A Comfortable Jaw = A Happy Horse

Many unhappy, possibly spooky, one sided, intermittently lame horses have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) distress. The biomechanics of the TMJ are directly related to a horse’s posture, balance, rhythm, and general well being. The jaw joint is grossly overlooked by horsemen, veterinarians, and even equine dentists.  It is the closest joint in the body to the brain and brain stem and is flooded with proprioceptors that tell the body where it is in space.

Many dental practitioners are far too focused on smoothing up those molar tables without even considering how their work affects the TMJ. Now with the advent of SO many new power instruments on the market it is easy to get over aggressive with the floating.

Even though horses do have continually erupting teeth, there is only so much tooth that can erupt over a year’s time and that amount diminishes significantly as horses age. We see horses in our practice daily that have been overfloated in the molars to the extent that their table angles have been flattened and even sometimes reversed.  These table angles are necessary for proper guidance to the jaw joint. It also leaves the horse riding on his incisors (front teeth) with little or NO molar contact. These horses go into TMJ Myofascial pain syndrome trying to clench the muscles that close the jaw in an effort to get their molars back in contact.

Continue reading A Comfortable Jaw = A Happy Horse

What You Eat Is What You Are

There are many factors to consider when trying to manage a horse’s weight or have them gain weight.  To start with, the feed quality and source of calories within the feed is critical.  We all know eating fat promotes gaining fat more than eating protein does.  Did you know the quality of that fat affects the health of the cells throughout the body and that eating “bad” fats will decrease overall health and performance?  A feed should be palatable, digestible, consistent, and made with high quality ingredients.

Next are the teeth.  Proper dentition is needed to chew the feed, thereby increasing the surface area exposed for digestion (the “tip” for dental care is coming soon).

Then there is the stomach and intestinal tract where the feed is mixed with digestive enzymes and the microflora (bacteria and yeast) that are necessary to break down the food particles for absorption.  A deficiency or imbalance of these enzymes, bacteria, and/or yeast, known as dysbiosis, can lead to poor digestion, malabsorption, and weight loss regardless of the feed quality or quantity given.   Long term dysbiosis leads to leaky gut syndrome which creates a pro-inflammatory state within the body leading to a wide variety of problems varying from sore muscles and joints to laminitis and/or allergies.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12166

“Cowboy Man” Lyle Lovett to Headline 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Closing Ceremonies

September 21, 2010 – LEXINGTON, KY – One of America’s finest songwriters, Lyle Lovett, will bring the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to a vibrant finale at the October 10th closing ceremonies in Lexington, Ky.

Known for his versatility and musicality across many genres, from country and bluegrass to swing, folk ballads, gospel and blues, the four-time Grammy Award winner and his Large Band will provide a musical bookend to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games’ closing ceremonies’ celebration of iconic moments in U.S. history and culture.

Lovett has celebrated nearly 30 years of hits including “If I Had a Boat,” “Nobody Knows Me,” “South Texas Girl,” “That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas),” “She’s No Lady,” and his groundbreaking single, “Cowboy Man.” On his 14th album, “Natural Forces” released last year, Lovett croons a poignant line that speaks to his equestrian spirit: “Home is where my horse is.”

Continue reading “Cowboy Man” Lyle Lovett to Headline 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Closing Ceremonies

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Athlete Biographies Now Available Online

9/20/2010 – Biographies are now available for all athletes competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, providing up-to-date information for media and fans on all the athletes competing in Kentucky.

Information will be updated on a regular basis by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Athlete biographies can be accessed through the Media Center page of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Web site.

Media Contact:
Amy Walker
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
awalker@feigames2010.org
(859) 255-2010

USEF Names U.S. Dressage Team for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

September 17 2010 – Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the following horse/rider combinations to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to be held September 25-October 10, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The following horse/rider combinations have been named to the team (in ranked order):

Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Sex/Breed/Owner

Tina Konyot/ 48/Palm City, FL/Calecto V/12/S/Danish Warmblood/Tina Konyot and John Byrialsen
Todd Flettrich/40/Royal Palm Beach, FL/Otto/14/G/Danish Warmblood/Cherry Knoll Farm
Katherine Bateson-Chandler/35/Wellington, FL/Nartan/15/G/KWPN/Jane Forbes Clark
Steffen Peters/45/San Diego, CA/Ravel/12/G/KWPN/Four Winds Farm

The following horse/rider combinations have been named as substitutes (in ranked order):

Catherine Haddad/46/Vechta, Germany/Winyamaro/10/G/Hanoverian/Catherine Haddad
Pierre St. Jacques/45/Anthony, FL/Lucky Tiger/15/G/Danish Warmblood/Pierre St. Jacques
Sue Blinks/52/Encinitas, CA/Robin Hood/12/G/Dutch Warmblood/The Minnesota Group, LLC
Jan Ebeling/51/Moorpark, CA/Rafalca/13/M/Oldenberg/Ann Romney and Amy Ebeling

By Joanie Morris

Oh, Those Sweet Calories………!

Many horses have problems in the way they metabolize carbohydrates and sugars.  When these horses exhibit clinical signs, they may be diagnosed as Insulin Resistant (IR) or having Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

It is important to know that the various sources of energy from feeds are digested and metabolized differently.  The three main sources of energy for horses are carbohydrates (starch), fats, and proteins.  There are many commercially prepared high fat, low starch diets now available for these horses.  Managing pasture turn out and grazing is also of vital importance.  Grazing muzzles can save these horses lives!

A way to identify horses with possible metabolic problems is to evaluate their overall appearance. Most of these horses will have abnormal fatty deposits along their neck (cresty) and at the base of the tail.   Many geldings will also have increased fat deposits around their sheath.   A long hair coat, low energy levels, recurring muscle, tendon, and/or ligament injuries, abscesses and laminitis are other good indicators of metabolic disorders. Blood tests are indicated to determine which disorder(s) is present.  Research indicates that an overweight horse is more likely to become insulin resistant.

Continue reading Oh, Those Sweet Calories………!

Meydan FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final – Competition Report

The second round clear jumped by Emilie Martinsen and Caballero helped Denmark to victory in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final in Barcelona, Spain today. Photo: Nacho Olano.

FEI TV – Review the action from the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Promotional League final in Barcelona on FEI TV – www.feitv.org


DENMARK EARNS PROMOTION WITH CLEAN VICTORY IN BARCELONA

Barcelona, 19 September 2010 – Denmark will join the elite group of countries in the 2011 Meydan FEI Nations Cup series following a clear-cut victory in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain today.  The 5-Star Spanish fixture was dogged by appalling weather conditions which led to the transfer of several of the classes from the main arena to the sand-ring located behind the stables, and riders today faced the unusual task of jumping their two Nations Cup rounds over two different courses in two different arenas.  But nothing could throw the Danish contingent off their stride and, boldly leading the way at the halfway stage, they stood firm to confidently earn their place in the top-level series next season.

Continue reading Meydan FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final – Competition Report

The BLM Agrees to Support Madeleine Pickens’ Wild Horse Eco-Sanctuary

“A Dream Come True!”

Dear Our Fabulous Wild Horse Supporters,
We are SO excited to FINALLY announce the best news we have had to share with you in over 2 1/2 years!

OUR MUSTANGS ARE GETTING THEIR SANCTUARY AND HAVE THE BLM’S SUPPORT!

Over the past three days, I have been to meetings in Sacramento and again in Washington, DC.  I’ve met with BLM Director, Bob Abbey, and Deputy Director, Mike Pool, along with the Wild Horse and Burro team. The BLM has officially agreed to support going forward with the development of the wild horse Eco-sanctuary for the horses in holding! Also in DC, I met with Congressman Jim Moran, who had already given his blessing, but is submitting legislation to members of Congress on behalf of these wild mustangs. We are so thankful to him and his staff for their efforts on the wild horse and burro issue. All the meetings were fabulous and we could not be happier about the news!

Continue reading The BLM Agrees to Support Madeleine Pickens’ Wild Horse Eco-Sanctuary

Announcing the First Ever Live Morning Radio Show for the Horse World

HORSES IN THE MORNING – Debuting November 1, 2010

Visit the website at www.horsesinthemorning.com.

We are very excited to announce that we are again taking HRN to a new level with the first ever live morning show for the horse addicted.

A light, lively, entertaining daily look at the horse world and the people in it.

Hosted by Jamie Jennings and myself and produced by Jennifer H. The show will include entertaining conversation, out of the ordinary guests, numerous regular horse related segments, listener call in, contests, giveaways and so much more.

Continue reading Announcing the First Ever Live Morning Radio Show for the Horse World

HM Queen’s Horse to Represent Birmingham at Royal Windsor Racecourse’s PFA Football Furlong Raceday – Sunday, 8th August 2010!

Richard Hughes with HM The Queen, courtesy of Rod Kohler.

6 August 2010 – Racehorse Olympic Medal, owned by Her Majesty The Queen, trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by Jim Crowley, is due to run in the 4.30pm race at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8th August 2010.

Participating in the Football Furlong raceday means that following the draw, Olympic Medal will be representing Birmingham as part of the PFA-partnered Premiership football-themed raceday, and will instead run in the yellow and blue silks bearing the number eight on the back of the silks instead of Her Majesty’s famous colours (purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and black velvet cap with gold fringe).

Champion Jockey partners Arsenal, Spurs and Man Utd

Following the draw, Champion Jockey – Ryan Moore – will be partnering horses representing Villa, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd, Stoke and West Ham in Sunday’s PFA Football Furlong Raceday.

Continue reading HM Queen’s Horse to Represent Birmingham at Royal Windsor Racecourse’s PFA Football Furlong Raceday – Sunday, 8th August 2010!

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