I will not be doing any clinics, conducting any seminars or providing any coaching while I am in the United States until further notice. My sincere apologies go to anyone adversely affected.

This status may change, depending on what sort of working visa I apply for with the US Consulate.

If I qualify for an ‘O’ visa (for experts and such), I may need to prove that no one else has my particular skills or specifically teaches what I teach, which is where you come in. If you – wherever you may reside or whatever your breed and/or discipline of choice – wish to send me an email detailing such things or explaining how knowledge you gained through me has helped your business or your competition results, please feel free to do so. All such emails will be appreciated, and I thank you in advance.

For two months in the summer, I was parked on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. What was I doing there? Aside from avoiding contact with potential virus carriers, I was observing wild/feral horses.

Then what? My travels took me to Manitoba, where I did a barrel-racing clinic and some coaching before heading a bit further east. In Winnipeg I did a seminar at Assiniboia Downs and some private evaluations for a couple of trainers.

I am very pleased to see the positive effects on horses (barrel racers, rodeo pick up horses, ropers, ranch horses and racehorses) because their owners or trainers looked at them from a functional perspective and followed my advice regarding exercises, stretches and/or saddle fit.

Why am I pleased? Because the horses are better able to compensate and more comfortable doing their jobs now. Here’s what one trainer had to say: “Hi Judy,  I was at the presentation you gave at the racetrack last Saturday. First I would like to thank you for coming out and sharing your insights into functional conformation. You have a special ability. One of the horses you evaluated at my barn was in and ran after only a couple days of treatment you recommended. She was nearly her old self and ran better than she has all season… Thanks again. Brent.”

I am also thrilled to see the results of a client’s breeding program over the last 9 or 10 years. She is leading breeder in her area again even though she primarily breeds her own mares and 10 would be a very large crop for the stallion prospect we selected for her in January of 2012 ($1800 US). The stallion (likely leading regional sire) is definitely stamping his offspring in a very positive manner. Most are successful at two and some (from his first crop) were still successful at seven. And I suspect that a couple of the seven-year-olds will be back to race next season.

What next? Assuming I can cross into the USA, I will be attending the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale (Nov 9 – 19). In part the sale will be educational due to the variety of horses, which is why some clients will be joining me to improve their ‘eye’ for functional conformation analysis. And in part I will be shopping for clients.

What about clinics? I have some to-be-confirmed dates in Texas, Arizona and California. Some will be barrel racing specific, some will be all-breed and all-discipline and one will be eventing specific.

And coaching? I will be doing some coaching in Texas, Arizona and California as well.

It has been a strange year in the horse industry…as well as in the rest of society.

For me, the market for magazine articles has dried up given that one magazine (where I had a regular conformation column) folded and others either had little to nothing to cover or media was limited at events plus there were no spectators at competitions or races.

Social distancing meant that clinics and seminars were no longer being booked and the possibility for in-person evaluations essentially evaporated. (There are ways to do those things now and still meet the requirements in any given area of Canada.) Online evaluations were/are still an option, but, because many people were/are unsure of the future, those have not been plentiful.

On the bright side, I have been in touch with several clients and have received updates that make me happy for the horses as well as the clients. Here are a few of them:

– A former cutting horse that was not built to do that job is no longer constantly uncomfortable. Despite being the same color as his sire, he was not built like his sire; therefore, the training and workload he endured caused him pain. When I assessed him, it was evident that he would have had to compensate a lot in order to do what had been asked of him. Through changes in farrier work, massage and exercises designed to help him compensate easier, I’m told that he no longer lies down as much, walks with elasticity instead of rigidity and has even taken to kicking up his heels and trotting off after his sessions. Super improvement in only a few weeks! I’m so glad Goose is more comfortable now, and so are his people.

– A barrel racer that was heavy on the forehand is now earning paychecks at competitions. As a next step in the program that is based on his build, he is currently being taught how to lift his forehand after gaining the strength in his abs that allowed him to do that without tension in his back. Go Rocky!

– A Thoroughbred stallion that was selected for the owner’s private use in a small racing market may well be the leading sire in his province for 2020. Not bad considering he was not purchased as a commercial sire and has only had small crops of homebreds. The bonus is that his offspring are consistent and seem to stay sound. He has sired stakes horses and winners from age two to six.  Congrats, Vinny!

– An Arabian gelding that was idle for about a decade has improved his self-carriage and lightness through specific exercises and is now working on improving his self-confidence. Tango will soon be ready to dance.

– A Paint mare that had inflamed tendons on both forelegs due to her pillar of support emerging behind her heel is much improved. Time off, rehabilitation and a correction in her hoof angle have her going sound without inflammation or heat in the tendons. Yippee!

– A Thoroughbred mare that was selected for a client as a weanling, showed physical potential for racing, but did not settle well in a stall at the track, had her first foal to race this year. The two-year-old filly ran fourth in a stakes race first time out and is slated to return to racing next year.

– A lanky gelding that had sustained an injury as a youngster responded well. He likely somersaulted over a wire fence (based on the scars) and was stiff through his neck and shoulders plus was tight in the elbows. Stretches and exercises made him more limber and now Boomer is being ridden in comfort by his owner.

– A Thoroughbred sport horse and his owner were shown how to use the horse’s full range of motion through the entire forehand apparatus (top of scapula to knee) and is now showing movement that will serve him well in all phases of eventing. He could even garner a few admiring glances in the hunter ring. His name? Redemptionist.

– A then there’s the diminutive Quarterhorse mare that was delaying her stride behind and cross-cantering because no one had recognized her tremendous range of motion. Although she is small, she has the stride of a horse two hands taller than her. Now, with human understanding and changes in farrier work, she is smooth and quick. I think that Tommi has the potential to be almost unbeatable in pole bending.

These types of stories make me feel like what I do makes a difference, and I appreciate the people who followed the programs I suggested. Thanks to them, the results are evident.

Okay! I am finally posting the Thoroughbred photos for you to analyze. I chose TB geldings because they are the most likely candidates for second careers, whether they failed or succeeded at the track…or never raced. This allows people from pretty much all disciplines to look at them with their sport in mind.

Please share your thoughts on the virtues and/or shortcomings of these geldings. Where or would they excel? What would limit them? Are they athletic? Would they be sound?

TB Test (pdf)

Photos #1 through #3 constitute the main challenge, but I have included #4 as a bonus. To be fair, all four were bred with a career on the track in mind, but that does not guarantee that they raced well or that they raced at all.

Have fun!

Here’s what I was thinking for a fun and educational project while we see our way through these interesting times:

• Me posting photos of horses (likely in groups of three or four) to start
• Letting the readers post critiques of them
• Critiques to include athleticism, soundness and perhaps even discipline or specialties
• I can post the mechanical requirements of specific disciplines where the photos are limited to that discipline, but, to start, we can look primarily at soundness and athleticism
• All opinions must be explained
• Depending on response, posting my analyses of the horses as well as their performance records, soundness/longevity and perhaps specialty approximately a week or two later
• Points can be awarded for accuracy and the winner at the end of the series will get a free e-book of their choice

What do you think of the idea, and which disciplines do you want to see featured?

I apologize for the delay, but am not in a place where the signal is strong. Patience. I will be moving soon. Thanks.

In fact, updating this site is actually overdue. My apologies.

Since I dislike excuses, here are my reasons:

• Australia was on fire
• I ended up with allergy-induced pneumonia

Now that I am parked out in the middle of the desert (no smog) and am nearly finished the antibiotics, an update is finally happening.

While I feel good about the positive influences I had on several barrel and pole-bending horses plus a few riders, the air in the greater Phoenix area (a.k.a. The Valley) took too much of a toll on me. Even the allergy medications seemed to be fighting a losing battle. Lesson learned: Take medication before going there and do not stay more than a scant few days.

Other developments re Australia include the possibility of me spending time there for clinics, TB sales, private evaluations and more. The ‘more’ is the really interesting part. Will advise as things become solid in that regard.

I did manage a short visit with an artist friend in Arizona. Aside from her phenomenal talent with sculpture (see Sculpture by Foss), she has been writing fiction (see Connie Raun Foss on Amazon Books). A very talented lady!!

Oh, and now that Warmbloods Today is no longer publishing, I am looking for a home for a regular conformation column…aside from the one I do for Trainer (Thoroughbred racing). Suggestions?

I was thrilled to received the following email:

“Hello Judy,

10 Conformation Myths, an excellent work which I read with great interest. A highly credible and revolutionary look at Equine conformation myths.

Finally ‘shattered’, well done! 10 Conformation Myths is a ‘must-read’ for everyone involved in the horse industry no matter what the discipline.

I have recommended it for our required text list in the Equine Care and Management Program, University of Guelph, Clinton Campus, Clinton, Ontario, Canada.

Many thanks to you for sharing this invaluable work.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Tiller”

Yes, there are more updates to my schedule.

Florida was cancelled, but those of you who were going to fly in, may find the Feb 9-10 clinic in Texas to be comparable. The  dates and locations are listed below.

* * *

February 9^th and 10^th – All Disciplines

570 CR 4186 – Quitman, TX

Day 1 – PowerPoint and Hands-on Session

Day 2 – Riding and exercises based on each horse’s construction

Text Lauren 972-342-9499 for pricing and availability

* * *

March 9th and 10th – Barrel Racing

Phoenix, AZ

Day 1 – PowerPoint and Hands-on Session

Day 2 – Riding and exercises based on horse’s construction

Text or email Crystal 623-694-7646 (clogantraining@gmail.com) for pricing and availability

* * *

Or email me if you have any questions.

Hope to meet you soon!