NEW MEXICO HORSES
RIDES
TRAINING
PEOPLE
PLACES
New Mexico SEP/OCT 2018
WHY WE RIDE SOLO FOR HORSE & HUMAN
A MUST READ
AND HOW TO HELP A BORED HORSE DOES YOUR HORSE NEED MORE SLEEP? HOW TO RIDE FOR SOUNDNESS A NEW WAY TO RELIEVE PAIN TRAIL RIDE ON THE BALL RANCH
WHAT EVERY HORSE OWNER NEEDS NEEDS TO KNOW FREE! / HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE / PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SPIRITUAL / FOR HORSE & RIDER
Consistent quality feed with every bag and bale AVA I L A B L E A T O U R N E W M E X I C O R E T A I L E R S :
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While riding with girlfriends recently, the topic of anxiety came up. Turns out, we all had (or have) anxiety. I had hunches about anxiety, where it comes from, why we have it, and the reasons why horses help make it go away. So I talked to Lynn Clifford, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (see her article on page 34) and she not only helped me understand, she made me want to saddle up, run and maybe, just maybe, walk. Lynn said that anxiety among women is huge in our culture. Humans have always had anxiety, but it used to be about tangible threats, like the wolf at the door. "The wolf has been replaced by other types of wolves. We live in a culture that is fast paced, stimulating, and overwhelming. We are not wired as a species to filter so much information. We are in constant overstimulation mode," she said. I recalled the recent ride and techniques I used to relax and stay present. We were on the Winsor Ridge Trail on a warm Tuesday in August. As we passed through stands of aspen and ages-old ponderosa pines, I thought about the healing ability of nature, trees in particular. I once read that trees give off an essential oil, phytoncide, that keeps cancer cells at bay. I imagined them misting me with their healing oil as I passed beneath their branches. Many women, including me, say that horseback riding is their church, the place they go to find peace. One of the main reasons I ride in nature is to change my attitude, to get rid of built up regret, stress and worry. I find that cantering especially helps me rid myself of bad feelings, almost instantly. I asked Lynn about whether or not there is a "cantering zone." Lynn said, "I would call it the Zen mind, the current, present moment." She said it is the power of now, when we are in full relationship with ourselves. I think of it as nothingness. When I canter, the buzz of thought-after-thought evaporates until there is no chatter left in my brain. But there was no chance to canter on the sometimes rocky, sometimes narrow and steep trail up to Stewart Lake. We were walking, for miles, same speed. This was at times frustrating for me because I couldn’t get into my cantering zone. So I asked Lynn about the possibility of there being opportunities to get rid of anxiety while walking. "I heard someone say, 'The walking of the horse emulates human walking. It’s like being back in the womb, and the horse is rocking us,'" she explained. "I believe the walk is the most powerful gait." Lynn gave me further imagery – me not riding my horse, but her carrying me, supporting me. "When was the last time you were carried, fully supported? When we surrender to the horse, it not only carries us, it holds us. We can let go." So venture into nature with your beloved animal. Get misted by the trees. Walk or run. Pay attention to the feeling of being supported. Be held by your horse. What anxiety?
Cecilia Kayano Running with Lance and Consuelo on Rowe Mesa.
New Mexico Editor/Publisher CECILIA KAYANO Associate Editor PEGGY CONGER Facebook/Events SUSIE SPICER Manager Contributing Writers LATANA JAN BERNIER & Photographers ANDY CAMERON, DVM LYNN CLIFFORD KAREN LEHMANN JOHN MCKENNA MARIANNE RANDALL CHELSEA REIMHOLTS STEVE RICKERMAN LORETTA ROONEY CINDY ROPER KATRIN SILVA STEVE SIMMONS DOUG THAL, DVM, DAVBP Photojournalist EVALYN BEMIS Graphic Design/Layout MARIE ANTHONY Advertising & Sales FREE Events Listing
HORSENEWMEXICO@GMAIL.COM EVENTSHORSEAROUND@GMAIL.COM
Subscriptions $30/YR MAIL CHECK TO:
HANM * PO BOX 367* PECOS * NM 87552 OR PURCHASE ONLINE AT:
www.horsearoundnm.com Well-written, informative articles and high-resolution photos are welcome. Submissions will be considered and are subject to editing. The next issue, Best Horse Stuff, appears at New Mexico outlets on November 1, 2018. The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2018. The deadline for ads is October 1, 2018. For information contact Cecilia Kayano, HANM Editor, 505-570-7377, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, www.horsearoundnm.com
Need more trail riding details, horsey events and equine inspiration? Check out our expanded Facebook page. Make sure to like us! COVER PHOTO: Bri Cimino on El Camino overlooking Santa Cruz Lake. Photo by Cecilia Kayano.
HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE
THE WORM CRISIS / HOW HORSES SLEEP / RIDE THE BALL RANCH
20
34
FEATURES
16 The Gifts Of Riding Solo
Exquisite reasons for riding with just your horse
20 Bored Or Not?
Signs your horse may be bored, and what you can do about it
24 The Need For Sleep
Find out how much sleep your horse needs, standing up, lying down and everything in between
26 Riding To Keep Him Sound And Happy
Gymnastic riding is easier than you think and will help your horse be balanced and move well
30 Equine Kinesiology
Also known as taping, this alternative therapy is becoming more common
34 Just Breathe
The importance of intentional breathing for you and your horse
38 Resistant Worms
Why this is a huge concern for the entire horse industry
42 Ride The Ball Ranch
With free-roaming horses, colorful cliffs, and off-the-grid solitude, this ranch begs to be explored
38
PLUS
15 Horse Services Directory 45 Upcoming Events 46 Gimme Shelter Highlights
Horse Around New Mexico is printed five times per year: Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec. Submissions of articles and photos from all around NM are welcome! See our website or email/ call for submission standards/deadlines: www.horsearoundnm.com, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, 505-570-7377.
Horse Around New MexicoŠ2018. All rights reserved. Horse Around New Mexico and Horsearoundnm.com are copyrighted, trademarked, and the sole property of Cecilia Kayano. Individual content copyright belongs to the author. All the opinions expressed herein are the sole opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect bias or belief on the part of the editor, publisher, distributors, printer, advertisers, or other contributors.
THE PECOS CHAPTER OF l THE PECOS CHAPTER OF BCH
is a service organization that is part of Back Country Horsemen of America. We are committed to protecting the access of equestrians to public lands. Our meetings are held monthly in Edgewood.
YOU ARE TO HELP NEEDED E ILS IN TH KEEP TRA O N ZA N A M PECOS & ICTS TR IS D R RANGE OPEN TO EQUINES!
lAS A MEMBER YOU WILL:
-Assist with trail maintenance and improvement -Work to keep trails clear for all users in the Manzano and Pecos Ranger Districts -Have the opportunity to learn new skills FOR MORE INFORMATION
PHONE: 505.281.3722 / 505.559.3426 EMAIL: BCHNM.PECOS@GMAIL.COM FACEBOOK: Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico, Pecos Chapter
... ...
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SARA STENSON, CMT, SERVING SANTA FE AND NORTHERN NM
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HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
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SADDLE UP! THE HORSE IN MYTH, LEGEND, AND SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
A SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS PRESENTED BY ANNA SOCHOCKY. SATURDAYS, 1-3 PM, OCTOBER 6 - NOVEMBER 10
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www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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CONNECT WITH YOUR HORSE KATRIN SILVA
CLASSICAL & WESTERN DRESSAGE TRAINING u LESSONS u CLINICS SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
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silvakatz@icloud.com / 505-429-7968 / Santa Fe
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Does he need some tender, loving care? 2 Stores in 3825 Osuna NE, Albuquerque New Mexico! 505-341-9401 8
HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
2005 SE Main, Roswell
575-624-2123
TIME TO GET OFF THE FENCE - PRICES ARE RISING! IF IT’S A HORSE PROPERTY YOU NEED TO BUY OR SELL - CALL ME!
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Cell: 505.470.2917 Off: 505.982.4466 david.mead@sfprops.com
Experience counts when it comes to real estate. The Mead & Von Eschen Town and Country Team at Santa Fe Properties is ready to help you realize your equestrian or agricultural property dreams. Whether buying or selling, we’ll give you the straight scoop, no nonsense information you need to make the right decisions.
YOUR BARNDOMINIUM & AIRSTRIP AWAITS 243 Hale Road, Stanley NM. Located just minutes from the Stanley Cyclone Equine Event Center, this 20-acre fenced property comes with a 3-stall barn, shop, storage areas, RV hookups, Farmall Cub tractor and super cool apartment. Feed your ponies in your bathrobe or birthday suit! Ideal for full or part-time living. You can even commute by plane! Offered at $180,000. mls#201801437
Call or visit us today at www. SantaFeTownandCountry.com EL RANCHO EQUESTRIAN FACILITY AVAILABLE! 15 Calle Otra Banda, Santa Fe. Professional horse trainer’s property in El Rancho! A large pipe rail arena, tack room w/AC, 5 covered stalls, hay storage, shop building and more on this 1.1-acre property with a beautiful 3/2 Karsten home. Convenient to Santa Fe, Los Alamos and the Espanola Valley. At this price, you can still afford hay! Offered at $239,000. mls #201702680
100-ACRE RIO GRANDE VALLEY HORSE FARM
Located in Lemitar, NM, this premier property is set up for the pro or serious hobbyist. Included is a 3,600 sf custom ranch home, 8-stall adobe barn, arena, hay barn, 12 cross fenced pastures, plus another 30 acres of Drover hay production and much more. Just minutes from Socorro and about one hour from ABQ and the Sunport. Offered at $2,450,000. mls #201802327
Queenie is ready for adoption! She may be waiting for you. Queenie is quiet, sweet, eager to please and looking for her own person. Easy to ride, sensitive and very willing, Queenie will make a great horse for an intermediate rider. She has been ridden in the arena, round pen and on the trail. She is approx. 8YO and 14.2H.
“Chance for a Lifetime”
Queenie is the very first graduate of a new collaborative program from Four Corners Equine Rescue and Heart of the Horses Sanctuary in Santa Fe. This is a dream come true for horses that have been rescued from perilous situations and given the best training and rehabilitation available from FCER and trainers Joost Inspire 9 Empower Horses 9 Humans Lammers and Erica Hess. 3.18 B sanctuary card.indd 2
SM
3/18/18 7:11 PM
Adoption fee is $800, and includes lessons from Joost and Erica. Call for an appointment to meet Queenie. 505-474-5480 info@heartofthehorses.com
www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND queenie 8.2 D.indd 1
8/6/18 3:46 PM
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Custom Saddles by McCall
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Alto Road, 505-466-3961 48 Cerro LOALTUCKER.COM Lamy, NM 10 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Live where you can really ride, retire and recreate! Land for sale in Lincoln County. Beautiful views with flat to rolling terrain. Adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. 3-11 acre parcels. Owner financing - discount for cash. Perfect for vacation or retirement home.
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To learn more and to get started on your project, contact Morton Buildings today. Š2016 Morton Buildings, Inc. A listing of GC licenses available at mortonbuildings.com/licenses. NM License #016516 Reference Code 043
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www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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TLC FOR YOUR HORSE
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO WHEN SELLING YOUR HORSE PROPERTY: #1 CALL ME. (I’LL HANDLE THE OTHER 9.)
Cameron Veterinary Clinic, in Eldorado, Santa Fe, offers two veterinarians and five clinic staff who are all devoted to providing the best care to your beloved horse or pet.
Roni Merbler
has owned and ridden horses for most of her life. She knows how to prepare and market horse properties so they have maximum appeal to the horse owner.
Andy Cameron, DVM, owns 3 horses for mounted search and rescue and wilderness packing.
505.259.9704 Allison Otis, DVM, owns 2 horses for trail riding and ranch work.
505.466.1540uCAMERONVETERINARYCLINIC.COM
Rōni Merbler
CRS, ABR, Broker Associate
ENCHANTEDHOMES REAL ESTATE 505.944.2490
EQUINE BODY BALANCE Informed by Equine Ortho-Bionomy, Equine Positional Release: a non-force bodywork approach – addresses acute and chronic injury patterns, structural, visceral, fluids, soft tissue, circulation that may manifest in lameness, illness and behavioral patterns. MOUNTED BODY BALANCE The application of Equine Body Balance techniques for the horse coupled with Ortho-Bionomy for the human, mounted or unmounted sessions. Focus on deriving the best possible outcome for horse and rider by working with the strengths in each. ORTHO-BIONOMY Non-force bodywork for the human, based on Osteopathy, that addresses all body systems: acute and chronic injury patterns, structural, visceral, fluids, soft tissue, circulation – with focus on self-correction.
Professional certifications: Associate Instructor & Advanced Practitioner – Ortho-Bionomy & Equine Ortho-Bionomy, Practitioner – Equine Positional Release (EPR). Member ABMP; Society of Ortho-Bionomy International; Independent Liberty Trainers Network. . Located in Santa Fe. info@susansmithsantafe.com www.susansmithsantafe.com 505-501-2478 12 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
YOUR HORSE IS READY TO GO! IS YOUR TRUCK READY TO GO? CUMMINS / POWERSTROKE / DURAMAX COMPLETE LIGHT DUTY DIESEL MAINTENANCE AND DIAGNOSTICS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE & SAFETY CHECKS PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTIONS
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3700 MORRIS ST. NE ALBUQUERQUE OPEN M-F, 7:30-5:30
www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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HAL BURNS
Fine Equestrian Property
8741 Rio Grande Blvd, Los Ranchos
Hal Burns is the premier truck, RV and trailer specialist in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. FF GET 10% ONTION
ME WHEN YOU AD IS H T
• Diesel and gas engines service, tune ups & repairs • Horse trailer repairs & safety checks
.
Welcome to one of Albuquerque's finest Equestrian Estates! Located on over Two Luxuriant Acres and nestled next to the Bosque for instant access for riding, bicycling or walking .You'll think you died and went to Heaven! Five stalls a 2217sqft Barn attached outdoor runs & four more runs and large arena. All areas have automatic water. Pipe fencing over the entire property. Covered trailer parking area. A gorgeous northern NM home boasts soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, Architecturally intriguing windows and skylights, French doors, 2 way fireplaces and 3BR’s with ensuites downstairs with 2BRs+All Purpose Room Upstairs. All this is nestled in a Green Oasis with a Lovely Outdoor Living Area.
We will meet all of your mechanical needs with factory-trained personnel. 14 Camino Charro, Santa Fe
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$1,045,000
Ann Taylor CRS 505-379-7774 505-890-3131
Pet cremation keeps them close to the heart ...so the memories never fade. When your beloved horse or pet dies, it is a traumatic time. Let Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service be there for you and your pet. We are the only family owned and operated animal cremation service in New Mexico. We are animal lovers, and promise to treat your pet with the dignity and respect it deserves. THIS MEANS:
We empathize
with you at this difficult time, and will explain options for cremation according to your budget and special wishes. when we pick up your horse or pet at your home, boarding facility or veterinary office.
We are respectful We understand
your need to keep your pet’s remains close by, or scatter them at a meaningful place. We offer a wide selection of urns, and can engrave them with words of comfort. Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service is owned by Kelly and Dave Gifford. Pictured here are Kelly and Dave’s grandchildren Paige and Jaxon being cared for by equine pal Velvet, who passed away in 2017.
ALBUQUERQUE PET MEMORIAL SERVICE 132 Mountain Park Place NW Suite A, Albuquerque, New Mexico
505-550-4793 www.AlbuquerquePetMemorial.com
HORSE SERVICES DIRECTORY
Listed here are horse-related services provided by the September/October 2018 issue advertisers. They are experts in their fields. Many of the business owners are also horse owners and enthusiasts. They are the reason Horse Around New Mexico magazine exists and why the magazine is growing. If you enjoy this free publication, please show your support by supporting our advertisers. BARNS/CORRALS Ironhorse Pipe & Steel, page 11 Morton Buildings, page 8 BOARDING Dancing Bear Ranch, page 7 4 Winds Equestrian Center, page 13 CLASSES Saddle Up! The Horse In Myth, Legend and Spiritual Thought, page 7 CLINICS Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc., Buckle Series, Working Cattle Clinic, page 10
FEED Standlee Premium Western Forage, page 2
RESCUE/ADOPTION Four Corners Equine Rescue, page 9
NATURAL PRODUCTS Pharm-Aloe, Becky Roberts And Bob Powell, page 29 Pharm-Aloe, distributors, page 33
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Back Country Horsemen, page 6
MASSAGE The Art Of Equine Massage And Bodywork, page 6
SPECIALTY SERVICES Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service, page 15
REAL ESTATE Dave Mead, page 9 Rōni Merbler, page 12 Property For Sale, page 11 Ann Taylor, page 14
TACK AND FEED STORES Horsemen’s, page 6 Miller’s Feed, page 13 Paul’s Veterinary Supply, page 8 Taos Tack and Pet Supply, page 10 Village Mercantile, page 3
SHOEING AND TRIMMING Thilo Hoffmann, page 9
TRAINING Katrin Silva, page 8 Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc., page 12 Lynn Clifford, The Ride of Your Life, page 11 Susan Smith, page 12 VEHICLE/TRAILERS American Diesel Service, page 13 Hal Burns Truck & Equipment, page 14 Sandia Trailer Sales and Service, page 48 VETERINARIAN Cameron Veterinary Clinic, page 12 Jeannette M. Kelly, page 14 Western Trails, page 7
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THE GIFTS OF RIDING
SOLO ...
I ride often and mostly alone. Yes, I know about the hazards and the potential pitfalls of riding solo, but if I had always waited for a riding partner, I don’t think I would have ever mounted up! Let me share with you the reasons I like to ride alone, starting with a full moon memory... BY JOHN MCKENNA
that we are natural beings who belong to this Earth and that we are in our natural home.
Makes me feel self-reliant.
When I ride alone, I ride differently than when I ride with others. I know I have to depend on me, myself and I (plus horse and dog). I choose familiar ground and prepare for unknowns: Do I have rain gear? Can I make a fire safely if I’m stranded? What do I do if a lightning storm comes up? What could I possibly run into on the trail? Hunters, bicycles, ATVs, etc.? What if my dog, horse or I get injured? I prepare for these scenarios. Riding alone heightens my awareness, makes me pay more attention so I don’t make mistakes. It gives me a bit of a thrill, not quite as big as Jerimiah Johnson probably had, but you get the idea.
"I love riding with others but it tends to take my focus off my horse and what is happening around us, since groups of riders tend to chat, especially women friends! Riding alone means I listen to my horse, the birds, smell the dirt, the trees, feel the breeze or sun on my skin, and move with the swing of the horse’s legs. It's the difference between Zoology and Zen. In this photo I am looking through Rolle Red Beans’ ears at Lake Isabel and Lake David on the Ruby Ranch north of Las Vegas." EVALYN BEMIS My brother taught me how to ride alone. I remember a winter day one time when he came to our family ranch from work after dark. He was so upset that he missed daylight that he just saddled up his horse and started out down the trail in the dark! It was January and cold, there was a full moon and he rode out on the llano until about two in the morning! I joined him on later rides, and we rode like that all winter until spring. Our schedules changed, and he couldn’t ride with me, so instead of not riding, we both rode solo, day or night. He taught me that being in the saddle even when there isn’t a riding partner is not only a good way to get more rides in, it gives you opportunities that riding with others does not. Imagine being by yourself on the llano under a full moon at midnight…
Lets me empty my brain.
There are countless advantages to riding with pals, including safety in numbers, being useful, and of course simply being
there for each other. Lord knows, riding with others necessitates an unselfish attitude. The thing is though, riding alone gives you meditative, contemplative time to yourself, even if it’s just to ruminate on personal problems or get away from those problems. You can clear your head, have almost nothing going on in there. It’s like a gentle flow of fleeting thoughts, they come and go and go and go until there is nothing.
Gets me in touch with my favorite beings. Now I am of
course not completely alone when I ride, because I take along my horse and my blue heeler Red. Yes, neither are gossipy and neither are conversant in the arts or politics or have opinions, but they do provide their quiet, confident and constantly optimistic companionship. I think I give back to them a sense of leadership and every time the three of us make our way through the back country, I am reminded that we all belong there,
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Gives me sights and memories that are mine alone. One time, while leading my
horse in the Sargent Wilderness in Chama, New Mexico, I quietly pushed through a colorful grove of fall aspen and scrub oak and emerged onto a green open savanna where about a hundred yards away were two mature elk bulls fighting it out, giants with muscles rippling under rusty capes, necks bent with antlers crashing, thrashing, each looking for an advantage. One could see that they were madly, insanely driven by nature to become the herd bull, a similar showdown witnessed no doubt by the first humans who peopled the area. And there I stood, with reins in hand, blessed to see this rite of nature! I watched with my horse and dog who brushed up against my leg for support as he does when he’s a little afraid. I was transfixed, but before the fight was over I slowly backed down the trail, then remounted, turned and quietly trotted away. It’s a memory that the three of us share. When I think back on it, I remember it vividly, because I was right in the moment. Out loud, I thanked El Creador de Todos for giving us that moment. Riding alone provides me with many gifts, some that are hard to articulate. Maybe the closest I can come is that solo riding
expands my spirit. It helps me be grateful in a wordless way. Being in nature with dog and horse connects the outside world to my inside and fills me with awe without me even really knowing what is happening. There is an old New Mexican saying: Con gratitude se viene la paz,. “With gratitude comes peace.” I am gifted with that peacefulness when I ride solo and am reminded again and again that I have much to be grateful for.
n
John McKenna, of McKennaSaddlery.com makes Western and English saddles and is a certified fitter/flocker. He and his blue healer, Red, split their time between their saddle shops in Nyack, New York and Santa Fe.
PREPARING TO RIDE ALONE
If you do ride solo, or think it is for you, know that extra preparation will help you be safer. There is no riding partner to depend on, so take these precautions: • Ride familiar trails that have been cleared • Ride a reliable horse that can safely navigate the terrain • Wear footwear that you can hike in • Let someone know where you are going and your return time • Depart at a time to get you back well before dark • Know the weather and bring gear for unexpected weather • Bring the basics – flashlight, matches, water, halter and lead, cell phone • Bring extra food and first aid for self, horse, dog • Bring “what if” items: saw, wire cutter, map/mapping device/ compass As you become experienced at riding solo, you may want to ride longer, lesser-known trails. This requires more knowledge about survival skills and carrying more emergency gear. There are many books and courses that teach survival skills that you might want to consider. Make sure you are able to take care of yourself and be safe before you venture out.
TOP: "I don't always ride solo, but if I need just peace and harmony between me and my donkey or mule, I prefer to ride alone! This is Thorny with the Organ Mountains in the background. Thorny is a Mammoth Donkey, which isn't just a big 'regular' donkey!" LATANA JAN BERNIER BOTTOM LEFT: "This is Duke (aka Doodles), a Kentucky Mountain Pleasure Horse. When riding alone, we can pick up the pace, which we don’t get to do often when riding in a group, and Duke is gaited, so he is a blast when he moves out! When alone, I often see more wildlife... birds, lizards, coyotes and especially deer, and they usually just watch us and don’t run off. This is a trail across the street from my house in Edgewood that we often ride together, just Duke and I." LORETTA ROONEY BOTTOM RIGHT: "I ride alone a lot because I like the relationship I have with my horse for one, and I can choose to ride at any speed at any time. This pic is of a nice, easy foothill ride in Albuquerque in the winter on my rescue horse Rio." MARIANNE RANDALL
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BORED OR NOT? ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY EVALYN BEMIS
"M
om, I’m bored.” Do you remember saying that to your mother when you were little? Perhaps you even said it a lot. Now think about your horse, who can’t say that to you in so many words but whose behavior may indicate feelings of boredom. Behaviors such as stallwalking, cribbing, standing in a corner for hours with head lowered, digging a hole in a corner of the paddock, or aggressiveness are all indications of a horse that could use some enrichment. www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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Spending several minutes each day teaching your horse something new breaks up his periods of being bored, gives him something to think about, plus creates a stronger connection. In this photo Cynthia DaCosta encourages her Andalusian horse Cactus to step onto a pedestal.
Many horses are bored
If you consider that the “normal” life of a horse would involve roaming far and wide, grazing 18-20 hours a day, in the company of his friends and family, then it makes sense that he might be bored out of his mind confined to a tiny stall or paddock, possibly by himself. He is a prisoner of your schedule and demands, no matter how cushy the barn or what type of activities you engage in with him. Even the lucky horse who lives in a large paddock or with friends can become stifled by the day-in-and-out routineness of his life. He may get into trouble picking on said friends or go into a panic when the other horses are removed.
the simple act of providing your horse with a more stimulating and responsive environment. It can be many things that are readily at hand and free, as well as toys and tools designed specifically to keep your horse engaged for hours. Mary Richards shared ideas she has discovered in her career as a zoologist and as a positive reinforcement trainer of many years. She recently gave a talk on the subject at Terra Nova Training Center in Santa Fe.
How to start enriching
The most important point is to always supervise your horse when you are providing new enrichment. We want these experiences to be positive, not frightening or dangerous. Make sure any objects you might be placing in reach of
So what’s a conscientious horse owner to do? Think enrichment. Enrichment is 22 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
your horse can’t entangle him, create a choking danger or otherwise be harmful. Think toddler safety. • Mind puzzles and mental stimulation are a great place to begin. Puzzle feeders that dispense treats or small bits of grain as the horse nuzzles and rolls the toy can be fun for a horse that is confined to a stall. Pick a bundle of grass and stuff it into the bottom of the hay net. You can put a basketball inside a hay net, draw the hay net tightly around the ball, insert some carrots between the ball and net, and then hang the net from an overhead ring so it can spin freely. Your horse will be engaged trying to work the carrots out. • Essential oils such as lavender, bergamot or rose can be added to a
LEFT: When horses have companions, whether in the same pasture or across the fence, it gives them endless interactions. RIGHT: The key to alleviate boredom is to keep it new and fresh, including the trails you ride. Here Kristi Chilcote rides Cloud into a tunnel under a railroad. bottle of water and sprayed on stall walls. Horses are often attracted to and curious about different scents and will spend time sniffing. Some herbalists claim that lavender has a calming effect, as does vetiver. Mary said she has placed zebra and antelope dung in the lions’ enclosure at the zoo where she worked and watched the lions have a great time rolling in it! • Playmates will keep a horse busy. Because horses are naturally herd animals, they usually like to spend time together. Always check to be sure horses are compatible before you chuck them out in a paddock, and especially be aware if you have a mare that has strong cycles as she may kick at other horses when she is in season. Sometimes it is enough if the horses can just meet over the fence or go out on the trail together. A common form of enrichment at racetracks, where horses spend 23 hours a day in a stall, is to provide companion animals such as minis, goats, barn cats, and even chickens. Racetracks also famously have a radio on, usually tuned to a country western station or classical music. • Grooming is a very rewarding form of enrichment to most horses. If you have only a short bit of free time at the barn, spend it grooming and/or massaging your horse. Discover his
favorite place to be scratched. You can do some gentle tail pulls or detangle his hair with your fingers – don’t you enjoy a scalp massage when you visit your hairdresser? Of course, please don’t surprise your horse by suddenly approaching his back end, especially without knowing how receptive he may be to you working there. • Food is definitely a way to provide new and fun experiences for your horse. According to Mary, things that are commonly safe to feed are apples, bananas, pears, watermelon, carrots, kale, romaine lettuce, endive, and spinach. Experiment by mixing a few bits in with their grain and see what gets eaten and what gets left behind. • A play pile made of gravel, shavings, or wood chips can provide hours of enjoyment. Leave it in mounds in the paddock or arena. Your horse will dig around in it and save you the trouble of spreading it! • Tires and other objects that can be safely left out in your arena or paddock for your horse to discover will keep your horse stimulated. Many tire stores will let you take old tires for free and you can create a maze for your horse to walk through, figuring out where to put his feet or how to step over obstacles. You can reward his problem-solving by placing a bucket of apples or feed inside a tire in the middle of the maze.
I also use my tire pile to create jumps and the next time I return to the arena the “furniture” has almost always been rearranged! • An old push-broom head can be screwed to a stall wall at the shoulder height of your horse to give him something on which to scratch. • Switch up your riding at least once a week. If you are a dressage rider, take your horse out for a trail ride. If you run barrels, think about creating an obstacle course in a different pattern with your barrels or poles. If you stick to the same trails week after week, hitch up your trailer and head to someplace new. You will be as happy as your horse to discover there is a whole big world out there. If you have any concern that your horse’s behaviors might indicate a health issue as an underlying cause, be sure to consult your veterinarian. Likewise if your horse is on any sort of dietary restriction, check first before trying new food-based treats.
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Evalyn Bemis is a photojournalist and lifelong equestrian. View her photos online by searching Evalyn Bemis Photography.
Mary Richards has trained everything from big cats, antelope, zebras, hippos, rhinos and crocodiles to horses, cats, and dogs using ethical and humane positive-reinforcement techniques. 23 www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
The
Needfor Sleep
We’ve all heard the saying, “Horses sleep standing up.” Turns out this isn't quite accurate.
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BY ANDY CAMERON, DVM, PHOTO BY EVALYN BEMIS
orses’ sleep patterns and cycles have been studied, but very little is understood about their needs for sleep. Study has established that they do need sleep, that they get some sleep on a daily basis, and that they do indeed need to lie down for part of their sleep cycle. Despite this need, horses will go for days without lying down if they are in an unfamiliar environment, are physically uncomfortable, or are simply not given the chance.
The three phases
Horses have three different phases of sleep that make up one complete sleep cycle: drowsiness, slow-wave sleep and paradoxical sleep or what is better known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Drowsy sleep and slow-wave sleep can be accomplished with the horse standing, as the “stay apparatus” in their legs allows them to lock their legs in a standing position. We’ve all seen horses in this posture – head dropped, lower lip drooping, eyelids half closed, one hind leg cocked at rest and the other three locked in place. This is actually sleep behavior. Ideally horses will rest in drowsiness and slowwave sleep for 3-5 hours a day. However, they get this sleep in very piecemeal fashion, minutes at a time throughout the day and night and not all at once, as we people sleep.
What if they can’t lie down?
In order to complete their sleep cycle, horses need to go through all three phases of sleep and therefore must lie down for at least a few minutes. Nobody understands how long a horse can go without REM sleep and a complete sleep cycle. Nor do we really know what the adverse effects of not having REM sleep are on a horse’s health and performance. Clearly many of our performance horses can and do compete successfully, going for days without lying down or getting REM sleep. Horses can apparently go for many days without lying down and completing their sleep cycle with REM sleep, as evidenced in the veterinary clinic and in the field. Horses on a multi-day haul for relocation or competition, on a long-distance pack trip, or in the hospital may not have the opportunity to lie down but somehow continue to function to our expectations.
Can they "catch up"?
Evidence also shows that when sleep deprived horses do have the opportunity to lie down and “catch up” on sleep, they will do just that and increase by two to three times the amount of REM/ paradoxical sleep that they get over the following few days. So what does this mean for us horsemen? While we can continue to do what we do, traveling, packing and competing with our horses, we should whenever possible, give them the comfort and space they need to lie down. And, at the end of the trail or travels, give them some extra R & R time to catch up on the rest they need.
The paradoxical/REM phase of sleep requires full muscle relaxation and therefore lying down. REM sleep, which they need for just under an hour a day, they get minutes at a time rather than all at once. Horses may not be flat out on their sides to get REM sleep and many Dr. Any Cameron owns Cameron Vet Clinic in Santa times will lay on their chests with their noses on the Fe and treats all livestock and small animal species. He ground, or propped up against a stall wall. Horses will be owns three horses, is a member of Mounted Search and reluctant to lie down for REM sleep if they are physically Rescue and enjoys wilderness packing. Contact him at uncomfortable, in an unfamiliar environment (thus not 505-466-1540. considered safe) or do not have a comfortable, sizable place to lie down. 24 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
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Gymnastic riding means teaching your horse a better way to move. The "shoulder in" exercise is one that helps a horse develop straightness, suppleness and strength.
RIDING TO KEEP HIM
SOUND HAPPY and
ARTICLE BY KATRIN SILVA PHOTOS BY CINDY ROPER
Gymnastic riding is less complicated than you might think – and there are lots of good reasons to try it.
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ood horse owners do everything they can to keep their horses healthy and happy. They feed nutritious hay. They take excellent care of their horses’ hooves and teeth. But many neglect a very important component in horse health and wellness – correct riding, which can help make horses stay sound and moving well for years longer than they otherwise would. Gymnastic riding, based on the lower end of the dressage training scale, builds a horse’s body in a way that allows them to carry the added weight of a rider with ease. It also protects muscles, joints and ligaments from overuse injuries. All good reasons to start doing it.
So do you need to buy a new saddle and change everything you already do? Not at all. It’s much less complicated than most riders think. You just need to practice at least a couple times a week. If you can incorporate this into your trail or other type of riding you do, even better. If you can do it more often, better still. You don’t have to spend tons of time in an arena, but it helps to have a flat training area with decent footing, large enough for a 60-70 foot circle, or better two circles. The saddle you are already using will do fine, as long as it allows you to feel what your horse is doing underneath you. It’s best to do this type of work in a snaffle bit. So what exactly should you do with your horse and in what order?
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LEFT: Every horse has a stiff side and a hollow side. Help him bend into the stiff side by doing leg yields. Spiral from a smaller circle onto a larger one. This exercise will develop better body alignment. RIGHT: Stretching forward and down feels good to the horse. Keep light contact on his mouth, and give him the reins the moment he stretches his neck.
Focusing on body alignment
Ride lots of circles, with the horse’s body in correct alignment. This means that the horse’s spine should follow the line of your circle from ears to tail. Picture a banana going around a circle. The smaller the circle, the more the horse needs to bend, so start with larger circles. About 50-60 feet is a good size to start with. You can’t create bend with your reins. You can only create flexion at the horse’s poll. The other 90 percent of the horse’s body should respond to your seat and legs. Imagine a set of railroad tracks going around a circle, and try to keep the entire horse between them. When the horse tries to fall against the inside track, your inside leg reminds him to stay upright. When the horse’s hindquarters try to drift out onto a larger circle to avoid bend, use your outside rein and leg to keep them on track. Be patient, be happy with every bit of progress, and reward your horse often. Every horse has a stiff side and hollow side. It’s our responsibility as riders to minimize the difference between them. The stiff side is the one your horse doesn’t want to bend into. Ride lots of leg-yields to help him get the idea. The easiest way to introduce a leg yield is the spiral: On a circle, use your inside rein toward the inside or lift your
inside hand a bit. Don’t pull back. Once your horse flexes at the poll, release the inside rein and push the horse’s ribcage onto a larger circle with your inside leg. After a few steps forward and sideways, straighten the horse and ride forward. Repeat a few times, or until there is some improvement, then change directions. Introduce this work at the trot, but your goal is a correctly aligned horse in all three gaits.
Stretching the horse forward and down
Once your horse’s body is in correct alignment, he will want to stretch forward and down because it feels good. Again, be patient. You can show a horse the way down into a stretched frame, but you can’t hurry or force this process. You can only make sure that the horse is going forward, with energy but not rushing, on a circle with correct body alignment. You should keep light contact with the horse’s mouth, but be ready to give the reins at the first inkling of a stretched neck. Keep spiraling, keep bending, keep riding forward. Every time your horse thinks about lowering his neck, immediately give him a longer rein while pushing him forward, encouraging him to stretch over his back. A stretch without forward energy won’t have the gymnastic benefits you’re looking for: a swinging back and a relaxed top line.
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Again, this work is easiest at the trot, but eventually he should be able to stretch forward and down in all three gaits.
Developing a working frame
Once your horse stretches consistently forward and down in both directions, it’s time to gradually develop a working frame, with the horse’s nose near the vertical and his neck a little higher. A working frame is not a “head set.” Instead, it means shifting the horse’s balance more toward the hind end, which means the front end will become lighter and more maneuverable. To do this, ride lots of transitions between the gaits and try to make them as smooth as possible by using your seat more than your hands. Before your horse gets too comfortable in any one gait, ride another transition. This will make your horse more responsive to your aids. It will also help develop longitudinal suppleness and a strong top line. Once you can ride smooth, prompt, clean walk-trot transitions in quick succession, it’s time to start with “almosttransitions.” Sometimes, when you ask for a walk from the trot, change your mind at the last second and push your horse forward again, into a slightly more energetic trot. You will feel the horse’s weight shift back toward his haunches.
EQUINE
After stretching down in all three gaits, Renegade is now ready to trot in a working frame, with nose near vertical, neck a little higher and balance shifted toward the hind end. This is an excellent way to introduce the half-halt. Of course, after a successful half-halt or two, it’s time to ask for an actual transition. Another good strategy to gather your horse into a working frame from a stretched frame is to ride your horse in shoulderfore, and later in shoulder-in. Shoulder-fore means that you take the bend of your large circle onto a straight line. Try it along a fence if you can. The horse’s shoulders should be a little off the rail, with the horse’s inside hind leg tracking between the two front legs. Just like on the circle, focus on the horse’s body alignment. The neck should not bend more than the rest of the horse. Once you can ride a shoulder-fore both ways, increase the angle until you have a shoulder-in, where the horse’s inside hind leg tracks toward his outside front leg. At that point, it’s fun and challenging to ride transitions in shoulder-fore or shoulder-in. Keep your work sessions fairly short, especially if this type of riding is new for your horse. Also, keep your work playful. Don’t drill the same exercise for too long. Be happy with a little progress, praise your horse, then switch directions, or move on to something completely different, like a trail obstacle. And most importantly, be patient – your horse will thank you in the long run. Please email me with any questions and good luck!
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Cool Pretty Lady aka BamBam
“With all our horses including World Champions and Finalists we’ve learned it’s what we put in them and not what we put on them. Pharm-Aloe helps maintain optimal health, focus, and show ring readiness.“
Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany, but moved to New Mexico almost 30 years ago because she wanted to learn how to ride Western. Over the course of her career as a professional horsewoman, Katrin has moved back and forth between the two worlds a few times. She has finally realized that the differences between the two styles of horsemanship are much less important than the common ground they www.pharmaloe.com share. Based in Eldorado near Santa Fe, Katrin helps horses of all breeds become happier athletes. She blogs at katrinsilvadressage.com and would love to hear from you at silvakatz@icloud.com www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
Becky Roberts and Bob Powell
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30 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Equine Kinesiology Alternative therapy seen helping Olympic athletes is now being used to address equine lameness and other issues. ARTICLE BY PEGGY CONGER, PHOTOS BY CHELSEA REIMHOLZ www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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The horses pictured were lightly ridden, but often acted uncomfortable and cranky under saddle. They were treated with KT for back pain, flank pain, sore and tense hind ends, neck pain, shoulder pain and stiffness, and afterwards seemed more comfortable when ridden.
ave you seen a horse on the trail or at the barn sporting what looks like racing stripes? It’s not the latest My Pretty Pony fad: Those printed or boldly colorful stripes are equine kinesiology tapes, an alternative therapy quickly gaining acceptance to help horses deal with injuries, swelling and pain of various types.
Kinesiology taping or KT is not new. Olympic athletes have competed wearing kinesiology tapes and the technique has been used to help with everything from relieving pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal to improving balance in stroke patients, according to research.
The tapes, once applied, can stay on for several days, and depending on the tapes’ location, the horse can be ridden with the them on. Horses don’t need to be clipped or shaved for the taping unless the coat is exceptionally long, but the taping areas need to be clean.
Practitioners say for horses KT can help by enhancing blood flow and oxygen to injured tissues, relieving muscle spasms, reducing swelling around injuries and supporting injured muscles and joints without restricting movement. The tapes can compress areas or decompress them, depending on how they are applied, and increase a horse’s range of motion.
Discussions of equine KT usually come with warnings that there’s not a lot of research to support it. But what research has been done is promising. Last summer, the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science published a study that found equine KT resulted in a “significant” reduction of swelling after arthroscopic surgery.
How does equine KT work?
The stretchy tapes, available online and from equine health workers trained in KT, firmly attach to the hair, lifting the skin. KT tapes can go on legs, haunches, the barrel, along the back or lumbar region, depending on what needs to be achieved. The tapes affect the skin, the fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds muscles), the lymphatic system and muscles and joints.
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Certainly, there’s plenty of anecdotal affirmation of the value of equine KT. And it’s become popular enough for some horse competitions to have already set rules on whether horses can compete wearing tapes.
How to try KT
Just ordering kinesiology tape and applying it willy-nilly is not the way to go. KT doesn’t work like athletic tape; it takes some understanding, skill and training to get it right. But the good news
is, with some direction, owners can learn to apply the tape to their horse to help with specific problems. Chelsea Reimholz is an equine massage therapist who is certified in KT. She says she has seen firsthand how taping can help horses with problems. “There was a horse I was riding for some clients. He would be sore after two rides,” she says. “I started taping him and now he can go a couple of months being ridden without any soreness.” Chelsea suggests a number of ways KT can help horses. A young horse in training, for example, is experiencing a lot of new stresses on its muscles. KT can ease the pain and help that horse recover much faster. Show horses can benefit by some pre-show taping that will help them relax. Horses with injuries resulting in scar tissue can find pain relief when the injured area is taped, increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the injured area. Geriatric horses can get relief from arthritis pain and regain flexibility.
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Combining taping with other modalities -- such as chiropractic or massage -- can also help a painful horse. “The energy of trauma runs right through the body,” Chelsea says. Chelsea of course recommends working with a vet to determine a course of treatment for any injured horse. But she says you can also routinely check in with your horse to see if he’s painful. “The best time is when you groom,” she says. That’s when you can notice if he is flinching away or feeling stiff in some area. If you are interested in learning more about equine kinesiology taping, there are online classes and tutorials available from manufacturers such as Theratape and KinesioEquine.
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Peggy Conger is the Associate Editor of Horse Around New Mexico magazine. She enjoys trail riding and can be reached at P_Conger@yahoo.com. Chelsea Reimholz can be reached at chelsea.equinebodywork@gmail.com
Consider these therapies
Alternative therapies are growing in popularity for both humans and equines. Some you can try for your horse: Massage: For aching muscles and injury recovery, massage is a popular choice. A number of equine massage therapists practice in New Mexico: Look for a reference from friends or check out other resources, including Horse Around. Body work: Equine body work goes under different names, depending on the practitioner’s training. Body work can use or combine a number of modalities, such as acupressure, to address health issues. Myofascial release: This gentle form of hands-on work releases trauma and scar tissue from the fascia, which surrounds the muscles and joints. Chiropractic: Just like human chiropractic, equine chiropractic addresses disorders in bones, joints and muscles with manual adjustments. Chiropractic requires anatomical knowledge and extensive training: In fact, the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends chiropractic for horses only be done under veterinary direction.
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Belen Old Mill Farm & Ranch 19763 NM-314 505.865.5432 Corrales Meddleton Equine Clinic, Inc 6165 Corrales Rd 505.344.2680 Edgewood Jim Morris 505.350.3615 Los Lunas, NM Carol Newbill 505.565.2120 Santa Fe/Las Vegas Andrea Pabel-Deane 505.690.8426 Taos Nicole Trousdale 303.903.2721
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The importance of intentional breathing for you and your horse
34 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
BY LYNN CLIFFORD, LMHC
B
reathing. We all do it, all the time. Fast, slow, shallow, deep – our breath is our life, literally and figuratively. Holding our breath is another thing we all do, mostly without realizing it. But why breathe with more awareness than usual, and how does this pertain to being with our horses? Let’s put it in perspective. To begin, we can live for quite some time without food or water or rest, but only minutes without oxygen. It’s important! Yet many of us don’t think about our pattern of breathing very often; it’s blissfully automatic to do it about 20,000 times a day. Oxygen provides our body and organs with vital nutrients, including helping our brain function optimally. Breath really is the link between the body and the mind. If oxygen is sparse, our blood has to move more quickly and can even tip into medically serious high blood pressure levels. All of these things contribute to our level of physical and mental/emotional stress — which are inseparable — and guess who feels our stress? (Answer: Our horse!) Secondly, breathing fully helps eliminate the natural backup of toxins and waste products in our system. I think of this as the “releasing what doesn’t serve you” portion of the cycle of breathing and is also a great opportunity to let go of tension, fear, anxiety, etc. But sadly, regardless of the reasons, many of us are breathing at about a third of our capacity. So what are some signs you aren’t breathing optimally? • Holding your breath • Feeling the need for a longer/deeper breath, seemingly out of the blue • Having a very short, shallow breath • Running out of breath when your horse moves more quickly
Breathing and tension
Generally, we breathe more deeply and slowly when relaxed or comfortable. As comfort decreases, breathing speeds up and becomes more shallow — and in moments of real tension, the tendency to hold our breath is nearly automatic. Retrain yourself to breathe during a moment of tension, and the tension subsides. So simple! Your breath is like a signpost you can use to track your level of tension in any moment.
Breath as connection
As you drive to the barn, walk to the gate, muck the pen, groom your horse, tack up, become aware of your breath. What is the nature of your intake of oxygen at this moment? And the next? The next? Training yourself to make the best use of your breath while you’re with your horse begins with tracking (awareness) and can evolve from there. Horses will hold their breath in moments of tension or fright, similarly to humans; though their respiratory system is different from ours, we can use breathing as another tool of communication and connection.
How horses breathe
When they’re at ease, or walking or trotting, horses breathe through their nostrils, expanding and contracting their chests. They might snort or hold their breath when they’re startled or momentarily challenged by an obstacle or a jump. Once they’re in canter or gallop, however, their breathing is tied to their stride –- one breath per stride -– as all air movement in these gaits comes from the
your own (try it while you’re driving or standing in a line waiting) as well as with your horse (unmounted or mounted). I recommend practicing intentional breathing everywhere and anywhere and at any time: It will help the practice become more natural for you, particularly in high stress situations, and you and your horse will enjoy the benefits of all that extra oxygen and relaxation. • Notice where your breath is and where it isn’t. Throat, chest, belly; high or low; front, back and/or sides of your body. • Hold your breath on purpose. This is a great reverse psychology trick for humans, but it’s also a fun experiment to do while riding your horse in a calm situation. Notice how he responds. Different horses will respond differently—some will walk faster, some will slow down or stop. • Box breathing. Breathe in for four counts, hold your breath for four counts, breath out for four counts, hold for four counts, repeat this cycle.
Unlike humans, horses relax, then breathe. When you breathe and relax, your horse will feel it. He will drop his head, relax, then breathe. movement of their diaphragm, which is in turn determined by the movement of their muscles as they alternately gather their legs and push. Generally, a relaxed horse’s breathing is relaxed, barely perceptible when they’re resting, heavier but steady when they’re working in relaxation. Sometimes a horse may sigh, swallow, lick and chew, sneeze or blow, or yawn. These are all excellent signs of relaxation, release and movement in the horse’s system.
Humans are different
Humans breathe deeply and then relax. Horses relax, then breathe deeply. When you breathe more deeply and/or rhythmically, you release tension from your body. Your horse will feel the release of tension and relax -– and perhaps release a “huff,” sigh or deep breath. Try it and see if you can find that magical moment when you take a deep breath and your horse does too!
Try these new ways
But it’s not that easy to “just breathe,” as some of you may have discovered, so here are some exercises to play with on 36 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
• In and out. This is another great exercise that gives our “monkey mind” a job to do yet still benefits our ride immensely. Find a way to count that feels comfortable for you, e.g. “1000, 1001, 1002...” or “one Mississippi, two Mississippi ...” and literally count how long it takes you to finish your inhale, then count how long it takes you to finish your exhale. It’s fun to note which one is shorter or longer or if they are even. You may also note if/ when your count changes as you ride, change gaits, etc. • Rhythmic or ocean breathing. This one is fairly simple, and it helps if you make a little bit of noise so you can hear yourself. I also personally feel like it helps the horses to hear you as well. I might breathe in gently through my nose and out through my mouth, without force, but the important thing is to find the rhythm of it for yourself. (Note: Watch the temptation to match your horse’s stride; I suggest you first find your own comfortable rhythm independent of the horse’s.) • Hum or sing. Yes, you read correctly. “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat” is a particularly good trot rhythm, but remember YOU get to set the rhythm, not your horse.
TOP: Any time is a good time to practice intentional breathing. It will bring you into the moment, focusing less on the past or future and more on the exquisite here-and-now of rider and horse. (Pictured is Debbie Spickermann aboard Tucson at a lookout in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.) BOTTOM: New situations often cause both horse and rider some anxiety. Intentional breathing will provide extra oxygen and relaxation to you and your horse. (Evalyn Bemis on Booker T at Fort Stanton.)
The here and now
Using intentional breathing while you are with your horse helps bring you into the “hereand-now” moment, an incredible gift in any relationship. We focus less on the past or the future, or on the audience that may be watching, or what your horse is or isn’t going to do. Intentional breathing helps balance out things like micromanaging our horse’s every move in nonproductive ways, blocking our horse from giving us what we are asking for. It will actually allow your horse to excel in ways that may delight and surprise you.
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Lynn Clifford is a third generation professional equestrian, trainer, clinician and licensed therapist. She is the founder of The Inner Equestrian: Life Coaching & Counseling for Equestrians. Find out more at LynnClifford.com, lynn@lynnclifford.com or 505-231-5353. Read her article: Head, Heart, Body featuring illustrations by Alice Griffin in the May/June 2018 issue of Horse Around NM magazine.
Try this mounted breathing exercise
After you mount up, sit quietly in the saddle. Track both your breathing and your state of being and rate it on a scale of 1-10. Are you at a 3? Or maybe a 7? Take a few moments to decide where you would like to be. Maybe there’s a range. Let’s say that during your trot work you’d like to remain at a feeling-state between 4 and 6, animated enough to get around the ring in a workman-like manner, with maybe some hint of brilliance but not so animated that you start to feel nervous, anticipating that your mount might throw in a little buck or a sideways spook at something happening outside the arena. As you begin your ride, just check in with your breathing from time to time. Track where you are. Do you feel the 4 as you warm up on a long rein, then immediately cycle upward when you gather up the reins and ask your horse for more focus? Spend some time just tracking where you are and rating it on a 1-10 scale. When that feels fluid, you can try choosing. Maybe your horse’s head pops up when you cue the trot, and maybe this is irritating, and your number jumps from 5-7. You’ve set a goal for no higher than 6, so do whatever you need to do (breathing helps!) to bring yourself back down and try again. When you find yourself in the zone, celebrate…and repeat! www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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RESISTANT
WORMS
Equine parasites are becoming resistant to deworming compounds. This is a huge concern not only for your horse, but the entire horse industry.
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BY DOUG THAL, DVM, DAVBP ecently I had to euthanize a world-class 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare – a real tragedy. She had badly damaged intestines, and after two colic operations, we decided to put her down. Her problems were partly brought on by a severe infestation of large roundworms (ascarids). This type of parasite is common in young horses but very rare in adults. My first thought when I saw the parasites at surgery was, “Why isn’t this mare being dewormed?” When I asked the trainer about her parasite control program though, she said she wormed every five weeks!
While this mare probably had a very rare immune tolerance to these parasites, what was most alarming was that the parasites were able to survive in the face of repeated dousing of deworming chemicals. These worms were resistant to the dewormers being used! 38 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Why it's a serious problem
Resistance to our common dewormers is a rapidly-growing problem that every horse person should be aware of. Excessive and indiscriminate worming – horse people simply grabbing products off the shelf and giving them to horses without having any idea of why they are doing it, and what they should really be doing – has led to the problem. Outdated parasite control theories and practices continue to perpetuate it. In the last ten years, there has been increasing evidence for worm resistance to common deworming chemicals. The scary thing is that if worms develop resistance to our available deworming medication classes, we will no longer be able to protect our horses from worm-associated diseases. Parasite resistance is a serious problem and will require that the whole horse industry change its way of doing things. It is critical that you, as a horse person, understand the nature of the problem and help solve it. Simply deworming your horses with a rotation of deworming pastes is no longer the best approach. Yes, you will need to deworm in order to keep parasite numbers managed in your horses. But the desire to reduce worm populations must be balanced with intelligent, targeted methods. To slow the onset of resistance, what will be required is actually LESS, but SMARTER deworming.
Ascarids (Roundworms)- Large roundworms in young horses (ascarids), can cause ill thrift and, at times (usually after deworming), complete obstruction of the intestine. Large Strongyles (Bloodworms)- The adults can cause life-threatening intestinal damage by blocking arteries supplying blood to the intestine. Large strongyles have been made scarce since the advent of ivermectin. Small Strongyles- With the disappearance of large strongyles, this group has actually become the most important, and the one that has shown the most resistance to common dewormers. Pinworms- Their eggs adhere to the skin around the anus and cause itching of that area and the tail head. Bots- The larvae live in the stomach and are not thought to cause much problem at all, although the egg-laying adult flies are highly irritating to horses. Tapeworms- These live in a particular region of the small intestine, and in large numbers can cause irritation and blockage of the area. Tapeworms are more common in humid regions of the country. Habronema- These worms transmitted by flies cause non-healing wounds called summer sores.
Any one, or all of these parasite types may be present in the horse simultaneously, and at different stages in their life cycles. Some worm species can lay hundreds of thousands of eggs per day, so parasite loads can grow quickly. The different dewormers have varying effectiveness against the types and stages of parasites.
The basic life cycle
While there are differences in the specifics among the life cycles of different parasite types, the general idea is similar. There are stages within the horse and stages in the environment. Parasites released into the environment in manure take time to develop into stages that can be swallowed by the horse, to survive and continue the cycle. The climate must be “right” for this environmental development to take place. Healthy horses have some parasites. It’s just the way it is, and it doesn’t hurt the horse. The parasites operate “behind the scenes.” The horses usually look perfectly healthy or show only very subtle signs. And you wouldn’t expect to see anything in the manure – most parasite eggs and the worms themselves are mostly tiny or microscopic. But horses with large loads of parasites can also show a wide variety of signs of
History
It is natural for healthy horses to have some parasites. Craig Reinemeyer, DVM PhD, a renowned expert on equine parasitology, states the problem well: “Equine parasites have co-evolved with the horse over 60 million years of evolution. They are unique to the horse, and they can only survive if the horse survives. It doesn’t make sense for them to burn down their only home. We need to manage parasites, not eradicate them. Our efforts at eradication are what have led us quickly to resistance.”
What common parasites do
There are more than 150 species of internal parasites that affect horses. Important groups for you to understand include:
These ascarid roundworms were found in the small intestine of an adult horse, which is very unusual as they are more common in younger horses. The horse was on a regular deworming regimen. 39 www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
illness. The specific signs depend upon the specific parasites, the horse’s general health and immunity and the population of worms. Heavy small strongyle infestations for instance, might cause horses to have gastrointestinal irritation and damage, reduced nutrient uptake and generally poor health. Horses affected by large parasite loads look like we would expect them to: pot-bellied, rough coated and thin. They may experience colic or diarrhea.
How the problem began
As stated before, horses have always lived with parasites, but parasites weren’t as much of a problem for wild horses. Horses were on the move, leaving worm eggs in their manure far behind, to wither and die in the elements. In contrast, modern domestic horses kept in smaller areas were no longer able to escape their manure, and so they picked up more infective eggs, and the cycle intensified, and the bad effects of worms became more obvious. A half-century ago, severe parasite-related disease was relatively common. But since then, effective deworming compounds have been developed that drastically reduced (and altered) parasite populations in horses. Make no mistake; these chemicals have definitely helped the health of domestic horses. There is far less parasite-related disease than there was 50 years ago. But the cost of this effective campaign has been the development of resistance to these compounds, especially in small strongyle parasites. We are beginning to see resistance to even our newest and most potent chemical class (the one that contains ivermectin and moxidectin.) Before the advent of modern storebought paste dewormers, veterinarians were very involved in equine parasite control. Thirty years ago, vets “tubedewormed” horses, meaning that they passed a stomach tube through the nostril and down into the stomach, and they dosed a large quantity of a chosen chemical directly into the stomach. In the last 25 years though, paste formulations of the common chemical
classes have become increasingly available and very cheap. Equine caretakers have rotated dewormers casually, not understanding the differences among them or the parasites, and under the false assumption that “more is better.” Veterinarians, including myself, were complicit in this approach. Fifteen years ago, I consistently recommended a “fast rotation” program to my clients without understanding the potential implications.
A wormy future
In the past we assumed that if we rotated compounds, parasites that were not killed by one class would be killed by the next. This idea worked pretty well when the three main chemical classes each killed the majority of parasites. But it is a bad idea now, for these reasons: • Two out of the three main classes of chemical no longer kill parasites adequately. Parasites have become resistant to them. Their continued indiscriminate use will quickly result in complete resistance. • Rotation using ineffective compounds ensures complete resistance to them while creating a false sense of security. The potency of the effective dewormers covers up the inadequacy of the others in the rotation. • We are already seeing pockets of resistance to ivermectin and moxidectin (our last remaining effective class) and it is inevitable that this will increase. Use of these compounds without fecal testing will ensure a short effective life for them. • There are no new chemical compounds in the works right now. Research and development is costly and takes time. Our emphasis should be on extending the effectiveness of the drugs we have.
How worms become resistant Parasites develop “resistance” to the chemicals used to kill them, meaning that there will be worms in the population of a particular type of parasite that are not killed by a particular chemical.
Here’s how it works: Most parasites are killed by a single dewormer application. Out of thousands of worms of a particular type in a particular horse, most will be killed, but there may be a few surviving (resistant) parasites that have
40 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
genetic differences that allow them to tolerate the chemical When one of these few survivors interbreeds with another similarly resistant parasite, they pass the resistance gene down, and produce resistant progeny. These offspring survive, thrive and propagate in the presence of the chemical, resulting in the next generation being comprised of even more resistant parasites. These parasites have a great advantage over the non-resistant parasites as long as the chemical is still in the environment. The greater the percentage of the worm population that is exposed to a chemical, the greater the pressure for the parasite populations to develop resistant against it, and the faster the percentage of parasites becomes the new, resistant type. It is inevitable that resistance will take place, with enough time and exposure to these compounds. However, careless and over-aggressive dewormer use has and will accelerate the development of this resistance. The goal should be to make that period as long as possible for each of our dewormers. How do we achieve this? By minimizing the exposure to these compounds through targeted deworming.
Targeted deworming
The best way to prevent development of resistance to these compounds is not to use them at all! That would surely and completely eliminate any selective advantage for resistant parasites. Obviously this is not feasible, because our horses would again succumb to the effects of parasites. However, leaving a segment of the parasite population with minimal exposure to these chemicals will slow the onset of resistance. In this way, susceptible parasites are allowed to go on living and competing with the resistant parasites. This is known as preserving “refugia” within the worm population. We can move toward this by only deworming horses that have higher fecal egg counts. For horses with lower counts, we need to drastically reduce the number of deworming treatments per year.
Determining “who gets what” requires an understanding of which horses have higher worm burdens and shed more into the environment. This knowledge requires fecal testing by your veterinarian.
Start with fecal egg counts
Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) are the cornerstone of targeted deworming. Here is how they work: Adult worms live in the intestine. They shed eggs that end up in the manure. Most worm egg types can be identified and counted using a microscope. Accurate testing requires knowledge of the technique and practice. There are limitations to FEC, as some species are difficult to diagnose this way. In addition, eggs may only be shed intermittently, meaning that they can be missed. Regardless, FEC is the best indicator we have of worm burden in horses. By using FEC results, horses are broken into three groups, those with high levels of shedding into the environment, those with moderate, and those with minimal. High shedders are dewormed frequently, about three times per year. The moderate group is dewormed less and the minimal group hardly at all. The goals of this new approach are optimal horse health for all horses in the herd, reduced dependency on chemicals and reduced contribution to the resistance problem. It relies on improved fecal diagnostics to monitor the effectiveness of the program. The key to this new approach to deworming is working with your veterinarian. There is no perfect dewormer and no standard program. Fecal testing guides the program. Horses at different ages and stages have varying needs for parasite control. Twenty percent of horses in a group shed 80% of the total parasites. Young, growing horses have some special needs. They are especially susceptible to ascarids and may benefit (regardless of fecal egg counts) from deworming with an appropriate compound at 30-60 day intervals until they build some natural resistance Climactic conditions and season of year influence parasite levels in the horse and on pasture and are critical factors
to address. The goal is not to kill all parasites, but to keep parasite loads to a level compatible with health, and to leave a reservoir (refugia) of parasites in as many horses as is practical. Based on all this, in our veterinary practice we recommend a fecal exam on every horse twice annually, in our area in May and October. Testing is the only way to determine the effectiveness of a parasite control program and to detect the development of resistant parasites.
One other note
Chemical control is actually the less important part of a total parasite control plan. Since parasites are primarily transferred through manure, good stable and pasture management is key.
Conclusion
Parasite resistance is a real and growing threat. It is a problem that veterinarians and the horse industry need to work together to manage. Resistance is inevitable, but the goal now should be to slow the onset of resistance, and to extend the period of effectiveness of our currently effective compounds, while still maintaining the health of our horses.
n Doug Thal DVM DABVP is the owner of Thal Equine in Santa Fe. Dr. Thal is very committed to horse owner education, has published numerous articles, and regularly conducts workshops and seminars on equine health care. He developed the Horse Side Vet Guide®, a highly-rated mobile application for horse owners and equine professionals available on iTunes & GooglePlay. Visit ThalEquine.com
In the past, it was taken for granted that frequent rotational deworming was the best way to reduce parasite resistance.
Steps to get a fecal egg count What you will do • Collecting a fecal sample is easy. Simply pick up one fresh fecal ball in a zip-lock bag, squeeze the air out of the bag, label it with your horse’s name, and drop it by your veterinarian’s office. You can store a fresh sample up to 12 hours if you keep it refrigerated. • It is important that the sample be taken at least three months after deworming, and four months after deworming with a Quest compound. Otherwise the effect from the prior deworming confuses the results. • If horses are on a continuous dewormer like Strongid C, they can be tested at any time.
What your veterinarian will do
environment. They help you tailor a customized program to these factors and to the results of the FEC. They perform a FEC on your manure samples and determine which horses are low (< 200 epg), moderate (200-500 epg) or heavy (>500 epg) shedders. • They identify the specific parasite types and determine the most effective deworming compound. • Once annually at least, they will perform a FECRT (Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test). To do this, you submit a second sample two weeks after deworming. The veterinarian performs another fecal egg count on that sample. If the drugs are working the way they should, there should be no parasite eggs in the second sample.
• The cost of fecal testing should be • Your vet assesses your overall offset by a significant savings in the program. This includes the risk purchase of deworming compounds. to your horses, their management, your geographic region and
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Sally Fish and Steve Simmons in the badlands of the Ball Ranch. Like most of the trails here, the badlands are off the beaten path and only accessible by hikers and horseback riders. Photo by Steve Rickerman.
Ride The
BALL RANCH BY STEVE SIMMONS
This little known destination between Santa Fe and Albuquerque offers spectacular scenery, feral horse sightings and ruins, but come prepared.
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f you are looking for a hidden gem for trail riding, the littleknown Ball Ranch may be just the place. The 12-square mile parcel of BLM land is halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, a little east of I-25, but a world away from busier horse trails found in our area.
Off the beaten path
The Ball Ranch was once owned by the Ball family famous for the glass canning jars that bear their name. After leaving the hands of the Ball family, the parcel went through several owners and eventually was acquired by the Bureau of Land Management. It’s a hidden gem for trail riders because it is little known, well off the beaten path and a little hard to get to. I have been riding there for the past few years and have never seen another horse and rider anywhere unless they were with me. I do occasionally see a jeep tour vehicle, but they are always courteous and are limited to pre-existing roads. Another aspect that makes the Ball Ranch a special place to ride is the opportunity to see free-roaming horses. The origin of these horses is disputed. The ranch is not a designated herd management area for the BLM, but nevertheless horses have been roaming this area for many years and I’ve seen them about 75 percent of the times I’ve gone out there. You’ll need a key -- and bring water. Pick up the key from the Albuquerque BLM office. Call first to make sure they have one available, 505-761-8700. After you have a key, head north on I-25 from Albuquerque or south from Santa Fe, take exit 259 and head east. Approximately 5.7 miles from I-25, there will be a locked gate with a BLM sign on it. Go through
TOP: Sightings of free-roaming horses are common. They have never threatened our riding group in any way. Here a black stallion returns to his herd of mares and foals. BOTTOM: Vividly-colored cliffs are one of the main attractions of the Ball Ranch. Here Julie Messier rests at the base of a cliff on Rio Sandia Silver Sol. Photos by Steve Simmons. the gate, re-lock it, and head down a dirt road. Good vehicle clearance is essential on these rough roads and 4-wheel drive, while not necessary, is helpful. Stay on this road for about two miles, and you will come to another gate with a BLM sign.
the ridge, you will get glimpses of the badlands ahead and to the left. Stay on the road until you come to a left turn down a road where the dirt turns red. That is the easiest and best entrance to the badlands.
Once you go through this second BLM gate (no key required), there is parking in a large flat area to the right. It will handle three to four trailers. From this area, ride out on the road. You can take it straight up over the ridge ahead of you. As you continue out this road and over
This is an amazing painted-desert-type of landscape and you can stay on the roads, or wander at your pleasure. There is no water in this area, which is a problem for the free-roaming horses. There is an old well in the badlands and the BLM has indicated that at some point they may repair it. If you can work your way south
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TOP: This area is south from the trailhead, through a draw and past the badlands. LEFT: There is ample parking at the trailhead to the Ball Ranch. Photos by Steve Simmons.
from this well, you will discover another smaller badlands area.
rolling mesa land but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it is as interesting or scenic as the badlands.
Another shorter ride from the parking Other rides to mesas and area takes you up the road about 100 boulder blockade yards. Look for an old road and take it If you stay up on the road, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn down and to the left. There is another old down into the badlands area, you will and non-functional well at the bottom of see rolling mesas, a natural spring that the hill. Just beyond the well is an arroyo. is barely functional, and the remains of Turn right and ride for a little over a an old ranch house. To the west is more mile. It is a nice ride but not as scenic as the badlands. As you proceed down 44 HORSE AROUND | Sep/Oct 2018 | www.horsearoundnm.com
this arroyo you will come to a cluster of boulders. If you can get over them, you have access to the badlands, but it is a challenge. I did so once, but wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attempt it again. The BLM has indicated that they may remove one of the boulders and, if they do, there will be a nice 5-mile loop ride from the parking area, through the arroyo, up through the badlands and around to the parking area. The Ball Ranch may be a little hard to get to, but well worth the effort. You will find solitude, stunning badlands, and almost certain views of free-roaming horses. If you go, remember to be courteous to other riders who may want to ride Ball Ranch by keeping track of and returning the key to the BLM office.
n
Steve Simmons has raised and trained Morgan horses for 17 years. He has ridden thousands of miles of trails, worked on horse and cattle drives, competed nationally in reining and Western Dressage, and photographed free-roaming horses. Steve offers a horse and carriage service and can be contacted at 505-301-0917 or RioSandiaMorgans@aol.com
You can help keep public lands public
There is a current effort to close the Ball Ranch to the public. A way to help keep this and any public land open is to let our state’s Congress members know how important these lands are as respites from development, as places that allow connection to nature. If you would like to speak up in support of keeping the Ball Ranch and other lands you enjoy available to the public, here is contact information for New Mexico’s Congress members: • Senator Tom Udall 505-346-6791, Bill_Woldman@tomudall.senate.gov • Senator Martin Heinrich, 505-346-6601, ken_lucero@heinrich.senate.gov • Congressman Steve Pearce, 575-522-0771, donna.taylor@mail.house.gov • Congresswoman Michele Lujan Grisham, 505-346-6781, nm01mlima@mail.house.gov • Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, 505-984-8950
LEFT TO RIGHT: Julia Messier on Rio Sandia Silver Sol, Steve Simmons on Cambridge Heritage and Mali Lewis on Cambridge Somer Melody. The group was mapping a loop trail from the parking area down into an arroyo then to a group of boulders. The BLM has expressed interest in clearing some of the boulders which would create a five-mile loop ride from the parking area. The BLM is also interested in repairing the wells to supply water for horses. Photo by Steve Rickerman.
UPCOMING EVENTS September 5 & October 3 Learn what they're all about -attend a Monthly Meeting with Back Country Horsemen NM -- Pecos Chapter www.bchnm.org/pecos.html Edgewood....See ad page 6 September 6-16 New Mexico State Fair www.statefair.exponm.com Albuquerque September 8-9 NATRC 31st Annual Colorado Trail Competitive Trail Ride www.natrc3.org Buffalo Creek, CO
September 8-9 Working with the Equine Limbs with Susan Smith www.susansmithsantafe.com Arrowhead Ranch Santa Fe....See ad page 12 September 14-15 The Inner Equestrian Seminar with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Nizhoni Ranch Cerrillos....See ad page 11
September 22-23 The Art of Trail Riding Series with Ta Willow Romero www.4windsequestriancenter.com Estancia....See ad page 13
September 29-30 Bringing out the FUN-damentals with Patrick Sullivan www.4windsequestriancenter.com Estancia....See ad page 13
September 22-23 NATRC Region 3 Ride Chokecherry Canyon CTR www.natrc3.org Farmington
September 29-30 Vaquero Horsemanship Clinic II with Rudy Lara, Jr.
September 22-23 Confidence/Horsemanship Clinic Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc. 505-466- 3961 www.loaltucker.com Lamy....See ad page 10 September 22-24 Video Clinic with Lee Smith www.4windsequestriancenter.com Estancia....See ad page 13 Sep. 28 / Oct. 26 / Nov. 23 Meditation with Horses: Welcoming Balance in Autumn with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Santa Fe....See ad page 11
rudylarahorsemanship@gmail.com
Wyndhorse Ranch Santa Fe
October 5 Laying Your Positive Foundation with Horses ~ Shawna Karrasch www.TerraNovaTrainingCenter.com
Lamy
Saturdays Oct. 6 - Nov. 10 Saddle Up ~ The Horse in Myth, Legend, Spiritual Thought with Anna Sochocky Community College Continuing Education: 505-428-1676 Santa Fe....See ad page 7 October 27 Halloween FUN Horse Show Walkin N Circles Ranch www.wncr.org Edgewood
October 27-28 Working Cattle Clinic Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc. 505-466- 3961 www.loaltucker.com Lamy....See ad page 10 November 3 Inner Equestrian Clinic with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Nizhoni Ranch Cerrillos....See ad page 11 December 1 De-Mystifying Collection: A Seminar & Clinic on The Art of Collection with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Santa Fe....See ad page 11 December 1-2 Ride Smart On the Road Clinic with Craig Cameron 505-466- 3961 www.LoalTucker.com Lamy....See ad page 10
www.horsearoundnm.com | Sep/Oct 2018 | HORSE AROUND
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Rudy Lara, Jr.
2nd PLACE
PHOTOS BY EVALYN BEMIS
HIGHLIGHTS
The Horse Shelter's Gimme Shelter: Trainers' Rally for Rescues event was held in July at the Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds. Seven trainers had 100 days (or fewer) to help a rescue horse go from never-ridden to crowd-pleaser. After the freestyle part of the competition, the horses were auctioned to the highest bidder who was really the person who most wanted to wake up seeing that cute face greeting them from the barn door. Don't miss next year's event, and make sure you bring your cheering voice. Here is photojournalist Evalyn Bemis' account:
Sam Grogan 1st PLACE
This year there was more emphasis placed on the in-hand, conditioning and dry work. The freestyle only counted for approximately 30% because judges placed more emphasis on other categories that better showed an all-around amateur horse. That said, during the freestyle, Sam Grogan's horse Reno behaved like a mature horse, rather than the 3-year-old he is. His sweet and easy-going disposition was the ace and brought home first place. Rudy Lara, Jr. once again demonstrated his ability to connect with a horse. His mare Kimi had a lot of admirers, including the judges who awarded them 2nd place. During the freestyle, Rudy demonstrated his incredibly light touch on the reins and his gentle way of guiding Kimi. It was an example of the finest horsemanship. Dale Fastle had the most outstanding freestyle which put her into third place on Twiggy. She got a late start on Twiggy and took things carefully at first due to Twig’s lack of condition. But the mare's nice temperament made a big difference in her trainability in the end. Rudy lost the People’s Choice award/belt buckle by a mere two points: They recounted the votes three times to be sure. Winner Sam Grogan now has four belt buckles made by Clint Mortenson – he can wear one each week of the month!
Dale Fastle 3rd PLACE
For more information, visit TheHorseShelter.org. To see more photos, search Evalyn Bemis Photography.
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