Innholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2017 i Young Rider

Whether you take care of a lesson horse or your own horse, grooming is a big part of regular everyday routine. You groom your horse before and after you ride. But if you are going to a show, you’ll need to take your grooming to the next level. You want to have your horse clean, shiny and looking his best for the judge. It takes some practice to get good at show grooming. I am always learning new tips and tricks from friends at the barn. If you want to improve your show grooming skills, follow our step-by-step plan on pg. 32 to get your horse show-ring ready from head to hoof. Our advisory board also has some helpful hints to share on the next page, too. We hope you’ll…

Worm Worries QUESTION: What are some symptoms of parasites or worms in horses? ANSWER: The answer is, there might not be any! Some of the shiniest and healthiest horses I’ve worked on over the years have been loaded with worms. Many owners think that you can tell if your horse needs to be dewormed just by looking at him, but this is not the case. Your vet should take a manure sample several times a year and send it off to a lab to check it for parasites and parasite eggs under a microscope. The lab can tell what kinds of worms your horse has and how many there might be in his intestines. Based on this information, your vet will select a deworming product to treat your horse properly.…

Equestrian vaulting can best be described as gymnastics on horseback. The horse is attached to a longeline controlled by a ground person called a longeur, while the vaulter performs gymnastic and dance moves atop the horse at a walk, trot or canter. Vaulting is one of the oldest known forms of equestrian sports, dating back to the ancient Roman games, but it is relatively new to the United States. The first official vaulting competition in the U.S. took place in 1969, and it’s been growing in popularity ever since. Katelin Ellis, age 16, from Chino, Calif., has been vaulting for four years at Diamond Bar Vaulters. She loves vaulting because of the horses and the time spent with her team. “They are like a huge family, and we all support…

Gearing up for a horse show is serious business. But don’t worry! With these simple steps your horse can transform from swamp creature to show-stopper. Kaylee Brown, 8, from Cleveland, Texas, and her lesson horse, Kojack, show us the ropes as they get ready for an American Quarter Horse Association show. Step 1: THE WASHATERIA For a gray horse like Kojack, color-enhancing shampoo brings out his shine. Gather your shampoo and scrub brush and head to the wash rack. Start with the tail. Tails require a good conditioning. If you wash the tail and put in conditioner first, it can stay on the tail until you rinse the horse off when you’re finished. This keeps the tail from drying out. Scrub white socks thoroughly so they get extra clean. Step…

I worked as a professional groom for nearly a year after I finished school, and learned tons about grooming and horse care. I can turn out a set of yarn or rubber band braids with the best of them! This summer I’ll get lots of practice braiding Artie’s unruly mane when we go to shows. Ria just went to her first schooling show! I gave her a super thorough bath the night before and then polished her up with lots of brushing and coat conditioning spray all weekend long. It was great to get the mud off and have her looking her best for her dressage debut. I’m gearing up for a fantastic summer out and about with both of my mares and am super excited to see what they…

HOW TO ENTER: Your parents can email a photo and story of 500 words or less of your favorite horse to yreditor@luminamedia.com. Or, mail entries to Young Rider My Favorite Horse, 470 Conway Court, Suite B-6, Lexington, KY 40511. You will need your parents’ permission to enter. Please be sure to include your name and age, the horse’s name, your mailing address and parental contact information (email address and phone number). Deadline for entries is June 1, 2017. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or District of Columbia, ages 8-16. You must get permission from your parents to enter. Email entries must be received between 12:00:01 AM PT on 4/20/17 and 11:59:59 PM PT on 6/1/17. Mail-in entries…

Weighing In QUESTION: How can I keep my horse from gaining too much weight? ANSWER: Warm weather is great for longer days at the barn and extra riding, but for some horses the seasons changing means unwanted weight gain. Keeping your horse at a good weight helps protect his joints, heart, and general health. However, when the spring and summer grass is ample in the field, this is easier said than done. Graze Less There are several ways to moderate your horse’s weight. The most obvious is limiting his food intake. If your horse gets to spend time outside grazing on lush green pasture, you can try a grazing muzzle. These muzzles are designed with holes to allow your horse to still graze, but in smaller portions. Moving your horse…

Test your horse care knowledge with these Pony Club Quiz questions, and enter to win a Pony Club “Swag Bag” full of fun stuff with a total value of $100, including a $25 gift card to shopponyclub.org. 1) What item do lots of horses wear in the summer to keep flies off of their face? a. A hair net b. A fly mask c. Mascara d. A bridle 2) How much water do horses drink daily? a. 1 gallon b. 5-10 gallons c. 50 gallons d. 10-15 gallons 3) What does eating too much rich grass cause in some ponies? a. Laminitis b. A shiny coat c. Nothing d. It causes them to be greedy HINT: Check your work on pg. 44 HOW TO ENTER Write your answers down and…

READ IT! Alexandra the Great Rachel Alexandra’s owners didn’t have high hopes for her at the beginning. She was slim and scruffy and not typical champion racehorse material. Despite her rocky start, Rachel Alexandra went on to amaze the racing world. She dominated every other filly she raced, but when a new owner decided to enter her in the Preakness against the bigger, stronger colts, how would she stack up? Rachel Alexander’s story shows that just because you are the underdog venturing into new territory, sometimes “running like a girl” is what is necessary for success. Complete with photos of Rachel Alexander’s career, and even a handful of baby photos, this book will take you behind the scenes of one racehorse’s journey. Alexandra the Great: The Story of the Record-Breaking…

When you’re shopping for a helmet, there are many to choose from. There are English and western styles, basic black, bright colors, bling and more. No matter what look you decide on, the helmet needs to fit just right. A helmet that fits correctly is more comfortable to wear and will protect your head the way it is supposed to. Follow these steps to find a helmet that fits. 1. MEASURE. Ask a friend for help and grab a fabric tape measure to find out the circumference of your head. This measurement will help guide you toward a helmet size to try. Place the measuring tape one inch above your eyebrows. If you don’t have a fabric tape measure, use a piece of string and stretch it out next to…

HOW TO ENTER Your parents can email a photo to yreditor@luminamedia.com. You can also mail your entry to YR Me & My Horse, 470 Conway Court, Suite B6, Lexington, KY 40511. You will need your parents’ permission to enter. Please be sure to include your name and age, the horse’s name, your mailing address and parental contact information (email and phone number). Model prizes vary each month; approximate retail prize value $45. Deadline for entries is June 1, 2017. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or District of Columbia, ages 8-16. You must get permission from your parents to enter. Email entries must be received between 12:00:01 AM PT on 4/20/17 and 11:59:59 PM PT on 6/1/17. Mail-in…

“Whoa” means whoa. The magic word doesn’t mean to slow down or to stop briefly and then walk off. If you say “whoa” or give a cue to stop, your horse should come to a full stop—and stay put until you ask him to move. All western horses need to perform a precise stop—whether for the reining pen or horsemanship show classes, or to be trustworthy mounts on the trail. The cue you use to request a stop should be totally different from your cue to slow down—and your stop should never start with a hard tug on the reins. Having a clear and precise sequence of cues will help your horse know exactly what you want and give him a chance to respond before he feels a pull on…

SPIRIT RIDING FREE: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS $14.99 New from bestselling author Suzanne Selfors, Spirit Riding Free: The Adventure Begins tells the story of Lucky Prescott, a city girl who’s just moved out west, and the wild stallion she befriends. Equally out of place, but equally fierce and brave—will these free spirits find their place in the West? http://lbyr.com/titles/suzanne-selfors/spirit-riding-free-the-adventure-begins/9780316506229/ Many will enter, but only 10 people will win this prize. KIDS’ OVATION RIDING OUTFIT $75 Ovation Hearts & Horseshoe Front Zip Knee Patch Breech features heart and horseshoe design in crystals and embroidery on back pocket. Sizes S-XL. In navy, grape or storm. $44.95. Ovation Quarter-Zip Short Sleeve Sport Shirt is made with Evercool microfiber mesh for maximum air flow. Sizes S-XL. In navy/pink, grape/storm or storm/teal. $29.95. www.ovationriding.com/kids  Many will enter,…