 Last Friday night, my horse, Rex, got very sick. We all dread making the Friday night phone call to our vet, but in this case, it was absolutely necessary. A few days earlier, Rex had broken out in hives. There wasn't one square inch of him that did not have hives. It had been many years since he last had hives, but "dex" (dexamethasone, a prescription corticosteroid) usually took care of it in 2 or 3 days. It was now day 3, and he still had massive hives. He also had bug bites on his tummy and in between his front and back legs, (probably from culicoides), which I had been battling for the past 2 weeks. I took him up to the barn to cold hose him. I put my hand on the inside of his hing leg, and his skin felt like it was on fire. He did not want to be touched, and I completely understood why. Then I took his temperature and discovered he had a fever. It was almost 3 degrees above what is normal for him. As an aside, I believe every horse owner should know their horse's vital signs including temperature. Generally speaking, a horse's temperature range is between 99 and 101. It's important to know what's normal for your horse so you can determine the severity of a fever. Here's a link to My Helpful Links page where you can download a free chart I put together many years ago summarizing how to check your horse's vitals. Ok....Back to the Rex story.... At that point, I called my vet. She said she would be there as soon as she finished up her current call. When she arrived approximately 90 minutes later, she asked detailed questions about the current situation and took Rex's vitals. His temperature had gone up another whole degree in 90 minutes. Quite frankly, Rex looked miserable. After discussing various options, we decided to give Rex a Serum Amyloid A test. Do You Know What a Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Test Is? Give Me the Short Story.... SAA is a biomarker protein produced in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream when there is inflammation caused by an infection, trauma etc. In a normal healthy horse, SAA is found in very very low quantities and is not secreted until inflammation occurs. The normal SAA range is below 20 mg/L. (milligrams per liter) New devices enable your vet to test your horse's blood for the presence of SAA stall-side and get the results in about 8-10 minutes. This is in contrast to sending blood off to the lab to be tested for other infection markers that can take longer to show up. Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.... SAA Production and Response (image by Tridelta Development Ltd)  Give Me The SAA Geeky (but not too geeky) Details.... SAA is a member of a group of proteins called Acute Phase Proteins which are thought to be part of the body’s basic first line defense against infection, disease or trauma. In response to a challenge by, for example an infection, the body sends chemical messengers to the liver which then produces and releases SAA into the bloodstream to help fight off the challenge.¹ Researchers have discovered that when there is an infection or challenge to the immune system, SAA levels begin to rise almost immediately... and they can rise to levels hundreds of times above normal. SAA is extremely sensitive to the onset, duration, and end of the disease process. The SAA test is a simple blood test performed stall-side with a reader that is about the size of a smartphone. The device is pictured above. It takes about 8-10 minutes to get the results. That means your vet will have additional valuable information about what is going on in your horse's body very quickly and can start treatment immediately. SAA is normally present only in very low levels. As mentioned above, in a healthy horse, the normal range of SAA is below 20 mg/L (milligrams per liter.) In response to a challenge, however, SAA is produced in very high levels often 600, 800 or even 1000 mg/L. So, What Were the Results of Rex's SAA Test? 2150!! (Yes, I did say below 20 was normal.) In case you're wondering, I'm not missing a decimal place in the 2150. It was two thousand one hundred and fifty. Needless to say, we started treatment immediately! By the following morning, Rex had improved greatly. I am happy to report that 10 days later, Rex is feeling almost 100%. Phew!! The Bottom Line..... There is still much to be learned about SAA and its potential uses in identifying various diseases and medical conditions much earlier than was previously possible. Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing (in horses, humans and other animals) will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate.
Reference 1: Tridelta Development Ltd website  Since this blog is personal, I want to say a BIG thank you to my vet for coming out on a Friday night and to my two good friends and barnmates who stayed with Rex and I and provided excellent support! I also want to thank the barn owner and the barn manager who helped me care for Rex and were my eyes and ears in between my multiple visits per day taking his temperature and monitoring him. I owe all of you big time! It truly takes a village!!
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 It is hot (or getting hot) in many parts of the world, and riders are out and about enjoying riding their horse. Whether riding in shows and competitions, enjoying trail rides, taking lessons in an arena, sorting cows, racing at the track or feeling the thrill of a fast canter along the beach, there is no better time to own a horse!
However, high temperatures can pose a serious, sometimes deadly, risk to your horse. Heatstroke aka overheating or heat stress can occur not just from riding, but also from trailering, being in a hot stuffy stall or even being out in the field with the sun blaring down and no shade. I believe every rider should know the 5 key signs of heatstroke and what to do if this occurs. Equally important, every rider should know how to prevent it! What is Heatstroke? What Can It Cause? Heatstroke is not a stroke in the conventional sense of how you may think about a human having a stroke. Rather, it is the horse’s inability to cool him or herself down and get rid of excess heat. Like humans, horses have a natural cooling process in their body. This involves sweating and purging heat from nasal breathing/respiration (much like a dog may pant). But, in some cases of exposure to high heat levels, the horse may be unable to cool themselves. To try and compensate, the horse may sweat excessively, increase its respiration rate, and even redirect blood flow closer to the skin to aid in the cooling process. However, excess sweating can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes, and redistributing blood flow closer to the skin can cause the brain and other organs to receive less oxygen. Left untreated, this can cause colic, seizures, severe muscle cramps and even death. What Are the Signs of Heatstroke? Here are 5 key signs.
What are the Treatments for Heatstroke? The best treatment is actually not a treatment. It is prevention. Here are some prevention tips.
Have you ever dealt with a horse that suffered from heatstroke? What happened? Share your story on our Stretch Your Horse Facebook page.  3 Common Problems Long Lining Can Help Solve!....and Why It Is Better Than Lunging! What is an amazing technique all riders in all disciplines can do from the ground to improve their horse’s performance, biomechanics, self-carriage, rehab a horse from injuries, as well as improve rider communication (seat, hands, release cues) when riding? Long lining! Yes, long lining… which is not the same as traditional lunging! (also spelled longing) We are very fortunate to have guest blogger, Andrea Quale, owner of Andrea’s Horse Training, with us today. Andrea is a highly experienced dressage and western trainer. In this blog post, Andrea will discuss and demonstrate what long lining is, the 3 most common issues long lining can help solve, and why long lining is much more effective than lunging with or without side reins and much more effective than a pessoa lunging rig. Drum roll….. Take it away Andrea!! What is long lining? Why is it Far More Advantageous than Traditional Lunging or Using a Pessoa? Long lining is the lost art of working your horse from the ground with two reins. It very closely simulates riding. Here is a short video to give you an overview of long lining basics at the walk, trot and canter. When long lining, you can:
When lunging in a traditional manner or using a pessoa, you do not have the benefit of two reins. The communication and effectiveness of your cues is greatly diminished. In many cases, you simply cannot give effective cues at all as you only have a connection to one side of your horse’s body. You also cannot easily do all of the movements mentioned above. It is also much more difficult to get a fully accurate and clear picture of where you and your horse might be having communication issues, or places where you or your horse might “cheat” when doing transitions or movements. For example, a horse who may have a “stickie area” when it comes to bending in their ribs is easier to communicate with and help via long lining because your connection with both inside and outside reins enables you to influence the shape of the horse’s body. A Quick Story About Ilene and Rex It’s Ilene again. When Andrea taught me how to long line my horse, Rex, she explained all of the above. I could immediately see all the benefits versus traditional lunging or using a pessoa. However, I have to admit, I was skeptical about how this could improve my riding ability. Andrea is an amazingly skilled trainer for horses and riders, and extremely ethical. She would not make unsubstantiated claims. Still, when she said long lining would improve my riding, I nodded and smiled and thought to myself, “Yeah right…. I am not so sure about that.” I had a leg injury and could not ride for several months. Rex and I long lined a lot during this time. When I resumed riding, well……. it was time for me to eat my words. One big fat GULP!! I immediately felt the difference in my hands, posture and communication with Rex. When I am wrong, I am wrong… but what a great way to find out I was wrong! I now use and recommend long lining as part of the tools riders can use to improve and maintain their horse’s health….just like stretching! Ok… Back to Andrea…. A Quick Biomechanics and Self-Carriage Primer In a nutshell, in any riding discipline, your horse’s hind end must properly engage so there is seamless transference of weight throughout their body. For example, you can usually see your horse’s haunch drop when you ask them to back up. This movement transfers much of the horse’s weight off of their shoulders and onto their hindquarters. You also want the horse’s neck to be in a very gentle arc, with the throatlatch area open, and the nose either at or slightly in front of vertical. Under no circumstances should your horse’s neck be in hyperflexion (aka rollkur) which can occur in both English and Western riding disciplines. When these things are happening properly, your horse will be able to engage their abdominal muscles and lift their back. As a result, their movement will improve!  Andrea on Norbert demonstrating a good, proper shape of the horse’s topline and neck in dressage. By long lining, you can help your horse improve all of the above-mentioned items from the ground. Then, when you are riding, it will be easier for you to help your horse move with proper biomechanics and self-carriage. Self-carriage means the horse is balancing themselves. The rider's hand are soft and relaxed and do not have a vice grip on the reins to hold the horse in a frame. Self-carriage helps prevent injury caused by improper biomechanics. Two excellent sources of information that provide a detailed explanation of proper equine biomechanics applicable to ALL disciplines are: Tug of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage, by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, and Dr. Deb Bennett’s article on the Ring of Muscles. It doesn’t matter what goals you have with your horse or what discipline you ride, this information is essential to keep your horse’s body strong and healthy.  One of Andrea’s students on her mare, Stella, demonstrating a good example of a proper western horse topline. Long Lining Basics: The “Rider” aka You on the Ground!
As you long line, your body and posture effects what is happening with your horse, just like when you ride. Stand up straight, engage your core, and bring your shoulders back. This will bring your horse in better balance and will allow your cues to be clear. If your body position is lacking, your horse can: 1) Tend to fall in on their circle or straight line with their body; 2) Lose energy; and 3) Lose the contact on your reins (the long lines.) This short video demonstrates what happens with your horse as your body position changes when long lining. Three Common Issues Long Lining Can Help Solve…. 1. Working on a Weakness in Your Horse Have you ever seen or ridden a horse that was so weak it was challenging for them to canter on the correct lead or change directions correctly in any gait in a balanced, fluid manner? Have you ever ridden or seen a horse that is weaker on one side when being ridden? Long lining can help solve these common problems! Long lining enables you to teach your horse how to engage and strengthen their back and abdominal muscles so they can balance more easily and properly without having to worry about learning this while balancing you, the rider, at the same time. Once your horse has improved on the long lines, it will be much easier for them (and you!) to apply these learnings under saddle. Many training issues can be solved faster and more holistically by fixing them on the long lines first. A Short Story About Athena…. I had a small thoroughbred mare in training named Athena who could not stretch her neck and lift her back when someone was riding her. Athena was so inconsistent in her contact, speed, and balance that riding for her and her mount was uncomfortable. After only three long lining sessions, Athena enjoyed stretching into the reins and quickly learned proper balance in walk, trot, and canter on a circle. The long lines helped support her entire body. Because she learned comfortable contact and good biomechanics without having to balance a rider at the same time, this increased her confidence immensely. Finally, Athena was comfortable! After two months of long lining 3 times per week, Athena was strong enough to move with proper biomechanics, balance and connection all over the arena in both directions, both on the long lines and under saddle! 2. Working on a Stickie Area The most common “stickie” problem I come across in my daily horse training is difficulty with lateral movement such as bending in the ribs on a circle and doing a proper leg yield. A horse will not completely release and relax their back and topline and step under themselves laterally (to the side) in a relaxed manner if their ribs and intercostal muscles (muscles in between the ribs) are not moving. Horses receive communication through your body language and energy. If you are on the ground with long lines, and using your body language as well as the proper rein cues, you can teach your horse very specifically and clearly how to bend their body around your body position. For example, if you step toward your horse right behind their shoulder, that will teach them to move sideways away from your body. This is the beginning of teaching your horse to leg yield. Here is a short video containing an overview of bending and leg yielding on the long lines. 3. Rehabbing Injured Horses or Releasing Pent Up Energy Ever had to hand walk your horse for 30-40 minutes because they were coming back from an injury? Have you ever experienced that sketchy time where you are riding at the walk when your horse has pent-up energy? It’s much easier and more beneficial for your horse to long line during these times, and you can strengthen your horse’s topline and your communication cues while doing it! Long lining will also keep you safe in case your horse wants to rear or buck. It is easier and safer to teach your horse not to blow up from the ground. Plus, you do not risk falling off your horse. Ready to Long Line? Here is the Tack Set Up! Long lining requires several pieces of equipment. These include:
Conclusion Long lining very closely simulates riding and has the added benefit of the “rider” being able to see and feel how the horse responds to various cues. The entire body of the horse is engaged in the process and cues can be given with the support and aid of the long lines. Long lining also enables the rider to teach their horse many exercises from the ground that can then be done under saddle. The learning process under saddle will then be much easier and quicker (assuming your saddle fits properly!) Just like anything else, in order to achieve full effectiveness, you must use proper form while working with your horse on the long lines. I strongly advise seeking a professional’s assistance in order to ensure you are practicing properly and correctly and for the safety of you and your horse. Are you excited to learn more about long lining? Contact a professional in your areas who knows how to long line to work with you or contact me if you live in the Portland, Oregon metro area. Join the conversation about long lining on our Stretch Your Horse Facebook page. About Andrea Andrea Quale, owner of AndreasHorseTraining, is a very experienced dressage and Western trainer. She started riding as a kid in 4-H and Oregon High School Equestrian Team in all performance events such as obstacle trail, western pleasure, hunt seat, and dressage. As a kid, she also had a strong passion for dressage and showing at local dressage shows. She now specializes in training dressage. Andrea has helped many horses and owners with restarting and retraining their problem horses, rehabilitating horses from injuries, as well as moving horses of all breeds and disciplines up the levels in dressage. She uses holistic, positive training methods combining riding and groundwork so both rider and horse can achieve their goals and have a close partnership. She is located in North Plains, Oregon.  Did you know studies indicate....
Additionally, many horses and dogs have "mystery tummy or digestive troubles." This could be hind gut issues in horses, diarrhea in horses and dogs or any number of problems. This newsletter will focus on the use of papaya (for horses and dogs) for ulcers and "mystery tummy troubles" as well as new and surprising medical research on the use and efficacy of Omeprazole, long considered the "gold standard" for treatment of equine gastric ulcers. OK.... Let's get to it! Key Facts About Gastric Ulcers First, here is an excellent infographic by Hygain presenting key facts about the prevalence, causes, signs and some treatment options for equine gastric ulcers. In addition to the signs mentioned on the infographic, mild colic, lying down more than normal, girthiness (not caused by a girth issue, poor saddle fit or a rib movement restriction (aka a "rib out") can also be signs of equine gastric ulcers.  H2 Blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors....In Plain English Typical treatment for equine, canine (and human) gastric ulcers involves the use of either Histamine 2 (H2) blockers or Proton Pump Inhibitors to reduce stomach acid. H2 blockers, (medicines such as Cimetidine and Ranitidine), work by blocking a chemical in the body called histamine that stimulates stomach acid pumps. Proton pump inhibitors, (medicine such as Omeprazole), work by "blocking" (inhibiting) the pumps in the stomach that produce acid. As reported by TheHorse.com, new research from a team in Australia showed that "in some horses on certain diets, the duration of acid suppression of oral omeprazole....could be inadequate for ulcer healing. While omeprazole did a great job raising intragastric pH in horses on high-grain/low-fiber diets, it didn’t perform so well in horses on hay-only diets." The researchers also discovered that under some conditions there was a cumulative effect of dosing—meaning the longer the treatment regimen (measured up to five days), the higher the pH, which is a new finding. In the end, the researchers determined using a cookie-cutter dosing recommendation for all horses might not be appropriate. Veterinarians should consider the diet and management of horses when making dosing recommendations. "A hay-only diet might be a bad idea in the therapeutic stage, at least in some animals," according to the researchers. These results led the research team to investigate other treatment approaches, specifically oral esomeprazole and a long-acting injectable omeprazole formulation. Both show significant promise. Check out the full article here for more details. In summary, each horse's situation is unique. Cookie-cutter approaches do not always work. More research on oral and injectable omeprazole as well as oral esomeprazole is needed. Collaborate closely with your vet when considering ulcer medications and be sure to tell your vet about your horse's diet, turn out and other living conditions...all of which can potentially affect how well any medication works. Can Some Papaya Each Day Help Keep Ulcers and "Tummy Troubles" Away?  Here is an article written by Gillian Clissold, an Advanced Level Eventer, regarding the use of papaya in horses. By the way, dogs can eat papaya too (in smaller quantities than a horse of course!) The seeds should not be ingested. Papaya aids digestion, in part, by increasing mucous secretion in the mouth, esophagus and stomach. In some cases, a horse that has been turning its nose up at food starts eating within moments of the administration of papaya. There seems to be what could be called a “reverse Pavlovian response”. The horse’s mouth waters so it feels the urge to eat. Even more importantly, papaya initiates a thickening of the horse’s natural stomach lining which provides protection against excess acid. It gives damaged tissues a chance to heal, and helps prevent new ulcers. In horses moving vigorously (race horses, eventers, endurance horses) the esophageal mucous protection can help keep reflux from damaging the esophagus. In an ulcer study published in the March 2005 issue of The Horse Journal, “rapid relief within three to five days” was reported. The same study reported that other major natural products for digestive problems worked considerably more slowly. In one case, a weanling with severe ulcers and a bloated stomach did not respond to expensive pharmaceuticals but did recover with papaya. A race horse that had such severe ulcers it could not race, even after many weeks on an acid reducing pharmaceutical, had a clear endoscopic exam after three weeks on papaya, and then won a stakes race. Unlike most of the conventional anti-ulcer treatments, papaya is safe for long-term use. The calcium/magnesium antacid type products work by neutralizing acid and coating the stomach wall with a chalky protective layer. However, if they are used over an extended period, resulting high levels of magnesium can interfere with the absorption of calcium. Low calcium levels can cause nervousness, bone changes, weak and aching muscles and abnormal heart rhythms. The pharmaceuticals which reduce acid production are great for most acute ulcer symptoms. However, acid is needed to control and modify bacteria in the gut. If the acid levels are low for many months, “bad” bacteria, particularly Salmonella, can overpopulate the digestive tract and create conditions for colic. Furthermore, prolonged low acid levels can cause poor absorption of vitamin B12, inefficient utilization of dietary protein, food allergies, bloating and foul manure. Papaya is also useful in conjunction with administration of certain medicines. Many people “prep” the horse with a half dose of papaya to trigger extra mucous in the digestive tract lining just before they administer an anti-inflammatory capable of damaging the stomach lining. They then administer the anti-inflammatory, and follow up with another half dose of papaya to wash away the foul taste of the medicine. Similarly, endurance riders and eventers who give electrolytes to their mounts mix the powder with papaya before administering. The extra mucous triggered by the papaya protects the mouth, esophagus and stomach from the burn of frequent electrolyte administrations. The mucous producing characteristic of papaya is complemented by the enzyme it contains called papain. Papain is the main active ingredient in meat tenderizer. It closely resembles the digestive enzyme pepsin. Old horses benefit from papaya because its enzyme breaks down what their less efficient digestive tract can’t, and they gain weight. Papaya also helps foals who get “scours” when the hormones in their mother’s milk changes during the first heat which presents the foal’s digestive tract with a new challenge for which it does not have the appropriate microbe population. The papain enzyme picks up where the foal’s own system is insufficient. Weaning is a stressful time, too. Not only are foals anxious (creating conditions for an ulcer), but they must deal with a change in diet, for which they may not have the correct balance of gut “bugs”. In addition to the papaya induced ulcer-preventative mucous secretion, the papain helps weanlings digest new diets while their gut microbes are adjusting. Cribbing often decreases when horses have papaya daily. Cribbing incidence at weaning is drastically reduced, and about half of adult cribbers also reduce or cease the habit. While most positive effects of papaya are evident in a week, in the case of a confirmed cribber, it can take up to a month for improvement. (Cribbing associated with stomach pain or missing nutrients is most responsive to papaya.) Similarly, when antibiotics kill good gut bacteria, leaving the digestive tract unable to sufficiently break down food, diarrhea results. Papaya picks up where the bacteria leave off, and antibiotic-induced diarrhea can improve. When horses get diarrhea during trailering, it can, in part, be due to anxiety-induced changes in gut motility not allowing absorption. The papain enzyme helps break down the food in the limited time it is in the gut and may reduce the diarrhea. A final important characteristic of papaya is its taste and consistency. It has the viscosity of tomato ketchup, and is extremely sweet. This makes it ideal for camouflaging unpleasant medicines. One race horse trainer spent several hundred dollars for expensive antibiotics which his horse spit out on the walls before he realized the horse would happily swallow the dose if it were mixed with papaya. Horses who need extra salt in hot weather, but refuse it in their food, often lap it up if it’s mixed with papaya. Papaya apparently tasted so good to one horse that he grabbed a bottle left close to his stall, chewed off the cap and licked up the resulting spill. Another owner found that if he approached the fence with a dosing syringe full of the fruit, his horse would immediately gallop over. Papaya is also a mild “blood thinner”. The increased circulation associated with the slight anticoagulant effect may account for the very shiny coats and high incidence of dapples that many horses on papaya enjoy. Some caretakers also report an improvement in joint health as well. Papaya should not be administered to a horse that is on an anticoagulant already, as there may be an additive affect. Some stages of pregnancy can be complicated by bleeding, so it is unwise to administer papaya to a mare who is pregnant or who is about to be bred. Where the Heck Do I Get Papaya?? So, you are intrigued. You will probably Google papaya use in horses or dogs and come across a bunch of information. You will also discover papaya may help humans with heart health, diabetes, inflammation, digestion and a whole host of other things. But then it hits you.... where do I get papaya? Do I have to give my horse or dog fresh papaya each day? Is that practical? Is that in my budget? Good questions!! You can certainly do that, but you can also try papaya puree or even papaya enzyme tablets. Both are less expensive, easier to administer and can be found online or in most health food stores. If you use fresh papaya, be sure to remove the seeds and skin as that can be toxic for some horses. 2-4 ounces per day is the dosage for fresh papaya. If you go the papaya puree route (not the nectar), give 2 ounces twice a day. Be sure your puree does not have added sugar. You may have to treat with Gastorguard or Alimend first and then maintain things with papaya. The Bottom Line.... There are many causes of equine and canine ulcers as well as other types of digestive disorders and "mystery tummy troubles." Sometimes traditional medications can provide relief. Sometimes "going the natural route" with papaya (or other items such as aloe vera juice) may be the answer. Each horse and dog is individual and care should be taken to evaluate the situation carefully, including understanding all side effects of medications and papaya. Have you had any experience treating your horse or dog for ulcers, other digestive disorders or "mystery tummy troubles?" Share your experience on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page.  Why Sea Salt Is A Rock Star.... Everyone could use a rejuvenating spa treatment and stretches for their own legs. Now you can do this for your horse! Here’s how…. You don’t have to search hard on the web to find many articles and a study by the National Institutes of Health singing the praises of Sea Salt Therapy in humans. In fact, it is one of the hottest spa trends. Even the mainstream media is reporting on the benefits of sea salt therapy including: relief of muscle cramps, anti-inflammatory properties leading to decreased arthritis symptoms, skin and dental benefits, and asthma relief just to name a few. Guess what?? Hippocrates (the father of medicine) discovered the benefits of sea salt back in 460 BC. (NOTE: There is a big difference between organic sea salt and processed white table salt. Processed white table salt has almost no beneficial minerals left in it. Do NOT use it for the treatment discussed below.) So, what does this have to do with horses? A lot! Read on…. Did you know that 65-70% of your horse’s weight is carried by the front legs? Have you ever stopped and thought about how amazing all 4 of your horse’s relatively small legs are? They carry around 1000-1400 pounds on average (horse + rider) and jump, navigate obstacles, do sliding stops and spins, cow sort, navigate hills and trails, perform dressage moves and so much more! That’s pretty impressive! All this hard work and stress can cause the legs to have small (or not so small) amounts of inflammation, become tired and build up toxins. The legs are also prone to injury. Give your horse's hard working legs the TLC and special attention they deserve! Say THANK YOU to your horse. Here’s an easy Do-It-Yourself Deluxe Leg "sea salt spa treatment” designed especially for horses! **Use sea salt for even more benefit than the rock salt mentioned in the article In addition to the deluxe sea salt leg treatment, there are also 3 great leg stretches you can do with your horse. They are:
Here is a picture and description of each stretch. (Muscle names provided for anatomy geeks, but you don't need to know the names to learn to do these stretches.)
 Straight Front Leg Low and High Stretch This stretch is wonderful for many muscles of the leg including the flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profundus. It also stretches many muscles in the area of the shoulder blade (scapula) including the serratus, triceps, teres minor , supraspinatus and infraspinatus.  Farrier Low and High Stretch This stretch relaxes many muscles surrounding the hip, sacroiliac, and the front of the leg such as the tensor fasciae latae, the extensor digitorum lateralis and longus, and the gluteal muscles.
These stretches are all available as individual instructional videos also known as “in app purchases” in the Stretch Your Horse Mobile App. The App costs only $2.99 and comes with 3 videos. You can then buy these videos individually for only $3.99 each or buy all 22 videos in one bundle for $69.99 which is a 20% discount over individual video purchases.
Search Stretch Your Horse in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to get the App! If you have never bought an app, don't worry! Contact Support@StretchYourHorse.com and we will guide you through the easy process. #RejuvenateHorseLegs and Get Your Horse Stretch On! Tell us your spa treatment and leg stretching stories on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page!  Take the short Parasite Pop Quiz and test your parasite IQ! Knowing the answers to these 11 true or false questions could save your horse's life!
QUESTIONS: TRUE OR FALSE
1. Large Strongyles are the most dangerous parasite for horses. False Almost all dewormers effectively kill large strongyles. Therefore they are quite rare and pose little threat to regularly dewormed horses. 2. There is a single wormer that kills all equine parasites. False Moxidectin plus praziquantel (Quest Plus) works well against encysted small strongyles, large strongyles and tapeworms. However, it does not work well against ascarids in foals and should not be used on foals less than six months old. It is also important to switch classes of wormer to prevent resistant worms from developing on your property. 3. There are no negative ramifications if I underdose my horse on dewormer. False Underdosing horses leads to resistance by only killing the most susceptible parasites and leaving the strongest ones to reproduce. 4. Horses naturally acquire immunity to ascarids after 18 months of age. True Young horses are very susceptible to ascarid impactions, and should be wormed regularly with fenbendazole (panacur) at a 10 mg/kg dose for 5 days in a row to kill them. 5. The best way to manage pastures is to spread manure on them. False Spreading manure on your pastures can actually increase the parasite burden on your farm, unless the weather is hot and dry enough to effectively kill all the eggs. 6. Hot dry weather kills parasite eggs better than freezing temperatures. True More parasite eggs are killed in hot dry weather then freezing temps. 7. Small strongyles are becoming resistant to all available dewormers. True The adult version of small strongyles are fairly easy to kill while the encysted form are only susceptible to moxidectin for the time being 8. All horses on the same property will have the same parasite burden. False Younger horses often have higher worm burdens because they have less immunity, and just like people, some horses have less immunity and some have more. 9. A negative fecal exam means I never need to deworm my horse. False Fecal egg counts can quite often have false negative results, meaning that they come back negative but testing a different fecal ball or a different pile of manure from your horse would actually have a positive result. Knowing that, all horses should be wormed a minimum of twice per year. 10. I’ve always used the same product. It works, so I don’t need to change it. False Using the same product over and over breeds resistance in your parasite population. It also doesn’t kill all stages and types of parasite. Rotating wormers and using the appropriate one for the age of your horse is important. 11. Moxidectin (Quest) should not be used on foals less than 6 months. True Horses less than 6 months of age have a higher incidence of adverse reactions, including ataxia, depression/lethargy and recumbency. Very old and very thin or sick horses should also avoid moxidectin. How did you do on the pop quiz? What did you learn? What worming products and protocol do you use on your horse? Join the conversation and share your insights and ideas on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page. This Parasite Pop Quiz was developed by Dr. Flynn Magaorian, BVMS, a staff veterinarian at Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services. She is currently on maternity leave, but you can contact Dr. Jack Root or Dr. Sylvia Oullette (pronounced Wool-lette) at Oakhurst Equine if you have questions or need assistance devising an effective worming protocol for your horse. (503) 554-0227. This blog post is part two of a series discussing equine spinal health, Spinal Crowding Syndrome and Kissing Spine. In this post, we will discuss specific riding exercises to improve spinal health and movement, and, in some cases, even kiss kissing spine good-bye! Once again, we are very fortunate to have with us guest blogger, Simon Cocozza, a registered Instructor and Examiner for La Fédération Française d’Equitation (FFE) who has extensive experience dealing these issues, and will share his Core Correction riding exercise method. His exercise method can be used in any riding discipline, English or Western. A Short Refresher... In case you missed last week's blog, Simon provided a very thorough, yet easy to understand, explanation regarding Spinal Crowding Syndrome and Kissing Spine. Please refer back to part one of the blog if needed. Take it away Simon! Getting to the Core of the Matter Below are four introductory exercises that look quite simple, and in a sense they are, yet they will produce a noticeable improvement in the horse’s willingness to flex through the spine. They combine stretch and twist motions at low speed that break down the defensive ‘locking’ habit of the back and encourage the horse to learn to let go and allow progress to the strength building phase of exercises that will develop true engagement under impulsion. The horse's core is key. The movements should be repeated slowly and deliberately until fluid and easy, in a similar way as a pianist would repeat the scales to perfection. As spinal crowding syndrome (SCS) is, in part, a psychological defense, the effect is not only a strengthening of the horse’s core but also provides practice of the basic ‘language’ of movement between horse and rider that will increase ease in a performance by developing trust at the same time as strength. These exercises should be performed initially from walk and repeated until the horse feels more fluid before moving onto the daily program. The human Yoga equivalent is also pictured which has the same effect on our bodies as it does on the horse. Riding Exercise #1: Inside ‘Half Moon’ Bend and Stretch Quite simply a small circle around a cone, barrel or block at the walk, with long reins and lots of inside bend. This stretches the outside of the body and helps the horse to let go of their lateral back tension. Don’t insist, encourage. Relax, wait and repeat until your horse's head drops and they bend more freely and regularly.
_________________________________________________________ Riding Stretch #2: Leg Yield ‘Triangle’ Stretch at Walk As with the revolved triangle Yoga pose for people, a stretched leg yield encourages the hips to rotate in the opposite direction from the shoulders, encouraging the spine to twist freely and gradually release its kinks. The horse may initially block themselves. Persist sympathetically and they will let go, drop their head willingly to the inside rein and step sideways with more and more elasticity. Low deep bend ..... and crossing over Revolved Triangle Pose ______________________________________________________________ Riding Stretch # 3: Quarter to Full Turn On The Forehand – The ‘Half Split’ Great for opening gates and even better for building the Multifidus system. This exercise works on many levels and when perfected later on, the horse will work in a very fluid outline. It teaches the horse to move away from a light inside leg which is the basis of straightness control, lateral work and precise cornering later on. It also builds the lateral and rotative pelvic control muscles, as well as simultaneously lifting the spine and separating the spinous processes to relieve impinged nerves. Get one or two correct steps before asking for more. The horse must step under their body with the inside hind and rotate their hind quarters around the inside foreleg. Back up the inside leg with a gentle tap of the whip aid to get the first steps. Watch out for evasions such as stepping backwards and walking out of the outside shoulder. When the horse easily drops the inside rein to you and willingly gives the outside rein a contact, the correction has been made. High Turn Low Turn Yoga Half Split ________________________________________________________________ Riding Stretch # 4. Quarter to Half Pirouette – Turn On the Haunches to ‘Thread the Needle’ This is essential for suppleness in the shoulders and rider/horse communication. From standstill (in the hault), with an open reined inside bend, increase the outside rein pressure until the horse steps away from the aid. This develops thoracic sling motion range, encouraging the horse to carry their spine higher between the shoulder blades. This raises the horse's center of gravity and gives them the ability to push their front end upwards in each stride making their movement ‘uphill’ and supple, and allowing a space for the rear end to engage into. The result is light outside rein influence of the shoulder, allowing precision turns and the key to easily controlled shoulder in, half-pass and pirouette....not to mention various precise haunch turns required of Western riders. Rotating the shoulders around the inside hind Yoga Thread the Needle Pose ______________________________________________________________ When beginning this work, the rider must think of a gentle, suppling guidance as the resistances are a combination of psychological as well as physical. Great care needs to be taken to ask for more effort and strength only after the horse has let go of their defenses. Top Tips
Conclusion When a horse has achieved a movement assessment core score of 0 (discussed in part of 1 of this blog), the horse will now be in the physical condition of those that these principles were developed to apply. One must remember the circumstances under which they were written are not those of today’s equine marketplace. With horses that have core movement scores of 4 or 5, my first advice is to seek assistance from your Vet. Obtain a lateral thoracic x-ray which will show immediately if there is any spinal crowding or kissing. Depending on the severity, there are a few options, which are traditionally surgical and/or anti-inflammatory medication. My preference as a trainer is to retrain the Multifidus system to eliminate the original cause of the misalignment rather than alleviate the symptoms when possible. When done carefully, even very severe cases have been reversed with this method. Your horse may also need bodywork from an experienced professional like Ilene to help unlock the spine, back and neck muscles while doing these exercises. Well, my friends, I hope these words are interesting and of use. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have problems, breakthroughs or wish to go further with this method. Please never forget the gentle willingness of horses is their most precious quality and the one most loved by us humans. If we truly want to bond in motion with these amazing and magnificent creatures, we must reciprocate by recognizing the silent signals of difficulty that are hidden by their innocent generosity. May the horse be with you. Has your horse been diagnosed with SCS or KS? Have you tried these exercises? Did your horse have surgery? Please join the conversation and share your experience and questions on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page. Simon Cocozza is a European qualified Dressage trainer and rider currently based in Normandy, France, and a registered Instructor and Examiner for La Fédération Française d’Equitation (FFE). After passing the BHSAI in London, England, he then studied for the Advanced National Certificate in Equine Business Management and Equitation (ANCEBM) at Warwickshire College of Equine Studies. After graduating, he was understudy to Grand Prix dressage rider Bertil Voss (NL) with whom he learned to ride and train high-level performance horses. Since then, has had the pleasure of helping clients and horses to many French and European Championship successes. His current work in dressage focuses on competition performance and unlocking the mysteries of optimal technique and proper biomechanics. His current lecture and tour is called "Releasing Your Horse's Inner Dancer" followed by "Ridden Exercises to Improve Your Horse's Core Strength." He can be reached at quadriapony@aol.com or VisconteCozza.com  This blog post is part one of a two part series discussing equine spinal health, Spinal Crowding Syndrome and Kissing Spine. We are very fortunate to have guest blogger, Simon Cocozza, a registered Instructor and Examiner for La Fédération Française d’Equitation (FFE) who has extensive experience dealing these issues, share his insights and solutions. Harmony, Magic and A Strong Core The pursuit of mental and physical harmony with our horses has to be the ultimate riding goal. That is where the magic happens! Our traditional training methods aim to build a horse’s muscles, reactions and fitness to power them when jumping over things, galloping fast, sorting cows, reining, performing impressive dressage movements, or riding trails. However, there are key muscles deep within our horses that can remain weak in even very fit horses making it impossible for them to work with core fluidity, leading to self-restraint when asked to move forward, poor performance, and in some cases, a lot of pain. A clue to the origin of a "disconnected ride" are the symptoms we encounter when we are in the saddle or working our horse from ground, especially when long lining. Over the years it has become obvious that whatever the build, breed, discipline or even history, the same groups of resistances are experienced by most horses and their riders; only intensity varies. Painful spinal and back issues (not related to poor saddle fit which is beyond the scope of this blog but still a very real problem that must be solved) are often disguised as schooling or behavioral issues until they become severe enough to easily identify. Core muscle weakness initially shows itself with a heavy, one-sided contact (among other all too familiar resistances,) and can indicate the onset of "Spinal Crowding Syndrome" (SCS), which is extremely common and often overlooked. Unfortunately, if not addressed, it can ultimately lead to a condition called “Kissing Spine,” in which part of the horse’s vertebrae called the spinous processes (pictured below) are touching each other. One potential solution is “Core Correction,” a ridden system of Yoga for horses. By precisely targeting and strengthening inherent muscle weakness under the guidance of the rider, the pair can together develop self-carriage enabling the horse to use all of its muscles and create "the magic."  The horse’s spine without the rider’s weight. The proximity of the spinous processes are naturally very close in this healthy spine. What is Spinal Crowding Syndrome? How Does it Lead to Kissing Spine? Evolution has perfected the horse’s skeleton over millions of years to make him/her a great mover, but it did not make the horse’s back naturally strong enough to carry a human, however big and strong the horse may appear.  The horse’s natural reaction to the rider’s weight is to dip or slump their back. When a young horse first carries a rider, the new weight placed over the middle of the spinal column causes it to slump or dip slightly. This is, of course, invisible to the naked eye due to the presence of a saddle. This closes the already narrow gaps between the vertical spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae. As the horse’s work progresses into trot and canter, they can begin to feel discomfort as the nerves running between the spinous processes risk becoming rubbed, and if not corrected, pinched. To limit discomfort as training becomes more demanding, the horse will instinctively tense the back muscles and ‘lock’ the area to limit the rubbing action. As horses are creatures of habit, once this defense begins, it is likely to continue. The horse loses the natural flexible qualities of their spine that are key to the elastic connection of large body sections. At this point, the horse has now developed Spinal Crowding Syndrome, a precise term describing the complications of a hollow back.  Natural gap of spinous processes  Narrowed gap with slight spinal dip As the horse is asked to perform more trot and canter work, he/she responds as best they can by using their limbs instead of their whole body, deliberately avoiding bending through the spine by triangulating the gait and swinging the hind quarters to the inside. It is for this reason so many well-bred horses are uncomfortable, never seem to fulfill their actual potential irrespective to their level of fitness, and why most horses move well in the field yet lose their natural cadence under saddle. The Weak Link: Deep Core Muscles  The horse's deep muscles are crucial for good movement. There are complex systems of muscles that control movement of the spine, called Multifidus, Psoas and Abdominal muscle groups. These are the horse's core muscles. They need to be very strong to support a rider while maintaining correct spinal alignment on the go. In fact, the entire ring of muscles must be functioning well to support the rider. Simply asking the horse to move forward into the hand will not build the core muscles, particularly if the spine is already a little dipped and locked, as adding impulsion will hollow the back further and the horse's body begins working against itself with negative back tension. In fact, more impulsion worsens the problem.  Weak core muscles allow the spine to dip. A strong core keeps spine optimal. What is Kissing Spine? When our horses become more mature and we ask for work in a more advanced outline or frame, the muscles over the spine can become very tense as they further attempt to defend the spine from the potentially uncomfortable twisting and bending of an active gait. Also, the increased impulsion and muscular tension creates a critical counter force leading to further compression of the spinous processes. Some horses stabilize and learn to work like this by becoming sufficiently supple in the limb joints, although their gaits will be incurably crooked, one-sided and limited. In some cases, horses experiencing this syndrome develop very tense back muscles leading to severe behavioral and riding resistances. At that stage, it has possibly become a "kissing spine." Kissing spine is characterized by the vertebrae becoming kinked by the Longissimus Dorsi muscle (long back muscle) spasming, and the spinous processes touching each other and crushing the nerve. The red stars in the picture below show the areas of kissing spine.  An example of 4 separate kissing processes as noted by red stars. Green circles show normal desired gap. A secondary effect of the spine losing elasticity is that kinetic force is thrown forward towards the shoulders as it can no longer be absorbed through the horse’s center. This pushes the lowest part of the cervical (neck) section of the spine, the base of the neck, downwards between the shoulder blades. This robs the horse of forehand ‘suspension’, plunging it downhill, onto the forehand and heavily into the rider’s hand making straightness and balance physically impossible. It is likely that advanced kissing spine cases may also have spinal interference in the sixth and seventh cervical (neck) vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebrae contributing to the bracing resistance found in the rein contact of affected horses.  The spine carried low between the shoulder blades. How to Tell if a Horse Has Spinal Crowding Syndrome or Kissing Spine In motion, our bodies are just a biological mechanism, a machine for moving around. As with any machine, the angles that force travel must be carefully aligned. A car with a flat tire will pull heavily to one side, for example. Any mechanical misalignment will wear parts quickly due to the excess strain put upon them. When the horse’s spine or ‘chassis’ is misaligned, all the subtle dynamics of limb flight and joint trajectories are thrown out of line causing all sorts of imbalances, restrictions and excesses. As difficult as it is for the horse to do as asked under these circumstances, things are almost as awkward the rider who is severely jiggled about or even downright ejected, unable to ride in a soft, light way, therefore reinforcing the horse’s tension. Aids then become impossible for the horse to understand creating a vicious circle of defensive tension that is tricky to break. Horses are generous and silent triers. They don’t audibly yelp in pain like people or other pets, so sometimes the initial signs of spinal crowding are hard to notice. The signs are often seen as individual problems with no common cause, but they do have telltale predictability. There are two methods that should be employed to diagnose SCS or KS. They are back x-rays or other diagnostic imaging and movement assessment….and they work hand in hand. Movement Assessment As spinal crowding symptoms come in groups, we can start by giving each horse a ‘Core score’ when riding. Here is a table of symptoms for each score as a guide.  Secondary Effects  As with a tire when cornering, lateral force distorts growth of the hoof. There are
When any machine has dynamic misalignments, individual parts will be asked to support a different kind of strain than that for which they were designed. Unfortunately, the secondary effects of spinal crowding will show excessive strain in the area most used by the horse to compensate for avoiding his back correctly. This often appears in the limbs and feet as a seemingly unrelated problem. Hoof flares are a good example. The ‘sway’ of hoof growth on one side of the foot shows a repetitive lateral slide of that limb, like a car tire under cornering. The presence of forces from a direction which the limb was not designed can form all manner of reaction over time. Bony growths, joint swellings, self-interference and excessive wear show that a body part has endured excessive repetitive strain. The goal of correcting the horse’s core strength is to diminish and heal these ailments, without resorting to kissing spine surgery. Can You Kiss Kissing Spine or SCS Good-Bye Without Surgery? In part two of this blog which will be published on October 6th, Simon will discuss the specific exercises riders can do to improve their horse’s core strength while riding. There are also various stretches and core strengtheners you can do from the ground that I will discuss in a separate blog post later. The goal of ridden and on the ground stretches and core strengthening is to create the magic and avoid or correct SCS and KS without surgery. While correcting SCS or KS is not possible 100% of the time, these exercises are absolutely worth doing! It is no different than going to a human PT to fix issues in a more natural, holistic, and less invasive way thereby avoiding surgery. What did you learn about Spinal Crowding Syndrome and Kissing Spine? What questions do you have? How did your horse score on his or her movement analysis? Join the conversation on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page. Simon Cocozza is a European qualified Dressage trainer and rider currently based in Normandy, France, and a registered Instructor and Examiner for La Fédération Française d’Equitation (FFE). After passing the BHSAI in London, England, he then studied for the Advanced National Certificate in Equine Business Management and Equitation (ANCEBM) at Warwickshire College of Equine Studies. After graduating, he was understudy to Grand Prix dressage rider Bertil Voss (NL) with whom he learned to ride and train high-level performance horses. Since then, has had the pleasure of helping clients and horses to many French and European Championship successes. His current work in dressage focuses on competition performance and unlocking the mysteries of optimal technique and proper biomechanics. His current lecture and tour is called "Releasing Your Horse's Inner Dancer" followed by "Ridden Exercises to Improve Your Horse's Core Strength. He can be reached at quadriapony@aol.com.  Here are 10 horse health questions. Grab paper and a pen or your laptop or tablet to record your answers. (The answers are provided below question 10.) Question 1: Can deworming your horse on a regular basis help prevent colic? a) Yes b) No Question 2: According to recent studies, what percentage of saddles do not fit the horse they are used on? a) 10-15% b) 20-25% c) 30-40% d) 50-60% e) 75% or more Question 3: What is the resting heart rate for the average adult horse? Question 4: Where is the horse’s clavicle or “collar bone” located? Question 5: Can you name 3 of the top 10 most toxic and poisonous plants for horses? Question 6: How many gallons of water per day should the average healthy adult horse drink? Question 7: Can stretching your horse help decrease the aging process of the musculoskeletal system? a) Yes b) No Question 8: Is there a difference between laminitis and founder? a) Yes b) No Question 9: If your horse has asymmetrical shoulders (meaning shoulders that are not the same size and shape), should you use saddle pad shims in: a) Both sides of your saddle pad b) Only the side with the larger, more developed shoulder c) Only the side with the small, less developed shoulder Question 10: How tight should your horse’s noseband be if you use one? a) One finger should fit between the noseband leather and horse's nose. b) Two fingers should fit between the noseband leather and the horse's nose. c) It depends on how hot the horse is. d) It depends on how stubborn the horse is. Here are the answers to the quiz questions.Q1 Answer: Yes. Many cases of colic are actually associated with parasites. Q2 Answer: The correct answer is E. 75% or more of saddles do not fit the horse they are used on. Q3 Answer: The average adult horse resting heart rate is 30-40 beats per minute. Q4 Answer: This is a trick question! Horses do not have a clavicle or collar bone. Q5 Answer: The top 10 most toxic and poisonous plants for horse are:
Q6 Answer: The average, healthy adult horse that weights 1000 lbs should consume approximately 5-10 gallons of water per day if the horse lives in a temperate climate and is not working. This works out to about a half gallon to a gallon of water per hundred pounds of body weight. If the horse’s workload increases or the horse lives in a hot OR cold climate, the need for water increases. Horses with certain medical conditions may also need more water. Here is a link to great article on horses and water consumption. Q7 Answer: Yes. According to a study conducted by Dr. Ava Frink, DVM, muscles and connective tissue respond to overuse by shrinking and tightening. Its response to underuse is much the same. Stiffness can result in injury, lead to inactivity, and eventually speed up the aging process of the musculoskeletal system. Q8 Answer: In the equine world, laminitis and founder are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Laminitis is a condition that can lead to founder if the case is chronic. Laminitis occurs when the soft laminae tissue in the hoof become inflamed and swell. There can also be lack of adequate blood flow. Swelling of the laminar bond between layers of the hoof lead to the initial phases of acute laminitis. As the swelling increases, so do the problems for the horse. Chronic inflammation of the laminar bond can result in a bone in the foot, called the coffin bone or pedal bone, separating from the hoof wall. The laminae hold the coffin bone in place and attach it to the hoof wall. Inflammation and/or death of the laminae means they can no longer do their job of holding the coffin bone in place. As the condition progresses (or if left untreated), the coffin bone can begin to rotate and slip downward toward the sole of the foot and even through the sole of the foot. When a horse’s coffin bone rotates downward or sinks, the horse has entered a stage of chronic laminitis or founder. Q9 Answer: C is the correct answer. The purpose of shims is to bring the saddle to a level and stable position. Therefore, the shoulder that is less developed, more hallow or “smaller” is where the shim(s) should be utilized. Q10 Answer: The correct answer is B. The “two finger” test is the general rule. This means riders should be able to stick two fingers in between the leather and the horse’s nose. A tight noseband can cause both physical and psychological damage to the horse. Studies are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage. How did you do on the quiz? What did you learn? What subjects would you like to share more information on or ask questions about?
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AuthorIlene Nessenson, JD, Certified Equine Bodyworker, is the creator of the Stretch Your Horse App. She has been an equine bodyworker, saddle fitter, and saddle reflocker for over 11 years. Archives
June 2018
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