Kruithoff Equine Services

01/20/2025

01/02/2025

Incorporating early training strategies for two-year-olds can have transformative benefits in the Western performance horse world, fostering sounder prospects with increased career longevity. While these benefits are well-documented in racing disciplines, they directly apply to the physical demands of Western performance events, such as reining, cutting, and cow horse competitions.

Early Training in Western Performance Horses

1. Stronger Skeletal Development: Western performance horses require significant joint stability and bone density to handle the quick stops, spins, and turns that are staples of disciplines like reining. Early, controlled training stimulates bone remodeling, creating denser, more robust skeletal structures. This reduces the risk of stress fractures and soft-tissue injuries later in life

2. Enhanced Longevity: Horses started at two years old often experience longer careers due to their bodies’ adaptability to stress. In the Western performance world, longevity is crucial, as these horses often compete for many years. Early training ensures their musculoskeletal systems are prepared for repeated high-impact movements

3. Injury Prevention: Starting with training at two years old can help prevent overuse injuries commonly seen in horses introduced to intense work later. By gradually exposing them to the physical demands of performance, young horses develop resilience, reducing the risk of injuries like suspensory strains and joint degradation.

4. Behavioral and Mental Development: Early training doesn’t just build physical strength—it also fosters mental maturity. Horses exposed to structured work early tend to be more confident and focused under saddle, key traits for success in Western disciplines.

Reflecting These Benefits in the Industry

Western performance horses often undergo rigorous schedules, including futurities that begin at three years old. Preparing a two-year-old with appropriate training & riding ensures that by the time they enter the competitive arena, they are physically and mentally ready. This preparation contributes to a longer competitive life, allowing these horses to perform at peak levels beyond their futurity years.

Best Practices for Starting Two-Year-Olds

• Controlled Exercise: Begin with low-impact activities, such as groundwork, longeing, and light riding, to gradually build strength and coordination.

• Professional Oversight: Work closely with veterinarians and trainers to monitor growth and development, avoiding overloading young horses.

• Customized Nutrition: Provide a diet tailored to support bone and joint health, such as supplements rich in calcium, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids.

By applying evidence-based practices to Western performance horse training, the industry can produce sounder, more competitive athletes capable of thriving in demanding events for years to come. Early training is not about rushing development but preparing young horses to meet the challenges of their future careers with resilience and strength.

For a more in-depth understanding, you can explore sources such as:

[Paulick Report] https://bit.ly/4iVCrVP

[Texas A&M] https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/00966654-27f2-44ea-ba3d-f3ba60c0b62b/content

[Pub Med] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2100207/

[Mississippi State] http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/breaking-horses-not-bones-properly-raising-young-horses-avoid-costly-injuries

From the www.WZEQUINE.com blog!

11/10/2024

𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘𝓷 𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓽𝓮𝓻: 𝓣𝓲𝓹𝓼 𝓕𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓔𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓽𝓼

When it comes to tracking a horse in the halter pen, everything seems pretty self-explanatory. Walk to the judge or judges, trot to and past the cone, and continue trotting around the cone to the lineup. The purpose of this portion of the class is to give the judges an opportunity to evaluate both soundness and quality of movement.

What feels like a simple task, though, can be the difference between a first place and second place horse because the devil–as they say–is in the details. Here, halter experts Kathy Smallwood, Ted Turner, and Adam and Kelley Wainscott chime in on the importance of tracking correctly while providing advice on the dos and don’ts of this part of the class.
👇
http://www.equinechronicle.com/tracking-in-halter-tips-from-the-experts/

11/05/2024

New Arrival!

BATT GIRL FOREVER - 2023 Battman filly out of Everso Stylish Thing (Its A Southern Thing)

“Sia” has been hauled to shows and has all the ground work done. She has been saddled a few times and will be ready to start riding soon.

She is UTD on everything.

Paid in NSBA and Is eligible for ABRA Buckskin Bred registry.

Priced reasonable

10/27/2024

This is going to be another GREAT sale!! November 2nd 10-2!

10/21/2024

Congratulations to Sonnesa Gooding and REDDY THIS TIME top 10 3yo lim open hunter under saddle! Owned by Michelle and Sheila Bauer and bred, raised and trained by B&G!