Atlanta Horse Connections v21

21 ST EDITION - 2017

a fond farewell to

ROLEX evaluating

the PERFECT IRELAND RIDING

EQUINE LAMENESS

VACATION shedding light on

LYME DISEASE SPORT

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ENTERTAINMENT

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T R AV E L

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STYLE

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COMPETITION

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WELLNESS

OPEN

Caroline Martin & Spring Easy ®Liz Crawley Photography

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R O L E X 2 017

Thanks for the Memories!

INTERNATIONAL

what’s INSIDE 30 31

Zangersheide

EQ ST YLE

Are you Sun Savvy?

Trendsetter Kelsey Norcott

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EVENTING

LOCAL Top Picks

SHORT STIRRUPS Junior Riders Silly Gil

2017 Rolex Memories

WELLNESS

Life in the Lyme Light Evaluating Equine Lameness Ambulatory Diaries

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The biggest enemy to the partnership of dressage is impatience and the human nature to dominate other creatures.

– Walter Zettyl

THE PERFECT IRELAND RIDING VACATION

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ART S & ENTERTAINMENT The Perfect Ireland Riding Vacation Summertime Shrimp Boil

Penny Morse Editor

This issue we are dedicating to the last event in Kentucky sponsored

by Rolex. I think it will be hard to call it by a different name in the future, but we appreciate how Rolex has honored the sport of Eventing, and look forward to seeing who will take their place.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful pictures we are featuring of our favorite riders and their mounts, taken by the very talented Liz Crawley.

Heidi Caldwell Creative Director

Maureen Forman Lifestyle Editor

Contributing Writers

As we struggle through the summer months with storms, heat and an extreme amount of bugs, please read the article on Lyme disease and how important it is to protect ourselves from ticks and any other bug that can infect us with just a quick bite. Our own Maureen Forman has gone through a year of a life changing experience, being treated for a various conditions, and enduring painful surgeries, to be finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Against the advice and opinion of doctors, she kept going till she could find the right testing and the right Doctor to make her well. Her bravery and tenacity is admiral and I know that in the future her story will save the life of many.

Ana Velloso Alvarez, LV Lindsey Boone, DVM Maureen Forman Emily Fritchey Carolyn Haward Luda Lyse Penny Morse Amber Spiler

Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has also graced us with another interesting article addressing lameness; a condition that is frequently suffered by our horses, but often one of the hardest to detect the cause.

Erika Swales

I do hope you are enjoying your summer, and next month we will be back with all our regular contributors, and a look at the fall season! Where has this year gone?

Cheers!

Atlanta Horse Connections Magazine is part of City Horse Connections, an equestrian network bringing the equine world together, one city at a time.

/atlantahorseconnections Penny Morse

All articles and pictures are owned and copyrighted by City Horse Connections, a subsidiary of JJP Group.

Reproduction of copyrighted material, without prior permission of the copyright owner, is illegal according to 17 U.S.C. Reproductions of copyright materials apply not only to traditional works such as books, photographs, drawings, etc., but also digital media such as music, movies and software. Š2017.

NATURALLY

BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINEBOTANICALS.COM

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Carolyn Haward FEI International Show Jumping Judge, Greece

Enjoying the gardens at Lanaken

ZANGERSHEIDE It is a privilege to be able to travel around Europe, and occasionally elsewhere in the world, while enjoying my favorite activity, judging at international jumping competitions, but last April I happened upon a really special venue with special people and my experience this time turned into a real bonus. I was lucky enough to be invited to judge at a couple of competitions in Belgium at Lanaken, home of the Zangersheide Z horses.

parks for the trucks and the temporary competition stables, several warm up areas and then the shopping stalls and eateries dotted all around. Above all, there are the two very welcoming and delightful owners of the whole property, Judy Melchior and her daughter, Judy Ann. When I arrived on the scene, Judy Ann was in the office finalizing the timetables and generally overseeing the work... and then she ran off in a hurry to help clean the stables in readiness for the imminent arrival of about 700 horses.

There is nothing she won’t do to help; she is also a superb organizer and is responsible for the timetable of the event. I must say I have never officiated at an event that was so precisely run, right down to the last minute. Even the public areas had digital

The setting is superb: stretches of green fields with grazing horses, surrounded by trees coming into their spring glory, while hidden among it all are the great facilities of this stud farm and competition grounds. There are large stables, three arenas, huge

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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Here at Zangersheide are many of the famous Z stallions and mares used in the breeding program, names such as Dominator Z, Levisto Z, Cicero Z, Taloubet Z and Air Jordan Alpha Z, to name just a few of the stallions. Then there are the mares, for example, As Cold As Ice Z, Abba Z, Ratina Alpha Z and Taltina Z. Taloubetdarco Z, another famous mare from the Z studbook is still active in the competition arena. In fact, Taloubetdarco Z competed at the Rio Olympic Games in the same arena as her sire, Taloubet Z! The stallions can be used to produce live sperm or else it is deep frozen and transported in special canisters to customers all over the world. The mares, however, are used for their genetic material but the foals are usually carried by surrogate mares. As Judy said, “These ladies are too precious to be put at risk with a pregnancy and birth!” And another fact that surprised me is that Air Jordan Alpha and Ratina Alpha are actually clones, not the original horses of those names, but of course their DNA is identical to that of their progenitors, and what’s more they are fertile and these genetic traits are further carried through to their offspring. How amazing what modern technology can do!

I was overwhelmed with information about how this was where the first horse walker in the world was created by Leon Melchior, Judy’s late husband. It wasn’t circular like the ones today but rather designed in a straight line. Leon also was a pioneer in

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that he set up the very first open stud book in his efforts to breed structurally better horses or at least ones more suitable for breeding jumpers. This stud book dates back to 1992 and it changed the world of our jumping sport. His aim was the progress and improvement of equine management. This can be broken down into: International Data Banks; the Exchange of Data and Genetic Research.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

clocks counting down to the last second the start of the next event... and it worked! Judy Ann Melchior, well known rider at high level competitions and organizer supreme, is prepared to do any job to get the show on the road... she will both muck in and muck out, so to speak!

Honoring successful breeders with a percentage of the winnings.

Zangersheide, in order to promote this initiative, also added 2% to prize monies in the Longines Ranking classes during the Z tour this April, where I was privileged to judge. This was paid to the breeders of the best 8 placed horses, irrespective of the origins or stud book. So with the names of these famous horses ringing in my ears, I followed Judy around the high-tech laboratory and the stables as she most generously gave me a guided tour.

“This is Levisto,” she announced. “I am very proud of our stallions,” she added as she asked me to step inside Levisto’s box with her. “Don’t worry; he’s as gentle as a lamb.” He was. Then I was taken to pay a visit on Cicero, then Air Jordan Alpha. All the stables were spotlessly clean but what impressed me most was their size. At that point Judy let me into little story regarding her early days at the farm. “As a young bride coming to Belgium from my home in Canada, I took a great interest in the stud farm.

My husband had already set it up, this totally private enterprise, in 1968, nearly 50 years ago, out of his love for horses. This was never a source for making money, his main business lay elsewhere. In fact, we have never been dealers. We just hold horse auctions for owners.”

I have never officiated at an event that was so precisely run, right down to the last minute.

1. Always an honor to present the awards 2. One of the famous Z Stallions 3. Levisto, the gentle stallion

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Judy Ann Melchior, organizer supreme, is prepared to do any job to get the show on the road... she will both muck in and muck out, so to speak!

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

View of the main arena from the judge’s box

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

This is most definitely a family run business, started by the father, Leon, with Judy, his wife, and now lovingly carried on by mother and daughter, with the welfare of horses at the heart of all. Judy continued, “When I first looked around these lovely stables and the beautiful stallions housed there, I thought that such great creatures could be happier in larger premises. So I decided to do something about it. Without my husband’s knowledge, I got a worker on the farm to help me and together we used sledgehammers to break down the dividing wall between two stables.”

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“You mean the man worked while you gave instructions?” I enquired.

“Oh no,” she replied, “I wielded a heavy sledgehammer along with him, pounding away at the wall until we razed it to the ground!”

This was spoken by a slim blonde lady who can’t have been much more than a slip of a girl at the time!

“Leon was shocked when he saw what had happened but he never complained because the result was so good. Just look at the space these handsome stallions now have to move around in.” I couldn’t have agreed more. The stables are perfect, as all of them are now this larger size.

Among the Z horses in the USA today are some of Levisto’s offspring, as Judy Ann Melchior put it, “The United States of Levisto Z.” Here are a few examples: Pumped Up Kicks, Lord Levisto Z and Luftikus Z, are all ridden by Jennifer Gates, the daughter of Bill Gates, Lyonell Z ridden by Raether Cara, Mr. Visto Z ridden by Lauren Tisbo and Von Cim Z ridden by Alexandra Crown.

There are only two jumping events a year at Lanaken Zangersheide but both are top quality. There is the Z Tour that I attended, held every April over a period of 3 weeks, and then there is the greater event in September, the World Championships for young horses, a marvelous fiesta I have heard. Perhaps I’ll pop over there to go and watch it this fall. It’s only about 1,500 miles from Greece but probably worth the visit! If I do manage to get there, expect further news. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit those stables in Lanaken and to have seen some of those famous stallions. However, anybody can go there and see them for themselves.

Every year Zangersheide welcomes visitors on their Open Days so people can actually see the equestrian jumping stars at home in their stables.

Now I know why Zangersheide calls itself an open studbook. Thank you, Judy!

EQUINE OPHTHALMOLOGY

ADVANCING ROUTINE AND SPECIALIZED CARE Providing advanced diagnostics, routine, complex and emergency medical and surgical care to horses with a variety of ocular disorders.

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and Ophthalmology welcome the addition of two new faculty members, Drs. Richard McMullen and Shannon Boveland. Drs. Phillip Anthony Moore, McMullen and Boveland are members of the International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium and are committed to providing the highest level of equine eye care.

With the addition of Dr. McMullen, an internationally known equine ophthalmologist, the J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital is expanding its services provided to our equine patients.

The Equine Internal Medicine Service is an integral part of the equine ophthalmology health care team.

THIS IS ADVANCED HEALTHCARE. THIS IS AUBURN.

J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital 334/844-4490 • www.vetmed.auburn.edu 2017 Equine Ophthamology AD.FINAL.indd 1

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

ask the

SKIN WHISPERER Emily Fritchey

are you

SUN SAVVY or just plain confused?

What your doctor may or may not tell you about sun protection…

EQ ST YLE

WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING your skin from damaging UV rays, what you don’t know can really hurt you. Dull, blotchy skin, coarse skin texture, broken blood vessels and premature wrinkling are among the top 5 skin damaging effects of daily exposure, not to mention the risk of melanoma and pre-cancerous lesions. In my clinic, I see clients every day that experience varying degrees of sun damage that could have been prevented with effective sun protection. Excessive exposure to UV rays and harsh environmental conditions rapidly accelerate the aging process and set you up for some major skin issues later in life if you are not careful. Simple, healthy options to prevent this damage do exist, if you know where to look - and in particular, what to look for.

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SUNSCREENS AND SUN BLOCKS Misleading claims and concerns about which ingredients are toxic and which ones are not combined with the new FDA sunscreen regulations have confused consumers for some

time. Sunscreen labeling laws are ever changing, and changed significantly in 2011, which changed how sunscreens are marketed in the US. No longer can a sunscreen have an SPF rating higher than 50, and “waterproofing” a sunscreen is no longer allowed. Many product formulations currently on the market have fallen under the OTC drug labeling requirements and manufactures have been given deadlines to remove or reformulate products that have an SPF rating over 50 and that is still ongoing. It is very interesting that worldwide, the greatest risk for melanoma has been in countries where sunscreens have been heavily promoted. In Queensland, Australia, where the medical establishment has vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens, there is more evidence of melanoma per capita than any other place (Garland, Cedric F., et al American Journal of Public Health, April 1992). Drs. Cedric and Frank Garland of the University of California have pointed out that while sunscreens do protect against sunburn there is no scientific proof they protect against basal cell carcinoma in humans. In 1997, Europe, Canada and Australia changed sunscreens to use

JUST WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUN BLOCK AND A SUNSCREEN ANYWAY? The sun gives off two rays: UVA and UVB rays. Dermatologists believe these are the rays that cause tissue damage, wrinkles to form and skin cancer. UVA and UVB wavelengths can penetrate through almost anything therefore, protection from them is important all year round, not just during the summer

are also the preferred option for those with highly reactive, sensitive skin, as well as rosacea and acne conditions.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, SUNSCREEN AND SUN BLOCK ARE NOT THE SAME THINGS...

Sunscreen contains materials that act as a filter to allow a certain range of UV light to be absorbed into the skin. Studies have proven a majority of these ingredients to be toxic and/or carcinogenic. Sun block contains materials (usually minerals) that reflect and scatter the UV light and acts a wall between damaging UV rays and your skin.

Other groundbreaking ingredients to look for in a healthy sun protection formula include; Betula Alba (white birch bark extract) and potent topical antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and Vitamins C and E, to name the top 4. These vital nutrients should also be included in your diet and nutritional supplements as well to help provide the raw materials necessary to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

Our environment is more aggressive and hostile than ever, and careful consideration must be given to the care and protection of your skin to prevent accelerated aging and prevent cancerous conditions from occurring.

It is also important to understand that higher altitudes intensify the sun’s damaging effects. For every 1,000-foot increase in altitude, the sun’s potency increases by 4%. Don’t forget the sun block when you’re skiing! Sunscreens that use titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as the active ingredient (as opposed to OTC sunscreens) are both highly effective and non-irritating, making these highly preferred options for anyone looking for healthy sun protection. These ingredients

Emily Fritchey, Founder and CEO of Sunshine Botanicals is a clinical aesthetician, natural health practitioner and herbalist. www.sunshinebotanicals.com Visit Sunshine Botanicals on Facebook.

EQ ST YLE

Sunscreens that use titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as the active ingredient (as opposed to OTC sunscreens) are both very effective and non-irritating, making these highly preferred options for anyone looking for healthy sun protection.

months. You can be exposed to the sun’s harmful rays during any season, any temperature and even on a cloudy day.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

only three specific sunscreen ingredients, avobenzone, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the basis of sunscreens. All others were banned. In March of 2008, a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that 97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Maureen Forman

TRENDSETTERS Saddle Seat Rider & Designer

KELSEY NORCOTT

THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE that are just inherently cool. They start trends. They appear fearless. They are just naturally pretty. They are artistic, edgy, and hip. They just know stuff; the best new bands (before spotify suggests the playlist) and attend music festivals before they are commercialized. They eat at the chic restaurants and underground supper clubs before they are seen with celebs exiting to flashbulbs. They were using instagram before the masses even had a handle on Facebook. You envy them but you can’t help but to immediately like them, because they are nice. They are funny. They are easy to talk to.

Kelsey’s equestrian influence and sailing influence are found peppered in her designs. The latest rings she showcases are heir apparent to the basic snaffle bit bangles and rings that have become Hermes copied, gucci centric, and, let’s face it, a bit lame. The theme of forward thinking and chic rears up when I try on what I call the curb chain ring. It’s sexy and pretty. Powerful and delicate. We are smitten. Kels spent the last 10 years falling in love with this ring over and over again.

She finally perfected the design by featuring its classic and subtle look of elegance with custom cut stones in a beautiful solid setting. The rings feature a custom designed band that has a movable chain link that oddly enough fits every finger with the majority of women, (men’s line coming soon). It is extremely comfortably to wear and it has a masculine yet, feminine look and feel with a sexy stone setting. Her summer collection offers an array of high quality gemstones and metals. Fabulousness. kelseynorcott.com

EQ ST YLE

Designer and equestrian, Kelsey Norcott, embodies “THAT” girl. Blonde, blue-eyed, delicate features, smart, privileged and adventurous. A childhood of exotic sailing adventures, splitting time between a ranch in Santa Ynez and homes in Los Angeles. She learned the art of business and sailing from her handsome and rugged father and mastered kindness and her dedication to her horses from her elegant and calming mother. Kels (as her friends call her) rode exceptionally well as a junior. She had an enviable horse, Tu Fire (Baske Tu x Charmetta) who was known and envied on the circuit (as was her trainer, Jim Lowe). In high school, Kels was part of the Arabian Horse Association and won the Canadian National

Reserve Champion. She traveled extensively showing on the circuit, and was followed by many enthusiasts. She jokes that she preferred Saddle Seat to the driver’s seat during her junior years. Riding today is purely for relaxation, as her professional life has demanded her presence in various cities across the U.S.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

photos by Liz Crawley Photography

ROLEX 2017

EVENTING

thanks for the memories!

Michael Jung & Fisherrocana, winners of the 2017 Rolex Championship

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BOTD MARTIN & CRACKER JACK

MADELINE BACKUS AND PS ARIANNA

LAUREN KIEFFER & VERMICULUS

BUCK DAVIDSON & PETITE FLOWER

ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL & HIGH KINDOM

CLARK MONTGOMERY & LOUGHAN GLENN

ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL & HIGH KINDOM

BUNNIE SEXTON & RISE AGAINST

MICHAEL JUNG & FISHERROCANA

PHILLIP DUTTON & FERNHILL FUGITIVE JENNY CARRAS & FERNHILL FORTITUDE

KIM SEVERSON & COOLEY CROSS BORDER

WILLIAM COLEMAN & OBOS O’REILLY

ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL & HIGH KINDOM

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Maureen Forman

life in the

LY M E LIGHT

life in the

A warning to equestrians

WELLNESS

LYME DISEASE AND CO-INFECTIONs that are associated with Lyme have become synonymous with celebrities. To the public it may seem that Lyme has replaced the fashionable toy Pomeranian that peeks out of the Louis Vuitton bag. The reason may have something to do with the devastating cost of treatment due to the lack of insurance coverage, and the lack of access to properly educated physicians, as well as holistic providers. Lyme disease is expensive. If you tally the treatment costs, you could have easily purchased that six-figure warm blood, flown it to Atlanta from Liege, Belgium and had it shipped to your doorstep in a double box stall, and throw in a Birken bag to hold the Hermes brushes. Appropriate treatment is so far out of reach for most people that it’s easier to accept the diagnosis that they have twenty or so illness springing up including seronegative autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, eczema, hormonal fluctuations, polyneuropathy, psychiatric/memory problems, chronic fatigue, migraines, plantar fasciitis, anemia… the list goes on and on.

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Not to be anthropomorphic, but if Lyme could speak it would tell you that it loves outdoorsy folks. Lyme loves horses, dogs, barn cats, house cats and humans who love horses, dogs and cats. The equestrian community is getting sicker and sicker. Previously healthy horses are showing signs of intermittent lameness, uveitis, and neurological symptoms. Previously healthy horse owners are showing similar symptoms. Coincidence?

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

available tests, it is difficult to determine who has the disease, the effectiveness of a course of treatment, and when to cease treatment. Due to difficulty in culturing the actual bacteria, Lyme disease tests rely upon an antibody response. Arguably the most reliable lab is IGeneX as they test for multiple strains of Borrelia Burgdorferi the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease (commercial labs such as Labcorp and Quest only test for a single strain of Bb; this is particularly important for those who live outside of the Northeast).

IGeneX also considers additional highly relevant bands 31 and 34 (assuming you did not have the Lyme vaccine that was The tingling in your extremities, the light sensitivity, the headaches, the awful pain when you put your feet down in the morning–how long has it been going on? The tricky thing is, horse folks are tough folks. Horse folks deal with unimaginable stress, (which of course lead to headaches). Horse folks are physical, and hence sore, from knees to ankles, backs to wrists.

pursuant to numerous studies found on the exceptional Lyme resource site, www. lymedisease.org.

One issue in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease stems from the lack of sufficiently sensitive and reliable markers of the disease. Based upon currently

briefly on the market). IGeneX reveals intensity for specific bands (not present, equivocal, low, medium and high); and IGeneX has outperformed other labs in proficiency testing, scoring over 98% for the past 9 years. Lymedisease.org is a great place for research and resources.

The symptom checklist on the site will be eye-opening to the equestrian community. Protect yourself from tick bites by following appropriate guidelines, and get checked out if you find you have symptoms on lymedisease. org, and see a Lyme literate physician, keeping in mind the challenges with diagnosis. The treatment options vary, and are best carefully discussed. The disease is diabolical, and the treatment is not just a quick dose of antibiotics.

Lyme literate physicians can be found by completing the doctor search on the www.ilads.org

WELLNESS

Horse people have a lot on their mind, so it’s understandable when things get “crossed up.” The thing is, Lyme is the great imitator. When it gets to the chronic stage and really bad things start happening (from DVT causing ischemic strokes, to paralysis) a full recovery prognosis can become challenging. What are more challenging are the standards of testing and diagnosis within the Infectious Disease community. The CDC has taken a restrictive position on Lyme testing, transforming criteria that was developed for surveillance purposes, into diagnostic mandates. It has been published that the two-tier testing paradigm for Lyme disease, recommended by the CDC, misses approximately 1/2 of actual cases

The equestrian community is getting sicker and sicker. Previously healthy horses are showing signs of intermittent lameness, uveitis and neurological symptoms. Previously healthy horse owners are showing similar symptoms.

Coincidence?

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Ana Velloso Alvarez, LV Lindsey Boone, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Equine

LAMENESS EVALUATION

WELLNESS

Reduced performance due to lameness of the equine athlete is one of the most common reasons equine clients seek veterinary care.

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REDUCED PERFORMANCE due to lameness of the equine athlete is one of the most common reasons equine clients seek veterinary care. There is great variety in the type and degree of lameness observed, from horses that are overtly lame at the walk to horses with subtle lameness only felt by the rider or perceived by the trainer when the horse is required to do a certain task. A lameness exam consists of a series of steps along a diagnostic path that will assist the veterinarian in determining a probable cause for the lameness and recommended treatment plan. The veterinarian

may tailor the lameness examination based on the primary complaint and the history of the primary complaint (i.e. previous diagnosis, treatment, progression of complaint). The lameness exam is much like a big puzzle that must be solved by the veterinarian with each step of the lameness exam meant to give the veterinarian a piece of the lameness puzzle that must be put together by the veterinarian.

After discussing the primary complaint with the client, the veterinarian will perform a static exam of the horse.

Asymmetrical muscle atrophy (i.e. asymmetrical loss of hind musculature) or proper development (i.e. loss of topline) of musculature may also offer valuable information to the workup.

Next the veterinarian will systematically palpate the horses axial (neck and back) and appendicular (legs) musculoskeletal system. During this portion of the exam, the veterinarian is identifying any abnormalities such as greater volume of fluid within a joint or tendon sheath; this is called effusion; abnormal bone proliferation, or abnormal swelling. In addition, the veterinarian may subjectively evaluate the horses response to a painful stimulus, such as deep palpation of the proximal suspensory ligament, palpation of the lumbosacral musculature, flexion

the ground, etc. The veterinarian will then observe the horse at the trot. The trot is the ideal gait to evaluate the horse for lameness because the opposite fore and hind limbs (diagonal pair) strike the ground at the same time. This two-beat gait allows predictable redistribution of weight by the horse in response to pain (lameness). The horse is usually evaluated on a straight line and on the lunge over different footings (hard vs. soft). While on the lunge, the horse may be asked to pick up the canter. Careful observation of the upward and downward transition as well as overall comfort in the canter (maintenance of proper lead, disconnected canter, etc.) may aid the lameness evaluation. A subtle lameness resulting in reduced performance may require further observation of the horse under saddle. Flexion tests may also be performed by the veterinarian to assist with further localization of the lameness.

These tests consist of timed flexion of the lower and upper portion of the limbs followed by observation of the horse at the trot. Flexion of the limb places stress and strain on the soft tissues and bone of the region under flexion causing an increase in lameness when trotted away.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

The veterinarian will evaluate the horse visually including analysis of the horse’s conformation and muscular development, understanding that certain conformational abnormalities can predispose horses to lameness.

It’s not just you! Due to the subjective nature of the lameness exam, it is possible that two veterinarians looking at the same horse may or may not agree on which limb is lame.

The lameness evaluation is a very subjective assessment, based on visual observation of gait abnormalities.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has developed a lameness scale to assist veterinarians with reporting observed findings. The AAEP lameness grading system is as follows:

We’ve all wished for it and AT LAST...

The Equinosis® Q Lameness Locator®

0: Lameness not perceptible under any circumstances 1: Lameness is difficult to observe and is not consistently apparent, regardless of circumstances (e.g. under saddle, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.)

2: Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (e.g. weight-carrying, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.)

3: Lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances 4: Lameness is obvious at a walk 5: Lameness produces minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest or a complete inability to move

of a joint, application of hoof testers, etc.

WELLNESS

After the veterinarian has performed the exam, a dynamic exam is performed by observing the horse in hand and/or under saddle. The veterinarian may first observe the horse at the walk on a straight line and turning small, tight circles. The veterinarian is evaluating the horse’s stride length, fetlock extension, how the hoof strikes and leaves

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

WELLNESS 24

Due to the subjective nature of the lameness exam, it is possible that two veterinarians looking at the same horse may or may not agree on which limb is lame. When the lameness is subtle or imperceptible the agreement of veterinarians on the lame limb naturally declines. Within the last ten years, methods for objective assessment of lameness have become more accessible to the equine veterinarian.

Clinicians of the Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine service utilize the Equinosis® Q Lameness Locator® unit to assist in lameness diagnosis when needed based on the primary complaint and degree of lameness. This system is an inertial sensor system consisting of 3 main sensors mounted on the body of the horse at the head, poll, and right fore pastern. The sensor placed at the right fore pastern is a gyroscope, important in determining the orientation of the horse during the exam. The remaining

sensors, placed on the poll and the pelvis, are accelerometers which measure finite movements of the head and neck during motion. Another sensor is available and can be placed on the rider to aid in evaluation of rider movement and contribution to the lameness. The sensors are connected via Bluetooth to a computer responsible for data collection and analysis. The system can assist with detection of subtle changes in lameness at baseline and following gait manipulation (different footing, flexion, lunging).

As soon as the computer has collected the data from the sensors, it is analyzed using various algorithms developed through extensive motion analysis research performed at the University of Missouri. Once analyzed the data is translated into a report where the affected limb or limbs are identified, the degree of lameness quantified, and the type of lameness categorized by detecting

the greatest change in movement of the sensors during different phases of the lame limbs stride (impact, mid-stance, and push off). A sample report of the Lameness Locator print out is provided.

Once the veterinarian has determined the lame limb, he or she may decide to localize the lameness by numbing certain regions of the limb through administration of local anesthetics directly over a nerve or injection within a joint or tendon sheath. The horse is then re-evaluated for any change in lameness.

If the region of the limb that is causing pain is numb (blocked) than the horse is expected to have an improvement in lameness. The Lameness Locator® is

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Dr. Boone is utilizing the Lameness Locator® to identify inconsistency in gates both on the lunge line and in a straight line. The sensors are located at numerous points on the horse’s body and transmit data to an analytic software program.

At times, diagnostic imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, etc.) may not aid in definitive diagnosis of the patient. This leaves the veterinarian to make an informed decision based on the primary complaint and diagnostic work-up regarding the treatment plan. Occasionally this treatment plan does not result in the expected improvement of the lameness, therefore, re-evaluation of the lameness and revision of the treatment plan may be indicated.

Following diagnostic imaging, a treatment plan will be instituted by the veterinarian.

place of a properly performed lameness evaluation by an equine veterinarian.

Though the Lameness Locator® has proven to be a useful tool to aid lameness evaluation, its use should not take the

Subtle lameness that result in reduced performance can be multifactorial and require the client and veterinarian to work together to find a solution. The Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine service at Auburn University are committed to assisting you and your veterinarian in evaluation of lameness. Should you have any questions about lameness evaluation or the Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine Service at Auburn University please contact the JT Vaughn Large Animal Hospital at 334 844-4490.

WELLNESS

able to compare and quantify the percent improvement of the baseline lameness and lameness following administration of the blocking agent (local anesthetic). This provides valuable objective information to the equine veterinarian to aid in localizing the lameness to a region of the horse’s limb. Once the problem region within the problem limb has been identified, further diagnostics may be indicated to assist with the diagnosis. The Lameness Locator® may also be used as a tool to document improvement in a lameness following treatment and/or prescribed rehabilitation.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Luda Lyse

diar ies y r o t a l ambu

Welcome to our new section ‘Ambulatory Diaries’. To protect the innocent and the guilty we have changed the names of all concerned! Our diary belongs to Luda Lyse, to be known affectionately as Ludes from now on. She began her career as a Vet Tech quite by accident several years ago. She just wanted to observe, to help with college classes, and the ‘Doc’ asked her to stay, and the rest is history, as they say in all the best books!

There is a saying, ‘you just can’t make this stuff up’ and it is very true. So let WELLNESS

us quietly invade the life of Ludes and

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the Doc and experience a day in the life of a vet tech!

There is always room for more ‘stuff’!

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

In a perfect world all of our visits would have a barn fitted out like this but where would the fun be in that!

I asked him where the horse is, that needed to be castrated, and he points out to the 20-acre field, “He out ‘dayer.”

IT WAS GOING TO BE just a regular day, starting with first time clients and a run of the mill castration. On arrival we are greeted by an older gentleman standing outside, leaning. I’m not sure of his exact age, but there was no chance in H.E. Double Hockey Sticks he was a day younger than 85. His front four teeth had grown together to make one tooth, it was a darkish grey color, and I swear had hair on it and maybe even wiggled a bit.

mind he was 3 years old, untouched and never had a halter on. Our mission has now developed into touching, restraining and sedation before the procedure can even start. Can it get any worse? Never ask that question because the answer is repeatedly, yes. Yes it can.

“Naaah, only petted him on the nose since

I managed to get a halter and chain on the

he was born, and that’s been goin’ on 3 years now.” Yes, this was a terrific start to the day.

mare, which needless to say was lacking in the ground manners department. I had the gentleman get some feed for me in a bucket and I was able to coax the young patient in behind his mom, so that Doc could do a sneak attack of a heavy

I asked him where the horse is, that needed to be castrated, and he points out to the 20-acre field; “He out ‘dayer.”

To make it more interesting, the stallion was also living with his mom. Keep in

new truck can be most helpful. Without a blink of an eye, the next thing you know we were hog tying this thing and securing the rope to the bumper.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. This all

WELLNESS

“Can you get him in for us?” I asked, hopefully.

The field they were in had rolling hills, with this partial barn/shed/lean-to/death trap in it. There were complete and partial ROLLS of barb wire, accompanied by those gigantic metal sheets used for roofs of lean-tos. To complete the nightmare the footing in said death trap/barn was years and years of manure; old and new. My former life of waiting tables was looking quite favorable at this point.

sedative in the muscle of the stud. The plan was to get him groggy enough that way to actually halter him and stick him in the vein. You know that saying ‘the best laid plans’... Well, after 2 sedations and 20 minutes, we have him where we want him.

I go in for the critical moment of putting his halter on him, and boom, he drops like a sack of bricks. The Doc mutters something, scratches his head and takes a breath. We for sure can’t castrate him there because he was basically lying in a heaping fluffy mattress of feces. So not quite the most sterile environment you’d want for a surgery. The new problem is how to quickly get this beast to a greener and cleaner area? So I looked at Doc and said, “We haven’t tried out your new steel bumpers yet.” There are times when a man’s desire to try out new toys on the

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Your horse is always in good hands, and a pair of lips, when this vet tech is around!

Keeping up with a mobile equine pharmacy, is a task in itself!

sounds like an awful way to go about things. Now hindsight is 20/20 but under the circumstances this was the best and most reasonable thing we could’ve done in that given situation. So I jumped in the driver’s seat, while Doc pushes back the loose random strands of barbed wire from snagging this horse’s dragging body. It was just like being in a Seinfeld TV show except an equine edition. It was pretty great.

WELLNESS

Finally, the horse is in a clean and safe area, and the Doc and I start going through the motions of prepping and getting everything ready for the procedure. Remember that, ‘can it get any worse’ statement? Well just when you think you have turned the corner you look and the little stud is cryptorchid. Yes, only one testicle that had dropped. Normally when performing a cryptorchid castration, the horse is under general anesthesia since it can be a bit more time consuming. This was the day when that luxury had left a long time ago, so the Doc rigs him to where he is frog-legged on his back and he goes for it.

Meanwhile, the old man was talking to us from the other side of the fence telling us how sweet “she” is.

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The procedure begins, and you know what is coming next! Of course the horse starts waking up. I instinctively jumped on his front legs and straddled him to keep his knees buckled. That was all well and good until he begins to flail about, and he sends a massive wad of manure on to his surgical area. Yes, the STERILE surgical area. The only thing to do is scoop it out, and wipe the rest out with gauze, and carry on. Luckily the Doc had gotten the hidden testicle at this point so we were basically finished. Any other horse in the history of veterinary care would have gotten septic, or had some sort of horrible infection – but this horse? Well, he is thriving, and still living with all those huge metal shingles and barbed wire.

Till next time!

– Ludes

q

QUOTES OF THE MONTH...

“Dis is a farne horse right chere. Dis horse so good, he rides Western AND Eastern... I also make him wear dis mask so he don’t flounder.”

The Doc being chatty, while on a call, says, “These are nice horses sir, are they Walking horses?” The owner, looking a little offended, answers; “Errrrrr nope... no sir, these is riiiiiiidin’ horses heyar.”

A client brings this rather obese Arabian for us to ultrasound, to see where she is in her cycle so he can breed her to one of his stallions. This poor mare is huge, and as I glance at the Doc, he knows and I know she is an ‘expecting any day now’ Mare. Doc just gives me this, “This guy is an idiot” look, which translates to ‘don’t say a word’. He removes the ultrasound probe and tells the owner the mare should have her foal in the next couple weeks. The owner starts leaping in the air talking about some surprise of the century. He deserved his own ‘sign’.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Heidi Caldwell

1. UNISIT® System Anyone else here enjoying the trials and tribulations of learning how to

is a ton of info on their website at unisitstrap.com along with video and

sit your horse’s gigantic trot well? Wow, I could feel the rush of air as

ordering info. You’re welcome.

your hands all shot up! While there is no quick fix to developing a good following seat and independent aids, I’m here to tell you that there is

2. OCEANFEED™ Equine

hope. And there is a tool that can help you.

I’m not a huge supplement believer and have spent way too much money in the

The Unisit strap system is a training aid that I discovered while at a

past on products that may have been

BNT’s barn for a lesson. I watched a few of her students using this

trendy but did absolutely nothing for my

under her supervision and became intrigued. She herself said it was

horse. I first learned of it

helpful to her. It basically is a strap system that comes around the small

from a local BNT who

of your back, under your thighs, under your horse’s girth and attaches

has his whole barn on

to the d-rings on your saddle. You can tighten it to your desired comfort

it and suggested I try it.

but it needs to be very snug against your back. There is a quick-release

Then very shortly after

emergency strap around your wrist/arm so that if you and your horse

finishing my first bucket,

part ways, you are not dangerously strapped in. The Unisit allows your

I won two buckets at the Young Horse Show Series Championships in

seat to stay deeply connected to the saddle with no bouncing or jarring

Tryon last fall, where they awarded a bucket to each class champion.

on your horse’s back. You are now free to follow his movement and you can concentrate on how your body feels when you are sitting correctly,

At first reaction, it smells funny, but my horses only thought about that

developing muscle memory you need to sit effectively. You will notice

for a few seconds before deciding it was not poison and was indeed

how much better your horse

quite palatable. (I was pleased it was in a pellet form and not powder

can respond when your seat is

as my horses usually leave powder at the bottom of their bowls.)

not giving him mixed messages.

OceanFeed™ Equine is an 8-seaweed blend (yes, really!) supplement that

It is a great tool for muscle

has so many health benefits. Extensive research done by this company

memory and believe me, you

on seaweed has shown that their formula keeps all the beneficial

do feel it in your core when

molecules of the seaweed while keeping the iodine levels low. Seaweed in any diet is pretty simple–it promotes excellent gut health. When your horse’s gut is healthy, they can absorb more nutrients and vitamins from their feed. What I have seen in my two horses (one is 6, the other is 25)

LOCAL NEWS

since now being on it for six months, is a marked difference in their

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you are done. In my

coats, muscle development and topline in my young horse and the older

experience, I have

one is still going strong and sound. The benefits they tout are appetite

found the most

stimulation, anti-inflammatory responses, improved liver function,

benefit is to ride a

increased stamina and performance, quicker recovery time, a healthier

session or two with

gut and many others. OceanFeed has now become a staple in my barn.

the Unisit and then

You can get more info by contacting Peter Mayclin, Managing Director

the next ride without,

at peter@oceanharvestamericas.com. He can provide a local rep or can ship

that way you can

it to you directly. It is gaining shelf space quickly at feed stores around

more easily keep the

Atlanta and is available in buckets for a 67-day supply or a 30 lb bag.

muscle memory of The Unisit™ in position and the emergency release strap.

sitting deeply. There

junior riders

kloie bee hicks MY NAME IS KLOIE BEE HICKS. I am 10 years old, and I live in Douglasville Ga. I started my interest in horses at the age of five. I was helping a lady named Miss Douglas at her farm where her horses were used for therapy sessions. Miss Douglas told my parents that she saw a natural talent in me and encouraged them to help me continue working with horses. We looked at a lot of different places but found a home at Pony Tail Acres with my trainer Dawn Buis. I started lessons there in June of 2012. In the beginning I rode a lot of different horses and my trainer suggested that my horse Rosie and I would make a great match. Ms. Dawn brought Rosie into the crossties, I started petting her and she took her head and put it around my shoulder and pulled me to her chest and from that point I realized I had found my horse. That was in 2015 and we have been growing together ever since. Her show name is ‘Handmedown Rose’ but we call her Rosie. The thing I love the most about the sport is the training part I can really see where all of the training for my horse and me has paid off when we go to Eventing shows. One day I would really like to ride in Rolex and possibly the Olympics. I know those are high goals but with a lot of hard work and determination I can do it.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Amber Spiler

devon lane tresan

If you would like to be featured in our ‘Meet our Junior Riders’ section, email a short description of yourself, your horse and two hi-res photographs to designonpenny@yahoo.com.

SHORT STIRRUPS

MY NAME IS DEVON LANE TRESAN. I am 12 years old and I have had my Welch pony for four years now. His name is ‘I Am Superman.’ I love the equine sports because instead of working with an object or a human you are communicating with an animal. This is so much harder but it helps you grown as a person and as a teammate to your horse or pony. Right now we are trying to overcome a little problem with stopping at ditches. We are working hard on it and we are getting a lot better. I love Superman because he understands me, he knows what I am thinking when I am thinking it. Also, he is adorable and is always happy to see me. The biggest thing that I love about him is that he trusts me. My most exciting and best accomplishment so far has been qualifying for USPC (United States Pony Club) Championships.

Although I did qualify in Jumpers my goal for next year is to qualify in Eventing which is my main passion. In the future I would love to be riding Preliminary by the age of 14 and CCI**** by the age of 18. I would love to ride in The Kentucky Three Day Event, Badminton and Burley.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Amber Spiler

Silly Gil

It's summer in the South! We have had a lot of rain and the grass is green and thick. It smells so good as I lie here taking my mid-morning nap while occasionally lifting my head just enough to take a big bite of the juicy grass.

I take a deep breath and let it out as I doze off into dreams of... “Gil!”

‘My girl.’ I don’t move a muscle and try to tune him out.

Shoot. It’s Puck the naughty Jack Russell Mutt Terrier who always gets me into trouble.

“Gil! She has a crazy contraption that she’s going to put on your mouth! She says it’s to keep you from eating so much grass!” What?

SHORT STIRRUPS

“Gil! Our girl is coming to see you!”

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My head snaps up and I leap to my feet! NO WAY! Why in the world would she torture me? I am a good pony most of the time. I take very good care of my girl and she has always been so kind to me. Why would she want to keep me from eating grass? I could die!

“Run!” Puck yapped at me, “Run to the far end of your field and she will never find you!”

Run? Has he met me? I rarely run anywhere.

“Gil.” It’s my girl calling me, and I smell carrots.

“Gil, come on boy. I have carrots.”

Shucks. What do I do?

“If it were me, I’d run.” Puck usually gives me bad advice and I end up in trouble while he gets rewarded with treats and a warm bed. My girl climbs the fence and walks to me. I turn and think of trotting away but it’s no use, I love carrots too much. She slips my blue halter over my nose and ears and I happily take the carrot from her hand. My whiskers tickle her and she giggles.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

“Gil.” She rubs my ears and I half listen but I am munching so loud I can barely hear her.

“You are getting so fat with this thick grass that you are going to have to go on a diet.”

What? What is this foreign word? Diet? Is it some German phrase she’s picked up from a dressage instructor?

Puck is snickering. He thinks he knows everything.

My girl is holding this crazy contraption. It looks a bit like a bucket. But it’s not made of plastic and it has some holes on the bottom.

Buckets shouldn’t have holes should they?

“Gil, you will be okay. I won’t leave it on you all the time but believe me, this is for your

own good.” My own good? I stand there stunned as she unlatches the gate and walks away with one little wave goodbye. My stomach grumbles.

SHORT STIRRUPS

She puts my nose in the holey bucket and hooks some straps to my halter.

Oh! Maybe it’s one of the mysterious feed buckets that some horses have talked about? Wait, there’s no feed. Hmmmm.

My girl rubs me some more and then turns to leave. Wait! Girl! This thing is still strapped on my nose! How in the world will I eat my yummy grass and leaves with this thing on me?

I follow her to the gate.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

The Perfect

Laura Lamb

IRELAND RIDING

VACATION

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT

On June 8, three Atlanta equestrians & their spouses traveled to Ireland for a week of horseback riding, golf, castles and some whiskey tasting in Scotland. Here is a dayby-day account of their epic vacation!

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DAY ONE We arrived in Dublin where our driver, Simon, met us in the arrivals hall. We took in some famous Dublin sites as we made our way to our hotel located near bustling Grafton Street. Greeted with an early check-in, the group freshened up before heading out to explore the vibrant, Georgian city. Our first stop was Guinness Storehouse for a lesson of the famous “black stuff ”. Our tour ended on the brewery’s top floor in the Gravity Bar. With stunning 360° views of Dublin city, we enjoyed our first official pint in Ireland!

Afterwards we headed to the cultural quarter of the city, Temple Bar. We listened to local musicians and dined on classic Irish dishes in a quaint restaurant housed above a lively pub. Tired from the long day, we called it a night in preparation for our early morning start but not without stopping at a 17th century pub, The Bleeding Horse, for a wee nightcap.

riding assessment, we headed out for an invigorating two-hour hack through the castle grounds & estate. Our horses cantered along pristinely manicured bridle paths and through the deep woods, stopping for a cool down in a beautiful lake in front of the castle. Afterwards we did what any equestrian would do--mud spattered and tired, we headed to the castle spa where we indulged ourselves in herbal teas and hot stone full body massages! The group met up for dinner at

Conor’s Bar the social hub of the castle, before venturing out to the village for a night of “craic” with the locals—one of whom was celebrating his 85th birthday!

DAY THREE After breakfast we headed to County Antrim on the northeast coast of Ireland. We joined the Causeway Coastal Route, a famous driving route outside Belfast. Dotted with historic castles and a changing canvas of natural landscapes,

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

DAY TWO Today we made our way to County Monaghan where the men would spend the afternoon playing a round of golf at Concra Woods while the ladies would ride on the grounds of Castle Leslie Estate.

With over 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie is an equestrian’s dream! We arrived at the stables where our horses Black Betty, Percy & Bumble awaited. After a brief

Enjoying the breathtaking grounds of Castle Leslie on horseback

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT

Guinness Storehouse for a lesson on the famous “black stuff ”. Our tour ended on the brewery’s top floor in the Gravity Bar.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

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1. Enjoying a brisk gallop on Benone Strand 2. Taking in the fresh sea air on horseback 3. Ballintoy Church 4. Benone Strand

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT

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quaint fishing villages, rolling green hills and rugged coastlines–it’s not surprising the Causeway Coastal Route is named one of the “Top 5 Road Trips in the World”. After a quick stop at Old Mill Saddlery, one of Ireland’s finest tack stores, we headed inland to visit the McKinley Farm. Here we were greeted with quintessential Irish hospitality: warm smiles, hot tea, fresh-baked scones with strawberry’s and cream, lemon cakes and great conversation! Mr. McKinley and his lovely family would be our riding hosts on the coast. We learned about the battles fought in the area before heading out on horseback for a trek around the massive farm, eventually making our way to the top where we took in sweeping 5-county

4

views of Ireland. We said our goodbyes for the day and headed to the seaside town of Ballycastle for best Seafood Chowder on the north coast (or some say in all of Ireland!)

DAY FOUR This morning the group headed to Portrush where our chartered boat would take us to Scotland for the day.

We enjoyed an onboard breakfast, made from locally sourced ingredients while admitting the rugged Irish coastline.

We arrived in Islay, Scotland where our whiskey ambassador gave us a lovely tour of the mighty Laphroig and Arbbeg distilleries. After a private lunch & whisky tasting, we made our way back to Ireland.

DAY FIVE The men left early for a morning round of golf at Ballycastle Golf Club before their afternoon tee time at the worldfamous Royal Portrush Golf Club, a links course set high on the cliffs above the mighty Atlantic. The ladies headed to Limavady to meet our tacked horses at St. Aidan’s Church. We mounted up and rode down quiet Irish country lanes towards Benone Strand where we galloped down miles of white sand beach and played in the waves of the ocean!

We had lunch in Portstewart then rode to Whiterocks Beach in Portrush (which sits below the Royal Portrush Golf Club) and onwards to the majestic Dunluce Castle. While the horses enjoyed some

excursion with The Honorable The Irish Fishing Society. The riders headed to Whitepark Bay, a 3-mile long beach surrounded by giant, white limestone cliffs. Reputed for its breathtaking ocean and shoreline views, Whitepark Bay is also known for its “sunbathing cattle”.

Cows graze on the pastures above then make their way onto the beach to sun in the afternoon. Quite a sight to see! After some fun in the water we loaded the horses and headed to Slieveanorra Forest where we rode to the summit of Orra Mountain to experience some of the most

a farewell reception with our new friends before returning to Dublin in preparation for our morning flight.

DAY 6 This morning part of the group headed to the Lower Bann River where they spent the day on a private guided fly fishing

breathtaking panoramic views Ireland has to offer; from the Inner Hebrides off the Scottish Coast, all the way to the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The group met back at the McKinley farm for

Coast vacation itinerary with pricing, please contact Laura Lamb. (laura@ irelandequestriantours.com)

DAY 7 Goodbye Ireland–you were absolutely wonderful and no doubt, we’ll be back. As they say in Ireland: Slán abhaile!

Ireland Equestrian Tours (McKinney Shaw Travel) is an Atlanta-based boutique agency specializing in private guided tours and equestrian vacations in Ireland.

For a full copy of the North Antrim

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

R&R, we visited the castle’s “Wee Tea Room” where we were greeted with an elaborate afternoon tea with Prosecco!

Finger sandwiches on tiered stands, pots of tea, and homemade scones with fresh cream with strawberry jam, sweet pastries and cakes filled the table. Full from our feast, we started our trek back to our hotel, The Bushmills Inn, riding the horses and dismounting directly at the front door! After dinner we headed to O’Connors Bar to take in a “session” (live traditional Irish music) and mingle with locals who by now we call our friends!

1. Whitepark Bay, near Ballycastle, County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland 2. Mussenden Temple, a small circular building located on cliffs near Castlerock in County Londonderry 3. Enjoying the peace and quiet of an Irish hack 4. Ballintoy, a small village of 274 acres in County Antrim, Northern Ireland

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ART S & ENTERTAINMENT 37

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Erika Swales food expert

Summertime Shrimp Boil SHRIMP BOIL FOIL PACKETS

Summertime means grill time! These foil packets can be made-ahead and offer a full meal in a bag, with zero clean up! What’s not to like?

INGREDIENTS

1.5 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 pack of Andouille sausage 2 ears of corn, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces 1 pound of baby red potatoes, quartered 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning salt & black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish (Serves 4)

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT

DIRECTIONS

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Preheat gas or charcoal grill.

Cut four sheets of foil, about 12” long.

Divide shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes into 4 equal portions and add to the center of each foil in a single layer.

Fold up all 4 sides of each foil packet.

Add olive oil and Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper to taste; gently toss to combine. Fold the sides of the foil over the shrimp, covering completely and sealing the packets closed.

Place foil packets on the grill and cook until just cooked through, 15-20 minutes.

(This can also be baked for 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit).

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

The PERFEC T summertime g , easy athering meal!

THE TEMPS ARE RISING and the show rings are on fire.

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Dr. Jason McLendon, DVM Dr. Matthew Reynolds, DVM Dr. Libby Reidy, DVM

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