EQuine magazine
COVID-19 EFFECTS IS TELEMEDICINE LEGAL? EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHER KIMERLEE CURYL JOANNA FRANTZ, HUMAN SPORTS SCIENCE MEDICINE
INTERVIEW WITH JEFF GOGUL GOOD READS - STRIDE CONTROL DALMAN JUMPS HIS OWN JUMPS KERI POTTER DOMINATES DESERT CIRCUIT WEEK VI
SUMMER 2020 @EQAMMAG
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equine america MAGAZINE UNITED BY our PASSION FOR HORSES . VOLUME 14 . 2020.
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| EQuine america magazine
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1
PROLOGUE
dear reader,
click to watch
6 | EQuine america magazine
LOVE THE HORSE FIRST BECOME A MEMBER SECOND
THREE PHASES, TWO PARTNERS, ONE GOAL #BetterTogether | www.useventing.com
equine america MAGAZINE UNITED BY our PASSION FOR HORSES . VOLUME 14 . 2020.
CONTRIBUTORS DR. ASHLEY WAGNER, PhD Ashley obtained her Doctorate in Equine Nutrition from the University of Kentucky and went on to work in new product development in the feed and supplement industry. She founded Equinutrix Nutrition Solutions to meet what she saw was an industry need for supplements with scientifically proven efficacy in horses. Her involvement in research has led to numerous co-authored scientific articles, abstracts, and speaking engagements.
dr. Bob Grisel, DVM Bob graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine with honors and having received multiple awards. Bob’s recent publications focus on lameness, especially the correlation between abnormal gait characteristics and specific sources of pain in the horse. His new book, “Equine Lameness for the Laymen” is excerpted in this issue.
Carrie washburn Carrie is an equine physiotherapist certified in equine sports massage, equine kinesiology taping, educated in cold laser therapy, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. She owns and operates Performance Equine – Integrated Therapies out of Carbondale, Colorado, which offers these services to clients and their equine partners along with a full line of all-natural, FEI/ USEF compliant supplements. Carrie has worked on some of the country’s top dressage, reining, and show jumping horses.
Catie Staszak Catie is a multimedia sports journalist, working primarily as the color commentator and journalist for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League (NAL). In 2019, she was named a Chief Liaison Officer for Olympic Broadcasting Services at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Catie is also a competitive equestrian of more than 25 years. She won American Horse Publications awards in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018 for her journalistic work.
charlene strickland From Bosque Farms, New Mexico, Charlene is an equestrian journalist, writing about sport horse training, showing, and breeding. She’s earned awards for her magazine work from the US Equestrian Federation, The Chronicle of the Horse, and the Society for Technical Communication. In 2013, she won the Alltech A+ Award for Best Article. She is a member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists. Charlene has ridden and shown Western, hunters, and dressage. 8
Holly johnson Holly is the founder of Equinium Sports Marketing, an equine PR & marketing firm in Wellington, Florida. She has a Bachelor’s degree specializing in entrepreneurship and an MBA in Sports Management, as well as a strong FEI background. In her early 20s, Holly rode for the Lipizzaner Stallions; she performed in the Middle East, Canada, Alaska, at Madison Square Garden and other US destinations. Equinium currently represents clients in the US, Europe, Australia, and South America.
Lisa Hellmer Lisa is a USDF bronze and silver medalist on her Oldenburg, Aniko (“Sneaks”), currently competing at Intermediate I. She graduated summa cum laude from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in equine business management and riding. She is now a USEF Silver Para Dressage Coach and recently formed LCH Equestrian in Ocala, FL.
Dr. Nettie Liburt, PAS Dr. Nettie Liburt is the Senior Equine Nutrition Manager at Mars Horsecare US/BUCKEYE™️ Nutrition where she helps develop new products, trains associates in equine nutrition, and works with the company’s UK-based team at the WALTHAM®️ Centre for Pet Nutrition on developing and implementing research protocols. She holds Master’s and PhD degrees in Animal Science from Rutgers University. Dr. Liburt is a member of the Equine Science Society and a registered Professional Animal Scientist (PAS).
Olivia Lagoy-Weltz Olivia is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. Her earlier experience includes working for and riding at several top barns in Holland and Germany. Olivia is currently competing her own Rassing’s Lonoir (“Lono”) on the CDI circuit in Wellington, Florida and throughout Europe. Most recently, USEF selected Olivia as Team USA’s traveling alternate for the World Equestrian Games, Tryon 2018.
Steve long Steve is an accomplished business intelligence consultant and published technical author with a creative side that includes a passion for producing beautiful images. A photographer since childhood, his love of horses has led him to pursue photographing top-level equine events.
COntributors
equine america MAGAZINE UNITED BY our PASSION FOR HORSES . VOLUME 14 . 2020.
68.
• Contents • Showjumping Specials: 72.
Silver Linings with Jeff Gogul
26.
Good Reads – Jen Marsden Hamilton’s Stride Control: Exercises to Improve Rideability, Adjustability and Performance
40.
Building Themselves Up: Dalman Jump Co. is the Ultimate All-American Success Story
88.
Desert Circuit 2020: Keri Potter Tops FEI Tour Other Disciplines:
10
46.
Dressage in a Pandemic
56.
Eventing in the “New Normal”
108.
Meet Dr. Joanna Frantz, USEF Para Physical Therapist
12.
Columns: 14.
Equine Arts – Kimerlee Curyl – Untouched Beauty
36.
Veterinary – Equine Telehealth: Making the Transition
52.
Our World – Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine Welcomes
62.
Physio – Magic (Equine) Tape
72.
Legal – Is Telemedicine Legal?
100.
Nutrition – Feeding Horses 101
118.
Our World – EQUUS Foundation – America’s Horses: Unsung Heroes
Editorials: 66.
Saddle to Keyboard: The Horse World Adapts to Social Distancing & the Rules of a Global Pandemic
124.
Yoga at Serenity Show Stable Really Delivers on the Serenity
Photo Spreads: 30.
The Last Palm Beach Masters
112.
Mars 2020 Eventing Showcase
contents
20.
Divine
equine
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| EQuine America Magazine
Kindred Black the Lucky Locket
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American Equus “Elite” Tiffany Blue Stirrups Luxuriously crafted and engineered for performance, the American Equus Elite stirrups incorporate ergonomically designed branches that naturally contour your legs around the barrel of the horse, easing knee, ankle, and foot pressure. The patent-pending proprietary traction pin system secures your foot and provides for an unparalleled connection to the base of the stirrup. The wide base of the footbed helps you to achieve optimum balance while absorbing concussion to the ball of your foot. This redistribution of weight across the whole foot can also translate to a more correct seat position in the saddle. The solid 6061 Aircraft Aluminum construction provides an incredibly safe ride with a 3000 lb/sq.in. lateral crush strength protecting your feet against possible injury in the event of an accident. Each stirrup is hand-polished to a mirror-like shine then triple coated and high-temperature baked for a durable lustrous finish. Coordinate your own combination with matching or contrasting footbeds, then finish off with your choice of traction pins to create stirrups that are unique to your needs and style. Always made in the USA. Follow them on Instagram @americanequus and order your stirrups at www.americanequus.com, $315.
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E q u i n e A rt s
Someone to Watch over me Utah Wild Mare and Stallion There is an undeniable rhythm to wildness. She is direct and firm in her position. Unwavering and committed. She is my mentor, my Shero, my healer, and my friend. My gratitude is infinite for these long days spent out amongst the herds. Smelling the sweetness of the earth, hearing the meadowlark’s song and feeling the warmth of wildness embrace your skin. Sometimes you have to close your eyes to see your soul.
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| EQuine America Magazine
Kimerlee Curyl
UNTOUCHED BEAUTY Loving everything “horse” from the moment she could breathe, the unfolding of Kimerlee Curyl’s life thus far makes perfect sense.
Having worked on both sides of the camera,
locations, earning her place as one of the leading
Kimerlee has the natural ability to capture emotion;
wild horse fine art photographers in the world.
she delivers imagery that is unique, dramatic, and
Her vision and work have become increasingly
evocative. Her work emphasizes graceful lines, rich
recognizable and celebrated by collectors around
textures, and a view of the horse not done before.
the globe. Today, Kimerlee lives in California’s
Her style is borne from countless hours spent
beautiful Santa Ynez valley with her adopted wild
observing and understanding the movements,
mustang, el Regalo (“the Gift”), out of the Great
thoughts, and shear will of the horse. The allure
Divide Basin in Wyoming. She is represented by
of raw, wild, untouched beauty is the driving force
fine art galleries across the nation, has shown in
behind these works and the oxygen to Kimerlee’s
multiple museums, and has acquired a national
soul. The intimate connection she captures leaves
and international collector base. Her work has
the viewer imagining their very breath on your face.
been used in product branding and numerous
Kimerlee’s work reflects passion and purpose
advertising campaigns, and permanent collections
and is fused with environmental consciousness.
reside in hotels, hospitals, and private homes.
She is committed to the protection of wildness.
Most importantly, her work has become a
Her ongoing efforts not only chronicle the freedom
voice for those who don’t have one—America’s
of our wild horses on their home territory, but
remaining wild horses. These horses are owned
more importantly help raise significant awareness
by no one; they are created by the very salt of
for the plight these American icons face year
the earth. Kimerlee’s images capture them in their
after year—round-up after round-up. Since 2004,
element and on their terms; absolutely nothing is
Kimerlee has dedicated herself to the cause of wild
contrived. These are accounts of their day-to-day
mustangs and she hopes to inspire others, not only
lives spent living on our vast yet dwindling public
to appreciate the beauty of these creatures, but
lands. Each collection is the story of a place where
to take an interest in helping preserve their place
wildness still exists... for now.
on this land. Her imagery has been donated many
To learn more about the plight of our wild
times over to organizations focusing on mustang
horses and to add your voice to the cause please
rescue and preservation efforts. She has raised
visit https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org.
thousands of dollars and used her time, talent, and ideas to influence others to care, to photograph, and to get involved with the issue. Kimerlee has traveled to numerous remote
To see more of Kimerlee’s work, please visit https://www.kimerleecuryl.com. Follow Kimerlee on Instagram at https://www. instagram.com/kimerleecurylphotography/.
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E q u i n e A rt s
A Mother’s Love Utah Wild Horses The bond between a mare and her foal is fierce. To bear witness to this strong connection is Mother Nature in her finest form. They can be separated in a massive herd due to a foal wandering off to play in their innate curiosity; in an instant, that mare will call out and her foal knows the call is for them. The same goes for a foal who finds theirself astray from mom’s side, the little squeaks and whinnies they produce will alarm the mother from hundreds of feet away. They remind us to look at the world with wonder and to honor our precious life bonds.
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| EQuine America Magazine
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Nurture - Wyoming Stallions While watching them drink you can feel the essence of life being sustained. These horses are literally woven into the fabric of the natural world. They are intended to be there, an integral part of our ecosystem. The horses not only nourish themselves with the water, but will take in the surrounding dirt and mud, absorbing rich minerals and nutrients the earth has provided them. We must nurture our integrity and ethics for them and the natural world, we have been made aware, by Mother Nature herself, that soon it could be too late.
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BedHead - Utah Stallion While out with the wild herds, no matter which area, I find myself surrounded by the herd leader or stronger stallions. I’d love to think its kismet, however as herd dynamics go, it’s the proud role of the leader, protecting his family. This exquisite stallion was near me almost every day of this trip. Spanish in his look and stature, he was living, breathing poetry as he courted the hearts of young fillies.
Direct Opposition - Utah Stallions In chess, direct opposition is the situation occurring when two kings face each other on a rank, with only one square in between them. These two were both Kings. They postured as if there was going to be an epic battle. Hooves striking the ground, nostrils flared, rearing before they even came together. Hellbent on showing who was stronger. This is the moment contact was made, they took their time assessing each other with intensity, and as good men do, they practically bowed to one another, ending with a nod of approval. Each one spinning on their haunches, a shake of the head, and back to their mares they went—recognizing and honoring the strength each possessed. 19
E q u i n e A rt s
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| EQuine America Magazine
Wyoming Landscape Wyoming Wild Horses The Great Divide Basin in Wyoming encompasses
over
800,000
acres of raw and rugged territory. It’s a place so vast—so empty— your eyes won’t believe what they are seeing. You can drive hours, or even days, off road and never come across another soul. It’s eerie. It’s perfection. These are amongst some of the wildest of wild horses I have ever come across. And this family band gave me a clear sign that even the sight of my Jeep from miles away would not do. Within seconds they vanished into thin air.
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E q u i n e A rt s
Snow White - Wyoming Stallion and Mare We all need someone to lean on. This gorgeous snow-white mare, very heavy in foal, takes a nap on her handsome prince charming. She had been resting there for some time before a group of challenging bachelor stallions approached and he had his work cut out for him. This stallion single-handedly drove away five younger stallions to protect his family. His other mares were extremely upset running circles around this mare in an effort to keep everyone together. She was close to foaling, uncomfortable, and could not defend herself. After a serious battle was won, he literally returned to her side so she could continue resting her tired head upon him. Chivalry is not dead.
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Rise Wild - Utah Stallions Rearing shots, stallions fighting, running, and large herds have normally never been my thing. While they certainly enrich the story of the wild horse, as an artist they just never rocked my world. I’m usually inspired by negative space and tight shots that illuminate intimate moments, nuances, and a view of the horse not considered before. What I’m finding interesting is the images I’m drawn to at this particular time in history. In today’s current global climate, I’m finding myself drawn to these powerful moments for the empowerment they gift us. It is the rearing shots, the strong herd, the safety in numbers—a view of the whole—that I’m drawn to. The need for community and the fact that we must work together to create the better is real; it is something that is just how it is in the wild. There is so much strength and freedom expressed in that moment of two stallions rising. They understand the strength it takes to keep their family band alive, but they also understand the importance of the herd. They know they are stronger together.
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E q u i n e A rt s
Installation image in a custom home in Incline Village, Nevada
Kimerlee Curyl on her adopted Mustang from the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming
Kimerlee Curyl
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goo d rea d s
Stride Control:
Exercises to Improve Rideability, Adjustability and Performance By Jen Marsden Hamilton Shared in partnership with Trafalgar Square Books www.horseandriderbooks.com
What Makes You a Winner? Whenever I run clinics with competition show jumpers
• The course walk presents the options available. • Training makes those options rideable.
or event riders, I always ask, “Are you any good as a rider?” The usual response is a bit wishy-washy. I personally think a great answer is: “Yes, and I’m working to get better!” Then I ask a second question: “What makes you and your horse ‘winners’?”
Developing Options All jumping courses have options. Here, I’m mainly focusing on the show jumping jump-off, where the rider can take a risk to make time against the clock. (Do note, thought, that principles learned here can be helpful in
The usual answer I receive from riders is all about what
other jumping disciplines—consider the need to make the
they can’t do—what they’re not very good at. I find it
time on a cross-country course.) In the jump-off, if there
interesting that riders know their weaknesses so well, and
is an equality of faults, the rider with the fastest time is
they want to tell me all about them. I always respond that
the winner.
there is no point in telling me what their weaknesses are because they advertise them!
The clock, however, doesn’t just record which horse and rider combination galloped the fastest between the
Most riders (apart from professional riders), really
start flag and finish flag. The winner is the horse that
only think and worry about their weaknesses, not their
takes the fewest number of strides between the start and
strengths. But how can you win if you don’t know what
finish flags—thus having a faster time.
your and your horse’s strengths are? You win because of your combined strengths—not because of either of your
Rideable Options for Taking Fewer Strides on Course
weaknesses! Training is about setting up exercises to turn
• Change the track.
weaknesses into strengths based on the principles of
• Slice the jump (jump on an angle).
balance, rhythm, straightness, and pace.
• Shorten the turns in and away from jumps.
At a competition, the course designer sets the track and type of jumps to ask horse-and-rider combinations
• Use the different stride lengths efficiently and effectively.
specific questions, such as how to ride a line, how to turn,
• Increase the speed.
and so on. • The strategy of the ride is based on the course walk.
26
• Ride a bending line straight.
| Equine america magazine
Let’s take a look at a terrific exercise that will up your game on slicing a jump.
When jumping on an angle, there is a wide-angle side and there is a narrow-angle side. The chance of the horse running out on the wide angle (in this case, running out to the left) is a possibility. Hold the track with a soft bearing rein on the wide-angle side and an open rein on the narrow-angle side to hold the horse straight. When jumping on an angle, remember the track in gives the track away. Use your eyes to establish and hold the track. The final conviction that you want to jump the jump comes from your eyes. Use them.
EXERCISE 11
position and eyes with conviction will get you to the
SLICING THE JUMP (JUMPING ON AN ANGLE)
other side.
“Slicing” the jump is an appropriate option if
Practice riding the straight track away from the
and when the track away is taking the rider in the
jump. Why take the risk of jumping the front side of
desired direction.
the jump on an angle if you don’t ride the desired track
When jumping a jump on a slice or angle, remember the track in gives the track away. Use your
away? Also jump the exercise in both directions—left to right over the jump and right to left.
eyes to establish and hold the track. Use your eyes! Note that when slicing a jump, there is a wide-
Further Education
angle side and a narrow-angle side. The possibility
Practice the same exercise over verticals and oxers.
of the horse running out on the wide-angle side
Start low, and gradually make the jumps bigger and
is there. To prevent this, use an open rein on the
wider. You will probably find that the higher and
narrow-angle side. On the wide-angle side, the leg
wider the jump, the less of an angle you can take.
and a slight bearing rein will block any side motion
Be sensible and find out how much of a slice your
or drifting and keep the horse straight. Have enough
horse will accept. How much of a slice can you take
leg to maintain the desired impulsion. Correct
at the height you will be competing at?
2727
goo d rea d s
“
The horse is the best
“
judge of a rider.
Jen Marsden Hamilton
Practice the same exercise off different stride
straightness in all your flatwork; improving the
lengths and at different paces (speed). Learn how
way your horse responds to your turning rein aids
much pace you can have on the slice. You need
(open rein and bearing rein).
to know this if you want to be a winner! Always remember: This exercise is about teaching horse
Points to consider:
and rider to jump angles with confidence. If you
• Progressive skill development—good training—
ask too much, you’ll scare your horse and teach
turns a weakness into a strength, which opens
your horse to run out or refuse.
up the options available to horse and rider on a course.
KEY POINTS
• The course walk presents the options available.
- When jumping an obstacle on a slice or angle,
Training makes the options rideable.
remember the track in gives the track away. Why
• Speed is always the last element put into the
take the risk of jumping the front side of the jump
jump-off equation—not the first!
on an angle if you don’t also ride the desired track
• The benchmark is always calm, forward, and
away?
straight.
- Any straightness problems on the flat will haunt
• Course strategy is based on horse-and-rider
you when jumping on an angle. Keep working on
strengths. Pace, tracks to and away from jumps, strides between jumps, corners to be cut, and angles to be jumped are based on horse-and-rider skill level. • You win because of your combined strengths— know your strengths and when to use them. • Use your strengths to take fewer strides between the start and finish flags, and be a winner!
Bearing left rein: close the rein toward the neck and open the right rein.
28
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US Olympian Laura Kraut rides 13yo Holsteiner gelding 30 30
Confu as he pulls hooves to chin in the Jumping World Cup
p h o t o s prea d All photos by Carina Roselli
Palm Beach Masters
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington The $72,900 Candy Tribble Qualifier
to
contest
the
$213,300
CSI4*-W
CSI4*-W held on January 31, 2020 was
Longines
named in honor of Candy Tribble, a
Wellington,
longtime supporter and dear friend of
Pacific and held on February 2, 2020
the Palm Beach Masters Series®.
under idyllic conditions in the beautiful
FEI
Jumping Presented
World by
Cup™
Canadian
Candy was the proud owner of a
Deeridge Farm grass arena. Ireland’s
number of top showjumping horses and
Darragh Kenny topped the penultimate
often sat at Deeridge Farm from sunup to
east coast qualifier for the Longines FEI
sunset, watching every class of the Palm
Jumping World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas
Beach Masters.
(canceled due to COVID-19).
Alvarez Moya (ESP) topped a star-
Last to go on course for the day’s jump-
studded eight-horse jump-off that included
off,
two Olympic gold medalists in Laura Kraut
round on Classic Dream followed a flat-out
(USA) and Beezie Madden (USA), along
run by Cassio Rivetti (BRA) aboard Bacara
with defending Champion, Alex Granato
d’Archonfosse that stopped the clock at
(USA). The top pair posted a winning time
38.29 seconds and a pathfinding Devin
of 37.23 seconds. Adrienne Sternlicht
Ryan (USA) on Eddie Blue who finished in
(USA) and Bennys Legacy finished second
39.00 seconds. FEI Course Designer Alan
with a time of 37.82 seconds, while
Wade really challenged the riders that day.
Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Donatello finished
Devin, having been the first competitor
third on a 38.08-second time.
to solve Wade’s first round puzzle, said,
The top 40 riders of the $72,900 CSI4*-W Candy Tribble Qualifier returned
Kenny’s
impressive
36.70-second
“The course designer did his job—he created faults everywhere.”
31
Devin Ryan and 11yo KWPN gelding Eddie Blue made the USA proud placig third in the Palm Beach Masters Jumping World Cup Adrienne Sternlicht and 12yo Oldenburg gelding Bennys Legacy made the USA proud finishing second in the $72,900 Candy Tribble Qualifier CSI4*-W
FEI Course Designer, Alan Wade, looks on as riders attempt to solve his puzzle
Devin Ryan and 11yo KWPN gelding Eddie Blue made the USA proud placing third in the Palm Beach Masters Jumping World Cup 32
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US Olympian McLain Ward looks straight ahead at his next obstacle on 14yo SBS mare HH Azur in the Jumping World Cup
Jessica Springsteen looks for her next line in the Jumping World Cup on 13yo Holsteiner mare RMF Zecilie
Schuyler Riley scopes out the next jump (with her signature glasses) aboard 15yo Selle Franรงais gelding Robin de Ponthual in the Jumping World Cup 34
Photo AdobeStock/NIKCOA
Equine Telehealth:
Making the Transition We currently find ourselves in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic is not only challenging our way of life, it is forcing us to transform the way in which we care for our horses. As equestrians, it is up to us to protect our animals and ourselves during this deeply unsettling time. We must transcend the uncertainty around us and continue to provide superior care to our horses, all while safeguarding the integrity of our beloved industry.
Our series of articles has been aimed at getting equestrians acquainted with equine telehealth, a modality
Equine telemedicine is out there and has already established itself as a powerful tool.
which has been steadily gaining popularity among horse
Where we’re currently faltering is not in available
owners and veterinarians alike. In response to the sudden
technology, but rather in the mindset of equine veterinarians
need for social distancing, however, the entrance of
and horse owners with respect to integrating this modality
telemedicine into our everyday life has been hastened
into everyday use. Indeed, embracing formal telemedicine
dramatically. As I write this article, equine veterinarians are
is not instinctive for all equestrians, presumably due
scrambling to find a way to stay connected to their patients
to a number of common misperceptions related to its
and clients in a secure, productive, and safe environment.
application:
The good news is that for the first time in an exceptionally long time (maybe the first time in history),
MYTH
veterinary medicine actually finds itself ahead of the
relationships between horse owners and their
technological curve. Telemedical solutions currently exist,
professional team.
even those designed exclusively for the equine industry. 36
| EQuine America Magazine
#1:
Telemedicine
deleteriously
affects
False. Many of us may think that collaboration with our
V E T E R IN A R Y
Photo AdobeStock/135pixels
veterinarians and farriers will become less personal,
telemedical assessment does not replace hands-on
and therefore less constructive. In reality, the
examination. Rather, it is performed in place of doing
establishment of a stable, digital partnership between
nothing (i.e. no examination at all). Your veterinary
the equine care team members facilitates greater
professional will still need to see your horse in person
dialogue and improves productivity. By promoting
whenever appropriate. This action is required in
teamwork among professionals, we can also amplify
order to maintain a viable Veterinary-Client-Patient-
the brain power working on behalf of our horses.
Relationship (VCPR), which is required under our profession’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics
MYTH #2: A formal process is not required to
(PVME).
procure a veterinarian’s opinion. False. Anytime a veterinarian provides an opinion regarding a specific animal (no matter how casual
MYTH #4: Telemedicine is expensive. False.
Telemedical
services
are
not
only
that opinion may be) he/she is practicing medicine.
inexpensive, they permit the preemptive and proactive
Providing such an opinion from a remote location
assessment of your horse with the primary objective
is the practice of telemedicine. Appropriately,
of identifying problems at or before their onset. Early
the rules and regulations that govern veterinary
identification of an issue translates into expeditious
medicine also govern veterinary telemedicine. The
diagnosis and treatment, which not only improves
application of formal telemedicine not only grants
your horse’s prognosis, it also saves you considerable
your horses superior veterinary attention, it also
time and money in the end.
enables the professional to practice within the ethical and legal confines of the industry. Other forms of
MYTH
#5:
Telemedicine
compromises
communication such as phone calls, texting, email,
medical care we deliver to our horses.
the
etc. do not afford the necessary levels of security and
False. Telemedicine furthers our ability to identify
storage, and their implementation is consequently
and treat pathology promptly, during the period
discouraged by federal and state regulatory boards.
when treatment is still curative or at least highly effective. Remember, you will be able to instantly
MYTH #3: Telemedicine replaces the on-site visit. False.
It
is
important
to
remember
that
solicit professional assessment whenever you want— right from your smartphone. Appropriately, your 37
ve t er i n ary
Photo AdobeStock/tetxu
Diagnostic
veterinarian will be able to evaluate your horse on a
•
continuous (rather than an episodic) basis.
Your
Equine telehealth, when properly administered, connects the dots (or fills-in the gaps) with respect to the
practitioner
Image can
review
Interpretation: radiographic,
ultrasonographic, scintigraphic, thermographic, CT, and MR images from anywhere.
veterinary care our horses receive. Within the context
• General Problem Quick Check: Some equestrians
of a global pandemic, veterinarians can stay connected
are not sure if they need to call the vet out to the
to their clients and patients while continuing to comply
barn. With this tool, the veterinarian can help you
with the World Health Organization’s recommendation
make that judgement.
for social distancing. At present, telemedicine can
• Insurance Review: Check with your insurance
be readily employed to provide the following remote
company; onsite examination may not be required
services:
in all cases.
• Lameness Recognition: Your veterinarian can
• Colleague-to-Colleague Referral: This feature
confirm or deny a suspected problem prior to setting
provides your veterinarian with direct teleconsulting
up an on-site visit. Many cases of lameness, such as
access to other equine professionals—anywhere.
those resulting from mild trauma, may be successfully managed through remote means.
38
The regular implementation of equine telemedicine
• Pre-Appointment Preview: Preemptive evaluation
is approaching fast and will undoubtedly be here
serves to shorten your appointment time dramatically. It
to stay. It is an effective instrument that allows us
also better prepares your veterinarian for the evaluation
to keep our horses healthy while preventing the
and/or treatment process.
spread of COVID-19. With a preestablished VCPR and
• Post-Appointment Review: This permits your veterinary
appropriate licensing, your veterinarian can triage
professional to perform regular recheck evaluations
patients to ensure that only those requiring immediate
without the time, expense, and risk currently associated
hands-on attention are scheduled for on-site visits.
with on-site visitation.
As a direct consequence, your vet will very likely be
• Pre-purchase Screening: Your vet can preemptively
offering telemedical services in the immediate future.
screen a horse to determine if full on-site examination is
I strongly suggest that you are receptive to the idea.
worthwhile. This practice not only keeps relevant parties
Given our current technological capabilities and the
socially distant, it also enables you to scrutinize more
uncertainty of COVID-19, a secure equine telemedical
prospects within a designated budget and timeframe.
solution has never made more sense.
saddlery
BECAUSE EVERY SADDLE SHOULD FIT RIDER: STEFFEN PETERS MYSADDLE.COM
39
Photo by Kaitlyn Karssen Photography
40
SH O W J U M P IN G Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography
Dalman Jump Co.’s sponsor jump for CaptiveOne Advisors has become a staple on course at competitions around the country.
Building Themselves Up:
Dalman Jump Co. is the Ultimate All-American Success Story By Catie Staszak of Catie Staszak Media
Javan Dalman sits at his desk, pencil in hand, deep
Exponential Growth
in thought. Tucked away in his office at his workshop in
Javan was in high school when he first met his now-
Loxahatchee, Florida, Javan is in his element. Before him,
wife Sandra who, having competed in her first grand
a thick sketchbook provides both a blank canvas and years
prix at 16, was already on the fast-track to a career in
of inspiration. He reaches for a different colored pencil and
the sport of show jumping. Javan, whose equestrian
begins to sketch the beginnings of a new masterpiece.
roots were in rodeo, was a carpenter by trade with a
Javan Dalman is the equestrian industry’s Donatello,
family background in custom home building. His career
except this art is designed to be knocked down and rebuilt.
path didn’t necessarily lend itself to the lifestyle of the
The founder and owner of the highly successful Dalman
traveling show circuit, but he quickly adapted. Today,
Jump Co., Javan brings to life imaginative visions—built
Dalman Jump Co. operates parallel to Sandra’s training,
to FEI specs—that dot the arenas at some of the country’s
equine development, and sales business, Dalman Show
most prestigious competitions, from the Winter Equestrian
Jumping, based out of Wellington, Florida and Ridgefield,
Festival to the Split Rock Jumping Tour and the Longines
Connecticut.
FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA, the only Nations Cup qualifier in the United States.
“Our businesses really complement each other, and it allows us to work in the same industry and be in the
His jumps are nothing short of iconic, designed and
same places more often than not. It’s really fun,” Javan
built for some of the sport’s biggest names and sponsors:
said. “Both businesses are really a team effort. Neither
CaptiveOne Advisors, Dutta Corp., Fidelity Investments,
business could run without both of us, and we are both
and Palm Beach Equine Clinic are just a few of the brands
doing what we were born to do.”
brought to life on courses throughout the show circuit.
Dalman Jump Co. began as more of a one-man
It’s a far cry from where he started eight years ago. “I
handyman shop. Javan built just about anything that
set up a 12’ x 12’ tent and a 4’ x 8’ workbench,” Javan
could benefit Sandra’s operation, but before long, word
recalled, “and I started Dalman Jump Co.”
of his talents got out. “I invariably built things wherever 41
s h owjump i n g
“
My favorite thing is to walk into a show ring full of my jumps and just be with
“
them. I listen to people discuss how they will ride up to them and how their horses will jump them—and how beautiful they are. Javan Dalman
we were—cavaletti in the aisleway, bridle racks, saddle
lifetime construction warranties, with shipping available
racks, standards for the ring. Then people started to order
worldwide. The customer service is second-to-none; you
what I was building,” Javan said. “They would ask for
can find Javan at the in-gate of many of the arenas where
cavaletti and standards and before you knew it, I was so
his jumps are on display, and his company takes trade-
busy I couldn’t even believe it.”
ins, provides course rentals, and offers jump restoration
The Dalman brand grew, almost exponentially, and
services. Javan lives by the mantra, “If you can dream it,
largely by word-of-mouth. Javan’s tiny tent shop was
we can build it,” but the scope of Dalman Jump Co. spans
quickly outgrown and replaced with a brick-and-mortar
far beyond design and build, though that has become its
facility—and then a larger one. Dalman Jump Co. now
trademark.
calls Loxahatchee home; the five-acre property houses
“It’s just a huge blessing to have this much work. I
Javan’s office, a paint shop, carpentry shop, and storage
think it’s emblematic of the work that we do and the type
for several of Dalman Jump Co.-designed sponsor jumps.
of word of mouth references that exist,” Javan said. “I love
The product catalog is immense, with more than 100
working with everyone in the show jumping community,
jumps, jump accessories, barn accessories, and services
and all the work I’ve done with them is the foundation
listed on their website. Everything is made in the USA of
that’s built everything that you see today.”
the finest quality marine grade materials and comes with Imaginative Vision While scanning the course in a grand prix arena, it’s easy to spot a Dalman Jump Co. fence. While
meeting
the
regulations
set
forth
for
international show jumping, Dalman Jump Co. creations
Photo courtesy of Sandra Dalman
have broken every other barrier, bringing to life the wildest of visions. The company’s Signature “T” Wall, first spotted on the Split Rock Jumping Tour, set a new standard— without actually using standards. The “Spirit of Traverse City” designed for the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival had horses jumping over a 3-D sailboat, with a real teak deck. Marlins explode out from the wings of CaptiveOne Advisors’ custom sponsor jump, while Freddie Mercury stands tall, in full crescendo, beside an autographed guitar on the standards of Missy Clark’s custom fence for North Run South. Erik, the iconic phantom of “Phantom of the Opera,” stares at you through hand-painted fog on a
Javan and Sandra in Traverse City.
42
Photo: Kaitlyn Karssen Photography
Javan with his Dalman Jump Co. Signature T-Wall.
jump headed to the west coast, complete with masked
for her in her youth). In addition to a fun marketing tool,
fillers and handcrafted roses.
the jumps undoubtedly translate to improved confidence
“My favorite thing is to walk into a show ring full of
on course for both horse and rider.
my jumps and just be with them,” Javan said. “I listen
“The value in having show jumps at home is that you
to people discuss how they will ride up to them and
can prepare your horse for the show ring,” Javan said.
how their horses will jump them—and how beautiful
“Believe me it’s fun to have all these cool show jumps
they are.”
at home, and it’s fun to build them, but then when you
Javan’s custom jumps have only gotten more creative,
go to the show, your horse is prepared, you’re prepared,
as he continues to expand his repertoire in the custom
and you can say, ‘I’ve jumped this before. This is not a
space. He begins his designs as sketches on paper before
big deal. I have a spooky wall at home. I have a wall with
computer-aided design software digitizes the artwork
no pillars on the side. I can do this.’ And you win more
and cuts out the design to exact size. From there, Javan’s
ribbons and you win more [prize] money.”
team of carpenters, painters, and artists get to work turning 2-D into 3-D.
The Fruits of His Labor
“I think Dalman Jump Co. is different because you
In March, Javan jumped his own jumps for the first
can come to us with a concept or an idea and we can
time. On a course laid out by Olympic course designer,
parlay that into an actual fence that people can jump
Guilherme Jorge, on the derby field at Bourns Sport Horses
and enjoy,” Javan said. “Whether it’s a flamingo, Freddie
in Wellington, Florida, Javan had one fence selected as
Mercury, a Viking boat, Aztec pyramids—we bring real
his favorite—his “Picasso”—an abstractly designed jump
things to the show jump arena.”
with matching filler that just so happened to be the last
The trend for bolder and spookier jumps in competition
jump of the long and winding 13-fence track. On his way
has also increased the demand for horse show-quality
there, he navigated a myriad of tests: filler of all shapes
jumps for home arenas. Javan designed an elaborate
and colors, neon striped rails, a triple combination with
Viking boat fence for Hyperion stud, a watermelon wall
polo mallet standards, liverpools, and a hand-painted
for Double H Farm, and a hand-painted zebra wall for
wall resembling the Arc de Triomphe, among others. As his
Schuyler Riley (a recreation of a panel that was painted
mount touched down from Picasso—a direct illustration of 43
s h owjump i n g Photo Andrew Ryback Photography
Javan and A-Frieda-O soar over Dalman Jump Co.’s custom GGT wall in Traverse City.
to the different jump elements. Javan Dalman
his artistic endeavors—Javan’s smile showed that his work
Dalman Jump Co. launched a new partnership with
had truly come full circle.
the national governing body of equestrian sport as the
“It’s a blast to jump my own jumps. I love to feel the
Official Jump Company of US Equestrian, which will
reaction of the horse to the different jump elements.
bring Dalman Jump Co. designs into more arenas around
It’s quite helpful for designing proper filler, walls, and
the country than ever before.
wings,” Javan said.
Understanding the scope of Dalman Jump Co., as
After a 10-year hiatus from the show ring, Javan
tractor-trailers carefully packed to capacity with freshly
is back, competing with his wife’s former grand prix
painted jumps depart from Loxahatchee for competitions
mount, the now 15-year-old A-Frieda-O. In June, the
around the country, it’s hard to imagine the business ever
couple shared a special moment in Traverse City when
fit under a 12’ x 12’ tent. But Javan Dalman still works
Javan finished third in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers
with the same enthusiasm as when he started, with goals
and Sandra was ninth in the CSI2* Turtle Creek Casino
to see his jumps on course at every major championship,
Grand Prix. “Frieda is the horse of a lifetime—an amazing
along with as many North American farms and venues
mare—and Sandra gets the most out of both of us. She
he can reach.
knows what we need to be successful,” Javan said. “I’ve snowboarded off cliffs out west, sailed across
“It never gets old seeing my jumps in the ring,” Javan said. “I absolutely obsess over it. I love seeing them in
the ocean, and pulled backflips on my wakeboard, but
action. I love seeing people enjoy the jumps. To be at
showjumping is the top. There is no substitute.” The
Nations Cup and see the countries represented with the
same outgoing, game-for-anything mentality, coupled
jumps that we built—it’s incredible.”
with a natural fire to be the best at his craft, is carrying him to new heights both on and off a horse. In June,
44
“
“
It’s a blast to jump my own jumps. I love to feel the reaction of the horse
To learn more about Dalman Jump Co., visit DalmanJumpCo.com.
d re s s age By Olivia Lagoy-Weltz
Photo AdobeStock/taylon
Dressage in a Pandemic I think it’s safe to say that this year has not gone according to plan. Had you told me last year (or even at the beginning of this show season) that everything would come to a screeching halt due to a global pandemic, I would have thought you had read one too many sci-fi novels and were being a fatalist.
46
When my husband told me that his company
are all having to adapt and think on our feet, but in
grounded work travel and that they would probably
many ways, I think those of us in the horse industry are
cancel the World Cup, I was thoroughly annoyed
overall very lucky.
because I thought he was being dramatic and raining
While there is no doubt that the Coronavirus
on my parade. Alas, his information was ahead of the
pandemic has had a profound impact on our industry,
media. He was right, and I was wrong.
the day to day needs of our horses always remain the
I’m generally not someone who has to be right, but
same. Riders, grooms, manure removal companies, hay
just this once, I wish he had been wrong. My husband,
and grain providers, truckers, farriers, and vets all find
on the other hand, loves to be correct and had a full
themselves as unlikely essential service providers in
gleeful roll in the “I told you so” before he thought to
these strange times. It’s amazing that the microcosm
say, “Gee, I’m sorry about the World Cup—I know this
that is the horse industry, and particularly the elite
must be disappointing.” Ahh, marital bliss. It’s ok, now
horse industry, found itself by in large insulated from
that he’s stuck at home with me all the time, I’m still
the more economically devastating casualties of
punishing him by hitting snooze on my alarm at least
the pandemic. While sales have slowed, shows have
twice before I get up every morning. Joking aside, we
been canceled, and all of our goals have required
our hill game. Olivia Lagoy-Weltz
reevaluation, I find myself being eternally grateful.
“
“
Thankfully the weather improved so we could work on
my clients were incredibly understanding. Facemasks
When the World Health Organization declared
quickly became the norm for visitors, and the bottle
a global pandemic, and the USEF and FEI canceled
of hand sanitizer by the door was a frequent stop.
all horse shows, we were still in Florida trying to
Busy days continued in this strange new way.
work our way through the show season. For me
Amidst the overwhelming smell of disinfectant,
personally, we had one final World Cup qualifier to
life providing for the horses never stopped. Nickers
complete before heading to Las Vegas. Things went
still demanded breakfast every morning, stalls still
from, “there’s this thing in China” to “there’s this
required mucking, and although future competitions
thing in Washington state” to the whole country
seemed far off and unknowable, training continued.
coming to a screeching halt in relatively short order.
In dressage, I feel like we always need more training,
With everything canceled, we had a choice to
we can always be better—after all, dressage does
make between staying in Florida through mid-April
mean “training” in French. So, we put the time to
(as we usually do) or escaping back to Virginia before
good use.
things got worse. We headed home as Coronavirus cases started showing up in Florida.
We also used this time to have all the horses gone over by our vet and dentist, and then tuned
It was nice to be home where all our staff lives
them up for their owners. We are fortunate that
on-site and our barn is only 200 feet from our back
we run a relatively modest program of typically 15
door, but it was also freezing (by my standards). We
horses and have enough staff to transition to this
went from temperatures in the 90s to temps in the
format without a lot of disruption
40s, which was a shock to the system, for me and the horses, I think.
Unexpectedly, however, the number of equine residents at the farm increased this year as a result
Once home, we had to make a call about closing
of the Coronavirus-induced economic downturn.
the farm to clients. We decided to err on the side of
Sales on horses that were about to change hands
caution and close the facility to all but essential care-
fell through as people suddenly found themselves
providers during the initial lockdown. Thankfully, all
with less disposable income, and potential buyers
d re s s age
postponed trials to avoid travel and wait for the markets
our program, so I don’t think that the lack of available
to stabilize. As a result, we returned from Florida with an
competitions during this part of lockdown had a massive
extra horse to sell when I agreed to help a friend out of a
impact on our clients. But, as things began to open up
tight spot at the last minute.
in June, many of the facilities around us started offering
I had been banking on another sale that ended up falling through at the last minute over bloodwork results
48
“
“
It’s awful quiet around here with out lessons. Olivia Lagoy-Weltz
some excellent schooling shows on good footing to fill the gap left by the cancellations of recognized events.
that didn’t return fast enough. The horse missed hitching
We’ve taken full advantage of these shows. I’ve found
a ride home with a friend of the buyer, and by the time
them very beneficial for getting our young horses out and
the bloodwork was back (with no issues), the buyer got
getting our riders some miles in the white rectangle of
cold feet. So, rather than having a decrease in activity, we
judgment, all for the very low cost of $35. Although the
found ourselves being just as busy as we were in Florida. A
vibe is low key and friendly, I make a point of having my
blessing and curse.
riders go through the full motions of showing: bathing,
We ultimately had to put an extra sale horse up the road
braiding, white breeches—I did cave on the coat, but a
at a friend’s barn in Middleburg, requiring me to leave the
show shirt or nice polo was nonnegotiable. Afterall, the
farm daily to train it. The roads were eerily quiet; it wasn’t
horses don’t know the difference between a schooling
uncommon for me to pass no one on that 30-minute drive
show and an open show as long they get fussed over and
from Haymarket to Middleburg. I felt like a fugitive when
braided in the same way, it’s the same experience for them.
I stopped to support the Middleburg Common Grounds
The rider’s experience is of course a bit different at
coffee shop with my daily purchase of an Earl Grey tea and
these events where face masks outnumber ribbons, test
pastry.
results are emailed (we should keep this practice, it’s very
In May, we opened the barn back up to clients and
convenient!), and limited interaction between barns and
daily lessons resumed. We worked with everyone to set
people keeps us socially distanced at all times. Organizers
goals for the summer and fall and steadily started to work
work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all involved and
in that direction. We usually don’t show just to show in
everything is very well choreographed.
| EQuine America Magazine
Photo Carina Roselli
“
Afterall, the horses don’t know the difference between a schooling show
“
and an open show as long they get fussed over and braided in the same way, it’s the same experience for them. Olivia Lagoy-Weltz
At the last show we went to, there were chalk
The shows in Europe have opened, and while
arrows pointing you around the facility, a bit like
they are not allowing spectators, they are running
the arrows you’ll now find on the floor of the
the big events. This means the Europeans will
grocery store trying to encourage people to only go one way down each aisle. It doesn’t really seem to work at the grocery store, but it worked well at this show, especially with the help of guides who led you around the barn from the warmup to the show arena and then from the show arena back to the trailers so that you basically did a big circle and didn’t pass anyone not from your own group. All in all, it’s been really good to get the miles and enjoyable to spend time with my riders helping them perfect their showing—making lemonade out of pandemic lemons. My Grand Prix horse, Lono, on the other hand, is not going to the schooling shows. We’ve upped his game on hills, as well as started playing with some groundwork, but it’s difficult not knowing when our next recognized event is going to be. The World Cup was our next target, and possibly the Olympics after that, but alas, Lono is at home enjoying his hay and generally looking bored. I was joking today that I should set up a TV in our stable so he can watch the CDI’s in Europe for entertainment.
Everyone is napping a lot.
d re s s age
50
equestrians, so that we can all ride through this pandemic together. Olivia Lagoy-Weltz
“
“
We must continue to unite and prioritize the health of our fellow
continue to develop their up-and-coming horses and
the horse in person? Or just mean that the market in
riders, and hone their skills in the major show arenas,
Europe will suffer while ours stays the same? Or will the
while we cannot. Instead, most of us find ourselves at
market stabilize as this becomes the “new normal” for
home going in circles—literally.
our industry? And what about FEI shows? Will there be
This puts the US at a competitive disadvantage,
a winter season in Florida this year? And what if we’re
which is really unfortunate because our federation has
not invited back to compete in Europe by next summer?
worked hard in the past to put our horses and athletes
How will we qualify for the Olympics? Will there even
on Europe’s global stage to compete head-to-head with
be an Olympics? So many unanswered questions can
the best in the world. Competing there really pushes
become very overwhelming.
us to be better because we can spend time watching
Having an eye focused on the future is especially
the top level of the sport, which helps us learn what it
important, but so is staying in the present. There is so
takes to win. While you can watch it on Clip My Horse
much we don’t know right now, and the best thing
(as Lono will be soon), it isn’t the same as getting to
we can do is make the best of it and stay on our toes.
watch the warmup and be behind the scenes.
Be thankful we are in an industry that’s been able to
Where things go from here is unknowable. I wonder
continue with relatively limited interruption. Find the
what’s going to happen to our industry if travel to
humor where you can. Be grateful for what you have
Europe remains impossible. As I’m starting to get
and love your horse(s). Now more than ever, horses
inquiries on sales horses, I’m watching more small,
provide a welcome escape from the chaos of the world
online auctions pop up for horses in Europe, and I can’t
around us. We must continue to unite and prioritize the
help but wonder if that’s going to become the only
health of our fellow equestrians, so that we can all ride
way to buy a horse overseas. Will this give our US sales
through this pandemic together—at a horse’s length of
market a boost because you’ll actually be able to see
social distance, of course.
| EQuine America Magazine
our worl d
52
| EQuine America Magazine
Long Island University Welcomes Its First Class of Veterinary Students this Fall to Its New College of Veterinary Medicine Long Island University will welcome its inaugural class to the LIU College of Veterinary Medicine this fall. The LIU College of Veterinary Medicine is the first in the New York metropolitan area and the fourth in the Northeast, joining the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University and Tufts University.
“We
are
extremely
proud
secured partnerships with more
that LIU’s College of Veterinary
than
Medicine
has
met
high
primary care and specialty clinics,
standards
of
the
American
zoos, research laboratories, and
Veterinary Medical Association’s
shelters, where students will gain
Council on Education,” said LIU
real-world experience in surgery,
President Kimberly Cline.
diagnostic
the
“The LIU College of Veterinary Medicine will fill a void in Nassau County and our region, while promoting world-class
animal
health
research,”
and
Nassau
50
affiliates,
support,
including
intensive
care, and other areas critical for successful veterinary practice. Enrollment for the class of 2024 is 100 students, who will begin classes in August.
At full
County Executive Laura Curran
enrollment, the LIU College of
said.
Veterinary Medicine will serve
LIU
College
of
Veterinary
Medicine’s
world-class
will
hands-on
offer
faculty learning
400 students, with 100 in each graduating class. “LIU
College
of
Veterinary
through a distributed education
Medicine faculty, selected based
model
on their strong reputation as
featuring
supervised
clinical experiences throughout
scholars
the
prepared to offer the highest
four
education.
years The
of
veterinary
college
has
and
educators,
are
quality education to the next
53
our worl d
generation of globally competent,
and animal-related activities, making
practice-ready, and entrepreneurial
the new College of Veterinary Medicine
veterinarians,”
Carmen
an ideal addition to this animal-loving
Fuentealba, Dean of LIU’s College of
community. Continuing in this tradition,
Veterinary Medicine.
community outreach services for animal
The
LIU
said
College
Dr.
of
Veterinary
health and wellness will also be part of
Medicine adds to the already impressive
the curriculum at the new LIU College of
and unique history of animal and
Veterinary Medicine.
equine-related studies and activities at
Interested in knowing more about LIU
LIU. In addition to LIU’s award-winning
and its animal-related studies? Contact:
NCAA varsity equestrian team with its
Valerie Angeli, Director of Engagement
home stable located on campus, LIU
and Special Projects, LIU College of
offers a Veterinary Technology degree,
Veterinary Medicine at valerie.angeli@liu.
one of a few programs in the country
edu.
to offer an entry-level baccalaureate degree in the profession.
Read our brand new newsletter at
https://liu.edu/newsletter/vet-med-
The beautiful campus of LIU Post and
newsletter-7-24-2020.html and sign up
its surrounding area on Long Island has
to get it in your inbox using the link at
a rich history of horses and equestrian
the bottom!
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College of Veterinary Medicine LIU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program Distinctions: • One of only four veterinary medicine programs in the Northeast • World-class faculty offering hands-on experiences through a unique distributed education model featuring supervised clinical experiences • Secured partnerships with more than 50 affiliates, including primary care and specialty clinics, zoos, research laboratories and shelters • Real world experience provided in surgery, diagnostic support, intensive care, and other areas critical for successful veterinary practice
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2021 Long Island University | 720 Northern Boulevard | Brookville, NY 11548 | 516.299.2900 | vetmed@liu.edu
A071-20
For more information, please visit liu.edu/vetmed 55
e d i t or i al
Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
Contactless bit check was one of the many new protocols in place due to COVID-19.
The New Normal:
Eventing in the Age of COVID-19 By Jessica Duffy
56
It’s been nearly three months since USEA recognized
to drive-thru fence judge orientation, there were plenty
competitions were suspended in light of the COVID-19
of changes to be seen around the event designed to keep
pandemic, but this past weekend saw competitors
competitors, staff, and volunteers safe.
returning to the field of play at three events across the
“We knew we had to get this right and we had to do
country: River Glen in New Market, Tennessee; Feather
it in a way that people outside the eventing world could
Creek in Norman, Oklahoma; and Plantation Field in
see that this is a no-contact sport where we can maintain
Unionville, Pennsylvania. The USEA was on the ground
social distance,” said Mary Coldren, Plantation Field’s
at Plantation Field on Friday to observe the joy and
event organizer. “It was important to us to show that this
excitement of the first day back competing since mid-
can be done in a way that follows CDC guidelines and
March.
hopefully it will benefit other events for the rest of the
Plantation Field offered Beginner Novice through
season. I sent an email to the competitors last week that
Intermediate levels with Intermediate, Preliminary, and
said, ‘All eyes are on us. This will not look like pictures you
Open Training all running as one-day events on Friday and
see at the beach. We are going to wear masks and we are
the remaining Training divisions, Novice, and Beginner
going to social distance. We’re going to do this right.’”
Novice following suit on Saturday. From contactless
Coldren said it came down to the wire as far as
packet pick-up and temperature checks at the entrance
gaining approval to run, as Pennsylvania only entered
Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
Medical staff were on site to perform contactless temperature checks at the single entrance to the show ground
“Phase Yellow” on Friday – the stay-at-home orders
didn’t have to deal with any administrative stuff. It
for Chester County extended through Thursday night.
was a huge culture change, but in a lot of ways it
“We didn’t get permission until 8:45 p.m. on Monday
made the day of a lot easier.”
night,” she said. “All along, no one would say, ‘yes,’
The silver lining of the new restrictions, Coldren
but no one said, ‘no’ either. That was one of the hard
said, has been entry into the age of what she calls
parts – are we or aren’t we, maybe we can, maybe we
“contactless eventing.” Entries, which she said
can’t? Two weeks ago, I thought we had no chance.
are typically less than 50 percent complete come
We rolled the dice and got set up and got lucky that
the morning of the competition, were 99 percent
it worked out!”
complete prior to the start of the event because of
Coldren noted that special thanks was due
the need to avoid the contact associated with last-
to Denis Glaccum, President of Plantation Field
minute paperwork in the secretary’s office. “I’ve been
Equestrian Events, Inc., for making sure the event got
trying to get riders to send me complete entries for
the go-ahead to take place. “He really deserves the credit for having a positive attitude and making the presentation that got us the permission to run. I was doubtful, but he never gave up!” “The whole concept of trying to put on an event with no face-to-face interaction with people has been challenging,” Coldren admitted. Instead of allowing Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
competitors into the secretary’s office on the day of the event, competitors were encouraged to email ahead of time with questions. For day-of issues, important phone numbers were posted around the event so competitors could call instead of going to the secretary’s office. “Trying to get everything set and settled prior to arrival was key, so then when competitors arrived they could just compete and
Packet pickup was self-service and available following temperature checks
57
d re s s age
Face masks and social distance gave the event a different look and feel.
15 years!” she laughed. “We’re in the digital age now –
and officials and everyone else,” Coldren said. “I think
we have online payments and everything can be submitted
not having burgers on the grill or cinnamon buns for the
electronically.”
volunteers in the morning and everyone hanging out having
As one of the first events “out of the gate,” so to speak,
lunch together, that part of it I miss. But we just couldn’t
with the new COVID-19 regulations, Coldren said there’s
do it this time. And to see the side of the hill here with
still going to be trial and error as they work out how to
no spectators on it – normally we have a good group of
do things as safely and efficiently as possible. For example,
neighbors who come out and sit on the hill to watch the
Coldren made sure disinfecting wipes were available in
event and having had to say ‘no spectators’ was tough to
show jumping warm-up to wipe down the poles and jump
do, but everyone understood.”
cups but forgot to make sure there were trash cans available
Officials and volunteers alike had to adjust to new
for people to throw away their used wipes. “Luckily we had
procedures designed to help them maintain social distance
everything we needed here but trying to think of everything
in the area of the sport where people have the most face-
ahead of time was tricky.”
to-face contact outside the secretary’s office. Plantation
“The competitors have been spectacular,” Coldren
tackled the issue of social distancing for the dressage judges
praised. “They’ve been completely patient with the delays in
by having the judge and the scribe park their cars next to
scoring, avoiding face-to-face contact, doing things digitally
each other and speak through the open window (or by
and electronically. I think they were all just so happy to be
walkie talkie if the weather required them to roll up their
out here and they realize the struggles that we’re having to
windows.)
meet all these new guidelines and procedures.”
58
Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
“Judging with a scribe has been a bit of a challenge,”
“I think the thing that I miss the most is that Plantation
said Anne Moss, one of Plantation’s dressage judges, “but
usually has quite a hospitality aspect for all our volunteers
it’s actually worked surprisingly well. My scribe has been
| EQuine America Magazine
taking the scores on one sheet, and I have a separate
wasn’t riding this weekend but was happy she could
score sheet where I do the collective marks, and then
come out and lend a hand as a fence judge for the
they get stapled together. We’ve been putting our
afternoon. Fence judges were asked to watch the
papers in plastic folders that have been sanitized,
USEA Jump Judge Instructional Videos ahead of time
my bell was sanitized, we’re all wearing masks when
and then were given a short orientation from the
we’re within six feet of each other. It’s definitely a
Technical Delegate over the radio once they were in
little different, but Mary Coldren has done a fantastic
place at their fences. “I’m so excited,” she said of
job organizing all this and thinking about the safest
being out at a horse show for the first time in months.
ways to move forward.”
“The weather is beautiful, the ground looks amazing
Moss commented that she was impressed by the quality of the work she saw horses and riders putting
– everything is wonderful. I wish I was riding, but I’m also happy to be volunteering.”
forward in the sandbox and that the extra time people
Steve Berkowitz was the on-site veterinarian from
had to do their homework really seemed to have paid
Unionville Equine Associates at Plantation on Friday
off. “It’s been an interesting spring for all of us, and
and observed that, with respect to the new COVID-19
it was nice to see that everyone has had extra time to
restrictions, most everyone was respecting the new
practice their dressage!” she said. “I saw some really
guidelines. “Everyone is doing everything we’ve been
lovely tests. I was judging Intermediate this morning
told to do and we’re very aware of the responsibility
and sometimes for those horses, maybe it’s their first
we have to follow the rules and set a good example
season and they’re still struggling, but I saw a lot of
for everybody else,” he said. “So far, today’s been
strengths out there today which was great to see.”
very good. Usually it goes very well here – Plantation
Kristin Schlachter, an eventer who operates
Field has a great team. The footing’s always good,
Silverhorn Equestrian just down the road from
they have the best people, we’ve been helping out
Plantation Field, said she was a little bummed she
here for years, and everyone knows what to do.”
Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
It was exciting to see horses and riders out on course!
Jennie Brannigan was all smiles to be back in the ring.
60
Photo USEA/Jessica Duffy
Cross-country course designer Jeff Kibbie pointed out
Brannigan explained that, with the exception of a
that, because of the competition suspension, Plantation
couple weeks off at the beginning of quarantine, she’s
Field was actually the first event on the Area II competition
been keeping her horses going throughout the suspension.
calendar to take place in 2020. Because it was effectively the
“I think quarantine’s been good because we’ve trained
beginning of the season for many riders, he said, “I tried to
our horses well – I’ve had a ton of lessons with my show
keep the courses nice and open so everyone could get out
jumping trainer Scott Keach and my dressage trainer James
there and have a good gallop and a good ride. Hopefully
Burtwell, and then of course working with Erik Duvander,”
everyone’s horses are coming across the line more confident
she said. “And my whole staff is feeling revived because
and happy.”
we’ve been getting done at a good time and we’ve gotten
Jennie Brannigan, who had five horses to compete on
a lot of things cleaned so that’s been good.” Today was a
Friday – three in the Intermediate, one in the Preliminary,
chance for some of her horses to get out and stretch their
and one in the Training – said that she was pleased to see
legs in preparation for the fall season.
how easy it was for everyone to social distance. “I think
“I’m happy with the way things came out,” Coldren
Plantation did a great job of keeping everyone far away
concluded. “Are there some things that we could have done
from each other and keeping the entry numbers low, so that
better or differently or more efficiently? Yes. But there has
was really good,” she said. “I think it felt very safe because
been no place that you see a gathering of people, and to me
everyone was really far away from each other. It made me
that was an important goal to have and we achieved it. Even
realize that eventing is actually able to do this and still be
in the parking area and up on the hill people were really
socially distant. I feel confident that it was a good day for
respecting the guidelines. If you see three people standing
the sport and everyone was safe.”
together, they’re all from the same household.”
INN O V A TI O N
Magic (Equine) Tape By Carrie Washburn Performance Equine – Integrated Therapies
Many of us over the years have experienced, or at least seen, kinesiology tape in action. It’s colorful, sporty, bright, and it just plain looks cool. Athletes across the board, from high school to Olympic, have been using it with great success. Heck, Kerri Walsh wore it back in 2008 and won a beach volleyball Olympic gold medal! It must work, right?
Work it does! But, have you ever thought of using it on your equine athlete?
kinesiology tape is elastic, breathable, and water
Our equine partners are athletes, and as such, can
resistant, meaning it can add support without
benefit immensely from kinesiology tape. From edema
restricting movement, and with its elastic properties,
to sore muscles and tight fascia, kinesiology tape
it can reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and help
can get your equine partner to the head of the class.
with lymphatic drainage.
It’s noninvasive, drug free, and USEF/FEI approved*
62
2008 Summer Olympics. Unlike other athletic tape,
The tape itself is commonly made from cotton,
making it the perfect modality to help your equine
spandex,
athlete feel their best at home and away. *Horses
different percentages of stretch and “stickiness” of
are not allowed to compete with it on but can use it
the adhesive. For use on horses, the human water
before and after competition at USEF/FEI events.
resistant kind tends to work best. Most brands offer
and
adhesive.
Different
brands
offer
Dr. Kenzo Kase of Japan invented kinesiology
a water resistant tape with the extra sticky adhesive.
tape during the 1970s while searching for a way to
Some brands do carry an “equine” line, too. Whether
help the body facilitate its natural healing process.
you choose to use the human version or equine-
Its popularity increased when Walsh wore it in the
specific tape, your horse will benefit.
| EQuine America Magazine
Photo Carrie Washburn
Full longissimus dorsi gluteal biceps femoris taping with a lumbosacral junction decompression star
Photo Carrie Washburn
Edema taping placed on the upper front leg lower carpus to help reduce swelling
The science behind kinesiology tape is actually quite
There is also a belief that having the tape applied
simple. With its elastic properties, in its most basic use, it
stimulates mechanoreceptors within the skin that play
decompresses the skin from the soft tissue underneath.
a part in movement awareness. Therapists call this
With this decompression, a lifting effect is created. In turn,
proprioception. These proprioceptors provide information
the convolutions created in the skin (wrinkles that increase
to the brain along the equine nervous system. Although
surface area) open up the natural gliding action between
we aren’t applying the tape directly to the skin for our
skin, muscle, and fascia. The thin sheet of connective tissue
equine partners, the effectiveness is still the same. When
that encloses, separates, and stabilizes muscles is “fascia.”
applied to their hair, the same lifting affect is created and
This decompressed space also creates less pressure on nerve
decompression happens. The mechanoreceptors in the skin
endings, lymphatic vessels, and blood vessels, allowing for
are stimulated, and movement awareness is created.
reduced or completely negated pain, increased lymphatic drainage, and increased blood flow and circulation.
Of course, there is a technique to applying kinesiology tape. It is not a simple slap-on and voila your horse is
To help get an idea of the effect, picture a hair tie pulled
magically better. To create the magic, the tape needs to
tight. If you keep pulling, and keep tension on it, eventually
be applied correctly. It is all about the stretch! Too much is
it will break. Obviously, not a good outcome when we are
not good because the tape will not hold for long and too
talking about human or equine fascia and muscle. Think of it
little limits its effectiveness altogether. With that, about 2”
like this: the outside sheath of the elastic (your horse’s fascia)
on each end will have zero stretch. This allows the tape to
is tighter than the rubber band on the inside (your horse’s
stick to your horse consistently. The alternative would be
muscle). Because of the tight outside creating restriction, the
too much stress on the ends with the tape losing contact.
inside cannot stretch any further. Once you release your pull
Another important factor is whether to apply the tape
on the outside, the inside relaxes and stretches as well. The
to a flexed or relaxed muscle. For most equine applications,
relationship between fascia and muscle is similar in concept
I prefer a stretched muscle. This helps create the all-
and kinesiology tape releases that pull. Imagine how much
important convolutions in the skin when the muscle is
better your equine partner could feel with that kind of release.
released out of the stretched position.
63
Photo Carrie Washburn
Hind end decompression star and taping treating the gluteal muscles and the biceps femoris
The direction of the stretch also plays an important role,
64
Photo Carrie Washburn
Lumbosacral junction decompression star with gluteal taping
How can “Magic Tape” help your equine athlete?
especially when working on foals with limb deformities or
•
Improve blood flow and circulation
adult horses needing help with flight patterns and gate
•
Increase lymphatic circulation
issues. Studies have shown that proper application of
•
Reduce inflammation
kinesiology tape can assist with correcting crooked legs
•
Improve gate abnormalities
in foals and adult horses with flight patterns or mild limb
•
Reduce or completely negated pain
deformities. Some argue that interfering with the natural
•
Promote healing
flight pattern in an established, adult horse’s limb is risky.
•
Relieve muscle stiffness, soreness, and fatigue
Once an adult horse has established its natural way of
•
Increase the effects of bodywork
moving, it may not be the best thing for the horse to try
When applied in a unique lattice wave pattern, kinesiology
to correct that issue. My opinion on this varies on a case-
tape can greatly help with swelling and edema. This makes
by-case basis and I would work heavily with the horse’s
it an ideal modality for minor leg injuries and body swelling
veterinarian to determine the best course of action.
from minor kicks or abrasions; it should however, never be
A basic example of how kinesiology tape can influence
applied directly over an open wound or to any infected area.
gate abnormalities through increased proprioception.
Because of its ability to increase circulation, applying to an
For instance, if a horse is dragging their hind hooves,
active infection could cause the infection to spread. On the
applying tape down the dorsal line of the hind legs can
other hand, applying an edema taping to minor leg swelling,
stimulate mechanoreceptors in the skin, which in turn
such as wind puffs, can have fabulous results because of its
stimulates them to lift their legs higher and step farther
ability to increase blood flow and circulation.
under themselves. This can help “retrain” their brain and
The length of time the tape can/should be applied varies
strengthen their muscles to help correct a gate abnormality.
by use. Ideally, I prefer to leave it on for about 48 hours,
INN O V A TI O N
but when taping highly mobile and flexible areas such
hind ends. Adding a longissimus dorsi taping along the
as the neck, I aim for 8-12 hours. The more the better, if
back onto the gluteal muscle before loading on to the
it will stay attached! The horse should not be ridden the
transport can help reduce or totally mitigate that stress.
first 12 hours the tape is applied, but otherwise there is
Keep in mind, our equine partners are athletes no
no concern about saddling directly over the tape as long
matter what their level. They work hard so we can reach
as it is still attached and smooth. No waiting period is
our goals and achieve things that we thought weren’t
necessary once the tape is removed.
possible. Kinesiology tape is a fantastic, natural, non-
Often, I hear riders expressing that their horse
invasive way for us to help them feel their best!
does not feel quite right; not lame, just not fully like
(As always, kinesiology taping is not a substitute for
themselves. This is where an Equine Bodyworker or
veterinary care. If your horse is experiencing lameness or
Physio Therapist who specializes in Equine Kinesiology
soreness, please consult your veterinarian.)
Taping can help. Typically, after hearing a rider or trainer explain what they’re feeling, and a full body examination, they will be able to apply the tape to relieve that discomfort.
Photo Carrie Washburn
Most times, when a horse isn’t feeling “quite right,” riders and trainers are forgetting that their horses are truly equine athletes, and as such, require help to relieve body aches and pains from training and showing just like we do. It is very commonplace for equine athletes to be sore bilaterally on their hind end including their gluteal muscles, biceps femoris, and lumbosacral junction. These areas are often the cause of the “not quite right” feeling but are unfortunately overlooked daily. If this area is determined to be the source of the problem, once tape is applied and the horse is rested overnight, most riders will experience “WOW” on their next ride! Because it is USEF/FEI approved, kinesiology tape is wonderful to use to treat minor issues that may arise while you’re competing. While, in most instances you cannot use it while directly competing, you can use kinesiology tape before, during warmup, and after showing. I’ve seen firsthand its ability to help a horse feel their best in a competition situation, often going from “not quite right” to “WOW” in one overnight application. Kinesiology tape can also help during transport and traveling. Our equine partners often travel long hours in straight or small box stalls to get to their destination. This can leave them with sore and tired legs, backs, and
Edema taping placed on a lower hind leg to assist with swelling
65
eDIT O R I A L
Photo: Equinium
The Ridge at Riverview in Asbury, New Jersey
Saddle to Keyboard: The Horse World Adapts to Social Distancing & the Rules of a Global Pandemic By Holly Johnson, Equinium Equine Marketing
As the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival entered its second to last week, a new reality came to be, ironically arriving in our email inboxes in the form of a press release from the USEF. All competitions, including our show, were canceled for the remainder of the season and until an undetermined future date.
66
I think this was the first real moment that those of us
follows is a short tribute to the behind the scenes actions
who work in the relatively isolated horse world realized
taken by a group of equestrian businesses who not only
this pandemic would affect our equestrian careers and
help keep the equestrian world moving, but do so safely
experiences, abruptly shattering the glass bubble most
while pushing boundaries we didn’t know existed and
equestrians exist in. As a PR and marketing firm, I wasn’t
operating without the daily blessings we previously took
sure how my clients would fare. No shows mean no
for granted.
results, no sales, no press. But I went on optimistically
The cancellation of the 2020 Wellington equestrian
and I’m lucky that most marketing today is done digitally
season threw many things into question. One of the
(I live with my laptop and phone on me constantly); to my
first was, should other private events be canceled? Soon
surprise, demand grew.
it became clear the answer was yes, but it was a tough
In these unprecedented times, what’s really impressed
pill to swallow because so much work had gone into
me is our ability as an industry to adapt, change course,
planning a few end-of-season events, including the 2020
and overcome. Seeing equine brands and businesses
Santana Stables Horse Auction. Set for March 23, Paulo
(even those that aren’t my clients) pivot gracefully to
Santana and his entire team had been importing, training,
meet this new reality has been truly amazing. What
showing, and promoting 15 1.40M+ show jumpers,
Courtesy of Equinium
The updated 2020 Santana Horse Auction Advertisement
including a prior Team Argentina Nations Cup mount, to
Bids for the 2020 Santana horses originated from
go up for auction with no reserve. The auction itself was
the USA, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Greece, Italy,
to be set at an upscale but sporty event held at Santana’s
Argentina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, to name
own Wellington farm. Sponsors included Sundeck Yachts,
a few, and approximately 75% of the horses sold. While
Motor Cars of the Mainline, and high-end art dealers,
not an ideal result, salvaging the auction at all amid an
with a portion of the profits going to the local Kids Cancer
international emergency was a fete in itself. For their
Foundation of South Florida. While Santana’s previous 2019 auction and the 2020 auction showcase in January both had virtual elements (live streaming and WhatsApp bidding), part of the allure of an auction is in-person bidding and socializing. The 2019 auction sold over $1 million dollars’ worth of young show jumpers, establishing the Santana Auction as one circumstances at us all, Mr. Santana was forced to change his business model. Changing in the eleventh hour to a strictly virtual
Photo: Equinium
not to be missed, but as COVID-19 hurled a storm of
auction would be risky at best and potentially devastating at worst. However, Santana and his team showed no hesitation in quickly revising their format to a livestream horse presentation and bidding 100% via WhatsApp. All the Lots were presented and jumped to the auction audience via livestream, and the WhatsApp bidding group became quite heated at times: “Can someone tell us the age of Lot 5?” texted one bidder. “Stay away from Lot 5,” replied the mare’s current high bidder.
One of the horses on auction at the 2020 Santana Horse Auction
67
eDIT O R I A L
Fabbri Boots, which is based out of Italy, swapped their production to focus on masks and shields before they were forced to shut down, but then reopened with masks as their primary product.
next fete, Team Santana’s already preparing for their
rides. For those of us lucky enough to go to the barn
Wellington 2021 event.
during lockdown, getting advice from Olympic talent
The 2020 Wellington Turf Tour and its organizers at The Ridge Farm also showed exceptional resiliency
for a very low entry fee might be one of the few positives that came from the pandemic.
going into a world without horse shows, which is a
Fabbri Boots, which is based out of Italy, swapped
world without their bread and butter. US Olympian
their production to focus on masks and shields before
Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio quickly decided
they were forced to shut down, but then reopened with
to cancel the final week of the Wednesday and Friday
masks as their primary product. With Italy being one
show jumping series, which is usually held at various
of the hardest hit in the first months of the pandemic,
locations and farms around Wellington. The decision
Fabbri felt a duty to contribute to their local and
to cancel their Finale, usually the highest attended of
national community as well as their riders.
the winter season and offering the highest prize money
Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, which is the largest
of the series, was not taken lightly. While their show
breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world
is quite ideally constructed for social distancing, the
(especially to America), recently presented two horses
uncertain times took their toll.
to US agents via live video chat, with the goal of
The Ridge also holds multiple USEF sanctioned
delivering both horses this week. Interagro has long
shows per month in the spring, summer, and fall at
been familiar with selling horses online, so this forced
their New Jersey venue, and in early 2020 acquired the
“new normal” was not as new to them, but the current
prestigious Garden State Horse Show, which typically
travel and safety regulations in Brazil have ushered in a
occurs in May. As we know, the lockdown held through
whole new level of virtual horse sales for the stud and
June for most states, but Nona and George quickly
training center, which is currently home to more than
launched the very first Garden State Stay at Home
500 purebred Lusitano sport horses.
Classic Virtual Horse Show, offering to give informed
Having done it this way for years, Interagro has built
opinions and judge rounds via photo and video for a
a standard of trust, integrity, and quality that allows
low entry fee, and even awarded ribbons for the best
for buyers to view horse’s by video and be confident
Courtesy of Interagro
Zepelim Interagro
that the horse they paid for is the horse that
Sources:
arrives in Miami or New York a few weeks later.
Equinium.com @equinium
Many purchases in their over 40-year history were
SantanaStables.com / @santanastables
completed over the phone or online, which means
RidgeShowJumping.com / @ridgeshowjumping
many buyers had never seen their new horse in-
stivalifabbri.it/eng/Default.aspx / @fabbriboots
person before owning—at least 300 of which are
Lusitano-Interagro.com / @interagrolusitanos
grazing in pastures across the US. I think we can all agree that 2020 has not lived up to our expectations, but that it has no doubt tested the human spirit and its ability to adapt. For those of us that love horses, we know there is no way any virus, hurricane, earthquake, alien invasion, or other act of God (or lack thereof) will keep us out of the barn for long, and 2020 is proof positive.
e d i t or i al
Results of the first virtual Garden State Stay at Home Horse Show hosted by The Ridge (Courtesy of The Ridge) 70
e q u i n e law
Telemedicine
Is It Legal? Yes. Can it be Illegal? Yes. By Carina Roselli, JD, MEM
First, what is veterinary telemedicine exactly? If
in. A valid VCPR is also required by the American
you’ve been following Dr. Bob Grisel’s column in this
Veterinary Medicine Association’s (AVMA) Principles of
magazine, then you likely know a bit about it already.
Veterinary Medical Ethics, and every vet must abide by
If not, here is a short primer:
these ethics or risk sanctions like losing their license to
Telemedicine is specific patient care delivered
practice veterinary medicine.
remotely via some form of technology. This can
The AVMA explains that a valid VCPR exists when:
only legally occur if a Veterinarian-Client-Patient-
1) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility
Relationship (VCPR) already exists from an in-person
for making clinical judgments regarding the health of
examination of the animal, generally within the last
the patient and the client has agreed to follow the
year. Telemedicine is most often practiced through
veterinarians’ instructions.
your cellphone, which is a powerful telemedicine tool
2) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of
when used appropriately (more on that later), to talk,
the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary
text, send photos and videos, and video chat using an
diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient. This
app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom.
means that the veterinarian is personally acquainted
Telemedicine is not to be confused with Teleadvice,
with the keeping and care of the patient by virtue
which can occur without a valid VCPR and is limited to
of a “timely” examination of the patient by the
the provision of generalized guidance not specific to
veterinarian, or medically appropriate and “timely”
your particular horse or their particular illness or injury.
visits by the veterinarian to the operation where the
For example, when a vet recommends you conduct semi-
patient is managed.
annual fecal exams as a prudent barn health practice, if delivered remotely via technology, that was teleadvice.
3) The veterinarian is readily available for followup evaluation or has arranged for the following: veterinary emergency coverage, and continuing care
Is Telemedicine legal? Yes. When you have a valid VCPR. The most important aspect of legal telemedicine is having a valid VCPR
4) The veterinarian provides oversight of treatment, compliance, and outcome.
in place with the particular client and the particular
5) Patient records are maintained.
horse. The details of what qualifies as a valid VCPR
Note:
are regulated by each state’s Veterinary Practice Act,
A
“timely”
examination
is
generally
considered to be at least annual.
so vets must ensure they operate within the specific
The federal VCPR definition specifically requires
rules for each state they are licensed and practicing
that veterinarians physically examine animal patients
1
See AVMA, Principles of veterinary medical ethics of the AVMA, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/
principles-veterinary-medical-ethics-avma. 72
and treatment.
| EQuine America Magazine
Photo AdobeStock/AA+W
and/or make medically appropriate and timely visits to the
sent by the owner. The vet recommended cleaning and
location where the animal(s) are kept. The federal VCPR
wrapping the wound and having it looked at soon by a
definition cannot be met through telemedicine alone.
veterinarian. The later, in-person exam revealed it was actually a penetrating wound with fragments of the stall
When your vet is licensed to practice in the state
door trapped inside the tissue, and there was another
your horse is standing in. Although it’s not stated in
wound on the other leg the owner hadn’t mentioned (or
the AVMA’s definition of a valid VCPR, it is understood
perhaps hadn’t noticed). Wound evaluation might not
that the valid practice of veterinary medicine in general
be a prudent use of telemedicine.
can only occur if the vet is licensed to practice in the state your horse is standing in at the time of the
When your communications are confidential, and
medical communication. This does not apply to out-of-
your records are secure. There’s an app for that!
state veterinarians consulting for your in-state vet, so
Getsound® (cofounded by our own Dr. Bob Grisel) is
long as their practice of veterinary medicine is limited
the only equine telemedicine app on the market, so
to that consultation.
far. It’s a subscription-based platform that allows you to talk, text, and video chat with your properly VCPR’d
When
telemedicine
is
prudent.
Additionally,
veterinarian (it actually helps make sure of that), and it
the AVMA expects the veterinarian to use prudent
organizes and stores those communications securely on
judgment when determining if a situation is appropriate
an encrypted, third-party server. Your horse’s medical
for telemedicine or whether an in-person examination is
records are also stored here, so everything is compiled
warranted. For example, in a webinar I watched recently,
and centralized. For security, it requires both the client
an equine veterinarian told an anecdote about a cut
and the vet to log into the platform, which means your
he evaluated via telemedicine. The cut was just above
vet can stop carrying around confidential information
the horse’s hock and appeared superficial in the photos
in viewable files and emails on their cellphone or iPad.
2
AVMA, The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/
petcare/veterinarian-client-patient-relationship-vcpr. 3
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), AAVSB Recommended Guidelines for the Appropriate Use
of Telehealth Technologies in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine, September 2018.
e q u i n e law
Can telemedicine be illegal? Yes.
standing on your farm, but telemedicine allows vets from
When you don’t have a valid VCPR. You don’t have
virtually anywhere to reach you and your horse(s), illegally.
a valid VCPR if you and your veterinary haven’t met the
In a 2013 federal court case, a Texas-licensed
requirements of the AVMA, federal, and state-mandated
veterinarian gave advice to hundreds of pet owners
rules for a valid VCPR (referenced above). An example of
located around the world for over a decade. The Court
where this can go wrong is when you wrongly believe you
enforced his reprimand, fines, and having his veterinary
have a valid VCPR in place because your vet checked out
license suspended. He was performing telemedicine with
a tick bite on your horse’s pastern as they were walking
out-of-state and international clients/animals without
out the door to head to their next call. This passing, last
ever laying a hand on his patients—no jurisdiction + no
minute look at just a tick bite is not the “examination”
VCPR = illegal. PS: You shouldn’t have to dig around to find out where
the AVMA had in mind.
your vet is licensed. The vet must ensure you are aware When your vet is in the wrong state. It’s not new
of their identity, physical location, jurisdiction, license
that practicing veterinary medicine in a place where
number, and licensure status. If there is any question as
the practitioner is not licensed is illegal and can result
to these, just ask.
in sanctions in the place where the unlicensed practice occurs and often in the state where the veterinarian is
When your vet’s recordkeeping is lacking, and you’re
licensed. This is a little less of a problem when your vet is
not helping. You’ve texted. You’ve emailed. You’ve sent videos and video chatted. You’ve even used your phone for its original purpose. There are so many mediums in play, how are all these communications captured? Where and how are they stored? Vets who are overwhelmed might not store these telecommunications at all, which is illegal. Committed vets often spend countless amounts of time (and therefore money) transcribing your phone calls, text messages, and Zoom conversations into MS Word documents to place in your horse’s patient record, which might even be printed out and put in a real paper file folder, the old-fashioned way. Others will use their office staff to do the transcription, which still technically costs them money. And most vets don’t charge for this admin time spent organizing your shotgun approach to communication. Meanwhile, photos and videos are appended to your horses file as best as possible, which might mean an external hard drive that’s not actually connected to your horse’s file at all, other than by name.
4
Hines v. Alldredge, 783 F.3d 197 (5th Cir. 2015).
5
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB),
AAVSB Recommended Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Telehealth Technologies in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine, September 2018.
74
Photo AdobeStock/Dusko
Additionally, your telemedicine communications
puts your vet at risk if you don’t have a current, valid
are confidential, and it is the vet’s responsibility to
VCPR in place. Your vet’s instinct is to help you, and
safeguard them. This isn’t new by any means, but it
they might unintentionally jeopardize their license in
used to mean holding phone conversations in private
the process.
and printing out records to put in a file folder in an
The AVMA defines advice as providing “any health
office that’s locked at the end of the day. It’s no longer
information, opinion, guidance, or recommendation
that simple.
concerning prudent future actions that are not specific
The advent of technology has made it exponentially harder
to
control
recordkeeping
because
to a particular patient’s health, illness, or injury. This
your
is general advice that is not intended to diagnose,
information is no longer uniformly created and
prognose, treat, correct, change, alleviate, or prevent
centralized. Now, if your vet loses their phone and
animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury,
your text messages, emails, and videos are on it,
or other physical, dental, or mental conditions.” It’s
they’re in trouble. This kind of exposure might seem
hard to imagine a question so non-specific and so
trivial to the average horse owner, but it can get your
time-sensitive at the same time. Don’t put your vet
vet in hot water, and if your horse is going for the
in a potentially illegal situation, especially since in
Olympic team, it might not be so trivial.
some states (like Minnesota), provision of advice is the practice of veterinary medicine and therefore requires
When you’re “just asking for advice.” Another
a valid VCPR.
major problem is when you think your just asking for teleadvice, but in fact your question is specific to your
The COVID Effect
horse and is actually asking your vet a question that’s
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, states may
answered by the practice of veterinary medicine. That
have temporarily altered their telemedicine/VCPR
6
AVMA, Veterinary telehealth: The Basics, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/practice-management/telehealth-
telemedicine-veterinary-practice/veterinary-telehealth-basics. 7
AVMA, Using telemedicine to help care for veterinary patients during COVID-19, https://www.avma.org/resources-
tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19/using-telemedicine-help-care-veterinary-patients-covid-19.
Graphic AdobeStock/Jackie Niam
State laws are in flux and telemedicine is rapidly evolving as the need grows in both human and animal medicine.
provisions. State laws are in flux and telemedicine
who can’t advocate for themselves. That’s what we all
is rapidly evolving as the need grows in both human
want right? This is the part of the VCPR designed
and animal medicine. Some states—not all—have
to keep improperly trained, unlicensed, or predatory
applied regulatory discretion to temporarily relax
vets from making a terrible medical mistake on your
the requirement of an in-person examination to
horse. In that respect, you should want to gain and
establish a VCPR.
maintain a valid VCPR. The other side of this coin is
On the other side of the spectrum, some states,
your being a good client. To protect your veterinarian,
like North Carolina for example, made clear their
do your best to keep your VCPR current, streamline
decision not to relax requirements via a state
telecommunications (consider using a telemedicine
notice to practitioners: “The practice of veterinary
app), and don’t ask for more than advice without a
medicine in the state of North Carolina requires
VCPR in place.
the establishment of a VCPR. This can only take place with a physical examination of the animal in
Carina Roselli, JD, MEM is the owner of EQuine
question. It cannot be established over the phone,
AMerica Magazine and an equine lawyer in
Skype, or other online source.” If you don’t have
northern Virginia. She owns her own solo firm and
a current, valid VCPR, check with your vet (who
also practices legacy planning and land use law. If
should check with their state) as to which side of
you have any legal questions or need assistance,
the spectrum you’re on.
please contact Carina at carina@clrlaw.pro or 202599-5960. If you’re in Virginia, she can help you
Who’s liable? The VCPR law was written to protect animal patients
directly, and if you’re not, she will connect you to someone who can.
h u n t er
Photo AdobeStock/Rob hyrons
Silver Linings:
An Interview with Jeff Gogul EQuine AMerica: Before COVID-19, we talked
ponies. I was pretty timid in the beginning actually.
briefly about how I wanted to interview you
I was so intimidated by the whole situation. Leslie
and focus on your resilience and your positive
was pretty aggressive and that was, I think, crucial
mental attitude and things like that. As “luck”
for me because she pushed me through my fear. Her
would have it, Coronavirus came and made that
personality helped me progress pretty rapidly.
even more relevant. Sorry, I have to find silver
I was lucky to have my first horse pretty quick. It
linings in this or I’ll go crazy.
was a lease that came from a business acquaintance of
Jeff Gogul: That’s true.
my dad’s who was having a baby. Basically, I cantered one time and then I got my first horse. I think that
78
First, tell us who you are, what you do, and what
really sent me on a fast trajectory. Once I had a horse,
you’re about.
I could ride every day and get comfortable, and I was
I ride professionally for Roberts Stables in
one billion percent a barn rat from the beginning. I
Wilmington, Ohio. I had previously owned and
wanted to learn everything. That’s something I think
operated my own horse business, Flagship, for 20-
is different about the sport now that I wish was back
some years. I started riding when I was in 5th grade
the way it was. Everything in life is so fast paced at
and I turned professional after my junior years, when
this point and nobody takes the time to learn all the
I was 18.
foundational stuff anymore.
I didn’t really have any interest in other sports. My
Everybody wants to get to the good part on
parents were begging me to figure out what I wanted
everything. Yeah. Now that I’m primarily a rider and
to do and now they’re probably wishing they never
trainer, I miss grooming and grazing and doing all
asked that question! I had a friend across the street
that stuff myself. I think that so many people don’t
that had a horse and I had always been animal crazy. I
even know how to do basic things on the ground with
asked to try riding and my first day I had to go on the
their horse. They’re maybe even at a higher level than
lunge line outside when it was really, really cold. My
I am, and they don’t know this stuff. It’s unfortunate.
first trainer, Leslie [Monaghan], told me that I needed
It seems like kind of a lost art in the show world.
to post that day and I didn’t even know what posting
Yeah. I think it might completely go away if we don’t
was. She didn’t have time for this, and it was too cold
become more aware of it. That’s not a personal
to be outside.
criticism; it’s the system. It’s not because there aren’t
I had one lesson on the lunge line, and then I was
people who crave the knowledge, it’s just that the
thrown right into the group lessons. I was already
system doesn’t really allow for it so much anymore.
pretty tall at that point, so I had to start on horses, not
It’s not built into the training anymore. Correct.
Photo Sportfot courtesy of WEC
Jeff Gogul at WEF 2019 79
Photo 3rd Shutter courtesy of WEC
h u n t er
Jeff Gogul on Face Value One of my favorite things in the Kentucky Horse Park
laundry,” or, “Oh, I need to turn the grill on,” or, “Oh
was just to take a horse out by myself in the evening
geez, I’ve got to get this out and get dinner started,”
and walk out in the field to graze and just have that
or whatever. You’re out there, away from everything
quiet time. And there’s something about seeing the
else, running down a road or wherever you’re running,
horses munching. Sometimes that was my favorite time
and you can really work through problems and maybe
of the day, to be the last person at the barn and the
gain some clearer thinking about something. It lets
last person to shut the lights off, and there’s no radios
you focus. Yeah. I find it valuable to create clear
playing, and you just hear 20 horses munching on hay.
headspace.
That’s something that’s so good for you mentally. I love the sport for those moments. I definitely appreciate the value of that, I guess is what I’m trying to say.
Leslie Monaghan was my first instructor at Holly
There are other things that I do. I like to garden.
Hill, which is now sadly a housing development. A lot
Me too. And I’m into fitness. I didn’t ever think that
of people on the west side of Cleveland grew up riding
I would enjoy running, but part of what I like about
there. I have really great memories from being there
running is the same thing I like about riding: I don’t
for hours and hours and hours. There was a tried and
usually listen to music when I run because I like to hear
true band of barn rats and we all still keep in touch
the rhythm of my feet and my body working. I find that
with each other.
when you push past the, “Oh my God, I don’t really
Then I rode a little bit with Jeff Taylor, who’s still up in
want to do this,” part then it’s not bad at all. I find it
that area and primarily does eventing. I took lessons with
a tool to strengthen myself mentally. I don’t get to do
Meredith Giery and rode her horses. She was a very good
it enough.
all-around horse person and I learned a lot from her just
I probably have to be careful that I don’t do it too
through conversations and hanging out in her barn.
much and wreck my body. I don’t get to do it enough
I loved my first horse that I actually owned. I wasn’t
to stay quite good enough at it. But when I can string
going to part with him and we could not afford to
a bunch of runs together, I feel the improvement as
keep two horses at a stable with an arena and full
I get strong enough to push through or do the extra
care. So, when I got the next horse to advance with,
mile, but I also think it’s a time when you can really
I had my horses at two different partial care facilities
clear your brain and think about things. That’s better
where they just dumped food twice a day and I had
than anything else.
to do everything else. I wasn’t driving yet, so I was
You’re not sitting in your house like, “Oh shit, I need to do that.” Or, “I need to go change a load of
80
Anyway, back to your beginnings.
maybe 13 or 14 years old, and I did that until about my last junior year.
I wasn’t taking lessons; I was really just riding by myself.
opportunity to have the same training but keep their horses
At one place I was the only person that rode. More people
closer to home. Then the business just grew and grew, and I
rode at the other barn, but I was still usually riding by myself.
eventually became the head trainer at Maypine.
I loved that place, but because it was self-care and I was
I worked for the Bass’s at Maypine for 10 years. They had
proficient and always there, I was constantly taking care of
some very special horses and we did a lot of winning, not only
everybody’s horses. My really good friend would go to her
with their horses, but some of the client horses, too. It was a
parents’ lake house on the weekend and another friend was
pretty phenomenal start to my career. Those opportunities…
a nurse and she got mono, so she was out for three months.
I was so lucky to be part of that.
Then I had adult friends who worked for McDonald’s
During the Maypine years, we won some pretty
corporation and it’s apparently really stressful, so they had to
phenomenal things. Lauren Bass won the Maclay her second
take a long sabbatical to Europe for months. Another adult
to last junior year, which doesn’t seem to happen very often.
friend went away for business trips. And I helped the people
Then she won the Medal in ‘97. I also had a young boy that
that owned the farm take care of their own two horses, plus
rode really well; he won the Children’s Medal Final at Capital
13 sheep, peacocks, chicken, and geese, too. They even gave
Challenge. I had a pony rider, Samantha Kramer, that cleaned
me a baby goat for my 15th birthday.
house for an entire year on her medium pony. She won every
That barn was 25 minutes away from my house, so I literally ran from the second I got home from school. I
Classic. I think she was champion pretty much every horse show for a year.
was turning all those horses out, mucking all those stalls,
It makes me laugh talking to you right now… Samantha
grooming them, and setting up feed. It was so much work
was so funny. I caught a little bit of flack when she was
that I almost lost interest in riding for weeks on end because
interviewed after winning the World Champion Hunter Rider
I was too tired to ride my one horse that I was supposed to
Pony Challenge at Capital Challenge. It was taken out of
be competing with.
context, and she had never been interviewed before. She
I lost heart for the riding part of it and I decided, if I was
was just a scrappy little kid who was ready to go have an
going to keep riding and keep that horse, I needed to change
ice cream cone or something. The press was asking her
something and do it more seriously. That’s when I found Beth
questions, and she didn’t mean to come across this way,
Nielsen who had a farm called North Coast on the same side
but they asked her, “How does it feel to win the Classic here
of town as me. I rode with her my last year as a junior, and
at Capital Challenge?” She thought that was the oddest
after that, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. I had really gotten back into riding, and I realized, with the right
Photo by Annan courtesy of WEC
horses, I was good enough. I started working for Beth as soon as I graduated high school. A lot of that was grooming in the beginning, and at some point, she started having me teach lessons. When Beth was unavailable to attend a horse show, I had to show for her. We had nice 4’ horses, and I had never even jumped four feet, but I got dressed and showed all these horses. There were some that weren’t very easy—it was trial by fire—I just had to get it done. I worked for her for a couple of years, then North Coast merged with the Bass family’s Maypine Farm on the other side of town and Beth and I alternated days at the barn. One day she was at her place and I was at Maypine and then we’d switch, so we never really saw one another except at horse shows. This was good for most of our customers because they were actually from the opposite side of town and drove a good hour or so to get to North Coast. It gave them the
Jeff Gogul takes a victory lap on Cortese 81
h u n t er
question. She looked at them and she said, “I don’t know.
are a lot of people that are very defensive and will not wear
It was just like any other horse show. I always win the
a mask. We haven’t had many cases in our county, so it’s a
Classic.” Oh God.
little lackadaisical maybe. There were 10 reported cases, I
She didn’t mean it to be pretentious, but to her it was
think. But all those numbers changed when more testing
just the same as any other horse show. It didn’t register.
became available. It’s all very confusing. The numbers have
Yeah, it didn’t really dawn on her that it was any different
been going up rapidly now. Even with our governor’s
than the local show at home. For her, it was all the
mandate, we have people who won’t wear a mask.
same. She came and she showed her pony, and she was
Yeah, there’s some people that are really hot about it. I
champion again. She won the Classic 18 times already at
don’t know. I just feel like it’s an easy thing to do if it’s
other shows. She won every Classic she entered.
going to make a difference; do it so we don’t all have to
That makes me chuckle to think about that. I have
be locked in our houses again.
a picture of her that I’m going to keep forever. Her
Anyway, with the horses... When all this first started,
mother gave it to me. It’s a picture of me and Samantha
nobody really knew what was going to happen, so we kept
at Kentucky. I’m talking to her about the course and I’m
everything on track thinking that showing in Kentucky was
pointing at something in the ring, explaining something to
still a possibility. Then that was looking less and less likely.
her, and Samantha was looking the other way, not paying
We let some of the horses have a little down time and
any attention to anything I was saying. She was watching
we’ve really concentrated on training some of the younger
everyone in the schooling ring behind us. Her mom said I
ones.
was going to look back at it one day and have the greatest
When it was really sketchy, the hospital was not a place
laugh. That picture is always out at my house. She was a
you wanted to go so we didn’t jump for about a month.
little spitfire that took on the world for one year and won it
When that risk became less, we started jumping again and
all and had no idea it was a big deal.
then we held a little horse show every Sunday, but just for our barn. We did a hunter round, a handy hunter round,
What do you think about the COVID situation now?
and then an equitation test, and then a jump round with a jump-off for rideability, not speed. Fortunately, one of our barn managers, Anne Thornbury, is married to a judge,
the people around me here in Wilmington, Ohio, but there
“Skip,” and he was available so he would come every
Photo Sportfot courtesy of WEC
It’s very bizarre. I thought it was getting a little better, but a lot of people... I mean, I only have the knowledge of
Jeff Gogul on Graciano 82
Sunday to judge our little show. It was usually only five
It is a great movie to watch right now; it
or six people including the girls that work for us and my
definitely gives you some perspective. I love my job,
daughter, Reilly, but it was nice for everybody and putting
and it doesn’t matter how much money you have—you
it together gave everyone something to work towards
have to work hard to be good at it. But there’s not too
during the week.
many people in the horse world that don’t know where
And that was held on the Roberts’ farm? Yeah.
their next meal is coming from. Right. One thing that
We just did it at home. We’re really lucky because our
really stood out for me was how lucky and fortunate
indoor is really big, and when the weather’s good, it has
I am that at no point during lockdown was I worried
32 garage doors that all go up. You still have the kick
I was going to lose my house or run out of food. It
boards, but it’s basically like a covered ring. That’s how
just really made it clear how grateful I should be for
the indoor is at my barn. We have garage doors just
everything that I have. I fell in love with my house
like that, but not 32 of them…That must be a rather
during lockdown.
large indoor. Yeah, it’s 100 by 275 or 125 by 275, or
Early on during lockdown, my daughter Reilly and I
something. It’s big. We’re lucky to have that space. We
started making a list of things we are grateful for. Oh,
can gallop around it and we don’t have to set anything
that’s a great idea! Every day, we wrote something
too tight, so we can really use their strides. It really doesn’t
down; it could be completely trivial. How old is Reilly
seem to make any difference for the horses and their way
again? She is going to be 15 next month.
of going because it’s enough space to ride the same as you do outside.
Lockdown was hard for her. She couldn’t see her mom and she couldn’t see her friends. I tried to explain
Our outdoor is huge, too, but it’s just so much cooler
to her that we’re in a very fortunate position. I said, “You
to be under cover. The outdoor has trees near it, but it’s
have to understand. This situation would be completely
hard to teach without ending up in the sun. I had a couple
different if we were not where we are now. We have to
funny looking spots on my lip last year and my dental
be grateful, even though this doesn’t seem like it’s the
hygienist kept saying, “You should get that looked at, you
most fun.” Then, we got into a rhythm and developed
should get that looked at.” So, I went to the doctor and it
new routines. You adapt out of necessity. Yeah, but on
wasn’t anything serious, but they did have to burn them
month three, with no showing and no anything, and the
off. Ouch! And I’ll be honest with you… The whole mask
same thing happening day after day… I’m not going to
thing for COVID lets me cover my face and my neck and I
lie, the Groundhog Day aspect of it started to wear on us.
don’t mind it when I have to be outside in the sun because
It did for everybody.
it protects me from any more sun damage. It’s socially
We’re doing a few horse shows now, and it’s been
acceptable to be all covered up now—COVID silver
pretty good. Even with social distancing, it still seems
lining.
somewhat enjoyable. The way the World Equestrian Center (WEC) is set-up, it’s a little easier to not be on top
Speaking of silver linings, per your recommendation,
of each other.
I watched the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. So, if you want to talk about that, I’m ready!
How else has COVID-19 affected your work?
It’s pretty unbelievable for that to be a true story; it
Everything in life at this moment is hard to plan for, so
was incredible! The main character’s determination and
I feel like you have to just go with the flow and know that
the will to not give up—because the cards were constantly
some things might change and some decisions might not
stacked against him—and he never, ever faltered.
be the best decisions when you look back on them. As a
I kid you not, I literally took notes and wrote
group, we decided we’d wait to find out what indoors
down every time the chips fell against him and I ran
will look like as they get closer and then decide if they are
out of room on my paper. It was ridiculous!
of interest or a possibility for us. Most of our horses are
That movie was really impactful for me. If I ever won the lottery or found another way, I’d open a center for
going to be reinstated for next year, so there is no pressure to compete.
families who are in a tough place to provide all of the
I think there is even some sort of luxury in a sense that
day-to-day necessities so they can focus on getting back
now we have the chance to start our horses over again.
on their feet.
And like I said earlier, for the ones that usually get more
83
Photo 3rd Shutter courtesy of WEC
Photo by Sportfot courtesy of WEC i n t erv i ew
Jeff on Snowbird after winning the WEC Series USHJA National Hunter Derby mileage, we’ve been able to assess those horses and
lining (as that is the theme for me right now)
just let them have mental downtime for a span they
and it’s a choice you made to use this time that
would normally never get. Now we concentrate on
way. That brings me back to something you said
the greener horses. There were a few horses in the
last time we talked, which was how you believe
mix that didn’t do very much showing this winter,
that you get to decide how you want to react
so we were able to concentrate on building the
to negative situations and you get to choose to
partnerships with them. It’s great because there’s
have a positive attitude. It seems like everything
no pressure. It’s sort of nice to know that you’re not
you just said was a string of positive choices in a
under the gun because you’re not worrying about
negative situation.
showing. Over the next month, we’re just going to see
Correct. I say this to Reilly all the time, “You have a choice as to how you react.”
what happens with COVID and the shows starting up again. I keep hearing mixed things about Capital
Second, I think it was a show jumper who said to
Challenge, Harrisburg, Washington, and all those
me, “If you’re going to be in this sport, you have
shows. I’ve heard nothing concrete from anybody,
to be okay with the fact that you’re going to
but it’s been nice to get the cobwebs off here at
lose a lot more than you’re going to win.” I think
WEC these last few weeks. It’s good to have the
that’s true for hunters as well. And to your point
challenge. I’ve always said a horse show is like
about shows being sort of a quiz, I mean, if you
taking a quiz, you practice, and you try to perfect
really boil it down, that’s what every aspect of
your skills, and you are as prepared as you can be.
every horse show is. It’s why in dressage they
And then when it’s over you say, “Okay. Now we
call it a “test.” The entire point is to take your
go back to work. This was great, but this still needs
results, go home, and improve your horse.
polishing.” It’s been nice to have these three weeks
At the end of the day, I’m lucky to make a living
here at WEC, which is all we’re planning on doing,
doing the sport that I find fun and intriguing—you
but it gives us enough information to know how early
can’t lose track of the fun part. Everybody wants to
we want to start up before next season.
win, but you have to enjoy the learning along the way and have the right mental perspective to analyze and
84
You just said a lot, so let me break up my response
know how you’re positively going to change the next
a bit. First, I think that using this situation as an
time around. Don’t dwell. Use it as information. It’s
opportunity for a “do over” for your horses is a
information, not judgment. Right. That’s a good
great way to look at it. And I think that’s a silver
way to put it.
With all of that in mind, what are you thinking and
They have quarter horse shows here at WEC, and I’m
feeling and doing in the 10 minutes before you head
that person that rides around seeing all the rhinestones on
into a class?
the ground. I’m riding around thinking, ‘There is a big ass
Here’s the thing about me... I don’t like to over-school
diamond over there. It’s not real; it’s just a giant gem that
and Patty Rogers, who I work with, I think is very much the
fell off somebody’s western costume.’ I’ve said forever that I
same. We’re very quick in the schooling ring, and we don’t
would be the worst hunter horse. If I come back as a horse,
like to complicate things. But in general, I feel like we arrive
they’re going to have to lunge me to death and keep my ears
prepared and we’re smart enough to know that if we’re
covered.
caught with our pants down, we should wait until next week when we can pull our pants up and secure them with a tighter belt.
How do you feel after a round? That’s a good question. I can answer that a couple
I don’t like to overprepare in the schooling ring and I also
different ways. Sometimes you have a round that you just
don’t like to wait. I can’t stand waiting at the in-gate because
loved, and you ended up with a great result. There are certain
I usually ride from feel. I’ve had great instruction here and
rounds and certain things that I will never forget—rounds
there, but I never had consistent training growing up, not
that just felt amazing, and we won. Other rounds we didn’t
until my last year and a half as a junior. Without eyes on the
win, but I have certain horses I can still remember a jump
ground to offer me feedback, I really learned to ride through
or a line from years ago that just felt so great that I won’t
feel. I also learned by reading magazines like Practical
ever forget it. Those are above average moments. I can still
Horseman and EQUUS from front to back. I would go to the
remember a single oxer with “Just Harry” at the Pennsylvania
big Chagrin Valley Horse Show all day, every day even though
National Horse Show; that was a magical moment.
it was about an hour from my house. I found a way to get
An example from last year that I’ll never forget:
there and got dropped off in the morning and I just watched
“Graciano” and I were almost on top in the Green Hunter
everything in the barn and in the schooling ring, whatever
Incentive Final at Kentucky. He had the second highest score
I could see to try to learn. You created a lot of informal
combined of the two rounds going into the final. There was
training for yourself. Yes.
one jump that a lot of horses were spooking and stopping at.
When I’m in the schooling ring, I’m just trying to get in
It was a wall and it had a lot of glare on it depending on the
the zone and feel like the horse is really staying with me.
angle of the sun. It was a little overcast when I went in the
When I’m gelling with the horse, I just want to quickly get
ring, but as I turned the corner to that jump, which was the
in the ring to take that feeling I’ve created in the schooling
second or third jump, all of a sudden the clouds moved and
ring into the round in the arena. As I’m getting older, I find
the sun shone right down on it.
it a little harder because I’m not a nervous competitor. I
The sun was behind us, “Graciano” saw his shadow
block certain things out. It’s harder because you’re not a
and he stopped. I didn’t get after him, I just pet him, circled
nervous competitor? Say more.
around, and we jumped it fine. The rest of the course was
Yes, I’m not a nervous competitor so sometimes I find
magical. We went from the top to out, and it is what it is, but
it hard to block out distractions. One time, Patty was
I still reflect on that ride in a very positive way because, other
having a conversation with Mr. Roberts outside of the ring
than that one moment, he was as good as he’s ever been. I
and I could completely hear it the whole way down the
still think I would have won that final if that hadn’t happened,
long side. I really ride with a sense of rhythm, and I hear
but things do happen—they have a heartbeat. You can only
the horse’s breathing and their footfalls. So, everything
read their minds to a certain extent. You never know, and you
is very distracting? Yes. If the music is completely wrong
have to be willing to deal with the not knowing. I was happy
for my horse, I’ll be thinking, ‘Oh my God, I was going
because we were that on it and he was that ready.
through the corner and this weird lyric came on and the beat changed.’ You know what I mean? I suck at stuff like
With as many horses as you’re entering, it sounds like
that. As I’m getting older, I find that I really have to put
you have to get off, wipe the brain board clean, get on
myself mentally in a box and see if I can keep myself there.
another one, and go in with a clear head again.
Some of the kids ask, “How do you hear that? I don’t
Yes. I’m not going to lie; Roberts Stables affords me the
hear anything when I’m going around.” But I am relaxed
opportunity to compete a lot of horses. If one is not having
enough and not nervous about going in there. I hear and
the greatest day at a show, there is usually another one that
notice everything around the ring.
is really on their game. They are great owners; they get it.
85
h u n t er
They’ve been doing this a long time. Nobody that I ride
the Roberts started looking to the future and preparing
for lives or dies by the results. I’m always going to do
for Sofia’s transition to horses. Around the same time,
the best I can in that moment, and therefore I’m usually
Roberts arena began its expansion to what is now the
content with the result.
World Equestrian Center.
I’ve been in both places where I’ve had a ton to
Back then, I started showing at WEC a lot. I was
ride or I’ve been the guy with only the one horse. I just
riding for Scott Taylor from Cincinnati. He’s no longer
really need to be in the zone to get on and keep going.
here, he went back to California, but he had several
I’m always aware of this when I’m coaching, too. Your
horses for me to show. I didn’t have a ton of horses
amateur customer that only has one horse, their entire
in my own business that I showed professionally. That
week is built up to just four jumping rounds—eight
was good because it kept me busy during the week and
minutes in the ring, total. I need to be there for them,
available for my clients on the weekends.
too.
When I was not in Wellington and shows started
I try to coach them to just relax and do what they
to grow here at WEC, so did the number of horses in
know how to do rather than get wrapped up in how
Patty’s stable. I started showing her horses and the one
important these next two minutes might be. You have
young horse the Roberts owned at the time. Then the
to stay relaxed and remember you practiced this a
Roberts got another one, and another one, and then it
million times. That’s when most people, if they could
evolved to where meeting them at shows was starting
take a step back and look at themselves and what
to not quite be enough. They needed somebody that
they’re doing, they would realize it’s not their first time.
could ride, school, and train their horses consistently.
They’ve done a million hunter courses. As long as you
Conversations started to happen, and it was just a
are rehearsed and it’s in your toolbox, all you have to do
timing thing. Now it’s been four years and we have
is be proactive and pull the right tool out at the right
almost 60 horses.
time to answer those questions.
All of this—Maybe the reason we never settled down in a barn in Cleveland was so we could end up
How did you end up working with the Roberts?
with the Roberts. I mean, somebody in the universe has
How did you guys get connected?
a plan for me, I hope. More silver linings.
As Lauren Bass aged out in ’98, I started my business Flagship. We had an opportunity to move to a different facility, Andrews Academy, which was a private school in Northern Ohio where I became their A-Level trainer. Flagship produced consistent results, but we were never brave enough or in the right place at the right time to own our own facility in Cleveland. We moved around to four or five different places over the years. We rented Maypine from the Bass’s for the last five years, but again, we never found ourselves in a financial position where purchasing that facility could be a reality. It just was never meant to be for us. I knew [trainers] Patty and Richard [Rogers] for a long time. Patty was training Sofia [Roberts], who was still mostly riding ponies at the time. Eventually Patty and
Roberts Stables
86
Photo courtesy of Jeff Gogul
Jeff Gogul at
Phyllis Mills Wyeth: A Celebration
Jamie Wyeth (American, b. 1946), Connemara (detail), 1987, oil on canvas, 37 x 73 inches, on loan from The Phyllis and Jamie Wyeth Collection
February 8, 2020 - January 3, 2021 Visit NationalSporting.org and reserve a timed ticket to experience this incredibly moving exhibition. Also available online as a virtual tour.
87
Photo Charlene Strickland
Keri Potter on Jiminy Cricket 88 88
s h owjump i n g
Desert Circuit 2020:
Keri Potter Tops FEI Tour By Charlene Strickland
Two horses, two days, and two big wins put Californian Keri Potter as the foremost jumper rider on the Week VI leaderboard of the 2020 Desert Circuit held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. Besting riders from seven other nations, she
the Classic set at 1.5 meters Keri said, “It was a fair,
rode two Westphalians to top honors: Hannah Loly’s
friendly course. We go for it in the jumpoff. Her stride
11-year-old mare Ariell la Sirene (Arioso du Theillet
is not the biggest, and that helps me get her to keep
x Silvio I 1), AKA “Ella,” who won the Diamond
going forward. She’s so fast, putting on the gas.”
Tour $40,000 Classic Speed Stake on February 28th,
They finished the jumpoff just 0.05 seconds faster
and Melanie Brooks’ nine-year-old gelding Jiminy
than Nicholas Dello Joio.
Cricket (Colestus x Cornet Obolensky), who won the
“I love that over this last year we have built such
Diamond Tour $150,000 Grand Prix on March 1st.
an amazing relationship that I know what she’s
Weeks V and VI featured FEI competitions grouped
thinking, and she knows what I’m thinking,” said
into three tours: Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby. Keri’s
Keri. “When I first got her, she was not trusting at
two horses were in the Diamond Tour, the highest
all. She would spin a lot and be very defensive. All of
level of the three tours.
that has disappeared. Now she’s 100% and we are a
Keri was saying she’d been second too many
team. That feels really good, to know that your horse
times with these two jumpers. “I was second on
is really behind you and that she trusts you so much.”
[Ariell] in the $200,000 Grand Prix a couple of weeks
She’s also developed a partnership with Jiminy
ago” in Week IV. After her win on February 28th,
Cricket, who had a single time fault in the Classic
Keri said, “I’ve been second four times!” She was
before winning the Grand Prix two days later. They’ve
including the November Longines FEI Jumping World
been a team for over five years, she explained. “I broke
Cup qualifier at Thermal, where the mare, “Ella,”
him as a three-year-old. I’m the only one who’s ever
was second. Jiminy Cricket earned two seconds in
ridden him.” Keri describes Jiminy Cricket as a “very
Grands Prix Weeks I and II. Then he triumphed March
special” horse. “I have to say, it’s probably like riding
1st against 43 other competitors. “Today I had a
a lightning bolt. He’s so oversensitive to everything—
little fire under my pants because I didn’t want to be
it’s like riding something that’s electrified. I’ve learned
second anymore.”
to sit very quiet and not do a lot.”
Keri calls Ella “awesome and consistent. We get
She continued, “He is sensitive and very shy of
along well. She is 100% behind me.” Talking about
people. He only lets me and my groom catch him in 89
p h o t o s prea d s h owjump i n g
All photos by Carina Roselli Photo Charlene Strickland
Keri Potter on Jiminity Cricket (1st place, $150,000 Grand Prix)
Keri Potter on Ariell la Sirene (1st place, $40,000 Classic)
the paddock. He only trusts certain people. You have
course.’ I got spun off once on course.” But not in
to go really slow with him. It’s been challenging.”
this Grand Prix—she said, “He just shined today.”
As an example, Keri was spun off three times in
American riders finished in the top four in both
the schooling area last year because Jiminy Cricket
the final Diamond Tour classes. In the $40,000
doesn’t like other horses invading his personal space.
Classic Speed Stake, Keri Potter won the extremely
She explained, “I couldn’t jump the fences in the
close jump-off with 33.45 seconds, Nicholas Dello
middle. I had to jump the outside fences.”
Joio came in second with 33.50, and Karl Cook third
But things have improved. “He’s grown up a lot
with 33.74. In the $150,000 Grand Prix, Keri Potter
this year, but it’s been a very special, slow process.”
won with 39.13 seconds, Erin Davis-Heineking was
Mostly, she’s learned not to overreact. “Just ignore
second with 39.61, and Hannah Loly placed fourth
the weird things they do and eventually, they will
with 38.56 seconds and four faults.
ignore them too. You don’t want to address the
Hannah owns Ella (Ariell la Sirene) and rode
problem head-on, you want to approach it from the
another mare, Ayma de la Demi Lune in the big
side. Don’t make it a big deal or they will become
Grand Prix. “Hannah is my student, and she was
more afraid of it. If they’re afraid of something at
the highlight of my day today,” said Keri. “She
the end of the ring, don’t go there right away. Work
really held it together. She thought about what we’d
your way to it . . . As you work, you can get a little
talked about this week, and she put everything into
closer. They’re animals and they do [what they do]
place today. I was so, so proud of her.” Hannah, then
for a reason.” Keri understands her horse, “He’s
17 now 18-years-old, competed four jumpers in the
really scared. You can feel he’s scared, so why make
Desert Circuit Junior, Under 25, and Open classes.
him more scared?”
This year, big prize money was spread over the
She went on, “When I’m going fast, he’s very
eight-week Desert Circuit, instead of the previous $1
good about going forward. But when I’m walking
Million Grand Prix that ended the circuit last year. Keri
into the ring, he’ll spook seeing the water.”(A water
was first on the list of riders qualified for the Week
jump was in the arena, but not used in Round 1 or
VIII $250,000 Invitational Grand Prix, although the
the jump-off.) “Once I get to pick up the canter,
circuit ended Week VII due to COVID-19. Through
there’s a good chance he won’t spook at the jumps,”
the weeks of shows, her closest competitors were
she explained. “It’s more the outside stuff. I tell the
two Canadians, Lisa Carlsen and Ali Ramsay.
guys in the ring, ‘Please don’t move when I’m on 90 90
Photo Charlene Strickland
#deserthorsepark, #ridethermal
Photo Charlene Strickland
Erin Davis-Heineking on Leonie (2nd place $150,000 Grand Prix) 91
s h owjump i n g Photo Charlene Strickland
Nicholas Dello Joio on Columbcille de Reve (2nd place $40,000 Classic)
92
s h owjump i n g Photo courtesy of USEF
Karl Cook on Fecybelle (3rd place, $40,000 Classic)
94
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s h owjump i n g Photo Charlene Strickland
Hannah Loly on Ayma de la Demi Lune (4th place $150,000 Grand Prix)
96
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equine nutrition
Photo: Adobe Stock
Feeding Horses 101: What’s best, and how much of it? By Dr. Ashley Wagner & Dr. Nettie Liburt, Ph.D. A common question most horse owners ask is, “How much should my horse eat, and what are the best things to feed?”
Horses are herbivores that evolved eating many
and the higher end for horses in moderate to heavy
small meals of forage all day long, with a good
work. Say, for example, you have a horse that weighs
bit of movement in between. Even though today’s
1,000 pounds. To estimate how much the horse should
domesticated horses have their dietary needs provided
eat daily, the calculation is simple:
for them, their physiology still dictates the need for
•
1000 x 1.5% = 15lbs food/day
a forage-based diet that ensures there is always
•
1000 x 2.0% = 20lbs food/day
something to graze on. Most modern horses aren’t
•
1000 x 2.5% = 25lbs food/day
roaming the range, and turnout situations vary. Thus,
Remember to feed the horse based on the weight
it’s important to understand what each individual
you want him to be. Horses with trouble maintaining
horse’s needs are and go from there.
weight may need to be closer to 2.5% of their bodyweight in food per day, whereas easy keepers
How much to feed?
100
(and usually most ponies) will probably fare well
The average horse consumes about 1.5-2.5% of
with 1.5-2% of their bodyweight in food per day. In
its bodyweight in food (consisting of forage plus any
either case, most, if not all, of the diet should come
additional concentrates or supplements) per day, with
from forage. Forage may consist of pasture or hay
the lower end of the scale for horses at maintenance
and may even include digestible fiber sources such as
hay cubes, chopped hay or beet pulp. For hard
an extruded feed typically weighs less than that
keepers and horses in work, forage alone may
same one quart of textured feed. For this reason,
not provide enough calories to maintain weight,
it is critical to feed by weight of the product, NOT
which is when grain concentrates come in handy,
by volume. For example—think of a coffee can—
discussed below.
if you fill that coffee can with feathers, it will not
When it comes to calories, an individual
weigh the same as if you fill it with rocks.
horse’s needs vary widely. Think again about the
Feeding directions on a bag of concentrate are
1,000-pound horse in light work, ridden 3-4 times
crafted based on the concentration of nutrients
per week for a total of about 3 hours. This horse
and calories of each product, so you can rest
likely needs approximately 20,000 kilocalories
assured that the manufacturer has done the
(what we think of as calories) per day! Compare
hard work for you. Qualified equine nutritionists,
that to a 440-pound pony in light work who needs
employed by reputable feed companies, can help
closer to 8000 kilocalories (National Research
guide you through feeding recommendations
Council, 2007*). Most horse owners don’t count
based on your horse’s needs at no charge, so ask
calories in equine diets, and for the most part
questions if you have them.
don’t have to, if good quality forage (hay and/or grass) and concentrate feed (when necessary) is fed properly.
Forage First, Then Concentrates (If Necessary) Always begin with forage when evaluating a horse’s diet or designing a diet for a new horse
Weigh the Feed!
whose diet history you may be unfamiliar with. If possible, try to get some of the hay the horse has been eating before transitioning to new hay.
the feed so you know exactly how much you are
Remember, all hay is not the same, even if you
feeding. We can’t emphasize this point enough,
buy from the same supplier all the time. Just
so we’ll say it again—weigh your horse’s feed!
like when changing concentrates, bringing new
Pelletized, textured, and extruded feeds all have
hay into the diet should also be done gradually
different densities. For example, one quart of
(yes, even when you order your next load of hay
Photo AdobeStock/Edoma
Not only should you feed a horse based on his ideal bodyweight, but it is essential to weigh
101
equine nutrition
Photo AdobeStock/Rokfeler
lot about what you should or should not be adding to your horse’s diet. dr. ashley Wagner & DR. NETTIE LIBURT
“
“
Consider testing your hay as it’s an easy and low-cost way to learn a
or travel to a horse show). This may seem like an
when conditions for growing and harvesting hay
odd suggestion to those who always order hay
are less than ideal or when pasture quality is
from the same supplier, but due to environmental
insufficient to meet a horse’s needs. Horses that
variability, grass or legume type, cutting of the hay,
can’t maintain weight on hay alone often need a
and storage, each load of hay is likely to have a
grain concentrate to help supply enough calories.
different nutrient profile. Consider testing your hay
Guidelines on how much concentrate to feed are
as it’s an easy and low-cost way to learn a lot about
provided by the manufacturer, based on the horse’s
what you should or should not be adding to your
ideal bodyweight (you should have a goal in mind—
horse’s diet. A local extension agent can help you
lose, gain, or maintain).
with this.
An easy way to add calories to the diet is to look for concentrates with moderate to high fat
Nutrient Balance If the horse maintains weight easily, use the
in the range of 10-14% will have more calories per
previously discussed bodyweight guide to weigh
pound than one that contains 3-6% crude fat. Fat
out an appropriate amount of hay and provide
supplements can also be useful for this purpose.
a ration balancer. Ration balancers will ensure
Lower fat feeds often suit the needs of horses who
nutrient needs are met, regardless of what may
are easier keepers or who are at maintenance.
be missing in the hay, without providing extra
Pasture Variability
calories. Ration balancers are particularly important
102
concentration. A concentrate with crude fat that is
For most of this article, we have only hinted at
equine nutrition
the pasture component due to the variability of
turnout and little-to-no grass. In an ideal world,
it. The amount of forage that can be consumed
horses are continuously grazing, but this is not
while grazing and its impact on the total diet
an option for some easy keepers due to caloric
vary due to management practices, season,
intake from the pasture, or for horses who simply
geographic location, horse’s age and breed, and
don’t have available good-quality pastures.
the list goes on. Because the total diet is based
Seasonality of pasture availability is something
around forage, this is a huge factor that needs to
that must be considered when balancing a diet.
be assessed on an individual horse and farm basis.
Not only does the availability change, but as
For example, a horse with 24-hour pasture access
mentioned in greater depth in EQuine AMerica’s
spends 10-17 hours per day grazing, but some
fall 2019 issue, the grass structure changes in
horses require more than 17 hours of grazing
the spring and fall in many areas of the country,
to meet their nutritional needs. Since we can’t
supplying more sugar and starch. This must be
force a horse to increase grazing time, the diet
accounted for, especially for the easy keepers and
must be supplemented with additional forage
horses with metabolic concerns (Equine Metabolic
and concentrate. For an average 1000lb horse
Syndrome, a.k.a. EMS and/or Equine Cushings
with 24-hour pasture access, daily pasture intake
Syndrome, a.k.a. PPID).
could account for 20lbs of forage, but less than 8
On the other hand, the hard keepers need
hours of turnout may not be enough grazing time
more attention in the winter. Why is that? In a
to consume a horse’s necessary daily intake.
lot of cases, horses aren’t in heavy training in the winter months (with the exception perhaps of
Photo AdobeStock/Sergey Lavrentev
Impact of the Season
horses in warmer climates) so you would anticipate
Now let us complicate this further… It is
their caloric needs going down. But, extra forage
spring on the East Coast and grass is growing.
intake is essential for horses to generate enough
What time of day were the horses grazing? It has
heat to maintain both body temperature and
been demonstrated that sugar and starch content
condition during the cold winter months when
in grasses increase throughout the day, so the
temperatures dip below freezing and wind chills
caloric intake is higher. Compare that to many
make it feel even colder. Under those conditions,
areas in California where there is often limited
a horse’s energy needs may increase by 25%
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equine nutrition
Photo credit AdobeStock/michelangeloop
“
“
In a barn full of horses, no two are exactly alike. This is true for personality, stressors, athletic ability, and of course dietary needs. .. dr. ashley Wagner & DR. NETTIE LIBURT
where additional forage will be fermented in the
plenty of fresh, clean water and a salt block. The
hindgut, creating heat and helping the horse stay
more forage a horse consumes, the more water he
warm. The extra hay should provide sufficient
needs to help digest it, so don’t forget to top off
calories such that the horse doesn’t have to deplete
those buckets.
existing body stores of energy to maintain body temperature.
*National Research Council. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Edition. National
Summary
Academies Press, Washington, DC.
In a barn full of horses, no two are exactly alike. This is true for personality, stressors, athletic
104
Dr. Nettie Liburt is the Senior Equine Nutrition
ability, and of course dietary needs. Remember
Manager
for
MARS
that forage should be the foundation of every
Nutrition,
horse’s diet, and a ration balancer will provide
developing new products, research and education
essential nutrients that may be missing from the
of the sales team, our dealers and our customers.
responsible
Horsecare for
US/BUCKEYE™
formulating
and
forage source. Grain concentrates can be added as
Dr. Ashley Wagner is the Founder and Equine
necessary based on each individual horse’s needs.
Nutritionist for Equinutrix Nutrition, responsible
Remember that pasture counts, and not all grasses
for veterinary consulting, product formulation,
are created equal. Of course, always provide
research and development.
105
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EQUINUTRIX NUTRITION SOLUTIONS Dedicated to creating products with scientific evidence of efficacy to promote overall health and well-being of horses from the inside out.
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Meet Joanna Frantz, PT, MSPT, DPT
High-Performance Human Sports Science & Medicine Practitioner at US Equestrian Interview by Lisa Hellmer, USEF Para Silver Coach
Dr. Joanna Frantz is currently a contracted Physical Therapist for the US Para-Equestrian Dressage Team. She
What were you first, an equestrian or a physical therapist?
is part of a small group of equestrian physical therapists
Equestrian first, physical therapist second. I started riding
who have earned an advanced level certification as a USEF
at a small local pony barn in Greenwich, Connecticut at about
Human Sports Science & Medicine (HSSM) Practitioner.
6 years old. It was a barn that was strong in Pony Club and
She performs rider assessments and develops therapy
service to the community. I really grew with the barn and
programs specifically designed to help the rider correct
learned all about proper horse and pony care from start to
common faulty movement patterns, prevent injury,
finish. We also volunteered with the local Pegasus Therapeutic
and understand how their bodies affect their horse’s
Riding program. I knew I wanted to be in the medical and
performance. Joanna also founded and owns Refine
sports field, but It wasn’t until college that I learned more
Your Ride, an equestrian performance enhancement
about Physical Therapy specifically.
assessment, therapy, and coaching firm; and Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers of Jacksonville, an outpatient
What is your favorite part about combining your passion
physical therapy clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
for equestrian sport and physical therapy? Since I work and understand from the perspective of a rider
Give us a brief introduction - where are you from,
and a physical therapist, the best part is the “aha” moment the
where is your practice, etc.
riders get when it all comes together for them. The realization
I’m Joanna Frantz and I’m originally from Old
that we are as much a part of this horse AND rider team as
Greenwich, Connecticut. I earned both my master’s and
the horse is. Without our support and balance, how could we
doctorate degrees in physical therapy from Washington
expect the horse to be balanced?
University in St Louis, School of Medicine. I moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in 2004 and I started my
108
How did your program come together?
private physical therapy practice in Jacksonville, Florida
The USEF HSSM Program started several years ago following
in 2008. In my free time, I ride and show locally in
the success that other countries were seeing with similar
Jacksonville, FL.
programs in other sports. In these sports, however, the athlete
P A R A D R E SS A G E
A rider performing physical therapy-note the special jacket
has a full team to support them. In the equestrian sport,
June 2019, and it has been a great fit. I’ve been working
the horse has a full team, and the horse and rider might
with the team as they prepare for the Japan Olympics,
have their coach, but very few riders have someone solely
now 2021. I also continue to work locally and throughout
responsible for their strength, balance, and overall physical
Florida and the southeast US with both able-bodied and
improvement. And above that, it’s important the therapist
para riders.
also be an equestrian, because as we all know, our horses and ponies are special and we don’t like just anyone around
What are some of the most common things you have
them!
to work on with riders during a therapy session? Both for able and disabled bodies?
Tell me about your involvement with USEF and USA Para Dressage?
Hips, Hips, Hips!!! As we know, this 1000lb animal can feel the slightest touch. As riders, we are very good
It was really amazing how it all started! About 4
at compensating to look our best in competition. I put
years ago, a friend of mine saw a course on Facebook
riders through different movements, looking at them from
for the USEF Human Sports Science Medicine Practitioner
different angles in different directions and filter out the
Certification. It’s a lot of words, but I was interested! Now,
imbalances. Most riders show an imbalance in their hips,
there are only a few of us in the US certified through the
which can lead to issues anywhere from the neck to the
USEF to perform physical therapy on riders for improved
ankles. Usually, I see compensations with a trunk lean, a
rider performance. This program is headed up by Andy
shoulder drop, or the foot turns out. This then materializes
Thomas, the long-time physiotherapist for the US and
in the horse as a hind leg not swinging through, a poor
British Olympic Equestrian Teams. I met with him several
bend in one direction, or for the jumpers, a run-out to one
times over the years and started working on the program
side. Honestly, there is little difference in my treatment for
with my local riders. Then, just last year, the US Para
able-bodied and disabled riders. I start by balancing and
Dressage Olympic team wanted to add a physiotherapist to
activating the hips. Its all about creating as much symmetry
their team and Andy recommended me. I started working
for the rider as possible so they can perform balanced cues
with the team at Tryon International Equestrian Center in
on the horse. 109
A rider receiving manual physical therapy
aims to identify your riding weaknesses and imbalances. Why should we do this? Consider your performance, do you...
click to watch
•
Collapse on one side?
•
Feel better on one rein compared to the other?
•
Fix with one arm?
•
Prefer to turn to one side?
•
Have too much weight on one part of the saddle?
•
Always run out to the same side?
•
Fall behind the movement?
•
Have back, hip, or other joint pain?
What came first? The asymmetry of the horse or the rider?
If any of these examples apply to you, then a personal
Ah, the age-old chicken or the egg question… What I can
plan will help you correct your rider muscle imbalances.
tell you is that most riders (up to 90% who have no prior injuries)
Refine Your Ride provides personalized manual therapy and
show more weakness on their right side than their left side, despite
exercise training with hands-on manual treatment by Joanna
dominant handedness, and as riders become more balanced, the
(if on-site) followed by an individualized exercise program that
horses respond better and faster to a more subtle cue.
progresses according to the rider’s needs (on-site or online).
What is one piece of advice for all of us riders out there
About USEF’s Human Sports Science & Medicine Program:
struggling with asymmetry, range of motion, stiffness,
With the goal of furthering U.S. athletes’ competitive
and the rest of the fun stuff that comes with years of
performance, it is US Equestrian’s vision to connect all human
wrangling 1000lb animals?
healthcare professionals together in a way that benefits U.S.
Don’t give up! Open your mind to trying something new.
athletes and their ability to compete to the best of their physical
The main thing I tell my riders is don’t forget that you are
ability. Linking physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, sports
the athlete too, not just the horse, so you must practice for
psychologists, physical trainers, and other practitioners who
yourself too.
play a role in the health and performance of U.S. athletes is beneficial to encouraging their advancement in the sport. U.S.
About Refine Your Ride Refine Your Ride offers assessments—centered on you—and 110
Equestrian has developed a network of therapists, which will be a resource to both U.S. athletes and therapists.
111
Bruce Davidson Jr. on Carlevo
c ro s s c ou n t ry All photos by Steven Long SL EQ Sport Photography
This article was adapted with permission from a previous article written by USEA/Samantha Clark
Bruce Davidson Jr. on Carlevo
photospread
$50,000 Mars Eventing Showcase The $50,000 Mars Eventing Showcase took place
down in the showjumping phase. Impressively, she had
February 8 – 9, 2020 in Wellington, Florida. A substantial
a big enough cushion that their 4 faults weren’t enough
and enthusiastic crowd assembled at the Palm Beach
to topple them from the top. Both capitalizing on their
International Equestrian Center to enjoy the action on
clear rounds, Buck Davidson and Carlevo finished second
this perfectly sunny weekend. Commentator John Kyle
and Phillip Dutton and Z followed up third.
kept everyone engaged until the very last second of the
Little credited her longstanding partnership with
nail-biting cross-country phase—there were plenty of
“Kitty” as one of the keys to their success, “I have had
thrills around Capt. Mark Phillips’s course.
a relationship with her for a very long time, so we trade
Dressage leader, Marilyn Little, finished first aboard longtime partner RF Scandalous despite having put a rail
on that quite heavily, and we’ve obviously got a great support team around us, which helps a lot.“
113
Marilyn Little on RF Scandalous
c ro s s c ou n t ry
Marilyn Little on RF Scandalous
Phillip Dutton on Z 115
Phillip Dutton on Z
By the time Little went as the final cross-country rider,
competition, but I think that for most of the horses here
there had been 10 clear rounds inside the time, two falls, one
that have the experience, they understood the job. Mark
retirement, and a technical elimination. Little and “Kitty” used
[Phillips] is certainly a genius at putting these things on;
up a few of their nine lives, surviving a few hairy moments at
he has a way of making you think it’s not going to work,
the second Buckeye Nutrition skinny brush and the Horseboxes
but it works! Full credit to him and to everybody here that
USA corner. Even after having to take the time to regain her
put on a great show—the footing was perfect, and it was
seat and her composure, Little and “Kitty” still came home
a fun week.”
with the slimmest of margins to keep the lead, winning
The grooms of the top three horses, Ellie Hill, Kathleen
from wire-to-wire by just 0.4 penalties—so slim in fact that
Murray, and Emma Ford were all honored and awarded
timing confusion announced Davidson as the winner, but he
cash prizes during the prize-giving ceremony, courtesy of
graciously conceded once the mistake was discovered.
Caroline Moran for Goshen Hill. All the riders were virtually
Davidson later said, “It’s certainly a unique event, it feels a bit more like a cross-country school than it does a big
unanimous in their praise for the venue, the format, the organization, and of course the sponsors.
a better world for horses, pets and people.
www.marsequestrian.com
our worl d By Erika Sherman, Intern, EQUUS Foundation
The horse-human bond.
America’s Horses:
Unsung Heroes The human-equine relationship is one that is threaded throughout the fabric of our history. Humanity has been able to spread far and wide, conquering the wilderness, rough terrain, and other civilizations on the backs of horses.
One can perhaps argue that the domestication of
main ingredient in canned dog food? How is it that
the wild horse was one of the single most important
an estimated eight million equines (horses, mules,
events in the development of civilization because
and donkeys) died during WWI and only an estimated
horses have greatly shaped and influenced the
200 returned home to the US? The carnage of horses
trajectory of humans. Despite the horse being an
at the hands of humans throughout history is well
influential catalyst that aided in the success of our
documented and should be acknowledged.
ancestors, however, the history of the human-equine
Sadly, horses are still faced with the same
relationship has been both beautiful and tragic, and
challenges, continuing to put their future welfare
history has not always been kind.
in jeopardy. Over 65,000 horses were transported
Harnessing
118
their
utility
and
power
and
across our borders for slaughter in 2019. The
subsequently categorizing horses as a commodity
majority were young, healthy, and had untapped
led to their mistreatment and commonplace cruel
potential. Tens of thousands more are abused and
practices. How is it that the horse, with all of its
neglected and in need of rescue, rehabilitation, and
contributions and gentle nature, ended up being the
re-homing each year.
World War I
Because horses are viewed as a commodity,
of horses heading to the slaughter pipeline will
they have been collateral damage in the pursuit
increase,� said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation
of economic growth instead of being honored
President.
as sentient beings with their own unique
The EQUUS Foundation is committed to
needs and desires, capable of forming deep,
investing in the most impactful equine charities
meaningful, and healing relationships with
across the United States, which include programs
humans.
that not only increase adoptions of at-risk horses
As the only national animal welfare charity
and provide a safe-haven for aged ones, but also
focused 100% on the welfare of America’s
increase opportunities for all people to engage
horses and honoring the horse-human bond,
and partner with horses in new and innovative
the EQUUS Foundation has been presented with
ways.
a special challenge in helping keep horses safe
At the heart of its mission is the EQUUS
during these unprecedented times. “With so
Foundation
many people facing hardships, we fear that many
requires charities to undergo a rigorous annual
more of our four-legged equine friends may be
vetting process to demonstrate that they are
subjected to abuse and neglect, and the number
committed to the highest standards of horse
Guardians
program,
which
119
our worl d
Photo courtesy of EQUUS Foundation Guardian Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding Center
care and are transparent and accountable by
attitude towards horses, which shifts our focus from
making their horse care practices and operations
the horse as a commodity to the horse as a hero
available
EQUUS
and healer. We need to invest in finding homes for
Foundation Guardian charities are eligible to receive
America’s horses where they can flourish as athletes,
financial support from the EQUUS Foundation.
companions, teachers, and especially healers. By
“There is no better way to give with confidence
alleviating the suffering of horses, we are actively
than to give to the EQUUS Foundation to benefit
creating a kinder world because like us, they are
our Guardian charities. At-risk horses across the
also deserving of optimal health and a peaceful,
country need our help today more than ever. We
rewarding existence.
to
public
examination.
Only
are so thankful to horse lovers and the equestrian
120
community for their compassion and generosity in
Erika Sherman is a pre-veterinary student and an
helping us with our mission to protect the horses
intern with the EQUUS Foundation. She is a graduate
we love,” said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP
from New York University and is in the process of
of Engagement.
completing her post-baccalaureate at Farmingdale
For horses to remain an important part of
State College. She has a special interest in animal
American life and have a viable future, we need to
welfare and conservation medicine. Erika plans to
embrace a fundamentally different paradigm in our
attend veterinary school in the fall of 2021.
Where they go next is up to us All horses, even champions of the racetrack and the show ring, may only be one unlucky sale away from abuse, neglect and slaughter. Tens of thousands of horses become at-risk each year. Over 65,000 horses were shipped across our borders to be slaughtered last year. Most were young, healthy and had untapped potential. For horses to remain an important part of American life and have a viable future, we need to ensure that donor dollars are being spent on programs with the greatest impact – programs that not only increase adoptions of at-risk horses and provide a safe haven for aged horses, but also increase opportunities for all people to engage and partner with horses in new innovative ways. At the heart of the EQUUS Foundation’s mission is our Guardians program. EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities undergo a rigorous vetting process annually to demonstrate that they are committed to the highest standards for horse care and are transparent and accountable to the public. Only EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities are eligible to receive financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. There’s no better way to give with confidence than to give to the EQUUS Foundation -- and there’s no better time to give than RIGHT NOW! Contact Us
203-259-1550 | mail@equusfoundation.org Learn More
www.equusfoundation.org
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Yoga session at Serenity Show Stable
Yoga at Serenity Show Stable
Really Delivers on the Serenity Yoga has long been known to help ease the mind from external stressors, relieve anxiety and depression, increase strength and flexibility, and so much more. This incredible practice has now been added to Serenity Show Stable’s list of barn amenities.
124
Located in JT Farms in South Salem, New York,
Even better, yoga offers many physical benefits perfect
Serenity Show Stable has partnered with EquestriOM to
for riders. It emphasizes focal conditioning, which improves
offer clients, staff members, students, and their families
core strength, symmetry in the sides of the torso, builds
the opportunity to enhance their physical and mental
a long straight spine, and increases stability, flexibility,
health through yoga during (and hopefully after) the
balance, and control. These are all essential tools for
COVID-19 pandemic.
effective riding.
According to the CDC, home isolation due to the
COVID-19 motivated Serenity Show Stable’s owner,
coronavirus can create mixed emotions such as sadness,
Ruth Nicodemus, to find something that brought safe
anger, or frustration due to fear of getting the virus
socialization back into her clients’ lives and yoga seemed
or passing it on to a loved one. The sudden change
like the perfect answer. “We couldn’t go to horse shows,
to our “new normal” lifestyle can be hard to get used
so I thought to myself, ‘What can we do? What activity
to at first and can create feelings of distress. The CDC
would allow everyone to safely engage socially yet still
recommends people find ways to relax such as deep
be compliant with the guidelines set in place to stop the
breathing, stretching, meditating, or picking-up an
spread of the virus?’ Yoga is a great way for us to be
activity that helps you take care of your physical and
around each other,” (without being too around each other)
mental health. Sounds like yoga to me.
and Serenity Show Stable offers an outdoor farm setting
e d i t or i al
that’s peaceful and relaxing, with open fields perfect
because they’re on social media and constantly
for yoga sessions.
consuming information. It’s resulting in feelings of
To do it right, Ruth called in the help of
numbness for them,” explains Jess. “These yoga
EquestriOM, an equestrian-focused yoga studio that
classes give them the opportunity to be outside and
aims to elevate riding skills through yoga, breathing
have helped them understand that we can navigate
techniques,
through this together.”
and
mindfulness-based
meditation.
Together, they have been able to provide a truly life-
Jess, who rides several horses a day, often gets
changing experience for Ruth’s students, their family
tight muscles because of the strain on her body. She
members, and her staff.
looks forward to yoga sessions at the barn. After she’s
Due to social distancing guidelines, Ruth ensures
finished teaching for the day, Jess runs to change into
that all participants stay six feet away from one
her yoga clothes and is ready to unwind. “We are
another and that masks are on unless you’re on a
social distancing as much as we can. I wear my mask
horse or a yoga mat. Additionally, everyone brings his
and I carry hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray.”
or her own mat. Should someone forget or not have
She admits that, after a long day of hard work under
access to a yoga mat, the Serenity Show Stable team
stressful conditions, it would be difficult for her to
will provide one that is properly sanitized before and
carry on with her “new normal” daily routine without
after use. Classes typically range from five to twelve
yoga. “I’m doing what I can, and that includes yoga.
students and last about 45 minutes to an hour three
I feel much better now.”
to four times per week. Ruth encourages her team to
Ruth shares that her students are enjoying the
join in hoping that they will feel more relaxed at work
yoga classes, too. “A [rider’s] mom told me this is what
when tension might be high due to what’s going on
she looks forward to and it’s the highlight of her week.
in the world, and she makes a point to cover their
It’s a great feeling knowing that Serenity Show Stable
costs to participate.
can help make a difference in someone’s mood!”
Jess Collins, Serenity Show Stable’s assistant
Yoga has allowed equestrians to come together,
trainer and professional rider, enjoys the safe space
but it has also allowed for family members who once
that yoga has brought to everyone at the barn.
stood at the sidelines to join their rider on the mat
“COVID-19 has really impacted teenagers, especially
next to them. This activity is something that all family
Yoga session at Serenity Show Stable
125
the staff and I often joke that we are a little too mellowed out.” Once the class ends, participants usually lay for a little longer on their mats and just enjoy the peaceful moment in a time of chaos. “This year is so different from others. I wanted to do something helpful and positive for people,” says Ruth. And it couldn’t be more so for riders, both mentally and physically. “Because of these classes, I can see a
Ruth Nicodemus with one of her students, Ryan Seth
change in myself. I am more aware of my posture, alignment, and breathing.” So, there’s really no reason to stop post-pandemic. Ruth feels strongly
members can participate in and, ultimately, they walk
that, even after COVID-19 ends, yoga will continue
away with the added benefit of more tranquility and
to be a part of her barn’s program. If you’re interested in starting your own yoga
comradery. “I feel like everyone has a chance to relax and
practice, EQuine AMerica Magazine has teamed up
kind of center themselves, and that is the whole
with Angela Nuñez, owner of Solaris Horsemanship
point behind it,” says Jess. “We find a nice spot in
and Yoga in Flint Hill, Virginia, to bring you some free
the shade; it often overlooks the farm and we can
yoga guidance and inspiration on our website. Check
hear the horses. It’s such a peaceful setting that
it out on our Rider Wellness page at www.eq-am.com.
Jess Collins
126
127
ep i logue
Thank you! COVID-19 has had a significant effect on the
By teaming up with several friends from the
American equine industry. Show cancellations
American equine industry, we are sending this
brought our community to a screeching halt.
magazine out to more than 108,000 people. Don’t
While it’s wonderful that shows are beginning to
worry, these companies didn’t share your email
recommence, vendors and spectators still aren’t
address. Instead, we shared the magazine with
able to attend, and we don’t know when that will
these companies so they could send it directly to
change. Many vendors depend on the show seen to
you. We hope you were happy to see us in your
market their wares, so this has hindered their ability
inbox!
to reach customers like you. My goal for this special
Thank you to all of the companies who
digital edition was to put vendor ads in front of as
teamed up with us to make this outreach
many readers as possible, to remind you that these
possible. Remember, we are stronger when we
companies are out there waiting to see you again.
are united.
hfg Every advertisement in this issue represents someone who supported EQuine AMerica over the past two years of our development, and as a thank you for that support, we happily placed all advertisements in this issue for free.
See You in 2021! Sept 28 - Oct 3, 2021
Although we have had to cancel Dressage at Devon 2020, we are busy planning and working on the 2021 show, which will host: The largest open breed show in the world featuring Pony Only classes and the Presentation of Sale Horses Top performance classes from 4th level to Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Fabulous shopping • Great food Educational seminars for all levels • Dressage with the Exerts Ladies Hat Day • Parade of Breeds Kid’s Day on Sunday with Dressage Explorers Support Dressage at Devon, a non-profit organization, as we prepare for the future. Please join us as we Passage Into the Future dressageatdevon.org/passage-into-the-future
Dressage at Devon will be opening its on-line store where you can purchase gifts, souvenirs and more. Watch the newsletter and Facebook for updates!
©Stacy Lynne Photography
©Hoofprints Images (4)
Exciting Exhibitions
Ladies Hat Day
Food & Shopping
Breed Show
Sponsored in part by Barnes and Beck Financial Consulting Group • Broadfields 121 • Iron Spring Farm • ProElite • ShowSheen®
P l ea se v i si t o u r we bs i te w w w. d re s s a ge atd evo n . o rg si g n u p fo r o u r N ews l ette r a n d fo l l ow u s o n Fa c e b o o k .