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The View From Here January 26, 2014
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The eternal cry this year has been, “Will this winter ever end?” Some people are going a little stir crazy, your editor included. When we put out a call for last-minute classified adverts for our “Connections” page, one reader offered a driveway of snow for sale. The ensuing conversation included comments about “buyer pays shipping”, “the snow keeps leaving but comes back and brings Tori thinks, “If I stick my head far more friends”. We decided that the snow enough into the hay, winter will just go away? Enough already! was bringing friends so they could hold a Rave (which in real life turned into a day where most of Manitoba’s highways were closed due to blowing snow). Ah, winter was having fun with us mere mortals. The weather hasn’t stopped many people riding. They just bundle up and keep going! Especially Jessica Manness who has her horse Glider in training to qualify for the Endurance element of the World Equestrian Games. Jessica, her groom and horses left Winnipeg the weekend I wrote this, and we will follow her campaign with interest. (See page 8 for her story.) Many other people with access to off-road trails are riding through the winter, and having a lot of fun. Even those with access to indoor arenas (which can be colder than being outside on a windless day) are making the most of their horse time. Show time is within your radar; it’s only eight weeks before the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair - and last year, fields were green on the way home from the show. Hang in there, we WILL have comfortable horse riding time some time soon.
Linda Hazelwood Editor & Publisher
This Issue’s Cover
Although we had a “snowy” cover last issue, it seemed right to repeat the concept. By the beginning of February, when this issue comes out, we hope that snow and frost are not in our daily lives. Our cover horse this issue is our Editor’s #1 buddy, RVF’s Victoria Queen, AKA Tori. Yes, see her at the top of the page with her head in the round bale. (She lives outside 24/7, so leeway is allowed.) By issue #2-2014, we plan that the picture will be of Tori out on the trail! Yeah!.
HORSE COUNTRY Publisher: L. Hazelwood Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2M 5M3 Phone toll free 1-866-886-2425. Local 204-256-7467. Fax 204-257-2467. www.horsecountry.ca. ISSN 1193-2163. Volume 26, Issue #1-2014: February 3, 2014. Published eight times a year: every six weeks, February/November. Print subscriptions: one year $29.50, two years $53.50, three years $72.50. Digital subscriptions one year $15.50, two years $26. All prices include taxes applicable to the province of delivery. Single copy print price $5.25. GST #86303-1456. For US mailed subscriptions add $18 - one year ($36 - two years) CDN, for Europe add $30 - one year ($60 - two years) CDN if airmail is required. Price includes mailing from Canada. An order form is printed at the back of the magazine. US and international subscribers can order a digital version at Canadian prices (no added mailing costs). Please go to www.horsecountry.ca and click on the digital subscription link. Order subscriptions from www.horsecountry.ca/subscribe, or Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R2M 5M3. Phone 204-256-7467, toll-free 1-866-886-2425 or email contact@horsecountry.ca. Pay online, or by mailed cheque, Visa, Mastercard or Money Order. Publisher’s Mail Agreement #40753025. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2M 5M3. Email: editor@horsecountry.ca. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher, and copyright remains with Horse Country (Woodstock Media Services) unless expressly released. Horse Country assumes no responsibility for claims made in advertising copy and has the right to refuse any articles, stories, advertising copy or photos. It is the responsibility of the advertiser or author to obtain copyright releases for photographs used in advertising or supplied editorial, and to verify the authenticity of information supplied which forms the whole or part of editorial pieces. Manuscripts and pictures are welcomed; please state terms and enclose SASE for return if required. Writer’s Guidelines are posted on www.horsecountry.ca. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. HORSE COUNTRY PRIVACY CODE: A subscription to Horse Country includes a free emailed newsletter which arrives no more than once every three weeks. If you do not wish to receive this e-letter, please advise in writing to the email or regular mail address above. We may occasionally make our database of addresses available to businesses which we feel have products which would be of interest to you. Please advise us if you do not wish to receive this information. Horse Country’s complete privacy code can be found at www.horsecountry.ca/privacy. EDITOR Linda Hazelwood 1-866-886-2425 or 204-256-7467 (local) editor@horsecountry.ca CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ishbel Moore, ishbel@horsecountry.ca ADVERTISING SALES Linda Hazelwood, editor@horsecountry.ca OFFICE ADMINSTRATION Eldeen Stark, contact@horsecountry.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS contact@horsecountry.ca LAYOUT & DESIGN The Creative Crew. creativecrewcanada@gmail.com ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Jade Anderson, Wendy Carnegie, Melanie Brydges Down, Barb Fenwick, Peter Hurst, Chris Irwin, Maura Leahy, Jessica Manness, Ishbel Moore, Eileen Switzer Stapleton.
issue #1 | 2014 www.horsecountry.ca
On the cover 4 Politicians and PETA
Fighting to ban New York City carriage horses
8 One rider’s long distance goal: The World Equestrian Games 2014 27 Are you riding safely on the road? Manitoba Horse Council has some tips for you
The Round Up 35
SAHA
35
EC $20.14 challenge
40
Support Team Canada to the WEG
NAERIC
Barrels of Cash Futurity/Sale results
42
Western Style Dressage
42
2013 NAERIC Versatility
Ranch Horse Stake Results
In every issue 37 41 43 45
Horse Nuts Connections/Classifieds What’s Happening? Subscription Form
Issue #2-2014 is published week commencing March 17, 2014, and is this year’s stallion issue. Deadlines: Business advertisers: space closes February 17; Material closing February 24 . Horses for Sale and Classified line adverts: deadline February 24. Web adverts uploaded weekly. Call Linda Hazelwood 204-256-7467 to find out more!
Going for the Games: Jessica Manness and Glider 7
Orphans
14
Spirit:
16
The evolution of Horsemanship
19
Support Team Canada
20
Rebel is at rest
23 24
Letters to Horse Country Horse 3
26
Welcome Rob O’Connor
28
On the Bookshelf
33
Goodbye Red
34 46
Around and About The Last Laugh
A colostrum dilemma Barb Fenwick’s amazing partner by Chris Irwin
at the AQHYA Youth World Cup Eileen Switzer Stapleton recalls his high jinks
Who are this year’s trainers and judges? New head at the Provincial Ex
28 Round Penning, by Keith Hosman 32 Black Ransom, by Stone Wallace 32 Unforgiving Plains, by Christine Steendam A special horse for an Oakbank family
Passages
FIND US ON FACEBOOK: Horse Country Horse Country Classified
38 Bill Collins 39 Ralph Kennedy Check www.horsecountry.ca for Breaking News!
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Text and photos by Linda Hazelwood.
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Politicians and PETA* want to ban New York City carriage horses
If you’ve ever visited New York, one of the iconic memories you took away with you may have been of the carriage horses in the Central Park area. Hold those memories dear, because if the newly-elected Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, gets his way those memories will be all you have. On his first day in office he vowed “to get rid of carriage horses, period.” He added, “We are going to quickly and aggressively move to make horse carriages no longer a part of the landscape. They are not humane. They are not appropriate for the year 2014. It’s over. So, just watch us do it.” Attempting to win the votes and donations of animal rights special interest groups and rich backers during his mayoral race, Bill de Blasio pledged to ban horse-drawn carriages on his first day in office. The city council would have to pass the ban, which would face an immediate legal challenge from carriage drivers, many of whom have built their own small businesses with their horses and buggies. Supporters find it disturbing that de Blasio has made the demise of an entire industry one of his first policy goals. The city can hardly afford the loss, with an unemployment rate already standing at 8.9%.
The carriage drivers are members of Teamsters Local 553, and while the Teamsters are no stranger to politics, the union hoped the mayoral election would be about jobs, workers’ rights, working families, and building a better New York City for all. Yet, animal rights activists hijacked the 2013 mayoral race. While the new mayor has made no secret of the scorn he bears for the property of New York City’s richest residents, in this case he’s also disregarding the rights of small-business owners like Stephen Malone, who has been driving a New York carriage for 26 years. Malone owns his own carriage and two horses, and uses his earnings to support his wife and three children. His father, an Irish immigrant, drove horses in Central Park before him, teaching his son the trade from the age of 9. Before that, four generations of Malone’s family worked as blacksmiths in Ireland, so he likes to say that horses are in his blood. It’s said that New Yorkers don’t scare easy, but drivers are concerned that the outcome of the battle is not in their hands. To a driver like Malone, it would mean the end of his family lineage of being a carriage driver. *PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Drivers think it would be unconstitutional, un-American to steal their business, to take their horses away from them. Many are older and have been driving all their lives, which makes them almost unemployable for anything else.” Central Park’s tourism circuit employs about 200 horses. If the industry were banned, these horses would be jeopardized, and even if their high profile won them a new pasture home, they would possibly displace other rescue horses around the country. Advocates for the carriage horses say that in today’s stressed equine industry, there would be a domino effect in the number of horses going to slaughter. The carriage drivers’ forefathers were those cab drivers who, in the first half of the 20th century, refused to give up their living, breathing equine partners in favor of the dirty, noisy motor car. Today, their descendants are still determined not to give up on their horses. “It can’t be constitutional for the government to shut down Waiting on the hack line for the next job.
an industry because a few small, politically connected groups with a lot of money don’t like us,” said Christina Hansen, a Central Park carriage driver and the founder of Blue Star Equiculture, a nonprofit group that helps provide for and pasture homeless and retired horses. “Contrary to popular belief, the Central Park horses are well cared for,” said Hansen. The horse-carriage industry faces some of the most rigorous regulations of any industry in the city. Right now, five separate city agencies monitor operations, as does the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), although Bret Hopman, a spokesman for ASPCA said, “The ASPCA believes that the use of carriage horses in 21st-century New York City is unnatural, unnecessary and an undeniable strain on the horses’ quality of life.” All NYC carriage horses live in four stone or brick stables in the Hell’s Kitchen district on the far west side of Manhattan. Most were built to house horses in the late 19th century, and as such were designed with good
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Trees and traffic. All pictures taken in the area of Central Park South, between Columbus Circle and Grand Army Plaza.
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ventilation from all sides. Many of the stables are three or four story buildings, with access between the floors by steep ramps. Carriages are stored on the ground floors. Improvements in the stables include box stalls, fans with misters to increase air circulation and cool the stable in the heat of summer, and the installation of high-volume sprinkler systems and other fire and safety measures. Sprinklers make other horse people envious: barn fires are a horse-person’s worst nightmare and most barns are not able to have sprinklers installed. Pet stores, riding horse stables, and even most apartments in New York City are not required to have sprinklers. Regulations require horses to work no more than nine hours a day (which includes the walk to and from their stable to the hack line). While waiting in line they must be blanketed when it’s below 35°F and rainsheeted when it storms below 55°F. Carriage rides are suspended when it’s above 89°F or below 18°F. Horses are required to have at least two veterinary exams a year. Each horse is guaranteed at least five weeks vacation in a pasture each year, and they get an extra vet check before and after their trip. Nevertheless, animal-rights groups have alleged mistreatment, and their supporters have substituted good intentions for facts. For instance, in a recent newspaper report citing a driver who was driving
a lame horse, it was stated that the animal …“had a condition called thrush — an infection of the hoof that if left untreated can lead to the horse becoming permanently lame, and subject to euthanasia.” De Blasio has suggested that the horse carriages, which have been an iconic Central Park attraction since 1858, should be replaced with electric cars. Hansen says that would be comparable to allowing teetotalers to close all of New York City’s bars and force the owners to replace them with coffee-houses. Writer’s note: “I was in New York just before Christmas and made a point of going to look at the horses. I saw twelve, either resting while they waited for customers, or making their way through traffic. They looked in good condition, well-fed with good coats. The tack was in good condition and wellcared for, with adequate padding on stress points.” Water and grain was given to the horses while they waited on the hack line, although their bits were not removed during feeding. Water is also available at two purpose-built stone horse troughs on the carriage routes. The horses were well-behaved in traffic, given the often inconsiderate activity of other drivers on the road. When the weather turned to snow one day, the horses were off the streets. If the mayor wanted a high-profile argument to raise awareness of his run for the job, he certainly picked a contentious subject. This battle will be fiercely contested, and it is hoped that the carriage drivers can raise enough financial support to match the deep pockets of the politician’s backers. c
With files from Jillian Kay Melchior (Thomas L. Rhodes Fellow for the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity), the National Review and Watchdog.org Samples of antique carriages used in the New York trade: www.chateauweddingcarriages.com/index.html Carriage stable tours were organized early in 2013 to show conditions in which the horses live: clipclopnyc.com/news
An Open Letter on Carriage Horses in NY BY Christina Hansen, Co-Founder of Equiculture with Pamela Rickenbach, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Purdy, DVM, Board Member, and Paul Moshimer, Facilities and Operations Manager: www.equiculture.org/nyc-position-statement.aspx
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Take a tour of the Clinton Park stable here: untappedcities.com/2014/01/16/behind-the-scenes-in-the-clinton-park-horse-stables-for-the-central-park-carriages/
One aspect that hasn’t been brought up in the “humanity”argument is that of the competitors to the horse trade; the pedi-cab. These rickshaw-bikes seat two people and are operated by one man on the pedals. One of PETA/ASPCA’s complaints concerns horses being submitted to the constant noise and vehicle exhaust of the traffic in the city. But, these are the same conditions faced by pedi-cab drivers, who have no medical plan, no regular medical checks, no 5-week annual vacation and no retirement plan.
Orphans: a colostrum dilemma Seldom are orphan foals given the recognition they deserve which is unfortunate as I am sure they are equally as successful as those having been raised under normal conditions. Because of the wild fires of 2003 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Hurst also introduced a registry to post safe farms and ranches to horses being evacuated from natural disasters. This registry continues to receive support today and he thanks all those taking part! Hurst is asking that people orphaned foals and horses seeking refuge from evacuation by promoting to others the voluntary service Cyberfoal freely provides. Cyberfoal.com was created by Peter J. Hurst and is sponsored privately. c
www.miracleranchequipment.com
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Cyberfoal was created by Peter J. Hurst in 1995, who writes: “The loss of a mare that relates to her foaling experience is heartbreaking especially when it should be one of celebration.� In such situations it may also be necessary to locate colostrum within the first twenty four hours to provide the orphan foal with the immunity it requires. In 1995 Hurst created The Alberta Nurse Mare and Colostrum Registry, and with support from Alberta breeders it became very successful. He later created Cyberfoal.com that replaced the registry by offering greater access to breeders across North America and in countries willing to participate. Since 1997 Cyberfoal has been providing a central location to breeders willing to distribute or acquire mares colostrum. When time is of importance this voluntary service contributes to the survival of many newborn foals. Most pregnant mares produce colostrum and when collected, filtered and frozen many foals can benefit. Collection takes but minutes to perform and can remain frozen up to two years. How to collect colostrum is explained on the Cyberfoal web site. Each year Cyberfoal receives more requests for colostrum than becomes available. The requests for foster mares are less frequent. These unprecedented statistics continue each year because colostrum collection is at breeders discretion.
One rider’s long distance goal: the World Equestrian Games 2014
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Aiming to compete in WEG qualifying rides in South Carolina and Florida this spring, Jessica Manness and Glider have have no option but to train right through Manitoba’s winter.
Horse Country editor, Linda Hazelwood, spotted an unusual Facebook page over the Christmas break. It was entitled “A-Canadians-Journey-to-the-WEG-France-2014”. Curious to find out who, what and where, she messaged Admin and Wendy Carnegie from Winnipeg, MB, who replied.
the Canadian team. We started the page in an effort to help raise awareness of what she is doing and hopefully start a community of people that are willing to support her goals both here in Winnipeg and across Canada.” Wendy asked if Horse Country would like to help Jessica get the word out and of course, we said, “YES!”
“Hi Linda The facebook page in regards to the WEG is actually being run on behalf of Jessica Manness and her horse Glider. She is aiming to do 100 miles in Normandy this coming August and is currently in training to achieve all of the qualifications she needs in order to compete for placing on
Jessica wrote her own story for us:
I first heard about Endurance Racing nearly a decade ago and often wondered how far I could go and what could I do with my horse. At that time, I was a recreational rider living in Thompson, MB. I rode long miles on my mare, Justess,
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and used her for tracking game animals, fishing in isolated more competitive, and take better care of my equine lakes, and working along the shorelines of Northern partner. I found a training center in Utah and some nice Manitoba. The terrain was rugged and my horse got trainers who were willing to take me in for a clinic and tough. Meanwhile, I think I got tougher too. Back then, I teach me the basic knowledge that I was lacking. The knew nothing about the science of caring for an endurance clinicians were Dian Woodward and Christoph Schork athlete, and often learned from trial and error. I learned - some of the top US riders today. While in Utah, true to their words, Christoph and Dian about the importance of refueling while exercising, the value of good gear, and proper foot care. Most importantly, did teach me a lot. More than that, they invited me to join I learned about the bond between an equine and an owner, them on a trip to Sonoita, Arizona, where I competed in three more long distance endurance races. On the first day and Justess learned to take care of me too. Four years later, I trailered my mare south to Sandilands I competed alongside Christoph and Dian, so I could learn Provincial Forest in Manitoba to try a limited distance as much as I could about on-trail strategies. They then endurance race held by the Distance Riders of Manitoba. realized how serious I was about the sport, and noticed the This was my first competition in a number of years, and I limitations of my backyard-bred mare. Although Justess knew no one when I arrived. At the event, I was encouraged was competing well at the amateur level, she could never by the new friends I made along the trail and thoroughly be as fast as the world class competition at the events that enjoyed the challenge of the sport. While at the event, I envisioned competing at. As a result, Christoph offered my new friends told me about the Canadian National me one of his horses that he felt would perform well at the Championship, which was being held in two months’ time. level of competition that I was striving for. I purchased the Not one to back away from a challenge, I asked what it gelding, Greater Glide (Glider), and brought him home would take to make the Provincial Team selected for the with me to Thompson, Manitoba. That spring, I encountered several issues that prevented event. It sounded hard: I would have to compete in a few more events and successfully finish a 50 mile race - double my progress towards my goals. The first lesson that I learned was that too much the distance that I had ever ridden hard road training causes shin before. Nevertheless, I accepted the that summer I learned splints, and Glider spent most of challenge. a lot about injuries, the summer recovering. Shortly The first 50 mile event that I thereafter, I was racing on my completed in order to make the injury prevention, and mare Justess in Alberta when she Provincial Team was held at Spruce treatments fell in a hole and sprained her Woods Provincial Park. I remember knee, and she needed the summer that the weather was as bad as it off for recovery as well. Yes, that could be. Cold pouring rain and severe thunder showers developed as the day progressed. summer I learned a lot about injuries, injury prevention, My mare was a good sport about it, and dragged me and treatments. The next season was much more successful. I was through the vet checks to come out with an impeccable vet report. Nevertheless, by the time we were done, my mare applying the skills that I learned and finally it was paying and I were frozen and achy from the cold. But, we had off. I achieved a 1* completion and won the 50 mile event at Spruce Woods on Glider and finished with a breathtaking accomplished the goal and proved we could do it! The next event that we competed in was the Canadian time. Glider was feeling so strong that the very next day, National Championship, in Barrie, Ontario. Wow, did I raced him in the limited distance event, and he won that we ever learn a lot en route and while at the event! We too in a very fast pace. That season he repeated the speedy traveled with one other trailer and two other Manitoba performance and won nearly every event at impressive riders, and spent the nights at farms along the way. It speeds. Glider finished the Manitoba season especially took us three days to get to the competition grounds. This strong, so I decided to try a competition in Florida, the course was a 50 mile route comprised of rolling hills, stony Goethe Challenge. This would be our first 75 mile 2* dry river beds, gravel roads, and sandy bridle trails. My event. Throughout the event, my gelding and I were very horse performed especially well, finishing with the other challenged by the heat and humidity. Nevertheless, we finished in the top ten and achieved our 2*FEI status. Manitoba horses, and our Manitoba Team won bronze. That winter, my interest in the sport continued to grow, and I wondered how I could learn more about it, become continued on page 10
However, I tried out anyway, and 3 weeks before the event I received the confirmatory e-mail. I hastily began planning We were now eligible to compete at the 3* 100 mile level. and set off for Sartilly - Mont Saint Michel. This event was However to achieve my goal of competing at a world by far the hardest competition I had ever tried. To make class event, we would need to complete several more 2* it more challenging, the horse I was riding was very new to the sport, and had only recently completed his 50 mile and 3* events. With my long term goal in sight, I returned to the Goethe qualifications - this test event was 83 miles with a minimum Forest in February 2013, and leased a Canadian horse for speed of 14 km/hr. My plan at the event was to maintain a the FITS event. Disappointingly, although we completed steady moderate pace and manage this new horse carefully. the 75 miles and finished third in the amateur classification, Even though only 50% of the competitors completed, my my horse was not 100% and we were unable to achieve the little French equine and I finished it very strongly. On my return to Canada I continued to research, learn, FEI * that I needed. In May, I signed up for another 2* event, this one at and train, all the while keeping my goals in mind. I now acknowledge that the more I Spruce Woods. At the preparticipate in the sport, the vet inspection, I learned more I learn and improve. I that my horse Glider had have continued to build my developed a heart condition, horses and compete locally which was later diagnosed on Justess (who is now as atrial fibrillation. Atrial owned by my daughter) and fibrillation is when the heart Glider for the remainder of loses its rhythm, the atrial the Manitoba season. I have chambers malfunction and set my sights upon the WEG the ventricles beat randomly. in France in August 2014, and T h e c a u s e o f G l i d e r ’s am doing everything I can to condition could not be achieve that goal. diagnosed, even after a full So where do I go from round of blood tests, heart here? ultrasounds, and EKG tests. Between January and I was very worried about his March 2014, with the help future; my choices were to of friends, I will be taking either put him down or treat Glider, Justess, and one other him, but the treatment had horse to South Carolina and a relatively high probability Florida in an effort to achieve of complications which the remaining *’s and points included death. I decided to that Glider and I need to take my chances and proceed represent Canada at the with the treatment, and went WEG. In South Carolina, I to the Western Veterinary Jessica and Justess at the the Manitoba Horse Council East/West will be racing a 50 mile and College in Saskatoon. Challenge, September 2014 a 75 mile event the next day. Eight weeks after the treatment for his heart, Glider was feeling well and back In Florida, I plan to compete in two 75 mile and a 100 into training and light competition. Meanwhile, I had mile event over three days. I know it will be hard to meet decided to improve my chances of success in the sport. this challenge, but I am confident that my training and I starting to train Justess for the 2014 season and applied preparation will pay off. I am excited because the Canadian WEG team will be for the Canadian Team at the World Equestrian Games Test Event (WEG) in Sartilly, France, in August, 2013. I announced in June, and the games will be held only a few also investigated the option of leasing a French horse for months later, in August. I feel that the horses and I have come a long way over these few years. And now, I feel I am the competition. When I applied to represent Canada at the WEG test ready to take on one of the greatest equestrian challenges, event, the probability of me making the team seemed low. the World Equestrian Games. c
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We had some more questions for Jessica: You are currently in training for five rides totaling 375 miles during January and March in the US. What is your training schedule?
I am training the horses about three days a week, but horses naturally retain a lot of their strength and endurance, which makes training them a lot easier than training humans. Horses also don’t need as much repetition as humans do in order to advance to a longer distance competition. Because the horses are already fit from the last few years, most of what I am doing is long, slow miles, about 35 miles a week.
Are you doing all the training on all three horses you will be taking?
My daughter and I are training Glider and Justess and Wendy [Carnegie] is training Autumn, which she owns. Because it has been so cold, however, my 7-year-old daughter hasn’t been able to help much lately. In warmer weather, she rides Justess (who she now owns).
Do you exercise in ways other than on horseback?
Yes, I run, swim, and do callisthenic exercises. Humans take more repetition to gain fitness, so I have to workout more than I train each horse.
Do you have a diet schedule for yourself and for the three horses?
Yes, I feed my horses a very high quality hay and monitor their protein levels to ensure they are getting enough to maintain and build muscle. I also supplement with vitamins and minerals, and feed electrolytes after every work out. Most importantly, I ensure they have plenty of water. My diet is similar (high in roughage and protein plus vitamins, minerals, water, and salt). Neither my horses nor I eat processed food or saturated fats.
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It is winter here now and the ground is snow covered. How do you manage to build up the practice miles? I wrap my horses legs to prevents cuts from objects hidden under the snow. Then I use blankets while riding to retain their body heat when they are being exercised. After workouts, I always cool my horses indoors and dry them before turning them out to the paddock. I don’t let the temperature, wind, or depth of snow deter me from a workout. Because my training time is very limited and needs to be pre-scheduled, I work the horses regardless of the conditions. We just dress for it!
This level of commitment, even for training, must be expensive and timeconsuming. Are you self-funded or have you been able to get grants?
If you qualify for WEG, who pays for your trip?
How do your family and friends support you?
If you want to help Jessica and Glider get to France, you can donate through Paypal via northranch@hotmail.com Follow the team’s progress at www.facebook.com/pages/A-Canadians-Journey-to-the-WEGFrance-2014/264029436990198
I have self-funded most of my training and competitions. I received a grant from Manitoba Horse Council last year, and it helped for sure. My desire to compete fuels my desire to work hard at my employment. I save every penny and am very frugal with my personal spending so I can afford the sport.
Most of my extended family (mom, sister, etc.) live out of the province and write their support through emails and on Facebook. At home, I do most of the cooking, cleaning,
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shopping, and child activities (as I said, I have a 7-year-old daughter). I also work more than full-time, and have farm chores at the beginning and end of the day. That is why I pre-schedule my workouts with the horses, and arrange child care for specific times. It is tough to juggle, but that’s all part of the challenge! Wendy Carnegie is my primary support. She drags me out of bed in the morning to ride, regardless of the temperature outside. She is coming to South Carolina and Florida with me too. Second is my daughter, who is helping me train the second horse. Lots of other people are encouraging or join me on occasional rides and do what they can, but Wendy is key. My partner, John Muller is helping to raise money by loan of his riding arena for clinics and training.
If so, this is the last issue in your subscription term. RENEW NOW to keep your magazine coming in the mail. Go to www.horsecountry.ca and choose “I want to renew” to resubscribe on line, or phone 1-866-8862425 to phone your order in with a credit card.
I am hoping to raise the funds for the competition. I am working to coordinate travel with the American team, and if it works out, my horse can be shipped with their horses; this would reduce the cost of transport to about $16,000 per horse in the shipment (I would only be shipping Glider). In total, I have estimated this event will cost me about $20,000. We are thinking of holding events such as a clinic and a garage sale to raise money towards the trip. c
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Spirit: smart, playful, trustworthy, leader, calm, fun, athletic, patient, handsome and loving Barb and Spirit cooling off after a summer ride.
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Barb Fenwick recalls the amazing partnership with her horse, Spirit. I was lucky to buy this Tennessee Walking Horse as a weanling in 1998 in Crookston, MN. He was 2-yearsold when he sired a colt, just after he was gelded. A surprise for sure, his foal Chris - was born Dec 23, 2000. Spirit was so full of himself, a quick study, but always had an opinion as a youngster, well suiting his name. He tempered that trait with his loving and trusting nature that was playful, fun and exciting. This painted boy also gave hours of pleasure to countless people when he taught ground work and natural riding over the years. He was my partner in successfully becoming accredited as a Horse Agility Instructor/Judge in 2011.
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One rider who will miss him greatly is Hilda Harness, who, as a disabled rider, felt the confidence to ride again on his back. They were a marvelous team to watch, with her smile and his steady care of her. Spirit and I even won Show Champion in a Gaitedonly horse show in Rochester, MN, under the meticulous judging of Liz Graves, well-known gaited horse trainer, clinician and judge. There wasn’t anything I asked of him that he wouldn’t try and shine at. He and I started teaching natural horsemanship clinics from the time he was 4-years old, here in Manitoba, also Saskatchewan and Ontario. At 5-years-old he was diagnosed with Founder, later confirmed as insulin resistance. I worked hard for the next 10 years to control the disease and keep him sound. Ultimately the disease won, but not until we had “done it all” and crammed into those 15 years of his life so many activities and good times. With his diagnosis, I began my investigations and studies of the disease and natural hoof and horse care. I have James and Yvonne Welz to thank for starting me on the path that kept this horse as sound as possible over the years, since I began studies with them in 2006. That education, a strict diet, and my trimming him since then, allowed this horse to live a longer life than most foundered horses. In spring of 2013, I had Spirit participate in a drug trial
Spirit was a favourite with the children.
testing a founder control drug called Laminil, which is injected into the hooves. The effects were very favorable and he enjoyed a very good summer. Unfortunately, the drug effect started to wear off by autumn. I had known that the drug was our “last hope” as his hooves had so much damage from the disease over the years. The hoof care and careful feed protocol wasn’t enough. He was in great pain, and I knew it would only get more difficult and painful going into our cold winter. Even so, I watched him in hopes of improvement, but after his last trim, it was evident the damage was beyond repair and it would be cruel to make him suffer longer. It was time to end his pain. It was the hardest decision I ever made in my life. Gut wrenching to think I wouldn’t see his beautiful spotted body moving out across our hilly pastures anymore. But as one of my friends remarked, it takes a great deal of love and bravery to make that important decision; our last act of kindness for them, as they say. As he slipped peacefully into final sleep on November 21, 2013, I knew a sense of peace myself along with a deep, deep sadness which comes with losing a dear loved one. We were a team, equal partners in a dance of life, having fun, arguments at times and amazing outcomes and an understanding that I expect will not be repeated in my lifetime. He WAS one of a kind, an eagle among a flock of followers, a teacher and a best buddy. Fly on, Spirit, Thanks for giving me it all, thanks for the memories and love. Love Barb
www.landmarkfeeds.com
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
Barb Fenwick has raised several Tennessee Walking Horses over the years. Her remaining horses are 2 mares - a Missouri Trotter and a Paso Fino. She continues to teach natural horse care and bitless riding, also Horse Agility at her Seasons Ranch next to Sprucewoods Park in Manitoba. Visit her website: http://theseasonsranch.weebly.com
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by Chris Irwin
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
Frame of Body = Frame of Mind
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The language of horses is body language. Therefore, the best and most practical advice I can share with the written word is that it’s not just what we do with a horse that is important but how we use our bodies when we do what we do with our horses that should be kept first and foremost in mind. I say this because how relaxing and enjoyable the training is for any breed of horse of any age, or, conversely, how stressful the experience is for the horse, depends entirely on how the trainer behaves. The training of any horse of any breed or age begins with the fact that horses are physiologically hard wired in the bio-chemistry of their central nervous system so that their body, mind and spirit work together as one. The frame of the body of the horse is also the frame of the mind. So, the truest definition of training the horse should literally mean that we use our body language to shape or sculpt our horses into a frame of body that corresponds to their feeling good in the mind. Some shapes of a horse feel better for them than others. Some shapes feel heavenly because they create endorphins through the spinal column/central nervous system of the horse – while other shapes produce adrenaline that leaves the horse feeling stressed and not wanting or willing
to co-operate. The idea is that a horse is supposed to be “aided” or “helped” into feeling better with endorphins when “in the good hands” of a trainer. When a horse experiences consistently that you make it feel better than it does on its own then it focuses on you more and more, and wants to be with you and resists you less and less. In the most logical definition of “natural” this is how we tap into the horses’ intuitive need for “survival of the fittest”. It needs to be that simple: Does your horse feel better with you than it does on its own or when it is with other horses? If the horse does not feel better with you, then why would it want to be with you and why would it want you to take it away from the other horses and allow you to ride it? From catching in the paddock or in the stall, to leading, grooming, tacking up, even mounting, we are always speaking volumes with our body language. Every moment they are with us, our horses need to see clearly that they feel better with us than they do on their own. When a rider knows how to not only push the “shaping buttons” correctly on a horse but also knows how to read and feel the energy and emotions of a horse well enough
empathy and awareness for the true needs of a prey animal , and being able to deliver the help that satisfies those needs , that encourages our horses to appreciate us in return. Take a moment to observe these 5 photos of a horse being led and lunged, and see for yourself what a difference human body language makes with our horses. And may you and your horses enjoy healthy and happy trails and please remember... ask not what your horse can do for you - but ask what can you do for your horse.
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A common and classic example of miscommunication with body language. Here we see the right hip of the person standing beside this gelding cocked or “pushing” into the head of the horse. This subtle shape of her body is perceived as herding/pushing his head up and away from her. In the language of the horse, any push into the neck and head is perceived as threatening. His high head, hollowed back and hard eye are all signals of the irritation and disdain he feels towards her posture.
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Another common miscommunication: Using her right hand to attempt to “lead” the horse, the human is working bio-mechanically “backwards” for the horse. We all know that impulsion “comes from behind the horse” and yet it is such human instinct for even the best riders to pull the head of the horse forward during groundwork. This leading from the nose instead of pushing/herding the hindquarters of the horse, is causing him to invert his back and fill his mind with adrenaline and look away from her. He is easily distracted when his physiology is working against him.
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The horse is now visibly relieved as he is urged gently forward with a push from her whip into his flanks instead of pulling his head with the lead rope. Her hips and core energy from the center of her body are now aligned straight ahead and out of his face so that the horse can relax, be focused and level-headed with a soft eye, and travel straightforward with a calm, curled tail. Now we see an example of human body language working with the biomechanics of a horse instead of against it.
continued on page 18
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to do so with just the perfect amount of pressure in just the right place at just the right time, so as to be neither too hard or too soft on a horse, then a horse begins to dance instead of merely obey. When horses find that we care about them enough to stay in the moment and not only know where to push the buttons but also how often, and how much, or when not to push the buttons, then they see us as shepherds looking out for their best interest and they want to be with us. Yes, we all love our horses, but it is the fine art of
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continued from page 17
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O U C H ! H e r e we s e e t h e m o s t c o m m o n miscommunication from people working horses on the lunge circle or in the round pen. The horse is clearly stressed while the shape of his spine is gushing adrenaline into his brain. As we observe the person we see that her core, the centre of her body , is aiming ahead of the horse. Therefore, her energy is not “herding” by pushing his body forward from behind but is instead sending a signal of “capturing” by aiming ahead or “leading her prey target”. This horse has his tail up, his eye is wary and he definitely is not enjoying his lunge experience.
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What a difference! Now that her core of her body has shifted alignment and is sending herding messages into his girth area, where a rider’s leg would be, the horse is enjoying a much more comfortable experience. Note how he is stretching his back, bending around or away from her, his eyes are soft, his ears forward and his tail is calmly curled. This horse is now feeling great while being lunged. Chris Irwin is an internationally renowned horseman, bestselling author, and a leading pioneer in the equine assisted movement. It was discovering how to transform the primal and volatile nature of numerous WIld Mustangs into 18 calm and collected U.S. National Champions in English, Western and Driving competitions, that first showed Chris his greatest insights into learning how to learn. To connect with Chris Irwin visit his website at www.chrisirwin.com
Found on Facebook:
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
two stupendous metal horses. The sculpture below is by John Lopez, an artist from Lemmon, South Dakota, who specialises in animal pieces made from unusual material.
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check out his blog/website for more pieces at http:// johnlopezstudio.blogspot.ca/2013_07_01_archive.html The piece below was featured on the website of a Scandinavian magazined called “Equipage”.
AQHYA: Team Canada’s Youth World Cup
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As part of Team Canada’s Youth World Cup fund-raising, team members will be selling Team Canada clothing, and have t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts and pull-over hoodies available. All items are available in black, dark heather grey, light sport grey, red and white. • T-shirts are $17.50 • Long sleeved tees are $20.00 • Hoodies are $40.00 All items available in sizes small, medium, large, XL, and XXL plus Youth sizes and are unisex sized Gildan brand. Single item orders have a shipping cost: (tees are $2.50 extra and hoodies are $5.00 extra) On Facebook, contact either Quinn Brandt or Karen Westerback (manager) for donations. Clothing orders can go through Quinn Brandt. c
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From Eileen Switzer Stapleton
Rebel
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May 18, 1984 to August 30, 2013 Out of Duchess (Arab/Appaloosa) by Santana (grade Quarter Horse by Six Chick Tom)
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Reb was born on my family’s property in Fisherton Manitoba in the early hours of a stormy May morning. His proud momma trotted to the gate to show me the wobbly spider legged wonder she had foaled. A gorgeous red sorrel colt with a pretty star and snip, two hind socks and a spot on the off outside front heel. He was a real character right from the day he was born. We had quite the debate over naming him; my husband (fiancé at the time), Rick, thought he should be named Rebel, my choice was Taggart (from the Golden Stallion books I loved to read in school), my Grandfather’s reaction to that was “Taggart be damned…name him Stormy.” We thought to be fair, the names should be put in a hat and drawn. Obviously Rick’s choice was drawn and he couldn’t have been named more appropriately. The colt soon proved that he was indeed quite the Rebel. He gave his poor dam fits with his independence. When Duchess was staked in the yard to eat the grass, and Rebel decided he’d had enough of the flies, he just ducked between the rails of the corral and made himself comfortable in the shed. I would have to run outside to a screaming mare frantic that her colt had been lost. When Duchess and I went for rides down our road and Reb tagged along, he would
run after and scream at any cars that drove by without stopping to give him attention. Most often, because we lived in a close community everyone would stop and either scratch his ears as he stuck his whole head into their car, or if they had peppermints or Rolaids (just about anything would do) they would give him these treats. Even as a full grown horse, if traffic drove by without stopping he would yell and try to run after them for attention. That first summer Reb was entered with Duchess in the Mare and Foal class at the Fisherton Horse Show and they won the class. In the fall, we sent Duchess to a neighbor’s for the winter to wean Rebel. He was with his half-sister Shadow, and a horse we were boarding for my Dad’s co-worker. On a cold February morning, I got up for work and went out to feed the horses before work. Rebel was down in a patch of hazelnut bush. From what we could tell, one of the horses (likely the boarder) knocked him down into the bushes where his legs became tangled in the brush. We don’t know how long he had been lying there, but, he was very cold, and dehydrated and could not get up on his own. Linda and Rick fixed up the shelter with extra straw, and canvas over the open end and
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two car heaters for heat while I sat on the ground with a fantastic job with him, and gave me some great lessons. Rebel with a hot mash of rolled oats with brown sugar and By the time Reb was 4-years-old he was on his way to covered with the blankets off our beds, while we waited becoming a pretty good show horse. He became fairly well for my best friend, Shirl’s dad, Jim Mackie to come help known in the North Interlake Show Circuit, not necessarily us get him on his feet. Once Jim arrived we heaved him for his obedience and accomplishments as a show horse to his feet and he wobbled, bouncing off of us (each of us but because of his personality. Even when he was being at his four corners) all the way to the shelter. We of course bad, he just had a way of making everyone notice and had called the vet and with Jim’s experienced advice we love him. On one occasion we were at the Eriksdale Show kept him comfortable until Dr. Olson arrived. After Dr. and had Rebel and Joe in stalls while we went for lunch. Olson left, Linda, Rick and I took three-hour shifts taking When we returned Joe was frantic because Reb was gone. turns sitting in the shed with Rebel and lifting him onto his We knew, because he was such a social creature, that he feet at every shift change, for wouldn’t be far; sure enough three straight days and nights. there he was with Dave Michie I sang to him, and Linda read sharing a sandwich. By the Harlequin Romance books to way, Reb loved lunches, even him. Rick was too tough to tell ham sandwiches. After that if how he kept himself awake. I Dave was at a show we were believe this is when he became at, he came to visit with Rebel. so attached to the three of us. Every time Rebel misbehaved Months later, Rebel went (which was often) Dave would down on his flexor tendons yell out an offer for him from and went through a series of the stands, and every time, the farrier treatments with Ken offer was a higher and higher Anderson and Ed Cosens. At price. I think by the time Dave Flying his flags…as always. one time we thought we’d have was no longer with us, Reb was to euthanize him but Ed came to the rescue and saved worth tens of thousands of dollars. I think Ken Windross him. Rebel required special farrier care until a few weeks took over making offers on Reb after Dave passed away. before he left us. Rebel had the reputation for bucking the whole way to By the time Reb was 2-years-old, Joey Too, (my sister-in- the finish line on the final run of all the speed events we law’s horse) had joined our herd. He and Reb were partners entered, didn’t matter if it was barrels, poles, keyhole; until the day Joe passed away except when we ran the ribbon in 2010. Breaking Reb to ride race with Linda and Joey. was quite the challenge as well. Then and only then did he Even though he was the most run his heart out and more affectionate horse I’ve ever often than not, we were the had, he rebelled about learning winning team of that event. to be a ridable mount. On my He did, however do a great seventh ride, he turned into job in the trail class, the judges a bucking bronc the Calgary liked how he navigated the Stampede would be proud obstacles, looking down with to have in their arena. I think interest at them. We won quite Reb (right) and Joey Too running the ribbon race. I lasted 1½ pitches before I a few ribbons and trophies in was on the ground with him that class. merrily bucking circles around me. Every ride after that During this time Linda and I took Joe and Rebel in the was a repeat of that one. Our neighbor, who is a very great North Interlake Show Circuit shows. One little girl who rider and ridden his share of rodeo broncs, spent a month had competed at our how show in Fisherton had won the with him. Every ride began with a session of hard core Junior High Point trophy but left to go home before we bucking. He eventually became safe enough for me to ride, but I had to be on guard for him to “bust open” any time. The following spring I sent him to Diana Dickson who did continued on page 22
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continued from page 21
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could give it to her. I took it with us to the next show, which was in Ashern. I caught up to her and gave her the trophy. She took it back to her trailer and gave it to her Mom. When her Mom asked her who gave it to her, her answer was, “I don’t know her name but it’s the lady who rides Rebel”, so that shows how much everyone knew Rebel. When Rebel was around 5-years-old, Ed Cosens harness broke Rebel for me, and we enjoyed many sleigh rides for fun and for work. When Rick and I cut firewood he would stand patiently while we cut and loaded the sleigh. If he felt he had waited long enough though, off he would head for home at a pretty good trot with Rick and I carrying the chainsaw and gas yelling “whoa Rebel” to no avail. He would be standing by the wood pile when we got home waiting for us to unload. This happened on a few occasions. We also took several 4-H kids for sleigh rides and he loved all the kids when they came with treats and brushes to groom and scratch all of his itchy spots. Even with very little kids, he would put his head down to their level and stand perfectly still while they petted his nose and ears. There came a time though when Rebel was getting harder and harder to get into the arena and while he was in there, he was not a happy camper so Linda and I chose to retire both him and Joe at the same time. Joe would have been in his mid-twenties. Horse Country Magazine printed a story written by Cindy McKay that fall. I believe it was titled, “So Long Joe and Rebel”. This wasn’t the first time Joe and Reb were featured in Horse Country Magazine. At one time, Horse Country had a photo contest in which I entered a photo of Joe and Reb the morning after a snow storm, that was featured on the cover. Then a few years ago, Horse Country had a “Where Are They Now” theme where I submitted a story about Rebel and Joey Too. After they old boys were retired, Linda and I each bought a younger horse, but when it came time to go on those trail rides or parades of course it was Rebel and Joe who were our choices to take even though we knew full well that those trail miles were what the young horses needed. As I mentioned earlier Joe passed away in 2010.
He was 33½ years old and had been Rebel’s best friend and partner for over 25 years. Rebel was at Joe’s side to the end, and mourned him for months after he was gone. Reb seemed to become happier when I purchased a paint mare (Echo) with a colt at her side. Reb decided to become “Uncle Reb” to Spirit Eyes, and when Lady was born the following spring he was Lady’s Uncle Reb too. Lady went to her new home in July of this year, and with Echo gone to Sweet Water Stables for the summer and the other horses gone for the summer too, it left Reb with just Willow, the paint mare I bought earlier this last spring. Rebel ended his days in the company of Willow. On August 28th, I noticed he was a little lame so he and Willow were put in the corral so he could rest his leg and not do further damage. The following day I had an appointment in Portage La Prairie and found out that my Grandmother was failing badly. We of course went to the Personal Care Home where she was. I went home to check on Rebel, who Reb and Willow. seemed to be in a little more pain, but I chose to return to spend the night with my Aunt and Grandmother while she passed away. When I went home the next morning after Grandma had passed, I checked on Reb and was devastated have to make the decision to have him humanely euthanized. It looked like he had broken a bone in the fetlock joint. As much as I would have loved to keep him with me, I felt at the age of 29, it wasn’t fair to put him through whatever treatment, if any that could have been done even if I could have afforded it. So on August 30, 2013 Reb went to join his best friend, Joe, in greener pastures. A friend of mine said that he carried my Grandmother on his back to join my Grandfather on his way. Dear, dear Rebel, you were my best friend. I cried many tears into your mane, shared one of the best events of my life, my wedding, and you have taken me on so many great journeys. And you always did it with style. Thank you so much for being such a great part of my life. I will love you and miss you always. I hope you are running with your flags flying with Joe again. Thanks so much to Ken Anderson, Ed Cosens, Wes Hurd, Inga Johnson, Karel Skripal, Dr. Olson, Dr. Renooy and Dr. Taylor for your wonderful farrier and vet care Reb received over the years. c
Letters to Horse Country...
Linda and Ishbel,
Garth from Saskatoon emailed:
I would like to wish the both of you all the best in this, the
Thanks for taking the time to put together the article about
Year of the Horse. Attached is a picture of my Christmas
Choosing A Trainer (Ed: Issue 8-2013).
gift from my daughter. I wanted you to see the beautiful
I was just in the position of wondering where to send
framing and to again thank you for taking an interest in
my horse this summer, and the objective information
Daisy and myself. As we usually work alone with no group
from all those well-qualified people has really given me
to support us, I cherish the friendships that were formed
something to work with. The trainers brought out many
on that weekend and am looking forward to seeing you
things I would not have thought to ask, and now I feel
all again in the spring.
confident to go forward.
Your friends, Sue and Daisy
As a writer myself, I know how time-consuming it is to put together an article like that. Well done! Garth Jenkins
(Sue Sheridan, after being featured in Horse Country’s Issue summer of 2013.)
Leo Clarke wrote from Winnipeg: Just a suggestion, Linda. How about a small section in each edition talking about what the initials in the “What’s Happening” section mean. A lot of us older Horsemen have never heard of a lot of them! PS Thanks for a terrific magazine. Leo Editor: Our apologies, Leo. Normally we do put the descriptor box in that section but sometimes we run out of space. I will make sure to put it in whenever possible: it is in this issue, on page 43.
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
6-2013, on her progress with Daisy in Horse Agility in the
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The Heart (Head, and Hooves) of Horse 3
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
April 18-20, 2014 Keystone Centre, Brandon
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The NAERIC Trainers Challenge takes three of the best colt raisers in North America and pits them against each other for the coveted H3 Belt Buckle and grand prize money. They are judged on how well they react with the colt, and how much they are able to achieve in leading a colt in four hours over the course of the weekend. Your three competitors this year are:
Kaylee Mills Sean Patrick Steve Rother
Kaylee Mills is
a certified Course Four Training Thru Trust Apprentice, a program developed by her father Doug Mills. There is no question who her inspiration comes from! Being raised in a life of horses, at 2-years-old Kaylee was running Kaylee Mills around the ranch on her horse by herself. She started competing in Little Britches Rodeo at 4-yearsold and continued on to High School Rodeo. Kaylee trained her first colt to train when she was nine, and from then on she was hooked. One of Kaylee’s most hard earned achievements was becoming the 2008 BC High School Rodeo Association (BCHSRA) Breakaway Roping Season Leader and Year End Champion, as well as qualifying for National High School Rodeo Finals and Canadian High School Rodeo Finals several times in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying. After High School Rodeo, in 2009 Kaylee was invited to Switzerland where she was crowned European Junior Trainer Challenge Champion. Later that year she also competed in the Canadian Horse Trainers Challenge Championship where she placed third out of sixteen.
Kaylee became the 2012 Siblings Rivalry Trainers Challenge Champion in Edmonton at the Farm Fair during the CFR. Most recently in August 2013 she won the title of Trainer of the North in Smithers, BC. Her goal is to help as many people as she can to reach their horsemanship goals using her father’s program Training Thru Trust. c
Sean Patrick is an accomplished horseman. After spending much of his career in the rugged backcountry of British Columbia, he now focuses on horsemanship instruction. With his wife Alisha, Sean operates a horsemanship school at Pioneer Trail Reserve in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Sean has authored “The Modern Horseman’s Countdown to Broke: R e a l D o - I t -Yo u r s e l f H o r s e Tr a i n i n g i n 3 3 Comprehensive Steps.” This book is a complete step-by-step program for young or troubled horses. Sean Patrick Sean’s instruction takes the guesswork out of training horses, so you can focus on teaching a solid foundation. His monthly training articles can be found in equine publications such as TrailBlazer Magazine. c
Steve Rother is an internationally-acclaimed
clinician and the two-time winner of the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge. He is a contributor to many equine publications and has been featured on RFDTV ‘s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb. Known as The Horseteacher, Steve is dedicated to all horse people who strive to teach their horses by educating themselves. He is not limited to specific disciplines, but rather the development of a willing partnership between horse and rider. Steve conducts horsemanship clinics and also presents at expos throughout the USA and Canada, and at his ranch, the “School of Horse”, in Steve Rother Washington state. The school offers horsemanship camps as well as apprenticeships and horse development programs. His “Excel with Horses” club allows students to come together to achieve their horsemanship dreams through a levels program. c
Judges
This year’s esteemed panel of judges includes some familiar faces in the horse community and a panelist who is no stranger to Horse3’s NAERIC Trainers Challenge!
Bob Kaufman
has spent over 35 years ranching in BC and Alberta, and has correlated his time spent riding, working cattle, raising a family, and being involved in many activities. Bob currently manages Cypress Springs Ranch located along the Cypress Hills Park boundary as well as Bob Kaufman keeping up with his
other interests such as saddle making and leatherwork. He has conducted colt starting and horsemanship clinics in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana, and has started over 1000 colts in his 38 years of ranching. He continues to bring along a few young horses each year, and offers a couple for sale as they become dependable and more finished mounts. He has also placed at a number of working ranch horse competitions, and has judged the Trainer’s Challenge for the Mane Event in Red Deer, Alberta. continued on page 26
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Bob Kaufman John Tilley Shawn Seabrook
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continued from page 25
John Tilley along with his wife Jamie and daughter
Bronwyn, owns and operates Tilley’s Custom Colts and Horsemanship near LeRoy, SK. They start and ride a variety of horses for the public. John and his wife t r a ve l a c r o s s t h e prairies conducting Horsemanship and Young Horse John Tilley Handling clinics. In the past John has been employed as a horse wrangler, pen rider, and a pasture rider. He is very proud of his working cowboy past. John attributes much of his understanding of the horse to his time spent doing a real job horseback. He feels that it is important to keep these traditions alive for the future generation of horseman and horses. Check out the Tilleys at www.tilleyscustomcolts.com c
Shawn Seabrook
has been involved with horses for over 20 years including starting colts, guiding and packing in to the Rocky Mountains and working on cattle ranches. He later owned his own horse transportation business which took him all over North America. Shawn’s experiences have led to opportunities to ride extensively with world renowned trainers. This has allowed him to develop his own program which provides a great foundation for starting colts and leading to performance in Shawn Seabrook reining, working cow horse and cutting. Shawn travels throughout Canada teaching clinics and has developed his own Certification and Performance Horse programs which are very intense and hands-on. Students work closely with Shawn to develop their skills and their horses. c
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New head at the Provincial Ex
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The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has announced the hiring of a new general manager. Rob O’Connor, who brings his experience as the show manager for Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina, will take over the position from Karen Oliver on February 17, 2014. “I am thrilled with the opportunity of becoming a part of one of Canada’s oldest Exhibition Associations. I am looking forward to maintaining the traditions of the Association and capturing the opportunities that present themselves which will keep the organization relevant,” says O’Connor. “I look forward to working with the directors, volunteers and other stakeholders that make this organization an important part of the Brandon community.” The Provincial Ex organizes three main events annually: the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the Manitoba Summer Fair and the Manitoba Livestock Expo.
Rob O’Connor
O’Connor attracted national and international participation, and quadrupled sponsorship during his time with the Farm Progress Show. “Leaving the helm of the Provincial Ex is bittersweet. As much as I love the Fairs, I’m excited to have someone come on board with a fresh perspective and new ideas to bring the Fairs to the next level,” says Oliver. “I feel confident that Rob is just the person to do that.” Oliver will remain in the Ex office until the end of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in April. After that, she will continue to work on the organization’s Display Building No. II Project. c
Ride (and Drive!) Safe Notes from Manitoba Horse Council’s Road Safety Handbook for Equestrians
Whether you are a seasoned trail rider, road traveler, or carriage driver, the Manitoba Horse Council’s (MHC) Road Safety Handbook for Equestrians is full of information and suggestions worth reviewing. It must be noted that these recommendations are Manitoba’s Provincial law: othe provinces may have different requirements so please consult your local . Page 4 is dedicated to the Manitoba Motor Vehicle Act sections that apply to equestrians. The definition of ‘traffic’ refers to: ‘pedestrians and ridden, driven or herded animals and vehicles and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using a highway for purposes of travel’. Did you know that ‘Horse riders and horse carriage operators have the same rights as motor vehicle operators and must obey the same rules’ and ‘a person riding an animal or driving an animal-drawn vehicle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to the duties of a vehicle’? Horses do NOT have the right-of-way automatically. However, vehicle drivers should understand that even a highly skilled rider is not always able to have control over a living breathing animal, and should be considerate by slowing down and not making a lot of startling noises. MHC makes special note that ‘the shoulder of the roadway is not specified as an allowable route for riders/drivers in any regulation and is only referred to as an option for pedestrians if there is no sidewalk, or as a temporary place for drivers to stop’; and that if you/your horse is having a problem on the road or highway [a scary thought], legally you can remain on the road, with right-of-way, and vehicles then should pass in the left hand traffic lane when safe. Consequently, if you are leading your horse, you become a pedestrian and must use the sidewalk if there is one. Where there is no sidewalk, you should walk on the left-hand side of the road or shoulder. A horse cannot be ridden on a sidewalk. The Steps to Road Riding Safety, ‘Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Aware’, offers commonsense and realistic pointers. For instance, it mentions road surface considerations, other animals, loose dogs, unpredictable and uneducated motorists and cyclists, off-road vehicles, and your own level of nervousness. There are tips on what to try when your horse does spook. And what about those hand signals we had to learn as kids for bicycle
riding? They apply when horse riding too, as does shoulder checking! How did the horse cross the road? The handbook covers this as well with their ‘STOP’ sign (Stop, Think, Observe, Proceed), and there are some good photographs to illustrate correct methods: Signal, and look before turning. If clear, cross, either in single file or abreast, but close together. Maintain safe crossing formation. When across, resume correct single line formation. There is a section specifically for Coach and Carriage Drivers, and another with Do’s such as respecting private property, and Don’ts that include not drinking when riding or operating a horse-drawn carriage. Of interest are the ‘Safety is a Shared Responsibility’ pages. Look at the photograph of a car/horse collision: the damage to the vehicle is extensive. The onus for safety does not lie just with the horse riders and carriage drivers. This is dealt with near the end of the handbook when there are suggestions made to other road users, and a paragraph for owners with off-leash dogs. Given the nature of the horse, riders who are unprepared or undertrained, and the speed with which accidents can happen when trail riding or trotting down a country road, this package certainly offers some decent and useful insight into prevention and protection. All riders, regardless of past experience or miles in the saddle, would benefit from this handbook. Remember – a little insurance (by monetary payment or education), is always a good thing! c www.manitobahorsecouncil.ca
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Horses do NOT have ultimate right-ofway! Those days are gone!
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On the Bookshelf Round Penning: First Steps to Starting a Horse By John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman Soft cover, 116 pages ISBN: 9781477471593
If you’re starting a horse or need to turn around an older horse that’s proving a challenge, round pen training is your very first step. The changes you can make there are amazing – but to make these advances, you’ll need to know that there is a tried-and-true system. It’s more than simply running a horse around in circles; there are objective and progressive steps. It’s easy – but you can’t go in without a plan. Section I of this book, “Round Penning: First Steps to Starting a Horse,” gives you a 5-day, step-by-step set of instructions to take with you to the round pen. Section II goes on to offer 10 more lessons that you’ll want to teach your young horse at this point in his life. Using this how-to guide will get your young horse off “on the right foot.” The time spent will pay big dividends later! _____________________________________________________ Keith Hosman was kind enough to let Horse Country reprint a portion of the introduction. It is well worth getting the book to read the rest.
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Introduction
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Regardless of your horse’s age or background, if your objective is to produce a well-trained animal, work begins in the round pen because it’s a place where you establish control. It’s where you start young, green horses; it’s where you “re-start” the older, problematic horse. Consider Helen Keller. Born deaf, dumb and blind, she had exasperated all who tried to work with her. She was completely wild, throwing temper tantrums and being completely impossible until they found a small and simple way to begin communicating with her. They poured water over her palm and pressed on her hand, spelling the word “water” – or so the story goes. The round pen offers us the same toehold or beachhead. We begin by simply getting the horse to move. Then we get the feet to move consistently.
Then we get the feet moving consistently in our chosen direction. Step-by-step, we take the advantage – and plant the seeds that eventually grow into respect, understanding and partnership. If your youngster is an absolute charm, if he’s got a calm, easy-going disposition and is just plain cool to be around, round pen training is where you begin turning him from lawn ornament into something to be ridden. If you have an older horse that’s one part Appaloosa and two parts attitude, then the round pen is where you go to “get his mind right.” If the little voice in your head is telling you that your gelding is growing out of control by one percent a day and that at this rate he’s gonna be completely impossible in about three months, then tomorrow the round pen is where you say “From today forward, things are going to be different.” No matter the horse you own, the round pen is where you begin building a quality riding horse. You accomplish
this by playing on the horse’s very nature: Nature teaches the horse that “there’s gotta be a boss” and that in every herd, large or small, one animal leads, the others follow. And do you know the test they use to decide who’s in charge? “If I can make you move, I’m the boss.” Consider: If your horse has little-to-no training, then today he probably sees you as the guy or gal who brings the food and not much else. Everyday you walk out toting the feed bucket. Your horse follows. You dump the food, pet the horse, turn and walk away. You think “I love how my horse follows me around; it’s so cute.” Your horse thinks “I chased him till he dropped the food and he ran off. If he dawdles again tomorrow, I’ll bump him along with my head.” John Lyons, renowned teacher, trainer and clinician, says “You ride the horse you lead” and truer words have never been spoken. The horse that drags on the lead will pull on the reins. The horse that bowls you over as he lunges for his feed will just as readily lose focus on his rider. The horse that turns from your approach in the field will certainly ignore you later when he becomes frightened. Keep this in mind as you move through the training to follow: The horse you see at the end of that line is the same horse you’ll see at the end of those reins. If you don’t have access to a round pen, bear in mind that most, if not all, of the exercises covered here can be done with you attached to the horse via a lunge line – it’s just far simpler to make use of a pen. Spending one week or even one day in a round pen will jump your training forward – so much so that if you don’t have one, I’d say it’s worth your time to locate one nearby and make arrangements to trailer to it. The changes you’ll make in your horse’s mind are so profound and so rapid using the round pen, that you’ll find yourself far ahead (later) by doing what it takes to begin there. You can skip it, sure. It’s been skipped countless times. Put in the hours and you’ll get a trained horse whether you begin there or not – but a little extra work now gets you a finished horse exponentially easier and faster. Before beginning this work, you and I must stipulate that you (and your vet) have decided that your horse is healthy and capable of some good, healthy exercise. It goes without saying that a horse with “leg issues” is not a candidate for round penning. Those of you with younger
horses (as in “babies” or “yearlings” as opposed to two or three-year-olds) take special heed: While babies can be worked through much of this material, you must employ common sense and dial back what you read here, taking more breaks, employing more patience and NEVER asking your youngster to move faster than a walk. (If it picks up a trot or lope, back off your pressure.) Never push very young horses as you would their older, more mature mates: If you see a baby sweat, you’re pushing too hard. Their lungs and legs simply cannot handle it and you will do permanent damage. If you have any doubts, read this document and discuss the work with your veterinarian. Even with an older horse, the round pen is not about running the animal into the ground in an effort to show it who’s boss. Use common sense and always err on the side of caution. You’ll want to offer plenty of breaks, for “airing up,” water, and to get out of the sun. Also, never, ever “tag team” your horse, allowing another trainer to work the horse while you take a break. If you get a break, the horse gets a break. Period. End of story. Now, read the following twice because everybody will be guilty of it at some point and to a certain extent: There’s only one way to screw up round penning and that is for you to get lazy. If you are not absolutely committed to losing some fat yourself on Monday, then put off your work until Tuesday. Round penning is, quite simply, hard work for both you and your horse. Your horse will be taxed by the exercises, sure, but you’ll be pushed as well. Change in the round pen is contingent upon you making corrections immediately. If your horse unilaterally decides to turn back to the left – and you wait 12 strides to get that “thought” fixed before turning the horse back, then you’ll be working out there a very, very, very long time. Every moment you are in your horse’s company he is learning from you, whether for good or bad. Allowing the horse to simply wallow through his lessons will do more harm than good. You’ll be working your tail off to create a giant slug who drifts through your commands and who thinks that “maybe you don’t really mean it.” By contrast, immediate corrections will accelerate and solidify your training. Be proactive and quick like lightning and you’ll get results.
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There’s only one way to screw up round penning and that is for you to get lazy.
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continued from page 29
Keeping this in mind should help: Take four seconds to make a correction and that’s four seconds worth of things the horse might think “you’re looking for.” While you might allow your horse to stop and rest because three seconds ago he turned away from you correctly, your horse might be thinking he got to stop because two seconds ago your dog barked or because he began running faster. Then, for the next half hour you think “He’s moving too fast, but he made that turn once; he’s learning” – while in reality he’s running around faster and faster, hoping the dog barks again. Had you released your pressure within one second, he would hve stood a greater chance of figuring that his reward came as a result of the precise turn he just made. Always, always, always, release your pressure as soon as you can... [Horse Country Editor: there’s more about finding that instant release, but we thought you might want to skip a bit further along.]
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Day One: “How Do I Start?”
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Round penning, as with all feats in life, can be accomplished faster by those with more experience. It’s not tough; there’s no magic – it just takes practice to begin reading small signs. Carrying your hips in a certain way, the way and direction from which you approach or retreat, when to push or to lay back, for example, can have the impact of making it look easy for a pro and a challenge to the novice. But remember, you can accomplish the same goals if you continue to demand improvement and your corrections are quick, as discussed previously. You’ll rapidly gain experience and, frankly, once you’ve done this a few times, you’ll be working like a professional yourself. Outfit your horse in boots, including bell boots. The moves he’s going to make in the round pen will cause him to step in ways he’s probably not used to and he’ll certainly need protection from all the stops and turns. You’ll also need a lariat or lunge whip. It doesn’t really matter which you choose, but the lariat takes a bit of getting used to if you haven’t used one in such a situation before. Doubtless, you’ll be tripping over it when you first begin, but it becomes second nature rather quickly. The downside is throwing it out and having to roll it back up repeatedly. The upside is that you can use that “recoiling” time to catch your breath. Turn your horse into the round pen and stand in the center. Look at him and realize that this marks a starting point. Whether you’re retraining a bratty horse or starting
a youngster, the animal you’re looking at is absolutely convinced that “you are not the boss of it.” For all intents and purposes, he doesn’t even know you’re there. We begin to crack that veneer by causing the horse to move. (Remember Helen Keller?) As the horse (perhaps now running wildly about the pen, perhaps turned away, neighing heatedly to its buddies) later realizes that we are the ones controlling his speed and direction, he begins to pay us our due. It works like this: The horse will hand over his attention (to you) as his performance improves. Get the horse to turn at a specific point, stop him precisely here or there, keep him moving at a specific speed... and you’ll find, wonders of wonders, that he’s begun to realize that you matter; that you’re the one calling the shots. If you turn your horse loose and he stands there, perhaps an inch from your elbow, not moving away – then your first job is to do what it takes to chase him off to the pen’s fence line. He’s not to stand by you unless you have invited him. Quite often folks are afraid to run their horses off, figuring they’ll instill fear or break a bond of some sort. To the contrary, follow what I’ve outlined here and you’ll find that relationship grow. You must understand – and this is especially true of owners of puppy dog horses that “just stand there” – that making a change in your horse is going to take hard work. It doesn’t “just happen.” There are specific goals to accomplish – and teaching your horse to move when you ask is a critical first step. The “sweet horse who just likes to hang out with me” needs to be worked every bit as hard to make these changes – maybe harder if he’s begun to take you for granted. Feeling guilty about pushing him through the changes we need to see is a common trap, as the horse learns to manipulate you rather quickly. Regardless of your horse’s disposition, you must work your way through all the exercises objectively, checking them off as you go, being honest as to whether a step was accomplished or not. Get the horse trotting around the pen, it doesn’t matter which direction, clockwise or counter clockwise, as long as you pick a direction and stick with it (for now). Use the least amount of pressure it takes to get the horse moving, then relax and stand in the center, the horse traveling around the perimeter. If your horse wants to turn back in to you or stand near you, do what it takes to get him to move off. If you let the horse turn in and hang out with you now, you’re teaching him that he’s the boss. Don’t let that happen. See it for what it is – and it ain’t obedience. If your horse picks up a faster gait, maybe flying around at mach 60, so be it. You’ve asked for a trot, but faster is okay for right now. Sooner or later every horse will slow down because the round pen is just that: an infinite loop.
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Just stare off and listen to the beat. Stand there in the center, looking ahead. Do not follow the horse by turning your body. The horse is a prey animal. He’s terrific at reading body language and assimilating the messages you send. Remember, he’s programmed to believe that “He who causes the other to move his feet” is the boss. Keep that in mind and stay as still as practical. Listen to the fall of the hooves as he travels behind you. You are waiting for him to break stride. If he’s traveling faster than initially requested (for instance, he’s cantering but you asked for a trot), and he slows to a trot, do nothing. If he slows to a walk or stops, that’s what you’ve been waiting for. It’s “wrong” – but see it as a good thing because it hands you a chance to correct the horse and thus show him again “this is what I’m looking for.” What you’re looking for is for the horse to continue to move in the gait you have chosen (trot) – and in the same direction – until you tell him to stop. So, if he stops or breaks gait, speed him back up immediately. (For now, don’t worry if he moves slower at the trot – keep things clear and easy by only demanding the specific gait.) The horse will most likely try to change direction. If he does, correct him right away and again see it as a chance to tell the horse what we expect. Horses that just “happen upon” the right answer haven’t learned it as well as the horse who has made a hundred mistakes first. That latter horse has learned 99 things that don’t work and will be more thoroughly trained in the long run. Note: If, despite your best efforts, your horse refuses to trot around the pen, if he just won’t move, bring in another horse, one he gets along with and concentrate on getting the second horse to move. The second horse will give the first horse the proper idea: move. Before long you’ll be able to remove horse number two. Keep the horse moving consistently in the same direction, in the same gait. Each time he turns on his own, turn him back to the direction you’d chosen (more on how you’d do that coming up); each time he breaks gait, speed him back up to the trot. Always get yourself back into “neutral” (the center, looking ahead, seemingly ignoring the horse) as quickly as possible. Our goal at this step is simply this: The horse must learn that we expect him to trot (or to move in whatever gait we’ve chosen) around the round pen, without our continual prompting. When riding, we don’t ask a finished horse to trot and then keep asking him to trot, right? No, we don’t. We expect him to begin trotting and to trot until asked to change gait. Same thing here. We’re building a horse to ride – so teaching this now has it’s application later. c
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More On the Bookshelf
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Black Ransom by Stone Wallace ISBN 9780425265345 Available on Amazon.ca, Chapters/Indigo and at McNally Robinson.
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Stone Wallace’s first Western was originally a spy story which took a different turn. “Denim Ryder” was going to simply be called “Denim” and was to deal with a female secret agent. Stone was doing a magazine interview with the actor John Agar (who had appeared in many Western movies: “Fort Apache”, “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”, etc.) and through his conversation with him he got the idea to change his shift to an old-timeWestern setting. Instead of a secret agent, his character Denim (Ryder) became a Wild West sharpshooting and horse riding sensation who sets out to even the score with the man who betrayed her parents to the Apaches. Stone said, “The book caught on and I moved forward from there into Western writing (which I LOVE). Although I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I spent a lot of time in Arizona and Nevada and soaked up a lot of the old West atmosphere, along with my research.” Despite having a background in Communications and Broadcasting, Stone has now written four very popular Western-themed books, filled with romance, intrigue and amazing depth.His latest offering, Black Ransom, is totally in the genre and a darned good read. The flavour of the old West abounds in Stone’s books, with generous helpings of gangs, outlaws, villains and Sherriffs. Stone also writes authoritatively on Hollywood stars such as Johnny Depp, George Raft, Russell Crowe and other Hollywood icons. c www.goodreads.com/author/list/361940.Stone_Wallace
Unforgiving Plains by Christine Steendam ISBN 9781939217684 Prince Publishing
Sitting in Winnipeg, cozied up in the middle of a winter’s “polar vortex” is exactly the right time to take a trip to Foremost, Alberta, along with Rayna Fields, a successful realtor from Calgary who has been left a dilapidated ranch by a father who she hasn’t seen for 20 years. Struggling with her feelings towards her dead father, deciding what to do with a ranch in financial distress, and trying to sort out the other problems that crop up along the way, Rayna turns to the one person willing to help; Vince, the hired hand. This novel is set firmly in the current Wild West, where ranchers’ tools include wi-fi and riding helmets. But there is skulduggery and shenanigans going on. Cattle rustling, missing horses, shady deals... is the hired hand at the bottom of it? Rayna has a lot on her plate, including being tossed off her horse and ending up in the hospital with concussion (hence the riding helmet). Unforgiving Plains is Christine Steendam’s second book, and a wild ride away from her first novel about pirates and buccaneers. We look forward to wherever she takes us next time! PS Christine is also a Winnipeg writer – and a Horse Country subscriber! c
Goodbye, Red from Melanie Brydges Down
Anxiously awaiting his treats.
Red with his adopted fawn.
convinced he could talk to you like a person through the expressions on his face. Even as recently as yesterday when he saw us coming he would whinny happily to greet us. I couldn’t help but smile through my tears this afternoon. My husband had just heard that Nelson Mandela had passed away. His comment: “Today two legends left us.” Red spent his last day standing in his stall in the barn with his head in my lap. He knew it was time, and let me know too. As anyone who has ever owned a special horse knows, not all horses have the same ability to touch your life. This one was special and I will miss him incredibly much. c
Kiara was only 7 or 8 years old at the time. She saw a small tuft of alfalfa growing in the riding ring and bent down to point it out to the horse for him to eat. We used to tell the kids when they were little that alfalfa for horses is like candy for kids.
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Today we said good bye to a dear old friend, Red (Ima Red Kidnap). His heart was failing and his organs had begun to shut down. Our veterinarian put him to sleep. He is buried in our backyard next to the riding ring you see in the photo. Old Red ferried many small children, including my two daughters, around that ring. For most it was their first experience riding a horse and as you would expect, he ensured they felt safe and protected. My father rescued Red, a Quarter Horse, 28 years ago when he was just a 2-year-old. He was rake thin and missing chunks of hair all over his body. Years later a stranger would comment that Red became the rescuer. In 2011, Red was on TV news and featured in some horse magazines when he adopted a tiny fawn. He chased away all adult deer from his grain and hay, but willingly shared it with this late-born, orphaned fawn. The old gelding became the fawn’s nearly constant companion. All winter the pair were together. We knew Red was a special horse, but felt he was even more special for his kindness to this wee fawn. We will always remember Red as the horse who, in his old age, behaved as though he were human. When my husband would forget to close the paddock gate so the other horses couldn’t eat his grain, Red would stand at the metal gate and push on it with his nose to make it bang until he got Don’s attention. My teenage daughters were
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Have you, or someone you know, won
Around... and About... Southwest Ranch Horse Association
The South West Ranch Horse Association is in talks with the Provincial Exhibition Board, looking for ideas and feedback about the proposed Ranch Cutting Futurity that will be held at the Summer Fair in Brandon, MB. If you have any ideas please contact Sabrina Kirdie, 2014 SWRHA Co-Chair. coyoteridge@xplornet.com c
Do you enjoy Trail Riding in the Souris River Valley?
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Myna Cryderman from Boissevain reports that some of most beautiful, challenging equestrian trails to be found on the prairies are in need of some work. The 25 miles of trails in the Souris Bend WLMA are totally maintained by volunteers, who are planning a work bee in April and would love to see a crew of equestrians out to help. They need people with chainsaws, quads, nippers etc. They would also like to get the trails rotary mowed to clear the scrub undergrowth. They have someone with a bobcat and bushmower who is willing and able to do this work, and charges $75 an hour. The group needs to raise some funds to help pay for this. Anyone making a donation of $75 or more would receive a sign on the trail recognizing their sponsorship. If you are interested in helping with the work or making a donation towards the mowing please contact Myna Cryderman at 204-534-2390 or email myna@goinet.ca Horse Country is donating $75. Who else would like to join in? c
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MHC Recreation Committee equine activity proposal for Birds Hill Park
The Municipality of Springfield, adjacent to Bird’s Hill Park, is developing a new transport plan. At the last council meeting, the MHC Recreation Committee made an excellent Power Point presentation to the Municipal Board to include equine activity in that plan, which includes designated walking and cycling trails. Many thanks to Carolyn Lintott, her committee and Fred Gutosky for their commitment. c
an award, been nominated to a Board, done something special? Do you know of something you think other riders would be interested in? Let us know what’s happening in your neighborhood. Send comments and web links to editor@horsecountry.ca.
Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse Association
The Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse Association’s (SRCHA) has finalized details of the new SRCHA Stallion Incentive Fund program. If anyone is interested in more information and/or receiving their stallion-owners package or nomination forms please contact either Jamell Heppner mheppner@sasktel.net 306-984-2149 or Noreen Fenske fensken@xplornet.ca 306-647-2124 . They will be glad to help answer any questions you may have and get you the forms you need. Foals born in 2011 and later are eligible for nomination into the program however deadlines for 2011 foals are tight with sires needing to be nominated by February 28, 2014. The SRCHA hopes to make this into an exciting and beneficial program for both stallion owners and prospect owners alike and encourages anyone interested in the program to look at what they have set up. c
Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA)
Congratulations to Jaida Adamson of Fairlight, Saskatchewan, winner of the $500 credit toward bidding in the 2014 CWHBA Stallion Service Auction, to be held February 16. Her name was drawn from total registration applications in 2013. Jaida’s foal, Leena II by the Landgraf line stallion ‘Limited Edition’, owned by Joy McKinnon, was registered in August, 2013. Foals born to 2014’s successful bidders have a free entry into the 2015 Foal Futurities to compete alongside all other foals by nominated stallions, who pay an entry fee. c More information about CWHBA is at www.canadianwarmbloods.com
Asociation secretaries: if you have “snippets” of information we can include them on this page. Send to editor@horsecountry.ca Ask for the Association information sheet to see what comes free in Horse Country. c
The SAHA is excited for a great new year of clinics, shows, and quality time with our horses! Our current Board of Directors is: Alison Smith (President, 306-939-4909), Marvelle Machniak (Vice President, 306-726-2020), Jenah Birg (Treasurer), Jade Anderson (Secretary), Deanna Lyke, Don Macdonald, Erica Milligan, Gary Lewis, and Marisa Moe. UPCOMING EVENTS: Although the SAHA did not have a booth at the SK Equine Expo this year, we had a fabulous team representing us in the Battle of the Breeds! Team members are: Trific-k-dence owned and presented by Steph Ubell in Barrel Racing, Classico M owned and presented by Vanessa Cote in Jumping, Khaacey owned and presented by DeeAnna Lyke in Compulsory Western Pattern, and Khemokhaskarema presented by Renee Lupien-Smulan in Trail. Thanks to all who came out to cheer them on! Once again, the SAHA plans to host clinics with Rena and Sharon Mclean (Western Pleasure, Reining and Trail) and D.J. Cairns (Sport Horse and Dressage). We are also considering hosting an additional clinic with either Carla Jackson or Shirley Arndt. For more information on the D.J. Cairns clinic, contact Jennifer Robertson (jsrobertson@ sasktel.net) and for more information on all other clinics, contact Tammy Hayward (306-535-7402). The 2014 SAHA Icebreaker Arabian Horse and Open Dressage show will be May 31 and June 1, and the SAHA 2013 High Point winners are: High Point Arabian: 1st. Cyty Cowboy, Don Mcdonald. 2nd: JM Mystairs Debonair, Kathy Verity. 3rd. Designed, Regan Threinen; (pictured right) High Point Half-Arabian/Anglo Arabian: 1st: Extreme Colorred Drifter, Kathy Brewster. 2nd: EZ Polkatrot, Regan Threinen. 3rd: Jibber Jabber, Marvelle Machniak. High Point Junior Horse: 1st. Khaarga Kwiksilver, Sharon Mclean. 2nd: STLA Color My Limits, Eva Alexandrovic. 3rd: Jibber Jabber, Marvelle Machniak. High Point Amateur: 1st: Don McDonald, Cyty Cowboy. 2nd: Kathy Verity, JM Mystairs Debonai. 3rd: Susan Kernatz, El Nahric. High Point Youth: 1st: Regan Threinen, Designed. 2nd: Samantha Weins, Camereo. 3rd: Regan Threinen, Ez Polkatrot. Congratulations everyone!
Equine Expo Team 2014
Fall Classic will be September 13 and 14. Both shows are in Moose Jaw. We still have some 2014 calendars to sell! Calendars are $10.00 and may be purchased by mail! If you are interested in purchasing a 2014 calendar or want to reserve your spot in our 2015 calendar, please contact Jade Anderson (306793-4557). Months in the 2015 calendar are already being spoken for. Any youth (under 18 years old) who sells 10 or more calendars will receive a FREE MEMBERSHIP. Also, any youth who brings in $100 or more in sponsorships will have FREE ENTRIES IN ALL YOUTH CLASSES in 2014. Please visit our website or join our Facebook page for more dates and information. c
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Saskatchewan Arabian Horse Association
SAHA from Jade Anderson
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Support Canadian riders on their way to the World Equestrian Games!
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Equine Canada (EC) is excited to announce the official launch of the $20.14 for 2014 campaign. This innovative campaign allows Canadians to feel like they are part of the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) by directly supporting them on their journey to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France. Donations of $20.14 can be made online through the EC website. By giving this nominal donation, CET supporters and horse enthusiasts can band together and be part of the excitement and help the CET achieve their goal of standing on the podium at WEG 2014. All of the funds raised will be applied toward offsetting the cost of sending Canada’s world-class equine and human athletes to one of the biggest and most illustrious competitions in equestrian sport. The excitement is building as Canadian athletes, both riders and horses are getting closer to the August 2014 World Equestrian Games and Equine Canada is stepping up the preparation. The Canadian Equestrian Team has legitimate aspirations to perform well on the world stage and the “$20.14 for 2014” drive is an important part of the commitment. It gives the entire Canadian equestrian community an opportunity to express their support and help athletes from all the disciplines achieve their goals. WEG features eight FEI disciplines: dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-equestrian, reining, and vaulting. Historically, Canada has achieved great success at these championships. At the last games in 2010 in Kentucky, the CET earned two individual bronze medals in jumping and reining, and one team silver medal in eventing. Follow Equine Canada on Facebook (www.facebook. com/equine.canada) and Twitter (@Equine_Canada) for additional information and updates on the $20.14 for 2014 campaign. c
info@ride-n-drive.com www.Ride-N-Drive.com
The page for kids who are just nuts about horses!
E S R O H Nut s
We welcome stories, drawings and photos from young readers. All entries published will win a prize so make sure you include your name, address and age on your entry.
Solving some knotty problems! Did you know? The end of the rope attached to the horse is called “the standing end”. The other end of the rope is called “the working end”.
small overhand loop
#2.
.
#3
push through
will tighten when pulled
Learn the Quick-Release Clove Hitch
A safe and simple way to tie objects. First learn the standard clove hitch which is useful for tying down tarps, etc. Illustration #1. Wrap the loose end of the rope around the pole once. Wrap it around once more, poking the working end under itself as in illustration #2. This knot will tighten when pulled. Do NOT use it to tie a horse. For tying a horse, fold the working end of the rope into a loop and poke that loop under your wrapped rope (see illustration #3). To free the horse quickly, just pull on the working end. These are very basic knots. Although the illustrations show the ropes and knots being tied around a horizontal “pipe”, be aware that this might not be the safest place to tie. A worn horizontal fence could easily break if the horse spooked and pulled back. A metal panel section might not be secure in its construction with the next panel. If you are in doubt, look for a vertical fence post to tie to, but make sure that your knot will not slip downwards when tied. A sample instructional video on knots can be found here: www.chilcotin.com.au/Knots.html
Emergency Rope Halter
Have you ever needed to catch a horse but all you had was a rope? Here’s a way to make an emergency halter. - Tie a small overhand loop in one end of your rope. - Catch your horse by putting the other end of the rope over his neck. Make a loop in the rope and push it through the small loop. - Put the second loop over the horse’s nose. This will tighten if he pulls.
A carro
A Pa l o m ty question ! in o f c a r ro o p a y i n g f o r a ts at the bag superma checkout wa rk did he as s short 25 cents. W e t k h behind h the Appaloosa in at im? line Can you spot me a quarter?
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PASSAGES BILL COLLINS
March 25, 1924 – December 31, 2013 On December 31, 2013, Bill Collins of Sherwood Park, Alberta passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the age of 89 years. Bill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Pearl Collins, his children and many other close family members. Donations in memory of Bill may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to the Calgary Exhibiton and Stampede Bill Collins Youth Scholarship Fund. To send condolences or to share a memory, tribute or photo, please visit www.glenwoodmemorial.com.
Bill Collins touched the lives of many horse people throughout Canada and it was thought fit to print the text published when he was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Bill Collins and Smarty Scotian Gold
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Bill Collins, retired owner of Leecoll Stables, Calgary, Alberta, is the first Canadian to be inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours bestowed by AQHA. Collins will join 122 individuals and 62 horses previously inducted into the Hall of Fame, established in 1975 to honour people and horses instrumental in the development of the breed and the AQHA. Born in Big Valley, Alberta, in 1924, Bill Collins is the Canadian icon of the North American cutting horse world. However, Collins’ accomplishments are not limited to the cutting arena. In the 1940’s Collins became a livestock dealer and attended his first Calgary Stampede in 1945, as a spectator, where he caught the rodeo “bug”. He returned the following year as a competitor in calf roping and as an outrider for a chuck wagon racing outfit. Collins was the Canadian Calf Roping Champion in 1951, 1952, 1956, and 1957 and Reserve Champion in 1954, 1958, and 1959. He was also the 1954 Canadian Wild Cow Milking Champion. In 1955, Collins began working with cutting horses, and is a three-time Canadian Cutting Horse Futurity Champion and has been the Canadian Cutting Horse Open Champion at least a dozen times. As a testament to Collins’ diverse equestrian talent, he won the Safeway Jumpers Sweepstakes following a jump-off over 5 ½ foot fences, was third in the $1,200 Cutting Horse Jackpot and was the Reserve Champion Calf Roper, at the 1966 Edmonton Rodeo.
Bill Collins and Smarty Scotian Gold.
In 1958, Collins set up his original training stable in Edmonton, Alberta and had up to 75 horses in training in both English and Western disciplines. During the 1960’s Collins was a Director of the Canadian Equestrian Federation (now Equine Canada) and helped the organization to standardize judging rules. In 1962, Collins met H.R.H. Prince Phillip during a cutting event at the Douglas Lake Ranch in British Columbia. This encounter led to a three-month Royal Cutting Horse Tour and demonstration across Great Britain, in 1964, with Prince Philip as the event’s patron. Collins taught clinics worldwide between the 1950’s and 1980’s. From the 1970’s to the mid-1990’s, he was a judge for the Canadian Cutting Horse Association (CCHA), the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and the AQHA, presiding over competitions throughout North America, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and England. In 1987, Collins was inducted into the CCHA Hall of Fame, followed in 1994 by induction into the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame, and the NCHA Hall of Fame, in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1995. Jeff Hooper, Executive Director of the NCHA said, “Mr. Collins has been a valuable member of the NCHA since 1960, and a major liaison between the CCHA and NCHA
Photograph of Bill Collins and Smarty Scotian Gold was graciously provided from Bill Collins’ personal collection.
PASSAGES
RALPH KENNEDY February 2, 1924 - December 29, 2013 Ralph John Kennedy crossed the Bar on December 29, 2013 to meet his beloved wife Lois who predeceased him in 2010. He leaves behind his four sons and their families and children, one brother, two sisters and their families. Ralph was born on February 2, 1924 to Hilda Mae Kennedy (Tozer) and Michael John Kennedy in Antler, Saskatchewan. Ralph attended Elmwood High School in Winnipeg and joined the Royal Canadian Navy at age 17, serving serving as an ASDIC operator during the Second World War. He participated in the Murmansk Run, the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day and the North Atlantic Run. As a result of his service both in the war and in the community, Ralph was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2008 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. Following his service in the navy, Ralph taught at Tec Voc High School for 37 years in both the electrical shop and as a guidance and career counselor. He was also a night school principal at Kelvin High School. In 1961, Ralph moved his young family to the Municipality of Springfield where he built Valley View Farm. There, he raised and trained Thoroughbred racehorses. Subsequently, Ralph and his family moved to Hillside Road north of Oak Bank where he established his Thoroughbred training centre known as Pine Ridge Farm. Ralph served as president of the Manitoba Horseman’s Benevolent & Protective Association and the Vice President of its Canadian Division. . Ralph served on council in the R.M. of Springfield and was a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He served on many committees of other associations. c
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for many years, assisting to promote and educate in all areas of the sport in both countries. Among his other achievements, Mr. Collins was responsible for the inclusion of the continuous cutting competition, since 1974, at the Calgary Stampede. He has been an asset to NCHA in many areas for many years, and is most worthy of this honor.” In the 2006 Hall of Fame nomination, Jamie Steer, then President of the CCHA said, “For in excess of 50 years, Mr. Collins has been the greatest influence in Canada, not only on the quality of cutting performed through his training methods and performances, (he is still riding and selectively teaching) but through the quality of Quarter Horses he has provided through importation and breeding for his clients and the industry.” Arguably, Collins’ greatest admirers are the legions of students with whom he has so willingly shared his knowledge over the decades. One such student, Janie Bass of Winnipeg, Manitoba said, “I went to train with Bill about 10 years ago. His kindness and patience was evident in his dealings with all those who came in contact with him. Bill exemplifies everything that a Hall of Famer should. Bill Collins is a true champion of the horse. He will come to the defense of the horse, in a way that will educate the rider, so as to make the horse’s life and job so much easier. His first concern is always the horse’s welfare, and his caring is evident in everything he does, and stands for. Bill has dedicated his life to horses, and horses are his life. He is truly a gentleman and his fine qualities are rarely found today.” Bill Collins reestablished Leecoll Stables at Bearspaw, near Calgary, in 1974, until he sold it in June of 2005, when he retired from active training. Bill and his wife Pearl continue to live in the Bearspaw area. His AQHA nomination was made by CHA and supported by the CCHA, the NCHA, two Alberta equine magazines - Canadian Cowboy Country and Western Horse Review, and many personal letters of support from individuals who hold Bill Collins in the highest esteem. Given his many personal accomplishments and generous contributions to the international horse industry, it is absolutely fitting that legendary Alberta horseman Bill Collins will be the first Canadian to be inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. c
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NAERIC BARREL$ OF CA$H FUTURITY/SALE RESULTS
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Cash chasers.
Winner of the $3,600 cheque was Oh For Petes Sake owned and ridden by Cassandra Peters and bred by Kelly and Ruby Stuart.
The inaugural running of the $9,000 NAERIC Barrels $ of Ca$h took place on Friday, October 25, 2013 during the Wheat City Stampede at the Keystone Centre, Brandon, MB. The organizers were ecstatic to have 20 paid entries for the race from the original 37 foals that sold five years ago. Three unfortunate scratches left 17 five-year-olds to run for the cash. Order of go was drawn and the running took place between the long and short go of the Todd Stiles Memorial Barrel Race. After the dust settled, the fastest time of 14.469 seconds belonged to Oh For Petes Sake owned and ridden by Cassandra Peters, Plumas, MB, and bred by Kelly and Ruby Stuart, Eriksdale, MB. The winner took home $3,600. Second place was Sea My Shine owned and ridden by Dawn Vanderstein and bred by Kevin and Julie Bridgeman, Binscarth, MB, and was worth $2,160. Third in the 1-D also belonged to Cassandra Peters on her other horse GB Classy
Twist bred by Gordon Adams and paid $1,440. The futurity was run in a 2D format and winning $900 in the 2D was Sonita Rey Mac ridden by Karalyn Main, owned and bred by Kevin and Julie Bridgeman. Second was DACS Double Lazer owned and ridden by Jane Corey and bred by DAC Farms. Third was BMF Watch My Chick Fly ridden by Chelsea Steeves, owned by Cindy Brock and bred by Bob McCallum. The sale of prospects for the 2018 futurity sold later the same day for an average of $1,030. There were 38 on offer. The high seller was DACS Lazer Fame, Lot 39, a bay colt sired by A Streak of Fame KN, a son of Dash To Fame and out of Bids Of Lazer consigned by DAC Farms and purchased by Jacqueline Rookes for $3,700. The runnerup BDB Susie Q, Lot 15, consigned by Tom and Sharlene Bennie sold for $3,600. c
Connections:
the economical section for buyers and sellers.
trinder@xplornet.ca www.twranch.ca www.twhorse.com thetopspot@mac.com FOR SALE: Registered miniature mediterranean donkeys for sale. Geldings starting at $700. Jennies also available, some of which are due to foal in 2014. Call 204-7453088 for more information or visit our website at www.heartandsoulstables.com. FOR SALE: Diamond Jacks Dude 2007 buckskin AQHA gelding. Dam is Royally Country sire is MGS King B Jac. Is a very friendly and gentle horse. Last year he was ridden out on the trails and in arenas. Has been ridden English and western. Needs a more experienced rider since he’s still considered green broke. He’s about 15-15.1hh and is very thick. Would be good for barrel racing, cutting or roping. Has very good feet and is good with farrier. Deworming and farrier up to date. He’s a very laid back horse and with time would make a good youth horse. $2,000 obo joy_prata@yahoo.com
Classified Advertising Rates CONNECTIONS SECTION Horses For Sale: $24 per 30 word text insertion (private sellers only). Add a picture for $24. Email: Send write-up - no more than 30 words, and picture no smaller than 3” x 2” at 300 dpi - high resolution. Please do not sharpen or crop the file. Pictures from web sites, video cameras or smart phones are not acceptable. Photographers proofs not accepted. Please send picture as an attachment, not inserted into the body of the email or Word document. If using Kodak Share or other email program, click on “keep original size”, NOT “email”. Regular mail: Send photo and maximum 30-word write-up, with an SASE if you want your picture returned. Paid adverts will be uploaded to the web each weekend. For security, please phone credit card details, don’t email. Email: contact@horsecountry.ca Phone: toll-free 1-866-886-2425, local 204-256-7467. Fax: 204-257-2467.
All rates are prepaid. Add GST or HST as applicable in your home province. (No PST.) Mail: Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street,Winnipeg, MB R2M 5M3 Line Advertising FREE: Subscribers’ personal line adverts, four times each year. Maximum 30 words per advert. Email to contact@horsecountry.ca or call 1-866886-2425. $1.50 per word: Business adverts. $24: Add a picture to any line category. Bonus web: Horses for sale, line ads and small box ads in the Connections section include at least 10 weeks on horsecountry.ca. Call for annual display rates in this section. Web and print packages available from $250. NB - Insertions not restricted to the current headings. We welcome new categories. ADVERTISERS PLEASE CALL: Linda Hazelwood 204-256-7467 or 1-866-886-2425; contact@horsecountry.ca.
FOR SALE: 16.2hh 13-year-old TB Gelding. He was shown consistently in 2011/2012. Perfect for if you want to start moving up levels. Loves eventing and cross country. 204-292-7955 FOR SALE: AS Marco Suave - 2012, 3/4 Andalusian gelding. reg. microchipped, DNA’d, black dun, should mature 15.3hh Super quiet and friendly, correct conformation. Located in SE Sask.306-4482272. $3000. FOR SALE: Tennessee Walkers for sale in B.C. to good homes.Please email dollysark@gmail. com for details
DRIVING
FOR SALE: Cross country cart, built by Amish in Ontario; good for competition or going down the road. 44” wheels. Stored indoors. $1200 obo. 204 866 4765
TACK
FOR SALE: Black Western Wintec Saddle. New condition. 16” Semi-quarter horse bars. $300. 204-794-9852. FOR SALE: Sensation Treeless Saddle, Hybrid Trail. Brown/tan. For sale only because I am upgrading to a new design. $900. 204-256-767. editor@horsecountry.ca FOR SALE: Two Western saddles. 14” Potts Longhorn. 14” Eamor. Stored indoors, good condition. $700 each. 204-467-2107 FOR SALE: Smith Worthington CC saddle, geat condition, chocolate brown colour. 16.5” seat, wide tree. Tree can be adjusted smaller or bigger. Wool flocked. $1,000. wiebe25a@uregina.ca
TRAILERS
Advantage Auto & Trailer Sales For all your trailer needs! Featherlite, Titan, Interstate, Load Trail, Aluma, Duralite. Specializing in affordable living-quarter horse trailers. Sales, leasing, rental & financing. FINANCING! 0% down with extended terms up to 20 years! Toll free 1-888-571-8899, local 204-729-8989. 770 Highland Ave., on the TransCanada Highway, Brandon, MB. www.aats.ca. (1-14)
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
HORSES FOR SALE
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The 2013 NAERIC Versatility Ranch Horse Stake Results Five 3-year-olds competed for the $4,450 purse at the sixth annual NAERIC Versatility Ranch Horse Stake held at the Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence, Brandon, MB, on October 11, 2013. The stake is run as a class-within-a-class during the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Competition at the Thanksgiving Classic Quarter Horse show. Taking top honors and the $1,800 first prize was Taylor Suzie Dyck
Western Style Dressage comes to Winnipeg
Douglas riding JT Tallymine Doc, a registered Quarter Horse bred and owned by Tom and John King, Corning, SK. The palomino gelding is sired by Tallymine and out of Docs Cinnamon Gal. Second was awarded also to Taylor Douglas, this time riding Peppys Dualing Chic owned by Bonnie Quance, Gadsby, AB, and bred by Little Valley Quarter Horses, Decker, MB. Third place was Justin Bridgeman riding Play N Shine owned and bred
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January 18 saw the bleachers at PineRidge Equine Park filled with dressage enthusiasts; Elaine Banfield but with a difference. Dressage Winnipeg had organized a clinic on the up-and-coming sport of Western Style Dressage (WSD). Arranged by Christine Stevens and coached by leading equine coach Elaine Banfield, the event was extremely interesting. Riding dressage Western style isn’t much different to English style. Of course, the tack is different, and Elaine advised riders that even with a shank bit, a light contact was preferable to a loose rein. Riders unused to “English-style” lessons may need to learn the technical jargon of the dressage ring, but that is easy fix. Western Style Dressage is about learning communication and an age old process of training for your equine partner and how you can improve yourself and your horse with a progressive system. Just as in the traditional dressage ring, horses come in many shapes and sizes, and Western Style Dressage is used to improve the horses that you presently own and ride Western. c For more information about WSD in Manitoba contact Christine Stevens at Dressage Winnipeg: www.dressagewinnipeg.com The national Canadian association is at westernstyledressage.ca
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Malory Zaboroski
by K & J Bridgeman, Binscarth, MB. Fourth was Stylish Moon Gal shown by Karalyn Main and also owned and bred by K & J Bridgeman. The 2013 event was organized by Larry Clifford and judged by Joe Carter, St George, ON. For more information about the NAERIC Versatility Ranch Horse Stake, contact Kevin Bridgeman (204) 847-2112 or Dean Fenty (204) 567-3561.
c
Send your show and clinic dates to contact@horsecountry.ca for free insertion. (Limited to date, association, event and contact details.) Other events and additional information can be inserted at a per-word rate. Editor’s decision is final. Call for advertising rates for display insertions. Non-profit rates available. Please note deadline and publishing dates on the opposite page. 1-866-886-2425 or email editor@horsecountry.ca
ALBERTA
MANITOBA
MAY 30 - JUNE 2 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Cochrane Ag Society Arena, Cochrane. CS, FH, H1. 403246-6205. Sharonlcrawford@shaw.ca
FEBRUARY 5-9 Equine Canada Annual Convention, Radisson Hotel, Winnipeg.
JUNE 6-8 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Olds. CW, RR. 403-556-1195. Eagle Hill Equine (Sundre). eaglehillequine@live.ca
FEBRUARY 7-9 2014 BLHPSI Schooling Shows. Keystone Center, Brandon. Contact Jodi Anderson blhpsi@gmail.com or call 204-720-4108. Entries online at www.horseshowtime.com
JUNE 13-16 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Blazin’ J Arena. Peace River.. CS,H1, RR. 780-835-1167. rtcshaw@hotmail.com NOVEMBER 1-4 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Cochrane Ag Society Arena, Cochrane. FH, H1. 403-2466205. sharonlcrawford@shaw.ca
FEBRUARY 21-23 2014 BLHPSI Schooling Shows. Keystone Center, Brandon, Contact Jodi Anderson blhpsi@gmail.com or call 204-720-4108. Entries online at www.horseshowtime.com
Alberta Donkey & Mule Club Brandon Light Horse & Pony Society Central Canada Reining Horse Association Dryden Saddle Club Distance Riders of Manitoba Dressage Winnipeg Endurance/Competitive Trail. Manitoba Arabian Horse Association Manitoba Cutting Horse Association Manitoba Driving Society Manitoba Horse Trials Manitoba Miniature Horse Club Manitoba Mounted Shooting Association Manitoba Pony Club Manitoba Paint Horse Club Saskatchewan Arabian Horse Association Saskatchewan Appaloosa Horse Club Saskatchewan Cowboy Dressage South Interlake Rockwood Agricultural Society Saskatchewan Paint Horse Club Springfield Polo Club
FEBRUARY 15 MMSA. Shooting Practice. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Little R Farms (Grunthal). www.manitobamountedshooting.ca FEBRUARY 23 MMSA. Shooting Clinic/Practice. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Little R Farms (Grunthal). Shawn Parsons 204-470-0748. www.manitobamountedshooting.ca
continued on page 44
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What’s Happening?
ADMC BLHPS CCRHA DSC DRM DW E/CT MAHA MCHA MDS MHT MMHC MMSA MPC MPHC SAHA SAHC SCD SIRAS SPHC SPC
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continued from page 43 MARCH 1 MQHA. Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet. S Travelodge, 20 Alpine Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tickets $30.00 12 & Under $15.00, includes bowling. Please reserve your tickets with Eryn Butterfield by February 24, 2014. MARCH 15 MMSA. Shooting Practice. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Little R Farms (Grunthal). Shawn Parsons 204-470-0748. www.manitobamountedshooting.ca MARCH 30 MMSA. Shooting Clinic/ Practice. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Little R Farms (Grunthal). Shawn Parsons 204-470-0748. www.manitobamountedshooting.ca MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2014 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. www.brandonfairs.com APRIL 18-20, 2014 Horse3, Keystone Centre, Brandon. MAY 3-4 Winnipeg Dressage, PineRidge Equine. MAY 3-4 DRM. Spruce Woods 15/25/50/75/100 miles. FEI 50 & 75 on Saturday. FEI 50/75/100 on Sunday. Maura Leahy 204-795-1915. Maura. Leahy@live.ca MAY 10-11 CCRHA Spring Classic, PineRidge Equine Park, Oakbank. ccrhashowdirector@ccrha. com www.ccrha.com MAY 11 Spring Tack Sale at the North 9. Supporting the South Interlake Rockwood Ag Society. Tables $10 each. 10:00 am - 1:00pm. Contact Penny pfidler@rainyday.ca,204-467-8789 MAY 23-25 BLHPSI Wheat City Schooling Show. Keystone Center, Brandon. Contact Jodi Anderson at blhpsi@gmail.com,204-720-4108. Online entries at www.horseshowtime.com MAY 24 MTRC. Sandilands. Iris Oleksuk. 204-792 -4125. irisolek@rainyday.ca MAY 31 - JUNE 1 Winnipeg Dressage, Bird Hill Park.
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JUNE 5-8 AQHA show at Brandon Summer Fair.
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JUNE 7-8 SIRAS (South Interlake Rockwood Ag Society) Light Horse Show. Carol Stansfield, show secretary. gobrownhorsey@rogers.com JUNE 13-15 CCRHA. Wheat City Reining Derby, Brandon Centre of Excellence. ccrhashowdirector@ccrha.com www.ccrha.com JUNE 21 MTRC. Birds Hill Park. Wendy Carnegie. Solstice Moonlight Charity Ride. 204-9639015. optionsweet@hotmail.com JUNE 22 MTRC. Birds Hill Park. Wendy Carnegie. 204963-9015. optionsweet@hotmail.com
JUNE 27-29 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. witty Ranch, Russell. CS, H1. 204-773-3371. rvfarms@mac.com JUNE 28-29 DRM. Turtle Mt 15/25/50 miles. Myna Cryderman 204-534-2390. myna@goinet.ca JUNE 28-29 Manitoba Arabian Spring Fling Show, Keystone Centre, Brandon. Val Batt, valabatt@gmail.com arabianspringflingshow.webs.com/ JUNE 28-29 Winnipeg Dressage, Birds Hill Park JULY 11-12 Triple S Fair, Selkirk. JULY 18-20 Campbell’s Beat the Heat Schooling Show. Outdoor Ring, Keystone Centre. Contact Bonnie Campbell, bm.campbell@hotmail.com JULY 19-20 CCRHA. Rudko Summer Slide. PineRidge Equine Park, Oakbank. ccrhashowdirector@ccrha.com www.ccrha.com AUGUST 2 MTRC. Spruce Woods. Janine Thompson. 204-344-6002 or 204-228-2609. chrisjanfarms@ mymts.net AUGUST 2-3 DRM. Spruce Woods 15/25/50 miles. Maura Leahy 204-795-1915. Maura.Leahy@live.ca AUGUST 15 Hanover Fair. AUGUST 16-17 CCRHA. PineRidge Summer Sizzler. PineRidge Equine Park, Oakbank. ccrhashowdirector@ccrha.com www.ccrha.com AUGUST 22-25 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Murdock Stables, Winnipeg. FH, H1, CS. 204-222-6295. gailcornock@yahoo.ca AUGUST 22-24 2014 MLHA All Breed and Challenge Show Keystone Center, Brandon. Jodi Anderson 204-720-4108 jjmj@inetlink.ca or Roberta McLaughlin 204-720-2916 mclaughlin@brandonu.ca Entries online at www.horseshowtime.com AUGUST 23 MTRC. Lavenham. Wendy Carnegie. 204-9639015. optionsweet@hotmail.com AUGUST 29-31 Northern Lights Barrel Futurity and Derby. Keystone Centre, Brandon. www.nlfuturity.com AUGUST 30-31 DRM. Souris Bend 15/25/50 miles. Myna Cryderman 204-534-2390. myna@goinet.ca AUGUST 30-31 - SEPTEMBER 1 Steinbach Southern Tour at Tara Reimer’s, Saskia Reutter’s and Patrick Enns’. Full light horse class list with prize money. Contact Tara Reimer tara@cloud9ranch.ca 204-392-6308 or Steinbach Southern Tour facebook group.
SEPTEMBER 6 MTRC. Bel Air. Angela Roberts. 204-461-3637. akrobert@mymts.net SEPTEMBER 6-7 Winnipeg Dressage, Birds Hill Park. SEPTEMBER 18-21 CCRHA. Central Canada Slide ‘n Spin, Brandon Centre of Excellence. ccrhashowdirector@ccrha.com www.ccrha.com SEPTEMBER 20 TBC DRM at MB Equestrian Championship. MHC, Birds Hill. 25/50 miles. Jessica Manness 204330-1773. northranch@hotmail.com SEPTEMBER 21 MTRC. MHC East-West Challenge. Birds Hill Park. Iris Oleksuk. 204-792 -4125. irisolek@ rainyday.ca OCTOBER 24-25 2014 Manitoba 50/50 Superhorse Futurity. Keystone Centre, Brandon. In conjunction with the Wheat City Stampede. Julie Bridgeman. 204 847 2112. kjbridgeman@inetlink.ca www.manitobasuperhorse.com OCTOBER 25 2014 Manitoba 50/50 Superhorse Futurity. Keystone Centre, Brandon. In conjunction with the Wheat City Stampede.
ONTARIO JULY 4-6 NSQHA: Northern Lights Classic Quarter Horse Show. Dryden Fairgrounds. Jan Halvorsen, Show Secretary. 807-274-9002 janhalvorsen@bell.net www.nsqha.com AUGUST 8-10 Borderland Quarter Horse Show. Emo Fairgrounds. Jan Halvorsen, Show Secretary. 807-274-9002. janhalvorsen@bell.net www.nsqha.com AUGUST 15-16 Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair Horse Show. Emo Fairgrounds. Jan Halvorsen, Show Secretary. 807-274-9002. janhalvorsen@bell.net www.emofair.com
SASKATCHEWAN FEBRUARY 14-16 2014 Saskatchewan Equine Expo, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. Facebook and www.saskatchewanequineexpo.ca MARCH 14-16 Halter Breaking & Young Horse Handling Clinic. Tilley’s Custom Colts & Horsemanship. Second Wind Stable, Moosomin. Contact Jamie Tilley, 306-287-3389 tilleyscustomcolts@sasktel.net www.TilleysCustomColts.com APRIL 4-6 SCD. Lyn Ringrose-Moe Cowboy Dressage Clinic. Moose Jaw. skcowboydressage@gmail.com APRIL 26 Dundurn Trail Ride & Drive. Dundurn south PFRA pasture. $15 Entry fee per rider or driver supper included. Meet PFRA South Pasture holding corral. Registration: 9:00 A.M. Start Time: 10:00 A.M. NO late starters! Ride
MAY 10-11 SAHC. Spring Show. Karen Bedford 306-8684526. Web site: saskapp.ca MAY 16-19 SQHA Band City Quarter Horse Show Golden Mile Arena, Moose Jaw. Contact Nikki Darroch 306-641-4106 or info@darrochperformancehorses.com www.sqha.org MAY 31 - JUNE 1 SAHA. Class A Show, Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. www.saskarab.com JUNE 7-8 SAHC. Summer show. Karen Bedford 306868-4526. Web site: saskapp.ca JUNE 15 Priddy Farm Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series. Saskatoon. Contact de.priddy@sasktel.net or find us on facebook. JUNE 20-23 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Livelong Community Arena, Livelong. H1, RR. 306845-7480. laststandranch@excite.com JULY 4-6 SCD. Eitan Beth-Halachmy Cowboy Dressage Clinic, Moose Jaw. skcowboydressage@gmail.com JULY 10-13 SQHA Summer Slide N Celebration Quarter Horse Show, Golden Mile Arena, Moose Jaw. Nikki Darroch 306-641-4106 or info@darrochperformancehorses.com www.sqha.org JULY 13 Priddy Farm Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series. Saskatoon. Contact de.priddy@sasktel.net or find us on Facebook.
AUGUST 3 Priddy Farm Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series. Saskatoon. Contact de.priddy@sasktel.net or find us on Facebook. AUGUST 9-12 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. High Country Quarter Horses, Eastend. CS, H1, RR. 306-2953844. highcountry.qh@sasktel.net AUGUST 14-17 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Orchard Ranch, Jansen. CS, H1. 306-364-4735. aorchard@live.ca AUGUST 30-31 SPHC Harvest of Colours/SQHA All Novice Quarter Horse Show. Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. Ronni Nordal info@saskpainthorseclub.com www.saskpainthorseclub.com AUGUST 30-31 Saskatchewan Cowboy Dressage. Lyn Ringrose-Moe Cowboy Dressage Clinic, Moose Jaw. skcowboydressage@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 21 Priddy Farm Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series. Saskatoon. Contact de.priddy@sasktel.net or find us on facebook. OCTOBER 11-12 Thanksgiving Show October 11th-12th featuring Canadian Appaloosa Jackpot classes. Karen Bedford 306-868-4526. Web site: saskapp.ca NOVEMBER 7-9 Peter Campbell Horsemanship. Saskatoon. FH, H1. 204-847-0077. coyoteridge@xplornet.com
INTERNATIONAL AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 World Equestrian Games, Normandy, France.
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Here’s the line-up of advertisers for this issue. When you contact any of these businesses, don’t forget to tell them, “We saw you in Horse Country!” (Even if you saw their advertising in many other places too.) Auchmore Western Store .. Bluebear Farms .. .. Canvasback Pet Supplies .. Chris Irwin .. .. CQHA .. .. .. Diamond Shelters .. .. Dodge Ram .. .. Dust Off .. … .. Eddies Sharpening .. .. Elder’s Equine Veterinary Service Equiline Feeds .. .. Ferris Fencing .. .. Greenhawk Winnipeg .. Horse 3 .. .. .. Horse Country Bookstore .. Infrared Heating Panels .. Manitoba Driving Society .. Miracle Ranch Equipment .. One Insurance .. .. Penner Farm Services .. Ride & Drive .. .. Royal Manitoba Winter Fair .. Stone Creek Western Wear .. Tack in the Box .. .. Top Spot Stables .. .. TW Ranch .. .. WW Stables .. .. Publication Schedule 2014 (8 issues - every six weeks) Issue Space Material # booking closing 2-14 3-14 4-14 5-14 6-14 7-14 8-14
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will be 25 - 30 km. Bring lunch. Directions: 8 km south of Dundurn, on Highway 11 to Indi Road. Go west on Indi Road 7 km to the PFRA corral. Watch for the signs. Loretta Janzen at 306-492 4798. See Facebook.
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. . . h g u a L t s a L e h T How Many Horses Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb? Mustang:
Light bulb? Let’s go on a trail ride, instead. And camp. Out in the Friesian: open like REAL horses. I would, but I can’t see where I’m going from behind all this mane. Arabian: Who ME?? Do WHAT? I’m scared of light bulbs! I’m outta here!
Quarter Horse: Standardbred:
Oh for Pete’s Sake, give me the darn bulb and let’s be done with it.
Morgan:
Me! Me! Me! Pleeease let me! I wanna do it! I’m gonna do it! I know how, really I do! Just watch! I’ll rewire the barn after, too.
Shetland:
Give it to me. I’ll kill it and we won’t have to worry about it anymore.
Belgian:
Warmblood:
Put the Shetland on my back, maybe he can reach it then.
Is the 2nd Level Instruction Packet in English? Doesn’t anyone realize that I was sold for $75K as a yearling, but only because my hocks are bad, otherwise I would be worth $100K? I am NOT changing light bulbs. Make the TB get back here and do it.
Haflinger:
That thing I ate was a light bulb?
issue 1-2014 | www.horsecountry.ca
Lipizzaner:
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Thoroughbred:
I changed it an hour ago. C’mon you guys – catch up!
Put all the bulbs in a pen and tell me which one you want.
Hah, amateurs. I will change the light bulb. Not only that, but I will do it while standing on my hind legs and balancing it on my nose, after which I will perform seven flying lead changes in a row and a capriole. Can you do that? Huh? Huh? Didn’t think so.
Appaloosa:
Ya’ll are a bunch of losers. We don’t need to change the light bulb; I ain’t scared of the dark. And someone make that darn Morgan stop jumping up and down before I double barrel him.
Storey’s Guide to Training Horses $43 By Heather Smith Thomas. ISBN 978-1-60342-544“Thomas is truly comprehensive in her approach, drawing from the very best aspects of various training methods.” – Equine Journal The Horse Nutrition Handbook $29.95 By Melyni Worth. ISBN 978-1-60342-541-4 Worth has everything you need to know about equine nutrition from start to finish. How to Think Like a Horse $29.50 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-1-58017-835-8 Best-selling author Cherry Hill discusses how horses think, learn, respond to stimuli, and interpret human behaviour. What Every Horse Should Know $29.50 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-1-60342-713-5 Cherry Hill explores how horses learn, with a focus on the knowledge every horse needs to live safely and confidently in the company of people. Games on Horseback $34 By Betty Bennett-Talbot. ISBN 978-1-58017-134-2 Full-color; photographs and illustrations throughout.
in-depth information on every aspect of selecting, maintaining, and operating tractors and horse trailers – essential equipment for horsekeepers. Trail Riding $32 By Rhonda Hart Poe. ISBN 978-1-58017-560-9 Fundamental instruction and detailed advice on every aspect of trail riding, the most popular activity on horseback. Horse Hoof Care $29.50 By Cherry Hill & Richard Klimesh. ISBN 978-1-60342-088-4 Good hoof care is key to every horse’s health and performance. This complete guide explains hoof anatomy, the farrier’s role, and the importance of daily routines and consistent care – if it affects horse foot health, it’s explained in this book. Competing in Western Shows & Events $29.25 By Charlene Strickland. ISBN 978-1-58017-031-4 Horse Health Care $29.95 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-0-88266-955-7 Packed with useful advice on mastering dozens of essential healthcare skills and illustrated with step-by-step photographs, this volume covers wound care, leg wrapping, injections, dental exams, basic restraint, and more.
HORSE COUNTRY BOOKSTORE
We have many more books available. Please go to www.horsecountry.ca and click the BOOKSTORE link to see the full range. Call 1-866-886-2425 to order. All prices include taxes.
Pony Play Games & Puzzles $13.50 ISBN 978-1-60342-063-1 Jackie the Jack Russell terrier and Barney the barn owl are in-theknow guides for a puzzle-packed tour around the horse farm. Horse Games & Puzzles $13.50 ISBN 978-1-58017-538-8 More than 1,000 riddles, quizzes and games will keep young horse lovers happy for hours. Children aged 8-12. Easy-Gaited Horses $29.50 By Lee Ziegler. ISBN 978-1-58017-562-3 Discover the pleasures of riding a horse that is calm, obedient, relaxed, and sure-footed. Lee Ziegler provides a comprehensive guide to using humane methods to train a horse that’s comfortable to ride. From defining various gaits to explaining equine anatomy to training a variety of horses in specific gaits, this is the definitive guide to good gaited horsemanship. Equipping Your Horse Farm $29.50 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-1-58017-843-3 This companion volume to Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage offers
101 Drill Team Exercises for Horse & Rider $42.95 By Debbie Kay Sams. ISBN 978-1-60342-143-0 Practice exercises are crucial for all drill team riders. The exercises developed for this Read & Ride Guide progress from basic skillbuilding drills to challenging synchronized formations. 101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider $42.95 By Linda L Allen. ISBN 978-1-58017-465-7 This must-have workbook provides a logical and consistent series of exercises with easy-to-follow maps and instructions for all riding abilities. 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider $42.95 By JEC Aristotle Ballou. ISBN 978-1-58017-595-1 For dressage riders at all levels, here are 101 exercises featuring fullarena diagrams and step-by-step instructions. 101 Arena Exercises for Horse and Rider $42.95 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-0-88266-316-6 Hill presents recognized classic exercises for both English and Western riders, plus her own original patterns and maneuvers. Useful for riders interested in improving their own and their horses’ skills and for instructors looking for new drills. 101 Horsemanship & Equitation Patterns $42.95 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-1-58017-159-5 Learn the moves that make judges take notice. Even if you don’t compete, this guide to the essential patterns for Western Horsemanship and English equitation competition will sharpen your skills.
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Horse Showing for Kids $38.50 By Cheryl Kimball. ISBN 978-1-58017-501-2 Full-color; photographs and illustrations throughout . Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage $34.95 By Cherry Hill. ISBN 978-1-58017-535-7 Provide the best equine care while maintaining responsible land practices. Cherry Hill shows how in this thoroughly updated, fullcolor edition of her best-selling classic on Horsekeeping.
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