I see a different AERC than you are describing, Truman, with your misleading quote: "Oh, if your horse goes down - don't worry we'll just plug him in to an IV."
That is not the message being sent, nor it's intent, and you are well aware of that. I see an AERC that says: "We care enough about your horse that we certify our head vets. We have educational materials galore, available on our website and in our Endurance News publication regarding the safe conditioning and campaigning of the endurance horse, as well as veterinary articles and newsletters addressing common health concerns. We require our vets to inspect your horse before, throughout and after every ride to assure his continuing health and safety.
We will not sanction a ride that does not require these inspections to be done. Our vets are prepared to offer heroic life saving treatment when emergent situations arise, and we advocate early treament to all our members when those unfortunate circumstances present themselves, for whatever reason.
Our motto is "To Finish is to Win," and we are a peculiar sport in that while endurance riding is a timed event, we encourage conservative riding, long, high mileage careers, and offer coveted Turtle Awards, all in the interest of the welfare of the horse.
We have rules against animal abuse, with a fully developed Protest and Grievance committee to rule on protests against abuse and mete out appropriate punishment for offenders. We have our Veterinary Committee investigate and report on every horse death that occurs at or as a result of a ride, and our Welfare of the Horse Committee attempts to gather and collate as much useful information as possible and make it available to our constituency.
Our most coveted award is the Best Condition award, which focuses primarily on good horsemanship and riding within the healthy parameters of the horse. We recognize that horse deaths most often offer a degree of mystery, and we provide funding for post-mortem studies to turn each tragic death into a learning opportunity so that other horses and riders do not suffer the same fate."
I could go on, but clearly, AERC is not conveying the flippancy contained in the your sentence above, Truman. Bruce Weary
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
APEX - A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence
Partnering in training and academic advancement to achieve the highest performance levels in endurance horses, riders, and teams.Goals
1. To provide continuing education, training and encouragement for horses and riders to enable increasingly higher levels of success in national and international competition.
2. To enhance racing proficiency by sharing experiences and engaging in teamwork.
3. To established a stepped program of academic study and certification in equine knowledge.
4. To utilize the latest scientific information to improve horse and rider performance.
5. To create individualized training programs for both horse and rider.
6. To field teams for national and international competition.
7. To financially support horses and riders for international competition.
APEX Web Site
Friday, August 17, 2007
Leaving Messages for Ride Managers
Hey folks.
This is half in jest, but half serious too.
The vast majority of the riders at the Allegany Shut Up and Ride are emailers like me. They email me, they download their entry form off the internet, they email questions, etc. Groovy! I have a return email, I can take my time responding after checking on something, and I can track them down again if something comes up. I love technology!
But I realize not everyone is into computers, and I do get phone calls with questions, or requests for entry forms, and like most horse people, I'm rarely in the house and rely heavily on my dreaded answering machine.
Like everyone, I hate talking on answering machines ... but at the moment I'm in a quandary because I got two totally unintelligible messages and no way to figure out who sent them!
If you leave a message for a Ride Manager (or hell, anyone), please:
1.) Speak slowly and clearly. You know your name and your address and your phone number and can pe el it off faster than they read those legalese disclaimers on the pharmaceutical ads saying that you might experience oily discharge and seizures, but I don't, and when you say it four hundred MPH, I end up rewinding the tape 12 times to try to catch it, and end up guessing at half of it anyway. You're allowed to repeat it too, to make sure I got it the first time.
2.) Enunciate. If you have a mouthful of Cheerios, please chew and swallow before leaving a message on my answering machine. Likewise, if you're drinking heavily, you may want to call back when you're a bit sobered up.
3.) If you hear an odd beep while leaving your message, and mind you, I'm no mechanical genius, something probably went wrong. Maybe the message went through, maybe it didn't, but please call back and leave the message again. I can easily delete a repeat message, or can use it to try to interpret your phone number because you messed up #1, but if I only got your area code and then a dial tone, it's hard to call you back.
4.) If you don't hear from me, either with an entry in the mail or a call back, within a few days, please call me back. Something went wrong and my Catholic guilt will be great relieved if you don't think I'm just ignoring you because I'm mean. Actually, I am mean, but I am good about returning phone calls.
Thank you.
--Patti Stedman (NE)
P.S. If you are "Debbie" and have a 585 area code, or you left a message and were a little confused about which answering machine mailbox to use and therefore mumbled into the one you chose, and haven't heard back from me, please call me back.
This is half in jest, but half serious too.
The vast majority of the riders at the Allegany Shut Up and Ride are emailers like me. They email me, they download their entry form off the internet, they email questions, etc. Groovy! I have a return email, I can take my time responding after checking on something, and I can track them down again if something comes up. I love technology!
But I realize not everyone is into computers, and I do get phone calls with questions, or requests for entry forms, and like most horse people, I'm rarely in the house and rely heavily on my dreaded answering machine.
Like everyone, I hate talking on answering machines ... but at the moment I'm in a quandary because I got two totally unintelligible messages and no way to figure out who sent them!
If you leave a message for a Ride Manager (or hell, anyone), please:
1.) Speak slowly and clearly. You know your name and your address and your phone number and can pe el it off faster than they read those legalese disclaimers on the pharmaceutical ads saying that you might experience oily discharge and seizures, but I don't, and when you say it four hundred MPH, I end up rewinding the tape 12 times to try to catch it, and end up guessing at half of it anyway. You're allowed to repeat it too, to make sure I got it the first time.
2.) Enunciate. If you have a mouthful of Cheerios, please chew and swallow before leaving a message on my answering machine. Likewise, if you're drinking heavily, you may want to call back when you're a bit sobered up.
3.) If you hear an odd beep while leaving your message, and mind you, I'm no mechanical genius, something probably went wrong. Maybe the message went through, maybe it didn't, but please call back and leave the message again. I can easily delete a repeat message, or can use it to try to interpret your phone number because you messed up #1, but if I only got your area code and then a dial tone, it's hard to call you back.
4.) If you don't hear from me, either with an entry in the mail or a call back, within a few days, please call me back. Something went wrong and my Catholic guilt will be great relieved if you don't think I'm just ignoring you because I'm mean. Actually, I am mean, but I am good about returning phone calls.
Thank you.
--Patti Stedman (NE)
P.S. If you are "Debbie" and have a 585 area code, or you left a message and were a little confused about which answering machine mailbox to use and therefore mumbled into the one you chose, and haven't heard back from me, please call me back.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Excerpt from Riding for Life: Preparing to Buy a Horse
TheHorse.com
by: Rallie McAllister, MD
August 14 2007 Article # 10182
If you've loved horses for as long as you can remember, having one of your own may be the realization of a lifelong goal. As a child, and even as an adult, you may have spent countless hours dreaming about the "perfect" horse, but in reality there's just no such thing. Fortunately, you don't need a flawless horse to be happy and successful as an equestrian--all you need is a good horse that fits you well.
Riding is a team sport, pairing horse and human. Neither is more critical than the other. As with any other team sport, successful riding depends on a number of factors, including mutual respect, cooperation, and compatibility. While you're building your own two-member team, remember that no matter how new you are to riding, you're not starting from scratch. Half of your team is already established, and that half is you. Your physical and mental characteristics dictate the physical and mental characteristics of the ideal teammate.
As you work through the process of choosing and buying a horse, you'll need to consider dozens of factors. Ultimately, you should always come back to the most important consideration: whether the horse is a good fit for you. No matter how "perfect" a horse may seem, he's not the right one if he's the wrong teammate for you.
To ensure you end up buying the right horse, it's wise to do your homework and plan your purchase carefully and as far in advance as possible. When you approach the process in logical steps, you're more likely to be happy with the result. Satisfaction comes from knowing not only exactly what you want but also exactly what you need and then searching until you find it. You should never allow yourself to settle for an unsafe or unsuitable horse.
Your experience with your first horse will impact your desire--and perhaps even your ability--to continue riding. A safe, pleasurable experience will deepen your love of horses and enhance your skills as an equestrian, but a bad experience may cause you to quit before you reap the rewards of horse ownership.
The decision to buy a horse is a big one, and like all major decisions, it should be made with a great deal of thought, consideration, and planning. Because owning a horse will change your life in ways you might never have imagined, you should approach the process as carefully and as cautiously as you might if you were deciding to buy a house, start a new career, or get married.
In the school of hard knocks, most of us have learned reality far differs from expectations. If you're a wife and a mother, you've learned that marriage doesn't even remotely resemble dating and motherhood is vastly different from baby-sitting or being an aunt or a godparent.
It's only natural to focus on the most exciting and glamorous aspects of any project we undertake--that's what drives us to succeed. It's also natural to turn a blind eye to those aspects that promise to be less than wonderful.
If owning a home was once your dream, for example, you undoubtedly focused on the countless positive attributes of home ownership, ranging from decorating your new kitchen to relaxing with friends and family in your spacious, well-appointed living room. You probably didn't spend much time fantasizing about the harsher realities of homesteading, including risking life and limb to clean the gutters or hiring a plumber to fix a perpetually backed-up toilet. By the same token, owning a horse is far more complex and complicated than taking riding lessons or even caring for someone else's horse.
Regardless of your financial status, horse ownership involves a significant cash outlay. In addition to the initial purchase price of your horse, you'll also be shelling out a substantial amount of your hard-earned cash to cover the cost of boarding and feeding your horse. Your horse will likely require a veterinarian's services at least once or twice a year and a farrier's attention every four to six weeks. Any experienced horse owner will tell you dozens of ways in which a horse can help you spend your money.
While horse ownership requires a major financial commitment, there are also the commitments of time, energy, and emotion to consider. Your horse will end up becoming an important part of your family--and an integral part of your life. Even if you don't bat an eye at the purchase price, and even if the monthly expenses don't strain your budget, you'll still need to schedule enough time with your horse.
If you're responsible for every aspect of your horse's care, you can probably count on spending at least an hour a day feeding, watering, and grooming your horse. If you plan on riding, mucking stalls, or giving your horse some turnout time, you're looking at spending two or three hours at the barn. You'll regularly need to replenish feed, hay, bedding, and various supplies.
If you're not going to have these items delivered, you'll need to pick them up, so don't forget to consider the time involved in maintaining a well-stocked stable. If you're planning on boarding your horse at a barn that's not within easy walking distance of your house, you've also got to account for travel time.
Taking responsibility for your horse's daily upkeep can be a rich and rewarding experience, but it may cut into your riding time. If your primary goal is to care for your horse and to enjoy his companionship, this isn't a major problem. If, however, you're on a tight deadline to achieve a specific level of training, or if your goal is to compete in specific events or equestrian classes, assuming full care of your horse may not be your best option.
If you're planning to board your horse at a facility that provides full care, you won't need to spend quite so much time at the barn. Your role may be limited simply to riding and enjoying your horse. The trade-off for this type of full-service care is, of course, a higher monthly boarding bill.
Like all other relationships, the one you develop with your horse will be fraught with emotions, both good and bad. These emotions are often intensified if your schedule and your life are already full. If you buy a horse that you grow to love and cherish, you'll likely suffer a great deal of guilt if you're so busy that you aren't able to spend enough time with him or ride him regularly. If you end up with a horse that you're not entirely crazy about, you'll probably start to feel resentful about the amount of time that you're obligated to spend with him, and, eventually, you may have a hard time dragging yourself to the barn.
Regardless of your feelings toward your horse, you'll be bound to him by a sense of responsibility for as long as you own him. At one time or another you may face trading your nice, warm bed for a freezing barn in the dead of winter. Or you may find yourself fighting flies and fatigue as you ride or care for your horse in the sweltering summer heat. The horse that is right for you is the one that will inspire you to make these sacrifices willingly.
If the realities of horse ownership don't deter you in the least, and if you're convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that owning a horse is your destiny, then hold on, because you're about to embark on an adventure that will be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life.
The Ideal Teammate
Whether you realize it, you have certain expectations-- and maybe even a fantasy or two-- about the horse you will call your own. You already know a few things about this horse. You may know, for example, that he's a gentle gelding that is kind, quiet, and willing to work.
This is an excellent place to start, but at some point you'll need to begin filling in the blanks. What breed is your future teammate? How old is he? What level of training has he achieved? Is he a show horse or a pleasure horse? The more you know about the horse ahead of time, the simpler your search will be, and the less likely you'll be to get sidetracked by horses that aren't right for you.
Because it's easy to get carried away by your emotions, it's important to guard yourself against impulse buying ahead of time. Before you start your search, it's wise to sit down and write a detailed description of the ideal teammate.
Using your written description, make a list of all the qualities your horse must have.
Next, make a list of the qualities you'd like your horse to have but you could live without or you'd be willing to compromise for a more essential quality. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to find the right horse.
Take Your Time
In your search for the ideal teammate, it's perfectly acceptable to be picky and to take your time. There's no shortage of horses for sale, so there's no need to rush and settle for an unsatisfactory mount. It's not uncommon for sellers to inform you that there are "several interested parties" and "this horse will go fast." It may be true. On the other hand, it could be that the seller is being a good salesperson, trying to create a sense of urgency and an "act now, before it's too late" mentality in you, the potential buyer. If you're prepared for this kind of pressure ahead of time, you'll be less likely to succumb to it.
While finding a horse that is the perfect match for you can be time consuming and even downright tedious on occasion, it's far less tedious than owning a horse that is wrong for you. As the saying goes, chance favors the prepared mind. There's no way to foresee every challenge you and your horse will face in the short term, much less in the long term, but the chances of a favorable outcome are much greater if you're well prepared.
If you're patient and diligent in your search, chances are excellent you'll find the right horse. Sometimes it's very easy to cross a horse off your list. If he has a dangerous habit such as kicking or bolting, or if you feel that he's just too small for you, it's easy enough to walk away. At other times you may not be able to put your finger on the problem quite so easily.
You may not understand why you're not enthusiastic about a particular horse that seems like a suitable candidate. It could be there's just no chemistry. If something doesn't feel right about a particular horse--even if you're not sure exactly what it is--trust your instincts an keep looking.
Purpose of the Horse
Before embarking on your search for a horse, you need to understand fully your motives for doing so. Why do you want a horse? The answer may seem obvious to you, but you need to be able to verbalize a response to this question, not only for yourself, but also for others.
You must be capable of clearly communicating your reasons for owning a horse so that sellers, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and even your friends can help you find the right one. What are your goals? What purpose will your horse serve? Do you want to compete in horse shows, endurance rides, or other equestrian events, or do you want to trail ride? Is your primary goal to enjoy the companionship of a horse without
competing or, even, riding?
Your Panel of Experts
Once you've defined why you want a horse, it's a good idea to assemble a panel of knowledgeable horse people whom you'll be able to consult prior to making your final decision.
This group of professionals should be headed by your riding instructor and the equine veterinarian who will be caring for your horse.
It's also a good idea to include a horse trainer and the farrier you intend to hire. When you've narrowed your list of horses to a few finalists, you'll want to critique each horse with the members of your panel before making your final decision. Each of these experts can provide valuable insights, information, and advice that will go a long way toward ensuring the horse you buy is the best possible teammate for you.
Your riding instructor, for example, knows your strengths and weaknesses as an equestrian and can help you determine whether the horse in question will be a good match. The ideal horse will have strengths that complement your weaknesses and vice versa. If you tend to be a timid rider, you don't want a horse that spooks every time the wind blows.
If you've got arthritis in your knees and have a little trouble climbing into the saddle, you don't want a horse that dances around in circles while being mounted. Your riding instructor can spot these kinds of mismatches early on and can help you determine whether they can be corrected easily, and if not, whether you can live with them.
A skilled and experienced horse trainer can offer a qualified opinion about the horse's potential to reach a particular level of training, or to compete in specific disciplines, based on the horse's attitude and conformation. Ideally, the horse you buy will be doing what you want him to do already, but if he's not, how can you tell if he's mentally and physically capable?
There's no way to know for sure, of course, but a good horse trainer's educated guess may be the next best thing.
After performing a pre-purchase examination, an equine veterinarian can evaluate the horse's health and soundness. It's helpful to know whether the horse has any conditions that will prevent him from fulfilling your goals. Likewise, a good farrier's opinion is worth having.
Along with the horse trainer and the vet, the farrier can provide you with a great deal of useful information after evaluating the horse's feet, legs, and gaits. The farrier also can determine how the horse behaves while his feet are being handled. For instance, if you knew ahead of time the horse you're considering buying requires a tranquilizer to have his back feet shod would you still buy him?
Ultimately, the final decision about whether to buy the horse is yours alone, but you'll be more likely to make the right decision with the input of qualified professionals.
by: Rallie McAllister, MD
August 14 2007 Article # 10182
If you've loved horses for as long as you can remember, having one of your own may be the realization of a lifelong goal. As a child, and even as an adult, you may have spent countless hours dreaming about the "perfect" horse, but in reality there's just no such thing. Fortunately, you don't need a flawless horse to be happy and successful as an equestrian--all you need is a good horse that fits you well.
Riding is a team sport, pairing horse and human. Neither is more critical than the other. As with any other team sport, successful riding depends on a number of factors, including mutual respect, cooperation, and compatibility. While you're building your own two-member team, remember that no matter how new you are to riding, you're not starting from scratch. Half of your team is already established, and that half is you. Your physical and mental characteristics dictate the physical and mental characteristics of the ideal teammate.
As you work through the process of choosing and buying a horse, you'll need to consider dozens of factors. Ultimately, you should always come back to the most important consideration: whether the horse is a good fit for you. No matter how "perfect" a horse may seem, he's not the right one if he's the wrong teammate for you.
To ensure you end up buying the right horse, it's wise to do your homework and plan your purchase carefully and as far in advance as possible. When you approach the process in logical steps, you're more likely to be happy with the result. Satisfaction comes from knowing not only exactly what you want but also exactly what you need and then searching until you find it. You should never allow yourself to settle for an unsafe or unsuitable horse.
Your experience with your first horse will impact your desire--and perhaps even your ability--to continue riding. A safe, pleasurable experience will deepen your love of horses and enhance your skills as an equestrian, but a bad experience may cause you to quit before you reap the rewards of horse ownership.
The decision to buy a horse is a big one, and like all major decisions, it should be made with a great deal of thought, consideration, and planning. Because owning a horse will change your life in ways you might never have imagined, you should approach the process as carefully and as cautiously as you might if you were deciding to buy a house, start a new career, or get married.
In the school of hard knocks, most of us have learned reality far differs from expectations. If you're a wife and a mother, you've learned that marriage doesn't even remotely resemble dating and motherhood is vastly different from baby-sitting or being an aunt or a godparent.
It's only natural to focus on the most exciting and glamorous aspects of any project we undertake--that's what drives us to succeed. It's also natural to turn a blind eye to those aspects that promise to be less than wonderful.
If owning a home was once your dream, for example, you undoubtedly focused on the countless positive attributes of home ownership, ranging from decorating your new kitchen to relaxing with friends and family in your spacious, well-appointed living room. You probably didn't spend much time fantasizing about the harsher realities of homesteading, including risking life and limb to clean the gutters or hiring a plumber to fix a perpetually backed-up toilet. By the same token, owning a horse is far more complex and complicated than taking riding lessons or even caring for someone else's horse.
Regardless of your financial status, horse ownership involves a significant cash outlay. In addition to the initial purchase price of your horse, you'll also be shelling out a substantial amount of your hard-earned cash to cover the cost of boarding and feeding your horse. Your horse will likely require a veterinarian's services at least once or twice a year and a farrier's attention every four to six weeks. Any experienced horse owner will tell you dozens of ways in which a horse can help you spend your money.
While horse ownership requires a major financial commitment, there are also the commitments of time, energy, and emotion to consider. Your horse will end up becoming an important part of your family--and an integral part of your life. Even if you don't bat an eye at the purchase price, and even if the monthly expenses don't strain your budget, you'll still need to schedule enough time with your horse.
If you're responsible for every aspect of your horse's care, you can probably count on spending at least an hour a day feeding, watering, and grooming your horse. If you plan on riding, mucking stalls, or giving your horse some turnout time, you're looking at spending two or three hours at the barn. You'll regularly need to replenish feed, hay, bedding, and various supplies.
If you're not going to have these items delivered, you'll need to pick them up, so don't forget to consider the time involved in maintaining a well-stocked stable. If you're planning on boarding your horse at a barn that's not within easy walking distance of your house, you've also got to account for travel time.
Taking responsibility for your horse's daily upkeep can be a rich and rewarding experience, but it may cut into your riding time. If your primary goal is to care for your horse and to enjoy his companionship, this isn't a major problem. If, however, you're on a tight deadline to achieve a specific level of training, or if your goal is to compete in specific events or equestrian classes, assuming full care of your horse may not be your best option.
If you're planning to board your horse at a facility that provides full care, you won't need to spend quite so much time at the barn. Your role may be limited simply to riding and enjoying your horse. The trade-off for this type of full-service care is, of course, a higher monthly boarding bill.
Like all other relationships, the one you develop with your horse will be fraught with emotions, both good and bad. These emotions are often intensified if your schedule and your life are already full. If you buy a horse that you grow to love and cherish, you'll likely suffer a great deal of guilt if you're so busy that you aren't able to spend enough time with him or ride him regularly. If you end up with a horse that you're not entirely crazy about, you'll probably start to feel resentful about the amount of time that you're obligated to spend with him, and, eventually, you may have a hard time dragging yourself to the barn.
Regardless of your feelings toward your horse, you'll be bound to him by a sense of responsibility for as long as you own him. At one time or another you may face trading your nice, warm bed for a freezing barn in the dead of winter. Or you may find yourself fighting flies and fatigue as you ride or care for your horse in the sweltering summer heat. The horse that is right for you is the one that will inspire you to make these sacrifices willingly.
If the realities of horse ownership don't deter you in the least, and if you're convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that owning a horse is your destiny, then hold on, because you're about to embark on an adventure that will be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life.
The Ideal Teammate
Whether you realize it, you have certain expectations-- and maybe even a fantasy or two-- about the horse you will call your own. You already know a few things about this horse. You may know, for example, that he's a gentle gelding that is kind, quiet, and willing to work.
This is an excellent place to start, but at some point you'll need to begin filling in the blanks. What breed is your future teammate? How old is he? What level of training has he achieved? Is he a show horse or a pleasure horse? The more you know about the horse ahead of time, the simpler your search will be, and the less likely you'll be to get sidetracked by horses that aren't right for you.
Because it's easy to get carried away by your emotions, it's important to guard yourself against impulse buying ahead of time. Before you start your search, it's wise to sit down and write a detailed description of the ideal teammate.
Using your written description, make a list of all the qualities your horse must have.
Next, make a list of the qualities you'd like your horse to have but you could live without or you'd be willing to compromise for a more essential quality. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to find the right horse.
Take Your Time
In your search for the ideal teammate, it's perfectly acceptable to be picky and to take your time. There's no shortage of horses for sale, so there's no need to rush and settle for an unsatisfactory mount. It's not uncommon for sellers to inform you that there are "several interested parties" and "this horse will go fast." It may be true. On the other hand, it could be that the seller is being a good salesperson, trying to create a sense of urgency and an "act now, before it's too late" mentality in you, the potential buyer. If you're prepared for this kind of pressure ahead of time, you'll be less likely to succumb to it.
While finding a horse that is the perfect match for you can be time consuming and even downright tedious on occasion, it's far less tedious than owning a horse that is wrong for you. As the saying goes, chance favors the prepared mind. There's no way to foresee every challenge you and your horse will face in the short term, much less in the long term, but the chances of a favorable outcome are much greater if you're well prepared.
If you're patient and diligent in your search, chances are excellent you'll find the right horse. Sometimes it's very easy to cross a horse off your list. If he has a dangerous habit such as kicking or bolting, or if you feel that he's just too small for you, it's easy enough to walk away. At other times you may not be able to put your finger on the problem quite so easily.
You may not understand why you're not enthusiastic about a particular horse that seems like a suitable candidate. It could be there's just no chemistry. If something doesn't feel right about a particular horse--even if you're not sure exactly what it is--trust your instincts an keep looking.
Purpose of the Horse
Before embarking on your search for a horse, you need to understand fully your motives for doing so. Why do you want a horse? The answer may seem obvious to you, but you need to be able to verbalize a response to this question, not only for yourself, but also for others.
You must be capable of clearly communicating your reasons for owning a horse so that sellers, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and even your friends can help you find the right one. What are your goals? What purpose will your horse serve? Do you want to compete in horse shows, endurance rides, or other equestrian events, or do you want to trail ride? Is your primary goal to enjoy the companionship of a horse without
competing or, even, riding?
Your Panel of Experts
Once you've defined why you want a horse, it's a good idea to assemble a panel of knowledgeable horse people whom you'll be able to consult prior to making your final decision.
This group of professionals should be headed by your riding instructor and the equine veterinarian who will be caring for your horse.
It's also a good idea to include a horse trainer and the farrier you intend to hire. When you've narrowed your list of horses to a few finalists, you'll want to critique each horse with the members of your panel before making your final decision. Each of these experts can provide valuable insights, information, and advice that will go a long way toward ensuring the horse you buy is the best possible teammate for you.
Your riding instructor, for example, knows your strengths and weaknesses as an equestrian and can help you determine whether the horse in question will be a good match. The ideal horse will have strengths that complement your weaknesses and vice versa. If you tend to be a timid rider, you don't want a horse that spooks every time the wind blows.
If you've got arthritis in your knees and have a little trouble climbing into the saddle, you don't want a horse that dances around in circles while being mounted. Your riding instructor can spot these kinds of mismatches early on and can help you determine whether they can be corrected easily, and if not, whether you can live with them.
A skilled and experienced horse trainer can offer a qualified opinion about the horse's potential to reach a particular level of training, or to compete in specific disciplines, based on the horse's attitude and conformation. Ideally, the horse you buy will be doing what you want him to do already, but if he's not, how can you tell if he's mentally and physically capable?
There's no way to know for sure, of course, but a good horse trainer's educated guess may be the next best thing.
After performing a pre-purchase examination, an equine veterinarian can evaluate the horse's health and soundness. It's helpful to know whether the horse has any conditions that will prevent him from fulfilling your goals. Likewise, a good farrier's opinion is worth having.
Along with the horse trainer and the vet, the farrier can provide you with a great deal of useful information after evaluating the horse's feet, legs, and gaits. The farrier also can determine how the horse behaves while his feet are being handled. For instance, if you knew ahead of time the horse you're considering buying requires a tranquilizer to have his back feet shod would you still buy him?
Ultimately, the final decision about whether to buy the horse is yours alone, but you'll be more likely to make the right decision with the input of qualified professionals.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
How Horses See
Do horses see colours?
Can they see a rider on their back?
We answer these questions and more.
The equine eye is the largest of all land mammals–whales, seals and the ostrich are the only other animals that have larger eyes. How well do horses see? Can they see colours, depth, motion and how well do they see in the dark? These are tricky questions to answer seeing as we can't get this information straight from the horse's mouth!
A horse's eyes are located on either side of his head which is a big advantage for them as a prey animal as it offers a wide, circular view, meaning they can detect stalking animals sneaking up from behind. This panoramic vision is 'monocular' ('mono' meaning 'one') which enables them to view their surroundings on both sides, with either eye. Their 'binocular' vision (with both eyes) is directed down their nose and not straight ahead and the horse actually has a blind spot in front of its forehead. When a horse is grazing, his vision is directed at the ground in front of him and if he is relaxed, his monocular vision will be at work. Should he see something that warrants investigation, the horse will raise his head to bring the binocular vision into force. If the object was spotted in the horse's side vision, he will turn and raise his head, or even whole body to look.
[More ...]
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Endurance - The Good Ol' Days
I think the biggest change in endurance today is the riders and their
expectations. When I did my first ride in the late '70s as a totally
ignorant, clueless noob, the expectation was that I was still
responsible for myself and my horse, that would take care of my horse
and myself, to the best of my ability, and I would find the trail
markings and complete the ride in good order. It only took one ride
before I realized how ill-prepared I was, how much I could be risking,
and that the learning curve better be pretty steep because I was the
one responsible in this game. On many occasions people gently pointed
out the error of my ways, and on others, I was roundly cussed-out for
stupid things I'd done that impacted the horse--Learning by the dirt
on the seat of the pants, so to speak. Everyone was willing to help in
many ways, but this was not a sport for hand-holding.
Riders rode without helmets, in jeans, didn't carry water, didn't have
Power Bars and Goo, and did other stuff that negatively affected rider
as well as the horse, but we knew it was walking on the edge, and
accepted the risks and were self-sufficient as far as possible. Nobody
was truly to blame for a day's mishaps but ourselves.
We rode some hella fun and technical rides in the Northwest--the sheep
slide on Boise Basin, down the Boiler on Wolverine, parts of Hells
Canyon and Grimes Pass, and you were on your own. There were places
you couldn't get a horse trailer in, or the vet checks were further
apart than really comfortable, or horse water might be really scary
scarce. Many, many times the only treatment for a horse was back in
camp. The standard joke was that ride manager would need to buy
another roll of ribbon for next year, since he used nearly 3/4 of a
roll marking that year's ride so be prepared to pay attention or ride
a bit longer than planned.
I kinda miss the "good 'ol days", especially when I had knees, but
many of today's riders can't, don't, and won't accept those risks for
their horse or themselves. And that's fine. I'm glad for the sake of
the horses that criteria is tougher and rides are moderated and
planned with more fail-safes in mind. That's the way it should be.
Managers should work within the expectations of riders that horse and
human safety is paramount, treatment vets should be available,
adequate water should be provided for, trails should be well marked,
and they are cognizant of the rules of the sport. Vets should be
prepared to treat a horse under field conditions to the best of their
ability. These are all good things.
HOWEVER, management still cannot eliminate all the risks. There are no
guarantees that problems won't arise with the weather, with the trail,
with the horse or human metabolism--a million thing can go wrong. It
seems there's an attitude among riders today that there should be no
risks, and there must be someone to blame if something goes wrong--and
if it isn't the vet, it's the manager, not the rider.
YOU hauled your horse to the ride. YOU paid the entry fee. YOU rode
him that day. YOU and ONLY YOU are responsible for that horse being
there. The one big thing that hasn't changed from past rides is that
YOU and ONLY YOU are still responsible for the health and safety of
your horse. People are willing to help, but it's YOU that signs that
release, and you need to think about what chances YOU may be taking
yourself and with your horse. Shtuff happens. Go with the attitude
that you're on your own. Can you do it without help? If you can, then
you're ready to ride an endurance ride. If you're expecting or
depending on someone else to get you and your horse through or rescue
you both when you do something wrong out of ignorance or bravado or
sheer stupidity, you're not ready to ride endurance.
If you don't accept the risk to your horse, you need to do things that
won't create risk for him, or take up Extreme Ironing and leave the
horse out of it. I guarantee he won't haul himself to a ride and cough
up an entry fee without you.
Signed,
Grouchy old lady
(Andrea)
fetlocks2trot@yahoo.com
PS. You kids gedoffa my lawn!
expectations. When I did my first ride in the late '70s as a totally
ignorant, clueless noob, the expectation was that I was still
responsible for myself and my horse, that would take care of my horse
and myself, to the best of my ability, and I would find the trail
markings and complete the ride in good order. It only took one ride
before I realized how ill-prepared I was, how much I could be risking,
and that the learning curve better be pretty steep because I was the
one responsible in this game. On many occasions people gently pointed
out the error of my ways, and on others, I was roundly cussed-out for
stupid things I'd done that impacted the horse--Learning by the dirt
on the seat of the pants, so to speak. Everyone was willing to help in
many ways, but this was not a sport for hand-holding.
Riders rode without helmets, in jeans, didn't carry water, didn't have
Power Bars and Goo, and did other stuff that negatively affected rider
as well as the horse, but we knew it was walking on the edge, and
accepted the risks and were self-sufficient as far as possible. Nobody
was truly to blame for a day's mishaps but ourselves.
We rode some hella fun and technical rides in the Northwest--the sheep
slide on Boise Basin, down the Boiler on Wolverine, parts of Hells
Canyon and Grimes Pass, and you were on your own. There were places
you couldn't get a horse trailer in, or the vet checks were further
apart than really comfortable, or horse water might be really scary
scarce. Many, many times the only treatment for a horse was back in
camp. The standard joke was that ride manager would need to buy
another roll of ribbon for next year, since he used nearly 3/4 of a
roll marking that year's ride so be prepared to pay attention or ride
a bit longer than planned.
I kinda miss the "good 'ol days", especially when I had knees, but
many of today's riders can't, don't, and won't accept those risks for
their horse or themselves. And that's fine. I'm glad for the sake of
the horses that criteria is tougher and rides are moderated and
planned with more fail-safes in mind. That's the way it should be.
Managers should work within the expectations of riders that horse and
human safety is paramount, treatment vets should be available,
adequate water should be provided for, trails should be well marked,
and they are cognizant of the rules of the sport. Vets should be
prepared to treat a horse under field conditions to the best of their
ability. These are all good things.
HOWEVER, management still cannot eliminate all the risks. There are no
guarantees that problems won't arise with the weather, with the trail,
with the horse or human metabolism--a million thing can go wrong. It
seems there's an attitude among riders today that there should be no
risks, and there must be someone to blame if something goes wrong--and
if it isn't the vet, it's the manager, not the rider.
YOU hauled your horse to the ride. YOU paid the entry fee. YOU rode
him that day. YOU and ONLY YOU are responsible for that horse being
there. The one big thing that hasn't changed from past rides is that
YOU and ONLY YOU are still responsible for the health and safety of
your horse. People are willing to help, but it's YOU that signs that
release, and you need to think about what chances YOU may be taking
yourself and with your horse. Shtuff happens. Go with the attitude
that you're on your own. Can you do it without help? If you can, then
you're ready to ride an endurance ride. If you're expecting or
depending on someone else to get you and your horse through or rescue
you both when you do something wrong out of ignorance or bravado or
sheer stupidity, you're not ready to ride endurance.
If you don't accept the risk to your horse, you need to do things that
won't create risk for him, or take up Extreme Ironing and leave the
horse out of it. I guarantee he won't haul himself to a ride and cough
up an entry fee without you.
Signed,
Grouchy old lady
(Andrea)
fetlocks2trot@yahoo.com
PS. You kids gedoffa my lawn!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
USEF Approves New NSAID Equioxx (firocoxib)
The board of directors of the United States Equestrian Federation has approved the use of the new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Equioxx (firocoxib).
This new NSAID is the first cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) sparing drug to be approved by the FDA for use in horses. The drug specifically targets cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme responsible for causing inflammation and pain in the body, and spares COX-1, which is associated with many beneficial functions, including production of the protective mucous lining of the stomach.
Firocoxib is restricted to use outside competition until the rule allowing its use takes effect August 1, 2007.
The new rule lists firocoxib as a NSAID with a restrictive quantitative limit and allows for a maximum permitted concentration of 0.240 micrograms per milliliter of blood plasma. The recommendation for appropriate dose and time consideration will be consistent with the manufacturer's guidelines for its use at 0.1 milligram per kilogram of body weight once daily, corresponding with a 45.5 milligram dose for a 1000 lb. horse, which should be given no sooner than 12 hours prior to competing. Firocoxib can be used for a period of 14 consecutive days.
Per manufacturer recommendation, firocoxib should not be used in a horse in the 30 days prior to competing in an Fédération Equestre Internationale event until that group conducts a review of the drug.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Endurance changing for the good
Gulf News
M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
In the recent CEI Three-star 120km Bab Al Shams endurance ride held at Assisi in Italy, the organisers Assisi Endurance Lifestyle experiment with the new "Formula One Finish" which has been mooted to make endurance rides more attractive and spectator friendly.
As against the current practice of waiting for all the fit horses to complete the ride within the stipulated time, in Assisi the new move involved the closing of the out gates onto the course loops one hour after the arrival of the first horse to cross the finish line.
Any horse stopped by the use of the 'Formula 1' finish at a Vet Gate was still required to complete all Vet examinations and, in doing so, meet all of the parameters to continue even though not being required to do so.
FEI Press Relesase
[More ...]
M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
In the recent CEI Three-star 120km Bab Al Shams endurance ride held at Assisi in Italy, the organisers Assisi Endurance Lifestyle experiment with the new "Formula One Finish" which has been mooted to make endurance rides more attractive and spectator friendly.
As against the current practice of waiting for all the fit horses to complete the ride within the stipulated time, in Assisi the new move involved the closing of the out gates onto the course loops one hour after the arrival of the first horse to cross the finish line.
Any horse stopped by the use of the 'Formula 1' finish at a Vet Gate was still required to complete all Vet examinations and, in doing so, meet all of the parameters to continue even though not being required to do so.
FEI Press Relesase
[More ...]
Friday, June 15, 2007
Meet one enduring family
John Travers found the perfect way to spend more time with his teenage daughter Elise.The Auburn resident took up ultramarathons more than 15 years ago. But this year's training for next Saturday's Western States Endurance Run has been especially gratifying.
"We ride and run together a lot," said Travers, who finished the 100-mile run from Squaw Valley to Auburn in 1992, '96 and '02. "The training takes up an incredible amount of time and it's a good way to try to keep the family together."
[More ...]
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Carry On and Live your Dream
A WOMAN who dreamed of riding through the Spanish countryside while her life hung in the balance is going to finally have her moment.
In the long hours in hospital rooms waiting for treatment for her breast cancer, Wendy Tanton vowed that she would ride through the Spanish mountains when she recovered.
The gardener said: "It is such a boring time and a bit depressing and I suppose you can't help being reflective. You think about your children and how long you are going to be around. It wasn't where I wanted to be and I started to think about the things I did want to do.
[More ...]
Friday, May 18, 2007
[Merri Travels] Australian Endurance Conclusion
From: Merri <merri@endurance.net>
Subject: [Merri Travels] Australian Endurance Conclusion
| First of all, same as New Zealand, I met some wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to host me and give me a glimpse into their worlds. In New Zealand I met some of the smaller trainers and endurance riders; in Australia I met some of the icons of international endurance and the Arabian horse. Many thanks to Meg Wade and Chris Gates of Castlebar, the Tofts of Toft Endurance, (and all their workers), and Ron and Val Males of Ralvon Arabian Stud, and I hope to meet many more people on my next visit! There are quite a few similarities in endurance riding in Australia and the US. Most notably, though a majority of endurance riders don't participate in FEI, most people don't mind it, or support it. We're both losing trails we used to have easy access to, to housing developments and people closing their land because of insurance. There's rumors in both countries (and others) about people cheating: drugging horses, taking shortcuts on course. Only those who might do it know if the rumors are true, and only they have to live with themselves. Did you really win if you did any of this? The differences: Australia and New Zealand have logs books for every horse, which seem to be a good idea. In the book, every ride is recorded, every vet check and the results of the vet's evaluation, and where the horse finished or when he vetted out (pulled) and why. The US doesn't - we only have vet cards for each ride, which we present to the vets at the vet checks, and carry with us during the ride, and turn it over to the vets (ride manager) after the ride. If you want these after the ride, you can have them. However, we in the US have the great resource of online records, for horses and riders, with our AERC organization online, which is very handy and convenient, which is not available in Australia (or New Zealand), though I've heard that it might be available in the future. It takes a great deal of work, and our AERC people do a great job of keeping it up to date as soon as possible. While Australian 40 km rides (25 milers) are strictly Training Rides, have a time limit of not finishing faster than 6 hours (and not slower than 8 hours), US training rides, or Limited Distances (LDs), have become quite competitive and many LD riders want placings, awards, and Best Conditioned judging just like the 50 mile and over rides. As for the 160 km FEI rides, especially the FEI rides, where the ride is supposed to be 6 loops, it seems that strategy and speed are the focus of the ride, and the strappers and veterinarians carry more responsibility for the welfare of the horse. In 100 mile US rides where there are, say, 3 long loops, with 3 hour-long vet checks and maybe another 15-minute hold on one of the loops, the rider has more time where he or she must be responsible for the horse out on the trail and adjust his or her riding accordingly. In the US now, at many rides, 30 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles or multi-days, at least in the West and Pacific Southwest where I ride, the trend is becoming so that every head veterinarian of every ride will give a pre-ride speech deferring the responsibility of the horse's wellbeing on the RIDER. The vet sees the horse for maybe 2 minutes at each vet check - and likely not the same vets see the same horses - and he or she is there to HELP the rider assess the condition of the horse during those two minutes. The rider has been on the horse the last few hours and should know how the horse is feeling, and the rider should know if the horse needs slowing down or stopping. The veterinarian can't possibly be expected to know how the horse feels underneath the rider, nor predict what might happen another 20 miles down the trail, even if the horse does look good in those two minutes. If you don't know your horse, you really shouldn't be riding it, their opinion. Of course, anything can happen at any time out on the course, but it's certainly not the vet who should blamed for anything that goes wrong. Fairly recently in the US one vet was sued by a rider who, after his horse passed a vet check, went back out on trail, over-rode his horse, and the horse died. Whose fault was it? If actions like this become common it will threaten rides, because what vet would possibly consent to vetting a ride if he's held responsible for a rider killing his horse? Australia has commentators broadcasting at vet checks throughout the rides (as does New Zealand). Of course that's for the strappers, so they know when their riders are approaching, since time in the vet check gates into holds is crucial, especially for those out to compete, not just complete. The US has some radio check people, which do number checks out on course for some rides, but it's just to guard against emergencies, and to turn the list into ride management later to make sure people have stayed on course. In the US, we don't put a lot of work into strapping, especially at the non-FEI rides. Personally I hadn't even heard of 'strapping' and had to look up what the heck it meant. Sure, we put water on our horses if their heart rates need bringing down, but normally we don't have a crew of people and a slew of buckets doing it. We might have a 'crew,' who will maybe be carrying a bucket of water and a sponge in one hand for the horse, and a beer or Dr Pepper J in the other hand for the rider. Most people I visited in Australia heavily use electrolytes, and by 'heavily,' I mean feeding in feed before and during rides, and electrolyting by mouth syringe going out on every loop. Plenty of people in the US do that also, but some of the 'old school' endurance riders, whom I learned from, might add electrolytes to feed before and during rides (if then), but don't syringe additional electrolytes during the rides. I know that with a couple of horses I rode a couple hundred miles on each, we tried it both ways, and there was no difference, although of course I was not doing hundreds in 12 hours, nor 50 milers in 4 hours. There is a corroborating study I just read about, in one of the Australian States' endurance newsletters. The French endurance team had always, prior to the year - I think it was around 2002 - given their horses oral electrolytes going out on every loop in 160 km endurance rides. For the 2-year study, they completely stopped supplementing the horses during the rides, and it was found that every single horse had better completion rates and less metabolic problems once they stopped administering the electrolytes. From my observations, my conclusion is, both people - those who use a lot of electroytes, and those who don't - swear by their methods. Again, I didn't spend nearly enough time in Australia either, to come to enough concrete conclusions about the endurance world there. I will just have to return one day and continue my studies! |
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Comments on Saddle Pads and Blankets
From: "Sisu West Ranch" <ranch@sisuwest.us>
Date: May 2, 2007 5:32:01 PM PDT
There are several things to consider with pads vs blankets.
1. Pads do not make a poor saddle fit better, sort of like having a human boot to tight and putting on an extra pair of socks.
2. What design is the saddle? If there is room, some saddle pads will spread the rider's weight over a larger area which is a good thing.
3. When you ride hard, are there dry spots on the back? If so you have a saddle fit issue, a pad might help.
4. If you have a flexible panel saddle, a wool blanket is all you need. It does help keep the saddle cleaner.
5. Wool is great next to a horse. I have always used wool next to the horse. You can wash it every 4 rides.
6. I'd be more worried about changing things (that is putting on a pad) than riding the horse farther in his usual tack. Things changed at a ride tend to bite.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser
2994 Mittower Road
Victor, MT 59875
ranch(at)sisuwest(dot)us
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Absorbing horse sense at Stanford's School of Medicine
On the first day of course No. 252 at the Stanford University School of Medicine, a pack of horses will be brought down from pasture near Portola Valley and herded into a corral, so the students can lean against the fence like wranglers and study at the stock.They are looking for both leadership and followership in the horse hierarchy, as indicated by ear pinning, tail swishing, nudging and nipping. After observations, five horses will be culled from the herd and walked up to a sand arena where the medical students will get inside the fence and either hug the rails or tiptoe in among them.
They are not here to diagnose what might be bothering the animals. Medicine and Horses, an interdisciplinary course, is not that kind of class. The students are here to learn how to deal with humans. Clinical Instructor Dr. Beverley Kane's job is to help them find the clues.
"Horses are not socially repressed like human patients are," Kane says. "They are superb at nonverbal communication." So are people, if the doctor knows where to look. That is the theory behind this spring quarter elective. Horsemanship isn't a prerequisite. It is more of a hindrance.
[More ...]
Friday, April 06, 2007
Online Equine Education from Michigan State
My Horse University is a national online program for horse enthusiasts based at Michigan State University, one of the top U.S. universities in equine science and management. This program offers equine education courses and resources that you can tailor to achieve your horse-management goals.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Main Divide - endurance challenge
I want to thank Kat Swigart for taking on the challenge of managing a 100 mile ride where the ride logistics were as difficult as the trail course itself. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this course would have been impossible to complete if Kat had not provided the enormous amount of ride support in regards to water drops, manned aid stations for horse/rider and a large vet check volunteer staff. There is no doubt that the logistics of getting to these aid stations and vet checks was more difficult for the volunteers than the course was for the horses and riders. After the ride, I learned about all the flat tires, broken transmissions, damaged trailers, etc that the volunteers and crew had to endure to help give support to the riders. The horses definitely faired better than the ride help/volunteers for this event.
This ride was probably the most difficult and challenging ride I have ever completed. To me, this kind of ride is what endurance is all about, the challenge of the trail. There was no guarantee that this course could be completed in 24 hours and 11 riders accepted the challenge to find out if it was possible. Six riders proved that it was possible. The interesting “facts” about this ride are that five out of the six horses that finished were FIRST TIME 100 mile horses and four out of the six riders were FIRST TIME 100 mile riders. One of these FIRST TIME 100 mile riders on their FIRST TIME 100 mile horse was riding a NON ARAB. These FIRST TIME horses and riders were able to complete a true 100 mile course with about 18,000 feet of elevation change with footing that would not be considered ideal. I think that a ride like this and statistics like this prove that using common sense, doing your homework, and practicing good horsemanship will result in success. The team effort between the ride support staff (including crews), great veterinarians, and riders who listened to the advice of the vets definitely added to the high completion rate. All the horses, even the ones that pulled early, looked great! Let this ride prove that being prepared, good horsemanship, and a team effort between ride staff and the rider will overcome many of the perceived obstacles that can keep riders away from 100 mile rides.
You know, every rider that considers themselves an “endurance” rider should accept a challenge like the one offered through Main Divide every so often. You will learn many things about yourself and your horse by riding a ride like this whether you complete or pull early. The things that so many of us seem to value in endurance rides today like # of completions, mileage milestones, wins, placings, points, doable courses, manicured trails or trimmed trails, awards, frills, courses that can be finished in X # of hours, etc. just loose their significance when you ride a challenge like this and are successful. It is really a neat feeling when the “competition” is really the trail. It puts endurance riding/racing into perspective and redefines accomplishment.
Kim Fuess
AERC #6648
This ride was probably the most difficult and challenging ride I have ever completed. To me, this kind of ride is what endurance is all about, the challenge of the trail. There was no guarantee that this course could be completed in 24 hours and 11 riders accepted the challenge to find out if it was possible. Six riders proved that it was possible. The interesting “facts” about this ride are that five out of the six horses that finished were FIRST TIME 100 mile horses and four out of the six riders were FIRST TIME 100 mile riders. One of these FIRST TIME 100 mile riders on their FIRST TIME 100 mile horse was riding a NON ARAB. These FIRST TIME horses and riders were able to complete a true 100 mile course with about 18,000 feet of elevation change with footing that would not be considered ideal. I think that a ride like this and statistics like this prove that using common sense, doing your homework, and practicing good horsemanship will result in success. The team effort between the ride support staff (including crews), great veterinarians, and riders who listened to the advice of the vets definitely added to the high completion rate. All the horses, even the ones that pulled early, looked great! Let this ride prove that being prepared, good horsemanship, and a team effort between ride staff and the rider will overcome many of the perceived obstacles that can keep riders away from 100 mile rides.
You know, every rider that considers themselves an “endurance” rider should accept a challenge like the one offered through Main Divide every so often. You will learn many things about yourself and your horse by riding a ride like this whether you complete or pull early. The things that so many of us seem to value in endurance rides today like # of completions, mileage milestones, wins, placings, points, doable courses, manicured trails or trimmed trails, awards, frills, courses that can be finished in X # of hours, etc. just loose their significance when you ride a challenge like this and are successful. It is really a neat feeling when the “competition” is really the trail. It puts endurance riding/racing into perspective and redefines accomplishment.
Kim Fuess
AERC #6648
Monday, March 26, 2007
2006AAEP Articles (PDF) available online
Special Report: Health News and Information From the AAEP 2006 Convention
by: The Horse.Com
Article # 9190
Sponsored by OCD Equine
Get the latest research and health news from the American Association of Equine Practitioners 2006 Convention in The Horse's AAEP 2006 Wrap-UP sponsored by OCD Equine. You can download these PDF files separately or as one file at no charge. We hope you enjoy these educational articles.
Individual Articles:
# News and Awards (6 pages, 582 KB)
# Medicine (7 pages; 612 KB)http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/aaep/digestion.pdf
# Digestive Health (5 pages, 567 KB)
# Obese Horses (5 pages, 932 KB)
# Lameness (8 pages, 642 KB)
# Muscle Disorders (6 pages, 514 KB)
# Skin Diseases (3 pages, 469 KB)
# Reproduction (11 pages, 1.7 MB)
# Horse Care and Management (7 pages, 579 KB)
# And Much More (7 pages, 690 KB)
Download the Articles
Friday, March 23, 2007
[RC] RC:Core Temp
As to the electrolytes. Steph said:
>> ... messes with osmotic balance in gut (high concentration of
salt in
one dose). <<<
Angie Asked:
What happened to the old line that if a horse's electrolytes were
depleted, that drinking clear water would disrupt the osmotic balance?
==========================================================
and Steph Answered:
it's been a while since college, so please take my comments as those
of a
lowly rider, not a vet or physiologist.
but - the principle is: water follows salt. wherever the
concentration of
salt is highest, water will go and seek equilibrium, given the
channel/ability to do so. without enough water the body can't circulate
substrate adequately (blood becomes thick/sludgy) and if the guts are
not
active (can also be a result of over-exertion)then stuff, including
salt may
simply stay in the gut rather than get circulated to the cells that
need it.
(or even worse case scenario draw water back into the gut to
normalize the
salt concentration).
the risk of over-hydration (diluting the amount of salt in the body
fluid)
by drinking too much is (I think) much lower than the risk of
dehydration.
There have been many studies demonstrating that horses lose great
amounts of
salt during exertion. And we know there are also studies (the French)
that
demonstrate that drenching with electrolytes doesn't improve
performance...
and we know of many cases where horses have done well w/o electrolyte
supplementation. (I just rode 120km in very hot and humid conditions in
Malaysia with no e-lyte supplementation during the ride - the horse
drank/ate all night, hydration was excellent). So this begs the
question: if
e-lytes are lost in exertion, but horses can still perform well w/o
supplementation, then why are we told that we must actively replace the
salts that are lost, during the exertion? How do these horses do it w/o
replacement during competition. Is there enough of an e-lyte reserve
in a
fully loaded gut to re-supply the system during exertion?
hmmmmm??
>
> Steph
======== Terry Comments ======
How do these horses do it w/o replacement during competition.
Remember, they are EATING FOOD at the vet checks!
As long as the horse is fit for the distance (this influences how efficiently a horse can regulate temperature and cool off during or after hard workl) and eating/drinking at the vet checks (this replenishes their elytes) as it does normally.
Below from the Texas A&M Univ. "Scientific Principles for Conditioning Race and Performance Horses":
"Horses in moderate condition (body condition score of 5) are better able to effectively use DIETARY and STORED energy specifically toward the performance activity, with a SLOWER ONSET OF FATIGUE and IMPROVED THERMAL REGULATION."
Terry
"May the Horse be with you"
Thursday, March 22, 2007
FEI Press: Horse Transport, Beijing Olympics
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Diagnosis of Back and Sacroiliac Pain - Nancy Loving
Chris Ray, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Weatherford, Texas struck off the discussion about lameness and performance problems associated with back and sacral area pain at the Western Performance Horse Forum held in Nampa, Idaho, on Feb. 15-17. He recommended the importance of listening to the trainer or owner, as many back problems only appear when a horse is performing his athletic activity.
Some horses are so sore they don't want to unload off the trailer. A veterinarian will perform a visual and palpation exam of the back. When a horse is asked to bend, his response is assessed as to whether there is a difference between directions. About 90% of the time, problems are found at the top of the sacrum along the midline.
[More ...]
Some horses are so sore they don't want to unload off the trailer. A veterinarian will perform a visual and palpation exam of the back. When a horse is asked to bend, his response is assessed as to whether there is a difference between directions. About 90% of the time, problems are found at the top of the sacrum along the midline.
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Finding and Managing Back Injuries and Pain - Nancy Loving
How do you locate the source of back pain in the horse? Once you find the source, how do you manage the pain? At the Western Performance Horse Forum held in Nampa, Idaho, on Feb. 15-17, a panel of three veterinarians discussed options for finding and managing back and sacroiliac injuries that create pain, lameness, and/or performance issues. Panelists were Robert Schneider, DVM, MS, equine orthopedic surgeon at Washington State University; Van Snow, DVM, from Santa Ynez, Calif.; and Chris Ray, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Weatherford, Texas.
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Sunday, March 18, 2007
Scientific Principles for Conditioning Performance Horses
The equine athlete undergoes significant musculo-skeletal changes during conditioning and competition. Unfortunately, lameness and losses are higher than desirable and the industry is challenged to use field-and-laboratory-based principles for improving the well-being of race and performace horses. Body condition can be adjusted to delay fatigue and influence thermal regulation. Body weight estimates can aid in feeding horses more effectively. Preride checks and adequate warm-up are vital to the initial conditioning and specificity of training phases horses must undergo to be cmpetitive. Heart rate provides a good monitor of how horses respond to exersize and can be used to minimize injury through effectively regulated overloading techniques. Diet plays a major role in conditioning and energy can be provided in a fashion to increased time to fatigue and improve heat dissipation. Cardiovascular fitness remains with horses longer than skeletal strenth during off-periods and both ground surfaces and exercise schedules impact the length of time needed to prepare for the rigors of competition.
The Complete Paper (PDF)
The Complete Paper (PDF)
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