The Marcha gait - more from the Clinic

My notes from the clinic:

Ø  Perfect the 4 beat extended walk.  (How many times are we told to practice a good walk in other disciplines?)  It is ESSENTIAL for a good marcha as it is the take-off point and retreat point always.

Ø  Practice in straight lines before teaching in circles, lateral work or ANY other discipline.  Teach the horse to elongate his back, his stride, relax and stretch without speeding up.

Ø  Always start on the good side for the stretches, but do both sides.  Stretching from the good side will help the bad side to stretch easier.

Ø  To move into gait:  From the walk, apply more leg pressure and ask the horse to speed up without losing the smooth rhythm that was there in his walk.  Collect the reins (have contact) with the horse’s mouth to ask him to collect his body in a good frame.

Ø  Do NOT let your horse continue to gait if it is gaiting badly.  Go back to the walk and start again.  Ask for MORE SPEED from his legs while maintaining the collection.   You are trying to build MUSCLE MEMORY.  (This works really well!  I tried it on my horses after the clinic)

Ø  A marcha picada horse that paces is often still very smooth (I was surprised by this).  You can tell because your hips will go side to side instead of forward and back.  Try to put your leg on for more leg speed, but if that doesn’t work, return to the walk and start over.

Ø  In marcha picada, you can help the horse learn the right rhythm by adding weight to the front feet (could be shoes) or the opposite in marcha batida.

Ø  As you can see from the diagram on May 1's post, some horses will need help because of poorer conformation or breeding, but some horses need correction because someone interfered with their natural gait during training.  The Marchador is a willing partner.  If you ask it to change its natural footfall, it will learn to do what you want.

Ø  You can use dressage to supple the horse and build muscle, but not too soon (remember straight lines).  Once you can do the circles, you can move to a higher-level figure.  The Marchador can do lateral work and the higher moves IN GAIT!  (Another surprise for me!)

Good breeding ensures a great gait naturally.  This
is Fidalgo do Summerwind, marcha de centro.

Dressage will help to supple the horse, stretch and build the
muscles so it also helps get a smoother and better gait.

SW Newsletter

Check out our Newsletter for even more pictures and news that don't make it to the blog!

April SW News

Artemis do Summerwind and dad, Seamus da Boa Fe

We're back in Colorado!

We came back a little early - it turned cold and actually snowed!  Beautiful, but not what we or the horses are used to!  Coming from AZ, they were already slick.

The horses stayed in that day

View from our porch - mountains, what mountains?

 It's not like I don't know snow.  I grew up in New England, and yes, I had horses back there as well.  So, I know what it's like to care for animals with bad weather.  The temperatures are one thing, but the second thing that happens after the snow, is the MUD.

So, it's all about keeping the horses happy.  We have 2 dry lots and 2 small paddocks that we gave up to be trashed and we'll reseed in May.

There are the Rockies in the distance!

And to think, we thought perhaps we would be seeing hummingbirds soon!

Koyote Libertas enjoying the snow the day after

Where are we?   We live in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  You may know the name of the town because it's where Pat Parelli's Natural Horsemanship have their summer college and campus.  It's near Durango, Colorado (1 hour west) and Santa Fe NM (3 hours south).  The weather here is usually close to perfect with warm days and cool nights.   The temperatures don't need to be that high because the sun is so strong in this altitude.   We just love it.

If you would like to come and meet a Mangalarga Marchador, we enjoy visitors!

Success! First Importation of MM Frozen Semen Arrives!

Summerwind SW FUTURE FOAL PRESS RELEASE

Oma de Maripa, one of the frozen semen donors

The first shipment of Mangalarga Marchador frozen semen from Brazil arrived in the US April 12, 2011!   The achievement is the result of a 4 year effort by Lynn and John Kelley, Summerwind Marchadors.   It also took the dedication and drive of Mr. Marcelo Baptista de Oliveira of Haras Maripa in Brazil, to navigate the red tape, paperwork and offer 3 of his stallions to be the first to ship to make history.

John and Lynn Kelley meeting the FEDEX truck at
Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center.

While shipping frozen semen is commonplace these days, in Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture regulates exportation by horse breed.  Up until recently, they did not allow collection and freezing of semen from Marchador stallions.  The ABCCMM worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and changed their registry rules as well.

Ximoio de Maripa, a semen donor.  Pure Abaiba bloodline.

Summerwind believes that importing frozen semen and embryos provides access to the better horses and proven producers in Brazil.  The Managalarga Marchador is the National Horse of Brazil.  It numbers over 350,000 there.

Haras Maripa breeds Mangalarga Marchador horses as performance and sport horses and have for over 30 years.   Their breeding program combines Abaiba blood mainly, with Bela Cruz and Herdade.   Haras Maripa genetically produces horses which are comfortable to ride, have a rhythmic, smooth movement - a sporting horse, which is sound, robust, has a good conformation, is extremely beautiful, with a good temperament and sweet.  One of their breeding products is in the US, Azenha de Maripa, imported by Summerwind in 2004.   Go see more of their horses!  http://harasmaripa.com.br/

Tiziu de Maripa (3rd semen donor) with owner and breeder,
Mr. Marcelo Baptista at Agro Maripa, SP, Brasil.

In 2003, Zane Davis, MT, wrote about Haras Maripa in his article for Western Horsemen  magazine.  In 2004, Maripa horses were used to ride the historic GOLD TRAIL in Brazil, a journey of about 9,000 miles from Sao Paulo to Golas City.    Now today’s Anhanguera Highway, 300 years ago, it was the main road where all of the wealth of the time traveled (gold, diamonds, slaves, livestock, salt, iron, etc.)        

“The importation of frozen semen and embryos from Brazil is critical to the improvement, diversity and numbers in the Mangalarga Marchador breed in North America.   With only 200 individuals here, you quickly run the risk of in-breeding or breeding horses of lower quality.  We owe Mr. Marcelo a lot.  We don’t know how to repay him for his effort.  This is a dream come true for us.”

Oma de Maripa, (also the top photo) is one of 2 stallions whose semen was frozen and exported.  The son of 2 ELITE book champion horses, himself a champion and a great producer.

The Mangalarga Marchador is one of the most outstanding breeds in the world.  Summerwind is dedicated to promoting and establishing the breed here.  

Summerwind would like to build a frozen sperm bank of champion horses and diverse bloodlines for any Marchador breeder to use.  "Perhaps in this first generation, it is not necessary, but in the next generation and beyond it will be.  That's the advantage of  frozen semen, it will be there forever."    In 2011, John and Lynn will travel to Brazil again to see more stallions and import again.   They will breed some of their mares to Maripa stallions this winter in Scottsdale AZ with their breeding vet, Dr. Jerry Longworth, of Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center. 

For more information about the Mangalarga Marchador breed, visit Summerwind Marchadors at http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com and http://www.futurefoal.com or the MM association website at http://usmarchador.com. www.namarchador.org

Laio de Maripa, a main herd stallion of Haras Maripa, now in his 20s.  He is the sire of Oma de Maripa (and Azenha de Maripa here in the US).

Quinteto do Pau d'Alho, another great producer at Haras Maripa. Quinteto is the sire of the second stallion who was collected and frozen for exportation to the US, Tiziu de Maripa.

Marchador Clinic in TX

Kate Bar on Andante de Miami

I went to the Mangalarga Marchador gait clinic hosted by Legacy Marchadors last weekend.  It was a fabulous blend of information and riding taught by gifted instructor, Kate Barcelos (Kate Bar).    Kate's credentials fill a page, but a few of them are: 

• She was the #2 dressage rider in all of South America
• She is a vet.
• She is the 1st woman inspector for the ABCCMM (Brasilian Marchador Association)
• She runs an educational program for the ABCCMM 
• She trains and consults with many of the top Marchador farms in Brasil

So, we were in great hands.  Kate was not comfortable speaking in English and none of us knew Portuguese, so USMMA member Aline Oliveira Greene translated the whole time for us and did an excellent job.  Horse TV was there filming and taking photos.  Hopefully, there will be a video to follow.

Brooke Litte, Majestic Marchadors on Flying Oaks Windsmoke
Windy is marcha picada and for sale from Flying Oaks Ranch.

I am going to write up notes from the class, but for now, you can enjoy some of the photos!

Karin Roberts on her Marchador, Aja Bajoni do Premier

Most of us didn't bring horses, so thanks to those who did!
Sue Parris Current on Andante and Connie Claire on Aja Bajoni

Kate riding Ritmo A.J. palomino Marchador stallion owned
by Haras Lucero, TN

Kate with Aline Greene.  Kate's hat is the international
symbol of the Mangalarga Marchador - the horseshoe M brand.

Fidalgo do Summerwind Baby Book (video)

A great marcha de centro - so fast!

Remember the beautiful baby books that kept the treasures and memories?  Well, we tried to re-create that feeling in this video of Fidalgo for his off-site future owners, Lynn and Becca Boone.   The video is on the long side, but if you like watching foals, then the time will go by quickly.

Fidalgo is a Mangalarga Marchador stud colt who may stay a stallion!  That's great for the breed here, because he is all attitude, style and class!  The perfect son of Brasilia do Summerwind and La Paz Jivago, we are perfectly pleased with the result!

Have fun!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQX8b65mvwY

Mangalarga Marchador - A Breed Without Frontiers

Nomade de Clarion, MM stallion in Brasil

This was a popular tagline for the ABCCMM for many years.  We forget, because the Mangalarga Marchador breed is so rare here in North America, that it is known and prized around the world, but especially in Brazil!

In its native country, the Brazilian Association of Breeders of Mangalarga Marchador, the ABCCMM, currently has 5,000 members and 400,000 registered horses that live in approximately 22,000 farms!  This generates 43,000 direct jobs and 200,000 indirect jobs. 

In Brasil, Marchador horses break records in agribusiness, selling about $60 million (U.S.$) a year in only 75 auctions across the country. 

Xingera do Krieswald in the Netherlands

The broad scope of the Brazilian Association may be measured by their representation, with two affiliate associations in the United States and Germany, and it is present in the main Brazilian states through 53 centers that foster marketing and distribution.

Beethoven do Summerwind, one of 5 MMs now in Canada.

Caboclo da Piedade and Seamus da Boa Fe in the US.

The ABCCMM reports there are populations of Mangalarga Marchadors in 10 countries: Brazil, United States, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, Israel, Peru and Uruguay.   (However, I personally know MM owners in Slovenia, Italy and France, so the number of countries is even higher)

The Brazilian National show, held every year in July for 11 days, is one of the biggest equestrian events in Latin America with 1500 purebred MM horses competing.  (I have heard that it may be the largest single breed show in the world, but could not verify that.)

  

Just this week, the ABCCMM exported 5 stallions to Europe to represent the Mangalarga Marchador breed in shows, expos and for breeding.  The first big event is EQUITANA in March 2011.  Last year, the ABCCMM was unsuccessful in getting horses into Europe on a temporary basis just for the big show.  This year, they would not be denied!

Patek de Maripa, MM stallion exported to Europe for breeding and expos like EQUITANA 2011

Marchador Trivia

The USMMA with the help of all the importers will be writing our history and stories soon in the USMMA newsletter, perhaps to be published in a book too. Tresa Smith is heading up the tremendous effort. Here are some of the numbers to whet your appetite.

69 Marchadors have been imported from Brasil. Of the 69 imports:

1 had to be returned to Brasil when he failed testing in Miami

4 have died since being imported (only one from old age)

The oldest import is a mare born in 1982 - Formosa do Crocoto.

26 were stud colts or stallions. Of these, only 11 are still breeding.

37 mares were imported to become foundation breeding mares in 11 states with 14 breeders.

5 horses were imported as geldings.

The importers:

The Guerra family in FL – MM Horse Farms. Regal Legacy Farm, out of business, in CA, GA and OH Tresa Smith in MT – Lazy T Ranch and Montana Marchadors Premier International, out of business, in FL and CA John and Lynn Kelley in AZ, Summerwind Marchadors Susan Gabriel in CA, Dreamcatcher Ranch Rick and Liz Schatz in OK, Flying Oaks Ranch Holm and Susan Neumann in OR, Cascade Marchadors Keith Mosing in TX Peter and Lori Silcher in MT, 4 Seasons Marchadores

The foundation horses represented a great mix of bloodlines. Abaiba, Tabatinga, Favacho, Bela Cruz, Herdade, JB, Traituba, Caxambu and more. Some of the imported mares were pregnant to Brasilian stallions further adding to the genetic pool if they remained breeding animals. All of the other Marchadors found around the country are products of these original horses.

Marchador mares - Breeding Tips

We believe the Marchador mares are very robust and natural in their heat cycles. Like some other ancient breeds, the Marchador mares hold on to their egg folicles much longer and their follicles get much larger. Many breeding vets start their breeding process with a follicle of 35 mm. With a Marchador mare, we often wait until at least 45 mm or 50 before we begin breeding. We have seen follicles of 52-60 mm without ovulation in our mares.

So, our advice is - when breeding with AI - wait a day or maybe two - more that what the textbook calls for.
Of course, every mare is unique and ultrasounding each of your breeding mares during their estrus cycle will provide valuable information to you on how to manage that mare.

Good luck!

I rode Bella today (real name Elba Cruzalta) just around the ranch property and marveled at our journey together. Such a sweet mare and willing to try to do anything - like walk by that blue tarp over the hay - even though I can tell she's very apprehensive about it. Perhaps, I think, we need to do some tarp and scary things training to help this old girl.

She went comfortably - just at a walk, at my request. Such a difference from the mare who would rush almost out of control if you ever loosened the reins. I am content and happy on her back.

So now that she is happy, we will move on to the finer elements of riding. I would love to get her to bend and supple, to give her head some and start using her back end a little more. (She's learned on the ground to do that, but under saddle, not so much). But, I think, we have time for that - and today we just enjoy the walk - the sunshine and fresh air, the feeling of eternity like time has just stopped and that this ride can last forever.

I will miss you Bella when your owners come for you. For the rest of my life. You are a special one, a spirit horse.

Fazenda Calciolandia, Brazil

Calciolandia has specialized in smooth PICADA gaited horses for decades, even when that gait was unpopular and not allowed in the show ring. Their breeding program relies on strong Herdade roots often mixed with Passa Tempo, with occasional introductions of other old bloodlines like Angai or Tabatinga. Gabriel Andrade is a major breeder and was the major exhibitor at Brasil’s 2009 National Show.

Their horses are very beautiful - wonderful heads and expressive eyes - and very smooth. Another characteristic is the color. Most Calciolandia horses are bay, chestnut and palomino, not grey. The main stallions used there were the Herdade greats: Cadillac, Capricho, Tirol, Gas Cardeal and the Passa Tempo ones: Zum Zum and Segundo Rio Verde. The farm’s main focus is not horses, but cattle – they have 4 breeds there.

Calciolandia Marchadors were the first MMs imported in 1992 by the owner’s son who moved to FL. When he returned to Brasil, these horses became the foundation for Lucas Guerra of MM Horse Farms in Miami. We have two mares from MM Horse Farms original stock: Bossa Nova de Miami and Chanel de Miami.

October Newsletter

News and photos from across the country - all about horses and of course, Marchadors.

http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/qlNews_detail.aspx?CI=4579

Wills, Estates and Trusts

Does anyone else worry what will happen to your horses after you pass away? A morbid thought I know, but horses are living so much longer now, that it is a real concern to both me and my husband. We are about to start researching ideas, but if anyone has suggestions, please email them to us at info@summerwindmarchadors.com.

One of the first things I've learned is that just doing a will may not be enough. Since wills often take months to execute, you need to make sure that someone is named and given the money to get through this period.

Our horses are just like family. I would like them to live out their natural lives happily - whether or not I am there.

Training Brasilia

Yesterday I was riding Brasilia do Summerwind, a green 3 year old mare. After the ride, my husband John said “You know I watch her move under saddle and she moves exactly as she does when she is running at liberty in the pasture”. What a compliment! All the energy, enthusiasm and beauty of a natural moving horse was still there! After basking in the praise (I assumed it was for me), we talked about how we had gotten there.

We believe it is the ground work we do. We work with the foals from the time they are born, so it is easy to know the horse inside and out - how it will react to learning new things or new places. Training on the ground lets you and the horse develop a relationship of trust and a way of communicating.

We can teach almost everything a horse needs to know on the ground, and at any age. So, when we get to starting the young horse under saddle, it is just another series of steps in a life-long process.

The time spent with a young horse is especially important. What they are learning during the first 3 years of their lives set the foundation for the rest of their careers. This is time and effort well-spent and well worth whatever time it takes.

With Brasilia, I learned that the horse can also be the teacher. Here is what we learned from our smartest mare:

• Start training with gentleness, not dominance, lots of pauses and lots of enthusiasm for the smallest of tries.
• Look at yourself and your actions if she didn’t get it right. It was almost always my miscue.
• Apologize and start again no matter who got it wrong.
• Always check in to see that we have a connection a level of trust and respect before continuing or starting something new.
• Make sure you are both ready to learn that day.
• Dominance is not the same as leadership.
• Breathe, relax, lick your lips!

For those people who don’t have ground training as part of their regimen now, there are self-help DVDs from all of the world’s great trainers. Stay Natural! Or, you can go to a clinic in your local area or practice with a friend until you get comfortable on your own. The reward is a partner for life –before you ever put a foot in the stirrup.

As we get older, there may come a day where riding is no longer an option. Ground work or just spending time hanging out with a horse may be it. That would still be a great day!

John Kelley New USMMA President

The US Mangalarga Marchador Association (USMMA) elected John Kelley, owner of Summerwind Marchadors, their new President. John's term begins in 2010. John hopes to continue the good work of the association, and plans to add a national show in 2010 or 2011.

The USMMA has about 200 Mangalarga Marchadors in the US and Canada today.

For more information about John Kelley and Summerwind, visit our websites:

www.summerwindmarchadors.com

www.futurefoal.com

For more information about the USMMA, visit the association website.

usmarchador.com

September News

Our newsletter captures updates on the Marchadors and people we know and love across the country, some articles, information and products we find during the month and lots of photos of beautiful horses!

To read the whole newsletter, please follow this link:
http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/news_detail.aspx?CI=4556

You can get on the mailing list by just sending me an email to info@summerwindmarchadors.com

Pennsylvania Equestrian has written a new article on the first Marchador in Pennsylvania, Azenha de Maripa and Signa Strom. They are following their dreams.......

To read the full article, please follow this link.

http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/qlNews_detail.aspx?CI=4557

La Paz Jivago's Return!

The shipper leaves for Canada on September 12th to pick Jivago up. We hired Ned Leigh, an equine trainer and horse hauler to do a direct haul. He will be traveling like royalty, with the whole trailer as a box stall.

We can't wait to see him again, even though it was quite a shock to hear that Pat was going to stop breeding. What a great horse he is! We will start breeding this fall. Call us if you want to reserve one of his 2010 babies - or to breed to him!

www.futurefoal.com

SW Newsletter for August

We have news from Brasil, family and friends. This month is DaVinci's birthday!

Check out our monthly newsletter by following this link.http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/qlNews_detail.aspx?CI=4519

DaVinci!

New photos of our future foal - DaVinci do Summerwind, owned by Connie Claire, Ocala.

Almost a year old now, these will make a great birthday card! DaVinci is the product of La Paz Jivago (Sunset Marchadors) and Bossa Nova de Miami.

http://picasaweb.google.com/swmarchador/DaVinci#