The West Equestrian

Rider Health & Performance
In Your Right Mind: Facing Frustration

9 months ago

Dear Dr. Bonomi, I am frustrated with my riding and my horse. In your articles, you often talk about being connected to your why and working toward your destination, but how do you do that when your horse has been injured and had a long rehab? My horse is back to work, but it’s unclear how far he will be able to go up the levels given his injury. He doesn’t feel the same as he did before. To add to the frustration, I am an older amateur rider and don’t have all the time in the world to ride and compete. Thank you, B.G., Sacramento, CA ______________________________________________________________________________ Dear B, I appreciate your question, and I think it’s one that touches a lot of riders. We equestrians compete in a team sport, and when half of our team gets injured, it’s devastating, especially when he or she is the only partner we have or we are near the end of our careers. I don’t have a quick answer for you, but I will offer you some suggestions. First of all, frustration is an agitated, uncomfortable, and unhealthy mental state to occupy for too long. While I certainly appreciate your situation, […]
Horse Health & Performance, Special Events
Spa Day of Another Sort

1 year ago

“Spa day” took on a new meaning Monday, May 30, when Equatic Spa hosted a free educational day focused on rehabilitation and nutrition for the sport horse. Equatic Spa is the first-class rehab and conditioning facility owned by Swedish show jumper Hannah Mauritzon. The well-attended event took place in sunny Southern California’s San Marcos and with the support of Purina Animal Nutrition, Haygain and Hawthorne Country Feed. Swimming and aquatreadmill work were the main focus of focus of the event. Veterinarian Philippe Benoit explained the benefits of both forms of exercise for horses coming back from injuries and for perfectly healthy horses whose owners want to improve their fitness and/or give them variety in their exercise routine. Dr. Benoit noted that swimming and aquatreadmill can play important roles in enabling the horse to maintain fitness and mobility while healing from many injuries. The days of extended box rest and limited movement in recovery are long gone in most cases, he said. Like injured humans, injured horses start their recovery with motion as soon as possible. That motion triggers healing processes in the body. A handsome children’s hunter named Diagon happily demonstrated how horses swim. As two attendants guided him from […]
Horse Health & Performance, Special Events
Equatic Spa Helping Sport Horses Soar — 5/30 Free BBQ & Educational Event

1 year ago

You can take Hanna Mauritzson out of Sweden, but you can’t take her home country’s ingrained devotion to horse health out of the show jumper – even now that she lives an ocean and continent away in Southern California. “I am really grateful that I came from Sweden and learned in the Swedish Equestrian Federation’s system because they really care about the horses: about the horse in general and how to train and care for them so that they feel their best. I love to get into all those details.” The horsemanship-heavy upbringing underpins Hanna’s ongoing study and embrace of all things proven to help horses – those she owns and develops through Swede Equine and client horses at her Equatic Spa Rehabilitation and Conditioning business in San Diego County’s San Marcos. Nutrition & Rehab in Sport Horses — Free BBQ & Educational Event Monday, May 30 4-7 pm, featuring international sporthorse vet Dr. Philippe Benoit, & chats with Purina and Haygain representatives. RSVP to Abby Jackson at 760 420 1554, or ajackson@landolakes.com. Water treadmill & swimming demo at 4:30, plus raffle for Forager Slow Feeder and other great prizes! A swimming pool and in-ground water treadmill elevate Equatic’s offerings […]
Industry News, Special Events
Haygain supports Cornerstone’s remarkable work for those who serve.

1 year ago

Memorial Day, Monday May 30, is all about honoring those who lost their lives while defending America. Loss of life is, of course, the ultimate sacrifice, but it’s not the only one. Injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder are among the afflictions affecting many who survive military service, including those who continue in active duty. The horse health company, Haygain, is honoring all who serve and sacrifice this Memorial Day by donating a portion of U.S. sales to Cornerstone Equine Therapy Center. The facility in San Diego is dedicated to saving and restoring the lives of active-duty service members, veterans and first responders. The donations will be made on purchases of Haygain’s High Temperature Hay Steamers, the Forager Slow Feeder, ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring and accessories — starting Monday May 23 through Memorial Day, May 30. To promote awareness and encourage additional donations, Haygain offers a 5% discount on its science-backed horse health products: Hay Steamers and the Forager — during the same period. (The code is “MEMORIAL5”) Serving Unique Needs Cornerstone Therapeutic Equine Center was founded in 2007 as an equine therapy program serving children, youth and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional special needs. The program’s commitment to service […]
Competition, Industry News, Special Events
City of LA Partners with Ride On for Para-Equestrian Development

1 year ago

The City of Los Angeles has selected Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship to spearhead its youth adaptive programming for equestrians in anticipation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The three-year contract will invest in equestrian youth with disabilities across the City. Programs will involve quarterly rider development clinics at city-owned equestrian facilities, continuous training at Ride On’s Chatsworth facility, and marketing and outreach efforts at recreation centers. Each year the program will culminate at the Ride On-managed CALNET Show for Riders with Disabilities held each May at the LA Equestrian Center in Burbank. This show will feature Para-Equestrian athletes in demonstrations, clinics and competition over three days. CALNET Coming May 20-22 This year’s CALNET show is Saturday & Sunday May 21-22, with a celebratory and educational kick off event Friday, May 20. It starts at 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Ride On is a 28-year-old nonprofit which serves over 250 individuals with disabilities each week. It provides adaptive riding, physical therapy, and psychotherapy programs for veterans at its three facilities in Chatsworth and Thousand Oaks CA. Ride On is a US Equestrian Federation Center of Excellence for Para-Equestrian Dressage, one of the first in […]