When the temperature drops below 15, it is too cold to ride but it is paradise for our canine friends, the Icelandic Sheepdogs. They run and play, roll and romp in the snow. Strangely, they even chose to stay outside basking in the sun laying on a bed of snow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are wonderful with children, here Dash is returning from a romp in the swamp and happy to receive a bear hug from one of his “sheep”, Jillian.
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.
Moneypenny is a seven year old American Paint Horse standing at only 14.1 thus qualifying her as a large pony. She is a very special horse who has taught many children and adults how to ride. Although I have known instinctively for years that horses reflect the pulse of the people around them and riding them, I recently read an article supporting this theory from actual scientific tests.
I am constantly amazed to watch this extraordinary mare take care of her young riders.
Although most people flock to the south with their horses in the winter, some people actually continue hacking and enjoying the warm days of winter. One must no doubt be flexible and creative to keep their horses fit in the winter months of the Northeast without an indoor, seeking out decent footing wherever possible. Sometimes that may mean country dirt roads or driveways. Horses are much more comfortable in cool weather than hot. Their bodies are designed to deal with it efficiently with little stress
. This January has seen some record high temperatures with several t-shirt days in the early days of the month. So make yourself leave the safe confines of the arena and enjoy the countryside this winter.