Innehållsförteckning för December 2017 från Practical Horseman

My career path started when I took journalism in college. After graduating, I was employed at a bi-weekly newspaper and then moved to a weekly in Massachusetts. I’d planned to work my way up to a big-city newspaper, but life took a (great!) detour, and soon I was offered a job as junior editor at Practical Horseman magazine, then in rural Pennsylvania. After a few years, I became the managing editor of a small magazine, HorsePlay, and moved just outside Washington, D.C. Next up was the editor’s position at Dressage Today until I returned to Practical Horseman as editor. Looking back, I see the progression my career took. (It’s so much clearer than when I was actually living it.) At each step, I made mistakes—and still do—but was fortunate enough…

PH Why did you choose this sport? JH The truth of the matter is, I was always a competitive person. But I matured late. In elementary school, I was good at all the sports. But by high school I was one of the smaller, slower kids. After a while it is no fun playing baseball or football if you are not competitive. But the horses? I was always good at that. PH Did you always know you would be a riding professional? JH Not really. At 18, I spent one day at the University of Wisconsin. I hated it. When I walked in, the professor had a list of students and for some reason my name was not on it. I was supposed to be somewhere else. So I said…

Diagnostic tools, like those below, are essential to helping your vet get the most accurate picture of the cause behind a horse’s neurological problem. While the first three tests are relatively common, in some cases your veterinarian may want to use the other tools to provide more clarity or detail to provide a more precise diagnosis. ▪ Blood tests to check for antibodies to specific equine diseases ▪ A spinal tap to check for antibodies or evidence of inflammation of the nervous system; Dr. Johnson, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center, further explains that “certain patterns of inflammation can give the vet a hint as to the type of disease, showing evidence of parasites, fungal infection or tumors.” ▪ Radiographs (X-rays) of the neck or…

Ryan Gets First Big Win From a field of 39, Devin Ryan and LL Show Jumper’s Eddie Blue came out on top to win the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York, Sept. 17, at the American Gold Cup in North Salem, New York. With a clear round and a time of 37.75 seconds in the five-horse jump-off, Ryan and Eddie Blue were able to hold off second-place finishers McLain Ward and HH Callas, who finished in 38.34 seconds and were the only other pair to put in a doubleclear round. The win was the biggest yet for both Ryan and 8-year-old Eddie Blue. “Eddie is a great horse. I’ve had him since he was 4 years old and I knew when he was 5 that he was going to…

George H. Morris is the former chef d’équipe of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Team. He serves on the USEF National Jumper Committee and Planning Committee, is an adviser to the USEF High- Performance Show Jumping Committee and is president of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Do you want George Morris to critique your riding? If so, send in a color photograph, at least 3 x 5 inches, taken from the side, in which your position is not covered by a standard. Mail it to Jumping Clinic, Practical Horseman, 178 Thomas Johnson Dr., Suite 204L, Frederick, MD 21702 or email a highresolution (300 dpi) copy to practical horseman@aimmedia.com. Please indicate photographer’s name/contact information. Submitted photos may also appear on Practical Horseman’s website and be displayed on Facebook.. 1…

Disorders of the horse’s central nervous system fall into multiple categories. These include (but aren’t limited to) degenerative, nutritional, metabolic, immune-mediated, toxic and infectious. “In adult horses, the most common categories would be degenerative [arthritis], anatomic and infectious,” says Dr. Johnson. The latter category includes viral, bacterial and parasitic causes, she adds. Here’s an overview of the causes, preventions and treatments for the diseases discussed. For information on diagnosing these disorders, see pages 60–62. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis Cause: Horses become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with opossum feces containing the parasite Sarcocystis neurona, which then moves into the horse’s central nervous system. Horses under 5 and over 13 may be at higher risk. Anything that compromises your horse’s immune system can also increase risk. Prevention: Minimize your horse’s…

Breeches Built for Performance The front-zip, mid-rise Hadley Knee Patch Breech from SmartPak™ is fashioned from a technical and tough material made of 92 percent polyamide and 8 percent polyurethane. Water- and stain-resistant, the functional breech also features big pockets, zippers for secure storage and for added comfort, a 2-inch-wide waistband and sock bottom ankle closures that add flexibility and comfort without bulkiness. Available in sizes 22–48R, 22–36L; tan, navy or charcoal with tan patch; $119.95; www.smartpak.com. A Touch of Blue The PASSIERBLU Motion Jumping Saddle by Passier® features blue accents on the head nail and stirrupstrap loop as well as blue stitching and blue patent-leather trim at the rear of the skirt. Along with the blue details, a flat seat and square cantle give the saddle a clean design.…

Based at Fox Covert Farm, in Upperville, Virginia, Jim Wofford competed in three Olympics and two World Championships and won the U.S. National Championship five times. He is also a highly respected coach. For more on Jim, go to www.jimwoffordblogspot.com Pssst! Hay! HAY!! This is your horse speaking. It’s me, Prince. That two-legged idiot who usually writes this column has gotten into the eggnog or something and is MIA. Although I must say I have developed quite a taste for eggnog myself, especially when he puts cinnamon on it. It tickles my nose and makes me sneeze, you know, and I’m like, “whoa” (funny me, saying “whoa,” that’s a horse-laugh). Anyway—what’s in this stuff? It has a real kick —a “kick,” (yuk)— there I go again. I crack myself up…

Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association IHSA offers opportunities for riders of all experience levels in both team and individual competition. IHSA features eight levels, on the flat and over fences with courses starting at 2-foot-3 in the Novice division and going up to 2-foot-9–3-foot for Open riders. Established in 1967, the IHSA counts nearly 400-plus member colleges, whose teams range from the competitive to casual in terms of time commitment and intensity. The IHSA’s mission emphasizes learning, sportsmanship, fun and keeping equestrian involvement affordable for students. The IHSA has several scholarship programs, and many of its member schools offer financial help toward college expenses. These range from academic scholarships to grants and traditional financial aid. For more information, visit www.ihsainc.com. National Collegiate Equestrian Association NCEA competition is head to head. One…

• HEAD TO the horse capital of the world—Lexington, Kentucky— for the Adequan®/U.S. Dressage Federation Annual Convention, Nov. 29–Dec. 3. On the agenda: educational opportunities, committee meetings, forums, roundtable discussions and a gala and awards banquet; www.usdf.org. • WATCH the first leg of the Longines Masters as it unfolds Nov. 30–Dec. 3 in Paris, France. The prestigious three-show series will continue with showjumping events in Hong Kong (Feb. 9–11, 2018) and, for the first time, New York (April 26– 29); www.longinesmasters.com. • SOAK UP some sun during the U.S Eventing Association Annual Meeting and Convention, Dec. 6–10, in Long Beach, CA. This year’s focus is on event organizers and the schedule includes multiple seminars, committee meetings, open forums and a keynote address from Olympic eventer Boyd Martin; www.useventing.com. • ATTEND…