According to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, one horse in Utah County recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The horse was euthanized.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.WNV 101West Nile virusis transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like theyre daydreaming or just not with it;Occasional drowsiness;Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); andSpinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; andAsymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.West Nile virus has no cure. However, some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.Studies have shown thatvaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses mosquito exposure by:Removing stagnant water sources;Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); andApplying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

Show Jumping, Dressage & Course Design with Gill Pollard (Episode 28)Watch or listen to Episode 28 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast with host Aaron Englander and special guest Gill PollardLevel 5 British Showjumping course designer, judge, and decorated dressage competitor. If youre curious about what truly makes a fair course, how to prepare for competition without losing your sense of fun, and why tiny tweaks in the ring make massive differences, youre in the right place.Prefer to jump straight in? Watch now on YouTube or listen now on Spotify.About Our Guest: Who Is Gill Pollard?Gill Pollard is a UK equestrian professional best known for her work as a Level 5 (Advanced) British Showjumping course designerthe highest tier of accreditation. Shes also a Level 2 judge and an accomplished dressage rider with wins and high placings at Advanced Medium and Prix St. Georges. In short: she knows the sport from every angle, and shes generous with her knowledge.In Episode 28, Gill and Aaron dig into what goes into building courses that are challenging but fair, why speed classes put smiles on faces, and how riders can better prepare to keep the poles up and the time faults downwithout losing the fun.You Want Them All to Succeed: The Heart of Fair Course DesignGills approach is simple and sincere: You want them all to succeed you want them to succeed in the fairest possible way. That philosophy runs through her entire process, from understanding arena size and footing to considering the actual riders expected in each class.Theres a lot more going on than poles and wings. Gill explains how she balances the rulebook, route options, distances, and time allowed. As she puts it, riders should feel testedbut not tricked. A fair track gives everyone a chance, whether theyre there for education, a rosette, or the jump-off of their dreams.Course Specs, Time Allowed & Why the Easy Class Isnt Always EasyBritish Showjumping classes come with clear specifications for height, spread, and speed. That means an 80 cm class isnt just one 80 cm fence on its owntheres a course of them, sometimes followed by a jump-off thats 10 cm higher. That can be a rude awakening if your only 90 cm practice has been a single fence at home.Time allowed is skill, not guesswork. Many riders focus on fences and forget pace. Gill points out that maintaining rhythm (say, 300375 m/min depending on class) is part of the sport. Ride every corner like its a tour of the whole county and youll collect time faults like fridge magnets.Walk the Course Like a Pro (and Stop Panicking at Fence 3)Walking the course isnt just sightseeing. Gill recommends riders consider where theyll change legs, how theyll save time with a shorter line (without riding faster), and which corners might tempt a dramatic trot. Make your plan, then commit.If a jump looks spooky, dont feed the drama. Riders can calmly walk past the banner or the filler before the bell, look at take-off and landing points, and let their horses clock the scenery. A steady brain produces a steady round.Speed Classes, Jump-Offs & Bringing the Fun BackGill has a soft spot for speed classes and crafty jump-offs. These formats let riders make bold decisionstake the scenic route for a safe clear or swing inside for the win. A good jump-off offers options: two long gallops for the brave, a cheeky inside turn for the brave-and-accurate.That variety builds skill and smiles. As Gill jokes, the sport can feel too serious in the middle tiers where people chase double clears. Options keep learning alive: the novice rides the measured line; the seasoned rider dares a tighter one. Everybody gets better.Training at Home: Make Show Stuff NormalGills biggest plea to riders is brilliantly practical: train with fillers, water trays, banners, rustling bagsearly and often. If your horse only sees plain poles at home, the first fancy filler in public becomes a plot twist.You dont need expensive kit. A bit of tarpaulin under a pole, plastic tubs, safe planters, or a DIY water look build confidence. The goal is not big fencesits variety and calm repetition. The earlier you normalise visuals and noise, the steadier your horse will be on show day.From Pony Club to Prix St. Georges: A Career Built on CuriosityGills own path is a love letter to trying things. She rode for dealer yards, zipped around speed classes, andafter initially writing dressage off as boringearned standout scores all the way to PSG. That range now informs how she designs courses that teach, not just test.Her message is to keep exploring. The more you experiencedisciplines, shows, horsesthe more tools you bring back to your main ring. Its cross-training for your brain (and your bravery).When Lower Isnt Kinder: The False Sense of ProgressGill is refreshingly honest about height. Building consistently under spec to please a crowd can do riders a disservice. It creates a false sense of readiness that falls apart at qualifiers. Better to face the real thing with supportive lines and fair questions.A fair 90 cm looks like 90 cm. If youve only been schooling a single 90 cm fence at home, a whole course at that height (and then higher in a jump-off) will feel different. Prepare for the course, not just the number.Handling Pressure: Complaints, Courage & Keeping PerspectiveCourse designers get it from all sides. Gill talks about the reality: riders have goals, time is tight, and not everyone can qualify every weekend. Thats why designers need backbone and empathy. As she says, the aim is never to make people failits to set appropriate, transparent questions for the class.For riders, the takeaway is balance. Own your preparation, read the specs, and be kindto yourself, your horse, and the people building your day. A good round is a team effort youll repeat next weekend.Micro-Wins That Reduce Time Faults (Without Riding Faster)Shorter line, same canterthats the magic. Gill suggests choosing smart routes where permitted, trimming unnecessary arena, and keeping rhythm through corners. Youll often save seconds simply by riding the line you walked (and not sightseeing the banners).Practice counting in real life. Mark out lines at home. Count a steady rhythm, then ride the same line slightly shorter with the same step. Teach your eye that saving distance is not adding speed.What Riders Can Do This Week1) Build a Better Schooling EnvironmentMake your arena more show-like with safe, colourful fillers, tarpaulin water, tubs, and banners. Introduce them in walk and trot until theyre non-events. Consistent, calm repetition wins.php-template Copy Edit2) Walk with PurposeNext time you walk a course, set three decisions: where youll change legs, where youll ride the simple line, and where youll save distance (not speed). Then stick to it.3) Gear That Helps, Not HindersComfort and grip are your quiet superpowers. If your hands, legs, and boots are steady, your brain can do the thinking. Explore: Jodhpurs & Riding Tights, Riding Boots, Gloves, and Riding Socks.4) Feed for FocusLittle daily habits add up in the ring. Support recovery, hooves, digestion, and calm with Everyday Supplements that fit your horses routine.5) Prep for the WeatherCold horse, cold start. Keep muscles comfortable and ready with Stable Rugs and Turnout Rugs. When the flies arrive, dont donate blooduse Fly Protection.Quotes We Loved from Episode 28On the Goal of Course DesignYou want them all to succeed. Its the line that sums up Gills approach: fair questions, logical lines, and options that help riders learn without feeling ambushed.css Copy EditOn Time Allowed & Riding LinesIts not about going fastits about maintaining a speed. If youre on the correct rhythm and take the right line, the clock takes care of itself far more often than you think.On Training with FillersPractice with what youll meet at shows. The aim is normalising novelty. Tarpaulin today means water trays tomorrow feel boring (which is exactly what you want).On Keeping the FunI always like to give options. Two long gallops, a clever inside turn, or the sensible simple routevariety brings riders on and keeps the sport joyful.Why This Episode Matters (Even If Youre Not a Jumper)Dressage riders, eventers, and happy hackers will still find gold here. The mindset is universal: prepare realistically, ride the line you planned, build confidence in small steps, and choose gear that helps rather than distracts.And if youre a parent or new competitor, this chat demystifies rulebooks, jump-off formats, and the logic behind course questionsmaking pony-club weekends a little calmer for everyone involved.Watch or Listen to Episode 28Set aside a cuppa and 100% attentionyoull want to take notes. Watch now on YouTube or listen now on Spotify. Then come back and tell us your favourite moment (we have a soft spot for the speed-class memories).Helpful Kit for Confident RoundsGrip & Feel: Hands, Seat, Lower LegGloves that fit, boots that support, and breeches that movethese are small things with big outcomes. Explore Gloves, Boots, and Jodhpurs & Riding Tights.php-template Copy EditPost-Round RewardsNothing says good horse like a pocket treat. Keep morale high with Horse Treats & Gifts that turn effort into enthusiasm.Daily WellnessConsistency beats occasional heroics. Build a routine that supports calm energy and recovery using Everyday Horse Supplements.Follow Just Horse RidersJoin the community and never miss an episode. Follow us, say hi, and share what youre working on:WebsiteFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeSpotifyKey Takeaways from Episode 28Fair EasyFair courses ask clear questions at the right level. They dont trick ridersbut they also dont pretend the class is smaller than it is.css Copy EditTime Allowed Is a Riding SkillSaving distance isnt the same as riding faster. Learn to hold a rhythm and choose efficient lines. The clock will thank you.Normalise Spooky at HomeMake different visuals part of your weekly plan. The first banner your horse ever sees shouldnt be at a championship qualifier.Options Keep Learning FunSpeed classes and smart jump-offs build riders. Let the brave try the inside turn; let the green horse take the long route and grow.Before You GoSet Up Your Next Confident RoundPick one tiny upgrade today: a filler in your schooling, a smarter course-walk habit, or kit that gives you a better feel. Then re-watch a favourite section of the episode and set a plan for your next outing.Ready for a deeper dive? Watch Episode 28 now or listen on Spotify, and let us know which tip youre trying this week.Just Horse Ridersyour trusted home for Jodhpurs, Riding Boots, Gloves, Socks, Treats & Gifts, Supplements, Stable Rugs, Turnout Rugs, and Fly Protection.

Fourteen horses in Texas recently tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), including one case each in Wise, Crane, Harris, and Navarro counties; four cases in Brazos County; and six in Williamson County. All horses have been euthanized.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.

Have you ever seen a guy rope a filly, start a colt, tell a story, teach a lesson, drink Earl Grey tea, and ponder the grit that hardship bringsall without removing a toothpick from the corner of his mouth? I have, twice.This was my second year riding with Martin Black, co-author of Evidence-Based Horsemanship and one of the most insightful teachers Ive ever met. His clinics are equal parts humbling and inspiringa masterclass in not just riding but understanding horses on a deeper level.Tik at Martin Black ClinicDay 1: Roping Lessons and the Art of TimingThe first day of the clinic set the tone. While practicing roping, I missed 26 times in a row. With all the patience of a seasoned teacher, Martin watched, then calmly offered a single piece of advice: Throw a little earlier. That one tip changed everything. It was a reminder that sometimes the simplest feedback can be the ticketif youre willing to listen. Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionTik at Martin Black ClinicDay 2: Tack MattersDown to the Smallest DetailsOn day two, Martins attention to detail was on full display as he walked me through unrigging a western saddle. Eleven times he showed me how to properly slip the needle of the back cinch buckle through the ring of the front cinch buckle, then hang them neatly from a round piece of leatherwhose name I still dont know.More importantly, he emphasized leaving the back cinch curved the correct direction, not twisted. That small nuanceone Id never consideredmade a world of difference in the saddles balance and the horses comfort.Tik at Martin Black ClinicDay 3: Stories That TeachBy the third day, Martin started to weave stories into the lessons. One tale stood out: the story of Gene Lewis, a kid who started as a talented bronc rider and went on to compete in jumpers after returning from WWII. Some kids played baseball; we rode broncs, Martin recalled.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionGenes approach to training was ahead of its time. He would arrive at a show with 30 horses, competing in both western and English classes. His versatility and openness to learn from different disciplines left a legacy that influenced riders like David OConnor, who integrated techniques such as riderless jumping to help horses build confidence and think for themselves.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionPractical Wisdom: Weight DistributionBefore leaving, I asked Martin what I should focus on over the next two months. His answer was clear: Weight distribution. It helps with turning, it helps with accelerating, it helps with the backup. You get out of their way.As always, his advice was deceptively simple but packed with meaning. Understanding and applying it would take timeand that was the point.Martins Philosophy on HorsemanshipOne of the things I admire most about Martin is his open-mindedness. I have no prejudice in discipline because there is good horsemanship and bad horsemanship in every discipline, he said, the toothpick still bobbing as he spoke.What horsemanship truly is was left unsaid, but Martins teaching stylegrounded in patience, precision, and respect for the horseoffered all the clarity needed.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionSome More of Martins Memorable QuotesYou got one chance to make a first impression. I rarely see anyone intentionally start a horse clockwise in a round pen, or start handling them in their right eye. People dont realize how little it takes to make a left-sided horse. Lead em, load em, turn em outthere are three experiences right there. And the bigger impression you make, the more lasting it is.Walk up with your hand already out. What you did was walk up at one mile an hour, then you raised your hand at four miles an hour.Sometimes Ill scratch em, and I want them to be like it was a month ago, and you never finished.Photo credit: Martin Black CollectionA Final TakeawayOn preparing a horse to lope under saddle for the first time, Martin shared this gem: My target isnt to get em into the lope; its to get em ready to feel like theyre ready to leave the trot. Then its their idea to lope. Just one or two strides.In those few sentences, Martin distilled the essence of good horsemanship: setting the horse up for success and allowing them to make the right choice.What I learned from Martins clinic: the details matter, the stories teach, and the lessons linger long after the toothpick has been set aside.All of these learnings I have integrated into my course teachings on NOLLE FLOYD Plus. If youd like to learn more, click here.Photo credit: Martin Black Collection