Costa Rica Horsekeeping
by Carol Klusman

Defined as the third world country, Costa Rica is located between Nicaragua and Panama. And after recently traveling to the Central Pacific area, west of the capital of San Jose, it's easy to understand why so many people own horses in Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica it's fairly easy to find large parcels of property for sale, either on the beach or situated somewhere among the gorgeous mountains views. And many property owners enlist the help of cows and horses to adorn their lush pastures.

Unfortunately, it can be disconcerting to find that not all animals receive the basic care they need, and horses are no exception. It's not unheard of to find loose horses grazing along the side of highways or even galloping loose across a beach. A lengthy search is necessary to find a herd of thriving equines.

Of course there are horses which are well cared for in the country; yet, one horse owner in particular stands out among the rest. And fortuitous travelers are able to be taken on horseback riding tours with her.

Last year, Judy made the official transition from her life of bumper-to-bumper traffic in the United States down to the lure of the tropical life and mesmerizing surf offered along the western coast of Costa Rica. Luckily, many horses living in the area directly benefited from her decision.

"Horses are beasts of burden in this country," said Judy, speaking to the fact that some horse owners tend to be somewhat negligent. Yet, even the most conscientious owner can run into incredible obstacles in trying to care for their horses.

For example, veterinary services are quite different than they are in the United States, explained Judy. It can be very difficult to treat common illnesses, since there is no such thing as taking a trip to the veterinary office for bute, banamine or other medications frequently used in this country.

Not only do the vets not have access to those medications but they may not even have the ability to run a complete blood count or other common diagnostic tests. Judy added it's not possible to send blood samples to veterinarians in the U.S. because the regular mail is not delivered fast enough, and there are no overnight services available.

In fact, Judy hopes to eventually bring a portable x-ray machine to Costa Rica in hopes of helping many horses. Radiographs are basically unheard of in the area, along with endoscopes and ultrasound machines. She recently brought hoof testers to the country, as she couldn't locate even one set in her part of the country. Not surprisingly, there are difficulties in finding decent farrier services as well, she explained. And ordering health care products isn't as easy as stopping by the tack shop, picking up the phone or logging onto the computer to place your order. There are no tack shops offering a variety of what we consider horse essentials. And products sent through the mail must be cleared through Customs, and the procedure makes it easy for items to be lost. Fortunately, her husband is an equine veterinarian still working in the United States; therefore, on his frequent trips to Costa Rica, he can evaluate her horses or any others that are in need of medical treatment.

Some regular ailments that Judy must battle include hoof abscesses and rain rot. Weather in the country includes a dry season, running from roughly November through April, and the remainder of the year is what they call the rainy season. Judy explained that last fall her farm experienced downpours of rain 24-hours a day, lasting for one full week.

Although Judy has a man-made shelter for her horses, most equines have to look for natural protection from the weather. Therefore, rain rot affects nearly every horse in the country. And when the terrain goes from being very dry to essentially flooded, hoof abscesses begin brewing in many hooves, she said.

In addition, Judy keeps all her horses manes clipped to help keep ticks off the horses and to prevent bats from hanging off the manes to bite on horses. Typically, horses live on pasture as the mountainous terrain makes it difficult to make hay. Judy explained she will cut and dry the grass herself to make hay if she has a sick horse requiring stall rest. Many of the horses Judy purchased after moving to Costa Rica needed extensive medical attention, and they immediately flourished under her care. Yet, the diverse culture, quiet streets, gorgeous landscape and prolific wildlife make Costa Rica living - and riding - worth the extra effort. The environment is changing with increase residents and visitors. People from all over the world vacation to Costa Rica, including residents from the U.S., Italy, Canada, Germany and France. Additionally, the horseback riding tour Judy provides makes even the longest plane trip worthwhile. "You never know what you are going to see out here," she said. Walking, trotting and cantering along sometimes treacherous trails offering breathtaking views, I was fortunate enough to see brightly colored birds, butterflies and even a loose donkey. Monkeys have also been seen on her guided rides. Sometimes walking into a landscape of endless mountains, looking off in the distance towards the Pacific Ocean or negotiating carefully down a trail leading down to a ravine of jungle-like vegetation, every turn provides a new site. Judy and her ranch hands checked on a newborn calf and a two-month old foal along the way. Borrowing the natural spring water sources set up for the cattle that live on part of the 2000-acres available for riding, Judy's horses were considered at every step. The typical type of horse found in Costa Rica is a smaller-sized cross breed, and Judy's horses also fit that description. Every one of her horses was well-trained and in shape. Some even participate in roping competitions when they are not escorting tourists across the vast countryside.

The boundaries of Rancho Monterey were lined with what is called a living fence, Judy explained. Many locals use tree branches as posts, placed about one to three feet apart and strung with wire to keep the animals inside the pasture. The rich soils encouraged by frequent rainfalls eventually turn the posts into trees.

Although the trip started while the morning was still fresh, the steep trails and increasing temperature gave the horses a tough workout. And while the horses were given a short break, the riders were treated to cashew fruit picked right from the tree. The juicy mango-like fruit has a cashew attached to one end. By the end of the ride, the horses had completely recovered from their workout and were ready for their baths before returning to their huge pasture.

If you're looking for a tropical vacation getaway to a diverse culture, full of laid-back welcoming residents, look to Costa Rica. And include some horseback riding while you're away.