Call Blake Boyd: 803-513-4037
From the whispering pines of America’s storied thoroughbred country... ...to the shores of Lake Toxaway nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. EST 1898 Aiken, SC EST 1916 Lake Toxaway, NC
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6 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022 IN THIS ISSUE 7 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 8 BLOWING ROCK HORSE SHOW 16 OUT & ABOUT 20 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 28 UNDER 21: PEYTON PARKS 32 IN PRACTICE: RIDER INJURIES 38 ART OF JOYCE HALL 44 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 46 PARTING SHOT 38 168 28
Summer 2022 Volume 8, Issue 2 Editor Lauren
In this issue, our ongoing In Practice column comes from Niki Gay, an athletic trainer at Prisma Health Orthopedics, who writes about emergency triage in the event of an equestrian accident. In our “Under 21” column, we meet Peyton Parks, a hard-working hunter-jumper rider from North Carolina. who recently won a Gochman Grant to compete at the USEF Pony Finals in Kentucky.
We are so excited to share our latest issue of The Carolinas Equestrian.
Finally, our article “Charleston Treasure: The Equine Art of Joyce Hall” introduces readers to the oil painter Joyce Hall whose lifetime with horses informs her work. Interested readers could even join her for a class in painting their own favorite horses – details in the ar ticle. And of course, we have “Out and About,” a sample of photos from events all over the region, including photos shared with us on social media. You could see yourself in our pages or on our social media, if you hashtag us at #carolinasequestrian.Wehopeyoulovethese stories and pictures—please reach out to us through our website at TheCarolinasEquestrian.com or on Facebook or Instagram and tell us about people we need to talk to, events we need to cover, or places we need to go see. Allen Allen Niki Allen Editor
Stephanie von Bidder, a hunter/jumper trainer in Aiken, and Rachel Allen who ran an equestrian program on Daufuskie Island off the South Carolina coast have both experienced terrifying scenarios with fires and hurricanes. Insights gained from their experiences could help others be more prepared for life-threatening situations. Read about it on page 20.
Gay Pam NancyGleasonJohnsonGaryKnollJenniferRubin Advertising Lauren 803-643-9960803-240-1275AllenPamGleasonAshleyHaffey607-743-1309 General Inquiries Lauren thecarolinasequestrian@gmail.com803-240-1275Allen Cover Elizabeth Towell Boyd aboard Drumroll. USEF International Hunter Derby Blowing Rock Horse Show Photography by Pam Gleason Like us on Facebook: The Carolinas Equestrian Magazine Twitter: TheCarolinasEQ Intragram: CarolinasEquestrianMag The Carolinas Equestrian (TCE) 1176 Old English Road Lugoff, SC 29078 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the copyright owner. The Carolinas Equestrian does not necessarily endorse the views and perceptions of contributors or advertisers. The Carolinas Equestrian is owned by The Carolinas Equestrian LLC. From the Editor Lauren
Summer in the South is long and hot, unless you go to Blowing Rock!
The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show in the mountains of North Carolina is celebrating its Centennial and the good old Southern traditions of hospitality and loyalty are still going strong. A unique venue, amazing – if mercurial— weather, and friendly but intense competition, have made the Blowing Rock Horse Show a perfect summer getaway for generations of horse people. Read about the show on page 8. I recently got a call from a friend who was worried about evacuating her farm after a chemical spill from a nearby plant meant that a cloud of acid posed a potentially lethal threat to her horses. I was jolted by how fast things can happen and often not in the way you would expect. “In Case of Emergency” is an exploration of equine emergency preparedness planning.
Publisher Pam Gleason Layout & Design Larchwood Productions Contributors Lauren
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show A Tradition for Generations of Horse Lovers by Lauren Allen
AuthorityDevelopmentTourismRockBlowing
Madison Szczodrowski aboard Pick Me Up, winner of the BRCHS Special Equitation on the Flat. GleasonPam
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 11 Lloyd M. Tate put on the first official Blowing Rock Horse Show in the mountains of Blowing Rock, North Carolina in 1923. The show has continued to run every year since, to the delight of generations of loyal Today,competitors.theshowgrounds are the L.M. Tate Showgrounds, and the show is designated a USEF Heritage Competition, putting it in company with such shows as Devon, the Hampton Classic and the National Horse Show. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and the weather is cool, in sharp contrast to the sweltering summer most Carolinians have to endure. On the other hand, it seems to rain almost every day, loading in and out is difficult, and the lower temperatures and tight quarters make for spooky horses. Yet people come back to this little show year after year with a singular enthusiasm. The reason is supremely Southern: tradition and Octogenarianshospitality.andlegendary horsemen, Betty and Ernie Oare have been coming to Blowing Rock for fifty years, according to Ernie. “Well, I don’t know about that,” says Betty. “It’s got to be close to it, missed very few,” says Ernie.“I’ve been coming here since even before Ernie,” continues Betty. “I grew up in Tryon. My dad was in the horse business and he had some customers that were in this area and we would always come to this horse show, when it was just Above: Eric Caleca, Betty Oare, Linda Klein, Christina Fisher-Hensley and Ernie Oare. Christina won the Lita Wangensteen Award as the top amateur in the USEF International Hunter Derby. GleasonPam
Missy McCutcheon, who handles the hospitality for the show, agrees. “I do think that the sign over the Wheeler Ring says a lot. You will find people coming back year after year because of the other people they’ve met and become close to, and they get a chance to spend some time with friends and family. It’s a really relaxing place to go, and there’s always fun. It’s kind of a vacation, the kids love it. There’s something about Blowing Rock that appeals to everybody.”
Above: Junior Hunter Champion Rebecca Love with Taxi Boy.
Ernie interjects, “We go to quite a few horse shows each year where the numbers are greater, but because of the limited stalls here, you can’t have so many, but the quality! Don’t come here if you think you’re going to win everything.”“Therestaurants are great; the people are friendly. It’s a little vacation,” concludes Betty.
12 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022 a week.” Betty smiles, “Now everybody wants to come spend two weeks in Blowing Rock! It’s very well run, a lot of good hospitality, the weather… This horse show has lots of quality, and each year it’s gotten stronger. “We don’t live here anymore,” she continues. “We’re in Virginia, but it’s a lot like coming home. And I think a lot of us have that feeling—we see people here each summer that we look forward to seeing.”
Next year will be the horse show’s 100th anniversary. It is sure to be sold out, so make plans now to attend and enjoy a refreshing “showcation” at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Visit brchs.org for more information.
Below: Victoria Colvin and El Primero won the USEF International Hunter Derby in the Wheeler Arena.
The theme of long friendships and tough competition is echoed by everyone at the boutique horseshow. It’s even posted on a sign above the Wheeler Arena: “Where friends compete.”“It’slike summer camp” says Caroline Willard Briles, from Deep River Farm in Oak Ridge, NC. Caroline and her family have been coming to the show for years. “Blowing Rock is an old school show; we come back year after year because we love it here.”
GleasonPam
RubinJennifer GleasonPamPamGleason
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summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 19
In Case of Emergency The Carolinas are prone to hurricanes; Earthquakes are on the rise, and barn fires can strike anyone at any time. How ready are you? By Lauren Allen
Rachel Allen ran an equestrian program with about 25 horses on Daufuskie Island off the South Carolina Coast. Over the years she navigated multiple hurricanes. “Because we were on an island with no bridge, we had the additional difficulty of needing to move the horses by barge, which meant we needed to be able to act well ahead of the weather,” she said. “The barge would only run until the Coast Guard said it could, and then it would stop, so we had to make a decision before it was too late.”
Allen did not evacuate her horses during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but did evacuate the following year during Tropical Storm Irma. “It turned out that it was not as necessary as it would have been during Matthew, but you don’t know that; you just don’t know if you are making the right decision or not. We had a two-hour window to load all the horses, and fortunately, the horses loaded, but we knew in advance that if one wouldn’t, we would have to leave it. There would have been people on the island to feed it, but we didn’t have a flexible time window at all. To load Horse people know that horses are the most magical creatures in the world; but all that power balanced on those precariously sculpted legs also makes them unbelievably fragile. Every equine owner spends considerable time and energy attempting to keep their horses safe and happy, but emergencies will happen. Giving thought ahead of time to potentially dangerous scenarios can save precious moments if a disaster comes calling your horse’s name. Preparedness can make the crucial difference between life and death.
Storms Having a plan in place is vital in the event of a local emergency, including a somewhat predictable one such as severe weather. Most horse owners are intimately familiar with the weather forecast as a rule—we regularly follow the highs and lows of the projected temperature to make decisions about blanketing and turnout, and plan our rides around rain chances. But the Carolinas are prone to hurricanes, and every barn that is near the coast should have an evacuation plan in place.
It is a good idea to have a trailer slot planned for every horse, know the evacuation route, and likely locations where the horses will be able to shelter, if necessary. Have a plan in place for more sudden weather emergencies such as tornadoes, as well. If one is coming your way, will the horses be safer in the barn or in the pasture? This decision depends on the integrity of your structure, the location of trees that may fall on it or in the pasture, the type of fencing, as well as the horse’s general hardiness and his regular routine. A horse that is stabled and turned out for an hour a day in good weather is unlikely to handle it well if suddenly expected to fend for itself like a wild mustang. It is a good idea to fit horses with fly masks to protect their eyes from flying debris. If there is a chance horses might escape, they should be well marked with your name and phone number. Some people use tags on breakaway halters, sharpies on the horses’ hooves, and even nontoxic paint on their coats, to be sure each horse is identifiable. Microchips are an excellent way to prove a horse is yours, but they require a scanner, so they lack immediacy if a horse gets lost. It is important to imagine worst case scenarios. Rachel Allen pointed out that during Hurricane Matthew they had to be prepared for every grim eventuality when they decided to ride out the storm. “The vet cautioned us that he would not be able to get to the barn during the worst of it, so you need to be prepared to consider having to put a horse down if necessary. You need to have a plan.”
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 23 25 horses in a hurry, you have to have a plan.”
Allen kept a stock trailer ready for emergency occasions. An armada of individual trailers would have been too hard to coordinate and would not have fit on the barge, so a large trailer that could fit the most horses made sense. “We always tried to have the trailer ready, shavings loaded, because if you need to go, you need to GO. Everything needs to be working well; the tires need to be full of air. It’s just important to be ready.” She had a detailed evacuation plan with a list of supplies, including bags of feed and some hay, and a medical emergency kit with medications for colic, stress, and first aid for lacerations.“Ithinkwe did a pretty good job of packing what we needed. I would forget about things like shipping boots — it's hot, it’s not worth the effort — but do take several bags of the feed that they are on, and take the medications – especially Banamine and UlcerGard. Fly spray, fly masks, whatever they might need in an open field or at a new barn.”
Areas around Columbia, South Carolina, were subject to two feet of rain during a “thousand year” flood in 2015, and many horse owners were unprepared. Some horses were even stranded for days in flood plains before anyone could rescue them. Having enough feed stocked, a way to store potable water for each horse, a way to tag or identify horses, and a good understanding of your property’s strengths and weaknesses are important things to consider in order to avert disaster. Evacuating Daufuskie Island by barge
What are the chances of flooding in your area?
Above: Fire destroyed the barn at Aiken Equine Rescue in 2021
Fire What if your barn caught on fire? Many barns are major fire hazards with box fans, extension cords, cobwebs, dirt, dust and very combustible hay and shavings. Do you have a fire alarm? Are there multiple fire extinguishers and hoses, and are they in good working order and easy to find? In 2021, Stephanie von Bidder’s barn caught fire. Von Bidder, who is a hunter-jumper trainer in Aiken, is still working on rebuilding from the traumatic event which destroyed her property but thankfully did not kill any horses.
Below: Stephanie von Bidder's Daybreak Farm after the fire
24 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022
“I actually have always been aware of barn fires and have had several friends that have lost their barns to fire, so I was very careful,” she said. “Most fires I knew about were electric in origin. I had outdoor-rated fans installed, ground fault switches everywhere. We had fire extinguishers. My hay is stored in a separate building. I always instructed my staff never to leave fans or appliances, such as the dryer, running when we were not in the barn. I turn my horses out overnight year-round, which was always a conscious decision to not have them locked up when no one is around. That is what saved “Unfortunately,them. I never anticipated the problem that actually happened!” she continued explaining that a farm vehicle apparently ignited after dust or debris near the motor became too hot. It was parked beside a three-stall barn that caught fire and the flames spread rapidly to her main center-aisle barn.
• Ace Promazine (injectable IM or can be given orally)
• Topical solutions for lacerations (silver sulfadiazine, AluSpray, etc.)
• Consult your veterinarian before administering any medication
• Gauze, Elastikon, diapers, duct tape, sharp scissors, standing bandages, non-stick pads
you that we will never park farm vehicles near or inside the barns again!” von Bidder said. But she also realizes that she is incredibly fortunate to still have her horses, and that since the disaster, seeing her friends and family step up to help has given her a more positive outlook. “The little things just don’t bother me much anymore.”
EQUINE EMERGENCY FIRST AID KIT
• Syringes (remove needle before dosing orally)
• Injectible Banamine (flunixin meglumine) (can be injected IV, NEVER IM, can be given orally)
• Thermometer
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 25
• Alcohol • Triple Antibiotic Eye Ointment
The fire burned so fast and hot that no one could get near, which von Bidder said she had heard of happening, but never truly understood until she saw it herself. She also said that she had thought she was fully insured, with a commercial farm and ranch policy and an agent that knew her business well, but that she ended up having less coverage than she had hoped. “Make sure your structures are accurately valued and appropriately insured,” she continued. “Make sure you have insurance that covers loss of use of your structures. Consider the worst-case scenario. For example, if you are without your barn for a year or more, what will you do? Where will your horses live, and how will you conduct your business? Be aware of what is in your structures and document it somehow. I used a lot of photos to remind myself of what I had in those barns. It was a lot. In the end, I had a 20-page spreadsheet of contents. It surely would have been easier if I had done it beforehand.“Icantell
• Antibiotics
Many equestrian properties are on the edges of forests and undeveloped land. What if there is a forest fire? Are multiple evacuation routes mapped out in the event of differing scenarios? Are there enough trailers and local drivers and helpers for each horse? Is there a list of names and numbers already assembled? Earthquakes Earthquakes have been an increasingly prominent concern in South Carolina: there have been almost 50 measurable earthquakes in the Midlands area just this year. South Carolina does have fault lines running under the state, and Charleston was famously the epicenter of the largest recorded East Coast earthquake ever measured – a 7.3 in 1886. Is your barn prepared to withstand a strong shaking? What will happen if the power grid is knocked offline for a period of time?Water is particularly important to horses, who require five to ten gallons each every day, and more in the heat of summer. Horses that depend on automatic waterers and well pumps that run on electricity could find themselves in dire circumstances very quickly. Is there a generator available, or a fresh water source in the event of a longer-term loss of power? Electric fencing that consists solely of tape or wire without any additional physical barrier also becomes quickly invalidated if the electricity goes out, and the wire or tape may become an imminent threat if it gets tangled in the horse’s legs.
• Gastrogard or UlcerGard
Medical Emergencies
26 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022
“As a horse owner and insurance agent, I know from experience that horses may be big and strong, but they are surprisingly sensitive, and things can go sideways very quickly,” Boyd said. The reasons for calling the insurance agency (which should have 24 hour on-call adjusters) are two-fold: “First, when you have an insurance policy, you have a contract with the insurance company that they will be notified if the horse is ill or injured, so it is something you have previously agreed to in writing. And secondly, it is important that you notify the insurance company in order for them to be able to communicate their approval of the treatment plan.” It is wise to post the 24-hour insurance contact number and the policy names and numbers on your horse’s stall or somewhere else that is obvious if your horse is boarded.
An emergency plan is a dynamic document: it needs to be frequently updated. Time can be remarkably precious in the event of a disaster and each second saved can offer the opportunity to increase the odds of success. It is hard to think about all the eventualities when a true emergency is taking place, so thinking ahead helps you to respond intelligently and efficiently when it is most important. Imagine the scenarios that could unfold in your particular environment and plan accordingly.
Are You Ready?
According to Blake Boyd, an insurance agent with EMO in Camden, South Carolina, many insurance companies require that they are informed during the decision-making process in order to authorize a claim. Having a claim denied after the fact on an expensive surgery or even worse, a mortality, is devastating.
The number one most important thing that any horse owner can do in the event of an individual equine medical emergency is to have a good relationship in place with a local ambulatory equine veterinarian. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, ambulatory equine veterinarians are becoming scarce, as vet schools graduate more and more students who are drawn to the higher pay and regular office hours of small animal practice. Many veterinarians are stretched so thin by endless after-hours emergency calls in an ever-expanding geographical area that they are refusing to treat emergency patients who are not already clients. Make sure that you have a veterinarian perform regular maintenance work on your horses (such as vaccines) in order to maintain a strong relationship, and be sure to pay your bills promptly. Work with your horses so they are trained to stand for treatment, and be available to assist. Be kind to your veterinarians, they are veryInimportant!anymedical emergency it is vital to call your vet and communicate the situation as early as possible. Do not wait until you have attempted to treat the problem yourself for too long, it has worsened and it is after hours. Even if you are not sure it is necessary for the vet to come out, call and describe the situation so that your vet has an opportunity to advise you on how to proceed. Follow their advice. Have a well-stocked selection of emergency medications and supplies so that you can potentially medicate or sedate a horse until the veterinarian is able to evaluate him. (See First Aid Kit) Another extremely important call to make is to the insurance company.
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28 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022
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PhotographyJacobsonCarmen
Under 21 Hard Work Pays off for Peyton Parks
For Peyton Parks, it all started with a party pony ride on her eighth birthday at Bang Tail Stables in Hampstead, N.C., and she was hooked. Peyton parlayed that experience into riding lessons and this year, at 15, she was selected as one of the recipients of the coveted USHJA (United States Hunter Jumper Association) Gochman Grant for 2022 Pony Finals in Kentucky. The annual Gochman Grant is awarded to young riders who exemplify horsemanship and sportsmanship but who are not able to attend the Pony Finals on their own. Each recipient gets the chance to participate on a pony that has been qualified, along with access to coaching and educational experiences throughout the weeklong extravaganza at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Peyton trains at Honalee Stables in Bolivia, N.C. with Carter Hewett and Taylor Yeaton. She leases a horse named “Heir Apparent,” aka “Harry” from the esteemed pony breeder Robin Greenwood of Southern Pines, N.C., and she rides him in the Children’s division. A purebred Welsh Pony who grew too tall for the pony classes, at 15.1 hands Harry is one of the smaller horses in the division, but Peyton says that he has no trouble stepping down the lines in the horse shows and competing against much bigger horses.Peyton works a side job as a pet sitter, and also has her own equine grooming business where she uses her skills at clipping and mane pulling to help buy the extras that horse showing requires. Her business acumen will serve her well, since she is already planning to attend North Carolina State University, where she plans to get an agriculture business degree and go on to a career of breeding and training British Riding Ponies. When Peyton isn’t riding, she loves saltwater fishing, and she catches redfish, flounder, or trout inshore and mahi or grouper offshore. She says that the sound of the reel spinning when the rod goes off gives her the kind of joy and adrenaline that she only otherwise finds riding and jumping.
30 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022 scequinepark.com Camden SC I-20 Exit 101 Your Camden Showgrounds a 501c3 non-profit organization 288 STALLS WITH RUBBER MATS, 3 EXHIBIT RINGS WITH STATE OF THE ART FOOTING, 2 COVERED ARENAS, FANS, CATTLE PENS, LUNGEING, SCHOOLING, AND VENDOR AREA 443 Cleveland School Rd Camden SC 29020 Mailing Address P O Box 2174, Camden SC 29020 Please contact the Show Manager with questions about their event. Since 2009 For Booking Information 803-486-4938 or info@scequinepark.com scequinepark.com for Event Calendar NAME A STALL We will provide a name plaque to honor your horse. PM facebook.com/SCEquinePark for details. Ask us about NAME A BARN, NAME A RING & MORE! We love to see our visitors showcased across the property! We look forward to seeing you ringside! Check our Facebook Page for Schooling Series Days Not state funded
32 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022 In Practice
By Niki Gay, MS, SCAT, ATC The old adage is you aren’t a “real rider” until you’ve fallen off your horse. It is estimated that around 20 percent of equestrians will experience some type of injury each year: that makes a lot of “real riders!” If you and your horse do part company, it is important to know which injuries are probably minor, and which ones are to be taken more seriously. How do you know if you are okay, or if you need medical attention and are done riding for the day? Aside from falls, are there other injuries riders should look out for?
Head injuries and concussions are a very real danger for riders. A 2019 study published in the journal Sports Medicine found that 70 percent of all reported equestrian fall accidents resulted in a head injury, 91 percent of which were concussions. A concussion is caused by a forceful motion of the head or other part of the body that results in the rapid movement of the brain within the skull. Most concussions do not cause loss of consciousness, abbreviated as LOC. In fact, only 10 percent of concussions result in LOC. Concussion symptoms can be immediate, or may or take up to 48 hours to become obvious. This means that if someone had the “mechanism of injury” for a concussion (abbreviated in medical literature as MOI) they should monitor themselves (or if they are a child, have an adult monitor) for any symptoms for two days.Most concussions, managed appropriately, resolve in a few weeks, but concussion injuries can be more serious and even cause permanent disabilities. Returning to activity too soon may mean more severe symptoms, and even death.
Head Injuries
Second Impact Syndrome is a rare but typically fatal injury that can happen if an individual sustains another concussion before the first has healed completely.Signsand symptoms of a concussion can include a headache, a feeling of pressure in the head, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling slowed down, having difficulty concentrating, feeling anxious, frustrated, and having difficulty sleeping. If you have had the MOI for a concussion, it is recommended that you remove yourself from any type of physical activity for at least the remainder of the day. If you have even one symptom, you should assume you are suffering from a concussion and need to rest and
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Managing Rider Injuries
If You Fall Falling off your horse can be scary. It can cause head, neck, back, and limb injuries. The first thing to do when you fall off is take a second and breathe. Take a moment to check yourself and see what hurts and how badly. If you can’t move without severe pain, have blood pouring from a wound, have a contorted limb of some kind, or have any numbness anywhere, then you should stay still and call for medical assistance. Don’t let anyone move you until 911 arrives. There is no shame in being cautious.Canyou feel your limbs, wiggle your toes and fingers, breathe without pain? If you did not lose consciousness, your head isn’t pounding, blood isn’t pouring from anywhere, and no limbs are pointing in the wrong direction, you are probably safe to get yourself up slowly. Continue to monitor what hurts as you rise to your feet, and assess yourself from there. Traditionally riders were encouraged to remount and continue to ride after a fall on the theory that if you don’t get “back on the horse” you will be afraid to ride later. However, if anything hurts, and particularly if you have hit your head, you should be done riding for the day. This will give your body the chance to show you any more serious injuries you may have sustained. Not all injuries have instant symptoms.
What if your head seems okay but you have a bone or joint that is very sore or swollen? If you don’t have full use of any of your joints, it is recommended that you end your ride and get your injury evaluated by a physician. You do not generally need to go directly to the emergency room unless your pain is severe or the bone or joint is obviously displaced. If it is simply swollen and tender, you can use the “Rest-IceCompression-Elevation” (RICE) method for immediate care and get to the local urgent care or call your doctor the next day if you are not better. Ice the injured area for 15-20 minutes every hour, apply a compression bandage to control swelling, and elevate the limb above your heart as much as possible. Once you’ve seen a medical professional for proper evaluation, follow their guidance for returning to riding. Going back too early can cause further damage and keep you from getting back to what you enjoy.
Too Much Sun Heat injuries are also a risk for riders, especially in the Carolinas in the hotter months. Heat exhaustion symptoms include confusion, dizziness, fatigue, fainting, dark colored urine,
34 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022
AllenLauren
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follow up with your physician for further care. Some symptoms are considered red flags and require immediate attention and a call to 911. These are repeated vomiting, convulsions or seizures, loss of consciousness, one pupil larger than the other, an inability to wake up, a headache that gets worse or is unbearable, slurred speech, weakness, decreased coordination, or behavior that is unusual for the injured person. It is always best to err on the side of caution and call 911. After all, you only have one head.
Bones and Joints
Niki Gay, MS, SCAT, ATC is a Certified Athletic Trainer based at Prisma Health Orthopedics in Columbia, SC. Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult appropriate professionals before taking any action based upon the information written here. Reliance on any information in this article is solely at your own risk.
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 35 What's In Your Kit? A good first aid kit is useful to have in the barn. Scrapes, cuts, abrasions, and even sprains and strains can all benefit from items found in a first aid kit. Most supplies can be found at your local drug store. The following items are the most commonly used first aid items: • Absorbent compressive dressings • Adhesive bandages of assorted sizes • Adhesive cloth tape • Antibiotic ointment • Antiseptic wipes • Benadr yl tablets for allergic reactions • Blankets • A breathing barrier for CPR • Gauze pads of assorted sizes • Gauze bandages • Hydrocortisone ointment • Instant cold compress • Nonlatex gloves • Oral thermometer • Scissors • Tweezers headaches, muscle cramping, profuse sweating, nausea, and rapid heartbeat. If you have any symptoms of heat exhaustion you need to be done riding for the day, go somewhere cool, rehydrate, and get some general nutrition. Heat stroke is much more severe than heat exhaustion and is a medical emergency. A person suffering from heat stroke has a core body temperature of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the body’s temperature control system fails. Symptoms of heat stroke include a throbbing headache, a lack of sweating, muscle cramping, dizziness and light headedness, nausea and vomiting, rapid and shallow breaths, seizures, and unconsciousness. Treatment requires calling 911 and immediate cooling: an ice bath is ideal. If this isn’t immediately possible, reach for the water hose and sit in front of a fan. Adding ice packs to the neck, groin, back and armpits can also help lower the body temperature.Forheatinjury, prevention is key. Drink at least half your body weight in ounces every day – a 140 pound person should drink at least 70 ounces, about nine cups. Make sure you are drinking before your ride, during your ride if you can, and definitely after you get off. Follow a healthy, balanced diet. Plan to ride in the cooler parts of the day and make sure you are getting the proper amount of sleep because sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to heat stress. Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing and wide brimmed hats when riding. Monitor your urine output: If your urine is darker than a light lemonade, you are dehydrated! Heat illnesses are scary but completely preventable if you take care of yourself.
“I always say I’ve never really worked a day in my life,” Joyce Hall says. “My whole life has been spent with horses and art; and to me, that’s not work.”
In 1987, she took a teaching position in the equestrian program at Tulane University in New Orleans that opened many doors for her. Impressed by the success of Tulane’s program under Joyce’s guidance, both the College of Charleston and The Citadel soon hired her to establish accredited equestrian programs within theirJoycecolleges.explains that like horses, art has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
A Charleston Treasure The Art of Joyce Hall By Nancy Johnson
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 39 Joyce Hall is an accomplished artist based in Charleston, whose paintings portray a wide variety of subjects. But horses are her passion, and she says her lifelong involvement with them is what has made her an exceptional equine artist.Growing up in Maryland, Joyce began riding hunters at a young age and soon became deeply involved with eventing. Her talent with horses and people made her a natural riding instructor.
“I have the advantage of really knowing the horse and its anatomy,” Joyce notes, adding, “I’ve watched horses since my grandfather raised them when I was little; I still ride and currently have five Friesian sport horses.” Her horse portraits are realistic, yet soft. “I describe it as ‘painterly,’” Joyce says. “They
While she has painted all kinds of horses, Joyce says her favorite paintings are of equine athletes, including steeplechasers, polo ponies and event horses. Several of her paintings have been featured as posters for events such as The Carolina Cup Steeplechase in Camden, S.C. and the Rotary Club’s Polo for Polio event. Her horse portraits and other works have won awards at art shows throughout the country, including in Vermont, New York, Kentucky, New Jersey, Louisiana, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Colorado, and her equine art was honored in Toronto at the prestigious Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
“My husband, Martin Ahrens, was a wonderful portrait artist, so I was exposed to a lot of really good art,” she says. “I’ve always found time to paint,” Joyce continues. “Even when I was running the college equestrian programs, I was painting and was represented by several galleries.”
“And I’ve been around a while!” says Joyce, who is 78. She recalls drawing as a young child, and although she did not get a formal degree in art, she studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C, as well as with several outstanding instructors over the years.
The light on her subjects is a key to Joyce’s style. She refers to the many examples of her works in a book she published, The Horse in Oils. “Page through it and you will see that it’s all about how the light hits the horse.
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 41 are paintings; I don’t want them to look hardedged, because horses don’t have edges; they are round and have fur. And they radiate the light.”
“It’s hard when you are starting out painting horses on commission because people don’t really know how you are going to represent their horse,” Joyce says. “But now I’ve painted so many different kinds of horses for decades, so a potential customer can look at my past work and know what they are going to get.
“When I go to a horse show or other event to photograph for portraits, I always look for the behind-the-scenes shots.” From such candid "It’s all about how the light hits the horse.”
Joyce currently puts in about 30 hours teaching some 70 students each week. She limits her teaching to oil painting but teaches every level from beginners to professionals. In addition, she regularly holds three- to four-day workshops with a particular theme or focus.
In addition to The Studio, some of Joyce’s work can be found at the Rutledge Gallery in Camden and Equine Divine in Aiken. For more information about commissions, painting classes or workshops, contact Joyce at 843-766-5664 or email, joycehallahrens@aol.com, to be added to the email distribution list of upcoming workshops and news. Find her on Facebook: The Studio By Joyce Hall.
Joyce is planning one very special equine painting workshop to be held away from her studio next spring. She enthusiastically describes the huge eventing facility, Southern 8ths Farm, in Chesterfield, South Carolina that will host the event. “Participants will be able to bring their horses! The facility, which sits on 1,400 acres, includes a 50-horse guest barn,” she says. “Plus, they have a big education room; it’s just perfect for this sort of thing.”
summer 2022 The Carolinas Equestrian 43 photos, she creates distinctive paintings – like a special moment of a child hugging her pony or a groom bathing a favorite horse after a race.
In 1996, Joyce retired from working with the college equestrian programs to devote more time to painting and teaching art. “My husband and I lived off our art for a long time and at one point, we decided it was time to give back through teaching,” she explains. For a time, the couple taught out of Tidwell Gallery in Charleston and freelanced in the area before opening their own place in 2007, simply named The Studio. Since her husband Martin’s passing in 2011, Joyce has run The Studio on her own.
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Showjumping: 1950s Style
Lloyd P. Tate riding Venus at the annual Mid-South Horse Show near Southern Pines, 1954. Lloyd P.'s father, Lloyd M., was the founder and creator of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Photo courtesy of Zach R. Tate.
Parting Shot
46 The Carolinas Equestrian Summer 2022
