September 2021
Serving the Michigan, Indiana & Ohio Tri-State Horse Community
Team USA, Jessica Springsteen narrowly lose to Sweden in jumpoff, take equestrian silver Rachel Axon TOKYO – Seldom do plans work out so well, but the U.S. jumping team had been aiming for a jump-off with Sweden, preparing for it throughout the Tokyo Olympics. With a new format for the equestrian competition, the Americans had spent the two weeks here strategizing for this. That it ended differently than the world championship they’d won that way three years ago hardly seemed to matter. Sweden won the gold, narrowly beating the Americans on time after all six athlete and horse combinations had clear rounds. Happily, the U.S. team took silver. “We're over the moon about the whole thing,” said Robert Ridland, the U.S. show jumping chef d’equipe. “Our plan all along was that we would have three rounds. … Not always does the plan work but that was the plan all along.” Contributing to that plan was a new format for these Olympics. In previous Games, countries could compete four athlete and horse combinations and drop a score. Now three pairs compete and all three count. That led the Americans to leave McLain Ward, a three-time Olympic medalist coming into Tokyo, out of the individual competition to keep him fresh for team qualifying. The U.S. team wanted Ward and his horse, Contagious, ready for two rounds on Saturday. In the final, the Americans were in third after Ward took four in penalties. Sweden’s Peder Fredricson did as well, tying the score. France sent its final rider in with only two in penalties, needing no more than one bar to fall to win gold. But on the third jump, Penelope LePrevost’s horse, Vancouver de Lanlore, knocked off the bars on the jump then refused to attempt it after the reset. That set up a rematch of the 2018 world championship, where the U.S. team beat Sweden in a jump off. In that round, teams alternate riders, so going second (and therefore last) has a strategic advantage. The U.S. team had that in 2018 but it didn’t Saturday as Sweden narrowly beat the Americans on time. The Swedes came into the final after dominating the individual competition earlier this week. All three riders made the jump-off there, finishing in the top five with Fredricson taking silver.
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“We would have had to have an incredible day to beat them,” Ward said. “I think we pushed them right to the limit, and in competition when you push them to that limit and they still win, you’ve got to be proud with the fight.” The Americans certainly were. Winning silver gave Ward his fourth Olympic medal and Laura Kraut her second. It was the first for Jessica Springsteen, who was competing in her first major international competition. In the final, Kraut led off the U.S. team with a clear round with Baloutinue – a horse she started riding four months ago. Springsteen took four in penalties after Don Juan van de Donkhoeve clipped the fourth jump. Springsteen, the daughter of singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen, had trained with Kraut for years, and that experience helped here. Kraut and her partner – British rider Nick Skelton, the indi-
vidual Olympic gold medalist five years ago – worked with Springsteen throughout the competition here. “To have someone like that by your side at my first championship it was a huge,” Springsteen said. “It was unbelievable. It gave me a lot of confidence going into the ring. “Laura, I trained with when I was 18 years old, she brought me to this level and I've learned so much from her. I just feel like to be on this team with (her), it's been I amazing.” Indeed, it had been. The Americans had followed the plan they set out coming here, giving themselves a chance for gold and pushing Sweden to its limit. “It was a hard-fought battle, and Sweden has been incredible a week,” Kraut said. “I mean if you're gonna lose, you're gonna lose to them. We can live with that.”
From left, silver medal winners United States’ team of Laura Kraut, Jessica Springsteen and McLain Ward, gold medal winners Sweden’s team of Henrik von Eckermann, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Peder Fredricson, and bronze medal winners Belgium's Pieter Devos, Jerome Guery and Gregory Wathelet gather during a equestrian jumping team medal ceremony Saturday in Tokyo. Carolyn Kaster/AP
September 2021
How do more than 300 horses travel to the Tokyo Olympics? Business class Gabriela Miranda and Rachel Axon Imagine flying to the Tokyo Olympics in business class, enjoying in-flight meals and even grooming. That's how the Olympic horses traveled as they jetted off to Tokyo in time to compete. The horses even had their own passports. More than 300 horses have traveled to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics. Airplanes, 19 of them, and 185 truck journeys were needed to transport the equine passengers, The Chronicle of the Horse reported. Nine U.S. athletes will compete in the Tokyo Olympics across the three equestrian disciplines, in addition to three athletes at the Paralympics. But the horses don't travel alone; with them comes a team of people to get them Olympics-ready. The U.S. equestrian includes four traveling reserve riders, who are ready to compete in the case of an injury. There are the seven coaches, six team leaders and 16 grooms, who are there to care for the horses. Also there to care for the horses' hooves is the farrier and four veterinarians. Finally, two equine physical therapists and one human physical therapist also attend the Games. COVID-19 restrictions made traveling with the equestrian team look different this year. Thanks to the help of the horse transportation logistics company Peden Bloodstock, the team was sent to Europe for their pre-export quarantine and then to Japan. Originally the team planned to fly from Chicago to Tokyo, Forbes reported. Of course, flying horses comes with its own challenges. But it’s not so different from what their human partners will experience. “Just like a human that flies – some people like it, some people don’t,” said Richard Picken, who had a business flying horses for more than a decade, said about the Rio Olympics in 2016. “Same with the horses, really.” Another challenge when transporting horses is loading the luggage and equipment. Each horse’s groom and vet are responsible for packing everything they'll need for a month. The U.S. team is known for overpacking, with the haul also containing about 1,000 pounds of feed and vitamins for the horses, Forbes reported. “I think that the captain on our flight over said we had 14 tons of equipment,” Dr. Susan Johns, the evening team vet, told Forbes. Loading and unloading the horses themselves can be the most dangerous part of the trip, Picken said. Too many people around or distractions while the horses are being loaded could lead to problems. “Basically, it’s at that point that you know that the horse will fly or not,” he said. Once in flight, grooms and vets monitor the horses for any signs of distress. They feed them and make sure they’re drinking water. If they aren’t drinking but seem to be sweating, the groom might try to entice the horse to drink by adding apple juice. “They’ll tolerate it a lot more than people think,” Picken
said. “You could get a horse that decides it doesn’t want to be on there anymore, so there’s no set planning.” The grooms and veterinarians have tranquilizers on hand. Picken and Tim Dutta, CEO of The Dutta Corp., said they have never had to call for an emergency landing for a horse in distress.
The Olympic rings are seen at the Odaiba waterfront in Tokyo on June 3, 2021. Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP
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September 2021
Equine Times
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CLUB NEWS
Association Michigan MichiganFox Fox Trotter Trotter Association
horsemanship, cattle clinics, included a competition for the mounted Police), showing (virmost ambitious member who PROTECT YOUR LARGE BALE HAY INVE$TMENT! tually and in person) in dressage, demonstrates their horsemanship performing maintenance, skills in a widetrail variety of categories. trail riding and camping in state and Quarterly and year-end awards will be out of state (Ohio, Kentucky and given. Go to www.michiganfoxtrotters.com Wyoming) at state and National Parks. In the to read the rules and print off the forms to join in on Ultimate Horsemans Challenge the friendly competition and fun. Jodi Myers leads with 266.9More points, hasare 148, Marilyn has 21.5, Susan FoxCarrie Trotters slowly becoming available to Williams but hasthey 15.5,are Autumn has 10.8, has video 7.1 and purchase selling fast. ThereRose is a good on Juliecorrect has 7 Fox points. job all!on our Face Book site to the TrotGreat gait posted Keep up the work!! refer to when yougood are considering an MFT to buy. Be sure Congratulations go out to with Kelly Clevenger to bring a knowledgeable person you,too, when and you narrow down yourrecently search. Breeders, Fanslow (rivPreacher who received Chuck a Certificate of erflatranch.com) Gunders have Excellence and and haveGale qualified for(989-534-1207), the US National well-gaited young stockChampionship available. They in alsoBasic have quality Dressage Regional Level studs to breed to if you have a mare you want bred. Chuck Championship and Basic Level All-Around Championship has a Buckskin stallion and a palomino sons Western Dressage categories. This stallion(both pair have been of Cotton Eyed Joe). Gale has a spotted stallion who will coached by the outstanding trainer and judge, Joanne throw color to your foal. Both are located in Gladwin,MI. Coy. Well done! Also, Jodi Meyers and Spy earned first 72” x 78” 76” Contact if Western you wantDimensions: to have your mare bred.x There place in them Gaited Dressage at the USEF/WDAA
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WeSchooling haveexpectation resources and of people available for you to learn is nothing like the a well-bred foal! Lite Dressage Show 6.26.21 in Level 1 Test 1. from and breeders to refer you to if you want to to transfer your newly-bought horse's TheyDon't have forget been learning from judge Suzanne Morrise. buy a young one to train or if you want to further registration papers your name with the both MFTHBA,too. Also, accolades gointo to them for winning divisions the training with your present horse. We are growing! New member welcomes go out to (Basic 3 and 4) and Level 1 Tests 1 registered and 4 Western The MFTHBA needs members Naomi Haas, equine dentist Kris Modreske and Harry Dressage in the CAWDA Sizzling Summer Show 7.31.21. to fill their committees for 2021. I just agreed Struble all of MI. Naomi rides a sorrel sabino gelding Congratulations!!to help out on the Trail Committee again. (Dexter) and a blackSurely mareyou (Hank's Serenity Liberty Bell can,too!Snethern, Various committees need On the National level, Melvin MFTHBA members(younger ones too) for their input B). Kris rides a black and white gelding (Radar's Spotted secretary/treasurer, presented the Registry Report. and advice togoincrease affiliate numbers,think Prior).membership And congratulations out to Harry on Total is up by 75 over this timeStruble last year. of waysGolden to makeChip, the shows better,to improve and his purchase of Joe's a handsome buckskin New MFTHBA are applications,give up by 51 from this okaymemberships National Trail Ride on gelding, from Chuck over Fanslow. Allyear. theseideas memtime of year last Total clinics (let's get more closer to our state),getting more verbers are riding quality Fox Trotters!!! Registrations are and down by 14 from satility riders interested,give ideas on training picking judges, plus New members are always welmore. Many positions can bethis supported remotely. Also, this year as compared istoa great last Go toUSA www.michiganfoxway to meet those from other come! areas the whoRegistration raise,train and year of at this time. trotters.com print not off have the ride MFTs. I have made new friends this way whotoI would Transfers are up by 90 this otherwise. Contact the MO Fox Trotting Horse Breeding membership form.Association We meet year as to this via www.mfthba.com to become a member andcompared forsomore virtually all information members same time last year on helping out. are able to meet without the idea Also, PLEASE send in your MFTA (which dues anddebunks your MFTHBA having to drive long dues disasap! that some are espousing tances. Wishing everyone a blessed and safe Christmas! over lower transfer numOur Event Committee Respectfully submitted, bers of next the is busybecause planning Marilynthe Mannino change in the registraclinic. It will be a Gaited tion papers). We’reClinic always Western Dressage at encouraged by the positive the end of May. More details numbers and monitor any will be available negative ones. next month. The clinician is Exciting new changes are coming top-notch! toA this information on SLIDING ORhistory SWINGING DOORS littleassociation! on More our breed: The presthat will Missouri be available month. ent-day Foxnext Trotter evolved from Morgans in Meanwhile, pleasecrossed help us raise funds for future New England being with Arabians, Plantation activities by purchasing a blue cotton MFTA Horses, American Saddlebreds, TWHs and t-shirt. pacing They are short-sleeved stonewashed blue 100% cotton Standardbreds. The genetic mix of square-trotting horses with the Fox Trotter silhouette superimposed on gait! the and pacing horses created the comfortable fox trot State of Fox Michigan onhorses them.have Send a check forfarmers $25 (for Missouri Trotting been used by in Missouri and surrounding states to ride to sizes medium to extra large) or $30 for long XXLdistances to MFTA, checkHagadorn their fencing and Mason, work cows, pull buggies, US 2333 Road, MI 48854. Pleaseby state Forest workers, the sizeService that you need. by mounted police and now people across theprices United Statesthe and Europecost. use them for recreThese include shipping We appreciate ation (showing, trail riding, Dressage,reining, and your support! Go to our Facebook page and our 4H website Equestrian Team, Hippotherapy,etc.). They are truly (michiganfoxtrotters.com) for more information on this versatile can be found in all andorsizes! Try breed andand ouralso association. If you arecolors curious are pasone out and find out why everyone loves them so! sionate about Fox Trotters, we welcome you!
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Hello December! Time is sure flying!! Marilyn Marilyn Mannino At our November meeting we elected some new officers for 2021. Congratulations go out Hello April! Spring is upon us! People aresure outbeen Fox The Versatility Program participants have to Bob Howell elected as the new MFTA PresTrotting and enjoying the weather. Many are accumulatbusy this year. second quarter ident, Kathy Kruch The is now VP, Marilyn is stilltotals for the Under ing points in the Char Versatility are 229.5 offerSaddle Division showOstrom Jodi isChallenges Myers Spywe have Secretary/Treasurer, the newandthat ing. 2-year Director and Miranda Mannino now have 211, Georgi points, Mandy Kellogg and isBella Registration still162.6, openCarrie for all three Versatility the 1-year Director. Carlton and Joeyishave Carpenter and Moo We are accepting membership renewals Challenges (Under Saddle Challenge, Not Under Saddle have 126.4, Kristen Humble and Annie have 96, Rondal and new memberships for 2021 now. Youth Challenge). are Challenge and Ultimate Horseman This Montgomery and Sloopy have 91.4, Susan Bombard proand encouraged to join too! to www.michiganfoxgram is designed to Go show howand versatile the Missouri Fox Sky have 82.7, Jodi Meyers Jigs have 30.4, Kelly trotters.com to print off the form. You will learn alot Trotter is. Registered and grade MFTs are allowed. Clevenger and Preacher 24,ofJulie Parliament from our members about thehave history Fox Trotters,their All handicapped and regular youth through and Zeke have 21.5, Carrie Carpenter uses and availability and be able to network and with those of us who adults areand welcome. Every imaginable camp,train show 19.6, them. Our association is blessed to have skilled Carma have Autumn Sell activity and have category isto learn included trainers,breeders and 8.8, a farrier from. We love promoting this and Ransom Katie Collier from in they hand work Dressage, so versatile and come in breed as have greatto personalities,are and many sizes and different colors.toA benefit to joining is that we short distance trail coat riding Maggie have 7.5, Naomi can offer clinics at a reduced price to our members. Due to Covid we endurance competitions and Haas andremotely Dextereach have 7.1, are meeting month. Michigan is a big state and this is a everything in-between (cow Marilyn andtalk Kate good way toMannino easily see and with each other within and outside of work, driving, extreme trail, MI. Come the fun!They have have 6.5join points. 4H Sign and open theshowing, up now for popular Versatility Challenge for 2021. Print been working hard training, parades, reining, trailfrom mainteoff the enrollment form our website. There are may areas in attending clinics (dressage, nance and also which you can more!). accumulateWe points-even in the non-rideable months.
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September April 2021 2021
December 2020
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PROTECT YOUR LARGE BALE HAY INVE$TMENT!
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Hoary Alyssum: Identification, Toxicity, and Control Dr. Krishona Martinson During dry periods, many weeds more tolerant of drought invade pastures, seemingly appearing from nowhere and thriving among the dormant and struggling pasture grasses. One such weed is hoary alyssum, a toxic weed commonly found in horse pastures and hay fields in the Midwest, especially on sandy, dry soils. Since hoary alyssum tends to be more drought tolerant than desirable pasture grasses, many horse owners have noticed it growing in their pastures, resulting in questions regarding proper identification, toxicity, and control. Hoary alyssum is a perennial, grayish-green weed standing 1 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are covered with rough hairs and flowers are petite, white, and have four deeply-divided petals. Seed pods are oblong with a pointed end and become translucent making the tiny black seeds visible as the weed matures. Hoary alyssum is toxic when horses graze the growing plant in pastures and when dried in hay. In pastures, horses usually prefer other, more palatable forages over hoary alyssum. But, hungry horses grazing on drought stressed or dormant pastures without supplemental hay may ingest hoary alyssum. However, most hoary alyssum poisoning occurs when horses accidentally ingest the weed in hay. Horse owners should carefully inspect hay and reject any bales containing hoary alyssum. Hoary alyssum is not toxic to other livestock. Along with the specific toxin, the amount of hoary alyssum a horse needs to ingest to cause toxicity is unknown and seems to vary between horses. In most cases, signs of toxicity occur 12 to 24 hours after ingestion. Most, but not all, horses ingesting hoary alyssum will
have the following signs: • Swelling and fluid build-up in the lower legs or “stocking up” • A fever of 103 F or higher • Warm hooves • Pronounced digital pulse (laminitis) • Stiff joints • Not willing to move • A “camped out” stance While death from ingesting hoary alyssum is rare, horses under stress or ones without prior exposure to hoary alyssum tend to be impacted more severely. Controlling hoary alyssum in a grass pasture can be accomplished with a broadleaf herbicide; however, it may take several applications to completely rid the pasture of the weed. Herbicides containing dicamba and/or 2,4-D can provide moderate control of hoary alyssum when applied in the fall (August 1 to September 15) in the Midwest. Fall is an ideal time to control perennial weeds since they are translocating nutrients into the roots, helping to ensure the herbicide will also reach and kill the root. If using a herbicide, ensure the product is labeled for a pasture (vs. lawn) and follow all directions, including any listed grazing restrictions. Other options for control include mowing, and strengthening the desirable pasture stand through over-seeding, fertilizing, avoiding over grazing, and rotational grazing. However, these strategies may take years to provide adequate control. Special consideration when controlling hoary alyssum, and other weeds, must be made during dry times. Although hoary alyssum may appear to be actively growing, it’s likely also impacted by the dry conditions currently found throughout the Midwest. Herbicides work best on
September 2021
actively growing weeds, with poor control commonly reported during dry times. Therefore, owners should mow hoary alyssum found in pastures during the spring and summer months and plan for a fall herbicide application if rainfall returns and the weed and other plants appear to be actively growing. If dry conditions continue, owners should remain vigilante with mowing as the main strategy for controlling hoary alyssum and other pasture weeds.
Hoary alyssum. Dr. Krishona Martinson
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Caveat Emptor Let the buyer beware
How to Avoid Mistakes When Buying a Horse
Jenifer Nadeau Buying a horse can be a complicated and confusing process. It is important to know what kind of horse you are looking for and have a plan laid out before you begin shopping. The article below discusses some tips to help your horse buying experience. Whether you’re buying your first horse or your 21st, it is both an exciting and scary process. You have dreamed of the day when you could own this horse, and you want everything to be perfect. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of selecting a suitable horse. 1. Know your requirements If you don’t know what you are looking for, you won’t find it. Have a list of what you want in a horse and imperfections you are willing to accept because there is no perfect horse. Consider your equestrian goals and what attributes a horse would need to attain these goals with you. Determine your riding level or have a riding instructor or professional trainer assess your skills. 2. Enlist a professional If you are inexperienced, enlist the help of an equine professional. In an online query by Equus magazine, one of the major causes of a sale that did not turn out well was buyers purchasing unsuitable horses. Another cause was the buyer lacking knowledge or the financial assets to keep the horse healthy and able to perform to its ability. Make sure that the professional you enlist has no conflict of interest through prior contact with the seller. 3. Consult a veterinarian
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Consider having your veterinarian perform a pre-purchase exam. This may include including taking radiographs (X-rays), checking for lameness and taking blood samples in horses you are seriously considering buying. Blood samples may be drawn for the purpose of determining a complete blood count, chemistry analysis, Coggins’ test for equine infectious anemia, drug testing for analgesics and tranquilizers, equine viral arteritis (EVA) titers for broodmares and EVA or piroplasmosis testing for horses traveling abroad. You should discuss testing with your veterinarian to see what tests he or she recommends for the type of horse you are interested in purchasing. The most common deceit practiced in horse sales is use of local or systemic medications to mask physical or behavioral problems. Make sure the veterinarian does not know the seller; most will refuse to do the exam if they know the seller due to possible conflict of interest. Attend the exam yourself so that you can hear what is said. Realize that the pre-purchase exam is not a guarantee nor will a horse “pass” or “fail.” Instead, you will simply be made aware of the veterinarian’s findings. 4. Check all paperwork Carefully inspect the horse to be sure it matches the description on the papers and consider contacting the registry to double check that the horse is registered. Consider contacting previous owners to ask about the horses’ physical condition and normal behavior under their care. 5. Ask direct questions In general, sellers not legally obligated to volunteer information about the horse they are
September 2021
selling unless directly asked. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, Sales Article 2, horses are considered “goods.” This code has been adopted by every state with minor variations. According to the code, the seller must truthfully answer the buyer’s questions, or the seller may be guilty of fraud and selling a horse that was not as warranted. Instead of asking if the horse has any vices when riding, ask, “Does he buck when ridden? Does he rear when ridden?” Direct questions such as these may result in hesitation by the seller when responding if the seller is hiding something. If looking for a seasoned show horse, ask for a list of shows where it has competed and any awards its won and then verify the information. Watch the horse in action at a show if it is currently showing in order to see how the horse behaves in that environment. 6. Show up early By arriving early, you may be able to see things like how hard a horse is to catch, halter, lead and tack up. You will get a good idea of its ground manners. 7. Evaluate the horse’s conformation Do not be distracted by an attractive head. This does not mean that the rest of the horse has good conformation. Remember the old adage, “Pretty is as pretty does.” Have knowledge of the ideal horse for the breed and compare the horse you looking at to this ideal to see where it comes up short, or consult an equine professional for assistance in judging conformation. The horse’s conformation can dictate future soundness concerns as well. 8. Watch the horse as it is ridden Ideally, the owner, or the representative, should be able to ride the horse and show it in its
Caveat Emptor Let the buyer beware
How to Avoid Mistakes When Buying a Horse
best form. If the owner is injured, it may be from the horse. If the owner does not provide a rider to ride the horse before you, assume there’s a problem. Examine its attitude: • Is it calm or tense, does it avoid work or is it ready to go? • Watch for head tossing, which could be a sign of resistance, mouth problems or allergies. • Look for lameness when it is trotting, as well as stiffness. • Make certain the horse is worked both directions at all gaits. 9. Ride the horse yourself When the horse is cantering or loping, watch and determine if the horse has an even cadence and if it picks up the proper lead readily in both directions. Also listen to its breathing during cantering and see if it is regular, relaxed and in time with its strides, with no rattling or gurgling. As another test, if it is within the skills you will ask the horse to perform, consider taking the horse out of the arena and trot it up and down some hills. Does the horse have comfortable gaits? Is the horse relaxed and fun to ride? 10. Write a good contract and get a bill of sale Be wary of a seller anxious to close the deal that day, regardless of his/her reasons for a quick sale. Don’t rush into the purchase. If others want to buy the horse, let them. You should only purchase a horse when you are absolutely sure that the horse is suitable for you. Write a strong sales contract including at least a three-week trial period, if possible, using a
ready made form or one prepared by a lawyer. Be sure to get a bill of sale. It is important because it will prevent misunderstandings and protect your interests in the event of a legal dispute. Consider having a lawyer draft the document so that it will be written with your needs in mind. Make certain that any guarantees provided by the seller are clearly identified in the contract as well as the recourse should the horse not meet such guarantees, such who will provide return transportation. Hopefully these pointers will aid you in your next equine purchase. Remember that there is no substitute for knowledge and experience and do not be afraid to admit you need help and enlist the aid of a reputable trainer and veterinarian in your search. Good luck and caveat emptor! Benefits of a pre-purchase exam A 1992 study of 134 pre-purchase evaluations showed that of 84 horses found to be unserviceable on evaluation: • 35 were purchased and serviceable on follow-up • 40 were not purchased and lost to follow-up • 9 were purchased and unserviceable on follow-up This indicates that despite a horse being found unserviceable on examination, some issues may resolve themselves with time. This is why a veterinarian should always be consulted, because he or she can tell you whether or not the horse is likely to continue to be unserviceable, or if it will recover from this condition. • 50 horses were found to be serviceable. • 42 of these horses were serviceable on fol-
September 2021
low-up. This indicates that in most cases, the veterinarian is correct about the serviceability of the horse, making a pre-purchase exam worthwhile in determining future ability of a horse. • The price paid for the horse was decreased through negotiations based on the prepurchase exam in 6% of the horses. This indicates that a pre-purchase exam can benefit you by giving you additional information that can aid you in negotiating a lower purchase price. Auction – To buy or not to buy. Many people fear buying horses at auction and most professionals recommend against purchasing horses at auction. In general, you should avoid purchasing a horse at an auction unless you have enlisted the help of a veterinarian or experienced horse people or have experience yourself. You will want to: • Find out if the auction has a good reputation from other horse enthusiasts in the area. • Get a sales catalog in advance and call consignors to get more information on horses you are interested in. • Find out if a reputable veterinarian will be provided by the auction or if you need to bring your own. • Get references for the auction company. • Know the auction’s terms and conditions. • Get there early to look over your potential purchases, ask questions, have the horse examined and watch the consignor ride the horse or ride it yourself. • Consult with your advisor. • Be sure that the horse is suitable for you and don’t make a hasty decision to buy.
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Horses Used for Work Purposes While the age of horse-drawn plows and carriages have passed, many horses are still used today for work purposes. Horses can be found working with people and for people in a variety of places.
Therapy Horses
Dude Ranches
Riding for people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities in the United States was established in the early 70s. The movement of riding a horse mimics the three-dimensional motion of actually walking for people who are unable to do so. Riding enhances muscle development and overall balance, and more recently psychological benefits of interacting with horses are being studied. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) is one of the primary organizations that provided education and accreditation for therapeutic riding instructors.
Dude ranches are operations that provide recreational activities for people with horses. People can visit a ranch and have a taste of life in the west. More information is available at www.duderanch.org.
Ranch Horses In many parts of the country, horses are still used extensively for ranch work. They are especially useful in areas where the rugged terrain makes the use of motorized vehicles limited or impractical. There are many competitive events, such as cutting and roping, that are based in the skills necessary for horses involved with ranch work.
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Police Horses Horses are very useful in police situations where they are often used for crowd control. Horses are also used for search and rescue activities. Many large cities have mounted units within their paid police force. Some countries, such as Canada, have volunteer mounted patrols as well.
Pack Horses Horses are still used in some areas as pack animals, to carry supplies. This is especially common in the West, where the surefooted horse, mule or donkey is well suited to the rugged territory.
Ask the Expert: To Scrape or Not to Scrape? Krishona Martinson, PhD
Can you please help settle a heated debate at our barn. To cool a hot horse, do you scrape or not scrape off the water? The debate over scraping water off a hot horse is common in the horse industry. However, recent research has helped settle this debate once and for all! The quickest way to cool a hot horse is to continuously run cool water over the horse with a hose. If an unlimited water supply is available, there is no reason to stop and scrape off the water, which takes time away from applying the water and cooling the horse. Recent research conducted in Australia found that applying cold water without scraping cooled horses faster compared to scraping. However, if owners are trying to cool a hot horse with a limited supply of water (e.g., when camping or on a trail ride), most suggest applying the water, scraping it off, and then applying more water. In the absence of continuous water, scraping can help encourage evaporative cooling. Other tips to help cool a hot horse include offering cool drinking water; focusing water application to the head, back, neck, rump, and legs; applying ice to high blood flow areas including the head, neck, back, and ribs (avoid applying ice to the large gluteal muscles); using fans; housing horses in shady areas; and removing all tack (except the halter or bridle), leg wraps, blankets, and/or fly sheets. September 2021
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The Ultimate Horse Cookie Kyanah Blair
After trying a bunch of different homemade horse treat recipes, Tanya Davenport did some tweaking and came up with the ultimate horse cookie recipe. Full of the good stuff, this is how you prep these delicious treats:
Te m p e r atu r e 325°
B a k e Ti m e 30 - 40 minutes
In g r e d i e n t s 1 carrot 1 apple 1 cup molasses or honey 2 ½ cups of oats 2-3 tbsp of vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grate the carrot and apple. Mix together all of the ingredients. Place large spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for a few hours in the refrigerator.
A dancing horse at the Olympics won the internet Andy Nesbitt When Rory McIlroy - one of the greatest golfers in the world who was in Tokyo competing for Northern Ireland - was asked which event he would really love to go see at the Games. His answer? Dressage. For real. He had this to say, via Golf Digest:
A general view shows the Olympic rings lit up at dusk, with the Rainbow bridge and the Tokyo Tower (back right) in the background, on the Odaiba waterfront in Tokyo on May 10, 2021. Charly Triballeau/AFP
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"The one thing that's on tonight that I would love to go to, the one thing I've always wanted to go and see is dressage," McIlroy said. "Always. I just, I it's mesmerizing and it's on tonight at like 7:30. I'll watch it on TV. I just think, I watch it once every few years, obviously and it's like, I don't know, it's just, it's mesmerizing and it's really cool. I don't know." I remember being surprised by that answer and also confused by it, too. I know next to nothing about dressage and, with no offense to the dressage community, thought it was something where horses just come out and do some tricks and stuff. Well now, thanks to this horse that went viral over that weekend for it's incredible, what I guess we can call dance moves, I totally get what McIlory was talking about. Dressage is mesmerizing and wild and incredibly fun. If you haven't seen this video of Team USA's four-time Olympian Steffen Peters and his horse Suppenkasper doing their thing in the dressage event then stop what you're doing and watch it at https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1421347563232497664. Incredible, right? The music also takes me back to some really smelly bars from college but whatever, that's not the point. The point is dressage is incredible and that horse is now rightfully a viral internet star for having the time of its life in Tokyo. That's what's fun about the Olympic Games - random sports and events can steal your hearts for a bit and make you look forward to watching them again in the future. I just never thought dressage would do that for me, but here I am.
Animal Welfare At The Fair Thermoregulation and thermoneutral zone Melissa Elischer EAST LANSING, MI. Maintaining good animal welfare and animal care is paramount in the 4-H animal science experience. Youth, volunteers and parents spend months preparing animals to show at fair or exposition, a unique experience for both 4-H members and the animals. In order to maintain excellent animal welfare during a fair or expo, there are a few special considerations to keep in mind. This will talk through several of these considerations starting with how animals thermoregulate, what is the thermoneutral zone and why it is important. Thermoregulation is how the body regulates temperature in an acceptable range to avoid heat or cold stress. According to “Homeostatic Processes for Thermoregulation” by Jonathan A. Akin, there are two broad categories of animals and how they thermoregulate: (1) homeotherms, commonly referred to as “warm-blooded,” are animals that can maintain their own body temperature in relation to the external environment, like mammals and birds; and (2) poikilotherms or “cold-blooded” animals, cannot generate their own body heat and thus conform to the ambient temperature of their environment; most fish, amphibians, and reptiles are poikilotherms. The animals most commonly raised as 4-H projects are all homeotherms and have many adaptations for thermoregulation. Some of those adaptations are hair,
fur or body condition (how fat or thin an animal is), shivering, panting, how much food and water is consumed, activity level and many more. According to the American Meteorological Society, the thermoneutral zone is defined as “the range of ambient temperature in which normal metabolism provides enough heat to maintain an essentially constant body temperature in homeothermic animals”. That means the animal doesn’t have to do any “work” to maintain their body temperature. The thermoneutral zone for many of our livestock, pets and pocket pets is a surprisingly narrow range, as shown in the table. It is important to note the temperatures listed below are the average thermoneutral zones for each species. There are many factors that can impact that range such as
age, acclimation to ambient temperature, production status, bedding, body condition, coat length and coat color, to name a few. Also keep in mind that animals can survive and be well in temperatures outside of these ranges. The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range where an animal does not need to do any work to cool down or warm up to maintain a consistent internal environment. Looking at the upper range of the thermoneutral zone temperatures, it becomes apparent that Michigan summers are often warmer than what is most comfortable for our animals.
Animal
Thermoneutral zone in degrees Fahrenheit
Cattle (beef) Cattle (dairy) Dog Goat Horse Poultry Rabbits Sheep Swine
32-77 41-77 68-86 50-68 40-80 60-75 60-65 70-88 50-70
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The
Big Two Forage Grasses Timothy and Orchard
Orchard grass. Dr. Stephen Duren
Dr. Stephen Duren High quality forage is critical for proper digestive function in horses. Forage (hay/pasture) makes up 60-100% of the diet for horses, depending on their function and activity. For horses that are stalled, or for horses that do not have abundant pasture, stored forage in the form of hay is the primary source of forage. The most popular choices for grasses to be utilized as horse hay are Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass making them the big two forage grasses. Timothy Grass Timothy Grass is the traditional favorite among horse owners. Much of this tradition is due to the fact that Timothy was one of the first grasses cultivated for horse hay. Therefore, feeding Timothy Grass has a well-established comfort level with horse people. High quality Timothy Grass contains a moderate amount of protein, usually testing at approximately 8% protein. It has a consistent and balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus and Timothy Grass has a low Page 12 Equine Times
to moderate calorie content. Timothy Grass is also a rich source of fiber. Seemingly, the only potential draw-back with Timothy Grass is availability. Timothy grass usually yields just two cuttings per year and requires a signifi-
Timothy grass. Dr. Stephen Duren
September 2021
cant amount of water to grow. These two factors along with its traditional popularity limit the supply of Timothy Grass hay. Orchard Grass Orchard Grass is the emerging super star of the horse hay world. Orchard Grass is a highly palatable grass with a high nutrient content. Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. The higher calorie content of Orchard Grass is a result of higher fiber digestibility compared to Timothy Grass. The high nutrient intake delivered by Orchard Grass hay translates into potentially less grain the horse would need to eat to satisfy energy and protein requirements. Compared to Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass grows better in moderate drought conditions and provides a solid three hay cuttings per year. With three cuttings instead of two cuttings, Orchard Grass produces consistent soft texture hay that horses readily consume with minimal or no waste.
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Basic Conditioning of the Ashley Griffin Basic conditioning of the equine athlete involves consideration of the event in which the horse will be competing, the level of competition that you expect the horse to achieve, the time you have in which to condition the horse, and the horse’s previous conditioning for the event. The goal of any basic conditioning program is to enhance the psychological and the physical responses to exercise. Psychological responses with conditioning include greater confidence and desire to perform and minimized boredom and resentment. Physical responses include greater strength and endurance, enhanced skills (such as jumping and Page 14
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Equine Athlete
reining), and minimized soreness or injury due to exercise. Some of the most important physical adaptations achieved by conditioning involve: • Respiratory System — increased oxygen uptake, decreased ventilation during exercise • Cardiovascular System — lower heart rate during exercise, increased heart size/strength, increased vascularity (decreased resistance), increased total red cell volume (increased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood) • Muscular Anatomy — increased aerobic capacity (increased fast twitch high oxidative fibers = more time before lactic acid accumulation and fatigue during endurance events), increase in September 2021
muscle size/strength, change in fiber type • Tendons and Ligaments — strength and quality may be affected • Bone — decreased bone turnover, increased quantity, quality, and geometry of bone in response to training • Thermoregulation — involves cardiovascular system. A conditioning program should be specific to the event in order to train appropriately for the type of exercise in the event. For example, Thoroughbred trainers would not want to strictly use an aerobic conditioning program for their 3-year-old Thoroughbreds because racing is mostly an anaerobic event. There are two general classes of conditioning programs: slow speed and high speed.
Basic Conditioning of the Slow-speed long distance conditioning, or endurance training Slow-speed long distance conditioning, or endurance training, is used in the first weeks of all conditioning programs and may include breaking. This method usually proceeds fast exercise in some conditioning programs, such as racehorse training. It includes sessions of trotting and cantering at slow speeds for long distances to promote aerobic production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for energy. Trainers usually start the horses off slowly and gradually increase the distance at two-to-three week intervals. The total length of time a horse remains on this conditioning program varies with the type of event and can be anywhere from four to five weeks (racehorses) to nine months (endurance horses). Improvements in aerobic capacity, limb strength, and adaptation of skeletal muscle have been seen with slow-speed conditioning. High-speed conditioning High-speed conditioning is used to improve the anaerobic capacity of a horse and is generally interspersed with slow-speed, long distance days. This conditioning method varies with the horse and the event. Some trainers increase the speed for very short distances until near maximum speed is reached, then increase the distance. Others establish a set distance and gradually increase the speed. The frequency of the high-speed days varies with the conditioning method used. For example, in North America, trainers will commonly use “breeze” (fast galloping for short distances) work at 75 percent of the maximum speed of the event one time every seven to 10 days. Other trainers will gallop their horses at near maximum event speed one time every five days. The common goal of high-speed conditioning is to increase the amount of training that stimulates anaerobic production of ATP without causing fatigue or overtraining. It is thought that condi-
Equine Athlete
tioning at maximum event speed may overwork a horse; therefore, most trainers condition their horses at 70 to 85 percent maximum event speed. In England, horses work on a rotational conditioning schedule of hills and flat ground. Using a treadmill with a 5 to 10 percent incline will also increase the anaerobic capacity of a horse without galloping at maximum speed. The physiological adaptations to high-speed conditioning include an increase in Type II muscle fibers. Interval Horse Training Interval training is the use of multiple workouts on the same day separated by short rest periods. Some trainers will use this conditioning method as the horse’s high-speed program. Limited research has shown that interval training may alter muscle fiber type, something that has not been shown to occur with strictly high-speed conditioning. Interval conditioning of the equine athlete should not be performed at 95 to 100 percent maximum speed, as it may lead to overtraining and possibly the reversal of physiological training adaptations. Skill Horse Training When conditioning a horse for events such as pole bending or fox hunting, skill
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training can be alternated with highspeed and slow-speed days. Overtraining of Horses In order to maintain peak fitness of an athletic horse, the conditioning program must always be evaluated and adjusted. Constant exercise at suboptimal intensities will limit the rate of adaptation, and constant exercise at maximum intensities may contribute to overtraining. Overtraining is a loss of performance ability despite the maintenance of or an increase in training effort. When overtraining occurs, the horse’s conditioning program must stop or be reduced for a variable period of time in order for the horse to recover. Detraining Horses Detraining is the sudden cessation of a conditioning program for reasons such as sickness or injury. During this time, the horse experiences a rapid loss of physiological training adaptations. Changes in muscle occur in two to four weeks, followed by cardiovascular and bone changes. Decrease in muscle size and strength occur in the shortest amount of time. Oxygen uptake and ventilation capacity decreases within three weeks of detraining.
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