November, 2011 Newsletter
Major News:
 Separation of Trails at Ft. Custer – separation of trails has
been put in place. Work to finish the equestrian trails is
continuing. Equestrian trailhead has 89 feet of leveled
gravel, water pump, and new .
 Much work has been done by FCHFA volunteers to get the
new equestrian trails ready. Many thanks go to all those
who have worked so hard to make the trails.
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 http://sitekreator.com/FCHFA/calendar.html - check the
web for more event dates
Ft. Custer Trails Separation Updates:
Updated Trail Map:
Annual Equestrian Campout at Ft. Custer held September 16, 17, and 18
The permits we had to buy really cut into the profits, but it was a fun weekend. We were able to ride some of the new
trails and get a feel for all of the work that mainly Melva, Sue and Nancy have put into them.
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Clinics:
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Riding Horses on Sand Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 26, 2011
Concussion is the force transmitted up a horse’s leg each time a hoof hits the ground. Structures in the hoof and leg
absorb concussion, but over time, the cumulative effects of concussion can cause lameness, joint damage, and
arthritis. Softer surfaces reduce concussion on bones and cartilage, but may throw the stress onto soft tissues
instead.
A study in France showed that horses exercising on sand had a lower rate of concussion and vertical loading. Four
horses were fitted with instruments that recorded acceleration and ground reaction forces generated with each step.
Each horse was then ridden at a trot on firm wet sand, deep wet sand, deep dry sand, and asphalt pavement.
Impact forces were significantly decreased when the horses were worked on the sand surfaces. However, trotting on
sand produced markedly different stride dynamics. The horses took shorter, more frequent strides, and propulsive
effort was increased on deep wet sand over firm wet sand. In other words, the horses worked harder on the sand
surfaces, using more energy than when moving on a firm surface. Staying balanced on a yielding surface could stress
muscles, tendons, and ligaments that might not be used as hard when horses work on hard dirt or pavement.
Keeping a Blind Horse Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 18, 2011
A horse that becomes blind because of disease or injury can often be kept safe and healthy with a few management
changes. Some of the management tips are simple common sense for any property where horses live, while others
are related directly to the horse’s condition.
Make sure the area where the blind horse lives is as safe and hazard-free as possible. Check fences and run-in sheds
for sturdiness and good condition. Be sure there are no loose wires or splinters of wood to trap or injure the horse.
Keep the ground clear of hazards that the horse might trip over or run into. Trim trees in or around the pasture to
eliminate branches that are in a position to cause injury.
If the horse will be turned out in an area that is new to him, lead him around to let him get an idea of the size of his
enclosure, the contour of the ground, and the location of water, shelter, and a salt block. If these features are close
together and near a fence line, the horse will learn to use the fence to find what he’s looking for. Hanging a wind
chime near the water trough or run-in shed is a way to give the horse some extra guidance. A radio playing in a
nearby barn will also help the horse stay oriented.
Avoid turning the blind horse out in a large group of horses, but don’t isolate him, either. Choose a quiet horse to be a
buddy. This horse can act as a guide if it wears a bell on a halter or neck strap.
Leave the long “feeler” whiskers around the blind horse’s ears, eyes, and muzzle. These hairs allow horses to know
exactly how far away an object is. If the horse repeatedly bumps his face on objects, try attaching sections of foam
“noodles” (swimming pool toys) or sheepskin shadow rolls (some racehorses wear these) to the front and sides of the
blind horse’s fly mask.
Use your voice to let the horse know where you are and when you are approaching. Talk to him as you lead him,
groom him, and turn him out. Speak or keep a hand on him as you move around him. Watch as you lead the horse
through gates and doorways to be sure he doesn’t bang a shoulder or hip.
The choice of whether to ride a visually impaired or blind horse must be made by the person who knows the horse
best. Some horses adapt well enough that they can be ridden, while others might never be safe to ride. The rider of a
blind horse is responsible for the horse’s safety as well as his own, so riding anywhere outside of an arena might be
too challenging to be enjoyable.
Estimating Body Weight
Using the estimation formula: (kg) = (heart girth2 x body length) / (11,880 cm3) with length defined as "measuring
from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock" (termed the "point measurement").
In one study, commercial weight tapes gave the most inaccurate estimates, underestimating body weights by an
average of 65.81 kg, or approximately 145 lbs.
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Added Travis Miller, professor and associated head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at TAMU and Extension
Program Leader, "We are experiencing the most severe one-year drought in Texas history. June 2011 was the warmest
June and the fifth warmest month is our history of recorded weather. July 2011 set the record for the warmest month in
recorded Texas history. While we made some good hay in 2010, our hay barns were empty from a very severe drought in
2009. We have been feeding livestock since October, and 2010 hays supplies are gone."
For area horse owners, this means having to make tough decisions, dig deep into resources to find hay to purchase and
deep in their pockets to pay for the forage they've found.
"(Horse owners) are cutting back on horse numbers, shipping in hay from out of state, feeding bagged alfalfa cubes,
and/or feeding lower quality forages than they have in the past," Sigler reported. "In the last couple of weeks I have heard
of Bermuda grass hay square bales quoted at $7.50 to $9.00 from hay producers and up to $10 to $11 from feed stores,
when (and if) available. Alfalfa hay (all shipped in from out of state) is priced at $10 to $14 a bale. Last year at this time
grass hay was in the $5.00 to $6.50 range."
Larry A. Redmon Ph.D., State Extension Forage Specialist, added that alfalfa pellets have become a popular option for
owners looking for a forage source.
http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Drought-takes-toll-on-Texas-horse-population-128392423.html
by SHELTON GREEN / KVUE News
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 11:26 AM
DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas -- Historic drought conditions in Texas, record heat levels, the economy and a lack of rain
are making for a dangerous and disturbing combination for horses across the state.
According to Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, a group of several hundred volunteers across Texas who rescue and
find foster homes for neglected, abandoned or abused horses, more people are now dumping their horses because they
can’t afford to feed them anymore.
Margie Sloan, a volunteer with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society has taken in five horses who were neglected or
abandoned, two of whom were found dumped on a roadside in Fredericksburg. "We don't know where she came from,"
said Sloan, regarding one horse named Lady Belle. "She was just found wandering, which is now very common.”
According to Bluebonnet, the price of hay has doubled and tripled in some parts of Texas. Sloan is having to order hay
from Arkansas to feed the animals she is fostering.
“[This has been] the absolute worst year because of the drought and the economy combination. It's just a double
whammy,” added Sloan.
Bluebonnet needs volunteers, people to foster horses and monetary donations to keep up with the overwhelming need
quickly spiraling out of control in Texas.
Bluebonnet does help with some of the costs of fostering the horses, including the vet bills. Because the need is so great
the non-profit is also waiving horse adoption fees.
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