Horse Show Calendar for West Michigan

22/01/2024

22/01/2024

How cold is too cold to ride my horse? We often are asked this question during cold snaps like the one we're currently experiencing.

The effects of cold weather on equine airways have actually been researched to a degree, with enough negative effects seen to reconsider just forging ahead despite the temperatures.

1) Horses breathing 25 degree F air during a sub maximal exercise session on a treadmill showed an influx of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and inflammatory cytokine substances for up to 48 hours after the session, and researchers suggested this altered immunological responses enough to potentially predispose them to infection with viruses, etc. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17269885/

2) Another study shows exercise even in the 40 degree range can cause some damage to the mucosal tissue of airways as assessed by sampling of fluid in the airways. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12405726/

It's also known that human athletes (such as skiiers) who routinely exercise in cold weather are predisposed to a type of asthma from chronic insults to their lung and airway tissues.

So how do we extrapolate these findings to our own equine athletes? It's probably fine to walk your horses under saddle even in quite cold weather, but avoiding strenuous exercise below freezing makes sense, especially for horses with a predisposition towards asthma or other respiratory issues. Additionally, watch out for dusty arenas (often the case in the winter when it's too cold to water them) because the effect of inhaling dust on top of compromised immunity from cold air can compound the problem!

18/01/2024

Dressage professional Gretchen DeMone answers this reader question.

18/01/2024

This time of year, it’s always a great reminder, that pool noodles do not freeze like a hose will, and are an excellent way to FILL your water troughs (not for pipe protection)

18/01/2024

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
RSVP due today!! Please get in ASAP.

18/01/2024

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

25/12/2023

We Are Loving Dressage!!! 2023 was a fantastic show year. Wishing everyone a happy holiday and fabulous year in 2024. Post your favorite pictures from 2023, and your 2024 show dates.

13/08/2023

SAVE THE DATE!!
COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT!!

We are still in need of:
🤓 - donations for our live and silent auctions.
🤝 - volunteers
🛒 - vendors

Please share this post, and contact us if have any questions.
We are a 501c3 organization.

30/11/2022

This is what the entrance to heaven looks like ❤️

29/01/2022

ADA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 2022… Additional Details will be forthcoming when the 2022 Omnibus is published UPDATE: Judges for the Wyn Farm Shows have been added

*APRIL 30, 2022 BRILLIANT REFLECTION FARM SHARI WOLKE MASI (L) (ORTONVILLE, MI)

*APRIL 30-MAY 1 DOLLY HANNON CLINIC (WEST MICHIGAN LOCATION TBD)

*MAY 14-15, 2022 WYN FARM DRESSAGE CLARA ETZLE (L with DISTINCTION) and SUE HUGHES (r) (WILLIAMSTON, MI)

*MAY 21, 2022 DRESSAGE @ PINE LAKE LOUISE ST. AMOUR (L) (PLAINWELL, MICHIGAN)

*MAY 28, 2022 DRESSAGE @ RIVENDELL STABLES I JANICE SMITH (L) (LOWELL MI)

*MAY 29, 2022 DRESSAGE @ RIVENDELL STABLES II STEPHANIE LIKENS (L) (LOWELL MI)

*JUNE 10-11, 2022 DRESSAGE @ LONE TREE STABLES TBD (ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN)

*JUNE 24, 2022 DRESSAGE @ WILLOW RIDGE EC I TBD (HUDSONVILLE, MI)

*JUNE 25, 2022 DRESSAGE @ WILLOW RIDGE EC II SHARIE WOLKE MASI (L) (HUDSONVILLE, MI)

*JUNE 25, 2022 DRESSAGE @ BRILLIANT REFLECTION FARM STEPHANIE LIKENS (L) (ORTONVILLE, MI)

*JULY 9-10, 2022 WYN FARM DRESSAGE JOANNE COY (L) and SUE HUGHES (r) (WILLIAMSTON, MI)

*JULY 23, 2022 DRESSAGE @ BRILLIANT REFLECTION FARM CLARA ETZEL (L) (ORTONVILLE, MI)

*JULY 29, 2022 CENTENNIAL ACRES I COLLEEN FORTON (L) (HOLLAND, MI)

*JULY 30, 2022 CENTENNIAL ACRES II ERIN EHREDT (L) (HOLLAND, MI)

*AUGUST 13, 2022 FALL DRESSAGE @ LONE TREE STABLE G.WARNER (L) (ROCKFORD, MI)

*AUGUST 20-21, 2022 THE SHRINE CHARITY HORSE SHOW TBD (COLUMBIA CITY, IN)

*AUGUST 27, 2022 DRESSAGE @ BRILLANT REFLECTION FARM TBD (ORTONVILLE, MI)

*SEPT. 3, 2022 LABOR DAY DRESSAGE @ GRAND RIDGE TBD (WEST MICHIGAN)

*SEPT. 10-11, 2022 WYN FARM DRESSAGE CHERYL MARSH (R) (WILLIAMSTON, MI)

*SEPTEMBER 14-18 USDF REGION 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS WATERLOO HUNT CLUB (MI)

17/01/2022

Start posting all of your show dates for 2024

12/08/2021