Esquisite Equine

01/16/2025

Did you know that every gray horse is genetically another color that turned to gray over time? They can be any color – black, bay, roan, buckskin, etc. The gray mare in the photo is genetically red (chestnut/sorrel) with the gray gene and her foal is black turning gray.

🧬Gray foals are usually born much darker than other foals. For example, a black foal that will turn gray is often born solid black with dark legs, while a black foal with no gray is often born a grayish color with lighter legs.

🧬The gray gene is dominant, which means it doesn’t “skip” generations. A horse that has the gray gene will turn gray and have a 50% chance of passing it to their offspring (or a 100% chance, if they have two copies of gray).

🧬The speed at which they gray varies and is also linked to their risk for melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Horses that turn gray more quickly have a higher risk for melanoma incidence. Until recently, we weren’t sure what affected the speed of graying or the risk for melanomas. However, new research explains that there are actually two types of gray (two different alleles, G2 and G3). Horses with G2 are slower graying and have a lower melanoma risk, while G3 horses are faster graying and have a higher melanoma risk.

Links:
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/gray_copy_number
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51898-2

Do you have a gray horse? Post a picture in the comments! 🙂

01/14/2025

Your goal should always be to maximize how much your horse drinks to prevent dehydration and colic. Here are several tips to encourage your horse to drink during cold weather.

🔥 Keep water between 45° and 65°F.
🧂 Increase your horse’s salt intake. Adult horses should consume one to two ounces of salt daily.
🧽 Regularly clean your horse’s waterer.
💧 Always provide clean, fresh water regardless of temperature.
⚡️ Check tank heaters for worn wires or damage. Also, check the water for electrical sensations or shocks.

01/14/2025

I was trying to get pictures of the moon and the pretty pink and purple sky tonight, but somebody's dirty ponies were photobombing. 🙄😆

01/03/2025

HYPP is one of the diseases on the genetic health panel test (usually known as the 5-panel or 6-panel test).

🧬What it does: Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a disease in Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas with a range of symptoms. HYPP causes episodes of muscle tremors or cramps, which can cause collapse and sometimes even death in severe cases. This can be dangerous not only for the horse, but also for handlers and riders. A milder episode may just look like muscle twitching and sweating. HYPP is linked to the famous AQHA halter stallion, Impressive. This is why AQHA requires descendants of Impressive to be tested for HYPP to be registered.

🧬Test results: Test results for HYPP will show up as N/N, N/H, or H/H.
N/N = The horse is negative and did not inherit HYPP.
N/H = The horse has one copy of the gene and may experience symptoms.
H/H = The horse inherited two copies of the gene, one from each parent, and could have more severe symptoms. A horse that is H/H will always pass the gene down to their offspring and are not able to be registered with AQHA.

🧬Management: In positive horses, HYPP episodes can be prevented with a low-potassium diet (no alfalfa, if possible), exercise, and supplements. They might also be prescribed a diuretic to help the body eliminate potassium. Your vet can help formulate a plan for caring for an HYPP positive horse.

Links:
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/hypp
https://www.aqha.com/-/impressive
https://www.aqha.com/hypp

01/03/2025

As cold air moves in, here are key tips to help keep your horse safe and comfortable. ❄️🐴

🌾 Make sure your horse has adequate access to forage (e.g., hay). Energy needs for a horse at maintenance increase about 1% for each degree below 18°F. For example, if the temperature is 0°F, a 1,000 pound idle, adult horse would need approximately 2 additional pounds of forage daily. It is best to provide the extra energy as forage since heat is produced from the microbial fermentation of forage.

🏡 Horses must have access to shelter from wind and moisture. A horse’s hair coat acts as insulation by trapping air, but when wet, the insulating value is loss.

💧 Most adult horses require a minimum of 10 to 12 gallons of water each day. Horses should always have access to fresh, clean water. Check water sources often to ensure they have not froze. Also, have an alternative plan for providing water in case of power outages. Snow and ice are not appropriate water sources for horses.

💨 Blanketing a horse is necessary to reduce the effects of cold or inclement weather when there is no shelter available during turnout periods and the temperatures and/or wind chill drop below 5°F; there is a chance the horse will become wet; the horse is very young or very old; and/or the horse has a body condition score of 3 or less.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! This year, we are focusing on enjoying the journey.

As you go into 2025, remember ― there's more to life than the achievement of the goal.

The goal gives you the opportunity to create the plan.
The plan gives you the opportunity to create the routine.
The routine gives you the opportunity to create the life you dream of.

Focus on finding fulfillment in the routine, not just the outcome. Every minute of the process is a blessing.

12/13/2024

12/12/2024

Oh Luna... 😆

12/06/2024

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving surrounded by your friends and family.

Share something you’re thankful for in the comments!

We’ll start….
We are so thankful for y’all! ♥️

11/24/2024

There are a lot of benefits of mindful grooming for our horses. I always say that it's a good idea to brush our horses after we ride to help increase circulation and relieve tension where the saddle goes. Pay attention to how your horse responds.

11/19/2024

I've been told to quit asking for a $100 bill when I only need a penny. I think this applies to bodywork too. We often start to see results and push for more.

"Careful, don't get greedy." Manolo Mendez Dressage used to say this to me when things went well. You know, those moments when the riding feels glorious. Your energy flows in harmony with the horse, bodies both aligned, time seeming to stand still. They're the moments we want to last forever. And we often TRY to make them, which of course is the problem.

When you've worked through an issue with a horse, whether it was physical or behavioral, it is tempting to ride the breakthrough on and on and on. It takes a lot of humility and tact to say: "Finally, this is good. I'll stop right here."

But when we get greedy and don't stop, we often ride past our horses' physical capacity and generous spirit. We spoil any progress we might have made. I'm still learning this balancing act, but thank you, Manolo, for planting the seed.❤❤❤

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11/16/2024

This is why it's important for us to check our bits for signs of wear.

11/12/2024

In October, I participated in a 30-day kinesiology taping challenge hosted by Sozo Equine, LLC. I loved seeing all of the posts from this challenge. There was so much creativity and so many happy horses. I'm thankful for such a great opportunity and excited to continue learning more!

Here were the results, in case you don't receive her newsletter. 🙂

10/31/2024

Spooky!

That’ll send a shiver down any horse owner’s spine!!

10/30/2024

🎉Day Thirty of Thirty!🎉

Sozo Equine, LLC Fall Taping Challenge

Thoracic trapezius tape for Jinx today.

This challenge has made me more comfortable using kinesiology tape for a variety of applications. I tested out several different brands of tape and tried new things that I wouldn't have wasted the tape to try if not for this challenge.