Great Question for Ask the Farrier...High Heel, Low Heel Syndrome

Thanks for your questions for Ask the Farrier Day here at The GoodHorsePerson. The question we chose was from Krista of Mattoon, IL.

"My farrier said my horse has something called High Heel/Low Heel Syndrome and that's why his hoof angles don't look very even from the side. Can you tell me more about it? Can it affect my horse's movement? Is there a treatment?"

Great question, Krista. Unfortunately Arvin is out of town attending the 5th Annual International Hoof Care Summit in Ohio. Click the link below to find out more about this event.
https://www.lesspub.com/cgi-bin/site.pl?1405&ctChannel_channelID=5

The answer to your question will be posted here early Sunday!

Horse Training Tip - In Hand Exercise #2 Leg Yield Down the Wall

We promised, here it is...
What you Need - a fence or enclosed arena, bridle, dressage or piaffe whip.

With your horse bridled in a kind bit, position him or her facing the fence or the wall in the riding arena. Standing on the left side of the horse, just in front of the shoulder, facing his hindquarters, place the reins over his head and gather both reins in your left hand so you have a light contact. Your hand should be roughly in the middle of the neck between ear and the shoulder. Ask the horse to take a sideways step away from you, crossing the hind legs, by tapping him lightly above the hock (piaffe whip) or on the hindquarters as close as you can get to the area above the hock with the dressage whip. As he moves away, move with him, mirroring the horse's movement by crossing your legs. Use your position by the neck to influnce his shoulder to move more or less as needed to keep him facing the wall or fence. When the hindquarters get too far ahead, catch up the shoulder by pushing on the neck, releasing the pressure as soon as he moves. When the shoulder gets too far ahead, "catch" it by applying pressure on the outside rein (turn your wrist to tighten outside rein). You and your horse will be bobbly and coordinated at first - any movement sideways should be praised in the beginning. Eventually, you both will catch on. If your horse gets flustered, return to the Go and Whoa exercise and dole out some praise there.

Tomorrow is Ask the Farrier Day!

BTW, these are the Good HorsePerson's MOST favorite dressage whips - not too hard, not too "floopy," light and easy to hold, the best part of all- they're CHEAP. $10, really.
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=1615
Photo Courtesy of http://dragonflyeyes.org

Horse Training Tip - Got the Winter Riding Blues? Try In-Hand Work!

Something about winter...cold hands, cold toes, that cold air sweeping against your face as you ride around in the too-dusty indoor or, even worse, in the frozen or too-muddy outdoor.

Don't feel like riding today? The Good HorsePerson doesn't blame you...but here's an alternative that an improve the relationship between you and your horse for when the weather improves and riding is more fun again. A note to consider before doing any in-hand exercises - the Good HorsePerson is assuming your horse is already properly broken to lead, accept the bridle and generally respect your space.

Go and Whoa - In Hand Exercise:

Walk your horse (bridled, with a kind bit) in-hand around your riding arena. You should walk with purpose and slightly in front of his or her shoulder. Without warning, stop walking. If your horse is paying attention, he should stop with you. But if you don't usually make him focus on you, he probably will keep walking. Let him hit the bit, don't budge from where you stopped. Your horse will probably turn to you and spin around a little, with a surprised look. That's ok. Repeat a few times and your horse will be keeping his eye on you and stopping without any pressure from the rein. If he or she is a dull to your aide and repeatedly hits the bit, go ahead and pull back sharply - quick and to the point. After you achieve the goal of stopping without pressure, if your horse is willing, up and ante and try some trot-work transitions - then, for more adventure, the trot to halt. If your horse is keen to learn, he will catch on and you will have a fun training game to play. It's "natural horsemanship" - no wands or rope halters necessary. If your horse is not so keen to play, you can make it more interesting with treats - try the LifeSavers Wintergreen Peppermints - many horses like them, they are individually wrapped and do not melt like regular peppermints.

www.candystand.com

Repeat this exercise each day (on the way to and from the riding arena or turnout paddock is a good time) and you will notice your horse is more and more focused on you and your body language rather than what his or her buddies are doing in the field. It's simple, but it works.

Check back tomorrow for another In-Hand Exercise - Leg-Yield Down the Wall.

Horse Grooming Tip - Winter Tail Care

In the colder months, your horse's tail probably receives less attention than during all those summer hose-offs and baths. Winter is the worst time for tails anyway, since the dry air and layers and mud and dust can make hairs brittle, leading to split ends and breakage.

Some of the most dedicated tail preservationists advocate braiding and wrapping the tail in socks, tail wraps or tail protectors. But these can come off, and if your horse is the mischievous sort, he could get the wrap caught in a fence or eyehook and damage or at least scare himself. If you're looking for a lower-maintenance approach this follow these simple guidelines:

1 - Resist the urge to brush! USEF "S" judge Elizabeth Madlener warns against taking a comb or even a soft dandy brush to the tail hairs. Every hair that breaks will take years to fully grow out!

2 - Use your fingers to pick out hay and debris as often as possible.

3 - Use a concentrated leave-in detangler like Cowboy Magic Detangler to help pick out knots and tangles

4 - Again, don't brush it!

5 - When the temperature permits, wet the tail and dunk in a bucket of lightly-concentrated shampooey water (try Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo or Vetroline Bath) until the water from the tail runs clear. Rinse and apply a leave-in detangler liberally while wet. Let it try and if you have lots of time, pick the tail by hand!

Okay, now if you absolutely must brush - start at the bottom and work up in small sections - and use a brush designed for the purpose - the Oster Tail Brush is a great choice (see the dover saddlery link below or Google it for many results).

Also, check out Cherry Hill's advice...(though she is partial to the tail bag...)

http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse_grooming/tips_for_long_tails.htm

http://www.cowboymagic.com/products-detangler-shine.html - Detangler

http://www.farnamhorse.com/aqha/vetrolin_email.htm - Vetrolin Bath Shampoo

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-10076&bhcd2=1201621692 - Tail Brush

Horse Blankets & Sheets Are On Sale!

Hello Good HorsePeople!

It's finally late January and horse blanket prices are low, low, low. Now is the time to buy for the best price and selection. Check out
http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/ for great buys on Amigo blankets and sheets (such cute colors!)
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ and http://www.statelinetack.com/ have blanket sales going on as well.

Are you searching for the perfect fit? If you have a narrow shouldered horse (stand directly front of him and compare to other horses to get an idea) try the Weatherbeeta Landa line - this line fits most narrow-shouldered thorougbreds like a glove. Google "Weatherbeeta Landa Sale" brings some appealing results right now.

If you horse is broad or well-muscled, the Rambo-type fit is probably your best choice. Check out Rhino and Amigo brands - same great fit with slightly less hardy materials, but also a fraction of the price.

Once you find a brand/model that fits your horse, sell those old ill-fitting blankets online - it's easy and there are lots of buyers looking for a cheap used blanket. Go local - try http://www.craigslist.com/ - you'd be surprised how many horsepeople are trolling there! If you're in Virginia (or even if you're not - ship it!) try http://www.virginiaequestrian.com/ for really effective and FREE classifieds.

Happy Blanket Shopping!

Welcome to The Good Horse Person!

Hello Good Horse People!

Every day The Good HorsePerson will bring to your computer screen or mobile device practical equine health, care and training information, tips, articles, and more to help you better understand, care for and enjoy your equine partner. We will also feature Questions and Answer with Equine Care Professionals....We will update DAILY or more.....

PLEASE....CHECK BACK! You won't be disappointed.... :)