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Equestrian Services, LLC and WTS International Partner with Plans to Open New Offices in China
 Increasing prosperity among the Chinese populace is creating a new market for Western luxury, leisure, wellness, and recreation opportunities. While large-scale real estate developments have slowed in the United States, the Chinese are moving large projects forward with lightning speed. Most of the world is trying to recover from a significant economic setback – the Chinese are not. Equestrian Services, LLC and WTS International are joining forces to offer equestrian, spa, wellness, and leisure services for all of Asia.
Our combined teams will travel to multiple locations within Asia in January 2010.
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A Common Language
By Sheryl Jordan
 “One masters nature, not by force, but by understanding.” ~ Jacob Bronowski
For centuries, and throughout the world, the dominant use of a horse was primarily as a mode of transportation, and now, as more of an object of recreation. While both of these are true, the horse can be far more to the individual and organization that is open to a deeper level of personal and professional growth.
Respect, synergy, authenticity, humility… For many equestrians, we find that the noble horse is a natural at teaching us these qualities. For the non-horse person, enter a round-pen (what I like to call a “think tank” or an “unorthodox classroom”) with a horse, and in a short period, you too will experience these valuable lessons.
“Equine Connection” is a program now offered through Equestrian Services that enables you to connect with a horse, while being guided by a facilitator and consequently “connect” with yourself and evolve on a deeper level. Through the universal communication of body language, you will find that you will discover within yourself your level of empathy, integrity, and state of balance. Unlike training seminars in a classroom setting, the actual hands-on approach of working with the horse creates a mind-body-emotional connection, giving the individual effective tools to put into practice in all areas of their life.
There are powerful parallels between the equine herd dynamics and human relationships. In the process of learning to understand the horse, you will gain an understanding of your communication, relationship, and leadership skills. The horse will reveal if your communication is done with incongruity or clarity. The horse is a mirror without judgment. Horses will lead you to find your true self, and in that place of centered vulnerability, you will discover a place of empowerment, knowledge, and inspiration.
Because the horse is a herd animal, it is a social creature, much like we are. It looks for relationship and partnership, and it follows the leader that instills it with confidence and security. Whether it is the workplace, the family unit, or the herd, the organization reflects the personality of its leadership.
 In this fast-paced society of instant gratification and multiple distractions, we get very few opportunities to just slow down and “be in the moment”. By entering the world of the horse, you enter a setting of a natural state of being. It does not matter what verbal language you speak, since you and the horse will be communicating through the commonality of body language. You will discover that great progress is made in small steps, and by taking the time to build a solid foundation of honest communication; you will build relationships that are based on mutual understanding, dignity, and respect.
All ages, nationalities, races, and individuals from different socio-economic levels have benefited from taking the time to interact with a horse through Equine Connection. The horse does not care who you are or where you come from. It responds to you solely from a place of truth with no hidden agendas and relates to you through mutual understanding.
It is a requirement in our lesson program that the student begins their journey of horsemanship by learning to safely interact with the horse on the ground and in the round-pen. The student who is receiving an education of learning to ride and skips this step is sadly short-changing themselves of a rich and rewarding experience. Those of us who work in the equine industry have a responsibility not only to teach an individual how to safely ride, but to give the individual an opportunity to respect and understand the horse as a powerful element of nature, and as an example of the importance of protecting our natural resources.
Children, corporate management teams, domestic violence counselors, women’s groups, inner-city youth, and high-risk teenagers have shared the following quotes from their experience with Equine Connection:
 “Superb connection between the experience and leadership. Very relevant to our goals and objectives.”
“I learned a lot about having respect for other living beings. “
“Working with these horses helped me to learn not to judge any being before getting to know them. I will take this experience and apply it to my everyday life in terms of how I treat people. This experience also taught me to give respect in order to receive respect.”
“This has been an eye-opening experience. It has taught me a lot about my decision-making skills. I make a lot of sub-conscious decisions without really understanding why. I’m usually a very observant person, and I’m very analytical. However, this has taught me to be more relaxed. “
“I had a lot of fun, but I also realized how much we say without saying a word.”
“There is a parallel with humans and horses that have been abused and/or mistreated. The horses gave us immediate acceptance and trust, as they were well taken care of and treated with respect and dignity.”
This program can be brought to you and your location. All that is needed is access to horses and a round-pen. The program is not rehearsed, nor does it need to be used with horses "trained" to the round-pen, so the experience is genuine.
Leadership, empowerment, establishing boundaries, communicating with clarity and authenticity, courage and compassion, commitment and follow-through. Approach this program with an open mind and heart, and the horse will take you on this journey of powerful life lessons.
In the collective experience in the field of learning with the horse, may each human being find the common thread that binds us all in our shared humanity, our treatment of animals, and our interconnectedness with the environment.
“True freedom arises from the courage to feel, the willingness to be vulnerable, and the humility to appreciate the wisdom that all living beings have to offer.” ~ Linda Kohanov
“Let nature be your teacher.” ~ William Wordsworth
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Don't Get Stuck in the Mud
By Michele Schwartz
 When building a new horse farm, it is tempting to leave out some of the “little” things that could easily be added later. The catch is that many times we end up stuck in the mud – quite literally – before we get around to some of those little things.
In order to keep mud from being a problem at your pasture gates, it is important to install soil stabilization grids filled with stone dust over a compacted stone base. These grids will also prevent erosion of the soil around your gate posts, and ensure that vehicles always have safe passage through the gate. This can be quite important in the event that an emergency vehicle needs to enter the pasture to tend to horse or human.
If you live in an area blessed by well-draining soils, installing soil stabilization grids is still important. Well-draining soils tend to be unconsolidated and easily shifted out of the way (eroded) by horse traffic. You could quickly find that your fence posts – particularly the gate posts – are getting wobbly. An unstable fence could be pushed over by a horse, causing many possible unfortunate scenarios, from injured horses to a herd of loose horses.
Installing grids to extend the width of the gate, and for ten feet on each side of the fence, should be sufficient to protect these high-traffic zones. Creating a border of timbers will keep the grid in place. This border should be fairly level with the surrounding grade, so that a tripping hazard is not created, and to allow wheeled vehicles easy passage.
Stabilizing the soil at pasture entries is a great way to prevent getting stuck in the mud.
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New Team Member – Sheryl Jordan
 Sheryl Jordan began her equestrian career over 40 years ago, riding the countryside of Virginia bareback upon her first pony and horse of 17 years. The hours spent with her equine friends began a life-time dedication of being a student of horses and nature, as well as a passion to share her extensive knowledge with others.
“Man masters nature not by force, but by understanding.” ~ Jacob Baronowski
Sheryl has made it her mission in life to facilitate the understanding between horses, humans, and nature, through her experience in management of stables, classical riding instruction, teaching of clinics, public speaking, and the creation of her unique program “Equine Connection”. Through Equine Connection, Sheryl has worked with corporate management teams, inner-city college students, women’s groups, domestic violence counselors, and high-risk individuals, teaching leadership, authenticity, communication, and healthy relationship skills with the horse as her teaching partner.
Her professional experience includes the management of breeding, boarding, hunt and event stables, as well as “whipping in” to the Warrenton Hunt and riding with the Blue Ridge Hunt in Virginia. She was the Director of the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa Equestrian Center for over 10 years, where she was awarded the coveted “Manager of the Year” title for excellent customer service, achievement of financial goals, and execution of superb standards of the stable facility. Under her direction, their top lesson horse, “Dancer”, was named “School Horse of the Year” by the ARIA. Once Sheryl took over the reins of the facility, the stable was consistently voted #1 in the Community Choice Awards. She also produced and successfully implemented equestrian events, including horse shows, clinics, polo matches, rodeos, and corporate equine trade shows.
Sheryl is a Certified Instructor with the American Riding Instructors’ Association as a Level III in Stable Management, Recreational Riding, and Western, and a Level II in Dressage and Hunt Seat. She has also been certified with the Certified Horsemanship Association as a Level II Instructor in English, Western, and Overnight Pack Trip Guide. Sheryl has been a Test Administrator and PA State Representative for the ARIA, Director of the Fayette County, PA Equine Council, and she has developed and led two 4-H Clubs in PA and MD. She is also a published Author in Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope and Rainbows & Bridges, and she has been featured on “Your Life” with Dr. Anna Marie of The Weather Channel demonstrating “Equine Connection".
Sheryl is now thrilled to find synergy with Equestrian Services, and to join her skills and values to an organization that is on the forefront of bringing high standards of safety, integrity, structure, consistency, and high-quality customer service to the equine industry.
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O’Connor Signature Newsflash:
David O’Connor Inducted into United States Eventing Association’s Hall of Fame
 David O’Connor and his beloved horse, Custom Made, were inducted into the United States Equestrian Federation’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony and gala dinner held during the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, in Northern Virginia on December 5, 2009.
David O’Connor, one of America’s most successful international riders, was a member of almost every U.S. eventing team for 20 years. His highlights include: wins at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and Badminton, a team silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, and an individual gold at the Sydney Olympic Games. O’Connor, now retired from international competition, trains riders and horses, has launched O’Connor Signature Equestrian Centers, and serves as the current President of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
 Custom Made, a 17.2-hand dark bay Thoroughbred gelding owned by Joseph Zada, is best known for his individual gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games with O’Connor. The pair also won the 1995 Rolex Kentucky CCI****, placed fifth at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and took top honors at Badminton. Custom Made is now retired and enjoying life at the O’Connor’s Farm in The Plains, Virginia.
O’Connor Signature Equestrian Centers are expanding worldwide, with multiple projects developing through Asia.
Further Reading:
"... It was great to see David O’Connor surrounded by family members — Sally, Brian, and Karen — who have themselves given so much to our sport. One of the many qualities I admire in David, and indeed in all of the O’Connor clan, is their work ethic. As Jim Wolf noted in his witty and moving introduction, David did not become one of the most celebrated riders in Eventing history because he was a “natural”; instead, he achieved greatness because he worked at it. Isn’t that what Eventing is all about? The constant hard work, the simple rewards of spending time with our horses, the incremental victories, the courage and fortitude to stay the course through the inevitable disappointments. In short, the long haul — the journey as much as the destination. What a shocking concept in this era of the two-second attention span: that you really do need to work long and hard to achieve something worth getting — that, as Sir Edmund Hillary put it, “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. In that sense, Eventing is about integrity. David’s integrity is so evident that several years ago, when the AHSA and the USET finally ended their protracted legal fight, the one non-negotiable demand by both sides was that David be the first president of the new, merged organization — the United States Equestrian Federation — that rose from the ashes of that Stalingrad-like battle. And in that position, David has given freely of his time for the last six years. I hope our sport’s future leaders take note of, and emulate, David’s example."
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 In the News
We are proud to have The Oaks at Lake City featured as setting a "standard for sustainability" in the "Where the Grass Really is Greener" article from Florida Green Building's Fall 2009 issue. Read it here!
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Project News
 Zhangbei Equestrian Community Master Planning Begins.
Equestrian Services is selected to provide feasibility study for private farm in Maryland.
Equestrian Services is selected to provide services to Shinn Equestrian Community, located in St. Lucie County, Florida.
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Submit a Question
 Q:My horse is kept at an immaculately clean facility, but she still seems to develop thrush. She is not turned out on wet grounds or standing in a dirty stall, so how is she developing thrush, and what can I do?
A: It is a common misconception that thrush only develops in horses that are stabled in unkempt living conditions or moist environments. In fact, this bacterial infection that attacks the tissue of the frog in a horse's hoof can actually develop in the cleanliest of living conditions due to other factors. These factors may include poor trimming, hoof abnormalities, limited exercise, or even poor circulation to the frog just to name a few.
When a horse bears weight on one of its limbs, the coffin bone will descend, causing the sole of the foot to flatten out. As the coffin bone descends, the navicular bone gives way towards the ground, pushing against the deep flexor tendon and the navicular bursa. The pressure created by this motion causes the frog to expand in anticipation of impact on the surface. The continual expansion and contraction of the frog caused by the movement of a limb deters the accumulation of debris in the hoof.
Due to the anatomy of the equine limb and hoof, any alterations or limitations to this innate cleaning mechanism can cause a horse to develop thrush. Whether occurring naturally or due to poor trimming, alterations in the structure of the hoof, such as narrow or contracted heals negatively effect thrush development. Other alterations, such as a horse having deeper sulci than normal, make them more susceptible to the accumulation of material in the frog. Limitations such as stall rest and insufficient exercise are also factors that lead to the development of thrush in a horse. Poor circulation to the frog due to stall rest or other anatomical abnormalities does not allow the natural motion of the limb to expand the frog and clean the hoof. If a horse has limited exercise, this natural motion is also inhibited, causing the accumulation of debris which can lead to infection.
Since thrush can develop in any living condition, it is important to combat against the factors we as owners have control of. Proper farrier services must be established to promote healthy hoof growth and support the natural anatomy of the equine limb. Making sure your horse has adequate exercise is another key factor in the prevention of thrush. If exercise is limited due to stall rest or other issues, be sure to clean the horse feet daily, and check for signs of thrush development.
When you are cleaning your horses’ feet, check for a sour, foul odor or any black, putty-like areas around the frog. If you suspect your horse may be developing thrush, it is best to treat the affected area as quickly as possible. To treat a hoof suspected of thrush, be sure to have a clean, dry working environment. First, clean the infected hoof thoroughly with water and the bristle end of a hoof pick, removing all debris from the foot. Second, allow the hoof to dry before applying any medication. Ask your vet or farrier for recommendations on store-bought medications or home remedies that may work for you and your horse. After the medication is applied, allow the hoof to dry before returning the horse to its regular routine. Be sure to clean all utensils used in the treatment of the hoof, since the bacteria can easily spread to other hooves.
Colleen Davis
Resident Barn Manager
The Oaks Equestrian Center, an O’Connor Signature Facility
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