While it might be hard to personally visit all the horse museums in America—they span from Maine to Idaho—you can learn a lot about horses and their amazing history by just checking out their websites. Pay a virtual visit to these museums to learn more about horses, shop their online souvenir stores, and if you like what you see, make plans to see them in person.

Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center

The Appaloosa Horse played an important part in the history of the Pacific Northwest, and the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center in Moscow, Idaho, pays tribute to this colorful breed.

The record of the spotted horse, going back to prehistoric times, begins your journey on the museum’s website, featuring historical artwork showing the origins of colorful-coated equines. You can get a sense of the exhibits at the museum on the Museum Features page, and get details on how to book an in-person tour.

Don’t leave the site without stopping at the museum store, where you can buy everything from Appaloosa posters to jewelry.

Learn more at appaloosamuseum.com.

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed of horse in the world, and the museum dedicated to it in Amarillo, Texas, reflects that popularity. This grand museum features galleries, halls and theaters, all dedicated to the what the American Quarter Horse Association has dubbed America’s most versatile horse.

On the museum website, you’ll find photos and exhibit details, along with information on how to visit the museum in person. Bring your wallet if you make the trip—the museum has a great gift shop.

Learn more at aqha.com/museum.

American Saddlebred Museum

The American Saddlebred Museum, dedicated solely to the American Saddlebred Horse, is located in Lexington, Ky., on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. It houses the largest collection of Saddlebred horse artifacts in the world. 

The museum website provides images from the John P. and Dorothy Lenore Gallery Wing, which houses the museum’s temporary exhibitions, as well as the gift shop.

For in-person visitors, the Elisabeth M. Goth History Wing features interactive areas covering early history and formation of the breed; a mare and foal sculpture; a movie about the breed in the American Saddlebred Experience Theater; a children’s area where kids can color and put together puzzles; a section where visitors can try on show clothes and check their riding posture; and an interactive display where visitors can experience the feeling of being on a horse.

Learn more at asbmuseum.org.

International Museum of the Horse

The largest and most comprehensive of all horse museums is the 64,000-square-foot International Museum of the Horse, located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Dedicated to exploring the history of all horses and their impact on human civilization, the museum maintains an ever-growing library and archives, and serves as a resource for scholars and researchers throughout the world.

The museum’s website contains a searchable collection, which allows you to view museum items online based on keywords. You can also get a glimpse of exhibits inside the museum, which will whet your appetite for an in-person visit.

Learn more at kyhorsepark.com/explore/international-museum-of-the-horse.

Kentucky Derby Museum

The most famous horse race in America has its own museum! Located at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., home of the race itself, the Kentucky Derby Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary of the race with new exhibits, track tours and a History of the Kentucky Derby book release.

A visit to the museum website provides you with a peek at the new exhibits (including a “Long Shots” exhibit and a display dedicated to Secretariat), a review of the museum’s permanent collection, and a chance to shop online at the Derby Museum Store.

Learn more at derbymuseum.org.

National Morgan Horse Museum

Located at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center in New Gloucester, Maine, the National Morgan Horse Museum is run by the American Morgan Horse Association, and is dedicated to the history and development of the Morgan Horse in the United States.

The museum website includes historical photographs and articles about Morgans, plus promotional videos about the museum, which provide a look into what the museum has to offer to in-person visitors.

Learn more at morganhorse.com/about/museum.

National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

You can learn everything you need to know about Thoroughbred racing in a fascinating series of exhibits at the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, located in historic Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Paintings from the collection of 20th century racing enthusiast Charles H. Thieriot, an exhibit on the famous racehorse Ruffian, and a juried racing photography exhibit are all currently on display at the museum. The permanent collection includes sculptures, trophies, racing memorabilia, an assortment of paintings and photographs, and of course the Hall of Fame.

Visitors to the website can learn more about what the museum has to offer, as well as buy select items at the online gift shop.

Learn more at racingmuseum.org.

National Sporting Library & Museum

Founded in 1954, the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) is located in Middleburg, Va., the heart of Virginia’s beautiful foxhunting country.

The inviting six-acre campus, world-class research library, and fine art museum highlight the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. Angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechase, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife are among the subjects you can explore in the institution’s general stacks, rare book holdings, archives, and art collection.

The NSLM also offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year.

Learn more at nationalsporting.org.

This article about horse museums appeared in the October 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Urban trail riding can be unnerving if you’re not used to it—for both horse and rider. Urban trail horses deal with an assortment of unnatural obstacles they wouldn’t encounter on a wilderness trail.

The good news is that even though urban trail riding might be more challenging than a trek through the woods, you and your horse can learn to enjoy it—and even reap the benefits.

The Challenge of Urban Trail Riding

When riding on rural trails, your biggest worry is likely to be a wildlife encounter. A deer or even a bear popping out and scaring your horse is always a possibility. Other than this, your rural trail ride is probably relaxing, and you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as your horse pokes along.

Urban trail riding is a different beast entirely. Unlike rural trails, urban trails are full of stimuli. Sights and sounds will present themselves to your horse on almost every urban trail ride. Because most urban trails are located in neighborhoods where people live, you can expect the kind of activity you’d see yourself on a given day if you want for a walk near your home.

Here are some examples of what you might come across on an urban trail ride:

◆ Barking dogs running behind fences

◆ Motorcycles, trucks, and golf carts

◆ Skateboards, scooters, bicycles and e-bikes

◆ Roadside trash, such as plastic bags, old couches, mattresses and discarded kitchen appliances

◆ Buzzing electrical or telephone equipment

◆ Kids playing basketball in a driveway

◆ People holding umbrellas

◆ Tennis courts, golf courses and soccer fields

◆ Road crews with ladders, jackhammers, and other heavy equipment

◆ Tree trimmers high up in cherry pickers with chainsaws

◆ Lawnmowers, weed whackers, and welders

◆ Seasonal lawn decorations

If you’ve only ridden in the quiet countryside, all this might seem incredibly daunting. But over time, you and your horse will get used to it, and you’ll start to enjoy the benefits of urban trail riding:

◆ You’re close to help, should an emergency arise.

◆ If you live in an urban or suburban area with horse trails, you don’t have to drive far—or at all—to go on a ride.

◆ You’ll meet other riders on the trail and can make friends.

If you are riding in a horse-friendly community, you might even come across hitching posts or mini corrals in front of stores and restaurants where you can “park” your horse and go inside.

A Suitable Horse

If you want to have a fun experience on urban trails, you need the right horse. Not every equine can handle the level of stimulation that comes with riding in a city environment. A quiet temperament goes a long way in helping a horse learn to be an urban equine.

Assuming you have a horse that isn’t overly spooky on quiet country trails, you can teach him to cope with the noise and activity of urban trails. It’s crucial that your horse can relax once he gets comfortable in a place or situation. If he’s the type who adapts easily to new situations, he’s likely a good candidate.

If your horse has trouble being calm, even at home, urban trail riding may be too much for him. Horses who are ultra sensitive and easily over-stimulated may not be able to cope with the sights and sounds of the urban trail, even with repeated exposure.

Desensitizing

If you think your horse is a good candidate, before you take him on a busy trail, help get him used to some of what he might see along the way. Desensitizing him to unfamiliar objects will teach him that even though he hasn’t seen something before, it’s not necessarily a threat.

Using an arena and your horse’s favorite treats, gradually expose him to some common urban objects by just turning him out and leaving them where he can see them. Reward him when he approaches the object and starts to relax. Here are some items you can use:

◆ Balloons

◆ Empty baby stroller

◆ Bicycle, both ridden and parked

◆ Large beach ball

◆ Big cardboard box

◆ White plastic trash bag

◆ An open umbrella

Expose your horse to each of these items individually, and don’t overwhelm him. If he’s terrified of something and can’t seem to get used to it within the confines of the arena, put it farther away where he can still see it, but isn’t stressed by it.

Gradually bring it closer, gauging when he’s getting stressed and backing off if it’s too much. He will eventually get used to seeing it, and over time you can move it a little bit closer. Eventually he should ignore it, even at close range.

Sounds can be another challenge for urban trail horses. While the sound of a passing car doesn’t frighten most horses, a truck pulling a rattling trailer or a bus letting the air out of its brakes can unnerve even the most confident horse.

It’s hard to find an opportunity to expose your horse to these sounds without actually taking him on an urban trail ride, but some people will board their horses in areas with these kinds of sounds with the goal of getting the horse used to it. Most riders will just help their horses get used these sounds as they start riding urban trails, reassuring them when a loud sound startles them.

How to Start Urban Trail Riding

When you first start riding your horse on an unfamiliar urban trail, it’s a good idea to ride with a trail buddy who has an experienced urban trail horse. Horses take their cues from one another, and if the experienced horse is relaxed, it will help the newbie feel safe. Look for a riding buddy who understands that your horse is just learning how to negotiate a busy city trail.

Be prepared to take your time letting your horse get used to the new environment. Go at a walk, and make your initial rides short so your horse doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Reward him with lots of praise when he encounters something unfamiliar and responds with courage or curiosity.

Your horse isn’t the only one who needs to learn to relax in this new environment. As his rider, it’s important that you convey a sense of confidence to him. If you are anxious and uptight, your horse will sense it and assume you are both in a dangerous situation.

If you are a nervous rider and are concerned you won’t be able to relax while getting your horse used to urban trail riding, consider asking a confident rider you trust if he or she would mind riding your horse. You may suggest that you ride your friend’s experienced urban trail horse while he or she rides your horse. This way, both you and your horse can become familiar with urban trail riding with the help of another team who are comfortable in this environment.

As with any type of trail riding, make sure you have spent time riding your horse in an arena before you head out into the open. You want to be sure your horse listens to your aids and is safe and compliant before you test him in a more stimulating environment.

Before long, you and your horse will be enjoying the neighborhood trails. You’ll discover that horses who are comfortable in urban environments turn out to be even more solid when you get back into the countryside.

Further Reading
◆ Horse Safety: Riding on the Road
◆ Urban Riding Programs
◆ Horseback Riding in Los Angeles: Explore Iconic Griffith Park
◆ Riding Your Horse on the Beach

This article about urban trail riding appeared in the August 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Urban Trail Riding appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

But the animal that appears most in this breathtaking wall of creatures is the horse. Herd of horses gallop across the cave walls, with the most iconic equines showing a dun coat, a dark mane that stands up, and a light tan belly.

In short, many of the horses of the Lascaux cave paintings look just like Przewalski’s Horse, the only remaining wild horse on the planet. This equine vestige of the Ice Age nearly died out in the 20th century, only to make an amazing comeback over the last few decades.

Spirit Horse

Although we refer to the horses living free on the American range as “wild,” in reality, they are feral. This means they are the species Equus ferus caballus—domestic horses that were tamed by humans 5,000 years ago and bred in captivity for millennia.

Przewalski’s Horse, on the other hand, is a truly wild horse. Believed by many scientists to be the last wild species of horse to have survived from prehistoric times, Equus ferus przewalskii is assumed to be a distant cousin to today’s domestic horses.

Research into their mitochondrial DNA suggests Przewalski’s Horse and the domestic horse diverged from a common ancestor 500,000 years ago.

Przewalski’s Horse evolved on the steppes of Asia, where wide open plains and abundant grasses provided the perfect environment for horses. The people of Mongolia were witness to Prezwalski’s Horse as long as humans lived on the Asian steppes, with references to these horses appearing from the time of Ghengis Khan. The Mongolian people refer to Przewalski’s Horse as Takhi, which means “spirit,” and consider it to be the fastest and most untamable horse of all.

In the late 1800s, a Polish explorer and naturalist named Nikołaj Przewalski observed these horses in the wilds of northwestern China, leading to the species’ official scientific classification of Equus ferus przewalskii. By the early 1900s, a number of Przewalski’s Horses had been captured and were being kept in zoos throughout Europe.

Although thousands of Przewalski’s Horses are believed to have lived in Mongolia and parts of Asia for centuries alongside human habitations, by the 1960s, they had gone completely extinct in the wild, despite government efforts to protect them. Poachers and loss of habitat meant the only Przewalski’s Horses left on earth were the 14 individuals living in zoos.

Wild Again

Getting Przewalski’s Horse back to the steppes of Asia has been the goal of conservationists for decades. Working together with zoos around the world, this dream was accomplished in 1992 when the first herd of Przewalski’s Horses were released in Hustai National Park in Mongolia.

Since then, other groups of horses have also been released in the Great Gobi “B” Strictly Protected Area and Khomyn tal, both in Mongolia, where they are protected by order of the Mongolian government.

“The ultimate goal for Przewalski’s Horses is [to have] enough with good genetic diversity reintroduced to the wild so we no longer have to keep them in zoos,” says Simon Jeffery, animal director at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Hythe, United Kingdom, a zoological park that was instrumental in the return of the Przewalski’s Horse to the wild. The preserve still maintains a breeding herd.

Planned Breeding of Przewalski’s Horses

It’s estimated that around 1,500 Przewalski’s Horses are now living in the wild, with foals being born each spring. But the quest to save this very special horse continues. Lack of genetic diversity, harsh weather, predators and cross-breeding with domestic horses all contribute to the challenge Przewalski’s Horses face in the wild; this is why zoos and preserves around the world maintain breeding bands of these special horses.

In the U.S., the Denver Zoo is among the organizations contributing to the conservation of the last wild horse. They are currently home to four Przewalski’s Horses.

“In our 17 years working with Przewalski’s Horses, Denver Zoo has served as both a holding and breeding institution,” says Reese Pfalzer, assistant Curator of Hoofstock at the Denver Zoo. “Przewalski’s Horses are a managed program within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and one of Denver Zoo’s hoofstock animal care specialists is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan studbook holder for Przewalski’s Horses. This means that she helps the Species Survival Plan program thrive by using genetic analysis to best pair breeding groups of Przewalski’s Horses throughout North America.”

In the Association of Zoos and Aquariums managed species program, there are 119 Przewalski’s Horses in 26 different facilities throughout North America.

Training Przewalski’s Horses

Because they are wild animals, Przewalski’s Horses can be a challenge to manage in captivity. In addition to being a part of the international effort to conserve the species, the Denver Zoo is a leader in the training of Przewalski’s Horses.

“We have a strong training program for our horses that reside at the zoo, including voluntary blood draws and hoof trims,” says Pfalzer. “For many years, Przewalski’s Horses were thought of as untrainable. Our animal care specialists have done an excellent job proving that untrue by building strong relationships with the animals that enable successfully trained voluntary behaviors so that we may provide the best care for them.”

Just Like Horses Although Przewalski’s Horse has been wild for thousands of years, the behaviors the species shows will sound very familiar to owners of domestic horses. “Przewalski’s Horses have a hierarchy in the pecking order, with dominant and subordinate animals,” says Dolores Reed, supervisory biologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, who manages the zoo’s Przewalski’s Horse population. “They communicate with whinnies and neighs in various pitches like domestic horses and use body language to communicate. They put their ears back and head down to threaten, and they are quite food motivated. Interestingly, like domestic horses, they have been known to chew wood.” Reed also notes they tend to have the same health issues as domestic horses, particularly when it comes to over-conditioning—something owners of easy keepers know all too well. “They are prone to becoming over-conditioned,” says Reed. “They are very efficient and require very little supplementation if they have green pasture access.” Just like domestic horses, Przewalski’s Horses prefer the company of their herd mates, and can become upset when separated. “Przewalski’s Horses tend to be intensely herd-oriented and prefer wide open spaces,” says Reed. And when confined, they can be prone to pacing, rearing and climbing. “They also do not usually give warning kicks,” she says. “When they kick, it is usually with full force.” According to Reed, after receiving one of these kicks, the hardy Przewalski’s Horse who received the blow barely acknowledges the kick. “In contrast, a domestic horse would likely become lame or have a welt at the point of contact,” she says.

Key Takeaway

According to Pfalzer, much work still needs to be done to ensure a sustainable population of wild Przewalski’s Horses in their native range.

“Thus far, collaboration among institutions shows for a promising future for Przewalski’s Horses, both in the wild and in human care,” she says.

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Preserving Przewalski’s Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The oldest of all draft breeds, the European Brabant has been known by many names over the centuries. Once called the Flanders Horse, Dutch Draft and Brabander, the horse known today as the European Brabant has the same basic personality and physical characteristics as it did 2,000 years ago when Julius Caesar mentioned the breed in his diaries and when King John of England imported 100 studs to his private livery in 1199 AD.

Thanks to the efforts of those who cherish this breed, the European Brabant is still part of the horse world. Though rare (the Livestock Conservancy is currently studying them for possible inclusion on its critical list), the breed is still valued by those who appreciate its massive strength, kind disposition and fascinating history.

U.S. Preservation

Known in Europe as the Belgian Draft Horse, the European Brabant was first imported to America in the 1880s. Over time, American breeders began breeding for a lighter draft horse, and the American Belgian became distinctly different from the European strain. Today in the U.S., the Belgian and the European Brabant are two completely separate breeds.

In an effort to preserve the ancient European Brabant, breeders and enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada recently banded together to form the European Brabant Registry of America (EBRA). Since its founding in October 2021, the EBRA has concentrated its efforts on preservation by establishing the European Brabant and Brabant Stock Studbooks, as well as the critical “Breed Up”  Program, which is designed to expand the breed’s gene pool.

The EBRA also offers draft horse educational clinics to the general public as a means of promoting the positive attributes of all heavy horse breeds. Ultimately, the EBRA wants to ensure the original gentle giant—the European Brabant—and its descendants remain intact for future generations. 

Across the globe, European Brabants are still hard at work in a myriad of jobs. Because they are such strong and tractable work horses, they are still active in the timber and farming industries. They also work chest-deep in water, dragging fishing nets and pulling barges next to canals in Europe. 

In the U.S., European Brabants are often ridden. They are used in equine therapy programs, backcountry packing and trekking outfits, as school horses, and in dressage and show jumping. They also compete in single and teams driving, vaulting and circus acts.

European Brabant Breed Facts

◆ Height: 15 to 18 hands; average is 16.2 hands

◆ Color: Chestnut, bay, black, blue roan, red roan, strawberry roan, bay roan and gray. Some white markings on the face and legs are permitted. 

◆ Overall Appearance: Balanced and slightly rectangular in shape; ample, robust leg bone and a double-muscled hindquarter with a wide, long, slightly sloped croup. Well-muscled neck and a straight profile with a proud head carriage. The head should appear slightly smaller and refined for a horse of such large proportions. The eye is large and kind.

◆ Association: European Brabant Registry of America

Key Takeaway

According to those who love this breed, European Brabants are much more than draft animals; they are loving companions who want nothing more than to be with their humans, whether it’s on the trail under saddle or cuddling in the pasture.

This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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It was two days after the 4th of July when I decided to take my horse Milagro for a ride alone on the trail. We live in an equestrian community with well-groomed bridle paths, and I planned to have him out for about an hour. We were only about half a block from home when it happened.

I heard a car coming down the street we had just turned off. One minute I heard the motor, and the next minute, a loud pop. Someone had thrown a firecracker out of the car window in our direction.

Milagro is solid on the trail—he’s my North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) competitive trail horse—but firecrackers are his nemesis. He bolted in terror, racing up the trail at a mad gallop, away from the sound.

In an effort to stop him, I turned his head and pushed him with my leg into a tight circle. But the bridle path that once seemed wide and safe was not big enough for a terrified, runaway horse.

As I turned him, his back hoof landed on the sloped driveway of one of the homes adjacent to the trail. I felt his back end going down. He scrambled and got his feet under him, but not before he let out a horrible scream.

I jumped off and examined his back legs. I didn’t see anything obvious, even as I led him home. His adrenaline was racing, and he was practically dragging me.

An hour later in his paddock, he had calmed down. It was then that I noticed he was dragging his left hind toe. I called out the vet, who examined him by lifting the affected leg and stretching it out behind him. Instead of bending at the hock, the leg extended straight out in a way that turned my stomach.

“He’s got a rupture of the peroneus tertius tendon,” my veterinarian said.

How Tendon Injuries Happen

Tendon injuries can occur in two ways: through chronic overuse, or through trauma. Because horses’ legs are made up of a number of tendons, they are prone to stress and injury.

“Tendon injuries result from sudden tears or ruptures from a single overloading event, or chronic strains from overuse,” says Annette McCoy, DVM, M.S., Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of Equine Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

“The former are usually recognized right away after an athletic episode, and usually have the hallmarks of heat, focal pain when touched, and obvious swelling,” she explains. “The latter can result in low-grade chronic lameness that can be difficult to diagnose.”

The most commonly injured tendons and collateral ligaments that support joint stability in non-racing horses are the suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, the check ligament and the superficial digital flexor tendon, according to Jennifer G. Barrett, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS-LA, DACVSMR-EQ, Theodora Ayer Randolph professor of Equine Surgery at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

Varied Treatment of Tendon Injuries

The way a tendon injury is handled right after it’s discovered can make a big difference in the ultimate outcome.

“Right after an injury happens, we are trying to combat inflammation and swelling,” says McCoy. “This is accomplished with a combination of cold therapy like icing or cold-hosing, compression with bandaging, systemic medications like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] such as phenylbutazone [bute], and stall rest.”

Although scarring of the tendon as it heals cannot be prevented, making the scar tissue as functional as possible is the goal.

“Controlled exercise in a rehabilitation program helps us to do that,” says McCoy. “Periodic re-evaluation with ultrasound helps us determine the healing progress. A rehab program might need to be altered, depending on how the tendon is healing.”

A number of adjunct therapies can also be used to help tendons heal, including extracorporeal shock-wave therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and low-level laser and magnetic therapy, although not all of these therapies have been studied in clinical research.

“Biological therapies such as platelet rich plasma [PRP], autologous conditioned serum, and mesenchymal stem cells injected directly into a tendon injury under ultrasound guidance have shown some promise at either speeding healing, improving the quality of the healed tissue, or helping to reduce the incidence of re-injury,” says McCoy.

“More work is needed to understand exactly how these treatments work, and what injuries are best addressed by using them,” she adds. “This is a very active area of ongoing research.”

There are some tendon and ligament injuries that can benefit from surgical treatment, according to Barrett.

“Examples include the suspensory ligament in hind limbs, the deep digital flexor tendon, and superficial digital flexor tendon when they are injured in a tendon sheath or bursa,” she says.

Slow Recovery

When a horse injures a tendon, the issue can require a temporary layup or permanent retirement.

“Prognosis is entirely dependent on the severity and location of the injury, but typically ranges from fair to guarded for future athletic use,” says McCoy. “An owner should expect that their horse will be out of full work for nine to 12 months while the injury heals. Unfortunately, horses that have had a tendon injury are highly prone to re-injury.”

The way the layup and rehabilitation are handled can make a huge difference in whether the horse is able to return to his previous activity.

“The hardest thing for owners to understand is that healing takes a very long time for tendons and ligaments,” says Barrett. “Humans can rest by taking the weight off the limb completely. This is not possible for horses, so we rely on reducing exercise as much as possible during healing.”

Stall rest is the best we can do to limit trotting and overuse of a healing tendon, but stall rest is hard for owners, and is often seen as hard for horses too, according to Barrett.

“The same way you need to be on crutches to heal a tendon, horses need stall rest and very controlled exercise once your veterinarian determines it appropriate,” she says. “All of the difficult and expensive care your veterinarian provides [might] be wasted if the exercise recommendations are not followed.”

The length of stall rest and the limited exercise needed to help the horse recover depends on the injury. Extensive stall rest is usually prescribed early in recovery, with a gradual return to gentle exercise as the tendon heals.

“Early loading—exercise—of the tissue is the most essential aspect of healing, but we can’t load too much, otherwise it breaks again,” says Henk Offereins, DVM, of equinetendon.com, an Ireland-based equine management service specializing in the area of tendon injuries. “Getting that balance right [is the difference between] success and failure in rehabilitation.”

Update on Milagro

Milagro made a full recovery after rupturing his peroneus tertius tendon, but only after a one-year layup that required three straight months of stall rest with physical therapy on the affected leg. He eventually graduated to hand-walking, slowly building up the amount of time he could be walked over a period of months.

Today, he is back to trail riding around our community as well as competing in NATRC events. He is so sound these days, I often forget he ever suffered this horrible injury. I believe the long layup and following my veterinarian’s instructions on rehabilitation made all the difference.

Key Takeaway

Tendon injuries are as complicated as equine injuries come—and certainly time-consuming to recover from. Understanding treatment options and the recovery timeframe can help horse owners and caretakers to better manage any future tendon injuries.

Further Reading:
◆ Managing Horses with Tendon and Ligament Issues
◆ Taking Care of Your Horse’s Tendons

This article about equine tendon injuries appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Treatment of Equine Tendon Injuries appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Trote y Galope inherited the spirit and sensitivity of the Paso Fino with the height and power of the Lusitano. And as a bonus, the Paso Fino and Lusitano gaits managed to combine to create something truly unique in the Trote y Galope: a smooth diagonal gait. 

Common History of the Trote y Galope

As a close cousin to the Paso Fino, the Trote y Galope has its roots in Colombia. The Paso Fino was developed there in the 1500s from horses brought to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica by Spanish conquerors.

Christopher Columbus helped establish a breeding program there with the goal of supplying Spanish soldiers with horses. These carefully bred horses were then brought to both Puerto Rico and Colombia.

The horses in this breeding program carried the DNA of the Jennet, a now-extinct gaited Spanish horse. The Jennet passed along its gaits to early Paso Finos, who were also the result of crossings with Barbs and Andalusians.

The Lusitano, the other breed that provided the foundation to the Trote y Galope, is descended from early Spanish horses that lived on the Iberian Peninsula during prehistoric times. The blood of these Spanish horses became mixed with that of breeds that arrived from other parts of Europe during times of war and migration. The Lusitano descended from this mix of bloodlines and continued its development in Portugal.

Because of their strength and agility, Lusitanos became the favored breed of Spanish and Portuguese bullfighters.

Diagonal vs. Four-Beat

The Paso Fino is famous for its lateral, four-beat gaits: the classic fino, the paso corto and the paso largo. Each of these gaits results when the horse places one hoof down at a time in a four-beat rhythm. The Trote y Galope also provides a smooth ride, but they do it differently: with diagonal footfalls.

The Trote y Galope gets its name from its signature gaits: the trote and the galope. The trote is a diagonal two-beat gait without the suspension present in a standard trot. Even though it’s not a four-beat gait, it is comfortable to sit because there is no suspension. When watching performance of this gait, it looks as if the horse is marching. A 1-2, 1-2 rhythm is created when this gait is performed.

The breed’s other signature gait is the galope, which is essentially a canter with diagonal propulsion in three beats. First one hind leg strikes the ground, followed by the other hind leg and the foreleg that is diagonal to that hind leg. Finally, the other foreleg hits the ground. The sound of this movement creates a 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm.

The Trote y Galope in America

The Trote y Galope is popular in Colombia and can be seen at Paso Fino shows throughout the nation. But in America, the breed is still growing.

The small numbers of Trote y Galopes here in the U.S. are being shown in western, English, jumping, trail obstacle, dressage and Paso Fino events. They also make great mounts for recreational trail riding.

The Paso Fino Horse Association considers Trote y Galope horses a separate breed from laterally gaited Paso Finos, grouping them with two other diagonally gaited breeds related to the Paso Fino: the Trocha Pura and the Trocha y Galope.

Horses registered as Paso Finos have only Paso Fino horses in their pedigrees, while the diagonally gaited horses have other breeds mixed with Paso Fino blood.

Key Takeaway

Next time you visit a gaited horse show, keep an eye out for a laterally gaited Trote y Galope. Thanks to their dramatic stature and fascinating way of going, it won’t be long before these horses are a common site in the gaited horse world.

This article about the Trote y Galope appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The history of the horse slaughter industry in the United States is a long one, dating back to the 1900s, when wild horses were routinely rounded up off the range and sold for dog food. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 stopped that practice, but the business of slaughtering horses for human consumption has continued. While wild horses are protected by law from being sold for slaughter, auctions around the country continue to be dumping grounds for unwanted horses who are sold for to be killed for their meat.

In 2007, the end of federal funding for the inspection of equine slaughter facilities in the U.S. resulted in the closure of the three facilities that still operated within the States. It did not make horse slaughter illegal, however, and since that time, thousands of American horses have been shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada.

“The horse slaughter industry not only exploits horses who endure grueling journeys to slaughter plants and an inhumane death, it also harms the broader equine community, including horse owners, riders and rescues, who fear that their horses will end up in the slaughter pipeline despite their best efforts to keep them safe,” says Nancy Perry, senior vice president of Government Relations for the ASPCA. 

“Approximately 75 percent of horse owners surveyed at the ASPCA’s Equine Transition and Adoption Center admit that the threat of horse slaughter played a primary role in delaying relinquishment and seeking care,” says Perry. “Euthanasia by a veterinarian, a service we provide to horses who need it, is a humane and pragmatic part of horse care; slaughter is neither.”

New Legislation

Since 2007, horse advocates have lobbied for legislation to make it illegal for horses in the U.S. to be sold for slaughter. Each time, the legislation has died in Congress. But the newest bill to be introduced, the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, is giving hope to the horse welfare community.

“The SAFE Act was introduced by a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, and if passed, this legislation would permanently protect American horses from commercial slaughter,” says Perry. “This bipartisan bill has garnered support from more than half of the U.S. House of Representatives, a critical benchmark that means this legislation would pass if brought to the floor for a vote.”

While the SAFE Act can advance through Congress on its own, legislators have an opportunity to include this critical language in the Farm Bill, which would be a monumental victory for horses, according to Perry. Both the House and Senate still have the opportunity to add the SAFE Act to their respective Farm Bill versions and support its inclusion in negotiations.

The SAFE Act would expand the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act, which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, to include equines, prohibiting the commercial slaughter of horses in the U.S. and ending their export for that purpose abroad.

“The horse slaughter industry incentivizes poor treatment, fraud and other predatory behavior,” says Perry. “At auctions, kill buyers acquire horses that may otherwise have had a safe place to land by actively outbidding people and adoption organizations who would offer the horses good homes. These kill buyers also often pose as good homes to well-intentioned owners looking to rehome their beloved equine partner, acquiring the horses and later selling the animals to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico.”

Widespread Support of the SAFE Act

Over the past two years, support for the SAFE Act within the equine community has grown. The Thoroughbred racing industry has come out in strong favor of the bill. The Jockey Club, the 130-year-old North American registry for Thoroughbreds, recently released a statement in support of the bill, which includes the following:

“The Jockey Club is unequivocally opposed to the slaughter or processing of Thoroughbreds for consumption by humans or animals. This includes the sale and/or transportation of Thoroughbreds for slaughter. (…) The Jockey Club Is a supporting member of the Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter and supports passage of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act, which would permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and end the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.”

Other horse industry organizations and individuals that formed the Final Stretch Alliance include the U.S. Trotting Association, New York Racing Association, Maryland Horse Council, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, and several Hall of Fame Thoroughbred jockeys and trainers. The group sent an open letter in December 2023 to the House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, urging them to include the SAFE Act in the Farm Bill.

“I am in favor of the SAFE Act, and I hope the members of Congress will invest in the emotional wellbeing of horses as companion animals,” says Jennifer Merlo, DVM, a veterinarian in North Carolina and the director of Veterinary affairs for Fear Free, LLC.

“The conditions that horses face, both on a production farm and within slaughterhouses, are stressful, frightening, and cruel,” says Merlo. “Horses provide us with numerous benefits through the human-animal bond, and they deserve a humane and compassionate end to their life. The conditions horses experience in foreign slaughterhouses are anything but compassionate. I urge Congress to consider passing this Act to safeguard the lives of these majestic creatures.”

This article about the SAFE Act appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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History of the Connemara Pony

The story of the Connemara begins thousands of years ago, even before Celtic horsemen throughout western Europe battled the ancient Romans. Celtic horses that had escaped from captivity ended up living wild in the rugged Irish countryside, where they became even more hardy and surefooted than their domestic ancestors.

Later in history, when Irish farmers needed horses to till the stony ground for crops, they relied on the wild ponies from the mountains. Poor and with many mouths to feed, farmers typically captured and tamed mares, who could provide them a foal to sell each year. Mares were bred to native stallions and worked during their pregnancies, right up until foaling time.

By the 1920s, the Connemara Pony had become a distinct breed in need of preservation. As mechanized vehicles replaced horses on farms, their jobs became obsolete, but those who loved them did not want to see the breed fade into oblivion.

In 1923, pony breeders in Ireland’s Galway County formed the Connemara Pony Breeders Society and began holding inspections to select the best ponies from the existing population for entry into the first volume of the breed’s studbook.

A year later, the first Connemara Pony Show was held in the town of Clifden in County Galway. Now called the Connemara Pony Festival, it still takes place in Clifden every August.

Over time, horsemen around the world learned about the Connemara Pony, and the breed was exported to various countries. In 1956, the American Connemara Pony Society (ACPS) was formed to promote the breed in the U.S.

Show Pony

When you see a Connemara Pony that has been impeccably turned out for the show ring, it can be hard to believe this once was a wild breed. But the same versatile, athletic nature that helped these ponies survive in the wild is what makes them winners in today’s show ring.

Connemaras around the world compete in a wide variety of events, but according to the ACPS, the largest number of competitive Connemaras and half-bred Connemaras are in the eventing world. This is because Connemaras love to jump. Not surprisingly, they also do well in show jumping and the hunters.

Dressage is another popular sport for Connemaras because not only are they athletic, but they are also trainable, sound and easy to work with. And while they may not exhibit the huge gaits seen in warmbloods, a few Connemaras are competing at the FEI (international) levels in dressage.

Connemaras are good all-rounders, and the same pony can be a kid’s mount for Pony Club and trail horse for their parent. The breed’s good temperament also makes these ponies great candidates for therapeutic riding, older adults and beginning riders.

Connemara Ponies in America

Connemara Ponies have been popular in the U.S. for decades. The APCS currently has about 5,000 purebred Connemara Ponies registered, and runs a half-Connemara registry for horses that have at least one registered, purebred Connemara as a parent.

The APCS also recently started a Connemara Sport Horse registry for horses that are no less than one-quarter Connemara; at least one parent must be a registered half-bred Connemara. Including Connemara blood in upper-level sport horses has proven beneficial because the Connemara brings common sense and hardiness to these highly competitive mounts.

Of course, the Connemara Pony is not only about competition. The APCS has created an awards program called Fun with Pony, which rewards non-competitive owners and riders for sharing their stories of fun activities they’ve done through the year with their ponies.

In keeping with Irish tradition, Connemaras in America are inspected to help maintain quality in the breed. A national inspection program provides feedback to breeders and owners about Connemara conformation, temperament and type, with the goal of preserving the most desired traits in the breed.

The Connemara Pony is the only equine native to Ireland and maintains a legacy that is truly unique in the horse world. This ancient breed will continue to win the hearts of all who know them, as it has for centuries.

This article about the Connemara Pony appeared in the June 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The Missouri Fox Trotter is a culmination of the breeds Southern settlers brought to the Ozarks with them in the early 1800s. Arabians, Morgans, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers and Standardbreds all accompanied the farmers that settled in these mountains. They used their horses to clear forests, sort livestock, and work the fields they planted on the plateaus common in the Ozarks.

These same horses carried them from place to place and pulled their buggies on the weekend. By the end of the 19th century, a gaited horse unique to these mountains had developed from the original breeds and was being selectively bred. Thus, the Missouri Fox Trotter was born.

By the 1940s, motorized vehicles had eliminated the need for horses to work farms and provide transportation around the U.S., and the Ozarks were no exception. But the Missouri Fox Trotter was a beloved breed that had become well known throughout the area, and in 1948, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA) was formed to help preserve them. In 2002, the breed was named the state horse of Missouri, making it an official state symbol.

In 2004, the MFTHBA created a separate registry for Missouri Fox Trotters who stand between 11 and 13.3 hands, known as Missouri Fox Trotter Ponies.

Missouri Fox Trotter Breed Characteristics

The Missouri Fox Trotter is a short-backed, graceful horse prized for its three natural gaits: the flat-footed walk, the fox trot and the canter.

The flat-footed walk is a four-beat gait characterized by each foot lifting and setting down an in even cadence. With each stride, the back foot reaches forward and slides in as it sets down. The gait is smooth to sit and helps preserve the rider’s energy over the miles.

The breed is best known for its second fastest gait, a broken diagonal gait called the fox trot. The gait has a distinctive rhythm created by the horse moving its front foot a split second before its opposite rear foot. At least one of the horse’s feet is in contact with the ground at all times, with sometimes two feet in contact, giving it smoothness and stability over uneven ground. Fox Trotters can travel as fast as 10 mph in this gait.

The canter is a broken, three-beat gait in the Missouri Fox Trotter, and should be performed as an athletic lope or a collected rocking-chair canter.

In addition to its smooth gaits, the Missouri Fox Trotter is celebrated for its gentle and willing temperament. Known for being relaxed and for enjoying human company, they make great companions and unflappable trail horses.

Versatility

It’s no surprise given its history and characteristics that the Missouri Fox Trotter’s most popular job is as a trail horse. Its smooth gait and quiet disposition make it a natural.
But the breed also makes a great and versatile competition horse. They participate in a variety of events, such as endurance riding, competitive trail, obstacle challenges, performance (gait competition), model (halter), showmanship, horsemanship, reining, English pleasure, speed events and ranch horse competitions.

Ranch sorting was most recently added to MFTHBA shows in 2017, and the association now offers World Champion titles in this discipline, which is becoming very popular for the breed. In fact, the MFTHBA recently launched a lifetime achievement program that recognizes achievements in 16 different categories, including ranch sorting. The breed’s cow sense should come as no surprise, since the Missouri Fox Trotter was also used to work cattle in the Ozarks where it was developed.

Every year, the MFTHBA sponsors the Missouri Fox Trotter World Show and Celebration in Ava, Mo., home of MFTHBA headquarters. The show includes a variety of classes and competitions, including trail ride events outside the arena, designed to highlight the versatility of the breed.

Missouri Fox Trotters are found in all 50 states and a number of countries around the world. The European Missouri Foxtrotting Association registers the breed in the European Union, and sponsors shows and other events for the breed.

In the U.S., 104,425 MFTs have been registered since the MFTHBA registry started. The breed is continuing the grow in popularity as horse lovers everywhere discover its endearing traits.

This article about the Missouri Fox Trotter appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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1. Manure Management

Probably the single most important way of fly control is proper disposal of horse manure. Stable flies, the most annoying of all the biting flies that bother horses, breed in manure. Houseflies also prefer manure for reproduction.

The best way to keep these fly numbers down is to frequently remove manure from your horse’s stall or paddock. Barn aisles, turnout areas and riding arenas should also be cleaned. Clean at least once a day; more often if you can.

Once manure is scooped up, it should be taken to a manure pile far away from the barn or stored in a covered dumpster until you can remove it from your property.

Soiled bedding is another favorite spot for flies to lay their eggs. Remove wet shavings or straw from your horse’s stall every day to keep the fly population down.

2. Moisture Control

Flies love moisture and seek out wet areas to breed. Search your property for leaks from faucets, sprinklers and pipes. Look for areas where rain water gathers, too.

If your horse has a favorite spot in his stall or paddock to urinate, you can bet that flies are laying their eggs there. Put down moisture-absorbing materials to help soak up the urine. In box stalls, keep urine to a minimum with frequent cleanings and by using highly absorbent bedding.

3. Biological Controls

An eco-friendly way to combat flies is to use biological methods. Tiny parasitic wasps are widely available, and work by destroying the fly larvae before it can hatch. Signing up for a monthly delivery of these predatory insects during fly season can help keep the fly population down at your barn.

Harmless to humans and so small you can barely see them, the wasps are shipped still in the egg stage. Once a few of the wasps hatch in the plastic bag after delivery, you sprinkle the contents in and around your horse’s living area.

4. Traps

Available in a variety of different types, fly traps work by attracting flies, either through color or scent. Once the fly lands on or enters the trap, it can’t escape and eventually dies.

The simplest type of fly trap uses a sticky surface to capture flies. The flies are drawn to the color—usually orange or yellow—and land on it. The glue-covered surface sticks to their feet, keeping them from flying away. Other traps use bait to lure the fly inside. Some traps have water inside, and the flies drown because they can’t escape. Others simply trap them inside the container, where they die due to lack of food and water.

Sticky fly traps can be hung anywhere flies congregate, but should be safely out of reach of curious horses. Baited traps should be placed far from stalls since they will initially attract more flies to the area before the insects become trapped.

5. Barn Fans

Flies tend to be less active when there’s a strong breeze, as wind affects their ability to fly. So create your own wind! Barn fans hung from the ceiling over each stall and in the barn aisles can do wonders for keeping flies out of the area. Freestanding fans can also be used in barn aisles.

6. Stable Management

The environment surrounding your horses can have a big effect on the number of flies at your facility. Practicing good barn keeping will keep flies to a minimum.

Start by making sure all garbage cans are securely covered. An open trash can will draw flies from near and far. Keep feed storage containers covered as well since some grains and sweet feeds can attract flies. Clean up spilled feed right away, especially if it’s wet.

Be sure to dispose of any rotting hay on the property since this is the perfect breeding environment for flies. The combination of moisture and organic material is a haven for these pests. Also, avoid using straw as bedding since wet straw is a magnet for flies.

7. Fly Sprays

Both insecticidal sprays and repellents discourage flies from landing on your horse.

Oil-based sprays have more staying power on horses than water-based products, and both are best used in conjunction with other types of fly control. They should not be used in the vicinity of parasitoid wasps, however, since the beneficial insects are also susceptible to insecticides.

When applying fly sprays, be sure to use an adequate amount as directed on the label. If you don’t coat the horse’s hair with the spray, flies can still land and bite. For applying around the eyes, ears and muzzle, spray the product onto a washcloth and wipe it onto the horse’s face. You can also use a roll-on insecticide for these delicate areas.

8. Cover-Ups

No matter how good your fly control methods, it’s impossible to get rid of every single fly. To protect your horse from these biting pests, use cover-ups.

Fly masks are the most effective way to protect your horse from flies. Face flies are notorious for feeding on the mucus in your horse’s eyes, causing irritation and potentially spreading disease. You can also use a mask with attached ear covers to keep biting gnats out of his ears.

A fly sheet prevents flies from landing directly on your horse’s body. The lightweight mesh blanket protects your horse’s chest, back, sides and hindquarters from biting flies. Add mesh leg wraps to protect the lower legs, and flies will have a hard time finding a place to bite your horse.

By using these methods, you can make a big impact on the number of flies that live on your property and pester your horses.

9. Spray Systems

In a barn environment, an overhead fly spray system can be effective at keeping fly populations down. Spray systems release a repellent or insecticidal mist periodically throughout the day. The spray comes down onto the horses and prevents flies from landing and biting. The system can be designed to spray directly into both stalls and barn aisles.

After installing a spray system in your barn, choose the type of insecticide or repellent you want to use. If you are concerned about introducing chemical fly products into the environment, opt for natural formulations.

10. Supplements

Supplements designed to prevent flies from breeding in manure or to discourage flies from biting are another option for your horse. Insect growth regulators (IGR) are chemicals that disrupt the fly’s ability to reproduce by affecting the pupa stage in the life cycle. When the active ingredient in the IGR is present in the horse’s manure, the fly larvae can’t develop to adulthood.

A feed-through product containing an IGR is added daily to the horse’s food, and then passes through the horse and is deposited with the manure. The IGR has no effect on the horse, but wreaks havoc on the fly population.

Natural supplement formulas containing garlic, apple cider, yeast and other ingredients with natural fly-repelling properties are reported to discourage flies from biting. These products must be fed daily to be effective.

Further Reading on Fly Control for Horses and Barns

◆ Natural Insect Repellents for Horses
◆ Flies, Worms and Yucky Things

This article about fly control for horses and barns appeared in the July 2015 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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