Springpoint Farm

09/29/2024

Important data from an interesting study. Your horse can only do their best work when they are comfortable…Knowledge is powerful when you are trying to help your horse live their best life. ☮️

**𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟**

𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘁

MacKechnie-Guire, R*, Williams, J.M., Nixon, J., Fisher, M., Fisher, D., Walker, V., Murray, R., Clayton, H.M

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 (read without a subscription):
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14420

For the past four years, we have investigated the pressures beneath different nosebands when adjusted from 2.0 to 0.0 finger tightness (0.0 finger adjustment so that the noseband was touching but not compressing the skin).

Poor noseband adjustment could create high pressures that may risk pain or tissue damage. This study is a step forward in providing quantitative data relating to pressures associated with noseband type and fit when adjusted to various tightness’s.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀:

🐴No significant difference between noseband pressures when the noseband was adjusted from 2.0 to 1.5 finger tightness.

🐴Noseband pressures were highest on the mandible vs. the lateral aspect of the nasal bones.

🐴No differences were found in noseband pressures between the cavesson, flash or Swedish (crank) noseband types at 2.0 to 0.5 finger tightness.

🐴The Drop noseband had the lowest absolute nasal pressures (mandible pressures not measured) and significantly lower values than the other nosebands. We need to be mindful of the position of the traditional drop. More work needed.

🐴Noseband pressures were lower when ridden in trot, compared with when chewing a treat.

🐴Noseband pressures were cyclical (rise and fall) and not continuous – changing during the stride and the chewing cycle of the horse.

As always, this is a team effort. Thank you to our research assistants, riders, owners and horses.. Thank you to our funders, World Horse Welfare, British Equestrian, Canadian Sport Horse Association, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Hartpury University.

NB image taken from pilot testing and was not included in the main study. All noseband types are described in detail in the manuscript.

07/28/2024

If you haven’t seen this yet, please consider making a donation to help Anna.
Thank you - SPF

Update 7/25/2024 To reach and surpass both goals in just 2 days really speaks… lauren leavitt needs your support for Support Anna Welch's Road to Recovery

05/19/2024

“Think about controlling the feet and shifting the weight. If you get the horse to move his weight, he’s got to shift his feet - but I bet he doesn’t move his feet first. He shifts his weight, then moves his feet. He prepares his position and then there’s a transition. Don’t try to get the horse to go without getting it ready.” - Ray Hunt

03/30/2024

Excellent video explaining the structure of the hoof and relationship of horseshoe nails. This view is a hoof with the toe removed. It’s a perspective I’d never seen before and quite educational. This is why horse owners should always do their research before hiring a farrier. Professional farriers who are invested in their craft. The farriers who are always looking to continue their education by attending farrier’s conferences are priceless. They use best practices to care for their clients horses. Barefoot is not always possible. Some horses require a shoes because it’s simply more comfortable. Some need a shoe for veterinary purposes. There’s never one method that is better than another. What is best, is what the horse needs at the time. Hoof health may change with excellent farrier care, and a horse might be able to tolerate being barefoot. But realize that barefoot means more frequent trims, it doesn’t mean no trims …. or trimming when you think about getting it done. There are also some pretty amazing composite shoe options available for horses now. Knowledge is key. Study, ask questions and learn.

01/05/2024

Great information. Hay is best for keeping horses warm in cold weather. Digesting hay creates heat.

During these cold winter days you may be thinking about offering bran mashes to your horse as a warm, comforting treat and also as a way to help prevent colic due to the higher fiber content of bran. This, however, is an outdated concept and nutritionists point out several potential problems associated with feeding bran mash too often—namely, an imbalance of the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio that could lead to bone disorders, and a disruption of the healthy fermentation patterns in the horse’s intestinal tract.

The best way to help your horse stay warm this winter is by increasing forage 🌾 and providing shelter 🏠 during a cold snap. And as far as the risk of colic, your first line of defense is to provide plenty of water to keep your horse hydrated. 💦

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information; contact them to learn more about feeding mashes (they are typically not an issue if fed as the occasional treat) and colic prevention this winter.
•
Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

11/08/2023

Ten simple habits for success. Practice them daily.
Not only will you be competent, your horses will appreciate you.

https://www.horselistening.com/2012/04/01/ten-habits-of-competent-riders/?fbclid=IwAR2NuSol29uRkYUC2VlLsYLyOQdJVd7Rq5-dTZmO4DI1Oacdcc8idcL1x60_aem_AfXj7tgj72y6psdAzHU_DhYpakCfWRnnqEBNIpswJHWIxMrr3y3o1cgG9OFxxnqbOjA&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate?

10/28/2023

Important information wherever you live. Sand can build up in the equine digestive system and cause colic. This is excellent advice

09/19/2023

The YouTube link is in the comment section of John’s post. This is incredible work. Ethical practices may take a bit more time, but the outcomes are far better. The horses that are bait trapped are a calmer, more trusting, easier to handle and have more adoption opportunities than horses chased, traumatized and captured in manners that leave them with permanent fear based learning that humans = bad experiences. Great YouTube video on behavior, and ethical practices in range management.

09/18/2023

This post is why I’ve always said, the #1 question the horse NEEDS you to answer for them is, “Am I safe?” If you can help your horse to see you as a place of safety, of comfort and calm, then the rest of your horse relationship will be easy. Just remember to put yourselves in the horse’s shoes and look at the world from that perspective of “Am I safe?”… if not, what can you do to help the horse find safety and balance? Back off your pressure, ask your “question” of the horse in a different manner. Make your horse a winner. Help him be as safe as possible. Be aware when another horse is crowding you on a ride… leg yield away a step or two to increase that space “bubble”. Your horse will thank you for your awareness and creating safety. It’s so easy. Just remember to, breathe, relax and THINK. Don’t push your horse into using his primal brain to survive, or you just might find yourself using YOUR primal brain. Fear breeds emotion and anger, anger brings unwanted force. Be kind. Enjoy your horses! ☮️💖🐴

Comparative neurobiology

The size of the brain isn't what determines the intelligence of the animal, the amount of wrinkles do!
If it was the size of the brain that determined the intelligence, then a German Shepherd would technically be more intelligent than a Chihuahua, which we know is not the case.

The more socially complex the animal is, the more wrinkles they have. We know dogs are socially complex, they have social skills that often challenges human emotional fitness.

Now compare the dog brain to the horse brain!

We all know how intelligent dogs are, maybe we're not giving horses enough credit for their intelligence?

Why is it then that horses don't often offer us cognitive behaviours like dogs, such as problem solving, reasoning, impulse control, etc?

Because, for the brain to access these areas, the individual needs to FEEL safe. If the brain doesn't feel safe, all brain functions will be carried out automatically using the deeper structures of the brain. These deeper structures are subcortical, meaning they're under the wrinkly stuff (neocortex) you see in this picture, and their role is designed to help the individual stay safe and alive.

This area of the brain is called the limbic system (AKA primal brain, survival brain, flight/fight brain, emotional brain).

I refer to it as the primal brain. This brain is automatic and unconscious. It doesn't require thought process and is not concerned with responsiveness. It's job is to react and it is best friends with the sympathetic nervous system (stress response nervous system).

When you, your horse, or your dog receives sensory input or a memory and perceives it as unsafe, ALL behaviour, movement and body language will be coming from the primal brain, NOT the wrinkly stuff you see.

We expect our fellow humans, horses and dogs to be operating out of the wrinkly thinky stuff, but that can ONLY happen when the brain feels safe.

Most humans, horses and dogs in today's world are suffering with chronic stress, which means their brains are not only perceiving their world as unsafe, but they are in this state for the entirety of their waking hours.

This has major physiological, mental and emotional repercussions.

How can we help downgrade this chronic stress and start accessing the wrinkly stuff in ourselves, our horses and our dogs?

🧠 Consciously communicate in a way that creates a calm brain 🧠

A calm brain will downgrade the sympathetic nervous system and stress response hormones and allow access to all the juicy cognitive performance areas of the brain that we ALL want access to!

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 😊

01/06/2023

Researchers recently found healthy racehorses tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 following a COVID-19 outbreak among racetrack personnel.

09/23/2022

Have you been waiting longer than usual for an open appointment with your veterinarian or been unable to access after-hours services for your horse? The shortage of equine veterinarians in the U.S. is likely the cause. Many veterinary practices have too few horse doctors to service all their clients.

Why? Only about 6% of new veterinary graduates annually enter equine practice. After five years, 50% of these young veterinarians leave for small animal practice or quit veterinary medicine altogether. The primary reasons are the personal demands of the profession and equine practice’s lower starting salaries. Many new veterinarians begin their career with more than $200,000 in student loan debt, making an equine position with lower compensation often unthinkable. When financial concerns are combined with the always present demands of emergency coverage, many equine veterinarians choose to leave for a healthier way of life.

The good news is that the AAEP along with private veterinary practices and veterinary schools are addressing the pain points which have led to the current crisis. But the solution is complex and will require the support and collaboration of every person in the equine industry — including horse owners. As we work to improve the profession for current and future veterinarians, you have a huge role to play in the much-needed transformation of equine practice. Horse doctors look forward to working together with you for the good of the horse and the sustainability of veterinary care!

09/15/2022

09/09/2022

Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth. Her passing today is a huge loss to the equestrian world. She had an extensive knowledge of racing, breeding and training. She is credited with saving the Cleveland Bay horse breed after the war. In recent years, Queen Elizabeth was passionate about promoting and breeding her beloved Highland and Fell ponies. She was a great supporter of of equestrian sports of all types. She rode all her life for pleasure and in ceremonial occasions such as Trooping the Colour.

09/03/2022

😂

08/25/2022

Don’t get into a fight with sensitive horses. Nice bit of coaching by Michael with this misunderstood horse.

08/16/2022

You can work on your horsemanship and riding anywhere. Practice slow mindful halts in the car as if it were a nice, flowing downward transition. While you’re walking around pay attention to your balance and posture; are you dropping a shoulder as you turn…? How do you sit? It doesn’t have to be every moment, but practice, visualizing and mindfulness and correct balance and movement. Practice emotional control. Practice breathing into your belly and not your upper chest. Work it into your day. Your horse will thank you for it. Mindfulness = good horsemanship.

08/16/2022

Long toes = pain for the horse.
Learn to ‘see’ what a healthy hoof looks like.

Diagram showing a hoof with dorsal wall distortion & the stretched laminae that’s causing the problem
The second hoof is showing that by rasping the wall straight, thinnning & weakening the wall, we still have not corrected the problem

07/17/2022

Important information. There’s a ton of half pads, full pads, corrector pads, thin line pads… make sure yours doesn’t create pressure points or problems. Let Poppy Webber give you some pointers:

06/26/2022

I finally finished my graphic about thresholds. A major thanks to the people in my braintank, my generous Patrons on patreon.com, and of course the one and only Eileen Anderson from Eileenanddogs who allowed me to use her article and graphic about thresholds as inspiration for my horsey one! Be sure to check out her article here: https://eileenanddogs.com/2014/02/25/thresholds-in-dog-training/ and to get a better look of my graphic go to my website http://fedupfred.com/1194-2/

There will be a seperate graphic on DS and CC (each their own, or combined.. not sure yet) in the future, but be sure to google them in the meantime.

06/26/2022

I want to make a plea to people to stop cross-tying horses. Cross-ties are anti good horsemanship.

Their purpose is to restrict the movement of a horse when tied up. They hinder the horse’s ability to swing around or turn its head. Every attempt by a horse to swing its neck is met with pressure. They act by flooding a horse with pressure until it gives up fidgeting in futility. Cross-ties are anti-training because they do not address the cause of the problem, only the symptom.

I know some people use cross-ties to prevent the horse from biting them when saddling or grooming or picking out feet. Some vets will use cross-ties when attempting to give an injection. Some therapists will insist on cross-ties when doing bodywork. I have been in barns where it is a rule that horses be cross-tied in the breezeway to prevent them from interacting with horses in adjacent stalls. I know of a farrier who insists horses be cross-tied before shoeing - no exceptions.

I understand that vets, therapists, and farriers should not be expected to put themselves in jeopardy with a horse that might lash out at them. However, a responsible owner should put in the time and effort to ensure the horse is okay with whatever intervention is bothering it beforehand. I don’t expect my farrier to have to deal with an unruly horse. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it’s not okay to hide the issue with cross-ties.

If I have a horse that has difficulty tolerating a procedure I much prefer to hold a horse on a lead rope than to tie it up. Through the feel of the lead rope I can interact with it every second and guide it to change its thought and help it relax and find calmness. Cross-ties hinder my ability to do that.

I equate cross-ties with people flexing their horse’s head to the inside before stepping into the saddle to discourage it from walking away. Flexing the neck too does nothing to address the reason why the horse wants to walk away when being mounted, it just makes it harder for the horse to move.

You can probably think of other practices where gadgets are used to mask deep-seated trouble in a horse.

06/21/2022

Well written and straight to the point. This is a simple recipe for success with horses. Brilliant post.

I DON’T KNOW YOUR HORSE…
…But I do know horses. Here are a few things I’ve learned that should help most horses, most of the time, with whatever problem you may be having.

DO LESS:
Whatever it is, just do less. Expect less. React less. Use less strength. Less contact. Less pressure down the rein/rope. Less pressure from the leg. Less driving from the seat. Less noise…

GIVE MORE:
More patience. More time. More benefit of the doubt. More rest breaks. More reward. More still. More quiet. More variety. More length to the neck…

DITCH YOUR EGO & LET STUFF SLIDE:
Your horse isn’t trying to get one over on you, (or if he is, ask yourself why he feels the need to). What you think is naughty behaviour is usually just an attempt to communicate something: Discomfort, distrust, uncertainty, anxiety, fear, none of which require ‘telling off’…

COUNT TO TEN:
Be in control of your own emotions before you try and control your horse’s emotions. Once you let your emotions change, the whole dialogue upon which your training is based, changes…

IT TAKES TWO TO ARGUE:
So rather than asking for something that goes against your horse, start by asking for things you’re already pretty sure the horse is going to give, and go from there. (This one takes a little figuring out but is totally worth it!) N.B.: Common sense required!…

EVERYTHING IS MADE UP OF THE BASICS:
More advanced work is simply an arrangement of the basics taken care of simultaneously…

NEVER DISCOUNT PAIN:
You can never truly ‘rule out pain’ as a cause of unwanted behaviour. No matter how much money you spend, or how good your vet is…

REST DAYS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING DAYS: Overtraining can be just as damaging as under preparing. Horses only have so many jumps/steps in them - use them sparingly…

BREAK IT DOWN:
Most issues can be solved by taking a step back, breaking the issue down into smaller chunks, and taking care of those chunks one by one…

TAKE YOUR TIME:
You’ll get there much quicker if you do. Cutting a corner will only come back to bite you in the ass sooner or later…

ONE FINAL THING…
Horse training is subject to the same laws of physics as everything else. You can’t argue with either anatomy or physics, no matter how many medals you’ve won. Train with this in mind, because there isn’t a single instance where an unyielding or strong rein contact will benefit your training, or your horse…

06/20/2022

Article explaining the equine autoimmune disease DSLD / ESPA

06/20/2022

Here’s the very useful Equine Pain Ethogram study. There are drawings with each behavior and there are also links embedded in the paper that will take you to very short video clips of horses in the study.
Knowledge is power. Learn what may be indicators of pain related behaviors so there’s no mistake that it isn’t just your horse doing something ‘new and cute’.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in and need for a comprehensive ethogram of discomfort behavior of horses, particularly for use in recognizing physical discomfort in domestically managed horses. A clear understanding of the physical discomfort behavior of horses among caretakers,....

06/20/2022

I’m posting this with a heavy heart for the many friends of my sweet Paint mare “Calli” Summer Wildwood Rose
b 5/11/199 - d 6/15/2022”

Surrounded in our love we helped her pass from this realm to the Next Place that all souls one day travel. Her health rapidly deteriorated and there was no other medical interventions available to ease her suffering from the painful effects of the equine autoimmune disease DSLD/ ESPA. (I will post an article about this disease and another on equine pain ethograms to hopefully help others understand so that they may one day help another horse.)

Calli was a wonderful, kind and wise teacher. She shared her centeredness, her strength and joyful embrace of life with all she encountered.

She taught me more about life and living it well and with grace; even in the face of a slow and painful death, than any creature I’ve ever had the good fortune to know.

We gave each other support in the moments in life when we faced challenges and new experiences. Sometimes we’d flow together as one being, and other times one of us would take the point and lead until we were certain we could safely navigate through and add it to our hard earned toolbox of ‘life experience’.

We had many adventures at clinics of all types and kinds; occasionally’ playing with cows’, doing versatility, dressage or jumping. She enjoyed bushwhacking to explore new areas and create trails and meeting up with other riders along the way … and of course the occasional unexpected ’wild critters’.

We had annual weeks spent camping with great friends at Acadia National Park and learning about the historic old carriage roads and beautiful stone bridges, and new trails filled with rocky gorges and huge curved wooden bridges. One of our favorite areas reminded me of a fairy realm full of dappled sun, ferns and bright green moss, it was closed to bicycles and the peace of that place was otherworldly.
Calli loved our beach rides (even the weird ones with parasail surf-boarders; trust me it was bizarre seeing floating humans!!)

Calli offered her welcoming, bold charm to the veterans groups we hosted at our farm and to our many students. She tolerated dogs and most creatures, but was always quick to put pushy, rude geldings in their place.

She was so friendly, she’d occasionally lick you like a dog. (Yes, Buck and Greg Eliel both told me; ‘some horses are just friendly like that.. don’t worry about it, there’s no disrespect there.’) Calli’s lesson: ‘don’t read too much into things, sometimes it’s nothing more than it actually appears to be.’

Calli was a bright blessing. I am forever grateful to have had her in my life from the first breath she took, to her last. She taught me exactly what it meant to raise up a foal to a well rounded mare. She carried no baggage or anxiety, she was chock full of trust and “try”, and any mistakes I made over our years together, she graciously forgave.

Rest In Peace sweetheart. You’ve earned it and then some. You have so many friends on this side of the veil who will carry your memory in their hearts forever. I’m certain there’s a horseman or horsewoman in heaven who is just as grateful to know you.

Immortality is the true gift of Love. Until we meet again, shine brightly in the heavens.

I hope you enjoy the photos I have included in this post of Calli and some of her adventures and her many friends.

A few words to send her spirt safely home:

I give you this one thought to keep.
I am with you still. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone.
I am with you still in each new dawn.

- Native American Poem