Race Horses and Rescues
Midwest Ice Storm
Today is one of the worst ice storms I have ever seen. Hopefully after all of this, our evergreens will survive. Right now, they are so weighted down that I think they might collapse if a strong wind comes through. Since we have 40mph winds expected tomorrow, this is a signficant possibility. The world is like an ice rink. It was challenging for me to even find a place for my dog to stand and do his business without slipping onto his face.
These icy conditions are very dangerous for your horse. If you typically give your horse access to the outdoors and there is any way to keep your horse inside, please do so. You don’t want your horse getting hurt. It would also be very difficult for you to get help given the road conditions or even for you to get out to help him yourself!
Testimonial-Recieved 9-29-11
Melissa, My husband is an attorney in Green Bay (David), and he had business with your Dad. Your Dad gave my husband this website address and I thought I’d check it out. I have 4 horses myself, including a yearling I was given that I intend to attempt to start myself. I spent a week riding in Wyoming last summer observing wild horses with an amazing couple, Mike and Bobbi Wade. They run Blue Sky Sage Horseback riding adventures. I had the time of my life and I couldn’t believe how breathtaking those mustangs were in their natural environment. I would LOVE to know how I can get a copy of the documentary Wild Horse Wild Ride. I am so inspired by you!! I will surely be adding this website to my favorites and I’ll be checking back often! Happy Trails!
Laura
Wild Horse Wild Ride Wins Best Doucmentary at Jax Film Festival
http://www.jacksonvillefilmfestival.com/events/2011-awards/
We are all very excited. It plays next week in Wichita, KS. If you haven’t seen it, I strongly encourange you to attend!
Chosing a horse Trailer
Whether 
you are looking to buy a new horse trailer or a used one, it’s easy to be influenced by fancy options and shiny construction materials. But, for a horse owner who wants to promote safe and stress free hauling for the horse, choosing a trailer from the horse’s point of view is very important. Since many horse trailers are built to appeal to the human perspective, this may not be as easy as one may think.
Considering the nature of the horse as a species, it’s a minor miracle that our equine friends get into a trailer at all. Horses are creatures of the prairie who are designed for life in wide open spaces. Because they are prey animals, they have a highly developed “flight or fight” response. When danger threatens, horses run away. That is how they survive. Feral horses who don’t run fast enough end up as dinner! They also have to watch their footing so they don’t fall into a hole or quicksand!
Achieving Balance at the Gallop
Galloping a horse can be an amazing stress reliever, but before you do this, there are several things I recommend doing to prepare:
1. Be sure that you can trust your horse. Make sure that your horse is not “spooky” or overly reactive, and that he will listen to your stop at both the trot and canter.
2. Be sure that you are confident with the canter, have a balanced seat and well conditioned legs.
3. Teach yourself 2-point.
To speed up, you can either squeeze harder and/or smooch again. Make certain that your hands are soft. Just as you should follow his movement with your hands in the canter, it becomes a necessity in the gallop.
What I have found is that when most horses gallop, you will find a “sweet spot”. The forward/back rocking motion should diminish as he reaches for a larger stride and flattens himself out. At this point, I find it very easy to be balanced, and sometimes even use this pace to regain my balance. Please only do that if you are very advanced.
I do have once comment. If you are riding on a trail and you have a barn sour horse, practice this while traveling away from home. You don’t want your horse getting carried away and racing al the way home. If your horse does start racing in the direction of home and refuses to slow down, pull him into a circle by lengthening the outside rein and shortening the inside rein.
Tevis 2011
The Tevis is arguably the American Endurance Ride Association’s biggest and baddest race of the season. It attracts the best of the best from all over the country and even from other countries. The article that follows is an excellent account of the happenings on this ride:
http://merritravels.endurance.net/2011/10/2011-tevis-cup-just-marvelous.html
Informational Video on Horse Slaughter
A comprehensive look at American Horse Slaughter.
Horse Travel Checklist
Before you go on that big trip, there are a few legal things you will need to know:
- In the United States, you must have a coggins test done before you can enter any publically available horse facility. Coggins tests are taken yearly by the vet and are only good for 1 year. This document will be requested at shows, trips and anywhere else you might take your horse. Some states also require a test for piroplasmosis. If you pass through the state and do not unload, you will not be required to have it. If you unload at all, be sure to have this document.
- If you leave the state with your horse, you will need a health certificate from your vet. These certificates are generally accepted for 30 days from the date of issue.
- If you travel to a state with documented piraplasmosis, you will also need to have a yearly piroplasmisis test. If you are traveling through the state and do not unload from the trailer,you may not need the test. If you unload in a piroplasmosis state, you will need to have documentation of that test. Contact your state’s agricultural department for more information. Whatever you do, be sure to be informed about this before you travel.
- Be sure that there is drinkable water where you are going. If not, bring water from home for your horse. Also, bring your horse’s own hay and grain. Horses can colic and in severe cases die from changing feed sources abruptly, so only change feed gradually.
Friesian- The Black Horse of Friesland
Friesian in beautiful driving headset.
by Crystal A. Eikanger
The Friesian Horse, one of Europe’s oldest domesticated breeds, originated in Friesland, a province of The Netherlands. It is considered to be a Warmblood because of its easy-going temperament with a companionable nature. The Friesian horse is also a talented show horse when it comes to dressage. This is due to its intelligence, willingness to learn and to please, and readiness to perform.
Friesians are known for their wavy, long hair.
It is difficult to date the precise origin of the Friesian but it is believed to be descended from the ancient Equus robustus (big horse). Frisian horsemen served in the Roman Legions, e.g. the Equites Singulares of Emperor Nero (54-68), and in Great Britain near Hadrian’s Wall which was built in 120 AD. There is certainty that the horse was well-known in the Middle Ages since it is found in art work of that era. Breeding horses was very important for the Frisians and before the reformation, the monks in Friesland monasteries did a lot of horse breeding.
In the 1600′s it was adopted to carry heavy weight under saddle. During the 16th and 17th centuries, and maybe earlier, Arabian blood was introduced through the Spanish Andalusian horses. This gave them the high knee-action, the small head and the craning neck. The Friesian horse has had no influence from the English Thoroughbred and during the last two centuries it has been bred pure. Read more