Wilmington, OHIO July 9, 2024 Join us this fall at World Equestrian Center Wilmington (WEC) for the 2024 Fall Classic Series and the 2024 Midwest Indoors Series. The Fall Classic Series will feature five weeks of elite USEF-rated hunter/jumper competition, bringing top horse-and-athlete combinations and internationally acclaimed course designers to Wilmington. The 2024 Midwest Indoors Series will feature three weeks of USEF[...]Read MoreThe post Save the Date for the 2024 Fall Classic Series & Midwest Indoors Series at WEC Wilmington appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

Team Ireland athletes and Ceann Comhairle honoured to meet special girlFreya at Leinster House Late Late Toy Show star Freya McLaughlin joined Team Irelands Paris Olympics equestrian athletes and Ceann Comhairle Sen Fearghal on the lawns of Leinster House to celebrate the origins of show jumping. Dubliner Freya (12) joined the Irish show jumping and eventing teams, as well as individual dressage athlete Abigail Lyle as they were officially announced for the Games later this month. Freya warmed the nations collective heart on the Toy Show when telling her story about how she rides at Festina Lente, the charity that provides a unique range of therapeutic equestrian services, for the past couple of years. She was diagnosed with cancer soon after her second birthday. The tumour compressed the nerves in her spine and affected her lower body, pelvis, hip sockets, spine and pelvic cavity. On the night, host Patrick []

Sarcoids can be scary. These tumors can show up anywhere on a horses body and sometimes grow quickly, accounting for nine out of every 10 tumors seen in horses. They arent typically painful, but sarcoids often bleed if theyre bumped or scraped. They dont spread throughout the body, but they can multiply and spread locally; these tumors tend to recur in the same location or nearby.If the sarcoid is located in an area where it interferes with a horses ability to function well (like near his eyelid or sheath), or if its in an area where a halter, saddle or other tack rests, it may be necessary to investigate how to limit its growth or remove it entirely.If a sarcoid occurs near an eye or somewhere that it interferes with tack, it may be necessary to investigage ways to limit its growth. Photo courtesy Dr. Elizabeth YorkeWhat Are Sarcoids in Horses?The cause behind sarcoid development isnt entirely clear, but there is strong evidence to suggest that the condition is instigated by a bovine papillomavirus, which is what makes these tumors so tricky to address. Sarcoids dont behave like traditional tumors. There is also some indication that a genetic predisposition may be at play in the condition.Photo courtesy Dr. Elizabeth YorkeAny color, breed or gender of horse, donkey or equid can be affected by sarcoids, but young to middle-aged horses are most commonly affected. Sarcoids can be found across the globe, but there are some factors that may predispose horses to sarcoid formation, including the presence of cattle and flies, which may transmit the virus.Sarcoids are made of abnormally dividing fibroblast cells, explains Elizabeth H. Yorke, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Fla. Theyre really commonactually the most common tumor horses get, with an estimated 2 percent of the equine population affected.Although sarcoids can become impressive in size and scope, theyre not usually regarded as life-threatening, explains Rana Bozorgmanesh, BVM, DACVIM, MRCVS of Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics in Menlo Park, Calif. But its important to remember that what can be seen is the tip of the iceberg, she says.Sarcoids infiltrate local tissue with fingerlike projections and are much more involved than what can be seen on the surface of the horses skin. Malevolent sarcoids, a particularly aggressive type of, spread along lymph vessels, according to Bozorgmanesh.Sarcoids can occur nearly anywhere on the body, but there are some spots where they more commonly develop, says Yorke. These areas include on the face (especially around the eyes and ears), chest, groin, sheath, underside of the abdomen, inside the back legs and at sites of previous wounds, particularly on the legs. They can occur singly or in multiples; they can occur on one part of the body or over many sites.Areas where sarcoids more commonly develop include on the face, chest, groin, sheath, underside of the abdomen, and inside of the back legs. Photo by Bob LangrishWhat to Look ForIt can be difficult to detect sarcoids in their beginning stages, and they can be well hidden in a horses coat. There are six different types, each with a different appearance.Sarcoids often look like warty, crusty, bumpy skin growths, but theres a lot of variation in their appearance, says Yorke. They can stay small for years, just looking like a grayish wart or a patch of bald skin, but then can start changingand things can get ugly fast.Sarcoids often look like warty, crusty, bumpy skin growths, but theres a lot of variation. They can stay small for years, just looking like a grayish wart or a patch of bald skin. Photo by Christiane SlawikIts important to have a vet peek at anything unusual on a horses body. While a small hairless patch may not necessitate a vet visit, having the vet take a look while shes out for another reason (such as the spring wellness exam) is beneficial. The vet will be able to rule out other conditions and begin to develop a plan in case the sarcoid begins to grow.As sarcoids enlarge, the skin can ulcerate, attract flies, and become infected, Yorke explains. They may look like open sores that wont heal.Sarcoids can be very challenging to treat, so I recommend owners take them seriously, even if they dont look like theyre currently causing a problem, she says.What are the Treatment Options for a Horse with Sarcoids?Sarcoids are only positively diagnosed with a biopsy. Once a vet has confirmed that the horse has a sarcoid, there are multiple therapies that can be used to combat the condition, some of which may be used in combination.There are so many factors to consider when deciding on a treatment protocol, including the type of sarcoid, how aggressive it is, its location and size, how well the horse is likely to tolerate a particular treatment, cosmetic outcome and more, says Bozorgmanesh.Also taken into consideration are location of equine clinics (should in-hospital surgery be warranted) and the clients financial capability.In the past, horse owners were encouraged to leave a sarcoid alone unless it was growing or changing, but as sarcoid treatments have evolved, its been recognized that early intervention may be more successful.Its easier to treat small sarcoids, and less-aggressive treatments may also be an option if the lesions are caught early, says Yorke. Its very rare for a sarcoid to go away on its own.Because they are caused by a virus, treatment is not as simple as just cutting off the tumor, she adds.Unfortunately, even if all the tissue that looks like sarcoid is surgically removed, the normal looking tissue adjacent to it can still be infected by the virus, and it can then be activated into new sarcoid tissue, Yorke notes. Its very important that your equine veterinarian is consulted to create a treatment plan. Inappropriate treatment can quickly turn a small lesion into a larger and more aggressive one. So please dont buy some cure-all cream off the internet to treat your horses sarcoidyou may regret it later.Take sarcoids seriously and consult with your vet, even if they look OKthings can start changing and get ugly fast. Photo by Christiane SlawikTreatment options can include: Veterinary-grade topical ointments: There are a variety of options available, and you can apply it yourself; youll have to wear gloves and put it on every few days. However, it can take up to 32 weeks of treatment for the sarcoid to resolve, and some horses may experience a burning sensation when its applied, says Bozorgmanesh. Injection of chemotherapy into the tumor: Injecting cisplatin, a chemotherapy agent, is one of the most successful ways to treat sarcoids. If the tumor is large, the vet will often try to surgically remove as much of the tumor as possible before treating the scar line and the tissues around it with cisplatin, Bozorgmanesh explains. The injections are often repeated every two to three weeks for four to six treatments. Depending on the location, this treatment may need to be done under general anesthesia. Injection of immune modulators into the tumor: Immunomodulators are natural or synthetic substances that can modify the bodys immune response by either suppressing or stimulating the immune system. Injection of immunostimulants into the tumor: A newer treatment for sarcoids, this modality focuses on increasing specific aspects of the immune system and its response. It has variable success. Surgery: When removing a sarcoid, the vet must excise large amounts of tissue in an attempt to remove every single tumor cell. Tumors often recur when using surgery alone. Cryotherapy: Extreme cold is used to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. This modality can require multiple treatments and may require general anesthesia. Lasers: A surgical laser is used to remove the tumor, along with a margin of healthy tissue to reduce the chance of leaving behind any potential cancerous cells. This technique may require general anesthesia or local anesthesiaand sedation, says Bozorgmanesh. 1 of 2 Surgery is usually reserved for areas where sarcoids interfere with the horses function, such as the sheath. Tumors tend to recur when usuing surgery alone, unless every single tumor cell is removed. Photo by Arnd Bronkhorst/www.arnd.nl Surgery is usually reserved for areas where sarcoids interfere with the horses function, such as the sheath. Tumors tend to recur when usuing surgery alone, unless every single tumor cell is removed. Photo by Arnd Bronkhorst/www.arnd.nl There are also some specialty treatments like electrochemotherapy or radiation that can be very effective but are usually performed only at veterinary schools and require general anesthesia, according to Yorke.Its also important to remember that any treatment may have to be changed or repeated if the sarcoid doesnt respond well or comes back later, she says. Thats just the nature of sarcoids, and can happen despite everyones best efforts.The bottom line? Anytime something unusual is found on a horse, its worthwhile to have a vet take a peek at it to be sure nothing is amiss. Addressing sarcoids early offers horses the best chance for a complete resolution.This article about sarcoids in horses appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Decoding Sarcoids in Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

About the TesterJake Myers is one of our longest standing Redpost Riders. He is currently competing successfully across the country at 3* Grand Prix level and recently placed 3rd in the Under 25s at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.About the productThe Schockemhle Ancona Select Bridle is designed with precision, this bridle features an innovative noseband engineered to provide the perfect fit, ensuring maximum comfort for your horse. The padded flash, conveniently attached on top of the noseband, ensures unrestriced breathing and reduces pressure on the nose Shop the Schockemohle Ancona Select Bridle What were your first impressions?My first impression of the bridle was that it looked very smart and I particularly liked the shape at the poll and thought it would be comfortable. I was very much looking forward to trying it on one of my horses.How was the sizing & fit?The sizing and fit was just as expected. I have a size full which fit my 16.2hh horse.How did you test the product?I tested the bridle by firstly doing some flat work followed by training over some jumps. My horse felt super in the bridle. As expected it seemed to be very comfortable for him and did not rub him anywhere due to the very soft leather.What was your favourite feature?I particularly like the top of the bridle which sits on the horses poll. It looks as if it has been designed to allow little pressure on the horses poll and has a small amount of padding to help also.Would you recommend to a friend?I would 100% recommend this bridle to a friend especially if they have a horse who is a bit sensitive around their head as the leather is already very soft. I find usually with new bridles the leather is quite hard to start until cleaned and used a few times but I liked how the leather on this bridle is much softer from new. Shop the Schockemhle Ancona Select Bridle The post Tried & Tested: Schckemohle Ancona Select Bridle first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

When it comes to the question of hay vs haylage, most equestrians have a personal preference about which they will feed their horse. Theres almost an element of rivalry between the two, which are both major sources of forage in a horses diet. Contrary to popular belief, haylage is normally lower in sugar than hay, and it contains more protein. However, soaking or steaming hay can help to reduce its sugar levels.Some people prefer to only ever feed haylage, while others are stalwart hay users. On large yards, you may find you have access to both. Ultimately, deciding which to feed should really come down to what is best for your horses individual needs.Choosing between hay vs haylage is sometimes made simply on cost. However, there are other factors to consider, including its aforementioned sugar content and your horses weight, because forage lower in sugar will help to prevent said horse or pony piling on the pounds.The size of hay vs haylage bales is also an important factor. How much storage do you have and will you be moving bales by hand? Without a tractor to help, you will need to choose small bales of hay or haylage that you can lift yourself. If you need to store it outside, the bales will need to be wrapped.Hay vs haylage Pros of feeding hayHay isCheapEasy to handleCan be soaked to reduce its sugar content, which is ideal for good doers and those who need to lose weight, plus any equines prone to laminitis or who have a metabolic disorderEasy to source and bulk buyCons of feeding hayIt alsoMay contain dust, even mould sporesUnlikely to have nutritional analysis unless you arrange for it to be analysed yourselfHigher sugar content than wrapped haylage, which is contrary to popular beliefMust be stored undercoverPros of feeding haylageHaylage isMore palatable than hayLess likely to be dustyMay have nutritional analysis, depending on the sourceCons of feeding haylageIt is alsoPossible for it to go off if left standing open for too longUnlikely to be guaranteed quality, because you cant see inside until the bale is unwrappedMay contain chemical additives, inoculants and/or mould inhibitorsHigher sugar content than bagged forageBig bales can be difficult to handleHay vs haylage: Small-bale bagged forageTop-quality bagged forage from a reliable producer will have a consistent and high nutritional value, as well as a full nutritional analysis and quality guarantee, says a nutritionist from Horsehage.The selected grasses are specifically sown for this purpose and are usually regularly reseeded to maintain grass quality, with production analysed daily.It is cut and turned in the same way as hay, but instead of allowing it to dry completely on the field, its baled when the grass has semi-wilted and the dry matter has reached around 55%. Strict quality control takes place throughout the production process in order to ensure an optimum moisture content of between 35% and 45%, together with the correct fibre and nutrient levels.The bales are hydraulically compressed to reduce air in the bag for optimum fermentation and to minimise the growth of mould and bacteria.The surviving yeast and bacteria start to ferment, causing the sugars in the grass to break down, reducing the acidity level and giving it a pleasant, sweet smell while preserving the grass. The bales are then heat-sealed into double-lined plastic bags to reduce the risk of puncturing.Pros of bagged forageBagged forage isDust-freeFull nutritional analysis provided and quality guaranteedLow sugar content, with some varieties suitable for those prone to laminitisEasy-to-handle bales that can be stored outsideCons of bagged forageIt is alsoExpensiveNot as easy to get hold of, as it needs to be bought from a manufacturer rather than directly from a farmerBig bale haylageMany feed merchants offer large-baled, locally-produced farm haylage thats unbranded or you might be able to buy it directly from the farmer. This is what I do. Big bale haylage is often made from older pasture, which may previously have been grazed. These bales are very heavy, and youll need help from a tractor to help you move them around.As with hay, previously grazed pasture tends to be perennial, containing weeds that may be unpalatable for horses, warns Horsehage.After cutting, wilting and baling, the bales of haylage are wrapped to exclude air. The quality, nutritional content, dry matter and acidity may all be variable.As with any bagged forage, if its allowed to stand open for too long, or if the bales are punctured, the haylage may become contaminated and dry out.Keep an eye out for any stray plants and weeds when youre taking haylage off the bale and pull it dont risk your horse eating it. I feed big-bale haylage and I do sometimes remove the odd weed or plant that shouldnt be there, but its rare.Generally, you get to know where to buy good haylage from. Farmers cutting fields to feed to horses will usually look after their grass accordingly.Hay vs haylage: which to choose?Hay is normally the cheapest type of forage, says Horsehage. Usually locally produced, it can be inconsistent as quality and hygiene is dependent on the type of grass harvested and its dry matter at the time of baling, as well as the weather conditions during harvesting.A dust-free forage is more important than nutritional value, as hay with a low nutritional content can be supplemented with either a bagged forage and/or concentrates. It should have a clean, sweet smell and a greenish colour. Hay shouldnt be fed if its musty or dark.Hay vs haylage: the golden ruleThe golden rule when choosing whether to feed hay or haylage to your horse is remembering that every horse should be fed as an individual in order to suit their specific requirements.I feed large round bales of haylage to my horses, because I have a tractor to move the bales around and a large barn to store them in. It isnt easy to move them far by hand, unless you have several strong people to help!A bale is placed under a lean-to next to my stables so that it is easy to access. It also means that when a horse is loose in the yard to stretch their legs, they can pick at the haylage if they want to.When I had 10 horses on the yard mostly Thoroughbreds, all in hard work buying large bales in bulk was more cost effective than small bales. Haylage is easy to feed: no dust, consistent quality and it helps my sports horses hold their weight. It is also wrapped, which means it isnt ruined by rain (my storage barn was open at the sides).Having said that, I have (and would do again) bought in hay specifically for those who need it. Two retired ponies prone to laminitis, for example, needed soaked hay to prevent them becoming overweight.I also once had a funny little ex-racehorse on the yard called Cranworth Blaze who only picked at her haylage. When given both hay and haylage, she ate the lot. She was partial to a few mouthfuls of straw, too. It seems she liked to have a choice!Main image: copyright ShutterstockRelated contentIs your horses hay quality good enough?Soaking hay: how to do it correctlyWhy every horse will benefit from eating a soaked feedHow to save money on horse feedEverything you need to know about laminitisThe post Hay vs haylage: which is best? appeared first on Your Horse.

One hundred and forty two competitors aged 16-26 representing 20 studbooks gathered at Martofte in Denmark for the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) International Young Breeders (IYB) World Championships. Competitors from Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany (ten studbooks), Great Britain, Ireland, Latvia, Sweden and the Netherlands, alongside hosts Denmark, took part in the championships. The competition demands concentration, stamina, consistency, exemplary knowledge and skill in the areas of theory assessment, conformation and athleticism trait appraisal, as well as the ability to handle a strange horse and show it effectively to the judges on a triangle format akin to a dressage test in hand. The aim of competitors during the trait assessment phases is to match the judges scores for the animals as closely as possible. The team representing the Irish Sport Horse Studbook put in a tremendous performance over three days of assessments. Seniors Gillian Burke, Maria Cairns, []

Ocala, FL The 2024 Summer Series is officially underway at World Equestrian Center Ocala with thrilling hunter/jumper competition Wednesday through Sunday through August 11. Spectators are welcome, there is no charge for admission or parking! Saturday night grand prix events are back! Join us every Saturday night at 7:30pm* for elite show jumping action under the lights in the WEC Grand Arena. Visit[...]Read MoreThe post Whats Happening this Week at World Equestrian Center Ocala appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Shane Rose (@shane.rose.eventing) At nineteen years young, Shane Roses Virgil isnt actually the most senior horse headed to Paris, but boy, it must feel good to be taking on the world with such an experienced buddy. Shanes run-up to this years Games hasnt been the smoothest ride, so to speak. First there was mankini-gate , and then a serious accident that banged him up pretty bad. But, in keeping with the tough competitor that we all know him to be, hes clawed his way back into the saddle and has booked his flight to France with the Australian team. Heads up, we have it on reasonably good authority that Shanes said, on record, that hell wear a gold-kini if he wins the Olympics. Im not sure whether thats tempted me to cheer for him to take the title or not, to be honest the sight of Shane letting loose in the orange ensemble is still burned into my retinas. But Im all for a bit of fun, so heres to Shane and his mankini. Go eventing!U.S. Weekend PreviewGenesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]One & Done Horse Trials (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] Wednesday News and ReadingThe home nation have high hopes for even more Olympic medals heading their way this summer. They were on the podium in 1912, the first time the three equestrian disciplines as we know them today were contested at the Games, and have since seen huge success across the board. Take a look back at Frances equestrian Olympic history as the country prepares to play host to this years sporting extravaganza. When you know, you know. Karen Woodhall was watching the racing one day when one of the runners caught her eye, so much so that she jotted his name down for future reference. Not because she thought he was a safe bet hed just come dead last. But she just liked him a feeling many horse people will be familiar with. Fast forward a decade and that very same horse has made himself at home in Karens yard and is thriving in his second career winning ribbons in the dressage ring. Read Top Notch Tontos sweet story here.Chastising others parenting choices is mostly not cool, so Im just going to leave this here. But honestly, horses arent kids. For a start, in my experience theyre way more demanding and expensive than the average kid. Also, if I asked my guy to take some time to think about his behavior, his response would almost certainly be carrot.In Olympic news outside of horses, the iconic Moulin Rouge windmill is back looking its best, just in time for the torch to pass by.Video BreakNeed a pick-me-up this hump day? Well, Ive got just the thing. We all thoroughly enjoyed Aachen, but @evangrooms appears to have really enjoyed Aachen. Theres a bunch of content on his IG account thatll have you chuckling over your morning coffee. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Evan Donadt (@evangrooms)

Ive owned my gelding Romeo for nearly ten years, and hes always been a very busy mentally, and doesnt like being bored. This can mean he box walks if he gets bored or stressed, for example when its busy with people coming and going, especially in the winter when hes stabled more. Ive tried lots of different types of enrichment over the years, but as hes so clever he figures them out quickly. So when Likit released a new granola version of their licks that were said to be longer-lasting, they sounded perfect for my speedy-eater.Likit Granola Stall Ball and Re-fills are treats that double as enrichment, and they come with the claim that they can keep your horse busy for hours. The granola versions are designed to last longer than the original Likits. I was sent a Granola Stall Ball, a Likit holder and four of the Likit Granola refills in molasses, peppermint, mixed berry and apple flavours.First impressionsThe packaging was really easy to open and releasing the lick only took a few seconds. It is a little sticky, but easy to fit it onto the holder. Straight away I also thought how good the licks smell, especially the peppermint one. I also found the Granola Stall Ball (apple flavour) easy to unwrap.At first I tied up the Likit holder so it was against the stable wall, but Romeo was a bit keen so I took Likits advice and decided to hang it away from the wall so that he couldnt pin it and eat it quickly. My stable doesnt have a ceiling as it is in an American barn, so I had to rig some bailing between the bars on two walls to hang it up. Once that was sorted, it was really easy to set up.It was definitely worth going to this effort as it made it much harder for Romeo to pin and devour his Likit treat, which meant it lasted much longer. The Stall Ball has a small rope loop coming out of the top to hang it from. I hung it using the Likit holder rope, but if you dont have one then you could use something strong like baler twine or similar.PerformanceWhen it was set up to hang in the stable so that Romeo couldnt pin it against the wall, each lick lasted between one and three weeks. The Stall Ball lasted nearly four. Its spherical shape makes it harder to bite, so he really did have to lick that one. I think Romeos favourite flavours were peppermint and apple, as he finished those two the quickest.The Likit kept Romeo busy during the day and I could also see he was eating it at night. He typically has a very messy bed in the mornings, but having the Likit in did seem to improve the state of his stable slightly, so I think they kept him busy instead of walking around. The only downside was I occasionally left his stable with a sticky patch on my jacket from bumping into the Likit Ball when mucking out. I soon learned to duck!Value for moneyLikit refills are inexpensive and very quick and easy to use once the initial set up has been done. If your horse isnt as food orientated as mine, you could probably have it against the stable wall, if they dont need to be slowed down. Considering how long each Likit lasted, Ill definitely be stocking up again when Romeos turnout is limited. They were perfect for keeping him happy in the stable.Important infoLikit Granola Stall BallRRP 14.14*Flavours: Apple, peppermint, mixed berry or molassesPurchase hereLikit HolderRRP 10.98*Colours:Clear glitter, glitter pink, green, purple, red, blue or aquaPurchase hereLikit Granola Re-fillsRRP 5.12*Flavours: Apple, peppermint, mixed berry or molassesPurchase here*Prices correct at time of writingRelated contentWorried your horse is bored? Top tips to keep them content in the stableWatch how to make a boredom buster for your horse5 ways to help a horse survive box restHow can I stop my horse from box walking?The post Likits granola range keeps my stressy horse busy when stabled appeared first on Your Horse.