HorseTrax The newsletter for horse lovers Please visit the HorseTrax website!! http://clix.to/horsetrax ************************************************************************************** HorseTrax Newsletter #5 February 14, 2002 In This Issue: 1*What's New? 2*Did You Know-Azoturia 3*Breed Profile: The New Kirgiz 4*Fun Facts 5*What's In A Name?: Results 6*What's In A Name? 7*Poems & Quotes 8*I've Always Wondered...What Does a Horse's Facial Expressions Say? 9*Quick History: Ruffian 10*Quick Stats: Red Rum 11*Would You Rather...? Results & New Survey 12*Survey C Results 13*Survey D 14*What's Their Breed?: Results 15*What's Their Breed? 16*Stallion In The Spotlight: King N Doc Dun Tuffy 17*Readers' Sites and My Favorite Horse Sites 18*The Reader's Input 19*A Final Neigh 20*References *************************************************************************************** What's New?     Well, I'm amazed that I got this newsletter done on time, for I am quite exhausted with the past few days' events. On Friday night of the 8th, I attended the Monster Truck Challenge in Duluth, Minnesota (2 hours from my house). Not only was it loud, but I also did not get home until 1 AM. (It was, however, an awesome experience!) I spent the next morning watching a couple Pat Parelli tapes at my best friend's house and then going home to work with my horse a bit. He was just awesome. Then I went inside and took a nap, only to be awakened an hour later by one of my dogs barking. I went upstairs, and found the three dogs that my mom had rescued from a woman who needed emergency placement of them. (My mom is trying to start her own animal rescue shelter). The three new members of our family are: Hercules (9-year old Rat Terrier...has the biggest, sweetest eyes ever and is simply adorable and loving), Kaite (15 month old Rat Terrier, very shy, she must have been abused, for she is very sensitive to any sudden movement), and Cookie (3 years old, mixed breed, the most loving dog anyone could ever find...very overweight, but sooo cute...great lap ornament :) ). I am very glad to have them with us, yet after all the playing with them, I find myself quite worn out. Yet here I am, at my computer, typing this newsletter. I hope you enjoy this issue...I apologize for any spelling mistakes that I might miss. Look for HorseTrax #6 on February 28th. Thanks!! Sincerely, Erin and Baron *************************************************************************************** Did You Know?-Azoturia     Azoturia (also known as Monday Morning Sickness or Tying-Up) is where destruction of the skeletal muscles occurs following inflammation. This disease is most commonly seen in horses who are overweight and/or out of shape, being fed high nutritional diets, and are suddenly put to hard work. It is also most commonly seen in younger horses, horses with heavy muscling (such as *draft horses* and *Quarter Horses*), and especially horses who are used for hard riding such as endurance horses. In addition, horses who are nervous and exercised in damp, cold weather are more likely to develop this disease.      So what are the signs? Since tying-up occurs mostly in endurance mounts, if you are riding and your horse suddenly appears to be in intense pain and showing signs of colic, contact your veterinarian immediately. DO NOT try to walk him, for this can result in permanent damage. If you are unsure of your horse's actions, assume that he has a muscular problem and rest him until the veterinarian gets there. ************************************************************************************** Breed Profile: The New Kirgiz     This breed is also known by the Russian name Novokirgizkaya. The Don and the Thoroughbred are credited with the making of this breed, for by crossing the blood of those two breeds with the local horses of Kirgiz, this interesting breed was formed.      Characteristically, they most closely represent the Don. Their massive size and short legs allowed them to adapt to the condition of the highlands. When speaking in terms of measurement, the average New Kirgiz stallion stands approximately 156 centimeters at the withers, with a girth of 188 centimeters, and a length of 158 centimeters. Mares are slightly smaller in size. Their heads are of a medium size with a fairly low neck, defined withers, a muscled croup, and a balanced back. However, a common occurence in this breed are sickle-hocked legs.      What are they used for? Most commonly, they are used for stock, work, and milk production. Unfortunately, they are also raised for their meat. However, their numbers are still fairly high: 56,650. ************************************************************************************** Fun Facts *Andalusians have been breed by the monks of southern Spain since the 15th century. *Every breed of horse falls into the following four categories: ponies, coldbloods, warmbloods, and hotbloods. *A gray Arabian by the name of Marengo was owned by Napoleon, and was his mount in the battle at Waterloo, 1815. *The Pegasus was created by the Greeks when the were first introduced to the Arabian horse. Pegasus was a god-like creature who was a winged Arabian horse who lived on Mt. Olympus. *Spotted horses lived as far back as prehistoric times. Cave paintings portraying them were found in France. *By breeding Welsh Mountain mares and a small Thoroughbred stallion named Merlin, the Welsh Mountain Pony was created, also sometimes called Merlins. *The horse was first domesticated approximately 5,000 years ago in eaither the Far or Middle East. *The pedigree of Arabian horses can be traced to the wild horses of Yemen. These horses were captured and tamed by Bax, who was the great-great-great grandson of Noah. ************************************************************************************** What's In A Name: Results     The black Arabian stallion in the last issue was issued five excellent names. I loved them all, yet I chose Altair, meaning "Flying Eagle" in Arabic, sent in by Jaci. Thanks for the awesome suggestion, Jaci! The others were: Arrogant Jet (Tiffany), Pretty Boy (Dana), Battle By Moonlight (Teresa), and Michael (Erin). Thanks to you all!! ************************************************************************************** What's In A Name? Name: ? Breed: Hanoverian Age: 10 History: Jumping, Dressage Status: Competing at 3rd Level Dressage Colors: Dark bay with a white star Gender: Gelding Disposition: Well-mannered gelding, quick learner, as graceful as they come! *Help me with a name for this guy!! Send in your suggestion to me by February 26th, and your choice just might win!! ************************************************************************************** Poems & Quotes "Closeness, friendship, affection: Keeping your own horse means all these." -Bertrand Lecclair "Be wary of the horse with a sense of humor." -Pam Brown "Galloping smoothly across the lush green grass, my heart rides through itself on the back of a horse."        -Katie Crozier "If you have seen nothing but the beauty of their markings and limbs, their true beauty is hidden from you." -Al Mutannabbi "...The animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear." -Henry Beston ************************************************************************************** I've Always Wondered...What Does a Horse's Facial Expressions Say?     You may not be able to read the expressions upon the face of your horse as well as you can that of your fellow human beings, but if you know the signs and the terms (I will give them to you below), you will be able to better understand what your horse is trying to tell you. *Snapping, Teeth Clapping, Jaw-Waving: All of these are most commonly seen in a young foal. They will open their mouth and, with the corners of the mouth drawn tightly back, they will expose their teeth and begin to open and close its jaws. Sometimes, you will hear their teeth make contact with eachother, and other times, there will be no sound at all. What they are trying to tell another horse by doing this is that they mean no harm and hope the same in return. After about three years, this stops as the horse takes his role in the equine social life. *The opposite of snapping is where a horse holds his jaws stiffly open with his teeth bared. This is a definate bite threat, and is most commonly seen when two horses are fighting. Often, on horse will do this to another as to warn him without actually engaging in a conflict. *Flehmen Face: This expression is presented by a stallion when he is sexually active. When he catches the scent of a mare, he will curl his top lip and expose his upper teeth and gums. His head will stretch forward and will seem like he is trying very hard to sniff the air. Sometimes, this can occur when a horse smells a strange chemical. My own gelding sometimes do this if he smells an unfamiliar scent. You can even see mares make the Flehmen Face when they smell the urine of another mare. *Other common facial expressions include the following: pain or exhaustion (closed eyes), fear or anxiety (eyes opened wide), peaceful or relaxed (eyes half-closed), and angry (eyes bulge and turn backwards). ************************************************************************************** Quick History: Ruffian     This magnificent Thoroughbred filly was never defeated, she either set or equaled a new stakes record in each one of the eight stakes races she won, raced distances from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/2 miles with an average win of 8 1/3 lengths. She was born in 1972 in Kentucky at Clairborne Farms and lived there as a weanling. She was then sent to Belmont Park in New York and was trained under Grank Whiteley, Jr., and won her first race by 13 lengths. In her 2 year old season, she won every one of her races and was named 2 Year Old Filly of the Year. As a three-year old, she won the Filly Triple Crown (won the Acorn Stakes, Mother Goose Stakes, and the Coaching Club American Oaks Stakes).      After these great successes, the decision to put her in a race against Foolish Pleasure (Kentucky Derby winner 1975) was made. Though she'd never raced against colts, but she apparently seemed up to it. Sadly, this race would prove fatal. During the race, Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure were an equal match, and Ruffian even managed to hold him off by a few lengths at times. Yet as they approached the mile marker, a sickening "snap" was heard, and the great race was over, for Ruffian had broken a leg. Despite this, Ruffian attempted to continue running the race, and her jockey had a very difficult time restraining her from doing so. The surgeon spent 12 long hours trying to save the filly. Yet when the procedure was done and Ruffian awoke, she became confused and panicked. Because she thrashed around so violently, she fractured her cast, fractured her opposite leg, and made her original break more severe. She would not survive another operation, and was put down. The day that she was buried at Belmont Park, the flags flew at half-mast in memory of so great a race horse. ************************************************************************************** Quick Stats: Red Rum     *It is likely that if you know anything about the Grand National Steeplechase, you know about Red Rum. He is the only horse in the history of this event to win the race three times. In addition, he also ran it two other times and came in second place.      *Red Rum ran for more than 10 years, running 100 races over fences and a couple on the flat. He won three flat races, twenty-one steeplechases, and three hurdle races. Of all of his races, he came in second 37 times. Even more remarkably, he has had several different trainers and owners, and over 20 different jockeys during his career. ************************************************************************************** Would You Rather...?: Results & New Survey Results: Own a Purebred: 75% Own a Cross: 25% Own a Western horse: 75% Own an English horse: 25% Be a Farrier: 0% Be a Veterinarian: 100% Be a Trainer: 75% Be a Breeder: 25% Thanks to all of you who participated in last issue's Would You Rather...? !! This issue's Would You Rather...? This is like a survey, but you are only given two options between which you must choose. E-mail me your responses with the title Would You Rather in the subject line. 1.) Have a new: Saddle or Headstall/Reins/Breastcollar? 2.) Wear: Breeches or Chaps? 3.) Own a: Western Saddle or English Saddle? 4.) Have a: New Trailer or New Corral? ************************************************************************************** Survey C Results Thanks for contributing your responses to this survey. Here are the results: 1.) What would you rather do with horses:      Work in a stable: 33%      Buy a horse: 67% 2.) What level of riding would you like to be doing?      Showing: 34%      Exercise Rider: 33%      Trainer: 33% 3.) What style of riding would you like to know more about?      Side Saddle: 67%      Costume: 33% 4.) If you were to teach your horse a trick, which of the following would it be?      Bow: 67%      Lay Down: 33% 5.) If you could choose one of the following trainers to train your horse, who would it be?      John Lyons: 67%      Monty Roberts: 33% ************************************************************************************** Survey D 1.) What kind of saddle do you prefer? a. Dressage b. Trail c. Pleasure d. Endurance e. Jumping f. Barrel Racing g. Reining h. Cordura i. Other 2.) What kind of halter do you prefer? a. Nylon b. Leather c. Show d. Arab e. Other 3.) What is your preferred bit for riding? a. Snaffle b. Curb c. Tom Thumb d. Hackamore e. Correctional f. Other 4.) Do you use spurs? a. Yes b. No 5.) How often do you wear a helmet? a. Never b. Sometimes c. Most of the time d. Always 6.) What kind of saddle pad/blanket do you prefer? a. Fleece b. Neoprene c. Wool d. Sheepskin e. Cotton f. Other Please submit to me your responses by February 26th. Thanks!! ************************************************************************************** What's Their Breed: Results Thanks to Tiffany and Teresa who attempted last issue's What's Their Breed. Tiffany got 1/4 correct (missing #'s 1,3,4) and Teresa got 2/4 (missing #'s 1,2). Great try you two!! Below are the correct answers: 1.) Kelso: Thoroughbred 2.) Parade: Morgan 3.) Old Painter: Appaloosa 4.) Old Sorrel: Quarter horse ************************************************************************************** What's Their Breed? Below are four famous horses and it is your job to choose their correct breed. E-mail me your answers by February 26th. Good luck!! 1.) High Hand a. Appaloosa b. Welsh Pony c. Quarter Horse 2.) Flight Time a. Thoroughbred b. Arabian c. American Saddlebred 3.) Naseem a. Arabian b. Paint c. Trakehner 4.) Jay Farceur 17628 a. Clydesdale b. Belgian c. Shire ************************************************************************************** Stallion in the Spotlight Name: King N Doc Dun Tuffy Breed: Quarter Horse Gender: 1991 Stallion Color: Dun Height: 15.2 hh Weight: 1350 lbs. Sire and Dam: Leo Sans Poco King x Docs Little Jewel Owned By: Colorado Quarter Horse Ranch; standing in Montrose, Colorado Other: 1995 World Champion IBHA Halter Horse, 1996 Reserve World Champion IBHA Halter Horse, Grand Champion 33 times, Reserve Champion 25 times, IBHA Honor Roll aged stallion 1995, ROM in AQHA and IBHA, 63 IBHA dun factor points, 58 IBHA halter points. See him at: www.coloradoquarterhorse.com ************************************************************************************** Reader's Sites and My Favorite Horse Sites Star Stables (placed here by request) www.catcom.com/qu/star_stables Animal Rescue Club (placed here by request) www.expage.com/endangeredsc Hobby Horse Clothing Company (for all your show clothes!!) www.hobbyhorseinc.com Equine Supply Direct (tons of tack!!) www.equinesupplydirect.net ************************************************************************************** The Reader's Input *Reminding you that you can submit anything horse-related to this newsletter at any time!! Thanks!! ************************************************************************************** A Final Neigh     Thanks for reading this issue. I hope that you got something out of it, because I know that researching for it has helped me greatly. Have a wondeful Valentine's Day...give your horse (or favorite horse picture :~) an extra kiss!! Look for HorseTrax #6 on February 28th, 2002. Until then...happy riding!! ************************************************************************************** References James, Ruth B. How To Be Your Own Veterinarian (sometimes). Wyoming: Alpine Press Mills, 1990. Morris, Desmond. Horsewatching. New York: Crown Publishers Inc., 1988. www.coloradoquarterhorse.com ************************************************************************************** Home                                                                                                                              Past Issues

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