Florida Sporthorse Fall 2013

Sporthorse FLORIDA

FALL 2013

Lisa Hyslop: Passion & Perspective V ol . 5, N o .1

Sporthorse FLORIDA

FALL 2013

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Blue Centaur

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Inside Florida Sporthorse 4 Editor’s Note Success from the ground up 6 Natalie Hughes Marshall & Sterling, Ramona Quimby and college

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8 Passion & Perspective S Judge Lisa Hyslop from the saddle and the judge’s box 11 Battle of the Clubs Group Member Organizations launch state championship 14 Down to the Wire HART aims to retrain OTTBs for sport horse disciplines 16 Zebras don’t get ulcers Decrease anxiety by recognizing ‘lions on the move’ 17 An ounce of prevention A review of the Pre-Vent feeder 18 Time well spent Careful grooming necessary to equine health

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Christie Gold

20 Best foot forward Fostering a positive owner/farrier relationship 22 They’re everything What horses mean to us

4 From the editor

Karen Kennedy/Icon Studios

Christie Gold

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f I had to choose a theme for this issue, it would be this: Get back to basics.

A few months ago, the equestrian blog, theridinginstructor.net, posted an article that has made is way around social media titled “Top 3 Reasons why America’s Producing so Many Mediocre Riding Instructors.”

The author takes instructors to task for not learning the basics of horsemanship, for assuming that because they can ride they can also teach, and for making shows the goal of riding.

The end result is the dilution of sound horsemanship and instructors with limited depth of knowledge: “Instructors can only teach what they know or what they see. We have a generation of copy cat instructors who see something but have no idea about

Success from the ground up

Sporthorse

the principles behind what they see.

They teach it to students, some who become instructors themselves, and their knowledge is more shallow than their predecessors. This has created a spiraling down cycle and a dilution of the quality of instruction in the U.S.” This idea that nothing can replace sound knowledge, good care and quality horsemanship began to appear in story after story in this issue.

Despite their successes, both Lisa Hyslop (a newly appointed ‘S’ dressage judge) and Natalie Hughes (Marshall & Sterling League Champion) admit to having to take time away from hands-on, day-to-day attention to their horses. For Hyslop, it’s been the rigors of the judging program; for Hughes, it’s trying to balance riding with the demands of college. Both believe that part of their success has been the time spent attending to their horses’ needs themselves rather than passing those duties off to others.

Also in this issue, Amber Kimball discusses the importance of grooming—an often overlooked and

Editor and Publisher

rushed equine routine essential to the health of our horses. Farrier Jonathan Porter warns us to be wary of shoeing gimmicks and, similar to the riding instructor article, expresses concern that many farriers lack solid basic horseshoeing skills.

Taking shortcuts is a cultural epidemic, but even in this era of highspeed internet connections, viral videos and overnight success, most tangible markers of success still require good old-fashioned sweat and hard work.

It’s often easy to forget that the essence of horses, not ribbons and trophies, is what drew us to the world of riding in the first place. This is articulated by Caroline Morrison in the essay she penned for the Common Application for college admission that we have reprinted here.

With the holidays and the winter show season approaching, the temptation to rush through basic tasks will be greater than ever. Remember that, just as in Aesop’s fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” slow and steady ultimately wins the race.

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Lisa Hyslop: Passion & Perspective V ol . 5, N o .1

Lisa Hyslop aboard Rolling Stone (“Mick”). The lifelong equestrian and FEI Competitor just earned her ‘S’ Judge’s rating. for dressage.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Hyslop

“Come along for the ride!”

Florida Sporthorse Magazine

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The Faces of Florida Sporthorse

1. 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.

2. Amber Kimball 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 sucessfully 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. 3. Sara Scozzafava has been riding dressage and combined training horses since she was a child. She is working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Animal Science at the University of Florida. She has been the advertising manager for Florida Sporthorse Magazine since 2010, and enjoys the opportunity it has given her to meet horse people around the state.

4. Karen Abbattista is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, a recipient of the Silver Musical Freestyle Bars, and an USEF Learner Judges Program Graduate with Distinction.

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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. Based out of RJC Equestrian Centre, she now teaches both Classical and Western Dressage throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties. She continues to compete both at national and FEI level dressage.

5. Caroline Morrison is a senior at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa. She is rated a C2 in the United States Pony Club and a member of the South Creek Pony Club. Caroline enjoys all aspectsof horsemanship. Her concentration has been 3’3 hunters, 1 meter jumpers, equitation, and first level dressage. You will rarely find her spending time away from her horse, an eight-year-old Holsteiner.

6. Jonathan Porter is an American Farrier’s Associationcertified farrier based in central Florida. With a primary focus on English sport horses, he has worked toward an understanding of the specific needs of these athletes. He beleives strongly in continuing education and makes improvements in his work a constant endeavor. The only thing wrong with him is his unabashed love of miniature horses...something that’s not okay for a farrier to admit.

7. Janeane Reagan 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.

Natalie Hughes

The ambitious young rider talks about her road to the Marshall & Sterling League Finals with the tough and talented Ramona Quimby

Natalie Hughes and the diminutive but powerful Ramona Quimby. Hughes rode the mare to the Marshall and Sterling League Finals. She is currently studying at the University of Florida and searching for a Grand Prix horse. Photos courtesy of Natalie Hughes.

Christie Gold FS: Describe your road to Marshall Sterling.

NH: My sponsor, All About Animals, bought Ramona Quimby for me in June 2012 and that is when my journey to finals began. The road was rough in the beginning because, as with any new horse, it took Ramona and I a while to bond.

At our first show together I was questioning if she was even the right horse for me but over the year she really has proved herself.

She goes above and beyond everyone’s expectations and whenever you think she is exhausted or maxed out, she surprises you.

She has gone through a very stressful show year; every other weekend we were at horse shows showing two or three days in a row. We have been all over Florida, Georgia, New York, and Vermont. We have really been chasing points since day one.

FS: Describe your rounds in the Children’s Jumper classic.

NH: Both Children’s jumper classics were unlike anything I have ever been through. On day one I was the 4th to last to go. I was a little nervous in the schooling ring because it was starting to get really dark and there was thunder and lightning all around. I was about 2 horses away from going into the ring until the show

manager said there would be no more horses showing tonight due to weather. I was nervous because that meant Ramona and I would have to possibly do 4 rounds the next day (two 1st rounds and 2 jump offs). The first round and jump off went great on the second day! I ended up 2nd.

The second round was very intense. I was 11th in the order and no one before me had gone clean. My round was going great until I pulled the 2nd to last rail so I was a little discouraged when I came out of the ring. As the class went on everyone else was pulling rails as well . Out of 30 trips no one had gone clean so there ended up being a jump off between the 4 faulters.

I remember standing with another trainer who’s rider had 4 faults and we were both biting our nails in hopes that no one would go clean so we had another chance at the gold! I was the 2nd to jump off and the girl before me went clean so all I had to do was go fast and clean. There was an inside turn in the course that I had to take to win but before going into the ring I was very nervous about it because Ramona and I had previously had issues with inside turns.

As we got to that part in the course all I could think about was sitting up and I actually remember saying out loud, “Alright Ramona we are doing this inside turn to the Smartpak jump. Get

ready.” She already knew about the turn before I had even said anything. The thing about Ramona is that she wants to win just as much as I do. She knew that taking that inside turn is what it would take to win.

She really is just an incredible and athletic horse.

FS: When did you begin riding and showing?

NH: I began riding when I was about five but I only became competitive within the last year or so.

In 2011 I was riding my Children’s Hunter horse, Falina, but I really did not enjoy it. Hunters became repetitive and boring for me so one day I told my mom I had had enough.

I wanted to be in a division that required a high drive for competition and confidence. Also, with jumpers you can continue improving and challenging your abilities by jumping bigger jumps, that is

probably why I like it more than hunters.

FS: With whom do you currently train?

NH: I am currently riding with Jan Utewrick at Dutch Meadows Farm in Dade City, FL. I have always had trouble finding a trainer that is right for me because I am the kind of person that really needs to be challenged, and I often find trainers trying to hold me back.

I have been training with Jan for about a year and a half and he really has given me a lot of confidence because he does push me to jump higher and try things that are harder than what I will be faced with at the show.

FS: What riders on the circuit do you most admire?

NH: A lot of my friends who ride are very big into

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 7 keeping up with “Horse Show Idols” but I really don’t keep up with that. I just try to stay focused on my riding.

FS: Now that you are in college, how do you balance riding, schoolwork and having a complete college experience?

NH: I currently attend University of Florida and it is a lot harder to ride in college than I initially anticipated.

I only have classes Wednesday night and Tuesday/ Thursday mornings so that makes it easy to ride and school horses during the week. I usually go home to ride my horses on Friday and return to school Monday night.

Going home and keeping up with Ramona and my other horses is a lot harder, though, because I do not get to give them the individualized attention they are used to. I try and have a few lessons a week but I certainly do not get to ride as much as I would like.

FS: What are you studying?

NH: I am a business Management student right now but I am very interested in Hospitality. In a perfect world though I would like to ride and show every weekend. In the future I see myself going to the 2020 Olympics.

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FS: What’s next for you and Ramona Quimby?

NH: Ramona and I will be debuting at the NAL Finals and WIHS Finals. After finals I am looking for a Grand Prix horse so we will, unfortunately, have to sell Ramona.

It pains me to say that because I really do love her and I have never felt such a strong bond between me and a horse. I am also skeptical towards selling her because she is such an amazing horse so I am worried we might not find another one like her.

FS: Where does riding fit in with your future plans?

NH: I would really like to go to the 2020 Olympics and possibly open a large barn.

I have often thought about becoming a trainer or running horse shows but I have no idea yet. I guess I am just hoping that one day I will wake up and just know what I want to do. I love riding so I do see it in my future.

FS: What is the most important lesson that riding and working with horses has taught you?

NH: Riding has taught me mostly about responsibility. Having a horse is a lot to take care of and if you are like me having seven horses is really a lot to take care of.

I personally think I matured a lot faster than my classmates because have a lot more responsibilities than them for example-- I was up feeding my horses before I went to school then feeding and medicating them when I came home. There is a lot more to a horse than any other pet (ie a dog).

My mom and I are the ones that clean the stalls, feed, medicate, wrap, and we even trailer our horses to the shows. Most riders have grooms to take care of their horses at the shows; I do all of the work for Ramona.

I believe that I have a stronger bond with Ramona than other girls do with their horses because I am the one that takes care of Ramona so she really trusts me and knows I will never forget about her (and that is probably why she takes such good care of me when I ride).

8 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Passion & Perspective

Lisa Hyslop experiences upper level dressage from the saddle and the judge’s box Carol Bulmer

L

isa Hyslop earned her USEF “S” dressage judge’s license this past August after a life-long pursuit of her passion for horses across a diverse equestrian landscape.

“The horse-centered life is a passion. I have to do this. This speaks to me. It is not a job or career or hobby. It is who I am. Many people cannot understand that,” she said.

The passion budded at the age of three when Hyslop was put on her fist pony at Estaire Berkley’s Fort Lauderdale Riding Academy. Miss Berkley pronounced young Lisa’s legs were too short for lessons. She returned to Miss Berkley’s every year hoping to be accepted for lessons. Miss Berkley decided when Lisa was 5 years old and still very short legged that “Lisa was just going to be little” and accepted her into the lesson program.

Miss Berkley’s Academy was Saddle Seat education at a time when all the best horsemen and horsewomen rode saddle seat; in fact, the epitome of horsemanship at that time during our nation’s equestrian history was winning the Saddle Seat Good Hands Finals Championship at The National Horse Show. Lessons at Miss Berkley’s Academy were strict and demanding. The school horse’s bridles had no nosebands, bits were the long shanked saddle seat curb and students were strictly forbidden from pulling on the mouth at any time.

When she was nine, Hyslop’s parents established Marblehead Arabians, a breeding farm in Broward County. Her father, Dr. El-Ramey, was a respected neurosurgeon with a strong personality in both his professional and his personal life, and the Arabian farm was a sign of the family’s prestige as well as a tax benefit. Young Lisa started showing Arabian Saddle Seat in competitions that year.

Growing up with a domineering father taught Hyslop to meet challenges head-on. The resulting clash of wills marked the relationship with her father and affected her early horse endeavors.

Hyslop’s 14th birthday saw her putting her first unbroken horse under saddle (Al Marah My Gypsy) as well as her first competition dressage test riding her saddle seat show horse, Nodoramas Cadet.

Unfortunately, Cadet bucked the whole canter portion of the test. Undaunted, Hyslop continued dressage lessons to improve the horses she was riding saddle seat, though it would be 14 years before Hyslop rode in another dressage show riding her long time partner Fleet Halaaniz+/.

“During my late teens and 20s, many of my decisions were attempts to either rebel against my father or to appease him,” Hyslop said.

Those intervening 12 years found Hyslop in and out of the University of Florida while getting married and then divorced. Eventually she earned

S Judge Lisa Hyslop with Rolling Stone (“Mick”) at Dressage at Devon. Opposite page: Lisa with Fleet Halaaniz, her partner in dressage and Arabian shows (top). Lisa riding saddle seat early in her riding career (bottom). Photos courtesy of Lisa Hyslop.

All About Judges National Judges Classifications According to The United States Dressage Federation there are 113 “S” or senior judges, 69 “R” or registered judges and 95 “r” or recorded judges available to judge in the United States. That makes a pool of 277 total judges available to officiate at United States Equestrian Federation Recognized Dressage Shows nationally. “r” judges are restricted to judging 2nd level and below.

“R” judges are restricted to 4th level and below.

“S” judges can judge through Grand Prix.

Show management prefers to hire the “S” judges especially with a one or two ring smaller show because it is simpler to schedule.

her Bachelor of Science in Zoology.

Hyslop’s first job out of university was marketing work for Renaissance Cruise line. Hyslop even took a year off to work and ski at Breckenridge, Colorado.

In 1991, she got married a second time to Michael Payne, worked in a cardiologist’s office and started to ride a horse bought for her father, Fleet Halaaniz+/.

The next year Hyslop rode “Fleet” to the Arabian Horse Association National Champion and Reserve Championship in Dressage.

Hyslop’s father’s death in 1993 caused a drastic change of direction for her. She declared her Professional Status with the USEF and entered into the USDF Learner Judges Program where she graduated in 1994 with distinction. That same year Hyslop earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medal on Fleet Halaaniz+/. The next year, they won the AHA National Championship at fourth and PSG. Fleet was a special horse for Hyslop. A 19-yearold Fleet won the Show Hack Class at the Inaugural AHA Sport Horse Nationals with Hyslop. After a distinguished show career, Fleet retired to Hyslop’s Oak Hammock Farm to give lessons to a special few students and lived out his life pampered and content.

When Fleet died at the age of 22 in 2011, Hyslop hosted a wake for Fleet in the barn that was attended by his many admirers.

As Hyslop’s career continued to evolve, she knew she needed a Grand Prix horse to train and show. She was working on her “r” and then “R” judge’s licenses while coaching, training and traveling for clinics and shows. Beck Hyslop, whom she married in 2003, encouraged her to find a horse that would help her reach her training and showing goals. During 2006 she imported a handsome, gray warmblood named Rolling Stone or “Mick Mick was a badly trained fourth level, 12-yearold horse. Hyslop spent two years not getting very far in retraining him before she decided to work with Bettina Drummond.

Mick’s training progressed and in 2010 the pair just missed going to the USEF Festival of Champions in the Intermediare 1. The next year Mick and Hyslop began showing Grand Prix, and succeeded in earning three 60 percent rides at Grand Prix that first year.

Hyslop immediately put in her “S” judges application.

Hyslop believes she has a sound perspective for judging.

“Judge’s training made me a better competitor.

On the other hand, coming to dressage judging from a training aspect (How do I improve my saddle seat Arabian?) gives me a different perspective than people who approach Dressage as a sport.”

Completing the USEF Judges Training Program was a 19-year, arduous process for Hyslop, beginning with acceptance to the USDF Learner Judges Program to earning her USEF “S” or senior judges license. It cost her more than $10,000 to meet the requirements of the license. This cost is incurred attending the required judges’ forum, apprentice judging at multiple shows outside her home region, attending practice judging events, attending classroom instruction and completing online lectures and quizzes.

Each classification of judge from “r” to “R” to “S” requires five riding scores of 65 percent or greater at Prix St. George and three scores of 60 percent or greater at Grand Prix.

The time required to fulfill these requirements made it impossible to keep up with her demanding training, teaching and showing business.

As a lower level judge (“r’ and “R”) it is difficult to get hired. When show management have a small show they hire an “S” judge that can judge all the way up to Grand Prix. It makes the scheduling of the show simpler. Small or large R judges are asked to judge at the last minute when there are too many

“L” graduates are utilized at non-USEF recognized schooling shows. “L” graduates have successfully graduated from the United States Dressage Federation Learner Judges Program. These graduates are NOT judges recognized by the USEF. “L” grads have successfully passed the rigorous and acclaimed program that ALL potential judge candidates must pass “with distinction” before applying for and entering the “r” judges program.

International Judges’ Licenses International Competitions held in the United States (and world wide) are called CDI or Concours de Dressage International. These competitions require at least three countries competing and must be run according to the rules set by the FEI or Federation Equestre Internationale. FEI licensed judges are classified as FEI 3*(there are four in the US), FEI 4* (there are 16 in the US), FEI 5* (there are 5 in the US).

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10 Florida Sporthorse Magazine entries for one judge to handle. Many small r judges offer to judge for free in order to fulfill their judging requirements to keep their license or to apply for the R status. The judges who live closer to large show venues have an advantage.

Hyslop had to abandon her business (coaching and training) to focus on fulfilling the requirements of the “S” license.

Hyslop is quick to point out that being trained as a judge does not make you an instantly accomplished judge. Only practice and ongoing education can do that. Judges are acutely aware that they have the power over what is going to go forward and what sets the example.

“When I judge I want to see a well-trained horse not just an extravagant mover; a well-matched team working in harmony. I do not want to see a rider yanking the test out of a horse,” Hyslop said.

Hyslop explains that during the “S” training the organizers did their best to expose the candidates to the top Grand Prix rides. She says that using the top of the scale (0-10 for each movement) is difficult, and if you overthink, you start picking apart something that is good resulting in too low a score.

Hyslop feels it is more productive to judge the Grand Prix rides at local shows not just the topranked riders so she has a wider perspective.

Hyslop has some advice for anyone starting the Judge’s Training Program: “Know every requirement for the license and check it off as fast as you can.

It took me 19 years to acquire my “S” status, and I wasn’t dawdling.”

Hyslop feels that the Judges’ Training Program is a good one that prepares candidates properly. but she questions how high the required riding score bar is set. It is a good thought that the judges are accomplished riders and have “walked the walk” (riding wise). However, it is not only the people who can afford the best horses that will make the best judges.

Hyslop feels that we should make the funnel a little wider on top to include the more talented prospects that may have less money behind them.

“The more talented rider/trainers are very busy and have no time or inclination for the Judges’ Program,” Hyslep said. “Does that mean we will have a rider’s path and separate judge’s path?”

She points out that there was a discussion at one time in the Arabian Horse Association to have professional judges paid by the Association. This would prevent the conflict of interest with judging impartiality and the buy/selling/training of horses.

“I believe as a judge we have a certain obligation to mentor those that have the talent and propensity to go down that path and help develop their eye. Back in the day I would scribe for Max Gahwyler or Hubert Rohrer. When they realized you had an interest they were very quick to point out things for you to see and to help you to understand it. I would like to see more camaraderie, more mentoring in our judging system.“ Hyslop also credits judging with improving her training program.

“The judging has forced me to further develop my eye and that has made me a better instructor. But you must understand that training is not showing and showing is not training. It is merely a test, a sequence of movements that show what you can do with the horse per the requirements of the test,” she said.

Hyslop emphasizes the core principles of dressage while training and coaching; proper balance, riding back to front, riding from the leg to the hand

Mick at the pirouette. Imported from Europe, the horse had to be retrained, but he eventually helped Hyslop earn the scores she needed at Grand Prix to apply for the S program. Photo courtesy of Lisa Hyslop. and most importantly being true to the horse. Look at the conformation of the horse. Is the horse suitably built for what you want to do with him? It would be cruel to take a horse happily built for roping and say to him, “Now you must be a saddle seat horse.”

Now that Hyslop has achieved her “S” status, she is turning her attention to bringing out her three young horses: a nine-year-old, a seven-year-old and a five-year-old.

Hyslop considers the making of an FEI horse a 10-year process and points out that the Europeans typically have one horse to show and one horse developing behind that one. She values the longterm relationship she develops during the training process.

“I don’t like feeling disconnected from my horses.

It goes back to having the horses at my home as a child. I stay in my horse trailer at a show to look out and check on my horse. It is a way to relieve stress

when I am competing. I don’t judge other people with their relationship with their horse. But I don’t think I could forgive myself if something was going on with my horse that I wasn’t aware of because I wasn’t the person taking care of the horse in the barn. It might ultimately limit the number of horses and riders I can touch but it is what I need to do.”

Looking forward in time Hyslop would like to qualify to compete at Gladstone either small tour (Prix St. George, Intermediare) or large tour (Grand Prix). She is also considering working for an FEI judging license.

Hyslop hopes to find a balance between riding and judging and is hopeful about the future of dressage.

“I would hope that we find the trust among ourselves as a community so that even if we disagree or even misunderstand each other we can still find our way to build a strong community.”

Battle of the clubs

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 11

Inaugural Championships recognize efforts close to home

Misty Nichols

Karen Abbattista and Divinity compete at the first Group Member Organization Championships. The show was created in order to give riders who normally compete in schooling shows the feeling of championship show.

Karen Abbattista

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t was close to two years and a lot of hard work in the making.When Robin Sego, Vice-President of Alpha Dressage Association and the driving force behind the FL GMO Championships, presented the idea for a GMO sponsored Regional Championship series at an Alpha Dressage Meeting in December of 2011, it was met with unanimous approval.

“The purpose of the GMO Championships is to give people who compete primarily in local Schooling Shows an opportunity to compete at a slightly higher level. The inspiration came when I attended USDF Regionals as a spectator a couple of years ago. I wanted to give people in our area, who might not have the financial means or other resources necessary for competition at USDF shows, the opportunity to experience that same excitement.

It provides them with a goal and motivation to participate in the Schooling Show season,” explains Robin.

“The team component came from my years in Pony Club. We had an annual competition with another club that involved a weekend competition, with each team member earning points for the team based on several classes. We had a perpetual trophy

for the event.”

ADA reached out to a neighboring GMO, Southwest Florida Dressage Association (SWFDA) to solicit their involvement. SWFDA’s membership enthusiastically endorsed the proposal by ADA for the show series. A task force was appointed, with members from both clubs working in cooperation on the project.

develop the basic outline of the GMO Championships.”

The task force also decided to dedicate the perpetual trophy to the memory of Rodney Schriver, a dressage rider and trainer who passed away in late 2011. Sarasota resident, Clayton Cramer, generously agreed to donate the trophy to the organization in Rodney’s honor.

Fox Lea Farm was approached as a possible venue for the Championships.

“THE PURPOSE OF THE GMO CHAMPIONSHIP IS TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO COMPETE PRIMARILY IN LOCAL SCHOOLING SHOWS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER LEVEL.” ~Robin Sego, Alpha Dressage Association The task force, comprised of Robin Sego and Martha Koehnlein from ADA, and Mary Francis Denton, Holly Chernoff, and Verna Saxer-Gibson from SWFDA, met in early 2012. Out of that initial meeting came the qualifications for participation, consensus on costs and fees, and the determination of individual and group awards.

“It was definitely a group effort,” states Robin.

“The idea became reality with the help of a lot of people from both ADA and SWFDA who worked to

“Fox Lea Farm was kind enough to allow us the use of their facility at a reduced rate so that we could accommodate all of the competitors,” explains Robin. Located in Venice, FL, Fox Lea Farm hosts multiple USEF and USDF sanctioned dressage shows a year. “Many of our riders were excited about the opportunity to show at that facility. It definitely elevated the event in their eyes.”

Thirty-three horse and rider combinations qualified and participated in the first FL GMO

12 Florida Sporthorse Magazine Championships, held on October 27th, 2013. Classes ranged from Introductory Level to FEI, and included Western Dressage. There was a Victory Gallop by the first place riders, and a formal presentation of Class and High Point Awards.

At the end of the day, SWFDA took home the trophy with a two point lead over ADA. High Point winners received gift certificates to Whispering Ranches Feed, and all Class winners received prizes.

Where to go from here? “I definitely want to continue to have it as an annual event for our Clubs.

Other GMO’s in our area have expressed an interest in competing in the FL GMO Championships, which might allow us to expand the show into a weekend event,” says Robin.

If you are interested in learning more about the FL GMO Championships and/or wish for your GMO to be involved, you can contact Robin Sego at sego1@ juno.com Qualifications for participation: 1. Riders must be an active member of Alpha Dressage Association (ADA) or Southwest Florida Dressage Association (SWFDA).

2. The rider must submit three scores from three different judges from ADA, SWFDA or Fox Lea shows that are: a. At or above 60% for Introductory, Training, and First Levels, including freestyles. b. At or above 58% for Second Level and above, including freestyles.

3. At least one test must be the highest test of the level. The championships will use the highest test for each level other than for freestyle and FEI levels.

4.A rider can qualify a horse at two different levels as long as they are consecutive levels (i.e. Training and First Levels).

5. A horse can be qualified at different levels (not necessarily consecutive) by different riders. A horse can be ridden by a maximum of three riders and a rider can qualify a maximum of three horses.

6. It is the rider’s responsibility to submit the test scores (copy of the front of the test) to the show secretary prior to the due date (postmarked no later than October 1). The scores must be from the show calendar year of October 1 – September 30. The rider will also be asked to declare Adult Amateur (AA), Open, or Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) status.

7. Each Club will have five wildcard positions. They can be filled, at the Club’s discretion, with any active member of the club. The entry must be submitted by the closing date and there can be no changes or substitutions after that time.

8.The show will be held in the last two weeks of October by the host club. The GMOs will alternate as the host. The host GMO will assign a show secretary as the primary contact person. The non‐host GMO will assign a representative to be involved with any decisions involving the show (i.e. judge, date, location, schedule, etc.). The host GMO is responsible for the cost of the show.

9.The show will follow USDF/USEF guidelines.

Awards: Individual: Ribbons will be awarded through 6th place for each level. The levels will be divided into AA, Open

Horses and riders line up for the awards ceremony and victory gallop at the GMO Championships. and Jr/YR categories and placed separately.

Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st through 3rd place for each level and designation (AA, Open, Jr/ YR). The amount will be determined by the class fees collected for each level/designation. 50% of the fees will go to the host GMO with the remaining being awarded at 25% for 1st place, 15% for 2nd place and 10% for 3rd place.

Misty Nichols

A high point ribbon (and trophy/prize) will be awarded to the one rider at any level or in any category who has the highest score of the show.

Group (GMO) High Point Award: 1. Each participant will earn points for their GMO: a. First place = 7 points b. Second place = 6 points

c. Third place = 5 points d. Fourth place = 4 points e. Fifth place = 3 points f. Sixth place = 2 points g. Any participant who did not place = 1 point

2. The points will be totaled at the end of the show and a perpetual trophy awarded to the GMO with the most points. That GMO will retain procession of the trophy until the following year.

The club and year will be added to the trophy annually. The trophy will be donated in memory of area trainer and rider Rodney Schriver.

In Memory of Rodney Scriver: Rodney Schriver was a huge success in the dressage arena, but he enjoyed teaching as much as his show career.

He was dedicated to both ADA and SWFDA members and their horses. He had a gift for working with riders from novice to advanced, encouraging them on their journey through the levels.

Rodney never said an unkind word and truly believed that every horse could be a Grand Prix horse and every rider could be a Gold Medalist.

Rodney had his start in eventing and was longlisted for the 1976 Olympic Games.

He worked with horses of all levels bringing them along from birth to Grand Prix.

He rode with many of the classic dressage masters, including Baron Hans Von Blixen-Finecke and Inge Theodorescu.

One of his greatest influences was J. Ashton Moore, the Chairman of the USDF Judges Educational Materials Subcommittee.

Misty Nichols

The championship trophy is awarded to the highest scoring Group Member Organization. It is named for Rodney Schriver, a long-time trainer who supported both Alpha Dressage and Southwest Florida Dressage.

Rodney succumbed to cancer in late 2011.

Throughout his life, he was a very humble man--it’s been said it would have overwhelmed him to know that an award was being given in his honor, but he

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14 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Down to the Wire

HART helps ex-racehorses find forever homes Christie Gold

A

s racing fans cheer for three-year-old Thoroughbreds vying for the Triple Crown each Spring, few realize the dire fate that awaits young equine athletes once their racing careers end, including many of those with winning records and champion pedigrees.

According to The Jockey Club, breedings in 2012 resulted in 22,001 live foals in 2013. Most of those foals will never make it to their first race and fewer still will ever finish in the money at even a small track.

At one time, “off the track Thoroughbreds” (OTTBs) were the backbone of other sporthorse disciplines, namely eventing and show jumping, representing the United States at the highest competitive levels. Over the past few decades, however, the importation and domestic breeding of European Warmbloods led to decreased numbers of retrained race horses finding second careers in the show ring.

Suzanna Norris, of Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART) in Cocoa works to change the fate of many OTTBs. “We specialize in retraining and finding homes for horses that can become sport horses or active pleasure horses,” Norris said.

Norris says that she and sister Shannon have a “genetic defect” that draws them to their work.

Horses were central to the girls’ lives from early on when they played on little pink horses with springs and later advanced to lessons and horse shows on real horses. Because she never had much money, she and her sister, Shannon, would find OTTBs, retrain and show them.

“I always have had a knack for horses in need,” she said. “Anytime someone would call a horse bad, ugly or unworthy, I would say, ‘That’s the horse for me. I’ll take him.’”

Norris eventually earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, but throughout college, she maintained a pony training business.

In what she calls a “slow, inevitable flow,” she made horses her full-time job in 2006 when she opened Hidden Acres Equestrian Center where Thoroughbreds remained her breed of choice.

“I understand the Thoroughbred brain,” Norris said. “They have so much heart. They will give you everything they have.”

While running the equestrian center, Norris began fostering ex-racehorses through Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care (Florida TRAC).

“I started researching the plight of Thoroughbreds,” she said. “So many are thrown away.

They don’t end up in a field in Kentucky. They end up in ugly places.”

Her relationship with Florida TRAC fueled her

Tracey Butcher

Tracey Butcher

Top photo: HART founder Suzanne Norris and Slater, an OTTB that she rescued and rehabilitated. The pair currently even at the beginner novice level. Bottom: HART volunteers help with the daily duties at the farm. They also ride and show many of the rescue horses. Opposite page: Norris and Slater school cross country. fire as she realized how many horses were in need.

In 2011, she shifted her focus from running a forprofit equestrian center to a non-profit venture with an aim to retrain OTTBs for second careers. With the help of her sister, who serves as head trainer, and a host of volunteers, HART has found homes for 60

horses.

As long as horses do not have major soundness issues, Norris is willing to take them.

“We are successful at creating viable candidates for show and pleasure. I have a soft spot for very sensitive, often mislabled horses. I often take the

HART is non-profit organization formed in 2011 that specializes in bringing in sound and ready for work OTTB’s so that we can retrain them and prepare them for brand new careers, and keep them from suffering uncertain fates.

HART focuses on education, and they believe that by promoting awareness of the potential plight of these OTTBs, and by training others to be competent horseman they will bring more OTTBs to safety.

HART seeks donations and sponsorships to help with their mission and vision.

For more information, contact Suzee Norris via hiddenacresequinetrainingandrescue.com Tracey Butcher

ones who are overlooked because of this,” she said.

Because Norris is limited to how many OTTBs “It’s great to bring in the underdog and watch him she can take at any one time, she has created another bloom.” aim for HART: Educating the public on the plight of Norris and her family ride, train and show their racehorses. own rescues as well. Her current mount, Slater “The racing industry is taking more interest in (racing name Closing Costs), is a rescue that Norris the well-being of these horses,” she said. “Strides are says “picked her.” Slater is by multi-million dollar being made. It’s not enough, but it’s something.” winner and successful sire, Devil His Due out of a She acknowledges that there are some racing notable mare, but Slater found no success on the programs that are accountable, but not enough. track.

“The money is there. There is lots of money in “He was simply gorgeous. I didn’t even know if racing.” he was sound, and when I walked him, he kept trying Norris takes a compassionate approach to to bite me. I took him anyway.” creating awareness about racehorses. Rather than At home, she discovered that, not only was Slater focusing on the negative aspects of the industry, she sound, he had beautiful, floating gaits. promotes the positive.

“In the beginning, he wasn’t interested in “More people need to understand the magic anything human. It of the horse. Our was hard to reach focus is not only on him; I had to learn helping these horses “YES, WE ARE RESCUING HORSES, how to stroke his but helping people. ego. Now, we have Yes, we are rescuing BUT THEY ARE ALSO RESCUING US.” a ball together. horses, but they are ~Suzanne Norris, HART He’s become and also rescuing us,” she amazing, fun horse who really enjoys his work.” said.

The pair now event at the beginner novice level.

As HART evolves, helping people will become After showing a rescued pony for many years, a focus. “We are about creating an environment to Norris’ 11-year-old daughter was given an OTTB last rescue people, “ she said. year and is almost ready to event him. Shannon’s Norris says HART is on the ground floor of a students have shown some of the other horses who therapy program that will help at risk children, those have come through their barn. with both physical and emotional challenges.

“Shows are what open my eyes to what the She also wants to broaden their reach as a horses need. Are they better suited for the jumper resource for other groups and individuals who adopt or dressage ring? Will they be successful event or racehorses. “I get calls almost everyday. People say, horses or nice pleasure horses?”

‘I’ve just adopted a racehorse. What can I do?’ We get HART sits on just seven acres which limits these calls all the time, and it makes me happy to be the number of horses Norris and her crew can that resource.” take. Currently, the group has nine horses that are Norris has big ambitions for her organization adoptable or almost ready for adoption. Another and admits to being “the kind of person who jumps three are fostered elsewhere. off a cliff without looking.” She knows that as long as Although Thoroughbreds are the focus, Norris there is racing, there will be a need for people to take finds it hard to say no to a horse in need. She currently OTTBs—and there will always be people who will has a POA that was abandoned and a Florida Cracker benefit from everything that horses have to offer. horse that she picked up after the Sherriff’s Office “There’s just this voice inside of me saying that contacted her. this is what I’m meant to do.”

16 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Kathleen A McLaughlin

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers Optimize performance by realizing when ‘lions are on the move’ Janeane Reagan

I

wish I could take credit for this great title, but I can’t. It is actually the title of a 2004 book by Robert Saplosky, a neurobiologist at Stanford University.

Saplosky is a leading researcher on the stress response and its impact on the development of diseases like ulcers, diabetes and heart disease in humans and other species.

If there is any animal on earth that should be getting ulcers from their everyday life, it is the zebra, says Saplosky.

The zebra spends his day grazing on the broad savannahs as part of a big herd. Along the perimeter of the herd lives the prides of lions that regularly make lunch out of zebras. The lions are always there and the potential to become lunch is an ever present risk for the zebra.

So why doesn’t this persistent looming danger result in zebras that constantly worry about being eaten and therefore develop stress reactions like ulcers?

The nervous systems of zebras are set up in such a way that they remain relaxed and graze calmly until their sensory systems detect specific types of noises, movements, and scents that indicate that a lion is on the move toward them.

When this combination of cues occur, the zebra’s stress response, his fight or flight center in the brain, activates a rapid fleeing response which is generally shared by the whole herd. In other words the zebra does not worry about danger in the future, but responds to it only when it is present.

Human beings, however, have this wonderful mental activity called “imagination” which rules their thinking and which is used to anticipate the future.

If you were a zebra with this ability, you most likely would be thinking “when is that lion going to get me?” This use (or misuse) of your imagination

would be activating the stress response repeatedly throughout your day and night.

Chronic activation of the stress response produces wear and tear on the body and can increase the potential for ulcer-causing bacteria to get a good hold on the stomach lining.

There are many situations in equestrian sports when stress is a natural component with both the potential to be helpful or detrimental to your riding or driving.

Competition is the most obvious time when drivers and riders feel that surge of physiological energy that can either take them into their best performance zone, or knock them out of it all together.

What is happening with the human partner in these situations transfers directly to that relative of the zebra, your horse? Your stress response can become the “lion on the move.”

Psychologists recognize that for many people worry, the thinking behavior that zebras don’t do, is a normal human function.

They even differentiate between healthy worry that helps you plan ahead and do problem solving verses unhealthy worry that is anxious thinking about things you can not address through current action or planning.

For instance, a rider or driver who is concerned about remembering his or her dressage test and strategically plans to review the test at particular times during their preparation to compete is using healthy worry, while the competitor who is frequently thinking “If I screw up that test it will be so embarrassing and my trainer (spouse, parent, friends…) will be so disappointed in me” is engaging in unhealthy worry.

This second type of worry is likely to set off the stress response frequently, resulting not only in a poor performance but increasing the risks of stress symptoms. Diseases of stress like ulcers, diabetes, and heart disease result from long-term chronic stress reactions, but unhealthy worry can lead to

more immediate problems such as upset stomach, butterflies, diarrhea, headaches, and hives as well as irritability, loss of focus, and poor memory.

Just as the zebra cannot change his stripes neither can the human equestrian stop having an active imagination. The solution to becoming a little more zebra-like is to recognize “when the lions are on the move.”

In other words, identify the specific times when you are working with your horse or during competition that your stress response is getting triggered detrimentally. Develop a strategic plan for making your worry behavior work for you. Follow these steps: 1. Write down your plan so you don’t have to keep going over it in your head.

2. Identify the actions you can take to address the concern or problem- what you can do about it.

3. Identify what you cannot do about the problem or concern- what do you need to let go of?

4. Assign a specific time when you can take action to address your worries.

5. Replace your worry-thoughts about negative outcomes with positive reminders like “I can review my test until I am comfortable with it and stay calm and clear headed when I ride it.”

6. Most of all, breathe slowly and exhale long to reduce that fight or flight reaction so you can “graze calmly like a zebra” more of the time.

And, speaking of ulcers, the domestic horse, cousin to the wild zebra, seems to have acquired a tendency to get ulcers from living with us humans.

Kansas State University professor Beth Davis, DVM, PhD, has noted that 90% of race horses and 60% of show horses develop stomach ulcers most likely as a result of training, travel, competition stress and human imposed feeding schedules.

Google “ulcer prevention in horses” to look at Dr. Davis’ suggestions for keeping your horse(s) ulcerfree. You may get some more ideas that could work for you as well.

Product Review

An ounce of prevention: Pre-Vent Feeder Sara Scozzafava

One of the scariest things for a horse owner to witness is their horse choking. It renders a person helpless until the vet gets there, which in many cases can feel like hours to both the horse and the horse owner.

After the incident is over the horse is still not “out of the woods,” as choking can cause aspiration of whatever material the horse choked on, leading to possible pneumonia, and even death.

Having experienced this first hand, and having a horse that was prone to choking, I went looking for ways to lessen the chances of this happening again.

I came across a feeder called a Pre-Vent Feeder. It has small indentations in the bottom for the feed to fall into, forcing the horse to eat smaller bites at a time, and slowing him down in the process.

Since he is taking smaller bites he doesn’t take his head out of the feeder after every bite, as so many horses do. This has also cut down on the amount of feed that spills onto the ground and gets mixed in with shavings, and inevitably sand that is our soil here in Florida. This is a win-win situation, as the less sand we can keep our horses from ingesting the better.

After trying the Pre-Vent Feeder for the past

few months, I have to say I have been impressed.

I would recommend this product to any horse owners having problems with their horses choking.

I would also recommend it for horses who gulp their feed, resulting in colic, or spill feed leading to sand ingestion.

It can require a little more cleaning than a regular feeder, due to the small compartments in the bottom, but this has been a good trade off for me and my horse.

For more information: www. pre-ventfeeders.com

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18 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Time well spent

Make thorough grooming a healthy horse-keeping habit

A thorough daily grooming not only feels good for your horse, it helps you detect possible problems.

Amber Kimball

E

verywhere we look, we see people in a hurry.

The 21st century has thrust us into a constant state of haste.

We multitask at every opportunity, employers demand more work to be accomplished in less time and we use the newest, cutting edge technology to aid us in our accelerated lifestyle.

Most aspects of our lives can be adjusted to fit into the time-crunch lifestyle. However, when it comes to our horses, haste really does make waste. While our lives might be in the high-tech fast lane, our horses still live the low tech lifestyle.

Spending a little more time with our horses day to day can prevent time and money being lost in the future. Better yet, those few extra minutes spent with your horse are a great way to escape life’s hustle and bustle.

While it may not be practical to assume that every day we will have enough time to fully groom the horse before every ride, the benefits of a thorough grooming are well worth the time and energy

expended.

Take an extra few extra seconds to examine each foot as you pick it out. Note the temperature of the hoof while it’s in your hand.

If one foot is markedly warmer than the others, there could be trouble brewing in the foot. Check the coronary band for abnormalities and the white

MOST ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES CAN BE ADJUSTED TO FIT INTO THE TIME-CRUNCH LIFESTYLE. HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO HORSES, HASTE REALLY DOES MAKE WASTE.

line for signs of separation.

Also, note if your horse is more reluctant to lift one foot more than the others and if it changes over

Dusty Perin

time. He could simply be lazy about having his feet picked but he might also be showing small signs of pain through his hesitance to weight a leg or flex a joint. If anything seems amiss, it might be a good idea to talk to the vet of farrier.

If the horse is shod, run your fingers over the clinches to see if any are raised and visually and physically examine the shoe to make sure it is tight and flush with the foot.

Catching a raised nail or a slightly sprung shoe early can save your horse from a lost shoe and possible a lost chunk of hoof wall, later.

A good firm rubber curry comb and rubber mitt or soft curry are essential tools in a grooming kit.

Most horses enjoy a good scrub with the curry and it is a great way to bond with your horse.

Currying his body will help you find any muscle soreness he might be experiencing in his large muscle groups as well as giving you a chance to check him over for any cuts or bruises. The softer curry or mitt is great for his delicate skin such as his face, legs and belly.

Scrubbing the legs regularly with the mitt keeps

the skin healthy and free of scurf but it also gets you down to the leg for an upclose examination. While grooming the legs, note all the lumps and bumps you see and how they feel under your fingers; hard or soft, warm or cool.

Knowing what’s normal for your horse might help you catch an issue while it’s very small instead of when it has escalated to a major lameness.

Once you have checked the legs over, don’t be in a hurry to stand up.

Take another moment to visually scan his belly. Check the midline and sheath (or udder) for swelling. Look at his whirls or scars where flies congregate to make sure there are no signs of sores and check over the delicate skin between his legs for ticks, insect bites or scrapes.

After your ride, you might be feeling the pressure to return to life in the fast lane. Not so fast.

After a bath, scrape the water off your horse then take a few minutes to towel dry his face, legs, belly and folds of skin behind his elbows.

All of these places are susceptible to bacterial and fungal skin infections.

Keeping them dry is a good step to keeping them healthy and avoiding costly vet bills and lay-up. While drying him, you can visually and tactually inspect his legs for any trauma which may have occurred during the ride.

www.floridasporthorsemagazine.com

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 19 While it might be tempting to toss your equipment in the tack room and hit the road, slow down just one more time. Wipe your bit and bridle clean and inspect them carefully. Check the bit for signs of wear at all joints where the metal could have become sharp.

Check the leather, especially the reins, for cracks or loose stitching and check the hardware and buckles for signs of stress.

The saddle and girth need the same cleaning and inspection, paying particular attention to the stirrup leathers, billets on the saddle and buckles and elastic on the girth. If leather is cleaned and conditioned regularly, it can last a very long time.

Keeping a close eye on your tack can literally be a life saver.

Tack failures can be very dangerous and the best way to avoid them is inspecting your equipment regularly.

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It’s easy to let our fast paced lives spill over into our equestrian pursuits.

Next time you go to the barn, turn down the ringer on your cell phone, roll up your sleeves and go low tech.

Sara Scozzafava, Advertising Manager (352) 585-6143 floridasporthorseads@gmail.com www.floridasporthorsemagazine.com

Sara Scozzafava, Advertising Manager (352) 585-6143 floridasporthorseads@gmail.com

20 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Best foot forward

Tips for fostering a positive owner-farrier relationship Jonathan Porter

W

hat value and importance do you place on quality work from your equine professionals?

The general answer that horse owners will give is “great value” yet they tolerate unprofessional behavior and under education with farriers on a regular basis.

No shows, poor quality work, gimmicky/trendy answers to serious questions, and fad based shoeing approaches have overwhelmed the practices of sound business management and the firm roots in fundamental shoeing that a farrier should have.

Industrial and commercial businesses don’t tolerate sub-par attendance or scheduling, and fundamentals are the building blocks for success in any trade, so why have the horse owners lowered the standard of expected performance for an industry that has so much to lose and so much risk increased by negating them.

Complaints common to the farrier business: Businesses are run with a basic uniform code of ethics, and the farrier industry is no exception.

One of the most frequently mentioned issues in regards to farriers is the lack of courtesy and respect with which clients are treated involving appointments and scheduling.

Whether it’s not calling or messaging to confirm or cancel appointments, or simply treating the owner’s time as “worthless” by not updating them as to the current days ETA’s the lack of communication causes discontentment and a feeling of unimportance within the horse owner.

Let me be clear when I say it is not acceptable for farriers to simply discount or disregard obligations to their clients, no matter how established or experienced their farrier service may be.

However, often horse owners combine the farrier’s lateness and reschedule request as laziness or disrespect when in fact it is usually the opposite.

About the only appointment I can guarantee to be on schedule is the first stop of the day.

This is because making changes to a horse’s farriery, and doing what’s right or what’s needed to achieve these changes may not have been planned previously, and may involve more time than anticipated.

The owners whose appointments were delayed should ask themselves if they expect the same attention to detail and like-minded approach to achieving the best job possible each time. This is because it’s 100% guaranteed that one day your horse will require the same additional effort and will result in someone else’s delayed appointment time.

Admittedly, I rarely receive reschedule request from clients, but the earlier these changes are requested, the easier it is to adapt. Depending on the size of the account and its location, it may be easier to

Jonathan Porter shoes a client’s horse. Communication is key to a healthy client/farrier relationship that benefits everyone, especially the horse. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Porter. move an entire day than to split up a route that lends itself to normal scheduling convenience.

On the other hand, one very regular clientcreated issue is the adding of additional horses or services to a stop without informing the farrier until he/she arrives.

A simple switch from barefoot to front shod service will add a minimum of 30 minutes to a stop, and the addition of a new horse with a full set of shoes can easily add two hours to a normally scheduled appointment, depending on the amount of work the new horse requires upon the initial shoeing.

Additions to the work list are appreciated, but they could possibility cause another appointment that day to be rescheduled when advanced notice could have appropriately divided the available time.

One last note on scheduling is to remember that every year the time change gives farriers an extra hour of light and in turn we all end up using it to get that extra stop finished, or fix the lost shoe issue for the day.

This extra hour comes as a blessing but just as it benefits us, every October when it changes the other

direction our books become even tighter as we lose what basically is one appointment per day. To put that in perspective that’s five appointments per week or essentially one full days scheduling availability.

Personal behavior, attitude, and physical location: Another issue of common complaint is the physical handling or rough treatment of horses by the farrier during the service.

One of my best clients always says “farriers are grumpy when they are hurting” and she couldn’t be more correct. It’s no secret that we have a limited number of jobs in our body’s physical reservoir, and the biggest factor in extending or limiting that number is how well or rough the horses behave.

Some farriers are notorious for their tempers, and that should be a factor in the owner’s decision to hire them to work under their horses.

It’s my personal belief that getting a horse’s attention is different than beating it. One captures the moment and focuses the horse’s energy back into the job at hand, while the other is simply a release of aggression possibly created by the persistent behavioral issues one is trying to deal with.

Each owner’s tolerance of acceptable disciplining practices is as different as the horse’s feet we work on.

Finding a farrier that agrees with your tolerance is the key to avoiding issues in this area. Remember that when dealing with horses that are generally mean or dangerous to work under it is not the farrier’s job to train your animal to behave.

If additional training is out of the owners’ ability then out sourcing is an excellent option. Modern veterinary pharmaceuticals have also made it much safer and easier to sedate animals that may have issues beyond training and patience.

Talking with your veterinarian about options that help both the horse and farrier and result in better work for the animal.

Farrier and Veterinary relationships To continue with the thoughts on veterinary intervention and assistance, the Farrier/Veterinary relationship needs also be discussed.

This relationship cannot be one of clashing egos and conflicting opinions, but instead needs to be one of open dialogue. The relationship between these two equine professionals can be the deciding factor in success or failure when treating lameness and injury.

As a farrier it is often difficult to have your work scrutinized and possibly receive recommendations for change made by someone outside the normal service loop. The same pride that promotes high quality work can get in the way of realizing the short comings or changes that need to be overcome in order to achieve success with an equine athlete.

The Surgicare Center in Brandon FL, recently held three years of monthly Farrier/Veterinary roundtables to focus on common topics, and get the various opinions from all in attendance. These meetings improved the communication between the area’s farriers and veterinary professionals while educating both groups in strong fundamental hoof care as well as new therapeutic ideas and treatments.

As a farrier, accepting that something is out of your ability, or “pay grade” as my mentor used to say, is equally as important as being able to solve problems. We do disservice to the client, veterinarian, ourselves, and most importantly, the horse, by letting our egos dictate the direction of a group effort.

Creating a clean and functional working environment Location, location, location is the big word in real estate and it’s a huge word to farriers.

Often a horse owner finds themselves confused as to why they can’t get or keep a “good” farrier in their barn. More often than not the conditions affecting the work area are the culprits.

In order to do a quality job farriers need a solid flat surface. Concrete is ideal, but today’s thick rubber mats are more than adequate. Farriers also need to be in a dry area. Not only is working on wet feet uncomfortable and irritating, but the tools in the farriers box are expensive and do not do well in wet environments.

Working on a wet hoof transfers to the knives, rasps, and nippers the farrier is using and in turn the water causes rust and a shortened lifespan for expensive tools.

Helping your farrier stay cool is a huge factor because this is Florida, and working in the sun nine months out of the year is plain miserable. Nothing will ruin the attitude and work ethic of a farrier faster than if they are required to perform their work in

the searing Florida sun. Shade is not hard to find or produce, and if your location doesn’t have a covered area then using the pre-mentioned rubber mats to create a flat and solid work space under a tree is a simple solution.

Last but not least is having the horse accessible when the farrier arrives. Leaving a halter and bucket of grain for your farrier to try and lure your horse out of a 20-acre pasture is typically unacceptable for most farriers.

Exceptions are made and often unavoidable,

THE FARRIER/VETERINARY RELATIONSHIP CANNOT BE ONE OF CLASHING EGOS AND CONFLICTING OPINIONS BUT ONE OF OPEN DIALOGUE. but asking your farrier about their specific needs for a working area will eliminate any confusion and solve issues before they become deal breakers for an otherwise enjoyable account.

Gimmicky answers to traditional problems: As a farrier, we are often ask to apply a “specialized treatment practices or shoes” that are merely a modified version of the basic fundamental patterns of which minimal effort can achieve the same result and effected product as these often expensive and fad based solutions.

The reason these “specialized” shoes exist is that today’s farrier industry has devalued the importance of learning to forge and learning to think about solutions. Instead, a gimmick or catch phrase provides the filler in what is nothing less than a lack of skill.

Words such as natural, smart, and balanced are used to describe product solutions to problems that are anything but the words they use as catch phrases and slogans. Is fundamentally sound shoeing “unnatural or “un-smart”? Does a simple forged rolled toe perform differently than a “natural” rolled toe?

It’s not the purpose of this article to debate what is correct for different applications because there is no correct, there is only sound, functional, and maintainable.

However, it is your right as consumers, caregivers, and protectors of your horses to be given an explanation of why something is necessary. On that same page, it’s your duty as the horse’s owner

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 21 to require that your farrier be skilled enough to perform the required job effectively and safely.

If the answer to every question refers to gimmicks and catchwords instead of solid fundamental farrier science then a red flag should be raised as to if the best possible solution to the problem has been presented.

Ask yourself if you would allow a vet that doesn’t attend continued education clinics and seminars to continue practicing on your animals? If a vet had never been properly educated and taught fundamental veterinary science would you hire them to work on your horse?

So it must also be asked why you would allow a farrier who doesn’t feel it’s important to become rooted in fundamentals, and to seek out the continued improvement and expansion of their knowledge to perform service on your horse.

There are no regulations for farriery and no educational requirements to become a farrier in our country. This places an unfair but real burden of responsibility on the horse owner to research the farriers performance background. This is because anyone can go to the tack store, buy some tools, hang out their shingle, and call themselves a farrier.

The questions a horse owner should ask themselves: Did they attend a farrier school, or did they complete one or possibly multiple apprenticeships?

Have they participated in or completed certification programs from one or more of the professional farrier associations?

Do they actively participate in the local or national organizations clinics and conferences?

Those with multiple yeses to those questions should be credited not only with the fact that there experience level will show results from the listed opportunities, but should also be credited with the fact that all the above listed are considerably costly and paid for by the individual.

For a farrier to voluntarily dedicate not only his time but also a large amount of monetary effort, shows their dedication to bettering themselves, and in turn providing you, the clients, with higher quality of services.

The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies to both sides of our business.

A Certified Journeyman Farrier that attends numerous clinics, certifications, and conferences each year will cost more than the farrier that simply has the overhead of his basic practice. In turn, the work you receive from one will usually not match the other, and the performance quality of your horse will be affected likewise.

This is “Florida Sport Horse” magazine not “Florida Pasture Art” magazine, so admittedly, it’s hard to understand why one would not see the lasting value in selecting the farrier who is dedicated to bettering his service and skills over the farrier that feels it’s not necessary to do any better job than they can currently offer.

Remember, it’s not the titles achieved, but the journey in achieving them that make farriers better at what they do.

Many of the best farriers do not carry initials to mark their experience, but all the best farriers work outside of their daily routines to better themselves.

22 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

‘...they are everything’

Caroline Morrison

Editor’s note: Young rider Caroline Morrison has contributed other stories to Florida Sporthorse.

Between completing her senior year in high school and showing in the hunter/jumper ring, she’s been a bit busy to write for us lately. This essay, a response to the Common Application that many graduating students complete for college admissions, embodies what most of us feel whenever we are in the company of horses.

T

he cold, black vertical bars, gray concrete walls, and metal latch holding us in is not so much shutting us off from the world, but shutting the world out.

Horses have a special place in my life because they are everything, they are sport, they are friends, and let’s be honest, they are family. Every time I walk around the brick walkway and turn the corner to his stall he cries out the sweetest nicker. The high pitched whiney is always followed up with a bang on the stall door because somehow he just knows I have a bag of carrots in my hand that he will gobble up.

Passing the other horses like they are ghosts, invisible to my eye, I finally reach him. The gentlest lift and slide of the latch and there he is.

The long, white, doe-eyed face is pushing out into the aisle way as his nose reaches my cheek as if he’s kissing it.

The second his soft, gray muzzle grazes my cheek that cheesy ear to ear grin over comes my face. Contorting my body to crawl under his giraffe-like neck and sliding the door back shut is the trickiest part because he refuses to retract his head back into stall. But then I am in.

It is as if the darkness that the walls holds in seeps out and lets all the light in. Nuzzling the bag of carrots with his muzzle and feeling the whiskers rub against my hand like a little broom is more than enough reason to rip open the bag and watch him inhale the ten carrots as if they were one.

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Diane Morrison

Caroline Morrison with Encore, her partner and friend.

Even on the worst days this dark, secluded place with my horse can put a smile on my face. It’s as if Corey takes every burden on my shoulders and lifts it off like a body builder. The sudden release of all stress and sadness is replaced with relaxation and joy. I feel that in the stall Corey listens to all of my problems and although he cannot use words to tell me what he thinks I know he understands by the glisten in his deep drown eyes stare back at me.

Being alone in the stall with my horse has been my go-to place for all proud moments, happy times, disappointments, and hardships. Maybe it is because I feel that the unspoken words between us draw us closer to each other. Maybe it is because he can sense what kind of mood I am in.

Horses are my escape from every reality, every hardship, and the unsaid encouragement I receive from them is what pushes me to succeed, what drives me to forgive and forget and what pushes me to work harder than the previous day. The seemingly private,

Diane Morrison

dim and murky place does not feel so congested when I am in the stall, but feels like all the bad, tough, and sad times disappear.

Clipping on his halter and guiding him out of his home we walk into the aisle, but it’s not as simple as an aisle. It’s like stepping into the world with replenished confidence, love and hope and we’re ready to take on the day’s challenges.

SADDLERY

Sporthorse Florida

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summer 2012

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