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Using a chain - other specific uses
Last week we talked about how to set up a chain over the horse's nose. This week we cover three other methods, all of which usually have specific uses.
The chain can be threaded through the halter rings the same as it was as over the nose, but going under the chin. This places the chain on all those sensitive nerves in the chin groove - the same spot as the chin strap works (see Jan 10 edition ).
Some people feel that the chain underneath the nose is more likely to make the horse rear up to evade it. Others deliberately use it this way when breeding a stallion so that he can differentiate between going out to show (when they would place it over the nose) and going to breed a mare.
Two far more severe methods can also be used with care. The first is pulling the chain through the noseband rings as above, but slipping the chain through the mouth like a bit. This can damage the lips at the corners of the mouth, as well as the tongue, and MUST be used with extreme caution.
Chances are you will never see a chain being used like this, but if you do, most likely it will be on ranker acting stallion.
The other is usually used only as a restraint for specific purposes, such as administering needles, and involves tucking the chain carefully around the top gum line, inside the lip itself. This lip chain is not EVER jerked on, but is held taut (not quite snug) so as to help distract the horse from what else is happening to it. The lip chain can also be vibrated to help take the horse's mind off the procedure.
Properly used, a lip chain is probably more humane than a twitch. So, there you have several ways in which a chain can be used to help restrain a horse. Keep in mind though that there is nothing like going back to the basics and teaching the horse how to respond.
Consider doing more ground work training with a horse that needs a chain - try following the series we started back in November (see archives).
If you have tips or questions on equipment care, purchases, fit, or anything else to do with equestrian equipment, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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Equine Anatomy - bones, muscles, tendons, etc (front leg)
This weekend I had the chance to attend a short course on Understanding Equine Anatomy. It was really an eye opener! Dawn Park, an equine therapist certified by the BC College of Equine Therapy, taught us some basics about the way the main bones and major muscles work, and how the tendons and ligaments tie everything together.
Sherry Fleming, a local farrier, brought a set of connected front leg bones complete with straps to illustrate how the tendons and ligaments would connect and function. Having a 3-D model to work with made the text book diagrams much clearer! Did you know that 7 or 8 different bones make up the knee?
Pretty intricate piece of work, and seeing it in two dimensions on paper just doesn't let you see how it all fits together. I came to realize just how important the knees really are - through the knee is where most of the muscles in the forearm turn into the main tendons of the lower leg.
With Sherry there we also briefly branched off into how corrective trimming can cause more harm than good because it affects the delicately balanced structures such as the knees.
After hearing Dawn talk about massage and how muscles turn into tendons before re-attaching to the bone, you can sure see how a horse with a problem in the muscles in his forearm could actually show symptoms of a tendon problem... and we would blame the tendon when massage may have alleviated the tension in the first place. In fact, I am carrying that thought one step further myself right now as I am suffering from a bout of tendinitis. I am trying to do as much massage on the muscles of my arm as I can to help release any pressure still pulling on the inflamed tendon sheath.
Pretty neat stuff, seeing how the insides of the horse work when normally all we see is the external. More next week - we also covered some on massage techniques, checking saddles for balance, and checking fit on saddles and I'll try to touch on some of that as well.
If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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If you are new to Northern B.C. Horse, check out all the previous issues on the Archive page.
Kristi is building a great knowledge base about horses, with the emphasis on our area of the world.
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Giving needles
In the last couple of columns we talked about vaccinations. I'd like to share with you a few vaccination techniques now that spring and immunization season are just around the corner.
These techniques are all for IM (intermuscular) injections, which most vaccinations are. People have to understand that there is always a risk any time you inject a horse of it going into anaphylatic shock - and possibly even dying from it. If you are not familiar with giving your own vaccines, you may want to pay the vet to do it.
(Editors note: Please do not try the following techniques, for the first time, unless you have an expert with you to show you exactly how to do it.)
I am not a vet, but am simply sharing with you my experiences. One of the first techniques I was ever taught was the tapping method. Holding just the needle in your fingers similarly to how you hold a pen, turn your hand and lay the back of it against the injection site. Tap against the horse's flesh a few times, then turn your hand around and send the needle straight in.
Many times with this method, the horses don't seem to even feel it. However, you will find some horses will jump or jerk, which is why the syringe is attached afterwards, so it can't fall out on the ground. Some horses even tighten up so much they can bend the needle! These horse are more likely to have a vaccination reaction as they have jammed the needle through their muscle tissues, and will often have swelling around the site by the following day.
Another drawback is it can tend to make your horse jumpy any time you pet it instead of stroke it. The next method I learned was to take a pinch of skin and then to push the needle into the flat area just below the skin fold. It seems like the tightness takes the horse's mind off of things. On the other hand, it can make your horse pretty pinch-shy!
It has been suggested that if you plan on using a pinch method, start pinching your horse a couple of weeks before giving the vaccination to get him over the jitters.
I was also just told of another pinch method that sounded need. Kathy explained to us how she takes the fold of skin as above, but while holding it between her thumb and finger, she slides the needle in between the two inside the skin flap. Once through the skin, let go of the pinched skin and push the needle into the muscle. Me, I'd be worried about sticking myself with that needle, but Kathy says it works really well!
Again, if you are in doubt, call your veterinarian. If she is already at your farm, it is usually only a couple of dollars extra to administer the innoculation.
If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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Western, English, Penning or Trail riding, all equine sports have a voice on Northern B.C. Horse.
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