On Saturday night, I attended Ocala Florida’s Light up Night.  I had a great time and came away from it feeling excited about the upcoming holiday season.  I love this time of year – the holiday music and festive lights, the traditional scents and foods.  Yes, I know – I definitely have rose colored glasses.  I tend to overlook the angry mobs at shopping malls, and the exponential growth of the debt ratio.  What can I say?  I’m a sucker for the season! 

I came across this cute story this morning and it brought a smile to my face.  Nothing like a little Christmas contest to start off this holiday week!  Plus, it features some of my new favorite creatures – donkeys!  I have developed quite a crush on George and Alan from the 7MSN Ranch and I start off nearly every day with a dose of those handsome boys.  (Go on, check them out.  And then just tell me you don’t love them too.  I dare you!  But be warned – you will likely become a George n’ Alan junkie just like the rest of us!) 

Anyway, back to the Christmas contest.  The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, England has come into possession of quite a unique apple split perfectly down the middle, half red and half green.  They have decided to use this Christmas apple to raise awareness and raise funds for their donkeys’ care.  For a small donation (approximately $3.32 USD), you can vote on which of the “Twelve Donkeys of Christmas” gets to partake in the rare apple.  The donkey with the most votes by December 4, 2009 wins.  There’s not much time to cast your vote, so head over to the Donkey Sanctuary’s site to see photos of the donkeys and learn more about the sanctuary.  Oh, and my vote goes to Wilson, shown below. 

Image courtesy of The Donkey Sanctuary

I have been debating about whether to post on this topic or not, as Billie has done such a fantastic job of covering the issue on her site Camera-Obscura.  In the end, I decided to mention it as I know I have some readers that don’t generally follow blogs and so may have missed the story.  I really believe that more people need to become aware of the issue and the resulting flurry of activity, and hopefully join the legions of people that are calling for change.  Please visit Billie’s site for all the details and for the excellent coverage that she continues to provide on the subject.

I’m no expert in dressage and I’m not going to pretend to have a complete understanding of the topic, but here is my attempt at a brief overview for those (like me) who are relatively new to the idea of rollkur.  I would like to invite those who are more educated to jump in and correct/add to my explanation.

Basically, rollkur is a highly controversial training technique that is increasingly common in dressage style riding.  It is also called hyperflexion, and consists of the horse being ridden for extended periods of time “behind the bit” – often to the point where the nose/mouth is held to the chest as the horse is driven forward.  Proponents of the technique claim that it stretches the horse’s back muscles.  Opponents say it’s horse abuse.  From what I’ve read, I certainly tend toward the latter sentiment, but I’m no expert and encourage you to educate yourself and formulate your own opinions.  If you Google “Rollkur” you’ll get no shortage of information and images to study.  Either way, riders who utilize the technique are apparently winning at high levels in dressage competition, which makes it difficult to enact change.

What I do know is this:  the current frenzy on this topic originated after Epona TV aired a video of Patrik Kittel riding a horse during a warm up period for a show and utilizing this technique.  The video goes on for what feels like forever, and shows the horse’s blue tongue lolling out of his mouth, as he rides around and around in this restricted position.  You can watch other riders casually going by, no one giving this guy a second look despite the obvious distress his horse is exhibiting.  Due to the public outrage following the release of this video, a firestorm of petitions has made its way through the system and people are calling for change.  Although I am not a dressage rider, I feel that this is important because it makes a statement about winning at any cost.  I think that many of us who compete at a high level in any discipline have witnessed questionable training practices that result in winners.  We all know how hard it is to compete against an ideal that is not natural and is not naturally created.  This is our chance to take that first step towards encouraging healthy, fair competition that does not result in or encourage animal abuse.  Even if you are not a “horse person” I ask you to check out Billie’s site and educate yourself.  She has tons of information and multiple ways to get involved, including online petitions, Facebook groups, and contact information for organizations that can enact change.

Yesterday we talked about yoga being a great way for equestrians to build strength and flexibility. Well, what if you’re looking for ways to improve your cardiovascular fitness while strengthening the same muscles you use for riding? Inline skating just might be the answer. I was introduced to the sport of inline speed skating several years ago. At the time, my horses were not a part of my daily life and I needed a workout that would allow me to enjoy the gorgeous Florida weather. As a child, I was an ice skater and thought inlines might be a natural transition. Four years later, I can attest to the incredible health benefits resulting from speed skating, especially to equestrian athletes.

World Champion speed skater Jorge Botero demonstrates proper form. Image courtesy of Luke Sawh.

To obtain maximum benefits available from skating, you must use proper form and technique. Often I see “rec” (recreational) skaters on the trail, just bopping along while listening to their Ipods. While this is a great way to spend an afternoon, skating has so much more to offer. Proper form to obtain maximum speeds involves remaining in the skater’s position, essentially a squat while bent forward at the waist. This position allows a more aerodynamic shape and more efficient use of muscle power. Even if you aren’t looking for speed, using this form will build incredibly strong leg, back, butt, and stomach muscles.  The proper stroke is a long, smooth push out to the side, which tones and strengthens the inner and outer thigh muscles.  Maintaining balance while rolling improves core fitness and abdominal strength.  And the cardiovascular benefits are amazing!  Inline skating is a fantastic all around workout and is a great way to improve endurance for a rider.  The only drawback as a cross training tool is that skating is sensitive to the same conditions as riding – poor weather, early sunset, extreme heat or cold.  However, this workout makes a great complement to a riding program on off days or if your horse is laid up for any reason.  I was shocked at how well my body bounced back to riding after I’d been off my horses for a long time.  I would recommend trying it if you’re looking for a new workout. 

Image courtesy of Ed Kohler - The Deets (www.thedeets.com)

What other workouts do you use to maintain fitness?  Do you have a favorite workout that benefits you in the saddle too?  I’d love to hear your feedback!

Physical fitness and good health are important to everyone, but when you are an equestrian athlete seeking to maximize your competitive potential, fitness becomes even more important.  In general, dealing with horses requires some level of strength and flexibility.  Carrying hay bales and water buckets builds upper body strength, while riding increases range of motion and flexibility.  So how can you work to increase your fitness level even more and really work those muscles you need to be a top notch rider?

Image courtesy of lululemon athletica, Flickr

The topic I’ll discuss today is yoga.  Yoga is fantastic for improving your riding skills in so many ways.  I often find that when I ride a lot, I develop an imbalance in my body.  Riding really strengthens those back muscles.  This is great, except the stomach muscles are left relatively unchallenged.  If, like me, you aren’t carrying around a six pack you can develop problems with your back.  The highly worked (and therefore, tighter) muscles in your back combined with the lesser used muscles in your abdominals can create a tension in your spinal alignment that may cause a twist or misalignment in the spine.  By maintaining flexibility and gently stretching your back muscles, while also building core strength in your abdominals, you will restore balance to your midsection. 

Yoga also builds a great deal of strength when practiced regularly, particularly in the upper body and core.  Many riders are also imbalanced between their upper and lower bodies, especially those of us that aren’t regularly cleaning stalls and doing barn chores to build up arm strength.  Face it, if you’re developing bulging biceps from riding, your horse probably isn’t all that fun to ride!!

Yoga is a great way to regain or maintain flexibility as well as strength.  Even if you’re not an innately flexible person or have lost it due to injury, you can regain a lot more than you think you can.  After practicing for awhile, you’ll find yourself throwing that leg up to mount without any difficulty.  Even better, if you suffer from back pain, you will likely experience relief from that pain after a few months of yoga.  Many people hold tension in their necks and backs and this is a great way to release that and really stretch your body.   I have a bad back from years of falls and other injuries and my chiropractor never saw me when I practiced regularly.  I believe that keeping my back loose and limber prevented those tight muscles from shifting my spine back to that misaligned place it knows so well!

Image courtesy of Mike Murrow Photography

Finally, yoga is effective because it encourages you to be peaceful, mindful, and self aware.  These are qualities you MUST have in order to be a successful rider.  Even if you just practice a few hours per week, it will give you time to really focus and relax and that will do wonders for all aspects of your life.  I have never met anyone, equestrian or not, that has practiced yoga and didn’t have a positive experience.  With so many styles to choose from, you can work at your own pace and level of fitness.  Regardless of which you choose, you will experience a change for the better. 

As always, before you embark on a fitness program please consult a professional.  And please remember not to push yourself until it hurts.  This exercise program should be relaxing and enjoyable, not painful.  If you take your time, you’ll be touching your toes before you know it! 

If you have experience with yoga and have anything to add, please comment here.  I would love to hear your stories about changes you’ve noticed in your own body or other ways yoga has helped you.

Check back on Monday for Cross Training for Equestrians Part 2.

In the most literal sense.  Well, they are if you have thousands of dollars in cash lying around and a need to wear your horse.  Check out this article on The Horse.com.  I’ve heard of a lot of unique ways of memorializing animals, but this one takes the cake.  Apparently, with just a few grams of cremation ash or horse hair you can have your very own diamond created in a variety of colors.  These diamonds aren’t just limited to horses – dogs, cats, or even humans can be used in the process.  In fact, UK- based Pheonix Diamonds has even created a diamond from an umbilical cord! 

The process is the same as that occurring in nature, using carbon from the remains, which is one of the primary components in organic life forms.  The carbon is exposed to high heat and high pressure and a diamond is grown.  Of course, the process is more involved that that and if you’d like more information or to order a Memorial Diamond visit Phoenix Diamonds.  Brittany Bevis at EC 360 also has an informative article on the specifics of these creations.

Things are really starting to pick up in the case of the slaughtered horses.  Just one week after the first arrest, police have taken another young man into custody on charges of armed burglary and animal cruelty, among other offenses.  Santiago Cabrera, 19, was arrested on Monday and confessed to two horse slaughters.  The best news in this case is that he is known to have worked with at least three other people.  Hopefully with these arrests, police can break this ring up and ensure that horses in South Florida are safe once again.

Great news for some South Florida horse lovers!  Authorities in Miami-Dade county have arrested Luis Miguel Cordero after catching him in a horse pasture in possession of butcher tools.  He apparently confessed to at least one of the slaughters and is facing numerous charges ranging from armed burglary to animal cruelty.  It is even more sad when you see that this man is only 18 years old – barely an adult.  Authorities are stressing that there is no evidence of any connection between the crime that Cordero confessed to and the other slaughters that have taken place this year.  Police are still urging horse owners to be vigilant and keep a tight rein on their animals.   Let’s hope that they throw the book at this guy and make an example of him for all other amateur horse butchers.

After the recent news of horses being slaughtered for meat in South Florida, horse owners are understandably jittery around here.  The most recent local news on horses isn’t helping matters.  I saw this article on Fox News in Tampa from last Thursday and it made my stomach turn.  As horse owners, we generally put a lot of trust in human decency out of necessity.  Horses need turnout, the threat of barn fires prevents us from locking our barns up tight.  By their very nature, horses require more freedom and independence than dogs or cats, and it’s nearly impossible to provide them with the best possible life while eliminating the possibility of theft.  Throughout my involvement with horses, there have been moments of fear:  a rash of drive-by shootings into farms along rural roads, thefts of horses at horse shows.  However, none of these events have hit quite so close to home as the story of the horses being stolen in Tampa.  The current state of the economy and the desperation that many people are feeling regarding finances has inspired some less savory endeavors.  In addition, living in horse country is a double edged sword.  People have easy access to trailers, and horses traveling around are a common sight in Florida.  In the situation in Tampa, the neighbors saw and even interacted with the thieves, but thought nothing of it because horses come and go so frequently around these parts.  It is heartbreaking to hear stories like these – I couldn’t imagine getting a call from Emma that Tiny had disappeared.  And to be left wondering if she’d been sent to slaughter would be almost more than I could bear.  So how should horse owners minimize the risk of theft of their horses and property?

• Install security lights/motion lights around barn and entry way. 
• Lock tack room and trailer hitch.
• Microchip or freeze brand horse.
• Keep any accessory gates to property padlocked at all times.
• Don’t leave a halter on when your horse is turned out.
• If possible, keep horse in pasture that is easily visible from the house or barn.
• Use sturdy fencing that is not easily cut or removed.
• Keep current photos of your horse in an easily located file.  Photograph any identifying markings and be sure to have photographs from both seasons if your horse changes color with his winter coat.
• Communicate with your neighbors and be sure that anyone noticing suspicious activity reports it immediately.
• Install security cameras.
• Consider hiring security at prestigious horse shows, if your horse is well known or a highly prized competitor.

Sturdy, well maintained fencing will help keep thieves out. Image courtesy of CmdrGravy, Flickr.

If your horse is stolen despite your best efforts to protect him, act quickly.  File a police report and preserve any evidence, such as cut fences.  Make fliers and distribute them to any tack shop, farrier, veterinarian, sale barn, or auction that you can find in a large radius from the scene ofImag the theft.  Visit as many barns and auctions as you can.  Post information online at Netposse – this is a great resource for missing and stolen horses and trailers.  Get the news media involved.  The more people that become familiar with your story and your horse’s image, the more people will be looking for him.  And most of all, don’t give up.  There have been instances where a horse was found after a year or more of going missing.

Photo by RickC, Flickr

I finally got around to watching the Primetime segment titled “The Outsiders” that aired on August 25.  I initially recorded the show because I thought it would provide some information on the controversial mustang round ups that have taken place recently.  (If you haven’t heard about this yet and are interested in learning more, please visit Baba Yaga’s Mirror, Grey Horse Matters, or Equine Ink.  These are just a few of the many sites providing background information and updated reports on the round up and the controversy surrounding it).  While  I didn’t find the show to be particularly informative regarding the round up (other than a somewhat disturbing quip about how chasing horses through the desert with a helicopter is humane), I did enjoy the segment a great deal as it discussed the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse Inmate Program (WHIP).  The theory is relatively simple – take a wild horse that is used to living freely and without structure, place it under the supervision of an inmate in the Colorado federal prison system, and let the magic happen.  Actually, it’s not as much magic as it is watching both souls blossom as they realize that structure, kindness, and trust are important concepts. 

Programs like this one bring a tear to my eye, because they so clearly demonstrate the endless possibilities that result from a relationship with horses.  Men who never learned patience or forgiveness quickly learn how to deal softly and kindly when they’re dealing with a thousand pound animal.  Likewise, trained cowboys supervise the inmates to ensure that the horses receive the utmost respect and care.  In addition, the men gain practical skills that they can use upon their release from prison.  This program is such a positive result of the horrific roundups I’ve read about.  Similar programs exist to aid youths with emotional or physical disabilities or at risk teens that need guidance.  It is well documented that troubled children often respond better to animals than they do to other people.  Perhaps it is the non-judgemental nature of the horse, or maybe it is simply those liquid brown eyes that encourage one to trust.  Either way, I’m glad that at least some of these captured mustangs are finding a niche and bringing much needed attention to the plight of their still wild counterparts.

Photo by J. Harwood

…I mean that in a couple of ways.  First it’s so great to be back in Florida, surrounded by my animals and welcomed by the (somewhat) milder temperatures, as compared to when I left this sweltering sweatbox a week and a half ago.  It was nice to have a little break from responsibility and have some downtime to enjoy.  But, by “home sweet home” I also meant it was great to go back to my roots and visit the place that I grew up in.  It didn’t take long to remember that when you grow up in Southwestern PA, your roots run deep.  This is an area where family is important and generations coexist in close proximity, where a typical Sunday would include a family dinner or at least a visit.  It felt good to return to that atmosphere, if only briefly. 

While I was there I had the pleasure of visiting one of my childhood haunts, Round Hill Park in Elizabeth, PA.  When we were young, my sister and I frequently begged our parents to take us to this nearby farm, where we could play with the horses and other livestock.  Elizabeth, PA is probably not real high on your Top Ten destination list, but if you find yourself in Southwestern PA or in the Pittsburgh area, this farm is a great place to spend an afternoon!  It is a working farm that is open to visitors every day of the year, for educational and recreational purposes.  It is a chance to see a real working farm in action complete with sheep shearing, cow milking, and maple sugaring.  There is a large pond populated with many geese and ducks, where as children we would often take stale bread to share.  The pond is surrounded by trees and is a calm, restful place to take five and enjoy the scenery.  The farm itself is nestled among the hills and is home to cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, a few cats, and of course HORSES!!  I can still remember how excited I was to go to the horse barn when we’d visit the park.  If you go at just the right time, you can visit the horses while they’re still in the barn or in their little paddock area.  After breakfast, they go out to pasture and are not always at the gate for petting and treats.  Although, on this visit, I got lucky!  Three of the horses and a donkey were right at the fenceline, just waiting for some love. 

Round Hill Park is an excellent place to visit if you are in the area.  There are numerous walking and riding trails , several picnic pavilions, soccer fields, and more.  It is free admission, and according to their website, they are now doing a number of community events such as Movie Night and fundraisers for animal shelters.  I think that this is a fanastic venue to introduce children and urban adults to the practices of our nation’s farmers.

Do you know of a venue like this in your area?  Have you ever been to a working farm before?   I would love to hear about your experiences, if you’d like to share them!