Announcements/Reminders

THE OAKS EQUESTRIAN CENTER RECOGNIZED AS A U.S. PONY CLUB RIDING CENTER

October 9, 2009
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY: The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., (USPC) announces the recognition of The Oaks Equestrian Center- an O’Connor Signature Facility, located in Lake City, Florida, as a USPC Riding Center. As a recognized Pony Club Riding Center membership to USPC is available to youth 25 and under who join The Oaks Equestrian Pony Club Riding Center.

Members through a Pony Club Riding Center do not have to have to have their own horse and will have access to the full Pony Club program. This includes learning to ride on the flat, over jumps, and in the open. In addition, members will be able to “rate” their riding ability and horse management skills against an established standard of proficiency and be able to participate in center, regional, and national activities.

Each of the ten Pony Club ratings is more difficult than the preceding one, and requires Pony Club members to learn more about horses and their care and to become increasingly accomplished riders and teachers of riding and horse care to younger members. The top rating, ‘A,’ is reached by fewer than one in 300 and denotes throughout the international horse industry a highly competent and knowledgeable horseperson.

There are approximately 11,000 members of USPC in over 625 clubs and centers throughout the country. Along with an emphasis on helping its members learn to ride and care for horses, Pony Club promotes teamwork, a sense of responsibility, safety, good moral judgment and self-confidence.

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including most of our Olympic Equestrian team members, have Pony Club roots. Members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Activities are English-riding based, and members ride both horses and ponies, depending on the size of the rider and the discipline in which s/he is competing.

All Pony Club competition is team competition, much like the Olympic games, where members learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

The Oaks Equestrian Center now offering complimentary one year memberships!! That means you can participate in the full lesson program from beginner to advanced riders. We teach all ages (starting at the age of 7) and accept all disciplines. You can trailer in your own horse or take a lesson on one of ours. We are open for lessons, coaching, clinics and camps. We also offer xc schooling and open trail ride days. We offer instruction in the following areas:

Safety is a top priority in this program, so proper registration is required for joining the program. Call # 386-755-1488 for scheduling.
Please call or e-mail to inquire. Email: rhondag@oconnoroec.com or phone: #386-755-1488

Coming Soon:

• Karen O’Connor annual clinic at The Oaks-Nov 14-15th
• CHA standard instructor certification clinic at The Oaks –Dec 3-7th
• The Oaks Equestrian Pony Club Riding Center D-Rating-Dec 12th
• The Oaks of Lake City and Equestrian Center Christmas Party-Dec 12th
• CHA International Conference at The Oaks-Oct 21-24th, 2010
• Grand Opening of New AR Model

Vet's Corner

Learn to Recognize your Horse’s Dental Problems Horses with dental problems may show obvious signs, such as pain or irritation, or they may show no noticeable signs at all. This is because some horses simply adapt to their discomfort. For this reason, periodic dental examinations are essential to your horse’s health. It is important to catch dental problems early. If a horse starts behaving abnormally, dental problems should be considered as a potential cause. Waiting too long may increase the difficulty of remedying certain conditions or may even make remedy impossible. Look for the following indicators of dental problems from the American Association of Equine

Practitioners (AAEP) to know when to seek veterinary attention for your horse:

1. Loss of feed from mouth while eating, difficulty with chewing, or excessive salivation.
2. Loss of body condition.
3. Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole grain) in manure.
4. Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.
5. Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing to turn or stop, even bucking.
6. Foul odor from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood from the mouth.
7. Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw or mouth tissues.

Oral exams should be an essential part of an annual physical examination by a veterinarian. Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental maintenance. Mature horses should get a thorough dental exam at least once a year, and horses 2 –5 years old should be examined twice yearly. For more information about proper dental care, ask your equine veterinarian for “Dental Care: The Importance of Maintaining the Health of Your Horse’s Mouth,” a brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunction with Educational Partner Bayer Animal Health.

Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners