Equiaccel LLC

It is amazing the parallels between the journey of a horseman and the journey of a Christian. This realization struck me as I worked with Maitearen today. By most standards (including mine) we are way behind where would should be. Contrast with TeRado, who at the age of 4 had already traveled to all types of destinations to do all types of things. One journey has been slow, the other was incredibly accelerated. One had more joy than sorrow. The other has had more sorrow than joy.

In 2022 my journey with Christ was accelerated beyond what I could imagine, but this year there has been a slow-down in the journey.

Though the periods of acceleration are much more exhilarating, the periods of pause are equally, if not more so, important. Periods of joy and periods of sorrow are equally important for us to become who we were meant to be, for our horses to become who they were designed to be, and the partnerships to become what they were meant to be.

Change

We often forget that horses were never meant to be ridden and the purpose of a saddle is to create an interface between horse and rider to allow both to remain comfortable and balanced. That said, there are no shortage of horses who present with characteristics that make saddle fitting an absolute nightmare, from enormous withers, to impossibly short saddle support areas, extremely forward balance points and shoulder asymmetry. The saddle industry as a whole (both fitter & manufacturer) are not equipped to cater to such scenarios in most cases, often leading riders to try alternative fixes such as shims, specialty pads, specialty girths and the like, more times than not either creating additional problems or exacerbating the original issue.

While manufacturers have clearly dropped the ball in offering saddles that actually adhere to the RULE of saddle fitting set out by the specific and unique needs of horse and rider, the industry as a whole has failed in this particular aspect. Rider education is by far the biggest culprit, and an unfortunate side-effects of an industry that mostly views the horse as an object to own, ride and exploit however we see fit. Understanding the horse has remained low on the totem pole of what the industry deems important, with suffering always seemingly acceptable when it comes to horses. "Ride him through it, show him who's boss, use your spurs" etc. etc.

Education for everyday riders for all areas of care from riding, saddle fitting, hoof care, signs of pain/discomfort, bodily autonomy and more are what will shape the future of the industry and how our horses exist within it. Change, be it with manufacturers, saddle fitters, judges or breeders, happens from the bottom, and it is through education that we can make demands for better treatment and support of our equine partners.

Temons Skipa Fox aka Miss P
March 11, 1997-April 4, 2021

As far as horse lifetimes go, our journey together was incredibly short. My dear friend and your guardian, Vic, bred you in the hopes you would deliver another baby like Free. I picked you up and brought you to Texas in November 2016. April 7, 2017 you gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, TeRado (known by his fans as Te). His playfulness and mischievousness brought laughter to many a human-particularly when that orneriness would send Dally running. (The divine Miss P carried herself like royalty, but over the course of time, I began to see that much of the playfulness was inherited from her.) With the first baby, we had so much fun. You were able to help me teach him road trips are not scary. Watching you with TeRado, I was able to see what REAL power looked like. In the Master Herder and Power of the Herd work I do, we talk about true power. I thought I understood, but when I witnessed you exercise your power, I learned I don’t have a clue.

As time went on and we became more comfortable with each other, your expressiveness could both amuse and frustrate me. There was no questioning your opinion. You taught me the art of negotiation.

The original plan had been to return you to Oklahoma after TeRado was weaned. Vic and I talked about it and decided to see if we could get one more foal from you. I spoke with your vet, the pros and the cons were weighed, and we decided to go for it. The first year we had 3 failed breeding attempts. The next breeding season I swore it was going to be a one and done. After another failure, I sent the records to the breeder to get her opinion. Kathy St. Martin couldn’t see any reason why you weren’t with baby, so the decision was made to take you to Oklahoma. Kathy had you bred in the first attempt.

As I tell the story, it rings in my ears almost as cruelty with all the tried and failed breeding attempts. God had a plan.

A dear friend of mine, Marissa Watkins, wanted to go to Oklahoma with me. Avalon Equine has a stallion she had been admiring and she wanted to meet. During the six-hour trip we covered everything from personal experiences to spiritual matters. As a result of this trip, Jim and I found our new church family.

Maitearen Milagre came into our world May 11, 2020. He was ½ again bigger than his brother, and this time you needed help with the delivery. You were very clear when you wanted me to stand back, then very clear when you needed me to step in and help. The difficult delivery and the week at Texas A&M with your foal, set you up for a tough year. Abscess after abscess. All the soaking, the oils, the poultices…I learned more than I ever wanted to know about managing a horse with abscesses.

All in all, this was a blessing. With all the fear being sown and received around COVID-19, you and Maitearen provided the perfect distraction from all the chaos. The church body you helped me find, also aided in my COVID-fear-free zone. For the first time in many years, my walk with God was strong. I had moved from being lukewarm, to on fire for Him.

January 15, 2021 we moved you to our new home. There was one more round of abscesses in both front feet, then you were doing incredibly well. The extra space was doing you a world of good. Your front feet were starting to look more normal, your heels were starting to open up, you were walking around soundly, barefoot, for the first time in a long time. Then last Monday, it became evident you had developed an abscess in your right hind foot. I soaked your foot, increased pain management and by the time the vet arrived on Thursday, you were looking fabulous-like you had made it to the other side. Then a flip switched and I knew it was time.

There could not have been a more perfect set-up to let you go. Dr. Aimee Beckham, your friend, was able to come help you (and me) let go. Todd and Debbie Deering, members of our precious church family came and created the perfect resting place for you. How appropriate that the dear sweet horse who brought me back to God, was laid to rest on the day it was discovered He had risen.

I have a whole new respect for those who manage horses in snowy and icy conditions every year...

Perfect Timing: When Education and Application Unite by Renee Adair, Equiaccel, LLC The morning was pitch black. I turned on the exterior barn lights so they could light the landscape gradually, and give the horses’ eyes a chance to adjust. I let the mares in, then turned on the overhead light. When I went to the back, I saw my paint and c**t standing, and Freedom, my

More than a blue ribbon....
Today TeRado and I participated in the Gulf Coast Arabian Horse Club's "Spring Fling Open Horse Show" at Hara's in Tomball. This was our first showing. Of a class of 1, we placed first. I remember many years ago I discounted the blue ribbon when I was the only one in the class. Not so with this one.

Today I walk away with an appreciation of how far we have come. My bold and gregarious c**t and I are learning how to be respectful partners. This journey has been so different than the journey my super-sensitive paint. I have had to learn a boldness to match his, and the patience to teach him a softness needed with humans, to teach him he can't play with us the way he plays with his herd.

We still have much to teach each other, but today is a significant mark on the doorframe charting our growth. Yes, today we earned way more than a blue ribbon.

Our April Issue is here! Our friend of the animals Deborah Duncan of Great Day Houston is our beautiful cover model with her dog Bandit. Deborah and other local media personalities pose with their pets and give you a peek into their life with their furry family member - also inside Erica Rico, Lorena Macarena, Brooks Garner, Meteorologist KHOU 11, KPRC2 Jennifer Reyna, Amber Elliott, Cindy Burbano, Radio Special K Krew, Cesar Procel - (all great photos by Evin Thayer)....plus get more of the best pet info in H-Town! Grab a copy quickly..they go fast!