rugged landscapes with their dogs, hunted, and raised livestock.
The descendants of European settlers brought with them ideas about the roles of men and women, and for decades, family farms and ranches were handed down to men. Now, as mechanization and technology transform the ranching industry, making the job of cowboy less about physical strength — though female ranchers have that in spades — and more about business, animal husbandry and the environment, women have reclaimed their connection to the land...
Read more here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/business/women-ranchers-american-west-photo-essay.html
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Must Have Items for Trail Rides
Traiilmeister.com - Full Articleby Robert Eversole
What Do You Rely on When the Day Goes Downhill?
As published by Western Mule Magazine Nov, 2104
My failure to look at a calendar recently resulted in the good fortune of meeting a fellow Western Mule reader, Mr. John H. of the Spokane, Washington area. John is the President of the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club, an all around good guy and a real backcountry resource who teaches the art of survival to military personnel. He’s the real deal.
I had pulled into the location where my Backcountry Horsemen Chapter holds its monthly meetings. That I didn’t recognize many of the faces that were milling about didn’t phase me since I’m not a regular at our gatherings; after all I’d rather be riding. Well I must have looked out of place and John greeted me with “Are you here for the Mule Club?” Well, Mrs. Eversole raised me to always look for the positive and the Mule Club was having a potluck so I stayed!
A few days later John and I ran into each other again and like riders around the world we started talking about some of our various trips. The conversation soon veered towards tales of trail accidents, what riders can do to prepare for these “just in case” situations, and the sad fact that most riders don’t prepare at all.
Even an easy front country “just a day ride” can very quickly turn into a nightmare should the unthinkable happen. If you’re injured and come off your mount how you’ve prepared for the unexpected can well make the difference between an inconvenience and far worse.
The core of these preparations is often referred to as the Ten Essentials that you should never leave the trailhead without. That means never. Ever. The couple of pounds that these essentials represent are not “extra” they are critical. I see many riders who have heard of this concept but still fail to head the advice. Why not? I think a lot of it is the “it won’t happen to me” syndrome. Well, maybe it won’t but are you willing to bet your life on fair skies and no accidents? I’m not...
Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/must-have-items-for-day-rides-western-mule-nov-2014/
Friday, January 11, 2019
4 easy ways to ice-proof your horse's hooves
Equus.com - Full Article
The rock-hard accumulations of ice and snow that can get packed into a horse’s feet can cause lameness and injury. Here’s how to keep hoof ice balls from forming.
MELINDA FRECKLETON, DVM, WITH CHRISTINE BARAKAT
JAN 4, 2019
One winter hazard that riders in northern climes know well is ice balls. When snow and ice get packed under a horse’s hoof, it warms up slightly against the sole, then freezes readily against the cold metal of the shoe. The ice can quickly build up until the horse is walking on a hard, solid mass of frozen material, called “ice balls” or “snowballs.” The wetter and more dense the snow, the more likely it is that snowballs will occur. “Slushier” ice will fall away from the foot more readily, and light, dry snow won’t pack well, but wet or icy snow can easily get compacted into a tight, hard block.
Walking on the uneven mass even for a short time can cause a number of problems from tripping and sliding to strains or sprains of the muscles, tendons and joints. Persistent snowballs can lead to bruises and hoof cracks. Horses do OK much of the
time when there is snow all around, but once on a firm surface, many will teeter as if they are on high-heeled shoes.
Removing large masses of ice from under your horse’s feet can be difficult, and by the time you discover them, the damage may already be underway. It’s better to take measures to prevent them from forming:...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/management/prevent-ice-balls?utm_source=EQUUSNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9pT6YWtxDhpUGB2ziKvTD7hYNECD3B0GI8pH2jC7AtSpdiWDaYdl9l696nJXPQV84xwt3gg88zafS1DphapwBlBJzhQA&_hsmi=68843624
The rock-hard accumulations of ice and snow that can get packed into a horse’s feet can cause lameness and injury. Here’s how to keep hoof ice balls from forming.
MELINDA FRECKLETON, DVM, WITH CHRISTINE BARAKAT
JAN 4, 2019
One winter hazard that riders in northern climes know well is ice balls. When snow and ice get packed under a horse’s hoof, it warms up slightly against the sole, then freezes readily against the cold metal of the shoe. The ice can quickly build up until the horse is walking on a hard, solid mass of frozen material, called “ice balls” or “snowballs.” The wetter and more dense the snow, the more likely it is that snowballs will occur. “Slushier” ice will fall away from the foot more readily, and light, dry snow won’t pack well, but wet or icy snow can easily get compacted into a tight, hard block.
Walking on the uneven mass even for a short time can cause a number of problems from tripping and sliding to strains or sprains of the muscles, tendons and joints. Persistent snowballs can lead to bruises and hoof cracks. Horses do OK much of the
time when there is snow all around, but once on a firm surface, many will teeter as if they are on high-heeled shoes.
Removing large masses of ice from under your horse’s feet can be difficult, and by the time you discover them, the damage may already be underway. It’s better to take measures to prevent them from forming:...
Read more here:
https://equusmagazine.com/management/prevent-ice-balls?utm_source=EQUUSNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9pT6YWtxDhpUGB2ziKvTD7hYNECD3B0GI8pH2jC7AtSpdiWDaYdl9l696nJXPQV84xwt3gg88zafS1DphapwBlBJzhQA&_hsmi=68843624
Arizona’s wild horse paradox
HCN.org - Full Article
Debbie Weingarten
Dec. 13, 2018
Activists and agencies try to balance the West’s horse mythology against herd impacts.
The horses stood chest-deep in the river, pulling up long strands of eelgrass with their teeth. There must have been 20 of them, in colors ranging from nearly white to ruddy brown. The babies stood wobbly in the current. My partner and I floated quietly past in our kayak, trying not to spook them. But it was a sweltering Friday in July, and we were followed by hollering college students in rented innertubes. Beer coolers floated along behind them, and music reverberated off the canyon walls. Uninterested and used to the party, the horses barely looked up.
A stone’s throw from metropolitan Phoenix, the Salt River runs through the Tonto National Forest, where deer, bighorn sheep and bald eagles live amid cactus and mesquite bosques. But the most famous and controversial inhabitants are the area’s “wild” horses. Once slated for removal by the U.S. Forest Service for reasons of public safety, today these horses are protected by state law. Now, in the first arrangement of its kind, a state government is working with a nonprofit to manage horses on federal land. Now long-feuding entities must work together to find a way to balance the horses — and the mythology of the American West they represent — with river and land conservation and public safety...
Read more here:
https://www.hcn.org/articles/wild-horses-arizonas-wild-horse-paradox?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email
Debbie Weingarten
Dec. 13, 2018
Activists and agencies try to balance the West’s horse mythology against herd impacts.
The horses stood chest-deep in the river, pulling up long strands of eelgrass with their teeth. There must have been 20 of them, in colors ranging from nearly white to ruddy brown. The babies stood wobbly in the current. My partner and I floated quietly past in our kayak, trying not to spook them. But it was a sweltering Friday in July, and we were followed by hollering college students in rented innertubes. Beer coolers floated along behind them, and music reverberated off the canyon walls. Uninterested and used to the party, the horses barely looked up.
A stone’s throw from metropolitan Phoenix, the Salt River runs through the Tonto National Forest, where deer, bighorn sheep and bald eagles live amid cactus and mesquite bosques. But the most famous and controversial inhabitants are the area’s “wild” horses. Once slated for removal by the U.S. Forest Service for reasons of public safety, today these horses are protected by state law. Now, in the first arrangement of its kind, a state government is working with a nonprofit to manage horses on federal land. Now long-feuding entities must work together to find a way to balance the horses — and the mythology of the American West they represent — with river and land conservation and public safety...
Read more here:
https://www.hcn.org/articles/wild-horses-arizonas-wild-horse-paradox?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email
Tuesday, January 08, 2019
Winter-Driving Tips
USRider.org - Full Article
This winter, follow these 12 expert winter-driving tips to help keep you and your horse safe
By EquiSearch | 12/14/2018
Winter is coming. For some of us, winter is already here! USRider Equestrian Motor Plan reminds everyone who travels with horses to be careful, and to perform routine preventative trailer maintenance to enhance overall travel safety.
Maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s service schedule, and take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. This is especially crucial for heavy-duty vehicles towing precious cargo. Be proactive rather than reactive.
“Yes, it’s cold outside, but you still need to take the time to perform safety checks on your tow vehicle and trailer before traveling,” says Bill Riss, general manager of USRider.
Establish a relationship with a trusted mechanic who’s certified with the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Do this before your vehicle breaks down on the side of the highway while towing your trailer, especially in bad weather.
1. Invest in snow tires. During winter months, traction tires are recommended. Such tires must have at least one-eighth-inch of tread, and be labeled "Mud and Snow," "M+S," or "All-Season," or have a mountain/snowflake symbol. See your tire dealer to find out which tires are best for your vehicle...
Read more here:
http://www.usrider.org/article/winterdriving-tips-111?utm_source=TravelTip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=December2018&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_R6sFcmhiWHgsBzcAtRo_tUlN5mIqA1Lg9xKJdqJ2F1eBC-y20PufFPPukW-2Q1gsN7_B7beFd3Cvh36o2_iFdjRc7Dg&_hsmi=68431140
This winter, follow these 12 expert winter-driving tips to help keep you and your horse safe
By EquiSearch | 12/14/2018
Winter is coming. For some of us, winter is already here! USRider Equestrian Motor Plan reminds everyone who travels with horses to be careful, and to perform routine preventative trailer maintenance to enhance overall travel safety.
Maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s service schedule, and take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. This is especially crucial for heavy-duty vehicles towing precious cargo. Be proactive rather than reactive.
“Yes, it’s cold outside, but you still need to take the time to perform safety checks on your tow vehicle and trailer before traveling,” says Bill Riss, general manager of USRider.
Establish a relationship with a trusted mechanic who’s certified with the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Do this before your vehicle breaks down on the side of the highway while towing your trailer, especially in bad weather.
1. Invest in snow tires. During winter months, traction tires are recommended. Such tires must have at least one-eighth-inch of tread, and be labeled "Mud and Snow," "M+S," or "All-Season," or have a mountain/snowflake symbol. See your tire dealer to find out which tires are best for your vehicle...
Read more here:
http://www.usrider.org/article/winterdriving-tips-111?utm_source=TravelTip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=December2018&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_R6sFcmhiWHgsBzcAtRo_tUlN5mIqA1Lg9xKJdqJ2F1eBC-y20PufFPPukW-2Q1gsN7_B7beFd3Cvh36o2_iFdjRc7Dg&_hsmi=68431140
Saturday, January 05, 2019
Equus “Story of the Horse” Premieres on PBS
PBS.orgPremiere date: January 16, 2019 | 0:00:30
Premieres Wednesdays, January 16-23, 8 pm EST (check local listings)
The relationship between man and his noble steed is almost as old as civilization itself. Ever since the mysterious beginning of our extraordinary partnership, horses helped shape the human world. At the speed of a horse, our ancestors conquered distances and built empires. Together, humans and horses flourished side by side. What makes us so perfect for each other?
Join anthropologist Dr. Niobe Thompson and equine experts on a two-part adventure around the world and throughout time to discover the origins of the horse. In a stunning 3D reconstruction, see the earliest member of the horse family rise from a fossil bed and begin a transformation into the magnificent animal we know today. Discover why horses have 360-degree vision and gallop on a single toe. Explore the science of speed with renowned racehorse trainers. Uncover the emotional intelligence of horses and their deep connection with humans. Encounter extraordinary horse breeds from Saudi Arabia to Kentucky to Siberia, and meet the horses of Sable Island that are truly returning to the wild ways of their ancestors. Filmed over 18 months across 3 continents, featuring drone and helicopter-mounted RED aerials, extensive Phantom slow-motion footage, and a live-recorded symphonic score.
Friday, January 04, 2019
Trail-Sharing Tips Horseback Riders Can Use
Thehorse.com - Full Article
Remember these three keys to riding your horse on multiuse trails safely.
Posted by Kim McCarrel | Jan 3, 2019
You’re enjoying a beautiful sunny day on the trail with your horse. The trail is designated multiuse, so as you ride you’re likely to meet hikers, mountain bikers, and maybe even motorcycle or ATV users. Your enjoyment and safety depend on how well everyone shares the trail.
You can’t control the actions of other trail users, of course. But your actions and demeanor can make the difference between a safe, friendly interaction and a nasty confrontation. And it’s easy to remember how to safely share the trail: Just stop, speak, and smile...
Read more at:
https://thehorse.com/164656/trail-sharing-tips-horseback-riders-can-use/
Remember these three keys to riding your horse on multiuse trails safely.
Posted by Kim McCarrel | Jan 3, 2019
You’re enjoying a beautiful sunny day on the trail with your horse. The trail is designated multiuse, so as you ride you’re likely to meet hikers, mountain bikers, and maybe even motorcycle or ATV users. Your enjoyment and safety depend on how well everyone shares the trail.
You can’t control the actions of other trail users, of course. But your actions and demeanor can make the difference between a safe, friendly interaction and a nasty confrontation. And it’s easy to remember how to safely share the trail: Just stop, speak, and smile...
Read more at:
https://thehorse.com/164656/trail-sharing-tips-horseback-riders-can-use/
Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Can Diet Prevent Scratches in Horses?
Thehorse.com - Full Article
My horse is turned out to pasture for at least part of each day. Every winter he gets scratches. Is there anything I can do nutritionally that might help prevent them?
Posted by Clair Thunes, PhD | Dec 24, 2018
Q.My horse is turned out to pasture for at least part of each day. Every winter he gets scratches. Is there anything I can do nutritionally that might help prevent them?
A.Most of the time scratches aren’t too big of an issue. However, they can indeed become a big problem literally overnight. I personally had a mare who went from having a couple of tiny spots of scratches one evening to being nonweight-bearing lame and having full-on cellulitis in the leg the next morning. My advice is twofold: don’t ignore scratches if present, and prevention is ideal.
What is Scratches?
Scratches—sometimes referred to as grease heel, mud fever, or equine pastern dermatitis—is a skin infection on the back of the pastern and heel; sometimes scabs can extend as far as the fetlock area...
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/164533/can-diet-prevent-scratches-in-horses/
My horse is turned out to pasture for at least part of each day. Every winter he gets scratches. Is there anything I can do nutritionally that might help prevent them?
Posted by Clair Thunes, PhD | Dec 24, 2018
Q.My horse is turned out to pasture for at least part of each day. Every winter he gets scratches. Is there anything I can do nutritionally that might help prevent them?
A.Most of the time scratches aren’t too big of an issue. However, they can indeed become a big problem literally overnight. I personally had a mare who went from having a couple of tiny spots of scratches one evening to being nonweight-bearing lame and having full-on cellulitis in the leg the next morning. My advice is twofold: don’t ignore scratches if present, and prevention is ideal.
What is Scratches?
Scratches—sometimes referred to as grease heel, mud fever, or equine pastern dermatitis—is a skin infection on the back of the pastern and heel; sometimes scabs can extend as far as the fetlock area...
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/164533/can-diet-prevent-scratches-in-horses/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)