Institute News
Equine Ulcers – You
Really Need To Know More!
Ulcers in the digestive track are more than just the latest “disease
du jour.” Thus far, for a problem that has been recognized for
about 20 years, we are still seeing and understanding only the tip
of a metaphorical iceberg. More than two thirds of the iceberg is still
not visible and much is still being discovered about this ulcer “iceberg.” We
do know that there are, basically, only two kinds of horses – those
who have ulcers and those who will have ulcers!
More...
Low Heel/High Heel Syndrome
The commonly observed condition where the heel of one front foot is
higher than the other has ramifications that extend well beyond the
effects on the foot itself. This condition is also observed in the
hind feet, though less frequently. However, because of limitations
and scope, this chapter will direct its attention primarily to high
heel/low heels of the front feet.
Pat Thackery, a well known and very educated farrier from Idaho, has
stated that 60% of the horses in his practice have asymmetrical heel
heights. We need to decide what that means and whether it is normal—and
thus an inconsequential finding. Do some need to be corrected while
yet others do not need corrective procedures? Since nearly everyone
I have ever known has grown up in a dysfunctional family, it must be “normal,” to
be from such a family, but is it good or healthy in a mental or physical
sense to be imbalanced? We cannot simply dismiss the syndrome that
lightly.
More...
"Straightening the Crooked Horse" Clinic
with Klaus Schoneich, author of "Correct Movement in Horses"
4 day clinic from July 20th to July 23th, Columbus, NC
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For over 25 years, the Schoneichs have taught their system of straightness
training at the Center for Anatomically Correct Horsemanship in Germany.
They have over the years trained or rehabilitated thousands of incorrectly
moving horses, from top FEI Grand Prix dressage horses and "problem" horses
to green horses.
Their method focuses on ensuring that all horses can move freely and
correctly, and thus remain healthy and happy performers throughout
their lives.
In this clinic, the participants will learn to use "straightening" groundwork
and gymnastic training as well as lungeing and riding techniques to
counteract the horse's natural inclination to bear more weight on its
forehand, and teach the horse to move balanced with an upward swinging
back.
Announcing Pete Ramey's new book "Care
and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot". It is probably the most comprehensive
work ever written on the horse's hoof. With the help of major contributing
authors and researchers, it takes a new look at growing or rehabilitating
a horse's hoof from within, combining all the various aspects of hoof
care, nutrition and lifestyle.
With 440 pages and over 600 photographs and illustrations, Pete Ramey,
surrounded by collaborative experts in their fields, has created the
ultimate reference book on equine foot health. It is deep, detailed
and scientific and might well become the new way to think about care
for the foot, whether shod or barefoot.
The Wild Horse Research video is now available!
Click to Enlarge
The Brumby Research Unit who produced this DVD is a group of Australian
scientists with the sole purpose of improving the well being of the
horse. Heading this research, are Chris Pollitt, BVsc, PhD and Brian
Hampson, PhD who have been studying the desert brumbies, the
feral horses that have survived in the dry heart of Australia since
the 1870s. In this DVD they investigate their habits, through
the use of GPSs and determine the effects of a free roaming lifestyle
and lack of human intervention on foot morphology and health. It shows
exquisitely the adaptation of the foot to different environments.
Narrated poetically by Dr Chris Pollitt, and accompanied by breathtaking
photography, this DVD describes objectively what they observed. You
will be amazed!
Check it out and support their ongoing research!
“Guess what? Your horse is crooked!”
Free Evening Seminar in Columbus, NC, on October 13
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In an evening seminar, Kerry will be presenting an introduction to
the concept of the natural crookedness of the horse. It seems like
as riders, horse owners, trainers and vets, we are all aware that horses
have innate crookedness, but what we don’t necessarily realise
is that 95% will remain crooked throughout their entire lives.
Crookedness causes uneven shear and centrifugal forces and impairs
the normal biomechanics of the body.
Come and learn what you can do about it!
