Ute Creek Equine: Customized Training and Boarding

10/03/2025

14/10/2024

More evidence to take it slow with young horses

28/12/2023

I am writing about the loss of my little chestnut warmblood, Jagger, to bring more awareness to neurological equine conditions which appear to be so pervasive, attributed mainly to genetics. I purchased Jagger as a handsome yearling with beautiful movement and athletic ability. Jagger was euthanized 12/18/23, he was 9 yrs old. Extensive diagnosis revealed, congenital cervical spine malformation C2-4 and C6-7, and spinal cord malformation.

I took my time starting him, nothing was rushed, he lived on large pastures. Many years of slow progress never really advanced. Often he was reluctant to go forward, at times refused to trot, canter and even sometimes walk, became spooky even in familiar surroundings, and bolting. He had colic issues from the age of 1 1/2 attributed to glandular ulcers, at the time of this diagnosis 8 years ago they were not sure what caused glandular disease, but it could be treated. We thought his training issues were perhaps due to ulcer flareups. He was treated many times over the years. Glandular disease is now known to be caused by an underlying pain condition.

There were glimmers of hope, he had days when he was amazing. He was never lame or ataxic. I made sure he had a correctly fitting saddle, good farrier work, he had body work, chiro work, supplements. We tried EPM treatment as he came from Tennessee, his titers were high, and he exhibited signs that can be attributed to EPM, there was mild improvement, but his behavioral issues headed downhill once again.

Now I know his slight muscle asymmetry, his undesirable behavior we tend to blame on attitude, decline in flashy movement can be attributed pain due to his cervical spine and spinal cord not developing correctly as a fetus, hence affecting the development of the nervous system and body. He simply could not do things, and was doing his best to communicate that.

This is heartbreaking on so many levels. We need to give our horses the benefit of the doubt, and listen when they try to tell us they are unhappy and in discomfort or pain.

For further information on equine cervical disorders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szk4oSp_Rd4&t=5468s
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7915466/

07/11/2021

A bonus to our lamness exam, skeletal anatomy with Dr Marvin Beeman at Littleton Equine. Facinating!

10/10/2021

Beautiful fall at Ute Creek Ranch!

30/08/2021

23/07/2021

08/06/2021

Mustangs at sunset near wild horse mesa

08/12/2020

I post at least every year. There is just no good reason to ride 2 yr olds. Or, really, even 3 yr olds. Considering where we sit is the last place to develop or that the lower and caudal and cranial vertebrae take a lot of flexion doing things like sliding or flexing....why can’t we just slow it all down? And lunging and lunging and lunging with horses heads pulled down by fixed side reins or draw reins? I’ve not ever claimed to know everything and everyday I learn and evolve. There are some things I only need to learn the hard way. Once. For the love and longevity of the horses we need to evolve our ideas and training practices. And please save me from the my horse was futuritied and still is going at 20. Many a horse has a bigger heart than we could ever have and will give you their all despite being sore and broken down. The best ones...It’s built into their every cell to not show weakness.

29/10/2019

Arthur Hancock's powerful Op-Ed challenge “If Not Drugs, Then What is Causing Fatal Injuries?” spurred me to share some science that in my opinion makes the answer blatantly obvious. Recently, in preparation for a meeting, I gathered studies and data off of PubMed (National Public Medical Librar...

27/08/2019

nearing the final phase of haying, waiting for windrows in the meadow to dry before baling, always a nice sight