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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
It would depend I think on his x-rays.... Much of the pain in NS is inflamation of the deep flexor tendon from moving over a changed, rough Navicular bone. The more the tendon moves over that rough surface, the more inflamed it gets. exercise improves blood flow and improves the condition, too much causes damage. It shows up in hard work, disappears with rest.
I'd just have to try doing what I'd like to do with him, and really read him as to whether he is holding up and enjoying the activity. Right now, he gets really jazzed about going for a ride and he steps lighter and faster than when he is clunking around the pasture all bored.
It would be hard to establish parameters that are fair, for when it was OK to use a drug and when it's not. But the objective of NATRC (so they say:) is promoting good trail horses and good trail horsemanship. Well, if you have a good trail horse, but he has some problem that has to be treated to keep him a good trail horse, I find it hard to accept the ridgity of their rules. If a horse is on a drug per a vets reccommedation, and the rider has documentation of this, I think it should be acceptabe.
NATRC, has a rule that has always bothered me. They don't allow any type of leg protection. No type of boot, but then they will and do mark off if in going thru rocks a rock puts a nick on your horses leg. The reasoning is, the horse was not paying attention to where he was putting his foot. But, hell we go thru rocky creeks....how can they see rocks underwater.
IMO, good horsemanship is putting something on your horses legs to protect them from such things.
But I've learned, there are going to be rules in any organization you don't like, you just have to deal with it. If you know the rule going in, then don't complain, is what I tell myself:)
Becky
Do you know what is "too much" excerise?
Becky
No, I don't really know what's too much for him.... I haven't pushed him to the point of obvious lameness, I've treated him with kid gloves. I would guess that with every passing year "too much" is a limit that is moving closer to us, and not farther away.
I have taken him on a few rides that were lengthy or hard, and he held up well for the day's exertion. Didn't try to ride him the next day, I rested him awhile.
After the last ride we went on, ecurbh's first ride on Cyn where we went with my 'whoop and go' friend, I buted him that night. I just thought the ride was much harder than we should have done with him, even though he didn't have any real symptom of lameness or injury. I just did it because I was sore from it, I imagined he was too.... Whole body soreness as much as issues with his feet.
It's kinda like the stink that got kicked up several years ago in the professional golf ranks over allowing carts at tournaments. Seems that some handicaped guy qualified and wanted to play but had to have a cart, which they wouldn't allow coz they said if they let him, they'd have to let everybody. It all got kinda nasty and the Americans With Disabilities Act got tossed around. I can't remember if they let him have a cart or not.
I understand that, and have always been a stickler about rules are rules. There will ALWAYS be legitimate justification for bending a rule cases. That's what makes it hard to be the enforcer of rules:) I was the president of our local Round up club. I always enforced the rules, but sometimes it was a very hard thing to do, especially in cases where children were involved. The problem with "legitimate justification" is that can be subjective.
Becky
BTW: More responses at the NATRA board.
I replied and thanked them, but my replies haven't posted yet.
Yeah, you're right about that. Making exceptions can get you accused of making favoratory exceptions, even if that's obviously not the case. Some people will just be sour grapes and if they can't do something they don't ANYBODY else to do it.
Good morning everyone,
He is a sweetie. I'm sorry you lost your older cat, that is so difficult to go through.
JMO and I hope I don't offend you but unless I was really serious about competing in this sport I think I would keep him on his medication and let Bay "drag" or use another horse. I think conditioning great and he should be kept as active as possible but even though you would never know it, he is old and has had a demanding life.
AWW cute kitty.
Not offended... I wouldn't take him off the drugs for the sake of the competition. I'd be risking not only his comfort, but the possibility of him disqualifying lame. I really just want to do it for the fun of it, think it'd be fun if ecurbh did it, and don't care about winning at it. I'm not serious, so I prolly won't change my routine to be able to do it. Maybe down the road, with my next horse after Bay fully retires. I only have another year or two probably, to let him do what he can, and no more.
No he's not on bar shoes, the farrier thought right now the thin pads (not wedged), regular shoes and good trimming is enough. So far, I'd have to say he's right.
I did find with my mare, when I rode the one competion ride that she was very experienced at that time thing and we spent 10miles arguing about the speed we were going to go.
Lots of information follows - sorry for the length
Vasodilator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. A vasodilator is a substance that causes blood vessels in the body to become wider by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessel wall. This will reduce blood pressure (since there is more room for the blood) and might allow blood to flow around a clot . Several vasodilators are used as drugs . Natural vasodilators and drugs that exploit them: Adenosine Adenocard - this is primarily used as an anti-arrhythmic . Adrenaline and noradrenaline vasodilate arterioles of the skeletal muscles . (By acting on beta-2 adrenergic receptors .) These chemicals cause vasoconstriction elsewhere. Alpha-blockers and Beta-blockers (block the constricting effect of adrenaline). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) - a weak vasodilator. Bradykinin Histamine Complement proteins C3a, C4a and C5a work by triggering histamine release from mast cells and basophil granulocytes . Niacin (aka nicotinic acid ) Nitric oxide Glycerol trinitrate Platelet activating factor (PAF) Prostacyclin (PGI2) as well as other prostaglandins . Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the major active chemical in marijuana . Its mild vasodilating effects redden the eyes of cannabis smokers.
http://dan.xtend-life.com/products.asp?product=tb&page=ingredient_info&ingredientid=7&pc=tw
Bilberry Extract Has been shown to be beneficial in vascular and blood disorders and shows positive effects when treating varicose veins, thrombosis, and angina. Bilberry contains flavonoids and anthocyanidin, which serve to prevent capillary fragility, thin the blood, and stimulate the release of vasodilators. Anthocyanidin, a natural antioxidant, also lowers blood pressure, reduces clotting and improves blood supply to the nervous system. Bilberry also contains glucoquinine that has the ability to lower blood sugar. Bilberry flavonoids provide numerous benefits in diabetics. They have been shown to increase intracellular vitamin C levels, decrease the leakiness and breakage of small blood vessels, prevent bruising and have potent antioxidant effects, e.g. help prevent free radical damage to the eyes. Anthocyanosides support and protect collagen structures in the blood vessels of the eyes, assuring strong, healthy capillaries that carry vital nutrients to eye muscles and nerves. Bilberry has long been a remedy for poor vision and "night blindness." Clinical tests confirm that given orally it improves visual accuracy in healthy people, and can help those with eye diseases such as cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and myopia. May be beneficial in Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, Macular degeneration, Cataract, Glaucoma, Varicose veins, Retinopathy, Atherosclerosis, Diarrhea, and Night blindness. Clinical Studies
http://groups.msn.com/naturalhealingliving/herbalremedies.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=27&LastModified=4675393235733812803
http://www.all-natural.com/herbnutr.html
Bilberry Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) contains nutrients that protect eyes from eyestrain or fatigue, and can improve circulation to the eyes. When British Royal Air Force pilots During World War II ate Bilberry preserves before night missions and discovered that their night vision improved afterwards, this herb was investigated and found to be beneficial for the eyes. Bilberry works by improving the microcirculation and regeneration of retinal purple, a substance required for good eyesight. It is believed that this property is related to the high amount of proanthocyanidins, a type of flavonoid that tends to prevent capillary fragility and strengthen the capillaries which nourish the eyes. Other properties appear to assist in thinning the blood and stimulating the release of vasodilators. Anthocyanin, a natural antioxidant, also lowers blood pressure, reduces clotting and improves blood supply to the nervous system. Anthocyanosides support and enhance the health of collagen structures in the blood vessels of the eyes, thus aiding in the development of strong healthy capillaries that can carry vital nutrients to eye muscles and nerves. Bilberry has long been a remedy for poor vision and "night blindness." Clinical tests have indicated that oral administration of bilberry tends to improve visual accuracy in healthy people and can help those with eye disorders such as pigmentosa, retinitis, glaucoma, and myopia.
Another sweetie. I'm a sucker for cats - well and dogs and horses and...
He's a cutie, and a very big one too!
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