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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 3
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To find a Purina dealer near you, visit: horse.purinamills.com Steinhauser’s
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 5
October 2014
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Hurray for Fall!
T
hank goodness it is fall! My favorite time of year. It means cooler weather, pumpkin flavored everything, and just some lovely days for riding the trails. It also means Halloween, and for fun we By Vicki Long like to tell a tale of ghosts, and hauntings. Last year we told of the famous ghosts of the Fort Worth Stockyards. In our research for a story this year, we came across the George Washington sightings during the Civil War. We thought this was a great story because of what we are currently enduring with those that wish to see our demise today. This tale was heavily documented during the day, and General George McClellan actually had his words about his encounter with the father of our Republic published in The Evening Courier, Portland, Maine. March 8 1862. As you read this story, think of the state of our great nation today. According to the legends, Washington’s ghost helped the Union Army because he did not want to see the Republic he and his men fought for disunite. Today, our nation is in trouble. Whether the issue is political, racial, or religious, we are a nation divided. In my own home, my husband leans to the left, while I to the right. We are facing very dangerous times and we need to find some common ground to unite and make sure that we can stand together and fight for our country and the Constitution our founding fathers built this great nation upon. We are an enduring democracy, the world’s oldest. Yet while we often differ, we pull together when the whole nation is threatened. E pluribus unum has meaning for every American. Translated, the Latin on our money means, “Out of many, one.” The legend has it that George Washington will save our country three times. He has done it twice with the Revolution, and his help with the Civil War. It is said he will return a third time, but only if our nation is worthy. Let us ask ourselves, are we worthy?
On the Cover:
George Washington
6 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
Cover Story: 18 Saving the Greatest Nation - Roni Nordquist
Lifestyle & Real Estate: 12 Haras Cup - Haras Dos Cavaleiros 22 Two Big Hearts - Kelsey Hellmann 28 More than Child’s Play - Margaret Pirtle 34 Real Estate Roundup 36 Property Improvements - Tx Farm Credit
Columns: 8 Horse Bites 26 Tack Talk - Lew Pewterbaugh 42 On the English Front - Cathy Strobel 40 Hooves N’ Horses - Jaime Jackson 46 Cowboy Corner - Jim Hubbard
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STAFF PUBLISHER Vicki Long
EDITOR Steven Long
NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR Carrie Gobernatz LIFESTYLE EDITOR Margaret Pirtle 832-349-1427 Horsebackmag@gmail.com EVENTS EDITOR Leslie Greco
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jim Hubbard, Steven Long, Vicki Long, Roni Norquist, Pat Parelli, Kelsey Hellmann, Lew Pewterbaugh, Cathy Strobel, Cory Johnson, Margaret Pirtle, Jaime Jackson Volume 21, No. 10 Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397, (281) 447-0772. The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted October 2014 by Horseback Magazine. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Horseback Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Horseback Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management. Subscription rate is $25.00 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397. Fax: (281) 893-1029
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 7
Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Champions Announced Photo by Rhonda Hole Georgetown, Texas,– The Extreme Mustang Makeover, a wild horse-training event presented by the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro, made its annual stop in Fort Worth, TX, September 18-20, 2014, at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center. Youth and adult trainers traveled from across the United States to showcase the skills they taught a Mustang in just over 100 days of training. Adult trainers were assigned an untouched, four to 6-year-old Mustang gelding in May and spent the summer gentling and preparing the horse for competition. Preliminary classes began on Thursday with contestants showing in classes including, handling and conditioning, a pattern class, and a combined leading and riding obstacle class. The top 10 trainers then moved on to the freestyle finals, which gave them an
8 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
gathered from Desatoya, NV, to second place. “Horse Bites is compiled from Special additions to this year’s event Press Releases sent to Horseback included the Mustang Million 3-year-old Magazine. Original reporting is Futurity and the Mustang Gathering, an done as circumstances warrant. all-around show open to all BLM-branded Content is edited for length & style.” Mustangs. The futurity was an opportunity for adopters who showed a 2-year-old Mustang in-hand at the 2013 Mustang Million competition to show the now opportunity to show their mustang’s skills 3-year-old horses in trail, a pattern class, and while using choreographed props and mua freestyle demonstration under saddle. sic. A compulsory maneuvers score was also For the first time since 2009 at the added to determine the overall winners. September event, the competing mustangs in Tom Hagwood, the 2013 Musthe adult division were available to the public tang Million Legends division champion, for adoption Saturday through competitive repeated his success in Fort Worth winning bid. All 33 Mustangs were placed into adopthe adult division championship and taktive homes for an average adoption price of ing home a $20,000 prize. Hagwood from $1,290. For complete event and adoption Torrington, WY, showed Early Times, a results, visit www.extrememustangmakeover. 5-year-old brown gelding from the Twin com. Peaks, CA, herd management area to the top The Extreme Mustang Makeovers spot with a freestyle that combined reinare made possible through partnership with ing and working cowhorse maneuvers. Sid the Bureau of Land Management and the Zacharias of Spooner, WI, followed close generosity of sponsors Ram Trucks, Western behind to win reserve honors and $10,000. Horseman, Zoetis, Vetericyn, Gist SilverZacharias combined reining and trick riding smiths, Martin Saddlery and Classic Equine, on Durango The Kid, a 5-year-old gelding Cowboy Magic and Smith Brothers. Event gathered from Black Rock Range West, NV, and award sponsors for the Fort Worth Exand was voted fan favorite by the attending treme Mustang Makeover included, Smartaudience. Pak, Time ‘N Timber Ranch, JW Brooks Twenty-four youth, ages eight to Custom Hat Company, Sinclair Bits and 17, showcased 2-year-old Mustangs that were Spurs and 95.9 The Ranch. adopted before the event in in-hand classes Since the first Extreme Mustang including, handling and conditioning, trail, Makeover event was held in 2007, the and freestyle sponsored by Time ‘N Timber Mustang Heritage Foundation has facilitated Ranch of Tioga, TX. Prize money was then the adoptions of more than 5,000 gentled awarded to the top 10 highest combined American Mustangs. In 2015, the Foundaclass scores. Kayden Frazier of Comanche, tion in partnership with the Bureau of Land TX, was the youth division overall champion Management will continue to increase its with gelding, Legendary Keepsake, gathered efforts to raise awareness of adoptions of from Jackson Mountain, NV. Frazier was also America’s Mustangs. chosen fan favorite for her “Ghostbusters” themed freestyle routine. Tanner Thompson of Ben Wheeler, TX, showed Inigo Montoya Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 31
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 9
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 11
WORKING EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIP, OCT 24-26, 2014 MAGNOLIA, TX
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orking Equitation is a sport that originated in Europe in which the main objective is to enhance equestrian techniques developed in countries whose riders use horses in different aspects of ranch and fieldwork. All breeds and all countries can exert and compete in this sport. A Working Equitation Competition consists of 4 phases, three of which are obligatory for individual and team competitions; Dressage, Ease of Handling, and Speed. Cattle Handling, the fourth phase is exclusively for team competitions and in the United States this trial is not yet required. The Dressage trial tests the horse and rider and is meant to serve as an aid in training. The exercises keep building upon the previous levels. The difficulty of movements corresponds to those expected in the Ease of Handling and Speed Trials at the given level. At the Ease of Handling Trial horses must overcome obstacles similar to those likely to appear in the field, such as bridges and gates, and in the Speed Trial similar obstacles must be overcome working against the clock. Totaling the scores from each phase determine the placing and give the outcome of the overall winner. Tack and Attire for Working Equitation is intended to showcase the equestrian traditions of the country where the competition is held, or the country of origin for horses and riders. In the United States, “fieldwork” tradition can be Western tack
and attire, or it can also be Hunt Seat attire from Fox Hunting traditions, or Dressage attire. For riders of Lusitano or Andalusian horses, Portuguese or Spanish tack is appropriate. Or for those just getting started, a polo shirt, breeches and boots are acceptable. Haras Dos Cavaleiros For the last three years, Haras Dos Cavaleiros has been a driving force behind the advancement and diffusion of Working Equitation in the United States. As ardent supporters of this sport, Haras Dos Cavaleiros has brought the most renowned and experienced riders in this discipline worldwide to their facility, offering clinics open to the public interested in learning more about this exciting and unique discipline. For the past 3 years Haras Dos Cavaleiros has been sponsoring Working Equitation Championships, competitions and exhibitions in various States and different scenarios, among them; The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Houston, this year featured for the first time a new youth division (13 year olds and younger) to compete, as they believe it is never too early or late to start learning and putting into practice new skills. Haras Dos Cavaleiros has also sponsored IALHA Working Equitation Championship since 2011. WEIAUSA In 2013, Haras Dos Cavaleiros joined and became one of the strongest members of the Working Equitation
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 13
October 24 - 26, 2014 Be a part of a fabulous three-day Working Equitation competition at Haras Hacienda. Open to the public, this event will feature special horse performances, exclusive vendor booths, entertainment for children with inflatables and an obstacle competition, a fashion show by Jonathan Blake, and a ladies hat derby sponsored by Thomas Markle. Friday DRESSAGE PHASE Starts at 8 am FASHION SHOW by Jonathan Blake 6pm
Saturday OBSTACLES PHASE Starts at 8 am GALA NIGHT with horse exhibition, fun and music 7pm
Sunday COMPETITION SPEED PHASE Starts at 9 am HAT DERBY by Thomas Markle 11 am
Come and enjoy with your family a very special we ekend.
14 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
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Haras - Con’t. from pg. 12
International Association of the USA (WEIAUSA), an organization that originated to support and honor the traditional roots of Working Equitation while promoting it in the United States. Colorado, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Washington, California, Florida, Illinois have joined the WEIAUSA and many more are soon to join as the new Working Equitation fever sweeps the country. Haras Dos Cavaleiros, as part of WEIAUSA, is working hard to get USEF and WAWE recognition of the sport. The Haras Cup Championship The Haras Cup, Friday Oct 24th Sunday Oct 26th, is the largest and most luxurious event to celebrate this sport in the United States, and is a family event open to the public that will take place at Haras Hacienda, home to Haras Dos Cavaleiros, a top-class facility and hidden gem in Magnolia, Texas. It is located 40 minutes from George Bush International airport, and 30 minutes from downtown Houston. Haras Hacienda’s outdoor gardens and luxurious old rustic and Latin décor buildings will take your breath away. With an exciting social agenda, VIP seating, vendor booths, food concessions, kids entertainment, an upscale restaurant on-site, you won’t have to worry about going far and missing the action in the arenas. If you want to take a relaxing break between competitions, you may walk to a full-service Spa on location and get a new hair style, a massage or facial. Top brands and businesses are committed sponsors of this event that will benefit Kids Meals Houston. www.horsebackmagazine.com
Program: Friday, October 24 Dressage Competition (starting at 7:45 a.m.). “The Woodlands Preparatory School”, official sponsor of the Junior’s Division, shall have an educational field trip for over 400 students at all grade levels will learn the insand-outs of an equestrian competition. They will observe veterinarians, farriers, trainers, and world champions of the discipline, as they prepare the horses to compete. They will have the opportunity to cheer their peers competing in the youth divisions. During their stay on the grounds they will visit the Kids Meals Houston booth where they will be briefed on the organizations mission and activities. Kids Meals Houston volunteers will talk to students on the importance of eating well and will create awareness of other young children who have very limited access to food. A Kids Carnival entirely administered by Kids Meals Houston with ameni-
ties including bouncing houses and kiddie-train will amuse kids while raising funds for the organization. That same day, following the competition, there will be a special treat for all fashion lovers; a cocktail party plus fashion show sponsored by Jonathan Blake (www.jonathanblake.com), presenting 20 models showing off his haute couture collection. By late afternoon there will be a small cocktail reception to
October 2014 •
Haras - Con’t. on pg. 17
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 15
16 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
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Haras - Con’t. from pg. 17
welcome the competitors, trainers, sponsors, and vendors. Saturday, October 25 Ease of Handling (Obstacles Trial) All day competitors at different levels will do their obstacle trial. At the VIP seating area, lunch and dinner will be served, and for those who just want a more relaxed approach, delicious food will be available to purchase at the food stands, located near the competition tracks. At 7pm the official Opening Night Gala will be celebrated, hosting special guests and renowned figures of the equestrian world. The national anthem will open an amazing soiree with horse performances followed by a DJ. Sunday October 26th Speed Test Day Speed trial test, the most fun to watch, will be throughout the day. Competitors will go against the clock to score the best time, careful not to drop an obstacle, which will make them lose points. This is a very dynamic and exciting test and each competitor may choose their own music. On our social agenda a Hat Derby Sponsored by Thomas Markle Jewelers will take place at 1 pm, awarding a precious piece of
jewelry to the lady that wears the most original and beautiful hat, in keeping with the tradition of European countries where all women attending horse events dress elegantly featuring their most dazzling hats. Every lady is invited to participate. After the speed test, the winners and the overall winners of the competition will be announced and awarded by international authorities of Working Equitation. Trophies were graciously donated by Christofle (www.christofle. com), an official sponsor of the competition. This unprecedented event benefiting Kids Meals Houston, will also include a silent auction of various items ranging from restaurant dinners, hotel rooms, private riding lessons, airfare courtesy of Aeroméxico, and a week in a luxury beach apartment in Acapulco, Mexico, a wall clock courtesy of Hublot, a diamond necklace worth over $8,000 graciously donated by Thomas Markle, as well as other luxury items. For more information visit: www.harascup.com Contact us at info@harasdc.us (281) 259 4861 (281) 710 8932 Haras Hacienda, 26427 Peden Road Magnolia, TX 77355
±- LEZI FIIR YWMRK XLI &EGO SR 8VEGO LYQER TVSHYGXW JSV XLI PEWX GSYTPI SJ QSRXLW %W [MXL ER]SRI [LS XVEMRW TIVJSVQERGI LSVWIW - XIRH XS KIX ZIV] WSVI 3RGI - WXEVXIH XS [IEV XLI FS\IVW XS WPIIT MR - VIEPM^IH Q] LMTW LEH WXSTTIH LYVXMRK EX RMKLX ERH - [EW KIXXMRK E JYPP RMKLXW WPIIT ² Todd Crawford National Reined Cow Horse Association Leading Rider
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 17
S
itting by the fireside, roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories after a long ride with friends, is as much an American tradition as apple pie. Most people like to tell tales where hands are cut off and never found, or headless horsemen who come back every year at Halloween searching for their heads. But ghost stories don’t always have to be scary. Many folks asked can tell you that they themselves have had a ghostly or paranormal experience at one time or another. History is full of all kinds of ghostly encounters, some with good out comes, some not so much. One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was Gettysburg. There 7,863 Union and Confederate soldiers met their maker on the field of battle. Combined, the two sides suffered between 46,000 and 51,000 casualties. And a statistically significant number of spiritually sensitive individuals who visit the place report feelings of a spectral presence there. In July of 1863, the men of Maine’s 20th regiment reported seeing
18 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
(Are We Worthy For A Thi Third) By Roni Nord rdquis ist
what appeared to be a ghost mounted on horseback roaming the fields between the two opposing armies. Union Col. John Pittenger was sent to investigate firsthand the spectral apparition which was dressed in clothing from the Revolutionary War. Pittenger questioned General Henry Jackson Hunt about the ghost dressed in Revolutionary War attire so many had witnessed galloping on a white horse on the battlefield. Hunt clearly stated he saw the face of the man. It was, according to him George Washington. Pittenger was doubtful, and reluctantly turned in his report stating that General Hunt and all the other men at the battle would go to the grave never doubt-
ing President George Washington helped them win the battle at Gettysburg. Prior to Gettysburg in 1862, a spectral vision happened to another Union general who was in charge of the United States Army in Washington. His name was General George McClellan, and it was with none other than again our founding father, George Washington. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington himself claimed to have had an encounter of the third kind in 1778. While leading the Continental Army which was camped at Valley Forge, he would write about a beautiful female standing across the table where he was preparing a dispatch. So taken aback, Washington was at a loss for words. The angelic presence would continue to aid him, and became a great moral booster in this trying time of America. So it is not hard to believe that after George Washington’s death in 1799, he would share the experience with another general who was feeling the hardships of his position. In 1862, the Republic was in dire straits. General George McClellan was put in charge of the United States Army. On the third day after his arrival in Washington, around 2 A.M., a weary McClellan fell asleep while studying his maps and reviewing all the reports coming in from his scouts. He folded his arms on the table, laid his head down and fell fast asleep. A short time later, the door flew open and a voice so powerful said to him, “General McClellan, do you sleep at your post? Rouse you or ere it can be prevented, the foe will be in Washington.” The room seemed to vanish around him with only the table before him. On that table where his maps had been was a “living map” complete with troop movements, patterns of the enemy lines, and Con’t. on pg. 20 www.horsebackmagazine.com
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 19
Con’t. from pg. 18
the distribution of forces. He also saw that he had been compromised. The enemy was aware of his strategies. Once again, the voice spoke “General McClellan, you have been betrayed! And had not God willed otherwise, ere the sun of tomorrow had set, the Confederate flag would have waved above the Capitol and your own grave. But note what you see. Your time is short.” * McClellan was excited and apprehensive at what he was witnessing. His paper map resembled a living map and at the same time his vision of a man was growing stronger and brighter. He looked up at once and beheld the face of George Washington himself. With a gentleness Washington again spoke saying “General McClellan, while yet in the flesh I beheld the birth of the American Republic. It was indeed a hard and bloody one, but God’s blessing was upon the nation, and therefore, through this, her first great struggle for existence, He sustained her and with His mighty hand brought her out triumphantly. A century has not passed since
then, and yet the child Republic has taken her position of peer with nations whose pages of history extend for ages into the past. She has, since those dark days, by the favor of God, greatly prospered. And now, by very reason of this prosperity, she has been brought to her second great struggle. This is by far the most perilous ordeal she has to endure; passing as she is from childhood to opening maturity, she is called on to accomplish that vast result, selfconquest; to learn that important lesson, self-control, self rule, that in the future will place her in the van of power and
20 20 H HORSEBACK ORSEBACK M MAGAZINE AGAZINE • • October October 2014 2014
civilization... But her mission will not then be finished; for ere another century
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shall have gone by, the oppressors of the whole earth, hating and envying her exaltation, shall join themselves together and raise up their hands against her. But if she still be found worthy of her high calling they shall surely be discomfited, and then will be ended her third and last great struggle for existence. Thenceforth shall the Republic go on, increasing in power and goodness, until her borders shall end only in the remotest corners of the earth, and the whole earth shall beneath her shadowing wing become a Universal Republic. Let her in her prosperity, however, remember the Lord her God, let her trust be always in Him, and she shall never be confounded.” * As he finished speaking, he blessed McClellan as thunder roared outside. Startled awake, he was astonished to see all the maps on his desk were marked with writings and figures he had made during his vision. He needed no more convincing that George Washington had indeed been there with him and was giving him advise on how to win the war! Without further ado, McClel-
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lan rode his horse from camp to camp to implement the new war plans. With the Confederate Army so close to the Capitol, if his vision had not happened as it did, Washington D. C. would surely have been lost. The specter of America’s founding father had helped to save the Republic a second time with his appearance to the General. McClelland concludes his account of his Vision: “Our beloved, glorious Washington shall again rest quietly, sweetly in his tomb, until perhaps the end of the Prophetic Century approaches that is to bring the Republic to a third and final struggle, when he may once more laying aside the crements of Mount Vernon, become a Messenger of Succor and Peace from the Great Ruler, who has all Nations of this Earth in His keeping. “But the future is too vast for our comprehension; we are children of the present. When peace shall have folded her bright wings and settled our land the strange, unearthly map marked while the Spirit eyes of Washington looked down, shall be preserved among
American Archives as a precious reminder to the American nation what in their second great struggle for existence, they owe to God and the Glorified Spirit of Washington. Verily the works of God are above the understanding of man!” * As strange and fearsome as it must have been for McClellan, he knew enough that too many things were in jeopardy for him not to heed the advice which had come to him from so far away. In the words spoken by the ghostly apparition of America’s founding father to General McClellan, will he return to help save the United States of America for a third time? Are we still worthy? Is that time approaching soon?
Happy Halloween, Horseback Magazine * Quotes from General McClellan’s own words printed in The Evening Courier, Portland Main. March 8 1862
October October 2014 2014 • •H HORSEBACK ORSEBACK M MAGAZINE AGAZINE
21 21
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A Special Girl, A Special Horse,
& Two Big Hearts! BY KELSEY HELLMAN
It
has been said that every horse deserves to be loved by a girl. But it is that very bond between the two that allows Taylor Reneau, to compete on the Texas A&M University Rodeo Team. Reneau is a junior at Texas A&M University majoring in Agricultural Science. While many college students have their own struggles, this young lady found her spot on the rodeo team her first semester despite having a slight disability. Reneau was born with a form of Spina Bifida called Myelomeningocele. At birth her doctors called her condition Lipomeningcele; which is a type of neural tube defect when part of the spinal cord protrudes off the spinal column and forms a sac under the skin. Her condition is the most severe form of Spina Bifida; it almost always requires urgent surgery after birth. At two weeks old she under went surgery to untangle the mass of nerves and fix the spinal cord. Spina Bifida is the most common spine abnormality present at birth.
22 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
While Reneau was fortunate enough to have a normal childhood compared to many kids with this condition, she was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was in the fifth grade. Over time she has lost sensation down her left leg and has little to no sensation in her foot. Nevertheless, this has not dampened her spirits or kept her off a horse. But this is something you would only know about if you were close with this young lady. She is like many Aggies. She goes to her classes, shows ample amounts of school spirit and is active in college life. Her ambition is to become a high school AG Science teacher. Teaching runs in her family so she would like to follow that calling. Reneau said, “If there are kids interested in agriculture they need someone to build on that and keep them interested in it. I can be that person to make a difference.” At an early age Reneau became infatuated with horses. Her parents, Robin and Bobby Reneau, took notice of her interest, and once they moved to the country
they bought their daughter two trail horses. She started trying out different athletics in junior high, but sports like basketball and track proved to be difficult. She said not getting to play sports in junior high makes you feel a little left out. But because of all the nerve damage on her left side she did not have the same abilities as the other kids. This is about the time Reneau started to take in interest in her neighbor’s, Barbara and Tony Jenkins barrel horses. The Jenkins helped Taylor start riding and start on barrels. She got her first beginner barrel horse and started going to rodeos. She competed in all high school rodeo events. She has competed with the Texas High School Rodeo Region 4, the Lone Star High School Rodeo and the Winner Youth Rodeo Association. High school rodeos gave Reneau confidence on a horse and around people. It gave her a sport to compete in and she believed it was something she could be good at despite her condition. She started like www.horsebackmagazine.com
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 23
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many barrel racers with a beginner horse and moved her way up to better horses. She ended her high school career with two good barrel horses, her main horse High Dashin’, barn name Petee and her back up horse Centrifugal Motion, barn name Mo. Petee is in all aspects the perfect fit for Reneau. While many speed horses know their job and how to turn and come home really fast, not all horses know how to take care of their rider while doing so. Horse and rider have a connection and he will take a turn as hard or soft as his rider can handle during that run. Petee has been through several setbacks in his career. At the age of four he was in a serious trailer accident, he was the only horse in the trailer to survive. He recovered and does not have a problem loading up in a trailer for the next big rodeo. In addition to that he injured his back left hip and had to have a year of rehab. He has overcome his injuries and helps Reneau to ride like she does not have a noticeable problem www.horsebackmagazine.com
at all.
To top off her high school rodeo career, in her senior year she got her Professional Rodeo Card. It was at the Cheyenne Rodeo in 2013 and it was her first time in a rodeo setting that large. She was on her back up horse and was not sure she would do well. She made the cut for the second go but missed out on the finals. She said, “This is one of my greatest achievements because it proved that I can do something worth while. I’m not just another rookie on a fast horse.” Needless to say the confidence build up at rodeos lead her to the Texas A&M Rodeo Team. She started her college rodeo season on her back up horse and her confidence started to fade. She finally got her main horse, Petee, back and everything just started falling together. Like many barrel racers Reneau rubber bands her feet to her stirrups. But her reason is a little different than most. She still has a significant amount of nerve damage and it has caused numbness in her
left leg. She cannot utilize her left leg much while riding so the rubber bands help keep her foot in the stirrup. In addition to that she used a hard brace on her left ankle. Until this last semester she had also been using a Magic Seat to help her during her runs. But now she is more comfortable, and has a better feel for how Petee runs that she does not use it. Reneau said, “Petee is special to me. We’ve been through kind of the same stuff and have over come so much.” Her parents are very supportive but they never cut her slack. She is responsible for caring for her horse and hauling to her rodeos. Bobby Reneau said, “Taylor’s condition is a challenge not a handicap. She has done a really great job of adapting.” Both horse and rider have the same challenges and work great together. They are a team. No one with an untrained eye will notice their struggles.
October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 25
*HQHUDO
A Leather Primer...
Horseback Magazine’s Saddle & Tack Editor
A
fter years of columns about tack, opinions about tack, repairing tack, etc., I figure it’s time to talk about leather. Everyone knows most tack is made from leather, but what kind of leather? What are the differences in tannage? What is tanning? Well this month, I’ll try to answer some of those questions and others about leather. Leather is the tanned skin of an animal. Different tanning processes are used
26 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
according to the eventual use of the leather. The leather used for saddles and tack is generally vegetable tanned, Vegetable tanning is done using derivatives of tree bark and other plant material. One of the old ways of veg tanning, or bark tanning, was to dig a pit, put the hides in, cover with bark, mostly oak, cover it and dig it up in 6 months, and you had bark tanned leather. The tannic acid from bark and leaves would cure and “tan” the leather. Hermann Oak Leather is the oldest company in the U.S. still tanning leather with oak, Wickett and Craig is one of the newest. Both make really fine oak tanned leather. Of course, now the hides are put in big vats and the tanning solution added, and the hides are tumbled for a specific period of time. Chrome tanning is used for garment and softer leathers. The EPA has pretty much outlawed the use of chrome tanning in the U.S. due to the toxicity of the waste. Chrome tanning uses chromium sulfate. Most of the chrome tanning we see today is done in Central and South America. Almost every hair-on cowhide
comes from South America. Brazil seems to do the very best quality in hair-on hides. Chrome oil tanned is the method used for really soft, supple leathers. Colors can be added to the tanning mix, and the color is “struck through” which means it goes all the way through the leather, although it is lighter inside. This is the leather you will find in chaps, padded saddle seats, soft bags, jackets, etc. It can also be treated to be water repellant. Alum tanned is a process using aluminum salts, and is used primarily for lace leather. It is usually used in combination with another tanning method. Latigo, for instance, can be made using a combination of chrome tanning, vegetable tanning, and alum tanning. The method is determined by the color and eventual use of the leather. Re-tanned leather is first vegetable tanned, and then re-tanned in chromium salts, or vice versa, chrome tanned and then re-tanned with vegetable tanning. One of the oldest tanning methods in the world is urine tanning, which is still widely used in primitive countries. Fifteen to twenty years
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ago, India was using urine tanning almost exclusively. Now, because of the amount of work they do for U.S. companies, many have gone to veg tanning. Indian leather also used to be almost exclusively water buffalo. But now companies are sending cowhide for them to make tack and saddles from. I’ll not get into what I think of companies that have western saddles made overseas in this issue. Saddles are made from skirting leather. Skirting leather is vegetable tanned, or bark tanned. It can be colored in the tanning process, but it must be unoiled and firm for tooling. The leather has to be “cased” or wet and then allowed to sit for a period so the leather can be formed around the saddle tree. It is very wet for some procedures. The saddle leather also has to be cased for tooling so it will hold the impression from the tools. If the leather is too dry, you get no impression, if it’s too wet, the water will push the design back up or the leather will spread too much. After the saddle is tooled and put together, then it is oiled or dyed and oiled. The oil keeps the leather supple and helps water proof it. The oil evaporates, depending on weather and storage conditions, so has to be replaced
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periodically. Vegetable tanned leather can literally last thousands of years if properly maintained. Five thousand year old leather garments have been found intact in the Pyramids. My Heiser saddle is 91 years old and still in excellent condition, but I better tear it down and recondition it again this winter!! The better quality leather you start with, the longer it will last, but it still needs periodic care. It doesn’t hurt leather to get wet, as long as you replace the oils that are washed out of it. I’ve done many columns about caring for leather, so no sense doing that here. I just thought everyone would like to know a little more about different types of leather. I guess I should also mention, the only leather that you can really do tooling on is vegetable tanned. The latigo, harness, and alum tanned leathers have too much oil or wax or are too soft to take the tool impression. O.K. I just mentioned harness leather, which is vegetable tanned, but stuffed with tallow and wax to make it really flexible and water resistant. Some companies have been able to do a little barbed wire stamp or such on harness reins and headstalls, but you have to really hit it hard. Harness leather is every working
hands choice for good headstalls and reins. I’ll also mention here that tooling is not only decorative on a saddle or other tack, it also compresses the fibers of the leather and makes it stronger, less likely to curl, and more resistant to surface dust getting into the pores of the leather. Conversely, it’s harder to clean. Leather is an amazing product. As long as we keep eating cows, there should never be a shortage of leather. Our biggest problem with leather in the U.S. is an out of control government trying to regulate every business to death, forcing most of the tanneries either out of business or out of the country. As I have stated in so many previous columns, let’s all support those companies that continue to produce here in the United States. Whenever economically feasible, look for products not only made here, but made with raw materials produced right here in the U.S. It’s not always possible, but let’s all try.
Bandera’s Lew Pewterbaugh has been called the most knowledgeable saddle and tack authority in the Southwest. For private fitting consultation call (830) 328-0321 or (830) 522-6613 or email: saddlerlew@gmail.com.
October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 27
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It’s
been an amazing year for sisters Caylan, age fifteen and her younger sister Cadey age eleven. Both girls were aspiring 4H entrepreneurs when they told their parents they would like to run a business as part of their yearly project. But no one could have envisioned that their idea would blossom into taking over an old feed store that had been a historical part of Sherman, Texas for 100 years. It was a day like any other when the girls entered the feed store to purchase supplies. As they gathered all they needed, the previous owners ask them to sit and chat for a spell. What happend next was a total surprise to the sisters and their father. The owners were wanting to retire and asked the girls if they would like to purchase the store. Of course, they knew that the girls couldn’t possibly pay a lump sum, but they had already figured out a way that they could pay some each month from the store’s profits until the cost of the store was paid. Texsoma Feed and Garden quickly became much more than a 4H project. The girls run the store each evening after school and on Saturdays, while their father holds down the fort during the day. From chicken feed to fly spray, this last year has been a massive learning
28 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
cycle of products. Caylan and Cadey have poured hours into learning what their customers want, and on the weekends bring in their friends to help haul sacks of feed and shavings into customers’ pickup trucks.
of-the-century condition. Mrs. Wilson also helps out when she’s not working at a local hospital as an ER nurse. Caylan and Cadey were participating in the 4H entrepreneurship program when they decided to run a business as part by Margaret Pirtle of their project. Their parents were thinking perhaps a The town lemonade stand, but the girls had bigger of Sher- plans. The family were already loyal cusman has tomers at Texoma Feed, and the previous helped the owners, who were approaching retirement girls live a age, offered to sell the business to the girls dream of as part of their 4H project. owning Caylan and Cadey are excited their own to provide the people of Grayson County store. Local with a variety of pesticides, fertilizers, livecustomers stock feeds, horse care products, dog and drive miles cat food, deer feed, wild bird seed, varmint to buy and support the girls as they enter control products, and even fresh, local the world of business. From the small prof- honey! With the support of the commuits the store has made, Caylan and Cadey nity, Texoma Feed will continue to serve have set up a college fund to help them Sherman, Denison, McKinney, Durant, with the expense of higher education. But Oklahoma, and the surrounding commufor now, the best education in the world nities, including Pottsboro, Whitewright, in is right in their own feed store - helping Trenton, Gordonville, Whitesboro, Collinscustomers and learning the art of business ville, Tioga, Gunter, Howe, Tom Bean, Bells, from the ground up. Van Alstyne, Anna, Melissa, Celina, and CalThe girls run the store era and Colbert, Oklahoma. each evening after school and on SaturTexsoma Feed and Garden days, while Mr. Wilson holds down the 1100 N. Frisco Rd., Sherman, TX fort during the day. Each day, he works to texomafeed.com restore the building to its original turn-
More Than Child’s Play For These Sisters
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August 2014 •LH HORSEBACK ORSEBACK MAGAZINE AGAZINE 29 R U ROctober A 2014 L • E N DM E R 29
%XVLQHVV %LW Charlotte’s Saddlery Announces New Location in the Austin Area
M
ark Raisbeck, President of Charlotte’s Saddlery, announces a new location will open in the Austin area. Premier equestrian retailer, Charlotte’s Saddlery, has announced plans to open a new store before the end of the year in Austin, Texas. Located in the northern part of town, this will be the third retail location for Charlotte’s
30 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
Saddlery. The new store will feature over 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space, with a full line of saddles, equestrian clothing, fashion sportswear, stable equipment and accessories, as well as a complete line of healthcare products for the recreational and professional rider. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Charlotte’s Saddlery’s new store will be a full service English and Western tack store for the horse and rider. Charlotte’s Saddlery President, Mark Raisbeck stated, “Charlotte’s Saddlery offers everything for the rider, except the horse.” Some of the featured lines will include: Ariat, Pikeur, Tailored Sportsman and Charles Owens, as well as R.J. Classic, Tredstep, and Weatherbeeta. There will be plenty of Pessoa and Passier English saddles from which to choose, along with Tucker, Circle Y and Billy Cook Western saddles, to name just a few. Charlotte’s Saddlery offers cus-
tomers special ordering for hard-to-find specialty products. “We are very excited about expanding into the greater Austin area. By providing expert product and equestrian knowledge, our customers know we are an excellent option for riders who want and need personalized service at competitive prices,” said Raisbeck. “Charlotte’s Saddlery specializes in equipment and apparel for the English and Western rider. We also offer saddle fittings, tack repair, monogramming, and blanket cleaning and repair.” The new Charlotte’s Saddlery store, coming soon, will be located at The Hub, Hwy 183 and 620 in north Austin. About Charlotte’s Saddlery Charlotte’s Saddlery currently operates two retail stores in Houston and Tomball, Texas and has been in business for over 35 years. Twin brothers Mark and Tim Raisbeck are the second generation owners of one of the most respected equestrian retail operations in the country. For years, horse enthusiast have trusted Charlotte’s Saddlery to provide them with all of their equestrian needs.
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Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 8
Ranch Heritage Day: Free Family Event at Hill Country State Natural Area
“Where else will you find antique tractors, a horse-drawn wagon, a trick roper, a fence-maker, an apple peeler, a wool-spinner, a real chuck wagon, and all of these other activities in one place?” asks Park Superintendent, Reagan Faught. Indeed, and not to mention, all FOR FREE! For more information, go to: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/hill-country/ park_events Email: Event coordinator: Leanne.Beauxbeannes@tpwd.texas.gov Phone: (830) 796-4413
True to its name, Hill Country State Natural Area, near Bandera, TX is a well-preserved haven for native Hill Country flora and fauna, and for the nature-lovers who enjoy them. Camping, hiking, bicycling, and Time-Honored Pin Oak Charity Horse horseback riding are enjoyed at the natural Texas Children’s Hospital, area every day of the year. However, before Ronald McDonald House the property was donated to the State by Family Rooms at Texas Louise Merrick and opened as a natural area Children’s Hospital and in 1984, it was a vibrant working ranch typiCandlelighter’s Childhood cal of many established near Bandera in the Cancer Family Alliance 1870’s. A visit to this jewel of the Texas State Parks system reveals vestiges of its rich ranchHOUSTON, Texas ing history. Among them, the 2-story 1870’s - The Pin Oak Charity Bar-O Ranch House, nestled on the bank of West Verde Creek and the hand-woven fences Horse Show, which is outlining its now-fallow fields, bear witness to gearing up for a series of 70th Anniversary a time when cattle, sheep, and angora “hair” social and competigoats roamed its vast pastures, and seasonal tive events between crops were planted in its fields. now and March 2015, On Saturday, October 18, the recently presented three public is invited to step back in time and to celebrate this history through Ranch Heritage donations totaling $200,000 to its desigDay, a free event from 11AM to 4PM, with nated charity beneficiaexhibits and interactive demonstrations sure ries through proceeds to delight those of all ages. The event reflects generated from the the farming and ranching history specific to 2014 horse show and its home region of Bandera, Texas, the justifirelated events: Texas ably self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the Children’s Hospital World, (more World Champion Cowboys received $150,000; hale from Bandera County than from any Ronald McDonald other), and the staging point for the Great House Family Rooms Western Cattle Trail of the 1860’s. A working chuck wagon, like those used on the great at Texas Children’s Hospital received cattle drives, will offer free camp cooking $35,000; and Candlesamples. lighter’s Childhood A horse-drawn covered wagon, like Cancer Family Alliance those which carried the first settlers to Banreceived $15,000. dera, will offer free rides around the event. Celebrations There’ll be wool-spinning, hot-branding, and and check presentations horse shoeing demonstrations, and an amazwith charity representaing antique tractor display. (Yes, the tractors tives, Pin Oak board still run!) The Kitselman Fence Machine, the members, volunteers, very type that created those woven-on-site and sponsors were field fences that still stand in the natural area, held on July 23 as part will be in operation for all to see. There’ll of the Candlelighters also be story-telling, trick roping by world Summer Surprises event champion Kevin Fitzpatrick, and for those in the Texas Children’s who bring their horse, a guided trail ride at Cancer Center, on the end of the day. August 27 at the RonChildren are invited to operate an ald McDonald House old-fashioned mechanical apple peeler, to Houston, and on Sept. learn how to throw a rope, ride life-size rock10 at Texas Children’s ing horses and to participate in a plethora of Hospital West Campus interactive activities, including a “goat scramin Katy. ble”, complete with prizes, for kids only! The gift to The day will be topped off by Texas Children’s Hospia Ranch Skills Demonstration of cutting, tal enables Pin Oak to driving, and penning cattle, and a fun Ranch complete its commitRodeo Competition, including Rescue Race, ment of $400,000 to and Stampede Race events, in which local Child Life at the West ranch teams compete for top honors, most Campus. The 2014 Pin importantly “bragging rights” as Best Ranch Oak donation to Texas Rodeo Team of the day! (No wagering, Children’s Hospital please!) also initiates Pin Oak’s Whether you’re a local settler, a new commitment of wanna-be rancher, a history-lover, or if you’re just in need of a city-slicker’s day out, this Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 33 event is not to be missed.
Show Contributes $200,000 in 2014 to
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Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 31
$550,000 that will be distributed over 6 years to establish a Sports Medicine Fellowship and $100,000 of seed money for the planned new campus in The Woodlands. Pin Oak’s donation to Ronald McDonald House Houston is for the Family Rooms inside of Texas Children’s Hospital that provide a respite to families with critically ill children who are experiencing long hospital stays. For Candlelighters, the gift from Pin Oak funds three months of support for the Parking Program for families whose child is undergoing cancer treatment at the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Established in 1945 in Houston, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious charity horse
shows in the nation. Pin Oak is a two-week annual event that attracts 1,200 majestic horses and 1,000 exhibitors from around the country. Pin Oak is an award winning horse show and was the first horse show to receive the coveted United States Equestrian Federation’s Heritage Competition designation. Currently, Pin Oak is part of the United States Hunter Jumper exhibit in the Kentucky Horse Park, A Sporting Tradition: Iconic Horse Show off the US. The primary philanthropic goal of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show each year is to contribute a six-figure donation to its designated charities to support the healing of sick children. The horse show has raised more than $6 million for children’s charities
®
since its inception. In 1947, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show provided the first donation toward the building of what is now the world renowned Texas Children’s Hospital. “It is an honor and privilege to support these wonderful charities and it is admirable for the equestrian community to come together so willingly to make such an impactful gift. It is a testament to Pin Oak’s legacy of giving and its continued tradition of excellence,” said Mary Jones, board member and Charity Liaison for Pin Oak. The 69th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show yielded a donation of $200,000 for the second consecutive year for the children’s charities it supports. The horse show was Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 41
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 33
REALTOR Roundup TAMMY FOREMAN REALTOR Hodde Real Estate Co. 112 W. Main Street, Brenham, TX (O): (979) 836-8532 (C): (979) 451-2945
DEITRA ROBERTSON REALTOR Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc. 38351 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX (O): (832) 642-6789 (C): (832) 642-6789
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34 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
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WENDY CLINE REALTOR/BROKER CLHMS, SRES, ABR, Million Dollar Guild Wendy Cline Properties RE/MAX Realty Center 13611 Skinner Rd. #100 Cypress, TX (O): (281) 213-6271 (C): (281) 460-9360 (E): wendy@wendyclineproperties.com (W): www.wendyclineproperties.com SPECIALTIES: Equestrian, Farm & Ranch, Land, Residential, Luxury, Commercial TERRITORY: Texas SASSY STANTON BROKER Stanton-Pinckard Realty 2010 Commonwealth, Houston, TX (O): (713) 861-4097 (C): (713) 824-8387 (E): sassy@stanton-pinckard.com (W): www.stanton-pinckard.com SPECIALTIES: Farm/Ranches, Land TERRITORY: Texas MARY GARBETT BROKER ASSOCIATE Right Time Real Estate LLC at KW Farm & Ranch 950 Corbindale Rd, #100 Houston, TX (C) (713) 213-2420 (O) (713) 470-2055 (E) mary@marygarbett.com (W) www.har.com/marygarbett SPECIALTIES: Equestrian Estates, Farm & Ranch, Residential TERRITORY: Ft. Bend, Waller, Austin, Washington, Grimes, Harris Counties CARRIE SHWAGER REALTOR The Property Source 7424 FM 1488, Ste. A-1 Magnolia, TX 77354 (C): (281) 960-5190 (F): (936) 449-4586 (E): carrieschwager@att.net (W): www.texasluxurypropertyrealtor.com SPECIALTIES: Equestrian, Farm and Ranch, Hunting, and Luxury Residential TERRITORY: Texas
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October 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 35
5HDO (VWDWH PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS:
T
Factors to Consider
he right kind of improvements can add significant value to your property, as well as make it more functional. But before you begin constructing a pond, adding fencing or renovating a homestead, give serious thought not only to the project, but to the team you choose to make your plans a reality. Water Features: Water features are typically the top choices for improvement. Land buyers often look for ponds or lakes, and making these improvements usually adds significant value to a piece of property. If you see two property sales on the same type of land, in the same area — one with a pond and the other without — the difference in the price can be significant. “Especially here in Texas, as well as other states, the focus on water availability and consumption has become a high priority,” says Michael Biesiada, vice president and branch manager with Texas Farm Credit’s office in The Woodlands, who has more than 20 years of rural financing experience. “Current availability of water wells and surface water retention certainly adds value to properties today but could have an exponentially positive impact on value in later years as the sensitivity increases.” Barns, Barndominiums, Stables and Workshops: That’s not the case when it comes to rural recreational property, however, where a moderate structure often will add value to a piece of rural property. Today, the structure of choice for many is a “barndominium,”
36 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
a shed or barn that has a portion finished out to serve as a living quarters. Referring to barndominiums, Biesiada says that a building structure that is intentionally designed with at least 51 percent living area may qualify for either agricultural financing or standard residential financing, which gives the customer options in financing terms and conditions. He offers these tips to keep in mind when building a barn, barndo, stable or workshop; • If you are choosing to finance the project, consult with your lender initially to establish lending terms and conditions so you and the lender are on the same page and can accomplish your goals. • Hire a respected and accomplished architect who understands your specific use and needs. The architect’s knowledge and experience will intuitively include features that you may not think about until construction has begun, which could cause added costs if changed later. • Hire a respected and accomplished builder/contractor who will provide references and a specific cost breakdown. • Create a reserve account for your builder/contractor so he can be held accountable through completion of your project. “Construction projects can test your patience, so it is imperative to hire individuals you like and trust, who will get the job done per plans, in a timely manner, and within budget,” Biesiada adds.
Homestead Improvements: Farm Credit also can finance home improvements, as long as the property meets certain criteria. Properties in rural areas may qualify through the cooperative lender’s rural residence programs, while larger residential tracts may qualify through Farm Credit’s traditional farm and ranch lending activities. Residential financing is available in incorporated towns with populations less than 2,500. Full-time farmers and ranchers are not subject to the urban population limitation. Other Property Improvements: It takes strong fences to keep horses in their place, and good grass to keep them happy and healthy. If you need to improve your pastures, install a small irrigation system for a hay field or construct new or better fences or corrals, such improvements can often be financed with a short- or intermediate-term loan of three to five years. Just remember, if you’re planning an extensive fence-building project, do your research. Costs, design and construction materials vary significantly.
Article provided by Texas Farm Credit, a part of the nationwide Farm Credit System. For more tips on buying and improving rural land, visit TexasFCS.com, or call Michael Biesiada at (936) 344-9400
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 37
5HDO (VWDWH
38 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 39
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Horsebitess - Con’t. ffrom room ppg. g. 441 1
held during the last two weeks of March 2014 at The Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy and was presented by title sponsors Haras Dos Cavaleiros and Irish Day Farm. “Our sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers are truly the hearts and souls of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Our Pin Oak supporters openly demonstrate their love and respect for horses and children with the generous gifts of their time, talent and treasure,” said Lynn Walsh, president of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and a long-time Pin Oak competitor and volunteer. “Not only donate $200,000 to these three charities once a year, but we are also involved with each of them on a regular basis many times throughout year. We know and care about the administrators, staff, volunteers, caregivers, children and parents affiliated with our charity beneficiaries on a personal level.”
ACTHA Documents 1,762 Horses Re-Employed Being a registry in addition to a competitive trail riding association the American Competitive Trail Horse Association has records on all of the horses that participate as members. “Our registry indicated 1,762 horses have been taken out of rescues, or rescue situations, to work at ACTHA. As far as I know we are alone in being able to document name of owner and contact information for
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every rescue horse ACTHA has helped to return to the workplace. And nothing makes me and our staff prouder,” say Carrie Scrima a Founder of ACTHA. Going on their 7th year of providing “Casual Competition and Serious Fun” ACTHA has risen to the top of the trail riding world in every major category. Number of events held per year, the only national competitive trail organization and the number of charities served... not only in cash contributions (over $500,000 and counting) but also in unwanted horses served. “It has been a labor of love to be sure. We all work long hours for very modest pay. I get a kick out of it when I hear someone express that we are some rich heavily endowed company. Regardless of our wonderful contribution program our earnings are modest to say the least,” states Robin Tilghmam Chief Operating Officer. Rob Butler Chief Information Officer continues, “The key to our existence and capability to serve almost 1,000 events per year lies squarely upon a devoted staff of 20 individuals and an incredible back office that processes 10’s of thousands of entries in every state and Canada. Everything interlinks from point standings, medal awards, national standings, ride locations ...you name it. All in real time. I’m not sure if this system could ever be recreated. It’s got so much code it would take a crazy amount of time and money to reproduce.” As always ACTHA has room for sponsors who wish to join the cause. After
all it’s the horse that feeds us all. And an employed horse is not only good for the soul, it’s good for the industry! OUR MISSION • To create an enjoyable venue showcasing the wonderful attributes of the great American trail horse and granting them the recognition they so richly deserve. • To create a registry open to all breeds and a point designation system which will stay with each horse for its lifetime, thereby adding to their value and distinction. • To create and enable humane treatment and employment options for horses in need.
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK NAMES FRED HUTTON AS NEW RACING SECRETARY HOUSTON, TX – A new face will be part of the Sam Houston Race Park team as the Houston, Texas track prepares for its 21st season of Thoroughbred racing on January 16th. Fred Hutton, currently the Director of Racing at Zia Park, will seek to make his mark in Texas when the Sam Houston Race Park stables open December 4th. In his new position at SHRP, Hutton will also coordinate stall applications that are due on November 3rd. A longtime racing official and former jockey and trainer, Hutton has previously served in Racing Secretary roles at Zia Park, Prairie Meadows and RemingHorsebites - Con’t. on pg. 49
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 41
(QJOLVK
Why Ride Dressage
M
ore than a few years ago, as a child who lived to jump horses, I had my first exposure to dressage. One day, the head of my chapter of the U. S. Pony Club decided to educate us on the illustrious sport of dressage and proudly gave us a demonstration of her idea of how the sport was done. Watching with great interest, I was amazed by her lack of ability to sit the saddle. She proudly bounced her robust figure around the arena on the back of a very kind horse as she explained the finer points of dressage. I don’t recall
42 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
exactly what she said or showed us at the time, but I can tell you that it was at that juncture in my life that I concluded that dressage was for people who were afraid to jump and knew it wasn’t for me. As my horizons broadened, I eventually discovered the joy of combined training and realized that learning dressage would be a necessity if I was going to be able to experience the thrill of cross country and stadium jumping that make up the sport of eventing. Out of necessity, I willingly learned the test patterns and forged on. Eventing is a blast! My scores were acceptable and as far as I was concerned my dressage was just fine. As luck would have it, training for cross country was logistically between difficult and impossible from where I lived so my riding reverted back to hunters, equitation, and jumpers once more. Nearly a decade went by before
I again spiked an interest in dressage. This time it was because I began to notice how the upper level movements appeared to be a lot of fun and I wanted to know how to do them. However, when I tried to learn the basics of how to put a horse on the bits, I started looking for untraditional shortcuts. I just knew there were easier ways to frame a horse up than to suffer through the boredom of traditional training. It didn’t take long to discover that it was much easier to ride a horse in draw reins or a tie down than to train a horse to be round. You could say that I had missed the point. I continued on the shortcut route for a while and wondered why the movements were so difficult. Clearly there was more to it. As I started realizing how little I knew about the sport, I began spending more time in lessons, clinics, reading and watching videos to educate myself. The same basic information kept coming back to haunt me and the principles of dres-
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sage began to emerge from the plethora of information that was accumulating before me. Fortunately, the one thing that became clearest to me was that the more I learned, the more I discovered how little I actually knew. My thirst for knowledge became insatiable. Learning to do dressage is a lot like learning to read. Moving up to the next level without confirming the proper balance is like trying to read when you don’t know how to pronounce the letter “a”. You might make it through a few simple sentences, but you will never comprehend a novel. Just as with reading, the early stages of learning are tedious and sometimes feel as if you are going nowhere. But as the skills become established, the learning curve accelerates. As each accomplishment is logged, a new challenge emerges. There is always the next level or the next horse to keep it interesting. There will always be a greater level of accuracy or understanding of the complexities of the sport to keep you motivated. Dressage is more than just for the pure satisfaction of the sport itself. Dressage is to riding as ballet is to dancing. If one wants to excel in any aspect of the art of dance, the basics and balance learned from ballet will be a huge asset when carried over into tap, jazz, modern or even salsa dancing. The basics and balance learned from dressage will exemplify the results when applied to riding and training hunters, jumpers, reiners, or even trail riding. I have met several successful reining trainers who have a strong background in dressage even though they use an entirely different saddle. The style and finesse of the hunter benefits tremendously from the balance learned from dressage. Jumpers gain remarkable strength, agility, and balance from dres-
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sage training as well. Dressage as it turns out, is not about patterns or simply riding a movement. It is about balancing the horse before, during and after each movement, while guiding the horse through a specific pattern known as a test. If the balance is not confirmed at each level, the horse will not be prepared to move on to the next level and the movements will be incorrect. Reflecting back on why one should do dressage, I would have to say that it is collectively for the journey itself. Dressage is for the thinking rider of any discipline. It may start with the
inherent challenge of putting a horse on the bit that intrigues a rider. It could even be the challenge of perfecting the compulsory school figures composed of circles, serpentines and straight lines that compels the rider. Regardless of what aspect of dressage it is that peaks the interest of a horseman, the development of the skills and knowledge required to progress in the sport can become addicting. There is always the challenge of riding or training the next movement. Executing a perfect test is like reaching for the stars. Perfection is elusive, but to strive for it feeds the soul.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 43
+RRI +HDOWK
Barefoot Performance Horses ironically, largely depend on the same kind of care given to shod horses! This would include:
It’s
been a longstanding tradition to shoe performance horses – whether they be racehorses, dressage horses, jumpers, endurance horses, or reiners. As more riders realize their equine partners can soundly perform barefoot, and may even enjoy increased performance, they are spreading the word. Horse owners who want to know if their horses can perform well barefoot also need to consider the trimming methods and other factors that come into play to create a happy performance horse. All horses can perform barefoot, or in some instances when professionally fitted with hoof boots (worn only when the horse is being ridden). But whether or not they can do so successfully will, perhaps
1. Not riding or training the horse in a manner that overstresses his natural athletic ability, thereby causing pain, breakdown and lameness anywhere across his musculoskeletal system, not just his feet. 2. Not feeding a diet or medications that predispose or cause the horse to become laminitic, an epidemic problem across the equine community. 3. Failing to trim the hooves so they are naturally shaped. “Natural horse care”, as I call it, incorporates natural boarding, riding and trimming. This collectively facilitates a tough hoof, enabling the horse to go without shoes (or in some instances with professionally fitted hoof boots). It has been well documented historically that shoeing weakens the hoof and causes hoof deformity. Today, we know this is true from experience. As well, compelling anecdotal
evidence from leading endurance riders has shown that shoeing obstructs circulation and causes fatigue, thereby precluding optimal performance. This idea applies not just to “performance horses”, but all horses! With so much buzz on the internet, the worldwide rise of numerous pro-barefoot associations, and the many books and journals espousing the benefits of going barefoot, it astonishes me that so many riders and professionals (farriers, vets, trainers) remain either uninformed or misinformed of – or resistant to – the burgeoning “barefoot revolution”. In large part, this can be attributed to the pseudo-scientific claims of the “farrier culture” itself, which have gone unchallenged for centuries until the recent rise of natural care advocates. Shoers, and even vets, continue to believe and widely pronounce that selective breeding is the culprit behind weak, inferior feet (“we have bred the hoof out of the horse”). Advocates now know this isn’t true at all, and that weak brittle walls, soft hypersensitive soles, less than optimal circulation and so forth can be attributed hooves - Con’t. on pg. 46
LEFT: “Perseverance Orient,” an Arabian endurance horse living in South Africa (at Perseverance Endurance Horses breeding farm), is among a growing number of horses around the world who regularly competes barefoot (and bitless). His hoofs are trimmed by his owner, Francois Seegers. ABOVE: Eight year old Quarterhorse/Arabian moves Photo by Laura Seegers effortlessly over the rocky footing where he lives at the AANHCP field headquarters. Photo by Jill Willis
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 45
+RRI +HDOWK Barefoot success depends upon a species-appropriate diet, naturalized living conditions, a competent natural trim and genuine natural horsemanship which means riding in harmony with the horse’s natural gaits. A Paddock Paradise simulates the natural habitat of horses living in the wild in a number of ways and helps to build and maintain strong, healthy hooves. Photos by Jill Willis
directly to the deleterious effects of shoeing. Remove the shoe, provide a regular regimen of natural trimming and boarding, and that “inferior” hoof suddenly heals and becomes a superior foot. For millions of years, the equine hoof has been under the full force of natural selection. Within the evolutionary timeline, selective breeding is very new and genetically limited – it does not override the timeless latent “adaptation”
of Equus caballus’ foot. The latter is “hidden” or suppressed by domestic care practices within every domestic horse – from miniature to draft, Thoroughbred to Arab, and everything in between. This is amply demonstrated today by the feet of wild horses of the U.S Great Basin, and similar arid biomes around the world. All these “feral” horses were originally derived from domestic stock, and all have overcome the adverse effects of domestication on their feet.
Given the chance, any domestic horse turned loose into the wild will immediately start developing the ancient genotypical adaptive hoof form. And let me be clear on this point: the hoof is not adapting to the “wild conditions” – the adaptation occurred millions of years ago, or more precisely at the dawn of the species, Equus caballus. It is merely shedding “waste material” caused by domestic conditions, and remodeling itself though natural patterns of growth
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that are obstructed by shoeing and unnatural trimming practices. Any horse can make the switch. The answer lies once more in the fact that the core natural hoof (adapted) lies dormant in all equine hooves. The challenge is to awaken it through holistic natural care. Today, thousands of horse caretakers are discovering how to do this. They have rejected the specious farriery science that ruins their horses’ feet, educated themselves about the horse’s natural state, and found ingenious ways to stimulate that core natural hoof out of its dormancy. They have learned that the natural hoof is capable of enduring and supporting any reasonable equestrian discipline, and that there are fewer lameness issues when barefoot than shod. And they have done all this without the professional support of the farriery community, which continues to labor under the misguided belief that domestic practices have genetically ruined the horse’s foot. This is not to say, however, that there aren’t serious concerns in regards to traditional practices – in particular the damage to feet caused by shoeing, unnatural boarding and riding practices, and/or invasive podiatric veterinary procedures. If the damage is permanent and devastating, then no amount of natural trimming or shoeing (or natural boarding for that matter) that is going to change this! But, ‘going natural’ will unquestionably minimize suffering and won’t exacerbate matters further and there is considerable anecdotal evidence that many hoof pathologies, once thought to be “incurable”, heal readily under genuine regimens of natural care. For this reason alone, I recommend that all horses be exempted from shoeing. Debilitating pathology aside, age, breed and shoeing history are never grounds for keeping any equine in shoes. It is the horse’s “way” to be barefoot. The belief in trimming one horse differently from the next, based on equestrian discipline, conformation, breed, etc., has its roots once more in the farrier culture of “corrective shoeing”. It is presupposed that horses “naturally” move differently from one another – due to breed, work, conformation and so on. Hence, it is essentially gospel that they must be trimmed and shod differently. This logic is specious because it ignores the species’ natural gaits and the latent adapted www.horsebackmagazine.com
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 47
+RRI +HDOWK
hoof. Many of us now recognize that the natural trim generates the most optimal biomechanical hoof conformation possible, because it mimics the wild horse foot and supports the natural gaits. A horse moving naturally is biomechanically more efficient, less stressed, and less prone to breakdown and lameness. Moreover, his individual conformation, the nuances of his gaits based on his individual musculoskelature and temperament (e.g. breed), and the demands made on him by a knowledgeable rider who understands what it is to be a genuine natural rider, are all best served by the biomechanically efficient, naturally trimmed hoof. Arguably, virtually all equestrian based lameness in domestic horses is caused by unnaturally trimmed/shod horses ridden in violation of their natural gaits. A natural trim alone will not increase or reduce the amount of time between trims. All horses should be trimmed when they need it. Excessive growth (tantamount to waste material normally worn away in the wild) creates a teetering fulcrum for unnatural lever forces and unbalanced movement, and can wreak havoc. I recommend that
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horses be trimmed at no more than fourweek intervals unless natural wear (as seen in some natural boarding environments) renders it unnecessary. My recommendations for natural boarding and general hoof care are described in my book, Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding. I feel the subject is so important that I would be remiss in discussing what it means in the space of a paragraph or two. Briefly, PP provides a vision and method for boarding horses based on the band (family) movements of wild horses. It works, and many horse caretakers are writing to say they are successfully incorporating the basic principles of PP and are spreading the word. Naturally trimmed barefooted horses, whether at liberty or mounted, are able to move more naturally than when shod. The equestrian’s overriding focus and objective should be to become a (genuine) natural rider so as to bring out the best in their horses. My philosophy is that horses, regardless of how they are to be used, should always be ridden naturally (in harmony with their natural gaits), and performance should be measured against
this holistic standard. Horses commanded to ride in violation of their natural athletic abilities, particularly at high performance levels, are inevitably doomed to lameness, suffering and sometimes destruction by euthanasia. On a much happier note, readers should be pleased to know that in the wild, horses are naturally competitive, love to run and jump, and are even prone to showing off on occasion. Horses are cooperative by nature and seem to enjoy human company when it is respectful and non-threatening. I think there’s an important message in all of this – horses instinctively want to cooperate and perform their very best for us. But in return, and so as not to cause them harm, we should keep it reasonable and keep it natural. Jaime Jackson is the author of 5 books, a hoof care professional & natural horse care consultant. He is the founding member of the non-profit equine advocacy organization, Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices (www.aanhcp.net) & the principle instructor for the Institute for the Study of Natural Horse Care Practices (www.isnhcp. net), which he and his business partner, Jill Willis, created in 2009. He can be contacted at jacksonaanhcp@gmail.com and his website is www.jaimejackson.com
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Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 36
ton Park. “Having Fred join our team is another step forward in our continued efforts to enhance our racing program,” said Sam Houston Race Park President Andrea Young. “Fred brings a great deal of enthusiasm and energy with him. I have high expectations for our program and believe he will help us achieve our long term goals.” Hutton first began his career in horse racing as a jockey and then trainer, spending more than 30 years on that side of the business. He moved to the racetrack side of the business in the early 1990’s at Thistledown in Cleveland, Ohio as a racing official and later a member of the starting gate crew. In 2000 he joined Remington Park and held several management positions over the next ten years including Director of Racing/Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator as well as Director of Simulcasting. Hutton has been at Zia Park since 2011. “I’m excited to grow my role at Penn National Gaming by joining a track of Sam Houston Race Park’s caliber as its Racing Secretary. The clear leader of Texas racing, I have been impressed by
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the quality program they have developed over the past several seasons and will aim to build upon it going forward” said Hutton. Hutton who will continue to serve in his current role at Zia Park will begin his new role at Sam Houston immediately. Sam Houston Race Park will kick off the 2015 live racing season on January 16th with a 32 day Thoroughbred meet. The schedule for the 2015 Thoroughbred Meet will be Fridays (7 p.m.), Saturdays (6 p.m.), and Monday and Tuesday afternoons (1 p.m.). On March 27th, the track will follow with its annual 2015 American Quarter Horse Meet which will run for 24 days through May 16th. The 2015 Thoroughbred Stakes schedule will be announced in the next few weeks. Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 minutes from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 19 recently renovated luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at
the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on live racing, upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 49
*HQHUDO
Hauling! Howdy! Welcome to Cowboy Corner. The livestock shows and rodeos around the state start their preparations for the winter events with committee meetings and functions. The trail rides promoting the rodeos have fall rides and plan the “big rides “prior to the “big shows”. The moderate temperatures and humidity make Texas a great place in the fall. Fall also means a lot of hauling. Many of the fall activities in the counties involve hauling horses to parades, rides, or whatever. The fall cattle work always includes hauling, not only livestock, but related equipment. I remember when “gooseneck” trailers first came in use. The revolutionary design became, and has remained, very popular with usage. The ability to handle large loads, with good control, from ranch-type trucks, fits the ranch business. Bumper pull trailers these days are normally limited to less than twenty feet and cover a broad spectrum from livestock to horses, to utility. Popularity of medium size livestock trailers has been reinforced by the “SUV” type vehicle. Gooseneck trailers are limited to trucks with hitches in beds,
50 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • October 2014
but bumper pull trailers are more flexible. Auto makers these days do a good job of installing towing equipment such as wiring and receiver hitches with their “towing package” option. Bumper pull trailer couplers are in three sizes, (1 7/8”, 2”, 2 5/16”), and I think changing receivers with the right size ball is a lot easier than changing balls to fit the particular trailer coupler. Since the factory made trailer hitch receivers are the same size on full size trucks, you can borrow your neighbor’s trailer and receiver to haul that extra load of hay. I have found over the years that it’s easier for me to carry four receivers, with the right drop from the hitch for my truck, rather than one receiver and three different balls. The fourth receiver is left without a ball for use with pin type couplers used on farm equipment. On the subject of trailer hitch balls, buy balls with the maximum shank size. As an example 2” balls are available in 3/4”or 1 shank size. Lots of livestock trailers use 2”
balls so be sure the shank size is the largest available. The 2 5/16” balls all come in at least a 1” shank and are used with heavier utility and livestock trailers. A factory towing package on new trucks in recent years, includes a separate circuit wiring harness with a seven prong RV-type plug attached to the rear bumper. Most livestock and utility trailers use a six prong round plug so an adapter is required between truck and trailer. I like to leave the adapter plugged into the truck since I have only one seven prong trailer and half a dozen with six prong wiring. However, every time I “come to town” an adapter gets donated to some dude who probably has at least one earring and wears his cap bassackwards. Got to baling-wiring the adapter to the plug and the donations stopped.
Happy Trails...
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