Misthaven

Misthaven Private and semi private riding lessons for all ages and experience levels at a reasonable price in a fun ,safe ,effective manner!

06/28/2025

We will be closed July 4th!
Thank you!

06/27/2025

Hello all!
If you hadn't noticed, IT'S HOT. And we've gotten several calls for colics, anhidrosis (non-sweaters) and generalized heat exhaustion. Remember when the weather is like this you have to plan ahead but since we are in the heat of it, here are some tips.

#1 - Use common sense! Make sure all water supplies are filled to the max with fresh clean water daily. Make sure all salt and mineral sources are in free choice supply. Make sure every horse is in the coolest location possible, this may be in a run-in shed or cool grove of trees or may be in a stall with a fan. Everyone needs shade and air!

#2 - Hosing is important but so is removing the water. Hot water on a horse can be hotter than having them dry! If you are actively hosing with cold water you can focus on areas like the jugulars, chest, inguinal area, and under the tail but be sure to scrape them dry and stick them in front of a fan afterwards.

#3 - BUY A THERMOMETER, yesterday! I don't know how many times people told me yesterday that the horse did not feel overly hot, and my hottest horse temperature yesterday was 105.8!

#4 - Make sure your horse is sweating. Rapid respiration rate with hair standing on end can be a sign that your horse's sweat glands have fatigued. This can be a dangerous situation very quickly. If you think your horse is not sweating appropriately please let me know right away but all the above rules still apply!

Finally, if you don't have to ride, this would be a good week to rest, for both you and your horse! Stay cool out there!

06/22/2025

Thanks for this, Karla Pohl:

06/21/2025

From one unhealthy extreme to another -

In response to over flexed horses ridden too deeply behind the vertical, it’s easy to come to the logical conclusion that out in front of the vertical is best.

Nuance is impirtant here!!

An over flexed neck is not healthy, either behind or above the bit. Just because the horse over flexed is under physical duress, a horse flattening their neck and pushing their nose ahead is not inherently better.

Many now have taken to manually lifting the poll up and riding a strung out horse with the poll locked. This is still front to back riding, and is still not healthy for the spine.

The hind leg has to bear weight.
The back has to have a healthy swing, it can’t be flattened - even if the throat latch is not compressed, the back still can be dropped
The base of the neck has to be centered and lifted
The shoulders have to be even and lifted

It’s been known for ages and somehow we are re inventing the wheel in all kinds of bizarre ways that don’t serve the horse.

Photo is one of my favorites of Egon Von Neindorff

Address

190 Halls Branch Road
Pleasant Shade, TN
37145

Telephone

+15415364077

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