Amy Allen Horsemanship LLC

15/08/2024

https://fb.watch/tZ_HKOsGYl/

15/08/2024

Chrome

14/08/2024

Lions, and tigers and bears...oh my!
Thats what Max was probably saying, he might have been saying something else too. Meanwhile I was thinking and doing, centered, forward, centered, your ok Max, forward, centered, centered, centered,.....keep the horse centered and you will most likely avoid the quick spin for home. And if you cant ride it, get off and show the horse, and be the leader and keep him out of your bubble.

09/08/2024

Fyi to anyone travelling Hwy 108 AND now Hwy 101. Hwy 101 is ONE lane in both directions where they installed the new light poles. This is causing significant back ups (1hr plus but it would really be faster if people would ZIPPER MERGE )
https://lyt.ai/blog/on-the-road/the-zipper-merge-why-waiting-until-the-last-minute-to-merge-is-changing-how-cities-manage-traffic/ )
and delays, especially during peak traffic times.

https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-108-us-101-mason-and-thurston-co-fish-barriers-remove-fish-barriers

09/08/2024

Virtual trail ride on Maximus.

Do I always lunge a horse before I ride? No. Sometimes I do horsemanship ground work. I want the horse to be with me when I swing a leg over. Max is a very honest horse and we've built a relationship of mutual respect and trust. Today it was 93 and I waited until it cooled off to ride, which was early evening.

He had a snack before we started our work, its not good for a horse to work on an empty stomach, as you can create ulcers. He was also turned out, lots of walking (not much to eat so he explores more) and he doesn't live in a stall, all these things (movement) get him warmed up and supple.
I could have lunged, to get him with me (the lunging we do is not the mindless, go in a circle, lunging you commonly see) warmed up and supple. The horsemanship ground work was all he needed today to get with me and flexible. Then I hopped on and we headed right out to the trail.

A quiet horse can become excited very quickly and a hard worked horse can become excited very quickly. Thats why the relationship is so important.

Enjoy.

08/08/2024

Older Arabian with a mild club, high/low. She moves a lot in her pasture which is gravel and grass, so mixed terraine. Dense hard feet with thick soles. Six week trim cycle. Ive been trimming her for a number of years. Mash based diet

05/08/2024

This is Tansy.
Its an invasive w**d with a shallow root system. Its poisonous to horses. Its easy to pull because of its shallow root system. I think it took me 2 hrs to pull all this. Wear gloves so the oils dont get on your skin.

30/07/2024

A number of clients horses have been very itchy lately, scratching on whatever they can rub on, possibly causing broken and maybe bleeding skin on the tail, around the tail, on the chest, etc.
There are a few possibilities for this incessant itching.

I think this is often missed, dirty sheath or between the teats.
Depending on if you have a gelding or mare, if their sheath or teat area have build up, creating sm**ma or dry skin, creating irritation, the horse has no way of scratching/rubbing that area, instead they rub their tail, butt, even their chest. I investigated a client's horses sheath and it had a LOT of sm**ma build up and this guy was itching himself raw. Cleaning a sheath isnt hard, you just have to make sure you dont get cow kicked. Ive used a warm bucket of water with dawn dish soap and a small washcloth, I've seen a vet use ivory soap, theres also Excalibur sheath cleaner. (Just be careful what you use to clean a sheath as you dont want to create a bigger problem) Rinse well. You can also create a problem by over cleaning. For mares, I check between their teats, I have found dry/oily skin build up and by carefully rubbing I'm often able to remove it all with my fingers. Usually the mare finds it feels good, puts their nose in the air and enjoys the cleaning. A wet warm wash cloth with some soap will also do the job. Again watch for cow kicking, listen to the horse and work with them.

Gnats, no seeums, flies, insects.....Swat cream works really well in the groin area, around the belly line where there isnt much hair. Apply often (1-2xs a week) to keep the bugs from biting.

A lack of deworming can also cause itchy horses.

Lice, mites and grubs can also cause extreme itching. Ivermectin takes care of these parasites.

If its a bug problem (gnats,no seeums, mayflies) and/or Sweet Itch; Avon Skin So Soft bath oil is a bug repellant for gnats, it also sooths the skin so it can heal. Broken bleeding skin causes more bug attraction and then you have a vicious cycle.

Sometimes its the product (fly spray) thats causing an allergic reaction. So you would have to find one that doesn't cause a reaction.

So whatever is the cause of the itching, these are some of the problems and solutions Ive experienced. Find the root of the problem and treat accordingly.
(Disclaimer, Im not a vet, use common sense and if you cant clean a sheath, call your vet and make an appt)

27/07/2024

Hoof rehab of an 11yo Arabian gelding. He was in bar shoes.
This collage of photos was the first trim May 3rd and I did his 4th trim today. His owners are on board with the correct diet, treatment of thrush and lots of movement.

20/07/2024

Heres your friday night virtual trail ride on Maximus.
Have a great weekend!

19/07/2024

16/07/2024

Clip clop clip clop.... beautiful evening for a ride. Saw a buck, doe, and a hawk.

15/07/2024

Friendly reminder to check your horses belly, groin area, teats/sheath for cleanliness and bug bites. Check legs for hairless areas the flies are literally eating raw.
The bugs love to chew your horses up and drive them mad. Sm**ma attracts the bugs. Skinny horses will burn off needed calories.
Daily application of effective fly spray, Swat cream works well slathered in hairless areas, Avon skin so soft bath oil repels knats.

12/07/2024

If your horse has GI issues, this might be why.
Try a different kind of hay

⚠1 & 2 - Ammonium Propionate (buffered propionic acid) & Propionic Acid (more corrosive) are organic acids and the most common main ingredients in hay preservatives. Propionic acid was 1st registered as a pesticide in the early 1970’s. In a chronic feeding study using propionic acid, the high dose rats had hyperplasia, ulcers and other effects in the forestomach. Both can cause skin irritation, serious eye irritation and respiratory irritation. Classified by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) but is not authorized as a food additive in Europe.

⚠3 - Propylene Glycol is able to lower the freezing point of water and used as aircraft de-icing fluid but is classified by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use as a direct food additive. It is prohibited for use in food for cats due to links to Heinz body anemia. Possible adverse reactions are: skin and digestive tract irritation, allergic reactions, potentially toxic to the kidneys and liver, neurological symptoms, cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, potentially bio accumulative.

⚠4 - Ammonium Hydroxide is a colorless liquid chemical solution. It forms when ammonia dissolves in water and is found in many industrial products and cleaners. Some of these are flooring st*****rs, brick cleaners, and cements. Ammonium hydroxide is poisonous. FDA regulations classify ammonium hydroxide as safe (“generally recognized as safe” or GRAS) at certain levels. Potential adverse reactions are skin irritation, serious eye irritation and respiratory irritation.

⚠5 - Food Dyes: Green No. 3, Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1 are commonly added to hay preservatives to present a fresh green appearance and improve marketability. These are carcinogenic.

𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙂𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, being most noticeable to individuals who may have ulcers or a poor gut flora population.

Preservatives in hay can have an adverse effect on you and your horse's health. Learn what hay types are likely to contain preservatives and what the 5 common ingredients are👉 https://www.thehaypillow.com/blogs/news/hay-preservatives-5-ingredients-you-need-to-know-about

11/07/2024

Training Shiloh
We practiced with just the rope evenly draped over her back with it dragging on both sides. Then in the arena on sand, I added a pole, she was great, never was afraid. Today I drove her over the grass and gravel circle where trailers park. Then we went down the driveway and carefilly did a tight turn for home. We did this a few times before I filmed.

This is not tied to her and will come off if things go south.

08/07/2024

When its this hot, currently 97, its too hot to work horses but its perfect weather for bathing. And its even more perfect for Shilohs first bath!
Yesterday, as I was hosing off horses, Shiloh did not like that idea at all, but she did watch me hose off Chrome. (He loves it, just stands and enjoys the coolness).
I start by holding her, just hosing, and she can move her feet but not get away from the water. Pretty soon she learns to stand because running away doesn't make the water go away. After she was ok I tied her at her shelter and she got a full bath. After I was done and let her loose, of course shes going to go roll, they all do, then they get a second rinse to get the dirt off. This video was as I was doing the second rinse. That tongue. 🤣🤣🤣

07/07/2024

These three are our very old horses, all in their mid to low 30s. Old horses teeth get smooth with age and they can no longer chew hay like they use to, which is normal as horses age. Chewing hay, and the saliva the horse produces starts the process of breaking down the hay for digestion and absorbing the nutrition.

The majority of the Belgians diet is a beet pulp (b.p.) mash mix (B.P.. Haystacks Special Blend (S.B), Rice bran, California Trace, loose white salt), 2xs a day, the dark bay, Raven, a few weeks ago I increased her b.p. mash mix (B.P., S.B., Ca Trace, salt) as she had dropped weight, and the sway backed horse, Red, gets 3lbs of mash (B.P., S.B., Ca Trace, salt) am and pm, all have access to grass pasture and fine stemmed local hay. When I increase a horses feed, if its enough of an increase I will see a gain in about 2 weeks. If I dont see weight gain, I increase it some more.
I dont typically feed alfalfa but old horses, fine stemmed alfalfa with lots of green leaves is easier for them to chew, and its higher in calories, so they are not burning more calories chewing than what they are consuming.
Weighing a horses feed is one of the best ways to know if the horse is being fed enough. And once you know how much your measuring scoop, or can (I use a coffee can it holds 1lb of feed), holds, you will know how much your feeding by weight.

05/07/2024

Training Maximus

The day after, fireworks were going strong until 2am. So we get out and make fresh thoughts and see whats really out there. Nothing but pretty flowers, and beauty all around.
Its a beautiful sunny summer day!

05/07/2024

Happy Independence day!
I greatly celebrate this day, as it has a lot of history and meaning. We have so much freedom, and many died for those freedoms.
But I dont enjoy the fireworks. Are you sitting out with your horses tonight? I was surprised to see Max off his hay bag, he was worried too.
Just got this text from a client.

02/07/2024

Training Sam

Sam goes home today.
Four years ago he came as a 7yo for 90 days to start, two months ago he came back as a restart and this time his owner came also.
There was a lot of rehab to realign his left low neck and right S.I. and strengthen the muscles. He has never offered to buck while he was here, hes more of the flight type. He needs a confident but kind leader. His owner has been successful with our lessons, battling that debilitating fear that you never want to experience.

His program; correct lunging, in hand work with lots of flexions so he can be kept supple and engage those areas he doesnt want to engage, lots of balanced walking and trotting under saddle, lateral movements would really help his left lead canter esp travers on the left rein, as well as straightness and straight backing so he engages that left front leg.
While I have been cantering him, a lot of work at the walk and trot would benefit him the most.

Its been enjoyable to work with Sam and his owner, Luisa, again.

30/06/2024

If you're looking for compressed Timothy McCombs hay is "probably going to get another load next week" and you can call and reserve. Last load he got in 40 bundles and it goes fast.
McCombs Hay Satsop Wa 360-470-1717 (closed on Sunday)

28/06/2024

What do you do to help your horse(s) get through the fireworks?

26/06/2024

Training Sam

How do you think a horse feels when they are out of balance and traveling crooked? Maybe a little scared, reactive, nervous, maybe.....can you see the change when Sam accepts my aids at the canter and looks more relaxed and balanced?

Transition from walk to trot, trot to canter, Sam willingly goes forward but crooked, he wants to go forward with his right shoulder over weighted, or leaning in, and his nose pointed to the outside. Since he has been adjusted three times in two months, and they finally held, its up to the rider to retrain the horse to go forward with balanced shoulders and the nose straight in front of the horse. His mind and body are not going to give up this thought easily, so timing, feel and consistency are very important. If he leans and weights the inside shoulder, with my inside rein, I will lift my hand, keeping my elbow to my side and using it like a hinge to rebalance his shoulders. After he accepts my aids, and this new balanced way of going you can see the change in his balance and hes more relaxed. It takes more time to retrain and fix than it does to initally train.

26/06/2024

Shiloh and her owner working with on precise ground driving. It looks easy, but its not. 😊

25/06/2024

Saw a post about horse whiskers, and recently had a conversation about whiskers with a horse friend, so I did a bit more research. Very interesting how the horse uses whiskers and they actually have a nerve supply. See the link below for more detailed information.

"People are choosing to leave whiskers on their horse as the whiskers (vibrissae) are actually an incredibly important sense to them. The whiskers around the eyes and muzzle are extremely sensitive and have a rich nerve supply (9). Each whisker in mice has a region of the sensory cortex (in the brain) dedicated to it (2). As horses and mice have similar physiology we can deduce that horses do too. ‘This dedication of a portion of the cortex to each vibrissa indicates that they must be extremely important sensory instruments which should not be removed for cosmetic purposes’ (McGreevy, 2004:51). "

"The cerebral cortex is your brain’s outermost layer. It’s responsible for memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, emotions and functions related to your senses."

When I wrote this article in 2016 the trimming of a horses whiskers was illegal in Germany, France and Switzerland, but in some other countries it was actively promoted. Now, in 2022 I am pleased to say that the Fédération Equestre Internationale, British Dressage, British Eventing Official, the U...

24/06/2024

Please do not turn IR and/or sugar sensitive equines out on grass. Even if a vet, or anyone else, tells you its safe because its "dry and burned up", it is not!

https://thehorse.com/170199/pasture-grass-sugar-levels-when-are-they-lowest/

19/06/2024

Its nice to have a friend keep watch while you rest.

16/06/2024

15/06/2024

Frisky Sam.
Max is like, dude, would you quit running around and eat this lushiousness!