Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor

Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.

Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.

“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”

It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.

To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)

By Krista Lucas Wynn

The month of August is smack dab in the middle of summer. When in the thick of the hot summer days, it is important to keep horses, livestock and yourself cool, whether leisurely riding, competing or traveling. Texas temperatures, along with the humidity, can be extremely draining on equine athletes and riders alike.

The 100-plus degree days should come as no surprise. It happens routinely every year, and in true Texas summer fashion, it does not cool off much at night either. Horses cannot get much relief from the conditions, unless provided by a responsible owner. Sweating day in and day out can be detrimental to horse health.

It is vital to have fresh, cool water in front of horses at all times. Stalled horses should have at least two buckets in front of them. Electrolytes can help replace any lost hydration after riding. Fans are an important item to have on hand as well. They keep air moving, and now that it is dry and dusty, air movement is even more important.

To read more, pick up a copy of the August issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

By Dr. Garrett Metcalf, DVM

It is that time of year when cases in veterinary practices that are diagnosed with EMS or Equine Metabolic Syndrome spike. The reason cases of EMS spike are because the fast growth that pastures experience in the spring. Before EMS was well understood or discovered, many of these horses were diagnosed with grass founder, but through research the process of the disease is now better understood. The disease is caused by obese overfed horses and breeds of horses that have “hardy genes.” These are breeds that generally need less caloric intake to meet their daily energy needs. Although some breeds are at higher risk such as ponies, just about any breed can develop EMS.

Risk Factors for EMS

The key risk factor for development of EMS is weight gain, breed, high caloric intake and very little or inconsistent exercise. Horses that gain weight easily on pasture turn out or are getting too many calories from grains plus hay can be put at risk of EMS. Increasing levels of obesity in horses causes insulin resistance just like in humans, but fortunately for the horse, they have a very robust pancreas that is able to keep up with the extra demand for insulin to provide adequate amounts of glucose to tissue and organ systems despite the insulin resistance. This overproduction of insulin in order to keep up with the resistance causes a very key clinical sign of laminitis, which can be the most debilitating and difficult consequence of EMS. More than 90 percent of horses will present for laminitis as the first clinical sign of EMS. Unfortunately, the clinical signs for laminitis can go undetected for many months or even years in some cases until the progression of the laminitis reaches a very severe tipping point.

To read more, pick up a copy of the August issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.