ORTONVILLE/METAMORA, MI: Horse Paradise! Exquisite Cape Cod, totally remodeled on 10 gently rolling acres. Barn completely redone w/4 stalls, round pen, outdoor arena, paddocks. Wonderful trail riding area on the border of Metamora. MLS# 20221036414. Offered at $675,000.
WHITE LAKE, MI: Nice ranch home on 18+ acres. 3 car garage with workshop. Land is level, no low areas. Mature trees in the back, and on perimeter for private setting. 60x32 pole barn w/cement oor and electric. Build your own horse farm! MLS# 20221026369. Offered at $465,900.
COMING SOON! Call Kathie today!
HOLLY, MI (ROSE TWP.): VACANT LAND!
ANN ARBOR FARM with nice home, acreage, indoor arena & much more.
39+ acres with frontage on two roads! Gently rolling, currently used for hay Build your own home and horse farm. Located on corner of Rose Center Rd., and Buckhorn Lake Rd., just west of Milford Rd. Mature trees on perimeter for privacy. MLS# 20221033494. Price Improvement $495,000!
Land 10+ acres to build a horse farm. Small horse farms, xer uppers are ne, in
area to build one. Horse property with access to riding trails or state land.
farms with indoor arenas,
have qualied buyers looking for equestrian properties!
Established Trainer, Oakland County, 33 Stalls with Indoor ArenaLease Needed:
C
INC. ©2022
Farms – Country Estates
– Vacant Land
Arnold Lumber 8
B Equestrian Co. 10
Black River Farm & Ranch 55
Brightside Tack & Consignment 52
Cashman’s Horse Equipment 5
Cowboy Christmas Horse Show 37
Equine Medical Services 52
Farm Bureau, Arnesen Agency 6
Fiber Luxe Blanket Cleaning 52
Grand River Feeds 6
Healthy Futures Organic Feed 4
Hubbard Feeds 56
Humane Society of HV 52 Ivory Farm 52
Jim’s Quality Saddle 6 Jump N’ Time Tack 10
Justin Curry Equine Dentist 4 Keller Williams, S. Baumgartner 10 Larry’s RV Center 11 Laundry Barn LLC 6
Legend Land Feed & Supply 51 Livingston Co. 4-H Tack Sale 50
Metamora All Horse Parade 13, 40 MHC & MI Horse Expo 12
Moore’s Horse Co. Facebook Live 49
MQHA Harvest Classic Show 38-39
MQHA Tack Sale, Feb. 2023 53
MSU Farrier School, Jan. 2023 41
MSU Form To Function Clinic 50
Nature’s Rehab 8
Oakland Co. 4-H Tack & Craft Sale 13
PrecisionTemp Hot Water System 49 Quarter Moon Farm, Bemer Dist. 8 Ray Noble Sales – Fence Supply 49
Re/Max Platinum, Kathie Crowley 2 Show Clothes Unlimited 49
Sparta Chevy & Trailers 9
Stride Rite Feed 13
Wire Horse Weekend Sale 7 Worch Lumber 47 Wright Place Fence 54
4-H News: MI, OH & IN 22-23 Association/Trail Riders News 18-21
Bronson, DVM: Parasites 24
Cardeccia, Kim: Worry Myth 15
Eversole, Robert: Past the Spook 25 Goodnight, J.: Training Tools 32-34 KY Equine Research: Soaked Hay 36 Kiley, Lisa: Barn Equipment 17
Palm, Lynn: Relationships 35
Ramey, D., DVM: Scratches 46-47
Robertson, Kathy: Beginner Carts 14-15 Skylis, Lisa: Equine Small Bus. 48-49 Valley Vet Supply: Poor Behavior 16
Classified Ads (2 Months Free) 26-28
Find Ayla Kids’ Contest 8 Hunting Tips While Riding 44
Membership Drive: Jan. 2023 45 MI Horse Expo Program Rates 42
NEW! Online Google Calendar 28, 43 Show & Event Dates Are Free! Michigan, Ohio & Indiana 29-31
Subscribe to Saddle Up! 34 Tack Sale Special 21
Ayla is a spotted Leopard Appaloosa mare. Can you find her in this issue of Saddle Up! Magazine?
Each month, we hide a smaller image of Ayla within the pages of Saddle Up! Magazine. When you find her, mail us a letter or email us with the page that you “spotted” her on and you will be entered in our random drawing to win a check for $30.00!
Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com
Address: 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430
Deadline: The 20th of the current month
Contest for ages 14 & under only. Include your age and address so we may mail your winnings, if you win.
Contest Rules: Ages 14 & under only. One entry per month, per person. All correct answers will be entered in our random drawing
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sun Noon-4pm,
NEW flooring in stalls & barn was painted in 2020. Stall mats and fencing needed, otherwise turnkey for horses. Barn has water/electric. 13 acres has woods, crops and plenty of room to build a home in the future. Great hunting property! Call either Lori Ross 810.279.8609 or Susan Baumgartner 517.404.6511
When a person wants to start driving a horse or pony, the common advice is to begin with a “two-wheeler,” also called a cart. This thinking is a result of driving trainers with years of experience, vehicle design and the way carriages follow the equine. The two wheeler cart follows the horse directly, going right behind the animal. The horse and cart make a straight line, no bending or folding possible with shafts holding the horse straight. This straight line goes where it is driven, forward and when backing up. Carts normally have a wider axle width for stability than 4-wheeled vehicles. Getting very simplistic here for a new driver or newly trained driving equine. Carts always have two wheels, whatever the body looks like. If there are four wheels it is NOT a cart. We are presuming the horse has been well schooled to learn his vocal driving commands, the most important of which is “Whoa,” to stop and stand quietly No dancing in place, no stepping forward or back, rooting at his reins. This quiet stop and stand was taught long before the horse was hitched! He must respond correctly to “whoa” before ever thinking of hitching him to anything!
Ground work to teach commands, gets the horse comfortable wearing harness, moving from open bridle to blinker bridle, out on the long lines takes time and MUCH repetition, so the horse clearly understands his job. These are your basics, his fall-back responses when facing new challenges. You want the horse to be solid in these before advancing his driving training. It takes a while to reach “reliable” out on the lines, and THEN you can start letting the horse drag things like a small tire. A helper to lead him forward if needed, is helpful at this stage. An easily broken string from trace to the tire is recommended. Nothing very heavy to pull, weight behind is liable to frighten him into thinking something grabbed him! A panic now can get out of control in a heartbeat! If/when the string breaks, be ho-hum about it. Stop quietly, the helper heads the horse, tie a knot to reattach the tire and ask him to walk beside the helper again. Most horses can manage tire dragging, string breaking, and stay quiet. If you are unsure, take the horse to a driving trainer for the next steps of training and hitching
I would wait to see how the horse takes to his driving training, BEFORE purchasing a carriage of any kind. There are MANY vehicles around to drive. Depending on the sort of driving you want to do, prices can vary We are going to talk here about two wheelers because they are the best to start with for beginners. You will want a safe, sturdy cart that fits your animal as your starting points. Antiques can be nice, but often have hidden issues that can go bad unexpectedly causing runaways or injury Many have VERY worn parts over 100 years old! Fixing them usually costs more than the cart will EVER be worth! If you like fixing things, fine, just do not expect to sell it for what you have invested.
For myself, comfort while driving is high on my list of desirable features. A backrest is required by me because it prevents me hunching forward during travel, stops me from falling backwards if the horse jumps forward unexpectedly I like a nice padded seat and prefer a type of leaf springs for a better ride. My feet MUST reach the floor to help me stay in place on the seat. I also wish to be able to see ahead of the horse for safety, checking for traffic or things on the road (stinky dead animals, bike riders) that the horse might take exception to.
How easy is the cart to get in and out of? Having to climb on a step, then lift leg high over a shaft to reach the seat may not be your idea of fun! Or stepping on the basket behind the cart, swing a leg over the seat and folding the seat back to get in. There are specially curved shafts that are floor height between the dashboard and seat, so these type carts are often called Easy Entry.
Probably the most common carts are the metal frame with air-filled tires. They come in sizes to fit minis, ponies, and horses. They are popular because they are inexpensive, easy to find. Quality can vary between makers. The poor features can be thin tubing that gets metal fatigue and breaks. Nuts and bolts that break or come apart during use. They usually have poor suspension, so you feel every bump. No seat springs or inadequate springs. They sit very low, you may have to lean sideways to see ahead of the equine. They NEED a single tree for horse comfort pulling Lastly we come to their wheels. The cheapest carts usually have bicycle wheels, not designed for the torque of sideways pressure the wheels and spokes get in turns. Tires may come off rims, spokes may fold over in half! At times the little axles come off the fork they attach to.
Better makers of these carts offer BMX type rims and hubs, tougher tires or motorcycle wheels and rims that can handle sideways torque better. Air-filled tires do offer a bit of cushion to the ride.
There are also metal tube spoked wheels with flat rubber tread that look a bit more like carriage wheels and are quite sturdy There are also wooden spoke wheels with rubber treads like buggies use. Your choice, prices on wheels varies.
One last word of caution, is that these metal carts will tip over easily on rough ground or sharp turns at speed. Especially with air-filled tires. You get one bounce, the next one overturns the cart. Does not matter how centered, experienced, large or small a person you are, you cannot stop the flip.
Going to wooden carts with wooden wheels, the Meadowbrook and Road Cart styles are the most commonly seen. They may LOOK the same, natural wood, shiny varnish, but the difference is in the height of the seat. Meadowbrooks have a seat down between the wheels, between the shafts, for a lower center of gravity to prevent tipping. They usually have curved fenders to prevent people getting into the wheels or sliding off the seats on sharp turns. Meadowbrooks are entered from the rear, with driver stepping on basket floor, then thru the split seats to sit down. Road Cart seats are higher, above the shafts which allows the driver to see ahead of the horse. They come with various style seats, can be easy entry or not, so they get listed under various names. Both these type carts are fairy simple in construction, and can be somewhat modified without much effort. Parts can be changed to customize or be replaced
when broken of damaged. Parts ARE available, and can be shipped after ordering
The last type of carts are the newer designs made of metal parts, and steel constructed wheels. They became available from the needs of Combined Driving competitors. There are quite a number of models with various features. Some new ideas are the shorter shafts that allow better bending in Dressage and Marathon hazards. Shafts can often be lengthened or angled, to fit various horses. Wheels are spoked, but have metal tubing instead of wood spokes. Seats and back step are often adjustable for better balance on the harness saddle of horse, during competition. Wheels have flush hubs to prevent catching on cones or parts of hazards they are zipping through. They are EXTREMELY sturdy vehicles, low maintenance without wooden parts. They can work nicely for just pleasure driving around the farm or going down the road.
I would recommend finding a Driving Club to learn more. They are full of helpful people that can fill in details not covered here. Perhaps save you from buying unsuitable driving supplies. The American Driving Society website is a very helpful resource and lists local clubs in your area.
By Kathy RobertsonMichigan Horse Drawn Vehicle Association http://www.mhdva.org/ https://www.facebook.com/mhdva.org
It is very common for us humans to think that if we think hard about how to prevent bad stuff from happening, it will be effective. We can drag ourselves out of the peace of the present moment and throw our attention to all the things that can go wrong All the things that scare us.
It can be a really insidious habit, that of worry Like all habits, worry can take over when we do not consciously direct our thoughts and focus. It sneaks up on us when we are under pressure. Pressure can be the stress of a deadline, the feeling of inadequacy, as well as physical symptoms such as being tired or hungry There are many things that can put that additional concern in our minds, hearts and bodies and dump us into that learned habit of worrying.
Let me remind you, that you are not being lazy if you are not focused on your problems! We can contort this fact in many different ways, but the truth of the matter is that obsessing over what could go wrong is not preventing it.
We can interrupt the pattern of worry by directing our thoughts and awareness to the present moment. We can ground into the “now” by becoming more conscious of our environment, by focusing on our breathing or any other actions that allow us to pause the spin of over thinking
Really, worry is just a misuse of our imaginations. Of course, as prey animals, horses will not find us as appealing as leaders if we are carrying the essence of worry. We cannot offer them the sense of security that good leadership offers.
We can also combat worry by daydreaming about our desires. Permission granted to make up a wonderful story It will work out best for you and your horse!
Kimberly Cardeccia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has loved horses for as long as she can remember and has over 35 years of horse experience. She combines her professional skills with her passion for horses in order to help individuals surpass the mental and emotional blocks that continue to limit their experience of life.
By Valley Vet Supply | https://www.valleyvet.com/
Is your horse bucking, rearing or generally misbehaving? Read up on the much-overlooked issue of pain in horses, as it frequently relates to misbehavior
“Something just wasn't right,” proclaimed the owner of a young Arabian. The mare was either “lazy” or bucking and rearing.
Robin Foster, Ph.D., certified equine behaviorist and university pro fessor of 30 years, agreed that something was amiss. As she took note of the horse's movement and behavior, she soon said to the owner, “I'm not a vet, but I have some ideas. You should get your vet out here to look at your horse. Something is happening in the hind end they may need to look at.” Through examination from her veterinarian, it was determined that this horse's laziness was due to deformity in both stifles. The horse was experiencing such pain from carrying weight and moving forward that her veterinarians’ recommended bilateral surgery or to never ride the horse again.
Another horse, a 5-year old off-track Thoroughbred mare, was also labeled as a “hot Thoroughbred” as she would often rear and bolt during training. When not asked to be on the bit, or when simply enjoying a light hack, her behavior was normal. The rider and trainers changed bits and switched disciplines from jumping to dressage, then to riding trails only It was upon recommendation to involve a veterinarian that they learned the mare's actions were not due to misbehavior. X-rays revealed what the human eye could not see – a C1 fracture of the vertebrae, nearest to the poll, causing her significant pain from bone on-bone contact and arthritis.
“In my experience, horses almost never say 'no.' Horses can talk, and it is our job to learn how to speak their language and above all, to listen and be their advocate,” said Steve Allday, DVM, an equine lameness specialist with more than 35 years experience caring for an impressive list of equine athletes, including legendary race horses A.P Indy and Cigar Behavior vs. Pain
Dr Foster shared how labeling horses a certain way such as “lazy” or “hot,” for example, is not uncommon. “When we label a horse's behavior in a certain way, that becomes the truth about that horse,” Dr. Foster said. “And when the label becomes the truth, it is hard to see past that and look for other explanations. What gets missed, though, can be signs of discomfort, pain, and stress. The way horses express themselves when in pain and uncomfortable are seriously under-recognized.”
It is important to bring up any behavior-related issues with your veterinarian so they can look closely for any potential pain and discomfort during their regular exams. Of course, there are some signs of pain and discomfort that are more easily recognized, like limping, for instance. The milder pain states are more easily unrecognized, therefore resulting in horses commonly labeled as misbehaving, while they actually may be experiencing pain.
To help address the under-recognized signs of pain in horses, co authoring Drs. Catherine Torcivia and Sue McDonnell, within the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, published “Equine Discomfort Ethogram,” an incredibly detailed catalog of behaviors associated with equine physical discomfort. Drs Torcivia and McDonnell outlined 73 specific discomfort
behaviors and grouped them into eight categories: posture and weight-bearing; limb and body movements; head, neck, mouth, and lip movements; attention to area; ear and tail movements; overall demeanor; altered eating or drinking; and vocalizations/audible sounds. Interestingly, the report states, “Recognition of discomfort in a prey species is particularly challenging. Horses have evolved to show little evidence of discomfort or disability in the presence of predators, including humans.”
Their published work includes illustrations, written descriptions and even videos to demonstrate each pain-induced behavior. It is a treasure for horse owners and horse health providers alike, and is deserving of a thorough read View the report online at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/2/580/htm
“Signs of discomfort and pain are often instead attributed to a horse's personality. The identification of pain is an important gap commonly missed in equine welfare,” said Dr Foster
You know your horse better than anyone else, often seeing them daily. Watch carefully for any new behaviors and ask yourself whether these behaviors could be the result of pain. Work closely with your veterinarian for diagnosis and management of your horse's pain and discomfort. There are a number of supplements for horses and prescription pain and inflammation medications available to help.
Help ensure your horse is living their healthiest, happiest, and most comfortable life possible.
VALLEYVET SUPPLY
valleyvet.com
It is hard to believe that at the end of the month it will be another start to a holiday season with the Thanksgiving holiday. While being thankful for my horses is always right near the top of my list, there are many things that go into horse ownership that require a lot of work. Fortunately, there are many different items that can make the day-to day chores of owning a horse much easier. I thought I would break down some of my favorite items that I am thankful to have around the barn. You might want to consider adding some of these to your upcoming Christmas list so that you can go into next year with all the equipment that you need to make life a little easier and allow you to spend more time doing the fun part of horse ownership – hanging out with the horses.
Hay Elevator – Having a hay elevator is like having two friends that will actually come over when you say you have a wagon of hay to unload. This genius contraption helps prevent all kinds of unneeded expansion of effort. An elevator can make the back breaking task of getting hay into a loft so much easier and you can save your effort for neatly stacking Bonus, if you get a good quality elevator, it will last for years to come. They come in several lengths to accommodate most barns and you can even get accessories like bale chutes and transport kits to make the process even easier Make sure that the motor is the proper horsepower to get the job done and protect the motor when storing after the baling season.
Harrow – While a harrow is best known for its ability to drag arenas and keep arenas in ready to ride condition, the harrow is actually more like the of barn equipment. It can be used onSwiss Army Knife driveways and paths to even out areas or to break up ice and snow making them easier to maneuver. In the pasture, the harrow is also a multi-season tool that can be used to break up manure clods, aerate the pasture and break up piles of leaves all of which are to the benefit of the soil and therefore make the pasture more productive for grazing.
Mud Grids ,– Horses are great mud makers and the Midwest is perfect stomping ground for some mean mud. Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to fix a muddy situation that didn't involve a certification in heavy equipment operation or pouring untold tons of gravel down that will eventually get sucked up into the oblivion of mud anyway? Enter mud grids; these handy pieces can be laid over existing mud and make it easy for humans, horses and heavy equipment to traverse. Use them near gates, barn entrances or any high traffic areas around the barn. Bonus: they are mobile, so they can be moved to where you need them most.
Outdoor Covered Hay Feeder – When the grass is gone for the season, it is more important than ever to provide your horse with good quality forage. Good quality hay is never a small investment, so it can hurt your heart when you see your horse stomping hay into the ground and wasting it. Similarly, putting hay out for a horse can expose it to the elements and cause it to go bad and become not just distasteful for your horse, but even dangerous for them to consume. Adding an outdoor feeder for your horse that is covered can drastically reduce hay waste. Studies have shown covered hay feeders paid for themselves in as little as six months in what the horses weren't wasting on the ground.
Round Pen – While the most common use for a round pen is working and exercising your horse in a safe contained space, there are so many different ways that you can utilize this piece of equip ment that will come in handy over the years. The other nice thing is that you can modify the size and even the shape as needed, while a 60' round pen is by far the most popular size, you can go smaller or bigger based on your needs. Some people even use round pen panels to create arenas, temporary stalls, or to divide a pasture. Look for panels that are squared on the top to prevent a hoof from getting stuck in the panels, a heavy weight that will be safe and sturdy for the horse and a height of at least 5' or 6' if you are working with rough stock.
Heavy Weight Gates – You may have heard it before, but a fence is only as strong as it's gate. It's not a great idea to throw a bunch of money at fencing and then just put up a lightweight gate and hope for the best. A heavy weight gate is safer for your horse because lightweight gates can collapse and crack under pressure from pushy horses A compromised gate poses a significant risk that. your horse will find that sharp edge resulting in a vet visit and stitches that will undoubtedly be more expensive than investing in a good gate to begin with. Heavy weight gates also resist rusting and will stand the test of time. Feel like it will be too heavy to open? A gate wheel can balance the gate and make it much easier to open and close.
Tack Room Organizers – As horse owners, we have a lot of stuff, saddles, bridles, halters, blankets, sheets, show clothes, hats and the list goes on and on and on. One thing that none of the afore mentioned are is cheap and therefore it only makes sense to take good care of the items that we do have. By keeping tack and horse supplies organized it creates an environment that is safer for you and your horse and it helps keep all your gear accessible and in, great shape. If you invest in a system that travels well it can help keep your tack room organized at home and on the road.
There are a lot of things to be thankful for as we come to the close of another year, while family, friends and horses should always be at the top of the list, thinking of handy items around the barn is one way to enjoy the time that we spend at the barn even more in the coming year What is the piece of barn equipment that you can't live without? Contact us through our website at www.Cashmans.com and let us know – we look forward to hearing from you!
Lisa Kiley is a horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She is also a proud member of the Cashman’s Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, Ohio. Cashman’s Horse Equipment proudly provides top quality products to the equine and agricultural community, with a commitment to sourcing environ-mentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A
Lisa and Cotton
Hello Trail Riders! Our club would like to thank all of you that attended the Annual Fall Equestrian Camp Out at Fort Custer in September It was a huge success as usual thanks to our loyal friends that turned out to support FCHFA. The special event area at Whitford Lake was full of rigs, horses, and friends for the 4-day event. A little rain did not dampen enthusiasm for the trails. Pancake breakfasts tempted campers to rise early for a hot meal before heading out with friends for a ride. The board members and volunteers that helped always do an outstanding job to ensure attendees have a wonderful time. The fundraising auction had enough generous donations for all to have a little competitive bidding for a good cause. It would not be a success without all of YOU!
If you haven't camped at the equestrian campground at the trailhead, consider trying a late fall camp date. The trails are groomed and lovely in any season. The camp is open to equestrians year-round. It is recommended to stay off the trails Nov. 1530 for gun season. Go to the website at www.fchfa.org to read any news or check out the FCHFA calendar of events.
Even as the leaves are disappearing, the trails are still beautiful. The 6 creek cross ings that meander through the park are always enticing to cross, as long as a busy beaver hasn't built a new dam upstream! There are prairie sections, rolling woods and lake vistas to relax your mind as you enjoy the ride. You can wander around 20+ miles of trails for hours on end. We love seeing old and new friends anytime at the park.
Online at: https://www.fchfa.org/
Any questions, call Nancy at 269-967-3613.
See you on the trails!
Greetings, trail riders! I have heard that because we are in a drought for the last month or so, the leaves this year will be more orange and red colored. It seems to me that is definitely the case because the fall colors look amazing this year! Enjoy this beautiful, yet quick, season while it lasts!
We did make some progress trimming the trail on September 25, 2022 for our Trail Maintenance Day. There were a few larger branches that we planned to come back for with larger equipment.
Our next annual meeting is planned for November 30th, 2022. Time and place to be determined. Most likely it will be in the early evening at the new Maybury State Park Headquarters. Please follow our website as well as the Facebook page for the most up to date information.
We still have not received any good news yet on any interest of someone to take over the riding stables facility at the park. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact Traci Sincock at sincockt@ michigan.gov We would not want this great facility to be left unused. Since the riding stables Facebook page has been taken down, we are getting many questions about horse rentals on our website. As of now, I am directing inquiries to other local riding stables such as Brighton, Waterloo, and Pinckney. We hope to be able to give them good news about renting horses at Maybury State Park someday soon! Please remember that there is NO hunting at Maybury State Park.
Check out all the new updates to the web site at www.mayburytrailriders.org
Continue to follow us on Facebook for updates on the trails, events, and general news going on in the park. Feel free to post pictures from your rides!
There's just something about a versatile Fox Trotter that makes life so much better. They effortlessly carry us floating for hours down the cool and shaded trails or sure-footedly up treeless mountain trails. Fox Trotters allow us to chase cows as they have done for early Missouri settlers. They excel in Western and English gaited dressage, saddleseat, pleasure and trail classes Some even love to jump. They do well in endurance too. MFTs easily pull carriages and carts with style. They serve well as mounts for the US Forest Service and the Mounted Police. They have great minds and love to figure out obstacles. MFTs come in a variety of colors, builds and sizes and can be bred to produce even more color combinations and sizes. What's more fun than expecting a fresh new foal to bond with? They are smart companions for the young and old.
Finding an affordable Missouri Fox Trotter to buy has been a challenge lately. Demand is high and supply is limited in our state. They can be found in plenitude in Missouri but there are quality breeders closer in Michigan and surrounding states. Some people will breed their mare for the experience, then sell the weanling later. Many get sent to auction merely because the seller doesn't want to take the time to find a suitable buyer Owners will sell MFTs in their upper teens or twenties thinking that they need a younger one, but these experienced horses are the perfect mount for riders to buy Buyer beware though. When you do decide to check one out advertised for sale or at auction, be sure to bring someone knowledgeable with you who can advise you about the quality of the exhibited fox trot gait. Auction horses can have unknown backgrounds or may unfortunately be drugged to sell better.
Other breeds can fox trot as well. Grade gaited horses are frequently advertised as Fox Trotters but a DNA test will prove that for sure. Buying sight unseen over the inter
net is a risk, as well, unless you personally know the reputable breeder or owner And there are unscrupulous dealers of course who, too often, are very willing to sell you an unsuitable horse. Most of these MFTs, if retrained, fed properly, trimmed correctly and refitted with comfortable tack, should turn out to be just fine for you. It's all about being informed.
You can learn more about MFTs by going to www michiganfoxtrottinghorse com (MFHA) and www.mfthba.com. Those two sites provide factual information and will answer many of the questions that you will have about the breed. The helpful people listed on there with their contact infor mation will guide you and answer any questions that you may have.
And when you do purchase your new MFT, be sure to transfer the horse into your name. The seller will provide the paperwork for you to do so. This may prove that you are the owner if there is a question about ownership in the future in the absence of a bill of sale. Registering your horse will document the bloodlines and allow you to participate in breed-specific programs. If the papers are lost or there is a question about the authenticity of the breeding, please contact the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association at 417-683-2468 or visit online at: www.mfthba.com for the needed forms. The MFHA is also available to help answer any questions if you call 517-983-3550.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We hope to hear from you soon! ~ Marilyn Mannino
red to work outside in the sun. Daily clothing tried to be "subtle" in color, but of good quality cloth if you could afford it. Many people only had a couple pairs of nice trousers or dresses, so they were careful with them. This was where lap-robes and aprons got started. They covered the person seated in the vehicle, protected clothing from dirt, and rein oil while traveling Gloves protected your hands from abrasion of the reins, gave a better grip on slippery reins, and kept your hands clean if on social calls. Ladies tried to have soft hands, avoiding calluses that gave away their working endeavors. Everyone wore hats up until the 1960s, you just were not "dressed" without a hat or scarf on your head. Men wore various style hats daily It was said you could tell who a hat belonged to if hats were lined up, because each man styled it to suit himself.
blisters. Leather is traditional, but many of the new synthetics are equally grippy, stretch a little better for a lesser cost. Some driving glove styles have longer cuffs with a wrist strap as security against glove pulling off I do think I have a better rein grip while wearing gloves, so I wear them a lot. You can add rosin from a sporting goods store to make gloves more grippy But you have to be careful with the rosin, so reins still slide smoothly when you release a loop.
The ADS, also known as the American Driving Society, was developed using older driving traditions, along with social rules of the times and even back to the original Victorian times. You dressed for your setting, ladies and gentlemen wore hats and gloves for bodily protection from the elements! Being tanned was less desirable than a pale complexion, you were not requi-
So from this setting came the driving traditions of needing a hat, gloves and a lap robe to compete in Pleasure showing. We grew up having to wear hats to prevent sunburn, dressed for Church, staying warm in winter, Western hats to ride, so getting used to wearing nice hats showing was not a terrible stretch for us. We bought an inexpensive fedora for Brian to practice wearing until he quit noticing it, feeling odd wearing it all the time. Styles for men vary a little over time, straw hats are quite acceptable during summer, felt is fine year around. Certain crease styles are more formal for more formal vehicles, like Homburgs. Fedoras are quite acceptable for more casual style vehicles, both painted or natural finishes. Colors should coordinate with your clothing choices. Ladies have lots of latitude in head coverings. Presently wider brims are quite popular over smaller, snug fitting hats. Just drive with it a couple times to make sure it stays on well. Often lovely hats can be found at thrift stores and resale shops for inexpensive prices. Trims can be changed if desired. Coats and show outfits for driving are also easy to find at those same shops. No agony if a horse slobbers on you and the $5 coat looks like it cost $100!
Gloves should ALWAYS be some shade of brown, light or dark is fine. This is because in the past wearing black gloves meant you were in mourning for someone who had died. People would offer condolences just by seeing your gloves! Gloves should be snug, but not tight. Wrinkles can give you
Lap-robe or aprons still serve their original purpose of protecting your clothing from dirt and rein conditioners Now aprons are coordinated with your showing outfit or the vehicle upholstery. You can buy aprons new or used or make your own, they are pretty basic. A rectangle or square of nice fabric with a bit of weight/substance, that reaches from waist to mid calf or upper ankle area, hem an edge on all sides. Then put a velcro strip as the waist closure. Some folks like tie strings as seen on aprons, but tie them behind to keep out of your reins. Tan, black, navy, greys are popular colors. Fabric like a light suit material has a little weight to help it stay down or you could add an edging in matching or contrasting color for more weight. Read the fabric label – washable is much easier to live with than dry clean fabrics! I specifically mentioned bottom edge stopping by the midcalf, upper ankle areas to keep bottom apron edge away from your feet. Wearing an apron means you don't want to trip over it climbing in or out of the carriage, or for it to get under your feet when they move for better bracing Too long is dangerous. An apron does need some length down from waist to stay down in use, so not real short either Lower pant leg hem showing under apron edge is fine. Driving is a bit of an anachronism, living in the past, still using their traditions of “Doing things right.” I hope this information is help ful as you think about doing some pleasure showing with your equines. Speak up, ask questions if you are unsure about anything I touched on. That is why we are here!
By Kathy RobertsonEmail: saddleupmag@gmail.com Before the 18th for the following issue.
MICHIGAN HORSE DRAWN VEHICLE ASSOCIATION
have added even more obstacles to our obstacle course. Please come out and give it a try! There is no charge, just enjoy.
MICHIGAN TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION
October is always my favorite month to ride. With the colors changing, the smell of fall and cooler days, the horse and mule love it. September was the MTRA Criss Cross, which happens every third year Many rain days were had especially on the west to east leg. This ride found the Luzerne Boardwalk closed to equestrian use until repairs are done. This year we gave out sign post badges for those riders who rode the blue trail exclusively. With each crossing more are being given out!
October was the color ride and is always well attended. Three trail camps were used so a more relaxed circle riding is the theme. There was ice on the buckets most mornings! But when the sun came out the colors were gorgeous.
Our last board of director meeting was held during the October ride. Summary of ride attendance, bus maintenance, and attendance at the Michigan Horse Council Horse Expo in March were discussed. Repair of the boardwalk was discussed and MTRA will work with the USFS on this project. Pre sident elect of the MHC spoke on the dir ection of MHC and survey results showing 80% of horse owners identify as trail riders. R Lee who has been attending meetings was voted to be MTRA liaison and will report to Board of Directors. Annual banquet will be March 25th at the Doherty in Clare.
Our website is updated and up and running, Thank you Kathy Kruch for all your work! The updated guidebook will be found on the web when revisions are completed. Make sure to check out the proposed rides for 2023 online at https://www.mtra.org/
As the weather gets colder outside, it is time to reflect on the very busy summer that The Pinto Horse Association of Ohio was able to have in 2022. We hosted 5 shows this past summer, along with the Jubilee in New Castle, Indiana We had an increase in membership this past year and horse show participation. We had members from several different states join us for all of our shows: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland to name some. Our shows, while they were long this past year, were enjoyed by all and are still among some of the best attended shows in the country for PtHA
Looking forward to 2023, the Board of Directors are busy planning shows and the annual Year-End Awards banquet. We are finalizing the show bill and show locations. That information will be made available after we have obtained national approval. Ohio Pinto offers classes for all types and sizes of pintos and will continue in 2023.
The 2022 Year-End Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Thirsty Pony in Sandusky, Ohio. Stay tuned for more information on the website and on our Facebook page.
We are looking forward to another fun-filled year of showing our spotted friends. We will be posting new information on our Facebook page PtHAO-Pinto Horse Association of Ohio as well as the website www.ohiopinto.net. We look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Proud Lake Trail Riders has been working diligently with the DNR to separate our trails from the bikers. A huge hurdle was just accomplished in that the location of the new bike trails has been decided and agreed upon. The next step will be cutting out the trails. Once the trails are seperated, there will be signs up stating what are horse trails and what are bike trails. We have been working on this for the past several years and we are thrilled that the park is committed to making this happen. As of right now, the GPS maps have been submitted and we are moving forward.
If you encounter bikers on the trails that are not giving the right away to horses, please contact the DNR immediately. If you are able to get photos, please try to.
Remember, it is hunting season and there is hunting allowed in Proud Lake. Please wear bright colors and be visible.
If you would like to join our email list, please email me at: efrusy@yahoo.com and also remember to like us on Facebook! Stay safe and keep riding!
Hello Everyone! We are just wrapping up our Galloping Gourmet Ride. It was great fun. We had a full house of campers and the trails were busy with horses and riders enjoying a bite to eat on each trail. Thank you to all of those that came out and joined in on the ride and supported Proud Lake.
We are also very happy to report that we
The holiday season is approaching and the cold weather is creeping in as we scurry around to finish last-minute projects before winter hits. Don't forget to send in your forms for our awards programs. The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2022.
The Western Dressage World Championship Show was a great success for our Michigan riders. There were five Michigan riders who competed at the World Show this Year. Some additional WDAMI members went along to volunteer and help support our riders. Many new friendships were formed along with memories that will last a lifetime.
WDAMI would like to congratulate Kristen Kill and her horse Glorificado for their performances at the World Show This pair took home many championships, as well as
a few Reserve Championship ribbons in Level One and Level Two Amateur and they won the overall division for Amateurs in level one and two They also won the Dressage Hack Amateur and Horsemanship Level 1 Pattern class. This pair were also the highest scoring Michigan Amateur.
Holly Zecchin showed two horses: Amodi in Level Three Open and Buckeye Warrior in Basic Open. Amodi took Two Reserve Championships and placed 3rd in tests One and Two, plus third in the Level 3 Open Division. Holly and Buckeye Warrior won Basic 3, placed third in Basic 1 and 2, and 7th in basic 4. They were the overall division Open Basic champions. Holly was also the highest scoring Michigan professional.
Tracy Fox and Reduced to Rubble competed in Level 1 Open and did a wonderful job. I was not able to verify her placing. We had a few Juniors from Michigan attend the world show and even though they are not members, WDAMI would like to congratulate Evelyn Smith and her horse, Entrance Afire, and Colton Luszczynski and his horse CJL Crazy Train on a job well done.
I would like to extend a special “thank you” to Joann Coy, our own Michigan Western Dressage Judge, and WDAA and WDAMI Board member, for once again being one of the instructors for the Western Dressage judging apprentice program held at the World Show. Joann does a wonderful job of training our up and coming western dress age judges, helping to make sure we have competent and consistent judging for our events. This is not an easy task.
WDAMI would like to congratulate Holly Zecchin and her horse, Buckeye Warrior, for being the first Western Dressage competitors to win the Dressage discipline at the Thoroughbred Makeover held in Kentucky last month. What a great honor Way to go Holly and Buckeye!
Congratulations to Suzanne Morisse and Sabreena Sue CRHF for being the first from Michigan and the first Haflinger to achieve the Supreme Champion status in the WDAA Horse Lifetime points and Awards Program.
Our WDAMI annual awards ceremony will, once again, be held virtually via Zoom this coming February In addition, our WDAMI board is working hard to schedule three
educational events for next year More on these events next month. Our virtual shows for 2023 will be held as follows: (1) Dressage at Water Edge opens on April 21 and closes on May 14, with videos due by June 4. (2) Sunflower is opening on June 16 and closes on July 9, with videos due July 30. (3) And the Big Boss show will open July 31 and close August 20, with videos due by September 10. All these shows will be offering a door prize just for being part of the show Please plan on supporting and being part of our show series.
Our quote of the month is by Janet Foy: “There must be an aid, an answer, and a reward. If you take care of the basics, the movements will take care of themselves.”
Thank you for your support. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your equine partner, and exercise the act of kindness to all. Until next time.
Suzanne Morisse, WDAMI President
A reminder to those registered, the Michigan 4-H Creative Arts Celebration will be from November 11th-13th, 2022! Head to Roscommon to enjoy some great sessions in sewing, textiles, visual arts, performing arts, crafts, art of cooking, photography, poetry, music, folk art, make-and-takes and so much more! For more details or if you have questions, please reach out to Janis Brinn via email at brinn@msu.edu
Do you want to learn more about how to run an Entrepreneurship Club? Want to learn more about what the 4 H Entre preneurship Project can offer or are you looking for entrepreneurship resources? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider joining us for the 4-H Entrepreneurship Guidelines & Resource Training for Staff and/or Volunteers. This Training will be on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 from 6-7 pm. Sign up at: https://bit.ly/4Hentrep before November 16th, 2022. For questions, please contact Dave Radloff by email at radloff@msu edu or Kathy Jamieson by email at jamies@msu.edu.
Pay it forward and participate in Michigan 4-H Giving Tuesday on November 29th, 2022! Join the #GivingTuesday movement – a global day of giving and a chance to celebrate the opportunities that makes 4-H so extraordinary, such as life changing opportunities and youth led initiatives working to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. Help grow county 4-H endowments in your area! Consider making a donation to grow these funds to support 4-H youth today and well into the future.
Are you a teen who wants to improve their communities and our world through leadership and youth power? Come to the Michigan 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute! This Michigan 4-H work shop is open to ALL teens (ages 13+ by Jan. 1, 2023) and to adult leaders who have Gold Level Volunteer status with MSU Ext-
ension. Attending the Institute will help teens gain leadership skills and approach life with their head, heart, and hands open to new ideas, interesting people, and diverse cultures. The Institute will feature a wide variety of incredibly fun and inter active sessions focused on 4 tracks: personal development and leadership, community leadership, global citizenship, and leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Institute will be held as an overnight event in East Lansing, MI December 3-4, and as a day-long program in Wayne County and Kalamazoo County on December 3 (10am-3pm). Participants who register for the overnight event in East Lansing will attend a MSU Men’s Hockey game on Saturday, December 3 as part of our evening entertainment! Space will be limited for this workshop, but registration will be accepted until the day of the event, December 3rd. For more details about the Youth Leadership Institute, contact either Roxanne Turner by email turnerr@msu.edu or 517-546-3950 or contact Brian Wibby by email wibby@msu.edu or 906-439-5065. Attend the Institute and be part of the movement that has YOUth leading the way!
For more information on how to get involved in Michigan 4-H, contact Taylor Fabus, 4-H Horse & Pony Extension Educator, email tenlenta@msu.edu
Join us at Camp Ohio in St. Louisville on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 for a 5K Run, Walk or Ruck! Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the trails and see parts of Camp you may never have seen before. All proceeds will go towards fundraising for improvements and updates at 4H Camp Ohio. The race starts at 10:00am, followed by the awards ceremony Lunch will be available for $15 for those that pre register. We will also be on the lookout for sponsors to help make this day possible. Quick dry t-shirts will be guaranteed to all
participants registered by Oct. 23, 2022. Although those registering after Oct. 23 will NOT be guaranteed a t-shirt, registration will be open until the day of the race at: https://www.campohioadventure.com/ or send your form by mail to: Camp Ohio Adventure, 11461 Camp Ohio Road, St. Louisville, OH 43071 For more details, please reach out to the Camp office by email at campohiooffice@gmail.com
A reminder for those that have registered, Carving New Ideas camp is coming up fast! Carving New Ideas (CNI) is a state wide camping opportunity that focuses on workforce development, future forward thinking, and program facilitation for 4-H members in grades 8-12. The workshop is held at the scenic 4-H Camp Ohio in St. Louisville, Ohio Campers develop their leadership skills while making new friends from across Ohio and participating in fun activities. Although the registration deadline for campers has passed, Carving New Ideas is looking for more volunteers to help make the event a success Camp counselors are college students at The Ohio State University Camp counselor positions are full, but there is space for more adult staff volunteers providing risk manage ment, nursing services, and meals. This is an overnight Camp, taking place from Friday, November 18th until Sunday November 20th. For more details about volunteering, please call the Camp Ohio office at 614-866-6900, and select option 2.
The 2022 4-H Horse Show Judges Clinic will be taking place on December 3rd! Held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus, the Clinic will begin with a welcome at 9am and will end with the Video Judging required for new applicants or beginner judges. To register for the 2022 Ohio 4-H Horse Show Judges Clinic, go to www.go.osu.edu/judgeconf22 Once the online registration form has been sub mitted, a Square payable link will auto matically be created to pay the $50.00 clinic registration fee online. The reg
4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.
istration deadline for the clinic is Monday, November 21, 2022. Event parking is available across from the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in the Bill Davis Stadium Lot. A parking permit is required and will be emailed to participants once the registration fee has been paid. The parking permit must be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle. For more information, please contact Dr Kimberly Cole via email at cole.436@osu.edu
Nominations for the 2023 Ohio 4-H Teen of the Year and Hall of Fame are open and nomination forms will be due by December 1, 2022. If deemed necessary, an interview process may be held for finalists. Teen of the Year honors one outstanding teen that has had great accomplishments in the past year This award was created to honor a select individual for their performance, dedication, and passion for the 4-H program. Nominee must be between the ages of 13 and 18 as of January 1st the year they are nominated. Induction into the Teen Hall of Fame is meant to be thought as a very high honor for youth who are selected. It is meant to honor those who have dedicated it all to make the best better in their club, community, country, and world. Nominee must be between the ages of 15 and 18 as of January 1st the year they are nominated. To nominate a 4-H teen, please visit: https:// ohio4h.org/%3Cfront%3E/teen hall fame. During the winter months, one of the 2022 Teen of the Year and Teen Hall of Fame inductees will be featured each month!
For more information, contact Dr Kimberly Cole, the Ohio State Extension Equine Specialist, by email at cole.436@osu.edu
Come one, come all to the 2022-2023 4-H Project Fair in Boone County! Any grade level of 4-H members are welcome to show off their projects on Sunday, November 6th from 2pm until 4pm at the Farm Bureau Inc. Community Building. Cost for those grades 3rd-12th will be $35 per child and all Mini 4H children (K-2nd) are free of charge. For more information, call Purdue Ext. Boone County at 765-482-0705.
If you're a 4-H'er in Johnson County, don't forget about your own Johnson County 4H Project Fair! Join us on November 9th from 6pm-8pm for an open house event that showcases the Johnson County 4-H pro gram and visit stations highlighting project areas as well as learn about opportunities and clubs. The 4-H project fair is open to youth in grades 3-12 and Mini 4-H is for youth in grades Kindergarten - grade 2. For details, call Heather Dougherty at 317-7363724 or email at hdougher@purdue.edu
Attention all involved in Elkhart County’s 4-H Saddle Club! Head to the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds on the following dates for these meetings: 4-H Saddle Club Junior Leader on November 6th from 6pm8pm and again on December 4th from 6pm and 8pm. For more information about the Elkhart 4-H Saddle Club meetings, please call Ashley Holdeman at 574-354-7403 or email ashleyholdeman4h@yahoo.com
Attention Fulton County, the 4-H Horse & Pony Year End Awards will be on November 13th! The awards will be from 12pm until 4pm, in the community building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. For more details about the Fulton County 4-H Horse & Pony Club, please contact Club Leader, Leslie Crissinger by phone at 574-835-0255.
Calling all 4-Hers interested in the wizarding world of 4-H! On November 8th, Muggles and wizarding kids alike are invited to attend wizard's school at Cloverwarts 4-H
School of Science & Imagination. Those in grades 3-8 will be sorted into houses. Create magical charms, and master defense against the dark arts, potions, muggle studies, and quidditch awaits at the exciting wizarding world of 4-H! Reserve your spot, call 812 738 4236, or email Rebecca Wilkins, wilkin33@purdue.edu. This event is also looking for volunteers.
Get into the Holiday spirit a little early, and head over to the Vido County 4-H Council's 12th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar on Saturday, November 19th. Held at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds in Terre Haute, the Craft Bazaar will have handmade crafts, jewelry, embroidery, clothing, kitchenware, fall and Christmas décor, woodworking, artwork, and much more! Cost of admission is $1, children are free, and admission includes a door prize ticket. The Craft Bazaar will be from 9am-3pm with concessions available. Proceeds go towards the 4-H Scholarship Fund. If you're interested in a booth space, you can email msedletzeck@gmail.com
Does your Mini 4-H’er love storytime and have an active imagination? Check out the Mini 4-H Stone Soup cooking class and storytime on November 16th at 5:30pm! All youth in Grades K-2 are invited. Come enjoy a story about sharing and cooperation and learn cooking skills at 4-H Mini Stone Soup Workshop. Each Mini 4-H youth will each bring an ingredient and an adult helper and collaborate to prep and cook, collectively contributing to the pot of soup that they will eat and share. Each child will receive a gift to take home, along with a recipe and a gratitude card. This workshop will be held at Purdue Extension Harrison County office at 247 Atwood Street, Corydon, IN 47112. This workshop is Free and Open to ALL youth grades K-2. Space will be limited, so please RSVP at 812-738-4236 MondayFriday between 8am and 4:30pm.
Contact Courtney Stierwalt, 4-H Youth Development Ext. Specialist, email: dickerso@ purdue.edu for more information.
4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. Wri en by Lisa Skylis, in collabora on with Cindy Couturier, editor, Saddle Up! MagazineAll horses have some parasites, and there is no method that will keep them completely worm-free. One new recommendation is eliminating the practice of rotational deworming usually practiced year long, as there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to internal parasite control.
The reason for this change is that parasites are developing resis tance to the drugs that were created to control them. Unfortunately, with the emphasis on having worm-free horses, we have created improved anthelmintics that have allowed some parasites such as small strongyles and tapeworms to become greater problems than previously noted.
Certain wormers are more effective for different seasons and target specific types of parasites. Parasite types and life stages flourish at different times of the year and show huge differences in parasitic transmission as well.
The best method for parasite control begins with a fecal egg count (FEC) to determine which parasites need to be treated and which de-wormer is the most effective for their control and elimination.
Fecal examination should be done before deworming and repeated again in 14 days. The decrease in the amount of worm eggs will determine the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is true that the cost of a fecal exam (around $20) is more than the cost of a tube of de-wormer However, routinely deworming for unknown parasites can be more costly in the long run in terms of the horse's health and risk of developing a parasitic related disease when the parasite is not controlled.
A FEC should be done in the fall to check a horse's parasitic burden going into the winter months and determine a good deworming program.
· weight loss · dull, rough hair coat
· a potbelly · diarrhea, constipation, or impaction · coughing · respiratory problems
· skin sores · poor growth in foals
· colic · tail rubbing
· decreased stamina · lack of energy, lethargy
The types of parasites that affect horses include:
Large strongyles whose larvae migrate causing arterial inflammation, pancreas and liver lesions, and blood flow to the kidneys. Infestation leads to anemia, weight loss, dehydration, weakness, electrolyte deficiency, protein loss, colic, gut perforation, and ultimately even death.
Small strongyles cause unexplained weight loss, stomach and intestinal distress.
Large roundworms (ascarids) are mostly found in horses under 2 years of age. Signs of infestation include respiratory symptoms, lung damage, coughing, poor development, and death. Age brings some immunity to ascarids. Severe infestations in young horses can retard growth and can result in death. Migrating ascarids are the primary cause of pulmonary inflammation and intestinal rupture in foals and weanlings.
Foals should be maintained on a regular deworming schedule every 60 days that includes anthelmintics effective against ascarids
Pinworms do not show up on a fecal exam. Signs of pinworm presence are found at the base of the tail with hair loss, itchiness, and wounds.
Tapeworm infections cause colic, anemia, ulcers, and weight loss.
Bots are formed from fly eggs transmitted from the horse's mouth to the stomach and damage the gut lining resulting in stomach ulcers, lesions, and colic.
Threadworm larva are ingested through a mare's milk. Not usually harmful to mature horses, they can cause colic, failure to thrive, and diarrhea in foals.
A young horse that is severely infested or any horse that is immune compromised from disease or old age, must be de-wormed care fully, since through the process, the mass exodus of dead worms may cause colic or impaction leading to death. The de-worming process may need to be postponed until the horse has gained some nutritional support to be able to handle the process.
An effective prevention program considers equine age, population density, region of the country, climate, and method of confinement (stall or pasture or both). Pasture size and quality does affect the type of anthelmintic wormers that should be used. In overgrazed pastures and dry lots, the parasite eggs are more likely to be inges ted as the horses graze closer to the ground.
As horses age, they do develop some resistance to reinfection from certain parasites, so using the right de-wormer is especially impor tant to control the specific parasites for each individual horse.
Parasite control is essential to a horse's health. If left untreated, parasites can rob a horse of valuable nutrients. They can also cause anemia and retarded growth in young horses and can reduce reproductive and athletic performances. Ultimately, parasites can suppress a horse's immune system making them more susceptible to infections and disease.
Dr. Joanna Bronson graduated from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine at the top of her class. In 2005, she opened Bronson Veterinary Services in Coldwater, MI, a full-service equine, small animal hospital and surgical center.
Bronson Veterinary Services also has a mobile unit for equine calls and after hour emergency care.
For more information visit http://bronsonvetservices.com/
SADDLEUPMAG
We have all been there. We are heading down the trail, and our mount suddenly decides to exit the area posthaste. How we responded to that event determined whether the ride was over or if it was no big deal. My best-est boy mule, Ruger, encountered a mule eating stump on a recent trail ride. Now I would love to think that Ruger was doing his best to protect both of us from the imminent danger that waits within a stump. It is similar to the dangers lurking in plastic bags, round bales, and mule eating bears disguised as tiny white dogs. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Why Spooks Happen: Horses, and mules, are prey animals with an instinct to look for potential danger and flee when they find it. This "fright and flight" response has kept equines of all flavors alive for millennia. Horses evolved in wide open spaces where animals that ran first and thought about it later lived long enough to reproduce and reinforce that behavior One of the many reasons I am partial to mules is that donkeys have less of a flight response than horses. Of course, you will have to figure out which half (horse or donkey) you are riding that day While these historical facts are interesting, I would argue that knowing the root cause of the spook does not make riding any easier Ruger certainly listened to his horse side when we encountered the terrifying stump and the tiny white bear. Before The Spook: I am a big fan of proactively controlling spooks. I think of every ride as an airplane flight where I am the pilot. Pre flight checks work for aviators and horsemen; they will save you from an accident. We can learn a lot about what kind of day our animals are having if we take the time to look and listen before we head down the trail. Ty Evans taught me an excellent pre-ride checklist I run through before every ride.
1) Stand still to mount
Lateral flexion
Clear front
On course/loose rein circles
Move the hinds 6) Roll the hinds & return to the circle
If we cannot complete these few simple items before the ride, it may be time to change our plans and work out whatever kinks are in the system while we are still in a relatively safe area and not on a narrow mountain trail. Forging ahead without a solid handle is a sure route to an eventful ride.
During a ride, watch for potential monsters that might spook your horse. I watch for pricked ears pointing at something of interest. Sometimes I can find the beast; usually, I can't. To be honest, my seeing the monster is irrelevant. I do not have the same perspective as my animal. Whether I understand or not, whatever he is exper iencing is very real to him. When I notice any indication of Ruger becoming overly concerned, I try to put him to work. I will run through that checklist and give him something else to think about besides the monster. Once he is relaxed and listening again, we will continue down the trail.
The One Rein Stop: After two and half decades in the saddle, I have determined the following Most people will wait until the horse is in a full-out run before they decide to do something. By then, it is too late. Worse, after the dust has settled, they blame the one rein stop for the wreck. You must train and prepare yourself to react as soon as the beast wants to take off, not once the critter hits 100 miles an hour For the one rein stop to work, it must be an ingrained habit that
is practiced and refined regularly It is an area where simply knowing the theory will not do. To me, the one rein stop is a fundamental tool everyone should have on their horse. Horses need to learn this emergency brake before being ridden outside the arena, and it can be a lifesaver.
A side benefit of practicing the one rein stop is that when a spook does occur, you will be better prepared to sit deep and stay more relaxed instead of getting tight and hauling back on both reins, each of which only serves to make a bad situation worse.
Thank You For The Opportunity: After the spook has occurred and you have put the one rein stop to work, it is time to address whatever monster you have encountered. You have been gifted a fabulous training opportunity, be sure to take advantage of it.
Early in my riding career, I would have pointed my horse at the scary monster and tried to convince him that all was well with lots of pats and consoling talk about how it was ok and that all would be well. I do not think this approach worked then, and I do not believe it works now. Here is a better system that works for me. Once you are back in control of the situation, put the horse's feet to work. Using one rein, bend him. It is much harder for a horse to return to the reactive side of his brain when he is redirecting his feet. If you are in a safe area, go back to Ty's checklist; flex his head, move the hinds, and clear the fronts.
Please spend a few minutes getting him soft and relaxed again before you continue the ride. This will be time well spent, help bring him back to focus, and help ease your nerves. Be patient; after all, you have just avoided a dangerous stump full of gremlins.
Well, there you go, my thoughts on avoiding spooks in the first place and ideas on addressing them when they do occur As horse and mule owners, we are responsible for guiding and protecting our mounts. When our animals get scared, it is our job to give them the appropriate guidance to keep them safe.
For more information on trail riding and horse camping, please visit us online at: www.TrailMeister.com, the world's most extensive guide to horse trails and camps and a resource for information to keep your rides enjoyable and safe.
The best-selling book “The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping” features 180 more topics for the active or aspiring trail rider. Get your copy on Amazon.
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Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com
1) Added to our online calendar with flyer
2) Listed in Saddle Up! Magazine’s online and printed editions
3) Shared to both Tri-State Horse Shows, Saddle Up! Magazine Facebook pages
Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com
1) Added to our online calendar with flyer
2) Listed in Saddle Up! Magazine’s online and printed editions
3) Shared to both Tri-State Horse Shows, Saddle Up! Magazine Facebook pages
Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com
1) Added to our online calendar with flyer
2) Listed in Saddle Up! Magazine’s online and printed editions
3) Shared to both Tri-State Horse Shows, Saddle Up! Magazine Facebook pages
If you email us your shows, we GUARANTEE to do the following at to you or yourNO COST horse association/group!
1) Add your show(s) to our NEW Google online calendar with your flyer/showbill
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All you need to do is email us your flyer or showbill,
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Horses are amazingly adaptable creatures, and over thousands of years they have partnered with us and found ways to make themselves invaluable to human society Since before horses were even ridden, humans have attempted to find effective ways to train them to perform an array of different jobs.
Horses are lightning-fast learners, and they can be easily trained to accomplish different skills. That also means we can easily (and unknowingly) train them to behave in ways we don't want them to. That is where a lot of humans get their horses in trouble, using tactics or tools to “fix a problem” without addressing the underlying issue – or even knowing what it is.
This is why it is important to know how to effectively communicate your intended message to the horse. It is just as important to know why you are doing it.
Classical horsemanship tells us that we have two types of “aids of communication” with the horse: natural aids and artificial aids.
I spend most of my teaching time (at clinics, in demonstrations, and in my online coaching program) talking about the natural aids and how to use them clearly and effectively
The natural aids are the rider's seat, legs, hands, and voice. I strive to use all my aids when cueing, starting with my seat, and consis tently sequencing them in a way that sets the horse up for success.
I believe that the better we are at using the natural aids, the less dependent we are on other aids.
Artificial aids include a myriad of man-made items used in horse training, strictly for the purpose of communication and control. They include some quite useful tools, like bits, bridles and reins, as well as more serious reinforcement tools like whips, crops, and spurs. Also included in artificial aids are some stronger devices like ties downs, draw reins, or nose bands designed to strap the mouth shut, to physically force the horse to conform.
My personal goal in riding and training horses is to bring my communication with the horse to a level that I can ride a complete reining pattern without the aid of a bridle or saddle, and using only shifts of weight, leg positions, and gestures with my arms. However, it is highly unlikely I could ever attain that lofty goal without the use of some artificial aids along the way.
There is nothing wrong with using some artificial aids, as long as you understand why you are using them, how to use them appro priately, and always have a plan to get away from using the artificial aid so that it does not become a crutch.
Here, I will outline my rules for the use of artificial aids, with consideration to the horse's point of view and helping the horse be successful in its training.
The first thing I ask a rider who is using a martingale, tie down, a tight noseband, or a noseband that includes a strap around the mouth is why are you using it?
Surprisingly, most riders are not sure. I often get answers like, “He has always been ridden in this,” or “My trainer told me to use it,” or “It is what everyone else in my discipline uses.” To me, none of these are acceptable answers.
Sometimes, people have an inaccurate view of why they are using the artificial aid, like that a running martingale is supposed to lower the horse's head – it is not. It is intended to keep the head from going dangerously high. If the rider is using it to “lower the head,” she not only is using it wrong, but probably has it adjusted wrong as well.
When the mouth of the horse goes above the withers, the rider loses control. When properly adjusted, the running martingale prevents the horse from lifting his head that high but otherwise does not interfere with the horse's mouth. If it is incorrectly adjusted in an attempt to lower the head, it interferes anytime the rider uses rein contact, and when you take it off, the horse's head goes right back up.
Why and if you need the artificial aid is important. Many aids are useful and effective in the training of a riding horse, but for the most part, their use should be temporary For instance, I sometimes use a running martingale (often called “training forks”) on a very green horse until I feel sure I have adequate control if the horse spooks, bolts, bucks, or otherwise blows up on me.
Often, horses that are being ridden in demanding sports like horse racing, barrel racing, stadium jumping, cross country, etc., are always ridden in a properly adjusted running martingale during competition. This is because their emotionality is high, and they are ridden on the edge of control at times. It helps the rider maintain control in those adrenaline spiked, hairy moments.
On the other hand, if the artificial aid is being used to mask a prob lem, like head-tossing, inverted neck, excessive spooking, threatening behavior, tongue over the bit, or an open mouth, I would like to know why the horse is displaying these behaviors and find a solution at the root of the problem. Does the horse need more training? Is a bit change needed? Is it maybe a saddle fit issue? Is the rider over-riding, riding without feel, never releasing, or using too much contact?
Bottomline: Is the artificial aid a resolution to the issue? Or is it the equivalent of a Band-Aid covering an infected wound? Most of these “problems” in the riding horse are fixable by first looking for a physical cause (pain), then addressing the tack, improving the horse's training, and changing the way the rider rides.
Each artificial aid requires the user to know how, when, and where to use the aid – and how to adjust it correctly.
This is especially true of martingales, tie downs, and draw reins. Often, I see riders using these aids with improper adjustments or
incorrect technique. Not only are they ineffective when used incorrectly, but they sometimes become downright dangerous and rather torturous to the horse.
Martingales and tie downs are basically the same thing in my book – a running martingale has two forks, usually coming off a breast plate, with rings on the end for the reins to slide through; the standing martingale (English) or tie down (Western) is a fixed strap from the girth to the noseband (no connection to the reins). There are a few common variations like the German martingales, which combine the action of a martingale with the action of draw reins.
To check if a martingale is properly adjusted, simply bring the rings of the running martingale or the end of the standing martingale/tie down up toward the throat of the horse. The ends should reach all the way to the throat.
In the case of the running martingale, if it is shorter than that, every time the rider uses rein contact, the horse feels downward pull, not a direct feel to the rider. Also, since the rein contact feels far different with a too short running martingale than without it, the rider becomes reliant on the aid; once you take the martingale off, the horse's head goes right back up. Also, it is critical for safety that the reins used in a running martingale have rein stops.
If the standing martingale or tie down is too tight, it is constantly pulling downward pressure, even when the horse softens. This ultimately works against the rider, because that downward pull tends to make the horse want to stiffen its neck and pull up against it – conditioning the neck muscles in the wrong way If a tie down/standing martingale is adjusted too short, it can impair the horse's balance, if it stumbles or rears.
While I know many good horse trainers that have success using draw reins to train a horse into the frame or headset they want, it is not an aid I would ever use, and I definitely do not think amateur riders should use them.
Draw reins run from the rider's hands through the rings of the bit, then down to the saddle or girth. When the rider pulls contact, the pulley action forces the horse's chin in towards its chest. The horse is not giving to rein pressure, it is physically forced into it.
The potential for abuse is high with draw reins. Improper adjustment and improper usage leads to entrapment for the horse. Used properly, along with regular reins, the draw reins have a minor effect and may help the rider bring the horse into frame. However, when draw reins are used alone, without regular reins, they can be dangerous, easily over-rotate the horse, and do physical and mental damage to the horse.
Rather than force the head into a position with draw reins, tie downs, or martingales, I would take the time to teach the horse to give to pressure, to search for the release, and make a pact that anytime the horse goes into the desired frame, it will always find relief there, with a total release of pressure This requires appropriate action from the rider too.
Ideally, when a horse is trained with a classical progression and good foundational layers, and the rider uses feel and give-and-take (instead of taking and taking more), these kinds of artificial aids might never be needed. The result is also far superior, with a horse that is relaxed throughout its body, yielding to the natural aids of the rider with softness and willingness.
Artificial aids can seem much more expedient in getting a result (think headset), but the result itself is inferior, with a horse that is tense, resistant, and can become reliant on the aid. There are many situations in which the temporary use of an artificial aid is helpful, but if used, I always want to have an exit plan.
Always train toward the goal of minimal aids. For instance, some artificial aids, like crops and spurs, are intended to reinforce the natural aid – in this case, the leg cues from the rider
In my opinion, these reinforcement aids would never be used on a young, untrained horse, because they should instead learn to respond to the lightest use of the natural aids. But oftentimes, trained horses become unresponsive to the cues of the rider –usually through ineffective riding – and a reinforcement aid might temproarily be needed.
Reinforcement is not punishment – you need to understand the difference. Reinforcement makes a response MORE likely to occur and punishment makes a response LESS likely to occur.
It is very easy to become completely reliant on draw reins. In other words, you only get the result you want when using them. But as soon as you take them off, the head comes back up, nothing was gained, and there is a high probability that more problems were created or existing issues worsened. Draw reins are also not allowed in any competition that I am aware of Consider collection, lowering the head, rounding the horse, or whatever kind of head position or frame you want from the horse.
Training the horse to properly yield to rein contact, and training the horse to carry its head in the position the rider wants is not difficult, but there are no shortcuts. It will take time, patience and skill from the rider, and a slower progression of training
Let's say I have a mature horse that has been ridden a lot by beginners and is somewhat lazy (an important quality in a beginner's horse). Over time, that horse may have learned to ignore the go cues of the rider, preferring to stand in the middle of the arena and endure the leg thumping until the rider quits (as they always do because you can only kick for so long). This is the time to bring in reinforcement, in the form of a crop or quirt (I would not recommend spurs in this situation).
Armed with the artificial aid (and a more advanced rider than the beginner student), a light go cue is given with the natural aids – a forward release of the reins, a soft closing of two legs, a slight shift forward in the weight of the rider, and perhaps a cluck from the
rider's voice. If the trained horse fails to respond to light aids, a small tap with the crop, right where the leg aid is used, reinforces the cue. The tap of the crop is not part of the cue itself
If the rider uses great timing (the reinforcement comes within a second of the cue), and the appropriate amount of pressure to motivate change in the horse (and no more), reinforcement with the crop should only be needed once or twice. However, if you used the crop first when you wanted the horse to go (before cueing with the natural aids), or at the same time as the cue, the horse and rider become reliant on that artificial aid and will always have to use it.
Always make sure that if you are using an artificial aid, there is an exit plan, and it is not being used in such a way that you become forever reliant on the artificial aid to get the desired response.
Think Twice: Many horse trainers and riders have had great success using more forceful training tools, but I find greater joy and higher quality results using minimal artificial aids.
When the horse is displaying undesirable behaviors while being ridden, and you think an artificial aid is needed, consider these rules first. Also, be aware that the horse is not acting in a vacuum – it is reacting in response to the rider
I always say, when you change, the horse will go with you. So before you jump right to an artificial aid to force compliance in the horse, consider what you may need to change and work on as a rider to help your horse better
Please visit https://juliegoodnight.com/ and stay in touch by following @JulieGoodnight on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Riding, like dancing, takes "two to tango." The goal of riding with sensitivity and a light touch comes from the combination of each partner's personality and experience. No matter what your riding level is now, as your experience and skill increases, so will your ability to dance with more sensitive equine partners.
I would like you to realistically evaluate how your riding experience, your personality and goals match with what your horse brings to the partnership.
A horse's sensitivity comes from his personality, age, and maturity. Young horses are sensitive because they lack maturity and exper ience. Uneducated horses, no matter what age, tend to be sensitive because they lack experience with a rider.
"Laid back" horses are easy going I have high praise for these levelheaded individuals. They tend to be older, more experienced partners. They can tolerate the inexperienced rider's heavy hands, bouncing seat, and inconsistent aids. Yet when the rider learns softness and sensitivity, the laid back horse becomes lighter and more sensitive in response.
Are you a beginning rider or have you had a bad experience that has affected your confidence? Your best match is a "laid back" horse who can patiently tolerate your progress through the learning pro cess. Avoid an inexperienced or sensitive horse because both of you lack the personality to accommodate the inexperience of the other Once your experience and confidence increases, you will be able to move on to a more sensitive partner who can help you refine your skills.
Very strong-minded riders, who lack experience and ability to control their emotions, are best matched with a laid back horse. These riders can intimidate an inexperienced or sensitive horse, leading to serious safety problems.
Even a laid back horse can get sullen and mentally withdraw from the partnership if the rider continually loses emotional control. Emotional control is the rider's responsibility and must be achieved before any progress will be made.
If you are not getting good reactions and feelings with your horse now, you must get professional guidance from a trainer or exper ienced horse person. Find out if the problem is rooted in the horse rider match or comes from disobedience caused by lack of knowledge. Don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion.
You and your horse may be mismatched. This will only lead to frustration and potentially dangerous situations. The only solution for a mismatch is to find a horse that better suits your personality and experience.
Is your horse a "mellow fellow" or a "sensitive sam?” Find out how to test your horse's personality in Lessons 1 & 2 in my book "Longevity Training." Through beautiful color photos and clear explanations, I'll guide you through practical on-the ground tests you can use to determine your horse's personality and his train-
ability Go to www.lynnpalm.com, click on "Products", and start maximizing your success.
For more than 50 years Lynn Palm and her husband Cyril PittionRossillon have provided training for horses and riders with their dressage principles based teaching methods. To learn more about Lynn’s educational programs at Palm Equestrian Academy in Ocala, Florida, her Ride Well clinics across the United States, saddles, DVDs, books, as well as trail and Western dressage competitions, and more, please visit her website http://www.lynnpalm.com/ or call 1-800-503-2824.
Lynn can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Some horses require steamed or soaked hay for their well-being. Choosing which way to prepare hay depends on several factors, including expense, ease of operation and, most importantly, the horse's health needs. Check out this list of considerations when deciding what is best for your horse.
Soaking and steaming reduce respirable dust particles significantly, sometimes completely These particles originate from bacteria, molds, fungal spores, organic dust, minute plant structures, and insect fragments. When inhaled, the particles can stimulate hyper sensitivity in your horse's airways, contributing to inflammatory airway disease.
Soaking hay reduces water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) more than steaming “Certain sugars and fructan identified during chemical analysis quantify the carbohydrate content of forages, and these are called water soluble carbohydrates,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research. “Fructans, the primary storage carbohydrate in cool season grasses, are rapidly fermented in the hindgut rather than being digested in the small intestine like the sugar component of WSC.” The percent change in water soluble carbohydrate losses in soaked hay can range from 8% to greater than 50%, but losses in steamed hay range from 0-18%. The variability in WSC after soaking or steaming does not guarantee the hay will be suitable for metabolic horses. Reducing WSC benefits overweight or obese horses on calorie-restricted diets. “Because of this, soaking hay relieves the need to aggressively restrict forage intake,” Whitehouse added. While decreasing forage intake reduces calorie intake, limiting forage means horses spend less time eating. Fasting puts horses at risk for gastric ulcers and the development of stereotypic behaviors. By reducing WSC, horses can be offered a larger portion of hay, allowing them to eat for more hours. Cutting WSC in hay also benefits horses with metabolic disorders such as insulin dysregulation, metabolic syndrome, polysaccharide storage myopathy, and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Horses with chronic laminitis, often considered a complication of metabolic disorders, also profit from decreasing dietary WSC.
Prolonged soaking leaches nutrients from the hay. Soaking for 1530 minutes will reduce WSC without resulting in nutrient deficiencies. “If extended soaking is required, particularly for horses on restricted hay diets, offering a vitamin and mineral supplement or ration balancer is essential to ensure optimal nutrition to support health and performance,” recommended Whitehouse. Kentucky
Equine Research offers vitamin and mineral supplements to help balance the diet, particularly for those on all-forage diets.
Steaming preserves the minerals, trace elements, and crude pro tein in hay but does not result in any substantial changes in WSC and therefore may not benefit horses with metabolic disorders as much as soaking
Steaming hay reduces bacterial counts almost entirely. This benefits horses with respiratory compromise and may also support a healthier hindgut.” The health of the horse depends largely on the health of the intestinal microbiome. Microbial contamination in a horse's feed could upset the delicate balance of microbes in the hindgut, leading to dysbiosis and related conditions such as colic and colitis,” Whitehouse warned.
In contrast, soaking hay increases bacterial counts and is considered less hygienic than steaming hay unless fed directly after soaking. Whitehouse added, “It is important to consider optimal soaking times, amount of hay to soak at a time and handling and storage of soaked hay.” Generally speaking, hay should be fed as soon after removal from water as possible.
The water used to soak the hay has a higher potential for environmental pollution and should be disposed of properly.
Both steamed and soaked hays are consumed more slowly than dry forage. This can extend the length of time that horses spend eating each day, which can be advantageous for horses on calorie restricted diets.
Horses chew soaked hay more intensely than either dry or steamed hay “Chewing forage increases the production of saliva, which can help buffer the stomach and support digestive health,” Whitehouse said. Increased chewing may also help a horse's dental health.
If steamed or soaked hay is part of your horse's diet, work with your veterinarian to decide which method will work best for your horse. If soaking or steaming hay is part of a respiratory-health plan, consider supplementing with a marine derived source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as EO-3, a treatment favored by veterinarians.
Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, re search, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. The company’s goals are to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and support the nutritional care of all horses throughout their life. Visit: https://ker.com/
TEN awards will be given, plus every horse participant receives a commemorative ornament. With costumes and carolers, snowflakes and scarves, mistletoe and merriment comes the ALL HORSE WASSAIL PARADE! Riders and drivers alike are invited to parade through Downtown Metamora in holiday attire, while the local community and visitors gather to watch them parade through town.
12PM-1PM: Participants will gather at the staging area. Packets with entry numbers will be handed out upon your arrival and check in.
1:30PM: Parade Line Up – participants will hitch and mount up in numerical order for the parade. Judging will begin.
2:00PM: Parade departure from the staging area.
Therearecurrentlyapproximately155,000horses inMichigan,basedonthe last Equine Survey (2007). While these numbers may have decreased somewhat based on the recession, the use of horses in the state has not decreased,andinfactmaybeincreasing(personalobservation).Eachofthese animalsisinneedofregularhoofcare,withtrimmingrequiredevery6-8weeks andshoes(forthosewhoareshod)requiredonasimilarschedule.
Theoldadage“nofoot,nohorse”holds,inthatahorsewithoutregularhoof carebyaknowledgeableprofessional,isunlikelytobeofusetoitshumancaretakers.Further,mosthorsemenandwomenwouldratherhiresomeoneknowledgeabletodothisworkthantodoitthemselves.Finally,well-trainedfarriershavethepotentialtomakea decent living, as evidenced by “An American Farriers Journal survey in 2012 found that the national average annual salary for full-time farriers in the U.S. was reported to be $92,623 per year and for parttimers, $21,153. This amount is an average and varies according to experience level, training, etc.” (TheFarriersGuide.com)
TheproblemcurrentlyfacingthehorseindustryintheMidwestisthatthereiscurrentlynoreputablemeans by which to consistently produce well-trained farriers. Michigan residents wishing to pursue this line of work,haveneededtoleavethestateforextendedperiodsoftime.Untilnow.
Michigan State University offers the MSU Farrier School: Thisisa12or24-weekprogram,housedon theMSUHorseTeachingandResearchCenter,andwillbeledbyMSUalum,DavidHallock,CJF,ASF Students in the program will receive both hands-on and classroom-based instruction in hoof and farrier science, equine anatomy and physiology, basic welding, and business. The class runs8hoursperday,withtheintentionofproducingindividualspoisedtobewell trained,professionalfarrierstoservetheequineindustry
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Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 14; Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 2023
Reg. Firearm: Nov. 15-30 Muzzleloader: Dec. 2-11, 2022
LateAntlerless Firearm: Dec. 12, 2022-Jan.1, 2023
Archery: Sep. 24, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023
Youth Gun: Nov. 19-20, 2022
Adult Gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2022; Dec. 17-18, 2022
Muzzleloader: Jan. 7-10, 2023
Reduction Zone: Sep. 15, 2022-Jan. 31, 2023
Archery: Oct. 1, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023 Firearms: Nov. 12-27, 2022
Muzzleloader: Dec. 3-18, 2022; Jan. 7-10, 2023
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There is a problem that crops up pretty regularly when it is wet outside I hope that your horse has not had it It’s called “scratches.” Or mud fever. Or greasy heel. Or dew poisoning. Or “grapes.” They are colorful names for infection and inflammation of the skin of the horse’s pastern region. Inflammation of anything is called an “-itis,” and the Greek prefix for skin is “derma.” Hence, the less colloquial, but somewhat more descriptive name – pastern dermatitis.
But the fact that there are many names for this condition obscures the fact that there can be any one – or more – of many underlying causes. So, if your horse is unfortunate enough to get this annoying condition, it is important that you take immediate action.
Skin is the largest organ in the horse’s body I think it is a very underrated and underappreciated organ. So did the late, great, Allen Sherman, and he even wrote a song about it.
There is nothing about the skin of the pastern that is fundamentally different from the skin of any other part of the horse. The biggest differences, I suppose, are that the hair in the pastern tends to be longer than the hair in most other parts of the horse’s body Long hair tends to hold moisture, as anyone who has dried their hair through a variety of different hairstyles over the years knows and wet is, well, wet.
The other thing that separates the skin of the pastern from other portions of the horse’s skin is that the pastern is low to the ground. As such, it is constantly getting dragged through the dirt, both liter ally and figuratively But it is not just dirt (wet dirt = mud, hence “mud fever”), it is also manure, urine, grass (hence: dew poisoning), chemicals, or direct trauma (from things like over reaching with another hoof, or rocks, or grass stubble). They are all down there, ready to scrape up your horse’s pastern (hence: scratches) and set up what can be a rather nasty problem.
Anyway, when the skin of the horse’s pastern gets scraped/ wet/damaged, etc., it reacts just like the skin on any other part of the horse’s body. It gets red, it gets swollen, it gets crust and goo on it; the skin of the pastern gets rather nasty-looking If it does not get treated – if the infection becomes chronic – chronic changes start to happen. The skin gets thicker. Red, angry-looking granulation tissue can form. The skin can start to scale, and crust. Fairly quickly, the skin can start to scar
But even though most “scratches” cases look a lot alike, in fact, under lying causes can be any one of a number of things. It should not be any real surprise that many infections have both bacteria and fungi involved, I mean, if you culture your horse’s stall, or his environment, you are always going to find those; it is a smorgasbord of infectious agents down there. Fungi and bacteria can live on your horse’s skin with no problem – it is when they get in the skin that the issues start.
In some horses, especially the draft breeds, skin parasites can be a big problem. So, you will occasionally see one of these big guys with infections caused by mites (Chorioptes equi, for example), or by infections from parasites that live in dead or decomposing material (the agent is Pelodera strongyloides). In fact, draft breeds seem rather prone to developing skin infections of the pastern in general. Nobody is entirely sure why, although the big feathers that they typically carry on their lower legs certainly help keep things nice and wet. Some folks even surmise that there may be a genetic component to draft horse pastern dermatitis.
Of course, there are also lots of other, non-infectious, agents that can cause the pastern to flare up. These things can result in a horse that looks very much like he has a skin infection, when he really does not. For example, if there is a chemical irritant that gets on the skin (tea tree oil is one that I have seen), or if your horse is allergic to something (neoprene is one that I have seen), or if he is sensitive to the sun (I have seen that a few times, usually because of something that the horse has eaten), or if there has been some trauma (I have seen lots of those), or if there has been some sort of weird immune reaction (only seen a couple of those), your horse can look very much like a horse that has scratches. Of course, if you treat him like a horse that has scratches, and he does not have scratches, he is not going to get better That is why, if the skin of your horse’s pastern looks inflamed and awful, and if you think that your horse has scratches, you should think about calling your veterinarian out to take a look. If he does have scratches, he is going to need something for it – if he does not have scratches, he is going to need something else.
When confronted with a case of scratches, it is tempting just to slap some sort of ointment on the pasterns, and, in fact, that does sometimes work. However, depending on how things look, your veterinarian may want to do any number of tests that may be needed to get to the bottom of your horse’s problem – even if they all look the same to you, he or she might see something He or she might want to do things like skin scrapings (to look for mites), or cultures (to try to see if the cause of the infection can be deter mined), or biopsies (especially in cases that have been going on for a while, and are not responding), to try to figure things out, and especially if you have been trying to treat things unsuccessfully for a bit. From your end, it would help if you could provide your veterinarian with a good clinical history, including information about what you are feeding, your horse’s daily schedule, vaccination and disease history, and that sort of thing
Still, even though there are some weird causes of horses developing chronic pastern skin problems, most of them respond pretty well to some pretty basic management strategies. Mostly, you want to keep the area clean and dry, which, admittedly, can be a bit of a trick in wet pastures. Curiously, it also seems to be a bit of a problem in dry southern California, but this happens mostly when horses get bathed and then are put away wet into stalls bedded in bug-laden pine shavings. Even so, if you can cut the hair around your horse’s pasterns, keep the pasterns relatively clean, and at least dry them off once in a while (or always, before you put him back in his stall), you will go a long way to prevent a scratches problem. Spreading a petrolatum based ointment on the skin can help with drying and cracking, too.
“What about medications to put on the legs?”, you say I have seen an almost unbelievable number of concoctions smeared on the horse’s legs to treat scratches. Some – such as antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory ointments – are not very creative, even if they are effective. Others – such as sauerkraut juice – are pretty darn creative, and even have a reasonable basis to think that they are effective (in the case of sauerkraut juice, it would most likely be the acidity of the juice itself). While there are about a million different nostrums you can put on your horse’s skin, in more serious cases, you will also need to put something in your horse; systemic antibiotics may be needed. Like I said, scratches can get complicated, and it is not a bad idea to call your veterinarian if you do not feel good about what you are seeing on your horse’s legs.
Perhaps you have heard that an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure? It was none other than Ben Franklin who came up with that time-worn phrase. And, when it comes to scratches, it is also absolutely true. Scratches can be a really serious problem in some horses, and it can be a nightmare to clean up. Even if you can clean it up, scratches can result in scarring in the lower limbs. So do take some care to keep your horse’s lower limbs dry and clean. And, if you see a problem, get on it early, before it makes permanent changes in your horse’s skin. At the end of the day, keeping your horse’s legs clean of infections will make both of you much happier.
Dr. Ramey began veterinary practice in 1984, in the Los Angeles area of southern California. He has been providing outstanding care to horses in southern California ever since. He specializes in the care and treatment of pleasure and performance horses. His clients particularly value his no nonsense approach, focused on providing services instead of selling products, his compassion for horses, and his ethical approach to the practice of veterinary medicine.
Dr Ramey believes that compassionate care involves providing therapies for which there is good scientific evidence of effectiveness. It is not compassionate to simply offer to sell someone the latest unproven therapeutic nostrum, nor is it kind to the horse to simply pull out therapies and give them a try, just because it is something to do. True compassion – for horse and horse owner involves adhering to high ethical standards, and high standards of scientific evidence in choosing therapies.
Find Dr. Ramey DVM on Facebook or visit: https://www.doctorramey.com/
Are you ready to turn your horse hobby into an equine small business? Do you have what it takes to turn your passion into a career? Whether your dream business is a tack shop, freelance photography, a boarding barn, or anything else, it is crucial to learn how to set your business up for success before launching and learn from those who have already made the leap. The goal of this Equine Small Business series is to guide you through the process of becoming a small business, be a resource for growing and maintaining your small business and give real life advice from equine professionals with an established small business. Along the way, you will learn from myself and successful equestrian small bus inesses about: building a business plan, marketing and advertising strategies, increasing your profitability, what type of business structure would best suit you, how to protect your business with insurance and security, what networking can do for you, and much more. Read on and let's get to business!
In the September article of this equine small business series, you developed your business plan and calculated a rough estimate of your starter costs. As a refresher, a business plan is your roadmap to achievement and should summarize your business's past, current state, and future goals. Another critical step to starting your business is to calculate your startup costs, as this will allow potential investors to estimate when you might turn a profit. Both of these key elements to success need to be in place before you or your future investors fund your equine business venture. In the October edition, you decided if self-funding, crowdfunding, small business loans, microloans, or a combination of these would be the best fit for funding your business. There is no one size-fits all financial plan and a lender will always favor the low-risk, well-organized business with a higher credit score, because it will be the most likely to yield a profit.
Business credit is a financial tool for your equine small business that can help you qualify for loans or other financing options. As you may have guessed, business credit works similarly to personal credit; it is used as an indicator of how reliable and healthy both yourself and your business may be. When you establish business credit, you open the door to financing through loans, applying for credit cards, as well as building partnerships with vendors and other businesses.
Although it may seem intimidating, building business credit is essential to convincing yourself, your customers, and your future investors that you mean business! It creates an important separ ation line between your personal finances and your equine small business' finances and lets other business know you are serious about success. According to the NSBA Small Business Access to Capital Study, 20% of small business loans are denied due to business credit. Having access to business credit and maintaining a good score is the lifeline for your small business.
Complete the following steps to build your business credit from the ground up:
· Establish your business: In previous articles from this Equine Small Business Series, you already created a business plan, calculated your startup costs, and chose the best financing option available to you. To establish business credit, you will next need to choose the business structure that is right for you (LLC, Sole Proprietorship, etc.). Then, you will need to create a legal name for your business and set up a business only phone number and email account.
· Register your business: Depending on which business structure you chose, you may need to register your business with the Secretary of State. For more information about registering your LLC or other business structure, check out the Small Business Association's online Business Guide for detailed steps.
· Obtain an EIN: The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is essentially your small business's social security number This nine digit number allows you to file business taxes, apply for licenses, and open a business bank account.
· Open your business bank account: Use your EIN to open a business bank account and create an obvious separation between your personal finances and business finances. This step also lays the groundwork for obtaining a business credit card and for when your equine small business applies for loans or other financing options. Another good practice is to monitor your business credit reports for sudden changes in your credit score or any signs of identity theft. For monitoring your score, you can get a copy of your equine small business's report from Equifax, Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, or similar reporting services. If you discover any outdated information or any suspicious activity, be sure to contact the business credit agency right away.
· Open a business credit card: This is a key method for building your business credit. Do your research to discover the credit card that is best for your equine small business.
A good business credit score can make the difference between launching your dream equine photography studio and keeping that dream on the shelf for another decade. Defining what is a 'good' business credit score varies based on the scale used.
Here is the breakdown of what the most popular business credit scoring systems consider a 'good' or high score:
· Equifax Business Credit Report, on a scale of 101 to 992: 570 or higher
· FICO's Small Business Score, on a scale of 0 to 300: 140 or higher
· Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX, on a scale of 0 to 100: 80 or higher
· Intelliscore from Experian, on a scale of 0 to 100: 76 or higher
While the scales may vary, the outcome remains the same. If your equine small business has a higher credit score, it will be considered a low risk investment. It will be much easier for your highscoring tack shop to qualify for a loan, get better loan terms such as lower interest rates, and collaborate with other businesses.
A higher score can also be used as a bargaining chip to decide price or service terms when applying for a loan or collaborating with other businesses. For instance, let's say you are a month late repaying the loan you took out to purchase professional photography equip ment. A good score could convince your lender to reach out to you first and they may agree to let you temporarily stop payments. If you had a bad or low credit score, the lender would be more likely to decrease your credit score, increase your interest rate, tack on late fees, and even send your account off to a collection agency.
Just one bad business credit report can have a profound effect on your small businesses' success. Taking the time to educate yourself
on business credit, understand how to interpret your scores, and how to increase your business credit score will only help your equine small business in the long run.
Lisa Skylis graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Animal Science. She is a professional freelance writer and Lisa’s work largely focuses on the equine industry When she is not writing, Lisa can be found doting on the horses at her local therapeutic riding barn or entertaining her mischie vous Golden Retriever, Roy. Freelance inquiries can be sent to skylisli@msu.edu
Sources for this article include an article from Business News Daily authored by Matt D'Angelo in 2022 titled “How to Build Business Credit”, an article from the U.S Small Business Administration titled “Establish Business Credit”, and an article from the U S Small Business Administration written by Marco Carbajo in 2017 titled “10 Stats That Explain Why Business Credit is Important for Small Business”. Extension Horses maintains a host of equine business related articles from their Equine Business Network and, if you are interested in more resources, can be viewed at https://horses.ex tension.org/equine-business-network-articles/.
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