CONTENTS November/December/January 2020/2021
Departments 6 Editorial 8 Neighborhood news 19 Hoof health 25 Herb blurb 31 Product picks 37 From the NASC 45 Acupressure at-a-glance 49 Holiday Gift Guide 53 Heads up 62 Classifieds 63 Events 64 Marketplace 66 To the rescue
Features 10
E xploring the connection between equine behavior and emotional health Don’t ignore these common equine behaviors when you see them! More often than not, they indicate an underlying emotional state that can help you better understand your horse’s needs.
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Columns
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ARN AND FARM B 3 considerations for planning paddock shelters
Paddock shelters come in all shapes and sizes — so how’s a horse caretaker to choose? Consider these three important factors when weighing the options.
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EATING WELL What not to feed your horse
We spend so much time researching what to feed our horses — but how about what not to feed them? Here’s a list of things that can harm your horses if ingested.
A mber Marshall
— the Heartland star opens up about life, love, and horses!
This young Canadian actress has managed to thrive on and off screen for the past 13 years. Her secret? Create a life you love!
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Equine Wellness
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S EASONAL TIPS Tips for bad weather horse training
Training and riding your horse in bad weather means keeping some important considerations in mind.
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CARETAKER CORNER
Product customization — the latest trend for riders!
As we head into 2021, product customization for horse and rider is becoming more popular than ever before. Here’s what to watch for on the shelves of your tack supply store.
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G OLDEN YEARS Nourish your senior horse with acupressure
Performing gentle acupressure sessions on your senior horse can help enhance his spirit, strength, and longevity.
REWIND Winter hoof care and horse health Winter often means changes to your horsekeeping practices. These changes can have both positive and negative effects on your horse’s hoof quality — and on his overall health and well-being.
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EWSWORTHY N ASPCA advises horse caretakers to prepare for disaster
Amid the ongoing pandemic, making disaster plans for your horses is more important than ever.
A behind-thescenes look at this glamorous equine profession!
HORSEMANSHIP
Invitation and reward: a kinder way to train your horse
Take a look at why an “invitation and reward” approach to training is kinder — and more effective — than one that involves pressure and release.
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N ATURAL SUPPLEMENTS Top 10 minerals for horses
This list of minerals and their benefits will help you gain a better understanding of your horse’s nutritional needs.
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I NFOGRAPHIC Horse actors
N ATURAL
EALING MODALITIES H Hands-on methods to improve your horse's mobility Try these simple do-ityourself approaches to enhancing mobility in your equine companion.
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E MOTIONAL WELL-BEING Recognizing and managing equine emotional states for a more harmonious vet appointment
When horses feel understood, they are more at ease with handling. This model will help you understand the emotional needs of your horses during his next vet appointment.
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IFESTYLE L Travel checklists for horse caretakers Planning a trip with your horse? These checklists will ensure everything is accounted for before your departure!
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N EWSWORTHY New bill would ban doping horses on race day
Animal welfare advocates have been calling for federal regulations that ban the dangerous practice of doping horses on race day. This fall, the proposed bill was approved.
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ELL-GROOMED W Why you shouldn’t neglect winter grooming Remember — brushing your horse isn’t just important in the warmer months! Here’s why you should establish a regular winter grooming routine.
Social Media Tips, contests and more! /EquineWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ EquineWellness Tips, horse photos, and more! EquineWellness
Equine Wellness
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SEASONAL TIPS
By April Reeves
TIPS FOR
winter
HORSE TRAINING
Training and riding your horse in the winter means keeping some important considerations in mind.
Winter training is a reality for many of us, and not everyone has access to a heated arena. But don’t fret — in snowy, icy climates where the temperature drops into the subzero range, there are still ways to continue your horse’s education and exercise routine.
FOOTING CONDITIONS Check outdoor spaces before use It’s difficult to judge what lies under snow, so be sure to check outdoor areas thoroughly before using them, and be wary on trails. Hard-packed uneven snow that’s been freshly covered spells trouble. Scraping snow from a riding area is a good idea, as long as you have space to pile it. Snow piles can harden 20
Equine Wellness
Watch out for mud
severe damage (radial nerve paralysis), whereas north-south splits can cause extensive tendon/ligament damage, big vet bills, and a long recovery. Splitting hind legs can cause muscle and hip injuries.
In cold, wet regions such as northern coastlines, mud is a big concern for leg injuries. If you can, designate multiple training areas and use them on a rotational basis so they don’t become too rutted. If possible, skip training on really wet days.
Horses can also slip and fall on ice. This can lead to a number of issues, from minor bruising to possible fracture (shoulder/hip). Regardless of what injuries are sustained, a heavy horse hitting the frozen ground hurts!
Keep an eye out for black ice
Protect his hooves
Training your horse on icy ground can lead to leg splitting — when the horse’s legs separate too far in a certain direction. In the front legs, east-west splits can cause mild to
Landing too hard on solid ground can result in hoof bruising or fractures (coffin bone). Hoof boots can help prevent this, and pour-in pads are becoming increasingly popular. Consult
into icy mounds that stay all winter — especially in freeze-thaw conditions — so be sure not to scrape them into high-traffic areas like paddocks.
with your farrier to determine which option is best for you and your horse. To protect your horse from getting snowballs, trim regularly. It helps keep snow from packing into hard balls that cause slight to severe rotation, depending on how and where you ride. Snowballing is a serious issue that can result in ringbone.
YOUR HORSE’S CONDITION Aim for longer rides If you normally ride for 45 minutes in good weather, do your best to double it in cold weather. The colder the temperature, the longer your horse will take to warm up. Start by lunging him, and then proceed to a slow walk once you’re in the saddle. If you want to increase the intensity, wait until the latter half of your ride.
Adjust your speed Winter is a good time to review numerous walk exercises. It’s still good exercise, and allows you to ride in slightly colder temperatures without fear of damaging lungs. Use this time to improve gaits and aids, perfect turns, and practice short transitions, bending and more. You can also focus more on in-hand work, as it challenges a horse mentally
and provides a high level of fitness, balance, and cadence without the high sweat factor. In-hand training switches to more of a mental exercise than a physical “workout”, and can offer a level of connection and obedience often missed under saddle.
Try interval training Instead of working a horse hard and long, shorten your sessions and go for an “interval” style of training. This involves pushing the horse for short bursts, then moving slowly for longer periods. This style of training has its merits in any weather.
To sweat or not to sweat? Sweating a horse in the winter should be kept to a minimum unless your grooming is done in a reasonably warm facility. The horse must be completely dry before returning to the outside. Clipped horses dry faster but are more exposed to cold, so if you go for a long walk you may choose to use a special blanket for kidney warmth — it fits behind the saddle to the hip.
Try to dry the coat out fully after exercising your horse, but be careful not to groom all the dirt and natural oils out, as this provides protection!
Stick close to home Most people won’t trailer horses in temperatures colder than 14°F (-10°C). If your new training regime consists of a lot of hauling, take the time to cool properly and bring appropriate blankets. Try not to haul horses in stock trailers in the winter.
Watch for warning signs Winding a horse at any time is questionable, but in freezing temperatures cold can damage lung tissue. Horses that shiver after a ride or during trailering also need special attention. Implementing a safe winter exercise routine will ensure your horse hits the ground running once spring returns! By taking a few extra precautions, making warm-ups a priority, and using the opportunity to learn additional skills, you can make winter training a huge success.
Adjust your grooming routine Horses have special post-workout grooming requirements in the winter. Their coats consist of a shorter downlike insulating hair layer that utilizes dust and dirt particles to increase heat.
April Reeves began teaching in 1971. Today, she owns Horseman’s Park Alberta where she teaches clinics and private lessons to students in western Canada. She also lectures, writes, shows and breeds warmbloods and quarter horses. She is a multi-discipline rider and CHA Level 3 instructor for English, Western, and Jumping.
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