Once in a life�me opportunity to purchase the most beau�ful five acre beach frontage on Oahu’s famed North Shore. With an unheard of 500 linear feet of beach frontage and water & power to this beau�ful property is ready for your dream agriculture hideaway! Perfect loca�on within 15 min of Charming Haleiwa town, organic foods, restaurants, stores and famed North Shore. Dillingham Ranch and Polo fields within riding distance. Call Listor for more informa�on on completed SMA permi�ng and pricing.
HAVES Must
Reading for Riders
Great equestrian novels and books for all ages! Horse Books Plus
EZ SIGNS
Free shipping! 1-800-640-8180
See our ad on page 35 www.EZSignsOnline.com
See our ad on page 79
horsebooksplus.com
SOURCE micronutrients providing a unique spectrum of support vitamins and minerals plus, diges�ve enzymes, beneficial microbes, an�-oxidants and essen�al fa�y acids. See our ad page 55 800-232-2365 www.4source.com
Saddler’s Preserva�ve
Protect and restore your valuable leather for years to come.
See our ad page 31 www.jmsaddler.com
Lake Country Adjustable Mar�ngale features bridle leather and solid brass hardware. For training, walking, and just “looking good!” $44 to $51 www.auburndirect.com
See our ad on page 31
EQUINE CONSIGNMENTS!
Great selec�on of saddles, tack, boots,home items and more. Free trial on saddles. See our ad on page 78 www.GoodAppleEquine.com
LAY-FLAT HOSE QUICKREEL
mounts to cart or vehicle. ATV trailer cart assembly available. Proudly made in the USA by our team of cra�smen!
See our ad page 33 BigSprinkler.com
FOR A HEALTHY HORSE
Great for healthy hooves, skin & coat, diges�ve challenges, joint changes. 25% INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNT
See our ad on page 37 www.aloeride.com
FITS IN MOTION Dynamic Saddles
See our ad on page 61 www.dynamicsaddles.com
A Piece Of Your Favorite HorseCan Go With You Everywhere!
Quality fashionable jewerly made with your horse’s hair.
See our ad page 27 ponylocks.com
EQUINE HEALTH PRODUCTS
Liniment, Hoof Care, Hoof Soak
See our ad page 49 www.Vetericyn.com
GUMBITS
100% FEI legal.
See our ad on page 79
www.GumBits.com
ONE-APPLICATION-DOES-IT-ALL SOLUTION
Urad leather cream is easy and natural. Clean, polish, protect, condi�on and extend the beauty and life of all your leather goods. See our tall boots “Before /A�er” picture on page 35. URAD.com
MARTIMGALE COLLARS
Hats With Equestrian Flair!
Riata Designs, where performance meets style. See our ad on page 25 riatadesigns.com
Anni Lyn Sportswear Kids and Adult sizes. www.anni-lyn.com
See our ad on page 25
The Explorer Boot in Oak Leather, $630, Available at: www.fairfaxandfavor.com
See our ad page 47
BOMBSHELL
Bullet Blues jeans are made in the USA with American made material. Featured in this picture are the popular “Bombshell” bootcut jeans for ladies in the indigo and light washes. See our ad on page 25 BulletBluesCa.com
HUDSON AQUATIC SYSTEMS
Increase your horse’s performance with an AquaPacer. See our ad on page 51 www.hudsonaqua�c.com/products/equine/aquapacer-plus/
“Derma��s Goes Away!”
Vet Recommended, Owner Referred, Horse Approved Worldwide
See our ad on page 49
EQUINE FECAL EGG COUNT TEST KIT
Collec�on kit and postage both ways included.
See our ad page 57 800-544-0599 horsemenslab.com/shop
Fabulous Finds
The finest custom millinery and equestrian accessories are at Hats Off Bou�que! See our ad pg 73 www.HatsOffBou�que.com
FOR NON SWEATERS
Enables your horse to sweat naturally. Show safe www.nonsweater.com
See our ad on page 49
See our ad for a coupon code! BEST ON-THE-GO Hay Feeding System! Less waste, be�er diges�on for your horse. See our ad page39 www.NibbleNet.com
ID FOR YOUR ANIMALS
A must have for traveling and evacua�ons. Available for dogs and farm animals. First Aid kits and more. See our ad on page 33 www.EquestriSafe.com
A �meless french horn style stock pin with engraved fox head to centre. Safety clasp and pin to back. One size. RRP: £16.50
Ta�ersall Check Riding Stocks Featured in Black/Gold . Timeless ta�ersall check stock. Ideal for hun�ng, even�ng and pony club ac�vi�es. RRP: £22.50
Mens Kingham Breeches
Stylish mens breeches for everyday or compe��on. RRP: £69.95
French Horn Fox Stock Pin
2-In-1 Quilt Longline Coat / Gilet Fashion forward showerproof riding coat that transforms into a gilet. (Above right) RRP: £184.95
Mens Co�on Foxhunter Shirt
A tradi�onal styled shirt, made from rich co�on with 5% Lycra for added stretch. Ideal for autumn/ winter hun�ng and equestrian compe��ons. RRP: £49.95
Utopia Long Waterproof Riding Coat
Rider Waterproof coat in a gorgeous new colourwaykhaki Green!
RRP:£214.95
For the person who has everything –Womens Custom Spectrum Eventer Shirt
Junior, Men & Women’s sizingchoose the bespoke compe��on colours and add logos and names for the personal touch. Hat silks to match too! £69.95
Soundless Ear Net Hood So� crochet with triple layer noise muffling layers. RRP:£28.95
twist knit design winter hat with so� micro fleece lining and a waterproof membrane drop liner. RRP: £17.75
Horse
Vortex Recycled Double-Pom
Waterproof Knit Hat
Chunky
IDAHO�EQUESTRIAN�DREAM��RO�ERTY!
One-of-a-kind Equestrian Estate located in town in the heart of Hayden, Idaho on 14.27 acres. This magnificent estate property offers a 6,537 sf main home and 1,544 sf guest home, both built with uncompromising quality, a 21,000 sf barn w/indoor radiant heated lighted riding arena, including 11 stalls w/runs and full living quarters/meeting room, additional 50’ x 60’ barn w/studio apartment, and many other outbuildings for office, equipment, & hay storage. Charming guest house, secondary barn, outdoor arenas, shops, hay shed, bird pen, water feature, and large storage building complete this legacy property. Property has multiple pastures and is exquisitely landscaped for ultimate privacy. Enjoy a rural lifestyle in an urban setting!
Linda Shantz
Elaine Juska Joseph
Linda Shantz has spent all of her adult life immersed in the world of horses. At the Woodbine Racetrack in Canada and eventually crea�ng her own farm where she had broodmares, assis�ng in foal births, raising weanlings, preparing yearlings and caring for horses that needed �me off from the track. At the same �me she has created an amazing por�olio of realist pain�ngs of race horses both at the farm and on the track.
Elaine Juska Joseph is fortunate to find many of her subjects on her own farm where she and her husband have a number of beau�ful dra� horses they use for carriage driving. Trained in Illustra�on from the Parsons School of Design, she creates lovely impressionist pain�ngs in oil and pastel.
Sun Kissed by Elaine Juska Joseph. 24 x 36″ oil on canvas. $1500
Emerging by Linda Shantz. 20×24″ oil on gallery wrap canvas. $1,800
Gracie Knows by Linda Shantz. Framed 8×10″ oil on canvas. $850
Rocket and Roses by Elaine Juska Joseph. 24×24″ oil on canvas. $1000
ART ANTIQUES&
By Dr. Lori
Childhood Holiday Vehicles:
Sleds & Wagons
By Dr. Lori Verderame
No ma�er your age, ge�ng a new vehicle as a holiday gi� is always exci�ng. New automobiles, motorcycles, or bikes are tried and true holiday offerings that will thrill a close friend or family member. While these vehicles s�r the senses, two other modes of transporta�on say “holiday” like no other. What are the vehicles that prompt both childhood and holiday memories? Sleds and wagons.
OOriginally, sleds were among the most efficient ways to transport loads in snowy parts of the world. Sleds facilitated the movement of goods and people on frozen surfaces dating back many centuries. Distinguished by their long and narrow runner blades, sleds reduced friction and were able to carry heavy loads across the miles.
Today, sleds are not used as much anymore for transport, but they are a symbol of wintery fun. More likely, sleds are used by students on snow cancellation days or sleds are transported from the garage to the front porch as part of a winter-welcoming decoration for the house’s exterior.
Many of us recall our favorite wintertime pastime of racing down the hills of our neighborhood on our fastest sleds. Looking back, the tradition of painted sleds which boasted hand-colored images of running horses, reindeer packs, or Santa Claus debuted in the Victorian era, circa mid to late 1800s. These handsome sleds were used for fancy winter trips for children and adults. Around 1800, a sled for the purpose of carrying people was invented. It was known as a cariole. A cariole featured enclosed sides, a sturdy back, and a partially covered top or hood. On the secondary antiques market, special 19th Century examples of hand painted sleds with metal runners and cariole sleds range in value from $250 to $2,500.
Over time, sleds were used for recreational purposes with variations on the basic form. One of the first sled patents was obtained by the S. L. Allen Company of Philadelphia, PA in 1889. When it comes to the engineering behind recreational sleds, most had flat runners until about 1907 and then, wooden bumpers emerged. An articulated bumper for steering was introduced in 1928 and straight runners were all the rage until the mid 1930s. One model, called the Lightning Speedster, had a rounded wooden front for easy turning by children sledding during its time of manufacture, circa 1939-1942.
By the mid-20th Century, speed was king as indicated by the Speed King and Radio Flyer sleds were all about fast moving wintertime fun. In the American suburbs of the 1950s thru the 1970s, many companies introduced cool sleds for hilltop exhilaration. For instance, in the 1970s, the Radio Flyer Company marketed the Ski Sled which was intended for adults. The sled had a hand brake for safety, which made parents happy, but kids rarely used, and two skis beneath the raised seat for a ride that simulated skiing. The two skis allowed for edge turns and the sled gave a
ride that was like experiencing the giant slalom. Where sleds offered speed, wagons provided comfort. Wooden wagons were some of the most inviting vehicles for children of the 20th Century. Wagons allowed kids to carry their most important treasures with them wherever the holidays took them. Toys, security blankets, teddy bears, and even baby sisters were hosted in a child’s new and preferably red holiday wagon. First originating in the early years of the 1900s, Radio Flyer’s little red wagons remain a favorite with kids. The company was started by Antonio Pasin, an Italian immigrant. Pasin started the firm with the introduction of the Liberty Coaster wagon named for the Statue of Liberty. His firm grew throughout the 20th Century to make Radio Flyer wagons known to millions of children. Radio Flyer’s red wagon became a popular favorite and common gift at holiday time for good girls and boys. Today, they show up at yard sales, estate sales, and auctions and bring good market value from collectors and sentimental shoppers.
By the 1950s, the red wagon became an iconic American toy vehicle. At that time, Radio Flyer wagons were marketed to specialty audiences like the Mouseketeers from the Mickey Mouse Club or adventurous kids that wanted to ride in a Davy Crockett style wagon. Steiff, the popular German toy and teddy bear manufacturer, manufactured wagons featuring their teddy bear logo to accommodate every child’s holiday gift haul of toys. This marketing strategy helped the collectibles market for the wagons prompting many collectors to add them to a long list of must haves.
By the end of the 1960s, Radio Flyer had turned fifty and introduced the Skat Racer to a dedicated audience. The Skat Racer was a new children’s vehicle that offered innovations where the earlier pedal cars fell short. Kids of the trendy 1960s and 1970s could, in a Skat Racer, enjoy a lightweight design, a safe ride, and a sleek new look. This vehicle was a perfect addition to the host of cool kid toys parked in many suburban America garages. Move over pedal cars, sleds and wagons are making a comeback!
Last summer, Jeremy Reynolds and Treasured Moments (DA Adios+/ x Hidden Treasure) became viral sensa�ons when photographer Lynn Glazer captured Jeremy, en route to his fi�h 100-Mile Western States Trail Ride (Tevis Cup) championship, riding his 13 year-old, 15.2hh, bay Arabian mare, from start to finish, in nothing but a customized hybrid neck rope. “I’d like to say I’m that good of a horseman but really, I just have that good of a horse,” he said. How can you not like this guy? Jeremy bought Treasure as a three year-old racehorse where he was a track farrier. In their 2017 Tevis Cup debut, Treasure earned the Haggin Cup for Best Condi�oned Horse and the pair were third overall. In 2018 and 2019, Treasure was ridden to comple�on by Jeremy’s friends Bob Gauthier and Sarah Hunt; and in 2021, Jeremy rode Treasure to their first Tevis Cup win together. Their 2023 bridle-free win adds Treasured Moments’ name to the Robie Cup and an elite list of horses to have completed the Tevis Cup at least five �mes. Our chat with Jeremy wasn’t nearly as lengthy but we promise, it’s s�ll a great ride.
HERS: What do you remember about your first horse or pony?
HIS: She was a Connemara/Arabian and kind of wild. No one wanted to ride her. I had to hold her feet up for the farrier so she wouldn’t kick his head off. She jumped anything I pointed her at; I once jumped something higher than her withers
HERS: What do you like best in a horse?
HIS: I like a horse that will tune in and actually listen to you. The type that follows you with their ears, and really ‘gets it.’ With a good work ethic, who enjoys their job and seems to have as much fun as I am.
HERS: What do you like best in a person?
HIS: The same, LOL.
HERS: What was your first job and how old were you?
HIS: My first job, when I was 13, was holding feed and water buckets up for the draft horses on their breaks between sleigh rides.
HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what would you be doing?
HIS: In college I thought I would get into law
HERS: Favorite quote?
HIS: “Race your own race.”
HERS: Who has inspired and/or mentored you as an endurance rider?
HIS: Jackie Bumgardner (owner/breeder of American endurance riding Hall of Famers Zayante, Sierra Fadwah+/) mentored me and introduced me to the sport. (The late Nevada ranch horse trainer) Terry Kauffman taught me
how to ride and become a horseman. And my wife, Heather Reynolds (they share three National Husband and Wife High Point Awards) taught me the rest.
HERS: How did you connect with Untamed Tack, maker of that now-famous neck rope?
HIS: Pam (Untamed’s founder) lives nearby and we’ve all been friends for years. I knew she could braid anything, so we got together and created the neck rope. I prototyped it using an old lead rope made of rock climbing webbing.
HERS: Can other riders get the same neck rope that you used for Treasure?
HIS: Yes. They can get it directly from Untamed Tack.
HERS: How would you like to see endurance riding evolve – nationally and/or internationally -- in the next decade?
HIS: I’d like to see more interest in 100’s (100-Mile Rides), and especially from a younger crowd, so the longevity of our sport will continue.
HERS: You can invite three guests (past or present, real or fictional) to dinner. Who joins you and what’s served?
HIS: Nicola Tesla, my late father, Mark Reynolds, and Rodrigo Pessoa. We would be eating smoked steak, with a nice wine, and discussing ideas and life. I’d like to add that one of the most important things about riding horses, in general, is spending time with them, to discover how to listen to them. Not by buying their friendship through food, but through a mutual bond of understanding and enjoyment through a discipline that you and your horse both enjoy.
Collec�vely, Jeremy and Heather Reynolds have logged over 41,000 compe��on miles, earned seven Tevis Cups, five Haggin Cups, and Individual Pan American Games Gold and Silver medals. Learn more about endurance riding and horse training at their California or Florida facility, www.reynoldsracing.us. Have a His & Hers sugges�on? Share yours with me at latheequinista@gmail.com.
Born 1970 in Veracruz, Mexico, Amador Lobato is a talented artist whose work focuses on the equestrian world. Mainly producing sculptures, he masters the techniques of metalwork. His pieces are not only proof of craftmanship virtue, but of a deep understanding of horse nature and movement. Always in search of motion, his sculptures express the concept of animation, which is why people frequently approach them as if they are living horses.
He inherited the love for horses from his family. Star�ng as a wrangler at a very young age, Amador eventually moved his riding interests to a whole different sphere: classical dressage. It is here, where he was able to work with mul�ple horse breeds. He also developed his skills as a farrier. Amador, recalls this period of his life as a �me in which he had a lot of fun as well as many valuable learning experiences. For many years, he was involved in the produc�on of various equestrian performance shows; this is probably where he gained part of his charm and willingness to be the center of a�en�on. Amador now prefers Endurance riding, which he has been prac�cing for over a decade.
Amador started producing ar�s�c works as a hobby. It all started with his enjoyment in combing out his horse’s mane and tail – a prac�ce he found very relaxing. It was common for him to find pieces of baling wire stuck in their hair. Annoyed by the quan�ty of this useless material, he bent the wire and immediately glimpsed the beginning of a horse form, which he then adventured to model fully.
Star�ng off with small desk pieces, he transi�oned into creating life size figures made from used horseshoes. This evolu�on was indeed a difficult process. It was a �me of self-doubt for a
��������������
shy and untrained ar�st and he ques�oned whether it would be possible to make such a big (and heavy) piece, all from used horseshoes. Whilst he benefited from his knowledge as blacksmith and farrier, it was clear to Amador he needed help, so he found a welder from whom he learnt the techniques to create such a piece.
His first piece alluded to the endearing Flash Flame: a mare with whom Amador had won many rides. This sculpture was a turning-point in his career. Subsequently many people began commissioning enough of his work that he was able to make the art his profession. Flash Flame was in this sense, his lucky charm.
This exponen�al growth was due to the friends, rela�onships and opportuni�es the horse world grants. Thanks to these connec�ons, Amador has also been able to work abroad in places like Spain, Costa Rica and the USA and he has had pieces that have been exported to Uruguay, Italy, Guatemala, Belgium and the UK.
For Informa�on and orders contact Julieta Bravo 726-229-5471
Look on Facebook Jose Amador Lobato Juarez
Mini Magic
All the Little Horses
By Loren Spio�a -DiMare
After helping my beloved Quarter Horse to the Rainbow Bridge in 2019 I felt lost. My life revolved around Elwood aka Mr. El, or El. We rode Western while maneuvering trail obstacles in the ring and we also loved trail riding. El and I especially enjoyed liberty and trick training. Over the years we developed an amazing bond and he became a real Ham. I don’t think we would have shared such a close relationship with riding alone.
So, when my long-time trainer, Tiffany Totorello suggested we work with her Miniature Horse Buster at liberty I felt encouraged. Buster was 10 years old and basically a pasture pet. Tiff had purchased the little guy to become a companion to her Paint pony, Domino.
“I have to say, Buster’s personality is quite different from a full-size horse or a pony. He’s less flighty than a regular-size horse can be and is less reac�ve to new surroundings,” Tiffany shares. Then con�nues, “He’s also not stubborn like some ponies I have met. Nor does he have pony-tude! I guess you can say he’s the best of both worlds wrapped up in a small package.”
We started our lessons on a lead line. The first day a car drove past the ring. The li�le guy spooked and nearly pulled me off my feet! But his confidence grew quickly and he was off the line in no �me. And you could tell he really enjoyed his new job. So much so that I always say to Tiffany as we reach the round pen, “You go in the ring first and get his Yahoos out. Then I’ll take over.”
It’s so much fun to watch Buster gallop around the ring, bucking, dar�ng this way and that plus changing direc�on in the corners with great gusto! Eventually he does se�le down and I do take over. I hold a dressage whip to help give him direc�ons.
I ask him to walk or trot around the ring, turn direc�on, go over ground poles, back into poles, and jump. I have too much fun working with Buster.
I own a wonderful off-the-track Standardbred now. But there may well be a Mini in my future.
Because of his coloring I call Buster my li�le Rocky Mountain Horse. He and Minis in general are just too darn cute. But not only are they adorable, they’re versa�le.
Miniature horses descend from Shetland Ponies. They were bred specifically for their diminu�ve size and should be no more than 34” at the withers. Minis come in an array of a�rac�ve coat colors and pa�erns.
According to the American Miniature Horse Associa�on (AMHA) which was formed in 1978 and is located in Alvarado, Texas the Mini can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. They easily fill the role of companion, show horse, driving horse and much more. You name it. Most likely the Mini can do it.
Darla Daniel has been involved with horses throughout her life. She came by the passion naturally. Her mother was a barrel racer and riding instructor. Her father was a farrier.
From a young age, Darla excelled in all kinds of equine disciplines: riding, jumping, driving and more. She also had an impressive English and Western horse show career.
In her twen�es, Darla opened a horse boarding business in Califon, New Jersey. One of her clients wanted to teach her Mini to drive. Since Darla had experience driving with full-size horses she was wellsuited to the task. “It’s so much fun driving with the Minis. They just zip along. I love the feel of the wind in my hair,” Darla says enthusias�cally.
Later in life Darla followed in her father’s footsteps and became a farrier. She had already developed a special fondness for Minis and specialized in trimming their �ny hooves.
More...
Roxxy. Photo by Terri Merckx
Buster
Photo by Tiffany Totorello
Photo by Sonya Patullo
They came home with Odyssey a silver bay with blue eyes in the back of their van. Boy was Ana’s dad surprised! Though they did have two acres of land and a shed for their goats, so there was a pasture and shelter for the li�le horse already in place.
There’s a small herd of mini horses at the farm. They have been relinquished or rescued. All are safe now and enjoy a life of leisure living with their mini donkey pals.
I was surprised and delighted to meet Roxxy, a Mini Palomino Therapy Horse, when she came to visit residents in my mother’s Assisted Living Community. Roxxy’s owner, 14-year-old Ana Merckx of Middletown, New Jersey, walked in beside her. Residents were especially excited to meet the small equine guest and her young handler. Then the ques�ons and cuddles began.
A na�ve of Bulgaria, Ana was adopted from an orphanage when she was four-years-old. She was a small child and due to her hard start in life and had some anger and coping issues. At six, horseback riding was recommended as an outlet for her. And thus, Ana’s love affair with horses began. “A whole new world opened up for me,” Ana says. “I loved being on such a powerful, beau�ful animal and feeling in complete control. It was also one of the few places where being small was an advantage.”
At 12 the young equestrian was preparing for her first horse show when her world fell apart. She learned she had a fused neck related to a gene�c disorder. Then came the really devasta�ng news, her doctor told her the consequences of being thrown would be fatal.
Ana’s beloved riding instructor tried to teach her especially safe ways to ride but she no longer felt safe. Sadly, young Ana hung up her s�rrups.
Not willing to give up her passion for horses, Ana started researching equine ac�ves that don’t involve riding. She locked in on liberty training. The only problem was her parents are fearful of full-size horses. Then the family had a Eureka moment! Miniature Horses!! They found a wonderful breeder in New York state. Ana and her mother drove up one weekend to meet with her and learn about Minis.
Six months later, Roxxy, a personable Palomino became available and joined the family. Ana has two close friends who also love horses. One’s father is a Standardbred Harness Racehorse trainer. He helped the girls learn to drive the Minis. And Roxxy’s previous owner taught Ana all about showing Minis. In no �me, the girls were compe�ng in 4-H shows.
Then Ana became interested in teaching Roxxy to be a Therapy Horse. A�er prac�cing the needed skills: not reac�ng to a wheelchair, walker, loud noises including barking, and standing pa�ently while being pet and hugged by different people they were tested by Creature Comfort Pet Therapy.
Once cer�fied the duo began visi�ng pa�ents in hospitals, residents in Assisted Living communi�es and nursing homes. They even par�cipated in a Destress event held in the engineering department of Rutgers University in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Ana especially enjoys the therapy visits.
Never one to sit s�ll she and her friends also show the Minis in halter, trail classes, in hand, driving, hunters and jumpers. Any �me spent with a Miniature Horse is a good �me. And that’s the Magic of Minis!
Ever the animal lover, Darla opened Orphan Anni-mals a farm animal sanctuary in 2016. She cares for horses, donkeys, cows, Alpacas, goats, pigs even a peacock on her 16-acre property in Glen Gardner.
Far left and above photos- Loren with Buster jumping and navigating ground poles.
Photos by Tiffany Totorello
Left: Darla Danieland of Orphan Anni-mals.
Photo by Sonya Patullo
HIDEOUT
Lodge & Guest Ranch - Wyoming
The Hideout is an all-inclusive, upscale riding and horsemanship guest ranch limited to 25 guests weekly for a 6-night stay.
Our experience is all about horses, riding, and horsemanship, with access to hundreds of thousands of acres with elevations ranging from 4200 to 10,000 feet and a rarely seen diversity of riding scenery. The ranch offers a very personal and intimate Western riding experience attracting riders and travelers from the US, Europe and around the world, with many visiting us year after year. Our herd of 100 horses consists of Quarter Horses and a growing number of gentled Mustangs. The Hideout is located east of Cody and Yellowstone National Park in Shell, Wyoming in the foothills of The Big Horn Mountains.
www.thehideout.com
Presented by Destiny International Properties
The Vineyard House is one of those stunning farms with a Zen like atmosphere that draws you to stay whenever you enter the gates of this amazing 14 acre estate.
Wellington Florida is well known for having World Class Equestrian sports with Olympic riders from around the world and the best Polo in the United States.
With the highest concentra�on of wealth for 4-5 months of the year, the “Who’s Who” of the Equestrian World comes together to make history every year.
Some of the most exquisite farms where horses live in barns like castles exist in this small but mighty town just outside of Palm Beach.
The 4 bedroom main house feels like an Argen�na gentleman’s dream with fabulous views out every window of lush landscaping and birds crea�ng a peaceful spiritual effect on all that are fortunate enough to visit. The private pool area feels like a resort and the music from the wind chimes is mesmerizing as the breeze touches your skin.
The farm includes an addi�onal 2 bedroom guest house with an extra large 3 truck size garage , tons of trailer parking, RV hook ups, tons of paddock space and a 2 car garage in the main house.
One of the nicest features of this mul�discipline equestrian estate are the 3 separate barns with 34 stalls which are appropriate for all facets of equestrian sports. Included in the package are a brand new Grand Prix ring for Hunter/ Jumpers, a regula�on Dressage ring with Mirrors and a 5 plus acre POLO s�ck and ball field with a training track. The farm is also en�rely fenced and has a horse walker and round pen for training.
Hacking distance to POLO and located among the highest concentra�on of POLO Fields in the United States with just 3 short miles to trailer to Wellington Interna�onal Horse shows and Global Dressage. This grand estate is just 15 -20 minutes to a major airport, 30 minutes to Palm Beach and the ocean, and a li�le over an hour to Miami. It is offered for sale reasonably at $13,999,000.
For a tour or more informa�on call Marysue Jacobs, Broker Des�ny Interna�onal 561-758-5212
The Cost of VACCINATING VACCINATING NOT
Horse ownership is well known to be an expensive venture. The costs associated with feeding your horse, routine farrier visits, veterinary care and all of the necessary equipment for horse and rider can add up quickly. Depending on your goals and interests there may be
Some diseases, such as eastern equine encephali�s, have a very poor prognosis for recovery.
“To see a horse that’s dying of encephali�s because they weren’t vaccinated, knowing it could have been prevented, is very difficult to accept,” says Dr. Hancock. Diseases such as West Nile may respond to treatment but may have residual neurological issues that could also have been prevented with appropriate vaccina�on. Vaccina�ng your horse has far more benefits than there are risks, both for the health of your horse as well as your wallet. “There is no reason not to u�lize the science of immunology to protect our horses, especially against diseases that are o�en terminal,” concludes Dr. Hancock. “Work with your local veterinarian to determine which vaccina�ons are appropriate for your horse and develop a strategic vaccina�on schedule.”
A horse that isn’t vaccinated is at a higher risk of contracting a preventable disease
Safely balances your horse’s chemistry enabling it to sweat, naturally
Does not register positive on drug tests,making it ideal for performance horses.
Corrective Shoeing
For The Sports Horse
Neal Tredinnick is an Olympic Team and Individual Gold Medalist Show Jumping Farrier originating from the UK, he holds the DIPWCF and Accredited Training Farrier Status from the Hereford School of Farriery in the UK. Neal operates his farrier business from Wellington Florida and has multiple high-profile clients such as Kent Farrington, Ben Maher, Leslie Howard Burr, Jad Dana, Alberto Michan to name a few. Neal now finds himself working alongside some of the most well-respected vets in the industry and today we have asked him to discuss the concept of corrective shoeing in the sports horse.
Corrective shoeing is a very broad term
that leads a client to believe the farrier is doing something more than a regular basic set of shoes. The term ‘corrective’ implies that the farrier is ‘correcting’ something that is incorrect, for an example a conformation issue or a previous shoeing that has caused issues to the horse in some respect. In real terms, in the competitive horse Neal would argue that every trim, every set, every pair is ‘corrective’, it isn’t an illusive stand-alone concept that differs from a regular visit from the farrier. If the farrier isn’t ‘correcting’ the hooves and supporting the horse to do what it needs to do, then the job isn’t being done well enough. Farriery has moved on light years from the generation where the job only involved banging on 4 shoes, occasionally a vet might get involved and take some x rays and things would be adjusted accordingly, nowadays everything is being scrutinized down to the final hair on the leg. We are more educated, we now know how important limb alignment is, we know the effects of unbalanced hooves and the damage that can be done, we have technology to assist us but at the end of the day its up to the farrier to do as good as job possible to avoid future injury and shortening the competitive life of our equine athletes.
Every time we trim the horse, be it to remain barefoot or for the hoof to be prepared for shoes we correct the balance of the foot. A horse may be predisposed to growing unbalanced, it may have a conformation issue that causes the hoof to grow higher on one side or the other. It may not have been trimmed balanced in previous times which now needs correcting. Everything a highly skilled farrier does is ‘corrective’, doing what they can within safe parameters to enable that horse to be as balanced and comfortable as they possibly can which in turn leads to increased positive performance. Corrective shoeing doesn’t have to mean putting the most complicated set of shoes on a horse ever seen to man, it
doesn’t mean creating something that looks worthy of space travel to nail to the hoof. In most cases where Neal has had to assist in horses that have had a drop in performance or soundness the best remedy has been to take it back to basics. It doesn’t matter if the horse has the most expensive set of shoes known to man with pads, rockers, glue, silicone, none of this is worth anything if the horse’s hooves were not balanced and symmetrical when they were trimmed. I take time to watch horses move, I like to get to know them, I know how my client’s horses hooves grow, I know their conformation issues and how they compensate and as a team we make the best plan possible to allow the horse to move as freely and comfortably as possible. Sometimes that means going back to basics! I recently visited a new client; she had a prized jumper horse and also a non competitive kids pony that was ridden a couple of times a week. The jumping horse had a multitude of things going on with her feet and had every item possibly available from the farrier store on its hooves, the set of shoes must have cost the equivalent of an all-inclusive vacation. Needless to say, the horse was lame, and the vet had intervened, and I got called to see if I could help. We took off everything, trimmed the hooves balanced and shod the horse is a simple set of regular shoes. The horse trotted up sound and 6 months later the horse is still sound. The most shocking part of this experience was when the owner took the pony out of his stall to be shod, the pony had exactly the same phafanial on as the jumping horse. When I asked why this pony was shod like this the owner said she was told it needed all of theses things!! The pony now has a simple pair of front shoes and is happily trail riding a couple of times a week. What’s corrective shoeing in this case? All the materials that typically would be deemed to be required for ‘corrective’ shoeing? Or the correct shoeing that was required to correct the ‘corrective’ shoeing?
Neal regularly works alongside Dr. Alex Rey, one of the world’s most highly regarded sports horses’ vets, Dr. Rey’s passion is foot balance and correcting the issues that a horse may have. Both Neal and Dr. Rey are firm believers in what happens at hoof level affects the whole mechanics of the equine athlete throughout its body. If the hoof isn’t correct and balanced and then the rest of the equine apparatus cannot perform to its peak. The slightest shave with the rasp to balance the hoof can make a tremendous difference in performance. In contrast incorrect shoeing and foot balance can be catastrophic in the equine athlete, not only limiting their performance but also can result in career ending injuries.
Neals theory is that the most important thing any horse owner should remember in terms of the needs of the equine hoof is that foot balance is everything, the most expensive heavily laden set of shoes is not necessarily the best set of shoes, get to know your horse and how he or she moves, use the ‘slow-mo’ feature on your phone to video them walking and trotting up on down on a soft and hard surface. Look if they are landing equally on each hoof and, does one side of the hoof land before the other and if the fetlock is falling straight behind the hoof, watch how the pelvis is moving, understand that at the end of shoeing or trimming cycle the balance may differ from when the job was first done. Get to know if your horse’s conformation is contributing to hoof issues, maybe you can feel it when you ride or see it when you lunge. Education is key and it’s all of our jobs to take care of the welfare of our equine athletes from the riders, vets, farriers, physios, grooms etc. Ideally the whole team should collaborate and complement each other’s work. In an ideal world the term corrective shoeing would be replaced with correct shoeing!
MAINTAINING
Older Show Horse the
As horses age, they require more attention and care to maintain their health and well-being. This is particularly true for show horses that have dedicated their lives to competing in various events and have years of regular “wear and tear” on their bodies. Maintaining an older show horse requires a combination of many things like proper nutrition, exercise and medical care, amongst others.
One thing to keep in mind when caring for an older show horse is to ensure they are getting proper nutrition. As horses age, their digestive system becomes less efficient, and they may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as they did when they were younger.1 This can lead to weight loss, muscle loss and a decrease in their overall composition. When a horse is not receiving proper nutrition, they can be unfit to compete as they can be at risk of injuries.
“Although weight loss can occur, weight gain can also be a cause for concern for many breeds, especially those predisposed to insulin dysregulation and Equine Metabolic Syndrome,” says Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “An obese horse can be more prone to developing other health conditions such as joint problems and inflammation.”
In general, keep an eye on your horse’s weight and be mindful about feeding them high-quality hay or pasture. If your horse has insulin dysregulation, feed should be low in sugar and starch (which may require restricting pasture access and/or soaking hay), and potentially higher in fat to maintain a healthy weight. Being mindful of the amount of protein and essential amino acids your horse is receiving can also help them to maintain healthy muscle.
If your older horse is struggling to receive the proper nourishment they need, talk with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist as they can work with you to develop a feeding program that supports their specific needs.
EXERCISE NUTRITION
Exercise is crucial for maintaining an older show horse’s physical health. However, it’s important to keep in mind that as horses age, they may have limitations and require modifications to their exercise routine.
“As much regular exercise a horse can get, the better,” says Dr. Reuss “Whether it’s under saddle or routine turnout, practicing regular flat work with lots of walking and trotting, all can help to maintain their baseline fitness, as well as joint and ligament health.”
Older horses’ exercise routines can be dialed back from what they’ve practiced in their younger years due to the fact that they do not need to be drilled on certain behaviors – which can aid in their overall longevity for competing. Consider practicing certain behaviors less: if your horse is a jumper, maybe you only jump in preparation for a competition or even only at the competition itself if the horse truly really knows its job.
MEDICAL CARE
It’s also important to make sure your horse receives a proper warmup prior to exercise and cooldown post exercise, including stretching, to prevent injuries.
As horses age, they may develop age-related medical issues such as dental problems, metabolic issues and musculoskeletal changes. But for show horses, the repetitive stress from training and competing can lead to minor damage in the horse’s joints that builds over time and may lead to equine osteoarthritis (OA).
OA is a leading cause of lameness in horses and can affect any of the synovial joints, including the hock, fetlock, pastern, coffin, stifle and carpus.2 While OA can affect the quality of life of any horse, it can be especially challenging for horses who are still actively competing as it can hinder their ability to perform at their previous abilities.
Using a clinically proven OA solution can help address this in horses. Legend® (hyaluronate sodium) is a joint dysfunction treatment that can decrease the presence of inflammatory mediators in the joint, improve synovial fluid quality and decrease lameness scores.3
“The benefit of intravenous LEGEND is that it essentially signals all of the joints to make their own healthy joint fluid,” says Dr. Reuss.
Work with your veterinarian to decide if LEGEND is right for your horse.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The safety of LEGEND has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares. The following adverse reactions have been reported following use of LEGEND Injectable Solution: Following intravenous use: occasional depression, lethargy, and fever. Following intra-articular (LEGEND Injectable Solution - 2 mL only) use: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection site swelling, and joint pain. LEGEND 4 mL and LEGEND Multi-Dose Injectable Solution are administered by intravenous injection only.
For any performance horse, but especially our seasoned competitors, it’s important to have a full musculoskeletal exam at least once a year, in addition to regular veterinary check-ups. Regular dental care, vaccinations, and fecal exams for parasite eggs are all crucial for preventing, identifying and treating these issues before they become more serious.
REST + RECOVERY
Older show horses may require more recovery time than their younger counterparts. It’s important to provide them with a comfortable and safe environment to rest and recover after events or training sessions. Prolonged coolouts as well as multiple opportunities to go for walks throughout the day become especially important for the older horse confined to a stall at a competition.
Keeping a horse’s class number in mind can be helpful when thinking about their rest and recovery. Consider scaling back the number of divisions they are entered in to maximize their potential. Older horses may also appreciate more time in between shows to recuperate, especially if they are competing at a high level or in more demanding sports.
Caring for an older show horse requires a combination of many things. Proper nutrition, exercise, medical care and rest are just a few. It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to develop an individualized care plan that takes into account the horse’s age, condition, and limitations. With proper care and attention, older show horses can continue to compete and enjoy a high quality of life for years to come.
The interaction between man and horse in equestrian sports does not have a natural meaning for the horse
...and normally happens through training by conditioning horses to respond to certain stimuli to do an action. In reality, for the possibilities of the behavioral response to a stimulus, the trained actions still coexist with instincts, experience, and emotions, components that can be difficult to control when the horse does not comply with our request.
Horses are a species of animals with very strong adaptive qualities that allows them to survive anywhere there is food, water and most importantly, another individual able to relate with them. While riding a horse or working on the ground, we do relate with him and in order to have a positive relationship our interaction should be harmoniously cooperative. This instance happens when one individual politely asks another something and gets a positive response. An example can be halting, which should be the result of a harmonious interaction, but when it is the decision of just one of the parties, it often can develop into a conflict. Politeness is not a concept that is identical across animal species and in order to cooperatively interact with an individual of another species we need to learn the elements of politeness for his species rather than train him to respond to a cue that he does not instinctually understand.
Traditionally, the solution has been to not let the horse “get away” with not responding to our requests. I think that many of the problems that can develop between rider and horse are the result of such actions, where human beings push horses past their limits, often by employing force. By forcefully insisting that a horse stops or keeps going, we establish and reinforce an unwanted behavioral memory. Horses are always ready to learn, and never switch off their memory. When we are interacting with them, they learn from anything, and everything we do. An unwanted behavior will often be exhibited if the horse gets back in the same place, because the sensory perception of a situation can cause the display of a certain behavior.
If we look at the reason why they do not comply with our request, we will find out that, in that moment, they are not recognizing us as leaders, and therefore they are taking the position of leading. Every attempt to force the horse will convince him, more and more, that we are not to be considered as a leader, because we are asking them to do something against their will. If we employ force, we obtain that the horse fears us, which is different than when he respects us. In any relationship, respect implies listening, being sensitive and caring for one another. If we employ
force, in the mind of the horse we will have successfully acted as predators, not leaders. This is why, in training and working with HH Sensing, we always aim to develop in the horse an interest for what we are going to do together. If we can establish a harmonious relationship to support our time with a horse, it could even be possible to become a real team with the horse, alternating roles, as leader or follower.
So, what can we do, when the horse does not respond? At HH Sensing we try to have multiple answers, which span from working on the ground to being in the saddle. All of the actions we recommend are aimed at reestablishing our leadership status by asking the horse to do something not too difficult and that spontaneously interests him, so he will respond to our request. This will put us back in the position of leadership, without having to resort to force. We suggest doing it in a situation where the horse has freedom of choice and taking care of putting some interest for the horse in the action.
We have developed a way to work with a horse that he understands instinctually, and the book Human Horse Sensing Horsemanship describes it in detail. We work with the communication through the senses and present the horse with a problem that he would like to solve, not because otherwise he would suffer unpleasant consequences, but because he understands the situation and has a real interest in solving it. This kind of interaction will convince a horse more and more that we are leaders worth following. After all, a leader in equine terms is, simply, someone who makes a request that leads to food, water and safety. The response is based on how the communication is carried out and received.
THE TARP AS A “MAGIC CARPET”
If properly used, the tarp is a great tool to interact with horses. From the sensory perspective, the challenge that we are asking the horse to overcome is to step on something that covers the “true ground”, and that makes noises when he gets on it. The way we make the horse want to get on the tarp is to simply put some hay, or other food on it. Our tarp needs to be large enough that, in order to reach the food, the horse will need to step on it. Using the tarp is a very versatile and effective way to demonstrate to the horse that what we present to him has a value, and that following our lead is a good idea. Obviously, we cannot use force or words to convince the horse of this fact, we need to use our behavior and the senses as vectors for the information we are giving to the horse.
THE BALL AS A “TARGET”
Playing with a ball can be pleasant for both, horse and rider, as a mode of interaction. An object such as the ball, which has a variable movement, can give us the opportunity to establish a spontaneous and cooperative interaction with a horse that is free to choose its behavior, posing for the horse a problem to be solved, and also creating for both human and horse the opportunity to learn how to move together in sync if we do it while in the saddle.
In our clinics, we often work with a horse that we do not know and that has never worked with freedom of choice in his behavior, but because of the natural and spontaneous structure of the interaction, the horse understands without being trained for it. However, it is necessary to closely monitor the parameters of the social interaction in equine terms. HH Sensing considers how we are coexisting in the same space, if there is trust, respect, willingness to respond and attention, but we do so in the equine terms. The existence of those conditions between human and horse establishes that what we are conveying to the horse is being received and that the horse is responding. If instead he reacts (responding with an attitude), those parameters are not all present and we need to realize that our communication has some flaws and we need to correct it. As leaders, we need to change something in our behavior, or we will lose the consideration of the horse. When there is no tack to hold the horse, he could move away and not participate in our action, clearly telling that he has no interest in working together.
When a horse freely responds to us, we really have reached him without any doubt.
Are we ready to safely give the horse freedom of choice, and see if he can see us as leaders worth following?
ATTENTION VERSUS FEAR
Horses are always aware of the surrounding and can become attentive and focused on something at any time. When they focus on an object, they also feel the need to investigate it, which can result in an approach if horses feel attracted by the object or in an avoidance if they feel they need more distance to be safe. In relating with them we can facilitate their perception of the situations to which we led them, and as a consequence of our interaction their behavior becomes attentive and comfortable, even with situations that can be new or difficult. Our goal is to support the horse in his experience during each instance in order to avoid developing reactions, or stressful behavior.
INTRODUCING THE BIT
When we put the bit in the mouth of a horse for the first time, we should make it a good experience and letting them eat something like carrots while they get the bit can help them learn how to manage the presence of the bit in their mouth.
LEADLINE AND REINS
When we are with horses, we always influence their perception because we hold them by the head, with halter and lunge lines on the ground, or with bridles when we ride. Learning how to do it in a cooperative manner can make a big difference in our relationship.
in putting a horse under saddle, we have formulated a phase of working on the ground with an English halter connected to one lunge line, not on a circle, but in any position relative to the horse. The action happens when managing the space between the human and the horse. The horse learns to turn right, or left by being held on either side, because they follow when we release the line, and they respect when we hold the line. The horse responds to very light contact, not by being trapped between lines, by a harsh bit, or by the use of headgear. The light contact later gets transferred, and developed into the one by holding the reins, when the horse is ridden. This prevents the experience of getting trapped by side reins, learning to resist to them, and to fixing their head position to avoid feeling pain in their mouths.
Slowing with the Seat
Palm Partnership Training™
Building a Partnership with your Horse
Story and Photos By Lynn Palm
“Slowing with the Seat” is extremely important to accomplish balanced transitions. The Seat as an aid is also necessary for collective gaits and their transitions.
There are three aids that we use with our body to communicate with the horse when riding:
1. Seat
2. Legs
3. Reins and in that order for any transitions, upward or downward.
It’s important to understand how the seat works naturally with the horse. That action with the seat (your pelvis or hip joint) can give your horse a signal that the leg and rein aids will come next. It also helps the horse engage the hind leg more under his barrel, thus balancing more from the hind legs than the front. It also gives the horse more power when the legs have a big step under him. Weight from your seat will be the start of your downward transition, whether you are changing gaits or changing the speed within the same gait.
How do you put more weight in your seat? Sitting down! Sit more! How do you do this? First you must have movement in your hip joint to move forward and back, following the motion of the walk or canter (most movement). If you don’t feel that movement, dropping your stirrups will help elongate your legs and cause you to sit deeper.
You must have your shoulders in perfect alignment with your hips in order to have them unlocked and be able to move. If you want more movement of your hip, bring your shoulders back, thus unlocking your joint and allowing it move. When our shoulders are forward or we lean back too far, it will lock the hip joint. When you follow the horse’s motion, you will have a more comfortable ride, plus you will be able to use the seat as an effective aid.
We all are challenged with our upper body coming forward and in keeping the perfect balanced alignment of our shoulders to the middle of our hips. So, tell your shoulders to come back toward your horse’s tail. Then you will stay in perfect alignment and can sit with more weight in the saddle. You will feel like you are leaning back behind your hips, but I promise you won’t be! The weight in your seat gives the horse more power to engage the hind leg.
For a downward transition, I will first sit down and stay sitting down as the transition is happening, Second, I keep my legs touching the horse’s sides with a very light contact to keep the hind legs moving forward. Third, I will close my fingers on the reins to get the response I want. If I do not get the correct response, I will do the first and second steps again, and then the third. I will open and close my fingers, not letting my hand hold firm. This is a “give and take” action with your fingers. If you hold your hand closed, and get no response, this allows your horse to pull against you and resist, or to be unsteady with his head. You may see some action in the horse’s mouth during this transition.
Ask your horse to travel on a curving line, then do your transition. A curving line will naturally slow your horse; this helps teach your horse the seat aid. If you don’t get a response, simply reorganize and start the transition over again. You can’t do too many transitions in a lesson with your horse!
Here is a great exercise for slowing down with the seat. This is also great for your “aids coordination” and the suppleness of the horse’s top line and flexibility of the hind legs:
Use 4 sets of cones on a circle at each quarter of the circle. Have the cones set 6 feet apart at each quarter of the circle. Place a cone in the middle, so when you change directions, you are turning through the middle and making an ‘S’ figure. You will meet the single cone in the middle before you start the new
direction. On the circle, do a transition at each 3/4 of the circle, advance to 1/2 of a circle, then advance to each 1/4 of the circle. Do as many upward and downward transitions as you can so that your horse really knows how to accomplish them.
Do not advance until you can do an upward transition and get the downward transition at the exact 3/4 of the circle. When you start to get a lighter response from your aids and an immediate, smooth, and willing response from the horse, then you are ready to do them on a straight line. Use cones to do transition between cones or simply change the distance between each set of cones. Do the transitions first on the quarter line of the arena, then the center line and then the diagonal line.
When you accomplish this action of the seat aid, you will always use lighter leg and rein aids. That lighter “ask” is correct horse training! Horses love lightness, and for me if they respond with lightness, they are understanding and accepting the aids with confidence and athleticism.
So sit down, and move your hips more forward and back in the gait. This stimulates and energizes the hind legs by supporting with the leg aids. Quiet your horse with your rein aids for upward transitions.
Palm Equestrian Academy generalinfo@lynnpalm.com 352-362-7847
Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad as well as online coaching. Join them on their teaching tours or their Palm Equestrian Academy European Journeys.
You Deserve THE PRESERVE
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to the most amenity-rich, life-enhancing resort oasis in the nation. Here residents and guests experience four seasons of impeccable white glove service redefined for indoors and out. Service, so comprehensive, so refined, that you will find its equal only in the world’s true 5-star hotels.”
And just like that, five minutes off the longest north-south Interstate on the East Coast, Charles Joseph (the original His to my column’s Hers) and I left the small towns of America’s smallest state and passed through the gates into the power of thinking big: 3,500 luxurious sporting club acres of private homes, hunting, Hobbit (yes, Hobbit) Houses, and horses, plenty of horses.
Meet the Preserve Sporting Club & Residences in Richmond, Rhode Island, our hosts for the first weekend of autumn.
For equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts, sporting life and style may never be the same.
The Power of Partnership
As soon as we arrived on Friday afternoon, we saw how two respected brands have been elegantly braided into The Preserve experience: Maker’s Mark bourbon, whose tastings are paired with private dinners inside a growing village of Hobbit Houses™, and a gleaming stable of Bentley automobiles parked at the ready at the main lodge. Want a ride to your bass or trout fishing? Feel like shooting clays? There’s a Bentley Bentayga for that plus – wait for it -- a Bentley Off-Road Riding Experience.
“The culture of working in partnership has led to a remarkable series of collaborations with likeminded brands. From residential projects to golf clubs, Bentley works with carefully selected partners to created products inspired by the design and performance of its handcrafted cars,” we read in A New Age of Collaboration, the hardcover introduction to Bentley we found on our living room coffee table, in front of the remote-controlled fireplace, of our private second-floor suite at the Hilltop Lodge, just steps from our Saturday night dinner reservation at a Maker’s Mark Hobbit House™.
Part 1 Story and Photos By L.A. Sokolowski
Preserve founder, chairman, and visionary Paul Mihailides promised, “You’ll feel you’ve entered Tolkein’s ‘Middle-earth’ as a well-worn path leads you to an intricate, round wooden door that swings open to reveal an intimate interior with stone floors and artfully stacked stone walls.” And these aren’t just authentic in a literary sense -- all the stones and materials for construction are sourced on the property, with holiday adornments, changed seasonally, also locally sourced.
So we knew we were in good hands as we dropped our bags to pick up the reins to our favorite horsepower at The Preserve Equestrian Training Center. With Hurricane Ophelia barreling up the coast, The Preserve helped revise our schedule to ride that afternoon, while the weather was still in our favor, and bid farewell to the last day of summer.
The Original Horse Power
The Preserve Equestrian Center, with direct access to the Wood-Pawcatuck trail system maintained by the State of Rhode Island, is dotted with individual paddocks and turnouts, an insulated soft-cover indoor, and 14’ x 14’ stabling for nearly 20 riding and driving horses, from a colorful Gypsy Vanner and Sprinkles the leopard-coated Miniature, to a matched pair of black Percherons, plus the largest and best selection I’ve ever seen of “dad horses,” those draft and draft-cross gentle giants perfect for amateurs and men brave enough to love horsewomen. You certainly won’t miss Paul’s favorite, a doe-eyed, 18-hand red roan gelding with hooves the size of dinner plates, named Bear.
This was the first time Charles and I had ridden together and we could not have asked for a more attentive and intuitive guide than Equestrian Center director Beth Holland.
“I grew up riding and went to school for Animal Science. The Preserve provides a perfect mix of equestrian and hospitality opportunities,” Beth told us. “I enjoy watching the interaction of human and horse, especially when it’s a guest’s first time. In my experience, every such encounter has produced a sense of joy.”
With about four years of (my) lessons under his belt, Charles epitomizes the older male amateur that our industry should encourage, and Beth made a perfect match with a Friesian gelding named Captain, whose steady temperament provided assurance while his naturally exuberant hock/knee action gave Charles a feel for a little more ‘oomph’ (and of course, he loved it). Continued...
“Captain,” he says, “is the biggest horse I have ever been on but, as big as he was, he was just as gentle.”
When Beth introduced the black Friesian, Charles felt an instant affinity. “Just as she asked if I would like a horse in a different stall, Captain poked his head out and whinnied, as if he was saying, ‘Hey, he’s riding with me!’”
“And I’m glad,” Charles says, “that I did.”
Since I’m 5’3”, I like my leg against a horse in the 15-hand range and that’s just how I’d describe Spur, the bay Quarter Horse and former barrel racer I was matched to (and Captain’s buddy). Beth, on Tom the Percheron, led for the first half of the late afternoon ride; Captain and Charles led back to the barn; we brought up the rear, where I could sample Spur’s catty lope before downshifting just to assure myself I can still sit a trot.
The Equestrian Center is eight minutes from The Preserve Sporting Club and contiguous to 300 square miles of forest and watershed, plus another 57 miles of rivers (Fun fact: Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline, ranking second only to Maryland in shore-to-acre ratio.) The Nature Conservancy recognizes the borderlands between Rhode Island and Connecticut as the last large forested tract south of Boston, and one of the few pristine natural expanses remaining between Boston and New York City. As the Preserve newsletter, Landscapes, assured, no matter the season – including foliage or hunting -- you are riding at “the safest place on Earth.”
Barrel Delicious Riding builds an appetite and we had a Friday night dinner to look forward to at The Preserve’s equestrian-themed restaurant. Don’t let the gate at the entrance deter you. The Double Barrel is open to the public and as we walked through the parking lot, we saw plenty of local license plates.
Rhode Island is the Ocean State for a reason and since we were anticipating our Hobbit House dinner the following night to be a multi-course extravaganza, we kept it light with seafood, ordering Tuna and Salmon Tartare; Naked Oysters on the half shell in cucumber apple mignonette; Rhode Island Fritto Misto fried calamari (IYKYK) with shrimp, fennel, zucchini and eggplant; and the staff-recommended Hipster Fries with bacon and shishito peppers.
But if food were just to satisfy hunger and drink simply to slake thirst, we wouldn’t need restaurants like the Double Barrel. Or entertaining mix masters like New Orleans transplant, Robert Fitzmaurice O’Maiolriain. Thankfully, there are differences between just eating and truly dining and he upped the cocktail game to Friday Night Lights level with a trio of tableside presentations rich in visual and sensory delights.
Like a three-act play, the curtain rose with The Preserve’s Olde Englander, a double-smoked Old Fashioned enveloped in Maplewood chip cocktail smoke, and nutmegand-cardamom elemental glass smoke, using Taconic (NY) Double Barrel Maple Bourbon, both aromatic and house-in
Double
fused nutmeg rye whiskey bitters, and Madagascar vanilla bean maple syrup.
Next, his Cosmo Blanco reinterpreted the White Cosmo with Rhodium (RI) Citron Vodka, white cranberry juice, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, with lime juice, muddled cucumber and Fee Bros. hibiscus and orange flower waters. Our tableside finale was a signature aviation cocktail, Scientific Method, of Empress Gin BC, Rothman & Winter (Austria) crème de violette, Luxardo (Italy) Liqueur, Fee Bros. lavender water, and lemon juice, presented with orchid ice spheres, atop dry ice as if flying in the clouds.
Between performances, Charles and I reflected on the tour of the property we had enjoyed before riding (one of the few caveats of The Preserve – for all the right reasons -- is guests cannot simply go a-wandering at a club designed for shooting and archery enthusiasts, that’s what guides and Bentleys are for).
Look for Part 2 in the March/April 2023 Issue! EE
Trailers 2023
The OverNighter–
Story By Tom Scheve
amping with your horses C
When counting down the days to that overnight or weekend camping trip with your horse(s), wouldn’t it be nice to cozy up in your trailer after a long ride?
With an OverNighter camping package in your trailer, you can toss your tent into storage and quit worrying about the weather. The good news is that you can get an affordable camper package if you keep it simple. However, if you start thinking, “Maybe I’ll just add a shower,” costs quickly skyrocket. With the shower comes plumbing, pipes, a water tank, a grey water holding tank, a water heater, electric wiring or a propane tank with gas lines, a sewer hose with a storage container, and paneling to hide the pipes and wiring. So, then you think, “If not a shower, how about just a toilet?” An operating toilet needs a black water tank, plumbing, water access, a freshwater tank… Well, you get the picture.
The essential criteria for an OverNighter should be a place to sleep, store your clothes, have some room for tack, and provide a place to change clothes. Of course, you can’t see in the dark, so an RV battery(s) will keep your lights on until they run out of juice. Suppose you plan to stay out more than a couple of days. In that case, solar panels are now available at reasonable prices, keeping your battery(s) charged for extended periods.
If there happens to be an outside 110 outlet nearby to supply power, a breaker box with 110 interior electrical outlets and lights can come in handy for charging phones, a space heater, a fan, phone and iPad chargers, a small refrigerator, or other convenience devices you might need. If those hot summer days are getting to you, about eighteen hundred dollars can buy you an air conditioner, but that means investing in a portable generator that can deliver thirty watts.
In my experience, most horse owners who enjoy taking their horses out for a night or weekend take one horse unless taking a friend. Since two-horse trailers are more readily available than passably designed one-horse trailers, most campers end up with an empty stall – a great place to store hay and tack, if secured safely. However, a two-horse trailer with an OverNighter package poses a problem for bumper pulls. With ten feet for the horses, three for tack, and six for the living area, the length of a bumper pull is longer than what I consider safe. Conversely, a two-horse gooseneck trailer easily handles the length, giving you more living area space since the bed is in the gooseneck. If you’re leery about the size of a gooseneck trailer, remember that the length of the gooseneck portion doesn’t add to the overall length of your rig since it overlaps the truck bed. A twenty-one-and-a-half-foot gooseneck horse trailer is a little over fifteen feet long behind your truck.
ILLUSTRATION 1
If your truck can handle it, adding more footage gives you a separate tack area and a more extensive personal area. Items such as a storage seat, a chest of drawers, and a dinette sleeper might catch your fancy, with enough room left for an enclosed portable commode room or for additional storage.
ILLUSTRATION 2
As I mentioned, most who camp with their horses only take one horse, which makes sense – you can’t ride two at once. If that happens to be you, you, consider what I call a two-minus one. But you’re thinking, “Isn’t that a one-horse trailer?” In a sense, it is since it only carries one horse. But in reality, it’s a two-horse trailer that converts the extra stall space into a room for a separate tack and a living area. Our design allows for a weekender package to work efficiently in both a bumper pull and a gooseneck, providing a separate space for tack and a space for your overnight needs. Utilizing the extra stall space also allows for a shorter and, therefore, lighter trailer, making the bumper pull trailer a viable and safe option.
ILLUSTRATION 3 & 4
One final word of caution. Be judicious when researching a trailer that will contain an OverNighter package. Not all horse trailers make good living quarters. Choose one that comes standard with insulated walls to ensure a comfortable environment for you and your horses. Check out the roofs for overlapping material and rivets that can eventually leak. Most importantly, always consider your horses’ safety and comfort first, then go from there.
The Florida Bar awarded Magic the 2023 Rikki Mitchell Memorial Animal Achievement Award at the Boca Raton Hotel during their annual conference this summer!
(The first horse to win the award).
One of History’s 10 Most Courageous Animals- TIME Magazine
Most Heroic Pet In America- AARP
Reader’s Digest Power of One Hero
One of the 10 Most Heroic Animals of 2010- Newsweek
2014 E.T. York Dis�nguished Service Award
One of Seven Most Notable Animal Heroes in the World - The Daily Mirror 2014
125 Stories of Amazing Pets: Inspiring Tales of Animal Friendship and Four-legged Heroes by Na�onal Geographic-2014
Cer�ficate of Special Congressional Recogni�on
Au�sm Paws of Honor Award
A garden near Athens dedicated by the president of Greece in Magic’s honor.
Pet Hero of the Year- 2016
American Red Cross A Hero Among Us Outstanding Service Award- 2016
The Book of Heroes by Na�onal Geographic- 2017
Ronald McDonald House Caring and Sharing Award- 2017
The Dog in the Den�st Chair: And other true stories of animals who help, comfort, and love kids by Paraclete Press- 2019
MAGIC Movie Star THE
Haven Hospice Volunteer of the Year Service Award- 2019
Animal Superheroes by Scholas�c Books- 2020
Shining World Award- 2020
American Veterinary Medical Associa�on Hall of Fame
United States Equestrian Federa�on/Equus Founda�on Horse Stars Hall of Fame
Filmed by Facebook team for their first official Facebook Stories
Heroic Animals by Hodder & Stoughton Publishers UK- 2021
Mini Horse, Mighty Hope by Revell Publishing- October 2021
CNN’s The Good Stuff- 2022
Officer Magic- Ocala Police Department
Cer�ficate of Senate Recogni�on
Flag flown over U.S. Capital for Service to the United States- 2022
Can’t Get Enough Horse Stuff by Na�onal Geographic Kids Books - 2023
Bronze Plaque on the Walk of Champions- Nov. 2023
Magic is a Breyer Portrait Model Horse.
2023 Rikki Mitchell Memorial Animal Achievement Award-
The Florida Bar
Hero Horse: A Magical True Story- 2023 Manha�an Film
Fes�val Award Winner
Finding
Sergeant Reckless: Hero War Horse
Your Superhorse ...is the true story
of an amazing pack horse who served with the Marines during the Korean War. Her job was to carry ammuni�on up steep, rugged terrain to the Recoilless Rifle firing sta�on and then bring wounded Marines back down to safety.
To order: author@LorensReadingRoom.com
To order Sergeant Reckless, contact Spio�a-DiMare at author@LorensReadingRoom.com. Also available through Amazon.
8 Keys to Developing the Horse That’s Just Right for You
Lynn Palm with Rebecca M. Didier and Marie-Frances Davis
Lessons on how to tap the true poten�al in every horse from one of the world’s leading female trainers.
264 pp | 110 color photos | $32.95 h�ps://www.horseandriderbooks.com/store/finding-your-superhorse.html
Harnessing Equine Kine�c Energy for Top Performance
Stefan Stammer
An illustrated study of the biomechanics of horse-andrider movement like no other.
