Sporthorse FLORIDA
SPRING 2014
Jumanji
(Vitalis x Freestyle x Equador)
4 editor’s note
dressage+hunters+jumpers+eventing+combined driving+sporthorse breeding
Sporthorse Florida
Come along for the ride!
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Editor and Publisher Christie R. Gold
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Editorial Office Jeff Adams/Digital Pixel
Critical chatter Christie Gold
I
confess: my relationship with clinics is a dysfunctional, love/hate affair. I’ve ridden in many clinics over the years, and as a former classroom teacher, I have tremendous respect for clinicians. Without much knowledge of the student and horse before them, they must quickly assess problems, create and execute a plan that will yield some sort of result that will inspire the participant and gain the admiration of onlookers all in 45 minutes or less. In short, clinicians are expected to be miracle workers. My best experiences were when I loaded my trailer and left for home almost giddy, armed with new tools in my riding and training toolbox. Other times, I came to the harsh realization that the clinician was repeating what my regular trainer said a hundred times during every lesson—which was, in and of itself, an important lesson. I’ve also left clinics angry and upset— never because of my ride or the effort of the clinician, but because another aspect of the clinic experience: auditors. Most auditors are respectful horse people with a desire to learn. They listen attentively and watch carefully, hoping to glean some information that will help them in their own pursuits, but lurking ringside there are sometimes a few whose agendas seem to include discrediting the clinician, criticizing the rider or both. Never content to keep their opinions to themselves, these armchair quarterbacks of the horse world audibly voice their opinions during every ride.
8205 Quail Run Dr. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
In the age of social media, these types have found a new stage: online forums. Like attending a clinic, participating in an online forum can be fun, connecting users with common interests and providing practical advice for nearly any problem. But, as the saying goes, “there are the wise and the otherwise.” I belong to one adult amateur group populated with lovely people who proudly share their riding accomplishments, no matter how small, but every now and then the discussions disintegrate into an ugly mire of catty comments and passive aggressive posts by the same sort of people who provide ringside commentary at clinics. A recent thread began with an innocent question about classical vs. competitive dressage. The poor online poster had no idea that she had stepped into a mine field. By the time the moderator stepped in to shut down the topic, it seemed the consensus was that the upper levels of dressage should only be performed bitless on horses without shoes guided by riders with 2% body fat who use only telekinesis to steer their mounts through the intricacies of a Grand Prix test. Otherwise, the “art” is corrupted. The greatest commonality between those who share unwelcome commentary at clinics and those who do it online is this: They never seem to be riding. This is not to say that they don’t put a foot in the stirrup and swing themselves into the saddle, but they rarely put themselves on stage. They aren’t the next rider on the clinic schedule and they aren’t posting their pictures online to bear the criticism of self-proclaimed experts. It’s unlikely they ever will.
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website: floridasporthorsemagazine.com Florida Sporthorse Magazine is committed to providing a quarterly publication that presents content encompassing a broad range of topics of interest to Florida’s dressage, eventing, combined driving, hunter/ jumper and sport horse breeding communities. “Come along for the ride!”
about the cover
Jumanji (Vitalis x Freestyle x Equador) is the winner of our 2014 cover contest. Jumanji was bred by Belinda Nairn of INSPO. Photo by Belinda Nairn
the faces of Florida Sporthorse Carol Bulmer
Since graduating Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Animal Science Carol has pursued a career in the dressage world. First with a 5 year apprenticeship with Dorita Konyot learning to ride and train dressage then with her own training stable. Along the way Carol has earned her United States Dressage Federation Silver Medal by competing successfully through the Intermediare I, achieved her United States Equestrian Federation “R� Technical Delegate license, has been granted a Federation Equestrian International Level 1 Stewards license and is a U.S.D.F. Certified Instructor (Training through Second level) as well a graduate with Distinction from the U.S.E.F. Learner Judges program.
Amber Kimball
Amber is an FEI dressage trainer based in Ocala. In 1997 she began her dressage career as a working student in the stable of Olympic Bronze medalist Gina Smith. In 2001 she travelled to Belgium to hold a working student position in the stable of Grand Prix trainers, Penny and Johan Rockx. In 2002, she returned to the US to ride for Belinda Nairn-Wertman until the spring of 2010. Amber has successfully trained and shown horses from Training level through Intermediare II and has earned her USDF Silver medal. She now operates Southern Lights Dressage in Ocala, FL.
Karen Abbattista
Karen is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, a recipient of the Silver Musical Freestyle Bars, and an USEF Learner Judges Program Graduate with Distinction. Restructured in 2012 from a successful corporate career, Karen decided to follow her heart, choosing a new life helping horses and humans believe in themselves and each other. Karen teaches both Classical and Western Dressage throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties. She continues to compete both at national and FEI level dressage. Her website is www.karenabbattistadressage.com.
Janeane Reagan, PhD
Janeane acquired her love of horses and equestrian sport while watching her father show American Saddlebreds, Hackneys and jumpers. As an adult, she focused on the Morgan breed and competed with her horses in saddle seat, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, dressage, carriage driving and competitive trail riding. After completing her doctorate in clinical psychology, Janeane developed an interest in sport psychology. In addition to her work with individual riders and drivers, she has presented workshops on stress management during competition and on the mental aspects of equestrian sport to state and local clubs and at national and international equestrian conferences.
Nerida Richards, PhD
Dr. Richards is Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Equilize Horse Nutrition Pty Ltd, a company that specializes in providing independent, professional advice in all areas of equine nutrition. Within her role, Dr Richards provides high-level technical support to numerous national and international feed and supplement companies, as well as on the ground advice and technical support to breeding and training establishments. Dr Richards also designed, developed and commercialized the Equilize Feeding Management Software which has been more recently upgraded to the FeedXL nutrition software that is now used by breeders, trainers and fellow nutritionists throughout Australia, New Zealand, The USA, Canada and parts of South East Asia.
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Sporthorse FLORIDA
SPRING 2014
9 22
Inside Florida Sporthorse 4 Editor’s Note Critical chatter turns commentary sour 7 Stephanie Putman Equestrian gets second chance at a life with horses
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9 Farmer’s Market Heather Farmer aims to breed the best horses in the US 11 Tips for a Shiny Coat Nutrition is key to a glossy horse
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12 Championship Care for Every Horse Prince Equine Center offers rehabilitation, conditioning for any horse 14 Tough Times, Stable Business Show managers discuss surviving the economic downturn 16 Kings of Driving The Budweiser Clydesdales are ambassadors of the horse world 18 Dressage for the Event Rider Doing your best in the phase before the jumping events 20 Five Sure Fire Ways to Fail A humorous look at some of the biggest rider mistakes
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22 Beautiful Babies Finalists in our second annual cover contest
Unstoppable Stephanie Putman
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 7
Driving gives equestrian freedom following tragic accident Janeane Reagan “I get to feel competent, and I feel beautiful again.” These are the words about carriage driving which came from a special spectator attending this year’s Live Oak Combined Driving Event. This is a spectator who can light up not only a room with her smile, enthusiasm and energy but an entire field, which is where, between marathon obstacles, I caught up with 29-year-old quadriplegic carriage driver Stephanie Putman. Stephanie, her parents, a close girl friend, and the most recent part of her support team, Kaz, a threeyear-old yellow lab assist dog, had all traveled from California to Florida. They made the trip to see one of the top CDE competitions in the country, to watch Stephanie’s trainers compete and to test Stephanie’s ability to handle the long flight and climate change. Stephanie is a full quadriplegic who has no sensation or functionality in her limbs below the level of her collar bones. Nonetheless, in 2011, Stephanie completed her first combined driving event at Shady Oak, CA, and has since participated in several more. Stephanie had grown up riding hunters and jumpers and became the captain of the Cal Poly Tech polo team while working on her degree in graphic communications. Horses were a passion she shared with her mother and a core part of her life. On August 23, 2009, at age 24, an injury (that she does not choose to describe, but is quick to note was not horse- or carrelated) left her with a spinal fracture at C4-C5. After months of intensive and grueling rehabilitation therapy Stephanie returned home determined to continue work on her masters in advertising even if it was only one class at a time. “My mother knew horses had to be in my life,” she said. “Mom did the research to find a way to make that happen.” Riding horses was not an option because of Stephanie’s lack of core muscle strength and having only the use of her biceps and shoulder muscles. Driving horses, however, did offer a possibility. To pursue that option Stephanie and her parents became involved with Access Adventures at Rush Ranch in Fairfield, California, a program specializing in carriage driving for wheelchair-bound individuals. Stephanie soon found that driving a horse gave her back a part of the freedom she had lost and reconnected her to the animals she loved. Because she is a quadriplegic, more ingenuity and creativity was required to give her control of the reins and the best use of the muscles she still had. A wheelchair with a narrowed back similar to the ones used by paralytic skiers freed Stephanie to move her shoulders forward and backward. This action moved her arms which were braced by leather wrist cuffs equipped with hooks that allow her to “hold the reins.”
Stephanie Putman and Kaz, her assist dog. Stephanie uses a system of clips in order to hold the reins while driving. Photos courtesy of Stephanie Putman.
In 2012, Stephanie started working with one of the US’s top international singles drivers, Leslie Berndle. Stephanie lights up even more when she describes her relationship with her mentor, Leslie. “We just clicked. She gets me. We laugh so much but she challenges me as well,” she said. In addition to having Leslie as a coach, Stephanie also acquired the loan of Shadow, a three-time US singles champion Morgan gelding owned and internationally competed by Scott Monroe. Shadow, now age 20 but still going strong, remains on lease with Stephanie. Stephanie describes herself as an evolving driver. “I’m so happy to keep learning and keep Top: Stephanie began competing in CDEs after an accident left her a quadriplegic. Bottom: Stephanie, challenging myself. When I’m driving I feel like my Kaz and Shadow, the champion Morgan gelding she is medical issues disappear. I have the freedom to currently borrowing. move forward. My doctors ask me how I can be this Among the many people who rallied to make functional with an injury at the level of mine. The joy Stephanie’s goal of driving competitively come true of driving and being with horses again has brought was Jacque Poppin, World Champion Disabled Driver life back to my body. I get to feel competent again and when Leslie took me to try on hats and scarves from the Netherlands. Jacque and his wife, Eve, flew to California and for competition, I felt beautiful again.” Her advice for others dealing with life changing spent a week coaching Stephanie and helping her work out the challenges she faced just before she injuries is “Don’t limit yourself or always accept what others tell you are your limits. Be willing to try new entered her first CDE. In carriage driving the voice and whip are the aids things. Surround yourself with good people who can help you go that replace the seat toward your goals. bones and legs used Don’t give up your in riding. One of the ...THE JOY OF DRIVING AND dreams.” effects of Stephanie’s BEING WITH HORSES AGAIN One of the injury was partial HAS BROUGHT LIFE BACK TO MY lessons that paralysis of her vocal BODY. Stephanie says she cords. She could has learned from hardly be heard when living with her she spoke. disabilities is that In addition, she would also be unable to use the whip, so voice she has to take care of her body and be accountable commands would be even more crucial. Stephanie for it so she can pursue her passion. Part of that attributes her burning desire to communicate with passion is her dream of competing at the Para-World the horses as the drive that helped her gain back her CDE and maybe even competing in non-para driving competitions. voice. In the future she hopes to join her trainers, Leslie Today her voice is clear, strong and full of energy. As a disabled driver she is allowed to have a and Scott here in Florida to take advantage of the high quality of competitions in this area and on the East passenger who operates the whip at her request. Stephanie describes her connection with the Coast. Stephanie’s favorite quote by JRR Tolkien sums horses she drives as “communication that comes up her vision for the future: “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.” directly from the horse’s mouth to my heart.”
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Florida Sporthorse Magazine 9
Farmers’ Market
Veterinarian, Breeder, Competitor Heather Farmer brings top bloodlines to US Carol Bulmer
Who Is Heather Farmer? (Pick One) a) Practicing Equine Veterinarian b) Sport Horse Breeder c) Competitive Hunter Rider d) Wife of Dorian Farmer e) Mother of Two Children (John & Kyra) f) All of the Above If you picked All of the Above, you are correct! Iconic Bay Farm is nestled a short five minutes off state road 27 in the pristine village of Howey-inthe-Hills. New fencing and grazing mares line the driveway leading back to the friendly-looking Florida house that has a parking area and small yard. Encircling the house are the stables, jump field and more pastures. The truck parked in the driveway proclaims “Equine Performance Veterinary Practice.” The toys next to the truck state “Children Live Here.” The farm dogs are noisy and friendly, so are the people who live and work on the 20-acre facility. Dr. Heather Farmer grew up in Wisconsin riding hunter/jumpers and practicing dressage in freezing indoor arenas all winter. Upon graduating Ross University Veterinary College in St. Kitts, West Indies, in 2006, Heather vowed never to be cold again. That same year, Heather completed her six-month Neonatal ICU Internship at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA. The intensive internship included neonatal medicine, emergency treatment of colic, soft tissue injury treatment and postoperative care. Determined to keep her vow to keep warm, she accepted an associate position in a Central Florida veterinary practice. Expanding on the vet school skills, Heather attended “The Chi Institute” a leading veterinary continuing education (C.E.) provider of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Heather began offering a menu of acupuncture, herbal medicine and other modalities of TCVM in addition to her comprehensive Western Veterinary Medicine expertise to her clients. Heather satisfied another lifelong goal in 2008 when she purchased the 20-acre farm. That goal was to “Breed the best quality horse that you can find in the United States.” This meant accessing the top European bloodlines that were having trouble with successful breedings here in the United States. Frozen semen was not doing the job from certain top bloodlines. Heather became skilled with Intercytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This procedure consists of a microinjection of a single sperm cell into the cytoplasm of a mature oocyte. ICSI has shown success when using semen from stallions with low numbers or poor sperm quality. After seven days of growing the fertilized egg in a petri dish when at the time an egg is normally implanted, the fertilized egg is placed back in the donor, or in a surrogate broodmare. Iconic Bay Equestrian’s breeding program
Top: One of Heather Farmer’s current foals. Inset: Jett B jumps the world on the cover of the Young Horse Series program. Photos courtesy of Heather Farmer.
showcases two surrogate mares implanted in foal to the dressage phenomenon Totalis by the Don Shufro mare, Baguette. In addition there are four surrogate mares carrying Rubenstein foals by the Don Shufro bred mare, Baguette, plus a recently foaled filly by Quaterback out of a Diner bred mare. Co-owner, husband and Chief of Staff Dorian Farmer explains that the goal is to have four foals each year, selling them in utero or by the time they are yearlings. “We offer foals from the famous jumping lines
of Chin Chin (Holsteiner Stallion, approved Belgian Warmblood), Plot Blue (KWPN) and the famous sire of world class jumpers, Nabab De Reve (Belgium),” he said. Crossing the top sires with mares that have successful FEI jumping or FEI dressage show histories results in foals that sell by word-of-mouth. “We put their pictures on Facebook and we get offers before we advertise them,” Heather said. She does advertise her stallions Jett B and Iconic Bay. Both stallions are from the renowned jumping stallion Simsalabim and are registered
Belgium Warmblood. Jett B (2009) is out of a Chin Chin bred mare. Heather’s mother spotted Jett B at an inspection where he won his foal class. The breeder, Allyn McCracken of Bannock Burn Farm in Illinois, was not planning on selling him because of his stallion potential. Heather promised that she would keep him a stallion and develop him as both a jumper and a breeding stallion. Jett B came to Florida in Fall 2009 as a weanling. He won the jumping class as a three year old at the Young Horse Series. The Young Horse Series is a national sport horse show series designed to provide owners, trainers, riders of all disciplines multiple show venues suitable for young stock as well as providing a venue for a buyer to view multiple horse for sale at one facility. Jett B has fulfilled his 4-year-old requirements in dressage for the BWP (Belgian Warmblood registry). He has one more score at Third Level dressage for his 5-year-old requirements. Heather says he has never scored below a 65% in dressage and has won all of his classes but one. He is jumper bred with a very correct way of going and great paces. He is currently in jump training with Taylor Flurry of Aliboo Farm in Chicago. “Aliboo Farm is a good move for Jett B and his developing career. The farm and all the employees are geared toward stallion handling and training. Taylor is wonderful with stallions and currently has six stallions in training all under five years of age plus older stallions in training. The farm and all the employees are geared toward stallion handling and training. Taylor currently trains and shows the Top Ranked seven-year-old stallion in the country,” Heather said. While Jett B is in training, Iconic Bay Equestrian has frozen and limited fresh semen available. Iconic Bay 2008 (Simsalabim out of Deloquent Step) was bred, born, raised and even put under saddle by Heather on the farm. All foals born on the farm have a name that ends in Bay. It is a family-inspired legacy. Heather’s father was Iconic Bay from the www.superiorequinegenetics.com Chesapeake Bay area Young Horse Series and his boat www.younghorseshow.com. is named Pegasus, Heather’s first horse the family named Delmarva Bay. Heather was pregnant with her first born, John, when she started Iconic Bay under saddle, but now, with two children and a business, she sends young stock out to Shawn Filley Fennessey for six months or more to start them. Kyra Bay 2010 (Simsalabim out of Deloquent Step) is a full sister to Iconic Bay that Heather is particularly proud of breeding. Kyra won her yearling class at the Young Horse Series finals and has subsequently won every class she has entered. Heather carves out time at the end of her vet practice each day for a ride on one of her horses. The Wisconsin hunter trainer Heather trained with as a child incorporated dressage as good flatwork during indoor winter season. Heather continues to ride and show hunters. She trailers to Crown Point in Winter Garden to take lessons from Natalie Johnson. This winter, Heather took a fall and injured her knee, but she is eager to get back on as soon as the doctors clear her to ride. It is not just good enough to breed the best sport horses. The Iconic Bay Equestrian team; Heather, Dorian, Wendy Trocano (young horse handler/
At their Iconic Bay Farm in Howey in the Hills, the Farmers breed several mares each year to some of the top domestic and international stallions. trainer, Kim (vet tech), and Susie (barn & house help) all take great care to map out the preparation of the young stock for the life of an athlete/show horse from the time the foal hits the ground. Heather feels it is important to handle and play with them every day. Catching, leading, grooming, handling the legs and hooves, and clipping is all part of a foals’ education. Soon after free jumping, setting up for in hand class and trailering are added to the curriculum. Free jumping the young stock over low jumps for 10 minutes or less every two months helps to develop the young stock’s skill at correct rhythm, pace and cadence. They develop confidence that prepare them for the jump chute classes at inspections and the Young Horse Series shows. Heather likes to start the young stock under saddle herself when they are about three years old with a short session every other day. “You have to be careful not to push, to make it special, a treat to work,” Heather said. Heather breaks and trains young stock in a regular loose ring snaffle, even the young stallions. Cross training is essential for the development of the body of a young horse. “We trail ride our young horses in the State Park, we trailer to shows and other farms just for the experience of traveling there and back again” she said. “I want to raise a respectful horse who knows to stay in his own space (unless you ask him in to yours), a horse that respects you, the handler. I want to breed horses that have the temperament for an amateur to handle although the quality of gaits I am breeding for may push the comfort zone of some amateurs.” Foaling time is always sleep deprivation time at most breeding farms. Dorian shares foal watch with Heather. The plan is that three days or so out they start monitoring the foaling stalls from the two monitors mounted beside their bed in the house. “When the alarm goes off we can just roll over in bed and check without getting up,” Dorian said. Heather credits her schooling with being able to troubleshoot problems. “My internship at the Neonatal ICU gave me a strong background on what can go wrong and what “right” looks like. Most foalings go well with maybe a gentle assist from me once the head and feet are out, just to keep the mare from working so hard. Then I just stand back and
watch for the foal to nurse and pass the meconium (first feces). I don’t interfere unless something is wrong,” she said. Still, it requires a team effort to ensure that all aspects of the farm and business run smoothly. “I really could not do all this without a great support staff,” she said. The Chief of Staff is her husband of five years, Dorian. “Our goal,” Dorian states, “is to make everything on the farm work and get everything done so at the end of the day Heather can get on a horse.” Dorian shops, cooks and even buys clothes for Heather. Everyone pitches in on everything. Kim (vet technician) goes out every day with Heather. Dorian hauls horses to trainers and owners, manages the barn, fixes the fencing, gets the John and Kyra to school and back, and does the billing. Wendy Trocano comes once a week and handles the young stock, teaches them to cross tie, to stand, walk and jog in hand. She bathes them, teaches them to lunge, and gets them used to the dogs, the golf cart and all the things that happen in life. Susie works with Dorian on whatever needs to be done. “After coming home from a long day of early morning emergencies and scheduled farm visits I like to close the vet practice door, play with the John and Kyra for an hour and then get on a horse,” Heather said. Heather met Dorian on a group outing where Dorian was the blind date for Sherry, Heather’s best friend. Dorian had horses in common, team penning then jumpers. Heather thought, “Sherry’s going to hate him.” However, things worked out well for Heather and Dorian. Sherry was Maid of Honor at their wedding. They married in 2009. A son, John, was born in 2010 and Kyra (the daughter not the horse) entered the family in 2012. Growing children, growing foals, a growing farm and a growing veterinary practice keep Heather, Dorian and associates very busy and very happy. “The future of Iconic Bay Equestrian lies in the European Quality of our young stock with prices that compete with going to Europe and buying one,” Dorian said of the future of Iconic Bay. “Buyers do not need to go to Europe for this quality now.“
Five steps to a shiny coat
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 11
Diet key to getting horses glossy Nerida Richards, PhD
T
here is nothing more pleasing to a horse owner's eye than a brilliant, shiny coat. And aside from looking great, a shiny coat also indicates the horse is healthy inside and out. Question is, how do you make your horse shine? It is really quite easy if you follow these simple steps.
Step 1—Feed a balanced diet Many nutrients including protein, copper, zinc and vitamin A have a direct impact on the health and shine of your horse's coat. These nutrients as well as all of the other essential nutrients must be provided in your horse's diet at levels that will meet your horse's requirements . If you don't keep your horse healthy on the inside you can't possibly expect the outside to shine.
Step 2—Add oils to the diet If your horse's diet is low in oils, and in particular, low in the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 it will probably mean your horse's coat will be dull. Adding 1/8 to 1/4 of a cup of oil to the diet will help bring shine to the coat. Various ways you can add oils to the diet include: Add oilseeds such as sunflower seeds, micronized or extruded full fat soybean, or boiled flax/linseed to the diet. Add liquid oils to the diet. Almost all oils will have a positive impact on coat shine. Cold pressed canola or soybean oil or any oils that have been fortified with omega fatty acids are particularly effective. Rice bran oil and coconut oil are also good for coats. If you use a complete feed, choose one that contains ingredients like full fat soybean, sunflower seeds and cold pressed oils.
Step 3—Feed feeds known to darken coats It is well known that feeds containing molasses will make a palomino's coat go 'smutty' or dark in color, while it will bring a deep liver color out in chestnuts that have the genetics to go that color. So if you are after a darker coat, try feeding molasses (1/4 to 1 cup per day). Don't feed molasses to horses prone to laminitis. Products containing a compound known as gamma oryzanol are also often reported to darken coats. Gamma oryzanol is found naturally in rice bran and can also be purchased in a purified form (Google gamma oryzanol and horses). Step 4—Worm regularly Nothing will take the shine off a horse's coat faster than a heavy worm burden, so be sure to worm regularly and follow a good worming rotation schedule. Step 5—Brush! Brushing regularly will remove dead hair from your horse's coat and will stimulate the horse's
sebaceous glands which release oils that cause the hair to lie flat and shine. It nearly all comes down to a good diet I can't stress enough how important step 1 is. Balance
the diet and make sure all of your horse's nutrient requirements are met. If you build on this foundation, adding the extra touches for an amazing coat is simple.
12 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Championship care for every horse Prince Equine Center offers state-of-the-art conditioning, rehabilitation Christie Gold
A
t the far end of Prince Equine Center in Manatee County, a non-stop convoy of motorists heads north on I-75, yet the buzz of traffic does not disturb the mares and foals soaking in the warm spring sun. The 50-acre Quarter Horse farm has long been a place where champions are bred and trained, now the facility has an additional purpose: Owners Chester and Anne Prince have developed a place where future champions condition and injured equine athletes heal. In the main barn, the well-appointed office room walls are lined with proof of Prince Equine Center’s success in the Quarter Horse realm: Gold, silver and bronze trophies mark an accumulation of World and Congress championships. So why would the owners of a halter horse dynasty venture into the world of conditioning and rehabilitation? “We felt there was a need in the area,” Anne said. “Ocala is two hours away. If you have a horse who needs extra care, it’s nice to be closer to home where you can talk face-to-face with the people overseeing your horse’s care.” Having been in situations where her horses were sent elsewhere for treatments, Anne empathizes with owners. “Many times horses need round-the-clock care—like for eye injuries—that boarding stables or individual owners simply cannot provide.” The staff at Prince Equine Center can provide services as simple as daily hand walking or soaking hooves to more sophisticated treatments such as application of Game Ready or Turbulator Boots. A bunkhouse in the main barn ensures that horses in Prince’s care are monitored at all times. For breeding the farm offers artificial insemination and embryo flushing services as well as mare care that includes oversized foaling stalls with cameras for careful pre-delivery monitoring. Ongoing services for both rehabilitation and conditioning include a Vibration Plate which has a range of uses from enhancing hoof growth to treating navicular and founder, tendon and ligament injuries. Whole body vibration therapy can also prove beneficial in improving stamina and flexibility. Adjacent to the barn is a fitting track where horses can trot in straight lines alongside a pony or the ATV as part of conditioning or rehabilitation. The track boasts state-of-the-art footing and a flyfree environment that uses the same system for pest prevention as large zoos. Magnawave, ultrasound, shock wave, and I-rap therapies are also available as well as herbal treatments, chiropractic and acupuncture services. “We are very open minded about alternative therapies,” Anne said. The centerpiece of Prince Equine Center’s services, though, is the Aquatrak.
Above and below: The Princes developed the Aquatrak, an aquatic treadmill and cold water salt spa for conditioning and rehabilitation of horses. Photo courtesy of Prince Equine Center.
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 13
Cold water therapy and treadmills are not new to the horse industry, but the Aquatrak is a combination of an aquatic treadmill and cold salt water spa. The above ground, walk through unit allows salt water to be chilled to 42 degrees and features a variable speed treadmill. Clear panels on the sides and back allow for viewing of the horse’s gait. For Anne, the Aquatrak has become an essential part of prepping halter horses. “In halter, you want to shape certain muscle groups. With the Aquatrak, we can do that. If we need a little more muscle in order to shape the horse, that’s possible,” said. Anne says that Thoroughbred farms have also found it useful in preparing and conditioning young horses for sales. What about sport horses? “We can lengthen walk and trot steps in order to get horses to engage more fully, and because the horses are buoyant, there is no concussion during the sessions.” Using the Aquatrak has an advantage over swimming horses as well. When horses swim, the water comes to their belly line causing them to invert. In the Aquatrak unit, horses lift their backs and travel more squarely. With careful control of the treadmill’s speed, stride length is increased and horses push more from behind. Anne said that the Aquatrak proved especially useful for a Prix St. George dressage horse that was having difficulty developing the strength and stamina for Grand Prix. “The horse looked fit, but he just couldn’t hold the piaffe,” she said. “Initially, he could only go about 3/10 of a mile on the Aquatrak; after a month, he could go 1 1/10 miles.” The conditioning allowed the horse to complete his dressage training and compete at the highest level. Beyond conditioning, Anne and her team have found that the Aquatrak reduces recovery time with many injuries that once required months of stall rest. It has also helped horses with anhidrosis. “We’ve found that by putting horses in the unit for 20 minutes every morning helps to bring their core temperature down and then ‘kicks in’ their system.” The Princes developed the Aquatrak after experimenting with other systems. “We wanted to develop something safe and reliable that, with the help of a computer, an assistant could run. We wanted the viewing panels so that we could monitor motion and proper body use, and we wanted something easy to repair. Most of the parts on the Aquatrak can be replaced with a trip to a local hardware store.” As the Princes continue to follow their passion for breeding quality Quarter Horses, they also hope to gain more attention for the other services they offer in order to help horses and their owners. “We want to grow at a moderate pace. It’s important that as we move this direction, we offer the very best care. The vets, farriers and support staff here—we’re a team that always puts the horse first.” For more information on the Aquatrak or services offered through Prince Equine, visit www. princeequinecenter.com.
14 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Tough times, stable business
Six show managers discuss running competitions in a sluggish economy Carol Bulmer The recent economic downturn affected everyone from the back yard horse owner to large show stables, from the competitor that shows once or twice a year to the dedicated show participant. Hunter/Jumper shows, Combined Events, Dressage Shows, Breed Shows have all shown the effects of this downturn. We interviewed a cross section of Central Florida Show Managers to explore the changes shows have experienced and how some show managers successfully “weathered the economic storm” and how these managers foresee the future of shows in Central Florida.
Carlie Evans Southeast Horse Shows, dba Website: www.southeasthorseshows.com
Events: 17 recognized shows per year--Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Morgan/Saddlebred , Arabian Four venues: Gainesville, Ocala, Tampa, Jacksonville
Impact: During the downturn participation dropped from two and three-ring shows down to one arena. “Interestingly, the Prix St. George entries increased even though the lower level entries declined. I cancelled no shows and broke even on all shows.”
Strategy: “During the downturn brought in out-of -state judges that competitors wanted to show in front of and asked judges to work with her on their fees. Entries are up 80 percent for 2014.” Future: “I will continue to offer quality shows with respected judges.”
Gayle Witty Orlando Dressage, Inc. Website: www.orlandodressage.com
Events: Eight recognized dressage Shows per year. Three venues: Apopka, Ocala, Weiersdale
Impact: “During the downturn participation dropped from two and three rings down to one arena with a 50% decrease in participation. No shows were cancelled, and I lost money on some shows because I continued to sponsor the traditional competitor party, and I kept the quality of the show intact. Strategy: “During the downturn I focused on offering the same Quality Competition possible with the special friendly perks of the Competitor Party and special handmade trophies. In 2014 we are back up to pre-downturn number in some shows and not quite fully back up in others.” Future: “I will continue to offer the most professional but friendly shows possible to continue to attract competitors.”
Judy Fannin Fannin Hill Farm/LAJUF, Inc. Website: www.fanninhillfarm.com
Events: Six Hunter/Jumper/Dressage two-day schooling shows per year; two one-day schooling horse trials One venue: Fannin Hill Farm in Brooksville
Impact: “During the downturn I went from four combined events down to two events yearly and from two dressage shows down to no separate dressage shows. I combined the dressage schooling shows into the events and cancelled two of the combined training schooling events.” Strategy: “My family and I did most of the work for the events that I did not cancel. I also went from word- of -mouth to more advertising and website visibility. Our entries per show are almost, but not quite, up to pre-downturn numbers.” Future: “We are focusing on more marketing and advertising strategies to attract schooling show participants. Luckily our venue is horse-friendly, and we are known for that.”
Jeanne Merrill Rocking Horse Stables
Jeanne Winslow Horse Shows in the Park, LLC
Colleen Martin Sumter Equestrian Center, Inc.
Website: www.rockinghorseht.com
Website: www.horseshowsinthepark.com
Website: www.sumterequestriancenter.com
One venue: Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona
Five Venues: Melbourne, Gainesville, Tampa, Ocala, Weirsdale
Events: Nine two-day schooling shows--Hunter/ Jumper/Dressage; six one-day Open Shows; six one day Ranch Horse Show
Events: Six schooling shows-- dressage/stadium/3 phase; five recognized horse trials Impact: “We took over management of Rocking Horse two years sago from Alice Andrews, so we missed most of the downturn. Generally the numbers had been depressed prior years, but Alice did not cancel any events. In 2014, we discontinued recognized dressage Shows due to low participation.” Strategy: “Alice’s strategy during the downturn was to focus on providing the best footing possible and a quality show. Enough money was made during popular events to offset the less attended shows. There is resurgence in entries in 2013-14 possibly due to more competitors using Ocala for a winter home training and showing facility. Also, the judges that like to winter in Ocala and/or Florida make it more economical than flying them in for the show.” Future: “We are focusing on maintaining and improving the footing and the facility so our shows will be competitive against the newer facilities in the area.”
Events: 22 one and two-day schooling shows; three USEF”C” rated (Regional 2) 1-day shows
Impact: “During the five-year downturn, we only canceled one show due to lack of entries, and we moved one show to another venue due to light entries.”
Strategy: “The strategies we used when entries were light consisted of having the gate person double as announcer and combining divisions. We concentrated on offering the quality of footing and superior course design that is offered at the “A” rated shows. The extra friendly show office along with the “A” rated quality footing and course attracted the exhibitors and owners who wanted to spend less money showing but still demanded the quality they were used to, and 2013 was a phenomenal year for increased participation with 2014 looking even better.” Future: We have added a USEF rated Course Designer to our staff and have added three one-day “C” rated shows that precede the two-day Hunt Country Shows. We will continue to offer the kind of superior footing, courses and friendly show management that will attract the higher quality horses and the discerning competitors and owners.”
One venue: Sumter Equestrian Center in Bushnell
Impact: “During the downturn we did not cancel any shows.”
Strategy: “Our strategies for the downturn were being economical while satisfying our core group of participants. We kept our entry fees down but kept the Advertising budget the same. This way our shows broke even during the downturn. The participation in the jumping and the number of children entering were hardest hit.” Future: “We are back up in participation except for drops during the holidays when entries are lighter. We are going to continue to offer economical schooling shows for a wide variety of riding disciplines. The facility is always being improved and updated as the cash flow improves. We focus on our core groups needs and tailor our shows to them.”
16 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Kings of driving
Beyond a brand, the Budweiser Clydesdales are ambassadors of the horse world
Janeane Reagan, PhD
W
hen we hear the words “Budweiser Clydesdales,” most of us have instant mental flashes of these giant mahogany and white horses playing football, shaking snow out the trees, or aspiring to a career on “the team.” Along with that go the images of handsome Dalmatian dogs with their own career agendas and more recently the too-cute yellow lab puppy. All of these visions escalate each year as the Super Bowl draws near and we wait in great anticipation for the newest Budweiser commercial to debut. However, behind the commercial hype and the clever film editing are the real-life adventures of the three traveling eight-horse hitches of Clydesdales and the human teams that care for, transport and present these amazing equine celebrities to the public across this country. I recently had the opportunity to meet one of these three-species teams (horses, dog, and humans) when they where stabled locally for presentations in the area. Our visit started with our drive through the gate of the majestic Padua Farms located just south of Ocala. As we drove past the elegant lakes, homes, and stables I felt more like I was in Kentucky than Florida. We could see our destination in the middle of the property because of the three distinctive 50 foot red semi-tractor trailers that were parked next to two white stud barns. As the media folks all gathered at the front of the first barn, handler Kat Metzger, a media savvy young woman brought out one of the ten Clydesdales for us to pet, to have our pictures taken with, and to feel dwarfed by. Standing next to these 18 hand giants does make you feel small. Part-way through this meeting the traditional mascot of the Budweiser teams, a handsome male Dalmatian, bounded out of the barn to greet us. This particular Dalmatian named Clyde, sported larger than usual black spots giving him about a 60/40 ratio of black to white. Cat told us he was only a year old and could get quite rambunctious. In all his enthusiasm, however, he never jumped on or bumped into anyone. He soon discovered a visiting dog that accompanied one of the journalists. With permission, the visitor was let off leash and both dogs retired to the nearby grassy area for some hardy romping. Kat proceeded to describe the care and feeding of the horses that travel. She told us that there are usually six people traveling with each team and it is vitally important that they all be cross trained to do all the jobs required to maintain and present the team. She has a CDL license and often drives the tractor trailers. The two jobs that did not include all members of the traveling staff where shoeing and driving the full eight-horse hitch. “These are specialty jobs,” she said. Only two people drive the full hitch and a farrier
The Budweiser Clydesdales on a recent stop at the Live Oak CDE in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Brian Kimball. is flown in every six weeks to reset shoes on the 10 horses that travel together. After our initial briefing, we were allowed to wander about to watch the horses receive their daily care which, on this particular day, included new shoes. As we approached the shoeing cross-ties where another of the Clydes was patiently standing on three feet, we encountered a pile of horse shoes, each one the size of a large dinner plate. We were told that these used shoes usually find their way into the gift shops at Budweiser facilities. The horse being shod sported a “hair band” just above each fetlock to keep the feathers, their long fluffy white hair, out of the way of the farrier. While the regular farrier and a visiting farrier talked over the raised hind foot of the Clyde, a quiet man dressed in a standard red Budweiser polo shirt stood to the side observing the shoeing. He turned out to be Manny Raber, one of two hitch drivers traveling with this team. When another reporter asked about the semi that carried the harness for all these horses, Manny graciously offered to show us the inside of the trailer. The wall of the trailer was lined with individual wooden booths in each of which hung the complete harness for one horse. The interior was the epitome of organization and efficiency. As the other reporter and his photographer turned to leave, I had my chance to interview Manny at a more personal level:
JR: Manny, this is a pretty elite job. Not many people are drivers for the best-known and most seen horses in the country. How long have you been a driver for Budweiser? M: I’ve been on the road with a team for the past 19 years. JR: How did you get into driving draft horses? M: I started driving when I was about six on my parents’ farm in Iowa. We raised and showed Belgians. I showed all over the country even here in Florida. The last time I showed here was at The Live Oak Classic and we won the championship for all draft breeds. I was just 21 then. JR: How did you end up driving for Budweiser? M: Some of my friends worked for them and they told them about me. They called me up, asked me if I was interested. JR: I imagine any driver that gets this job has to have lots of experience with drafts. Do you still have to go through special training before you can drive for Budweiser? M: Yes. They have an intensive training program at their center in Merrimack, NH, where they train both the young horses and the new drivers. I guess they like to let them all learn together. It is an eight-month program for the drivers. The horses stay until they are four before they are selected to go into hitches that travel. The breeding farm is at Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville, Missouri.
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 17
Members of the Budweiser team unload the wagon for a demonstration at Live Oak. Photo by Brian Kimball. JR: How much physical strength does it take to drive an eight-horse hitch? M: The wagon and horses combined weight is about 12 ton. The 40 pounds of lines held by the driver plus the tension of the horses pulling creates a weight of over 75 pounds. JR: That must take a lot of strength. Do you have to work out or do any special exercises to manage that level of demand? M: Not really. Driving regularly is about as good a fitness program as any. Sometimes when I don’t drive for a month or so it takes a while to get my arms and
reflexes back in shape. JR: What other jobs do you do as part of the traveling staff? M: I drive one of the semis, clean harness, stalls, about everything. I can put a shoe on too if one comes loose between farrier visits. JR: What is the hardest part of this job? M: Mostly the travel. The team is on the road 300 days a year. Of course, there are several weeks of vacation time for getting back home so we end up working about 10 months all together. JR: Do you have a family?
M: I’m engaged, but about half of the road staff has families. JR: How does your fiancé handle your being away so much? M: Well, she understands because her father was the first driver of the West coast Budweiser team. It helps to have someone who is used to it. She’s also involved with horses back home. JR: What do you do to handle the lifestyle of travel? M: Oh, I play some golf or go fishing when I can. We do a lot of face-time and Skype with family and friends and I love to read. JR: Can driving the hitch out in the public get stressful at times? M: Actually driving the horses is pretty automatic at this point, but you have to plan ahead for what’s coming up in your path to prevent accidents even though we have side walkers. JR: If a driver gets anxious, does that transfer to the horses? M: We see that mostly with new drivers who are just starting out. They get anxious and over drive or rush things and the horses will pick that up. JR: What do you like most about this job? M: It’s pretty mellow and laid back especially compared to showing drafts. With this there is no one to beat. JR: How long will you keep driving and is there any other job in Budweiser you would like to move into? M: Nope. This is the best job in the whole organization. I’ll keep driving as long as I enjoy it.
18 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Dressage for the event rider
Tips for tackling the pre-jumping phase of combined training Amber Kimball
Y
ou’ve arrived at the event. Your tack is clean, your horse is braided and your boots are polished. There’s only one thing between you and the jumps. The dressage test. Getting through the dressage test is like eating your broccoli so you can get to the chocolate cake. Some people like broccoli, some don’t, but everyone agrees that it’s good for you. As eventers, you and your horse are brave, resilient types. You gallop over daunting solid obstacles, plunge into water from slippery banks and leap fearlessly over ditches. You also nimbly negotiate stadium fences, which unlike their cross country counterparts, tumble with the brush of a hoof. All of this action-packed activity draws you to the exciting sport of eventing. One thing is certain; you and your horse love to gallop and jump. But, before you head out for your turn over fences, you must head down the centerline of the dressage arena for demonstration of accuracy, relaxation and composure. The dressage test is the threshold to the jumps so like it or lump it, your turn inside the white rails awaits. You might be the rider who doesn’t mind dressage too much, you might even think it is fun. However, you feel like no one let your horse in on the secret that dressage is good for him and he should buckle down and get to work. Riding a dressage test on a horse who is fit and fervently awaiting cross country competition can be quite a challenge, especially if he thinks that dressage is for sissies. Or, maybe your horse doesn’t mind the pursuit of the perfect circle but you’d rather have a root canal than ride through another tedious lesson of dressage drudgery. Remember, dressage is challenging for the athletes who practice the sport six days per week. Since an event horse has two other disciplines to master, the task becomes even greater due to the division of training time. Adding even more challenge to the time constraints, we factor in the type of horse competing and the mindset of the rider. Dressage can become a stumbling block in an eventer’s career. The rider who is drawn to the sport of often loves to gallop and jump but doesn’t always have passion for dressage. It’s not always the case, but frequently the riders feel like they just need to get through the test so they can get to the cross country course. The horses chosen for eventing must be good jumpers as two phases require talent over fences and lack of talent could be dangerous, if not deadly. Sometimes, these good jumpers are
also naturally talented on the flat. Sometimes though, the conformation and attitude of a great jumper doesn’t make a superb dressage horse. To compete successfully in the sport, the horse and rider must excel in all three phases. Luckily, when schooling at home, dressage doesn’t always have to happen in a rectangular sandbox. If the horse feels looser or quieter after a bit of jumping, it can be useful to the rider to do some gymnastic jumping alternating with schooling on the flat within the same session. It’s smart to use the strengths of the horse or rider to help improve the weaknesses. Every ride counts. Ride good balanced turns and transitions in all your work, not only when specifically practicing in the dressage arena. While out in the fields trotting for fitness, ride the horse in a balanced, uphill, somewhat
round outline. Expecting some carrying from the hind legs and a basic round outline during conditioning work helps the horse in his arena work. It’s unfair to condition the horse with miles of trotting and cantering on his forehand and then expect him to carry himself all of a sudden because it’s dressage day. Each transition is a chance to school the horse whether in the countryside or in the dressage ring. Even if you or your horse are tired and it’s time for a walk break, ride that down transition like there is a judge watching. If you develop good habits outside of the ring, they will come with you into the show arena. Have a plan when you go into the ring to school at home. Riding around and around the dressage arena without a good plan can be a waste of time and certainly will lead to boredom and frustration.
ensure the accuracy of the figures. Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect, When it’s time to head into the show ring, perfect practice makes perfect. Be aware of the breathe, look up, square your shoulders and very simplest aspects of your horse’s way of smile. Even if your horse does handstands at “X,” going: rhythm, tempo, relaxation, uphill balance. you don’t want to give the judge the impression Unless the horse is in a stretching frame, the that you’ve been dreading this trip around the poll should always be the highest point. If you arena all morning. lose sight of your horse’s ears, you’ve also lost Remember to ride every movement like you the carrying power of his hind legs. Use videos want the judge to give you a ten, even if you are of your past competitions and your judge’s expecting a four. The judge doesn’t know that comments from old tests to help plan your your horse thinks dressage is mind-numbing or rides. In standard dressage, a horse should be that you’d rather be sitting in rush hour traffic schooling a level above the level it shows. This than trying to remember if you need to turn left should also be true of the dressage test you ride or right at “C”. at your event. Try to ride Follow the one movement progression of the GETTING THROUGH THE at a time and USEA tests as a road DRESSAGE TEST IS LIKE EATING save speed map for the training YOUR BROCCOLI SO YOU CAN for the cross and be comfortable country course. riding a test above GET TO THE CHOCOLATE CAKE. A lot of riders your level at home SOME PEOPLE LIKE BROCCOLI, get into a flurry before you ride at the SOME DON’T, BUT EVERYONE of riding the show. AGREES THAT IT’S GOOD FOR test and forget Also, the USEF to ride the dressage levels, YOU. horse. If one Training through 4th movement is a levels, offer excellent total disaster, guidelines for the brush it off and move on. It’s really easy to progression of any horse’s training. let your past mistakes haunt you through the Although in the main competition scoring, remainder of the test. If you carry the tension you are trying to get the fewest number of of the mistakes with you, the whole test suffers. penalties, remember, as your test is being Until the final salute, you always have a chance judged, you are trying to accumulate the most to make up for mistakes by riding well. points possible. Don’t give points away. Any Dressage may never be your favorite horse, regardless of talent or gaits, can make discipline but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Add accurate figures, straight centerlines and square a bit of dressage to all your rides and you might halts. surprise yourself with the results at your event, When practicing at home, using traffic cones not only in the dressage ring but in all three or other safe markers, measure out the patterns phases. of your test and ride the figures of your test to
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Florida Sporthorse Magazine 19
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Tips from ‘r’ judge, Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck 1. In the Beginner Novice through Training level tests, you are allowed to use rising trot. It is most often best to rise the trot than to sit. Some riders sit the trot in these tests thinking that the judge will assume they are better riders than if they were to post. Unfortunately, what happens most of the time is that the rider slows the trot down so much that it affects all of the trot scores and the impulsion score at the end of the test. The comments in this situation will frequently read “lacking impulsion”. In the rising trot you are better able to help the horse go forward, something we really want to see. With the occasional horse that gets quick in the trot, sitting can be helpful; but overall it mostly harms the test. 2. When you get the wrong lead in a canter depart, don’t continue on the wrong lead hoping we won’t notice. We will notice and if you stay on the wrong lead it could affect as many as four of your scores. It’s not just the transition score that is affected, but the circle and the transition back to trot as well. Show us you know it’s the wrong lead by coming back to the trot and asking again. You, as the rider, will get credit for knowing and trying.
If we only see one lead of canter in the test we have to give a much lower score for gaits and perhaps the rider’s score also. 3. On the strechy circle, give the reins sooner and keep the stretch longer. Two or three strides of “sorta stretchy” is not going to get a good score. It makes us wonder if you are afraid to let go of the reins because your horse is going to run away or if you don’t know how to do it. Practice at home and really go for it at the show. 4. Show the down transitions after lengthened and medium gaits. Many of the tests have a separate score for these transitions. Weak or non-existent transitions equal a low score. Quite often the horse is still doing the lengthened /medium canter around the corner. It’s hard to prepare for the next movement that way. This is one area where learning to half halt really helps. 5. In the tests that ask for serpentine loops, make sure the loop that is closest to the judge is the correct size. Way too often, the first two loops are too large so the one we can really see, the one closest to “C”, is way too small. Yes, you should make them all equal in size to be
most correct (that gets a score of 9 or 10) but if you have to make one smaller so the counter canter loop in the middle is a little easier, make it the one farthest from the judge at “C”. We might even give you credit for thinking. 6. In the tests that ask for rein-back, please practice them at home. A lot. Just doing them a little bit every time you ride helps the horse learn, understand and be much more cooperative. If you have to in the beginning, have someone help you from the ground by pushing on the horse’s chest with a finger while you give the aids for rein-back. Too often, the reinbacks look like it’s the first time the horse has ever been asked to go back. We then score accordingly.
Art by Kayla Purcell
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20 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
sure fire ways to set yourself up for
A MULTI-DISCIPLINED APPROACH TO DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION Karen Abbattista
failure
WARNING This is a work of fiction. Incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and completely understandable.
1
Green + Green = Black & Blue
True or False? The following are key phrases to look for when shopping for a horse. Shop all that are true. o Perfect for a professional o Needs a quiet/strong/advanced rider o Sensitive o Not for the timid o Ready to start your way o Stallion prospect o When selecting a horse, you should look for the newest model, with the lowest mileage, and in your favorite color. Tips: 1. Just started riding? Buy a young horse: you can learn together. 2. Looks are more important than temperament. 3. Steer clear of the older model; you don’t want the vet bills. (You will need all of your money for the emergency room) 4. You don’t need to ride him; look at how well he moves in the video! 5. Buying a horse is an investment. If it doesn’t work out, you can always sell it and double your money. Advice: Are you a fan of bungee jumping, sky diving, and other extreme sports? Do you prefer scary movies, haunted houses, and the leg shaking, adrenaline pumping, cold clammy feeling you get from fear and terror? Then, by all means, buy an unsuitable horse! Look for something green, with very little training, and big huge gaits. Shop for a horse that’s extremely reactive, very sensitive, and a tad bit explosive--a horse with a name like Buck, Pistol, Tornedo, Monster, or Lightning. Sure, some people ride for relaxation and calm. They can even canter without threat of disaster! Where’s the challenge in that? You like to live on the edge, taking your life in your hands. Why play it safe when you have AFLAC?
2
The Flavor of the Month Club The trainer/client relationship is much like a successful marriage; it requires trust, honesty, understanding, and patience. However, unlike marriage, it does not require monogamy. Occasionally soliciting feedback from outside sources in the form of clinics and showing can break through plateaus in learning. Sometimes hearing the same thing said by someone else, or in a slightly different way, often times with a foreign accent, can stimulate comprehension and a light bulb moment. It doesn’t matter that your trainer has been saying the same exact thing repeatedly, they will respectfully refrain from saying so (maybe) when you tell them what you learned. This is not to be confused with speed dating. For a training program to work, it requires commitment. Constantly switching trainers ensures that as soon as the honeymoon period is over and the real work begins, a new plan is made and the cycle starts over. No consistency, slow progress. After all, it’s all about the journey. Why not make it last twice as long?
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 21
3
Fragile, Handle with Care True or False? The following situations apply to horse shows. Check the statements that are true. o The weather at horse shows is always 75 degrees and sunny. o The show grounds are a perfectly controlled environment. Tips: 1. Make sure your horse never feels the wind on his face or the rain on his back. Never make him walk through puddles. Shelter him from any inclement weather. 2. Protect him from loud noises, sudden movements, anything that might be scary. Never take him off the property. Don’t expose him to new situations or stimulus.
Advice: The following is an abbreviated list of frequently encountered hazards at horse shows: Golf carts, Flags, Trash Cans, Loose Horses, Tents, Umbrellas, Plastic Bags, Trucks and Trailers, Flower pots, Dogs, Small Children, Blaring Loudspeakers. Make sure each of the above is a new and novel adventure. Your horse is sure to be spinning in circles with his head in the air. The whites of his eyes will be showing. He’ll be snorting and blowing, and you’ll have lots of impulsion. How much for one of those air bag vests?
5
Dare to be Different
4
Tick Tock Are you a procrastinator, or a Type-A ultraorganized multi-tasker who has way too much to do? Wait until the last minute to leave for a horse show/clinic/equestrian event. How? Work backwards, plan every minute until show time. How long will it take to get there? To get dressed? To tack up? Leave just enough time to accomplish those tasks. Don’t worry, there won’t be any traffic, accidents, or road blocks. Parking will be easy, no lines in the office. Even hooking up the trailer will go smoothly and exactly as planned. A clean horse NEVER rolls in the pasture. You bathed him and groomed him just the evening before. Those braiding bands, your show pad, it’s been so long since you’ve used them. It’s hard to remember exactly where they might be. Rummaging and rifling through boxes and cupboards. Checking your watch, you finally give up so you can get on your way. Come on, quick, quick, quick, in the trailer! It’s time to get going. Your horse laughs when you load him; thirty minutes and counting, you are still trying to coax him. A thought crosses your mind, maybe today’s not your day….
Once upon a time at a horse show, somewhere, sometime… Trainer: “What are those?”
Student: “New spurs, you like them?” (Sunlight glinted off the shiny German silver rowels strapped to freshly polished boots). Trainer: “Um, you don’t normally ride with spurs….”
Student: “Yes, but I thought they looked good with this outfit.”
A horse show is a great place to try out new equipment, after all, why else would there be vendors there? Spurs, bits, bridles, why not mix it up a bit? After all, riding is communication, an intimate dialogue between you and your horse. Changing the vocabulary, the way in which the messages are delivered, is sure to increase the possibility for misinterpretation. Add in the distraction of a new environment, a different warm-up routine, and the rider is sure to wail “He never acts like this at home!” Keeping it consistent creates comfort and security in the horse’s mind. No surprises. The same tack, the same routine, and you are more likely to have the same horse. That may or may not be a good thing, but that’s a different subject altogether. Change it around, switch it up, alter your warm up, and your horse will be wondering about the differing agenda. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” Tony Robbins If something’s not working, by all means change it, but warning, you might want to try that at home. “If you don’t do what you usually do, you might not get what you expect.” K. Abbattista However, you are sure to provide entertainment for the spectators!
Art by Sarah Boon
22 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Beautiful Babies Thanks to the owners/breeders who submitted photos to our annual cover contest. Here are a few of our favorites.
Clockwise from left: Pirouette. Photo by Deirdre Teasley. Barolo by Ublesco. Bred and owned by Cara Raether. Photo by Barbara Carry. CF Don Quiote by Oldenburg stallion Don De Marco out of Pretty Woman and bred by Gina Cook of Centaur Farms. Sugarbrook Believable, owned and bred by Sandy Holbrook of Floral City.
Correction We regret that the wrong photos were used in Lynn Peck’s article “Hindquarter Help” in the Winter 2014 issue. Here are the correct photos.
All Holistic Veterinary Care, PA
Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS
“Performance Improvement”
Above: This warmblood gelding was regularly schooled several times a week on the flat. He tended to have difficulty in balancing and carrying himself.
Subtle Lameness/Chronic Pain
Neuromuscular Weakness
Back Pain/Movement Problems Metabolic Issues
Above: Six weeks after application of the techniques in this article, he had obvious significant muscle development, without any change in his routine or level of activity. His flatwork improved almost immediately after the techniques were used and maintained without further treatment.
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