The question was posed to the old cowboy, how much do you use your legs when you ride? His answer was simple “ Not much…. only as much as I do when I walk.”

This answers the very basic question of how much we should use our legs when we ride. It also establishes that they are an integral part of being an effective and accomplished rider. So if the use of our legs is so important, a few questions come to mind: how, what, and when. As we answer those questions the question of why will answer itself and we will be right back where we started with a wise old walking cowboy.

Glucosamine is often the go-to supplement to ease the discomfort of osteoarthritis, but is it safe for the insulin-resistant horse? A look at how glucosamine works may help you decide.

Glucosamine is a sugar (glucose) bound to an amino acid (building block of protein). It reduces inflammation and is a precursor to building blocks found in cartilage. Cartilage cells are able to produce glucosamine from glucose, but supplementation is often preferable if your horse is experiencing osteoarthritis. It can be supplemented orally or via injection.

Few sights are worse than the tragedy of malnourished or starved horses. It is important to consider that not all underweight horses are the victims of abuse or neglect. Occasionally, horses may have or be recovering from serious conditions (cancer, inflammatory/infiltrative bowel disease, parasitism, colitis, surgery, etc.) that have led to weight loss, and their owners are doing all they can to help the horse regain its previous condition. When refeeding these horses, we must overcome our first impulse to immediately feed them whatever and however much they want. Months of neglect cannot be reversed in a few days or weeks.

Last month, we discussed some things we know about flying changes and the pieces that we need to put in place for success in achieving the movement. This month, we'll move forward and broaden our perspective of where we need to be as riders, and define what our active part is in achieving a flying change.

Well, this is it – the final part of this fitness series. If you’re settled into a steady fitness routine by now, GREAT JOB! If not, don’t worry. There’s still time to get going and be in better shape to hit the trails this spring. Or, maybe you started out strong and have kind of fallen off your schedule. That’s OK too. It happens to everyone at some point. With a little focus and effort, you can be back on track in no time.