PM #40009439 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Suite 201, 2400 Bevan Ave., Sidney BC, V8L 1W1
s go together “It is so important to me that my horses are happy and healthy. I have trusted Purica’s Recovery EQ for many years to keep my horses moving freely!” – Jonathan Field
Horsemanship, Inspired by Horses™
“Best Overall” “…best performer overall… for the tough case not responding to other products… you get what you pay for.”
Beyond
Pain Relief To find out more about RECOVERY, visit www.RecoveryEQ.com or call toll free 1.866.334.2463
“UNBRIDLED SPECTACLE!” Boston Herald
OPENS APRIL 8 IN TORONTO Under the White Big Top • 1.866.999.8111 • cavalia.net
Your Horse • Your Passion • Your Magazine
Photo: ©iStock.com/AMR Image
b
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
REDUCED-RATE SUBSCRIPTIONS to members of Canada’s Equestrian Federations.
YOU’LL GET: · Canada’s Leading Horse Magazine
“The Best of the Best! I was looking for a source of information, education, and pleasure of reading when I discovered your magazine. The articles are always well rounded and interesting, and the information provided on grooming, feeding, and general all round care of these magnificent creatures is a benefit to all.” — SA
HOW TO ORDER:
· 10 issues per year, including the Annual Equine Consumers’ Guide · Both Print and Digital Editions
• VISIT www.horsejournals.com • CALL 1-800-299-3799 • EMAIL subscriptions@horsejournals.com
PERSONAL CHEQUE
Before
Body Condition Score Over Ribs = 4 Topline = 2
After
Body Condition Score Over Ribs = 6 Topline = 4
12 year old Warmblood show-jumping mare. To get the “after� photo, she was fed 2 pounds of Essential K and 6 pounds of Tribute Ultra per day, over 60 days to improve her condition.
Now Available throughout Canada! Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com for a dealer near you!
Scan with Smartphone to hear why leading rehabilitation center KESMARC recommends Tribute.
Official feed of the National Snaffle Bit Association
TributeEquineNutrition.com | 419-294-3838 Like Trib on Facebook @TributeEquine on Twitter Tribute Equine Nutrition Channel on You Tube Made in the U.S.A. TP394
CONTENTS •
In This Issue SPECIAL FEATURES
HORSE HEALTH
36 Be Posture Perfect!
12 Spring Into Action
8 exercises to improve your posture and correct common riding faults.
52 Newborn Foals and Childhood Autism – is there a link?
Understanding the genetics of horse colours, and feeding for a healthy coat.
55 New Test to Distinguish Horsemeat from Beef
Research at the University of California, Davis, is exploring the possible connection between maladjustment syndrome in newborn foals and childhood autism.
22 A Horse Owner’s Primer on Navicular Syndrome
New technique closes gaps in the testing process and reduces potential health hazards.
What are the symptoms of this degenerative disease, and how is it diagnosed and treated? PHOTO: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
36
Knowing what’s normal and when to help is part of being prepared for everything during the breeding and foaling process.
16 Glowing from the Inside Out
A well-chosen phrase can focus your mind on positive thoughts to improve your performance.
page
30 The Foaling Mare: When to Watch – When to Act
Simple steps to bring your horse safely back to work after winter’s layoff.
44 Mantra Magic: Power Up Your Ride
MARCH 2015
26 Scratching the Surface of Equine Skin Diseases
DEPARTMENTS
Diagnosis and treatment of hives, mud fever, rain rot, and ringworm.
2 To Subscribe 6 Editorial 8 Letters 10, 51 The Hoofbeat 41 Contest: Horse-Of-My-Heart 43 Contest: Win Tickets to ODYSSEO 48 Horse Council BC News Stay Safe While Sharing the Roads 56-57, Inside B/Cover Country Homes & Acreages
page
16 4
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTO: ©THINKSTOCK/GOCE RISTESKI
58 Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association News The Gentle Art of Leading
EquiNetwork 59 Hitchin’ Post 59 Horses for Sale & Classifieds 59 Index to Advertisers 60 Roundup
EDITOR’S DESK Live and Learn We’re celebrating spring in this issue! While the snow may still blanket your fields and it’s a bit too early to put away the winter woolies, your horses are well into shedding season in anticipation of warm spring breezes. I love our March issue because of its focus on horse health. When our horses are sound and healthy, life is good, and we look forward to our horse time with eager anticipation. And when our horses are lame or suffering a health problem, we are stressed and worried like a parent with a feverish child. Extra care is needed to nurture them back to health, and there’s often added expense for veterinary care and medications. But that’s horse ownership – for better or for worse, in sickness and in health – that’s the contract we make when we bring horses into our lives. Over my years of horse ownership, I’ve been blessed with many sound, healthy horses, and with horses suffering health and lameness issues. The rule is: The more horses we own, the more hands-on experience we acquire by dealing with their health conditions. Often, caring for a horse with a lameness or health problem is how we learn about that specific condition, and we know better next time. Next time though, it’s almost always a different ailment. Horses do not come with an Owner’s Manual like your 2011 Honda Civic, so the more we educate ourselves in advance about the myriad of equine health issues, the better prepared we will be to help our horses when they need us the most. As the long Canadian winter ends, and we crave riding our horses in the spring sunshine and resuming a training schedule, take a moment to focus on fitness. While we may have kept reasonably fit by working out at the gym – or shoveling snow – our horses have basically had several months of inactivity. Unless you’re one of the fortunate ones who was able to ride regularly all winter, any conditioning your horse had last fall has been lost. Even if he enjoyed plenty of winter turnout, your horse stood around most of the time waiting for his next meal to show up, and basically turned into a “corral potato.” Our feature Spring Into Action (page 12) is here to help with guidelines to assess your horse’s post-winter condition and get him back into training gradually and safely. I learned about navicular disease when, many years ago, I bought a big, beautiful thoroughbred gelding. Superstition (named after the Stevie Wonder song), had a great temperament and was a joy to work around, but he was on and off lame from the day I brought him home, and was soon diagnosed with advanced navicular disease in both front hooves. Since you’re wondering, I did not get him vetted before purchase because I’d bought him from my coach. Learn what I learned the hard way in A Horse Owner’s Primer on Navicular Syndrome (page 22). Fortunately, when my strawberry roan Quarter Horse mare, Tequila, was due to foal, the breeding farm that owned the thoroughbred stallion offered to foal her out. I was still a teenager at the time, so didn’t recognize what a huge gift this offer actually was, but the breeders really liked my mare and wanted the best possible outcome. A very early phone call on the first day of summer brought me swiftly to the farm to meet the perfect little red filly who came to be called Romance. If your mare is due to foal this spring, the good advice from Dr. Stephen Manning in The Foaling Mare: When to Watch – When to Act, will give her and her baby what those breeders gave me – the best chance for success. What’s your favourite colour? Mine is bay, although I go equally gaga over black, grey, roan, chestnut, and one of my favourite all-time horses was a sorrel. I guess it’s not really about the colour, but the horse that lies beneath, yet colour and markings are often the first things we notice about a horse. So I found Dr. Tania Cubitt’s article Glowing from the Inside Out on the genetics of horse colours and feeding for coat health to be quite fascinating. It explains why my little red Romance began to “roan out” when she shed her foal coat, and became “roanier” every year after that. Other important health topics this month include 4 Common Skin Diseases, and research about a possible link between Newborn Foals and Childhood Autism. And for the two-legged riding partners, Gina Allan’s 8 Exercises for Perfect Posture, and April Clay’s Mantra Magic will really get you motivated. Until next month, celebrate spring with your horse! Kathy Smith
ON THE COVER “I have never forgotten my mother’s advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, but he often called her Pet.” – Excerpt from Black Beauty, The autobiography of a Horse, by Anna Sewell Photo: ©Shutterstock/Zuzule
6
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
b Your Horse b Your Passion b Your Magazine Published by Horse Community Journals Inc.
Volume 15 • Issue 4
EDITOR / PUBLISHER Kathy Smith ACCOUNTS Chantal Patterson ADVERTISING Ronnie Olsen • April Dawn Ray • Terry Andrucko SUBSCRIPTIONS/DISTRIBUTION Nathan Reimer MARKETING Janna Reimer PRODUCTION Elisa Crees CONTRIBUTORS Robin Duncan Photography • HCBC • OEF CanTRA • Margaret Evans • Western College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Guelph • Pam MacKenzie • April Clay • Gina Allan Barb Kopacek ADVERTISING, SUBSCRIPTIONS & GENERAL INQUIRIES 1-800-299-3799 • 250-655-8883 or email: sales@horsejournals.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE 5 weeks prior to issue date (eg: Sept. 21 for Nov. issue) INTERNET EDITION WEB SITE www.horsejournals.com MAIN OFFICE E-MAIL editor@horsejournals.com PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT E-MAIL design@horsejournals.com
Publishing 10 issues per year SUBSCRIPTIONS – REGULAR RATES 1 yr/10 issues: $32 + tax 2 yr/20 issues: $51 + tax US/Foreign $85/2 yrs, 20 issues ORDERS FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES, & UNDELIVERABLE COPIES ARE TO BE SENT TO: THE CANADIAN HORSE JOURNAL Suite 201, 2400 Bevan Ave., Sidney, BC V8L 1W1 (250) 655-8883 • fax: (250) 655-8913 • 1-800-299-3799 POSTAGE PAID AT WINNIPEG, MB PUBLICATIONS MAIL REG. NO. 40009439 GST REG. NO. 829298140 ISSN. NO. 1496-1733
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF ANY MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The information and services listed herein are intended to facilitate accessibility to the professionals, products and services that play a part in the horse industry. While readers are encouraged to use the products and services of the merchants listed in this Guide, Horse Community Journals Inc. does not recommend or guarantee the products and services of advertisers or associates listed. Manuscripts and photographs will be returned only if SASE is provided. The return of unsolicited material is not guaranteed. Contributors and advertisers warrant all materials supplied are free of copyright and they have the legal right to use the same. All material accepted for publication is subject to such revisions as are deemed appropriate by The Canadian Horse Journal (CHJ). The opinions expressed in CHJ are not necessarily those of the publisher. CHJ reserves the right to refuse any advertising or submission. Contributors consent to have their submissions published in CHJ and on www.HORSEJournals.com and elsewhere as determined by the publisher. Printed in Canada. Please recycle.
Insta
LETTERS PHOTO COURTESY OF WHOAS
In response to our features New Approaches to Wild Horse Management and The Edible Horse…What If? in the Equine Consumers’ Guide 2015 (the Jan/ Feb issue of Canadian Horse Journal) we received the following letters:
A Fresh Angle, Credible Statistics I received copies of the Equine Consumers Guide yesterday, thank you. An excellent edition. Particularly, your articles on Alberta’s Wild Horses and The Edible Horse are very well balanced and informative with credible statistics. You have provided a fresh angle for many who may be less informed. CONGRATULATIONS.
The Wild Horse Association of Alberta is implementing a new contraception method to control the population of wild horses in the province, as well as an adoption program.
Bill desBarres, AB
Articles Gave an Informative Overview Kathy, I just wanted to write and complement your magazine and Margaret Evans on two excellent articles. Margaret’s approach to the processing of horses for meat is likely the best one I have seen in the public press. She stayed to the facts, keeping the emotion out of the article, to give a very informative overview of the whole horse processing situation. Margaret also handled the feral horse situation in a similar manner. A job well done. Keep up the good work. Les Burwash, AB
Horse Slaughter Not a Solution If horse slaughter is a solution to abandoned, abused, and unwanted horses, then why do we have these problems in North America where anyone can send their horse to auction where it may be purchased by a meat buyer? Someone who neglects their horse will do it whether or not they have slaughter available to them. Creating a market for horse meat only encourages more breeding, and certainly isn’t an economic boost to someone selling old Dobbin to the meat buyer.
PHOTO: ©THINKSTOCK/ROGER BRANCH
In November 2013, Princess Ann, President of the World Horse Welfare charity, commented that if owners believed their horses could be sold for meat they might take better care of them and thus reduce the number of equine welfare cases.
8
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
In your article, prices for horse meat are stated as being higher than compared to beef, [but] at the start of the slaughter pipeline you certainly don’t see those prices. Here in Alberta, auction horses that typically end up at slaughter currently fetch about 30 cents/pound. In the last 10 years, we’ve never seen prices higher at auction than 50 cents/ pound, with a healthy young horse selling for anywhere from $100 - $250. Over this same period of time, a calf could fetch from a low of $600 to a high of $1500. We are a horse rescue facility and we are constantly dealing with a dilemma. Should we be saving the young horses that are the result of over-breeding but are healthy, sound, and easy to re-home? Or should we be saving the older horses that are more expensive (because they are valued “per pound” — as a result of the slaughter industry!) and may have minor health or soundness issues, but have given their lives to serving people and are now facing auction, feedlots, and ultimately slaughter? And while the focus of CFIA is on ‘humane’ slaughter at the slaughter house, it is the handling that the horses get on their way to slaughter, at auctions, during hauling, and at feedlots, that is often inhumane. We see horses at auctions that ought to have been euthanized, not hauled to an auction, but they are at the auction because the owner wants to get that last few dollars that the slaughter industry will provide. Suggesting that horse slaughter is a solution to horse welfare issues is like saying euthanasia in pet shelters has been the solution to unwanted dogs and cats. It has never been a solution; it has been a stop-gap that temporarily stems the tide but doesn’t turn it. With the increase in no-kill shelters and the focus being on spay and neuter, THAT is what is making a difference, without needlessly costing animals their lives. Especially in North America, controlling breeding would go a long way toward alleviating the problem of unwanted horses. Industries that use horses carry a lot of the blame — Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and Standardbred racing, and disciplines that discard horses as soon as they aren’t winning, and breed registries that encourage breeding in large numbers in the hopes of getting that one winning horse. Kathy Bartley, Bear Valley Rescue Society, AB
Letters to the Editor are always welcome. Please provide a daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published.
A hitch when you need it ...
a level bed when you don’t. It’s why you choose the
Remove Ball
Turnoverball gooseneck hitch.
Turn Ball Over
We designed the first Turnoverball™ gooseneck hitch for hardworking people like you. We understood that you need a level truck bed when you’re not towing for all your other projects. It just seemed obvious that the greasy ball should be stored in the same place it’s used, in the truckbed. Maybe that’s why we are the #1 gooseneck hitch sold in America ...We understand your truck.
Replace Ball In Socket
www.turnoverball.com
HORSE HEALTH
Events Coming to Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba Learning about equine chiropractic and massage at the Kim Hodgins Clinic at Horse3 2014.
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is Ready to Welcome You
Excitement is Building for Horse3 Head-Heart-Hooves Event
Every year, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair brings world class equestrian competitions to Western Manitoba and this year is shaping up to be no different. The 108th Royal Manitoba Winter Fair will take place from March 30 to April 4, 2015 at Brandon’s Keystone Centre, featuring show jumping, heavy horse teams, and Hackney harness pony competitions every day in the main arena, with the SuperDogs performing twice daily. Each evening’s show will begin with the featured show jumping competition, which escalates in difficulty as the week moves on, and ends with the MTS Grand Prix on Saturday. Entries for the hunter/jumper competitions are the highest they have been in recent years. This year the main arena will also feature a pas de deux – a unique dressage demonstration by a pair of horses performing together to music.
The Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, will host their unique annual Horse3 event in the Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence. Now in its eighth year, Horse3 celebrates the power and wonder of the horse-human relationship throughout its weekend of equine guided education and entertainment, scheduled this year for May 1 to 3, 2015. A multitude of equine disciplines are featured at Horse3 where horse lovers can attend clinics, see demonstrations, enjoy entertainment, get the opportunity to Ride-with-theExperts, and shop the Horse3 Trade Show for products and services to enhance all aspects of their horse-centric lives. Returning this year is the NAERIC Trainers’ Challenge Colt Starting competition, which is a highlight of this distinctive event. Three clinicians each take a young horse out of a supplied select herd and call upon their individual knowledge, skills, and abilities to quickly form an understanding and relationship between horse and trainer. This event showcases the unique connection between horse and human, and it’s something not to be missed. Competing in the NAERIC Trainers’ Challenge this year are Lachlan Bell, who operates Lachlan Bell Performance Horses based in Cochrane, AB; Russ Krachun, who operates Kozak Horsemanship based in Roslin, ON; and Tom Durocher, known as the Canadian Horse Whisperer, based in Sputinow, Alberta.
For more information about the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair including a full schedule for Westman Place (Main Arena), ticket pricing, and hours, visit www.royalmanitobawinterfair.com.
10
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Steve Rother is shown meeting “Red” for the first time - they went on to win the NAERIC Trainers’ Challenge 2014.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HORSE3
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RMWF
For more information about Horse3 visit www.keystonecentre.com/agriculture/horse-3/.
HORSE HEALTH
Spring into Action Simple Steps to Bring Your Horse Back After Winter BY DR. TANIA CUBITT AND DR. STEPHEN DUREN, Ph.D.
The snow is melting and there’s warmth in the early spring sunshine. It’s time to start bringing your horse back to fitness with a gradual return-to-work program. 12
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCK/IOFOTO
As we welcome the transition from winter to spring, we are eager to get back in the saddle and start riding regularly again. Canadian winters are not sympathetic to outdoor riding, and without access to indoor facilities many horse owners have not been able to ride or exercise their horses as much as they would like during the winter months. Bringing horses back into work after their winter vacation must be done gradually by starting at a lower level and increasing the duration and intensity of workouts. At the same time, the horse’s feed should be adjusted to address his present body condition (too thin or too fat) as well as nutrient requirements for the increased workload. It doesn’t matter what your horse’s level of fitness was when you stopped riding last fall; after three or more months of inactivity, the conditioning he had is essentially lost. Even if the horse had plenty of turnout, most horses do little more than eat and stand around, especially when the weather and ground conditions are poor. Here are a few simple guidelines to safely bring your horse back to work after a prolonged break. Make Feeding Changes Gradually The horse is first and foremost a grazing animal that relies extensively on the bacteria present in its gastrointestinal tract to process forages. These bacteria are a mix of different organisms that work together to the benefit of the horse. If the feeding program is changed suddenly, bacteria populations do not have time to adjust. Instead, large numbers of bacteria die, while others flourish, setting up a situation where toxins may be absorbed by the horse, resulting in digestive upset or colic. Many horses are as sensitive to changes in hay as they are to changes in grains. A gradual change from one feedstuff to another provides time for the bacterial populations to adjust. For example, when changing the type of hay or grain being fed, replace only about 20 to 25 percent of the current feed every other day, so that it takes a week or more for a complete change. Be Careful Not to Overwork A horse that hasn’t seen much exercise over the winter can be just as excited about going out on that first ride as
WITHERS
Body Condition Scores
LOIN
HOOK BONE TAIL HEAD
The best way to evaluate a horse’s weight and condition is with this universally recognized Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system based on the Henneke Body Condition Scale. Since it can be hard to recognize if your horse is over- or underweight, it is often helpful to have two or three friends who don’t see your horse every day use the BCS system to objectively score your horse.
These are the points of the horse you will look at closely when making an evaluation.
s s s
BCS Body Parts
PIN BONE
BARREL
Body Condition Score 1
Body Condition Score 5
WHOLE BODY: Poor condition, extremely emaciated, no fat tissue felt NECK: Bone structure visible WITHERS: Bone structure easily visible LOIN: Spinous processes project prominently TAIL HEAD: Tail head, pin, and hook bones project prominently RIBS: Project prominently SHOULDER: Bone structure easily noticeable
WHOLE BODY: Moderate condition NECK: Blends smoothly into body WITHERS: Rounded over spinous processes LOIN: Back is level TAIL HEAD: Fat around tail head beginning to feel spongy RIBS: Individual ribs can be felt, but not visually distinguished SHOULDER: Blends smoothly into body
Body Condition Score 2
WHOLE BODY: Moderately fleshy NECK: Fat beginning to be deposited WITHERS: Fat beginning to be deposited LOIN: May have slight positive crease down back TAIL HEAD: Fat around tail head feels soft RIBS: Fat over ribs feels spongy SHOULDER: Fat beginning to be deposited; point of shoulder not discernible
WHOLE BODY: Very thin, emaciated NECK: Bone faintly discernible WITHERS: Bone structure faintly noticeable LOIN: Spinous processes prominent; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes; transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded TAIL HEAD: Prominent RIBS: Prominent SHOULDER: Faintly discernible
Body Condition Score 3 WHOLE BODY: Thin NECK: Accentuated WITHERS: Accentuated LOIN: Fat build-up halfway on spinous processes, but easily discernible; can’t feel transverse processes TAIL HEAD: Prominent, but individual vertebrae can’t be visually identified; hook bones rounded but easily discernible; pin bones not distinguishable RIBS: Slight fat cover; individual ribs discernible SHOULDER: Accentuated
Body Condition Score 4 WHOLE BODY: Moderately thin NECK: Not obviously thin WITHERS: Not obviously thin LOIN: Negative crease along back TAIL HEAD: Prominence depends on conformation; fat palpable; hook bones not discernible RIBS: Faint outline discernible SHOULDER: Not obviously thin PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM HORSE COUNCIL BC
Body Condition Score 6
Body Condition Score 7 WHOLE BODY: Fleshy NECK: Fat deposited along neck WITHERS: Fat deposited along withers LOIN: May have positive crease down back TAIL HEAD: Fat around tail head is soft RIBS: Individual ribs can be felt; noticeable fat filling between ribs SHOULDER: Fat deposited behind shoulder
Body Condition Score 8 WHOLE BODY: Fat; fat deposited along inner buttocks NECK: Noticeable thickening of neck WITHERS: Area along withers filled with fat LOIN: Positive crease down back TAIL HEAD: Tail head fat very soft RIBS: Difficult to feel individual ribs SHOULDER: Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body
Body Condition Score 9 WHOLE BODY: Extremely fat; fat along inner buttocks may rub together; flank filled in flush NECK: Bulging fat WITHERS: Bulging fat LOIN: Obvious positive crease down back TAIL HEAD: Building fat around tail head RIBS: Patchy fat appearing over ribs SHOULDER: Bulging fat March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
13
PHOTO: PETE MARKHAM/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Your horse should have a spring checkup including a visit from the veterinarian and farrier to ensure he is healthy and ready to go back to work.
you are. But be careful not to mistake that eagerness for fitness and allow the horse to do more than he is physically conditioned to do because odds are he will, and in a day or two his muscles will really be feeling the effects. Muscular aches and pains are not something you will readily see, but they will manifest themselves as back and gait stiffness, sluggishness, poor attitude toward work, and the development of vices and refusals. These
can progress into sporadic episodes of tying up or exertional rhabdomyolysis. Sporadic exertional rhabdomyolysis occurs most commonly in horses that are exercised in excess of their level of conditioning. This happens frequently when a training program is accelerated too abruptly, particularly after an idle period of a few days, weeks, or months. Increased exercise on random hot, humid days may also elicit sporadic exertional
rhabdomyolysis in susceptible horses because of high body temperatures, loss of fluid and electrolytes in sweat, and depletion of muscle energy stores. In some instances, horses seem more prone to exertional rhabdomyolysis following respiratory infections. Therefore, horses should not be exercised if they have a fever, cough, nasal discharge, or other signs of respiratory compromise. A well-designed gradual exercise program and a nutritionally balanced diet with appropriate caloric intake and adequate vitamins and minerals are the core elements of treating sporadic exertional rhabdomyolysis. As horses work more their need for water will also increase, so make sure the horse has free access to clean, fresh water. Water and electrolyte loss through sweat can cause the horse to perform poorly and in the acute cases can make him become seriously ill. Shedding a Few Pounds In horses and ponies, eating less and exercising more are key elements for weight loss. Set realistic goals for weight loss and
At the end of the day, All you really want is to provide the best care.
Ask for UNIPRIM antibiotic powder a convenient and cost-effective treatment. manufactured by:
in Canada distributed by:
Also available in apple flavor!
14
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
www.neogen.com/AnimalSafety/Uniprim.asp
L3490-0115
regularly monitor progress. Horses and ponies are individuals and will lose weight at different rates. Be patient; he didn’t get fat overnight and he won’t lose it all overnight either. As a guide, an effective weight loss regimen for a mature, light breed horse should result in the loss of approximately 55 to 65 lbs over a four to six week period. This decrease in bodyweight may be accompanied by the loss of about one unit of body condition score (BCS). Body weight (scale or by use of a weight tape) and body condition should be assessed regularly e.g., every two to four weeks during the weight reduction program, so that progress can be monitored and the program amended as required. Taking photographs of the horse and comparing before and after shots can also help assess body condition visually. The body condition scoring system uses a 1 to 9 scale where 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese; optimal is considered to be a score of 5 or 6 (see sidebar: Body Condition Scores). As a first step toward weight loss, incorporating exercise without altering diet can sometimes be sufficient to get your horse to an ideal weight. If feed restriction is also needed, grain and other concentrated sources of calories (e.g., commercial sweet feeds, and feeds containing added fats) should be totally removed from the diet. Excessive feeding of other treats such as carrots and apples also should be curtailed. Forage should be the primary, if not the sole, energy providing component of the ration. Low intake, low calorie ration-balancer feeds complete with vitamins and minerals should be used to supplement deficiencies in vitamins and minerals that exist in most hays and pasture. Increasing Body Weight If the horse is very thin with a body condition score of 1 or 2 at the end of winter, it should be placed on a gradual increased level of nutrition in order to restore body weight. It takes 35 to 45 pounds of weight gain to change a horse’s body condition score by one unit (based on a 1100 lb horse). Therefore, a horse with a body condition score of two would need to gain approximately 132 lbs to increase its condition score to a five. This would take around six months to achieve safely. When feeding large quantities of grain in order to increase the energy density of the ration, we must be careful not to feed more than five pounds of grain in any single feeding. Large grain meals pass more quickly than smaller meals through the digestive tract. Therefore fewer nutrients are absorbed and potential digestive disorders such as colic can occur. If the horse had a body condition score of three or four at the end of winter it would obviously take much less time to get his body condition to
an optimal level. Based on the assumptions outlined above, it would take this horse approximately two to four months to achieve an optimal body condition. Using calories sources such as highly digestible fiber sources and fat supplements will help increase the caloric density of the feed without adding extra bulk, and will help your horse safely gain weight faster than by simply adding extra grain. Alfalfa hay has more calories per pound than most grass hays and is an excellent addition to a weight gain feeding program. Fat supplements such as vegetable oil or
stabilized rice bran are much more energy dense than cereal grains. Vegetable oil is 99 percent fat, while rice bran is approximately 20 to 25 percent fat. Adding a fat supplement to the diet will also help improve skin and coat condition, especially after a cold, dry winter. In summary, when bringing horses back into work, we want to make all feeding changes gradually. Avoid overworking the horse beyond its fitness level, and allow adequate time for the horse to regain or lose weight to return to optimal body condition. b
Body Support Known as Body Builder in USA
Natural Alternative to Steroids...
THE FIRST, & STILL THE BEST, FOR OVER 27 YEARS! Works so well that others try to replicate it. Don’t Be Fooled !!! They do not use the same quality of ingredients. BODY SUPPORT is cheaper because of the dosage and obvious results! Bottom line, BODY SUPPORT was the first and is still the best. Our Secret? We use the highest quality ingredients and have a proprietary, unique way of mixing them. What’s the difference? The key is absorption.
One Bottle + One Horse + Two Months = Outstanding Results!! For the money, there is no better supplement with faster turn-around results than BODY SUPPORT! 26 years of repeat customers prove it! From yearling and 2-year-old prep to racehorses and competition horses, to broodmares and stallions. Yep, it works for all.
Available in various catalogs and at your local tack shops, Greenhawk outlets, through WeCan Sales distributors and Cloverdale Pharmasave. Equiade Products • www.equiade.com • 1-800-413-3702 • (201) 568-5551
Registered and approved for sale in Canada!
TRY IT! YOU WILL LOVE IT!! GUARANTEED! March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
15
PHOTO: ©THINKSTOCK/GOCE RISTESKI
HORSE HEALTH
Glowing from the
Inside Out
BY DR. TANIA CUBITT
The Genetics of Horse Colours and Feeding for a Healthy Coat
E
veryone wants to see their horses with a sleek, glowing coat. The quality of a horse’s hair coat is directly related to his overall health. Providing the horse with plenty of roughage and a balanced diet along with an effective parasite control regime, sufficient exercise, and grooming is imperative when striving for a healthy coat. Horse owners are frequently asking, “What can I feed to darken my horse’s coat or make him shinier?” In order to answer this question, we must first understand the basics of hair structure and the genetics of coat colour.
16
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Hair structure Hair is a filamentous biomaterial that grows from follicles found in the dermis layer of the skin. Hair is primarily composed of protein, notably keratin. Hair growth begins inside the hair follicle. The only “living” portion of the hair is found in the follicle. The hair that is visible is the hair shaft, which exhibits no biochemical activity and is considered dead. The base of the root is called the bulb, which contains the cells that produce the hair shaft. Other structures of the hair follicle include the oil producing sebaceous gland which lubricates the
Patterns such as roan are created by genes that affect the distribution of white and pigmented coat, skin, and eye colour.
hair, and the arrector pili muscles, which are responsible for causing hairs to stand up.
Coat Colour There are many different coat colours possible, but all colours are produced by the action of only a few genes. The simplest genetic default colour of all domesticated horses can be described as either red or nonred, depending on whether a gene known as the Extension gene is present. When no other genes are active, a red horse is the colour popularly known as a chestnut. Black coat colour occurs when the Extension gene is present and no other genes are acting on coat colour. The Agouti gene can be recognized only in non-red horses; it determines whether black colour is uniform, creating a black horse, or limited to the extremities of the body, creating a bay horse. Chestnut, black, and bay are considered the three base colours that all remaining coat colour genes act upon. There are a number of dilution genes that lighten these three colours in a variety of ways, sometimes affecting skin and eyes as well as hair coat, including cream, dun, pearl, champagne, and silver dapple. The palomino colour, for example, is created by a single allele of a dilution gene called the cream gene working on a red (chestnut) base coat. Genes that affect the distribution of white and pigmented coat, skin, and eye colour create patterns such as roan, pinto, leopard, white, and even white markings. Some of these patterns may be the result of a single gene; others may be influenced by multiple alleles. Finally, the grey gene, which acts differently from other coat colour genes, slowly lightens any other hair coat colour to white over a period of years, without changing skin or eye colour. Coat colour alleles affect melanin, the pigment or colouring of the coat. There are two chemically distinct types of melanin: pheomelanin, which is perceived as red to yellow colour, and eumelanin, which is perceived as brown to black. All colouration genes in mammals affect either the production or distribution of these two chemicals. Alleles affecting melanocytes (pigment cells) do not alter the pigment chemicals themselves but rather, by acting on the placement of pigment cells, produce distinct patterns of unpigmented pink skin and corresponding white hair.
A Leading Canadian Provider of Insurance Products tailored to the Equine Industry Horse Mortality Plans Offering: • Full Mortality • Waiver of Depreciation • Medical and Surgical • Disability • Agreed Value / Guaranteed Renewal • Comprehensive Personal Liability • $10,000 Equus Line Clause • Lease Fee Protection Plan, for Leased Horses
Commercial General Liability Plans For: • Riding Facilities / Academies • Boarding Stables • Coaches / Riding Instructors • Horse Shows / Events
• Farriers • Associations / Clubs • Clinics • Charity Events
The Henry Equestrian Insurance Plan is offered throughout Canada. To obtain a quote contact the office nearest to your location. ALBERTA AgPro Insurance Brokers
MARITIME PROVINCES Brooklyn Insurance Agency
780-452-5561
1-800-735-4614 • 902-757-0269
Dr. Maurice Stewart – mstewart@agpro-insurance.com Sylvia Waters – swaters@agproinsurance.com Sandra Ward – sward@agproinsurance.com
www.agproinsurance.com
BRITISH COLUMBIA Westland Insurance
Brenda Erickson – berickson@westland-insurance.com EquineInsuranceSpecialist@Westland-Insurance.com
www.westland-insurance.com
ONTARIO – AURORA, Head Office Henry Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd.
ONTARIO – BELLEVILLE McDougall Insurance & Financial
1-800-361-0941 ext. 1246
Scott Zurrer – szurrer@mcdougallinsurance.com
www.mcdougallinsurance.com
MANITOBA Oldfield Kirby Esau Inc.
SASKATCHEWAN Chaben McPherson Agencies Ltd.
Kelly Fawcett-Neufeld – kfawcett@oldfieldkirby.com
www.oldfieldkirby.com
www.huestis.ca
1-800-565-4321 • hep@hep.ca www.hep.ca
1-800-899-3093 ext. 138 778-545-2126
1-877-653-4357 ext. 326 204-943-1446
Sherri Greenough caib – sherri.greenough@huestis.ca
306-244-3020 • Fax: 306-665-2667
Doug Chaben, Hugh Sutherland & Joanne Lipinksi chabenmcpherson@sasktel.net
www.chabenmcphersonag.saskbrokers.com UNDERWRITTEN BY AVIVA ELITE INSURANCE COMPANY March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
17
PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO//JARIH
Sun Bleaching
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/VIRGONIRA
A balanced diet, exercise, and regular grooming contribute to a horse that glows with health from the inside out.
18
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Melanin is a pigment found in hair cells that gives each its colour. The sun bleaches and destroys the melanin in hair, making it lighter. Since hair is dead, the hair will stay that colour until new hair comes in. The UV in sunlight oxidizes melanin into a colourless compound; this is why hair gets lighter. Keeping a thin sheet on your horse during the sunniest periods of the day may reduce bleaching of your horse’s coat.
Nutrition and Coat Health Firstly, it should be noted that the coat colour of a horse cannot be changed, unless it is chemically dyed or bleached by the sun, and for any nutrients to have an effect on the integrity of the hair, the feeding change must be implemented prior to the new coat starting to grow in. That said, there are several nutrients that are known to be involved in the synthesis of the protein found in hair. Copper, zinc, biotin, fatty acids, and protein (specifically the amino acid methionine) are necessary for hair growth and structure. Copper and zinc are required for the manufacture of the melanocytes that give bays, blacks, and chestnuts their colour. Biotin is one of the B group vitamins. Most people have heard about using biotin to improve hoof quality, but this also applies to the coat, as insufficient biotin can lead to thin and brittle hair. Hair is primarily composed of protein The three base colours that all remaining coat colour genes act upon are bay (shown at left), chestnut and black.
BOTVAX B ®
Just one teaspoon of toxin is enough to kill 5,000 horses. For protection against Clostridium botulinum type B, the #1 cause ® of botulism poisoning, ask your veterinarian for BOTVAX B.
www.equinebotulism.com equinebotulism@neogen.com Distributed in Canada by Ceva Animal Health www.ceva-canada.ca
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
19
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/GOCE
once the water is removed. Insufficient protein intake can result in coats that do not lie smoothly, as well as brittle, slow growing coats. Adding fat to the diet will supply essential fatty acids that are required by the hair follicle to lubricate the hair, which gives it a shiny appearance. When hair is newly grown the hair shaft has a good coating of oil (sebum), which makes for a high refractive index. This means light is captured and reflected inside the shaft giving the hairs a darker and shinier appearance. As the hair ages the natural oils wear off; by feeding a higher fat diet there is more oil available to coat the hairs resulting in a shinier, darker coat for longer.
right: A single allele of a dilution gene called the cream gene working on a red (chestnut) base coat creates the palomino colour.
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/PURPLEQUEUE
below: When the Extension gene is present and no other genes are acting on the coat colour, the horse will be black.
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/ZUZULE
above: The grey gene will slowly lighten this foal’s coat to white over several years.
20
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Management and Coat Health Exercise improves the delivery of blood, and therefore oxygen and nutrients, to the skin. In time, the number of blood vessels and the density of the capillaries supplying the skin actually increase so that nutrient flow is improved even when the horse isn’t exercising. Exercise is also beneficial by stimulating the flow of sweat and sebum. Sebum secreted from the hair follicles helps give the hair its shine as it forms a protective layer over the skin, preventing excess moisture loss and drying. Deworming your horse is important as parasites can rob the body of nutrients, and hair and skin are often the first areas to show it. Also, groom your horse regularly as brushing will remove dirt, dead hair, and dead skin, in addition to stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles and feeding new hair growth.
Additional Supplements The amino acid tyrosine is included in some coat products, primarily those designed for dark-coated horses. The rationale behind this is that tyrosine is the amino acid used to manufacture the pigment melanin. However, while the amounts used aren’t harmful, there’s no research to suggest that supplementing it is helpful either. Paprika is the primary active ingredient added to most coat colour-enhancing supplements. Paprika is a spice made from ground, dried fruits of Capsicum annuum. Paprika contains many health related compounds such as vitamins A, C, and E. The lighter Hungarian variety of paprika also contains high concentrations of copper flavonoids. As copper is required for the manufacture of melanocytes that give bays, blacks, and chestnuts their colour, this is possibly why paprika may be beneficial. A word of caution: Paprika overuse has been shown to exacerbate gastric ulcers. Excess copper intake can also interfere with the absorption of selenium. Paprika also contains capcasin which is a banned substance and will result in positive drug tests. Capcasin is thought to have pain relieving properties and may cause hypersensitivity to touch in horses. Remember, the skin and coat are the windows to your horse’s overall nutrition and health. Making sure the horse has plenty of roughage and a balanced diet will ensure the horse is healthier on the inside and glowing on the outside. b
Imagine learning to improve the health and welfare of your horses You Can! Our Equine online courses are for you if you: • Have a passion for horses and want to learn more • Own a horse or are planning on owning a horse • Are concerned about equine welfare • Would like a career in the equine industry • Want to learn from leading researchers and practitioners in the equine industry
Need more information:
Telephone: 519-767-5000 Email: info@OpenEd.uoguelph.ca EquineStudiesOnline.ca/schedule Which course will you take? Scan the code review the current course schedule
Study Online. Stay at home with your horses www.EquineGuelph.ca/education
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
21
HORSE HEALTH
A Horse Owner’s Primer on BY SHIRLEY BYERS
Horses with navicular issues may be stiff and sporadically lame. A horse used for barrel racing might exhibit a gradual loss of performance and a reluctance to turn. 22
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
If you have ever experienced the relief that comes after exchanging ill-fitting shoes for a more comfortable pair, you can understand what a horse suffering from navicular disease feels like when it gets a set of corrective shoes. Corrective shoes are not a cure-all for navicular disease, but they’re the first line of defence for this chronic cause of foreleg lameness, says equine surgeon Dr. Joe Bracamonte. “When I diagnose navicular syndrome, the first thing I do is try to find the shoe that fits that horse. One of the things that’s going to improve his life is finding that shoe,” says Bracamonte, an associate professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “Navicular syndrome is a degenerative disease. It’s not like we can stop it. What we’ve got to do is try to slow it down.” Bracamonte estimates that about 70 to 80 percent of the horses that come to the WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre because of lameness issues are suffering from this degenerative condition of the navicular bone and soft tissues in the back of a horse’s forefeet. As researchers have gained a greater understanding of the disease, it has gone through several names over the years. Navicular disease is now known to be caused by a variety of abnormalities and is referred to as “navicular syndrome” or “caudal heel pain.” This condition shows up in horses aged anywhere between four and fourteen years old. In North America, navicular syndrome affects mainly Thoroughbreds and other breeds such as Quarter Horses and Tennessee Walking horses. Ongoing studies will eventually confirm whether a predisposition to developing navicular syndrome is a heritable trait in some breeds. Bracamonte explains that foot care is very important for all horses, especially for Quarter Horses that have small feet — a predisposing factor for navicular syndrome. As well, this breed’s tendency for long toes and underrun heels could put stress on the navicular area. Other common predisposing factors for the disease include a broken forward or backward hoof axis, sheared heels, contracted heels, and mismatched hoof angles.
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/DGPHOTOGRAPHY
Navicular Syndrome
Clinical Signs and Diagnosis Horses with navicular issues likely present with “on and off” lameness until one day, the animal is suddenly acutely lame. Stiffness is another clinical sign, points out Bracamonte. In barrel racing horses, riders might notice a gradual loss of performance and a reluctance to turn. Western pleasure horses might also favour a shorter stride. A common misconception is that lame horses have shoulder issues, but that’s usually not the case. “For every case of lameness originating in the shoulder, we see 2,000 that are foot related,” says Bracamonte. To diagnose navicular syndrome, he wants to see his equine patients trot on a hard surface, and in a circle on hard and soft surfaces. “We have a grading system from zero to five,” explains Bracamonte. “Five is non-weight bearing.” When Bracamonte watches horses with suspected navicular disease (and with a lameness grade of two or three), he may notice a variety of subtle clinical signs. For example, a horse may point with one foot, or it may have a head nod with the sore foot. It may start landing on its toe and look like it’s trying to avoid landing on that heel. “It almost seems like they’re stepping on eggs,” says Bracamonte. Horses with soreness in both front feet present with an even choppier gait. On a hard surface, they’re very careful how they place their feet. There could be stiffness in their necks, and in most cases, one foot is more VA.0115.PCPRPOUR(out).pdf 1 1/15/15 10:09 painful. Horses suffering from navicular disease often
have a short stride in both limbs, and they might swap lame legs when navigating tight circles or corners. To determine which leg is in worse condition, Bracamonte explains that he might apply stress to certain areas of the horse’s legs. For example, he might pick up one leg so more weight rests on the other leg, then release the leg and watch for an increase in lameness as the horse moves. Here are two other tests used by veterinarians to diagnose navicular syndrome: • Wedge test: A veterinarian places one of the horse’s front feet on a wedge of wood to force the limb into a hyper-extended position. At the same time, the horse’s
INTERNAL HOOF STRUCTURE
Coffin Joint Coffin Bone
Hoof Wall
DDFT Collateral Ligament Navicular Bone Navicular Bursa Impar Ligament
AM
Digital Cushion
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
23
PHOTO: ©SHUTTERSTOCK/STEPHANIE COFFMAN
above: Quarter Horses are one of the breeds predisposed to developing navicular syndrome due to their tendency to have smaller feet, with long toes and underrun heels, which put stress on the navicular area. left: To diagnose navicular syndrome, the horse is observed trotting on a hard surface, and on a circle on both hard and soft surfaces.
opposite leg is held in the air. After a period of time, the horse is trotted away in a straight line so the practitioner can watch for an increase in lameness. • Frog pressure test: A veterinarian places one of the horse’s front feet over a small block of wood (often the handle of a hoof knife or hammer). This test applies pressure on the caudal aspect of the horse’s frog while its opposite limb is held in the air. After a period of time, the horse is trotted off in a straight line so the veterinarian can watch for an increase in lameness. Bracamonte emphasizes that these tests are not 100 percent specific for the navicular bone, so veterinarians need to interpret the results relative to other findings. Clinicians also use hoof testers to apply pressure, but Bracamonte points out that less than 50 percent of horses respond to the pressure of hoof testers.Nerve blocks can help to narrow down where the problem is occurring in the range from the horse’s foot up to its shoulder. However, Bracamonte points out that veterinarians now know that nerve blocks aren’t that specific. Potential treatments The prime goal of shoeing is to decrease pressure on the navicular bone. Raising the heel, usually executed with wedge pads or a wedge shoe, is the technique that best decreases pressure on the navicular area. Other shoeing options include the egg bar shoe, which increases the surface of contact and gives increased stability to the foot. Natural balance shoes, which were developed after researching horses in the wild, are also effective in treating horses diagnosed with navicular disease. The concept of “breaking in” new shoes
24
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLE HENDERSON
HEALTHY Navicular Bone Digital Cushion Wedges have long been used as a treatment for navicular disease to decrease pressure on the navicular area.
Cutaway comparisons of a healthy foot and an unhealthy foot. Note the difference in the size of the digital cushion below the DDFT and the navicular bone.
UNHEALTHY Navicular Bone
Canada’s Equestrian University-Preparatory High School for Girls
Digital Cushion
applies to horses as well: “Give the horse two weeks to adapt to the shoe,” says Bracamonte. Injecting the coffin bone with steroids is another line of treatment. Bracamonte says the positive effects of steroids might last four to six months after the first injection, but over time, the effectiveness of subsequent treatments will gradually decrease until there’s no response. Steroids can also be injected directly into the bursa (fluid-filled sac that cushions the navicular bone), resolving the lameness for an average of four months in 80 percent of horses that do not respond to standard treatments. Tildren® (tiludronate disodium), a drug prescribed for osteoporosis, is effective for managing equine caudal heel pain because of the loss of bone density associated with this disease. Horses with mild to moderate navicular syndrome are the best candidates for this drug therapy. If a horse is no longer responding to any other treatment, Bracamonte says a neurectomy is another option. In this procedure, an equine surgeon severs both palmar digital nerves below the base of the sesamoid bone to reduce the pain. However, this procedure must be used with extreme caution and only on horses that are carefully supervised since they’re more vulnerable to foot injuries. b Shirley Byers is a writer and editor from Kelvington, Saskatchewan. She freelances for a variety of North American magazines and newspapers.
WELCOMING APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2015
www.qms.bc.ca
Duncan, British Columbia T 250 746-4185 | admissions@qms.bc.ca March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
25
HORSE HEALTH
Equine Skin Diseases BY HAYLEY KOSOLOFSKI above: While they appear uncomfortable, the flat-topped wheals of urticarial are usually not painful or itchy.
If you have ever owned a horse with a skin disease, you know from experience that these conditions are frustrating to manage — diagnosing them can be difficult, and their treatment is tedious. Worse yet, skin diseases can be painful for your horse if they cause lameness, or irritation under tack. Dr. Michelle Husulak has seen her fair share of equine skin diseases during her work as a resident in equine field service at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Husulak talks about diagnosing and treating four of the most common skin conditions that plague horses in Canada.
Urticaria Urticaria or hives is a skin reaction to allergies or to other stressors. The reaction causes flat-topped wheals (raised areas surrounded by a red base) that can vary in size. In most cases, these wheals are not painful or itchy. “This is usually an allergic reaction to food, drugs, vaccines, or anything that the horse is exposed to and may 26
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
be allergic to,” says Husulak. “It can also be caused by nonallergic reactions such as heat, cold, exercise, or stress.” Finding the cause of urticaria can be difficult. “We ask questions about the horse’s history and try to find out if they have been recently vaccinated or treated with any drugs, or if there has been a recent change in their environment or feed,” says Husulak. But in many cases, the cause of the skin reaction can’t be identified. Veterinarians can perform allergy testing to try and determine the cause of the urticaria. However, this is often unrewarding as the allergens that are tested are usually different from the ones that are present in the horse’s environment. “When we are trying to treat this, we attempt to treat the symptoms — the swellings that are happening on the body. These are usually treated with steroids,” says Husulak. Urticaria is often a one-time event, but if the condition recurs or is severe, it’s important to try and determine the cause to prevent subsequent allergic reactions.
PHOTO: PAM MACKENZIE
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/RON ROWAN
PHOTO: PAM MACKENZIE
above, left: Pastern dermatitis or mud fever often affects the white areas of the horse’s legs, and can cause pain and swelling. above, right: To prevent pastern dermatitis, horses should have access to a dry sheltered area and turnout that is free from manure and mud where bacteria and fungi thrive.
Pastern Dermatitis Pastern dermatitis goes by many names: scratches, grease heel, cracked heel, or mud fever. Veterinarians can rarely identify the cause of the disease, but the main suspects are bacteria and fungus. Crusted scabs are typically found on the back of the pastern, but lesions can extend higher or to the front of the leg. The condition most often affects white areas on a horse’s leg, and it can be aggravated by sunlight. To make matters worse, the limb is often swollen and painful. “The skin below the crusting is red and cracked and there is often hair loss there as well,” says Husulak. She says it’s important to talk to your veterinarian early in the disease process. If your vet sees the wounds in the early stages, he or she can biopsy the skin to try to determine the cause and treat your horse more effectively. “Initially, we start off by clipping the hair and removing the dirt and debris. Then we remove the crusts with warm water and antibacterial soap,” says Husulak. She adds that this process can be painful, and the horse may need to be sedated. “We then apply a ‘scratches’ ointment that’s made by our pharmacy,” says Husulak. “It contains steroid, antibiotic, and antifungal medication that decreases the inflammation and kills bacteria and fungi present in the skin.” The leg is then bandaged to keep it clean and out of the sun. Owners must continue to clean the sores, apply cream, and bandage the leg daily until the wounds heal. March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
27
Dermatophilosis
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/ELLIEBELLY13
PHOTO COURTESY OF WCVM
The typical horse with rain rot has an underlying condition that makes it more susceptible to the contagious bacteria when there is a crack in the skin.
Dermatophilosis, also known as rain rot or rain scald, is a disease of moist conditions. It’s often seen in wet climates or under winter blankets when horses sweat. Dermatophilosis is caused by a contagious bacteria called Dermatophilus congolensis. It can be spread between horses on brushes and tack, or by biting insects. Dermatophilosis also affects other animals, such as cattle, but it’s rarely diagnosed in people. “This disease doesn’t commonly affect completely healthy horses. There needs to be a break in the skin, and usually, the horse has an underlying condition that decreases its ability to fight off the infection,” says Husulak. Cracks in a horse’s skin can be caused by superficial wounds from trees, fences, or other horses. “The main clinical sign is a crusting or ‘paint brush’ lesion,” says Husulak. Discharge and pus stick in the hair next to the skin and create paint brush-like tufts when they fall out. These tufts leave behind a patch of bald skin, and become a source of infection for other animals. Typically, a horse is diagnosed with dermatophilosis based on the clinical signs. In abnormal cases, a sample of skin from affected areas can be sent to the lab for confirmation. “For treatment, the most important thing is to attempt to keep the horse dry,” says Husulak. In the winter, this may mean moving the horse into the barn so its blanket can be removed. She adds that the crusts need to be removed and the horse’s skin must be cleaned with anti-bacterial soap. If lesions are small, you or your veterinarian can apply a topical antibiotic. But for more widespread disease, oral or injectable antibiotics may be necessary to treat the whole horse. Disinfecting the barn and arena is important in the control of ringworm, which is highly contagious.
28
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTO COURTESY OF WCVM
Ringworm spread easily by direct contact and from sharing contaminated tack and grooming equipment.
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/SCGIRL2000
Rain rot is more common in wet climates or under winter blankets when horses sweat.
Dermatophytosis Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a highly contagious fungal disease that affects horses, humans, and other animals. Horses are most often infected with the fungus, Trichophyton equinum, which is less likely to infect people. Microsporum equinum also causes ringworm and is contagious to people. Dermatophytosis is easily spread between horses by direct contact or contaminated objects such as tack, brushes, and fence posts. That’s why disinfecting your barn or arena is an important part of controlling this disease. “We usually see circular patches of hair loss with scaling or crusting within them,” Husulak describes. “Usually these lesions start out small, and the crusting will spread out. A bald patch will be present in the middle of the lesion.” The horse’s face, neck, and girth are the most common areas to be affected, but lesions can cover the whole horse in severe cases. Since many diseases can imitate dermatophytosis, veterinarians rely on a fungal culture to confirm the diagnosis. “For treatment, we like to apply a topical antifungal cream every 12 hours to kill off the fungus,” says Husulak. If there are more widespread lesions, she recommends using an antifungal rinse that can poured onto the horse. In chronic cases, your veterinarian may decide to give oral antifungal medication to the patient. Husulak says horses develop some immunity after a dermatophytosis infection. If a horse is re-infected, it could be a different species of fungus involved or an underlying problem that’s causing immunosuppression in the animal’s body. b
Working with our Equine Partners from Coast-to-Coast Our customers DO come first! Intercity Insurance Services Inc.
®
15221 Yonge St., 2nd Floor, Aurora, ON L4G 1L8
888-394-3330 • Fax: 905-841-0030 www.intercityinsurance.com info@intercityinsurance.com
• Horse Mortality • Farm Property • Commercial Property & Liability • Home • Auto & more!
Capri Insurance Services Ltd. Suite 100, 1500 Hardy St., Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2
800-670-1877 • Fax: 250-860-1213 www.capri.ca • reception@capri.ca
Insurance for Horses & Their People – It is What We Do!
Hayley Kosolofski of Sherwood Park, Alberta, is a third-year veterinary student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WCVM
A typical circular ringworm lesion with scaling or crusting, and a bald patch in the middle.
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
29
BREEDING
PHOTO: PAM MACKENZIE
The Foaling Mare
30
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
WHEN TO WATCH — WHEN TO ACT Ask anyone who has bred horses, and they’ll tell you it’s no easy feat. However, when it is done properly (and everything goes right), having an energetic and healthy foal is an exciting and rewarding experience. Dr. Stephen Manning is a board-certified theriogenologist and an associate professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Based on his training and experience, Manning has some helpful information and guidelines on breeding, pregnancy requirements, normal foaling, and foaling complications that can happen before, during, or after birth.
Breeding The first step is getting the mare pregnant, which can be a challenging task. It’s not always clear when to breed your mare or easy to confirm pregnancy — especially without access to technology and equipment. Manning explains that the classical way to determine pregnancy, commonly used by breeders and owners, is to observe a non-return to estrus (heat). Between 14 and 21 days after breeding, the owner reintroduces his mares to a stallion. If a mare will not stand for the stallion, her lack of co-operation may indicate that she’s already pregnant. A more definitive method involves transrectal palpation. In pregnant mares, the cervix will be long and tight. Depending on the stage of pregnancy you may feel a bulge, or later on, you may actually palpate the fetus in the uterus. Manning notes that this procedure takes some skill, and it’s not necessarily easy to confirm pregnancy since changes can be subtle — especially early on when most mare owners are requesting a diagnosis. Ultrasonography is the most reliable method of determining pregnancy. It’s the only way to determine if a mare is pregnant with a healthy embryo, and it’s the only way to detect twins (a problem in horses because they almost never carry twins to term successfully). Not all horse breeders may have access to a veterinarian who is skilled in this technology, although ultrasonography is commonly used by practitioners who do any amount of equine work. Ultrasound examinations can also be used at various stages to assess pregnancy: Day 11-14: Can see embryonic vesicles Day 16: Destruction of one vesicle if twins are present Day 25: Can confirm pregnancy with a fetal heartbeat Day 55: Can attempt fetal sexing Day 340: Approximate gestation period for a mare (can range from 320 to 365-plus days)
PHOTO: PAM MACKENZIE
BY SARAH FIGLEY
Gestation Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, keeping your mare in optimal physical condition is important. For the first eight months, mares on good quality feed do not need additional feed requirements. However, since 65 to 70 per cent of fetal growth occurs from eight to eleven months, pregnant mares will require more energy in the last three months of gestation. Manning says owners “don’t need to double the energy provided in the feed, they just need to increase it by about 20 to 30 per cent. Sometimes this just means an increase in quality by adding in a concentrate and mineral.” While late gestational complications can be devastating, they are not the norm. However, breeders should be prepared to call a veterinarian if problems arise at any point in the pregnancy since many issues can be life threatening to the foal and mare. Here are several of the most dangerous late gestational problems:
Most mares foal at night and are not comfortable being watched. Signs of the first stage of labour are similar to those of colic; the mare may appear agitated, sweat, and pace her stall.
Twins: “Twins can be an epic failure and can end up costing a lot of money. We try to avoid these at all costs,” says Manning. Placentitis: This condition is caused by an infection in the uterus and results in a thickened placenta. This development ultimately compromises the oxygen and nutrients delivered to the foal. Placentitis is considered serious and veterinarians treat it aggressively with antibiotics — often for the remainder of the pregnancy. To reduce the occurrence of placentitis, veterinarians often recommend performing a Caslick’s procedure (surgically closing the upper part of the vulva). Uterine torsion: Uterine torsion(twisting of the uterus) results in a reduced blood supply to the foal. Mares will usually present with signs of colic; sometimes those signs are acute and severe, but sometimes the clinical signs are more subtle. “These [situations] are always serious for both the mare and fetus and usually require surgical March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
31
left: The second stage of labour lasts from five to thirty minutes. The foal is born with both forelegs extended, followed by the head and neck. Any incorrect positioning of the foal in the uterus or birth canal can be fatal for the foal and should be quickly corrected.
correction in order to allow the pregnancy to continue successfully to term. If you don’t deal with the problem right away, you will often lose the mare,” says Manning. Ruptured pre-pubic tendon, or ventral lateral abdominal hernia: This is a serious health issue that’s more commonly seen in older mares. It disrupts the mare’s abdominal wall to the point that she’s unable to support the weight of the foal or properly contract her abdominal muscles during parturition. If the pregnancy is past 320 days, a veterinarian will perform a planned caesarean section. An affected mare doesn’t usually survive, and if the hernia occurs before 320 days, her foal generally doesn’t survive either. While some in utero complications can’t be prevented or predicted, there are many things that can be done in advance to give foals and mares the best possible outcome. In preparation, Manning recommends that breeders think about completing the following steps about 30 days before the anticipated date of foaling:
PHOTOS: PAM MACKENZIE
Vaccinate: Foals are born completely naïve and can be susceptible to many diseases and infections. Vaccinating mares provides antibody-rich colostrum, which will protect the foal for the first six months of life. Check with your veterinarian to determine what is recommended for your particular situation.
above: Dr. Manning reminds breeders to be prepared for everything, and that there is a fine balance between knowing when to watch and when to act. near right: The foal should free itself of the amniotic membrane as it struggles to sit up. far right: Passing the placenta is the third stage of labour. If the placenta is retained the mare is at high risk of infection, shock and developing laminitis.
32
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Deworm: In addition to deworming your mare in advance, veterinarians also recommend deworming about one week after foaling. Parasitic larvae can be transferred to the foal by the milk and may cause illness or unthriftiness. Open Caslick’s: Caslick’s operations are done to seal the mare’s vulva and create an extra barrier to protect the pregnancy. To prevent tearing and allow for an uncomplicated delivery, a veterinarian needs to reopen the vulva lips before foaling occurs.
PHOTO: ©PHOTOS.COM/PENTAGONIEN
Now Available...
Natural Healing for Horses, Dogs & Cats
Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy 5778-176A St., Cloverdale • 604-576-2888 CHECK OUT OUR NON-TEST PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS AT
www.CloverdaleWellness.com
The successful delivery of healthy twin foals is rare. The risk of spontaneous abortion or premature delivery with twins is high, and those that are successfully carried usually result in complications during delivery. Ultrasonography is the only way to detect if the mare is carrying twins. When twins are detected one vesicle is typically destroyed at day 16 to increase the chances of pregnancy proceeding successfully to term with a healthy, single foal. Fetal well-being assessment or rectal ultrasound examination: Veterinarians use this procedure to confirm a live pregnancy, to identify the foal’s body position, to assess the vital signs (foal’s growth measurements and heart rate), to assess uterus structure and placental attachments, and to look for signs of placentitis.
Foaling Predicting parturition (birthing or foaling) is a fine science and pregnancies will vary. While no single sign will fully determine the onset of foaling, Manning says that owners will notice a saggy or swollen vulva, udder development, wax production or vaginal secretions, and/or restless behaviour. If owners notice any, some, or all of these signs, they should suspect foaling within hours to days and keep a watchful eye on their mare. Most mares will foal at night and this isn’t by coincidence. Mares, to some degree, are able to control the timing of early parturition stages if they are uncomfortable being watched. With this in mind, Manning advises breeders to “be discreet when watching your mare” and recognize that each of the three parturition stages “is a fine balance of knowing when to act and when to watch.” Stage 1 (uterine contractions begin): This stage can last hours, and a mare may mask early signs if she is being watched. Signs will be consistent with colic: the mare may be agitated and show excessive movement (walking, pacing). The mare’s cervix will relax and open, and the fetal position will begin to change. Stage 2 (expulsion of the fetus): This stage is very rapid and forceful, lasting from 34
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
five to thirty minutes. The mare’s chorioallantoic membrane ruptures, resulting in fluid discharge. Most mares will lie down (but not always) during this stage. A foal is born surrounded by the translucent-grey/ bluish amniotic sac. A foal will usually break the sac on its own, but if this fails, the foal can suffocate without human intervention. Stage 3 (passing of fetal membranes or placenta): This stage can take from five minutes to a few hours. Mares will often lie down and continue to show signs of colic and uterine contractions as they attempt to expel the placenta. As a guideline, Manning likes to use the “1-2-3 rule” of foaling: “Your foal should stand within one hour, it should suckle within two hours, and your mare’s fetal membranes should be discharged within three hours.” If any of the stages are notably delayed, Manning recommends that owners contact their veterinarian. Difficult births (dystocia) are not common, but they do require fast physical intervention by trained personnel to save the lives of both the foal and the mare. Foals normally come out of the birth canal with their front feet first, followed by their nose and the rest of their body. The most commonly seen dystocia would be a malpresentation of the foal — meaning that its body is somehow positioned incorrectly in the uterus or in the birth canal. Any malpresentation that delays Stage 2 and/or compresses the foal’s umbilical cord is extremely dangerous since it will cut off the foal’s only supply of oxygen and blood. If it isn’t corrected quickly, a malpresentation can be fatal for a foal. Even after you have a live, healthy foal on the ground, you might not be out of the woods just yet. Mares are susceptible to a number of post-partum complications that
are serious and need to be swiftly resolved. These complications predominantly occur in mares experiencing dystocia: Retained fetal membranes: After three hours, if the placenta has not been expelled, you should contact your veterinarian. Mares with retained placentas are at a high risk of developing infections, going into shock and developing laminitis. Uterine prolapse: Excessive contractions during and after parturition can push the uterus out. This can also occur if retained fetal membranes are improperly removed or taken out too suddenly. This is an emergency — and potentially fatal situation — since the blood supply to the uterus is completely blocked. Prolapsed rectum: Parturition contractions can be so strong that mares can rupture their rectums. If the rectum is pushed out over five inches, the blood supply is destroyed and the prognosis for the mare is poor. If you see this happening during foaling, call your veterinarian and push hard against the rectum (if you can accomplish this safely) to limit its movement and the distance it prolapses. Foaling injuries can occur to the mare when the Caslick’s isn’t removed before parturition, or if the foal’s hooves cause lacerations to the mare’s birth canal or rectum. These injuries can be fixed with surgery and should be repaired right away. Manning has a few points of additional advice for breeders: • Stay calm. • Remember that your mare won’t be as friendly as usual. She may be easily frightened or become aggressive so be careful while standing near her. • Make sure you have competent help — especially if this is your first foaling. • Be prepared for foaling problems before starting to foal. Being prepared will give you the best outcome. • Discreetly observe the mare from a distance; otherwise, foaling can be delayed. • Call your veterinarian sooner than later if you think there is a problem. It may seem as if an overwhelming number of things could go wrong during the breeding and foaling process, but don’t be discouraged. “More than 90 percent of pregnancies and foalings are normal,” says Manning, adding that it’s just good to be informed and prepared. “If you’re prepared for everything, it’s Murphy’s Law that nothing bad will happen.” b Sarah Figley of Saskatoon, Sask., is a secondyear veterinary student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
35
RIDER FITNESS
PHOTO: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
Be Posture Perfect! Exercises to Correct Common Riding Faults BY GINA ALLAN AND BARB KOPACEK It is the beginning of the riding season and many people enjoy setting goals to help give focus and guidance to the year ahead. If we map out our desired goals appropriately, making them realistic and attainable, then initiate them with baby steps, there is a greater likelihood we will achieve success. When we write down our goals we are, in essence, making a commitment and a contract with ourselves. This year I challenge you to improve your overall physical posture and riding position to become the best rider you can be. Can you commit ten minutes every ride to focussing on your posture? Ten minutes of focus during a warm-up in walk, trot, or canter will help any rider significantly change and improve their riding position. There are many ways to successfully approach improving our physical performance when riding. Watching a video of 36
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
yourself or using mirrors while you ride are excellent tools for observing traits to change or improve. If you have access to mirrors when you ride, look at yourself from the side. Ensure you have the classic positional alignment in place by imagining a line from your ear to your ankle, it would bisect the shoulder and hip. This line should be perpendicular to the ground.
POSITION PROBLEM #1
Legs that habitually swing forward If your lower legs are always swinging so far forward that you can see your toes in front of your knees, try standing up on your stirrups. Imagine they are like swings. Place the balls of your feet directly across the stirrup bar, just like in the two-point position. Reach the crown of your head skyward as if it is being pulled by a string like a puppet. Keep stretching lengthwise through your torso and, keeping your ankles directly underneath your hips, return to a seated position. If your legs swing forward as you sit down you may need to make an adjustment to your
PHOTO:S NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
#1
Deep Lunge Stretch
Begin in a runner’s lunge with your right leg forward and your left leg stretched behind you. (Ensure your left knee is appropriately padded.) Gradually lower your left knee to the floor, so that your right knee is aligned over your right ankle at a 90 degree angle. Extend your left leg behind you so the top of your foot is flat on the floor. Try to bring your hips forward to square them up. Lengthen through your torso by stretching skyward. Feel the stretch on the front of your hip. Hold 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
#2
Low Back Gluteal Stretch
Lie on the floor in Three-Point-Touch position. Keeping your hips level, gently bring one and then the other knee to your chest. As you do so, widen your legs as if bringing them toward your underarms. Keep your torso long and your pelvis level and square along the floor. Squeeze your thighs in and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat ten times.
saddle, but, more than likely you just need to practice keeping your lower legs and ankles back and underneath your seat. This is where your legs should be held and maintained during your entire ride. Simple adjustments like this can and ought to be made at any time throughout your ride if you feel you’ve fallen out of alignment. We call this “resetting your position.” Tight hip flexors and low back muscles, and weak glutes are often the result of this misalignment issue and result in the legs swinging too far forward. This can also create heaviness in the rider’s seat,
which puts too much pressure on the horse’s back, and can cause discomfort or even acute pain, reducing the horse’s ability to bring his hind legs underneath his hips. Whether or not you have experienced this problem in the past it is worth trying the following exercises to help release the hip flexors and increase strength in the glutes to give you that much-sought-after deep classical seat. The following dryland exercises are designed to help develop better muscle balance between the hip flexor, quadriceps, hamstring, and gluteal muscles: March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
37
POSITION PROBLEM #2
Correct Alignment Ear-Shoulder-Hip
Gluteal Squeeze
Sitting in good Three-Point-Touch position in a chair or exercise ball, on the ground, or in your car, squeeze your gluteals together as if you’re holding a winning lottery ticket between your cheeks! Hold for two seconds and repeat 20 times. This exercise can be done often. Try it while you’re driving every time you come to a stoplight. Do 10 or 20 squeezes.
#4
Cobra or Spinal Extension
Lay prone on your stomach with your legs extended, your hands underneath your shoulders and your forearms on the floor. Contract your abdominals in an imperceptible pelvic tilt, and on your inhalation press your hands into the floor so that your upper body begins to lift, but your hips stay rooted to the floor. Be careful not to over extend. Raise just a small amount to start with to ensure you are keeping your back properly aligned. Hold the stretch for a few seconds and return to the floor. Repeat three or four times. 38
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTOS: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
#3
Now that we’ve worked on setting the legs and aligning the seat longitudinally, let’s go to the upper torso, rib cage, shoulders, neck, and head area. Like our Three-Point-Touch, we always want to maintain correct alignment from the ear through the shoulder to the hip. However, if we are contracted in the front chest muscles there is likelihood that we will fold forward rounding our upper back. This position causes a lot of unwanted pressure on the vertebrae of the thoracic and lumbar spine. A forward rolling of the shoulder can cause shoulder impingement syndrome, as well as arm and neck issues. This Rounded Kyphotic position often correlates with a nervous rider. When a rider is tense or nervous, the hip flexors will contract, and the shoulders will roll forward. The torso will collapse in order to unconsciously protect the vital organs of the body. So, if a rider is nervous, the first thing they have to acknowledge is whether or not they are riding a suitable mount. If the horse makes the rider nervous, there’s a likelihood that things could go wrong quickly. When the rider is in this contracted fetal/protective position, her breath will be shallow causing the hip
THE PADDOCK
#1-7861 Hwy 97N,Vernon, BC 250-545-1537 1-866-703-1133
Boots, Gloves, Bags, Forks & much more NEW from Noble Outfitters will make “Barn” life easier!
Five Year Warranty!
Email:thepaddock@shaw.ca ~ http://thepaddock.shawwebspace.ca/
Here Comes SPRING! Get your orders in early! Contact us for planning assistance.
Continuous Farm & Ranch Fence
Economical • No Maintenance • Weather & Livestock Resistent VERY HORSE FRIENDLY • Best in the Industry • Can be used for Arena Fencing or Large Pastures and Smaller Pens • Fences can be 3, 4, 5, or 6 rails • Suitable for 7 rail stud pens • Several spacings available
Fully customizeable to suit your specific needs. Installation available.
CF FENCE • Box 338, Kaleden, BC
V0H 1K0
phone 250-490-5662 • answering machine 250-498-0280
alc@cffence.com • www.cffence.com
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
39
#5
Pectoral Stretch
Stand beside a tree, barn wall, or doorway. Lift your arm to just below shoulder height and bend your elbow so that it comes to a 90 degree angle. Try to maintain good Three-Point-Touch posture. Keep your wrist and hand flat to the frame and gently press forward so that your upper body feels like it’s trying to come forward. You should feel a gentle stretch across your chest. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, repeat on opposite side.
#7
Shoulder Roll and Hold
Standing in good Three-Point-Touch posture, roll your shoulders forward, skyward, back, and down as if you are etching a circle with them and trying to place your shoulder blades into your hip pockets. Hold that position and gently squeeze your shoulder blades together. Ensure that your arms are extended behind your body, thumbs facing towards your gluteals. Hold for ten seconds and release. Repeat 5 to 10 times. This exercise can be performed as a rider warm-up when you’re warming up your horse.
Plank
Start by lying on the floor facing downward, with your hands under your shoulders and in Three-Point-Touch position with your abdominals engaged and your legs extended. Push yourself from the floor to a push-up position and hold. Ensure your shoulders are back and down. Remember to breathe. Keep your bottom from protruding toward the sky or letting your hips droop toward the floor. Maintain a stable body pose and hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then relax. Repeat 2 to 10 times. This exercise can also be done using an exercise ball as shown (inset, facing page).
40
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTOS: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOS: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
#6
a
Annaharvey Farm
Ireland
a
flexors to contract, pulling the legs up from around the horse’s body. The horse will feel tension through the rider’s thighs and hips, and likely begin to think something is wrong. This in turn can cause a cyclical or negative feedback loop between horse and rider. This is the point where a rider must focus on breathing deeply – a four-count on the inhalation and a four-count on the exhalation. This focused, calm, rhythmic breathing will enable the diaphragm to descend, and allow the rider’s hip flexors to relax and loosen. Once the rider has achieved a rhythmic breathing pattern, she should focus on locating her seat bones. Sit squarely on the seat bones in good Three-Point-Touch position ensuring shoulder blades are rolled back and down as if trying to put them into your back hip pockets. The shoulder blades should lay flat against the ribcage so they’re not poking out. If this posture is unattainable, then it’s quite likely the rider needs to do some stretching and strengthening exercises to correct these imbalances. By stretching the front of the chest and strengthening the back of the body, we can reestablish a balance of muscle to the front and back of the body. So if you are unable to maintain square shoulders while seated upon your mount, perhaps you will find some of these stretches and exercises will improve your torso and shoulder position. These exercises are excellent for anyone to do on a regular basis, particularly if you work at a desk or computer for long periods of time. Try these stretches and exercises and see what a difference they make to your riding position and your overall posture. Not only will you look better – you’re going to feel better than ever!
AWARD WINNING FARMHOUSE ACCOMMODATION
a
Riding Holidays in Ireland Super Cross-country, Jumping, Dressage & Trekking Summer Riding Camps Tel: +353 5793 43544 Email: info@annaharveyfarm.ie Web: www.annaharveyfarm.ie
Quality Tested Horse Hay at a Reasonable Price
HORSE OWNERS HELPING HORSE OWNERS!
• By the Bale, the Ton or the Trailer Load • Serving the Lower Mainland & Vancouver Island • Low Sugar Hay Available
www.WraytonTransport.com Tel: 604-539-2304 • Cell: 778-899-7707 wrayton@telus.net 118 224th St, Langley BC V2Z 2V6
DON’T FORGET TO “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK
Horse-Of-My-Heart Contest We invite you to enter our Horse-Of-MyHeart Contest. Tell us about that special horse and why he or she won a place in YOUR heart, and send us a photo of your favourite “horse” friend. Selected contributions will be published on our website and winners will be announced in The Hoofbeat E-Newsletter. Contest runs until April 30, 2015. Visit our website’s Contest Page to learn about the fabulous prizes from:
Enter at: www.HORSEJournals. com/contests March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
41
#8
Ball Chest Stretch
Roll your back down the ball so your head and neck are well supported and you are in neutral spine position with knees at 90 degrees over your ankles and hips parallel to the floor. Reach your arms out to the sides of your body to create a T-position, and allow gravity to draw your arms toward the floor and expand your chest. Keep breathing! Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat a few times.
PHOTO: NANCY ADAMS/HOOVES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHY
In the April issue, we will explore The Secrets to Developing a Better Seat – a look across the lateral axis with strengthening, stretching, and balance exercises guaranteed to improve your riding posture and technique.
GINA ALLAN is an EC Certified Level II and Level III Theory Coach. She has focused on classical dressage training methods, is an accomplished teacher in hunter, jumper, and dressage, and has coached clients throughout North America. She now runs a specialized program of equestrian centered fitness and posture, thereby enabling rider and horse to perform in harmony. For more information, visit www.equifitservices.com.
Give the gift of good health
to your horse.
Want to improve your horse’s odds of enjoying a lifetime of good health? It’s this simple: give to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Health Research Fund (EHRF). Your generous gift will go toward three key areas that all help to enhance equine health care in Western Canada and around the world: Innovative horse health research studies in essential areas such as lameness, infectious diseases, reproduction and wound healing.
Specialized training for graduate students whose research focus is equine health.
For more information please contact the WCVM’s Alumni and Development Office.
www.ehrf.usask.ca 42
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
Valuable educational opportunities for veterinary students — Western Canada’s future veterinarians.
306-966-7450 wcvm.supportus@usask.ca
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
SLOW BALE BUDDY
Ill-fitting saddles cause back & behavioural issues.
Does your saddle fit? Be sure. Lectures Seminars Diagnostic Evaluation
Begin by standing with your back against a wall, feet about hip-width apart. Ensure your balance is even between the front of your feet and your heels. Lift your arches slightly to put a bit of pressure on the outer parts of the feet. Your legs should be straight, but do not lock your knees. From here, there are three points of contact which we will be working with: 1 The back of your head 2 Your upper back between your shoulder blade 3 Your pelvis Position your pelvis so your tailbone is pointing at the floor. Contract the front of your pelvis as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine, and pull your navel in toward your spine and up toward your sternum. Try to avoid tipping your pelvis by imagining it’s like a bowl of water. Keep the water level in the bowl. Lift your ribcage up out of your hips as if you were being picked up by your underarms. This will enable the back of your ribcage to lift also – an area that is too often overlooked yet plays an integral role in posture. Broaden and lower your shoulders while keeping the lift in your torso. Place your shoulder blades against the back of your ribcage so your upper back can lay flat against the wall. It is important to avoid scrunching up your shoulders. With your arms straight under shoulders at your sides and palms facing forward, lengthen through the back of your neck as if the back of your head was being lifted like a marionette. This will also help you maintain the lift in your torso. Keep your chin parallel to the ground while gently drawing it in and touch the back of your head to the wall. Now you’ve achieved the Three-Point-Touch!
Mimics grazing, controls gluttony and eliminates waste.
PAYS FOR ITSELF IN SAVED HAY. AVAILABLE IN 4 SIZES • ONE YEAR WARRANTY
www.BigBaleBuddy.com 866-389-9952
by Jochen Schleese
“The industry needs this education.” Gerd Heuschmann DVM
Saddlefit4Life.com
protecting horse & rider from long term damage info@saddlefit4life.com 800.225.2242 x 45
Win Tickets to ODYSSEO by Cavalia Opening in... Toronto, ON, on April 8th Montreal, QC, on June 17th To Enter, just sign up for
from Canadian Horse Journal... By March 30 for the Toronto Show By April 30 for the Quebec Show PHOTO: LYNNE GLAZER
Three-Point-Touch
Slow Feeder
PRIZES • Two pairs of VIP Tickets Per Show • Over $1800 in Fabulous Prizes!
Enter at: www.HORSEJournals.com/contests March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
43
mantra magic POWER UP YOUR RIDE BY APRIL CLAY, M.Ed., REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
mantra:
Keep calm and ride on. 44
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY
A
t some point, all riders suffer from lapses in confidence, over thinking, or jangling nerves. When this happens to you, an effective strategy to employ is the use of a mantra. A traditional mantra is a word or sound that is used to facilitate concentration in meditation. Translated from Sanskrit, mantra literally means “an instrument of thinking.” In sport, this particular instrument of thinking can come in quite handy. A well-chosen phrase can guide your mind away from negative, unhelpful thoughts. Think of it as creating an anchor that guides your focus, or a way to fill the space in your head so there is less room for all that stuff you don’t want messing up your ride. “My mind was a constant jumble of competing thoughts at shows,” says Amy, a junior dressage rider. “I would be trying to sort through them, just getting more and more nervous. But when I developed my guiding phrase it helped me immensely. I now repeat ‘enjoy and shine’ over and over as I warm up. It brings me back to my important things, which are to have fun and to show off the skills I have worked so hard to perfect. It really works for me.”
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/CRETIEN
mantra:
One fence at a time. mantra:
mantra:
Do your best, forget the rest.
It’s in the vault.
There are a few rules for creating a good mantra. The first is it should be short and easy to apply. Stay away from complicated acronyms or long phrases. I once worked with a rider who decided to use C-H-I-L-L as her key phrase for relaxation. Each letter represented something important to her, but she found this mantra was too lengthy to complete. It was actually adding stress rather than relieving it. So she modified this to “chilly Jilly.” Yes, her name was Jill, and she loved the bit of humour that helped her lighten up. Her practice became to warm up at the trot while rhythmically repeating her phrase in time to her horse’s hoofbeats. At the end of four weeks, she was able to use her mantra to calm her mind in a matter of minutes. The key is to make sure your mantra suits your needs. Ask yourself what is most important to you at what time. Do you need a positivity boost before entering the ring? A motivational phrase for when the going gets rough? Or maybe a way to calm yourself after a mistake? You can have several cues to use at different points in your ride. There is no rule that says you cannot use a readymade mantra as long as it has the impact you want, so borrow one if you need to. It’s also just fine to make up your very own language. Lee liked to refer to the style of his jump-off ride as “Millarian.” He was after an efficient, speedy, and well calculated risk in his ride, much like he had seen Ian Millar deliver many, many times.
PHOTO: STEVEN LILLEY/FLICKR
The Making of a Good Mantra
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
45
Lastly, make sure your mantra is positive and instructional. It should be positive in the sense that it should direct you to do something. Stay clear of negatives or you will likely find yourself going in the very direction you want to avoid. “Don’t let go” is what dressage rider Madison used to tell herself at the end of her tests. She had a tendency to have lapses in her focus as she finished, so she was trying to get herself to stay on task. But all she ended up doing is stressing herself more with her negative cue. “Next–Now” became her new focusing mantra – and it kept her grounded in her next test element to prepare and execute. Many riders have actually developed negative, performance crushing mantras without being aware of it. Harsh self-talk that gets repeated and rehearsed is a negative mantra. If you currently have one of these, use it as an opportunity to give that phrase a makeover and use language that represents what you want to be doing. Embed instructions to yourself in your mantra to help you focus on the action you know will be helpful in reaching your desired outcome. Mantras need workouts to be effective. You will have to find opportunities in your training to practice with your chosen phrase to make sure you get the desired effect. Load those words up with meaning through rehearsal. The strength you create through repetition will mean that your mantra will be there for you when the chips are down.
mantra:
Embrace the pace.
Examples of mantras from some well-known Canadian riders: Feed your faith and your fear will starve to death. I know it seems like it has absolutely nothing to do with horses, but it reminds me when I am being swallowed up by my nerves that I am feeding the wrong beast. — ASHLEY GOWANLOCK, PARALYMPIAN
Settle here… Build up there. My mantra would vary as it pertains to the rhythm of the course, and checkpoints along the way. — GAIL GREENOUGH, GRAND PRIX SHOW JUMPER
What I think, I become What I feel, I attract What I imagine, I create PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/HIGHTOWER NRW
— TRISH MRAKAWA, WILLOW GROVE STABLES
46
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
b
April Clay is a Registered Psychologist with an independent practice focused in counselling, consulting, and sport psychology. She draws from a wide variety of experiences working with couples, individuals, adolescents, and children, and with many types of athletes and performers. April is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), and also works as a service provider for the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary. As an adjunct to her practice, April writes for several local and national magazines, and offers workshops on a variety of topics. As a sports consultant, she draws on some 15 years of experience as a competitive horse show jumper.
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
47
Notes from the Office
BY AYNSLEY CAIRNS
Stay Safe While Sharing the Roads BY AYNSLEY CAIRNS
48 48
www.HORSEJournals.com www.HORSEJournals.com •• March 2015
With development in rural areas on the increase, road riding is the only option for some riders who want to get out of the arena. Always ride in single file on the right-hand side of the road (with traffic), with one horse length between you and the horse in front.
7
3
The average motorist is not familiar with horses and may not realize the importance of passing horses slowly with a wide berth. Before venturing out, riders should condition their horses to the challenges of road riding, be familiar with emergency stopping procedures, and be properly attired for visibility and safety.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HCBC
Winter may still be clinging to many areas of British Columbia, but spring is hinted at in the odd mild day, peek of sunshine, and warm breezes. This promise brings to mind all of those relaxing rides you’ll have once the winter jackets are stored away. Of course, when the sun comes out so do the cyclists, bikers, walkers, and convertibles. When you’re sharing the road with so many diverse users, how can you make sure that you, your horse, and the rest of the public are as safe as can be? First, ask yourself if both you and your horse are ready to face the challenges of the road. What kind of exposure has your horse had outside of the arena? Are you able to control your horse if he becomes upset or spooks? It’s important to honestly evaluate your horse’s reactions as well as your own skills in these circumstances. If either of you needs a bit of fine-tuning, practicing in a safe environment will let you assess how both of you will react and manage in a frightening encounter. Because the horse will look to you to figure out how to handle a scary situation, the more trust he has in your ability to keep him safe, the less likely he will be to panic. Start off in a ring or around your barn, exposing your horse to various everyday items. Lead your horse up to and around the different objects, making sure he has lots of time to explore the strange things you’re asking him to approach. If you’re not confident in your ability to raise your horse’s confidence, enlist the help of a trainer or coach who will be able to give you techniques to manage scary situations, and can help emulate unfamiliar sounds and movements to increase opportunities to expose your horse to new things safely. Your horse should also learn a few variations on emergency stopping techniques to allow you to disengage his hind end without throwing him off balance. Attempting to stop a horse with these techniques before he has been introduced to them can be dangerous. If you’ve never used an emergency stop yourself, be sure to ask for assistance from a coach or trainer whose on-the-ground perspective can help you polish your aids to achieve the result you want. Once you’re confident that your horse is ready for the road, make sure both you and your horse
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HCBC
Equestrians use the same hand signals as those used by cyclists, and follow the same basic laws of the road.
are properly attired for safety and high visibility. Helmets and proper footwear are common sense safety items that will protect you if you fall, and tack should be examined prior to riding out to ensure everything is in good repair. While riding on roads, you must follow the basic laws of the road, including yielding, stopping at stop signs, and signalling for turns and stops. Hand signals are a means of informing other road users – whether motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians – of the rider’s intent to turn right, left, or stop. The same hand signals used by cyclists are used by equestrians. Every road user has a specific set of responsibilities to ensure their own safety and that of other road users. Riders have just as much responsibility to control their horses as drivers are required to control their vehicles. Good manners and manageability under saddle are important for your horse in any situation, but become critical whenever you expose your horse and yourself to the risks of travelling on the road. HCBC provides their Road Safety Handbook free of charge. The Handbook is available through the Horse Council office or on the website at hcbc. ca. Contact recreation@HCBC.ca, or call 604-8564304 (toll free 1-800-345-8055) to order copies for yourself or your club. 50
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
How to Reach Us HCBC office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Office Address: 27336 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 3N5 • Phone: 604-856-4304 • Toll-free: 1-800-345-8055 • Fax: 604-856-4302 • Website: www.hcbc.ca Executive Director: administration@hcbc.ca Agriculture & Industry: industry@hcbc.ca Membership: membership@hcbc.ca Coaching & Education: coaching@hcbc.ca Marketing & Communications: communication@hcbc.ca Recreation & Trails: recreation@hcbc.ca Competition: competition@hcbc.ca HCBC Forums: forums@hcbc.ca HCBC Bookstore: bookstore@hcbc.ca Finance & Grant Funding: finance@hcbc.ca Harassment Policy: harassment@hcbc.ca
THE HOOFBEAT
Confirmed Case of EHM in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, OMAFR
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV - 1), in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Brain tissue from a horse with severe neurological signs tested positive for EHV-1 neuropathogenic strain. The horse owner voluntarily placed the premises under a self-imposed quarantine to reduce the risk of viral spread. To date, there have been no further reports of equine illness on the farm. In 2014, there was one laboratory-confirmed case of EHM in Ontario due to the non-neuropathogenic strain. This is the first case diagnosed in Ontario this year; however, cases of EHM have been diagnosed in Texas, Virginia, Minnesota, and New Jersey this month. EHV-1 infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal foal death, and/or neurological disease. EHV-1 is not a federally reportable disease but is immediately notifiable by laboratories under the reporting regulation of the provincial Animal Health Act. Attending veterinarians suspicious of EHM should contact OMAFRA as soon as possible. Because infected horses may show no clinical signs, but still shed
the virus, the temperature of suspect animals should be monitored twice daily for 14 to 21 days and any abnormalities discussed with a veterinarian. Neurological signs, if they develop, may include loss or balance, hindlimb weakness, recumbency, difficulty urinating, decreased tail tone, and depression. It is important that a veterinarian assess suspect cases of EHM since it can be difficult to distinguish this from other serious neurological diseases, such as rabies. EHV-1 is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse, by sharing contaminated equipment (bits, buckets, towels, etc.) or by the clothing, hands or equipment of people who recently had contact with an infectious horse. This highlights the need for routine biosecurity measures (including hand hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices) to be in place at all times to prevent a disease outbreak. Special attention should be given to cleaning and disinfecting trailers. Current EHV-1 vaccines may reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurological form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread. The best method of disease control is disease prevention.
Advertising that
WORKS!
I want to let you know that the ad you created for us is fantastic. We have had truly amazing results. I am amazed at what a single ad can do. We’ve had response from Canada, US, and Australia, it took us two days to catch up on orders. Response was unbelievable and we are so thrilled. Thank you so much for your creativity and helpfulness throughout everything. — Solo-Ride™ by Hairy Back Ranch, print/online client
ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY Professional Portraits in Natural Settings. Gift Certificates Available.
www.RobinDuncanPhotography.ca 1070 MINA AVE., VICTORIA, BC V8Z 2N8
www.HORSEJournals.com sales@horsejournals.com 1-800-299-3799
Find me on
250-479-8970 • robinduncanphotography@gmail.com March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
51
PHOTOS: JOE PROUDMAN/UC DAVIS
IN THE SHADOW OF EQUUS
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine professor and researcher John Madigan, inspects a maladjusted foal at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds in Vacaville, California, on January 21, 2015.
52
Newborn Foals and Childhood Autism BY MARGARET EVANS Is there a common denominator between equine neonatal maladjustment syndrome in newborn foals and children born with autism? According to a University of California, Davis, press release, foals born with maladjustment syndrome seem detached, don’t recognize their dams, and they have no interest in nursing. The condition, also known as dummy foal syndrome, occurs in three to five percent of live foal births. However, with intensive care, 80 percent of the foals recover. For years, the syndrome was thought to be caused by hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen during birth. But hypoxia results in serious, permanent damage. Most foals with maladjustment syndrome, though, not only survive but they have no lingering health problems. Veterinary researchers at the University of California, Davis, wondered why and began looking for other possible causes. They were drawn to the foals’ sense of detachment which was eerily similar to detachment symptoms displayed by all autistic children. “The behavioural abnormalities in these foals seem to resemble some of the symptoms in children with autism,” said John Madigan, a UC Davis veterinary profes-
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
sor and an expert in equine neonatal health. The maladjustment syndrome in foals also caught the attention of Isaac Pessah, a professor of molecular biosciences at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a faculty member of the MIND Institute (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders). Madigan, Pessah, and other veterinary researchers teamed with their colleagues in human medicine to investigate possible connections between the disorder in foals and childhood autism. One common link seemed to be abnormal levels of naturally occurring neurosteroids which not only sustain pregnancies in horses but keep the foal with its long legs and tiny hooves relatively quiet in the womb. But immediately after birth, the foal must be ready to scramble up, know its mother, nurse, and be able to run in the face of predatory danger. Somewhere in the birthing journey, a biochemical “switch” must activate the process and that switch could be the physical pressure exerted on the foal’s body during passage through the birth canal. “We believe that the pressure of the birth canal during the second stage of labour, which is supposed to last 20 to 40 minutes, is an important signal that tells the
a C t y l l a Du
2015 Stud Fee for Dually Cat (live cover) is $1200
2006 • Chestnut • Stallion
BY: HIGH BROW CAT DAM: SMOKIN DUALLY by DUALLY CAT Nominated to the Sire of: Canadian Supreme Hadda Cat
2014 Calgary Stampede Open
Dually Cat’s Futurity Reserve Champion offspring’s Cataduala NCHA LTE: $49,000 LTE exceed Owned by Heather Hudson $114,000 Cats Little Taz NCHA LTE: $40,000 AS OF 12/31/14
Owned & shown by BIll & Elaine Speight
Gerry & Sandy Hansma • Box 30, Granum, Alberta T0L 1A0
www.HansmaCuttingHorses.com ghansma@xplornet.com • ph: 403-687-2360 • 403-625-0122
FOOTING SAND – from Lakeshore Sand Co a division of Fairmount Minerals • 800 Strathearne Ave. N. Hamilton, ON L8H 7N8 Fairmount Minerals produces 100% clean, pure, and high quality Footing Sand. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor arena, we can provide the right Footing Sand for all your needs. Our sands are thoroughly washed to remove all impurities and are readily available throughout the year.
ADVANTAGES: • 100% pure washed product - dry or damp • Sands can be blended to meet your specifications • Bulk and packaged sands are available
Your Equine & Farm Fence Specialists QUALITY PRODUCTS PROMPT SERVICE ElectroTape & Rope Portable & Permanent Electric Systems Bayco/Finish Line • HorseRail • PonyRail • HorseCote • HotCote Diamond Mesh • No-Climb • Vinyl Post & Rail • Woodguard Gates & Accessories • General Farm, Wildlife & Predator Control - Electric Nets
FERRIS FENCING
PRODUCT ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
Fax: (250)757-9670 • info@ferrisfencing.com
Tel: (250) 656-8701 North Saanich, BC (Victoria area)
www.ferrisfencing.com • ASK FOR OUR CATALOGUE
www.whitehousestables.com
Toll Free: 1-800-665-3307 • Tel: (250)757-9677
(P) 905-547-3571 • (F) 905-547-7881 • Toll Free: 877-467-4363 E-mail: eric.porter@fmsand.com • www.fairmountminerals.com
WHITE HOUSE STABLES
Gina Allan
Sizes to Fit Mini Donkeys & Horses, Ponies, Mules & Light Horses
English & Western Tack Pleasure Driving Harness & Equipment
ALWAYS AVAILABLE: Gently used tack & riding clothes, etc.
Ride N Drive Horse Supplies AIRDRIE, AB • 1-877-821-9745
• Clinics • Riding Lessons • Fitness for Riders • “Equifit” Workshops
www.ride-n-drive.com • info@ride-n-drive.com
Subscribe Today Your Horse b Your Passion
Your Magazine
Gina Allan, CEF Certified Coach • Vancouver Island, BC 250.240.4840 • equifitservices@shaw.ca
www.GinaAllan.com
h
1-800-299-3799 (250-655-8883) subscriptions@horsejournals.com
www.HORSEJournals.com March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
53
PHOTOS: JOE PROUDMAN/UC DAVIS
The upper torso of this maladjusted foal is squeezed using several loops of soft rope to mimic the pressure normally experienced in the birth canal. Madigan’s research has found the squeezing to help the foal recover from Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome, sometimes within hours.
54
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
foal to quit producing the sedative neurosteroids and ‘wake up,’” said Madigan. Curiously, many foals with maladjustment syndrome were either delivered by cesarean section or had a very rapid birth. In both cases, maybe the pressure switch didn’t get activated. The research team has found for the first time that neurosteroids persist, and their levels often rise, in the bloodstream of foals born with maladjustment syndrome. These neurosteroids can cross the blood-brain barrier and impact the central nervous system. The researchers have now discovered that they can reduce maladjustment signs by using several loops of a soft rope to gently squeeze the foal’s upper torso and mimic the pressure normally experienced in the birth canal. When the rope pressure is applied, the foal lies down and appears to be asleep. After 20 minutes, a typical time in the birth canal, the rope is loosened and the squeeze pressure released. Initially, the foals given the procedure have responded well, some rising to their feet within minutes, bonding with the mare and nursing. The theory is that the pressure triggers biochemical changes in the central nervous system critical to the transition from the relative quiet of the fetus in the womb to the boisterous wakefulness of the newly born foal. The technique is now called the Madigan Foal Squeeze Procedure. The early findings have compelling implications not only for the health of newborn foals, but also for possible links to autism, which includes a group of complex brain development disorders. “The concept that a disruption in the transition of fetal consciousness may be related to children with autism is intriguing,” said Pessah. Using data from the foal research, Pessah and Madigan are working with researchers at the MIND Institute to investigate neurosteroids in children with varying degrees of autism and a recent study has reported elevated levels of neurosteroids in autistic children. The interlinking research between challenged foals and babies continues to astonish and amaze researchers. “The concept that some disorders in animals and humans may be related to a failure of transition of consciousness at birth is a novel idea,” said Madigan. “Evolutionary biological mechanisms for survival and adaptation after birth are important concepts, whether it’s a newborn foal or a newborn infant. In this case, it may very well be that the horse is allowing us to learn something about ourselves.” Visit our website to see the video of the Madigan Foal Squeeze Procedure, at www.HORSEJournals.com – Horse Care section.
IN THE SHADOW OF EQUUS
Roscoe is a very handsome Pinto gelding.
PHOTO: ©CANSTOCKPHOTO/KIRSHELENA
Approximately 15 hh and 31/2 years old. He’s now ready to take the next step in his journey and to find his forever home.
Sherwood, AB • info@rescue100.ca
www.rescue100.ca
• Placements available • Volunteers welcome
New Test to Distinguish Horsemeat from Beef BY MARGARET EVANS In 2013, a scandal broke out in Europe and the United Kingdom when horsemeat was discovered in a number of beef burger products. Very quickly, horsemeat was detected in a variety of other meat products, leading to the destruction of food worth millions of dollars after it was removed from supermarket shelves. It wasn’t that the meat was necessarily a health risk when consumed, but that the marketing of the meat was fraudulent in that the contents of the package did not match what the product manufacturer claimed. In addition, the crisis exposed the vulnerability of the food supply chain, the potential for health hazards in the future, and the fact that there are serious gaps in the testing process. Currently the most reliable method to test meat content is by DNA testing which identifies one animal’s genetics from another. But it is time consuming, expensive, and prone to contamination if not carefully handled. Now, scientists at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) at the Norwich Research Park, UK, have partnered with Oxford Instruments to develop a rapid alternative to DNA testing to distinguish horsemeat from beef or other products. Horses and cattle have different digestive systems and therefore the fat components of each have different fatty acid compositions. The new method looks at the differences in the fat composition in the meat to identify the source. It is based on technology called the “Pulsar,” a high resolution bench-top, cryogen-free NMR (nuclear magnetic
• Donations always
appreciated
NEW STRIDE
THOROUGHBRED ADOPTION SOCIETY
resonance) analyzer developed by Oxford Instruments. NMR spectroscopy determines the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei. It is a valuable analytical technique but conventional instruments are large and expensive, and need highly trained personnel to run them. In contrast, the Pulsar is based on permanent magnets rather than supercooled magnets, and is easy to operate. Given that screening meat needs to be quick and inexpensive, the research team discovered that a couple of minutes of shaking about a gram of meat in a solvent, followed by a few minutes of data acquisition on Pulsar, was enough to tell horsemeat from beef. The software to carry out the mathematical analysis of the data was developed at IFR. Now, in just ten minutes, a technician can find out whether a piece of raw meat is horse or beef. The technique was developed with funding from Innovate UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and has been tested in an industrial setting by a leading meat processor. Tests are continuing to identify other meat species including pork and lamb. “It’s a stroke of luck that some of the most important meats turn out to have fat signatures that we can tell apart so easily with this method,” says Dr. Kate Kemsley with IFR. “It’s been very satisfying to see results from a real industrial setting sit right on top of those we generated in our labs. We think this testing method should work well at key points in the supply chain, say at meat wholesalers and processors.”
16.1 hh well built mare. Super smooth to ride, starting lateral work. Very clever, loves to work and keen to learn. Good in the ring with others. Super friendly on the ground, wants to hang out with the crowd. Needs an experienced rider.
ADOPT • VOLUNTEER • DONATE
778-985-5673
www.newstride.com AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
Marnie is a petite, well put together little 2012 filly. She has had her groundwork done, she’s had her feet trimmed, she’s been trailered, saddled and sacked out. She’s ready to start under saddle. $500 is a steal for this little black beauty! You can see Marnie & over 100 more horses at
www.bearvalleyab.org
Like us on Facebook! Bear Valley Rescue
Box 19, Site 6, RR 2, Sundre, AB T0M 1X0 March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
55
SPARTA, ONTARIO • $618,000
Great for horse enthusiast — 20 plus acres of bush and wetland. 6 stall horse barn with wash bay (30’ x 60’) and 3 fenced paddocks.
CO W UN ON TR DE Y RF LO U CA L TI ON
20 Acres for the Horse Enthusiast
Recently updated country property with large insulated L-shaped work shop, 3 bay drive shed (21' x 37'). Main floor family room with access to deck and gazebo, gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances, large eating area with access to deck, office area, formal dining room, elegant living room. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, including very large master with ensuite, walk-in closet. Rec room/exercise area. MLS# 553390
www.ISellStThomas.com/45672RobertsLN
JIM HARRIS • 1 (519) 857-5429 BOBBIE ROBINSON • 1 (519) 859-1695
SUNNY GREENWOOD, BC
PHOTO: FLICKR / KRISTINE PAULUS
IN THE HEART OF THE KOOTENAY BOUNDARY REGION $2 79 ,0 00
56
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
One level 1450 square foot 2009 Chaparral built home. 2 bedrooms + den, 2 baths (one 4pce & one 3 pce ensuite with large walk-in shower). Open concept, vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has a nice big skylight that opens, ceramic cooktop, built-in microwave & convection oven. French doors off the dining room lead out to a huge 16.5' x 33.5' deck (built in 2013). Central air conditioning. Laundry room with stacking washer/dryer. Sliding doors leading to 2nd deck off master bedroom. Mirrored closet doors throughout. Beautifully landscaped, fenced back yard, concrete sidewalks & patio, 3' concrete crawl space. Two outbuildings, greenhouse, open carport with metal roof, single car garage. Pet & smoke free home. Lot size 110' x 118'.
250-449-1564
or
250-445-5454
PHOTO: FLICKR / CRYSTAL SEAS
Equestrian Estate with Sweeping Lake, Ocean & Mountain Views • Victoria, BC Tranquil 16.63 acres w/ 16 stall 12,000 sq ft barn. 60x120’ indoor ring, 120x180 outdoor ring, 5 paddocks w/ loafing sheds. 5 acre field for grazing or haying, with X-country jumps. Well kept home with views from all principle rooms. In ground pool and awesome deck area. Quiet country road. Saanich West. MLS® 341047 $2,599,000
David Scotney • Pemberton Holmes • (250) 384-8124 teampower@pembertonholmes.com • www.pembertonholmes.com
Misty Meadows Farm
A Rare Find!
Pritchard, BC • 22.5 Acres $675,000
Beautiful 5 bedroom log home on 75 acres ready for the equestrian enthusiast. Wide open living area, large bedrooms and gas and wood burning stoves. Well maintained exterior has new stuffing, chinking and UV protective staining. Several outbuildings including a shop, cold storage shed, workshop, two stall barn and cabin for your own private getaway. Land is fenced with a riding area, sand ring, approximately 20 acres cultivated and 47 acres of hay. This one of a kind property is located only 23 km from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. MLS CA0052359 $695,000
35km East of Kamloops, BC on the Trans Canada Highway. 22.5 acre Equestrian Property with architect designed 3 bed, 2 full bath, 2400 sq ft home. Immaculate condition with continuous updating. 3 bay carport, one is RV sized. 4 stall barn with hay loft, water and electricty. Fenced sand riding ring, 6 fenced pastures. First Domestic & Irrigation rights on Desmond Brook. Fully landscaped yard. Move in ready.
Jody Saarela and Kim Elliot 403-846-6595 • 403-844-5494 RE/MAX real estate central alberta
Virtual tour & information available at PropertyGuys.com/50343 or call 250-577-3305
! s r o Realt
We have cowboys and cowgirls looking for new country homes. Help them find what they’re looking for —
Market your properties in Country Homes & Acreages. 1-800-299-3799 • sales@horsejournals.com March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
57
CANADIAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION NEWS BY DAPHNE DAVEY
PHOTO: COLLEEN HUNT
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERRINGTON TRA
The Gentle Art of Leading
BOVE: Riders with their leaders and side-walkers enjoy a ride A through the fields at Errington Therapeutic Riding Association, Lantzville, BC. LEFT: Riders and their leaders enjoy a group outing at Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association, Duncan, BC
O
f all the elements in a therapeutic riding program, perhaps leading is one of the most interesting. Leaders are experienced horse people whose primary responsibility is for the horse, not the rider, although working as a team with rider and side-walkers is a must. But whether the term “leader” best represents the job is a good question. Some programs use the term “horse handler” which has the advantage of implied neutrality. The fact is, leaders have several important roles. First and foremost is safety, to ensure the horse is behaving in a relaxed, obedient frame of mind, and to control him if he forgets his manners. But following hard on the heels of safety is respect for the rider. If a leader does all the starting, stopping and steering, what benefit is that to the rider? Everyone learns by doing, not by being done to. Leaders, therefore, have to “read” their rider – under the supervision of the instructor – and know when to move in for more control over the horse, or give the rider more (or even complete) control. It’s a delicate balance at times. Some riders with disabilities do learn to ride independently, but many will always require the safety net of a leader. The instructor is often challenged to encourage the
rider to forget they have a leader and take charge of their horse as much as they possibly can. It is amazing how often “as much” turns out to be when riders are being filmed for a para-equestrian competition, or are taking part in a relay race. They tend to rise to the occasion with surprising results, their leaders all but forgotten. Therapy horses are trained for a very special task, so of course leaders should receive comparable training to work successfully in partnership with their horses. Additionally, consistency among leaders will impart confidence to the horse. Typical of the equine mind, the more he knows what to expect, the happier he is. Leader training would include warming-up protocols, how to hold the lead rope, where to position themselves correctly, tack and equipment checks, mounting and dismounting procedures (especially if a mounting ramp or hydraulic lift is used), and much more. Leading or horse-handling is a fun job. Recruits are often seasoned Pony Club teenagers, vet students, or horse owners with plenty of experience riding, handling, and loving horses. Try it, you’ll like it!
For more information on CanTRA and its member centres, visit www.cantra.ca or email ctra@golden.net. Please make a difference to a child or adult with a disability by donating to CanTRA at www.cantra.ca or www.CanadaHelps.org. 58
www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
PTF Sport New Forest Ponies
www.ptfponypower.com
Tennessee Walking Horses
“Dr. Reed’s”
* Organic Selenium * Organic Trace Minerals
HERD REDUCTION SALE!
For Horses
www.DrReeds.com
El Ranchito • www.ranchito.page.tl Kelwood, MB • 204-967-2630
STALLIONS AT STUD
Classifieds
www.cummings.ca • Abbotsford, BC
1-877-856-1988
SUPPLEMENTS PURICA. www.purica.com, 1-877-746-9397, service@purica.com.
TRAILERS & ACCESSORIES B&W TRAILER HITCHES. www.turnoverball.com, 1-800-248-6564. ADVANTAGE TRAILERS & TRUCK SALES. Your one stop shop for affordable living quarters, livestock, cargo, flat, dump, industrial trailers. 250-plus trailers in stock – trades welcome. Specializing in custom orders. Sales - Service - Parts - Wiring Hitches. Check out our website: www.aats.ca. Call toll free 1-888-571-8899. Located on #1 Hwy in Brandon, Manitoba.
Intercity Insurance Services Inc. Aurora, ON • (888) 394-3330 www.intercityinsurance.com
Capri Insurance Kelowna, BC • (800) 670-1877 www.capri.ca
CLASSIFIED & PHOTO ADS 1/12 Page Photo Ads – Horses, Tack, Trailers • $79 for 1 issue • $125 for 2 issues Photo Ads run regionally. To purchase: www.HORSEJournals.com/order-listing, or call 1-800-299-3799, ext. 211, email nreimer@horsejournals.com.
Deadline to place Photo Ads or Classified Ads in the April issue is March 15th. Index to Advertisers
HORSES & PONIES
APPALOOSACENTRE.COM. Where it’s all about the mind and conformation - the colour is a bonus. Canada’s leading breeder of multi-generational Appaloosa bloodstock and family-friendly equine partners. 250-963-9779. Visitors welcome.
Capri INSURANCE
• $25/1st 30 words, $1/extra word – 1 issue • 10% off for 2 issues, 20% off for 11 issues Classified ads run nationally. To purchase, call 1-800-299-3799, ext. 211, email nreimer@horsejournals.com. All ads subject to applicable taxes.
FENCING
BUFFALO CREEK CANADIANS – Breeding for excellence in conformation and temperament. Registered Canadian horses for sale. Stallion services by Laureat #9038 – live cover only. 250-759-7403, dhiebert@xplornet.com. (Dawson Creek, BC)
D
Classifieds – All Categories
Visit www.HORSEJournals.com for a large selection of horses for sale, classifieds, tack, stallions, real estate, and more! FERRIS FENCING - Serving Horse Owners for 30 years with innovative, top quality products. Solar, 110v. battery, portable & permanent electric systems, vinyl, No Climb, and all accessories to make your fence a success. 1-800-665-3307, info@ferrisfencing.com, www.ferrisfencing.com.
INTERCITY
N INSURANCE SERVICES INC. A
‘Equi-Care’ & ‘Farm-Care’ Insurance Programs
Competitive Ponies for adults & kids! 780-696-2558 Breton, AB
HORSES 100% Natural • Organic 60 Minerals • 12 Vitamins • 21 Amino Acids (INCLUDES IODINE / SELENIUM / BIOTIN / VITAMIN E / METHIONINE)
Feed Only 35 Grams Daily
www.Ultra-Kelp.com Toll Free 1-888-357-0011
5 Star Equine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Abby Saddle Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Allan Dale Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Annaharvey Farm Equestrian Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Aragon Andalusians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 B&W Trailer Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Bear Valley Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Big Bale Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Bronco — Galiano Island Soapworks . . . . 29 Burwash Equine Services . . . . . . . . . 33 Canadian Horse Journal . . . . . . . . . 2 Cavalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cavalia’s ODYSSEO Ticket Contest . . . . 45 CF Fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Clarke, Paul W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cloverdale Pharmasave . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Diamond Shelters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Equiade Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Equifit Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Equine Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Equine Rehab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Ferris Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Greenhawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Hansma Cutting Horses . . . . . . . . . . 53 Henry Equestrian Insurance . . . . . . 17 Horse Council of BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Horse3 at Keystone Centre . . . . . . . 41 Horse-of-My-Heart Contest . . . . . 47 Intercity Insurance Services . . . . . . . 29 John Deere — PrairieCoast Equipment . . . . . . 21 Lakeshore Sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Life Data Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Mane Event, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
N.A.G. Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Neogen - BotVax B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Neogen - Uniprim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Olsen, Ronnie & Jimmy . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Otter Co-op . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Paddock,The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Purica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside F/Cover Queen Margaret’s School . . . . . . . . . 25 Rescue 100 Foundation . . . . . . . . . . 55 Ride ‘n Drive Horse Supplies . . . . . 53 RK Animal Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Robin Duncan Photography . . . . . . . 51 Robinson, Roberta — Royal LePage Triland Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Saarela, Jody — ReMax Real Estate Central Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Schleese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 45 Scotney, David — Pemberton Holmes . . . . . . . . . . 57 Solo-Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Stampede Tack & Western Wear . . 39 Strathcona Animal Bedding — Whoa Dust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sunrise Trailer Sales . . Outside B/Cover Tasco Dome Covered Structures . . 50 Tribute Equine Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . 3 Twin Valley Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 University of Guelph . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Vettec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 We Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Western College of Veterinary Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Winther, Karren . . . . . . . Inside B/Cover Woodguard Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Wrayton Transport Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . 47
March 2015 • Canadian Horse Journal
59
Subscriber Services
ROUNDUP
Do you need to —
Important Bylaw Changes Coming to Equine Canada representative for each RAA, acting in their members’ best interest, will vote as the voice for their associations’ constituency in Equine Canada matters.” Currently, a portion of a member’s fee to a provincial organization goes to EC, giving them automatic membership to the national organization. But under the new rules, while that fee will continue to be paid to EC, provincial members stand to lose their automatic membership status and their right to vote. The Ontario Equestrian Federation has not only reviewed the proposed changes but also sought guidance from legal professionals who specialize in interpreting the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. As a result, they are voting “No” to the changes. Horse Council BC has also expressed concerns with the bylaw changes as they stand. “Horse Council, with its single organizational vote, is voting ‘No,’” said Executive Director Lisa Laycock. “We want to make sure members are aware they will lose their membership privileges if these bylaws pass. But they would still be paying their membership fee to EC.” Apparently, this position has been taken by a majority of the provincial equestrian organizations across the country. Voting on the new bylaws took place online in February, and will be taking place in person on Friday, March 27, at the EC Annual General Meeting in Gatineau, QC. In the event the voting results in a rejection, the bylaws will be subject to further review. But either way, the transition to bring the organizations’ bylaws in line with the new Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act must go ahead. And it must clearly do so in a way that satisfies membership status through the provincial organizations. To understand more about the new bylaws and the changes, contact your provincial or territorial equine organization, visit the Equine Canada website: www.equinecanada.ca.
2015 Equine Canada Convention Members of Canada’s equestrian community are invited to participate in Equine Canada’s national convention to be held March 25 to 29, 2015, at the Crowne Plaza Gatineau-Ottawa, in Gatineau, QC. The four-day event will feature professional development sessions, industry and sport meetings, keynote speakers, and Equine Canada’s Annual General Meeting which highlights the year-in-review of people, work, and events that support Canada’s equestrian community. The Annual Awards Reception and Gala on 60 www.HORSEJournals.com • March 2015
• Give a gift subscription? • Change your address?
BY MARGARET EVANS Bylaw changes are coming to Equine Canada (EC), which will affect every member who, through their membership with their provincial equestrian organization, is currently an automatic member in EC. In 2011, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act came into force with laws that must be incorporated into Equine Canada’s governance structure, given that EC is a federally registered not-for-profit organization. As the country’s national sport and equine organization, it fulfills a broad range of governance, advocacy, and development functions. It is recognized not only by Sport Canada and the Féderation Equestre Internationale (FEI) as the national governing body for equestrian sport and recreation in Canada, but also by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with respect to their work regarding horse condition and management. The new proposed bylaws are causing concerns among many provincial equestrian organizations as they relate to the status of their members. The changes to these new bylaws are contrary to the accord that the provincial and territorial organizations signed with EC in 2011. Under the new structure, there will be two categories of membership: Class A and Class B. Class A memberships are for individuals who purchase an EC Sport License or EC membership directly and who have provided EC with their contact information. They will have the right to an EC vote. The problem arises for those who are members of a provincial equestrian organization. According to the EC website, “Class B members will be comprised of representatives who have been elected or appointed by a Recognized Affiliate Association (RAA) that is registered with Equine Canada such as: Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, National Associations (e.g. Canadian Quarter Horse Association) and Corporations (e.g. Olds College). Each
• Renew your subscription?
March 25–29, 2015 in Gatineau, QC
Friday the 28th will recognize and celebrate the successes of 2014. For more information and to register, visit www.equinecanada.ca. The 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Equine Canada membership will be held during the EC Convention, on Friday, March 27, 2015, 8am to 10am EDT. Attendance is open to all members in good standing with Equine Canada. To view the 2015 Annual General Meeting Agenda, visit www.equinecanada.ca.
• Report a delivery problem? • Ask a question? From time to time, Canadian Horse Journal makes its names and addresses available to carefully screened organizations who want to let you know about a product or service that might interest you. If you do not want your name, address, or email address made available, please let us know.
www.horsejournals.com or Contact Mark at: E M A I L:
subscriptions@horsejournals.com
1-800-299-3799 (250) 655-8883
P H O N E: OR
How to Reach Us Display Advertising: sales@horsejournals.com Editorial, General Inquiries: editor@horsejournals.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@horsejournals.com or www.horsejournals.com Classified & Photo Ads, Distribution: nreimer@horsejournals.com News, Show reports: by fax, or by mail or news@horsejournals.com Phone (all depts): 1-800-299-3799 (250) 655-8883 Fax line (all depts): (250) 655-8913 Mail: Suite 201, 2400 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, BC, V8L 1W1
www.HORSEJournals.com b
LISTINGS WANTED • BUYERS ALWAYS WELCOME ASK ABOUT OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM $$$
www.fraservalleyhomesandestates.com •
LANGLEY • 15.99 ACRES • OUTDOOR & INDOOR ARENAS • $4,900,000 • Finest example of best country F,
LI NE ST W IN G
living with luxury horse ranch in today’s market! 15.99 acres pristine real estate. Main house is 6,000 square feet on 2 levels. 3 bedrooms with ensuite & large TV/Games room. Main floor has an open floorplan, high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling rock fire place, 2 guest bedrooms & lounge/rec-room. Gourmet kitchen with latest in appliances. BBQ area can accommodate any size family gathering. Nanny-suite above garage. State of Art 3,400 square foot custom luxurious log home. Incredible riding facilities with shop, hay, 2 large indoor & outdoor arenas, room for 25+ horses. Direct access to Campbell Valley riding trails. Pond & Creek. Very close to USA border. Lots of potential to develop helping people enjoy Living the Lifestyle™ with horseback riding. Valuable opportunity.
•MISSION F, • 1.6 ACRES VIEW • RANCHER, BARN, SHOP $678,000 Panoramic view of Mount Baker and Fraser Valley. Gated paved driveway to open concept 3 bedroom rancher with full walkout basement, 3 stall insulated barn, shop and the ultimate man cave that would appeal to anyone from a musician to a sports enthusiast. Minutes from the golf course and downtown. The perfect spot to entertain in or ‘staycation’ at. Hard to walk away from this view!!! PRICED TO SELL
Charter TR SE Loaded and ready to go $20,305 $19,999 OR 0 DOWN $245 PER MONTH OAC
Trails West
Adventure II 2 Horse $9,641
OR 0 DOWN $199 PER MONTH OAC
Classic II Specialite 2 Horse $16,265 $15,899
OR 0 DOWN $265 PER MONTH OAC
Sierra Select Specialite 2 Horse
Fully Loaded $21,204 $20,999 OR 0 DOWN $329 PER MONTH OAC
Living Quarters From $29,999
OR $5,000 DOWN $329 PER MONTH OAC
809 3 Horse Living Quarters From $66,676 OR $10,000 DOWN, $459 PER MONTH OAC
Call for more details!
ALDERGROVE WE’VE MOVED!
Unit #200 3350 260th Ave, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2B1
(604) 857-1166 • 1-800-337-8399
CLOVERDALE
KELOWNA
(604) 574-2097 • 1-800-363-9993
(250) 769-8277 • 1-877-322-2382
17982 #10 Hwy, Cloverdale, BC V3S 1C7
www.SunriseTrailerSales.ca
1725 Byland Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Z 3H4