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Changing Your Horse’s Nutrition with the Seasons
It happened! After months of Ferrous not able to sweat sufficiently to cool his body temperature, we had a breakthrough. My Welsh/ Appendix pony has anhidrosis, also known as “no sweat”. The past summer, New Jersey experienced an even more humid climate than normal. While Ferrous was turned out at night, he was primarily in his stall with a fan during the day. The few rides we had were either light hacks or in the early morning or evening when temperatures were cooler. *Please note this post was NOT sponsored by SmartPark nor does it have affiliate links. This is my unbiased and honest opinion. Temperatures dropped recently…
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The Obesity Factor: Balancing Healthy Weight and Spoiling Your Pet
Often we show our love for our pets with the provision of food. Show affection while keeping your pet from being overweight with these tips. Each year I attend pet-friendly events to support non-profit or to promote my equine and canine massage therapy business, Animal Bodywork and Aromatherapy. The majority of dogs attending these events are overweight. This is not a judgment but an observation. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the strain extra weight causes on their dog’s body and feel withholding food makes them a bad pet parent. The truth is, I too feed my pets treats and use food in training. But in doing so there must be a…
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Therapeutic Riding: Teaching Special Needs Children About Confidence
Confidence can be intrinsic and learned. Some of us are lucky enough to be born with a sense of self-worth that parents foster and grow. Other children need to gain this along the way. Cameron was born with confidence and a stroke. Our job as parents is to support this and perpetuate it, within reason. Therapeutic horse riding has fostered her and nurtured her, all while teaching her to listen to her body and her horse. Once or twice a year Cameron’s barn, Sunnyside Equestrian Center and her program, Special People United to Ride (SPUR) meet and compete with other therapy facilities across the state at the Horse Park…
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Get Ready for Equestrian Blogtober!
Summer is over and it is my favorite time of year! October! My birthday month, yes but so much more. Warm apple cider, crispy mornings at the barn where fog overlays the fields. Trail rides and hiking amongst colorful foliage before retiring at home in front of a wood-burning fireplace. A perfect month. My absurd summer schedule gives slight relief and more time for me to focus on The Timid Rider. As such, I’m attempting to join with my fellow equestrian bloggers to do Blogtober, suggested by Ruby Pepper Butchers of Equipepper! We all loved the idea and Charlotte Miller of The Forelock Journal put together this handy infographic to help…
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Protect Your Pet with Consumer’s Advocate Top Ten Pet Insurance Review Guide 2018
I look at my client’s owner and understand how relieved they are to see their dog relaxed and happy, but knowing it is an additional cost they pay. They only want the best for their pet, but with a terminal cancer diagnosis their funds are depleted from the treatments, and massage and other holistic therapies are the only things providing pain relief. While there are a few non-profit foundations that offer monetary grants for pets with illnesses such as cancer, if pet owners do not have pet insurance, they often have to decide to euthanize their pet to feed themselves. The average cost of cancer treatment for a dog is…
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Avoid Injury While Working with Horses
I love talking about my work with horses and dogs and how I can help them through sports massage. But my favorite responses are when I tell them what I do for a living. It varies of course, but almost always has some surprised face and follow-up questions. The most common question I receive from equestrians and non-equestrians alike is, “How often do you get kicked or bitten?” The answer, I haven’t yet. There are many reasons that horses are not defensive while I work on them. My methods work with equine massage, but also for anyone working with equines. Communicate Communication is the most important tool at my disposal.…
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Reset Your Riding
Sometimes it is important to take a few breaths, a step back, and reset in order to progress in your riding. That is what I did, albeit unintentionally when I traveled to Mongolia this August for the Gobi Desert Cup. I spent three weeks out of the saddle between travel and giving my horse some time off with his anhidrosis. For many days I traveled by car and watched while eighteen riders had the adventure of a lifetime on the backs of a Mongolian horse, a breed largely unchanged for thousands of years. Was I jealous? Of course. The final day of the race, I did join in the Officials…
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Desensitizing the Rider
You can scour the internet for references and advice on desensitizing your horse. But what happens when it is the rider that needs desensitizing? Every ride is a learning experience for both horse and equestrian. Some days are good, others could use improvement. Recently I had a lesson with my trainer after a long summer off due to pony camp and my children’s schedules. Until then we were mostly hacking around the barn and taking easy trail rides because of campers dominating the schooling rings. Thus, a lesson was much needed for both of us. Lessons are Necessary Lessons are necessary for all levels. Having a training plan and…
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Anhidrosis and Your Horse: Managing Symptoms
Ah, summer. The beautiful lush grass and extended daylight lead to more time in the saddle and with your favorite equine. But when your horse has anhidrosis or “no sweat”, summer can be deadly. Here are the symptoms to watch for and help with your horse. What is Anhidrosis? Anhidrosis refers to the inability to sweat properly and can affect certain areas of the body, or the entire horse. Commonly referred to as “no sweat” in equestrian circles, your horse may be mildly affected or severely affected resulting in the potential for heatstroke. Horses cool themselves by sweating so when the ability to do so is compromised, exercise or high…
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Summer’s Lament
Unpopular opinion: Summer is my least favorite season. I know, I know. Insert *gasps* and *shrieks*. I don’t hate it, but in weighing the pros and cons I find many more cons. I’m exhausted and hot and that is never a good combination. While I can wear lighter clothing during my canine massage visits at the office, in the barn I’m always in pants and boots. My long, curly hair frizzes and needs to be tamed by hats or a bun. You see, I hate the heat. I hate to sweat. And I hate having to bring my children to work with me. Summer means throwing…
Equestrian Author and Podcast Host
