Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cantering Dixie Pics...hopefully Video soon!








I hopped on Dixie and took her out on the backroad. We were walking along and met our neighbor on the backroad so Dixie wanted to stop and say 'hi'. Well then the little bugger decided she didn't feel like going any farther so I hopped off and walked a ways with her. Hopped back on and just walked along.
Then mom and dad came on the snowmobile with my camera. I wanted them to go alongside and get a video of one of Dixie's first canter. Well Dixie didn't know what to think of the snowmobile going beside us...so she was a little distracted but for the most part just snotty. Where as yesterday..she offered everything today all she offered was to back up. She just didn't feel like going at first and was giving me attitude. She trotted on fine but when I asked for a canter she would do this mini little crowhop it was so cute...it was so tiny. It made me laugh cause she's never tried to buck or anything and it was just so little. Eventually her energy came up and she had some fun. On the way back I had her cantering and mom and dad were going with the snowmobile in the ditch alongside the road and Dixie I could tell was trying to race them. My dad goes faster and Dixie speeds up. We were cruising!! I've never gone that fast on her before so that was a thrill...and I know she is competitive now too! haha She stopped when I asked her too just fine so I was really pleased. I hopped off and ran beside her while she cantered the rest of the way.


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cantering Dixie on the backroad

I spent the morning hanging out with the horses and running around like a goon in the pasture. Finally we were all pooped and the horses had a good roll and laid down to doze in the afternoon warmth. Dixie is hilarious!! I will be standing there and she will just lay down right beside me and then start rolling. I am the one who has to move so she doesn't roll me over. She is definitely not nervous or cautious laying down by me. She has done this numerous times. She will also follow me around and lay down...I will eventually walk somewhere else and she will follow and lay down again by me. :)


So after they got down with their rest I grabbed Dixie's halter from the barn. When I walked out Cocoa immediately saw the halter and whinnied at me. I felt SO bad...it made me want to change my plans and Pick her, but it was Dixie's turn to go out and I had already taken Cocoa out for a walk. So I chose Dixie. Cocoa was not pleased. Dixie and I roamed around the yard then just walked on the road. Cocoa was running back and forth and our fence has been down lately so I was worried she was going to break something or hurt herself so we turned around and went in the pasture by the fence. I played with Dixie a bit and then decided to take her for a walk on the backroad. We walked till we got to the parking spot in the DNR then I stood on one of the stumps and hopped on Dixie. She immediately did lateral flexion and then we were off. At first she decided she wanted to go back home but I was persistant and wanted to go a little farther. When she broke into a trot I was a little taken aback..but pleased. Then I remembered I was wearing slippery snow pants and riding Dixie with her slippery stable blanket on...wonder how that will mix? But it wasn't that slippery or hard to stay on at all. Not compared to in the summer when I wear my waders and try and ride a sopping wet Cocoa at the canter!

We went down the road and trotted up the big hill to the old farm. I asked her for a bit of sideways just to see if she could figure it out..and sure enough she starts sidepassing. What a smart cookie. Then we continue down the road at a trot....I ask her for a faster trot and she complies.....then breaks into a CANTER! I am sitting there on her back shocked..she offered it and didn't even through in a buck or crow hop. WOW! She continues cantering without a falter for about 15 strides till we reach the end of the straight away and I ask her to slow down into a trot....which she does! We take a side trail and canter up the hill to that and then head back.. On the way home I ask for a canter and she canters. Controlled canter...on the way home and stops right when I ask her. We haven't done much riding and hardly any of it has been in an enclosed area...I can't believe how much she is offering and complying with everything I ask. I love Dixie's canter already! It is SO different than Cocoa's. Where Cocoa usually can't do a collected slow canter because of her back...Dixie's canter is fluid, slow, and has so much up momentum. It's like a powerful bunny hop!

I hopped off after our little canter down the stretch and gave her a treat and then walked with her the rest of the way home. Well we didn't really walk. I ran and she cantered beside me. Man do I have to run fast to keep up with her when she wants to race.

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Sunday, January 25, 2009

New Blanket!

Cocoa's new blanket!! It is working great!! Alittle big for her..but it will work for Cocoa and Dixie both!






Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Pictures!!

It all started with Dixie........


I got home from school to find Dixie laying down and sleeping. So I bustled inside to get the camera...and ran out there and hardly got one picture before she got up.


Cocoa and Dixie
In pursuit. Trotting After ME!
Cocoa and I
The girls...

Here she comes!!

And the Attitude comes out...Cocoa trying to tell Dixie off and to stay away from me..


The girls were being SO cute and spunky! I couldn't get rid of them. I wanted them to run out farther so I could get pics. but they stuck right to me...especially Cocoa. She was doing close range circling in the pasture which was great!!!! But doesn't take very good pics. lol It was a fun day....and even with my wader boots I still got snow in my boots and was soaked!

Even more pics. on next post!!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Even More Action Photos!

Cocoa REARING!! She was having a blast..and I got her all riled up and see even started to cut with me and then gave me a playful rear that I somehow managed to get a pic. of!! Who's a wild pony now? :) Just look at her! I love this pic.

Cocoa's so pretty...

One of my favorites!! Action shot!!

Going somewhere in a hurry?
Trotting! I love Dixie's tail!!

Watch where you are going Cocoa!
Mid Air...Mini rear

Cocoa getting kisses...

Dixie trying to give kisses..



Dixie being naughty....they know the electric fence it broke...little buggers.

Blurry but I thought it was a super cool pic!

The End!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

This I believe...

Another English paper....Horse and Parelli related of course!! It is about patience especially when teaching horses! Enjoy.

(Again..it formats it really wierd on here..no paragraphts..hmm..)


Count to 10

“Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead,” stated Mac McCleary. Tension is thick in the air and you can just about feel the anger radiating out of the stream of drivers behind you, horns blaring, fingers flying, and tires screeching, and yet the red light still refuses to turn to green. Waiting in traffic and driving resembles one of the many instances where there always seems to be short fuses and a major lack of patience. It seems like so many people today are trying so hard to scramble and rush to their destinations, that they are completely forgetting to enjoy the journey along the way. We want everything handed to us right this minute, now, instantly, immediately! There are many distinct signs that portray how truly an impatient generation we are today. After all, “How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young,” questioned Paul Sweeney. Today in our growing and booming society, everything appears to be a race and we take so many and so much for granted in trying to win that race. But for what reason and why are we always in such a hurry? I believe that patience is truly a virtue. It was once stated, “Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at the small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” By eagerly devoting your time and embracing the quality of patience, I believe you will have the key to unlocking the secrets to success. The longer you have to wait and the more time you invest in something or someone, the more fulfilling, satisfying, and rewarding it is in the end and the more you will learn and walk away with. Along with patience, comes quality. I believe in doing things right the first time, no matter how long it takes. “Take the time it takes so it takes less time,” states Pat Parelli. People have the time and tendency to always look for a short cut or a quick fix. They have the time to fix it over and over again, instead of just taking the time and doing it the right way the first time around. This applies to horse training as well. One of the major things people complain about is that it takes too long to prepare your horse on the ground and see how your horse is feeling that day, and with that kind of mindset you can really begin to see what their horses mean to them. If they can’t devote and put enough time aside to prepare their horse mentally, emotionally, as well as physically on the ground, and just want to merely hop on and ride then frankly they shouldn’t own a horse, they should own a motorcycle instead. When you take the time and allow things to come about instead of pressuring, being impatient, and demanding snappy results, you will begin to notice the finer details you hadn’t before. Horses require an abundance of patience, especially when you are trying to teach them something new. You can’t simply make a horse do something, if you want its dignity, confidence, and respect for you to remain intact. However, you can allow you ideas to become their ideas, this will create a desire for the horse to want to perform the task for and with you. Your horse will not only trust you, but will respect you and not because of fear or force either. Edmund Burke stated, “Our patience will achieve more than our force.” Your horse will know they can depend on you to be the best leader you can be for them and that you are committed and in it long run, not just the short ride. Patience is an important quality to have, illustrate, and exercise everyday. You just have to recognize that even of the littlest things count and mean something to someone. Though it might be hard to sit back and wait, there is a healthy alternative we can try to contain our impatient impulses with. Simply remember to breathe and count to ten because “Patience is the ability to countdown before blastoff.” So next time your are stuck in traffic just sit back, put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the ride because after all “Life is a journey, not a destination.”


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Bareback and Bridleless Ride with Cocoa

After taking Dixie out and about it was Cocoa's turn. I grabbed my savvy string and carrot stick and Cocoa and I were off - "like a dirty shirt" as my Grandpa would always say. I had Cocoa sidepass too the bed of the truck so I could hop on and then we ambled around the yard for a while plowing through the snow drifts and then headed on the backroad. We cantered up the hill right away but then we had a stretch there on the road where we had to have a conversation and do some serpentines because she was set on trying to take a shortcut trail. After we got that ironed out that we were going straight ahead she responded beautifully and perfectly the rest of the ride. We cantered another long stretch and she was responding just off of my seat! We did some stopping, sideways, and backing up every now and then too. We continued trotting and she was mirroring me at what speed of a trot I wanted...I trot slow and she would then I would bring my energy up and so would she and trot faster. It was just perfect. When we got back to the lakes I asked her to canter again and then we did some canter...trot..canter..trot transitions till I finally asked her for a gallop. We were cruising along the convoluted backroad and I was surprised we hadn't run into any snowmobilers yet....haha Well we came running around the corner and there was a snowmobiler with some little kids parked in one of the parking spaces drinking hot cocoa. Cocoa skids down to a jarring trot for two strides while we both catch our breath from being taken by surprise and then I urged her into a fast canter again and we went on our way! I bet they were just as surprised to see US out there as we were to see THEM! We continued our canter and trotting till we got to the trails. Cocoa cruised down the trail and we got a bunch more trotting and cantering in...and her responding right off my seat...didn't have to use the carrot stick at all...and the savvy string was only of minimal use. We continued along and went to check out the BIG sledding hill..ran into a couple more snowmobilers..with kids mouths gaping wide open and pointing and saying "look it's a pony!" lol That just makes my day....nobody expects horses to be out on the trails in the winter with all the snowmobiling..and Cocoa and I always are. Element of surprise. :)

The rest of the ride went just as well...and we made really good time on the way back too. She wasn't even sweating much at all and we went at a pretty good clip through deep snow at times too. The back road thankfully was beautiful to ride on because it wasn't slippery like earlier and had a nice cushiony layer of snow on top. We were cantering along on the way home when we ran into Michelle walking Bundy so we talked and I hopped off and walked the rest of the way home with them. Overall an ah-mazing ride! Cocoa and I haven't done much bb and b riding lately but she sure didn't show that! She did great.


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Dixie's First Canter - Riding!

First off...Dixie decided she wanted to play around first. It was snowing a bit earlier and Cocoa managed to get her back wet (?) and Dixie was dry...Hmmm. So I let Dixie in the barn to roam and just munch on the hay in the back while I put a cooler on Cocoa so she'd be dry by the time Dixie and I got back. So Cocoa got some hay and I took Dixie out for a stroll. We played in the snowbanks and she walked right into my neighbors snow hill from their driveway that is like up past her chest. Silly girl. She strode in there and then spun around and out. I had her go dashing through the ditches that were up past her knees and then jump some of the other snow banks! haha Her jumps were so priceless, she usually gauged them wrong. Oh..Dixie! Then we continued on our way on the DNR backroad all the while keeping watch out for snowmobilers. Quite a few of them passed us today...luckily Dixie has no problem with that at all. I did some Yo-Yo on the road and Sideways with her. She did really good! Then I was working with her high energy and even got her to wheel around and 'cut' me a bit...and when I ran back on the 12 ft. line come cantering towards me. She was wheeling and dealing..and had so much energy since the cold snap we had..and they couldn't do much more than eat to stay warm!

Then we did some trotting and walking and stopping transitions. She was mirroring me beautifully and would stop on a dime. She was trotting and I was running beside and skidded to a stop and she literally put on the brakes and slid to a stop and stopped right beside me. She was definitely on her toes and paying attention! :)

Farther down the road I had her CANTERING right beside me! We did that for aways till I couldn't do it anymore with all my snow gear and big boots. haha She was so cute and pretty to watch, running beside me. We stopped in the ditches and I let her eat the seeds off the tall grass..only part that was left since the snow is so deep! I asked her to do some circling and she had a snotty LB 'no' for an answer when I asked her to go left. Went cantering around on the 12 ft. and kicked out. A few minutes later she came out of her RB moment and licked and chewed. I presumed to ask her again and she went with no problem. I love it when she's spunky...she's so fun to play with when she's sassy and has attitude. lol Most people don't really like that...but I guess since Cocoa never really gets like that anymore I really enjoy playing with Dixie when she does.

We got to one of the parking spots and I had her come sideways and I hopped on. We did lateral flexion and then walked on down the trail..She really wanted to trot down the hill...but this horse has hardy any withers, big butt, still growing, lots of butt momentum, and not even half as much mane as Cocoa, so I decided I didn't want to slide off the front of her so I asked her to walk. I still can't believe how good my baby is coming along. She hardly resists, and listens to everything I ask her, and we haven't even done much riding because she's young but she acts like she's a natural! :) We did some trotting UP the other hills..that pleased her. Then started heading back home. We trotted for about 300 yards! :) Loose rein, slow trot, Dixie totally at ease, down the road. After that we took the trail by my neighbors that had like 2 ft. of snow that nobody had gone through yet! haha...so...guess what we did?!? I asked Dixie to start trotting and of course she did....and then she CANTERED!!! She cantered while I was riding her bareback through the snow, first time ever! I felt it coming but I was still shocked...then I was expecting her to stop after one stride but she kept going. Dixie must have cantered about 7 strides or so...this is the first time I've ever cantered her...and we did it out in the open and on a loose rein. No bucks, resistance, nothing. I love her! Then she I asked her to slow and she slowed right away and I hopped off to Congratulate her! I walked the rest of the way home. :) We stopped and said hi to Michelle's horses from the road, they even stopped eating from their new road bale to look over the fence and nicker at Dixie.


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Friday, January 16, 2009

Another Woodburning

I did this woodburning up tonight. Enjoy! This one is also for sale. It is a 6 by 6".



Picture I looked off of to woodburn it.


My Wolf Head Woodburning.

Up close shot.



Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

No School!

Yay! No school for us again. Last night it was posted 2 hour delay..but then this morning they cancelled it for us! Thank goodness. Now it's like having a 5 day weekend since we get Monday off too! Gonna try and get my crafts done this weekend. And try and keep the ponies warm. I went out to feed the horses this morning and Cocoa was shivering a bit. Dixie had the blanket on so she was fine. I brought Cocoa in her stall with a bunch of shavings down and threw her cooler on, gave her a bunch of hay, and her grain and I have her beet pulp soaking now. Poor girl. I wish I had ordered that blanket sooner..but I just couldn't decide. The thermometer read -17 F in the BARN! It's like -22 F outside today without windchill. BRRR..

UPDATE: Cocoa is feeling much better. Spunky now that I let her out! I had them run around with me a bit in the pasture. They were rolling and having a good ole time. Then I was just scratching them. Dixie apparently had a VERY itchy neck. She loved it...sticking her neck and head way up and trying to lean against me while I scratched. Then, it was so cute she rested her head on top of mine with a little pressure while I scratched her. That would have been a funny picture.

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Snow Day!

School is CANCELLED! Woot Woot! First day this year. It is so cold out like -20 F without windchill. Yikes. I have the blanket on Dixie and the Cinderelly blanket draped around Cocoa but of course it won't stay on. I ordered the Viking blanket..I wish it was here NOW! Cocoa could use it. Horses are getting a LOT of hay and beet pulp mashes. Just trying to keep them warm and comfy.



I woodburned today!! I did something other than horses or of Cocoa and Dixie so I can actually give them up and sell them! lol So I did a wolf. Hopefully am going to do some more tomorrow since it's so cold out.



Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Horsin' Around

I got home from school and immediately went out with the horses..still in my school clothes and shoes! lol Couldn't do much! I let them out and they went barreling through the pasture and down into the backyard. I stood by the barn and just watched them run all around! It was so pretty to watch. Cocoa was watching me so I kept smooching and clucking and they took off again and did some more rounds around the whole pasture. Dixie was trotting no Prancing up and down and had her tail sticking straight up..she looked a heck of a lot more than only 1/4 Arab! haha Cocoa was having fun snorting and you could literally SEE the steam...her breath in the cold! Then Dixie took off to come back up to me. Cocoa was just standing there staring at me from the pasture and then realized Dixie was gone and barreled after her. She just spun on a dime and took off at a gallop. :) Then they came up by me and were mock rearing at each other. Cocoa made herself big and was trotting around me not wanting Dixie to come by me. They did some more rears and were having fun then finally calmed down and stopped snorting and strutting their stuff. I gave them some hay and left them to play and eat!


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Equine Acupuncture - My English Report

I wrote this a week or so ago for my English class and though why not post it on here? :)
(It might format it kinda wierd on here..didn't want to indent for a new paragraph. )

Equine Acupuncture: Getting Right to the Point
A light bulb went off for early, modern day Chinese folks when their war horses came back from battle with arrows stuck in them, but instead of harm being done in some cases, there were reports that it had actually brought about therapeutic effects. The practice of equine acupuncture began roughly 3,000 years ago in China, but did not begin being performed in America until 1974. The word acupuncture originates from the Latin word acus, meaning needle, and punctura, meaning to prick (Bradford). By pricking needles into specific trigger points, the effects of acupuncture provide a balance to the system, which allows for reparation. There are 173 acupuncture pressure points on each side of the horse, 36 in the head, 50 in the tail and along the trunk of the horse, 32 in the front limb, and 36 in the hind limb, and an additional random 19 throughout the equine (Bradford). Each of these points are linked to specific organs or areas of the body and can be stimulated by the use of acupuncture. That is where, how, and why acupuncture began. The practice of acupuncture has captured many people’s fascination and is even more mind boggling when it has been seen performed and the positive effects it achieves with the simple prick of a needle.
Acupuncture is the art of using needles to stimulate certain points in the body that correlate to organs and systems. “The effects of acupuncture therapy cannot be explained in terms of a single mechanism, but rather a series of interactions between the nervous system , the endocrine system and the immune system” (Boldt). This is the cause for why many cannot grasp how and why acupuncture truly works. Acupuncture is considered a Traditional Chinese Medicine that deals with the flow of Qi also known as life force, or energy, through paths called meridians. An equine’s body contains twelve paired and two additional non paired meridians. “The meridians are pathways by which Qi and blood circulate in the body” (Bradford). “Meridians link the exterior of the body to the internal organs and are accessible by acupuncture points” (Stewart). The heart, lungs, liver, stomach, small intestine, spleen, and kidney are just some of the meridian tracts that acupuncture points are situated along, that are identified when using acupuncture. Out of these, the bladder meridian is usually the first one vets will analyze because the points along it correlate with many of the other systems and vital organs (Ward). These acupoints, also called pressure or trigger points, are positioned along these meridians that can be accessed through the art of acupuncture. “Acupuncture points are areas on the skin of decreased electrical resistance or increased electrical conductivity” (Schoen). Acupuncture comes into play and is a holistic therapy that can be used when these points, that contain energy become unbalanced. The saying “Balance is everything” goes hand in hand with acupuncture because after all, maintaining and providing a balance is the answer to why acupuncture produces such positive results and why it works.
One may have thought that all there is to acupuncture is just jabbing needles into a random spot, but there is really a lot more to it. The horse with no doubt, is a very large animal and one could be there all day if there weren’t any directions, clues, or an area to start. Acupuncture would the be the art of finding a needle in a haystack if it weren’t for acupoints and meridians to rely on. The acupuncturist will first palpate along the meridians in the horses body and carefully watch for how the horse responds, and all the while feel for any abnormal hot or cold acupoints. “Besides using acupuncture points for treatment purposes, reactivity of acupuncture points can aid in diagnosis,” stated D.V.M. Ed Boldt. If there is any discomfort the acupuncturist will note the point and use a chart that shows what point correlates to what specific meridian and what meridian corresponds to what specific organs or systems . When discomfort occurs at certain points when just palpating this is a signal that there is a block of energy and that is where the needles come in. In the meeting I attended specifically on acupuncture, D.V.M. Amy Bradford clearly exclaimed that “Sensitivity upon palpation indicates an imbalance of Qi.” Pain is a signal of blocked energy or excessive or too minimal amounts of energy in an area. By applying a needle the acupuncturist is able to galvanize the designated acupoints along the meridians to assist the energy in flowing properly, allowing for balance to return to the equine’s body. The needles are usually inserted around 1/10” to 4/10” deep but it really depends on the symptoms and type of acupuncture being administered (Brennan). “A block can cause pain and prevent healing. Sometimes electrical energies must be ‘set straight,’ so that all the cells involved in the healing process can work at full capacity” (DeRock). This not only helps relieve the horses symptoms, but balances the energy of the whole body in order to prevent the underlying problem from reoccurring. By simply inserting a needle the entire physiology of the body can be influenced for the better (Brennan).
Much to one’s surprise when a needle is inserted into an acupoint, it actually has a calming effect on the horse. This can be explained simply by the release of endorphins into the system (Bradford). It wakes up the endorphin receptors and promotes healing throughout the body, but does not cause the horse to feel any pain. It allows the horse’s body to remotely in the end heal itself, and that is what acupuncture symbolizes!
Like with just about anything there is usually more than one way to do something, it is the same with acupuncture. There are numerous ways to go about stimulating an acupoint through acupuncture and here are some of the techniques. The most common way acupuncture is usually carried out in equines is called dry or simple needling. Some of the other methods include moxibustion which helps increase circulation and is very effective for arthritic horses. This also allows one to insert herbal remedies or vitamins in with the needles which makes the treatment more productive (Brennan). Other approaches include point injection, cold laser, hemoacupuncture, aquapuncture, infra-red, electroacupuncture, and hot needling (Hayes, Schoen, Boldt). Acupuncture is considered a holistic alternative therapy along with treatments like chiropractic and acupressure. These treatments are very similar to acupuncture and can be used with it. These different routes offer the acupuncteristic more options and more arrows in their quiver when it comes to proscribing treatment solutions.
Acupuncture is a very safe practice with slim chances of anything going wrong, however, there are still rules to be followed. There are currently 920 veterinarians that are endorsed by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) throughout the world that can administer acupuncture on horses (“Tuesday Talk”). In order to perform acupuncture on a horse the individual must first be a licensed veterinarian. “IVAS certification is not required for a veterinarian to perform acupuncture” (Hayes). The IVAS also provides training in Chinese medicines like acupressure and includes practices like herbal remedies too (Ward). Even though it is not required of vets, it is highly recommended that they take sessions which only requires a minimal amount of additional training to perform acupuncture. It is still always best to check for certification. “Veterinary acupuncture is considered a valid modality, but the potential for abuse exists. These techniques should be regarded as surgical and/or medical procedures under state veterinary practice acts,” said the director and D.V.M. Allen Schoen.
“Acupuncture can be used as a diagnostic tool or therapy, predominantly for horses that fail to respond to treatment by conventional Western medicine” (Kane). There is nearly no limit to what acupuncture can help treat or at least attempt to alleviate the pain for. “It is best known for the treatment of spinal disorders, particularly disc problems, but many other skeletal problems such as arthritis, navicular disease, and joint inflammation,” stated D.V.M., Mary L. Brennan in her book Complete Holistic Care and Healing for Horses. Acupuncture can also be used to help with allergies, kidney failures, joint problems, nerve injuries, reproductive disorders, muscle atrophy, eye problems, back pain, colic, lameness, stomach ulcers respiratory and emotional disorders. Shock, scars, hives, paralysis, diarrhea, hock and stifle injuries, Lyme disease, and behavioral disorders like cribbing are just a few of the many conditions that can also be corrected with the use of acupuncture (Stewart). It is hard to believe but in the horse world there are some instances that acupuncture could also be used, except not for pain relief but yet for cosmetic purposes. There’s been cases where owners have had acupuncture administered to decrease the neck size of their halter horses for better show results and placings. They were able to use acupuncture instead and this result allowed them to not have to put the horse through a traumatic surgery (Brennan). Acupuncture can also be applied if the owner notices his or her horse is coming down with an illness, so it can be used to help treat the complication. This goes entirely against the saying “If it is not broken, don’t fix it” but when you think about it, why not try and prevent it before it becomes a problem? In other words do less sooner than more later. Acupuncture not only provides solutions but can be used as a preventative.
There are many benefits to using acupuncture as a treatment for horses. To start off, there are hardly any negative after effects to using acupuncture and it is considered to be noninvasive (Gregorio). Another benefit to acupuncture is that it can be used in the horse competitions without penalty. “...It usually allows continued performance without having to resort to the use of drugs, which are often banned in competition” (Brennan). Being able to use acupuncture instead of drugs to cure an illness is essential not only in the competitive horse world but for everyday horse owners too. A horse weighing roughly a thousand pounds that does not want to take its dosage of bute or refuses anymore shots is not a fun or safe situation to be in. Yes, acupuncture does involve needles too, but the endorphins released upon the insertion of needles into an acupoint provides a calming effect unlike that of needles when administering drugs into the horses system. Drugs also not only weaken the immune system and usually have a long list of negative side effects that go hand in hand with them. It is also not uncommon to have a horse that is allergic to certain medications, and some drugs like bute can cause even more problems like stomach ulcers over time (DeRock). This is where acupuncture can be used instead or even to supplement these situations. Sometimes horses, like people, need that recommended dose of medicine and the huge benefit of acupuncture is that it still can be used in a situation like this. A positive effect in using acupuncture is the fact that it can also be used to enhance and help speed up recovery, by being able to combine treatments. For example, acupuncture can be used with medications to help lower the dosage, lameness exams to help determine the true problem, chiropractic sessions, and with herbal remedies, just to name a few (Gregorio). Acupuncture also provides immediate results which is irrefutable and not something that can be said for many other treatments! Finally, acupuncture aids in helping the horse feel more spry and pain free, and a pain free horse is a happy horse! Attitude is everything in the horse world and keeping horses pain free is key factor in allowing a horse to have a blissful temperament.
There is, however, with everything some chance that something could go wrong just like with anything in life. Primarily, if everything is done safe and by requirements one of the worst effects that could come about from acupuncture is that the horse does not react to the treatment. That is not a very bad top ranking negative effect when you considering the some side effects of many medications out on the market, not only for horses, but humans too. Acupuncture also should not be used for pregnant mares, unless the acupuncturist is highly skilled in that area, because if by some chance the needle would be inserted in the wrong spot it could induce premature labor (“Tuesday Talk”). Another situation would be if an untrained physician performed acupuncture on a horse, there is a risk that they could cause an infection or even hit a joint in the horse. That should not happen though, because only veterinarians that are certified in acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) should be practicing acupuncture. Acupuncture also should not be administered right after feeding a horse or after a excessive workout (Stewart). Like with anything, cost is always a huge factor and that goes for acupuncture too. Depending on the acupuncturist, location, and diagnosis, cost can vary but a treatment is not usually just pocket change. Also you have to play into effect that your horse might require more than one session when you factor in the cost. Horses generally show improvement between two to four sessions (Stewart). When you compare the costs of acupuncture to the cost of other treatments, they will no doubt be just as expensive, if not more. The only real physical side effects of acupuncture is that it has been stated that in some cases a horse will be somewhat sore after the treatment (Ward). Those are the few negative side effects to acupuncture.
One of the main drawbacks to acupuncture is not the rare negative side effects but rather that there is no scientific data to show and prove to people that acupuncture actually does work. “While acupuncture has been recognized by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), there is a lot of anecdotal evidence but no scientific studies to validate the benefits or acupuncture on horses (Gregorio). The only proof is in their horse and how their horse improves, that is what gets people to believe that this Eastern medicine might have some truth to it after all. It really follows the lines of “You have to see it to believe it.” People are wary to try something new, unless they have depleted all other options and that is usually where holistic treatments come in. I believe that one of the crucial negative effects of acupuncture is not a side effect but yet a setback. If it could be scientifically proven acupuncture would be used more and it would be more widely known, respected, and applied.
In considering acupuncture as a whole the positive effects clearly outweigh the negative with no competition, but it is hard for many to get over their preconceived beliefs of acupuncture, and that is a huge setback. One of the main negative effects of acupuncture is the fact that horse owners are cautious and biased when it comes to applying this ‘unexplainable’ treatment on their horses. “Misconceptions about the safety, effectiveness, and comfort of acupuncture have some owners reluctant to consider it as treatment for their horses” (Brennan). Another downfall to acupuncture is that acupuncture treatments are still considered to be ‘complementary therapies’ and are to be used with conventional veterinary medicine not as a replacement (Boldt). Still, even with those mountains to climb and misconceptions to overcome, acupuncture as a whole continues to be a very effective holistic remedy and ancient Chinese Eastern Medicine. It provides a holistic and natural way to diagnose a condition and then sets it up so the horses body can heal itself naturally.
Though I have never performed acupuncture myself, I have not only read about its stunning effects but I have seen them. My horse, Cocoa has had some major issues concerning her lower back and digestion problems. It is a very frustrating and Mayer 10helpless feeling not knowing what is wrong and the fact that traditional medicines are not helping. I have practiced acupressure (which is very similar to acupuncture) on her and will soon be having my equine chiropractor begin acupuncture treatments with her. Through holistic treatments a lot like acupuncture I have been able to scope out the situation and am striving to come all the more closer to a solution and the root cause of the problem, and with acupuncture I believe we can overcome it. I have learned a valuable lesson, that the crucial step is not merely treating the problem but preventing it and keeping a balance once you have treated it, to keep it from reoccurring. Balance truly is everything when it comes to living life to the fullest and for treatments like acupuncture.
It is very common for a parent to tell a kid to ‘point to where it hurts.’ Horses, though are not able to readily communicate with there owners by just merely pointing to the discomfort but with acupuncture the horses do not need to point! It is ironic that horses have always had acupoints all along their bodies, that a trained acupuncturist would easily be able to identify, and find the source of discomfort. In an essence horses all along, even way back to when they had arrows thrusted in them in battle, have been pointing to exactly where it hurts, we just have to feel instead of listen!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Going Riding

Well..I didn't get out to feed the munchkins too early at all since I was so tired and just wanted to sleep in for once. I can't believe I made it through the whole week of school with all the testing and everything after having like 3 weeks off for break. So..last night I left the big gate open for them so they could wander all around the pasture last night since the moon was out, and I thought it would give them something extra to do since I haven't had too much time to play with them this last week.

I went out to feed them and was calling for them. Everything was quiet for a while and then I heard the crunch crunch of them coming. When they came to the gate they both had snow hanging down from their bellies and wet hair matted everywhich way from laying down. They were taking an early morning nap apparently! :)

I'm going riding with Michelle and Karen later on today...so that should be fun since it isn't too incredibly cold out today - AND the sun is shining!


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Friday, January 9, 2009

Moonlight

I fed the horses earlier tonight and then went back out to check on them. I opened the big gate for them and decided to leave it open for the whole night for them tonight. Even though it was like 9:30 it was still light because the moon was out shining brightly. Dixie was so cute she followed me all around the pasture. I would run backwards in the snow and she came running to me and then would wheel around and canter around. Cocoa was running too and rearing up at Dixie. Dixie was bucking and kicking out and having a good ole time. Then Cocoa ran up and laid down, rolled twice, and popped back up and ran around some more. Dixie was prancing all over the place and doing the Arab strut with her tail up high. (I haven't seen her do it before...but Cocoa many a times!) Then she rolled quickly just once side and lept right back up and came running back to me. Their little antics were so cute. They were trying to burn off their excess energy... :) It was fun to watch. I wish they would run around more together...they'll run with me and get started but I always wished they would just run around in the the pasture together just for the sake of running.

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Walking

I got out to the horse's later than usual. It was already semi-dark but I still wanted to do atleast something with them so we just headed out for a walk. My fingers were frozen by the time I got there halters on and my fingers back in my gloves. So we didn't go too far since I was so cold. Had them play in a few snow banks and we did a lot of practice 'stop on a dime' when I stop then backing up together.


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Monday, January 5, 2009

Farrier Visit

Well Michelle called and told me Dale was over trimming her horses. So last minute decision I had him come trim Miss Dixie. She did really good and it was so cute when he grabbed her tail to look at her back feet she started backing up!! lol That's my little smartie! :) I was a little nervous about her feet..since she's young and I trimmed then last time. They weren't long or anything but he made then all pretty and she's all trimmed up now. I think I'll do Cocoa tomorrow. He said for Dixie since she toes out in the front at the walk and then is cow hocked in the back to take more off on the insides in the hind and then take more on the outside of the front hooves. I'll definitely have to keep that in mind next time along with everything else. I really need to get a new hoof rasp though. Even though its not that good Dixie's hooves are a breeze to trim since her little white feet are SO soft and easy to trim while Cocoa's on the other hand are practically as hard as rock. Also he said for Dixie's soft footedness...that I could use bleach or iodine to help harden them. That's a thought...maybe this summer.

Cocoa was a little pest the whole time. She couldn't figure out why it wasn't her turn. She bugged with his little Jack Russel Terrier Tator Tot who is absolutely ah-dorable!!

Then I let them out to eat in the yard for a while.....


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Movie Day

So I went to go see a movie, Marley and Me with my neighbor, Joan and Mattie too of course. It was a good but yet very sad dog movie.



Didn't do much with the horses..just watched McLeod's Daughters and worked on my English paper on Acupuncture! I'll have to post that! :) Kinda lengthy though.



I need to get working on my paintings and projects!!





Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Friday, January 2, 2009

Dixie's Playday

Dixie and I went down to the roundpen today after I had let her and Cocoa eat in the yard for awhile. Cocoa followed us down to the backyard and proceeded to dig for grass there. I first let Dixie offline...I didn't have the string across the gate tied tight..and I went up to the barn to grab some stuff. So I come down and she is back out eating with Cocoa. She came walking right up to me as if to say 'Sorry, but I couldn't resist!' So I brought her back and we did a little playing with the Catching Game. She was having a blast just cantering in circles through the deep snow in the roundpen. She came in right away and we did a little Stick2Me then. Then I kept her at Liberty and practiced getting our Yo-yo at really low phases. All I would have to do is straighten up and she would perk up and slowly start to back..that's how sensitive this girly can be. Then I would send her out...We haven't played much with the Circling Game at Liberty so everytime she asked to come in I pretty much let her. So we got good practice on sends then too! She is definitely a little LB snot. She would toss her head and sass off on the way out for fun so our sends got snappy...she wanted to play Tag Me. It was hilarious. She did great with phases for speeding up, all I have to do is point and she goes to the next gait. As far as stopping and slowing down we are still playing with that online getting her to understand that the carrot stick in front means slow down.

We did some change of direction at Liberty too!! Then sideways towards, back by tail, pick up feet, sideways beside with me, etc.

Then I put her online and had her go sideways over the barrels and jump over them too. She is so cute she way overjumps. Can't wait to try and ride that! She gets to it and pretty much stops and then catapults herself UP and very over! lol

My brother came down and said hi so I hopped on Dixie from the barrels. She did some ah-mazing lateral flexion and then we walked and trotted around the roundpen with just the Savvy String and me flipping it over her head! Then we headed out the gate and trotted super fast to go find Cocoa. Hopped off and she got to eat in the yard, that was our day.

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Dozing Off...








I caught a special moment today of the girls basking in the lukewarm sunshine. (It was colder than it looked!)
I was watching them from the window in the house and was surprised to see Cocoa just standing there dozing off in the pasture instead of digging for snow like usual. Dixie too was standing there sleeping, totally at ease. I look a little later and what do you know Cocoa is zonked out laying down and taking a nap. I come back a little later and Dixie was down too. I creep outside and wanted to get pics. from the barn of them sleeping and hoping not to wake them and have them come to me...well while I was being slow and sneaky I saw something out of the corner of my eye.... Of all things and off all times a deer chooses to prance across the backroad into our yard along the fenceline and all through our trees. The horses were up in a jiffy....surprised by the deer. And the moment was over.
Cocoa spotted the deer




Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Pony Express

I picked Dixie to help me deliver Crystal's gift. She was being awfully pokey. lol We were trying to stay on the side because of snowmobilers and ice! The road was awfully slippery so we stuck to the deep snowdrift filled ditches. We definitely had a walk... :) Dixie did wonderful with all the snowmobilers that went by..didn't even blink and eye. She even managed to dig up some dried grass on the trail...Dropped her gift off and headed back home. About 3/4 of the way home I lined Dixers up to a snow bank and hopped on and off we went. Did some very fast trotting..that was a blast through the deep snow! My little baby is sure coming a long. She stops on a dime!


Cocoa helped me out today too, she was my little Pony Express Pony. We headed out right before dark over to Jess's. Definitely racing daylight going out that late..aww well we made it. Cocoa trompled through the foot or plus snow back in the woods. Had some good canters even though I was trying to balance riding and holding onto Jess's gift without dropping of breaking it! lol Cocoa and I cruised over to say hi to her buds Roxy and Hank and then stayed to chat for a bit. Cocoa was so sweet with her little sister who just adores Cocoa, it was cute. And Cocoa stayed halfway in the snowbank along their sidewalk because it was kinda icy...she wasn't going to chance it. We made some circles out in the DNR and had a couple good gallops through the snow and finally made it home before dark!



Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie