About Jessica Hughes Expertise I can answer diet and nutrition questions regarding performance, breeding/raising young horses, showing, and pleasure riding needs. I can answer questions regarding riding and training problems or advice. I can answer questions regarding equine behavior problems. I can answer questions regarding show horses, how to groom the english or western horse for the horse show arena. I can answer any general question regarding horses.
Experience My expertise includes owning and running a successful show and boarding facility. I have done much research on the nutritional needs of all different types of horses and how their digestive system works and how to keep that healthy. I have shown and trained horses for cutting, western pleasure, halter, breed show all around, and currently hunter/jumpers on the hunter curcuit. I have also raised babies and bred my own mares for the last 5 years specializing in thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and welsh ponies. I also give lessons to all types of riders. I evented for 3 years.
Organizations I currently belong to Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association and American Quarter Horse Association.
Education/Credentials I apprenticed under Mark Poovey an accomplished cutting horse trainer for 4 years where I was assistant trainer and barn manager. I have ridden under and participated in many clinics under such people as George Morris and Daniel Geitner. I have also worked as a vet tech at a local veterinarian. I attended Isothermal Community College where I attained my business degree.
Awards and Honors I was #8 in the nation in 1994 with the American Paint Horse Association at the end of that year in the event of Working Hunter 18 & Under. I was also 4th at the AQHA World Show in 1994 in the event of Hunter Under Saddle Youth Team Tournament. I won many year end awards with the APHA during that year. I also won the Raleigh Cutting Horse Futuritiy in the youth division in 1994. I was leader of a local 4-H group for many years.
Past/Present Clients Hope Bleeker, Freda Jessen, Judy Scott, Sharon Scruggs, Elizabeth White, Jackie Gardinier, Laura Bailey, Kevin Hamby, Jane Juanaco,
Anne Schager, Diane Randolph
Expert: Jessica Hughes Date: 6/2/2008 Subject: How to get a draft cross fit?
Question Hi Jessica,
I have a shire/TB cross he is 6 years old. I've had him for 1 1/2 years. Last summer he was ridden lightly and then fox hunted lightly in the fall/winter. This spring we began training for Eventing (riding about 4-5 times a week), but only for 45 minutes a time. He still lacks stamina. He starts out strong and the after 20 minutes he putters out. I don't think I push him hard enough to increase his cardio. Now that it's getting warm he completely ignores me and refuses to work. My trainer says he may just have to be my fall/winter horse. Is this true? Can I increase his stamina so he can perform in the summer? Is there a special diet I can put him on to increase his energy? Thanks!
Answer Hi Debbie, The Draft crosses do tend to have a little less of a work ethic than the TB's do. However, I would not give up yet on him being your year round horse, you may just have to work a little harder than if you had a TB. You may try giving him an iron supplement such as Red Cell or Finish Line, these sometimes will give them a little more energy in turn making them last longer. I had a draft cross mare who I evented who also lacked in the stamina department, my trainer at the time suggested I give her B-12 shots. I ended up not needing that so I never supplemented her with the B-12, it may be worth talking to your vet about, however. Another thing you can try is upping the protein intake. You may do this by feeding a higher protein grain, I would try 14%. You can also feed higher protein hay such as alfalfa. I would suggest riding your horse for 1 hour solid 6 days a week, or work up to that. Maybe jump 2 times a week, 15-30 min. trot sets or dressage work 2 days a week, and hill work 2 days a week. If you don't think you could start out doing that I would make that my goal to work up to. Trot sets and hill work are good for getting one fit and if your horse is solid over fences then maybe only jump 1 day a week to be less wear and tear on the joints. If your horse has a thicker hair coat because of the draft I would body clip him for the summer. If you could keep your horse up during the day with a fan and turn out at night, that usually seems to keep them a little fresher during the warm months. Good luck with your horse, hope this helps. Jessica
