Trail Challenge competitions consist of 4 levels including Training, Intermediate, Master and Elite. Those levels are for Youth and Adult with all breeds of horses. By popular demand, the Agility Class remained for those in hand participants and Leadline was added for the youngest riders. Dressage shows are qualified for Western Dressage Association of Florida Year End Awards and are recognized for WDAA Lifetime Awards Program. Each show offers tests from Introductory Level to Level 4 with a Traditional English Dressage Test of Choice. New in 2019, Ranch Riding will be added to the lineup in March.

“This lack of maternal transfer of immunity is somewhat of an evolutionary drawback, leaving foals highly susceptible to threatening infections, especially, pneumonia, joint infections, and sepsis,” noted Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a Kentucky Equine Research nutritionist.

The average 1,000-pound horse needs about 13,500 calories to operate each day. Add in some cold weather, and he’s probably burning closer to 15,000 to keep warm. Because they’re burning extra calories, it’s not uncommon to see horses shed a bit of weight in the colder weather.

The 2019 Heumphreus Lecture will explore the core concepts of anatomy, form and function from the perspectives of the farrier and veterinarian. The morning lecture session will include Southern California farrier Shannon presenting “Anatomy Decoded” and Colorado veterinarian Dr. Beeman sharing his ever-popular lecture on “The Relationship of Form to Function.”

Pay attention during winter months to water tank heaters and heated buckets—they continue to generate heat even if there is no water present, which can cause the plastic to melt and a fire to ignite bedding and hay. If you are using electrical cords, make sure that they are professional grade, inspected often and are not overloaded. Keep lights caged and only use lights that are designed for barn use.

Topics to include: Building a Successful Equestrian Business; Jobs Panel – So You’re Not a Pro Rider. Job Searches Off the Saddle; Social Media Panel – Do You Really Need Snapchat? What’s Your Social Strategy?; Work/Life Balance Panel – Put the Phone Down. Finding Balance in a Connected World.

Equine veterinarians learned about the “Madigan Foal Squeeze Technique”—a life-saving procedure to immediately treat Maladjustment Syndrome in newborn foals—in the presentation UC Davis Distinguished Professor John Madigan gave at the 64th Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention & Trade Show, held this past week in San Francisco.

With more than 200 educational sessions, clinics, and demonstrations on the schedule, the Ride with a Pro program offers novices and experts alike the opportunity to learn something new. This year’s clinicians are seeking participants of all skill levels and interests, as well as horses and riders with specific issues. Presenters include Guy McLean and Julie Goodnight (natural horsemanship), Steve Lantvit (general training and horsemanship), Jason Irwin (foundation training and general horsemanship), Neil Davies (fear-free horse training), Mette Rosencrantz (dressage), Candice King (hunter/jumper), Sandy Collier (reined cow horse), Jesse Westfall (reining), Jane Melby (barrel racing), Dana Hokana (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Muffy Seaton (driving), and Michael Gascon (easy gaited horses). More presenters will be announced soon, so check equineaffaire.com often for updates.

The two-step process imbeds the yeast in a protective matrix of proteins, polysaccharides and other substances. This protects and maintains the integrity of the Saccharomyces boulardii during passage through the digestive tract.