The Wildest Kind of Trail Running You’ve Never Heard Of

Trailrunnermag.com - Full Article

Ride ‘n’ Tie racing was the precursor to the Western States 100, but its cowboy roots persist in a niche sport that’s thriving today.

January 26, 2023
Martha Nelson

The morning sun blazed over “Fair Hill,” a 5,000-acre fox-hunting estate built by Delaware’s famous du Pont family. The estate’s pristine wooded trails, open meadows, bubbling creeks, and 17 horse barns offered an ideal venue for last fall’s Chesapeake Endurance Ride.

On the morning of September 17, 2022, the barn was abuzz with riders and horses dodging between rows of chrome horse trailers in search of curry combs, electrolytes, and the rest of the pre-race checklist. Anxious horses whinnied across the meadow.

I arrived the night before with neither a horse nor a trailer, just a belly of nerves and a pup tent I pitched between beefy pickup trucks. I was a trail runner who, earlier that summer, barely survived my first “Ride ‘n’ Tie,” a topsy-turvy trail race where two runners share one horse and switch back and forth between riding and running. But like a moth to a flame, I kept coming back. When Chris lost his partner to COVID-19 and asked me to fill in at the last minute, I couldn’t say no...

Read more here:
https://www.trailrunnermag.com/people/the-wildest-kind-of-trail-running-youve-never-heard-of/

Australia: There’s nothing standard about these versatile ex-racehorses

Donna Crebbin photo

ARR.news - full article

By Fran Cleland, The Regional
27 January 2023

The honest Standardbred was once the poor relation of the racehorse world.

While the Thoroughbreds had a chance of finding a life after racing, the Standardbred was far less likely to get that opportunity.

In the past 20 years – and especially since 2015 when Harness Racing Victoria set up its “HERO” rehoming program – things have really changed and they can be found in any number of occupations, without a sulky in sight. They are cherished by pony club kids and can be found every weekend at a club, playing games and doing their lessons. Those who work with them are quick to praise the generous animals.

Professional trainer Mitch Fox, who is currently campaigning the Hero champion Kasbah Kid says they are “trainable, sensible, willing and well-exposed”.

“Some trainers canter their horses as part of their race training regimes, this is something Kasbah Kid did and it’s meant that his transition to saddle has been easy,” he said.

“He’s the most reliable horse we have on our show team. We can always count on him to put his best hoof forward and not be overwhelmed by atmosphere...”

Read more here:
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Race Report: An Endurance Rider on the Run at Wilson Creek Frozen

TheSweatyEquestrian.com - Full Article

January 23, 2023
by Tamara Baysinger

I signed up for the 2023 Wilson Creek Frozen Trail Runs on a whim. It was November, well within the discounted entry fee window, and January 21 was a long time away. I mean, sure, it would be cold on race day, but who doesn’t like a bit of challenge?

To be clear, I signed up for the shortest race. Wilson Creek Frozen offers a 10 miler, a 20 miler, and a 50K that combines the two loops. Not being an experienced winter trail runner, I reckoned the 10 was good for starters.

The course is in the Owyhees near Melba, Idaho. It traverses a mix of rocky gullies and high-desert hills, with the long loop climbing to spectacular views at around 5,000 feet of elevation.

The weather could be anything. Wind is common. It might come with a side of rain, ice, sun, snow, mud, or any combination thereof. I’m told that, one year, the race began in temps around -4 degrees Fahrenheit.

What wasn’t to love?...

Read more here:
https://thesweatyequestrian.com/race-report-an-endurance-rider-on-the-run-at-wilson-creek-frozen/

Benefits of Riding Your Horse at the Walk

Photo by Donna Stidolph

HorseIllustrated.com - Full Article

When bad weather rolls in, you can accomplish more than you think by riding your horse at the walk.

By Jec A. Ballou - January 19, 2023

Work at the walk, practiced and touted by old classical dressage masters, is always better than letting a horse stand around when he is not able to perform a regular training schedule. Walking your horse has the benefit of allowing for full contraction of the long back muscles in a contraction-relaxation cycle that prevents tension. Further, the fine-tuned motor control that is possible at the walk enables you to help your horse find more range of motion and joint flexion.

Inactivity sometimes plays a larger role in creating poor muscle patterns than incorrect training or injuries...

Read more here:
https://www.horseillustrated.com/benefits-of-riding-your-horse-at-the-walk

Communication Devices – Above and Beyond Cellular

Trailmeister.com - Full Article

January 9, 2023

Communication Devices are going Above and Beyond Cellular

There are new communications devices on the market, and more are on the way. Last year Apple introduced a new feature for their latest line of cell phones – emergency SOS via satellite. T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to allow existing cell phones to use orbiting satellites for text messages. The coming year may prove to be quite exciting in terms of backcountry communications.

You’ve heard of InReach, Spot, and other communicators that are stand-alone or pair with your phone to communicate through a satellite when there’s no cell phone coverage. Now, you can forego those extra gadgets and have a phone that can do much more than your old phone.

Satellites are Everywhere

With nearly 20% of the U.S. and virtually all of the remote areas where we ride and camp unreachable by traditional cellular networks, expanded communication offerings are a game changer when it comes to staying in touch...

Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/communication-devices-above-and-beyond-cellular/

Equine Vaccination Do’s and Don’ts

Thehorse.com - Full Article

Determining exactly which vaccines a horse needs can be confusing. Here are some basic do’s and don’ts to make sure you’re providing the disease protection your horse needs.

Posted by Corie Traylor | Aug 17, 2022

Best practices for making sure your horse gets the disease protection he needs

Do I need to vaccinate my horse against leptospirosis? Does my retiree need the same shots as my performance horse? What happens if they miss a round of vaccines? Determining exactly which vaccines a horse needs can be confusing. Reviewing the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is a good place to begin your research, and talking with your veterinarian can help you make the best decision based on your horse’s lifestyle, age, and geographic location. In the meantime, we’ve distilled the topic down into some basic do’s and don’ts to make sure you’re providing the disease protection your horse needs...

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/192126/equine-vaccination-dos-and-donts/

Avoiding Equine Legal Issues

HorseIllusrated.com - Full Article

Learn which areas are most likely to lead to a lawsuit in the horse world if you’re not prepared and protected.

By Louann Chaudier
April 15, 2022

Because virtually every aspect of horse ownership carries some degree of risk, horse owners should consider the possibility that things can sometimes go wrong. Frequently the horse does not present the only risk: People who will be interacting with him can cause a multitude of problems, which in a worst-case scenario can land you in court as a horse owner. It’s important to prepare so you can avoid equine legal issues.

The following should not constitute legal advice—always consult an attorney for that—but these five topics are designed to give you an idea of the prime areas of conflict that crop up in equine legal disputes and court cases...

Read more here:
https://www.horseillustrated.com/avoiding-equine-legal-issues

Saudi Arabia: $4 million Euros prize money slated for 120-km 2023 Fursan Cup

Endurance Lifestyle

The CEI2* 120-km Fursan Cup 2023 at Al Ula will be a major international event that will host horses and riders from all over the world with a prize money of 15 million SAR - approximately 4 million Euro.

We, Endurance Lifestyle, the technical-sports team of the event, will do our best to bring the Fursan Cup 2023 into the annals of endurance history as well.

Stay tuned...

Mongolia: Should an 8-Year-Old Be Allowed to Race a Horse?

GlobalPressJournal.com - Full Article

Horse racing is a time-honored tradition that often uses children as jockeys, despite the nation’s minimum working age laws — and the inherent dangers.

URGUUTIIN TAL, ARKHANGAI PROVINCE, MONGOLIA — Soyombo Myagmarsuren, 13, began racing when he turned 6, following in the footsteps of generations of horse trainers. “I love horses,” he says, beaming with pride. “It is cool to gallop on a horse mane until the wind whistles.”

These days, Soyombo walks with a limp. Last winter, he fell from a horse while training for a race.

So he did not race competitively in this year’s Naadam, a summer celebration of Mongolian sovereignty believed to have existed since the second century B.C. and held regularly since 1639. The internationally recognized celebration is referred to locally as the “Three Games of Men,” given its showcase of wrestling, archery and horse racing. These sports symbolize strength, wisdom and courage, respectively. (Despite the name, women and girls now also compete in the latter two.)

In the races, horses run courses of 12 to 26 kilometers (7 to 16 miles) across the steppe, depending on the animal’s age. And on their backs it is young boys and girls like Soyombo, typically between the ages of 6 and 13, whose courage is on display...

Read more here:
https://globalpressjournal.com/asia/mongolia/8-year-old-allowed-race-horse/

Alfalfa Cubes Potentially Contaminated with Botulism Toxin

TheHorse.com - Full Article

Top of The Rockies alfalfa cubes are being investigated as the potential source of botulism infection in at least 15 horses.

Posted by Haylie Kerstetter | Dec 15, 2022

On Nov. 12, Top of The Rockies Horse Cubes, produced by Manzanola Feeds, released a statement to its customers asking that they discontinue feeding any alfalfa cubes dated Nov. 11-14, 2022, due to possible contamination that resulted in at least 15 horses from Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas contracting what veterinarians believe to be botulism. Ten horses were euthanized due to their rapidly declining condition, two died within two days of showing clinical signs, and two are being treated. The condition of the fifteenth horse is not known.

The company stated it has sent its alfalfa cubes for testing at Colorado State University, University of California, Davis, and the United States Department of Agriculture laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Samples of round hay bales, various feeds, and drinking water consumed by the sick horses have also been sent for testing...

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1118984/alfalfa-cubes-potentially-contaminated-with-botulism-toxin/

Prepurchase Exams: Crystal Ball Not Included in Veterinarian’s Kit

Thehorse.com - Full Article

One practitioner describes the steps he takes during a prepurchase exam to help buyers make smart decisions.

Posted by Betsy Lynch | Feb 11, 2020

As much as buyers want veterinarians to perform a prepurchase exam and predict a horse’s future, the equine doctor’s medical kit doesn’t include a crystal ball.

“The client does want us to predict,” Reese Hand, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, told practitioners at the 65th Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 7-11, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. “They want us to tell them that a horse is going to be sound for so many years and that he’s going to be productive at whatever job he’s going to be asked to do.

“But keep in mind, the prepurchase exam is not a guarantee,” he continued. “You’re looking at this horse at one point in time, and you’re trying to give the buyer as much information as you can—including possible risk factors—so he can make a proper decision. But it’s a window...”

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/184866/prepurchase-exams-crystal-ball-not-included-in-veterinarians-kit/

Virginia Tech Releases Highly Anticipated Helmet Ratings

Chronofhorse.com - Full Article

By: Melissa Wright
Dec 6, 2022 - 9:09 PM

The Virgina Tech Helmet Lab has released its much-anticipated equestrian helmet ratings. Taking the top spot in the rankings is the $460 Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS helmet, but in good news for riders who are both frugal and safety conscious, the rest of the top three slots were filled by sub-$60 helmets, the Tuffrider Carbon Fiber ($58) and the IRH Equi-Lite ($50).

The ratings are the culmination of a research project that began in 2019 to add horseback riding helmets to the roster of sport helmets the lab evaluates. It was helped along by grants from the U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, U.S. Eventing Association and Jacqueline Mars.

For a decade, the lab has been translating its independent research into what it calls a STAR (“Summation of Tests for Analysis of Risk”) rating system for consumers...

Read more here:
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/virginia-tech-releases-highly-anticipated-helmet-ratings

What Research is Saying About Supplements for Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

Scientists are studying the safety, efficacy, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetics of equine nutritional supplements.

Posted by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc | Dec 5, 2022

Would you like a side of science to go with your horse’s supplements?

Every year equine nutritional supplements continue to increase in popularity. Verified Market Research reported that the global nutritional supplement market for horses was valued at $73.61 million in 2018. The data used to generate that report projected a steady increase in supplement sales, potentially reaching $96.18 million by 2026.

As we’ve reported in previous years, science continues to lag behind the popularity of nutritional supplements … but not for want of trying.

“While the amount of scientific information on veterinary pet supplements and nutraceuticals is increasing, there remains a paucity of quality control, safety, and efficacy data for the majority of both the substances marketed in pet supplements and the resulting products for purchase currently available,” Carrie J. Finno, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of the University of California, Davis, (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine, wrote in a 2020 edition of Nutrition Today. “Despite this lack of evidence, the use of veterinary supplements and nutraceuticals continues to increase...”

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1118630/what-research-is-saying-about-supplements-for-horses/

Does Your Horse Need Probiotics?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By supplementing horses with the same kind of beneficial microorganisms that colonize their guts, probiotics might help reestablish healthy balances in the gut microbiome without causing harm.

Posted by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA | Sep 2, 2022

If your horse’s gut microbiota is out of whack, microorganism-packed products might get him back on track

Inside the digestive system live millions of microscopic organisms that play vital roles in the horse’s digestive—and general—health. Many of these of bacteria, protozoa, archaea, and fungi help break down food and usher nutrients efficiently into the bloodstream. They play a role in metabolizing fiber, generating energy, and promoting proper intestinal transit.

While scientists still don’t know what makes up the ideal equine gut microbiota, they do know it’s a question of balance. “All these microorganisms live in a kind of symbiotic relationship when they’re in balance,” says Kathleen Crandell, PhD, a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research, in Versailles...

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1104644/does-your-horse-need-probiotics/

Does your horse need this super fiber - beet pulp?

StandleeForage.com podcast - Listen

Ep. 048: Beet Pulp – What Is It and Why Do Horses Need It?

On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss anything and everything you'd ever want to now about beet pulp including:

- What is beet pulp and where does it come from?
- What type of horse shold and shouldn't be fed beet pulp?| - Can beet pulp swell in a horse's stomach? - this answer may surprise you!

How much do you know about beet pulp? Go on this deep dive with us to really understand what this super fiber is all about!

Listen:
https://www.standleeforage.com/podcast/episodes/ep-048-beet-pulp-what-is-it-and-why-do-horses-need-it/

Feed Tevis Winners

Wnatalie.com

Developing an endurance horse requires proper training and conditioning, but without a solid feeding program, even the best-trained horses can struggle. Gabriella Blakeley and her 13-year-old Arabian gelding (also known as “Pyro”) won the 2022 Tevis Cup, with Christoph Schurke and the GE VA Blizzard of Ozz coming in second. “Ozzy,” the 13-year-old Arabian gelding, was also awarded the Haggin Cup, which is an award for the top 10 horse in best condition in the morning after finishing a ride.

Both riders know that feeding their horses well is critical to their long-term success and well-being. Carrie Williams, Ph.D., equine extension specialist and professor at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, who also has experience feeding endurance horses, shared her advice with the horse.

Endurance Nutrition Program Overview

Williams said owners of endurance horses need to prioritize fats in their nutritional programs. “It is best to have them on a high-fat, forage-high fat diet because this is the primary fuel source they use for endurance exercise. It helps sustain their energy for long periods of time during exercise...”

Read more here:
https://www.vnatalie.com/feed-tevis-winners-horse/

Selecting a Horse Trailer to Fit Your Needs

HorseIllustrated.com - Full Article

If your horse needs a new ride, walk through this decision process so you end up with the perfect horse trailer.

By Stacey McKenna
May 14 2022

Many of us depend on trainers or friends to haul our horses to competitions, trailheads, or emergency veterinary appointments. That’s a sufficient strategy for some, but there’s a particular sort of freedom that comes from taking the leap and selecting a horse trailer of your own, especially if an emergency arises and a friend’s horse trailer is not available.

With an overwhelming array of options on the market, you won’t be starved for choice. Most trailer owners are glad to share their preferences, but it’s essential to choose the rig that’s right for you and your horse. Download our trailer-buying guide to help you navigate the market as you begin selecting a horse trailer...

Read more here:
https://www.horseillustrated.com/selecting-a-horse-trailer

Transport Effects on Endurance Horses

Equimanagement.com - Full Article

A study on transport effects on endurance horses concluded that equine athletes can experience significant changes in electrolyte concentrations prior to the start of competition during trailering and stabling.

By Nancy S. Loving, DVM | November 3, 2022

Equine athletes undergo considerable stressors even prior to competition. This is especially due to transport over significant distances to a venue. Horses that compete in long-duration sports, like endurance riding, are particularly at risk for dehydration and loss of electrolytes before and during competition. A study of horses competing in the July 2016 Tevis Cup 100-Mile One-Day Western States Trail Ride evaluated the status of horses prior to and during competition. The study aimed to determine transport effects on endurance horses. More specifically, it looked at how transport to the venue might affect their ability to compete successfully. [Fielding CL and Magdesian KG. Changes in electrolyte concentrations and hydration status in endurance horses following transport and an overnight stay prior to competition. American Journal of Veterinary Research Dec 2021, vol. 82 # 12]

Participating Horses

Researchers obtained blood samples on 19 equine participants in the Tevis Cup ride...

Read more here:
https://equimanagement.com/articles/research-medical/transport-effects-on-endurance-horses/

Careful monitoring of endurance horses urged by researchers

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 1, 2022
Horsetalk.co.nz

Endurance horses in more exhausting races should be carefully monitored, according to researchers who investigated the acute phase response of equines competing in the discipline.

The study by Karla Mihelić and her fellow researchers centered on 23 horses competing at one national competition held in April 2021 in Croatia.

Three races were held at the event, over distances of 43km, 67km and 86km. The races of 67 and 86km distances were classified as long while the race of 43km was considered short.

Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 minutes after the end of the races.

Blood and biochemical tests were performed to investigate acute phase biomarkers changes...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/11/01/careful-monitoring-endurance-horses/

Why Should You Test Hay?

StandleeForage.com Podcast - Listen

Episode 45: Why Skipping a Hay Analysis Could Cost More Money in the Long Run with Sarah Fessenden

On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr have an enlightening conversation with special guest Sarah Fessenden, Business Development Manager for the forage and soils laboratories of Dairy One and Equi-Analytical about:

• Why it’s critical to get a representative hay sample when testing
• The difference between ‘as sampled’ and ‘dry matter’
• What to do with the results you receive from a hay test

Learn more about how to understand what you’re feeding your horse!

Listen:
https://www.standleeforage.com/podcast/episodes/ep-045-why-skipping-a-hay-analysis-could-cost-more-money-in-the-long-run-with-sarah-fessenden/

Horse returns home after lost, running with wild mustangs for 8 years in northern Utah

KJZZ.com - Full Article

by Heidi Hatch, KUTV
Wednesday, October 5th 2022

FIELDING, Utah (KUTV) — A horse returned home after eight years of being lost and running with wild mustangs.

Shane Adams lost his horse Mongo while camping in Utah’s West Desert - and just this week the two were reunited.

Early on a spring morning, when there was still snow on the ground Mongo made a run for it.

The horse was tied up outside Adam’s tent, but not tight enough. A herd of wild mustangs ran past the camp and Mongo took off with his newfound friends.

Adams scrambled out of his tent in a state of half undress and tried to stop him, but he was too late...

Read more here:
https://kjzz.com/news/local/horse-returns-home-8-years-lost-running-with-wild-mustangs-in-northern-utah-mongo-west-desert-inspection-saddle-blm-managers#

In the ranches of B.C.’s Cariboo Chilcotin, I gained a deeper understanding of the connection between human and horses

TheStar.com - Full Article

With more than a dozen guest ranches, the region offers many opportunities to get back in the saddle.

By Claudia LaroyeSpecial to the Star
Fri., Sept. 16, 2022

At Historic Hat Creek Ranch, about an hour west of Kamloops, B.C., guide Reni Lind wears the snappy garb of a 19th-century saloon keeper as he tells tales of the Cariboo Wagon Road, and the American Gold Rush miners who flooded this region in the 1850s.

“More than 700 kilometres of road were built over three years [between 1862 and 1865], from Fort Yale to Quesnel and Barkerville,” says Lind. Once a crucial route to the Fraser River’s precious metal, the gravel road still runs through the ranch, where the well-preserved Hat Creek Roadhouse, built in 1861, once serviced miners and watered stagecoach horses en route north. Today, the ranch is a heritage site with costumed interpreters bringing the past to life...

Read more here:
https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2022/09/16/in-the-ranches-of-bcs-cariboo-chilcotin-i-gained-a-deeper-understanding-of-the-connection-between-human-and-horses.html

Wyoming: The 50 Million-Year-Old Treasures of Fossil Lake

Smithsonianmag.com - Full Article

In a forbidding Wyoming desert, scientists and fortune hunters search for the surprisingly intact remains of horses and other creatures that lived long ago

September 2022
By Richard Conniff
Photographs by Taylor Glenn

One morning in September 2003, Jim E. Tynsky was working on the tip of a ridge above a canyon in southwestern Wyoming. That point of land had become known as “Tom’s Folly” because of a previous fossil hunter’s inability to find anything in the quarry there. Tynsky wasn’t doing much better. With the season racing to its snowy end, he had little to show for a summer of hard work but the commonest sort of fish fossils. Heaps of discarded stone slabs lay around like broken pottery.

Other quarries on this ridge were known for producing extraordinarily detailed and complete fossils, all from the bottom of an ancient lake. Tynsky, the third generation of his family to eke out a living from finding fossils there, knelt down beside a slab still embedded in the ground. He chose a spot along an exposed edge and started to work at it with his chisel and his geological hammer. A fragment of stone broke away above the split. He was expecting to find fossilized fish underneath. Maybe some good ones. What caught his eye instead was a foot.

He cleared a larger area, and the fossil began to take shape as a ghostly shadow across the newly exposed stone surface. It was humpbacked, and the size of a border collie, but with details obscured by the limestone matrix, as if painted over with cake batter. “I got something really cool over here,” Tynsky called out to a helper. “Might be a turtle, I don’t know.” He cleared a bit more and saw that the ordinary cracks in the stone had miraculously spared the fossil. The helper came over to look.

“Oh my God,” he said, after a moment. “You got a horse!” He started jumping up and down. “You got a horse! You got a horse!”...

Read more here:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/treasures-of-fossil-lake-180980544/

Competition history a useful predictor for lameness eliminations in endurance – study

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

September 18, 2022
Horsetalk.co.nz

The competitive history of endurance horses is important in predicting their likelihood of elimination from a competition, especially in relation to lameness, researchers have found.

Endurance is an internationally recognised equestrian sport in which horse-and-rider combinations compete over distances of up to 160km in a day.

The discipline is governed globally by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and by Endurance GB in Britain.

Protecting the welfare of the horse is a key strategic priority within the discipline. However, horse injuries and fatalities in high-profile races have led to a negative public perception of the sport.

This has resulted in calls for increased safeguards around the welfare of endurance horses in order to reduce the risk not only to the horse, but also to the discipline and its social licence to operate...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/09/18/competition-history-predictor-lameness-eliminations-endurance/

Tasmanian man's tales of trail riding hope to address mental health issues at work

ABC.net.au - Full Article and video

ABC Northern Tasmania / By Sarah Abbott
September 5 2022

Dakota Wolf can spend a month in a saddle without getting sore.

Since leaving his nine-to-five job of 21 years, Mr Wolf has dedicated himself to long-distance trail riding.

"I'm that used to it these days that it doesn't bother me at all," he said.

"But I struggle getting into a soft bed after [a long ride]. It takes me a couple of weeks to get used to that again."

He says riding is a childhood dream come true...

Read and watch more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-06/tasmanian-man-long-distance-trail-riding-mental-health-work/101385808