70 % of his day . Outside of his working and training time , Style is grazing to fuel his body and maintain body temperature . All that food creates a lot of horse piles , so our stalls and pastures are cleaned twice daily ! Regular grooming promotes good blood circulation , prevents disease and discomfort and is a good time to check head to hoof for any injuries . Grooming Style also provides an opportunity for Style to bond with his care-taking team , learning trust and building a rapport . With good nutrition and regular grooming , Style ’ s tail has grown about four inches in length since arriving at ROSL . The extra length helps Style keep away those pesky flies !
Throughout the year , the farrier , dentist and chiropractor also visit Style . Every six weeks Style ’ s hooves are balanced and trimmed to support his conformation and prevent bruising , splitting and lameness . Twice a year , an equine dentist floats ( or rasps ) ill-worn teeth to help with digestion and make sure Style is comfortable . Horse ’ s lower jaws are naturally more narrow than the top jaw , causing irregular or even sharp points on the teeth . Because Style often carries clients with low-tone , imbalance or asymmetry , he receives regular chiropractic adjustments throughout his pelvis , back , neck , head and legs . Mal-alignment , or subluxation , of vertebrae and joints can not only be uncomfortable but may cause further damage if not resolved .
STYLE ’ S TRAINING
The physical care listed above , covers many of the basic care requirements Style receives , but he also participates in regular exercise and conditioning . The two fundamental conditioning methods Style benefits from include long lining and ridden work . Unlike lunging , long lining uses two lines attached on either side of the bit , allowing flexibility to influence both bend and inside / outside contact for a more elastic and supple connection . On long lines , Style can try new movements without the difficultly of balancing the weight of a rider . He also learns to use the correct muscles to strengthen his topline and core which makes him stronger , more flexible , balanced and limber . At first , Style was anxious learning this new way to communicate . Slowly and with a lot of positive reinforcement and peppermint treats , Style became more relaxed and began moving with good energy , relaxation and rhythm .
Style ’ s work on long lines directly affects his ridden work in preparation for advancement as a therapy horse . Style is very inquisitive and sensitive to his surroundings . In his ridden work he is learning rhythm and relaxation , with light aids to compliment his sensitive nature . Rhythm refers to the regularity of his gait and Style ’ s footfalls into a specific pattern : a four beat walk , two beat trot and three beat canter . Style ’ s balance is illustrated through the clean , consistent footfalls that maintain a regular rhythm and tempo . Perfecting this eliminates problems such as being on the forehand , lack of self-carriage , tension or resistance and also helps Style react to carrying different types of riders and clients . Relaxation prepares Style both physically and mentally for work as a therapy horse . When Style is relaxed he is able to move naturally and unimpeded , bending better through his body both laterally and longitudinally .
STYLE GIVES
Over the last year ’ s work of consistent training , ridden and on long lines two to three times each week , Style has gained the right amount of muscle , trust , rhythm and relaxation to being working with clients in a small capacity . It takes an average of three years before a horse can be fully immersed into the program : serving clients with complex needs , working increased hours , communicating with volunteer leaders and being comfortable and reliable in a variety of situations . After several months of training , Style has been able to work with three clients this year in our physical therapy and sports riding programs . You can read about the progress of Style ’ s clients Mary Clare and Samantha in this issue . Our investment in Style is already at work and with his continued health and conditioning , Style will be helping Mary Clare , Samantha and many others as an excellent therapy horse for many years to come . Please Give With Style this Christmas season at rideonstl . org / givingwithstyle to make a lasting impact on health , happiness and quality of life !
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