Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i Horse & Rider

Awe, Shucks! Keep your training mistakes to a minimum and avoid Barb Crabbe, DVM’s “Top Five Conditioning Flubs,” page 50. Go online to discover how to get your horse fit to ride in “Got Fit?” Ready or Not? Prepare for your foal’s arrival with tips from this issue’s Horsekeeping depa rtment (page 21). Find “Foaling Checklist” at the Website for a handy to-do list. Old Dog, New Tricks See “How (and Why) to Find a Trainer” online for help seeking out a professional. Become his star pupil by reviewing “Be Training-Barn Wise” on page 29. A Rein’s, a Rein’s, a Rein Learn about the direct, indirect, and supporting reins in “The Three Rein Positions” online. Find out which is most effective with a hackamore in Tack Talk, page 32. Boarding…

Q I’ve had trouble locating boarding that offers a field with a runin shelter. What’s the next best living arrangement for my horse? LYNN INGALLS-BATES Speedway, Indiana A Unfortunately, horse owners often have to compromise as facilities and standards vary so much from place to place. Some boarding stables may be better in certain aspects of management than others, so it’s best to compare several places, weigh all the relevant options, and see which best meets your particular horse’s requirements. Remember, though, that a horse’s inborn needs to be physically healthy and mentally happy should have the edge over an owner’s desire to keep him as a hothouse flower. While all horses are individuals, they must have their species-specific needs met. Studies have shown that domestic horses aren’t much different…

WE IN THE HORSE COMMUNITY LIKE TO SHARE. Break a rein at a horse show? You’ll have offers of a lender in no time. Forget your hoof pick on a trail ride? Your friends will have you covered. Need some advice about a training technique? Oh boy, do horse people really (really) like to share advice. These “shares” are generally helpful, encouraging acts of kindness—and harmless. Our sharing tendencies aren’t limited to in-person encounters. On social media, we share everything horsey. This is where sharing can wind up being more harmful than helpful, for a variety of reasons. ‘Fair Share’ I think most things we pass along on Facebook and other social media fall into the harmless category. Funny memes and videos, heart-warming stories of triumph, photos that inspire—these items…

I recently spent two days digging through junk and sweeping spider remains into a dustpan—finally purging my basement. As I sifted through outdated clothing, old files, and an assortment of phone chargers, I stumbled upon the box. I pulled at the interlocking cardboard flaps. Worn and soft with age, they slipped open easily. Inside, brightly colored ribbons shone under the lights. I smiled, reaching inside and pulling out a fistful of memories. Turning the ribbons over in my hands and without looking at dates, I could almost guess the year of each one just by the skill of the penmanship. There were ribbons for Jessie, an unregistered Quarter-type pony, who for 25 years now has rested peacefully on my parents’ farm in Charlestown, Indiana. There were ribbons for Snake, a…

If you have horse-crazy children or grandchildren, it’s never too soon to start modeling horse-safe behavior for them. As all experienced horsemen know, small things can go a long way to reduce the risk of getting injured (the horse’s risk, too). Studies consistently show—not surprisingly—that those with more knowledge about horse behavior plus experience in handling horses are at lower risk of injury than are novices. Children and adolescents especially need careful supervision to ensure that they’re developing the habits that will keep them safe in the saddle and around the barn. (For a handy list of precautions, see “Safety Rules Around Horses” at HorseandRider.com.) Q: I hear a lot lately about the danger of sugar in a horse’s diet. Why is sugar harmful? A: Your horse’s digestive tract is…

A Leg Up The item: Gunstock walnut angled stirrup from Don Orrell Stirrups. Fashion to function: The 3-inch-wide, angled construction keeps your riding boot firmly and comfortably in place. The stirrup material is classy-looking and durable, and available in a variety of wood types. Bonus: The design aligns your foot parallel to the ground to alleviate ankle, knee, and hip pain. More info: $185; donorrellstirrups.com. Everyday Aztec Showcase your Western-fashion flair during a night out or at the office with the Diamonds and Gasoline blouse from Woolies Quality Clothier. The feminine top features Western-inspired, sequin-Aztecdetailed yokes and pockets, and is available in two rich colors: maroon (shown) and mocha. More info: $36; (801) 913-6734; wearwoolies.com. Gear for Youth The 13-inch seat top grain smooth leather youth saddle by Double T…

There’s nothing more classically Western than a handsome, well-made hackamore. The bitless setup—which includes a bosal, hanger, and mecate—is used by riders as an everyday riding tool, a training aid, or as a means to transition from a snaffle bit to a bridle. It can drastically improve your horse’s training if used correctly. Here, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the traditional hackamore, including its anatomy, use, and best care practices. Equipped with this information, you’ll be able to use a hackamore to improve your horse’s feel and enhance your horsemanship. The Setup The hackamore is comprised of multiple components that can be found in a range of materials and styles. Before you outfit your horse, learn his temperament and preferences, and then choose a hackamore that’ll complement him.…

We worry plenty about our horses’ joints, but at some point in life, our own joints may worry us. Age, injuries, and general wear and tear can make joints painful and everyday routines difficult. That’s when your doctor might recommend a joint replacement. Your avid-rider heart might sink at the prospect, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Here, we’ll share the stories of three riders who’ve experienced joint-replacement surgery and have returned to riding or plan to. Additionally, a surgeon who specializes in total hip and knee replacements will provide his expertise on what to expect. New Shoulder, New Hip, Still Cutting Cutting competitor C.H. DeHaan, age 61, of Scottsdale, Arizona, had his joint replacements in his 50s—a relatively early age for the procedure. Raised on a Kansas…

Trigger is tired, but you don’t know why. Sure, it’s been a busy week of showing, but you’ve been working like crazy to get him fit. He’s worked six days a week, and spends an hour every day on the hot walker. When it came time for the most important class of the show, Trigger just plain ran out of gas. He was grouchy, lazy, and didn’t want to work. “Is he sick?” you wonder. “Maybe I should call the vet!” Maybe Trigger’s just plain tired! With all of your efforts to get him fit, did you remember to give him a break? If you’re an overachiever with a serious goal in mind, it’s easy to believe that the harder you work, the better your horse will be. But more’s…

BRIDLE UP! Model: Halter/bridle bag. Maker: Tough-1. Why buy: The heavy-denier nylon protects your tack items, and the three-hook rack and internal pockets accommodate multiple pieces. Cool feature: An adjustable strap makes the 16-by-30-inch bag easy to transport to and from your trailer or show stall. More info: (888) 584-4677; jtidist.com. Price: $37.88 for solid colors; $41.88 for prints. CINCHED IN Model: Rockin’ SP quilted saddlecarrier bag. Maker: Big D. Why buy: The 600-gram fiber fill protects, and the contoured design optimizes fit for overall saddle protection. Cool features: The heavy-duty zipper allows simple saddle loading and unloading; a detachable strap makes for easy carrying. More info: (800) 461-8898; smartpakequine.com. Price: $108.95. PROTECTED PADDING Model: Dura-Tech supreme Western pad carrier. Maker: Schneiders. Why buy: The 420-denier nylon outer is breathable…

Handling Fear About 18 months ago I had a bad fall after my horse shied. It resulted in a lengthy recuperation period from a spinal compression fracture. Though I began to ride again 3 months after my accident, I must admit I’m not as fearless as I once was, and have not really enjoyed riding that particular horse because of my fear that he’ll suddenly shy and lose me again. After reading “Get a Handle—Finally—on Your Fear” in the December 2015 issue, I was emboldened to get my horse out of the arena and ride around my whole 10-acre property, front and back, crossing a wooden bridge and small water-filled ditch in the process with no micro-managing and no fear! I’m sure I will have other days when it won’t…

Once you’re confident in your horse’s ability to sidepass, it’s time to bring a new challenge to your skill set: sidepassing around a corner. You’ll see it called for in trail courses, as well as find it a fun way to challenge your horse’s maneuverability. If you’re still working on a basic sidepass, visit HorseandRider.com this month for tips to master it before trying this version. You’ll need four 6-foot poles, set up to form a square in your arena. (Note: You can buy inexpensive 8-foot landscape timbers at a big-box home-improvement store and cut to length.) For this exercise, the rider will demonstrate how to sidepass a 90-degree angle on both the forehand (with the horse’s front legs inside the box) and on the hindquarters (with the horse’s hind…

Margo Ball Ball holds judge’s cards with the Paint, Quarter Horse, and Palomino breed associations and NSBA, NRHA, NRCHA, and WCHA discipline cards. She’s judged 19 world shows, including those of AQHA, PHBA, and APHA. From her Ball’s Quarter Horses in Fort Collins, Colorado, Ball breeds all-around horses; trains Quarter Horses for halter, Western pleasure, and ranch riding; and shows in NRHA and AQHA reining and ranch riding events. She also coaches a select group of amateur competitors. Ball’s an AQHA national director and a member of AQHA’s Show and Professional Horsemen Committee, serving on the halter subcommittee. When I look at a class of horses, I want good overall balance and structural correctness. All-around balance is what most aff ects performance. A horse’s shoulders should be long and well-laidback,…

“It’s not uncommon for patients to go home a day or two after hip replacement surgery now,” says Jeffrey M. Nakano, MD, an artificial joint surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacements and performs about 450 replacement surgeries per year. “Some surgery centers even allow patients to go home the same day of artificial hip surgery, but that’s not routine for knees. In general, recovery from an artificial knee surgery is longer and more difficult than from artificial hip surgery. “Unlike a hip, which is a fairly passive recovery in which all you’re waiting for is the soft tissue to heal and the bone to heal into the prosthesis, you have to have an active physical therapy program immediately following a knee surgery,” Nakano states. “The knee must be…

You might think that backing straight lines will put your horse on the path to a solid backup, but I disagree. Backing in a circle encourages suppling and collection and really stretches your horse physically and mentally, which nets big dividends in the long run. I use a tree at my ranch to teach all of my horses how to back. I guide my horse in a 360-degree circle, which teaches him things he can’t learn backing through straight obstacles or “L” shapes. Here I’ll outline the setup for this drill, the cues, and how to execute the exercise. Outfit your horse in a bit he responds to that you can pull on without scaring him, and ride with two hands. Be sure to pack your patience; this exercise requires…

Q How do you work a horse through show anxiety? I have a horse that achieves great practice runs at home—and even in the practice arena at an event—but when it comes time for the competition, he acts skittish during speed events. Do you have any suggestions for helping him overcome his anxiety? He’s been trained by my 15-year-old daughter who’s been riding for eight years, two years specifically on this horse. AMI PETERSON, Via Facebook A Ami, judging by the information you’ve provided, you’re dealing with a common problem horses and riders encounter when they leave home for any event, whether it’s a horse show, a barrel race, a trail ride, or even just a trip to the vet: situational anxiety. Adding another stressor, such as the extra speed…