Written by Mary Phelps Hathaway, http://budurl.com/gfmx

OK, I’m in love, and everyone sitting beside me, behind me, in front of me, and in the crowd during the Dressage Freestyle was thinking the same thing. The audience loved Fuego XII the Pura Reza Espanola (PRE) Stallion from Spain and his rider Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz. He won crowd Gold at the Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky 2010.

The thirteen year old stallion by Utrerano VII X Elgido represents the culmination of the development of the Spanish breeding program which represents the classical qualities of everything anyone would want in a dressage horse. When he does the piaffe/passage you can see it in his face he would be happy to be doing it all day long. Our horsemarket and Dressagedaily manager Liz Ruggiero made sure to bring her hanky for this one, and she needed it. It was impossible to take a bad picture of this horse, and the rider charmed us as well.

Fuego and Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz showed the crowd and the judges that the PRE has now showed the world that the Spanish breed has risen to the top of the world rankings in all that a dressage horse represents. “We first saw this breed at the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996 “ said WEG Dressage judge Linda Zang, “and the Spanish have developed and nurtured the qualities which represent what we are looking for in the test.”

Our good friend and breeder of the PRE in America Kim Boyer of Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport Michigan was thrilled at the result of what she has know all along, that this breed of horse is an important contribution to the sport of dressage. “OK, said Liz as she wiped her eyes after Fuego left the arena. “This will have to be my next horse.”

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Guest article reprinted with permission from Fran Jurga, http://budurl.com/bncw

What a day today was at the Kentucky Horse Park. A tiny nick in a horse’s tongue caused a major catastrophe in the career of one of the world’s rising star riders. As the Dutch vet pointed out, it only takes one drop of blood to turn a vial of water bright red; likewise, it takes only one drop of blood to turn a horse’s saliva red.

And so it was that the Ground Jury was compelled to ring the bell and halt the high-scoring performance of The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen on Jerich Parzival. The cut stopped bleeding instantly, but the damage was done. It’s a welfare issue, and Adelinde was disqualified from further competition.

People joke and say that there are more veterinarians here than there are horses. They may be correct. There are event vets, FEI vets, State of Kentucky vets, regulatory vets, quarantine vets, team vets and even sometimes personal vets for the horses, even though they have team vets.

And let’s not forget the sponsor vets. Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital is just down the road, and they are providing the event veterinarians as well as access to their facility if it is needed.

But Rood and Riddle’s sponsorship goes a step further. As the official veterinary hospital of the Games and a key sponsor of the entire event, Rood and Riddle had a key opportunity to use their position in educational ways. Their “show and tell” exhibit about the technology and the services available at the hospital allows visitors to wander through the exhibits while having staff nearby to answer questions and explain equipment or horseshoes.

Horseshoes? Yes, the hospital built a shallow-drawered vertical case to display therapeutic horseshoes used in the hospital’s podiatry clinic. Ultrasound and radiography are featured, but you know that the crowd stopper will be the colic surgery!

The pavilion, which is located in a neighborhood called the Alltech Experience, has a theater where lectures and demonstrations will be going on throughout the Games. There is no charge to attend any of the events in the Alltech Experience, including Rood and Riddle’s lectures.

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By Sarah King, http://tinyurl.com/3sh689u

Tails are vital communication centers for your horse, relaying messages about moods, health, energy and locomotion.

Whether wispy or luxurious, flowing, braided or banged, a horse’s tail is perhaps his most beautiful and versatile physical feature. Much more than mere ornament or glorified flyswatter, the tail serves many purposes.

As a device of communication, it speaks simply and eloquently to horse and to man; as a barometer of equine health, it telegraphs vital messages about an animal’s well-being; as a protective shield, it assists in temperature regulation and safeguards delicate reproductive structures against environmental onslaught; and as a mechanism of balance, it subtly influences the alignment of the horses hind end. How can a structure largely prized for its aesthetic appeal be so practical an appendage as well? That answer can be found by taking a look at the anatomy and evolution of the tail.

The Inside Story
Flexible and strong, the horse’s tail is part of his spinal column. It is made up of approximately 18 vertebrae–some horses have more, others have fewer. The bones are progressively smaller from the root of the tail to the tip; the last one is pointed.

Overall tail movement is governed by portions of the semitendinosus muscles, which extend over the horse’s rump and attach to the vertebrae. Detailed adjustments in curvature and posture of the tail are aided by muscle-fiber bundles located in the tail itself, above, below and on each side of the bones.

Two arteries pump blood to the tail, but circulation is not efficient in this narrow appendage. As a result, injuries heal more slowly here, and infections tend to persist stubbornly.

On the exterior, the skin and hair of the tail actually are enhanced versions of the horse’s fuzzy hide. For instance, at the point where the tail attaches to the buttocks, the skin is five-eighths of an inch thick–as much as a half-inch thicker than it is anywhere else on the horse. Thicker and coarser than any body hair, the strands of the tail are made entirely of hardened (keratinized) protein. A typical tail hair consists of three layers; an inner core (medulla); the middle cortex layer comprised of long, twisted protein strands; and a thin protective outer covering known as the cuticle. Through it appears smooth, the cuticle actually is made of overlapping horny scales.

It’s the middle layer that determines whether a hair is curly or straight. The individual protein strands vary in their physical properties, such as how stretchy they are, but usually they are distributed evenly, so that the hair looks straight. However, if too many strands with similar properties are grouped together, the cortex is no longer balanced and the hair develops waves. Straight hair generally is the rule among horses, but a few breeds, notably Morgans and some draft horses, can sport wavy tails. The most extreme example of an eccentric cortex is the Bashkir Curly–not only are his tail and mane frizzy, but his body is completely covered in split curls.

Some breeds, such as the Andalusian and Friesian, are known for the extraordinary length and luxury of their tails. Like their curly-coated counterparts, these horses possess a specific combination of genes that produce their magnificent tresses. Genetic factors also combine with environmental influences to determine which horses have rough, coarse, protective tail hair–for instance, the dense, heavy tails of Shetland ponies and Icelandic horses–and which ones possess fine, silky locks–the desert-roaming Arabian is a prime example.

What no one really knows, though, is why the horse is the only member of the equine family to have such long, flowing locks. His history, however, does hold some clue.

From the Dawn of Time
In prehistoric oceans, creatures that pushed with their tails to move in straight lines went to the top of the food chain as sharks and other fishes. Amphibians retained powerful propulsive tails even as their ungainly legs emerged. Eons before the equine species existed, land reptiles’ (dinosaurs’) legs protruded from the sides of their heavy bodies. Long, heavy tails were critical to these animals’ ability to get from place to place. They were used as counterbalances for maneuvering around corners and tillers for moving in a straight line.

By the time the horse’s early ancestor hyracotherium appeared sometime in the Eocene epoch, the tail already had reached the point of being largely nonfunctional as a locomotor device. Hyracotherium looked and moved in a drastically different way than its ancestors. Its knees were turned forward, its elbows backward and its limbs were tucked under the body.

Stuart Sumida, PhD, hypothesizes that the adaptations were related to the survival of the species. “Hyracotherium relied on speed to evade its predators,” he says. “This new type of physique allowed the creature to move more quickly. The importance of the tail as a locomotor device was greatly diminished. It was essentially freed up to become what it is today.”

Compared to the functional abilities of other mammalian tails, the horse’s caudal appendage, according to Sumida, deserves only a so-so rating. It’s far inferior to that of a cat, for example, whose tail is wonderfully dextrous, he says, infinitely expressive and a real asset to the amazing array of bodily convolutions a cat can perform.

Given its somewhat diminished importance, then, why was the equine tail retained at all? Deb Bennett, PhD, an expert on equine physiology, speculates that there were two compelling reasons: It was there anyway, and the horse needs it. “Nature has a tendency to retain some evidence of the primitive,” she says. “We see that over and over again in evolutionary processes. Then, too, the horse’s tail does serve some real purposes–protection for one, communication for another.”

Equine Body Language
Horses relate through body language, and the tail is one of their most expressive “talking” parts. It is used to communicate information about their physical and emotional states both within the herd and between horse and rider.

The consummate herd animal, the horse depends on his equine peers for his very survival. Over millions of years, horses have developed a complex system of tail signals that enable members of a herd to “discuss” matters that are essential to group maintenance. Reproductive success, for example, is necessary to herd stability, and some tail signals are devoted exclusively to communications regarding procreation. In the presence of stallions, mares in heat will lift their tails up and to one side–sort of a “come hither” motion to indicate sexual receptiveness. If they’re already in foal, they will warn away would-be suitors with an aggressive side-to-side swish of the tail.

The survival of the herd depends on the group’s ability to communicate and detect danger. A slightly raised tail, in combination with the “ready” stance–weight on all four feet, ear pricked forward–means “Alert! Stop what you’re doing and await further instructions!” Protective stallions, in displays to frighten off invaders, will lift their tails, prance and defecate.

As members of a herd hammer out their hierarchy and preferred relationships, their tails speak of hostilities quashed, disciplinary measures taken and friendships formed. Standing head-to-tail in groups of two, longtime pals contentedly swish flies from each other’s faces. Frisky foals engage each other in games and races with their tails held high, a sure sign of excitement and high spirits. But overly boisterous youngsters and bold upstarts often will be warned off by an elder’s hunched rump and twitching tail, indicating readiness to deliver a good, swift kick to the offender. The subordinate animal, duly chastened, clamps his tail between his hind legs, finally rendering to his superior.

What’s That, You Say?
Horses speak to their human companions in similar way. And an owner who “tunes in” soon learns to read and heed his equine charges’ body language. In general, the tail complements the position and attitude of the horse’s head and neck: When they’re up, it’s up, and vice versa.

A horse who swishes his tail from side to side in an agitated manner is not pleased with what he’s being asked to do, says Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD. “The activity is causing him either psychological or physical discomfort,” she says, “and the situation should be analyzed to discover the root of the problem.”

Another signal–a tightly clamped tail–can be read in either of two ways. Accompanied by bunched rump muscles, it’s a sure-fire sign that the horse is ready to explode. “Get ready for a buck or a kick,” warns Houpt. But if the horse is standing still, looking miserable, and perhaps occasionally stamping his feet, it’s an indication of discomfort in the belly of hindquarters.

Rx for a Healthy Tail
The best way to maintain a tail’s good looks and function is to keep it clean and in top condition. Unfortunately, though tail skin feels tough and those hairs look impenetrable, the equine tail isn’t immune to injury and disease. But conscientious care can make the difference between lush and scraggly.

Healthy tail hairs are elastic and shiny, thanks to the lubricating sebum excreted from oil glands at the base of the hair follicles. It’s perfectly normal to find dead hairs among the healthy ones–they’re victims of the normal growth-death-replacement cycle as the body constantly replenishes itself. But beware of dull, brittle tail hairs and hair falling out by the handful–these could signal the onset of disease or a dietary deficiency and require prompt attention.

As for cleanliness, professional trainers and grooms advise washing the tail only when necessary. Frequent shampoos dry out hair and skin by interfering with the distribution of natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands. A once-a-month once-over is enough to maintain healthy-looking tail hair.

When washing, be sure to wet all the hair well. Drench it right down to the tailbone and work a mild shampoo into the innermost tresses. Rinse thoroughly–soap residue can dry and irritate skin and provoke tail rubbing. Use a good-quality conditioner and leave it in for several minutes; then rinse again until the water runs clear.

To minimize breakage, don’t comb the tail while it’s wet. Wait until the hair is completely dry, and then pick out tangles with your fingers or comb, A brush with flexible metal tines and cushioned tips works well, too. But don’t use stiff plastic grooming aids–they tend to damage hair shafts and pull out healthy hairs.

To brush or comb, start at the ends and work up. Grab a one-inch hunk and fan it out to detangle individual hairs. Continue until you’re groomed the entire tail.

Baby oil as a grooming aid enhances the hair’s condition and shine, and helps control dandruff. Silicone sprays add temporary luster for the show ring, but it’s best to wash them out after the show since they ultimately dry the hair.

This article originally appeared in the August 1993 issue of EQUUS magazine.

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By the Editors of Practical Horseman magazine, http://tinyurl.com/4x2lnwj

These clicker-training basics from On Target™ Training expert Shawna Karrasch can open a new world of learning and cooperation for you and your horse.

Most of the training horses get is negative: pressure in the mouth or against the ribs, say. If the horse obeys, the pressure lets up; his reward is to be left alone. My system works very differently: The horse learns he can get something he wants by choosing to give you something you want.

One important rule: Take your time. If you go slowly, you’ll progress faster–and the training will last. Besides, we’re not talking about a lot of time. You’ll need at most ten minutes a day, for about eight days, to teach the basics of clicker training. Then you’ll use those basics to turn other activities such as going forward under saddle, getting the correct canter lead, even trailer loading into something your horse will want to do.

Making the System Click
Start in a quiet place familiar to your horse. Equip yourself with a clicker like the one I’m holding in the photo, and a closed container of treats that he can’t get his nose into. (I use a “side bucket”: a plastic container with a hole in the lid, attached to a belt with webbing and Velcro® tape. A fanny pack also works well.)

The first rule of clicker training: Click THE INSTANT your horse does what you want, telling him, “Yes! That’s right!” In this photo, I’m teaching Minty not to poke at me for treats; he’s just looked away, so I click and immediately feed. As he learns to “bridge”–to connect the clicker with rewards–the sound itself becomes a reward.

When he’s got that down, introduce the hand-held target: mine is a 30-inch-long dowel with a little marine float at the end. Hold it low, about chest height, at first-it looks less threatening. With most horses, curiosity wins out.

When your horse leans down to sniff the target, click immediately and then feed. If he’s really apprehensive, click as soon as he starts to reach, so he knows he’s on the right track. If he ignores the target, put it an inch in front of his nose, where he has to bump into it eventually, and click the instant he does.
When your horse is comfortable with the basic idea of touching the target, ask him to follow it: lower, then side to side …

… and then a little above where his nose normally is. That can be intimidating, so do it last.

One last point to cover: holding on a stationary target. Begin with your hand-held target, wedging its float end between the bars of your horse’s stall. Say “target” and touch the float as you ask at first, just in case he doesn’t recognize it. Next, work on extending the time he’ll hold there: Click but don’t feed when he first touches; then, just before you think he’s going to come off, say “target” again. If he stays, or goes back on, click-and reward this time. Gradually work up to five or six seconds, then to where he holds until you click and reward–even if you’re on the far side of the stall.

Once you and your horse are comfortable with these basics, you can apply clicker training to many situations. Find out about some of the possibilities in these issues of Practical Horseman magazine: June 1999 (“Motivating Cibor”), May 2000 (“Click and Load”) and June 2002 (“Right-Lead Resistance”).

Updated from “Click and Load,” Practical Horseman, May 2000.

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Great Britain’s Lee Pearson celebrated historic gold individual and team medals at Thursday’s Para-Dressage World Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Great Britain moved into history books Thursday night as the very first para-dressage team gold recipient in World Equestrian Games history. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, mark the first World Equestrian Games to include the para-dressage discipline in the world championship competition.

Team and Individual Gold:
Results- Para Dressage Individual Tests:
Grade Ia Individual – 1, Sophie Christiansen (Rivaldo of Berkeley) GBR 76.100; 2, Anne Dunham (Teddy) GBR 73.200; 3, Emma Sheardown (Purdy’s Dream) GBR 71.900.
Grade 1b Individual – 1, Lee Pearson GBR 76.435; 2, Ricky Balshaw GBR 72.870; 3, Jens Lasse Dokkan NOR, Stinna Tange Kaastrup DEN 70.174.
Grade II Individual – 1, Petra Van de Sande (Toscane) NED 69.238; 2, Britta Napel (Aquilina 3) GER 67.905; 3, Caroline Cecilie Nielsen (Rostorn’s Hatim-Tinn) DEN 67.238.
Team – 1, Great Britain 440.376; 2, Germany 420.337; 3, Denmark 418.389.

Driving competition also got underway Thursday with the dressage test. US favorite Chester Weber and defending world champion Ijsbrand Chardon of the Netherlands went head to head, scoring the same marks and creating great anticipation for the continuation of competition Friday.

Meanwhile, vaulting competition continued in the Alltech Indoor Arena with freestyle male and female individuals,shifting up the lead positions. Simone Wiegele of Germany and Patric Looser of Switerland moved into gold medal position.

Vaulting Individual Round 1 Total:
Female Individual Round 1 Total (following freestyle) – 1, Simone Wiegele (GER) 8,344; 2, Joanne Eccles (GBR) 8,274; 3, Antje Hill (GER) 8,121; 4, Christa Kristofics-Binder (AUT) 8,050; 4, Mary McCormick (USA) 8,050.
Male Individual Round 1 Total (following freestyle) – 1, Patric Looser (SUI) 8,524; 2, Nicolas Andreani (FRA) 8,405; 3, Kai Vorberg (GER) 8,366; 4, Gero Meyer (GER) 8,288; 5, Stefan Csandl (AUT) 8,264.
Driving – Dressage Test:
Individual – 1, Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) 35,97; 1, Chester Weber (USA) 35,97; 3, Theo Timmerman (NED) 40,19; 4, Christoph Sandmann (GER) 40,58; 5, Tomas Eriksson (SWE) 50,30.
Team – 1, Netherlands 76.16; 2, United States of America 87.94; 3, Germany 103.04; 4, Canada 144.26.

FULL RESULTS at www.alltechfeigames.com/results

Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 30 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2300 employees in 120 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information and downloadable press resources, visit http://vip.alltech.com/pressbox.

From the staff of http://www.DressageDaily.com

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