Club Equestrian

Help for a Stolen Mustang Mare; History of the Arabian Breed; New Eventing Medal Program

galloping_on — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:14:00 GMT

Happy New Year to everyone! The office here was closed until today so things were quiet on the blogging front, but I’m ready to get back into it with all the interesting tidbits from the horse world. Here are a few items that caught my eye this morning.

It’s a bit heartbreaking to hear about someone’s horse being stolen. So when I came across this story about this family’s Mustang mare, I thought I would share in the small hope that maybe somebody will read this, go to the article and then spot this horse out somewhere and help reunite it with the owner. It’s a reach I know, but you never know.

It’s important that when buying a horse that we look into the horse’s history as best we can. And if you’re interested in helping others who have lost their horses, you can also find out more about stolen horses across the country at NetPosse.com. This website is dedicated to the mission of helping owners reconnect with their lost steeds.
I’d love to come across articles on the history of any breed. The first I saw was on the Arabian horse. It was short, but informative. A lot of it I knew already, since I have read books on Arabians, but for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Arabian, this article was a great introduction into this beautiful breed. If anybody spots any other articles like this, drop me a comment.
If I was into eventing, I would so be into the United States Eventing Association’s (USEA) new Eventing Medal Program. Eventers can accumulate points to earn medals as they go through the various levels. It sounds fun and according to the USEA press release, there are several goals in mind for this: “There are several goals of this new program, the most important being that as we strive to make eventing safer by changing the dominant culture from focusing on moving up the levels to focusing on mastering the skills demanded by each level. Also, we would like to provide a goal to our members who, for various reasons, do not consider moving up the levels a goal. This new program will also allow the horse to achieve a medal separately from the rider, which provides owners an additional sales tool.”

Alas, I am not quite brave enough for eventing, but if anybody reads this and gets involved with this program, I’d love to know what you think of it.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Breeding the Welsh Pony/Cob

dr_ruth — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Keep a clear picture of what you want to breed. Study pedigrees and the successes of well-known breeders. Don’t be afraid to cull something from your breeding plan when it doesn’t work out. Don’t be “barn blind.” Remember it takes just as much to raise a mediocre pony as it does a superstar!

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

The Good Competition Horse

tmcquay — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:06:00 GMT

You want a horse with a great mind, to start with. You can get a horse to do a lot, but if you can’t control it, that doesn’t help you either. My best advice there is to buy one that wants to be a show horse. There are just certain horses that just say, “I’m a show horse.” They’re not all that perfect individual every day, but having a nice horse that you can get along with, it sure does help. I would say find one that fits you, that you feel very comfortable on, that has smoothness of ride. Make sure that you enjoy being with that horse. You want a partnership. Make sure you enjoy feeding him. There are some quirky things you can put up with. For instance, people hate cribbers, yet some of the best horses I have won on have been cribbers. I don’t do much with them because it’s hard to sell them. But don’t throw it out of realm of possibilities.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Vocal Recognition Proven; Kudos to the USEF Vaulter of the Year and Coach of the Year

galloping_on — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

New evidence from a study done in Sussex, Great Britain, provides support that horses can recognize each other by vocal recognition. It was previously thought that horses could not mix various signals from their senses to recognize individuals, but now scientists recognize that one neigh can tell a horse that his best friend is around the corner, or perhaps the bully from the herd.
Kudos go out to Elisabeth Osborn of Woodside Vaulters for her USEF Vaulter of the Year award, and to Isabelle Bibbler Parker for her USEF Coach of the Year award. At only 18-years-old Elisabeth has traveled the world—from the Czech Republic to France to Germany—competing for the United States Equestrian Team. To read more about this, you will have to scroll down at the link since there are other articles on this page.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Heart, Temperament and Talent Make the Horse

gary_mullen — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:02:00 GMT

“Heart” is something that some great show horses have. Baroque breeds, and many other breeds are known to have this trait. You want a horse that has a good work ethic. Temperament is of the utmost concern. The temperament MUST be suitable for the temperament of the rider. Also, you must have a horse with talent for the respective event. It is often much easier to train a talented horse, the “natural,” the one built to do its job. Study the desirable conformation and temperament qualities for a dressage horse, a reiner, a Western pleasure horse. Every horse has its niche, but maybe not for the event you prefer. Be realistic; training can only go so far.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Online Horse Stories of All Types; Big Roof for Del Mar Horse Arena

galloping_on — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Are you one of those people addicted to reading online? Perhaps you’re reading anything and everything. Well, if you’re reading this blog, my guess is you are into horses, although I make no claim to psychic abilities on that one. Well, if you’re looking for further reading of interesting horse stories, look no further than horse2heart.com. It’s a new equine website developed for funny stories, vacation stories, emotional stories, inspiring stories, sad stories, scary stories, and, oh yeah, horse poetry. So, curl up with that laptop in the comfy seat in front of your fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate (if you live in one of those cold states like I do) and enjoy.
In news from California’s Del Mar Fairgrounds, the main horse arena is getting a roof so that the facility can be used year-round. While this should bring in increased revenue, environmental concerns have created a lot of debate over the project. Despite that, crews are hard at work.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

galloping_on — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Just a quick note to say, "Merry Christmas!" and "Happy Holidays." I'm off in Arizona enjoying time with family. I hope all get to enjoy some time off and special time with loved ones.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Catch the Judges Eye

archie_cox — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:43:00 GMT

What judges look for is a neat, tidy, clean, confident picture. A beautifully turned out horse and rider stand out. It does not cost anything to be neat and clean; all that is required is a little extra elbow grease. A crucial part of presenting the perfect picture is ensuring your tack is well fitted and your saddle pads are clean and white.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Horse Documentaries; The Re-introduction of Horses to North America

galloping_on — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The TV station, PBS, has done several different shows on horses. If you click on the headline of any of these, you can view a preview video, or sometimes the entire video, read an introduction, purchase the video and more. One of the most well-known is probably the show about the wild stallion named Cloud. His story is a touching one and gives a great look into the life of wild horses.
Here’s part of a documentary on the re-introduction of horses to North America 500 years ago. It demonstrates the importance of the horse to early settlers. This piece was produced by the BBC’s show, “Wild New World.”

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Horse Genome Project; George Morris in Action

galloping_on — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

It’s amazing when so many people can work together for a common goal—over 100 scientists in 20 countries are working on the Horse Genome Project. This project will allow scientists to map the DNA sequence of the domestic horse in order to help us understand how genetics influence physiology and disease. It’s a fascinating thing to me and the full impact of this project probably won’t be known for years. In a way, it boggles the mind that we are even able to do this. The website gives insight into the people and the horses working on the project and the progress so far.
So he’s a legend in the hunter/jumper world. He has won some of the top events in the world himself, taught the best of the best in the show jumping world, written books, and teaches clinics. In this video, you can hear George Morris coaching riders on the flat. And in this video, you can see the impact George Morris has had on others and watch part of a clinic.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Equine Job Hunting; Equine Nutrition Education

galloping_on — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

So the USEF office is closed this week, but that doesn’t mean I can’t leave you with a few cool sites this week. With the economy the way it is, some of you may find yourself seeking a new job, or maybe you’re just hoping to find a new perfect equine job or perhaps you’re new to the industry. Either way, there are several sites that can help you find that perfect job. Check out www.horsejobsonline.com, www.horsejobs.com, or www.equimax.com. If you are job hunting, best of luck to you.
Another source for equine education online is www.omoleneuniversity.com. This website created by Purina Mills is dedicated to helping horse owners learn more about equine nutrition. Plus you can earn discounts on feed and other great prizes. In addition, Purina will donate $1 to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) after you complete classes 1-4. So you get to learn, win stuff, and help others—all in one shot. How fun!

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Benefits of Professional Help for Drivers

Lisa Singer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:13:00 GMT

Get some professional help so you do not make a mistake such as spending needless money on equipment that very soon you will realize that you need to sell and get the more appropriate thing. Then I advise drivers to volunteer to learn about the aspects of competing in a CDE.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Amazing Quarter Horses; Finding That Right Riding Instructor for You

galloping_on — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The American Quarter Horse Association is allowing members to vote for the top Quarter Horse that has touched someone’s life for the MD Barns Spur Award. Voting ends December 31, so if you’re interested, vote soon. There are definitely some very unique horses up for this award.
Looking for a riding instructor? Look no further than http://www.chainstructors.com/, which has a database of over 3,500 riding instructors. You can find an English or Western instructor, a trail guide, an instructor for riders with disabilities, season equestrian staff, an equine facility manager, a vaulting coach, and much more. And the best part is that they have been certified by the Certified Horsemanship Association, a well-respected organization that has been around for 40 years that is dedicated to certifying the skilled and safe instructors.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Save Your Horse’s Mouth, Stop with Your Seat

jgoodnight — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:57:00 GMT

You probably learned to “kick to go” and “pull to whoa” from the very start of your riding career. While this simplistic view of communicating with your horse may get you through the first few rides, you want to learn some finesse. While all the natural aids are important to master—seat, legs, hands and voice—your horse will feel your seat aids first. When you make sure that you’re using your seat correctly, you won’t have to pull so hard to make your horse whoa. Your refined and combined cues will save your horses mouth and ensure your horse gets your message as soon as possible.

No horse wants you to pull on the reins. Even with the lightest touch, your backwards rein cue means your horse feels metal in his mouth. What’s more, most horses want to stop; they’re fundamentally lazy and usually don’t need tons of rein pressure to stop. Your horse will be glad to stop when he feels your seat cue and before he feels pressure from the reins and bit. Sadly, most horses don’t know their riders want to stop until they feel a pull on their mouths. They haven’t been given the gift of a gentler aid given before a panicked pull on the reins. Learn to cue your horse in a sequence so he can learn to stop with subtle cues. Before you pull on the reins, make sure to say “whoa” and sit down on your pockets. This sequence—providing voice and seat aids before rein aids—will save your horse’s mouth and make him a happier, more willing partner.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Controlling Wild Horse Populations; USEF Horse of the Year Nominees

galloping_on — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

In a twist to help control the wild horse population, equine birth control methods are now being used. An immunocontraception vaccine will help prevent the need for round-ups of wild horses. And to get to these wild horses to administer the vaccines, Land Rover has donated two vehicles. It's an interesting look into how scientific advances can change nature.
Since we have voting for the USEF Horse of the Year award going on right now, I thought I would seek out video or photos for the five horses. You can check out the horse’s videos and photos by clicking on their names: Jamaica; Adams Fire; Dante FQ (photos, couldn’t find a video); Flexible; Tiziano (only one photo out there).

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Fire Prevention; Breeders Cup Reversal

galloping_on — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Unfortunately, tragedies happen. Such as the barn fire that killed 15 horses in Pierce County, Washington. And some tragedies can be avoided. This fire was caused by a fallen space heater. It serves as a reminder about fire safety in barns. Equestrian magazine has done several articles on fire safety—Fire Safety: Making Every Moment Count and When Nature Turns Nasty.
So it didn’t take long for the Breeders Cup board of directors to reverse their decision to cancel the Breeders Cup Stakes program. It seems the program is back on after a backlash about last week’s announcement.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Deaf Intercollegiate Rider Denied Interpreter; Maryland EHV-1 Update; Peppers Pride's Perfect Streak

galloping_on — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Well, here’s an “oops” in my eyes. Why would a school deny a deaf girl an interpreter when requested? Here’s the story: A deaf equestrian team member at the University of Kentucky has been denied an interpreter, and so far administrators have not responded to her appeals. Jena Richards requested the interpreter for equestrian team events, and the appeal was denied because it was not a classroom need or for a school-related event. So here this young rider is representing her school for an official team, and they don’t consider that a school-related event. I don’t get it. Does anyone care to explain that one to me.

And an update on the equine herpesvirus situation in Maryland that I mentioned on December 10^th—a horse from the quarantined barn now has a fever, but has initially tested negative for EHV-1. A second test will make sure that was not a false positive. Another horse has tested positive, but shows no signs of illness. He is now isolated, and officials are still monitoring the situation carefully. And then a horse at another facility has come down sick and they are testing to see if it is EHV-1. Hopefully it has not hit another facility.

So a quick note as a follow-up from my December 12^th posting, Peppers Pride won her 19^th race in a row. It looks like retirement is next. I believe she has earned it.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Putting in the Time

kristin_bachman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:52:00 GMT

For amateur riders, the biggest challenge is finding time. Many riders have jobs, and riding is only a hobby. In this sport you really have to put in the time doing your homework, and spending quality time in the saddle. Part of being a successful event rider has to do with ensuring you are capable of going out and accomplishing what you set out to do. This comes from taking lessons, practicing what you’ve learned in lessons, and just getting to know your horse. It goes back to having a good trainer, someone who is qualified and has the time to ride your horse when you are unable to. Having your trainer ride your horse not only keeps him in shape, but helps him remember how to do his job correctly.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

What? No Breeders Cup Program; Equine-Assisted Therapy

galloping_on — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Okay, I admit it, I’m starting to think I might have a little too much racing news in here, so I’ll have to work on that, but with this one, you can really start to see the effect the economy is having on the horse industry. The Breeders Cup Program is cutting out the stakes program leading up to the big day of championships. At first I read the story wrong and I thought they were cutting out the championships, but I have read other material to realize that is not the case...thank goodness. To me, and many others, that is the ultimate day in racing…hours of championship races with the top horses from the year taking a stab at end of the year titles. And a way to see all the top horses in the country, and some from around the world, all in one day. All I can say is, the ailing economy strikes again. Sigh.
So for those that need therapy, what is as effective as “talk” therapy? Why equine-assisted therapy, of course. A peer-review publication of the American Counseling Association published conclusive results from a study that compared children in a 12-week Equine-Assisted Counseling program vs. those in a more traditional guidance counseling setting. With the equine-assisted therapy, the use of the horse created more positive behaviors and less negative behaviors from the study participants. Read more on how the therapists used the horse to help.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

One Step at a Time

gmorris — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:59:00 GMT

Simplicity is a basic part of my system; we teach one thing at a time. When we teach a rider about his legs, we don’t worry about his hands. When we teach a rider about a shoulder-in, we’re not too worried he’s got a little roach in his back. If we’re teaching a rider about his release at a jump, we’re not worried about his eyes. Especially at low levels of riding, we’re very strict about keeping things simple. At first, we teach essentially one thing at a time. Later we teach a sequence of two or three things, step by step, in a row. When a rider knows each of the little parts, then we put them together. When teaching is done this way, learning is quicker. It takes longer to learn if the rider is taken out into the ring without a simple program or structure. He’s confused if several instructions are thrown at him at once, over and over again. That’s what we call cluttering.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

18,000 Horses with the Flu; Peppers Pride--One Last Time?; New Website for Morgan Enthusiasts

galloping_on — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:14:00 GMT

Can you imagine 18,000 people in one area having the flu. What about horses? A report from Horsetalk.co.nz describes an outbreak of equine influenza in India with 18,000 horses being affected. Reported in the northernmost state, the horses were not vaccinated. Goes to show how important vaccinations can be. The sad part is they keep finding more and more cases. When will it stop? This will be an interesting situation to keep an eye on.
Well, the race I tried to predict the other day was delayed by snow, of all things, and will be rescheduled on December 18, but there is another race worth keeping your eye on. The undefeated mare Peppers Pride is going to attempt one more win, to total 19 wins, in the December 14^th New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap. Plus she will do this carrying between seven to 13 pounds more than the others in the race.
The American Morgan Horse Association has redesigned their website. I already love the new logo, and the new website is definitely friendlier with softer, but brighter, colors. There are so many features, from news to shopping to a Farm Finder to an event calendar, to content from members, to show results, and more. Check it out at www.morganhorse.com.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Snowy New Orleans... USEA Annual Meeting

Sailorthedog — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:49:00 GMT

The USEA Annual meeting got underway on Wednesday, I arrived on Thursday after it snowed in New Orleans for the first time since 2004. I heard the reference made that hell froze over… it made me laugh as I had never been to New Orleans before and once I arrived it certainly didn’t seem like hell. It is a pretty cool place. I spent ages in Memphis on a place waiting for the New Orleans airport to open… they aren’t terribly equipped for snow.

When the pilot came over the loudspeaker and said, “We are going to give it a go.” Not always what you want to hear on an airplane – but we made it safely. We were the first flight to get in once the airport opened.

Others weren’t so lucky.

Jon and Jen Holling, Leslie and Lesley Law and a host of others spent the better part of the day in the Orlando airport. I heard there were some wheelchair races.

Boyd and Sylva Martin turned up after going through Houston to get here from Pennsylvania. They did a little Prefontaine in the airport to make their connection. I did give them a little bit of a geography lesson about where Texas is in relation to Unionville and New Orleans. From a team standpoint Boyd just declared he would ride for the US. Our newest American, made the switch from Australia as he and Sylva (who is a top dressage rider) are building a life and a business here. It is seriously good news for us.

On the ground in the Bayou, the Training Level Three-day Event came up in a number of different meetings that I was in, from Active Athletes to Competition Organizers. It is a very interesting discussion about how to execute it so that everyone gets the most out of it. Back in the last decade when I rode at the CCI level, I did a number of long format three days, I’m not sure returning to that is the solution, but steeplechase is pretty darn fun on a good horse. This sounds like it might be a good compromise.

We had a great dinner and a wander around last night, caught up with a bunch of people from a variety of parts of the country and had fun in New Orleans.

Which I feel like would be difficult not to do.

I woke up this morning and am currently sitting in “Solutions from Top Trainers” which is providing some interesting insight into a variety of things. Lucinda “the Legend” Green is making sure everyone is laughing. I had a long talk with Mark Phillips this morning and it sounds like he has some big plans for these guys.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon

Light Therapy/Photopuncture; Wild Horse Round-Up; Kudos for Free Vaccines

galloping_on — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

I had heard about acupuncture for horses, but I had never heard of light therapy until now. It can be used to diagnose problems or to treat them. It involves a unit that delivers a photodynamic light at certain frequencies. In addition, it can be used similar to acupuncture, but it is called photopuncture. The article that I found is about courses for equine health professionals. It was definitely a new education for me. If you want to see what this type of therapy can do, visit www.bioscanlight.com.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has had to take action to reduce a wild herd of horses north of Dugway, Utah. The herd of 630 horses can’t be supported by the land, so a round-up of 440 horses is taking place. Those that wish to adopt a wild horse can do so around February 21^st.
I would like to offer up my kudos to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) for providing free vaccines to qualified rescue and retirement facilities. The economic woes of today have hit these facilities hard and the fact that these two organizations are willing to help in such a big way is encouraging.

I've been up to all this searching the web for equine-related bits, I'm curious what you, the reader, may have found. Please Leave a Comment below if you've found anything you would like to share. Thanks.

SHARE THIS POST: Delicious Facebook MySpace Digg Reddit Yahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon