Heather Wallace: Tell me about the first time you and Connie met.

Allison Malenfant: Our husbands work in the New York entertainment industry and often collaborate. We met occasionally, and Connie told me about her equestrian background. I always wanted to ride, but had no exposure. Connie agreed to teach me, and we became friends through weekly lessons in Brooklyn. And double dates!

HW: Were horses a childhood obsession or an adult passion?

AM: I took one lesson a week while working a corporate job in the athletic retail industry. Once I left to start Redingote, I increased my riding two days a week. It’s a slippery slope, of course. I bought my first horse in 2020 and now have two. I hunter pace and fox hunt, but also travel and compete. It has become a lifestyle.

Connie has horses in her blood. Her father was a Standardbred trainer in Monmouth County, New Jersey. She started hunter/jumper lessons and eventually had her own horses at home. She was very successful in riding and competing by age 16. She now owns and runs a small private facility in Colts Neck, N.J.

HW: What sparked the idea of Redingote?

AM: Connie owned a vintage men’s insulated coverall she found at a yard sale. She loved the functionality of a one-piece. She could wear it while teaching or working in the barn, and then take it off to ride. However, it lacked waterproofing and enough pockets. Plus, the men’s shape didn’t flatter.

People asked her about it wherever she went, loving the practicality or thinking she looked like a mechanic. There was an untapped market for a similar product that was warm, waterproof, and designed for a woman’s body. She shared her idea with me. I knew about the retail industry and the development of products, so I suggested a partnership.

HW: How did you come up with the name Redingote for your business?

AM: A redingote is a fitted outer coat with a cutaway front. It’s a French derivative of the English phrase “riding coat” from the 18th century. We came across this word while trying to name our brand, and it was a perfect fit, since we were reinventing the riding coat for the 21st century rider!

HW: What was the first step in launching your brand?

AM: Nailing a product we believed in was the first step. There was no brand if the idea didn’t work!

We started working on the idea in early 2017, sourcing an outerwear manufacturer that would work with a niche startup brand and develop prototypes for a year. There were many changes with the focus on flattering style but offering warmth and movement. We tested several levels of insulation to find the happy place between staying warm without bulk.

HW: What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

AM: The horse industry is traditional, and people are skeptical about new products. A technical performance coverall for women was a completely new idea.

We are a small, self-funded business. Marketing was and is very grassroots. We wear our jumpsuits, driving to barns and horse shows to pass out flyers. It was fun to see the idea catching on. We’d sell one to somebody in one barn, and then their barn mates would order.

Marketing a business our size in a niche market is still a challenge, but our brand recognition has grown wonderfully!

HW: How do you work as successful partners?

AM: Business partnerships are like marriages, and each person has different strengths. I think this has been the foundation of our partnership. We’re very different. I am hyper-organized with a retail background. Connie is a dreamer with an equestrian background. I am better at project management. Connie has a sales and marketing brain.

We agree with a lot of things, but we navigate any disagreements. I think we’ve learned a lot about each other over the years—just like a marriage!

HW: Have the challenges changed over the years?

AM: They just get bigger! I say that with a sense of humor, but it’s true. The bigger the business, the bigger the challenges. The challenges stay the same (i.e. marketing, staying competitive in a growing industry, funding, supply chain, et cetera) but the scale grows.

HW: How has your business evolved?

AM: It’s amazing to look back on the way Redingote has grown. Our winter insulated jumpsuit is still our No. 1 product, and new customers are discovering it all the time. We are always innovating. Redingote has launched winter outerwear separates, a schooling collection, rainwear, and our signature one-piece for men and kids. We have a new scrim jacket coming out this spring so we can stay protected in the summer while still enjoying short sleeves.

We’ve even added another brand to our portfolio, acquiring FITS Riding, a beloved breeches company, in November 2022.

HW: Where do you see Redingote going?

AM: We have a big vision! Our highest concentration of customers is the Northeast U.S. English market, where we live. Ultimately, we have some exciting projects and collaborations in development. We plan to expand across all equestrian disciplines, markets, locations, and into other sports—we have many clients who use our outerwear for skiing, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping and more.

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

The post Meet the Founders of Redingote appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

That was until trainers began to always assign me the “difficult” horses and I burned out, abandoning horses completely.

Adult Re-Rider

When I returned to the horse world almost two decades later, it was because, once again, I dreamed of riding horses. I’d wake in the morning, remembering the feeling of freedom and connection and think, “I have to ride again.”

I took lessons, finding that muscle memory quickly kicked in. I remembered diagonals, how to cue the trot, and how to pick up the correct canter lead.

It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, because as an adult returning to the barn after time off, I had a completely different mindset than when I was a teenager.

When someone asked me to tack up my lesson horse myself, I couldn’t. Growing up at a performance barn in the 1980s taught me to ride, but none of the accompanying horsemanship skills. We had grooms to tack our horses.

I felt embarrassed at my lack of knowledge and ability on the ground. While I still loved riding, I changed my focus to becoming a horsewoman, not just a rider. I took a job as a working student at age 35 in exchange for riding time at my barn. I learned basic horse handling and care, and the reward was time in the saddle.

The Love for Riding

One of the most wonderful perks of working with horses is the ability to mount up and spend time together in the arena or on the trail. There is no better feeling when you are on a horse, communicating without words.

I spent some of the best times of my life in the saddle. For years, I tried to find something that could replace that euphoria, but I drifted back to the mounting block each time.

My trainer is always after me to ride more often, but as a working mom, my barn time is limited. As a result, my trainer is always asking me to get on my pony and give him some exercise.

“He’s bored,” or “He wants a job” are common refrains. I constantly feel guilty if I don’t tack him up and get on for 30 minutes. After all, it’s healthy for him, and no one wants a spicy pony who has been sitting too long.

Getting proper exercise is important for both horse and rider. My pony has lived with EPM for almost 10 years, and keeping him ridden and properly muscled has been a huge part of his wellness program. He has less inflammation, more stability, and a healthier life when he is ridden regularly. For us, riding is one of the most important things we can do together.

Time Out of the Saddle is Important

Riding is only one aspect of horses, and one that perhaps has overshadowed all the others. As a timid rider, I found that the more time I spent working with my horses on the ground or even just hanging out in the paddock, the more my confidence improved.

My Thoroughbred, Delight, was diagnosed with kissing spine. Despite being only 11 years old, I retired him from riding after trying many therapies and discussing it with my wellness team. In fact, his dangerous and aggressive behavior under saddle with a previous owner was how he came into my life.

I dedicated all my time with him to groundwork, earning his trust again and keeping his brain and body busy, all without being on his back. Turns out there’s a lot we can do to have fun and give them a wonderful quality of life that doesn’t involve putting a saddle on their backs.

The Most Important Goal with Horses

One day, I may be too arthritic to ride comfortably. My horses may all be too old to carry a rider successfully. They will still be valuable in my eyes and worthy of my attention.

For me, learning to tack, longe, and do liberty and groundwork helped improve my communication with my horses and gave me a more enjoyable experience in the saddle. The focus on riding was the reason for my burnout so many years ago. Incorporating other methods of connecting and spending time with horses taught me how to listen better, be a more effective communicator, and enjoy the time spent with these animals.

Now with one riding horse and another retired, I can enjoy both animals equally because they require different things for exercise. Whether you choose to focus on riding or unmounted time with your horse, remember that showing up for your horse and spending time with them is the most important goal.

This article about there being more to horses than riding appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post There’s More to Horses Than Just Riding appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

If you’ve ridden horses for any length of time, you know that falling is part of the process. Some riders have the tendency to land on their feet like a cat and make it look like an effortless, involuntary dismount.

I land like a turtle—on my back. While I am clumsy by nature, I strongly feel it is my lack of physical fitness that results in my lack of finesse and potential for injury. When we as riders have control of our bodies and are more physically fit, we have more confidence in both our riding and in handling a situation gone sideways—sometimes literally.

We can say the same of our mental fitness. We must build our mental muscles because not every ride will be good, and we need to learn to build our confidence.

“After a fall, the critical voice in our head typically tells us we are terrible riders, that we should have reacted differently, and that we are now failing,” says sports and exercise psychology coach Annika McGivern. “None of this is true, but this voice can keep us in a place of internal misery long after the events of the fall are behind us.”

We second-guess ourselves, our horses, and most of all, our skills in the saddle. However, there are a few things we can do to regain confidence after a fall.

Take a Moment

Horses snap out of their fight-or-flight state quickly, and move on as if nothing happened. Humans have a tougher time letting go. McGivern suggests focusing on your breathing.

“It’s OK and normal to feel scared in the saddle when you first get back on after a fall,” she says. “Any time you feel scared, commit to focusing on deep belly breaths. As you breathe, release any tension in your body and try to smile. This will help tell your brain that you’re safe and undo the fear response that was created from the fall.”

Deep breathing will also help reduce your heart rate and bring it back down to a manageable level that won’t alarm your horse into thinking a threat is still out there.

Don’t Get Emotional

As an overthinker, I replay a tough ride over in my mind to question how I could have done things differently. Every “bad ride” has a lesson to learn. Understand what happened, then let it go.

“It’s easier to be kind to yourself when you realize that taking responsibility and beating yourself up are very different things,” says McGivern. “Taking responsibility means accepting the opportunity to learn something important and become a better rider because of that tough experience. Beating yourself up only makes you feel more unsure of yourself and can destroy confidence in the long term.”

I was riding my pony in the woods when we both heard a strange sound. Before I could point him toward the sound, he dropped his shoulder, wheeled around, and I shot to the ground like a missile. Rather than get angry at him or myself, I focused on improving my balance in the saddle so that I could have a stickier seat rather than an ejector button.

Lesson Learned

Not every ride is a catastrophe waiting to happen. With each positive experience, your confidence as a rider will grow, and you realize that the days you fall are actually quite few.

“Every fall holds a huge lesson,” says McGivern. “Did you fall off because you couldn’t see the distance and threw your upper body at a long spot? OK, time to become an expert at finding your distance.” Learn from the experience and let it help you grow as a rider.

Trainers are wonderful examples of this mindset. I recently watched a trainer with a young horse at his first competition. When he refused a scary jump, she was caught off balance at the wrong time, landing on her feet and catching the reins. Years of experience had taught her how to fall and respond quickly with muscle memory to catch her horse. Now she can improve her horse’s confidence in those situations during training.

Acknowledge Intrusive Thoughts & Face the Disappointment

“After a fall, the critical voice in your head typically has a field day,” says McGivern. “It tells you you’re a terrible rider and you should have reacted differently. This self-doubting voice can keep you in a place of internal misery. The first step toward regaining confidence is to acknowledge it’s not truth, but a reflection of your inner doubts and fears.”

Training your mindset is just as important as training your horse.

In this video from Ridely, expert mind coach Annette Paterakis gives us some great tools that should help us understand and feel our disappointment and then channel it into something that we can learn from to improve in the future.

Horses have a unique way of challenging us. Falls occur periodically as part of the learning process. It can be scary getting back on, especially if you’ve been hurt. Rather than focusing on the fear and getting mad at yourself or your horse, focus on breathing and how you can change your mindset so that you move forward together as a partnership. Build your mental skills and soon you will find your confidence improves in the saddle.

This article about regaining confidence as a rider appeared in the October 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Regaining Confidence as a Rider appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

As a senior in high school, however, my priorities changed. I focused on graduating, getting into college, and hanging out with my friends. Shortly before I left for university, I quit riding.

Circling Back as an Adult Equestrian

The next four years went by quickly and without regret. I then moved to New York City to work in publishing, and volunteered my time at the Central Park Zoo to experience nature. But when I moved back to New Jersey shortly after getting married, I dreamed of riding horses again.

Almost 15 years after I left horses behind, I returned as an adult equestrian, and began to take lessons again. Quickly, my barn time became the one thing I looked forward to every week, giving me sanity and solitude.

My lessons quickly escalated into becoming a working student, half-leasing, and soon after, owning my first horse. It was official: I became a returning adult equestrian, or “re-rider.”

More and more adults, especially women, are finding their way back into the saddle after years away. Stepping aside and coming back after a long time off proves how passionate we are about horses. It also gives us a fresh perspective.

Competing Demands

“I stopped riding when I started college,” says Linda Snyder, a western re-rider. “I lived in New York City. It wasn’t easy to find riding facilities, and I had very little time available. I trail rode on vacation. I came back to riding in my 50s after my two kids were independent, and I had some time and money to ride. Now living in New Jersey, there are more stables around to ride at and take lessons. I finally realized my dream and bought my first horse two-and-a-half years ago. My goals with Cooper are to develop a partnership and gain trust in each other.”

Many returning adult equestrians share a similar trajectory with Snyder. Career and family demands compete for time and money with our horse habit, and often win—at least for a good chunk of time.

Mindset as an Adult Equestrian

The thing I noted most about my mindset when returning to horses was how timid I felt. As a young child and a teen, I always felt invincible, and when I fell, I bounced. Now, the fall is more of a splat. I have children and a husband that count on me to come home safely, and as a result, I am hesitant and less of a risk-taker.

My pony had a month-long vacation from riding this winter because of the snow and ice. It was unsafe to ride in our uncovered arena. Instead, we did groundwork and played in the snow at liberty.

When the weather cleared, I walked him in-hand, then longed him to assess his temperament before mounting up, and eased him into a workout to avoid any drama. Was I too careful? Perhaps. Yet over the years, I’ve learned to care less what other people think and do what is best for me.

Get Outside the Box

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Sometimes when you work with horses as a career, the riding aspect fades. “I started riding at age 9 and lived on a horse until graduating high school, then it was on to college, moving to the big city, and starting a career,” says L.A. Sokolowski, an award-winning equine journalist. “When I was working full-time for the U.S. Equestrian Team and running press rooms for international horse shows, there was little time to ride.”

She never left horses, however. The priorities just shifted to her career. But like most adult equestrians, Sokolowski’s priorities shifted once again.

“I found opportunities to ride and exercise horses whose owners, because of age or injuries, couldn’t ride as much anymore,” she says. “I also wanted to introduce my partner Charles to riding, and to see the horse again through an enthusiastic beginner’s eyes has been glorious. My priority now is to ride horses long and low, bitless and spur-free, and preferably without stirrups, so my seat stays deep and my legs long. I put great value in riding on a longeline and earning my reins.”

Returning adult equestrians may gravitate toward their old disciplines when starting back in the saddle, for both comfort and familiarity. Yet some re-riders will venture outside their comfort zone and into a new discipline.

A friend of mine grew up in the hunter/jumper world. At 36, Michelle trained for an endurance race in Mongolia and quickly fell in love with the sport. Now she spends her weekends riding 50 miles, and has learned barrel racing, team penning, and cow sorting for fun.

Fresh Perspectives

I returned to horses after motherhood, having the desire to do something for myself. I wasn’t alone in that need, nor the transition in perspective.

I was out of shape and had an inconsistent ability to get to the barn. My goals weren’t the same as when I was younger, and the fear of getting injured was real. Now I had a small child relying on me.

Autumn Fiordland, a young mother who used to compete, agrees that time and consistency can be a challenge to manage.

“I rode seriously from age 10 through 16,” she says. “I purchased my horse at age 23. We trained five days a week, schooling jumpers and cross-country, and competed in the hunter/jumper ring. But two years later, I stopped riding because of my pregnancy. When I began again in 2020, I was inconsistent. It has been challenging getting us both into riding shape, but I enjoy the slower pace of walking rides, something I never took time to do while actively training.”

Fiordland had to adapt her lifestyle due to motherhood, but this is such a common occurrence, there is even a Facebook group dedicated to “Mama Equestrians.” Re-riders push horses to the back burner while they navigate college, a career, or motherhood. Still, the unifying aspect is they all return for one thing: love of the horse.

Age often makes us more afraid, realizing we can get hurt, yet also gives us a new sense of freedom to try something new. Life experience gave these women the freedom to explore what makes them happy, such as Sokolowski found in her return, or Fiordland taking off her competition hat and learning to enjoy the ride. For myself, I still ride at a hunter/jumper facility, but have incorporated ground training, liberty work, and positive reinforcement methods, known as R+, into my riding.

It’s common to see me riding in a western saddle and English hunter bridle because it works for us. As a woman in my 40s with three children at home, I make no apologies for riding my horse however I like while enjoying every minute. Because now I know what I was missing all those years.

This article about returning adult equestrians appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Coming Back to Horses as an Adult Equestrian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

When I bought my pony, Ferrous, the former owner disclosed that he had trouble sweating, but a supplement was all he needed to be healthy in the summer. In truth, I quickly realized how anhidrosis, the inability to sweat properly, affected my horse year-round despite supplements. I took him out of the show ring, kept exercise to a minimum, and largely took the summers off to keep him comfortable and healthy.

What is Anhidrosis?

Anhidrosis is a condition characterized by lack of perspiration or sweat. This is a potentially dangerous condition that, while rare, is seen often in hot or humid climates regardless of breed or gender. Working horses must sweat to regulate their body temperature adequately, so the inability to cool themselves down by sweating can greatly affect their health, resulting in heat stroke, dehydration and in some cases, death.

Signs of Anhidrosis

Generally, anhidrosis is diagnosed through clinical signs, although there are tests your veterinarian can perform to make an official diagnosis. Owners and trainers are the line of first defense as they are the ones untacking after exercise. While most horses may be quite lathered after work, a horse with anhidrosis or “no sweat” may have limited sweat marks under saddle that gradually decrease over time. For example, in spring my pony often shows sweat marks under the girth but not under the saddle pad. As the weather continues to warm and especially during heat waves, I begin to see zero sweat patterns at all. Additional clinical signs include panting or heaving, increased heart rate, dehydration of the skin, or increased body temperature over 104 degrees.

How to Care for a Horse with No Sweat

The reality of anhidrosis is complicated but should not necessarily be something to prevent you from purchasing a horse. While many animals do well on a daily supplement, often they do not do enough to achieve the perspiration that is needed to properly regulate body temperature. Horses with mild signs may take the supplement during warmer months while animals that do not sweat well regardless of temperature should include this in their feed year-round. In addition to diet and nutrition, there are a few other things horse owners can do to keep a horse comfortable.

• Stall your horse during the day, away from the heat and sun.
• Provide access to fans or misters to keep him cool.
• Hose down your horse during the hottest part of the day and allow him to naturally evaporate the water in his stall (don’t remove excess water!).
• Feed electrolytes or salt mixtures.
• Give him a lot of fresh water. I’ve recently found Hydration Hay by Forage Solutions, which is put in a bucket of water and expands to encourage them to eat and drink.
• Avoid exercise during hot, summer months. If you intend to compete during that time, an anhidrotic horse may not be the choice for you.

Dr. Ian Baines, DVM, who is on the academic staff at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, and is a FEI 4* endurance vet, has dealt with two cases during his career, and both showed exercise intolerance and overheating after only moderate exercise.

“Namibia has a relatively hot and dry climate (low humidity), so symptoms in anhidrotic horses are easily exacerbated,” he says. “No treatment was attempted. Literature tells us most medical treatment is experimental at best and gives poor results. Managing these cases by exercising early in the morning, using cold water sprayers and regular hosing down proved futile and both cases retired from competition. I have reports of some pretty positive outcomes from regular acupuncture, which may be something worth investigating.”

While cases are relatively rare, the eastern United States and the southeastern United States are high in humidity and cases tend to be higher. If you see signs of limited sweating, please consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis.

I constantly worry about my pony’s comfort and health. While my friends go on hunter paces and long trail rides, we cannot join because it’s dangerous for us even during the fall because of his severe signs. We have limitations that other horses don’t, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world. I’m grateful that I can give Ferrous what he needs to live his most comfortable life. I haven’t had to move us to the Arctic yet, but I certainly won’t rule out the possibility.

The post Anhidrosis and Your Horse: What Is It and What Could It Mean for You? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

As mothers, we can find it difficult to balance work and family. We often put everyone else’s needs first and think about ourselves last. But when those mothers are equestrians, the passion is still there, and it’s one more thing to juggle. It can seem impossible to get the time we need at the barn. So, how can we as equestrian moms manage to balance it all? Very carefully.

Some equestrian moms take time off from horseback riding to have children, others start spending time with horses as a way to have time for themselves, while others spend quality time with their children and horses together. Regardless of the “why” you are involved with horses for a mother, the “how” is more important.

Set Aside Time and Stick To It

There are only so many hours in the day. When do you have a little quiet time, if any? Set aside time in the morning before the house wakes or in the evenings when you have spousal support or a play date organized.

Connie DeMaio, co-founder of Redingote Equestrian, has learned the hard way to adjust expectations. “I am a mom, wife, business owner, realtor, horse trainer, and my home is also a small boarding facility,” she says. “My daughter Rose is now 3-years old. I struggle to find time to ride my horse but learned if I want to enjoy time in the saddle it is up to me to make it work. I used to squeeze in riding time while she napped, but now she doesn’t nap anymore! Recently, I have been waking up at 5 a.m. to ride, which has been great! I feel like my day is much more productive. But who knows how long that’ll last? It’s all up to my daughter’s schedule.”

Many of us can relate. When we figure it out, suddenly something shifts, and we have to change our routine. Finding the time to be alone with our horses is one of the most difficult things. So, what happens if we have to bring our kids with us?

Find a Child-friendly Barn

The barn environment is incredibly important for an equestrian mom. My first barn was so child-friendly I was encouraged to bring my daughters with me to play with others. When I moved my pony, I was told children were welcome when it was not really the case. I found out the hard way that bringing them with me created tension and disapproval from the barn owner. So, we moved facilities again. My children are a big part of my life, and they are all horse girls. It was important they felt welcome.

It’s a given that if you are an equestrian with children that you would want them to be accepted wherever you need to bring them, and the barn is no different.

“For us, the key was to find a kid-friendly barn with caring instructors and a supportive community around it,” said Amanda Bracewell Gallatin. “When I am riding, there is usually another child around for my daughter to play with in the field or barn.”

Look for a barn that teaches lessons and has a summer camp for kids, which is more open to young people and can mean having playmates. Although, parents can’t rely on there being other children to keep them distracted, and age-appropriate supervision is always advised.  It’s important to note that many private farms or boarder-only facilities are often intended for adults.

Children should also learn the rules of the barn and to be safe at any equestrian facility. While I was a working student at my equestrian facility, my children learned that the barn owner and trainers were authority figures, and they were in charge. They also learned valuable horse sense.

“She is my special groom—brushing, applying fly spray, fetching tack,” says Gallatin about her daughter. “She also loves to play photographer and has gotten very good at taking pictures and videos of my ride that I can critique later.”

Get Your Children Involved

Including your child in your hobby can mean building horsemanship, empathy, and a strong work ethic while spending quality time with them. Yes, your focus is divided, but only while your children are young. Children can learn life skills and how to carry themselves in another setting away from home.

“I try to make it out to the barn for a bit every day, and I take my son with me,” says Leslie AJ Baumann, who is a graphic designer and author. “We do a lot of our school work there since it’s a fun setting. Then he enjoys some outdoor playtime and birdwatching in the pasture.

“When I’m riding, I like for him to be in the arena with me,” she adds. “He keeps himself quietly entertained in a safe place. His current favorite activity for this time is to sit on the cart in the center of the arena while reading Captain Underpants books”.

Sit your child on the mounting block, hand them a camera to photograph you, or bring a favorite book of theirs. Don’t underestimate the power of time spent outdoors on their mental health. This can help them learn to sit quietly.

Remember, while it may be hard to balance work, family, and horses, it is not impossible to do that and be an equestrian and a mom. It just takes a little planning and a lot of patience. Soon your child will be growing up at the barn. Maybe they will be the future of the equestrian sport, or at least, learn valuable tools for adulthood. Most importantly, you get to spend time doing what you love!

The post Parenting from the Saddle: Equestrian Moms Use Creativity for Barn Time appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Preparing for a 100-mile horse ride is no small feat. I’ve trekked across Mongolia as an official for an endurance horse race, but that seems like a warm-up for The Tevis Cup, which spans across the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. This is a true test of horse-and-rider athleticism and mental endurance. Recently, I attended my first Tevis, also known as the Western States Trail Ride, as a crew member for a friend’s first attempt.

Held annually during a full moon in late July or early August since 1955, the longest North American trail ride starts at Robie Park in Truckee, Calif., and runs 24 hours over mountains and through canyons to finish at McCann Stadium in Auburn.

The trail winds through canyons and a popular Western States Trail, which travels through a few small towns. For example, the town of Forest Hill, which is a one-hour hold, is lined with volunteers, crew, and the locals all cheering on riders as they pass through the neighborhoods on their journey. The annual event is celebrated, and it is hard work to coordinate 100 miles of public and private lands for this adventure.

Starting in the Tevis Cup

For many, competing for The Tevis Cup buckle is a lifelong goal. Horses must be six years old to enter. A horse that is able to complete 100 miles takes years to condition and train. While some equestrians bring their own horses, others lease proven animals that have been trained for this event. Riders must have completed 300 miles in sanctioned events to apply. Once you have competed in the event, you are welcome back. However, there is a maximum number of 210 riders at the starting line, and yet only 40% of riders usually cross the finish line.

Riders start in two groups before dawn the morning of the ride in Pen One and Pen Two. The early front-runners have to maintain that distance over the long haul. But remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint, so most riders prefer to start in the middle and slowly increase speed throughout the course of the day. Riders in the back often are slowed by other horses on the single-track trails.  If there is an incidence on course like a downed rider or horse that needs assistance, this can slow the rest. Passing other horses may be difficult when the terrain is narrow or visibility is low.

The terrain is often battered by sun, and in recent years been troubled by drought, which has created dusty, dry conditions, and neighboring wildfires have affected air quality and made the footing more difficult.

“Tevis was hot, smoky, dirty, challenging, humbling and altogether awesome,” says first-time Tevis Cup rider Michelle Morges, DVM, who traveled to California in 2021 all the way from New Jersey to compete, “This was the ride I had hoped for from the start but quickly ended at mile 68 when my horse was pulled for lameness. I have never been so disappointed as we both had it in us to finish but also so grateful for the opportunity to even have started the race.”

Horse Health During The Tevis Cup

The horse’s health is of utmost importance to riders and organizers of the event. Horses must be vetted in before the event with a lameness check, dehydration check, and more. Just because you make it to the event doesn’t mean you will be at the starting line. From there, there are 19 checkpoints along the trail with water that are stationed with volunteers and veterinarians who track the health and welfare of horse-and-rider pairs. After crossing the finish line, the team must walk to the stadium and complete the final victory lap, and trot out as well.

“During the various aid stations and vet checks along the trail, it is easy to lose a lot of time,” says Christoph Schork, owner of Global Endurance Riding Center. “Folks are friendly, lots of snacks are offered, but again it is easy to get distracted and get tight with cut-off times. So my advice would be for all riders: never hurry, never tardy. Keep moving down the trail with intent. I also might add that electrolytes are playing a bigger role at Tevis, horses just go through more electrolytes at Tevis than other rides. So, it is advisable to administer them more generously compared to other rides of equal length.”

Each rider is allowed two crew members to provide physical and emotional support at up to 9 checkpoints, including two one-hour holds at Robinson Flat and Forest Hill. The crew may strap (cooldown by sponging the horse), untack, give electrolytes, feed, and water the horse, and care for the pair along the route at designated holds. Because of the mountainous terrain, the checkpoints are difficult to access, and it is often hard to know where their rider is unless they check with an official or follow the optional GPS trackers, if an internet signal is available.

If a horse and rider are pulled, they are trailered to a hold where their crew can meet them. Some riders may choose to opt out of completing the ride for themselves or their horses, or a veterinarian may pull during a check because of lameness, dehydration, or metabolic issues (such as the horse’s heart rate not lowering to an acceptable level within an expected time frame). Horse wellness is the priority at all times.

To start the Tevis Cup is an incredible feat but to complete the ride is a huge point of pride for riders and horse owners.

The post The Tevis Cup: A 100-Mile Endurance Ride Like No Other appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

While for most horses, insects are just a nuisance, but some are incredibly sensitive to insect bites, have chronic inflammation from Lyme disease, or have allergic reactions and cannot use commonly used chemical sprays. So what are some natural, but effective alternatives to use as insect repellents for horses? See below for some great options.

Natural Insect Sprays for Horses

◆ Ecovet Fly Repellent uses naturally occurring fatty acids to confuse an insect’s natural GPS so they cannot locate your horse. They actually get confused and fly in circles!
◆ Nature’s Defense by Farnam is a water-based spray that uses common essential oils meant to deter flies, mosquitos, and gnats.
◆ Nature’s Force Natural Fly Repellent uses essential oils that bugs avoid, such as clove, thyme, cinnamon, and lemongrass.
◆ BugPellent Cylinder is a solid insect repellent meant to hang in the barn to naturally deter flying insects.
◆ Essentials Insect Repellent by Animal Bodywork & Aromatherapy is a handmade, custom blend of essential oils to gently repel common insects and cling to the hair for 24 hours.
◆ Catnip? Studies have shown that catnip is more effective at repelling flies and mosquitos than DEET. Add some to your favorite DIY blend with a carrier oil and your horse will thank you.

Supplements

Supplements containing garlic are intended to be ingested and protect your horse from nasty insects from the inside out, all while helping to balance a healthy immune system. These products include garlic.

◆ SmartPak’s Smart Bug Off supports healthy skin and a normal inflammatory response in a tasty pellet form with no added sugar.
◆ Springtime Supplements Bug-Off Garlic provides a 24-hour shield against flies, ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, no-see-ums, and other flying pests as a supplement you add to your horse’s feed.
◆ Redmond Rock Crushed with Garlic is added to your horse’s feed, which encourages hydration as well for those horses that don’t drink enough and who are sensitive to insect bites.
◆ Manna Pro Nature’s Force Bug Clear includes garlic, turmeric (200 mg), grape seed extract, Brewer’s dried yeast, diatomaceous earth and more.

Mineral Powder

◆ Tick Natural Terminator (TNT) is a small business dedicated to toxin and chemical-free prevention. According to the brand’s patent application: “The present invention is unique because of the presence of dried ground mint, which repels aphids; white flies, and others; dried ground oregano, which repels most insects; food-grade silicon dioxide, which adheres to insect and tick exoskeletons as they crawl through it, dehydrating their exoskeletons, which kills them mechanically instead of chemically.”

Sonic Repellent

The effectiveness of ultrasound to repel ticks and other insects has not been clinically proven, but there are a number of them on the market to plug into your barn sockets or even attach to your animal. While primarily geared to dogs and cats, the Only Natural’s Pet Tick Tag and the SonicGaurd Horse Ultrasonic Tick and Flea Repeller emit a frequency that is meant to naturally repel insects when worn on the body. Braid it into your horse’s mane or attach it to their halter if worn regularly during turnout.

Insect Eaters and Traps

Removing pests from the barn is easier said than done, but less bugs mean less insects biting you and your animals.

◆ Chickens or Guinea Hens! While they may not help the flies, they do eat ticks and other small insects as well as scratch at the manure and disperse it among the paddock to prevent large manure piles that attract flies.
◆ Fly Predators by Spalding Labs is used in a natural environment as a natural enemy that serves as a major check of pest fly populations by destroying the next generation of flies in their immature pupa (cocoon) stage, which breaks the gestation and multiplication cycle naturally.
◆ EZ Trap Fly Trap is an adhesive fly trap with a large surface for trapping flies.
◆ RESCUE! Disposable Hanging Fly Trap is hung outdoors and will easily catch up to 20,000 flies.

And while not technically an insect repellent, the Shoofly Leggins do a wonderful job keeping creeping crawlers from climbing up your horse’s legs and keep the stomping and resulting cracked hooves to a minimum.

Prevention is always the best option when it comes to pests. While no insect repellent is 100% effective, combine some natural alternatives that prevent and repel without adding toxic chemicals to your sensitive horse.

The post Natural Insect Repellents for Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Let’s face it, we’ve all been a little house bound this past year. Imagine my excitement when it was announced that Monty Roberts was hosting the 4th annual Movement in Solvang, Calif., to a reduced number of people for an amazing learning opportunity at Flag is Up Farms. Founded and organized by his daughter, Debbie Loucks, the symposium was limited to 50 VIP attendees for a unique, personal experience. The 2021 Movement’s theme was “Transitions, Transformations, and Trailblazers.”

I grew up in the hunter/jumper world where horses were groomed and tacked for me, and riding was the focus. Returning to riding horses as an adult meant I had to learn horsemanship skills from the ground up, something that increased my knowledge base and confidence in both my horse and my own skills. I’m a firm believer that we should never stop learning to become better partners for our animals.

Known for his book The Man Who Listens to Horses: The Story of a Real-Life Horse Whisperer, the 86-year-old Monty has spent his lifetime creating non-violent concepts in horse training and studying the language of the equine, or “Equus,” as he calls it. Regardless of his non-violent techniques, he has received pushback from traditional horse trainers, and is largely considered one of the founders of natural horsemanship as we know it today. Learning from him at his home was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

The very day that The Movement 2021 was announced, I booked my ticket. My pony, Ferrous, has a fear of trailer loading, something Monty specializes in. And my other horse, Delight, became increasingly aggressive with a previous owner. I needed to learn how to best help them.

The event was held over three days, June 18-20, at Monty’s home in central California, a bucolic farm home to American Mustangs, Thoroughbreds, and many more breeds, as well as local deer, who he hand-feeds each evening. The deer are flight animals, just like the horse, and have had a large impact on Monty’s training methods with horses.

Each morning, attendees were warmly welcomed into the park to mingle at our leisure. The educational session began at 10 a.m. in the round pen. We met Thoroughbreds transitioning off the racetrack and being restarted for adoption. These horses had been handled often by their original owners, and yet ground training and Join-Up were new. Then it was off to the “gentling pen” to meet wild Mustangs who were untouched and unaccustomed to human interaction.

Each day we saw the same horses as they began the training program, and the results were clear. They became less anxious, calmer, and most began actively seeking human interaction.

Camila, a 6-year-old mare from New Mexico, particularly hit home for me. She behaved aggressively, looking to kick and bite rather than hide or stay away from the trainers. Monty and his team made it clear they think she had been mistreated previously, making it more difficult to earn her trust. Yet, they committed to giving her the time she needed, so she will remain on the farm for at least 60 days.

Napoleon was the first Thoroughbred we met to do Join-Up with Monty on day one. He was a large bay and very anxious, but curious. By the third day, he could quietly navigate an obstacle course with a rider aboard.

Perhaps the most touching story is Starlight. This beautiful bay roan mare had been used for tripping, a “game” where ropers would have a horse gallop, rope the front legs, and trip them so they would fall harshly to the ground. Understandably, she was terrified of humans. The owner that adopted her was unable to approach her or groom her, so she had asked Monty for help. Despite her progress, she determined she was not the right fit for her and surrendered her. Thanks to a donation, she is now funded for six months of training at Flag Is Up Farms.

When we saw Starlight, she’d been there for two weeks. She was still hard to catch initially but wears a halter, will Join-Up with her trainer and seeks contact with him, associating him with safety. We watched as she was saddled for the first and second time, with her comfort level greatly improving, and she even experienced the obstacle course in hand for the first time. The goal is to “raise the fish” as head trainer Simon noted, which means asking for small challenges that build upon themselves to create confidence in the horse and increase communication with the handler, as well as desensitizing the horse. Then she can be adopted out to a forever home who will give her what she needs.

Among Monty’s many demonstrations of his trademarked Join-Up, long lining, and lining up to the mounting block on command, we heard inspirational stories from the following trailblazers;
◆ Marty Irby, a Washington lobbyist and executive director of Animal Wellness Action, who lobbied for the passing of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act) to reduce violence and cruelty against animals
◆ Ashley Avis, the director and filmmaker of Black Beauty on Disney+ and the founder of the Wild Beauty Foundation, is dedicated to raising awareness for the wild Mustangs and their plight.
◆ Jamie Jennings, co-host of the Horse Radio Network’s Horses in the Morning and ASPCA’s 2021 Trainer of the Year, is a certified Monty Roberts trainer.

Each person shared their personal story, which connected to the overarching theme of reducing the use of violence in the horse world.

The transformations were inspiring, and the attendees were all excited to learn and practice on their own animals. Some attendees aren’t horse owners, but they were there to learn the concepts for their own knowledge and to take the opportunity to pass on their knowledge to others. That was the true goal of this symposium.

While The Movement is held annually, Monty and his trainers travel internationally giving demonstrations and have expanded from Join-Up to horse adoptions and to the Lead-Up Program, which aims to reduce violence in humans through workshops with horses, and to the three-day Horse Sense and Healing program, which works with veterans, police, fire, first responders and their families. Learn more at www.montyroberts.com.

The post Experiencing The Movement 2021 with Monty Roberts appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Soft tissue injury in horses is eventually encountered by most equestrians, and there’s often a dilemma for the owner if the cause can’t be easily diagnosed. Treatment typically involves rest, phenylbutazone (bute), and possibly nerve blocks and injections for a mystery lameness.

When that’s the case, do you treat using those options and hope the problem goes away? Or do you possibly spend large sums of money with advanced diagnostics to find the root cause?

The cause of “mystery lameness” often comes down to misalignment and other soft tissue problems. It could be a tilted pelvis, rotated femur head, or pulled groin from rapidly kicking a fly or throwing a buck in the paddock. Shifts in weather, galloping in the field, sliding in the mud, increased exercise, accidents, and more can all result in muscle pulls, misalignment, or even injury, all of which can affect gait.

So, Your Horse Is Lame

Where lameness becomes a concern is when there is no apparent cause for the irregular gait. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) notes, “These abnormalities can be caused by pain in the neck, withers, shoulders, back, loin, hips, legs or feet. Identifying the source of the problem is essential to proper treatment.”

When the veterinarian begins their examination into equine lameness, it follows a diagnostic protocol; medical history, visual examination at rest and motion, a hands-on exam, hoof testing, and joint flexion. If these do not render an apparent reason, then it is common for horses to trailer to a veterinary clinic for more in-depth testing, ultrasounds and more. These are all regular tests in determining lameness.

However, many times owners will be concerned that the veterinarian, osteopath, or the farrier find different sensitive areas that may contribute. The actual cause is unknown, and the lameness continues or, worse, progresses.

“In the world of equine lameness, you are lucky if your horse has a condition that can be easily diagnosed and treated,” says Penny Rochelle, DVM, CVA, CVSMT. “However, many cases of poor performance are not that simple to identify. Some of the more challenging cases can be attributed to soft tissue injuries in obscure anatomical locations—for example, in stabilizing structures of the spine and upper body. Sacroiliac ligament strains can be difficult to localize and visualize but are important to diagnose if you want the performance to improve.”

Everything Works Together

Since the body itself is a connected whole, an integrative approach is essential, meaning a combination of science-based modern medicine and complementary therapies. The fascia, which encases the entire body, is a sheet of connective tissue that covers or binds together body structures, such as muscles. And the central nervous system provides communication throughout the musculoskeletal system, which acts as a well-oiled machine, intertwining, stabilizing, and working together.

For example, when a muscle is tight from increased exercise, it pulls on the associated skeletal structures it holds in place, creating misalignment, which then leads to compensation. Alternately, a fall or slip in mud or snow may push a rib or the pelvis out of alignment. As a result, this requires the associated muscles to move to stabilize the area, either pulling or tensing as needed to provide balance.

“Most of the treatment for lameness tends to pain management,” says Madelyn Rauch, DC, a human and equine chiropractor certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. “If we never correct the misalignment in [the horse’s] body, they will be slower to recover and easily injure the area again due to compensation.”

For example, hocks often show limited or temporary improvement with corticosteroid injections, which are commonly used by veterinarians as a method to diagnose or rule out problems in that area. However, the hocks are the endpoint of the hamstring muscles.

As a result, the tighter the hamstrings, the more pressure there is on the hocks. While injections may be beneficial, it may only be temporary unless the hamstrings are relieved of tension. The goal should be to remove the compensation in the soft tissue, correct skeletal misalignments, and allow the body to achieve balance once again.

A Case Study

Recently, Linda Snyder followed proper protocol when her mature Thoroughbred, Cooper, presented with mystery lameness. The vet was first contacted and determined Cooper’s left stifle was weak, potentially causing the sudden gait change and head bobbing.

Snyder followed up with a chiropractor, combined with sports massage to address Cooper’s entire musculoskeletal structure. In reviewing the body as a whole, the therapists noted his pelvis was tilted forward, pulling and tightening the glutes and hamstrings, groin and stifle. Was the stifle the cause for lameness, as determined by the veterinarian? Perhaps. The stifle was involved, but so were many other areas that could account for the change in gait.

“Instead of managing the pain, we can use it as a powerful indicator to show weakness and misalignment throughout the horse’s system,” says Rauch. “When a horse has to compensate for an injury, his body quickly shows us where the injured area carries a larger load than necessary. For example, if it looks like the right stifle is injured suddenly, the horse will have to shift off that right side of the pelvis to carry a heavier load on the left hind.

“However, if he has lumbar rotation to the right, that puts the extra pressure on the right stifle, and you will find more weakness through the left side of his back and hind end. In the end, if we can rule out overuse due to compensation in the horse’s body, it’s much more likely the injury will not reoccur.”

Taking an Integrative Approach

While stall rest may be required to heal lameness due to specific injury, some limited movement to increase blood circulation and speed healing is needed. Often, both time and anti-inflammatories are an essential part of the process.

Going a step further and addressing the root cause of soft tissue injury in horses can result in removing compensation, avoiding re-injury, and strengthening the area of weakness.

“Treatments for soft-tissue injuries vary depending on the case, but success depends not only on relieving inflammation and allowing time to heal, but also strengthening and conditioning to re-stabilize the area,” says Rochelle.

Veterinarians working in collaboration with specialists, such as bodyworkers, chiropractors, farriers, and dentists result in a stronger horse long-term. It’s important to note that the AAEP does look to alternative therapies as an option.

“Complementary therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and other treatments may have additional value in some cases but are not a substitute for a thorough lameness evaluation,” writes Doug Thal, DVM, for the AAEP website.

Viewing soft tissue injury in horses as a possible cause of lameness allows you to focus on your horse’s healing, improving his strength, and preventing further injury. Treating the injury with time and relieving inflammation is a necessary part of healing lameness. However, progressive or mystery lameness may often be solved using an integrative approach.

This article about soft tissue injury in horses appeared in the April 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Soft Tissue Injury in Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.