Completely Random Thoughts for the Day...

• Blonde sorrel...I've never heard the flaxen-mane/tail sorrel coloration termed thus, and I love it!
• On the other hand -- "psuedo palomino" to describe a blonde sorrel??? Mispelling NOT mine...but nevertheless...ummmm...wow...I have to say, it's a pathetic marketing ploy, but creative....
• Why do people who expect perfection under saddle constantly make excuses for their horses' poor ground manners??? Really. WTF????
• Similarly...it is NOT too much to expect a REALLY YOUNG HORSE to behave admirably for hoofcare. Yanking away, hopping around three legged, slamming feet down, or taking thinly-veiled shots at the trimmer is NOT "doing pretty good". I love you guys, really, but if you want a good trim on your horse, TEACH YOUR HORSE TO BE GOOD FOR THE TRIM.

I think that's all for tonight...

Top 3 things that should simply be outlawed.

1. Breeding horses that are HYPP N/H or HYPP H/H.

2. Breeding horses that are Herda N/HRD or Herda HRD/HRD.

3. Not only soring, but also stacks, chains, and pads used to create the horrific, unnatural movement known as the "Big Lick" in Tennessee Walking Horses.

GGGRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Toe Grabs = Catastrophic Breakdowns. Multi-Million Dollar Track Surfaces Won't Help. HELLLOOOOOOO.....

Yes, I agree that the horseracing industry does everything wrong, including racing babies, inbreeding, and other questionable breeding practices. But for a long time now, I've squawked about toe grabs, race shoeing practices, and the hoof pathologies created by gallop training. David M. Nunamaker, VMD, DACVS, apparently concurs:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/PennVet/News/Bellwether/WebExclusives/BreakdownInjuries/tabid/1189/Default.aspx

This is particularly disturbing in light of the reversal of the toe grab rule. WTF is wrong with these people????

New DVD Set from Pete Ramey

Pete & Ivy have just released a new 3 DVD set documenting the rehab of a single horse for 16 months. This set is an excellent look into the ups and downs some cases present. Of particular interest to me, though, was the final segment, where Pete describes the new radiograph markup techniques he and Dr. Taylor have developed. Using barium paste, the important landmarks (hairline, heel, sole at frog apex) are carefully outlined. Instead of noting degrees of rotation, distal descent is measured in millimeters, as is horn-to-laminae separation. Have a look here:

http://www.hoofrehab.com/AuburnUvetschool.htm

Pete doesn't just focus on trim; he talks about diet balancing, movement, and booting, and how important it is to get all of these elements right. YES!!!

I wish I could share these DVDs with all of my clients; in addition to all of the other valuable information presented here, Pete laments the training issues with the mare, who battles him throughout the rehab. People, if your horse cannot stand patiently and offer a foot for a trim, PLEASE address this issue. If you're not competent to train the horse properly, then hire someone who is. Your hoof care professional can only do a good job if the horse is cooperative. Training the horse to be good with his feet is NOT part of a monthly trim. And there is just no excuse for a horse that needs to be twitched, drugged, or otherwise manhandled for the process!!!

NEW E-Booklet from The Thoughtful Horseman!

Making Sense of Natural Horse Training Techniques Philosophies on Horsemanship Thoughts and ideas to help guide you and your horse to a more rewarding partnership. What the heck is natural horsemanship, really? Although much of what I've written here is essentially theory, and not specific step by step instruction, I believe you'll find the answers to guide you through many of the places you might find yourself stumped along this journey. (20 pages, 10,000 words in PDF format) $5.00 IMPORTANT: After payment, please click on the "RETURN TO MARIA SIEBRAND" button to automatically download the booklet. You will also receive the file via e-mail within 24 hours of purchase!

It's that time of year again.

Folks, if you need to hire a couple of linebackers to manhandle your colt/weanling/yearling for hoof trimming (or any other activity), the basic fact is YOUR COLT NEEDS TRAINING. Don't know how to do it yourself? I'd be happy to do it for you, for my going rate. Training a young horse to be docile and manageable for hoof trimming beats the hell out of hiring SIX linebackers to wrestle your now 1200 lb HORSE for his trims. Added benefits? Basic ground manners! Not to mention happy hoof care for a lifetime.

Sssssurprise, sssurprise!!!

So there I was, trimming the (salad-plate-sized) right hind hoof of Tolstoy, a ginormous young Warmblood.  He was being a very good boy.  I had his leg back behind him, foot resting in the cradle of my hoof stand; my left foot anchoring the stand, right foot between his back legs.  Suddenly, I see something moving near my right foot.  And here comes a snake, slithering purposefully under Tolstoy, and RIGHT OVER THE TOE OF MY RIGHT BOOT.  Nice, fat, 3 ft gopher snake.  ACCCKKKKK!!!  Tolstoy never knew he was there (thank goodness!)  Now THAT was a bit of a heart-stopping moment -- especially since I wasn't sure what sort of snake he was until his tail went over the top of my shoe -- and no rattles -- behind the rest of him!!

Ah, the outdoor life!!!