Ele Equestrian

11/04/2023

Interesting to see everyone’s preferences

Have you ever considered open-fronted tendon boots for cross country?

Many eventers instinctively opt for closed-fronted boots as they protect the front of the leg from knocks and impacts.

However, research presented at the FEI Eventing Forum and National Safety Offices Seminar in January 2023 stated that horse boots could be a contributing factor in rotational falls.

Closed-fronted tendon boots tend to have a ridge near the top of the boot, usually 10-15mm in thickness. This could create a drag point, which makes it harder for the leg to glide over the fence.

By removing the material at the front of the boot, the friction between the fence and the leg may be reduced. That may reduce the risk of a leg getting caught on a fence and resulting in a rotational fall.

Discover the Exoskeleton open-fronted tendon boots: https://www.cryochaps.co.uk/eventers-dont-dismiss-open-fronted-tendon-boots/

31/03/2023

Having both Sarah Redgate and Carol Hall for lectures, this was mentioned once and has always been at the back of my mind. Very interesting 🤔

IS PATTING REWARDING TO THE HORSE?

We often see riders slapping their horse on the neck enthusiastically at the end of a showjumping round or dressage test. Patting is considered by many to be a way of telling the horse that they have performed well – but is this the reward we think it is, or could it cause them discomfort?

Horses are extremely sensitive to touch and many riders use different pressures ranging from a light pat to a slap. To find out more about how horses feel about this, a team of equine scientists at Nottingham Trent University set out to investigate the effects of patting and wither scratching horses when ridden or being handled.

For the first part of the study, footage of 16 competitors in the dressage Grand Prix at the 2012 London Olympics was analysed to see how and when the riders patted their horses, and how they reacted.

Fifteen riders patted their horses, with 12 continuing to do so for over a minute. A significant percentage of these pats resulted in the horse reacting. Most commonly, the horses accelerated – sometimes they changed gait from walk to trot. This could indicate that the horses found the patting unpleasant, or that they took the opportunity to accelerate because the rider dropped the rein contact and/or leant forward.

In a second part to the study, a group of five well-handled riding school ponies and five relatively un-touched rescue horses were patted or scratched four times, for 30 seconds at a time. The study was filmed and the horses’ behavioural responses were noted.

Patting resulted in little behavioural reaction. However, wither scratching seemed to be much more effective as a reward to the horse. Some lowered their heads, moved their upper lips and tried to mutually groom the handler – all responses similar to those seen in positive horse-to-horse interaction.

The researchers concluded that riders and handlers should be encouraged to scratch rather than pat their horse as a reward.

Previous research has shown that scratching the withers consistently lowers the horse's heart rate and can therefore be a useful aid to calm them in anxious situations. Wither scratching may also improve the horse/human relationship as mutual grooming does between horses.

Research team: Emily Hancock, Sarah Redgate and Carol Hall of Nottingham Trent University. 2014.

Image by lhourahane 2012 Olympics - Team Dressage Final, CC by 2.0.

28/03/2023

Interesting read. Very controversial opinions.. what’s yours?

A CAP on dressage penalties could make eventing safer – as findings from one of the sport’s biggest ever studies identifies 16 risk factors for cross-country horse falls. The study, “Towards a safer sport: risk factors for cross-country horse falls at British Eventing competition”, was carri...

11/03/2023

07/03/2023

And we’re back 🎉
5 and 1/2 weeks post injury: 4 weeks with a cast and now another 4 weeks rehabbing in a boot, I am back to walking.
Today I ventured with the my pups for the first time in over a month. With 20% of the original strength in my right leg, I am slowly building up my ability to go further to reach normality.
I shall be updating my progress through this month on rehab. And am positive I will get back better then ever come spring 🌼🌸

16/01/2023

Very interesting new study and something to consider next time we ride 😳

A client recently asked me if they should be using boots or polos on their horse. Many horse owners have the best intention in using boots or wraps to protect their horses legs from trauma during exercise and competitions. But many don’t realize that boots can essentially insulate the distal limb and prevent heat loss during exercise leading to increased temperatures that can reach damaging levels during maximal exertion.

A study from Middle Tennessee State University measured temperature increase during a specified exercise protocol with different types of leg protection. The study found that the reduced rate of heat dissipation a boot can cause can be detrimental to the superficial digital flexor tendon. They tested six different types of boots or wraps during exercise: a traditional neoprene boot, a perforated neoprene boot, a plant-based neoprene boot made of Stomatex, a cross-country boot, an elastic track bandage, and a fleece polo wrap.

The study found that the bare limb had the lowest temperature, all treatment temperatures were greater than the bare limb across all time points. The fleece polo wrap had the highest temperature and humidity. None of the treated limbs returned to baseline temperature and humidity after the 180-minute recovery period, and all treated limbs reached temperatures that negatively affect tendon cells. The study suggests that the use of boots and wraps during exercise impairs convection cooling, causing chronic microdamage to the tendon.

Riders must weigh the pros and cons, considering boot design, application and material permeability. No matter what boot you choose, the best way to protect your horse is to remove it immediately after exercises and stand your horse in an ice bath.
Ps. (Cold hosing and ice boots aren’t even half as effective. We can chat about that about that research in a future post ;))

L. Brock, H. Spooner, 28 A comparison among equine boots and legwraps on leg surface temperature during and after exercise,
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 100. 2021

10/01/2023

I have learnt a lot over the past five years travelling with horsey work. But it was with Shandelle that I learnt my true potential and credit a lot of my success today. Enabling me to grow from our first ever lesson all those years ago and to open the umbrella that is aiding my education even today.

Join our growing team.
Positive vibes and everlasting education is important to us!

Owner Shandelle follows USA hunter equitation and FEI dressage training.
You must be willing to learn and mentor Shandelle, as well the exciting clinicians she has lined up.

“It’s okay to not know.
It’s not okay to pretend to know and not learn “ - Shandelle

If your not certified Shandelle will help you.

Must have horse training and experience coaching children.

13/12/2022

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Available opening for a Saturday lesson and week day schooling and exercising. Teaching a range of disciplines and levels, I can help you to progress, work towards your personal goal, or just help you bond and improve harmony between you and your equine.

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Located in the AL3 area, covering St. Albans, Harpenden, Flamstead, Markyate, and Gaddesden

30/07/2022

Proud daughter moment!!

Today mumma Housden and Iggy competed at the British Dressage Summer National Semi-Finals Championship. Starting the day coming 16th out of 43 in their Novice 23 test, the dynamic duo went on to WIN their dressage to music class with 70.74%. In her words “not bad for a pony who passaged his way through his first music test, being scared of the music itself“. They never cease to amaze me, breaking the stereotype wherever they go. Here’s to my amazing mumma and the pony with the biggest personality I know. Finals here we come! 🎉🎉🎉

24/12/2021

Happy Christmas Eve 🎉🎄🎄

Exploring with Ralph has got to be the best past time. Have loved seeing him blend in to the changes of colours in autumn and now the crisp winter mornings ❄️.
Thank you .mary for letting me steal your handsome boy 🥰

30/06/2021

So proud of the dynamic power duo. Thank you Daisy Coakley for your amazing training throughout this year!