Cougar Hill Training

06/23/2025

Unlike humans, horses don’t have collarbones. Their shoulders are held to the rest of their skeleton via a sling of muscles and ligaments instead, often referred to as the “thoracic sling.”

Why is this important? We often ask our equine athletes to perform complex movements that require tremendous strength and coordination, and horses carry the majority of their weight in their front end. Therefore, it is imperative that the bulk of the muscles that support the front end are kept healthy and conditioned, and the horse is trained to use their “motor” — that is, engaging the large hind end muscles as much as possible to avoid excessive weight bearing on the front end.

If the front end of the horse is consistently overweighted or not at an appropriate level of fitness, repetitive biomechanical stresses get transferred down the leg to the smaller ligaments and tendons that were not designed to bear this weight, which can then lead to injury.

Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

06/20/2025

Come out to the Legacy Ranch show at Francis Field in New Lenox on the 29th. Your participation will benefit their therapeutic program!

06/18/2025

Looking to buy your next hay cutting? Make sure that what you're purchasing is the best source of nutrition for your horse. Just like humans, different horses will have different requirements all depending on their body type, workload, age, and condition. Young horses need more calories just like young humans, while older horses may need hay suited to their aging dentition and body. Younger horses can handle a longer stem hay, while older horses may need a shorter, softer hay to be able to chew it more easily. Check out the further details in the graphic and definitely consult with your vet or equine nutritionist for more assistance in choosing your horse's diet.

06/16/2025

Changing seasons, sudden increases in workload, and show season stress can add to the possibility for colic this time of year. The American Association of Equine Practitioners has more for us:

There are dozens of different conditions that can cause a horse to show signs of abdominal pain. Most (but not all) involve the digestive system, most often the stomach or intestines. Therefore, it stands to good reason that understanding the anatomy of your horse’s digestive system can help you become a better steward for your equine friend.

Fun fact: many people associate digestive health with stomach health. But did you know that the horse has the smallest stomach in relation to body size of all domestic animals? The stomach of the horse is also the smallest unit of the digestive tract, comprising less than 10% of the total volume of the horse’s digestive tract. By contrast, the hindgut is huge and plays a significant role in the horse’s digestive process by serving as the home of friendly bacteria that ferment fiber and turn it into energy.

Hindgut problems can produce obvious physical signs like loss of weight, poor condition, poor performance, diarrhea and colic. Some symptoms however can be less obvious, like poor temperament and training issues. The key to ensuring good digestive health is good management practices that include (but are not limited to) establishing a set daily routine; feeding a high-quality diet comprised primarily of high-quality roughage; avoid overloading the digestive tract with concentrate rations; providing clean, fresh water at all times; establishing a regular turnout and exercise routine; setting up a regular deworming and dental care program with your veterinarian; reducing stress and making any changes (to diet, housing and exercise) gradually.

Consult your veterinarian about how to maximize your horse’s digestive health. A healthy horse is a happy horse!

06/13/2025

The next open show coming up at Francis Field is sponsored by the Will County Trail Riders. Come on out; they would love to see you there!

06/11/2025

We have had some awful air quality days in the Midwest between the wildfire smoke from Canda and the pollen/cottonwood blowing around. I've heard a few questions about concerns for the horses during these days.

It's hard to remove them from the situation, but we can do some things to ease the workload on their lungs. Just like on difficult temperature days - go easy on riding or working and of course contact your vet for assistance if the horse's breathing becomes labored or strained. Watch for flared nostrils and signs of stress. I try to remove some of the problems by bringing horses inside away from all the cottonwood "snow" flying through the air during the worst of it or if I see signs of agitation like frequent snorting and head shaking.

06/10/2025

If you need help with your Spring cleaning, Francis Field is here to help! They are taking up a collection of household items (see below) to raise money for the foundation. Drop off is June 14 from 8am - 1pm

06/09/2025

'Tis the season for vet appointments whether it's for a Spring checkup or preparations for show season or foaling season, etc.... We love our vets and want to keep everyone safe during their appointments and this really applies to ANY equine professional who is coming to perform a service for you with your horse. We have a list of tips to help things run smoothly and show your equine practitioner some respect and love.
#1 - Have your horse caught and groomed in a safe, clutter-free area
(not only does your farrier not enjoy working on wet, muddy feet, but you want the vet to also be able to thoroughly inspect your horse without wondering what is under the muck)
#2 - Make sure you can focus on the appointment - set the phone down, settle the kids with another activity, and keep other pets out of the way
#3 - Dress for the occasion in closed toe shoes or boots.
#4 - Use a properly fitted halter in good condition.
#5 - Just like in halter class at the shows, we want to stand on the same side of the horse as the vet so that just in case the horse decides to exit suddenly we're less likely to be in the line of fire.
#6 - Hold your lead safely in two hands, being sure to not coil the excess so that your hand might get caught should the horse bolt.

06/07/2025

Red Mare Massage Therapy is running a special until the 21st of June! Get $25 off a session! Contact Christine Hoffman for more information and an appointment!
**** Chris has been a long-time client with her lovely, red mare, Reba, and we are so proud of her for turning her passion for equine therapy into certified equine massage! Let's help a lady out and get her some business!!!

06/06/2025

06/04/2025

In preparation for the summer's shows, there's a horsemanship pattern clinic this weekend at Francis Field in New Lenox, IL with Onnie Smith. She has some great patterns to challenge you and will teach you how to approach them with confidence! Contact Onnie to sign up to participate or audit.

06/04/2025

The show this past weekend had me thinking about dreams and how many little kiddos entertain big horse dreams. I know I was one that had the bug without even the suggestion of an idea from anyone in my immediate family. It was passed down from my great grandmothers, who sometimes rode a horse to school, skipping generations to land on solidly on me. 😍🐴 How old were you when you had dreams of horses?

Artwork by Michelle Clark