Horse & rider 3 17 by glsense

TableofContents

March 2017

On the Cover Navicular Issues 2017’s Top Trends Trainers on the Rise Nervous? Fake It! Showmanship Drills

19 46 39 32 58

6 From the Editor: Trend-spotting. 8 Your Stories: Older and wiser. 10 We Hear You: Online resource. 12 Whole Horse Q&A: Promoting weight gain after horse’s illness.

Trainers on the Rise Get inspired! Find strategies for boosting your own riding or professional goals from these six young up-and-coming horse trainers in a variety of disciplines. By the H&R Staff

YOUR HORSE YOUR LIFE 15 We’d Love to Own: 2004 Arabian Western pleasure stallion Just Joe. 16 Talk: Have fun, win money. 17 Health: Effects of social stress. 18 Solutions: Timing is everything. 19 Horsekeeping: Navicular issues. 20 Style: Ranch riding headgear.

23 Private Lesson: Lindsay LaPlante on feeling your horse’s footfalls. 26 Bob Avila’s Winning Insights: Add an event to elevate your skills. 29 Conformation Clinic: Young Arabian performance halter geldings. 32 The Confident Rider: Tips for creating a conﬁdent mindset.

What’s new and exciting for riders and their horses this year? Here are a few things on our radar that you’ll want to keep your eye on in 2017. By Jennifer Paulson

The ‘slow medicine’ movement may help veterinarians embrace technology without sacriﬁcing personal connection. By Barb Crabbe, DVM

Mastering showmanship starts at home. Here are exercises you can practice with your horse to help improve your score. By Leslie Lange, With Nichole Chirico

66 Problem Solvers: Learn corner control going down the fence. 72 You Said It: The real or ﬁctional pal you’d love to take on a trail ride.

On the cover: Vals Six Expressions (‘Eli’), a 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding owned by Dan Houck of Texas. For the latest on trends to watch in 2017, see pages 6 and 46. To learn why adding an event to your horse’s skill set can enhance his (and your) saddle time, see page 26. Photo by Mallory Beinborn

PRACTICE PEN

Trends for 2017

Slow Medicine

Showmanship Tune-Up

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 1

Volume LVI, Number 3 Editor Jennifer Paulson Senior Editor Jennifer Forsberg Meyer Assistant Editor Nichole Chirico Contributing Editor Barb Crabbe, DVM Alana Harrison Jennifer von Geldern Art Director Adam Purvis Contributing Photographer Mallory Beinborn Editorial Inquiries (303) 253-6409 HorseandRider@aimmedia.com Subscription Inquiries/ Address Changes/Back Issues: horse&rider@emailcustomerservice.com (877) 717-8928 (U.S. and Canada) or (386) 447-6306 P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142 Web Site Address HorseandRider.com Circulation Director Dana Raven Director of Retail Sales Susan A. Rose PRODUCTION Group Production Director Barb Van Sickle bvansickle@aimmedia.com Production Manager Diane Paolini HorseandRiderProduction@aimmedia.com Prepress Manager Joy Kelley Prepress Specialist Galen Nathanson Idania Mentana Horse&Rider Editorial OfďŹ ce 5720 Flatiron Parkway Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 253-6409

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HorseandRider.com March 2017

This Month @

HorseandRider.com Vice President/Group Publisher David Andrick dave.andrick@EquiNetwork.com Associate Group Publisher Mitch Miller (303) 644-3782 mmiller@aimmedia.com ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Rick Swan (480) 471-4671 rswan@aimmedia.com Advertising Representatives Christian Leatham (508) 461-9611 cleatham@aimmedia.com Michelle Adaway (859) 619-8263 madaway@aimmedia.com Kathy Dando (717) 303-3793 kdando@aimmedia.com Tom Brazil (805) 379-8729 tbrazil@aimmedia.com Susan Lee (540) 905-9111 slee@aimmedia.com Benjie Lemon (303) 625-1667

Your Horse’s Health Team Specialized care has become an important part of keeping your horse healthy. Read about the specialists behind your horse’s health team after learning how “slow medicine” can help your horse on page 52.

blemon@aimmedia.com Shelley L. Partridge (859) 327-7057 spartridge@aimmedia.com Keith Cunningham, Automotive/Truck Representative (248) 763-0526 kcunningham@aimmedia.com

Bridleless Freestyle

Showmanship Trot

Watch up-and-coming Mustang trainer Madison Shambaugh wow the crowd during her Extreme Mustang Makeover freestyle performance.

Trot with conﬁdence next to your horse in the trotting elements after you perfect your pattern with showmanship tune-up help starting on page 58.

Classiﬁed Advertising Warren Wilson (760) 546-1192; fax (760) 546-1459 hr@aimclassiﬁeds.com Advertising Information Manager Judy Howard Advertising Coordinator Alicia Smith

On Trend

Put on Weight

Ranch Riding has become one of the most popular classes offered at a variety of shows. Learn how to look the part and ace the pattern online.

Help your horse gain back weight he lost when ill in Whole Horse Q&A (page 12), then read how to keep his weight steady on our Web site.

Digital Advertising Operations Manager Ron Goldy rgoldy@aimmedia.com

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From the Editor By Jennifer Paulson

S T O R E ESSENTIAL SCHOOLING FOR EVERYONE

Trend-Spotting THANKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA, FADS CAN COME AND go as quickly as you can refresh your browser. But there are a few that stick and even move forward to develop into new ideas and concepts, evolving into trends along their life cycles. We’ve identified seven trends to notice, beginning on page 46. Where do these trends come from? I notice three places.

The Wave of the Future

50 Best Arena Exercises and Patterns: Essential Schooling for English and Western Riders Riders, trainers, and instructors of all disciplines are always looking for ways to keep boredom at bay—and that’s where this handy guide can save the day. 50 Best Arena Exercises and Patterns provides a terrific collection of upbeat ideas for essential schooling, adding variety and challenge to everyday workouts. Exercises are organized in easy-to-reference sections, including: improving the rider’s seat, increasing mobility with gymnastics, finding rhythm, getting supple and relaxed, activating the hindquarters, traveling straight, and achieving collection. Spiral-Bound Hardcover, 160 pp.

THE EQUINE NETWORK STORE

Players new to the game are often more willing to take risks, try new ideas, and push the limits of the status quo. These leaders of the new class bring ideas they learn from their mentors that maybe have a new twist for the modern landscape. We introduce you to six upand-comers we’ve identified beginning on page 39. They’re from every corner of the horse industry, from all-around to mustang training. These “young guns” have energy and vigor for training horses that can inspire other professionals and amateurs to look at training and horse care in new ways. Then, too, their personal style can change the look of tack, attire, and even grooming in and out of the show arena.

A Nod to the Past What’s old is new again. The trends feature details the boom of ranch riding/trail/ rail—just about anything that starts with the word “ranch.” These classes celebrate what many riders remember from the past, plus boost the popularity of “retro” tack and apparel in those events and others. In many circles, I also notice a strong connection to the iconic trainers who paved the way for today’s leaders. With the passing of groundbreaking trainers such as Benny Guitron and John Hoyt, professionals around the industry took to social media to express their gratitude for what they learned from these men, among others.

The ‘Real World’ While usually a few years behind, trends from the mainstream world eventually run their course in the horse world, too, especially in apparel. The Pantone Color of the Year often appears in the show pen on everything from shirts to show pads a year or two after it’s made its way through mainstream apparel. Rises of denim waistbands—sky-high, down to ultra-low, and back up to midrise—follow the same cycle with a short lag behind. And look at social media. One example is the surge of horse-related Facebook groups that came after mainstream users set them up for just about anything, from garage sales to child-rearing advice. Now there’s a group for practically any horse topic you can imagine, from health concerns to resale tack and apparel. What are your favorite trends in the horse world? What do you predict will change in the next year, five years, or even farther down the line? I’d love to hear from you at the email address below.

Official store of Horse & Rider Magazine

www.EquineNetworkStore.com You can reach Jennifer Paulson at jpaulson@aimmedia.com.

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Photo by Mallory Beinborn

Your Stories

The Wisdom (and Challenges) of Age A horse trainer and riding instructor reﬂects on the changes that come with growing older. By Sharon Mastous

All this clipped my wings even further, at a time when I could’ve used more support, not less. Now, at 76, my body has decided it’s not happy when things don’t go the way it expects them to. It doesn’t adapt well to rough gaits, silly spooks, or any on-trail surprises. This loss of riding chops has been hardest to accept. I used to have the confidence to ride absolutely any horse, in any situation, and fix any problem. Now my body doesn’t recover as fast. I also find I now need help with the simplest tasks, including saddling and mounting. My mind knows what to do; my body can’t quickly execute. My reactions to Sarek’s mistakes are sometimes late, and corrections take longer. It complicates things.

ging can be challenging for an equestrian. At least that’s been my experience. I’ve been training and teaching for so long—over 40 years now—that most of the people I’ve found myself riding with in recent years are people I’ve taught to ride. And when you start to doubt your own riding Sticking With It skills, it can be awkward to be I’m embarrassed by all this, around your own students. and it makes me question my I moved from California ability to continue to ride. I to Ohio several years ago, in don’t want to be a hindrance my 60s. Not long after, I lost to the groups I’ve ridden my good Missouri Fox Trotwith. It’s so, so hard to be the ter mare, Tez. I’d delivered one who needs help—rather her as a foal, raised her up, than the one who gives the trained her. She’d been my help. I used to be the teacher; partner for 20 years, and I now I’m more like a student. figured replacing her wasn’t But you know what? I’m going to be easy. not going to let that stop me. In fact it took more than Yes, I have to change my apa year for me to finally find proach to riding. I no longer Sarek, another Fox Trotter. The author with Missouri Fox Trotter gelding Sarek. can do what the younger verHe was 7 years old but ession of myself easily accomsentially untrained. (He’d had six months of basics, then plished. It’s been an emotional roller coaster, and sometimes hadn’t been ridden in four years.) Still, I was so enamored when I’m challenged in this way, it’s disheartening. Still, I’m with Sarek’s brain and personality that I didn’t even take determined to stay in the saddle, and to find joy in teaching into consideration my changed physical capabilities, given and training as well—all in modified ways. my age. My bottom line? I have no intention to quit being a horsewoman anytime soon—the good Lord willing.

‘All Things Horse’ Sarek made me take them into consideration. More than that, he nudged me into realizing I genuinely was getting older. After years of being in charge of “all things horse,” I found the ground had changed under me. I was in a new environment, where my carefully cultivated approach to training wasn’t fully understood. I no longer had 80-foot round pens or regulation arenas to work in. I no longer had access to familiar trails right outside my back gate, and I no longer even had a trailer. Most important, though, I no longer had an extensive network of likeminded friends surrounding me. 8 HorseandRider.com March 2017

Sharon Mastous has been riding, training, and teaching since 1976. Her gift is to rehab horses and their riders. She worked for a college in California for 18 years and owned her own facility. Now in Ohio, she still loves to work with horses. Sarek moved on to a new home, but Sharon has unlimited access to ride him. She’s also occasionally asked to lend her training expertise with other horses doing groundwork.

Have a poignant, humorous, or educational story to share? Email jfmeyer@aimmedia.com; 675-word maximum.

Photo courtesy of Sharon Mastous

We Hear You

LETTERS OF THE MONTH

Online Resource Thanks for the article “Heads-Up,” a Private Lesson with trainer Mark Stevens in the August 2015 issue of Horse&Rider. I read it online at HorseandRider.com. It’s a great article, and when I applied it to my horse, it worked great. BERT CRAWFORD, Florida E-mail your letters to HorseandRider@ aimmedia.com. Or, send them to Horse&Rider, 5720 Flatiron Pkwy., Boulder, CO 80301. To be considered for publication, your submission must include your full name and your state. Published letters are subject to editing for brevity, clarity, and accuracy.

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Whole Horse Q&A

Promoting Weight Gain After Illness What’s the best way to help a gelding recovering from illness gain back the weight he lost?

My 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was quite ill for three weeks with a virus my vets never could identify despite many tests. He was on antibiotics for two weeks and lost a lot of weight throughout the ordeal. Now, a month and a half past the worst of it, he’s still thin. He gets generous servings of alfalfa hay twice a day; I’ve also been giving him probiotics. What else can I do to encourage weight gain? JENNIFER MERIDIAN, California

We’re providing recommendations to help your gelding gain weight after his illness, but please

consult with your veterinarian prior to instituting any nutritional changes to confirm that your horse is indeed recovered from the infection. If he’s still suffering residual effects, he’ll require further treatment in addition to nutritional management. It’s important to remember that slow weight gain is actually optimum. The changes we’re recommending may take one to two months to result in the desired weight gain for your gelding, which would be ideal. (Remember to make all feed changes gradually.) Because your horse is eating hay, introduce a senior feed that doesn’t have

to be the complete diet (that is, it can be fed along with hay). Choose one that’s beet-pulp based, with 8 to 10 percent crude fat, and feed it per the manufacturer’s guidelines so that no other vitamins or minerals are required. Alternatively, feed soaked beet pulp (see box) and a high-protein ration balancer according to the directions on the label. Unless indicated by your veterinarian, reduce the alfalfa to no more than 50 percent of the forage and replace with an equal or greater amount of grass hay (free-choice would be ideal). While infection does increase your horse’s protein requirement, excessively high protein intakes, such as those provided by

EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT HORSE ADOPTION IS ABOUT TO CHANGE. Discover how industry professionals, passionate equine welfare advocates, and devoted horse owners are making a difference for horses in transition. Learn how you can help at...

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Feeding Beet Pulp Beet pulp, a sugar-beet industry byproduct, is an inexpensive, highly digestible form of fiber that benefits many horses. Uses include as a fiber source for horses with poor teeth (it’s easier to chew than hay), as a digestive health aid for horses experiencing digestive troubles, and as a way of adding weight to a thin horse (as replacing hay with an equal weight of beet pulp results in a higher calorie content). Soaking beet pulp isn’t always necessary; beet pulp is included in some packaged feeds that don’t require soaking. But soaking plain beet pulp—shreds or pellets—can help prevent choke and usually makes the substance more palatable. Soaking also aids in hydrating a horse reluctant to drink. Soak one part beet pulp to two parts warm or cool water in a bucket until the water is absorbed. Beet-pulp shreds absorb water faster than do beet-pulp pellets. …The Editors

100-percent alfalfa hay, are metabolically demanding. If fed properly, the senior feed recommended previously, along with the reduced alfalfa and added grass

hay, will provide the necessary essential amino acids your horse needs to rebuild any lost muscle mass. There’s currently no strong scientific

evidence to support or refute the use of probiotics for weight gain in horses, but you should feed a supplement with a good source of omega-3 fatty acid to help support a healthy inflammatory response. Also, if you’re not already doing so, consider blanketing your gelding against the cold as this will help conserve calories. CLAIR THUNES, PhD Summit Equine Nutrition, LLC CARRIE FINNO, DVM, DACVIM, PhD University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

HorseandRider.com More on feeding for weight gain.

Send horse health and behavior questions to jfmeyer@aimmedia.com. Include horse’s age, breed, gender.

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March 2017 HorseandRider.com 13

YourHorse YourLife WE’D LOVE TO OWN

Photo by Photo Kirstieby Marie Photography Mallory Beinborn

Just Joe Details: 2004 Arabian stallion by Versace and out of BEA Society Belle, by Baske El Amigo. Barn name: Joe. Owned and shown by: Linda Clark of Argyle, Texas. Trained by: Stanley White III of Argyle, Texas. Just a good guy: “You’d never know he’s a stud,” Clark shares about Joe’s personality. “He’s always well-behaved, whether he’s at a horse show or if he’s at home. And he really enjoys having kids come to the barn and love on him.” He’s honest: One of Clark’s favorite traits about Joe is how he always wants to be good when you’re riding him. “Joe’s pretty simple. He never wants to misbehave but he’s deﬁnitely going to make you ride him every step of the way,” she shares. Family affair: Joe currently competes in the amateur division and splits his time in the show pen with Linda and Linda’s granddaughter Logan Chisholm. “The horse I was showing had colic surgery, so Logan and I are sharing Joe for the beginning of the show season,” Clark says. She and Joe will compete in the 55-andover Western pleasure classes, while her granddaughter will show him in the 19-to35 Western pleasure classes. Prizewinner: One of Clark’s proudest moments with Joe was watching her horse and her granddaughter become reserve national champions at the 2011 Arabian Youth Nationals in the youth Western pleasure. He’s also done well in the open Western pleasure, but Clark recently decided to focus on amateur events. Home life: Clark typically takes Joe to only a few competitions a year, including the Scottsdale Arabian Show and select regional events. “We usually show only six times a year, so outside of going to those big shows, Joe spends a lot of time being a normal horse,” Clark says about his everyday routine. …Nichole Chirico March 2017 HorseandRider.com 15

YourHorse YourLife

TALK

A competitor voluntarily goes bridleless at a USTPC trail challenge last fall.

Increasing Emphasis on Horse Welfare 21%

Other 9%

Wider Acceptance of Safety Helmets 20%

Rise of Ranch and Versatility Events 50%

GALLOP POLL

A Trend to Tout?

Have Fun, Win Money Have you heard of the U. S. Team Pattern Championships LLC? Founded by Arizonans Holly Hover and Sissie Roberts Shank, USTPC presents team challenges pairing amateurs and pros in events such as horsemanship and trail. The challenges offer 100-percent payback in a structure modeled after the World Series of Team Roping. “It’s a way for more advanced riders to mentor the younger, less experienced,” explains Hover. “Plus, participants are telling us it’s just plain fun.” USTPC paid out $3,500 for a trail challenge held in conjunction with the Farnam Arizona Fall Championship Quarter Horse show last October, and approximately $9,000 for a horsemanship challenge at the 2014 Scottsdale Fall Championship Show. To learn more, including how to host a USTPC event, email Hover at hollyhqh@hotmail.com.

We asked which of these Westernhorse-world trends you’re most pleased about. Above is a breakdown of the responses we received. For current trends on tack and apparel, see page 46. (To participate in future polls, “like” us at our Facebook page.)

FOR THE HORSE INDUSTRY

The lowdown: The documentary Down the Fence will be screened at the San Luis Obispo [California] International Film Festival taking place March 14–19. The ﬁlm, produced by MJ Isakson, is a loving tribute to the sport of reined cow horse and the people and traditions surrounding it. Learn more: For times and ticket information on this month’s showing, or to learn more about future screenings, go to http://bit.ly/2017downthefence.

ROMANCE & HORSES

‘Photographers, owners, competitors, trainers—you are all close to my heart. This book is for you.’ …Bestselling novelist Caroline Fyffe, in the dedication of her latest Western historical, Montana Courage. Fyffe spent 20 years in the horse show world as an equine photographer (her photos still appear frequently in H&R) and penned her most-horse-oriented book in West Winds of Wyoming, about a horse ranch (carolinefyffe.com). 16 HorseandRider.com March 2017

Types of internship programs now available to high school and college students from the American Horse Council in Washington, DC. Internships vary in length from one or two weeks to a full semester, and stipends are available. For details and an application form, go to http:// bit.ly/ahcinternship.

“Have Fun, Win Money” photo courtesy of Holly Hover

Down the Fence Debuts

HE ALTH

YourHorse YourLife

GUARD AGAINST ULCERS

Hours per day that horses produce gastric acid (we humans produce it only when eating). Excess gastric acid can contribute to the formation of stomach ulcers. Feeding free-choice grass hay is a good strategy to help buffer the acid. Moderate amounts of alfalfa—an especially effective acid buffer—are a good supplement to the grass hay, but don’t feed it free-choice.

Your horse’s position in the pecking order can affect his mental and physical wellbeing.

Source: Rutgers Equine Science Center

Effects of Social Stress Q: I hear a lot about probiotics. Does my horse need them?

“Effects of Social Stress” photo by Alana Harrison

It depends. Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial live microorganisms, usually bacteria, but also sometimes yeast and other fungi. Though under ongoing study for equine use, probiotics are widely believed to benefit a horse’s intestinal microbial balance. Veterinarians often prescribe them for horses recovering from serious intestinal illnesses. Other uses include aiding recovery in any equine patient that’s received oral antibiotics (by restoring beneficial microorganisms killed by the antibiotics), helping old or unthrifty horses better utilize nutrients, and compensating for the effects of stress. Consult with your veterinarian if you think your horse might benefit from a probiotic supplement.

Herd-related stress can inﬂuence the production of fecal liquid in horses, according to a recent German study. As reported by independent equine nutritionist Juliet M. Getty, PhD, researchers studied possible causes of this condition, which is not the same as diarrhea. Afﬂicted horses pass normally formed fecal balls, but then also excrete water from the anus. Fecal liquid soils tails and legs, often causing skin irritation and lesions. Important minerals and electrolytes may also be lost. The study found that a horse’s position within the social hierarchy of a group can affect his likelihood of passing fecal water. Horses lowest in the pecking order, especially those that don’t defend their food against other horses, were found more likely to be among the fecal-water-producing group (gettyequinenutrition.com).

Heel-Pain Help? The lowdown: Osphos is the only FDA-approved intramuscular bisphosphonate injection to help control the clinical signs of lameness associated with the heel or navicular region of the equine foot. Clinical evidence: In a study reported by the product’s creator, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, improvement in lameness was visible 28 days after treatment with the product in 67.4 percent of horses. Learn more: Ask your veterinarian, or go to www. osphos.com. (For more on heel pain, see page 19.)

VETSPEAK

‘Navicular disease’ A term that’s now obsolete, as veterinarians learn more about the various causes of pain in the heel area of the equine foot. For details on the very latest methods of diagnosing heel pain, refer to “Image That!” at HorseandRider.com. March 2017 HorseandRider.com 17

YourHorse YourLife

SOLUTIONS Horse-Proof Bell Boots For a successful ride, ensure that your timing and feel go hand in hand.

The situation: Your horse loves to lose his bell boots. The solution: Try using a pair of GatorBootz. The fastener on the bell boot easily latches and unlatches when you want it to—not when your horse wants it to. The no-rub collars prevent chafﬁng, so you don’t have to worry about the bell boots irritating your horse when he’s wearing them. Bonus: You can purchase individual replacement boots, so when one boot wears out, you’re not stuck buying a pair. More info: $54; thinlineglobal.com.

Customizable Muzzle

Timing Is Everything Timing and feel should go hand in hand for every single ride. For instance, if your horse breaks into a lope after you’ve asked for an extended trot and you wait to come to a stop after ﬁve or more strides of loping, your horse won’t understand why he’s in trouble and might even become scared of the correction. Instead, recognize when your horse does something wrong and correct it instantly to help him understand the correct response.

Show-Office Solutions Horse-show season is starting back up. If you’re getting ready to head to a show, use these tips to spend less time in the show office and more time riding your horse. Go Online Most horse shows post show schedules and patterns online. Some events even let you beat the office rush by accepting pre-entries.

Horse Papers Keep an updated copy of your horse’s registration and health papers in your trailer so you have them ready to go when you’re at a show.

18 HorseandRider.com March 2017

Your Papers Most breed shows allow you to renew your membership at a show, but to save time, renew it beforehand and keep a copy in your trailer.

Check Out Avoid end-of-the-show checkout lines by going to the ofﬁce and paying your tab the night before you plan on heading home.

“Sage Solution: Timing Is Everythying” photo by Nichole Chirico

SAGE SOLUTION

Make life for your muzzle-wearing horse more normal by using a muzzle that ﬁts comfortably and helps dictate the amount of grass he can eat when he’s out grazing. The Harmany Muzzle is a durable, lightweight muzzle that’s designed to form to the shape of your horse’s head, creating a comfortable ﬁt that makes wearing a muzzle less challenging. It currently comes in four different sizes and is also easy to keep clean—all you need is a rag and some water to wipe it down. More info: $89.99; harmanymuzzle.com.

HORSEKEEPING

YourHorse YourLife

Q&A: Navicular Syndrome Here’s what you need to know about a common cause of lameness that horse owners dread.

or this update on navicular issues, we directed questions to Tracy A. Turner, DVM, MS, of Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Big Lake, Minnesota (turnerequinesportsmed .com). Dr. Turner has chaired the Farrier Liaison Committee for the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is an acknowledged expert on the issues surrounding navicular syndrome.

Is the term ‘navicular disease’ now outdated? I prefer navicular syndrome because it actually is a syndrome, meaning different diseases that all appear alike. They all create pain, and the horse perceives the pain similarly, but they stem from different injuries and must be treated differently. Palmar heel pain is also a good descriptive term, as it refers to the fact that all these conditions are desensitized by a palmar foot block (where the nerves at the back and bottom of the foot are blocked). Think of the heel of your hand’s palm.

important, as is correct, routine farrier work. If your horse begins stumbling or his gait changes in any way, it’s a sign of something that needs to be checked out.

How do I know if my horse is at risk?

What can my vet and farrier do to help?

Any horse can get it. Your horse’s foot is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, making it the most common place for injury to occur. If you ride your horse, he can be subject to palmar foot pain. The type of footing you ride on is

Your vet will determine if your horse has navicular syndrome, then try to pinpoint which type of disease process is at work, so treatment can be focused accordingly. MRI and other advanced imaging techniques are helpful, as the more

Correct trimming and shoeing should be the starting point of all treatment. Problems such as underrun heels/long toes and a broken hoof/pastern axis must be addressed.

Photo by Jim Bortvedt

Proper Foot Care Farriery should always be based on individual case needs rather than a standard formula. Trimming/shoeing should correct any pre-existing problems, such as underrun, contracted, or sheared heels; mismatched hoof angles; or a broken hoof/pastern axis. It should also balance the foot and bring into play all weight-bearing structures, plus allow for expansion of the hoof on contact with the ground. “Rollover”—meaning the efﬁcient way a feral horse’s foot moves over the ground—should also be encouraged, with long toes avoided. There are now a lot of materials that can help achieve these goals, but it all starts with the proper trim, whether a horse is to be shod or remain barefoot.

precise the diagnosis of the cause, the more precise and effective the treatment. That said, correct trimming and shoeing should be the basis of all treatment (see box), with any medicinal or surgical treatment an adjunct to that.

What can I do to help? Provide your horse with good nutrition, feeding no more than he needs to maintain ﬁtness without getting fat. Exercise him on a regular basis. Plain old turnout, where a horse can act like a horse and not be boxed up in a stall, is also desirable. Exercise can’t be overemphasized, not just for hoof health but for a myriad of different equine health issues. There are horse owners who want to bundle their horse in bubble wrap and keep him in a stall. They think of him as a Maserati. But a horse is a biologic organism that needs to be used—and the more the better, within reason.

HorseandRider.com Find more on diagnosing, treating heel pain. March 2017 HorseandRider.com 19

YourHorse YourLife

ST YLE STYLE TIP: COWBOY BOOT CARE

Invest in a high-quality leather headstall that won’t go out of style. Step 1: Wipe dust off your boots with a soft brush, then use a damp cloth to get rid of any additional dirt.

Perfect Shirt in More Colors

Bronze Boots

Ranch Riding Headgear One thing that never goes out of style is a high-quality leather headstall. Whether you’re competing in ranch riding and need an attractive headstall with minimal silver or are looking to add a new bridle to your everyday riding collection, a leather headstall like this one from Weaver Leather (#10-0581; $65.99) is a perfect fit for your tack room. The leather on this headstall is dipped in oil and dressed with butter to create that goldenchestnut color that looks good on any-color horse and is built to last you a long time. Photographed with this Weaver headstall is the 5-inch Jeremiah Watt snaffle bit. This stainless-steel snaffle bit has black accents to help highlight the flattering floral engraving (#25-6020; $68.52). More info: Visit ridethebrand.com. 20 HorseandRider.com March 2017

Purchase a pair of versatile boots that you can use when you’re in the show pen or if you’re just spending the day at the barn. The 11-inch-tall Bronze Cedro Bent Rail women’s boot by Justin Boots ($205.95; justin boots.com) comes in a distressed bronze color that looks great under a set of matching chaps, or paired with your favorite riding jeans. The wide-square toe and J-Flex comfort system help you to enjoy the look of wearing new boots without the pain of breaking them in, and the outsole is made to grip when you need it to, but still allow you to easily place your foot in or out of your stirrup.

Step 2: To get to the hard-to-reach spots, like around the sole of the boot, use a toothbrush and saddle soap to scrub those areas.

Step 3: Apply a leather conditioner with a soft, clean cloth to the entire boot. If your boot is dry or you live in a dry climate, add additional layers. Think Twice: It’s easy to mist aerosol coat spray over your boots for a quick shine, but it comes at a price. The coat conditioner dries out the leather and can damage your boots over time and with multiple uses.

“Ranch Riding Headgear” photo by Jennifer Paulson

The standby: Noble Outfitters’ Perfect Fit Western Show Shirt. (Highlighted in last year’s “Hey! It Works!” feature, which you can find online.) The update: This shirt now comes in red, in addition to black and white staples. Unfamiliar with it? The shirt offers the look of a button-down without the pulling and gaping. Instead, the hidden-zipper front keeps your shirt looking seamless at all times. Bonus: Keep it simple or dress it up. While this shirt is designed to be worn as-is, you can personalize it by embellishing it with studs, crystals, or other embellishments. More info: $99.95; nobleoutfitters.com.

Practice Pen PRIVATE LESSON

Feel the Footfalls Improve your feel so you can tell which lead or diagonal you’re on without looking. By Lindsay LaPlante, With Jennifer Paulson Photos by Jennifer Paulson

o you consistently glance down at your horse’s shoulder to check if you’re on the correct lead or diagonal? That quick glance can throw off your horse’s balance, not to mention cost you points in a judged class. Riding bareback can be just the thing to put you in close contact with your horse to feel every footfall so you can correctly identify which lead you’re on at the lope or diagonal at the trot. If you’re not comfortable riding bareback, you can complete this exercise in a saddle; it just might take you longer to really feel every stride your horse makes. When riding bareback, be sure you’re in an enclosed arena for safety. When you begin, it’s best to have an extra set of eyes in the arena to let you know when you’re right or wrong in identifying footfalls. Be ready to put in a lot of reps—repetition is the only way you’ll gain the feel so you don’t have to look down ever again. →

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 23

Practice Pen PRIVATE LESSON

Begin at the walk. Without looking down, feel each front leg step forward for the stride. Say the pattern of footfalls out loud. For example, “left , right, left, right.” After saying the pattern a few times, go silent and just ride. A few strides later, feel your horse’s steps and begin saying the pattern again. Do this off and on, with directional changes and stops to break up monotony, until you reliably identify the footfall pattern. Your partner on the ground can let you know if you’re right or wrong. 24

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Advance to a sitting trot, and follow the same steps you completed at the walk. Pay close attention to which pair of legs swings forward with each stride, and call out every other pair to your friend. It’s easier to say “left, left , left” every time the left feet come forward at the trot than saying “left, right, left” in quick succession. If you’re wrong, start over again. Go silent, and then begin calling out one pair of strides, “left, left , left,” as you travel straight lines, circles, and corners to keep your horse guessing.

Get ready to test your strength and stamina: Post the trot on the correct diagonal without looking, while riding bareback. (A diagonal refers to your seat rising out of the saddle—or off your horse’s back if riding bareback— and back down in rhythm with your horse’s legs. The best way to remember: Rise and fall with the leg on the wall. Raise your seat from your horse’s back as his outside-front leg reaches to stride forward, and lower as the opposite front leg comes forward.) Whether you ride Western or English, you should understand and recognize posting on the correct diagonal at a trot. It helps you better understand your horse’s gait. Post a few strides, then take a break and sit the trot. Return to posting frequently, fi rst feeling your horse’s stride so you can pick up the correct diagonal on your fi rst try. Don’t be surprised if it’s easier to pick up one diagonal without looking than the other; most riders experience this at fi rst.

The steps to this point have helped you build your feel enough that you should be able to lope off and identify which lead your horse picks up. Work on a straight line, from one corner of the arena to the other. (So your horse doesn’t favor picking up the correct lead for the direction he’s traveling.) Place easy, equal pressure on both sides to cue your horse for a lope. Without looking, call out which lead he picked up, then have your partner confirm or correct your choice. If you’re riding alone, make a silent choice and then look down to determine if you were correct. Strike off

at a lope many times, and try to identify the lead every time. With repetition, it’ll become second nature.

It’ll be much harder to feel your horse’s stride when he’s saddled, but that’s how you spend most of your time horseback. Every time you warm up, think about what you felt bareback. Focus on your horse’s movements, and identify his steps. By recalling what you felt bareback, you can relate that to what you feel in the saddle.

Repeat the lope-off exercise, from one corner of the arena to the other, now that you’re saddled. Again, it’ll be harder to feel the lead at first, but if you think back to what you felt bareback, you can more easily identify the stride pattern. Push your horse into a lope using both legs, feel his stride, and then make a choice—left or right? The more you practice, the easier it’ll be to choose correctly. Lindsay LaPlante is the lead instructor and manager of Silver Spur Riding School (silverspurridingschool .com). She and Liz Place founded the school in 2014 with hopes of creating a program to introduce people to the world of horses. LaPlante, an AQHA world champion in junior trail, has coached riders through their ﬁrst ride up to the top level of competition. March 2017 HorseandRider.com 25

Practice Pen BOB AVILA’S WINNING INSIGHTS

Broaden Your Horizons

Ranch riding has made it easy to add an event to your stock horse’s skill set. The obstacles, such as logs, will help your horse use his body and mind in different ways than he does in his specialized event.

Adding an event to your repertoire elevates your skills, keeps your horse interested, and gives you new goals to set.

By Bob Avila, With Jennifer Paulson Photos by Marc Laxineta, DVM

efore the focus on specialization in show horses, it wasn’t uncommon to see a horse compete in multiple classes—pattern work, rail work, cattle events, English and Western classes. While specialization has its benefits, it can get stale. Adding an event or diversity to your horse’s everyday routine helps keep both you and your horse fresh, engaged, and motivated. After all, how many circles can a reiner lope without losing interest? Or how many times can a Western pleasure horse go around on the rail without developing bad habits or a poor attitude? How many days can you spend doing the same thing over and over in an office cube and not get bored? Probably not many, and that’s why you have horses as a hobby. Here I’ll offer my advice for choosing an event and getting started, as well as discuss the role the ranch riding classes have played in encouraging horses and riders to branch out.

Find the Right Fit To choose the right class to branch out, first consider your resources. If you don’t have access to cattle, or cattle classes aren’t offered at many of the shows you attend, then boxing or working cow horse probably isn’t the best choice. But consider working a flag 26

HorseandRider.com March 2017

if that sort of action could help your horse and make things a little more exciting for you. I know several Western pleasure trainers who work their horses on the flag to give them more handle and to brighten the horses’ expression. Western pleasure horses can often benefit from obvious choices like Western riding and trail. But don’t rule out any option. When I showed pleasure horses, I used them as turnback mounts for cutting. It gave their brains a completely different way to think and

used their bodies in ways that rail work never would. Keeping your options open allows more opportunities for you and your horse to have fun while learning a new endeavor.

Get Started No matter the class you choose to try, go to a few events and closely watch how the horses are shown in that discipline. How do the exhibitors handle the horses? Is the presentation—tack, attire, grooming—different from what

LEFT: Before you enter a new class, study it at shows to determine differences in tack, apparel, and grooming, as well as riding and schooling styles. RIGHT: Adding a new class can

you’re accustomed to? (For example, minimal silver on tack, no hoof black or banding, and bling-free attire in ranch riding.) Watch all levels compete, but especially the open classes, to get a good feel for the class. Once you’re familiar with the event and its key players, find someone to haul to for a few lessons. Getting a solid start with educated guidance will set you up for success. Not to mention, if you have a pleasure horse you’ll need to add flying lead changes and going over obstacles to your skill set. That can require professional help to get it right and prevent bad habits from the start. When you’re ready to go compete, set realistic goals for your first outings, and then measure your progress as you go along. You might find that the new class isn’t quite right for you or your horse, and you need to find something else. Or you could find that your horse excels at the event and performs better than in his specialized class.

help your horse relax in the arena, too. If he’s used to running hard to sliding stops, slowing things down will bring down his intensity and relax his mind.

Ranch Riding’s Role Ranch riding and other ranch classes are the hot topics at breed and open shows. They’re some of the biggest classes, and it’s been good for the industry in terms of bringing people back to compete at shows. But it’s done even more for horses. Your pattern-focused horse, whether it’s reining, trail, or Western riding, can go in the arena and compete alone, like he’s used to, but in a different format. That teaches him to relax in the pen, while still using the skills he excels at in his specialization. Plus you add skills that improve his selfcarriage (such as the logs), hone his attention (various patterns mean he must listen to you), and brighten his life a little with something new.

A Bonus for You As you branch out with your horse, you widen your circle of friends. Meeting new people can open even more doors to try new things and travel to

new events. Additionally, your horse’s value increases if you can successfully add more skills to his resume. There’s always something new to try. Even if it’s not a show class—go for trail rides in new places, take your horse to hang out at a sorting event, just try something new. It’ll build your relationship with your horse, increase your passion, and enhance your horse life more than you might expect.

A multiple AQHA world champion, Avila has also won three NRCHA Snafﬂe Bit Futurities, the NRHA Futurity, and two World’s Greatest Horseman titles. He received the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year honor. His Avila Training Stables, Inc., is in Temecula, California. Learn more at bobavila.net.

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 27

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There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com. Adequan® and the Horse Head design are registered trademarks of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. © Luitpold Animal Health, division of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2016. AHD227 Iss. 4/2016

Practice Pen CONFORMATION CLINIC

Evaluate and place these young Arabian performance halter geldings. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge’s.

Duane Esser Duane Esser operates Esser Valley Arabians with his wife, Sharon, in Cleves, Ohio. Esser is a longtime breeder, trainer, and judge of Arabian horses, with many champions to his name. He guides clients to regional and national success in all disciplines, including saddle seat, hunt seat, and Western. He presides over both Arabian and National Show Horse classes and is a recipient of the USEF Pegasus Medal of Honor, awarded to outstanding horsemen who have beneﬁted equine sport. In addition to top U.S. shows, he has judged in Canada, South Africa, and South America.

hen presiding over a regular Arabian halter class, a judge considers breed type fi rst, with breed traits as the most important factor and the factor that breaks ties. There’s a new class, though, known as Arabian performance halter, that’s very popular, amateur-friendly, and currently on its way to national levels. Arabian performance halter considers form-to-function conformation fi rst, rather than breed type. Many Arabians who compete in regular halter classes have become so specialized that they don’t compete in performance classes anymore, and this is a way to enable Arabian performance horses to compete in-hand in their own group. My placings here reflect the ideals of an Arabian performance halter class, with classic Arabian type not considered as heavily as conformation that would contribute to athleticism and quality of movement. In a live class, I’d see the horses move from the front, back, and side, and seeing movement can be very confi rming, but I base my placings here on what I see in terms of conformation in these photos. I’m looking for the horse that appears to have the best ability to move beautifully, stay sound, and perform as an athlete. → For a more detailed guide that’ll help you master Conformation Clinic, see “Decoding Conformation Clinic” at HorseandRider.com.

C March 2017 HorseandRider.com 29

Practice Pen CONFORMATION CLINIC

First: Gelding B

his young gelding has many good attributes, but his front end puts him above the other two when judged for performance halter. He’s built “uphill” with good, prominent withers, and his shoulders are welllaid-back into his withers. His long, shapely neck rises out of his shoulder high, and his throatlatch is trim for elasticity and flexion. His front legs are set well forward on his body, which will enable excellent

reach and elevation in his stride, something we like in Arabian performance horses, and allow a cleaner way of going. His pasterns have an ideal angle for good shock absorption, which aids quality movement and soundness. His front cannon bones are shorter than his forearms, which also contributes to high-quality movement. His hocks could be set a bit lower, but they have good angles. He’s a bit long in his back and short in his hip,

and some more weight and muscle conditioning would help fill out his topline, but overall, he looks to be a superb athlete with a beautiful range of motion.

Second: Gelding A

his gelding, also built uphill, shows good athletic traits, but places behind Gelding B because his front end isn’t as ideal for a performance horse. His shoulder is a bit steeper, and his neck, though long enough, doesn’t rise from his withers as high as Gelding B’s and is less shapely. He’s also not as clean in the throatlatch for flexibility. His face is appealing, though. He has attractive, wide-set eyes and shapely ears, and he’s

shorter from eye to muzzle. His front legs are set farther back on his body than Gelding B, which doesn’t allow for the same reach and elevation of stride. His cannon bones are desirably short, and in fact, his hocks are set lower than Gelding B’s. His legs look clean, with good pastern and hock angles for quality movement. I’d like to see a longer hip and, ideally for an Arabian, a less sloping croup, but

even with his sloped croup, he could be a fine athlete. This young gelding would also benefit from more weight and muscle conditioning.

type here, and his neck has good shape, but is set low, coming out of his withers more horizontally. That affects quality of movement and isn’t easy for a rider to position, limiting his competitive disciplines. His shoulders are also shorter and steeper than the other two geldings’. His front legs are set back on his body, too. His cannon bones are long in front and back, with knees and hocks higher than ideal. Standing as he is in

this photo, he appears a bit over at the knees and straight in his hock angle. If he were stood up differently, those flaws might not be as visible.

Third: Mare A

Third: Gelding C

his gelding shows the best Arabian type here, but in a performance halter class, he places behind the other two. He’s pretty, with a nicely proportioned body, good balance, smooth topline, and good tailset. His hip is deeper and longer than Gelding B’s and A’s, and his back is shorter, too. However, his front end doesn’t allow for the quality of movement they’d have. His head shows the most Arabian

To submit a photo of your horse to be evaluated in Conformation Clinic, send us a left-side proﬁle photo of your horse (for digital photos: high-resolution, 300 dpi, in at least 3" x 5") to HorseandRider@aimmedia.com with your contact info and your horse’s breed, age, gender, and height. (We welcome all breeds!) Visit HorseandRider.com for additional instructions.

HorseandRider.com March 2017

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Practice Pen THE CONFIDENT RIDER

Create a Confident Mindset When you feel uneasy on your horse, these strategies will help you ‘fake it ’til you make it.’ By Van Hargis, With J. Forsberg Meyer

our horse wants to look to you as his leader. But when your own confidence wavers, it can cause him to feel uneasy, too. This rattles your nerves even more, creating a vicious circle. Horses are incredibly intuitive, and they feed off our energy, for good or bad. They also don’t want to follow a leader they think is unsure, anxious, or scared. The solution? I tell my students to fake it ’til you make it, something I learned from a Zig Ziglar book years ago. In other words, actively control your thoughts and behavior in a way that helps you feel more calm and relaxed in the moment, and eventually this more confident state will become your reality. I’ll give you several strategies for doing this. Try them all, focusing most on the ones that work best for you. First, breathe. Whenever you’re feeling nervous, breathe deeply, drawing air down into your abdomen and making the exhale a bit longer than the inhale. Nervousness can cause you to hold your breath or breathe shallowly; this intensifies tension—and your horse can sense it. As you focus on your breathing, do a quick mental check to identify and relax any areas of tension in your body. Ahhhh—that’s better! Simply smile. Anxiety or unease can freeze your face into a mask that perpetuates bad feelings. Break the mask by smiling, which brings momentary relief, enabling you to reprogram your mindset. Science tells us our physiological aspects affect our psychological ones. Yes, we tend to frown when we’re feeling bad, but it’s also true that forcing a smile can help us begin to feel more positive—the physical affects the psychological. So go ahead and grin as you take several deep breaths, and see how it refreshes your attitude toward your horse. Sing a song. This one’s really fun. If my students can’t come up with a ditty of their own, I loan them mine—“My baloney has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R….” They love it! Try it and you’ll see what I mean. (Your horse may even enjoy it. And you won’t have to worry about your breathing on this one, as there’s no way to hold your breath while you’re singing.) Call up a memory. Think of whatever makes you feel completely happy and content. If you have children, maybe 32

HorseandRider.com March 2017

To conjure a more conﬁdent frame of mind in the moment: smile, breathe deeply, relax tense muscles,and recall a happy memory.

it’s that last super-duper surprise party, or the A your son brought home on his report card, or that sweet thing your granddaughter whispered in your ear. Then hold the resulting good feelings for a moment, observing how they brighten your mood and calm your nerves. Control what you can. If an exercise you’re attempting gets you rattled, drop back for a moment to something you and your horse do well. Maybe flex and bend, or ride a perfect circle. Get both of you thinking, “Yes! We can do this!” Then ease back into the more challenging work with a more positive outlook. Practice these methods whenever your nerve falters, and you’ll develop the habit of confidence over time. Think of everything as a learning experience, and don’t beat yourself up over inevitable bumps in the road. Stay positive! Van Hargis has trained and competed in events ranging from reining to calf roping. That background plus extensive ranch experience inform the basicsfounded horsemanship program he presents at clinics and horse expos and from his home base in Victoria, Texas (vanhargis.com).

HorseandRider.com More on Hargis’ “be present” riding tips. Top photo by Jennifer Paulson; bottom photo courtesy of Van Hargis Horsemanship

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Saddles & Tack Guide

The All Around 5 Star Saddle Pad is 5 Star Equine’s best seller, and it is easy to see why. It is handmade in the USA and perfect for barrel racing, trail riding, and roping, as well as for use with smaller-skirted saddles. Your horse will thank you for keeping him cool and comfortable — the 100% pure virgin wool felt wicks away moisture to keep his back drier and cooler, plus it stabilizes your saddle with limited cinching and no additional pads needed. You’ll appreciate the durability the wear leathers provide —standing up to more than 2,000-plus hours of riding — and cleanup is quick and easy. The All Around Pad has a square skirt and measures 30" x 30". Available in natural, black, cinnamon, dark chocolate, turquoise, hot pink, purple, or red, you are sure to ﬁnd a color you love or to complement your favorite outﬁt. View the All Around Pad, along with the full 5 Star line, by visiting the website below. www.5starequineproducts.com; (870) 389-6328

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Dixie Midnight

CSI Saddlepads

Never wash another saddle pad again — ever. The Dixie Midnight No-Sweat vent pad keeps your horse’s back cooler and keeps your saddle pad clean and dry, no matter how hard you ride for as long as you own it — or your money back. It is the best guarantee in the business! Dixie Midnight No-Sweat vent pads are used in every saddle discipline on five continents. Thousands of endurance riders, working cowboys, and trail riders use the no sweat vent pad because it works — and has for 20 years. Guaranteed. The No-Sweat pad is more than flexible enough to fit just about any horse and is available in eight different sizes, all in midnight (of course) blue. It is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, so it is safe to use on all your horses, all day. The pad is easy to clean — just rinse it off with a hose. It dries in minutes and is quickly ready for another use. Between 5/16 " and 3/8 " thick, the pad maintains its thickness throughout its life and weighs only between 3 and 4 pounds. There is only ONE Dixie Midnight No-Sweat vent pad — accept no imitations! www.dixiemidnight.com; (888) 287-6716

CSI Saddle Pads are more than a pad: They are an investment in your horse’s comfort and health that will serve you for years. The CSI Flex-Plate creates a larger footprint for the saddle tree to evenly distribute bar pressure, rider’s weight, and impact. The system works with all types of saddles, including traditional, flex panel, and treeless, and can help your horse achieve a greater range of motion and overall performance level. Supporting the CSI Flex-Plate is a liner made of 100% All Natural Needled Wool, naturally dyed with no harsh chemicals. This provides your horse with additional impact absorption as well as a comfort layer between muscle and saddle. With liners available in different thicknesses and materials — including the new combo liner — you can find just the right fit for every horse. CSI liners are reversible, so you can get more use out of one liner, and they can be replaced to allow one pad to work for multiple horses, adapt to your horse as he develops, or compensate for saddle-fit issues. CSI Saddle Pads are 100% American made. The company offers a 30 Day Ride it, Try it, Get it Dirty money-back guarantee, so you will know your investment is well worthwhile. They are even customizable, so visit the website today to learn more. www.csipads.com; (660) 638-4CSI (4274)

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Riding Warehouse

Fiebing Company Inc.

The knowledgeable and experienced horse folks on staff at Riding Warehouse make it their business to find all the best gear to make your ride down the trail a good one, and they have done just that for 21 years! Here, they share their top-selling trail essentials. Bring all your necessities with you in a Stowaway Saddlebag that is easily attached to your pommel or cantle for a no-bounce fit. Available in assorted styles and fun colors, these popular packs are completely machine-washable. When it comes to rider comfort, JMS Saddle Cushions have you covered — your saddle, that is! Made from the finest sheepskin pelts available, JMS offers the best in cushion and durability. Under that saddle, Toklat Saddle Pads provide great value with quality materials and craftsmanship to offer the ultimate in horse comfort in a huge variety of saddle styles. Shop with confidence at Riding Warehouse, Your One-Stop Online Tack Shop. The attractive website is simple to use and offers free shipping. The horse-savvy crew is available to live chat online or via the toll-free number to answer your questions. Whether you shop online or visit the storefront in San Luis Obispo, California, you will get free returns for a year from the date of purchase — one of the best return policies in the business. www.ridingwarehouse.com; (800) 620-9146

Fiebing’s combines time-tested tradition with modern manufacturing practices in its horse-care and leather-care products. Carrying on this vision, Fiebing’s 4-Way Care is a complete cleaner and conditioner for use on smooth leather. 4-Way Care preserves by waterproofing and replenishing tanning oils; strengthens by coating each leather fiber with a blend of the finest leather oils and waxes; beautifies the finish by coating it with waxes, which also aid in resisting dirt; and cleans fine leather, including exotics, because it contains leather soaps that float out dirt and grime. This product is perfect for use on your favorite saddle and especially effective on leather upholstery, including leather car seats, because it leaves no residue. 4-Way Care is available in traditional bottles, as well as sprayer bottles for easier application. Fiebing’s has offered a wide range of high-quality products for more than 120 years, including leather soaps, oils, and finishes, as well as equine grooming products, such as shampoos, conditioners, and fly spray. Visit the website to see all of the company’s offerings. www.fiebing.com; (800) 558-103

Schutz Brothers, Inc.

JT International

Schutz Brothers, Inc., is “The Gold Standard for Working and Training Tack Since 1946.” With this much experience in the business, you know this company knows what it is doing. And when the company combines this knowledge with such well-respected horsemen as Al Dunning, the result is a win! The AD Draw Rope Martingale is just the sort of innovation that keeps Schutz Brothers customers coming back. As Al says, “The Draw Rope allows you to draw a horse’s head into position, then transfer the pull directly to the bit or snafﬂe with the use of knots in the rope. This feature limits the draw after achieving the desired head position. The neck strap keeps the rope in a secure position, so when the rope is slack, your horse cannot step or trip on it. The Draw Rope is easily adjusted with the strap between the legs.” The AD Draw Rope Martingale is made by Schutz Brothers, Inc., from top-quality Hermann Oak harness leather, poly rope reins, and bronze non-rust hardware. It is available at authorized Schutz Brothers’ dealers worldwide or by visiting the website below. Free shipping on orders over $75! www.schutzbrothers.com; (800) 348-0576

JT International has been manufacturing quality tack and equipment for horses of all sizes at affordable prices since 1973. The research and development staff is made up of horsemen just like you who work hard to create innovative products designed to make riding safer, more competitive, and more fun no matter what your discipline. An example of this innovation is the new Delilah Collection Five Piece Saddle Package. It includes the Delilah competition saddle, available in 13", 14" and 15" seat sizes, matching premium breast collar with fringe, brow band headstall, cord knotted roping reins, and spur straps. The product line at JT International is more than just the hundreds of saddles and bridles for the trail and show ring. It also includes apparel for horse and rider, gifts, and grooming supplies and the company’s ﬂagship product line, Tough1® . Products by Tough1® are durable, well made, and creative solutions to all kinds of rider challenges. Keep your barn and horse looking great with blankets and bags in fun colors and designs, saddlebags in a variety of conﬁgurations and fabrics, comfortable girths and cinches, and all kinds of grooming and barn items for use at home and on the road. JT International’s products are available in all 50 states and more than 50 countries around the world. Visit the website to see the next product you just can’t live without! www.tough1.com6

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TRAINERS on the

RISE

How do you make it as a pro in the horse world? Find inspiration for your own riding goals from these snapshots of six up-and-coming trainers.

alent, determination, and hard, hard work. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a well-known formula for success, but everyone applies it in his or her own way. Here, we share the approaches taken by six young horse trainers on the way up in various disciplines. Learn from their experiences, and find ideas to fuel your own riding or training dreams. â&#x2020;&#x2019; March 2017 HorseandRider.com 39

Illustration by A-Digit/iStockPhoto.com

By the H&R Staff

COW-HORSE ACE Rising star: Sarah Dawson, Aubrey, Texas. At last year’s National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, Sarah placed sixth in the open finals aboard syndicate-owned mare Wright On Hickory, earning the highest fencework score of the event. Including placings on other horses, her total 2016 futurity earnings topped $100,000. The year before, she jumped into the open-division finals for the first time, placing fifth on Shine Smarter, a mare owned by her parents, Richard and Cheryl Winters. The young trainer’s success is founded on solid basics from her father, a renowned natural horsemanship clinician, plus apprenticeships with some of the top professionals in the industry.

Success strategies: Hard work is a given; Sarah describes her and her husband’s schedule as “24/7.” They also benefit by regularly riding with other pros. “We’ve got a big arena, and there’s always someone’s trailer in our parking lot. Or we load up our ponies and go to their place. We help each other improve, and it’s more fun than loping circles by yourself.” Related advice, which she says applies to young, would-be trainers in any discipline, is to put in serious time as an apprentice. “Find the best and work for them, at their barn. Learn their training meth-

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Sarah Dawson on Shine Smarter, a mare owned by parents Richard and Cheryl Winters.

ods but also their horse and customer management. Don’t do it for a couple of months, but for years. And expect to work for next to nothing—it’ll pay off for you in the future.” Her own apprenticeships included a total of six years with pros like Jon Roeser, Doug Williamson, Carol Rose, Bill Smith, and Sandy Collier. Key insight: “Treat every horse as an individual,” she says. “Avoid cookiecutter approaches, because what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. Horse training is more an art than a science—there’s no formula to plug in.” An example of this is Dualin Tom Cat. “His head would come to his chest and he’d run on through the bridle. So I took the snaffle out of his mouth altogether and rode him in a loping hackamore so I could bump his head up if he got overbridled. He went on to win the [2016 Snaffle Bit Futurity] intermediate and about $70,000.” Watch for: Cumulative wins. Sarah competes in the Road to the Horse colt-starting championship March

23–26 in Lexington, Kentucky, but her sights are set on the long game. “I’m not focused on any particular show but on becoming a milliondollar rider. That means you’ve had tremendous success on multiple horses, trained to the highest level. I’ve got a long way to go, but at least I have a goal!” Learn more about Sarah at dawson performancehorses.com.

MONEY-EARNING REINER Rising star: Trevor Dare, Purcell, Oklahoma. Currently an associate trainer at Xtra Quarter Horses, Trevor won the 2016 American Quarter Horse Association junior reining with Xtra Black Magic, then ended up fourth in the level 4 open division at the 2016 National Reining Horse Association Futurity with Xtra New Pal Voodoo. He’s also brought home more than $336,000 in lifetime earnings. Trevor comes from a family of horse trainers. Both his dad, Rusty Dare, and uncle, Rocky Dare, are successful ranch riding and reining trainers, and as a youth Trevor won several All American Quarter Horse Congress

Photo by Primo Morales, Courtesy of Sarah Dawson

Challenge overcome: “Losing a lot more than I’ve won,” she says with a laugh. “You just have to keep pushing.” Before 2015’s Snaffle Bit Futurity, Shine Smarter wasn’t coming together the way she’d hoped. Discouraged, Sarah considered having her husband, fellow pro Chris Dawson, show the mare. But she kept the ride in the end, winning the event’s limited division and the intermediate reserve championship, earning $75,000 overall. “Competition plays with your mind, but you just have to keep moving forward,” she says.

eligibility. “By the end of my apprenticeship with Todd, I knew that even with all the difficulties that come with being in this industry, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.” He adds that coming up short at a large competition is a challenge every trainer faces. “When that happens, I try not to think of it as a setback but rather a chance to go home and work on turning those negatives into positives before my next show. It gives me a concrete goal.”

Trevor Dare and Xtra New Pal Voodoo competing at the 2016 NRHA Futurity.

titles in reining and an AQHYA reserve world championship in horsemanship. Before becoming a trainer, Trevor took advantage of NRHA’s apprenticeship program, spending a year riding with Todd Crawford.

Top photo by Jennifer Paulson; bottom photo by Mallory Beinborn, courtesy of Madison Shambaugh

Challenge overcome: Ups and downs. “I come from a horse-industry fam-

ily, so I’ve seen how hard it is to be a trainer. My family actually advised me to finish college and focus on a career outside horses,” he says with a smile. But then Trevor found out about NRHA’s apprenticeship program, which gives non-pro riders the chance to explore becoming a professional without losing their non-pro

Success strategies: Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed and who’ll be there for you. “I’ve been fortunate to have a great support team behind me,” he says, adding that riding under established trainers is another proven way to become a better rider. In addition to apprenticing with performance specialist Todd Crawford, Trevor has for the last four years benefited from Xtra head trainer Thiago Boechat’s advice and guidance, plus “the opportunity to ride and show some really great horses.” Key insight: Never stop. As Trevor was preparing to leave home to begin his apprenticeship in Oklahoma, his dad offered him advice he still applies to this day. “He told me never to stop moving my feet, whether there was something specific to do or not—just keep my feet moving so I keep advancing as a horseman.” Watch for: Constant improvement. “Like most reining trainers, I’d eventually like to win large events like the NRHA Derby, NRHA Futurity, and the National Reining Breeders Classic,” he admits. “But right now I just want to continue improving every time I step into the show pen. I want to make sure I’m the best horseman and trainer I can be.” Learn more about Trevor at xtra quarterhorses.com.

MUSTANG SPECIALIST Madison Shambaugh uses mustangs to teach key horsemanship skills.

Rising star: Madison Shambaugh,

COW-HORSE ACE March 2017 HorseandRider.com 41

Fort Wayne, Indiana and Telluride, Colorado. A lifelong horse lover, Madison found inspiration in the work of Stacy Westfall, Guy McLean, and other clinicians. At 20, she burst onto the contest scene by winning the reserve championship at the 2015 Virginia Extreme Mustang Makeover with her gelding Terk, also snagging the Fan Favorite, Rookie, and Young Guns awards. The video of her crowdpleasing bridleless freestyle was shared online by freestyle icon Stacy Westfall. Today Madison presents horsemanship demonstrations nationwide, using primarily mustangs to promote the public’s understanding of them.

Success strategies: A serious work ethic and superb time-management skills, both learned from her parents. “Starting in fifth grade, I began skipping recess to get my homework done. In high school, I lugged all my books around to save having to go to my locker, freeing up passing periods for homework. Lunchtime, homework.” All this gave her more time at the barn after school. Key insight: Find your passion and

HorseandRider.com March 2017

David Wagner and Gettin Down N Dirty in the Western riding at the ApHC World Show.

the courage to follow it. Madison started college in Colorado State University’s equine sciences program, with a goal of becoming a trainer. Soon doubting her ability to make a living with horses, she transferred to Purdue to pursue a pre-pharmacy program. “I was good at science and figured it’d be safer to have job security and do horses on the side.” After her Virginia experience, though, she found the courage to commit to her real dream. Changing her major to communications, she took a range of classes—writing, public speaking, television—to learn how best to communicate her horsemanship message to the public. “Find and follow your passion, accepting the risk that comes with that, and you’ll get good at what you do,” she advises. “You’ll be happy putting in the hours required, and you’ll ultimately find a way to make a living of it.” Watch for: Innovation. “I want to build educational platforms that use new technology to enable young

people, especially, to learn effectively. I want to reach kids and re-inspire them to be involved with horses.” She also wants to push the limits of bridleless training and has started her latest mustang, Amira, using neither a halter nor bridle. “I videoed the whole thing, and after the first week, we were walk-trot-cantering and legyielding. It’s on my Facebook page.” Her overarching goal is to bring more awareness to the plight of mustangs—especially those, like Amira, considered “three-strikers” because of failed prior adoptions. “Mustangs are diamonds in the rough,” she says, “and an ultimate test of your skills.” Learn more about Madison at madisonshambaugh.com. To see her 2015 bridleless freestyle performance, go to HorseandRider.com.

RANKED WESTERN RIDER Rising star: David Wagner, Cassopolis, Michigan. As a non-pro David competed in all-around events, winning several Appaloosa Horse Club world and national titles in both open and

Photo by Larry Williams

Challenge overcome: Many. Before what was supposed to be her first mustang makeover, in 2014, a horse slipped in the snow and fell, crushing her leg. Her next attempt had to be scrapped when the mustang she’d selected turned out to have a neurological issue. In early 2015, she decided to try a third time to fulfill her vision— riding a bridleless freestyle to Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” wearing a wedding dress. A week before she was to pick up the new mustang, however, her grandfather entered the hospital with a terminal relapse of cancer. After he died, her dad urged her to keep going. Terk, her new mustang, was scrawny but sensitive, and within 30 days was going well without a bridle. When the Virginia Extreme Mustang Makeover rolled around in March, the pair was ready to wow the crowd.

non-pro divisions with One Hot Chip— a horse inducted into ApHC’s Hall of Fame. David recently gave up his job as a teacher to focus solely on training horses alongside his wife, Kimmy, and in the past year they’ve gone on to coach several riders to ApHC national titles. At press time, David was leading the nation in junior Western riding with Gettin Down N Dirty. Challenge overcome: Time crunches. Before leaving his teaching job, David struggled to get customers and horses to large competitions during the school year. “I could only do a small amount of training—mostly in the summer months—due to my teaching schedule,” he shares, “so I learned to make the best out of the horses I had at the time.” Starting up a business also takes time. “Once I moved to Michigan and married Kimmy, she and I merged our clients, which enabled me to stop teaching and completely focus on training and showing.”

Photo by Shane Rux

Success strategy: Be realistic. David accepts only 12 horses in his training

program at a time. “I want to be able to dedicate the time needed to enable my customers and their horses to be successful,” he explains. “When I have too many horses in training, I’m not able to do that.” Another key strategy is finding the right horses for each customer. “All my customers show, so I have to find a horse that matches their personality and skill level and will work for them.” Key insight: Know how often you should ride. “Some don’t ride enough, while others ride too often and don’t get their horses to peak at the right time,” he explains. “When I was riding with Highpoint Performance Horses, Jason Martin always said that knowing when to ride and when to give horses time off was the key to longevity and success.” When David spent time riding with Nancy Sue Ryan, he also learned the importance of allowing a horse to do something himself. “A lot of people try to help their horse too much in the show pen. When you show, you can’t help them the way you do in the warm-up pen—at some

Carli Pitts competes and coaches all-around riders at national Quarter Horse events.

point they have to be able to do it themselves.” Watch for: World-show efforts. David’s goals include continuing to build up his and Kimmy’s business by attending large horse shows and turning their hard work into world titles. He’s also intent on helping his customers reach their personal goals and be the best riders they can be. Learn more about David at face book.com/dkwagnerperformance horses.

QUARTER HORSE ALL-AROUNDER Rising star: Carli Pitts, Newburgh, Indiana. Carli grew up competing in Quarter Horse all-around events under the guidance of her parents, trainers Brad and Vicki Pitts. As a youth she was an AQHYA reserve world champion in horsemanship with Hot Lady Born Lopin; she’s also a multiple Congress champion. Toward the end of her youth career, Carli realized how much she enjoyed training horses and coaching riders, so she made the difficult decision to skip competing as an amateur and go straight into the open division. In her first year of showing as a professional, the 20-year-old placed fifth at the AQHA World Show in level 2 junior trail with Im Sexy And I Knowit. Challenge overcome: Competing demands on her time. In addition to being a full-time trainer, Carli is also a full-time student at the University of Southern Indiana. “I felt it essential to finish school so I can learn how to properly manage my own business,” she says. Missing school to be at large competitions with her clients is one of the struggles Carli faces, but she’s been lucky to work with professors who understand her situation and are flexible when she’s on the road. “On days that I’m home and have class, I have to ride my horses in the afternoon and evening, so I’ve learned how to manage my time to get everything done on those days.”

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 43

Success strategy: Keep your horses quiet and happy. “That’s always been my focus, and the versatility of my training program helps with that. Every horse, regardless of specific goals, will work cattle, do the trail class, compete in ranch riding. They all get ridden outside, as well, on the trail or in the pasture. It’s made a huge difference. None of them get sour. And,” he jokes, “it’s good for my ADD—I don’t have to focus on just one thing.”

Key insight: “Learn how to ride each horse differently,” she shares. “You can’t mold a horse to fit your program. Just like people, they have different personalities and require different approaches.” Watch for: Branching out. Carli wants to become a breed-show judge in addition to winning a world title in trail or Western riding. For now, though, she’s focusing on her customers. “I want to help them achieve their goals, whether it’s being successful at a small horse show or winning a world title.” Learn more about Carli at p5equestrian.com.

Cody Crow ﬁnds that ranch riding training improves all his performance horses.

RANCH RIDING CONVERT

“It’s a lot harder than it might seem to get horses to do all the required maneuvers effortlessly and with cadence, while retaining ‘forward,’” he observes. “But it’s so good for their brains, and it doesn’t create the anxiety that sometimes comes from running down hard to a sliding stop over and over again.” Cody learned from a variety of trainers but especially credits supercoach Don Murphy and local trainers Jim and Jill Cook.

Rising star: Cody Crow, Berthoud, Colorado. Growing up a roper in a ranching/rodeo family, Cody began showing in ranch riding as a way of cross-training his reiners, cow horses, and versatility mounts after going out on his own. The more he got into it, though, the more he liked it. “Now I have horses I train specifically for this event,” says the horseman, who last year won an ApHC ranch rail pleasure world championship on You CD Signs, owned by Ardith Allcorn, and an AQHA reserve world championship in ranch riding with BR Winning Rey, owned by Dona Ramsteck.

Challenge overcome: A horse wreck. Several years ago a serious riding accident broke Cody’s hip and pelvis and caused internal injuries. Recovery took a couple of years, and his physical strength was limited when he resumed riding. “I had to get better at just asking, as opposed to driving horses to do what I wanted,” he recalls. The experience had an unexpected upside. “It made my nonpro horses better for my clients—especially the women with short legs. Because of how I had to ride, their horses became more responsive to a range of subtle cues.”

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Key insight: Keep goals separate from awards. “For myself and my non-pros, I try to keep the focus on the riding and the horse, not on what’s won. If I’m happy with how my horse performed, it doesn’t matter if the judge placed me first or eighth.” Staying positive is fundamental for this trainer, whose barn name— No Where But Up Performance Horses—was inspired by his first horse-show experience, as a teen. “I thought I was ready, then my horse bucked in a Western pleasure class. I was devastated, but a friend told me, ‘There’s no where but up from here.’ It was true, and I’ve had it as my mantra ever since.” Watch for: More of the same. “I might show a little less—focusing on bigger shows—and do more training and clinics.” And he’ll definitely stick with the ranch riding. “Another reason I love this event is how it’s rejuvenating the all-around,” he says thoughtfully. “In the past I had clients who did the all-around, but they sold their horses and got out of it. Now they’re coming back, because with the ranch classes it’s more fun and they can show their horses more naturally. Plus you don’t have to have a $5,000 horsemanship outfit!” Learn more about Cody at cody crowhorsetraining.com.

HorseandRider.com Find more inspiration in “Way to Show.”

Photo by Magdalena Arbes, courtesy of Cody Crow

Success strategy: Develop an eye for horseflesh. “My dad taught me how to find a diamond-in-the-rough horse. He looks at horses others have given up on and tries to find an event that better suits their abilities.” She’s also had the opportunity to ride with other trainers she admires. “I’m still fairly new to trail, so whenever I have free time I try to schedule a day where I can go ride with trainers who can help me with that.” Then, too, if she’s ever having trouble with a horse, she knows her mom is always there to guide her.

#Youholdmyheart aqha.com/myheart

S D N E TR for

7 1 20

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new and exciting for riders and their horses this year? Here are a few things on our radar to keep an eye on.

By Jennifer Paulson 46

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Photos by Jennifer Paulson

Ranch Anything It all started with ranch pleasure. Which quickly became ranch riding in most associations. And we latched onto the concept quicker than you could say “forward gaits.” In 2016, ranch classes grew beyond anyone’s expectations, but to just about everyone’s delight. “Ranch events have exploded in the Paint horse world the past few years,” said American Paint Horse Association Executive Director Billy Smith. “From 2015 to 2016, we saw double-digit percentage increases in entries in these types of classes at our open/amateur world shows. We’re seeing some trainers who are typically dedicated to other specific disciplines starting to cross over and train/show in the ranch events. We even have an issue of the Paint Horse Journal dedicated to this segment now (the February Ranch Life Issue) because we feel the events’ popularity warrants it.” The Appaloosa Horse Club took the ranch classes one step further, adding ranch rail to its roster of classes

for the ApHC National and World Shows. Picture a Western pleasure class in a time machine back to the ’70s—higher headsets, working gaits, and no bling. A spectator’s video of one of the ApHC ranch rail championship classes went viral on Facebook late last year and has many riders pushing for this class’s addition to other breed-show rosters. And, of course, AQHA has experienced a boom in entries in its ranch and versatility classes. “We’ve seen a lot of growth with our ranch riding classes, both at AQHA shows and our versatility ranch horse shows,” shares Pete Kyle, AQHA chief show officer. “Ranch riding is a challenging class, but also easy for everyone to participate in. The class doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a good horse and a lot of fun!” Try the Trend: Visit HorseandRider .com this month for a variety of our past ranch riding-focused articles and videos. Look for clinics and classes at your local and regional shows to test the waters and gain skills.

Shades of Gray It only takes a few cowboys changing their hat color for a flock to follow. Watching the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last December, we saw gray cowboy hats—from dark steel to lighter dove gray—standing out from what’s usually a sea of black hats around the roping and bucking chutes. But rodeo wasn’t the only arena where premiere-event cowboys chose shades of stone and taupe. Top pros at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity also donned those tones to top off their attire during the finals, as shown on open futurity finalist Barak Gibori (above-right) of Tioga, Texas. Look for more of this alternative men’s hat color in all arenas this year. (And, ladies, don’t be afraid to try it yourself, too!) Try the Trend: Look for an option like this Resistol 20X cowboy hat in charcoal (above-middle), made of beaver, rabbit, and wild hare, with a self-felt band and three-piece, silver buckle set; leather sweatband; and satin lining; $499; hat-co.com. → March 2017 HorseandRider.com 47

Banded Artwork

We live in our boots—they’re safe in the saddle, and they show our Western lifestyle no matter where we are. And while they’re our go to for comfort and style, sometimes our feet need a break. Whether it’s for fashion or extra comfort, slip-on shoes from your favorite Western brands can fit the bill. They’re easy to put on for a quick trip to the barn before you head to town. Slip into them at the horse show after a long day in the saddle. Or replace your boots with a pair of comfy moccasins for the drive home after a long trail ride. And the best part: No laces to tie, unlike sneakers. Look for moc styles for men, women, and kids to outfit the entire family. Insider tip: Riding jeans too long for lower shoes? Don’t fret; a cuffed hem is on-trend, too. Or flip up your back hem to hold your jeans up off the ground. Try the Trend: From top: Ariat Cruiser, $69.95, ariat.com; 4EurSole Inspire Me clog, $139.99, 4eursole .com; Twisted X Patchwork Driving Moc, $154.99, twistedx.com.

A long, flowing mane is a labor of love. A carefully banded, long, flowing mane is truly a work of art. Trevor Dare (learn more about him in “Trainers on the Rise” on page 39) showed Xtra New Pal Voodoo in the NRHA Futurity open finals with a perfectly banded, extra-long, white mane. (Check it out, above-middle— the horse’s mane is breathtaking!) The mane bands and partially braided forelock add a touch of class and interest, and they can show off a consistent topline, a desirable trait. “Banding a long mane works well on horses that have moderately thick hair and good length,” shares Michelle Swanson, experienced mane bander and braider. “It can take up to two hours to band a long mane depending on the pattern you use. If you band a mane yourself, take care when feeding the mane through the bands to prevent hair damage and breakage.” Continuing the band trend, we also heard about checkerboard bands (alternating black and white bands, above-right) on a few Western pleasure

HorseandRider.com March 2017

horses at the All American Quarter Horse Congress last fall. Is this another topline-accentuating trick for 2017? “It’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing,” says Swanson. “I got a lot of both reactions. On the right horse, I think it looks great. It can really accentuate a great topline.” Try the Trend: Banding can be a bear, but it’s made easier with products like Spray N Braid (abovemiddle) from Mane N Tail, $9.99 for 16 ounces. Bonus tip: Use the same band-helper when braiding your own hair to keep it in place under your hat or helmet. If banding is too daunting for you or you don’t have time, find a bander for hire on the show grounds and leave it to a pro.

The Natural Look Classes like ranch riding flat-out ban hoof black, and some riders in other events are following that lead, opting for natural-looking hoofs rather than traditional black polish. “As a judge, I don’t really notice black versus natural feet,” shares AQHA judge and world-champion trainer Jill

Top-center photo by Jennifer Paulson; top-right photo by Michelle Swanson; bottom-right photo by Marc Laxineta, DVM

Comfort on the Go

Newcomb. “What I do notice are dirty feet, just like clean boots versus dirty boots.” So if hoof black isn’t your thing, don’t be afraid to show your horse with clean, conditioned hoofs. Try the Trend: Keep feet healthy and tidy-looking with regular application of a hoof dressing like Horseshoer’s Secret, $17.95, shown abovemiddle. If you opt for hoof black, use a conditioner to replenish the moisture blacking products can remove from hoofs.

Chocolatey Goodness Light-oil and black leather have had their moment in the spotlight. Now it’s time for a richer, chocolate-tone leather to take the lead in saddles and strap goods. Depending on the finish, the color can highlight leather tooling and other embellishments or serve as a neutral canvas that doesn’t draw attention. The dark finish looks great on chestnuts, roans, and sorrels, without the harsh contrast a black saddle can have on those coat colors. You’ll see more of the leather finish in the show pen, on trail saddles, and on barrel racing horses. → March 2017 HorseandRider.com 49

Fly Predators vs Fly Eliminators ®

The Difference Is Huge Real Fly Predators Only Come From Spalding If you thought there was no difference between our little ﬂy bugs and Arbico’s Fly Eliminators, think again. Here are just a few differences.

A Multiple Species Mix. Not Just 90% Nasonia Fly Predators are a mix of up to three species. None of which is Nasonia, which historically has made up 90% of Fly Eliminators. Our three species have complimentary characteristics. Some travel farther, some dig deeper, some are far bigger. Even though Nasonia costs less to produce, Arbico is the only US insectory producing it for large animal ﬂy control.

Scientific Tests Show Nasonia Is Ineffective For Large Animal Fly Control When reviewing all published scientific studies using fly parasites for fly control we could find (total of 42 so far), only one listed Nasonia as effective for fly control (with chickens), while eight determined Nasonia was ineffective for large animals. By comparison for the species included in Fly Predators, good efficacy for all kinds of animals was shown in 25 of 27 studies for species in the genus Spalangia and 18 of 23 studies for species in the genus Muscidifurax.

Fly Eliminators Are Cheaper. Not Really! Our ads emphasise good ﬂy control and how to achieve it. Arbico’s ads emphasize “Low Price”. Arbico’s single shipments do cost a little less, however, your real cost is determined by how many of them are needed over a season. Arbico’s “recommended” programs almost always have more shipments than we ﬁnd are needed for Fly Predators. Directly comparing schedules for hundreds of zip codes, Fly Eliminators were 12%-23% MORE expensive on average than Fly Predators for a season. Cheaper shipments are no bargain if your total cost is more.

Tried Fly Eliminators But They Didn’t Work? If you tried Fly Eliminators and weren’t satisﬁed, don’t give up on biological control. It is the best way to control ﬂies. This year use real Fly Predators and see what a big difference our little bugs make!

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Bring Back the Fun When did we get so serious? Horse activities require far too much investment for them to not be fun, and event organizers are taking notice. By adding fun classes that play off horses’ skills (long-trotting races with custom cowboy hats on the line for the winners) and after-hours silliness (trainers on bouncy-ball horses), exhibitors, owners, and professionals are again finding enjoyment in the competitive environment. Pro-am pairings, such as those highlighted in “Have Fun, Win Money” on page 16, and special clinics, as seen at last year’s Wild Card Reining Challenge (the judging seminar is shown above), add educational opportunities, too. Try the Trend: Get creative. Work with your local breed and discipline associations and riding clubs to brainstorm new ideas for your events. Be sure to watch social media to see what other shows across the country do, and spin their ideas into your own. The key is to keep it fun, easy, and engaging.

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Slow Medicine The field of veterinary medicine is on the fast track. Learn how the ‘slow medicine’ movement may help veterinarians embrace technology without sacrificing personal connection. By Barb Crabbe, DVM Illustration by June Brigman Photos by Jennifer Paulson

’ve been a horse vet for almost 30 years. I’ve bred the mares and watched their foals come into the world. I’ve vaccinated those foals, been their dentist, rushed out to suture their wounds, and helped load them in the trailer on the way to the surgical center for a midnight colic. I’ve celebrated with their owners over their big wins and successes, and cried alongside them when chronic lameness ended their careers. When the time came, I’ve even helped these horses find restful peace. As veterinary practices grow and demands increase, you might find that your relationship with your veterinarian has evolved to be more like the one you share with a physician. Maybe your appointments seem shorter and less personal, possibly with a vet who’s new to the practice or a resident rather than your usual veterinarian. The practice of medicine—both veterinary and human—is on the fast track. The specialized skills and technology available to “fix what’s wrong” is nothing short of amazing. Sadly though, while medicine speeds forward, something has been lost. The personal connection that’s essential to 52

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provide the most well-rounded care for each patient. Can that something be found? Proponents of the “slow medicine” movement say it can.

What Is Slow Medicine? Western medicine is described as having a “mechanistic” approach. If something’s broken, veterinarians and doctors perform diagnostic tests to find what’s wrong, then figure out how to repair the problem. Surgery or medications are our tools of choice. In contrast, the slow medicine approach compares the body to a plant rather than a machine. If a plant is failing, we don’t start doing things to the plant. Instead, we explore what it needs. More sun? More water? By providing what the plant needs, we allow it to repair itself. One of the biggest proponents of slow medicine is doctor and historian Victoria Sweet. She spent 20 years of her career as an attending physician at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco. In her book God’s Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine, she describes how this old, underfunded, and largely ignored facility was a clearinghouse for the chronically ill, poor population. Homeless people or those with no ability to care for themselves lived out their lives at Laguna Honda, and the doctors and nurses cared for them to the best of their abilities. During this time,

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 53

Sweet began to study the teachings of a Benedictine abbess named Hildegard von Bingen. Born in 1078, Von Bingen practiced medicine in pre-modern times. Through Von Bingen’s methods, Sweet began to appreciate the value of taking time, paying attention to the details about her patients’ lives, and treating the practice of medicine more like the work of a gardener than a mechanic. Although advances in veterinary medicine often parallel the human medical world, chances are your equine veterinarian still practices with much more of a slow-medicine approach than your personal doctor. Your vet takes the time to get to know you and your horse, and the interactions you have are personal and face to face. Now it seems that hanging on to those slower and perhaps more thoughtful ways might benefit your horse more than we realize.

Caring for the Old

When your veterinarian gets to know your horse well and takes the time to explain all

Slow medicine seems especially relevant the options to you when deciding on treatment, he’s practicing “slow medicine.” when it comes to geriatric care. In fact, Dr. Dennis McCullough, a geriatrician will progress, making her problems worse. It’s also possible from the Dartmouth Medical School, was one of the first to her life will be cut short. But for the time she has, Odessa is a My Mother, Your Mother: introduce the concept in his book pretty happy horse. Embracing Slow Medicine, the Compassionate Approach to While some might feel that no possible treatment should Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones. He describes slow medicine in geriatrics as “not a plan for getting ready to die, but a plan for be left untried, others believe that modern medicine can caring and for living well in the time that an elder has left.” That often inhumanely complicate the act of dying by prolongmight mean turning away from painful procedures or toxic ing life and enabling suffering. Once again, as veterinarians, medications that might prolong life, but also increase sufferwe’re lucky. Unlike our human counterparts, we have the ing—something we truly understand in veterinary medicine. ability to help our patients die, through humane euthanasia that eliminates pain and suffering. We have a geriatric patient living at our practice facility that illustrates this well. Odessa is 23 years old. She foundered several years ago, and has a chronic nasal discharge One Step Further due to a large cyst that’s formed in one of her sinuses. She’s Geriatric care isn’t the only area where slow medicine might also collapsed in her stall several times in the past three apply, it’s just the most obvious and easy to understand. years. Her owner investigated the possibility of surgery to What about your performance horse? Gastric ulcers, inflamremove the sinus cyst. At 23, Odessa isn’t considered that matory airway disease, and unsoundness are all common old, and surgery would solve the problem. Of course, the risk health problems than can plague a hard-working horse of complications is high—especially with Odessa’s history of where a slow medicine approach is likely to be beneficial. laminitis and seizure-like episodes. Consider a horse with gastric ulcers. Your veterinarian is Enter slow medicine. Instead of pursuing surgery, her likely to suggest gastroscopy to confirm a diagnosis, foldedicated owner decided to focus her attention on providlowed by treatment with oral omeprazole paste to solve the ing whatever Odessa needs to maintain a good quality of problem. This is an appropriate, effective Western-medicine life. She feeds Odessa very carefully, and makes sure she has approach for your horse’s disease. Chances are your veteriregular farrier care to avoid bouts of laminitis. She keeps the narian will also counsel you about feeding schedules, turnnasal discharge at bay with Chinese herbs and the occasional out time, dietary changes, and other elements of your horse’s course of antibiotics. Odessa is groomed daily, spends hours lifestyle that’ll help prevent the ulcers from returning and turned out in a pasture, and has regular acupuncture treatkeep your horse healthy for the long haul. This is the slow ments. Without pursuing surgery, it’s possible her sinus cyst medicine component of his care. → 54

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The same holds true for respiratory problems, such as equine asthma, especially common in show horses that spend many hours on the road. If your horse has a chronic cough, your veterinarian might recommend sampling material from his lungs or airways to rule out a viral or bacterial infection and make an accurate diagnosis about the type of inflammation present. Based on these tests, your horse’s treatment is most likely to involve bronchodilators to help open airways and corticosteroids to help reduce inflammation. That’s an example of thorough Western medicine. Your vet will also spend time helping you understand how to improve your horse’s environment to minimize his exposure to whatever might be irritating his respiratory tract. Watering his hay, providing plenty of turn-out time, and changing his schedule to make sure he’s not in the barn during cleaning time will all be recommended. The medications might work for the short term, but these slow medicine-style recommendations are all absolutely essential for his long-term health. In fact, without paying attention to your horse’s environment, his respiratory problems will surely progress over time. Finally, what about the soundness issues that are so common in hard-working For some conditions, modern veterinary medicine provides the diagnosis and performance horses? When your horse is treatment while proper daily management provides the “slow medicine” angle. injured, nerve blocks, radiographs, ultrasound, and MRI can all help you discover viding what the horse needed to fix himself. Rest, improved what’s wrong, and joint injections might get you back to the stabling conditions, and better hay were often important parts show ring quickly. Until the next time. Management steps of the equation. And the relationship between me, the horse, like conditioning programs, careful farriery, attention to and the horse’s owner was especially critical. footing, and periods of rest might prevent those injuries or Clearly, modern medicine has made things better. Colic at least improve the chances your horse will recover fully surgery is common, and has saved many lives. Broken bones when he does get hurt. can be repaired with plates. And if a horse needs an MRI to When your vet comes to your farm, learns about your diagnose a lameness, the technology is readily available just horse’s training and competition schedule, talks to your around the corner. I have specialists available to help with farrier, and advises you about the footing in your arena, almost any complicated case, and rarely feel frustrated by a she’s practicing slow medicine. When she watches you ride or calls to find out how your weekend horse show went, she’s lack of available technology or effective medications. That said, we should feel lucky that equine veterinary medicine practicing slow medicine. And when she helps you make has yet to advance to the point where your vet is no longer tough decisions like whether to retire your horse from coman integral part of your horse life. I still pull the blood, read petition or even end his life, she’s practicing slow medicine. the radiographs, and call you myself with the results. As vetBest of Both Worlds erinarians, we understand slow medicine. And as medicine In my early years as a horse vet, I sometimes felt frustrated by continues to move faster and faster, we should never forget the limited availability of fancy machines to make a diagnohow valuable that understanding is when it comes time to sis, or by the small number of approved medications on the care for your horse. market that could be used for treatment. I even lamented my own shortcomings when complicated or specialized skills HorseandRider.com might have helped to “fix” a horse. Specialists were few and far Learn about the experts who can work together to provide the best between, so instead of fixing, I sometimes had to rely on procare for your horse in “Your Horse’s Health Team.” 56

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HorseandRider.com March 2017

Mastering the showmanship starts at home. Here I’ll offer some advice and share different exercises you can practice with your horse to improve your score.

S Conﬁdence and correctness will help you improve your showmanship score at your next horse show.

howmanship at halter tests you and your horse’s ability to confidently work as a team and execute a series of maneuvers on the ground. The great part about this class is that most horses of all price points can do it. I’ve seen horses that compete in reining, English, and Western pleasure events all be successful in showmanship. When done correctly, the horse and handler make a difficult pattern look effortless. But what you’re not seeing is the many hours spent at the barn perfecting each step that goes into acing a pattern. As a judge, it’s easy to spot which teams are putting in hours of practice at home. Horse and handler will have a strong connection and a steady rhythm through the entirety of the pattern. To improve your score, look beyond the basics. Yes, your horse can back, but do you have full control over where he’s placing each foot? When you’re turning, are you making sure he stops with you? Even if you’re crunched for time and can’t ride, it takes little effort to put a lead shank on your horse and spend 15 minutes working with him on the ground. Here I’ll explain how you can improve your showmanship score, and offer a few backing and turning exercises you can work on at home before your next show. →

March 2017 HorseandRider.com 59

LEFT: When you back, your horse’s neck should stay relaxed and he must back willingly. Gain control in the backup by backing circles. RIGHT: Hold your hand near the ring of the shank to keep your arm and body from getting too far behind or ahead of your horse. Your horse needs to follow your body, not rely on constant pressure from the chain to perform each maneuver.

Backing Circles

A strong backup can be the difference between a first- and second-place showmanship pattern. To plus this maneuver, your horse must back readily with correctness and speed without your losing control. When you’re executing a backup, stay to the side of your horse and extend your right arm across your body, leaving a slight bend in your elbow. To keep your horse from becoming crooked, look where you want to go and keep your shoulders and hips straight—avoid angling your shoulders and hips toward your horse’s head because this will push him off a straight track. Your horse should follow your body and be willing to back up without any resistance, and your hand should never leave the ring of the halter. Backing a circle is a great way to gain more control and improve your horse’s back up. It also helps your horse stay rounded and underneath himself. As you begin circling, focus on guiding your horse’s hip and keeping his body arced in the same direction you’re circling. If you feel him start to drop his shoulder into the circle, give him a 60

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gentle tap with your hand or your lead shank to encourage him to stop leaning. If you do use your hand or lead shank to guide your horse, make sure it’s not a punishment. Instead, encourage him to put his body in the right position; don’t scare him. You can’t have

A strong backup can be the difference between a first- and second-place showmanship pattern.

a good connection with your horse if he’s fearful of you. This exercise will not only increase your control when you have to perform a circle in a class, it’ll also help improve your control during patterns that call for backing in a straight line. After you’ve mastered backing circles, you can mix it up by backing

square corners. Don’t be afraid to challenge your horse by continuously going in different directions. You don’t need to go the same direction every time you ask him to do a square corner. Start by doing two left square corners, followed by a right square corner. Keep your horse’s body straight, and he should follow your lead no matter what direction you decide to go. Bonus tip: If your horse likes to step wide or swing his hip to one side when you’re backing, you can also use this exercise to correct it. For example, if your horse favors backing to the left, immediately back a tight circle to the right, forcing his back feet to stay closer together and for him to stay underneath himself.

Clean Up Your Pivot In an ideal showmanship pivot, your horse keeps his right hind foot planted for the duration of the right turn while the front left leg crosses over the front right leg. He keeps his neck and shoulders in a straight line through the turn, and he maintains a steady, rhythmic pace from start to finish. A steady pace helps your turn from bogging down

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If your horse anticipates turning and tries to go without you, use a pull-turn exercise to help get his body back in the correct spot. When you pull your horse into a pull turn, his right front leg will cross over his left front leg.

and becoming a bore to watch, but don’t turn too fast and jeopardize accuracy. Going too fast can cause your horse to lose balance and move his pivot foot (which is a penalty), or it can cause you to miss the close of your turn and overspin. Body position is important when pivoting your horse. If you stand too far in front of him, you’ll pull him out of the turn. If you’re behind his throatlatch, you’ll push him out of the turn. I usually recommend staying in line with your horse’s eye, or a hair front of it, but that can vary depending on how your horse turns. If you feel your horse anticipate turning and go without you, use a pull-turn exercise to focus his attention back on you. Start by turning your horse like you normally would. When you feel your horse start to get ahead of you, stop and immediately pull him 62

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back toward you and go into a pull turn for one or two steps. (Note: Pull turns are no longer permitted when showing,

A steady pace helps your turn from bogging down, but don’t turn too fast and jeopardize accuracy.

this is just for exercise purposes.) While it’s important to stay in the pull turn until he wants to focus his attention back on you, limiting the turn to one or two steps will keep your horse

from shifting his weight to his left hind leg and moving his pivot foot. You don’t want him to get into the habit of moving his right hind leg when you’re in the middle of a turn—even if it’s just for schooling purposes. This exercise is also helpful if your horse doesn’t stop straight—or overturns—at the close of the pivot. If your horse stops a step or two after you do, immediately go back into your pull turn. After a few steps toward you, attempt your regular turn again. Do this until he’s following you and wants to stop when you do. Bonus tip: It’s important to practice longer turns when you’re at home because most patterns call for multiple turns in a class and can vary in length. For example, you might do a 90-degree turn and then a 540-degree turn all in one pattern. You should both be comfortable turning different lengths. →

Confidence Is Key The first thing a judge sees when you’re standing at the cone waiting to go is your overall presentation. Is your attire properly fitted? Does it look like you took time to clean up your horse before the class? Are you and your horse relaxed but ready at the cone, or are you both fidgeting? Confidence is a key component to a class like the showmanship, and a judge will be able to tell if you’re poised in your decisions as you perform your pattern. The easiest way to feel confident when you’re in the arena is doing your homework beforehand and making sure that you’re presenting yourself and your horse in the best way possible. When you go into the class, your horse should be groomed—bathed, brushed, and clipped—and in good condition. I look for a clean tail, free of shavings, and for a mane that lies flat against his neck, which is why most people opt to band their horses’ manes. Finally, be sure your horse’s halter is clean and fits properly. You need to look the part, as well. I look for a clean hat that’s shaped for your face and polished boots. Clean, professional makeup goes a long way in the arena, and hair should be sprayed to get rid of any strays and pulled into a tight bun that sits at the base of your neck. Professionally tailored attire looks appropriate and boosts your confidence—if you feel professional and put-together in what you’re wearing, you’ll perform that way. You don’t need a custom-made showmanship outfit that’s covered in crystals to catch the judge’s attention. A pattern performed in a well-tailored suit will score you just as many points as an outfit covered in bling. Do avoid fringe for this class. While it looks great in a class like the Western riding, fringe will add extra movement to your body—something you want to avoid in showmanship.

Journey to Softness: In Search of Feel and Connection with the Horse Internationally acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid shares and analyzes the remarkable events, quiet moments and humbling stumbling blocks that significant in his personal journey to finding “softness” with both horses and people. Readers get a glimpse of a life that has produced a man known for his ability to solve difficult problems with communication rather than force, as well as methods and techniques gleaned from decades of work with horses, horse people and martial artists. Paperback, 184 pp.

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Your horse should be able to walk and trot up to the judge without any resistance or hesistation.

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Bring a Buddy

Don’t forget the extra element of a judge being in the arena when you practice at home. Presenting your horse to the judge is an important piece of the pattern and merits practice to make perfect. When I’m judging showmanship, I often come across horses that are hesitant to approach me and will suck back—or stop—before they’re supposed to. You can keep this from happening by having a friend stand in as your judge at home. Start simple by approaching your judge at a walk. If you feel your horse start to hesitate, gently pull him forward and get him to release off of the chain. You should stop at least an arm’s distance away from the judge. You don’t want your horse to try and touch or bite the judge, and you also don’t want to run into the judge when you’re crossing over during the inspection. Once your horse is comfortable

walking to the judge, increase the difficulty by going at a trot. Again, if he’s hesitant to trot, gently pull your horse forward and get him off the chain. There shouldn’t be any resistance when you’re trotting or walking to the judge. It might take more than one practice session before your horse is fully comfortable trotting or walking up to someone. When you feel that you can confidently approach the judge, work on your presentation during the inspection. Have your friend walk around your horse so you can work on syncing up your crossovers in relation to where the judge is. It’ll also help your horse become comfortable with someone walking around him. Bonus tip: It’s always great to have an extra set of eyes in the arena as you practice. When you’re working on approaching the judge, have your pretend judge watch to see if you’re staying straight or if you’re doing something to end up crooked.

Leslie Lange, Greeley, Colorado, owns and operates T&L Quarter Horses with her husband, Tom, and associate trainer Jeff Mellott. She’s an AQHA and NSBA judge and has trained and shown multiple world champions. In 2015 she was voted AQHA’s Most Valuable Professional.

HorseandRider.com Read “Showmanship Trot” to learn the proper way to run with your horse during trotting elements.

S T O R E Train with Lynn Palm Your Complete Guide to Western Dressage: 12 Lessons to Take You From the Basics to Your First Show Here’s everything you need to know about the newest horse sport, Western Dressage, a unique blend of classical dressage and the spirit of the Western horse. Top horsewoman Lynn Palm, offers step-by-step exercises to take you through your first Western Dressage test. Paperback, 88 pp.

Head-to-Toe Horsemanship: Improve Your Riding, Improve Your Horse Lynn Palm gives you a complete program to develop your horsemanship and riding skills. You will move in building-block fashion, examining and strengthening your position, literally from your head to your toes. You will learn to apply and use proper aids, including artificial ones. Finally, you will test your skills with a series of games that both you and your horse will enjoy. Paperback, 93pp.

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Problem 1. Correct

Solvers

Corner Control Down the Fence Whether you’re a beginner at fencework or need to school a chargey cow horse, this exercise from NRCHA professional Brad Barkemeyer is safe and efﬁcient. Produced and Photographed by Jennifer Paulson

I’ve been competing in the boxing classes at breed shows and NRCHA events for 18 months. I’m ready to add fencework to my skill set so I can compete in more advanced classes. My horse has some previous experience on the fence with his past owner, but I’ve never gone down the fence. How do I start so that both my horse and I build our confidence to eventually make fence turns and circle up? JUNE FISCHER, Louisiana

It sounds like you have the right approach to learning fencework—taking your time and building your confidence. This mindset will also help keep your horse from developing bad habits, such as getting pushy or even charging when you bring the cow through the corner after for fencework. The exercise I’ll outline here is excellent for beginners, but it’s also something I use with my open horses and have my experienced non-pro riders use when a horse wants to rush out of the corner to the first fence turn. A horse that charges through the corner can be dangerous due to the lack of control. An experienced cow horse knows that the fun part of his job is coming, and he can get strong because he wants to get to working the cow. Riders can get nervous through the corner, too, which translates to the horse and makes him edgy. This drill slows everything down so horse and rider have time to think and plan their next move.

‘Beginner’ Cattle Because you’re a beginner at fencework, if you have a variety of cattle, 66

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This exercise is ideal for fencework beginners and experienced riders and horses. Slowing things down helps you build conﬁdence and keeps your horse focused on you.

choose cows that are on the docile side so you can keep the speed down. This lets you plan adjustments and keeps you safely under control. (Or gives you a better chance at being in control—if your horse isn’t well-broke, you need to work on that before you chase a cow down the fence.) Sometimes, however, you have to work the cows you have, even if they’re not “beginner” cattle. Knowing that your horse is broke and responsive means you’ll have confidence to stop him anytime, whether it’s one stride out of the

corner if your horse gets pushy or twothirds of the way down the arena, where you’ll want to stop in this exercise.

Box on the Long Fence You’ve said your horse is proficient at boxing (taking the cow back and forth along one of the short end of the arena, stopping with the cow, and traveling with it when it moves), so try boxing on one of the long sides of the arena. It’s not about running fast and getting close to the cow. Instead, focus on getting comfortable with the space necessary

As I drive the cow through the corner to go down the fence, I maintain forward motion with my horse’s nose near the cow’s ribcage. If the cow doesn’t respond to that pressure, I can move back on the cow to its hip to drive it forward.

between your horse and the cow so that you and your horse dictate the cow’s moves. I call this space “depth.” The closer you are to the cow, the more it wants to run down the fence, away from the horse. Stay anywhere from 3 to 20 feet from the cow so that there’s no doubt that the horse is pushing the cow down the fence, but without too much pressure. This generally keeps the movement slower and allows you more time to make decisions. Decision-making tends to get rushed with speed, and that can let things get out of hand in a hurry, not to mention teaches your horse to rush and charge. If the cow does come off the fence, get behind it at a safe speed and track it to the end or one of the long fences. It’s about staying in position, not about staying on one side of the fence. Once you feel proficient boxing the cow on the long fence, take it back to the short fence for the next step.

Track and Stop

I keep my horse about 3 feet from the cow, toward the inside of the arena. This depth allows the cow to continue forward, but I’m still in control of its movement.

When I get two-thirds of the way down the arena, I’ll stop my horse squarely, just as I would in a boxing stop. The cow can continue to travel forward as I back my horse a few steps and settle. Then I can catch up with the cow and repeat the drill.

Track your cow back to one of the short sides of the arena. At the middle of that arena fence, position your horse’s nose at the cow’s hip or middle rib to apply enough pressure to push the cow forward, close to the fence, but you stay back enough that the cow sees it can go forward as its way out. If you’re too close to the cow’s head, you shut that door, and if you’re too far away, the cow can do whatever it wants. Forward motion at the proper distance keeps you safe and in control. I want to stress that you don’t start this exercise from the corner. Set up your horse in the middle of the short fence so you have forward motion to go through the corner in one movement. If your horse gets strong going through the corner, or at any point going down the fence, stop him and turn into the fence. This keeps your horse listening to you rather than just chasing the cow. As you push through the corner, be aware that you do have to push the cow. Even if it’s a faster cow, you have to drive it where you want it to go. Waiting for the cow to find its way forward out of the corner can create a blastoff effect for March 2017 HorseandRider.com 67

Problem 1. Correct

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your horse where he bursts forward to try to catch up. This can get scary and compromise your safety. Drive from the cow’s middle rib to push it forward. Move down the fence with the depth I mentioned earlier, staying about 3 feet away from the cow to the inside of the arena. If you’re too far behind the cow, it allows the cow to come off the fence in front of your horse, which is unsafe and means you lose control of the cow. If you’re too far up the cow’s body, the cow won’t move. Stay at the cow’s hip or ribs to keep forward motion and control. Track the cow two-thirds of the way down the fence; come to a complete, square stop; and back your horse a few steps. Allow your horse to settle while the cow continues forward to the end of the arena you were traveling toward. Then jog or quietly lope your horse to catch up with the cow, drive him through the next corner, and take him down that fence. Pick up your position; get your depth, rate, and speed; and stop two-thirds of the way down the arena again.

Use This Drill Regularly

S T O R E Finding the Missed Path: The Art of Restarting Horses by Mark Rashid In order to restart a horse successfully, we need to know how to retrace the steps the horse’s education has taken and find the path missed the first time around. In this book readers are guided through practical steps for restarting horses, using Rashid’s simple yet impactful concepts derived from years of study of martial arts. We walk along with him as he proceeds with the quiet sorting of experience that provides the insight we need to give any horse the new beginning he deserves. Paperback, 200 pp.

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Even when you start making fence turns and circling up, keep this exercise as part of your training toolbox. An experienced cow horse knows when the speed is coming, and he’ll anticipate it. You can slow things down and keep your horse under control by working through this drill on a regular basis to prevent charging or break the bad habit if it develops. Brad Barkemeyer, Scottsdale, Arizona, grew up on a ranch in Montana, which gave him an appreciation for versatile horses. He now trains open and amateur horses and coaches riders to success in AQHA, NRCHA, and NCHA competiton.

HorseandRider.com Get Brad Barkemeyer’s advice on stopping with the cow for boxing turns.

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HEALTHCARE

When your horse listens and responds promptly to your cues, it boosts your conﬁdence as a rider. This kind of responsiveness must be cultivated, however, and you do that by knowing when and how to reinforce a cue. — Robin Gollehon “Reinforce Responsiveness” Sept. 2016

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Advertiser’s Index Classifieds

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Free catalog! Hobby Horse has ready-to-win western show apparel, tack, saddles, and accessories. (800) 569-5885 or www.hobbyhorseinc.com. Mitchell’s www.one-stop-horse-shop.com for show apparel at great prices! Jewelry, hair bows, show tack, show blankets, accessories. Great customer service.

CLINICS/ EDUCATION/ SCHOOLS

PUBLICATIONS, VIDEO, WEBSITES & AUDIO A Home For Every Horse www.AHomeForEveryHorse.com ...................61 Equine Network Store www.EquineNetworkStore.com ........6,63,65,68

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5 Star Equine Products www.5starequineproducts.com ......................35 Cashel Company www.cashelcompany.com ...............................33 CSI Saddlepads www.csipads.com ............................................34 Dixie Midnight www.dixiemidnight.com .................................37 Fiebing’s www.ﬁebing.com .............................................37 JT International Distributors www.jtidist.com ...............................................21 K&B Saddlery www.kbsaddlery.com ......................................69 Riding Warehouse www.ridingwarehouse.com ............................37 Schutz Brothers www.schutzbrothers.com................................64 Zymol.com www.zymol.com ...............................................69

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HORSE & RIDER VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 3 (ISSN 0018-5159/USPS 523-410) COPYRIGHT 2017, CRUZ BAY PUBLISHING, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY CRUZ BAY PUBLISHING, INC., AN ACTIVE INTEREST MEDIA COMPANY. THE KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION IS AT 5720 FLATIRON PARKWAY, BOULDER, CO 80301. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BOULDER, CO. AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: PLEASE SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO HORSE & RIDER, SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE DEPT., P.O. BOX 420235, PALM COAST, FL 32142-0235. CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40612608, CANADIAN GST NUMBER 12345 2781 RT0001. CANADA RETURNS TO BE SENT TO BLEUCHIP INTERNATIONAL, P.O. BOX 25542, LONDON, ON N6C 6B2 CANADA. ONE YEAR (12 ISSUES) SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $24 UNITED STATES. THE CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE EXPERTS CONSULTED, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE EDITORS OR POLICY OF HORSE & RIDER MAGAZINE. UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANIED BY RETURN POSTAGE WILL BE HANDLED WITH CARE, BUT PUBLISHER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY. PLEASE ALLOW 3 MONTHS FOR REPLY. REPRINTS: CONTACT WRIGHTS REPRINTS TO PURCHASE QUALITY CUSTOM REPRINTS OR E-PRINTS OF ARTICLES APPEARING IN THIS PUBLICATION AT (877)652-5295 (281/419-5725 OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA)

Study horse courses at home. Earn grades and Certificates. www. NewHorizonsEquine.com

EVENTS NFR and PBR Rodeo, Las Vegas. www.NFR-Rodeo.com or (888) NFR-RODEO, (888) 637-7633 and www.PBRTickets. com. A+ rated member of Better Business Bureau (BBB).

REAL ESTATE/LAND Looking for horse property around Dallas - Fort Worth? Visit: www.texasliving.com. We’re an elite group of horse property specialists with Keller Williams Realty. (940) 3654687, ext.1, info@texasliving.com

TRAVEL/TOURS/VACATIONS Don Vinson Monument Valley Trail Rides, (805)704-5778 or www.monumentvalleytrailrides.com.

Advertisers... Reach an audience of the active, contemporary Western rider and horse owner in the upcoming issue of Horse & Rider. Now in print and online. For classified rates and information, please contact us at: (760) 546-1192 hr@aimclassifieds.com All Horse & Rider classified and classified display ads appear FREE on

You Said It!

Dream Buddy on a Trail Ride You tell what person—real or otherwise—you’d love to have with you on the trail.

Walter Pruit,

aka “the Old Man” in author and clinician Mark Rashid’s books. I’d join him on a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park, ask him a question about trail riding, and listen carefully to the ﬂood of wisdom that would pour forth. Steve Nickel, Colorado

John Wayne. My dad and I loved watching True Grit, the original movie starring the late actor. I have the greatest memories of my father, so I named my horse True Grit (with a barn name of “Duke”) and I think riding with John Wayne would be fun and sentimental—plus make my daddy proud. Susan Savage, Nevada

Roy Rogers and Trigger. If they were already busy on a trail ride with someone else, it’d have to be Wilbur and Mr. Ed. Ron Henroid, Missouri

Fallon Taylor. She’s my barrel-racing idol. I’d love even just to have a conversation with her. Evelyn Gilbreath, Missouri

Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott. I’d put one on each side of me, and hope that by the end of the ride, we’d be friends and I’d know more about them than just their public personas. (By the way, their wives would be welcome, too—I think they’re amazing in their own careers.) Debra Prychun, Oregon

My grandmother. About 80 years ago, my grandparents rode from New Hampshire, where I live, to upper Vermont, where my grandmother grew up. If I could take anyone with me on that same journey, I’d take my grandmother, who’s now 98 and suffering from dementia. I will make this ride someday. Amy Basch, New Hampshire

Percy Jackson. Fictional hero of the book series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, he can communicate with horses, so he could tell me what my horse is thinking. That would be fun! Kendal Stokes, North Carolina

Crazy Horse, the Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota and a superb horseman. The trails he’d take would be beautiful and breathtaking. He’d also love my Arabian gelding, Lakota, for his beauty and endurance—and for being named after the tribe. Mary Mott, Minnesota

My daughter.

We used to ride every morning at 6:30, she on Freckles, I on Willie. She’s now away at college, and trail rides are rare. Both horses have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and I miss them, our rides, and my daughter. Tammy Bailey, South Carolina

Former President George W. Bush. I’d thank him for his service, then ask him about his best memory and the hardest decision he made as President. I think he—and the Secret Service!—would make awesome trail partners. Mary Lipginski, Kentucky

Join in! Tell us, in under 50 words, which famous horse you wish your horse could apprentice under. Respond by March 15 to jfmeyer@aimmedia.com. Include your full name and home state; put “You Said It/Horse Apprentice” in the subject line. 72

HorseandRider.com March 2017

Illustration by Navah Rae Adams

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