I am not getting as many rides on my filly as I would like, but they have been good ones - 12 of them so far (I added them up this weekend). When I counted them I realized just how far this filly has come in a very short time - the sticky and stubborn spots truly are from her lack of experience!

We have been working a lot of new things - at this stage of the game most everything is a new thing to her! We are walking, trotting and loping. We're working on slowing down the jog and rounding while jogging. We're working on guiding on the circle at the lope.

We're working on shoulder control both on those circles, in an arc and counter-arc exercise, on backing up and the forehand, and in a turnaround (spin).

Photo credit: Chris Hassell

Much of her complaints center on contact with her mouth, so I have to consider several things. Number one, she is very green still; number two, she is quite sensitive but also has a bit of a temper; and number three, she may have wolf teeth. This last means that at some point in time, I will need to have her into the vet's in Prince George to have her checked for wolf teeth, and if she has any, to have them removed.

It's all part of the overall progress, adding small steps and seeing what else we can build on, all the while keeping the whole picture in mind.
Til next week,
~ Kristi :)

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Have you ever heard someone talk about their horse as having wolf teeth and wondered what on earth they were talking about? After all, horses are equines, not canines!

Actual, horses can have canine teeth, and they can also have wolf teeth. They are not - contrary to some people's beliefs - the same thing. Canine teeth, also referred to as tushes, are usually found in male horses (stallions or geldings). While occasionally found in mares, this is not as common. The tush is a single tooth found in the space between the incisors (front biting teeth) and the molars (back chewing teeth). This tooth generally does not cause any issues, although some horses may have trouble bridling or unbridling around their tushes if the handler doesn't take extra care.

Wolf teeth are totally different. Wolf teeth are small teeth without deep roots. If you have read up on horse teeth at all, you'll know that the horse's teeth have very long, deep roots, and that the teeth keep "growing" throughout their life. Actually, they aren't growing, but the tooth that is inside the jawbone (which develops early in life) steadily pushes its way out, while being ground off by the food they eat.

A wolf tooth has almost no root at all. Because of this, it makes it somewhat movable, and that fact combined with its location is what makes wolf teeth such a problem in a riding horse. Wolf teeth are located immediately in front of the most frontward molars. A horse may have up to four of them (top and bottom, left and right) or may only have tops, or bottoms, or even sometimes just one alone. Of course, on a riding horse, the bit sits immediately in front of the molars, and if it comes into contact with that free-floating tooth it can be quite painful for the horse as the wolf tooth moves in the gum.

It is a fairly simple operation for a vet to remove most wolf teeth. In fact, many horses don’t even require sedation to perform this routine, and it is relatively inexpensive.

The “Choose (and KEEP!) a good farrier” series will return next week

If you have comments or suggestions along the way, please share with me at kristim@hiway16.com

I joined the Tweedsmuir Cavaliers Saddle Club again and started riding at the club grounds in Burns Lake. For those of you in the Burns Lake area, you should consider joining the club as the arenas are in pretty good condition and don't see a lot of use! Actually, with more frequent use, they would be in even better condition as they tend to get packed by the rain and sun, and many hooves help soften things up a bit.

Each TCSC member must also belong to Horse Council BC (which provides you with liability insurance among other things), pay a $20 membership (for seniors; it’s only $10 for juniors or $40 for the whole family), and a $5 cost for a gate key to the grounds.

The grounds feature two good riding arenas, picnic tables, a small grandstand for spectators, and lots of equipment for club member use. There is a mailbox, a bridge, a gate and lots of rails for practicing trail and teaching your horse new things. There are some jumps (NEVER jump alone, and always wear a helmet!), but everyone is requested to please return all items to outside the arena for the enjoyment of the next people coming in.

One thing of note for the club grounds is that there is a buddy system in place - you are not permitted to ride alone for safety reasons. This is a good common sense thing to keep in mind, especially for those of us riding really young horses! Still, any age of horse can be unpredictable, so always try to ride with someone else - even if they just sit in the truck and watch you!

The TCSC club has clinics and sometimes organizes horses shows as well. There are also several good instructors who teach lessons at the grounds - for more information on the club, please call Gwen at 692-3403 or Bea at 698-7615 or Cecile at 698-7627. These ladies are long time members of the club and will be happy to assist you!

If you have information to share, please email me at kristim@hiway16.com

Northern BC Horse is sponsored by local businesses who support equine sports in our area including:

• Baerental Ranch
• Burns Lake Building Supplies
• Hoskins Ford
• Northern Horse Supply
• Reimer Ranch
• Ridennoure Paint Horses

Do you have a horse or equipment to sell? Want to buy a horse or equipment? Check the Free Classified Ads.