Northern Lights Equine
680 Poonamalie Side Road K7A 4S4 Smiths Falls, ON, Canada

WILL YOUR HORSE OVERHEAT IF YOU LEAVE IT OR TURN IT OUT WET? Dr David Marlin *** PLEASE SHARE - HELP BUST THE MYTH *** This myth still seems to be doing the rou...nds so let's bust this one. It's an easy one to bust. THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you want the explanation, read on.... When you get out of the sea or a swimming pool or even the shower do you start to heat up? No, you immediately start to feel cooler as the water on your skin starts to evaporate. Evaporation is especially fast in warm-hot, dry, sunny and windy conditions! If you turn your horse out wet it will actually continue to keep them cool as the water held in the coat (around 2-3 litres on average horse) continues to evaporate. Ahh, but "what about if the humidity is 100% I hear someone say? at 100% humidity water will not evaporate and the horse will be insulated and unable to lose heat!" WRONG! The ability of water to conduct (move) heat from the horses' skin to the coat surface where it can be lost by convection, is actually BETTER than that of air. At 40C water conducts heat over 20x better than air. That means it moves heat from the skin through the coat to the surface of the coat over 20x faster than would happen through air within the coat if the horse was dry. BOTTOM LINE - There is no situation where leaving your horse wet in any warm-hot environment which will lead it to risk being overheated more than if it was dry. PLEASE SHARE & HELP BUST THIS MYTH!

Why trainers PUSH horses TOO FAST Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, heal...thier, more powerful horse. It's easier to sell a horse that looks like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved. Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but aren't . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks." Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus. Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. It's very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art." Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horse's body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation. Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horse's mouth and teeth." Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horse's mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller. Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a rider's fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse." Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the rider's mood. A rider shouldn't ride if she is under undue stress or doesn't have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; don't work in the arena. The horse mirrors the rider's mood." Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because he's excited, praise him for it. You shouldn't stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you don't want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER punish him for offering the piaffe.

JOCELYN'S CLINIC THIS WEEKEND!!! If you did not register this is the time.

WILL YOUR HORSE OVERHEAT IF YOU LEAVE IT OR TURN IT OUT WET? Dr David Marlin *** PLEASE SHARE - HELP BUST THE MYTH *** This myth still seems to be doing the rou...nds so let's bust this one. It's an easy one to bust. THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you want the explanation, read on.... When you get out of the sea or a swimming pool or even the shower do you start to heat up? No, you immediately start to feel cooler as the water on your skin starts to evaporate. Evaporation is especially fast in warm-hot, dry, sunny and windy conditions! If you turn your horse out wet it will actually continue to keep them cool as the water held in the coat (around 2-3 litres on average horse) continues to evaporate. Ahh, but "what about if the humidity is 100% I hear someone say? at 100% humidity water will not evaporate and the horse will be insulated and unable to lose heat!" WRONG! The ability of water to conduct (move) heat from the horses' skin to the coat surface where it can be lost by convection, is actually BETTER than that of air. At 40C water conducts heat over 20x better than air. That means it moves heat from the skin through the coat to the surface of the coat over 20x faster than would happen through air within the coat if the horse was dry. BOTTOM LINE - There is no situation where leaving your horse wet in any warm-hot environment which will lead it to risk being overheated more than if it was dry. PLEASE SHARE & HELP BUST THIS MYTH!

JOCELYN HUOT RIDER/DRIVER CLINIC JULY 27th, 28th and 29th, 2018 Advanced Cultivation of the Equine Mind: Optimizing Results for Horse and Rider ... Find the best path to fitness and performance for you and your horse July 27th, 28th and 29th, 2018 Northern Lights Equine Smiths Falls ON Optimise the enjoyment of the rider/driver, and the willingness of the horse, by helping the horse use his body more effectively and efficiently. Theory session Friday evening, 6 pm to 8 pm, light refreshments, auditors $20, no charge for riders (if enough people show interest) BOOK YOUR RIDE TIMES NOW!! DON'T BE LEFT OUT. It is preferable to have a set of 3 rides at a clinic. The improvement will be very noticeable. Pricing: 3 rides over 3 days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday one horse) $180.00 2 rides over 2 days - (one horse) $140.00 1 ride $80.00 A 50% deposit to hold your ride time will be required by July 19th. Auditors: small donation appreciated To book your time slots; contact Patricia German at [email protected]; or phone/text 613-430-9500; or pm Patricia on FB on the Jocelyn Clinic/lessons page

Why trainers PUSH horses TOO FAST Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, heal...thier, more powerful horse. It's easier to sell a horse that looks like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved. Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but aren't . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks." Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus. Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. It's very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art." Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horse's body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation. Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horse's mouth and teeth." Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horse's mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller. Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a rider's fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse." Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the rider's mood. A rider shouldn't ride if she is under undue stress or doesn't have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; don't work in the arena. The horse mirrors the rider's mood." Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because he's excited, praise him for it. You shouldn't stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you don't want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER punish him for offering the piaffe.

Jocelyn Huot will be giving a Private Clinic at La Bella Vita Stables on Saturday April 28th. Boarders and students are invited to partake or audit these sessi...ons. Please contact Louise Prudhomme to schedule your ride or reserve you audit place. This is an unique opportunity that should not be missed.

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April 27th, 28th and 29th, 2018 at Northern Lights Equine in Smiths Falls, Ontario. JOCELYN HUOT Rider/Driver Clinic Advanced Cultivation of the Equine Mind: Optimizing Results for Horse and Rider ... Find the best path to fitness and performance for you and your horse JOCELYN (Mapplebeck) HUOT. Optimise the enjoyment of the rider/driver, and the willingness of the horse, by helping the horse use his body more effectively and efficiently. NEW! Theory session Friday evening, 6 pm to 8 pm, light refreshments, auditors $20, no charge for riders BOOK YOUR RIDE TIMES NOW!! DON'T BE LEFT OUT. It is preferable to have a set of 3 rides at a clinic. The improvement will be very noticeable. Lesson pricing: 3 rides over 3 days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday one horse) $180.00 2 rides over 2 days - (one horse) $140.00 1 ride $80.00 Auditors: $20 per day or $50 for all 3 days Stabling is available, $15.00 per day, bring your own everything. PM me to book your time slots or email me at [email protected] More information on Facebook at Jocelyn Clinic/lessons page Jocelyn has extensive knowledge and experience at seeing what needs to improve, how to improve the issues and how to impart the knowledge to you! Jocelyn is also well versed in in-hand work, correct tack fitting, seat and position correction, and balance training. Jocelyn tailors each lesson to the specific needs of each horse-rider/driver pair. She is that special trainer/instructor/coach that: - Is friendly and easily understood - Willingly answers questions with knowledge and tact - Is extremely knowledgeable in the bio-kinetics of riders/drivers and horses, and how the two bodies should and can work together - Works with riders/drivers and horses of all ages, abilities and training - Knows how to solve problems. Jocelyn Huot has trained and ridden with Philippe Karl (France), Walter Zettl (Germany) and Per Meisner (Denmark). She worked with Hans Hollenbach for almost 10 years as a rider and trainer, and showing the horses in training for their owners, as high as 4th Level Dressage and A Circuit jumper.

Ellen Denny anyone come to mind!!?