Articles
December 2010
Rutgers University
Fact Sheet FS1142
Winter Care of Horses
As days get shorter and the weather becomes cold and wet, there are many things to consider in order to maintain horse health and well-being throughout the long winter months. This fact sheet addresses the most common concerns regarding equine housing, health maintenance, nutrition and exercise in cold weather. click to continue
January 2009
Dear Horse,
I love you very much, and I truly cherish your presence in my life. I
would never wish to criticize you in any way. However, there are a few
trivial details regarding our relationship that I think might bear your
consideration.
First of all, I am already aware that horses can run faster than I can.
I do not need you to demonstrate that fact each time I come to get you
in the pasture. Please remember that I work long and hard to earn the
money to keep you in the style to which you have become accustomed. In
return, I think you should at least pretend to be glad to see me, even
when I'm carrying a bridle instead of a bucket of oats.
It should be fairly obvious to you that I am a human being who walks on
only two legs. I do not resemble a scratching post. Do not think that.
When you rub your head against me with 1,000 pound! ! s of force behind
it, I'll believe that it wasn't your intention to send me flying. I am
also aware that stomping on my toes while you are pushing me around is
nothing but adding injury to insult.
I understand I cannot expect you to cover your nose when you sneeze, but
it would be appreciated if you did not inhale large amounts of dirt and
manure prior to aiming your sneezes at my face and shirt. Also, if you
have recently filled your mouth with water you do not intend to drink,
please let it all dribble from your mouth BEFORE you put your head on my
shoulder. In addition, while I know you despise your deworming
medication, my intentions in giving it to you are good, and I really do
not think I should be rewarded by having you spi! t half of ! it back
out onto my shirt.
Sometimes, I get t he feeling that you are confused about the
appropriate roles you should play in various situations. One small bit
of advice: Your stone-wall imitation should be used when I am mounting
and your speed-walker imitation when I suggest that we proceed on our
way, not vice versa. Please also understand that jumping is meant to be
a mutual endeavor. By "mutual", I mean that we are supposed to go over
the jump together. You were purchased to be a mount, not a catapult.
I know the world is a scary place when your eyes are on the sides of
your head, but I did spend a significant amount of money to buy you, and
I have every intention of protecting that investment. Therefore, please
consider the following when you are choosing the appropriate behavior
for a particular situation:
When I put your halter on you and attach one end of a lead rope to the
halter and tie the other end of the lead rope to a post o! r rail, I am
indicating a desire for you to remai! n in that locale. I would also
like the halter, lead rope, post, etc., to remain intact. While I admit
that things like sudden loud noises can be startling, I do not consider
them to be acceptable excuses for repeatedly snapping expensive new lead
ropes (or halters or posts) so that you can run madly around the barn
area creating havoc in your wake. Such behavior is not conducive to
achieving that important goal that I know we both share --- decreasing
the number of time s the veterinarian comes out to visit you.
By the same token, the barn aisle was not designed for the running of
the Kentucky Derby and is not meant to serve as a racetrack. Dragging me
down the aisle in leaps and bound! s is no t how "leading" is supposed
to ! work, even if someone happens to drop a saddle on the floor as
we're p assing. Pulling loose and running off is also discouraged
(although I admit it does allow you to run faster).
I assure you that blowing pieces of paper do not eat horses. While I
realize you are very athletic, I do not need a demonstration of your
ability to jump 25 feet sideways from a standing start while swapping
ends in midair, nor am I interested in your ability to emulate both a
racehorse and a bucking bronco while escaping said piece of paper. Also,
if the paper were truly a danger, it would be the height of unkindness
to dump me on the ground in front of it as a sacrificial offering to
expedite your escape.
When I ask you to cross a small stream, you may safely assume that said
stream does not contain crocodiles, sharks, or piranhas, nor will it be
likely to drown you. (I have actually seen horses swimming, so I know it
can be done. ) I expe! ct you t o be prepared to comply with the
occasional request to wade
September 2007
This is an article that was written by Debbie Rodriguez who is a
dressage instructor, competitor and judge. There are additional fitness
and training articles on Debbie’s website
www.debbierodriguezdressage.com
RIDER FITNESS AND STRENGTH
I am a petite woman. For the majority of my life, I have had
minimal muscling and strength. Many of the people I instruct can
relate to the difficulties this kind of physique creates in being a
successful rider. Through the years, many instructors have suggested
that I take-up some form of conditioning exercise, outside of my riding,
to increase my strength. For too many years I misunderstood the reason
for adding strength. I thought more muscles would be for stronger aids
to influence my horses. With some indignation, I would think to myself
that I did not want to have horses that needed a weight lifter to
effectively ride them. I wished to have horses that only needed
the lightest of aids. Far too many years passed where I ignored this
advice. (Except for the times during my eventing days when I would
occasionally take up jogging to quiet my instructor.) All the
while I struggled to keep my seat squarely in the saddle, and most
lessons consisted of the repeated advice to bring my shoulders back.
It wasn’t until a few years ago, I was enlightened. I realized
that the importance of a fit and strong rider was not to give harder
aids to the horse, but for the rider to maintain a correct position to
be able to control and influence the horse with more subtle and lighter
aids.
All the years of struggling to sit evenly was not due to a lack of
ability or effort, but due to a general lack of fitness and strength
through the hips and core. My rounded shoulders were not due to any real
or imagined genetic or conformation flaw, but to a lack of strength
through the shoulders, back and abs.
Once the light went on I was able to work with a good physical trainer,
who was familiar with other sports and riding, to strengthen my core. My
training involves an aerobic warm-up, stretching and stability work
along with strengthening exercises for the core muscles. This is the
program my body has had the best response to, and that fits my
lifestyle. I travel frequently, and I do not need equipment or a
gym to get through a workout. When I am on the road there is no excuse
to miss a workout. However there are many programs, such as Pilate’s,
yoga, and core fitness that provide a good balance of stretching and
strengthening.
Immediately there was a positive difference in my riding. Most
notably, I am able to influence the stability of my seat in lateral
movements and control where the weight of my seat goes. The other big
difference is that my hips and seat bones no longer hurt after many
hours in the saddle. It is easier to keep a positive attitude during
rides now that there is no discomfort.
Yes, I still have to constantly remind myself to keep my shoulders back.
But, at least it is something I can do without pain or frustration.
Taking the time off the horse to get fit for riding is something I wish
I had understood years ago.
Debbie Rodriguez
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