Helen Mcnaught

Helen Mcnaught, a riding master who will always inspire many simply by watching her conquer a jumper course.  Smooth, technical and very relaxed, she has a style that many envy. A role model with a wonderful personality and big smile at all moments despite difficult situations in the show ring. She has ridden for top professionals such as the legendary Eddie Macken and aboard 1st class horses. Always keeping her head up looking for the next step and leading her students to succesful show jumping, Helen has won many grand prixes and placed high in top competitions such as the new $1 million dollar Pfizer grand prix, in which she placed 7th against top riders such as, Mclain Ward, Margie Engle and Todd Minikus.  Helen is originally from Great Britain and has competed for her country in various international competitions.  Now, however, she resides in California has recently competed at HITS Thermal and the Winter Equestrian Festival.  Caballo is currently Helen's most prized grand prix horse.  The picture above shows the pair competing in the Pfizer Million.  Helen and Caballo have top placings in national and international grand prixes, as well as in 5-bar competitions.  Currently riding at Outwoods Farm, Helen Mcnaught is the one you're looking for, if you ever want to become a very succesful show jumper. She's honest and willing to achieve short term to long term goals with great success and without EXCUSES.  Not only does Helen ride and teach, but she also is widely known in the showjumping horse market.  She consistently puts out quality sale horses, further proving her true expertise in the sport.    Helen McNaught is so enthusiastic about her job because it is her passion.  Visit the Outwoods Farm website by clicking the image below.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS

• During the spring time the footing in the pastures and training arenas can be risky and the chances of a horse injury can be higher. That’s why during the SPRING season it is recommended to put tendon boots with straps on horses when turned out. This is because if you put tendon boots on your horse, your horses forelimb flexor tendons and suspensory ligaments will be more secure . Why straps? ..because the straps wrap around the fetlock and provide support.

• High temperatures during the spring and summer cause the horses blood to heat up and risen their normal temperature, it goes from the skeletal to the skin. The heat produced from exercising exits the horses body through the skin with sweat.  Sweat helps the horses core temperature to lower. Higher temperatures increase the sweat during the horses exercise which decreases the horses hydration, fluids, electrolytes  and the volume of blood.

• It is also very important to pay close attention to the horses heart rate, remember a horses normal heart rate is about 32 to 36 beats per minute, but typically increases to 230 to 240 beats per minute during exercises. Higher beats per minute indicate that a horse is dehydrated and/or overheating.

• Taking your horses anal temperature is a good way of knowing whether the horse is over heating. Temperature above 103 F and bad behavior such as unwillingness to work and interest of its surroundings can indicate you should change your training system, cutting the rides and making them shorter and cooling down your horse. Usually  the normal temperature of a horse is from 99.5 to 101.5 F . 

• A good warm up and cool down are very important for a good workout, you can modify them according to the weather conditions. When its HOT your horse will need close attention after riding him/her to make sure it cools down properly. Remember this is important because body temperatures rise during the first couple of minutes of the exercise, it is very important to cool down the horse in the HOT WEATHER.  Typically a horse can be cooled downed by getting walked 10-20 minutes and being hosed off with semi warm water. Using fans can help the horse recover more quickly as well . One very important thing to take into consideration is the limits of your horse’s health. 

• YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR HORSE AND KNOW HIS/HER LIMITS!

Fight Equine Cruelty

If you've spent any time in the horse show world, then you've probably heard about the ASPCA, through the equitation class called the ASPCA Maclay Medal.  However, there is much more to this organization than its sponsorship of a national equitation championship.  The ASPCA was founded back in the mid 1800's in New York City to protect animals, mainly horses, from abuse and neglect.  Since then, the organization has grown, aiming to end abuse of all animals.  Over the years, the ASPCA has shown considerable effort in protecting the welfare of horses across the country.  For example, in 1971, the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act was passed by Congress, with the help of the ASPCA, to protect America's wild horses on public lands.  In 2000, the ASPCA installed a large fountain in the middle of Central Park, near 5th avenue, to provide cool, drinking water for the working carriage horses on the streets of NYC.  Even more recently, you may have noticed sponsorships of ASPCA at various equestrian events and horse shows, as the organization is continuing to promote responsible and humane care of all horses.
We must spread the word about equine abuse and support organizations such as the ASPCA, as well as local ones, including the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society to help all of our equine friends.  On a local level, although the equine division within the Humane Society is not as significant yet as the dogs/cats area, we can still help out in many ways.  For the horses neglected and abused in the Pittsburgh area, we can do our part by keeping an eye out for any equine cruelty, immediately reporting any neglect or abuse we see, and supporting the equine division of the Humane Society.  Our friend,  Gretchen Fieser , has exerted an incredible amount of time and effort not only for the horses in need in our area but for all other animals as well.  To help out at the Humane Society, go to http://www.wpahumane.com/ . And, to support a nationwide program, visit http://www.aspca.org/ .aspca.org

Equifit Inc.

This company that we have learned to love, calls itself the "top choice of top riders." And we can see why. T-boots are perhaps their most famous product, as they have become a typical part of the jumper horse's wardrobe for showtime. Other Equifit products are also becoming more and more popular in the showjumping world, including T-Form saddle pads, T-Sport wraps, and T-Foam belly guards. Why, you wonder, have these products stepped ahead of the many others out there and become so popular? Well, the answer to that question is technology. Creators of Equifit Inc. are innovators who have developed a technology for our sport to boost performance and safety. The advanced, neoprene-free material is said to absorb 97% of shock and vibration, which is great to protect the legs of horses landing on the backside of 5 feet plus obstacles. The material also allows for air to circulate, a characteristic that prevents build-up of heat/perspiration. Pressure-free support and prevention of rubs and abrasions are even more magical things these products can provide for our precious horses. Top riders such as Michael Whitaker, Mclain Ward, and even hunter rider, John French swear by these products and use the line each day in the ring, rain or shine.

A Bit Above Saddlery

GPA. The Custom Horse. Kingsland. Tailored Sportsman. Beval. Horsewear. These are only a handful of the various popular brands this relatively new tack shop, A Bit Above Saddlery, carries.  Not only will you find apparel and accessories for both rider and horse, but you will also find horsey things, such as jewelry and for the home products, enabling this store to "Outfit the Equestrian Lifestyle."  A Bit Above is based out of Pittsburgh (the wonderful owner, Rochell, lives and works there), yet it is still available virtually everywhere because of the user friendly website!  You'll find great offers and deals on her website, and if you would rather, you can call the 1-800 number listed on the website to place and order over the phone.  CLICK the picture above or on the right side to be directed right to the website and start shopping!!  We trust and rely on A Bit Above Saddlery for all of our equestrian needs and desires and we hope you will find salvation in this awesome tack shop too!! :)

FEI World Cup Final 2011

The Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final will be held April 27 to May 1, 2011 in Lepzig, Germany.  This indoor competition has been going on for 32 seasons, and it is known as the most prestigious indoor class, internationally, because of the entrance difficulty and top top riders and horses who compete in it.  Last year's winner, Marcus Ehning, will be returning this year to defend his title with his horse Plot Blue.  On an interesting note, Marcus and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who will also be attending, will both be reaching for the same goal:  to break the current record and achieve 4 World Cup wins.  They each have 3 under their belts.  Riders show all season long in order to achieve entrance into this incredibly prestigious class.    From the one hundred something classes offered to qualify for the cup, standings are determined, according to the results of the qualifiers, of course.  The top rankers all over the world are invited to compete in the World Cup, where they jump an indoor course set anywhere between a 1.50m and 1.60m.  There are multiple rounds to this class, to determine the winner.  You can watch this LIVE on your computer on the FEI TV. For more information click on the link below.

Clean Sport

Many sports around the world have dealt with doping problems, which have led to unfair competition on performance day.  Unfortunately, the horse show world has proven itself to be susceptible to drugs and misuse of medications for its athletes as well (the horses).  Although this is quite unfortunate, WE are the key to a drug-free horse world, for the good of competition, as well as for the good of the horses.  FEI (Federation Equestre International) has developed a program to clean up the shows.  This anti-doping effort is known as "FEI Clean Sport."  Visit this link and you can learn all about the program and what you can do to help:www.feicleansport.com. We don't want our sport to obtain a bad reputation because of show illegal drugs and medications, so let's do something about it before it is too late.