(Washington, DC) - The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) released new policies and procedures for organizations wishing to host no- or low-cost gelding clinics through the Operation Gelding program. The new policies take effect January 1, 2017, and applications for 2017 clinics are now being accepted.

The UHC voted in June 2016 to expand the Operation Gelding program by offering $100 per horse gelded. Program details are described in two new documents available on the UHC website. The How to Conduct a Clinic handbook is a resource guide to planning, running, and evaluating a clinic. It includes information about setting goals, creating a budget, recruiting veterinarians, marketing, post-event follow up, and tips from previous clinic organizers. The Funding Guidelines and Application Process document includes eligibility requirements, deadlines, and step-by-step application instructions.

“Organizations can choose between two levels of funding, $60 per horse or $100 per horse gelded,” said UHC Director Jennifer Purcell. “We are asking organizations at the $100 level to help us promote and evaluate the program by providing data and information that will clearly illustrate the outcomes of the program and the benefits to horses, owners, and communities.”

Read more: Unwanted Horse Coalition Releases New Operation Gelding Program Policies for 2017

courtesy of the American Trakehner Association

Trakehner horses are the oldest of warmblood breeds, with a studbook dating to 1732. They have been systematically "engineered" for performance--first as cavalry mounts in East Prussia, later as the refined sport horses that have gained the Trakehner breed its international acclaim.

King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia, the father of “Frederick the Great,” saw the changing face of war required a lighter horse, more comfortable to ride over long distances, with more endurance and speed than the heavy horses previously needed to carry armor and haul military equipment. So he chose the best horses from seven of his royal breeding farms, and in the early 1700s moved them all to the new Royal stud at Trakehnen, East Prussia. Through careful crossing of those horses with a hardy native horse called “Schweike” and adding only English Thoroughbred or "oriental" blood, a horse of nobility, elegant movement and great endurance was developed.

Almost 300 years later, strict selection and performance continue to be the hallmarks for today’s Trakehner. The smallest in number of other warmblood breeds, Trakehners are used as refiners for other breeds, resulting in a much higher Trakehner presence than is evident in registrations. For example, Blue Hors Matine, winner of the individual Silver and Bronze medals in dressage at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, was sired by Trakehner stallion Silvermoon but registered as Danish Warmblood. Similarly, KWPN-registered Totilas, holder of three Gold medals in dressage from the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, was sired by Trakehner stallion Gribaldi out of a Dutch Warmblood mare.

Read more: Introducing the Trakehner: The Oldest of Warmblood Breeds

If you have ever seen a horse in one of rodeo’s timed events, enjoyed a leisurely trail ride, watched a Western on the big or small screen or have just seen a group of horses grazing in a pasture, nine times out of 10, you have seen an American Quarter Horse.

These heavily muscled, compact horses were called Celebrated American Quarter Running Horses by English colonists in the 1600s because the horses could run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse. Known for outrunning any horse at the quarter mile, the American Quarter Horse gained popularity. The quarter mile is still the most popular distance for racing American Quarter Horses, and the best blaze the 440 yards in 21 seconds or less.

Whether working cattle on a ranch, taking their owners for a trail ride on a Sunday afternoon or competing in a variety of disciplines, American Quarter Horses are known for their versatility and good temperament. The American Quarter Horse succeeds maneuvers required in reining, working cow horse, barrel racing, cutting, roping and other western events. The American Quarter Horse also excels in English disciplines, including dressage, driving and jumping.

Read more: Profiling the American Quarter Horse, A Very Versatile Breed

There’s an increasing variety of horse feeds available, but while choice is a good thing, selecting the right feed, or blend of feeds among the options available can be confusing.

This guide looks specifically at balancers to give you an insight into what they are, how to use them and their benefits, so that you can make an informed choice.

What are balancers?

Balancers are small, nutrient dense feeds (often pellets) formulated to provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals and quality protein alongside a negligible level of energy (calories). Depending on the horse feed balancer you choose, they may also contain added functional ingredients such as probiotic live yeast or glucosamine.

Read more: Small but Mighty! See the Benefits of Feed Balancers

by Sally Flis, Ph.D., Feed and Crop Support Specialist, Dairy One

Chemical analysis of your hay or hay you are going to purchase is an important part of feeding it, but there is quite a bit you can get from a physical inspection of the hay that will give you an idea of the quality of the hay. There are 6 things to look at when doing a physical inspection of a hay lot: color, smell, maturity, moisture, leafiness, and weed presence. It is best to open up a bale and dig through it when doing the physical evaluation. If that is not possible then make sure to reach into the bale as far as you can for a sample. Roam around the bales in the lot to see how similar they all are.

Color – A bright green hay indicates that a hay was cut at a relatively early stage of maturity; rapidly and properly cured, with no damage from rain, molds, or overheating during storage. Light green or faded hay is often due to sun bleaching and is generally not a concern for quality. Colors in hay that should be avoided are: Yellow – stems and seed heads in over mature hay will be yellow; Brown – can be over mature hay or heat damage; Black – rain or heat damaged; and Grey or White – heat damage or mold growth.

Smell – Avoid hay with musty or moldy smells. This hay can be less palatable and can indicate other quality problems. This can come from poorly cured hay, rain damage, or poor storage. Hay should not be purchased or fed if you can see mold when you open the bale.

Read more: Is My Hay Green Enough?

by Patrick Sawer, Senior Reporter, Telegraph UK
Photo Credit: Justin Sutcliffe, Rare Suffolk Punch horses at the Hollesly Open Prison Stud Farm

For centuries they ploughed the fields of England, shaping much of the landscape of East Anglia, before being harnessed for battle during the First World War.

Yet the Suffolk Punch horse - Britain's oldest native breed - is now critically endangered, its numbers in sharp decline a victim of the rapid mechanisation of agriculture.

The plight of the breed – deemed to be rarer than the giant panda or even the Siberian tiger – has moved one landowner to appeal for an organised campaign to save them from oblivion.

If we lost the Suffolk Punch we couldn’t really say we are a nation of animal lovers.

Clare, Countess of Euston, whose estate in Suffolk was once worked by Suffolk Punch horses, said Britain should feel ashamed of itself if it stood by and did nothing to save the breed.

“If we lost the Suffolk Punch I think it would mean we couldn’t really say we are a nation of animal lovers. They are the most magnificent and beautiful of the breeds,” she said.

There are now just 300 Suffolk Punch horses left in the UK, threatening the health and viability of the breed which once formed the backbone of rural life.

Standing sixteen hands high and weighing over a tonne, yet graceful at full gallop, the Suffolk Punch has been described as having “the face of an angel and the backside of a farmer’s daughter”.

Read more: Britain's Oldest Horse Breed in Battle for Survival

Moriesians: A combination of Friesians (from the dark ages of Europe) and Morgans (from Colonial America).

The Moriesian Horse is the result of a breeding program initiated in the United States to produce horses that combine the elegance and charisma of the Friesian with the versatility of the Morgan. They display an up-headed stature, expressive face, compact body and long thick mane and tail. Their slope of shoulder and movement tends to be more Friesian-like which gives them a regal appearance. Their average size of 15.0 to 16.0 hands makes them comfortable for most riders.

Lighter boned than a Friesian, Moriesians have more of the qualities sought after in a sport horse. The balance and symmetry of this animal is truly art in motion. They make natural show animals that are magnificent to watch, ride and drive. Many have shown themselves to excel in combined driving competitions and have proven apt competitors in classical dressage.

Moriesians are adaptable and eager to perform. Coming from two breeds known for their heart, mild manners, and friendly dispositions Moriesians make wonderful family horses. The breed is honest and willing to please. Its versatility brings lasting value to the owner.

The Friesian horse reportedly dates back 3000 years though the horse we know today was developed in the twelfth century in northern Europe. Friesians were ridden by the Teutonic Knights and used as war horses for the crusades. They could carry large loads, exist on meager rations, and were agile enough to be effective in battle.

Read more: Moriesians: Friesians and Morgans

by Alessandra Deerinck

If we can look at behavior as the expression of an individual, we can also see that it is a dynamic entity that constantly changes. It has some components that are species specific like instincts, others coming from life experienced through memory, and some that are unconscious, like emotions. All of these are filtered through an individual’s personality.

Behavior can be influenced through the learning process, defined as the acquisition of information. In horsemanship a very important part of the information comes from the interaction between human and horse and we, horsemen, need to take responsibility for this. Aside from what can be openly perceived, learning produces a much hidden fact: the stimulation of neural cells, which causes the production of new molecules (proteins). These changes at cellular level determine the new way the cell and the whole individual will respond to a stimulus at a later time. This is true for humans and for horses or any other kind of animal.

In light of this, it is very important that in horsemanship we make so communication and understanding of each other really works both ways, from human to horse and from horse to human.

Read more: Horsemanship and Behavior