KZ Equine Plus

21/01/2025

Preparing the 2025 summer training schedule. I'm looking forward to more favorable weather conditions coming!

21/01/2025

So I know that I'm a "feed guy" but I am also a horse keeper and every winter I see a whole bunch of blanket wars some up in various groups so I thought I would add my opinion and observations to the mix.

This photo was taken yesterday as my three Quarter Horse mares stuffed themselves with free choice hay which, as you can see, they are not shy about wasting.

They are standing outside in a steady 30 mile per hour wind with snow blowing horizontally. This is their choice because 100 feet away they have access to their stalls which are bedded with a foot of straw, heated buckets and a pile of exactly the same hay.

These mares would much prefer to be outside than in. However, if they were not wearing blankets they would most likely be huddles in their stalls against the wind.

I point this out because while it is mostly true that horses will survive the cold weather as long as they have shelter and forage it is equally true that blanketing them can be very beneficial.

Every year I see newbies posting advice on blanketing and so many of the comments are from the "I've been around horses my whole life" crowd advising that "horses don't need no damn blankets!".

There are also many comments spewing myths that blanketing is dangerous and will "make a horse sick".

These ideas are, in my own humble opinion, nonsense.

To be sure over blanketing can be a real problem as it can cause some issues with heat stress. The only problem I ever had with blankets was a boarder of mine who had a OTTB and insisted that if she were cold the horse was too. I was constantly removing heavy second blankets because the animal was dripping in sweat while the temperature was 34 F.

Tossing a horse out in 25 F weather with only a thin sheet can be equally problematic.

In general if you use a sensible strategy of midweight fill blankets you really can't go too far wrong.

But why blanket at all? Wild horses don't wear blankets!

Unfortunately the people with this attitude never have the opportunity to see the frozen carcasses of the wild horses that NEEDED BLANKETS.

The ginormous fat ass on the left side of the two in front is my 22 year old AQH mare, Flair. When Flair was young she would be standing outside grazing while covered with ice from freezing rain and not wearing a blanket. She much prefers being a little on the chillier side.

I noticed that when she turned around 15 she would start hanging out in the shelter for much longer periods.

The fat ass on the right is my 32 year old AQH mare, Skippy the Wonder Horse. She is an older lady who prefers being comfortable.

Would these lovely matrons survive the winter without blankets? Almost surely!

So why do I blanket them?

The first reason is obviously to help them be more comfortable.

The next reason is that they will stay out of their stalls moving around which is great for both their physical and mental well being. As an added benefit for mois, less mucking to do.

The third reason is that they will consume less hay which is a great budget consideration. Why spend money on hay if I can prevent them from burning calories just to stay warm?

The final reason is that blanketed horses will drink more water which avoids things like winter impaction colic.

One horse that is not in this picture is my beautiful Raven. Ray was an OTTB mare, granddaughter of Secretariat that unfortunately, at the ripe old age (for an OTTB) of 28, succumbed to an old tendon injury this past August.

Blanketing for Raven was not optional. She was a typical thin skinned Thoroughbred.

She was 14 years old the first winter she came to me and she grew a luxurious, thick coat as beautiful as any sable cape ever worn. We had one night where the temperature was 40 F with a light drizzle of passing showers. When I went out for morning feed she wouldn't come up to the barn.

Fearing the worst I grabbed her halter and walked out to lead her in. She was shivering so violently that she could barely walk. From that moment on Raven was blanketed any time the temperature dropped below 50 F and she was always a plus one so if the Quarter Horses needed a blanket Raven had two.

In my travels as a "feed guy" I encountered so many owners who refused to blanket their horses while complaining that they were hard keepers. I was forced to stand there with their miserable, shivering horses in cross ties and restrain myself from beating them with a dressage whip.

This message is for the owners who have been shamed or misinformed out of blanketing your horses. Just do it if you believe that your horse will be better off.

If you go to the barn and your horse is huddled in the run in shed or shivering slightly or is a dripping muddy mess blanketing them will be a benefit.

I feel the same way about shoes. If a horse will benefit from them then put them on.

This is only my opinion, other opinions are welcome but I've cared for lots and lots of different horses over the years and I've never had one that didn't benefit from a blanket.

Cheers!

20/01/2025

Focus and get s**t done 👊🥃

20/01/2025

For all your trail park needs large or small.. it doesn't hurt to give us a call ;)

20/01/2025

This is a filly by Ridley, out of a nice mare I used to own! She's a sweet girl, take a look!

15/01/2025

15/01/2025

THE DREAM THAT MANY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND:

My horses are my personal dream.
One day when I am very old and when I can not walk anymore, it will be in my heart as a trophy of my memories.
I met people who taught me something and have the same spirit and I met others that I'm glad I forgot.
I got wet,
I felt cold,
And I felt warm;
I was afraid,
I fell,
And I stood up.
I even hurt myself, I have been broken,
But also, I laughed out loud inside.
I spoke a thousand times with myself.
I sang and shouted with joy like a madman,
And yes ... sometimes I cried.
I have seen wonderful places and lived unforgettable experiences.
I climbed on horses that made me feel brave and excited...and then there were ones that terrified me......
I stopped a thousand times to see a landscape.
I spoke with perfect strangers, and I forgot people I see every day.
I went out with my demons inside and returned home with a feeling of absolute peace in my heart.
I always thought how dangerous it is, knowing that the meaning of courage is to advance even feeling fear.
Every time I go out to my horses I think about how wonderful they are.
I stopped talking about it to those who do not understand, and I learned to communicate with other riders.
I have met some amazing people I now call friends because of my horses.
I spent money that I did not have, giving up many things, but all these things are not worth even one special moment with my horse.
They are not a means of transport or a piece of iron with wheels, they are the lost part of my soul and my spirit.
And when someone says to me: "You have to sell the horses and you have to be more sensible", ... I do not answer. I just swing my head and smile.
A horse..... only the person who loves them understands it.
And the adventure continues...”
Author unknown

14/01/2025

When it comes to horse halters, two options are rope halters and nylon halters. It is important to understand how to properly tie a rope halter as well as understanding how they work differently from a traditional halter.

I am a big fan of using rope halters, especially for horses who are in training. Here are some reasons why.

The rope halters I use are constructed from stiff, durable rope, specifically designed to aid in cues, and they last through training many quirky horses.
Sensitivity: Rope halters provide better communication due to their thinner, lightweight design. They give precise cues, sending clearer signals than traditional halters.
Pressure and Release: The knots are placed to apply pressure when necessary and release instantly when the horse responds.
Versatility: Rope halters are highly versatile and can be used for various activities, including groundwork, training, trail riding, and even as a temporary halter in emergencies. Their design makes them highly adjustable, almost a "one size fits all." I use the same sized halters on all my horses, except for my yearling, who does have a smaller size.

Check out the photo below to see how to properly tie a rope halter knot. It is tied this way for safety reasons. These halters are durable, and it is rare that they break, even if a horse puts all its body weight into one. Of course, we never want this to happen, but as we all know, sometimes it does. A proper knot allows it to still be loosened and removed without the knot becoming so tight it cannot be undone.

09/01/2025

We all learn differently. This is hard enough when we are trying to master a new training exercise but it can be crucial to our success, if we enter events that have posted patterns to memorize.

I, ahem, know of a few people who have pretty much quit showing, because of this one thing.

We can’t learn, or think, or remember, under pressure. The good news is, we're not alone. Very few of us can commit a pattern to memory in a time crunch, including our horses.

As someone who has long struggled with the process of reading, or hearing detailed instructions, then transposing them into a ridden pattern, I have learned a few tricks.

We generally fall into broad groups of learners who best take on new information in different ways. While there is scientific terminology and explanations in the psychology of educating people, let’s keep it simple.

Our brains naturally process information differently. Some of us learn by reading. Studying a posted pattern will be enough. Others by hearing, such as having a ‘caller’ in a dressage test. Most of us learn to do by doing, either by walking and riding it through, or even following someone else through the pattern.

We all require varying amounts of repetition, ranging from having a quick walk-through, to riding a pattern or test several times in succession. Note that none of this has anything to do with our intelligence!

Some of us learn best by seeing, which means watching someone demonstrate. The trick is finding a horse and rider worthy to emulate! Other people will need to talk it through, to put actual words to their thoughts.

I learn and retain by writing things down, which is one of the reasons I’ve journaled my horsemanship for over fifty years. I'm also verbal, so if I can quietly talk myself the way through, AS I ride, it all works out.

Learning a pattern, or following a teacher in a class, often soaks in best if we recognize which type of learner we are and then, finding a way that best honours this. I have learned that if I can pick from several methods, I can make a combo that will help me retain new data in a short-term and more pressured situation…

That is, your average day of showing in pattern classes, or riding a precise dressage test or reining run. Even in understanding new drills in a clinic situation. All those paid auditors can be a scary crowd to face.

Note that it is very common to have trouble distinguishing right from left, when directions are given vocally as commands. This is important to know, whether you are a student, or a teacher. Yelling louder does not help!

Some really practical aids to learning include:

• Taking a picture of the posted pattern and having it on your phone for easy viewing.

• Bringing a white board or a pad of paper, to draw it out, yourself. A piece of tracing paper over the actual pattern might be needed to help someone who has trouble visualizing geometry.

• ‘Riding’ it through a few times on foot, unmounted.

• Orienting ourselves and the printed pattern in the same direction as they will be ridden in the arena. Many of us cannot learn a pattern while facing east, if it is later to be ridden facing north, for example.

• Explaining the pattern verbally to someone who holds the printed version.

• Writing an ‘L’ and an ‘R’ on your respective hands, or on the crownpiece of the bridle, if you are stressed about muxing them ip!

• Bringing little traffic cones (purchased at the dollar store) to mark transition spots and targets as shown on the pattern. Precision takes practice.

• Having someone talk you through, as a caller or with an ear piece in the warm up area. Talking yourself through, while riding, can be a surprising help.

• Asking someone to demonstrate with their own horse, while you follow, or talk through the pattern.

• Going to a quiet spot on the show grounds, away from other people, or spectators. Many of us cannot learn, if we are being watched.

• Those of us who need a certain amount of repetition must realize that some horses will be improved in their performance if they know ahead what will be asked of them. Others will totally take charge and anticipate, if we go over a test too much. We need to know our horses, just as well as we do, ourselves.

All of the above are methods that have helped me and also, my students, when there is a time and learning crunch.

Giving ourselves the space, tools and time to memorize and actually ride a pattern for a horsemanship, reining or ranch horse class is the key to success. Remember, none of us does well when we're stressed about running late.

Don’t let the very natural fear of learning—and retaining information—keep you from stepping out.

Photo: Maggi McIvor.

08/01/2025

You may wonder why we pull back into the syringe when giving injections in the vein. This picture explains why. We don't pull back to make sure we're in the vessel, we do it to make sure we're in the RIGHT vessel. Today I went to give an injection and pulled back and saw blood brighter than I wanted. I decided to go and get a new dose of sedation and once again pulled back and then gave my dose of sedation. The syringe on the left was my first injection and the syringe on the right was my second injection. Does anyone know why I shouldn't have injected that first syringe? And had I injected that first injection, what would have happened?

07/01/2025

The Blackburn Effect ~ Article written by Frank Holmes for the Today's Horse Magazine, Breeders Edition 2010. Photos are courtesy of Ted A Ressler and Carolyn Ressler. Also, one of few pictures of Blackburn from 1956.

02/01/2025

Did you know?

In a natural environment, horses will typically eat about 16-18 hours per day.

While “meal feeding” is the common practice among horse owners, it’s important to take into consideration the amount of time between meals when there is no access to food.

It’s been suggested that at 6 hours without food passing through the stomach, reddening of the stomach lining can begin, and at 18 hours, full blown bleeding lesions can be found (ulcers).

No one (hopefully) is letting their horse go 18 hours without something to eat.

However, let’s say hay is given at 7pm and it’s finished by 10pm, then it’s given again at 7am. That’s 9 hours per night, every night, of an empty stomach. Reddening can occur at 6 hours. Imagine applying an abrasive/irritating lotion to the same spot on your arm, every night, for a year, rubbing it in for good measure. Over time that spot would worsen from a minor surface burn to a painful open wound.

It’s recommended that horses not go more than 4 hours without long stem forage passing through the gut. In the situation where free choice access isn’t a viable option (management issues, obese horse, etc), consider utilizing slow feeders to help slow down consumption and drag out the time between feedings. For older horses with bad teeth, offering more frequent meals or finely chopped forage can help reduce time between meals.

31/12/2024

Here is to another year of adventures! Happy New Year!!

31/12/2024

Little Poco Joe -Ridley