Will Equestrian Sports be Cut from Future Olympics?

According to Princess Haya, the president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the status of equestrian sports at future Olympics is precarious. In a recent interview she stated that there is no guarantee that horse sports will survive beyond the 2012 Olympics.

The problems? Interest in dressage is low, there have been complaints about the objectivity of the dressage judging, there are concerns about the safety of eventing and the set up required for the cross country phase. She said it would like be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport as well, as the IOC would not leave it on its own.

The controversy over doping (four show jumping riders and one dressage rider) has not helped boost the sport’s image.

Personally, I feel that if they can keep ice dancing (and were able to revise the judging system there), then dressage deserves to stay. Other sports have survived doping issues, and as for dressage being boring to watch? There are certainly other Olympic sports that have equal claims to that honor, such as race walking or target shooting. I agree that watching the same 8-minute test ad infinitum is tedious, but the musical freestyles are at least as interesting as skating.

I can understand the problems that surround building an international caliber cross country course, but hey, maybe they can include the “Express Eventing“, a fast-paced version of eventing that will be rolled out at The Express Eventing International Cup at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on November 30. All elements of the event will be held in a ring, so spectators can watch from one seat, negating the problem of building an expensive cross country course.

Indoor “eventing” has been around now for several years. It’s like a jumper course on steroids with cross country style fences and seems to draw a big crowd.

Given the historic presence of horse sports in the Olympics (certainly the ancient Olympics and our “modern” Olympics, too), it would be a terrible shame to lose them now. With live streaming and video replays, I know that equestrians around the world have enjoyed watching all three disciplines, especially now that you can watch at your convenience on your computer.

Safer Cross Ties and Trailer Ties

It’s no fun to be close to a horse that is panicking and tied — whether it be in a cross tie or a trailer. While some people strongly believe that it’s safer if the horse can’t get break loose, I have been in situations where a quick release mechanism would have been essential.

For example, there’s the woman who twice dropped the butt bar on my trailer before unfastening her horse. The first time he flew backwards off the ramp, he merely broke my trailer tie. The second time, after she had tied him with a lead rope, he got hung up half on and half off the ramp. Neither the rope nor his leather halter broke, but he sure did some damage to my trailer!

Now, I’ve been guilty of that sin myself, although never twice in one day. The time it happened to me, my horse’s halter broke. Not much fun to have a halterless horse running around while you try to catch it, especially if it’s not a secure location.

Regular “panic” snaps aren’t not that effective — IMHO — for two reasons: first, they don’t release automatically and second, you run the risk of having the tie (with the snap attached) flying across the aisle if you need a quick release, or dragging alongside your horse creating additional panic!

Tie Safe Velcro Cross Tie

Personally, I now use Tie Safe Velcro Cross Ties and Trailer Ties. It has a quick release snap on one end, and a velcro attachment and a double velcro release near the swivel namp. The velcro closure is pretty secure; it takes quite a bit of force to “break” them, and when the do come apart, there’s a short length of tie that is still attached to your horse’s halter, making it far easier to catch and lead your horse. They are easy to put back together, too. I’ve been using them now for about 5 years and have had my horse pull through the cross ties twice, both times when my horse objected to the same farrier. Now that I’ve switched farriers, I’ve had no problems with them (so I did not have the problem of my horse learning that he could go through the ties).

However, there are some other interesting alternatives on the market.

Blocker Tie Ring 2

The Blocker Tie Ring: The Blocker tie ring was invented by Ted Blocker, who wanted to find a more humane way to tie a horse. He had seen many horses injured — or even killed — when tied, and seen people hurt trying to get the horse loose.

The Blocker Tie Ring helps to prevent panic (and injury) because when the horse pulls hard on the lead, some of the rope slips the tie ring, releasing pressure. The tie is adjustable so that you can regulate the amount amount of force needed to cause the tie to give some release and reduce pain and pressure.

The newest version of the Blocker Tie Ring includes a Mag Loc mechanism (a magnet that helps to keep the tongue of the tie ring in place), a special quick snap with a tapered back so you can easily clip the tie ring to existing hooks, and is smaller and lighter, making it easier to use where space is tight.

Turtle Snaps

Turtle Snaps: These are a variation on panic snaps that can be easily released with one hand, and which will release under pressure if you are not able to get to the horse. To release the snap, you don’t even have to touch the thumb rest; you simply pull on any part of the black cover. To attach the snap, you push the thumbrest forward.

The Clip

The Clip: Like the Blocker Tie Ring, the Clip provides a mechanism for tying your horse that allows for some “give” in the rope if the horse  panics and pulls back. Even if the horse pulls, it’s easy to release the quick release stopper knot when you use the clip (if you tie with just a rope, the quick release knot can tighten and make the problem worse.)

The tension is easily adjusted using a screw so if you have a horse that likes to test the rope, you can make it more difficult for him to pull it through.

Baling Twine: The least expensive solution is to put a small loop of baling twine between the snap and the wall, or at the end of the tie with a regular clip. Most of the time the baling twine will break when a horse panics, but you have to be careful with some of the new plastic twine as it is a bit too durable!

I am quite intrigued by the Blocker Tie and The Clip. For years I’ve avoided tying my horse to my trailer when at a hunt because I felt I did not have a good, safe method to do so. I may give these two a try!

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How High Can a Horse Jump? Think 8 Feet Plus!

Show Jumping Fences at the Olympics were 1.6 meters high

At 1.6 meters (5′ 2 -1/2″) the show jumping fences at the Olympics looked enormous to me. It’s hard to imagine the multiple jumping efforts required of these horses over the days of competition.

However, when only a single jump is required, there are some horses that can jump significantly higher. People started keeping track of height records in the early 1900s when high jumping was a popular class. The records that were set for this feat are old ones, but they still stand.

Heatherbloom Jumped 8'3" in the early 1900s (www.showjumpinghalloffame.net)

One of the first to achieve fame was Heatherbloom, a Canadian TB foaled in 1895 and owned by Howard Willets of White Plains, NY and ridden by Dick Donnelly.

Although he was only 16 hands, Heatherbloom was an outstanding jumper. His “official” horse show high jump record was 7′10 1/2″, made at Richmond, Virginia. Unofficially he jumped even higher: once in 1902, he cleared 8′2″ for a Harper’s Weekly photo. Another time he cleared 8′3″ at Willets’ farm.

Heatherbloom was so famous in his time that Barnum & Bailey offered $25,000 for him. Willets turned them down. Challenging Heatherbloom for the record is Freddy Wattech Jr., who jumped his horse, King’s Own, 8′3-1/2″. Once again, the record is unofficial, as it did not take place at a sanctioned event. However, it was witnessed by 25 people, including a photographer. The horse cleared the fence with room to spare.  

Freddy Wettech on King's Own Clears 8' 3-1/2" (www.showjumpinghalloffame.net)

Wattech came from a well-known horse family and was particularly enamored of the high jump. His father bought King’s Own, an Irish bred, as a polo prospect, but it soon became obvious that the horse’s true talents lay as a jumper. It’s hard to imagine riding at that fence and having even the slightest belief that your horse would consider jumping it! The air time over a fence that high is obviously substantial as Mr. Wettach has time to look back and consider the effort.  

Huaso is the Official World Record Holder, Clearing 8' 1-1/4"

The “Official” World Record Holder is Captain Alberton Larraguibel Morales, who jumped Huaso 8′ 1-1/4″.

Huaso was a Chilean TB that started life as a racehorse. After he retired, he went to the Chilean Cavalry School where he was trained by Cavalry Officer Major Rafael Monti, who had several horses in training in hopes of setting a new record.

In February, 1949 there was a jump off held for the two most promising of the horses: Huaso (then called Faithful) and Chileno on the show grounds of Vina Del Mar, Chile.

Each horse had three tries at the fence. Chileno crashed through the fence, fell and retired. Huaso refused the first time (who can blame him). The second time he jumped, but knocked the rail. And the third time, s turn at the gigantic 2.47m fence came next. On his first try, he refused. On his second, he jumped, but knocked the rail off with his belly; the third try was the charm and he cleared the fence.

A movie of the jump exists, and it’s an amazing sight.

The high jump is no longer an attraction at shows; the closest thing is the Puissance class, where for the last rounds only two fences are included — a warm up and the great wall. The current record for the puissance is held by German rider Franke Sloothaak, who jumped (a mere) 7′ 10″ on Leonardo.

Capsaicin Causes Trouble for Olympic Horses

Norway’s bronze medal in the Olympics is in jeopardy after Camiro, ridden by Tony Andre Hansen, and three other horses tested positive for Capsaicin. The other three horses are Ireland’s Lantinus, ridden by Dennis Lynch; Brazil’s Chupa Chup, ridden by Bernardo Alves; and Germany’s Coster, ridden by Christian Ahlmann. All the horses were banned from the show jumping final.

So, what is Capsaicin and why would it be banned? Capsaicin is a derivative of chili peppers. How hot is it? according the the “Scoville scale” which measures the hotness of a chile pepper, it’s right at the top.

Pure capsaicin: 16,000,000 Scoville Units
Habanero peppers: 100,000 – 350,000 Scoville Units – about the hottest humans would eat
Jalapeño peppers: ~ 4000 Scoville Units
Anaheim peppers: ~ 500-2500 Scoville Units
Paprika: ~ 150 Scoville Units
Bell Pepper: 0 Scoville Units

Capsaicin is commonly found in products used to sooth sore muscles. It is topically applied. The reason the FEI classifies it as a doping prohibited substance is because it can also be used both as a “hypersensitizing agent” or as a class-A medication administered for pain relief. If a topical cream containing Capsaicin is applied to a horse’s legs, it could make them more sensitive to hitting a fence and might encourage them to jump higher or use themselves better. So, you can’t use it to make your horse feel better, and you can’t use it to make your horse’s legs hurt!

The use of hypersensitizing agents has longed plagued the horse world. In jumping, trainers sometimes “rap” or “pole” a horse at it jumps a fence. This entails hitting a horse with a bamboo pole (or other objects), or threading a wire (often electrified) above the top pole. The theory is that the horse will jump higher next time to avoid the pain. Other ways to hypersensitize a horse is to put sharp objects inside the horse’s tendon boots (which makes it hurt more if they hit a pole), or to soak the horse’s leg in irritants such as vinegar, diesel fuel or methelated spirits. These methods are all illegal, but some are still practiced behind the scenes.

Whether the Capsaicin administered during the Olympics had a hypersensitizing effect is hard to say. The FEI chose not to user thermography, which is the most definitive way to check and see if Capsaicin was used on the horses’ legs. The reports I read say that horses were visually checked after competition and that no hypersensitivity was found. But if the lab reports confirm the presence of Capsaicin in their blood, then they will be DQ’ed.

The ability to test for Capsaicin is fairly recent; just within the past two years. However, the test labs for the Olympics are extremely sensitive. It is a place where riders and grooms should be very, very careful about anything that touches their horses.

Horses at Play

When I first got my OTTB, Freedom, I thought that he was a prime candidate for a toy. He has lots of nervous energy and will weave and crib if contained. Of course, my idea of a toy, didn’t correspond with his. He had no interest in jolly balls or stall toys like Lick-its. Instead, I would come and find Freedom and Kroni playing “tug of war” with a piece of hose. Or, find Freedom playing his favorite game: annoying Kroni. His favorite variation on that is to grab Kroni’s blanket (or fly sheet) and pull on it until Kroni kicks out at him in annoyance. Then he dances away and swoops back in for another tug. 

My two boys play pretty hard. It’s not unusual to find them both rearing up and pawing the air, or racing across their pasture kicking and squealing. I’ve come to accept the fact that they will always have chew marks and scratches; luckily, their self-inflicted damage is pretty minor.

Still, I wish they could burn off some of that energy playing with toys, like the horses below! These guys are just having too much fun.

European Women Riders and “Hunter Hair”

One of the most interesting things about watching the Olympic show jumping was comparing the styles of the riders from different countries. Some rode in a half seat, some in a full seat. Saddles were different, bits were different, and most important (at least to the posters on various forums) was the way European women wore their hair.

Dutch Rider Angelique Hoorn (image from www.equestrian.ru)

In the US, the quest for “Ultimate Hunter Hair” has become a near obsession. Hair must be contained under your hunt cap, draped over your ears and carefully secured by at least one hairnet. In contrast, the European riders, like Angelique Hoorn, typically wear their hair in a pony tail, sans net. I saw several postings chastised European women for not taking more care in their personal grooming. When riding at the Olympics, having your hair worn long apparently does not show proper respect. It is sloppy.

Interestingly, I’m not the only blogger to post on this topic. Behind the Bit published a piece where she commented on the hair styles (or lack thereof) of dressage riders, too!

So, why don’t Europe’s top female riders pile their hair under their helmet? The first reason might be that in Europe, the Hunter divisions that dominate US shows don’t exist. Foxhunting, where the hunter dress codes originate, requires only a hairnet, and jumper classes are generally more lenient in their clothing standards.

But, the most important reason might be safety. According to the Equestrian Federation of Australia “Bulky hairstyles and wearing hair ‘up’ may reduce helmet stability.” This not something that is discussed much, but I think it makes sense. A helmet that fits properly should sit snugly on your head. It should not shift easily from front to back or from side to side, and if you bend over and shake your head, it should stay put. When you put your hair under your helmet it’s hard to achieve that level of stability, even if you buy a helmet that is specifically sized to accommodate your hair.

After watching Ms. Hoorn ride, shown below on her Olympic partner O’Brien in 2007, I can honestly say that her pony tail does not seem to affect her riding in the least!

Elmer Bandit Continues to Amaze Finishing 2nd in a 60-mile Ride

When I wrote about Elmer Bandit in June, the 37-year-old gelding was on the brink of setting a new record for lifetime mileage for competitive trail rides. Elmer had the summer off, but just came closer to his goal by finishing second in the 60-mile Spotted Rump Ride Competitive Trail Event (St. Louis, Mo.) in the Open Lightweight Division. Completing this ride brings his lifetime mileage to 20,420, closing in on the record of 20,710 miles held by Wing Tempo.

For more information, check out this article .

What an inspiration to all of us!

Now Available: A Fully Interactive Horse with an On/Off Switch

Forget mucking stalls. Don’t worry about the rising price of hay, or whether your horse has enough turnout. These horses come with an on/off switch.

Interactive mechanical horses were first developed to help jockeys recover from injuries suffered during racing and jockeys are still one of the major users of these simulators. However, manufacturers have begun to target other genres of riding, touting the advantages that riding a simulated horse can bring to both novices and experienced equestrians. Now polo players can hone their skills, dressage riders can experience flying changes, passage and piaffe, and soon riders will be able to practice their jumping skills, too.

Exercises beyond the typical horseback riding positions can be applied with stretching, strengthening and balancing in a safe controlled manner. Riders can increase their strength, stability, flexibility, balance, confidence and over all well being.

Two companies that offer mechanical horses are Racewood Ltd, a British firm, and Equicizer, a US company.

Racewood Ltd's Ridemaster Pro

Bill Greenwood the Managing Director of Racewood Ltd developed the first Equiciser in 1990 following an approach from a leading jockey who wanted to maintain his riding skills while recovering from injury.

The Racewood Simulators run off of electricity and is available in eight different models (soon to be nine). The interactive models come with a full video element that allows you to interact with pre-programmed environments, sort of like the car racing games in arcades.

The neck is fully movable and the horse has sensors to detect “on the girth” and “behind the girth” sensors.

The Polo Pony Simulator helps riders practice their shots. This version includes mouth sensors that respond to realistic ‘checks’ on the reins, to bring the machine to a steadier canter or to a complete stop; just like a well-schooled pony! To highlight a player’s correct position in the saddle when playing their shots, additional sensors are located on the mane and beneath the saddle at the ‘knee role’ position. A light is illuminated when the correct sensors are contacted, confirming that the ‘brace position’ is applied.

The best part of the Polo Pony Simulator is the ball delivery system. Using an artificial polo field that works on a conveyor belt, the polo ball is constantly returned past the polo pony after every shot. A player can hit up to fifty shots per minute providing he has the strength, skill and stamina to match the machine. It is perhaps this feature that makes practising polo on the simulator so compelling for the experienced player.

The Equicizer Simulator

The Equicizer was originally developed for jockeys.

The first Equicizer was developed in 1982 by Eclipse Award winning Jockey/inventor Frank Lovato, Jr. Frank, who always felt there should be a riding simulator, built himself a horse made of wood and springs to simulate riding as a means to rehabilitate himself from a badly fractured leg he had received from a racing accident.

The Equicizer requires no tools or electricity. The simulator’s spring designed mechanism is activated and controlled by the rider’s level of effort and fitness. When in motion, the Equicizer simulates a real horse’s movement, allowing riders to exercise, stretch and practice technique and improve body posture and positioning, fitness and confidence in a safe controlled manner. It provides a safe low impact exercise. Riders can use any saddle or ride bareback, with or with out stirrups, use their hips, or “core” seat, and leg muscles to initiate the walk, trot or canter motion. This exercise works all those horse riding muscles in your legs, abdomen and back.

Each Equicizer is entirely hand-crafted item, built from quality wood and hardware, then padded and covered with plush durable carpeting available in a variety of colors. Its unique features include a hand-carved head cut from select wood, with a beautiful deep wood grain finish in complementary colors.

Watch Tobey Maguire train for his role of Red Pollard in the movie Seabiscuit. The Equicizer was used extensively throughout the movie, both to train Tobey and in the close ups of him racing.

These look like a lot of fun. But as for me, I think I prefer my horses to be flesh and blood. For one thing, these mechanical horses are a mere 15.2 hands, way too small for my long legs. And I’d miss the feeling of wind in my hair and sun on my back. Not to mention, I like my horse to have opinions, too.