How did he get into this business? Paul had been involved with horses for a number of years, primarily in the racing industry. He very much enjoyed working with and being around the horses, but he worked long hours, six days a week, for low pay and with no benefits. Much of his time was spent mucking stalls, which he didn’t find particularly appealing. He wasn’t afraid of hard work, but he liked the “hands 0n” aspect of the job much better – the direct contact and interaction with the animals, like grooming and caring for them. In the back of his mind, Paul always believed there was a better equine-related career out there somewhere.

In most of the racing facilities where Paul worked, a “horse dentist” made regular rounds to provide dental maintenance for the equines. Paul was fascinated by these caregivers, realizing that the work they did was highly specialized – even most experienced horsemen actually knew little about their horses’ dental health. The seed was planted in Paul’s mind to learn this type of work.

After mucking more stalls, Mr. Drake finally reached a point of frustration with his low level in the horse business. It was then and there that he made the commitment to become an equine dental technologist. He enrolled in a nearby school, the American School of Equine Dentistry, for the required five-week course. Since the school provided board, Paul lived at the school for the duration of the course. The first week was spent attending classes, and the remainder was spent performing “hands on” duties under the instruction and supervision of a veterinarian. He then spent another year in an apprentice program. Paul has been performing as an equine dental technician on his own since 2005.

Paul states that many people are surprised by the brevity of his training when compared to the years a human dentist must invest in school, but he explains that there are few similarities between a horse’s teeth and a human’s: “As horses’ teeth are always lengthening through ‘eruption,’ the majority of corrective work consists simply of filing teeth to remove sharp edges that are uncomfortable, and of reducing the length of long teeth that could be impeding normal chewing patterns.”

Paul explains that no undergraduate degree is required to become an equine dental technologist, although he does have a degree in English. An applicant does, however, have to document sufficient experience around horses and have references from three equine veterinarians. Since Paul had so much experience under his belt, this was not a problem.

In most states, an equine dental technician cannot administer sedatives to their “patients.” Paul strongly supports this, stating, “While the administration of such drugs is easily learned, an allergic reaction or similar occurrence could readily be treated by a veterinarian. A non-veterinarian would not have the resources or the knowledge to administer treatment. If a horse needs to be sedated to successfully work on its teeth, the owner’s veterinarian would have to be present to perform sedation. However, most dental maintenance can be successfully performed without the need for sedation if approached in a gentle and intelligent manner.”

Mr. Drake explained that most of the problems horses have with their teeth are inadvertently caused by domestication: “Horses teeth are not always growing, which is a common misunderstanding. Once a horse is physically an adult – about five years of age – they actually have all the teeth they will ever have, but the bulk of the tooth – a molar is about four inches long – is in the skull or in the jaw. As the tooth wears, it pushes down from the skull into the mouth, or up from the jaw into the mouth, in a process called ‘eruption.’ So, if a horse gets old enough, it will run out of teeth.”

“Horses chew in an elliptical motion, and in doing so, ‘hone’ very sharp edges on the outside of their top teeth, and on the inside edge of their bottom teeth. These sharp edges can cut the horse’s tongue and their cheeks. ‘Floating,’ which just means filing, is the occasional removal of these sharp edges so that the horse can perform under saddle and eat without being uncomfortable.”

When asked to describe the floated process, Paul replied, “Floating is defined differently by different people, but generally refers to the removal of the sharp edges that develop along the buccal aspect (cheek side) of the top teeth, and the lingual side (tongue side) of the bottom teeth. “Floating” is synonymous with filing. “Floating” might also refer to the shortening of teeth that have grown too long. It is the most basic form of maintenance performed to a horse’s teeth, and should be done on a regular schedule. It will assure maximum comfort for the horse, and ensure that they are maximizing their use of feed (if their teeth are working well, they will not drop feed, and the feed they swallow will be chewed up well and be highly digestible– they will not be pooping-out undigested grain).”

Why does Drake cite domestication as a major problem? He explains that horses in the wild don’t develop these sharp edges on their teeth as quickly or to the extent that domesticated equines do. Wild and feral horses have to work harder to chew their food because it’s generally of poorer quality. All this extra chewing increases the lateral movement of the jaw and thereby retards the formation of sharp edges on the teeth. Domestic horses, on the other hand, are fed easy-to-chew grains and processed hays, for the most part, so they can quickly develop sharp points on their teeth.

Paul adds, “This is not to say that wild horses would not benefit from dental maintenance; they would, and in fact, studies of deceased wild horses have shown that many dies prematurely and indirectly due to poor mastication resultant from problem teeth.”

Paul works with all kinds of horses: racehorses, pleasure horses, and work horses, including those utilized by the Amish. His equine clients span the spectrum of disciplines, also, and range from barrel mounts to dressage horses.

When asked which breed Paul preferred working with, his answer was not surprising. Based on his past work experiences, he cited the Thoroughbred. Although some members of this breed can be high strung and difficult to manage at times, Paul feels that he can “read” them better, allowing him better control.

Paul has also discovered that Thoroughbreds, in general, are most prone to dental problems because of their physiology. They often have malocclusions that make their teeth grow too long due to their long, narrow heads. Paul goes on to state, “I do not think, other than Thoroughbreds, that I have seen a greater propensity of some breeds to have greater dental problems.”

Paul added that the Rocky Mountain Horse and Haflingers are also usually pleasant to deal with, and that most draft breeds he’s worked with are calm and easy to handle.

Paul was also asked about his least favorite breed to work with, and he answered, “Without question, my least favorite horse to do is Quarter Horses; I find them to be very stubborn, and if they refuse the procedures, well, they really refuse! They can be quite obstinate!”

Paul explained that he usually works alone. “I generally prefer to be alone with the horse, in a stall, when I am working with it. In this way, if the horse insists on moving around, I can just move with him/her. Sometimes, however, the horse’s groom or owner can have a calming presence and is helpful if the horse is fearful or difficult.”

“Horses are very intelligent, and if I approach it sensibly and gradually, most horses understand what I am doing. The immediate relief from pain they experience makes the majority of horses cooperative and willing recipients of dental care. A small percentage of horses, though, will not be cooperative no matter how I approach it, and they would be candidates for restraint: a twitch, a martingale, etc. Some particularly fractious horses– even for just a minor float– will require sedation, which must be provided by a veterinarian (or by the owner provided the veterinarian has given them sedatives to use on that particular horse). I, personally, insist upon sedation – and a “nerve block” where applicable– for all tooth extractions.”

When asked about common problems he sees frequently in his work, Paul answered, “Many horses have a propensity for ‘hooks.’ Hooks develop when a tooth does not ‘occlude,’ or meet well with its opposing tooth. If a top tooth does not meet well with its opposing bottom tooth, it may not wear normally. As it is always getting longer through eruption, the unworn portion will become protuberant and may interfere with chewing or it may chafe with sensitive gum tissue. Regular dental maintenance will keep such protuberant areas shortened and will ensure that the horse does not have any sharp spots that make him uncomfortable.”

Paul was also asked about tooth damage from cribbing: “Cribbing can be devastating to the incisors – the front teeth. I’ve seen horses that have worn their front teeth to ‘nubbins,’ completely worn them away. Without incisors, such horses will have great difficulty grazing, and will, for optimum health, need to be supplemented with hay. Chronic cribbers can also erode their teeth to where the ‘pulp cavity’ is exposed, thereby making the tooth prone to infection.”

According to Paul, horses can get cavities on rare occasions, but these are usually repaired by themselves. The compromised area is typically repaired by secondary dentin that flows to the tooth through microscopic tubes. There have been some experiments with “filling” such teeth with artificial materials that were not repaired naturally, but it has not been met with much success. Again, such cavities are rare, but if they are not naturally repaired and the tooth becomes compromised, then extraction would likely be considered.

Do horses ever get fitted with braces? “Horses do not get braces, in general. However, if a foal is born with a particularly unusual congenital defect – an extreme ‘parrot mouth,’ or ‘wry nose’ – special ‘bite plate’ can be fitted that will guide the teeth to grow in a more healthy pattern.”

Paul was also asked about any unusual or especially demanding cases he’s handled: “I have had mostly very positive experiences in my job as an equine dental technician. One job stands out: Jenkin J was a beautifully bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He was expected to perform really well, but after a half-dozen races he disappointed all by performing very poorly. The farm was about to give up on him. I went to the owner’s farm to perform some maintenance on some broodmares, and was asked to look at ‘J.J.’ he had very sharp aspects of his mouth, which had lacerated his cheeks. He had a very swollen place in his jaw where his canine tooth had failed to erupt, so that there was a very sore spot in his mouth. He had hooks in the back of his mouth growing up from his jaw and into his skull. He was in immense pain but couldn’t tell anyone! I fixed him up. He clearly understood what I was doing and was very grateful. He started out being very difficult and fractious, but as soon as he figured out what I was doing, he became very cooperative. Anyway, he went out two weeks later and won his first race by many, many lengths. He went on from there to have an incredible career. So, it was nothing more than the discomfort from his teeth that was impeding his career.”

Paul also related another interesting case. He went to perform maintenance on a Quarter Horse that was extremely difficult. The horse was actually violent and aggressive. Since Paul isn’t a veterinarian, he couldn’t sedate the animal. Paul indicated to the horse’s owner that a veterinarian would be needed to administer a sedative before he could work on the horse. At that, the owner became very defensive, saying, “Xena wouldn’t hurt a fly! You are incompetent! If you knew what you were doing you could get her done! You obviously don’t know what you’re doing!”

After more yelling and screaming, Paul quietly gathered his tools and returned to his car. After his encounter, the owner had several other dental technicians out to work on the unruly horse, and they all had the same experience Paul had – none of them could do anything with the animal. Several months later, Paul was asked to return. This time, a veterinarian was present to administer sedation, and the owner had had a change in attitude.

When asked what he likes best about being an equine dental technician, he explained, ”Certainly what I like best about this job is the immense improvement dental maintenance makes in a horse’s comfort, performance, and health, and the improvement is often immediate. Every week I see horses that are in incredible pain and suffering silently, are horribly underweight, and that perform terribly, and my efforts quickly restore them back to health and vigor. It is an immensely rewarding profession! I also enjoy that every day is different, and you get to meet many different people and see many interesting things. One day I will be at a beautiful, elite racehorse farm, and the next day I will travel into a deep rural area to do one or two working draft horses that are having difficulty maintaining weight. Occasionally I will be called to a place where the owner really doesn’t want me there; they are being investigated by an animal cruelty organization and were told they had to get their horse’s teeth maintained. Some…most owners are lovely, friendly people; some are grumpy and nasty. Some owners regard their horses as members of the family; others regard their horses as lawn ornaments, or as tools used to accomplish work. Every day is different.”

Paul was also asked about the negative aspects of being an equine dental technologist. His reply: “I love my job except for one thing: Many veterinarians do not like us and are not willing to provide any assistance. Dental maintenance has been provided to horses by non-veterinarians for hundreds of years, but recently there has been a resurgence in dental care, and many veterinarians feel that they should be the ones to provide it. Such veterinarians have pushed for and succeeded in making dental care provided by non-vets illegal in many states. I really do not know how long I will have a job, and this makes me very unhappy.”

The irony here is that many equine dental technicians have more education in this specific aspect of horse care, along with more hands-on experience, than do many licensed veterinarians. “But veterinarians have the higher educational credentials and therefore seemingly more credibility to bring the debate as to whom should provide this aspect of care. This debate – which is a very hot topic right now – causes me much anxiety and many lost night of sleep,” Paul states.

Paul Drake is located in Maryland but travels outside the state to see clients, including trips to Delaware and Pennsylvania. Appointments need to be scheduled in advance so that Paul can have his tools clean and ready to go. All his tools are cleaned thoroughly between farms. According to him, cleanliness and sterility are an important aspect of avoiding the spread of diseases.

How often should owners have their horses’ oral health checked? “This is debatable, but is generally believed: young horses, under the age of 5, should have their teeth checked every 6 months. Their teeth are disproportionately high in dentin– and consequently relatively soft– and get sharp rather quickly. Also, young horses will shed 24 baby (deciduous) teeth before the age of 5 years, and, if they fail to “shed” properly, can be problematic. Horses after the age of 5 years can generally be checked once a year. Elderly horses– those horses whose teeth are starting to wear out– might, prudently, be checked every 6 months.”

How important is early detection of a problem? “Early detection is very important. If the horse is prone to any specific problems– such as developing protuberances–it can be put on a schedule of floating (filing) to keep the protuberances short. If the horse has been neglected, such protuberances can get very long and be very difficult to remove, necessitating sedation and a difficult and uncomfortable procedure for the animal. If the horse is young and has a “retained cap” (baby tooth) the problem can be remedied a.s.a.p. and therefore save the animal from great suffering (that ultimately may make it stop eating and go into decline). Generally, the earlier a problem is found, the easier it is to “fix” with the least amount of discomfort and ill effects for the horse.”

How can owners help maintain dental health in their horses? According to Paul, owners should have the horse’s teeth inspected regularly by a veterinarian or a reputable dental technician. Also, the wild horse’s eating lifestyle should be mimicked as much as possible by providing adequate pasture grazing. Hay racks and fence feeders should be avoided – instead, horses should be fed from buckets on the ground.

Paul Drake is located in Maryland but travels outside the state to see clients, including trips to Delaware and Pennsylvania. He’s willing to travel up to ninety minutes, one way, to treat horses. If several equine clients are at the same location, he will travel farther. Appointments need to be scheduled in advance so that Paul can have his tools clean and ready to go. All his tools are cleaned thoroughly between farms. According to him, cleanliness and sterility are an important aspect of avoiding the spread of diseases.

Paul can be reached at http://www.ahorsesmouth.com/

Scott Purdum

So who is this Purdum fellow anyway? Scott grew up riding horses and began riding at the age of three. When he was only sixteen, he took on his first attempts at real training. His parents had a high-strung mare that spooked at practically everything, and Scott believed he could help the horse. He read volumes of books about horses and horse training, and he watched numerous training videos, too. He took the best parts of all of them and created his own formula. Upon his success with the mare, word about him spread to other horse owners in the area. Before long, he had three horses a month in training. Then that number increased to five, and then to ten.

What makes this 23-year-old trainer so special? Well, for one thing, Scott has learned to think like a horse and to use this kind of knowledge in his training methods. Scott uses an equine’s natural instincts to his advantage. He explained it this way:

Horses are herd animals and are fight-or-flight creatures, and they usually prefer flight. A horse can go from grazing calmly one second to what Scott calls a “high-energy state” the next second. Centuries of instincts have programmed this in equines to enable them to escape predators in the wild. The trainer’s job is to get the horse into a calm, relaxed state of mind. According to Scott, a horse in this state of mind is willing and will do anything asked of it. “They might not always get the right answer, but they’re sure as heck going to try.”

How does Scott accomplish this feat? By teaching a horse to pay attention to his energy. It’s all about the energy.

In each group of horses, there’s an established “pecking order.” One horse will be viewed by the other horses as the leader or as the dominant horse. The other animals in the herd get their energy from that one horse. They take their cues from it. If it’s calm, they’re calm. If it’s nervous and excited, they follow suit. Let’s say a subordinate horse has positioned itself at the pasture gate, and the dominant horse has decided that it wants to be at the gate. The dominant horse lays its ears back, gets into a high-energy mode, and pushes the lower horse out of the way. The lower horse reads the herd leader’s energy and runs out of the way, giving up its position in favor of the dominant horse. Now the lead horse has what it wants, so it becomes calm. The submissive horse realizes that the dominant horse has become calm, so in turn, it calms down, also. To be an effective trainer, Scott establishes himself as the dominant “horse.”

Scott says he often talks to owners who have tried remaining calm when their animals misbehave, yet the horse does not calm down, and it remains excited, even though its handler is calm and relaxed. What went wrong? Why didn’t it work? Scott explains that the problem here is that the horse does not recognize the human in question as the leader or dominant horse, so the calm state of mind does not transfer. For the horse to truly pay attention and respond to the energy you convey, you must first establish yourself as the leader.

Scott’s basic training philosophy? He believes successful training has two parts: the horse’s mind and the horse’s body. He states that 90% of the times, misbehaviors are not the problem. Instead, they’re the symptoms of an underlying, bigger problem. In order to alleviate the symptomatic inappropriate behavior, the underlying issue must be identified and handled first, then the symptoms will dissipate.

Scott calls his training methods “advantage horsemanship.” When asked how it compares to natural horsemanship, he explained that the two schools of thought have much in common, but that they also have differences. Scott shed some light on this topic by saying that there’s actually nothing natural about riding a horse: “Out on the open range, you don’t see a lion on top of a horse unless the big cat is acting the part of predator. But since humans have bigger brains, we have the intelligence to be able to work with these animals and to teach them to allow us to ride them. To me, the term Advantage Horsemanship means a combination of every single facet of horse training.”

Scott has studied the principles of natural horsemanship and the tactics of tradition breaking methods. He found advantages and disadvantages in both, so he took what he considered to be the most effective elements of these methods and combined them. He added a few “tweaks” of his own, and Advantage Horsemanship was born.

When asked about especially tough cases he’s handled, Scott related the story of a Chincoteague pony. The pony was a young stud colt, and from the beginning, he was “pushy,” according to his owners. After being confined to a stall and beginning simple, basic training, the pony resented “being told what to do,” and it became aggressive. It was brought to Scott’s training facility, and while it was at Scott’s barn, it would strike out at Scott’s employees, attempting to bite, kick, or paw them. It got to the point where Scott could not allow anyone else to interact with the pony except for him, due to safety precautions. After talking with the owners, Scott discovered that they had unknowingly been partially responsible for the pony’s inappropriate behavior, so he worked with them in addition to working with the equine.

Scott worked with the Chincoteague for a month before the owners took it home. It calmed down, and the owners were able to handle it on their own. According to Scott, the pony is now doing well and is ready for training under saddle.

Scott told about another case he handled that was very unusual. A horse owner called Scott about a problem horse, and the trainer visited the owner’s barn. This particular equine would “go crazy” whenever a blanket was placed on its back. It would kick, run, and generally become very frightened. Scott recommended the horse be brought to his facility.

After working with the horse for a week, Scott was making little progress. He would leave a blanket on the horse while it was grazing in the pasture, and for a time, the horse seemed okay with having the blanket on its back. But Scott noticed that whenever a breeze would even slightly rumple the blanket, or whenever something else would occur to remind the troubled animal about the offending blanket, the horse would spook and become extremely agitated. Scott was puzzled, and he even enlisted the aid of other trainers in this case – to no avail. No one seemed to be able to solve the mystery of the “scary blanket.”

The horse in question was a rescue horse, and finally, the frustrated owners returned the horse to the rescue operation. They purchased a new horse to replace the rescue animal, and much to their horror, the new one began exhibiting the same behavior as the former occupant. Everyone involved decided that this was just too uncanny to be a coincidence.

They finally discovered that the stall bedding material was conducting an electrical current and was shocking the horses. Once, when the new horse was led into the stall, its hair stood on end, and when the owner touched the horse, he received a jolt. It had been the owner’s practice to blanket the animals once they were stalled, so the horses were associating the blanket with the pain of being shocked. No wonder no one could break the first horse of its blanket fear!

Scott went on to relate his experiences with a BLM mustang. He said it was one of the smartest equines he has ever worked with. Scott began saddle training the horse, and all was going well. He could put anything on its back, including a surcingle, and tighten it up with no problem. When Scott placed a saddle on the mustang’s back, however, the horse would take off. Scott says that horse probably threw his saddle onto the dirt twenty times.

After two months, the horse was accepting the saddle and was doing well in its training. It was doing so well, in fact, that Scott even shot a couple of videos using the horse and used it in his teaching demonstrations at several clinics. Even so, the horse’s intelligence continued making training difficult at times. Scott says as soon as the horse learned something new, it would use the knowledge against the owner. The mustang would do fine with Scott, and at first, it did well with the owner. But as time went on, the horse learned exactly how to “push the owner’s buttons,” making riding difficult.

The horse was returned to Scott for more training, but what Scott discovered was that the horse had figured out his training methods and had “outsmarted” them. Scott had to re-teach the basics to the mustang, using different methods. The canny equine soon figured out the new methods, too. Scott finally deemed the horse was unsafe for the owner. He feels that this was his only failure as a trainer.

When asked if he found older horses with ingrained bad habits more difficult to train, he responded that that’s often the case. While an “old dog can be taught new tricks,” as Scott says, it’s sometimes hard to “un-do” years of bad habits. If an equine has not yet established a bad habit, it’s much easier to train them to do what you want them to do.

Scott grew up riding English, but switched to Western about nine years ago. “I discovered I was better in jeans than in breeches,” Scott explains.

One aspect of Western riding that Scott does not like, however, is the Western saddle itself. In his view, it forces the rider to sit back on his bottom and to swing his legs forward. And according to Scott, humans don’t have balance that way. They achieve balance with a straight up and down position – not sitting back. Also, it’s uncomfortable for the horse’s back. With these factors in mind, Scott designed a Western saddle that rides more like an English saddle, helping the rider achieve proper balance.

When asked about the future of Advantage Horsemanship, Scott said what they really want to do is to go national. He’s had amazing success in the East, but he’d like for word to get around in California and the entire West coast, also, as well as in other parts of the nation. A manager has been retained in order to help accomplish this feat.

Judging from the success Scott has achieved in the East, it won’t take long for him to reach his personal goal of national prominence. His clinics and videos are certainly helping with the endeavor, and his name is often in the news. As a matter of fact, he recently won the top honors at the Northern Illinois Trainer Challenge, against trainers from Kansas and Indiana. With accolades like these, Scott’s sure to be a household or perhaps a barnhold – name in no time.

Scott Purdum

Scott’s success might just be due to the fact that he got such an early start, so if you look at it from that angle, he does, in fact, have two decades of experience. His parents owned Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds when Scott was just a child, so he grew up surrounded by equines. He always enjoyed being around the horses and spending time in the barn. He started riding at the early age of three, and even at such a young age, his parents recognized his love for horses, along with his budding talent. They wanted to feed that natural ability and bring it to its full potential.

After seeing Scott ride and handle the family horses for two years, Scott’s parents thought that formal riding lessons were in order. They felt he would gain more from formal lessons than he would from informal lessons with them, so they decided to sign him up for sessions with a professional trainer. They enrolled him in riding lessons under the tutelage of Jill Betz when Scott was just five. He learned quickly, and once he got the basics down, he pleaded for his own horse. He felt he was ready and wanted to “spread his wings,” so to speak. His parents agreed, and the search was on.

It didn’t take long to find an appropriate horse. Scott’s first mount was a Quarter Horse. It had no special training for any discipline, but it was a gentle horse – a good “kid’s horse,” as Scott says. Scott enhanced and perfected the riding skills he had learned from trainer Betz, and at the age of six, he entered his first show. His event was English Pleasure. He continued showing in English classes and in hunter-jumper for several years, until the age of twelve or thirteen.

By that time, the young horseman became more interested in sports and girls than he was in his equine companions, as boys are wont to do, and he pretty much gave up the demanding schedule and practice necessary for the horse shows. His love of horses and showing lured him back, however, and by the age of sixteen, he again plunged headlong into the equine world – not that he totally abandoned girls. He discovered that a lot of girls were into horses, too!

About that time, Scott began working informally as a horse trainer. His parents owned a paint mare that was incredibly high strung and nervous. The mare spooked easily and saw “ghosts” everywhere, so she was therefore difficult and potentially dangerous to handle. Scott was determined to work with the horse and exorcize her demons, so to speak. Scott was on a quest. He read every book he could get his hands on about different training methods and tips. He watched countless videos of training clinics. He processed all this information and formulated it into methods that he thought would be most effective for him and for the mare. After working with the mare using his new-found knowledge, he happily realized his unique training methods were, indeed, effective. His success with the spooky horse gave him the confidence and experience to further his training career.

His first formal training job was with a high-strung, high-energy gelding. It belonged to a young girl who didn’t have a lot of horseback riding experience, and in essence, the gelding was just too much horse for her. The parents got in touch with Scott, and he worked with the horse and got it calmed down and manageable. By that time, the horse’s owners decided they wanted to sell. All was not lost, however. The owners sold the horse for a handsome profit, largely due to Scott’s efforts.

When it comes to training a horse, safety always comes first with Scott. He learned at an early age the importance of safety. When he was around ten years old, he and his father were trail riding one day when something happened that left a lasting impression on the youngster. Scott’s horse was afraid of water, and as the riders were about to cross a creek, Scott’s mount baulked. His dad dismounted and tried to pull the pony across, but it became very frightened and jumped on top of Scott’s dad, associating the man with safety. Of course, Scott was terrified to see his father lying on the ground, and he realized just how dangerous an improperly trained equine could be.

After Scott’s success with the gelding, local horse owners began hearing about the young man’s special gift with horses, and they started enlisting his help with their horses. Word spread quickly. This word-of-mouth advertizing served Scott well.

After high school, Scott wanted to continue learning as much about horses as he could. He entered the University of Maryland, where he studied Equine Management. After a year or so of his studies, the siren song of the horses called to Scott again, and he left the halls of academia and became a full time horse trainer and lessons instructor. He gained vast amounts of hands-on knowledge on his own and by working as an intern with noted West Virginia Quarter Horse Trainer Ken Adkins. Scott even had the privilege of assisting Adkins at the Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio.

From time to time, Scott has held part-time jobs over the past few years that didn’t involve horses. For example, he has worked as a landscaper, but he always returned to working with horses – his true passion. Fortunately, the horse-owning public has discovered this young man’s rare gift and has clamored for his services. His notoriety continues to spread exponentially.

Today Scott is the owner of Advantage Horsemanship, located in Union Bridge, Maryland. The 50-acre facility includes a 30-stall barn, an 80 x 200-foot indoor arena, and a 100 x 200-foot outdoor arena. The facility offers horseback riding lessons in basic horsemanship, advanced western pleasure, and hunter-jumper. Lessons are taught either in small groups or privately to individual students. Horse boarding is also provided. You’ll usually find about 30 horses at Scott’s barn, with about half that number in training. Because he spends so much of his time helping other owners with their horses, Scott owns only one equine of his own, which he shows in western pleasure at both local and AQHA shows.

Scott calls his methods “advantage horsemanship” because he’s taken the advantages offered by natural horsemanship and those offered by traditional “breaking” and combined them into his own unique system.

Scott made a big splash in the training ocean last August. He competed in the Northern Illinois Trainer Challenge, consisting of three sessions over two days. His competitors were Kerry Kuhn of Coats, Kansas, and T.J. Clibborn of Westfield, Indiana. After the dust had settled, Scott emerged as the victor.

While Scott does teach riding lessons, his passion is working directly with horses. He specializes with problem horses and has worked with numerous BLM mustangs, which have a notorious reputation for being difficult to handle. He also trains Sports Horses, Quarter Horses, and gets two-year-olds ready for the track. In addition, he often takes ex-racehorses and turns them into accomplished hunter-jumpers.

Scott has a great training facility, but he doesn’t limit his work to his own stable. He often travels to the home barns and farms of his clients, especially when he’s teaching horses to properly and quietly load onto a horse trailer. In addition, Scott travels across the country conducting teaching clinics. Just this year, Scot has brought his Advantage Horseman techniques to the Horse World Expo in Timonium, MD; to the Mid-Michigan Horse Expo in Birch Run; to the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA; to The Road to the Horse event in Franklin, TN; to the Horse and Pet Expo in Reading, PA; to the Carroll County Horse Expo in Westminster, MD; to the Horse Starting Demo in Mahwah, NJ; to the Eastern Pennsylvania Hands-On Tour; to the Relax and Motivate Clinic at Best Intensions Farm in Westminster; to the Virginia Hands-On Tour; to the Northern Illinois Horse Fest in Belvidere; to the Advanced Junior Clinic at Best Intentions Farm; to the Ultimate Obstacle Course Clinic in Dickerson, MD, to Horse Appreciation Day at Dublin’s Farm in Pasadena, MD; to the 4-H Relax and Motivate Clinic in Clarksville, MD; to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, GA, and to the Fall Festival at Day’s End Horse Rescue in Woodbine, MD. Scott will hold a clinic in December at the North American Horse Fest in Novi, Michigan. In addition to this hectic travel schedule, Scott periodically conducts training clinics at his home base of Union Bridge, MD. It’s no wonder that he has little time left to compete in shows!

Scott also designs training equipment to help riders improve their skills. These include a specially designed Western saddle with both the horse’s comfort and the rider’s in mind. One of the saddle’s unique features is large cutaways that provide close contact between the rider and the mount – something often lacking in many Western saddles. The saddle has received rave reviews from riders who have tried it.

Scott also offers a riding halter with reins that serves an important function in training. It’s great for ground work and for young horses just started under saddle. As Scott explains, “If you have a young colt that you are starting out under saddle and you want to have a successful first ride, you can depend on the horse associating the same pressure as given on the ground as to when you are actually riding to horse. If you are a trail rider and you put a halter underneath your bridle to tie your horse up when you get to the trail, now all you will have to do is unsnap your reins from the side rings, use one end to tie to a picket line or fence, and the other to snap to the bottom of the halter! You can just eliminate the whole bridle!”

The most popular of Scott’s designs, however, is his training halter. He describes it this way: “It takes more than a piece of rope to make a halter; it takes design and effectiveness. This halter offers features such as a stiff inner core, knots that are strategically placed, and twisted rope over the horse’s poll-all designed to make it more uncomfortable when the horse is leaning on you. The best feature on these halters is a snap that fastens the halter together. You only need to fit it once to your horse, and it is ready for quick attachment and detachment!”

Scott even has some wonderful training videos. I watched some clips, and they were amazing. He walks viewers through the exercises step by step, explaining exactly what he’s doing and why he’s doing it. I’d say the videos are the next best thing to seeing Scott in person. He’ll have new videos available soon.

Scott’s clients give him frequent raves and often send heartfelt thank-you notes via email. He also gets frequent, good natured ribbing from the “old pros” because of his young age. He’s sometimes referred to as the “wonder kid” of the training circuit, or as the “Doogie Howser” of horse training. Scott takes it all in stride, however. The tall, lanky trainer, donning a cowboy hat, looks more like the rugged Marlboro man than he does a hunter-jumper trainer, but looks can be deceiving. From everything I’ve learned about Scott Purdum, he can be perfectly at ease just about anywhere – especially when a horse is involved.

Below are some of the most popular types of horse hay in the U.S.:

Alfalfa: This is a legume hay as opposed to a grass hay and is probably the most sought-after hay among horse owners. Typical alfalfa is the highest of all hays in total digestible nutrients, and it’s high in crude protein – with an average of 18%. For digestible energy, it ties with red clover as being the highest. Early season alfalfa is usually recommended for pregnant and lactating mares, growing foals, and horses that are heavily worked. Late season alfalfa is better for idle horses. Alfalfa is also very palatable, and since most horses love the taste, they rarely waste any of this hay.

Bermuda: This is a grass hay widely used in the Southern U.S. and is about 9% protein, on average. It’s an excellent hay for idle horses and is available in small rectangular bales and in large round bales. Popular types of Bermuda hay include Alicia, Coastal, Tifton 85, and Jiggs.

Timothy: A grass hay, timothy is around 9% protein. It’s very popular with horse owners but is often cost-prohibitive. If possible purchase timothy from a second cutting. The first will contain numerous weeds, and later cuttings will be lower in nutrient content. The best timothy is cut in the pre-bloom stage or in the early bloom stage. This is another good choice for idle horses.

Timothy Hay

Orchard grass: Another grass hay, orchard grass has around the same amount of protein as Bermuda grass hay and timothy hay, with an average of 9%. Also like timothy and Bermuda grass hay, it’s a good choice for maintaining horses that are idle.

Red clover: This is another legume hay that ranks near alfalfa in nutrients and is around 15% crude protein. One problem often seen in red clover hay is that it sometimes causes horses to salivate excessively – in other words, to slobber. This reaction is caused by a mold commonly found in the clover, and it isn’t harmful to equine.

Fescue: In digestible nutrients and energy, tall fescue generally rates at the bottom of the hay pile. Fescue averages around 7% protein. Late-harvested fescue is even lower in nutritional value, as well as being lower in taste. Also, some fescue grown in the Southeastern U.S. contains a fungus that can cause problems with gestation and lactation. For this reason, mares in foal should not consume fescue the last three months of pregnancy. Second and subsequent cuttings are of less concern because the fungus affects only the seed, sheath, and stem – not the actual grass blade itself.

Oat hay: Oat hay is gaining popularity with horsemen, largely due to its affordability in some areas. When cut while green and while the oat seeds themselves are still soft, the resulting hay will have about the same protein and nutritional value of other grass hays. One problem found in oat hay is a high concentration of nitrates and a low level of calcium, carotene, and phosphorus. The hay should be tested before feeding it to your horses.

Horse Industry

Horses are expensive to keep up, and according to a study conducted by the American Horse Council, more than a third of all horse owners make under $50,000 a year. The average cost of caring for a horse is five times the amount of caring for a dog. With the increased cost of fuel, food, and other necessities of life, many of these households just don’t have the disposable income any longer to care for their equines. An alarming number of horses are being abandoned or just left in the pasture to slowly starve to death.  Some attendees of horse shows reportedly lock their horse trailers now to keep someone with an unwanted horse from leaving it anonymously in a stranger’s trailer.

This is a multifaceted problem. All these unwanted horses have flooded the market, driving prices to all-time lows. Sales barns and horse auctions are inundated with equines, and some sales operators have noticed the poor condition of many of the animals.

Ronald Mariotti, owner of the Enumclaw equine auction house in Washington, says, “I see a lot more skinny horses come to market; a lot more horses that are off flesh come to market. People can’t afford to feed them. They shouldn’t own them if they can’t afford to feed them.”

Mariotti has been in the horse selling business for over forty years, and he says the current market is the worst he’s ever seen. Some sellers are letting their horses go for as little as $200, while other animals aren’t even receiving bids.

Compounding the problem is that there are few buyers. Some experts partially blame the closing of the last equine slaughterhouses in America, located in Illinois and Texas, as a significant piece of the puzzle. These “killer buyers” paid up to fifty cents a pound for lame, aged, and dangerous horses that no one wanted. Now, that’s no longer an option i♠Missouri Equine Council, “Along with the economic crunch, removing slaughterhouses also removed the base price for a horse. That has led to a glut of low- to mid-price ranged horses that owners are trying to get rid of. You take away that foundation, and there’s nothing under it. It’s affected not only low-end horses, but the mid-range horses. People used to get rid of lower-end horses and upgrade to a mid-price-range horse. But if they can’t get rid of those lower range horses, they can’t afford another horse or have no room for another.”

Equine veterinarian Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, has 35 years of experience dealing with horses and their owners. He says another problem with the horse population is that owners breed too many inferior animals, and suggests that only horses with special skills should be used for breeding purposes. He also explains that most Americans view horses as pets instead of as livestock.

Lenz stated, “Some cultures don’t eat pork. I don’t think we should judge whether another society is right or wrong because of the meat they eat. Besides, what difference does it make to the horse?”

Even though the equine slaughterhouses in the US are closed, the ones in Canada and Mexico are still open for business. Each year, thousands of unwanted horses are shipped to these plants from the US, but because of the high cost of fuel for such a haul, this has resulted in very low prices paid for unwanted horses. And currently, new American laws are being recommended that stop any transportation of horses from the US to slaughterhouses.

Regarding the new legislation, Lenz said, “If that legislation passes, it will really complicate things.”

This is a highly charged emotional issue, and to many horse lovers, Lenz’s views are repugnant.  Sending a horse to a kill plant is not the same as humanely euthanizing the animal. Some might use “dead is dead” as an argument, but it’s not that simple. For one thing, horses are shipped for hundreds or even thousands of miles on hot, crowded trailers, enduring long periods without food and water. Horses that receive injuries on the trip receive no care of any kind. Once the animals reach the slaughterhouse, they might have to spend more days with little, if any, sustenance. They are often handled roughly and cruelly into chutes while waiting their turn to be killed. When it’s their turn, their death is not quick or painless. They are generally stabbed multiple times in the neck with a puntilla knife to paralyze them. They are still conscious when they are hoisted up by a hind leg to have their throats cut.

Many people who love their animals had rather give their horses away that see them suffer the brutality of the kill plants. They talk to friends, place ads in newspapers, and offer them to riding schools or therapy stables. Unfortunately, there are few takers. Consumers are realizing there’s no such thing as a “free” horse – even if there’s no up-front price, the cost of keeping a horse dissuades many would-be horse owners. And for those who are willing to accept a free equine, many quickly come to the plain, hard fact that they cannot afford to care for the horse and must give it up, so the cycle begins all over.

Humane euthanasia is another option, but it’s not cheap. It costs an average of $200 to euthanize a horse. Euthanasia is Greek for “good death,” and that’s the goal of the practice. In euthanizing a horse, a veterinarian gives the animal a tranquilizer intravenously. Then the horse is given an overdose of a barbiturate, making the equine’s death quick and painless, with no fear involved. Problem solved, right? Wrong. Now the body must be disposed of properly. The carcass can’t just be dragged to the woods like folks used to do. The horse’s body is now contaminated by the drug. Any scavengers that might feed on it could be killed, and the horse owner would be responsible. This list could include birds, wolves, coyotes, foxes, opossums, or even domestic dogs.

If an owner cannot afford for his animal to be euthanized but believes that shooting an unwanted horse is more merciful than shipping it off to Canada or Mexico to be killed, then they’re left with disposing of the body. In many locations, horses cannot be buried, and even if it’s legal in certain areas, hiring someone with a backhoe to do the work is cost prohibitive. This is not a hole you want to dig with a shovel.

So why not just surrender the unwanted horse to a shelter or equine rescue group? Great idea, but many shelters are full and are no longer accepting any horses. They simply can’t afford to feed them. Many shelters and rescue operations depend on private donations to provide funds for caring for their animals, and citizens who are strapped financially cannot afford the luxury of donating money to charities. For those shelters and groups that receive local and state funding, things aren’t much better. Many of these funds have been cut, or in some cases, revoked altogether.

A good example of this problem is found at the Horse North, Inc., a horse rescue operation in Michigan. Previously, the outfit turned away maybe 10 or 12 horses a year, but now they’re turning away more than 30 in a single month. They just don’t have the funds or the room to adequately care for all the horses being surrendered by owners who can no longer afford them.

Another Michigan rescue, Horse Haven, is turning away even more unwanted horses. According to horse Haven President Barbara Baker, “Right now, we don’t have the space to take them, or the funds.” Baker says they turn away about 100 horses a week, and owners often leave in tears as they realize they may have to euthanize their pet horse.

And these problems aren’t unique to Michigan. The problem is found all over the US. In Georgia, which has not been hit as hard as Michigan by the recession, people who can’t afford to feed their horses often just stop feeding them. According to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin, “We often find the animals in deplorable conditions. Sometimes there is gross neglect, which can be prosecuted as a felony. We’ve got some cases now that fit into that category.” Georgia has seized more than 200  horses in the last year.

“That’s more than we have in any year since I’ve been commissioner,” Irvin added. He cites the reasons as the effects of a drought, along with the economic collapse, stating, “When pasture land deteriorates, some owners don’t have the resources to buy supplemental feed.”

It’s obvious that there are no easy solutions to the problems associated with the horse industry and the economic meltdown, even for owners who truly try to do the “right thing.” Some options are off the table, and others have serious drawbacks.

It’s not only horse owners who have been impacted, either. Other players in the horse industry are feeling the pinch due to the slow economy. Instructors who offer riding lessons are seeing fewer students, even after many have lowered their fees.  Horse trainers and boarding stables are experiencing the crunch, too. Store owners who sell feed, tack, and other supplies say their businesses are suffering. Attendance at horse shows and other equine events is down.

In many states, the horse industry is a large slice of their economy. Agribusinesses, in particular, are supported directly by the horse owners. Farmers who produce grain and hay depend on equine owners buying their products. Horse people who show their animals or compete in other equine events are counted upon to purchase equipment unique to their specific discipline and to buy special clothing for competitions. Even the timber industry is affected. Sales of wood for fences, barns, and shelters have decreased, as have wood shavings used for bedding and stalls. States that have always considered their horse races, shows, and horse sales as part of their tourism trade can no longer count on these events to contribute substantially to the economy.

Think of all the people who are employed by these various aspects of the horse industry. As horse-related businesses lose money, workers will be laid off or terminated. For example, for every twelve horses at a racing stable, there’s one employee, on average. For a stable that handles show horses, there’s one employee for every twenty horses, on average. When participation decreases drastically, it’s not only the stable owners who are hurt; it’s also the “little guys” – the employees.

To shed some light on the importance of the horse industry on the US economy, take a look at the statistics for just a few states. In California, for example, horse-related goods and services generate $4.1 billion and employ over 311,000 workers. In Florida, the horse industry contributes $3 billion and provides 440,000 jobs, directly and indirectly. In the Thoroughbred capital of the world, Kentucky, horses generate $2.3 billion and provide 194,300 jobs and positions. The list goes on and on. The declining horse industry, of course, is not the cause of the slow economy; instead, it’s a victim and a symptom.

The Horse Industry and the US Stimulus Initiative

Although the horse industry is suffering along with the rest of the economy, help is on the way. According to the American Horse Council, the Economic Stimulus package signed by President Obama includes some benefits for horse owners. These include two tax incentives that expired in 2008.

The first, Section 179, allows owners to count up to $250,000 of expenses used to purchase horses, farm equipment, and other related costs, as long as they were placed in service in 2009.

The second incentive continues the first year bonus depreciation of 50% for horses and related property that are placed in service in 2009.

These incentives might not affect the average horse owner, but they will help keep many horse-related businesses like racing and breeding stables in operation and indirectly give regular horse owners and the horse industry as a whole a financial boost. Hopefully, these incentives will keep the average value of horses from further deflating and will have an overall positive impact on the horse industry that will “trickle down” to everyone involved with equines.The

Julio Mendoza has held many jobs in his lifetime – all dealing with horses. He’s been a groom, a stable hand, a farrier, a veterinarian, a trainer, and a farm manager. As a youth, he mucked stalls for the military. Julio has pretty much run the gamut in the world of equines. He comes from a long line of excellent horsemen, including his father, who started a riding school in Ecuador; his grandfather, who was a famous trainer in Colombia; and his great-grandfather, a skilled horse trainer in Spain. Now a successful trainer himself, Julio also plays the role of builder, dancer, and psychologist.

He can be considered a builder because when training, he first lays a strong foundation, then adds to it gradually. He’s found that if his foundation is sound, his training plans will not crumble. If there is no strong foundation, however, any subsequent training is likely to fail.

Julio’s grandfather, Bienvenido Loor, a renowned horse trainer, taught the young Julio to “dance,” explaining that teaching the movements of dressage is like dancing and that the horse is his partner. Julio has never forgotten this sage advice and always sees himself as the horse’s dance partner in the training ritual, with each interpreting and reacting to subtle nuances of the other.

Julio Mendoza - The Latin Horse Whisperer

Julio also acts as a horse psychologist of sorts. As he puts it, “I get into the horse’s head, reading and understanding him.” As each animal is an individual, sometimes it takes Julio weeks to achieve this integral component, and at other times, it may take only hours, depending on the horse. No matter how long it takes, however, Julio patiently learns what makes each of his equine students “tick.”

Julio grew up in Ecuador and came to the US in 2007. In the South American nation, horsemen who have a good working knowledge and respect for horses use natural horsemanship methods when training, according to Julio. Others, especially the Indians and “country folk,” often rely on the old style of “breaking” rather than “gentling.” They force their animals into submission. Julio disagrees with these techniques, stating, “My father, grandfathers, and teachers taught me to always respect the horse and create a bond and partnership with him before starting to train him.”

When asked to describe his basic philosophy on training, Julio replied, “I believe in lots of ground work first and foremost when training a horse. You must first gain the respect of the horse on the ground before he will respect you on his back. If you want your horse to do certain exercises well, whether it be transition, piaffe, passage, or collected canter, they must do it well on the ground first. I like to incorporate cross training in my training program with all horses and disciplines. I do not just train and ride the horses in the arena but also take them out on the trails, do cavaletti work with them, long-lining, in-hand, and ground work. Hill work is great for muscling, stamina, and overall well being.”

In Ecuador, Julio learned the importance of employing natural horsemanship methods when working with foals. Typically, when a foal is born, he handles it right away so that it will not be afraid of him. He gets it used to having its feet picked up and wearing a halter. At six to eight months of age, the foal is weaned and taken to the country, where it’s released into a huge pasture with other youngsters. The foal is given time to mature and to just “be a horse.” They still receive regular handling, trimming, and veterinary care, but no actual training yet.

When the young horse reaches the age of two and a half, it is brought in for training, first in the form of ground work. It becomes accustomed to stalls, cross ties, wash stalls, different people, and trailers. At the age of three, Julio would start longing, with the walk, the trot, and canter transitions. Once he gains the animal’s respect, he begins ground driving, and the saddle and bridle are introduced. Julio would begin riding the horse when it reaches the age of three and a half.

When asked how he establishes trust with a new horse, one he didn’t raise as a foal, he explained, “When I have a new horse to work with, I always create a bond with him first. You must always have a deep understanding of your horse. I will spend time brushing him, walking him, catching him in the field, and talking to him – letting him get used to my voice, touch, and scent. I will take him out for hand grazing, and I will give him lots of praise and rewards. I learn to read him – you can learn a lot about body language between the horse and you if you are looking for it.”

With any green or new horse, Julio believes that trust is paramount. Once he gains the horse’s trust, he begins longing, ground driving, and long lining, and finally, riding. When Julio deems the horse as comfortable, calm, and happy, he decides whether or not the animal is ready for another rider.

While Julio has occasionally trained a green horse and rider together, he does not recommend this practice unless the rider is confident and experienced. “A green horse and a green rider do not go together,” he explains. “It is a match that usually never benefits the rider or the horse. The horse is learning and needs to learn from someone with experience to bring him along and not confuse him with bad cues or inconsistency. When training a horse, you must always be consistent!”

Julio adds that an inexperienced rider can best learn on a schoolmaster mount and build confidence. Once the rider is ready, his horse in training will be ready, also, resulting in a happy pair.

Julio goes on to stress the importance of properly starting a young horse. Bad habits are difficult to “un-train.” Once a horse has learned bad habits, they get used to repeating them. These misbehaviors can be very difficult for even an experienced trainer to “un-do.”

Furthermore, Julio is a firm believer in the importance of dressage. “Dressage is the most important work to train any horse first. The purpose of dressage is to develop a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work in a calm manner, making him supple and attentive to his rider. Learning the basics of dressage will help a horse in any discipline!” Julio attributes much of his success in jumping to the fact that his jumpers are first trained in dressage.

When asked about any especially difficult or challenging horses he’s trained, Julio related the story of an Argentinian horse he worked with in Ecuador. It was a Selle Francais, a breed often considered the world’s best show jumper and France’s most important sport horse. The breed is large and powerful and generally has superb athleticism. This particular horse’s owner had purchased it with high hopes of it becoming a jumper. The equine was very “hot,” with too much energy and spirit for its beginner rider and owner. By the age of three, the horse was known as “Houdini” because it could escape from any confinement. It would jump out of any pasture, stall, or arena that attempted to hold it. The owners were running out of farms and stables that would agree to boarding the equine escape artist. Out of frustration, the wily horse was sold to a large ranch in Ecuador that promised to give it a good home.

The new owners felt sure the horse would make a good bull fighting mount because of its intelligence, its courage, and its incredible athletic ability. They began training the horse with a harsh Spanish bridle called a “serretta.” A serretta has metal teeth in the cavesson that puts a great amount of pressure on the bone, thereby giving the rider more control of the horse. This particular horse would not submit to its rider, even with the use of the serretta. The rider was always fighting with the horse, and the animal was punished daily. The owners decided the horse was too dangerous and undependable to take into a ring with a bull, and again, out of frustration, the horse was put up for sale.

By this time, the horse was viewed as totally unmanageable. It broke every halter that was placed on it, and no one could catch the horse. The frightened, mistreated steed broke the bones of its handlers, and once it even bit into a worker’s arm and shook him around. No one wanted anything to do with the horse, and it became neglected. Its feet were never trimmed, nor did it receive proper basic care.

The horse had gained an infamous reputation, and word of it eventually reached Julio. He decided to go have a look at this nefarious equine. When he did, the owners told Julio the horse was a lost cause and would never amount to anything. Yet, before the end of the day, Julio had the horse on his trailer, and he brought it home with him.

Julio spent two years getting the horse back in a healthy physical condition and healing the animal’s mental and emotional condition. Julio turned the troubled horse out into a large pasture. He brushed the horse daily and took it on long walks. He spent months talking to the animal and gentling it, and by the end of the two-year period, Julio had finally gained the horse’s trust and respect.

At that point, Julio started working the horse under saddle, with ground work and dressage. When Julio began riding the horse on trails, it natural jumping ability and its heart for jumping became apparent. According to Julio, “The horse would jump for joy! There would be no logs around, but he would jump with all four feet off the ground out of happiness when you took him out of the ring. I realized he was now a very happy horse.”

Julio started jumping the horse, and its potential soon became evident. As the training progressed, so did the animal’s jumping ability. Julio won many jumping competitions astride the once unmanageable horse, including the 2002 Annual Wall High Jump – an impressive six-foot tall jump – on a horse that everyone said would never amount to anything.

In closing, Julio offers advice and inspiration to all horsemen: “Everything is possible. You have to believe in yourself and your horse. I recommend for people who have problem horses to always have patience, respect, and trust – even if it seems like no matter what you do or try, nothing works. Never lose faith. Always check the basics, too, like if the saddle really does fit your horse, and if the bit is the right one for your horse and fit. These are basic but important things that surprisingly, most people forget to check. There is no one-size-fits-all. Every horse is uniquely different.”

Currently, Julio is the trainer and riding instructor at The Stables at Rolling Ridge, located in Laytonsville, Maryland. He specializes in competitive dressage and in dressage-based horsemanship. In addition to working for Rolling Ridge, he also takes on his own clients and shows Friesians extensively. He’s placed in the top five for five straight years in the prestigious International Cup, and in 2007, he placed third in the SA Rolex, out of hundreds of horses and riders.

Julio’s wife, Jessica, is a skilled horsewoman in her own right and helps her husband in the care and management of horses. Their two-year-old son, Justin, is following in the footsteps of his parents and ancestors, and already loves being around equines and helping out around the stables.

Julio and Jessica are also active in the Mid-Atlantic Friesian Association and are members of the Friesian Horse Association of North America.

If you ever have the opportunity to watch Julio work with horses, you’ll echo the sentiments of other horsemen who have nicknamed him “The Latin Horse Whisperer.”

Part I

Once in a great while, a very special human being comes along who has an amazing gift with horses – someone who understands how the animal thinks, what motivates it, how to help each horse achieve its full potential. These talented individuals are rare and seem to be born with a sixth sense that no amount of formal training can teach. Julio Mendoza is such a man.

Born Julio Cesar Mendoza Loor in 1979 in Empalme, Ecuador, Julio was reared in the world of horses and was descended from a great equine-training family. His great-grandfather, Eduardo Carranza, was a professional horse trainer in Spain. His maternal grandfather, Bienvenido Loor, was a renowned horse trainer in Colombia, South America. Both of these men had a great impact on the young Julio. They recognized his gift and acknowledged his dream of someday becoming a professional trainer himself, and they nurtured his aspirations. They frequently offered him advice and tips on riding and handling horses and always encouraged him to follow his dream.

Julio remembers his grandfather’s telling him, “When training your horse all the movements of dressage, always remember it is like dancing. As the horse is your dance partner, always dance with your horse.” The young Julio took the advice to heart, and as always seen himself and his mount as partners.

Julio’s father, Ramon, was also an avid horseman. He founded a riding school called “La Tranquera,” where he focused on rider equitation and the principles of dressage and jumping. Julio learned to ride under his father’s instruction and on his own. By the age of eight, Julio was showing horses all over South America, competing in dressage and jumping events on Andalusians, Thoroughbreds, Hanoverians, warmbloods, and Lusitanos.

At the tender age of eleven, Julio became a groom for the military. He mucked countless stalls in exchange for instruction on their horses. Julio felt the more horses he could ride and handle, the more he would learn about different breeds and different individuals. Obviously, it paid off.

Julio Mendoza

Julio has shown successfully in top-rated horse shows, including the Rolex and the Audi Cup, both held in South America. Amazingly, he placed in the top five for five years in a row at the International Cup, also held in South America. He has successfully trained and ridden horses to Grand Prix. In 2007, just before he left Ecuador for the United States, Julio placed third in the prestigious SA Rolex on his eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Gramero – out of hundreds of the world’s best horses and riders. This was a special win for Julio; he had owned the horse since it was a yearling.

When asked about the horse world in Ecuador, Julio describes it as “very wide.” All the popular disciplines in the US are also favorites in Ecuador, except for western disciplines. “You won’t find barrel racing there,” he explains.

The most popular equine event in Ecuador is called “doma vaquera,” a style of riding which enables horsemen to perform the daily duties normally involved on a working cattle ranch. It evolved in Spain from the practice of handling fighting bulls on horseback, and over the decades, it progressed into working cattle on large open ranges on horseback. In doma vaquera tests, horse and rider must show confidence and brilliance at the walk, trot, canter, and gallop. Judges sit at each end of a 20 x 60-meter arena. During the test, many riders choose music to accompany their performance, including Spanish or Latin guitar melodies without vocals. Horse and rider are judged on cadence and impulsion, but riders can improve their overall score by employing impressive style and presentation. Spanish-style tack and dress are used during the performance.

The second most popular discipline is hunter-jumper, followed by polo, and according to Julio, dressage is “dead last.” Horses are still used in the South American nation as a major form of transportation, too. People ride their horses to work and to the market to buy groceries.

Farming is common in Ecuador, making up 15% of the GDP and employing 30% of the total work force. The most common crops grown are bananas, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, and potatoes. Horses are often used to plow the fields and for general farm work, especially on small subsistence farms that grow potatoes, maize, rice, manioc, and soybeans. The farm work is usually done by a breed unique to the country, called the “Runa Ecuadoriano,” or the runa for short. Julio describes the breed as tough, sturdy animals of excellent health. He says they’re actually a mixed breed, sort of a “mutt.” After the runas plow the fields and help harvest the crops, the small farmers take their produce to local markets to sell, again with the aid of the all-purpose runa.

Trail riding is also popular in Ecuador, especially for visitors. Numerous stables offer guided trails through stunning landscapes of ancient volcanoes, deep gorges, clear mountain streams, cloud forests near the tall peaks of the Andes, and lush tropical foliage and wild orchids. By offering rides for tourists, small farmers are able to subsidize their incomes through horses.

Although Julio had achieved much success in Ecuador and in South America as a whole, he always believed he could accomplish even more. His gaze turned north, to the United States, where his favorite discipline, dressage, was a “wide-open” field, full of gifted riders and talented mounts. The idea of moving to the US was firmly planted in Julio’s mind when fate offered a hand in the form of an employment advertisement.

In the Spring of 2007, Julio and his wife, Jessica, moved to the United States. They felt that they would have much more opportunities in America for training and showing. Julio has always had an intense interest in dressage and was, in fact, one of the few trainers in Ecuador who focused on and specialized in dressage and flat work. Julio believes his success at jumping is due to the fact his jumpers were first trained in dressage. He explains that in Ecuador, dressage is considered boring and is often not taken seriously. In contrast, dressage is a serious, well respected discipline in the US. In America, Julio would have the chance to compete in more shows against a much larger number of horses.

When the Mendozas discovered a job opening in Maryland for a trainer and manager of Friesians, they both felt it was the right position for Julio. Jessica had imported her own Friesian when she was just thirteen years old, and she loves the breed. Julio contacted the stable and got the job. They left Ecuador right away for their new life in the United States and never looked back. They left everything behind, including a farm, family, friends, and their beloved horses, but as Julio explains, “It is a decision we will NEVER regret!” Julio and Jessica both say they plan on staying in the United States for a very long time.

Julio has held a number of jobs throughout his life, as groom, trainer, farrier, veterinarian, farm manager, and stable hand, but every position allowed him to be around horses and to learn from them. In fact, he’s never had a job that did not involve horses. For the past nineteen years, Julio has been training horses in dressage, driving, and jumping, at all levels. He’s currently the trainer and riding instructor at Rolling Ridge Stables in Laytonsville, Maryland, where he specializes in competitive dressage and in dressage-based horsemanship. Julio instructs his riders in the importance of correct training from the beginning and provides a safe, positive, upbeat atmosphere for his students, be they human or equine.

The owners of the facility, David Deal and Michelle Lee, have five beautiful Friesians, including three stallions and two geldings. One of the stallions, a seven-year-old named Ivan Sport, is currently performing fourth-level dressage. He’s also the youngest stallion ever to achieve the Sport Predicate, which is earned through high scores in third-level or above dressage competitions. Another Rolling Ridge stallion under Julio’s care, Tije 401 Sport, is a Preliminary Approved Stallion from Holland. Julio has just started training Rompke, a four-year-old Ster stallion at Rolling Ridge, in dressage and says the young horse exhibits amazing potential. The two geldings, Miendert and Falko, are great in the ring, too. They also serve as wonderful schoolmasters and teachers for the lessons program offered at the stables.

In addition to training for and managing Rolling Ridge Stables for Mr. Deal and Ms. Lee, Julio is able to take on his own clients to train. He still competes in the show ring, also. He states that he and his family are very happy with his current situation, and he loves working with Friesians. Although he has been successful with many impressive horses representing a variety of breeds, the Friesian is his favorite. According to Julio, “Their temperament and willingness is hard to beat with any breed. No matter where I go with them, they are always a show stopper. They have a special presence you could never train into a horse; they just have it naturally.”

If you ever have the chance to view Julio aboard one of these magnificent Friesians, you’ll understand why they draw so much attention: the slim olive-skinned Julio, donning white shirt, white gloves, and white breeches, along with black coat, black tophat, and tall black riding boots, astride a magnificent, powerful jet-black Friesian. Horse and rider move as one, in perfect harmony. The pair are hard to forget, and apparently, many top judges feel the same way.

Not only has America proven to be the land of opportunity for Julio, it has also offered a whole new world of horses for Jessica. Julio says that in Ecuador, female riders in shows are few and far between. Out of every twenty competitive riders, only one or two are female. In the US, of course, horse showing is more equally matched between the sexes. Jessica has been riding and showing horses all her life and has discovered many more opportunities for horsewomen in America than there were in Ecuador.

The Mendozas seem to be the perfect partners and kindred souls, especially when it comes to horses. Julio says, “Jessica works with the horses, and I would never be able to do it all without her. She is a very knowledgeable horsewoman. It’s wonderful sharing my passion with her, as we both live and breathe horses.”

Julio and Jessica have a beautiful two-year-old son named Justin. He’s already following in the footsteps of his father, his grandfather, his great-grandfather, and his great-great-grandfather. Justin adores being around the horses, and he can often be found helping out at the barn. Even as a toddler, he’s already exhibiting the “horse blood” that runs deep in his veins. No doubt Julio will continue the family horsemanship tradition through his young son, adding a fifth generation to the equinefamily legacy.

Julio and Jessica are actively involved with the Mid-Atlantic Friesian Association, a group that promotes the Friesian breed and educates horse owners through a variety of clinics and demonstrations. The association is open to Friesian owners and to Friesian enthusiasts and includes members from Florida to Pennsylvania. The couple is also part of the Friesian Horse Association of North America, or the FHANA.

Other horsemen who have watched the tall, lanky Julio work with equines have been amazed at his ability to read the horse and coax it gently to his will. They have nicknamed him “the Latin Horse Whisperer.” Julio himself best sums up his philosophy about handling horses: “I create a bond with any horse I am working with, and we become like one. My horses and I enjoy what we do, which makes a huge difference. I am very happy and find myself so lucky to get to work with such great people and horses.”

To learn more about Julio Mendoza, and especially about his training methods and philosophies, stay tuned for Part II.

Project SAGE (Save A Grateful Equine) Horse Rescue was started in 2007 by then 17 year old Brittany Rostron in memory of her beloved thoroughbred “Sage”, who was a rescue horse. It is a New York State certified and ASPCA recognized non-profit organization, as well as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, whose goal is to save as many horses as possible from slaughter and place them in new homes. Since its inception, it has saved more than 30 horses and found new loving homes for many of them.

Project Sage

In Brittany’s own words:

“I always dreamed of rescuing a horse from slaughter, but being just 17-years-old everyone said I could never do it.  Well, about a year ago I started a program called “Project Sage” to help save a horse from the New Holland Horse Auction in Pennsylvania.  I created this idea in memory of my late thoroughbred, Sage, who passed away two years ago. A year has gone by and “Project Sage” has become bigger than I could have ever imagined. Four beautiful horses were spared their lives over this past year and two of them have already found loving homes. I cannot even begin to explain the amazing feeling you get looking into an animal’s eyes after you have rescued them.

My goal is to spread the word about the slaughter industry and get more people involved and informed about this evil that is going on in the horse world. At the auction many horses are bought for the specific reason of being sent to other countries for food consumption. Our pets, champion jumpers, and race horses are being slaughtered. I believe I will help change this, one horse at a time.”

Brittany and other volunteers with Project Sage, travel to horse auctions and rescue horses from feedlots that would otherwise be shipped to Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption in other countries. All types of horses end up at these dumping grounds. Some are former racehorses who can no longer win at the track, or lesson or show horses past their prime. Others are just family pets whose owners can no longer afford to keep them, or who no longer care what happens to them.

Rescued horses are examined and treated by a veterinarian and farrier, and rehabilitated until their health is restored. Some require only time to rest and re-gain their proper weight. Others need more extensive help including surgery in some cases.

Once a horse is restored to good health, the effort begins to place the horse in a new and loving forever home. Adopters are not only screened prior to adoption, but volunteers continue to visit the horses’ new homes on an ongoing basis to make sure they are safe and being cared for properly. All horses are placed subject to a contract to ensure they will never again end up at an auction or feedlot. If an adoption does not work out for any reason, Project Sage will gladly take back the horse and try to place it in another home.

Project Sage also attends many public and private events in the community in an effort to educate both children and adults on the inhumane slaughter and abusive neglect of horses.

What is most remarkable about this organization is that Project Sage doesn’t have its own facility to house the rescued horses, nor does it have a large endowment or government funds to draw on. Instead it relies on a volunteer network of private and commercial barns, as well as other rescue groups in Pennsylvania and New England, to foster the rescued horses until they are ready to be adopted.

Funds for the first horse rescued came from money raised by volunteers selling $1 candy bars at train stations. Currently, Project Sage also raises funds by selling riding gloves, donated tack and other horse items, by holding Chinese auctions and fund raisers at various Long Island locations, even by holding garage sales. It also receives donations from merchants who give a percentage of their sales of selected items to Project Sage. And of course, like all other rescue organizations, they are especially grateful for all monetary donations, large or small.

Donations to “The Sage Fund” are used specifically to help the horses on the feedlot. Members of Project Sage usually visit the feedlot once or twice a month, and the money in this fund covers the initial costs of saving a horse. This is literally the last chance for many of these horses. Donations made in memory of a horse also go directly into the fund.

In addition to outright adoption, Project Sage offers other opportunities to help, such as horse sponsorship for those unable to save a horse on their own because of lack of time or property. A donation can be made to rescue a horse from the sale lot, and in return the sponsor gets to name the horse and receive updates on his/her rehabilitation and eventual adoption. The donor’s name also gets listed on the web site as the horse’s sponsor.

“Life Line” donors can help the rescued horse of their choice for the small amount of $1 per day. Many of the horses have to stay in rehabilitation longer than others before they are ready for adoption because they may need more time to rest or heal. This money helps to pay for any necessary vet and farrier work, food, medications, training, etc.

And of course, if anyone has some free time to spare, volunteers are always needed to help care for the horses by feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls and water buckets, and especially by giving loving attention to a formerly neglected horse.

Project Sage’s many success stories include Hannah, their first official rescue. With the help of Another Chance for Horses Rescue in Pennsylvania, Hannah was saved from the New Holland auction lot. She was adopted and is now enjoying her new life and promising career as a Hunter-Jumper.

Patriot, rescued and adopted in July 2008, will soon be a regular participant on the Long Island show circuit. Patriot and Hannah have literally gone from the slaughter pen to the show ring.

Then, there was Uno, a seven year old pony also rescued from New Holland. The kill buyers didn’t even want him, but instead laughed and made jokes about him. For $50, his life was saved. After spending time recovering at a farm in Pennsylvania, he was also placed in a new loving home.

Ginger, a mini, was rescued by Project Sage, and later adopted by a lady who had rescued two other mini horses that same week. All three minis were from the same broker lot and had most likely lived together before being sent to auction. Ginger and the other two minis are now reunited and living happily together again in their new home.

Dolly the mule, along with her horse companion Cassie, were also saved from the slaughter pen. Dolly has since found a new home in West Texas, while Cassie, a beautiful paint mare who loves to be with other horses, patiently waits for someone to adopt her as a companion horse.

Thanks to Project Sage, 30 year old Yankee and 24 year old Sandy now have forever homes where they will be loved and cared for, and can live out their remaining years in peace. And Promise, a mare who can never be ridden because of an old injury, will remain a permanent resident of Project Sage.

For more information on Project Sage, including pictures of horses available for adoption, please contact Brittany Rostron at “Sportie1030@aol.com” or visit Project Sage Horse Rescue at “www.projectsagehorserescue.org“.

Without a doubt, Project Sage Horse Rescue is well on the way to accomplishing its’ goal of saving horses “one horse at a time”.

At 14 hands, Smokey was a pony by rights, but he was my horse, my friend, and my companion. We had many adventures together and formed a special bond that I still treasure today. He was four and I was eight when our friendship began. Our early years together were filled with learning experiences for both of us. He learned to enjoy the freedom I allowed him and I learned to trust his judgment.

I would ride bareback, with no bit, on the trails through the woods near my home in northern Wisconsin. Smokey knew his way as well as I did so, most of the time, I didn’t really even pay attention to where we were going. I had to practice my saxophone and I knew he would take care of me.

One day we were wandering among the trails on the far side of the woods, along the bank of the river. It was a very hot day in August and I was trying to get ready for the placement tryouts in band class. I really wanted to place in the jazz band. I gave him his head, told him to be good, and proceeded to find out that saxophones do not float.

I didn’t realize he had walked into the water until my foot was getting wet. I threw my music toward land to save it from getting wet, but my sax was fastened to its strap around my neck. By the time I got it loose it was too late. Smokey was swimming, I was sliding off his back into the water, and my saxophone was dropping to the bottom of the river like a rock. I was not a good swimmer, so I decided that holding on to my horse was a better idea that trying to save my saxophone.

Smokey Goes Swiming

I had never been in the water with a horse; even though I had watched others do it. My friend and often riding companion, Jill, had tried to convince me to give it a shot. She often swam in the same place with her Paint, Pizza, but to be honest, I was afraid. The fear left forever that day. It was such a feeling of freedom to hold his mane and allow him to propel me through the water. We swam for about an hour that day. My music sheets had gotten wet and I had to find a long stick to “fish” for my saxophone, but I found it and dried it off. It was really no worse for the bath it had gotten. When I explained to my mother why my music sheets had gotten wet she laughed and told me that she would replace them if it were necessary.

Mom told me to be very careful when I went swimming with him as his hooves were very sharp and she didn’t want me to get hurt. She knew that, even though I had always had a fear of the water, I had complete faith and trust in my horse and there would surely be other swimming adventures for us. She was so right! It became a regular ritual for us every summer, one that we both enjoyed completely and often. Jill and Pizza were thrilled to have regular swimming partners, too. The four of us spent many hot summer afternoons in that swimming hole.

As for the tryouts, I made the jazz band. To this day I thank my horse Smokey for that experience. He loved to hear me play and would walk calmly around for hours so that I could practice. Sometimes he would stop and turn his head for a while like he was listening. He was a very patient audience, trusted friend, and excellent swimming instructor.

I had spent a lifetime praying and dreaming of the day I would become a horse owner. Years of mucking stalls for free lessons had done nothing to persuade me otherwise and I decided without a doubt to move forward in my lifelong ambition of horse ownership. Looking back, maybe I should have been more specific in my prayers for a horse but I never thought I would find a horse like Fiona. Or is it that she found me?

My neighbor grew and baled hay for his cows and I figured the first step in attaining my dream horse would be to secure its food source. I walked away with not only but also, quite shocked my first horse. And what a horse she was.

It was with almost desperate despair my neighbor explained, to my surprise, that amongst his fields of grazing cows, there was indeed a lone horse. Given to him two years earlier for his children, this Thoroughbred ex-racehorse, had been written off as a loss and completely unable to be ridden. She had been left in a field to live with the cows and her existence had been literally forgotten by her owner, who knew nothing of horses. While the cows had managed to live a rather normal life, this 13 year old mare’s health had slowly declined.

I said not a word when I saw her the first time. She stood with a wary eye on her new, approaching company. It was obvious she was emaciated, covered in rain rot, and worst, her sensitive hooves had cracked straight through the top, making it almost impossible for her to walk. It was also obvious she wanted nothing to do with the situation and was quite content to stay where she was, cracked hooves and all. Her eyes showed not only fear but also a strong dislike for the people now inspecting her and her skin tensed under my hand at each touch. She was an impossible mess but at that moment, she looked glorious to me.

Fiona - A Horse Rescue Success Story

Without a thought, I took her home and prepared for the first of many long nights. Not a single piece of fencing yet stood, our barn had transitioned into an overloaded work shed, and the few trinkets I had collected for my dream horse over the years amounted to not more than a hill of beans compared to what I was getting myself into.

She was half wild, anxious, and rarely could I touch her without her rearing up. I couldn’t go near her with a brush or comb, even getting her to eat was a challenge. Not that the hours of attention I doted on her did not have an effect but it was in completely the wrong direction. We took pictures, notes, and called in all of the right people. The vet, the farrier, the dentist, and of course, the assortment of special treatments and medicines seemed never ending.

As her coat returned to a shining chestnut and her glorious mane and tail regrew (we had to cut all of her hair off because of how damaged it was,) so did her energy and her temper. Scars across her eye, flanks, and other sensitive areas spoke words she could not. Whenever we approached the fields, she could be seen, chipped knee, bad feet, and all, hightailing it for the other end of the field. We spent nearly a week fixing the barn to cater to her every need only to have her turn her nose up and refuse to step a hoof in it.

With the small amount of information we had, a tattoo mark inside her upper lip, we were able to understand better the life she had lead. For the first three years, she was a remarkable racehorse, and probably lived a life much more regal than we ever offered. Those things came to a quick end, however, when she chipped her knee and was unable to return to the track. She was bred for several years and then sold through several auction houses across the coast before shifting from farm to farm as she proved more work than pleasure until landing in the field where I found her in Culpeper, Virginia.

I spent nearly two years working with Fiona, and eventually added two other rescue horses for company, (untrained Loki and his forgotten mother, Barbie.) Fiona was truly the most beautiful horse I had ever seen, very much the Thoroughbred in her beauty and stature, standing over 16 feet. I worked with her daily, spending hours on her hooves, lungeing, and brushing her. By the time our relationship ended, I had successfully rode Fiona three times. Truly, I felt I had accomplished the impossible and the sheer joy I felt is indescribable.

Using the Parelli method, I was able to work through her fears and one of my biggest highlights was being able to touch her face, work it in my hands, and train her without bridle or bit. No training or book could have prepared me, though, for her growing angst and frustration with not just me and my over bearing attention but with anyone who walked on two legs and held a lunge line. Her hooves, still a daily struggle, had begun to deteriorate more and the doctor’s orders to stall keep her were more than Fiona could bear.

Several days of standing in a stall, even with daily workouts, had done nothing but prove to her that whatever thoughts she had on people rattling around in her brain must be true and she took matters in her own hands. With one swift quick of her right hind foot and a bad concussion on my part, I understood immediately she meant to end our relationship by all means necessary. Sadly, I let her back into the field that night knowing it was the only thing left I could do and it was without anger or resentment that I let her go.

With the limited choices for an ex-racehorse, and a sour one at that, and my limited experience, I made the best decision I could for her at the time. The life of a leftover horse can be devastating and usually ends in the worst of ways but I am glad to say she still lives happily on a breeding farm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Without a rider in sight.

I will never forget Fiona or our wild ride. I continued to work with horses and dogs that were in need of rescue and many stories had happy endings so I know my work had meaning. Her pictures are still on my walls and my saddle still smells like her but I have yet to replace Fiona, I don’t know if it’s even possible.