Phoenix Farm

15/09/2024

All photos are ©️Lindsey Field which means you are not to use my photos without permission.

15/09/2024

Toe length and base proportions are vital for creating equilibrium, but what does that mean?

There are big debates at the moment on the importance of toe length, some suggesting its not as important as we make out. Some suggesting it doesn't matter in laminitis, others suggesting toe length doesn't matter in locomotion.

But there seems to be a lacking of understanding of the importance of creating correct strain share between the tendons and ligaments of the digit, AND the importance of maintaining a level hoof on soft ground when the weight of the horse moves over the hoof (midstance). Both of these being a state of equilibrium which basically means a state of balance between opposing forces.

This understanding of the physics involved in the digit has relevance in the treatment if laminitis and in every day shoeing and essentially maintaining a healthy digit.

I will be doing an introduction to digit biomechanics, with The study of the equine hoof, where I will look to explain these things in simple and easy terms to allow for everyone to be able to assess the different theories from a more educated place.

3rd October 7pm BST
Get your tickets now...

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/digit-biomechanics-101

09/09/2024

Coming along ❤️🐎

07/09/2024

Its Spring…. Its worth reading up on Mycotoxins. (Imagine from CEN)

15/08/2024

https://www.barnmanager.com/ikea-barn-hacks/

Whether you are a leaser or a leesee, the buyer or the seller, you want your next horse transaction to be a positive experience for all involved, including the horse.

15/08/2024

🌿 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 🌿

As spring approaches and the days start getting longer and warmer, it’s time to think about how we care for our horses in this transitional season. One of the key areas to consider is rugging—particularly, the risk of over-rugging as the temperature rises.

🌡️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Horses are incredibly efficient at regulating their body temperature. While we might reach for a jumper as soon as the temperature drops, our horses are quite comfortable in conditions that would make us shiver. The key to this is understanding a horse’s thermoneutral zone (TNZ), which is the temperature range within which they can maintain their body temperature without expending extra energy.

For humans, the TNZ is around 25-30°C, but for horses, it’s significantly lower—between 5-25°C. This means that what feels chilly to us might be perfectly comfortable for them. It’s essential to remember this difference as the weather warms up in spring, particularly when deciding whether to rug your horse.

🌡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲

During the cooler months, we often rug our horses to protect them from cold, wet, and windy weather. However, as the temperatures rise in spring, it’s easy to fall into the trap of continuing to rug our horses too heavily, which can lead to overheating.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

▪️ 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: The best place to check if your horse is too warm is just behind their withers. If this area feels hot or damp, your horse is likely overheating under their rug. Avoid using their ears or legs to gauge temperature, as these areas don’t give an accurate indication of their core warmth.

▪️ 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝘀: It’s tempting to think a light rug is harmless, but even these can block the natural cooling process. Horses cool down by sweating, but this only works if air can reach their skin. A light summer rug can trap heat and actually increase your horse’s core body temperature.

▪️ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁: Just as overweight humans find it harder to cope with hot weather, overweight horses can also struggle. As the days warm up, consider reducing or eliminating rugs for these horses to help them stay cool.

▪️ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Horses generate heat from the inside out as they digest their food, particularly roughage. On cooler days, providing some extra hay can help keep them warm naturally, without the need for additional rugs.

▪️ 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀: Horses that are older or have health issues may struggle to maintain their body temperature at both ends of the TNZ. For these horses, consider adjusting their rugging based on their specific needs—lighter rugs or no rugs during warmer days, and ensuring they have adequate warmth during cooler periods.

🌡️ 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀

As we welcome spring and the warmth it brings, it’s crucial to adjust our rugging practices to avoid overheating our horses. Always keep in mind that your horse might be feeling much warmer than you think, and when in doubt, opt for less rugging rather than more.

Let’s help our horses stay comfortable and healthy by being mindful of their needs as the seasons change.

11/08/2024

Opportunity to come and join our wonderful equestrian community here at Phoenix Farm Australia. Private paddock full care options available. Located wallsend nsw . Inbox Today for more information or book an appointment 🐎

01/07/2024

If youve got a dream , chase it because its not going to chase you back.!

30/05/2024

Saddle fit is so important

26/05/2024

15/05/2024

29/02/2024

Is your horse rushing jumps?

Allowing a horse to rush his jumps (or simply rush anywhere) will become a habit quickly and could become quite scary or dangerous. The rider, with the help of their coach, needs to go back to some basics.

The horse might rush because he is worried, or he has simply learned through repetition that this is how to jump, because he was never corrected.

Ideally you want him to travel in ‘cruise control’ like a car, until you ask him to slow down or speed up. That’s called self-carriage and it is what we should all aim for.

Some people think the first choice to get a horse to slow down and lower his head is to use a stronger bit or other equipment, but that is like getting rid of the smoke but leaving the bushfire burning.

Here’s some things to try first:

1. Practise your stop response before jumping; riders learn this in the certificate manuals but ask your coach if you are not sure.
2. When a horse rushes he loses rhythm. To get the rhythm back, try riding in a slow trot and try a metronome to keep the beat; correct the horse whenever he speeds up or slows down.
3. Try placing a pole on the ground one stride or half a stride in front of the obstacle, so the horse slows in front of the jump. Your coach will know the best distance.
4. Go back to doing polework to settle the horse and get the rhythm back. *
5. Don’t allow the horse to build up speed; try turning onto a fence from a circle or jumping from a steady trot until he realises what you want. (And don’t forget to reward his efforts with a wither scratch).

*There’s a Discipline of the Month on Polework on the PCA website.
https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/sports/discipline-of-the-month/

17/09/2023

For those packing away winter rugs 👌👌

07/09/2023

😂😂😂 sorry girls

29/08/2023

We are delighted to bring you two more paddocks ! Come join our incredible kind and caring community. Positions available mid to late September register your interest via PM.!

24/08/2023

https://youtu.be/iHH30xxTbMA?si=1UBuTdF1ZW6T9O3w . Exciting things coming 🫶🥳

(ATSM-EQ-EDGE Product Video-V2 2023)Equissage has a long history of producing therapy systems that stand out as the benchmark in equine therapy. Using CVT, C...

20/08/2023

15/08/2023

A horse dose not care about the length of its life, it cares about its quality of life .! The tough decisions we as horse owners need to make that isn’t often spoken about .!

08/08/2023

Pivo Equestrian Pack

05/08/2023

Great explanation of the hoof, and look how closely farriers work to those sensitive structures. That’s why it’s imperative to find yourself a good one .!

23/07/2023

Our clients horses , the anxiety is real peeps !

That is very strange 🤪😎
credits: Pinterest

02/05/2023

Don’t watch if your Squamish … very interesting to see the damage left behind

01/05/2023

22/04/2023

Trot poles anyone?

MASTERING YOUR POLE WORK FROM BASICS TO ADVANCED is the perfect training manual for all disciplines and all levels! The book contains 170 (!) exercises, and you can vary each exercise to suit different stride lengths, gaits, and levels of education.

25/03/2023

What’s left of our herd

20/03/2023

😮 would love to go do work experience over there .! So much to learn

13/03/2023

We are looking for new homes asap for all our miniature goats some tame some not some registered others arnt varying prices ❤️

13/03/2023

😍

05/03/2023

Have a plan in place and don’t forget to check your pets