O'Hanlon Eventing

05/29/2026

Walk is such a hard pace to get right

Improve your horse’s bend in walk with this simple polework exercise. Read more below

05/28/2026

This is what you call an intense exercise. We have used it for years to tune up our riding - line, pace and eye control. There is no let up

05/28/2026

🏇 Sir Mark Todd: The Legendary Horseman Who Defined Eventing 🌟

Few riders in the history of equestrian sport have achieved the level of greatness reached by Mark Todd. Revered across the world as one of the finest event riders of all time, Sir Mark Todd’s career spans decades of Olympic triumphs, unforgettable horses, and incredible resilience. From humble beginnings in rural New Zealand to becoming an international sporting icon, his journey is one of dedication, courage, and passion for horses. 🐴🇳🇿

🌿 Early Life and Love for Horses

Mark Todd was born on March 1, 1956, in Cambridge, New Zealand, a region famous for its strong equestrian culture. Growing up on a dairy farm, he developed a natural connection with animals and countryside life. Like many young riders, he started at pony club level, where his enthusiasm and talent quickly became obvious.

Originally, Todd considered becoming a jockey, but his height eventually pushed him toward show jumping and eventing instead. It turned out to be the perfect decision. Eventing — often described as the “triathlon of horse sports” — combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, demanding bravery, athleticism, and complete trust between horse and rider. 🏆

By the late 1970s, Todd was already attracting attention in international competition. His breakthrough came in 1980 when he won the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials riding Southern Comfort during his very first attempt. That victory instantly announced his arrival on the world stage.

🥇 Olympic Glory with Charisma

While Mark Todd enjoyed success with many horses, none became more famous than the legendary Charisma. The small but fearless thoroughbred would become one of the greatest event horses in history. Together, Todd and Charisma created equestrian magic during the 1980s. ✨🐎

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Todd and Charisma stunned the equestrian world by winning individual gold in eventing. It was a historic moment, making Todd the first New Zealander to win an Olympic equestrian medal.

Even more remarkably, the pair defended their title at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning another individual gold medal. Todd became the first rider since World War II to win back-to-back Olympic eventing titles. The achievement cemented his status as a sporting legend.

Charisma’s courage and heart perfectly matched Todd’s calm determination. Together they became symbols of excellence, inspiring riders all over the world.

🏅 A Career Filled with Records

Mark Todd’s list of achievements is extraordinary. Across his career, he won:

🥇 2 Olympic gold medals
🥈 1 Olympic silver medal
🥉 3 Olympic bronze medals
🏆 4 Badminton Horse Trials titles
🏆 5 Burghley Horse Trials titles
🌍 Multiple World Championship team medals

He competed in seven Olympic Games and became one of New Zealand’s most decorated Olympians ever. His longevity was equally impressive — competing successfully against riders decades younger than himself. 🐴🔥

In 2011, at the age of 55, Todd won Badminton again aboard NZB Land Vision, becoming the oldest winner in the event’s history. The victory showed that his competitive spirit and riding brilliance remained as strong as ever.

🌍 “Rider of the 20th Century”

Mark Todd’s impact on eventing went far beyond medals and trophies. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) named him “Rider of the 20th Century,” recognizing his influence on the sport worldwide.

Fellow riders often spoke in awe of his talent. Many believed Todd had a unique ability to bring out the best in any horse he rode. His cross-country performances became legendary for their boldness, rhythm, and precision. 🌲⚡

One famous quote from fellow rider Andrew Nicholson perfectly summed up Todd’s reputation:

“Mark can ride anything – he could go cross-country on a dairy cow!”

His success also helped establish New Zealand as a global powerhouse in eventing, paving the way for future generations of Kiwi riders.

💪 Retirement and Comeback

After winning bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Todd retired from eventing and returned to New Zealand to focus on horse racing and training racehorses. Many believed his competitive career was over. 🏇

But champions rarely stay away forever.

In 2008, after eight years away from elite competition, Todd announced a stunning comeback. Riding a horse named Gandalf, he qualified for the Beijing Olympics and proved he could still compete with the world’s best.

His return inspired sports fans everywhere. Competing at the highest level in his 50s, Todd demonstrated incredible determination and fitness. He later helped New Zealand win team bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, adding another chapter to his remarkable Olympic story.

👑 Knighthood and Legacy

In recognition of his contributions to equestrian sport, Mark Todd was knighted in 2013 and became Sir Mark Todd. The honor reflected not only his achievements in competition but also his lasting impact on New Zealand sport and international eventing.

Todd officially retired from international eventing in 2019 to focus on horse racing and breeding. Even in retirement, his influence continues through coaching, mentoring, and inspiring future riders.

Today, Sir Mark Todd remains one of the most respected names in equestrian history. His story is about far more than medals — it’s about resilience, horsemanship, and a lifelong passion for horses. ❤️🐎

For many fans, he represents the golden era of eventing, where bravery, elegance, and partnership combined to create unforgettable sporting moments.

05/27/2026

‘I’ve been warned never to discuss this, but here goes,’ says Pammy Hutton as she tackles a taboo topic – running reins. Read more below

05/26/2026

2 important dates coming up next week!

June 3 - our next open schooling day for show jumping and cross country. Contact a4apch@gmail.com to register. A reminder that cars, trucks, ATVs, or bicycles of any type are not allowed out on the course on schooling days.

June 5 - closing date of our first horse trial on June 14. Come join us for an exciting day of eventing! Ontario Eventing - OEA

Photo by Teresa Mae Finnerty Photography

05/26/2026

One Tick. One Bite. One Very Sick Horse.

Anaplasmosis in horses is one of those diseases that can look terrifying at first — high fevers, swollen legs, jaundice, lethargy — but thankfully with prompt treatment, most horses recover very well.

Anaplasmosis is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is spread primarily through tick bites. Deer ticks (the same ticks associated with Lyme disease) are the main culprit. Horses become infected when an infected tick feeds on them and transfers the bacteria into the bloodstream. Cases are most common in spring and fall when ticks are especially active, but they can occur anytime ticks are present.

One important thing to understand is that there is typically an incubation period between the tick bite and when the horse actually starts showing symptoms. The incubation period for Anaplasmosis is usually around 6-12 days after exposure to an infected tick. This means horses can appear completely normal for days or even weeks before suddenly becoming sick. Because of this delay, owners often never actually see the tick responsible for the infection.

Once inside the body, the bacteria infect white blood cells and trigger a widespread inflammatory response. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the horse’s age, immune system, and how quickly treatment is started.

Common symptoms include:
• Sudden high fever
• Depression or extreme lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Reluctance to move or stiffness
• Swollen legs (especially hind legs)
• Ataxia/incoordination in more severe cases
• Yellowing of the gums or eyes (jaundice/icterus)
• Petechiae (small red pinpoint hemorrhages on gums)
• Increased heart rate
• Colic-like discomfort in some horses

Many horses look profoundly sick very quickly. Owners often describe them as going from “normal” to “seriously ill” in 24–48 hours.

Bloodwork is extremely helpful in diagnosing Anaplasmosis. Typical findings often include:
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Low white blood cell count
• Mild anemia
• Elevated inflammatory markers such as SAA or fibrinogen
• Elevated bilirubin causing jaundice

Veterinarians can sometimes actually see the bacteria inside white blood cells on a blood smear, but the most accurate diagnostic test is usually a PCR test run on blood. This detects the DNA of the bacteria and confirms infection.

The good news is that Anaplasmosis generally responds very well to treatment. The antibiotic of choice is usually oxytetracycline given intravenously. Many horses improve dramatically within 24–48 hours of starting treatment. In milder cases or after IV treatment, horses may also be placed on oral doxycycline.

Supportive care is also important and may include:
• Anti-inflammatories to control fever and discomfort
• Fluids if dehydrated
• Careful monitoring of appetite, hydration, and temperature

Recovery expectations are generally excellent when treatment is started early. Most horses recover fully within a couple of weeks, although some may take longer to regain full energy and muscle condition after being very sick. Severe untreated cases can occasionally become life-threatening, particularly in older horses or horses with complications, which is why early veterinary intervention is so important.

One important thing to know is that horses do not directly spread Anaplasmosis to each other. The disease is transmitted through ticks, not horse-to-horse contact.

The best prevention is good tick control:
• Daily tick checks
• Keeping pastures trimmed
• Reducing brush and wooded overgrowth
• Using veterinarian-recommended tick repellents or prevention products
• Monitoring horses closely during heavy tick seasons

If your horse suddenly develops a high fever, swollen legs, depression, or jaundice — especially during tick season — Anaplasmosis should absolutely be on the list of possibilities to discuss with your veterinarian. The earlier it’s caught, the smoother recovery usually is.

I’d love to hear of other symptoms you’ve experienced with your Anaplasmosis positive horses.

05/24/2026

Love this

05/22/2026

Phenylbutazone—nicknamed “bute”—is one of the most widely used painkillers in horses. It’s cheap, effective, and commonly given for everything from arthritis to post-competition soreness. But there’s a well-known catch: bute can potentially cause gastrointestinal ulceration, and by the time a horse shows obvious signs of stomach or gut trouble, significant damage may already have occurred. This study set out to find early warning signals in the body — measurable proteins that could flag the problem before it gets serious.

The researchers used a cutting-edge technique called proteomics, which is essentially a large-scale scan of all the proteins present in a biological sample. They compared protein expression in the blood and f***s of seven horses treated with a standard clinical dose of bute (4.4 mg/kg) against seven horses given a placebo. Think of it like running a detailed ingredient check on the body’s chemistry before and after the drug — looking for anything that changed in meaningful ways.

The results were striking in scope. The analysis identified over 5,000 proteins in blood and over 3,500 in f***l samples, ultimately finding 226 significant proteins in blood and 181 in f***l samples that were notably different between the bute-treated and control groups.

One protein stood out from the crowd: fatty acid-binding protein 6 (FABP6). This protein, found in the intestinal lining, is normally involved in absorbing fats, but it leaks into the bloodstream and stool when the gut wall is damaged. The researchers validated FABP6 as a potential biomarker using a standard lab test called an ELISA — an important step toward making any future diagnostic test practical and affordable for veterinary clinics.

Why does this matter for horse owners? Early detection of bute-induced gut injury would be useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bute toxicity. Right now, vets often have to rely on scoping the stomach or watching for clinical deterioration. A simple blood or f***l test that could catch gut damage in its earliest stages would allow vets to intervene sooner — adjusting doses, switching medications, or adding gut-protecting treatments before a horse ends up seriously ill.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/05/14/can-a-blood-or-stool-protein-warn-us-when-a-common-horse-painkiller-is-damaging-the-gut/