Controversy in Cleveland as Photo Goes Viral
This image of a carriage horse tied up in a small yard outside a building in downtown Cleveland, Ohio has gone viral with plenty of heated emotions: is this true abuse, or a case of mistaken assumption?
Friday Flicks: ‘Of Girls and Horses’
This week we look at a German indie film. (more…)
Photo Challenge: 8 Non-Equine Besties
Humans love their companion animals … and so do our horses!
While horses clearly enjoy the company of other horses best, there are also plenty of horses who have formed friendship bonds with animals outside of their species. Either that, or you guys are really good at getting everyone to look cute for a photograph.
Either way, enjoy these 8 horse and animal friendships!
My girls ? #labsofinstagram #blacklab #haflinger #horsenation A photo posted by Beckie (@b3ckie10) on
Tucker and his kitty, Hobbs. #horsesofinstagram #horsenation #spoiledbarncat. Lori Tankel photographer www.Facebook.com/loritankelphotography A photo posted by Lori Tankel (@loritankel) on
Keep an eye out for next week’s 24-hour photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Monday around the middle of the day on both Instagram and Facebook.
Go riding!
Equestrian Time Warp: Tack Shop Edition
Time to face the facts: we are terrible at time management.
Freakness at the Preakness, Part 1: Running of the Urinals
While the Kentucky Derby is known for fancy hats and mint juleps, the Preakness has, well, its own notoriety. While the running of urinals is mostly a thing of the past, it’s a time-honored ridiculous infield tradition. (more…)
Video: Feelin’ Fresh, Feelin’ Fly
This Thoroughbred is clearly ready to run … if only this pesky hot walker wasn’t holding her down.
There are few things more impressive than a Thoroughbred at the peak of their racing fitness: they’re all rippling muscle with that sense of barely-bridled energy, ready to go burn up the track. Sometimes, apparently, those little balls of speed can’t contain that energy, as evidenced by the Facebook video below:
What a sassy lady! The video’s original poster included the caption “Tuti wants to fly…” and mentioned in the comments that this filly was due for a race soon. We think Tuti would agree.
Go riding!
#EquestrianProblems According to Twitter
Another round of your equestrian woes in 140 characters or less.
#TBT: What the Restaurant Business Taught Me About Horses
Horses and people: we’re more alike than we think.
The FEI’s New Rio Olympics #TwoHearts Video is Everything
The FEI kicked off its largest-ever global campaign to promote equestrian sport at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games: introducing #TwoHearts, a celebration of the partnership between horse and rider.
SpectraVET Performance of the Week: Chester Weber
Chester Weber and his four-in-hand traveled to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last week to defend their championship title!
While Chester Weber and his exquisite team ultimately finished fifth, with the championship title going to Boyd Exell of Australia (based in Holland), his performance is nevertheless impressive. Combined driving is akin to eventing for carriage drivers, and if you thought trying to juggle three different phases with one horse was challenging, the fact that these drivers can handle it with four and a carriage is mind-blowing!
The Royal Windsor Horse Show draws international competition each spring to England for endurance, driving and show jumping, as well as plenty of national-level horse showing as well. Mr. Weber won the combined driving four-in-hand competition in 2014 and 2015.
Watch highlights from his performance below:
Dressage:
Marathon (individual obstacle highlights):
Cones:
Also taking place during Royal Windsor this year was Queen Elizabeth II’s special 90th birthday celebrations — for highlights from that massive equestrian performance, click here!
Go riding!
Why SpectraVET?
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SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.
We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.
The Idea of Order: A Word of Warning
Or how the barn is a black hole when it comes to time.
World Equestrian Brands Drone Cam: Australian Outback
Fly along overhead as we follow a band of brumbies in the starkly beautiful Australian outback!
Understanding Equine Lyme Disease, Part II
This week, Dr. Harman discusses diagnosis.
#TBT: … Said No One Ever, Volume III
We equestrians are a chatty bunch, but the stuff we DON’T say can fill volumes — three of ’em, in fact.
Product Review: New Spring Tops from Noble Outfitters
For work and play!
Top-Placing OTTB Honored by Jockey Club at IHSA Nationals
“Red Alert” took home the Thoroughbred Incentive Program Award from the IHSA Nationals at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington in early May!
Video: Darn Kids, Stay Off the Donkey!
Kids will be kids … and these (goat) kids are definitely acting their age!
The goat’s penchant for climbing naturally leads it to some interesting predicaments, but also to hours of endless entertainment to us as observers. These goats have selected what might possibly be the world’s most patient pair of donkeys to be their jungle gym of the day:
(Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)
Go ahead, watch it again. We won’t tell. Thanks to reader/contributor Heather Benson for the tip!
Go goats, go donkeys, and go riding!
NickerDoodles: Barn Dog Problems
If you have a barn dog, this comic from NickerDoodles should look pretty familiar.
I love my border collie, who accompanies me to the barn every day and faithfully jogs alongside my horse when we’re riding on the farm. There’s just something about having your horse and your dog for company — there’s no need for conversation, just companionship.
That said, there are several things about my barn dog that I don’t particularly love — like her penchant for snacking in the horse or cow pasture when I’m not paying attention. At least I know I’m not alone.
Go riding!
About Melanie: I am an artist in Atlanta. When I’m not painting, I’m riding horses. I started NickerDoodles to document the horsey antics that abound within my world. I hope everyone enjoys NickerDoodles. Please follow Nickerdoodles on Facebook here.
#horsenation ‘Grams of the Week
Another week of horse life, rounded up in your images!
Video Collection: Queen Elizabeth II’s 900-Horse Birthday Extravaganza
Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebration continues: over 900 horses participated in last weekend’s massive display at Windsor, which made an international superstar out of this cheeky Shetland pony in particular!
A Comic to Kick Off Your Week
Need a little comic relief for your Monday? You’ll get a kick out of Kellie Lewis’ latest comic!
KickyBrand.com is an online horse lovers site currently selling clothing, greeting cards and stickers. It also routinely publishes a cartoon strip by Kellie Lewis that has a little bit of kick to it.
‘Oh Crap’ Monday
Here’s our latest batch of reader-submitted photos and videos.
SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: How to Tie a Stock Tie
For the biggest challenge of show day — and we’re not even talking in the arena — SmartPak is here to help with a great how-to video: tying the stock tie!
Kentucky Performance Products: Electrolytes
As the air heats up and our horses go back to harder work, they’re bound to start sweating more. Kentucky Performance Products outlines why electrolyte supplementation may be something to consider.
If you’ve spent any time around a stable during the summer months, then you are probably acquainted with the smell of equine sweat. The sharp odor may be indicative of hard work, but sweat loss also points to a significant management concern: electrolyte supplementation.
Electrolytes perform critical functions in the horse’s body. Most notably, they help regulate nerve and muscle function by carrying electrical impulses between cells. In addition, they assist the body in maintaining proper fluid balance.
Electrolytes are found in three main fluids within the body: fluid within cells, fluid surrounding cells, and blood. In order for the body to function optimally, the concentration of electrolytes in these areas must be kept under strict equilibrium. To achieve this, the body transports electrolytes in the blood and excretes any excess in the urine to maintain a balance between daily intake and output.
Under normal circumstances, well-nourished sedentary horses have little trouble keeping electrolytes at appropriate levels. This does not, however, hold true for the equine athlete. Horses cool themselves during exertion through sweating. Those that are exercised regularly, especially in hot and humid conditions, may lose more electrolytes through sweat than their diet is capable of replacing. In these instances, electrolyte supplementation is important.
To help avoid these conditions, horses should receive electrolyte supplementation during training sessions and competitions in which sweat loss is profuse. The most effective supplements mimic the composition of sweat, containing key electrolytes in the actual amounts lost in sweat. Equine exercise physiologists and nutritionists have succeeded in accurately decoding the composition of sweat. Just as important as electrolyte concentration is electrolyte ratio, that is the concentration of electrolytes compared to each other. Extensive research dictates that a properly balanced electrolyte supplement contains a 1:2:4 ratio of potassium, sodium, and chloride, respectively.
Without electrolyte supplementation, problems may occur in performance horses. Significant electrolyte losses may cause neuromuscular disturbances such as muscle cramping, tying-up, and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps). Even in their mildest forms these conditions have a negative impact on a horse’s ability to perform and recover. Imbalances in fluids and electrolytes can result in colic and laminitis if dehydration becomes severe.
Because sweat loss and electrolyte depletion go hand-in-hand, horses that are worked intensely are obvious candidates for electrolyte supplementation, as they often sweat profusely during and following a training session.
Sweat loss may be less obvious in horses that perform low-intensity exercise for a long duration (an endurance horse, for instance), because sweat may actually evaporate before it becomes visible. Electrolyte supplementation is just as important in these athletes.
Electrolytes are also crucial in horses that may experience sweat loss and associated stress as a result of other situations such as long trailer rides or changes in the environment. Electrolytes may also be indicated for horses that are dehydrated, but horses must always be given access to water when supplemented with electrolytes.
When choosing an electrolyte supplement, select one that contains the key minerals (sodium, chloride, and potassium) in the ratio previously mentioned. Stay away from those that have an abundance of sugar (glucose or dextrose), as studies in horses have shown that sugar does not increase absorption of electrolytes. If you have questions about the supplement you are currently using or one that you are considering, call the manufacturer and ask specific questions.
Proper electrolyte supplementation is a critical aspect of nutrition anytime a horse sweats.
Article written by KPP staff.
Copyright (C) 2012 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC. All rights reserved.
Article sponsored by Summer Games Electrolyte, a balanced, concentrated source of electrolytes and trace minerals, the perfect all-purpose electrolyte for horses of all ages, regardless of lifestyle, and by Summer Games Plus, an electrolyte paste with Neigh-Lox for horses on the go; supports normal hydration and mineral balance plus a comfortable tummy.
When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.
About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC: No more guesswork. No more worries. With hundreds of different supplements on the market today, trying to pick the right one for your horse can be frustrating and worrisome. Let your veterinarian and Wiser Concepts® supplements ease the uncertainty. As a team, you and your vet will choose the Wiser Concepts supplement that best meets your horse’s needs. Wiser Concepts supplements are available only through your veterinarian. Learn more at KPPvet.com.