Are you having problems with riding your horse? He or she just seems resistant when you ask for something just a little bit harder, like a simple canter?

The saying, "It takes a village..." is so true when it comes to finding solutions to problems. Meaning there are many skills needed to help the one to function or perform.

Our job as owners, riders, trainers, teachers, and any horse professional is to methodically go through the variables eliminating what is working and not working. Sometimes the answers are very clear as for instance, a radiograph with a clean break. We all can see that it is broken and then treatment is performed. But, there are times when mysteries are present and everyone is scratching their heads. Here is one variable or maybe a piece of the puzzle to look into and try.



It might be the SI joint area or Sacrum. This is Sacrum areathe bridge to the hindend (the carrying of weight and motor). There are many horses that compensate with S1-S5 misaligned, nevertheless there still is discomfort.

Below are some possible behaviors when the SI is misaligned:

​Refusing to take a canter depart from any gait.
Not sitting (collecting)
​Cross cantering on a lunge line.
​Difficulty holding balance around turns, particularly in one direction vs. the other.
Getting more sour under saddle as time goes on.
More adamant in upward transitions especially in the canter.
Refusals
​Rearing
Bucking
Not going forward​
Conventional ​Treatments

​Dentist
​Saddle fitting
Time off
​Bute
Lameness exams
Supplements including *regumate* take that with a grain of salt, you never know.
Complementary Therapies often generate controversy.

Massage
Homeopathy
Acupuncture
Physiotherapist
Chiropractor​​
Have your Chiropractor align the horse and note the particular areas being treated. Pay attention when they mention the SI area. If the alignments keep showing the same area over and over it is not holding. You might have to Inject the SI area to give the muscles a chance to develop properly to hold the aliment. Talk with your Chiropractor and Veterinarian about this option.
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Injections of the hocks, stifles, pasterns​ or any joint in a horse is an invasive procedure and should be at the discretion of a Veterinarian. ​

I hope this adds to your arsenal of variables.

Love your horse!

ND

This is too important not to share!

Reposted from:

Juli Thorson's Horse Talk

Tornado Survival: Wear Your Riding Helmet

May 22, 2013
If you live in tornado country, chances are you’re on higher alert after Monday’s historic tornado devastation in Moore, Oklahoma.

Here’s a tip that comes straight from that tragic event: When a tornado is imminent, protect your head with a helmet. A football team in Moore was saved from the leading cause of tornado fatality (head injury) by the helmets worn during games and practice.

Worth remembering: Your riding helmet could serve the same purpose. Keep it at hand during tornado season, put it on as soon as you see or hear that a tornado is approaching, and teach other family members to do the same.

It could make all the difference during those terrifying moments of flying debris, uprooted trees, and collapsing buildings.

Please check
1) dentist
2) bit "fit"
3) saddle "fit"
4) Chiropractor
Horses are sensitive, and any of these could easily be the cause.
Please have a GOOD chiropractor go over him. If the horse is uncomfortable because of a misalignment he will not be able to do the job that "we" want correctly. Some horses are just better at compensating than others, and their misalignments are not as painful. I have been observing this for 18 years now, and GOOD chiropractics make a difference. Just don't expect everything to be perfect for too long in the beginning. Sometimes the alignments only hold a couple of days because of the improper muscle development, muscle memory or the rider pulling "forcing" a frame.

I have this in the Q&A section too because it is very important.

Good Luck and if there is anything I can help with, please ask.

Equi-Ping: an easy safety release for tying horses!

No more ugly hay string!

The product, which won a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) innovation award, was created by Newmarket trainer Martin Smith after witnessing an incident in which a racehorse pulled a wall down onto itself.

Equi Ping's Karen Roberts told Horse&Hound: “Martin noticed twine was becoming thicker and stronger and thought there must be a better way of tying a horse. These break more easily and are safer.”

Clayton Fredericks, who uses Equi-Pings, added: “They are reliable and safe, saving gear from breaking and preventing injuries to horses’ necks.

“Baling twine has become a thing of the past at our yard.” Mr French and Ms Roberts added.

Equi Ping is a reusable, adjustable and dependable plastic clip, 7 colors available.

To Purchase or more information visit GoodHorseProducts.com click on the Equi Ping.

Retailers can click on the wholesale page to find out how they can carry Equi Ping in their tack or feed store.

Don't forget sunscreen for you and your horse. Especially the pink noses! It's so easy to forget in our busy lives. So, I always keep a bottle in the truck and in the tack box. The sweat resistant kind is my favorite, I feel as if my skin can still breath and my eyes don't tear up as much. A little for me and a little for the horse.

Get tan - not crispy!

Equi Ping is a new product to replace inconsistent hay string that many barns use to clip their cross ties to. When a horse panics and pulls, the hope is that the string breaks first and the horse is not hurt.

Equi Ping, which won a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) innovation award, was created by Newmarket trainer Martin Smith after witnessing an incident in which a racehorse pulled a wall down onto itself.

Hay string has become stronger, and the natural fiber string that use to fray, breaking quicker, is becoming harder to find.

The Equi Ping is reusable, adjustable and dependable!

It is suggested to start the Equi Ping at the 2 or 3 arrow head position first depending on your horses needs. Full strength (all 4 arrow heads) will hold until about 170 lbs. of pressure.

Comes in 7 different colors.

To purchase or learn more about the Equi Ping go to GoodHorseProducts.com the distributor.

Lets face it when a horse panics it takes seconds for something to break or they fall. I have not made it in time to undo any of the other methods of releasing my horse. Slip knots get really tight when they are pulling.

I love the adjustability for the different types of horses. Especially the young horses. And for the superstars that "never" do anything, this is a great preventative just in chase something does happen.

I think this is a great idea that Martin invented to help the horses.

Let me know what you think.

My friends horse collapsed from worms. He was 4 years old when she bought him from the breeder. She started him on a regular worming program right away of 1 tube every 6 weeks, then 6 months later the horse collapsed.

She had the vet come out immediately, and it was diagnosed he was filled with worms. She was shocked because she wormed him regularly. The horse luckily recovered and she learned a very big lesson.

Now all of her horses once a year get an aggressive worming treatment besides her yearly program. All she does is give 1 1/2 tubes of different wormers per week for 4 weeks. Then goes back to every 6 weeks with which ever wormer is for that time of year.

To learn more about worms and worming: sign up to GoodHorseProducts' newsletter.

​​Here you are among friends. We love horses too and only want the best for them.​​ Horses are generally easy going and quite eager to please if they are happy. There are basics that all horses should be able to do and if there is resistance in these basics then there is usually a problem. These problems can come from miscommunication, poor riding, tack, muscles, skeleton, hoof, health and or dental. All of these variables need to be right to make your horse happy.

​​We want to take away some of the mystery and myths. Though life is still full of mysteries... the experiences and lessons shared from professionals and amateurs should help guide you on a clearer track with your horse.
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Our goal is to help you make your horse happy!

Training - improving the horse (teaching something new).

Maintaining - keeping what the horse has learned.

Playing Catch-Up - becoming aware of yourself and your horse's body movements and language. (this is what school masters are for).

Think about where you are as a rider and what you keep asking your horse to do. Remember we have to speak their language too. It is a relationship of give and take if we like it or not. Being a dictator the whole time doesn't bring out the best in you or your horse.

So the next time you are asking your horse for something and it's not going the way you want.

Question yourself if you are asking:
1) Correct?
2) In horse language?
3) Does the horse know the command or level?
4) Is the horse physically able?

Sometimes these questions have shades of grey and we doubt ourselves even more.

Let us know what you need help with.

Have a great ride!
ND