THE HORSE GAZETTE training a horse of course By Don Blazer © 2011 The more we know,


the more complicated things become.


In the “old days” a


horse was lame, or he wasn’t lame.


Today a horse is or is


not, “suitable for the purpose intended.”


I think that is a good


thing. I’m not as good as I once was…but I’m still not bad if you choose the right “intended purpose.” So, there’s no need to shoot me…yet! Seeing that a horse


is lame (detection of lameness) can be relatively easy, while the diagnosis of lameness (knowing where and why) is often complicated, unless evident in an open wound, obvious swelling, heat or joint pain. Slight


the mysteries of lameness


heel, or, if kept flat, will not bear weight. A horse lame in one front foot usually stands with the pastern straighter than that of the sound leg. When examining a


horse in movement, it is best to trot the horse. The trot is a diagonal two-beat gait, with only two feet grounded at the same time; therefore each leg bears more weight than at the walk. When trotting, a horse will favor the unsound limb at the expense of its sound diagonal.


A lame horse uses lameness,


especially in the hindquarters, is often best detected when the horse is in a stall. When turning his forehand from side to side, the horse with a spavin or stringhalt will shift his weight onto one hind leg more quickly than to the other, which may be considered the unsound limb.


If the lameness is in


the forehand, the horse will be reluctant to shift his weight onto the affected limb when asked to move side to side. A horse “off” in the


forehand will often “point” the affected limb. It is not uncommon for a horse to have one foot slightly advanced when standing quietly; however, if the horse is sound, both front feet will assume equal weight. (Unless, of course, he is equally unsound in both front legs, in which case he’ll most often stand


complicated things can get.) If


horse


squarely….see how the


is


pointing, then the affected limb will be rested only on the toe,


his head and neck for balance and to relieve weight on the unsound limb, so he’ll raise his head when the lame front leg strikes the ground. Conversely, he lowers his head when the sound limb strikes the ground. This is called “head-nodding lame.” It is usually easy to see at the trot, and much more difficult to detect at the walk. If a horse is lame


behind on the right, he will lower his head when the left forefoot is placed on the ground. If you suspect a horse may be off behind, view him from behind as he trots. If lame, he’ll hitch up the unsound quarter in an attempt to keep weight off that side. Other signs of hind leg lameness are the dwelling on one foot longer than the other, or the higher lifting of one foot, or the dragging of the toe on the unsound foot.


A horse with pain in


both front limbs, or both fronts and both backs, will travel short and stiff and will lack freedom in placing his feet. When a horse is


lame, and there is no other “obvious reason,” check his feet!


In most cases the


cause of the lameness will be found in the feet. If the direct cause is not found in the feet, the chances are still good a contributing cause is there. If


you can’t


determine the cause of the lameness yourself, then a call to a veterinarian is in order. But don’t expect the vet to be “all knowing.” While most vets have “diagnostic” tools that you don’t keep handy--- especial drugs to block sections of the leg and hoof—the exact where and why, as mentioned before, can be very tricky. Once you think the


lameness has been detected, the veterinarian will have suggestions for treatment. But treatment can be very frustrating. The lameness doesn’t always go away immediately. The first treatment


rule I like to go by is: “if it hurts to do that, don’t do that.” So if it hurts your horse to do that, then keep your horse from doing that. That treatment is also known as a “tincture of time.”


Course on the web at www. donblazer.com


Deadline for the JUNE Issue Reservation Deadline: MAY 12 Ad Copy Deadline: May 14


Marilyn at 210-641-9928 - editor@horsegazette.com or Laurie at 512-791-4217 - laurie@horsegazette.com


Contact


Our horses are selling so fast this year that we ask you to please call us with your wish list so we can let you know if we get one that could suite you and your family.


2019 CR 403 - Marble Falls, TX 78654 Holly


This beautiful Paint geld- ing is 8 years old. He was purchased from a Houston Mounted Patrol member that is retiring. This horse has passed all the difficult tests for the Patrol and has been used on the Patrol extensively. If you are looking for beauty, safety, brains and a ready to go nice horse we recommend Colonel. He stands 15 hands. We have put him through all of our tests which are extensive, but not as stringent as the patrol and he passed with flying colors. You could trail ride this horse, do parades etc. with safety and style.


Colonel


Now here is beauty and brains. Holly is 12 years old and stands 14.3 hands. She has done ranch work and trail work. She is a true Dunn with a line down her back and tiger legs. She is sweet and very well broke. We finished her evaluation this week. She passed all our tests on a very windy day. She is a cool mare with a beautiful mind and a gorgeous color and body type. We love her!


You can also view the evaluation protocol we go through with each horse.


If the horse doesn’t suit your needs, we’ll trade out for another of our fine horses! Please check our web site to view them and review our buyer quarantee program.


E-mail: Pat@tonkawood.com • Visit us at www.Tonkawood.com Call Pat Dickey at 830-693-8253


Full-service boarding / training facility, and lessons for all ages from 7 to 75! Beginner and adult amateur riders to serious show compteitors.


• Full care boarding • 12x12 and 12x18 stalls • 2 lighted arenas • 20x60 meter dressage arena • Customized feeding program


• Day and/or night turnout • 5 hot/cold wash racks • Climate controlled tack room


• Large air conditioned/heated client lounge • Fly control misting system • Assistance with vet/farrier visits (no extra charge) • Blanketing (no extra charge) • Family atmosphere • 24-hour on-site staff


We offer lessons for all ages, training and sales.


25785 Boerne Stage Road Boerne, TX 78006


Located next to the San Antonio Rose Palace


Indoor Stalls - Outdoor Pens (30’x30’) - Covered Stalls with Runs - 150’x300’ Lighted Arena Dressage Arena - Jumping Area - Two Round Pens Two Hot Walkers - Full Care - Feeding Twice Daily Daily Turnout (Except Weekends) Lighted Wash Area Lighted BBQ & Picnic Area - 24-Hr Surveil- lance Riding Lessons - Horse Training


Located approx. 5 minutes from Loop 410 at 13901 Hwy 90 West - just outside San Antonio. Visit us at: www.t-slash-barranch.com.


Visit our website for more quality horses for sale. Visit A Horse, Of


• Full Service General Store • Chickens & Baby Chicks • Canning Supplies


• Cast Iron Cookwear • Western Wear • Organic Gardening Supplies • Hardware


• Pasture & Garden Fertilizer • Tack • Gifts • Livestock & Pet Food • Lawn & Garden


We carry fresh hay and Capitol Feeds!


We’re not just a feed store, or western wear, hardware, tack, house wares, lawn and garden or gifts...


we’re ALL of that and MORE!


There’s something for everyone at Callahan’s!


Stop by and experience Callahan’s! 501 Bastrop Highway - Austin, Texas


Phone: (512) 385-3452 - Toll Free: (800) 950-8602


Website: www.callahansgeneralstore.com


www.intheironsequestriancenter.com Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com


Call 210-698-5270 Email: jill@gvtc.com


Call 210-677-0502 Page 5


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