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ISSUE95

FEB-MAR2015

Integrative Care for Horse and Rider

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!

Horse Misbehaving? Check Your Saddle

Feed Whole Foods Develop Self Carriage and Balance Raindrop Therapy Essential Oils

Itch Relief

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1F E B R U A R Y • M A R C H 2 0 1 5 � W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

Februar y - March 2015

Integrative Care for Horse and Rider

8 Relieve the Itch by Eleanor Kellon, VMD

10 Is Your Saddle Causing Bad Behavior? by Sabine Schleese, BSc, MBA

14 Equine Raindrop Technique by Nan E. Martin, LSHC/CRTS

18 Magnetic Relief by Tammy L. Wells and Ted Zablotsky, MD

20 The Power of the Herd by Connie Grob

22 How Posture Affects Your Horse by Christa Veinotte, RMT

26 Developing Self Carriage & Balance by Caroline Rider

2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Wedge Pad Discussions

3 IN THE NEWS Contaminated Feed by Carolyn Crew

4 NUTRITION De-Mystifying the Whole Food Diet by Tigger Montague

7 NATURE’S HIDDEN REMEDY Black Oil Sunflower Seeds – Balance with Omega 3s by Juliet M. Getty, PhD

17 HERB BLURB Camelina – Old Plant Gets New Uses by Mary Ann Simonds

24 HEALTHY HOOF White Line Disease…S.O.S. by Bryan Farcus, MA, CJF

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3F E B R U A R Y • M A R C H 2 0 1 5 � W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M�

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Encouraging an environmentally-conscious and natural approach to integrative care

for horse and rider.

Helping horse handlers since 1995.

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Prod u c tion Man age r/social Me d ia con tact

Carolyn Crew, [email protected]

ed itor

Carolyn Crew

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Catherine BirdShari Frederick, BS, NMD, LE

Amy M. Gill, PhDJoyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS

James HelfterKim Henneman, DVM, DACVSMR,

FAAVA, Dipl ABT, CVA, CVC,Fran Jurga

Lisa Lancaster DVM Nicholas Larkins, BVSc, MRCVS

Bruce MandevilleJudy L. Morgan, DVM, CVCP, CVA

Bill Ormston, DVMBonnie Sheaffer, RN

Allen M. Schoen, DVM, MSKala V. Shaw, DVMEd Sheaffer, VMD

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Madalyn Ward, DVM

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Statement of Purpose

Wedge Pad ClarificationAn interesting point/counterpoint

I just read “Wedge Pad Principles” in the Oct/Nov issue, and I hate to say it, but [it contains some] bad advice. Whenever a hoof has a ground or near-ground parallel hairline, it means the hoof balance is very incorrect. It tends to create

toe loading and that bypasses the whole built-in shock absorbing mechanism in the back of the hoof. These are the types of hooves that then often develop navicular syndrome. Many barefoot horses are ridden with adequately low heels in soft arena ground without issues.

The shoe used looks too small, which suggests hoof contraction; that is not desirable at all. The hoof looks wider on top than the bottom. The before hairline has a much better angle, although the heel is even then too tall. The green line at the heel shows you what the horse wants to grow because this is how far the heel sticks out on top.

Ute Philippi LMP/LAMPVisit this link to see the photos presented by Ute Philippihttp://goo.gl/oZ9G21

Response from author Bryan Farcus: My article was intended to explain the mechanical implications of pads (observing a horse’s hoof-to-l imb suspensory/support apparatus being manipulated with the addition of a wedge pad compared to various footings) and NOT the how or even if pads should be used. The article had no intended reference to how to accurately balance a horse’s hoof.

I must respectfully disagree that this article had no good advice. With regard to the usefulness of wedge pads for horses, during the many years (nearly 30) that I’ve been practicing as a farrier, I’ve witnessed firsthand how helpful pads can be for certain horses, including some that may have suffered from navicular syndrome, temporary AP/ML hoof imbalances, and LLD (limb length disparity). Certainly, I would agree that not every horse will benefit from padding or wedging of his feet; each horse must be assessed individually. As any competent farrier will tell you, assessing hoof balance requires more than a few quick reference lines drawn on a single dimension photo. A good farrier will have to observe both static as well as dynamic views before coming to the best judgment on how to trim/shoe a horse. An article I wrote several years ago titled “Hoof Balance

F R O M O U R R E A D E R S continued

and Perception” would be a far better article to critique for the hoof balance debate.

Additionally, taking in all feedback from a horse’s surroundings before performing any work is extremely important. Owner/rider’s comments, the living conditions of the horse, and if he appears comfortable (which will include a whole range of variables) can and SHOULD influence the decision on how to approach: trim method, pads or no pads, whether to apply shoes or not. Finally, I would be the first to admit that the more often I see a horse and get to know the bigger picture, the better help I can offer—that is the bottom line and should be the goal for each and every horse a farrier will meet.

Thank you, Holistic Horse, and your readers for allowing me to be a part of such an open-minded and informative publication.

Bryan Farcus MA, CJF • www.farrierfriendly.com

Contaminated feed linked to horse’s deathAnother reason to think about how and what you feed your horseby Carolyn Crew

Is your horse’s feed safe? Within the last two months, two separate cases of horses being poisoned by their feed have rocked the horse world.In both incidences the antibiotic monensin was found to be present and the cause of their deaths. Contaminated feed is being blamed for the deaths of two South

Carolina horses and the illness of another at Camelot Farms in St Helena Island, South Carolina.

It was confirmed by Michigan State University’s (MSU) Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, in East Lansing, that samples of the horses’ feed were contaminated with monensin. The feed tested at MSU was manufactured by ADM Alliance Nutrition, a subsidiary of the Archer Daniels Midland Co.

In a Jan. 6 written statement, ADM said it is aware of “recent comments on social media and some news outlets concerning ADM Alliance 12% horse feed and its alleged link to deaths of horses.

“We take this matter very seriously and are working with authorities to investigate these horses’ deaths,” the statement continued. “We’re not aware that authorities have made any determination as to what caused the deaths, and based on our investigation to date, we have not found any evidence that our horse feed caused or contributed to these deaths. The (initial) single sample of our horse feed tested for our customer at Michigan State University was negative for ionophores (monensin) at the detection limits for the test. We have sent additional samples for testing and will share information as soon as it’s available.” Customers with questions can contact the feed manufacturer at [email protected] the statement said.

And in October, Masterpiece Equestrian in Davie, Florida, 22 horses were poisoned by tainted feed manufactured by Lakeland Animal Nutrition. They received confirmation on Nov 22 from the Florida Department of Agriculture that monensin and lasalocid, anti-bacterial additives safe for livestock such as cattle and some poultry but toxic to horses’ muscles, was present in its horse feed.

Lakeland Animal Nutrition has said the contamination was limited to the feed at Masterpiece, and no other horses elsewhere were reported sickened because of it. The Lakeland-based company recalled the product, stopped producing equine feeds and acknowledged that feed delivered to Masterpiece contained monensin. More information can be found at www.lanfeeds.com.

I N T H E N E W SF R O M O U R R E A D E R S

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Karen1

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More than just a few quick reference lines—it’s about the big picture… My article titled Wedge Pad Principles was intended to explain the mechanical implications of pads (observing a horse’s hoof-to-limb suspensory/ support apparatus being manipulated with the addition of a wedge pad compared to various footings) and not the how or even the if pads should be used. And, most definitely, the article had no intended reference to how to accurately balance a horse’s hoof. Comments that suggest so are obviously misguided and should be saved for articles wrote specifically on that topic.

Karen1

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Letter to the Editor

Karen1

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Letter to the Editor


Seven years ago I sat down and really studied the label of one of the feeds I was using. And I was shocked. My first reaction was:

where’s the food? The contents were mostly food by-products plus chemically sourced vitamins, and inorganic minerals.

At that moment I realized that fundamentally I had been feeding a version of fast food to my horses. With that realization came the understanding that I was actually increasing stress on their GI tracts.

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE EQUINE DIETHorses need water, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. They need a complex of macro and micro minerals. They need a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria (the micro biota) in the GI tract to synthesize B vitamins, to help with the fermentation of fiber and protein, and to play a pivotal role in both the innate and adaptive immune system.

THE WHOLE FOOD DIETThe whole food diet is not revolutionary; it is fundamentally minimally processed foods based on the energy needs of each horse and chosen for their whole nutritional contribution to the diet.

Foods not included in the whole food diet are soy, corn, and canola due to the difficulties sourcing GMO-free or organic sources.

Fiber: This is the most important component of an equine diet and is often very low in the guaranteed analysis of commercial feeds. The foundation of

fiber for horses is hay and pasture. Horses, especially easy keeper s a nd metabolic horses, need to eat 20 hours a day to maintain consistent blood sugar levels, and to maintain a healthy GI tract and reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers. The whole food diet begins with fiber such as alfalfa or timothy pellets or cubes, and/or molasses-free and GMO-free beet pulp.

Protein: All horses need quality protein that includes the essential amino acids (the amino acids the body must get from dietary sources). Important food sources for protein and the essential amino acids include alfalfa, coconut meal, and rice bran. Grains such as oats, and barley also provide the essential amino acids, as do whey protein and egg protein.

Carbohydrates: Nonstructural carbohydrates, including glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose and starch, and Structural, which include plant fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose.

Pasture and hays provide carbohydrates because plant matter is comprised of 75% carbohydrates and can be more than sufficient for most horses. Barrel racers, event horses, show jumpers and even some dressage horses can require more carbohydrate and calories than the easy keepers. Oats and peas can be good sources of additional carbohydrates for horses who have the caloric needs and are not metabolic or easy keepers.

Fats: As valuable feed sources for added long-burn energy, fats can provide additional health benefits from the essential fatty acids.

Omega 3 and omega 6 must be balanced in the body for both to be effective. Although science has not identified the optimal ratio for horses, currently it is thought that the ratio (omega 3:omega 6) 2:1 and as high as 4:1 is optimal.

Medium Chain Fats: Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride and so is used primarily to fuel muscles and organs. It is not stored as fat like vegetable oils and the other long chain fats: soy, corn oil, canola oil, and rice bran oil. Coconut meal, which provides 8-10% fat, or pure coconut oil is often the best choice for energy needs, particularly for metabolic or easy keepers. Studies have shown that adding fat to the equine diet can reduce the glycemic response to the Non Structural Carbohydrates in the diet.

VITAMINS AND MINERALSMacro and micro minerals are essential nutrients for the horse, while certain vitamins can be synthesized by the horse’s GI tract; these would include ascorbic acid and the B vitamin complex.

Continued on page 6

N U T R I T I O N

De-Mystifying the Whole Food DietFeed your horse the way nature intended

by Tigger Montague

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Karen1

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Illustration by Kathy Muscarella Caption: Dump the Junk Food


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The B-complex and ascorbic acid are not considered “essential” because the horse can make these particular nutrients. Feeds and supplements often contain B vitamins, which are either synthetically derived, or made from coal tar residue. Food sources include brewers yeast, nutritional yeast, and rice.

Minerals in water and soil have very low bioavailability because to the body they are inorganic. Common forms of inorganic minerals are oxides, carbonates, and sulfates. Organic minerals are minerals that are bound (chelated) to organic material; for instance, amino acids or ascorbic acid.

Plants take in the inorganic minerals from soil and water and then chelate them to amino acids. This increases the bioavailability/absorption from 2%-8% for inorganic minerals to as high as 45% for chelated minerals. Some supplement and feed companies use chelated minerals that are created through a manufacturing process (binding inorganic minerals

to protein for example) to increase bioavailability of minerals. There is a chelate called Gluconate, which is using corn as the substance to bind to the mineral. Since most corn is GMO, if you want to avoid genetically modified organisms, you would want to avoid mineral gluconates.

THE TAKE AWAYWhen you choose to feed whole food, or a certified organic feed, you not only reduce stress on the GI tract of your horse, you are feeding them as they were designed to be fed: real food, minimally processed, high in fiber. This approach to feeding focuses on the energy needs of each horse -- the

way our grandfathers used to feed. The other benefits are that you return

healthy manure back to the soil, which supports better pasture health for the soil micro organisms, and then helps to increase the nutrient and mineral density of the grasses. For horses, humans, and Mother Earth, it’s a win-win situation.

Tigger Montague’s background is extensive in nutrition, including 30 years in the human and equine supplement industry with a focus on Ayurvedic Medicine. A dog owner all her life and Grand Prix dressage rider, she has spent seven years researching and testing products for BioStar Whole Food Supplements. Info: www.biostarus.com/

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Black Oil Sunflower Seeds Be Sure to Balance with Omega 3s

by Juliet Getty, PhD

Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) are a popular addition to the horse’s diet. They are highly nutritious, offering protein, vitamins, and minerals and are especially high in magnesium (100 mg per ounce). BOSS are high in fat,

as well, but the type of fat is mainly in the form of omega 6s, with very little omega 3 content. Since omega 6s are pro-inflammatory, balancing with a source of omega 3s is important to consider, especially for the horse who is experiencing inflammation due to injury, aging, or obesity.

One cup of BOSS provides approximately 10,000 mg of omega 6s and only 34 mg of omega 3s. To bring this in line with the naturally occurring ratio of 4:1 omega 3s to omega 6s found in fresh grasses, you would need to feed approximately 2 cups of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds.

When feeding BOSS to your horse, be certain to feed only the black seeds, typically purchased for wild birds; their shells are soft and easy to digest. Avoid the striped shelled seeds; their outer shell contains a large amount of indigestible fiber that cannot be managed by the microbial population in your horse’s digestive tract.

Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is a reknown, independent equine nutritionist who assists in optimizing horse health through correct feeding and nutrition. She is available for private consultations and speaking engagements. Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource book, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, is available at www.gettyequinenutrition.com, and Amazon (www.Amazon.com) and other online book retailers.

BUYING TIPS by Kimberly Henneman, DVM

Read bags and labels carefully. Many large stores such as Wal-Mart, K-mart and National chain feed stores sell seeds

that have had the seed exteriors sprayed with a vitamin mixture that has no proven benefit for birds nor safety

testing in geriatric horses. Make sure that the seeds that you are buying are just the seeds with no adulteration. If you have an old horse with poor chewing ability, you can buy

the hearts and grind them before feeding

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A Word on Starches Glucose and Fructose can be absorbed from the intestine but starch needs the enzyme amylase. The horse’s ability to produce amylase is limited causing a great deal of starch to escape digestion. When the starches aren’t digested in the small intestine they travel to the large intestine, which is designed for fiber. Too much starch in the hind-gut can cause acidosis, increased lactic acid, and an irritation in the gut lining. Starches from grains increase blood glucose levels.

N A T U R E ' S H I D D E N R E M E D Y

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of the trigger, if it is still present. Beyond this, topical treatment of irritated or traumatized skin can ease

ongoing itching and promote healing even if an itch-scratch cycle has become established. Systemic therapy with antihistamines or corticosteroids is rarely indicated. HERBAL OPTIONSMultiple herbal options are available for topical treatment. Aloe Vera and chickweed have antihistamine properties. Both are also generally anti-inflammatory and emollient/soothing. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and may have some mild anesthetic effects. Arnica is a very potent local anesthetic. Calendula is anti-inflammatory and mildly antimicrobial. Thyme is primarily antimicrobial with insect repellant potential. Tea tree essential oil is a potent antimicrobial and insect repellant. Other potential topical anti-inflammatories include elderberry and comfrey. White Willow is also anti-inf lammatory and particularly effective against itch. IN SUMMARYRegardless of how you decide to treat topically, be sure to keep the area clean by gently cleansing with a nondrying shampoo and cool water on a daily basis. Observe carefully for any signs of worsening inflammation such as swelling, heat, drainage, pain or worsening itch, since irritated skin may develop sensitivity to topical agents over time.

For details on pharmaceutical topicals to treat itch, consult with your veterinarian. Potential ingredients include corticosteroids, local anesthetics, topical antihistamines and antibiotics or antifungals for any associated infection.

Eleanor Kellon, VMD is an established authority of equine nutrition. She formerly served as Veterinary Editor for ‘Horse Journal’ and John Lyons ‘Perfect Horse’ and is owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions and the author of many best-selling books.

Few horse owners escape having to deal with the issue of itch. It is probably the most common dermatologic complaint. Itch is distressing to the horse,

often causing significant trauma to the skin from scratching. The tail base, mane/neck, face and belly are most commonly involved, but itch can strike anywhere on the body.

CAUSES OF ITCHItch is an interesting sensation. It is closely related to pain; the nerves carrying the itch signal share the same pathways to the spinal cord and brain as pain messages do. Some of the same agents that block pain, like local anesthetics or plant-based blocks like capsaicin can also block itching. The reflex reaction to pain is very different from itch. Pain causes the horse to want to withdraw and protect the area, while itch triggers the same reaction as it does in us – the intense desire to scratch. It has been suggested that itching evolved as a protection against attacks from insects or other irritants. The fact that receptors carrying sensations that cause itching are only found in the surface layers of the skin supports this idea. A wide variety of things may cause itching. Most common are inf lammatory or allergic reactions to insects, parasites, infections (especially fungal) or other triggers. Hives may itch. Excessive skin dryness or scab healing may cause itching. Rarely, nerve damage, liver disease, kidney disease or pregnancy may be a cause.

THE ITCH-SCRATCH CYCLEScratching often relieves itch by providing another, mildly painful sensation that blocks the itch impulses. Sometimes, the itching and scratching deteriorates into a self-perpetuating cycle. Vigorous scratching produces skin damage and inflammation that itself can cause the itching to continue even if the original cause is gone. Suffering horses need treatment to break the cycle. Eliminating itching first requires identification and removal

Itching isn’t just a summer issue. If your horse seems to be

scratching a lot, it’s important to find the source of his discomfort before you are able to provide

some sort of relief.

by Dr. Eleanor Kellonct i h

Relievethe

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Karen1

Sticky Note

Replace bio: Eleanor Kellon, VMD is an established authority in the field of equine nutrition for over 30 years. She formerly served as Veterinary Editor for 'Horse Journal' and John Lyons 'Perfect Horse' and is owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions, a thriving private practice and the author of many best-selling books. Dr. Kellon currently serves as the Staff Veterinary Specialist for Uckele Health & Nutrition which was founded in 1962. www.uckele.com


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All too often horse owners seek advice to figure out how to get their horse to do something. How do I slow down my rushing horse? How do I ride the stumble out of my horse? How

can I make my horse go forward? How, how, how? All of these negative and unwanted ‘behaviors’ of your horse may actually be due to something as simple as a poorly fitting saddle which impacts the reflex points and causes simple instinctive reactions rather than conscious behaviors. Many times experts, concluding that these indicators are a result of rider error, will attempt to address corrections by either offering solutions to change rider behavior, or more drastically, calling in a vet to administer pharmaceuticals to address the issues.

BEYOND BAD BEHAVIORSometimes there are absolutely valid psycho-somatic reasons, or actual illnesses causing these kinds of behavior or even lameness. Before you resort to expensive veterinary or ‘neuroscientific’ treatments, invest in a simple diagnostic evaluation of your saddle fit using a qualified saddle fitter who understands equine biomechanics and anatomy and the ramifications for your horse if the saddle doesn’t fit properly.

Many researchers agree that horses do not consciously behave badly. They react to outside stimuli. A poorly fit saddle or an incompetent or untrained rider can cause unwanted behaviors. This does not make a bad horse—it is simply a horse behaving badly. Dangerous horses can quickly be created when aids are misunderstood or mishandled.

CONTRIBUTING FRUSTRATIONIf the saddle puts pressure on reflex points along the spine because of a gullet channel that is too narrow, or because it twists during movement due to natural asymmetry, the horse will reflexively lower its back to escape the pressure/pain. The goal to have the horse engage its back or bring it up during riding is unachievable.

Loss of forward impulsion, defensive behavior and an unbalanced rider are just some of the other ramifications.

This results in a frustrating experience for both horse and rider. The horse would like to respond to the aids the rider gives him, but the pressure on his reflex points inhibits his ability to do so.

SADDLE PRESSUREA saddle that consistently puts pressure on the horse’s reflex points would be frustrating and eventually even damaging to the horse. Let’s say you give your horse the signal to move forward. If your saddle’s tree angle is too wide, or the tree width too narrow, putting too much pressure on Cranial Nerve 11, your horse cannot really comply. The reason for this is that the saddle hits the reflex point, which hinders the ability to move. The actual instinctual reaction at this point is dropping the back, locking the shoulder, and rotating the pelvis.

Despite his best intentions, the horse instinctively will not, and more importantly cannot, move forward. He experiences the inner battle of wanting to obey his rider (let’s go forward) and his instincts (stay still). A losing proposition – and possibly physical and psychological pain for the horse, as the rider thinks that this immobility is simply stubbornness and starts using spurs and whip.

THE CRANIAL NERVE REFLEX POINTOver 50 million years of equine evolution have seen the stallion biting his opponents in the wither area to determine dominance and literally bring rivals to their knee. Stallions will also bite

Ill-fitting saddles can have a negative behavioral

impact on your horse by Sabine Schleese, BSc, MBA

Is Your Saddle Causing bad behavior?

This girth is too short because the buckles are sitting at the edge of the pectoralis muscle. The hand shows where the buckles should ideally be sitting.

Here the buckles are located correctly; they do not interfere with the pectoralis (shown by the hand). All photos by Nicole Künzel

HH_Volume_95.indd 10-11 1/25/15 10:03 PM



mares in the exact same area in preparation for mating – to stop them from moving forward and to be able to mount them safely. Predators will attack in this same region of the neck to hinder the flight response and to bring their prey down. This reflex point is known as Cranial Nerve 11 (CN11). Pinching gullet plates, lungeing girths, vaulting girths, driving harnesses and foregirths will achieve the same result as the stallion’s bite, acting upon the muscles in the wither region like a vise grip.

The paradox is that we as riders want to achieve exactly the opposite. We want a horse with a loose, supple and engaged back and the ability to ‘step under’ with the hind end. Only in this way will we ensure that we are not riding on the forehand, to take pressure off all the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones of the horse to keep it healthy for a full lifetime of enjoyment and riding in harmony. This is achieved only if we ensure that there is no pressure on this Cranial Nerve 11 from a gullet plate that doesn’t fit.

THE BUCKING REFLEXThe bucking reflex point is located over the fascia behind the 18th thoracic vertebra. The horse’s first reaction is to try and get rid of pressure from a saddle that is too long, pressing on the fascia in this area over the transverse processes. Further indications of a saddle that is too long are doing a pace during the walk (both front and hind legs on one side move together rather than diagonally with the opposite side), dragging the hind legs during the trot, or showing a four-beat canter.

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GIRTHINESS When using a short girth, watch that the buckles do not press on the edge of the pectoral muscles. For a long girth, attention must be paid to the same issue, but at the edge of the latissimus. The buckles can cause concentrated pressure points in these areas, causing the muscle fibers of the triceps to contract in an attempt to avoid this pressure and the resulting potential rub marks. The rider will have difficulty finding a good extension in the trot and will experience poor transitions between gaits. The pectoral muscles need full range of contraction and relaxation to allow huge and natural extension; only with complete freedom will the biomechanics work as they should. If either the panel points or the billets exert pressure on the subscapular and thoracodorsal nerves, the natural ref lex from both or either of these nerves will also cause the triceps to contract, inhibiting movement in the front. Sometimes the easiest solutions are right in front of our eyes – we just need to be willing to see, or to understand what the horse is feeling and trying to tell us.

Sabine Schleese, BSc, MBA, along with her husband, Certified Master Saddler and Saddle Ergonomist Jochen Schleese, is founder of Schleese Saddlefit 4 Life – the Science of Saddle Fit and Design Promoting Equine Back Health. Contact her through Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd., 1-800-225-2242 ext 22 or www.schleese.com

HH_Volume_95.indd 12-13 1/25/15 10:03 PM



Equineby Nan E. Martin, LSHC/CRTS

In today’s world where more horses than ever are faced with toxicity and stress, hectic training schedules and less turnout, modalities that bring the horse back into equilibrium physically and emotionally are not only recommended but

required. As such I encourage equestrian professionals and owners to consider the Equine Raindrop Technique (ERT).

WHAT IS THE EQUINE RAINDROP TECHNIQUE?The Raindrop Technique is a powerful technique developed by D. Gary Young, founder of Young Living Essential Oils. Raindrop Technique for horses is currently underutilized in the equestrian industry primarily due to the absence of knowledgeable practitioners and lack of understanding of using essential oils for horses. However, when done correctly, it can provide many benefits beyond the physical, including the release of buried traumas and behavioral patterning that affect training and ridability and ultimately the horse’s wellbeing.

Essential oils not only work to facilitate balance and detox within the cells and organs, but also have the unique ability to influence the emotional brain where memories are stored. This is an important component to take into account particularly when we are not getting the expected results from other modalities.

In addition to essential oils, Vita Flex, which pre-dates acupressure, is incorporated into ERT to facilitate transport of the oils throughout the body. Vita Flex utilizes the reflex system to release stress and blocks in energy in the neuroelectrical pathways in the body.

RESTORING ATTITUDE, FLEXIBILITY AND MUSCLE DISCOMFORTOne of the first horses I did a series of ERT sessions on had continued muscle spasms and discomfort in the saddle and sacroiliac joint areas despite chiropractic adjustments and massage sessions. He was not holding his adjustments, was sore to the touch and was becoming difficult to work around, which affected his training and also stressed his owner significantly. Because of the issues, he was on a limited training schedule which frustrated the trainer as well.

Following the first ERT session, the horse’s movement and attitude improved significantly. Oils were left to apply on the spine in between sessions to anchor and integrate the work and to support the horse’s immunity. Additionally, I chose two oils for the horse to smell several times a day to release emotional and physical discomfort and promote calmness and acceptance.

Within three sessions the horse was able to resume a normal training schedule and the muscle discomfort and spasms due

to imbalance in the spine and nervous system were brought back into equilibrium. And more important the horse was happy and content once again. The technique and the oils were able to support the horse’s body to come back into equilibrium naturally.

BENEFITSTo summarize, here are some of the benefits of ERT:

uu Addresses the emotional wellbeing of the horse and assists in releasing negative traumas and training issues

uu Prevents and combats occasional sore backs and muscles, and muscle spasms before and after riding or competition

uu Supports healthy immunity which is critical during shipping and competition

uu Assists with the release of toxins on a cellular level

uu Can be used in conjunction with other modalities such as acupuncture, Reiki and chiropractor treatment

THE RAINDROP TECHNIQUE SESSION The first step is to complete an initial assessment and select an oil for the horse that will help to facilitate relaxation and acceptance.

The second step is energy balancing using Valor Oil. I place several drops of the balancing oil in my palm and balance the energies of the horse at the poll, shoulder and base of tail by placing my hands either directly on those areas or over the area for those horses that are sensitive to touch.

In the third step, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Wintergreen, Cypress and Marjoram, are applied to the hooves and the meridians on the hind legs; and the Vita Flex technique is used on oil application areas. Oils of Valor, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Wintergreen, Marjoram, Aroma Siez, Cypress and Peppermint are dropped onto the spine simulating raindrops from the base of the sacrum to the withers and “feather stroking” is used after each oil application. Vita Flex techniques are also used on the spine to stimulate the healing work and allow the oils to go deeper

Nan Martin places a hot wet towel over a dry towel on the horse’s spine to create a compress. All photos by Amanda Roxborough of Kylar Productions.

Bringing equilibrium physically & emotionally

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into the tissue. Lastly, a hot compress is applied to the spine for several

minutes; and a light sheet or cooler is placed over the compress. This provides quiet time for the horse to integrate the energy of the oils and the technique itself.

It is best if the horse is not ridden until the next day as some horses will be experiencing detoxification. I have seen some horses release toxins, particularly along the spine, up to five days after the session.

WHAT ESSENTIAL OILS ARE USED IN THIS TECHNIQUE?It is recommended that only Young Living oils be used in this technique. Most issues that I have observed have been due to the use of essential oils that are not appropriate for this application. If your horse has extremely sensitive skin, carrier oil can be applied on the horse’s spine in between oil applications to slow down the absorption rate of the oil.

I recommend that if you are not familiar with the raindrop technique that you become acquainted with the technique prior to working on horses. And when in doubt using less oil is better than more in this case.

For information on Nan’s services, consults and essential oils; and to sign up for her free E-Zine, visit her website at www.Experience-Essential-Oils.com. Nan can be contacted by phone at (561) 315-6334 or by email via the form on the website. Also visit her on Facebook and Experience-Essential-Oils.com

CamelinaOld Plant Gets New Uses

by Mary Ann Simonds

Camelina sativa is a member of the mustard family and is considered a weed by some farmers. Native to regions of

Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, it is also known as “false flax.” Recently it is getting a new look for its quality oil being prized for both biofuel and food for people and animals.

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notably omega-3 fatty acids. The oil meal is relatively high in protein, about 31-41%. It also contains a significant amount of vitamin E, which assists both as an antioxidant and in stabilizing the shelf life of the oil.

Camelina has been used in Europe for both people and animals, but was only recently approved by FDA for livestock feed, which is driving developers to genetically alter the natural seed. One of the benefits of camelina is growers do not have to use pesticides or herbicides as the plant is very resistant naturally and grows in poor soils.

Available in both oil and oil meal form for animals, camelina products are being offered by a growing number of companies, but there is little research on its various uses outside of cattle and chicken feed.

Camelina oil is also used on skin and hair. Costing about $60 a gallon, organic camelina oil is slightly more costly than flax oil. Results have been noted with

feeding just one ounce per day to horses as compared to higher oil recommendations for other oils.

Mary Ann Simonds is an equine ecologist, horse behaviorist and natural health consultant. International author, educator and clinician, she can be reached at www.maryannsimonds.com, www.heartmindspeak.com or www.mystichorse.com. Her direct email is [email protected].

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We all know how debilitating and painful inflammation is on our joints and bodies. Imagine how your horse

feels. To help our four-legged friends when they hurt and as they age, we have many modalities to relieve the discomfort that comes with inflamed joints.

BREAKING THE CYCLEInflammation is the body’s attempt to control and eventually heal an area that has been injured. By creating a “walled off” zone, the body can control the spread of the injured tissue and begin to bring resolution to the damaged tissue.

At times, the inflammatory response is short lived, considered acute. In other cases, the inflammatory response itself becomes self-perpetuating and changes into a chronic inflammation. It is in these cases that it is most important to attempt to break the cycle.

Most therapeutic techniques are designed to increase metabolism in the area, mostly by increasing blood f low. Creating a state of vasodilation, widening the diameters of the capillary network, more blood is forced into the area, which accelerates the removal of the damaged tissue.

Chemicals, heat, massage and electric currents have all been used to increase blood flow to an injured area to relieve inflammation and improve mobility. The chemical mediators the body releases control the inflammation in the area and also allow the tissues to heal faster by increasing the concentration and availability of the basic building blocks the tissue needs for repair.

THE USE OF MAGNETS Magnetic therapy, properly applied, has all the advantages of these methods with none of the drawbacks. The use of permanent static magnets offers a

convenient and humane approach to rehabilitation for both acute and chronic injury processes. There is no recurring cost, no worry about the potential hazards of electric a, and minimal risk of irritating the skin.

A properly designed static magnet, one intended to affect a deep area with a saturation of the tissues, with the proper type and strength of magnetic fields, can predictably relieve swelling, increase elasticity of muscles, and accelerate healing, resulting in less chance of further injury.

Many equine injuries that have been found to be successfully treated by magnetic therapy include tendonitis, bowed tendons, bucked shins, muscular sprains and strains, and other injuries to the horse’s musculoskeletal system.

THE HALL EFFECTMany different designs of static magnets are being used today, with varying degrees of effectiveness. An important note regarding the design of magnets is the poles alternate from north to south with the field lines being boundaries between each pol

Magnetic effectiveness follows a principle called the Hall Effect. The Hall Effect states that the more perpendicular a cross a blood vessel makes over the north and south field zones, the

Reduce pain and fight inflammation during rehabilitation.

A visual representation of the effectiveness of magnetic fields as it pertains to their positional relationship with blood vessels.

more effective the magnet will be. With that said, it is important to remember that blood vessels rarely ever run in a straight line and it is nearly impossible to know in what direction they are going to run in reference to where the magnet is placed on the body. This is the reason that there are many different magnetic fields offered in various magnetic products. It has been proven that some are far superior in effectiveness to others.

EFFECTIVENESS AND USERecent research showing the effectiveness of magnetic therapy on injuries has resulted in increased popularity across the holistic health arena. Many different applications have been created for use on horses including blankets, boots for the various joints, saddle pads, and even bands that can be attached on the bridle or halter.

As far as the length of time that a magnet will affect an area, it is clear that it will definitely work while applied, but there is not a definitive answer as to how long the effects last after removal. It is clear that the more magnets are used regularly, the longer the effects last. If a magnet is applied too soon after an acute injury, the application of a magnet may cause more pain due to the increased blood flow to the area. This is why it has been recommended that magnetic therapy products not be applied until after 72 hours from the time of injury.

The final area that many ponder is in regard to who can use magnetic therapy and if a veterinarian or other health practitioner must oversee its use. An owner can independently make the decision to use or not use magnetic therapy. For seriously acute or chronic injuries, it is always recommended to consult with your veterinarian as soon as you are able.

Tammy Wells has an MBA in Marketing, is a retired Army medic and grew up caring and riding horses. She loves studying anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and physics, which has resulted in a keen understanding of how the bodies of horses and humans alike are affected by the forces around us.

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Have you ever considered having your horse massaged? A certified equine massage therapist can bring great relief under a variety

of circumstances to the equine athlete, the horse recovering from injury, the backyard trail buddy or rescue. However, have we considered all the options for getting the maximum effectiveness out of our equine massage therapy session?

A SAFE ENVIRONMENTHumans sometimes project their preferences onto their horses. For example, humans may enjoy a massage in a private room with low lighting. For horses though, such an environment is frightening because it is in contradiction to their natural survival instincts. Horses seem to do best when there are no restrictions on their sense of sight, smell and sound.

The current practice of most equine massage therapists is to have the horse in its stall – presumably a safe and comfortable space. From a horse’s perspective, however, is it safe and reassuring to be isolated in an enclosed space? Might we actually maximize the effectiveness of our equine massage therapy session by incorporating the fundamentals of the herd?

SOCIAL BONDSHorses have strong social bonds with each other which are essential to their sense of wellbeing. “Herd behavior is an important motivating factor for a horse and is present in our everyday dealings with horses, more so than is often recognized,” says Julie Goodnight of Julie Goodnight Horsemanship Training and Goodnight Training Stables, Inc. “In fact, by nature, horses associate being alone with being vulnerable to predators, which

can increase anxiety and hypervigilence – certainly contraindicated for this form of therapy. Perhaps the most advantageous place to have a horse receive its massage is in the company of a herd mate.”

BODY LANGUAGEHorses in a herd use body language as the most important means of communication. Being able to read a horse’s body language is a key element of being an effective equine massage therapist. During the equine massage process the therapist looks to the horse for a physical response. For instance, the therapist will “search” for signs of tension or adhesions while palpating a muscle group. If these conditions are present, the horse will indicate with a “response” as subtle as the blink of an eye or a twitch of the muzzle. With an acknowledging response from the horse, direct pressure is applied and the therapist “stays” with that position awaiting a “release,” which may be demonstrated through licking, chewing, or yawning.

HERD POWERSo what do you do with the horse who simply cannot release? Not all horses are

Getting the maximum effectiveness out of an equine massage therapy session

by Connie Grob

able to relax enough to release during a massage. This is when the power of the herd may be especially helpful. It is quite possible that being in the vicinity of a herd mate helps a horse feel more secure, safe and available for the massage. When I was asked to massage a therapy horse at RoseWal Farm in Gilboa, New York, I noticed other horses forming a circle around the horse being massaged. All of the horses were calm, with heads hung low. I found this to be intriguing, because it seemed intentional. As the surrounding horses began yawning, licking, chewing I finally felt the horse I was massaging begin to release the tension within his muscles.

A SHARED CONNECTIONResearch shows the herd is of great importance to horses because they seek a shared emotional connection. Such a connection creates neural resonance, which means that one horse will translate the actions, sensations and even the emotions of another horse into its own neuro body language so that it is, in fact, having the same experience. Simply put, any horse around the horse being massaged receives and participates in that experience.

This herd phenomenon allows for a more effective massage of the horse. In short, it is as though the herd experiences, and helps facilitate, releases while being near the horse receiving the massage.

Connie Grob is an Equine Massage Therapist certified in Equissage, while additionally implementing the Masterson Method and Reiki in her massage sessions. Connie is also the owner of Helping Hands Equine Massage which serves the Capital District in upstate New York. www.helpinghandsequinemassage.com

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Connie Grob massages horse in the relaxed atmosphere of the herd. Photo by Connie Grob.

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How often have we, as riders, heard our coaches tell us to sit up straight, put our shoulders back, and stop leaning forward? It is a constant daily battle for us to maintain good balance and posture in the saddle. If we

are unnaturally balanced, this will, without a doubt, transfer to your horse and affect his own movement and muscle development.

Do you often wonder why your horse bends better to one side than the other? Why does he find certain movements or transitions more difficult than others? We repeat the same exercises in an attempt to get him straight and strengthen his weaknesses. It can be frustrating for everyone, including your horse.

A LOOK IN THE MIRRORTake a moment to look at your own posture in a full length mirror. Do you carry one shoulder higher than the other? Is your head tilted to one side? Are your shoulders round and forward? Because all of these components affect your riding, we must question how they will transfer to your horse. Being stronger on our dominant side is natural and apparent when in the saddle. Right-handed riders may carry more pressure in that hand and arm than on the left. Perhaps this is keeping your horse bent through his neck or preventing him from accepting the bridle evenly. Another example that affects the straightness of a horse is if the rider collapses at the waist and leans to one side. The horse will

how

Our own postural habits often are reflected in our horse’s ability to move correctly

by Christa Veinotte, RMT

Postureaffects

your horse

TOP: Horse and rider are balanced. Photo by Megan Crouse. MIDDLE: The rider is nicely balanced and not interfering with the horse. Photo by Megan Crouse. BOTTOM: You can see that the rider has lost her position and has started falling to the inside. The reins have become long and even her foot is coming out of the stirrup. This has caused horse to fall to the inside and on the forehand. Photo by Claire May.

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flexible frame. Occasionally, a visit to a personal trainer for strength training to target those specific weak muscles may be necessary.

One final piece to gaining a harmonious balanced horse and rider combination is to look at the tack. It is best to have the saddle checked on a regular basis. If the flocking has shifted or is compressed, it may throw the rider off to one side. The rider then has to overcompensate in her own body and the entire cycle is repeated.

BODY AWARENESSNow that you have assessed your equipment and evaluated your natural posture out of the saddle, focus on your actual riding position. While it is extremely beneficial to have someone correct you from the ground, it is imperative that you see exactly what is going on while you are riding. Mirrors are helpful; a video is invaluable. Watching yourself and your horse in motion allows you to have greater body awareness so you can make those necessary corrections. A video also gives you a starting point so you can track your and your horse’s progression.

Improving your own body posture will take time. Eventually, you will notice that your horse is also straighter, stronger and more balanced. He has become the mirror image of his rider.

Christa Veinotte has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 1999. Specializing in equine rehabilitation, she has completed more than 16,000 treatments and is Canada’s first Kinesiology Tape practitioner. [email protected]

try to balance himself under the weight of the rider. This can lead to muscle weakness, severe pain, joint dysfunction and potential behaviour problems. As a therapist, I treat those musculoskeletal conditions in horses, trying to undo what the rider has unintentionally created. However, if these conditions continue to occur, I will eventually look to the rider’s own posture and habits of daily living. Many times, the rider will have the same physical issues as the horse I am treating. The horse truly is a mirror of his rider!

Even professional equestrians can struggle with their riding positions. Each horse they ride moves differently from the last. So they must accommodate each horse but maintain their own balance and posture. For riders who have other jobs, their musculature resists the change from sitting compressed at a desk or driving a car to becoming longer in the saddle. An easy rule to remember is for every 50 minutes you sit, get up and move a bit. Breaking that stagnant sitting posture will help break the cycle of tension and be easier for you to adjust to your position in the saddle.

DEVELOP YOUR POSITIONThere are numerous things a rider can do out of the saddle to develop a much straighter position. Stretching before you ride will help alleviate some restrictions. Massage therapy lengthens tight muscles while chiropractic care realigns joints. Yoga is not only relaxing, it physically tones, strengthens and aligns the body through a series of poses. Pilates is another option to develop a stronger and more

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White Line Disease S.O.S.White line disease is actually a misnomer, as it occurs exclusively within the inner third of the hoof wall itself and not the white line tissue.

by Bryan Farcus, MA, CJF

A discussion that centers on a hoof condition currently labeled White Line Disease (WLD) can be difficult to follow, since it will often include several other labels such as “seedy toe,” pododermatitis, “hollow hoof” or

onycomycosis. Only by looking into the rest of the story will you have a better understanding of this condition.

WLD (at times, more accurately referred to as equine onycomycosis) is a “horn-digesting” infection that thrives when hooves are over-exposed to extreme moisture conditions,

View of hoof bottom showing signs of whiteline disease “seedy”/ “cheesy” appearance nearest toe area. Notice the hoof wall is undermined starting from the inner-mid stratum, but hoof layer adjacent to the white line is still intact, no penetrating separation at this point. This horse was still weight-bearing sound at time of photo. Photos by Bryan Farcus, CJF.

particularly those accompanied by filthy stabling conditions. This “disease” occurs exclusively within the inner third of the hoof wall itself and not actually entering into the white line tissue. Other hoof disorders, such as thrush, recurring-suppurating abscesses, or chronic pododermatitis can also occur in those extreme situations.

THE CONDITIONIntimidating as it may be, the reference or label of equine onycomycosis /ungulamycosis leaves less room for misinterpretation. To summarize this in a less complex manner, I’ve developed an easier way to communicate and relate such terminology on a working level. Borrowed from the traditional sailor’s distress signal (SOS), meaning to “save our ship”… I’ve found that this revised acronym works well:

S – Reminds us to identify any Structures/anatomy that are or may be involved. O–Stands for Opportunity for occurrence/when the situation is most likely to occur. S – Represents the Solution/possible recommended treatments.

The [S]tructures involved are the intermediate layer/stratum of the hoof wall and the outer border of the white line (nearest to the epidermal layer and not the dermis) that is adjacent to the white line region of the hoof. What you’ll notice in the earliest stage of WLD, when viewing the bottom (solar surface) of the foot, is a distortion, “seedy” or “cheesy” granulated separation nearest the toe region. In most cases, it may be mistaken for a widespread case of thrush, however this would be inaccurate since thrush is a “frog/sensitive tissue-digesting” infection. The [O]pportunities for occurrence are overly moist environments, where the hoof stays saturated for extended periods, causing the formation of necrotic tissue adjacent to the white line region. This will cause a distortion of the wall to white line union, but does not directly target the tissue that makes up the white line. Often, there is no apparent lameness unless excessive hoof is lost due to deeper separation. In the most advanced cases, the inner wall would deteriorate and lose its ability to support the weight of the horse.

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Finally, [S]olutions include debridement of all infected hoof wall, along with a daily application of an antifungal/antiseptic solution. In some extreme cases, involving structural hoof wall damage, a modified bar shoe (heart bar) may be applied by a qualified farrier to temporarily transfer the weight/stress off of the wall and onto the frog. Providing a living environment that will allow the hoof to recover and restore its natural moisture equilibrium should be your highest priority, as to avoid any reoccurrence.

GOING FORWARDIn retrospect, it becomes more evident that WLD is not the best label, since it is not so much your typical disease and would appear to be more a condition. Furthermore, it has no contagious transfer from one horse to another and its rate of progression among individual horses can vary greatly. Interestingly enough, you can find horses of like-situations, being influenced in completely different ways; where some can suffer chronically, others may experience only minor symptoms.

Now you can be a bit more confident the next time you find yourself in the midst of a conversation about a condition that has — for better or worse, and for no clear reason — inherited such a misleading title as White Line Disease. On that note, I’ll close with a phrase borrowed from one of my favorite radio personalities, popular from the 1950s and lasting until the late 2000s, Mr. Paul Harvey: “and now you know the rest of the story.”

References & Recommended Reading:The Merck Veterinary Manual, 7th edition, C. M. FraserThe Principles of Horseshoeing (P3), D. Butler, J. ButlerUnderstanding the Equine Hoof, F. JurgaMaximum Hoof Power, C. Hill and R. Klimesh

Bryan S. Farcus MA, CJF, is the creator of a select line of “Farrier-Friendly™” products and author of the “Farrier-Friendly™” series of articles that appear in horse magazines throughout the US. Bryan currently works with horses and their owners in Ohio and West Virginia. www.farrierfriendly.com

H O O F H E A LT H

Ad Index Vol 95

16 AAh Light www.aahlight.comBC Arenus www.arenus.com19 Back On Track USA Inc. www.backontrackproducts.com24 Banixx/Sherborne Inc www.banixx.com25 Barehoof Trimming School www.barehoofschool.comIBC Cytowave www.cytowave.com6 Equine Affaire www.equineaffaire.com23 Equine Hanna Somatics www.somaticsed.com19 Equine Magnetic Therapy, Inc www.equinemagnetic.com16 Harmany Equine Clinic www.harmanyequine.com7 HEIRO www.equinemedsurg.com17 Hilton Herbs Ltd www.hiltonherbsusa.com7 Holistic Horse Keeping www.holistichorsekeeping.com27 Mystic Horse www.maryannsimonds.com 16 Nan Martin LSHC www.Experience-Essential-Oils.com6 Nibble Net-Thin Air Canvas Inc www.thenibblenet.com11 Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd. www.schleese.com9 Silver Lining Herbs www.silverliningherbs.com5 SmartPak Equine www.smartpakequine.comIFC Source Inc. www.4source.com27 Sox for Horses Inc. www.whinneywarmers.com13 Specialized Saddles www.specializedsaddles.com21 Standlee Hay Company Inc. www.standleeforage.com3 Sweet PDZ www.sweetpdz.com12 ThinLine Pads www.thinlineglobal.com23 TW Saddlery www.twsaddlery.com

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cadence – balanced, rhythmic (steady) footfall. This shows up in the horse tracking well and creating a “V” shape when diagonal legs meet. It’s a plus, too, if the horse relaxes enough to stretch his top line and reach to the ground when in a working trot.uu Transitions: Transitions help the

horse use his hind end, encouraging him to push off from the hind rather than pull from the forehand. I work in strides of three at first, asking the horse to move out at an energetic trot for three strides, slow down for three and push off again into an energetic trot. It is important to note that the horse must become rhythmic and relaxed in cardio, cadence and transitions before we ask for the shoulder-in. uu Shoulder-in: The shoulder-in is

acquired more easily once the previous areas are achieved. We begin developing this when the horse is ready to do the work closely, arching in around us and 7-10 feet from us. The shoulder-in is pivotal in developing balance.

LONGEINGI have my own method to longeing for self-carriage that relies only on the use of a rope halter, 12-14’ line and a longe whip. The essential ingredient to my longe is the connection piece. If we don’t have eye-to-eye connection we cannot achieve this effortlessly and without aids. The aids are only there to help refine at this point as well as guide the horse’s inside weight-bearing leg in and out of trot-canter transitions.

The same exercises done at liberty can be done on a line. With the shoulder in, the lead line (not longe line) should have plenty of slack in it. The more slack, dip in it, the more arc your horse has when moving around you, thus creating the shoulder-in, naturally.

RIDINGWhen my horse can free longe in an arc around me at the walk, trot and canter, I know we are ready to ride with the level of self-carriage and balance necessary to move with ease and fluidity in movement under saddle. I will further support the development of my horse’s self-carriage

Bridle-less Piaffe in collection and with cadence. OPPOSITE: Free-canter showing true collection, carriage and balance. Photo by Caroline Rider

A horse’s ability to move in and out of transitions and gaits with rhythm, tempo, stride length, straightness, outline

(frame) on his own, with no maintenance from the rider, is called self-carriage. It seems too often that a horse’s self-carriage becomes confused with the rider’s maintenance of the horse’s frame. It’s not about the rider constantly maintaining the horse in all the qualities required; it’s about the horse being trained to maintain them himself.

SELF CARRIAGEThe horse’s responses to the rider’s aids are centuries-old requirements of equitation, central to classical and academic riding. Above all, self-carriage is also central to the horse’s mental well-being. In today’s dres-sage it tends to be more of a dream than a re-ality, because there is little agreement about lightness and the extent to which the horse

should carry himself. Yet self-carriage is a fundamental principle taught, and not well understood, in most equestrian disciplines. Self-carriage can be tested when the rider can keep the horse well un-derneath her, in the cadence she has set, and let go of the reins; the horse maintains speed, cadence, and frame, and stays between hand and leg aids. Before we begin training the horse for self-carriage, we must make sure that the horse is emotionally, mentally and physically prepared to take on the level of discipline necessary to accom-plish the task.

WORKING AT LIBERTY When developing self-carriage, it is important to me that a horse is first developed off line and free of any aids.

Developing Self Carriage & Balance

You can develop any horse’s movement so it becomes

balanced, rhythmic, fluid and light—

naturally and without aids

by Caroline Rider

trot-serpentines and lateral work. I will also ride bareback and use a bosal to help further guide my horse through the movements if necessary.

Watch as Caroline demonstrates How to Develop a Self CarriageDeveloping a Smooth, Relaxed Canter Part I – http://goo.gl/zz6v7bDeveloping a Smooth, Relaxed Canter Part II – http://goo.gl/xmPrPv

Caroline Rider is an internationally recognized horse whisper whose approach to training horses and teaching people combines 30 years of knowledge, application and development. She is best known for her “Intuitive Training Approach to horsemanship. This approach merges the Art of Horsemanship, Classical Dressage principles and a Taoist way of Being and interacting. It focuses on aligning and synchronizing both horse and rider in mind, body, and soul. Her method to achieving this is based on developing deep levels of connection and communication by combining mind-body awareness and Chakra energy with balance and harmony in movement. To learn more about Rider Horsemanship visit: www.riderhorsemanship.com.

This shows me how well, or not, the horse travels. From this point on I can determine what I need to help with when it comes to gaining better balance, straightness, relaxation and cadence. I want the horse to develop these qualities first and on his own so that nothing is compromised, emotionally, mentally or physically before we progress into more disciplined work. With the free longe, I focus on developing the following qualities in my horse’s movement. It is important to keep these qualities in the order presented as each is a necessary building block for the others to follow:uu Cardio: I begin with 5 minutes of

working trot, off line and free in the round pen. I work both directions and several minutes each side. I repeat 7+ sessions before I increase to 10+ minutes.uu Cadence: I am looking for the

“quality” of the trot when working on cardio. The quality of the trot includes

through the following riding maneuvers and exercises: shoulder-in, haunches-in (Travers), haunches-out (Renvers),

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