Elite Equestrian July August 2017 issue by Elite Equestrian LLC

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Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

Volume 17 Issue 4 Complimentary

SUMMMER •Fashion • Travel

Depigmention

Exclusive Interview

William Shatner’s Spirit of the Horse www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

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�� Publisher: Bill Vander Brink Editor in Chief: Noelle Vander Brink Advertising Sales, N.E.Region: Kathy Dress 610-420-9964 kathy@dressmedia.us Advertising Sales, National: Diane Holt 713-408-8114 diane@eliteequestrian.us Art & Antiques Editor: Dr. Lori Verderame Equine Art Editor: Jeanne Chisholm Health Editor: Marilyn Miller-Heath Fashion Editor: LA Pomeroy Legal Editor: Avery S., Chapman,Esquire Saddle Specialist Editor: Jochen Schleese

Contributing Writers Alessandra Deerinck Dr. Amy Hayek Dr. Bill Ormston Lynn Palm Tom Scheve Contributing Photographers Howard Schatzberg Manuela Stefan Social Media: Vanessa Ashton Photography: Steven Edward

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On The Cover: Trail riders at Gros Ventre River Ranch Photo by Manuela Stefan

Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

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SUMMMER •Fashion • Travel

Depigmention

Exclusive Interview

William Shatner’s Spirit of the Horse www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

NEXT ISSUE: Sept/Oct 2017 Deadline: August 10, 2017 Editorial Deadline: August 1, 2017 National Shows Health: Hoof Care Fashion: Fall Fashion

BONUS DISTRIBUTION: September/October 2017 HITS: Saugerties Show Series, Culpeper Show Series & Balmoral Park Show Series Pennsylvania National Horse Show • Washington International Horse Show Dressage At Devon • Longines Masters • CP National Horse Show • Capital Challenge Horse Show • American Gold Cup • SE Medal Finals • Arabian Nationals Princeton Show Jumping • Lynn Palms Western Dressage & Obstacle Challenge Devon Fall Classic • FL Reining Horse Asso Show • Baroque Equestrian Games, VA SW Showdown USEF Nat’l Show • GSEC Fall Classic USEF Nat’l Show Britannia Farm Fall Classic USEF Nat’l Show • VA Horse Trials • Jump Start Horse Trials KY Classic Combined Driving Event • KY Dressage Asso Fall Classic Hagyard Midsouth 3 Day Event • Octoberfest Horse Trials • Dressage Under The Oaks Sacramento International • Flintridge Autumn Classic • Del Mar Interntaional Horse Show

For Media Kit email: info@EliteEquestrian.us

Elite Equestrian is a registered trademark owned by Elite Equestrian LLC. No article, photo, or part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Management reserves the right to approve or refuse any advertiser or contribution for any reason. EE does not endorse any product or advertiser and is not responsible for accuracy of info/opinions provided by advertisers or article content. Photographs are submitted by writers of each article who assume responsibility for usage approval. ©2017

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July/August

2017 Features

40 Cover Story EQUINE DESTINATIONS: Gros Ventre River Ranch

Departments Fashion • Home • Art�

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William Shatner, track star. Photo by Howard Schatzberg

18 MUST HAVE Fashion, Home & Horse 20 Summer Fashion Noble Outﬁtters™ 26 Artful Fox 28 For The Dogs 30 Chisholm Gallery Brooke Major 32 Dr. Lori Settling Estates 35 Boot & Breeches

People & Places

34 His & Hers John P. Connolloy 36 William Shatner Spirit of the Horse 42 Dessert Race 45 47 48 52 54 56

Training, Tack & Showing

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10 Signs Of Poor Saddle Fit Slipping Saddle Pads Great Fix! Instincts In Horsemanship Q & A Buying A Saddle Western Dressage Finding A Horse Round Pen Know How

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Equine Health

58 Proprioception 59 Horse Breeds 60 Depigmentation

63 Workshop Opportunity 64 Trotting Around Town 66 Tack Box Retail & Service Source 14

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�� In real estate there is no substitute for experience.

617-413-2879 Century 21 Commonwealth

www.MaryCraneProperties.com Mary@MaryCraneProperties.com Licensed in MA & RI

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MUST haves �� A truly breathable, lightweight ﬂy sheet that is well-priced! With a removable neck and triple strapped ergonomic belly band to keep those pests out, this effective sheet also has a chest lining to prevent rubbing, double chest straps, and a large tail ﬂap. See our ad pg 49 shop.shiresequestrian.com

�� of guaranteed, effective results because… IT WORKS! Check out our complete line of supplements at www.4source. com, 800-232-2365. See our ad page 59

�� Make a statement at your farm entrance with a beautiful and affordable customized farm sign. Our popular New England Style signs have unlimited styles and options to choose from. Our website will guide you through a unique step by step process where you get to choose the options you want and see complete pricing along the way. Free sign proofs, fast turnaround and free shipping! Build your sign today at www.EZSignsOnline.com today. 1-800-640-8180 See our ad page 37

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A greattraining aid designed to gently teach your horse to accept the bit. 603-953-3635 www.lickitybits.com See our ad on page 68

New, Spitﬁre Show Bows: Two for you, and one for Pony too! Boxed set of 3 Bows. Ask for them by name at your favorite Equestrian Retailer. Wholesale: info@spitﬁrespoulticepaper.com Made with love in NYC. See our ad page 57

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�� For Dry, Cracked and Peeling Lips. With Mango, Lanolin & Shea Butter, it has the staying power to repair and hydrate even the most chapped and tender lips.“Love Lip Tender! I was very pleasantly surprised when I ﬁrst applied “Lip Tender” to my dry, winter worn lips. I’ve used lots of lip balms in the past, but this product is the best! It goes on so smoothly and you can really feel it soaking into your lip area and giving hydration. I love all the soothing, natural ingredients, great combo. I apply it every night before bed and wake up with smooth, hydrated lips. Won’t be without it.” Janette Haynes, Lic. Holistic Esthetician, Organic Skin Care by Janette WWW.LHB-USA.COM See our ad page 25

�� This exquisite necklace is part of a brand new collection from ﬁne jewellery designers Sylvia Kerr Jewellery. The ‘Badminton Collection’ showcases the brand’s passion for equestrianism with a desire and ﬂair for creating contemporary pieces with a timeless appeal. A statement piece for the season ahead and beyond. RRP: £189 www.sylviakerrjewellery.com

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Equestrian summer shirts for the fashion forward rider. Perfect for training rides, summer camp or hanging out with friends. Available exclusively at www.ZIKYboutique.com. $ 28.95 - Elite Equestrian readers get 10% off with code EliteEquestrian2017 See our ad page 23

�� Classic and classy bridle leather with antiqued brass buckle and dee ring. Hand ﬁnished edges for comfort. Sized 14” through 26”. Matching leashes are available. Made in the USA. www.CollarsandMore.com See our ad page 29

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Your equine buddy will love a softer cookie that is wheat, corn, soy and alfalfa free LOW CARB LOW SUGAR GREAT FOR THE MATURE HORSE AND THE YOUNGSTER MADE WITH HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS See our ad page 5

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�� Deluxe Dressage pads in 2 sizes and colors. Success Equestrian Non Slip Saddle Pads with Purpose. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Equestrian Aid Foundation. For more information, go to www. successequestrian.com See our ad pg 51 and article page 47.

Comfort for your horse and ease for your body.The Hoofjack allows the horse to stand in an anatomically correct and comfortable position making your job easier and safer. Each Hoofjack includes one base, straight post with cradle, and straight post with rubber cap. The Hoof-It Combo post is available at additional cost. Order online at: www.OleoAcresFarrierSupply.com OR Call 800.994.OLEO (6536) See our ad page 39

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Aviform Suppleaze Gold Horse Joint Supplement contains a higher percentage of Glucosamine HCL and Chondroitin than other supplements in the UK, added MSM and Hyaluronic Acid completes the highest purity, human grade, speciﬁcation. See products at www. aviform.co.uk. email nicola@aviform. co.uk for postal & export prices See our ad page 62

HW Brand Flex Strap Connectors, for use with HW Brand Round Pens, are available in 40’ and 60’ six-rail and are made of 16 gauge oval tubing. Flex Strap Connectors are safer and more versatile than other connecting systems. See our ad on page 2 for more details. www.hutchison-inc.com See our ad page 2

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The Coolest Summer Styles Summertime can be an equestrian’s dream; daylight hours are longer, nights are warmer, and spells of inclement weather tend to be fewer and far between – but it can be equally miserable with sweltering temperatures and sunburns. Keep cool, comfortable and protected in Noble Outﬁ�ers wherever your ride takes you.

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�� At the Barn

Whether you are there to train for competition or just a leisurely ride, having the right outﬁt will help you make more of your time at the barn by keeping you cool.

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Be cool, colorful and comfortable in the Noble Outﬁtters™ Ashley Performance Shirt. Combining UPF 50+ protection and the ultimate level of breathability, it will quickly become your go-to performance top for summer riding. This stylish long-sleeved sun shirt protects your skin from intense heat and sun damage while it keeps you cool as moisture-wicking Opti-Dry Technology pulls moisture away from your skin. Power mesh underarm panels provide fashionable detailing and increased ventilation and durability. (Right)

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If you don’t like the idea of long sleeves and a tank top is more your style, look no further than the Noble Outfitters Brooke Tank. This top has moisture-wicking Opti-Dry Technology, a flattering fit and a unique racer back design created to keep bra straps from showing. (Left)

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Available in seven fashionable colors, the Noble Outﬁtters Perfect Fit Cool Mesh Glove was made for warm weather riding. It features a SureGrip synthetic suede palm and breathable stretch mesh for ventilation, ensuring your hands won’t get sweaty and uncomfortable. And don’t worry; their breathability doesn’t compromise durability. These gloves have a reinforced pinky, thumb and foreﬁnger, with double stitched critical seams where other gloves tend to wear down. They are sure to last you all season long. (Right)

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Meet your new favorite riding tight. Perfect for schooling, The Noble Outﬁtters Printed Balance Riding Tight has the same Opti-Dry Technology and UPF 50+ featured in the Ashley Performance Shirt, making the two a perfect pair. The tight’s fabric never fades and has high-recovery Booty Boost Technology that holds and moves with you. A lightweight stretch hem reduces bulk inside either tall boots or half chaps and Silicone knee patches keep you secure in the saddle. (Left)

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Whether you’re going for a ride or a run, the stylish and colorful Noble Outﬁtters Endurance Headband is perfect for holding your hair in place and wicking sweat away. (Right)

Perfect Fit Glove In Mint Geo

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Stay cool. Stay clean Stay Dry. 6” MUDS® provide the same level of waterproof protection as their full-sized counterparts in a smaller package – making them perfect for hot summer days at the barn. A contoured foam interior provides a custom ﬁt that allows you to be on your feet all day and 3D mesh lining wicks away moisture. Find them in four fashionable colors to match your style. (Left)

More...

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�� In the Ring You can’t give a top performance if your mind is stuck on how hot and uncomfortable you feel. Give yourself the best chance of taking home first place by having a show outfit that is flattering, comfortable and will protect you from overheating.

Allison Show Shirt Mint Geo

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Take the same Opti-Dry Technology and power mesh underarm panel that you find in the Ashley Performance Shirt into the show ring with the Noble Outfitters Allison Pull On Show Shirt. This innovative show shirt is a beautiful balance of style, comfort and functionality. UPF 50+ protection and an antimicrobial finish make it the perfect shirt for hot show days and colorful print detailing inside the collar and cuffs allows you to show off your personality during downtime.

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Typically hot weather and leather don’t mix, but it’s a different story with the Noble Outﬁtters Show Ready Leather Glove. Full goatskin leather won’t make your hands sweaty and uncomfortable thank to the gloves’ stretch mesh side panels that allow for ultimate breathability. And with reinforcement along the thumb and index ﬁnger and double stitched seams, they’ll last all summer long.

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Crafted from technical, 4-way stretch material the Noble Outfitters Signature Breech Side Zip is lightweight, comfortable and constructed for a sleek and flattering fit. UPF 50+ protection and moisture-wicking Opti-Dry Technology make them the perfect fit to go with the rest of your summertime show apparel. Signature Breech Side Zip MUDS®

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Perfect for the barn or the show ring, Noble Outﬁtters Over the Calf Peddies are practically made for warm weather rides with a breathable panel at the top of the foot, Opti-Dry Technology and an ultra-thin calf that’s breathable and will reduce bulk in your boots or half chaps. Available in numerous solid and patterned colors, they are also the perfect way to show off your personality through style.

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Combining an anti-microbial insole and ultrabreathable, moisture-wicking features, Stay Cool MUDS® Boots are the perfect solution for keeping your breeches clean on a summer show day. With a contoured foam insole, these boots provide custom daylong comfort. Their 100% waterproof, industrial grade rubber construction makes dust, mud and other debris a concern of the past, keeping you cool, clean and dry. Noble Outfitters creates performance apparel and accessories that exceed the needs of their customers with quality and innovation. Each product in the Noble Outfitters’ line has been designed with the direct influence of horse professionals and enthusiasts. Want to stock up on tough, functional and stylish looks for show season? Find out more about Noble Outfitters products at nobleoutfitters.com. Over The Calf Peddies Mint Geo

www.NobleOutfitters.com

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The thrill of a fox hunt or scent hunt is captivating to many riders. Their enthusiasm for the sport often persuades them to select various fox themed accessories ranging from jewelry to home decor items. Upon receiving numerous requests for fox jewelry Jeni was nothing short of uninspired by the prospect of simply creating a fox sitting or lying centered in a pendant.

However, inspiration soon struck when Jeni considered a recent collection that she has been developing. It explores creatures hiding in nature. The series includes animals, birds, and even reptiles discreetly hidden as a means to accurately capture their true relationships to their environments. With the series well underway, the notion of incorporating a fox into the line struck Jeni and she began carving immediately. Over the course of approximately seventy hours of intensive hand carving on the original wax model her artistic vision gradually came to life. Like other designs in the series, Artfully Elusive presents an entire scene. It serves to portray a glimpse into a world tucked away deep within the forest. Graceful ﬂoral vines and dancing butterﬂies impart a peaceful energy while a red fox crouches low among them. The little fox possesses an intense focus revealed through his posture, as he naturally would in the wild. This focus leaves room for personal interpretation and begs the question as to whether he is hiding himself or in active pursuit. Dynamic in both its intent and overall design, Artfully Elusive masterfully captures the true sprit of the red fox in elegant complexity. Artfully Elusive along with well over one hundred unique equestrian themed designs can be purchased online at https://www.jenuinelyjeni.com. See ad on page 68

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FOR THE Dogs

THE GAME CHANGER Designer Dog brand Pink Whiskers have summer style all sewn up with their gorgeous new ‘mini’s’ collection, entitled ‘Plaid & Polka Dot’. Presented in a beautiful lightweight marl grey, stone and pebble plaid and oatmeal, strawberry and pebble plaid tweed, the range features jackets, halters, beds and leads to ensure that your pooch is perfectly co-ordinated at home and out and about. The retro inspired polka dot print features as a cute lining to coats and harnesses and a vintage ‘70’s Paisley pop of colour adds detail and colour to the grey pieces.

Fabric and faux leather hearts details add a touch of love to these gorgeous pieces, and a durable nickel D-ring and Velcro fastenings add practical to pretty. Sizes: XXS, XS & Small. Prices Start At RRP: £25 for the harness. Plaid & Polka Dot Classic Coat From RRP: £35

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We have been importing & breeding the top lines from Germany for over 30 years. Shipping worldwide or hand delivery available.

Proclaim your passion... with Elite Equestrian’s signature shirt.

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Pre-shrunk cotton V neck shirts, available in small, medium or large in black, red or purple. Order with PayPal at EliteEquestrianPassionShirts.miiduu.com and please allow 4 weeks for delivery.

PLAID AND POLKA DOT PLEASE This gorgeous ‘Game & Floral’ pet bed is a brand new addition to designer dog emporium, Pink Whiskers. The Pink Whiskers Game & Floral Bed brings together a stunning designer ‘Grand Palais Ruby Collection’ fabric featuring a clean and distinctively classical inspired print of ﬂora with a distressed leather trim and ﬁnished with traditional raised wooden legs. Handmade with love at the brands Lancashire headquarters by this award winning brand, this bed is available in four different sizes : Medium, Medium Large, Large & Extra Large with other sizing also made to order.

THE REGENCY ERA

Elegant and distinctively fabulous, the ‘Regency Collection’ is the brand new range from designer dog emporium, Pink Whiskers. The Pink Whiskers Regency Tweed Coat is styled in a lightweight cherry and marl grey tweed with a luxurious faux fur collar, marl grey leatherette Velcro belly strap and Velcro chest strap for easy dressing and a great ﬁt.

The Pink Whiskers Game & Floral Bed Starts At RRP: £395 Pink Whiskers –Bringing designer dog style into your home.

The new collection features a range of accessories and designer beds. All handmade with love at the brands Lancashire headquarters.

www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

The Regency Tweed Coat from RRP: £35 Sizes: 8”,10”,12”,14” & Dachshund 14”.

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Brooke Major 845-505-1147 • 561-557-3747 www.ChisholmGallery.com Wellington Place 13532 Fountain View Boulevard Wellington FL 33414, USA

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Brooke’s Story

�� Biography: Brooke Major is an American artist who lived for over a decade and a half in Normandy, France and Clayton, GA. She has always had two passions since she was three years old: horses and art. She has spent most of her adult life as a professional artist for now, over 15 years. Her passion for horses led her to breed showjumping horses for the past 10 years in France. Brooke moved to France at the age of 18 and studied International relations at an American university in Paris, France. Since she had always wanted to study art, she oriented her studies allowing her several days a week to be able to audit classes in the fine arts school in Paris for painting. The course auditing lasted two years. Since Brooke has travelled all over the world, she has discovered that she admires greatly the work of past artisans and architects from different time periods. Upon arrival in Paris, she was amazed at the architectural wonders that the city had to offer. She was able to find a way to find a way to audit architectural classes at the fine arts school in Paris thanks to her friend who was a teacher of architecture. Her need for fresh air and large space and her love of horses led her to move to Normandy, which allowed her to practice both of her passions at the same time. After arriving in Normandy, Brooke participated in numerous painting competitions and won gold, silver, bronze as well as the young talent prize in Menton. Following this success, she was asked by many art galleries to exhibit in several French art galleries in cities such as: Lille, Strasbourg, Le Mans, La Rochelle, Arcachon, Deauville, Honfleur. She was also asked to exhibit for Momus gallery in Atlanta, GA. Brookes works are representative of her life. She paints places that she has visited, events that have affected her feelings, buildings and architecture that have made her feelings and emotions evolve in splendor. Her deep passion for horses can be felt greatly through her artwork. Her passion for this noble and majestic animal is depicted in a majority of her pieces. Her monochrome paintings in a bas relief style are representative of a play of light and shadow and give us the desire to touch them to feel the richness and depth in her paintings. All of the paintings are white to be able to use different colors of light, as well as lighting them from different angles, and even put a light behind the paintings, showing the transparency of the thickness behind the paintings to obtain several images in one.

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Settling Estates

filled

with

Antiques

�� Grandma passed away leaving behind a house ﬁlled with art, antiques and collectibles. You and your family members have varied feelings about her heirlooms. Some of your relatives want to divvy up everything. Others want to just bring in a reseller. Other family members are ready to pile it all into a dumpster. And, some relatives are ready to give away every last unwanted object. And, of course there are also those folks who just can’t deal with grandma’s objects as tears ﬂow at the sight of grandma’s quilts or wash bowl set.

What should you do?

Arrange a family caucus at a location other than Grandma’s empty home. Give everyone a turn to express their feelings about what should happen with the objects that have been left behind. Everyone needs to keep an open mind — and not necessarily an open mouth — about how to deal with Grandma’s personal property. The person in your family who keeps saying that everything is worthless old junk and that the best thing to do is to trash everything is the person throwing away your money, throwing away your inheritance, and probably should not have the last word. Let them have their say and while some items will not be worth a king’s ransom, the trash option is usually the one that people regret in the long run. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Remind yourself to ask that person to consider how he would feel once a valuable item worth thousands of dollars is left sitting in the dumpster outside your late grandma’s house. How would he feel when a nosy neighbor, local trash man or antique reseller stops by and helps himself to that valuable piece? Often, a dumpster is the original location of many items that you will later ﬁnd for sale at sky high prices at some of the most prestigious auction houses and trendy antique dealerships. Recently, an antique chair found on a neighbor’s trash pile was sold by the guy next door for $198,000. And, a jogger in New York City helped herself to an abstract painting on a curbside garbage heap that she later sold for $1.2 million dollars. So, without an unbiased appraisal and review of the current market for your late grandmother’s stuff, this dumpster-happy family member is just helping your entire family lose lots of money. Get an unbiased appraisal ﬁrst—one where the appraiser does not want to buy anything from you. The best solution is open communication with all of your family members and an action plan for the appraisal of Grandma’s antiques. ��

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FULL SERVICE FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS

2017 4 Star 6 Horse Head to Head The Ultimite in a Head to Head

• • • • •

Converts to 4, 5 or 6 horse Converts into 3 box stalls Fully insulated roof Dressing room Large windows for max air ﬂow

• • • • •

Saddle racks, bridle hooks Hydralic Jack Side ramp Rear ramp Extra tall and extra wide

Drop by or call and let us tell you the 4 Star Diﬀerence! www.coas�ocoas�railer.com www.EliteEquestrian.us

& ��

John P. Connolloy

With equestrian books dating back to 1523 and an art collection of oil paintings, sculptures, prints, silver trophies and more, that’s truly where we can measure our success.

is Living the Sporting Life �� ‘Intense’ may not be the first word that comes to mind to describe a librarian but the same strength, power and deep concentration we find in great horsemanship more than applies to John P. Connolly, the George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Librarian serving the National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, VA. The mission of NSLM is to preserve, promote and share collections related to equestrian competition, foxhunting and horse racing (as well as freshwater fly fishing and wing shooting). The digital preservation of such history begs intense modern discussion that rises well above a whisper and this one librarian who is ready to ride back to the future.

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Discover the treasures of the National Sporting Life Museum at www.NationalSporting.org

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BOOTS

&Breeches BOOTS THAT DO THE WALKING (AND TALKING!)

Because comfort makes a difference

1680 Denier

Turnout Sheet

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The Spanish Boot Company has launched an innovative new campaign for spring/summer 2017, which not only celebrates the versatility of their boots but taps also into their strong fashion foundation.

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From yard to dog walk, dashing into town and an evening out, the short stylised promo focusing on just the footwear, brings the boots to life and lets their stunning range of footwear tell the story. You can view the new ﬁlm here: https://youtu.be/A6Vad8LYKOo www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Introducing Back on Track’s new Turnout Sheet. ��

The ‘My Life, My Boots’ campaign was shot in ﬁlm and stills by fashion and music photographer Paul Astley and focuses on a storyline of a stylish woman living her life wearing the brand’s collection of footwear.

Day 0: Heat and inflammation in red & yellow

DENIM DREAMS

Study by Joanna Robson DVM, Napa CA

Breeches, which feel like your favourite pair of jeans but with all the detail of a superb pair of breeches? If this sounds like your dream pair of breeches, then the new Equetech Denim Breeches could be the answer to your yard to pub style dilemma!

Featuring a full stretch Alos suede seat, these gorgeous breeches feature bold graphic contrast stitch pattern to the back pockets, integral Lycra leg panels to the hem and contrast jean style pockets. Also featuring unique embroidery to pockets and is a stonewashed ﬁnish with ultimate stretch. A stunning pair of high waisted breeches that ﬂatter with fashion and function. RRP: £93.95, Sizes: 24 – 34 Navy/Navy and Navy/Tan www.equetech.com

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Day 7: Reduced inflammation; disappearing red 7 Weeks: Significant reduction of inflammation

www.backontrackproducts.com 888-758-9836 info@backontrackproducts.com www.backontrack.com/ca 403-601-6491 canada@backontrack.com 35

CELEBRATING equine

SPIRIT

We know him today as an award-winning actor, director, producer, musician and pitchman. Only a few may be truly aware that William Shatner is also a gifted champion rider and horseman. In his new book, SPIRIT OF THE HORSE: A Celebration in Fact and Fable, with Jeff Rovin, Mr. Shatner discourses on his long connection to horses, combining legendary myths and folktales with his own experiences, to produce a unique view inside the equine world. Stories ranging from Aesop’s The Horse, Hunter and Stag, and The Brothers Grimm’s The Fox and the Horse, to more contemporary tales such as Ambrose Bierce’s The Horseman in the Sky, and Jack London’s Four Horses and a Sailor lay the groundwork for Shatner’s poignant commentary and personal reflections. The result is a reader who is that much closer to the true spirituality of the horse.

I have been a fan of William Shatner my whole life. I remember watching him in Star Trek when I was a child. Learning of his admiration for horses and accomplishments as a serious equestrian make him even more endearing to me. His new book “Spirit of the Horse” does indeed bring out the very essence of these noble creatures and celebrates our connection to them. I am honored that he granted me this exclusive interview for Elite Equestrian. -Noelle Vander Brink, Editor

What gave you the inspiration for this book? I have been slowly evolving into understanding more about the spirit of the horse. Far more than being a beast of burden or a joyful plaything or an object d’art, the horse is an entity that has a soul and has a mystical way of communicating both with other horses and with human beings. I have begun to explore this with my horses and I seek to explore that in the book. How did you choose the books/chapters you referenced? The excerpts from the books are both applicable to the themes that I read about and some are just interesting in themselves. With all of the experiences with horses that you have had, is there anything you haven’t done that you wish you did or would still like to do? In another life, I think the Spanish Riding School would have been a superb experience but that’s another life. Can you expand on the conversation you mention on page 283 about your business manager realizing that having the horses is all worthwhile. Health, vitality, 36

energy, etc. I think that will hit home with my readers. When I got into horses as deeply as I am, my business people said ‘don’t buy anything that eats while you sleep.’ I thought that was pre�y funny and obviously lacked the inner knowledge of what it is to have a horse. As I became motivated to compete in Reiners and show horses and Standardbreds, then the necessity of being physically ﬁt became apparent. Riding horses with high motivation is a wonderful way to beat back the encroaching spider web of age. Can you tell us more about the spiritual connection with horses and how it has made you a be�er rider versus a mechanical rider as you talk about on page 291. Every year we put on the Hollywood Charity Horse Show. We have done so for thirty years. Thusly, we have raised millions of dollars for children and for veterans. Many of our charities are therapeutic riding charities. It becomes obvious what the beneﬁts are to help the kids and the vets. That’s a beautiful spiritual connection. At the same time, as a horseman, if you can delve into the mind of the horse while you’re on its back and make that connection as a rider, then the unity of horse and rider which is the ideal, comes closer.

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Waterfront Equestrian Estate in Gloucester County, VA

If you work with a child or a horse, let their own interest and talent lead them, as they move through the process they-and you- will discover where their greatest strength lies.

Sited on over 50 private acres fronting Jones Creek and overlooking the York River, Corban offers several master suites, two kitchens, eight fireplaces, and six HVAC zones providing ample space and comfort. Large family room offers stunning views of water and wildlife, a wood-burning fireplace, and an adjacent screen-in porch. Covered patio with refrigeration, running hot water, fireplace, and sunset views over the river. Many nods to Virginia’s rich history, with a fireplace modeled after Patrick Henry’s, a carriage house based on Mount Vernon (with stables), Williamsburg hardware, and a genuine smokehouse. Ideal equestrian retreat.

Keller Williams Williamsburg Anthony Riedel 757-342-4508 WilliamsburgHomes.com info@williamsburghomes.com

Photos by Howard Schatzberg

Thomas Dunne Books, on sale now, $25.99 Order at h�ps://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250130020

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GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH An Oasis Of Beauty by travel and equine photographer Manuela Stefan of ‘Graceful Horses’

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Remotely located in the heart of the Teton National Forrest, with the Gros Ventre River running right through its grounds, offering spectacular views over the Grand Teton mountains, there is a place of incredible beauty: the Gros Ventre River Ranch.

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I vividly recall the scenic drive from Jackson, during which I always seemed to have a hard time focusing on the wheel as I was constantly in awe of what was unfolding around me: breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife. People visiting the ranch seem to return, some year after year. And I am not surprised. Contributing to a truly one-of-a-kind experience is the special atmosphere created by a family who embraces the idea of simple living, enjoying special moments in good company, savoring delicious meals while honoring the surroundings. Amazing owners and managers, dedicated and passionate wranglers, talented cooks and of course, last but not least, some of the most beautiful horses I have seen, all come together and co create an energy which wraps around everyone who steps in. Well taken care of and loved, the GV horses invite guests on great riding adventures, revealing superb trails and unbelievable views to those who choose to hop on their welcoming backs. A bit of history: in 1987, Tina Weber and her late husband Karl purchased the property which has been previously operated as a Dude Ranch for 30 years. They have done an incredible work enhancing it step by step. Back in the 50’s, rustic log cabins were moved here from the second oldest Dude Ranch in Jackson, the Bar BC, and still serve as cozy accommodations for guests. The Webers increased the size of the ranch from four cabins to eight, added a main lodge overlooking the Gros Ventre River, as well as a beautiful barn and horse facility. Today, the ranch is managed by the couple’s daughter Tori and her husband, Sean McGough. More about the Gros Ventre River Ranch on their website: www.grosventreriverranch.com �� EE www.EliteEquestrian.us

Desert Race M

in the

oroccan Dunes

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It is a similar challenge that Bady Kebir, Benoît Perrier and their team offer in a place as spectacular as the dunes of Merzouga. We remember the global success of the Gallops of Oman in 2014: an unforgettable equestrian race crossing the magical desert of Oman. The organising team returns this year with a new project: a similar race which will take place this time through the golden dunes of the Moroccan desert.

�� October 29th to November 5th For more information, and to apply visit www.gallopsofmorocco.com

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Poor Saddle Fit

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It is apparently a psychological truth that people have an affinity to lists consisting of 10 points; maybe because we have 10 fingers, 10 toes, there are 10 commandments, etc. 10 is just a nice round number to work with and easy to count off. David Letterman adopted an interesting institution with his “top 10” lists on his late show. I don’t know why I actually came up with 9 signs of poor saddle fit that you can self-diagnose, but those are what they are and I couldn’t artificially inflate that number. You will see 7 or 8 points in the literature as well, but I think these lists combine some of the points of reference.

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So – here now are 10 signs of poor saddle ﬁt resulting in issues that you should avoid if at all possible by having your saddle checked and adjusted regularly. Many of these issues are caused by a gullet plate which does not properly accommodate angle and width of the shoulder, and ends up pinching at the withers. ��

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TACK & Training An

ALTERNATIVE Take on

SADDLE PAD Slipping

�� Whether you are an Olympic-level rider or simply ride for pleasure, we all share the same challenges when it comes to properly fitting riding equipment. Our horses come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s not always easy to find a solution that provides comfort and stability for both rider and horse, and that looks stylish in the ring. For our team at Success Equestrian, we recognized the need for a product that addresses these challenges, one that is visually elegant and even more importantly, a solution that won’t break the bank. We spoke to several highlevel as well as everyday riders across Dressage, Hunter/Jumper and Eventing disciplines to understand the key influencers that cause improper saddle fitting and slipping. We discovered three key variables that we needed to address (and these may sound very familiar): Slippage of the saddle, both laterally and longitudinally, on the horse’s back; this is often due to challenges in fitting the width, girth and withers of the horse

friction of the saddle and saddle pads, which causes irritation on the horse’s back due to saddle movement, multiple layering or too-tight girths Slippage of the saddle due to overheating and lack of breathability on the horse’s back To tackle these challenges, we designed a non-slip saddle pad to do it all. The design is elegant and yet effective at tackling saddle slippage for even the most difficult to fit horses. To prevent slippage, we strategically placed a breathable and flexible air-flow grip in the areas that need it most – under the seat of the saddle and under the front panels that follow the rider’s leg and nowhere else to reduce excess sweating under the flap. It’s also antimicrobial, which means it won’t create added irritation and doesn’t require high-heat cleaning. We also used a unique blend of quilted cotton to help wick perspiration from the horse’s sides, as well as a silky fabric lining on the withers for extra comfort for the horse. To create even more comfort for the horse, we added an additional layer of breathable shock-absorbing open cell foam throughout the seat. This adds extra saddle stability to help prevent side-to-side and front-to-back movement, supporting the rider and preventing unnecessary friction on the horse’s back. Our hope is that ill-fitting saddle pads become a thing of the past, and that we’ve created a solution for everyone. Thus far, we have hundreds of riders using our pads and across a range of levels. Take it from riders like Champion Hunter Rider and Trainer Liza Towell Boyd, “After schooling I never have to dismount to adjust the tack anymore. I can just enter the ring. The Success Equestrian pad doesn’t move!” We welcome you to visit our online store at www.successequestrian.com or visit any one of our hundreds of retailers nationwide at www.successequestrian.com/store-locator/. ��

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Call today for more details! Carrie Adams 864-579-4484 ext. 105 www.EliteEquestrian.us

Putting

INSTINCTS to work in

HORSEMANSHIP

Horsemanship is always a fascinating subject, even more when thinking that it results from the intersection of the behavior of two different species. Each one has its preferred way to transmit meaningful concepts to others: humans talk, while horses act.

By Alessandra Deerinck

nother very evident difference, between human and equine species, is in size and strength. We always need to be very aware that the horse will not interact with us differently than how he would do with another animal, and that we cannot take some of the actions, like kicking, biting, and pushing, that would be normal between equines. Aside from that, some problems in horsemanship are also attributed to the instinctual behavior of the horse. Instincts are defined behavioral responses that are constant in time and displayed, from the beginning, always in the same manner. Instincts are genetically transmitted, and in the field of animal behavior, I think they are comparable to the laws of chemistry. I think that knowing beforehand how animals behave instinctually can facilitate overcoming some of the communication barriers between our species. Instinctual behavior is something the horse is “trained” to do before he is even born. An example is the instinctual response to movement horses display, which we can use to make them go away from us, or come closer just by approaching or getting away from them. Being able to know beforehand an individual’s behavioral response to our action is a state of mind that should make us confident in our choices; it shows leadership, which naturally appeals to horses.

Two stallions, sire and colt, are learning how I ask for space. When we care to establish a social relationship it is possible to interact purposefully with more than one horse at the time. Any individual at birth, in order to survive, is equipped with a set of instinctual responses, which are typical for its species. Instincts used to be considered a fixed element of behavior, but this is not a firm point anymore. It is now scientifically accepted that, through real life experience, even instinctual behavior can undergo some change, which is not genetically transmitted to the offspring, but can be transmitted through the learning process. When the newborn lives and grows at the side of its mother, he learns from her what he experiences, and this is how the mother’s non-instinctual behavior can be transmitted to her offspring. As we all know horses are instinctually highly social animals, very aware of their surroundings, and that they respond promptly to movement in the surrounding space. These instinctual traits can also be very helpful if considered when riding, or when we have to train a horse for a certain purpose. When interacting with horses I aim to establishing a human to horse relationship that can have an immediate purpose and social meaning with horses. It is possible to interact with a horse spontaneously and with purpose, by modulating the communication though the sense receptors and with concepts of which horses know the meaning without the need to be trained for it. This makes the exchange of the information between the two species a very easy www.EliteEquestrian.us

Traditionally, this difference in communication has been overcome by training the horse to respond to our cues. By doing so, human and horse can interact, but as we all have experienced, this kind of preset and controlled relationship is not free of flaws, and limits the possibilities of the interaction to the narrow space of the trained behavior.

process, where communication is spontaneous and not mediated by the training process. The main difference is that the result of the communication is not just giving a command to the trained horse that has to respond by executing it. It can be appropriate to any instantaneous interaction we encounter in horsemanship. The horse is interested in the action because we give him a reason to be so, and generally it is something the horse sees by himself, like for example a target he wants to reach. As I already mentioned, horses are much bigger than human beings, and can physically express themselves in a manner that can be dangerous for human beings. This is a very important fact, to always keep in mind for safety reasons. It is the reason why I almost always have a whip in my hands when I am with a horse on the ground, known or unknown. The whip is not to be used to hit the horse, but to manage space. It is an extension of my body, can indicate a direction, is used to make noise, and in an emergency to create a safe area to keep the horse from endangering me. As we all know, horses always show how they feel about a whip based on how it has been used towards them. When a horse does not show to fear it, we can assume that the whip has been always used properly in that horse’s presence. Behavior is the most complete expression of any individual, and changes with circumstances, space, and time. If we can introduce correct spontaneous communication be-

n example of a dynamic situation possible when horsemanship is being used to communicate with a horse in a social context.

I am asking the horse to touch the ball using “body language”.

I asked for him to move away and while moving away he also reacts to my request.

tween human and horses, the performance that results can look human and behavior will be in sync, or one executes ﬂawlessly the other’s request.

The stallion executes what he understood.

I approach the stallion to establish again a situation of trust, where the only meaning of trust is that the horse let me approach him.

An individual’s voluntary behavior is consciously operated and controlled by the individual it belongs to, and certainly involves making choices. The main mechanisms that make an individual’s behavior dynamic are these choices. The choice of the way we express our “self “ through behavior in horsemanship will inﬂuence the way horses will perceive us and will behave in return, creating a social sphere of life between a human and a horse.

direction from which the predator comes, and at the same time has to move to safety. This way of escaping is very different from when a horse escapes away from something that surprised him, scared him, or caused him pain. I experienced this last kind of behavior in my professional life, ﬁrst when I rode in ﬂat racing, and also when I restrained racehorses that were trained to get out of the starting gates by the way of fear and pain. As a consequence of such experience of being whipped during races, they also feared anything present in the area above them, and would bolt away even if a rider just opened its arms, which could look like an act of using the whip.

Some parts of behavior, like the ones exhibited under the inﬂuence of fear, escape the conscious choice of an individual, and are just the way nature provides for the survival of the individual. Thinking about inﬂuencing an individual’s unconscious behavior can be a very frustrating quest. In my opinion instincts are not like unconscious reactions, and their display should not be feared. I would rather put them in the realm of the natural behavior of horses. In fact, when displaying an instinctual action the horse behavior is not out of its control. An example of what I am talking about is when a mare keeps other horses away from her newborn foal. The mare is acting instinctually, but there is nothing unconscious about her action; in order to be effective, she needs to be very focused and controlled. Another example of an instinctual action is when a horse escapes from a predator that approaches him. The horse has to watch the

One more example of how horses are aware of moving entities in the surrounding space came from working in a conﬁned rectangular area, where the horse was moving at fast speed around the perimeter, while I was in the central space. I have seen people cutting the path, to stop horses while working like that, or in a round-penn. Attempting to cut the horse’s path, while the horse has no escape, is acting like a predator would. I tried to see what happens if, instead, I move away from the horse, and had the same result. I think that they saw my movement still aimed at cutting their path, but just on the opposite side, so they stopped to get away from me, avoiding to cross my path further down the perimeter. This action is deﬁnitely a controlled action, and actually implies some form of reasoning, which many people do not think horses are capable of doing!

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In the realm of the social instincts, I made some experiences working with stallions that I trained in the presence of a mare, which was in a different enclosure, separated from the one where I was with the stallion, but close enough that they could see each other. The reason for having the mare involved in the training of the stallion was to have their interest in the action, which was learning to stand still, move at my side and come to me at my request. The horse was never on a rope and the communication was through the senses, about space, movement, and the qualities of a social relationship, such as coexistence, trust, respect, willingness to execute and attention. These social topics are instinctual to horses and keeping them as part of our interaction gives the horses a reason to be interested in it. While most people wondered how I could get the attention of the horse, when the mare was there, I never had problems in making it work, and repeated this same procedure, with different stallions, with the same kind of result. The stallions were of different ages, and some had breeding experience. The point for the stallion was to gain access to the mare’s vicinity, and to achieve that they had to be asking me to leave my territory. I was managing the space between them and the mare, claiming it as mine, and not letting the stallion get near the area of his enclosure that was close to where the mare was. I kept this up until the stallion would comply with my request. I always manage the interaction based on Human Horse Sensing, and at the end I was able to send the stallion off, toward the mare, and to call him away from her, and back to me, at my request. This was not a riding performance, just training horses for the purpose of handling them in breeding operations, and I was on the ground at all times, interacting with them mainly through the sense of sight. In other circumstances I applied the use of social instincts during training, such as having horses, of which I knew the behavior, present near the arena, while working with other horses that were new to me or not trained. This situation worked even when I had unbroken horses watch others practice being ridden, and learn from it. The key elements why this worked were the fact that the horse had an interest in the action, and the flow of the action. The interest could be a reward given by an assistant at the same time it was given to the horse that was performing, and the flow of the action without flaws, or the horse that was watching would learn the flaws too! Sounds like I am stating the obvious, but not to everybody. Many people, when I talk about this subject say that horses are not intelligent enough to act in this manner, and yet it is an accepted fact that all of the horses can learn vices, from being in the presence of other horses that have those bad habits.

So I always think about equine behavior, their natural instincts, personality and past experiences, and clearly see the role instincts play in horsemanship, and even in riding performances. Of course, horses have some very deﬁned and pronounced instincts, and I mentioned just a few of them, but instead of being afraid of the horse displaying a natural behavior, or coaxing them with fear, to display another desired behavior, we should use what we know about horse behavior to manage the performance. This would allow us not to alienate the horse to our presence, and to always be able to have its trust, respect, willingness and positive attention when we need it.

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Top Left: Sync Top Right: The ﬁrst few moments of a young horse with a bit in her mouth can be a positive learning experience. Bottom Right: A Chinese sculpture portraying horses in “instinctual behavior”

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Q A

Do you have any hints to avoid the

‘saddle fitting hell’ of buying a saddle

There is an art and a science to ﬁtting a saddle to both horse and rider. Human and Equine anatomy are a key determinant in choosing the correct saddle. In a nutshell it has to work for both of you.

A badly fitting saddle not only causes discomfort to the horse and rider, but can actually stop a horse from moving properly. The tree and panels of a saddle should be chosen for the horse; the seat and flap length for the rider – at minimum. The proper way to measure the seat size of an English saddle is diagonally from either saddle nail, on the side of the pommel, to the centre of the cantle. Adult seat sizes vary from 16” to 19”. Try out several saddles to see which feels most comfortable, because even half an inch can make a difference. It’s like buying shoes – you have to try them on and walk in them to see what actually fits.

Saddle trees can vary in width at the twist (where the tree is between the upper inner thighs), the deepest point, and in the amount of seat foam, which is essentially the padding. When you have found a model which feels comfortable to you, take it to the horse to see how it ﬁts on its back. It is important that the saddle feel comfortable and ﬁt you correctly, because if not, your discomfort will translate down to the horse. Panel length must take into consideration the length of the horse’s saddle support area, never going past the 18th thoracic vertebrae.

By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE ©2017 Saddlefit 4 Life® All Rights Reserved Most new saddles are filled fairly loosely with a wool/synthetic mix, which takes about six months of regular riding to “break in”. Foam and felt panels cannot be refitted – they either fit or they don’t and that’s where pads will come in handy. What fits while the horse is standing still may not work once he starts moving. Unless the rider has a definite intent of specialization, a general purpose saddle is probably the best answer. Personal preferences, body size, and breed of horse should all be considered when buying a saddle.

Flap size and position are also important. Correct positioning on the horse is vital. The saddle should be placed over the withers and then pushed back (to make sure the hairs are smoothed down). The tree points should be directly behind the shoulder blades. The centre of the saddle should lie horizontally to the ground to ensure proper positioning of the deepest point. When viewed from behind it is easy to see if the saddle is straight. Most horses are muscled unevenly, and the padding of the saddle can be adjusted to accommodate this. There should be two to three fingers clearance all around the withers, since this space will be decreased with the weight of the rider and the pull of the girth. The saddle should at no point touch the backbone along its length. The gullet channel should be wide enough in order not to interfere with the spinal processes or the dorsal ligament system of the horse’s back. Ensure no rocking or bridging. The rider should then get on to see if his or her seated position is correct. Proper stuffing does not always mean more stuffing. A properly fitting saddle should only need a thin, quilted cotton pad to protect the leather. 52

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Both you and your horse need to feel comfortable, be balanced, and perform optimally with the choice you make. It boils down to personal preference of what feels good for you and works for your horse.

Jochen Schleese, German Certified Master Saddler and Saddle Ergonomist, teaches saddle fit principles to protect horse and rider from long-term damage caused by ill-fi�ing saddles. www.saddlefit4life.com 702-370-1199 info@saddlefit4life.com www.saddlesforwomen.com

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Western Dressage:

Finding a Suitable horse. ��

I am so excited to do this series on western dressage. I am positive this new discipline following classical dressage with a western horse is going to give the western industry its next step in developing better horsemen. Dressage promotes “Riding Well” and “Being the Rider Your Horse Deserves!”

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Now Accepting Limited Number Of Competition Students ��

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The Importance of PROPRIOCEPTION �� No matter whether your horse’s scores and times are World Champion, Best of the Best, or just “Good enough for us” and “Better than We’ve Ever Done”, competition is rough. For an equine athlete to achieve top accolades at any level and to have a lengthy career, injury prevention is a must. Injury prevention includes strength building, training and optimal interaction with the environment. Proprioception describes your horse’s ability to know where it is in the environment and how to react appropriately. Nerves transmit data from the environment via the body to the brain and spinal column where decisions are processed and then sent to the rest of the body. This system of data transfer is very complex. The input from your horse’s feet tell your horse which muscles to contract and which ones to relax to stand. When a horse is standing it is using very few muscles and very little energy. This allows the animal to be ready to move in any direction at a moment’s notice. In the wild this is important because it allows the horse to keep away from the lion. A horse that is receiving altered data into or out of the nervous system will stand with legs in positions that require active muscle contraction to maintain. Abnormal posture means the horse ﬁrst must relax the active muscles before being able to move. This slight hesitation may be the difference between getting away from the lion and ending up as lunch. I know very few of us have lions in our pastures but this abnormal posture also requires more energy to maintain. Horses with this situation become tired easily and one of the major causes of sports injuries is fatigue. Many of us have experienced temporary proprioception problems when we try and walk on a foot that has fallen asleep. It is very difﬁcult to place that foot in a normal position when it is tingling but as it wakes up it becomes easier. We are able to walk even though we aren’t able to truly feel where the foot is. A horse that has a tendency to stumble for no apparent reason may be having proprioception problems like this. The problem could be located any place between the foot and the brain. A common site for a problem is where the nerve exits the spinal canal between two vertebra. If these nerves are under pressure due to a chiropractic subluxation then there will be an alteration in the transmission. Scientist Chung Ha Suh at Colorado University has discovered that the weight of a feather can decrease nerve transmission by up to 50%. This decrease in transmission will cause faulty input and output from the brain and 58

spinal column to the rest of the body. Remember this data has to travel both ways. If your horse doesn’t really know where his legs are, how can he safely transport you on your ride? The meninges are a tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, keeping ﬂuid next to the nerves that offer them nourishment. The meninges can be distorted by a subluxation. This can affect the stability and health of the entire spinal column, with or without a rider. When the vertebral bones are misaligned, even slightly, they affect the nerves and the ﬂow of nervous energy. Nerves are extremely sensitive and even a slight amount of pressure can affect their function.

One of the major causes of sports injuries is fatigue. An optimal stance is one that allows minimal energy expenditure to keep the body in a stationary upright position. In most horses the front legs will be situated so that they are perpendicular to the ground and the body. This allows the stabilizing muscles to hold the horse up. These muscles have short muscle ﬁbers, use a local energy source and have lots of connective tissue. When your horse has long toes and under run heels she is getting sensory input which may be causing her considerable problems. The horse’s hoof should only bear weight in the correct way or else the horse’s brain will think it is walking up a hill. When the brain receives this data, it responds by telling the body to lean forward. This allows the body to utilize gravity to help maintain a stable stance, just like www.EliteEquestrian.us

this sorrel above that is leaning forward to maintain balance on the slight incline outside the barn. Remove the slope and your horse must either straighten out or bring his butt up underneath to keep from falling on his nose. This stance causes the body to use mobilizing muscles to stabilize. These muscles have long muscle fibers, use an energy source that must be transported into the muscle and have almost no connective tissue. When this stance is taken for any length of time there will be a lactic acid buildup in the muscles. It is a very inefficient interaction with gravity and causes the muscles to become fatigued. Fatigue is the primary cause of sports injury in any species. Not only is standing like this tiring, it also has some health indications. This stance causes your horse to have a sway back. This causes the abdominal muscle to work abnormally and can lead to altered digestion and respiration along with a sore back, riding and movement issues. Proprioception isn’t just about standing still. When the horse moves, its hoof is built to land heel first. This landing allows tendons and ligaments to absorb and convert energy, it allows the bony column to provide support and it decreases the amount of degenerative forces exerted on the leg with every movement. An examination and adjustment by an AVCA certified equine chiropractor is a good way to ensure that your horse knows where its legs are and is on its way to an appropriate interaction with the environment in which you are competing.

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Horse Breeds: So Many, So Beautiful Many of us grew up with one horse in the family. Forever, that one horse is stamped into our minds whenever we hear the word “horse.” But it’s important to remember that there are nearly 58 million horses in the world and more than three hundred breeds of horses and ponies, with their roots scattered across the globe. The beauty of this ancient animal is realized in such a vast variety of ways, from the curl of a Kathiawari’s ear to the tuft of a Fjord horse’s mane. Now, not all of them are used in equestrian sports: Some are too big, like the amazingly huge draft horses meant to hall cargo or the warhorses meant to charge into battle. Some are too small, like the adorable Shetland pony, which can serve better as a pet than a mode of transportation. Still others are bred for their beauty rather than their speed and strength alone, like the golden-coated AkhalTeke. As equestrians, it’s important for us to have an in-depth understanding of horse breeds and why some horses are stronger, faster, or more beautiful than others. Horses bred to corral cows aren’t always the best for winning at the Kentucky Derby. Knowing the best breed for the job at hand is part of the battle! So, do you know your Morgan from your Mustang? Check your knowledge with these 45 horse breeds from around the world! http://www.alansfactoryoutlet. com/45-beautiful-horse-breeds

EE www.EliteEquestrian.us

�� By Marilyn Miller Heath, CVT, MS

A middle-aged gelding suddenly develops pink/white spots on his upper eyelids. A mare develops a white streak under her lower eyelid. An older gelding suddenly develops white blotches on his muzzle. No prior injury, no illness and no reason for these changes. What’s going on? the eyes. The condition may wax and wane and remission may occur but only rarely. Generally considered to be a cosmetic problem, which does not affect the overall health of the horse. Vitiligo is often confused with leukoderma especially when looked up on the Internet. Terms are interchanged and the confusion worsens. They have two distinct meanings.

The Name

of the disorder is vitiligo. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, vitiligo is hereditary but it does not exhibit itself until adulthood. Affected horses tend to develop bleached like areas on the hairless skin but it can also affect the hair coat or hooves. Mostly on the face, it generally develops on the muzzle and around

Leukoderma means literally white skin and is applied to any area of skin that should be pigmented or that was previously pigmented. The term is nonspeciﬁc when applied to the cause of the pigment loss. Some causes include irritations to the skin, infection, autoimmune condition and sun damage. There is much confusion present when there is no apparent reason for the depigmentation to have occurred thus the lack of a deﬁnitive line between leukoderma and vitiligo.

Vitiligo is the term used to deﬁne a disorder involving the autoimmune system. Vitiligo affects dogs, cats, horses and even humans. In the horse, vitiligo is exhibited as depigmented areas in any area of the body that has exposed skin (e.g. around the eyes, muzzle, sheath and perineum). There are no clinical signs or any long-term health issues that have been associated with vitiligo. Not a lot of research has been done surrounding the disorder but according to one study back in the 1980s, animals that had vitiligo also had antibodies against pigmented cells in the skin. That makes the link to an autoimmune disorder similar to that of the human. Some additional research in the horse showed a genetic link. It can be linked to the dominant gray coat color gene found in some breeds such as the Arabian, Andalusion and Lipizzaner breeds.

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Phantom Brook Farm offers assisted veterinary care/convalescent services as directed by your own veterinarian and performed by a certiﬁed veterinary technician. Those services include but are not limited to:

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Our large animal doctors are also available Mon-Fri for routine on-site or in hospital calls.

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Wound care Foaling and mare care Hand walking Leg injuries Clinical lab test performed on site

Medication dosing Ice water system therapy Postoperative care Lay-ups Eye treatments In-stall camera monitoring

Owner operated, we offer 24-hour coverage of your horse in a secure and safe environment. We also offer retirement plans for elderly or compromised horses.

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Other breeds affected are the Clydesdales, Appaloosa, and Welsh Pony. In breeds like the Quarter Horse, Paint/Pinto and the Thoroughbred and the colors of bay, chestnut, and sorrel, the depigmentation can be generally confined to just the face. These conditions result in depigmentation only. There are no growths or open sores involved. Is there a link between nutrition and depigmentation? Vitamin A and copper deficiencies are commonly referred to a having a role; however, nothing scientific has been established. Lack of zinc, vitamin E and iron have also been suggested but with no scientific proof. Before altering the diet of your horse, your veterinarian should be consulted and specific diagnosis and treatments should be made. Over supplementation can lead to toxicity and make what is a benign condition into a critical issue. Know what you are feeding and don’t rely on remedies made in someone’s garage and proclaimed as the cure-all for everything. Get your veterinarian involved. The bottom line is that vitiligo is basically a cosmetic issue only and does not in any way affect the health or performance of the horse. Your horse doesn’t care if there is a white spot somewhere, once diagnosed, neither should you. ��

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