Sporthorse FLORIDA
WINTER 2015
Artist Mindy Colton From the saddle to the studio
Stallion & Breeding Issue
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4 editor’s note
dressage+hunters+jumpers+eventing+combined driving+sporthorse breeding
Sporthorse Florida
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Editor and Publisher Christie R. Gold
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Amateurs: You deserve your horse Christie Gold
I follow an Adult Amateur Dressage forum on Facebook that allows AAs like me to pose questions, share successes and offer support. Vigilant moderators ensure that nobody makes nasty comments or turns threads into promotional posts. Pages like this are one of the more positive aspects of social media, especially for riders like me who are legitimate ammys, trying to balance fulltime careers, family, friends and riding. Members of the forum range in age, ability and experience. Some have lofty FEI goals; others are happy to trot down the centerline at Intro level. Questions about trainers abound, and although the rules prohibit promotion of any one trainer, riders post questions about methodology. A common theme concerns how much a trainer should ride a horse. This is an interesting and highly debatable topic. There are numerous reasons to allow a trainer to take the reins. Even the best eyes sometimes need to climb in the saddle in order to solve problems. Inexperienced riders often benefit from a trainer demonstrating movements on the rider’s mount or from schooling the horse on the days the owner cannot ride. Some arrangements extend to the show ring where the trainer helps put show miles on the horse so that the amateur will feel more comfortable off property under the stress of the show environment. Every now and then, however, a rider posts a comment about completely turning the horse over to the trainer. “My horse just cannot realize its potential with me.” Whoa. First of all, no horse sits in its stall wishing for a different rider. Your gelding is not staring out the window wishing that Beezie Maddin would take him over Grand Prix fences, that Steffan Peters would teach him the one-tempis or Chester Weber
would guide him through a hazard at Black Prong. Nope. Your beloved, talented horse would rather amble about the pasture, eat grass and doze in the sun. Equestrian sport benefits from patrons--those generous people who enjoy the beauty of owning a champion. This isn’t about them. This is the story of an amateur who owns a lovely horse and wants to ride it and the trainer who sees an opportunity to further his or her career, leaving the owner watching indefinitely from the sidelines. Equestrian is an odd sport unlike any other. Amateur tennis players don’t question the appropriateness of an expensive graphite racket. They buy what they can afford and use it with glee, even if they never advance past the lower levels of the United States Tennis Association’s leagues. We amateur riders seem more apt to struggle with self-worth, always blaming ourselves for the dropped rail or the low-scoring test, lamenting that their horse did the job and that somehow they failed. In many instances, it’s true...but that’s part of the journey. We also anthropomorphize our animals, imagining how grateful they would be in more capable hands or how much they want to succeed. Combine this with our insecurities and its easy to give up the ride. Trainers should always place their clients’ needs above their own. Sometimes it means climbing in the saddle; sometimes it means suggesting that the rider find a different horse. Most often, though, it means developing the partnership in front of them. So amateurs, whenever you feel that your horse deserves someone else, remember: this is your dream, this is your horse, and you deserve every ride.
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website: floridasporthorsemagazine.com Florida Sporthorse Magazine is committed to providing a quarterly publication that presents content encompassing a broad range of topics of interest to Florida’s dressage, eventing, combined driving, hunter/ jumper and sport horse breeding communities. “Come along for the ride!”
about the cover
Central Florida Artist Mindy Colton derives inspiration from her lifetime with horses. Cover Photo: “Copper Charmed.” Mixed Media. Photo by Randall Smith, Winter Park
the faces of Florida Sporthorse Carol Bulmer Since graduating Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Animal Science Carol has pursued a career in the dressage world. First with a 5 year apprenticeship with Dorita Konyot learning to ride and train dressage then with her own training stable. Along the way Carol has earned her United States Dressage Federation Silver Medal by competing successfully through the Intermediare I, achieved her United States Equestrian Federation “R� Technical Delegate license, has been granted a Federation Equestrian International Level 1 Stewards license and is a U.S.D.F. Certified Instructor (Training through Second level) as well a graduate with Distinction from the U.S.E.F. Learner Judges program. Amber Kimball Amber is an FEI dressage trainer based in Ocala. In 1997 she began her dressage career as a working student in the stable of Olympic Bronze medalist Gina Smith. In 2001 she travelled to Belgium to hold a working student position in the stable of Grand Prix trainers, Penny and Johan Rockx. In 2002, she returned to the US to ride for Belinda NairnWertman until the spring of 2010. Amber has successfully trained and shown horses from Training level through Intermediare II and has earned her USDF Silver medal. She now operates Southern Lights Dressage in Ocala, FL. Karen Abbattista Karen is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, a recipient of the Silver Musical Freestyle Bars, and an USEF Learner Judges Program Graduate with Distinction. Restructured in 2012 from a successful corporate career, Karen decided to follow her heart, choosing a new life helping horses and humans believe in themselves and each other. Karen teaches both Classical and Western Dressage throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties. She continues to compete both at national and FEI level dressage. Her website is www.karenabbattistadressage.com. Janeane Reagan, PhD Janeane acquired her love of horses and equestrian sport while watching her father show American Saddlebreds, Hackneys and jumpers. As an adult, she focused on the Morgan breed and competed with her horses in saddle seat, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, dressage, carriage driving and competitive trail riding. After completing her doctorate in clinical psychology, Janeane developed an interest in sport psychology. In addition to her work with individual riders and drivers, she has presented workshops on stress management during competition and on the mental aspects of equestrian sport to state and local clubs and at national and international equestrian conferences.
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Sporthorse FLORIDA
WINTER 2015
7 10
10 D. Teasley
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Inside Florida Sporthorse 4 Amateurs: You Deserve Your Horse Horses don’t dream of better riders 7 All the Pretty Horses A lifetime with horses inspires Mindy Colton’s art 10 High Hopes Tom Fritchek’s ‘Big Dream’ takes life in the promise of Don Silvio 13 It Takes Two Bill and Sherri Lower share a passion for driving 16 Labor of Love Consider cost before breeding your mare
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19 Saying Goodbye At some point, we all part with our equine companions 22 Simple Hacks for the Horseperson Quick fixes for problems at home or at shows
16 Bimmergirl
ALL THE PRETTY HORSES
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 7
A lifetime with horses inspires Mindy Colton’s creations
R. Smith
“Unbridled Spirits: Nature’s Gift.” Mixed Media. Private Collection, Florida.
Christie Gold
C
entral Florida equestrian artist Mindy Colton graduated with honors from the High School of Music & Art (now Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art & Performing Arts). She attended the prestigious Parson’s School of Design for two years, pursuing her passion in three-dimensional design. She also studied at the Art Student’s League of New York. Mindy earned her B.F.A. from Washington University School of Fine Art in St. Louis, MO. Mindy studied bronze casting at Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park, and was awarded scholarships to continue her work there as the sculpture studio artist. She also pursued advanced studies in Sedona, AZ, and Loveland. CO. A life long equestrian and competitor in many disciplines, she is also a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) ‘L’ graduate
with distinction. Mindy Sporthorse about her art
talked to Florida and her inspiration.
FS: Describe your artistic training MC: My early training began with classes at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. During Junior High I studied on the weekends with a private artist who worked with students towards the goal of getting into the High School of Music & Art. 7,500 applied the year I got accepted. A portfolio review and an allday on-site complex art test were required. Music & Art was a very mature, supportive environment with accomplished artists teaching there. It was a very classical intense art program. I loved my experience there.
FS: What artists you admire? Who has influenced and inspired you? MC: Growing up in New York City near all the major
museums gave me access to experiencing so much incredible art. Some of my earliest favorite artists were Rosa Bonheur, Calder, Chagall, Marc, Miro, Renoir and Marini. I like traditional and contemporary styles, art that is creative and well executed. I am moved by color, energy, texture and work that exhibits a passion. I get a lot of my inspiration from nature and of course being involved with horses my whole life.
FS: How has your riding experience influenced your art?
MC: I think my experience as a dressage rider has
helped me develop a certain elegance and expression in my horses. Even though they are impressionistic in style, having studied anatomy and movement, I use that influence in my sculptures. But I also have to go back
8 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
to my life- long love and family history with horses. I started riding when I was about five, I rode a lot of ponies, competed in pony hunter and then some junior jumpers. I traveled all around New York and Connecticut taking lesson with some very big-name instructors during my teen years, showing on some nice school horses and catch riding. I didn’t own my first horse until my senior year of college when I got a part time job teaching at a stable in St. Louis. I have owned many wonderful horses over the years. I did hunters later on with a 17.2H TB. He was a gift over fences. But I had one very special horse. Maximillion, a non- color TB/App that I rescued at 18 months. He was my partner for almost 20 years doing it all: hunter and two-day as well as fox hunting when I lived in Lexington, KY. We took up dressage after moving to Florida in 1985 with my husband for his work. Eventually, I earned the USDF “L” with Distinction Designation which was harder than my Master’s Degree. Horses are also part of my family history. I grew up hearing all about and seeing articles about my maternal Grandfather who was a very successful horseman in the late 19th and into the 20th century. He owned the last horse training and sales barn in Manhattan. Most of the fire, police, cart, carriage and park horses came from his stables. He took horses to Bermuda by ship. It closed in the early 40’s. I’ve been told I take after him a lot.
FS: Describe some of your favorite projects. MC: Some of my favorite projects have been the
larger sculptures. Two grants I received were to help produce a few of them. One is a life- size copper sculpture that is on an estate in Ocala. The other has won numerous awards and has been exhibited in the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Invitational Sculpture exhibit and other nationally juried exhibits. It is currently on-loan to the Lake Concord Sculpture Garden in Casselberry, FL. I also enjoy creating the larger mixed media horses. They get a lot of attention at shows and it is fun to talk to people about them.
FS: What mediums do you use? MC: I work in many different mediums--bronze,
aluminum, clay, Cell-U-Clay, wood. The mixed media and ceramic horses are my favorites because I can create them completely myself. Bronze and aluminum require lots of specialized equipment and people. That can be fun and interesting, but a whole different experience that requires lots of time. My larger mixed media horses consist of carved tree limbs for legs, also Cell-U-Clay, wood, condensed architectural foam, metal, wire, rigid wrap and other materials. The ceramic horses have steel rods and heavy wires in them. After firing they have to be resculpted as the clay will have fine cracks and breaks from shrinking in the kiln, but that is also part of the journey with my sculptures. It is a more laborious process than just a regular clay firing and requires more steps. I usually have about ten sculptures in various stages because of drying and set up times.
FS: What are some of the challenges that come with
Mindy Colton with one of her large-scale sculptures. “Wind Dancer.” Marine Grade Aluminum, Burnett Honors College, University of Central Florida. large-scale projects? MC: Big projects can present some major challenges. It is kind of like building a house. The size, weight, materials, cost, and moving and installation requirements all have to be taken into consideration. They can take months even a year to complete. I have been lucky that I found a great metal production studio that has a focus on art and architecture to work with. It does mean traveling to work on the piece and interacting with a lot of people and a lot more time.
FS: What are your favorite competitions? MC: In Florida I have been juried into the St.
Augustine Art Association Nature & Wildlife Exhibit three years in a row, and have won nice awards there. It is a huge show that attracts over 500 entries, some
from abroad. I very much enjoyed the juried show held at the Appleton Museum in Ocala last year. I was able to exhibit a pair of my largest horses which also won a nice award. I was juried into the Viva Florida 500 Show in the brand new beautiful Elliot Museum in Stuart. It didn’t hurt that I won Best in Sculpture there, but my favorite show by far is at the Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn WA near Seattle. It is a fundraiser for the Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation. I have been in that show nine years winning awards each year and best of all, selling! The track has purchased two of my sculptures for their permanent collection, and I have received a number of commissions. I also won the Trophy
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 9
R. Smith
“Wave Racers.” Marine Grade Aluminum, Limited Edition. Purchase Award twice. The sculpture is displayed in the club house for a year then awarded the next year for a race dedicated to Horses in Art. One year they invited me to be the Steward for the “Horses in Art” Race where my sculpture was awarded to the winning horse. That was very special, and I have the winners circle photo in my studio. FS: As you create your pieces, what brings you the most satisfaction? MC: I enjoy the process. I envision a sculpture in my mind and then begin gathering the pieces I need for it and work towards its creation. If it is one of my larger mixed media pieces it means finding the right branches that have some resemblance to horses’ legs and then carving them also. These works can take months because of the drying time of the materials, especially in Florida with the humidity. The ceramics are fun because each one is different and sometimes the clay surprises me and takes on its own direction. I love when someone gets pleasure from viewing my work, and also speaking to people about them. No two are ever alike. As some of my gallery directors have found, I have a hard time parting with my more complex
horses. I get very attached to them. I admit, winning awards is fun. It isn’t easy, as there are usually 100-200 pieces in a show that are chosen out of an even bigger group just to be included. Most of the time you get a nice horse show style of ribbon!
FS: What are some of the awards you’ve won? MC: The State and Regional Grants, total of six, were very important to my growth as an artist, and the Sculpture Scholarships I received were a big boost to my career. I have won 150 plus awards in Florida and across the nation. The Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation “Horses in Art” Exhibits, where I have won numerous awards over nine years have given me a lot of encouragement, and wonderful collectors and commission work. The major awards being the Morrie & Joan Alhadeff Purchase Award for the permanent collection at Emerald Downs Racetrack. Twice I won the Trophy Award where the art is displayed in the club house for a year and then awarded to the winning horse in the special “Horses in Art” race during the art show. The awards for the outdoor sculpture exhibits
are always exciting. I won a Best in Show, and three People’s Choice awards. I have won many Best in Show and top awards including: Elliott Museum of Art; The Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala Arts Group, A Toast to the Arts; St. Augustine Art Association; Museum of Art, Deland; the Art League of Daytona Beach; Strawbridge Art League, Melbourne; Ridge Art Association; Brick City Gallery; Osceola Center for the Arts; Fifth Avenue Gallery 100% Pure Florida, and the Artist Registry Show, Orlando. Sometimes just getting into a show is a big deal like the Boca Museum of Art Juried show, the oldest competitive show in Florida that receives over 1,500 entries. FS: Describe your current projects. MC: I have a herd of about 20 ceramic and mixed media horses I am getting ready for a show in St. Petersburg the end of January. Also a commission for a large mixed media horse that will be heading to Canada. I have a three-month deadline on that one. In the spring I have a solo show in the Fifth Avenue Gallery in Melbourne, and a show with a “Water” theme. This project will make me really stretch my creativity, but I have some plans for Sea Spirit horses.
10 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
High hopes Tom Fritchek’s ‘Big Dream’ takes life in the promise of Don Silvio Carol Bulmer
‘‘
Tom Fritchek and Don Silvio, the stallion he spontaneously purchased at the Highlife Farm Auction in 2006. “I had no intentions of buying a horse.” Tom Fritchek recounts his story that strikes a chord with almost any horseperson. It all began as Tom took in the excitement of the 2006 Highlife Farm Auction. “The food had just been put out (drawing quite a few people away from the sales ring) when they led out this great looking colt for auction. I knew he had top bloodlines and hardly anyone was bidding, so I put my hand up. Then I called my wife, Michelle, to tell her I was bringing home this six-month-old colt.” The colt’s name was Highlife’s Don Silvio. Tom and his wife, Michelle, own and operate Southern Cross Farm in Clermont. Established in 1988, Southern Cross is a full-service stable that offers board, training, lessons, summer camp, shows and horse sales. Lessons and training at Southern Cross encompass the disciplines of hunter/jumpers, dressage and western riding, and they accommodate beginner through advanced riders. “I was surprised when he called from the auction saying he had just purchased a colt,” Michelle said. “It
THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC JOURNEY. DON WAS A VERY LOVING COLT THAT GREW INTO A VERY EXUBERANT AND CHALLENGING STALLION WITH LOADS OF POTENTIAL...
doesn’t surprise me that Tom had big dreams for Don Silvio or that Don, now eight, remains part of our lives and that Toms dreams for the colt are getting bigger. Tom always follows through on his word and he likes progression. We were reassured to hear Don Silvio’s trainers as well as dressage judges (such as noted sport horse breeding judge, Kristy Wysocki) confirm that Don Silvio has FEI potential.” Although not a rider himself, Tom believes that as a husband he needs to be supportive of his wife and child’s passionate interest in horses.
Courtesy of T. Fritchek
“If I can be involved and engaged in that passion then that is a way of loving her,” Tom said. “I also believe that since Don Silvio was bought at a reasonable price there was a chance of bringing some money back to the farm.” Early on it was evident that Don Silvio was a really nice looking colt with great gaits and a wonderful personality. Representatives from the GOV (The North American Office of The Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society) said they were interested in seeing more of him. Tom and Michelle had to choose between sending him to the GOV Stallion testing in Texas as a three-year-old or go the slower route where he proved himself in the show arena first. They decided on the slower route and the plans for Don Silvio’s future took shape. “The whole experience has been a fantastic journey. Don was a very loving colt that grew into a very exuberant and challenging stallion with loads of potential. The process has involved a few different trainers but I have got to say that each trainer did a great job and was the best trainer for Don at that
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 11
D. Teasley
Above: Matt McLaughlin and Don Silvio at the Sweetheart Cup in Orlando. The pair were high point champions at third level. Right: Don Silvio as a foal in Highlife Farm’s auction catalog. time,” Tom said. At the time of the auction, Tom had been reading about a group of friends who had purchased a racehorse together and what a great adventure the syndication was for them. He called up a group of his friends--Michelle Barry (a local lawyer who supports the equestrian community), Calvin Hare and David Bernauer--and Don Silvio LLC was born. Making a dream reality required more than the start money and day dreams. Required on a day to day basis were short and long term planning, equestrian-specific skills as well as a great deal of energy. The task of handling, ground training, and early training under saddle fell to Michelle who already owned and was training a two-year-old Oldenburg named Pegasus. Don Silvio followed Pegasus in Michelle’s training program. With the assistance of Carol Smith of Monteverde, a three-year-old Don Silvio was soon under saddle with Michelle at the walk, trot and canter. However, about that time Don Silvio’s stallion instincts took over and he became exuberant, leaping about and caprioling while being led. This took a toll on Michelle who was recovering from a back injury sustained on another horse. Don Silvio had to go somewhere to learn to self control. “We were grateful to find Fernando Cardenas (3H Equestrian Center of Citra) who took on a very rambunctious Don Silvio.” Tom said. Cardenas successfully made inroads into Don Silvio’s education and discipline.
Don Silvio then returned to his breeding farm, Highlife Farms in Apopka to continue his work under saddle. The young stallion consistently improved his manners on the ground and under saddle. Tom and Michelle were very happy to have Don Silvio closer to home, but they knew they needed to keep working forward toward the goal that had Don Silvio performing at shows as nicely as at his home farm. With that goal in mind, Tom and Michelle sent him to Dean Graham to continue improving his focus and behavior at the shows. During 2013, Graham showed Don Silvio as a six-year-old at recognized shows racking up scores in Training Level from 66 to 72 percent. Under pressure at the Region 3 Championships, Don Silvio became distracted and despite Graham’s best efforts he performed poorly earning a disappointing 58.4 percent. Still, the young stallion earned gait scores of 8 and 9. Don Silvio once more proved he had potential. “We could not have had a better rider for our demanding young stallion at those early shows than Dean. Don really made Dean work for those improvements but Dean made things happen and we were proud of that team,” Tom said. Now Tom and Michelle thought, “What’s next? How can they bring this talented horse to fulfill his potential?” Holly Simensen, North American Director of The Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society, suggested sending Don Silvio to Sahar Hirosh of Ringoes, New Jersey.
Courtesy of T. Fritchek
So it was that Don Silvio, now seven years old, spent the summer up north in training with and then being shown by Sahar Hirosh. Hirosh concentrated on presenting Don with work that tested his abilities and athleticism. In short order Don was scoring 60 to 66 percent at Fourth level at high-pressure show grounds like Saugerites, New York. With those scores Don Silvio proved that he had the talent and the gumption for the higher levels and for the bigger shows. Despite the success, Michelle and Don wanted Don Silvio closer to home so they could witness the evolution of Don Silvio from precocious youngster to experienced and capable FEI stallion. “Our next Big Dream is to qualify Don Silvio for the Pan Am Games” Tom said. Tom and Michelle have chosen Matt McLaughlin of St. Cloud as the trainer to make those dreams reality. Mclaughlin knew that Don Silvio had already proven he could handle fourth level work, but he also believed that in order to move Don Silvio forward to Prix St. George he would need to strengthen the basic work of third level. Don and Matt’s first show
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together was Orlando Dressage’s Snowbird’s Paradise in January. The new team achieved scores of 63 and 66 percent at third level. Successful FEI riders know that the quality of higher-level work depends on how well they do the basic work. “If you elevate the neck and shoulders of the horse you can control the hindquarters. I work on transitions within the gait and between gaits to get the horse to ‘sit’ and take weight behind. Don needs to think forward at all times, to wait up front and let the hindquarters come under.” McLaughlin said. McLaughlin brings a strong, deep knowledge of training stallions for show and exhibitions. McLaughlin’s experience with Grand Prix and Haute Ecole movements promise an efficient and correct development to the FEI for Don Silvio. His training philosophy emphasizes the values of respect, control and fairness in the relationship between horse and rider. “I am honored to be part of Team Don Silvio,” McLaughlin said. “The energy, enthusiasm and support of everyone involved--including the incredible Don Silvio--will surely make Tom’s Big Dream a reality. It will be a significant achievement and a point of pride to succeed in making this dream real.” In the pair’s second outing at the Orlando Dressage Sweetheart Cup, their scores ranged from 67 to 75 percent and earned them High Point Champion at third level. Tom Fritchek’s big dreams created “Team Don Silvio.” The team members are varied and enthusiasm is high. “Don Silvio has his own Facebook page, his own fan club. Everyone along the way has been a valued
Don Silvio continues to prove that he has the potential to become a top FEI horse. member of Team Don Silvio, from my wife Michelle, our friends and supporters, through all the talented trainers along the way and now to Matt. We have had a great adventure so far and now we face a fantastic future with this one-of-a-kind horse. I am looking toward the Pan-American Games as the long-term goal now.” No less enthusiastic, Mclaughlin lists the 2015 goals as securing Don’s basic training and building on that for a successful fourth level in the show arena
Janeane Reagan, PhD Sports Psychologist ~ Author ~ Speaker
Let Janeane help you maximize the use of your mind when you ride or drive and have fun doing it! Available for club presentations, workshops and individual sports performance consultation. 352-643-0126 janeanereagan@netscape.net www.yourmindmatters.net
Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS
“Performance Improvement”
Subtle Lameness/Chronic Pain
Neuromuscular Weakness
Back Pain/Movement Problems Metabolic Issues
Rein in Your Brain
A practical guide to harnessing the power of the mind in order to make every aspect of equestrian life more enjoyable and more successful. Available from... www.friesenpress.com/bookstore and Amazon.com
with PSG work at home. This ambitious training plan includes qualifying Don Silvio at fourth level at the regional championships in October 2015 and having the stallion ready for Prix St. George in 2016. Tom Fritchek says that going for the big dream with Don Silvio is worth the work. “After all, it is the journey more than the end result that is such a rich and rewarding experience.”
All Holistic Veterinary Care, PA
Janeane Reagan, PhD
Courtesy of T. Fritchek
Holistic Therapies for Sport Horses Animal Bowen Therapy Certified in Applied Kinesiology Gainesville-Ocala; Trips to Tallahassee, JAX, Wellington
352-‐222-‐2190 www.allholisticvet.com www.animalbowen.com
It takes two
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 13
Bill and Sherri Lower share a passion for driving
Courtesy of S. Lower
Bill and Sherri Lower at the Live Oak International. The Williston couple train and compete in driving. Sherri also designs and sells driving attire.
Janeane Reagan
R
etraining a horse whose show career has been saddleseat and show pleasure driving to be a carriage pleasure horse is more than just a change of harness, vehicle, and a nice hat. It requires a patient transformation in the horse’s muscling, frame, way of going, and often even a change in attitude. In 1990, I was just starting to embark on that process with my Morgan stallion, Trinity Masterpiece (TM). Our local driving club in Northeast Ohio brought in two clinicians per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. On a cool spring day I took TM to one of these clinics to get some much needed help with this conversion project. Our instructor was a young clinician who had made quite a name for himself as a strong CDE competitor at both national and international competitions. His specialty was long lining. I fitted TM with a surcingle and bridle, hooked on the long lines and entered the warm up ring to prepare for our lesson. TM, thinking we must be at a horse show where he was used to being revved up and high headed,
promptly executed a few free style (of his choosing) “airs above the ground” along with some bucks and jumps. He hardly gave the impression of being or becoming a carriage pleasure horse. I finally gave up and led him into the lesson ring and handed him to the clinician. Within five minutes I saw my rambunctious horse round his neck and back and come to the bit with his attention totally focused on the person at the end of those long lines. That person was Bill Lower. Today, Bill and his lovely and creative wife, Sherri, make their home at Lower Lane Farm in Williston, Florida. Bill is a well-known trainer, clinician, and teacher for both carriage pleasure and CDE. Sherri is a partner in the training at Lower Lane while also running her business, Hats Off Boutique. She designs and sells beautiful hats and driving aprons and attire for the discerning driver as well as providing consultation on putting it all together for that just-right look. In addition to Sherri’s boutique booth at carriage competitions, you may see Sherri and one or more of her expertly trained Welsh ponies collecting blue ribbons in the carriage show ring.
FS: Where did each of you grow up and how did you get into horses? SL: I grew up in Rural Kansas, Formoso, Kansas. One morning I woke up before my parents and looked outside and a pony was standing in our yard. I ran outside and crawled on it not knowing where it came from or who it belonged to! My parents finally came outside and saw me on the pony and knew right there that they would be getting me a horse. I started with a quarter horse mare and showed in 4-H for 10 years. BL: I grew up in Essex, Massachusetts. I got involved in horses at a very young age at a rental hack stable near my mom and dad’s house.
FS: How and when did you meet? SL: We met at Live Oak in 1998 at the Live Oak Combined Driving Event in Ocala. We have lived in Florida since May 2004. FS: Bill, Do you have a particular approach to training carriage horses? Are you training for both pleasure and CDE?
14 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Courtesy of S. Lower
Above: Bill and Sherri Lower maintain an active training and show schedule. Below right: Sherri also designs and sells driving attire through her business, Hats Off Boutique. BL: I like to do lots of ground work. Ground work consists of long lining which I learned from my German mentor. The long lining helps with manners, bending, balance and rhythm. After the horse is working well on the long lines, then I have the horse drag a tire. When the horse is dragging the tire and not worried then he is ready to hook to the carriage. I do train pleasure driving and CDE horses. I train them both of them basically the same at the beginning stages. As you start working a horse up the levels in combined driving the horse has several movements to learn in a dressage test. Some of the movements require much strength and muscle. Not to take away from pleasure driving, the horse must be more fit, have muscle and be able to show three distinct trots and the canter. FS: Bill, what have been the highlights of your training career?
BL: My first biggest accomplishment was when I won the four–in-hand National Championship in Combined driving in 1981. It was the Myopia Driving Event in Hamilton, MA. This was the first time a 4-in-hand National Championship had been offered. My name is first on the trophy! My next biggest accomplishment was in 1987 when I went to Riesenback Germany as a member of the Pair Team. In 1991 I trained two Morgan stallions, half brothers, as a pair and won the Pair National Championship at Gladstone, NJ. FS: Sherri, How did you get into the hat and attire business?
SL: My mother taught me how to sew. I sewed all through my 4-H years and have done so all my life. When I got into carriage driving and started to learn what the proper attire was I decided that I should put my seamstress skills to work. I wasn’t one to wear the same outfit for every class at a pleasure show. I felt there was a need for someone to design jackets and hats and put the outfits together for women. I absolutely love designing and creating a look that makes someone say “wow, look at that turnout”! I then started my business in 2002. I love assisting ladies or gentlemen in putting together the perfect look for their turnout.
FS: Sherri, is there an outstanding hat story you could share with us? SL: I have been very honored to “outfit” so many people in the combined driving, pleasure driving, coaching and breed show disciplines across the United States and Internationally at some of the most prestigious shows. I guess one story that stands out is when I met a new driver in New York at a pleasure driving show. She was so frustrated and not feeling good about her outfits. So, I took her into my vendor booth and outfitted her for her next class which was turnout. I loaned her the whole outfit from head to toe. She felt fabulous and also went in and won the class! I was so proud of her! FS: Sherri, You are a formidable competitor in the show ring with your ponies. Tell us about the ponies you are showing so successfully these days. SL: Right now I have six registered welsh ponies, four section D cobs (three are section D mares and one
section D gelding) and two section B Welsh mares. I truly enjoy my ponies even if I don’t get to show them much.. I ride every day, usually two or three of them. My primary focus is ridden dressage. I also enjoy pleasure driving and jumping. My goal this year is to compete at some ridden dressage shows along with going to the 2015 National Welsh Pony Show in Tulsa, OK. At the Tulsa show I will compete with the ponies in Halter, Western, English, Jumping and Driving. It’s four days of showing and I love it. FS: As a couple, what are some of the challenges of working together in the same industry?
SL: Bill is a master at training the driving horse. His long lining skills are impeccable. He knows how to read a horse or pony and knows which direction to go with its training. A lot of the time he relies on me to be on the ground to tell him what I’m seeing; how is the horse moving? Is he round enough? How’s the tempo look? Loosen the curb chain one notch etc. All days seem to be long. We start early and work late. We try to work the horses as a team. We both are important to each other in all aspects of the horse training business. We love to try and sneak in some boat time but it’s not easy.
Quality You Can Count On!
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 15
FS: This is our breeding issue. Are there people who breed specifically for carriage driving horses and ponies? SL: Yes, People are more aware now that good disposition, conformation and correct movement are very important for a driving horse and or pony.
FS: How do you go about selecting a horse or pony for training as a carriage horse? SL: Once again, disposition, conformation, and movement play a huge part of selecting a horse or pony for driving. A lot of people are very particular about blood lines, many are not. If the horse or pony has good movement, a lot of people make their decision by that single thing alone. In our opinion the temperament is more important. Driving horses and ponies compared to other disciplines have very few aids to help them respond to the movements being trained. So temperament is very very important. FS: What advice do you have for drivers looking for a suitable horse or pony? How best to shop? BL: When looking for a horse or pony, know what your skills are as a driver and don’t buy over your ability. Take your trainer with you to look at the horse. Do your homework if you are looking for a specific breed; research bloodlines. A lower level or beginner driver should buy a horse or pony that has been driving for many years and has a fantastic track record, in other words, a perfect school master. In addition the beginning driver can seek professional assistance from a driving instructor and possibly take lessons with the instructor’s horse or pony.
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16 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
A labor of love Consider cost and commitment before breeding your mare Karen Abbattista
Above: HF Blood Moon. Opposite page: HF Taj Jamaal. Both purebred Arabians bred by Karin McMurtrie of Hawk’s Flight Farm in Sarasota.
Y
ou are tired, so tired. It feels like forever since you have had a full night’s rest. Up every hour, on the hour, for days you have been keeping watch on your mare. Tonight, armed with blankets, pillows, snacks and books, you are camped out on a lounge chair outside her straw-lined stall. You take another sip of coffee. It’s close now. You know it. You are anxious and nervous and excited all at once. You look at your mare. She is restless, as are you. She is pacing and pawing, looking around at her swollen belly. She lies down for a moment, and sighs before standing back up again. Her vulva is flat and relaxed, the musculature around her wrapped tail very loose, almost hollow. As you watch, her tail elevates and flicks. The honey-colored teats of her udder are swollen, streaming milk. She is uncomfortable; you tell her you are not going to leave her. Suddenly her water breaks, spurting and gushing. You jump up, cell phone in hand. The next moments are crucial. You’ve educated yourself; you know all the things that can go wrong. You bite your lip, and wait for what feels like an eternity. Your mare is back down now and rolls over on her side. Her four legs are stretched out stiffly, her breathing
quick and shallow. And, yes, there it is! A grayish-white sac is emerging. You see the silhouette of the forefeet within the amniotic bubble. All is well; the foal is in the perfect diver’s position. The foal’s feet have cleared the vulvar lips and have not ruptured the wall of the vagina. Several powerful contractions later, the head appears, resting on the forelegs. Your mare pauses to rest. “Push, mama, push,” you tell her…. Approximately 359 days earlier……
So you think you want to breed your mare?
Say hello to delayed gratification, wave goodbye to disposable income. As with all things equine, be prepared for an investment of time and money that may or may not yield results exactly as planned. The estimated costs (total) to produce your foal, be forewarned, begins at $4800. The AAEP estimates the minimum annual cost of owning a healthy horse is $2500. Your foal will cost an additional $5000-$7500 before he is ready to be “started” under saddle. Nevertheless, the experience itself, some say, is just this side of priceless. The first question you need to ask yourself is, why
L. Ricigliano
ARE you breeding your mare? What is the result you are hoping for? Are you breeding for halter, for performance, for color? Are you breeding for temperament? Spend the time to clearly outline your goals. The next question will be, why are you breeding YOUR mare? Breeding barns carefully select their mares, realizing they represent 50% of their future foals. Is your mare the right candidate to help you meet your goals? If she’s hard to handle, cantankerous, and moody, do you want those qualities passed on to your future foal? Before you begin, put your veterinarian on speed dial. If not already, he or she will soon become your new best friend!
The Selection Process:
Breeding is a science, and an art. It’s best to choose a proven stallion, with a track record for producing those qualities you are looking for in your foal. If you can afford to go view the stallion in person, this is highly recommended. Photos and videos can be manipulated, and an on-site visit is a better assessment of attributes. Responsible breeders will help guide you through the selection process. They are a wealth of information
and of knowledge. Breeding is their passion, as well as their profession, and they spend hours upon hours researching lineage and genetics. Estimated cost of research: $0-$1000, depending on travel. Questions to ask prospective stallion owners: Do they provide a live foal guarantee? Will they rebreed your mare at no additional cost
to you? What days do they collect their stallion? Many barns only collect on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Do they provide a written contract outlining each party’s responsibilities? Will they provide all necessary documentation for the registration of the foal, if applicable? Stud fee:
L. Ricigliano
Karen Abbattista Dressage
Offering lessons for all levels of riders in traditional and western dressage School horses available
~USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist ~ ~Awarded the Bronze and Silver Musical Freestyle Bars~ ~ “L” Graduate with Distinction ~ USEF Western Dressage Judge Candidate~ www.karenabbattistadressage.com email karenabbattista@gmail.com
phone 941-376-1736
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 17 The bulk of the expense for semen is the initial stud fee. This may or may not include collection costs. Estimated cost: $1500 - $5000
The Breeding Process
Determining when your mare is ready to be bred: Before breeding, your mare must be up-to-date on all vaccinations and on a regular de-worming program. Do you know how to determine if your mare is cycling? Do you know the signs? Some mare owners will place their mares under lights staring in December to facilitate artificial cycling. Professional breeders keep copious notes on each of their mares, recording when each heat cycle begins and ends. This increases their chance of a successful impregnation on the first try. When you first notice your mare is coming into heat, you need to contact your veterinarian and schedule an initial reproductive exam as soon as possible. Your veterinarian needs to examine your mare for fertility related issues. For a maiden (never before bred) mare, this may be as simple as a breeding soundness exam. For experienced broodmares, this might also include a uterine culture or biopsy. The reproductive exam will isolate any uterine issues that may contraindicate breeding, and determine if your mare is cycling. Estimated cost: $100-$400 If your mare has no breeding issues, the initial reproductive exam will determine where the mare is in her reproductive cycle. An ultrasound will determine the size, number, and location of the developing follicles. The size of the follicles is critical and will be the determining factor in when your veterinarian recommends you call for semen. If the follicle size is at least 3.0, he may decide to administer deslorelin post breeding to stimulate ovulation. The ultrasound will also determine the presence of edema in the uterus. For ideal fertilization, you will want to see a wheel formation. Shipped semen: Costs of shipping your chosen stallion’s semen are an additional expense and depend on how quickly you require delivery. If semen is shipped overnight in a specially designed Equitainer, the shipping costs can be up to $200, not including the cost to return the container. To reduce expense, many stallion owners now use an insulated lightweight cardboard container such as Equine Express. However, if your window of opportunity for insemination is quite narrow, and falls on one of the stallion’s collection days, your veterinarian may recommend airport counter to counter delivery. This will run you the price of an airline cargo ticket. Estimated cost for shipping: $50 – $500 Insemination: As a mare’s conception rate averages 65%-70%, most stallion owners will ship enough semen for two doses. When the semen arrives, your veterinarian will carefully clean your mare, wrap her tail, and artificially inseminate her with the first dose of semen. He will return the following day to administer the second dose. The cost for each visit will depend on the cooperation of your mare, and whether or not she requires sedation. Estimated cost: $100 -$175.
Pregnancy costs
Pregnancy Check: 15-18 days after the last dose of semen is administered, you will want to have an ultrasound done on your mare. If she is not pregnant, your veterinarian should be
18 Florida Sporthorse Magazine able to see if she’s coming back into heat at that time. The ultrasound will be help to identify if she is carrying twins, which is a risky proposition. If she is, at day 30, you will want to have your mare checked again. If one of the twins has not been reabsorbed during that time, one may be pinched off to insure the health of the remaining foal. Estimated cost: $150 -$200 Pharmaceuticals: During the pregnancy check, if the mare is in foal, a blood test will be administered to determine your mare’s progesterone levels. Within 24-48 hours, you should have the results. If the progesterone level is low, your mare may be place on hormone therapy such as Regumate in order to save the pregnancy. Your mare will be given a pneumabort shot at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months. Approximately 30 days before foaling, your mare will receive a full set of vaccines to transfer immunity to the baby. Estimated cost: $50-$350 Additional monitoring: The initial pregnancy check does not guarantee a successful pregnancy. A fairly high percentage of mares, especially maiden mares, will lose their baby early on. Therefore, your vet may pull blood tests at intervals throughout the gestation period to confirm that the mare is still in foal. Many times a mare will exhibit all of the signs of pregnancy, but in reality, will be experiencing a false pregnancy and not actually be with foal. Estimated cost: $100-$200 Nutrition: In the last trimester, your mare should carefully transition from her current feeding program to a feed designed for pregnant and nursing mothers. Estimated cost: $90
shot to the foal. He will inspect the afterbirth to insure the mare did not retain any part of the placenta. You do not want to run the risk of infection. The veterinarian will also check the foal for heart and gut sounds, temperature, diarrhea or constipation, and congenital deformities. Assuming you have birthed a healthy foal, the estimated cost: $100 - $300 ### Your mare is briefly resting. The foal’s forefeet, head, and neck have appeared. Carefully, you break open the amniotic sac and clear the grayish-white membranes away from his nostrils and mouth. Your mare resumes labor, out come shoulders, hips and hind legs. Tears fill
your eyes as you greet your new foal! Grabbing warm towels, you dry his shivering body. He is precious, so precious, tiny tipped ears, soft little hooves. You marvel at the miracle of birth. “Well done, mama,” you whisper, “Well done!” The author would like to thank Karin McMurtrie of Hawk’s Flight Farm for sharing her first-hand experiences with breeding and foaling. Located in Sarasota, FL, Hawk’s Flight Farm has been producing world class Arabian horses for over 34 years. Please visit www. hawksflightfarm.com for more information about Karin, her breeding program, and the Arabian horse.
Foaling costs
It’s important to note that your mare does not have a due date, she has a gestational window. Each mare is on her own schedule. Careful records over time will help determine each mare’s gestational window. If this is your first breeding, while the average gestation is 11 months, understand that there is no definitive time frame. Supplies: You will want to have your foaling area stripped of all shavings and bedded with straw as the mare gets closer to her gestational window. The shavings carry bacteria which can be harmful to the foal. Plan on 2 bales of straw per stall, adding more until the umbilical cord dries up and closes. You will need to have lighting available, as most births happen in the night hours. Surveillance cameras are a welcome alternative to walking down to the barn several times each night as the birth draws near. You will need supplies to wrap the mare’s tail, clean the mare and foal, treat the umbilicus, and to provide an enema to the foal immediately after birth. Estimated cost: $100-$400 Medical costs: And, yes, you will want veterinary assistance. Unless you have experience with assisted delivery (pulling the foal), you want your veterinarian on hand in case something goes wrong. With birth come risks to both mare and foal, best to err on the side of caution. Shortly after the birth, you will need to administer a dose of ivermectin to the mare. 8 – 10 hours after the first nursing, your veterinarian will do an IgG test for colostrum and administer both tetanus and a vitamin
HF Taj Jamaal bred by Karin McMurtrie of Sarasota.
L. Ricigliano
Saying goodbye
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 19
Easing the pain of departing with our equine companions
Amber Kimball
I
said goodbye to a friend today. Blessed with the opportunity to spend a minute reflecting on the past, I stood in the sun with a big warmblood gelding and remembered what he had once been. Not too long ago, he was very strong and at times exuberant. He loved to work and met every training session with enthusiasm. He taught his owner how to really use a half halt. The three of us had some great lessons and shows together. He was uphill and light as a feather, so long as the rider didn’t pull on the reins. If the rider used too much hand, he was like a freight train charging downhill with questionable brakes. Whenever I rode him, he reminded me that I should probably do more sit-ups. Even when he was lead from the ground, he had to be reminded to walk slowly please, so the human could keep up. He was always full of life. Today though, as we stood in the sun on a perfect cloudless day, it wasn’t the same. His eyes were dull and although in the past I’d had to count
my fingers after offering a treat to him, the armful of apples I’d brought didn’t spark much interest. We shared a couple and I left the rest in a tub if he decided he might like to have them later. As I scratched his forehead one last time, I was reminded of all the horses I’ve said goodbye to over the years. We don’t usually spend much time thinking about how we will part with our horses when we first meet them. Sometimes it’s by choice, sometimes parting is out of our control. Eventually though, we will say goodbye to all of them in one way or another. It seems that the horse you want to say good bye to the most is usually the one who wears out his welcome. Everyone has met one of those horses. He chews the barn down. The farrier knows him by name because he’s always wearing three shoes, or maybe just one. The only time he ever exerts himself is when he escapes from his paddock and takes a tour of the neighborhood. The problem with this horse is that as much as you want to say goodbye to him, it’s hard to find
someone else who wants to say hello. I’m a firm believer though, that there is a horse for every person and a person for every horse. When that horse finds his person and it is cause for celebration. Cheers to saying farewell! Sometimes our relationship with a horse is one that serves as a building block in our equestrian education. This might be a schoolmaster or a first horse who puts up with our mistakes and guides us on our way to better horsemanship. I have very fond memories of the schoolmasters who taught me so many skills and put up with my shortcomings. These horses usually move on to teach other riders and although we miss them dearly, the skills they give us are passed on to the next horses we ride. If only a horse could know how lucky he is that his predecessors took the brunt of our inabilities. Though it’s sad to see our schoolmasters or first horses off, there’s usually some satisfaction in knowing that they will make their next rider very happy. Knowing when it’s time to move on can be difficult. When first purchasing a horse, there’s
20 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
in this situation to get some outside help. Talk to your trainer about the horse’s short comings, (and be honest about your own) or have an experienced friend ride and handle the horse so you can get a fresh perspective on your troubles. Only you can choose to whether or not to keep plugging along with your less than ideal equine. Remember, he may not be the perfect partner for you but could be someone else’s dream horse. Saying goodbye might the best thing for both of you. If you chose to keep him instead, be sure to embrace his strong points to keep your relationship with him constructive. Very often, the choice to part with a horse is monetary. Horses are expensive. In the best situation, you would get an offer to sell your horse for an amount of money you couldn’t refuse. Horses are a commodity, as well as a companion or pet. Sometimes the best decision you can make is to sell your horse when a good offer is made. A horse who is worth a lot of money today could have a career ending injury tomorrow. Depending on your financial situation and your level of emotional attachment to your horse the smartest fiscal choice might be parting with your current horse for profit and purchasing another, less expensive mount. In the worst financial case, you might struggle with the decision to give your horse away because you can no longer handle the financial drain. The horse’s wellbeing should always be top priority. If your money situation is becoming dire, there’s no shame in finding your horse a new home. As hard as it is to part with him, it’s never a good idea to go into debt to care for your horse, or worse, provide him with inadequate care due to your
usually a span of time where the horse and rider have a few minor difficulties. Slight glitches in a new partnership of any kind are to be expected, but over time they should work themselves out. Every once in a while, a rider buys a horse that just isn’t quite what they expected. Factors such as a change of his stabling or turnout routine, feed schedule or work level could make him act differently than he did in his last home. Or, the horse could simply not be as athletically endowed as the rider originally expected. Maybe though, the trouble is a personality clash between the horses and rider. Whatever the problem might be, the end question is the same. Do I keep him or sell him to someone who would enjoy him more than I do? If you begrudge riding the horse everyday then
‘‘
EVERY PERSON WHO HAS SUDDENLY LOST AN EQUINE COMPANION KNOWS THE PAIN OF THE UNEXPECTED FINAL GOODBYE. OUR HORSE’S LIVES, LIKE OUR OWN ARE FINITE.
the answer is easy. Sell him. It’s not fair to the horse or rider to muddle through the rides miserably. If you feel nervous or in danger while riding him there should be no question at all. A fearful rider on a difficult horse is a dangerous situation for both the horse and rider. Often, the horse exhibits some of the qualities from the rider’s wish list but lacks a few as well. He might be missing talent, work ethic or a shared love of the same discipline as his rider. It’s helpful
financial shortcomings. As a trainer, I usually try to keep my emotions in check when it comes to clients’ horses. Whether I love the horse or not, it’s my job to ride them for as long as the owner wishes. Most of the time it’s pretty easy to pat a horse on the neck and send him on his way, either back to his owner or onto his new home after a sale. Every once in a while though, one comes along who is really hard to part with. Every trainer has known the feeling of finding that special horse and being at the mercy of the owner’s decisions. It happens over and over at the top of the sport with elite horses and riders and it happens at every other level too. Letting go of the special horses while maintaining composure and professionalism is a skill practiced, with varying degrees of success, by every trainer. We choose the profession for our love of horses but sometimes the horses break our hearts. Parting with a horse when he’s sold can be difficult for the owner or trainer. Most of the time when a horse moves on, he goes to another farm where he is loved just as much and cared for just as well as he was when he lived in our stables. The worst goodbyes are the ones we can’t control. My husband Brian and his ten year old mare, Betty, had the kind of horse-human relationship we all search for. Betty was Brian’s first horse and they were best buddies. Betty would trot up from the back of the field at the sight of Brian’s truck but if I went out to catch her, she would make me hike the length of the pasture. Betty would march over, under or through any obstacle Brian suggested. Although she had been aloof when we first bought her, Betty developed a deep bond with Brian and they made a great team. On a sunny Saturday, Brian and Betty were
schooling in the arena at the show grounds where they were to compete in their first dressage show together. Betty was forward and happy and Brian was excited for his first show. We were only worried about whether or not Brian would remember his tests the next day and what Betty would think about life as a show horse. We never could have imagined how insignificant our worries about 20m circles would become. After a few minutes of trotting, Betty suddenly became wobbly and as Brian jumped down from her back she wavered and fell beside him. Within minutes she had passed away. Due to her age and size, it was surmised that Betty had succumbed to an aneurism. No one ever imagines that they will leave a horse show with an empty horse trailer. Of all the horses
I’ve said farewell to, that one was the hardest. Every person who has suddenly lost an equine companion knows the pain of the unexpected final goodbye. Our horse’s lives, like our own are finite. Even after a tough training session or placing last at a show, take some time to appreciate your horse. It’s heartbreaking to watch a once young, strong and lively horse wither before your eyes. Whether due to age, accident or illness, horses rely on humans to make the choice to end their suffering when their pain is no longer manageable or their quality of life has significantly diminished. Part of being a horse owner is being an advocate for their wellbeing. Horses can’t use prosthetic legs or wheel chairs. They rely on all four legs to move around their world. When a horse no longer lives with relative
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 21
comfort, it’s his human’s responsibility to end his pain permanently in a dignified and humane way. When you first purchase a horse and while he’s still healthy, it’s a good idea to make some hard decisions about euthanasia and put them on paper. Decide how much money you are willing to spend on emergency surgery and who is allowed to give a veterinarian permission to put your horse to sleep in case an accident occurs when you can’t be reached. Make sure this information is available to the people who care for your horse when you are away from him. Your veterinarian can help you make a decision about euthanasia but it is your responsibility as a horse owner to make the final call. As I walked by the big bay gelding one more time before I left the farm today, he was grazing a bit and the sun glinted off his coat in such a way that I imagined him as he had been, just a year before, strong, sleek and bright eyed. He’s endured all the treatments money can buy and yet his lameness is still progressing. His owner and her veterinarians have made the difficult decision and I know tomorrow when I arrive at the barn, his stall will be empty. Goodbye my friend, I’ll miss you.
22 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Life Hacks for Horse People Simple fixes for barn and show
Carol Bulmer
1. Horse’s nose sunburned?
a. Use Baby Butt Crème (Desitin)
2. Forgot your sunscreen?
a. See #1. Your horse doesn’t care what you look like.
3. Lost your lead shank?
a. See #3 b. Take off your belt and use that. c. No belt? Stirrup leathers work too. d. I actually took my t-shirt off and used that one time. (Don’t panic I had a really nice sports bra on).
4. Do you have a lead shank and no halter?
a. Clip the snap back on itself to make a circle then loop the other end of the lead shank over poll and then around nose, slip that long piece back through the snap end circle and start leading. b. See #3
5. Did the noseband of the halter break right at the brass side connector?
a. Get the vet wrap out and start bandaging from the side connector all the way across to the other side connector (use a pretty color). b. See #3
6. Forgot your half chaps?
a. Polo bandages work great on your legs too! (Use the zebra striped pair)
7. Need a “cool cap” for under your helmet or neck cooler?
a. Wet a small rag/towel in salt water put in zip lock bag and freeze for an hour.
8. Loose horse shoe?
a. Duct tape, lots of it.
9. Manure spots on grey horse?
a. Get out your Mrs. Stewart’s Laundry Bluing (be careful not to get it on your britches!)
10. Broken Blanket closure? a. Baling Twine. b. Zip ties/ twist ties c. Spur strap d. Flash attachment
14. Too sweaty to get back into your tall boots? a. Cornstarch. Lots of it.
15. Want to keep boot zippers from sticking? a. Glycerin Saddle Soap b. Saddle wax (like Effax leather conditioner) c. Clipper Blade lubricating spray d. Show Sheen
16. Need a beer bottle opener?
a. Two words. Girth buckle. You figure it out.
17. Need a wine cork screw?
a. What? You don’t have a Swiss Army knife in your back right pocket? b. What kind of friends do you have that don’t carry corkscrews? c. Speaking of wine…tall boots are a great way to transport vino.
C O U NTY Saddles that fit...best for backs Full-time Florida Agent ’ Waters Renee MSA Certified Fitter 386-846-5911
11. Horse Trailer Tack Door keeps slapping your butt when you unload/load equipment?
a. Bungee cord or Baling Twine. b. Pitch fork at a 45 degree angle propped under latch area c. Lunge line or extra long lead shank snapped on to door latch and tied to trailer hitch
12. No cart for dragging muck bucket to manure pile?
a. Stick your fork handle thru the hand loop and drag away.
13. Supplement bucket lid not coming loose? a. Pry it off with hoof pick.
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