A horse is a grazing animal that requires roughage 18 out of 24 hours a day. A simple flake here and there is not adequate to maintain a horse’s digestive tract. Grain simply adds nutrients and vitamins to their diet, but it is essential to their overall health that they are allowed to graze freely on a daily basis.
Every time you handle a horse you train him, whether you mean to or not.
Spotted and mottled horses were prized among ancient civilizations. Cro-Magnon man (living 10-40,000 years ago) was familiar with spotted horses and left cave drawings of them.
A horse is considered a senior when he reaches the age of 15. What this means is that he’s started on the road to old age. This does not mean that you should immediately change his work routine – he’ll let you know when he’s starting to feel the effects of the number of years he’s walked the earth.
The world’s oldest rodeo dates back to July, 1888, in Prescott, Arizona, where it was billed as a “cowboy tournament.” The committee organizing the rodeo included Bucky O’Neill, later of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, and Morris Goldwater, the town major and uncle of 1964 Republican presidental candidate, Barry Goldwater – who often participated in the rodeo and once said that it was his secret desire as a child to become a cowboy.
Horses were first shod with metal shoes about 1500 hundred years ago before we understood the physiology of the hoof. The shoes were intended to elevate the hoof out of the manure and urine-saturated ground where the horse was tied. The premise was that the elevation would stop the hoof from rotting. The domestic horse’s hoof was not only weakened by a fetid environment, but also by the lack of movement which was a radical change for animals meant to be constantly on the go. Limited motion meant limited blood circulation, which translated to a significant lack of nutrient supply. Not surprisingly, the rot worked its way between the metal plate and the hoof. Cutting out the middle of the plate was thought to allow the hoof to retain some breath-ability and air circulation. Hence originated the current shape of the metal horse shoe. Nothing much has changed since… “
Week of November 5, 2012
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Ranching Heritage Update
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Council discusses changes to the Ranching Heritage programs.
To learn more about the AQHA Ranching Heritage programs, visit www.aqha.com/ranching. Journal photo.
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Council recently met in Denver to discuss the future of the Ranching Heritage programs. The Ranching Heritage Breeders, Challenge and Young Horse Development programs were formed to recognize solid ranch horses who have helped build the hard-working breed that is the American Quarter Horse.
The Ranching Council revised the nomination pay schedule for the Ranching Heritage Challenge. The Challenge enrollments will begin with the 2011 foal crop, and the payment schedule will apply to 2011 and subsequent foal crops. All older Ranching Heritage-bred horses will be eligible to compete in events on an entry-fee basis.
Nominating 2011 and later foals will build purses for future Ranching Heritage events. Until the 2011 foals turn 4 years old, Ranching Heritage Challenge events will be handled on an entry-fee basis.
To learn more about the new fee structure and to access the updated foal nomination form, continue reading at www.aqha.com.
2013 Ranching Heritage Challenge Schedule
There will be five Ranching Heritage Challenge shows in 2013. The first show will be on January 18 during the Fort Worth Stock Show and will feature the amateur Ranching Heritage trail class on February 7.
Other Challenge shows will take place during the Pfizer Versatility Ranch Horse and AQHA Mounted Shooting World Championship Show in Houston and during Battle in the Saddle in Oklahoma City. The schedules for these shows, as well as the remaining two locations, will be determined soon.
There will be a non-pro class at Fort Worth, but this class will be discontinued for all future Ranching Heritage Challenges. The Ranching Council has approved a youth class to be introduced to the Challenge beginning sometime next year.
Best Remuda Award Update
Starting in 2013, any ranch applying for the AQHA-Pfizer Best Remuda Award must be a Ranching Heritage Breeder. The Best Remuda Award honors the contributions that ranch horses have made to the heritage of the American Quarter Horse. The award began in 1992 and has since recognized a number of outstanding ranches for their efforts in raising American Quarter Horses, an important tool of their trade.
Visit www.aqha.com/ranching to learn more about the AQHA Ranching Heritage programs.
Breeding
Making Wise Choices
Judgement comes into play when using frozen semen for horse breeding.
Health
Chewing the Fat
Obesity is a common horse-health problem.
Riding
Shoeing Options
Weigh your choices for hoofwear.
Showing
From the Pasture to the Show Pen
I’ve done a lot of horse showing, but now I decided to try ranch pleasure.
Training
Lead Change Accuracy
The free Nutrena Ride the Pattern clinics at AQHA’s world shows offer many horse training tips for riders in various disciplines.
Inside Look
Dream Horse to Family Horse
In the November American Quarter Horse Journal, Editor-in-Chief Becky Newell honors a gelding who has brought a world of success to one Oklahoma family.
The Gallop Report
The November America’s Horse – It’s Versatile!
This month’s issue captures many sides of your favorite breed of horse.
Journal On the Road
AQHA World Championship Show
The Journal staff brings you behind-the-scenes coverage, plus Journal Winning Run interviews with new AQHA world champions from Bank of America Amateur week.
AQHA Koozie
Are you in need of door prizes for your Christmas barn party? Try an AQHA-logoed koozie!
$1
Ranch Pleasure
Ranch pleasure will be offered in AQHA youth, amateur and open divisions, starting January 1, 2013.
Introductory Shows
Hit the road this November to an AQHA introductory show near you.
AQHA World Show Sale
Download the free AQHA World Championship Show Sale catalog on your iPad.
Important Deadlines for Stallion Owners
AQHA stallion breeding reports and AQHA Incentive Fund stallion nomination forms must be submitted by November 30, 2012.
I need to order a genetic test for my horse. What’s the best way to get roots when pulling hair from my horse’s mane?
You should pull your horse’s hair from above the withers (at the withers will be too fine and tends to break off). If you pull evenly and directly away from the neck, the hair will generally come out by the roots.
Read the rest of AQHA’s Tammy Canida’s answer.
How to Register Your AQHA Foal
One of our most frequently asked questions by AQHA members is, “How do I register my foal?” With these tips, you can register your foal without a hitch.
Keep reading for the scoop on registering foals with AQHA.
Pfizer Animal Health now offers state-of-the-art Equine Reproduction Services through our wholly owned subsidiary, Synbiotics. To learn more about our reliable Equine Reproduction Services, visit www.securelineage.com.
Now through December 31, purchase a Sports Medicine Boot Value 4-Pack and receive a pair of black overreach boots FREE! Visit your nearest dealer or go to www.profchoice.com to view several varieties of Sports Medicine Boots, including the newest VenTECH Elite Sports Medicine Boot made with a breathable VenTECH lining.
There is no generic for FDA-approved Adequan I.m. Don’t be fooled by medical devices and compounded drugs claiming to be the same. Get the facts at www.nogenericadequan.com.
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American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104
The horse doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong. He only understands in terms of what is. If I kick and he does a behavior after that, whatever that behavior is, he thinks that’s what he’s supposed to do. He doesn’t think in terms of this is right behavior and this is wrong behavior.
John Lyons
Case of the Month
Orthopedics at its finest – luxated hock.
Leg prior to repair
This case highlights the efforts of a dedicated team and the possibilities of varied
treatment options.
Case summary: An 11-year old stallion, presented with multiple injuries incurred
during pasture breeding. The stallion suffered a luxated joint in the hock. Radiographs
exposed that his lower leg was no longer articulated with the upper portion and
multiple bones had incurred fractures (refer to ‘prior’ image). After the joint
was put back into place an orthopedic bone plate and screws were applied to the
injury, ultimately fusing the luxated joint.
Leg after repair
The horse was in a cast for several weeks post surgery, and heavily bandaged for
the extent of his post-operative treatment.
Injuries of this magnitude often carry the stigma of a highly guarded prognosis
and elicit thoughts of humane euthanasia. This case reiterates that medical options
for equine patients are evolving and improving. Through implementation of varied
treatment strategies and intensive management and care this horse has fully recovered
and will return to breeding.
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West Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first diagnosed
in North America in the New York City area in 1999. WNV primarily causes disease
in birds, humans and horses and is transmitted by many different species of mosquitoes.
Since 1999, over 16,000 U.S. horses have been confirmed for WNV encephalomyelitis.
During 2002, over 15,000 horses were affected with an approximately 30% mortality
rate. WNV is now considered endemic with yearly activity in the United States, Canada,
Mexico and the Caribbean.
Recently it has been reported that the incidence of human cases of WNV has been
increasing. There are many theories as to why this might be. Some speculate weather
related changes, while others have attributed possible viral mutations as causes
for the increase in cases. The ‘outbreak’ of human cases has not resulted in a
similar increase in equine cases. This might be due to diligent vaccination of our
patients or possible mutation of the virus resulting in increased potency to people.
There is a wealth of information that can be found that is up-to-date. The links
below are to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Texas
Department of State Health Services.
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/West%20Nile%20Virus.pdf [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001xlceMhVD8dGg_S3S7U0ApgyXLxpwKJX7gmm1WtblGc8gH7N0I-1l8Z7zaeAii8YXdpDFcEXDHkqaEf-ttLl7W6nn59f5hPpTDVE1PdEOiOkS_mwbT_gnCsyz2rPzo9et8Da6F8In8nCxGHSebBN86p-LS7jEcPlZtIn-A5M9s17OyKRYgN84Ng==]
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westnile/ [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001xlceMhVD8dHKY4ZeJAZIHyQYjvZb3hMR11pEoLq0OqOohHOtaPr9LoQZTtJ6fmS4lDCbf14SIWIGCanvDClnyM7GpyfCMWjticaD1-rc62BBc2X-Dd1i2zwGVKEnXBoGHlVCPiw15tYOV1z3_vLSzLU2icaJTGJsImcw7aSyKhU=]
All of this information serves as a reminder that we need to continue vaccinating
our horses for West Nile. The West Nile vaccine has become and it appears that it
will continue to be a core vaccine. This means that we need to vaccinate for the
disease annually and also make sure that young horses or horses that have never
been vaccinated receive a booster 3-6 weeks after the initial vaccination.
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