THE HORSE GAZETTE
past masters
luis B. ortega
Part 2 of 2
By Karen L. Brown, © 2008
Picking up from
of the horse’s mouth is and how
then a bigger one. It is possible
old buckaroo never used a bit bars have been kept so you will “Many an inexperi-
last month, we will continue
the old timers desired to keep
and even very likely that the
but trained the colt with the have a tender mouthed horse enced rider gets over-anxious
to contemplate the wisdom of
this tenderness by training the
bars of the mouth can become
hackamore.” when he is bitted.” when training his colt and ex-
the Californio vaquero horse
colt with the hackamore. As
so damaged that bone spurs
Horses lose their last Vaqueros rode their pects to see immediate results.
training philosophy. Luis
careful as a rider might be,
form along the area where the
baby teeth around the age of horses in the hackamore for two One must remember a horse
Ortega has much to say about
there are instances that occur
bit rubs the bars. This would
five. It can take several days years or longer before consid- learns only one thing at a time
the use of the hackamore, a
in the training of a colt where
feel something like walking
or weeks for a deciduous tooth ering the horse to be what we and even though some learn
piece of equipment absolutely
he will injure his mouth if he
with rocks in one’s shoes. It’s
to loosen and fall out. During think of as “finished”. The horse faster than others they should
essential to the Spanish style of
has a bit in it. . . . he may get
easy to see from that point, that
that time, the loose tooth still would learn to perform every not be pushed and forced in
training. The reasons for using
excited or scared and the rider
the horse will become afraid of
has nerve attachments and can maneuver required for cattle their training.”
the hackamore are many.
will have to jerk and pull or see-
pain and exhibit all sorts of eva-
be very painful if hit or moved ranching in the hackamore To make a “finished”
“One criticism that
saw to get him under control. It
sive moves that have nothing to
about. When ridden in a bit, before ever having a bit in his horse takes years. The vaqueros
hackamore men have of the sys-
takes only one such instance as
do with the job at hand.
the horse will experience much mouth. The transition would be knew this and chose to respect
tem of bitting a colt is the strong
this to start hardening the bars
“At the age of four
more tongue movement and made by two-reining where the the attributes of the equine.
possibility of breaking down the
by forming calluses on them.”
to five the colt is still teething,
the bit itself can hit these teeth horse wears the bridle with bit The investment of 3-5 years
bars of the mouth. Few people
And then comes a
and for the simple reason that
and cause sharp pain. The result and the hackamore at the same training was the norm for these
realize how sensitive this part
bigger, more harsh bit. And
he would spoil his mouth, the
is a horse that is afraid of the time. The rider would gradually famous horsemen. The result
bit and does not respond to its transfer the communication of this training process was a
equine Osteopathy
purpose. from the hackamore reins to horse capable of every high
“The object of using the bridle reins. Once the horse level maneuver used for work-
(Continued from Page 1.)
a hackamore in the early part could respond to imperceptible ing cattle and riding the range,
of the training period is to save movements of the bridle reins, performed to perfection in any
How about the horse kick every time you brush his taught to follow the trail from
his mouth for the bit. Later he he would then be considered a terrain, in an appropriately col-
that has a stiff shoulder? No flanks? Many horses stick their surface symptoms to the source
can be allowed to carry a bit bridle horse. However, bridle lected frame, with undetectable
amount of shoulder-ins or leg tongues out of the mouth or of the problem. That source can
and gradually transfer his early horses were regularly ridden cues from the rider. The horse
yields has made any improve- move it over the top of the bit. be a long way from the obvious
training to working with a bit. in the hackamore, preserving was a willing, attentive partner
ment. Physical examinations These types of behaviors are symptom and without focusing
Thus time has been saved by the bridle for highly refined in work and retained a sound
have elicited no cause for the always attributed to a bad at- on the systemic-wide functions
training him while his mouth work or demonstrations of and healthy body well into his
horse to be limited. Months of titude, yet all of these kinds of of the ANS the two would never
was too tender for metal and his horsemanship. late-teens or twenties.
training have achieved little or symptoms point to neurological be considered as part of the
no improvement in the shoulder. disturbances caused by imbal- same problem.
Perhaps there is a restriction in ances in the musculo-skeletal Veterinarians who
the movement of the scapula, system. currently practice osteopathy
FULL
one or more ribs, or in the Virtually any dis- have found that it expands the
CARE
withers. The restriction could crepancy from normal function knowledge gained in university
actually be coming from the can be assessed in an osteo- and from there, they develop
BOARDING
back end of the horse. Because pathic examination. The first an integrated approach to their
of the neurological connections rule of observation is that “Ev- practice combining osteopathic
coursing through the body, the erything means something.” principles with standard medi-
Openings
probability of a sacrum prob- Practically every horse owner cal protocol. Osteopathy is a
available
lem is very strong. has noticed an oddity about modality that, once learned,
What about the horse their horse’s body or behavior; becomes an integral part of the now
that can’t keep his weight over yet no one seems to know what vet’s protocol. It’s NOT an al-
his pivot leg in a spin or cross- or why the condition exists. ternative medicine; it becomes
fires in the lope? This, too, This is where the expertise of another tool of the trade on a par
could be from blockages in the an osteopath is essential. with drugs, surgery, and clinical
sacrum, pelvis, or stifles. These Specialized knowl- diagnostics.
types of imbalances are seldom edge of the autonomic nervous It takes years of train-
revealed in a standard lameness system (ANS) provides the ing to become competent in
test and, generally, the horse physiological data he needs osteopathy. Excellent palpation
manages to do his job. The os- to connect those strange body skills, specialist-level knowl-
teopath can often remedy these symptoms or behaviors to edge in anatomy, biomechanics,
40 Acres of
types of issues immediately and the other body parts that are and physiology, and training in Daily Pas-
with lasting results. actually in distress and are the manipulation techniques are
Do you know of a sources of those “symptoms”. only part of a comprehensive
ture
horse that spooks “for no rea- When the body is viewed as education. The equine osteo-
Turnout
son”? It’s possible that his an independent collection of path should either be a licensed
(830) 796-4764
eyesight is unclear from ver- parts, however, these types of veterinarian or be working
tebral blockages in the wither symptoms are ignored and thus, within the scope of each state’s 305 Blackbuck Road - Bandera, TX 78003
area. One of the nerves that valuable clues to the source of veterinary practice laws. Any-
runs between these vertebrae disease are overlooked. one without proper school-
E-Mail: solitaireranch@indian-creek.net
is the oculomotor nerve which These practitioners ing, certification, or insurance
provides information to the study the same science taught should not be allowed to work
eyes. If that nerve is pinched, in veterinary school; however, on your horse.
its impulses will be distorted they extend their education to If you would like to
and the brain will not be able include intensive scrutiny of the learn more about osteopathy
to properly decode what the ANS. The ANS is the internet or would like to locate an os-
eye is seeing. of the body. Through its chan- teopath in your area call The
Have you ever had nels, the body communicates Vluggen Institute of Equine
a horse that wouldn’t let you between body parts and these Osteopathy at 512-448-3152
touch his ears? Or tried to parts react together when some- or go to www.vluggeninstitute.
thing is wrong. Osteopaths are com.
winter horse care
(Continued from previous page.)
waterproof in “some” weather cold you should do the following. too. Horse feet continue to grow
conditions. Two examples of this Shivering is a sign of the horses and even if you are not riding
would be a light rain or snowfall. body attempting to warm itself. Do you still need to keep their feet
NOT go out and throw on a blanket. trimmed. Intestinal parasites are
Stable Blankets / A wet horse losses his body temp up not easily killed during the coldest
Sheets: These items are used to 20x faster than a dry horse. First months. Some equine parasites can
for horses kept in a stall or barn. bring your horse up and try to dry withstand the cold of winter better
They do not provide a water- them as well as you can. Once dry than the hottest of Texas summers.
proof shell and are not as strong their natural insulation kicks in a Taking responsibility
Indoor Stalls - Outdoor Pens (30’x30’) - Covered
as a “turnout” sheet or blanket. warms their body with the layer of for your horse through the winter
Blankets are warmer than sheets. air we mentioned previously. If the is another part of responsible horse
Stalls with Runs - 150’x300’ Lighted Arena
Turn-out Blankets / horse is still shivering you can apply ownership. Sometime just having
Sheets: These items are made spe- a blanket once they are dry. In most a few simple guidelines to help us
cifically for horses that are turned cases they will stop shivering and avoid problems or detect a possible
Dressage Arena - Jumping Area - Two Round Pens
out. They are typically waterproof you could leave them up to monitor challenge before it becomes a ma-
and are much stronger than a their water intake to ensure they jor one is all we need. They bring
Two Hot Walkers - Full Care - Feeding Twice Daily
stable blanket / sheet. Once again, do not colic from the experience. us so much joy and we should
blankets are warmer than sheets. Don’t forget to also help to keep them comfortable so
Daily Turnout (Except Weekends) Lighted Wash Area
Finally if you see your maintain your farrier and worming we can have many more years of
horse, wet, visibly shaking and schedule throughout the winter enjoyment ahead.
Lighted BBQ & Picnic Area - 24-Hr Surveillance
Bunkhouse Leather
Riding Lessons - Horse Training
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Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com Page 5
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