Springpoint Farm

09/29/2024

Important data from an interesting study. Your horse can only do their best work when they are comfortable…Knowledge is powerful when you are trying to help your horse live their best life. ☮️

**𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟**

𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘁

MacKechnie-Guire, R*, Williams, J.M., Nixon, J., Fisher, M., Fisher, D., Walker, V., Murray, R., Clayton, H.M

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 (read without a subscription):
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14420

For the past four years, we have investigated the pressures beneath different nosebands when adjusted from 2.0 to 0.0 finger tightness (0.0 finger adjustment so that the noseband was touching but not compressing the skin).

Poor noseband adjustment could create high pressures that may risk pain or tissue damage. This study is a step forward in providing quantitative data relating to pressures associated with noseband type and fit when adjusted to various tightness’s.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀:

🐴No significant difference between noseband pressures when the noseband was adjusted from 2.0 to 1.5 finger tightness.

🐴Noseband pressures were highest on the mandible vs. the lateral aspect of the nasal bones.

🐴No differences were found in noseband pressures between the cavesson, flash or Swedish (crank) noseband types at 2.0 to 0.5 finger tightness.

🐴The Drop noseband had the lowest absolute nasal pressures (mandible pressures not measured) and significantly lower values than the other nosebands. We need to be mindful of the position of the traditional drop. More work needed.

🐴Noseband pressures were lower when ridden in trot, compared with when chewing a treat.

🐴Noseband pressures were cyclical (rise and fall) and not continuous – changing during the stride and the chewing cycle of the horse.

As always, this is a team effort. Thank you to our research assistants, riders, owners and horses.. Thank you to our funders, World Horse Welfare, British Equestrian, Canadian Sport Horse Association, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Hartpury University.

NB image taken from pilot testing and was not included in the main study. All noseband types are described in detail in the manuscript.

07/28/2024

If you haven’t seen this yet, please consider making a donation to help Anna.
Thank you - SPF

Update 7/25/2024 To reach and surpass both goals in just 2 days really speaks… lauren leavitt needs your support for Support Anna Welch's Road to Recovery

05/19/2024

“Think about controlling the feet and shifting the weight. If you get the horse to move his weight, he’s got to shift his feet - but I bet he doesn’t move his feet first. He shifts his weight, then moves his feet. He prepares his position and then there’s a transition. Don’t try to get the horse to go without getting it ready.” - Ray Hunt

03/30/2024

Excellent video explaining the structure of the hoof and relationship of horseshoe nails. This view is a hoof with the toe removed. It’s a perspective I’d never seen before and quite educational. This is why horse owners should always do their research before hiring a farrier. Professional farriers who are invested in their craft. The farriers who are always looking to continue their education by attending farrier’s conferences are priceless. They use best practices to care for their clients horses. Barefoot is not always possible. Some horses require a shoes because it’s simply more comfortable. Some need a shoe for veterinary purposes. There’s never one method that is better than another. What is best, is what the horse needs at the time. Hoof health may change with excellent farrier care, and a horse might be able to tolerate being barefoot. But realize that barefoot means more frequent trims, it doesn’t mean no trims …. or trimming when you think about getting it done. There are also some pretty amazing composite shoe options available for horses now. Knowledge is key. Study, ask questions and learn.

01/05/2024

Great information. Hay is best for keeping horses warm in cold weather. Digesting hay creates heat.

During these cold winter days you may be thinking about offering bran mashes to your horse as a warm, comforting treat and also as a way to help prevent colic due to the higher fiber content of bran. This, however, is an outdated concept and nutritionists point out several potential problems associated with feeding bran mash too often—namely, an imbalance of the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio that could lead to bone disorders, and a disruption of the healthy fermentation patterns in the horse’s intestinal tract.

The best way to help your horse stay warm this winter is by increasing forage 🌾 and providing shelter 🏠 during a cold snap. And as far as the risk of colic, your first line of defense is to provide plenty of water to keep your horse hydrated. 💦

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information; contact them to learn more about feeding mashes (they are typically not an issue if fed as the occasional treat) and colic prevention this winter.
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee