Morning Star Equestrian Center, LLC

11/09/2024

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/news/new-study-identifies-distinct-gray-alleles-contributing-difference-rate-depigmentation?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2ywaQSpoKntbvAHrvO_777_XUH2okLUwiR6RZiQbjxiiJ1bZxnCVMZhiA_aem_uDtKgBqNQ-TVTn6nB0bZjA

A newly published study led by Dr. Leif Andersson and colleagues at Uppsala University in collaboration with researchers at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) discovered the existence of two different Gray alleles, one of which is associated with fast graying and increased risk for me...

11/07/2024

11/07/2024

“Riding a horse properly on the bit is physical therapy, and helps pull the vertebrae back apart.”
-Lauren Spreiser

Kissing spine is a condition where one or more of a horse’s vertebrae are close together and touch, or “kiss.” As imaging technology has improved, so have veterinarians’ ability to diagnose things like kissing spine. For some horses, it’s a devastating diagnosis. But for a whole heck of a lot, it is merely a point of interest, based on where it is, how bad it is, and how much it bothers the horse. And the best way to support a horse with it is to make them engage their abdomen and add topline. Riding a horse properly on the bit is physical therapy, and helps pull the vertebrae back apart. After a kissing spine diagnosis, watch your saddle fit, use a good veterinarian, and take a deeeeeeep breath. There’s a whole lot of funky x-rays at the Olympic Games 🩻

11/05/2024

11/05/2024

Horse. Definitely horse.

10/16/2024

Every perfect movement you watch in dressage is the result of hundreds of imperfect tries, of riders who never gave up, and horses who slowly learned to trust. Celebrate every crooked halt, every almost-there half-pass, because they are the real victories. The path to excellence is paved with mistakes, but also with perseverance and love.

10/09/2024

Worth reading twice

October 9th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, so it seems like a good time to talk about your horse's weight!

Studies show that many horse people dramatically underestimate the body condition score of their animals, seeing healthy horses as thin and obese horses as only moderately overweight. This is not exclusive to well-meaning owners but extends to show judges and professionals as well! The consequences of carrying extra weight are tough on horses and their structures, particularly when asking them to perform athletically. Most horses should be maintained between a 4 and 6 on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring scale - with a little bit leaner being better than a little bit heavier! It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with assessing the BCS of your horse and to keep a good eye on his weight. Remember - too fat is just as bad as too thin!

Dr. David Ramey on fat horses: https://www.doctorramey.com/fat-horses/

Impact of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9951652/

Study: Exploring Horse Owners' Understanding of Weight: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/evj.13360

Study: Judges Favor Fat Ponies Over Lean Ones: https://thehorse.com/1114831/study-judges-favor-fat-ponies-over-lean-ones/

Study: Body Weight Perceptions By Horse Show Judges: https://ker.com/equinews/body-weight-perceptions-of-horses-by-show-judges/

Considerations for Growing Youngsters: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/feeding-weanling-and-yearling-horse

10/08/2024

🌟How exciting!!!🌟

            Learn More About Pony or Small Horse Memberships Here The National Dressage Pony Cup showcases the exceptional talent, training, and commitment of ponies and small horses, their owners, breeders, trainers, and riders in the art and sport of dressage. Through the leadership and ...

10/07/2024

It’s never too late!

I took my self out of the game.

I took myself out of the game when I chose to breed my good horse, the only competitive horse I had.

I took myself out of the game when I chose to ride under someone and be behind the scenes to further my skill and education

I took myself out of the game when I sold everything I had except for an un-started 2 year old

I took myself out of the game when I decided to put my family first during a really difficult time

I took myself out of the game when I pursued a career. A career that for a year took up 98% of my time.

I took myself out of the game when I mentally couldn’t handle the dedication and commitment playing the game required.

I took myself out of the game for way longer than I planned to.

And the game goes on, whether you’re playing it or not. There will always be other players ready to take your spot the second you pull back on the reins.

The people that used to cheer for me no longer do, the friends that used to encourage me no longer find me worth their time, the people that used to say they missed seeing me, no longer care to see me show up.

But the thing about the game, is that IT NEVER STOPS. And the beautiful part of it all, is that you can always choose to play again.

You may have chosen to take yourself out of it, but you can always choose to put yourself back in.

Choose to play again. Choose to come back to it, to find your love for it again. It’s okay to take yourself out. It’s okay to water other gardens and play other games, sometimes you need to. Sometimes those things are more important.

But the cool thing about this particular game.. you can always choose to play again.

It may be scary and a little more lonely than what you remember, and there may be no one that cares that you’re there, but YOU care that you’re there. And your HORSE cares that your there. And that’s all that matters.

Choose to play again.
Choose to show up.
Choose to try.
Choose to be brave, and strong.
Choose to be excited to be back at the bottom. No expectations, a clean slate. Choose to love the journey, YOUR journey, because it made you who you are.
Choose to play the game to the best of your ability no matter what happens, no matter what people say, no matter who cares that you’re there, because the comeback is always stronger than the set back.
Written by-Kassi Bryk

09/30/2024

Fascinating!

Scientists now understand why some gray horses turn completely white as they age, while others remain an eye-catching “dappled” gray color — it's determined by whether a horse has two or three copies of a small DNA sequence within the gray coat gene.

Learn more: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/genes-behind-horse-graying/

09/26/2024

🙌🏼💕🦄

People tend to enjoy owning pets of various kinds. Some people like dogs and cats while others lean towards much bigger friends: horses. Studies are done all the time to determine the benefits of owning different kinds of pets, such as a recent study that was just completed in Western North Carolina...

09/23/2024

There is absolutely no profit in this. 💸 Anytime someone doesn’t clean up after themselves or their horse or complains about frivolity I struggle with all these same thoughts. Please take good care of your barn owners and staff and offer to help whenever you can. This industry will be saved or lost by the average owner being the hero. 🦸🏼‍♀️

In early July of this year, I decided to write a post on Facebook explaining my decision to radically change my business.

09/15/2024

🫶🏼🦄💕

Congratulations to NDPC member Lillian Smith and her pony Kit Kat. The pair were our partner show pony high point winners at the Kentucky Dressage Association Fall Classic. Their winning score was a 69.138% in Training 2!
Well done!!!!


They were also reserve champion high point JR/YR for the show!!!!
WOW!!!!!

09/08/2024

Thank you for a beautiful ☀️Summer Finals☀️ and practice for USDF Regionals! With a super effort this pair came away with a 69.6% in Training 3 and a 70.0% in Intro C. Regardless of bobbles, it’s so fun to watch the ✨joy and love💕between this pony and kid! Send them some love as they head off to be small fish in a big pond next week.