Eventing is the ultimate test of the equine & human athlete. There is nothing else like it. It consists of 3 disciplines: dressage, cross country, and stadium (otherwise known as showjumping). It can be thought of as the triathalon of equine sports. Scores from all 3 tests are tallied together to acheive one score. The lowest scoring horse and rider combination are the winners. Events (also known as Horse Trials) may be held for 1, 2, or 3 days depending on the level of compe

It is not unusual for clients of any equestrian establishment to seek to purchase their own horse(s) after a period of either instruction or training, and what is set forth below is a series of recommendations which we deem advisable for anyone considering the purchase of any horse. 1. Have your horse "vetted out." Your veterinarian should be contacted and requested to perform a pre-purchase examination of any horse you might consider purchasing. A pre-purchase examination is

While knowing your horse’s weight is critical to making sure your horse is receiving the care it needs, tracking your horse’s Body Condition Score over time is an ideal (and easier) way to make sure your horse is doing as well as you want him to. Developed through extensive research by Texas A&M, the Body Condition Score (BCS) is measured on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being “Poor” and 9 being “Extremely Fat”. Click here to download a chart describing each of the scores, along

It's that time of year again! The days are getting shorter. The air is cool & crisp. The leaves are changing & falling off the trees. The horses are getting their winter coats in. Some people are very familiar with clipping horses. Other people don't know much about it. I have been showing horses pretty much since I could walk, and my horses were always clipped. Questions I hear often are: "Is clipping cruel?" "Why should I clip? God gave them hair for a reason." "What type o

The new 2015 USEF/USDF dressage tests go into effect on December 1, 2014. The new tests are for all levels. They should be available in early November and the USEF will likely have a link to the new tests on their webpage, just as they have the current ones linked. I will post more information as it becomes available! Don't forget to renew your memberships for the 2015 competition year! Membership expires November 30, 2014. #dressage #eventing #crosscountry #equestrian #equ

"So, what the heck is a “warmblood?” I’ve heard the term, but am confused." This is a tough one, because the term has begun to be loosely tossed around in North America. I can tell you for sure that a warmblood is NOT a cross between a hot blood and a cold blood. Don’t let anyone tell you different. There are only two types of “hot-blooded” horses in the world. These are the Thoroughbred and the Arabian. Draft horses are considered “cold-blooded.” Many people in the United St

Do you know how to give your horse intramuscular (IM) injections? It's a great skill to have at your disposal that just about anyone can learn. (I always recommend that a trained professional administer IV injections.) I've done many injections as both a vet tech & a Paramedic. I'm going to share my tips! Needle size.... The higher the number the smaller the gauge of the needle. A 14 or 16 gauge is considered large bore. Typically an 18 or 20 gauge will do the trick. A 22 g