V7I4 (Aug/Sep 2012)

EQUINE WELLNESS

Equine

Your natural resource!

WELLNESS

SPECIAL ISSUE:

Barn &Farm BUILDING A PADDOCK

Paradise

DEVELOPING A

Herd Health

PROGRAM

Cool

KEEP YOUR

How to manage your horse’s hydration

REBUILDING

CONFIDENCE

AFTER A FALL

Display until October 8, 2012

Raindrop THERAPY

Fire!

Help your fire department help you

GIVE DUST THE

dust-off

WHAT COMES NATURALLY An interview with

Uta Gräf

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 4

$5.95 USA/Canada

august/september

EquineWellnessMagazine.com equine wellness

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equine wellness

Equine

Your natural resource!

WELLNESS

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 4 editorial dePartMeNt EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dana Cox EDITOR: Kelly Howling EDITOR: Ann Brightman GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dawn Cumby-Dallin COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Maria Itina

adVertisiNg sales Equine National Sales Manager: John M. Allan (866) 764-1212 ext. 405 john@redstonemediagroup.com

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ColUMNists & CoNtribUtiNg writers Janet Edgette, Psy.D., M.P.H. Hannah Evergreen, DVM Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. Robyn Hood Jaime Jackson Michael I. Lindinger, Ph.D. Laurie Loveman Heather Mack, V.M.D. Bill Milne US Rider Silke Rottermann Jochen Schleese Jill Willis

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sUbMissioNs: Please send all editorial material, advertising material, photos and correspondence to Equine Wellness Magazine, 202-160 Charlotte St. Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in transparency or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned. We reserve the right to publish all letters received. Email your articles to: submissions@ equinewellnessmagazine.com. dealer or groUP iNQUiries welCoMe: Equine Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call 1-866-764-1212 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at 705-742-4596 or e-mail libby@redstonemediagroup.com.

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equinewellnessMagazine.com Equine Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1718-5793) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2012. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: July 2012

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on tHe CoVer pHotoGrapH BY:

MARIA ITINA Proper barn and farm maintenance can greatly enhance your horse’s well being, as this happy equine can attest. (Well, maybe this guy could use a little help with dust control!) In this issue, we look at everything to help you achieve a horse as healthy and contented-looking as this one – from creating a natural paddock to ensuring proper hydration and, yes, controlling dust. equine wellness

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Contents 51

42

Features 10 Get WItH tHe proGram

What works for some horses doesn’t work for all. Developing a herd health program means taking each herd and individual horse into consideration.

14 roaDsIDe emerGenCIes

What if you had to pull your rig off the highway to handle an emergency? Here’s what to do and how to stay safe.

18 sHoulDn’t I Be oVer tHIs BY noW? Rebuilding confidence after a fall.

22 FIre!

Wise farm owners pre-plan for horse barn fires. Helping your fire department help you can mean the difference between lives saved or lost.

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26 WHat aBout oIls?

42 more to loVe

30 tHat’s a Wrap!

46 let It raIn

Many people add oil as a top dress to their hard keepers’ rations – but do you really understand the differences between oils, and what to look for?

Body Wrap techniques can enhance your horse’s self-awareness, balance and coordination.

34 WHat Comes naturallY

Horse-friendly training and natural horsemanship are the two keys Uta Gräf and Stefan Schneider credit for keeping their competitive horses such happy athletes.

38 GIVe Dust tHe Dust-oFF

Have a dusty arena? Here’s a look at some solutions – the good and the bad.

Draft breeds are often overlooked and frequently end up in challenging situations, but one rescue is coming to the aid of these gentle giants.

Equine Raindrop Therapy may not be widely known, but this non-invasive modality is an excellent adjunct to other treatments used to help correct defects in the spine, minimize back pain, and strengthen your horse’s immune system.

51 Keep Your Cool – part tWo

Managing hydration and thermoregulation in warm environments is crucial to your horse’s health and performance.

56 CreatInG paraDIse

Building a Paddock Paradise for your horses can help simulate the natural movement and foraging habits of their wild ancestors.

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Departments

Columns 8

6 Editorial

Neighborhood news

40 Hot to trot

33 Product picks

55 Book reviews

49 Equine Wellness resource guide

59 Marketplace 61 Classifieds 62

Events

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editorial It’s a small

World

“The horse world is very small” is an often-heard saying.

And it’s very true. No six degrees of separation here – more like two or three degrees when it comes to the equine community. Everyone knows everyone, and even if you don’t know someone, the bond we have with our horses connects us. We don’t have to know someone well to empathize with them on the loss of a horse, or a bad fall or competition outcome, or to share in their joy at the birth of a foal. With the advent of online equine community boards, I think the horse world has grown even closer.

So last week, as I was looking through my daily equine news headlines, I felt that familiar punch to my gut as I read about the Pollard Eventing trailer wreck. On Friday, May 25, Michael and Nathalie Pollard’s team of international eventing horses were a mere five miles from home when another driver pulled out in front of them without seeing the trailer. The resulting accident saw the loss of VDL Ulando H, Icarus, and Jude’s Law. Three other horses (Raphael, Little Star, and Schoensgreen Hanni) survived.

What really did me in was listening to the radio interview (listen at pollardeventing.com) with Michael, Nathalie, and team manager Katie Thornton. They bravely discussed what they discovered when they arrived on the scene and how they went about freeing the horses from the tipped trailer. They also made suggestions to everyone out there on emergency preparedness and the lessons they

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have learned. As they described the horses in the trailer, I couldn’t help but think it could one day (heaven forbid) be my horse(s). Am I prepared? How would I handle it? How many times have I trailered without sedatives or other equipment, thinking: “Oh, it’s only a few miles”?

In this issue of Equine Wellness, we’ll cover some of these scenarios with our articles on roadside trailer emergencies (page 14) and developing a pre-plan for barn fire evacuations (page 22). While you hope it never happens to you, planning and preparation can save lives.

You’ll also enjoy the final installment of our hydration series with Dr. Mike Lindinger – a must for anyone riding and/or showing this season. And you’ll be inspired by our interview with German Grand Prix dressage rider Uta Gräf (page 34). Uta’s competitive horses live a happy, natural lifestyle that rivals the way many competitive horses live. Along those lines, you may want to build your own Paddock Paradise for your horses, and Jill Willis helps you get started with that on page 56.

Naturally,

Kelly Howling

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Neighborhood News The U.S. Department of Agriculture has amended the regulations for horse industry organizations that license certain people. The new regulations require these licensees to assess minimum penalties for violations of the Horse Protection Act. This move is meant to help eliminate the inhumane practice of horse soring – a practice primarily used in the training of Tennessee Walking Horses, racking horses and related breeds to accentuate gait. Horse soring may be accomplished by irritating or blistering a horse’s forelegs through the application of chemicals or the use of mechanical devices.

“Requiring minimum penalty protocols will ensure these organizations and their designees remain consistent in their inspection efforts,” says Rebecca Blue, Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

New system determines race risk profiles The Jockey Club has announced plans to develop a statistics-based system that would notify track officials and regulatory veterinarians when a horse entered in a race is facing a heightened risk of injury.

Dr. Tim Parkin, a noted epidemiologist from the University of Glasgow who has conducted research and studies on Thoroughbreds in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, is currently developing the protocols, which are based on The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database. The project is expected to be complete in August of this year.

“This project provides us with an exciting opportunity to identify the top risk profiles and focus our interventions on the horses that fit those profiles,” says Dr. Parkin.

Down to three bidders for 2018 FEI games The FEI has announced that only three countries remain as bidders to stage the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018. The cities that have taken on Official Candidate status are Rabat, Shane Breen riding Carmena Z, winner of The Alltech Royal Morroco; Bromont, Quebec, Windsor Grand Prix.

Canada; and Vienna, Austria.

Wellington, Florida recently withdrew its bid, as did Budapest, Hungary.

The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 will be held in Caen, France.

Bit recall The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the Happy Mouth Wire Mouth Bit. Consumers should stop using the product immediately.

About 3,400 of these bits, imported by English Riding Supply Inc. of Scranton, PA, were sold from July 2003 to April 2012. Apparently the steel braided wire in the mouthpiece that connects the bit on either side of the horse’s cheeks can become frayed, rusted or worn, which can cause the bit to break. If this happens, the rider can lose control and fall from the horse.

If you have model number 462172SS, 462177SS, 462181SS, 462184SS, 464123SS, 466898SS, 466904SS or 467248SS, return the bit to the retailer where you purchased it, or directly to English Riding Supply for a refund. For additional information, contact English Riding Supply at (866) 569-1600, or visit englishridingsupply.com.

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Photo taken by Peter Nixon.

More protection for horses

Back to

School

A first for Canada

The Kemptville campus of the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, focuses on trades related to agriculture and food services. Now the campus has introduced several equine course options in addition to their other programs.

The extensive equine facilities include horse barns, indoor and outdoor arenas, and over 1200 acres of riding space.

Students can even bring their own horses to school!

The equine programs include: •B achelor of Bio-Resource Management – Equine Management • Associate Diploma in Agriculture – Equine Option • Riding Instructor Preparatory Course • Horse Industry Technician Certificate • Rider Preparatory Course The campus also offers the first university accredited Equine Assisted Leadership Development program in Canada. Headed by double gold certified Chris Irwin instructor and Equine Assisted Personal Development facilitator Ruth Heney, the five-day course will utilize interactions with horses to help participants develop better awareness, timing and communication. kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca

Unique equine speciality programs

The University of Guelph is world renowned for its veterinary and agriculture programs. Recognizing a need within the equine industry for specific job training programs, education and standards, they’ve set out to fill that role as well.

The university takes a unique focus on all things equine. They offer hands-on programs at their three campuses (Guelph, Ridgetown and Kemptville) in areas such as Performance Horse Handling, Horse Industry Technician, Veterinary Technology, Associate Diploma in Agriculture with an equine speciality, and a unique undergraduate equine management degree the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management.

For those who want to expand their knowledge but can’t get away from the farm, Equine Guelph offers an excellent series of online courses, including their Equine Science Certificate, Equine Studies Diploma, Equine Business Management Certificate, and Groom One course. New this year and first of its kind in Canada are the Equine Welfare Certificate and the Equine Veterinary Technician Certificate. These courses will give you an opportunity to learn from some of the top university researchers and industry’s best on topics like behavior, nutrition, genetics, health and welfare, journalism and environmental practices. equineguelph.ca equine wellness

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GET

Program with the

BY HannaH eVerGreen, DVm

H

orses are extremely social animals, and naturally run in large herds. Keeping your horses in herds is an integral part of their holistic care. The herd environment comes with its own set of challenges, however – mainly, how to keep everyone happy, healthy and sound.

Herd living Many people choose not to let their horses live in a herd due to the risk of blemishes or injuries from herd mates. This is a real issue and often poses liability concerns when multiple owners are involved. The problem is commonly addressed by having all involved parties sign a waiver acknowledging that any horse could injure any other horse at any time in a herd, and that no one is held liable (“enter at your own risk” policy).

Injuries are most likely to occur when introducing new horses to a herd and very rarely happen when herds remain consistent.

Temperament also plays a role in injury risk – horses that haven’t been properly socialized or are extremely dominant can pose additional risk. Herd mates should be chosen wisely and allowed to get to know each other over a fence for a few days before being introduced. Protective leg wraps or boots can be used for introductions to help decrease the risk of injury. Minor bite wounds and blemishes are common in most herds and are often a sign of a playful, active herd.

Once the ideal scenario of a balanced, consistent herd has been established, the next step is developing a herd health program.

Such a program should not lose sight of individual health concerns – in fact, all individual needs should be addressed within the herd management plan.

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Food for thought Nutrition is the first consideration.

What works for some horses doesn’t work for all. Developing a herd health program means taking each herd and individual horse into consideration.

• Hay should be spread in multiple piles throughout the pasture to simulate grazing. There should always be at least one more hay pile than there are horses, to avoid food aggression.

• Water placement should also be carefully considered – keep it in a safe/accessible location where dominant horses are not able to trap submissive ones.

• Salt blocks and free choice minerals should also be in accessible locations for submissive horses.

When easy keepers and hard keepers are integrated

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comfort

ease

for your horse

for your body ®

into the same herd, feeding plans must be carefully managed. The two main solutions are: a) Have separate paddocks for a few hours a day or overnight.

Separating horses into individual paddocks a few hours a day works well for giving special feed or supplements – each horse can eat at his own pace and is guaranteed to get the ration he needs. It also makes it easier to check over each animal on a daily basis (i.e. appetite, water consumption, manure output, visual check).

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b) Use grazing muzzles/feed bags. Grazing muzzles can be put

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on easy keepers at meal times and taken off after a few hours to limit their feed intake and allow others time to eat. Feed bag muzzles are also handy to feed each horse his supplements without having to separate the horses or have someone stand and police the feed bowls.

Injuries are most likely to occur when introducing new horses to a herd and very rarely happen when herds remain consistent.

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A proper environment Next on the list of importance is shelter and footing. Many mismanaged herds have horses with rain rot, scratches, thrush, abscesses and other illness because of overcrowding in shelters, mud in high traffic areas, or overgrazed pastures. The general rule is to have at least one 12’x12’ covered area for each horse. For example, a herd of three horses should have at least a 12’x36’ loafing shed. There should also be a large mud-free paddock/sacrifice area (or individual paddocks) that the herd can be enclosed in so the pasture gets a rest during the winter and wet weather. Pastures should be maintained with 3” or longer grass length in order to be healthy and weed free, so having an appropriately sized sacrifice area for the herd is essential. equine wellness

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3

Parasite management Herds can pose an increased risk of spreading parasites and contagious disease. New horses should be quarantined for two to four weeks before being introduced to a herd, and they should also be parasite free. De-worming programs need to be discussed with your veterinarian and tailored to each individual’s needs, as well as the herd’s. In general, horses in herds that graze on pasture have a higher parasite exposure than horses that are kept individually or who do not have pasture access.

The first line of defense in minimizing this exposure is manure management – pastures should be picked completely free from manure every day. A pasture rotation program can also be very helpful, and fecal floats on each individual horse are vitally important. Some horses tend to be parasite carriers and spreaders while others tend to be more resistant. Identifying which horses have heavy parasite loads allows you to only treat those that need to be chemically de-wormed. In general, alternating de-wormers and fecal floats at three-month intervals is ideal – so the horse is only de-wormed twice a year as long as the twice-yearly fecals are negative. The horses whose fecals come back positive are de-wormed according to what/how many parasites are found, and then a fecal float is rechecked two to four weeks later before starting back into the alternating program.

Simply doing rotational de-worming every eight to 12 weeks is no longer appropriate or sufficient in some cases, as we are now seeing parasites that are resistant to multiple types of de-wormer.

This problem is largely a result of years of excessive de-worming, and will continue to get worse on farms that manage parasites with this method.

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Vaccination protocol Vaccination decisions should also be made on a case-by-case basis and discussed with your veterinarian. In Washington State, we are lucky to have never had a case of rabies in a horse, and to only have pockets of risk for eastern and western encephalitis virus and West Nile virus on the east side of the state. So unless these horses are traveling into problem regions, they do not need these vaccines. It is important to note that horses are dead end hosts for West Nile virus, which means a horse can’t spread it to another horse. So if you have herd mates traveling into a West Nile problem area, they could be vaccinated for it, but the rest of the herd back home wouldn’t need to be.

The other vaccines to consider are tetanus and flu/rhino (strangles

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There should always be at least one more pile of hay than there are horses, to avoid food aggression. is only considered in extreme risk situations since strangles vaccines can be dangerous for the horse).

• All horses are at risk for tetanus if they get an abscess or puncture wound, so it is generally not thought of as a herd health issue. Horses that are accident prone can be vaccinated yearly, while horses that are not can sometimes get away with vaccination every two to three years. The tetanus vaccine, however, is labeled as protective for one year, so consult your veterinarian before deciding to skip this one.

• Flu/rhino is the main vaccination to consider in herd situations. In most cases these viruses are similar to the common cold and resolve uneventfully with minimal care.

They can, however, turn life-threatening with dehydration, colic or neurological problems. Since the vaccines are not very effective against all strains anyway, the choice is a personal one you should make based on risk of exposure. Herds that are static and don’t go to shows are at low risk for flu and rhino, whereas herds in which one or all the horses travel to shows (or herds that are changing members frequently) are at high risk for these viruses.

Since vaccines are not without risk, a “less is better” approach

should be taken. The horses should only be vaccinated for things they really need. Vaccination titers can be done to help assess the level of immunity the horse has, so that vaccines can be skipped if he already has a high level of immunity.

Titers are expensive to run but well worthwhile, particularly for horses sensitive to vaccinations. Many boarding stables with vaccination requirements will accept titers in lieu of vaccination, so be sure to discuss this with the barn manager before assuming you are required to vaccinate for something you don’t want to.

The holistic lifestyle In general, horses kept in a holistic fashion (in a balanced herd) are less stressed and healthier overall. Their immune systems are stronger than their stressed (individually housed) counterparts.

Contagious disease is less likely to run through a large barn where horses are kept in herds versus a barn where horses are kept individually. Large barns with horses kept in separate stalls and runs tend to have a higher rate of disease transfer since the horses can still make nose-to-nose contact with their neighbors and their stress levels are considerably higher.

Keeping horses in herds does have some risk, but the benefits by far outweigh the risks when the herd is properly managed.

If your horse does not have a buddy, consider adopting a nonrideable (“pasture pal”) horse from a rescue organization to keep your equine happy and healthy. This makes for happy horses and a win-win situation!

DR. HANNAH EVERGREEN IS A GRADUATE OF OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. SHE HAS LOVED, CARED FOR, RIDDEN AND TRAINED HORSES MOST OF HER LIFE – THEY ARE HER PASSION. SHE STARTED HER OWN MOBILE VETERINARY PRACTICE IN MONROE, WASHINGTON IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND OFFERS FULL SERVICE EQUINE VETERINARY CARE INCLUDING ACUPUNCTURE, CHIROPRACTIC, ADVANCED DENTISTRY, SPORTS MEDICINE AND MORE. FIND OUT MORE AT EHVCEQUINE.COM.

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Roadside

Emergencies

What if you had to pull your rig off the highway to handle an emergency?

WItH u.s. rIDer eQuestrIan motor plan Here’s what to do and how to stay safe.

Traveling with horses can be a bit nerve-wracking at times, particularly if you find yourself in a situation where you need to make a sudden unplanned stop. This step-by-step procedure will help keep you and your horses safe in case you need to take care of a roadside emergency.

Pull over safely If you’re on a major highway, freeway, expressway or multilane road, knowing how to safely stop your rig can mean the difference between life or death.

Ease onto the right shoulder. If you feel there’s something wrong with your truck or trailer, slow down, turn on your right turn signal and emergency flashers, and ease into the far right lane. From there, you should be able to safely pull off the highway and onto the right shoulder if available. Look for a wide spot, and keep your emergency flashers on.

Stay off the median. Never pull into the center divider area of the road, regardless of how wide and stable it may look.

Get off the freeway. If you think you can drive a short distance, try to get completely off the freeway.

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Consider the off ramp. Some off ramps feature a large grassy area that can be used as an emergency parking spot.

Watch for sprinkler heads, and pull off the road as far as is safely possible.

Look for off-street parking. If there’s no shoulder, or you can’t tell if the shoulder’s terrain will support your rig – and you can keep moving – look for another stopping place, such as a shopping center parking lot, an open field, or a gas station.

Leave your horse inside. Never unload your horse from the trailer on a busy highway (unless absolutely critical) – it’s just too risky. If the horses are down, leave them. Although that sounds harsh, whatever injuries they have suffered probably won’t worsen – but they will if they get hit by a passing motorist.

Turn off the engine. Once stopped, turn off the engine.

Relax, and take a few deep breaths; if you’re calm, you’ll deal better with the emergency.

Step out carefully. Before you get out of your vehicle, check your rearview mirrors for oncoming traffic. As you step out, stay as close as possible to the side of your rig. Check your vehicle on both sides to determine the problem.

ight flares. Estimate how far off the pavement edge you’re parked. Most L states require you to set flares if you’re within five feet of the pavement’s edge. However, for visibility, it’s best to set flares any time you’re forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road (you can use reflector triangles in a pinch). Ideally, place four flares behind your trailer and two in front of your tow vehicle. alm your horse. Talk to your horses through the trailer windows. Keep your voice C calm and reassuring. And don’t open trailer doors – excess noise can cause the horses to panic, and opening the doors may make them think you’re unloading.

Fix the problem or call for service If you know what you’re doing and are completely off the road, you can get out your emergency kit and fix the problem. Otherwise, call for emergency roadside service. When considering membership in an emergency roadside service plan, query your local agent about the following considerations. Know that not all companies will work with your trailer and/or horses – so ask these questions ahead of time.

• Size restrictions. Is there a restriction on tow vehicle size/weight to qualify for coverage?

• Towing services. If towing is required, what distance will the plan cover and how will the bill be paid? Will the trailer also be towed? Is there a restriction on trailer size/ weight? May the trailer be loaded with horses?

• Fuel/water. Will the service supply fuel (gasoline/diesel) and water?

• Lockouts. Will the service open your tow vehicle and/or trailer in case you get locked out?

• F lat tires. Will the service change a dually flat? Tires with split rims? Are there any tire size restrictions? Will the service cover trailer flats?

•A vailability. Is the service available 24/7, including holidays? Is it available everywhere, such as out of state, across the nation, on United State Forest Service roads?

• C ost. What’s the cost difference between service levels? (You might need to choose, for instance, among “basic”, “expanded” and “deluxe” service plans.) Is there a toll-free emergency roadside service number?

Get back on the road Once you’ve taken care of the problem, or have called for assistance, your next challenge will be to get back into traffic flow. Don’t expect anyone to stop for you – you’ll need to achieve highway speed. Here’s how: Turn on lights. Turn on your left turn signal and emergency flashers.

Ease forward. Turn on your engine, and ease forward.

Build speed. Start building speed on the shoulder of the road. heck your mirrors. Keep looking into rearview mirrors on both sides. As you do, C check the shoulder ahead to make sure you’re safe.

Merge. When you see a break in the traffic – or you see someone slow down or move over for you (watch for the flashing headlights signal) – move into the flow of traffic, then turn off your left turn signal. Once you’ve reached the speed limit, equine wellness

15

turn off your emergency flashers.

Recognize courtesy. If someone lets you in, flash your headlights to thank them.

If you feel there’s something wrong with your truck or trailer, slow down, turn on your emergency flashers, and pull off the road in the first safe location you can find.

Maintenance for prevention As a responsible horse owner, being prepared and keeping your vehicle maintained are the best ways to reduce the chances of a roadside emergency. Here is a pre-trip checklist to assist you in making sure you’re prepared for you next trip: • Check the tow vehicle. Check and replenish engine fluid levels and wiper fluid. Towing puts extra stress on the radiator, brakes and transmission. Make sure fluid levels are correct.

• Make sure the ball on the tow vehicle is the correct size for the horse trailer.

• Make sure the rearview mirrors are properly adjusted and you know how to use them.

• Check tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer. Improper tire pressure is responsible for most towing problems. Check tire condition and be aware that due to minimal use, trailer tires may age out before they wear out.

• Make sure the horse trailer is level so the animals are not always fighting their balance by traveling uphill or downhill. This movement can cause the trailer to sway and cause other safety problems.

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equine wellness

• Check inside the horse trailer for bee and wasp nests.

• Check over your hitch, coupler, breakaway brake battery and safety chains. Make sure the brakes and all lights are working properly before you load the horses.

• When horses are loaded, make sure all doors are latched properly and horses are tied.

• Drive down the driveway, and before you turn onto the main road, get out and check everything again. Something you overlooked may make itself apparent by then. Most accidents happen to people who have been hauling just long enough to get lackadaisical.

• If you happen to stop somewhere where the rig has been left unattended, check everything all over again. Someone may have been tampering with the trailer or horses.

An unexpected roadside emergency can happen to anyone at any time. Keeping your truck and trailer in good condition, and being well prepared, are key to ensuring you and your horses get back on the road smoothly and safely. Happy hauling!

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s 8-10 emergen cy flare s 6-8 reflect or tri angle Eq uine first aid kit

Credit ca rd

• Check lug nuts on wheels. Wheel nuts and bolts should be torqued before first road use after each wheel removal. Check and re-torque after the first ten miles, 25 miles, and again at 50 miles. Check periodically thereafter.

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equine wellness

17

Shouldn’t I be

OVER THIS

by NOW?

BY Janet eDGette, psY.D., m.p.H.

Rebuilding confidence after a fall

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equine wellness

I n g about.urs i k n i h t n’t stop m up … I had sp d , a t c e n I a J t r a Dea ience th rein to warm h i e picked up spee ! r e p x e d a had a b cant er on a loo se my spur, an d h h e bucked me off I y l t n e R ec e for a got h im with llop … fina lly s r o h y m a sked my st irrup. I -of-control ga on… lo st were in a full, outd rest … e wa s m i t t s r e i e b f unt il w on es, weeks of a in. Th e f … n o damage, g a g n i b d i Broken tart ed r I went flyin g of oth in g is wron g, s I e c n i d s n of wo weeks horse tr ipped an… try to pret en d rkin g. In st ead a l t n e e b It’s en my I’m t err ified it’s n ot wo far th e ho spit h t d n A . great od scare. Now g safely, but on der in g how just a go e myself r idin ent in es, I’m w – Liz v i s u a l i z a t in g o n m y s er p h e l p ! concentr th e barn … Need is from

O

ne of many similar letters, Liz’s request for help following a frightening riding mishap speaks for hundreds of her equestrian companions – as do her efforts to overcome her fear. Unfortunately, these methods usually only make the problem worse. Let me explain.

Natural fear Liz, I admire your positive attitude and your efforts to get back mentally to where you were before the original fall. But something very scary did happen to you. And it’s through no fault of your own that you still feel frightened riding, worrying that at any moment your horse may run off again.

That’s how people who’ve had something bad happen to them react. They’re always feeling that the “bad thing” could happen again, that they must be on the lookout all the time.

It doesn’t make for a relaxing ride.

Ironically, getting over this kind of fear involves accepting it and understanding why it can’t be wished away. First, it serves an evolutionary purpose: Eons ago, those cavemen who respected their fears survived the best. Of course, the dangers were a little different (rock avalanches, mountain lions), but our bodies are still pretty much wired the same way. Second, we have vivid memories; we remember the panic of the runaway, the pain of our injuries, the frustration of being laid up. And finally, as creatures with forebrains, we humans attach meaning to incidents and put them in a larger context. A fall isn’t just a fall but a month out of work, a month without income, a month with no one to muck or feed or tend to the rest of the family.

Pretending that something didn’t happen or didn’t affect you doesn’t work; the larger part of you always knows what’s true and what’s not. And visualizing yourself riding safely, Liz, won’t do a thing until you really feel safe riding again. A visualization can’t overpower a worry (and shouldn’t, in case it’s a “good” worry). I prefer you use visualization to enhance or enliven a feeling you already have.

Baby steps So, what can you do? I recommend what I’d tell anyone who suffered a trauma – and you did suffer one. You take a deep breath, pat yourself on the shoulder for trying to get back in the game, and become as supportive and patient with your own self as you describe your trainer and friends being with you. You start slowly, you take your time, you stick to gaits and exercises you’re comfortable doing, and you build from there.

… getting over this kind of fear involves accepting it and understanding why it can’t be wished away.

In your case, Liz, the sequence of steps might be: With your trainer or a knowledgeable friend present as long as you need her, ride comfortably at the walk; ride on a loose rein at the walk; trot comfortably; trot circles at each end of the ring without worry; trot a serpentine of just two loops; then trot on a loose rein, trot a three-loop serpentine, and so on. Wait equine wellness

19

until you want to take each next step; when you feel ready and eager, take it and see if it’s OK. If you become nervous, back up; try again another time. Your trainer or friend can help you decide when to try, and can provide the encouragement you may need to get over the hump. How long should each step take? As long as it takes. Learn to value your moving toward goals as you value your attaining them.

Learn to value your moving toward goals as you value your attaining them.

This is the most dependable and safe way to get back to where you were; it allows you to heal naturally – always the preferred way. If you were a professional who needed to get back in the game fast, or a World Cup contender with upcoming grands prix you absolutely had to ride in, I’d suggest other strategies.

But for you, for now, riding within your comfort zone will allow you to enjoy your horse while watching yourself return – gradually, securely – to your former self.

DR. JANET SASSON EDGETTE IS AN EQUESTRIAN SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST AND GENERAL FAMILY AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGIST PRACTICING IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS OF PHILADELPHIA. SHE IS AUTHOR OF HEADS UP!: PRACTICAL SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY FOR RIDERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR TRAINERS AND THE RIDER’S EDGE: OVERCOMING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF RIDING. JANET WAS A CONSULTING SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST AND COLUMNIST FOR PRACTICAL HORSEMAN MAGAZINE FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND HAS SPENT THE LAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT THAT DEPARTS RADICALLY FROM TRADITIONAL NOTIONS OF RELAXATION AND IMAGERY IN FAVOR OF A PERMISSIVE APPROACH THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ACCEPT THEIR INTERNAL EXPERIENCES AND RIDE WELL IN SPITE OF ANXIETY, SELF-DOUBT, OR NEGATIVE THINKING.

JANET

IS AN ACCOMPLISHED HUNTER/JUMPER RIDER WHO COMPETED SUCCESSFULLY AS A

JUNIOR UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF

WAYNE CARROLL. SHE

CONTINUES TO RIDE AND SHOW,

AND CURRENTLY COMPETES IN THE JUMPER DIVISIONS. WWW.HEADSUPSPORT.COM, WWW.JANETEDGETTE.COM

Reprinted with permission from Equine Network.

20

equine wellness

equine wellness

21

Wise farm owners pre-plan for horse barn fires. Helping your fire department help you can mean the difference between lives saved or lost.

by LAURIE LoVEMAn

D

oes your fire department know anything about your property besides its address? If a fire starts, you and your helpers will hopefully be there to evacuate the horses while the fire department is enroute or just arriving at the scene. But what if you aren’t at the scene? What if your neighbors or the firefighters are there before you? Would they know what to expect and what their “job” should be?

Developing a pre-plan Many farm owners don’t realize that you can work out a plan with your local fire safety inspector and other fire department members. This plan takes everyone step-by-step through the process of knowing your property layout, your barn construction and interior design, and your barn’s inhabitants. You and your helpers may already know this information, but firefighters also have to know – before they even reach your property – so they

22

equine wellness

can decide which apparatus should respond, where it should be placed, and what tactics will be used. These basic questions must be answered: What is the barn’s layout? Is there a center aisle with stalls on each side, or are the stalls only on one side? Are there adequate exits that can be reached in low to zero visibility by going in a straight line? What alternate exit will be used from each stall in case the primary exit is blocked?

2

How many horses are in the barn and what “kind” are they? For example, a broodmare with a foal at her side will be looking out for the safety of her offspring, which means the foal must stay within her line of vision. That’s a two-person job – one handler for the mare, the other for the foal. If possible, stallions should only be handled by someone normally responsible for their

care. Weanlings and yearlings may not have had much handling, and might not be halter-broke. This situation should be corrected immediately, because a horse who isn’t accustomed to a halter and lead rope not only delays rescue, but also imperils you and all the other horses that need to be evacuated. If you have any horse in your barn older than 12 hours, he should accept a halter and be taught to lead (for help with this, read Cheryl Chernicky’s article on halter training babies at firesafetyinbarns.com).

3

In what order should the horses be evacuated? Which kind of horse is in which stall? For instance, is an elderly or disabled horse in the stall closest to the door so his travel distance to safety is shorter?

It’s helpful to know if the horse in each stall is easy or difficult to handle, or has any quirks that could impede a rapid evacuation.

Keep in mind, though, that horses may not behave in their normal manner during an emergency.

4 5 6 7 8

Once outside the barn, which paddocks, riding rings, indoor arenas, other barns, or areas on your neighbor’s property have you designated for emergency use? How would a handler find each of these locations in the dark?

Will the fire department have access to the barn for apparatus placement? Will your access road to the barn support the weight of fire equipment? Is there a problem with height clearance? Is there a turning radius large enough to allow maneuvering of fire apparatus?

Where is your water supply and how far away is it from the barn? If there are no hydrants, do you have a farm pond with a dry hydrant available?

If not, where will the water tankers have to go to get water?

Where is the electrical panel located? Is the panel clearly marked so power can be shut off?

Are there any hazardous materials stored in or near your barn, such as gasoline or diesel-fueled farm equipment, ammonium nitrate fertilizers, hay, stall bedding, or non-barn items such as propane tanks?

A horse that isn’t accustomed to a halter and lead rope not only delays rescue, but also imperils you and all the other horses that need to be evacuated.

The easiest way to answer these questions is to make a sketch of your property. Locate the buildings on the sketch, and include the roads, driveways or lanes leading from the main road to each equine wellness

23

with a blanket or towel, if needed, in order to get him to move.

• How to lead the horse to a secure paddock or to tie him to a rail, post or anything else the firefighter can find to keep the horse from getting loose.

Verbal and written explanations have to be augmented by handson training. Give your fire department members lessons on how to put a halter on, where on the halter to snap the lead rope, how to hold the lead rope, how to lead a horse who’s willing to move, and how to get an unwilling horse to move. Firefighters can’t learn these skills by merely reading about them. They absolutely must practice with live horses.

Firefighters can’t learn these skills by merely reading about them. They absolutely must practice with live horses.

In developing any pre-plan, all these questions – and questions specific to your property – have to be answered, and the answers must then be fine-tuned by running fire drills to discover what changes need to be made to provide the most efficient means of rescuing your horses. In the event of a fire – where lost minutes can mean lost lives – having a pre-plan can make a big difference in the outcome.

building. Add your pens, paddocks, round pens and pastures to the sketch. Don’t be concerned with drawing to scale; your objective at this point is to answer the basic questions by adding each element to the sketch. You can add distances and dimensions later. You can complete this part of the plan before you meet with your local fire inspector, or with his or her help.

If you choose to have assistance from the start, your local fire inspector can point out changes you can make right away to increase your day-to-day fire safety.

Practice saves lives Since firefighters may have to evacuate your horses, you must make sure they know the following: • How to put a halter on a horse and how to lead him out. If the horse does not have his halter on while in the stall, the halter should be hanging on or next to the stall door, along with a lead rope.

• How to cover the horse’s eyes

24

equine wellness

LAURIE LOVEMAN IS AN AUTHOR, FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICER, AND A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY IN ANIMAL HOUSING FACILITIES. SHE HAS A DEGREE IN FIRE AND SAFETY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI AND IS A CONSULTANT ON FIRE SAFETY IN EQUINE FACILITIES. WITH MORE THAN 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY, LAURIE HAS WRITTEN MANY ARTICLES FOR EQUINE AND FIRE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS, AND HER FIREHOUSE FAMILY NOVELS, SET IN THE 1930S, REFLECT HER INTEREST NOT JUST IN HORSES, BUT ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO FIREFIGHTING, SUCH AS STRESS, MEDICAL ETHICS AND ARSON. IN HER SPARE TIME, LAURIE ENJOYS WORKING ON A HORSE FARM, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND RESEARCHING 1930S HISTORY. FIRESAFETYINBARNS.COM

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25

by JULIET M. GETTy, PH.d.

Many people add oil as a top dress to their hard keepers’ rations – but do you really understand the differences between oils, and what to look for?

T

here are three common ways to add extra calories to your horse’s diet. More carbohydrates (typically from cereal grains), more protein (usually from alfalfa) – or more fat (from oils and meals). Cereal grains such as oats, corn, barley and wheat, along with sugar, are common sources of starch and other digestible carbohydrates, providing 4 kilocalories (kcals) per gram. Protein also has 4 kcals/g, and feeds containing soybean meal or alfalfa hay are excellent sources. But when it comes to boosting caloric intake, fat is the clear winner, with more than twice the number of calories – 9 kcals/g.

saturated fatty acids. Fatty acids are long chains of carbon atoms linked together by chemical bonds. They are considered “saturated” when the carbon atoms are attached to as many hydrogen atoms as possible – making them “saturated” with hydrogens. Animal fats such as beef tallow, lard and butter are high in saturated fat.

But you may not realize that tropical fats, such as coconut and palm kernel oils, are also highly saturated; in fact, they are more saturated than the grease from your hamburger! Remember that your horse is an herbivorous animal – avoid feeding him animal fat (or tropical sources).

Adding fat to the diet will help your horse meet his energy needs while in training, working or performing. And unlike sugary and starchy feeds, fat (for full-sized breeds) doesn’t cause insulin to rise. It doesn’t make your horse behave badly or put him at risk for laminitis, and there’s no concern of cecal acidosis, as there would be with feeding too much grain.

There are many fat sources, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Oils are typically liquid at room temperature, and their fatty acids are predominantly unsaturated. Chemically, this means there are missing hydrogen atoms along the carbon chain. The structure compensates for the missing hydrogen by creating double bonds. “Omega” is a naming system that classifies fatty acids according to the exact placement of these double bonds along the carbon chain. Most unsaturated fatty acids fall into one of three Omega categories: Omega-3, Omega-6 or Omega-9. Plant oils, such as soybean, corn, wheat germ, peanut, olive, canola, flaxseed and rice bran, are high in unsaturated fatty acids but their Omega types differ.

Fats as solids or liquids Fats that are solid at room temperature are typically high in

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equine wellness

Know which Omega type you’re feeding Your horse must have two specific fatty acids in his/her diet: Omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and Omega-6, linoleic acid.

Both are considered “essential”, meaning the horse cannot produce them. Both are found in plants. And the perfect food for horses – fresh grass – has both in their proper proportion: four times more ALA than linoleic acid. Hay, however, doesn’t have either type since these fatty acids are easily oxidized due to exposure to air, moisture, light and heat.

Fish oils are gaining popularity because of their high Omega-3 content, and contain two fatty acids: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Your horse has the ability to manufacture EPA and DHA from ALA; therefore, they are not “essential”. It is important not to rely on fish oils to meet your horse’s Omega-3 needs, since they do not contain the essential Omega-3, ALA. Plus, horses are not fish eaters! The only time fish oil is recommended is when extreme inflammation exists – and it should be added to a diet that already contains ALA from fresh grass, flaxseed meal or chia seeds.

Linoleic acid (Omega-6), while necessary, should not exceed ALA (Omega-3), because too much linoleic acid increases the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Unfortunately, horses typically consume far more linoleic acid than ALA, largely due to the addition of vegetable oil to commercial feeds. “Vegetable oil” can be confusing because it can be extracted from any plant; the name doesn’t tell you which one, though it is typically soybean or corn. Take a look at your feed. Does it contain added soybean or vegetable oil? If it does, is it balanced with flaxseed meal to provide ALA? Some linoleic acid is necessary, but too much Omega-6 will increase inflammation. Your goal in feeding fat is to provide more ALA than linoleic acid. If your horse is experiencing inflammation due to an injury, intense exercise/ work, aging joints, or digestive tract ulcerations, too much linoleic acid will exacerbate the situation and result in more pain.

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Linoleic acid (Omega-6), while necessary, should not exceed ALA (Omega-3), because too much linoleic acid increases the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids.

Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated. They are found in high quantities in rice bran, canola and olive oils. In human studies, Omega-9 fatty acids improve the HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol component, and are therefore beneficial for protecting the heart, brain and blood vessels. However, more research is needed on their benefits for horses. We do know that Omega-9s do not increase inflammation and are therefore a safe fat source to feed.

Continued on next page.

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27

Continued from previous page. fat source will correct this deficiency.

Fresh pasture Forage should always be the foundation of the diet. The ideal food for horses is fresh, healthy pasture (not overgrazed, droughtor heat-stressed, or weed-infested). Pasture forage typically contains 2% to 4% fat and its Omega-3 content is generally four times higher than its Omega-6 content. Once this grass is cut, dried and stored to make hay, these polyunsaturated fatty acids are destroyed by air, moisture, and heat – adding the appropriate

Fatty acid content of fat sources The table (see below) shows the concentration of each type of fatty acid in common fat sources.

Keep in mind that all fats and oils contain most fatty acid types in varying amounts. Notice that the most commonly fed oils, corn and soybean, are the most likely to cause inflammation due to their high linoleic acid content.

Benefits of Omega-3s

Some guidelines Limit soybean oil usage. Soybean oil has some ALA (approximately 7%) but is mostly linoleic acid (Omega-6).

Avoid corn oil and wheat germ oil. Both contain half Omega6s with no Omega-3s.

Restrict sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is more than 70% Omega-6.

Add Omega-3s by feeding flaxseed meal and chia seeds.

These are very high in ALA and offer an ALA to linoleic acid ratio similar to grass. Avoid feeding flaxseeds whole and do not soak them ahead of feeding. Grind your own every day (they immediately start to go rancid) or feed a commercially stabilized product.

Steer clear from hemp seed oil. It is touted as a good source of Omega-3s; however, its linoleic acid content is more than three times higher than its ALA. Reject saturated fat sources. Animal fats (e.g., beef fat and lard) and coconut oil are sometimes added to commercial feeds. Horses are not designed to metabolize large quantities of these fat sources.

Do not rely on fish oils for ALA. Fish oils can significantly

Reduce inflammation Balance the immune system Slow down glucose absorption and reduce insulin output Protect against skin and respiratory allergies Improve joints and ligaments Decrease nervousness Maintain heart and blood vessel health Diminish pulmonary hemorrhaging Reduce exercise-induced hypertension Support normal gastrointestinal function Maintain hair and hoof health Improve sperm motility and speed

Approximate fatty acid content of fats/oils typically added to horse diets Fat/oil

Saturated fatty acids (%)

Monounsaturated fatty acids (%) (Omega-9)

Linoleic acid (%) (Omega-6)

Alpha linolenic acid (%) (Omega-3)

Beef fat Hog fat (lard)

51

41

3

.7

51

41

10

1

Fish oils Coconut oil

37 91

15 6

2 3

2 0

Canola oil Corn oil

7 17

54 24

30 59

7 0

Flaxseed

9

19

14

58

Chia seeds (fat portion)

9

6

18

60

Hemp seed oil

10

11

58

18

Rice bran oil

17

48

35

1

Olive oil

16

75

8

8

Wheat germ oil Soybean oil

18 15

25 26

50 50

5 7

Sunflower oil

12

16

71

1

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equine wellness

reduce inflammation in heavily exercised horses, but should be provided in addition to a plant source of ALA. Cereal grains are low in Omega-3s. Nearly half the fat found in grains (e.g., oats, corn, barley, wheat) comes from Omega-6s.

Rice bran or canola oil will meet additional caloric needs.

Consider these once the essential fatty acid needs are met. Both are high in monounsaturated Omega-9 fatty acids. Olive oil is also beneficial (yes, some horses do like it!). If you have an insulin resistant horse, avoid rice bran (rice bran oil is okay in moderation) since it is too high in non-structural carbohydrates.

How much can you feed?

An 1,100-pound horse can tolerate up to two cups of oil per day. But this amount is generally reserved for horses doing intense activity, and you would need to build up to this level over a period of six to eight weeks. If your horse needs to gain weight, a safer level would be 1/2 cup of oil, twice daily, taking three to four weeks to reach this level. Rice bran oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, or a combination of these three, is a better choice than oils high in Omega-6s. If using flaxseed oil, limit intake to three tablespoons (45 ml) per 400 pounds (180 kg) of body weight. Rice bran is high in fat (mostly monounsaturated Omega-9s) and can be fed up to two pounds per day (if the horse is not insulin resistant since rice bran has a fair amount of starch). Flaxseed meal or chia seeds can be fed at a rate of 1/2 cup (120 ml) per 400 pounds (180 kg) of body weight.

A full-sized horse may benefit from fat supplementation, depending on his health status, exercise level, and condition. But equines such as ponies, minis, donkeys and mules cannot tolerate the high levels horses can. They can tolerate some fat supplementation, but generally 1/3 the amount given to horses.

Bottom line Grazing on fresh healthy pasture for at least eight hours per day will provide all the fat your horse needs, with Omega-3s and Omega6s in their proper proportion. When hay is the main forage source, a fatty feed or oil should be added to meet the two essential fatty acid needs, while maintaining them in proper balance.

Paying attention to the type of fat in your horse’s diet can help reduce pain and inflammation, reverse illness, and optimize his performance.

DR. JULIET M. GETTY

HAS BEEN ADVISING CLIENTS ON HOW TO FEED THEIR HORSES THE

WAY NATURE INTENDED FOR MORE THAN

20

YEARS.

BASED

IN

WAVERLY, OHIO,

SHE IS A

WIDELY KNOWN AND HIGHLY RESPECTED SPEAKER, CONSULTANT AND AUTHOR OF THE COM-

FEED YOUR HORSE LIKE A HORSE. VISIT DR. GETTY’S WEBSITE (GETTYEQUINENUTRITION.COM) TO BROWSE A LIBRARY OF ARTICLES, A FORUM ON NUTRITION, INTERVIEWS AND TELESEMINARS, AND SIGN UP FOR HER FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FORAGE FOR THOUGHT. PREHENSIVE REFERENCE,

equine wellness

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Start with one wrap tied around the horse’s neck so it sits at the underside, base of neck, and just behind the withers. If you have enough length of wrap, tie the ends so there is a bit extra, like a “tail”.

a r p w ! a s ’ t Th a

by Robyn Hood

Body Wrap techniques can enhance your horse’s self-awareness, balance and coordination.

D

id you know a gentle yet effective tool for improving your horse’s self-control, awareness, balance, coordination and confidence is as close as your medicine cabinet? Tellington TTouch Body Wraps, which use a variety of ACE bandages or stretchy stable bandages, can help you address these issues and more.

Positive containment TTouch Body Wraps consist of elasticized fabric bandages applied to the horse’s body in various configurations, depending on the intended application. The Body Wrap maintains a constant connection with the body because it moves with the horse, creating light containment, not constraint. This is particularly useful for horses with neurologic deficits (those recovering from EPM, for example) because the continual sensory input encourages rebuilding of the neural pathways.

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equine wellness

Body Wraps have been successfully used on horses with a variety of issues and habits. Horses that do not use their hind ends effectively may respond well to the “Promise Wrap”, which is worn while riding. Youngsters nervous about narrow spaces or things coming up behind them often feel more secure when being worked in a “Figure Eight” variation. We use “Head Wraps” on horses that are hysterical and beside themselves. The Head Wrap helps calm the horses and acts like a “thinking cap”, enabling focus, self-control and relaxation.

How do they work?

While we are not precisely sure why the Body Wraps are so effective, it’s believed the constant light contact of the bandages affects the horse’s proprioceptive system. This is the sensory system our bodies use to know where they are in space. The Body Wraps seem to intensify or clarify the information passing through

the proprioceptive system, giving the horse’s brain and body a better sense of connection and self-awareness. The effectiveness of these Body Wraps has been compared to the calming effects of swaddling infants or wrapping autistic children in tight blankets.

The Body Wraps seem to intensify or clarify the information passing through the proprioceptive system, giving the horse’s brain and body a better sense of connection and self-awareness.

The changes that occur when using a Body Wrap can be subtle or very dramatic. For instance, a strung-out horse, or one who is camped under, suddenly takes on a more balanced stance, having “a leg at each corner”. Or a horse’s topline may change so he looks “rounder”, with more movement and engagement in the hindquarters. If you have a horse that is unbalanced, reactive or strung-out on the lunge line, try a Body Wrap and you may see an immediate change – many horses even begin to telescope and lengthen their stride without the use of any restrictive gadgets or auxiliary reins.

Body Wraps also help horses that are nervous about things behind them, and that rush or are hesitant about moving through narrow spaces. They help with spatial awareness by connecting the front and back end of the horse. If your horse has a tendency to freeze, the Body Wrap can help him gain confidence and overcome this tendency.

Body Wrap configurations Body Wrap configurations are really only limited by your imagination, as long as you observe a few basic principles:

q Always pay attention to your horse’s smallest signs of concern about something new – if a full Body Wrap makes him nervous, begin with a less involved configuration. w Always apply a Body Wrap in a contained area or with a helper. e Be sure to apply the bandage with an appropriate amount of tension, neither too tight nor too loose.

TTouch Body Wraps are simple to use and to add into any handling or training regime. While specific variations are applied around the head, barrel, neck or legs, the basic “Bridge Wrap”, that surrounds the chest and hindquarters, is a good starting point. This particular wrap gives your horse a good sense of where he is in space, as well as assisting with a connection from his hindquarters to his front end.

The Bridge Wrap For the Bridge Wrap, you will need two or three stretchy equine wellness

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Take a second wrap and tie it onto the base wrap on the off side. You can tie it on the near side of the horse and then slide it to the off side of the horse.

Bring the wrap around the horse’s rear end and over the horse’s tail to start with.

bandages. I prefer red label “ACE” brand bandages for their stretch and longevity.

• Allow your horse to sniff the bandage. Stroke his shoulder with a folded up bandage to ensure he is calm and unafraid of the new object.

• Take the folded bandage and pass one end under the neck to your other hand, keeping one end in each hand. At this point, both ends should meet on one side of the withers.

• Tie a quick release knot, placing the knot on a fleshy spot rather than a bony area.

• Allow your horse to move, walking and stopping a couple of times. You have now applied a “Base Wrap”.

At this point, many horses will begin to lower their heads and adopt a more functional posture, simply from this first bandage around the base of the neck. When riding high-headed horses, attaching a Body Wrap to the front rings of the saddle can make a huge difference. Once you are confident your horse is comfortable with the Base Wrap, you can continue to the next step.

• Take the second bandage and place one end near the knotted

If you have any reservations about how your horse may react to the bandage around his hindquarters, refer to The Ultimate Horse Behavior Book by Linda Tellington-Jones or All Wrapped Up: For Horses by Robyn Hood and Mandy Pretty.

These books provide detailed and varied explanations about the TTouch Body Wraps and how to use them.

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The complete Bridge Wrap -- if your horse is nervous leave the wrap over the tail for a few minutes before taking the tail out from the wrap, and tie the end of the wrap to the “tail”.

ends of the neck wrap. If your horse is larger or longer, you may need to tie two bandages together to make the hind end piece.

• Unroll the bandage quietly as you stand next to the horse’s shoulder.

• Once the bandage is unrolled, tie both ends to the Base Wrap, knotting the ends on either side of the horse’s withers. Use at least one quick release knot if possible. If your horse is tall, you may tie the knots on the same side you are standing on, then slide one of the knots to the other side of the horse. At this point, the majority of the bandage will be lying flat on the horse’s back.

• If your horse is relatively quiet, you may slide the back bandage over his hindquarters and place it just between the point of the buttocks and gaskin. If the horse has a very tight tail or hindquarters, start by placing the wrap over his tail and walkhalt in hand before taking the bandage under the tail.

• You now have a Bridge Wrap.

Body Wraps are relatively easy to apply as well as inexpensive and effective – particularly when working with anxious horses, or rehabilitating those that struggle with coordination. Try incorporating some of these Wraps into your program – you may be surprised at how your horse responds!

ROBYN HOOD, SENIOR INSTRUCTOR OF THE TELLINGTON TTOUCH METHOD, EDITOR OF TTEAM CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER AND LINDA’S YOUNGEST SISTER, BEGAN RIDING HORSES BEFORE SHE COULD WALK. SHE WENT THROUGH PONY CLUB AND SHOWED AS A JUNIOR COMPETITOR IN ALBERTA. SHE WAS A STUDENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE PACIFIC COAST SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP IN CALIFORNIA OWNED BY HER SISTER LINDA TELLINGTON-JONES. ROBYN COMPETED SUCCESSFULLY IN HUNTER, JUMPER, THREE-DAY EVENTING, ENDURANCE, WESTERN EVENTS AND MORE RECENTLY ON GAITED HORSES. IN 1982 ROBYN BECAME INVOLVED FULL-TIME WITH THE TTEAM AND TTOUCH WORK DEVELOPED BY HER SISTER LINDA. IN 1986 SHE STARTED TEACHING TTEAM AND TTOUCH ON A FULL-TIME BASIS IN CANADA, THE US, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AFRICA AND SPENDS ABOUT 160 DAYS A YEAR TRAVELING. BESIDES TEACHING TTEAM AND TTOUCH ON THE ROAD AND AT HER FARM IN VERNON, BC, ROBYN AND HER HUSBAND PHIL, HAVE BEEN IMPORTING AND BREEDING ICELANDIC HORSES SINCE 1976.

TTOUCH CANADA, TTOUCH.CA – THE ICELANDIC HORSE FARM, ICEFARM.COM

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Shoo FLY Go’WayTM all natural repellant from Healing Tree is veterinarian formulated, non-staining, and can be used on both yourself and your horse. Made from essential oils such as Port Ordford Cedar oil, Peppermint oil, and Citronella oil, it smells nice too! Available in a spray (16 oz) or roll-on (100 ml), which is great for use on your horse’s head.

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equine wellness

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What COMES

Naturally

Horse-friendly training and natural horsekeeping are the two keys Uta Gräf and Stefan Schneider credit for keeping their competitive horses such happy athletes.

Uta and Le Noir showing piaffe in the bitless bridle at the 2011 Bundeschampionate demo with German I-judge Christoph Hess.

ot being born into a horsey family, German Grand Prix dressage rider Uta Gräf did not get her first horse until the age of 12. From there she progressed well in her riding, debuting at S-level competitions at age 18. While she was initially not planning to pursue riding professionally, but rather attend university, she eventually made the decision to make horses her career. Later, in 1999, she and her partner, Stefan Schneider, made the move to their farm, Gut Rothenkircherhof in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany. It’s here that Uta and Stefan work with their barn full of horses, with Uta training and showing them up through the levels to Grand Prix. While Uta and Stefan may come from different backgrounds, they have the common aim of developing good riding on motivated horses.

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Uta is known for many things, including her outgoing nature (hairstyle included!), positive, classical teaching and training style, and competitive accomplishments. But what many may be surprised to discover is what a happy, natural lifestyle the dressage superstars in her barn lead. Equine Wellness caught up with Uta in between competitions to learn more about her horsekeeping philosophy.

EW: Your facility differs from many other competition

barns in terms of the lifestyle you offer the horses. Please share some details on the setup of the farm and modifications you have made to keep the horses more naturally.

Photos courtesy of Silke Rottermann.

by KELLy HoWLInG WITH SILKE RoTTERMAnn And UTA GRÄF

UG: Our farm is located some kilometers outside a small UG: Before I met my partner I also kept my horses in town in South Germany. It is in the midst of a forest. We own 14 ha fields which are properly fenced. In the stable, we have considered the main needs of the horses that live here – horses need to move, and have light and fresh air. Our stable consists of two parts – one where the horses live together in a big stable and one where we mainly keep the competition horses (my dressage horses, and Stefan’s working equitation horses as well as some boarders). These horses have 3m x 10m stalls. The partitions are made in a way that the horses can interact with one another.

Attached to each stall is a grassy paddock of 3m x 20m. The horses have access to these all the time, including my two stallions, Damon Jerome and Le Noir – the horse that’s on the German Olympic dressage long list. Le Noir often goes out in an extra field with a donkey to keep him company.

A few of these horses run in our herd over the day. The herd includes about 20 horses of all sizes and breeds, among them Grand Prix and S-dressage horses. We have an older Cruzado stallion running with the geldings, which works fine. Currently we even have a second young stallion in the herd with no problems.

In the summer, they are usually out 24 hours a day. Over winter, they come in overnight and go out during the day in a huge, welldrained sacrifice paddock with several hayracks. We are lucky to have a creek running through the fields, so the horses have fresh water all the time while out.

stalls because I considered it normal. But once I experienced the big advantages one gets from keeping horses outside and in contact with other horses I wouldn’t want to have it differently. The horses are more content and more motivated to work.

EW: Have

your horsekeeping practices positively impacted your competition horses? Have there been any negatives?

UG: It did and does, tremendously. My horses are always eager to work and they are more relaxed, not only toward outside influences, but also in their work. They are more attentive because they are content and they don’t feel they have to fulfil their desire to move when under the saddle. A horse is a flight animal, moving many kilometers a day in nature.

I have found no negative impacts, apart from the fact that the horses are quite muddy sometimes!

EW: We saw a lovely video of you riding your Olympic

hopeful, Le Noir, in a bitless bridle. Is this something you do often with your horses?

We have paid great attention to the footing in our working areas in order to support the horse’s joints. We have a dressage ring, roundpens, and a working equitation ring on the farm, as well as a horse walker that can have water added to gently build and condition muscles.

EW: Have you always tended towards offering your horses

a more natural lifestyle, or did a particular horse or person inspire you to head in that direction?

UG: It was my partner, Stefan, who showed me that it is possible to keep high-level performance horses quite naturally.

He comes from a horse-loving background and is a practising equine vet. For him, it is of uppermost importance to keep and treat horses naturally, which means lots of exercise on their own, with horsey friends, and lots of roughage as the basis of feeding.

EW:

Many competitive riders are fearful of giving their horses much turnout, or allowing them to interact with other horses. What are your thoughts on this? equine wellness

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bridles. We did demonstrations on this at Equitana, German FN seminars, and at the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf.

EW:

It sounds like Stefan does a fair bit of groundwork with the horses. What does this do for your relationship with the horses?

UG: Stefan worked with western legends Magda and Jean-Claude at home. in his grass paddock Uta visiting Le Noir

UG: The bitless bridle is not a regular part of my training.

We tried it out more than a year ago on Le Noir because we wanted to demonstrate to the public that it’s possible to ride Grand Prix without a double bridle if a horse is correctly trained and carrying himself. I didn’t train any of my horses through the levels with it. Our dressage horses should be light in the bridle and carrying themselves, and you can easily prove whether this is the case when riding in the bitless

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Dysli some decades ago, and also with other renowned western riders in Europe. He saw that respect is established on the ground first. If the horse learns to respect you as the leader from the ground, it is so much easier and comfortable for both parties to work under the saddle. You just prevent certain problems, which means you can work with more harmony. If the horses know we are there as a leader, they feel secure and are not distracted that easily.

EW: Please

share with our readers your training philosophy and program.

UG: Our goal in training is to advance and enhance each horse’s

natural abilities. While Stefan and I have different backgrounds and priorities in our work with horses, we complement each other ideally. To start, it is important for us that each horse is well behaved in his daily handling – this is the reason we work with young horses from the ground before breaking them in. This way

we establish faith and respect for us. Stefan is responsible for this part, using his great experience with different ways of horsemanship.

Moreover, he does the lunging and breaking-in of the young horses; because he has already established general obedience from the ground and won the faith of the horses, we can give the youngsters positive first moments under the saddle.

We add variety to each horse’s program through Cavaletti and in-hand work, long lining and hacking. This not only conditions the horses physically, but also builds self-confidence. Stefan uses the long lines to help the horses learn to go forward on their own – he works them in the forest and through water to build their confidence. After the horses have passed through our “primary school” on the ground and under the saddle, I take over with classical dressage training.

The most important thing for us is to keep our horses as naturally as possible. No training in the world can replace social contacts and free movement in the fresh air – indispensable preconditions for a horse’s well-being and even temper. We are firm believers that the combination of positive training and natural horsekeeping generates a “happy athlete”.

EW: You have also worked with some of Germany’s

Paralympic riders for several years now. How has this influenced your riding style?

UG: I am the federal trainer of some of Germany’s most successful

Paralympic riders, such as Dr. Angelika Trabert, Hannelore Brenner, and Britta Näpel. Several times a year we gather together for clinics.

From them I learned that you need so little to communicate with a horse at the highest levels of dressage. They have inspired me in the work I do with my own horses.

EW: If you could share one piece of advice with other horse owners/riders, what would it be?

UG:

Never advance a horse at the cost of his pleasure to work with you.

In other words, respect the possibilities your horse offers, which means respect his personality.

SADDLE FIT TIPS TIP #9 – TREE WIDTH

By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE A saddle’s tree width is usually categorized as narrow, medium, or wide. Incorrect tree width severely impacts the horse in motion. The shoulders must be able to rotate freely, which cannot happen if the saddle is too narrow – the saddle is driven forward onto the shoulders during riding. Adding more padding to try to resolve this is like wearing more socks to make your shoes fit when they’re already tight – won’t work!

If the tree width is too wide, the saddle may rock or slip from side to side during riding, or twist to one side. This also happens when one side of your horse is more heavily muscled, forcing the saddle over to the other side in compensation.

Tree width and angle should be adjusted together. If either (angle or width) is incorrect, saddle fit is compromised. Adding or removing flocking to the vertical panels of the saddle doesn’t help – the gullet plate needs adjusting. Self-adjustable gullet plates allow only angle (not width) adjustment over the withers. Longterm damage can result if both width and angle are wrong.

Properly fitted saddle trees are wide enough with correct angles to avoid the spinalis muscle – the reflex point inhibiting forward movement. When a stallion mounts a mare, he bites her here to stand still, hollow her back, and rotate her pelvis. Locate this muscle, by drawing a line 4” down from the base of the withers; then draw a horizontal line back. Avoid this “triangle”! Pinching the horse here will hurt, and inhibit forward movement.

Watch the video at: schleese.com/Schleese-Saddle-Fitting-Tip-Nine-Tree-Width Tips 1 – 8: schleese.com/9PointChecklist Resistance, no engagement, hollow back, gait abnormalities, sore back…caused by poor saddle fit? Maybe. Find answers in personal diagnostic evaluation!

Ride pain free. For you. For your horse

Le Noir and donk ey ‘Löffel’ (“Spoon”) enjoyi ng some sunshine.

Saddlefit 4 Life Tips are provided courtesy of Schleese – the female saddle specialist. Tree width is one of the 80 points analyzed in a Saddlefit 4 Life diagnostic evaluation, performed on-site by certified representatives. Schleese offers on-site personal saddle fit sessions, saddle fitting to the biomechanics of movement, female saddle design, demonstrations and educational programs by Saddlefit 4 Life -- protecting horse and rider from pain and long-term damage.

saddlesforwomen.com or schleese.com equine wellness

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by bILL MILnE

Have a dusty arena? Here’s a look at some solutions – the good and the bad.

F

or decades, barn owners simply watered indoor arenas in an effort to keep dust under control. But as the horse industry grew to what is now over a million riders, most of whom want indoor facilities during the winter months, the freezing of wet footing quickly became an issue. People began to explore different options to help keep footing dust-free, and horse friendly. Let’s take a look at some of these options.

1Salts

Calcium chloride was an original natural solution, and is still in use today. But it can dry out your horse’s hooves, corrode parts of your arena or equipment, and create footing disposal problems.

Magnesium chloride is now in widespread use because it is considered less drying to hooves and is less corrosive in nature.

2Oils

One of next solutions was used motor oil or recycled hydraulic lubricant, which has been used for years and is still found in many arenas today. This oil keeps the dust down, without question, much like an oiled road. And less watering is required, which means fewer freezing issues. But dust, oil and lungs are not a healthy combination! When you consider your horse requires up to 72 times as much air as his you do, you

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realize this can lead to problems. Originally used oils, usually blended with surfactants to allow them to dissolve in the water used as a thinner, contained a host of unhealthy additives and contaminants. And multiple drums could be required for a standard arena on an annual basis.

In the last few years, many suppliers have changed over to “virgin oils”. These are food grade oils, but still petroleum-based and can result in lung issues. Some suppliers use natural plant-based oils, which on the surface seem like a good idea, but some footing experts have indicated they have been known to go rancid. Some are adding preservatives to this water/oil mix, but then you get away from the intended natural solution.

Once the footing, which normally has about a ten-year lifespan, needs to be replaced it has to be disposed of properly – and any oiled footing may be considered a contaminant.

3Loft agents

Wood chips are another popular add-in to sand footings. The theory is that the chips can hold moisture and help cushion the footing. When they are freshly applied, everything looks and smells great and seems to be effective. The difficulty is that

Dust, oil and lungs are not a healthy combination! When you consider your horse requires up to 72 times as much air as you do, you realize this can lead to problems. wood chips are quickly reduced to small, dusty particles by the repetitive pounding of horses’ hooves. So the “solution” can soon create a huge dust and health factor.

Chopped up used rubber tires came into vogue some years back as a great way to recycle the millions of worn out treads. The fabric on the scrap rubber held some moisture and the rubber appeared to give footing an added cushion effect, which appealed to owners and riders. Unfortunately, the fabric breaks down to dusty particles over time and the eventual footing disposal problem again raises its head.

A few companies are offering clean, fabric-free tire chips that can be added to footings for cushioning effect, or that may be used as the total 4” to 6” inches of footing itself. These can be used in indoor as well as outdoor arenas and can come in a few colors, like what you now see in some shrub garden and lawn areas. These products will solve any freezing and dust problems. They’re quite pricey, but they do have a long life factor. Companies can also bind these rubber chips together to make rugged, long-lasting stall mats.

4

it in health foods, gardens, composters and potted plants to help maintain moisture and control odor and ammonia.

Zeolite is a mineral formed millions of years ago when volcanic ash was deposited in water. It is almost a “miracle product” with numerous untold applications. You may have heard of its use in the medical field or agriculture, or in household products such as laundry detergent, cat litter, or aquarium filters.

Ground zeolite, which can act as a humidistat, may be fortified with natural biologicals and magnesium chloride to pull moisture from the air, resulting in a good all-natural dust control system.

Selecting a dust control product for your arena can seem like a daunting task. After all, you want to protect your horses and your arena. Good footing means comfortable, healthy horses and happy riders. Be sure to do your research to discover what dust control solution will work best for you.

BILL MILNE,

Zeolite

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MECHANICAL

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AERONAUTICAL TECHNOLOGIST

GRADUATE, HAS

BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RECREATIONAL PRODUCT LEADERS IN

We have worked with zeolite for over 30 years now, and decided to look down that track for arena dust control. Few North Americans are well acquainted with the capabilities of zeolite.

Europeans, on the other hand, know this product well and use

30 YEARS. BILL’S COMPANY ALEX MILNE ASSOCIATES LTD (ALEXMILNE.COM) DEVELOPS AND MANUFACTURES THESE UNIQUE PRODUCTS IN CANADA AND SELLS THEM TO THE GLOBAL MARKET. HE HAS ALSO SET UP A SERIES OF CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS, OEF, CAN-AM, EQUINE CANADA ETC, TO HELP ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO RAISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BAR. JUSTADDHORSES.CA THE EQUINE AND MARINE INDUSTRY FOR OVER

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HoTtoTRoT

Check out these cute and comfy items for the little riders in your life!

SPLISH SPLASH

Horse barns mean puddles and mud, both of which are magnets for kids. Keep yours clean and stylin’ in the adorable Hatley Running Horses rain coat and boots.

Coat sizes 2 – 7, $52.99.

Boots sizes 5 – 13, $37.99 hatleynature.com

BLUNNIES FOR ALL!

Fun and freedom from laces for kids and parents, too. The popular Blundstone boot is available in a traditional or rigger style. Each pair comes with an extra set of footbeds – just remove as tiny feet grow for months of extra wear!

Traditional style – sizes 8 to 4, rigger – sizes 8 to 3. $89.95 blundstone.ca/dealerlocator.html

ROOM TO GROW

Transition effortlessly from one activity to the next; the Kerrits Kids Microcord™ Bootcut is stylish enough to wear to school and then head to the barn! Featuring a cute and comfortable stretch fit for plenty of room to grow.

Sage or black, sizes S, M, L, XL. $69.00

A LITTLE BLING

Pink Equine designer pony bridles are customizable and made with CRYSTALLIZEDTM Swarovski Stones. The padded browband and noseband are available in a variety of colors, and you can mix and match sizes to get that perfect fit for your pony.

From $155.00 pinkequine.com

Want to see your line featured in Equine Wellness? Tip us off to any new trends at

kelly@equinewellnessmagazine.com 40

equine wellness

TRY ON FOR SIZE How one company’s passion for animals and natural products came together to help your horse look his best!

When you think of ingredients for grooming products, silk probably isn’t exactly the first thing that pops into your mind. But Equisilk has created a line based on this natural fiber – and it all started 22 years ago, when Basim Shami combined his love for animals with his knowledge of hair and grooming products.

“Basim always had a passion for animals, growing up on a farm that had everything from goats and cows to horses, dogs, cats and llamas … you name it,” says Basel Badran of the parent company, Pet Silk. “His dream was always to work with animals. Basim started working with his father’s company at a very young age. He personally helped manufacture and launch world-renowned brands such as CHI and Biosilk. During the process, he realized that the equine market was lacking a professional line. Something high quality, that would stand out from the rest of the grooming products, and that would deliver the best results for horse and owner.”

The word silk brings to mind images of rich fabrics, not shampoos – so why silk, and how does it work? “I’m proud to say we are the first company to use natural silk fibers as a major compound in our formulas.” says Basel. “Natural organic silk consists of 17 amino acids that are identical to the amino acids in hair. The amino acid composition penetrates the hair and permanently reconstructs it from the inside out.

Silk links hair fibers to strengthen, improve resiliency, shine, and restore moisture balance.”

Equisilk’s passion for animals extends to the companies’ policies. “We don’t ever test our products on our four-legged family members,” says Basel. “In fact, every product is always tested on Basim first, then our employees. That’s one of the reasons why I love being a part of the Equisilk family.” petsilk.com

equine wellness

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More to

Draft breeds are often overlooked and frequently end up in challenging situations, but one rescue is coming to the aid of these gentle giants.

L

isa Gordon grew up with horses, but wasn’t fully aware of what really happens to those sent to certain auctions, since the ones she attended as a child were high dollar sales.

Shortly after moving to Ohio in 2002, she attended the Sugarcreek Livestock auction – there she quickly learned what and who kill buyers were. “Our first save was a ten-year-old Belgian mare named Babe,” says Lisa. “I decided to spend time with her, re-home her and use her funds to go save another one or two. And that’s where it all started.” The same year, Frog Pond Farm Draft Rescue (frogpondfarmdrafts.com) was founded.

A happy future The majority of the horses at Frog Pond are older retirement age animals that have worked hard their entire lives. They are mainly placed into homes as family companions. Others go on to do fun farming, showing, therapy, medieval shows, search and rescue, and mounted police work. Frog Pond doesn’t allow its horses to go into commercial carriage companies, to be used as lesson horses, or placed in trail or camp programs – they want personal family homes for them. “We have a lengthy adoption application consisting of 15 pages,” explains Lisa. “This covers not only the adopter

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but also includes a section for the barn owner/manager if the horse is boarded. This releases the horse from being held as collateral should a board bill issue arise. We are strict on fencing and shelter, and we need to know that the potential home has the financial means to properly care for any needs the horse might have. References are also very important.”

The versatility of drafts “Draft horses make great husband horses, 4-H family horses, driving horses, and dressage, hilltopper, and cross country prospects,” says Lisa. “They are also good for riders who are concerned that their weight/height wouldn’t be suitable for a lighter breed. Drafts can do anything a light breed can do.”

She recommends paying attention to what areas your draft seems to enjoy and do best at – this will help you determine the proper path for him.

Bigger doesn’t always mean stronger Due to their size, there are some misconceptions about the exercise and handling of these breeds. “Far too many people believe that because drafts are larger, this allows them to be started under saddle at a younger age,” Lisa cautions.

Love by kelly HoWlinG

Our “Unfortunately, too many people start riding drafts as yearlings or two-year-olds. Drafts can grow until the age of six or seven.

A draft shouldn’t be backed or ridden until he is at least four years old. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy him during his formative years. These animals can be trained for driving as early as a year and a half. This will make your animal much more supple, responsive and smart. Spend the first few years driving and enjoying your draft before you make the step to ride him. Give him a chance to grow up so you don’t create problems for him in the future.”

“Draft horses make great husband horses, 4-H family horses, driving horses, and dressage, hilltopper, and cross country prospects.”

One thing owners need to understand is that these horses should not be made into big pets and allowed to do as they please. They can seriously injure or kill someone if allowed to use their size to get out of behaving. If you can’t handle your draft, seek out a qualified trainer and work with him or her to

featured adoptable horse

Name: Liam DOB: 2002 Breed: Brabant Physical description: 16.3hh blue roan gelding, blind in right eye (no issues - vet checked), rides and drives, picks up feet Background: Owner surrender, was used as a riding horse Suitable for: Trail, husband horse, 4H project – rides and drives Adoption fee: $2,000 Location: Cambridge, OH Contact: frogpondfarmdrafts.com equine wellness

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learn the proper methods of handling your draft.

Special needs Draft horses can require a significant amount of specialty care.

They require a more stringent diet, and just because they are larger doesn’t always mean they get more (this also applies to medications, such as sedatives). Not all farriers are willing to work on draft horses. And these horses will test and possibly wreck certain types of fencing in an effort to reach grass on the other side, or in itching/scratching. Drafts are also more stoic when dealing with pain than many light breeds. You need to know your horse well to be able to see when he is not acting quite like himself.

“These horses require a high fat, low sugar/starch diet,” says Lisa. “This means they need a pelleted feed, a high fiber such as beet pulp, and added oil such as Cocosoya to properly function. If they are fed a high sugar diet, they can get what is called EPSM (PSSM). This is basically a breakdown of the muscle (most prevalent in the hind end), causing stability issues.”

It takes a special home and person to take on one of these gentle giants – but they have so much to offer in return. If you are considering adding a draft to your family, Lisa suggests you research, ask questions, and volunteer where you can learn more about the requirements of these large but wonderful animals, before deciding to bring one home.

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How you can help: It takes funds and supplies to operate a rescue properly.

“We donate all our time to caring for these animals,” says Lisa. “We help horses of all ages and abilities, and only discriminate on medical/soundness issues if funds don’t allow us to properly help them. We are very big on being able to get these animals properly assessed for any medical or emotional issues. We always carry a balance on our vet bills due to the amount of care we provide our horses.”

• Frog Pond takes donations frogpondfarmltd@aol.com.

via

PayPal

to

• You can also make a donation directly to the rescue’s feed store (M&M Feed at 740-685-9600) or their vet (Valley View Animal Hospital at 330-364-2552 X3).

• Frog Pond loves it when people send packages of supplies! “We always have a need for Cococomplex oil (rubysaddle.com), and medical supplies such as bandages, vet wrap, Vetricyn spray, wound spray, Betadine, wormers, probiotics, and cleaning supplies (shampoos, conditioners and medicated treatments).”

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equine wellness

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by Dr. Heather Mack V.M.D.

Equine Raindrop Therapy may not be widely known, but this non-invasive modality is an excellent adjunct to other treatments used to help correct defects in the spine, minimize back pain, and strengthen your horse’s immune system. ellness can be achieved in many ways. Some people are more in tune with plant essences, while others may be more comfortable with micro-current or sound therapy. Or maybe hands-on massage or Reiki is your preferred pathway to balance and health.

The fun thing about essential oils is that they are as beneficial to you, the one applying them, as they are to the horse receiving them. Even barn mates or herd mates will benefit from inhaling the oils on their neighbor. In my experience, if you raise the vibration of even one member of the herd, the entire group gets healthier. If you have a calling to use essential oils on yourself or your horses, I recommend you consider adding Equine Raindrop Therapy to your toolkit.

1

Bringing the body into balance The basic principle of balance is to realign the spine and help the horse achieve equal standing on all four feet. I like to see my patients with “four on the floor”. With pelvic imbalances or asymmetric shoulders and/or front feet, the spine often compensates and the horse adopts habitual stances. You’d be surprised how many horses have difficulty standing “square” for even 30 seconds.

This is why I start the Raindrop treatment with the essential oil

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equine wellness

Valor on the sacrum, withers, poll, sternum, and all four bulbs of the heels. Valor balances the physical and electrical energies of the body and has been touted as a “chiropractor in a bottle”. The intention of guiding the body into the frequency of balance and harmony is the foundation of the treatment. Take your time and feel the horse blend into your energy as you hold the sacrum and then the poll with Valor in your hands. Inhale and exhale deeply and encourage the horse to breathe.

2

Boosting the immune system The next step involves applying a sequence of anti-viral, antimicrobial, anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory oils to the insides of the hind legs, stimulating the Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians. These are the most influential acupuncture meridians of the immune system. This opens the channels for easy elimination of toxins and inflammatory residues.

Sometimes, especially if I am treating a respiratory condition, I apply the same six oils: Thyme, Oregano, Cypress, Birch, Basil and Peppermint.

In these cases I apply the oils to the insides of the front legs as well – this will stimulate the Lung and Large Intestine meridians.

A Tibetan acupressure technique known as Vita Flex therapy is applied to the insides of the legs from the knees or hocks down

A series of Vita Flex techniques can be done along the spine to help release tension, alleviate fixations and relax ligaments, creating space for the spine to realign itself.

to the coronet bands. This is also an excellent time to do fascial release work on the hocks, fetlocks or knees while the oils are on board. Remember, the horse must have enough life force to be able to assimilate all these oils and the movement of energy! Be certain to consult with your veterinarian or your horse health advocate before you decide to do a Raindrop treatment on a very sick horse.

3

The raindrops The third step involves moving up to the spine. Be sure to have something safe and stable to stand on. The same six oils as well as Marjoram are dropped like raindrops along the spine from 6” to 9” above, moving from the sacrum forward to the withers (thus the name “Raindrop Therapy”). When you get really attuned to the oils, you can feel the differences in the vibration and energetics of each one. I strongly recommend you experience a raindrop treatment yourself before you give one to a horse. It is wonderful!

Before these oils are dropped on the spine, a mixing oil is applied generously over the spine to help diminish the heat of the Thyme and Oregano, and to help the oils travel down the hair shaft and into the skin. Mixing oils can be jojoba, grape seed, olive, almond, wheat germ, or coconut oil, or a combination thereof.

4

Spinal realignment

Aroma Siez is the last oil applied to either side of the spine on the paraspinal muscles, so they can relax while the spine rearranges itself.

A myriad of ligaments and connective tissues are found between and surrounding the vertebrae. I believe these oils go deep and release the tension – which can be physical, chemical and emotional – around the vertebral bodies. A series of Vita Flex techniques can be done along the spine to help release tension, alleviate fixations and relax ligaments, creating space for the spine to realign itself. I call them the “press”, the “push” and the “plow”. (These are too difficult to explain within the scope of one article – I recommend you get the DVD if you are serious about doing this therapy.)

Once the Vita Flex techniques have been done, a hot moist towel is rolled onto the horse’s back. A dry towel is placed over that to hold

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The intention of guiding the body into the frequency of balance and harmony is the foundation of the treatment. the heat in and absorb excess moisture.

Horses do not like water dripping down their sides while they are “marinating” with the oils on their backs. Depending on the weather, a light or heavy blanket is placed over the towels to keep them in place and to hold the warmth in for ten minutes or so.

During this time, I will often do some soft tissue work around the head and poll, some energy work on the horse’s etheric body, or simply just breathe with him. Sometimes it only takes a deep breath from the horse for the spine to give way to a more comfortable, supple and straighter alignment. Once I have taken the towel and blankets off, I like to let the horse move around by himself in a soft sandy pen or a well-bedded stall, so he can roll.

Signs of toxicity

areas of raised hair that looks like hives.

It’s proposed that viruses, bacteria or fungi hibernating in the spine cause many misalignments and some types of scoliosis.

These pathogens cause inflammation, which generates dis-“ease” and imbalances in the spine. These raised areas may persist for two to three days, so do not do your first Raindrop before an important event like a show or parade. Also, be sure the horse’s legs and back are very clean so you do not create scurfing.

Thyme and Oregano oils have a high phenol content, which can cause skin irritation or reactions. I see this mostly in horses with underlying toxicity in their systems. It is also important that the horse’s back be kept out of direct sunlight for at least eight hours after the treatment, as some of the oils can cause hypersensitivity with sunlight.

If toxins come out of the spine, you’ll see

Balanced humans make for balanced horses I recommend a thorough evaluation of the horse before doing a Raindrop. The feet and jaw must be balanced before the horse can achieve a long-lasting change in posture from the treatment. I teach simple postural rehabilitation stretches, myofascial releases, and gentle bodywork to do before and after the Raindrop. If you have your horse adjusted chiropractically, it is best if he can see his chiropractor within a week of the Raindrop treatment. However, quite often the horses are so loose that they can adjust themselves with stretches and rolling, and no manipulations are necessary.

Not only is Equine Raindrop Therapy great for sore backs, it’s also fabulous for boosting the immune system. You can do just one horse in a trailer load of six or eight horses traveling long distance, and the other horses will all benefit from inhaling the aromas of the oils. Or, if you are at a show and the neighboring horses are coming down with influenza, you can Raindrop your horses

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equine wellness

The Raindrop treatment starts with the essential oil Valor on the sacrum, withers, poll, sternum, and all four bulbs of the heels.

and not only protect them, but build a wall of defense for the rest of your barn.

Be certain you are feeling healthy and physically, emotionally and mentally balanced when you work on your horses. They are very telepathic with an extraordinary level of perception. They can feel whatever pain or suffering the person handling or administering to them is experiencing. When you maintain a stance of respect and integrity toward your own body, it will positively affect your horses’ well being. When you are truly committed to your own wellness, you transmit this attitude on a cellular level through your touch.

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Equine Wellness

Resource Guide • Associations • Barefoot Hoof Trimming • Chiropractors

• Communicators • Custom Cabinetry • Equine Naturopathy

ASSOCIATIONS Association for the Advancement of Natural Hoof Care Practices - AANHCP Lompoc, CA USA Phone: (800) 735-8480 Email: info@aanhcp.net Website: www.aanhcp.net

• Integrated Therapy • Massage • Photonic Therapy

BAREFOOT HOOF TRIMMING Back to Basics Natural Hoof Care Services Carolyn Myre, CBHA, CP, FL Renfrew, ON Canada Phone: (613) 432-3620 Email: carolyn@b2bhoofcare.com Website: www.b2bhoofcare.com

Servicing Greater Ottawa Area, Upper Ottawa Valley and some areas of Quebec.

Barefoot with Barnboots Johanna Neuteboom, Natural Hoof Care Practitioner Port Sydney, ON Canada

Equine Science Academy - ESA Derry McCormick Catawissa, MO USA Phone: (636) 274-3401 Email: info@equinesciencesacademy.com Website: www.equinesciencesacademy.com Equinextion - EQ Lisa Huhn Redcliff, AB Canada Phone: (403) 527-9511 Email: equinextion@gmail.com Website: www.equinextion.com Liberated Horsemanship - CHCP Warrenton, MO USA Phone: (314) 740-5847 Email: BruceNock@mac.com Website: www.liberatedhorsemanship.com

Phone: (705) 385-9086 Email: info@barnboots.ca Website: www.barnboots.ca Barefoot Horse Canada.com Anne Riddell, Certified Natural Hoofcare Practitioner Barrie, ON Canada Phone: (705) 427-1682 Email: ariddell@csolve.net Website: www.barefoothorsecanada.com Dr. Bonnie Harder - AANHCP Ogle, IL USA Phone: (815) 757-0425 Email: drbonniedc@hbac4all.com Website: www.holisticbalanceanimalchiro.com

Catherine Larose CBHA CP, Rigaud, QC Canada Phone: (514) 772-6275 Email: servicesequus@hotmail.com Natures Barefoot Hoofcare Guild Inc - NBHG Website: www.servicesequus.com Woodville, ON Servicing ST. Lazare, Hudson, Rigaud,Greater MonPhone: (705) 374-5456 treal and area Email: kate@natureshoofcare.com Certified Hoof Care Professional Website: www.natureshoofcare.com Miriam Braun, CHCP Stoke, QC Canada Phone: (819) 543-0508 Advertise your business in the Email: Hoofhealth13@yahoo.com Wellness Resource Guide Website: www.soinsdessabots-hoofcare.com 1-866-764-1212

• Schools & Training • Thermography • Yoga

Cottonwood Stables Chantelle Barrett - Natural Farrier Elora, ON Canada Phone: (519) 803-8434 Email: cottonwood_stables@hotmail.com Serving Ontario

Cynthia Niemela Minneapolis, MN USA Phone: (612) 481-3036 Website: www.liberatedhorsemanship.com Liberated Horsemanship Trimming Instructor

Dino Fretterd - CEMT Norco, CA USA Phone: (818) 254-5330 Email: dinosbest@aol.com Website: www.dinosbest.info Heart n’ Sole Hoof Care Jennifer Reinke - PHCP Phone: (310) 713-0296 Email: HeartnSoleHoofCare@gmail.com Website: www.heartnsolehoofcare.com Servicing Los Angeles County

Hoof Authority Asa Stephens, AHA, PHCP Las Vegas, NV USA Phone: (702) 296-6925 Email: asa@hoofauthority.com Website: www.hoofauthority.com Serving Nevada

Hoofmaiden Performance Barefoot Hoof Care Elizabeth TeSelle, EQ Leipers Fork, TN USA Phone: (615) 300-6917 Email: hoof_maiden@hotmail.com Website: www.blue-heron-farm.com/hoofmaiden Servicing Middle Tennessee and online

The Hoof Whisperer - NBHG Woodville, ON Canada Phone: (705) 341-2758 Email: info@thehoofwhisperer.org Website: www.thehoofwhispered.org

Servicing York, Durham, Brock & Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Jeannean Mercuri - PHCP Ridge, NY USA Phone: (631) 345-2644 Email: info@gotreeless.com Website: www.gotreeless.com Serving Long Island, NY

View the Wellness Resource Guide online at: EquineWellnessMagazine.com

equine wellness

49

eW Wellness ResouRce Guide conTinued

Jeff Chears Natural Hoof Care Dade City, FL USA Toll Free: (813) 967-2640 Phone: (352) 583-2045 Email: jchears@founderrehab.com Website: www.founderrehab.com

CUSTOM CABINETRY

Servicing the central Florida area and willing to travel

Kel Manning, CP, Field Instructor, NTW Clinician Knoxville, TN USA Phone: (865) 579-4102 Email: naturalhoofcare@me.com Kimberly Ann Jackson - LH & AANHCP Calabassas, CA USA Phone: (818) 522-0536 Email: KAJ@kimberlyannjackson.com Website: www.kimberlyannjackson.com Serving Agoura to San Diego

Natural Hoof Care Alicia Mosher - PHCP Cottonwood, CA USA Phone: (530) 921-3480 Email: alicia@hoofjunkie.com Website: www.hoofjunkie.com Serving Shasta & Tehama County

Randy Hensley Natural Equine Hoof - AHA Orient, IA USA Phone: (641) 745-5576 Email: randy@naturalequinehoof.com Website: www.naturalequinehoof.com

MASSAGE Horses2go Queensville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 251-0221 Email: horses_2go@hotmail.com Website: www.horses2go.com Serving Ontario - York Region

WITH OUTLINES

EQUINE NATUROPATHY NORMAL TEXT

WELLNESS RANCH

w w w. w e l l r a n c h . c o m

Turn Sickness into Wellness with

Dr. Cassie’s Wellness Consults

Certified Naturopath & Master Herbalist

www.WellRanch.com

INTEGRATED THERAPY

Sierra Acres Rockwood, ON Canada Phone: (519) 856-4246 Email: anneporteous@sympatico.ca

Including Acupressure - Complete health assesment to locate trouble areas

Professional Edge Equine Massage Southwold, ON Canada Phone: (519) 652-2789 Website: www.professionaledgeequinemassage.com

PHOTONIC THERAPY Natural Horse Power LLC Eaton, CO USA Phone: (970) 590-3875 Email: janet@naturalhorsepower.net Website: www.naturalhorsepower.net Serving Colorado and surrounding area

SCHOOLS AND TRAINING

Sarah Graves - CHCP Pueblo, CO USA Phone: (719) 406-9945 Email: msbarefootequine@yahoo.com Triangle P Hoofcare Chad Bembenek, AHA Founding Member Prairie Du Sac, WI USA Phone: (920) 210-8906 Email: chad@trianglephoofcare.com Website: www.trianglephoofcare.com

THERMOGRAPHY

Equine Sciences Academy Instructor

CHIROPRACTORS Dr. Bonnie Harder, D.C. Ogle, IL USA Phone: (815) 757-0425 Email: drbonniedc@hbac4all.com Website: www.holisticbalanceanimalchiro.com

COMMUNICATORS 1/24th Equine Wellness Animal Paradise

Communication & Healing LLC

Janet Dobbs Animal communication • Reiki Consultations • Classes

www.AnimalParadiseCommunication.com • 703-648-1866

1/24th Animal Wellness

Thermal Equine New Paltz, NY USA Phone: (845) 222-4286 Email: info@thermalequine.com Website: www.thermalequine.com ThermoScanIR Toronto, ON Canada Phone: (416) 258-5888 Email: info@ThermoScanIR.com Website: www.ThermoScanIR.com

YOGA Yoga with Horses Pemberton, BC Canada Phone: (604) 902-4556 Email: yogawithhorses@gmail.com Website: www.yogawithhorses.com

Animal Paradise 50

Communication & Healing LLC

View the Wellness Resource Guide online at: EquineWellnessMagazine.com

equine wellness Janet Dobbs

Animal communication • Reiki

KEEP your

COOL Part Two

w

Managing hydration and thermoregulation in warm environments is crucial to your horse’s health and performance.

by MicHael i. linDinGer, PHD

hatever the weather, your horse needs to stay properly hydrated. In the last issue, we discussed the importance of gut fill, the negative effects of heat stress and exercise on hydration, the importance of avoiding heat strain, and strategies for maintaining hydration status. Now let’s look at recovering hydration status and cooling your horse to prevent over-heating, selecting an electrolyte, and approaches for hydration monitoring.

Planning to prevent dehydration A normal horse with low/minimal activity in cool dry conditions loses 20 to 25 liters (5.3 to 6.6 gal) of fluid (water and electrolytes) per day. On a daily basis, the horse typically consumes this much water, and the electrolytes come from the feed. You do not need to do anything for a horse living like this, even in warm or hot conditions. The challenge occurs with training and competition.

Each hour of training results in sweat losses of water and electrolytes of ten to 20 liters, depending on the intensity of exercise and ambient heat and humidity. This is in addition to

the normal 20 to 25 liters of losses occurring per day. When the duration of activity/heat stress is more than one hour a day, the horse should receive supplemental electrolytes to maintain or recover hydration.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this series and consider the horse that did not eat and drink well, and was transported for an hour to a show site. By not having a good breakfast, it is safe to say this horse did not take in at least 8 liters (2.1 gal) of water (volume of the stomach), so gut fill could have been down by 8 liters or more. One hour of travel in a hot trailer resulted in a fluid loss, mostly through sweating, of 15 liters (4 gal). The deficit at arrival is therefore 23 liters (6 gal) – a horse would have to fully empty his stomach three times in order to gain back this volume. The 15 liters of sweating losses also puts this horse in the clinically dehydrated category because it represents a body fluid deficit of 5%. His wellness is already compromised and mental and physical performance will be somewhat impaired. So what to do?

Arrive early. Give your horse a minimum of two hours from equine wellness

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arrival until show time.

During this time, do everything you can you restore hydration for your horse. This can include giving him electrolyte solutions before, during and after transport.

Drinking must be encouraged after warm up and between shows and events. Use a system so you know how much your horse has consumed.

Keep your horse in a shaded area with good air circulation.

Do not cover your horse with anything – heat must be allowed to escape and not build up. A blanket should only be used when the horse is already cool and there is a risk of him losing too much heat (i.e. cold conditions). Many people make the mistake of covering a horse when he is still hot/ warm. Think of yourself – do you want to put on a jacket when you are hot and sweaty?

Scraping the warmed water from the horse’s coat is very important because the water and hair provide an insulating barrier against the removal of heat from his body tissues.

Some traditional thought says that allowing the horse to cool more rapidly may cause muscle cramping or colic.

These are myths, refuted by scientific studies. Muscle cramping and colic are caused by dehydration, excessively slow cooling, and inadequate water/electrolyte and feed intake. It is also a myth that allowing your horse to drink when he is hot, right after exercise, will cause colic. A horse will benefit greatly from drinking early, and as much as he wants – just like you would.

Selecting an electrolyte supplement The best products – of which there are very few – have an electrolyte composition that is balanced with respect to how much chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are lost through sweating. Sodium and chloride are required to restore fluids outside of cells, while potassium with chloride

A balanced electrolyte product • Chloride should be roughly equal to the sum of sodium + potassium + calcium + magnesium • Sodium needs to be twice that of potassium • Calcium should be 1/10 that of sodium • Magnesium needs to be ½ that of calcium 52

equine wellness

is important for restoring fluid inside cells. Calcium and magnesium in highly soluble forms are needed, together with sodium, potassium and chloride, to maintain normal muscle and nerve excitability. Have you ever noticed muscle cramping or thumps (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter) in a horse?

These are caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

The next challenge is getting the powder into solution so horses will drink it. Formulation and taste are very important. Flavoring agents are needed to hide the bitter taste of potassium, calcium and magnesium. Sometimes sucrose and fructose can be used, but only in sufficient amounts to sweeten the solution. The fructose may also help the gut absorb potassium. The powder should also be 30% to 50% by weight made up of dextrose (D-glucose), which serves as an energy source for intestinal cells and helps take up sodium and water more rapidly. It also helps the solution taste better.

Paste or powder?

A powdered supplement is recommended, dissolved in water according to label directions. This way, you know how much your horse is getting. When horses are not trained to drink, electrolytes can be injected into the back of the mouth by syringe, using either pastes or slurries. Some of this (sometimes a lot) ends up on the ground. Also, pastes and slurries are very concentrated and unless adequate water is consumed very soon, they can cause other problems. It is extremely difficult to give enough electrolytes by paste or slurry to replace what is going to be lost, or has already been lost, through sweating.

Some electrolytes balanced with water are better than none at all. Ideally, you want to have enough water and electrolytes in the gut to replace what will be lost through sweating over the next hour of activity. This can, and has, been achieved by many experienced riders and crews. It takes training, time and patience – and the payback is huge. Is it possible to give too many electrolytes? Yes, but only when given as pastes or slurries with not enough water. For each hour of activity,

10 to 20 liters (2.6 to 5.3 gal) of water/electrolyte solution will approach or maintain good hydration.

Monitoring hydration Monitoring your horse’s hydration is challenging, and this is also true for veterinarians working in field conditions. Traditional approaches to assessing hydration include the skin pinch test and the capillary refill test, but both are poor indicators of hydration because a normal response often occurs in dehydrated horses.

For the skin pinch test, the skin is grasped firmly between the thumb and forefinger, firmly lifted up, then let go. The “tenting� of the skin should disappear within one second.

Tenting for two seconds or more indicates dehydration.

For the capillary refill test, the upper lip is raised and the gum depressed with the soft part of the end of your finger for two seconds. The white spot should return to pink within one second; longer than two seconds indicates dehydration. It is not possible to know how dehydrated the horse is.

Thankfully, technology has brought better hydration monitoring to the horse community. A technique called bioelectrical impedance analysis is used to assess body composition (percent body fat) and hydration in people, ranging from athletes in training to neonates in intensive care wards. This technique has been adapted and validated for use in horses.

At present, there is only one commercially available horse product, the Equistat hydration monitor. To use this device, electrode straps are secured around the forelimb and hindlimb as shown below. The Equistat is connected to the electrode, and readings of impedance are detected by the device at different frequencies of very low input current. The procedure

The locations of the electrode straps on the horse for measuring hydration using the Equistat hydration monitor. equine wellness

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Dehydration index > 0.61 – No dehydration; horse is euhydrated 0.60-0.61 – Very mild dehydration of two to three liters (~1%) of TBW 0.59-0.60 – Mild dehydration of five to eight liters (~2%) of TBW 0.57-0.59 – Moderate dehydration of ten to 15 liters (3% to 4%) of TBW 0.55-0.57 – Clinical dehydration of16 to 20 liters (5% to 6%) of TBW 0.50 -0.55 – Severe dehydration of 20 to 25 liters (6% to 8%) of TBW The graph shows the decrease in hydration resulting from a period of high intensity training, and the subsequent slow recovery of hydration when fluid is not given until four hours after exercise.

are often an impediment to the horse’s natural ability to cool himself. Therefore the number one strategy is to let the heat get out of the horse, at least until he is fully cooled.

Keeping him out of sun is important for reducing radiant heat load, especially for dark-colored horses. If shading is sought indoors, there may be a tradeoff with lack of air movement – some wind or breeze is desirable to promote convective heat loss. If the horse can be situated in an area where there is a breeze to help evaporate sweat, this will provide a wonderful cooling advantage.

When the horse is hot and approaching or already in heat strain, aggressive cooling strategies are needed. Researchers from Ohio State University showed that repeated applications of ice-cold water and scraping the warmed fluid from the hair coat is a very effective way to rapidly cool hot horses. There were no muscle or cardiovascular problems and the procedure is considered very safe. When ice water is not available, ground water running out of a hose is a good choice. Ground water has a temperature of about 11°C (51.8°F) and, when coupled with repeated scraping of the water off the coat, can be used as an effective cooling strategy. Scraping the warmed water from the horse’s coat is very important because the water and hair provide an insulating barrier against the removal of heat from his body tissues.

Off to the show!

takes less than 20 seconds and the horse feels nothing except the straps. The device displays the size of the intracellular and extracellular fluid volume compartments, the TBW, and the dehydration index as well as some other values (see sidebar above).

Total body water (TBW) consists of two main compartments – the intracellular compartment (all the fluid inside cells) and the extracellular compartment (all the fluid outside cells, not including the gut).

Now you’re off to a good start. You have someone knowledgeable and trustworthy to look after your horse’s needs during his competition. He is already accustomed to drinking electrolyte solutions – large buckets are tied to the fence near the gate where they can be easily checked and refilled. The horse is fed early and has adequate time to drink.

Your friend loads him onto a light-colored trailer and ensures there is hay to eat and electrolyte solution to drink along the way. The trailer door is shut and the windows and vents kept fully open – it is promising to be a warm sunny day. Trailering goes well and the horse backs out nicely. He is a bit wet with sweat and drinks more electrolyte solution. He eats hay while surveying his surroundings with curiosity. You are pleased to see him looking so good – and you know you have done everything to prepare him for the day.

Strategies for keeping your horse cool Hopefully you are convinced that heat is not good for your horse. Many folks put blankets or coolers (misnomer!) on the horse when he is still hot, or when he will be warmed as a result of activity or transport. In many cases, this is not desirable and will contribute to prolonged durations of heat stress, sweating and dehydration. Even fabrics that “breathe”

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equine wellness

DR. MIKE LINDINGER HAS BEEN STUDYING HYDRATION AND FLUID BALANCE IN HORSES FOR 20 YEARS. HE HAS PUBLISHED NUMEROUS SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS ON THIS TOPIC. HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORM’N WIN ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENT FOR HORSES, THE EQUISTAT HYDRATION MONITOR, AND THE ON TO ATLANTA HEAT STRESS RESEARCH STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH.

BOOk reVieWs TITLE: Horses

and Humans AUTHOR: shan de Wey, cti, aetit, Vt, GF, lrt, es Shan de Wey has a vast and varied background working with horses, ranging from competitor, breeder and veterinary technician, to licensed racehorse trainer, teacher/coach, and Advanced Thermal Imaging Technician. In Horses and Humans – The Real Connection, she brings together her experiences and the lessons she has learned over the last 60 years on topics such as choosing a horse, groundwork, classical principles of riding, equipment, trainers and instructors, and more.

“Having spent the majority of my life with horses…I still find so many riders lacking a solid connection to the animal they seemingly wish to be in concert with,” writes Shan. “I have grave misgivings in many instances that our partners, the horses, are not getting a fair shake. It is my hope that this material will prompt the human to evaluate the reasons why he has chosen the horses as companions or athletic partners…ask what has motivated you to choose a relationship with an animal that is approximately ten times your weight and with a definite mind of its own.”

TITLE: natural

equine remedies AUTHOR: lorrie bracaloni, cHP As a Certified Holistic Practitioner and owner of Happy Natural Horse, Lorrie Bracaloni has come out with Natural Equine Remedies – Equine Owners Manual: Prevention, Solutions, Results. In this book, she shares her experiences on equine wellness, offering information on nutrition, herbs, homeopathics, muscle testing and acupressure (Ting points).

Lorrie also discusses the symptoms, causes, prevention and resolution of many common equine ailments, including abscesses, bowed tendons, colic, ulcers and wounds. You’ll also find many helpful suggestions about other books or articles to further your research and education, as well as product tips.

PUBLISHER: Happy Natural Horse

PUBLISHER: xlibris Corporation

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Creating

Paradise

Photo by Jill Willis.

Because we lease the acreage where the horses live, we kept all the elements inexpensive and very simple to install (or remove). We use step-in plastic electric fence posts with just one strand of electric fence tape (as shown here) with a solar-powered fence charger. “Chance,” 6, tested the fence on two different occasions the first week it was installed but has not crossed it ever since.

Building a Paddock Paradise for your horses can help simulate the natural movement and foraging habits of their wild ancestors.

by Jill Willis WitH JaiMe Jackson

F

or those not familiar with the concept of Paddock Paradise, it’s an increasingly popular way of boarding horses. It’s based on the naturally healthy lifestyle of U.S Great Basin free-roaming wild horses as written about in Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding by natural hoof care and wild horse expert, Jaime Jackson. According to Jackson’s research and studies, bands of family members travel along familiar routes he calls “tracks”, as they go from one place to the next in their various territories.

Because they are animals of prey, wild horse bands instinctively move in close formations across their home ranges as they seek

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out forage, water, rolling spots, other bands with whom they wish to interact, and many other activities essential to their biology and survival.

Tracking system By creating similar “tracks”, a Paddock Paradise encourages natural movement or travel in horses, upon which they will create their own “paths” – very narrow, worn down areas where travel or forward movement is the sole activity. As with wild horses, traveling along a familiar and efficient “path of least resistance”

seems to be the unspoken but well-understood objective among domestic horses as well. A track should be as wide as is necessary for the activity to take place – narrower in areas designed simply to move the horses, and wider in places where they’ll stop and camp, eat, sleep, rest, play, etc. In either case (track or path), the survival instinct is the driving force behind the movement.

Physical and psychological benefits Paddock Paradise lays out a broad template for creating tracks and has specific recommendations for stimulating movement based on a variety of natural equine behaviors. The principal goal is to facilitate health and soundness, both physical and mental, in domesticated horses. Paddock Paradise is the “cure” or antidote to the many conditions, illnesses and disorders afflicting domestic horses as a consequence of living in stalls or other forms of close confinement, or being turned out on lush, sugar-laden grass pastures that can cause laminitis.

In addition to preventing or rehabilitating preventable illnesses and diseases, a Paddock Paradise also minimizes or ends boredom, which often means an end to stall vices, irritability or depression.

When horses are allowed to live in a manner that more closely resembles their natural habitat, not only are they healthier but happier. A Paddock Paradise allows horses to be outside and moving 24/7, and lets them eat in a more natural manner by having constant access to the right kinds of food.

A reasonably natural diet The horse’s digestive system is not designed to endure long absences of food interrupted by an abrupt consumption of large meals – which is the manner in which many facilities feed. In the past six years, numerous Paddock Paradises have been created throughout the country and around the world – at both commercial boarding

A path in Nevada made by wild horses.

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Question time Is it possible to create a Paddock Paradise in a 1-acre field?

I have a typical field with thick lush grass. What’s the best way to start a track?

JJ:

Get rid of the grass by whatever means you have. How this can be done will be limited by track width and obstacles positioned in the track along the way. People use tractors with disks and blades, propane torches, non-toxic grass killers, animals like goats and sheep, or landscaping plastic laid on top of the grass and covered with soil, rock and gravel. Running tracks away from grassy areas also avoids these laminitis traps.

Does anyone use an automatic feeder? Or nets over large round bales?

JJ:

I’m an advocate of any forage feeding system that keeps hay available 24/7 and does not discourage movement.

Automatic feeders and large quantities of hay in one place may encourage horses to just stand and eat, leaving only to get water. Throwing hay on the ground along the track is the ideal and easiest way, but there may be aggravating circumstances such as strong winds, rain, mud and excess waste. If wind isn’t a problem, then toss only as much as the horses will eat without trampling, defecating, and urinating on it. Hay nets spaced in groups around the track seem logical if wind, ground waste or contamination become a problem. Of course, waste hay can be raked with dung and composted. You will be surprised how local gardeners will take every opportunity to get what they can off of a track if given permission!

I’m wondering how you would put the principles/ideas of Paddock Paradise into place if you don’t own the pasture, meaning you’re not allowed to make permanent changes?

JJ:

If the property owner is open to the concept, using temporary, easy to install electric fencing to build a track makes the most sense. “Step-in” fence posts made of plastic are relatively inexpensive and easy to install (and remove).

Once this is completed, it is simply a matter of being creative without making permanent changes. Use a solar fence charger if you don’t have access to electricity.

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Photo by Kirsty Hagger.

Photo by Jill Willis.

JJ:

One acre is about the “lower limit” for a Paddock Paradise (I often joke, “You can’t have a Paddock Paradise in a stall!”) but yes, it can work. One acre is equivalent to about 208’ x 208’, or 43,560 square feet. Adding up the lengths, regardless of the acre’s shape, the perimeter comes to about 834’, or a bit more than 1/8 of a mile – that is, if only the perimeter is used. If the track is designed to wind through the acre, then its length will increase commensurately. I understand many horse owners do it this way, and I think it is a good idea, unless open space in the middle of an outer perimeter track is the objective. Of course, expect the horses to move continuously along the track from one activity to the next. Distance wise, this will add up quickly, and much to the benefit of the horse.

Left: Periodic explosions of excitement - or natural forces of nature - on the track help keep the horses in excellent aerobic and muscular shape.

Top right: The beauty of Paddock Paradise shows up in their hooves!

Bottom right: The hooves of a wild horse living in the High Desert area of Grand Junction, Colorado.

facilities and on private properties.

Providing a “reasonably natural diet” through a variety of grass hays in a free choice manner is a staple of the Paddock Paradise system. Depending on where you live, you may wish to spread numerous small piles of hay throughout various eating areas on the track, or place it inside slow feed hay nets located strategically along the track at designated eating areas or feed stations. The nets help avoid waste from winds and prevent hay from being mixed into muddy areas, or soiled with urine and feces. Mud is definitely one of the most frustrating elements for horse owners to contend with in wet climates. It is worth having dirt or a road base brought in to keep the track dry and well-drained.

In summary, creating a Paddock Paradise for your horses will help them live more closely to how nature intended. The physical and mental benefits are immeasurable and long lasting.

JILL WILLIS IS A NATURAL HOOF CARE/HORSE CARE ADVOCATE AND BOARD MEMBER OF THE AANHCP (ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF NATURAL HORSE CARE PRACTICES) AND A PARTNER OF JAIME JACKSON’S AT THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF NATURAL HORSE CARE PRACTICES. HER OLDEST HORSE, ZA APOLLO+ (NOW 24 YEARS) SPENT MOST OF HIS FIRST 19 YEARS SHOD ON ALL FOUR FEET AS A RESULT OF HER IGNORANCE, AND GETS ALL THE CREDIT FOR HER SHIFTING TO A DIFFERENT AND BETTER PARADIGM. JAIME JACKSON

IS A

35-YEAR

VETERAN HOOF CARE PROFESSIONAL, LECTURER, AUTHOR,

RESEARCHER AND NOTED EXPERT ON WILD AND DOMESTIC HORSE HOOVES. IN THE EARLY

2000S, JAIME CREATED THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NATURAL HOOF CARE PRACTITIONERS, NOW CALLED THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF NATURAL HORSE CARE PRACTICES (AANHCP.NET). HE HAS PUBLISHED FIVE BOOKS – THE NATURAL HORSE: LESSONS FROM THE WILD; THE HORSE OWNER’S GUIDE TO NATURAL HOOF CARE; FOUNDER: PREVENTION & HEALING THE NATURAL WAY; PADDOCK PARADISE: A GUIDE TO NATURAL HORSE BOARDING AND THE NATURAL TRIM (FORMERLY THE OFFICIAL TRIMMING GUIDELINES OF THE AANHCP).

JAIME RESIDES IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.

Marketplace

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If you would like to advertise in Marketplace, please call: 1-866-764-1212

Classifieds associations THE CANADIAN ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORKERS ASSOCIATION (CAMBA) – Mission is to network, encourage and maintain a high standard of business practice within this growing industry & take advantage of the more affordable premiums of a group rate insurance. Canadian Inquiries: www.c-amba.org, bootcamp147@orilliapronet.com INTERNATIONAL ASSOC. OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK/ ASSOC. OF CANINE WATER THERAPY – Welcome trained practitioners of Animal Massage & Bodywork. The IAAMB/ACWT supports and promotes the practitioners of complementary care for animals through networking, continuing education, website, online referrals, newsletters, insurance, annual educational conferences, lobbying and credentialing of schools. www.IAAMB.org

Bare Hoof TRIMMING THE HOOF WHISPERER – Barefoot trimming for your equines – horses and donkeys. We trim to promote hoof function and hoof health. Member of Nature’s Barefoot Hoofcare Guild, Inc. Serving York, Durham, Brock, Kawartha Lakes and Oro-Medonte. www. hoofwhisperer.org info@thehoofwhisperer.org or Call Paola di Paolo (705) 341-2758

Bitless Bridles NURTURAL HORSE BETTER BITLESS BRIDLE – Is ideal for those who want to school without a bit or are avid trail riders. The design is extremely durable, and the hardware is top-notch. This bridle is highly effective, never compromising safety or control. It is ideal for Western and English disciplines alike. Many riders will appreciate the variety of colour and material options available – truly an all-around bridle. www.nurturalhorse.com or (877) 877-5845

breeders ONCE UPON A FARM –Gypsy Vanner Horses for sale – all ages and training levels. Once Upon a Farm, Canada’s first Gypsy Vanner Farm, breeds traditional, classic Gypsy Vanners. www.gypsyvannerhorses.ca or call for an appointment to visit the farm. (613) 476-5107

COMMUNICATORS JANET DOBBS – WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATIONS. Animal communication, Animal/Human Reiki.

Deepening the bond between animals and humans.

For information about hosting a workshop in your area. janet@animalparadisecommunication.com, (703) 6481866 or www.animalparadisecommunication.com

Equine Events – Exhibitors Wanted

8-10, 2013. Join us as a vendor. www.Holistic-Herd.com info@holistic-herd.com (970) 631-7812

natural products ARENA DUST CONTROL – “Just Add Arenas” #1311 is a DIY, all natural dust control for indoor arenas. Simply spread the granular product and let the horses work it in. No more watering or oiling. Free footing assessment testing. www.justaddhorses.ca for video. (800) 563-5947 CALIFORNIA TRACE – Is a concentrated trace mineral supplement designed for horses on west coast forage diets. In addition to the balanced trace minerals, each serving contains biotin, vitamin A, vitamin E, lysine and methionine. California Trace supports optimal hoof growth and healthy coats that resist sun bleaching and fading. A common comment from customers after just a few months of feeding California Trace is that their horses seem to “glow.” It’s not unusual to see the incidence of skin problems and allergies decrease over time while feeding California Trace. www.californiatrace.com or (877) 632-3939 ECOLICIOUS EQUESTRIAN – Detox your grooming routine with natural earth friendly horse care products so delicious, you’ll want to borrow them from your horse. 100% Free of Nasty Chemicals, Silicones & Parabens. 100% Naturally Derived & Organic Human Grade Ingredients, Plant Extracts & Essential Oils. www. ecoliciousequestrian.com letusknow@ecoliciousequestrian.com (877) 317-2572 FOR LOVE OF THE HORSE – Natural Herbal Horse Health Care. Contemporary Chinese Herbal Solutions precisely formulated to target the root of the issue; Immune Health, Insulin Resistance, Laminitis, Hoof Abscesses, Gastric Ulcers, Allergic Skin Reactions, Pain Relief, Uveitis and more. Nourish your Horse’s Health at the Source. (866) 537-7336 www.forloveofthehorse.com HEALTH-E is the most potent equine vitamin E in the country at over 16, 000 units/oz. Contains all 8 forms of vitamin E including the natural form for complete protection. Lowest price per unit in the USA. www. equinemedsurg.com equimedsurg@aol.com (610) 436-5154 STALL BIO-SECURITY – JJust Add Horses “Stall SecureSpray” #1317. Instantly any stall can be like a hospital. Also use for buckets, tack, equipment and trailers. A must for shows! Leading Tack shops, Country Depot, System Fence, Spectrum Nasco. www.justaddhorses.ca, (800) 563-5947 VETTEC HOOF CARE – Equi-Pak Soft (46118) is about 2x softer than regular Equi-Pak, Stays soft (even in cold temperatures), Durable with a strong bond, Perfect for deep commissures and thin soles, 40 second set time. www.vettec.com, (800) 483-8832, info@vettec.com

HOLISTIC HORSE AFFAIR –Over 15, 000 attendees in 3 days? Where? The Holistic Horse Affair at the 2013 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in Denver, CO from March

ORDER YOUR CLASSIFIED AD 1-866-764-1212 or classified@equinewellnessmagazine.com

Retailers & Distributors Wanted EQUINE LIGHT THERAPY – Many veterinarians and therapists offer their clients the healing benefits of photonic energy with our Equine Light Therapy Pads!

Contact us to learn more about the advantages of offering them through your practice! According to “Gospel”…Equine Light Therapy/Canine Light Therapy. www.equinelighttherapy.com, questions@equinelighttherapy.com, (615) 293-3025 HORSE & DOG TREATS – Canadian made – no additives or preservatives. Your horses and dogs will love it! We work closely with and support our retailers – check us out @ www.barnies.ca or call (905) 767-8372 HORSE QUENCHER™ - the “official hydration product” @ the 2008 Olympics - contains 100% natural grains and flavors that will entice your horse to drink! Prevent dehydration - your inexpensive “health insurance”.

Seeking Canadian Dealers! Contact: kara@horsequencher.ca ● www.horsequencher.ca SEABUCK CANADA – Seabuck is a natural equine health product and performance product for all classes and breeds supporting healthy digestive function, maintain health skin and coat, and promote healthy reproductive function. www. professionaledgeequinemassage.com ronkjones@ yahoo.com (519) 652-2789 THE PERFECT HORSE™ - Organic Blue Green Algae is the single most nutrient dense food on the planet with naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals and amino acids; all are provided in The Perfect Horse (E3Live® FOR HORSES) Our product sells itself; other make claims, we guarantee results. Join a winning team at www.The-Perfect-Horse.com (877) 357-7187 sales@e3liveforhorses.com

schools & training EQUINE GUELPH – Stay at home and ride your horses while you study online with the University of Guelph.

Equine Guelph provides expertise and leadership through online learning and professional development courses. www.coles.uoguelph.ca info@coles.uoguelph.ca INTEGRATED TOUCH THERAPY, INC. – Has taught animal massage to thousands of students from all over the world for over 17 years. Offering intensive, hands-on workshops. Free brochure: (800) 251-0007, wshaw1@ bright.net, www.integratedtouchtherapy.com

supplements PERFORMANCE EQUINE USA – Magnesium Deficiency – What you need to know! Low Magnesium levels may be the culprit for behavior issues. Chronically sore back, works up not down, inconsistent, spooky, wary, repetitive motion. www.equinemagnesium.com (707) 766-8624

Equine Wellness Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising submitted, make stylistic changes or cancel any advertising accepted upon refund of payment made.

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EVENTS Spruce Meadows Masters Sept 5-9 2012 - Calgary, AB

Extreme Mustang Makeover October 19-21, 2012 – Clemson, SC

The Royal Winter Fair November 2-11, 2012 – Toronto, ON

The best athletes from the world’s top show jumping nations compete for prize money and international acclaim during the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. Family entertainment and shopping opportunities are available for guests from Wednesday to Sunday.

For the first time in history, the Extreme Mustang Makeover is visiting Clemson, South Carolina!

Join us to see 90-day trained Mustangs and their trainers compete for approximately $25,000 in prize money! All competing Mustangs will be available for adoption by the public on Sunday October 21, 2012. Youth’s are also invited to participate in this event through the Youth & Yearling Mustang Challenge hosted by Mike Branch (Flying B Horsemanship).

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Where Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors are declared champions and where hundreds of thousands of attendees come to learn, compete, shop and have a great time with friends and family.

www.sprucemeadows.com

CEEAA Canadian Equestrian Equipment & Apparel Association - Fall Show September 15-17, 2012 – Toronto, ON Established in 1972, the Canadian Equestrian Equipment and Apparel Association is eastern Canada’s premier trade event for Equestrian Retailers. With both Spring (February) and Fall (September) markets, the CEEAA offers retailers a chance to connect with over 40 specialized equestrian wholesalers in one easy-to-access venue. www.ceeaamarket.ca

AAQH - Congress All American Quarter Horse – October 5-28 2012 - OH, USA The World’s Largest Single-Breed Horse Show.

The show receives more than 17,000 horse show entries during its three-week schedule. www.oqha.com/aaqhc

The Mane Event October 19-21, 2012 – Chilliwack, BC The Mane Event Equine Education & Trade Fair is set to open at Heritage Park in Chilliwack on Friday, October 21 for the 8th year. The lineup of renowned equine experts will be sharing their knowledge with equine enthusiasts over the three days of the expo, while the trade fair has grown yet again, offering a huge array of equine- related products and services for everyone’s shopping enjoyment.

www.royalfair.org

www.extrememustangmakeover.com

Alltech National Horse Show Oct 31- Nov 4 - Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park - Lexington, KY. This year’s show will offer over $600,000 in total prize money, including a huge Open Jumper division. The Open Jumpers will feature $420,000 in total prize money, including the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix. In addition, this year’s show has been designated CSI-W 4*, with the Alltech Grand Prix being an all important FEI East Coast League World Cup qualifying event www.alltech.com

Equine Affair November 8-11, 2012 – Springfield, MA Equine Affaire’s legendary educational program forms the cornerstone of the event. Soak up information and advice at more than 230 clinics, seminars, and demonstrations on a wide variety of equestrian sports and horse training, management, health, and business topics.

Enjoy one-stop shopping at Equine Affaire’s huge trade show with more than 475 of the nation’s leading equine-related retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and organizations. www.equineaffair.com/massachusetts

AAEP American Association Of Equine Practioners Three full days of clinics, demonstrations, seminars, kids activities, shopping and equestrian Dec 1-5 - Anaheim, CA Equine Extravaganza November 2-4, 2012 – Richmond, VA

fun, Mustang adoption, Horse Rescue Initiative, Trail Challenge, Retired Race Horse Training Project. Equine Extravaganza brings the best in everything equine to our attendees. Attend demonstrations on dressage, eventing, jumping, western pleasure, gaited horses, general training, driving, and more are combined with great family entertainment, educational seminars, breed demonstrations, the best vendors the horse industry has to offer, trailer shopping extravaganza, and so much more!!

This year’s educational program delivers sessions that will improve your ability to diagnose, manage and restore the health of the horses you see in your day-to-day veterinary practice. You’ll have opportunities to investigate specialty topics and acquire insight from experts in various fields. www.aaep.org

www.equineextravaganza.com

www.maneeventexpo.com

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