Midwest Equine Online APRIL 2010
MIKE BRANCH READING A HORSE With spring just around the corner, many equine enthusiasts are beginning to think about what we all love to do after a long winter and severe cabin fever: RIDE!! I get many requests from people at this time of year to help get the edge off their horses. There are many accidents at the beginning of the season because folks either do not know what to look for, or just assume that because everything was fine when they put their horse up last fall or early winter, so come spring they can just get Thunder out, toss on a saddle, run him in a circle, and if he doesn’t buck, climb right on. Instead I would like to look at the basic elements of “reading” a horse and help you avoid potentially dangerous situations or injuries. Eyes: An old Indian proverb says, “the eye is the window to the soul.” This is true not only for people but also for your horse if you can learn to see it. The eyes need to have a “soft” look about them and should have some “blinking” as signs that the horse is calm. The head is held in somewhat of a low position. If the eye is wide and much of the white is exposed and the head is higher than normal, the horse is indicating nervousness. Ears: Reading the ears can be a little tricky, since the horse has the ability to move them about separately from one another; one ear can be listening to one thing and the other to something else altogether. Just because they are “back” a little does not necessarily mean anger. Ears that are “pinned” back, however, are a definite sign of trouble. So again we want a “softness” of our horse’s ears; when the horse is “soft” it will be paying attention to you with at least one ear, and perhaps the surroundings with the other. To have both ears listening to you is the obvious goal. Nose: The nose should also have a “soft” look and “feel” to it. The horse should allow you to gently rub its nose and face using long smooth strokes. Remember, your horse must trust you in front of and with his head if he is to be expected to trust you behind his head and on his back. (Please do not stand directly in front of your horse when first doing this, but rather at a 45% angle. This is to prevent you possibly being struck.)You You can tell from the nose if his breathing is relaxed or if there is any anxiety. Is the horse’s nose flared? Is the horse “snorting” more than usual? These are signs that there is work to be done. Mouth: The horse’s mouth can speak to us as well! If the horse is licking her lips, and moving her mouth about in a “chewing” fashion, this is a good sign, and you can notice the eyes, which should be blinking at the same time. On the other hand, if your horse has tight jaws or if you hear grinding of the teeth, the horse is not in a good way. (You may need to have your equine health professional take a look at its teeth as well.) Tail: The tail can also indicate a horse’s attitude. Is the tail relatively still or casually
clenching or wringing his tail or trying to slap us with it. If so, we need to fix it before we proceed. Stance: Yes, even your horse’s stance can tell a lot about what is going on with our horse. Does the horse have an overall soft look? Or does she stand stiff-legged and rigid? The soft horse will generally stand with a lower head-set and a hind leg cocked as if it were slouching. You would also observe all the positive appearances we discussed above: attentive ears, eyes blinking, smooth respiration, licking and chewing, and casual tail.
This horse is displaying a very nice overall appearance: it is soft in the eyes, ears, stance, nose, and is very curious which is a trait very much to be desired. One good initial test is if the horse is willing for you to gently rub him, using long smooth strokes both inside and out of its ears, and across the nose. If you can’t, he probably doesn’t trust you, and you must have your horse’s trust about his head if you expect it to trust you on its back. If your horse does display all the above mentioned positive actions, here are a few simple “tests” that you can do to make sure that things are right with our horse: 1: lateral flexion; 2: lowering the head; and 3: picking up the feet.
In the before picture I am obtaining “lateral flexion” while haltering the horse. Lateral flexion cannot be practiced too much and will help in improving overall softness with your horse.
In the above pictures I begin to ask my horse to lower its head by placing my hand on top of the poll and applying slight pressure with my hand. As the horse responds, I release and start over with the goal of my horse lowering its head a little more each time. When the horse is finally completely soft we will have the picture of the relaxed horse.
The feet need to come up for us with a soft suggestion; for the front feet I just pinch the chestnut softly until the foot rises to meet my hand. For the back feet I gently squeeze the skin of the hock and the horse will usually pick its foot right up if it is truly in the state of mind to be soft and attentive.
If your horse is displaying all of theses positive actions it is most likely in the correct frame of mind for your spring activities. Remember this is not a “how to fix” article, but rather something for you to “lick and chew” on before you get out for the first time this spring. If your horse is displaying any of the negative behaviour described that you do not know how to fix, please seek out a reputable trainer or instructor who can help you and your horse and allow you to observe and ask questions
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JERICHO CREEK FARMS…”Girls and Horses”
Linda Konichek
Singer and horse lover, Templeton Thompson, has a song “Girls and Horses” that starts, “What is it with girls and horses…?” Those of us women who own horses, as adults, remember very well that fascination and love of horses we’ve had all our lives, that started as soon as we knew what a horse was. It’s as much a part of us as breathing. At a young age, we collected everything we could that was about horses, Breyer horse models, horse books like THE BLACK STALLION, movies and tapes. Today it is easy for us to recognize those young girls, who like us, have that same love and need to be with horses whenever possible. As a kid, I lived near the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds in West Allis, and the week of the State Fair was a magic time for me; I went every day, all day long, and practically lived in the barns, especially the Draft Horse Barn. Rather shy with strangers, I was bold enough to ask to clean the big horses stalls. Now, after twenty years of shovelling manure, I understand why the owners were usually so quick to accept my offer. My great-niece, Angela Tuchel, has been a kindred spirit and horse-lover since she was a Toddler, so I wasn’t very surprised when her mom called and asked if Angela could Celebrate her tenth birthday party at the farm with the horses, and a few of her friends. Since Wendy is planning to do birthday parties at the farm, as soon as she launches her new riding academy and therapeutic riding program, the Horse Power Healing Center, in 2010, we decided it would be a good preview for us and nice gift for Angela. We saddled up two of our veteran Morab mares, who have always been good with kids, Jericho’s Royal Motif aka Suzie, and LM Ark One Shauna, an older Morab mare that we bought specifically as a lesson horse. Callie, Angela’s older sister has ridden our horses at the Jefferson show, and she agreed to help Wendy lead the horses. The day was perfect and so were the girls and the horses. Though the ride was the high point, so was playing with the new foals and the barn kittens. Afterwards, Angela wrote a thank-you note thanking us for such a “neat, cool” birthday! Yes, “girls and horses” have a very special bond…and for some, it continues all their lives. These are the ones who usually own a horse someday. I wrote this poem for Angela several years ago.
A GENETIC CONNECTION Outside, a blustery December eve, Inside, a family party winding down, we sit warming ourselves in a glow of love, laughter, long-ago Christmas memories…unwilling to move. My great-niece, Angela,is campaigning, first, her grandpa, then her uncle; they’re comfortable,curled in cushions, relaxing like fat cats before a fire She begs, over-and-over, eyes flashing,
I just Have to go see the horses I Have to…please please please! At last, Uncle Roger, clearly reluctant gives in; he thinks horses are hayburners destroyers, even managed to get his wife to substitute miniature goats for her horses. Shrugging into his bulky coat, fur-lined gloves, my brother’s resigned eyes meet mine-
You know Lin it’s scary Must be in the genes I nod and grin. He and Angela head for the barn; I wish I could go along Linda Lee
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MC Riverdance 11 year old Purebred Grey Arabian mare “Danni� as we call her is a wonderful mare that produces beautiful foals. She has had two fillies and they have been big and athletic. She currently is in foal to a Versace son. Danni is also broke to ride and has been on a bunch of trail rides. $4700 firm
MS Basanova 15 year old Pure Polish Arabian mare. A beautiful bay mare that has produced exceptional foals. Basanova would be an asset to any breeding program. Ridden last summer by a 9 year old girl. *Bask and *Aladdinn granddaughter. (Picture to right of a 3 year old Basanova son.) Must sacrifice $1000
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Green Bay, WI
Midwest Equine Online Upcoming Events March: 4 - 7: Therassage Equine Massage Certification Class. Milton, WI 53563. Contact: Greg Gage 866-301-7486. 20: Midwest Equine Online deadline for all ads, articles and upcoming events 21: 4-H Tack and Clothing sale, Jane Adams Community Center, Cedarville, IL 31013. Contact: Jan 815-297-4331 April 10-11: Horse-A-Rama, Manitowoc Co. Expo Center, Manitowoc, WI. Pat Lonzo 920-9013911 www.horse-a-rama.org 10-11: Minnesota Horse Fest, Benton Co. Fairgrounds, Sauk Rapids, MN. Tim and Brenda Johnson 218-678-4125 www.centralmnhorsefest.com 16-18: Midwest Horse Fair, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Contact: 920-623-5515 www.midwesthorsefair.com 20: Midwest Equine Online deadline for the May issue. 23-25: Minnesota Horse Expo, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN 952-922-8666 or 877-462-8758 www.mnhorseexpo.org May 23: ASHAM Spring Sizzler Benefit Horse Show. Sunday 9am Oakland County Fairgrounds. Davisburg, MI. Saddleseat, Hunt, Western for show and lesson horses. www.asham.org Classifieds: Available advertising section options: Horses For Sale, Tack, Vehicles and Trailers, Stallions, Boarding, Training, Lessons, Real Estate, Equine Services, Miscellaneous and To Give Away
Horses For Sale: 16 year old Pure Polish Bay Arabian mare. Bask/Aladdinn granddaughter $1000. Linda 608-963-1177 -------------------------------------Coming 2 year old big Chestnut PB Arabian filly. Excellent Hunter/Jumper or Endurance prospect. $800 Linda 608-963-1177 -------------------------------------Shahcagos Loni : a lovely 12 yr old Bay Purebred Arabian mare. She is sired by the famous National Champion Shahcago, son of the great Bey Shah+. Loni is a proven broodmare and has had 6 months training in natural horsemanship and is easy to handle, with good movement and refined head and neck. Asking $3900. Kirsch Sportross Gestuet. 608-5383499
NADYA: a double registered 2000 Arabian/Trakehner mare by the Donau Wind son Pikor, a half brother to Abdullah. She is a powerful mare with a calm attitude. Asking $4900 open $6900 in foal to Blitz and Donner. Kirsch Sportross Gestuet. 608-538-3499 --------------------------------------7 year old Arab gelding: Broke, excellent Endurance prospect. 15.1 and solid, great conformation and bone. Very pretty to boot! Has had Parelli training as well as a bunch of open trail riding, goes out by himself. $1200 Call Linda at 608-963-1177 _______________________ LIST YOUR SALE HORSE CHEAP!
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