2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Champion and horse trainer Camille White uses groundwork as a tool to help her learn more about a horse, and shares with us one of her favorite exercises.

Using Groundwork to Build Trust

In White’s experience, groundwork is an essential part of building trust with a horse. When on the ground, you have a good read of your horse’s facial expressions and can observe how he is carrying himself. She adds that it can be helpful to see a horse’s reaction to something from the ground before observing it from the saddle.

One of her favorite get-to-know-you groundwork activities is a longeing exercise that teaches the horse how to relax and involves both sensitizing and desensitizing components. White describes “sensitizing” as getting a horse sensitive to cues and teaching him how to move his body, while “desensitizing” is teaching a horse to accept new and scary things.

She explains that many of a horse’s opinions, personality, and coping mechanisms become apparent when he is moving, making this a great exercise to help you learn how your horse thinks and what things he prefers.

“It’s a lot harder for horses to hide what they’re thinking when they’re moving, as opposed to standing still,” says White.

When teaching the exercise, White says to be clear and consistent with your horse by communicating the same way every time. By doing this, he will learn what he can and can’t expect from you, and his trust in you will grow. 

The Exercise

The following steps outline a two-part longeing exercise that White uses to get to know the horses she works with. To perform this exercise, you will need a rope halter, a 12-to-16-foot lead rope, and a flag.

Photos by Shoshana Rudski

Part One: Sensitizing

Step 1: Walk to the middle of the arena. Have your horse stand at the end of the lead rope, facing you. Hold the rope in the hand you will use to point in the direction you want him to go. Hold the flag in your other hand.

Step 2: Ask the horse to move by using your rope hand to point in the direction you want him to go. The horse should move his shoulders away from you and start to walk in a circle around you. Keep your feet planted. Once the horse moves in the direction you pointed, relax your rope hand to let him know he responded correctly.

Problem solving: If the horse doesn’t move after you point, increase the pressure of your ask by wiggling the flag toward his shoulder. If there is still no movement, tap his shoulder with increasing pressure until he moves in the direction you asked. If the horse moves in the wrong direction, keep applying steady pressure until he steps in the correct direction. Once he responds correctly, drop your flag hand and relax your rope hand.

Step 3: Allow the horse to keep moving forward. Once you ask him to walk in a circle around you, he should continue walking until asked to stop or given another command.

Problem solving: When learning the exercise, your horse may walk a few steps, then stop and face you. If this happens, repeat step 2 until he walks on the circle without stopping.

Step 4: Ask the horse to stop. Once he understands step 3, teach him to stop by sliding your rope hand up the rope and taking one step toward the horse’s hindquarters. He should move his hindquarters away and turn to face you. In response, walk to the horse and rub his face to let him know he responded correctly.

Problem solving: If the horse doesn’t move away after you take a step toward him, take another step toward the hindquarters. Keep walking toward the hindquarters until he stops and turns to face you. White notes that you may need to step toward the hindquarters and wave the flag when first teaching this step.

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 in opposite direction.

Part Two: Desensitizing

Once your horse understands how to complete part one going both directions, it’s time to introduce a final step to the exercise.

Step 6: Ask your horse to walk in a circle around you like you did for step 2. Then, reach out with the flag and gently rub his shoulder while the horse is walking. He should stay relaxed at the walk while the flag rubs his shoulder.

Problem solving: If your horse jumps or speeds up when the flag moves toward his shoulder, bring the flag back and keep it at the distance where he started to get nervous. Once he relaxes, take the flag away. Wait a bit, then re-introduce the flag and attempt to bring it closer than last time. Repeat this process and bring the flag closer each time you re-introduce it.

If your horse stops or freezes when the flag touches him, return to steps 2 and 3 before attempting to rub his shoulder with the flag again.

Getting to Know You

Humans don’t become experts on each other after one meeting, and neither do humans and horses. Getting to know a horse takes time and effort.

Whether your horse is a carrot cruncher that loves to cross creeks or a grain gobbler that prefers a slow stroll, groundwork can be a great tool to help you learn more about him.

This article about using groundwork exercises to get to know your horse appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Get to Know Your Horse with These Groundwork Exercises appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Although simple, trainer Clay Cavinder explains that the ground tie exercise teaches a horse how to be accountable and reduces the temptation for you to micromanage him.

Cavinder is a professor and extension horse specialist for Mississippi State University. In addition to training horses and teaching students, he is a professional judge for the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, and National Snaffle Bit Association.

Why Ground Tie

While many horse-friendly locations provide ample places to secure horses, not every place has a solid, safe place to tie, Cavinder explains. When hitching posts are lacking, ground tying can come in handy.

Also, if you’re interested in showing in ranch horse classes, you may encounter patterns that require your horse to know how to ground tie. So what does a good ground tie look like?

Cavinder explains that the ground tie exercise demands a horse know how to stand still. In a show setting, the obstacle requires you to dismount and walk around the horse or go accomplish a task while the horse stays where you left him.

“Once you park the horse’s four feet, he doesn’t move—he stands there,” Cavinder says.

When he is judging this obstacle, he not only wants to see the horse’s hooves planted, but he also wants to see the horse’s head and neck stay still, too. He’s looking for a horse that mimics a statue. The horse shouldn’t be putting his head on the ground and fidgeting in the dirt. Instead, he should be alert, still, and focused on you.

Preparing to Teach

Before you consider teaching a horse to ground tie, Cavinder advises settling your horse. This isn’t an exercise to teach a freshly halter-broke horse that jumps when your hands move.

Instead, the horse should feel safe around you and know simple cues, such as what “whoa” means. If that’s the case, teaching the ground tie can help you build trust with your horse.

“Ground tying develops ‘Whoa means whoa, don’t move your feet, and let me work around you and develop this trusting bond with you,’” says Cavinder.

He uses a three-step process to train horses consisting of cue, response and reinforcement. It breaks down as follows:

Step 1: Provide the horse with a cue. A cue is any stimulus you give the horse. It can be verbal or physical.

Step 2: Read the horse’s response to the cue. The response is the horse’s feedback (or lack thereof) to a cue.

Step 3: Reinforce the cue. These are actions you take that help the horse understand if his response was right or wrong.

Once these prerequisites are complete, Cavinder says you can begin teaching your horse the ground tie exercise.

Teaching the Ground Tie

To teach this exercise, outfit your horse in a nylon halter. Cavinder recommends using a longe line instead of a lead rope while your horse is first learning the exercise. He breaks the ground tie down into the following three steps.

Step 1 (Cue): Drop the longe line on the ground in front of the horse and say “whoa.” (Hold on to the very end of the longe line in case your horse tries to leave.) Take one to two steps away from him.

Step 2 (Response): Watch how the horse responds. Does he choose to follow you, or move in another direction? Does he take a step and then stop? Does he stand still the entire time? Carefully assess the horse’s response to your cue.

Step 3 (Reinforcement): Communicate to your horse whether he responded correctly to the cue. If he responds by moving, show him that was the wrong response by either lifting his head and backing him up or asking him to move his hip away from you in a forehand turn. Then start over at Step 1.

If your horse responds by standing still or taking a single step and then standing still, show him he found the correct answer by returning to his side and petting or praising him.

As he begins to understand the exercise, you should gradually increase the number of steps you take away from the horse and vary their direction. The horse should remain still until you return.

Common Pitfalls

Although simple, there are several pitfalls Cavinder sees equestrians struggle with when teaching their horses how to ground tie.

Micromanaging the Horse: Cavinder cautions against micromanaging the horse. For example, when a horse is first learning the exercise, Cavinder doesn’t correct him if he takes a single step forward. Instead, he watches the horse’s response and gives him time to self-correct.

As the horse gains an understanding of the exercise, Cavinder’s expectations increase. You want the horse to try to answer the question being asked of him, and that requires him to search for the correct answer.

Giving Up: Horse training takes time. Too often, Cavinder sees equestrians watch or read training material, try the exercise a couple of times, and give up. Like humans, horses take time to learn.

Setting Unrealistic Expectations: Every horse is different. One horse may learn the exercise in three days, but others won’t. Additionally, a horse’s age and experience should help determine the expectations set for him. For example, Cavinder says yearlings should have lots of wiggle room for errors, while an older, well-trained horse will be expected to respond correctly sooner.

Misunderstanding the Three-Step Process: If you aren’t implementing the three-step process correctly, you can’t expect your horse to understand what you’re asking him to do. For example, being inconsistent with cues or misinterpreting the horse’s response will confuse him.

While simple, ground tying is a great skill for you and your horse to learn together. When a safe place to tie isn’t available and you’re faced with ground tying as the only option, you’ll be able to count on your horse to stay right where you left him.

As an added bonus, properly executing this training helps strengthen your relationship with your horse and lays a solid foundation for learning more challenging exercises together.

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

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“It’s super beneficial to expose a horse to any sort of obstacle you can get your hands on because it creates better communication and trust between handler and horse,” says Camille White, who operates Camille’s Mustangs out of Bryan, Texas. White is also the 2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Champion.

Preparation

Before you begin introducing a bridge or step-over to your horse, White advises preparing him by making sure he has a few prerequisites down pat.

Can Stand Still: A horse that knows how to stand still shows that he is capable of down-regulating his nervous system and accessing the thinking side of his brain, according to White. During obstacle training, she rewards the horse by releasing all pressure and allowing the horse to stand still and relax.

Legs Are Desensitized: When working with obstacles like bridges or step-overs, there is a good chance the obstacle will touch the horse’s legs. White prepares the horse for this sensation by introducing him to the feeling of having his legs touched by various objects before starting obstacle training.

Has a Good Follow: Before she starts obstacle work, White wants the horse to know how to track her when being led. She calls this “having a good follow.” In addition to tracking her, she wants the horse to know how to maintain a respectful distance from her.

Can Isolate Body Parts: White wants the horse to know how to move specific body parts when asked so she can position him to approach the obstacle. This includes the ability to move his shoulders and hindquarters from both sides. Once finished, she wants to see the horse return to a neutral, relaxed state.

Understands Halter Pressure: White teaches a horse how to respond correctly to halter pressure before starting obstacle training. When she picks up on the lead rope and the halter tightens across the horse’s poll, she wants him to smoothly and willingly move forward with her.

Ground Obstacle #1: Bridges

Bridges can show up in the show ring and on the trail. But White explains that learning how to step onto a bridge can also teach a horse how to step onto other strange surfaces, such as loading into a trailer. Groundwork is the key to introducing bridges and other novel surfaces.

Step 1: Begin by confidently approaching the bridge and ask your horse to follow. Don’t stop or hesitate when walking toward the obstacle, as this may communicate to the horse that it’s unsafe to move forward. If he hesitates, reinforce your ask by continuing to move forward and creating gentle pressure across the horse’s poll with the halter.

Step 2: Reward effort. Watch for the horse to commit to following you across the bridge. As soon as he commits, release all pressure. Try to time the release of pressure with the horse crossing the bridge to associate it with the obstacle. You may have to reward many small steps (such as sniffing the bridge or taking a single step toward it) before the horse commits to crossing the obstacle.

Step 3: Once he is comfortable calmly crossing the bridge, have the horse cross it again, but ask him to stop in the middle. When he stops, release all pressure and allow him to relax on the bridge. This helps the horse associate relaxation with the obstacle. If your timing is well-placed during step 2, this step will come naturally to most horses.

Be ready to troubleshoot the top three most common challenges when it comes to introducing a bridge crossing from the ground.

Refusal to Move: If the horse refuses to move during your approach, yield his hindquarters and shoulders to unlock his feet, then approach the bridge again. If he still refuses, create pressure at the hindquarters to encourage forward movement. Begin by simply looking at his hindquarters. If there is no response, increase pressure by using an extension of your arm, such as a training flag, to tap the horse’s hindquarters until he moves forward. Reward the smallest effort by removing all pressure.

Moving Backward: If the horse moves backward, move with him without releasing the tension on the lead rope. Continue to ask him to take one step forward in the right direction. Reward effort, which may be as small as the horse leaning toward the bridge.

Rushing the Bridge: The first time the horse crosses the bridge, he may rush over it. If he rushes through the obstacle, immediately turn around and cross the obstacle again. Repeat until he slows down and becomes intentional about where he places his feet.

Ground Obstacle #2: Step-Overs

Step-overs appear in the form of ground poles, cavalletti poles, logs, branches and even puddles of water. A horse that knows how to step over an obstacle can successfully navigate many different situations. White shares the following steps for teaching a horse how to step over obstacles from the ground.

Step 1: Start with an easy item to step over, such as a ground pole. Confidently approach the step-over and ask the horse to follow. Don’t stop or hesitate when walking toward the obstacle, as this may communicate to the horse that it’s unsafe to move forward. If he hesitates, reinforce your ask by continuing to move forward and creating gentle pressure across his poll with the halter.

Step 2: Reward effort. Watch for the horse to commit to following you across the pole. As soon as he commits, release all pressure. Try to time the release of pressure with him crossing the bridge to associate it with the obstacle. You may have to reward many small steps (such as sniffing the pole or taking a single step toward it) before the horse commits to crossing the obstacle.

Step 3: Once the horse is comfortable stepping over a single ground pole, increase the challenge by adding more ground poles in a row and eventually increasing the height of the step-over. Follow steps 1 and 2 until he can calmly cross the obstacle.

Again, there are some common issues you should be ready to troubleshoot from the get-go when it comes to step-overs.

Avoiding the Obstacle: If the horse tries to sidestep or go around the obstacle, isolate his shoulder and ask him to return to a straight position before asking him to move forward toward the obstacle again.

Reacting to the Obstacle Touching His Legs: If the horse reacts poorly to the obstacle touching his legs, return to the prerequisite of familiarizing him with foreign objects touching his legs before trying the obstacle again.

Rushing the Step-Over: Adding height to the step-over may cause the horse to rush or jump over it. If that happens, immediately turn around and cross the obstacle again. Repeat until he slows down and becomes intentional about where he places his feet.

“Preparedness is always going to be your best friend when working with horses,” says White.

She encourages you to prepare your horse for situations that require him to cross obstacles before the need to cross an obstacle arises. Teaching your horse how to become comfortable with obstacles takes time, but it’s time worth investing.

More Groundwork Articles

◆ Groundwork for When You Can’t Ride
◆ Five Groundwork Exercises for Your Horse
◆ Groundwork Exercises to Improve Communication
◆ Groundwork with a Purpose
◆ How to Start Training a Horse for Liberty

This article about ground obstacles appeared in the September 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Try These Two Ground Obstacles appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Moving Goals Forward with Groundwork

Nicolet frequently sees equestrians using groundwork to get energy out of their horse, but groundwork is much more than that. She explains that both groundwork and mounted work should help move forward the mental, physical and emotional fitness of a horse.

“Everything you do in the saddle you can replicate on the ground and teach the horse to do in a way that allows him to balance his own body before putting your weight on top,” she says.

Nicolet uses the following exercises to physically, mentally and emotionally engage her horses from the ground. Once the horse understands the exercise, you should reward correct movements and good efforts by pausing and allowing the horse to relax.

The Four-Leaf Clover

Nicolet recommends this exercise to help a horse stay fit for mounted work. The pattern requires your horse to bend his body, rebalance it, and then straighten it.

Physically, the exercise helps the horse build muscle, gain body control and learn to balance properly. Mentally, it teaches him to think through how to keep himself balanced during the pattern. Emotionally, it encourages him to focus on you instead of outside stimulus.

To perform the exercise:

1. Use four cones to make a square. Each cone represents a corner of the square. Pace out 8-9 strides in between cones. (Distance can vary.)

2. Before starting the pattern, walk to the first cone and ask your horse to circle around himself and the cone at a walk. (For this example, the horse will circle each cone to the left and you and your horse will move from cone to cone clockwise.)

3. To begin the pattern, ask your horse to walk ¾ of a circle to the left around the first cone. (The horse should end the ¾ circle positioned to walk through the middle of the square.)

4. At a walk, send the horse through the middle of the square to the opposite side of the square. During the transition, stay next to the horse.

5. Once through the middle of the square, ask the horse to walk ¾ of a circle to the left around the second cone, repeating what you did at the first cone, before once again sending the horse through the middle of the square to the opposite side.

6. Continue moving yourself and your horse from cone to cone in this fashion until you have completed a cloverleaf pattern.

NOTE: Nicolet says it’s important for the horse to always turn in the same direction around all four cones and always cut through the middle of the square as soon as he has completed ¾ of a circle around a cone. While the example is done at a walk, once learned, the exercise can be done at a trot or canter.

The Leg-Yield

A leg-yield is a lateral exercise frequently done from the saddle, but it can also be accomplished on the ground. Nicolet explains that it requires the horse to travel forward on a diagonal path.

“It asks the horse to cross his front legs and then his hind legs as he moves forward and sideways,” she says.

Nicolet adds that physically, the exercise stretches and contracts the horse’s muscles by moving the joints of his shoulder and hind from side to side. Mentally, it encourages him to pay attention to your cues. Emotionally, it teaches him to calmly respond to pressure.

To perform the exercise (in this example, you will stand next to the left shoulder):

1. Begin by standing at your horse’s shoulder, facing him, with the lead rope in your left hand and a stick or crop in your right hand.

2. Next, use your right hand to slowly lift the stick, asking the horse to move his hind away from you.

3. As the horse’s hind end moves, walk forward at a diagonal toward the horse’s shoulder, causing it to move away from you.

4. Once your horse understands steps 2 and 3, ask him to move forward at a walk while alternating asking for his hind end and shoulder to move away from you. With practice, the horse will understand the cues as a request to travel forward on a diagonal path.

5. When the horse understands the movement, you can drop the stick and place your hand on the horse’s barrel, just behind the girth. Apply pressure with your hand to ask his hind to move.

NOTE: The final step begins to teach the horse the cue for the movement under saddle.

Key Takeaway

When you can’t ride, it doesn’t mean under-saddle goals need to stop. Groundwork provides ample opportunities for you and your horse to not only strengthen your partnership, but also move closer to your riding goals.

This article about groundwork for when you can’t ride appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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“That day combined three things that I enjoy: horses, painting and spending time with my mom,” McKeever recalls.

When they finished decorating Rosie, McKeever saddled up and D’Aniello snapped a photo to document the moment. The picture became a tangible example of something horses bring to McKeever’s life: the ability to live in the present.

Law and Horses

McKeever’s love of horses began at a young age. Inspired by her mom’s love for the animals, she spent her childhood days playing with plastic horses, watching western films and poring over horse-themed books. As she grew up, D’Aniello and McKeever enjoyed guided trail rides together.

“I have always loved horses ever since I can remember,” McKeever says.

Just like her love for horses, McKeever’s interest in the law started early on. D’Aniello recalls her daughter boldly declaring her intent to pursue a career in law at just 8 years old.

“Who was I to discourage that?” D’Aniello says.

Many years later, McKeever completed her undergraduate education and prepared to start law school at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in her hometown of Tucson, Ariz.

Close to that time, D’Aniello was taking riding lessons. She’d purchased a package of lessons but found that due to time constraints, she wasn’t able to finish them. D’Aniello offered the remaining sessions to McKeever, who accepted. That decision led McKeever to something that would help her navigate the next four years of her life: Rosie.

D’Aniello remembers being concerned about the expense a horse would pose to McKeever, but also being supportive of her daughter pursuing a healthy outlet. Regardless of her feelings, D’Aniello saw her daughter was determined to purchase Rosie.

“When Leah makes up her mind, Leah makes up her mind,” she says. “You can’t talk her out of anything.”

McKeever knew keeping Rosie in her life during law school would pose financial challenges, but she couldn’t see herself moving forward any other way. She worked out a plan using her savings to budget for Rosie during school.

“If I have something that I love and something that I’m passionate about, I don’t think of excuses or having to get rid of anything,” McKeever explains. “I try and think of how I’m going to make it work.”

Finding the Present

McKeever remembers every minute of her time being claimed during law school. She constantly felt guilty if she wasn’t reading or studying.

“You always have this pressure on you to get a bunch of readings done,” McKeever recalls. “Sometimes the amount of readings are just not plausible to get through.”

To escape school stress, McKeever turned to two of her passions: working out and riding Rosie. The first helped her stay physically healthy but didn’t keep her mind from thoughts of schoolwork. The latter, however, completely captured her attention.

“Going and spending time with Rosie was the only time that I didn’t think about school,” McKeever says.

Riding Rosie forced McKeever’s brain to remain in the present. If her attention drifted, Rosie brought her back to the current moment. The horse would break gait or even shy at an object if she felt McKeever wasn’t focused on her.

“I maintained a good mental health in law school, and I attribute that to having my horse,” says McKeever. (See “Mental Health Benefits of Horses,” below.)

McKeever worked with Rosie four to five times a week throughout law school. In 2017, she successfully graduated from her program.

No Regrets

Several years have passed since McKeever’s time in law school, but the Fourth of July she spent with Rosie and her mother remains seared in her memory.

D’Aniello witnessed how horses impact McKeever first hand, and doesn’t see her daughter ever giving them up.

“For Leah, Rosie is her great escape, and therefore her happy place,” says D’Aniello.

Now a practicing lawyer, McKeever spends her days in the courtroom, seeking justice for the people she represents. Beyond a reasonable doubt, she believes it’s Rosie that helped her get there.

“She helped me through many tough things, law school being one of them, and I’m eternally grateful to her for that,” she says.

If given the chance to do law school again, McKeever wouldn’t hesitate to bring Rosie along for the ride.

“That’s one decision in my life that I’ll never regret.”

This article about Leah McKeever appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Here, a veterinarian and a human dentist shed some light on the differences between horse dental care and human dental maintenance.

Tooth Growth

Horses’ teeth start growing early in life.

“A foal’s teeth start to develop in the uterus, and the central incisors are often present at birth or erupt during the first week of life,” says Chris Wickliffe, DVM, an equine veterinarian based in Oregon.

At 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years old, primary teeth start falling out and permanent teeth begin coming in, Wickliffe explains. In most horses, all permanent teeth are present by 5 years old, but growth doesn’t stop there.

“Because horse feed is very coarse, they literally grind their teeth off over time,” Wickliffe says.

As the tooth gets ground off, it generates a reflex in the periodontal ligament that pushes the tooth into the mouth to replace what was ground off. This process slows as the horse gets older until he runs out of tooth.

During their lifespan, horses will grow 24 primary teeth and up to 44 permanent teeth.

Human teeth, like those of our hooved companions, show up early.

“Within the first six weeks of life, human teeth begin to form,” says human dentist Jarred Hanley, DMD.

Human teeth are programmed to grow and erupt (come through the gums) in a specific order. Hanley says the first primary tooth erupts around 6 months old, while the first permanent tooth doesn’t arrive until close to 6 years of age. This eruption process continues until the third molars show up at around 17 to 21 years of age.

Most humans develop 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth.

Equine Tooth Structure

Horses and humans both grow four different types of teeth: incisors, cuspids (canines), bicuspids (premolars), and molars.

A horse’s tooth root is located at the bottom of the alveolar bone (the bone where the tooth forms) and comes up through the middle of the tooth, stopping before the gum line, according to Wickliffe. Above that is the pulp cavity, a chamber-like area covered by multiple layers of dentin, cementum and enamel.

Horses have hypsodont teeth, found in grazing animals that eat fibrous material. These have high crowns with extra material for all of the wear and tear they experience.

“Most horse’s teeth actually end in cementum around the outside,” Wickliffe says, highlighting an important difference from human teeth. Cementum is softer than enamel and prevents the teeth from shattering under the pressure used to grind food.

Molars are made up of multiple layers of dentin, cementum and enamel. Wickliffe also notes that a horse’s molars and premolars have multiple roots, with most molars having four to five.

Horse incisors, however, have one central root and single layers of cementum, dentin and enamel, similar to human teeth.

Human Tooth Structure

Human teeth are also rooted in the alveolar bone, according to Hanley. In humans, this bone forms our upper and lower jaw. Human teeth have two different components: the crown and the root.

Humans have brachydont teeth, meaning low-crowned teeth that don’t continuously erupt. The crown is the portion of the tooth seen when a person smiles. Human crowns are capped with enamel, the hardest part of the tooth.

“Enamel provides a hard, durable chewing surface that is resistant to deformation,” says Hanley.

Underneath the enamel is a layer of dentin, which recognizes sensitivity.

Finally, under the dentin lies the vascular core of the tooth where the dental pulp resides. This is where the blood supply, nerve endings and other internal components of the tooth are located.

The second component of human teeth, the root, makes up the lower part of the tooth and is generally below the gums. Cementum covers the outer part of the root, followed by a layer of dentin. The dentin surrounds the inner pulp canal that leads up into the crown of the tooth, according to Hanley.

Equine Dental Care

Horses depend on humans to plan their dental visits. Wickliffe recommends having dental exams accompany annual well-horse visits so your veterinarian can see the full picture of your horse’s health, including the horse’s dental wellbeing.

“Teeth lend themselves to a lot of problems throughout the horse,” he adds.

A typical exam includes:

◆ Wellness check
◆ Manual dental exam
◆ Sedation for a more detailed exam (if needed)
◆ Video scope of teeth and mouth (if needed)

During a manual exam, the veterinarian runs their finger along the cheek teeth (premolars and molars) to check for tartar and enamel points. If the horse allows it, a veterinarian may pull the tongue to the side and rinse the mouth for a better view, Wickliffe explains.
If additional examination is needed, sedation may be required so a veterinarian can check for abnormalities in hard-to-see areas, Wickliffe adds. Some practices will use a video scope.

At a minimum, Wickliffe recommends annual horse dental checks.

Human Dental Care

Human teeth require a little more upkeep than our equine partners. At-home care, like brushing, flossing and mouth rinse, in addition to dental visits, is essential, according to Hanley.

A typical office visit includes:

◆ General health history
◆ Oral cancer screening
◆ Examination
◆ X-rays (if needed)
◆ Hygiene cleaning

When looking for cavities, dentists will assess what they can see and touch with instruments, and then will use X-rays to see hidden areas, like the inside of a tooth.

“Any exam is going to be broken up between clinical and radiographic findings,” says Hanley.

Dental checkups should occur at least twice a year, but may require more frequency depending on an individual’s health history, says Hanley. As with horses, providing a complete health history helps a dentist better understand any dental challenges that may arise.

The Bottom Line

Horses and humans have some interesting dental similarities, but they also have key differences. Humans should plan accordingly and schedule preventative visits for themselves and their equine sidekicks. Fewer toothaches mean more time to make happy memories with your horse.

For more equine health content, read Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The open trail. Horse, rider and not a fence in sight. Trail riding is a favorite pastime of both equestrians and their loyal mounts. Proper planning bolsters your chances for a successful excursion through nature, but how do you plan for less-than-ideal conditions? Three trail riders share several ways they prepare for trail riding in adverse weather conditions, including wet, hot or cold climates.

Wet Climates

Elise Lowry and her buckskin Quarter Horse mare, Sierras Flashy Showgirl (Sierra), call the fertile valleys and windblown beaches of Oregon home. The lush green landscapes are courtesy of frequent rains in the state. Lowry has lived in Oregon for 26 years and has been riding for 23. She and Sierra enjoy trail riding throughout the state in all kinds of adverse weather, including the rain.

Plan for Daylight—After working for several years as a Central Oregon trail guide, Lowry learned firsthand that daylight disappears fast in the forest. Rain further complicates things.

“I’ve been caught in several situations where you are in the forest and you lose light a lot faster than you think you’re going to,” Lowry says.

Before hitting the trail, she recommends planning out the length of your ride so you can head home before dark. Lowry also suggests checking the forecast for bad weather. If it’s going to be wet, build in time for potentially slick conditions and possible slower going.

Invest in a Fleece Cooler—When rain combines with cold conditions on the trail, it’s important to make sure your horse can keep warm after your ride. Lowry uses fleece coolers during the rainy season to help her horse cool down slowly and prevent chills.

“If you go out and your horse gets wet while you’re riding or they’re overheated for some reason while they’re wet, I really like to put coolers on them when I get back,” she says, adding that coolers are a staple for her in the rainy season.

Watch for Slick Footing—Rain can change a trail in many ways, including the type of footing you and your horse encounter.

“I’m always pretty hesitant to go out where I know there’s going to be an elevation change, just because I know if there’s that red clay, it’s going to be super slick,” Lowry says, referencing a local name for a type of soil found in Oregon.

If you have to navigate a hill with wet, slippery footing, Lowry suggests evaluating your surroundings to see if better footing is available off the main path and giving your horse time to find the best way down.

Bonus Tip: Bring a halter and lead rope. Lowry uses these tools when helping a horse through large puddles or slick areas from the ground.

Hot Climates

Dodging the sun’s intense rays and picking their way through various cactuses, Leah McKeever and her blue roan Quarter Horse mare, Rosie Blue Music Box (Rosie), embrace desert riding. McKeever has lived in Arizona for 20 years and has been riding just as long. During the summer, parts of Arizona reach temperatures that soar into the triple digits. McKeever has learned how to safely navigate the heat so she and Rosie can enjoy the desert trails.

Ride Early—The early bird may get the worm, but during an Arizona summer, the early horse and rider get to trail ride.

“I get there early in the morning and hit the trail before it gets extremely hot,” McKeever says.

Starting and finishing your trail ride before it gets too hot is important, but McKeever also advises budgeting time to trailer home before temperatures rise. The heat can make the trailer uncomfortable or even too hot for your horse, she explains.

Bring Lots of Water—In the desert, water intake is essential. McKeever likes to bring an insulated water bottle along for trail rides. She also verifies water will be available for her horse.

“One thing I always try to make sure of when trail riding is knowing if there will be a water source nearby for my horse to drink water,” McKeever says.

She advises keeping a close watch on the temperature and knowing when it’s time to turn back to prevent dehydration from settling in on you or your horse.

Cover Up—Hot weather may bring tank tops and shorts to mind, but McKeever suggests applying sunscreen and wearing layers when riding under the desert sun. Hats, sunglasses and lightweight, long sleeve pullovers all make her list.

“In the summer it is important to wear layers and cover-up because the sun can, and will, cause damage to your skin,” McKeever says. “I may wear a tank top in the morning before the sun is strong and then throw on a long sleeve as the sun gets stronger.”

Bonus Tip: Carry electrolyte packets. McKeever uses them, as needed, to help her and Rosie stay hydrated during their trail rides.

Cold Climates

Whether navigating forests tightly knit with trees or easing down the slope of a ravine in the plains, Dena Dorn and her sorrel Quarter Horse gelding, Cool King Rebel (Red), love trail riding in Colorado, even in more adverse weather, like cold and snow. Dorn has lived there close to 43 years and has been riding horses for 41. Snow and negative temperatures often accompany Colorado winters. Years of trail riding experience have taught Dorn how to stay safe and enjoy the beauty of winter, even when the temperature dips.

Know the Footing—A beautiful layer of freshly fallen snow covers many things, including the trail. Holes, sticks, rocks or ice can hide from a horse and rider’s sight.

“The hard part about snow is if you haven’t ridden a particular trail or path, then you don’t know what might be underneath,” Dorn says.

To reduce your chances of encountering bad footing, Dorn suggests limiting snow riding to a familiar trail you know is typically wide and clear, or simply ride around the barn.

Check for Ice Balls—Freezing temperatures bring ice balls. Dorn explains that when snow or ice touches the warm sole of a horse’s hoof, they can melt and stick there. They can then re-freeze to the hoof after touching the shoe or cold ground. The process continues until a ball begins to form.

“We’ve seen it where it looks like there’s like a small baseball on the bottom of the feet, and they’re trying to walk on these little balls,” Dorn says.

She recommends periodically pausing during adverse winter weather while trail riding to check for developing ice balls on your horse’s hooves or looking into hoof pads for ice ball prevention. She uses a hoof pick to pry away any balls starting to form.

Wear Layers—During the winter, the temperature in Colorado can fluctuate drastically during the day. Dorn wears layers to avoid going home early due to the cold.

When she trains through the winter, she uses leggings, jeans and three layers on to keep warm.

If your boots don’t allow for wool socks, she advises investing in insulated winter riding boots.

Bonus Tip: Wear sunglasses. Dorn wears sunglasses to protect her eyes from the sun’s intense reflection off of the snow.

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