Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 31, hosts Susan Friedlandand Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with horseman Tik Maynard, fresh off his repeat win of Road to the Horse. To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary about Nash, this months ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.Click here to listen on mobile.Tik Maynard, Horseman & 2025 Road to the Horse ChampionBarn Banter episode 31 guest Tik Maynard.Tik Maynard spent much of his twenties competing full time in the sport of Modern Pentathlon (running, swimming, shooting, fencing, show jumping). He was on the Canadian National Team and won the National Championships twice, and he competed at multiple World Cups, World Championships, and at the 2007 Pan-Am Games in Rio de Janeiro. Maynard has evented at the Advanced level and been Long-Listed and Short-Listed for the Canadian National Three-Day Event Team. He won the Freestyle twice at the Thoroughbred Makeover (2015, 2018) and judged it once (2017). Maynard won the Road to the Horse World Championship of Colt Starting in 2024 and 2025. He travels year-round, teaching clinics in the United States, Canada, England, and Scotland, and is an online instructor for The Horsemans University and the NOLLE FLOYD Equestrian Masterclass. He is a regular guest on podcasts and a contributor to many equestrian magazines and online news sources. He is the author of In the Middle Are the Horsemen and Starting in the Middle. Maynard lives with his wife Sinead, a top American eventer, and their two children in Citra, Fla., where they run Copperline Farm.Copperline Equestrian WebsiteFollow Tik on InstagramFollow Tik on FacebookBuyStarting in the Middlefrom Trafalgar Square BooksBuy In the Middle Are the Horsemen from Trafalgar Square BooksAdoptable Horse of the Month, NashPhoto courtesy Serenity Oaks Equine SanctuaryFrom Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary in Plymouth, Mich., Nash is a big, beautiful Thoroughbred gelding who makes the most perfect companion horse. He loves hanging out 24/7 in the pasture with his buddies, where he is lower in the herd and always respectful to his friends. Due to an old injury, he is companion only. Nash is not spooky and loves one-on-one attention. He has a huge personality and is an easy keeper.Nash is up to date with vetting, dental and farrier.Learn more about Nash here.In addition to Barn Banter episode 31, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrateds podcasts here.The post Barn Banter Episode 31 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Kent Farrington (USA) and Toulayna - winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2024/25 in Thermal (USA) ©FEI / Sara Shier 06 May 2025 Following an update to the Longines Rankings published today on 6 May 2025, USA’s Kent Farrington has been confirmed as the new world number one, taking the lead on the world rankings with 3,269 points.  Kent Farrington has...

Athlete Selection Policy FEI European Jumping Championships for Juniors and Children Riesenbeck (GER) 7th 13th July 2025 CH-EU-J-S CH-EU-Ch-S Relevant Documentation: Please see below Pony Eventing Selection Policy for 2025, in addition relevant appendix CH-EU-Ch-S Riesenbeck (GER) Athlete Selection Policy 2025 Appendix 1 HSI Code of Conduct Athletes Appendix 2 Horse Sport Ireland Social Media Policy Appendix 3 2024-HSI-Medication-Equine-Anti-Doping-Updated FEB 2023

Key Aspect Details Need for Tree Protection Trees reduce heat stress, enhance forage quality, and prevent soil erosion. Unprotected trees face threats like browsing and trampling. Physical Barriers Arborshield tree guards prevent 100% of cattle-induced damage. Wire cages can prevent rubbing and trampling. Rotational Grazing Reduces the risk of trampling and soil compaction by temporarily restricting horse access to vulnerable areas. Tree Selection & Placement Choosing less palatable trees and strategic placement, such as south-facing slopes, can protect trees and enhance forage growth. Fertilizing Fertilizing based on soil tests can boost forage production by 20-30%, minimizing competition between grass and tree roots. Long-Term Planning Protecting communal grazing lands can significantly increase woody cover and enhance productivity, as seen in global examples. Implementation Checklist Use tree guards, rotate horses, select less palatable species, and conduct biannual soil testing. Future Prospects Integration of technology like GPS collars and biodegradable tree guards offers potential for improved equine agroforestry. Conclusion Strategic integration of tree protection and grazing management leads to sustainable equine landscapes where trees and horses thrive. When equine enthusiasts consider the harmony of pastures, they often find themselves pondering one question: how can we protect trees from horse damage while encouraging sustainable grazing? The answer lies in innovative solutions combined with tried-and-true methods. Understanding the Need for Tree Protection Trees are invaluable assets in grazing fields. They not only reduce heat stress for horses on sweltering days but also enhance forage quality and prevent soil erosion. Without protection, young trees face threats like browsing, trampling, and severe bark damage, leading to alarming tree mortality rates. For instance, studies show a striking 50% mortality rate for unprotected trees such as black locusts and red oaks in equine environments[source]. Initiating Effective Tree Protection Strategies 1. Physical Barriers Ensure Safety Physical barriers stand at the forefront of tree protection. One potent solution, Arborshield tree guards, effectively prevent 100% of cattle-induced damage, outranking standard tree tubes in trials[source]. Similarly, wire cages resembling "tomato cages" offer a sturdy defense against rubbing and trampling. 2. Smart Grazing with Rotational Strategies Rotational grazing is a game-changer. By temporarily restricting horses' access to vulnerable saplings, pasture managers can significantly reduce the risk of trampling. The USDA supports rotational strategies, emphasizing their effectiveness in preserving tree roots and preventing harmful soil compaction[source]. 3. Tree Selection and Placement for Maximum Benefit Not all trees are created equal in the eyes of a browsing horse. Some species, like red oaks, are less palatable and tend to suffer less from horse interactions. This strategic choice can preserve tree health and pasture harmony. Additionally, planting trees on south-facing slopes can help retain moisture and foster better forage growth[source]. Enhancing Pasture Productivity through Thoughtful Management 4. Fertilizing: A Key Component of Forage Management Managing pasture nutrient levels by fertilizing according to soil tests can boost forage production by a remarkable 2030%. This proactive approach minimizes the competition between grass and tree roots, leading to healthier, more robust growth[source]. 5. Long-Term Landscape Planning for Resilience Formulating a long-term landscape plan can yield impressive results. Take the example of Senegal, where protecting communal grazing lands resulted in a 65% increase in woody cover over three decades. In similar fashion, Latin American silvopasture methods enhanced milk yields by 75% per hectare[source]. Success Stories from Around the Globe Globally, the implementation of strategic tree protection and grazing practices has yielded significant benefits. In Tunisia, combining soil conservation practices with legume reseeding rejuvenated degraded lands. In India, dryland regions experienced a tenfold increase in productivity due to innovative silvopastoral rotations[source]. Creating a Comprehensive Implementation Checklist For horse riders keen on implementing protective measures, here's a checklist to jumpstart the journey: Use Arborshield or wire cages for saplings under six feet. Rotate horses away from young trees during their active growing seasons. Opt for less palatable tree species in high-traffic areas. Biannual soil testing to optimize the nutrient balance between forage and trees. The Bright Future of Equine Agroforestry As we look forward, the integration of technology into tree protection strategies seems promising. Emerging solutions, such as GPS collar-grazing systems and biodegradable tree guards, present potential for revolutionizing equine agroforestry. Yet, the most immediate, impactful results arise from merging physical protection with strategic grazing management. Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Equine Landscape In conclusion, the goal of creating harmonized equine landscapes is achievable when horse riders and pasture managers diligently incorporate these methods. By intertwining solutions such as specific tree guards with broader landscape planning, we create resilient environments where both trees and horses prosper. Revisit pieces of this blog for further inspiration by exploring our comprehensive Jodhpur Collection, Stable Rugs, and Horse Fly Protection. For more on horse riding apparel, explore our extensive offerings including the Horse Riding Boot Collection, Gloves Collection, and Horse Riding Socks Collection. Additionally, nourish your steeds with our Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements and treat them with assorted Horse Treats And Gifts. ```html```

Athlete Selection Policy FEI European Jumping Championships for Juniors and Children Riesenbeck (GER) 7th 13th July 2025 CH-EU-J-S CH-EU-Ch-S Relevant Documentation: Please see below Pony Eventing Selection Policy for 2025, in addition relevant appendix CH-EU-Ch-S Riesenbeck (GER) Athlete Selection Policy 2025 Appendix 1 HSI Code of Conduct Athletes Appendix 2 Horse Sport Ireland Social Media Policy Appendix 3 2024-HSI-Medication-Equine-Anti-Doping-Updated FEB 2023

Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments respond to a wildfire in Central Texas. | Texas A&M Forest ServiceIn 2024, Texas saw 5,187 wildfires burn over 1.3 million acres. Because wildfires are unpredictable and know no boundaries, every Texan should always be prepared.Texas A&M Forest Serviceis highlighting how Texans can prevent wildfires and prepare for when they occur during Wildfire Awareness Month, celebrated in May.Preparation for wildfires is key to protecting both lives and property, said Erin OConnor, Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer. During an emergency, you may only have minutes to act or evacuate. Having a plan and a go-kit can make all the difference. The better prepared Texans are, the safer they will be.Prepare a go-kitA critical component to ensure safety and preparedness for wildfires is the preparation of ago-kitthat can be easily carried and includes supplies for several days. A go-kit should consist of:Supplies for both people and pets.Prescription medications or other necessary medical equipment.Papers and essential documents such as phone numbers and insurance and identification documents.Personal needs include food, water, clothes, money, chargers and a first-aid kit.Priceless items such as photos, family heirlooms and any other irreplaceable or valuable items.Have two evacuation plansIt is important to have at least two evacuation routes planned out of your neighborhood in case the first route is blocked by heavy smoke or traffic, OConnor said.Evacuation routes and shelter locations will be influenced by wildfire activity. It is critical to know how and where local emergency officials will communicate information, such as updates and instructions, to the public.Preparing homes and landThere are many practical steps that residents and landowners can take to reduce their risk from wildfire, said OConnor.Residents canprepare around their homesusing fire-resistant landscaping and ensuring defensible spaces are maintained. Embers small pieces of burning material easily carried by the wind are the leading cause of home loss during wildfires. They can collect in small crevices around a home and enter through vents.Simple, low-cost actions like cleaning out gutters, clearing leaves from garden beds and around wooden structures, removing leaf piles, and relocating firewood stacks at least 30 feet away from buildings can significantly reduce the risk of ember ignition.Farm and ranch ownerscan prepare for wildfires by assessing the property for potential hazards, establishing contingency plans for feeding and relocating livestock if a fire is imminent and informing fire departments about access roads, water sources, fence lines and preferred wildfire suppression tactics.Preparing communitiesThe wildland-urban interface (WUI) is where humans and their structures meet or mix with undeveloped wildland, OConnor said. Communities in the WUI are at the greatest risk for wildfire damage or loss. As Texas population grows and urban areas expand into more rural landscapes, the number of people that may be impacted by wildfires will increase.Communities and municipalitiescan create community wildfire protection plans to identify high-risk areas of the wildland-urban interface and target potential fuel reduction projects, training needs and prevention strategies.Texas A&M Forest Service works with communities to create community wildfire protection plans, assists neighborhoods with the management of the Firewise USA program and provides risk assessment tools to ensure communities have the resources to be prepared for wildfire.In 2024, Texas saw 5,187 wildfires burn over 1.3 million acres. Because wildfires are unpredictable and know no boundaries, every Texan should always be prepared.Texas A&M Forest Serviceis highlighting how Texans can prevent wildfires and prepare for when they occur during Wildfire Awareness Month, celebrated in May.Preparation for wildfires is key to protecting both lives and property, said Erin OConnor, Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer. During an emergency, you may only have minutes to act or evacuate. Having a plan and a go-kit can make all the difference. The better prepared Texans are, the safer they will be.Prepare a go-kitA critical component to ensure safety and preparedness for wildfires is the preparation of ago-kitthat can be easily carried and includes supplies for several days. A go-kit should consist of:Supplies for both people and pets.Prescription medications or other necessary medical equipment.Papers and essential documents such as phone numbers and insurance and identification documents.Personal needs include food, water, clothes, money, chargers and a first-aid kit.Priceless items such as photos, family heirlooms and any other irreplaceable or valuable items.Have two evacuation plansIt is important to have at least two evacuation routes planned out of your neighborhood in case the first route is blocked by heavy smoke or traffic, OConnor said.Evacuation routes and shelter locations will be influenced by wildfire activity. It is critical to know how and where local emergency officials will communicate information, such as updates and instructions, to the public.Preparing homes and landThere are many practical steps that residents and landowners can take to reduce their risk from wildfire, said OConnor.Residents canprepare around their homesusing fire-resistant landscaping and ensuring defensible spaces are maintained. Embers small pieces of burning material easily carried by the wind are the leading cause of home loss during wildfires. They can collect in small crevices around a home and enter through vents.Simple, low-cost actions like cleaning out gutters, clearing leaves from garden beds and around wooden structures, removing leaf piles, and relocating firewood stacks at least 30 feet away from buildings can significantly reduce the risk of ember ignition.Farm and ranch ownerscan prepare for wildfires by assessing the property for potential hazards, establishing contingency plans for feeding and relocating livestock if a fire is imminent and informing fire departments about access roads, water sources, fence lines and preferred wildfire suppression tactics.Preparing communitiesThe wildland-urban interface (WUI) is where humans and their structures meet or mix with undeveloped wildland, OConnor said. Communities in the WUI are at the greatest risk for wildfire damage or loss. As Texas population grows and urban areas expand into more rural landscapes, the number of people that may be impacted by wildfires will increase.Communities and municipalitiescan create community wildfire protection plans to identify high-risk areas of the wildland-urban interface and target potential fuel reduction projects, training needs and prevention strategies.Texas A&M Forest Service works with communities to create community wildfire protection plans, assists neighborhoods with the management of the Firewise USA program and provides risk assessment tools to ensure communities have the resources to be prepared for wildfire.

Two horses in Ontario recently tested positive for strangles. The horses live in Dufferin and Brant counties.In Dufferin County, a 12-year-old warmblood gelding developed an abscess on the outside aspect of his jaw, which was positive forS. equi. The horse is under voluntary quarantine.In Brant County, a 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding developed a fever and nasal discharge shortly after returning from a competition in the Hamilton region. The nasal discharge tested positive forS. equi. One other horse on the property has since developed clinical signs.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

What a week we had in the US at the Defender Kentucky five-star. Mandy Grays Et Hop du Matz (Hoppy) and Amanda Goulds Grafennacht (Lillie) performed out of their skins to finish 3rd and 4th in a top-class field.Hoppy is only eleven and is gangly and still a little green, but he has an ace temperament. Hes getting stronger every year and theres still more improvement to come. I was delighted with him in the dressage he was unaffected by the atmosphere and put in a solid clear round performance in his test. When we look back to where he was a year ago the progress is huge, and it will keep developing.Lillie had a less-than-ideal preparation out there, the first time I was able to school her was the warmup for her test, so she was a little above herself in the atmospheric arena resulting in a couple of expensive mistakes. It was the best we could do in an imperfect situation, but another time with a normal preparation she could be right at the front of the pack.Derek di Grazia set a great cross-country test there were plenty of technical questions set around a track that was constantly changing in terms of direction, camber and incline. After the first lot to go it looked like the time would be challenging and clear jumping rounds were relatively few and far between.I was excited to set out on Hoppy the feeling hes given me throughout his career has suggested that he could be a top cross-country horse, so I was looking forward to being tested. Hes rangy and athletic with a huge galloping stride and a very cool head. He made nothing of the technical questions and cruised around with a smile on his face. He was well up on the clock from start to finish and never got close to fatiguing. He cantered through the finish with his ears pricked with three seconds in hand and was the first to make the time. Excitingly, he could have gone for two minutes longer or coped with much slower ground and it would have suited him even more.Setting out on Lillie felt totally different were still a new partnership so I was learning on the way round. William has produced her beautifully, but it still takes time to fully learn each others buttons. Shes very game with a massive heart, she wouldnt be the most athletic type that could fiddle if she was slightly wrong at a fence, but shes very uncomplicated in her mind. Despite taking the long route coming out of the water at the Head of the Lake she too came home inside the time with one second to spare.With very little time between my two rounds, I was unaware of what was happening on course, so only later learnt that Hoppy and Lillie were the only horses of the day to have made the time and most didnt get anywhere close. Michael Jung was the closest with 6 seconds over, and Boyd Martin was the next fastest and 17 seconds outside. Its a great relief to know that our fitness and preparation work at home has paid off. It takes less out of a horse when they dont fatigue and both looked great on Saturday evening and Sunday morning for the final horse inspection. As always, Jess was in her element, giving them the best possible care both pre and post cross country.Credit Amy Dragoo PhotographyCredit Amy Dragoo PhotographyI was fully aware that the show jumping phase could impact Lillies standing. I had a hypothesis about her jumping, which hopefully is proving to be effective I only jump small fences outside to keep her confident and feeling good and I try to ride her in a very relaxed way. In the ring I give her plenty of space in front of a fence and wherever possible approach each fence off a curve. She jumped out of her skin, just having one very light fault at the middle part of the treble. I was thrilled with her performance and it kept her in 4th place.With two horses lying consecutively, Lillie had jumped out of order, but it was a still a quick turnaround for Hoppy. I jumped very little outside with him, and he went into a packed stadium and nailed everything, jumping an impeccable clear round to hold on to 3rd place. Ive really believed in him from the start of his journey and have joked that hes the best horse no one has ever heard of. Im thrilled for him that hes now starting to shine on a suitable stage, and for his hugely supportive owner Mandy Gray.Michael Jung was very impressive all week it was great to see his Olympic champion Chipmunk looking as good as ever and they were highly deserving winners. American Boyd Martin did a great job piloting three horses around, the best of whom finished in second, and I was pleased for Tom McEwen who did a great job on Brookfield Quality to finish in 5th. It was really beneficial to have Dickie Waygood and Liz Brown (British performance manager and team vet) in support too.Kentucky is the most incredible event with mind-blowing facilities, but most of all the team there are so incredibly welcoming and accommodating to all the riders, owners and support staff. Nothing is too much trouble and whatever anyone needs, they have. Thank you Kentucky Three Day Event we cant wait to be back!Where stated Image Credit Amy Dragoo Photography & Kentucky Three Day Event.The post Redpost Rider Harry Meade: Double placing at Kentucky Horse Trails first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

Do we underestimate the impact of ill-fitting tack? Its crucial to involve a saddle fitter when your horses body has changed for any number of reasons. | Alexandra Beckstett/The HorseSome analogies compare the equine back to a violin. The horses spine is the wooden body of the instrument, and the muscles are the strings. When the horses muscles and other soft tissues move the spine, the structures must stretch and extend accordingly for the entire instrumentthe backto function. The horses ability to engage and use his back depends on well-developed and healthy musculature. Underutilized, atrophied, or spasmodic or otherwise painful muscles disrupt the animals locomotion. Unfortunately, this kind of muscle damage often occurs due to a common, often-overlooked culprit: ill-fitting saddles. In this article well tackle the process of recognizing and addressing saddle fit problems to help you be sure your equine partner has a pleasant experience in the tack.The Importance of a Saddle That FitsImagine running a 5K with sneakers that are too small and tight for your feet, causing blistering pain with every footfall. Or picture a track-and-field athlete attempting to navigate a course of hurdles while wearing tightly buttoned jeans that dig into the skin and cause uncomfortable friction at the seams. These struggles are similar to those horses endure in the hands of well-intentioned but ill-informed ridersand even trainers. Undoubtedly, pain, lameness, muscle atrophy, and behavioral resistance in the ridden horse can all be linked to an improperly fitting saddle. With so much potential for harm if fitted incorrectly, saddles deserve the attention of the professionals on your horses teamveterinarian, bodyworker, and saddle fitter.When its Time to Call a ProIts crucial to involve a saddle fitter when your horses body has changed for any number of reasons, says Jenna Shipley, of Shipley Equine Services, a certified equine bodyworker and saddle fitter based in Carmel, New York. Like most independent professional saddle fitters, Shipley recommends a routine saddle checkup at least twice a year. She names a few scenarios that might affect this schedule and warrant dialing your saddle fitters number:Extreme weight gain or loss. This can include significant muscle loss from a period of inactivity, decreased nutrient intake, or even systemic illness.Starting (or restarting) a horse under saddle. Commencing training with properly fitted tack is better than fixing problems down the road.Rehabbing a horse after a period of stall rest due to injury. Shipley says the shape of the topline will change when transitioning from inactivity back to work and encourages horse owners to have saddle fit evaluated throughout the rehabilitation process.A change in riders. Crooked riders make crooked horses, says Shipley. Researchers have shown riders who are too large for the saddle, out of balance, or crooked create uneven force distribution across the tack (Bondi et al., 2019). These unbalanced riders can actually change the quality of their tack, creating unbalanced, asymmetrical saddles, she says.Furthermore, ill-fitting saddles can create a vicious cycle, our sources say. Horses with saddle-induced back pain can have the shape of their back change, often dramatically, in a short amount of time, from the associated muscle atrophy, explains Shipley. We have to remember how dynamic a horses musculoskeletal system is, how much it responds to its environment.Erin Contino, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVSMR, associate professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, echoes these observations: Whether from saddle fit issues or underlying back pathology (disease or damage), horses with back pain will often turn off their stabilizing muscles, causing them to atrophy. Many horses with back pain will appear to have lost muscle mass over their topline rather quickly.As a general rule, Shipley recommends more frequent saddle fit checks for horses in a dynamic programgreen horses that are still maturing, athletes rehabilitating from an injury, or horses experiencing a variable workload throughout the yearthan those in a static program. This latter group is governed by consistency: These horses have a steady workload throughout the year, and their bodies are less likely to change rapidly.Realistically, many horse owners look for more practical and cost-effective alternatives to having their saddles professionally evaluated and adjusted as frequently as every couple of months. Researchers findings suggest certain saddle pads can in some cases reduce pressure on the back (Kotschwar et al., 2010).I do see value in some half pads that come with the ability to have shims added and subtracted, as they can be particularly useful during these times when the horses body is changing a lot, explains Shipley. The reality is that although corrective saddle pads can temporarily improve the fit in certain cases, they cant be a permanent solution. And more padding isnt necessarily harmlesslayering on various pads to correct a gullet or tree thats already too narrow will only make matters worse, similar to adding thick socks to your tight shoes.How to Evaluate Saddle FitOur sources list eight elements to assess:Saddle balance. The saddle must be balanced from front to back and from side to side to avoid putting excessive pressure on any portion of the horses back or shifting with movement.Panel contact. Both panels should make full, even contact with the horses back. Full panel contact prevents the saddle from rocking back and forth. It also helps distribute the riders weight evenly across the horses entire back, ending just before the last vertebrae (typically the 18th thoracic vertebraeT17 in some horseswhich is the point of junction for the last rib). If the panels are flocked with wool, they can be reflocked to address imbalances. Foam panels, on the other hand, do not offer that option.Wither clearance. Lack of wither clearance is one of the most common issues I see in performance horses, says Shipley. Its easy to see why a saddle that puts direct pressure on or around the horses sensitive, bony withers hinders range of motion and causes pain. A horse whose saddle pinches his withers might be reluctant to move forward and might show behavioral signs of pain such as kicking out and bucking. Gullet width. How wide or narrow the gullet is dictates the weight distribution of the rider across both sides of the horses back. The width of the horses individual spine and musculature at the withers should dictate gullet width. Researchers have confirmed excessive padding can make an otherwise well-fitting gullet too small (Bondi et al., 2019).Tree width. The tree points located at the front of the saddle should mirror the angle of the horse, allowing the shoulders to rotate comfortably, says Shipley. If the tree is too narrow, it will restrict shoulder movement and likely cause pain. If the tree is too wide, the entire saddle will be unstable and have excess pressure at the front of the saddle. It may rock or slip from side to side, or the back half of the saddle may twist to one side or the other. As their names indicate, saddles with adjustable trees can be modified, to some extent, to fit the horse. Traditional saddlesthose without the built-in adjustable tree optionneed to be replaced if the tree no longer fits the horse.Billet alignment. The billetsthe leather straps to which the girth connects on both sides of the saddleshould be perpendicular to the ground. Being pulled too far forward or too far back by the girth will alter the fit of the saddle and might also cause unnecessary pressure and movement at the front or back of the saddle. In Western saddles the same concept applies with the cinch strap or latigo.Seat size. The pommel of the saddle must be at least 2 inches (or three fingers) behind the back of the scapula, providing enough freedom for the shoulder blades to move backward during extension. In both English and Western disciplines, the saddle panels should not extend farther back than the 18th thoracic vertebrae and last connecting rib into the lumbar spine region. A saddle of improper length, front to back, interferes with the balance of both horse and rider.Tree integrity. This last one is easily overlooked. If you buy a used saddle, or if your horse falls or rolls with the saddle on, have that piece of tack checked by a professional, says Shipley. Otherwise, a broken tree could go unnoticed for weeks or even months, causing damage to your horses back and risking the riders safety. On a related note, if a stirrup catches on something and pulls on the saddle, that stirrup bar can bend, putting sharp and uncomfortable pressure on the horse through the saddle.Addressing Back Pain: The Role of Therapeutic ModalitiesTo break the cycle of saddle-induced pain and dysfunction, rider and trainer must remedy the root cause of the problemsaddle fitbefore any treatments can provide lasting results. No therapeutic modality can fix poorly fitted tack, says Shipley. Massage is just a Band-Aid if the fit is not being simultaneously addressed. From personal experience doing equine bodywork, Ive worked on many sore backs that would improve by the end of the session, only to be braced, reactive, and sore after the very next ride in the ill-fitting tack.Thats not to say therapeutic modalities such as massage and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) dont have value in detecting and mitigating ongoing problems, our sources say. Oftentimes its actually these practitioners of therapeutic modalities who first discover the subtle signs of ill-fitting tack and can refer the client to a saddle fitter, says Shipley. By working on the horse, they can detect cues such as asymmetrical back pain, girth area sensitivity, or subtle changes of the hair over the back.Both Shipley and Contino encourage a holistic approach to rehabilitation from saddle-induced back pain. In most cases the horse has muscle dysfunction all throughout the body as a result of compensating for their painful backs and not using their bodies properly, Shipley explains.Contino adds that even once you remove the nidus (in this case, a poorly fitted saddle), these back muscles that have switched off as a result of pain dont switch back on automatically. Thus, the long-term physical consequences of ill-fitting saddles largely depend on what is done to reengage the back muscles. If you dont act, the horse might end up in a downward spiral where he continues to lose muscle mass and strength. But if you do introduce interventions such as core strengthening exercises, the back muscles can return to normal function and strength, limiting long-term consequences. Shipley goes as far as recommending a full rehabilitation program for horses that have had poor saddle fit for a considerable amount of time. Some severe cases might even require giving the horse time off from riding before starting again in new or properly fitted tack, she says.Looking Ahead: Long-Term Impact of Poor Saddle FitThe majority of horses with poorly fitted saddles have pain, or at least soreness, in the muscles on either side of the withers, says Contino, naming specifically the spinalis muscle and part of the trapezius muscle. Fortunately, once the saddle fit issue has been corrected the muscle soreness often resolves. However, in some instances, if a saddle or pad is actually directly contacting the withers, a pressure wound can occur in which case, even when it is healed, scar tissue would remain. Scar tissue is less elastic than normal connective tissue and, thus, there may be limited gliding of the skin over the underlying tissue.Take-Home MessageMuch like a pair of good shoes, good tack that fits your equine athlete properly makes all the difference in both comfort and performance. Learn to observe and advocate for your animal. Feel his back regularly, and learn whats normal for him, says Shipley. Reactivity over the back often indicates a tack fit issue. Many horses are stoic and show no outward, behavioral signs of pain. But a high pain tolerance does not mean they are not feeling pain, she says. Attentive examination and early intervention by a professional are the keys to resolving saddle fitting problems before they cause bigger issues.

One horse in Chesterfield County, Virginia, recently tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) during a routine Coggins test. The horse is quarantined on the property and reportedly does not pose a risk to other horses in the area.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About EIAEquine infectious anemiais a viral disease that attacks horses immune systems. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles.ACoggins test screens horses blood for antibodiesthat are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test to travel across state lines.Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Not all horses show signs of disease,but those that do can exhibit:Progressive body condition loss;Muscle weakness;Poor stamina;Fever;Depression; andAnemia.EIA has no vaccine and no cure. A horse diagnosed with the disease dies, is euthanized, or must be placed under extremely strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the rest of his life.