Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2020 i Horse & Rider

Figuring out what to feed your horse can feel overwhelming. We asked equine nutritionist Clair Thunes, PhD, whose Summit Equine Nutrition (summit-equine.com) advises clients throughout the U.S. and Canada, to share some of the most common horse-feeding misconceptions that horse owners have. Here’s what she told us. ‘That’s too much!’ Owners often don’t follow the feeding instructions on commercial feeds, typically feeding less than the manufacturer recommends. If a product says to feed a certain amount per 100 pounds of the horse’s weight, and you feed less than that amount per day, your horse’s diet will likely have nutritional deficiencies. If you feel that following the instructions is simply too much feed, consider instead a ration-balancer—a feed that delivers a higher percentage of protein and other nutrients in a smaller…

Being able to properly start and stop a spin will not only help improve your score in the show pen, it’ll also help you with overall steering and control when you’re in the saddle. While I adjust my riding to fit the horse I’m working with according to his ability or style, here are a few of the things I do when working on a spin. The Start Before I even ask for my horse’s legs to move in the turn, I ensure he’s wanting to look in the direction I want to spin. If he doesn’t, I’ll emphasize the neck rein. If my horse still ignores my cue and doesn’t turn his head slightly in the direction I’m turning, I’ll take my direct rein (the rein closer to the…

When Jeremy Spivey submitted his entry for the Brad Barkemeyer Win-a-Day Contest presented by Absorbine and Horse&Rider, he wasn’t only thinking about the things he would like to work on with his horse. Spivey was also hoping to surprise his local team roping group with a full-day clinic, to help his friends learn new horsemanship drills in the morning, and lots of roping drills in the afternoon. Spivey and his nine roping buddies had the opportunity to pick Barkemeyer’s brain on everything from different training techniques to what kind of tack and gear Barkemeyer likes to use when he’s roping. The group of ropers even had the chance get out of their comfort zone with some of the Barkemeyer’s favorite warm-up drills, like this perfect-circle exercise. But by the end…

November 2007 The young mustang filly—probably a yearling—was part of a round-up at the White Mountain Herd Management Area in Wyoming. Separated from her herd, she was moved to a small pen where she received her trademark mustang freeze brand, vaccinations, and a hoof trim. This would have been her first close encounter with humans, and it was probably a scary and confusing experience. The little filly remained in captivity for nearly 1½ years. She was among new horses, all colors and ages, but had very little human contact. April 2009 Humans loaded her into a trailer—another scary and confusing experience—and hauled her across the country to Asheville, North Carolina, where she was auctioned off and adopted. After a year of owning a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) horse, adopters…

#HORSELIFEIRL takin.life.by.the.reins Who inspires you? What inspires you? #horsesofinstagram #instahorses #barrelracer #horselifeirl Tag your Instagram photos #HorseLifeIRL (In Real Life) for a chance to see your post here! FUN ON FACEBOOK We shared the article, “Buy a Horse, They Said,” and asked if there were any funny challenges of horse ownership that we missed. Here’s what a few of our fans had to say. Annabel Young Keeping a gray mare clean. We have a reputation to always be clean and it’s so difficult in the winter with the mud, and in the summer when she decides her manure is a comfy pillow. Tanya Sophia Langkopf You’ll end up with the strangest things in your car, purse, trunk, etc. Like when your purse sets off metal detectors and you have to…

This bacterial infection is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in North America. Caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged (deer) tick, Lyme disease also affects humans and other mammals. Lyme disease in horses is difficult to diagnose, as the disease can mimic many other conditions. Symptoms usually develop several months after infection, during the disease’s chronic phase. Tissues affected include those of the nervous system, eye, and skin. Treatment often includes tetracyclines and other beta-lactam antibiotics. Though there’s currently no equine vaccine available, a canine vaccine may provide some protection—ask your veterinarian if you’re in a high-risk area (see box). Ticks Be Gone! Your best strategy overall? Keep ticks off your horse. Use repellent products labeled specifically for ticks, applying especially around the ears, under the jaw, at the…

Do you own a veteran show horse? Well-trained senior horses are among the most rewarding of all mounts when it comes to competitive success and the sheer enjoyment of riding. For that reason, they’re worthy of special consideration in how you ride and manage them. Here, I’ll share the approach that’s working well with a senior performance horse in my barn: Smart Like Steady, or “Oscar,” a 16-year-old Quarter Horse. We acquired Oscar in 2017, and in 2018 my wife Robyn showed him successfully in the World Equestrian Games, where he was the oldest equine competitor. He was also the most senior horse in the non-pro division at the 2019 Run for a Million reining. To learn how to apply Oscar’s special-care plan to your good senior horse, read on.…

THIS IS A MIXED CLASS of nicely turned out ranch riding Quarter Horse and Paint geldings presented with the same background, lighting, and full left-side view, which helps with accurately analyzing their balance, structure, quality, and muscling. At a show, I’d also be able to see them from every angle, but I’ll give my best assessment based on what I can see in these photos. As a judge, I follow guidelines in breed-specific rule books, and even though this is a mixed class, these are all stock breed geldings who compete in the same discipline, so I’ll be able to fairly assess them in comparison to each other. The first thing I look for is balance, starting at the horses’ shoulders, and including their toplines, hips, heads, necks, and legs.…

Practicing for roping, sorting, working cow horse, or any cattle class is challenging without, well, cattle. That was one reason Bill Riel and fiancée Emma Reichert decided to introduce cows to their small horse farm in Mechanicville, New York. Riel team roped, Reichert competed in breakaway roping, and their one boarder was learning to box and sort cattle. So expanding the hobby farm to include about a dozen head of cattle just seemed to make sense, and as a bonus provided the opportunity for additional income through beef sales. Success with cattle, as with any livestock, starts with planning. That includes breed selection, fencing, and developing an understanding of the basic needs of the species. Here, you’ll find advice for choosing a breed suited for your goals, purchasing your animals,…

For awe-inspiring backcountry rides, plan now for a summer adventure in McCrystal Creek country, a treasure for trail riders in northern New Mexico’s stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. On these mountain slopes, Carson National Forest (http://fs.usda.gov/carson/) offers equestrian adventurers 330 miles of trails on 1.5 million acres, 86,000 of which are a designated wilderness accessed only by trail riders and hikers. Elevation ranges from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet atop Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. Black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, mule deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, eagles, hawks, and wild turkeys populate the area, as well as smaller mammals and songbirds. The area’s equestrian camp, McCrystal Campground, sits at 8,100 feet elevation in the heart of the national forest’s 100,000-acre…

Two things have defined Tracy Cookman since childhood: her drive to help those unable to help themselves and her love of horses. In 2009, those two passions came together when she organized the rescue of 11 PMU foals from slaughter—an act that would shape her life. Rescuing horses became her mission. From auctions to feedlots to neglect cases, Cookman took in horses deemed broken then cast aside, and provided them sanctuary. Though working with horses was rewarding, Cookman felt a calling to save more than just equines. In 2010, she began Charis Youth Ranch, a nonprofit program in the foothills of Northern Colorado that utilizes equine-assisted learning to help at-risk youth. Her herd of 28 rescue horses was key. “I felt like the Lord made it clear to me that…

TRAVEL Wisconsin WHERE Madison WHAT Midwest Horse Fair WHEN April 17-19, 2020 Midwest’s Best In its 41st year in existence, the Midwest Horse Fair (midwesthorsefair.com) is a three-day equine extravaganza in the center of America’s heartland, with clinics, lectures, horse judging, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association two-day rodeo, and more. Its breed and discipline demonstrations allow visitors to expand their equine horizons, and its Stallion Avenue showcases leading producers across all breeds. If learning more about the horse is your top priority, this is the trip for you. One-day passes are $15, and three-day passes are $35, available through the event’s website. Clinicians like Chris Cox (chris-cox.com) and Julie Goodnight (juliegoodnight.com), National Finals Rodeo barrel racer Tammy Fischer (tammyfischerbarrelhorses.com), and AQHA trainer Clint Ainsworth will provide eye-opening lessons in horsemanship,…

Charlie Cole, of Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas, is an American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman. He’s helped hundreds of riders get their start in the arena, and he knows a thing or two about gentle horses. Here are the elements he demands in a kid’s first horse. Safety First When I’m looking for the first horse for a kid—whether that kid wants to eventually compete or not—I’m looking for safety first. A good, old gelding is really the best bet. I want a horse that’s been there and done that and isn’t easily excitable. Whoa Above all else, I want a kid’s horse to stop. As long as he stops, we’ll be fine. If a kid pulls or says whoa, he has to stop. That’s a key…

To become the trustworthy, reliable, and dependable trail horse you count on in the backcountry, your horse has to be used. In the process, he’ll rack up some scrapes, bumps, and cosmetic issues. A few cosmetic issues are OK, but when you’re in the market to buy a trail horse, you need him to be more than reliable. You need him to be sound. Here I’ll explain common health-history, appearance, and movement issues that can indicate future soundness issues that could influence your horse’s usability on the trail. With each soundness consideration, I’ll give you the green light to go ahead, yellow to proceed with caution, and red light—which you know means don’t go further with the horse purchase. These clues will help you buy with confidence, ensuring that your…

As easy as it sounds, walking a perfect circle can actually be quite difficult. Especially if you’re working with a green horse who has a different plan in mind. Regardless of a horse’s age or level of riding experience, I like to include this perfect-circle exercise into my daily warmup to ensure my horse is listening to my cues and has forward motion in his feet when I ask him to stay framed up and collected during a training session. Here I’ll break down the steps I take so you can include this perfect-circle exercise to your daily warmup. STEP 1 Find Your Circle To begin this drill, I recommend riding your horse two-handed in a snaffle bit. As you advance this exercise, you can move up to a shank bit…

We know humans experience depression, considered a major mood disorder, but do horses? Yes, evidence indicates that they can experience and suffer from depression. Domestic horses may live in a state of chronic stress, depending on their physical health, living arrangements, social interactions, type and duration of work, training methods used on them, and even their feeding schedule. Here, we’ll review the pioneering study that identified depression in horses. We’ll examine some of the causes, list signs to watch for, and give tips on how to help alleviate equine depression. Study Finds Evidence A study in France evaluated domestic horses for signs of depression by comparing their behavior to that exhibited during depressive states in humans. For six months, researchers observed the spontaneous behavior of 59 working horses in their…

After riding the trails and camping, pamper yourself with an end-of-trail celebration at the historic St. James Hotel (exstjames.com) in Cimarron, just 5 miles south of the intersection of the road to McCrystal Creek and US Route 64. You may keep your horses and trailer at the town’s rodeo grounds. The St. James Hotel is the perfect place for dinner and an overnight stay. Henri Lambert built the hotel between 1870 and 1880. After the Civil War, he went west to find his fortune. Cimarron was a vital outpost on the Old Santa Fe Trail. Famous Old West characters visited the hotel, such as Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill Cody, Zane Grey, and Jesse James. You can still see bullet holes in the dining room’s pressed tin ceiling. The St. James…

The Collectors: Jimmie and Bud Munroe Valley Mills, Texas The Collection: ProRodeo Hall of Famers Jimmie and Bud Munroe have had storied careers in the arena and on the business end of the Western industry—and in the process, they’ve collected a lot of “stuff” commemorating their journey. Both are world champions—Jimmie won her gold buckle on her horse Robin Flit Bar in barrel racing in 1975, and Bud in saddle bronc riding in 1986. Jimmie was the president of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association for 13 years, and Bud served on various committees in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for decades. “It’s all over our dining room, kitchen, and living room,” Jimmie said. “We just turned above the bookcases into where we put our National Finals Rodeo back numbers, and…