GRFS: On Good Management and Magic Mushrooms

By: Catherine Haddad from the Chronicle of the Horse

Dear Rita,

The kindest gift you can give your horse is a passport to good health. When we buy horses, take them home and put them in the stable, we also assume responsibility for their happiness and well-being. Like all things in life, the simplest approach you can take is usually the best one.

Assuming good nutrition is a given, I will always stand by the additional three basic principles of GRFS—Good Riding, Footing and Shoeing. These three things are essential to the good health, longevity and happiness of any sport horse. The more you update, improve and implement GRFS—the more likely you are to see improved health in your horses.

I don’t want to play down the role of a good veterinarian in the life of a sport horse. When things go wrong this is the guy you need, but in my experience you only need the vet when your GRFS has failed. So if long-term, successful management is your goal, then pay attention to the following details in the care of your horse.

Good Riding is defined by increased strength, impulsion, self-carriage and elasticity over the competitive life of your horse. Bottom line. We could discuss methods and systems for days, but if your horse is not showing improvement in these four areas over the years that you train him, then you are not practicing good riding.

Good Footing can also be defined by the impulsion and elasticity that it encourages. Your horse should be able to push off the surface he is working on without undue strain. The footing should not suck the impulsion out of his gaits. At the same time, your footing needs to absorb shock and allow the horse to bounce out of it with every stride in order to preserve the health of his joints.

Work 10 horses on your footing at home and then put it to this test without dragging it first. You (yourself without the horse) should be able to sprint across your dressage footing without the boggy feeling of running on a sandy beach. You should not find a hoof print deep enough to twist your ankle. You should not get bruises on the balls of your feet from the hardness of the surface. And a normal number of jumping jacks should not wear you out any more than usual.

This is a tough one, Rita, and I freely admit that I am blessed to live in Germany where footing production has become a finely tuned business. My recommendation for footing can be found at: http://www.ottosport.de/public/

Good Shoeing is defined by your horse’s coronet band. Learn to read it and either weep or rejoice by what you see. Now, I gotta tell ya, Rita, as a good horseman it is not your job to tell the farrier how to shoe your horse. But it is your job to recognize good shoeing when you see it and avoid bad shoeing at all costs. If your horse is badly shod, you can expect your vet bills to skyrocket.

Your farrier should know how to properly balance a foot so that the coronet band is one continuous smooth line, the breakover point is correct, the foot lands flat, and the angles hold true for 5-7 weeks of growth. If your farrier can’t meet these basic standards, find another one. And when you find a good farrier, treat him better than your best friend because he is more important to your competitive success than anybody else.

Healthy Horses

Mushroom Matrix offers a full line of products for all horses from the companion or trail horse to the high performance Olympic athlete. We have spent years formulating our proprietary blends to target the right balance of health in your horse. Our products are 100% Organic and grown by us, here in the US, we believe it is important to know the source of your supplements. Gain the health and performance that your horse demands with Mushroom Matrix!

Our blends use 10 species of powerful medicinal mushrooms. The biochemistry of these mushrooms is exceedingly complex with thousands of bioactive compounds. While each individual species of mushroom has unique bioactive compounds, there are therapeutic qualities that are common to all of our mushrooms:

• Immunostimulation/immunomodulation through beta glucans, peptides, lectins, proteins and polyphenols
• Protection against oxidative stress with a range of antioxidants including L-ergothioneine, an antioxidant produced only by fungi
• Adaptogenic properties to help cope with a wide variety of stressors
• Organic source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes

Mushroom Matrix has created blends that combine the individual activities of each mushroom into a powerful, synergistic blend - the total is greater than the sum of the parts!

Isabell Werth said...

"In the beginning I was sceptical,

but now I‘m convinced of the
Healing Mushrooms‘ effect.
Our horses are more vital and
concentrated."
Isabell Werth

Isa Championships Werth has competed in the Olympics four
times in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008. In those four games she won eight
medals, five of them gold. Werth has also won seven Dressage World
Championship medals, six of them gold.

She has competed multiple times at the European Dressage Championships, earning several gold and silver medals. At the 2008 Olympics she won the team championship together with her colleagues Heike Kemmer and Nadine Capellmann Isabell Werth worked alongside Bates Australia to develop the Isabell Dressage Saddle available in Bates and Wintec.

Isabell Werth wins World Cup dressage qualifier at Odense

26 October, 2010
German Olympic gold medallist *Isabell Werth

• has won the opening leg of the 2010/11 Reem Acra FEI World
  Cup*dressage
• series at Odense, Denmark (24 October), riding Satchmo.

“Today, Satchmo had the right mixture of power and relaxation,” said
Isabell, who was last to go into the arena.

Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Digby were the ones to beat with
a personal-best freestyle score of 80.05%, delighting the home crowds — at
one point, the commentator had to request that they settle down.

But, after being beaten by Nathalie the previous day in the grand prix,
Isabell clinched her victory with 81.1%.

This left Nathalie in second spot, with the Netherlands’ Hans Peter
Minderhoud third with IPS Tango.

British dressage rider *Anna Ross
Davies

• rode the Bowles family’s Pegasus MK for 68.45% and 12th place.

The second leg of the series takes place in Lyon, France, on Friday (29
October). Good Luck Isabell!

Mushroom Matrix would like to thank Isabelle Werth for sharing her testimonial with us! Best of luck to you!

Elto, my horse, was bitten by a rattlesnake

Elto, my horse who was bitten TWICE by a rattlesnake is doing FABULOUS.

Long story-short: he was on 6 scoops of the ECP formula since it's what I had, divided
into 4-6 feedings a day for the first 5 days. He was weaned down to
3 scoops a day where he is right now. The horse also had the
benefit of whole food smoothies, whole food diet, some Theracell, a
ton of homeopathy, ECP and he healed in 6 days, unheard of as I hear
from my vets. They say the progress he has made in the 6 days is
typical for a horse after TWO WEEKS of conventional treatment. Elto
had no drugs, other than a tetanus shot since snakes carry
clostridial bacteria.

Vets want to know my protocol and I have an invitation to publish
this as well as it is unheard of from what they know. I've
documented it and am ready to use this experience to move forward in
the work that I believe in...considering the WHOLE horse...and what
a perfect example of how well it can work in a very tricky situation.

Elizabeth Meyer

Mushroom Matrix would like to thank Elizabeth Meyer for sharing her story with us!

Mushroom Matrix through time

Mushroom Matrix’s history dates back to 20 years of growing fresh, organic mushrooms in San Marcos, California, just north of San Diego. Mushroom Matrix was responsible for introducing many new fresh Asian mushrooms to the North American marketplace including Maitake, King Trumpet and Beech mushrooms.

Pursuing the nutritional applications of medicinal mushrooms, Mushroom Matrix set out in 2005 to research and obtain the most effective and potent strains from around the globe. Ten specific mushroom strains were identified and obtained by Mycologist, Steve Farrar, each possessing unique bioactivity. The potencies of these rare strains are consistently maintained by keeping the original cultures preserved with liquid nitrogen storage technology. Proprietary methodologies to produce and process both the fruit body and the mycelial stages of the selected strains were subsequently developed. The result – a potent dehydrated powder of 100% Organically Certified mushrooms – now combined into powerful, targeted blends for our Mushroom Matrix Products.

The ten powerful strains acquired by Mushroom Matrix include:

• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
• King Trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii)
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
• Shimeji (Hypsizygus marmoreus) Himematsutake (Agaricus blazei)
• Niu-chang-chi (Antrodia camphorata)
• Chong cao (Cordyceps militaris)
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
• Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Human Products: Mushroom Matrix

Our products are formulated with a proprietary blend of Mushroom Matrix Ingredients – 100% Organically certified and grown in San Marcos, California. Our products have no additives, no fillers and have we have removed none of the goodness of the mushroom during our exclusive processing.

Our blends are designed to support today's active lifestyle - for the student, the senior and everyone in between, we are all constantly on the go! Help your body stay ready to meet the demands of work, school, sports and just plain fun!

Our blends use 10 species of powerful medicinal mushrooms. The biochemistry of these mushrooms is exceedingly complex with thousands of bioactive compounds. While each individual species of mushroom has unique bioactive compounds, there are therapeutic qualities that are common to all of our mushrooms:

• Immunostimulation/immunomodulation through beta glucans, peptides, lectins, proteins and polyphenols
• Protection against oxidative stress with a range of antioxidants including L-ergothioneine, an antioxidant produced only by fungi
• Adaptogenic properties to help cope with a wide variety of stressors
• Organic source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes

Mushroom Matrix has created blends that combine the individual activities of each mushroom into a powerful, synergistic blend - the total is greater than the sum of the parts!

Michelle Parker, US Grand Prix Rider, Team Matrix Member

“We double dose the Performance Matrix during the long show series and it really helps keep the energy and recovery of our horses to get out there and jump the big jumps – even after 4 or 6 long weeks on the road. It has made a measurable difference in all of our horses.”

Thanks Michelle for sharing that with us!

Mushroom Matrix

Hawley Bennett, Canadian Team Olympian, Team Matrix Member

“The Performance Matrix product has made a huge improvement in the performance of the horses in our barn. We see the difference in the recovery times of our horses after strenuous workouts. We can feel the difference but we can see it as well in the improvements overall performance and health.”

Thank you Hawley Bennett for sharing this with us!

Mushroom Matrix Antioxidants

Antioxidants: All living organisms including horses are exposed on a daily basis to attacks by free radicals, also called reactive oxygen species. Survival and minimization of harmful effects free radicals requires a powerful antioxidant defense system.

Several of nature's most powerful antioxidants and synergistic enzyme matrix systems that do not exist outside unprocessed whole foods are found in significant abundance in certain specially-grown species of exotic, medicinal mushrooms.

• L-Ergothioneine (LE), a substance mushrooms have in abundance, is one of the most potent antioxidants in the world. ONE unit of L-ERGO equals approximately 7, 000 units of Trolox (water soluble vitamin E). What is most fascinating is that mammals cannot synthesize L-ERGO but contain a unique TRANSPORT SYSTEM to ensure delivery of this essential nutrient to key cells and sites of oxidative stress.

• Beta Glucans - Potent and proven immune response potentiators and modulators.

• Polyphenols - Potent biological response modifiers.
• Organic Selenium compounds - An essential trace element with important antioxidant and metabolic energy activity.

• Amino Acids - Essential amino acids occurring in mushrooms increase the biological value of equine feeds.

• Glycoproteins - Key building blocks of the immune system, antibodies, hormones, connective tissue, and are important for cellular recognition and defense.

The effects and benefits of improved antioxidant and enzyme food matrix status are significant and include improved stress response as evidenced by improved mental focus, external bio-markers of improved health such as improved coat sheen, muscle tone, digestion, stamina, growth, recovery, and reproductive potential.

Antioxidants: All living organisms including horses are exposed on a daily basis to attacks by free radicals, also called reactive oxygen species. Survival and minimization of harmful effects free radicals requires a powerful antioxidant defense system.

Several of nature's most powerful antioxidants and synergistic enzyme matrix systems that do not exist outside unprocessed whole foods are found in significant abundance in certain specially-grown species of exotic, medicinal mushrooms.

• L-Ergothioneine (LE), a substance mushrooms have in abundance, is one of the most potent antioxidants in the world. ONE unit of L-ERGO equals approximately 7, 000 units of Trolox (water soluble vitamin E). What is most fascinating is that mammals cannot synthesize L-ERGO but contain a unique TRANSPORT SYSTEM to ensure delivery of this essential nutrient to key cells and sites of oxidative stress.

• Beta Glucans - Potent and proven immune response potentiators and modulators.

• Polyphenols - Potent biological response modifiers.
• Organic Selenium compounds - An essential trace element with important antioxidant and metabolic energy activity.

• Amino Acids - Essential amino acids occurring in mushrooms increase the biological value of equine feeds.

• Glycoproteins - Key building blocks of the immune system, antibodies, hormones, connective tissue, and are important for cellular recognition and defense.

The effects and benefits of improved antioxidant and enzyme food matrix status are significant and include improved stress response as evidenced by improved mental focus, external bio-markers of improved health such as improved coat sheen, muscle tone, digestion, stamina, growth, recovery, and reproductive potential. .

A new organic way to supplement horses

Mushrooms are one of the oldest foods in existence and particular mushrooms are very rich in nutrients fed to horses from synthetic or animal sources.

Calm Performance Matrix is a focus product containing 3 mushroom species of specific chemistry and activity. Calm Performance Matrix contains Cordyceps militaris, which is a COX-2 inhibitor (anti-inflammatory), and improves oxygen uptake by 30% while increasing ATP by 25% which all contribute to increased performance. Calm Performance Matrix also contains very specific glycol-proteins that have specific cell receptor signal transductance pathways to DNA expression. This activity is primarily derived from the Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) mushroom and works explicitly with the horse’s immune response. Additionally, the product contains a large percentage of the King Trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii) mushroom mycelial biomass and fruit bodies. The King Trumpet mushroom is another COX-2 inhibitor but, as or more important, also contains significant amounts L-ergothioneine and anti-oxidant cycle enzymes, which significantly improve cell integrity in responding to oxidative stress. This is significant in producing the “calming” effect of Calm Performance Matrix. This “calming” effect is generally the first response horse owners and trainers notice in their horses after administering Calm Performance Matrix.

Legendary Trainer Blane Schvaneveldt Dies

The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, July 5, 2010 -- Blane Schvaneveldt, 76, died Monday, July 5.

Schvaneveldt was hospitalized at Los Alamitos Medical Center after showing signs of distress Friday morning while having breakfast with his wife, Shirley, in the backstretch café named in his honor at Los Alamitos. Earlier that morning, he oversaw the training of his racing stable.

Schvaneveldt is an icon of the American Quarter Horse racing industry. The Preston, Idaho, native began training in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Los Alamitos in 1968. He was unchallenged for decades as the leading trainer of racing American Quarter Horses -- either by money earned, races won or both -- and came to personify the sport of racing the fastest horses on earth.

Schvaneveldt toppled D. Wayne Lukas (AQHA Hall of Fame member) from the No. 1 spot by races won in 1976, and the year after that became the first conditioner to saddle the earners of more than $1 million in a single season.

In 1980, he became the first trainer to break $2 million, followed that two years later with the industry’s first $3 million year, and in 1984 set what until 2003 was the all-time single season record of $3,531,572. He was a named the sport’s champion trainer twelve-consecutive times from 1985-1996.

Since AQHA began keeping detailed records in 1970, Schvaneveldt won 5,186 races in 32,173 starts -- including 189 stakes wins -- and earned $55,322,155.

“He may have been the best trainer to ever put his hands on a horse,” said trainer Jack Van Berg, a friend of Schvaneveldt’s who won the 1987 Kentucky Derby with Alysheba (TB).

Schvaneveldt was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2001.

Schvaneveldt was active with his stable this year despite persistent health problems in recent years, particularly with his back. Last month, his Divide The Cash set a 350-yard track record at Los Alamitos. On Memorial Day, he traveled to Idaho for a high school class reunion.

Schvaneveldt won the richest race of his career in December 2008 when Tres Passes won the $2,038,250 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1). A month earlier, he won his first seven-figure race when Tres Passes won the Golden State Million Futurity (G1).

Among the many horses he trained or saddled for a stakes victory were fellow American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Town Policy, world champions Cash Rate, Dash For Speed, First Down Dash, Miss Thermolark, Refrigerator, Super Sound Charge and Winalota Cash and champions Azure Three, Band Of Angels, Better Than Never, Cash Legacy, Cash Perks, Dean Miracle, Denim N Diamonds, Easy Austin, Ed Grimley, Extra Easy, First Sovereign, Ive Been Blessed, Jumping Tac Flash, Lady Juno, Make Mine Bud, Mini Rock, My Debut, Sign It Super, Sir Alibi, Sixy Chick, Speedy Lunch, Splash Bac, The Black Alliance, The Casanova and The Plan.

“It’s hard to imagine a Los Alamitos Race Course without Blane Schvaneveldt,” said Edward C. Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos Race Course. “During my early days as a racehorse owner and breeder, I relied heavily on his knowledge and counsel. I can’t begin to tell people how much I will miss him.”

Schvaneveldt owned and operated his training and breeding operation in Romoland, California, and also hosted the Schvaneveldt Yearling Sale.

He has in his own name bred the earners of more than $6.2 million, including champion Dashing Val and Grade 1 winners Simplify and Canosa.

A testament to Schvaneveldt’s influence in Quarter Horse racing are the two races named in his honor - the Blane Schvaneveldt Futurity at Wyoming Downs and the Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap at Los Alamitos, which will be run this year on Oct. 1.

A burial service will be held in Preston, Idaho, at a date to be announced. A memorial service will be held at Los Alamitos Race Course at a date following the burial.

Schvaneveldt is survived by his wife, Shirley; two daughters, Shonna Smith and Brenda Figueroa; and three grandchildren, Brandi Mitchell, Brayden Figueroa and Barrett Figueroa.

More details will follow as they become available. Brought to you by the American Quarter Horse Association