Events Calendar • Trainer Directory • Classifieds Buy/Sell/Trade
March 2013 free
On the Trail
Along the Bosque Back to riding after
Hip Surgery
BLISTER BEETLES Beyond the Bale
plus personal essay, poetry and more!
For more information, contact Pine River Construction Company Licensed, Bonded & Insured NM General Contractor
866-869-8001(toll free) • pineriverconstco@aol.com
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www.fcpbuildings.com
Zero Fire Spread Rating • Life Time Kick-thru warranty • Easy to Sanitize and Maintain • No exposed wood to the horses Each barn individually designed to meet your specific needs • Full Construction Services available • MADE IN USA
New Mexico Horse Adventures Bringing the Finest in Classical and Traditional Horsmanship to New Mexico
Bruce Sandifer The Californio/Vaquero Style of Horseanship
The Art and Elegance of The Round Pen and Long Lining The easiest and best way to teach a horse collection and framing! For young and older horses, and for horses to be driven or ridden. Demonstrations and individual clinics for you and your horse. Spring 2013 Clinics.indd 1
Bruce is one of the finest practitioners and teachers of this wonderful and elegant style of horsemanship. In this clinic he will spend individual time with you and your horse to evaluate and teach you the basics of this style of horsemanship.
505-301-0917 Call for Clinc Dates and Locations info@newmexicohorseadventures.com March, 2013 1/26/2013
2:32:10 PM
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In this issue...
Holly Casman shares the anxiety of a precious mare’s sudden illness, and her discovery of the unexpected cause. Miriam Kan’s personal essay takes us along on a journey from childhood obsession to adult indifference; and back to middle ground. Dianne Fay reflects on the single life, and Loal Tucker has some good training advice. Cecelia Kayano will not be kept down for long – her story about getting back to riding after total hip replacement will be encouraging for those of us who might need “new” hips after years on horseback. Judy Fitzpatrick’s poem is all the more poignant for the knowledge that the trail it describes has been ravaged by wildfire, Peggy Conger explores the Bosque and we’ve set aside room for a list of upcoming events and a trainer directory, in addition to reader’s own classifieds. We hope that you’ll enjoy this celebration of our statewide horse community, and that you’ll find something to interest you. If you don’t see your area, discipline or philosophy reflected in these pages, please submit your own work, your own club listing, your own upcoming event. We can’t do it without you! editor
editor publisher cover Design cover photo contributing Writers
advertising & sales
KAREN LEHMANN HORSE AROUND USA MARCUS CASMAN STEVE SIMMONS HOLLY CASMAN PEGGY CONGER JUDY FITZPATRICK MIRIAM KAN CECILIA KAYANO LOAL TUCKER DENNIS SHARTZ ADS@HORSEAROUNDNM.COM
505-926-1555 $24/YEAR subscriptions
Graphic Designers
MAIL REQUEST TO: HANM * PO BOX 202* SANDIA PARK * NM 87047 MARCUS CASMAN SHARON MYERS KAREN LEHMANN
ON THE COVER
Karen Lehmann
Steve Simmons is an avid photographer and horseman, and owner of New Mexico Horse Adventures. He tracked this stallion and his mares on horseback for weeks to get close enough to take this photograph. The story of how Steve tracked and photographed these horses will be in an upcoming issue. www.newmexicohorseadventures.com manuscript submissions: electronic submissions only to: editor@horsearoundnm.com see the web site for submission standards no simultaneous submissions, please 505-926-1120 Online: www.horsearoundnm.com
Horse Around New Mexico©2013 All rights reserved. Horse Around New Mexico is a publication of Horse Around USA™. Horsearoundnm.com™ and horsearoundusa.com™ are also copyrighted, trademarked, and the sole property of Karen Lehmann,. All rights reserved. Individual content copyright belongs to the author or artist.
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march, 2013
14 6 Departments 10 12 13
Half Halts
Things that made us pause, sit up and take notice
Upcoming Events March, April & May 2013
Editorial
The stones in our pockets
14
The Trail
16
Trainer Directory
features 06
Health Case Study
18
Getting Back Up
26
Personal Essay
A Beetle in a Haystack, A Beetle in the Weeds Riding After Total Hip Replacement
Longe Lesson
Albuquerque’s Bosque
Free resource
in every issue
Articles
11
Poem
20
The Singles Scene
32
Classifieds
22
Horse Speak
34
30
Spotlight on Skin
Life and the Solitary Horse
Love your horse in his own language Common equine skin conditions
In the White Mountains
The Tail End
Miscellaneous Thoughts, Stories and What-Have-You
All the opinions expressed herein are the sole opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect bias or belief on the part of the editor, publisher, distributors, printer or other contributors.
March, 2013
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beetle haystack in the
In my first eighteen years operating a small horse farm in the East Mountains, I’d had no cases of colic. Not one. But in the past couple of years I’d had several; and here I was again, at the clinic...
T
his was no coincidence. When the vet looked at me as if to ask, “What’s going on?”, I knew I needed some answers. Here we were at the clinic with my beautiful mare Nikki and her three week old filly. They’d seemed fine the night before, when I handwalked the mare to let her graze a little and let the curious filly explore. Nikki greedily tore at the weeds and grasses just outside their pen, but the filly decided to get silly - running around and kicking at her mom and me - so I quickly put them both back, thinking that maybe hand-walking wasn’t such a great idea after all. The next morning Nikki ate her grain and soaked beet pulp mash but walked away from her hay to stand quietly in the corner of her stall. She looked uncomfortable. I listened to her belly for gut movement, and it was there - but she just wasn’t right. Fearing colic, I wasted no time in hauling her and the baby into the clinic in Albuquerque. I was met by my vet who took blood promptly, finding that Nikki was massively dehydrated with elevated protein levels, concentrated red blood cells and a low white blood cell count. She also had very low magnesium and calcium levels, and a high fever of 104 degrees. None of this was typical blood work for colic. But it was eerily similar to two recent colics from my farm. It took 15 liters of fluids to stabilize my mare. The vet and I were there until late that evening, and the horses stayed the night, closely monitored by the excellent vet techs. ext morning Nikki was still pretty sick; but thankfully she was alive. Her filly, perhaps bored in the confines of the stall and small pen, splashed her nose in the water bucket between spells of devouring dirt. I had never seen her eat dirt like that before, and we shut the door to the outside pen. All we needed was an impaction to go along with Nikki’s illness!
It was then that the vet arrived and gave me that intense, questioning look. I’d spent a sleepless night going over and over in my mind every last thing that could possibly be the cause of these mysterious colics, coming up with nothing that made any sense. At a loss, I wondered out loud if it could be a toxicity of some sort. “Blister beetles?” The vet echoed a thought that had occurred to me numerous times, but that I’d dismissed after reviewing the circumstances. I had been feeding the same hay for a year, and the strange colics had only ever happened in May and June. Nevertheless, I brought some bales to the BioPark, where I work, and asked the entomologist if he would mind looking through them with me in search of beetles or beetle parts. After shredding three or four good bales of alfalfa in the parking lot, the only insect part we found was the head of a grasshopper. That evening I went home and gathered samples of all the plants growing on my farm, anywhere that the horses might have had access, including the weeds that Nikki had been grazing on just before she got sick. I brought them to work and asked the Curator of Plants if he’d identify them and tell me if any were known to be toxic. But there were no smoking guns here either. Not only were there no toxic plants, he told me one of the weeds, kochia, is often known as “poor man’s alfalfa” because livestock like it so much and it’s so common. True, the horses at my farm had long since eaten it all out of their pastures. Stymied again but determined to find an answer, I got online and began researching blister beetles. Virtually every article on blister beetle toxicity in horses was about the striped ones that get into alfalfa before it is cut, and are then dried and baled with the hay.
Kochia weed at its peak
N
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March, 2013
beetle in the weeds
Nikki and her filly Onyx
by Holly Casman
There are more than 200 species of blister beetles of various shapes and colors. They range in size from a quarter of an inch to an inch and a half and can be distinguished from other beetles by what looks like a “neck� but is the first part of the thorax. It is narrower than the head or wings and moves independently, allowing the beetle to turn its head. Several are well known garden pests but the ones known to cause the biggest problems for horses are of the genus Epicauta. Blister beetles contain a defensive chemical compound known as cantharidin, the active ingredient of the aphrodisiac Spanish fly.
O
dorless and colorless but highly irritating, it causes blistering and burning on skin and mucous membranes. Cantharidin is highly toxic to horses in particular, with as little as a few grams of dried beetle parts capable of killing a horse. Signs in affected horses include abdominal pain, diarrhea, a stiff gait, shock and possibly death. Blister beetles usually feed on weeds, sometimes moving into alfalfa fields in large swarms where they are processed along with the hay and become problematic for horses eating the hay later. I was pretty sure my hay was okay, especially after tearing apart a couple of bales with help from an entomologist - but I stopped feeding it anyway, just in case. In the meantime, Nikki and her filly were still at the clinic. She was being treated with
In the meantime, Nikki and her filly were still at the clinic. She was being treated with anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, stomach protectants, IV fluids and calcium and magnesium supplements and was showing steady improvement. Her feed was still restricted and her appetite was nowhere near her normal voracious one, but it appeared that she was out of the woods. (continued on next page) March, 2013
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beetles
...continued from page 7
I WAS pretty obsessed now ...searching the internet for clues, hints, anything that might help me solve the mystery. At last, I found my needle in the haystack. It was just a tiny comment, buried in a gardening forum, about an ash-grey blister beetle that sometimes was a pest on spinach and leafy greens and……could also be found on kochia weed. Then it struck me: Nikki had eaten kochia along with the grass and other weeds she grazed on the night before she got sick! I rushed outside to the area where she had grazed and looked closely at the kochia, and there they were: small, about a quarter of an inch, grayish beetles with black speckles. They scurried away quickly down the stems and dispersed over the ground as I parted the weeds to have a look.
Epicauta maculata (spotted blister beetle) photo courtesy of Lynette Schimming
Epicauta maculata I caught several of the beetles and accidentally squished one in my hand. Immediately I felt a burning sensation from the cantharidin. The next day I brought them to the BioPark for identification. “Epicauta
maculata, the spotted blister beetle,” the entomologist said matter of factly, “These can kill your horse.”
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March, 2013
I mowed down all the kochia on my property and after two weeks at the clinic, Nikki and her filly were finally able to come home.
The filly was no longer splashing her muzzle in the water tub and eating dirt. I suspect this behavior had been caused by cantharidin in Nikki’s milk. Nikki was back to normal and eating like a horse. Thankful now for the filly’s high spirits that evening, I realized that I’d pulled my horse off the weeds before she had a chance to ingest even more of the deadly beetles. Now that the mystery was successfully solved, what else did I learn? For one, dangers to our horses can be lurking anywhere, from the haystack to the common weeds; and even good management practices aren’t always enough. It’s up to us horse
owners to be aware, stay vigilant and act quickly with every colic case. Our horse’s lives may depend on it.
Roddy Perez ELPO Certified
Farrier & Blacksmithing
Custom Shoeing * Barefoot Trims
CALL::400-7717 www.e-hoofcare.com March, 2013
9
Half Halts Some things that made us pause, sit up and take notice
pro Dressage Goes Barefoot Some top dressage horses are among the newest converts to “going barefoot”. Dressage Today reports that top trainer Shannon Peters took Ravel barefoot when he developed a quarter crack 2 months before the 2012 Olympic Games. Husband Steffen Peters, though skeptical at first, was thoroughly won over by the time the pair competed at the Olympics. With the help of barefoot trimmers Sossity and Mario Gargiulo, Shannon has kept 15 other horses barefoot all the way from Training Level to Grand Prix. For more, read Kelly Sanchez’ article in DT Vol. 19, February 2013.
Horses & Veterans Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding’s PATH Intl. program is an equine therapy program that’s free to wounded military personnel. Recreational therapy with horses includes groundwork, bonding, and riding in the company of other veterans, active military, and volunteers. On April 27th, the ranch sponsors an AERC-sanctioned Endurance Ride on the Caja del Rio; with a 50-mile endurance, 30-mile long distance, and 7.7-mile fun ride. It’s a fundraiser, so come on out, have a great ride and support this amazing program. Details at www.listeninghorse.org.
What’s So Great About Carrots? Carrots are a great source of carotenoids, which are precursors to Vitamin A, which seems to boost the action of virus-fighting t-cells. They’re also great out on the trail to add a little hydration and enthusiasm to your horse’s long ride! We never hit the trail without them! In hot weather, our mounts love to cool down with the help of hydrating, delicious “Horse Popsicles” - also known as refrigerated slices of watermelon.
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march, 2013
Harnessing Horsey Apps If you want to track the speed, distance and frequency of your trail rides, you could try AllSport GPS by Trimble Outdoors. If you ‘d rather not get stuck out there, Horse Rider SOS is an emergency alert system created especially for the rescue of horse riders in trouble. Horse 360 teaches users about equine anatomy, visually connecting different parts of the horse with their anatomical terms – and then quizzing you! And for the arena, try Groundwork, which divides lesson plans into categories by goal, such as improving impulsion, confidence, lateral movement, tacking up, and circling.
in
thewhite mountains
by Judy Fitzpatrick
“Our wild ride was in May...not long after that the area burned.” On horseback, the wind batters us. We climb rocky track through aspen, over hillocks, wooded knolls, runnels thin as tree needles. The horses strain to quench their thirst and the sky opens. Backpackers dot the horizon. 50 mph gusts hammer them down. Our livestock lean into the switchbacks, their manes and tails a trailing ruff, necks arched against the grassy plain. A hat, a glove, windblown drops and is left behind. There’s no taming this steep rise, it slants and expands. When a climber steps aside, allowing us to pass, his pack shifts and sends him sprawling. Not a windbreak in sight. Not one photograph taken. CC’s gelding lifts his head, surveying far off cities that disappear into space. Here, at the crest, there are no rules but those you make for yourself. Ride the current lightly, keep a loose rein. Pretend you are flying.
Editor’s Note:The Little Bear Fire was started by lightning in June 2012. Over 44,ooo acres burned, along with 242 homes and commercial structures. Portions of the Lincoln National Forest remain closed to the public as of January 2013, including the area east of Big Bear Canyon and south of Bonito Creek. Photo © Peterguess | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos
march, 2013
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events 2013
ONGOING: Horse Play Day: Monthly fun and games on every first Saturday of the month. Office and arena open at 11AM for warm-up and registration. Events start at 12PM. Bosque Farms Rodeo Association Arena 1040 Arena Rd. Bosque Farms, NM $10
MARCH 3: NM Bucksin Horse Association
Shaggy Show - All Day nmbha.com 3: AHANM Training Show ExpoNM nmarab.com 9-10: NMDS Dances with Horses USDF/USEF Recognized Show ExpoNM www. nmds.us 16-17: SWQHA Shows swqha.com 17: Leslie Hammel-Turk Natural Horsemanship Clinic 10-3 Santa Fe Equestrian Center nnmha.org 505.955.1899 robert.oldawski@gmail.com $160 / $25 audit Reservations Required 23: Buffalo Range Riders Mounted Practice Match; Founders Ranch, Edgewood http://buffalorangeriders.org 23: AHANM Spring Fever 1-Day Show; Expo NM Horse Arena nmarab.com 24: AHANM Spring Fever OneDay Sport Horse & Dressage Show Expo NM Horse Arena nmarab.com 23-24: AERC Indian Springs Endurance Rides (FEI) Las Cruces, NM aerc.org Karen Binns-DiCamillo 575-312-3070 rkdicamillo@gmail.com
APRIL 6: Loal Tucker Horsemanship
Academy 101 Thal’s Equine, south of Santa Fe 6-7: SWQHA Show 13: NMBHA Training Show Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena nmbha.com 14: NMBHA Point Show (Cat.1) Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena nmbha.com 20: BRR Mounted Shooting Clinic: Founders Ranch, Edgewood buffalorangeriders.org 21: NMDA Schooling Show: Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena. nmdressage.net 21: BRR Mounted Practice Match: Founders Ranch, Edgewood buffalorangeriders.org 27: NMDA Schooling Show Los Alamos. Manager: Laura Worl, email: worl@lanl.gov. 27: AERC Endurance Ride to support Santa Fe, New Mexico’s, Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding Program, a non-profit organization. Caja del Rio. ridecaja2013.weebly.com. A variety of volunteer assignments will be available for which previous horse experience is not necessary. Enjoy a fun day and support a valuable program that assists military personnel, their spouses, children at risk, and others facing challenges.
Contact: laurie@listeninghorse.org (505) 670-3577 Volunteers and Riders Needed! 28: BRR Mounted Work Party Founders Ranch, Edgewood buffalorangeriders.org
MAY 9-11: Buffalo Stampede SASS
4-Corners Regional mounted shooting match; Founders Ranch, Edgewood buffalorangeriders.org 11-12 : NMBHA Point Show Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena nmbha.com 11-12: NMRHA Zia Paint Horse Ride and Slide I and II Armstrong Equine, La Mesa 19: The Horse Shelter, Cerrillos Fundraising Auction Event Huge silent auction; live auction, music and a gourmet lunch by Chef Martin. www.thehorseshelter.org 16-18: Zia Classic Arabian Show Expo New Mexico nmarab.com 18: BRR Mounted Practice Match: Founders Ranch, Edgewood buffalorangeriders.org 18-19: Centered Riding Clinic with Lucile Bump; NNMHA Arena Santa Fe 9-4 $300/$30 per day to audit or $45 to audit for the whole weekend. Hosted by Christina Savitsky of Buckaroo Balance 505-280-8171 christina@buckaroobalance.com 18-19:AHA Region 8 Offsite Sport Horse Championships Expo NM Info: Jim Porcher 505-228-6865 24-26: AERC Ride the Divide Pioneer Endurance Ride Quemado NM aerc.og Ray Sansom 928-428-4573
send may, june & july events
editor@horsearoundnm.com
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March, 2013
editorial You know those days at the beginning of the year? After the rush of holiday festivities, after the ball has dropped, but before we resume the usual responsibilities of work and school, career or travel? Those are some dangerous days. Days to turn inward and reflect; to come up with resolutions and goals (or what some folks close to this editor might call “crazy schemes”). It’s a tricky, precious time of year; the time of year that inner dreams come out to play. We had a dream like that - way down deep; one that had been taken out and polished like a favorite stone from our pocket, thumbed shiny over a good long time. We liked the feel of it but until just now, we never had the time or the courage to not put it back in that pocket. This time, we took that dream out and examined it in the light; all its shiny promise, all its weighty certainty. Now you hold that dream in your hands. We’ve been extremely lucky with this particular scheme. Taking that first, hold-your-breath-and-jump step, hitting the “send” button on an e-mail Call for Submissions, we wondered what might happen next. What delight when, within the hour, we received so many excited, positive responses! Heading out to area businesses, proposal in hand, we were once again greeted with excitement, encouragement, positive energy. Talented people, well-versed in the skills that we ourselves lack, have stepped up to help as we moved forward with the magazine, encouraging us and filling in the blanks; their generosity has made all the difference. New Mexico is defined by its diversity. Within the borders of our state are different cultures, languages and incomes. There’s a great variety of topography: mountains, forests, rivers; desert and the wide open spaces of high plains. We’ve got rodeo, trail riding, backyard and competitive dressage, eventing, even foxhunting. New Mexicans enjoy horse racing, endurance riding, polo, mounted shooting, competitive trail, vaulting, therapeutic riding and equine-assisted psychotherapy. Of course, along with all that diversity come different opinions! Try asking three New Mexicans from different backgrounds to describe the same horse and you’ll see what we mean. Yes, we’ve got our differences; but throughout the state, across disciplines, philosophies and breed favorites – we have one thing in common. We’ve all made a decision somewhere along the way to keep horses at the center of our lives. It’s this central shared passion that prompted the business owner to say “yes” to an ad, the photographers to send their photos, the writers to send us their words. It’s this center that we at Horse Around choose to celebrate and explore throughout the year. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the businesses who took that leap of faith, buying in to the magazine before there even was a magazine! These folks are the beating heart of our state’s horse community and we hope that you’ll patronize their businesses. A Clydesdale-sized thank you to our contributors: those whose work you see in this issue and those whose work will find a place in the upcoming months. They’ve got hearts as big as houses, to put their work, their thoughts and fears and dreams on paper and to send them on over here and out to you. A very special shout-out to Dennis, Marcus, Sharon and David for being willing to take a chance and give of your time and talent. You made it happen!! We hope that you’ll enjoy this celebration of our statewide horse community, and that you’ll find something to interest you. If you don’t see your area, discipline or philosophy reflected in these pages, please submit your own work, your own club listing or upcoming event. We can’t do it without you!
march, 2013
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The trail paseo del bosque Officially known as the Paseo del Bosque, Albuquerque’s bosque trail system stretches 26 miles from the South Valley to Corrales. by Peggy Conger Lots of options Riding in Albuquerque’s bosque is fun any time of year, but spring is especially sweet. The river is flowing beautifully with spring run-off and on any nice day you are sure to encounter fellow riders taking advantage of our beautiful New Mexico sunshine. With views of the Sandias, the river and plentiful bosque wildlife, there is a lot to enjoy. Officially known as the Paseo del Bosque, Albuquerque’s bosque trail system stretches 26 miles from the South Valley to Corrales. The 16 miles of uninterrupted paved bike trail is teeming with cyclists, hikers, and skaters, but there are lots of other options for the equestrian. You can ride along shaded bosque trails or on wide sandy levees and roads bordering the ditches and diversion channel. Wildlife includes bald eagles, coyotes, road runners, ducks, cranes, osprey, geese, even beavers, or at least the evidence of their handiwork. And that pile of sticks you see high up in a cottonwood tree may actually be a snoozing porcupine. But make no mistake: as wild as this area can seem, many parts of the bosque are definitely urban riding. On any given ride you can encounter everything from leaf blower-wielding gardeners to bull dozers and dump trucks. There is noisy traffic, tunnels, bridges, arroyos, speeding bicyclists, even traffic lights; all of which makes the bosque a terrific training opportunity for your trail horse.
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March, 2013
Great training opportunity
For a ride that offers opportunities to introduce your horse to city riding, and also enjoy the more relaxing aspects of a bosque ride, you can head to Calabacillas Arroyo Open Space on the west side of Rio Grande north of Paseo del Norte. To get there, take Coors Boulevard north from Paseo and turn right on Westside Drive. As Westside curves, you will bear slightly north and east onto the road that runs along the arroyo to the parking lot. The lot is shaded and roomy enough for horse trailers. From the parking lot facing north, the river lies to your right. You can access a nice beach along the river and a good view of the Sandias by heading down the arroyo toward the river and watching for a wide break in the brush on your left. You may have to cross a stream to reach this path to the beach. Lots of horse people I know use this area for water crossing training. The footing is sandy and if there is water present, it is usually shallow, sometimes forming pools. Spending time working here can be great for desensitizing a water-shy horse. Due to the arroyo runoff, the sand can be a bit trashy, so you’ll want to watch where your horse is walking. If the arroyo is running with water or the weather is threatening, all the cautions about venturing into arroyos apply here. Never put yourself or your horse in danger when this drainage area is running fast and full.
Hidden Hazards The beach is wide and long, great for photos and keeping an eye out for local wildlife. (We once encountered two unconcerned city coyotes here, who basically just pulled over to let six riders pass.) The river may tempt you, but you should resist venturing in. The Rio Grande is treacherous, with quicksand, unpredictable currents and channels; and hazardous trash can be hidden under its placid surface. If you head back from the beach down the same wide path you took in, you have several choices for a nice ride.
The beach is wide and long, great for photos and keeping an eye out for local wildlife.
Sun and shade
Going southward onto the sandy trail that appears just opposite the beach trail as you re-enter the arroyo takes you along a short sunny route that eventually dips to the right into the trees. As you come up the hill, pick up the narrow trail heading southwest and you’ll reach a lovely stretch of cool cottonwood shade. The trail winds around to a levee. Turning left takes you toward Paseo del Norte and its underpass where you can continue your ride southward. Turn right and you will head back toward the parking lot, either along the levee or by picking up the bosque trail again.
Good footing
Another option is to head straight across or up the arroyo, to a ramp with a white metal railing. At the top, you’ll encounter a large open space with two ditches. Toward the river is access to the bosque trail. This is a deeply shaded trail that goes to Alameda. The footing is nice and the trail is well- maintained, with opportunities for cantering. You can also ride along the neighboring ditch bank, if you prefer the sun, and drop down onto the bosque trail later. Bear to your left along the other ditch and you will be riding into the Bosque Dell Acres neighborhood around Loretto Drive. (continued on pg. 28)
You access a nice beach along the Rio Grande and a good view of the Sandias by heading down the arroyo to the river. March, 2013
15
trainer directory Throughout New Mexico you’ll find a great variety of trainers, in every discipline. Here are a few: Northern NM:
Taos, Espanola For your free listing contact:
LOAL TUCKER Loal Tucker, clinician, colt starter and trainer, located at Thal’s Equine south of Santa Fe on Highway 14. Loal is a lifelong New Mexico horseman and cattleman with a dressage background. He specializes in teaching clients to communicate to their horses to gain respect and develop confidence. Low-stress atmosphere with a learn-bydoing and results-oriented approach. Loal offers the Horsemanship Academy 6-week program, as well as one-on-one instruction.
505-469-0834
Loal@loaltucker.com
Classical horsemanship, dressage and coaching
505-231-5353 lynn@lynnclifford.com
Albuquerque:
For your free listing contact: editor@horsearoundnm.com
South Central NM I-25 corridor: Bosque Farms: Dennis Brazeal
Classical training techniques for any discipline. Colt starting, re-starting, problem behaviors.
505-400-5492 www.dennisbrazeal.com San Acacia: Dacodah Herkenhoff Acacia Riding Adventures 575-517-0477
acaciaridingadventures@yahoo.com
Eastern NM:
For your free listing contact: editor@horsearoundnm.com
Western NM:
For your free listing contact : editor@horsearoundnm.com
YOUR
Enhanced Trainer Listing Here for $25 (or free) Let us know if you’d like an enhanced listing in the trainer’s directory. It costs $25 per issue, or comes FREE with your purchase of any display ad. CONTACT US TODAY! www.horsearoundnm.com 505-926-1120 ads@horsearoundnm.com
Buffalo Range Riders Mounted www.sassnet.com CHAMP - Corrales Horse & Mule People www.champnm.com Equine Protection Fund www.equineprotectionfund.org Eqine Spirit Sanctuary 575-758-1212 www.equinespiritsanctuary.org
Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding 505-424-9924 www.listeninghorse.org New Mexico Bucksin Horse Association 505-869-9198 New Mexico Cutting Horse Association www.cuttingnews.com New Mexico Dressage Association www.nmdressage.net New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association www.nmgra.com
HORSE AROUND HINTS Free Listings:
Associations & Clubs
Events Calendar
Basic Trainer Directory (like the
one on the left of this page) To be included, contact us: 505-926-1120 editor@horsearoundnm.com
paid Listings: Business Ads start at $50 Enhanced Trainer Directory (like Loal’s listing, above)
$25 per issue
Classifieds $25
(for people, not businesses)
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Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico www.bchnm.org
High Desert Riders www.highdesertriders.com
editor@horsearoundnm.com
Santa Fe: Lynn Clifford, MA, EAGALA II
CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS
New Mexico Horse Council 505-603-6016 nmhorsecouncil.org Northern NM Horsemen’s Association www.nnmha.com NM Mustang and Burro Association www.nmmba.org New Mexico Quarter Horse Association www.nmqha.com New Mexico Reining Horse Association www.nmrha.org The Horse Shelter 505-471-6179 www.thehorseshelter.org Tularosa Nat’l Horsemanship Fellowship facebook.com/TularosaHorsemenFellowship
Walkin’ in Circles Horse Rescue 505-286-0779 www.wncr.org march, 2013
FREE ESTIMATES Office 505/832-1400
Fax 505/832-1441
Engineered Steel Buildings Factory Direct
br@qwestoffice.net
Steel Roll Up Garage Doors Available
Serving the Southwest
881 2 2 ND STR EET N W A BQ , N M 505 79 2 8225 HORSEMENSFEEDANDSUPPLY.C OM
March, 2013
17
getting back up
by cecilia kayano
Total Hip Replacement doesn’t have to mean you’ll never ride again. Here’s how one feisty fifty-something got back in the saddle six weeks after THR surgery.
the painful truth
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
The first sign that I needed a total hip replacement was about two years ago, when I was riding my Kentucky Mountain Horse, Lance, on Mount Adams in Washington State, and my left hip started hurting. It had become increasingly painful, but on this 8-hour mountain excursion, it was wince-worthy, especially going downhill. To get relief, I slung my knee over my horn bag. Bringing my knee in closer to Lance’s neck didn’t look pretty, but it lessened the pain. Two weeks later I was in an orthopedic specialist’s office thinking I could get a quick in-patient treatment to remedy my hip, when he handed me a brochure entitled: Total Hip Replacement-THR.
I considered two main kinds of THR surgeries: anterior and posterior approaches. I chose anterior. Many more people know of and choose posterior. Even my doctor had never heard of the anterior approach! Here’s the difference: the anterior approach accesses the hip by separating muscles at the front of the hip, whereas posterior cuts through muscles and tendons on the back side of the hip.
two new hips? “Why are you giving me this brochure with a photo of old people on it?” I asked. (I was 53.) Turns out I needed not only my left hip replaced, but two years later, my right hip.
some advice
get back in the saddle after surgery
to
On December 11, 2012 I had my second, and hopefully final (these titanium/ceramic joints are supposed to last about 30 years) hip replacement. I’m back on my horse now, and these are the steps I took to get the surgeries, and get back in the saddle.
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CONSIDER the OPTions After surgery, posterior requires several precautions including using special lifted toilet seats, pillows between legs when sleeping, and leg angle restrictions. With the anterior approach, my doctor gave me no precautions and no physical therapy, only walking and swimming.
the best surgeon I found an anterior approach specialist in Seattle, Washington. He does only this surgery, and had completed over 1,000 anterior approach surgeries before I signed up.
get in shape For my first surgery, I worked out with a fitness trainer who prepared me specifically for hip surgery. She built up my core, my legs, and my balance. This second time, I did yoga for several months, concentrating on core strength and balance.
Riding almost every day prior to surgery also helped. Right after surgery, I was using my core to get out of bed, and balancing a lot on my left leg to bend down to pick up items.
set the date (with an
eye on the riding weather) I use horseback riding as my physical exercise, my mental health therapy, and my connection to the earth. I dreaded not being able to do it. So I chose to have the surgery during the late fall, when the weather wouldn’t beckon me to ride. Even so, not riding for many weeks was difficult. I became fatter, crabbier, and didn’t have those sweet flashbacks of the day’s ride to lull me to sleep. I learned to calm myself by thinking of the spring and summer riding seasons when I would ride without pain, for hours and hours, up and down the mountain trails.
take your vitamins I took supplements and did self-hypnosis before and after the surgery. I took an herbal supplement called Tissue Mend (recommended by a naturopath, and cowgirl friend who broke her pelvis). I also listened to pre- and post-op hypnosis audio CDs. Did they work? I think so. This surgery was virtually pain free, and recovery seems much quicker. Even my scar is less noticeable.
be patient, and take it one step at a time I was up walking the day of the surgery, using a walker.
The next day, I was using crutches. At week two, I was riding my bike, but being very careful getting on and off. At week four, I was able to use just one crutch, which allowed me to carry things.
The first ride after my hip replacement was a success because I trusted my horse, Lance, and I rode in an area he knew.
back in the saddle after 6 weeks Once I could carry things, I was able to halter, groom and blanket Lance, a gelding with great ground manners. At about week five, I started to be able to walk short distances without aid. Finally, at six weeks after surgery, I mounted Lance and rode him around the stable. I had someone hold him while I mounted, and I only walked him. I rode him for 15 minutes. There was no pain or soreness. My doctor told me it takes about 3-6 months for the muscles around the hip to be strong enough to hold the hip securely. He said it takes a full year for the hip to return to its pre-op strength. My thinking is this: even though I am dying to gait and canter, I am being cautious. Last year, while doing a slow canter on the home stretch of a 5-hour trail ride, my “unspookable” Lance caught the scent of something, and did an about-face/canter move. I stayed on, but could have flown off. I don’t want that to happen right now. My plan is to slowly increase the number of minutes I’m in the saddle, and ride only Lance, my most reliable horse. As my hip gets stronger, I will ride longer, and faster, and start riding Consuelo, my lower-mileage, but calm, Rocky Mountain mare. I don’t have definite dates set for riding longer or faster, but will let my hip be my guide. Six weeks after a total hip replacement, I’m back in the saddle, and that’s all that matters! PHotos: Susan Spear
When I was able to walk with only one crutch, I could halter, groom, blanket and tack up my horse.
I could relax, and enjoy the short ride,
I asked my friend, Meagan, to hold Lance while I mounted, even though he has been trained to stand.
the beautiful New Mexico
sunshine, and the help of my friends Meagan and Susan.
I didn’t use the stirrups, so I could let my hips relax in a natural position.
Being back in the saddle felt great. I had no hip pain. I wasn’t even aware I had surgery. I could have ridden longer, but limited my first ride to 15 minutes. march, 2013
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the singles scene Not to worry, this is not an article about dating. It is, however, about the muchcontested issue of whether or not to keep horses alone. The reasons for or against are strong and the opinions pretty well divided. While researching this article we heard interesting testimonials from both sides. by Dianne Fay
W“ T
e spoke with Mike Riegger, DVM, of the Northwest Animal Clinic. He commented, Horses are herd animals. They rely on one another for the survival of the herd, thereby assuring the survival of the individual(s). They have priorities, of sorts. The first, obviously, is survival. The others would be food and companionship.”
hat does not mean that they cannot be content alone, though it does depend on the personality of the individual horse. Some are more self-sufficient than others. A horse can be kept alone, quite nicely. Often, the success of such a venture also depends upon whether the horse’s person is a strong individual. Dr. Riegger mentioned that cockatoo and macaw birds will often bond with a strong person. It’s fairly obvious that the operative word here is strong.
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So, a confident, self-sufficient horse combined with a strong person might be kept alone with success – but there’s more. There needs to be enough space for the horse. As Dr. Riegger stated, “The more room the better. The stall should be at least 12’ x 12’. There should to be ample room for the horse to get out and exercise, as a stall is antithetical to survival. It is not a natural venue for a horse. For a horse to “get out and run”, he needs at least 200 feet.” Because horses are creatures of habit, it should also be noted that their sense of security comes from a well regulated, organized environment. Doing things the same way, every day goes a long way toward having a contented horse. They simply do not like surprises.
Alone lonely but not
Because it’s uncommon, we don’t hear too much about how to keep a “single” horse happy. Here are a few strategies. • Give your singleton a non-equine pal. We know of one case where a Bantam rooster “took to” a particular horse. They became fast friends, even travelling together in the horse trailer! One stable has a pair of Doberman Pinschers who live in the barn and go everywhere the horses go. Added bonus? Security. Another farm that raises alpacas has a horse that is quite content to graze among them. • Keep the horse entertained. Some swear by “toys” such as the Jolly Ball, but an empty plastic milk jug filled with pebbles (or something) might work just as well. Lots and lots of turnout, preferably with forage to graze, will keep Dobbin happy for many hours. Failing that, some sort of slow feeder could be a good alternative. • Folks who have success keeping a horse alone have one thing in common: they spend a great deal of time with their lone horse. They ride nearly every day. This includes either trail riding or arena work. Tell us your story at :
www.horsearoundnm.com
Some owners of “lone horses” talk about traits and behaviors that are not apparent in horses kept in a group. Said traits are not necessarily negative. We have all heard about horses having their own pets such as goats, chickens, dogs and other animals. Of course, there was mention of a strong bond with the person who supplies the feed, no surprise there! When it comes to vittles, horses are fickle! Stable vices such as cribbing, stall walking, etc., have all been mentioned in relation to the solitary horse, but whether these traits are the result of “aloneness” has not been determined. Val Cole, current Newsletter Editor for the New Mexico Horse Council, horse show announcer, paddock manager, former Honorary Whip for the Juan Tomas Hounds Hunt club and an experienced horsewoman, has kept horses alone with great success. The guess is that there are many more who can claim similar results.
Europeans seem to be light years ahead of us where animrights are concerned. One has only to study how horses are kept in England or the Netherlands to get a picture of the process. England has laws in place that disallow keeping a horse alone. There are those who feel that the Europeans are a bit “over the top”; but whether that is so will probably remain a mystery.
Can a horse be happily kept alone? Well – that depends…
March, 2013
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horse speak
by loal tucker
Love Your Horse in His Language (by keeping him out of your space) Photos by Cecilia Kayano
M
any of my clients have attended clinics put on by others, watched countless videos, and read issue after issue of a variety of horse magazines. Most know about the importance of groundwork, and the importance of setting boundaries with their horses to gain respect. But even if they intellectually know this, there’s an emotion that often takes over and gets in the way: love. uring the first class of my 101 Horsemanship Clinic, I say, “If you are standing close enough to pet your horse, you’re standing too close.” I’ve already noted that everyone is standing
D
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right next to their horse, prepared to hug them in an instant. “But we love them,” says one participant. What does loving your horse reallymean? Sure we all love our horses, but does this mean we let them disrespect, bully and intimidate us? Or, do we coddle them so they can never stand confidently on their own? If so, we might rethink what loving our horses means. If we truly love our horses, then we have to set boundaries with them. The word “boundaries” may seem like a harsh word, but that is exactly what our horses want and need. A horse is an animal that is constantly looking for a
leader, be it another horse or human. It cannot relax unless it either follows or becomes a leader. If you can’t be the leader, then your horse will either take over or be a nervous, fidgety wreck. It’s really up to you. Do you want to be led around by a creature that can take off in an instant and run full throttle for a quarter mile without any thought? Or stand with a reactive, 1000-pound claustrophobic herd animal at the end of your lead rope? Me neither! We don’t want our horse to be the leader, and we don’t want our horse to feel leaderless, and therefore lacking in confidence. In order for your horse to become confident, you need to keep him out of your space. At first this may feel strange to you, but the more you practice, the more you will find that you can do it correctly, not feel guilty about making your horse compliant, and reap the rewards of a respectful, relaxed and confident horse.
Horses want and need boundaries.
H
ere are steps you can take today, while standing with and leading your horse, which will build your leadership role and your horse’s confidence.
Train your horse to stand further away from you. If you can touch your horse, he is standing too close to you.
1. To get your horse to back out of your space, don’t jerk the halter. First suggest that he move back by turning toward him, standing tall, raising your hands, and pointing your fingers at him.
2. If he doesn’t move back, ask him directly by moving your hands towards him with energy, walking in place with purpose, all the while increasing your energy. If he takes a step back, stop immediately.
3. If you get no results, take the tail of the lead rope and slap him hard on the chest until he takes a step backwards. If he does this willingly, paying attention to you, then stop immediately. If he drags his feet, looks around, and is generally not tuned into you, stomp your feet towards him, chasing him backwards while you continue to slap him on the chest until he focuses on you. Stop immediately.
4. Keep your horse at this distance, out of touching distance. Create a new rule with your horse: he can’t touch you unless you let him touch you.
...more of Loal’s tips on next page... March, 2013
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Train your horse to follow you with distance. If your horse follows near you, alongside you or in front of you, he not only does not respect you, but he could endanger you.
1. Start walking with about five feet of lead rope between you and your horse. Walk at a regular speed.
2. Suddenly stomp your feet and come to an obvious, quick stop.
3. If your horse continues walking towards you, quickly turn, raise your hands and walk towards him to get him to back up.
4. If he doesn’t back up, slap him on the chest with the lead rope until he takes a step backward and is focused on you.
Quick Self-Checks
1. Escalate your cues. Start soft and progress as far as needed with your cues to get the desired result. Think of this escalation: suggest, ask, promise. 2. Correct like you mean it. Then let it go. It is better to slap a horse quick and hard with the lead rope, and get a result from the horse, than to gently bump him over and over. 3. Be consistent. You are always training your horse. Use these guidelines to keep your horse out of your space every time you handle your horse. Your consistent behavior will allow your horse to relax and feel confident. And he will love you for that.
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March, 2013
Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc. offers ongoing horsemanship clinics and training in the East Mountains. 505-469-0834 www.loaltucker.com
Call today for a free project consultation! Your horses will love you! See the difference!
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(800)678-2556
Skip & Debbie Hames - OWNERS P: 800-678-2556 / F: 817-594-6768 E: info@sweetwaterbarns.com
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March, 2013
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longe lesson
by miriam Kan
My first riding lesson was on a longe line in a ring behind a middle class subdivision. I was nine. I remember giggling a little when the horse picked up a trot. The trainer made a point of telling me it wasn’t funny and not to laugh. Her negative sentiment stuck with me for years. After a year of lessons, we bought a four-year-old thoroughbred named Magic. He was lazy, but gentle and honest. We grew together, learning how to show ourselves best. Over the years, my eye for seeing distances to fences became keen. My trainer used the phrase “There-It-Is” when cantering to a jump. (I found myself saying this in my head while watching stadium jumping in the 2012 Olympics. )I noticed that other trainers shouted “3-2-1” in the schooling ring at shows, but our way felt more tangible. Still I was embarrassed at clinics when I was asked to count my strides out loud and the other students laughed.
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The harsh critiques
may have seemed cruel sometimes, but there were always riders who wanted his opinion about their form over fences. I spent summers exclusively at the barn, but the hours spent grooming, riding, grazing, feeding, mucking, wrapping, tacking and un-tacking were not enough. The main event of sleepovers with my girlfriends was to set up miniature jumping courses in the house. We would pretend we were the horses, count our strides to the jumps, do lead changes, and try to impress the judges. Our parents asked only that we put the furniture back after ribbons were awarded!
After highschool & boys, and the sale of three horses, I went to college in Virginia. Hollins University had an IHSA team, and a pretty successful one at that. Our trainer was soft spoken and calm. The theory behind intercollegiate showing is that riders become adaptable. You must show a horse you’ve never ridden, in a saddle that most likely does not fit your seat, with the ultimate goal of making it look effortless. One flat class and I realized this type of competition was not for me.
F
or some, growing up in Kentucky meant the winter show circuit in Ocala and a closet full of Tailored Sportsmans. That wasn’t my crowd. Although I noticed what others had and I didn’t, it was never enough to make me jealous. I went to the barn, rode my horse, looked in his full eyes and knew I belonged there. Admittedly, I might have been the only one to vomit over the side of the fence before my first class at a Country Heir Show, but there was no doubt I loved to ride. Every month, I flipped to George Morris’ Jumping Clinic in “Practical Horseman” eager to compare myself to others.
The rest of the year I ran from my dorm to the barn, eager for our group lessons and a chance to ride the small bay I grew to love. Then, in the midst of transferring to another college, I was asked by a friend to join her in Colorado for the summer. She had been hired as the head wrangler at a YMCA camp in Sedalia and she needed an assistant to help her with 17 horses and 12 weeks of campers. It was my first experience west of the Mississippi and a summer that would change my life.
For three months, we led trail
rides, dealt with injured horses and took fellow camp counselors galloping through the aspens at dusk. I swapped my Collegiate close contact for western tack, unshod hooves, and a sense of freedom. There was no hoof conditioner, crossties, turnout blankets, or splint boots. Campers merely gave the horse a once-over with the curry comb and attempted to pick all four hooves. That summer allowed me to see another aspect of the horse world; one I really liked and wanted to be a part of. The morning I left camp and headed for the Denver airport, I woke up in the pitch dark, in the A-frame I called home for those three months, walked down a steep hill to the barn, past other cabins and beneath the ropes course zipline. Most of the horses had already come in from the pasture and were waiting for breakfast in their stalls. I flipped the light switch in the tack room and stood waiting for my eyes to adjust and the dust to settle.
My English saddle was so small compared to the others. I zipped my green and blue nylon travel bag around the awkward shaped pommel and stirrup irons. I heard someone neigh. Flinging the saddlebag handles over my shoulder, I trudged down the aisle. Heads popped up, the horses I’d grown to know so well eyeing me curiously as my boots scuffed the ground. I softly ran my hand across muzzles as I walked the length of the barn, stopping for a moment to gaze at the sun beginning to rise over the mountain. Time to go. When the plane touched down in Chicago, my eyes were so wet with tears that I could barely see out the window. I struggled to squeeze my saddlebag between the seats, wiping my cheeks only to cry harder at seeing my parents’ bright smiles at the end of the jetway.
Despite my new found interest in the west I spent the next ten years living life outside
of that world. I lacked the enthusiasm and drive to become involved again; more out of indifference than anything else. I started running, and found focus and solace from miles and miles of shoes on pavement. (cont. on next page) March, 2013
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One step inside and the familiar smell of grain, leather, and musk hit me with a feeling of nostalgia similar to the first time I jumped off the high dive.
LONGE LINE (continued from previous page)
I started running, and found focus and solace from miles and miles of shoes on pavement. I traveled in Central and South America, making sure to book a touristy trail ride in between beach and site seeing activities. Those brief experiences back in the saddle never stirred the desire to start riding again. I continued to wait. It wasn’t until my husband and I moved to New Mexico that I felt the twinge of inspiration to reconnect with horses. One afternoon, I ran into a group trail riding on the open space behind our house. I frantically grabbed our dogs to allow the riders to pass. One man stopped to talk with me. The paint he was riding had no interest in being left behind and pranced in place while we chatted. He laughed while saying my large St. Bernard could use a saddle. I was relieved he wasn’t upset with us and I smiled broadly with longing. I could see the excitement in his eyes as he turned to gallop on. A few weeks later at a neighborhood gathering, I talked with a woman who just began eventing after 20 years off. I could hear the anticipation in her voice, and our conversation led to a discussion about my own hiatus from riding. Nonetheless, we’d lived in New Mexico for months before I ventured into the local feed store. 28
March, 2013
I began taking dressage lessons from an insightful, encouraging trainer in Santa Fe. My first lesson was on a longe line. Again I smiled; not a laugh, but a content, confident grin. The small Spanish Mustang had a surprisingly dreamy trot, fluid and bold. He ignored my mistakes and listened when I asked properly. I felt more connected with this unknown horse than I had after years of riding my thoroughbred. The stirrups were too long, my body felt like overdone spaghetti, and I was struggling to get a deep breath in at altitude. But I was actually riding again, listening to the horse and my body, talking silently about our next transition, and learning from a patient instructor. I think I’ll continue to take it slow - it feels good to ride just once a week, with purpose and zeal, without pressure, and most importantly, with others who embody the positive and unique energy found in the ancient bond between horse and human.
THE BOSQUE TRAIL (continued from page xx)
The ditch trail is lined with leafy cottonwoods and takes you past backyards that range from elegant to distinctly rural. This can be a peaceful, uneventful ride – or it can pack all sorts of surprises. I have run into heavy equipment dredging the ditch, semis making a racket behind the stores high above the other side of the ditch, tree trimmers, even a pastured horse or two who made a hobby of charging the fence. During Balloon Fiesta, this area also sees a lot of balloons just about skimming the tree tops. So it was a terrific place to see how my little mustang-cross gelding, who had years of wilderness trail riding but very little urban experience, would react. For him, heavy equipment, semis, chain saws, pushy horses and hot air balloons were no big deal; he found the ditch’s summer population of baby ducks a lot scarier. Calabacillas Arroyo Open Space offers a snapshot of the bosque’s many equestrian attractions. To learn more about bosque riding opportunities, visit the City of Albuquerque’s website: www.cabq.gov
March, 2013
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spotlight skin
on Greasy heel, sweet itch, girth itch, scratches, mud fever, rain rot: we’ve heard these terms and others, maybe even used them to describe the skin conditions found on our horses.
Apple cider, diaper cream, honey, even turpentine are a few of the ingredients in the traditional remedies passed between horseowners looking for cures for those unfortunate scabs or sores. But before you begin dabbing on the latest remedy, picking or scraping your horse’s delicate skin, consider our quick guide to a few of the more common equine skin ailments - there may be a better solution than the one suggested by your neighbor’s cousin’s farrier...
Ringworm
In spite of its name, ringworm is caused not by worms, but by fungal spores that make their way under a horse’s skin, causing infection. Formally known as dermatophytosis, it’s most likely to occur in younger horses whose immune systems have already been compromised by some other condition. Ringworm spreads easily, not only between horses but even from horses to humans, carried from one host to another on shared grooming tools, saddle pads, blankets, etc. It’s more common during winter when horses often share close living quarters. Hairless, scaly patches on the legs, girth or saddle areas or around the eyes are the first sign of infection. Affected skin becomes extremely itchy, and horses may bite or chew at these areas and develop a secondary bacterial infection.
Sweet Itch
Also referred to as equine dermatitis or summer eczema, sweet itch is an allergic reaction usually caused by fly or midge bites. Black flies (buffalo gnats) love to feed on horses, and when the horse is sensitive to insect bites sweet itch or similar conditions result. Prevention and Treatment: Very difficult to treat once it has developed, sweet itch is best avoided. Aggressive, pro-active prevention includes the use of fly sheets that extend at least halfway down the horse’s tail, baby oil applied liberally to the base of the tail ad roots of the mane (so the gnats can’t get a grip), or various methods of making your horse a less attractive target. You can try daily doses of apple cider vinegar or garlic powder; some people swear by a daily heaping teaspoon of aspirin powder or rubbing their horse with dryer sheets to disguise their horsey smell. Once your horse has developed sweet itch, your vet may recommend a corticosteroid cream or injection to offer some relief.
Kochia weed at its peak
Prevention and Treatment:
Simple but definitely not easy; prevention begins with regular grooming and scrupulous attention to detail. Wet, dirty, muddy horses should be cleaned as well as possible, every day, using clean grooming tools. If you blanket your horse, make sure your blankets are clean, and avoid sharing blankets between horses. Turnout on clear, sunny days is great for any horse and especially for the horse with ringworm. Once ringworm has been diagnosed, hair should be clipped away from the skin lesions so that air and sunlight can penetrate. The horse can be bathed with a special shampoo containing miconazole for 5 days straight, then one time per week until the lesions are healed; but keep in mind that miconazale is a strong chemical and keep close watch for any side effects.
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Rain Rot, Mud Fever
Properly called dermatophilosis, this is a bacterial infection that causes hair loss in streaks, like brush strokes. You might notice matted hair and crusty or oozing lesions. Those horse with white markings on their legs or heads are more susceptible, and the condition is more common in wet conditions though it can occur in any climate. As a horse ages it alos seems to become more likely to respond to wet conditions by developing this infection. Prevention & Treatment: try to avoid the wet or muddy living conditions that lead to rain rot, or mud fever. If your horse has already developed the condition, moving the to a dry environment is imperative; then treatment with strong antiseptics and maybe even systemic antibiotics will be necessary. Keep in mind that it is possible for this condition to spread to humans.
Pastern / Saddle Dermatitus
Pastern, tail or saddle dermatitus (pyoderma or folliculitis) is caused by an upset in the pH balance of a horse’s skin that sets the stage for bacterial growth. Excessive sweating is often to blame for this, and signs usually include hair loss, scaling or crusting of the skin on the legs, chest, croup and across the back of affected horses. Prevention & Treatment: rinsing your horse well after strenuous exercise will go a long way toward preventing pyoderma. Advanced cases may require a systemic antibiotic if primary treatment with local antiseptics is not effective.
Scratches
This potentially serious condition is caused by a fungus (sporotrichum schenki). It mostly affects the lower legs and/or pasterns, and seems to prefer horses with white coloring on their lower legs. It looks like crusty, scablike lesions and, since it is often located in the joint area where the skin is constantly moving and stretching, it is difficult to treat and worsens easily. If open sores develop, a bacterial infection can come into play and become very serious indeed. If the infection penetrates deeply enough to cause cellulitis the entire lower leg will swell, causing lameness; once both a fungal and a bacterial infection are involved, treatment becomes quite difficult. Prevention and Treatment: Wet, muddy conditions are important contributing factors, so when at all possible avoid keeping your horse in an environment that is constantly damp and muddy. Careful cleaning and maintenance of the pastern area is also key to prevention, and frequent grooming of the pasterns will help ensure that you spot any problems early on. Treatment begins by removing the horse to dry surroundings; some vets recommend clipping the hair around the affected area so that you can treat it more effectively and keep it dry. The area should be cleaned with a mild solution of Betadine and water - but do not scrub, as the area is sensitive and sore; and you may cause more damage to the skin. Scabs are best soaked off gently, and if you can keep the horse in a clean, dry environment you may apply an ointment containing lanolin or something similar. If you must run the horse back out, avoid ointments as they will attract dirt.
If the situation does not improve, it’s important to call your veterinarian. More severe cases of scratches require antibiotics (locla and/or systemic), antifungals and a steroid to reduce inflammation.
Lice and Mange If your horse is generally healthy, you are unlikely to encounter these parasitic diseases of the skin. Horses that contract lice are already in poor condition or have a weakened immune system. Mange, caused by chorioptic mites, will cause a horse to bite its legs, rub against things, stomp its feet. The mites prefer the hair in the pastern and leg region, and are more likely to infest horses with “feathers” or long hair on their legs. Left untended, mange will spread to the lower body. Prescription medication in the form of a cream or ointment will usually clear this condition.
Equine skin ailments can be notoriously difficult to diagnose - and even harder to treat.
Daily grooming is a must, as it will help prevent skin conditions from arising as well as helping with early detection; and the advice of a veterinarian is indispensable, especially if you suspect one of the more serious conditions. Our first lines of defense are cleanliness (of tack, blankets, grooming tools) and the conscientious upkeep of our horse’s living quarters or pasture, along with good nutrition and a strong immune system. Mud and dark, damp conditions are serious challenges, along with sweat and dirt on our horse’s coats. Armed with the information we’ve provided here, we’re hoping that this spring brings only a glossy shine to your horse’s coat. March, 2013
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Horse Around
Classifieds
New Mexico
Massage for Serious Horseback Riders Therapeutic massage practice opens in Cedar Crest specializing in massage for horseback riders. Call Mountain Massage, LMT #4113 at 505.350.8333 to schedule an appointment.
Your Ad Goes Here for $25 Headline = 25 characters or less i.e: 16.5 Abetta Endurance Saddle Body text = 25 words WITH PHOTO 50 words WITHOUT photo.
Palomino Tennessee Walker Beautiful golden 3 year old gelding, smart, flashy, loves people. Naturally gaited he will be a fancy show horse or wonderful trail buddy and friend. Asking $2000. 281-6984 E. Mtns.
Car-Top Luggage Carrier $50 18 cu.ft. Clamshell Explorer Model #A90087. Assembled. Used only once by little old lady driving to NM. Call 505-286-4516 & leave a message.
Wintec Pro Endurance Saddle 17 inch gel seat. Easy care equi-suede. Exchangeable gullet. Great condition. $350.00 Celia - 505.252.0151
HIS PLACE EQUESTRIAN CENTER The best stable care in the East Mountains. 14’x14’ stalls with paddocks. Arenas with good footing. Call 286-6240
Two pair left: elegant, Sterling Silver overlay on Fillis style, Stainless Steel Stirrups, size 4 3/4”. Stirrup may be turned to conceal engraving, if desired. Regular price $198.00. “Cleaning out” price $67.00. Call Dianne 897-1428
Horse Boarding: Sandia Crest Area Pampered horse care at private ranch. Very large paddock, room to run, shade, covered stall, round pen and outdoor arena. Fed twice daily, monitored constantly. Ride out from facility onto open space. Easy access to Sandia Crest trails. Full care $300 per month.
Call Susan, 505-239-7127
Portable Heater Large Size Eden Pure Quartz Infra-red 1500 watts. 22 x 16 x 18 On wheels, brand new, never out of the box. $140 firm. Call 505-286-4516 & leave a message. * 2002 Featherlite 2 Horse Slant for Sale Great shape. 50 gal. water tank, plexiglass stock window inserts; reinforced wood floor. Retrofit,will haul 2-3 motorcycles. $7200. See at Fastbecks Motorcylces. Call Chris, 505-407-2310.
Reg. 7 y.o. Mare. Great personality, easy keeper. Great trail horse. 45 days of barrel pattern; I’ve tracked/ roped calves w/ her. Vaccines current, teeth floated. Weatherford, Texas. Call 817-757-2276
Have something to sell or trade? Looking for something to buy? CLASSIFIED ADS* are only $25 per issue Headline: up to 21 characters Body Text: With photo = 25 words Text only = 50 words Template at horsearoundnm.com
*Non-commercial ads only, buy/sell/trade. No business ads.
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Contributors biologist and Director of the Albuquerque Aquarium. A long-time horsewoman, she lives in the mountains east of Albuquerque with her daughter and husband.
Peggy Conger worked for 20 years as a reporter and editor. She did publicity for and was an early partner in Acacia Riding Adventures, worked as a trail guide and instructor for Bosque Circle Ranch, and was a member of the board at Walkin’ N Circles Ranch. She owns two horses, both rescues, and trail ride extensively throughout NM.
Judy Fitzpatrick lives in Corrales, New Mexico. She is currently a MasterNaturalist intern and has been exploring New Mexico’s backcountry on horseback with her husband for almost twenty years.
Miriam Kan received a bach-
Cecilia Kayano is a writer
Loal Tucker is a lifelong NM horse-
Holly Casman is a marine
elors in Creative Writing from the University of Montana and a masters in Communication from the University of Louisville. A Kentucky native and New Mexico transplant, she lives with her husband and four dogs in Cedar Crest.
and photographer who lives in New Mexico and Washington. She owns two gaited horses, and enjoys mountain trail riding. She can be reached at Kayanodesign@aol.com
participate!
man & cattleman with a dressage background. He teaches clients to communicate to their horses to gain respect and develop confidence. Loal offers the Horsemanship Academy 6-week program, as well as 1-on-1 instruction.
Contact loal@loaltucker.com 505-469-0834
Do you like Horse Around? Think we could do better? We’d love to hear from you. We welcome submissions on any horse-related theme, beautiful photographs, art and illustrations. There are no limitations based on discipline, style of riding or writing genre. The magazine is distributed for free throughout New Mexico, and we need content to reflect everyone and everything that’s going on across the entire state. We also welcome your club or association listings and news. Send us your event listings, too! Got a favorite trainer? Encourage them to contact us for a free listing. The Tail End features our readers experiences while they’re out “horsin’ around” - tell us your story!
Please address submissions, comments or questions to editor@horsearoundnm.com; kindly allow us up to one month to reply.
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the tail end I love the horse from hoof to head From head to hoof and tail to mane I love the horse as I have said From head to hoof and back again. ~James Whitcomb Riley
Photo Š Hope72 | Dreamstime.com
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yourbrand Parts & Repair Service For All Makes of Trailers Living Quarter & RV Service Aluminum & Steel Welding Trailer Rental
12 miles east of Abq. on Route 66 Edgewood, NM 87015
Open Tuesday through Saturday Our website never closes www.sandiatrailer.com sales@sandiatrailer.com
505-281-9860
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