"Easy Fun Stretches For Your Horse – For restart or any time"

Howdy Friends,

 

Kessy and I have not been able to hit the trail since the last week of April because of my adventure in cardiac land. We won't be enjoying saddle time, or trails, until September, but I've been given the okay to do a lot of things now, and I'm beginning to get Kessy ready for the big day. Bringing a healthy horse back from a 4 month vacation is certainly not as difficult as one that had been given rest due to injury, but I believe care should be taken in the restart just the same. Even though she enjoys her big treed playground and run-in, I've not been able to do anything with Kessy for 3 months, except Coffee Clutch and brush her. She's had no body work, exercises or any of the things we hold so valuable. I even had a friend trim her feet! Still can't go back to that for 8 weeks.

The past few days I've begun to do little things with Kessy to get her body in shape again, and one very important thing is to loosen her up with gentle, easy stretching exercises, and I thought I'd share them with you. These carrot exercises are for the horse to release in her own comfort zone, no pressure, no stress.  I recommend these for every horse all the time, but they are highly important to restarting a horse. Once you start doing them, you will be amazed at how much your horse changes.

Kessy demonstrating the side carrot stretch, slow easy and release

First start by offering carrot on the left and right, hold your hand somewhere near her side so she reaches for the carrot. Two things are important, she must not step to come for it, and don't ask for too big of a bend at first. Some horses will bend all the way to their ribs the first time, others will only be able to come half way or less. Whatever suits your horse is best keep it comfortable. This is all you do every day for a few days until she can do this with ease. Then you can add the bow carrot.

Kessy demonstrating the bow carrot stretch, full release, notice she has not bent her knees, this is correct.

To do the bow carrot, reach between her front legs and encourage her to bow to reach for it. At first she may not be able to bow very far, don't push it, reach up to her, keep her comfortable. Gradual increases in reach over a few days will get her all the way. Then you can add the big stretch carrot.

Kessy demonstration the big stretch carrot - notice her feet are planted. If your horse steps around to reach, don't give the carrot, start over, ask for, "Stand," she'll get it.

To do the big stretch carrot your horse must be able to do the side and bow carrots with great ease. Start with them each day, then when she is ready, stand toward her rear, reach between her hind legs up to her toward her belly and encourage her to reach back and under for the carrot. At first she will be confused, side step, try to turn to get it. Be consistent with your encouragement, and ask her to stand still and reach with her neck to accomplish the stretch. If you have given enough days and time to the side and bow stretches she will be able to do the big stretch the first or second time you try, but don't rush it.

Be sure to do these stretches at liberty, no halter no lead rope. She must be free to release, relax and stretch. Don't hurry the process, give each exercise the days it takes to master. Just because your horse snatches the carrot, if she is fast and struggling to grab it, she has not mastered the release, slow down and watch for the graceful move … After you and your horse have mastered them, make them a part of your pre-ride warm up. Kessy and I hope you enjoy these stretches, and joining us on our trail riding restart. From time to time, we'll share more restart exercises.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Natural Horse Magazine-Feature Friday"

Howdy Friends,
 

Natural Horse Magazine is one of the finest, if not the finest magazine available to equine enthusiasts who endeavor to care for their horses, naturally. A quarterly publication, both on line and in print, each issue is packed with valuable information, resources, contacts and knowledge, and pages graced with stunning photographs. Each issue is a journal on equine wellness, and should be kept for future reference. In the manner of full disclosure, I have a column in Natural Horse Magazine, "Holistic Hall of Fame."

Natural Horse Magazine was founded by Randi & Gene Peters in January 1999 as a result of the holistic rehabilitation of one of their mares. Prior to this rehab, the mare had developed several problems, one of which was a severe reaction to fly bites that traditional treatment could not cure. After attending an holistic veterinarian's seminar on herbs and homeopathy, his examination of the mare's real problem (immune system derangement from over-vaccinating), was revealed and through homeopathy, her health was restored. It became Randi and Gene's vision to offer an educational resource on holistic horse care and Natural Horse Magazine was created.

On Auguest1st, 2012 Randi and Gene Peters, co-founders of Natural Horse Magazine, handed its reins to one of the industry's most recognized holistic equine experts, Lisa Ross-Williams. Lisa is not new to the world of educating people about the advantages of caring for their horses in a natural manner she hosted a radio show on the topic for a number of years, was an editor of Equine Wellness Magazine, has been the Associate Editor for Natural Horse Magazine for a number of years, owns the successful Equi-Spirit Toys Company, and is the author of the bestselling book, "Down-to-Earth Natural Horse Care," which I reviewed HERE, and recommend every equine caregiver have as resource.

"Our focus is on humane and natural alternatives to today's traditional means of horse care, including topics in alternative and complementary medicines and therapies as well as wholesome nutrition, cooperative training, natural care and maintenance of the horse and his environment, book and video reviews, special events, a youth section, and more," Lisa explains. "We are proud to be working with many prominent, naturally-inclined equine professionals who share our goal of educating horse lovers about natural ways FOR the horse."

In today's busy, busy world many of us simply don't have the time to read magazines. Friends, I highly suggest you subscribe to Natural Horse Magazine, read and explore the articles. Your horse will thank you.

Have a look at their web site HERE    And their Facebook page HERE

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry 

"Not All Horses Can Go Barefoot"

Howdy Friends,

We keep going back to the thought that not all horses can go barefoot. Personally I don't agree with that, but what if it is true? Could it also be true that a lot more horses could thrive going without iron shoes nailed to their living tissue? Could it ever be healthy to drive nails through the lamina, pare the sole and force undo stress to the suspensory tissues, send shock and vibrations to parts of the body never designed to deal with shock and vibrations? Could it ever be healthy to restrict blood flow to the hoof, leg, tendons and even organs?

Kessy loves her paddock paradise

We hear it said what works for some does not work for all. Some folks say let me alone I know what is best for my horse. Other folks find themselves in boarding situations with peer pressure. Sometimes folks are just trying to get their horse over a situation or condition then they'll go barefoot.

It seems there is always someone to suggest sticking with the tried and untrue iron shoe. A horse needs shoes for, this or that and a whole bunch of other reasons, they say.

Admittedly it can be a whole lot easier for the human to just keep shoes on a horse, or if we have a lameness, or founder issue to go back to shoes, than it is to go the holistic route and go, or stay, barefoot. Yes it might take more management, different housing arrangements, diet and exercise than just sticking on shoes, for a while. But who does that serve? The horse or the human? In the end the barefoot horse actually takes less effort to manage, and costs less too. And is far more healthy for the horse.

There are so many well documented ways to care for, feed and hose a barefoot horse, no one need go it alone anymore. If you are in the midst of making the transition to a truly healthier horse, or struggling with the challenge of a founder or laminatic horse, do yourself and your horse a favor. Before settling on the thought, "Not all horses can go barefoot," talk to friends who ride, show or compete barefoot. Don't seek advice from folks who shoe. There are as many excuses for why a horse must be shod as there are horses. Seek advice from those who live the barefoot life.

Going barefoot is more than just pulling shoes. It's diet, an all forage diet is best. It's housing, a free access run-in is best with room to romp in a limited grass playground; the semi-new idea, started by Jamie Jackson, "Paddock Paradise" is best, some folks call it track paddock, promoting movement over varied surfaces even in limited space. Healthy horses should never be confined to a stall or tiny paddock, movement maintains a healthy horse, and hoof. And it's hoof care. Proper hoof care means trimming every 3 or 4 weeks, done correctly by a trimmer who understands the biomechanics of the horse's hoof and the entire horse. If a trimmer also does iron shoes, get another trimmer.

I may be considered stubborn, or even foolish, but I truly believe every horse can, and should, go without iron shoes. Sure some may require a variation of footing in their playground, (deep sand for a founder horse) different trimming schedules, boots to ride or other specialized management, but so do shod horses. Just consider the plethora of different kinds of iron shoes out there.

Not every horse can go barefoot? Yea, I think they can. And should.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"Expectations"

Howdy Friends,

Do you approach your horse wearing your expectations on your sleeve? Sometimes it's hard not to, and in fact sometimes it's the right thing to do. For without expectations there can be no results, right?

What if we think about our expectations from the horse's point of view? Would we see ourselves in a different light? Expectations to some are goals, to others dreams, to still others demands. Expectations, I think, are best when used as gentle guidelines.

Kessy and me having no expectations

It is wholly correct to expect our horses to be polite and respectful, as long as we are too. In our day to day relationship with our horses many things go unsaid, they simply happen. Waiting politely to go through a gait, walking quietly beside us, standing while saddling, mounting, trimming hooves, these are routine and expectations that have become learned, practiced and … expected. They are part of politeness.

There exists another world of expectations, those when we pursue our chosen activities with our horses. Things we need to learn together, whatever they may be, trail riding, showing, dressage, barrel racing, the things we might love to do, they may be the reason we love horses. There will be expectations as you learn to be a team together. Even if your horse did these things before you knew her, you'll both have expectations. If it is new to your horse, or you, you'll both have expectations.

Horses see, feel and hear expectations differently than we do. If we wear our expectations on our sleeve, our horse will see them as confusing demands. It will be difficult for her to relax and understand. When we allow our expectations to drive our thoughts and actions, the horse cannot feel the tiny intricacies that make up the whole picture leading to the outcome we seek.

Our horses need us to keep our expectations as part of the whole, not the main focus. If we see our goal as part of the picture, and also see and feel the tiny steps required to get there, the picture we paint for our horse will be crystal clear. Our expectations will become theirs too.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Heny

"Madi Was 12 When I Taught Her To Drive"

Howdy Friends,

Watching the Waltons this morning, while feasting on my standard bowl of 6 grain oatmeal, the scene where John-Boy teaches his mother to drive reminded me of the first driving lesson I gave my sweet sister-in-law, Madi. It also put me in mind of the first lesson I gave our wonderful daughter, but that's a story for another day.

Kessy, Saturday and me workin'

Ravishin' Robbie and I still had our dairy farm when Madi asked to drive our old farm truck. It wasn't really a very old truck, but I had managed to flip it one day, that's another story, too, and I had cut the cab, windshield and doors off with a torch so we could use it on the farm. It was a neat roust about rig, no muffler but by golly it had a rocking 350 engine , 4 speed manual transmission and a radio that cranked out what today is older than "golden oldies." Gosh I miss Ferlin Husky, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Roy Clark. (And many others)

Back to the story. Madi was spending a few days with us on the farm and tagging along with me when I had to fire up the cut down Chevy to run out to the back pasture. We had the radio rocking, and even though Madi didn't join me in song, I'm pretty sure the air blowing her blond hair straight back, the loud engine and a little too fast driving had her as cranked up as I was. I seem to remember a smile as wide as that open cab and a her yelling, "Faster." Of course I had to cowboy a little, a few fishtails on the dusty bumpy field road added to the excitement.

Before we started back I asked her if she really wanted to drive. I don't remember any hesitation when she declared, "Heck yea!" Keep in mind we were pretty stoked, and giggly, and all alone in a field far from Ravishin' Robbie's stern looks. I shut off the engine, slid the bench seat all the way forward, and helped her to the driver's side.

She was a little gal, and looked adorable sitting on the edge of the seat and looking out through the steering wheel, her toes barely reaching the peddles. The clutch on that old truck was mighty stiff but Madi managed to push it in with her toes, a grunt and giggle. We took a few moments and ran through the basics, like where the gears are and shifting, how to gently let out the clutch while giving a little gas to pull out, and of course steering.

Now this old rig had one of those 4 speeds with what we called a granny gear; that is a very low first gear. On the road you would use second gear to pull out, but I knew Madi would do better and not stall if she started with the granny gear. After a few tries she nailed it! We took off like a jet, back wheels spinning, kicking up dust clean to the next county. Got to give it to her, she stayed straight and true on that twisty, bumpy field road, squealing with glee all the way. I think it was the first time I ever saw that old truck hit 30 miles an hour in low gear!

I had her rein the old girl in before the house came into view, you know to keep from getting Robbie all upset at our craziness, and we drove smooth as silk right up to the porch. We had a few more outings together in that chopped down Chevy, but I don't think either of us enjoyed them as much as that first day.

One of these days I'll tell you about the first day I taught our daughter Abbie to drive.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry