Education Archives : Page 16 of 81 : Equus Education

The Schleese AdapTree

October 18, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I am currently reading Suffering in Silence by Jochen Schleese. I am learning a lot more about saddle fit and the implications for horse and rider if things aren’t correctly fitted! Nearly halfway through the book, there have been a few references to the AdapTree for saddles.

As it says on the Schleese website:

Caring from the inside out, the Schleese AdapTree® is the first tree which adapts to the horse’s bio-mechanical movements. Through the calculation and implication of the rider’s weight, the AdapTree® is fitted and infinitely adjustable at any time by one of our authorized Certified Saddle Fit Technicians or Saddle Ergonomists.

Do you have an AdapTree in Your Saddle? | Equus Education

The AdapTree

The gullet plate within the tree of the saddle is adjustable. This means as your horse puts on muscle or loses tone around the withers, it can be adjusted to fit its shape. This will also improve saddle fit, decreasing the chance of discomfort to the horse. The tree is made out of polyurethane which is flexible. Schleese indicate on their site that this “provides complete freedom of motion and comfort, flexing with your horse’s lateral movement to improve connection and communication.”

Now this particular idea is new to me, but I believe an important concept in a saddle. The tree points tend to be forward facing in saddles. They often sit just above the shoulder blades, but if incorrectly fitted can restrict shoulder movement. In the AdapTree, the tree points are rear-facing, so that this doesn’t impact the shoulder blades in a negative way.

Another new idea to me highlighted in Suffering in Silence was that saddles are made by men, for men. Anatomically, they’re not correct for females and limit their chance to achieve the best position and centre of gravity whilst in the saddle. The middle of the AdapTree has a padded cut-out area that removes pressure from the front pelvic area. This means women can sit correctly without having associated issues that can arise from too much pressure in this area. Apparently it’s not uncommon for women to gain back pain and even health issues because of too much pressure whilst in the saddle or poor positioning.

I love when horse related products are created out of a need or a desire to make something even better. I believe the Schleese AdapTree® is one such product!

BHS Career Pathways

October 13, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

There are some incredible resources available to you as you seek your ideal horse career. On such is BHS Career Pathways. The British Horse Society has created a section on their site that is specifically for a person who is seeking a career in the equine industry. Awesome!

BHS Career Pathways offer some Great Horse Careers | Equus Education

If you head along to their website (linked above), you’ll find that they are keen to guide and support you on your career path. The first step is to determine what area you want to focus on. And what do they offer help with? The following career pathways:

Groom
Professional rider
Coaching
Complete horsemanship
Equine tourism

On the same page, they also have a link to professional development and inspiring career stories. I love this focus on various ways to get qualified and employed whilst also working with horses!

They also highlight the areas where the British Horse Society is found. This includes in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. If I was located in the United Kingdom, I’d be very tempted!

As it says on their website:
“Our world-leading BHS Equine Excellence Pathway offers you the opportunity to progress your career and learn practical, real-world skills within a structured platform. As part of the journey we’re here to guide, advise and support you through every stage of your development.”

They also promote a qualification unique to the BHS – a Coach in Complete Horsemanship. This pathway is quoted to be “celebrated world-wide as the leading equestrian coaching award.”

BHS Career Pathways

If you want to gain a qualification for your horse skills and knowledge, why not check out the BHS? You can then pursue a career in one of five broad terms as listed above. Don’t forget, if you’re a professional rider, this doesn’t restrict you to one discipline! Likewise, as a groom you can work with performance horses, trail horses, endurance, stud stock, polo ponies and more. Consider the possibilities!

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Museums for the Horse Industry

September 22, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Hearing about a museum recently on the radio, I got to thinking about some museums I have visited. Some of these had horse aspects to them – did you know you can view Phar Lap’s heart? Others are entirely horse focused, like the Living Horse Museum. In time my thoughts moved along to setting up museums for the horse industry.

I know the Irish National Stud was establishing a horse racing museum whilst I was studying there back in 2006. A lot of their money comes from visitors and tourism, as well as their stud. So if you have a passion for a particular sport or theme within the equine world, why couldn’t you set up a museum around this topic? The idea would be that people pay to move through the rooms of your museum and learn the history of your chosen topic.

Museums for the Horse Industry

So what are some examples of museums for the horse industry?

Perhaps horses in history and the roles equine species have played in history. Did you know about mules being used to pull people down a canal? Or ponies that were used in mines to gather coal. Or horses used in war?
What about various breeds of horses? The Lipizzaner horses have an interesting history as I’m sure many other breeds do! There could be a focus on new breeds (those established in the last 100 years, for example). And of course, you could look at the breeds of horses that have greatly influenced others, like the Arabian.
Equestrian sports. Perhaps different sports that can be carried out on horseback could be explored. There are those sports people do for fun, those that have been banned in certain areas (like foxhunting) and those that are done up to Olympic level.
Famous horse people. Whether it be jockeys, Olympians, breeders, trainers or educators, the role that celebrity horse people have played in society and our lives could be explored.

Museums for the Horse Industry | Equus Education

There are many topics within the horse world that could provide a great muse for a horse related museum. If you have a passion for a particular area and know a lot of the history and facts within it, could you set up an area that portrays this so others can learn? Of course, a fee could be charged for people to come through the museum.

The Farrier Guide for Aspiring Farriers

September 15, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I have recently started a new writing gig that will be a regular thing. As I was looking over the site, I realised it’s a resource I should be writing about here! So how could it be of benefit to you?

Well, you have a love for horses and their feet in particular. You’re up for a physically demanding job and love the idea of looking after horses’ health care. And of course, correcting conformation issues and dealing with many different horses on a daily basis! Did you know about the resource the Farrier Guide?

Working as a Farrier

This is an online resource that provides many things for those who are already employed as farriers, or for those who aspire to be. There is a farriery guide that highlights the basics of this career. There is also an education and employment guide for those wanting to be up to speed on the industry.

And if you’re looking to study, there’s a selection of horseshoeing schools and farrier courses that are detailed in a directory, worldwide. To make this even more appealing, users can rate and comment on individual schools/courses to give an unbiased view. There are even interviews with instructors and owners of schools to help potential students determine what would suit them best.

With a blog that has monthly educational posts relating to horses and the industry and a book store, the Farrier Guide seems to be a great online resource for someone wanting to get into this industry. As with many things in the horse industry, having skills and an education is important. If you’re interested in pursuing farriery as a career, check out this resource that provides so much to make you well-informed.

Horse to a horse owner: ‘I saved you some money; took the shoe off myself!’

Profile On: Beth Chamberlin, Zoopharmacognosist at Equinepharmacognosy

August 23, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Beth works in the area of equinepharmacognosy. She was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions about her profession.

Beth Chamberlin of Equinepharmacognosy

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
The majority of my day is related to horses. Whether it be my own, working with clients’ horses, preparing remedies or planning for future lectures and demonstrations.

What is it exactly that you do?
I work with horses using Applied Zoopharmacognosy (self medication). Zoopharmacognosy is the practice in which wild animals self medicate using an evolutionary adaptation in which their innate instinct enables them to communicate and relate with medicinal plants within their environment, to bring about health and well being.

Unfortunately domestication and captive environments has restricted the opportunity for animals to use their instinctive knowledge to select nature’s medicines. Applied Zoopharmacognosy takes this practice into domestic and captive environments by allowing the animal to self select plant extracts that have been offered whilst always allowing the animal to walk away from a remedy when not needed. Animals with the same symptoms may choose to select a different remedy which is why this approach highlights the fact that this is individualized medicine.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
With time and effort I do believe it is possible to be a full time professional in this career. With successful cases, recommendations from clients often bring in new work. Promoting the subject through lectures and demonstrations also has provided new opportunities.

Beth Chamberlin of Equinepharmacognosy

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Enrolling with the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy. Then learning the science behind animal self medication and building up a portfolio of case studies are the first steps to be taken.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite memory is the journey I took with my own horse using Applied Zoopharmacognosy and seeing the results with his recovery. I was so fascinated by the subject I then went on to train at the academy. If it wasn’t for my horse Thomas I may not have ended up where I am today.

Future goals?
My future goals are to be able to provide a service whereby clients are able to bring their animals to where I am based. I would also like to take my work overseas and to expand to working with other species of animals.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my profession is seeing the results of the animals recovery. It is so rewarding.

The Schleese AdapTree

The AdapTree

BHS Career Pathways

BHS Career Pathways

Museums for the Horse Industry

Museums for the Horse Industry

The Farrier Guide for Aspiring Farriers

Working as a Farrier

Profile On: Beth Chamberlin, Zoopharmacognosist at Equinepharmacognosy

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