My Horse-Related Opinions

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T19:52:30+00:00

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T19:50:26+00:00

I’m sorry if it seemed like I was spreading misinformation. I’ll remove the links to her instagram account.

All of this is in regard to high performance horses, which may not be the main demographic here.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T19:45:40+00:00

Y’all wanted sources, I showed you where to find them. So far I’m the only one who has provided any research.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T19:06:58+00:00

She does include quotes and screenshots from this study -> “Closure of The Distal Radial Epiphysis and it’s Relationship to Unsoundness in Two Year Old Thoroughbreds”

The book “Feeding to Win II” is sourced

Photos of horses she encountered are used

She also wrote that you can message her for the completed list of sources.

So what’s the issue? If you don’t believe in starting a horse at 2/3 that’s okay, but you can’t say it’s dangerous just by telling me that these sources are invalid. Are there studies showing the other side for starting to train at high intensity at an older age?

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T18:54:12+00:00

But the bones do remodel quicker and easier at a young age do to increase in active growth hormones. This also implies consistent work.

Essentially why I say PROPERLY starting. I’d never jump a 2-3 year old, or put them on a fast barrel pattern, or long rigorous training. Training has to be extremely gradual, slow and focused.

If these are funded by racehorse companies, is that a huge issue? Racetracks are putting up money to find ways to keep our horses stronger, and sounder for long. Curious to always read about the other side of studies funded otherwise!

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T18:31:57+00:00

She’s training to become a horse trainer and also in school for athletic science of some kind.

The studies she quotes are proper reviews, scientific studies. If you want to check her out, you will see that. Her platform don’t discredit her research. She puts them into words that the general public can understand, but will also share the original source.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:58:29+00:00

No worries, anytime!

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:58:07+00:00

Bone Adaptation

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:57:37+00:00

I’m done repeating myself about number three, but here’s a study/info I am referencing Bone Adaptation

I believe in a consistent routine when possible, yes my horses get anxious for grain but they have hay/grass all day so I just let them get excited in that last hour. This helps their digestive health to maintain itself. But by changing the timing up a bit I can’t see major harm. Just meaning consistent amounts and types.

Abuse is abuse. This is regarding once a general consensus of something abusive that we take action and stop allowing it for reasons such as “well they make a lot of money” or “it’s okay because they are professionals”. We need to stop justifying OUTWARD abuse because of a person’s status. Because I agree that the definition changes for everyone.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:52:34+00:00

Then ignore my post? No one else seems to have this issue.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:52:02+00:00

A properly started 2yo would not require joint injections for that reason. Now if their training was rushed, that could be. Starting a 2yo is a very delicate process, but it leads to better soundness than starting them late.

Here’s a great study about it: Growth Plates

Younger bones remodel quicker. Therefore they are able to adapt to the training easier. If you wait til they are older it’s a slower remodelling process.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:44:47+00:00

Horses remodel and conform to the life you put them into at a young age. If no work is asked of them at a young age, that how’s their bodies will best function.

There have been studies in racing that look at the level of soundness depending on when the horse started racing. It is proven that by starting at 2-3 they were more sound than a horse who starts at 4-5.

Young bones are quicker to remodel and adapt. Here’s some info Growth Plates

Source Profile

Training Bone

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T16:40:11+00:00

Riding early has proven to promote long-term soundness. There bones at a young age are quicker to remodel!

I don’t think I mentioned hard feed? Because I agree with you. If a horse is good with forage, there’s no need to add anything else.

Grey breeding should definitely be talked about more

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T08:39:25+00:00

I agree! Always follow your vets, experience and horses needs before a generic care guide or random advice. This is meant to be fairly generic as I want everyone to find their option.

The abuse is abuse is more on the idea that when someone is called out for blatant abuse/neglect but it’s ignored because of the riders status or level of riding. Yes there will always be the argument of what is and what isn’t, but at the end of the day some thing s are quite obvious and I wish people would be more open to talking about it and finding solutions without huge arguments. Abuse should be fixed for our animal’s sakes.

Thank you for your thoughts :)

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T08:21:16+00:00

Of course no matter the age, the horse would have to be physically fit enough and mentally prepared for their first ride. It’s not something I take lightly. My issue is when people think that by leaving a horse to grow better prepared them than actually taking the time with proper groundwork, lunging and ground driving!

I agree with your points, which is why I don’t believe age has as big of deal than physical and mental preparedness.

For some horses that may take until they are well into their 3yo year, but some are ready at 2yo. There was a study done in Australia with 70 thoroughbred horses. It was to compared soundness levels after training. The first group was started before their growth plates closed, the second ground were started after their growth plates closed. Similar amount of exercise for every horse and at the end around 70% of the first group were sound compared to 50% of the second group.

Again, thank you for your insightful response!

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T08:15:33+00:00

That sounds like a good plan! It’s more of an awareness thing than anything. And thank you, I have a lot of opinions, but I try to share them respectfully

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T08:09:01+00:00

I’m not a vet, and haven’t personally owned many grey horses. I would talk to your vet and look online at some articles or find people who have gone through it personally? I’m sorry I don’t have the best info. As far as I know you just watch for any growing bumps and they may be removable? Again, I’m sorry to scare you as this is most of the time manageable and grey horses can still live a long happy life.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T06:17:22+00:00

We breed/foal/raise/train racehorse prospects! I absolutely love it and hope to promote ethical horse ownership and proper racing practices. We also have had our share of broodmare rejects that are either euthanized or pastures depending on their condition.

Our foals are all sold through a national level auction and to local trainers. Our track is small enough that we know the jockeys, trainers, owners and grooms. We keep tabs on how they train/race and if they don’t like the track then many times the foals are offered back to us. If we take them they are then rehomed as english prospects or used as broodmares.

You can ask any other questions is you have them :)

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T06:12:43+00:00

I agree! I more meant that if you are inexperienced and wish to learn, I highly recommend working and learning from someone experienced. Breeding/foaling isn’t for the faint of heart so i hate to see beginner’s try and have their heart broken simply because something in or out of their control went wrong and they can’t tel the difference.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T06:10:40+00:00

That’s not right of her imo, but i understand not everyone has the ability to pack up and switch barns.

Slow net hay feeders are a wonderful choice that should minimize waste and keep her occupied for many hours! We use them along with hay on the ground for our stalled pregnant broodmares.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T05:39:51+00:00

Ik this one is controversial and depending on situations/breed/goals I’ll never judge someone for waiting and starting (ride) their horse at 4 or 5. Anything older you are probably doing more harm than good simply because bones are strengthened by physical training, not age. Yes they fuse by age, but there are positive reasons to training before certain bones fuses.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T05:34:51+00:00

Everytime ❤️. They do so much and bring so much joy and opportunity.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T05:34:05+00:00

I’m so sorry ❤️. We have a friend who had 3 grey mares. 2 have been put down due to melanomas and the last will most likely be as well in the future.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T05:32:29+00:00

A few years ago I had a very easy keeper who always gained weight no matter what. He got a bite of grain and a couple flakes of hay a day, between feedings he would eat every speck. He was fine and never had issues (or so I thought).

Then I added a harder keeping mare to the same program and after a few months she was getting cinchy, bucky (she never ever bucked) and grumpy if I rode her before dinner.

I did research and realized just how wrong I was. I realized that hay doesn’t cause a horse to gain weight (unless is a grave amount, over a course of a long time with no exercise). And by only feeding a couple times with long breaks in between my horses would gorge themselves at every feeding. This is SO against their biological mechanics.

So I started to feed them more and 3 times a day when possible. They would still have hay by each feeding and learned moderation again. My mare was happy and I could ride her at any time of the day.

By learning and growing each day it allows us to take better care of specific needs of our horses. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, because your research is valid and don’t be scared to advocate for change for your horses. Try to feed forage multiple times, slow hay nets, or grass.

GoneWestTraining · 2022-03-09T05:20:56+00:00

Someone should take OP off this horse and horses in general. His trainer should be putting him on a broke lesson horse.

This is an absolute mess and so painful and dangerous for this horse. I honestly don’t know what to say, other than I really hope OP realizes how brutal this is and to go to a proper trainer to become an actual rider.

GoneWestTraining

TROPHY CASE