7 Reader-Submitted Canine Jumpers (And a Jumping Cat For Good Measure)
Somebody call up George Morris, because seriously, you guys have got some talented dogs. (And cat.) (more…)
8 Newscasts Gone Awry Thanks to Horses
Horses — they just can’t help stealing the show. Especially when there’s a live broadcast involved.
No Stirrup November: Show Us Where You Hid Your Stirrups and Win!
Your reward for a month’s worth of suffering: a pair of sweet new Amerigo stirrups. Here’s how to win.
Thursday Morning Feed from Fleeceworks: American Mustangs in GoPro HD
Indigo mountain ranges, rugged plains, endless skies and the wild horses who call these wide, open spaces their home… a new video visits Nevada’s Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco-Resort & Sanctuary. (more…)
Harmany Equine is Building a Better Muzzle
More comfort, less Hanibal Lector. (more…)
SpectraVET Performance of the Week: Jessica Wisdom & North Forks Cardi
Jessica and her 14.3-hand Welsh Cob stallion stole the show to win the Grand Prix Open Freestyle Championship at the US Dressage Finals in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Idea of Order: Biohazard Body Clipping
Overkill? Nah.
Top 10 Reasons to Not Have Horses in Your Wedding
Horses are basically 1,000+ pound wrecking balls with a tendency to do whatever they feel like at the least convenient moment possible. Do you really want to let them anywhere near one of the most important days of your life?
10 Horses Who Proudly Celebrate No-Shave November
Clipping is for weenies. These horses are happy to support men’s health and cancer awareness. (more…)
World Equestrian Brands ‘Girth Cam’
YouTube commenter: “It looks like running roasted chicken legs.”
Horsey ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Answers Send Pat Sajak Over the Edge
“Who said anything about a horse?”
Veterans Day: ‘Recon: Unbridled’ Documentary
Amanda Ronan checks out a documentary about Horse Sense and Soldiers, an intensive program for veterans suffering from PTSD led by Monty Roberts.
“No violence,” and “freedom of choice,” are the two most important issues when establishing a relationship with horses or humans according to Monty Roberts, the trainer highlighted in the Military Channel documentary Recon: Unbridled.
Monty goes on to discuss his own troubled childhood including his violent father. He states, “I had 72 broken bones before I was 12 years of age.” This horrific past led to his strong belief and strict adherence to a nonviolent approach to training horses.
He goes on to describe the technique he claims to have invented called “join up” where the horse chooses to come to you rather than run away.
A free three-day intensive program for veterans suffering from PTSD, called Horse Sense and Soldiers, is held at Monty’s California ranch. One-on-one sessions with the horses and group discussions are the foundation of the program along with private consultations with Monty each day.
One participant, Alejandra Sanchez, is a four-time participant of the clinic. One of only two women in her Iraqi unit, she remembers having a sudden fear that she “might not make it.”
After returning to the states, she was terrified of people walking behind her and would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. The clinic helped her regain confidence in working with unfamiliar people, allowing her to trust strangers in an unpredictable environment. “The horse would not respond to me if I was anxious, or angry, or violent,” she says.
Another clinic participant, Alicia Watkins, suffered from her PTSD in silence after being stationed at the Pentagon during 9/11 and losing several friends in New York. Alicia was deployed to Afghanistan and then Iraq shortly thereafter.
She did not return to the states until 2007, by then almost unrecognizable to her friends and family. PTSD, along with extensive physical injuries, drove Alicia into an isolated depression, eventually becoming homeless for nearly a year. Alicia’s family was entirely clueless until her story was aired on the Oprah Winfrey show.
The first time Alicia participated in Monty’s clinic, she discovered that the horse’s flight mentality was much like her own. To teach the horses to trust resonated with her deeply. Monty said it was “day and night” when asked about Alicia’s transformation from a shy, quiet nonparticipant to the most exuberant person at the clinic by the end of the weekend.
“When you’re here you don’t feel like a victim you feel like a victor,” states Alicia.
Watch the documentary:
For more information about Monty’s program, click here.
Go Riding.
Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Carly & Muffin
Little horse, big heart! Carly Pearl-Sacks introduces us to her therapy horse, Muffin. (more…)
Best of Craigslist: ‘Ah! No’ Edition
Today’s lineup: a good horse gone bad, another interesting photo choice, a DIY camper/horse trailer, an equine abstinence public service announcement and a saddle that is either gigantic or the horse/rider it belongs to are really small.
First up, from reader Brenda:
Beautiful Registered Appaloosa Horse Club gelding. Shadow is eighteen years old and you’d never, ever, guess it. I got this horse a little over a year ago. He had not been ridden in over five year… worked him in a round pen a little while and rode him with no problem. Brought him home… trail rode him everywhere from Percy Warner to LBL. Rode great and loaded within seconds… great horse. UNTIL…. I sold my daughter’s pony… and then, the trouble began. I couldn’t put my finger on it… he got in a scuffle with my other gelding and I thought he got hurt… even took him to and Equine Chiropractor. Long story short… it was all over a little mare in the herd. Apparently the pony had kept Shadow away from her previously and now he is totally buddy sour to the mare. You will see in the pictures that he rode just fine… no tie down. However, Shadow is very strong on the from end… and EXCELLENT jumper as I found out. He can easily clear three feet (3′) with no problem Think he could even clear four feet! He moves nicely at a walk, trot and canter and is smooth as can be. He is just a handful now when you try to ride him separate from the mare, although he is doing better now. However, I board this horse and I don’t own the mare and it’s too hard to keep them in separate pastures. The people who owned him before me had owned him since he was a yearling and had two other geldings… no mares. He is not proud cut or anything like that… behaves just fine around other horses. Doesn’t kick or act out toward other horses on the trail. He just needs to be separated from this mare and pastured with geldings. As I stated, he had been pastured with a mare for months, and I didn’t have trouble until I sold the pony who was above him in the pecking order. Look at the pictures … you’ll recognize Percy Warner Background etc. The last three pics show him in meltdown mode. One is him riding away from barn under saddle. The last two are of us trying to load him after our visit with the chiropractor. If you think you’d like him, give me a call. Under the right conditions (no mare) he’s a doll!
Well, they certainly get points for honesty! From Steph: “Good ad but the picture doesn’t exactly make me want to rush over there and go for a ride!”
Black Locust Farm services offered
Black Locust Farm currently offers :
Two horse trailer wb size for rent at $75.00/day or any part thereof. Deposit required, contact for details.
Fall trail rides, offered from now until mid- October at $35.00/hour- hour and a half. Beginners welcome! Includes 10 -20 minutes of instruction and a 45 – 50 minute trail ride. Come on out, the weather is beautiful! !
Lessons : English lessons, beginner to intermediate. $25/hr semi private, $35.00/hr private.
One to two boarding spots available, $250.00/month, natural board, round pen, riding ring, river access and lots of trails.
We are a fully insured commercial facility.
Contact for details! Thanks!
Three different readers — Kimberly, Lauren and Kari — forwarded us this one for a “DIY living quarter horse trailer.”
Another pic:
From Kymbre: “Now here’s an interesting ad.”
Just a public service announcement to STOP breeding horses just to pop out a cute baby. Just because that horse has cool color, great temperament or has balls does not mean its breeding worthy. Go look at some of the registered/grade, unbroke/broke.. Old, young, sound, crippled, pregnant horses shipping to slaughter everyday. Irresponsible breeders who spank out 50+ babies a year, backyard breeders looking to make that $75 for those yearlings you take to the sale.. Well you all suck. And I watch most your horses sell for meat. The horses whose pictures are posted were bought by a kill buyer and immediately from the sale they were shipped straight to slaughter yesterday. These are just some Of many. All were gentle, sweet and BROKE to ride.. Aside from the paint broodmare. So think twice before breeding.. Their are enough unwanted horse’s in this world. and just because your horse has color, conformation, is good tempered or even broke won’t always save it.
From Donna: “The owner complains the saddle is too big for them but what about the poor horse? It’s obvious the saddle is way too big for the horse and the saddle pad is too small too.“
Hey this saddle is great. Still fairly new. I’ve used it about ten times. It has a black suede like seat. There is a matching breast strap and bridle (the bridle is not on the palomino but it is on the other horse). I’m also willing to trade for an English saddle. This saddle is much too large for me so that’s why I’m selling. give me a call we can work something out. I have more pic if you text
Readers, if you run across an “interesting” ad in your Internet wanderings, send it our way! Email the link to [email protected]. Who knows – maybe you’ll help connect a horse with a safe, loving home. Go Riding.
Taylor Swift Discovers Horse Therapy in Her New Music Video
Love her or hate her, the T-Swift brought our dreams to life and has horses living in her bedroom in her new vid for “Blank Space.” (more…)
15 Half Chaps That Will Blow Your Mind
Run, don’t walk to see these amazing half chaps.
(more…)
Fighting Butterflies: 5 Strategies for Keeping It Together Under Pressure
When it comes to managing nerves, swallowing our fear isn’t always the most effective tactic. Catherine Ford shares some tips for upping your mental game. (more…)
Best. Sales Video. Ever
I don’t know what kind of price tag they have on this horse, but I can’t tell you one thing: It’s not enough.
Weekly Instagram Round-Up
This week: pro tips for removing scratches, a dog who should be in a hunter derby (look at those knees!) and beautiful fall scenery from across Horse Nation. #horsenation (more…)
Horsenista: 5 Must Have Monograms
Monogram all the thingz!
The Athletic Rider: Irresistable Insulin
Are you a horse owner with an Insulin Resistant horse OR a rider facing Type 2 diabetes? Personal trainer/nutritionist Leah Hinnefeld explains just how much you have in common with each other!
An Athletic Rider would have to be stall bound without internet or cellular service to have not heard about two very serious and life threatening health issues that face both the horse and the rider. In each case, the cause and the management are the same. In each case the issue is considered by many medical and nutrition professionals to be a “lifestyle-related disease.”
What I am talking is the same metabolic issue that simply goes by a different name, depending on the audience. Insulin Resistance is the name of the metabolic disease in horses and Type 2 Diabetes is the name in humans.
What is Insulin Resistance/Type 2 Diabetes?
Insulin Resistance/Type 2 Diabetes refers to a condition when the body has become resistant to insulin. The body produces enough insulin but can’t properly use the insulin it produces because the cells are resistant to the effects of the insulin.
What happens when a body’s cells become resistant to insulin?
Insulin is responsible for transporting glucose into cells in the body. When the cells become resistant to insulin, glucose won’t be properly transported into the cells and remains in circulation. In other words, the glucose stays in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar.
What makes this condition even worse is the liver can also become resistant to insulin so it will continue to produce glucose. The liver then releases that glucose into the blood. The body produces more insulin to respond to the high glucose. The results? High blood glucose and high insulin levels.
Why should the Athletic Rider care?
Blood sugar levels that can’t be controlled can lead to kidney damage, nerve damage, organ failure, obesity, stroke, eye disease (including blindness), high blood pressure, non-functioning intestines, and cardiovascular disease. At least 65% of people with diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) die from some kind of cardiovascular disease.
The most familiar complication we see in horses with Insulin Resistance is laminitis. Laminitis, unmanaged, can ultimately lead to founder and even death. What many owners do not realize is that laminitis is not just a hoof condition but a body-wide condition. Early signs of laminitis can present as SI pain, stifle issues, saddle-fit complaints, TMJ pain (presenting as bitting issues), High-Low Syndrome, and skin conditions sometimes misdiagnosed as sweet itch. The list goes on from there.
Can you make Insulin “Irresistible?”
I mentioned above that both Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes are classified as lifestyle-related diseases. A lifestyle-related disease is one that is, “caused and/or affected by the way we live (e.g. amount of exercise, quality of nutrition, smoking, stress, etc.).” † Simply put, this means that our choices for both ourselves and our horses when it comes to nutrition and exercise will have a big influence are whether the cells in our bodies find insulin “irresistible” or become resistant to it.
According to the Diabetes Prevention Program, a change in lifestyle can be even more effective than medication when it comes to treating Type 2 Diabetes.
For humans this mean moving toward a diet rich in whole foods, healthy fats, limited refined carbohydrates and away from a diet that is predominantly processed foods, sugar and animal fat. For horses, the nutrition can be a little trickier, particularly for horses having unlimited access to lush pasture. I have personally managed my horses by offering a variety of hays and access to grass determined by work load.
That brings us to the second lifestyle change for a rider wanting to reduce the risk factor for herself and her horse-exercise. Exercise actually increases a cell’s response to insulin.In other worse, exercise makes cells less resistant to insulin. For most riders, a combination of resistance/strength training and aerobic exercises 3-5 times a week should do the trick. My horses respond best to about 4-6 hours a week of purposeful exercise (meaning not just wandering around a paddock or all you can eat pasture).
So what’s the bottom line?
Without question most people and horses are less active today than they were even 10-20 years ago. Daily labor has been replaced with daily desk jobs. A fast-paced life means little if any intentional exercise. Thoughtful meal preparation has been replaced with grab and go foods. Horses have become pets without purpose. This does not mean petting a horse is not a wonderful way to enjoy one, but these animals are powerful and need daily work to remain healthy and sound.
Each and every horse and rider need a planned, purposeful and consistent fitness/ nutrition program to remain healthy, active and enjoy a happy and fulfilling life.
If you already have a plan and a program that you enjoy, stick with it! If you need a 60-Day jumpstart or some direction, check out The Athletic Rider Fitness Boot Camp. You and your horse will thank you for your investment in rider fitness.
† Berardi, John and Andrews, Ryan. The Essentials of Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Certification Manual, Second Edition. Precision Nutrition, Inc., 2014. page 238.
Leah Hinnefeld is a lifelong equestrian who spent over a decade studying hoof health and metabolism in horses before turning her attention to rider fitness. Leah is a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Fitness and offers Virtual Fitness Training for riders and horse lovers. You can learn more about how to get fit to ride at http://theathleticrider.
