HORSE NATION https://www.horsenation.com horsing around the world Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:46:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.2 Mythbuster Monday: Vaccination and EHV-1 https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/18/mythbuster-monday-vaccination-and-ehv-1/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:46:34 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168186 → ]]> On Mythbuster Monday, we tackle a variety of equestrian myths to either bust or confirm. Today’s discussion: Does the EHV vaccine fight against the neurological form of the virus?

It’s Mythbuster Monday, where Horse Nation dives into different equestrian myths and provides research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: Does the EHV vaccine fight against the neurological form of the virus? What is EHV? What form of the virus does the vaccine prevent? Read further to find out!

Myth: The EHV vaccine fights against the neurological form of the virus

Myth or Fact: Myth

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EHV is also known as Equine Herpesvirus or Rhinopneumonitis. This is a family of viruses that are labeled 1 – 5. While many of them don’t cause serious side effects, 1,3, and 4 cause serious harm to domesticated horses. In this article, we’re going to focus on EHV-1, the neurological form of the virus.

Signs and symptoms of EHV-1 include incoordination, hind end weakness, loss of tail tone, lethargy, urine dribbling, head tilt, inability to rise, and leaning against walls to keep balance. EHV-1 manifests with these neurological signs and symptoms, respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death.

The disease is contagious and is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact via the respiratory tract from nasal secretions. The virus can also be spread indirectly from contact with physical objects such as human contaminated hands and clothing, contaminated tack, trailers, grooming equipment, feed, and/or water buckets. The virus can survive up to 4 – 6 hours on the mentioned surfaces but can live in manure and soil for up to 30 days.

But, does the EHV vaccine prevent against the neurological form of the disease?

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According to an article by UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, no. The vaccines available fight against the respiratory forms of the virus but no vaccine is currently available for the neurological version of the disease.

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The American Association for Equine Practitioners (AAEP) also published an article discussing the neurological version of the disease. They write that practicing adequate vaccination protocols will create antibodies against EHV over time. However, presence of the antibodies does not provide immunity against the neurological version of the virus. AAEP states that the best way to prevent spread and contamination of EHV-1 is to practice proper biosecurity measures. They also state that while none of the current vaccines are labeled to prevent the neurological form of the disease, during an outbreak, horses in the area should all get vaccinated to aid in the prevention against the disease through spreading nasal secretions. This is because the vaccine does limit nasal shedding.

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Hagyard Equine Medical Institute also published valuable information about EHV-1. Again, they reiterate that there is no vaccine for the neurological form of the virus. However, they write that horses in an exposed area that have not been vaccinated for EHV in the last three months should get vaccinated to reduce the severity of clinical manifestations and to decrease the risk of shedding.

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After diving into the research, it’s important to note that horses should be on a regular vaccination schedule to prevent the shedding of the disease. The neurological version of the virus spreads from nose-to-nose contact and by contamination of horse related items. Currently, there is no vaccine on the market that prevents against the neurological form of EHV.


Do you have an equine myth you’d like us to tackle? If so, send it our way! Email your suggestions to deann@horsenation.com. Put Mythbuster Monday in your subject line.

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‘Oh Crap’ Monday: That Escalated Quickly https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/18/oh-crap-monday-that-escalated-quickly/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:21:13 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=167636 → ]]> It’s all fun and games until someone gets kicked through a fence.

Monday already is the crappiest day of the week, so it only makes sense that we make things official. Here’s our latest “oh crap” moment.

Well, we all know who the head of the herd is here — and it’s not the Cremello. Nobody tells that buckskin what to do! (It has to be a mare, right?) Anyways, tje real MVP of this video is the bay that just stands there looking unfased.

 

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A post shared by Sneaky Pony! (@sneaky.pony)

Go forth and tackle your Monday, Horse Nation.

Have an “Oh Crap” moment to share? Email your photo/video and a brief explanation of what is going down to deann@horsenation.com. Instagram users, tag your moments with #OhCrapMonday (your photos need to be set to public or we won’t see them!).

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SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: Foal Health 101 https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/18/smartpak-monday-morning-feed-foal-health-101/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:00:50 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168009 → ]]> How much do you know about foal health? How much can a healthy mare impact a healthy foal? When do you wean a foal? HOW do you wean a foal? Our friends at SmartPak tried to answer these questions (and a lot more!) in their Foal Health 101 video. Check it out!

In this Ask the Vet video, Dr. Lydia Gray and SmartPaker Dan go crazy for baby horses… and baby donkeys! Watch as they discuss all aspects of foal health, such as hooves and joints, general wellbeing, and vaccinations for newborns and weanlings.

If you’re not in a place to watch the video, you can get read the full transcript below.

DAN: “I wonder if SmartPak in general, not specifically “Ask the Vet,” could do a ‘foal 101′ video? For example, when to do what, i.e. vaccinations, farrier work, and wellness on a foal.” This also, of course, got a lot of questions and comments.

DR LYDIA GRAY: We don’t even–

DAN: Any time you mention foals, it’s always going bring in a lot of comments. So from Breakfast Foods, which also, fantastic name–

DR LYDIA GRAY: I love that.

DAN: “I’ve been interested in becoming a vet, so I’ve always loved to learn new information about foals.” And then Lauren said, “I just want to see cute babies.” Lauren, I–

DR LYDIA GRAY: Baby horses, especially, like, miniature baby horses. Baby donkeys.

[GASP]

Maybe the videographer will put a baby donkey picture in.

DAN: Oh, I think we can find a baby donkey photo.

[LAUGH]

DR LYDIA GRAY: They’re the cutest!

DAN: –baby foals, I agree with. And I agree that we should absolutely do a foals 101 video.

DR LYDIA GRAY: OK. All right. So this will be our start, and we’ll kind of gather up the information from this, and then move on.

DAN: I was kind of hoping there was going to be a foal waiting in here when we came in today.

DR LYDIA GRAY: Oh! Sorry. So Sorry. So foals 101. Oh, gosh. This is a huge, huge topic, and might take more than one video. So I put everything together, and I’m trying to condense it down to what we can cover in three minutes here.

I think of foals as sort of before they’re on the ground. So mare care, and then the first 30 days or so of the foal’s life up to weaning, and then life of the weanling.

DAN: OK.

DR LYDIA GRAY: You know, so those discrete segments all have special veterinary medical or preventive wellness care needs and nutrition, and everything. So I guess the first piece of advice is, or whatever included in a foal 101 video is make sure your mare care is up to date.

So that includes vaccinations and deworming, because the mare’s health influences the foal’s health. You know, that first milk, the colostrum. What the scientists or the veterinarian would say, the passive transfer of maternal immunity or immunoglobulins is really important. And that comes from having your mare vaccinated against common diseases early.

DAN: OK. So make sure mother is in good health–

DR LYDIA GRAY: And that she’s at a good weight. I mean, if she’s thin or fat, then she’s either not going to make a healthy baby or be able to feed a healthy baby or have foal out well. So you want to have a good five-ish body condition score.

And I’ll say this so I don’t forget it is if you’re breeding a mare or you’ve got a young horse, you’ve got to have your veterinarian involved. There are so many pieces that are a part.

Like for example, when the mare foals, the veterinarian needs to come out within the first 12 to 24 hours and do a wellness foal care. Whether you see a problem or not, the vet needs to evaluate that foal for, did he or she stand up? Is the nursing going on? Is the cognition all there? Is there a heart murmur?

Do the eyes look good? Is there a patent urachus, umbilical? I mean, there’s so many things to look at. You need an expert who can quickly do a physical exam and make sure that everything is OK.

As an owner, your job is to make sure the foal has and continues to have, because things change quickly, straight legs or standing completely on their hoof. They’re nursing, they’re sleeping, they’re running. They’re doing all good baby horse things or baby donkey things. There’s so many things that can go wrong, that if your foal is not doing those things, then contact your vet.

Obviously, this is like the last topic, behavior. You need to do a lot of reading if you’re going to breed a mare, have a foal, have a young horse, because there’s a lot to know.

I don’t want to get into specifics as far as when you should do what, but I did read on a farrier’s website that I trust, he likes to be out there looking at horse feet and legs and trimming on them in the first month. So 30 days.

And he likes to come every 30 days to make sure that things are progressing correctly, because there could be angular limb deformities, flexural limb deformities, contracted tendons that if they’re handled early, if you’re on top of them, you can make them without– the horse can end up having a useful, productive life and be healthy and sound without surgical intervention.

DAN: So the farrier likes to come out early to do any foundational work on the feet that could be impacting any of the upper limbs.

DR LYDIA GRAY: And examine them. This farrier said, I like to watch the foal walk and make sure they’re landing heel to toe and the legs carrying straight, and there’s nothing funky going on. So this guy stays on top of it.

You know, she asked I think about vaccinations and deworming. There are protocols. Your veterinarian will help you develop the protocol that is right for you, because it differs. Was the mare vaccinated ahead of time or not? That’s a huge difference. Where you live geographically, the foal’s risk of exposure to certain diseases.

The type and brand of vaccine used. All that depends on what vaccines are given when and which intervals, because with foals or the first time a horse gets a vaccine, you don’t give just one. One’s a booster. We have to start the series of one, two, or three. Yeah.

And nutrition, it’s important to feed the foal right early. When to begin creep feeding. What do you creep feed with? Having the foal’s body condition score of five is important, because they get too heavy or they get too much sugar in their diet, and then you run into developmental, orthopedic disease and other problems. Boy, there’s a lot of stuff.

DAN: There’s a lot.

DR LYDIA GRAY: There’s a lot. There’s a lot.

DAN: So a lot of it sounds like one, you know, your own horse’s condition, the mare’s condition, then the foal’s condition. When it’s born, if there’s any sort of deformities or things that have to be–

DR LYDIA GRAY: Know normal.

DAN: Yep.

DR LYDIA GRAY: And then when to call the vet for abnormal. But your veterinarian will need also to make assessments. We don’t wait that first 12 to 24 hours. You get the vet out and make sure things are OK, because things might look good to you that are not on track, and you want to jump on them early.

DAN: OK. And especially, so work with your vet closely for finding out all those other vaccinations and things of that nature, depending on your area and your horses’ health.

DR LYDIA GRAY: Mm-hmm.

DAN: Well, if you guys have any other questions about foals, make sure to send them our way. And if you have any photos, please send them. You can send them directly to me. It’s OK. What?

DR LYDIA GRAY: Baby donkeys.

DAN: Oh, and baby donkeys.

[LAUGHTER]

We’re into all of that, and I will definitely get working on that foals 101 for you.


You can find this and more great information on SmartPak’s Horse Health Library

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Holiday Horse Names: St. Patrick’s Day Quarter Horses https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/17/holiday-horse-names-st-patricks-day-quarter-horses/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:14:30 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168112 → ]]> Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Horse Nation. Today, we’re celebrating by highlighting some Quarter Horses with St. Patrick’s Day-themed registered names. Check them out below:

Last year we started a series for various holidays! In this series we research and share registered horse names that are related to the holiday. Each year we’ll pick a different breed to showcase. For 2024 we picked Quarter Horses and will be looking at American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) registered names.

Here are some AQHA registered Quarter Horse names that go right along with St. Patrick’s Day:

Shamrock

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2021 colt by Ranger Rookie and out of Tellershezklassy.

St Patricks Day

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1962 horse by Parkers Trouble and out of Business4.

Irish Pay

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2004 horse by Paddys Irish Whiskey and out of Raise the Pay.

Irish Goldmine

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2015 mare by Irish Pay and out of Little Black Bird.

Pot of Gold

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1948 horse by Jack Pot and out of Pauline W.

Shamrock Shake

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2020 mare by Irish Pay and out of Shakem Sadies Shakem.

Lucky Charm

There are two AQHA registered Quarter Horses throughout history with this registered name. Their birth years are 1962 and 2009. Both are listed as mares.

Run of Luck

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1966 mare by Mr Meyers and out of Sugar Cue Bars.

Sunmans Irish Pay

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2018 gelding by Frosted Sunman and out of Irish Goldmine.

Shamrock Mint

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1999 mare by Dash Ta Fame and out of Scent of Mint.

Irish Luck

There are two AQHA registered Quarter Horses throughout history with this registered name. Their birth years are 1948 and 1965. Both are listed as mares.

Irish Bars

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1960 colt by Candy Bar Sugar and out of Irish Traveler.

Irish Traveler

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1954 mare by Irish Red and out of Skippa Traveler.

Irish Red

There are two AQHA registered Quarter Horses throughout history with this registered name. Their birth years are 1951 and 2000. One is listed as a mare and the other is listed as a horse.

Raps Irish Eyes

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1994 mare by Fox Eyed Jack and out of Raps Rapture.

Paddy’s Irish Whiskey

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1991 horse by Peppy San Badger and out of Docs Starlight.

Out of Ireland

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1995 mare by Rocket River Leo and out of Hibernia7.

Irish Coquette

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2001 mare by Docs Gray Jack and out of Samantha Fair Jet.

Hot N Irish

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1998 gelding by Blazing Hot and out of Irish Invitation.

Irish Invitation

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1994 mare by Invitation Only and out of Kerrys Kiss.

Baileys Irish Cream

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 2017 colt by Frenchmans Irish and out of Bailey Shawnes.

Frenchmans Irish

There is only one AQHA registered Quarter Horse throughout history with this registered name. It is a 1999 horse by Flyma Bars and out of PCFrenchmanslisbet.

Do you have a horse with a St. Patrick’s Day themed name? Let us know in the Facebook comments!

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Fantasy Farm Friday: 172-Acre Shotwell Farm https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/15/fantasy-farm-friday-172-acre-shotwell-farm/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:30:52 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168240 → ]]> This amazing Viriginia estate can be yours… for $6.5M.

One of our favorite activities as equestrians is fantasizing about and drooling over the type of equestrian estate we would build if we could. Well, this 172 acre farm in Virginia should top the list of ones to fantasize about.

Shotwell Farm is a 172-acre equestrian haven and a distinguished landmark in Jefferson County. According to the listing on Horse Properties, the estate “combines opulence and practicality. A picturesque tree-lined driveway welcomes you to the heart of the farm, where an elegant Southern Living home takes center stage, surrounded by lush landscaping, expansive pastures, and panoramic views.”


The main house features a spacious front porch, which overlooks the meticulously maintained grounds.

Inside, the open foyer boasts luxurious marble floors and a grand staircase.

The well-lit rooms are bathed in sunlight from floor-to-ceiling windows. The features include marble-surround fireplaces, oak flooring and custom built-ins throughout the house.

The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, a double oven, and a gas stove. It is completed with a cozy sitting area with natural light streaming in through French doors.

Of course, there’s also a butler’s pantry (naturally).

There is a first floor master suite, with both a walk-in closet and seating area. So there’s plenty of space for relaxation and privacy.

Upstairs houses an incredible library and three more bedrooms.

Beyond the residence, a parking portico featuring an arched cobblestone driveway that is strategically positioned near the kitchen. A breezeway seamlessly links the house to a spacious three-bay garage. Although not shown here, the upper level of this garage is thoughtfully designed to house a luxurious 2-bedroom apartment, complete with a full-size kitchen, a full bathroom, and private laundry.

Now for the good stuff: the equestrian features.

The facilities are designed with precision to address every aspect of equine care and horsemanship. The main barn is a remarkable center-stall stable that serves as the focal point for equestrian activities. This impressive structure includes a generator, a reception area, two designated office spaces, a laundry facility, and three staff apartments — one on the first floor and two on the second floor. There are 29 horse stalls and a wash stall. The centerpiece of the barn is an extraordinary 100’ x 300’ riding arena located off the center of the stalls.

Adjacent to the primary equestrian facility stands a sprawling 12,000 square feet building, housing a well-designed breeding area and a 2,520 square feet maintenance shop complete with 200-amp electric and water service. Complementing this structure are an additional 39 meticulously crafted horse stalls, mirroring the craftsmanship and materials of the main barn, bringing the total number of stalls across the property to 68.

There are additional out-buildings at the rear of the grounds, dedicated to hay and equipment storage, each spanning 6,000 square feet. The hay structure includes a practical 16’x100’ lean-to, enhancing the functionality of the storage facilities.

The pastures are defined by 18,000 linear feet of four-rail blackboard fencing and an additional 7,500 linear feet of top rail fencing with diamond wire. The layout includes ample storage, strategically placed run-in sheds, and a network of 18 automatic waterers. Each waterer is serviced by a dedicated well and supported by a robust backup system, ensuring an uninterrupted and reliable water supply spanning the entirety of the farm.

The final residential structure on the property is a 1,200 square feet single-family split-level manager’s home, featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a partially finished basement, and an attached two-car garage. There isn’t much this facility doesn’t have.

You can get more information and the full listing here.

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Weekend Wellness, by Kentucky Performance Products: Are You Ready for Spring? https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/15/weekend-wellness-are-you-ready-for-spring/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:37:48 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168205 → ]]>
Spring is nearly here — are you ready? Here are some tips to make sure you keep your horse healthy as the seasons change:

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Are you ready for spring?

Below is a list of spring horse care reminders you should consider while gearing up for the busy season ahead.

• Slowly increase pasture time to reduce digestive upset.

• Begin with short grazing periods of 15-30 minutes per day.

• Slowly increase by an additional 15-30 minutes per day until horse is grazing 3-4 hours daily.

Take extra precautions for sugar-sensitive horses.

Sugar levels in grasses increase during the spring. Stop grazing completely when days are warm (60° F or above) and nights are cold (40° F or less).

Limit intake with a muzzle and graze in the early morning when days and nights are BOTH warm.

Keep an eye on your horse’s body condition.

With increased training in the warmer weather, to more time out on pasture, your horse’s body weight can fluctuate.

• Monitor your horse’s weight so they don’t get too thin or fat.

• Increase or decrease their intake levels as needed.

Schedule Spring vaccines.

Vaccines are an important part of your horse’s preventative health program. Talk to your vet to get your horse scheduled for their spring vaccines.

Run fecals and set up deworming to aid in parasite control.

Spring has one of the highest parasite infection rates. Make sure to run your annual fecals to check your horse’s egg worm count.

Clean blankets to be ready for next season.

Those dirty crusty blankets your horse has been wearing all winter are almost ready for storage! Make sure to get them properly cleaned so you will be ready for next season.

You can download a printable version of this graphic here


About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Choose Neigh-Lox® Advanced when digestive health is a top priority for your equine athlete.

Neigh-Lox Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com

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Celebrity Equestrians: Sistine Stallone https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/15/celebrity-equestrians-sistine-stallone/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:30:20 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168175 → ]]> Episode 6 of The Family Stallone, a streaming reality television series, features Sistine getting back in the saddle.

Courtesy Sistine Stallone (Instagram) and “The Family Stallone.”

The episode starts in the office of Arnold Schwarzenegger with his house pets, Lulu and Whiskey, a miniature horse and donkey. Sly expresses concerns about the pets “dropping a steamer,” but Arnold quickly cuts him off with, “So what? You just clean it up. I’m not worried about it.”

For those in need of more Lulu and Whiskey content, all of Arnold’s animals feature prominently on his social media. And, yes, they appear to live in his house full time and have a dedicated cookie jar in the kitchen.


The episode quickly shifts gears, though, to focus on Sylvester’s middle daughter, Sistine, and her desire to start riding horses again.

Sistine rode avidly starting when she was 15 and competed in reining in and around Los Angeles, qualifying for the national championship in her age group.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sistine (@sistinestallone)


But she quit abruptly at the age of 19 to pursue a modeling career.

“Which sounds quite embarrassing to say out loud that I would choose to be a coat hanger instead of a cowgirl,” she states bluntly. “And so I want to get back on a horse. This is what makes me happy.”

But Sly’s not so open to the idea.

He’s quick to say he loves horses and riding, but he also details how much physical pain riding has caused him over the years, specifically chronic back issues linked to playing semi-professional polo.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone)


“I love the animals, but I love my daughters more,” he says. “I have never met a horse person that has not had a catastrophic accident. Not once.”

Undeterred, Sistine pushes on, traveling to Oklahoma, where Sly is currently filming Tulsa King, and arranging a riding lesson with a trainer named Jessica. Jessica runs Sistine through the paces, reteaching her a few basic reining maneuvers.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sistine (@sistinestallone)


During the lesson, Sly stands in the arena beside Jessica, cheering Sistine on.

“Good seat, right?” he asks at one point, to which Jessica replies, “It’s really nice.”

Sly’s excitement and interest are palpable on screen. You can tell he actually does love horses, but he also definitely loves his daughter more.

“You know I feel bad that I wasn’t as supportive as I should have been because nothing means more to me than the happiness of my children, and knowing that they’re fulfilling their dream. And I know that my kind of insecurity affected Sistine, but I’ll try harder next time.”

“I am 100% in this,” Sistine says with a smile at the end of her lesson.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sistine (@sistinestallone)


Sly closes the episode with the thought, “When you think of horse, you think, oh, yeah, cowboy. But these magnificent creatures who [are] tended to by 90% women. Behind the scenes, what makes the show go are the women. Boy, does that sound like life.”

And judging by Sly’s Instagram, his daughter’s renewed horse bug might be catching. On the set of Tulsa King, Sylvester admired a few on-set beauties, and he also shared photos of himself posing with a polo horse and a striking Andalusian in what looks to be the “barn” at the family home in Santa Barbara.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone)


Go riding.

Amanda Uechi Ronan is an equestrian, author, and wannabe race car driver. Follow her on Instagram @amanda_uechi_ronan.

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Ask AI Equestrian Edition: Pi Day https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/14/ask-ai-equestrian-edition-pi-day/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:52:18 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168150 → ]]> Happy Pi Day, Horse Nation! Since I can’t bake, I decided that I would let AI generate some horse-related pies. The results are… entertaining.

Today is March 14th… also known as Pi Day. For those of you who are less mathematically inclined, or just generally forget that we have this weird habit of assigning things to days for no real reason, the number π is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It’s an irrational number (a decimal with no end and no repeating pattern) that is approximately equal to 3.14159. Or, in absolute shorthand, 3.14. Get it? 3.14? As in March 14th?

So, yes, today is Pi Day. As a result, a lot of people make pies. There will be social media posts everywhere featuring these pies:

Canva/CC

That one time I made a chicken (maybe turkey?) pot pi pie. Don’t judge my crust. I don’t bake. This was probably one of the first (and only) pie crusts I’ve made. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.

In honor of Pi Day (and the desire to jump on the social media bandwagon), I decided to ask AI to generate a horse pie to share on our social channels today. The results were interesting. So instead of just a social post, I decided to really dive into what AI created when it comes to horses and pies. I played with different variations on the theme, and these are the results (all photos have been generated by Canva).

So, these first two photos are what came up when I asked AI to give me a result for “horse pie.” Like… wut? I am confused. In so, so many ways.

Deciding AI and I weren’t on the same page, I went with “horse on a pie.” These are moderately better. At least less confusing and much more representative of what I thought I asked AI to generate.

So then I put in “horse apple pie” and got these two:

This second one might actually be my favorite of all the AI-generated images. I mean… what is even happening here?

Then I went for “horse eating apple pie” (because of course horses would want apple pies!). Other than some straight up wonky features on the horses, these seem somewhat likely:

After that, I put in “horse pi.” These were the results (full disclosure — I DO NOT know what any of these symbols mean/if they are symbols; don’t @ me for these ones):

I believe my next input was “horse pie day.” So… this got weird:

My final input was “horses and pies.” Okay. Weird features again, but at least AI sort of understood the assignment:

As always, AI has an interesting notion of what horses look like (and pies, for that matter!).

Do you have an equestrian related question you’d like us to ask AI? If so, send it our way! Email your suggestions to deann@horsenation.com. Put AI Question in your subject line.

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Thursday Video: Extreme Skijoring https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/14/thursday-video-extreme-skijoring/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:08:04 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168144 → ]]> As winter releases its grip on us, we want to pay homage to this rad winter sport.

It’s no secret that skijoring is on my bucket list. Whether as the rider or skier, this is something I long to do… okay, so maybe being the skier is something I longed to do two knee surgeries and 15 pounds ago, but I digress. I still think this sport is freaking bad-a$$, and given the opportunity I’d be in.

Well, as if the sport by itself weren’t bad-a$$ enough, Big Sky Skijoring was like, “How do we make this bigger, badder, AND better? We know! Let’s add pyrotechnics and a backflipping snowmobile.” (I’m not sure if this is actually what they said, but it doesn’t matter. That was definitely the result.) I won’t lie. I’m here for it.

 

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Happy Thursday, Horse Nation. Do what make you feel bad-a$$ and go riding!

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Reader Photo Challenge: Red Heads https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/14/reader-photo-challenge-red-heads-2/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:56:40 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168119 → ]]> Enjoy these 17 photos of red horses!

This week we asked to see those red horses — and wow did you deliver! After reviewing the 60+ comments on the post, we hope you enjoy these 17 photos of our favorite red heads!

Photo by Cassidy Brooke Photography

Photo courtesy of Sydney Miller

Photo by HLJ Images

Photo courtesy of Kimberley Beldam

Photo by Bethany P Photography

Photo by Layne Shaffer

Photo by Nenah Demunster

Photo by Ella Chedester Photography

Photo by Jamie Sweet

Photo by Bearlee Photography

Photo by Giana Terranova Photography

Photo by Julia Donley Photography

Photo by Katie Dukes

Photo by J Sweet Photography

Photo by Karen Bulzacchelli

Photo by Kristie Sholten

Photo by Amy Flemming Waters Photography

Keep an eye out for next week’s photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Monday around the end of the day on both Instagram and Facebook.

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Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Pain or Behavior? https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/13/thoroughbred-logic-presented-by-kentucky-performance-products-pain-or-behavior/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:11:10 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168075 → ]]> “I imagine that, like people, there are no horses who feel no discomfort when asked to work. They will have sore joints, eventually tired muscles, sometimes a tweak of pain here or there. Sure. And for some, there will be acute pain.”

Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic troubleshooting horses that display “bad behavior.”

One of the hardest things to determine as a trainer (and hell, as a rider) is why horses do what they do. A horse bucks in a canter transition. OK. Is it an opinion, fear or is it a result of pain? Do we need to train it out (AKA send the horse forward) or do we need to hunt for the cause? Usually the answer is both…

As a kid, I was the one who would hop on anything. Oh, it bucks and you won’t get back on? Sure, I’ll swing a leg over. Rank and gate sour and needs to be sent forward. I got it. Keeps stopping at a fence. Let’s see if I can get it over. With less veterinary diagnostics and far less knowledge, I’m sure I asked some horses to move forward through pain. I’m sure we all have. I’m grateful for the ones who accepted my dumb young confidence and said, “Well, alright then.” I’m grateful to those who didn’t kill me in the process. And I’m grateful for the ones who put me in the dirt and said “no.”

This Welsh pony hellion, Snowflake, put my a$$ on the ground more times than I can count. Photo by Pamela Graham.

Many years later as a trainer and rider who works closely with a team of excellent vets, farriers, and body workers who understand not just horses in general but Thoroughbreds, knowledge has started to filter into the diagnostic black hole of understanding (some of) the causes of behavior. I imagine that, like people, there are no horses who feel no discomfort when asked to work. They will have sore joints, eventually tired muscles, sometimes a tweak of pain here or there. Sure. And for some, there will be acute pain. And while hunting down that pain and relieving it is critical, it is also important to sort out how they communicate that stress, pain or discomfort.

Uno (Hold Em Paul) not being technically bad, but definitely responding to the stress of a seriously busy warm up arena at Stableview earlier this year. These whale-like leaps are the worst he does (and only under tons of stress), so good kiddo, Uno. Photo by Adela Narovich.

One of the things I love most about Thoroughbreds is their desire to work. The vast majority not only crave a connection with a human, but a job. They don’t care about the height of the fences or if you’re competing in a FEI level event or the smallest schooling show. They don’t have aspirations. But they want proper care, security, work and attention. At my farm, I’ll pull one out of a stall and the “why not me?” in the eyes those who haven’t been groomed yet follow me to the cross ties (ahem, Rhodie, Wolf, Needles, Hudson…) Anthropomorphism or not, there’s little doubt that they want to work.

I love first post-track rides for this reason. There is so much try, so much enthusiasm, even if they don’t quite understand the new sport-horse game yet. They want to go forward. They want to ‘do.’ Sure, they might have opinions about what exactly they do and how (yes, yes, you mares know I need to ask not tell, I get it), or how fast that forward moves, but they still want to work.

Ramen (Plamen) made it clear he had been a very accomplished racehorse during his first post-track ride. Forward and want-to-work was in full force. But a little training later, and here he is. Photo by Cora Williamson Photography.

So when they don’t want to work, there should be a big ole caution flag flying. When they don’t want to move off your leg, when they regularly rear, buck, kick out, suck back and say “no,” I have to pump the brakes and take a good long hard look at the whole situation (see my recent article on Troubleshooting). (And because I was dumb and apparently troubleshooting is on my mind, I rewrote the questions to assess a horse, so I’ll leave them after the sign off below.)

But when “bad behavior” shows up, it is always worth both looking for pain and knowing that, regardless, you’ll also have to train the reaction. Ignore the pain and address only the behavior and things will likely only get worse. This is the proverbial going to send them to a cowboy response (no offense cowboys, I know there are a lot of awesome, kind folks out there… but this refers to the stereotype). Address only the pain and hope the behavior goes away … well… that might keep the problem out of sight for a while, but it will likely come rushing back in when enough stress accumulates.

Madigan Cat came to me from the track with knowledge that he failed off before ever race training because he bucked. He is a long running challenge that despite vet work and training, I never managed to solve. Photo by Cora Williamson.

Let me say that another way: A horse’s particular type of reaction is going to be remain their ‘go-to’. Stress brings out the worst in everyone. Hell, I’m pretty sure when under deadline understaffed with a sore back, you’re just as “pleasant” to deal with as I am. But with stress, responses vary: Some people will become explosive and angry, some will punch a hole in a wall, some will cry, and some will shrink back from the world, or offer any other myriad reactions. You probably know what your go-to is. Horses aren’t that dissimilar and their response to stress is rarely random.

Whether the cause of stress is pain, fear of pain, or simply a new situation or a desire to not want to do something, stress is going to get a response. Some horses will sweat, others will shake. Some will flick an ear on their rider and trust them. But keep pushing, keep the pressure on, and eventually the behavior will kick in — Hudson will rear. Curry will lock up. Rhodie will run sideways. Madigan would bronc buck.

Evidence of said Madigan bucking and me not managing to stick it. Screenshot by Alanah Giltmier.

So after one treats for ulcers or starts supplements or injections for joint pain or the like, the behavior needs training. I can tell you how I try to fix these things, but the bottom line is a) assess what you are comfortable with and b) find a trainer who is good at this and who you trust and get help along the way.

With much of this behavior, I’ll go back to the ground to train. “Forward” is always the safest option to counter these particular behaviors. For a rearer, I’ll put them on a lunge and train a verbal cue and send horses on, rewarding the good behavior. If they go sideways, I will train in a set of “over” commands to help control the shoulders. Once in the saddle, that “over” command can help a lock up or skitter sideways response come back to center and forward. Bucks are about sending forward and keeping a head up and that can often be done under saddle as on a lunge.

Warm up arenas are Rhodie’s (Western Ridge) unraveling. Here he is at Stableview, focusing as best as possible in a not-super-busy ring and not running sideways. Photo by Adela Narovich.

Quality training and treatment of pain can put a mile between the so-called bad behavior and the riding experience of the horse and rider. But a horse that rears  — if pushed hard enough — MAY still rear in the future. A bucker MAY still try to buck. And a horse who runs sideways, even with excellent training, MAY still drop a shoulder and begin to shut the forward down when scared. It is worth knowing what your horse’s go-to is and what the tells are that stress is accumulating and that one is backsliding. From there, you can alter situations, train, treat, or all of the above to help reduce stress and promote better outcomes.

This once-fat shiny mare is now back in my barn after backsliding and passing through a few hands. Her behavior isn’t dangerous, but when pain kicks in she kicks out. Can’t say I blame her. So back to treatment and gentle training. Photo by the Kivu Team.

Taken together, sorting out horse behavior is about what a rider is willing to handle both financially in terms of vet bills and maintenance, and what a rider can comfortably manage in the saddle. I guess the final takeaway is that honest assessment of abilities, fears and finances leads to the happiest horsemen. And horses who have pain addressed and behavior trained have the best chance of being part of that happy riding combination.

Go ride folks — and if it isn’t working, call your vet and your trainer and make a plan.

Enjoy a pretty Curry (Curlin Lane) photo to close out. I’m excited to get this handsome, all-sorted-out kiddo out showing soon. Photo by Cora Williamson Photography.

Here are the troubleshooting questions I run down when assessing a horse with “bad behavior” — regardless of whether they are right from the races or have had retraining time since:

  • What exactly is the behavior? Detail is important here. Behavior is layered, and sometimes the underlying info can give us more information than the bigger more notable action itself.
  • What rider action seems to cause the behavior? Is it trying to use a left leg under saddle? Is it a canter transition only in one direction? Is it a 10-minute time limit and then the horse’s quarter runs out? Is it asking to do something that is just a little bit more challenging than usual?
  • What other data do we have? Have there been veterinary assessments in the past? Are there radiographs available? How did they race? Were there any gaps in training or potential injuries? And in speaking with the owners (if that’s not me), I’ll ask about timelines and try to put diet, training, and behavior changes on a mental continuum to see if there’s a point that makes sense as to when this behavior began. All of that helps me start to understand a cause.
  • How does the horse move at a walk and a jog with and without tack? This helps sort out if lameness is an issue and if hoof / limb / joint pain could be influencing the behavior or saddle fit / girthing etc.
  • How does their body respond to palpation, especially over their neck, back, and SI regions? If a horse is body sore to the touch, it will be sore under saddle. Where it is sore, in consultation with a good vet will help resolve the pain. For instance, if the horse is sore through their SI region, I’ll often look down the hind limbs for lameness and to the hooves to make sure the legs are supported with proper, balanced hoof angles.
  • What is the quality of their coat, body condition, and general health? This one is a bit of a no brainer, but if they don’t look healthy, they probably are not. That is something I always want to sort out before really tackling the under saddle behavior. If the horse horse bucks, cutting their alfalfa or grain is not likely to make them buck less.
  • Does the horse have different behavior depending on who is in the irons? Sometimes horses simply don’t like how they are ridden. Riders might dig their seat in or have hard hands. If they horse has the same behavior with a quality trainer and the rider, ok, we might have a consistent issue. If not, what is the behavior that sends them to reaction?
  • How does the horse respond on the ground to humans and stimuli? Are they reactive? Aggressive? Kind, soft and never put a foot out of line? Trusting or distrustful? How they are on the ground often tells a story about their past and how this behavior has been handled.
  • How are they in turnout? In a stall? Horses are nothing if not pretty consistent. If they are bolshy and over confident and just want to play under saddle, you’ll see it in a turnout as well. If a horse is painful or something is not right, a trained eye can often pick that out in turnout – do they spend time alone? What is their activity level relative to their peers?

All of these questions and more bang around my head at night when trying to figure out how to “fix” the horses that need it both in terms of where to ask a vet to look and what plan I need to make for training.


About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

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Neigh-Lox Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com

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WEF ‘Saturday Night Lights’ $385,000 5* Bainbridge Grand Prix https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/13/wef-saturday-night-lights-385000-5-bainbridge-grand-prix/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:57:04 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168086 → ]]> Dr. Gregory Beroza, aka HorseDoc ‘Talking Horses,’ offers this recap of the $385,000 5* Bainbridge Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Entrance to WEF. Photo by GBeroza.

On March 9, 2024, the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Wellington International Show Grounds in Florida hosted the $385,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix. It marked the culmination of a magnificent ninth week of competition and took center stage for WEF’s traditional ‘Saturday Night Lights’ star-studded event, which hosted many of the best Olympic caliber jump riders showcasing their talent to earn a spot on several different national Olympic Teams. The 2024 Summer Olympics is scheduled from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

Spectators at the event. Photo by GBeroza.

The WEF week was filled with numerous equestrian events, training and competitive action happening daily in several rings, with the featured Grand Prix Jump-Off event on a beautiful Saturday night in front of a packed crowd of several thousand friends, family, fans, and spectators. In attendance were several Olympic scouts and team leaders whose professional title is Chef d’Equipe.

Many Hall of Fame and Olympic-caliber riders shared their excitement and opinions with HorseDoc®, leading up to the climactic final evening’s jump off, which determined the top five competitors and ultimate Grand Prix winner. This 14-minute YouTube video showcases the major action:

Luciana Lossio (BRA) was the Grand Prix Champion and after winning was overflowing with joy at the Press Conference. She stated, “This is unbelievable for me. I’ve been with this mare for six years … and … we went higher and higher. Today I’m here in my first five-star and winning alongside these riders (Cook & Nassar) that I just enjoy watching. Lady Louise Jmen is so confident and doesn’t change from day to night, or from the grass (footing) to the sand (footing), she’s perfect.”

Luciana Lossio’s final winning jump. Photo by Sportfot.

Lossio rode next to last in a four-horse jump-off, masterfully designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade. Lossio’s final time of 39.53 seconds beat the second-place finisher’s, Nayel Nassar, time of 39.57 seconds, and Karl Cook’s initial jump-off round’s leading time of 39.90 seconds which dropped him to a 3rd place finish. Award honors were given by Jennifer and Richard Schechter, Chairman and CEO of the Bainbridge Companies and media was coordinated by WEF Press Officer Lindsay Brock.

Trophy winners presentation. From left to right: Nassar, Lossio and Cook are on the podium. -Jennifer and Richard Schechter to the right. Photo by Sportfot.

The Top Five Finalist Results:

  • Luciana Lossio (BRA) & Lady Louise Jmen: 2010 mare
  • Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Igor van de Wittimoere: 2008 Belgian WB gelding
  • Karl Cook (USA) & Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet: 2010 Belgain WB mare
  • Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Otis Blue: 2014 Belgian WB gelding
  • Kyle Timm (CAN) & Cassino Calvin: 2013 Oldenburg gelding

Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, DVM, DACVS, DABVP has been a practicing veterinarian and consultant for 42 years; and HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’® media host, author, and consultant since 2007. Dr. Beroza is a multimedia host and broadcasts his productions, including a new Podcast, via his WuzUpDoc Media website: www.WuzUpDoc.com. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other social media sources.

Thanks to ‘HorseDoc’ Sponsors:  Alex Nichols Agency; BMB IT Solutions, Chestnut Vale Feed, Cosequin Joint Health Supplement, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Great American Insurance-Equine Division; Hopscotch Air Taxi; Jaguar; JSR Farriers-Equine Transport; Land Rover; Nutrena; Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate; Ramard Nutraceuticals; Range Rover; Supporting Strategies; Ultravet Medical Devices

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The Idea of Order: Proprioception is a Liar https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/13/the-idea-of-order-proprioception-is-a-liar/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:04:55 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168073 → ]]> Seriously. Your body is not doing what you think it’s doing…

Presented by:

Oh, if only things reliably felt as they are…
As an instructor I’ve often seen this fun play out, but just as much so as a rider. For me, often the case is that I am *absolutely certain* that I am properly aligned to the right when I am, rather unfortunately, not. 🙁
I was initially incredulous when my instructor hinted that perhaps I was STILL.NOT.TURNING because I most certainly FELT like I was. But of course I eventually realized the truth, and then the even bigger truth that things don’t always feel as they are. 🤔🤣  Lame.

Morgane Schmidt is, among many things, an equestrian who still hasn’t quite decided what she wants to be when she grows up. Author of Life with Horses Is Never Orderly, she knows all about the madness that comes with the equine territory, having owned and competed horses in eventing and dressage for years. A lifelong fan of the classic equestrian cartoons penned by internationally renowned artist Norman Thelwell, she began her own comic series in 2011, sharing deftly funny reflections on life with horses on Horse Nation as well as her personal website. A native Floridian, she spent a decade in Reno, NV, where she was able to confirm her suspicion that snow is utterly worthless (she has since regained her sense and moved back to the Florida swamp). Though she has run the gamut of equestrian disciplines, her favorite is dressage. She has completed her USDF bronze and silver medals and is currently working on her gold. Generally speaking, her life is largely ruled by Woody, a 14.2 hand beastly quarter horse, Willie, a now beastly 14-year-old Dutch gelding, and Milona DG, a 7 year old KWPN chestnut mare (you can make your own inferences there…). Visit her website at www.theideaoforder.com.

Milona DG and I. Photo (c) Q2 Photography.

 

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#goriding Grams of the Week https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/12/goriding-grams-of-the-week-245/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:34:38 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168066 → ]]> Another week of horse life, rounded up in your images.

 

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Join the conversation! Follow us on Instagram at @go_riding and tag your public photos with #goriding. We’ll share our favorites daily.

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Saddle Up for the Trip of a Lifetime: The Whole Equestrian Lake Girl Retreat is Coming in May https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/12/saddle-up-for-the-trip-of-a-lifetime-the-whole-equestrian-lake-girl-retreat-is-coming-in-may/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:26:44 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168063 → ]]> If you’re looking for an all-inclusive wellness retreat especially for equestrian women, you need to check out this retreat in Deep Creek, MD.

Imagine being part of an all-inclusive and exclusive wellness retreat tailored specifically for equestrian women. You will immerse yourself in luxury lake accommodations with 4-8 new best friends, indulge in 18 hours of personalized wellness and performance workshops, savor delicious and nutritious meals, engage in daily movement activities, experience deep relaxation, enjoy scenic hikes, and take home upscale swag that will be cherished forever.

If that sounds like heaven to you, you need to go on the Whole Equestrian Lake Girl Retreat.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Everett.

Stephanie Everett M.Ed CHC is a wife, mother, and working professional on a mission to help educate and empower people to take charge of their well-being. As the owner of Total Evolution Health and Transition, Stephanie is able to help fulfill this mission through her corporate wellness program, Pillar Corporate Wellness, and by hosting transformative weekend getaways, dubbed ‘Lake Girl Retreats’.

When I first met Stephanie, we connected so easily on our values and views of health and wellness, that the idea of teaming up to host a Whole Equestrian Lake Girl Retreat was a no-brainer. As equestrians, we tend to invest all of our time, money, and energy into our horses and we don’t often take the time to invest in ourselves. Not to mention, it’s hard to work on habit changes when you are fighting against the forces and stressors of everyday life.

Lake Girl Retreats offer a chance to reset and overhaul — and not just by chewing on raw vegetables and drinking green juice for four days. These retreats are a little like going to summer camp as an adult, complete with specially tailored workshops to fit the group’s needs. You’ll embark on a journey of growth, laughter, and profound connections. Additionally, you have the luxury of having not one but TWO wellness professionals to guide you on your journey.

Check your calendar: we are set to host our first retreat together on May 16-19 in Deep Creek Lake, MD. All levels and disciplines of equestrian life are invited. If you’re interested in joining us, please reach out for more details.

To give you an idea of what the experience will be like, I caught up with Stephanie, who has hosted 10 retreats since 2019.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Everett.

What is your favorite part about hosting retreats?

I think when I first started doing retreats, my favorite part was the praise that I would get for their successes. The little compliments, like people telling me they liked the food and didn’t expect healthy to be so tasty or giving me positive feedback about their life well after the retreat. Now that I’ve been hosting 1-2 retreats a year, my favorite part is watching the group connect organically. Many times, the women don’t know each other before attending a retreat, and I just love stepping back to watch friendships form from the experience. That is why the majority of the women prioritize attending every retreat they can after their first one, which explains why there have been so few spots available to newbies these last couple of years.

What is one thing women can expect to gain after attending one of your retreats?
Something that most women don’t take time to do is pause and think about their lives holistically. Thinking about all the things that they have done to define who they are now, with zero judgment, and considering their aspirations for who they want to become and how to get there. Each individual who comes to my retreats leaves knowing themselves better through a supportive process of reflection and renewal, in both biology and biography. They leave empowered and ready to seize opportunities to write their life story according to their dreams and goals.

Most people hear the word “wellness” and think of fitness or nutrition. What else do you cover on the retreats?

I cook healthy meals for everyone, and we do some form of daily movement- but the focus of a Lake Girl Retreat is not a strict diet and workout regime. We also have wine, eat cheese and we have a lot of fun! Our sessions work on the whole person; the group dynamics enhance this process. We talk about broad ideas like our connection to other people, our families, and what is and isn’t working in our lives. It’s a bit like getting recalibrated in a way that makes you feel confident to make lasting changes in your real life.

Photo courtesy of Adrienne Morella Photography.

What’s one piece of wellness advice you could give to any Equestrian, knowing what you do about the lifestyle?

So I just started taking riding lessons, and I’m excited to learn more about horses in the upcoming months before our retreat, but from what you’ve told me and what I’ve witnessed, the ‘easiest’ and most actionable advice I could give would be to focus on hydration and being aware of your caffeine intake.

I’m not saying to quit caffeine altogether, but be mindful of the timing. Drinking caffeine after noon can drastically affect your sleep- whether you feel it directly or not. If you track your sleep patterns, you will notice a huge difference in your sleep score for the better by simply eliminating caffeine after noon. Sleep is very important! Drinking water consistently throughout the day will help you flush out caffeine and other unwanted toxins.

Remember, if you’re not stopping a few times a day to pee or you have dark, pungent urine, you’re not drinking enough water. I have a ton of hacks around the hydration habit and so much more for sustainable energy, focus, and mental clarity.

Dr. Tyler Held EdD CMPC is a former 5* Groom who currently owns and operates her Sport Psychology Consulting Business, Thought Quest Solutions LLC. She is also the host of The Whole Equestrian Podcast and writer of the popular Between the Ears series here on EN. This retreat is an extension of The Whole Equestrian’s mission to ‘bridge the gap between riding and wellness’ and help riders support their own needs through the tough demands of life with horses.

To learn more and reserve your space, please email stephanie.e.bff@gmail.com.

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Tuesday Video: Winning the Race Stirrup-Less https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/12/tuesday-video-winning-the-race-stirrup-less/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:43:20 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168039 → ]]> Jockeys are talented, but this takes it to a whole different level!

Being able to ride a horse at a full gallop around a track is talent (especially considering the minuscule strips of leather — aka saddles — between a jockey and a horse). Doing it while navigating several other horses takes even more talent. Successfully doing so stirrup-less and winning the race is mind blowing! This jockey’s talent surpasses expectations by furlongs!

Stay in the saddle and go riding, Horse Nation!

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Women’s History Month: Zenobia, the Equestrian Rebel https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/12/womens-history-month-zenobia-the-equestrian-rebel/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:08:09 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=167946 → ]]> As the Queen of Palmyra in the third century, Zenobia was known for her exceptional equestrian skills, riding into battle at the head of her armies to take on the Roman Empire.

Herbert Gustave Schmalz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Zenobia was born around 240 CE in Palmyra, a wealthy and culturally diverse city situated in present-day Syria. Little is known about her early life, but historical records indicate that she married Odaenathus, the ruler of Palmyra, around 258 CE. After Odaenathus’s assassination in 267 CE, Zenobia assumed the regency for her son, Vaballathus, who was still a child at the time. However, Zenobia quickly rose to prominence, effectively ruling Palmyra as its queen.

During the period known as the “Crisis of the Third Century,” when Rome’s internal government was in turmoil after the assassination of the emperor Alexander Severus, Zenobia steadily expanded the kingdom of Palmyra into an empire. All of this was done without the aid of a standing professional army. Instead, sources say Zenobia’s coalition force was composed of native Palmyrene troops, various allied mercenaries, and heavy cavalry supported by mounted horse archers similar to the Sassanid Persian model. (Nakamura, 137)

The works of the Byzantine historian Zosimus provide detailed accounts of Zenobia’s reign and military exploits. His writings shed light on her strategic acumen and her ability to lead troops both on foot and on horseback. In Historia Nova, he describes the “vigorous cavalry of the Palmyrenians” that “placed great confidence in their armour, which was very strong and secure,” and “were much better horsemen” than the Romans.

Historians believe the Palmyra heavy cavalry would have been armored in the cataphract style, with scaled armor covering almost the entire horse and the rider.

Attributed to Apollodorus of Damascus, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Zenobia remained unchallenged until the Roman emperor Aurelian came to power in 270 CE. Their battles are detailed at length in the Historia Augusta, a collection of biographies of Roman emperors and notable figures. The section on Zenobia offers a glimpse into her military campaigns and her reputation as a formidable rider. It also details correspondence between Zenobia and Aurelian, including when he tried to threaten her into surrendering.

The letter reads:

“You, O Zenobia, can live with your family in the place which I will assign you upon the advice of the venerable Senate. You must deliver to the treasury of Rome your jewels, your silver, your gold, your robes of silk, your horses and your camels. The Palmyrenes, however, shall preserve their local rights.” (Lewis, 380)

Zenobia promptly replied, “You will lower then that tone with which you – as if already full conqueror – now bid me to surrender.” (Lewis, 381)

2024 translation…

Unfortunately, Zenobia was eventually defeated by Aurelian in 273 CE. Some sources say she was paraded through the streets of Rome wearing golden chains before being pardoned by Aurelian to live out the rest of her days in peaceful luxury. Other accounts say the legendary queen starved herself before reaching the city just so that Aurelian didn’t have a prize to put on display. Her official date of death is unknown.

Still, Zenobia forever changed history and was arguably one of the most prominent equestrian women in history.

Modern scholarship has further illuminated Zenobia’s equestrian legacy through archaeological discoveries and interdisciplinary research. Scholars such as Patricia Southern, author of “Zenobia: Palmyra’s Rebel Queen,” offer comprehensive analyses of Zenobia’s life, drawing from a wide range of historical sources and archaeological evidence.

Archaeological excavations in Palmyra and other regions associated with Zenobia have unearthed artifacts, inscriptions, and architectural remains that contribute to our understanding of her equestrian culture. These findings underscore the importance of horses in ancient Palmyrene society and corroborate the accounts of Zenobia’s proficiency as a rider.

The Archaeological Museum at Palmyra (Tadmor) contains this stone relief showing a leopard hunt from horseback – a horse archer is shooting arrows, carried in a saddle strapped gorytus, at the snarling feline.

Go riding.

Amanda Uechi Ronan is an author, equestrian, and wannabe race car driver. Follow her on Instagram @amanda_uechi_ronan.

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‘Oh Crap’ Monday: Making a Splash https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/11/oh-crap-monday-making-a-splash/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:09:03 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168022 → ]]> Monday already is the crappiest day of the week…

… so it only makes sense that we make things official. Here’s our latest “oh crap” moment.

In honor of mud season — which seems to have gripped pretty much all of us who live in an area that gets any precipitation whatsoever — we’re sharing this “oh crap” moment. As the video says, wrong place, wrong time. At least it was a soft landing (albeit a bit cold, we’d imagine)?

Hopefully this little rider has no trouble drying herself off and climbing back on.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daily Horse Fun (@dailyhorsefun)

Go forth and tackle your Monday, Horse Nation.

Have an “Oh Crap” moment to share? Email your photo/video and a brief explanation of what is going down to deann@horsenation.com. Instagram users, tag your moments with #OhCrapMonday (your photos need to be set to public or we won’t see them!).

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SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: Nutrition for Pregnant Mares https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/11/smartpak-monday-morning-feed-nutrition-for-pregnant-mares/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:59:03 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=168006 → ]]> It’s mare-crush Monday! We love keeping our mares in their best condition — this is especially true if they’re carrying a foal. A healthy foal starts with a healthy mare. Read more about how to ensure you’re giving your pregnant mare everything she needs:

Photo courtesy of SmartPak

Having a healthy foal starts with prioritizing the health of your mare throughout pregnancy. The minute an egg is fertilized in your mare, it begins dividing rapidly. That single cell becomes the approximately 100 trillion cells in a newborn foal. Each cell has a special purpose, and the building blocks for producing these cells come from your mare’s diet.

Keep reading to understand what aspects of nutrition are most important for your mare throughout pregnancy for the optimal health and development of her foal.

Equine Gestation 101

A mare’s pregnancy typically lasts 11 months or 330 days but can range from 320 to 380 days in total. This time frame is also referred to as gestation.

Early on in gestation, most mares are sufficient on the same nutritional program as before becoming pregnant – eating a complete and balanced diet at a rate of 1-2% of her body weight daily based on high-quality forage. Of course, fresh, clean water and loose salt should always be available.

The foal grows slowly in the early stages, but during the last several months of gestation, growth accelerates. The National Research Council (NRC) currently recommends making dietary changes for your mare during her 5th month of gestation [5].

Nutritional Requirements and Considerations for Pregnant Mares

By the 5th month, your foal is about the size of a Beagle! This is a great time to implement some dietary and management changes to ensure both mare and foal are receiving their essential nutrients.

The NRC provides a website where you can input the basic details of your mare’s diet and her stage in gestation, and it will calculate her minimum daily nutritional requirements. To try this for your own mare, follow the link to use the Nutrient Requirements of Horses online tool.

Keep in mind that changes to your mare’s diet should be made gradually. Your veterinarian and equine nutritionist are excellent resources for creating a safe plan that considers the unique needs of your mare and foal.

Maintain Optimal Body Condition

Photo courtesy of SmartPak

Aim to keep her in good flesh, but not too heavy (between a 5 and a 6 on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring scale, where 1 = emaciated and 9 = obese). Many mares gain 9-12% of their body weight (about 140-200 pounds) during pregnancy. Familiarize yourself with how to body condition score and monitor her throughout gestation. Being both too thin or overweight can have negative effects on her and the foal’s health.

As the pregnancy progresses, your growing foal will begin to take up more space in the abdomen, leaving less space for the digestive tract. This can decrease her appetite, just when she should be eating more. Having a little extra weight during early pregnancy can help provide calories for times when she might not finish her meals later in gestation. Try to divide her feedings into as many meals as possible throughout the day.

Protein Requirements

Research has shown that consuming high-quality protein rich in essential amino acids in early pregnancy is linked to better progesterone levels and fewer early losses of pregnancy in mares [7]. In addition to helping the foal grow, protein is needed for the placenta, placental fluid, and for creating the extra blood volume necessary during gestation. The natural breeding season also coincides with early spring grass, which is often high in protein (20% or more).

Photo courtesy of SmartPak

Protein is critical and your mare’s requirements for it increase as the pregnancy progresses. Adult horses in maintenance, as well as mares in early gestation, only need 630 grams of crude protein (CP) per day. But by the 8th month, when the foal is building lots of tissue, crude protein will need to be upped to 759 grams and increasing throughout the third trimester.

Keep in mind, many grain mixes have 2-3x the calories of hay but not 2-3x the protein. Therefore, feeding a lot of grain may lower your mare’s overall protein intake. You may want to consider feeding a fortified grain that is specifically formulated for broodmares. Also, swapping some of her grass hay with alfalfa is one way to increase the amount of protein in her diet.

Vitamins and Supplements

First, ensure that your mare’s forage is high-quality and nutritious. Then, consider any gaps in the essential vitamins A, C, D, and E to avoid deficiencies. A vitamin and mineral supplement made especially for gestating mares may be a smart choice to cover all her needs.

Be sure to refer to the NRC online tool to find exact daily servings for your mare depending on her stage of gestation. Some of the essential vitamins she will need include:

  • Vitamin C: Critical in the formation of bone, cartilage, and connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. Horses create some vitamin C from glucose, however, typically not a daily dose.
  • Vitamin E: Can improve immunoglobin levels in the colostrum (the mare’s first milk) after foaling, as well as in the foal [1]. This passive transfer of immunoglobulins can have positive effects on the foal’s immune health.
  • Vitamin A: Plays an important role in growth and remodeling of bone. If you’re feeding her hay that’s older than 6 months, a vitamin A supplement may be beneficial.
  • Vitamin D: Improves the utilization of calcium and phosphorus in the diet [3]. Horses synthesize vitamin D in their skin when exposed to sunlight, and vitamin D is also present in sun-cured hay (but at variable levels).

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

Omega-3 fatty acids have benefits across the whole body, and may also be beneficial for mares, foals, and stallions. One specific omega-3 is DHA (docosahexanoic acid) which is found in marine-based sources. DHA has been found to improve brain function in humans.

A study that involved feeding mares DHA through the last 3 months of pregnancy found that their foals were quicker to stand and nurse compared to a placebo group [9]. This same study showed that DHA supplemented mares had a faster uterine involution rate after giving birth, meaning that the uterus returned to a smaller size post-birth at a faster rate than in the placebo group. This may help the mare be more likely to conceive her next foal once she goes into heat.

Further, stallions with fertility issues have been shown to benefit significantly when being supplemented with DHA [10].

Photo courtesy of SmartPak

Mineral Requirements and Considerations

Many minerals are involved in making the increased blood volume, placenta and its fluids, and support the developing fetus in numerous ways. Every organ system in your growing foal, from skin to the brain, require minerals, and the recommended amounts change the most during late pregnancy.

  • Calcium and Phosphorus: Adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus are essential for creating strong bones. Pregnant and lactating mares, as well as young growing horses under two years old, have higher calcium and phosphorus requirements than an adult horse at maintenance or in light work. Feeding alfalfa hay during late gestation can help provide some additional calcium which your mare needs.
  • Copper and Zinc: These are two of the most common deficiencies, so it’s important to ensure you’re giving the right amount. Although there are some cases that involve a genetic component, copper deficiency has been identified as a cause of osteochondrosis (OC) in species like deer and bison [6, 8]. A study found copper deficiency in 7 of 8 Thoroughbred foals with OC located at two farms [2]. Researchers then fed mares three times the normal level of copper and found that significantly reduced the number and severity of OC lesions in the foals [4]. Therefore, this has been adopted by many major feed and supplement manufacturers.
  • Selenium: Many areas are deficient in this important antioxidant that supports immune and reproductive health.
  • Iron and Manganese: These are needed in increasing amounts during pregnancy but are typically adequate to high in many forages.
  • Iodine: While a pregnant mare may need a little more iodine than horses at maintenance, the fetus is extremely sensitive to both too high or low amounts. Feeding incorrect amounts can result in foals being born with an enlarged thyroid gland (referred to as goiter). This has been reported with intakes as low as 25 mg per day. So, be cautious and always check the ingredients list for added iodine or kelp.

Along with nutrition, work with your vet to make sure all your mare’s other health needs, such as parasite control, vaccinations, hoof, and dental care, are being met. Then, best of luck in carefully monitoring your mare until the big day!

You can find this and more great information on SmartPak’s Horse Health Library


Evidence-Based References:

  • Bondo T, Jensen SK. Administration of RRR-α-tocopherol to pregnant mares stimulates maternal IgG and IgM production in colostrum and enhances vitamin E and IgM status in foals. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2011 Apr;95(2):214-22.
  • Bridges CH et al. Considerations of copper metabolism in osteochondrosis of suckling foals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1984 Jul 15;185(2):173-8. PMID: 6746386.
  • Hintz et al. Effect of vitamin D on Ca and P metabolism in ponies. J Anim Sci 1973 37:285.
  • Knight DA et al. The effects of copper supplementation on the prevalence of cartilage lesions in foals. Equine Vet J. 1990 Nov;22(6):426-32.
    Nutrient Requirements of Horses, sixth revised edition. 2007. National Research Council. National Academies Presses. Washington, D.C.
  • Thompson KG et al. Osteochondrosis associated with copper deficiency in young farmed red deer and wapiti x red deer hybrids. N Z Vet J. 1994 Aug;42(4):137-43.
  • van Niekerk FE, van Niekerk CH. The effect of dietary protein on reproduction in the mare. VI. Serum progestagen concentrations during pregnancy. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1998 Dec;69(4):143-9.
  • Woodbury MR et al. Osteochondrosis and epiphyseal bone abnormalities associated with copper deficiency in bison calves. Can Vet J. 1999 Dec;40(12):878-80.
  • Adkin, A. Supplementation of broodmares with docosohexaenoic acid and its effects on reproductive performance and foal cognitive development. Univ FL Thesis. 2013.
  • Brinsko, SP. et al. Effect of feeding a DHA-enriched nutriceutical on the quality of fresh, cooled and frozen stallion semen. Theriogenology. 2004.
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Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk about the Correct (and Incorrect) use of Equipment https://www.horsenation.com/2024/03/10/training-in-the-right-way-lets-talk-about-the-correct-and-incorrect-use-of-equipment/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 01:22:01 +0000 https://www.horsenation.com/?p=167985 → ]]> The focus of this week’s article is to shed some light on some commonly used — and almost as commonly misused — pieces of equipment found in training and discuss what their original purpose is.

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier they are to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

The process of training a horse, put simply, is the process of teaching the horse to accept the aids of the rider and perform specific activities as directed by those aids. There is a great body of knowledge and theory about training that has been developed over centuries which gives us a tremendous trove of information on what to do— and what not to do— to make horses more accepting of (willing to do) what we ask of them. This process of training was known for a while as dressage. In recent decades however, dressage is better known as a sport and less so as a training method. Because of this, a lot of the knowledge about how to educate horses enough to willingly comply with our requests is being lost. Instead, the same exercises and equipment remain but the correct usage and application of them has become the wild west. In this article, I wish to shed some light on some commonly used, and almost as commonly misused, pieces of equipment found in training and what their original purpose was.

The reason humans started to tame and train horses is because horses are bigger and stronger than we are. The challenge was that the horse can also use its strength and size to overpower us. While it would be wonderful if all horses could telepathically understand exactly what a human wants to do, and willingly comply through thoughtful and selfless understanding, this is not the way horses think and respond to being asked to do things in the real world. Horses must be told (and taught to understand) what humans want, and while we have a limited number of words and noises that help clarify what we would like the horse to do, we are mostly at the mercy of using the sense of touch for all communication. So, essentially, when we ride or drive a horse, we are asking an autonomous large animal to perform a task for us that it will most likely never fully understand or appreciate through the sense of touch and maybe 2-3 words or sounds.

This is why we need equipment. Equipment allows us to increase the specificity and intensity of the feeling of our “sense of touch request” without exerting all the strength we have in our body to get the effect.

The “normal” types of equipment that are generally accepted in dressage riding are meant to increase the effect of the rider/handler and aid in the training of the horse. But realistically, everyone who handles horses in any capacity uses various types of equipment. For example, we put a halter on the horse in order to be able to lead it with less strength and more accuracy than holding on to its mane and trying to lead it. We do, of course, have to train the horse to understand what the pressure of the halter means when it is used to direct him. This training must occur before we can rely on the equipment doing its job. We may even be able to reach a point of leading our horse by the mane, or at liberty, with a great deal of careful repetition, but in the end, when we need to lead the horse through a horse show grounds, or down a busy road, or restrain it for a vet visit or an emergency, we will need a halter.

Each piece of equipment that I am going to discuss here can be a method of transmitting knowledge and understanding, but it can also be horrific instrument of pain and abject misery. It is up to the practitioner to learn all there is to know about how to adjust and manipulate this equipment in a responsible and productive way. The vast majority of the “abuse” that occurs in the use of these items is done through misunderstanding and lack of knowledge. And yes, the rest of the misuse is indeed purely abusive; it is imperative that we know what the difference is and make the right choices in our own practice.

Snaffle bit

What it is supposed to do: help create suppleness and general direct communication about balance, direction, and head and neck carriage. The snaffle bit is jointed and has the ability to apply mild pressure to one side or the other of the mouth of the horse independently. It also can slide a small amount laterally within the horse’s mouth. All these qualities give the snaffle bit a great deal of nuance.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: The snaffle bit can be used as an instrument of pain when it is yanked on, jerked back against the horse’s jaw or corners of the mouth, or used as a handle to maintain the rider’s position or the horse’s head position.

Curb bit

What it is supposed to do: to create flexion through the poll and throat latch. That’s it. That’s all its supposed to do. Nothing else. This does help with upper-level collection, but only if the curb is used properly. The contact on the curb rein is supposed to be minimal. Almost nothing. The curb has a port, a lever, and a chain that work as a lever to ask the horse to tilt his chin ever-so-slightly in the direction of his chest.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: When the curb rein has sustained or significant contact on the horse’s mouth, the lever action forces the horse to bring his chin toward his chest, drop his poll, and often open his mouth to try to relieve the pain and lever action being exerted on his tongue and jaw bone. The pressure can be great enough to stop the blood flow in the tongue and turn the tongue blue. This is always wrong.

*If you have a dressage curb bit at home, and want to know more, get a trusted friend to help you with this experiment: take the double bridle with the curb bit attached. Put your forearm against the port of the curb and tighten up the curb chain. Now let your friend pull on the curb reins. You will have a new understanding of the strength of this equipment after that experience.

Whip

Photo (C) Morgane Schmidt.

What it is supposed to do: to quicken the hind leg on the side the whip is on and to pick up a specific leg. Also it can be used to allow the rider to increase the strength of the leg aid without being violent or exerting all the strength in the rider’s body to get a reaction. The whip is only supposed to be used in the rhythm of the leg of the horse that it is effecting, or in the rhythm of the leg of the rider it is assisting. The intensity of the use of the whip should range from a light touch to a firm tap. The horse should never fear the whip.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: Unfortunately, often due to a lack of knowledge, most often the whip is incorrectly used to cause fear and pain and is never introduced as meaning “to do something specific.” This is wrong. Also, the whip is frequently used at a point of frustration and is used way too hard and way too often, with little to no gradation of intensity.

Spurs

What it is supposed to do: allow the rider to increase the strength of the leg aid without having to resort to using the greatest amount of strength in the rider’s body or using violent aids to attempt to get a response. The spur is meant to allow the rider to give a more correct aid because the rider isn’t using all the strength in their body to create an effect. It is not meant to be used at full force to create pain. In other words, one should be able to wear spurs while riding and never touch the horse’s side with them. The correct use of the spur used to be a requirement of the rider’s education.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: the spur should never be shoved into the horse’s side and held there. It should never be used with so much strength that the horse loses hair or skin at the site the spur can reach. If the rider is at the point of using all the strength in their body AND the spur, there are much greater problems in the training.

Draw reins

What it is supposed to do: to limit how high a horse can raise its head and neck so that the rider can continue to give smaller aids with greater effect instead of becoming rougher and sharper with the use of the bit to get the same effect. The correct use of the draw rein leaves the draw rein OFF contact, except in the moment the horse raises its head. The rider’s correct suppling aids and correct contact ask the horse to soften again. The draw rein just simply limited how high the head can get so the rider can react with normal aids, not large or extreme aids. The use of the running martingale is almost exactly the same.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: When the draw rain (or martingale) is used to hold the horse’s head down or to force the horse in to a tight, short neck position (like a shrimp tail), the draw rein is no longer helping the horse understand what is being asked of it. The equipment is only harming the animal’s body and understanding. When the draw rein is used to hold the horse’s head down (instead of the rider being responsible for the suppling and half-halt aids required to create a creative contact), the neck and back of the horse becomes malformed with muscles the lift the horses head up and against the rider’s hands. When the draw rein is used to force the horse into a short, tight frame, it causes a great deal of pain and fear and takes away the balance of the horse. Once again, this is incorrect.

Side reins

Photo (C) Morgane Schmidt.

What it is supposed to do: teach the horse how to accept the contact on the bit and carry his neck and back in a rounded position that builds the muscle structure necessary for the horse to be better capable of carrying a rider. These should ONLY be used when lunging.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: The side reins, the draw reins, and the martingale all have similar dangers. The side reins must be adjusted with knowledge. If they are too long, they have no effect and can actually make the horse afraid of the contact. When they are too short, they do the same things that too short draw reins do.

Nosebands

Photo (C) Morgane Schmidt.

What it is supposed to do: to protect the horse’s mandibular (jaw) joint soft tissue from stretching and tearing in the event that the horse pulls too hard on the rider’s hand and opens its mouth excessively wide (this is not always the rider’s fault- think when a horse spooks hard and shies or runs, or trips hard). Also, the noseband is meant to stabilize the mouth and bit connection by limiting the amount of violent or excessive movement of the bit by the horse. Ultimately, the noseband (when used correctly) helps make the contact and the bit pressure more meaningful and consistent.

What it can do when it is used incorrectly: When the noseband is too loose, it has no positive effect. It does nothing. THE NOSEBAND IS NOT MEANT TO HOLD THE HORSE’S MOUTH SHUT. When it is too tight, it hurts. But also, it stops the horse from being able to make purposeful movements of the jaw and tongue. The rules for dressage competition tell us that you must be able to slide 2 fingers between the noseband and the horse’s head. Beyond that there may be need of further adjustments. This is why we have different types of nosebands. They have different effects on the horse’s jaw and mouth to HELP STABILIZE THE CONNECTION WITH THE BIT.

In order to train and ride horses, we must have knowledge and understanding of what our equipment is meant to do. Like any other tool, the equipment we use to train horses only works when we know how to use it. Also like any other tool, equipment is destructive when it is used by uneducated hands, or with ill intent. While it is appropriate to choose to not use a piece of equipment until one has mastered the skills necessary to use it, condemning all use of that same equipment in capable and empathetic hands is inappropriate. When used in educated and empathetic training, these pieces of equipment promote acceptance of the aids and education of the animal. As with any tool, all of these objects can cause great pain and misunderstanding. Education and empathy for the animal is absolutely necessary in riding and training. And remember “limited knowledge is limited judgement”.

Remember: Limited knowledge is limited judgment.


Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.

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