A place for horse related questions

[Kylara]

Oh and to add to the distance queries I thought I'd jump in with a quick demo from our 2 day event this past weekend.

We were driving a pony pair (11.2hh ish welsh sec As) round Windsor. Day one is dressage and cones so not really relevant, but day 2 is the marathon and obstacles. The first part was 6km and had to be completed in 24-26 minutes which we managed by simply trotting the whole way at our faster trot pace. Ponies are not hugely fit at the moment but they didn't struggle. This was followed by a 1km section of 12 minutes or less (we did a mixture of walk and trot and came in at 6 minutes to the vet HR check and ponies were fine). This is followed by the final section which includes obstacles, all in all 7km (not including obstacles) to be done in 29-32 minutes which we again did at a trot, and pelted round the obstacles and at the 300m left sign had to do a collected trot to ensure we weren't under the minimum time! So took us to 15km and it took us about an hour. Ponies were a little tired at the end, but they aren't super fit at the moment (bad weather) and there was practically no walking aside from a couple of minutes in the transition section. That sort of pace can be kept up pretty far, the 1km walk back to the lorries had them refreshed and ready to go. So fully fit carriage ponies would be able to manage 10-15km an hour with a mixture of walk and trot. Bear in mind that ours are very small, and bigger ponies and horses would manage even better due to stride length. Also the ground makes a difference and we covered more on the wooded tracks than on the roads through Windsor (but they can be very slippy so we took more care), and the thick grass and sand was quite hard going for little ponies.

In our pre event work out we tested that at our leisurely trot we cover 1km in 4.30-4.40 minutes. In the first part of the marathon we were pushing for just over 4 minutes a km.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

A carriage on a decent way though can be less exhausting than carrying a rider with a full pack? I read somewhere that a reason for Roman roads was to allow chariots, faster?

 

[The Judge]

Resurrecting the thread for some horsey help, please.

Character A is a good rider on a good horse. Character B barely knows one end of the horse from the other, plus is having to use an old-fashioned side-saddle, ie one in which the rider is facing more or less sideways so control of the horse is difficult. The good news is the horse in question is very placid and knows more about this riding lark than A ever will, and all the riding is at walking pace save for one unexpected and traumatic event.

I hope I'm right in thinking A can lead B's horse by means of a long rein. Three questions arising therefrom:

1. Does B also have reins to hold?
   
2. What is the long rein called? I thought the term was "lead rein", but something I've read (OK, Wikipedia...) suggests that's only for eg pack-horses, and it should be a "leading rein" though I got frankly confused reading it all. I'd like to be accurate, but I'd also like to use the older term if one is much more recent than the other.
3. What terminology is used for B's part? That is, I want to say something like "he led the horse on a lead[ing] rein" but obviously the "led/lead" is awful. What verb would be appropriate? "Held"? "Controlled"?

Thanks for any help.

 

[The Ace]

OK, the only thing I know about horses is that they have a leg at each corner, but I'm suddenly in a bit of a bind.

Thunder is a Dwarf pony (bred by dwarfs for both draught and riding). He's short enough to be mounted fairly easily by a Dwarf, shaggy (Dwarfs don't build well above ground, so their horses need thick coats), and is built more for stamina and strength than speed (barrel-shaped body on short legs).

Dwarfs don't shoe their horses, and I'd like some idea of hoof care, and what can go wrong with a horse's feet. I've had a farrier trim his hoofs and check him over after a Winter of inactivity, do you think he'd need further treatment ?

Also, I ride like a sack of spuds, (seldom above a walking-pace, but with saddle, stirrups and reins - I own neither spurs nor crop, and wouldn't be happy using either in any case) what effect will this have on the horse ?

 

[Cathbad]

There are two basic types if riding reins: open and closed. A could lead the horse with either type, but it would be more difficult with closed reins. You could also attach a lead rope.

HOWEVER: It is probably not necessary to lead the hose at all.

I'm not sure why B has to be led, but you said the horse is very experienced, and movement is at a walk. In this event, the horse will follow A when instructed to do so.

I should also point out that, since the horse is well trained, riding side-saddle shouldn't be difficult at all, though the rider won't be able to give leg commands - which B probably doesn't know about, anyway. I could ride my horse all over the place, all day, and never have to touch the reins.

As far as 3) - he is merely being led. I don't believe their is another term.

 

[Cathbad]

Dwarfs don't shoe their horses, and I'd like some idea of hoof care, and what can go wrong with a horse's feet. I've had a farrier trim his hoofs and check him over after a Winter of inactivity, do you think he'd need further treatment ?

The grooves under the hooves should be cleaned regularly. I did it at least once a seek, if not after every ride. The farrier will trim the hooves about every quarter, but with a file you can take care of the spurs that sometimes develop around the edges in between. The hooves should also be "greased" regularly. This is put on rather thick (half inch?). Without it, the hooves are subject to crack. Keep her out of mud, or you'll see some rot! Which is why it's good idea to clean those hooves regularly!

 

[Cathbad]

and what can go wrong with a horse's feet

Sorry; missed this.

Sooo much can go wrong with their hooves!

Spurs, cracked hooves, rot... they can break the "ankle" without you even detecting it for a good while! This happened to a neighbor's Morgan show-horse. They had even took her to a show without noticing, but when they saw swelling called the farrier (believe me; the know more about that area than the vet) and he discovered the break. It literally took two years for her to recover!

Spurs aren't usually a big problem, mostly because they're easily removed. Cracking starts to break down support, putting more pressure on the rest of the leg.

 

[Kylara]

Side saddle riders do use their legs thank you generally you'll have a long stick to replace your right leg with when riding aside. Yes to B having their own reins and you'd attach a lead rope or lead rein to lead from A's horse.
In regards to side saddles, you don't actually sit sideways, just swing the hips round and leg round the queen. B will get a very sore right leg and bum as the saddles are harder, flatter and the the hip/leg alignment is like nothing else. You can also swing your right leg down (apron/skirts permissing) to stretch the muscles out. I did this more than usual today as it's been a while since I was last aside!

Ace, you're basically describing a Shetland (standard or miniature, but I'd suggest standard). Yes they need foot care - regular at bigger horses. Generally 6-8 weeks for shod and about every 8 weeks plus for barefoot to keep the balance. If lots of rough ground then they probably self trim so you could go further between trims but they still need balancing. Too many barefoot horses don't get seen frequently enough.

Saddle and bridle is fine and you'll do grand as long as you keep it all clean and oiled. Spurs aren't necessary and should only be used for more refined aids (not for going faster).

They do need their feet picking out daily and before and after riding. Hoof moisturiser is ok to use in dry weather if feet are looking dry and starting to crack but not essential. Google hoof picks and you'll find the device.

You're not going to get rotting feet in mud. You may be more at risk of a bacterial infection called mud fever (not caused by mud but by bacteria found in some bits of mud, but also found in non muddy areas) but that affects the heels and legs rather than foot. You may want to google thrush which is an infection in the frog bit of the hoof.

You wouldn't use open reins to lead - not unless you're a trail riding American, but you wouldn't be side saddle then and they're still not a good way to lead. I'd also not recommend leading with closed/English reins for a few technical reasons. A leather lead rein or a lead rope is fine.

Horses are led from the ground or other horses. Polo ponies are ponied (multiple horses led from one being ridden).

I think that's everything. Just be aware of the differences in terminology and style and standards of care between USA and UK in regards to horses (ie In USA you don't have to be qualified to be a farrier and trail riding is very different to 'English' riding in the USA whech again can be quite different to actual 'English' riding).

 

[Kylara]

The problems mentioned by Cathbad regarding hooves are unusual to see in the UK. Broken fetlocks should be noticed seriously quickly, heat, swelling, lameness etc (I won't go into the issues regarding the training and husbandry surrounding show horses of the tennessee and morgan horses and other breeds that could cause and promote these problems).

Most hoof problems are easily sorted and caused by poor foot balance. Then you have infections - thrush - in the bulb and frog, infected cracks called seedy toe, and traumatic chunking where you lose bits of the hoof through trauma. You also get white line disease, laminitis, pedal bone fractures, navicular and various other foot problems. Your most common problem would be an abcess or an infection following a sole or frog puncture.

 

[Cathbad]

My mind couldn't recall the name, so I use ankle - then it came to me - fetlock.

You're not going to get rotting feet in mud.

I'd beg to differ, because I've seen the rot, which the farrier said was due to moisture "probably all the mud in the pasture".

You wouldn't use open reins to lead

Am I mistaken, since we're talking about a medieval setting, that open reins would be more likely?

 

[Cathbad]

Broken fetlocks should be noticed seriously quickly,

I would have thought so too. But I don't know the specifics of why it wasn't quickly noticed - just that in not doing so, a more serious condition developed.

 

[Cathbad]

'English' riding

BOOO!

Just kidding... but I could never get into this style - though more than one person tried teaching me!

I'll keep my western saddle tyvm.

 

[Kylara]

What you're calling rot sounds like thrush which is a bacterial infection of the frog and or bulb of the hoof. Not necessarily caused by mud but moisture makes a good breeding ground. Happens in stabled horses as well - just an infection which can be annoying to shift if unnoticed for quite a while.

In regards to the reins, only trail riders use open reins. Not particularly safe to be honest! Side saddle definitely not as you ride with a longer rein than usual for atsride and open reins would be unhelpful to say the least! I've only ever known of trail riders to use them. You'd be better off with a proper leather and chain lead rein or a lead rope, both of which attach to both sides of the bit (lead rope goes through nearside bit ring and clips to offside one, unless you have a leather or chain attachment which attaches to both rings and then your rope clips to that).

In regards to thn fetlock injury, it happens. There are a lot of dubious practices that go on regarding feet in that sort of breed in the US, especially in the show barns, but I'd rather not go into it further other than to say it could mask/cause that sort of injury to be ignored. But I don't know how your friend's horse was kept and it could have been a mild fracture which suddenly splintered. Though I would have hoped a groom would have spotted the heat or other indicators, but stuff does get missed.

 

[Cathbad]

You're not going to get rotting feet in mud. You may be more at risk of a bacterial infection called mud fever (not caused by mud but by bacteria found in some bits of mud, but also found in non muddy areas) but that affects the heels and legs rather than foot. You may want to google thrush which is an infection in the frog bit of the hoof.

It's been a while since I had my horses so I looked this up. We're talking about the same thing I think: Thrush. It's a bacterial infection, common in Florida (where I lived) because of all the moisture. Smelly and ugly, sure looks like rot!

 

[Kylara]

Hah! Horse couch riding

Also a lot of problems seen in the feet of horses in the US are due to unqualified or downright awful farriers doing bad trim and shoeing work. Well known for it. Plus lots don't get the hooves checked frequently enough either which causes problems all over the place as too long hooves, or dropped heels, or unbalanced feet can cause a multitude of muscular and skeletal problems in the rest of the horse.

 

[Cathbad]

In regards to the reins, only trail riders use open reins.

Oh, I hate open reins, and have only used them when I've been asked to ride a horse that was already saddled (I'll check the saddle's straps, but changing the reins would've been rude).

 

[Kylara]

Yes thrush is a common problem - frog and bulbs, smelly, black, and can be difficult to get rid of as it comes back quickly if you don't finish getting rid of it. Mud fever is a different bacterial infection which tends to affect the upper bulbs and the lower leg of the horse. Same bacteria causes rain scald which is commonly found on the back and rump. Scabby sores. Nightmare to shift.

Tie them together in a knot I do that a lot with little kiddies I teach who slip their reins something awful and wonder why pony walks over to the grass for a munch and they can't do anything to stop them!

 

[Cathbad]

Hah!

Also a lot of problems seen in the feet of horses in the US are due to unqualified or downright awful farriers doing bad trim and shoeing work. Well known for it. Plus lots don't get the hooves checked frequently enough either which causes problems all over tdn place as too long hooves, or dropfed heels, or unbalanced feet can cause a multitude of muscular and skeletal problems in the rest of the horse.

We (neighbors had same one) had a great farrier, and if it wasn't for him, the horse might have been quite worse! He discovered it on his monthly visit. I think the main problem was that the two main caregivers for the horses had demanding jobs - the father a minister, the son a sheriff's deputy. They were probably too rushed when dealing with the horse. (Soon after, the father retired, and spent most o his days with the horses.)

 

[Cathbad]

Same bacteria causes rain scald which is commonly found on the back and rump. Scabby sores. Nightmare to shift.

Yoiks!

Thank goodness I never had to deal with that!!

 

[Kylara]

It's a right pita as all the rugs and stuff need disinfecting and repeated washing or you'll just keep reinfecting with the bacteria which will happily live in the rugs, in your brushes, on your numnahs... Not to mention the fact that the scabby sores can get infected as well! Also can cause hair loss so an all round unwanted and uncomfortable thing to have!