THE HORSE GAZETTE training how do you know if your horse is relaxed? Training without force


By Mary Rose, FBHS © 2011 In training our young


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• 2008 AQHA/PHBA Filly • 2008 Go for the Gold Futurity winner


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horses we want them to achieve ‘free forward movement, re- laxed’. have ‘good rhythm’, and be ‘supple both laterally and longitudinally’ which to- gether will mean they are ‘bal- anced’. But just as we need to be clear that ‘free forward movement’ has nothing to do with rushing about, we need to understand what ‘relaxed’ means.


A horse who is re-


laxed is not a horse that is sleeping! One of the first signs of relaxation in the horse is that the rhythm or ‘beat’ of each gait will be clear and even. The walk will have four, clear, regu- lar beats. It will be sufficiently energetic to be marching, not hurried but not wearily drag- ging. The trot will have two clear, regular beats and the tempo will remain steady, not getting faster or slower, never hurried but steady and unvary- ing. The canter will have three clear beats which the horse will be able to sustain at the same tempo - not falling into four beats or changing speed,


between lay dentists and the Texas State Board of Veteri- nary Medical Examiners (TS- BVME) came to a temporary close this November when an Austin court ruled that the Board violated state law by changing its policy on horse teeth floating without follow- ing state mandated rule making procedures. Lay dentists are now


By Karen Brown © 2011 A three year battle


but lightly and joyfully mov- ing forward in a series of little jumps.


The horse’s tail is


another good indicator of re- laxation. The tail should hang relaxed, moving slightly left and right in the rhythm of the gait. This will indicate freedom from fear and tension. It also will show that the energy is flowing freely forward from the hindquarters through the bridge of the back and into the rider’s softly receiving hand. Nothing shows lack of relaxation quite so vividly as the horse’s wring- ing tail which, unfortunately, is often witnessed in the dressage arena.


The horse’s eyes will


show if he is relaxed, as will his ears and his mouth. The ears should be carried without ten- sion, probably half back as he listens to his rider. Ears that are pricked forward usually indi- cate some tension and that the horse is listening to something other than his rider (even if that is only for a moment or two). The mouth of the relaxed horse will be softly chewing on the


bit and there should be ‘lipstick’ (white foam) appearing in both corners of his mouth. Other signs of relax-


ation and letting go of tension are when the horse blows softly and rhythmically out through his nose - almost like the little blowing we do through our lips when we are amusing a young baby; and when he is willing to stretch his neck forward and downward, chewing the reins out of the rider’s hand when invited to do so - at all gaits, as well as when standing still. Knowing exact ly


what relaxation is will make it much easier to achieve. One of the best ways for the rider to help the horse to relaxation is through her breathing. Breath- ing deeply into your core and knowing how to use inhalation (causing a slight lifting of your upper chest) as a half halt and exhalation to free the energy and mobilize your seat will help a great deal. More on breathing another time.


at 512-589-3796 or 512-894- 4536 or visit: www.maryrose- dressage.com.


lay dentists victorious in lawsuit


free to go back to work without fear of reprisal from state agen- cies. In a press release from the Institute of Justice, the firm that fought this legal battle on behalf of lay dentists and horse owners, lead attorney of the case Clark Neily said, “The judge made it clear to the Vet Board that enough is enough.”


Trinity is a yearling, Arabian/Paint cross filly. Trinity is still growing, but she’s a very pretty little filly and has the potential to do almost anything someone trains her to do. Trinity’s foster home says that Trinity is a doll! She is very sweet and inquisitive, and follows you like a dog. She has been around my yapping terrier and not phased by him. The farrier came and trimmed her hooves and she did good. She has had a bath and did okay. She did stand for about 2 hours to have burrs removed from her mane and tail. Trinity allows a halter and leads well. She does not like her ears touched but her foster home is working with her on that. Located in Springtown, TX. $300


Tequila Sunrise is an approximately three year old, Quarter Horse filly. She’s a stunning palomino girl, and she’s going to look good doing anything she’s trained for! She tolerates being saddled and having a rider on her back. She’ll carry a rider at the walk, but she doesn’t know anything else. She’s a good age to train, and she’s going to make someone a pretty and elegant riding or show horse. Located in Niederwald, TX. $300


Bara is an approximately four year old, grade gelding. He was started under saddle in the summer of 2010 and is walking, trotting and can- tering under saddle in the round pen and in a big arena and field. His foster “mom’ says he’s very willing to learn, and he has great potential! Located in Floresville, TX. $700


Cocoa is an approximately four year old, grade gelding. He looks like a TB or TB cross and stands 15.1 hh. Cocoa came to BEHS as a young horse and was adopted. He was returned this year because his adopter was moving out of the country. While with his adopter, he was trained to ride and was ridden both English and western. He was started over cavaletti and small jumps and did well. He has a lot of potential as a hunter, jumper or dressage horse. Located in Manvel, TX. $600


years ago, the TSBVME had a comfortable relation with lay dentists, readily acknowl- edging that “there are not enough veterinarians skilled in equine dentistry to meet the public’s needs.” This statement was made in a 2004 report compiled by the Board to


Until about four


Neily states, “It’s hard to see the Board’s sudden decision to outlaw non-veterinarian teeth floating as anything other than a naked attempt to promote the anti-competitive interests of state-licensed veterinarians.” This report states that


determine if teeth floating was within the scope of Texas Vet- erinary Licensing Act (TVLA). The report goes on to agree that “Most veterinarians do not feel comfortable performing dental procedures.” In light of this report,


dentistry is not defined in the TVLA, but the Board and some veterinarians still considered the practice of equine dentistry by non-veterinarians to be il- legal.


edges that lay dentists who have attended dental schools may have as much or more training than do veterinarians. The reporting committee noted that Texas A&M has one re- quired course and one elective course on dentistry. Lay dental schools require several courses and testing in order to obtain certification. However, there


What ‘s Next?


resolving the remaining issues when the 2011 legislative session begins. The practice of equine dentistry in the State of Texas does need a practice act to be established that outlines a set of guidelines, educational requirements, certification and or licensing protocols. We, as well, don’t want just anyone being able to pick up a piece of equine dental equipment and call themselves an “equine dentist” anymore than the Texas State Veterinary Board does. The profession of equine den-


making. It was truly a very long, drawn out fight but one very well worth fighting and I commend our attorneys with the Institute for Justice for the exceptional job they did on winning this case. The direction now is to focus on


“This victory has been 3 years in the


tistry practiced in the State of Texas and the overwhelming good that has been brought to the equine community by the true, well educated and experienced equine den- tists (non-dvm and dvm) should be recog- nized as the separate profession that it is. Maybe now, we can come to an


agreement on setting a standard of practice and care by dealing with the facts and needs of the profession, while leaving all egos out of the decision making process.”


Dena Corbin, CEqDP,VTS,CHDT www.ntxeqd.com


SPEAK YOUR MIND:


At publishing time, the TSBVME Executive Board will have met with their attorneys and made recommendations on how to proceed. Comments regarding any proposed rule as well as general comments should be addressed to Loris.Jones@tbvme.state.tx.us.


Page 8 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com


or speculate on any legislation, but certainly regulation through licensing would well serve the public and the welfare of horses.


Dewey Helmcamp Executive Director, Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners www.tbvme.state.tx.us


horse’s teeth is by no means over. As I mentioned above, I believe the Board wants to adopt a rule covering this matter. There may well be legisla- tion introduced in the coming session addressing this issue as well. I think the only efforts for an equitable solution will be by rule adoption and or legislative action. It is premature at this point to know


13th and will be able to meet with our attorneys and discuss the case in executive session. No decision has been made to appeal the decision, but I am inclined to believe that the Board will accept the court’s decision, and move to adopt a rule as suggested by the court. The issue of lay persons floating


“The Board will meet on December The report acknowl-


“Economic liberty is one of our essential freedoms. The gov- ernment needs real reasons for licensing horse teeth floating, or for that matter, any occupation. This case shows that when the government violates the law, entrepreneurs can fight back and win.”


lost this round of the battle due to inappropriate policy making. The question of the viability of lay dentists, the benefits and detriments to the horse owners and the animals themselves remains unanswered.


In the end, the Board


their objection to lay dentistry revolves around concerns about procedures that require any diagnosis, surgery, or adminis- tration of drugs. Veterinarians are held to minimum standards for licensing. There is also great concern over the use of power tools, which could cause permanent damage to a horse if used incorrectly. Neily concludes,


are no industry standards for certification or governmental licensing procedures. Veterinarians state


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