Equestrian Traveler’s
COMPANION
Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource Spring 2021
Spring Spruce-Ups Sticky Accelerator: How to Take Control Getaways: Oregon’s Central Cascades An Equine Network, LLC Publication
Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANION Spring 2021
Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource
FEATURES 8 Safe Travels
Spring-Clean Your Trailer
10 Trailer to Trails In for the Long Haul
14 Your Healthy Horse Magnet Therapy
18 Getaways Emerald Embrace
22 USRider Member Story My Lucky Charm
DEPARTMENTS 4 Trip Tips Expert Advice for Horse Owners
6 Skill Set Sticky Accelerator: Steps to Control
24 USRider Member Benefits How Does USRider® Compare?
25 Road Gear Equine-Travel Products
26 Handy Checklist Trailer Spruce-Ups COVER PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
USRider General Manager: Bill Riss Editor: René E. Riley Art Director: Abby McDougall Contact USRider: (800) 844-1409 P.O. Box 20634, Boulder, CO 80308 memberservice@usrider.org • www.usrider.org USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Equine Network, LLC, is the producer of award-winning magazines, including EQUUS, Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman, and The Team Roping Journal.
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TOWED.
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TripTips TRAILERTIP---------------------------------------------
Rust Repair
PHOTO BY CATE LAMM
If you spot rust on your trailer, address it immediately. Rust can eventually eat all the way through the metal, compromising its integrity.
Rust indicates a problem with your trailer’s metal surface. Rust can eventually eat all the way through the metal, compromising its integrity. If you spot rust, take your trailer to a trailer dealer, and ask the body specialists to determine whether the rust goes deeper than the metal’s surface. If it does, have them do the repairs. If it’s just surface rust, you can repair it yourself. Scrub the area with a wire brush until you get to bare metal. Prime the area, then paint it with automotive paint —Rebecca Gimenez, PhD
SEASONALTIP----------------------------------------------------
Be Flood Safe USRider reminds horse owners to be extra cautious on the road when traveling with horses in wet weather. More than half of flood fatalities in the United States each year are vehicle-related, usually the result of a driver misjudging water depth and the force of moving water. And a vehicle can float dangerously out of control in just a few inches of water. Follow these travel tips from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help keep you and your horse safe on the road. • Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, or other trusted weather-related sources. • If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. • Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing quickly. Don’t drive around a barrier or attempt to cross a flowing stream. • Never drive through flooded roadways. Roadbeds might be washed out under floodwaters. • If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately, and seek higher ground. • Be especially cautious at night, when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Your rig can float dangerously out of control in just a few inches of water.
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HEALTHTIP---------------------------------
Promote Respiratory Health It’s a good idea to provide your horse with low-dust hay in the trailer, whether you’re going on a short or long journey. That quick trip to the veterinary clinic can unexpectedly turn into a longer time away from home if you experience a breakdown or end up waiting longer than you’d anticipated for your veterinarian to treat your horse. Free-feeding hay will help keep your horse calm in and out of the trailer, and will keep his digestive tract moving, which will help prevent colic, a potentially life-threatening condition. If you use a hay net, avoid overstuffing it. Allow enough room behind the net so your horse can move his nose around it to grab the hay rather than pushing his nose into the net, which could lead him to inhale small particles into his lungs. Finally, tie your horse so that he can put his head down to remove any hay dust and debris from his lungs, but high enough so that he won’t get a hoof tangled in it. — Top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight www.juliegoodnight.com
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Allow enough room behind the hay net so your horse can reach around it to grab the hay rather than pushing his nose into the net, which could lead him to inhale small particles into his lungs.
USRIDER MEMBERTIP---------------------------
Electronic Billing Saves Trees USRider is pleased to offer its Members the option of electronic billing. Not only does this option make renewing your membership easy and hassle-free, it’ll also cut down on the amount of paper used, saving trees. This USRider renewal option will also save you time and money. You won’t receive a paper bill, and you won’t have to worry about writing a check and finding a stamp. You’ll receive an e-mail message notifying you when your bill is ready for review online. Then you can simply use your credit card to pay online or call Member Services. To sign up, contact Member Services at (800) 844-1409 or memberservice@usrider.org; or go to USRider.org, and log on to your account. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
USRider offers paperless billing to cut paper use and save trees.
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------------ SKILLSET------------
Sticky Accelerator: Steps to Control Imagine: You’re cruising down the highway at speed, hauling your equine friend. A car comes into your lane in front of you and slows down. You try to adjust your speed, but when you try to brake, you find that the accelerator is stuck down and you’re barreling out of control. A sticky accelerator pedal can happen to any vehicle for a variety of reasons, ranging from a broken motor mount to an intrusive floor mat to a system glitch. The best way to deal with this emergency is to be prepared. Here’s what to do. Stay calm. Your first instinct will be to immediately turn off the engine, but if you do, you’ll likely lose power steering, power braking, and turn-signal functions. Instead, follow these steps. • Shift into neutral. Immediately shift your vehicle into neutral. (If your tow vehicle has a manual transmission, remember to use the clutch when you shift gears.) The engine will continue to rev and may rev even higher with your vehicle out of gear. Over-revving causes permanent engine damage. However, unlike vehicles made prior to the 1980s, modern vehicles have built-in devices designed to protect the engine from overrevving. • Pull over. Find the nearest, safest place to move off the road, out of traffic, and pull over. • Cut the engine. As soon as you’re out of traffic, turn off the engine. • Turn on your hazard lights. You’re likely pulled off on the shoulder of the road—perhaps barely making it out of traffic. As soon as you cut the engine, turn on your hazard lights to enhance your visibility. Then take a breath, and calm your nerves so you can think clearly. • Call for a tow. Don’t attempt to restart your vehicle; call for a tow. If you’re a USRider Member, call the toll-free number on your membership card or packet, and tell the Member Service Specialist you need to have your vehicle towed to the nearest dealer for your vehicle brand. Note that original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealers have the latest information and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for their vehicle brands, plus diagnostic equipment designed specifically for that vehicle. • Leave your horse inside. If it’s safe, you can get out and check on your horse, but don’t attempt to unload him. He could spook at the traffic noise and pull the lead rope out of your grasp. Leave him inside your trailer, where he’ll be safest. If you suspect or know he’s injured, call 9-1-1. The dispatcher will send a trained large animal rescue responder to assist you. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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If your tow vehicle accelerator pedal is stuck down, immediately shift your vehicle into neutral.
After you’ve shifted into neutral, find the nearest, safest place to move off the road, out of traffic, then turn off the engine.
As soon as you cut your tow vehicle’s engine, turn on the hazard lights to enhance your visibility to passing drivers.
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO
When you’re safely out of traffic with your engine off, call for a tow. If you’re a USRider Member, call the toll-free number on your membership card or packet.
Spring 2021
Because she is Everything.
your trusted roadside assistance company.
Call for a quote: 800.50.HORSE (504.6773) Or visit: www.usrider.org/insurance for an online quote
Make sure you’re covered.
------------SAFETRAVELS-----------
SpringClean Your Trailer Use these trailercleaning tips to provide a safe, comfortable environment for your traveling horse. Article and Photos by Rebecca Gimenez, PhD
A well-maintained trailer is a safe trailer, and trailer maintenance starts with cleanliness.
A
Interior Cleaning
s we head into spring, it’s time to get your trailer out of storage and give it a good cleaning. A well-maintained trailer is a safe trailer, and trailer maintenance starts with cleanliness. Your trailer’s enemies are urine, wetness, and manure. As these substances break down, they corrode your trailer with rust (steel) and pitting (aluminum). Corrosion allows oxygen to get to the bare metal. Over time, an electrochemical reaction forms oxides that eventually can destroy the integrity of metal parts. Salt speeds up this process. Wetness leads to rot in wooden floors. In the worst case, these corrosive substances can cause the metal framing—or even the metal floor itself—to fail under your horse’s weight. In the best case, they cause your trailer to lose value. Fight corrosion with detailed cleaning, then cover your trailer to keep it clean. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
To limit corrosion, remove all urine and manure from your trailer every time you use it. Keep a broom in your trailer, and sweep it out after you unload your horse. This is especially crucial if you use bedding materials, as they hold moisture on the floor. Deep clean your trailer several times per year. You can do this at a car wash or at home. If you opt to go to a car wash, make sure your trailer will fit in the bay before you try to pull in. Also, make sure you can turn around when you’re done. If you wash your trailer at home, park in a shady location with the rear of the trailer slightly lower than the nose to encourage drainage. Then follow these steps. 1. Prepare your trailer. Unload everything so you can clean your entire trailer. Then sweep out your trailer. 2. Loosen mud. With a screwdriver, loosen dried >>
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mud, manure, bedding, and other gunk. Pay special attention to feeders, hay racks, and waterers. 3. Vacuum. Vacuum out all the dry material you loosened in Step 1. Pay special attention to cracks and corners. 4. Remove the mats. Take a picture of how the mats are laid in your trailer so you can put them back the same way. Then
Trailer-Cleaning Kit ■B rooms ■S crewdriver ■M at Handler ■V acuum Cleaner ■C amera/ Camera Phone ■M at Clamp ■H ose/Pressure Washer ■B ucket ■A ll-Purpose Soap ■R ags ■B leach ■S urface Cleaners ■B rushes (small hand-scrub brush; 4-foot-handled and 8-foot-handled soft brushes) ■P H Neutralizer Solution/ Baking Soda ■L ubricant ■E xterior Soap ■T ire Cleaner ■T railer Wax ■W ax Applicator
remove the mats with C-clamps or an E-Z Grip Mat Mover Mats are very heavy—ask for help if you need it. 5. Wash the mats. Wash the mats with soap and water, and hang them up to dry.
6. Rinse out. Use a hose or a pressure washer to remove the rest of the loose dirt and scruff from the ceiling, walls, floors, ramps, and doors. 7. Scrub. With soapy water and brushes, scrub to remove the rest of the dirt. You may with to follow with a bleach solution to kill any microorganisms that might be lurking in the trailer, where they could affect sensitive respiratory systems. Finish with a final rinse. 8. Add neutralizer. Add a pH neutralizer or baking soda where the urine usually lands, and allow it to dry. 9. Clean surfaces. Use material-specific cleansers to clean painted surfaces, diamond plate, windows, etc. As you do, watch for hazards, such as rotting wood, jutting obstacles, or sharp metal that you can fix later. 10. Allow to dry. Allow the interior to dry as long as possible. 11. Replace the mats. Using the photo you took in Step 3. 12. Lubricate. Lubricate everything made from metal that moves, or opens and closes, such as ramps, hinges, doors, and gates.
Exterior Cleaning To clean the outside of your trailer, head to a commercial truck wash. Truck washes do a nice job and will even include an acid wash for aluminum trailers that will brighten the surface. (Tip: Call first to negotiate a price.) 1. Pre-rinse. With a hose or pressure wash, rinse off your trailer. 2. Scrub. Use soap designed for trailer exteriors, such as Zymol. Use according to manufacturer’s
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To clean the outside of your trailer, head to a commercial truck wash. Truck washes do a nice job and will even include an acid wash for aluminum trailers that will brighten the surface. instructions. Scrub your trailer with brushes. Start at the top, and work down. 3. Clean surfaces. Use material-specific cleansers to clean painted surfaces, diamond plate, windows, etc. 4. Rinse. Rinse off your entire trailer. 5. Clean the wheels. Rinse out wheel wells, and wash the tires and wheels. 6. Wax. If you choose to wax your trailer, first let it dry in the shade. Then apply wax to appropriate surfaces per the manufacturer’s directions. USR Rebecca Gimenez, PhD (animal physiology), is president and a primary instructor for Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. A Major in the United States Army Reserve, she’s a decorated Iraq War veteran and a past Logistics Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Team. She’s an invited lecturer on animal-rescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist.
Spring 2021
------------ TRAILER to TRAILS------------
In for the Long Haul
You and your horse will enjoy a relaxing ride when you know the final steps back to the trailer and the post-ride experience will be a safe and unrushed. Trainer and clinician Ken McNabb gives you the right steps to take.
Make the post-ride experience a positive one to end your trail experience on a high note. By Ken McNabb With Alexis Bennett Photos by Jennifer Paulson USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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ou’re headed back from your trail ride. You reach the trailer, unsaddle him, brush off your horse, get him loaded, and head down the road. Twenty minutes! It’s a new record time. This is exactly the behavior that gets riders in trouble. After a long day of riding, and especially after multiday trips, it’s tempting to hurry up and get on your way. When we do this, we create chaos. We hurriedly go through the motions and leave ourselves open to forget >>
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possible to load and unload. Sometimes trailheads don’t give you many options. Choose the most level and least obstructed area possible.
Watch Anticipation As you head back to your trailer, mentally prepare yourself so you don’t become overly anxious and affect you horse’s emotional state. If you get anxious, your horse will, too. You don’t rush him through the trail ride, so don’t rush him headed home. At the trailer, work your horse before you dismount.
“If you get anxious, your horse will, too. You don’t rush him through the trail ride, so don’t rush him headed home. ” At the trailhead, check your surroundings before you park your rig to give your horse the best opportunity possible to load and unload. Choose the most level and least obstructed area possible. important things, such as a saddle left on the ground. We overlook the once-over that ensures our horse is injury-free and our equipment is in good repair. Over time, your rushed process causes your horse to become anxious at the trailer, which makes your ride back more difficult and puts a sour tone on an otherwise-pleasant experience. Here, I’ll share how you can make the post-ride trailer experience a safe and positive one.
Make a Checklist At home, make a checklist before you leave on your trip. Include tack, an emergency kit, feed, brushes, buckets, and anything else you’ll need. Your emergency kit should include flunixin meglumine (brand name Banamine, as prescribed by your veterinarian) and bandage materials to treat minor cuts and scrapes until you make it to a veterinarian.
Park Carefully At the trailhead, check your surroundings before you park your rig to give your horse the best opportunity USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
You don’t need to work him into lather, but you don’t want him to think his job is over as soon as the trailer is in sight. This thinking is what leads to the ride-home jig. Trot circles, bend, flex, back up, then walk him out. Make sure he’s cooled off, calm, and focused before you call it a day.
Post-Ride Routine After you dismount, follow these steps to enhance your horse’s relaxation and comfort, increase your organization, and give you peace of mind as your trailer your horse back to the barn. • Take your time. Before you load your horse, he should be relaxed and comfortable. If you rush him, he’ll feel as you do when you’re rushed in and out of an appointment—emotionally run over. Instead, tie him to the trailer, and loosen the cinch, but don’t get in a hurry to jerk the saddle off. Let him relax as you prep your tack room. • Prep the tack room. Organize the tack room so that when you take off your horse’s gear, you don’t have to struggle to put it away. Hang up your bridle, pull out grooming supplies and water buckets, and make sure everything is clean and ready to use. Then unsaddle your horse. • Groom your horse. Groom your horse by hand first to check for sore spots, broken hair, and other injuries. Then groom him thoroughly with your curry and brushes. Make tack care and grooming a >>
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sider investing in trailer-door trailer-interior lights to help you and your horse see during the loading process. Although horses have great vision at night, they don’t seem to mind a little help. Once everything looks safe, load your horse in your trailer.
Final Thoughts Keep safety top of mind at each stage of your trail adventure. Make sure you haul in a safe trailer free of sharp edges, poor gate latches, and other hazards. Drive smoothly; don’t jerk around corners, slam on breaks, or accelerate abruptly. Be mindful of your horse’s experience, and you’ll avoid trailer balkiness, anticipation, and other unsavory post-ride troubles. You go to great lengths to make sure your horse is fit, comfortable, and prepared for trail riding. Take the same care as you pack up and head home, and you’ll end your trail ride on a positive note. USR As you head back to your trailer, mentally prepare yourself so you don’t become overly anxious and affect you horse’s emotional state. If you get anxious, your horse will, too. part of your post-ride routine; don’t break from your routine in your eagerness to get home. • Consider liniment. I like to give my horse a liniment rubdown, which helps with muscle soreness. I also disinfect my cinches and hang them up exactly how I want to take them back down. This helps prevent girth itch and future skin irritation, and will make it easier to saddle your horse on your next ride. • Offer water. After your horse has cooled off, but before you load up, make water available
to him. Offer it once, and don’t let him play in it. If you let him guzzle it, he can get a gut ache. • Check your list. When your horse is relaxed and comfortable, use your checklist to ensure that everything you’ve brought is accounted for and put away. If you break a piece of tack or lose a hoof boot, make note of it so you can replace it. • Check your trailer. Inspect your trailer and the load-up position. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if there’s a chance you’ll load up after dark. Con-
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This article first appeared in Horse&Rider magazine. To subscribe, go to horseandrider.com. Reprinted with permission.
Trainer and clinician Ken McNabb of Ken McNabb Horsemanship in Lovell, Wyoming, helps riders and horses enjoy partnerships on the ranch and trail. His show, Discovering the Horseman Within, airs weekly on RFD-TV. Learn more and find his clinic schedule at kenmcnabb.com.
PHOTO BY MALLORY BEINBORN
Spring 2021
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------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------
Magnet Therapy Does magnet therapy really work? Here’s what the science tells us. By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD
PHOTO BY PIXABY
Would your traveling horse benefit from magnet therapy? Here’s what the science tells us. >> USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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W
ould your traveling horse benefit from magnet therapy? Magnet therapy is used in both human and animal medicine. The question is, does it work? And if so, what kinds of health issues is it best suited for? Here’s a look at magnet therapy products, uses, therapy types, and FAQs. We’ll also give you cautions for static magnet therapy.
Magnet Therapy Products Magnet therapy devices typically involve static magnets sewn into some type of cover. Blankets to treat the body or back are available, as well as wraps for the knees, hocks, lower legs, fetlocks, or pastern area. Magnets for use on the hoof sole are also available; some products have flexible magnetic strips with self-adhesive material on the back that can be placed anywhere on the leg and held in position with a wrap. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices are available as blankets, leg/joint wraps, and even as mats for hoof treatments. Because the coils and batteries in these devices are bulky and heavy, horses can’t be left loose or unsupervised. The equipment easily slips out of position with too much movement. While static magnets are left in place for prolonged periods of time, a treatment session with
an electromagnetic device would typically be 30 to 60 minutes. Once a day is the usual recommendation, but more frequent applications can also be done.
Magnet Therapy Uses Whether you should consider trying magnet therapy for your horse depends on what your expectations are. There are no studies that support the claims that magnet therapy helps heal an injury, reduces healing time, improves blood flow, or boosts oxygen levels in the blood. If you’d like to try to control inflammation and swelling in an acute injury, there’s some scientific evidence to support that possibility, but you’ll find that most manufacturers don’t recommend magnet use on fresh injuries. The odds of a magnetic device on the sole to help with pain are extremely slim, with the possible exception of a horse that has had too much sole pared away and is too close to sensitive tissue. Typically, there’s simply too much dead-tissue buildup on the foot’s surface for a magnet to even penetrate. If you’re trying to keep your arthritic horse comfortable and active, the best you can expect is a reduction in pain during warmup. However, after the magnets have been off for a short time, the pain does return. If your horse has had a flare-up of a problem >>
“Whether you should consider trying magnet therapy for your horse depends on what your expectations are.”
Magnet therapy devices for horses are available as mesh blankets for the body with magnets sewn in; wraps for the knees, hocks, lower legs, and fetlocks alone; and wraps for the pastern area.
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“In my experience, magnet therapy is helpful in about 50 to 60 percent of horses with joint pain, such as low ringbone or other types of arthritis,” notes Dr. Kellon. “However, the effect is only really present when the magnet is in place.”
Magnet Therapy Cautions • Before investing in a magnet wrap, try wrapping the area in which your horse experiences pain with either a neoprene joint wrap or a standing bandage. This alone may provide equivalent relief by limiting movement and increasing warmth. • Don’t leave magnetic (or any other) wraps on your horse 24-7. The skin needs to have a period to dry out, and all wraps must be kept clean and dry. A buildup of hair or dirt between skin and magnet could completely block any effect. Some bacteria are attracted to magnetic fields, which can lead to a spread of infection within the tissues if you use them over an infected area.
and is being rested, magnet therapy might be a nice additional pain-relieving measure until the area can be brought under control again. Magnet wraps are most likely to benefit horses with chronic problems that are retired or only used sporadically.
Static Magnet Therapy FAQs Q. What is static magnet therapy? A. Magnets are metals containing iron compounds. What makes them stick and attract certain other metals involves a unique arrangement in how their electrons are positioned around the nucleus. Scientists don’t truly understand all the details of what makes certain metals magnetic and what a magnetic field is—but suffice it to say that they have a distinctive arrangement of electrons that makes them interact with certain minerals that have a complementary arrangement. If a magnet meets up with another magnet head on that has a similar magnetic field, their fields will force them apart.
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Q. Does static magnet therapy work? A. Unfortunately, very few studies have been performed on the effects of static magnets on body tissues. We do know that magnets slightly repel water and blood. This is in direct contrast to claims that magnets increase blood flow. In fact, the few experimental studies that have been done have confirmed that magnets are more likely to shrink vessels that are abnormally dilated, or prevent dilation in inflammation, than they are to increase blood flow. But if magnets can prevent excessive dilation of small blood vessels, this would help control edema/swelling in inflamed areas. The claim that static magnets increase the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood has never been proven. Encouraging healing is another common claim, and this one also has nothing to support it. In fact, a strong therapeutic magnet won’t reach any deeper than skin level. Studies show that magnets implanted inside the body at a surgical site, or used on surface incisions, conclusively show there’s no improved healing. Pain relief is a difficult claim to prove or refute, because pain is so hard to actually measure. Some human studies have found a beneficial effect; some found no effect. Q. What are the results in horses? A. There’s some evidence at least that magnet therapy might help control edema. And the pain relief effect that many people swear they get with magnets is worth considering for your horse. In my experience, magnet therapy is helpful in about 50 to 60 per- >> Spring 2021
Left: The odds of a magnetic device on the sole to help with pain are extremely slim, with the possible exception of a horse that has had too much sole pared away and is too close to sensitive tissue. (Shown is a healthy trim.) Right: Typically, there’s simply too much dead-tissue buildup on the foot’s surface for a magnet to even penetrate. cent of horses with joint pain, such as low ringbone or other types of arthritis. However, the effect is really only present when the magnet is in place. Some horses respond just as well to having their problem area wrapped with a neoprene or standing-leg wrap. However, some horses are obviously more comfortable when their magnetic wraps are in place.
Electromagnetic Field Therapy FAQs Q. What is electromagnetic field therapy? A. Magnetic fields can be generated by passing an electrical current through a wire. These fields are typically much stronger and penetrate deeply into the tissues. When used for veterinary purposes, coils wrapped with wire are incorporated into a mesh blanket or leg wraps/boots and a current is run through them via an attached battery. The electromagnetic field is produced in “pulses,” meaning it shuts on and off multiple times during a treatment. On units that have adjustable frequencies, low is used to
control inflammation, medium frequencies are used for inflammation and pain, and high frequencies are used for chronic problems where pain is the major issue. Q. Does electromagnetic field therapy work? A. While details on exactly how electromagnetic fields work are still pretty sketchy, and there’s still much more study to be done, studies have shown they: (1) improve fracture healing time; (2) stimulate healing in fractures that are not healing well (nonunion or malunion); (3) improve the strength of tendons during healing; (4) relieve arthritis pain; (5) control pain from irritated nerves (such as carpal tunnel syndrome); and (6) control postoperative pain. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) stimulate fibroblasts in tendons/ligaments and chondrocytes in joint cartilage to divide. These are the cells that maintain and repair tendon or ligament tissue and keep joint cartilage healthy. Osteoblasts are the cells that lay down bone. PEMF therapy stimulates that process in cultured bone cells.
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Studies have also shown improved healing of chronic wounds, and control of postoperative pain and edema. Some PEMF devices have FDA approval for that specific use. However, there are no requirements for FDA approval for “devices,” as long as they don’t make obvious drug/medical claims. Q. What are the results in horses? A. PEMF therapy can be used to control pain and swelling, and encourage healing of any type of injury or condition of bone, tendon/ligament, or muscle, new or old. It can also be used over ice for even better resolution of inflammation. USR Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD, the owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions in Robesonia, Pennsylvania, is one of a handful of experts in the field of applications of nutraceuticals for horses. She’s an authority in the field of equine nutrition, as well as conditions affecting performance horses. Dr. Kellon’s books include Equine Supplements and Nutraceuticals (Breakthrough Publications). Spring 2021
------------ GETAWAYS ------------
Emerald Embrace Oregon’s Central Cascades will feed your soul with its incredible beauty and offer you tantalizing visions of adventure. Story and Photos by Kent & Charlene Krone
The 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) stretches from Mexico to Canada. Shown are flower-filled fields and North Sister Mountain on the PCT in Oregon’s Central Cascades.
C
lad in emerald robes and capped with ermine stoles, Oregon’s Central Cascades rise to greet horse and rider. This area feeds one’s soul with its incredible beauty and offers tantalizing visions of adventures
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into a vast expanse of wilderness. One August, we decided to explore this area, riding in the Three Sisters Wilderness area, Todd Creek Horse Camp, and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. >> Spring 2021
“Our first ride into the Three Sisters Wilderness area was an easy, scenic ridge ride,” note the Krones. “We headed north to Todd Lake. Just before the lake, we turned right at the trail junction onto Upper Todd Trail #34.” Left: Kent Krone and Buddy on Upper Todd Trail #34 with Mount Bachelor behind them. Right: Charlene and Scout descend from Upper Todd Trail #34 above Todd Lake with views to the meadows near Sparks Lake below.
Three Sisters Wilderness The Three Sisters Wilderness area, located in Willamette National Forest, is the crown jewel of the Central Cascades, with more than 242,000 acres and approximately 260 miles of trails. To get there, travel west from Bend, Oregon, on the spectacular Cascade Highway (State Hwy. 46). Plan now for a summer adventure. This wilderness area is generally accessible from July to late fall, when the snow starts to fly. Snowfall may accumulate to depths of 20 feet at higher elevations; you might encounter snow on trails even during the first week of August. In summer, this region is generally mild and sunny. Trail riders will appreciate the sunshine, lack of grizzly bears, geological formations, and well-marked trails.
The Krones’ first camp in the Three Sisters Wilderness area was Todd Creek Horse Camp, located 23 miles west of Bend, on the Cascade Highway. Adjacent to the camp is the Todd Lake Trailhead.
Creekside Camp
Scenic Ridge Ride
We trailered in with our equine partners, Buddy and Scout, both Missouri Fox Trotter geldings. Our first camp in the Three Sisters Wilderness area was Todd Creek Horse Camp, located 23 miles west of Bend, on the Cascade Highway. Todd Creek runs along the east side of the camp. Adjacent to the camp is the Todd Lake Trailhead. Horse camp facilities were more than adequate. The four-horse pipe corrals were well-maintained, and there was a water pump. Dead wood was easy to gather for an evening fire. And at this elevation, cozying close to a crackling blaze was the place to be at this 6,200-foot elevation camp. Even in August, there was a chill in the air.
Our first ride out of camp into the Three Sisters Wilderness area was an easy, scenic ridge ride. We headed north out of camp across the highway to Todd Lake. Just before the lake, we turned right at the trail junction onto Upper Todd Trail #34. It works its way up a ridge and past Todd Lake. After several miles, we went right on Trail #11 and found ourselves gazing in awe at Broken Top Mountain, elevation 9,175 feet. Wearing a ragged white mantel, Broken Top pierced the cloudless blue canopy with its jagged edges. By turning, we could also see Mount Bachelor in its regal repose. In the distance was Sparks Lake, a glistening blue sapphire surrounded by green meadows. >>
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Green Lakes Ride For our next ride, we trailered from Todd Creek Horse Camp about three miles west to the Green Lakes trailhead. This ride offers splendid scenery. We rode through a dense forest trail alongside Fall Creek. The trail was wide and shaded by protective arms of stately pines. Foaming waterfalls roared as they flung themselves over rocky precipices into the crystal-clear Fall Creek. The trail gradually climbs from 5,450 to 6,500 feet and loops around the Green Lakes, snuggled between South Sister Mountain and Broken Top. Ancient lava flows abound here. We rode past a monstrous lava flow that had come from South Sister Mountain, a 10,358-foot dormant volcano. One can only imagine the fiery inferno and explosions, indelible reminders of geologic history. After about four miles, we reached the Green Lakes. And yes, the Green Lakes are green, likely because they are framed with evergreens. At Upper Green Lake, we rested and had lunch. Another beautiful ride in this region is the Wickiup Plains ride. The trailhead is located about five miles west of Todd Creek Horse Camp. Be sure to take the side trail to the beautiful Sisters Mirror Lake. >>
“Foaming waterfalls roared as they flung themselves over rocky precipices into the crystal-clear Fall Creek,” write the Krones of the trail to Green Lakes. Here, Buddy takes a refreshing drink from the creek.
The trail to Green Lakes gradually climbs from 5,450 to 6,500 feet above sea level, then loops around the emerald waters, which are snuggled between South Sister Mountain and Broken Top, report the Krones. “Ancient lava flows abound here,” they write. Left: Charlene Krone at middle Green Lake. Right: Kent Krone at Green Lake with the 10,358-foot-elevation South Sister Mountain in the background. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Pacific Crest Trail In the western United States, the 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) stretches from Mexico to Canada. It runs along the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, wandering mostly through national forest and protected wilderness. Trail elevation varies from a low of 140 feet at Cascade Locks, Oregon, to 13,153 feet at the summit of Forester Pass. One stunning and geologically interesting portion of the PCT is accessed from McKenzie Pass. From Sisters, Oregon, go west on State Hwy. 242. On this portion of the PCT, good horse camps are Sisters Cow Camp and Whispering Pine Horse Camp. If you’re pulling a long trailer, check with the United States Forest Service before heading out on SH 242. We weren’t able to go this way because of highway construction. Instead, we drove to the Scott Pass trailhead. From Sisters, go west on SH 242 about 5.5 miles, then turn south on Forest Service Rd. 1018. Go about 7 miles. Keep an eye out for Whispering Pine Horse Camp on your left. Turn right on Forest Rd. 1026. Scott Pass trailhead is about a mile ahead. This is not an aesthetic trail up to the PCT! Riding through 3.5 miles of blister-beetle-decimated forest was depressing and dusty. When we reached the top of the pass, we emerged onto the PCT. Go right about 100 feet, and you can water your horses at South Matthieu Lake. We headed south to Opie Dildock Pass, 4.2 miles down the trail. Much of our trail was composed of crushed lava. Plant life here is sparse and drought-resistant. Even in summer, slabs of snow lay scattered about like broken pottery shards. Yapoah Crater, an imposing 6,737 feet above sea level, towered above us. Amazing views of North Sister Mountain (elevation 10,094 feet) and Middle Sister Mountain (elevation 10,053 feet) greeted us as we worked our way around the gigantic black-brown crater. It’s a gradual climb up to the pass. After the trail makes a sharp switchback, you can see a frozen river of lava, called the Jerry Lava Flow, which is almost a mile wide. USR
“[The Pacific Crest Trail offers] amazing views of North Sister Mountain and Middle Sister Mountain,” share the Krones. Shown are Charlene Krone and Scout taking in the view.
Seasoned equestrian travelers Kent and Charlene Krone combine their interest in photojournalism with a passion for horses. They enjoy sharing their horseback The Krones camped at Sister’s Cow Camp to access the adventures and equestrian-travel tips with fellow enthu- Pacific Crest Trail via the Scott Pass trailhead. Shown are siasts. the corrals and the Krones’ rig. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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My Lucky Charm
This Arizona horse owner calls USRider her “lucky charm.” Read on to find out why. By Linda Ford
Arizona horse owner Linda Ford often travels alone with her horses to her sister’s home in Kentucky. When she experienced two breakdowns on one roundtrip, USRider was there to help.
I
live in Arizona and often travel alone with my horses to my sister’s home in Kentucky. For some reason, going through Oklahoma on my way to Kentucky has not been a good experience for me. I first traveled to Kentucky in my 2001 Silverado 2500 diesel (that I call “Big Red”) for Thanksgiving a few years ago. We broke down just outside Oklahoma City. With help from family members, both Big Red and I made it to Kentucky in time for Thanksgiving. The return trip to Arizona was uneventful.
Timely Membership One April, after seeing a very nice article about USRider in an equine magazine, I decided to become a Member. It’s a good thing, since my second breakdown occurred just
outside of Oklahoma City sometime later, while I was pulling a living-quarters trailer from Arizona to Kentucky. In addition to visiting my sister, I was picking up three Tennessee Walking Horses to transplant them to Arizona. Big Red limped to an off-ramp, where I sat for just a few seconds before remembering the USRider membership I had purchased earlier in the year. The USRider Member Care Specialist did a great job of getting help to me. After only one call, she enlisted a wrecker service in El Reno, Oklahoma, to assist me. They were onsite within 30 minutes and able to tow both my truck and trailer in one piece. In the meantime, the Member Care Specialist was working to locate a repair shop that
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would take me the same day. Fortunately, the wrecker driver knew the right place to go, and within an hour from my call, the trailer had been dropped in the parking lot of a GMC dealership in El Reno and Big Red was towed into a service bay. Within two hours, the technicians determined that the breakdown was caused by a faulty injector and reported to me that the repairs would require an overnight stay. An employee at the GMC dealership saw to it that the electricity for my living-quarters trailer was hooked up correctly, thus giving me a home for the night. He even provided a car for me to make a quick trip to purchase provisions. While the GMC dealership is in Spring 2021
full view of I-40, the surrounding area is sparsely developed. There was a nice open field that made a great place for my dog, Lady, to roam. Lady and I camped out comfortably overnight in the dealership parking lot. The dealership made every attempt to get the repair completed quickly, so I was able to resume my trip. The next afternoon, Lady and I were back on the road to southern Kentucky.
“Thanks to USRider, my trip was stress-free, my horses weren’t stranded anywhere, and my competition was wonderful!” enthuses USRider Member Jessie Warner.
Tire Trouble A friend from Arizona came to Kentucky to share the return trip. She helped me load two mares and a filly into the trailer, and we headed to Arizona. The second day on the road, my friend just happened to notice bits of tire flying from the trailer. Just my luck—we were in Oklahoma again! We pulled over at the first safe, suitable place. Sure enough, the
left front trailer tire was shredded. Another tire was rapidly losing air, too! Being self-sufficient women, our first inclination was to change the tire ourselves, but I quickly regained my sanity and pulled out the cellphone to call USRider. Based on the great service I had
experienced just a few weeks earlier, I felt confident that this incident would be no different. In a matter of a few minutes, an emergency roadside service vehicle pulled up to change the tire. The technician could immediately see that we would need more than the good spare to fix the problem and guided us to a nearby dealership. I went ahead and bought new tires all around. We were able to get back on the road in time to make a second overnight stay in New Mexico. From there, we finished the trip home the next day and had plenty of time to get the mares and filly situated in their new home. That round trip was pretty costly, but there’s no way I would have managed getting the necessary services had it not been for my USRider membership. Thank you, USRider, for being my lucky charm, not once but twice. USR
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------------ USRIDERBENEFITS------------
How Does USRider® Compare? USRider® Equestrian Motor Plan is the premier equestrian roadside-assistance program in the industry. Your membership includes roadside-assistance coverage in any vehicle you’re traveling in (even if you’re not driving), as well as coverage for your horse trailer, whether or not your horse is on board. In addition, your USRider membership provides an extensive package of discounts on equine-related goods and services, regular equine-travel and safety information, and insurance products. USRider offers two levels of membership: Classic and Premier. (For plan details, go to usrider.org.) Here’s a handy chart showing how USRider compares with other roadside-assistance plans.
Your USRider roadside-assistance benefits are in full force even when you’re not traveling with your horse and no matter what vehicle you’re traveling in.
USRider
USRider
Classic
Premier
Locksmith
$100
Unlimited
Battery assistance
$250
Unlimited
How does USRIDER compare? Your roadside assistance benefits are in full force even when you are not traveling with your horses. NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE YOU ARE TRAVELING IN – EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT DRIVING – WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
Typical Motor Plan
RV Motor Plan
Towing
Enhanced or Plus Motor Plan
100 Miles*
Unlimited**
Roadside Service: Flat Tire Assistance, Jumpstarts, Fuel Delivery
$250
$400
Winch-Out
$250
$400
Coverage on Dual-Wheeled Vehicles Horse-Trailer Service and Towing Emergency Stabling, Veterinary, and Farrier Referrals $5,000 Theft Reward for Tow Vehicle and Trailer Winner’s Circle Advantage Discounts One FREE Associate Emergency Disablement Expense Reimbursement 24-Hour Concierge Service * $400 max benefit. ** To the nearest ASE Mechanic or Dealership; otherwise $600 max benefit. Coverage amounts do not include cost of parts or fluids. USRider does not cover Commercial Haulers.
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Equine-Travel Products Spring Into Travel
Sheepskin Seatbelt-Strap Pad Enhance your driving comfort for spring travels with the Merino Sheepskin Seat Belt Shoulder Strap Pad from JMS Products USA. The 4-by-12-inch pad wraps easily around most flat straps up to 2 inches wide and closes with a hook-and-loop fastener. Measure around your seatbelt straps before ordering; special orders available via email. The pad is available in black, brown, burgundy, country blue, grey, ivory, navy blue, tan, and white.
Ultra Fast-Dry Towel
Travel Saddle Stand
Spring showers call for a quick-dry towel for both you and your horse. Discovery Trekking Outfitter’s Ultra Fast-dry Travel and Sports Towel is made from a quick-drying, staysoft, lightweight performance fabric. Safe, odor-resistant technology discourages bacterial growth, keeping the towel fresher between washes. The towel is available in black, lime, navy, pink, purple, red, and royal, and in sizes extra-small (13-by-10 inches), small (16-by-28 inches), medium (28-by-34 inches), and large (34-by-58 inches).
This unique travel saddle stand by Horse Fare Products, Inc., available from SmartPak Equine, is a tote and travel saddle stand in one. Its lightweight, compact design and cut-out grips make for easy handling. A special walnut stain enhances the saddle stand’s beautiful spruce wood. The saddle stand weighs 21 pounds; its dimensions are a sturdy 24 by 24 inches.
PHOTOS BY SIMONE KUTOS
Odor-Control Concentrate Odor and potentially harmful fumes, especially ammonia, can build up in your trailer and in show barns. Bye Bye Odor, by Spalding Laboratories, contains four microbes that consume odors’ elements and convert them into odor-free, harmless elements. The natural, nontoxic microbial solution is specially formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate ammonia levels from your horse’s urine and manure. The 4-ounce concentrate makes 2 to 3 gallons of solution.
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------------HANDYCHECKLIST------------
Trailer Spruce-Up By Rebecca Gimenez, PhD It’s time to tune up your trailer for this season’s towing needs. Here’s a point-by-point spring spruce-up checklist. ■ Check tires. Check all trailer tires and spares; they should have good tread (at least one-quarter inch) and be filled to the manufacturer’s recommendation. ■ Invest in spares. Stow at least two spare trailer tires; a blowout can damage other tires. ■ Rotate your tires. Tire rotation will even out the tread wear. While the tires are off to be rotated, lubricate the wheel bearings. Make sure the axle ends show minimal signs of wear. ■ Check the brakes. The brake pads/shoes might need to be replaced. Turn the drums/ rotors at least every 10,000 miles; more often if they stick, make unusual noises, or aren’t properly braking your trailer. ■ Tighten the lug nuts. When replacing the tires, tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s suggested level manually so that you can loosen them in an emergency with a lug wrench roadside. Make sure they aren’t rusted or stripped. ■ Clean the mats. Wrestle the mats out of the trailer. Scrape, sweep, and hose out the dust, sweat, and urine from the trailer mats. Use a standard cleaning product, then use a pH
stabilizing product to finish the job. Add dry baking soda under the mats to minimize odors and the acidic effect of urine. ■ Check the floorboards. While the mats are out, make sure the floorboards are secured with screws, not just sitting on the metal channel. Use a screwdriver to check for weak places or rot in wood; replace flawed boards. Replace wood floors every 10 to 15 years with treated wood. Check metal floors and frames for rust, pinholes and weak spots. ■ Lubricate the metal. With spray lubricant, lubricate every metal part in your trailer, such as latches, hinges, pins, etc. This minimizes rust development and noise. For further noise reduction, tape down anything that hangs, bumps, jiggles, or swings. ■ Check the lights. Make sure all the trailer lights work including the parking, running, and brake lights, plus flashers and turn signals. Check for loose wires that need to be tied up inside and under the trailer, or any exposed or rubbed wires that might need a coat of electric tape or replacement. Brake and light problems are usually traced to a short. ■ Check the emergency-
brake-controller battery.
Invest in a system that bleeds power to the battery to charge it at all times. Make sure the plas-
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PHOTO BY CATE LAMM
Make sure all the trailer lights work, including the parking, running, and brake lights, plus flashers and turn signals.
tic switch is in good condition and that the cable is connected to your tow vehicle’s frame. ■ Check the brake controller. Verify that your brake controller is working. (Check the manufacturer’s instructions.) These instructions will usually ask you to drive at a slow speed towing your empty trailer, then engage only the trailer brakes. That way, you can adjust the brakes to a setting that complements the action of your tow vehicle. When you load your horses, adjust the setting to match the load. ■ Level your trailer. Is the trailer level? If your hitch is set too high or too low, you’ll have difficulty controlling your trailer. Plus, your horse will be standing at an angle, which will stress his joints.
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