Using techniques such as those described in my book, Understanding the Ancients secrets of the Horses Mind or or demonstrated in my video, Influencing the Horses Mind and the DVD Understanding Horses, you or your trainer should work with your horse to desensitize it to frightening stimuli.  If you’re riding an unfamiliar horse, always be prepared for a fight-or-flight response, so you can remain in control- even if you’re separated from your animal. It’s called pleasure riding for a reason, but that’s not an excuse to forget about safety.  Debby and I wish you a wonderful and safe summer season.

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SUMMERTIME PROBLEMS FOR THE CASUAL PLEASURE RIDER

A majority of today’s pleasure horses are kept in rather confined areas, and our busy lives often do not allow us to take long rides, except perhaps on weekends. For these reasons, many horses, although basically healthy, are quite out of shape.  As a result, a lengthy ride, especially on a hot summer day, can cause them physical damage. Veterinarians see heat stroke, “tied up” horses, lameness, and other problems resulting from out-of-condition animals.  There are several things you can do to minimize the chances of injury to your horse:

• Don’t allow overweight. This is easily controlled by limiting calorie consumption. Don’t overfeed. Horses used only once or twice a week and who don’t have large areas to roam don’t need grain. Feed mostly grass hay, with perhaps 25% alfalfa for its protein and calcium content. A good all-around supplement made by a reliable company is okay, but don’t overdo it.
   
• Horses need access to salt all summer WHY? TO BALANCE ELECTROLYTES?, and a regular supply of fresh water.
   
•  If you keep your horse barefoot, that’s fine.  But if you go on a long ride, it might be a good idea to carry along a couple of hoof boots - it’s better than risking damaged feet.
   
•  Use common sense.  Allow an out-of-shape horse to cool out on a hot day.  During the ride, allow him to rest up and catch his wind, as needed.  If it’s really warm, dismount, and lift the saddle to make sure no saddle sores are developing.

Photos provided by Eitan and Debbie Beth-Halachmy 

Have a question for Dr. Miller? Send it to questions@robertmmiller.com.  We apologize that due to volume, we can’t guarantee Dr. Miller can respond to all emails, but we are building a more comprehensive FAQ page on our website to address your needs. All questions may be edited for clarity and space. Q.  What can I do about those tiny flies that annoy my horse’s ears as soon as the warm weather begins. A.  When you’re not riding your horse, use a fly mask that has pouches for the ears. Before riding, apply an insect repellant to, and inside of, the ear. There are many good liquid brands on the market, such as “Tri-Tech,” or fly repellant ointments like “Wipe.”   This month: PREVENTING LAMINITIS Most horse owners know that overeating grain can cause laminitis (“founder”), a common and devastating disease of the animal’s feet. But it’s not as well known that, especially in the springtime/June, eating too much new green grass is an even more common cause of laminitis. Prevent it by getting horses used to green grass very gradually, and by limiting the amount eaten. This can be accomplished in several ways: *  Limit the number of hours in pasture *  Put a “grazing muzzle” on the horse *  Put the horse in pasture when his stomach is already full of hay The sooner a case of laminitis is treated, the better the chances are to prevent permanent damage. Check pastured horses daily; if you notice any soreness in the feet, consider it an emergency. Remove the horse from pasture, and call a veterinarian. Hours can make the difference between a prompt recovery, and permanent damage. Photos provided by Dr. Dana Zimmel, University of Florida    Mark Your Calendars! Interested in catching one of Dr. Miller’s lectures? Spring and Summer Schedule: July 31-August 4:  147th annual AVMA Convention, Atlanta, GA: For the first time, AVMA will include a two-day symposium on the “Art & Science of Handling Horses.” All veterinary students planning to do equine practice, or practitioners who see equine patients should not miss this opportunity.  Click Here for details.   August 20-22:  Want a working vacation? Check out the Hawaii Horse Expo, August 20-22, on the Big Island: This annual event features workshops, presentations and exhibitions from the nation’s leading clinicians and equine industry experts. For info, go to www.hawaiihorseexpo.com, or call organizer Nancy Jones at (808) 887-2301. For information on appearances and other dates and locations in 2010, Click Here Coming in our August newsletter: A preview of Dr. Miller's new book: A Passion for Horses & Artistic Talent: An Unrecognized Connection. Go to www.thepassionforhorses.com for more information on this first-of-its-kind exploration of the link between horse lovers and creativity." Interested in booking Dr. Miller for a lecture, demonstration, or book signing? Contact info@robertmmiller.com.

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