CDS - EAST BAY CHAPTER ANNUAL GALA AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION

The East Bay Chapter of the California Dressage Society invites you to join us for a spectacular evening honoring our 2011 Award winners.

This year, our elegant event will celebrate the 2011 achievements with the style and grace that Dressage reflects.  Our venue will include a viewing of the classic auto collection of the Blackhawk Museum, social hour with no-host bar, wonderful appetizers, 3 course dinner with wine, live music, Silent and Live Auctions courtesy of our wonderful Chapter Donors and of course, Award Presentations.

Black Tie is strongly encouraged for this fun evening of elegance.  Please join us for what should be a wonderful event!

Sincerely, Diana Bicksler-Annual Awards Dinner Chair

Where: BLACKHAWK AUTO MUSEUM, Danville, CA

 When: FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012, 6 P.M.

Adult Ticket Price: $65

Junior (Under 21) Ticket Price: $55

How to Purchase Tickets:

Tickets may be purchased on the Equestrian Events website at the link below. You  do NOT need to have an Equestrian Entries account nor do they need to log in to access the Annual Award Dinner ticket purchase page. If you have any problems purchasing tickets, please enter a comment below and we'll get back to you.

Equestrian Entries Link: http://www.equestrianentries.com/tickets/cdsdinner

WE HAVE A FEW RIDING SLOTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY!

  THE CLINIC IS NOW OPEN TO ALL EAST BAY CHAPTER MEMBERS!  CONTACT YOUR YR/JR REPRESENTATIVE, GABBY GLUMAC, TO SIGN UP TODAY! 

(925) 997-1892 OR panamascool@gmail.com

A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE 

DON’T MISS OUT – SIGN UP NOW!

  Location:  Greenville Equestrian Center in Livermore

Dates:  Saturday, January 7^th-Sunday January 8^th

Clinician:  Janet Curtis- “S” Dressage Judge

Fee:  $125 per ride for EBC members,
          $135 per ride for non- members. 
            (Priority will be given to EBCDS members)

ALL EBC members are welcome to come audit for FREE!
Non-EBC members have an auditing fee of $15.

Jan has been a dressage rider for over 30 years and a judge for over 20 years. She currently resides at Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills. Here you will find Jan instructing students in a beautiful state-of-the-art dressage arena with mirrors at the Nellie Gail Equestrian Center.  The center has honored Jan by naming the dressage arena for her, as a result of her dedication to developing a quality equestrian community.  Jan most enjoys providing “the eye of the judge” clinics for students who are looking to improve their scores in the show ring. She has taught many successful JR/YR’s including Julia Radlick, Christine Stephenson, and Katie White.

Please contact Gabby Glumac for other fees and sign up.

(925) 997-1892 OR panamascool@gmail.com

HURRY! Limited number of spaces available!

 Overnight stalls are available should you wish to stay the weekend.

North Date: September 21-23 – Santa Rosa 
Santa Rosa Equestrian Center

Tracy Underwood 707-975-2097

tracy@srequestrian.com

 Jan Ebeling

Jan Ebeling emigrated to the United States in 1984 after growing up in Germany and apprenticing for late German master Herbert Rehbein for many years. In 1998, Jan became an American citizen and competed for the United States for the first time. From 1998 to 2003, Jan won several titles of champion and reserve champion at our national championships held in Gladstone, NJ on horses such as Gucci, Ricardo, Liberte, and Feleciano.
In 2003, Jan won a spot on the Pan American team in Santo Domingo, aboard Feleciano, and clinched the gold medal for the United States when he was the highest ranked USA team competitor. Jan and Feleciano finished 5th overall at the Pan Am Games individually.
In 2006, Rafalca, a 1997 Oldenburg mare, was purchased for Jan to ride and compete. Jan has shown and competed in the World Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2011. In 2011, Jan and Rafalca were the highest ranked USA riders at the World Cup in Leipzig, Germany. In July 2011, Jan was a member of the USA team in Aachen. Jan and Rafalca have been ranked 27th on the World Ranking list during 2011.
In addition to Jan’s heavy competition and training schedule, Jan will be the Adult Amateur clinician for CDS during 2012, is also a member of the High Performance Dressage Eligible Athlete Committee, and conducts clinics nationally and internationally, as well as having a full training business. His family is an important part of his life, he enjoys spending time hiking, biking, snorkeling, and traveling with his wife, Amy and son, Ben.

As we quickly approach the end of 2011, many of us are already filling in our busy calendars for 2012.  Please save these dates for your East Bay CDS Shows!

April 14-15, 2012

August 18-19, 2012

More information to be provided soon!

Member Name: Laura Dwyer

Age(optional):50

Horse(s) Name, Breed, Age: Laitin 16 year old Oldenburg Stallion

Dressage Experience/Current Level/Goals: In April of 2010 I made a decision that changed my life.  I decided to move Laitin to Leap of Faith Farms and started taking lessons twice a week with Rachel Saavedra. My goal was to finally show Laitin myself and was hoping to earn my Bronze Medal with him.  The lessons progressed quickly and my first show out in June we showed 4th Level and Prix St Georges  I went on the qualify Laitin for the Championships last year and earned my Silver Medal.  My goal for the coming year is to ride an Intermediare I Freestyle

Trainer/Barn Affiliation if any: Dressage Trainer at Leap of Faith Farms in Walnut Creek

Laura Dwyer and Laitin at EB La Jolla Show - photo by Debbie Hansen

Recent Achievements/Of Special Note: I recently attended the CDS East Bay Chapter Show at LaJolla Equestrian Center and Laitin and I made our debut at Intermediare I.  We had a fabulous outing and scored 69.4% and 68.9%.  On a side note, thank you to all the volunteers who make that show possible!

At what point in your life did you realize you were “A Horse-Crazy-Person”?  Mid-life horse lover, or did you become involved in horses at a young age?  I have always been horse crazy!  I grew up in the city of Seattle where horse back riding was out of the question. Then our family moved to Oregon when I was 12 and there were horses in a pasture right across the street.  I started climbing the fence to play with the horses and one day the owner of the property caught me and chewed me out for it.  He showed me out the front gate on the opposite side of the pasture and asked me to walk around if I wanted to see the horses.  It was a good 3/4 mile walk, but I did it everyday and one day he asked me if I wanted to learn how to ride.  Well you bet I did, so I learned to ride on his wild TB gelding in his calvary saddle.  It was certainly sink or swim and I chose to hold on.  The good thing was that I developed a very good seat!

What is the most important lesson your horse has taught you? That anything is possible.  There was a time that I never thought I would be able to ride and compete Laitin.  I always watched from the sidelines as Rachel rode him from CDS First Level Champion to Horse of the Year at Prix St Georges in 2006.  He had a few injuries that I patiently rehabilitated him from and now look at where we are.  Truly an amazing thing has happened.

Why or how did you pick Dressage as your riding sport?  I have ridden horses for years and the jumping position I was in really started to take a toll on my lower back.  I found that dressage (especially all those abdominal muscles required for the sitting trot) has actually strengthened my back and abdomen.  I always admired the beauty of the sport and am now happy to stay away from the two point position required for jumping.

Laura Dwyer and Laitin at EB La Jolla Show - photo by Debbie Hansen

What is the most important atribute you value in your equine Dressage partner?  Kind/Forward/Safe(ish)? Laitin has an unbelievable willingness to work coupled with an incredible natural talent for dressage.  I have to admit though that my favorite thing about him is how he greets me everyday with a huge whinny!  It always makes me smile.

What was your most memorable “ah-ha” riding moment or breakthrough? This is just an impossible question to answer because I keep having them on a weekly basis.  Some of the standouts have been: Finding the correct timing and dosage of half halts for the tempi changes and then riding the correct count in the 4′s, 3′s and 2′s.  The revelation of just how much has to happen in those 4 corners of the dressage court, half halt and create self carriage (this is not a time to rest)! and the importance of starting and ending every movement with a half halt.  The list could go on and on, but these are just a few.

What do you wish you would have understood earlier in your riding life that you appreciate now?  I spent years as a Hunter/Jumper trainer and wish that I had switched to dressage sooner.  I love the intricacies of dressage and the true harmony that comes from the centaur feeling of being one with your horse.

Who is your favorite clinician/trainer and why?  Rachel Saavedra has been paramount in my dressage career.  I would not be where I am today without her.  I have admired her riding and training for years and have always tried to emulate her position and approach to dressage.

What is the most common correction you hear from your trainer/clinician when you ride?  Ride more half halts!

For Trainers:  What is the most satisfying teaching moment you have experienced with a student?  I think the most exciting thing that can happen is when a student feels self carriage and understands what they have done to get it.  That light in the bridle, yummy feeling is something they always want more of once they get a taste of it.

What is your favorite Dressage memory?  I took Laitin down to the Championships in LA last year and I was walking into the Equidome on Laitin for the warm up day.  I looked around me and was surrounded by all the hanging flags and the spectacular riders.  I looked up to see Rachel down at the end of the arena preparing to coach me and the emotion of the event took a hold of my like nothing I have ever experienced.  I burst into tears at the thought that I was there with my horse and I was the one riding him!

What advice/guidance would you give to a newcomer to the Dressage sport? First and foremost, buy a horse with a good disposition, the conformation to do the job easily and with gaits that are appropriate to your level of riding.  Secondly, be ready and willing to work hard, be patient, and remember that dressage is a very difficult and often humbling sport.  Thirdly, have fun and make the most of the time you and your horse have together. If things aren’t going well, get help from a qualified instructor.

What is your favorite Dressage book or publication? I love The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship by Alois Podhajsky. He talks about compassionate training throughout the book and covers the theory of classical dressage in depth.

What other interest, achievement or activity do you have that might surprise your fellow EB CDS Members?  I am the mother of three boys and our family motto has always been “The family that plays together, stays together.” We are a very active family and therefore I snow ski, snowboard, waterski, wakeboard, golf, workout at the gym when my body isn’t too spent from riding, and have even gone skydiving.  I have a wonderful, supportive husband whom I have been married to for 29 years.  He doesn’t ride horses, but has always at least tried to understand my obsession with them.  I know he thinks I’m crazy to handle these large animals, and sometimes I think he’s right, but I always see these gentle giants as giving creatures we are most fortunate to have in our lives.

There may come a time in the careers of our beloved equine athletes when they incur an injury, need care and treatment beyond our capabilities as owners and trainers, or just need a time-out from training.  What do you do?  An option is to consider a professional Sports Medicine Rehabilitation and Fitness Facility.  Circle Oak Equine, located in Petaluma, owned and operated by Ron and Sara Malone, provides this valuable service to horse owners in the Bay Area.  Thank you Circle Oak for sending us this Spotlight Profile!  Check it out East Bay CDS!

* * * * *

Circle Oak Eurociser and lovely Petaluma location

Circle Oak Equine, located in the Sonoma County town of Petaluma, just celebrated its first anniversary as a full-service, state-licensed veterinary facility.  Under the supervision of Medical Director Carrie Schlachter, VMD, Circle Oak provides top-notch rehabilitation and fitness services for performance horses of all disciplines.  Circle Oak is equipped with state of the art rehab and fitness equipment, such as a HydroHorseä underwater treadmill and an ECB cold saltwater spa.  Their free-flow exerciser, at 72’ in diameter, is one of the largest in the country.  What sets them apart, however, is that the rehab and fitness programs are designed and monitored by Schlachter, who is available for consultation by vets referring horses into the facility.  Owners Ron and Sara Malone have hired a staff of educated, experienced technicians and assistants, led by Registered Veterinary Technician Kari Farley.  ‘It’s important to have a calm, experienced staff,’ says Ron, ‘because most of the horses that come here are injured, and we cater to horses of all breeds and disciplines.  It is vital that horses are handled calmly and competently at all times.’

Circle Oak Stall Aisle

Circle Oak has approximately 50 stalls, about a third of which are occupied by long-term residents, most of whom are retired. Rehab cases make up most of the rest of the facility’s business, although fitness and cross training are growing as a service line.  Some of the rehab cases come directly from horse owners but the majority are referred by veterinarians, who appreciate the professionalism of the operation.  Referring veterinarians are able to maintain control of their patients, with as much help from Dr. Schlachter as they wish.  Owners are kept up to date on changes to their horse’s program and progress made. 

Trainers have begun to use Circle Oak for fitness and cross training programs, either to prepare for big shows or to keep their horses in shape while they travel.  A fitness regimen at Circle Oak includes Hydrotherapy, eurociser and turnout.

Circle Oak Water Treadmill

The HydroHorseä underwater treadmill is a key part of both the fitness and rehabilitation programs.  The treadmill allows a horse to exercise using the same muscles and gait that it uses on land, with about a 60% reduction in impact.  The resistance of the water means a superb cardiovascular workout, so the horse gets or stays fit with much less risk of injury.  For horses that have been stall-bound the workout is as good for their mental health as it is for their body!  For horses preparing for competition it is an invaluable tool in maintaining fitness and providing a mental break. 

Owner Ron Malone conceived of the idea for Circle Oak when he was exploring options for rehabbing some of his own cutting horses.  His own horses’ experience with state of the art therapies such as stem cell, PRP and IRAP led him to want to be able to offer a full array of services to client horses, and when the Malones joined forces with Dr. Schlachter a year ago, one of their first investments was in equipment which enables her (or outside vets) to perform and process these regenerative medicine therapies on site. 

Circle Oak is committed to furthering equine health knowledge among horse owners, and to that end, held their first annual Equine Health Fair in March, which was attended by over 300 people.  Numerous equine healthcare practitioners spoke and gave demonstrations and Dr. Schlachter is already planning for next year’s event. 

Check out the website for more information: www.circleoakequine.com and if you’re headed to Sonoma County, call them for a tour! 

Circle Oak Pond

East Bay Appointed Board Member, Jan Bauman and her lovely equine partner, Cobra, attended the CDS Adult Amateur Clinic held October 22 and 23^rd at the Santa Rosa Equestrian Center. Jan was kind enough to submit these impressions and insights of her experiences at the clinic taught by the talented, Donna Richardson.  Remember, Adult Amateurs are eligible to participate in the annual drawing for this clinic by volunteering at Chapter Events! Thank you, Jan, for this wonderful article and also for your volunteer service to the Chapter! 

I had the good fortune to ride in the CDS Adult Amateur clinic at Santa Rosa Equestrian Center on the weekend of October 22nd. Originally organized by Bobby Keville, the AA clinic is a unique opportunity for amateur dressage riders from all over northern California to get together, share their experiences and learn from an expert dressage clinician. This year’s clinician was Donna Richardson, a successful dressage trainer, instructor and competitor who is also an emergency room physician. Donna specializes in the physical challenges of the “mid-life” rider – a relevant topic for most of this year’s clinic attendees.

The clinic participants arrived at SREC on Friday afternoon and were greeted by Tracy Underwood, owner of SREC, who had stalls prepared for our horses in the main barn/arena building.  The stalls were large and bright and the arena was huge with EquiBase footing – that great cushy stuff that our dressage horses love.  Tracy was there to answer questions, help us settle in and generally make everyone feel at home.  It was a beautiful fall day, temperatures in the 70s and a light pleasant breeze.  We were all looking forward to a great weekend. 

Friday evening, Tracy hosted an informal dinner at her home where we all got to know each other and meet Donna. Donna talked about the need for core strength to be able to sit properly on your horse and stay with his movement.  She demonstrated several exercises to develop core strength and recommended some books with exercises and explanations.

The clinic began Saturday morning and consisted of private half hour rides for each participant.  There were horses and riders at every level and Donna was immediately able to find something important to work on with each rider. She gave clear instructions to help the rider understand and improve. We watched horse after horse respond to consistent use of “inside leg to outside rein.” It struck me that no matter what level at which we ride, in many ways we all struggle with the same challenges. I learned something from every rider I watched.

When it was my turn to ride, I was able to put some of Donna’s suggestions to the other riders to use right away to improve my own riding. My horse, Cobra, and I will be showing at 4^th level next year, so Donna worked with us on pirouettes and tempe changes. Donna was able to quickly see where I needed to change my body or leg position, and I could feel Coby respond to my clearer and more correct aid. It was thrilling to feel a good pirouette and clean tempe changes. 

Saturday night was a buffet dinner in the barn.  Food and drink for the entire weekend was provided by the Shasta chapter of CDS. The ladies did a fabulous job – the food was great and plentiful. After a full day of riding, we spent the evening comparing notes and chatting about our rides and our horses.

On Sunday, we rode again and worked to confirm the lessons from Saturday. Everyone started their ride on Sunday better than they had been on Saturday, and we all finished with a feeling of accomplishment. Donna did an excellent job throughout the weekend of coaching and encouraging each of us and we rose to the challenge. I think we all went home on Sunday night enlightened and inspired.  

I am very grateful to have been selected to participate in this year’s AA clinic. Thank you to CDS and the East Bay chapter for this wonderful experience.

Earlier this year, the East Bay Chapter sponsored a series of USDF Instructor Certification Workshops at Leap of Faith Farms in Walnut Creek, graciously taught by East Bay Chapter Member, Rachael Saavedra.  East Bay Education, Clinics and Events Co-Chair, Emily McDonald, was instrumental in coordinating, organizing and supervising this extraordinary event, as well as securing a generous grant from The Dressage Foundation.  This grant allowed our Chapter to offer such a high quality educational event to our Professional Members at a significant reduction in cost.  Many thanks to The Dressage Foundation, Emily McDonald, Linda McDonald, Rachael Saavedra, as well as many Chapter Volunteers, and Leap of Faith Farms, for helping further the education of our local Dressage Community!  Below is Emily’s letter of thanks to The Dressage Foundation:

California Dressage Society- Dressage Letters

Dear Dressage Letters,

I am hoping your publication might assist me in providing The Dressage Foundation with some well-deserved recognition as well as publicize the foundation as a wonderful organization for other chapters seeking financial support. This January, they generously granted the California Dressage Society’s East Bay Chapter $750 to help differ the costs of a 2^nd Level USDF Workshop Instructor Certification Series. The process of applying for the grant through The Dressage Foundation’s website was simple and straightforward. The Administrative Director, Jenny Johnson, was very supportive of our program and made the process an entirely positive one. 

The Dressage Foundation’s grant allowed our program to offer our Participating Instructors a reduced price for the third workshop when they committed to the series of three. Since the entire group of instructors committed to all three workshops, they were able to forge friendships that benefited their education during the workshops as well as fostering a cooperative nature within the Bay Area dressage community. 

This series of workshops required dedication and energy from many people in our dressage community. It was wonderful to know that a commendable organization such as The Dressage Foundation valued our hard work and commitment enough to lend its financial support. We cannot thank The Dressage Foundation enough for helping make dressage education a reality.

Sincerely, 

Emily McDonald,  CDS East Bay Chapter- Educational Chair

Most of us love flipping through the many equine catalogues that frequently come through our mailboxes. They feature all the latest fashions for both horse and rider, as well as the ever growing variety of supplements that help heal injuries faster, make joints more supple, keep stomach ulcers away, calm your horse down, or even speed it up! Whatever the issue, there seems to be a remedy and a wide choice of products to choose from. The same can be said for all the different feeds that are available to purchase at our local feed stores: grains for the young horse, the ‘mature’ horse, the easy-keeper or the low-carb/low-sugar/metabolic horse, the performance horse, the HIGH performance horse, and so on…

On Saturday, November 5, 2011 members of the CDS East Bay Chapter and, even some non-members, came together for a very informative and inspiring talk on how integrating whole foods into our horses’ diet can benefit its overall health and well being. The following are the questions we all had to ask ourselves going into the seminar:

• Have you ever thought about what the synthetic and processed supplements are made from?
• How much actual real food is in these bags — not counting hulls, middling’s, molasses, and other fillers?
• Have you ever thought about what their bioavailability is? (the ability of a substance to be absorbed and used by the body)
• Have you ever read the list of ingredients and wondered what some of them actually were?
• Have you ever thought about the actual absorption of nutrients and how this is all affecting the horse’s gut, and therefore his overall physicality and immune system.

Our speaker, Tigger Montague, is founder and lead-formulator of Biostar EQ. Biostar EQ offers 100% whole food supplements that support our equine partners with minimally processed and refined whole foods to provide the horse’s body with what it needs to recover, heal and maintain its best health and balance. With over 26 years of experience in the equine and human supplement industries, Tigger is a wealth of information and a great inspiration.

Tigger started our afternoon by talking about what the basic requirements for any horse are:   

            –A balance of: Fiber, Protein, Fat & Carbohydrates–

Tigger then challenged us to think back to how our ancestors fed their farm animals before processed, pelleted, complete feeds were packaged for our convenience.

She motivated us to think differently about how we provide our horses with fiber, protein, fat and carbs. Why not get them directly from the source? NOTHING genetically engineered, synthetic or artificial, NO petroleum derivatives or other lab-made vitamins, NO fillers, NO binder, NO excipients.

Hay and good quality forage should comprise the largest percentage of food by volume for horses. In addition to this base, feeding a wide variety of organic, non-genetically engineered fruits, nuts, vegetables and oils to your horse to helps balance out their individual nutritional needs. It’s easy to do and, the best thing is: whole foods provide more than just nutrients, fiber, protein, carbohydrates and fat; they provide a significant  key to digestion – live enzymes, along with “protein chaperones” that are essential for nutrient delivery!

Was this revolutionary, or just common sense being brought to a group of busy people who have gotten way too far from the pure essence and goodness of the earth? Most of us shop at the local farmers’ markets and try to eat healthy, fresh foods. Why not do the same for our horses, whether they are show horses or pasture pals? 

Here, in a nutshell (forgive the pun), is the base for beginning a whole food feeding program for a normal healthy horse. (Horses with metabolic disorders should not be fed the carbohydrates.) Ideally you want to feed your horse 2-3 times daily, in addition to 3 feedings of hay. Though that may not be possible in some boarding situations.

BASE PLAN:

Fiber (in addition to hay and forage): Molasses-free beet pulp – provides 18% fiber, 10% protein, 5% sugar, 0% fat) OR, copra meal (from coconuts after the oil has been extracted) – provides 20% fiber, 20% protein, 1% sugar, 8% fat.   (One cup of either, or half cup of each, soaked in water, twice per day.)

Protein: Molasses-free beet pulp (10% protein), or copra meal (20% protein), alfalfa pellets or cubes (15% protein). Alfalfa is an important component of the diet as it provides calcium and Lysine. For non-metabolic horses: oats can be added for energy (10-12% protein). (Half to one cup of alfalfa pellets soaked with the beet pulp or copra meal, twice per day.)

Essential Fatty Acids:  Flax seeds or chia seeds. Chia seeds provide higher amounts of omega 3′s than flax, plus the added amino acid Proline, which is the main constituent of collagen, a necessity for healing tendons and ligaments. (Flax seed: 1 tbsp twice per day, soaked with the other ingredients. Chia seed (soaked with the other ingredients): ponies: 1tbsp per day; for horses: 1/4 cup twice per day (1/2 cup if only fed once per day) Metabolic horses: up to 1/3 cup twice per day.)

Carbohydrates: Quick-burn energy sources (not for metabolic horses).   Oats provide the polar lipids, which support the hind-gut. Barley is a high calorie grain for horses that need extra energy. Due to the calcium/phosphorus imbalance, it’s best to feed oats and barley in a 2:1 ratio of oats to barley. Barley can be fed as needed. (1 cup oats to  1/2 cup barely – only needed for horses requiring extra energy.)

Fat: Long-burn energy sources. Best fat sources are: hemp seed oil, which provides omegas 3, 6, 9, and GLA (gamma lineolenic acid) and vitamin E; coconut oil (which also provides Lauric Acid that is converted by the body to monolauren for immune support not stimulation), and flax see oil which also provides omegas 3 & 6. (Hempseed oil: add 1oz twice per day. Coconut oil:1/4 cup once or twice per day. Flax seed oil: 1oz twice per day.)

Once your horse has been on the program for a few months you will see that you only need small amounts of food compare to the large scoops of commercial feeds.

Additional Supplementation:

To complete the nutritional picture, foods providing a wide range of vitamins and minerals need to be added to the above base. Tigger recommends making your horse a fruit and veggie smoothie to help supply the needed vitamins and minerals. If time is of the essence, BioStar EQ also has a variety of 100% Whole Food whole food formulas in cookie form available. She emphasized that all foods should be fed in its least refined state, adding that “Nutrients in whole food have the highest absorption rate and bioavailability of 90% and more, which in turn alleviates stress on the digestive tract, the liver and immune systems. Processed feeds are stressed food.”

Interesting, huh? Now, did you know that horses absolutely LOVE fruits and vegetables other than just carrots and apples? My horses love the greens from the carrots, kale, peas, bananas, strawberries, cherries (no pits, please), oranges and lemons (whole, blended in your food processor), pomegranates (whole, blended in your food processor), kiwi (no skin), blueberries, raspberries, melon, almonds (sliced), and more.

Not only do these foods provide the essential vitamins and minerals, they also help alleviate inflammation, create stronger hooves, better coats; help build muscle, and support ligaments and tendons.

Need more inspiration? Try mangoes, papaya (just the fruit, no skin, no pit), pears, avocado (no ski, no pit), squash, pumpkin, zucchini, peas, melons, strawberries, raspberries, kale (an essential!), pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, brewers yeast, and wheat germ. Jump on the internet and research the benefits of these different foods. You can feed these foods daily, or whenever it is convenient for you.  Your horse will love you for it! In my case, whenever a fruit doesn’t pass the picky standards of pre-teens, it goes to the horses.

All these WHOLE FOODS provide your horses with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals,  and live enzymes and the all important protein chaperones to deliver the stuff where it’s needed!

All of the above provides the body with what it needs to heal and repair.

I have seen a tremendous change in my horses. They are healthy and have shiny coats, very even and good muscle tone. My horses are lean and athletic looking. They have ‘the right’ amount of energy without being silly and recover fast from shows and clinics.

By the way, this same movement is working its way through our cities as well, with new restaurants featuring only “local, farm raised, organic, non-processed foods.

If you are interested in your own nutrition and you stay away from processed foods and genetically engineered, synthetic or artificial, no petroleum based derivatives or other lab-made vitamins, no fillers, binder or excipients – then consider the same for your equine partner and perhaps even for your canine partner.

Felines are different though… They are from a different planet… And so are my children…

Gundi Younger, CDS East Bay Member

Workshop Organizer, November 2011

This article has been written to enlighten CDS members and horse owners as to the potential value of an Equine Whole Food diet.  CDS East Bay does not endorse any equine supplements or feed company, over another.  How and what to feed your horse is a personal decision.  This article is meant to simply provide thought-provoking information so that horse owners can make informed decisi

Please welcome your newly elected Board Members for 2012!

Victoria Von Arx

My passion for horses began when I was four and saw a little girl riding by my house on a pony. Much to my mother’s dismay, I followed her home.  Many Breyer horses later, I got my first “real” horse and since then have happily filled my life riding Western Pleasure, Cutting, Competitive Trail, Hunters and now Dressage with my Hanoverian mare, Cat. In my professional life I own a boutique marketing communications agency focusing on branding, advertising, event management and public relations. I am married, with two kids, and call Moraga home.

Kris Bernard

I am originally from Albuquerque, NM (not exactly a dressage Mecca).  I moved to the bay area in 1994. I am a certified athletic trainer and teacher.  I teach Health and Sports Medicine at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo.  I have been married for 12 years. I started taking riding lessons when I was 9 and got my first horse at 10.  As a teenager I showed hunters and equitation until I got into dressage by accident at 16.  I did dressage until going to college.  I quit riding through my 20′s to “get a life.”  After a trail ride on vacation in Hawaii in 2000, I got the bug to start riding again.  My husband encouraged me to start (a suggestion he probably regrets now but is nice enough to never say anything).  I imported my current horse, Waikelo, sight unseen from Germany in 2004 as a 5 year old.  We are currently showing 4th level and are excited to move up to PSG at some point in 2012.

Cecelia Stolzer-Grote

I grew up in San Diego and began riding at the age of 11 on my 4-H leader’s Quarter Horses.  When I was 14 my parents bought me my own Quarter Horse mare, and I competed in gymkhana through high school.  I switched to English after college.  I moved to the Bay Area in 1990, and decided to start riding again a few years later, beginning lessons with a Dressage/Centered Riding instructor.  I now own a 9 year old Appendix Quarter Horse (do we see a theme here?) gelding, Maker’s Mark (Marco).  Last year we competed at the Intro Level, and look forward to competing again next year at Training Level.  Although I’m also training my horse to compete in 3-day eventing, I feel that dressage is a core riding skill that everyone, whatever their skill level or riding discipline, can incorporate into their training.  My personal dressage goal is to someday perform a Kur.  In “real life” I am a kitchen & cabinetry designer.  I am married and live in Orinda.  My husband and I enjoy travel, cooking, and wine-tasting.  All of my kids have 4 legs and a tail.

Jennifer Case

Jennifer Loves Horses. A 4th generation Berkeley – born Californian, her life-long association with the equines began at age two  at the Tilden Park Pony Rides!!! .. She says: “All horses are wonderful, in fact much more interesting than people! But visiting the Spanish Riding School of Vienna while studying abroad in college one summer, locked in my love & appreciation of  the sport and art form of dressage and especially the Lipizzaner.” Jennifer hosts a Rider, Herbert Seiberl, from The Spanish Riding School in Austria, at La Jolla Equestrian Center , where she is the manager, twice a year.  At La Jolla, she has a Lipizzaner, Conversano Belamira, Klaus, a retired Grand PrixThoroughbred, and a Scottish Pony, “Rowdy”  She also has a small horsemanship program with Rowdy for young children with or without special needs.(She also has a few beef cattle in Danville!)  Jennifer spent the majority of her career in the commercial art world. Graphic design for advertising & publication, creative & art direction/animation  for computer games( Time-Warner, The 3DO co. and Atari among others). She still occasionally does forensic composite sketches for law enforcement. About 15 years ago she switched her career focus to equestrian management, managing her own( for about 9 yrs) and others boarding/training facilities. She made the change in career to live her dream of being with horses and helping keep the equestrian presence & education alive in our increasingly techno driven culture. Jennifer graduated from Linfield College, Oregon and did graduate work at St Mary’s College, Moraga & The Academy of Art University in SF.