Back Problems bring many a Rider’s career to a grinding halt. As well as taking care of our horse’s health, we need to take care of our own, especially the structural wellbeing of your body. One of the most vulnerable parts of any Rider’s anatomy is his or her back. The Rider’s Pain-Free Back has been around for a few months now and is receiving some excellent reviews. The description reads:-
“Explaining the impact of horseback riding on the human back in easy-to-understand terms, this guide illustrates how various movements in the saddle affect a rider’s back and outlines straightforward steps that can be taken immediately to help keep riders ready to saddle up. Too many riders suffer from back injury, stress, or strain and consequently experience pain when in the saddle or are unable to ride at all. This indispensable guide has step-by-step exercises for strengthening the body for riding, guidance on horse selection and tack selection, and tips on which horse sports are appropriate for riders with various back problems. Traditional and alternative treatments for back pain are also discussed, as are the special considerations of pregnant and elderly riders.”
The writer, Dr Warson, is both a neuro-surgeon and a rider so he has full understanding of the issues involved - and doesn’t blame all your back problems on riding which makes a pleasant change! Full of practical advice with useful exercises and helpful comments I would suggest that a copy of The Rider’s Pain-Free Back should be on every Equestrian’s bookshelf.
Popularity: 28% [?]
I came across this site today - Dressage Not Stressage
It’s a simple one page website which I would recommend you take a look at - it is a well presented site on various aspects of dressage. The writer obviously knows her subject and writes with wit and humour as well. It will only take you a few minutes - go visit. It is an excellent introduction to one of the premier Equestrian Sports
Popularity: 6% [?]
Tying up syndrome can be a major health risk for any horse. Tying up syndrome, or Rhabdomyolysis, is found in horses that are often tied or do not get enough exercise. If you have a horse that will be tied up for any length of time, make sure that you talk to your vet about ways to prevent this and ways to treat it if you horse should develop this distressing condition.
There are three main symptoms you should watch out for, firstly your horse will walk very stiffly. Just think about how you feel after a lengthy journey - your legs will be stiff. Imagine being tied up somewhere and being forced to stay in that position for hours on end with very little scope for movement. The horse will have trouble walking and in severe cases, may not be able to move at all without help. Secondly, the horse will also probably have rear muscles that are hard to the touch and very painful. If you do touch them the horse will certainly react to demonstrate his pain. The last symptom is sweating, which will happen if the pain is very severe.
Tying up your horse for extended periods of time has additional affects on a horse’s health. You horse may develop the so called ‘Monday Morning Disease’ from eating too much when tied up (as he might be over a ‘weekend’) and could easily be injured when starting to exercise. Horses that are tied up too much are also are often unaccustomed to people or to being untied and may not be able to perform well in shows or cope well amongst a group of people or horses.
If the horse has a moderate to severe case of tying up disease, you would recognise it, but mild cases may seem similar to other medical conditions or simply laziness. Only your vet can properly diagnose your horse if there is a problem. Blood tests are most likely to help your vet determine if you horse has tying up syndrome. There are many courses to take if a horse has this medical problem. An Electrolyte imbalance may contribute to tying up syndrome, so it is important to work with a Vet to make certain that your horse is getting appropriate nutrition. If you horse simply has a mild case of the condition, walking him on a hand rein will allow him to loosen up. In more severe cases, medication can be used to relax the horse. If the horse seems to be in pain, the best thing you can do is call your vet promptly. Do not try and force the horse to move, as this can cause injury and extreme pain.
In a nutshell, make sure that you have the time to take care of a horse before you get one. If you don’t, he may spend a lot of time tied up. This is detrimental to the horse’s health and an act of cruelty. I have seen the tragic results of a horse being tied up far too often.
Popularity: 4% [?]
I wrote an article for another publication a couple of days ago about Laminitis, a crippling condition. It occurred to me when doing this that among the horse facts any owner should know are a few basics of anatomy so I have put together some thoughts here. If you want to be sure that you are looking after your horse in the best way possible you should undertake some basic study of horse anatomy. You can do this by studying on your own or you can speak to your vet to find out the basics.
One basic thing that most horse owners know but rarely remember is that laying down is not easy on your horse. A horse’s body is not intended to lay down for long periods of time, which is why you should be aware that if your horse is laying down, there is probably something wrong with him. If a horse lays down for any amount of time they risk damage to their internal organs, so if you observe this you should call your vet immediately and discuss it with him.
A horse’s legs are probably the most easily damaged part of his anatomy. They carry his weight, and support him while he is sleeping, despite the fact that they are very thin. If a horse gets a broken leg, there will potentially be many problems because he won’t be able to lie down to rest it, which means that the healing process can be quite painful and long drawn out. What this means for you is that you have to be sure to always care for your horse’s legs and feet. Hoof care is a also critical and warrents a whole topic to itself
Another thing that you must take care of is your horse’s skin and coat. You should focus on them because they protect your horse and help keep him happy and healthy. You should be grooming your horse daily, and especially after each time you ride him. Make sure his coat is clean and his mane and tail are free of tangles and any bits of twig or briar that may have caught whilst you were out.
Horses are incredible strong animals with very bodies that are designed to work well when being ridden or just running free. Don’t take advantage of your horse’s willingness to work and overtire him. He needs his rest just as much as you do. There is a great deal more to be said on horse anatomy but these few short tips will add to your store of horse facts and help keep your horse healthy.
Popularity: 22% [?]
This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to pleasant rides in the countryside to enjoy all the beauties of spring. Many horses feel cooped up after the winter and it is so good to be out on a soft warm spring day, enjoying the fresh air and the freedom. Riding out like this almost inevitably involves roads and if your horse is traffic shy you can have some problems.
Some horses are just nervous round traffic and if you don’t have good control of your mount that exacerbates the problems and can lead to some nasty accidents. A lot of the problems with nerves are just lack of familiarity. If you can, take your horse out with friends whose mounts are quiet and relaxed with traffic. If they are reasonably experienced riders they and their horses will help to protect you until he settles down a little.
If you try to go out at quieter times of the day when there isn’t so much traffic around that helps. Try and pick a route where drivers are aware of horses and more sensitive to the needs of equestrians too. Alternatively you can ask one of your more experienced friends to ride him on the roads for a little while as your worry and concern about his behaviour will make his fears even worse. He will certainly sense any tension you are feeling through your seat, knees and hands.
In terms of general acclimatisation to road noise and traffic, if you can arrange for your horse to be turned out in a field close to a road this may help, especially if there are other horses or animals who are not bothered by traffic to keep him company.
Generally speaking with patience, care and good horse management most horses will acclimatise to road conditions and you can ride out safely and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Success in any equestrian sport is dependent on the rapport between horse and rider and it takes hard work to achieve that. Horses have personalities just like people and it is just as necessary to bear those in mind and work with them as it is with any social interaction. Dancing with Horses is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who is working to communicate with their horse and develop their relationship. Klaus Hempfling’s book has been around a while but is only recently getting the coverage and recognition it deserves.
To quote from an article in The Library Journal by Deborah Emerson
“The author’s approach combines his backgrounds in communications, theater, and dance with more traditional means. The result is an unusually harmonious relationship between horse and trainer, in which there is complete understanding and communication through body language. Hempfling’s method has proven successful with all breeds of horses and makes the learning process fun for both horse and rider…. “
There have been many reviews of the book but one particularly caught my eye as I think it summed up the benefits that can be achieved - it came from Tuike Ekroos of Helsinki and summed up the desperation some riders can feel
“I have a so called problem horses. He was almost dangerous to handle and not so much interested in me. Now I have found my way to communicate with him without using violence. This book is really easy-to-understand with its advice. On this book there is the Hempfling’s key philosophy but you can also find really concrete advice from this book. I really have to say i love Hempflings way to communicate with horses.”
Given that one can have so much success with a problem horse, you can imagine the benefits with a horse that is less difficult to handle. Dancing with Horses is a great investment for anyone who takes part in Equestrian sports.
Popularity: 3% [?]
