horse health Archives ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

The Masterson Method with Will Friday

October 15, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

The Masterson Method with Will Friday

Will Friday is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner. I ran across Will Friday at the Skills of the Rancho this summer. The Skills celebrates the tradition of the Californio Bridlehorse. I was walking around the stables when I saw this man doing what looked like a cross between chiropractic and massage on a horse in the breezeway. I stood and watched for a while and found the procedure fascinating. As Will skillfully tugged, pulled, and laid his fingers on the horse, I could see the horse relax. In our short conversation that day, Will said he was trying to let the horse release tension and soreness in his body using the Masterson Method.

The Masterson Method, developed by horseman Jim Masterson, is a systematic way of releasing tension and soreness in horses. The procedure can last between 1 and 2 hours as the practitioner places fingers along the horse’s body looking for areas of tension and soreness.

I contacted Will at his company Performance Equine BodyWork. He invited me to a Parelli clinic that was being hosted by one of his clients at the 3L Ranch. Owners of the ranch, Maurice Thibault and Susan Nelson, invited me to come up and observe the clinic and watch Will work on some of their clinic horses. Both Maurice and Susan are 4-Star Parelli Professionals.

Here are the links from the show:

Performance Equine Bodywork Facebook

The Masterson Method Website

3L Ranch

Parelli Professionals

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or, contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #157

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Vesicular Stomatitis with Dr. Tolley

August 6, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Vesicular Stomatitis

I had been hearing news about an equine disease vesicular stomatitis that was quarantining horses in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Looking for more about the disease, I contacted my vet, Dr. John Tolley of Bakersfield Large Animal Veterinary Hospital. I recorded this interview on a Thursday, and I write this the following Tuesday. The number of quarantined premises have doubled.

If you look up the words “vesicular” and “stomatitis” on Google, you’ll find vesicular means blister. Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth. Vesicular stomatitis usually presents in horses with blisters in the mouth, lips, and coronary bands. The disease spreads several ways, but most commonly through flies and mosquitos. Some of those flies can move 150 miles in a day. I wasn’t able to find a good answer about a vaccine for VSV. It is a summer disease and spreads up from the gulf in Texas.

Dr. Tolley gives us the details on vesicular stomatitis. He talks about suspected origins and why the Federal government keeps a close eye on the number and location of animals affected. Good horse-keeping practices and staying away from horses afflicted with the disease are currently the main preventative measures.

To find out more about vesicular stomatitis check out these websites:

American Association of Equine Practitioners Website

A Comprehensive Article from Science Direct

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #152

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Horse Racing Fatalities We Talk with Journalist Natalie Voss

July 9, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Horse Racing Fatalities – A Candid Conversation with Journalist Natalie Voss

If you listen to or watch the news, you have seen the stories about the horse racing fatalities at Santa Anita this year. The number reached 30. Some horses died on the practice track, while some of them died while racing. They write the stories leading us to believe there has been a spike in horse racing fatalities this year. The New York Times did a story pointing a finger at the new track owners. The article examined if the owner coerced trainers into racing horses before they were ready.

Earlier in the season as people looked for answers, an article in the Paulick Report, and racing magazine, journalist Natalie Voss looked into the possibility that the drug bisphosphonate was a factor.

Jeff Goertzen of the Southern California News Group wrote a good article explaining horse racing fatalities at Santa Anita (published in the Mercury News June 30. 2019)

Talk to an Expert

Natalie Voss has been a journalist in the equine industry for years. She is the features editor for the Paulick Report and also has bylines in Chronicle of the Horse, The Horse magazine, The Blood-Horse, Quarter Horse News, American Racehorse among others. She has won journalism awards for her writing in the racehorse industry. When I requested an interview, she was quick to respond. She speaks clearly in a language laypeople can understand. She has a love of horses and cares about her industry. Her insights into the horse racing fatalities were invaluable to producing this episode.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #150

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Update on Jessie’s Lameness

June 25, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Update on Jessie’s Lameness

My 19-year-old Foundation Quarter Horse mare, Jessie, has been struggling with lameness since the first of the year. You can find out the background from a post in early May here: Lameness and My Mare Jessie

After going through the lameness evaluation process and taking it up to the point of an MRI, we decided on a treatment program. Jessie would get one gram of Bute morning and night. We would shoe her front feet with egg-butt shoes to increase her break-over angle. Additionally, we packed her sole with a gel product to protect her feet. The last part of her treatment program involved riding her 3-5 times a week.

Progress?

Well, it’s difficult to tell. The vet stated that her lameness score went from a “3” to a “2”. The doctor wanted us to move forward to the MRI. Jessie is an aged horse not used in competition. We enjoy trail riding and trail trials. We generally do both activities at a walk. There is no guarantee the MRI would provide a definitive diagnosis. The most prudent approach seems to enjoy her for as long as we are able. I suppose we could breed her. She has good bloodlines, a good mind, and the lameness is a genetic defect. It’s something to consider.

For now, we have changed her medication from Bute to Equioxx. I’ll still take her out for exercise 3-5 times a week. If she doesn’t improve, I may try swim therapy. There is a place in town that offers it may help.

I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #148

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Let’s Talk Horse Vaccinations

June 11, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Let’s Talk Horse Vaccinations

What vaccinations do you give your horse? How often do you give them? What happens if your horse has a reaction to one of his vaccinations? These are questions I put to our listeners. As part of the dialogue we, got to hear from people in many parts of the United States. Some folks prefer giving their horses the 5 and 6-way combination shots. Some people spread the vaccinations over two weeks, lessening the chance or strain of a reaction.

A Source of Good Information about Vaccinations

However you add it up, your horse needs help from some nasty diseases out there. There is a lot of good information on the website of The American Association of Equine Practitioners. While there is no standard protocol for a vaccination schedule that fits every horse, the Association recommends a set of core vaccinations for most horses. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Rabies, Tetanus, and West Nile Virus fall into this core category.

Then there are the Risk-based vaccines. Use these vaccines if your horse has a risk to exposure (not all horses do). These include rabies, equine influenza, leptospirosis, strangles and a few others. Check out the information on their website to see which shots work best for your horses.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #146

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS