Equinox Equine Services

03/11/2024

Anyone who has ever owned or cared for a horse knows they learn at their dams' knees how to manipulate the two-leggers for more treats!

“Horses have the ability to think and plan ahead and are far more intelligent than scientists previously thought, according to a Nottingham Trent University study that analysed the animal’s responses to a reward-based game.

“The horses cannily adapted their approach to the game to get the most treats – while making the least effort.

“Previously, research has suggested that horses simply respond to stimuli in the moment, they don’t proactively look ahead, think ahead and plan their actions – whereas our study shows that they do have an awareness of the consequences and outcomes of their actions,” said the lead researcher, Louise Evans.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/12/horses-can-plan-ahead-and-think-strategically-scientists-find

The actual research paper…

“Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task”
Louise Evans et al.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub

Read about Akhal-Teke Foundation programs here…
https://www.akhaltekefoundation.org/programs.html

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10/10/2024

I am so looking forward to this discussion. It will be fascinating to hear from veterinarians about what they are observing in ECVM horses and how they are diagnosing.

23/09/2024

Nothing but truth here.

23/09/2024

Nothing but truth here. Happy Monday, folks!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XH2HejZgPPPHAHzF/?mibextid=xfxF2i

How to make an equestrian:
Blood 🩸
Sweat 😥
Tears 😭
And a sprinkle of crazy 🤪

19/09/2024

What a sweet photo! I loved "Misty" and all of Marguerite Henry's books when I was a kid.

A really great picture of Misty and Marguerite Henry. It's from the Michigan paper The Saginaw News on January 6, 1952. The photo accompanied an article promoting a Marguerite Henry speaking to the Saginaw Branch Association for Childhood Education.

14/09/2024

"Black Beauty" was one of my favorite books as a child, read over and over and over again.

Anna Sewell is celebrated as the author of "Black Beauty," a novel that transcends its literary value by profoundly influencing animal welfare. Published in 1877, the book’s depiction of a horse's life under various owners highlighted the cruelty faced by animals, effectively sparking a movement for their compassionate treatment. Anna Sewell was born in 1820 in Norfolk, England. Her life was marked by physical ailments, and by her teenage years, she was unable to walk without assistance. This reliance on horse-drawn carriages gave her a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and horses, which would later be vividly portrayed in her writing.

"Black Beauty" was written during the last years of Sewell's life. She aimed to raise awareness about the humane treatment of horses rather than purely entertain readers. The book was published just five months before her death, and it quickly became a bestseller. Sewell’s portrayal of the horse's perspective was revolutionary, offering readers an emotional connection to the plight of animals.

The novel is structured as an autobiography of a horse, Black Beauty, and narrates his experiences with various owners, highlighting both cruelty and kindness. Key themes include:

- The novel emphasizes that animals have feelings and deserve respectful treatment.
- It depicts the harsh realities of overworking and mistreating horses, especially those used in transportation.
- Sewell subtly but powerfully advocates for better conditions for working animals, promoting empathy and kindness.
- Impact on Animal Rights and Welfare

"Black Beauty" had a significant impact on public perception and the treatment of animals. The book influenced legislative reforms, including the introduction of laws to prevent cruelty to animals. In the UK, the novel contributed to the establishment of organizations like the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Sewell's work raised public consciousness about the mistreatment of horses and other animals, encouraging a more humane approach. The impact of "Black Beauty" extended beyond the UK, affecting animal welfare practices in the United States and other countries.

Campaigns were launched to improve the conditions for working horses, such as banning the use of the "bearing rein," a device that caused discomfort and injury. "Black Beauty" remains a powerful educational tool, teaching generations about empathy and the ethical treatment of animals.

The book has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and television series, continually bringing its message to new audiences. The themes of animal welfare and compassion in "Black Beauty" remain relevant today, as societies continue to strive for better treatment of animals.

Anna Sewell’s "Black Beauty" is more than a classic piece of literature; it is a seminal work in the history of animal welfare. By bringing the plight of horses to the forefront of public consciousness, Sewell not only advocated for the humane treatment of animals but also laid the groundwork for future animal rights movements.

16/08/2024

Why is rabies vaccination so important to us here at South Carolina Equine Associates?

Recently, there was a case of rabies in a horse located in Anderson County, SC on July 24, 2024, confirmed by University of Georgia. This horse exposed five people and thirty animals to rabies.

Thanks to our very own Dr. McKenna Caspers, you can read on to gain a comprehensive outlook on what rabies is, how susceptible equines are to it, signs of rabies and challenges we face when it comes to this virus, https://tinyurl.com/2sv6dek8

13/08/2024

We all knew this already ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy4j4kkxd8o?fbclid=IwY2xjawEoJcpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHU5XZL1xp0ptZ3s9NBwFypWJVHQOaCpgHYh9fCVj0TbBWkkuaz03FbNJ6g_aem_j_9enlmuEbaXwdTxgQc_Pw

It's hoped the findings lead to more humane horse training regimes and improvements to welfare.

09/08/2024

This is a really fascinating conversation! I know I was taught for years that having the ability to "flip" the nuchal ligament from one side to the other at will was a sign of correct flexion. The discussion among Dr. Haussler, other vets, bodyworkers, and others provides some very interesting thoughts that we should all consider when working our horses.

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝?

EDIT: Please see additional information from Dr. Haussler in the comment section, in answer to your questions.

Every now and then, a Member of this community will ask Dr. Haussler a question - we like to share his answers with all of you.

"The funicular portion of the nuchal ligament passes over the C2 spinous process and is normally anchored by loose connective tissue to the bone below. As the horse’s head flexes and extends, that portion of the ligament must lengthen and shorten. It will normally stay in place along the midline (no “flipping” back and forth), also because there is a slight concavity on the top of the C2 spinous process.

However, with repetitive use, that soft tissue connection can break down. With atlantooccipital flexion, the nuchal ligament is stretched. With added lateral bending, that portion of the ligament is less anchored down and can displace off the spinous process and “pop” to one side or the other.

As with any displaced ligament or tendon, less tension and increased stabilization is required to help keep the structure in place. Otherwise, it displaces more often, and due to repeated local trauma, a bursa forms and fills with fluid, resulting in bursitis."

Image credit: Ivana Ruddock-Lange | Equine Anatomy in Layers

05/08/2024

I say it all the time: All the massage, all the stretching, all the PEMF, the best tack, etc. in the world cannot undue poor ergonomics during work. The way we ride and train our horses is the foundation of their soundness and happiness; the more we know, the better we can do.

Compassionate Training for Today's Sport Horse - online course - horse riders - horse owners - equine professionals - videos - horse trainer

03/08/2024

The equine body never ceases to amaze me in all its intricacies.

03/08/2024

EquiLearn provides a great outline here of some key things to look for when selecting a bodyworker for your equine partners.

29/07/2024

My heart goes out to the owner of this horse. I cannot imagine how heartbroken they must be.

Rabies is fatal, but very preventable! I support adhering to your vet's recommendations for vaccination.

🚨 Active rabies case just a couple of counties away in South Carolina! Last week a horse was submitted to the University of Georgia Veterinary diagnostic laboratory and was confirmed to have rabies. If you believe you are behind on vaccinating or have not vaccinated against rabies, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment.

💉 We require all equines utilizing our veterinarians to be vaccinated.

https://tinyurl.com/2s3fnytm 📰

15/07/2024

Dang, ya'll! I almost missed it! Today is National I Love Horses Day! I hope everyone got to enjoy the day with their favorite equines.

Sally and Vinny recommend celebrating by the feeding of copious amounts of treats to those equines.

25/10/2023

Important information and discussion for all professionals and horse owners.

𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖'𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆!
𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄?

Register at vetspine.org/webinars/

50 horse owners, trainers, and practitioners have registered so far for our 𝐎𝐜𝐭. 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐳𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐫 to talk about 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Dr. Haussler will be using a clinical example to show us how to apply the scientific method to decisions we take every day in our practice, including the decisions owners must take.

We can also talk about social media posts - what is educational about them and what aspects of them may be misleading and troublesome. And what options we have for responding... from eye-rolling and scrolling on by to thoughtfully engaging in respectful conversation.

21/10/2023

Y'all know I'm all about the Halloween fun! Equinox is proud to sponsor the costume and stall decorating contests at the South Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (SCDCTA) Oktoberfest schooling show and championships, which is tomorrow at the South Carolina Equine Park in Camden!

13/10/2023

AN ODE TO THE ADULT LEARNER…

KEEP SHOWING UP

I always begin sessions by expressing gratitude to my participants and giving them kudos.

Many riders worry they aren’t good enough for their horses, or not spending enough time with their horses, but believe me, just by showing up, you are way ahead of everyone who isn’t.

And by showing up, I don’t mean those learners showing up to learn from me, in particular, but showing up every day in their horsemanship, as a student of the horse.

Showing up is hard… but I see you.

Being an adult learner isn’t easy. It requires a lot of vulnerability and fortitude.

Being a good horseman can be mentally and physically taxing as we try to master ourselves.
It requires the ability to hold space for mental and physical discomfort as we discover new skills and balance in our horsemanship.
It’s often simple, but never easy.

It’s always very humbling to be entrusted with a learner’s hopes and dreams, fears and insecurities, and sometimes, the scars that other trainers and coaches have left behind, and never fails to amaze me how fathomless people’s curiosity and dedication is, especially with the distractions and complications of everyday life.

Many people can only ride on the weekends, because they’re trying to make a living the rest of the week, some make a living riding, and can’t always focus on their horsemanship while doing so, but when they show up for the horse, they show up 100%.

“Shoshin is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner's mind.
It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.”

Below:
The notebook is probably one of the most underrated horsemanship tools out there…

03/10/2023

Gillian Higgins - Horses Inside Out Community Forum has a very interesting blog post out. Most of us spend a lot of time looking at conformation as it may or may not predispose a horse to success in a particular discipline. This post talks about the impact of conformation on soundness, which can translate to longevity in whatever equestrian sport or activity we want to engage.

Many times, perhaps even most times, discipline-specific "good" conformation also means sound conformation, but that's not always the case. This is a good overview from the soundness perspective and makes many good points we should all consider.

When we are looking to buy a new horse, we are encouraged to look at its conformation. Horse conformation is the study of the shape and structure of a horse's body. Conformation is influenced by the length and angles of the bones, the size and shape of the muscles, and the balance and symmetry of th...