With spring comes responsibility

Ahhhhhh, finally – SPRING!!

Sure the weather here in Kentucky isn't ideal right now, but at least it isn't snowing!!

With the arrival of spring comes the reminder of associated responsibilities. As a horse owner, and veterinary technician, spring screams “equine wellness and maintenance” to me!! And, if you share this horse crazy gene, it should scream that to you as well.

One of the common basic spring responsibilities for horse owners is to ensure each horse's Coggins test is up to date. Many of you already know that in order to legally attend a trail ride, horse show or clinic a “copy of a current negative coggins” is required. A Coggins test must be performed annually and accompany horses in their travels. Equine Infectious Anemia is the reason for this test (Developed by Dr. Coggins). EIA is a potentially fatal and incurable anemia spread from horse to horse via biting insects. Should a positive horse participate in a community event, the likelihood of an insect transmitting infected blood from that horse to an unsuspecting pony is extremely high. Hence, the scrutiny of the Coggins test. While a positive result isvery rare, it hold a horrible outcome for the poor infected pony. Since EIA is incurable they are capable of infecting other horses (via insect bites) for the duration of their lifetime. Therefore, two options are usually offered. Total and complete quarantine, such that a biting insect would be unable to move from the infected horse to another equid, or euthanasia. Most horse owners consider 'quality of life' when making this decision and opt for euthanasia.



The Culprit



Kinda scary huh?? The lesson here....be sure to get a Coggins test done on your horses!



A Common Coggins Test Form





In order to obtain a Coggins test, the horse owner must contact a State/USDA certified veterinarian who will examine the horse, draw blood for testing and complete the appropriate test form.  This for will properly identify the horse and state the result of the test.  The test is quick and painless for your horse and usually takes less than a week to get the results back for a Coggins test.  Cost will vary from vet to vet...but an owner can expect to pay anywhere from $20-$50 for this very important aspect of horse ownership.  It is a small price for the well being of your horses and the horses around you...

Spring is almost here!! and we are ALL out of shape!!

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So, the sun has finally returned to the skies of Kentucky...well, it shows up a little more frequently anyway. But, I am very happy to report that the snows have melted and left vast landscapes of mud in it's place.....however, mud means spring and spring means 'it's time to ride'.  Well, that is all fine and dandy.  One doesn't realize the toll that old man winter has taken on us until we are perched aboard our favorite mount, working along the rail at a posting trot.  As we smile at the sight of the sunshine, we can't help but realize that a little huffing and puffing is coming from both horse and rider. What?? you say...I have only been on for 10 min and both of us are tired!! That can't be. can it??

Oh, heck yeah it can....and it is! The long days of siting on the couch, gazing out at the subzero tundra that is the farm brought with it 'couch potato syndrome'.  Time to get off the couch and go and find those muscles again! They must be around here somewhere.....

I have been reading up on some different tactics to regain fitness in both horse and rider. Since I can't imagine that I am the only one in this prediciment, I thought I would share. 

Let's start with our pony...he always comes first anyway, right??

-Remember to start out slowly, don't ask for too much, too fast.  Experts (from Practical Horsemen and Horse Illustrated) say that you should plan on taking the same amount of time that your horse had "off" to bring him back into proper fitness.  My horses had about a month of non-existent work, so I know what sort of time frame I am looking at. 

-20min rides to start are plenty.  Muscle needs time and repetition to grow and thrive....give it what it needs.  I have read that one should ride at least 4 days a weeks and allow for 1-2 days off (depending on the horse and situation).  This is great, it gives me a chance to develop a schedule. Now, only if the weather would cooperate.

-Hill work...both up and down.

-From the ground, back your horse up a small sloping hill. This will help to develop those desireable hind end thrusters that we love so much

-Cavelletti work. Both trot and canter. Remember to switch it up a lot....cavelletti work is like gymnastics when jumping. Keep it interesting to keep the horse working, make them learn to prepare for the unexpected. Raise up certain rails, alternate location in the arena and never repeate the exercise into a rut.

Please, Please, Please....don't push it!! don't ask for too much right away.  All to often riders get excited by the sunny spring weather and run out to set up a nice 3 ft. course! Ahhhhh, no one is ready for that just yet.  Give yourselves some time to get back into shape. Otherwise, you may be facing a bowed tendon, tweaked muscle or ligament issue. NOT WORTH IT! You may also be facing the dirt if YOU aren't in shape either....

I was disapointed to find that I was just as out of shape as my ponies.  Time to schedule in some additional exercise time for me as well. Sure, just riding alone will help....but, this time I felt that I needed a little extra umph.  Something to help regain the ability I had last fall.  I felt loose and floppy in the saddle, my core was weak and upper body stiff.  I have turned to Pilates to help with that....

Classes at the studio as well as exercises at home will surely help with my attempts to kick old man winter to the curb.  After just one Pilates class, I am happy to say that I am already feeling a bit stronger and a heck of a lot more motivated.  Now, this type of "workout" will actually work the riding muscles...something I have never been able to find in the past. Yes!!  While my core hates me (in a good way, of course), I already feel a bit more in control of my body at the sitting trot.  Since I have only been a member of the Pilates club for a week, I am really hoping to see some real improvement as time goes by.

I know I can't be alone.....Some of you readers have suffered from the same unfortunate winter doldrums....to you I say "make a schedule, plan your rides, keep it interesting and give pilates a try"!!

Let's do this together!!

Let me know what you guys are doing to get back into shape this spring. I am sure that we can keep each other motivated with new ideas. Can't wait to hear yours...