Desert Valley Equestrian Center, Inc.

04/09/2023

April 1990 to September 4th, 2023. RIP Flicka. You will be missed.

12/05/2022

11/05/2022

Man o ' War in his coffin . The most famous Thoroughbred died on November 1 , 1947 at the age of 30 of an apparent heart attack . He was the first horse to be embalmed , and his casket was lined in his riding colors . Man o ' War's funeral was broadcast internationally over the radio and over 2,000 people came to pay their final respects.

07/05/2022

A highly contagious disease outbreak that began on April 23 at the Cañon City Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and B***o Facility in Colorado has left 119 horses dead. The facility holds 2,500 horses. Both an independent and a federal veterinarian attempted to diagnose and treat the sick hors...

06/05/2022

Flicka made it through the winter. Up and downs throughout. She is 32 years old. So far she is rough again. We have decided that unless she takes a good upturn we will let her go at the end of June.

07/04/2022

In Eney's bloodline

With today being Bold Ruler’s as well as Round Table’s birthday, I am putting up some photos of each horse.

This is an original 1956 photo of Bold Ruler being led into the winner’s circle by his owner Mrs. Henry Carnegie Phipps after winning the Futurity Stakes at Belmont. Eddie Arcaro, his regular rider, is aboard.

Bold Ruler shares his birthday of April 6, 1954 with fellow Hall of Famer Round Table, who was born in the same foaling barn at Claiborne. Later on, the two had adjoining stallion paddocks at Claiborne and were stabled in the stallion barn on opposite sides in the first stall.

Bold Ruler suffered from chronic arthritis and overcame a number of injuries during his career, including a back injury from slamming into the gate at the start of a race. A hock problem caused him to miss the 1956 Saratoga season. At 3, again he missed the Saratoga meeting due to a pinched nerve in his shoulder. Later he retired in 1958 due to an ankle injury.

Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons developed a prototype of an electromagnetic blanket to use on Bold Ruler to relieve the pain from his arthritis. It was used on Bold Ruler just before the 1957 Preakness and Arcaro thought the horse never moved better.

Bold Ruler led the American general sire list eight times (1963-1969 and 1973), more than any other stallion in the 20th century; he also led the juvenile sire list a record six times.

According to Jockey Club records, Bold Ruler sired 240 winners and 82 stakes winners from 366 named foals. He was often viewed as mainly a sire of speedy juveniles who were distance limited. This is despite siring Bold Bidder, Gamely, Lamb Chop, Secretariat and Wajima, all champions at 3 or older and all winners of major races at 1¼ miles or more.

01/04/2022

Why we should ride young horses forward and down...

It is a commonly accepted training principle that we should encourage young horses to have a low head carriage. But why is this?

The muscles of the horses back are still immature at 3,4 and even at 5 years old. This is a combination of being developmentally (age related), and physically immature, in the sense that they lack the muscle condition which comes from years of training-induced exercise. Of course the maturity of their muscles will come naturally with time, and as we work them through groundwork and under saddle. But how can we get to this point, while protecting these fundamentally weak muscles and avoiding musculoskeletal injuries further down the line?

By utilising the passive ligament mechanism, we can allow the horse to support the back and carry the weight of the rider with very little muscular effort. This allows the epaxial muscles of the back to be free to perform their primary functions in movement, rather than acting as weight lifters.

The passive ligament system of the back is primarily composed of, well ligaments, the nuchal and supraspinous ligament to be exact.

The nuchal ligament is a strong, collagenous structure, originating at the extensor process of the occiput (the back of the skull), forming attachments to the cervical vertebrae, before inserting on the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertebrae. Here the nuchal ligament broadens in the region of the withers, before continuing as the supraspinous ligament running along the top of the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and terminating in the sacral region of the spine.

This creates an inverse relationship between the position of the head and neck and the balance between flexion and extension of the spine.

Generally speaking, lowering the head induces flexion in the thoracic region (the back is lifted) and conversely, raising the head creates extension in the thoracic region (the back hollows/drops). This is because the elongation of the strong and elastic nuchal ligament created when the head is lowered, creates a forward traction on the high spinous processes of the withers, and travels through the supraspinous ligament to lift the thoracic region of the spine. Comparatively, shortening of the ligament raises the head.

This system has provided an evolutionary advantage to the horse, as while they are grazing, the weight of the thorax and abdomen is supported passively by the ligament with very little muscular effort over long periods of time (up to the 16-19 hours per day they can spend grazing in the wild). Equally, because of the stored elastic potential energy in the liagement when it is stretched for the head to be at ground level, the horse can quickly raise its head to gallop away at the first sign of a predator.

Furthermore, lowering of the head and neck, stretching downwards and forwards, straightens out the natural S curve of the horse's spine. This lifts the bottom of the S curve, the cervico-thoracic junction and the ribcage, which creates lightness in the forequarters when the horse is moving. Further back, flexion in the thoracic region, increases the spacing between the dorsal spinous processes as the most dorsal aspect of the spine is stretched out. This posture is particularly therapeutic for horses with kissing spines.

In fact, the degree of flexion of the back is most marked between the 5th and 9th thoracic vertebrae, but is also significant between the 9th and 14th. Consequently, the arching and lifting of the back takes place directly under the saddle and therefore works to support the rider.

This is particularly useful in young horses; it allows the young horse, whose muscles are not mature enough to carry the rider, the chance to support its back and lift the weight of the rider by moving the head-neck axis rather than using active muscle contraction.

This means that the horse can use its muscles solely for movement; creating a loose, swinging back, free of tension, and suppleness in the gait.

Here we have the opportunity for us to slowly develop and condition the epaxial musculature of the young horse. Which will create a foundation of strength and suppleness of the back and the core to support more advanced movements later in their career.

Comparatively, if this system is not used, and the young horse is pulled into a shortened outline, it is the Longissimus Dorsi muscle which takes up the role of supporting the weight of the rider. But theLongissimus Dorsi is not designed for weight carrying, it is primarily a movement muscle.

Muscles act in the direction through which their fibres flow; the Longissimus Dorsi works in the horizontal plane, originating in the sacral and lumbar region of the spine and inserting through the lumbar, thoracic and ending in the cervical region. The Longissimus Dorsi primarily acts to extend and stabilise the entire spine, while also acting unilaterally to induce lateral flexion of the back. You can see the Longissimus Dorsi in action when watching a horse moving from above; the large muscle contracts alternately on each side of the back in the rhythm of the gait to stabilise the movement.

Once the Longissimus Dorsi is required to lift the weight of the rider, the muscle becomes blocked and stiff. Muscles are designed to work through a process of contraction and relaxation; held too long in contraction (to carry the weight of a rider, or support a shortened outline) and the Longissimus Dorsi will fatigue. This will lead to muscle spasm and pain within the muscle. Not only will the horse lose the strength to carry the rider, but they will also lose the natural elasticity of the back which will reduce the fluidity of their gaits.

Over time with greater overuse and fatigue, the Longissimus Dorsi muscle will atrophy, requiring the recruitment of other muscles, such as the Iliocostalis, to take up the role of stabilising the back and supporting the weight of the rider. Other muscles which are equally not designed for weight lifting. And so the cycle continues and the performance of the horse suffers.

With this knowledge in mind, we can understand why it is so essential to make use of the passive ligament system, by striving for that forward and down head carriage. Furthermore, that we also allow our young horses regular breaks, working on a loose rein to allow our horse to come out of the outline, stretch out, and reduce the risk of fatigue.

I always marvel at the intricately designed systems of energy conservation to create efficiency in the horse's way of going. It is our role as a rider to have an awareness of and make use of these systems; to allow our horses to go in the most efficient and beneficial way for them possible, upholding their standard of welfare.

Image credit: Tug of War, Gerd Heuschmann

22/03/2022

THE HORSE'S HEART!

Even allowing for the fact that it's a big animal, the horse has a huge heart, weighing in at around 5kg in a 500kg horse! A large part of a horse's athleticism is linked to this large heart!

➡ A horse's heart rate can be as low as 15bpm when quiet and undisturbed during the night!
➡ Horses often "drop" or "miss" beats at rest when very calm. This is perfectly normal and known as second degree AV block!
➡ The horse's heart rate can reach 250bpm during maximal exercise, beating over 4 times a second!
➡ A horse's heart can pump enough blood in 1 minute of intense exercise to fill a standard bath!
➡ The horse's heart rate increases the harder it works, plateauing at around 190-250bpm, depending on age and breed and fitness and individual genetics!
➡ Below 160bpm the horse's heart rate can be heavily influenced by its environment e.g. it can be elevated due to excitement!
➡ Horses may commonly show arrhythmias (abnormal or irregular rhythm) when slowing down from exercise, but in the majority of cases these are not associated with heart disease!

Want to learn more? Want to know how to use heart rate to assess behavioural responses or to aid your training? https://drdavidmarlin.com/heart-rate-fitness-and-training-david-marlin/

10/03/2022

The latest statistics confirm a total of 11 EHM cases, and 86 EHV-1 cases with fever and/or mild signs only.

10/03/2022

Champion Thoroughbred Go for Gin died Tuesday, March 8, due to heart failure at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had lived since retiring from stud duty in June 2011. The 31-year-old was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. We are honored to have known him, he will be greatly missed ❤
Obituary: https://kyhorsepark.com/news/?Id=7033&Name=GO-FOR-GIN-DIES-AT-31&fbclid=IwAR1dVdo0kr86nazLLlZQSIYrJxGfA3GXgD0AApD12kWEPPcyOZ6rpATuXTQ

06/03/2022

Equestrian competitions have been suspended in California for two weeks owing to an ongoing equine herpes (EHV-1) outbreak

05/03/2022

Happy heavenly birthday today to Consul – photo from the ISF archives of him as a three-year-old. What a special stallion he was! ❤️

www.ironspringfarm.com

01/03/2022

We are devastated to report that an eventing barn at Stone Place Stables in Prospect, Kentucky has been declared a total loss following a fire early on Sunday morning. The 32-stall barn that burned down

26/02/2022

Desert International Horse Park officials announced Friday that they have canceled all remaining shows scheduled for the winter season—Desert Circuit Weeks V to VIII and Desert Dressage IV—amid an outbreak of EHV-1 that has sickened more than 20...

25/02/2022

In the museum we have a Japanese Straw Slipper. These were recorded in many countries over a great length of time and I believe it was trying to emulate this that led to the Roman Hippo Sandal. These slippers were very practical and it is recorded that peasants sat on the roadsides weaving them so travellers could buy new ones as the old wore out.

24/02/2022

*** Hi everyone 😀 just to let you know that I found this post & thought it was interesting, I never imagined it would reach so far. Please remember there are many variables when saddle fitting & it should be done my a professional. Happy riding everyone ***

Your saddle size is dependant on the length of your THIGH not on what size you wear or what weight you are! How you hip to knee fits to the cantle to knee roll. If you are not balanced in the saddle the horse can never perform to his potential or be comfortable a riders independent seat is the most important factor for the horse comfort.

23/02/2022

One horse has been euthanized due to the severity of its signs.

22/02/2022

22/02/2022

The organization of the Desert International Horse Park has revealed a new update concerning the EHV...

21/02/2022

An EHV-1 outbreak in California worsened over the weekend, with one horse euthanized and eight total cases now confirmed at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, including three horses with neurological symptoms. Two shows planned for this week...

16/02/2022

Pictured here are chondroids that were surgically removed from the gutteral pouches of a patient presented for strangles.
Chondroids are exudate or inspissated pus where the exudate becomes hard, firm and forms rock-like structures that are found in the gutteral pouches.
Chronic streptococcus equi sub species equi., also known as strangles, typically presents as swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, pirulent nasal discharge and a fever. It is resistant to antibiotics which is why these “rocks” form.
However, there are some horses who can be “silent” shedders which means that they are infected but show none of the standard signs. This is why it is a good idea to scope the gutteral pouches if the animal is suspected or has been exposed to another horse with strangles.
Chondroids can either be removed through nasal endoscopy with an endoscopic basket or surgically. If the chondroids are too large or if there are too many, surgical removal through the floor of the gutteral pouch is required. Follow up lavages to ensure all contents are out are also required.
A Streptococcus PCR is performed 3-4 weeks later to ensure that there is no residual infection.

15/02/2022

11/02/2022

Megan McDermott felt she had a good shot at the top spot going into the $250,000 BlackBarn Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur Jumper Prix at HITS Saugerties (New York) in 2018. Since getting her partner Tizimin LS the previous year, she’d made huge ste...

04/02/2022

Horses wearing a noseband shouldn't be that complicated. If you use it, you just fit it correctly and it then won't bother the horse. It is kind of weird how such a traditional, simple, and neutral piece of equipment has slipped into this position, where people argue if it is even ok to use one. Dis...

30/01/2022

❤️❤️❤️

30/01/2022

29/01/2022

Flicka, after a worrisome start to winter, has sprang back and been doing better. She sees 32 yrs old this yr. This Clio shows something she was notorious for when she was much younger.