In response to those requests, we have added this Tips and Information page to accumulate knowledge and share experiences. We would like to invite you to share any tips or information that you feel would be beneficial to us and the horse enthusiast. Please submit to us at www.rockinridge@hotmail.com for approval for inclusion.

Thank you,
Rockin Ridge Farm

Equine Dentistry

Every horse needs routine dental care. Start when it's a newborn foal by having it examined for congenital defects and malocclusions. Reexamine every six months. Before the equine dentist makes his annual visit, brush up on your dental terminology so you’ll be able to keep up with the conversation:

Dental Terminology

Arcades–rows of teeth.

Bars–the open, or interdental, spaces on the jaws between the incisors and cheek teeth where the bit sits.

Canine Teeth —small pointed teeth that grow in the interdental space near the corner incisors. Most commonly found in male horses, they are also called "tushes" or "tusks."

Cap–a remnant of a deciduous tooth that can persist atop a permanent tooth.

Deciduous–falling off or shed at a natural stage of life, as occurs with "baby" teeth.

Floating–filing down sharp edges on a horse's molars using a long-handled rasp called a "float."

Galvayne's groove–a stained vertical furrow that first appears at the gum line of the upper incisors when a horse is about 10 years old. Its progress down the tooth assists in determining an animal's age; by age 15, it is halfway down the incisor, and by 20, it extends the full length of the tooth.

Hook–a point or peak on a tooth's chewing surface that is developed through abnormal wear.

Incisors–the six front top teeth and six front bottom teeth; used for cutting and nipping rather than grinding.

Molars–the 24 grinding teeth located along the jaws, used for crushing feed; also called cheek teeth. occlusion–surface contact of normally aligned opposing teeth.

Wolf Tooth–one of up to four rudimentary teeth occasionally present in front of the first molars. In rare cases, these teeth interfere with bit action and must be removed.

This article is from EQUUS Magazine, Issue 247 (May 1998), copyright 1998 by PRIMEDIA Enthusiast Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

horse.purinamills.com/conditions/horses_mouth.asp

*   Phil Flynn - Equine Dentist

    (606) 723-6590 Winston, KY

Trail Riding

Van Bert Farms

ACTHA (America Competitive Trail Horse Association Trail Ride  October  15-16, 2010

contact www.vanbertfarms.com for more information To join the rides go to www.actha.us

East Fork Stables
East Fork Stables opened to the public in 1994 when it's parent company, The Estate of Bruno Gernt, Inc., decided to diversify into the tourism business. East Fork Stables was quickly established as one of the best trail riding venues in the state.
Located in Jamestown, Tennessee, East Fork Stables is one of the nation's premiere trailing riding destinations.

http://www.eastforkstables.com

Taylorsville State Park
The wonderful 16-mile trail system on this park is managed as multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Wear your hiking shoes, bring your bike, or bring your horse and enjoy the fresh outdoor air!
Taylorsville state park, in picturesque Taylorsville, Kentucky offers a wonderful 16-mile trail system managed as a multi-use trail for hikers, mountain bikes and horseback. Ten sets of campgrounds are set aside for horse campers.

Taylorsville Lake State Park
1320 Park Road
Taylorsville, KY 40071-0205
502-477-8713
Park Manager: Brian Pharis
http://parks.ky.gov

Farrier Service

    The hoof is the horny part of a horse’s foot. The hoof wall is made of keratin, a protein that is the primary constituent of hair, nails and skin. A horse probably replaces its entire hoof about once a year.

The hoof is important because there are vertical tubules of horn inside it that flex and absorb concussion, sort of like built-in shock absorbers. This reduces wear and tear on bones, ligaments and tendons.

Maintenance, prevention and precisely balanced nutrition are keys to proper hoof health. Lack of moisture, physical trauma and nutritional deficiencies can lead to hooves that are cracked and broken. This can be devastating for the equine athlete. Two factors that play an important role in hastening a thorough recovery are: increasing the rate of horn production and improving horn quality. Nutrition can play a big role in both

Trailers

*Featherlight Trailers Every trailer shopper should research the brands and products they before they buy. Featherlite trailers are built around what you need to haul. Get a glimpse of what is “beneath the skin” of a Featherlite and why Featherlite is North America’s preferred aluminum trailer.

http://www.fthr.com

Tack and Supplies

*  Bedford Tack
148 Edd Joyce Road
Bell, Buckle, TN 37020
(931) 437-2219
Toll-Free 1-800-523-4971
Fax (931) 437-2211

www.bedfordtack.com

*Steele Saddles
Saddles built and designed for the comfort of the horse and of the rider.
Steele Saddles by Custom Tree and Saddle Inc. combine both beauty and comfort for both the trail and the rail. Steele saddles are recognized as an approved tack at Rocky Mountain, United Mountain and other mountain horse shows.

http://www.steelesaddle.com/

Veterinary Medicine

* Park Equine Hospital serves as the office veterinarian for the Rocky Mountain, Kentucky Mountain and United Mountain horse shows. Park Equine has established itself as the premier mountain horse experts.
Park Equine Hospital is a full service, exclusively equine facility, consisting of a climate controlled exam and treatment room, surgical suite complete with padded induction/recovery room and 16 stalls (including isolation). We have a small, caring atmosphere with highly individualized attention to both patient and client.

116 Hud Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Office: 859-744-4030
Dr. John Park - ext. 2

Office: 859-233-0026

www.hagyard.com