Summer 2011 revised

Sporthorse Florida

Summer 2011

Chester Weber The view from the top V ol . 2, N o .4

Sporthorse Florida

Summer 2011

9 Ney Messi

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4 Editor’s note

From saddle to sidelines

Christie Gold

Christie Gold

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20 Nutritional Navigation

8 Multifaceted Fun

23 healing Points

10 ‘L’ is for learning

25 your other core

Ocala driver takes Europe by storm Finding the right feeding program

Use acupuncture to build immunity

STRIDE hosts dressage program

Exercises to strengthen your back

12 Balancing Act

27 The social network

14 Healing Hands

28 Sales pitch

17 Keep it cool

30 Fenced in

Proper position builds balance

Kesmarc rehabilitates, conditions

UF conducts anhidrosis study

Dreamstime

Ulcers and the performance horse

6 Chester weber

Working Equitation comes to US

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18 A gut Feeling

Use the internet to build your business

Selling your horse in a down economy

Best bets for containing horses

4 Inside Florida Sporthorse

From saddle to sidelines Staying in the Game Attending shows as a noncompetitor can bring about mixed feelings. It’s only natural to imagine how you would have ridden a course or to watch a class and wonder how you would place.

Cohn advises riders to stay involved. Going to a show with a friend and walking the course, reviewing the dressage test, grooming or simply being part of the cheering section provides a different Karen Kennedy/Icon Studios perspective and allows you to stay hristie old connected to the show scene and your fellow competitors. our horse is at its peak Defining Who You Are condition; under the watchful Cohn says that athletes eye of your trainer, you have practiced every “It is important to remember that you tend to attach their selfesteem to performance. movement in the dressage “I have them ask test or every conceivable are a person who happens to be an combination of fences. You’ve equestrian, not an equestrian who themselves, ‘Who am I as a person?’ If it’s all attached studied videos of past shows to the sport, I wonder if the and put hours of time into happens to be person.” training, grooming and

~Dr. Patrick Cohn balance is really there.”

Cohn advises clients to preparing for the show season when it happens: an injury that takes importance of mentally rehearsing look at down time as an opportunity you out of the saddle and puts you on for competitions even if you are not to pursue other hobbies, focus more immediately preparing for a trip to on school or work, or reconnect with the sidelines.

Perhaps your horse has pulled the show ring. If the injury is to your social circles.

“It’s important to remember that his suspensory ligament and must be horse, focus on cross training.

“Increasing your own fitness you are a person who happens to be laid up for several months, or your own back or knee suddenly gives level will help you to stay mentally an equestrian, not an equestrian who out and requires surgery; regardless sharp. I will prove beneficial once happens to be a person.” of the situation, the abrupt transition you are back in the saddle and make Sports psychologist Dr. Patrick Cohn from regular physical conditioning you even more competitive when you operates Peak Performance Sports in Orlando. www.peaksports.com. and intense mental preparation to return to the ring,” Cohn said.

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idleness seems devastating.

It doesn’t have to be.

Dr. Patrick Cohn of Peak Performance Sports of Orlando says that down time can prove advantageous, especially for the amateur athlete.

Goal Setting Amateur athletes who must balance work or school with their sport often fail to reflect on their performances.

Cohn suggests using down time to evaluate where you are in your training program and to work with your trainer in order to set short and long term goals. He emphasizes the

Sporthorse Florida

Summer 2011

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About the cover

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Christie R. Gold

Senior Contributor Jane Whitehurst

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

Editorial Office 8205 Quail Run Dr. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 973-3770

email: floridasporthorse@gmail.com

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.

It includes profiles of riders, trainers and breeders who are influential around the state and beyond, as well as product reviews of items of particular interest to Florida equestrians.

Florida Sporthorse Magazine accepts freelance material on subjects that support our mission.

Submission information is available at www. floridasporthorsemagazine.com or by calling or writing the editorial office.

Chester Weber The view from the top V ol . 2, N o .4

Combined driving champion Chester Weber of Ocala and Jamaica, the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year.

Photo courtesy of Warmbloods Today and Angelika Gruber.

Editor and Publisher

FLASporthorse

Florida Sporthorse Magazine

“Come along for the ride!”

The Faces of Florida Sporthorse 1 5

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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 American Olympian, 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.

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1. Jane Whitehurst is a 1982 University of Florida graduate from the College of Agriculture where she majored in Animal Science. In 1985, she earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova University. For 20 years she taught high school science. Along with their husband, she recently purchased Nosara Farms in Odessa where she provides boarding, training and lessons. Since 1985 Jane has been an active competitor in the dressage ring and has recently earned her USDF Gold Medal.

3. Debra Redmond has trained and shown through the FEI levels of dressage and has garnered over 20 regional and national awards. A riding injury led her to seek pain management through Eastern medicine. After experiencing relief first hand, she decided to study the modalities so that she could treat animals. She completed several programs and eventually earned a doctorate. She loves being able to assist owners and animals in restoring health and movement through the modalities of body work, spinal balancing, acupuncture, laser, and homeopathy.

4. Christina Heddesheimer graduated Fall 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Equine Industry from The University of Florida. Her most recent riding activities include foxhunting with North Florida’s Misty Morning Hounds and training with eventer Patricia Deasy. Christina recently started law school at Emory University.

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5. Jean White is the owner of Hammock Farms in Brooksville, where for the past 25 years she has trained students and horses from the lower levels to FEI. She earned her USDF Bronze and Silver medals, is a scholarship recipient from The Dressage Foundation, and won the Kimball Award at Prix St. Georges/Intermediare 1. Certified by the United States Dressage Federation as an Instructor through 4th level, Jean now teaches just the staff instructors at Hammock Farms.

This allows her to use her extensive knowledge of riding to breed and produce the best Welsh Ponies and Andalusians for dressage and competitive driving.

6. Lynn Palm holds 34 Reserve and World Championships and four “Superhorse” Championships. Impressive as her performance record is, Palm says that her primary goal is to educate others on forming correct riding skills and building knowledge to increase the riding longevity of their horses.

Lynn and her husband, Cyril Pittion-Rossillon, have created Palm Partnership Training with the mission of improving the rider first and foremost. The pair conducts clinics at Fox Grove Farm in Ocala, FL, and at Royal Palm Ranch in Bessemer, MI, in addition to Ride Well clinics across the country.

7. Bryony Anderson, RYT, LMT has been riding horses since childhood. She has been practicing yoga for over 24 years, and began teaching in 1997. In addition to teaching yoga for equestrians, Bryony offers massage, Reiki, and Ortho-Bionomy for both horse and rider. She teaches yoga classes privately by appointment. Her Yoga for Equestrians audio CDs are available at Ocala tack stores and at www.movingintobalance.com.

Guest contributors:

>>Dressage rider Sindra Ridge, Brooksville >>Dressage rider Tracey Webb, Ocala >>Instructor and trainer Joanna Compton-Mys, Brooksville Submission information available at floridasporthorsemagazine.com

Chester Ocala driver sweeps Europe on road to national, world championships

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ombined Driver Chester Weber of Ocala finished his summer European tour with significant wins that now have him tied for first in the FEI World Cup Standings. Weber’s wins had the foreign press praising the American driver, referring to Weber as “remarkable,” “the American driving sport super star” and the “dressage specialist.”

In June, Weber kicked off his European sweep with a win at Vecses, Hungary.

Weber won the dressage phase at Vecses with a score of 37.25, placed sixth in the marathon and followed it up with a double clear cones trip which launched him into the win with a total score of 145.51.

Weber further proved he was the “dressage specialist” in the four-in-hand in Altenfelden, by decidedly winning the dressage by 12 points.

In combined driving the winner is the driver with the lowest cumulative score, and in the end the stars and stripes were flying as Weber captured the overall win.

While Weber and his team proved they were capable of winning the entire four-in-hand class with an 8-point lead, all eyes were on the American driver during his dressage test. European news sources reported that Weber was an “American driving sport super star who was in a class of his own” following his dressage test.

“I work very hard with my team on the dressage, so I am flattered to hear so many great remarks about our test,” Weber said.

Weber, who is the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, continued to Aachen, Germany, where he placed third, his best finish.

Weber ended the competition with a score of 137.76, behind Boyd Exell ’s winning score of 126.73 and IJsbrand Chardon’s second place finish of 133.73.

Weber said he was also thrilled to be tied with Exell for first place in the FEI World Cup standings.

“We compete all year with our goals in mind, and our standings are right where we want to be,” he said.

Before returning to the States to prepare for the

Marie de Ronde-Oudemans

Chester Weber’s European tour ended with at tie for first place in the FEI Combined Driving standings. At right, Weber’s team negotiates a water hazard.

US National Championships in September, Weber took one more victory at Riesenbeck, Germany, where his superstar team of horses, Para, Senate and Horus du Bois combined with Jane Clark’s Spash and Uniek proved a formidable international force.

His clean sweep in dressage and safe marathon round made him impossible to beat.

The win there also gives Weber an edge going into next year’s World Championships. “I feel that I gained added insight and was thrilled to have the opportunity to drive a course in the same venue as next year’s World Championships that was also designed by the same course designer.”

Last spring, Weber won the FEI four-in-hand divisions at both Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, Fla., and the Live Oak Invitational in Ocala.

Weber’s success in combined driving started at 18, when he was the youngest driver to be named to the United States Equestrian Team (USET) and to qualify for the World Pairs Driving Championship.

At the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, Weber helped the U.S. Driving Team earn a Silver Medal and placed fifth individually in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The next year he claimed his first, of now eight, consecutive USEF Four-In-Hand National Championship titles.

Before the European tour, Weber swept the Florida circuit with back-to-back wins at the Sunshine State CAI, the Little Everglades CDE, and the CAI Live Oak Invitational in Ocala.

Story by Christie Gold with information from Johnny Robb Public Relations (JRPR) and www.chesterweber.com.

r Weber

MyElizabethWeber

8 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Close up

10 Questions for Chester Weber

MyElizabethWeber

FSM: You are known as an athlete who sets goals and achieves them. What are your goals for the next year?

CW: I’d like to win a medal in Riesenbeck and win a ninth USEF Four-In-Hand National Championship.

FSM: Your two new horses are doing great. What do Uniek and Splash bring to the team?

CW: They bring both quality and depth to our string.

Nick is a welcomed three-phase leader and Splash seems to be able to do the dressage lead job and marathon wheel job.

FSM: How often do you drive the four-in-hand as a team? Individuals? Pairs?

CW: It depends on the horse, but they work six days per week and are usually driven one time as a team, two times in pairs, the rest riding, singles and lounging.

CW: Encourage them to compete and lose the stigma that you should drive after you are too old to ride!

FSM: What type of cross training do you use with your horses?

CW: I take the horses to The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala where they use the water treadmill and we also canter them under saddle on the racetrack.

FSM: What are the characteristics of good leaders?

Good wheelers?

CW: Leaders are bold, with a great frame and active hind leg. Wheelers are willing workers with great stamina.

FSM: More than other equestrian sports, combined driving truly takes a team effort.

Discuss your “team”- -your navigators, stable managers, grooms, etc.

CW: Yes, it is a team sport no different than car racing.

A driver can’t be successful without a strong pit crew.

We must never forget the blacksmith and vets too.

They are one of my first calls when we are successful.

In my team, we do a lot of teambuilding work, too.

FSM: What is one trait that you can absolutely not live without in your navigator? Backstep navigator.

PicsofYou.com

Ocala resident Chester Weber and his team performed consistently in Europe this summer with wins at Vecses, Altenfelden and Riesenbeck. He also finished third at Aachen, his strongest finish ever at that venue. Weber has returned to the US in order to prepare for the national championships in September.

CW: For the navigator, memory. They must know the track cold. The backstep navigator must be strong for their weight as on a muddy day they feel like they are in a pinball machine some times.

Lucky charm

FSM: How do you keep yourself in shape for the rigors of CD? CW: I run a 10k once a week, drive horses three hours a day, hit the gym and eat healthy.

FSM: You have become an ambassador for combined driving in the US. What advice do you have for those just getting started in the sport?

CW: The best teacher is an experienced horse.

FSM: Combined driving is gaining popularity in the US. What do you think this country needs to do to promote the sport, particularly to young equestrians?

J. Schwarzl

They say a rabbit’s foot brings good luck; Chester Weber travels with four. Team Weber’s mascot, a black rabbit named Kainzi, joined them in Europe this summer as a companion for Para, one of Weber’s horses, to keep the gelding calm at competitions.

Multifaceted fun

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 9

Working Equitation gains American following Joanna Compton-Mys

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ressage, Obstacles, and Speed: All in the same discipline, you say? Working Equitation (WE) offers a little of everything.

WE is a three or four- phase horse sport popular in Europe and South America that is cropping up in our own backyard.

Originally begun to test the suitability of a horse for the working environment, WE has evolved into a way to showcase the harmony of the horse and rider’s working relationship.

Working Equitation USA (WEUSA) is the national organization for WE in the United States.

Divided into seven levels ranging from the young beginning Lead Line rider to the experienced Advanced level competitor, there is a little something for anyone. Each level builds on its successor, setting up the building blocks for long-term physical fitness of the horse and skill of the rider. The Walk/ Trot rider learns how to ride through a Dressage Phase and navigate through a small number of obstacles in both the Ease of Handling and Speed Phases. Beginning at the Preliminary level, riders are asked to begin riding portions of each Phase with one hand. This culminates at the Advanced level in which all work is done one handed through 15 obstacles.

The tack and attire for this sport is also unique, as the rider has many different options. Always acceptable is working dressage tack, consisting of a dressage or an all purpose saddle, and a bridle (snaffle or double depending on the level) with a dropped or plain noseband. Alternately, the rider may choose attire and tack based on the breed of the horse. For example, a Quarter Horse may wear a Western working saddle and bridle with either a snaffle or a curb depending on the level. However, an ASTM/SEI certified helmet is required at all WEUSA sanctioned events.

The Dressage Phase, the first phase of competition, asks many of the same questions that today’s competitive dressage rider faces, although they are judged in a slightly different way since judging is specifically geared toward what would be expected of a working horse. Opening a gate, for example, would require a working horse to halt and stand square and still for the rider to perform the movement to avoid being tangled in a fence, and thus the halt is required to be square and maintained in the Dressage Phase.

Another significant difference is the Gaits Score.

Although the gaits are an important part of the judging process, in WE the purity and regularity of the gaits are the things the judges look for rather than rewarding the brilliance and dramatic suspension frequently seen in the competitive dressage ring. A working horse must have correct gaits to help keep the horse sound and the rider comfortable.

The Ease of Handling Phase could be considered applied dressage. The horse and rider go through a

Julie Garcia

Marianne Rutherford and Locero practice the Ease of Handling phase of Working Equitation. WE has long been popular in Europe and South America and is now gaining attention in the US.

series of obstacles while maintaining the relaxation, suppleness, bend and impulsion required in the Dressage Phase. Each of the seven divisions ride through a sequence of obstacles designed for their skill level, with the number and difficulty of obstacles increasing with each level.

For example, a deceptively easy-looking obstacle is the Single Pole Slalom. At first glance it appears to be the same as a typical pole bending exercise. However, when riding the Single Poles in Ease of Handling, the rider must make true half circles from one pole to another, changing the bend from one pole to the next. The rider is then judged on how well each obstacle is executed as well as how the horse is ridden from one obstacle to the next.

The Speed Phase uses the same obstacles as the Ease of Handling Phase, although they may be in a different order. In this Phase the winner is determined by speed alone, with safety always being of paramount importance.

The Cow Test is the fourth Phase and is optional. In this phase a four person team is asked to cull a chosen cow and place it in a prescribed area. Each horse and rider is assigned a cow, and must move the cow while the other team members assist by both controlling the remainder of the herd and assisting with placing the chosen cow into the selected pen.

This Phase is performed at the State and National levels, as it has the team component.

With four phases and myriad obstacle combinations, WE offers a fun, diverse sport open to all levels of both horses and riders, from the youngster just learning to sit properly in the saddle to the rider wishing to compete on the national stage. Additionally, with equine divisions that include three-year-olds, ponies of multiple sizes, and horses, WE is a sport that embraces many different types of equines.

Working Equitation USA, the national

organization for the education and promotion of Working Equitation in the United States, sponsors clinics, on site shows, and offers the unique ability to compete virtually.

L 10 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Central Florida club hosts dressage judging program

Jane Whitehurst

Karen Kennedy/Icon Studios

USDF’s ‘L’ program lays foundation for future officials

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ou are at the secretaries office picking up your Second Level Test 2 and the score is much lower than you expected. You may be thinking that the judge is in a very bad mood and doesn’t know what she is talking about, is prejudiced and only likes big-moving imported horses.

OR You pick up your test and it is scored higher than you expected. In this situation, it is clear that the judge is a very intelligent person who obviously knows an excellent rider and a correctly trained horse when she sees it.

These two opposing scenarios do bring up a valid question. Just who is in that ominous box at letter C and what qualifications and experiences have earned her the position Dressage Judge?

Judy Downer and Charlotte Trentleman, two members of Striving Toward Rider and Driver Improvement with Dressage Education (STRIDE), a USDF GMO of Region 3, are presently hosting a USDF Learner program (L Program.) Judy a “r” judge and Charlotte a “S” judge have collaborated together to give Florida Sporthorse readers an insight into the L Program and other judges’ programs.

FSM: When was the conception of the L program? Did we get this idea of a learner program from Europe?

What were we doing to promote judging before the program began?

Judges: The L program has been in existence for about 20 years. It started about the same time as the USDF instructor’s certification program. We did not get this idea from Europe and in fact they have experience interest in our L program. Before the L program many dressage judges were invited or appointed based on their experience and willingness to become judges.

FSM: Who can host an L program and how often is it offered?

Judges: The L Program is organized through the USDF while the other judge’s programs are organized through USEF. Any USDF Group Member Organization (GMO) can host an L program through USDF. The frequency of L programs will depend on the interest level but generally there seems to be at least one program per year somewhere in the country.

FSM: What qualifications and knowledge should you possess before beginning the L program?

Judges: Participants, (people who plan on continuing to the testing phase), of the L program must have earned 3 scores at Second Level or higher of 60% or greater.

Familiarity with dressage shows and the training pyramid are essential and it is also helpful to have a good understanding of test patterns and the rulebook descriptions of gaits and movements. Generally the candidate with some judging experience at schooling shows does well in the program.

FSM: Takes us through the L program Judges: The L program’s educational sessions are called A B and C. These three sessions are open to participates as well as auditors.

Each session builds on judging methodology and techniques much like the horse’s training pyramid builds on rhythm and relaxation. To arrive at an appropriate score for a movement the judge must consider the basics plus the criteria plus/minus the modifiers.

Basics are determined by the quality of the gaits, adequacy of impulsion, evidence of submission and effectiveness of rider.

Criteria deals with how accurate the movement was ridden. For example, round circle placed at the correct letter-or- a consistent shoulder-in maintaining connection, impulsion and demonstrating engagement.

Modifiers can be either positive or negative and are used to move the score up or down. An example of a negative modifier might be a horse tossing his head when moving forward at the end of a halt/rein back.

FSM: Why do some people just audit?

Judges: Anyone who competes in dressage would greatly benefit by attending the 3 educational sessions.

Riders who learn how to use criteria and modifiers, by understanding the directives next to each movement in the test, will greatly improve their scores.

FSM: What about the testing portion?

Judges: At the end of session C, the participants continue into two practice judging sessions called D1 and D2. In these sessions they judge live tests in which a faculty members gives feedback to prepare participants for the eventual final examination.

The final testing consists of a written exam and two days spent judging live tests and undergoing oral questions from two examiners.

There are two levels of passing for the L program.

A regular passing means that the participant is a L graduate.

Passing with distinction means that the participant is eligible to advance to the USEF “r” program if they also meet the riding requirements.

FSM Do trainers and professional riders have an advantage?

Judges: Sometimes but not always. Instructors can have difficulty switching from training mode to judging mode. As a judge we should only comment on what we see, we are not suppose to teach.

FSM: Briefly takes us through the requirements of the “r” “R” and “S” judging programs their costs and time lines.

Judges: Each of the USEF programs run 2 weekends and are spread out over 10 to 12 months. There is an educational and a testing session and it is limited to just 10 candidates. The cost for just the program itself can run around $2000-$2500.

In order to advance to the “r” program the rider must demonstrate competence at Fourth Level or above with five or more scores at 65% or higher. Graduates of this program are now licensed officials under USEF and

can be hired to judge Training, First, and Second level classes at recognized shows.

Riding requirements for the “R” program are five scores of 65% or higher at Prix. St. George or above.

They must have also judged at 10 USEF recognized open shows where they judged a minimum of 40 Second Level Test 3 rides.

Graduates of the “R” program can judge Training through Fourth level at USEF recognized shows.

To qualify for the “S” Program, riders must have 5 scores of 60 percent or better at I2 and Grand Prix with 3 of the scores at Grand Prix.

They must have also judged 8 USEF open shows.

Graduates of the “S” program can judge all classes including FEI at any national show. However they cannot judge at a FEI recognized show.

FSM: What kind of person has the “right stuff” to become a judge?

Judges: Crazy!! Glutton for punishment? No seriously, it has to be someone passionate about dressage. We don’t pursue this sport for financial gain but to grow the sport, encourage participation and promote dressage.

One prerequisite for judging is an ability to run multiple tapes in one’s head.

A judge has to keep track of the current movement their watching while spilling out the score and the comment of the previous movement all the while maintaining -what will go into the collective boxesdeveloping an appropriate general comment to help the rider focus on the major issue- watching for errorslooking for rule violations and making sure the scribe is keeping up.

Judges must stay focused and consistent for eight hours in all types of weather.

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 11 FSM: Clearly being a judge is not an easy job and not for the faint of heart. Could there possibly be a shortage of judges because of the high requirements?

Judges: USEF has made a concerted effort in the last few years to offer programs more frequently. The popularity of the L program seems to have sparked a greater interest in becoming a judge.

FSM: Is it true you can be a judge and still retain your amateur status? Any comments as to how often you can judge.

Judges: Yes, indeed a judge is not automatically a professional. But if the judge is a professional it is important that they not have any professional or business relationships with a competitor for 30 days before the show.

This means no lessons or horse purchases. There is not USEF rule as to how often someone can judge in a show season in a particular area.

However, it is common courtesy to offer a variety of judges so that the riders are able to get their scores from different judges.

FSM: Is there anything else you would like to add about being a L program organizer?

Judges: Just that it’s been a really great experience.

Organizing a L Program is a great way to give back to the dressage community.

Plus it helps us with updating our judging methodology.

12 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Balancing act

Create harmony through proper position

Lynn Palm

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t would be unfair to expect our horses to achieve and maintain natural balance under saddle if we do not hold up our side of the partnership by being balanced riders. In the wild, a horse is capable of changing gait, speed, and direction while staying in balance. However, when you add the weight of a rider to a horse’s back, it affects his natural capabilities. Because of this, it is imperative that we learn to be balanced riders.

In order to achieve balance, a rider must learn proper riding form and proper function of proper riding form. Proper form is how the rider positions his/her body to follow her horse’s movement at all times without interfering with any of the horse’s movements or reactions.

Starting at the Top The rider’s eyes and eye contact are two of the most important elements or riding. Your eyes should look straight ahead at least 10-12 feet beyond the horse. This helps keep the rider’s head steady and in vertical alignment with his/her squared shoulders (even with each other and down), her straight back, her hips and heels. A straight back will enable the rider Form & Function to better absorb the Proper form allows the rider to: horse’s movement; 1. Achieve a state of balance that and, in turn, the allows the rider to feel relaxed and in horse will move command of her body which in turn more freely and allows the rider to think. responsively because 2. Absorb shock created by the the rider is moving horse’s movement. with him.

3. Separate and use the parts of the A rider who body to communicate at will with the looks down causes horse. Separating and understanding the proper positioning and function her back to round of each part of the rider’s body in and shoulders to tilt order to communicate with the horse forward. When the is essential because communication shoulders tilt forward is everything in riding! from looking down, it puts the rider on her crotch and not her seat, and, therefore, the rider’s balance is on the horse’s forehand and not in the horse’s center of gravity where it should be.

To understand how this feels, try the following while you are sitting in a chair reading this newsletter: Look up and ahead. Feel how it changes your back and shoulder positions, balance, and flexibility. Next, look down and feel how that changes your body position. One of the hardest things to teach a rider is not to look down! We all want to look at our horse while maneuvering him.

However, you have to look in front of the horse and use correct upper body position to stay in balance with him.

Looking up and ahead also opens up the rider’s peripheral vision to 180 degrees, letting her “see” from the front of her horse to his sides. By using

Cappy Jackson

Lynn Palm on Indian Harvest owned by Jane Fliesbach from Colorado Springs. Proper form is essential in order to achieve natural balance and harmony with the horse.

peripheral vision, a rider develops a feeling for what she is doing and for the horse’s responses.

An Exercise to Improve Position

It is worth repeating that our goal is to become riders who help and refine our horse’s balance but who do not interfere with it. The only way we can do this is by being balanced on the horse’s back at all times. This means maintaining the proper rider form that will allow us to absorb the shock created by the horse’s movement so that we can follow his forward momentum easily while staying balanced.

We are going to start with a simple and fun exercise that you can do with your horse to evaluate your form and to help improve it. You will need a consistent, well-schooled horse that is tacked up with saddle, bridle, and leg protection, and you will need three to four ground poles. Practice this exercise in a large, enclosed area such as a paddock, corral, or arena.

We are using poles for this exercise because a horse’s gait becomes bouncier when he lifts his legs to go over the poles. The poles will make him exaggerate his motion, and you must, therefore, stay balanced! If your position is flawed, this exercise will reveal it!

Poles-on-the-Ground Exercise

Start with one pole on the ground. Take your feet out of the stirrups and ask the horse for a slow jog/trot over the pole. Continue to jog/trot in a straight line for several strides after going over the pole, and then make a large circle and repeat

going over the pole. Add more poles, and set them in a straight line with a minimum distance of three feet between each pole for a jog or a minimum of three-and-a-half feet for a trot. The more poles you use and the closer they are together, the harder the exercise becomes.

Review this mental checklist to evaluate the critical elements of your position and balance each time you go over the pole(s): >>Eyes—looking ahead Shoulders—square, relaxed, and slightly behind the hips >>Arms—held relaxed, elbows flexible, in a straight line to the horse’s mouth Hands—relaxed, holding the reins properly, and in front of the pommel >>Seat—sitting deeply in the saddle >>Back—straight >>Hips—inclined a little forward to allow flexion >>Upper Leg—long on the sides of the horse with knees pointed toward the ground >>Lower Leg—directly underneath the rider >>Feet—ball of the foot in the middle of the stirrup, more weight in the heel than the toe, toe should be slightly turned out The vertebrae of the spine function like a shock absorber for the rider. The muscles of the rider’s rump function like a cushion. Together they absorb the vertical motion created by the horse’s gaits and keep the rider from bouncing.

The ability to absorb the shock of the horse’s motion is achieved if the rider sits slightly behind the vertical while keeping the shoulders in line with the hips and the back straight. This allows the rider to sit deeply in the saddle. The back must be kept straight for the spine to work anatomically correctly.

If the rider’s shock absorbers are not working properly, the rider will bounce, lose her balance, and put the horse off balance too! The shoulders are what should be adjusted if this occurs.

In addition to properly using her riding shock absorbers to achieve perfect balance, the rider must also follow the horse’s momentum with her seat—her pelvis and hip joint. The seat is capable of moving forward and backward at will. When a horse trots, the rider’s pelvis should rotate in rhythm with his gait.

When the horse increases speed and lengthens stride, the rider’s pelvis rotates forward more and for a longer period. When the horse slows down, the pelvis does not have to tilt as much. At the canter, the rider follows the motion using her seat in a rocking motion.

Hand position also plays an important role in the proper balance of the upper body and the rider in general. The hands should be in front of the saddle, not over the top of the pommel (or swells in a western saddle) or behind the pommel. They should be in front of the saddle at the beginning of the withers and close to the neck so that the lower arm is held at a 45 degree angle. The reins should be held in the middle of the fingers, and the hands are half way between vertical and horizontal with the thumbs (as always) at the top of the hand position.

Two Common Rider Form Problems

The poles-on-the-ground exercise often reveals the

following two common rider form problems: 1. The Rider who Leans Forward—The rider who leans too far forward with her seat pushed too far back cannot stay balanced as her horse steps over the poles.

Because her shoulders are in front of her hips, she does not sit deeply in the saddle so her seat cannot work properly to follow the horse’s movement. She bounces out of the saddle and her legs move too far back. This incorrect position does not allow her to stay balanced as her horse steps over the poles. The result—loss of contact with the saddle and loss of balance, bouncing, and a horse whose balance is disturbed.

2. The Rider who Looks Down—The rider who looks down and rounds her back typically pushes her legs forward to brace herself in the saddle while going over the poles. The result is the same as above—she loses her balance! Her lack of balance prevents her horse from performing the exercise easily. He may even speed up to get away from the punishment of her bouncing on his back, and this will make her bounce even more! It is a vicious circle that many riders fall prey to. Look up and ahead, and use your peripheral vision to see the poles.

Without proper form, no real balance is possible! In the next article, I will give you more exercises that you can use to improve your form.

In the meantime, my E-Book, Head to Toe Horsemanship and my visual series, Exercises for Equestrians, are great tools to assist you in learning proper rider form. Both are available, along with other fine training products and information about our courses, by visiting www.lynnpalm.com or by call 800-503-2824.

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15500 Hwy. 326, Ocala, FL 32668 Kesmarcflorida.com 352-528-0583

14 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Kesmarc’s healing hands Ocala facility convalesces and conditions equine athletes

Christie Gold

P

erhaps it’s the rubber floors beneath Kesmarc’s 100,000 square foot facility that soften the clink and clop of hooves on concrete. Perhaps it’s the dimmed lighting that creates a feeling of perpetual early morning stillness. Or perhaps it’s something more transcendent that gives Kesmarc a Zen-like calm.

Once the realm of racing, therapeutic centers such as the Ocala facility have become increasingly popular among sporthorse owners in their conditioning and rehabilitation regimens. Kesmarc manager Lee Byrne wants all horse owners from the breeders of stakes-winning thoroughbreds to Rolex Four Star event qualifiers and FEI dressage horses to beloved pets to regard the facility as a place where not only champions are made, but where healing begins.

Everyday finds horses being conditioned or rehabilitated in the swimming pool, on the aqua tread, around the 1/8 mile indoor track or in the Euro-walker. Horses recovering from injuries or strenuous performances soak in the 35-degree salt-water spa or receive oxygen treatments in the hyperbaric chamber.

For Byrne, a horse is a horse, and each client receives the same special treatment.

“Every horse that comes in is treated the same,” she said.

Byrne says it’s all about the end product, that horses leave better than when they arrive and are able to perform to the best of their abilities regardless of the horse’s job.

Kesmarc tripled its business this past year, partially because sporthorse owners are realizing that the services and treatments are not just a luxury for wealthy equestrians.

Kesmarc

“Part of our success this year has been letting people know that what we do is an option, no matter what kind of a horse they have—a special friend or an athletic partner,” Byrne said.

Kesmarc’s facility in Kentucky has been in operation since 1989, but the Ocala location is only two years old. Although they advertise in some local and state publications, most business has come via word of mouth.

“At the end of the day, it’s about what people say about us,” Byrne said.

When elite equestrians such as Karen O’Connor sing the praises of Kesmarc, people listen.

According to O’Connor Eventing’s barn manager and head groom Location Max Cocoran, Kesmarc is an integral part of the Olympic 15500 W. Hwy. 326 veteran’s seasonal training Ocala, FL program and a place to 352.528.0583 rehabilitate horses that are www.kesmarcflorida.com injured or that have just had info@kesmarcflorida. surgery. The Virginia-based operation winters in Ocala.

Cocoran credits Kesmarc with extending the career of O’ Connor’s former advanced horse, Hugh Knows.

“He needed surgery on a splint bone. It was a pretty severe injury, and the prognosis was not very good, but after his stay at Kesmarc, he returned to work. He no longer competes in eventing but has become a pretty successful dressage horse,” she said.

Last year, Mandiba, one of O’Connor’s current advanced horses, suffered a puncture wound just above his knee just three weeks before the Rolex Three Day Event, one of this country’s most

prestigious combined training competitions.

Cocoran says that three treatments in Kesmarc’s hyperbaric chamber healed the wound and put the horse back to work.

Mandiba finished 7th overall at Rolex in 2010.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has gained used among race horse owners for the treatment of bleeders (horses who bleed from the lungs during or after a race when small capillaries that surround the lungs’ air sacs rupture), but is also finding increasing use in treating everything from post-colic surgical cases to flesh wounds and tendon injuries to respiratory issues.

Sporthorse owners whose horses campaign heavily also use HBOT to help horses “bounce back” after a particularly strenuous competition.

Cocoran says that Kesmarc’s other amenities help their string of event horses stay in top shape.

“It’s now an integral part of our cross training.

We have started putting our competition horses on the Aquatred twice a week when we are in Ocala.

We’ve noticed a massive difference in their back strength and stamina,” she said.

Byrne says that both the circular pool and the Aquatred are useful in conditioning horses—both in preparation for competitions and for rehabilitation after an injury.

Swimming allows horses to get aerobic exercise and strengthen the tendons, ligaments and muscles without impact on the joints.

The Aquatred keeps horses at a 40-60 percent buoyancy that enables the horse to have a controlled workout. The resistance of the water is helpful in conditioning event horses that winter in Florida for the hills they will encounter in northern competitions.

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 15

Ocala-based Kesmarc has a dual focus: Conditioning of the equine athlete and rehabilitation of horses that are involved in intense competition or that have been injured. The facility offers many amenities. At left: The in-ground swimming pool is useful in conditioning or reconditioning horses. Above left: The in-ground Aquatred provides horses with a controlled workout. Above: The Pegasus laser and hyperbaric chamber provide additional therapies.

Right: Horses can work out on the 1/8 mile indoor track or in the facility’s Equigym (not pictured).

For horses that are being rehabilitated, the Aquatred allows them to regain a full range of motion. It can also reduce the build up of scar tissue during the healing process. Often horses recovering from injuries start in the pool and move into the Aquatred once they are ready for a more rigorous workout.

Horse owners of all levels know the benefits of cold water therapy, and many a rider has spent hours cold hosing legs or wrapping bags of frozen peas around injured legs.

“The problem in Florida is that the water comes out of the ground luke warm,” Byrne said, “and ice often melts before you can get it where it needs to go.”

Kesmarc’s cold water spa is kept at a chilly 35 degrees. The temperature causes blood to rush to the legs and increase circulation which helps in the healing process.

“The temperature is great for soft tissue. A horse can come in for short periods three times a day. It’s great for cellulitis as well,” Byrne said.

Infused with Epsom and sea salt, the therapeutic properties also assist competition horses after a tough competition.

“Some riders come in on Mondays after a tough weekend at HITS or an event to help their horses recover. They say that the horse’s rebound time is much better,” Byrne said.

Cocoran says an added advantage of Kesmarc’s Aquatred and salt water spa are their design.

“The ramps down and the ramps up are very inviting to horses, so we don’t worry about horses risking injury as they go in and out,” she said.

As a physical therapist, amateur dressage rider Terri Rines understood the importance of

addressing injuries with a variety of modalities long before her horse First Cadet (Caddie) was injured.

The statuesque Hanoverian was completing a training session when she tripped and fell over a cavaletti.

Although the mare trotted off soundly after the mishap, the next day, her leg was noticeably swollen, and her condition worsened over the next few weeks. Eventually, surgery was performed on her check and suspensory ligaments.

“The vets gave her a 50/50 chance of regaining soundness,” Rines said.

When Caddie arrived at Kesmarc, her leg had a stovepipe appearance.

According to Rines, Services >>Individual exercise programs Byrne “laid out a plan” that included use of the >>24-hour post op care cold water spa, hand >>Accupuncture walking and swimming. >>Nutritional consultants >>Chiropractic Recently, Byrne added >>Therapeutic Farriers the use of the Pegasus >>Pegasus Laser Therapy Laser to Caddie’s >>Aquatred treatment plan. >>Swimming Laser therapy works >>Cold Water Spa on healing at the cellular >>Eurosizer level. Lasers are used >>Indoor Track >>Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to reduce pain and inflammation as well as stimulate nerve regeneration, relax muscles and to create a more active immune system response.

A stable full of mostly high-powered athletes might seem chaotic, yet both Cocoran and Rines comment on how calm the horses are at Kesmarc.

Byrne attributes the atmosphere to the equine athlete’s need for a sense of purpose.

Christie Gold

“It’s hard for an injured horse to be at home where he is used to being worked every day. Being here gives horses a job. They settle very quickly into the program. They are happy here,” she said.

Cocoran credits the staff.

“When you walk in, it’s hard to believe that most of the horses are competition horses. They are so quiet and happy. The staff is knowledgeable, and every one of them is kind. They are very accommodating, and they thoroughly understand the difference between a race, event or dressage horse, and they adjust the programs accordingly,” she said. “We don’t worry when are horses are at Kesmarc; the horses are like our children, and they treat them like their own children.”

Rines agrees.

“The staff really understands how to handle horses. Nothing is rushed, nothing is heavyhanded.”

Rines credits Byrne with ensuring that every horse is treated with equal care and concern. It’s a philosophy that Byrne has carried with her throughout her career in the horse industry.

Prior to Kesmarc, she worked as the breeding manager at the prominent racing facility, Adena Springs.

Owner Frank Stronach has a history of commitment to the well-being of race horses, which includes one of the industry’s few in-house retirement placement programs.

“We rehabilitated and saved a lot of horses at Adena,” Byrne said. “It was amazing how many.

That made an impression on me.”

Manin says that clients appreciate Byrne’s compassion for the horses and her understanding of their owners’ finances.

Case Study

16 Florida Sporthorse Magazine “Lee adjusts packages as the horse needs things. She doesn’t charge for treatments that are unnecessary. Everything is about the well being and recovery of the horse. I try to get up to visit Caddie on Saturdays, but I don’t worry the rest of the time because Lee is on top of everything. She sends me videos and pictures throughout the week to update me.”

Currently, Caddie is sound. After what could have been a career-ending accident, Rines is cautiously optimistic about her mare’s dressage future.

“I know this: her chances are a lot better having been there.”

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5:00

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Professional Farrier Service Corrective & Hot Shoeing Available

From elite athletes to family pets Budget-friendly treatments give Tank a second chance Christie Gold The wall of the spacious viewing area above Kesmarc’s in ground pool, cold water spa and Aquatred is lined with poster-sized magazine covers featuring racing legends. Brass plates bearing the names of champion thoroughbreds that have benefitted from Kesmarc’s facilities form a neat line on the window sill.

The stables below have housed elite athletes while they prepared for races or rehabilitated from potentially career-ending injuries, but not every stall is inhabited by a horse that is insured for more than most people pay for a house.

Kesmarc is also the temporary home to horses like Tank, a splashy buckskin paint. Diminutive next to the towering thoroughbreds and muscular sport horses, Tank may not seem like the typical Kesmarc patient, but that is an image that manager Lee Byrne and Tank’s owner, Samantha Manin, would like to change.

Manin describes Tank as a “backyard horse” who occasionally ran barrels. Earlier this year, in transit to a local speed event, Tank was injured in the trailer.

“It was clear that he fell,” Manin said. “His hoof went through the back of the trailer and his tendon sheath was cut.”

The injury was severe and Tank could not bear weight on the injured leg.

Although Manin lives near Ocala in Williston, she had not heard of Kesmarc before Tank’s accident.

“When I went to see [Kesmarc], I looked around at the facility—the pool, the spa, the Aquatred—and I asked Lee, ‘Okay, how much is this going to cost?’

When she told me, I was flabbergasted. I thought, ‘I can do this.’”

Manin found the services within her modest budget.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s cheap, but it’s affordable.

As a pet owner, you should plan for health care and emergencies. The thing about Kesmarc is that they will work with you and provide services you need. You don’t get charged for things that won’t help your horse.

That’s their goal, to make treatment affordable and beneficial.”

Cost aside, Manin worried how Tank, who only occasionally ventured off of her farm, would handle the high-tech facility and its staff.

“Jumpers and race horses are used to going places and being handled. Tank is a back yard horse. He’s used to me. I wondered how Tank would react. I was afraid that he’d be tense and stressed, but he immediately

Christie Gold

Tank receives a treatment in Kesmarc’s cold water spa.

The water is kept at 35 degrees and is infused with Epsom and sea salts. settled in. It’s amazing how calm the horses are there.”

Sixty days into Tank’s therapy, he can bear weight, and with the help of a bar shoe, walks comfortably across Kesmarc’s rubber floors.

“It’s almost common sense. When we get hurt, we go to physical therapy. If a person has surgery, they are up and walking around soon after, but horses often get injured and are confined to stall rest. “ Tank’s long-term prognosis is still uncertain, but Manin has realistic expectations, something that both she and Byrne agree are necessary when starting any rehabilitation program.

“We won’t really know how he is until he is turned out, but if he is just a pasture horse who can live the rest of his life comfortably, that’s enough,” Manin said.

She takes comfort in knowing that she is doing everything possible for Tank.

“Sometimes people need to push the envelope and say, ‘Let’s see where this goes.’ I’ve had Tank for nine years. I didn’t want to lose him and then think, ‘What if?’ Kesmarc allows you to ask that question.”

With every trip to visit her horse, Manin grows more optimistic about his future.

“I’ve spent a lot of time at Kesmarc the past few months, and I haven’t seen anyone who hasn’t come out with positive results.”

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Cool under pressure UF conducts research study on anhidrosis

Note: This lecture was presented by Martha Mallicote, DVM from the University of Florida Large Animal Hospital in Ocala on May 24, 2011.

Tracey Webb Anhidrosis is a huge issue for horses in Florida.

It is the decreased ability to produce appropriate sweat in response to either exercise or high ambient temperatures. Horses have several ways to regulate their body’s temperature. The respiratory tract is responsible for 15-25% of heat dissipation and the skin (evaporation of sweat) is responsible for 6570%. Other various means are negligible However; in a humid environment evaporation is much less efficient. and the horse has comparatively less skin surface to body mass for evaporation. Some horses quit sweating in the summer due to the high heat and humidity.

In order to understand this condition, let’s start with some anatomy. The sweat glands are essential for heat dissipation. They are a tubular, coiled gland and there are 810 sweat glands per cm2 of skin. The sweat exits at the skin surface; near the hair follicle.

The sweat gland has a rich supply of blood vessels and is surrounded by nerves. The sweat gland itself does not have a nerve. A normal sweat gland is dense cell with an opening or lumen which allows the gland to empty. The chronic nonsweater has a flat empty gland.

When sweat is produced it is composed of proteins (primarily glycoproteins and surfactant)

Help for Anhidrosis The only proven effective treatment plan is to move the horse to a cooler climates. Whether this is a move up North or to provide an air-conditioned stall, the result is to reduce the heat index by reducing humidity.

What other ways can I manage the horses environment? Many people provide fans and misters.

Others have a pond available. Some horses are shaded or stalled during the day. Most importantly, do not work a horse within heat of day.

Treatments in Use

Proposed treatments are numerous There are no controlled studies on any of these options.

Won’t hurt/might help

Electrolytes, salt, Equi-winner patch Amino acid supplements (One AC, Let-M-Sweat etc)

Won’t help/might hurt

>>Thyroid supplementation, iodinated casein, iodine (research has shown thyroid function is normal in anhidrotic horses) >>ACTH (doesn’t help stimulate sweat) Prostaglandin, alpha-2 agonists (may stimulate sweat for a short time but will not reset their ability to sweat) >>Antihistamines (research has shown anhidrosis is not allergy driven) Aldomet” Methyl-dopa (this decreases epinephrine but does not affect ability to sweat)

Dreamstime

and electrolytes. The foamy lather you see after a hard workout is 17-20% surfactant.. The primary electrolytes are sodium, potassium, and chloride.

Sweat has a higher concentration of each electrolyte than blood does especially potassium, which is tenfold higher.

Now let’s look at the physiology of sweating.

How does the horse know when to sweat?

Unfortunately, this mechanism is not fully understood. As there is no direct nerve to signal sweating there are thought to be two possible methods: The first is hormonal messengers via bloodstream. The second is that there may be a direct action from nerve endings in the vicinity of the glands.

How common is anhidrosis? It was first noted in the early 1900’s. It is common occurrence in hot, humid climates. The prevalence studies are all regional in nature. There is no apparent age, sex, breed or coat color predisposition. It is not only due to acclimatization stress. Home-bred horses are also affected. There may be a possible familial trait.

Practitioners estimate up to 20% of race horses are affected at Florida tracks.

Among central Florida thoroughbreds, (breeding operations), there is a 6.4% overall prevalence. Among Central Florida Thoroughbreds in training, the prevalence is . 25% Among Florida farms (non-racetrack), 11.2% affected are at the farm level. In North Fla., the percentage is 5.2%, in Central Fla, 13.4%, in South Fla., 26.5%.

1.8% affected at the horse level.

In North Fla, the percentage is 0.08%; in Central Fla., 1.7%; in south Fla., 4.3%.

The percentages are more common among showing and performance horses.

What are the clinical signs of anhidrosis? The onset may be gradual or acute. There will be a high respiratory rate at rest as the horse tries to dissipate heat. There may be fever both at exercise and at rest. T here is limited or no sweat during exercise.

However, the horse may be wet under the saddle pad or tack. The horse fails to fall below 102°F after exercise.

In a chronic case there may be: poor performance, episodic fever spikes poor appetite

dry, flaky skin, hair loss (especially on the face), decreased water consumption. The horse may try to submerge himself in water sources. This includes playing in ponds, water troughs and water buckets.

How is a diagnosis made? There may be a presumptive diagnosis based on observation of clinical signs. A qualitative test can be performed with injections of terbutaline or epinephrine. A quantitative test is also performed with terbutaline.

The horse is given intradermal injections of 7 dilutions of terbutaline. This targets receptors on sweat glands. After 30 minutes sweat is collected using absorbent pads and weighed. The sweat weights are compared to normal curve.

The ability to quantitatively diagnose anhidrosis is useful for research trials to id the abnormal horse.

There is also a challenge in proving the efficacy of treatment as some horses spontaneously return to sweating and the seasonal onset.

For example, you treat with one of the treatments listed in the sidebar and your horse starts sweating. Is it the treatment or is it the heat index?

In order to get a better understanding of mechanism of disease and its progression, The University of Florida is conducting a clinical trial this summer. The trial uses treatments of acupuncture and herbal medications.

To qualify a horse must have stopped sweating within last two years (Spring 2009) and may be any age, sex, or breed. The horse must also fail a sweat test. The horse will then be assigned to treatment or control group.

The control group of horses will receive false acupuncture and herbs. The acupuncture will occur on days 1, 8, 15, and 29 of the trial and the herbal medication will be given for 30 days. The horse will then be given a sweat test after the last acupuncture treatment and 30 days later.

Hopefully, the results will provide evidence that acupuncture and herbal medications are effective treatments for anhidrosis.

We are collecting information from anhidrotic horse owners in an effort to better understand this disease. If you have a non-sweater please email tcwebb@hotmailcom for a simple survey.

18 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

A gut feeling Rider struggles to soothe her horse’s ulcers

Lori Harrison

The author with Conversana II Emma. Like many competition horses, the gelding struggles with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).

1.5 litres of gastric juice and 4-60 mmoles hydrochloric Sindra Ridge acid hourly; the pH of gastric content ranges from 1.5 to 7.

The Passions of the person who coined the EGUS results from an imbalance between the phrase, “ignorance is bliss”, obviously did not include owning, caring for, and indulgence in sport horses and aggressive factors of digestive juices and the buffering agents of mucus and bicarbonate. Gastric emptying competition of same horses.

While having kept my series of horses successfully of a liquid meal occurs within 30 minutes, and a hay at home with only minor traumas since my teens, I am meal in 24 hours. (3) Definitive diagnosis of gastric ulcers is still occasionally confronted by a frightful specter of what I still do not know. The classic, ‘you don’t know accomplished with a gastroscopy after the horse has what you don’t know’. My latest surprise was at fasted for 12-18 hours, with the horse standing and learning that 12-16 hours of turn-out, minimum low sedated. This period of fasting could lead to the actual development of the condition, and with studies starch grain, and 4 generous feedings of day while in to indicate the high incidence of EGUS in sport horses, his stall is not sufficient to prevent ulcers in my horse. and horses in general, a case can be made for assuming Many times we wish that our horses could tell us EGUS as culprit in some of those mysterious ailments what is going on with them. I now know that that our horses present us with. my kind, sensitive horse had been trying to tell me for Dr. Franklin some time that his stomach hurts. I am sad to say Pellegrini reported that I simply did not have the ears to hear him. This Accepted warning signs of EGUS in the Journal is really his article. It is not meant to be a definitive include, and are not limited to: of American treaty on this important topic. A discussion with your Ve t e r i n a r y veterinarian, along with more research, will give you >>Intermittent low grade March much more to consider as it applies to your horse and episodes of colic, with colic being Science, its’ lifestyle. defined medically as “abdominal 2005, in his study the incidence of The Condition, or a suspicion of equine pain” (4) gastric ulceration digestive ulceration(s), is labeled as Equine Gastric >>Going Off feed/hay was 88%, with Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), an umbrella term used to colonic ulceration encompass the many causes and complicated nature >>Reluctance to train in 63% of cases; of the disease. Also called Equine Gastric Ulcer >>Poor coat quality and body and 97% cohort Disease (EGUD).(1, 3) Equine ulcerations are found condition affected overall. both in the stomach- gastric ulcers, and in the colonHe writes that colonic or hind-gut, ulcers. (4) >>Lying down more than normal colonic ulceration The stomach of the horse consists of two distinct is usually seen >>Short strides on right rein parts, divided by a cuticular ridge, the margo plicatus. in conjunction One third of the equine stomach, the squamous >>Cramping, tying up – from with gastric mucosa, is void of glands and is covered by epithelium lactic acid transmitted via colonic ulceration, that similar to the lining of the esophagus. The remaining ulcers to musculature (4) enough facts are two thirds of his stomach, the glandular mucosa, >>Reluctance to canter on the present to support contains glands that continually secrete hydrochloric right lead, swinging haunches the premise that acid, pepsin, bicarbonate, and mucus, at the rate of right in flying changes colonic ulceration

Symptoms

and the resulting release of endotoxins as a by product of hind gut acidosis is the single primary cause of colic (symptoms).

Dr. Frank Andrews writes of prevalence estimates reported from 25 to 50 percent in foals and 60 to 90 percent in adult horses, with variables due to age, discipline, and general population of subjects. For foals less than 9 months, the causes and cures are different and so, this article seeks to address the challenges of adult performance horses only.

The Causes of these stomach upsets in our horses are numerous and varied; almost every aspect of modern horse keeping is conductive for the development of EGUS: limited turn-out, periods of fasting, insults of pharmaceuticals like Phenylbutazone (Bute) and flunixin meglumine (Banamine), wormers, vaccines, stresses from competition, travel, training, as well as even changes in herd dynamics, can upset the delicate balance of your horse’s digestive tract.

Every horse will vary in its’ capacity to deal with these stresses of life as a sport horse, and present different signs or symptoms of the condition.

EGUS ultimately develops from an imbalance in the stomach between the aggressive digestive juices of hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and enzyme, bile acids, organic acids and the protective agents of mucus and bicarbonate. Ulcers in the squamous mucosa are primarily due to prolonged exposure to gastric juices.

(4) Periods of fasting and the resulting exposure of the squamous mucosa to digestive juices are implicated in development of gastric ulcerations. The severity most likely related to the length of time exposed. (3) Decreased gastric motility, or reduced movement within the digestive tract, may play a role in ulcers of the squamous mucosa by means of increased exposure of this area to the stomach acids. (3) While a direct link to exercise has not been established, studies do show that at the trot and canter, the stomach is compressed by abdominal pressure, resulting in stomach acid splashing upon the squamous mucosa. (3) With repeated exposure, ulcerations are likely to result. (1) As reported in the September 1, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc (JAVMA), a study found that equine stomach ulcers can occur within as little as 5 days in horses exposed to show conditions. Seven of ten horses developed ulcers after typical show situations involving travel, twice daily feeding, light exercise and stall confinement.

Of the 20 horses in the study, 10 were part of the control group that was not subjected to the stressors of the study group. Amazingly, two horses in the control group also developed EGUS, perhaps due to the stress of changing herd dynamics. Dr. Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, author of the study wrote, “The findings reported should increase awareness that gastric ulcers affect a greater population of horses than previously thought.”

Parasites such as bots can colonize just above the margo plitacus, and are showing resistance to treatments. The pits left by these parasites are open lesions, leaving the stomach vulnerable to stomach

acid insult. (6) New research led by Dr. Louise Husted at the Universities of Copenhagen and Denmark, found no evidence that the bacteria Helicobacter pyloris played a part in gastric ulcers, as had been implicated previously.

My horse presented his own unique set of ulcer symptoms.

He has been a challenge with crookedness since being backed, especially going right.

We have managed our way up the levels, though now at 4th level, the swinging haunches in our changes had become an issue all their own. Imagine my astonishment to learn that EGUS was a likely culprit in what I had believed was a strength/co-ordination issue.

Then, once every year or so, he would go off

his feed/hay at the first cold snap of the season. It was uncommon, and resolved in 24 hours when the barometer leveled off. He would also be a bit tired and cranky by the last day of a show. But since I was usually feeling the same way, and he perked up the very next day in both situations, I didn’t make any association with a stomach upset.

He was also extremely sensitive, I thought strangely ticklish at the time, all along the long whorl on his barrel in front of his stifle; extreme to the point of lashing out with that hind, only sometimes, and randomly when he had been up in his stall. Like unto your truck that will never recreate the mysterious clanky, noise for your mechanic, my horse would not exhibit the behavior with the massage therapist or his veterinarian. For the farrier, he exhibited a reluctance to stretch out his right hind leg. I thought it was pain

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 19 in his stifle.

His chiropractor, Dr. Miles Hildebrand, of Blue Water Equine Hospital, recently confirmed for me that sensitivity in that area of the barrel is indicative of hind gut or colonic ulceration. He also advised that kicking of the abdomen can be indicative of ulcers there.

My horse would be grumpy—again sometimes— when being tacked up. Of course, I thought his saddle was to blame. I could not begin to count how many bunny trails I went down chasing that idea! The nice consolation is that we both have a really great saddle now along with a better attitude.

The Cures for the condition of EGUS, fortunately, is found in taking action. Definitive testing requiring fasting and sedation is not required. By relying on a preponderance of evidence, knowing your horse’s “normal”, and talking to your veterinarian, you will be able to determine whether a course of treatment would be prudent.

The tipping point in the correct diagnosis of EGUS in my horse came on the heels of what I now know to be a perfect storm of circumstances. Two days after we came home from a regional show, in which he did well and didn’t seem cranky, a set of storms came through and he went off his feed a day. Then he bounced back, so we did light work and trail rides, until the next series of storms, and his buddy left the farm for a time.

This time, his condition didn’t resolve in the short term. He went off his feed, his hay, even grazing.

In a matter of days, we were both very sick to our stomachs! Our local veterinarian pointed to ulcers and started him on a course of ranitidine, which brought him around in 12 hours.

The success of this treatment was enough to warrant starting a treatment course of Omeprazole.

Within a few days, he was better than his “normal” had been, and he has truly never gone better or had a happier outlook on our training sessions. While I cannot say that all is resolved as we must now manage the condition, I am thankful to have an answer to so many unspoken questions.

Your horse’s team of health care professionals should be able to advise you on implementation of any necessary changes in horse keeping routines, changes in diet, environment, with the goal to prevent EGUS. If your team determines that your horse probably already has ulcers, it will require medication, as these ulcerations will not heal on their own.

The three pillars of EGUS treatments have different benefits. As you manage your horses gut health in the future, you will need to be familiar with which treatment decreases acid production, which will buffer the stomach from the stomach acid that is produced, as well which ones will protect the stomach lining from digestive juices. (5) The H2 blockers inhibit the action of histamine which stimulates the stomach to produce acid e.g., Cimetine, ranitidine. These typically have a lower cost of administration, but require more frequent dosing, three times daily. (5) The proton pump inhibitors block the production of stomach acid. Gastrogard®, Ulcer Guard®, have the active ingredient Omeprazole, the only FDA approved drug to treat ulcers in horses. (5) Effective over 24 hours.

The protectants for the stomach are sucralfate, a mucosal adherent complex of aluminum and sugar, calcium as found in alfalfa hay, and the horse’s own

see Ulcers/page 22

20 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Nutritional navigation

With so many choices, choosing feed can be confusing

Jane Whitehurst

Y

ou may be guilty of pulling into a fast-food drive thru from time to time but when it comes to your horse, you want nothing but the best.

In this article Dr. Kelly Vineyard an Equine Nutritionist with Purina Mills and an avid dressage rider answers some of the more commonly asked nutrition questions.

Look to future Florida Sporthorse issues for more questions answered in our new series Nutrition Made Easy.

FSM: Let’s start off with an age-old question. Sweet feed or pellets? What are the pluses and minuses of each?

KV: Sweet feed or textured feed has a very highis highly palatableility, which is great for picky eaters especially when trying to hide medications or supplements. These feeds usually are higher in soluble carbohydrates which are an important source of energy for hard-working horses, especially those performing anaerobic exercise like racing or speed events.

In Florida, a downside to sweet feed is its susceptibility to mold in hot and humid conditions because of its higher moisture content. Also in the summer-time flies are attracted to this feed. In very cold weather the feed will may “brick” making it hard to handle. Some picky horses will shift through the “good parts” like oats or corn leaving the vitamin/mineral premix pellet in the bucket. Horses that require a low carb diet (insulin resistant, laminitics, PSSM etc.), or horses that can get “hot” should not be fed this feed because of the higher soluble carbohydrate level.

A plus to feeding pellets is that the horses can’t “sort” it, and it won’t leave a sticky residue in your buckets therefore attracting less flies too. Also some, (but not all), pelleted feeds are lower in soluble carbohydrates which are better for some horses.

For a well-made pellet there are not many minuses except that it may be harder to feed supplements since there is nothing for the supplement to “‘stick” to. But for poorly made pellets there are a lot of minuses, including higher dust levels, more fines in the bag, and often not as palatable. The worse case worst case scenario is a poor quality pellet feed can increase the risk of choking.

FSM: Most horse people know that the best way to feed is in pounds but still they usually feed with a three quart scoop. What does a three quart scoop of grain weigh?

KV: I must stress that everyone needs to know the size of their scoop, in quarts, and attempt to determine how many pounds that scoop can hold of their own feed since every feed is different in size and density.

Buying a hanging fish scale to keep in your feed room is inexpensive and you will always be sure of the exact weight. Here are some weights of Purina concentrate feeds and some common grains as measured in one quart: Omolene 200 (sweet feed)=1lb.; Dry beet pulp=0.6lbs.; Strategy (pelleted)=1.25 lbs. Wheat bran=0.5lbs; Enrich 32 (pelleted)=1.33lbs; Whole oats=0.85 lbs; Whole corn=1.75lbs; Whole barley=1.5lbs.

Dreamstime

FSM: So how much grain or concentrate should you be feeding your horse? How much forage? How can you determine the right amount when factoring in weight, age and level of activity

work may need 0.75lbs/100lbs.BW.

KV: A good rule of thumb: Horses should get approximately two percent of their bodyweight (BW) in forage per day. (Ex. 1200 lb. horse should be getting at least 24 lbs of hay or grass per day). If a horse is fed less than one percent of their BW in forage, there is a high likelihood that the horse will develop gastrointestinal problems such as ulcer and diarrhea. As for concentrate, (which is everything in a feed formula and put in a bag, or regular grain, (such as oats/corn/barley), it will depend on the horse’s calorie and nutrient requirements.

At least 50% of the horse’s energy requirements should be provide by forage. Some idle, mature horses don’t need any concentrate at all; just a vitamin/mineral supplement like a ration balancer.

Growing, lactating, and exercising horses have the highest calorie and nutrient requirements and will usually require some type of concentrate in addition to forage.

It is difficult to give any actual quantities because of all the variables in the horse’s needs and the many different types of concentrates available.

Generally, you should abide by the feed manufacture’s recommendations while keeping in mind they tend to be on the high side of what you may actually need.

Most manufactures will also give you a “minimum” recommended level to feed and you certainly shouldn’t feed below that.

For example, the minimum recommended level of Purina Strategy for feeding a lightly working horses is 0.3lbs/100lbs.BW. That is 3 lbs. a day for a 1000 lb. horse The minimum recommended level of Purina Strategy for growing horses is 1.0lb/100lbs.BW. That is 5 lbs. a day for a 500 lb. weanling.

A lactating mare would need about 1-1.5lbs./ 100lbsBW of the same feed while a horse in intense

KV: The short answer is that in most situations it does not make much of a difference. Some people believe in feeding the hay first so the horse will not consume their grain meal as fast, but horses are pretty smart and soon figure this out and will just wait for their grain meal. Also, feeding hay has not been shown to slow the grain meal’s passage through the digestive tract. In fact, research shows that starch digestion is optimized if the horse does not consume hay for a one hour before feeding grain and 3 hours after. This practice is impractical in most management situation and unless you are feeding large amounts of grain, (greater than 8 lbs. a day), this is not significant importance.

FSM: When is the best time to feed hay before, during or after their grain meal?

FSM: How about feeding and riding? Just how long should you wait to ride after you feed?

KV: If you are feeding a grain meal less than two or three lbs you don’t have to wait any time before riding.

If it is more, then wait 45 minutes to an hour before initiating strenuous exercise.

The grain meal can leave a horse’s stomach as fast as 15 minutes or up to two or more hours. The larger the meal, the faster it leaves the stomach and this is not necessarily a good thing.

Another rule of thumb: Never feed more thaen 0.5% of the horse’s bodyweight in one meal. (5lbs. for a 1000lb horse) It is always better to feed smaller quantities of a concentrate in multiple meals per day to maximize starch digestion in the small intestine, (where it is supposed to be digested). However, if you only feed your horse one lb. per day of a ration balancer, then one meal per day would be fine.

FSM: Are there feeding factors to consider when at a competition?

KV: There has been a lot of research attempting to determine the best time to feed a horse before competition in order to maximize the horse’s ability to utilize stored energy. When a horse consumes a 5 lb grain meal, blood glucose and insulin levels increaser which reduces the horse’s ability to utilize stored energy important for prolonged exercise bouts. the ability of his muscles to utilize glucose is depressed for approximately 3-4 hours following that meal.

Therefore, feeding Feeding a full-grain meal at least 4 hours prior to competition is ideal so that circulating glucose and insulin levels can return to normal.

However, smaller grain meals of one to two lbs can be fed within 2 – 3 hours of work without negative effects.

Please note that there is no benefit to withholding hay before work.

FSM: Most feed companies offer a low-end, a high-end and another feed somewhere in the middle. Can you shed some light as to what makes them different?

KV: Fortification level is the primary difference, along with ingredient inclusion rate and quality. Most economy feeds are going to contain the minimum levels of vitamins and mineral nutrients that will simply prevent deficiency, while premium feeds contain levels thato optimize health and performance. Economy feeds contain a larger proportion of less expensive ingredients like peanut hulls or cottonseed meal.

Premium feeds contain a higher proportion of more expensive ingredients like beet pulp or rice bran, along with other “extras” like specific amino acids that will provide additional health benefits.

FSM: Most companies provide a senior feed. What makes this feed different and should only older horses eat it?

KV: “Senior” feed is actually somewhat of a misnomer, as many young horses may require it and some old horses don’t actually need it. Any horse who requires a complete feed, (with the hay portion built in), and /or requires an easily digestible diet can be fedhave a senior feed. This may be a horse with poor teeth, a horse recovering from abdominal surgery, or an old horse that is losing condition due to a decreased digestive capacity.

Senior feed can also be fed to replace part of the forge portion of the diet if hay is in short supply.

Senior feeds have a higher minimum feeding rate because they are complete feeds are designed to be fed in larger amounts and are more “dilute” than regular concentrate fees. Be sure to follow the manufacture’s anufacturer’s feeding directions and don’t feed below the minimum recommended feeding rate.

FSM: In Florida we worry a lot about horses ingesting sand. What are your suggestions with this problem?

KV: A common feeding myth is to bran mash a horse to clear the sand from the gut. This does not work. The best way to prevent sand colic is to minimize sand intake by using hay feeders and mats and feeding plenty of hay to keep things moving through the gut.

Psyllium supplements formulated specifically for horses may help but they have to be fed properly. Don’t substitute human products like Metamucil- they are not concentrated enough, and you would have to feed large quantities to get any effect.

The plastic bag method is one way to see if the horse has sand in their gut but most Florida horses will show some sand using this method.

Your vet can place a stethoscope to the horse’s abdomen and listen for specific sounds that indicate the

presence of sand. However, ultrasound imaging of the large intestine is the most accurate way to determine sand load in the gut.

FSM: Can you discuss electrolytes?

KV: Horse sweat is primarily made of the electrolytes sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and potassium (K), along with some other minerals and protein. These electrolytes must be replenished though the diet. Grain concentrates and forages are low in salt and cannot provide for 100% of a horse’s NaCl requirements. But forages are high in K, so if the horse is getting plenty of hay or grass his K requirement is most likely being met.

All horses should have access to a plain white salt block. If the horse is sweating a lot then additional salt/ electrolyte supplementation may be needed. Regular table salt is fine if you can get the horse to eat it. Some commercial preparations contain flavorings which can be useful if you have a picky eater. 60 grams of plain white salt provides 23.6 g Na and 36.4 g Cl which is the necessary amount to replace NaCl lost during one hour of heavy sweating. 60g=approximately 3.25 tbsps. of salt.

FSM: Horses can have many different disorders related to feed. A lot of people are concerned with whether their horse is insulin- resistant. Could you explain this and can a horse get diabetes?

KV: Insulin is required for the uptake of glucose into the cells of the body. Insulin resistant horses are “resistant’ to normal levels of insulin, thereby therefore they secrete more insulin to compensate for this. When an insulin resistant horse consumes a high carbohydrate

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 21 meal, an extra-large amount of insulin must be released to deal with the glucose released into the blood stream from the carbohydrates. Chronically high levels of circulating insulin can be detrimental to the horse, which is why we want to prevent it from occurring.

There really is no such thing as a diabetic horse, (or it is very rare), as diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas cannot produce insulin. Insulin resistant horses typically have a normal pancreas and produce insulin just fine. A simple blood test can determine if your horse is insulin resistant. Keeping the total ration below 12% soluble carbohydrate (WSC+starch) is recommended for these carb-sensitive horses.

Remember that carbs are a very important source of energy for the performance horse. Glucose is required to replenish muscle and liver glycogen, (two major energy stores in the horse).

Most horses handle carbohydrates with no problem as long as the grain meal size is kept below 0.5% of the horse BW. This is to prevent a starch overload in the hindgut.

Dr. Kelly Vineyard is an Equine Nutritionist with Purina Mills where her responsibilities include new product research, technical support, and nutritional consultation with veterinarians. She earned her B.S. in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Auburn University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Florida.

Her research has been published in the Journal of Animal Science and the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. An avid horsewoman with experience in a variety of disciplines, Dr. Vineyard currently rides and competes in dressage and is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist.

22 Florida Sporthorse Magazine Ulcers/from page 19 saliva from chewing, mucus and bicarbonates from the glandular mucosa, as well as over the counter antacids. (3,5) Antacids are effective in the short term, 30 minutes average, during which time they will mitigate gastric acid splash during exercise and training.

Probiotics have shown to be helpful in maintaining digestive balance. (5) The addition of Omega 3 fatty acids, found in corn and flax seed oil, may promote healing. (4) Psyllium Mucilloid is a natural dietary fiber that works as a bulk laxative. It is used to move ingested sand from the colon, reducing the chance of ulcerations from its’ abrasive effects. (6) Depending on your horses’ improvement from small adjustments to its routine, less may be more.

Although for some, a complete change in feed concentrates and/or amount and number of feedings may be necessary.

Vita Royal Equine Feed company is one of many companies which offer high quality alternative feeds for your sensitive horse, as well as a hair analysis service; see vitaroyalproducts.com.

Increase your horses’ chewing time by whatever means is feasible for you. The saliva from chewing will help protect the stomach walls.

Feeding roughage, hay or hay cubes, prior to riding will reduce the amount of stomach acid that could splash on the squamous mucosa.

In becoming more attuned to your horse’s behavior, you will be able to fine tune the administration of each remedy as is called for in various training situations.

To treat a horse for EGUS, the only FDA approved drug to is Gastrogard®, <containing 2.28 grams of the active ingredient Omeprazole>; there is no FDA approved drug for ulcers in the colon. (4) Although antibiotics should be a consideration to fight infection and aid healing when colonic ulcers are a suspected component of the horses’ malady. A 28 day course of treatment is the standard recommended course. (3) Omeprazole is Omeprazole, regardless of name brand sold under. It is the active ingredient in human medications such as Prilosec..

Omeprazole can be purchased from numerous outlets in granular form, in compounded powder, and of course as Gastrogard®, and Ulcergard® paste.

The standard threshold for administration of Omeprazole for treatment dosage is 4 mg per kilogram. (7) A kilogram is 2.2 lbs, and my horse weighs 1300 beefy pounds, more than the standard horse size (muscle weighs more than fat after all!).

The maintenance dose is one half of the treatment dose. (7) So the mathematics to determine his treatment dose was: 1300 lbs. divided by 2.2 lbs (kilogram) = 591 kilograms. 591 kilograms X 4 mg= 2.36 grams per day of Omeprazole. Insufficiencies in course or medicine level could prevent complete healing of ulcerations. A thoughtful conversation with your horse’s health care professional will be well worth it in determining the exact dose your horse will require.

The goal for my horse, according to Dr.Hildebrand is to be Omeprazole free at the end of his 30 day treatment course, however, returning to treatment dose levels several days prior to competitions or any other stressors.

In order to keep your horse ulcer free, it is mandatory that the initial cause of the condition (stress, periods of fasting, parasites) be eliminated, or EGUS will recur.

References: 1) Chris Sanchez, DVM, PhD, DACVM (LAIM) University Of FL, College of Veterinary Medicine~ Dissertation on Gastric <Equine>Ulcers 2) Ohio State University, Horse Nutrition Bulletin 762-00 Diagram 3) Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Gastric Ulcers, March 31st, 2003 4) Franklin Pellegrini, DVM, VP Veterinary Medicine, Freedom Health, LLC, JAVMA 2005 5) Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff 6) SUCCEED™ Website/Blog 7) FarmVet, pharmacy staff

The Equine Digestive System

Healing Points

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 23 Debra Redmond

Acupuncture can rev up your horse’s immune system

I

n the previous issue of Florida Sporthorse I gave a brief history of acupuncture and explained some of the techniques used by acupuncturists to restore energy (chi) along the body’s meridian pathways.

Modern medicine continues to study what occurs in the body both in health and in sickness.

The term energetic balance is often used to describe the body’s ability to produce its own energy called ATP – Adenosine Triphosphate. This energy is used for movement, building up and breaking down molecules, and transporting substances across cell membranes. Cells need oxygen and approximately 90 other elements in order to properly perform its function. Acupuncture assists the cell’s metabolism so that each cell can perform at its optimum. Homeostasis is the ability to find and maintain optimal balance.

When any living organism is healthy its ability to maintain balance is unbounded however, due to age, injury, an unnatural environment, poor nutrition, chemical and radiation contamination and stress the ability to achieve health can be compromised, cell metabolism is reduced and the result is disease.

Horses evolved living in an environment that is often very different than the environment that they live in today. The further removed from their “natural environment” the more stress is placed upon the organism. Horses are designed to move.

Movement helps circulation, oxygenating the tissues in the limbs and body. In the wild horses often travel 20 miles a day or more which assists with circulating oxygen to the tissues as well as the removal of toxins.

Horses are selective browsers. They eat various

grasses, shrubs, and trees, picking and choosing a bit of this and a bit of that.

Unless a horse is malnourished it will eat what its body tells it to eat. Just as our body tries to send signals that we “need” a certain nutrient, horses receive signals from their body crying out for a missing ingredient.

How often have you spent the day outside in Florida’s humidity and failed to consume enough water, salt or potassium? At some point during the day your body will send a signal that it’s low on a particular element and you’ll develop a craving for a Christie Gold specific food….say bananas or a salty Flame is a 21-year-old Holsteiner whose system used to “shut down” snack. during the summer months. Acupuncture helps him to cope with In their natural environment central Florida’s extreme heat and humidity. horses can consume numerous species out when they weren’t working as keeping them of plants to satisfy their needs, but with limited confined to a stall meant extra work for their pasture and a steady diet of concentrated feed owners. When the automobile replaced the horse most horses don’t have the opportunity to browse as our main source of transportation, the horse a multitude of flowers, herbs, and various shrubs. became a luxury.

If there’s some nutrient that’s missing the modern As the world changed from an agrarian society horse has precious little opportunity to find it to one of industry and technology, the price of for themselves. Instead horses have become land near business centers increased, causing more dependent on their caretakers to provide them horses to be housed on less land. Today’s horse with nutrients that allow them to maintain health. generally lives in a very different environment than When horses were domesticated they were their ancestors. While horses are adaptable certain used to perform labor for man. Horses allowed elements of modern horse keeping add stress to man to travel further than he could on his own their overall being. They are often kept in stalls and have the ability to farm more acreage. Horses many hours at a time, turned out separately and were the main source of transportation. They fed concentrated feeds. often worked 8-10 hours a day, mostly at the walk, The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizer and pulling a wagon, plowing fields or carrying their various gas emitting plastics has increased over owners to and from town. Horses were turned

5 key points Heart 7 (Spirit Gate)

Large Intestine 11 Bai Hui (Heaven’s Gate)

The following are five points that will boost the immune system and improve the body’s ability to handle whatever stressors occur.

Acupuncture point Heart 7 (HT7 or spirit gate) which helps to calm the mental/emotional state and improves energy to the circulatory system. HT7 is located just above the lateral accessory carpal bone.

Another point often used to improve immune function is Large Intestine 11 (LI11 or crooked pond).

LI11 is located on the front leg on the lateral side of

the olecranon or elbow.

In TCM this point is known as a tonification point and strengthens the immune system and enhances the flow of energy throughout the body.

Bai Hui or heaven’s gate is a classic equine point used for improved energy throughout the body and for regulating the CNS, the spinal column and the various muscles, tendons and ligaments. Bai Hui is located on the dorsal midline at the lumbosacral junction.

Stomach 36 (St36 or Leg 3 mile) is the master point

Gall Bladder 34 & Stomach 36

for gastrointestinal function. It enhances the body’s ability to break down nutrients and absorb them correctly. ST 36 is located on the lateral aspect of the hind leg in the cavity known as the eye of the knee.

Gall bladder 34 (GB 34 or yang mound spring) is the influential point for strengthening the tendons and ligaments of the body and the body’s ability to move fluidly. GB34 is located on the lateral side of the hind leg just in front of the head of the fibula.

24 Florida Sporthorse Magazine the last several generations further compromising the horse’s ability to maintain health. Along with the change in environment, the amount of daily exercise most horses receive has changed. Instead of hours and hours of walking most horses work an hour or so a day with a good portion of the work being done at a gait faster than a walk. It’s no surprise that equine athletes suffer sports related injuries and various metabolic issues.

One of the many benefits of acupuncture is its ability to rev up the body’s cellular metabolism and boost the immune system. The immune system functions as a “central control” station for the many types of cells in the body. When disease occurs, it is most commonly the result of the immune system becoming overwhelmed.

The invading virus, bacteria, parasite or cancerous cells proliferate at such a rapid rate that the immune response is unable to keep up with the onslaught…or the immune system’s response is compromised by the invading cells/antigens themselves or by some other factor such as prolonged stress. Stress activates our sympathetic nervous system. This is the survival system that creates the fight or flight response that is necessary for escaping danger. Horses are probably more sensitive to stress than some other mammals, including man.

The Central Nervous System (CNS) is responsible for the orchestration of this chain reaction of energy and chemicals. The CNS sends messages to our endocrine (hormone) system.

This direct link between the CNS and endocrine system, called the neuroendocrine system is set up to send and receive messages in all directions and in every situation to keep the body as protected and balanced as balanced as possible. When stress persists over an extended period of time our sympathetic nervous system remains stimulated and ultimately becomes depleted. When depleted the delicate balance of homeostasis is lost and the potential for all sorts of health problems occur.

One of the main chemicals that stress causes is Cortisol. Most people know Cortisol as the chemical that causes increased fat deposits around the abdomen and other areas of the body. Cortisol, however, does far more than damper the appearance of an athlete; it acts as an immunosuppressant by reducing the number of white blood cells in the body (specifically T cells and macrophages). White blood cells are the foundation for the immune system and are the cells responsible for producing antibodies and destroying viruses, bacteria and tumor cells.

Acupuncture works to reverse the effects of stress by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nerve system (which controls our body when we are relaxed). Acupuncture is able to change the messages that are being sent from our CNS to our endocrine system and finally to our immune system. Exactly how this works is not known. One theory is that acupuncture corrects the firing of energy messages sent by our CNS. Acupuncture studies have revealed that stimulating certain acupuncture points (I’ll tell you which specific points have been studied) can lead to improved immune function by increasing serotonin and endogenous opioid peptide levels in the blood stream and by decreasing cortisol levels in the blood stream. While we all should strive to maintain

balance in the lives of our equine companions we cannot always eliminate the stressors in their lives.

Acupuncture is a tool that helps our bodies reverse and cope with the negative effects of stress.

Studies have been conducted to measure acupuncture’s effect on the immune system of animals and people using a control group (this group received no acupuncture). Most of the studies stimulated acupuncture points at intervals of either daily, weekly, or monthly treatments. Blood work was performed before and after the acupuncture to determine its effects. All of the studies indicate an increase in white blood cell production and fewer of the chemical compounds associated with stress

and inflammation.

To rev up the body’s immune system and assist with the body’s ability to cope with the stress of Florida’s long, humid summers and the barometric pressure changes of hurricane season I’d highly recommend giving acupuncture a try. Most studies include a number of acupuncture points varying from 3 to 8 sites. By stimulating these acupuncture points it has been proven to enhance the blood profiles of animals and humans alike. During times of prolonged stress it makes sense to assist the body by boosting the body’s ability to deal with environmental stress, competition or training stress, as well as travel stress.

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Florida Sporthorse Magazine 25

Your other core Strengthen your upper back for better contact, balance and self-carriage in the saddle Byrony Anderson

Caralee Gould

When people hear the term “core strength,” often the first thing that comes to mind is situps and crunches to strengthen the abdominal muscles. But “core” actually refers to any muscles of the torso. Strengthening the muscles of the torso creates stability, which allows the limbs to be mobile in a more controlled and precise way.

An important group of core muscles that is particularly significant for riders is the upper back.

Strength in the upper back supports the rider’s chest in being open and lifted, rather than collapsed or tensed, thereby improving self-carriage. Upper back strength improves balance, keeping you from toppling forward or relying on your hands.

The upper back is where true contact between the rider’s body and the horse’s mouth originates, so developing strength here improves your contact and the communication with your horse from your body via the reins. The stability provided by a strong upper back allows for relaxed arms, elastic wrists, and soft precision in the hands.

Body Balance- The Front of the Back

Many people experience pain or tension in the upper back. Often this is due to muscle tension in the front of the body: as these front muscles tighten

and shorten, they cause the shoulders to round forward and the muscles of the upper back to be pulled “tight long”. This is a common problem, considering that most of what we do involves using our arms in a forward position (think of working at a computer, driving a car, riding and training horses, preparing and eating food).

To truly resolve this imbalance, the muscles of both the upper chest and the upper back need to be addressed. Releasing tight chest muscles and strengthening the upper back will bring more equal tone and functionality in this area of the body. As the upper back becomes stronger, the chest muscles respond by relaxing; pain is reduced and posture is improved. For riders, this equal tone between the chest and upper back brings the body into alignment over the center of gravity; the rider is then “off the forehand” and has better balance and self-carriage.

Horse Mirrors Rider When we ride, we aim to become one with the horse; we are essentially doing in our bodies what we want the horse to do in his body. In most disciplines, we’d like our horses to be able to lift and lighten their front ends and shift their weight onto their powerful hindquarters; we’d prefer that

they not collapse in the chest or become heavy on the forehand (this is important for the performance itself, and also to prevent physical breakdown or injury). This, and the fact that they must carry our added weight on their backs, requires that they have strength in their upper thoracic (upper back) area.

As the rider, we are “the lead partner in the dance.” How we use our bodies communicates to the horse and sets an example for the horse to follow. If we are to show them how to use their bodies properly, we must use our bodies properly, which in this case means learning to activate and strengthen the upper back.

Strength vs. Tension

Strength and tension are often mistaken as being synonymous, but they are actually quite opposite. Strength is developed gradually, by consistently using muscles in a way that does not over-stress them, and by incrementally increasing the demand on those muscles. Tension stems from weakness, and happens as a result of putting more demand on the muscles than they are capable of accommodating.

Strength makes it possible for someone to sit in self-carriage and appear completely relaxed, tension free, at ease and in effortless control of his body (for a beautiful example of this, watch Reiner Klimke in his Dressage in Detail DVDs). Tension, on the other hand, makes everything stiff, hard, and immobile. Tension happens in reaction to fear, whereas strength diminishes fear and reflects an attitude of confidence and courage.

Mind-Body Our posture is affected by, and affects, how we feel. Chronic tensions and the resulting postural patterns can develop from our emotional or mental “postures”, our attitudes: think of a depressed person, and you almost immediately envision someone with their shoulders slumped and head down, their chest contracted.

For a moment, think of how your own posture is when you feel loving, confident, joyful. How does your posture change when you feel heartbroken or emotionally closed? Do you feel yourself lift and open your chest in the first instance? Do you feel yourself draw inward and contract in the second, as if trying to protect yourself?

In the popular show, “The Dog Whisperer,” Cesar Millan uses this knowledge to help unconfident, fearful dogs. Recognizing that a dog that is fearful or nervous carries its tail between its legs and a confident dog carries its tail and head high, Cesar will hold a dog’s tail up as he walks it past things that it would typically be afraid of. Gradually, the dog becomes less fearful and more confident, until eventually it is able to be comfortable in many situations that previously would have evoked fear.

As you make positive changes in your own body, positive changes spontaneously take place in other aspects of your life. As you develop strength in your upper back and begin to open your chest, your physical posture and your mental “posture” change; you begin to experience life with more openness, confidence, and enthusiasm.

This attitude changes the way you feel about and relate to yourself, and it changes the way you relate with others. All of your relationships are improved, including the one with “your partner on the under side of the saddle.”

26 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

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5a 4 5b

Practice

All of the poses given here strengthen the upper back and expand the chest to improve your balance, selfcarriage, and ability to use your hands with precision when you ride. As you do this practice, keep in mind that your aim is to build strength, not tension. Do not force- force creates resistance (just as with our horses) and resistance is tension. Work within your ability, and trust that your ability will increase as you continue practicing.

Remember to BREATHE! This is important in your yoga practice and in your riding. Be mindful of the quality of the breath: the breath should be steady and comfortable.

Straining or holding the breath indicates tension in the body.

In all of the postures, let the chest lift come from the action of your upper back- DO NOT lift the chest by arching the low back! Keep the lower ribs drawn back and the low back relaxed. This will be a smaller movement than you get by arching the low back, but it will be more correct.

1. Seated Awareness: Let your hands rest on your lap, your palms turned upward in an expression of openness and receptivity. Draw the base of the shoulder blades forward, as if scooping them towards your inner body. Feel how this gives you a sense of strength and stability in the upper back, which allows the chest to be open and lifted without tension. Let your awareness come to the flow of your breath, and notice the subtle movement of the breath in the upper back area. Spend a few minutes concentrating on the movement of the breath.

2. Warrior I: Keeping your hips and shoulders facing the short end of your yoga mat, step back into a lunge position. Align the knee of your front leg directly over the ankle (the thigh does not have to be parallel to the ground if this is too deep a stretch for you.) Bring your arms forward, palms facing. Slowly raise the arms, feeling the shoulder blades begin to press into your back as the arms go higher.

With your arms raised fully, bring the little-finger sides of your hands towards each other; move your hands back behind you until you really feel the upper back engage.

Keep drawing the base of the shoulder blades inward toward your chest as you hold the pose. Let your hips sink downward while your upper back supports the lift of your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds. Without lowering the arms, step forward and feel how the stability and strength of your upper back helps you to balance through the transition.

Now lower the arms, step back with the other leg and go into Warrior I on the other side.

3. Warrior II: Turn sideways and step the feet wide apart. Turn your right foot inwards, and the left foot out to a 90° angle, parallel to your mat. Bend the right knee directly over the ankle. The shoulders and hips should stay facing the long side of your yoga mat. Lift your arms to shoulder height, and turn the palms upward. As you rotate your palms up, let this movement assist you in accessing your upper back: draw the base of the shoulder blades towards your inner body (or towards the front of your chest.) Take your hands towards the wall behind you, increasing the action in the upper back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then relax your arms, straighten your front leg and reverse your feet. Repeat Warrior II on the other side. (Advanced focus: Isolating the muscular action to work the back and arms independently. While in the pose, keep drawing the base of the shoulder blades inward. Keep your inner elbows facing the sky as you now rotate your hands palms down.

When you ride you’ll be better able to engage the upper back and shoulder blades independently of your arms and hands; your balance and self-carriage will improve, as will your softness and precision in your hands.)

4. Cobra: Lay face down with your hands positioned beside your chest. Keep the legs together as you press your hips into the ground. With your elbows close to your sides, bring the base of the shoulder blades towards your inner body. With an inhalation, allow the movement of your diaphragm to lift your chest up into the Cobra. Keep the lower ribs on the ground to protect your low back. Your main focus here is the upper back, so keep drawing your shoulder blades inward and relaxing the chest; elbows stay close to your sides. Hold for 10-20 seconds, then release from the pose with an exhalation. Rest with your head to one side. Repeat. (Advanced focus: While in the pose, test

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yourself to see how much you are relying on your hands. If you are truly using your upper back, you should be able to lift your hands off the ground without losing the pose. This translates directly to the saddle: the stability of your upper back will improve the precision of your rein aids while allowing you to have a soft feel of the horse’s mouth.)

5. Full Locust: Lying belly down with your chin on the floor, bring your arms out to the sides and let your legs be a comfortable distance apart. Rotate your arms so that your palms face forward, thumbs up, and feel this action translate up into your shoulder blades and upper back (this is where you ultimately want to move from- the hands and arms will then be able to remain soft and their position will merely reflect, rather than initiate, the action of the upper back.) With an inhalation, lift your arms, chest, and legs off the ground. Hold, breathing normally, for 10-30 seconds.

Release with an exhalation, turn your head to one side, and rest. Repeat. (Advanced practice: Hold Full Locust for 30 seconds, focusing on drawing the base of the shoulder blades inward. Then clasp your hands behind your back.

Keep the arms straight, and the heels of the hands together.

Send the knuckles of your fingers towards your feet, and feel how this draws the fronts of the shoulders up, back, and down while increasing the expansion of the chest. This particularly helps with balance and self-carriage.)

6. Bow/Half-Bow: Reach behind you and take hold of your right foot or ankle. Support yourself with your left forearm in front of you. Press your hips into the ground, and with an inhalation lift up into the half bow. While you hold the pose, continue pressing the hips down to protect your low back; press the right foot into your hand as you lift. Slide the shoulder blades downward and lift the chest.

Hold for 20-30 seconds, then come out and repeat on the other side. (Advanced practice, Full Bow: Hold both feet at once. Keep your knees relatively close- do not let them go farther than hips-width apart. As in the Half Bow, keep the hips pressing down, press the feet into the hands, and lift your legs and chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then rest and repeat.) In addition to strengthening the upper back and opening the chest, this pose is great for improving flexibility

7 Caralee Gould

in the hips.

After doing these back-bending poses, it is advisable to do some gentle forward bending or twisting poses. Lie on your back and bring your knees in to your chest. Let your knees drop from side to side to help rebalance the spine. And then…

7. Passive Chest-opener: This is a good way to end your practice, allowing you to experience the expansion of the chest without effort, and giving your body and nervous system the opportunity to integrate the changes you’ve made. Using a rolled blanket, bolster, or 2 pillows as a prop, lay down so that your hips are on the ground but your spine and head are supported. Let your arms come out to the sides, palms turned upward. Tuck the shoulder blades underneath you so that they lay flat against your back ribs. Rest in this position for 5-15 minutes, focusing on the rhythm of your breathing.

Take it to the Saddle You can easily practice the upper-body components of these poses on horseback. Try them first at the halt, and then at the walk and trot. Raise one or both arms, as in Warrior I, moving your hands back behind you and feel the base of the shoulder blades move towards your inner body; let your hips sink down as your upper back supports the lift of your chest. Take your arms out to the sides, as in Warrior II, rotating your palms upward and feeling the shoulder blades draw inward as you do; maintain the action in the upper back and shoulders as you rotate palms down, and finally as you lower your arms and hold the reins.

Practice keeping your elbows close to your sides and sliding the shoulder blades down your back, as in Cobra.

Clasp hands behind your back like Locust Pose. Practice a variation of Half Bow by taking one hand at a time to the cantle of the saddle, pressing the shoulder blade inward and lifting the chest.

Feel how these positions not only give you immediate improvement in your balance, self-carriage, and control of your hands, but also begin to create new muscle memory so that these internal actions will eventually become easier and more natural for you.

The Social Network

Florida Sporthorse Magazine 27

Horsemen unlock internet’s promotional potential Christina Heddeisheimer

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raditionally, equine businesses have promoted themselves through simple word-of-mouth. As business evolves and new forms of advertising and promotion become available, the equine industry has taken advantage of these changes and incorporated social media into their promotional repertoire. However, many business owners find themselves at a loss when it comes to using social media to effectively promote their business.

Social media is an inexpensive, highly effective marketing tool that possesses an infinite amount of marketing potential for any equine business. The following is an overview of social media designed to assist business owners venturing into social media for the first time and give current social media users some fresh ideas.

Which sites are available?

The number of social media sites available can be overwhelming. While the following list is not exhaustive, it provides a comprehensive overview of commonly used marketing sites.

Facebook (www.facebook.com) Business owners can create a “Facebook Page” for their business and post information about their business such as contact information and hours of operation, along with photos and videos. Other Facebook users can then search for the business, “like” the business and keep track of when updates are posted. Facebook pages have an interactive “wall” that allows both the business and customers to interact with each other by posting photos, videos, links to other sites, and comments.

For example, if a barn has a jumper for sale, they can post photos and videos of the horse jumping a course. If the sale horse is taken to a show and does well in a class, the barn can post the show results on their wall. So, if a potential buyer is on Facebook, that potential buyer will be able to read that the sale horse has done well at a show. The potential buyer then has the ability to comment on the post and say something like, “Hey, what a nice horse, could we set up a time for me to come out and look at him?”

If there are other interested buyers looking at the barn’s Facebook page, they will also be able to see the show results and read the comments, possibly increasing their own desire to look at the horse.

Facebook also allows users to create an “event” with information about the event’s date, time and location. Users can RSVP to the event so the event organizers can see how many people plan to attend.

The RSVP function also allows customers to see who and how many other people are planning to attend the event.

Facebook can create a dialogue between business and consumer and provide valuable information about what a business is currently doing.

Twitter (www.twitter.com) Twitter is another interactive tool for businesses to communicate with consumers. Twitter however,

Christie Gold

only allows users to post comments and links to other sites. It also has a 140-character limit for all posts, which means that communication must be extremely brief. This platform can be advantageous if a business wants to provide consumers with short updates.

Using sites such as Twitter is not only about posting, it is also about reading what other people in the industry are posting. The goal with social media is to create a two-way dialogue between customer and consumer. Twitter allows users to “follow” others on the site to keep track of what they are posting. Using a desktop program such as TweetDeck (www.tweetdeck.com) is an excellent tool to help users keep up with posts.

TweetDeck can also be connected to sites like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)

LinkedIn is a professional site designed to help users network with others in the same field. Like Facebook, a user can create both an individual account as well as an account for their company. LinkedIn is a good site to showcase your business’s experience and accomplishments. The site allows users to create a resume and discuss past work experiences and achievements. This enables users to create a professional profile.

LinkedIn will likely prove most valuable for connecting with other professionals and businesses in a field. A site such as Facebook will be more heavily populated with the average consumer.

E-news letters E-news letters can be done for free by simply emailing a group of customers or creating a word or pdf document and attaching it to the email. It can also be done for a moderate fee using a service such as Constant Contact (www.constantcontact. com). For around $15.00 a month, Constant Contact will create the email interface for all business communications and users only have to input the content of the newsletter. Constant Contact will take care of formatting the email to ensure it is presented in a professional manner.

Opening an email from a business with an attractive, professional layout reminds consumers about a business and creates an impression about that business. If an email is poorly written and poorly formatted, it can send the message that a business is unorganized and unprofessional. While the ability to create an attractive email interface has nothing to do with, for example, the ability to breed a quality dressage horse, consumers still form impressions about a business based on the quality of the communications they receive.

Blogs For professionals such as farriers, horse trainers and breeders, blogs are an avenue to post informative articles that can serve as a resource to potential customers. For example, if a horse owner is having a problem with their horse’s hoof and they type their horse’s symptoms into a search engine, a farrier’s blog with a relevant article could help the owner learn more about their horse’s issue. This puts the farrier on the owner’s radar and introduces the possibility of the owner hiring the farrier.

Google has a free blogging service (www. blogger.com) that allows users to post articles and photos. The ability to customize the appearance of the blog using google’s blogger is limited, however, it is a reliable, easy way to post articles. There are also sites such as WordPress (wordpress.com) who will, for a fee, design a custom blog for a business.

Youtube Channel A Youtube channel provides an avenue to post promotional videos in an organized, easy to navigate manner. The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) uses their Youtube channel to post informative resource videos, promote their sponsors and communicate with their members.

For example, last year they put their Lifetime Achievement winners in a video on the site and also posted a video of several committee chairmen explaining new rule changes.

see Network/page 30

Sales pitch

Making your sale horse shine in a competitive market

Amber Kimball

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elling a sport horse in this downtrodden economy can prove to be a difficult venture. Many people are downsizing their horse operations and the market has become very competitive.

Some people will opt to send their horse to a sales facility or to a trainer who specializes in sales. To keep a little more money in your wallet you can successfully market and sell your horse on your own.

Start with a shiny, fit and healthy horse. If selling in the summer months, a dark glossy coat helps the horse look competition ready. Stabling horse during the day and turning out at night or limiting direct sun turnout keeps the coat from becoming sunburned.

If you are selling a performance horse he should be fit enough to be ridden steadily at trot and canter for at least 30 minutes.

All horses, whether they are breeding stock or in work, should be well fed and have farrier, vaccination and worming records available and up to date. Any prior radiographs should be located and available to the purchaser’s veterinarian.

It helps to be forth-coming with any current soundness issues your horse may have and be willing to share his prior veterinary records. Most buyers will hire a veterinarian to perform prepurchase exam, so sharing your horse’s history can expedite the vetting process.

When advertising your horse provide his age, bloodlines and level of training if under saddle. Try to showcase your horse in his best light but do not be tempted to exaggerate any of your horse’s abilities.

It is best to paint a positive but realistic picture of your horse from the beginning. It will save you time in the long run by only attracting people who are interested in the horse you are selling. Add a flattering confirmation photo, an under saddle photo and a link to a short video of the horse in all three gaits to give the perspective buyer a good idea of the type of horse you are selling. Price your horse fairly in your advertisement. Weigh the cost of keeping the horse against the asking price. Is it worth waiting for more money if you will be paying for the horse’s upkeep for an extra six months? If the horse you have for sale is valuable to you as a riding horse and you are happy to keep the horse for your own use until it is sold, then the cost of maintenance is justified.

However, if the horse has been bred or purchased as an investment it is imperative that he be sold in the shortest time possible to keep the profit margin high. If the horse is in a higher price bracket, it is often helpful to provide a price range in the advertising instead of a fixed price. This allows for commissions for agents or trainers to be included in the price of the horse more easily.

When creating a video, a minute or two of

Dreamstime

each gait is sufficient. Provide a demonstration of his strongest skills if he is a performance horse.

Video clips of your horse in competition are a great way to show the buyer that you are selling a quality equine. Show just enough of your horse at his best to draw the customer in. The viewer shouldn’t have to fast-forward through a lot of footage to get a good idea of the horse’s abilities, edit your video down to just the essentials.

Also, make sure to use a tripod or very steady camera operator to ensure good video quality.

Making the viewer seasick with poor videography won’t sell your horse. Don’t lose your buyer’s interest because of a poor quality video.

When you have made an appointment with a perspective buyer, be sure to groom your horse and have him clipped according to his breed standard before the client arrives. When the buyer arrives the horse should be clean with a tidy mane, tangle free tail and picked hooves. Braiding can show off a horse’s neck, but it isn’t necessary. If many people will be looking at the horse over a period of days or weeks, braiding can become tedious.

The horse needs to be easily accessible when the buyer arrives so it is best to have him in a stall

or small paddock where he can be easily caught.

Do not expect the buyer to wait for you while you find the horse in the back 40. Worse still, do not expect the buyer to find the horse in the back 40 unless they specifically ask to see the horse caught in the field.

Have clean tack and bandages ready but wait until the buyer arrives to wrap the horse’s legs and saddle him. This gives the buyer a chance to have a quick look at the horse’s legs and conformation before seeing him under saddle. This also saves the horse from standing tied for an extended period of time if the customers arrive later than scheduled.

If the horse is young or to be sold as breeding stock, have a clean area prepared to show the horse at liberty. The horse should be the star of the show so remove all distractions from the area such as weeds or tree limbs. If the area is too large it will be difficult to keep the horse moving and keep him in sight. If the area is too small the horse’s gaits will not be demonstrated well because he will spend most of his energy balancing himself and turning.

Similarly, if the horse is to be shown under saddle, be sure to have the arena footing harrowed and watered or the grass mowed where the horse

will be ridden. If the horse is being sold as a jumper or eventer make sure there are at least a few jumps available. Also, try to avoid scheduling trial rides when there are lessons or training sessions sharing the arena. Your goal is to give your horse every opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Don’t let avoidable distractions steal the show.

Make sure there is someone available to ride the horse for five or ten minutes before the buyer gets on for a test ride. This gives the buyer and their agent or trainer a chance to assess the horse’s movement, training level and temperament from the ground. It also lets the horse warm up and get through any normal Advertising tips warm up stiffness so >>Provide an accurate description the next rider feels the of the horse as far as breeding, horse moving at his training, temperament and ability best.

After the >>Price the horse fairly >>Use a flattering confirmation demonstration ride photo and an under saddle photo the client may decide >>Video links should be short and that the horse is not be of good quality, highlighting the exactly what they are horse’s gaits looking for so don’t >>Competition highlights can be be offended if the helpful, but need to be edited buyer opts not to ride down to the esssentials the horse at all. They are saving your time and their own.

Often a trainer will want to ride the horse prior to the buyer’s test ride. Having a well-prepared, fit horse is an asset in that situation. An unfit horse will be cranky and tired by the time the third rider mounts. Allow each rider a bit of uninterrupted time to get used to the horse and his way of

going. Only offer advice at the request of the rider.

Remember, there are many different styles of riding and training. Unless you feel that your horse is in danger of being injured or abused, try to keep an open mind while clients are riding your horse.

Often it is the horse’s seller that spoils the deal, not the horse itself. Being overbearing while the test ride is going on or trying too hard to sell the horse can be off-putting to the perspective buyer. If the ride goes well, offer the rider a second ride the next day so they can start the horse on their own and get a feel of him from the beginning.

Many buyers purchase horses after one or two rides. It is not uncommon for the rider to request to see the horse caught in the field, bathed or loaded in a trailer. As long as the buyers request is within reason, it is wise to oblige them. Your horse’s good behavior on the ground could be the deciding factor in his sale.

Sometimes a buyer will request a trial period with the horse at their own farm. Trials can be risky and require a lot of trust between buyer and seller.

Normally it is better to offer the purchaser a week or two of riding the horse on your own farm rather than allowing the horse to leave your control.

Should you decide to release the horse for an offsite trial, make sure the buyer covers the full value of the horse with loss of use insurance.

If all goes well you will be setting up a prepurchase exam for your fit, shiny, well-groomed horse and waving goodbye to him as he leaves for his new home. Selling your horse on your own can be difficult and time consuming but being well prepared will really help him stand out in the crowded horse market.

Taking your equine athlete to the next level!

Body balancing Pressure point therapy Massage Kinesiology Non-chiropractic Kit: 602-361-9740 www.animalkrackersequine.com

30 Florida Sporthorse Magazine

Fenced in

A farm staple for every budget Jean White

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ant a fence that is totally maintenance free, beautiful, strong, flexible, safe and economical? Welcome to the wish of most property owners! Unfortunately, the perfect fence has not been invented, but some fences come closer than others. Let’s explore some realistic fence options.

The first priority is to decide the purpose of the fence. Is it for aesthetics, like an entry to the property that does not need to contain horses? Is safety the main consideration? Is low maintenance the top priority due to a busy schedule? Is a high level of containment necessary like in a fence along a busy highway? Does your fence need to protect your horses from dogs or other nuisance animals? Does your fence not only need to hold in your horses but also provide security?

Next on your list is to address is how much pressure the fence will undergo. Will this fence need to hold in active young horses or stallions? Will the fenced area have a large capacity of horses in a small area or just a couple of horses on several acres? Will the fence be shared by horses on the other side? To make fencing decisions even more complicated is that most horse properties may have several of the above priorities and pressures on different parts of the site.

Fencing that is aesthetically pleasing is usually one that is well built and well maintained no matter what materials are used. Joe White with White Fence Company says that the most important aspect of any wire fence is the strength of the corners, the strength of the posts that you stretch the fence from and the strength of the gate posts. These posts should be set into the ground a minimum of 3’ 8” for a 4’ tall fence and should be at least 5” in diameter. All wooden posts should be kiln-dried and pressure treated for longevity.

Round posts are safer than the sharp edges found on square posts. Four by Four posts also have a tendency to twist and warp as compared to round posts. All wire should have class three galvanizing to prevent rusting. Joe prefers 17 gauge aluminum hotwire over steel because aluminum is more conductive and breaks away easier if a horse becomes entangled.

Even if you are a “do it yourself” fencer, consulting with a fence professional can help you decide on the best solutions for your property, your budget, and the safety and containment of your horses.

Network/from page 27 How to use the sites

Business owners should be realistic about how much time they have to devote to marketing. Internet marketing is one area where quality trumps quantity.

While larger businesses have the staff and resources to maintain an effective website along with multiple social media sites, smaller businesses will likely have to choose where to spend their time and resources.

Initially, finding which websites are most effective will require some trial-and-error. Begin by signing up for some free and commonly used social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and track which sites attract the most followers. Results will depend on which sites consumers most frequently traffic. ­­­­­­­ Frequent updates are essential to successfully

Fencing Options Wood fencing of three or four boards This traditional fencing can be used to create a beautiful fence. It is best in low pressure situations and when horses are not sharing fence lines. Wood fencing can be painted, stained, or left unpainted. Florida’s environment is not friendly to wood fencing. Painting or staining can help to lengthen the life of the fence.

White painted wood fencing is nice to look at but will require frequent repainting because of the green and black molds that discolor the wood and show up so well on a white fence. Black paint or stain is a popular choice for those who must have a painted fence. Wood Fences require frequent checking for loose boards, protruding nails, broken boards, and splinters.

Non-Climb Horse Fence (wire with 2” x 4” rectangles) This is a great fence for high pressure areas and pastures with young or active horses. It can also be combined with a three or four board wood fence when a safe, strong, and high level of containment is needed.

A wooden board or Vinyl Strap fencing can also be added to the top of the plain Non-Climb fence to keep the fence from stretching out of shape when the horses lean over or scratch on the fence. A hotwire can also be added to the top of the Non-Climb Horse fence which is especially helpful when horses share the fence line.

Another plus of Non-Climb is its ability to keep out (or in) dogs and other smaller animals.

Vinyl Rail Fence (Plastic boards and posts) This makes a beautiful fence! White and other light colors must be kept free of mold and mildew with pressure washing. Because some plastics do degrade in using social media to promote a business.

Irene Hoeflich-Wiederhold from HorseSales LLC updates “daily and even multiple times daily. It’s a full time job to promote horses for sale properly and I’m always trying to stay on top of everything.”

Ann Chartier from Central Florida Dressage advises, “Providing quick feedback and updates on our events to our membership either via Facebook or ENews is very important to our membership. If too long a delay occurs after an event before we post information on how it went, we lose momentum. With social media, people who use them are used to and expect real time updates and responses. When we can, we try to provide a quick turn around on our articles for past events and promotions for future events.”

Chartier finds both Facebook and Constant Contact valuable because “being able to quickly recognize

our Florida climate you must be on the watch for any brittleness that may cause the fence to splinter when hit by a horse. For those smart horses that learn they can lean on this fence and pop the rails out, a hotwire can be added to discourage contact with the fence.

This is not a good fencing for high pressure situations or when strength is needed as it is relatively easy to break.

Vinyl Strap Fencing (Vinyl straps that have internal wires and resemble a fence board) This type of fencing is attached to wooden posts and will give the look of a traditional board fence but offers a safer and more durable option. The biggest maintenance requirement is the periodical tightening that must be done to keep the fence taut. Some clever small horses, foals, and ponies will find that they can push their way through the three rail version of this fence and so four rails would be recommended. Again, hotwire can be used to encourage horses and other livestock to respect this fence.

Electric fencing (tape, rope, wire) Electric fencing can be a great addition to any fence type. It will increase the safety margin and will also help protect the fence from wear and tear. Electric fence is nearly essential when horses are sharing a fence line. Electric fencing is especially useful when temporary fencing is needed or when sectioning off a pasture for rotational grazing. The biggest challenge to electric fencing is keeping the fence lines cleared of tall grasses and weeds. Checking the function of the system weekly is recommended as horses will quickly figure out when the fence is “hot” or not!

relevant and monitor your success. You need to know what is and isn’t working. I recommend tracking and analytics to ensure you know how your audience is responding.”

Social media has the potential to help most any business, however each business has its own unique needs, goals and resources.

While one social networking site might lead to more customers for one business, that same site might prove useless for another. Evaluating which sites work and which do not is the key to successful marketing on the Internet.

Maintaining an active dialogue with consumers through social media will help keep a business fresh and relevant in their minds and help businesses reach their full potential.