5 Common Sport Horse Injuries, Part 2

Continued. See Part 1

Bone Bruises

 A bone bruise is bruising of the bone, commonly occuring in the cannon and pastern bone. It is caused when tremendous force is concentrated in one of these areas, causing damage to the bones. Fluid builds up inside the bone and swelling occurs. Because bone bruises are caused by a hard impact, this kind of injury is most common in jumpers and eventers, or horses that are worked on hard ground.

 Bone bruises are very painful, despite the fact that they are small and hard to identify without proper equipment. Nuclear bone scans often view a bone bruise as a hot spot, yet pinpointing it exactly with that machine is difficult. The best way to locate it is by using a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scan.

 The time the horse will need off varies depending on how bad the bruising is, but average he will need to rest for three months before continuing work. Veternarians recommend using anti-inflammatory medications, such as Equioxx, to help with the injury. According to Nan Martin, wintergreen, cypress, and helichrysum are great natural alternatives for bone injuries.

Inflammed Joints

 Sometimes, the tissue lining a joint can become inflammed, which if not treated can eventually lead to osteoarthritis. This type of injury can occur in any horse, particularly when the horse's workload suddenly increases. Signs include soreness, stiffness, and less fluid gaits. His joints may swell and feel hot. 

The red represents inflammation. credit

 The best way to treat this injury is give the horse a stall rest and cold-hose his joints daily until they are no longer hot. You also want to reduce inflammation in his joints, which can be done using anti-inflammatory medication. According to Nan Martin, Thyme, Bergamot, and Eucalyptis have been known to work in the same manner. Recovery may take a week or more, depending on the severity of the inflammation. Once your horse has recovered, gradually increase his work load and plan the most intense workouts several days or more apart from each other.

Sore Muscles

 It is natural for muscles to be a little sore after a workout, but sometimes they become strained, which commonly occurs in dressage horses, who must work hard to maintain a collected frame. As a result, his back may hurt and become stiff. He may also be resistant to bend, turning, and collecting.

 In the scenario that the pain and stiffness does not disappear after rest, or it if reappears, search for other causes, such as a poorly fitting saddle or an unbalanced rider. Massage, chiropractic work, acupressure, or even a thorough currying have been known reduce soreness. Combining massage with essential oils is said to increase it's affectiveness.

 ***

 Remember to always be aware of your horse's condition and well-being. Detecting problems early on can prevent more serious problems from arising, keeping your horse healthy and possibly saving you money in the long run. 

5 Common Sport Horse Injuries, Part 1

 Just like human athletes, sport horses, too, are prone to injuries. Jumping, when joints and muscles are strained on impact, can cause considerable damage, particularly if the horse misteps or stumbles, which can cause a torn ligament or tendon. Among the myriad injuries a horse can obtain, the most common are: suspensor ligament injuries, deep digital flexor tendon(DDFT) damage, bone bruises, inflamed joints, and sore muscles.

A diagram of the tendons and ligaments in the leg. Notice the
 suspensory ligament and deep digital flexor tendon. credit

 Suspensory Ligament Injuries
 The suspensory ligament runs down the back of the cannon bone, starting just below the knee or hock and divinding into two branches, ending at the pastern. The ligament supports the ankle when weight is put on it, though if too much pressure is applied, it may tear or rupture. This can occur in the front legs when jumpers or eventers mistep upon landing on the other side of an obstacle, stressing the ligament. Dessage horses will most likely injure their hind leg suspensory ligaments as they work off their hind ends.

 Spotting an injury in the suspensory ligament can prove difficult, since part of it is covered by other structures and the horse may only display subtle signs of lameness, depending on the severity of the tear. The leg may be warm, swollen, and sensitive. The best way to tell is by having your veterinarian exam you horse. An utlrasound can readily discover how severe the damage is and even locate the exact place of the tear. X-rays can show if the bone is damaged as well.

 Depending on the severity of the situation, your vet will recommend several things. He will most likely tell you to cold-hose the leg daily, give your horse a stall rest, hand walk him short distances, and slowly return to the usual workload. This can take as short as eight weeks, or as long as a year. In more severe cases, your vet may recommend surgery or shockwave treatment.

 Regardless of how severe the injury is, you should do something to reduce inflammation. Most vets recommend phenylbutazone(bute) and Banamine. Natural alternatives, recommended by Nan Martin, include lemongrass and marjoram, which is known to not only reduce inflammation and aid the healing of muscles, but also alleviates pain.

DDFT Damage
 The deep digital flexor tendon, as the name suggests, assists with flexon of the leg. It runs from the back of the leg to the bottom of the coffin bone. Most commonly, a sport horse will the tear the bottom part, which runs from the pastern to the hoof, when his weight passes over his toe and his heel lifts. This occurs when jumping or working at high speeds, such as in the gallop.

 Because the injury can occur to the part of the tendon residing in the hoof, spotting this condition can be particularly hard. If it occurs in the pastern or above the heal, you may notice it due to heat and swelling. Otherwise, it can be next to impossible to notice it, even with ultrasound, unless you go to a clinic with a magnetic resonance imaging machine.

 Just like with a torn ligament, you should cold-hose the injured area and give your horse a stall rest of about eight weeks if the tendon has only been spranged, or eight months or more if the tendon has been torn. Try to reduce the inflammation to aid healing and reduce pain. As I mentioned earlier, lemongrass and marjoram are commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation. Your vet may recommend special shoes. Don't rush things, and slowly work your way up the training schedule you had before the injury.

Stay tuned for Part 2 to read about three more common injuries.

National Show Horse

History
 In the late 20th century, saddleseat riders wanted to competitive horses that could compete in the half-Arabian classes. Arabian breeder Gene LaCroix noticed that Saddlebred-Arabian crosses seemed to win  consistently, so in 1980 he decided he would start crossing the two breeds. The result was a flashy, graceful horse with lively gaits and a lot of stamina. In August of 1981, the National Show Horse Registry was founded.

National Show Horse doing the hack. credit

 Over the past thirty years, the horse has gained popularity among saddleseat riders, earning it the title the National Show Horse(NSH). Now, more than 15,000 National Show Horses are registered. Though at first it was a cross-breed horse, several generations has caused it to develop into it's own unique breed.

Breed Description and Uses
 The National Show Horse has traits from both the Arabian and Saddlebred. It's stamina comes from the Arabian, while it inherits it's flashy, animated gaits from the Saddlebred. The NSH's face is often slightly concave, like an Arabian's, and comes complete with large, expressive eyes. The neck is crested and almost upright, which comes from the Saddlebred. The withers are prominent and the shoulder is sloping. Also like the Arabian, the tail is usually high-set. National Show Horses come in every color, even pinto.

 The National Show Horse excels at saddleseat, which it was bred for, and can execute the rack, a fast, four-beat gait with lots of knee action. In addition to saddleseat, the NSH does well in equitation classes, Western pleasure, and dressage.

Namib

History
 Before the 17th century, no horses existed in southern Africa, but in the 1600s they appeared in Namibia, possibly imported by Europeans. At first, these horses were probably used for work of some kind, but just like the horses in the Americas, some escaped and formed feral herds. Eventually, most of the horses had escaped and began roaming the Namib Desert.

 Exactly how the horses brought over by Europeans adapted to the arid desert weather is unknown, though scientists in Africa have observed how they survive today. The Namib horses rarely drink at all, only hydrating themselves every 30 hours in the summer(November to March) while they search for food. During the rainy season, the horses gather near the water trough and feed on the grass during the night, drinking regularly throughout the day. At daytime, they play and relax. Sometimes, they will eat their own dung for extra nutrients.

A Namib mare and her foal. credit

 In 1992, a drought caused people to want to gather the horses and put them on farms. Six years later, another drought, this one lasting nearly two years, cause the number of Namibs to drop from 149 to 89. by April 2005, the number had risen to 147.

 Today, the herds reside in Naukluft Park, nearby Aus, where visitors can learn about the Namib and hide nearby the water hole so they can watch the horses drink.

Breed Description and Uses
 Namibs, though not conmsidered ponies, stand an average of 14.2 hands high, with few growing as tall as 15 hands high. Like the mustangs of Western American, the appearance of the Namib may vary. Typically, though, they are sturdy with a narrow chest, prominent withers, short necks and large, convex profiles, complete with large ears and wide-set eyes. Commonly, the Namib is chestnut.

 For the time being, the Namibs will remain feral, but if their numbers exceed the maximum number of 200 horses, some will be rounded up and brought somewhere else. Until them, the horses will continue to wander the desert.

P.S. If you own an OTTB, don't forget to participate in the OTTB Success Story series.

Morab

 History

In 1855, the palomino foal of an Arabian and a Morgan was born. Gold-dust, named for his golden color, grew to be a fantastic show horse and a fast racehorse. His offspring shared similar traits and made excellent carriage horses. 

 Millionaire William Hearst began breeding the pretty horses to work in his cattle operation, naming them Morabs. Before long, other ranchers noticed the usefulness of the Morab as a cow horse and also began using them while working with cows.

The Morab

 Then, a woman name Martha Doyle Fuller decided that the Morab was better suited for the show arena than a dusty cattle ranch, so she bred the most flashy Morabs to accomplish the task. In 1973, her daughter founded the first Morab horse association.

 Since then, the Morab has been considered a breed, not just a cross-bred horse. Each generation has distinct characeristics. It is not uncommon that rather than crossing a 1st generation Morab with another of the same generation, the Morab is crossed with a pure blood Morgan or Arabian.

Breed Description and Uses

 Morabs share traits of both Morgans and Arabians. They are short, standing only 14.1 to 15.2 hands high on average, and are refined yet muscular. Often, they have small, concave heads with tiny ears, wide-set eyes, and arched necks. Morabs have a lot of stamina and grace from their Arabian, and recieve their strength and agility from their Morgan side. The result is a horse with the best from both breeds.

 The breed is a prized show horse and excels at endurance racing and dressage.

OTTB Success Stories

 I had an idea that at least once a month, I will feature an OTTB success on my blog about another blogger and her OTTB. A success story doesn't have to be about a blue ribbon winner, just a Thoroughbred successfully transitioned from the racing life to that of a riding horse. Basically, I want to hear the story of how you met your OTTB, some major challenges you have faced, where you are now, and where you are going.

 If you are want to participate or want more information, email me and tell me your story. For those of you who have more than one OTTB, you can tell me about both of them, and I might feature both of their stories in the post. On January 31, I will select a pair to spotlight from all the emails sent, and every month throughout the year I'll do the same. My email is paola.pedranti@gmail.com. Also, could you please spread the word about it on your own blog. I thought this would be a fun thing to do and want everybody to know about. Thank you!

Energetic Horse

 When I arrived at the ranch today, there was a lot of going on, with one Pony Club group leaving and another still training. Several men in tractors were working on the roof of the outdoor stalls near Reno's paddock to make room for two horses that Meghan will soon begin training.

We had a little mix up with the time because I totally forget that my lesson would be at 2:00 that day, not noon as it usually is, due to the Pony Club meeting at the same time. Another girl was having her first lesson at 1:00, so I wouldn't have time to do the lesson at noon. We decided that I could come back at 2:00 so I would have plenty of time to have my lesson.

 Despite having a lesson not long before mine, Reno was very energetic. He trotted quickly, and even began to canter, so Meghan decided I should ride him in circles to calm him down a bit. I trotted him in a fairly tight circle around a jump(the Pony Club was doing jumping, so the dressage letters had been removed) and slowly worked my into a wider circle covering half of the arena. Along the way, he would increase his speed and canter some more(three or four strides at a time!).

  Part of the reason I was having the problem is that I wasn't holding the reins tight enough, so they would loosen and he would speed up. Once I focused on not letting the reins slip between my fingers, things were much better. I rode to the other end of the arena and did the circle exercise there, starting small and working my way up to a larger circle.

 After trotting the circles, I rode around the barn to cool down, untacking and grooming Reno, and even brushing his mane.

 The challenge Reno provided in this lesson has increased my riding skills more than a ride on him when he is being calm and easily controlled. It is true that every rider needs a challenging ride when the horse isn't being 100% cooperative. It makes you a better rider, which is what all of us are striving for.

Missouri Fox Trotter

History
 In the early 1800s, when it was popular to use your regular work horse as a race horse over the weekends, people needed horses that were strong with enough stamina to work all week and run during the weekends.

 Just after the Louisiana Purchase, many people travelled south, some to the foothills of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. They took with them horses they already owned, namely Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and Morgans, with the intent of crossing them with horses already in the area to create a perfect work-race horse. They were successful. The resulting horses were hard workers, willing to do what they were asked, whether that be working the farm, pulling a buggy, racing, or riding out on the trails. Settlers also noticed that the horse had developed a broken gait, which made them easier to ride.

The fox-trot. credit

 Later, Tennessee Walking Horses, Saddlebreds, and Standardbreds were added to the mix, further refining the Ozark horses. The broken gait developed into what is now called the fox-trot, thus the name Missouri Fox Trotter. Breeders selective bred to pass the gait on, and now the breed is synonymous with that unique gait.

 The breed was popular among doctors, police officers, and post men due to its smooth gait.

 In 1948, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association was founded and opened to any horse that met the requirements. It wasn't until 1983 that the studbook was closed to all except those that had two registered parents. In 2002, the Missouri Fox Trotter became Missouri's state horse.

Breed Description and Uses
 Missouri Fox Trotters are compact and muscular, standing 14 to 16 hands high on average. They have wide barrels, sloping shoulders, rounded withers, and a powerful neck. The head has a straight profile, small ears, and expressive eyes. Fox Trotters come in many colors, including bay, chestnut, black, grey, and pinto.

 The breed is willing and usually easy to control, making them excellent workers, as well as partners. Today, they are used as endurance horses, ranch horses, or just as pleasure horses.

 The fox-trot is a unique and unusually gait in which the front legs walk and the hind legs trot. In addition to the fox-trot, the Fox Trotter has a gentle canter and a smooth, flowing walk.

Marwari

History

 The Marwari, a horse from India, is special to those living there. The breed has been there for centuries, and  is possibly the descendent of desert horses from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Over the centuries, many horses were brought to India by invaders from Persia, Greece, and Turkey. Although no one knows for certain, most people suspect those horses were Arabians, Mongolian horses, and Oriental horses.

 In the Middle Ages, noble families of India selected only the best quality imported horses and to breed with horses native to their land, creating a superior war mount later known as the Marwari. The Indians honored their horses, praying over foals, having festivals in honor of the horse, and even setting up tombstones for those who died in battle.

Marwari dressed traditionally. credit

 When the British occupied the country in the 1800s, however, the number of Marwarisquickly diminished due to slaughter and castration, and by the start of the 20th century, only 600 remained.

 Late in the 20th century, Francesca Kelly traveled to India, becoming interested in saving the rare breed.  With the help of Indian people enthusiastic about the Marwari, a breeding program was started in 1995, and then the Indigenous Horse Society of India. Kelly wanted to important some Marwaris to American, but horse exportation regulations disallowed it because India didn't meet the required standards. Five years later, Kelly was finally able to bring six Marwaris to the United States, hoping to help the breed.

Breed Description and Uses
 Though small at a maximum of 15.2 hands high, Marwaris are quick and agile with a lot a stamina and energy. Many are born with an extra gait, called the apchal, that resembles the pace. All colors are found, including pinto. Perhaps most intriguing trait of the breed is the ears the curve inwards.

 In India, the Marwari is used for farm work, transportation, and as police work.

Lusitano

History
The Lusitano and the Andalusian are one the same breed, except they sprang from different bloodlines, and the Lusitano originates in Portugal, not Spain. In the time when the Andalusian/Lusitano breed was created, Portugal was under Spanish rule. This had an effect on the horses in Portugal. When Iberian horses and Barbs were bred together, the resulting breed also made its way to Portugal. From there, the Andalusian and Lusitano's history differ. 

Look at that gorgeous color! credit

 In 1640, the Portuguese recieved independence from Spain. They bred their Iberian horses, which came from four bloodlines: Andrade, Veiga, Coudelaria Nacional, and Altèr-Real, their royal stud. Like the Spanish, they pursued classical dressage with the Lusitanos, which like most Spanish horses, are well suited for it. Royals loved the elegant Lusitanos, and even established the Altèr-Real stud in Alter do Chao.

 However, just when things began looking up for the Lusitano, a series of disasterous events nearly destroyed it. After the French Revolution in 1789, royal things such as the popularity of Baroque horses dimished, and horse racing and fox hunting became more popular than classical dressage. Then, Napoleon invaded Spain, wreaking havoc on the horses in the area. Things worsened when, at the turn of the twentieth century, the royal family was kicked out of their position, and the government took over the royal stables. The government bred the Lusitanos indiscriminately, and the quality of the breed declined rapidly.

 By the 1940s, those truly interested in the breed decided to do something. They searched for the best horses with Altèr-Real blood and rebuild the bloodlines. In the 1960s, they opened the Lusitano studbook.

Breed Description and Uses
 The Lusitano is a strong, elegant breed with powerful hindquarters and an extremely convex profile. Lusitanos are energetic and athletic, and can turn quickly and run speedily in short bursts. They canter well and excel at dressage, though they are traditionally used for bullfighting, a dangerous short that requires a fast horses. On average, Lusitanos stand 15.2 to 16.2 hands. Commonly, they are grey, bay, black, chestnut, palomino, and cremello. 

  

Lipizzaner

History
 In 1580, Archduke Charles II of Austria bought a stud farm called Lipizza, located in treacherously rough mountain terrain and harsh climate of Karst, where he planned on breeding excellent calvary horses. He cross-bred Andalusians, prized at the time, with all kinds of superb horses, including Arabians from Syria, Spanish horses bred in Germany and Denmark, horses of Neapolitan lines, and horses from the Polesine region of Italy.

 In 1920, the famous stud farm in Piber, part of Styria, the moutainous province of Austria, was founded. This is where the main stables of the Spanish Riding School's breeding program are located. At the riding school, horses and soldiers train in classical dressage, which keeps the horses strong and balanced.

An amazing Lipizzaner(credit)

 During World War II, the existance of the amazing Lipizzaners was threatened. When battle moved closer to Vienna, chief stable master Colonel Alois Podhajsky decided to move the stallions from the riding school another stable, called Lainzer Tiergarten. The horses at Piber were in an area under German command, and Colonel Podhajsky feared for the horses in the area, so he gave 1,000 horses to American troops for safe keeping. General George S. Patton, a dressage rider, sent the horses to Bavaria under the protection of the U.S. Army.

 After the War, with the economy down, Podhajsky had trouble justifying continuing classical dressage at Spanish Riding School, so he had to wait until 1955 to return to the school. When he did, he made some changes to preserve the breed and classical dressage. For example, he made the school open to the public, not just dignitaries and royals. He also gave worldwide tours and wrote classical dressage training books.

 In 1985, the Spanish Riding School and Piber stud farm became managed by the same group of people In 2007, Elisabeth Gürtler became director of the Spanish Riding School, bringing even more changes. she made family-friendly activities and introduced the concept of female trainees, called eleves.

Breed Description and Uses
 Lipizzaners are sturdy, athletic horses. They have a compact body, powerful hindquarters, muscular shoulders, and short, strong legs. Like most Baroque horses, they have a convex profile and low hocks. Most Lipizzaners are born black or dark bay, but become grey with age, usually between the ages 5 and 10. On rare occasions, a horse will remain the color it was when born. Such horses are considered good luck.

Lipizzaners are kind, friendly, patient, and intelligent. Once you earn one's trust, you will have a willing partner and a strong bond.

January 4 Lesson Pictures

Here are some pictures from my latest lesson. I haven't been able to upload the video yet, but I hope to get it done soon.

While lungeing, I had to put my hands out to my side, on my head, and hips and such.

Hands on my thighs

Hands on my hips

After lungeing for a while, I trotted a serpentine so Meghan could see how much I had improved.

December 28 Riding Lesson

 I apologize for never posting the pictures from my lesson before last, so here they are now.

Coming to a halt.

Trotting

Doing a circle

Another circle

Riding uphill

Knabstrupper

 History
In 1812, Major Villars Lunn, who owned a breeding facility in Nordsealand, Denmark, decided to breed two horses. One was the unusually colored Flaebehoppen, a small chestnut mare with a spotted blanket marking on her back, a white mane and tail, and a dusting of snowflake markings throughout her body. She was bred to a Fredirecksborg stallion.

 The result was beautiful spotted foal. Time after time, Flaebehoppen and her offspring produced spotted foals with all kinds of patterns, including leopard and blanket. Before long, Lunn's breeding facility consisted of many spotted, Baroque-type horses with great bloodlines. These horses were called Knabstruppers, after the manor Lunn owned.

Baroque Knabstrupper(credit)

 Danish soldiers used the sturdy horses as war mounts, but other people throughout Europe also sought after this beautiful breed. They loved the gorgeous spots the breed had. However, in 1891 a large barn fire occured at the Lunn stable, killing 22 of their top horses. With a small gene pool and the best of the horses gone, the breed was at risk. Supporters of the breed worked hard to save the Knabstrupper before it was lost for good. In 1947, they started a stud farm, Egemosegaard, and in 1971 three Appaloosa stallions were imported to Denmark to breed with Knabstrupper mares. From there, the number of Knabstruppers began to increase.

 Knabstrupper sport horse(credit)

 In 2002, Mike a Caroline Athey became interested in the breed, so arrangements were made for a Knabstrupper stallion, Apollon, to be bred with three Appaloosa mares, approved by the Knabstrupper's breed society. Later, Knabstrupper mares and stallions were imported to America. Today, the breed is increasing in popularity.

Breed Description and Uses
 The Knabstrupper can come in three different body types: Sport, Baroque, and Pony. The Sport type was bred specifically to compete in sports, such as show jumping, dressage, and eventing, by crossing the Knabstrupper with various wamrbloods. The Baroque horse is shorter and stockier than the first, and is what the original carriage and war Knabstruppers looked like. The last is a small, spotted pony version of the Baroque suitable for children. Despite their differences, most Knabstruppers have several things in common, such as their kind temperament, trainability, strength, and stamina.

 All Knabstruppers have spotted patterns similar to that of an Appaloosa, with leopard being the most common.

Cantering & Lungeing

 I had a really fun, productive lesson today. It began with me warming Reno up by walking around the arena and doing walk-halt transitions, like I usually do, and ended with me getting even better at posting. While I was warming up, Meghan set two pairs of poles in the dressage court half of the arena, marking the places where each circle would touch. Then, made a serpentine at the walk. Next, I trotted it.

 Once I had finished doing serpentines, I moved to the next part of the lesson. Meghan told me I would be cantering a few strides to get a feel for it(Reno is an older horse and thus doesn't canter well, and Meghan only wanted me to find out how cantering feels before I can do a lot of it), which I was excited about. She explained to me how to ask for it by making a kissing sound and squeezing with my legs, then told me to trot a circle before beginning.

 When I first asked Reno to canter, he just began trotting really quickly(I almost ran into a jump standard), not cantering, but before long he had cantered two strides, so I slowed him to a walk. The rocking motion of the canter was a bit hard to get used;  it almost felt like I was thrown forwards. The second and third time around was much better. I felt like I was sitting more smoothly in the saddle the third time, too.

 After that, Meghan decided I should try strengthening my posting work. She brought out a lungeline, hooked it to the bit, and tied the reins in a knot to prevent them from flying all over the place. Then, she told me to stretch my arms out while she asked Reno for a trot. Without having to worry about steering, I was able to work on posting well: not rising out of the saddle too much, sinking down too heavily, or putting my shoulders forward. Several times, Meghan had Reno change directions. She also had me put my hands out, on my head, on my hips, or on my thighs, but never on the mane, neck, or reins.

 When she was done lungeing Reno, Meghan told me to drop my stirrups and ride at the walk around the arena before returning to the dressage court to do a serpentine at the trot. After that, the lesson was over, so I dismounted and untacked.

 I have pictures and a video from the lesson. I haven't been able to post any of the videos yet, but hopefully I can upload them on YouTube later so you can watch me ride.

  I forget to mention that I had gotten gloves for Christmas so I used those in my last two lessons. I also got a crop, but I won't use it until I am a bit more experienced---there's already a lot to focus on when riding.

Runnin' in Circles

 Saturday's lesson brought a lot of learning. When I arrived at the barn, I went to fetch Reno, who was lying on his stomach at the back of his paddock, napping. I had to nudge him to make him get up. Then I brought him to the grooming stall to clean him and tack him up. Like last time, I used the dressage saddle.

 I warmed up by riding Reno around the arena at the walk, doing several walk-halt transitions at places I designated myself, rather than places Meghan told my to halt at. Then, I changed directions and gradually worked up to trotting. As usual, I started by doing corners, then short ends, and then long ends. Once I finished doing that, Meghan introduced something new to me: circles. She described how the typical dressage court consists of three adjacent 20 meter circles, each marked by several letters and lines.

 I practiced the circle with the points at C, H, between S and R, and M at the walk, then did it at the trot several times. Next, I did the S-R, E, L, and B circle at the walk and then the trot. Once I had done those several times, Meghan asked me if I knew how to do a figure eight. I guessed how to do it, and then Meghan had me execute it. After that, I moved on to doing the final circle in the court at the walk and then the trot. I did the figure eight involving it and then learned how to a serpentine. I did that once, at the trot.

 Meghan explained to me the importance of learning circles, telling me it is useful to learn how early on in case I will need to use them with another instructor or when showing.

 After finishing the serpentine, I dropped my stirrups and rode around the dressage half of the arena(As I have said before, the arena is cut in half lengthwise using poles, with one half marked with dressage letters) at the walk. Once I did that, I exited the arena, turning left toward where the trailers are parked when people bring their horses to the ranch. In this area is a steep ditch. Meghan had me practice riding hills on that ditch before riding around the barn and the adjacent pasture to to cool down like I usually do. This time, I rode in the opposite way I usually do.

 Overall, it was an awesome lesson with a lot of learning. I really enjoyed myself and can't wait to find out what I'll learn next time.

More Posting Work

 When I arrived at the barn today, I met Annica and her bay mare, Roxy, We talked a bit, then I went to fetch Reno from his paddock, leading him to a stall that is used from grooming. I brushed him and picked his hooves, which surprisingly were not caked in mud from his water trough. Once I was ready to saddle him, Meghan brought out a dressage saddle rather than the jumping saddle I used in my other lessons. She said the dressage saddle could help me with my posting. I put it on, tightened the girth, and led Reno to the mounting block in the arena.

 Before mounting, I checked his girth. Then I mounted and rode around the arena at the walk to warm Reno up. I did some walk-halt transitions, too. After that, I began working on trotting, starting by trotting corners, then short sides, and finally part of each long side. Meghan made sure I focused on posting in rythmn with Reno, making sure I rose out of the saddle rather than being bumped around. I can really the difference. By the end of the lesson, my posting had improved a lot.

 At the end of the lesson, Meghan told me that I am almost ready to begin riding Ginger regularly now. I will do another lesson on Reno next week, and after that lesson Meghan says I will begin riding Ginger every lesson. Once that happens, I can begin cantering. Yay!

 Before returning Reno to his paddock, I untacked him, brushed him and picked his hooves. I also brushed his tail.

 I really enjoyed my lesson and had a good time. Reno was such a good boy, too, and not energetic like last time.

Flyinge

 Flyinge is a large, well-known equestrian center in Lund, Sweden. They have magnificent warmbloods, many of which can jump up to five feet fences. They have some awesome horses there. Throughout the year, they host clinics and seminars on various disciplines at different levels, and professionals can come and share their knowledge.

 I also noticed that they have a high school program. You can do your regular classes there, and ride at certain times during school hours. Better yet, professional riders come there to train you for elite competitions, so if the A circuit is your goal, you can go there. If you have a horse, you can bring him, but you can also use their school horses, which are fancy warmbloods.

 If you want to be a veterinarian, you can take their science and hippology course. The courses are horse-related, and you learn both science and horse management. Who doesn't want a horse-related class?  When you graduate, you recieve a certificate that you can care for horses.

 It sounds like a great program. Too bad there is not anything like that in America.

Day 7: Your favorite ribbon won at a show and why.
 I have shown so I don''t have any ribbons, but I hope to someday.

Horse Health Myth Busters

 Over the years, many ideas have appeared regarding horse health. Recent technology has studied these ideas, disproving some, while verifying others. As horse people, we are responsible for seperating the truth from the myths.

 One idea states that horses cannot vomit. This, in fact, is true. When a horse swallows food, it passes from the esophagus into the stomach. The lower part of the esophagus, called a sphincter, is much stronger than that in humans. The ring-like muscle prevents food or liquid from coming out of the stomach. As a result, a horse is incapable of vomiting.

It is commonly thought that white hooves
are weaker than their dark counterparts.
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 However, their inability to regurgitate can cause colic. Because a horse cannot vomit, if food, liquid, or gas gets jammed in their gastrointestinal tract, they experience pain in their digestive system and in serious cases require surgery.

 You have probably heard that white hooves are weaker than dark hooves, which we now know is simply a misconception. Radiographs(X-rays) have proven that other than color, there is nothing physically or structurally different from a white hoof than a black one.

 People also say that horses cannot breathe through their mouths, another fact. This is because the soft palate on the roof of the horse's mouth, which seperates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, extends all the way to the back of the throat. Therefore, no air can reach their lungs from their mouths.

 When a horse breaks or fractures a leg, many people treat it as a death sentence, saying they should euthanize the horse. In some cases, there is an alternative, but it takes a lot of work. A horse with a broken or fractured leg must be kept from laying down for extended periods, which can cause nerve and lung damage from his own heavy weight. This is often done using a large sling. Also, his leg must be splinted.

A broken leg must be care for like this.
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 You must take into account where the fracture is, too. One below the knee proves relatively easy to perform surgery on and put in a splint, while the chances of repairing one higher up on the leg proves dim. Even if a horse does successfully heal, other complictations may occur. Putting too much weight on his good legs can cause joint problems. Also take into account the age of the horse. The future of foals with broken legs is actually brighter than that of adults due to their light weight.

 A final myth is that horses can only sleep standing. While they do sleep standing most of the time, this is only for lighter sleep. To get a deep sleep, they lie down, though this is only done for up to an hour at a time. In order for you to understand why, you must remember that horses are prey animals. Standing allows them to start running more quickly should a predator come.

 Knowing the truth when it comes to your horse's health leads to his well being. Do not trust that old stories that have been around for over a hundred years are valid.

Lots of Pictures

 I have lots of pictures from Saturday's lesson, and even have some pictures of the ranch and barn, which I'll publish in a later post.

In this picture, I am riding down one of the short ends of the arena.

In this picture, I am finishing up a lap at the trot.

It was around this part of the lesson that Reno began to canter.

 Day 5: Your First Fall
  I haven't fallen off a horse yet, which is good. Just like it happened to everyone else, there will be a time that I will fall, so I'll tell you about that. For now, my horse riding lessons have been injury and fall free.

Fast Reno

 Today for my lesson, I rode Reno again. Although I didn't ride in the round pen, I did a whole lot of trotting and rode without having Meghan help to guide Reno. I started by warming up with two laps at the walk. Then, I began trotting. At first, I only trotted around the corners, walking the rest of the way. I gradually worked up to trotting even longer distances. After doing a few laps with just trotting around the corners, I began trotting along the short sides of the arena, then walking again until I reached the other side. Meghan made sure I kept Reno, who often strayed to the inside of the arena, along the rail.

 Reno also showed me a side I have not seen before. Usually, he prefers to keep at a walk and has be encouraged a little to stay trotting. This time, however, he was eager to trot, and often began trotting at random times when I was supposed to be walking. He even added several canter strides randomly throughout the lesson, catching me off guard. The saying that says something along the lines of "Every ride you ride a different horse," really is true. Depending on the time of day and the mood the horse is, your ride can very different.

 Anyways, by the end of the lesson, I had worked up to trotting a consecutive lap all the way around the arena---twice!  I am really excited about that and feel pretty accomplished. Hopefully I can trot just as much next week, too.

 Meghan had pointed out several things I need to think more about next time I trot. She had to remind me to keep my shoulders back throughout the lesson, as well as to not lean forward too much, which makes Reno want to go faster. I'll have to keep this in mind and write it in my journal.

 I have some pictures of Silver Rose Ranch, the 60 acre ranch where I take lessons. I have only been to the front part, where the barn, arena, hay storage, round pen, and several pastures, covered outdoor stalls, and paddocks are. I think further along the trail I ride on to cool down is a house. I'll post some pcitures and give you a tour in another post.

Some are Jumpers; Others are Painters

 Metro Meteor is the popular OTTB who paints. Before retiring from racing due osteoarthritis in his knees, he won eight races and earned $300,000. Upon his retirement, Ron and Wendy Krajewski, who owned shares of horses racing for Renpher Stables, decided to adopt him.

Metro Meteor

 For nearly a year, they rehabilited him and did intensive vet care to aid the recovery of his knees. After nine months, they could ride him, but he could only be worked lightly, so they went on trail ride with him. Fast forward two years, and Metro was having knee problems again. This time, excess bone was growing on his knees. Eventually, his knees could lock up and he would have to be euthanized.

 Despite the pain and stiffening in his knees, Metro kept good spirits. He is a really strong-willed horse, much like other Thoroughbreds.

 One day, Ron noticed that Metro loved to bob his head. He would do it in the stall and any other time he was standing still. An idea struck him. What if he could teach Metro how to paint? Since Metro already bobbed his head as if he was painting, all Ron had to do was teach Metro how to hold a paintbrush. Ron did so, then took Metro in front of a blank canvas, giving him a bursh with paint on it. Metro bobbed his heads, creating a beautiful abstract art. 

Painting a beautiful picture

 The owner of metro's boarding stable set aside Stall 6 for Metro to use as a studio. When a TV crew comes to film, Metro paints either outside or in the indoor arena.

 Therapy using injections that slow the bone growth in Metro's knees have made it capable for him to be lightly ridden. Metro continues to sell his paintings to cover his treatment cost and help other ex-racehorses get a second chance. Metro even has his own website, http://www.paintedbymetro.com, as well as a facebook page.

 Also, check out this youtube video of him painting. This horse is awesome!

 *All pictures are courtesy of Metro's website.

Checking Your Horse's Vital Signs

 One of the most important ways to check your horse's health is to observe his vital signs. These include pulse, respiration, temperature, and capillary refill time, the latter being how long it takes for color to return to the gums when you put pressure on them.

 The normal temperature of a resting horse should be around 99 to 101 F(37.2 to 38.3 C). His heart should beat 36 to 40 times a minute, he should take 8 to 16 breathes a minute, and his capillary refill time should two or less seconds. Also, in a healthy horse, the gut should make a wide range of sound.

 It is important to take your horse's temperature when he is resting, since horses get hotter when they exercise. Start by taking a thermometer, tying a long string securely to it, and insert it rectally, being careful not o get kicked. Wait a few minutes for the thermometer to get an accurate reading. Mercury ones take as long as three minutes, while digital ones can work as quickly as one minute. If you are uncertain, waiting a little longer never hurts. Just remember to keep a tight grip on the string. In a healthy horse, the temperature should read around 99 F, though you should not be concerned if it is a little bit lower. If it is higher however, the horse may be running a fever so you should call the vet. When you are done, make sure to clean the thermometer thoroughly.

You can check your horse's pulse using the artery on the leg.
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 A healthy, resting horse's pulse should be around 36 to 40 beats per minute. When taking the pulse, you may want to set a timer so you accurately measure it. Start by finding the main artery in the cheek and press inward and upward at the same time. If you don't feel the pulse there, try the artery on the inside of the leg, just under the knee.

Another way to check the pulse is by using the artery in the cheek.
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 To check a horse's respiration, stand next to his shoulder and watch his flank and stifle joint carefully. Every time they go in and out, count the breath. An average respiration is 8 to 16 breaths per minute, though it can vary depending on the size of the horse. ALso, make sure to check whether his breathing is labored or shallow. If so, call the vet.

 You can check you horse's hydration by two ways: capillary refill time and a pinch test. The first is more reliable and involves pressing the horse's gum and checking to see how log it takes for the color to return. it should take only two seconds. Three or more should be a cause for concern and the vet should be called. While doing the test, check the color of the gum too. It should be bright pink, not pale yellow, dark red, or blue.

 Another test you can do is pinching the skin above your horse's shoulder and seeing how long it takes for the pinched skin to flatten, which should happen right away. This test been disproved, though.

 A final way to check your horse's health is gut sounds by putting your ear to his stomach. There should be a wide range of sounds. Silence usually means colic.

Kiger Mustang

 History

During the 1500s, the Spanish explored the New World, bringing large groups of horses with them. Many of these horses escaped, forming large herds throughout the western United States. Because so many different breeds escaped, the appearance of horses in different areas can vary slightly. Some herds, called Colonial Spanish Horses, resemble the horses the Spanish brought over, while others, known as Mustangs, are hardier.

 In the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, herds of dun horses with black manes and tails roam. A herd of these horses were found in the '70s by E. Ron Harding, who was gathering Mustangs at Kiger Gorge in the Steen Mountains. Since this herd seemed special and was thought to be of Spanish descent, the Bureau of Land Management decided to relocate the herd to southeastern Oregon rather putting them for adoption. The separated the herd into two groups, with twenty going to an area near Diamond, Oregon, and seven going to Riddle Mountain Herd Management Area.

Kiger Mustang
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 Every few years, the herds in these areas are rounded up and inspected. Those with desired qualities are returned to the wild. The rest are auctioned off.

 Today, some domesticated Kigers are bred as trail and endurance horses. Since they are now domesticated and not considered Mustangs, they are called Kiger Horses instead. They can be registered under the Kiger Horse Association and Registry.

Breed Description and Uses

 Kiger Mustangs, named for the area in which they were found, are small horses, standing only 13.2 to 15.2 hands high on average. They are compact with slanted shoulders and strong hooves. Traveling the foothills of large mountains has made then very sure-footed, thus making them excellent trail horses. They have a small, refined head with hooked ears.

 All Kigers are some shade of dun, whether that be grulla, red dun, buckskin, or any other variation.

Five Day Challenge, Day 5

21. Favorite classes to watch
 I love watching jumper classes of all kinds. It's exciting to see the horses soar over a jump, then turn tightly and take off several strides away from the previous jump. Basically, I love all jumper classes. Jumpers amaze me.

I don't know who this is, but this picture is awesome.

22. What's in your cooler at horse shows?
 I don't show yet, but I would probably bring lots of water and, if I am staying there all day, some healthy snacks, such as fruit and sandwiches with lunch meat. Of course, I would bring treats for the horse to eat when we are done.

23. One thing about showing(or riding in general) you wish you could change?
 I would want there to be more English riding shows in my area. Mostly, I hear of rodeos going on nearby, but I have only heard of a few shows with English classes that are nearby us. Maybe if I look around more I'll find one I can go to when I have my own horse and start showing.

24. Your ringside crew
 I don't show yet, but every time I do a lesson my parents are always there, watching. They are very supportive of my riding and I'm sure they'll do the same once I go start showing.

25. Best prizes
 I love any type of prize, no matter what it is. Ribbons are nice, especially if they are blue, but to me the best prize is the fact that I gave it my all and did well.