Still, his show ring career wasn’t over. From there, we transitioned to a successful second career in dressage. After several good years, it was time to let this career go, too. By then in his early 30s but still not content to be fully retired, his final job was as a leadline mount for my then-young daughter. His full retirement, when it finally came a few years later, was something I felt we were both happy and comfortable with.

On the other hand, my half-Arabian mare, Sally, was an example of a difficult early retirement. A highly versatile horse, just one of her many talents was her performance in the hunter ring.

However, despite my best efforts, she has never truly been a healthy horse. Some of her health conditions we have been able to name and treat. Though these issues may have limited her, they never took her completely out of the game.

Other conditions have been mysterious and less well-managed due to their undefined nature; her treatments have been a roller coaster of successes and failures. Numerous tests have led to dead ends leading to more significant restrictions.

Though still in her early 20s, her most recent job change has been from a semi-retired trail horse to pasture-sound companion horse. By outward appearances, she looks amazing, but she is unable to tolerate a rider.

Soundness and Injuries

With so many possible retirement scenarios, what is considered an average age for retirement? What is considered an early retirement?

The decision to retire a horse is based on several different factors, according to Jud Easterwood, DVM, of Easterwood Equine Hospital in Calera, Ala.

“Most of these factors are health or soundness related,” he says. “I don’t think there is an average age. We have some horses that are able to perform well into their 20s. Other horses have had significant injuries that lead to chronic lameness or issues with pain. These horses have to retire much earlier.”

Easterwood says that he considers “early” retirement one that occurs before the age of 20. In his experience, these unfortunate early retirement scenarios are usually centered around tendon or suspensory ligament injuries. He says they can also be brought on by conditions such as arthritis or ringbone.

“Any serious injury could result in these conditions that a horse can’t overcome to get back into high-level performance work,” he says.

Metabolic & Back Problems

Sometimes, conditions such as PPID and the insulin resistance that sometimes accompanies it can necessitate early retirement, especially when it leads to other conditions, such as chronic laminitis and potentially founder. Easterwood says that while these issues are typically seen in horses over the age of 20, they do occasionally occur in younger horses, too.

Over the years, because imaging has improved, he notes that horses being diagnosed with back problems have also become much more common. Rather than undiagnosed pain, he says we are now able to pinpoint kissing spines and neck arthritis.

“These may not stand out to you like leg lameness, but they create an overall sour behavior or back soreness,” says Easterwood. Depending on their severity, these may also require retirement.

Signs That It’s Time to Retire

What are the signs that your horse may be ready to retire?

“Any sort of chronic lameness or pain issues would be the No. 1 condition that leads to retirement,” says Easterwood. “No. 2 is when the horse doesn’t enjoy his job anymore and has become sour.”

He also lists conditions such as liver disease; inflammatory bowel disease that leads to chronic diarrhea and weight loss; neurological diseases that cause ataxia, such as EPM or (less commonly) West Nile virus; or any condition that is difficult to treat and that leads to performance problems.

Semi or Full Retirement?

Regardless of age, when you decide to retire your horse, you’ll need to consider partial or full retirement. Easterwood says that he likes to use the words “serviceably sound” with owners considering partial retirement for their horses.

“You may have a horse that is not 100 percent sound and is no longer suitable for show jumping, barrel racing, or other types of intense performance sports,” he says. “But [semi-retirement is an option] if the horse is still able to get around fine and enjoy doing activities such as trail riding, flat work, ground work, or being ridden in lessons.”

He says some horses can do these things well and maintain a good exercise regimen, even though they are stepping back from their previous high-intensity careers.

However, there is one important caveat that Easterwood advises for owners considering semi-retirement. If you’re considering having a child take over the ride on your horse, he advises having the horse evaluated by a veterinarian to determine whether there are any issues the horse may have with tripping and falling in order to prevent potentially devastating accidents.

Whether or not semi or full retirement is a happy occasion for your horse depends on several factors.

Easterwood’s first recommendation for keeping retirees engaged is to exercise as tolerated. Keeping horses stabled or pastured near high-activity areas can also help keep retirees engaged, while stall or pasture toys can provide further enrichment.

Prolonging Soundness

While retirement may be inevitable for most horses, there are some steps you can take to extend your horse’s working career. Easterwood says that good veterinary care is a staple to keeping horses sound and happy in their job.

“It doesn’t have to be frequent,” he says. “I recommend annual to biannual X-rays and lameness evaluations to make sure you are keeping up with any changes to previous injuries and to make sure that nothing new has developed.”

If conditions such as arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or joint injuries exist, he recommends the use of prescription intramuscular injections for their treatment. He says that veterinarians also sometimes use intra-articular injections to relieve pain and keep horses comfortable.

Even if your horse is free of any condition requiring injections, Easterwood says that oral supplements can work to reduce wear and tear. He also says that therapies such as chiropractic adjustments, massage, acupuncture, and PEMF treatments can augment traditional veterinary care to the benefit of your horse.

Easterwood also advises screening for metabolic diseases as the horse ages, but also if your horse exhibits any signs any signs that warrant it.

Though no guarantee, the above steps, along with maintaining a good diet and exercise plan—as well as updated vaccinations, deworming, and dental care—can go a long way toward ensuring that your horse enjoys a long career.

By and large, the decision to retire your horse can be one of the more difficult decisions that horse owners face. By watching for indications and taking the appropriate steps, you can rest assured that you are making the best decisions for your horse’s future.

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

The post When Is It Time to Retire Your Horse? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Basics of Good Arena Footing

The ideal footing needs to:

• Have traction
• Have no dust
• Have cushioning
• Deter injuries
• Boost performance
• Provide stability
• Provide rebound energy (the responsiveness and resiliency of the footing surface to return it its original form by returning energy back to the horse)

Factors that make footing poor quality include:

• Too deep
• Too hard
• Too uneven
• Too loose
• Too dusty
• Non-draining
• Slippery

There are three primary layers to arenas: the top footing, the sub-surface, and the base.

Sand is the most popular surface used across the world, both with and without synthetic fibers added. Others include wood chips/sawdust, rubber chips, grass, and dirt. The sub-surface has many options: a drainage layer, grid-mats, compacted stone, sand, or another manufactured material. Most bases are made out of clay, stone dust, and the natural native soil of the property.

What the arena is made of, how much traffic goes through it, precipitation and temperature all play a part in keeping an arena safe.

Different arenas have different requirements to keep them in peak performance, but most require the following:

• Watering regularly
• Regular dragging and grooming
• Removal of manure, urine and other organic material
• Adding new sand
• Raking upkeep
• Picking out weeds, rocks and other debris

Sand and Fiber Footing

Cynthia Brewster Keating is the national director of sales and marketing director for GGT-Footing. For more than 25 years, Polysols, the parent company of GGT-Footing, has been producing innovative equestrian footing products for riding arenas.

“The arena footing products are repurposed remnant virgin material that’s used to make various fibers and textile blends,” says Keating. “The focus is on developing the best combination of synthetic chopped non-woven material and combining it with the highest-quality sands from quarries across the county.

“The different disciplines require a different amount of tightness in the sand,” she adds. “The pleasure blend has minimal fiber and is designed to keep the sand fluffy. The dressage blend has 15 percent fiber and is designed to provide variations according to how it is groomed and maintained. The jumper blend has 30 percent fiber, designed to offer concussion, relief, and stability as well as rebound energy.”

Keating has found that the quality of the sand is not as good as it used to be in the United States due to amount of fracking and the oil industry.

“Because of this, we have found that it’s important to use more fiber, regardless of what your discipline is,” says Keating. “Ninety percent of our sales are blend. We use our competition blend at high-end horse shows, which is 50 percent geotextile and 50 percent fiber. [These shows] require the most support and concussion relief, especially in the Grand Prix dressage and jumper arenas.

“Nowadays, it’s recommended that you hire a consultant that can test the sand that you are thinking of using,” she adds. “Many professional arena builders are now using mixtures of variable grades of sand to achieve the best results.”

Keating says anyone building arenas should assess the level of riding and how many horses go through their arena each day.

“Across the country, there are a varying products available for base, so it’s best to work with a contractor who is familiar with your specific property and ground,” she says.

A Vet’s View

Poor footing can be a big contributor to lameness, according to Rob van Wessum, DVM, M.S., who practices at Equine All-Sports Medicine Center in Mason, Mich. He’s also a Grand Prix dressage rider who holds a diplomate from the American College of Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR).

He says that close to 50 percent of his case load of lame horses is due to improper footing and improper training techniques in inadequate footing. He mostly sees tendon or ligament injuries related to both these factors.

“In deep footing with lack of stability, the horse moves the footing material too much, which means less rebound of ground-reaction forces into the horse, causing tendon injuries, especially suspensory ligament injuries,” says van Wessum. “The horse loses energy with every stride, moving footing instead of himself. That puts a lot of strain on muscles to deliver more energy. A horse is built for rebound energy stored in tendons, so a lot of kinetic energy is stored as elastic energy during the air phase and then used in the next stance phase. With deep footing, there is far less rebound energy.

“When muscles get fatigued due to excess work in deep footing for too long in the same kind of work, a horse can’t stabilize his core anymore, which will cause damage to the connective tissue as result,” he continues. “Connective tissue is often ligament, fascia or tendon. You can find it in the limbs but also in the back, neck, and pelvis region. Damage to all those regions is diagnosed daily in our practice.”

Consequences of Poor Arena Footing

Footing that is so deep the coronary band disappears is one of the most common kinds of bad footing.

“The opposite of too deep is too hard, which can damage to the bone structures due to concussive forces,” says van Wessum.

He explains that footing that has too much grip, like when too much fiber is added, can cause damage to the collateral ligaments of the coffin, pastern, and fetlock joint. This is due to rotational forces when riding in small circles, lateral gaits, or landing and turning after jumps—any time the foot gets stuck on the footing while the upper part of the limb turns. He also sees this with too-deep footing when it is muddy or clay-like and sucks the hooves in.

“Footing that is too slippery due to rain or over-watering causes many injuries, such as ligament and tendon injuries in the lower limb, but also spinal ligament injuries in the neck, back and pelvis,” says van Wessum.

One of the worst kinds of footings van Wessum sees is when the same arena has different areas within it, like harder, softer and then deeper areas.

“When the quality of the footing suddenly changes, a misstep and strain or distortion of joint or ligament is the result,” he says.

Van Wessum stresses that there is no general rule for quality footing materials.

“It depends on what the arena is used for, where it’s located geographically, the traffic through the arena (one or two horses a day versus 60), and the quality of the maintenance,” he explains.

The Best Prevention

What are the best steps a rider can take to protect their horse? Incorporate proper training and exercise to adapt to the quality of footing, according to van Wessum.

“When the footing is deeper, shorter bouts of more intense work, alternating with walking, helps the horse recover and avoid fatigue,” he says. “Proper shoeing and timely reshoeing so the angles don’t change too much is extremely important.”

Van Wessum does not see any advantage to boots or leg protection when it comes to preventing injury due to bad footing.

His client horses receive regular soundness exams (approximately every six months) to monitor any small changes in performance and sensitivity of tendons and ligaments before they become a bigger issue.

“We saw horses from the same facility showing tenderness in the suspensory ligament,” says van Wessum. “After looking at the footing, we could see that it was getting too deep because of less watering in dry times.”

It’s smart to take a walk in any new footing with your horse before riding, exercising or competing. Pay attention to the depth, consistency and condition of the arena.

What’s under your horse’s feet will affect his overall soundness, confidence and performance. Knowing how horses react to different surfaces will help you determine the best type of footing to ride in.

With patience and proper training, you can help your horse travel on many surfaces safely and without injury.

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

The post Arena Footing 101 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Like dating, finding the right horse can be an extensive search to find The One. The quest will most likely involve endless scrolling and comparing online listings to find your potential match. If you’re looking into adopting a horse, you just might find some extra information in that profile to make the hunt a little easier.

For example, your search to adopt a Steady Eddy could lead you to a listing for a horse named ARH Banana for Breakfast. While the palomino pinto gelding may have a silly sounding name for a senior gentleman, according to his online profile, he’s steady as they come, up to date on his vetting, an experienced trail horse, and a been-there, done-that kind of guy.

Checking Off the Boxes

How do you know? Anyone wanting further evidence can see he checks off a lot of boxes in the solid equine citizen department through the Basic Behaviors Profile (BBP) posted with his listing on myrighthorse.org.

Thanks to this handy tool, potential adopters of this seasoned steed know that he has demonstrated that he can be approached in turnout, calmly haltered and led through a gate, allows his feet to be picked up, stands calmly tied and to be brushed, fly sprayed and blanketed, and various other behaviors on the 14-point checklist of common groundwork skills.

While it’s just one part of the information on a horse’s resume, and there will be more questions, conversations, and hopefully a meet-and-greet to assess a match, the BBP has proven helpful to streamline the evaluation process on both sides.

“The Basic Behaviors Profile has helped create a standardized evaluation process for adopters,” says Cailin Caldwell, ASPCA Right Horse Program Director. “When they visit myrighthorse.org, they can quickly see the skills each horse has and which ones they still need to work on, helping them better find their right horse. Many adopters appreciate the information and transparency the tool lends to the adoption experience.

“On the other side, the Basic Behaviors Profile helps adoption organizations more efficiently identify training opportunities and then leverage that information to make happy, adoptive matches for their horses. Many of our partners now use the tool regularly when bringing a new horse into their facility, which has made the training and evaluation process smoother for both their staff and adopters.”

Origins of the Basic Behaviors Profile

The BBP was created, designed and field-tested by a team of equine experts and behaviorists to help improve the adoption process for the ASPCA Right Horse Program. Since its introduction in 2018, it has been used by ASPCA Right Horse partner organizations and is available free online for anyone to use, including equine adoption organizations, trainers, and individual horse owners.

Knowing what a horse knows is useful information. No matter what type of horse you’re looking for, ground-handling skills are essential for all horses, and the BBP provides a standardized way to assess how a horse responds to these requests.

“The Basic Behaviors profile is a series of 14 tasks that are ideal for any equine to be able to complete throughout their life,” explains Kylie Solís-McGarity, equine behavior and training specialist at the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) in El Reno, Okla. “They’re things that are going to be able to support [the horse’s] health in the long term and his ability to be seen by a vet and farrier. In an adoption space, it’s a way for us to be able to look at his skillset and assess the training state on all of our equines.”

A Good Starting Point

The BBP isn’t a training method, nor does it promote any specific training technique. Instead, it’s an evaluation tool that helps assess ground manners and handling. For trainers, it serves as a useful starting point to form a training plan.

“A lot of horses come in with what I call ‘swiss cheese’ training,” says Solís-McGarity. “They know some things and they’ve got some holes in other places. This is a really great way to know where they need additional support in their training.”

Solís-McGarity holds a bachelor’s degree in equine science as well as a master’s in animal behavior and welfare from Colorado State University. She applies those skills at ETAC, where services reach over 100 horses annually; of those, about half will go through some sort of behavior or training work before rehoming.

By no means do these skills need to be completed before a horse can be adopted. Instead, Solís-McGarity notes that it’s a useful way to communicate clearly with an adopter and pass on information about a horse’s skills and knowledge.

The BBP is one of the first steps for horses coming into ETAC.

“We do this before a medical exam because we’re going to be looking at things like, can they be haltered?” she says. “Can they be led, can they stand tied, can they pick up their feet, are they able to receive oral medications? What are their reactions to these very common and low-type stressors? Once we do the behavioral profile, we can much more easily inform our vet as to expectations with medical handling as well.”

Solís-McGarity is very specific about not doing any training while she is doing the profile.

“It’s not a time to train a horse, but to take in information on whether he knows it or not and what his reactions are,” she says. “And then if he can’t complete a task, we just move on and will focus training efforts during a different time.”

Tracking Basic Behaviors Profile Score During Training

Once a horse starts full-time training, Solís-McGarity likes to complete the profile every two weeks to track his progress, and again when the horse is adopted, right before he leaves.

The BBP offers a numerical score of completed items on the list. It’s not pass/fail; items are simply noted as complete or incomplete. Solís-McGarity explains that a low BBP score isn’t a reflection of a horse’s trainability. Instead, it’s a helpful way to get the conversation started, gather more information, and get to know the horse.

“It’s a great way to start getting to know the challenges, good and bad, of each horse, because no horse is going to be perfect,” says Solís-McGarity. “Since it’s a complete/incomplete, the range of reasons why it’s incomplete could be very minimal, or it could be something that’s going to require a lot of work in the future.”

For example, if someone is looking for a great trail horse, the fact that he’s fussy about deworming may not be a big deal, while a skill like tying well is of higher importance.

Useful for Any Horse Owner

The BBP is also useful to try at home with your own horse for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it creates a safety net.

“More than anything, all of us want our horses to have a secure and safe future,” says Solís-McGarity. “And if there ever comes a point where you have to rehome your horse, if you have gone through some of these skills and given the horse a really good foundation so he knows how to be a good citizen, it really helps him find wonderful, loving homes in the future.”

It’s also good to keep skills current to avoid getting into a tough spot, such as trailer loading for a vet emergency or evacuation during a natural disaster.

Especially with young horses, or if you have a lot of horses and it’s hard to get to them all, Solis-McGarity recommends adding the BBP to expand your tool kit outside of the normal “go out to the barn and ride” routine.

Reducing Time to Adoption

At ETAC, the proof is in the numbers, with a reduced length of stay—the time a horse spends at the facility from intake to adoption.

“It has significantly reduced length of stay for us because we have a goal of getting it completed, and we get tons of information on a horse from doing the profile right off the bat,” says Solís-McGarity. “And the more info we have, the more we can pass to adopters, and the faster we can get them into their right homes.”

It worked for Banana for Breakfast, who was quickly adopted.

The BBP is available at aspcarighthorse.org/basic-behaviors-profile. To browse listings of adoptable horses, including many with the Basic Behaviors Profile, visit myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines.

This article about the Basic Behaviors Profile appeared in the September 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Evaluating Horses with the Basic Behaviors Profile appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

This article outlines the six equine characteristic criteria, of varying degrees of importance, that are used in the ECAT and can be considered as part of your decision-making process when assessing a new horse. While each horse is unique, there are common traits that can help in assessing all. 

When considering a horse, in addition to seeking soundness, conformation and paces suitable for the intended purpose, there are characteristics that can be considered when matching mounts with riders. These criteria emphasize the level of challenge a particular equine trait may represent from a rider safety perspective.  

Level of Sensitivity

Sensitivity is extremely important to consider when selecting a horse. Sensitivity is both genetically inherent and experiential. Experiential sensitivity can be increased or decreased, according to ongoing handling as trainers sensitize and desensitize to specific stimuli. However, a genetically Highly Sensitive Horse (HSH) will always be that. While it is possible to increase tolerances for specific experiences and situations, the HSH will always present a greater challenge.  

High sensitivity is far more than physical in nature, but it does include the physical. HSHs can present with a very low pain tolerance threshold but in fact, they feel pain more intensely.    

In addition to physical sensitivity, the HSH has a heightened mental-emotional sensitivity. These horses are hyper-alert, making them aware of subtleties in their environment that others are not. This can lead to them being overstimulated and overwhelmed.

Beyond the heightened five senses, HSHs are quite intuitive. These horses are acutely aware of what the rider is feeling and are deeply affected by rider fear and stress.  

HSHs do not do well with change. Change could be as simple as schooling in a new place or something even more benign. There are many techniques for helping HSHs succeed, but they are not well understood even by the best trainers.

The horse that is merely physically sensitive will prove more challenging for the novice rider, but the Highly Sensitive Horse should be considered significantly more challenging for all.

Temperament 

Temperament is a very important consideration in assessing a horse. Horses are generally categorized as hot, warm or cold. Hotter horses, like Arabians and Thoroughbreds, tend to be more reactive with high energy. Colder horses, like drafts, are more laid-back and slower to react. Warmbloods aim to combine the athleticism and stamina of the hot horse with the more passive disposition of the cold horse. 

Temperament is important, particularly when combined with other character traits. For instance, a hot horse with a strong fear trait will more easily exhibit flight responses and bolt in unfamiliar or stressful situations. If this hot horse is prevented from running off in that instant, explosive bucking or rearing is more likely than with the cold horse. A cold horse may buck or rear, but he is much more likely to give it up quickly as it takes too much energy. A cold horse with the same strong fear trait is more likely to stop and may even freeze, giving the rider an opportunity to dismount. 

A hot horse should be considered more challenging and when combined with other challenging traits, the horse can be unsafe for less experienced riders.

Level of Fear

Fear is another very important consideration. Like sensitivity, fear can be inherent and experiential. For the experiential aspect, a horse may have been traumatized or made more fearful with improper handling.

While thoughtful handling can help even the genetically fearful horse build confidence, each time a new idea or challenge is introduced, the fearful part will likely emerge. For some horses, even moving a familiar fence to a different spot can be considered a new challenge.

The fearful horse should be considered more challenging.

Previous Experience and Training

Previous experience and training is important to consider. A horse that has successful experience in the intended discipline will be less challenging than one trained for a different purpose. For example, transitioning a racehorse or barrel racer, trained with explosive speed, into an easier-going hunter or dressage horse requires skill and time.  

When the previous training and history of the horse is unknown, as often is the case in an auction, assume the horse will be challenging. Some horses have suffered abuse and trauma and will carry those wounds until a skilled and caring human can help them heal.  

Retraining a horse into a different discipline or retraining a horse that suffered abuse and trauma can be considerably more challenging.  

Dominance 

Dominance is another important aspect to consider when selecting a horse. This is not just resource guarding. Horses are wired for a level of dominance. An alpha dominant’s large-and-in-charge way of going is not hard to spot in a herd. 

The alpha dominant horse is more likely to attempt to assertively express his desires over that of the handler/rider. If the alpha dominant horse is also easily overwhelmed, as in the case of the HSH, he will more often offer resistance and try to take charge.

Other horses will have dominant qualities and take advantage of opportunities to move up the pecking order.  

The dominant horse will likely be more challenging than the submissive horse.

Gender 

Gender may be an important consideration. A stallion can be more animated and may often have another agenda, primarily the proximity of available mares. At the show or on the trail, it may be more challenging to get his undivided attention.  

Mares go through hormonal cycles that can affect consistency. There are times during her cycle when she may be experiencing discomfort.

A gelding is most likely the best bet for a Steady Eddy.

Stallions and mares should be considered potentially more challenging than geldings.    

Key Takeaway

This information is generalized and only intended to be a guideline when evaluating a horse to determine the probable level of challenge that horse will present to a rider. There are always exceptions. The best course of action, when looking for a horse, is to seek help from an equine professional and your equine veterinarian.    

A single criterion may be enough to help you decide against owning a particular horse. However, when deciding in favor of a horse, the best analysis is done when considering the combined criteria.   

Incorporating the identified criteria into your equine assessment and decision-making process could help you choose the right horse. 

Try the online Equine Challenge Assessment Tool (ECAT) here.

This article about using the Equine Challenge Assessment Tool (ECAT) when choosing a horse is a web exclusive Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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A Monumental Decision

For me, it was a phone call with my dentist. I couldn’t afford the yearly X-rays they were requiring before I could have a cleaning (I hadn’t had a proper dental cleaning in longer than I care to admit). I started to cry on the phone because they wouldn’t make an exception for me.

When I hung up the phone, I stared at my budget on my computer and thought, “I am 40 years old, what am I doing?” I had no savings, no retirement plan. Thankfully no kids depend on me and my husband, but I am not super healthy. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my 20s and was told I was already halfway to osteoporosis due to low bone density. I haven’t seen a regular doctor since then.

I spent the last several years showing a Gypsy Vanner mare—my heart horse. I loved her more than anything else, except for my husband. My only friends were those I saw at horse shows and events. But all that money, along with Covid and a series of things breaking, including needing to replace all three of our cars, had led to mountains of debt. Those memes weren’t funny anymore—they were heartbreaking and stress-inducing.

It was that day that I made the decision to get out of horses. The amount of money we had invested in a truck and trailer, tack, and the horses themselves was enough to completely pay off all our debt, except for my student loan. But also because—if I was honest with myself—it was very hard on my body and caused a lot of pain.

Saying Goodbye

I feel like there are two types of riders. The ones that ride occasionally for the fun of it. They can ride or not ride; it’s not a big deal. My husband is that type. Then there are the ones where “equestrian” defines who they are. I am in the latter group. Getting out of horses was like removing my identity.

Selling my heart horse meant saying goodbye to my best friend. I cried as if she had died. Non-horse people offered unhelpful statements like, “You’ll get another one someday when money is better.” Only those who have owned a heart horse understand; they are not replaceable.

Months passed and I wasn’t getting better. Tears flowed whenever anything triggered me: a photo, a memory on Facebook, a song we did a freestyle to, or her namesake Disney character on someone else’s feed. Since all my friends were horse people, I was suddenly alone, which didn’t help the depression that was stifling me.

I hit rock bottom when I sent a text to an old high school friend in another state: “I cried most the day, had a fight with the husband, contemplated why I’m even alive, then cried more. Life sucks right now. Selling the horse was the worst … and I have no friends.”

At this point you may be judging me, thinking my reaction was a bit extreme. But when you don’t have friends, and your horse was your sole means of socialization, losing everything at once can have serious effects on your mental health. That’s the spot I was in.

Mini Steps

When you start to think about not living, something needs to change. We had paid off all our debt and took a good look at the budget, deciding how much we wanted to save to finally have a safety net. We decided we could still meet our goals while owning a couple of Miniature Horses to “mow” the pastures and provide me with a horse fix.

I am not going to lie and say it was an overnight fix. It wasn’t, and still isn’t. I haven’t bonded with Argyll—my 2-year-old Mini—like I did with my heart horse. Will I in the future? I hope so. But he provides me with a reason to get outside.

I am taking driving lessons with a lesson Mini to see if my body can handle it. If not, we can do in-hand things like tricks and trail. Showing is still not in the budget, but there are many free things like parades, walks on trails, and even the International Horse Agility Club offers reasonably priced online competition.

As for my heart horse? We still don’t say her name in the house. She has become a proper noun, “Her,” that is implicitly understood.

I still cry sometimes, and I think I always will, but my heart is not heavy as it was. I can walk into the barn and hear whinnies again. I can smell a horse and feel his sweet nose on my face—Argyll loves to give kisses.

I hope those of you in my position take heart. How you interact with horses may change due to finances or getting older, but there is always a way to have them in your life, even if it means volunteering at a riding center or downsizing.

If you need horses in your life, find a way, because they are truly irreplaceable and the world’s best therapy.

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

The post Selling My Heart Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Early Days of Horsepower

The first records of horses traveling any way other than on their own four feet dates to the late 18th and early 19th centuries in England, beginning with two racehorses. Pulled in an adapted wagon by one or two other horses, the Thoroughbreds were respectively transported for breeding purposes and to arrive well-rested at racetracks.

Most horses were not this lucky. However, as trains and the railway system developed, some horses experienced train travel for exceptionally long distances.

Horses continued to transport each other for decades. Some city fire departments had horse-drawn ambulances, used to haul injured horses to firehouses for veterinary care.

During World War I, more equine ambulances were created to transfer infantry horses from the battlegrounds to base hospitals with veterinarians. There were some vans with stalls in the back to haul war horses as well, helping to pave the way for motorized equine transport after the war. These early versions of trailers were made from wood and steel.

Many years passed with no major need for a horse trailer that closely resembles what we have today. Throughout the American Southwest, horses were still mainly considered livestock, and were necessary for ranch work.

If ranchers or cowboys needed to travel longer distances than their horses could comfortably ride, they loaded up their mounts in the back of pickup trucks. Horses were often tied to cattle racks, which were wooden or steel removable pickup truck inserts that kept livestock contained while driving.

Changing Times 

As the 20th century progressed, stock trailers entered the scene, replacing many cattle racks. Vehicles slowly became more capable of towing trailers as people experienced a greater need to transport goods and other livestock, like cattle and swine, over long distances.

The first stock trailers were primarily made from wood, but quickly switched to steel, since it held up better.

The Interstate Highways

When the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was passed under Eisenhower, 41,000 miles of an efficient Interstate Highway System was constructed over a period of 10 years. Automotive transportation vastly improved, allowing safer and longer transport for people and animals.

At the same time, livestock travel via rail decreased, so increasingly powerful trucks were needed. Now horses could travel with greater ease, even if it was in a basic steel stock trailer.

From there, horses were ridden more for leisure than work, so equestrians everywhere started attending competitions or traveling to recreational trails. This change among the equine industry quickly led to a need for dedicated horse trailers that could haul to horse shows.

Some of the first trailer companies manufacturing specifically for horses were Stidham and Miley, which both started in the 1950s. Back then, trailers were manufactured out of steel and only had room for one to two horses in little bumper pulls. However, it was still very common to haul with stock trailers not necessarily designed for horses. 

New Materials

While steel dominated the trailer industry for generations, customers soon discovered how quickly this material rusts and deteriorates, ultimately putting horse safety at risk.

To solve this issue, 4-Star Trailers, Featherlite, and Exiss were some of the first companies to build aluminum horse trailers. Later other companies followed suit, such as Bloomer Trailers in 1998 and Cimarron Trailers in 2000.

According to Forrest Shifflet, President of 4-Star Trailers, starting from the company’s foundation in 1984, they found that aluminum weighs significantly less than steel, is virtually corrosion-free, and thus holds its value better.

Since this material is much lighter and does not experience rapid deterioration, trailers could grow in length and height as trucks also improved in towing capacity, which was particularly important with the rise of gooseneck trailers and slant-loads that granted more interior space.

Aluminum may seem like it would be an easy choice for customers when trailer shopping, but it took some time for the material to be fully accepted after steel was used for so many years. Some customers feared aluminum would rip or tear under stress.

“People were scared of aluminum at first,” says Anthony Gelvin, director of sales at Cimarron Trailers. “They weren’t sure it would hold up.”

Fortunately, improved structural engineering, manufacturing processes, aluminum alloys, and fiberglass combinations were soon used, further enhancing the quality of trailer shells.

Bigger and Better

According to Gelvin, steel gooseneck stock trailers were still around in the late 1980s, but the market’s comfort level with aluminum had improved. Companies could then place more focus on trailers specifically designed for horses, rather than fashioning horse trailers from stock trailers, like Shifflet says 4-Star did at first.

Perhaps the biggest change in horse trailers has been the addition of living quarters (LQ). Even though recreational vehicles (RVs) had existed for decades, it took until the mid to late 1990s for LQ trailers to become more widely available.

Previously, equestrians had little need to stay overnight at shows because competitions were usually one day long. If riders needed to sleep overnight, the back of their pickup with a cover over the bed was often sufficient. Also, since pickup trucks were very limited for a long time in how much they could tow, small trailers were the only options.

By the 1990s, more and more riders attended shows, including families. Gelvin believes that customers sought a better family experience, considering the costs of hotel rooms and the convenience of staying on the showgrounds.

Due to this need, the horse trailer industry had to catch up to RVs. Consumers were willing to pay higher trailer prices to account for complex electrical, plumbing, insulation, and structural work if it meant they would be comfortable and could save money in the long run.

Now that a higher number of people could travel farther and stay longer, weekend and week-long shows grew, calling for bigger and better trailers. Shifflet says that trailers used to measure 7 feet tall, and goosenecks were about 30 feet long.

Today, with LQs being the norm in many disciplines, the average gooseneck measures about 8 feet tall and 40 feet long. Some trailers max out at 53 feet long and offer lofts to further accommodate comfortable living space—all the more reason for trucks to continue boosting their towing capacity.

Safer Travels

Aluminum is not the only major safety change for horses among bumper pulls, goosenecks, and even commercial haulers. Just about all the mechanical systems have also been upgraded, such as axles, brakes, running gear, couplers, hitches, and more. Horses have better ventilation, too, with screened windows on both sides of the trailer.

Moreover, features such as rubber mats and ramps are common nowadays, offering cushion and safer traction. 4-Star even incorporates patented “Quiet Ride” technology, since research, conveyed by Shifflet, demonstrates that “horses are less stressed when the trailer rattles less.” Old steel trailers were almost deafening for horses, which could not have made for the happiest of travelers.

Many modern-day horse trailers are also equipped with an air-ride suspension system. Unlike the first models with spring suspension, horse trailers with air ride better compensate for uneven surfaces in the road, such as potholes or speed bumps, increasing equine comfort.

Key Takeaway

Updates and improvements throughout the horse trailer industry aren’t done by a long shot. Gelvin says that the way customers’ needs change is key. Today, many consumers want their horse trailers to be multi-purpose, ultimately saving money, so they can have the option to haul horses one weekend and small off-road vehicles the next.

One thing is certain: horse transportation has experienced drastic, yet positive changes in terms of safety and comfort. Now, if only we could explain to our horses how far we’ve come!

This article about the evolution of horse trailers appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Evolution of Horse Trailers appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The beginning of Goobie’s adoption story is unfortunately not unusual. But for Goobie’s sake, thankfully it has a happy ending.

In a story, “Donkeys on Duty! Albert and Yankee Get New Jobs and Second Chances” posted on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) website, when a horse or donkey is being rehomed, it is often due to a change in their owner’s life circumstances. In Goobie’s case, he and his equine companion found themselves alone in the world when their elderly owner passed away.

Further complicating matters, there were no family or friends to step in and take over their care, illustrating the importance of an often-ignored area of equine ownership: having an emergency plan in place.

It was not until well-meaning neighbors intervened that local law enforcement officials collected Goobie and the horse, delivering them to River Edge Farm Horse Rescue near Lyles, Tenn., for care and adoption.

Although safe, Goobie’s story took another sad turn. While his partner soon found a good home, Goobie’s adoption proved a bit more challenging. One reason, perhaps, is that his beauty is found more in his personality than his physical appearance.

Companion Donkeys

Meanwhile, some 150 miles away, my journey toward adopting Goobie was unfolding.

In September 2021, I purchased a young American Warmblood gelding named Bucky. My herd already consisted of a Half-Arabian mare, Sally, and her companion donkey, Harmony.

Sally, who has metabolic issues, lives on a dry lot year-round, making it an easy management choice for the donkey, who flourishes (despite not facing similar issues) within her living arrangement.

Although I made it possible for Bucky to both see and hear his companions, it was important that they not be able to touch. Sally, extremely mareish, made plain her intention to injure him.

It quickly became clear that he needed a companion of his own. Even a system I developed to share Harmony’s companionship ultimately failed, expediting my need to find Bucky a new friend.

A Link to Goobie

A few months later, I had still not found a suitable companion equine. But by February 2022, Bucky and I were ready for the next step in our story, one that would ultimately lead us to Goobie.

My schedule as a teacher, writer, and farmer can be extremely full. I decided that for Bucky to be better prepared for the fun I had mapped out for us that spring, I would need to send him to a trainer, Brittany Malinoski in Lebanon, Tenn.

It was an enjoyable time in both our lives as Bucky progressed and my friendship with Brittany grew. Through our talks, I learned that in addition to client horses, Brittany also trains rescue horses for River Edge, a kind act that often makes them more adoptable. It was through her relationship with the farm that she became acquainted with Goobie.

During updates and riding lessons, we talked about my need for a donkey companion for Bucky. It was during one of these conversations that Brittany told me about Goobie and his plight. Based solely on her description, by the time Bucky’s 90 days of training ended, I had agreed to adopt him, sight unseen.

Meet and Greet

Because Bucky’s vacant training spot was being filled by a horse from River Edge, they kindly agreed to deliver Goobie when they brought the new horse to the facility where Brittany trains. The first time I met him, when my husband and I brought the truck and trailer to bring Bucky home, the two of them had already had an opportunity to become familiar with one another.

Even though he was about to catch the best break he’d had since his owner’s passing, in Goobie’s eyes, our arrival was an unwelcome surprise.

Despite being well-informed, I was a little taken aback by his appearance. Then, nervous and mostly unskilled at trailer loading, he refused to be caught so that he could be loaded.

Still, once he was caught, he willingly followed Bucky as he was brought onto our spacious stock trailer. I decided to press forward, and the pair quietly traveled home.

Opposites Attract

Over the last year and a half, Goobie has proven that beauty is much more than in the eye of the beholder, and he is doing well with his new companion.

He is as knowing as his ancient appearance suggests he would be, and he is a perfect partner for his young pasture mate. Spinning, trotting, galloping, and bucking at a moment’s notice, Bucky can be playful and unpredictable in the pasture.

Goobie, his polar opposite, offsets Bucky’s antics with his calming presence. Sometimes Bucky also enjoys a good play fight—biting, rearing, striking, and more. While Goobie is not always willing to join in, he is accepting of Bucky’s antics rather than fighting back, and he has become a wonderful instructor of manners to his young friend!

Donkey Differences

Despite his quiet inner beauty and good relationship with Bucky, their relatively new partnership does have its imperfections. While I considered myself somewhat knowledgeable about donkeys, since I had already owned a donkey for several years, Goobie has presented me with his own unique set of learning opportunities that differ from those of Harmony.

Far from halter broke, Goobie still adamantly refuses to be haltered. On the few times I have been able to manage it and experiment with the various styles and padding options of breakaway pasture halters, each has rubbed his sensitive skin. So for now, he remains halter-free. Instead, I have discovered that he will quietly allow himself to be wedged between a panel and a wall for routine farrier and veterinary care, something I hope to improve on in the future.

Goobie and I have arranged an understanding. Because I frequently bring Bucky and Goobie in from the pasture together, he willingly trots ahead on the way to the barn. Much like my other donkey, he lets me know when he wants attention and when he doesn’t, further narrowing down his preferences from a pat or scratch to a more extensive grooming session.

Basic Training

In their website story, “6 Tips for Getting Donkeys Adopted,” the ASPCA advocates for training donkeys to be haltered, led, groomed, loaded onto a trailer, and have their feet picked up. I believe these basics are important for all equids to ensure a safe landing in the event the unexpected happens.

Though I never intend for Goobie to find himself in an uncertain situation again, he is still very much a work in progress. In spite of the work still to come, I plan to provide him with a home for the rest of his life where he knows nothing but love and good care.

Though the adoption story that Goobie and I share is somewhat unusual, I strongly encourage anyone considering adopting a donkey to do their research and, if it seems like a good fit, begin the process of searching for your perfect match. You, too, may find an unusual but happy pairing.

This article about adopting a companion donkey appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post An Unlikely Friend: Adopting a Companion Donkey appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

During a break at the recent Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in April, I sat down with Jennifer Brocker, Vice President of Client Marketing, Veterinary/Pet Care, CareCredit, and Kate Hayes, Vice President Equine Expansion, CareCredit. The company recently surveyed horse owners on the expected versus actual costs of horse care, and the results were pretty surprising.  

The study revealed that while 83 percent of horse owners believe they’re financially prepared, actual costs can be three to four times higher than expected—especially when unexpected veterinary needs arise, such as colic or orthopedic injuries that can cost up to $10,000. 

Horse Illustrated: Can you tell us what the new Equine Lifetime of Care Study means for equine vets and horse owners, and why many underestimate the long-term financial commitment of owning a horse?  

Jennifer Brocker: We originally did our Lifetime of Care Study for companion animals (dogs and cats). And then we decided we needed the same kind of information for equine veterinarians and horse owners, so they have a better understanding of how much money they spend over the lifetime of a horse. The way we saw it was, you’re helping prepare them for what’s to come. And since cost of care is one of the biggest barriers for horse ownership or pet ownership, we felt it was important knowing in advance and being educated on the ways that you can be prepared financially over the lifetime of your animal. We also thought it was important that veterinarians have a view into that as well.  

Kate Hayes: It’s such a great tool to educate and empower clinics and practices and veterinarians, but then also on the flip side, like Jen said, to educate horse owners. Because whether people rescue a horse or get into riding for the first time, they know what a riding lesson costs, but they don’t know what the full expense of owning a horse costs. This [study] is a great tool to empower and to educate practices and clinics because this gives them information to pass on to their clients. 

HI: What are some strategies equine vets are using to navigate rising costs, including tools to reduce financial friction with clients, while maintaining high-quality care?  

Brocker: The strategy a lot of equine veterinarians use is, “If you can’t pay me today, I provide the care, and you can pay me later,” which leaves the veterinarian chasing the money. So we can train the veterinarians to say, “I want to take care of your horse, but that requires financial responsibility. Here are the solutions that we have in our practice to help you be ready.” The horse owner needs to understand that the veterinarian must be paid just like their board bill or hay bill is paid.  

Hayes: We’re a partner with them and their business to help that shift. Regardless of what type of veterinarian you are, it’s cost that’s the biggest point of friction between you and your clients. If you talk about it from the beginning, that moment of friction is reduced, so the unexpected medical moment doesn’t also come with an unexpected financial crisis.  

HI: How is CareCredit partnering with equine clinics nationwide to improve access to care while supporting sustainable practice growth? 

Brocker: We’re partnering up with [equine vet practices/clinics] on various levels. First, helping educate their team. How do you have a comfortable financial conversation with a horse owner? If you don’t talk about it and you’re not comfortable talking about it, that in and of itself is a barrier. So we have a lot of training and education to help the veterinary team not be afraid to bring it up, helping them with proactive confidence in that financial moment where everybody’s really emotional.  

The other thing [CareCredit is doing to help equine vet clinics] is we’ve created an all-digital financial experience, so regardless of whether you’re in the clinic or you’re out at the barn, you can apply for CareCredit, get approved, and pay—all from your phone. We’ve always been available in equine practices, but when we first went into it, our payment experience didn’t fit their model. Now they can get paid anywhere, anytime. 

Hayes: If you look at our partnerships on a bigger scale with the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners), being an educational partner for them allows us a platform. Education is the key word here. It supports the sustainability of the profession by providing resources that are specific to their workflows, because the ultimate goal is what’s best for the horse and what’s best for the horse owner. If we can help remove some of the barriers that are between a horse owner getting the treatment for their horse, then that’s what we’re here for.  

We also partner with universities. The future veterinarian is also very important to us, so by the time that they’re in practice, that financial conversation isn’t as quite as challenging. It’s tough being a veterinary student—there’s a lot of information thrown at you, so of course the business side isn’t always top of mind. By supporting the universities and organizations that support the future veterinarian, it allows us a platform to be able to educate and help them before they’re actually in practice.  

HI: What is CareCredit?  

Hayes: CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that horse owners can use for all types of veterinary services, treatments, and diagnostics.* It’s a great fit for the equine profession because instead of invoicing after service has been completed, this gives you the opportunity to pay upfront—the veterinarian is able to capture payment in full up front, but the horse owner has 6, 12, 18 months of interest-free [time to make the payments].

*Subject to credit approval 

Brocker: I think one of the best things about CareCredit is once you have the credit card, you are financially ready for whatever happens, whether it’s wellness or unexpected or surgery. And you can use it for whatever animal you have at the veterinarian. It is truly your family credit card for life’s unexpected expenses.  

View the entire Equine Lifetime of Care Study here. 

To learn more or apply for a CareCredit card, visit www.carecredit.com.  

The post What Does a Lifetime of Horse Care Cost? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A few weeks ago, my friend called me out of the blue. I thought it was odd since she usually texts. When I picked up, I knew instantly something was wrong. Her daughter’s horse had lain down to roll, but when she got up, she didn’t shake. That was the first red flag. And when she tried to lay down again to roll, she realized that the horse was colicking.

My friend is still relatively new to horse ownership, so she wasn’t sure what to do. Being a few hours away, I couldn’t be there to help, but I told her to keep the horse up and walking, and call the veterinarian. Thankfully, her horse came out of it, and they got some pretty funny videos of her after the vet administered some medication that made her woozy. She fell asleep standing up and snored with her tongue hanging out!

That ordeal made me realize that my own horse first aid kit needed to be upgraded. We had some basics, but it wasn’t complete. I started researching the most essential items, but also found some things I would have never thought of that could come in handy during an emergency. 

Below, find a list of items to keep in your horse first aid kit, broken down by different needs and circumstances. 

Horse First Aid Kit: Emergency & General Care

Horses are hardy animals, but more often than not, they manage to get themselves into some kind of scrape. While many injuries and illnesses can be treated at home, having the right tools on hand is essential. Here’s a list of emergency and general first aid items to keep stocked in both your barn and trailer.

Items Needed:

• Stethoscope: To check heart rate and gut sounds
• Gloves (disposable latex or nitrile): For clean handling of wounds and medications
• Twitch or sedation alternative: If handling an injured horse
• Headlamp or flashlight: For emergencies in low light
• Thermometer: To check temperature
• Syringes: To administer meds
• Needles: For injections
• Electrolyte paste or powder: To help with dehydration recovery
• Activated charcoal or Bio-Sponge: For toxin ingestion concerns
• Notebook or first aid log: To track treatments and vital signs
• Vet & emergency contact list: In case of urgent care needs

Horse First Aid Kit: Pain & Inflammation Management

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), colic is the most common cause of death in horses that are 1 to 20 years of age and the second most common cause of death for horses older than 20 years of age (USDA APHIS NAHMS 2015). Flunixin meglumine, often known under the name brand name “Banamine,” is a common NSAID used for equine inflammation and pain associated with injuries, but it’s also used to alleviate pain from colic. However, it is highly encouraged to only administer Banamine with a vet’s permission—or, better yet, by the vet themselves.

Phenylbutazone (more commonly known as “bute”) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are also common NSAIDs, mainly for joint swelling and injuries, but they’re not great for colic. In fact, if DMSO is administered incorrectly, it can actually cause signs of colic in some horses.

Dormosedan Gel (frequently nicknamed “Dorm gel”) is another good addition. This is an oral sedative for calming a panicked or uncooperative horse in stressful situations.

Be sure to talk with your vet about directions for use and follow all medication guidelines. 

Items Needed:

• Bute: Pain relief, anti-inflammatory
• DMSO: Anti-inflammatory
• Dorm gel: Oral sedative
• Topical cooling gel or liniment: For muscle soreness

Horse First Aid Kit: Wound Care & Bandaging

If you are treating a wound, it’s important to inspect the wound for depth and infection. If the wound is too deep, it can lead to an abscess and it will require a call to the vet. Wounds on the eye also warrant an immediate call to the vet. 

When cleaning a wound, remove debris and wash with soap and water if possible. Avoid hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on open wounds as they can delay healing. Instead, use wound spray or antibiotic ointment.

Items Needed:

• Non-stick gauze: For wrapping wounds
• Cling gauze: Secures dressings without adhesive
• Gauze pads: Absorbs wound fluids
• Vet wrap: Self-adhesive bandage
• Elastikon: Strong adhesive tape
• Bandage scissors: For careful cutting of bandaging items
• Cast padding: Prevents pressure sores
• Duct tape: Secures hoof wraps
• Absorbine Silver Honey®: Antimicrobial wound care
• Triple antibiotic: Prevents infections
• Wound spray: Disinfects wounds
• Saline solution: Flushes wounds/eyes
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%): For cleaning tools, but not recommended for wounds
• Betadine (povidone-iodine solution or scrub): Antiseptic for cleaning wounds
• Cold packs or instant ice packs: For swelling and injuries

Horse First Aid Kit: Hoof Care

If your horse suddenly starts limping, chances are it’s a hoof abscess. Check for heat, swelling, tenderness, or drainage from the hoof. Treating an abscess often involves soaking the hoof in warm Epsom salt water or applying a poultice to draw out the infection. Wrapping the hoof or using a boot helps keep it clean and protected.

Items Needed:

• Bandaging items: See above
• Duct tape: Secures hoof wraps
• Soaking boot: Easy way to soak a hoof and keep out debris
• Epsom salt: Soaks abscesses and reduces swelling
• Animalintex: Poultice pad for infections
• Green poultice: Cooling clay poultice
• Magic Cushion®: Hoof packing for pain relief
• Hoof pick: To check for lodged objects and clean the hoof
• Diapers or sanitary pads: Great for hoof abscess wraps
• Soft-Ride Boots or hoof boots: If dealing with a hoof injury

Talk With Your Vet

Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about your first aid kit. They can recommend additional items tailored to your horse’s specific needs, explain best practices for administering medications and treating injuries, and may even offer pre-made first aid kits.

Emergencies and injuries are inevitable, but having a well-stocked equine first aid kit can make all the difference. Acting quickly gives your horse the best chance at a full recovery. While some situations will still require a vet, being prepared allows you to stabilize your horse until help arrives. When the unexpected happens, you’ll be glad you took the time to get ready.

The post Horse First Aid Kit: 25+ Items Every Horse Owner Needs appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Good horse owners try to do the best they can for their horses—often to a fault. But what happens when a good owner finds themselves in a potentially perilous financial situation when their horse has an emergency?

In the past, some of these horses would have been relinquished to adoption or rescue organizations or even sent through auctions out of sheer desperation as the owner tried to give the horse a shot at getting the care they could not afford.

Now, however, thanks to a grant program jointly administered by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), The Foundation for the Horse (AAEP’s charitable arm), and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), owners have other options to get their horses the care they need.

The Vet Direct Safety Net Program was created with one goal in mind: To help keep owned horses in homes. The program does this by providing owners with a stipend of up to $600 to assist with a horse’s emergent welfare need. The funds are available on a per-horse—not per-owner—basis, allowing owners to receive even more assistance should they find themselves with multiple horses in need.

Timing is Everything

Lizz Ficara of Louisville, Ky., has always taken impeccable care of her horses. In 2023, Ficara had major back surgery that prevented her from working as an equine dental tech. Like most horses, Ficara’s Quarter Horse gelding, Tony, had incredible timing (sarcasm intended) and needed emergent medical care while she was out of work and funds were short. But for Ficara, foregoing his care wasn’t an option.

She began searching for programs or grants she could apply for to help offset the medical bills her horse was about to incur. During one conversation, the Vet Direct Safety Net program was mentioned, and she began coordinating efforts between the program and her veterinarian so funding would be available to her horse—and to other horses in similar situations.

Medical Attention Needed

While Ficara was out of work, Tony had developed open, oozing sores on three of his four pasterns. He had significant granulation tissue that was incredibly painful and itchy. After trying to resolve it herself with myriad salves and creams, Ficara called her vet, as Tony was clearly uncomfortable and the wounds were not healing.

Sarah Grigoleit, DVM, of Kentucky Equine Hospital in Simpsonville, Ky., diagnosed Tony with significant suspected summer sores on three of his four legs. A parasitic disease linked to the life cycles of stomach worms, summer sores are caused by larvae deposited in areas where they cannot complete their life cycle (often around the nose, lips or genitals), causing inflammation and ulceration where they are laid—in Tony’s case, on his legs.

Unfortunately, summer sores are notoriously stubborn to heal. Treatment often requires a veterinarian to debride the wound multiple times, as well as administer ivermectin, corticosteroids and topical products. In addition, Tony had to have his legs wrapped to keep them as clean as possible.

Getting the Funding

In total, Tony received three months of at-home treatment for his legs, including bi-weekly granulation debridement treatment that was essential to his healing and well-being. All the vet visits added up in a hurry, and Ficara was thankful for the financial breathing room Vet Direct funding offered her.

“The program funding was not hard to access,” says Ficara. “The only caveat was that my vet—or someone with her clinic—had to be a current AAEP member. As long as one vet is a member, the whole clinic has access to Vet Direct funds for their clients.”

Though veterinarians are often enrolled in the program first and then offer it to their clients in need, in this case, Ficara reached out to the Vet Direct team directly and encouraged her vet clinic to become enrolled.

Her persistence and insistence that the program could assist not only horse owners but the clinic itself by helping to offset open invoices will no doubt have positive ramifications for years to come.

Today, Tony is summer sore-free and enjoying his life, and Ficara is looking forward to the day when she’s comfortable enough to ride again.

“I am deeply thankful for the Vet Direct Safety Net Program,” she says. “The funding applied toward my invoices was incredible and allowed me a bit of peace of mind during an already stressful time. We all love our horses and want to do the best for them. The Vet Direct program allowed me to continue to offer Tony the type of care he was used to receiving even though I was in a tough spot financially.”

Further Reading
◆ How Equine Safety Net Programs Are Making a Difference
◆ Horse Safety Net Programs Helping Horses and Owners in Need

This article about the Vet Direct Safety Net Program appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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