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Abby Powell
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Abby Powell

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About Abby Powell

Abby Powell is a native of Northeastern Massachusetts who splits her time between commuting into Boston for work and caring for and riding her rescue Mustang x Arab mare, Maggie.

Latest Articles Written

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Your Midwinter Klimke Fix

By on Jan 15, 2020 5:00 pm -

What’s that you say? You need more Ingrid Klimke in your life? Excellent, so do we! And lucky for us all, ClipMyHorse.TV just released a video of her ride in the indoor eventing class at the Stuttgart German Masters from November. Ingrid rode her own and Marion Drache‘s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, Weisse Düne, to a top-three placing behind the one-two Irish finish of Cathal Daniels and Padraig McCarthy, respectively. You can read a recap of the event here and then sit back and watch the master at work.

Fight back against colic and digestive upset.

Neigh-Lox® Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Contact us at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Nothing Plain About These Bays

By on Jan 15, 2020 9:00 am -

You don’t have to have flashy chrome to be eye-catching — just take one look at these three available off the track Thoroughbreds and you’ll see that their beauty is more than skin-deep. These three plain bays have not a hint of a sock or star on them, but they’ll stand out from the crowd nonetheless. Take one home and make them your new partner:

Veronas Victor. Photo via CANTER PA.

Veronas Victor (OFFLEE WILD – OPHIUCHUS, BY AFLEET ALEX): 2015 16.1-hand Pennsylvania-bred gelding

Lightly raced, a nicely uphill build, and no history of any issues makes Verona’s Victor a very desirable sport horse prospect. This gelding, who’s by a Derby runner and Grade 1 winner, can be described as a good egg who tries to do everything right, but just isn’t showing the interest in racing needed to win. He’s a homebred and has been with the same connections his whole life, who have taken care to give him breaks to relax on the farm throughout his training. Perhaps he liked life on a farm too much to much to have wanted to be back at the track!

Located in Grantville, Pennsylvania.

View Veronas Victor on CANTER PA.

Win the Shake. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Win the Shake (SHAKIN IT UP – HEDY HOPPER, BY VICTORY GALLOP): 2016 16.2-hand New York-bred mare

“Winnie” might just be the whole package! In addition to being athletic, she’s a sweet, level-headed, and easy-going girl. Despite her young age, she’s a quiet and confident under saddle and does her very best to listen to her rider. Winnie raced just three times and won $43,460. After winning her second race, she was bumped up to tougher competition and her race trainer may have thought she wouldn’t be a competitive racer at that level. Their loss is your gain for this sweet mare! After having the fall to just relax, she’s ready to find her person.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Win the Shake on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Rafter. Photo via CANTER PA.

Rafter (PADDY O’PRADO – WAR EAGLE LADY, BY WAR CHANT): 2016 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Rafter had a decent go on the track with 20 career starts and a couple hits on the boards for $44,202 career earnings. He’s finished at the back of the pack in his last few races, so his connections have decided to more him on to something new. Paddy O’Prado is said to be a popular sport horse line and given his great build we could definitely picture him galloping out of a start box someday.

Located in Grantville, Pennsylvania.

View Rafter on CANTER PA.

Monday Video from CLM DWN: A Bouncy Fun Thoroughbred Makeover Sneak Peak

By on Jan 13, 2020 4:30 pm -

First things first, congratulations to the winner of our Fab Freebie for  CLM DWN Transdermal Recovery Gel: Jennifer Thayer of Aiken, South Carolina! This innovative product helps our hardworking partners achieve optimal recovery of both body and mind.

Benefits include:

  • Encourages muscles to relax and recover faster by increasing cellular metabolism
  • Supports connective tissue, tendon, ligament, joint mobility and elasticity
  • Promotes blood flow to assist in the healing process and reduce pain
  • Maximizes the benefits of exercise through inflammation relief and muscle recovery
  • 100% natural, drug-free, and chemical-free
  • FEI clean

Keep an eye out for future Fab Freebies on EN.

Mr Wild Kitty is way to much fun. This guy is my next Thoroughbred Makeover horse and although I have barely had any time with him due to winter weather and lack of safe footing he is coming along so fast. I have decided to call him Tigger for his barn name, can you guess why? 😂 He is one bouncy guy. Despite only having a few liberty sessions this guy never left me once today, he has got such a high play drive I cannot wait to see what he is going to learn in the next year.

Posted by Amy Bowers on Sunday, January 12, 2020

We have a ways to go yet before the 2020 Retried Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in October, but here’s a little sneak peak of what we might look forward to courtesy of Amy Bowers and her 2020 Makeover hopeful Mr Wild Kitty.

Amy is an eventer and Thoroughbred Makeover veteran who’s been particularly successful in the Freestyle division. Last year, she and her 2019 Makeover horse Grande Warrior made it to finale and were crowned Freestyle champions. It looks like she’s aiming for a repeat this year, with this nine-year-old Colorado-bred gelding that she found through CANTER.

Amy has decided to call this bouncy chestnut “Tigger” around the barn for reasons that will become immediately obvious upon watching the video above, which is a neat glimpse into an early-stage liberty training session. Amy is excited about Tigger’s potential because he has a high play drive and shows such good connection, never averting his attention from his person despite only a few training sessions under his belt at this point. Good luck on your journey Amy and Tigger, we can’t wait to see what you accomplish!

Have your sights set on the Thoroughbred Makeover? There’s still time to apply! Trainer applications close this Wednesday, January 15. Trainers will be notified of acceptance by February 15 and accepted trainers must declare their horses by July 31.

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jan 13, 2020 12:01 am -

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One rail in his first prelim!

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Phew, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to write “Weekend Results” here on a Monday morning! It feels pretty good to be back in the swing of things in that respect, though it’ll still be a little while longer before I personally go eventing in 2020. But hey, living vicariously through others and keeping everyone in the loop part of what EN is here for and we are happy to be of service!

National Holiday: National Sticker Day

U.S. Weekend Results:

Majestic Oaks H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Monday News & Notes:

There were certainly plenty of news and notes from the US Equestrian Annual Meeting, which took place this weekend. From new rule change formats, to the USEF offering insurance and health benefits, and dispelling myths about SafeSport here are some key takeaways courtesy of The Chronicle of the Horse. [2020 USEF Annual Meeting In A Nutshell: Need-To-Know Takeaways]

The path to becoming a top-level competition groom is a familiar one, with the best roles hard-won through working student positions. But are these roles an invaluable education — or just exploitation? This piece, authored by our own Tilly Berendt was originally published in June 2019 in print in Noelle Floyd, explores the blurred line between working student and professional groom along with the benefits and pay, or lack-thereof, that go along with the jobs. [Education Or Exploitation? The Alarming Financial Realities Of Grooms And Working Students]

Do you have a panic attack when you land on the wrong lead after a jump? Would you like to keep that from happening? Irish event rider Austin O’Connor explains a simple exercise to help teach horses to land on the correct canter lead after a jump. [#SundaySchool: how to teach your horse to land on the correct leg]

Monday Video:

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: From 14.2 (Yes, 14.2) to 15.2-Hands

By on Jan 11, 2020 4:00 pm -

Yes, you’ve read that correctly. This week, one of our featured horses measures up to just 14.2-hands tall! Though it’s a rarity, pony-sized full Thoroughbred have been documented before including this one that went on to become a champion pony jumper.

We couldn’t help but show off a sassy “pony” we found this week, plus two other Thoroughbreds on the smaller side who are also waiting for their new homes:

Eliz’s Hope. Photo via CANTER Chicago.

Eliz’s Hope (FLAT OUT – JABBER DABBER DOO, BY PLEASANT TAP): 2016 14.2-hand Illinois-bred mare

Here she is, 14.2-hand high Eliz’s Hope. The CANTER volunteers who listed her said she’s “one of the nicest put-together racehorses we’ve ever seen — in the tiniest of packages!” The photos included in her listing appear to make her neck look a bit short (in this author’s humble opinion), but it looks more proportional in her videos. Eliz’s Hope raced nine times, but her little legs just weren’t quite long enough to keep up with the other horses though she did manage two third place finishes. Her racing contacts gushed over her sweet temperament, but judging by her videos she looks like she has a bit of sass in there as well. What else would you expect from a pint-sized young mare though?

Located at Hawthorne Racecourse in Illinois.

View Eliz’s Hope on CANTER Chicago.  Since publication, Eliz’s Hope has been spoken for, so she is no longer available. But be sure to check out these other two on the smaller side:

Big Ragu. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Big Ragu (DROSSELMEYER – CALL ME SWIFT, BY BERNARDINI): 2014 15.2-hand New York-bred gelding

This handsome gelding is so nicely proportioned, you wouldn’t know know he’s just 15.2-hands if there wasn’t anyone standing next to him. Though Big Ragu be but little, his connections say he has a big, long stride. He’s also a quiet, sensible guy and has made 28 starts, hitting the board a handful of times to earn $52,465 in his career. Since Big Ragu’s last win, he’s only eligible to race against tougher competition so his trainer figures now is a good time for him to move on to a new career. Big Ragu is reported to have no injuries or vices and is also currently barefoot behind.

Located at the Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, New York.

View Big Ragu on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Lord Valian. Photo via CANTER.

Lord Valian (Chicago Six x Valiant Glory): A 2016 15.2-hand gelding.

 

When a racing contact tells you a horse is “very sound” you write that down. When you see an on-track 3 yo that is filled out with a solid barrel and topline, you take note. And when you find out that horse is unraced, you start imagining the endless career prospects and possibilities for that horse’s future.

The scenario described above is LORD VALIANT in a nutshell. This 3 yo gelding never raced, nor does he have a published workout. In fact, since he never showed promise as a racehorse, you won’t find Lord Valiant in Equibase or with a Jockey Club registration. So what does the future hold for Lord Valiant if racing isn’t his thing? His breeder/owner thinks he’d make an excellent polo pony. But as he was described as being sound and suitable for all careers, it will be up to his new owner and Lord Valiant to make that decision!

In terms of personality and other characteristics, Lord Valiant was described as “sweet, quiet, well behaved and likes people.” He was also described as easy to ride. (Again, folks, keep in mind this is stated by people who are used to handling/riding on-track racehorses!) According to his contacts, Lord Valiant does crib mildly, but only when eating.

Currently located at Arlington Park.

View Lord Valiant on CANTER Chicago

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Jan 11, 2020 12:01 am -

Alex:Maryland 5 Star: "What is Jumping, Alex?"How many of you yelled the answer before Brad Rutter on last night's…

Posted by Maryland 5 Star on Friday, January 10, 2020

“What is: None of the Jeopardy! producers consulted an actual eventer when writing this question, Alex?”

If you watched the Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time special tournament on Thursday, January 9th then you probably shouted when you saw this question come up in the Double Jeopardy round under a category called “It Comes Third.” They definitely got the concept of eventing right, but we don’t really call it endurance day much any more and I would consider endurance riding a whole other sport. ‘A’ for effort though, and a fist pump for main stream media coverage.

National Holiday: National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Majestic Oaks H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Demo Horses and Riders Needed for the 2020 USEA Educational Symposium with Andreas Dibowski

International Equestrian Community Comes Together to Support Australian Fire Relief

Not Sure How To Help Australian Fire Victims? These Equestrian Brands Are Making It Simple

My Toughest Dressage Training Challenge: Curing a Tongue Problem

Rule Refresher: Qualifications

Above-Ground Burial for Horses

Saturday Video: One of our favorite super mares is back in the ring!

This Week in Horse Health News Presented by MediVet Equine

By on Jan 10, 2020 9:30 am -

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

This week in horse health news, we’re focusing our attention on the devastating and heartbreaking brushfires that are ongoing in Australia. It’s been estimated that over one billion animals, primarily wildlife and livestock, have already lost their lives as a result of these fires. Health concerns from fire are pretty obvious, but the massive amount of smoke produced from these fires poses a health concern as well. Here are a few articles about both and how we can help treat and protect our equine charges.

An article on the treatment of horses burned in a major grass fire has been made available for free. Many peer-reviewed journal articles are only available with paid access to the journal, but in the midst of the devastation of the current brushfires in Australia Equine Veterinary Education is giving open access to the article “Findings and strategies for treating horses injured in open range fires” by Elizabeth Woolsey Herbert so that it can be easily referenced by veterinarians who may be dealing with similar injuries currently. The article was originally published in September 2017 and describes the treatment of horses with significant burn injuries from the Pinery brushfires in South Australia in November 2015. [Equine Veterinary Education]

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and vice versa. Though fire is the more imminent threat, smoke inhalation can be detrimental to health too.  While the fire itself poses an immediate threat to the lives of any being in its path, the smoke produced in these brushfires contains particles that can irritate and damage the lungs after it is breathed in. Horses, even with their huge lung capacity, are of course not immune to the respiratory distress caused by smoke. One previous study found that horses who continued to exercise in an area affected by wildfires exhibited coughing both at rest and during exercise and showed signs of inflammation in their respiratory tract similar to that of asthma. In order to avoid respiratory damage from its advisable to keep animals inside when possible and keep outdoor exercise to a minimum. [How wildfire smoke affects pets and other animals]

Smoke is just one cause of air pollution and air pollution in general may be linked to Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses. Researchers from the Ontario Veterinary College are beginning to investigate the link between air pollution and EPIH in racehorses running at Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Over the next two years, they will scope thousands of horses and draw samples from track veterinarians while monitoring the air quality data from weather stations close to the track. EIPH can shorten the career of racehorses and sporthorses or, at worst, lead to death from a hemorrhage. [Air pollution’s link to pulmonary hemorrhage in horses under scrutiny]

As horse owners and competitors, we want to give our equine athletes every opportunity to feel and perform their best. Keeping up to date with the latest news in horse health and medicine is an important part of that, and it’s why Medivet Equine is bringing you the latest in horse health news each week.

Following the medical model of “do no harm”, MediVet Equine develops scientifically based therapeutics enabling the horse to call on its own healing ability, thus achieving its full performance potential. MediVet Equine provides effective, all natural, drug free products and lab services designed to optimize the overall health of performance horses. They specialize in regenerative treatments that help the body heal itself to get stronger naturally. Boyd Martin has several of his top competitive mounts on MediVet ACS, and has had terrific results!

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: A Christmas Miracle in the Australian Brushfires

By on Jan 8, 2020 3:00 pm -

Kiwi a Christmas miracle after surviving bushfires

Jessie Smith thought she had lost her best friend in the devastating bushfires that took over 80-acres of her families property in South Australia.Her horse Kiwi, an Off The Track thoroughbred had other plans. #LoveTheHorse ❤️

Posted by Racing.com on Saturday, January 4, 2020

20-year-old South Australia native Jessie Smith was diagnosed with auto-immune disease at 14 years old which left her right leg partially paralyzed. Since then, she’s looked to horses to keep her happy and active. She found the perfect partner in “Kiwi,” a Thoroughbred who came off the track in 2014 and has since taken her Dressage Nationals with the help of her trainer, five-star eventer Megan Jones, who lost her farm in a recent brushfire.

Just before Christmas, Jessie’s family farm was put in sudden peril when a change of wind brought flames from a nearby brushfire, which wasn’t initially headed their way, within sight from their property in less than two hours. The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) wasn’t able to get to them before the flames so the family was ordered to evacuate. They were able to load three horses onto a two horse trailer, but Kiwi wouldn’t load and they had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave him behind. They turned him out in a paddock hoping but not believing that he would somehow survive.

Jessie and her family were convinced that once they were able to return to their property, they would find that everything, including Kiwi, would be gone. When Jessie’s dad returned to the farm he found that 80 acres of land plus their herd of cattle were gone, but to everyone’s surprise he found that their house was still standing and so was Kiwi, waiting in his paddock without a scratch or burn on him for someone to bring his feed bucket.

The Smith family would later learn that their house was saved by three men who took shelter there after becoming trapped, but no one knows exactly how it happened that Kiwi’s paddock escaped destruction. However it happened, they’re forever thankful for their miracle horse.

This horse is the bravest little soldier ❤️We’ve just met Sam, Dougal and Ned. The guys who got trapped by a falling…

Posted by Jessie Smith on Monday, December 23, 2019

 

Fight back against colic and digestive upset.

Neigh-Lox® Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

 

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Contact us at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

Monday Video from CLM DWN: An Eventful Life in 2019

By on Jan 6, 2020 5:30 pm -

Here in the U.S. we mainly look to our friends at RNS Videomedia and Ride On Video for our ever-important competition footage. Over in the U.K. as well as in Australia, eventers rely on An Eventful Life to film them across country. The folks at An Eventful Life were kept pretty busy this year, as they filmed more than 23,000 cross country rides over 500,000 fences at 58 events throughout three countries during 2019!

This 9-minute compilation video shows one pair from each of the 58 events that they filmed. From pom-pom capped kids on ponies to the pros at five-star level, we bet you’ll be able to spot at least one pair that you recognize. Bonus points if you can name the events!

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jan 6, 2020 12:01 am -

🏆 Auction Item 🏆2012 London Olympics Rug AND framed, signed photo with personal note from Andrew Hoy.Kindly donated…

Posted by Equestrian Fundraising for Fire Relief on Sunday, January 5, 2020

Here’s your chance to own a pretty cool piece of eventing memorabilia AND, most importantly, help the victims of the Australian brushfires. Andrew Hoy has very generously donated Rutherglen’s official 2012 Olympic blanket plus a signed photo and personal note from Andrew. The auction is currently active and bids can be placed by clicking here and commenting on the post on Facebook. The auction closes on Sunday, January 12th at 9 PM Sydney/Melbourne time. Keep your eye out for more items on the Equestrian Fundraising for Fire Relief Facebook page which has been set up specifically to raise money for  Blaze Aid, a volunteer driven organization that works with farmers and people in rural areas to rebuild fencing and other infrastructure after catastrophic fires.

National Holiday: National Thank God It’s Monday Day

Your Monday News  Notes:

Speaking of the Australian bushfires, ICMYI we posted a summary over the weekend of what’s happening, why you need to be paying attention to it, and how you can help. Please join us in sending good thoughts and useful contributions to the people and animals in the affected areas. [The Australian Bushfires: An Update from Eventer Megan Jones, and How to Help]

Areas I and II hosted their annual meetings and year end awards banquets this weekend. Congratulations to everyone who went home with a big shiny end of year ribbon! [Area I] [Area II]

The first foal from 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify was born on January 3 at  at Amaroo Farm near Lexington, Kentucky and it’s a girl! The darling bay filly is out of Foreign Affair by Exchange Rate and, in a bit of a full circle story, the darling bay filly is owned by Audley Farm Equine, who were the first to stand a Triple Crown Winner after Sir Barton won in 1919. And yes, there’s a cute baby picture in this article! [It’s a Girl: First Foal by Justify Born in Kentucky]

Monday Featured Video: The FEI is counting down their top 15 moments of 2019. Oliver Townend’s Kentucky win aboard Cooley Master Class takes the #12 spot.

 

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Jan 4, 2020 12:01 am -

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Hudson loved meeting his new little sister Abby!

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Congratulations to Jessica and Doug Payne who welcomed their second child, a baby girl by the name of Abigail Adams Payne yesterday afternoon. Best wishes to Jessica, Doug, and newly-minted big brother, Hudson, and I must say, what a great name you’ve chosen!

National Holiday: National Trivia Day

Your Saturday Links:

The Art Of The Half-Halt: Day 1 Of Robert Dover Horsemastership Week

‘After A Custom Saddle Sidelined My Horse, I’m Unsure If My New Saddle Clears Her Withers Enough.’

The Smart Equestrian’s List to Brightening the Winter Blues

2020 Vision: 6 Steps to Define Your Dressage Goals for This Year

New Zealand High Performance squads – January 2020

Saturday Video: A sneak peak at some of the complexes under construction for the Maryland 5* later this year!

Preparing for the Maryland 5 Star

2020 is going to be a big year for Fair Hill, highlighted by the Maryland 5 Star in October. Construction of the new cross-country course is well underway, as well as for the new arenas and updated oval track.Here are some key features. #Eventing #ProudPastInfinateFuture #FairHill

Posted by Fair Hill Foundation on Thursday, January 2, 2020

This Week in Horse Heath News Presented by MediVet Equine

By on Jan 3, 2020 9:00 am -

Photo via MediVet Equine.

The immune system is an incredibly amazing and complicated part of physiology. When it’s working like it’s supposed to, it’s a powerful line of defense against viruses and bacteria that cause illness. It can even be commandeered to further help sport horses heal from the wear and tear of training and competition — that’s what MediVet Equine does with their ACS product! But when the immune system isn’t functioning properly, it can cause problems. This Week in Horse Health News, we’ll take a look at one of these problems plus a few other notable horse health headlines.

Allergies around the barn can be very difficult for a horse to avoid, and if you suffer from allergies yourself then you know just how uncomfortable they can be. An allergic reaction in a horse (or human!) is caused by an overactive immune response to something in the environment and usually manifest in hives, itching, a runny nose, or coughing. A few recent studies have been done on equine allergies. One of which found that horses, similarly to humans, can have a dust mite allergy and that dust mites can be commonly present on saddle pads. [Paulick Report]

A cosmetic filler could one day be used for helping horses with early stage osteoarthritis. Polyacrylamide gel already has a few other diverse uses including being a cosmetic wrinkle-filler and also a vehicle for certain laboratory procedures. A veterinarian from the Equine Veterinary Medical Center in Doha, Qatar has recently published and presented his research, a study of 33 flat-racing Thoroughbreds with knee pain consistent with early stage osteoarthritis. One group of those horses were injected with polyacrylamide gel and those horses went on to outperform the other treatment groups. [The Horse]

As an equestrian you’re probably sleep-deprived, but hopefully your horse isn’t. A good night’s sleep is beneficial to everyone, and horses are no exception although it looks a little different for them — they only require  about 3.5 hours a night. You probably know that horses can sleep standing up, however, when they’re standing up they can’t achieve the deepest level of sleep, eye movement (REM) sleep. Horses need at least 30 minutes of REM sleep a night and if they never lie down, they’ll become sleep deprived. A research team from Germany recently studied sleep deprivation in horses and found that causes can include management issues which prevent a horse from lying down. These included pain from a physical problem, too small of a stall, and change for a horse’s stabling environment. [HorseTalk]

As horse owners and competitors, we want to give our equine athletes every opportunity to feel and perform their best. Keeping up to date with the latest news in horse health and medicine is an important part of that, and it’s why Medivet Equine is bringing you the latest in horse health news each week.

Following the medical model of “do no harm,” MediVet Equine develops scientifically based therapeutics enabling the horse to call on its own healing ability, thus achieving its full performance potential. MediVet Equine provides effective, all natural, drug free products and lab services designed to optimize the overall health of performance horses. They specialize in regenerative treatments that help the body heal itself to get stronger naturally. Boyd Martin has several of his top competitive mounts on MediVet ACS, and has had terrific results!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: A Fresh Start

By on Jan 2, 2020 9:00 am -

Ah, New Year’s. It’s all about resolutions, blank pages and fresh starts, right? It’s a nice reference point, sure, but of course no one really has to wait for a whole new year (or decade) to make a change. Just ask the multitudes of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses looking for a fresh start in a new career all throughout the year (Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday to them all!)

Start your new year out right by helping one of these available off-track Thoroughbreds find success in a second career:

Wiggles. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Wiggles (SOARING EMPIRE – DEAN AVENUE, BY PURE PRIZE): 2015 15.3-hand New York-bred gelding

His name is WIGGLES. If that isn’t enough to make you hook up your trailer and head off to scoop him up right now then I don’t know what to say. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to mention that he’s a sweet and personable horse who enjoys attention, and could even be a fun re-start for a junior or amateur (with professional guidance, of course). Wiggles has had a little success on the track, hitting the board eight times in his 21 career starts, but he has started to become gate-sour this season which indicates it’s probably time for a career change for this cutie. He’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover eligible, too!

Located in Farmington, New York.

View Wiggles on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Songbird Eydie. Photo via CANTER CA.

Songbird Eydie (EDDINGTON – SECRET SONGBIRD, BY SEA OF SECRETS): 2017 16.0-hand California-bred mare

This flashy girl remains un-raced, but does have published workouts from last month making her eligible for the 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover. She’s reportedly retiring sound but slow with no hope of becoming a successful racehorse. Despite her dislike of racing, he trainer still thinks she’s super athletic and would make a great sport horse, but does admit that she can be a bit sensitive and will need at least an intermediate rider to help her learn a new job.

Located at Los Alamitos Racetrack in California.

View Songbird Eydie on CANTER CA.

Flatter Me Allie. Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Flatter Me Allie (SKYLORD – LYRIC PRAISE, BY FLATTER): 2016 15.3-hand Indiana-bred mare

Can you handle the cuteness of this little bay mare? “Allie” has only been off the track for two months, but has seriously impressed the MMSC staff with her level-headedness, her willingness, and how steady she is in her gaits. She’s a kind mare and the staff describes her as “mature beyond her years.” Despite being just a bit on smaller side, she had a deep barrel which will take up the leg of even a taller rider. And yes, she’s 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover eligible as well!

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Flatter Me Allie on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Jumping Into the New Year Like …

By on Jan 1, 2020 6:00 pm -

Jumping into 2020 #BetterTogether

Happy New Year! 🐴❤️ #bettertogether #useventing

Posted by United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) on Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Happy New Year, Eventing Nation! Are you excited for the year ahead? Here are some fellow eventers ready to jump into 2020 full speed ahead:

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Leaping into the new year like…🚀

A post shared by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

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Fun in the playpen today 👶 🚀 😃

A post shared by Earl, Jennifer and Taylor (@dragonfirefarm) on

And a bit of a different kind of jump:

Elevate® Maintenance Powder was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E to horses. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve functions so horses are more likely to perform better and recover faster after training or competing.

Vitamin E requirements vary from situation to situation. Multiple research studies have shown that vitamin E is often deficient in the diets of horses that do not have access to continual grazing on fresh green grass, or those grazing on winter pasture. Performance horses with demanding workloads, growing horses and seniors can be exposed to increased levels of oxidative stress and therefore require higher levels of vitamin E in their diets. Studies reveal that horses challenged by neurological disease benefit from natural vitamin E supplementation.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Contact us at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

Monday Video from CLM DWN: From Metal to Medal

By on Dec 30, 2019 5:00 pm -

Just two more sleeps (or one sleep and one night of partying, if that’s your jam) and we will officially have entered an Olympic year! Of course, the prize that every athlete will be dreaming of this year is an Olympic medal and Tokyo’s are certainly unique. Tokyo 2020 is the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to involve citizens in the medal making process and to manufacture the medals using recycled materials.

Between April 2017 and March 2019 the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project collected nearly 80,000 tons of used small electronic devices such as cellphones and crafted the metal extracted from them into the approximately 5,000 medals that will be distributed throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games with year. This video gives us an up-close look at how this was done.

Now let’s go eventing and win some of these!

Best of 2019 Video Countdown: #2 – Mountain Biker vs. Eventer on Cross Country

By on Dec 30, 2019 9:00 am -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the top 15 most popular videos shared on EN in 2019. The #2 spot goes to “Mountain Biker vs. Eventer on Cross Country,” which garnered 9,055 views when it was originally posted on Jan. 7, 2019.

Believe it or not, if you told a member of the general public that you simply “ride,” horses might not be the first thing they think of. After all, snowboarders and mountain bikers are riders too. So it turns out there is actually more than one way to ride a cross country course.

In a new promotional video for Lindores Farm in Fife, Scotland, YouTube mountain biking star Danny MacAskill and his Santa Cruz 5010 mountain bike go head-to-head against Advanced level rider Louisa Milne Home and her 7-year-old, 17-hand gelding Future Plans who has competed through Intermediate. Danny and Louisa face off over stone walls, roll-tops, banks and a keyhole, and while I bet you think Louisa and her horse are shoe-ins to win the race, you may be surprised by the speed and agility of Danny and his bike!

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Dec 30, 2019 12:01 am -

Photo via ‎Laura Wintersteen Ensor‎.

Looks like Boyd Martin’s 2014 WEG mount, Shamwari 4, had a very Merry Christmas! Now 17-years-old, he’s enjoying retirement in Aiken with George and Gretchen Wintersteen. Shamwari was initially campaigned by Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal who rode the gelding at the London Olympics and brought him through the former four-star level before Boyd rallied a syndicate to purchase him and import him to the U.S.

National Holiday: National Bicarbonate of Soda (a.k.a. baking soda) Day

Your Monday News & Notes:

Area V eventer Brandy Savarese is the recipient of the 2020 Worth the Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship. After a heartbreaking 2018, wherein Brandy ended up having to euthanize her mare due to neurological and spinal complications, she signed a lease on a horse that would help her realize her dream of competing in horse trial. And it wasn’t just a lease on any old horse — it was a lease on Angela Bowles’ five-star mare, Novelle. Read her winning essay on the USEA Website and get inspired. [2020 Worth the Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship Winner: Brandy Savarese]

Padraig McCarthy is the latest victor of a high-profile indoor eventing derby. He took the win in the John Oates Horseboxes Eventing Grand Prix at the Liverpool International Horse Show riding Tatiana Brent’s mare Rosemaber Lancuest. [McCarthy races to eventing grand prix victory at Liverpool][Final Results]

Pedigree isn’t everything when Carl Hester is horse shopping. Of course the dressage star doesn’t ignore a horse’s breeding entirely, but there are a few qualities that he places more value on. Those qualities include work ethic, paces, and the ability for the horse to connect with their rider. [Three Qualities Carl Hester Values In A Horse And Why Pedigree Only Gets You So Far]

Monday Featured Video: Don’t lie, you’ve always wanted to perform a dressage freestyle to the great LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It.” Germany’s Lena Waldmann & Cadeau Noir did just that last week at in the National Freestyle Competition at Franfurt. Watch their performance that brought the house down:

Lena Waldmann and Cadeau Noir at the Frankfurter Festhalle 2019

Our German team covered the famous CSI3*/CDI5* LIVE from Frankfurt this weekend 💕 The atmosphere was amazing and one of the highlights is always the National Freestyle Competition – watch the great performance by Lena Waldmann & Cadeau Noir (Christ x De Niro) below to get a glimpse of what this show has to offer 🔥😍▶️watch.clipmyhorse.tv/InternationalesFesthallenreitturnier

Posted by CMH.TV Great Britain on Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Future is Bright: USEA Releases FEH Educational Video Series

By on Dec 29, 2019 4:00 pm -

Screenshot via USEA.

The USEA has been hard at work building the Young Event Horse (YEH) Program and Future Event Horse (FEH) Program since their inception in the mid 2000’s. FEH, the literal younger sibling to the YEH program, has been steadily gaining momentum as event riders and event horse breeders look to shape the future of the sport through the horses they’re producing. This year over 100 horses participated in the FEH Championships across the East Coast, West Coast, and Central divisions.

Since the program is relatively new in the grand scheme of our sport and, participants have yearned for more educational opportunities pertaining to the young horse programs. After all, with the exception of trot-ups, in-hand judging isn’t something typically associated with the sport of eventing. The USEA has answered with the incorporation of YEH and FEH into the annual USEA Educational Symposium (don’t forget — registration for the symposium is currently open and applications to have your horse participate as a demo horse are currently being accepted, too!) and this weekend the USEA released a new series of educational videos pertaining to the FEH programs which were produced by Mythic Landing Enterprises and filmed this fall at the 2019 FEH East Coast Championships at Loch Moy.

You can (and should!) watch all of the videos here, but here is a overview of what to expect from each, plus a few tips and tricks we picked up:

FEH Judging

This video is a thorough discussion with FEH judges Robin Walker, Susan Graham White, Chris Ryan, and Peter Gray of what makes a good event horse type and how they asses this when looking at youngsters. It covers:

  • First impressions when the horse walks in the ring and their overall picture.
  • What they look for in the walk and trot when presented in-hand. Did you know that the score for the walk is weighted higher than the trot? You’ll have to watch to learn why …
  • The differences between a correct mover and a flashy mover.
  • What they look for in conformation, particularly in the legs, and how it relates to soundness.
  • Tips for judges and volunteers in assessing horses, where to position yourselves to most effectively and safely assess a horse, and formulating scores.

If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty of form to function, then you’re going to really eat up this video. In summary, it’s all about balance. For a sport with three different phases, we need a horse that’s somewhere in between a rangy, galloping sport horse and a lofty-moving dressage type.

FEH Handling: Part 1

Martin Douzant of The Frame Sport Horses specializes in young horse development and has a multitude of pro tips for handling your future event horse during judging. Here’s a few “do’s and don’ts” that we gleaned from the video, but you should be sure to watch the video yourself for all of Martin’s tricks of the trade.

Do:

  • Make sure horse’s bridle fits and that the horse has a well-fitting comfortable bit that’s not too strong. Also make sure that the reins on the bridle are a good length: you want to be able to hold them comfortably in one hand.
  • Bring an assistant handler. This isn’t required, but they can help you show off the more of the horse’s movement by encouraging them from behind.
  • Practice key movements of the presentation at home such as standing still and turning right, away from the handler.

Don’t:

  • Use a chain to lead the horse if you can help it. It can be noisy, which may spook the horse, but it also doesn’t give the greatest impression to the judges.
  • Forget the required gear. A helmet is required and gloves are encouraged to avoid rope burn if your youngster gets a bit excited.
  • Be late! Get to the show ring with enough time to give your horse a good look around and let them settle in to the surroundings.

FEH Handling: Part 2

More pro tips with Martin Douzant! This video further describes how a handler can best present their horses to the judges during in-hand presentation. Martin shows us how he practices leading his horses and what techniques he uses signal them to turn, how to help keep the horse straight, how to show the judges the horse’s biggest possible walk, and how to achieve a nice halt and stand. He also runs through the judging triangle.

Via USEA.

FEH Links: Program Information, FEH 2020 Calendar, FEH News and Resources

2019 Stickability Awards: Who Saved It Best?

By on Dec 28, 2019 2:00 pm -

It’s a time-honored New Year’s tradition here at EN to take a look back at some of the most mind-blowing saves over the past 12 months. When things start going pear-shaped over a jump it takes a strong core and sense of balance, a hefty dose of grit, and a horse with a lot of heart to stay upright and make it work.

This year we’re turning it over to YOU, dear readers, to tell us who you think had the best save of 2019. You know the drill, in the same vein as our Who Jumped It Best? series, cast your vote for who you think saved it best this year. In chronological order:

Ariel Grald & Leamore Master Plan take a flag for a ride at Kentucky

This isn’t exactly a traditional save since Ariel’s position DIDN’T EVEN WAVER but she and “Simon” handled this unusual situation, which could have been a major distraction and taken their focus away from the next two fences in the combination, with the poise of seasoned professionals. I think it’s safe to say that this pair impressed us immensely with their rock-solid performance during their five-star debut. Not only did they make it through this complex without impaling themselves, but they wen’t on to finish clear with just 6.4 time penalties. Of course, Ariel and Simon also went on to Burghley in the fall where they finished as the top first-timer!

Fylicia Barr & Galloway Sunrise do the twist at Jersey Fresh

Photo by Amy Flemming-Waters Photography.

Fylicia Barr, who led the CCI4*-L heading into cross country at Jersey Fresh this spring, had a heart-stopping moment when Galloway Sunrise’s hind quarters twisted out behind during landing from a skinny brush. Fylicia and “Sunny”, who was purchased for $500 off of Craigslist, both managed to stay upright and come home clear and inside the time, which meant that they maintained their lead heading into the final phase. The next day, they show jumped their way to take the win!

Camilla Speirs’ BT Angelo takes a dunk at Camphire

BT Angelo, a young mount of Ireland’s Camilla Speirs, got a real face full when he stumbled in the water upon landing from a brush fence at the Camphire International Horse Trials & Festival in Ireland this July. Camilla stayed balanced and Angelo managed to defy gravity and find his feet under him. The went on to jump clear with only 1.2 time penalties and ultimately finished in 6th place in the CCIYH2*-S division.

Mathieu Lemoine & Cuattro de Tael put no stirrup work to good use at Haras du Pin

[Complétistes engagés sur Le Grand Complet !] 🐎🎢 Retrouvez tous vos exploits… et vos sensations fortes sur les 3 tests en photo, au stand Les Garennes au sein du village exposants, jusqu'à ce soir ! Pack complet (sur clé USB offerte, offre valable uniquement sur place) : 120 euros Ou bien sur notre site internet www.ouest-image.com ! 🏆

Posted by Photos Les Garennes on Tuesday, August 13, 2019

During the CCI2*-L at Haras du Pin in France, Cuattro de Tael took a huge leap over a roll top which unseated French rider Mathieu Lemoine upon landing. Mathieu slipped up onto the gelding’s neck and lost at least his left stirrup in the process, but managed to center himself and clear the next element of the combination still sans-stirrup. By the look he gives the photographer at the end of this series it appears that he surprised even himself by making it through unscathed!

Pippa Funnell & MGH Grafton Street escape the splash zone at Burghley

Pippa funnell

Posted by Caroline Bellew on Saturday, September 7, 2019

We all know how this story turns out: Pippa and MGH Grafton Street went on to win Burghley wire-to-wire, but it wasn’t without a heart stopping moment in the water under the Lion’s Bridge, an iconic fixture of the Burghley House grounds. Completely unrelated to any fence, “Squirrel” stumbled and nose-dived upon entering the water and, to the gasps of onlookers, very nearly went for a swim. At less than a minute from home on cross country a fall here would have been extra heartbreaking, but Pippa regained composure and finished with four time penalties to hold the lead. Sadly, Tim Price and Ringwood Skyboy who were the last out on course that day stumbled in the very same spot and weren’t as luck fighting gravity. It was a sad end to Tim’s 2019 season and has happy as everyone was for Pippa, you just can’t help but be gutted for Tim too!

Erin Sylvester & Campground get soaked at Ocala

After winning the Fair Hill CCI4*-L in October, Erin Sylvester ultimately rounded out her super season with a second long-format four-star win at the Ocala Jockey Club in November. Erin and Campground were sitting in 24th after dressage, but moved up to third after cross country by jumping clear and a single second over time. For a moment though, it looked like their weekend might end early when Campground lost his footing after dropping into the first water on course. The pair regained their composure in time to flawlessly jump through the rest of the complex.

Cheers to these thrills that didn’t become spills! Now it’s up to you, citizens of EN — who do you think saved it best this year?

Tilly Berendt contributed to this report.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Your Top OTTB Wishlists of 2019

By on Dec 28, 2019 9:00 am -

The Weekly OTTB Wishlist has been a long time reader favorite here on EN, are we’re grateful to our long time sponsor Cosequin Equine for making this weekly feature possible. It’s no secret that we at here at EN and the eventing population in general are big fans of OTTBs, and we’re pleased to be able to promote second careers for these amazing horses and help them find new homes.

Did you end up adopting a horse that was featured in an edition of our Weekly OTTB Wishlist this (or any previous) year? We’d love to hear from you! Email [email protected].

This week we’re counting down the top three most viewed Weekly OTTB Wishlists from the past year. Read on find out what the top three themes of the year were and get to know a new adoptable horse fitting each one:

Photo via Canter PA.

Gran Fortress (VIOLENCE – FUZZY BRITCHES, BY POLLARD’S VISION): 2015 17.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Our third most view OTTB Wishlist this year was Three Tall Drinks of Water, which was posted on March 27 and garnered 1,726 views. This edition featured horses 17.0-hands and over, which seem to be perennially desirable and actually a bit hard to come by. But don’t worry, we found a new 17-hander to feature for you today!

Tall, dark, and handsome — that’s Gran Fortress! This tall drink of water has been racing consistently since the fall of 2017 and his most recent race was just last month. After 30 career starts and over $70,000 in earning, he’s ready for a new job. Gran Fortress was described as a “good egg” by his connections and they think he’d enjoy life as a fox hunter, which doesn’t bode badly for a future as an event horse either!

Located in Grantville, Pensylvannia.

View Gran Fortress on CANTER PA.

Appian. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Appian (ROMAN RULER – BERKSHIRE CAT, BY TALE OF THE CAT):

Everyone who has an OTTB who has won a race loves to have that little bit of bragging rights. So it’s not terribly surprising that the number two spot at 1,836 views goes to A Winner Once Again, which featured horses who had won at least one race, when it was posted not too long ago on November 6. One of the horses featured in this edition, Frogman Mel, is actually still available! We hope that whoever adopted the other two featured in this edition were able to get ahold of that coveted winner’s circle photo!

Do not fear this chestnut mare, Appian, who’s our ‘winner’ representative. But Appian hasn’t just won a single race — she won 10, and out of 29 career starts! That’s a pretty decent record. Not only was she a pretty great racehorse, but she’s cool as a cucumber and looks like a complete sweetheart who doesn’t fit the chestnut mare stereotype. Make sure you check out her job video, where she shows impeccable manners and springy movement and note that she’s practically taking a snooze during her photoshoot!

Located at Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, New York.

View Appian on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Mrs. Stinkman. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Mrs Stinkman (CAIRO PRINCE – LUMINAIRE MYSTIQUE, BY FORESTRY): 2016 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred mare

The most viewed edition of  the Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin in 2019 was Bay Mare Don’t Care at 2,218 views when it was posted on June 19. Was it the bastardization of the “long/short hair don’t care” phrase that caught your clicks or are you all really that drawn to bay mares? No judgement either way!

Here’s one more beautiful bay mare for you in Mrs. Stinkman, who is no stinker really! She goes by “Stella” around the barn and has presence that has ‘wowed’ the New Vocations staff since the moment she walked off the trailer. Stella has just 3 career starts under belt and has had the summer off to rest and relax. She’s just recently been restarted under saddle by the folks at New Vocations.

Located Gansevoort, New York.

View Mrs. Stinkman on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Dec 28, 2019 12:01 am -

I’d like to bring a distressing trend that I have observed this year to everyone’s attention, which is that of riders simply pasting Santa hat emojis or graphics on their horse’s heads in pictures rather than the real thing. That seems like the really easy way out, so kudos go to the Will Coleman Equestrian’s team here for donning the horses in their care with some tangible festive garb. Do better next year everyone, please. I want more cheesy horsey Christmas photos.

National Holiday: National Short Film Day

Your Saturday Links:

PODCAST: The History of Eventing with Jim Wofford

Dressage Stars, Hunter Heroes And Jumping Royalty: Best Behind The Stall Doors Of 2019

Piggy French crowned top event rider after ‘phenomenal’ year

Winter Horse Sports: Skijoring

Tiny equine escape artist caught in the act on video

Just In From Jumper Nation: 10 Things Equestrian Professionals Do On Vacation

Saturday Featured Video: Oh what fun it is to ride …

Christmas in Valdres, Norway with my 30 years old lyngenhorse 😍❤

Posted by Maja Alfredsen on Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Best of 2019 Video Countdown: #5 – Where’s Hwin?

By on Dec 27, 2019 11:52 am -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the top 15 most popular videos shared on EN in 2019. The #5 spot goes to “Where’s Hwin?,” which garnered 8,566 views when it was originally posted on Sept. 16, 2019.

“Where’s Hwin?” is a question Elisa Wallace admits to often being asked. From 2015 Mustang Magic top-ten finisher to Preliminary level eventer to real life Breyer horse, Hwin has been a staple in the Wallace Eventing barn, and she’ll continue to be — she’s just taken a bit of a backseat on the competition front in recent years (though Elisa has hinted that hopefully we’ll see her out and about more!) She did, however, make an appearance at the Georgia Open Mustang Show this past weekend.

The now 10-year-old mare has greyed out considerably since we last saw her about, with her mane changing from a deep pewter to snow white over the years, but it seems that she certainly hasn’t lost any of her spark. Elisa brought a herd of five to the Georgia Open Mustang Show, competing with her previous Makeover mustangs Rune and Fledge plus Hwin in freestyles and her new horses Wyeth and Eton in the Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) Challenge. Sit back and enjoy their performances!

Go Eventing.

This Week in Horse Health News from MediVet Equine: Santa’s Reindeer Need Health Certificates Too

By on Dec 27, 2019 9:30 am -

Photo via Cypress View Veterinary Clinic on Facebook.

Anyone involved with upper-level sport horses is probably having their horses tended to by a veterinarian with a sole equine focus, but many equine veterinarians out there practice medicine on a broader scale and treat any manner of large animal species. Some large animal veterinarians even tend to reindeer, which is especially important this time of year, of course. Prior to Santa stocking his sleigh and taking flight on Christmas Eve Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph all got a visit from Dr. Michelle Rowe to make sure they were in top shape ahead of their big night. Check out the entire photo album here.

Another example: a veterinarian from Cornell University treated cataracts in a pair of reindeer in time for them to enjoy the holiday season. Cataract surgery was performed by Dr. Eric Ledbetter, an ophthalmology specialist at Cornell University Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospital. Dr. Ledbetter had previously treated cataracts in all sorts of animals including horses, but these were his first reindeer. One of the trickiest parts of the surgery was figuring out how to position the reindeer without damaging their antlers or having them implale the surgeons!  [Cornell Chronicle]

If you have a horse who is at-risk for laminitis, consider palpating their hooves and digital pulse twice daily. Since there’s no cure for laminitis, early recognition and prevention are extremely important. Honoria Brown, a student from the University of Cambridge Veterinary School in England, dug through the literature and compiled the current research available about hoof wall temperature and digital pulse pressure as early identifiers of laminitis. Honoria reviews her finding in a short (3 minute) audio clip, which is super informative and well worth a listen! She concludes that a significant increase in hoof wall temperature that is maintained for more than half a day indicates that the onset of lameness due to acute laminitis is one day away and a “bounding” digital pulse indicates that acute laminitis is half a day away. [The Hoof Blog]

Improving nutrition is a popular New Year’s resolution for many people. You may want to think of extending it to your horse, too! Take a close look at your horse’s feed label and check that you are feeding it at the recommended amounts. Take measure to reduce ulcers like feeding smaller, more frequent meals. Learn how to body condition score and monitor it regularly. The Horse has some great suggestions for great resolutions you can make to perfect your horse’s feed regimen. [The Horse]

As horse owners and competitors, we want to give our equine athletes every opportunity to feel and perform their best. Keeping up to date with the latest news in horse health and medicine is an important part of that, and it’s why Medivet Equine is bringing you the latest in horse health news each week.

Following the medical model of “do no harm,” MediVet Equine develops scientifically based therapeutics enabling the horse to call on its own healing ability, thus achieving its full performance potential. MediVet Equine provides effective, all natural, drug free products and lab services designed to optimize the overall health of performance horses. They specialize in regenerative treatments that help the body heal itself to get stronger naturally. Boyd Martin has several of his top competitive mounts on MediVet ACS, and has had terrific results!