December 2023 Saddle Up! Magazine by Saddle Up! Magazine

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SADDLE UP! MAGAZINE DIRECTORY 2M Equine Productions Animal Health Solutions, Equerry Arnold Lumber Belle Terra Valuations, LLC Black River Farm & Ranch Brightside Tack & Consignment Cashmans Horse Equipment Copper Mare Ranch DR Trailer Sales Fiber Luxe Blanket Cleaning Good As New Blankets Healthy Futures Organic Feed Hubbard Feeds Humane Society of HV Indiana Equine Roundup 2024 Ivory Farm Boarding Jim’s Quality Saddle Justin Curry Equine Dentist Keller Williams, S. Baumgartner Legend Land Feed & Supply

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Legend Land Fencing Supply 47 Livingston County 4-H Tack Sale 17 Livingston Feed & Seed 6 Livingston Stables 52 Lynnman Construction 56 MI Horse Expo 2024 45 MI Ponderosa Boarding 47 MI Quarter Horse Tack Sale 36 Moore’s Horse Co. Tack Sales 49 MSU 4-H Horse Judges Conference 13 PrecisionTemp Hot Water System 8 Premier Metalworks 53 Quarter Moon Farm, Bemer Dist. 10 Re/Max Platinum, Kathie Crowley 5 Show Clothes Unlimited 49 Sparta Chevy & Trailers 2 T Wellness Tea Tree Oil Products 6 Worch Lumber 7 Wright Place Fence 54

ARTICLES & NEWS 4-H News: MI, OH & IN 18-19 Association/Trail Riders News 14-16 Abel, C.: Is My Horse Too Cold? 48-49 Cardeccia, K: Being Present 23 Johnson, C.: Shadarobah Rescue 20-21 KY Equine Research: Hay For Horses 50-51 Kiley, L.: Winter Senior Horse Care 22 Palm, Lynn: Equest. Sports Coach 34-35 Ramey, D. DVM: Healthy Horses 24-25 United Horse Coalition 33 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Advertising Rates 2024 Business Card Ad Rates Classified Ads (Free 2 Months) Find Ayla Kids’ Contest Membership Drive 2024 Show & Event Dates Are Free! Subscribe to Saddle Up! Tack Sale Special – Improved!

25 52 26-28 23 12 29-32 35 17

Thank You to Our Wonderful Advertisers! We appreciate your business ~ The Couturier Family

JAN 2024 ISSUE DEADLINE DEC 18 OUR 2024 AD RATES ARE THE SAME AS 2023! 15% off horse association/non-profit discount

810.714.9000 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com 24 Hour Fax: 517.300.7095

Free Online Show & Event Calendar:

C & C Publishing, Inc. | 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430

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KATHIE CROWLEY (248) 207-7222 Realtor & Equine Professional | kathie.crowley@yahoo.com 39+ ACRES – LAND CONTRACT TERMS!

FOR SALE: VACANT LAND – ONAWAY, MI Cheboygan County, Waverly Twp. Wildlife is everywhere on this private 20 acres of land. Close to Black Lake.

NG I D PEN

HOLLY, MI (ROSE TWP.): VACANT LAND! 39+ acres with frontage on two roads! Gently rolling, currently used for hay. Build your dream home. MLS# 20221033494. Price Improvement $450,000!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Thank You to everyone who has given me the privilege of handling all of your real estate needs.

With Love & Appreciation, Kathie Everything KATHIE CROWLEY lists turns to SOLD! INVENTORY This is a great time to sell since there isn’t enough NEEDED! property on the market. Contact me today!

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14177 Plank Rd., Milan, MI 48160 US-23 Exit 25, South of Ann Arbor (two exits north of Cabela’s)

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REALTY LIVINGSTON

SUSAN BAUMGARTNER ~ 517-404-6511

13 ACRES WITH INDOOR ARENA & STABLE | LAPEER CO. BETWEEN DAVISON/LAPEER, MI – $240,000. Tired of boarding your horses? Monthly payment may be less than board if you have several horses! You could lease/board out some space for additional income. Buy your own private barn with indoor arena near I-69. Currently 5 stalls (2 are double sized stalls), ofce, tack room on one side of the arena. Other aisle way has large run-in area, plenty of space to add additional stalls. Ample hay storage including loft areas. Small indoor arena has new footing and is approx. 70x64. Has a deck next to tack room that could be a viewing area. 2019 barn got a NEW metal roof, NEW asphalt ooring in aisle way between stalls, NEW ooring in stalls. Barn was painted in 2020. Stall mats and fencing needed, otherwise turnkey. Barn has water/electric. Veggie stand at road. Property has a wooded area, rest is farmed, excellent for hunting. Plenty of room to build a house. Viewing by APPOINTMENT ONLY. NOT suitable as a grow barn.

THINKING OF LISTING YOUR PROPERTY? We have buyers looking for property with horse barn for 2 to 10 horses in Livingston County and surrounding areas! HORSE FARMS, FARMLAND & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN MICHIGAN

REALTY LIVINGSTON 8491 Grand River Ave., Ste. 100, Brighton, MI 48116

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MI House and Farm Each Office Independently Owned & Operated. All information deemed accurate, but not guaranteed.

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Saddle Up! Magazine JANUARY 2024 ANNUAL

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Saddle Up! Magazine proudly offers horse associations and trail riding groups special advertising rates in our Annual Membership Drive that’s featured in our January 2024 printed edition. All ads will be printed in black and white, but will appear online in full color on our website at: www.saddleupmag.com for 12 months. We will post the Membership Drive section on both of our Facebook pages numerous times throughout the year as well, to help remind people to join your group. Utilize your space for your membership form, your 2024 event schedule or anything you wish, it’s your choice! PLUS: Your association will receive a free one year banner ad (a $120 value) on our website.

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Digital Membership Drive section features DOUBLE your ad size. Pay for a 1/2 page and receive a full page online! Also includes a FREE ONLINE BANNER AD for one year on our website at: https://saddleupmag.com/

ALL HORSE ASSOCIATIONS & TRAIL RIDING GROUPS WELCOME!

JOIN US IN 2024! 810.714.9000 | Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com

Ofﬁce Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm | 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430 | Fax: 517.300.7095

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5,000+ ONLINE MONTHLY READERS

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Michigan 4-H Horse Show Judges & Volunteers Conference January 13-14, 2024 MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI This annual event hosted by the Department of Animal Science and the Michigan 4-H Horse Judges Advisory Committee is open to all Judges, Horse Show Managers, and Adult Volunteers. The registration fee is $80 and includes lunch on Saturday, as well as program materials. Please register by January 2, 2024, to avoid the late registration fee (additional $20). Online payment and registration link: https://commerce.cashnet.com/MSU_3645 For counties interested in using University account numbers for payment, please send an email prior to January 2, to the event coordinator, Carla McLachlan at carlam@msu.edu

Agenda Subject to change based on speaker availability. Saturday, January 13th 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

11:35 – 12:35 PM 12:45 – 1:30 PM 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

3:00 – 3:15 PM 3:15 – 4:45 PM

4:45- 5:30 PM 5:30 – 6:00 PM 6:15-6:30 PM Sunday, January 14th 9 AM – 10:30 AM 10:40 – 11:45 AM 11:45 – 12 Noon 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Continental Breakfast Welcome and Overview, Roundtable Icebreaker Session Introduction of New Conditional Judges, MI 4-H Horse & Pony Project Update – Karen Waite Evaluating Hunter Under Saddle – Craig Wood OR Hiring Judges (Including Social Media) – Tom Rossman & Christy Deal Draft Horse Conformation – David Lindsay LUNCH (and Networking Time) Judging Hunter Over Fences – Craig Wood OR Coffee With Horse Judges – A Q&A Panel for Show Managers Karen Waite, Jennifer Wahr, Terri Delbridge, TBD BREAK Evaluating Equitation Over Fences – Craig Wood OR Horse Show Software and Ofﬁce Organization – Megan McCally and Rebecca Rhett Pattern Class Potpourri – Using the “New” Scoring System – Group Judging What Horse Judging Has Done for Me – Craig Wood Dodge Miner and Schroeder Streﬂing Award Dinner on your own, Social Time Form to Function – John Shelle Using Form to Function in a Mixed Breed Class – Karen Waite Conference Wrap Up – Judges Advisory Committee Lunch on your own for Conditional Judges Conditional Judges Program (Mandatory for ALL Conditional Judges) Facilitators: Stacie Rulison, and Karen Waite

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

This is a free section! Deadline: 16th for the following months issue. Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com

Join us, this section is free!

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS Pinto Horse Association of Ohio

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS HORSE ASSOCIATIONS & TRAIL RIDING GROUPS

MICHIGAN

We want to help you share your message! Join us monthly, bi-monthly or as needed. There is no cost to your group and we’ll always have a spot waiting for you! Word Limit: 600 words Deadline: 16th for following issue. Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com First time submission? Please include logo, email, website, and social media page. Word document, PDF or within the body of your email will work great.

810.714.9000 Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com www.saddleupmag.com

Wishing you and yours a very

Merry Christmas The Couturier Family; Bill & Cindy, Jason & Arlette, and Mila & Logan

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Livingston County 4-H Hartland

NEW & USED TACK SALE Saturday, February 10th, 2024 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Proceeds will be used for the Livingston County 4-H Horse Committee

FREE

Hartland Educational Support Service Center

Admission

9525 E. Highland Road, Howell, MI 48843 Sponsored by the Livingston County 4-H Horse Committee

Public invited to buy or sell • Space available: 6’x8’ = $20 or 6’x16’ = $30 • Tables available (5’-6’) $5 per table (additional fee). Please obtain space for any kind of racks. These cannot be in the aisles. • Fees are non-refundable. • No dogs (except service dogs).

Set-up begins at 8 a.m. DOORS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 10 A.M. No early sales or entry

Name or Group Contact Person

RESERVE YOUR SPACE: Make checks payable to LCHLA Mail to: LCHLA c/o MSU Extension 2300 E. Grand River, Suite 111, Howell, MI 48843 For more information contact: Paula (517) 404-4544, email: gustyacres@yahoo.com Visit: https://bit.ly/2024TackSale for additional forms

Phone Email No. of 6’x8’ space(s) No. of table(s)

No. of 6’x16’ space(s) Tables range from 5’-6’ and are $5 each

MSU is an afrmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

New and Improved...

TACK SALE SPECIAL Free Ad Upgrade for Non-Proﬁt Organizations! Purchase a 1/2 page ad for $125,

Purchase a 1/4 page ad for $95,

GET A FULL PAGE AD!

GET A 1/2 PAGE AD!

($185 value)

($125 value)

$60.00 Off!

$30.00 Off!

Rates above are for a printed black and white ad for one month. MUST be a non-proﬁt organization to participate. No other discounts may apply. Offer valid all year long. All other ad sizes available at 15% Off. Includes promotion on both of our Facebook sites: Tri-State Horse Shows & Saddle Up! Magazine Plus posted on our online calendar https://saddleupmag.com/

810.714.9000 saddleupmag@gmail.com 24 Hour Fax: 517.300.7095 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430

https://saddleupmag.com/

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4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. Wri en by Lisa Skylis, in collabora on with Cindy Couturier, editor, Saddle Up! Magazine

MICHIGAN 4-H https://www.canr.msu.edu/4h/ Join 4-H staff online as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! This month's 4-H Wild Spartans Series will take a dive into the Great Lakes and rivers to explore their cold water residents. Join us on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 6:30pm EST for “Casting for a Career in Coldwater Conservation.” You will meet the Great Lakes Engagement Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, Jamie Vaughan, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free series is open to 4-H and non 4-H youth ages 12-19 years. Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm EST. Pre-registration is required online and will be accepted until the day of the event, December 12. Looking ahead, the next Wild Spartans will be January 10, 2024 at 6:30pm and the topic will be announced soon! Come one, come all to the Holiday Scrapbook Workshop hosted by the MSU Extension Lenawee Office on January 23, 2024. Offered from 6pm until 8pm, participants should bring 4-6 holiday themed photos to create a two-page scrapbook display. The instructor will have many cutting tools and other supplies for you to use! The cost for this scrapbooking workshop will be $5 per person and children under the ages of 9 will require an adult to assist them. Registration is required for this event and will be due January 20, 2024 at 12am. Any cancellations on the day of the event will not be refunded. Head to MSU Campus for the eighteenth annual celebration of MSU Extension 4-H

Day at the Breslin on February 24, 2024! Spartans will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday, February 24 at the Breslin Center on MSU's campus. Tip-off is 2 p.m. with gates opening to the public at 12:30 p.m. Please come early to enjoy all the fun activities going on around the concourse! This event is free for the Michigan 4-H community including MSU Extension and 4-H youth, volunteers, partners, stakeholders, staff, alumni and their families! A link to order tickets will be available soon. For more information about Michigan 4H, please contact Taylor Fabus, 4-H Horse and Pony Extension Educator, by email at tenlenta@msu.edu

OHIO 4-H https://www.ohio4h.org/ The Winter Vendor Fair at Canter's Cave 4-H Camp will be held on Saturday, December 9 from 9am until 3pm at 1362 Caves Road, Jackson, Ohio 45640. As a reminder to any vendors, vendor spaces will be located inside the Main Lodge and set-up is Friday, December 8 from 8am to 3pm or Saturday, December 9 at 7:30am. If you have any questions, please contact Camp Manager Annie Warrens by phone at 740.286.4058 or email her at canterscave4hcamp@gmail.com Mark your calendars, for the Ohio State 4-H Horse Advisors Training on Saturday, January 27, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. The Training will feature presentations on holistic veterinary care, equine nutrition, how to properly evaluate your horse, and the newest Ohio 4-H Horse Class – Ranch Trail! Registration for the event will open on January 1st and more details will be released mid-December. Ohio 4-H Horse & Pony would like to highlight the dedication and efforts of

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Robin Wedlak, a 4-H advisor and volunteer from Jefferson County. Robin has been involved in the Ohio 4-H Horse Program for many years and has helped with all the State Events we are proud to offer our 4-H equestrians and horselovers in Ohio. She also sits on the State Horse Advisory Committee, where she helps every year to develop new and fun programs for the 4-H youth. Thank you so much Robin, for your immense efforts to improve our Horse & Pony Program and to encourage the next generation of Horse & Pony leaders! For more information about any Ohio 4-H Horse events, contact Dr. Kimberly Cole, the Ohio State Ext. Equine Specialist, by email at cole.436@osu.edu

INDIANA 4-H https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/ Join us this 2023 Holiday season for a merry and bright drive-thru experience in Elkhart County! Visit the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds for the Holiday Lights event that will run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from November 30 through December 30. Our 4-H Fairground elves are hard at work putting together the most extravagant drive-thru holiday light experience for you and your family this winter. Hours will be: Thursdays from 6pm-9pm, Fridays from 6pm-10pm, and Saturdays from 6pm-10pm. All vehicles in line by closing time will be admitted and admission is $10 per car load. You are invited to join us for an unveiling of the new 4-H INDY (Igniting New Discovery in Youth) makerspace on Saturday, December 16 between 1 - 4 p.m. at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Discovery Hall, 1202 E. 38th St. Suite 200. 4-H INDY will provide a place for all young people to learn, collaborate, and HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. Wri en by Lisa Skylis, in collabora on with Cindy Couturier, editor, Saddle Up! Magazine

INDIANA 4-H, CONT. https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/ explore. The space will offer hands-on learning opportunities focused on the four core pillars of 4-H: Agriculture/STEM, Civic Engagement, Healthy Living, and Volunteer Development. Visit us on December 16 between 1-4 p.m. for a day of celebration and gift-giving at 4-H INDY. Enjoy the new space, explore gift stations, and take home your creations. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. 4-H families, volunteers, and friends are ALL welcome! Looking ahead, 4-H Day at the Statehouse will be on February 13, 2024 at the Indiana Statehouse. Youth in 7-12 grade will learn about their state government through a day full of civic engagement and leadership. Participants will tour the statehouse, meet representatives, and have the opportunity to serve as student pages. For more details, please reach out to Sthele Greybar via email at sgreybar@ purdue.edu or calling 574.533.0554. Finally, Indiana Horse & Pony 4-H would like to recognize the excellence of their very own Knox County volunteer super-

MI, OH & IN

star, Dianna Hatcher. Dianna has volunteered for Knox County 4-H Horse & Pony youth program for 25 years, has judged Horse & Pony shows for 24 years, and has assisted with checking tack at the Indiana State Fair for 21 years. She has served on numerous committees that include 4-H Council, 4-H Livestock Committee, as well as having numerous leadership roles as the Knox County horse and pony club leader and superintendent. Dianna is very committed to the youth in her club and raising funds to help her club. With her leadership the Horse & Pony Club is able to host open shows, tack auctions, vaccination clinics, trail rides, dinners, and work days at the fairgrounds. Dianna was also instrumental in raising the funds used to build the restroom, playground, and food stand at the horse and pony arena at the Knox County fairgrounds. This individual is not only committed to the youth in the 4-H program, but also to all youth in the community by serving as a bus driver, retired from a school cook, and as a foster-to-adopt parent. Thank you, Dianna, for your excellent leadership and commitment to your 4-H community!

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Shadarobah Horse Rescue By Cindy Johnson | Email: cjquimby@gmail.com There are plenty of sad stories featuring mistreated, abused, and neglected animals. Thankfully, there is a finite group of animal lovers that take on the challenge of saving precious animals. A majority of these groups operate mostly on love and shoestring budgets, forever fund-raising, soliciting supplies, and seeking volunteer help. One such organization Shadarobah (Native American for 'May the future be better than the past') operates out of 4 locations in Indiana. These locations are privately owned and are safe havens for horses, dogs, cats, and any other animals left behind at rescue sites. They cover all counties in Indiana and have also rescued animals from Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Oklahoma. This rescue began with a non-horse person who had been rescuing cats and dogs since she was a teenager. Michelle Bobay's husband would joke that “Anyone who had a stray animal should check out the bird house,” as their house was distinctive with its bird house façade. At work one day, Michelle was approached by a friend about a horse needing a home. That Friday, after visiting the horse named Leroy Brown, she was determined to find him a new home. By Monday, Leroy had been moved into a safe location. Leroy is now 23, and Michelle credits him for the beginnings of Shadarobah. “We really developed a bond, and he will stay with me always.” The next step was finding a place in the country so she could keep Leroy with her. The Bobay's bought a farm, moved in and soon more horses arrived. Michelle said, “I was paying for all their care pay-check to pay-check.” After moving into their new place in July of 2009, by word-ofmouth by September, 24 horses were residing at the new location. More volunteers joined and the horse rescue became incorporated in October of 2008. Cindy Stafford is one of the loyal volunteers. She was not a horse person but always liked horses. “I saw the need on Facebook and decided to help,” Cindy comes Thursday mornings to feed and clean stalls. Michelle said, “I can still remember we were so proud when we reached our 30th horse rescue.” Since its inception, Shadarobah has become the first contact from law enforcement for rescue animals. During our interview, Michelle got a call from the Indiana State Veterinarian about 7 horses needing rescue. Within hours, the group was mobilized for this latest operation. Unfortunately, not all horses are able to be saved and some must be mercifully euthanized on location, as their health has deteriorated too far for medical intervention. The mystery remains as to why people let their animals suffer to the extreme that they need outside intervention. Michelle said, “People's circumstances change, some are relocation problems, financial problems, or divorce. One family had to move cross DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

Doc came as a neglected stallion on the verge of death. Today, he is at nearly every event and loves kids. country and couldn't take their horse. They paid us for a year's care, so that we could find another home for their mare.” These voluntary releases are rare. Most cases involve shocking circumstances. Michelle said, “We rate a rescue horse's body condition on a scale of 1-10. At the lower end, the horse's body begins to atrophy, and his body is feeding off itself attempting to stay alive. When they get that skinny, bones fall out of sockets without muscles and fat to hold them in place creating joint and mobility issues. We had one mare Dena, who was a 1 at the time of rescue. She is now solid and ready to be rehomed.” Each horse is evaluated upon rescue and is slowly fed back to health, vaccinated, has their teeth floated, is dewormed, been evaluated by Magna Wave (seeking trouble spots), has their hooves trimmed, and if needed receives a chiropractic adjustment. The average rehabilitation turn-around time is 6 months before a horse is ready for adoption. Some never get adopted and stay with their foster homes. One such rescue is a mini whose hip had rotated 180 degrees. Since 2008, 400 horses, mules, donkeys, and minis have been rehomed. Only 30 are left to place at this time, not counting the newest rescues, since the status of those horses is still unknown. Operating with a board of directors and numerous volunteers, each potential adopter is carefully evaluated and matched with a prospective adoptee and is required to make on-site visits under supervision and is also subject to home visits as a potential new home. Adopters must provide references from their veterinarian and farrier. Michelle said, “We also can set up a foster-to-adopt program for up to 90 days to make sure the match will work.” Usually only 1 in 10 animals are returned for various reasons. Michelle said, “If it is not a good match for a long relationship, if the horse and owner are not happy, it is not a successful adoption.” The group also helps after the adoption. One adopted mare began acting up at her new home. After a visit, it was discovered that she was afraid of cross ties. Once they were eliminated, she became docile again, and is now safely ridden by kids. One of the sites, Columbia City offers horse care educational (20) HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

Shadarobah Horse Rescue, continued programs for new owners. More programs are in the works. The organization has a budget of around $30,000 annually, as the 4 locations are considered foster homes and no board fees are charged. All money goes directly to caring for the animals. To make the budget, the group has several fund-raisers, the spring event is an Easter egg hunt, which includes wagon and pony rides. Unfortunately, this year, the Halloween benefit was cancelled at the last minute at the intended location. This left the organization $10,000 short for winter supplies. Michelle said, “We're still trying to recover and figure out a plan. We need 600 square grass hay bales and 80 round grass hay bales to get us through the winter.” After multiple rescues, the group applied for a grant to assist with an additional program called 'No Animal Left Behind.' At many of the rescue sites, companion animals were also needing help. The group expanded to include, cats, dogs, pigs, and any other on-site animals needing to be rescued. Last year, that meant a cow. This year, 11 dogs, 85 cats (30 who are still available for adoption), and 1 pig named Wilbur (who has decided to stay in Auburn with Michelle) were rescued. This past month, 3 goats were rescued and are in the process of being adopted. One of the crucial responsibilities of any organization is a plan of succession. Michelle revealed, “Our vice president/adoption coordinator passed away a year ago in November. Also, our trusted veterinarian Dr. Fisher from Huntertown passed away. This was a difficult time. Luckily, Auburn Hills Veterinary Hospital is caring for us now.” Michelle's son will step up as President when Michelle is not available. Volunteers are always needed. As long as there is a need, such organizations will do what they can to help.

Donations Welcome

This mini now does therapy work in schools, nursing homes and for disabled veterans.

Michelle Bobay and Leroy Brown

Email: shadarobahdonations@gmail.com PayPal: shadarobahdonations@gmail.com Shadarobah Horse Rescue P.O. Box 15323, Fort Wayne, IN 46885 https://www.shadarobah.com/donatefundraisers.html DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

Traveler was rescued from a kill pen. Now is with the daughter of new owner.

About the author: Cindy Johnson has been a horse owner since she was 13 years old. She is also a freelance writer. If you wish to have an article written about your equine pursuits, please email her at: cjquimby@gmail.com (21)

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Tips For Senior Horses Going Into Winter Written by Lisa Kiley with Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS Senior horses are truly special creatures, often they have been the ones to help make our riding goals and dreams come true over the years. So, when the weather is colder, it only makes sense that we take extra care to make sure that they get through the harsher seasons comfortably. I had the chance to catch up with Dr. Nettie Liburt who is the Senior Equine Nutrition Manager at Mars Horsecare US/BUCKEYE Nutrition and we talked about some of the things to think about when going into winter with the senior horse. Understanding your horse as an individual is the basis for developing a healthy program for not just seniors, but horses across the lifespan. This means close monitoring, Dr. Liburt advised that knowing what your horse weighs should involve consistent use of a weight tape. Personally, she sets a notification in her phone to remind herself to weigh monthly, but even weighing every time the farrier comes to visit is a great start. The point is that this regular practice will clue you in on subtle changes that might go unnoticed if you rely on visual evaluation alone. In addition to home monitoring, Dr. Liburt stressed the importance of regular wellness checks. A good relationship with your veterinarian is essential for maintaining your horse’s health, but she also recommends that any abnormal change in weight or condition garner an appointment to assess what the root of the problem may be. There are several issues that can plague older horses, Dr. Liburt encourages checking teeth, and testing for metabolic and endocrine abnormalities can help with early diagnosis of aliments such as Cushing’s and allow for prompt and appropriate treatment. Quality forage needs to be the cornerstone of any feeding program to keep horses healthy and increase their longevity. The other part of the horses feeding program should be based off what is needed to complete the horse’s nutritional needs, which may change as your horse gets older. Dr. Liburt recommends looking at calories in context of balancing what is needed based on what is expended, but reminds us that vitamin, mineral and protein requirements do not change just because a senior horse may not be in regular work. She recommends a high quality, commercial ration balancer to help meet these nutrient needs and if necessary, a fat supplement for extra calories. While noting that not all senior horses are insulin resistant, it is more likely to be an issue as they age. Dr. Liburt advises that weighing feed rations is critical for determining exactly how much the horse is getting. As mentioned earlier, dental health checks are very important and especially so for senior horses as they may begin having issues that may affect how they eat. As a horse ages, they may have trouble chewing and therefore breaking down forage to get adequate nutrition from it. Dr. Liburt suggest monitoring how much of the hay your horse is eating vs. what is wasted, which may be an indicator that the horse is unable to properly chew. In these cases, she recommends soaking the hay or enlisting DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

soaked cubes or pellets so that the horse will be getting the quantity of forage they need to maintain weight. If the feed is more palatable, your horse will be able to more easily swallow and therefore digest the forage allowing for proper utilization of nutrients in the feed. Another area of observation that Dr. Liburt recommends is how your senior horse is interacting with the herd. Even if the horse is in good general health and its teeth are regularly maintained, a horse can show signs of weight loss if they are run off their feed by pasture mates. As horses get older, they can fall in pecking order and get pushed around by those ranking higher in the group. In these cases, it is important to make sure that the senior horse can be separated from herd mates at mealtime and allowed to eat in peace. Senior horses may also take a little longer to eat, so having a stall or small corral where they can eat undisturbed is important for them to get their full ration. While horses are often hardier than we give them credit for, senior horses may need some additional support as the weather gets colder. Dr. Liburt explained that as a horse gets older, they often have a harder time regulating their body temperature. So, while a shelter from the elements may be enough for younger horses, senior horses often need a blanket to help them maintain body temperature to avoid unnecessary calorie expenditure just to keep them warm. Blankets should fit well to prevent rubbing, be the right weight to provide warmth, but not so heavy that they sweat, and if the horse is outdoors, it should be waterproof. If you observe your horse shivering, action needs to be taken to help warm them. In addition to proper food and shelter going into the winter, Dr. Liburt also urged that owners of senior horses keep them moving. Regular exercise is important to the horse’s health and wellbeing. She mentioned that just as the adage “if you don’t use it, you lose it” can be applied to people, it goes for horses as well. Even if they are not able to maintain the level of work they once did, keeping them in a program that is suitable for their fitness level can improve longevity. Ample turnout is also important to keep them moving and is extremely beneficial. Taking the proper steps to maintain your senior horse with a few of these simple steps can help ensure they will maintain their health for years to come. (740) 363-6073 https://www.cashmans.com/ About the author: Lisa Kiley is a horse enthusiast and a proud member of the Cashman’s Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, OH. (22)

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Being Present Kim Cardeccia | https://confidencethroughconnection.com/ Being present is transformative for both our horses and for us. Our attentive presence creates a sense of security and trust for our perceptive equine companions. It serves as a unique form of communication that transcends words, allowing for an emotional connection through which our horses can find solace and reassurance. In this shared connection, our horses discover healing, understanding, and safety. Moreover, this practice of being present isn't just a gift for our horses, it's a gift to ourselves. Immersing fully in the moment with our horses becomes a form of self-care, easing our stress and anxiety. It fosters a calmness within us, offering a refuge from worries and facilitating our emotional healing and personal growth. To delve a bit deeper, consider that our horses are incredibly attuned to our emotional states. When we're fully present, they sense our authenticity, and it deepens the bond we share. It's a silent language, a dance of energy and understanding that goes beyond the visible. This shared connection not only brings peace and relaxation to our horses but also enhances our own well-being. Furthermore, grounding ourselves in the present moment acts as a remedy for future concerns, reducing anxiety and encouraging a focus on the present. This mindful practice serves as a shield against depression, creating a tranquil space and nurturing a positive perspective.

Here's another reason to give it a go: by being present with our horses, we are cultivating a skill that extends into our daily lives. The ability to be fully present can positively impact our relationships, work, and overall sense of fulfilment. Ultimately, being fully present becomes a source of healing, benefiting both our horses and ourselves in profound ways. Hopefully, I've convinced you that directing your focus into the now is worth the effort. Keep repeating as often as necessary. No need to include judgment!

Happy Holidays!

Kimberly Cardeccia MA, LPC started Hidden Promise because of what she was witnessing in her counseling clients and riding students. Riding students started disclosing infor-mation in conversations much deeper, much quicker than her counseling clients. Interestingly, the riding students were also reporting changes in their lives outside of the riding arena as a result of their interaction with horses. In addition, Kim noticed how many riders were facing some type of apprehension, fear or even traumatic reaction around the horses. She made it her mission to help with lack of confidence and all of its fallout. Read more: https://confidencethroughconnection.com/

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Five Simple Things You Should Do To Help Keep Your Horse Healthy By David Ramey, DVM | https://www.doctorramey.com/ In my experience, people spend a lot of time worrying about things that they can do to keep their horse(s) in the best health possible. Of course, that’s completely understandable; people invest a lot of time, effort, and money into these very special animals. However, after all of these years in horse practice, two things perplex me: • People spend money on lots of needless things that cost a lot of money • People don’t do some very easy and inexpensive things that don’t cost much of anything, but are very important There seem to be a limitless number of items that fall into Category 1, many of which are heavily advertised: some even prescribed. Today, it’s time for Category 2. Let’s address five simple things that anyone can and should do to help keep their horses from getting sick. After all, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” right (Benjamin Franklin first said it, in case you wondered)? Most people keep their horses around other horses, at least eventually (at a show or something). So, even if your horse spends most of his time by himself – which is not that common, and, given that horses are herd animals, and love being around other horses – he’s probably going to be around other horses at least sometime. For horses, being around other horses, for horses, is like sending your kid off to school for the first time. Sure it’s great and exciting and fun and a new experience and all, but it’s not too long before your kid comes home with a runny nose and the whole family has a cold. The fact of the matter is that there are lots of germs out there – bacteria and viruses, mostly, but also things we don’t think about much, like fungal skin infections that are only two happy to move from person to person. It works exactly the same way in horses. But you can – and should – do these five very simple things to help keep your horse healthy. It cuts down on veterinary visits, too! AVOID DIRECT HORSE TO HORSE CONTACT Sure, there are plenty of dangerous things in your horse’s environment. Wire fences. Potholes, Traffic cones. Small puddles that could be 20,000 feet deep (you never know). But insofar as your horse’s health goes, one of the most threatening things out there is another horse. Each horse is it’s own germ station, and all sorts of microorganisms happily live on and in him. Horses are only to happy to share those microorganisms: muzzling, and sniffing, and pushing, and blowing and… well you get the idea. It’s like the first day at school with kids, and for horses, it’s like that pretty much every day. So, tip #1 is to keep your horse from direct contact with other horses. That’s not just for your horse – it’s for the other horse, too. Your horse is just as likely to carry something as is the other horse. Of course, this is especially important if a horse is sick, DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

but even apparently healthy horses can be carriers (that’s one reason why, for example, “strangles” is so hard to get out of the horse population). ASIDE: In a stable population of horses, say, one where several horses are kept together in pasture, they’ve pretty much shared their germs, just like kids in school. It’s new horses coming in, or when the pastured horses go out, that things get a bit more risky. CHECK YOUR HORSE DAILY AND TAKE HIS TEMPERATURE Usually, people have a pretty good idea when something is seriously wrong with their horse. But infectious diseases – the sorts of things that it’s really worth taking the time to try to prevent – don’t always start by showing up as a serious problem. You want to check him regularly. Make sure he’s eating. Make sure he’s drinking. Make sure there’s nothing obvious. And take his temperature, too. It’s not hard – in fact, I’m constantly amazed that 99% of the horses don’t seem to mind having a thermometer put where the sun doesn’t shine. There are tutorials on how to take your horse’s temperature online – no reason to belabor the point. Just do it (and your veterinarian will be impressed when you call with that information, too). AVOID HORSE-TO-HUMAN-TO-HORSE CONTACT You can be part of the problem, too. You can be a fomite. Germs aren’t picky about who or what carries them between horses. So, if you’re moving from horse to horse, take some time to clean off your shoes between stalls or paddocks. Wash your hands before going from one horse to another. Use disposable gloves if you’re handling stuff that looks icky and then throw the gloves away before you go to the next horse and put on another pair. Your sleeves, jacket, shirt, pants… just about anything can carry infectious material from one horse to another. Be careful and be clean – it will help prevent disease transmission between horses if you’re dealing with sick ones, and it will help keep the healthy ones healthy. AVOID SHARING EQUIPMENT UNLESS YOU THOROUGHLY CLEAN AND DISINFECT IT BETWEEN USES I, for one, am not one who generally recommends that people invest their money in custom equipment for each and every one of their horses. It gets to be pretty expensive, and keeping track of everything can be challenging. That said, if you use equipment such as brushes or curry combs on more than one horse, make (24)

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Five Simple Things You Should Do To Help Keep Your Horse Healthy, continued sure you take the time to clean them between horses. Obviously, you want to get rid of easily seen debris, but germs aren’t quite so apparent. Take the time to dip your grooming equipment in a disinfectant solution such as dilute bleach between horses; the last think that you want to do is spread organisms that can cause skin infections. Saddle pads, too – they’re great for spreading skin problems. A little common sense can go a long way. AVOID THE USE OF COMMUNAL WATER SOURCES Do your family eat off of the same plate at dinner? Is there one, big glass for the table? Do you share napkins? I think you get the idea here. The reason we don’t do that, of course, is to try to keep from passing germs. Who wants backwash in their glass? And it’s the same thing for horses. Although there’s nothing more convenient than one big water trough for a big bunch of horses, it’s also one of the most common places from which disease can spread. One sick horse that drags his snotty nose around and through a watering trough can get the whole bunch sick pretty quickly; nothing like moisture to help germs persist in the environment. Of course, if you have control of the horses on your property, and no new horses are coming in, there’s no reason at all to completely avoid having a common water source. But if you’re going off property, bring a bucket. It will help your horse’s health in the long run.

The normal rectal temperature of a horse is 99.5 to 101.5°F (37.5 to 38.6°C).

None of this should be particularly controversial and all of it is pretty easy to do. Good hygiene goes a long way to keeping your horse healthy. Make sure you’re not part of the problem. DAVID RAMEY, DVM: Dr. Ramey began his veterinary practice in 1984 in southern California. He has been providing outstanding care to horses ever since. He specializes in the care and treatment of pleasure and performance horses. His clients particularly value his no nonsense approach, focused on providing services instead of selling products, his compassion for horses, and his ethical approach to the practice of veterinary medicine. https://www.doctorramey.com/

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CLASSIFIED ADS FARRIER SERVICE Hoof Care Matters! Over 30 years of experience in trimming, shoeing and corrective shoeing. Ask about teeth floating too! Serving Oakland County and surrounding counties. JOHN PETERSON FARRIER – 248.303.6498 Milford, MI (Oakland) (S-08/24)

FARRIER WRITTEN BOOK EVERYDAY PROBLEMS OF EQUINE LAMENESS: Causes, Solutions & Facts by Orthopedic Farrier, Brian D. Gnegy, CMF. Topics such as: Proper alignment of trailers in relation to equine anatomy. Complete index on Amazon. M-12/23 Email: brian.gnegy.personal@gmail.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKR8PD3X

HORSES FOR SALE

INCOME OPPORTUNITY

2 FLASHY LEOPARD KNABSTRUPPER’S:

52 yr. old manufacturing company expanding. We are looking for individuals that have experience in agriculture and animal health, who are interested in building there own business using Christian principles. Please leave background/contact info.: 888.266.0014, ext. 8778 (S-12/24)

Yearling filly and a weanling colt with fabulous temperaments. Outstanding movement with talent for multiple high level rings of sport. Also, an exceptional flashy warmblood colt available upon weaning to a great home. ON THE DOT FARM – 734.323.3884 Email: horseangels2@yahoo.com Manchester, MI (Washtenaw) (M-12/23) Facebook: On The Dot Farm LLC

MINI WHITE & SORREL STALLION: Two years old. Appaloosa pinto cross. Excellent conformation, and disposition. Show quality. $800. Call for details. DANSYN ARABIANS & MINIS Donna Rogers – 989.667.4028 Bay City, MI (Tuscola) (M-01/24)

LIVESTOCK Fall 2023: Registered Icelandic Sheep Breeding Stock. Brown eggs & Lamb. Call for availability and pricing. Millington, MI (Tuscola) (M-12/23) 989.302.0191, email: jd070409@gmail.com

FLY & INSECT CONTROL Shoo-Fly Insect Control – Automatically get rid of flies, mosquitoes, and spiders. Safe and inexpensive to use. Used throughout Michigan for over 30 years. We Install or Do-It-Yourself. SHOO-FLY INSECT CONTROL Bill Tressler – 517.927.8089 Webberville, MI (Ingham) (S-08/24) Email: bill@radiant-energy.com

HAY FOR SALE Mike Murphy 517.206.7377 www.murphyfarm.net

Small Square Bales: Timothy and alfalfa. Also offering net wrapped 4x5 round bales of hay. Delivery available. MURPHY FARMS LLC – Mike Murphy 517.206.7377 | www.murphyfarm.net Fowlerville, MI (Livingston) (S-10/24)

HORSE-THEMED BOOKS

HE REIGNS CHAPTER BOOKS: Christian horse-themed chapter books for elementaryaged children by Laurie Salisbury. Reviews include: “Couldn’t put them down”, “loved them”, “inspiring and engaging”! Available on Amazon, or contact the author. Email: lauriezkidz@yahoo.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088NFW3MD https://lauriezkidz.wixsite.com/mysite

HORSE TRAILERS

HORSE BLANKET WASH FIBER LUXE Horse Blanket Cleaning and Repair. Free Pick-up and delivery. FIBER LUXE – 800.334.1994 Email: flblankets@comcast.net

GOOD AS NEW BLANKETS – Horse blanket wash and repair service. 10 years experience. GOOD AS NEW BLANKETS – 517.404.6336 2711 E. Grand River, Howell, MI 48843 Email: goodasnewblankets@gmail.com Online: https://www.goodasnewblankets.com/

Tri-State Horse Shows

SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES We specialize in horse trailers: full living quarters with slideout, to smaller two horse bumper pulls. Cimarron, Lakota, Sundowner and Trails West. Great selection and even better prices! SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES Call Jim Kelly – 616.887.3456 8955 Sparta Ave. NW, Sparta, MI (M-02/24) Email: spartatrailers@gmail.com Online: www.spartachevytrailers.com

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PET & FARM SITTING K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING: Need to get away, call K & J – 248.667.2185! Also HORSE ART, Books and Journals (links below): www.zazzle.com/store/thistlebrook/products https://www.amazon.com/stores/kimberlykingstad/author/B0BZSMTH7P? K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING Kim Kingstad – 248.667.2185 call or text Milford, MI (Oakland) (M-02/24)

SADDLE/LEATHER REPAIR SADDLE, LEATHER & TACK REPAIR: Used saddles and tack bought and sold. Certified with 40 plus years of experience. BIG BUCK SADDLERY Roger Burkowski – 830.285.2080 Flint, MI (Genesee) (S-06/24) SADDLE REPAIR & LEATHER WORK: New and used saddles and tack bought and sold. Complete Leather Repair available. Many years of experience. M-F 9am-6pm, Sat. 9:30-5pm. JIM'S QUALITY SADDLE CO. Jim Moule – 248.887.4829 Milford, MI (Oakland) (S-08/24)

12 MONTH CLASSIFIED AD WITH LOGO – ONLY $120! Description: up to 30 words. Contact Information: up to 4 lines. Logo or Photo: height: .85” x width: 2.25” Deadline: 18th of month for next issue Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com Mail: 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430 HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

CLASSIFIED ADS SHOW CLOTHING

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Equestrian Wear Sewing Patterns: Western and English show clothing patterns: jackets, shirts, vests, chaps, hunt seat and saddle seat. Child through plus sizes. Printed or PDF format. SHOW CLOTHES UNLIMITED (S-02/24) Pegg Johnson – 810.346.2305 Email: showclothes01@hotmail.com https://www.showclothesunlimited.com/

Beautiful boarding and training facility for all breeds/disciplines. Green horses and firsttime riders welcome! Offering western dressage and short-term intensive training programs. IRONWOOD FARM – Dorothy 313.215.1944 Leonard, MI (Oakland) (S-12/23) Email: ironwoodfarmdressage@yahoo.com Online: Ironwood Farm Equestrian LLC

GRAND OAKES FARM TRAINING Facility (includes board): Specializing in youth and nonpro all-around horses. Lessons and coaching at shows. Quality horse care, indoor and outdoor arenas, quiet atmosphere, private facility. GRAND OAKES FARM Paul Oakes – 248.421.1757 (text) Email: grandoakesfarm@comcast.net Holly, MI (Oakland) (S-06/24)

TACK & APPAREL All Your Equestrian Needs! Used Western, English, Dressage, Saddleseat, Harness Equipment. Consignments welcome! Tuesday-Friday noon-6pm, Sat. 10am-4pm. Sun./eves by appt. BRIGHTSIDE USED TACK CONSIGNMENTS Call 989.277.8917 or find us on Facebook: Brightside LLC Used Tack & Consignments 8555 Monroe Rd., Durand, MI 1/4 mile off I-69 between Lansing & Flint, MI

CROWTHORNE FARM: Lessons and training available at your barn on your horse. Dressage, jumping, or eventing. Stressing balance of rider and horse. Also horse available for lease for an experienced rider. CROWTHORNE FARM Contact Lynnda – 248.535.8954 Email: crowthornefarm@comcast.net Hartland, MI (Livingston) (M-12/23)

THE TRAVELING TRAINER offers training, lessons, consulting at your facility or mine. Over 30 years of experience. Bachelor’s degree in Equestrian Studies from the University of Findlay. Also quality horses for sale. Find us on Facebook, or on Instagram: #thehappyhorse house, or: http://www.thetravelingtrainer.net/ THE TRAVELING TRAINER LLC Ann-Marie Lavallee – 810.796.3510 Dryden, MI (Lapeer) (S-08/24) Email: thetravelingtrainer3@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS TACK & SUPPLIES: Solar powered fence energizer $50., set of grooming tools $30., wall mounted saddle racks (2) $10. ea., saddle rack stand $10. Grazing muzzles (2) $15. ea., hackamore $10. Winter horse blanket; nice, worn one winter $40. Horse trailer straps, bridle with bit. Make offer. Pamela Harris – 517.294.1503 Gregory, MI (Livingston) (M-01/24)

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In supporting the UHC, you support providing resources and responsible options for horse owners who need our help the most, while helping to keep our industry alive and well. Your membership helps to provide resources to horse owners, who may even belong to your own clientele, member base or organization. The resources that UHC offers are free and are critical to ensuring the wellbeing of horses (and their owners) across every discipline throughout the entire equine industry. The UHC is also home to the UHC Equine Resource Database as well as the Equine Welfare Data Collective – a collaboration that accumulates, analyzes, and reports data to enhance programming for transitioning and at-risk equines. The data found in the EWDC reports help us as an industry to have a better understanding of the true nature of what is really happening out there, not just anecdotally. The work UHC and EWDC accomplish on such a tight budget within the equine industry is no small achievement, and we are proud that the industry looks to, and trusts, the data supplied in these reports. This data is used to drive positive change and help organizations to improve their effectiveness across the industry United Horse Coalition Launches Membership Drive Contest in an effort to make lasting forward movement for at-risk equines The end of the year is the perfect time to make a change and and those in transition. Both the UHC and EWDC utilize the make a difference. Why not end the year on a more colorful note UHCERD in their daily work to help advance their respective while supporting the United Horse Coalition (UHC)? missions within the equine industry. The UHC is hosting their membership drive as a reminder that To help us, help the equine industry, and the owners who need each organization in our industry, no matter their capacity, or our support the most, please consider becoming a United Horse mission, can support horses that are at-risk or in transition. Now Coalition member organization: through December 14, any new membership with the UHC is eligible to win a little extra something to support their cause. https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/become-a-member/ New members (or returning after more than two years) joining The contest is sponsored by the American Horse Council and the as a registered 501c3 rescue or sanctuary at the Non-Profit United Horse Coalition. No purchase is necessary to enter or Membership level, will be entered to win a gift card for $250 win, and all legal residents in the 50 states of the United States from Sherwin Williams. and the District of Columbia are eligible. New members (or returning after more than two years) joining at Limit one entry per organization, per email address and per the Full, Associate or Supportive level are eligible to win a $100 household. The winner will be selected and announced on or gift card from the American Horse Council. about December 16. The UHC will attempt to notify the winner via telephone or email, and if the potential winner cannot be “Because the UHC relies solely on our membership fees to continue the work we do, your support through your membercontacted within five business days after the first attempt, the ship with the United Horse Coalition is critical to ensure the UHC will select an alternate potential winner. viability of the valuable resources we provide to the equine About the United Horse Coalition industry as a whole,” says Ashley Harkins, director of the UHC. The United Horse Coalition is a broad alliance of equine organThe UHC is a neutral entity and broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse izations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to educate the horse industry about the issues facing Council to educate, advocate, and collaborate industry wide on horses at-risk or in transition. We seek to provide information for solutions to the issues that surround our nations at-risk horses existing and prospective owners, breeders, sellers, and horse and those in transition. The work that UHC does, ensures that organizations regarding the long-term responsibilities of owning every horse owner has access to the resources they need to and caring for horses, as well as focusing on the opportunities keep their horse(s) safe at home should they fall on hard times, available for these horses. Learn more about the UHC at: or barring that, help provide options to rehome their horse https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/ responsibly, ensuring that no horse need be put in a situation About the American Horse Council: As the national assocwhere they become at-risk. In addition to these essential iation representing all segments of the horse industry in resources, the UHC provides free presentations and educational Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to materials to current and prospective equine owners on responrepresent equine interests and opportunities. sible horse ownership, breeding, estate planning, preparing for To learn more about the AHC, visit: https://horsecouncil.org/ euthanasia, aftercare, responsible rehoming options, and more. DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023 (33) HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING™ BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR HORSE

Why is a Coach Desirable for Equestrian Sports? By Lynn Palm | http://www.lynnpalm.com/ This is a great subject, and I totally agree that this is a must with any sport! Equestrian sports should be no different than any other sport with their need for coaching. However, equestrian sports and their need for coaching are the most important category because we have a live being (horse) included in the equation. No other sport, other than equestrian, has an animal they bond and harmonize with during training and competition. As with any sport, an eye on the ground has a positive benefit. Coaching is beneficial for progressing as an equestrian and for succeeding with whatever competition and disciplines you've chosen. The rider's mental and physical skill levels also progress with the help of an experienced equine professional. Training should always develop a correct rider and/or how to become a more skilled competitor. Even though a horse owner and their horse can benefit with a professional, on the flip side of the coin, you can also get very bad advice from someone who is not experienced. In the United States anyone can call themselves an equine professional because it takes no official licenses or education requirements to hang out a shingle and call themselves an “Equine Professional.” Beware of this person, especially if you are just getting into horses and have very little knowledge of who's who in the world of coaching. In this circumstance, use your common sense, ask questions, and always keep the well-being of the horse paramount in your mind. Look for facilities that are spotless, organized, and the horses look well-taken care of. If not, just find another place. If a facility is a mess, stalls are dirty, the horses are not in good health, the office is a mess – just leave. This person will give you every excuse and will probably try to sell you a horse in the near future. Also be aware that a coach can also be your worst enemy without you even knowing it. Example: The coach is at a competition and they are visiting more with friends than keeping their eye on their students. Or they're on the phone more than they are coaching the rider! But there's good news. You can have a coach or professional equine trainer/instructor who has a clean and organized facility, has a great teaching program exemplified by students who are always happy and learning, and horses that are happy with a great shine to their coats. These coaches will have a plan for instruction at home and at the show for each rider/horse they are coaching. This plan will include timelines to get the horse confident in the performance arena. They will develop timelines to be “smartly ready” with horse/rider, a warm-up plan, a strategy about their competition, and have mental tips for the rider on how to be confident and positive in the show ring. This is a huge benefit. Anytime you have a focused rider who works well with DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

Coach Cyril with Western student Addy

the coach the horse will know too, and they will undoubtedly perform as well as they can. An experienced coach will also recognize possible problems that a horse may have. This coach can help the rider recognize these situations before they happen. Coaches will also know how to improve what the challenge is and how the rider can continue to keep a positive attitude. A great coach will always discuss a rider's performance. The discussion should cover what was very good in the performance and what could be better. That coach will always discuss challenges their rider and horse had in competition. It's the coach's job to improve the team for the next competition.

Coach Cyril with Dressage student Terri

If you don't have a coach, today's technology allows us to work long distance and through video and the internet. Virtual training and competition has allowed people to connect long distance with instructors/coaches easier than ever. Coaching videos are so easy to use and access to the internet makes a perfect formula for learning. I just love giving a lesson to a rider in Switzerland while I'm at my kitchen counter in Ocala, Florida! It works! You can get coaching reviews with videos of competitions as well. Many riders send videos of their competitions and I critique the performance, describe what went well, and what did not. I give reasons about what they need to do to avoid weak performance (34) HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

Why is a Coach Desirable for Equestrian Sports? (cont.) areas. Then I suggest training exercises to help improve the rider and their horse for the next competition. I will also give new strategies for warm-ups or what they can improve on in the competition class. A successful way to help train yourself is to follow the Traditional Dressage or Western Dressage Levels. Each level and test is a gradual progression for horse and rider, and it's in print! Following the tests, levels, figures, transitions, and new requirements is a great way to build a solid foundation for you and your horse for ANY riding discipline. This foundation will improve your knowledge, advance your riding skills, and allow you to train your own horse. But this approach is always best accompanied with the help and assistance of an experienced coach. If you would like to follow the progression of dressage training as the foundation for any riding discipline, contact us for Western Dressage Levels books, explaining each level of training, with figures, transitions, and what is expected for a correct performance, whether in the show ring or at home. Palm Equestrian Academy 352.362.7847 Email: generalinfo@lynnpalm.com Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad as well as online coaching. Join them on their teaching tours or their Palm Equestrian Academy European Journeys.

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MICHIGAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION

TACK SALE

New & Used Saturday, February 3, 2024

9:00am-4:00pm | MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI

Be sure to reserve your space for one of the best tack sales of the year! Space reserved upon receipt of payment at the MQHA oﬃce and will be subject to availability based on date received.

• Spaces are three sided without the doors, each being 10’ x 10’. • Please bring your own chairs. There are NO CHAIRS available. • Please, due to damage to vendor property, NO DOGS are allowed in the sale area. • Refunds until December 31, 2023. A confirmation letter will be mailed to you approximately two weeks prior to the event unless you are on the wait list. Setup for 3 or fewer space rentals begins at 7:30am on February 3rd. Setup for 4 or more spaces is AFTER 7:30pm on Friday, February 2nd. Please note that NSF checks or declined credit cards will void your reservation. Please utilize one of the following options to reserve your tack sale space: (no reservations by phone) 1. Fill out the bottom of this form and mail to the MQHA office with payment enclosed. 2. Go to https://miquarterhorse.com/ and fill out online form to pay with credit card, or send check to MQHA office at address below. 3. Go to https://miquarterhorse.com/ and fill out the fillable PDF and send payment information to MQHA office at address below.

PLEASE – NO TACK SALE RESERVATIONS BY PHONE

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2024 MSU Farrier School There are currently approximately 155,000 horses in Michigan, based on the last Equine Survey (2007). While these numbers may have decreased somewhat based on the recession, the use of horses in the state has not decreased, and in fact may be increasing (personal observation). Each of these animals is in need of regular hoof care, with trimming required every 6-8 weeks and shoes (for those who are shod) required on a similar schedule. The old adage “no foot, no horse” holds, in that a horse without regular hoof care by a knowledgeable professional, is unlikely to be of use to its human care-takers. Further, most horsemen and women would rather hire someone know-ledgeable to do this work than to do it themselves. Finally, well-trained farriers have the potential to make a decent living, as evidenced by “An American Farriers Journal survey in 2012 found that the national average annual salary for full-time farriers in the U.S. was reported to be $92,623 per year and for part-timers, $21,153. This amount is an average and varies according to experience level, training, etc.” (TheFarriersGuide.com) The problem currently facing the horse industry in the Midwest is that there is currently no reputable means by which to consistently produce well-trained farriers. Michigan residents wishing to pursue this line of work, have needed to leave the state for extended periods of time. Until now. Michigan State University offers the MSU Farrier School: This is a 12 or 24-week program, housed on the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center, and will be led by MSU alum, David Hallock, CJF, ASF. Students in the program will receive both hands-on and classroom-based instruction in hoof and farrier science, equine anatomy and physiology, basic welding, and business. The class runs 8 hours per day, with the intention of producing individuals poised to be well trained, professional farriers to serve the equine industry.

UPCOMING FARRIER SCHOOL SESSION Join Us!

Spring 2024 Session

January 2nd – March 22nd Week One: Tuesday-Saturday – All Others Monday-Friday INVESTMENT: Twelve Week Program: Tuition $9,600 Supplies 2,000 Books 350 Total $11,950

Twenty-Four Week Program: Tuition $15,600 Supplies 2,000 Books 350 Total $17,950

For additional information, please contact:

Karen L. Waite, Ph. D. kwaite@msu.edu | 517.432.0383

David Hallock, CJF, ASF 3rforge@gmail.com

Online application and details available at:

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Merry Christmas Merry Christmas is beyond a simple greeting, it is a blessing to let someone know that you wish them and their family, peace, happiness, and bountiful grace. From our family to yours – Merry Christmas! Saddle Up! Magazine & The Couturier Family; Bill & Cindy, Jason & Arlette, and Mila & Logan

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How Can I Tell If My Horse Is Cold? By Carmella Abel | https://equinehelper.com/ When the colder months roll in, there are times when you might be wondering if your horse is too cold. Our team of researchers spent some time finding the best answer to this question. So how can you tell if your horse is cold? Here are some of the top ways you can tell: • They are shivering. • Their temperature is below 99.6o F (37.6o C) • They don’t have enough fat. • They don’t have a good winter coat. • They are huddling together with other horses. • They don’t get enough to eat. If a horse becomes too cold, it could be in danger of hypothermia. Therefore, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the warning signs as much as possible before the cold starts to come. What To Do If Your Horse Is Too Cold If you believe your horse is exhibiting any of the above signs, you will want to take action immediately. Here are a few options to consider : Contact a Trained Veterinarian. No one is better equipped to diagnose and treat a problem related to your horse’s health than someone that has trained for years and has hands-on experience. While it might be tempting to rely on your own wits or the advice of other horse owners, the most reliable and trustworthy information you can get will be from a vet. If for whatever reason, working with a trained veterinarian isn’t an option, there are several other courses of action horse owners might take: Feed Your Horse Additional Hay. The internal process of digesting the food can help produce vital body heat to keep them warm. This step is especially important if your horse is thin to begin with. Provide Your Horse With Shelter. If your horse is normally just out in a field, find a way to bring them into a well ventilated, warmer environment. Long exposure to winds and freezing temperatures can be particularly dangerous if your horse is wet from the outset, so it’s best to put them somewhere that they are out of harm’s way. Consider Using a Waterproof, Well-Ventilated Blanket. This can be particularly helpful for horses that have been recently clipped, or are thin. Keep in mind, if you blanket your horse once, you will need to continue re-applying the blanket for the rest of the season when temperatures are low. Make Sure Your Horse Has Access To Warm Drinking Water. Hydration is an important part of the body’s heating process. If temperatures are below freezing, you should consider using a submersible heater to keep water readily available for your horse at all times. How Cold Can Horses Tolerate Naturally? DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

Horses that are well adjusted to colder temperatures can tolerate temperatures down to 0o F. The majority of horses are the most comfortable between 18o F and 59o F. (-8 to 15o C). Because of their size, horses are better equipped to cope with low temperatures than we are. In fact, what we call cold, might not even feel cold to them. In the winter, a horse’s coat will stick straight up, creating additional insulation to help them stay warm. They also utilize tactics like standing together in groups and keeping their backs to the wind to stay warm. Should My Horse Stay Outside For The Winter? In general, horses are well equipped for living outside during the cold winter months. However, you will want to make sure that your horse is well adjusted for living outside. If you’ve moved to a much colder climate just before the start of winter, your horse’s body won’t have had the time it needs to develop the thick winter coat that horses should produce. If this is your particular case, you might consider utilizing some of the options we mentioned previously to help keep your horse warm. Another factor you should consider is your horse’s overall health. If they are recovering from a recent sickness, or they are skinny and don’t eat well, then they might not be ready to spend winter outdoors. But as long as your horse is in good condition, has a healthy weight, and is adjusted to the climate of your area with a thick winter coat to show for it, they should be able to cope with a mild outdoor winter. Should I Use A Horse Blanket? While there is some disagreement on this subject, many horse owners believe it’s a good idea to blanket your horse when it’s 20o F (-7o C) or below. However, there are some important things to keep in mind if you decide to use a blanket. If you use a blanket once, you should continue using it for the duration of the winter months. You’ll need to make sure that either yourself or a friend or family member is available to blanket your horse when you’re not available to. The reason you should continue blanketing if you’ve done it once is because blanketing your horse just as it becomes cold in the fall might prevent your horse’s body from producing the thick winter coat that it needs. Blanketing also helps preserve val(48)

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How Can I Tell If My Horse Is Cold? (cont.) uable heat producing calories if your horse has a difficult time maintaining a proper weight. It’s important to take the blanket off during the day when temperatures rise, otherwise, the horse will overheat. Once things cool back down in the evening again, the horse is likely to get chills due to the moisture they’ve accumulated from having the blanket left on all day. If you ever find that your horse is wet to the touch, you should always thoroughly dry them off before you apply a horse blanket. The easiest way to do this is by soaking up the water with a dry towel, making sure to leave the hair standing as you finish in each area. This is to help ensure that any water remaining on their skin will dry out in the air. Additionally, you should also make sure that the horse blanket itself stays dry before you place it on your horse. Once you are confident that both your horse and the blanket are thoroughly dry, you are safe to apply the blanket. Horse blankets are typically recommended for horses that have been clipped, are thin, or have a difficult time maintaining their weight. If you do decide to use a blanket, make sure that it is the right fit. If you use a poorly sized blanket it can cause chaffing and discomfort for your horse. Make certain that the blanket is undamaged as you remove it from your horse each day for the warmer hours. How Can I Tell If My Horse Is Too Skinny? When it comes to staying warm, it is helpful for horses to have a moderate level of fat. The precise weight that your horse should be can be difficult to calculate because it is different based on the breed of horse that you have. However, there are a few easy ways to tell if your horse is too skinny. If your horse is too skinny, their appearance will be bony in general. It can be helpful to look at photos of your horse and compare them with how your horse looks now to tell if they have increased or decreased in weight. One of the most obvious places to recognize weight gain or weight loss is your horse’s ribs. You should be able to feel your horse’s ribs when you touch their side, but they should not be clearly visible.

When Will My Horse Get Its Winter Coat? Horses can begin getting their winter coats as early as the end of August, depending on your location. It is at this time that they will shed their shorter summer coats in preparation for the much longer winter coat that will help keep them warm for the duration of the winter. If you want your horse to grow a good winter coat, avoid blanketing them in the early fall when the first colder temperatures arrive unless the weather is extreme. Blanketing your horse too early can trick their bodies into not producing the quality of coat that they will need if you plan to leave them exposed for the majority of the winter months. Hi, I’m Carmella. My husband and I started Equine Helper to share what we’ve learned about owning and caring for horses. I’ve spent my whole life around horses, and I currently own a POA named Tucker. Visit: https://equinehelper.com/ Find Equine Helper on social media

Read more online at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/ body_condition_scoring_horses_in_the_winter Body Condition Scoring Horses In The Winter Written by Christine Skelly, MSU Extension Long winter hair coats can hide both thin and fat horses. Body condition scoring a horse by rubbing your hands along their ribs can help you estimate their body fat cover.

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Hay Selection For Horses By Kentucky Equine Research Staff | https://ker.com/ Aside from pasture, hay is the predominant forage consumed by horses, so its value in equine diets is unquestionable. During certain times of year, hay may be the only forage available to horses and therefore the selection of well-preserved hay harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity is critical. Hay can be classified into three general types: legume, grass, and mixed. Mixed hay is usually defined as a blend of grass and legume plants, though some hay producers and horse owners may define it as a combination of several grasses. Like most horse owners, Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., has opened hundreds of bales of hay during her lifetime of owning and caring for horses. While most horse owners are mindful of the hay they offer their horses, Crandell is perhaps more vigilant than most. As a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research (KER), she understands the importance of good-quality hay. Legume Hay When evaluating legume hays, Crandell first establishes the type of hay. Although the most popular legume used among horse owners is alfalfa, other legumes such as red or crimson clover, lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and peanut hay are often fed, and these provide horses with high-quality nutrients. Evaluating hay requires a thorough visual appraisal. Because the outside of a bale can be misleading, especially if it was situated on the edge of a stack with exposure to the sun or other elements, appraisal necessitates breaking open several bales. Small bales can be opened easily, but the same cannot be said for larger round bales. Pure legumes are rarely round baled, but if faced with tightly wound round bales that cannot be opened, an instrument designed to remove core samples from the inside of hay bales, called a hay probe, can be used. Probes are used to collect hay samples for chemical analysis and nutrient determination. Hay collected in the probe should be assessed just as carefully as that in entire bales. Crandell next evaluates the color of the hay. “It might be bright green, brownish-green, or pale green, or it might not be green at all; perhaps it is yellow. Color is not the end-all, be-all in determining hay quality, but it can be a clue to how it was made. If it is bright green, then I know the hay was likely cut at an appropriate time, that it was probably not rained on after cutting, and that it dried quickly and was baled in a timely manner. When baled under optimal conditions, the most nutrients are preserved.” It is not unusual to run into bales that have both green and brown plant material, according to Crandell. If the leaves are brown, the hay is likely to have less nutritional value, as leaves deliver the most nutrients. If, on the other hand, the occasional stem is brown but the leaves are green and well-anchored to the stem, then the hay is probably still nutritious. “Yellow, brown, or otherwise faded hay indicates that it was made at a mature stage, laid in the field longer to dry, or possibly rained on after being cut in the field, all of which would indicate lost nutrients through leaching by the sun or rain,” said Crandell. Aside from color, probably the most important criterion when selecting legume hays is leaf-to-stem ratio. A profusion of leaDECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

ves and few stems indicates that the hay was made at the desired maturity and that few leaves came loose during baling. The opposite is often true with legumes, and these hays sometimes have an abundance of stems and few leaves. This usually means that the leaves came off during baling or when the hay was lying in the field. “I also look at stem coarseness, as this tells me the stage of maturity of the plants when they were harvested. The stem contains few nutrients and a great deal of indigestible fiber. Aside from marginal nutrition, if the stems are too mature, horses do not particularly like to eat them,” added Crandell. The presence of mold, unusual growths on leaves, insects, and suspicious plants is noted. With alfalfa, Crandell recommends a thorough scan of multiple bales for blister beetles. Because these lethal insects often swarm, it is possible for only a few bales to be infected. “I might shake a couple of handfuls to see how much dust flies off. Almost all hay has some dust, but if a large cloud erupts, it’s probably best to pass but imperatively so if you have a horse with a respiratory ailment aggravated by dust. I almost always try to smell the hay to see if it is fresh, stale, or moldy. If the hay was baled wet, it might have a distinct smell that results from caramelization of proteins,” remarked Crandell. Other Legumes While alfalfa is the most well-known legume hay, clover hays are appropriate for horses, even if they are not as popular with horse owners as alfalfa. One reason horse owners often avoid clover is its propensity for mold. Getting clover to dry quickly in the field is challenging for growers, and premature baling of damp hay is the primary reason clover hay is sometimes moldy. From a nutritional standpoint, clovers and alfalfa are very similar: higher in calcium and protein, and more calorie-dense than grass hays. Red clover is the most common clover hay because it grows taller than white clover and thus provides more yield per acre. Crimson clover is another tall-growing type but tends to be higher in indigestible fiber than red clover. Palatability is usually not an issue, however, as horses are inclined to love the taste of clover and eat it well. Certain horse owners associate clover with excessive salivation. They mistakenly believe that it is the clover plant that causes horses to slobber, but the causative agent is actually a mycotoxin produced by a fungus that grows on clover. Known as slaframine poisoning, excessive salivation is not lifethreatening. (50) HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

Grass Hays Popular grass hays can be divided into two basic groups, coolseason and warm-season. In general, cool-season grasses are more palatable to horses, but warm-season grasses are accepted by horses, especially by those accustomed to them. The most common cool-season grasses in the United States are timothy, orchard grass, ryegrass, fescue, redtop, reed canary grass, and occasionally bluegrass in the East; and wheatgrass, blue grama, bluestem, and meadow in the Midwest and West. Warm-season grasses include Bermuda grass (referred to as coastal), bromegrass, and most recently teff. A special category of grasses are cereal hays. These hays are made from leaves, stems, and grains of oat, barley, and wheat plants. A good quality cereal hay is harvested when the grain is immature (soft dough stage) and the leaves and stems are still green, and therefore higher in digestible nutrients. If the cereal hay is harvested after the grain is removed, it is no longer considered hay but straw. Oat hay is the most common cereal hay fed in the United States, and if harvested at the right time, it is quite palatable to horses. For some horse owners, the gold standard among grass hays is timothy due largely to its extreme palatability. Though Crandell agrees that timothy is appetizing to most horses, she also believes “the most palatable hay to a horse is the type he is accustomed to.” Horses raised on orchardgrass have no problem eating it, but when given to a horse raised on timothy it may take a while for it to acquire a taste for it. Fescue has gained much attention over the last couple decades for its sometimes detrimental effects on pregnant mares when it is infected with an endophyte fungus. As a pasture grass, horses seem to consume more of it in the fall after a frost has hit and the sugar content has risen. As hay, it would be harvested in the spring and summer so palatability might not be an issue for certain horses. Crandell uses the same process of evaluating grass hays as she does for legumes. To determine the type of grass, seed heads are the most telling, though blade characteristics are also useful. “Fescue blades roll up lengthwise when dried, while orchardgrass blades dry open, so it is very easy to distinguish these two plants. Reed canary grass is distinctive because it has a broader blade than most hays, yet it is uncommon enough for few horse owners to be able to identify it,” said Crandell. Distinguishing hay types is important, if only from the standpoint of purchasing the appropriate hay. “Many orchardgrass hays are sold as timothy because the average horse owner does not know the difference in the seed heads. On the east coast of the United States, I would say a mix of grasses in a hay is more common than any pure single-species hay like you find on the opposite coast,” remarked Crandell. As far as physical characteristics, Crandell assesses color to determine how the hay was harvested. The color is somewhat dependent on the type of hay. Timothy hay is usually lighter in color than orchardgrass unless the orchardgrass is harvested at a very mature stage. An overall brownish tinge could mean the hay was baled too wet and went through a caramelizing stage. Warm-season hays are typically not as attractive as the cool-season types, as they are often DECEMBER 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

more golden in color. Cereal hays should be light green in color; a yellow, straw-like color would indicate that the hay was harvested too late and will be of lower nutritional value. She then estimates plant maturity. “Maturity is judged by the number and age of the seed heads, ratio of leaves and stalks, color, and texture. I grab a handful or two to get an idea of the hay’s texture. Early-maturity hays are softer to the touch than late-maturity ones.” As with legumes, Crandell checks for dust and unusual odor indicative of mold. Mixed Hays The term mixed hay can be an ambiguous one, which makes clarification essential. Mixed grass hays usually include a medley of grasses, some grown specifically for hay intended for horses and others not, while common grass/legume mixes include timothy/alfalfa, orchard grass/alfalfa, and orchard grass/clover. “I have seen lovely bales of the classic timothy/ alfalfa mix. Specifically, the orchard grass/red clover mix is especially useful for picky eaters. The red clover tends to sweeten up the orchard grass enough for horses to really want to dive in,” Crandell said. Mixing grasses with a legume has two notable benefits. The first involves improvement of the land. Legumes add nitrogen to the soil, so growing legumes with grasses can cut down on fertilizer needs and growing costs. The other advantage involves palatability, as adding a legume to a grass can increase sweetness and consumption. Introduction of a legume also improves the quality by increasing energy, protein, and calcium. Some horse owners prefer grass/legume mixes over pure legume because a mixture more or less averages the content of certain key nutrients to make it appropriate for different classes of horses. A practical advantage occurs as well: when grasses and legumes are grown together it is more difficult for horses to pick out the tasty portions, as they could if fed a flake of legume and a flake of grass. Understanding the ins and outs of hay selection is an important aspect of horse ownership. The true test of hay quality rests with the horses, though, and if they offer up their approval by consuming it readily, selection was a success. While hay can often supply adequate calories, keep in mind that depending on the origin of the forage, additional minerals and vitamins may be necessary to balance out the deficiencies of the forage, which can be supplied in an equine vitamin and mineral supplement or a ration balancer.

Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. The company’s goals are to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, apply that knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses, and support the nutritional care of all horses throughout their life. Learn more at: https://ker.com/ (51)

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