Our holistic approach
Our beliefs on bitless riding, why to go coverless, hoof trimming and equine dentistry.
Bitless
The abusive effects of bitted bridles bits are not needed for communication. Not only are they not necessary, they are an impediment to communication.
Here is a summary of the harmful effects that bits trigger:
Here is a summary of the harmful effects that bits trigger:
- Bits are frequently and incorrectly used to bring about poll flexion.
- Poll flexion obstructs the airway at the throat.
- A bit causes a horse to open its mouth and move its tongue.
- This allows air to enter the mouth and the digestive part of the throat, which elevates the soft palate and obstructs the respiratory part of the throat.
- Elevation of the soft palate can lead to dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and "chocking up".
- This is also responsible for the development of epiglottal entrapment.
- Obstruction of the throat airway can lead to a partial collapse of the laryngeal airway.
- The most severe effects are the termination of the airway (the lungs)
- Obstruction in throat and larynx leads to dynamic collapse of the windpipe
- Long-term obstruction leads to permanent deformity of the windpipe (scabbard trachea) and further obstruction.
- The delicate air sacs of the lungs cannot function properly because of the abnormally high suction forces that an airway obstruction generates on inhalation.
- All of the above traumatize the bronchioles of the lungs and, in Cook's opinion, lead to the development of small airway disease (SAD)
- Heavily bloodstained fluid gets sucked out of the capillaries into the tissues of the lungs and air sacs.
- Pulmonary edema develops (asphyxia-induced pulmonary edema, commonly referred to as "bleeding" or EIPH)
- "Bleeding" causes severe chest pain and also exacerbates the asphyxia.
- The horse may die from acute pulmonary congestion and heart failure.
- Or it may simply stop racing because of pain, a lack of oxygen and extreme fatigue.
- Fatigue leads to falls
- Falls can cause serious or fatal injuries to the rider
- Falls can break horses' legs
- Broken legs may necessitate euthanasia
Trimming / Barefoot
The advantages of barefoot riding
The barefoot trim is a specialized trim to allow hoof expansion (hoof mechanism), shock absorption and traction etc. It also allows the healing of previous damage to the hoof, as a direct result of shoeing, lack of hoofcare or improper hoofcare.
'The Barefoot trim' allows for proper circulation to occur, as the hoof has increased ability to pump blood back up the horse's leg. This is vital for the horse's existence, as this process is part of their circulatory system. Horses have no muscles from the knee down, so this is the only way they can get blood to circulate back from their legs. This only occurs when the horse is moved enough each day to keep them healthy.
A horse that is field kept 24 hours a day and ridden is going to be far healthier than a shod horse that is stabled and only ridden for an hour each day.
Lack of blood to any part of the horse's body causes living tissue to die. This living tissue then becomes necrotic. The circulatory system is then put under even more strain as now it has to deal with these toxins, which also put undue strain on the liver - the main cleansing organ of the body.
Today's horses are very often diagnosed with liver damage. Blood tests will confirm this. This is why so many horses are euthanized at such a young age.
The transition to barefoot
The length of the transition period depends on the severity of damage to the hoof (internal and external).
During transition, all horses should be ridden and walked. Hoof boots can be worn to prevent uneven wear on the hooves and some horses may need the support of homeopathic remedies.
This transition period may take weeks to years, but after this the horse can be ridden over all terrain, with balance and fantastic traction to give a stunning performance.
What you should know about the damaging effects of shoeing
Here are some of the damaging effects of shoeing:
The barefoot trim is a specialized trim to allow hoof expansion (hoof mechanism), shock absorption and traction etc. It also allows the healing of previous damage to the hoof, as a direct result of shoeing, lack of hoofcare or improper hoofcare.
'The Barefoot trim' allows for proper circulation to occur, as the hoof has increased ability to pump blood back up the horse's leg. This is vital for the horse's existence, as this process is part of their circulatory system. Horses have no muscles from the knee down, so this is the only way they can get blood to circulate back from their legs. This only occurs when the horse is moved enough each day to keep them healthy.
A horse that is field kept 24 hours a day and ridden is going to be far healthier than a shod horse that is stabled and only ridden for an hour each day.
Lack of blood to any part of the horse's body causes living tissue to die. This living tissue then becomes necrotic. The circulatory system is then put under even more strain as now it has to deal with these toxins, which also put undue strain on the liver - the main cleansing organ of the body.
Today's horses are very often diagnosed with liver damage. Blood tests will confirm this. This is why so many horses are euthanized at such a young age.
The transition to barefoot
The length of the transition period depends on the severity of damage to the hoof (internal and external).
During transition, all horses should be ridden and walked. Hoof boots can be worn to prevent uneven wear on the hooves and some horses may need the support of homeopathic remedies.
This transition period may take weeks to years, but after this the horse can be ridden over all terrain, with balance and fantastic traction to give a stunning performance.
What you should know about the damaging effects of shoeing
Here are some of the damaging effects of shoeing:
- Gradual deformation of the hoof - this leads to changes in movement, brings on muscle soreness and also arthritic changes within the hoof and other joints
- Damage to the corium / laminae
- Thrush, navicular and whiteline disease
- Reduces circulation in the hoof
- Causes kidney and liver problems due to the effects that shoeing has on the horse's metabolism
- The amount of damaging vibration that is caused by the horse as it moves - this leads to arthritic changes in the bones and a lot of soft tissue damage
- Navicular disease/syndrome
- Laminitis
Coverless
Why Coverless?
There are no reasons why horse owners should cover their horses, and we are sure that many people will stop doing this when they are told about the effects it has on the horse's health.
How covers can harm your horse's health
Here are some of the effects of covering:
- Covering prevents a winter coat from growing, therefore the horse will not be able to keep itself warm, and therefore it becomes more susceptible to infections and colds
- Covering prevents the horse's coat from drying off properly. Heavy rugs trap the water / sweat underneath them and therefore the horse's hair cannot rise to allow air to circulate and aid drying off as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of the body temperature dropping to dangerous levels
- Horses generate a lot of heat when they are moving. Horses overheat when covered, even in the winter, because they have no way of getting rid of this excess body heat. Summer covers present the same problem, the horse sweats; air cannot circulate and cool the horse down so it overheats.
- When covered, horses cannot raise the hairs on their coat to keep themselves warm, as these muscles cease to work (atrophy) because they cannot move due to the cover weighing the hairs down. When these muscles don't work, the horse has no way of keeping itself warm when it has not got a cover on, i.e. when riding. The horse can then catch a chill and become ill.
People do not realize the damage being caused by covering their horses. People think they are keeping them from getting colds and infections, when really they are helping their horse get these illnesses.
There are no reasons why horse owners should cover their horses, and we are sure that many people will stop doing this when they are told about the effects it has on the horse's health.
How covers can harm your horse's health
Here are some of the effects of covering:
- Covering prevents a winter coat from growing, therefore the horse will not be able to keep itself warm, and therefore it becomes more susceptible to infections and colds
- Covering prevents the horse's coat from drying off properly. Heavy rugs trap the water / sweat underneath them and therefore the horse's hair cannot rise to allow air to circulate and aid drying off as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of the body temperature dropping to dangerous levels
- Horses generate a lot of heat when they are moving. Horses overheat when covered, even in the winter, because they have no way of getting rid of this excess body heat. Summer covers present the same problem, the horse sweats; air cannot circulate and cool the horse down so it overheats.
- When covered, horses cannot raise the hairs on their coat to keep themselves warm, as these muscles cease to work (atrophy) because they cannot move due to the cover weighing the hairs down. When these muscles don't work, the horse has no way of keeping itself warm when it has not got a cover on, i.e. when riding. The horse can then catch a chill and become ill.
People do not realize the damage being caused by covering their horses. People think they are keeping them from getting colds and infections, when really they are helping their horse get these illnesses.
Dentistry
Warrick Behrns, New Zealand's leading Equine Dentist, attends KRC regularly. He treats our horses and outside clients' horses here. He asks that people bring them along to KRC for their treatment, as he does not do house calls.
What you should know about horses' teeth
Horses' teeth should be checked at a young age to ensure that there are no problems. Problems will only get worse with age if they are left. A young horse might not have a very good mouth, even if it's never been ridden and is fat and looks healthy.
Domesticated horses do not have their heads down all day like wild horses. They are not grazing for most of the time and they are usually running around with there heads up in the air and ridden like this, because of the way muscles have developed. The horse's jaw is designed to work when head and neck are low. When it is high, problems start happening.
Many problems occur due to horses having bad teeth. These can include weight loss, weight gain, head tilting, bolting, founder, crossing jaw to name a few. People should not let these things happen before they decide to take the horse to have its teeth done. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.
What you should know about dental treatment for horses
There are only two qualified Equine Dental Technicians in New Zealand. Many people get the vet or farrier to do their horse's teeth. You wouldn't go to the doctor to get a filling would you? Vets are the first to say that Equine Dental Technicians are the people to have work on your horse's teeth - but only qualified ones.
Please contact KRC for dates when Warrick is available to treat your horse.
What you should know about horses' teeth
Horses' teeth should be checked at a young age to ensure that there are no problems. Problems will only get worse with age if they are left. A young horse might not have a very good mouth, even if it's never been ridden and is fat and looks healthy.
Domesticated horses do not have their heads down all day like wild horses. They are not grazing for most of the time and they are usually running around with there heads up in the air and ridden like this, because of the way muscles have developed. The horse's jaw is designed to work when head and neck are low. When it is high, problems start happening.
Many problems occur due to horses having bad teeth. These can include weight loss, weight gain, head tilting, bolting, founder, crossing jaw to name a few. People should not let these things happen before they decide to take the horse to have its teeth done. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.
What you should know about dental treatment for horses
There are only two qualified Equine Dental Technicians in New Zealand. Many people get the vet or farrier to do their horse's teeth. You wouldn't go to the doctor to get a filling would you? Vets are the first to say that Equine Dental Technicians are the people to have work on your horse's teeth - but only qualified ones.
Please contact KRC for dates when Warrick is available to treat your horse.
