Look how big Mystic has gotten!
Currently we are at patting stage but I'm hoping to have a halter on her by the end of this week!
Stay tuned for more updates!
Let's talk abscesses!
It is an infection in the sensitive tissue of the hoof, which develops into a pocket of purulent material (pus) within the hoof capsule.
Equine hoof abscesses are very common and can suddenly cause severe lameness. It is not uncommon for a horse to be perfectly fine the night before and then completely non weight baring the next morning. While some cases an abscess will present as a slow and increasing lameness.
Causes:
Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria invade the hoof–typically through a puncture wound in the sole, or a diseased white line or through extended standing in water. A sole bruise can also lead to a hoof abscess. White blood cells and other inflammatory products accumulate to fight the infection. The pocket of fluid that forms creates pressure within the hoof, causing severe pain. Eventually, the fluid may rupture out the coronary band (leaving a temporary defect in the hoof) or through the sole. In severe cases, the coffin bone can become infected (pedal osteitis).
Diagnosis:
-Horse will be lame (limping)
There will be heat in the hoof that contains the abscess
- There could be a pulse on the coronet band
- any part of the leg could be swollen not just pastern or fetlock
- horses may have no appetite
What to do:
1. poultice the hoof to encourage the abscess to rupture
2. encourage the horse to keep moving but avoid muddy or wet paddock if
3. get the farrier out to see if they can remove the abscess
4. Vet if the horse is severe pain and requires pain relief
Video is Jazzabell who had an abscess. The day before she was perfectly sound and even given canter lessons.
Comment below if you have any questions!
Part 2 of BUYING YOUR NEW HORSE
After knowing your horse is good to Catch, Shoe, Float; what is the next most important thing?
TEMPERAMENT
Why is temperament the most important factor when looking at a horse and not education?
Let's assume you buy a horse with great education but with a bad temperament. Every time you ride the horse it becomes reactive and explosive. It has a poor work ethic, and every ride is difficult and unenjoyable!
Now imagine you buy a horse with a lovely temperament but little education. Every ride the horse listens and tries its best to understand what you are asking. Imagine every ride the horse learns a new skill and develops with every ride. While you will have a bad day occasionally it won't be nearly every ride.
A horse with a good temperament will always go further than a horse with a bad temperament.
Example Tanner
Tanner is a OFF THE TRACK Thoroughbred who won many races. When I purchased him, he had almost no education (green) and very little exposure outside of racing! However, his TEMPERAMENT was everything I wanted for the riding school! He is calm, levelheaded, eager to please and has an excellent work ethic!
Here is April last school holidays using an umbrella on Tanner! This was the first time he had every tried this exercise and he absolutely smashed it!
Tune in to next week for part 3 of buying a horse!
Comment below with any questions
Let's talk CONNECTION & BOND!
Recently a rider asked about the difference between connection and bond! So, I have decided to discuss the difference between the two terms!
Connection is the relationship between horse and rider!
Can you improve the connection between horse and rider? YES, you can!
One of the biggest issues I see when there is a connection issue is that riders are:
1. Not listening to their horse
2. Riders are not communicating effectively or clearly so horse is confused
3. Horse is not listening due to behavior, physical or mental (anxiety) issues
What is BOND?
Is an invisible joining between horse and rider with shared feelings and interests!
Can you create a BOND with your horse? NOT REALLY, sometimes time and good connection a bond will develop.
I will give you an example between the two terms!
Jasmine is bonded to me! Jasmine was the horse I rescued many years ago and still to this day won't let anyone catch her. I remember before I owned her receiving a call asking if I could come catch Jasmine who was at trainer who had tried for 6 hours to catch her with no luck; she was in a yard. And they still couldn't catch her. I remember walking up to the gate calling her name and she ran straight at me, I slipped the halter on no issue. The trainer was impressed and shocked as they had assumed it would take me all day! It quickly became aware that Jasmine would not listen or cooperate with any other person but with me she was perfect! I HAD NO CONNECTION WITH JASMINE WHEN I FIRST MET HER OR STARTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH HER. SHE JUST CHOSE ME!
Attached is a video of Jan and Smudge who has been working tirelessly on improving their connection! Smudge is a sensitive, reactive and smart mare who needs a rider to always listen to her, so she doesn't become anxious and tense. I recently taught Jan liberty to help both of them communicate more effectively. Liberty allows horses to communicate with riders at their own free and riders the ability to
I love Poles!
Poles are such a great exercise for riders! Yes, horses too but in this case, I want to discuss why I use poles in my teachings!
1. Balance - improves balance of riders
2. Co-ordination - riders develop better coordination
3. Rhythm- allows riders to develop better rhythm
4. Feel - riders learn to develop a stronger feel of the footfalls
5. Connection - better connection between horse and rider
6. Steering - Allows for riders to be able to correct steering through legs and not just reins
Also it allows for riders to perform an exercise without me correcting them constantly
Here is Claire riding through one of my favourite poles exercises!
No Saddle - No problem
Riding BAREBACK is such a great skill to develop!
1. it allows you to develop a better feel for horse's movement especially foot falls
2. allows riders to work on their position by feel - are they tilting, leaning or collapsing through their sides
3. helps riders to develop better balance as they can't use stirrups or knee rolls to hold themselves into the saddle
4. DEVELOP A BETTER BOND WITH YOUR HORSE
Here is Ruby bareback on Dancer trying to ride a 20m circle too
Awesome job RUBY!
How cute is this little pony!
Pippa has come to learn how to become a riding pony for a young child! When I first handled Pippa she would rush off if she was scared of anything!
I’ve been working on her gaining confidence at being able to look at scary obstacles but remain calm and keep her hoofs still!
It’s important that she doesn’t become shut down but she understands to stop and give herself time to assess the scary item!
One of my favourite exercises for riders is rise rise sit! Where the rider rises up for two beats of trot and then sits for one beat of trot. This exercise helps with balance, stabilises the lower leg and helps riders learn to control their rise rather than just bounce out of the saddle!
Check out the video below of April who has worked really hard this year to perfect this exercise on Starlette! Go April
