Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:44:53 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/ PostNuke Powered Site en-us http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/images/http://www.equinesite.com/images/newslogo.jpg http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/ info@equinesite.com http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article38.html Everyone who foals out a mare knows that colostrum is a good thing. Critical for immune defense in the first several months of life while the foal’s own immune system builds itself up, colostrum is produced by the mare only for a short time after foaling. The foal’s GI tract can only absorb the antibodies contained in colostrum for 12-24 hours after it first nurses, so ensuring that the events of foaling pass normally and the foal stands and nurses (and continues to do so) is extremely important. Foals who fail to do so require supplemental feeding or plasma transfusion to get them through the critical period and prevent problems such as infections and sepsis. However, there exists a situation where mare’s colostrum can be highly detrimental and even fatal to the foal: neonatal isoerythrolysis, or NI. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:44:53 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article37.html Fundraising Efforts Continue to Support/Save Mounted Patrol Amherst, MA: The University of Massachusetts Police Department (UMPD) announces that its horse-mounted accepted $4,000 in donations, and approximately $2,000 in supplies, during its six-month 2009 fundraising campaign. UMPD is still soliciting equestrians, corporations, and the general public to assist the mounted patrol by providing a tax-deductible contribution to the UMass Mounted Police Fund. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:23:07 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article36.html What is the opposite of bucking? “Not bucking” you say? Nope, that’s not it. What is the opposite of “jigging”? Nope, wrong again. It’s not “not jigging”. What is the opposite of shoving? Hmmmm, “not shoving”? Nope … read on, my Friend. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:19:39 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article35.html METHUEN – The MPSCA at Nevins Farm Equine Center is announcing the guest speakers for their annual spring Equine Guest Lecture Series. In its 7th year, the spring series of educational seminars is a way to share information with the public on topics of interest to equine enthusiasts. Whether you are an experience equestrian or a novice these lectures are educational for all. Seminars are scheduled every Wednesday evening throughout March, from 7:00pm – 9:00pm, with time allowed for questions from the audience. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:18:35 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article34.html It’s a good idea to be observant when your older male horse urinates in his golden years. Penile cancer in horses typically affects geldings and stallions greater than 14 years of age. They can be located on the prepuce (sheath), although they are more commonly found on the penis. Some horses show no concurrent clinical signs with a penile mass. If the mass is extensive, then you may observe sheath swelling or difficulty urinating if the mass is compressing the urethra. Some cancers can also be ulcerated and may have an odor if they have become secondarily infected with bacteria. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:02:26 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article33.html Fantasy – What Horseman hasn’t dreamed of galloping along the shoreline astride their majestic steed? You’ve become a centaur silhouetted against a breathtaking sunset. Cares of the world that once held you hostage, must submit giving way as surely as the tiny grains of sand, helpless against mighty hoofs that swept them behind the joy that lies ahead. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:21:36 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article32.html By Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett Dressage Department Head, Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre WAVERLY, WV: you hope to give your horse clear requests with your leg aids, there is no wiggling out of some basic work on your seat. Before you can apply leg aids correctly, you must be able to follow the motion of the horse's gaits with your seat, using strong core muscles to hold you in balance so that your lower body can relax and move in rhythm with the horse. It can take months, even years, of riding to achieve this. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:44:16 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article31.html Dominique Bouchard, DVM New England Equine Medical and Surgical center Dover, NH 03820 www.newenglandequine.com Solo is an 11 year old Warmblood gelding that has been noticed by his owner passing red-colored urine for the past 2 weeks. He urinates more often than normal, passing small amounts at a time and stays in the urination posture longer than normal. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:40:23 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article30.html Winter is nearly upon us, bringing mosquito season to a close, and many horse owners are breathing a sigh of relief. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but can carry several diseases which can infect horses and humans alike. Of these, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, ‘Triple E’, or ‘Sleeping Sickness’) made the headlines this year with an unprecedented number of cases in equines throughout New England. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:34:00 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article29.html By Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett Dressage Department Head, Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre WAVERLY, WV: Until you can follow your horse's motion at the walk, trot, and canter (the subject of our last three articles), the feel of your seat aids on his back does not convey a clear request to your horse. You also must be able to follow the horse's motion before you can quietly apply rein and leg aids in coordination with your seat. You need strong core muscles to hold your upper body erect and flexible hips to follow the rhythm of the horse's back as it lifts and rolls in a different motion at each gait. When you can follow the motion, you are ready to apply your seat aids without 'noise' in a way that is meaningful to the horse. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:25:30 -0500 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article28.html Results: 4 October 2009 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:01:15 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article27.html Everyone answers, “Yeah, my horse is regularly dewormed.” But these days it doesn’t mean that your horse isn’t still burdened with parasites. Wild horses had the right idea. They dewormed themselves by the low levels of toxins in certain weeds they grazed. Too bad it ain’t free these days. No horse is going to be free of parasites, but we should be educated to know how to control the numbers in our herds. What product to use, when to use it and what it is that we are killing are important questions. Also, what else can I do as a horse owner to limit parasite numbers on my farm? 1). Roundworms (Parascaris equorum), the long worms that you see coming out of your weanling or yearling. The earliest age that youngsters are affected is 3 months considering the worm cycle, so don’t deworm your 2 week old colt. We recommend first deworming for roundworms at 8 weeks old and thereafter treating every 6 weeks. The product? Well, that depends on what you suspect the worm burden is. If the weanling is skinny with a pendulous belly and lethargic, then he probably has more rounds in him that the active weanling of an appropriate weight. So treat the heavily parasitized youngster with Fenbendazole first, then six weeks later go to the more effective Ivermectin. Note that when you treat with Fenbendazole (panacur) specifically for roundworms, you treat with a double dose (10mg/kg) once daily for five days; Ivermectin is the regular dose given once. If you treat the heavily parasitized weanling with Ivermectin, then you could potentially cause a massive die off of the worms and possible impaction of the small intestine. Plus the worms are antigenic and can stimulate a pretty big inflammatory response. The lifecycle of the roundworm larvae involves migration through the lung tissue among other places. Some of these youngsters may also exhibit a cough and snotty nose. Older horses usually more than 1-2 years old tend to gain immunity to roundworms, their immune system may inhibit the migration of the larvae through different stages. 2. Large strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris), not so much a problem since the introduction of ivermection. Aka the bloodsuckers, these larvae migrate through the vessels that supply blood to the intestine causing blood clots and possible death of the intestine. But they could potentially be a problem in areas that don’t have any type of deworming protocol. Recommend Ivermectin to treat with. 3. Small strongyles (Cyathostomes), the larvae of this worm can cause serious diarrhea in horses. Diarrhea associated with these worms is typically seen in late winter or early spring as the encysted larvae in the large intestinal wall excyst. This results in quite an inflammatory response, altered water absorption and watery diarrhea. Moxidectin is pretty effective at killing cyathostomes, recommended to deworm prior to the winter months to decrease larvae numbers. Remember, don’t give moxidectin to weanlings under 5 months of age, as it can have toxic side effects. Can be troublesome to diagnose if infected with the larvae since they are encysted in the intestinal wall. With diarrheal cases will usually see the red worms in the manure. 4. Tapeworms (Anaplocephala perfoliata), high numbers can cause problems in the horse. They have a predilection for the junction between the small intestine and the cecum, attaching to the intestinal mucosa. They may cause enough mucosal ulceration to cause a mild anemia, it’s debated whether they are involved in intussusception (one part of the intestine telescoping into another part). The worm segments look like rice grains. They are eliminated periodicially, so a fecal float may not always show an infected animal. Praziquantel is the dewormer of choice for tapes, recommend deworming with Praziquantel once every six months (twice yearly), give at least one dose around fall time. At least once yearly your veterinarian should take fecal samples of a percentage of the horses (doesn’t have to be all) on your farm to see whether your deworming protocol is effective. All horses on the farm should be on a similar deworming program and horses dewormed around similar time intervals. Programs are going to be different on each farm, the above are just recommendations. Fecals can also be used to see whether you can decrease the frequency of deworming in some situations, which may decrease the chance of resistance problems on your farm. Manure control is also important. Manure collected and spread on the pasture just allows parasites to enter their cycle again. Composting is a great option to parasite control. The heat kills worm larvae, as well as also controlling fly larvae and eggs. 3ft by 4ft compost piles that are rotated periodically to mix the compost will usually be complete by 3 months so that the compost can then be spread on the pasture. For the horses already out to pasture, raking the field to break up the manure will allow the sun to dessicate or dry out some of the larvae. Roundworm eggs are difficult to eliminate once in the environment. They can potentially remain infective in the environment for up to 5 years. If you have any any questions concerning deworming strategies, then please feel free to contact your veterinarian or any of the doctors at New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center. Karyn Labbe, DVM Jacqueline Bartol, DVM, DACVIM www.newenglandequine.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:56 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article26.html Hunter Division 1st Betsey MacDonald & Al Puerini 2nd Mary Ceaser 3rd Laurie Desrenisseau, Leslie Anderson, Venus Velix 4th Becky Kalagher 5th Michael Germane 6th Henry Proko Hilltop Division 1st Pam DeSimone 2nd Ann Sellew, Lea Kennedy, Pattie Letourneau 3rd Carolyn Weeks, Anna Maria Paul 4th Joanne & Chris Podles 5th Lynn Paresky, Kathy Richards, Julia Taddei 6th Mary Haupt, Johanna Johnston Junior Division 1st Meghan Letourneau 2nd Rebecca Wicks 3rd Samantha Palmer 4th Carlie Cichocki 5th Conner Shults Trail Blazer Division 1st Kris Low, Pam Colwell, Janet Tast 2nd Bill & Agnita Knott 3rd Heidi Lundblad, Ronna Kabver, Gina Letteri 4th Tammy Dykstra, Linda Lachapelle 5th Maura Levin, Susan Castellino 6th Betsey Krusen, Deb White Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:30:48 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article25.html As I write this, New Hampshire is enjoying absolutely fabulous weather, hopefully a promise of what Fall will bring. Like many residents, I'm looking forward to watching Mother Nature's color show, smelling the earthy scent of fallen leaves, enjoying gorgeous fall weather, and seeing the end of bug season. Like some New Hampshire residents, I'm also a horse owner. For equestrians, this is a very popular time to go pleasure riding (hacking). Show season is over, training demands can be put aside, and the nuisance bugs that like to eat our equine friends disappear until next Spring. Now is the time many of us hit the trails. And since some towns don't have extensive trail networks, we also hit the roads, both for hacking and for getting to & from local trails. Sharing the roads with horses is what I wish to talk about. Horseback riders and horse-drawn carriages are allowed on the roads in New Hampshire. However, while most people understand how to share the road with tractor drivers, plow operators, motorcyclists, bicyclists, joggers, dog walkers, mothers with baby carriages, skateboarders, and even Segway riders, many lack a basic understanding about the nature of horses which can enable safer sharing of the roads with these big animals. As a professional horsewoman, allow me to offer some insights which should help everyone. What Vehicle Drivers Should Know About Horses Even though the horse was domesticated over 6,000 years ago, they're still very much a prey animal. Their natural programming keeps them alert to the ever possible presence of predators. And size of the predator doesn't matter. A cute fuzzy little kitten can spook a 1500 pound horse right out of his skin. As a prey animal hunted by predators for over 45 million years, the horse has developed the lifesaving ability to notice the most subtle changes in their environment. They are quick to assess if danger lurks. At the very least, a horse may stop and have a look at something suspicious. At worst, a horse may suddenly take off, galloping for his life. Cornered, a horse may even fight, kicking out at the perceived source of danger. This is all part of the basic instincts of the species. Despite this, man discovered that through positive experience and use of repetition and habituation, horses can adapt to very unnatural situations, seemingly putting their instincts aside. It is the well-trained, safe, reliable riding horse that's a joy to hack and the easiest with whom to share the road. As you pass these horses on the road, the horse doesn't even seem to notice your vehicle. Engine, muffler, radio, and tire noise don't bother him, the sight of something bigger than him doesn't faze him, and the little shift in wind as you drive past has no effect. It can take months or years to train a horse to be this perfectly calm about road work. Time and consistently good experiences are needed. For the young and less experienced horses, riding with more experienced horses helps progress that training. As a driver approaching a horse on the road, it is difficult, if not impossible, to assess the level of experience of the horse, predict how he will react to your vehicle, and take in everything else happening within the vicinity of the horse. If the horse steps off the pavement onto the soft shoulder, will he slip and become fearful? Is a dog about to start barking or jump out in front of the horse? Will an acorn fall and hit the horse between the ears just as you drive by? Will the leaf raking activity at the next house cause the horse to stop, turn, and look, placing his hind end right into your path of travel? So many variables, probably more so than with any other road sharer. When approaching a horse on the road, the safest thing to do is simple. Slow down. Then, observing both the horse and rider, pass slow and wide. Watch for signs indicating the horse and rider may need you to take extra care. These may include: • Rider using hands signals to indicate "Please Slow Down" or "Please Stop" • Rider tightening the reins, possibly trying to gain better control of the horse • Horse suddenly changing his position or angle on the road • Horse stopping, moving sideways, stepping backwards, bucking, or rearing • Horse suddenly lifting his head and neck quite high, possibly snorting • Horse speeding up (instead of slowing down) as you approach As a vehicle driver, another thing to keep in mind when approaching any horse & rider is that some riders are quite young. Without driving experience of their own, they may not yet appreciate your perspective as a vehicle operator. A bit of patience with the rider can make all the difference. Advice for Horse Riders on New Hampsire Roads Horse riders sharing the roads of NH also need to consider their responsibilities and how they can help prevent any horse-related road accidents or incidents. First and foremost, BE VISIBLE! Despite their size, horses are not always easy to see. I have one horse who blends in nicely with Fall foliage and another who can easily disappear amongst the shadows. And of course a white horse becomes less noticable when ridden in the snow. When riding on the road, horse riders should wear high visibility and reflective clothing. Even when keeping to the trails, wearing high visibility clothing is wise, especially during hunting season. Our local feed stores sell products specifically designed to help both horse and rider be as visible as possible. When planning to ride out on the roads, consider the weather and the position of the sun. Vehicle operators are less likely to notice you easily and quickly if it's raining or snowing, or when they are driving directly towards a rising or setting sun. Also, for safety sake, stay off the roads altogether when the snow plows and sand trucks are doing their jobs. After the storm is over and the roads are cleared, feel free to hit the roads, but always remain conscious of the width and condition of the road as other road users approach. Next, unless your horse is completely reliable in traffic, keep to the roads which have slower speed limits. Drivers traveling at lower speeds will have more time to notice you and react accordingly. When riding along sharp bends in the road or in areas where there are "blind spots", be extra vigilant. Some of the worst accidents occur due to a lack of reaction time. Riding with a cell phone, just in case you need it, is a smart thing to do. However, please don't chat on the phone while riding on the roads! Stay focused on controlling your horse, listening and watching out for other road users, and staying safe. If your horse is not yet reliable on the roads, ride with other horses who are. Horses learn from the leaders in their herd and this can apply to road work as well. The less experienced horse should either be ridden between the leader and the shoulder of the road, thus limiting his ability to jump into oncoming traffic, or right behind the lead horse with another experienced horse behind him. While trotting on the roads can be great fun, whenever a vehicle approaches, do consider returning to the walk. This may alert the driver to the fact that you are being more cautious about sharing the road, while also putting you in a better position to control your horse should something go wrong. If you feel the need, you can try to use hand signals to communicate with vehicle drivers and other road users. However, not all of them will "listen" or take heed to your requests for them to slow down, stop, or pass wide. When they do, thank them! Smile, nod, offer a polite wave. As all horse owners know, horses can poo anywhere from 30 to 40 pounds a day, most of which is water with some chewed hay, and which quickly dries to a much lighter weight. Most manure will be delivered at home. However, horses tend to poo whenever, wherever, and especially when they feel a bit nervous. If that happens to be right in front of someone's driveway, for example, consider dismounting and kicking the fresh road apples into a less obnoxious location or maybe returning soon after your ride to scoop them up. A little courtesy can go a long way. Should you have the unfortunate experience of encountering road rage or other forms of hostility from other road users, let your local town Police Department know. They are well versed in both "RSA 265:5 Persons Riding Animals; Driving Animal-Drawn Vehicles" which states horses are allowed on the roads, and "RSA 265:104 Approaching Horses" which says vehicle operators must take reasonable precautions to avoid frightening horses on the road, insuring the safety and protection of the person riding. Finally, whenever you are riding on the roads, please wear a helmet. If the worse does happen and you hit the pavement or anything else, I'd personally like to see you live to tell about it later. Enjoy the upcoming bug free seasons and glorious weather, stay visible, and be safe & courteous when sharing the roads of New Hampshire. Kimberley Brown Edelmann Kearsarge Meadows Warner, NH About Kimberley: Kimberley has been riding, training, and showing horses since 1970. While living in the United Kingdom, she received Road Safety training from the perspective of the equestrian as well as the perspective of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver. Kimberley and her husband Georg immigrated to Warner in 2005 and own and operate Kearsarge Meadows, a horse boarding & training facility located on the foothills of Kearsarge Mountain. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:59:56 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article24.html http://www.WorcesterCountyRiders.org The fourth of the 2009 WCRA Horse Show Series and largest of all WCRA open shows was held on 09-13-09 at Cornerstone Ranch, Princeton, MA, http://www.CornerstoneRanch.org Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:38:15 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article23.html Dominique Bouchard, DVM New England Equine Medical and Surgical center Dover, NH 03820 www.newenglandequine.com “Chester is a 10 year old Thoroughbred who was found extremely painful on his right hind this evening. He was ridden this morning without any lameness. Now his leg his swollen, firm, warm and he does not bare any weight on the limb.” Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:37:57 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article22.html By Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett Dressage Department Head, Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre WAVERLY, WV- Most riders easily learn how to sit equally on their seat bones and follow the motion of their horse's hips with their own hips at the walk. Successfully following your horse's motion at the walk, however, does not mean that you will automatically be able to follow the motion at the trot. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:14:52 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article21.html Does your horse have a hairless patch of skin that looks like a wart and just won’t go away? Or maybe a lump on his body that seems to be slowly getting bigger. Sarcoids are the most common skin tumor of horses. While they tend to only be locally invasive, and do not metastasize to other areas or organs, they can be quite unsightly and irritating to the horse. Depending on their location, they may also affect the normal movement of the horse, and be very difficult to remove. Equine sarcoids are tumors of connective tissue caused by a bovine papillomavirus, a virus which causes warts in cattle. The virus is believed to be transmitted by flies. Sarcoids are frequently found on the face, legs, or at old wound sites on horses, which are all favorite landing spots for flies. It is also believed that some horses are more susceptible to developing sarcoids than others. There are several different types of sarcoids, which differ in their appearance and level of invasion into the skin and deeper tissues. These are: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:37:47 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article20.html METHUEN – Saddle up and ride with your equine companion on Sunday, October 4th, for the MSPCA’s Horses Helping Horses Beach Ride at Salisbury Beach State Reservation, to raise funds for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. The 4th annual beach ride will benefit the animals and programs at the Equine Center of Nevins Farm. No horse? No problem! Walk the beach with friends and family, and even your dog (on a leash, of course!) to raise money for horses and farm animals in need! Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:36:30 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article19.html Fundraising Effort Begins to Support/Save Mounted Patrol Amherst, MA: On the heels of the disbandment of the Boston Police Department’s mounted unit, the University of Massachusetts Police Department (UMPD) announces that its horse-mounted unit has been directed to solicit private funds for the first time since 2000. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:41:48 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article18.html Posted from USEF By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY - Jack Le Goff, the man who defined the Eventing Program in the United States passed away today, July 24, 2009, in France. The legendary horseman revolutionized the United States equestrian program and defined an era with medals and championships. Le Goff’s coaching record at international championships was exemplary. His teams won medals at four consecutive Olympic Games and three consecutive World Championships. He brought some of the biggest names in the sport over the last three decades to fruition. “He was about creating riders and horsemen,” said Derek DiGrazia, who represented the US at the 1986 World Championships and is one of the most renowned trainers and course designers in the US today. “That was a big thing with Jack. He wanted us all to know what was going on with the training and management on a daily basis. He wanted us to be aware, that was another huge part of being with Jack, being a horseman.” Jack Le Goff never missed winning a medal with any of the Eventing teams that he coached in his 14 year tenure in the United States. Eighteen medals in eight international championships is an astounding accomplishment by which the U.S. team still measures itself. His innovative, intensive training changed the U.S. Eventing program forever. His teams won Team Gold medals at the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1984 – proving the Americans were invincible at the highest level of the sport during his reign. “I’d say that in my run-in in the sport he’s one of a very small handful of what I call genius,” said George Morris, USEF Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe. “I first knew Jack in Rome as an accomplished competitor and later in the States. He’s a very, very learned classical horseman in his methodology and background and intellect. He’s a fantastic teacher and horse trainer. The icing on the cake is that he’s a winner. You can’t predict that in someone. You can’t determine that. He’s always been a winner. His success in the sport of eventing is unparalleled.” He started his career with horses in a racing stable; he then joined the army and graduated at the top of his class which allowed him to enter the Cadre Noir where he became one of the youngest “under-riding” masters ever. Eventually he became a “riding master”, and performed with the Cadre Noir. His accomplishments as a competitor were an enormous achievement, he was the French National Eventing Champion in 1956 and then placed sixth individually at the 1960 Rome Olympics, helping the French Team win a bronze medal. He represented his country again in Tokyo four years later. Le Goff was sent by the French army to fight in Algeria immediately following the Tokyo Olympics. He spent two years there and returned home to retire from the army and coach the French Team. He coached his first individual gold medalist at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games under the French flag. He then moved to the U.S. and started an empire. “Jack had the ideal job when he came to the USA - to create a program,” said USEF President David O’Connor. “That program, not only produced an unprecedented amount of medals but set a standard that has been unequaled. He was a horseman, friend, innovator and most of all, a mentor to so many of us that had the privilege to be educated by him.” Le Goff was 78. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:49:11 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article17.html www.newenglandequine.com Introduction: Your broodmare has just delivered a colt. You are relieved that the delivery went through without complication. But you should still be observant of your mare in the 48 hours that follow parturition. A number of mares exhibit colicky signs post-parturition. These may include lying down for longer periods than normal, looking at the flank area, pawing and decreased manure production. Often these signs are associated with discomfort as the uterus involutes or contracts down. Pelvic bruising during delivery can cause subsequent discomfort for the mare when passing manure post-partum as well. Owners should also be aware of the possibility of periparturient hemorrhage, or bleeding from the reproductive tract. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:14:16 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article16.html Worcester County Riders Association is off to a great start, our first show of the season was held on June 28th at Cornerstone Ranch, Princeton Ma. Classes were judged by Joe Lombard and trails by Heather Lemire. Horse show ribbons were awarded first through sixth place. Some division day end results are as follows: Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:17:30 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article15.html By Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett Dressage Department Head, Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre WAVERLY, WV--Your body position influences the way your horse stands and moves. If you sit crooked or off balance, your horse's compensations will reflect those position faults. Understanding and mastering a good position is part theory, part practice. Your mental image of correct position must match the reality of how that position feels when you are in the saddle. Correct position is the starting point for anyone who aspires to achieve the independent seat that allows you to influence every move your horse makes. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:13:06 -0400 http://www.equinesite.net/postnuke/html/Article14.html As part of a physical examination, your veterinarian will listen to your horse’s heart. He or she will assess not only heart rate, but will also determine if a murmur or arrhythmia is present. A murmur is an abnormal sound heard between heart beats – the murmur is the result of abnormal bloodflow. An arrhythmia is a variation in the normal heart rhythm. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:49:20 -0400