Saints N Angels Sport Horses

06/14/2026

Myth 1: “Cold water causes muscle cramps or shock.”

Truth:
There is no scientific evidence that applying cold water to a hot horse causes cramps, colic, or shock. In fact, cold water is the fastest and safest way to lower a horse’s body temperature.

However - I want to share MY OPINION - I think we should be mindful of the horse's response to the water unless the horse is physically in distress as in a true medical emergency. Using a water that is temperate and starting on the lower legs working your way up can provide less shock and more predictability for the horse. I also think that we shouldn't be working horses to the point of heat stress. We should be creating an environment where the horses enjoy the cooling experience after appropriate work load in based on the temperature, humidity and the horse's general body response to temperature.

Myth 2: “You must scrape off water immediately.”

Truth:
Scraping water reduces the cooling effect. Leaving cold water on the skin extends evaporative and conductive cooling, helping heat continue to escape.
Best practice: Apply cold water continuously 10-15 minutes and let it run off naturally, especially in very hot or humid conditions.

Were you taught to scrape immediately after hosing? When did you change your mind—or have you? I know that I still have to pause

Research Reference: Takahashi et al. (2020), Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

06/06/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

06/02/2026

Go Rowdie and Kalito!!

05/28/2026

01/03/2026

11/14/2025

11/11/2025

Today everybody believes that to train horses you must have a round pen and an arena. However, the very important training tool of the Schooling Field has been almost completely forgotten. I have posted several times about schooling fields but this one in Bedford UK is one of the best I have seen. It belongs to Keystone International. www.facebook.com/KeysoeInternational It has everything, a ditch, a skinny, water, and more.

Notice that the jumps are low. This is because a schooling field is primarily used to develop a horse's rhythm, balance and consistency, more than to teach jumping. While this one has a catch fence, it is large enough to make the horse feel it is out in the open. I think that is important.

We have started to build a schooling field in south central PA and it is helping us retrain and train horses. So far it is big logs in an open pasture with slopes with space enough for a gallop. In the spring we plan to build a drop or small Irish bank and a ditch. A schooling field need not be expensive to build and the value from it can be huge.

Back in the day, every Army post or fort had a schooling field as did every hunt club. Then came the horse industry with its focus on ring riding, and the schooling field began to disappear. We need to bring them back in order to raise the quality of US horsemanship.