Elite Equestrian May June 16 issue by Elite Equestrian LLC

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Volume 16 Issue 3 Complimentary

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Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

TODD MINIKUS

Having a Feel For it

SPORTS INJURIES DEALING with MUD HOT LOOKS

ForTheShowRing www.EliteEquestrian.us

SWIMMING with ponies

Maria Taylor, Realtor

Equestrian Property Specialist Providing quality real estate services to buyers and sellers “Let me put my real estate and equestrian experience to work for you!” 6319 Lower York Road New Hope, Pa 18938

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215-862-3385 x 7674 Cell: 215-317-3062

Upper Makeﬁeld Twp, Bucks County, PA

Part of the renowned Fashion Farms properties, the farm is a compound consisting of a spacious Cape Cod house with long distance views, a caretaker/guest apartment, the main barn, three additional Morton buildings and numerous run in sheds. The 98 acres of beautiful, fenced rolling pastures and open lawns has the potential for subdivision and allows for the building of one additional house, either on the existing parcel or on sub-divided land.

rty Prope le! e n o r D ilab s Ava al o e d i V Virtu Take A oday! Tour T Windy Bush Road Manor House

Exquisite, steeped in history dating to the original William Penn land grant, with three exceptional homes, this 193 acre working horse farm, located in Solebury Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is the epitome of a distinguished estate for gracious living and entertaining and for an equestrian or agricultural business. With spectacular, panoramic long distance views and surrounded by beautiful natural features, including two picturesque ponds, this is one of the area’s most prestigious estates. It is an extraordinary compound of homes and outbuildings in an incomparable setting. The epitome of a gracious country estate, the most discerning buyer will recognize its unique possibilities and the joys of its ownership.

Buckingham: 10 ACRE GENTLEMAN’S FARM

on one of the prettiest roads in Bucks County, minutes to Doylestown Borough and Peddler’s Village. The historic stone house dating to 1700s and is filled with ambiance and character; interior stonewalls, wide plank floors, deep, beautiful millwork, and original hardware. There is a charming, completely renovated two bedroom guest house, pool, tennis court, cabana w/wet bar, screened porch, pergola, a bank barn with storage for 12 cars, office, hayloft and stalls, a workshop building, and a stocked pond with dock. $1,495,000.

Visit my website for more property info, photos and Virtual Tours! www.HomesByMariaTaylor.com Need local equestrian resources? Maria can help with that too! Anything equestrian related... local barns, tack stores, trainers, vets, farriers, etc!

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Water Hazard at Live Oak International, see pg 50 Photo by Elite Equestrian

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Todd Minikus Having A Feel For It 

18 20 24 32 34 36 38

�� Must Have Home, Fashion & Stable Trotting Around Town Show Ring Fashion Noble Outﬁtters™ Summer Looks TIME Cease The Day His & Hers: Bob Cacchione Chisholm Gallery Astrid Harrisson ��

52 56 58 62 12

Sports Injuries PRP Nutrition Slow Hay Feeders Mud Management Wound Care from Noble Outﬁtters™

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�� 42 Swim With Gypsy Drum Horses 46 50 70 72 74 75 76 77 79

�� Great American $1 Million Grand Prix Live Oak International Devon Horse Show HITS Culpeper Lake Placid Fox Lea Farm Venice, FL Princeton Show Jumping Chagrin H/J Classic Magnolia Show Jumping Tour Georgia & South Carolina www.EliteEquestrian.us

24 �� 64 Saddle Fit Q & A 66 Saddle Fitting & Skin Issues 68 Palm Partnership Warm Up Routines �� 72 Horse Parks Web Site Reference Guide

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Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

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www.EliteEquestrian.us info@EliteEquestrian.us �� Editor in Chief: Noelle Vander Brink Publisher: Bill Vander Brink Advertising Director, Western Region: Steve Neuman Ph: 303-646-3005 Cell: 303-877-0686 eliteequestrian7@aol.com Advertising Sales, N.E.Region: Kathy Dress 610-420-9964 kathy@dressmedia.us Advertising Sales, National: Diane Holt 713-408-8114 diane@eliteequestrian.us

Contributing Writers Alessandra Deerinck Nina Frisby Elisabeth Harpham Dr. Amy Hayek Dr. Bill Ormston Lynn Palm Irene Noami Zalamena Social Media: Vanessa Ashton Photography: Steven Edward

Editor at Large: Rebecca Larkin 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

NEXT ISSUE: July/Aug 2016 Deadline: June 13, 2016 Editorial Deadline: June 1, 2016 Health: Dental Fashion: Summer Looks

On the cover... Todd Minikus competing in the 2016 FEI Nation’s Cup at HITS Post Time Farm, Ocala,FL. Photo by Elite Equestrian.

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Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

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TODD MINIKUS

Having a Feel For it

SPORTS INJURIES DEALING with MUD HOT LOOKS

ForTheShowRing

SWIMMING with ponies

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BONUS DISTRIBUTION MAY/JUNE: HITS Culpeper & Saugerties, Devon Horse Show, Upperville Horse Show, Atlanta Summer Classic, Chagrin Valley H/J, Lake Placid, Princeton Show Jumping, Great Lakes Equestrian Festival

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 information provided by advertisers or article content. Photographs are submitted by writers of each article who assume responsibility for usage approval. ©2016

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Whoa Factor MUST HAVES 1

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Leah Tights by Horze. The glittering silicone on the full seat gives these pull on breeches a great grip in the saddle. Added UV 50+ protection, lightweight, midrise style. Breathable & quickdrying for day-long comfort, silky soft inside lining. www.FabulousHorse.com See our ad pg 28

“Keep Your Horse Cooler” Deluxe Cross Country Monoﬂap no-slip saddle pad. All-in-one no-slip pad keeps saddle in place, extra 1.5cm of open cell foam.Breathable, shock absorption w/o changing the ﬁt of your saddle. Less rubbing.Available in white, one size. $114.95 A portion of all proceeds is donated to The Equestrian Aid Foundation. www.successequestrian.com See our ad pg 65

New Hook Jumper Shown in Brass, also available in bronzes. 1 7/8 inch wide x 1 1/3 inch tall--3 inches tall overall with hook.Great for anywhere in the barn or home. Mounting wood screws inc. This hook is part of a new series of Equestrian Hooks. Hand ﬁnished, as always, by Tempi Design Studio Rretails $45. TempiDesignStudio.com See our ad pg 38

One K Defender Bling The perfect synergy between advanced technology and aesthetically pleasing design. Light weight, polycarbonate and ABS composite outer shell, removable & washable liner, comfort padded leather harness, high ﬂow vents keep you cool. Add a little BLING to your ride with the New One K Defender BLING. Available in Brown with Amber stones, Gray with Black stones, Gray with Clear stones, Navy with Navy stones, Black with Black stones & Black with Clear stones. MSRP $399.00 www.englishridingsupply.com See our ag pg 25

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The “RIDE” Tank Top by ZIKY will keep you cool this summer! Incredibly lightweight, soft, and comfortable. 75% Polyester, 25% Cotton.Designed and printed in USA. $24.95 at www.ZIKYboutique.com Check out ZIKYboutique on FB, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest. $42.95 www.ZIKYboutique.com See our ad pg 37

Barns and Equestrian Facilities Located in the heart of T yon Horse Country, TRYON BUILDERS offers General Contracting of beautiful, functional Barns and Equestrian Facilities, ﬁne Custom Homes, and Timber Framing. We are always seeking to serve with quality, integrity and creativity. Contact Reed McNutt, 828-777-5688, reedmcnutt@gmail.com. See our ad pg 53

DELTA HOOF CARE: POWERFUL HOOVES START HERE! HOOF SHIELD: Keeps hooves healthy in wet climates, $12.00 (8 oz). CROSSAPOL: For immediate relief of damaged hooves, $32.00 (8 oz). HOOF MARVEL: Keeps hooves healthy in dry climates, $11.00 (32 oz). HOOF POWER: Powerful broad-spectrum nutritional supplement for healthy hoof growth, $72.00 (22 lb); $120.00 (40 lb) Available at oleoacresfarriersupply.com See our ad pg 59

Traditional Horse Stalls Hutchison HW Brand Traditional Horse Stalls are made with 2” x 2” square 16 gauge fame material. Vertical rails are 1”/14 gauge material. All vertical bars on fronts and dividers are at 3” spacing. Horse-proof latch is mounted ﬂush with door. Stall fronts have door in the center. Drop down grill is recessed into rolling door. Feed grills come standard with Traditional stall fronts. Hutchison HW Brand 800-525-0121 www.hutchison-inc.com See our ad pg 2

EquiBiotic™ Pre- and Probiotic for Equines.Prevent diarrhea, infection, colic and nutritional deﬁciencies. Protect immune function by replacing good bacteria damaged by worming and the use of antibiotics. For improved digestion and immune function, feed daily 1o days before all worming and antibiotic usage. For more information contact Tami George, Regional Nutritional Consultant: 800231-0670, email: jeta@northlink.com, www.tamigeorge.com

Colorful Bridle Fresh and gorgeous Excelle padded bridle with COLOR! It also comes with two brow bands; one sparkly and one plain and raised! Available in brown or black; horse or oversize for $189.95. Call us today! The Tack Shack (303) 794-6741, or visit www.tackshackonline.com See our ad pg 63

Booster Pumps garden, pastures, and horse riding arenas! Booster Pumps and pre-made hose kits are available to create your own irrigation system in minutes. Call 1-855805-7901 for more information or place an order online at www.bigsprinkler.com See our ad pg 52

EponaShoe, a polyurethane horseshoe, is designed to be the healthiest alternative for the horse’s foot; protecting the foot, but ﬂexing with the hoof. EponaShoes are used in all situations, from therapeutic cases to performance horses (USA Olympic Dressage Team). Watch our videos at YouTube.com/EponaShoe/ playlists Look for the “How To” Series! More information on other EponaShoes products can be found at www.eponashoe.com See our ad pg 57

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Ocala Club Reception SpecialJockey Announcement ��

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GRAND PRIX Rider’s Reception

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Hermes Presents The Hermès Allegro A descendant of the Steinkraus saddle, and developed with Hermès partner riders Pilar Lucrecia Cordon, Lillie Keenan and Daniel Bluman, the Hermès Allegro saddle offers a forward balance enabling the rider to accompany the horse’s every movement. Perfectly suited to riders who like to be out of the saddle when jumping, it facilitates the two-point position characteristic of the North American riding style.

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“The balance and comfort of the Hermès Allegro saddle help my horse to jump be�er and to improve his movements.” Lillie Keenan

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Congratulations to Lillie for placing 3rd at the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm, Ocala, FL. See pg 46

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TAIL GATE At Live Oak International

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Amateurs or seasoned professional riders, eventers, jumpers or dressage – the new Noble Outﬁtters™ Spring 2016 Collection has something for everyone. Add a spring in you step and fall in love with the new and updated products with vibrant colors, technical fabrics and innovative features. As usual, each Noble Outﬁtters product is designed with the direct involvement of horse professionals and enthusiasts like you!

Eventing in Color In the show ring, a traditional look is a must, however eventers are known to sneak in a little bit of color or go completely color wild. To brighten up your look, the Noble Outﬁtters Ashley Performance Shirt (Left and below) is now offered in six bright colors in addition to elegant White: solid Navy, Periwinkle and Ice, Lemon Fizz and Vivacious with Tropical Palm pattern on the power mesh under the arm and Powder Blue with Confetti Print. This popular piece is not only colorful, but also functional. Designed to keep you cool while looking professional, this shirt is made with ultrabreathable material and durable Tactel® nylon as well as a stretch mesh back panel and power mesh under the arms to keep you comfortable without impeding your movement. Made with UPF 50+ rated fabric, the Ashley Performance Shirt is the ideal lightweight and breathable shirt for the hot summer riding season.

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Art & Antiques

by Dr. Lori

Vintage Wedding Trends ��

June is a most popular month for weddings. A new trend in weddings is throwback nuptials that highlight antique and vintage elements that enhance the wedding day experience. We all know about the tradition of wearing something old along with something new, borrowed, and blue but today’s old things at weddings are going beyond the run of the mill pearl necklace that belonged to grandma or a pair of your mother’s earrings. Today’s brides are selecting rare and unusual objects to serve as their something old objects like espadrilles wedged shoes from the 1970s, jewel studded sweater clips from the 1950s, and vintage tortoise shell or rhinestone encrusted hair clips, tiara style headbands, and barrettes. Brides are going vintage when decorating for receptions, pre-wedding parties, rehearsal dinners, and wedding showers. Some antique inspired design ideas include antique glass Ball canning jars filled with wildflowers for centerpieces, placing a small toy from the bride’s childhood next to a wine glass, and printing out digital photos of the members of the bride’s and groom’s family who have passed away and sewing them into the underside of the bride’s wedding dress as a remembrance. Rococo, Victorian, and other period wedding items are being re-introduced into contemporary weddings today. Brides are carrying flower bouquet holders like vintage tussy mussys

and small scale glass or ceramic bud vases. Grooms are using pieces of their mother’s or grandmother’s lace wedding veils to accompany ﬂoral boutonnieres or as pocket squares. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are wearing antique family stick pins, brooches, and even war medals to remind wedding attendees of the family lineage on this special day. For weddings that take place far from a family home, couples are selecting wedding decorations that remind them and everyone in attendance of the family home and bygone days. Decorations that recall vacation homes, family cabins, or long ago-sold family homes are being integrated into the design of a wedding gazebo or wedding reception ﬂoorplan, too. If you are using precious and cherished antique and vintage objects that are irreplaceable for a wedding ceremony, establish a “keeper of the goods” that is not a member of the wedding party to care for these keepsakes after the ceremony. Perhaps you are wearing the set of black onyx mourning jewelry that was worn at your great grandfather’s memorial in the late 1800s. It will be this person’s responsibility to collect and safeguard these family heirlooms and related objects so the wedding party cannot worry about losing these items and enjoy themselves at the reception.

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Be ready to win in the Noble Outfitters Show Ready Gloves, (right)crafted from genuine goatskin. These horse-riding gloves give you a traditional polished look with superior grip and comfort. Designed with stretch mesh side panels for fit and breathability, flexible keystone cut thumb and double stitched critical seams, you’ll appreciate the refined style with modern features, comfort and fit. The Noble Outfitters Show Ready Gloves come two sophisticated colors, Black and White.

Elegant Dressage All Noble Outfitters apparel is designed to exceed the performance needs of any equestrian athlete. The winning combination of high performance materials, traditional styles and show-ring friendly function will help to set you apart from the competition. Dressage riders’ clothing is bound by tradition, with the option of wearing either dazzling white or elegant cream Tradition, however, shouldn’t mean discomfort from good-looking-but-ill-fitting clothes. Technology is king, when it comes to Noble Outfitters show shirts, technology combined with comfort is the queen. The Noble Outfitters Allison Pull On Show Shirt (bottom right) is a great option when showing that is both stylish and comfortable. The fabric has built in Opti-Dry Technology and an antimicrobial finish that keeps you cool and fresh while riding, plus a rating of UPF 50+ to keep you protected. Nylon and spandex knit jersey combine to create this lightweight shirt. Great looking, great feeling, and completely functional longer sleeve lengths make and a dropped back hem make this the perfect riding shirt. Attractive details such as a quarter placket front with a snap show style collar make it look great both fully buttoned and unbuttoned. Stand out in the show ring with the combinations of White with Horseshoe Print or Powder Blue with Horseshoe Print. Another option is the popular Noble Outfitters Madison Show Shirt. (below and below right) Timeless in style and tailored in fit, this affordable shirt offers a traditional look with a pop of color inside the collar and the cuffs. Also boasting the power mesh under arm for ventilation, Opti-Dry Technology and antimicrobial finish, the shirt is made from a technically advanced fabric with UPF 50+ to block harmful UV rays from the sun.

Show Ready Gloves

Allison Pull On Show Shirt

Madison Show Shirt 26

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Jazzy Jumping Jumpers’ attire is nowadays somewhat less formal than what it used to be. In hot summer weather, many riders wear a simple short-sleeved polo shirt, such as the Noble Outfitters Miley Polo. (right) Boasting classic styling with performance details, the Noble Outfitters Miley Polo is made from soft Tactel® Nylon jersey material. A dropped back hem keeps this top from creeping up your back while in the saddle. The Opti-Dry Technology wick moisture to the fabric’s surface, where it quickly evaporates for a comfortable experience. Look smart and feel comfortable in and out of the ring! Complement your shirt with matching gloves with a great grip for riding. The Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit Glove (right) is made from a breathable stretch jersey for fit and ventilation with a SureGrip synthetic suede palm for superior grip and a double layer SureGrip reinforced forefinger, thumb and pinky. The wrist closure is adjustable for the perfect fit you need and the gloves are of course touchscreen friendly. Colorful Perfect Fit Gloves are made to match or complement almost all Noble Outfitters shirts and Over the Calf Peddies in many various colors and prints.

Miley Polo

Perfect Fit Glove

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Amateurs in Style

Breeches are arguably the most important part of the equestrian athletes’ wardrobe. Your show ring presence truly depends on them, whether it’s your first show this year or first show ever. The Noble Outfitters Signature Breech (right) is your newest choice for performance breeches. This tailored design is a must-have for any rider, thanks to the lightweight stretch hem at the bottom of the leg keeps the pants in place and reduces bulk inside your boots. Combining technical 4-way stretch material and mid-rise Euro-seat design for a flattering feminine look, these breeches keep you covered and secure while riding and Toray Ultrasuede® knee patches gives you a close contact feel while providing protection and security in the saddle. Opti-Dry Technology will wick away moisture and keep you cool and dry and for even more protection, the fabric is has a rating of UPF 50+. Noble Outfitters equestrian apparel is true to the company’s mission statement, to create products that exceed the needs of their customers with quality and function, while delivering exceptional value. Clothes are made from easy care fabrics, with performance features like two-way zippers, you can sit more comfortably in the saddle without fabric bunching or 4-way stretch for a great flexibility in the saddle. Mixing fashion forward colors and patterns and comfortable finishes, every Noble Outfitters piece will fit right into your wardrobe. From new apparel to accessories, see the entire collection at www.nobleoutfitters. com or at one of their 2500 dealer locations nationwide. Signature Breech

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FASHION Jewelry ��

Elegance of the Piaffe

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SHOW avvy Looks

BREECHES WITH BEAUTY! PRINTS CHARMING!

Breeches that compliment your style and chosen discipline!

ooking for stylish competition jacket with a ‘marked’ difference? Then the Equiline Fran Competition Jacket from premium retailer Dressage Deluxe could be just the jacket for you! Featuring a beautiful ﬂock print detailing on the collar, cuffs, pockets and across the back of the waist, this garment offers the ultimate in style with fashionable functionality.

Smart Silver edged buttons and structured seaming give this tailored jacket the edge against the competition and the innovative Equiline ‘X-Cool’ fabric, not only offers extreme freedom of movement but has breathable and water repellent properties too. Your prints charming in one fabulous jacket! RRP: £447.00 Sizes: 8 -14 Black & Navy www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk Dressage Deluxe Free Phone: 0800 321 3001

Equestrian fashion brand Equetech have launched two new exciting styles of breeches this season to ensure that your competition wardrobe is super stylish and performance ready! The Equetech Harmony Breeches are perfect for the competition arena or everyday training, with their full ‘Alos’ suede seat, integral Lycra leg panels and reinforced seat seam. Machine washable and styled in a highly woven cotton blend, these breeches also feature a hint of ‘bling’ on their jean style pockets courtesy of crystal rivets. Colours: White, Navy, Coco & Beige Sizes: 24 - 34, RRP: £89.95 The Equetech Show Off Breeches have been created speciﬁcally for the show rider offering classic looks with a contemporary technical designer twist with their silicone grip knee patches for extra sticking power! They also feature a stretch ‘Alos’ suede seat, comfort waistband, Lycra hem leg panel and diagonal zip pocket, reinforced seam and of course, the machine washable care label! Colours: Canary, Sizes: 24 – 34 RRP: £78.50 www.equetech.com • 01296 688 966

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Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pick Tall Boots From Pioneer, Italy

My new Stivale Concorso boots in cocco from Pioneer, Italy are awesome! The look and quality are amazing! And I am most impressed with the great attention to detail- they even printed my name on the inside tag! The color is gorgeous and I love the texture. They are very comfortable as well. I got several compliments as soon as I wore them! Noelle Vander Brink Elite Equestrian Editor See their ad on page 11

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CARPE DIEM

By Irene Noemi Zalamena

Seize the day, Make your lives extraordinary.

#tuccilovers

Robin Williams in ‘Dead Poetry Society‘ Time is one of the most difficult subjects to ever puzzle humankind. We’ve been searching for ages but finding a true definition of time continues to escape us even to this day. Most civilizations from the past believed time was renewable and infinite, since everything in nature showed a kind of resurrection and recapitulation- the circle of seasons, falling nights and rising days, the ocean tides and moon cycles. At that time mythology explained it all: the Greeks had Kronos, regarded as destructive and all-devouring (this sounds very contemporary); the Egyptian’s Ra- the sun, and Khonsu- the moon, running around earth marking the passage of time. Mythology essentially was a way to describe events of the past and explain natural phenomena. The greatest efforts to understand and define time began with the philosophers of ancient Greece, who believed that the universe had an infinite past and no beginning. During the Middle Ages, with the spread of Christianity, evolved the concept of the universe having a finite past and a precise beginning. St. Augustine, one of the major influences of Western culture, in the fourth century, treated the matter in a very different way. He suggested that maybe time is an illusionary product of our mind, an impression. Was St. Augustine right? So time is an illusion of the human mind?

Ankh, it represents the concept of life, which is the greatest meaning of the symbol.

“THE MINUTE THAT YOU’RE NOT LEARNING I BELIEVE YOU’RE DEAD.” Jack Nicholson

Time has always been such an important aspect in our lives that people have difficulty understanding the possibility of ancient cultures viewing time in a different way than we do today. We certainly feel ourselves being pushed and pulled along by the river of time. In this way time is said to pass, with a distinct present moment “moving” forward into the future and leaving the past behind. Conventionally, time is divided into three as past, present, and future. The past is generally seen as being definite and immutable, and the future as undefined and blurred. As time passes, like an entity that flows and we move through, the moment that was once the present becomes part of the past; and part of the future, in turn, becomes the new present. For the capitalistic concept of time, time is truly money. In a profit-oriented society, time is scarce, it flows fast and if you want to benefit from its passing, you have to move quickly. In the western world, we even talk about wasting, spending, budgeting and saving time. This seems logical enough, but can missed opportunities be quantified in monetary terms? Efficient time scheduling and monetization is a common practice in the U.S. and northern Europe with their Protestant work ethic, the harder you work, the more money you will make. This idea, however, is less true in Southern European countries, where authority, privilege and birthright might play an important role on your time value. For cultures like the Arab and Latin spheres, time is a sub-factor, which can be stretched, or dispensed with, no matter what the clock says. 34

In some Eastern cultures, however, the adaptation of humans to time is viewed neither as linear but as cyclic. Believe us, cyclical time is not a scarce commodity. There seems to always be an unlimited supply of it and, as they say in the East, when God made time, He made plenty of it. Asians do not see time as racing away unutilized in a linear future, but coming around again in a circle, where the opportunities and risks will re- appear. The Amazonic tribe Pirahã, have no concept of time beyond the present and, for them, future doesn’t exist. They have no reference to ancestors or heroes of the past, no past tense or a word expressing the concept of future in their vocabulary, as everything exists only in the “here and now” The Pirahã have no desire to remember where they come from and this is why they tell no stories. Therefore, although it may be difﬁcult for many people in time-dependent cultures to understand the Pirahã tribe philosophy, we can still learn an important lesson: to live every moment to the fullest.

‘I’ve been reckless, but I’m not a rebel without a cause’ Angelina Jolie Nowadays we feel like we can be or achieve anything, but not save or gain time for the future. The more we realize it is a scarce and precious resource, the more we crave for it and its value rises. Could it be that time is the ultimate form of luxury? Uncatchable, unstoppable you cannot contain it but just live its powerful force. Free and primordial pure and genuine, that cannot be cheated for we are all the same. Should it be used in a wiser way, not to be forever lost? Avoid spending time doing something we do not love, or carrying on with no scope? We should breathe its true and crystalline nature and enjoy our accessible treasure. The whole concept of luxury is changing from having to being as we cannot reach happiness or buy time, but we can still search for it. To people who have everything, Time is the ultimate luxury. Increasingly, the more people we ask about their idea of luxury, the more they come back with: ‘Luxury is time, time for yourself, time to spend with your loved ones, time to do what you want, a moment to get lost’.

Time is luxury for ourselves to devote to those moments that make us feel alive, living life at the fullest, seizing the day, savor every emotions. “Today we live in a world where everything runs fast, we are caught up in a spiral, sinking down into this vortex of things we ought to do, to pursue. We eventually realize we are following the rules blinding and missing all the beautiful instants, life seems to slip away as we remain trapped living to make rather be. That’s why we seek out unique, personal items with their own story and soul, which ﬁts you like your favorite thing. This is my way to see things in my work and my life” “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Ghandi

Franco Tucci Story and photos by Tucci

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HIS & HERS:

Bob Cacchione founder of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association with equinista, LA Pomeroy Time flies when you’re having fun. As do air miles, which definitely accrue if you’re Robert E. ‘Bob’ Cacchione of Fairfield CT, the ageless and eternally dapper founder and executive director of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA). George Clooney and his ‘Up in the Air’ black card would be hard pressed to keep apace with Bob’s epic itinerary visiting shows across eight national Zones, sometimes traveling to multiple events in a single day or weekend, and always (always) encouraging riders and coaches, posing for selfies while making new friends, and sharing dazzling old stories. Like working at Cartier and escorting Andy Warhol to the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden... or discovering the fellow fox hunter who kept bumping their horse into his was none other than Jacqueline Kennedy... or that he used to date (wait for it...) ‘You Light Up My Life” singer, Debby Boone. But nothing lights him up more than thinking about the 2016-2017 season-long series of nationwide celebrations ahead, dubbed ‘Bob’s Magical History Tour,’ in conjunction with the 2017 official 50th Golden Anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1967. You can practically hear those travel points adding up now...

HERS: The association you founded as a teenager is turning ﬁfty soon. What’s going through your head? HIS: That I don’t believe it. Fifty years? Where has the time gone?

only nation that has equitation. The European formats focus on dressage and stadium jumping. So it’s a matter, in part, of looking at expanding programs and deﬁning intercollegiate.

HERS: Time well spent? HIS: In retrospect, absolutely. I can’t express how proud I am when I think about the doors this has opened for young riders. Or the multiple years, if not decades, that so many coaches have given to the association and most of all, to its riders. That’s the real backbone of IHSA and nearly 50 years later, I’m still mesmerized by it.

HERS: Those early shows had judges known as great horsemen even then, like Frank Chapot, George Morris and Mike Page. How’d a kid like you pull that off? HIS: While building IHSA, I used to ringmaster for every show I could. That’s how I met horsemen like George Morris, Ronnie Mutch and Victor Hugo Vidal, first as coaches and riders at the in-gate, and later I’d ask them to judge. George judged the first IHSA show hosted by the US Military Academy at West Point (NY). I think we had three shows in their field house that year and our judges were George, Mike Page and Jim Fallon, who coached Bennett College and would go on to become AHSA president.

HERS: Next 50 years? HIS: Wow, let’s see... an international IHSA? Maybe. I believe it could happen. To see IHSA go global would hinge on the ‘equitation factor.’ Here in the United States, we’re the

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Having A Feel For It:

Todd Minikus Builds His Success From The Ground Up

rand Prix show jumping rider Todd Minikus has had an undeniably successful career. After more than thirty years as an international competitor, Todd is still racking up top-placing finishes at venues across the world. The year 2016 is shaping up to be one of the most successful years of Minikus’ career. After taking the latter half of 2015 off from competition, Minikus came flying back into the Grand Prix arena by winning the first two major Grand Prix events at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. He was also instrumental in helping Team USA clinch the win in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition in Ocala, Florida in February.

Besides his uncanny ability to be continually successful at the top level of show jumping, Minikus is also hard at work at leaving a legacy of quality young horses that are working towards developing into the future stars of show jumping. As many leading Grand Prix riders will acknowledge, being a winning rider does not happen simply by competing in the 1.50 meter and 1.60 meter classes that spectators ﬂock to see. Most days at the horse show are ﬁlled with young horses, clients’ rounds, and schooling trips in smaller divisions. Minikus knows that practice makes perfect, and that behind every successful Grand Prix horse was once a young horse with many lessons left to learn. “The most important thing that I look for is natural athleticism,” Minikus says, explaining what draws him to a prospect. “I have had a lot of luck so far because from the very beginning with Thrilling, who I trained 40

as a ﬁve-year-old off the track, to Oh Star, who was four years old when we started, to modern times with Babalou and many in between, all of my horses have been naturally careful and naturally athletic.” Babalou 41, owned by Two Swans Farm of Wellington, is a good example of what every rider hopes for when they bring along a Grand Prix prospect. The now 11-year-old Oldenburg mare (Balou du Rouet x Silvio I) has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned within the past year by being a successful part of several Nations Cup teams and competing internationally with strong results. This winter, Babalou won the $130,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI-3* at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and helped the American Nations Cup Team claim victory in Ocala, Florida. She was also fourth in the very competitive $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix at the end of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival season. With such a successful record, it is hard as it is to believe that the chestnut mare has only been jumping at the Grand Prix level for two years. “You never know what level they can reach until you get there,” says Minikus. “I try to listen to each horse individually— some need to move up quickly and others can’t. Oh Star, Playboy, and Ravel were doing Grand Prix as a seven-year-olds but Babalou was doing the schooling jumper classes for two years before she was ready to move up. She was nine before she jumped her ﬁrst Grand Prix!”

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�� Babalou and Minikus took many years to get to know one another. “She was too exuberant about her jump when she was younger, so we had to tone it down a little bit, which is usually not the story.” Minikus started riding Babalou when she was four. “She always was a little bit of a fractious mare, and she was always nervous about everything— the surroundings, the tractor, the water truck— but now she barely notices that kind of stuff, which is just maturity.” Lord Calador, a six-year-old Oldenburg (Lordanos x Chacco-Blue), is one of the up and coming young horses making his mark with Minikus in the irons. Owned by dressage professional Melissa Bilodeau, Lord Calador has been competing in young horse classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival with Minikus aboard and has had much success. He is currently ranked third in the national Young Jumper Championship (YJC) six-year-old list. “Everything he has ever done he has done incredibly well,” says owner Bilodeau about her young stallion’s budding career in the jumper ring. “Todd just kept saying to me, ‘When will you bring that horse over!’” So Bilodeau brought him over from Europe.

Minikus remembers, “On video he looked quite good. Now that he is here, and he did well, I’m sure he will be able to move up in years to come.”

“I have always thought that we should have age group divisions. Before these divisions existed we were trying to school our younger horses against more seasoned horses in the low preliminary jumpers, and Ever since watching Minikus ride a Level 3 it wasn’t working. Now, you can compete dressage test well during an exhibition class, your ﬁve-year-olds against one another over Bilodeau knew that he was a true horseman age-appropriate heights and courses. It is and capable of helping her young stallion appropriately competitive and makes much succeed in America. more sense.” “I believe in his ability as a rider and trainer. Todd is an incredible ﬂat rider and he doesn’t really jump the horses at home, so everything Lord Calador is learning he is learning in the ring. It’s really impressive to watch him grow up week after week.” On the topic of what helps make young horses successful, Minikus is vocal in his support of the addition of the Young Jumper Championship divisions that have recently permeated the larger American shows.

With the summer show season just ahead, Minikus has begun to hone his sights on his longtime goal of making an Olympic Team. Minikus and Babalou 41 are getting ready to head to Europe in preparation of the possibility of making the trip to Rio de Janeiro if they are chosen with four other riders to represent Team USA at the Games.

Having quality horses owned by supportive and competitive owners is at the heart of what allows Minikus to continue to be successful in the show ring. “I am very fortunate to be backed by great owners who give me the opportunity to ﬁnd competitive horses and bring them along,” says Minikus. Knowing that he has put in the work to help Babalou reach her full potential, Minikus is focused solely on the task ahead of him in Europe. Their partnership seems to be well on its way to being another one for the record books in his career.

www.toddminikusshowjumping.com

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wimming

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Here I go again...

frolicking with horses in the water! Well...I just can’t help myself! I’m lucky enough that I get to travel often, andeven more fortunate that I can find a horse in a haystack anywhere I go! This next adventure was unique…not only did I get to ride a new breed, but I got to swim with them and even stand atop my mount as if surfing! Well OK, let me be straight up and honest. I couldn’t quite do it. As many things as I’ve done horseback wise, standing atop one in the water was a new one to me. I’ll get to that attempt later! I was staying at my favorite beach escape, the Ritz Carlton, when I needed an excursion, but not too far away. Lying by the pool isn’t really my style, the beach I can handle for about an hour, or possibly two…Keep me off a horse for more than 24 hours and I start looking for ways to incorporate a ride into my plans. I do a little research and... aha! I find a perfect adventure - Swimming atop Gypsy Drums! It was a horseback riding and swimming adventure of a lifetime! These beautiful majestic beach Gypsy Drum horses in St. Petersburg, FL are one of the rarest breeds and are well trained to ensure you have a unique equestrian aquatic adventure you will never forget! The business offers a ride and swim (weather permitting) on a majestic Gypsy Drum horse that takes you on an exploration of the bay and ocean, offering the opportunity to encounter sea life and take a magical and refreshing swim atop a horse’s back, as it carries you gracefully around the beach. If the weather is cold, don’t worry, the horses will take you on a beautiful adventure along the shore of the beach. I was lucky—while it wasn’t the warmest day—the invitation of swimming with these stunning creatures proved too much to resist! Being a Floridian…it was in fact over 60 Degrees…so not cold for most! I called the owner, Carmen Herrmann Hanson, who is also the cousin of my good friend, Tanya Eyles. Carmen is the granddaughter of Col. Ottomar Herrmann. Her family was one of the first to import, breed, train and exhibit Lipizzaner Stallions in America, and she like the rest of her family, hold horses very close to their heart. I 42

with Gypsy Drum Horses – C-ponies!

can speak candidly from personal acquaintance; the ladies know what they are doing and do it very well. I head out of the busy Sarasota area and find myself under the bridge on the bay. It seems an unsuspecting place to find a load of horses, but sure enough, after a brief walk to some shade trees on the water, I find happy horses munching on hay and chilling out under stunning shade trees while they patiently wait to meet their new riders for the day. The first thing you will notice is the breathtaking beauty and serenity of the horses: long flowing manes and tails, and of course those feathers. These are not just ordinary horses; this is an once-in-a-lifetime breed experience and adventure on a Gypsy Drum. So what is a Gypsy Drum? Actually named after a “job” performed by the horse, the Drum Horse is an important member of the Queen of England’s Band of the Life Guards. These horses carry two large solid silver kettle drums, plus a fully outfitted rider, through crowds of thousands during the Queen’s processions! Drum Horses must be strong enough to carry the weight of the large kettle drums and the drummer, often in excess of 300 pounds. They must also remain calm and sensible in crowded environments during ceremonies. It takes a very special horse to fill such a prominent role in the Queen’s Household Cavalry. As we have no Queen’s processions, Drum Horses are being redefined in America for use in various ridden and driven disciplines. They combine the size and stature of the Shire and Clydesdale with the color and hair of the Gypsy horse to create an animal that possesses the best traits of each breed. Because of their quiet and disciplined nature, Drum horses are excelling in many equestrian areas, and it’s thanks to their background and general demeanor that they make such great companions for our purposes. When viewed in person, this magical creature of history will render you speechless. Carmen is very friendly and has a great sense of adventure and humor. A perfect combination! I like her immediately! I then meet

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a little sprite of a girl, Mercedes, who is a wonderful gifted little rider and equally as friendly and very outgoing. She is a whiz with a camera and is available to capture your entire ride! How cool is that? The horses are tacked up and we head down the shoreline, taking in sights of people fishing and loads of wildlife to gaze upon. There is another group with us who have varied levels of experience. An older woman explained to me that this was her lifelong dream, one of the things on her “bucket list.” I kept glancing at this woman throughout the experience... the gleam in her eye and joy on her face kept me smiling for days. It’s always a pleasure to see people truly beam with joy. It’s a freedom in character often hard to find in people anymore. Each was taken care of appropriately with the selection their mount, and very well looked after. Nervous were some, eager were others…but all had smiles from ear to ear! I too, couldn’t hold back my constant grin as we explored and took in the beautiful day. Next—we headed into water deep enough to swim. I grabbed mane and let my horse do as she wished. It’s important to let these horses do their thing—after all they are swimming for you and need to go at their pace. To not interfere and to sit back and enjoy is the aim here. The water rushed up over my feet, then thighs and we were swimming! It was exhilarating as I felt the power and freedom of my horse begginning to swim beneath me. The other members of group swam side by side on their horses. Each horse vigorously snorted the water away from their nostrils as they kept their heads above the waves with ease. As we were pulled along with both grace and power…it seemed like time had stopped and it was the most beautiful moment, recognizing a truly unique and wonderful experience. Some time ago I realized that we rarely feel happy exactly at the moment of happiness. More often we either anticipate it – “ I’ll be the happiest person in the world when … and if …” (fill the blanks) This feel of current happiness is very rare and thus even more precious. So why am I mentioning this to you? This particular experience swimming with the horses gave me that feeling. This exact moment of happiness. The world is full of places where you feel a special kind of belonging. Maybe you will find that special moment here. I did. There will be many more, but this was surely a moment and an experience I won’t soon forget. Oh yes…the stand up on the horse thing. Well…I’m certainly agile enough but I admittedly failed on this one. By land no problem…by sea…well, I guess I had sea legs! I got half way but well…I would be darned if I’d be the first ever to fall in the water! Next time though...I’m going for it. So break out your swimwear, lose your inhibitions and go see these people and wondrous horses! You won’t regret it and you’ll leave with a refreshed spirit and giggle in your soul. Contact them C-Ponies and tell them I sent you! They are a family owned and operated company offering a wonderful team of swim-capable horses for horseback riding. They have locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota areas and offer rides on the beach as well as in the ocean.

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�� Held March 27, 2016 at HITS Post Time Farm, Ocala, Florida Course designer: Alan Wade, Tipperary, Ireland

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�� Dozens of children participated in the Easter Egg Hunt, held right in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium!

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$1 MILLION GRAND PRIX ��

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EQUINE HEALTH

PRP…… You Want To Do What?

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Sports injuries are a common vet call during the spring and summer months. There are endless arrays of injuries to ligaments and tendons ranging from a simple strain to totally shredded tissue. The diagnosis is made, the horse is placed on stall rest and the slow process of treatment and healing begins. During the past several years, there has been much “to do” regarding new healing methodologies that are outside of the mainstream norm. One of those procedures is called PRP or platelet rich plasma. Becoming more popular, it is catching the attention of the veterinary community as well as the human one. Although still under research, it is considered safe and is most often used on soft tissue injuries. There is some evidence that it can also be utilized to heal joint injuries but as with any injury, variations occur which alter the outcomes. What is PRP? Blood as it runs through the animal system is mainly a liquid called plasma. Contained in that liquid are small components called red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. In very simple terms, the red blood cells carry oxygen, the white blood cells ﬁght infection and the platelets clot the blood in the event of an injury. Looking more closely at the platelets, they also contain hundreds of various proteins commonly called growth factors that deal with the healing process. How does PRP work? It is not exactly clear how PRP works. Studies show that the increased concentration of these growth factors near an injury can speed up the healing process, essentially putting it into overdrive. The exact how’s and why’s are not yet completely known and are under additional studies to better understand the mechanisms involved. It is known, however, that the earlier PRP is utilized after the injury, the better the results. The Process To make the preparation, blood is withdrawn from the equine patient him/herself and spun down to concentrate the platelets. (Figure 1) This must be done strictly aseptically as sterility is key to the success of the project. When centrifuged, the platelets are separated out and become concentrated thus making up to 4 times the amount of growth factors in it.

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Continued...

Figure 3

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Figures 6 Conclusion PRP is relatively new, somewhat understood and is deﬁnitely a plus to the table of options available to veterinarians to treat injured equine patients. It is not a drug, it is not perfect, but it is deﬁnitely worth consideration. Discuss it with your veterinarian. It may be able to get you and your horse back on the show circuit a little quicker.

Figures 4 Figures 5 The activated platelet fluid is injected under sterile conditions into the injured tissues using ultrasound to guide the needle to the exact location. Once again sterility is utmost. Care must be taken when injecting to not overfill the injured area causing more tissue separation/damage due to the injected PRP. Some localized inflammatory reactions can occur at the site (Figures 2 and 3) during the initial few days but it decreases and is a part of the normal healing response. At varying intervals post treatment, ultrasound is used to determine the progress of the healing and the subsequent treatment and rehabilitation needs. (Figures 4 and 5 and 6 at 2 weeks post treatment)

The author thanks East Coast Equine Veterinary Service in Tranquility NJ, Dr. Alex Ciufﬁtelli, veterinary technician Gabrielle Smith and CR owned by Karen Kilts for their contributions to this article. Author biography: Marilyn Miller Heath CVT, MS currently owns and operates Phantom Brook Farm LLC, which is a veterinary assisted care, retirement, and rehabilitation facility for horses. Marilyn has authored many veterinary and science journal articles during her EE career as a veterinary nurse as well as spoken at numerous conferences.

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Mud-Management; a ground-breaking approach ��

When Wilbur, of Charlotte’s Web, discovers that his sole purpose in life is to...ahem… make an appearance at Sunday dinner, he’s so full of despair that he flings himself into the nearest mud puddle. That shouldn’t have been too hard to do--after all, he did live on a farm. As farm owners we know there’s never any shortage of mud puddles.

ut, while that mud-luscious landscape might work for a pig, it’s a terrible situation for our horses. It’s not just unsightly, mud is the leading cause of a number of equine health problems. “Parasites, bacteria, fungi, and, of course ﬂies, all thrive in mud,” points out Alyssa E. Warneke, D.V.M., with the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester, New Hampshire. “Many people don’t realize that foraging in mud predisposes horses to sand or dirt colic as well as respiratory diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia.”As a horse owner, I’ve also witnessed ﬁrst-hand the very real risk of injury as my horses slip and slide through boggy areas, not to mention the havoc it can wreak on hoof health.

tanding in mud can alter the hoof structure itself.

In fact, mud is one of the primary causes of thrush, hoof abscesses, and white line disease. Over time, standing in mud can alter the hoof structure itself, leading to a wider and ﬂatter hoof shape. All this adds up to one thing: Mud is more than an eyesore. It can cost horse owners dearly. But, the good news is, there are several steps we can take to end our mud problems once and for all. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorites and a new innovation that could change your relationship with mud forever.

Here’s what you can do to protect pastures from bogging down. Tips for Pastures 1. Re-direct runoff: Install gutters on all structures with roofs. Consider that even a small 4-6 stall barn sheds up to 600 gallons of water for every inch of rain that falls. Install gutters on barns, hay sheds, utility sheds, and, of course, run-in sheds. Dig swales and berms around paddocks and fields and plant trees and shrubs as buffer strips. A single tree can absorb up to 250 gallons of water. 2. Don’t turn horses out on muddy fields. Create a dry sacrifice paddock for those weeks in early spring or late fall when seasonal rains keep your fields wet. 3. Fence off ponds, wetlands, and rivers to keep horses away from soggy banks. Horses love to congregate near water, but muddy banks impact the health of wetlands as well as encourage the breeding of flies and mosquitoes. 58

High Traffic Areas Mud happens. And it’s no wonder. Consider that the average horse weighs in at 1000 pounds or better. Every time he plants a hoof on the soil he displaces the earth under that hoof. As he raises his hoof again, it acts like a little suction cup, pulling more earthy material up with it. In effect, his hoof acts like a little potato masher, mixing together the soil, a little organic material like manure and hay, and, of course, water. High traffic areas on horse farms are traditionally the toughest to find a permanent solution for: typically muddy areas are around loafing or run-in sheds, water troughs, gates, near stream banks, and any fence-line adjacent to the barn. Over the years, farm owners have invested in a variety of temporary and long term fixes, including combinations of landscaping cloth or geotextile fabric, gravel, pea-stone, and hog fuel in high traffic areas and paddocks. This researcher found something that takes that idea to another level.

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gravel (angular crushed rock with ﬁnes is best)into the cells. The idea is to create a ﬁrm base so you won’t use a gravel with a rounded edge, or gravel that has been washed or sifted. Similarly, pea gravel, drain rock, washed gravel, and straight river or beach sand will not set up in this product. Repeat with the next Lighthoof panel using special ties (included) to connect them. Each panel expands to 6’ x 12’ with cells measuring 3’ deep. Finally, compact your gravel to ensure a long lasting base.

nter the mud-management panel. It looks a little like the old collapsible cardboard grids you might use to store glass holiday ornaments. It’s a lightweight, ﬂexible plastic grid panel that conforms to any area, no matter the angle. So it works on sloped areas, around tree roots, in shallow ditches, and uneven terrain. It’s so simple, yet effective, that you’ll wonder why someone didn’t invent this years ago.

A 4-6 stall barn sheds up to 600 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall. Lighthoof Mud Management Panels (US Patent No. 9,103,087) have been ﬁeld tested in paddocks, pathways, gate areas, anywhere there’s a mud problem. One user said of her previously boggy gate area; “it remained blissfully dry throughout our wet winter into the soggy spring. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a safe, affordable, and easy to maintain solution to equine mud problems.” I have to say that as a consumer, I appreciate products I can install myself. The Lighthoof system doesn’t require excavation. You can prepare any site by simply laying down landscape cloth or geotextile barrier fabric. Then you’ll stretch the ﬂexible mud panel over the cloth, anchoring it to the ground. Pour the recommended

What horse owners love best about this long-term fix is its ease of installation. It’s the only solution we’ve found that lies right over existing muddy areas so not only is it easy for one or two people to install, there is no costly excavation required. You can find RAMM’s new Lighthoof Mud Management System at www.rammfence.com. Controlling mud and water is one of the most important things we can do to protect our investment in buildings, fences, and, of course, our horses. The rewards of a mud-free farm are so high; the freedom to enjoy our horses without the mess and financial costs associated with mud.

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TACK & TRAINING SADDLE FIT Q & A

By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE

Q A

uestion:

Where exactly should my saddle sit? Everyone seems to think differently…

NSWER:

There are a lot of opinions out there where exactly a saddle should sit correctly, and it may depend somewhat on the discipline you are riding in, the fact remains that the saddle should stay off the shoulder and be placed before the 18th thoracic vertebra. This is what is called the ‘saddle support area’ (SSA) and is relatively simple to find on your horse. It’s sometimes surprising how small this area actually is even on what seems a long-backed horse, and as the horse matures, it can actually grow smaller as the shoulder muscles grow larger and move the shoulder blade further back. The SSA begins about four fingers behind the base of the withers (making sure that the tree points are always behind the back edge of the shoulder blade) and ends at the 18th floating rib. You can easily find this if you follow the hair line up to the spine and feel where the lumbars begin and the ribs end. You want to make sure that your cantle is slightly higher than the pommel, and that your billets (short or long) are hanging down perpendicular to the ground. Since your girth will always gravitate to the narrowest part of the chest under the elbows, it could happen that the pressure on the billets will pull the saddle forward over the shoulder during movement. This could cause damage to the sensitive shoulder cartilage over time.

This saddle clearly shows that it is too long for this horse as its surface area is si�ing past the last supporting vertebrae. Conversely, if your saddle ends up sliding back into the sensitive lumbar area, this could hit the reﬂex point which causes bucking, or it could cause the horse pain in its kidney area or at the ovaries. You want to make sure that the girth is tight enough to prevent slippage, but of course not so tight that the horse can’t breathe! Your horse will tell you if he’s comfortable – as the rider you will feel whether he responds readily to your aids, or seems resistant because something may be ‘off’.

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Jochen is pointing to the last supporting vertebrae where any saddle should not sit beyond In this case this saddle is si�ing well within this horse’s saddle support area.

Author of ‘Suffering in Silence - The Saddle fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses’ (2013) Jochen Schleese teaches riders and professionals to recognize saddle fit issues in Saddlefit 4 Life lectures and seminars. We help you find answers in a personal 80 point Saddle Fit Diagnostic Evaluation. www.SaddlesforWomen.com and guys too! 1-800-225-2242 www.Saddlefit4life.com

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TRAINING SHOWING

addle Fitting and Skin Issues

It’s no secret that redheads have sensitive skin. But the interesting thing is that chestnuts also have the most sensitive skin in the horse world.

As everyone knows, the skin is the largest organ of the body. (Somehow this never seemed to make sense intuitively, because to me an organ is an organ, and skin is skin, but there you have it!) That’s why creams are so readily absorbed into the blood stream and can quickly work how and where they’re supposed to. The skin is also the ﬁrst line of defense against painful pressure and the skin is subject to changes that can be assessed in the evaluation of pain.

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TACK TRAINING

Western Dressage:

Warm Up Routine

Palm Partnership Training™ Building a Partnership with your Horse by Lynn Palm

A good warm up routine is valuable, whether you are about to school your horse for your latest test in Western Dressage, or are just heading out for a trail ride. Your horse needs a pre-exercise warm-up routine to help loosen and limber up his muscles. A warm-up also prepares the horse’s mind for the work you will be asking him to do--whether it is schooling, trail riding, pleasure riding, or showing. Start the warm-up by letting your horse walk on a loose rein. The warm-up pattern should include very large circles, large turns, and straight lines. The horse should be moving forward, but in a relaxed manner. After warming up at the walk, ask the horse for the trot or jog. The trot is the best gait to limber up the horse. At this point, the rider should not be worried about the horse being “on the bit.” Instead, he should be allowed to move forward on a loose rein with the rider guiding him to stay on the circle, large turn, or the straight line. Spend equal time going in both directions. Change directions often to loosen up both sides and to keep the horse’s interest during the warm-up. Post when trotting/jogging during the warm-up period, whether you are using an English or Western saddle. This gives the rider an opportunity to warm up and to use her own muscles. As the rider begins to loosen up, she will notice that her muscles respond better and her coordination improves while her thinking slows. The rider begins to relax as her warmed-up body allows her to better follow the horse’s movement. As part of the warm-up, the rider may try taking her feet out of the stirrups to get down in the saddle and closer to her horse. As her body loosens up, she will ﬁnd she is able to follow the horse’s movement and stay in balance even without stirrups.

There is no set amount of time for a warm-up routine. Usually, the colder the weather is, the longer and slower the warm-up should be to loosen up cold muscles and joints. It must be long enough to physically and mentally warm up the horse, but it is not intended to wear him out or bore him. Enough time should be spent in the warm-up so that both sides of the horse are equally loosened up. A good gauge for the rider is that she should feel the same balance and relaxation without stirrups as she feels with them. She also should feel her mind slow down and focus, and she should feel positive about the upcoming riding session. Once this has been achieved, it’s time to proceed from warm up to the actual lesson, training period, or pleasure ride. We would love to have you come ride with us. We love to share our dressage backgrounds and knowledge with you. You can join us at our Ocala, Florida, farm or at one of our Ride Well Clinics on our USA Tour at a location near you.

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If you would like to train with Lynn & Cyril at home with Western Dressage, take advantage of the following supportive training materials: Books: • Head To Toe Horsemanship • Western Dressage— A Guide to Take You to Your First Show • A Rider Guide to Real Collection DVDs: • “Dressage Principles for the Western Horse & Rider” Volume 1, Parts 1-5 • “Dressage Principles for the Western & English Horse & Rider” Volume 2, Parts 1-3 • “Let Your Horse Be Your Teacher” Parts 1 & 2

Announcing Deni Buetow Your Ocala ConnectionHelping you ﬁnd a home for you and your horses!

For more information on training materials and more, as well as clinics, please visit www.lynnpalm.com or call us at 800-503-2824.

Read any of Lynn Palm’s previous articles from Elite Equestrian’s digital archivesit’s FREE on our web site at: www.EliteEquestrian.us

Deni Buetow 4090 NW 84th Court Ocala FL 34482

352-369-6969

Direct: 352-497-0220

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