Hi all,
Just saw a great little article and vid on 3-D shoes for laminitis horses. I can see a place for it to treat horses and other equids with so many other problems!
Check this out!
https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2013/Hollys-Christmas-wish-comes-true
xx
Lizzi
Elizabeth Thompson DVM, writing as Lizzi Tremayne
Most equines can be taught to carry a rider in a relatively short time. However, just because they are compliant doesn’t mean their body is adequately prepared for what they will be asked to do and that they are truly mentally engaged in your partnership. We can affect our equine’s manners and teach them to do certain movements and in most cases, we will get the response that we want…at least for the moment.
Most of us grow up thinking that getting the animal to accept a rider is a reasonable goal and we are thrilled when they quickly comply. When I was first training equines, I even thought that to spare them the weight of the rider when they were younger and that it would be more beneficial to drive them first as this seemed less stressful for them.
Of course, I was then unaware of the multitude of tiny details that were escaping my attention due to my limited education. I had a lot to learn.
Because my equines reacted so well during training, I had no reason to believe that there was anything wrong with my approach until I began showing them. I started to experience resistant behaviors in my animals that I promptly attributed to simple disobedience. I had no reason to believe that I wasn’t being kind and patient until I met my dressage instructor, Melinda Weatherford.
I soon learned that complaining about Sundowner’s negative response to his dressage lessons and blaming HIM was not going to yield any shortcuts to our success. The day she showed up with a big button on her lapel that said, “No Whining” was the end of my complaining and impatience, and the beginning of my becoming truly focused on the tasks at hand.
I learned that riding through (and often repeating) mistakes did not pose any real solutions to our problems. I attended numerous clinics from all sorts of notable professionals and we improved slowly, but a lot of the problems were still present.
Sundowner would still bolt and run when things got a bit awkward, but he eventually stopped bolting once I changed my attitude and approach, and when he was secure in his core strength in good equine posture.
I thought about what my grandmother had told me years ago about being polite and considerate with everything I did. Good manners were everything to her and I thought I was using good manners. I soon found that good manners were not the only important element of communication.
Empathy was another important consideration…to put oneself in the other “person’s” shoes, and that could be attributed to animals as well. So, I began to ask myself how it would feel to me if I was approached and treated the way I was treating my equines. My first epiphany was during grooming. It occurred to me that grooming tools, like a shedding blade, might not feel very good unless I was careful about the way I used it.
Body clipping was much more tolerable for them if I did the hard-to-get places first and saved the general body for last. Standing for long periods of time certainly did not yield a calm, compliant attitude when the more tedious places were left until last.
After standing for an hour or more, the animal got antsy when I was trying to do more detailed work around the legs, head, flanks and ears after the body; so I changed the order.
Generally speaking, I slowed my pace and eliminated any abrupt movements on my part to give the equine adequate time to assess what I would do next and approached each task very CAREFULLY. The results were amazing! I could now groom, clip bridle paths and fly spray everyone with no halters, even in their turnout areas as a herd. They were all beginning to really trust me.
There was still one more thing my grandmother had said that echoed in my brain, “You are going to be a sorry old woman if you do not learn to stand up straight and move in good posture!”
Good posture is not something that we are born with. It is something that must be learned and practiced repetitiously so that it becomes habitual for it to really contribute to your overall health. Good posture begins at the core, “the innermost, essential part of anything.”
In a human being, it lies behind the belly button amongst the vital organs and surrounded by the skeletal frame. In a biped, upon signals from the brain, energy impulses run from the core and up from the waist, and simultaneously down through the lower body and legs. The core of an equine is at the center of balance in the torso.
Similar to bipeds, they need the energy to run freely along the hindquarters and down through the hind legs to create a solid foundation from which to allow the energy in front to rise into suspension to get the most efficient movement. When their weight is shifted too much onto the front end, their ability to carry a rider efficiently and correctly is compromised. 
To achieve correct energy flow and efficient movement, the animal’s internal supportive structures need to be conditioned in a symmetrical way around the skeletal frame. People can do this by learning to walk with a book on their head and with Pilates exercises, but how can we affect this same kind of conditioning in a quadruped?
The first issue I noticed was with leading our animals. When we lead our animals with the lead rope in the right hand, we drop our shoulder and are no longer in good posture. When we walk, our hand moves ever so slightly from left to right as we walk; we inadvertently move the equine’s head back and forth.
They balance with their head and neck. Thus, we are forcing them off balance with every step that we take. Since movement builds muscle, they are being asymmetrically conditioned internally and externally with every step we take together. In order to correct this, we must allow the animal to be totally in control of his own body as we walk together. We are cultivating proprioception or “body awareness.”
During the time you do the core strength leading exercises, you should NOT ride the animal as this will inhibit the success of these preliminary exercises. It will not result in the same symmetrical muscle conditioning, habitual behavior and new way of moving.
For the best results, lessons need to be routine and done in good posture from the time you take your equine from the pen until the time you put him away. Hold the lead rope in your LEFT hand, keeping slack in the lead rope. Keep his head at your shoulder, match your steps with his front legs, point in the direction of travel with your right hand and look where you are going. Carry his reward of oats in a fanny pack around your waist; he’s not likely to bolt if he knows his reward is right there in the fanny pack.
Plan to move in straight lines and do gradual turns that encourage him to stay erect and bend through his rib cage, keeping an even distribution of weight through all four feet. Square him up with equal weight over all four feet EVERY TIME you stop and reward him with oats from your fanny pack.
Then wait patiently for him to finish chewing. We are building NEW habits in the equine’s way of moving and the only way that can change is through routine, consistency in the routine and correctness in the execution of the exercises. Since this requires that you be in good posture as well, you will also reap the benefits from this regimen. Along with feeding correctly (explained on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com), these exercises will help equines to drop fat rolls and begin to develop the top line and abdominal strength in good posture. The spine will then be adequately supported to easily accept a rider. He will be better able to stand still as you pull on the saddle horn to mount.
When the body is in good posture, all internal organs can function properly and the skeletal frame will be supported correctly throughout his entire body. 
This will greatly minimize joint problems, arthritis and other anomalies that come from asymmetrical development and compromises in the body.
Just as our children need routine, ongoing learning and the right kind of exercise while they are growing up, so do equines. They need boundaries for their behavior clearly outlined to minimize anxious behaviors and inappropriate behavior. The exercises that you do together need to build strength and coordination in good equine posture.
The time spent together during leading training and going forward, slowly builds a good solid relationship with your equine and fosters his confidence and trust in you. He will know it is you who actually helps him to feel physically much better than he ever has.
Core muscle strength and balance must be done through correct leading exercises on flat ground. Coordination can be added to his overall carriage with the addition of negotiating obstacles on the lead rope done the same way. Once familiar with the obstacles, you will need to break them down into very small segments where the equine is asked to randomly halt squarely every couple of steps through the obstacle.
You can tell when you have successfully achieved core strength in good balance, when your equine will perform accurately with the lead rope slung over his neck. He will stay at your shoulder, respond to hand signals and body language only and does what is expected perfectly. A carefully planned routine coupled with an appropriate feeding program is critical to your equine’s healthy development.
The task at the leading stage is not only to teach them to follow, but to have your equine follow with his head at your shoulder as you define straight lines and gradual arcs that will condition his body symmetrically on all sides of the skeletal frame.
This planned course of action also begins to develop a secure bond between you. Mirror the steps of his front legs as you go through the all movements keeping your own body erect and in good posture. Always look in the direction of travel and ask him to square up with equal weight over all four feet every time he stops and reward him.
This kind of leading training develops strength and balance in the equine body at the deepest level so strengthened muscles will hold the bones, tendons, ligaments and even cartilage in correct alignment.
Equines that are not in correct equine posture will have issues involving organs, joints, hooves and soft tissue trauma. This is why it is so important to spend plenty of time perfecting your techniques every time you lead your equine.
The equine then needs to build muscle so he can sustain his balance on the circle without the rider before he will be able to balance with a rider. An equine that has not had time in the round pen to establish strength, coordination and balance on the circle, with the help of our postural restraint called the “Elbow Pull,” will have difficulty as he will be pulled off balance with even the slightest pressure.
He will most likely raise his head, hollow his back and lean like a motorcycle into the turns. When first introduced to the “Elbow Pull,” his first lesson in the round pen should only be done at the walk to teach him to give to its pressure, arch his back and stretch his spine while tightening his abs.
If you ask for trot and he resists against the “Elbow Pull,” just go back to the walk until he can consistently sustain this good posture while the “Elbow Pull” stays loose. He can gain speed and difficulty as his proficiency increases.
Loss of balance will cause stress, and even panic that can result in him pulling the lead rope, lunge line or reins under saddle right out of your hands and running off. 
This is not disobedience, just fear from a loss of balance and it should not be punished, just ignored and then calmly go back to work.
The animal that has had core strength built through leading exercises, lunging on the circle and ground driving in the “Elbow Pull” before riding, will not exhibit these seemingly disobedient behaviors. Lunging will begin to develop hard muscle over the core muscles and internal supportive structures you have spent so many months strengthening during leading training exercises.
It will further enhance your equine’s ability to perform and stay balanced in action, and play patterns in turnout will begin to change dramatically as this becomes his habitual way of going. Be sure to be consistent with verbal commands during all these beginning stages as they set the stage for better communication and exceptional performance later.
Although you need to spend more time in his beginning training than you might want to, this will also add to your equine’s longevity and use-life by as much as 5-10 years. The equine athlete that has a foundation of core strength in good equine posture, whether used for pleasure or show, will be a much more capable and safe performer than one that has not, and he will always be grateful to YOU for his comfort.
© 2018 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved
under Horsey/Equestrian / Donkey Fiction and Nonfiction menu tabs!
Some of the titles you can find on this website!
A lifelong equestrian, Meredith has been passionate about horses for as long as she can remember. But it was while working at her mother’s ranch in the early 1970s that she really got to know mules and donkeys, coming to love and deeply respect these misunderstood and underappreciated equines.
Meredith’s mules have competed successfully against horses in breed shows and in dressage and combined training. She is also famous for training the first mule to ever reach fourth-level dressage and the world’s first formal jumping donkey to clear four feet in exhibition.
To this day, Lucky Three Ranch remains a cornerstone in the promotion of all equines, from its state-of-the-art teaching museum to its hands-on ranch tours to the beautiful equine sculptures that grace its grounds.
She pooled her resources with the American Donkey and Mule Society and, through their tireless efforts, they managed to, almost single-handedly, significantly increase public awareness of mules and donkeys and their usefulness and unique abilities. Meredith’s decision to champion the rights of these equines actually led to changes in the laws that govern equestrian competitions.
Mules and donkeys are no longer thought of as merely packing, farming and driving animals. They have been elevated to participating in a host of equine recreational events and activities, and are now finally welcome to compete alongside horses in all major equine competitions—a hard-won honor and an enormous stride forward.
Meredith’s years of comprehensive study produced a new, enlightened approach to the humane and safe management and training of all equines, compiled into an extensive encyclopedia of information and reference materials at the Lucky Three Ranch website at www.luckythreeranch.com.
Meredith has found a way to convey her message of treating animals with compassion, patience and respect to children everywhere with her own unique creation and lovable cartoon character, Jasper the Mule at www.jasperthemule.com. Led by Meredith herself, every tour of the Lucky Three Ranch is a personal clinic experience in learning about the management and training of equines that you will never forget!
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com.
Thank you so much, Meredith, for blogging with us today, and thanks so much to you readers for visiting! Join our HNVB Book Club and our HNVB Blog via the forms in the right sidebar to keep in touch!
Happy riding and vetting!
xx
Lizzi Tremayne
Reading and writing… and instilling a love for both was the reason I just spent a large chunk of my day at our local Waikino School, the primary for our area. It holds a special place in my heart, as both of my boys attended it from Years 1-6. 
Their lovely secretary invited me to be their Visiting Author for Book Week, so this morning I fronted up with my laptop and a pile of books. I was warned that there were a lot of horse crazy kids. Perfect for me, as I write horsey historical and contemporary fiction!
Imagine my pleasure to see the growth in the school, up to 65 pupils from the 40-odd when my boys were there. Their passionate teachers and principal provide an engaging education, strong in the New Zealand Enviro-School program.
Their unique school environment contains everything from bush areas where kids can build natural materials huts and learn bushcraft skills they’d normally never see at school, through a flock of chickens, all the way to an amazing garden, complete with homemade corners of wattle and daub walls.
The teachers combine all this with the NZ Curriculum to give learning pertinent meaning and encourage engagement, letting students use their reading and writing and other traditional school subjects with these very real, tactile, activities. Creating caring lovers of learning.
Makes me almost wish I could go back to primary school. All this provides a real meaning to l
earning. A bit more than the old reading and writing, and ‘rithmetic.
Speaking of learning, their principal teaches the Ohinemuri Class of Year 4-6
students, and she kindly let me speak with them for a precious hour. They were a joy to work with–well-engaged and each clearly seemed to believe his or her ideas were valued, yet none of them were attempting to talk over the others. It spoke worlds about the wonderful teaching they’ve had. Thanks so much, ‘Kino teachers!
The kids and I discussed the process of writing, how I became a veterinarian, and then a writer. They wanted to see my books, which, of course, I’d brought, and they wanted a reading. I saved that for last. 🙂
I wanted the time before that to talk about NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program (NaNoWriMoYWP). The acronym stands for National Novel Writing Month for November and it happens online every November.
I told the students I’d used NaNoWriMo (the grownup version) to write A Sea of Green Unfolding, the book which was to have been Book 2 in The Long Trails series… but became Book 3. A story for another time…
Their teacher, by this time in my talk, had already registered their classroom on the NaNo-YWP website and was hooked in! The kids were ecstatic!
(Other than writing about horses???)
One student asked me what I thought was most important when writing a book. This tied in nicely with what, for me, is the main function of NaNoWriMo… to learn to just write.
My answer? Get the words down on the page, however you want to do it, longhand (as I do, with a mechanical pencil), on a computer, or with voice to text.
I told them about the phenomenal numbers of people who’ve told me they’ve been working on a novel for years. And they are still on the first chapter… because they keep going back to “make it perfect”.
This (surprise, surprise) holds you back from achieving… much of anything. If you’re willing to make mistakes, you’ll truly get somewhere!
As several successful authors say, including Nora Roberts and Jodi Picoult, “You can’t edit a blank page”. Nothing could be more truthful. I even wrote the quote on the board in my abysmal handwriting. So much for being a trained teacher. They simply couldn’t fix my handwriting.
But there’s more to life but nice handwriting… and now I use my abysmal handwriting to write novels. Long ones.
But I digress.
For you kids out there, it’s the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program. Your teacher or group leader can make you a private classroom and help you keep on track to the goals you set for yourself.
They have some great graphics, and as you add your “word count”, or the number of words you write on YOUR OWN story each day, NaNo plots it on graph for you AND for your whole class. It offers great visual images of how closely you’re matching the goals you and your combined classroom members have set. It’s a lot of fun and I think you’ll love it.
For you grownups, there’s NaNoWriMo. You can set your own goals, but it has a minimum of 50,000 words for the month of November. It, too, has fun graphs charting your proximity to your goals, though not in so many enticing colours as those found in the NaNo Young Writers Program.
50K sounds like a lot. When life gets in the way of writing, it can get hard. But what of value is not hard? It sure teaches you to just write and not go back and edit until you’re through! An invaluable lesson for anyone who thinks they might “want to write”.
How many words is that per day? It’s 1666.66 words/day, about five of my handwritten pages, which is also about five double-spaced typed pages.
Looking for a challenge? Love reading and writing? Always wanted to write a book? Go to your appropriate NaNo page (NaNoWriMo or NaNoWriMoYWP) and get started! You have five days to plan that story.
Ready, set, GO!!!!!!
They wanted a reading from one of my stories, so I read from an exciting part of A Long Trail Rolling, in which Aleksandra is flying down the side of a hill on a Palouse Pony Express stallion she’s never ridden before… while trying to evade arrows…
Now every student in the room understands what a “hook” is at the end of a chapter. They all want to read it now. 🙂
Disguised as a Pony Express rider, Aleksandra is alone and fleeing through 1860s Utah, hoping to keep her father’s killer from discovering their family secret.
Xavier’s kept the world at arms-length since he ran from his troubles as heir of his Californio rancho family. It doesn’t take him long to discover his new rider-recruit is a girl—one he might like to let get close.
They finally start to let each other in, but the cards are stacking against them in an ever-worsening situation. Can they learn to trust each other in time to escape the Indians on the warpath, evade the killer, and win through to safety?
Have a great week, all.
xx
Lizzi Tremayne
Waikino School images on this page credit to http://www.waikino.school.nz/
NaNo images courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.)