Pros of the Treefree Exmoor Saddle Cons of the Treefree Exmoor Saddle Ideal Matches for Exmoor Saddle Lightweight, Flexible Design Less Suitable for Certain Disciplines Recreational Riders Adjustability and Customization Learning Curve for Cantering Horses with Sensitivity to Rigid Saddles Close Contact Feel Specific Saddle Pad Requirement Trail Riding, Leisurely Dressage Safety Features Dressage Enthusiasts Medium to Large Horses Flatwork, Low-impact Dressage Customization Seekers Varied Back Shapes Versatile Styles, Comfort-centric Exploring the Treefree Exmoor Saddle: Pros, Cons, and Perfect Fits for Horse and Rider The Treefree Exmoor saddle represents an innovative shift in horse riding equipment, offering a treeless design that prioritizes both comfort and flexibility. Specifically tailored for those who seek a modern GP (general purpose) design with dressage support, it shatters the constraints of traditional tree saddles. This blog will delve into the Treefree Exmoor saddle's features, advantages, drawbacks, and ideal matches for horse and rider, ensuring you have a comprehensive view based on the most current insights. What is the Treefree Exmoor Saddle? The Treefree Exmoor saddle originates from England, constructed with an innovative modular design, featuring interchangeable pommel arches, adjustable knee rolls, and a rigid cantle for enhanced rider support. Made from high-quality suede foam panels and top-grain leather, this lightweight saddle offers a close contact feel, strengthening the bond between horse and rider. Its most suited for trail riding and offers substantial dressage support for riders eschewing the rigidity of traditional tree saddles. For more on its intricate design, you can explore the detailed Exmoor insights. Pros of the Treefree Exmoor Saddle Lightweight and Flexible Design: The absence of a tree significantly reduces weight, allowing the saddle to naturally conform and move with the horses back, enhancing comfort through varied terrains. Adjustability and Customization: With adjustable knee rolls secured by Velcro blocks, riders can customize their support according to their leg positions. The interchangeable pommel can adapt to horses of differing wither and shoulder shapes, facilitating a better fit. Close Contact Feel: Thanks to the suede foam and minimal bulk, riders can enjoy an intimate connection with their horses, vital for disciplines like dressage where subtle cues dominate. Safety Features: Stirrup leathers attach to bars, reducing snagging risks, and a floating girth system ensures solid girth attachment, minimizing pressure points. Cons of the Treefree Exmoor Saddle Less Suitable for Certain Disciplines: Despite its versatility for trail and dressage, this saddle may not provide the necessary rigid support required for disciplines like jumping. Learning Curve for Cantering: Riders familiar with traditional saddles might find the transition to the Exmoor's flexible design challenging, especially during cantering. Specific Saddle Pad Requirement: To ensure optimal horse comfort and fit, investing in the Treefree-specific numnah is recommended, adding to the cost. Who is the Exmoor Saddle Best Suited For? The Treefree Exmoor saddle is not a one-size-fits-all. Ideal users and scenarios include: Rider Type Horse Type Suitable Use Recreational Riders Horses with sensitivity to rigid saddles Trail riding, leisurely dressage Dressage Enthusiasts Medium to large horses Flatwork, low-impact dressage Customization Seekers Varied back shapes Versatile styles, comfort-centric Important Considerations When Choosing the Treefree Exmoor Saddle Proper Fit: Even without a tree, precise fitting and compatible pads are crucial to avoid pressure points. Consultation with an expert or Treefree's sales team is advised to ensure the best fit. Trial Riding: Given its unique feel, riders should spend time acclimating to the Exmoor to assess adaptation and comfort for both the horse and rider. Investment in Quality Pads: Use recommended pads to maximize ergonomic benefits and safeguard the horse's back. Final Thoughts The Treefree Exmoor Saddle shines as a modern, flexible alternative to conventional horse riding saddles, offering comfort and customization where it matters most. While not designed for intense riding disciplines such as jumping, its advantages in trail riding and dressage are undeniable. This saddle isn't solely about ridingit's about enhancing the connection between the horse and rider through superior comfort and tailored design. Riders with a strong inclination towards improving horse comfort would find the Exmoor compelling, albeit with some investment in expert fitting advice and premium pads. For more insights and quality horse riding equipment, explore our Jodhpur Collection and Horse Riding Boot Collection.```html```

The New World screwworm is a specialized blow fly whose maggots voraciously feed only on living tissues of warm-blooded animals. | John Kucharski/Wikimedia CommonsNew world screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) poses a serious and ongoing threat to horses, livestock, wildlife, pets, and even people. Although animal health officials eradicated NWS from the United States in the 1960s and pushed it back to Panama, the parasite has been steadily marching north. Researchers say its return to the U.S. is not a matter of if but when.The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) dedicated its Aug. 13 virtual Wednesday roundtable to the subject. It featured Sally DeNotta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, chair of the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee and associate professor at the University of Florida, in Gainesville; Cody Egnor, DVM, a USDA veterinarian; and Andrew Short, PhD, an entomologist at the University of Florida. Neil Grey, DVM, a private practitioner from California, also shared firsthand accounts of treating equine NWS cases in Costa Rica.What is New World Screwworm?The adult screwworm fly does not bite, but its larvae cause devastating damage. These screw-shaped maggots feed aggressively on living tissue. After feeding, they fall to the ground, pupate, and emerge as adult flies, continuing the cycle.Female flies lay hundreds of eggs at a time and can reproduce multiple times during their 10- to 30-day lives. They target open wounds or mucous membranes for egg-laying. Lacerations, castration sites, the umbilici of foals, and even something as small as a tick bite can become infected, said DeNotta. Wounds on the limbs can become infected and the larvae can burrow into synovial structures such as tendon sheaths and joints. Diagnosis is typically based on the identification of painful, rapidly growing wounds full of maggots. Secondary bacterial infections are also common.Infestations cause severe pain, extensive tissue damage, and foul-smelling wounds that attract more flies. A single wound often contains larvae at different stages. Many animals will display reduced appetite and weight loss as a result of discomfort and infection, DeNotta added.New World Screwworm Eradication Success and SetbacksThe successful eradication campaign of the 1950s and 1960s relied on releasing millions of sterile male flies each week. Because female screwworms only mate once, reproduction failed when they paired with sterile males. This method remains the cornerstone of control programs today.In 2022 animal health officials reported NWS north of Panama for the first time in decades and confirmed finding it in Mexico earlier this year. In response, the southern U.S. border was closed immediately to the transport of horses, bison, and cattle.What to Do if You Suspect NWS?If owners suspect an NWS infestation, they should call their veterinarian right away. Veterinarians, in turn, must contact state animal health officials and USDA officers.Veterinarians should examine and treat affected horses immediately. Be sure to prevent larvae from dropping into the environment where they could pupate and perpetuate the problem. The experts recommended spraying contaminated areas with approved insecticides (e.g., permethrin-based products).Veterinarians should collect larvae in rubbing alcohol and adult flies in dry tubes for submissionall while wearing appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, clothing or coveralls, face protection, and hair coverings to prevent contamination.USDAs Five-Part Strategy for New World ScrewwormIn June 2025 the USDA announced a five-pronged plan to stop NWS from reestablishing in the U.S. The strategy includes:Stopping pests from spreading further into MexicoProtecting the U.S. border at all costsMaximizing readinessContinuing sterile insect release programsExploring new technologies beyond sterilizationTo strengthen readiness, the AAEP and USDA have provided updated guidance and resources to veterinarians and horse owners.Were trying to get information out as fast as possible, said DeNotta. Animal owners are likely going to be on the forefront of NWS case identification. Thus, educating owners about the clinical signs and what to look for will enable them to spot a NWS case and alert their veterinarian quickly, before the parasite is allowed to spread to additional animals.

Horse Sport Ireland is very pleased to inform HorseSource breeders that the updated sire search function is now live.Following feedback from last years launch we noted frustration while searching sires on the platform. In an effort to continuously improve the system we have worked with our I.T partner to improve the search results, enduring that they are more specific to the sire being searched when he is searched by name. Please see our short demo video of this function in practice. UELNS can still be used to search sires as normal.The most common reasons a sire may not appear through the HorseSource sire search are:They have not yet been endorsed for breeding purposes into the studbook you wish to register your foal (other studbook/PIO sires).HSI has not been notified by the stallion owner to update the horse from a colt to a stallion (HSI registered sires).We thank breeders for their feedback and patience on this matter and assure them that we are constantly striving to make the user experience on HorseSource as efficient and seamless as possible. We continue to build out HorseSources wider functionality with more releases coming soon!If you have any queries in relation to the sire search or to query a sire not on the platform, please email info@horsesportireland.ieThe post Updated sire search function on HorseSource system goes live appeared first on .

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has confirmed that six horses have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The cases are located in Berks, Lancaster, Lawrence, Mifflin, Snyder, and Union counties. Some of these horses have reportedly died.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.

On Aug. 24, one horse in Laird, Saskatchewan, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The horse was displaying minimal clinical signs, including mild muzzle fasciculations and very mild hind limb weakness.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.

Four horses in Mississippi recently tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The horses lived in Clarke, Stone, Monroe, and Madison counties.In Clarke County, a 6-year-old Quarter Horse mare was confirmed positive on Aug. 15 after developing clinical signs on Aug. 7. She was euthanized.In Stone County, a 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare tested positive on Aug. 20 after developing clinical signs on Aug. 15. She was euthanized.In Monroe County, an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare tested positive on Aug. 20 after developing clinical signs on Aug. 13. The horse had been vaccinated once, but the date of vaccination is unknown. She was euthanized.In Madison County, a 2-year-old Appaloosa gelding tested positive on Aug. 25 after developing clinical signs on Aug. 20. He 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.EEE 101Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.Tips for preventing mosquito-borne diseases include:Avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellent when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.Look for EPA-labeled products containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin (KBR3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol).Apply more repellent, according to label instructions, if mosquitoes start to bite.Mosquito-proof homes: Fix or install window and door screens, and cover or eliminate empty containers with standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.Protect your horses: Veterinarians recommend commercially available licensedvaccines against EEE for all horses in the U.S. Horses should be vaccinated at least annually (recommendations vary in high-risk areas). Its not too late this year to vaccinate your horses.Use approved insect repellents to protect horses.If possible, put horses in stables, stalls, or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.Eliminate standing water, drain water troughs, and empty buckets at least weekly.Stock water tanks with fish that consume mosquito larvae (contact your local mosquito control for assistance), or use mosquito dunks (soliddonuts ofBacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which are nontoxic to horses) available at hardware stores.

Welcome to Horse Illustrateds weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCAs Right Horse program. This weeks adoptable horse is Secret Crush! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.Photo courtesy Second StrideAdoptable Horse: Secret Crush, a 4-year-old, 16.3hh Thoroughbred geldingOrganization: Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.Get to Know Adoptable Horse Secret CrushBy Candy Ride and out of Elarose (out of the legendary mare Take Charge Lady), Secret Crush retired from racing in April 2025 with a left front suspensory tear with sesamoid involvement. He is currently on round pen turnout until August 18, 2025. He will then need an ultrasound done to determine if he is ready for turnout and riding. If he is sound in August under saddle at the trot, and stays that way long term, he may be suitable for low level sport use. He will be suitable for trails later this summer.Crush is a fun gelding to have in the barn. He can be mischievous and playful. He is quiet when in the round pen and is quiet in his stall as well. He seems to be an easy keeper, is quiet for grooming, and walks nicely on a lead rope. He is respectful of his handlers and was good for the vet and farrier. He is well-behaved for the vet and farrier. He will be a fun horse to bring along and teach. Hes easy on the eyes as well!Contact Second Stride today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Secret Crush!Photo courtesy Second StrideASPCA Right HorseASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Secret Crush appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects either the squamous (upper) region or glandular (lower) region of the stomach. Veterinarians cannot reach a definitive diagnosis based on clinical signs alone. They must use gastroscopy.Common Signs of EGUSPerformance declineUnwillingness to workReluctance to bend/flexBucking, bolting, rearingPoor attitude/aggressionDispleasure with grooming/saddlingMild colic (especially post-grain)Picky eating/inappetenceWeight lossPoor coat conditionTeeth grinding (bruxism)Practitioners describe glandular ulcers by location, severity, and appearance (e.g., erosive, hemorrhagic).Veterinarians tailor treatment based on clinical findings and typically use Gastrogard (omeprazole) but might add sucralfate and/or misoprostol, depending upon the ulcers location and severity.The severity of ulcers doesnt always match clinical signs veterinarians see. Once treatment finishes, ask your veterinarian to rescope your horse to confirm healing. Sometimes treatment might take longer than the initial course.Take-Home MessageTreat EGUS like lameness: Start with a clear diagnosis before pursuing treatment. Use gastroscopy to guide accurate, effective care.