Cari Swanson

New DOT Regulations

Some of you may know that there are new regs in place as of Jan 1 2007 that require all vehicles that have a combined GVW of 10,000+ pounds have a DOT number on them. The registration is free but you have to pay to get the numbers made (which can be a magnetic sign – unless you have an Aluminum trailer) and it also requires that you carry a safety kit of 3 road triangles and a 10BC fire extinguisher mounted in the tow vehicle. There are likely many other requirements too and I have only scratched the surface. One thing to consider is that the regs apply to the published GVW of your truck and trailer not the actual weight. So if you think you can slide by because the trailer is empty or only has one horse in it think again. The GVW’s are printed on a tag mounted in or on your truck and trailer.

The form you need to register can be found here http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/print/r-l-forms.htm you need both MCS-150 and MCS150A. More info can be found here www.fmcsa.dot.gov and also the NYS dot website. Don’t bother to call DMV they don’t know anything about DOT regs.

Do not risk being pulled over and fined for this new rule. Look up the rules and register.

Test Your Balance

Can you perform the excercise of “Around the World” on your horse or pony? Before and after each lesson with kids, I ask them to do this simple trick to test their balance and agility. Here you see Jillian in the reverse postion, you simply flip your leg and turn four times around in the saddle until you are facing the front again. It is adviseable to try this on a safe quiet mount with someone at the bridle just in case the shift in balance upsets your horse.

Accurate Riding

Improve your riding skills regardless of what level or disicpline you ride. Test yourself eveyday to determine if you are riding with purpose or simply meandering around the arena or countryside. Take whatever excercise you are working on and experiment, slow it down, lengthen the stride, test your balance. Remember, practice makes perfect and it takes thousands of repetitions to change a bad habit.

Study a video of yourself riding and determine what you would like to improve. Almost without fail, relaxation and harmony are common goals. Clarify your weak points and develop a plan to improve them. It is vital to keep a training journal of your goals and progress.

Most importantly, be gentle with yourself. Riding does not ever improve with tension or temper. If you make a mistake, stop, regroup and try again. If your horse makes a mistake, ask yourself if you created that error or did he simply not understand what you were asking. A wonderful rule to follow is to smile and count to 3 before attempting to correct the movement. A smile relaxes your body and lightens your thoughts. Try not to overanalyze the situation. The most beautiful riders appear effortless and light, dancing in perfect harmony with their horse.

Don Kapper at Progressive Nutrition

Someone recently wrote to ask me about my friend, world reknown equine nutritionist Don Kapper. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a member of the Equine Science Society, the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (PAS), the American Farriers Association and the American Hanoverian Society and the ISR/Oldenburg Society.

In 1983, he assisted in the development of the first comprehensive computer program to balance equine diets. He consults with industry leaders and has lectured throughout the world to owners, trainers and veterinarians.

Don has also been the exclusive Equine Nutritionist for the 1998, 2002, 2004 and the 2007 North American Sport Horse Registries, 100 – Day Stallion Performance Test.

He is the consulting nutritionist to Baileys Horse Feeds, in England, where they currently provide Progressive Nutrition “feeds and feeding programs” to approximately 30% of the Thoroughbred Studs and Racing Yards in England and are growing into Ireland, France and the United Emirates.

In 2003, Don assisted in writing the text and taught the first Equine Science Certificate Class, “Introductory Equine Nutrition” and has guest lectured on “Equine Growth and Reproduction” and “Exercise Physiology” at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

He also wrote the chapter on “Applied Nutrition,” for co-author Dr. Stephen Reed’s, Equine Internal Medicine, 2nd edition, a veterinary textbook that was published in Dec. 2004.

Don has written articles on Equine Management and Nutrition that have been published in several trade journals.

He has guest lectured on “Applied Nutrition” at Veterinary Clinical Science Departments including: Ohio State, Purdue, Iowa State University, Minnesota State University, Texas A&M, Florida State University, the University of Guelph, in Canada, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, in Mexico; as well as universities with horse science degrees, including: the University of Findlay, Salem University, Ohio University, Lake Erie College and the University of Guelph.

Other noted seminar presentations have been given to: the American Association of Equine Practitioners; the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Associations, The Ohio State University Veterinary Nutritional Conference; the Mexico Veterinary Conference; the Northern Texas Veterinary Medical Association; Veterinary Professional Quest; the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s of Ireland, England, and France; Horsemen’s Short Courses at The Ohio State University; the American Hanoverian Society; Florida Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association; Michigan, Ohio and American Morgan Horse Associations; and the California Nutrition Conference.

Don and his wife Dee own and operate Outer Banks Farm, where they breed and raise Warmblood horses in Beach City, Ohio. Don can be reached at prognutrition.com if you have any questions about equine nutrition.

New Study Concludes New York’s Equine Business Tops $1.83 Billion

Every five years the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets conducts a survey of the value of Equine inventory in New York State. The total inventory value of $1.83 billion was an eight percent increase from 2000’s study of $1.7 billion. This increase is attributed to an increased number of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules totaling 197,000, up 17% from the 168,000 counted in 2000.

This is an informative survey encompassing information concerning related aspects of New York’s Equine industry including land use, types of equine operations, equine use, value of equine assets, and equine expenditures and revenues. These results will be available at www.nass.usda.gov/ny.

Equine Nutritionist Don Kapper on Acid Reflux and Ulcers

A good friend and world reknown equine nutritionist, Dr. Don Kapper, advises me on how to feed and manage a horse prone to ulcers and acid reflux. Dr. Kapper has designed and developed successful equine nutrition programs for years. Currently he is the mastermind behind Progressive Nutrition’s feed program which is distributed throughout the US as well as France, England and Saudi Arabia.

He explains that horses digestive systems are designed to be fed high fiber diets which means plenty of hay and reduced amounts of starches. Top dressing the feed with one ounce of Arm and Hammer baking soda will also reduce the formation of acid. Some horses are more prone to creating acid than others. If you find a horse with this problem, a simple managed feeding program can maintain your horses health without the use of drugs.

If you have any nutrition questions, Dr. Kapper can be reached at kapper@prognutrition.com

Water is an essential part of your horses health, so be sure to have water available to him at all times, especially in the dead of winter like this January.

American Paint Horse Teaches Kids How to Ride

Moneypenny, a lovely and kind large pony is a registered American Paint Horse who loves teaching kids how to ride. Here she is taking a young rider on his first ride around the farm.

Training with Will Faudree

Will is one of this countries top eventing riders. He has ridden at the recent World Equestrian Games in Aachen as well as galloping into top placings at Badmiton, Fairhill, Morven Park, Bromont and Rolex over the last few years. Although he is only 25, Will is wise beyond his years, having achieved more than many riders and trainers do in a lifetime. His success is due to his professionalism and perfectionist character that he applies to every aspect of his life. Watching him school a horse on the flat or jumping is like watching a surgeon carefully analyze the situation and calculate what must be done. This always results in an improved performance with a confident and happy horse.

When riding for time in stadium or cross country, he says the winner is the rider who can slow down time. That is take it easy, relaxed and remain focused on slowing it all down. He rode one of the most beautiful rides on Antigua, affectionately known as Brad, through the water at Rolex last year with effortless ease while most riders were having serious problems. When asked what his strategy was, he said he was thinking in slow motion.
Will is exciting to watch and will be out at the early events in Aiken in February.

Anatomy of Dressage by Heinrich & Volker Schusdziarra

This is an excellent new book I highly recommend for any riding enthusiast. As a teacher, it is always challenging to describe to the student how to feel a movement. As a judge, it is a joy to see a rider at one with his horse. As a rider one strives to ride in perfect balance and when this is achieved, the feeling is magic.

This book breaks down the riders anatomy in a way that helps explain how to use each muscle. Using the leg properly, tilting the pelvis and knowing how to brace the back are all critical to becoming an effective rider. Another master, Museler discusses in his famous riding manual that correctly ridden horses and riders are rarely found. In addition, only 1% or riders can actually move with the motion of the horse. Those who do ride in harmony with their horse are successful because they understand how to brace their back. A child can swing using their back effectively in the exact same way a rider must ride. It is imperative that any serious rider should study this new book on Anatomy and apply it to their everyday riding.

Anatomy of Dressage can be purchased from the USDF who co-published this new version.

Equine Herpes Virus in the Equestrian Community

Over the last few months, there have been several outbreaks of a common virus horses contract and it has been deadly in a handful of cases.  Although it is difficult to find out the real facts, Florida delayed the show season in Wellington after several cases were discovered and most barns were placed under quarrentine.  This has now been lifted and it seems the show season is currently underway with hundreds of horses now heading south to the sun.  There are several web sites to read about the virus and how to prevent the spread of this disease.  www.fairfieldequine.com and www.horsecity.com are excellent sources of the facts.

Be mindful of your horses attitude and take the temperature twice daily to establish if he is healthy.  A rise in temperature is the best way to notice if your horse is not well.  And of course education is important in understanding any disease.