All posts by Cassie Hupric

Equestic Saddleclip – A Must for Equestrians Committed to a Balanced, Biomechanically Correct Horse

Partnered with Ammy Owner Probs founder and guest collaborator Colleen Chartier

In today’s discussion on horse and rider fitness and development, a recently popular (and infinitely relevant) topic has been on horse and rider biomechanics and balance. In layman’s terms, biomechanics is the study of the forces that affect movement of the body. It examines how muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments operate together for a horse to walk, passage or perform lateral movements. The understanding of proper biomechanics, particular to equestrians, is essential in realizing their horse’s athletic potential and pinpointing areas of weakness or instability, whether internal or external.
Examples of internal forces are condition and actions of bones, muscles, tendons, and/or injury while external forces can include elements both related and non-related to the horse’s body such as hoof condition, footing, proper saddle fit, and rider position and balance.

The value of a straight, well-balanced horse is essential to their longevity and health!
Equestrian Riders

As riders, we understand the challenge and requirements to best support our horses during regular training sessions, competition, and beyond. These metrics can be quantified by our range of movement, increase of weight during our gym sessions, and lung conditioning. Other external forces that can positively impact our own conditioning are our choices of diet, sleep conditions, stress reduction, and intentional mindfulness in our daily living.

In today’s world, the continuous cycle of self-improvement can be monitored by a variety of modern-day technology. We use devices like a Fitbit or Smart Watch to monitor our physical activity, check our heart rate, a variety of apps to track our nutrition, and can record our riding sessions with devices like Pivo to visualize progress in real time.

Riding Tools

The latest development to improve equine and rider biomechanics and partnership is the Equestic Saddleclip. Regardless of your riding ability, goals, or discipline, this handy device makes training sessions more effective with real-time, factual data to monitor progress, pinpoint imbalances, and help riders become better advocates for their horses. The Equestic will provide insight into regular training and conditioning
habits as well as the impact it has on the impulsion, symmetry, and rhythm of the horse.

Testing the Eqeuestic Saddleclip

I was able to test the Equestic Saddleclip on a developing dressage sporthorse, Max, a 12 year old Percheron-Thoroughbred Cross to see how easy this device was to use and record our session. The set-up was super simple, I charged it via USB in my car on the way to the barn and was quickly able to sync it to the app. The Equestic app allows multiple horses to be added including their basic specs like breed, discipline, and age. It doesn’t have any wires or annoying plug-ins, simply clip on the left rear side of your saddle pad, calibrate with the app, and off you go!

For our 30 minute ride, I wanted to focus on balance and consistency in rhythm through my walk and trot and balance in my canter through transitions. Max’s tendency is to favor his left shoulder when asking to bend right through his body or push off his hocks. As a developing dressage prospect, balance and straightness are imperative to his
success.

Results

When our session concluded, it was really helpful to know how much time I was spending on each side and at each gait. It did make me feel good that I was only 1 minute off in the left vs right side work but it was useful to know how much time we spent in our canter work. Max is still building straightness and impulsion at the faster gait, and being half-draft it’s a lot of work! This will allow me to monitor his fitness
progression as he continues to get stronger, eventually increasing the time we get to work on the canter together.

I was surprised to see that he favored the left side, especially on his rhythm and push off in the trot. Diagonally left, Max was pretty consistent in his rhythm with only 7% variance and 1% in his landing (almost perfectly balanced), while his push off was moderately severe at 12%. This means that the level of impulsion was greater on his left
side versus his right as a result of not being properly straight and in greater balance.

Long Term Use

Using the Equestic on a regular basis will allow that progress to be tracked and an opportunity during lessons and regular riding to evaluate my rider position and own areas of weakness to see if I’m part of the issue. If no improvement shows, the next step would be to work with my saddle fitter, vet, farrier, and chiropractor. What a helpful
tool to collectively gather so much useful information, all in one place!


Over time, riders will be able to track their horse’s progress and rhythm to find how it compares to other horses in similar disciplines.

The Equestic Saddleclip will be a secret weapon when it comes to the regular riding, rehabilitation, and development of any horse I work with in the future. As a millennial who lives in the latest and greatest technology, it is so valuable that the equine industry is able to combine age-old methods of correct training and conditioning with modern-day advancements. Collectively, I look forward to being able to pinpoint potential lameness sooner than when it becomes a problem, create more specific goals in my rides, and share the same level of involvement as I do with my own personal fitness with my horses. For any horse person that wants to invest in their horse’s entire wellbeing and overall health, the Equestic Saddleclip is a little device that provides some massively helpful insight.


Enjoy the ride,
Colleen Chartier / Ammy Owner Probs

Equestic Saddleclip

I had the opportunity to try the Equestic a few weeks ago and I leapt at it!  I’ve been wanting to see it in action since being told about it by one of my clients a few months ago.  I can honestly say I was impressed! 

The app was easily downloaded to my android phone through the app store. The pairing between my phone and the clip was quick and easy too.  I can ride with my phone while reviewing data live. Or let it download after the ride for a more detailed data analysis. 

Easily download app onto your phone using the App Store or Google Play

The battery life is fantastic, allowing me to do multiple rides in a day, several days in a row.  The Equestic is always ready to go as there is no on/off button to worry about.  The data recorder for each ride regarding footfalls, how long I spent in each direction and gait, symmetry of the gaits and more is mind blowing.  I can’t wait to dive deeper into what it all means and how to use it to improve my training rides. 

Each ride tab has a place where I can add notes about what was worked on or other ride specific info.  If you are a trainer, the Equestic presents an opportunity to glean more information about your horses/rides.  If you are rehabbing a horse this tool helps you keep track of the strikeoff, symmetry and landing of the stride of each side of the horse.

The Equestic is great for amateurs that want to know more about their rides with an easy way to monitor info on their phone!

Written by Sponsored Rider, Sarah

What’s In Your Grooming Tote?

Everyone has favorite grooming products, especially for colder days to make grooming and care easier. I have three levels of grooming fun (chaos) with my geldings every fall and spring. I have an older chestnut (easiest to keep clean), an older grey (who sleeps on his poop) and a young handsome bay pinto with four white legs that he somehow manages to keep clean.

Favorite Topical Supplies

Topicals

I have a few go-to products when the leaves start turning. Surprisingly, one of them is the dac Citronella Spray. With 40 degree mornings, one would assume the flies and gnats are gone, but by noon and the temperatures more in the 60’s, fly spray is still essential. I like the light scent and weight of this spray. It’s not strong enough to use on them in the humid summer, but it’s perfect as a light coat spray to keep the remaining insects away.

My absolute favorite product (magic in a bottle as I call it) is the E3 Waterless Argan Oil Shampoo. It’s perfect for spot cleaning (poop-napping grey horse), coat conditioning when full baths aren’t possible and keeps the skin and coat healthy without stripping away body oils. In fact – it adds shine and moisture to the coat and that helps to avoid static shock when changing turnout sheets.

A final product I like to use in the colder weather grooming is the Vetrolin Detangler gel. A very little amount goes a long way in keeping manes and tails free of tangles, dirt and briars. I also wrap tails when the wet season hits my area and this helps make the braiding and wrapping process easy.

Favorite Grooming Tools and Brushes

Brushes

I always have a Tiger’s Tongue sponge in my grooming tote, around in the barn, in the bathing supply bucket – it’s that incredible! I start all grooming sessions with the Tiger’s Tongue to help break up dried mud and get the first wave of dirt removed. It’s gentle, easy to mold to whatever part of the body I’m working on and lasts a long time before needing replaced.

I am pretty biased when it comes to brushes – almost every other body brush in my grooming tote is a Haas Brush. I work out more dirt by using the Welsh Body Brush, followed by the Schmuseburste Body Brush. The last and arguably my favorite brush is the Diva Finishing Brush. It leaves the coat so silky soft. The most frequent question asked about this brush is “is it worth it”. And without a doubt, yes.

For brushing manes and tails after applying some detangler, I really prefer styles like the Oster Mane & Tail Brush. They are designed to prevent hair breakage and be as gentle as possible. I always hold the entire tail halfway down (under the tail bone) and start from the bottom up. This is the kindest way to work out tangles without pulling directly on the tail!

Barn must-haves

Medical and Special Use

Having medical supplies or just special case scenario items is always a good thing to keep on hand. One item I like to keep year-round is the Vetericyn Plus Eye Wash. My chestnut gelding gets weepy eyes in any climate – the bugs in the summer flair it up, the snow in winter causes discomfort.

I work with my vet and he is treated annually for sinus congestion along with prescribed ointment, but I can usually stop a flair up in it’s tracks if I flush his eyes as soon as I notice a slight change. It’s always good to have an eye wash ready for any horse!

The Vetoquinol Derma Gel is a new found favorite this year. I previously used a different product for bug bites near the sheath, legs and in ears. While I liked the results, it would wear off in a day or tangle up the ear fuzz. I tried Derma Gel on a whim and was blown away by the results. It creates a breathable barrier over the wound to allow it to heal, while accelerating tissue regeneration. I spray it over any and all wounds now – bug bites in ears, bite marks (gotta love those geldings), sheath protection and healing – the list goes on! It’s small size makes it easy to use in more sensitive areas or keep on the go.

The last on my list is the Horseshoers Secret Hoof Sealant. I use hoof conditioners all year, but I especially like the Hoof Sealant when used in moderation and effectively. It gets excessively muddy paddocks in the heavy rainfall months and I turn my horses out daily regardless of the weather. I use the sealant to help during those rain spurts to protect their hooves. It is a quick drying waterproof barrier that lasts several days. All three of my guys have come out of some really nasty months of moisture with nice feet – while it can be credited to several maintenance measures, the hoof sealant is a factor!

Written by Marketing Associate, Cassie

Zylkene Review

Lucas is a small quarter horse type that was purchased for rodeos.

He was having a lot of anxiety with the trailer and with the rodeo where was previously taken. He would thrash back and forth in the trailer, hitting his head on the side and pawing while throwing his body from side to side. When he arrived at the rodeo location, he would instantly get tense, paw and dig at the trailer. He also wouldn’t stand still, and started spinning when being mounted (which he had not done at other shows).

Lucas would get very reactive to other trailers driving by. We know it’s not just him since he makes his rider very nervous when he starts to get anxious. With direction in his warmup we can get him to focus enough to relax a little but his personality is very different than at other shows.

I felt as though in these situations he would be a great candidate for Zylkene since he had such a different personality at this rodeo compared to other venues, as well as assisting in his trailering anxiety. I was looking to see more relaxation on the trailer to set him up for a successful day and hopefully give him some confidence at this location.

Single Dose Packets

We used one packet hauling him to state fair tryouts just to give him some trailering ease. He enjoys this location and doesn’t have any existing anxiety like he does at the rodeo venue. We saw a noticeable difference in hauling. He hopped right on the trailer and only had one small bobble at a stop light on the way there. He stood fairly quiet the whole way to the show and came off calm and relaxed upon arrival.

Double Dose Packets

We used two packets leading up to the next rodeo since this venue is far worse in his reaction than at others. He hauled much better at a longer distance than when he traveled to state fair tryouts. Came off the trailer still a little bit anxious but far better than the last rodeo and did not come flying backwards out of the trailer. They walked him, let him graze, put on his magnetic sheet and he was as calm as can be. No pawing or digging at the trailer. Lucas stood quiet the whole time and napped at the trailer. He actually relaxed enough to stand there and munch on his hay which he would not do at the previous one.

Lucas also stood like a statue to be mounted instead of spinning around nervous and unwilling like the last time they came there. They had calm, consistent and clean runs all day! We saw no drag in performance and his stamina remained the same all while keeping his mind sharp. His owners are very pleased with the results of the Zylkene with Lucas. We saw a very positive substantial change on both dosages in two different atmospheres. We hope he continues to enjoy these rodeos more and more with the help of Zylkene!

Written by Cora, Showroom Manager

Cross Country Schooling Safety

As part of safety awareness, I though it an opportune time to share the importance of safety cross country schooling. No, this isn’t just another article about helmet safety and wearing your body protector, or divulging all the recent trends in safety devices and scientific methods of calculating and mitigating risk (although I may touch on that!), but rather some “best practices” that are easy to overlook when we are in a hurry to “do all the things” and let’s face it, we are horse people so we are always in a hurry!

Speaking From Experience

First, a story. Recently, I had the occasion to be cross country schooling a horse that I had been riding for some time, has competed through Intermediate and 3* level, and was preparing to do its first Preliminary after a hiatus from the sport due to an injury. We had competed at several recognized Events already at Training level to get him back up and going, and he and I had schooled multiple times before and were “on the same page” as far as rideability and “seeing” the questions the same way.

My coach, with whom I have ridden with for many years, was putting us through various warmup exercises and the “wheels were on “… everyone was having fun and having a good school. On a downhill approach to a low wide roll top, my sometimes overly keen horse was in beast mode and as I worked to quietly steady him we ended up wrong and had a proper wipe out over the fence. I sat up and saw we were both
okay, albeit dirty, we checked over my horse, and I got back on and finished schooling and went on to successfully compete later that week.

Tack & Apparel Inspection

Back at the barn I inspected everything a bit more closely, as I do on a frequent basis, to ensure that all my equipment is safe and up to task, and found that there was a slight “fold” at the front of the skull of my UVEX Perfexxion helmet. My helmet was covered in dirt and grass was
stuck in it, and while I don’t believe I hit my head, there was a force great enough to crack the front of it. It was barely discernible and you could really only feel it with your finger.

When I removed the inner liner the helmet did not appear damaged anywhere else, but when I put pressure on it, there was a slight give. My helmet was definitely cracked, and it was so miniscule that a person would not even know it was there unless closely inspecting it. I immediately felt a sense of gratefulness that I was wearing a UVEX, because for one, it clearly prevented me from having a head injury, and two, that they have a replacement program for
instances such as this to help riders replace a damaged helmet in the event of a fall.

Rider Safety Practices

Everyone talks about “best practices” and had I not inspected my equipment after, I would have been riding around with a cracked helmet, putting myself at risk without even knowing I was doing so. Checking your equipment on a regular basis is of utmost importance, and I would
venture to guess that most of us don’t take the time to evaluate the wear and tear on all the tack we use on a daily basis.

We have all heard the stories of the rein or billet strap that broke mid ride, and how the rider inevitably made a miraculous escape from doom and kept their horse under control. I mean, all of us adrenaline junkies love a good story of wild chaos and how we thwarted disaster. But, maybe, just maybe we shouldn’t. Maybe we should check our bridles, stirrup straps, billets, helmets, boots (we’ve all had those zippers fail us time and again!), saddles, martingales and breastplates with the same care that we use when we go over our horse with a fine-tooth comb to make sure there is no bump, cut, swelling, or scrape on them.

Furthermore, we need to REPLACE these worn-out items because the cost of the replacement is much less than an injury that could be caused from a failed piece of equipment.

A few other best practices when cross country riding:
  1. Know your venue. Check the place out and look before you leap. Check the take offs and landings at the fences to make sure they are safe and inviting.
  2. Allow your horse time to relax. Event horses live for cross country. They love their jobs and most of them are looking for those goal posts at every fence. Give them time to settle down and get used to the area you are schooling in so that you are accessing their minds, and not using adrenaline to “get around”.
  3. Warm up sufficiently. Get your horse working forward and back, turning and moving off the leg so they are thinking of rideability and really on the aids before jumping your first fence.
  4. Jump smaller fences out of a normal canter and progressively work up to bigger jumps at a faster pace. Cross country jumps don’t need to be jumped at speed, and while we need to practice galloping and jumping, we also need to make sure that we are on the same page with our horse and work out any miscommunications or rideability issues over a smaller more forgiving obstacle at a normal rate of speed.
  5. Don’t be afraid to call it day. None of us are perfect, we all have “off” days, and so do our horses. If you are having “technical difficulties” and not seeing eye to eye with your horse, get a few good jumps and call it a day. Don’t press on and try to do “all the things” just because you are trying to get ready for a competition. Try to work through the issues and then when you have a positive result stop there. Moreover, when schooling we don’t have to jump every jump, question, or combination out there. Pick something you want to work on just like you would when riding in the ring and tackle that item for the day.
Science & Technology For Safety

Thankfully science and technology is doing a lot to increase safety in the sport of eventing with innovations to obstacles, helmet and body protector design, course design, and rules to help keep us all out there competing and having fun. If we also employ a few of the best practices I
have discussed, I believe we can mitigate accidents and become better riders with more well trained, confident horses. Let’s do our part to keep ourselves, our horses and the people around us safe. Check your equipment regularly, and have fun out there schooling in a
responsible and thoughtful manner. Cheers!

Written by Sponsored Rider, Therese

Helmet Certification Standards

Helmet Certification Standards

Riding helmets provide an indisputable reduction in the potential of traumatic injury.  While no helmet can prevent serious injury under select or all circumstances, the use of well-fitted protective headgear can greatly reduce the likelihood of serious head injury.  The use of certified SEI ASTM protective headgear is compulsory within many United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) sanctioned divisions including but not limited to Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers and Driving.  In addition, the Federation Equestre International (FEI) also requires certified protective headgear to be worn.

What does it all mean?

But hard hats have been worn for decades across all horse sport disciplines, what is different about the now compulsory rules?  Well…the cornerstone of the protective headgear conversation comes down to the helmet’s certification.  More so, in order for a riding helmet to be deemed “protective” it must meet or exceed stringent certification standards, issued by national governing or 3rd party bodies such as SEI ASTM, CE, BSI and Snell.  If the alphabet soup of helmet certification standards is not confusing enough independent third-party certification such as MIPS are also thrown into the mix. 

While it is easy to presume that all helmets of today must be certified, such is not the case.  Our noggins need protection and USEF and the FEI think so too.  Most helmet companies have gone through significant research and design to ensure their helmets meet or exceed certification standards.  But what exactly are those standards and what do they mean? 

SEI ASTM

Often countries or regions such as the United States or European Union have standards by which safety protocol is defined.  Within the US, the SEI or Safety Equipment Institute, affiliate of ASTM International, is looked to as an independent third-party certification provider. USEF certified headgear must meet or exceed ASTM SEI standards.  The EU has a similar standard notated by a CE marking.  Helmets with the CE marking indicate they have been tested and meet or exceed EU safety protection requirements.  Regardless of where the helmet is manufactured, if it is to be marketed in the EU it must bear the CE certification. 

Additional Safety Standards

Some additional nationally and internationally recognized safety standards for equestrian headgear are the Snell E2016, GS, Kitmarked PAS 015 and Kitmarked VG1.  The Geprüfte Sicherheit or GS indicates that the helmet meets or exceeds German safety standards.  The Snell certification is internationally recognized and certifies that the helmet meets or exceeds what is commonly accepted as the most ridged safety standard.  Let’s not forget the British, the BSI or British Standards Institute will designate helmets, which meet or exceed their standards as VG1 or PAS015, a more stringent standard.  In addition to safety standards recognized by member organizations, regional and national governments, there are also popular industry-leading safety technologies such as MIPS or Multi Directional Impact System that can add additional protections to headgear.

We have introduced a variety of helmet safety standard certifications of varies organizations and regions but what is the difference between these standards and what criteria does each of these standards certify?  More so, how exactly are our heads protected when we wear a helmet with any of these certifications? 

Standard Measurements

Standards measure numerous impact types including Flat Impact, Hazard Edge Impact, Round Impact, Spike projectiles and Crush Resistance at a variety of levels.  For example, SEI certified helmets to ASTM standards require helmets to meet or exceed a 1.8m Flat Impact and 1.3m Hazard Edge Impact test. The Kitmarked VG1 standard requires helmets to meet or exceed a 1.8m Flat Impact, 50cm Spike projectile and 630N Crush Resistance test.  Kitmarked’s additional standard, PAS015, requires helmets to meet or exceed a 1.8m Flat Impact, 1.3m Hazard Edge Impact, 75cm Spike projectile and 800N Crush Resistance test.  The Snell certified helmets must meet or exceed the most extensive standards to the highest levels including 1.9m Flat Impact, 1.3m Hazard Edge Impact, 1.5m Round Impact, 100cm Spike projectile and 1000N Crush Resistance tests. 

MIPS

MIPS is a bit different as it is not a certification standard but a notation of specific technology most easily understood as slip plane technology which mirrors and increases the natural protection provided by the dynamic relationship between the brain and skull.  Below are two diagrams that help outline the variety of safety certifications and MIPS technology.

While we can talk about the multitude of standards and helmet technologies available to consumers, often made compulsory by organizations; it is critical we remember fundamentals of helmet safety.  No helmet can protect its user from trauma all of the time in all scenarios however, the use of a certified well-fitting helmet will greatly reduce the chance of traumatic injury when compared to no helmet use in the same incident. 

Know the Terminology

Throughout this discussion a few terms are repeated when referencing certification and helmet fit, those are “meet or exceed” standards and a “well fitted” helmet.  It is important to note that helmets are tested in a controlled environment with a variety of drop and impact tests.  Certification standards do not test helmets in real-life horse-riding situations.  Maintaining uniformity in real life is a significant undertaking and the drop/impact standards used in the laboratory best simulate the real-life situations in a test environment. 

For a helmet to receive a specific certification, it will meet and often exceed standards.  More so, certified helmets will absolutely meet certified requirements but may also exceed them.  A well-fitted helmet with the chinstrap securely fastened is critical when assessing a helmets ability to protect its user.  While some innovative helmet technologies such as MIPS are great additions to helmets which third party tests have shown to reduce the likelihood of head trauma, MIPS is not currently evaluated or certified by any of the major international safety standard certifications.

Choosing Your Helmet

Choosing the correct certified riding helmet is a personal choice with numerous options that can be confusing at times.  However, it is important when making an educated decision to understand the criteria of helmet certifications.  Certified helmets will note their relevant safety certification standards on their helmets as well as make it available in literature, marketing and at time of purchase.  The above information does not make any expressly or implied claims that any safety headgear will protect its user in all situations.         

Written by Suzanne, Web Products Specialist

Vetoquinol Flexadin Advanced UC-II

Joint Health with Vetoquinol Flexadin Advanced

Flexadin Advanced’s unique formula helps to promote healthy cartilage as well as maintaining the integrity of joint overall. It is one of the few on the market that I can say has made a difference in my horse’s health. If you have picky eater when it comes to powdered supplements, the banana flavoring of this product is quite palatable! It’s also another unique ingredient that sets this product apart from the competitors.

A key ingredient used in this joint supplement is brand collagen (chicken cartilage). Through research and scientific studies chicken cartilage has been a proven and safe effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.   It also aids in the progression of pre-existing arthritis within the joint. Any horse can benefit from joint care supplements. Whether a show horse, broodmare or mature aging horse – supporting joint health is a common concern with many horse owners.

Most Unusual Art “Sunday”

Over the years I have probably tried close to 20 different joint products on my horses. I have a retired Quarter Horse that I had shown on the Quarter Horse circuit in Hunter Under Saddle as well as Jumping. I have owned him for 18 years of his life.  When he was only 8 years old, he was involved in a serious jumping accident that led him to 8 months of stall rest, lots of stitches and a lot of TLC along the way. Since he had so much trauma caused to his hind legs during his accident, I have always kept him on some type of joint supplement or anti-inflammatory. His one hind leg has quite a bit of scar tissue in it, and I’ve always battled a bit of swelling in it when he is stalled.

(Most Unusual Art) “Sunday” back in his showing days

Since I put him on Flexadin Advanced  I have noticed a tremendous amount of improvement in his overall health. Flexadin Advanced is the only product that I feel has made him 100 % sound in his old age. I have noticed him running and playing more in the pasture then he used to. I know not all 25-year-old horses do that, so seeing this has really made me happy to see him feeling and moving so much better! He is not nearly as stiff as he once was.

Sunday now age 25 enjoying the retirement that he has earned with the help of Flexadin Advanced

Overall, I am very pleased with all this product has done for my horse. I will continue to use this on my boy for many years to come!

Written by Customer Service Associate, Sam

Hoof Injury Recovery

We often hear the No Hoof, No Horse mantra, and it can apply to so many different aspects of the horse’s hoof. I have been lucky enough to never have a horse with “really awful feet”. I’ve had some that needed to be shod, ripped out shoes, cracked toes or grew too fast/too slow. A lot of those problems could be remedied with a better diet or supplement like Hoof Secret and a little extra topical and environmental care.

One issue I had not dealt with extensively prior to my horse’s recovery, was a serious injury to the hoof itself. My Quarter Horse, Copper, always had good feet. He managed to make a handful of not great choices in his life that left him a little banged up, but otherwise, is a very healthy horse that maintains barefoot year round exceptionally well. When I moved him onto my property a few years ago, he was officially retired from being a little Sport Show Pony and now enjoys leisurely trail rides with twelve hour days in the field.

Discovering the Injury

When I went out to the barn one brisk September morning in 2019, I immediately knew something was wrong. First, his gate was open. And second, he was actually standing in his stall. He is notoriously impatient and would live outside 24/7 to gorge himself if allowed. Seeing him remain in his stall, quiet and head down, I was extremely worried. First glance over he seemed spotless…. And then I saw the hoof. He had a deep gash in his coronary band that looked like it fully separated the hoof from his leg.

I will never known exactly what happened, but we think he got his leg stuck between logs from a tree we cut down in the pasture. He never had an interest in the logs prior, but if he escaped his stall at night, he might not have seen the logs before he stumbled into them.

A lot of cold hosing ensued, followed by vet and farrier calls. Initially, there was a lot of “well, we’ll see how this goes” and some tentative “he can recover, but he might have a weaker leg” which to me translated to – hope, but also the chance of never riding him again. While our days of showing were done, I had hoped we would have years of trail riding ahead of us.

I shelved my stress about his future to stay in there here and now. Following both vet and farrier advice, we simply had a long road ahead of us and it required patience, time and occasionally some extra help.

First Stage [ Rain Season ]

The first several months were the hardest, I had to keep his wound both clean and open to the air during the fall rain season. In Northeast Ohio, that rain turns the dry lots into mud. I was diligent in cleaning the wound every day using warm water and cotton pieces, I would wipe out the dirt and debris, pat dry, then spray with Alushield.

After the initial few days of heat in his leg, he never took a lame step, and he didn’t get an infection (thankfully). I kept his stall extra clean to give him the best environment for recovery (after a full day in a muddy pit followed by the cleaning routine above). This was the most touch and go time, with follow-up vet appointments and farrier care to make sure we caught any problems early.

Second Stage [ Spring ]

By the following Spring, I started noticing rapid growth, and that meant seeing just how deep his wound really went. It started peeling back in places to the point I used a stiff hoof brush to clean out the grass that got stuck in it every day.

I also bought Back on Track bell boots to assist with the blood flow and hoof growth. At that point, my farrier was surprised just how well the coronet band healed. She had prepared me for the possibility that there would be an indent in his coronet band, and that it could be very sensitive and weak. Despite this, he kept healing stronger each day – and I snuck in a few easy rides without issue!

Third Stage [ The Ugly Part ]

By far the most “gasp” worthy phase were the summer months. For a time, I wasn’t sure I would be able to ride him, but we plugged along anyway (with the approval of his equine professionals).

The hoof kept growing out, and with that, chips and chunks from the old wound were pealing away. I kept the hoof moisturized with Farrier’s Fix and kept thrush at bay with Koppertox. That combination along with his bell boots brought us to the final part of his healing journey.

Final Stage [ One Year Later ]

After a full year of meticulous care, treatments and regular trimmings – his old wound grew out and his new hoof growth was just as healthy as it had been prior.

I attribute a lot of his success to both the genetics of being a hardy breed as well as his diet. He has been fed Buckeye Gro N Win for years now, and he just glows. Without the proper nutrition, he wouldn’t have been able to grow out a new hoof. I fully expected a longer process with bigger bumps along the way. But his recovery is proof – sometimes you just have to give it time.

He’s back to his mostly retired life – looking sharp in his LeMieux!

Copper continues to have solid, healthy hooves, nearing the two year anniversary of “the day he decided to give his mom a near-heart attack”. It wasn’t always easy, sometimes it was downright terrible. But by following the guidance of his care team, using supplies as need and giving him time to heal, he came back better than ever! If someone were to take a peak at him in the field right now, they would have no idea what hoof had the injury!

Written by Marketing Associate, Cassie

Show Ready This Summer

Show season is in full swing and we want our horses looking their best! As someone who has been showing for over 20 years, I have tried a lot of products on the market. Below, please find my top picks for making your horse stand out and shine on show day:

Shampoo

My two favorite shampoos are the Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo and the Eqyss Premier Horse Shampoo. Both shampoos work wonderfully removing dirt and prepping the coat for the conditioner! They also smell great and rinse out easily. I use these on the coat as well as manes and tails.

Conditioner

After shampooing, I stick with the same brands and use either the Cowboy Magic Rosewater Conditioner or the Eqyss Avocado Mist Conditioner. These products make the coat silky smooth, and I love the way they smell. They also work well to detangle and soften the tail. Both of my horses have tails that are at least a foot on the ground, so I appreciate having a conditioner that allows me to detangle without damaging the hair.

Whitening Shampoo

My go to for whitening is the Exhibitors Quic Silver Shampoo. I usually curry it into my horse’s white markings and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing out. I have not had an issue with it turning the hair purple, but it could happen if you let it sit for too long.

Coat and Shine Spray

After I finish bathing, I always spray my horses with a shine spray while the coat, mane, and tail are still wet so it can moisturize and set in the hair before it dries. My favorites are the Vetrolin Shine as well as Laser Sheen. These keep my manes and tails tangle free as well as give the horse a healthy shine!

Hooves

To complete the look, I sand their hooves and apply the Absorbine Supershine Hoof Polish. It is easy to use and a little goes a long way! It stays on for the show, makes their hooves shine, and it rarely needs any touch-ups.

Dry Shampoo

If you need extra shine on show day, my new favorite is the E3 Elite Argan Oil Waterless Shampoo. This product locks in moisture and makes your horse shine! It works perfectly to get any stains out of your horse’s white spots or anything else they might have gotten into the night before the show. Even though this is an oil-based product, it does not leave the horse greasy and really brings out the shine.

While these are my personal favorites, there are a lot of new products we are offering so please check them out and reach out if you have any questions. I know there are a few I have my eye on to try this show season!

Written by Customer Service Representative, Erica

Select And Mix A Bridle With Schockemohle

Some of us in the equestrian world are lucky to have a horse that fits within the parameters of standard horse sizing – this means you could just pick up a bridle from the showroom and walk out. You might need to make a few minor adjustments, but overall, it fits well! Others however, aren’t quite so lucky. Maybe you have a small horse with cob or pony sized cheeks but a massive jowl that always requires a longer throatlatch. Or maybe you have a petite horse that needs a smaller browband and noseband, but longer cheeks. It can be an absolute pain to fall in love with a bridle, only to realize you need to spend additional money to replace a piece or several.

Luckily, there is an answer! And it isn’t limited to just horses with unique facial structures – any horse can benefit from a custom mix and match bridle . Schockemohle’s Select & Mix line of bridle pieces offers an array of options, from browbands to nosebands, there is a way to get a custom fit bridle at a reasonable price!

Anatomic Curved Browband

The browband is a simple, yet important part of the bridle. The first step in selecting a browband is to measure your horse from the back edge of it’s ear, around it’s forehead and to the back side of it’s other ear. Schockemohle browbands come in cob, horse and large horse sizes as well as in brown or black leather. If you want to add a little more bling, check out the Diamond Browband options in cob and horse!

Anatomic Curved Crown Piece

The crown piece is an exceptional addition to this Select & Mix as it features soft padding and reduces pressure. The throat latch adjusts on both sides – which helps with that perfect custom fit! To measure the crown piece, you will need to take into account the cheek pieces, which also take into account the bit you use. To start, measure from the base of the ear, over the poll and to the bottom of the other ear. This is your first measurement. The second measurement will be from the corner of the horse’s mouth, all the way over the poll and down to the other side at the mouth. The final measurement is the throatlatch; start at the back of your horse’s ear, go under the throat and to the back of the other ear. These measurements will help you determine the right size to go with to accommodate both the cheek pieces as well as offer options for bit changes. Schockemohle crown pieces offer variety between cob, horse and large horse. Also available in black and brown leather.

Bridle Cheek Pieces

The cheek pieces come in cob, horse and large horse options to give wiggle room when selecting the other features of your bridle. It helps to know what bit you will be using so you can subtract the bit ring size from the measurement – however, we all know bits can change as a horse progresses in training. This is why measuring from the corner of the horse’s mouth to just level with the outside of their eye, will give you a starting point. From there, you can coordinate the crown piece, noseband and factor in the general size of the bit.

Stanton or Montreal Noseband

The Stanton Noseband is one of my favorites! Not only is the leather supple, its shaped in an anatomic design with slim, attractive flat cheeks. It gives a classy, quality turnout for your horse and offers black or brown leather to complete the overall look of the bridle. The Montreal is a great alternative if the Stanton is too much “bulk” for the shape of your horse’s face or you don’t want a flash. To measure the noseband, start two fingers below the cheekbone and wrap around to meet where you started – make sure you can fit two fingers under the tape, you do not want a super tight noseband! For the cheek hangers, measure from where you started the first measurement, to the outside of your horse’s eye. These measurements will help you in selecting cob, horse or large horse for the noseband.

Reins

Reins are the final part of making a bridle from scratch! While they are not a part of the Select & Mix lineup, Schockemohle does have a large variety of options. Choose between Neo Rubber with clips, Neo Web with clips, Durasoft with buckle ends or any of the other options offered at Big Dee’s!

Written by Marketing Associate, Cassie