Getting fit for riding

hORSE HEALTH - ARE YOU FIT TO RIDE? Our exercises can help you stay in shape! Puff! Puff! Puff! Is that YOU after a few minutes of trotting? Sounds like it’s time that you started thinking about how fit you really are. You expect your horse to trot and canter for miles, and be full of energy, but what about you? If you’re always gasping for breath, you won’t be able to get the best out of him. You don’t have to be 100 percent fit if you’re just planning to go on short trail rides, but if you want to go showjumping or barrel racing, you need to get into shape. Reports have shown that lots of kids don’t get enough exercise. “But I ride—that’s exercise,” you might say. Of course, riding is exercise, but let’s face it—your horse is getting a much harder workout than you are when you ride him!We’ve got some exercises that will make you suppler and improve your stamina. And each one is designed to improve different parts of your body-parts that need to be in tip-top condition if you want to improve as a rider. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of doing these exercises a couple of times a week. If you’re out of shape, start off slowly and build up the number of exercises you do gradually. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to work out! 1. Start with arm lifts. You’ll need a pair of light weights, or make your own by using a fly repellent container or spray bottle. Place your feet apart, with your toes turned out, arms down and back straight. Tuck in that stomach! Slowly bring your arms forward and up, keeping your palms down and your elbows slightly bent. Then, bring them down again. Do this 10 times. This exercise strengthens your shoulders and upper arms, so if your horse tanks off with you, you’ll be able to stop him more easily! 2. Skipping rope is an excellent way of strengthening your lungs and building stamina. You’ll be able to gallop around an entire cross-country course without wheezing if you skip on the spot at least 20 times during your regular exercise sessions. Don’t worry if you don’t have a skipping rope, a long lead rope will do fine. 3. Grab hold of the back of a chair. Slowly raise each of your legs behind you, lifting them as high as you can. Point your toes and keep your legs as straight as possible. Raise each leg up 10 times. This exercise strengthens your legs so you can use them more effectively on your horse. It also tones up your tummy so your breeches won’t feel so tight! 4. The dreaded sit-ups! Keep your feet together—hook them under something solid if it helps. Put your hands behind or next to your head and slowly move your upper body forward. Don’t try to touch your nose to your knees, just lift your back off the ground. Sit-ups are good for your abdominal muscles and back. You’ll be able to do more sitting trot and bend easily over a fence if these muscles are strong. See if you can manage 10. 5. Time to work those thigh muscles because they help you to sit securely in the saddle. Sit down with your legs apart. Point your toes. Stretch forward with your upper body and arms and try to touch your toes, one leg at a time. Do it slowly, don’t strain anything! Do this 10 times with each leg. 6. Running strengthens your leg muscles and improves your stamina. After you have finished the other exercises, you should be warmed-up enough for a short run. Run your horse’s field one or two times. Remember, you’re not in a race so you don’t have to gallop around at top speed. Stick to a human trot. Thanks to our starathlete Megan Lynn of Nonesuch, KY for being our fitness model. Megan also stays in shape by running on her school’s track team. 3-25-2004

MISSING!

Horses are going missing everyday from run aways to being stolen , so try your best to help find them!

Bay Endurance Horse Vanishes in Hansen Dam Wash, Los Angeles, CA 6/29/2010

Mensche has been missing since June 20th On Sunday, June 20, 2010, Jacqy Gamble’s life was turned upside down when her beloved horse, Mensche, bolted during an endurance training session in the Hansen Dam Wash. After an intense search spanning 48 hours, including an infrared flyover of the wash, there was no sign of the missing Mensche. Mensche, a 12 year old bay Arabian gelding with four white stocking and a full blaze, measuring 15.2 hands, became missing during a trail ride June 20. The seasoned endurance horse was startled when a dog ran underneath him. Gamble became dislodged and Mensche broke free, taking off with the dog chasing him. Gamble searched the nearby area, but was unable to find any sign of Mensche. The dog’s owner reported he had come home, but the spooked horse was nowhere to be found. During the next 48 hours Gamble and volunteers searched the Tujunga Wash at Hansen Dam but were unable to find any evidence of what happened to Mensche. On Tuesday evening, the LAPD conducted a flying infrared scan of the area to see if they could detect any signs of a large warm-blooded animal. They were unable to find anything, leading Gamble to believe that someone could have caught Mensche Sunday after he got loose. As prey animals, horses can quickly travel several miles in an hour when panicked with no real sense of direction. Mensche could still be in the area, or someone might have captured him and not know how to reach his owner, especially if he crossed a jurisdictional boundary where different law enforcement agencies might be unaware of his origin. Jacqy and Mensche need your help! Please go to www.netposse.com, and to the California missing horse listings. Mensche’s webpage is there and anyone can print a flyer to post in area feed or tack stores, auctions barns, restaurants or convenience stores – anywhere people congregate. You don’t have to be a horse owner to help.

Introducing.... Horse Magazines (Part 2)

  Young Rider is another of my favorites. Even though the cover features the word "Young" it does not necessarily mean just for young readers.  In Every Issue :
< Letters from readers
< A Western lesson
< An English Lesson
< Pony People (pictures of readers and the Adopted Horse of the issue)
< Horse/Pony problems ( Top Vets answer concerning and interesting questions)
< Updates on the World Equestrian Games
< Tack Trunk ( Tack/Apparel thats "in.")
< Short story's (written by writers)

             
July/August 2010

Introducing.... Horse Magazines (Part 1)

   Horse Illustrated is one of my favorite magazines, what I and many people like is that they feature issues that make can make our horse man ship better and keep ourselves and our horses living a better life.
(And there having a great deal, a year for $10)
      In every issue:
     An all info page
     A western roundup  
     Questions answered from readers
     Occasionally a give away/contest
     Tips for shows, green horses etc...
     A Western Lesson (filled with tips and exercises  to try with your horse)
     An English Lesson
     Spotlights on Breeds
     Medical ( tips to help keep health under control)
     Around two or three main stories about assorted things (example: In the June issue "Hold your own Horse show."
     A HI Spy 
     Barn Buzz ( The Buzz of the barn)
     Making Headlines (... What's Making Headlines....)
     Stable Thinking ( Making a stable more efficient)
     Ending Story
       

Supplement Myths CRACKED`

 Read these eleven myths about the supplements you feed your horse to see what's not necessary, what is necessary and what you didn't know that can save you money.

11 SUPPLEMENT Myths BUSTED

Myth #1 - Healthy horses don't need supplements

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False. A smart supplement program is a tool for maintaining your horse’s good health. Modern horse keeping puts horses under stress from limited grazing, stall confinement, feeding grain and training. These factors disrupt the horse’s digestive health, immunity and well being. Even a horse that looks great could be fending off health problems like chronic inflammation, ulcers or insulin resistance. Help your horse thrive by first balancing his diet for vitamins and minerals. We also suggest adding Omega 3 fatty acids (see Myth #5). Next, ensure proper hydration with electrolytes as needed, and consider supplements for digestive support, joint support or other targeted “problem-solvers”.

Myth #2 - Horses on fortified grain don’t need a multi-vitamin

What multi-vitamin does your horse need?

False. Many horses on fortified grain also need a multi-vitamin. In our research of feeding practices, we found that 7 out of 10 horses were not getting enough vitamins and minerals from their fortified grain. To meet his nutrient requirements, your horse must get the full amount of fortified grain recommended on the feed bag for his age, weight and workload. But like many horses, yours may not need the amount of calories that much grain provides. Feeding a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is the perfect way to “close the gap” by adding the nutrients he needs without extra calories he doesn’t.

Myth #3 - Skinny horses need more grain

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False. Underweight horses may have other problems that need to be addressed before increasing their grain intake. If your horse can’t maintain a healthy weight, be sure he gets a complete veterinary exam that includes a dental check and parasite test, and assess his overall diet before adding more grain. Feeding excess grain can lead to digestive problems like ulcers and colic. A horse’s digestive system was built for constant grazing, and an average-sized horse should eat 10-20 lbs of forage daily. A multi-vitamin can provide additional nutrients if needed. If he is a hard keeper, or in work and needs grain, space it out over at least 2-3 meals daily. Also consider adding a weight gain supplement that provides healthy fat, amino acids, and digestive support from Prebiotics and Probiotics. SmartGain 4® contains all of this plus Fenugreek, an herb that helps stimulate the appetite.

  Read the eight other Myths at www.SmartPakEquine.com