In a classy display on the flat, the Australian visitors have the upper hand in the Land Rover CCI4* at Hastings at the conclusion of the dressage phase. Australian riders are sitting first, second, fourth and fifth individually, with team rider Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca (ABOVE) the top of the pile, scoring an average []The post HOY eventing Aussies have the edge appeared first on NZ Horse & Pony.

Quarter cracks can lead to lameness or loss of use if left untreated. | Amy RuckerHoof wall defects are common in sport horses presenting with lameness and loss of use. Successfully managing these horses requires an understanding of why the hoof wall cracks, said Stephen OGrady, DVM, MRCVS, of Virginia Therapeutic Farriery, in Keswick, during his presentation at the 2024 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 7-11, in Orlando, Florida.Why Do Quarter Cracks Occur in Horses Hooves?Quarter cracks in the hoof arise from overloading one side of the horses foot, generally the insidetoward the midline. You wont see a quarter crack without hoof capsule distortion, said OGrady. And that distortion is going to be caused by an asymmetrical landing, where the lateral (outside) side of the horses foot contacts the ground first, then overloading the medial (inside) aspect of the foot. Over time, when the hoof wall can no longer take the excessive loading, it cracks.Hoof capsule distortion means the capsule changes shape from what is considered normal or healthy. That distortion relates to the horses conformation and how the foot lands on the ground.Most horses with hoof capsule distortion have a rotational deformity, which means the bone alignment is straight, but they have a narrow chest, and their limbs rotate laterally.Corrective Shoeing for Quarter Cracks in HorsesAgain, if you have a quarter crack, you have a distorted foot, said OGrady. To manage this, take the shoes off for 10 to 14 days and trim the heels so the heels and frog are on the same plane.Once everything is on the same plane, there is load sharing by all the structures, and the heels drop down and relax, OGrady said. He typically puts a spider plate on these horses. This shoe type protects the heel and redistributes the load to the lateral aspect of the foot.OGrady also recommended moving the shoe laterally with an extension. The shoe can be placed tight or flush on the medial side but then has a one-quarter- to three-eighths-inch extension on the lateral side, he said. This moves the center of pressure to the better side of the foot.Take-Home MessageHoof wall defects, such as quarter cracks, can lead to lameness in horses, especially if left untreated. Quarter cracks occur when a horse unevenly loads one side of the hoof as he travels. Farriers can manage quarter cracks using corrective trimming and shoeing, which can help balance the pressures placed on the hoof.

Section Key Points Introduction Explores the less romantic side of horse trading; follows a Connemara pony's tough journey from Ireland to Florida; emphasizes the need to improve welfare. The Origin: Connemara Ponies in Ireland Connemara ponies are known for intelligence, athleticism, and gentle nature; play a significant role in Ireland; demand is rising, leading to longer journeys. The Journey: Importing Ponies to the United States Importing involves logistics like health checks, transportation standards, and customs; there's a risk of encountering unethical practices stateside. The Dark Side: Unethical Practices in the Horse Industry Florida's horse industry involves unethical practices such as doping and excessive training; calls for acknowledging and addressing these issues. Case Studies: The Plight of Connemara Ponies in Florida Connemara ponies not always in headlines but share the same fate as others subjected to harsh treatment; ethical reform is required. Ensuring Welfare: Steps Towards a Better Future Strategies include enforcing regulations, educating stakeholders, supporting ethical breeders, and advocating for animal welfare. Horse Riding Essentials for Enhancing Experiences Highlights essentials like Jodhpurs, horse riding boots, accessories, treats, and gifts, to improve the equestrian experience. Conclusion Urges for ethical practices; stresses the importance of care and respect for Connemara ponies; invites readers to join in promoting better treatment. The Dark Side of Horse Trading: A Connemara Pony's Journey from Ireland to Misery in FloridaIntroductionThe world of horse trading often evokes images of brave knights, wild west frontiers, and graceful wild stallions. However, the reality can be much less romantic. There's a side to horse trading that might make even the most seasoned cowboy hang up his spurs. This article takes you on the journey of a Connemara pony from the rolling green hills of Ireland to the sunny, yet treacherous, destination of Florida. From long-haul transport to dubious caretakers, let's explore the risks facing these elegant creatures and how we can improve their welfare. Discover more about stable rugs for better comfort.The Origin: Connemara Ponies in IrelandThe Connemara pony hails from Ireland, known for their intelligence, athleticism, and gentle nature. These ponies are a staple in Ireland, participating in every function from transporting goods to starring in international competitions. Gloria Nolan Connemara Performance Ponies takes pride in breeding these fine creatures, ensuring they make perfect partners for show jumping and leisurely strolls alike. But as demand rises, their journeys have become longer and fraught with peril.The Journey: Importing Ponies to the United StatesImporting these graceful creatures involves a maze of logistics: health checks, exacting transportation standards, and labyrinthine customs clearance. While conscientious breeders and importers successfully deliver these ponies with stars in their eyes, upon their hooves landing stateside, a dark underbelly may await them. The risk of entanglement with the less savory actors of the horse industry looms large. Learn more about the importation process here.The Dark Side: Unethical Practices in the Horse IndustryThe sheen of Florida's sunshine is often outshone by the shadows of unethical practices. Unscrupulous trainers might employ extreme measuresdoping, excessive training regimens, even physical abuseto extract more performance from these innocent creatures. Some utilize illicit drugs like cocaine to enhance abilities, a grievous injustice to these gentle beings. Find out how unequivocally we can say neigh to such abuse and improve their conditions.Case Studies: The Plight of Connemara Ponies in FloridaWhile specific cases of Connemara ponies suffering in Florida may not be plastered across headlines, the image of an industry plagued by scandal and ethical misconduct is convincingly painted. Tragically, horses endure harsh training techniques that leave them physically and psychologically scarred. Though lacking in spotlight, these ponies share the fate of equine counterparts caught in the web of an industry needing reform. Support ethical treatment by visiting the Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements collection.Ensuring Welfare: Steps Towards a Better FutureRegulation and EnforcementStronger regulations and their stern enforcement can counteract the dismal tide of abuse. Advocacy for more frequent inspections and oversight can play a crucial role in assuring a safer pasture for Connemara ponies.Education and AwarenessAwareness is power. By equipping buyers, owners, and trainers with knowledge regarding the signs of mistreatment, we can foster an environment that prizes ethical treatment over quick gains. This education extends into the show rings and beyond, ensuring that every ride is enjoyed under the sun. Understand more about preventing abuse with this insight.Supporting Ethical BreedersHorsemanship at its finest requires ethical breeding. Patronizing establishments that prioritize welfare and care epitomizes the forward path. Choose breeders whose ethos aligns with harmony and respect.AdvocacyEncouragement of advocacy can bolster exposure to malpractices occurring in plain sight. Activism in the horse community brings light to awaiting eyes and stirs those in power to do justice for our equine companions.Horse Riding Essentials for Enhancing ExperiencesJodhpurs CollectionExplore the Jodhpur Collection designed not only for comfort but style too. Perfect for equestrians who wish to ride mirthfully and in full support.Horse Riding BootsDiscover the finest horse riding boots that combine form with function, providing the finest key in unlocking a horse's potential through symbiotic relationships.Equestrian Accessories and EssentialsFrom gloves to socks and more, the well-dressed rider appreciates gloves collection, socks, and other crucial accessories, ensuring nothing but the best in equestrian pursuits.Horse Treats and GiftsTreat your steeds with special horse treats and gifts, ensuring happiness from tail to snout and back again.ConclusionThe journey of a Connemara pony from Ireland to Florida needn't be a tragic tale when ethical practices prevail. By fostering stronger regulations, educating the horse community, supporting ethical breeders, and promoting advocacy, these majestic animals can receive the care and respect they deserve. Here's to a future where every twitch of an ear, every flick of a tail, and every gallop towards dawn remains unhindered by shadowy practices. Join us at Just Horse Riders to enhance your riding experiences while respecting the creatures we cherish the most.

On a tough cross-country day in Hastings, the chances of New Zealands senior team recapturing the Oceania Championship looks to have slipped away. With just one of the Kiwi senior team riders jumping clear over Chris Ross challenging tumble-drier of a course at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show, and all four toting []The post Australia tightens hold on Senior Oceania title at HOY but NZs Young Riders soar appeared first on NZ Horse & Pony.

The goal is for the horse to be back in full work at the end of the 12-month rehab. | Adobe StockSoft tissue injuries involving tendons and ligaments are common in sport horses and generally require six to 12 months to heal completely. A rehabilitation plan helps the horse heal and build strength over time and reduces the risk of reinjury, said Katie Ellis, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, a clinical assistant professor and section head of field services at the University of Georgias College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens. Ellis outlined how she rehabilitates sport horse soft tissue injuries at the 2024 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 7-11, in Orlando, Florida. The Ideal Rehabilitation Plan for Equine Soft Tissue InjuriesEllis outlined her preferred rehabilitation plan for sport horses with soft tissue injuries as follows:Months 1 and 2Stall rest with hand-walking.Physiotherapy (i.e., carrot stretches).Icing the affected limb once or twice daily.Administering topical and/or systemic anti-inflammatory drugs.Applying standing wraps to the affected limb and its opposing limb when the horse is stall-kept.High-power laser therapy applied by a veterinarian or supervised technician.Months 3 and 4Stall rest with walking under saddle (tack walking).Walking over ground poles in hand.Continue all therapies and medications from the first two months.Months 5 and 6Stall rest with walking under saddle and small amounts of trotting (depending on the type and severity of the injury)Walking over ground poles in hand.Icing the affected limb after riding.Continued physiotherapy.Standing wraps in the stall.Months 7 and 8Stall rest with walking under saddle and trotting gradually included and interspersed throughout the ride (no trotting through turns).Walking over cavalletti (raised poles) under saddle.Physiotherapy.Icing the limb after work.Standing wraps in the stall.Months 9 and 10Small paddock turnout added gradually (sedation provided by the veterinarian might be necessary).Canter work gradually included in under-saddle rehabilitation.Trotting and cantering through turns under saddle.Gradually adding cavalletti into under-saddle work.Physiotherapy.Months 11 and 12Small-paddock turnout.Adding 20-meter circles and lateral movements (i.e., leg yielding) to ridden work.Physiotherapy.Month 12 and OnwardNormal turnout.Advanced/discipline specific maneuvers.Rehabilitation for the Uncooperative Equine PatientMost patients will not follow the ideal example, said Ellis. While some might not physically hold up to this plan, others might not be mentally capable of following it.For horses not compliant with stall rest, Ellis typically recommends chemical intervention with a long-term sedation option such as trazadone or reserpine. Some horses do well in a stall with a small attached runout where they can walk outside without picking up any speed. Others might need to be turned out in a very small paddock next to other horses to remain calm during the rehabilitation process.If a horse becomes dangerous to hand walk, Ellis sometimes recommends administering sedation before walking or, if the horse is cleared for it, starting to walk under saddle sooner than expected.If the horse is not compliant, I recommend adding more interesting exercises to keep them focused, she said. This might include ground poles, patterns, or even a walk around the property if the footing is safe. In some situations she advises the owner pony the horse off a quiet horse in the early stages of rehab.If the horse is too difficult to ride, Ellis might recommend increasing his turnout time sooner than planned and/or delaying ridden work. If safe for the individual horse and rider, she might choose to include light sedation for the early stages of ridden work.Managing Client ExpectationsI find it can help the client to give them a time frame for total healing, said Ellis. My rule of thumb is six to 12 months for tendons and eight to 12 months for ligaments. Having a timeline helps the owner stay on track with the rehabilitation plan and remain compliant throughout the process.Assure them the goal is to have the horse back in full work at the end of 12 months, she said. For the clients that like to be very involved in their horses daily care, Ellis teaches them physiotherapy exercises to perform with them. She also has them use an electromagnetic blanket if they have access to it or balance pads as the horse progresses in his rehabilitation. I find that giving them lots of other activities to do with the horse can help keep them busy and invested in the rehab.Repeat Imaging for Equine Soft Tissue InjuriesEllis said she repeats imaging before increasing the horses workload and at every recheck, which she plans for every 30-45 days. The imaging results rarely guide my rehab recommendations if the horse is improving clinically, she said. This just allows me to establish a new baseline.To check the horses clinical improvement Ellis watches the horse jog on a straight line but does not longe them in a circle. However, if the horse worsens during the rehabilitation process, she might perform a more extensive lameness examination or imaging to find the cause.

On the morning of March 4, a personal friend and long-time correspondent of World Breeding News, Sonja Grob-Wolfensberger passed away at the age of 72. Sonja was a multi-talented horsewoman for most of her life, as a board member of the Swiss Concours Riders Association (VSCR) for 28 years, and as central president of the []The post Sonja Grob-Wolfensberger (1953-1925) RIP appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.

If youre struggling to develop your horses topline and feel that there might be a nutrition issue, evaluate your horses diet. | iStockQ: Ive struggled to build my horses topline. His loin is under developed despite being in regular dressage training. A friend at the barn suggested that I add whey protein to his diet. I am curious to learn if this is a good idea and why it might help.A: Having a strong back musculature, or topline, plays an important role in your horses ability to carry you as a rider in a way that a) protects his spine and other tissues and b) allows him to successfully fulfill athletic demands.Horses can struggle with topline development for many reasons and, while nutrition can play a role, its important to rule out other potential issues. For example,saddle fitand training methods can impact a horses ability to use himself correctly and, thus, develop strong musculature. Similarly, pain associated with joints or conditions such aspolysaccharide storage myopathymight also have an impact. For this reason, I strongly recommend your veterinarian assess your horse to rule out any other issues before assuming its nutritional.I also recommendbody condition scoringyour horse and make sure hes not lacking in condition overall. If you determine that the horse is generally underweight, youll probably need to increase calorie intake, as this is likely contributing to your lack of topline. If however you determine that the horse generally has good fat cover, the ribs are covered, etc., but his topline is still underdeveloped, then this might be associated with insufficient dietary protein.How much protein does a horse need?How muchproteina horse needs depends on the horse and the physiologic state. I rarely find a crude protein deficiencies in mature horses diets; they typically only require about 10 or 11% crude protein in their diets, which most forage sources easily meet. However young, growing horses require 12 to 14%, and this might pose more of a challenge to meet.Most good grass hays can meet mature horse protein requirements and provide 10% or higher crude protein; alfalfa typically provides 18% or more. Grain hays such as oat hay can fall short, with an average crude protein of closer to 8%.In reality, though, your horse doesnt have a crude protein requirement, but rather an amino acid requirement.Amino acidsare the building blocks that make up proteins, and there are 21 amino acids of which nine are essential for mammals (histidine, isoleucine, leucine,lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine with others being conditionally essential). An essential nutrient is one that must be provided by the diet because the animal cant make that nutrient itself. Each protein contains a range of these various amino acids with some providing a greater proportion of essential amino acids than others. The greater the proportion of essential amino acids in a protein the better quality that protein is said to be.In an ideal world the amino acid composition of the diet you feed would exactly match the amino acid needs for your horse. Unfortunately, we need more research in this area before we are close to this level of accuracy in equine nutrition, although other species such as swine and poultry, have feeds more along these lines. The amino acid provided in the lowest quantity compared to the animals need is said to be the limiting amino acid. For equine diets lysine is typically the limiting amino acid followed by methionine which is why you often see them being singled out on feed labels with guaranteed levels.Diet Design TipsGrass hay is made up of medium- or low- quality protein and does not provide a great deal of lysine. This is particularly an issue if you limit your horses hay intake.Alfalfa, on the other hand, provides more lysine, so its protein is considered to be of better quality. Many performance horse owners I work with believe that they see a benefit in their horses topline when they feed some of the forage ration as alfalfa, and this might be part of the reason.Another complicating factor associated with hay protein is that the more mature a hay is, the more protein is associated with the structural carbohydrate fractions. This is potentially important because protein digestion and amino acid absorption needs to occur in the small intestine. However, structural carbohydrates require microbial fermentation to be broken down to release the protein contained within. Microbial fermentation occurs in the hindgut, which comes after the small intestine. Therefore, any protein and amino acids released at that point have missed the opportunity to be absorbed and instead are converted by the bacteria to ammonia. So, while a hay analysis can suggest a particular forage has adequate amounts of protein its possible that not all that protein is actually available for the horse. This is likely a bigger concern for grass and grain hays because alfalfa has so much more protein and tends to have higher digestibility.For your horse to be able to synthesize the proteins, he needs the amino acids be present in the right ratio. If one of the necessary amino acids is present at inadequate levels, this will negatively impact protein synthesis. When you combine the issue of protein quality, protein availability, and the concept of limiting amino acids and the need to have the right amino acids present in the right amounts for protein synthesis, it starts to become clear that all these factors play a role in your horses ability to generate anything made up of protein.If your horses lack of topline development is due to dietary protein the goal is to improve the overall protein quality of the ration so that more of the essential amino acids are provided in a digestible format. Skeletal muscle is made up of a broad range of amino acids with the greatest being lysine at about 79 mg/g of muscle tissue, followed by leucine at 77 mg/g and the other branch chain amino acids isoleucine and valine.It might be tempting to supplement individual amino acids; however, I caution against this because amino acids need to be present in a balanced manner. By giving just one amino acid you run the risk of upsetting this balance. Rather, its preferable to provide a source of better quality protein that will supply a range of amino acids.This is why soybean meal is a common ingredient in horse feed. Soybean meal is the highest quality plant based protein source commonly available as a feed ingredient. Soybean meal provides just more than 60 mg of lysine per gram of protein, which is significantly more than a mid-maturity grass hay with 35 mg of lysine per gram of protein, and even alfalfa with 51 mg of lysine per gram of protein. Correctly offering your horse a commercial feed will often ensure he receives adequate lysine, along with other essential amino acids.Whey protein comes from milk and is left after manufacturers separate curds from it during cheese making. Once carefully dried to a powder, a highly concentrated source of protein remains. | iStockSo, what does all this have to do with whey protein?Whey protein comes from milk and is left after manufacturers separate curds from it during cheese making. Once carefully dried to a powder, a highly concentrated source of protein remains. The protein is also very high-quality with more than 60% of the amino acids being essential amino acids, in particular the branch chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. With skeletal muscle being made up of a high concentration of these branch amino acids, adequate branch chain amino acid availability is important for muscle repair after exercise. Supplementing horses with whey protein might help support development of lean muscle mass.However, research in this area is limited and inconclusive. Its also important to understand that whey protein comes in several different forms. Most commonly available are whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The concentrate is the whey exactly as it was when the curds were removed meaning that it still contains lactose, fat, and various vitamins and minerals. Protein content can vary widely and care needs to be taken as horses over 3 years old are less able to digest lactose, which can lead to digestive distress. The isolate form is a more consistent product and has had much of the fat and lactose removed. As a result, the product is almost pure whey (90% plus) and is considerably more expensive.Equine whey protein supplements do exist, and I recommend them over those created for people, because those made for people are often for making protein shakes and contain other ingredients and additives that might not be suitable for your horse.Take-Home MessageIf youre struggling to develop your horses topline and feel that there might be a nutrition issue, evaluate your horses diet. Consider the sources of protein in the ration and see whether there are easy affordable steps you can take that will improve the overall protein quality and digestibility of the ration. This ultimately might or might not involve supplementing whey protein.

Launched at the Saint-L Stallion Show last weekend, a new tool allows all Selle Franais members to access a wealth of data on more than 3,000 stallions. Pedigree, maternal lineage expertise Young stallion expertise Transmissible characteristics of foals, models, gaits, free jumping Production statistics Photo and video galleries www.etalonsf.fr DON'T []The post New Selle Franais resource appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.

These days its hard to talk about equine nutrition and not mention the term microbiome. But what exactly is the microbiome?The term microbiome refers to the combined population of all the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that inhabit a specific area. The gastrointestinal microbiome of the horse is unique to every horse and dictated by a variety of factors including diet, age, metabolic status, activity level, pregnancy status, and disease state. Quickly following foaling, the microbial foundation is built along a specific blueprint that is influenced by its environment and its mother. As the foal ages, more pieces of the blueprint are filled in. Research from the Purina Animal Nutrition Center has shown that early in the life of the foal, the fecal microbiome is drastically different from that of its mother, but in a very short time, the microbial profiles are similar between mare and foal pairs.Microbes turn feed into fuel for horsesWhile the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is uniquely designed to harvest essential nutrients from the diet, without the microbiome, indispensable nutrients would fail to be extracted and certain feedstuffs would pass through unused. Each segment of the horses GI tract (from mouth to anus) maintains a specific microbial ecology, the workhorses of the microbiome reside in the large intestine (cecum and large colon) of the horse. The microbes present there are primarily tasked with the fermentation of fiber or structural carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin) into short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), sometimes referred to as volatile fatty acids (VFAs). These fatty acids are utilized by the horse as an energy source and supply up to 60-70% of their basal energy requirements.Not just about digestion Research has shown that every part of the horses GI tract has a microbiome characterized by a specific population of microorganisms. As more research has been conducted, the link between the microbiome and health has become increasingly apparent. Changes in the microbiome have been linked to health issues like laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, colitis, colic, and inflammatory bowel disease. Even more surprising has been the identification of elaborate communication pathways between the host (your horse) and the microbes in its gut. This communication is evident by the role that the microbiome plays in immune function, inflammation, and even cognitive function and behavior.The gastrointestinal microbiome of every horse is unique to them. While unique, it is also dynamic, as the factors that drive the development of the microbiome (diet, age, metabolic status, activity level, pregnancy status, and disease state) change, so too does the relative population of the microbes that make up this diverse ecosystem.It makes sense then, that the ideal microbiome for one horse may be inappropriate for another horse.Thats why it is so important to learn as much as we can about what is normal (and abnormal) before we can expect to influence the microbiome in a meaningful way through nutrition.Learn more about Purinas equine microbiome research and the Purina Microbiome Quotient platform at mq.purinamills.com.