"Beyond Expectations: An Extraordinary Equestrian Journey from Deadly Diagnosis to the Paralympic Games"
by Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace.

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The following is an excerpt from Beyond Expectations: An Extraordinary Equestrian Journey from Deadly Diagnosis to the Paralympic Games by Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace.

Typical tweens and teenagers worry about grades, crushes, and fights with friends. I yearned to experience those things, but my life continued to be much more complicated than that.

Immediately following my stroke, occupational and physical therapy were a key part of me regaining my ability to walk and to use my left side again. With my dad for company, I had inpatient rehabilitation for that entire summer before returning home to Michigan. Once back, I began outpatient physical and occupational therapy. I dreaded doing occupational or physical therapy. It seemed like that was all I did. I had good days and bad days. The bad days far outnumbered the good days, so much so that I grew sour and difficult to deal with.

My personality was much less “happy, social Syd” and much more of a dark, depressed teenager.

Hey, does that mean I was “typical”?

The only thing that kept me going back were my great relationships with my physical and occupational therapists. I especially loved occupational therapy because at the office, there was a kitchen. Baking and eating the gooey goodness that was the result of my labor was an added incentive. Therapies that didn’t feel like “work” were most effective with me at this time. Repetitive exercises were boring, and it was harder for me to commit to those. But working on real-life tasks that could cause cookies to appear? Yes, please. I was willing to try.

My foray into therapeutic riding was an accident. Life has a way of bringing things to you when the timing is right, even if the reason isn’t clear in the moment of synchronicity. I was struggling personally with accepting myself and my body, and the world accepting me in return. My mom saw how difficult reintegrating into my “new” life was. My body had been irrevocably changed, both through my trauma and the fact that I was no longer the small child I once had been. After my fall from Spirit, and then the rehab I did on him with some success, Mom suggested I take lessons at a therapeutic riding facility to help me find my balance again with horses—maybe, if found there, it would reflect on my life outside the barn. To me, horses had always been a “port in the storm,” where I could focus my attention and forget about all the other things I couldn’t control. Horses were a safety net I clung to for peace of mind. Life, for me, was going to be harsh—but perhaps I could find some stability in this one aspect that had always brought me joy.

Still, I was hesitant. I’d been eventing, which included galloping cross-country and jumping solid fences in open fields. Then, when it became necessary to scale back, I focused solely on show jumping, which even though it took place in a fenced arena still involved leaping over obstacles. To me, “therapeutic riding” seemed a little boring. I was a little “too cool for school” and initially fought the idea of it. In the end, though, I decided to at least try, because I had nothing else to lose.

Luckily, we found that Therapeutic Riding, Inc., in my home state of Michigan, embraced my previous experience with horses and supported me completely. I started in a “traditional” way on what might be thought of as “typical” therapy lesson horses that were chosen for their stoic personalities and forgiving hearts. Therapy horses are truly angels on this earth for the work they do and the confidence they create in so many people with physical and mental disabilities or traumas.

As I spent time at the barn, speaking with the trainers and engaging in conversations about horses, they quickly sensed my experience level. It helped that I’m not exactly the “quiet type” and openly shared plenty of thoughts and stories! Also, the fact that I was able-bodied until I was 11 meant I had a completely different perspective and was never afraid to raise my voice and ask for what I needed.

When I’d found my seat on a horse again and felt ready to push myself, I asked my trainers at Therapeutic Riding, Inc., for a challenge. The basic coordination exercises and hippotherapy were too easy for me. The trainers were very receptive to adapting my program in a way that would improve my riding skills to meet my needs. I was in a unique position because I had come to the barn with four years of eventing experience under my belt.

I think society encourages individuals with disabilities to be quiet. Many don’t want to ask for help, cause problems, or worse, be “an inconvenience.” Moreover, therapeutic riding programs are often hyperaware of “staying within the protocol” and keeping activities extremely safe—not that there is anything wrong with that. But I believe there is so much more potential for riders to learn and compete using adaptive measures “outside the box,” and not just focused on a prescribed program.

The cultural difference between the protective bubble placed around those with disabilities who ride horses in the United States and other countries was starkly apparent a few years later when I went to try a horse in Germany.

When it became clear that Spirit was not comfortable with my body post-stroke the way we needed him to be, we realized it was time to look for a horse for the “new” me. Outside of my time at Therapeutic Riding, Inc., I continued riding with my original trainer, a no-nonsense German with no experience with therapeutic riding or para dressage. We planned a trip to Germany to try to find the “perfect horse.” (The United States commonly imports horses from Germany for use in equestrian sports. A 2020 article in the journal Society and Animals reported that “over $300 million dollars in horses are imported into the United States, and over a third comes from Germany.”) None of us considered how my trainer would know what my body needed without any experience with adaptive riding—we just rolled with it. It was thrilling. I had never been out of the country other than driving through part of Canada on my way to my grandparents’ house in Maine. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Before you think I and my family were being dramatic, going “all the way to Germany to find a horse,” it’s important to note we had attempted to try a few horses in the United States, but my trainer and I had met with a lot of resistance when I showed up with braces on my left arm and left leg. Immediately, sellers would refuse to go forward with the trial, informing us their liability insurance didn’t cover someone with a disability, and I couldn’t ride their horses. This was incredibly disheartening. I already felt different in a body that wasn’t yet “my own,” and now I was being judged, the assumption being that based on my appearance, I could not ride safely. To me, it seemed everyone was just afraid of getting sued. I may not have been “able-bodied,” but I was a skilled rider.

In Europe, horse sale barns were more open to me riding than those in my own country. Instead of resistance, those in Germany met us with excitement, eager for me to get on and try their horses. I didn’t need to sign a waiver to protect them or me. When I asked, “So…I can just get on the horse?” they looked at me blankly, seemingly surprised by the question, and retorted, “You fall off a horse just like anyone else, yes?”

It was a breath of fresh air to be treated the same as other riders, regardless of my physical limitations. Individuals with disabilities aren’t porcelain dolls who have to play it safe all the time. If someone, and especially a child, wants to push themselves to be better, then we should foster that person’s talent and desire.

This excerpt adapted from Beyond Expectations by Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

Beyond Expectations: An Extraordinary Equestrian Journey from Deadly Diagnosis to the Paralympic Games
BUY NOW on Amazon
Paperback | Kindle

This excerpt from Beyond Expectations is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books. Visit them online at Horse & Rider Books. All photos courtesy of Horse & Rider Books.

There are more really interesting books and other gifts for equestrian living in our online Curated Amazon Store.

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Horses for Mental Health proudly presents a few of our 2024 Seen Through Horses celebrity ambassadors and Charity Partners! We are grateful for the invaluable support of these remarkable individuals whose vision aligns with our mission to increase awareness of the transformative healing power horses can bring to our lives.

Read more: Celebrity Supporters of the Seen Through Horses Campaign! (1:56)

Identify causes of stress to help prevent equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)

Do you know what’s stressing your horse out? A recent survey found that an overwhelming majority of horse owners know that stress is one of the leading causes of ulcers, but only 33% can correctly identify all potential stressors when presented with a list of such.*

“Horses are prey animals, which means they naturally have a flight instinct,” says Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Many, many years ago, this was a useful survival skill, but nowadays, it can result in horses experiencing more frequent moments of stress.”

The survey found that common “big” stressors such as a change in routine, confinement in a stall and a change in a horse’s social environment are easily recognized by over 80% of horse owners. It’s the smaller, everyday moments of stress that are often overlooked.

“Many moments that may feel uneventful to a horse owner can actually feel big to their horses and, left unaddressed, can contribute to gastric discomfort,” says Reuss. “So many things that we think of as normal can actually be causing our horses stress.”

According to the survey, some of the commonly unidentified stressors are training, change in turnout and traveling.

Training

For many horse owners, riding and training is a part of daily life. However, any change in training routine can potentially cause additional stress to your horse.

“If a horse is injured and has to abruptly take a break from training or is being brought back into work after some time off, these are changes in their routine that can cause stress,” says Reuss. “This can be particularly challenging for horses that are new to a training program.”

The type, intensity and frequency of training can also have an impact on stress levels. Consider incorporating intentional rest days into your training regimen to help manage any stress associated with training.

Change in turnout

By nature, horses should spend time outside for both their mental and physical health. Whether a horse lives outside full-time or comes into a stall at night, turnout is a crucial part of their wellbeing.

“Many horse owners think that leisure horses or pasture pets don’t get stressed or develop ulcers, but that’s simply not true,” says Reuss. “Weather events that cause changes in their turnout routine, such as a storm that requires them to stay inside for several days or prohibits them from moving around in the pasture as much, can slow their gastric mobility and cause stress.”

If your horse must stay inside longer than normal, consider providing them with additional stimulation such as stall toys, hand walks or a slow feeder.

Traveling

Just like traveling can stress humans out, it can cause our equine companions stress as well. Any amount of time spent on the trailer, whether it’s to a horse show a few states away or just a casual trail ride, can increase a horse’s stress levels.

“Horse owners should make sure that their trailer is comfortable for their horse and that they’re driving the trailer safely,” says Reuss. “For longer trips, consider providing hay in the trailer and making multiple stops along the way to offer your horse water or take them for a hand walk, if safe to do so.”

Horse owners can also consider playing Relax Trax during stressful situations, which is a music track specifically designed to reduce stress in horses. Listen to Relax Trax below and learn more about the science behind the music.

While stress is unavoidable, being conscious of changes to your horse’s routine and being proactive in addressing any potential stressors can go a long way for your horse’s gastric health.

*Stressors included in the list presented in the survey were: Stall confinement, Change in social environment, Training, Traveling, Change in daily routine, Change in turnout, Moving to a new barn, New neighbor or pasture mate, and Change in weather, such as thunderstorms.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.bi-animalhealth.com.

This content originally appeared on Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and is published here with permission.

You can find more interesting stories in our section on Health & Education.

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

The intestinal microbiome has drawn a great deal of attention over the past decade. Scientists have learned how powerful this collection of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa is and the far-reaching effects the microbiome has on a horse’s health. One of the latest studies examining the intestinal microbiome found that microbiome diversity early in a foal’s life may predict future racing performance.^*

In the study, 52 Thoroughbred foals were followed from birth until three years of age. Spontaneously voided fecal samples from each foal were collected at nine different time points during the foal’s first year of life. Those samples underwent standard microbiome analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify the types and numbers of bacteria present in those samples, and the diversity was calculated.

“Diversity refers to the number of individual bacteria in each of the bacterial species found in the intestinal microbiome. Higher diversity is linked to improved health, particularly in terms of the immune system. Because over 70% of the body’s immune system is in the digestive tract, nutrition can influence the immune system by affecting the diversity of the bacteria in the gut,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

In humans, lack of microbiome diversity is linked to several chronic diseases, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, diabetes, digestive disorders, and allergies. Some of these conditions also occur in horses, prompting further research on the intestinal microbiome in both species.

As expected, diversity was low in fecal samples collected from very young foals. But that diversity increased until 60 days of age.

In terms of athletic performance, official rating, average prize money earnings, and average race placings were the three selected outcome measures. A significant, positive association between fecal microbial diversity at 28 days of age and all three racing outcomes was identified. Further, a higher relative abundance of Anaeroplasmataceae on day 28 was associated with higher official rating, and a higher relative abundance of Bacillaceae on day 28 was associated with higher race placings.

Because it is an observational study, it is important to appreciate these results do not indicate a causal relationship. For example, having a higher abundance of Anaeroplasmataceae in young foals (one month old) does not cause better racing outcomes. This study does, however, indicate that microbial diversity may predict athletic performance later in life.

“This is the first study to look at the relationship between early-life gut bacterial communities and subsequent athletic performance. This study is relevant because maximizing athletic potential is a key to successful racehorse breeding, which is an industry that creates jobs and has a wide-reaching economic impact on communities,” noted Crandell.

This new data, together with the existing body of knowledge of the microbiome in foals and horses, highlights the importance of a stable and diverse microbiome for maintaining health.

This research identified a “critical window” when the composition of the microbial community in the digestive tract can affect the immunity and future health of an individual.

“We need to look more closely at early-life interventions designed to enhance the health and future of athletic performance of horses. While we are still not able to select for the growth of certain bacteria that might confer specific health or performance benefits, we are learning more about diet modulation and manipulation to influence overall health of the digestive tract,” said Crandell.

She did note, however, that the first month of a foal’s life is when they are highly dependent on mare’s milk.

“Paying close attention to the mare’s diet and environment might have the most influence on building diversity in the foal’s microbiome and improving its overall health and long-term performance,” Crandell suggested.

Promoting microbiome diversity in the mare can be achieved by:

• Feeding a diet rich in structural carbohydrates such as pasture, high-quality hay, and alternative fiber sources like beet pulp;
• Feeding minimal amounts of starch-rich concentrates;
• Avoiding abrupt changes in the diet;
• Minimizing stress, such as frequent herd-dynamic changes and transportation;
• Avoiding excessive physical exertion;
• Avoiding anthelmintics in the first month postpartum; and
• Being conservative when using antibiotics whenever possible.

Read more: Study: Intestinal Microbiome of Foals May Predict Future Racing Success

Presented by Dr. Lisa Fortier, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and recorded on Tuesday, October 15th via Zoom.

Intra-articular injections in horses are commonly performed with a multitude of justifications including the perceived source of pain, stiffness, poor performance, routine maintenance, radiographic changes, effusion, or post-operative care. There are numerous products available for injection including corticosteroids, autologous biologics, and polyacrylamide hydrogels, with new products constantly emerging for consideration. To determine which product to use when, it is important to have a current understanding of osteoarthritis (OA).

It has been known for decades that osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease and therefore mediated by the immune system. OA is not an auto-immune disease like rheumatic arthritis, but there is clear involvement of immune in the initiation and perpetuation of OA. Inflammation in the joint follows that classic cascade of injury/inflammation with primarily neutrophil involvement, followed by cell proliferation and matrix remodeling during tissue formation with an influx of macrophages and monocytes, and finally cell differentiation with tissue remodeling with a predominance of T cells. All of this happens at the level of the synovial membrane where the inflammatory cells originate and infiltrate the joint fluid. Cartilage is an innocent bystander.

Therefore, medications/products for intra-articular use should target immune cells in the joint capsule or synovial fluid. Finally, all phases of inflammation are important; the goal is not to eliminate inflammation, but to ensure that the joint passes through each phase and doesn’t linger in any one phase which would lead to prolonged inflammation, tissue disorganization and scarring with loss of function. Categories of joint medications will be discussed from the lens of OA in an inflammatory disease of the joint capsule.

Read more: Intra-articular Approaches to Osteoarthritis - Cornell Equine Seminar (Oct 2024)

Troubleshooting Tricky Rides

by Susanna Wright

Horses are living creatures, like people, and will have good days and bad days. When your horse is having an “off” day, how do you determine what to do?

Say you have a horse who is normally mellow and easy-going, but today he surprises you with a buck while you’re riding. This could be caused by several different things, such as fear, pain or discomfort, a miscommunication in training or riding, or a behavioral issue.

These varying causes each warrant different responses, so it is important to be able to distinguish them.

Fear

As discussed in prior lessons, horses are prey animals that rely on a group or herd for safety.

If one horse in a group spooks or has a fear response, others will pick up on that and may react as well. This level of intuition and responsiveness has helped horses survive for thousands of years.

It is ingrained in equine DNA.

Unfortunately, this sensitivity extends to you, the rider/handler as well. If you are nervous, anxious, or scared, your horse will likely pick up on that.

Some horses will be more affected by a rider’s fear than others.

For example, a lesson horse may be pretty numb to typical beginner fear responses, but a high-strung, green horse may be more affected, thus requiring a more confident rider.

Need help managing your anxiety around horses? Check out the Facing Your Fears online course from our friends at Inspired Riding.

If your horse is acting up in a fear response, evaluate the situation.

Is it something you can control?

For example, if your horse is spooking at a plastic bag blowing across the arena, dismount and secure the object.

It doesn’t hurt to let the horse look at it and determine for him/herself that it isn’t going to eat them.

Remember, horses have better vision using both eyes, so it can be helpful to turn them to face the scary object and view it with binocular vision.

Pain

Pain can be a trickier cause to pinpoint.

First and foremost, if you believe your horse is injured or ill, immediately call your vet. It is best to involve a professional early on for the best long-term prognosis!

Enlisting the help of your vet to rule out a physical problem can be helpful in diagnosing the underlying cause.

Poor tack fit could cause a pain response.

For example, if your saddle is too narrow, it could pinch the withers.

If your headstall isn’t adjusted correctly, it could pinch the horse’s ears or cause the bit to sit incorrectly in the horse’s mouth.

Did you check your saddle pad before putting it on the horse? A burr or pokey object could cause irritation under the saddle.

Fortunately, tack fit issues are relatively easy to identify and fix.

Physical pain such as lameness can be more difficult to diagnose. While grooming your horse, always look for swelling, cuts, scrapes, or other signs of trauma or discomfort.

Colic can come on suddenly and cause a drastic change in behavior. Be alert to signs such as unusual sweating, pawing, panting, or biting at the abdomen.

Again, consult your veterinarian with questions if you think something is wrong. It is always helpful to have a physical examination done to rule out illness or injury as the cause of a problem.

Miscommunication

Horses do not all have the same buttons. For example, squeezing your heels against the horse’s sides may be a command to go faster, or it could be a command to stop depending on that horse’s training.

Even horses within the same barn could have different “buttons.”

A lazy horse may need more leg, while a more spirited mount may simply need the slightest bump to speed up. Work with a trainer to ensure you and your horse are speaking the same language.

Learn more about how to speak your horse’s language in Open Communications With Your Horse, an online course from Equestrian Movement.

Behavioral Issue

If you have ruled out fear, pain, and communication errors, you may be dealing with a behavioral issue. This category can be one of the most difficult to diagnose.

A few examples of behavioral issues include:

Speeding up when heading back to the barn. Some horses get “barn sour” and will refuse to leave the barn, or may take advantage of a timid rider and bolt back towards the barn.

This can generally be corrected with some retraining and the help of a strong rider.

Laying down in the arena. One particularly lazy horse learned if she laid down, her beginner rider would dismount and give up.

This behavior was quickly fixed with the help of an assertive rider who made the horse work even harder after pulling this kind of stunt. The horse quickly learned she would be better off, and get to stop working faster, if she behaved.

Biting when the girth is tightened. First, work with your trainer and vet to ensure that the response is not caused by actual pain or injury, and your equipment fits and is appropriate for your horse.

Next, tie the horse so that you are not in danger of being bitten.

Then, watch your horse’s reaction as you tighten the girth. If the horse tries to reach around and nip, do NOT release the pressure! That simply teaches the horse that negative behavior works. Instead, keep applying slow, steady pressure.

Only release it when the horse displays the correct behavior—calmly and nicely accepting the girth.

Repetition is key—you generally won’t fix a problem in one session. Being consistent and fair will help eliminate this particular behavior over time.

Remember that every time you interact with your horse, you are training them.

Be fair and consistent with your interactions.

Parting Thoughts

Identifying the root cause of an issue can be a lengthy, complicated process. Keep a mental (or physical) checklist of what may be responsible for an issue, and work through each possible cause from most obvious to least obvious.

By using the process of elimination, you can help pinpoint the root cause.

Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of your vet or trainer.

Remember the safety of you and your horse is important—unfortunately, pain, fear, and behavioral responses put both you and your horse at a higher risk of injury. Keep safety front-of-mind and ask for help if you need it.

This article originally appeared on Horse Rookie and is published here with permission.

You can read more interesting articles in our section on Health & Education.

Photographer Drew Doggett’s latest series, Icons, powerfully explores horses in ethereal and ancient settings. This 28-image print series, Doggett’s newest addition to his global documentation of horses, offers a nuanced and captivating look at their grace, strength, and lasting cultural impact.

The studio of award-winning fine art photographer, best-selling author, and filmmaker Drew Doggett is thrilled to announce the release of Icons, his latest series. Icons illuminates the beauty of horses in scenes existing somewhere between reality and fiction.

This series is a bold, visionary look by one of the most preeminent photographers of these animals. Each image borders on the surreal by incorporating ancient architecture, delicate fields of lavender, off-white, natural backdrops, endless expanses of salt flats, or epic, otherworldly rock formations. These images hold a sense of magic, revealing the heart and soul of these beloved animals at the tenuous edge of fact and fable.

Beyond the breathtaking, fantastic natural backdrops, other images invoke the wild freedom of a life spent on horseback and the dream of the West that is central to the American story. There are also portraits of Friesian horses, a breed of jet-black animals with silken manes and sheeny coats that feel both masculine and feminine at the same time. The images in Icons are rendered in Doggett’s signature tone, texture, and detail, bringing a timeless story to life in a richly evocative black-and-white palette. It is the latest addition to his best-selling equestrian photography.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Through a fashion-inspired lens, photographer and filmmaker Drew Doggett tells extraordinary stories of diverse cultures, animals, places, and communities. Drew’s photography can be found globally in private and public collections, notably the Smithsonian African Art Museum, the Waldorf Astoria, the Four Seasons, and those of Alec Baldwin, Gloria Steinem, Nicole Ari Parker, and Eric Church. He has received over 130 awards and honors for his images and films. Drew’s artwork has been featured in many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fortune, The Daily Mail, and Outside Magazine. He has partnered with brands like Ralph Lauren, Hasselblad, and Leica. His most recent book, Untamed Spirits: Horses Around the World, is a best-seller on Amazon; its second printing is starting soon.

You can view Icons online at Drew Doggett.

You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.