OEC Newsletter - Issue 5, Volume 2, 2nd Quarter 2010
The Oaks Equestrian Pony Club Riding Center
The Oaks Equestrian Pony Club Riding Center just finished off a terrific winter session! All participants have come a long way in 10 weeks, and we are looking forward to more improvements during our spring session. Another rating was held with “A” Graduate pony clubber Rebecca Willner on March 9th, 2010. Congratulations to dual OEPC member Lizzy Hudson, who achieved her C-1 rating on the OEPC mount Faraday.
Apart from mounted sessions, The Oaks Equestrian Pony Club Riding Center members participated in many local activities. OEPC members attended the annual “D-Day” on January 23rd, at Canterbury Stables in Newberry, FL. Participants were grouped into teams with other Pony Club members from around the Sunshine region. These teams rotated through stations of games and other informative seminars. Our own Lindsay Brown hosted the game “Horseopoly”, which was a huge success with all levels and ages of participants. On March 6th, Colleen Davis attended the “Teaching and Testing Day”, hosted by Fannin Hill in Brooksville, FL. “A” graduate and national examiner Claire Harmon spent the day watching demo riders and explaining the visual and verbal differences between the D-1 through C-2 Pony Club levels. As a participant, Colleen was asked to give a lunchtime speech, explaining Pony Club Riding Centers and the success of our own OEPC!
We are in the process of adding new mounts to the growing lesson program, which will allow OEPC members access to more school masters. We have an exciting 2010 calendar, including the C and Up Summer Camp, our second bi-annual rating, and several rallies to attend. Keep an eye on the calendar for more details.
|
|
|
Welcome New Owners & Members |
|
The Oaks of Lake City welcomes new owners The Vellankis, who purchased equestrian home site #46.
Horse in Training: The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers?
...Is that Tiggers are wonderful things! A.A. Milne, author of the famed children's book Winnie the Pooh, could not have been more correct when it comes to The Oaks Equestrian Center's own Tigger, owned by resident member Linda Jansson. Tigger and Linda became a part of the OEC family almost a year ago. Over the past two months, the staff has had the pleasure of working with Tigger and Linda on a more intimate level, by participating in one of our Groom and Training Packages.
At the start of Tiggers' training, the staff at The Oaks charted his weight, vitals, and other necessary data, just like a personal trainer would at a gym. They even took a profile picture of Tigger, so as to visually monitor adjustments to his fitness level and build. A part of the training package requires the OEC staff to document all training rides in a log that is available for viewing by the owner and other staff members involved in training. This allows continued improvements to the training process, as it ensures all involved are well-informed of the progress and are on the same page. Throughout the training process at The Oaks, all owners are continually updated on the success of the program, as well as which exercises benefit the horse. This creates a truly intimate process for the horse, the owner, and the staff. General Manager and Riding Director Colleen Davis states, "It is extremely important for the owners to be a part of the training program, and to be aware of the horse's progression on a weekly basis. Each horse is unique, so each training program is continually being altered and developed, as the team progress towards the ultimate goal of the owner."
Linda's goal is for Tigger to be safe, sound, and balanced for her visits to The Oaks. An essential part of these aspects rely on continual riding and stimulating training sessions. As for Tigger's workouts, cross training is the key to his success. Ground work and lunging in the "dojo" round pen, trot sets out on the trails, small natural jumps on the cross-country course, and basic, training-level dressage in the covered arena round out Tigger's exercise program. As for "her boy", as Linda affectionately calls Tigger, he will remain in the training program, continuing to improve in the areas of fitness and balance.
"I am very pleased with Tigger's progress in his own training program here at The Oaks. His fitness and performance levels are dramatically improving. I can see it, and I can feel it under saddle! He is more balanced and stays in rhythm with more ease. Work is play for him now, and he thrives on the consistency and variety of his workouts in the arenas, on the cross-country course, and on the trails. Since I travel a lot, I really appreciate the ongoing progress reports, which are very detailed and specific. I also have peace of mind, knowing that he is the best of hands." - Linda Jansson
You can watch Tigger's progress with us! Just be on the lookout for more pictures and updates in the next newsletter.
Tigger, January 2010
Tigger, March 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OEC on Facebook & Twitter!
Click the icons to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
 .png)
Coming Soon... Apr. '10
- CPR/1st Aid and AED Training - April 7th
- Desensitizing and AKC Good Citizenship dog-certification clinic
- Grand Opening of New AR Model
- OEC Hunter Pace Spring Run – Saturday, May 8th
- Two Day Eventing Clinic with Nick Cwick - May 22nd-23rd
- Sunshine Region PC "C and up" Camp - June 17th-20th
- OEC Summer Camps - June 21st-July 16th
- OEC 2nd Annual Fall Run Hunter Pace – Saturday, September 4th
- CHA International Conference at The Oaks - October 21-24th
Vet's Corner - Apr. '10
Dear OEC Vet Corner ,
The other day my Quarter Horse gelding came in from turn-out with welts on his neck and shoulders. They are not sensitive, and he shows no signs of itching. He gets turned out with a fly mask and sheet and is fly-sprayed every morning, so I don't think they're insect bites. A friend suggested that he might have hives. What can you tell me about hives on horses? What kind of treatment should he have?
Sincerely,
"Unhappy with Hives"
Dear "Unhappy with Hives",
Hives, properly known as "urticaria", are caused when capillaries beneath the skin leak a clear fluid from the blood into the tissue spaces below the skin's surface, essentially creating small edemas (swellings) in multiple areas on the horse's body. Typically, hives are a body's response to an allergen. Common causes can include reactions to medications (especially antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), topical ointments, food changes, or pollen and mold in the environment.
Hives first appear as small, firm lumps, which might eventually turn into larger swellings. They typically occur on the neck, shoulder, barrel, and hindquarters. In a case of non-complicated hives, the skin appears normal, with no hair loss and usually no itching. Hives can develop in as few as 15 minutes, or up to 24 hours after exposure to an allergen. The size of the individual hive (known as a wheal) is influenced by several different factors, but typically the larger the hive, the more reactive the horse.
In order to treat hives and prevent later outbreaks, the source of the problem or allergen must be determined and removed from your horse's environment. Review your horse's stall and turn-out environment, and note any changes in his routine. Have there been feed or supplement changes or a recent pasture rotation? Has he been given any medications or treated with ointments? Did you change the type of bedding? Did you change your brand of fly spray? Consider the season, as pollen is a common cause of hives as well. Also, keep in mind that external factors, such as pressure, heat, cold, exercise, and stress might intensify the allergic reaction. Although your horse might not exhibit any signs of extreme discomfort or pain from hives, you should typically wait a day or two before putting him back to work. Sweat and pressure from the saddle will only further irritate the inflamed tissue.
Fortunately, the majority of hive cases are not critical.Hives rarely affect the general health of the horse and will usually disappear within one to two days. However, it is advisable to notify your vet, in case your horse develops an acute allergic response. If the swelling does not go down within a few days, your vet may administer a slow-acting corticosteroid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the swellings.If the reaction is progressing, your vet may choose to administer a fast-acting corticosteroid, such as predisolone sodium succinate, to prevent further swelling that could interfere with your horse's normal functions.
In rare cases, hives can develop into the much more serious condition of "Angioedema". Unlike a typical case of hives, in which fluid leaks out of skin capillaries, "Angioedema" actually takes place in the deeper vessels. Due to less tissue pressure in these areas, more fluid can escape and can begin to press on the surrounding tissues. "Angioedema" becomes a life-threatening situation if it develops around the larynx of the horse, as it will narrow or completely close-off the airway. In these cases, epinephrine may be given by your vet to bring down the swelling quickly. If the condition becomes chronic, your vet can administer an allergy test that is very similar to a test that your doctor would give you to determine the offending allergens.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Brown, Barn Manager
|
