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~~~~~~~From Mary D. Midkiff~~~~~~~
Contents:
1. Reminder: Upcoming Events
2. Article: When the Elements Come Together,
Growth and Soundness Result
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1. Upcoming Events - Please come if you can.
PLEASE NOTE: These events are tentative. Please confirm
in advance.
You'll find the complete Calendar here:
http://www.womenandhorses.com/appear2002.html
* March 12-16 Harness Tracks of America Annual Convention
Panel Discussion on women in racing
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
* April 4-6, 2003
Iowa Horse Fair
Speaker and Clinician
Des Moines, IA
* April 23-26
Rolex KY
Three-Day Event
Lexington, KY
Book signings at the Primedia Magazine Booth
* May 2-4 New Mexico Horse Fair
Speaker and Clinician
Albuquerque, NM
* September 2003
Martha's Vineyard Women & Horses Clinic
Two Day Clinic
Martha's Vineyard, MA
* November 2003
Equine Affaire
Speaker and Clinician
West Springfield, MA
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2. When the Elements Come Together, Growth and Soundness Result
By Mary D. Midkiff
How can a 10-year-old horse become increasingly sound over time?
How can an older horse grow? Typically, as a horse ages,
shouldn’t we see more wear and tear? As I have gotten to know my
horse Anna since we became partners a year and a half ago, she
has gained strength, soundness and size. This development has
been a wonder to me. I would have expected it with a young horse,
but Anna is a made, mature performance horse and still she is
demonstrating these growing qualities.
Having witnessed these positive changes, I’ve come to believe
that when the right elements are brought together, growth and
soundness are possible for any horse of any age!
The first element is Anna’s health and body condition. Anna came
to me in reasonably good health and condition but needed more
support through balanced feet and shoeing, master dentistry
twice per year (much more than just a float), chiropractic
adjustments and acupuncture for specific issues, and massage
treatments. Your horse may not need all those elements, or may
need others, but in Anna’s case she has become much more
comfortable and free in her body, which ultimately impacts her
attitude and behavior in a positive way.
Balancing the horse’s body is a vital step to fit condition and
a quiet, responsive nervous system. All horses, especially the
hot-blooded horses like Arabians or Thoroughbreds, have
sensitive nervous systems which must be managed properly for
safety, training and handling. Their nervous systems are
vulnerable and often difficult to adjust, particularly when
their bodies are not comfortable and balanced. Discomfort and
lack of balance can lead to lameness, injury and danger. In the
face of physical and systemic problems, many horses including
the less sensitive breeds may shut down and crawl into a mental
cave to protect themselves while still (grudgingly) keeping up
a work schedule for you.
Since the horse can’t articulate a difficulty or call in a
dentist or a massage therapist, it’s your job to identify and
treat the problems. This is the beginning of the strength,
growth, and soundness objective.
Secondly, the saddle fit must be considered. I’ve written about
this subject before, and I can’t emphasize and re-emphasize it
enough. The saddle is the support mechanism for the horse and
for you, and the support system has to work during movement. A
properly fitted saddle should allow the back to grow and expand
over time, the back muscles to move freely within the entire
muscular skeletal system from head to tail, and the shoulder to
operate unimpeded. This is a tall order, but it can be achieved.
There are many saddles out there that will suit your specific
situation. Once you find a saddle that meets these goals and
fits you comfortably too, your horse will grow, get stronger,
sounder and be more willing to carry you in a positive and
relaxed manner. Anna is living proof. I’m looking forward to
taking her back and shoulder measurements again this autumn and
comparing them to the measurements taken last year.
Thirdly, you, the rider/partner, must be aligned, balanced, and
feel light to the horse while you are mounted and moving. To
achieve this I have been working with Peggy Cummings and her
"School of Connected Riding?" (www.peggycummings.com). My own
riding work as well as my teaching continues to deepen in this
respect. A balanced, aligned body begins with a neutral pelvis,
sitting in the middle of your seat bones. The seat bones of
women are like the runners on a sleigh: there is a weight-
bearing place in the middle of the bone where the pelvis is the
most supported. It is essential for each of us to find this
place. (The techniques to finding neutral pelvis and a released
back are in my book Fitness, Performance and the Female
Equestrian.) \The Pilates technique is a relatively new (to
horse sports) and excellent way to find and maintain neutral
pelvis through exercise.
The next step is the integration and alignment of the entire
upper body, from the hip joint to the top of the head, over the
neutral pelvis. There should be no break in the middle or at
the waist of the upper body. Then check your position with
freedom and independence of the legs. Especially for women, the
knees should always be open and slightly off the saddle. This is
the only way to keep your seat deep and grounded and keep the
hip joint open and moving properly. Again, you can look to my
book for a more extensive discussion.
For the horse, the end result of all these elements working
together is a supportive and quiet way of going under saddle;
cold, tight legs; and sound feet. This in turn leads to a
leveling off and then maintenance of a healthy weight with
minimal weight fluctuation; maximum use of feed and fiber;
ability to hold a fit condition without a lot of work; willing-
ness to stretch and collect; willingness and ability to lift the
rib cage and the shoulders (the frame) and get off the forehand;
and, perhaps most gratifyingly, an accepting work ethic.
Having partnered with so many mares, I also lean toward building
in an additional element - a supportive hormonal supplement,
especially in the spring breeding months. I have used Regumate
in the past with Theo, who was a very hot mare with extreme
cycles. The Regumate worked beautifully for her. Anna, on the
other hand, has mild cycles and does not need a significant
chemical influence. Even with mild cycles, though, the hormones
affect her mental focus and play havoc on her nervous system.
For Anna, I am experimenting with Hilton Herbs Regulate
(Valerian-free) herbal formula, mixed in with her feed. I’ll let
you know how it goes.
I have not mentioned other elements such as training, stretching
and general handling techniques for the horse. I will address
these in the next issue of my newsletter.
It is a beautiful thing to see the elements come together. Anna
and I are building on these elements together. Anna is happy,
quiet, and comfortable in her attitude and behavior, her muscles
are smooth, full and developed without bulges or deficits, and
she is carrying both of us through movement in a light and
heightened way, which ultimately saves us both from body damage
and breakdown.
With attention from you to these elements, your horse(s) also
can achieve growth, strength and soundness no matter their age,
size or temperament.
- Mary D. Midkiff
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Women have a special magic with horses...
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Equestrian Resources, Inc.
PO Box 20187
Boulder, CO 80308
Phone 303-544-0333 | Fax 303-544-0331
mailto:mmidkiff@womenandhorses.com
http://www.womenandhorses.com
(c)2003 All rights reserved.
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