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IN THIS
MONTHS ISSUE
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February 2005 |
On the cover:
Genuine Colonel
1997 APHA, AQHA Stallion Superior in 5 Events Reserve World Champion
Owned by Charles Bedard, MD, of Pueblo, CO Standing at Key Stallion
Station, Pueblo, CO
Photo ©J Bar D Studios Inc.
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f e a t u r e s.
Equine Insurance: When the Worst Happens...
by Christine Fleming...6
Major Medical and the Veterinarian
by Heather Thomas... 7
A Visit with the “Tournament of Kings”
in Las Vegas, Nevada
by Susan Seligman.. 8
Colic: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Part One by Doug Thal, DVM... 10
Just My Opinion by John Flint Martin... 12
Focus on Mules by Sophia Sarember... 13
d e p a r t m e n t s
NM Quarter Horse Association Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 14
Stallion Showcase . . . . .
. . . . . . 16
Calendar of Events . . . .. . . . . .
27
News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 31
Instructor/Trainer Directory . . . .
34
Classified Advertising . . . . . . . .
38
Equestrian Property. . . . . . . . . .
44
Classified Advertising/Subscription
Information. . . . . 46
Advertising Rates and Information. 46
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Equine Insurance: When the Worst
Happens by Christine Fleming
Loss of a horse is devastating and nothing prepares you for the weeks of sadness that follow.
Morning chores are never the same again with that one “winny” or “nicker” missing. The
pasture looks different and the herd dynamic changes forever.
We always preach about being prepared for the unexpected. Despite all the planning and
effort, things can and do go wrong. Some comfort can be found in knowing that you planned
for medical expenses and/or replacement value when a loss does occur. This is the whole idea
behind insuring your horse with Major Medical, Mortality or Lack of Use coverage.
Coverage varies from company to company, but in general, Major Medical insurance provides
for financial assistance when a horse suffers a catastrophic
illness such as colic, injury or disease. Policies can have deductibles and limitations, similar
to human insurance, and details are specifically agreed upon and spelled out in the policy.
Minimum standards of care may be required.
Lack of Use insurance is a broad term that can cover loss (or potential loss) from an issue
that prohibits a continued performance career or breeding future. This insurance is usually sought
for horses who earn substantial monies in performance events or as a breeding animal.
Mortality insurance is a benefit payable upon the death of an animal. It has limitations, as
with the other coverage, and typically has no deductible. Mortality is usually the most affordable
type of equine insurance. Premiums are based on risk factors including age, use, breed,
sex, history and care program.
Specialized policies are available with some carriers so researching in advance of purchase is
well advised in order to best meet your specific needs and the needs of your horse.
Having experienced a loss and subsequent payout from an equine insurer, I caution buyers
to select a carrier carefully. I was very fortunate in that the company I chose did an outstanding
job of working with me at a time when I was very
distraught. The benefit arrived within days of the tragedy and I was able to replace my beloved
mare within the year. Others have not had such a professional experience. Payoffs were slow in
coming and/or carriers placed blame (negligence)
on owners and refused benefits altogether. As a result, newcomers to equine insurance
should carefully investigate the carrier they
choose. Examine the policy and check the company’s references and Better Business Bureau
complaints.
Other tips include:
1. Be honest when filling out applications.
Specific questions will be asked related to the horse’s health, background, use, housing and
care program. Falsifying any portion of the application could result in a denial of benefits.
2. You will be required to do an insurance exam.
Use a Veterinarian for the exam that knows you well. Many history-related questions
will be asked and unless you have an established relationship with the examining Veterinarian,
he/she may not be able to accurately reflect you, your horse, or care/use program.
3. Pay the premiums on time!
Failure to pay on time may cause the policy to lapse and
coverage to end.
4. If any conditions change, notify the carrier immediately.
If your mare is insured as a show horse and you plan to breed her, you need
to update your policy. If you move your horse to a new facility, notify the carrier. If you are unsure
what condition constitutes notification, check the policy or simply ask!
5. When a horse becomes ill or is injured, call the company immediately.
Don’t wait until the animal is near death or ready for surgery to contact the carrier. Speaking to them prior to a
reimbursable event helps to insure that you have
followed their process correctly.
6. When appropriate, allow the attending Veterinarian to speak directly to the carrier.
When my loss occurred, the Veterinarian had talked to the company several times while administering
treatment. They told the Veterinarian specifically what needed to be included in order
to insure coverage. This included required blood work, treatment options, post mortems, etc. At
no time did the company dictate protocol—rather they communicated and listened as to what was
best for my horse. In the end, the Veterinarian and myself made the decisions.
7. Follow specific directions as dictated on your policy, including paperwork required after
a tragedy occurs.
Surrender of registration papers is usually required upon death (they eventually
are returned after being marked by the carrier). Copies of medical treatments may be necessary
for submission and/or signatures of attending Veterinarians. Do just as instructed by
the carrier and the odds of a benefit being paid are substantially greater, if not guaranteed.
For free access to additional equine insurance information, contact the North American
Horsemen’s Association toll free at 1-800-328-
8894.
Christina Fleming is a lifelong horsewoman living in
Cerrillos, NM. She trains, gives lessons and offers clinics on a variety of subjects. She has a BS in Biology and is a
certified instructor, judge, and guide. Visit her website at
www.newmexicohorsetrainer.com or send her an E-mail at
NMVaquera@aol.com.
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Bucking by
Sophia Sarember
As we have been discussing in the last two issues, cold-back
tendencies in the mule can lead to bucking. Care should be taken to
make sure you follow good training methods and use sound judgment
in saddling your mule.
Another thing to consider are saddles with Western rigging. Most
people do not realize how much leverage this kind of rigging has and
the tremendous squeezing pressure they can exert when girthing up
they can exert when girthing up their mule. If your mule “dances around” and tries to avoid you when you are
saddling up, it can be an indication that you are girthing up far too tightly
and/or quickly. So, be very careful that you are not making the girth unreasonably
tight. A saddle that slips forward on the mule’s neck during a ride can
easily trigger a bucking fit, so use a breeching or crupper if necessary. A
clean, soft pad or blanket will prevent any bucking problems from the
proverbial “burr under the saddle”.
When I get ready to mount a mule that tends to have a cold back or I
suspect may buck, I will grasp the saddle with one hand on the pommel or
horn and my other hand on the cantle. Then, I “rock” the saddle back and
forth a few times before mounting. If the mule is sensitive, it may bow-up or
get tense when I rock the saddle. In this case, I wait for the mule to settle
down. Then I rock the saddle again. When the mule stops “reacting” with
cold-back symptoms, I mount up. Another thing that can aggravate a mule’s
cold-back is to clumsily plop-down in the saddle with all your weight. This
can startle the mule, aggravate a cold-back and may eventually trigger bucking.
Instead, ease yourself into the saddle gracefully. Lower yourself into the
saddle by shifting some of your weight through your legs, knees and into the
stirrups. If you have difficulty doing this, have a good riding instructor show
you how to mount properly. When you begin your ride, keep at the walk and
let your mule warm up. If your mule walks stiffly, bows-up, or scoots forward
with short quick steps—speak soothingly with your voice just as you did during
ground work. Continue walking until the mule is more comfortable and
smoothes out its gait. If necessary, stop the mule and let it settle down. You
may need to dismount, walk the mule for a while, and then remount.
Many mules have a tendency to give a “crow-hop” or even buck when
asked to strike off at the canter or lope. Do not whip your mule, because this
can make matters worse and create a hard-bucking vice. Do not pull your
mule up and stop, as this will convey to your mule it can avoid canter work
by bucking. If your mule gives a buck, shift more of your weight to the stirrups
and off your mule’s back. This will alleviate some of the saddle pressure
while helping you to stay with the motion and in control. If you have a problem
keeping this position, have an instructor show you how to maintain a
“two point” contact and ride “with the motion”. Keep your mule’s head up as
much as possible without slowing the gait and encourage your mule to move
forward. Try to maintain the canter and then put your full weight in the saddle
once your mule smoothes out.
Next Month: Rearing
Sophia Sarember is a trainer, writer, and “muleteer” living in Edgewood,
NM. She can be reached at Mulegal@aol.com.
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