Hensley's Show Horses

05/27/2024

The view from the office this morning.

05/04/2024

Give Tessa a call for all your feeding questions. She can get your horse on the correct track with good nutritional information. She also does bookkeeping for the horse industry.

03/28/2024

Today I want to debunk some common fairy tales about horses' salivation when being ridden.... It's not true at all it to be good because it lubricates the mouthpiece, it's not true at all it to be good because when the horse is drooling it means that he is accepting the bit and it's not true at all it to be good because when the horse swallows it means that he is relaxed and focused on the work. Instead when horses salivate while working there are many negative reactions happening throughout their body. In fact the horses' digestive system is made of a complex series of structures that must work together in order to maintain the homeostasis and whenever horses salivate this system automatically starts to work. Saliva is created to be the first interaction with food by starting the breakdown process with an enzyme called amylase and it is also responsible for lubricating the food bolus in order for it to pass through the esophagus and reach the stomach. What's more the production of saliva also activates the vagus nerve, that is the nerve responsible for the digestion by stimulating the stomach to release the acids breaking down the food. Consequently without food being present in the stomach the whole system unavoidably suffers a homeostatic imbalance and unfortunately with the acids working on an empty stomach there is just the perfect condition for a dangerous gastric ulcer to occur, that is an open wound in the lining of the stomach with many different health consequences. That's the reality of what truly happens when horses salivate during work and again all of the fairy tales being told to make it appear even as something good to wish for are just one of the endless lies of the equestrian world to keep exploiting horses no matter what and no matter how. It's really time to wake up.

02/05/2024

Limited slots available. Clinician Jean Haller, Congress competitor in Ranch events. Reserve your slot today.
Clinic fee $85 total. $25 to hold your slot. Morning session will be Ranch Riding and afternoon Ranch Trail.

11/22/2023

As we enter Thanksgiving week in the US, many of your vets will be out of town or spending much needed time with their families.
It’s times like these that horse owners need to practice 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.

During this holiday time, as an emergency only vet, I recommend the following:

- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 deworm your horse right now.
- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 start a new feed right now.
- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 get a new round bale of coastal hay right now if you’ve let the last one go to dust (give small amounts at a time or mix with a stemmy hay until they’ve had their fill, then give the round bale).
- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 change schedules.
- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 vaccinate your horse right now, especially if you have a known reactor.
- 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 be in a rush and fail to soak your feed for long enough (choke risk) - especially if you’re late to feed due to holiday errands/get togethers.
- If you have visitors, limit treats. Ensure gates are closed. Make sure feed doors and bins locked. 𝐁𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥!

There is already a shortage of equine vets - and the few we do have will likely be out of town or trying to enjoy the holiday.

Let’s all have a very 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠. And let’s let our vets stay home with family!

Remember: 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒔! 😂🥴

11/19/2023

You can always tell when you find the RIGHT spot

10/24/2023

Fall color around the barn.

10/14/2023

10/10/2023

IS PATTING REWARDING TO THE HORSE?

We often see riders slapping their horse on the neck enthusiastically at the end of a showjumping round or dressage test. Patting is considered by many to be a way of telling the horse that they have performed well – but is this the reward we think it is, or could it cause them discomfort?

Horses are extremely sensitive to touch and many riders use different pressures ranging from a light pat to a slap. To find out more about how horses feel about this, a team of equine scientists at Nottingham Trent University set out to investigate the effects of patting and wither scratching horses when ridden or being handled.

For the first part of the study, footage of 16 competitors in the dressage Grand Prix at the 2012 London Olympics was analysed to see how and when the riders patted their horses, and how they reacted.

Fifteen riders patted their horses, with 12 continuing to do so for over a minute. A significant percentage of these pats resulted in the horse reacting. Most commonly, the horses accelerated – sometimes they changed gait from walk to trot. This could indicate that the horses found the patting unpleasant, or that they took the opportunity to accelerate because the rider dropped the rein contact and/or leant forward.

In a second part to the study, a group of five well-handled riding school ponies and five relatively un-touched rescue horses were patted or scratched four times, for 30 seconds at a time. The study was filmed and the horses’ behavioural responses were noted.

Patting resulted in little behavioural reaction. However, wither scratching seemed to be much more effective as a reward to the horse. Some lowered their heads, moved their upper lips and tried to mutually groom the handler – all responses similar to those seen in positive horse-to-horse interaction.

The researchers concluded that riders and handlers should be encouraged to scratch rather than pat their horse as a reward.

Previous research has shown that scratching the withers consistently lowers the horse's heart rate and can therefore be a useful aid to calm them in anxious situations. Wither scratching may also improve the horse/human relationship as mutual grooming does between horses.

Research team: Emily Hancock, Sarah Redgate and Carol Hall of Nottingham Trent University. 2014.

Image by lhourahane 2012 Olympics - Team Dressage Final, CC by 2.0.

10/06/2023

Fall is here!

10/02/2023

Fly sheets laid out ready for a day of sunshine.

10/02/2023

Cushing is a fact of life for our much older horses. Champagne got the full body cut today to help cool him off. Tomorrow a good bath to go with his new haircut . And yes that’s hair all over the floor.

09/29/2023

Want to ride all winter? Hensley’s has a large indoor arena for boarders use. The horse barn is heated for the horses and the owners comfort. Call for more information on the amenities of Hensley’s. Where your horse is treated like the royalty he deserves. 757-566-3715. Conveniently located between Williamsburg and Richmond.

09/28/2023

It was a good day at the Virginia State Fair dressage show.

09/19/2023

Tuesday morning ride

09/18/2023

It’s spa day at the barn.

09/12/2023

Welcome to Hensley’s Show Horses.
She Makin Money

07/13/2023

It’s a good day outside today. All paddocks have been mowed again.

07/01/2023

No matter what the weatherman said. Hope is predicting rain. He is sleeping on his head.

06/28/2023

Why do I like horses?
I reckon I must be mad.
My mother wasn’t horsey
and neither was my dad.

But the madness hit me early
and it hit me like a curse,
and I’ve never gotten better,
in fact I’ve gotten worse!

My stables are immaculate,
my house is like a hovel.
Last year for my birthday
I got a brand new shovel!

I hardly read a paper,
but know who’s sold their horse.
And I wouldn’t watch the news,
unless Mr. Ed was on, of course.

One eye’s always on the heavens,
but my washing waves in vain,
as I rush to get the horses in,
in case it’s gonna rain.

And though they’re wearing 15 rugs,
the best that you can get,
I bring them in to keep them dry
while I get soaking wet.

I spend up every cent I’ve got
on horsey stuff for sure.
I buy fancy rugs and fancy rugs,
and then I buy some more.

I should have had that hair cut
or bought that nice blue shirt—
at least, it wouldn’t be now
ripped to shreds and in the dirt.

I can’t make a bloody sponge cake,
I don’t even try.
But I can back a car and trailer
in the twinkling of an eye.

It’s pants and RM boots
that I live in night and day.
And that smell of sweaty horses
just doesn’t wash away.

Once in ever now and then
I can dress up for a ball.
Make up and a hairdo,
with high heel shoes and all.

I ache from long forgotten falls,
my knees have got no skin.
My toes have gone a funny shape
from being squashed again.

But late at night when all is still,
and I’ve gone to give them hay.
I touch their velvet softness
and my worries float away.

They give a gentle nicker
and they nuzzle through my hair,
and I know it’s where my heart is
more than anywhere.

By Shel Silverstein 🩷

06/22/2023

Available July 1 one stall. Full board. Indoor arena, large outdoor arena, grass turnouts. Large matted stalls. Indoor wash rack with hot & cold water. Individualized feed program for each horse. Training and lessons available with professional trainer. Success at every level. Barn located in Barhamsville, VA. Easy access off highway 64 between Williamsburg and Richmond.

04/24/2023

How amazing is this? Horse shows not only have an impact on the horses, riders and spectators in attendance but also on the communities that surround them!

03/14/2023

Horses do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.

01/23/2023

Looking for a horse loving person to add to our barn crew. This is a paid position four mornings a week. Stall cleaning, turnout and bucket washing. Barn is heated, so no freezing while you work. Barn is located in Barhamsville, VA. Call for more information 828-284-0211.

10/21/2022

Hensley’s are looking for one more person to add to their barn crew. Four mornings a week. Call 828-284-0211 for more information.

03/20/2022

How does it happen??? We went to buy goat soap and end up buying a saddle instead

01/22/2022

The tentative schedule for the ARHA championship show

01/06/2022

Do you enjoy competing in local competitions such as halter, team penning, ranch, barrel racing, judged trail riding, dressage, or open shows? If your answer is yes, ApHC invites you to join the Appaloosa Competitive All-Breed Activities Program!⁣⁣⁣
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ACAAP promotes and rewards the Appaloosa horse that excels in all-breed competition outside of ApHC approved/sponsored shows and trail rides. Receive recognition and awards for participating with your Appaloosa in the events your community offers! ⁣
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Learn more and sign up here: https://www.appaloosa.com/acaap
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