Innholdsfortegnelse for Jul-12 i Horse & Rider

Secret Weapon Why do some people struggle for any measure of success with their horse pursuits, while others make steady progress toward their goals? How do those of more modest means manage to compete and win against others who don’t have to skimp and scrimp? Why is there no universal-ingredient recipe that anyone who wants to be a winner can follow? Here’s what makes the difference: that secret weapon known as mindset. NOT THE MONEY, HONEY The horse world suffers from a persistent yet erroneous belief (excuse?) that money ultimately determines who wins and who doesn’t. But money doesn’t buy a can-do attitude; that’s something that comes from within, no matter what the income bracket. It’s outlook that controls outcome, not the other way around. There is, for instance, no…

Cheatgrass Ills; Heel Pain Q Our five horses have frequent mild colic, and I’m afraid it might be due to the cheatgrass in our pasture. Our horses are regularly vaccinated and dewormed, stabled at night, and out on pasture all day. We feed hay and a bit of grain to augment the pasture. Several times a week, one or more of our horses acts colicky and turns away from grain when coming in from grazing; the symptoms usually subside quickly. Is cheatgrass the problem, and what can we do about it? THE SILHASEK FAMILY, Nebraska A Downy brome, nicknamed cheatgrass, is an invasive species and a problematic weed in your home state of Nebraska and in other areas of the country. Cheatgrass is an appropriate term for this plant, as…

Arabians Slide to Paychecks Arabian and Half-Arabian reiners were in the money at futurities held during the Scottsdale (Arizona) Arabian Horse Show in February. Among those claiming part of the $175,000 up for grabs from the Arabian Reining Horse Association was TZ Mozart (above), who earned $16,000 for winning the Purebred Arabian Futurity. TZ Mozart is owned by Kimberly Tillman of Texas and trained by John O’Hara. Learn more about this increasingly popular branch of reining: arha.net. We Really Do Love This Guy Longtime H&R readers may remember the feature we did on Cowboy (Jacks Vaquero Cowboy) in the April 2006 issue. It told how the Quarter Horse gelding, then 25, had recently carried Scout Yochum, then 6, to barrel-racing success at the Washington State Junior Rodeo Finals. It also…

22 Tips for Super Grooming Grooming is good for your horse’s health, and it makes him look gorgeous. Here are 22 of our best-ever grooming tips. 1. Beautiful manes, tails, and hair-coats start with good nutrition, regular exercise, and parasite control. A biotin supplement may help with hoof and hair growth; check with your vet about this and other nutritional supplements that may be of benefit. 2. Groom daily. Currying the haircoat stimulates blood flow and distributes natural oils for a beautiful shine. 3. Brush from front to back, top to bottom for efficiency. Use a curry in a circular motion, then a body brush and/or finishing brush in long strokes to smooth the haircoat. Keep brushes clean as you groom by dragging the curry across bristles; periodically tap the…

For the Best Start: Imprint Your Foal PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOWNUNDER HORSEMANSHIP THIS MONTH WE START A new series on foal training. Over the next several issues, I’ll teach you how to give your foal a solid foundation that’ll prime him for a lifetime of learning. You can then build on that foundation to develop him into a willing, respectful partner. A common misconception people have about foals is that they shouldn’t be treated the same as adult horses—that training them is simply a matter of desensitizing and loving on them. It’s true that your foal needs a lot of that, but that’s only half the equation. You must balance it with establishing respect by moving his feet and teaching him to yield to pressure. I’ll show you how to…

Ron Beachy & Jeff Johnson Jeff grew up showing in Western pleasure and the all-around events on the ApHC circuit. His longtime interest in judging led him to Colorado State University, where he joined the horse-judging team in 2002. In 2003, he was a member of the All American Quarter Horse Congress champion judging team and was overall high individual in the senior collegiate division. Jeff obtained his APHA judging card in 2009 and has been judging ever since. As a new judge, he’s officiated many shows including the Utah Paint Horse Club Heritage Classic, Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, and High Plains Paint Horse Club Paint-O-Ramas. I’M LOOKING FOR THE HORSE WITH THE best combination of balance, structural correctness, and adequate muscling. I look at the profile and the horse’s shoulder…

Your horse can be just a little more energetic than you’d like him in the show ring. Luckily, you’ve been able to manage his enthusiasm with a little extra vigilance. You keep him on a really regular training schedule, show up several days before each show to get him comfortable in his surroundings, and even get to the barn at O-dark-thirty on show days to take him for a walk. It takes a lot of effort, but it works. He’s been a super show horse, and together you’ve earned multiple championships. Now you’ve moved to a big, busy show barn, and your new trainer has outlined a protocol for medications that he says will help keep your horse quiet—and save you all that effort. “Why not?” you could wonder. After…

Illustration by Scott Peck Imagine it: You go out to your barn one morning and discover your tack room cleaned out. Or you return to the showground stabling area after lunch to find your $3,000 saddle missing. Or you ride back to your rig after a half-day outing to find both your truck and trailer burgled. Would you know what to do next? Whom to call? How to go about recovering—or replacing—your lost items? Not to worry—we can help. We talked to experts in law enforcement and insurance coverage to devise this progression of steps to take following a theft. We also asked our advisors to help us draw up a list of precautions you can consider now to reduce your chances of being hit, plus give you the best…

Got a problem with your horse? Let a leading Western trainer help you. To submit a question, send an e-mail to HorseandRider@aimmedia.com. Please include your name and contact information, and be as detailed as possible when describing your problem so our experts can offer you the most helpful advice. Athletic Ability, Trainablity, and Bloodlines Q When you’re shopping for a Western pleasure prospect, for yourself or for a client, what characteristics do you place more weight on and why? Can you rank the importance of trainability, natural athletic ability, and bloodlines? TIFFANY MEYER, Iowa A The three qualities you mention above are definitely three key components when shopping for any horse, and there are specific traits in those components for Western pleasure horses. I’ll define the three characteristics in terms…

Three-Letter Word I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY that lurking behind many equine axioms is a three-letter word: but. That’s right, you hear and read edicts from the experts about what’s best for your horse. But…when put into practice in your particular slice of horsedom, an exception can rear its head. I’ll share three examples from my horse life. EXAMPLE #1: Better out, than in. This refers to the common and oft-advised wisdom that horses are best off living outside, where they can graze and mosey all day as they evolved to do. I agree…but, if you live in an area that sprouts lush grass most of the year, like I do, and you have an aged Miniature Horse (or horse or pony) that’s prone to founder, like I do, that…

The Legacy of Bicentennial Bill HE WAS A STOCKY QUARTER Horse, born on the Fourth of July in 1976. His registered name was Billies Bay Spirit, but I called him Bill. I discovered him in 1992, when he was already a teenager. I’d begun learning to ride on my wife, Barb’s, Arabian gelding, Amir Halam. The owner of the Ohio stable where we boarded Amir had traded one of her horses for Bill, hoping he’d be a good trail companion for her and her children. Bill was a formidable presence when he arrived, 15.2 hands and a chunky 1,200 pounds, with a proud bearing. In his new stall, he spun and trumpeted. Barb smiled at me and said, “There’s your mount.” I thought, Are you kidding?! I was just beginning…

Bran Confusion Dr. Barb Crabbe, H&R’s consulting veterinarian, clears up misconceptions about two brans commonly fed to horses. WHEAT BRAN: Dry wheat bran doesn’t act as a laxative for your horse. There’s little solid evidence it helps in the treatment or prevention of colic, and feeding it daily may increase your horse’s risk of developing intestinal stones (enteroliths), a common cause of colic. A once-or twice-weekly wet bran mash, on the other hand, is a healthy treat for your adult horse and may help increase his water consumption. RICE BRAN: Though similar to wheat bran in its phosphorus content (both are relatively rich in the mineral), rice bran has a much higher fat content—20 percent. This makes it a good source of usable energy for performance horses, without the risks…

Western Fun Wear Summer style: Cruel cotton dress. Maker: Cruel Girl Jeans. A cute look: If you’re looking for a way to dress up while staying true to your Western style, pair this dress with your best belt and fashion boots. The military green and cream dress features front-ruffle detail, pockets, and Cruel Girl-logoed copper buttons. It’ll make a great addition to your summer wardrobe for those nights away from the barn. More info: $68; (303) 428-5696; cruelgirl.com. Keepin’ Time Item: Men’s Watch. Maker: Montana Silversmiths. The specs: Gold and silver star conchos are featured on the silver and black face. At the 15-minute marks, there are gold unidirectional bezels with stars. The gold and silver link band has horseshoe and star accents down the center. The watch also comes…

What You Need to Succeed IN MY DECADES OF TRAINING, I’ve had a lot of aspiring trainers walk through my barn doors, eager to make the big time. That means I’ve had lots of opportunities to observe young people either make it, or make a decision to find a new career. The ones I have seen make it in the training world were very different individuals, with different strengths and weaknesses. But they all had mastered seven lessons that I teach everyone who works for me. Whether your goal is to be a top pro, or you simply want to improve your non-pro skills, these lessons will help give you the boost you need to start climbing the ladder of success. 1. KNOW WHEN TO QUIT Knowing when to stop…

A New Entry—Western Dressage THE ASSOCIATION: The mission of the Western Dressage Association of America is to build an equine community that combines Western riding traditions with classical dressage. WDAA honors the horse, values and promotes the partnership between horse and rider, and celebrates the legacy of the American West. The brainchild of Western trainers Eitan Beth-Halachmy and Jack Brainard, WDAA was founded in July 2010 through the vision of that pair as well as that of other well-known horsemen and horsewomen. WDAA currently has 600 members across the nation. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but just a year ago we had only 50 members,” says WDAA president Ellen DiBella. “We currently have seven state alliance partners, and there are 18 more in the forming process now.” RIDERS: “It’s…

BY THE H&R STAFF IT’S HARD TO DENY that there are advantages to riding and showing with a professional trainer. When you and your horse are part of a trainer’s fulltime in-barn clientele, training and coaching are just part of the package. You also become part of a built-in system for getting things done, and for finding camaraderie, critique, and support. But the reality is, not all of us can afford to be in a trainer’s barn, and even some who can would rather be on their own anyway. So does this mean that those who go it alone have to settle for a lesser level of success than those who show as part of a trainer’s barn? Not at all! It’s definitely possible to be a high achiever while…

After years in the horse magazine business, just about everyone at H&R has seen stacks of books come and go—fiction, non-fiction, training manuals, grooming guides. Obviously, there’s a lot to write and say about horses. As writers and riders, editors love to read books that give new insights they can apply with their own horses. But there are some books and DVDs that remain at hand, well used, oft referred to, and beloved. Some are inspiring newcomers, others are classics that have earned a permanent, revered spot in the library. With a nod to the old classics, and a tip of the hat to newcomers, we’ve compiled a list of training aids that not only teach, but inspire and motivate as well. Consider it your recommended trail toward a great…

Ah, That First Horse! My parents surprised me with Sierra for my 10th birthday. I was at the barn at 5:30 the next morning, mucking and grooming. Then I just sat and watched her. I’m pretty sure she thought I was crazy. Melanie Kukuk, Colorado One evening when I was 8, I climbed onto my bay mare bareback and bridleless. The two of us wandered aimlessly around her pasture for hours—my dad had to come looking for us with his flashlight. Carson Brumley, Colorado I was riding along a country road at dusk, first-time bareback, on my beloved Indy. An older couple sitting on their front lawn smiled at me, saying “You don’t see that much anymore.” If I hadn’t been on a horse, I would’ve floated home. Marilyn Long,…

LETTER OF THE MONTH: A GIRL’S HORSE BUG As a young person who’s very interested in horses, I want to respond to the idea that a lack of participation in horse-related activities means a lack of interest among children and adults under 40 (“Sounding the Call: Hey, Kids!” August 2011). Many kids these days just can’t get access to a horse or riding facility. Even in my area, in the heart of horse country, a horse lover has to drive 25 to 30 minutes to reach a riding facility with reasonably priced lessons. The few kids I do know who ride on a regular basis live at least an hour away, own horses, and have been raised by parents who have owned horses for years. I’ve struggled with finding an…

Heza Radical Zip Details: 2005 bay AQHA gelding by Radical Rodder and out of Sonnys Last Zip, by Zippo Jack Bar. Owned by: Susan Johns, Paradise Valley, Arizona. Trained by: Jim and Deanna Searles, Scottsdale, Arizona. Barn name: Troy. People pleaser: “He always wants to do his job. He enjoys what he does, and I think he’s just a happy horse. When you’re having a bad day, you can ride him, and it makes you happy,” says Susan. “If Deanna’s riding a horse that gives her problems or requires a lot of time, she’ll go get Troy next—because it makes her happy to get on him.” Lots of events, divisions: “I’d say he’s a pretty mellow horse, because there are three riders who show him successfully,” Susan says. Susan shows…

Banish Body Bugs From the British makers of Snuggy Hoods comes the Haint Blue Snuggy Bug Body. According to the manufacturer, the sheet’s blue color matches that of the sky, deterring bugs from landing on and irritating the wearer. The piece offers protection from poll to tail and includes a belly flap and lined tail guard, as well as elastic behind the ears to keep bugs out. More info: sales@snuggyhoods.com; snuggyhoods.com. Small Storage Small necessities like bobby pins and safety pins tend to grow legs and scatter themselves all over the trailer’s tack room, the truck, your purse—everywhere but where you need them. Save your next empty breath-mint box to keep the pins contained. We saw this idea on pinterest.com. Be sure to follow us (pinterest.com/hrsrdrmag) to keep up on…

Hit the Mark Lesson Objective If you compete: In showmanship, it’s critical to have spatial awareness of the pattern’s markers and to be aware of where the judge is standing as you travel through the pattern. This will help you to arrive at each cone in the proper position and move through the pattern error-free. If you don’t: Control of your horse on the ground is a cornerstone of developing a good handle on your horse. Practice leading, turning, and backing according to markers (or use fence posts, plants, etc. for reference points) to reinforce your leadership. Showmanship absolutely comes down to the little things, especially at the top levels of competition. Missing your markers even by a smidge can put your pattern askew, leading to major issues for the…

Rail Work IT LOOKS LIKE THIS YOUNG WOMAN IS PREPARING HER HORSE FOR horsemanship or Western pleasure, and they look great. The horse looks like he’s a good mover. He’s relaxed, he has a good stride, and he’s well-groomed. His head is too low, but we don’t know what’s caused that—if it’s just how he was carrying himself when the photo was taken or if he travels this way all the time. HOW’S HER RIDING? Rider details: This rider’s posture and ear-shoulder-hip-heel alignment are spot on. She looks relaxed as she sits squarely in the saddle. Her eyes are up, conveying confidence. She should even her reins to keep the horse from tipping his head to the inside so much. On the rail, the horse should be aligned from head…

Fine-Tune Control With a Pop Quiz DO YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF “POP QUIZ” moments to fine-tune your horse’s responsiveness? A pop quiz is any specific, measurable objective you ask of your horse. Asking him to stop, for instance, is not necessarily a pop quiz. But asking him to stop precisely between two cones you’ve set out to measure his response is, because then it tests whether your horse is heeding and promptly following your specific cues. Think of how teachers use pop quizzes in school. A quiz on a particular objective tells a teacher how well he or she has been conveying that basic information. Similarly, a pop quiz with your horse tells you how well you’ve been teaching one or more of the basic cues—go, slow, stop, turn, and…

BY THE H&R STAFF WE’RE IN THE THICK OF SUMMER SHOW SEASON, WHICH means schedules get fuller and more hectic. And when life gets busier, it gets easier to forget necessities when you hit the road for a long-distance circuit or the local one-day show. This handy checklist will help ensure that you have what you need, where you need it, so you can focus on your horse and your riding rather than on that necessary item you left sitting at home on the counter. Our advice: Use this list to inspire your own customized tally of what you need to pack for every road trip. Save two separate lists—one for longer shows and one for short weekend events. Make copies and use a fresh one for every trip, marking…

Barn Fly Control TINY PREDATORS Model: Fly Predators. Maker: Spalding Labs. Why buy: Sprinkle a pouch of predators around your barn every three to four weeks during fly season to naturally control flies. Cool features: Fly predators won’t bite or sting you or your horses, but they’ll combat common houseflies, horn flies, biting stable flies, and lesser houseflies by destroying immature pupa-stage pests. More info: (888) 880-1579; spalding-labs.com. Price: Order monthly by number of horses; e.g., $18.95 for up to five horses. BARN MISTER Model: SprayMaster Barn Misting Kit. Maker: Pyranha. Why buy: Achieve whole-barn fly control with this ½-horsepower electric motor-driven pump that’s controlled by a timer and programmed to dispense insecticide mist through spray nozzles. Cool features: The kit includes everything you need to protect a four-stall barn…