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Pick up your copy today, or contact us to subscribe! Read Margaret Evans' column "In the Shadow of Equus" Editor's Desk Welcome to our annual horse trailering and transport issue! Trailering your horse can be an enjoyable experience for human and equine alike, if you are prepared and safety-minded. First, your truck and trailer must be a good match. Your towing vehicle should have enough muscle to do the job right. Next, you’ll need to accessorize: choose the right hitch, safety chains, equalizer bars, sway bars, and other options depending upon the rig you’re pulling. Now, before you head out on the road, practice your moves – those essential hitching and trailering skills that will give your precious cargo a smoother and more comfortable ride. Before leaving, run through your pre-trip safety checklist to make sure your rig is in good working order and supplies are well stocked. Plan ahead, so that your horse is in top shape when you arrive at your destination. Whether you’re new to horse hauling, or have some miles under your tires, our features, Buyer Basics (page 30), and Trailer Safety Tips (page 36) offer practical advice to help you avoid the common pitfalls and smooth that bumpy road. We are very pleased to showcase the rich history and attributes of the beautiful, intelligent, and hardy Fell pony in this issue’s breed profile. The fascinating breed is popular in riding and pony trekking stables in England; they are strong enough to carry adults or children, and their fast walk and long stride make them ideal for driving and long distance riding. These ponies are known as survivors, yet despite the breed’s rich evolution and history, the Fell pony is listed as “at risk” with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in the UK, and is also listed with Rare Breeds Canada. Read our feature to learn more about the fabulous Fell pony (page 42). My chiropractor has commented often on how many times a day he hears the expression: “My back is out of whack.” Although not exactly a medical term, everyone knows just what “out of whack” means. Now think about how your horse feels when his back is “out of whack” and imagine having a rider bouncing around up there and expecting him to perform athletic movements with grace and willingness. No wonder he’s a little irritable! Compared to human chiropractic medicine, the roots of which go back to 2700 BC, veterinary chiropractic medicine is a new discipline, and the demand for equine chiropractic therapy is growing rapidly. To understand more about how to keep your horse’s back healthy, please turn to our Equine Chiropractic feature (page 24). Other not-to-be-missed features in this issue include Trail Tack: Put the Right Saddle Between You and Your Horse (page 50); Will Clinging’s Personality Profiling (page 56); and Funding for a Better Equine Life which describes the Brooke Hospital for Animals’ efforts to help the working equines in third world countries. Enjoy your horsetime in the warm spring sunshine!! – Kathy Smith |
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