Caspersen Beach, Venice

• Plenty of riding areas, including 2 large sand rings, 1 covered sand ring, 2 grass jump fields, 1 dressage ring, and lots of open grassy areas. 
• Footing in arenas is well maintained, frequently dragged and watered. 
• 

  Indoor arena

  Automatic sprinklers along fences in rings.

• Lots of trailer parking and plenty of room for turning around large rigs.
• Permanent bathrooms with showers.
• Many electric hookups for campers.
• Onsite food vendors with a screened in patio for dining.
• Covered pavilion for viewing both main sand ring and one jumping ring.
• Lots of bleachers for spectators.
• Dog friendly atmosphere.
• Shed row style barns with large stalls, plus one indoor barn with some stalls available. 
• Multiple wash racks (4 per barn).

   

  Main arena and Indoor Barn

• Turnout paddocks for horses (not sure if these are “officially” OK to use, but I have often seen show horses turned out in them).
• Onsite management staff and maintenance crew.
• Easily accessible – just off I75.
• Just minutes away from the beautiful beaches!

The Downside

• Barns and arenas are well spaced – makes for lots of walking through the deep sand all day.
• Indoor barn mostly used for boarding facility – there are folks that are riding and wandering around that are not affiliated with the show.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but there is competition for parking and some of the riding arenas are often reserved for boarders’ use only. 
• Our shows here are usually quite pricey…may reflect higher charges by facility than other showgrounds.
  

  Sand practice arena

• They are building up more around the area, but there is not a huge variety of hotels and restaurants.  Lots of fast food places, though.  You do have to drive about 15 minutes toward the beaches to reach the majority of the hotels/food.
• May be hard to find dog friendly lodging.
• Lodging is expensive in this area.

All in all, Fox Lea Farm is a wonderful place for a horse show!  It’s a perfect location to compete and then enjoy the fresh air and beauty of your surroundings.  Make a vacation of it and explore Florida’s Gulf Coast or just enjoy the show.  Either way, Fox Lea is a real treat.

Have you ever seen a performance that flowed so smoothly that you couldn’t even see the cues the rider gave?  Have you ever wondered if you could achieve that same level of responsiveness from your own horse?  FromTheHorsesBack is launching a new series of tips titled “Perfecting Partnerships.”  This series is devoted to training tips and exercises designed to improve the communication and partnership between you and your horse.  Everyone from trail riders to top level competitors can benefit from improving their relationship with their horse.  Stay tuned for upcoming tips on softening your horse, increasing responsiveness, achieving control of your horse’s body, and many more exciting topics.  To start things off, consider the following:

In my opinion, one of the most critical elements to a true partnership is…having a partnership.  If you are looking for the ultimate in communication, you have to log the hours in the saddle.  Just as in any relationship, it takes time and effort to establish trust and communication.  Every minute you spend in the saddle is impacting your relationship with your horse, either positively or negatively.  You must choose to create a positive, trusting bond with your horse before you can hope to achieve partnership with him.  Ground work is just as important as riding.  Get in the habit of seeing your horse when you are with him.  Know his personality, his likes and dislikes.  Respect him.  Don’t treat him as a machine meant only to haul you around the arena or up and down the trails.  A big part of the enjoyment of having horses is experiencing them – so don’t short yourself on that!  If you would like to learn about how to improve your partnership with your horse, check back soon for exercises and tips to start you on your path.

*These tips and exercises are based upon my own experiences.  I am not a horse trainer.  Please use your best judgement and consult a trainer if necessary.

As a competitive equestrian, one of your most important tasks is to set clear, attainable goals for yourself and your mount.  In fact, this skill is important for anyone who rides horses, or does any type of competitive activity.  I trained with Meneely Show Horses for many years, and this skill was one of the first I learned after entering their program.  While goal-setting is critical to achieving success, it is equally important to write your goals down and refer to them frequently.  This keeps your goals at the forefront of your mind, keeps you focused on them and moving forward.  Refer to these handy tips when creating your goals:

*  Timelines are important

When I was competing heavily on the Appaloosa show circuit, our big events were the National Show in July and the World Show in October.  At the beginning of every calendar year, I would reflect for a time on what I hoped to achieve for the upcoming show season.  When setting goals choose a reasonable timeline, particularly if you are riding a young horse or are adding new events.  Give yourself plenty of time to put in the groundwork to achieve the goals.

* Choose a variety of goals

You want a wide variety of goals to strive for.  It’s great to set goals that are challenging or long term – that is what keeps you driving hard for improvement in your game.  However the small, step-wise goals are equally important to keep you enthusiastic and focused.  For example, if you are hoping to win the World on your fantastic new Western Rider, you might set the following kinds of goals:  maintain consistent control of my horse’s hips and shoulders, perform consistent lead changes on a loose rein at a steady speed, perform multiple lead changes on a loose rein at consistent speed, perform lead changes at specific point in arena, master timing of cues, perform well at regional competitions, World Champion Western Riding.  As you can see, there is a logical progression of steps that you may need to accomplish to reach your ultimate goal.  By treating each of these steps as an individual goal, you are able to celebrate successes along your path and appreciate your journey. 

* Be realistic

There is a difference between a challenging set of goals and one that is unattainable.  It is crucial to objectively look at you and your horse’s skills and set goals that are attainable, even if they are challenging.  If you nor your horse have ever changed a lead and you are terrified when competing alone in the ring, chances are good that winning Western Riding might be an unattainable goal – at least for this year.  Maybe instead you could focus on gaining control of your horse’s body and becoming a more confident rider.  By selecting goals that you have the ability to reach, you will avoid frustration and disappointment. 

* Personal goals are OK too

Don’t feel you should restrict your goals to skill related ones.  Maybe your goal is to spend more time trail riding your horse, or eliminate negative thinking, or make new horse show friends.  Anything goes – remember this is your strategy for success and there is no wrong answer.

* Present your goals

Almost anyone that seriously competes at a sport will agree that mental preparation is every bit as important as physical ability.  You will be one step ahead of the game if you write your goals down and reflect on them frequently.  At MSH, we created “goal boards” each year with our ultimate goals for each event and overall goals.  Use a large piece of poster board and some markers and be creative!  If you’re an adult and haven’t indulged your creative side in a few years, you may think you are too old for such antics.  Phooey!  You’ll be surprised how exciting and motivating it is to create an inspiring piece of work.  Make it fun, use bright colors, glitter, inspirational quotes – whatever gets YOU excited and looking forward to your goals.  And put the board in a place where you will see it and reflect on it often, and especially take it to your shows when you will need the biggest reminder to stay focused. 

* It’s OK if you don’t meet your goals

If you haven’t succeeded at meeting some or all of your goals, it’s no big deal.  Did you do your best to succeed?  Goal boards are not a contract – you are not guaranteed success just because you set goals.  Likewise, you are not a failure if you don’t achieve every one of them.  In fact, it’s often best if you have a couple of goals that you haven’t met for the year.  After all, what fun would it be if you accomplished everything you set out to do?  If you met every goal you set, chances are good that you didn’t challenge yourself enough with your “ultimate goals.”  And if you didn’t meet any of them, you were most likely too ambitious for your current set of circumstances.  It’s OK, try again next year!

The ability to create clear, attainable goals is an important skill for competitive riding.  As you progress through the levels of show, it will become more apparent how critical mental preparation is to achieving success.  Good luck with creating your own goals, and feel free to share some of them here to inspire others.

Some of my favorite inspirational quotes:

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  William Ernest Henley

“Self confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.”  Samuel Johnson

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”  Theodore Roosevelt

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.”  Les Brown

Animals in my household tend to have allergies and the resulting skin eruptions that go along with them.  I’m not sure if it’s the muggy Florida summers that breed mold and invite bugs or if I’m just unlucky with my animals.  Either way, Florida summers are increasingly becoming the bane of my existence.  Grady has been my biggest problem child over the past couple of summers (although Tiny gives him a run for his money!).  Last summer, his allergies kicked in around May and didn’t abate until late September.  The only way to keep him healthy was an almost continuous round of antibiotics and prescription strength antihistamines during that time.  He suffered from numerous bacterial and fungal infections and scratched incessantly.  It was heartbreaking to watch and to have nothing further to offer to relieve him, aside from the dreaded steroid shot.  So, I stepped outside the realm of modern medicine and began doing some research into herbal remedies for skin afflictions.

Clockwise from top left: Closeup of the raw, pus filled sores on his legs; Grady's rear leg; Severely affected in groin area; Looking spotty and miserable.

This summer I was ready when the itching started.  I had thoroughly researched my options and chose to try herbs to relieve Grady’s symptoms.  I used several resources to learn about herbs, including herb shoppes and reliable websites.  However, the best resource I used was a book titled All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets by Mary L. Wulff-Tilford and Gregory L. Tilford.  This book has become my herbal bible and I highly recommend adding it to your bookshelf.

The recipes I used for Grady over the past month have worked amazingly well and thankfully I took some photos to document the remarkable improvement.  Grady suffered from hives and hot spots over his entire body and had severe itching.  Within a week of using the herbal rinses, the skin dried out and the infection cleared up.  Within a week of using the herbs orally, the hives were gone and the itching relieved a great deal.  The only additional medication he received was a prescription antihistamine when he first got the hives.  Initially, it did provide some relief but I soon discontinued it when it stopped helping him.  I attribute the dramatic improvement in his condition to the herbs, because he has been off the antihistamines for over a month now. 

Grady after one week of treatment with herbs

It is important to do your research when using herbs for medical purposes.  While they are natural, they can be overused or misused like any other remedy.  In addition, some animals may have conditions that preclude them from using a specific herb.  Please research your information well and understand what you are giving your animal and the potential side effects.  With that being said, herbs are a fantastic alternative to traditional medicines:  they are generally cheaper and safer than their counterparts and offer an alternative when prescriptions just don’t work.

Grady’s treatment consisted of the following:

• Weekly bath with Tropiclean Neem Shampoo.  This product is amazing and really helps to alleviate his itching.  It provides a deep clean and really eliminates his greasy skin.  Neem oil is traditionally used in India to treat skin conditions and may help to repel fleas as well.
• 1 tsp ground Burdock powder in food once daily.  My research indicated that this herb provides best results when given in large doses, but I always introduce new food additives gradually to prevent stomach upset.  The small dose helped him, so I didn’t increase it.  Burdock is known for treating several skin conditions and for cleansing the liver.  I chose this herb for oral use because it was recommended as a treatment for hives. 
• Poultice made from green clay with 10 drops Echinacea and 10 drops Oregon Grape, mixed with water to desired consistency.  This was smeared on the worst abrasions and really soothed and healed the skin.  Warning!  This can be messy!
• Herbal skin rinse, doused after bathing and sprayed onto affected areas multiple times daily.  Recipe is as follows:

Herbs were added to a tea infuser and steeped for 15+ minutes.

1 part Calendula

1 part Comfrey

1 part Yarrow

1 part Peppermint

1 part Sage

1 part Juniper Berries (optional)** See preparation instructions below.

Combine herbs (I used 1 tsp = 1 part) and infuse in approximately 10 oz. boiling water in a tea infuser.  I let the herbs steep for at least 15 minutes before straining and I used the same herbs to steep twice.  Let cool before using and store refrigerated.

**Juniper berries must be decocted before use.  These are prepared separately by simmering the berries for approximately 20 minutes over low heat.  The resulting liquid is strained, diluted by 50%, and stored refrigerated.  I added a volume of this equivalent to approximately 1/5 of total volume to the infused tea.

I chose this series of herbs for my rinse for specific reasons.  Calendula is an antibacterial/antifungal and soothes irritated skin.  Comfrey is somewhat of a miracle worker in treating skin conditions and speeds the healing process.  It is also an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.  Yarrow is a pain and itch reliever and is good for treating allergies.  Peppermint soothes the skin and relieves itching.   Sage is a strong antibacterial/antifungal that is widely effective.  Juniper is a strong antiseptic and astringent and I used this when Grady’s skin was most severely affected, then discontinued it. 

From top left: Juniper berries; Peppermint, Sage, Juniper berries, Yarrow, Comfrey; Comfrey; Calendula; Sage

While this combination of herbs did not entirely alleviate the itching, Grady was much more comfortable after being treated with the spray.  The raw skin and sores were literally healing overnight but the ongoing battle was preventing him from scratching new ones.  When the oral Burdock was added, the combination worked well to resolve the problem.  Incidentally, I sprayed the herbal rinse on myself several times after being bitten by mosquitos and it did relieve the itching and reduce the swelling very rapidly.

Tiny is doing pretty well so far this summer (touch wood) so I have not yet had the opportunity to try this rinse on her wounds.  Hopefully it works as well for her!  I’ll keep you all posted when I get the chance to try it.

Thus far, 2009 has been a year of change for me.  The most recent development in my life has been a move from the woodsy, rural, small town feel of Geneva to a more suburban location.  While I will have a shorter commute to work and more access to conveniences, I will miss the sound of frogs at night and the wide open spaces.  As I have gone through the process of packing and moving, of course I began to think about horses!  Luckily for me, Tiny is staying at her current home in Geneva so I haven’t had to worry about finding a new place for her.  But I started thinking about when I moved Tiny to the area in 2006 and how difficult it was to find a great place to board.  Everyone has their own “ideal horse home,” but here are my tips for finding a suitable place for your horse to reside.

• To Stall or Not to Stall

First, you must decide if you want full/partial board or pasture turnout.  Facilities have different protocols for each, but generally pasture board is cheaper and you are more involved in your horse’s care.

• Fence Matters!

Check the property’s fencing in its entirety.  Make sure it is strong and appropriate for your horse and be sure you are comfortable with the materials used.  I do not recommend barb wire fencing for horses as I have seen numerous injuries as a result of it.  Other options are 3- or 4- board wood, pipe, vinyl coated wire, wire mesh, and others.  Some farms include a hot wire to discourage horses from disturbing fences.  Be sure that whatever material you choose, it is strong, well maintained, and safe for horses.

• Room to Roam

How much acreage does the property have?  And do they actually use it?  It may be hard to believe, but here in Central Florida it’s not uncommon to find gorgeous, lush pastures then find out that the barn owners do not regularly turn horses out on them!  On the other hand, you don’t want your horse to be standing in a tiny, dirt paddock for 12 hours a day either.  Good pastures require maintenance and financial investment.  If the farm you are contemplating won’t turn horses out on their fields because they can’t afford to reseed or fertilize regularly, it might not be the place for you or your horse.  You also need to question how often and how long horses are turned out – do they spend an hour on grass every day or are they out all day or all night?  Be sure you approve of the routine.

• Personal versus Professional

What kind of atmosphere are you looking for?  Do you or your children compete or want to be in a show barn with others like you?  Do you like your riding time to be social and group oriented or meditative and solitary?  I have found two types of facilities to board at:  a professional boarding facility (which often doubles as a show/lesson barn) and a private barn with stalls for rent.  I have boarded at both and while I have been happy with both places, my personal preference is a smaller barn that is privately owned.  I find that with large show barns, it’s more of a job for them.  Little extras that you may want for your horse, like supplements or blanketing, are often additionally charged.  They often hire out employees to muck stalls and may not have as much direct contact with your horse to keep an eye on things.  There are often more rules and restrictions and less room for flexibility for your horse’s needs.  For many people, these facilities are fantastic, especially if you’re new to the scene.  However, I much prefer the individualized care and personal relationship my horse and I have at our small, family owned barn. 

• How Much Work do You Wanna do?

Do you want full board or partial board?  Some places may not give you a choice, so this may be a factor in selecting a barn.  Partial board will be cheaper, but you will be more involved in your horse’s care.  Keep in mind that there are generally rules regarding the care of your horse (ie. the stall must be cleaned daily or it will be done and you will be charged for it), and you are typically required to feed once per day.  Does this fit into your schedule?  It is tempting to save some money by choosing this route, but be prepared to commit to the care of your horse.  He won’t understand if you show up 4 hours late to feed him because you went to dinner and a movie on Friday night – and he’ll be even less pleased when he watches his neighbors being fed by their owners!

• Is Your Horse a Social Butterfly?

This has always been the Achilles heel of my boarding barn search.  Admittedly, I am a bit paranoid about turnout practices after my family lost our very first horse to a turnout injury.  However, all horse owners need to consider the turnout routine at the barn they visit.  Some barns will turn all their mares out together and do the same with their geldings.  Some only do individual turnout.  Know your horse and what makes him happiest and be sure that his needs can be accomodated.  Even if you have a sociable, friendly horse be aware of how many animals are turned out together and the pasture size they use.  The best tempered animals can get into scuffles if they are crammed into small spaces or competing for resources.  And sometimes, certain personalities just don’t mix.  What is the contingency plan if this occurs?

• What’s Your Style?

What is your preferred style of riding?  Do you jump?  Barrel race?  Trail ride?  Discuss your preferences with the barn manager and be sure that your riding style is encouraged at the facility.  I found it difficult to locate a barn that would allow me to set up barrels and poles for Tiny, so that was a big factor in my decision on where to board.  Do you need a riding arena?  Do you need lights for riding at night?  Do you want access to trails without having to trailer off property?  Think about your plans for your horse and what your requirements are to meet your goals.

• What is the Small Print?

Communicate with the barn manager to determine their expectations of their boarders.  Is there a grace period for late payments?  Who deals with the farrier and the vet?   What are their worming and vaccination requirements?  What are the barn rules and what is the penalty for not following them?  What happens if your horse breaks a fence?  Do they have any duties that you are responsible for?  I know of several barns that require their boarders to muck out the pastures weekly.  Is that something you are willing to do?  Before committing, make sure you understand what is required of you.

• Legal Issues

 Although no one wants to think negative thoughts, in the horse world you must be prepared for the worst.  When you board a horse, you are entrusting the care of your animal to someone else and relying on them to practice good horse sense.  Know your legal rights and responsibilities before signing a lease (and SIGN A LEASE!!!! Don’t ever leave your horse anywhere without a legal document in place – even if it’s a friend you’re dealing with).  You should know who is liable if someone is injured by your horse, or if your horse is injured as the result of negligence. 

Finding a home for your horse can be a fun and rewarding experience!  Before you set out, write down your needs and wants and have lots of questions prepared to ask.  A good way to find reliable places is to ask around – the vet and farrier deal with different farms every day and may have a recommendation for you.  Drive around if you live in a horsey area.  Check tack stores, online ads, or local horse circulars for ads.  But most of all, do your research!  Plan your move well and be informed and prepared and you will likely have a much better experience.  Happy moving!

FromTheHorsesBack is excited to announce the launch of “Creating Champions,” a new series devoted to tips and tricks for excelling in the horse show arena!  These handy tidbits have been amassed from my own experiences in competition and I hope that you will find them useful as well.  *Disclaimer:  I am not a professional horse trainer or coach and am presenting this series based on my own experiences.  Please use your own judgement and seek out a professional opinion if you are unsure about any of the information provided here. 

To kick off the series, here are my Top 10 Tips for Entering the Winner’s Circle:

1.  Present Yourself

You wouldn’t go for your dream job interview without being prepared, why would you enter the show ring with any less thought?  Make sure clothes and tack are clean and fit well, hats are clean and shaped, and horses are turned out properly.  Attention to detail is key!

2.  Be a Good Sport

Regardless of your performance or placing, be a gracious winner or a good loser.  You can always learn from your performance and recognizing this is the first step in becoming a better rider.

3.  Never Give Up

If you make a mistake in the ring, CARRY ON!!  Don’t ever let anyone see you sweat.  Judges may not have seen or noticed it, and even if they did, you don’t know how the other riders in the class are performing.  It may be hard to believe, but I have seen riders make a critical mistake but still place high. 

4.  Practice, Practice, Practice

Nothing contributes to success like putting in the blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes.  The more you ride and the better your riding program, the more consistency and confidence you will have in the arena.

5.  Fitness Counts

Both you and your horse should be fit to achieve optimum results.  Muscular and cardiovascular strength are important and should be addressed.  I have seen riders ensure their horse’s fitness, only to falter when asked to post the trot for an interminably long time in the summer heat.

6.  Cover Your Bases

Preparation is not only restricted to riding practice.  Before your show day arrives, be sure to have a current Coggins test and health papers for your horse, truck/trailer maintained and ready to go, directions and hotel arrangements made.  Don’t let last minute details trip you up – think ahead!

7.  Looks are Everything

Always project an air of confidence in yourself.  You should never need to look down to check a lead or a diagonal (this is where the practice comes in) and keep a relaxed, happy expression on your face.  When a judge is comparing you to tens or even hundreds of other competitors, you must have charisma to stand out.  Even if you are scared to death, don’t act like it!

8.  Master the Art of Riding With Your Seat

Top level competitors have the ability to control their horse’s speed and direction with the use of their seat and legs.  Steering, turning, and stopping should be done with a minimum of voice and hand cues. 

9.  Maintain Control at All Times

You should be able to control your horse’s shoulders and hips anytime you are riding (again, NOT with your hands!).  One thing that separates great patterns from good ones is the ability to create soft, consistent elements on a loose rein.  Complete control of the horse’s body is required in presenting a pretty picture that functions well.

10.  Make Horse Shows Fun

At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about!  Spend some time enjoying your horse, walk around the show grounds to cool off and explore.  Watch some other classes and cheer for your fellow competitors.  Meet people and exchange ideas.  The more enjoyable shows are for you AND your horse, the more longevity you will both have.