Thursday, December 23, 2021
Good to Go: Feeding for the Long Haul
Pam Mackenzie photo
Travel is very stressful on horses, especially long-haul ground trips or flights. There is evidence to suggest that cortisol increases with such travel.
By: Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD | October 17, 2013
Travel is very stressful on horses, especially long-haul ground trips or flights. There is ample evidence to suggest that cortisol (the stress hormone) levels increase with such travel. While there is very little research that has been conducted on the feeding management of horses prior to, during, or following travel, there is significant research on physiologic changes during transport that give insight on how we should feed our horses prior to and during transport.
The physical demands of travel
An increase in cortisol is frequently observed in research examining the effects of travel. Cortisol causes the body to be prepared for ‘flight or fight’ and acts to release blood glucose and counteract insulin (causing insulin to increase with travel), which might be detrimental for horses with metabolic issues. An increase in stress is also associated with gastric ulcers; however, cortisol itself is not usually directly to blame for ulcers in horses. Gastric ulcer development is generally secondary to changes in eating habits – such as in a horse that may go off his feed for a long period of time during transport...
Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/magazine/nutrition/good-to-go-feeding-for-the-long-haul/
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Stand Still for Mounting
A Well-trained Horse Stands Quietly
A horse that constantly moves around when you try to slip your foot in the stirrup is not only frustrating, but potentially dangerous. A well-trained horse stands quietly while you mount and waits for your cue to move off once you’re situated in the saddle. The secret to getting a horse to stand quietly when you go to get in the saddle is to get him to use the thinking side of his brain and tune in to you. Then, if he shimmies away from you when you go to swing up in the saddle, redirect his feet. You’ll make the right thing (standing still while you get in the saddle) easy and the wrong thing (fidgeting) difficult.
Follow these steps:
https://downunderhorsemanship.com/stand-still-for-mounting/
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Micro RNA profiles show potential in assessing Endurance ability in horses
December 11, 2021
Horsetalk.co.nz
New scenarios in the way in which metabolic adaptations are viewed in Endurance horses have been raised by scientists in Italy.
Katia Cappelli and her fellow researchers described Endurance as one of the most challenging equestrian disciplines. Endurance horses are susceptible to metabolic imbalance through dehydration, acid balance and electrolyte abnormalities. There is also the risk of heat accumulation, which can trigger life-threatening conditions.
Endurance horses are subjected to specific training that induces the adaptations required for prolonged moderate-intensity exercise on different ground surfaces and under different weather conditions. The training is dominated by aerobic conditioning.
The University of Perugia researchers, writing in the journal Genes, said evidence has been found that alterations in circulating micro RNA expression are triggered by physical exercise and endurance. These micro-RNAs include regulatory molecules that play active roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and metabolism...
Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2021/12/11/micro-rna-endurance-ability-horses/
Wednesday, December 08, 2021
Knowledge Certificate for all Horse Owners will be Required by Law in France
By Cristina Wilkins
December 8, 202
As part of their inter-species legislation, which aims to combat animal abuse and strengthen the bond between humans and companion animals, the French Parliament has introduced three laws that affect horse owners.
They were published in the Official Journal of the French Republic on December 1, 2021 and include a requirement for all horse owners to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of equine-specific needs; the registration of neurectomies in horse passports; and safeguards for agistment centre operators against unpaid fees...
Read more at:
https://horsesandpeople.com.au/france-horse-owners-licence-laws/
Tuesday, December 07, 2021
Happy Trails Podcast: Riding in California with Damara Mullens
Recorded on November 24, 2021
by Jessica Isbrecht
Damara Mullens is probably one of the most well known trail riders in the West because of her social media presence. She loves riding in beautiful places and sharing her photos. She has collected detailed information on nearly all of the horse camps in California. She freely shares this knowledge on HorsePoor4Ever.com and in her Facebook group. In this interview, we discuss her favorite places to ride in California, Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona.
Adventures on Horseback Virtual Workshop
This is a three-day online event from November 29 to December 1, 2021. Jess is one of the speakers. She’ll be interviewed on the topic of Endurance riding. Other speakers will cover topics related to trail riding and traveling. Go to the website to see descriptions of each presentation. There will be everything from camping with your horse, to trailering tips, even safety tips for female solo travelers. It’s going to be great!
Listen to the episode:
https://rideclimb.com/podcast/riding-in-california-with-damara-mullens/
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Equestrian Adventuresses Podcast: Virtual Challenges – Covid Derby 2021
by utetonia
November 30, 2021
Today’s topic is Virtual Challenges and Competitions, something which has mushroomed since the beginning of the Corona pandemic almost two years ago. Since a lot of real life events had to be postponed or cancelled, virtual challenges and competitions have become a way to stay connected with the sport and the community and a big motivator to get into the saddle and ride. I was part of a team of six dedicated women from India and Germany participating in the 2021 Covid Derby, a 1000-km challenge. We managed to complete the distance in 27 days and finished in 6th place. Today I am talking with some of my team mates about our riding, the challenges we faced and the experiences we had. And of course asking the big question: Would we do it all again?...
Listen:
https://equestrianadventuresses.com/2021/11/30/horse-podcast-ep-208-virtual-challenges-covid-derby-2021/
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Syrian horse raisers struggle to preserve Arabian purebreds during war
Xinhua
1st December 2021, 00:05 GMT+11
The Syrian war has dealt a blow to the breeding of purebred Arabian horses, some local horse raisers are struggling to preserve the precious breed.
DAMASCUS, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Maen Jafar has been struggling to preserve the Arabian purebred horses his family has been raising during the decade-long war in Syria.
At his farm in the countryside of the central province of Homs, Jafar is proud of having 55 horses, as the Arabian horses, one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, are precious for their beauty, endurance, and speed.
He takes care of the horses along with his brothers and cousins at the sprawling farm, where the horses can run freely without limitation.
Speaking to Xinhua, Jafar said during the war they had to move the horses from one place to another to keep them safe from getting killed or stolen...
Read more here:
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/271836271/syrian-horse-raisers-struggle-to-preserve-arabian-purebreds-during-war