Horse & Rider - March 2018

Trail Emergencies: How To Save Your Horse’s Life

Today’s Western Horse Life

A SMART START TO SPRINGTIME RIDING SHOEING FOR PERFECTION A FARRIER’S RISE TO SUCCESS

MOODY MARE? CALM HER HEAT CYCLE

March 2018

EASY EXERCISE BUILDS A BETTER LOPE— PLUS CONFIDENCE

TITERS & VACCINATIONS GET INFORMED

&

RATE YOUR RISK WHEN BUYING YOUNG PROSPECTS

HorseandRider.com

HOW TO START A SPIN

The hoof you’re feeding now is the hoof you’ll be riding on

ALL YEAR o

ot

Ph by ril

Ap e

in

Ra

Challenge #4 SMARTPAK‘S

Take four steps toward four healthy hooves Your horse's hoof wall only grows a 1⁄4 of an inch every month, which means it take a whole year to grow a completely new hoof. Take SmartPak‘s Horse Health Challenge to see all the ways you can make 2018 your horse‘s healthiest year yet.

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03.18

MARK MILSTER USES A TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BLACKSMITHING TO HELP MODERN WESTERN PERFORMANCE HORSES EXCEL AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS; PAGE 52.

CO N T E NTS

P H OTO BY N I CH OL E CH I R I CO

Features

52

62

68

When the Shoe Fits Mark Milster’s passion for farriery has taken him all over the world—and even landed him in the Hall of Fame.

What’s a Titer? What’s It Mean?

Learn what blood titers can—and can’t— tell you about the need for vaccinating and protecting your horse’s health.

Handle Trail Emergencies Learn to lessen your risk on the trail, plus how to respond in the event your horse does become ill or injured.

BY NICHOLE CHIRICO

BY BARB CRABBE, DVM

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

COVER PHOTO BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

March 2018 / 5

CO N T E NTS

A SUPPLENESS CHECK COMES FIRST WHEN YOU'RE TEACHING THE TURNAROUND. LEARN HOW WITH WES WETHERELL'S PRIVATE LESSON ON PAGE 35.

In Every Issue

HorseLife

Ride&Train

10 From the Editor

22 Travel Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

35 Private Lesson Train your horse for a great turnaround.

26 Health Ease into your springtime riding.

38 Winning Insights Rate your risk when buying a prospect.

28 Solutions Around-the-barn gear you’ll love.

40 Confident Rider Ride forward for confidence, impulsion.

30 Style Colorful buttondowns for spring.

43 Conformation Clinic Junior AQHA mares.

13 Inspired Rider 16 Saddle Chat 80 My Collection

32 Horsekeeping Calm your moody mare’s heat cycle.

6 / HorseandRider.com

TOP PHOTO BY NICHOLE CHIRICO; BOTTOM PHOTO BY ALANA HARRISON

03.18

Cashel Trail Saddle Collection Exclusively made for Cashel® by Martin Saddlery®, Cashel’s saddles are built to provide comfort and security for horse and rider. Designed around Martin’s Axis True Fit Saddle Tree, we go out of our way to make sure we offer horsemen the utmost in fit, function and value in a trail saddle.

No matter what you need, we have the right saddle for you.

cashelcompany.com

VOLUME LVII, NUMBER 3 Editor-In-Chief JENNIFER PAULSON

2018 EVENT SCHEDULE Watch or work with Clinton Anderson one-onone to learn the Downunder Horsemanship Method, better yourself as a horseman and build a partnership with your horse.

March 3-4, 2018 Walkabout Tour Fort Worth, TX April 4-14, 2018 10-Day Fundamentals Clinic Stephenville, TX April 20-22, 2018 Midwest Horse Fair Madison, WI May 19-20, 2018 Walkabout Tour Jacksonville, FL

Senior Editor JENNIFER FORSBERG MEYER Associate/Digital Editor NICHOLE CHIRICO Trail-Content Editor RENÉ E. RILEY Contributing Editors BARB CRABBE, DVM JENNIFER VON GELDERN BOB WELCH

Vice President/Group Publisher DAVID ANDRICK dandrick@aimmedia.com

Art Director ADAM PURVIS Contributing Photographer MALLORY BEINBORN

Publisher MITCH MILLER (303) 644-3782 / mmiller@aimmedia.com

Editorial Inquiries (303) 253-6409 HorseandRider@aimmedia.com

Director of Digital Media MELISSA KITCHEN mkitchen@aimmedia.com Advertising Representatives

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

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June 15-17, 2018 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Tunica, MS July 5-15, 2018 10-Day Colt Starting Clinic Stephenville, TX July 28-29, 2018 Walkabout Tour Lexington, KY August 10-12, 2018 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada September 29-30, 2018 Walkabout Tour Del Mar, CA November 8-11, 2018 Equine Affaire W. Springfield, MA

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NICK GRIGGS

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Advertising Coordinators Horse&Rider Editorial Office 5720 Flatiron Parkway Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 253-6409

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FROM the EDITOR

Spring Health Kick FOR RIDERS, HEALTH resolutions and commitments to taking better care of our bodies usually come at the beginning of the year. (Which just happens to be when I’m writing this column and struggling with my own attempts to eat healthier, exercise more often, and get my body in shape for a return to the saddle.)

But for our horses, those lifestyle changes and adjustments come a few months later, as spring riding approaches. The promise of moving out of winter brings various health situations and opportunities for our horses not unlike the ones we address in our New Year resolutions—lose weight, get in shape, and work on whole-body health. Here are a few similarities I see.

THE WEIGHT GAME Horses and humans tend to put on some extra…cushion…over the winter.

Less activity, more calories, and the desire to snuggle under warm blankets (well, maybe that’s more human than horse) can lead us both to pack on a few extra pounds.

Fortunately for horses, the weight gain is more of a maintenance/ warmth thing than an extra-helping-of-mashed-potatoes/skip-the-gym thing. A simple adjustment in feed and an increase in physical activity (see next section) can whip our horses into shape in no time! (Unless there’s an underlying issue that your veterinarian should consider, of course.)

10 / HorseandRider.com

For riders, the task can be more difficult.

It takes willpower to make healthy food choices—as opposed to simply eating what’s put in front of us by our keepers, as our horses do. “Chaps-Fit Plan,” found on our Web site, has some excellent advice for food swaps and reducing calorie Saddling up for spring riding requires that both you and your horse intake to assist with are fit and conditioned to venture out onto the trail or in the arena. your attempts to lose the extra cushion before you get in the brings up a tough subject involving saddle for long trail rides or intense vaccinations. She answers the quescompetition. tion, “Could determining my horse’s vaccination program really come EASING INTO EXERCISE down to a simple blood test?” If your When it comes to physical activity, horse is vaccination-sensitive or if you horses and humans are on a more even just wonder if your horse needs all playing field. After a weather-induced those shots, read Dr. Crabbe’s take on hiatus, a return to physical fitness what titers can and can’t tell you about requires thought, planning, and time. your horse’s vaccination needs.

This issue’s Health page offers excelShare your thoughts on how changlent tips for getting your horse’s activing your lifestyle aligns with getting ity level back on track. For additional your horse ready for spring riding— spring conditioning information, go and your spring-health tips—with our online to read contributing veterinariteam at the email address below. an Barb Crabbe’s top five conditioning flubs riders make and how to avoid the same mistakes as you get your horse ready to ride this spring.

On the rider side, exercise requires commitment, motivation, and a change to our daily routines. If you’re looking for rider-focused fitness, check out Kelly Altschwager’s “Saddle Strong” workout program at aimequineu.com/ courses/saddle-strong. Kelly has been a regular contributor to Horse&Rider during the past few years, and you can find her fitness-based articles on HorseandRider.com.

WHOLE-BODY HEALTH Dr. Crabbe’s “Titer Talk,” page 62,

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

TOP PHOTO BY JENNIFER PAULSON; HEADSHOT BY MALLORY BEINBORN

OSPHOS® (clodronate injection) Bisphosphonate For use in horses only.

Brief Summary (For Full Prescribing Information, see package insert) CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

DESCRIPTION: Clodronate disodium is a non-amino, chlorocontaining bisphosphonate. Chemically, clodronate disodium is (dichloromethylene) diphosphonic acid disodium salt and is manufactured from the tetrahydrate form.

INDICATION: For the control of clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome in horses.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Horses with hypersensitivity to clodronate disodium should not receive OSPHOS. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.

controls the clinical signs associated with

NAVICULAR SYNDROME Easily Administered via intramuscular injection

Well Tolerated* in clinical trials

Proven Efficacy* at 6 months post treatment

No Reconstitution Required Learn more online

HUMAN WARNINGS: Not for human use. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental human exposure.

PRECAUTIONS: As a class, bisphosphonates may be associated with gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug associated adverse reactions varies with the individual patient.

Renal and gastrointestinal adverse reactions may be associated with plasma concentrations of the drug. Bisphosphonates are excreted by the kidney; therefore, conditions causing renal impairment may increase plasma bisphosphonate concentrations resulting in an increased risk for adverse reactions. Concurrent administration of other potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be approached with caution and renal function should be monitored. Use of bisphosphonates in patients with conditions or diseases affecting renal function is not recommended.

Administration of bisphosphonates has been associated with abdominal pain (colic), discomfort, and agitation in horses.

Clinical signs usually occur shortly after drug administration and may be associated with alterations in intestinal motility. In horses treated with OSPHOS these clinical signs usually began within 2 hours of treatment. Horses should be monitored for at least 2 hours following administration of OSPHOS. Bisphosphonates affect plasma concentrations of some minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, immediately post-treatment, with effects lasting up to several hours. Caution should be used when administering bisphosphonates to horses with conditions affecting mineral or electrolyte homeostasis (e.g. hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, hypocalcemia, etc.).

The safe use of OSPHOS has not been evaluated in horses less than 4 years of age. The effect of bisphosphonates on the skeleton of growing horses has not been studied; however, bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast activity which impacts bone turnover and may affect bone growth.

Bisphosphonates should not be used in pregnant or lactating mares, or mares intended for breeding. The safe use of OSPHOS has not been evaluated in breeding horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Bisphosphonates are incorporated into the bone matrix, from where they are gradually released over periods of months to years. The extent of bisphosphonate incorporation into adult bone, and hence, the amount available for release back into the systemic circulation, is directly related to the total dose and duration of bisphosphonate use. Bisphosphonates have been shown to cause fetal developmental abnormalities in laboratory animals. The uptake of bisphosphonates into fetal bone may be greater than into maternal bone creating a possible risk for skeletal or other abnormalities in the fetus. Many drugs, including bisphosphonates, may be excreted in milk and may be absorbed by nursing animals.

Increased bone fragility has been observed in animals treated with bisphosphonates at high doses or for long periods of time.

Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and decrease bone turnover which may lead to an inability to repair micro damage within the bone. In humans, atypical femur fractures have been reported in patients on long term bisphosphonate therapy; however, a causal relationship has not been established.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common adverse reactions reported in the field study were clinical signs of discomfort or nervousness, colic and/or pawing. Other signs reported were lip licking, yawning, head shaking, injection site swelling, and hives/pruritus.

www.dechra-us.com www.osphos.com As with all drugs, side effects may occur. In field studies, the most common side effects reported were signs of discomfort or nervousness, colic, and/or pawing. OSPHOS should not be used in pregnant or lactating mares, or mares intended for breeding.

Use of OSPHOS in patients with conditions affecting renal function or mineral or electrolyte homeostasis is not recommended.

Refer to the prescribing information for complete details or visit www.dechra-us.com or call 866.933.2472.

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of licensed veterinarian. * Freedom of Information Summary, Original New Animal Drug Application, NADA 141-427, for OSPHOS. April 28, 2014.

Dechra Veterinary Products US and the Dechra D logo are registered trademarks of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC. © 2016 Dechra Ltd.

Distributed by: Dechra Veterinary Products 7015 College Boulevard, Suite 525 Overland Park, KS 66211 866-933-2472 © 2016 Dechra Ltd. OSPHOS is a registered trademark of Dechra Ltd. All rights reserved.

NADA 141-427, Approved by FDA

P HOTO BY K E N T A N D C HA R LE N E KR ON E

INSPIRED RIDER

by Kent and Charlene Krone

The Trail to Here FISH! BOTH OF us enjoyed fishing, but long, steep hikes to mountain lakes lowered our fun factor. Wouldn’t horses make fishing easier? Why hike six miles to a pristine mountain lake if we could ride? So we decided to buy a couple of horses and a horse trailer and put a scare into those elusive lake trout.

Little did we know horses would change our lifestyle, flatten our pocketbook, and propel us into a world full of amazing adventures. Horses have, without a doubt, enriched our lives in ways we never could’ve imagined.

First, horses were to be a tool, but they became our family.

Lady Luck and our guardian angels played a big part in our early years with horses. Fortunately, we inadvertently purchased tried-and-true mounts; they both possessed trail experience and calm minds. Charlene’s horse especially played a huge role in our successful horse ventures.

At 10 years of age, her Appaloosa, Buckwheat, had already been ridden over the entire Continental Divide Trail. Buckwheat truly took care of Charlene. She’ll be forever grateful to him for his steadfastness and gentle nature.

Early Adventures With our new horses, we were ready to rock and ride! Why settle for fish March 2018 / 13

lost the pack horse. He floated downriver a way before we got to him. We celebrated recovering from our near mishaps (thankful they weren’t worse) and tried to avoid similar ones in the future. Still, we rejoiced in being in the heart of nature; each journey was a spiritual retreat for both of us.

Trailer Camping Even though we enjoy wilderness packing, it’s also fun to stay in a living-quarters trailer where you don’t have to worry about grizzly bears lurking around at night. We began to investigate all the interesting places we could travel to with our trailer and explore on horseback. This began another phase in our horse life: camping and traveling with horses, with occasional pack trips.

We’ve now ridden in all the contiguous Western states, a few Midwestern states, and parts of Canada. We've driven countless miles between riding destinations. Traveling down the road and riding down trails have given us a profound appreciation for our country’s enormous variety of beauty. Trail riding has also bolstered our appreciation for the farsightedness of our predecessors who’ve worked to protect land from development and other threats, saving it for all people to enjoy.

Looking back, we’re amazed at the ways horses have changed our lives.

They’ve influenced where we live, our social life, how we spend our time, our physical fitness, and our finances.

We joke about how much money we spend on them, yet the experiences and memories they’ve given us are priceless.

Sharing Our Journey Both of us enjoy writing; Kent loves capturing beauty in photographs. We discovered that we enjoyed sharing our traveling adventures with others through writing and photography.

This led to a rewarding 16-year relationship with The Trail Rider, now merged with Horse&Rider. So far, we’ve covered approximately 100 trail-riding and horse-camping destinations.

With H&R, we look forward to sharing our thoughts, experiences, and travels with you. Much of what we’ve learned has been from the school of hard knocks. If we can soften some of your lessons, we’d be thrilled.

And those mountain trout? They’re safe. Too busy riding!

Greatness…

March 2018 / 15

horseandrider.com

Manage Your Moody Mare Is your mare perfect one day and a demon the next? Read this month’s Horsekeeping (page 32) to learn about your mare’s cycle. Then go online and read “She’s an Angel…

She’s a Devil… She’s a Mare!” to learn the steps you can take to help manage your mare’s different moods.

Ride Off the Rail Constantly riding your horse on the rail can do more harm than good. Go online to read about different exercises Wes Wetherell recommends so you can get off the wall and in control. Working with a green horse? See Wetherell’s tips for starting a turnaround in this month’s Private Lesson.

‘Almost all of the poor choices I see buyers make are avoidable if you’re mindful in your purchasing process and make the effort.’

—‘Mistakes Horse Buyers Make,’ with Bob Avila, online this month 16 / HorseandRider.com

The Thinking Rider On tap for March: Try your hand at the hot new sport of working equitation. Follow Horse&Rider on Facebook for alerts on new posts from this award-winning blog.

“RIDE OFF THE RAIL” PHOTO BY NICHOLE CHIRICO; “MANAGE YOUR MOODY MARE” ILLUSTRATION BY JUNE BRIGMAN; “THE THINKING RIDER” PHOTO BY SHERI SCOTT

SADDLE CHAT

you should know

PHOTO BY KC MONTGOMERY, COURTESY OF LAUREL DENTON

RANCH RIDING BONA FIDES Arizona trainer Laurel Denton believes in thinking outside the box to help her horses achieve success. When gelding Light N Lucky proved fearful of logs, she helped him overcome it not by trying to spur him over, but by “relaxing my body and flopping my legs— without spurs—to show him there was nothing to be worried about.”

Must’ve worked; the pair won the super-tough senior ranch riding championship at last November’s Quarter Horse World Show (at right). Find our profile of this thoroughly modern cowgirl plus her multiple ranch-riding how-to lessons at HorseandRider.com.

...never ages.

© 2018 Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. All rights reserved. Equine Senior is a registered trademark of Purina Animal Nutrition.

from you, the reader

WE HEAR YOU

Hurricane Helpers Thanks for publishing the companies that have helped in disaster relief (December 2017, Saddle Chat). In making purchase decisions, this will definitely influence me!

Jan Loebel

Sharing H&R I’ve enjoyed Horse&Rider for years. I’m 55 years old and have loved horses all my life. When I was younger, my two sisters and I shared two ponies that we broke to ride ourselves. Being kids, we didn’t know anything

about cues and collection, and I confess I still d n’t really master hose ents of ridi ough th

Horses and do as much trail riding as I can while working two jobs, as I am sure many people do nowadays just to make ends meet and feed our passion—horses. Being so busy, I almost canceled my subscription, not because I didn’t like the magazine, but because I find so little time these days to read it. However, the articles have always been so informative and educational. I read it cover to cover and then share it with my friend’s barn boarders who are a varied lot from young girls

to older women like myself riding all breeds of horses and mules. When I heard Horse&Rider was merging, I was apprehensive, but you have very interesting, diverse articles and writers, and I still love the magazine.

Thanks to all the writers, editors, managers, and whoever else behind the scenes who put together such a great magazine.

I’m renewing my subscription, and I’ll read each issue when I can and share them with others.

Brenda Vande Voorde

© 2018 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

“GALLOP POLL” PHOTO H &R F I L E P H OTO

GALLOP POLL

72% of H&R poll respondents have successfully used a grazing muzzle

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., #ZF354, $19.95

to keep one of their horses from getting too much spring grass.

To participate in future polls, “like” Horse&Rider on Facebook.

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S T O R E

Du n n Knives

SADDLE CHAT from you, the reader

Join the Herd EMA I L

HorseandRider@ aimmedia.com

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SOCI A L

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We love hearing from you! Send all high-resolution images for Conformation Clinic; horse-related questions; and any feedback, ideas, photos, and letters to HorseandRider @aimmedia.com. Or mail correspondence to 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301.

The Science of Healthier Animals

TRAVEL / HEALTH SOLUTIONS / STYLE HORSEKEEPING

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has something for every part of your Western horse life, from rodeo to horse shows, to shopping to country-music concerts.

T RAVE L

Texas WHERE

Houston, Texas

W H AT

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo WHEN

February 27– March 18

Rodeo (and More!)

Houston A two-word moniker simply can’t do justice to the breadth of entertainment, horsepower, and Western culture offered

by Rodeo Houston, aka the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. For more than 80 years, the event has evolved to offer something for literally everyone. Horse show? Got it.

Livestock exhibition? You bet— they even call it the biggest in the world. Rodeo? Of course!

Country-music concerts? Every night after the rodeo.

23 PHOTO BY MALLORY BEINBORN

33K

Texas

Last year, more than 2.5 million people set foot on the NRG Park grounds to take in all that Rodeo Houston has to offer.

The unique tournament-style rodeo, called the Super Series, runs 19 rounds and awards $50,000 to the winner of each event. An invitation-only Super Shootout puts competitors on teams of eight contestants.

You’ll find horses of all breeds and disciplines competing in the horse show as cutters, mounted shooters, and ranch sorters mingle with mules, donkeys, Quarter Horses, and Paints.

Major music acts take the stage each night, but shows sell out fast, so get your tickets early.

Number of volunteers it takes to pull off the 20-day event.

5

1

2

3

4

Don’t Miss This explore.

eat.

Your budding agriculturalist won’t want to miss 1. AGVENTURE, featuring many species of livestock at all life phases, or 2. The Junction, where she can blow off some energy on rides and play games.

Along with typical fair fare and taco trucks, visit 3. The Chuck Wagon for a sliced-beef sandwich with chips and beans or 4. Champion Wine Garden to sample wines from the event’s

international wine competition.

do.

After walking the expansive NRG Park, drive 25 minutes north to Humble for a trail ride at 5. Cypress Trails

Ranch (cypresstrails ranch.com). Rides vary from one to three hours long on horses provided by ranch owner Darolyn Butler, a gold medalist and international endurance riding champion.

Socially Minded Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awards more than 750 educational scholarships to Texas students, plus graduate assistantships and educational grants. All grants— totaling $55 million awarded to 100 organizations—must benefit youth, support education, and expand agricultural horizons and/or preserve and honor pioneer heritage and culture.

24 / HorseandRider.com

PHOTOS BY MALLORY BEINBORN

TRAVEL

The Facts

ZIMECTERIN® Gold (ivermectin and praziquantel) a Merial product

Deworming strategies have changed, so talk to your veterinarian.

You could learn that your current dewormer is no longer effective.

ZIMECTERIN® Gold (ivermectin and praziquantel) controls 47 species and stages of parasites, including bots and tapeworms.*1 And ZIMECTERIN Gold controls small strongyles that have become resistant to the active ingredient in other common dewormers.1,2

No other dewormer does more. So why would you trust your horse’s health to any dewormer that does less?

It’s time to RethinkDeworming.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. In horses, there have been rare reports of swelling and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue following administration of ZIMECTERIN Gold. These reactions have been transitory in nature. Do not use in other animal species as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result. *

Anoplocephala perfoliata Based on data provided on the ZIMECTERIN Gold product label.

2 Kaplan RM, et al. Prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant cyathostomes on horse farms.

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;225(6):903-910.

1

Merial is now part of Boehringer Ingelheim. ®ZIMECTERIN is a registered trademark, and ™the Horse Head Logo is a trademark, of Merial. ©2017 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

EQUIZIM1702-C (02/17)

HEA LTH

Conditioning

Spring?

Ease into riding

If your horse has been laid off over winter, be sure to condition him in the spring before riding in earnest. Conditioning increases the amount of blood his heart can pump to deliver oxygen to his muscles. Waste products clear more readily from his system, so he not only has more energy, but also fatigues more slowly.

Springtime conditioning also helps protect tendons, ligaments, and joints from injury. Start with 20 to 30 minutes of walking and trotting at least every other day for 6 to 8 weeks, then gradually increase both the length and the intensity of work.

ment Gel can help relieve the temporary soreness of new work. You can also use it preventively to loosen stiff joints, muscles, and tendons before work (bit.ly/absorbinegel).

Prevent, Soothe Soreness Always warm your horse up adequately before be-

Start your springtime riding with an incremental conditioning program to protect your horse’s health.

ginning a work session, then cool him down afterward

Conditioning Checkpoints

before putting him away.

Increase both the duration and the intensity of work incrementally over weeks.

Provide rest periods as needed during work and between riding sessions to avoid overtraining your horse.

Consider a bracing liniment to soothe any post-workout

start slow

use a trot

match terrain

A hotwalker (or hand-walking)

Steady long-trotting is great

Gradually build in work over

soreness or to loosen espe-

can help early on if your horse

for raising the heart rate, once

the type of terrain you intend

cially stiff areas before riding.

is really out of condition.

your horse is ready for it.

to be riding your horse over.

26 / HorseandRider.com

LARGE PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM; BOTTOM PHOTOS BY (FROM LEFT): ALANA HARRISON; JENNIFER PAULSON; CHARLES BROOKS

Absorbine Veterinary Lini-

April 12-15, 2018

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FEATURED CLINICIANS Dan James Warwick Schiller Van Hargis

Ken McNabb Stacy Westfall

Jan Ebeling (Dressage) Jeff Cook (Hunter/Jumper) Nancy Cahill (Horsemanship & Trail) Lynn Symansky (Eventing) Stephen Hayes (Dressage) Paul Humphrey (Barrel Racing & Contesting) Keith Miller (Hunter Under Saddle) James Cooler (General Training & Behavior) Larry Whitesell (Easy Gaited Horses) Sandy Croote (Miniature Horses) Ty Evans (Mules) Kellie & Sam Rettinger (Draft Horses & Logging) Asbury University (Mounted Police Training)

Come to Equine Affaire to Experience the Horse World in Person!

• • • • • • • •

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Additional clinicians for driving, English pleasure, and more to be announced.

•

For all you need to know including the event schedule, information on tickets, host hotels, camping, or participating in clinics consult equineaffaire.com or call (740) 845-0085.

© 2017 Equine Affaire, Inc.

North America’s Premiere Equine Exposition & Equestrian Gathering

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The Largest Horse-Related Trade Show w in North America.

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Breed Pavilion, Horse & Farm Exhibits, Horses for Sale and Demonstrations.

Equine Fundamentals Forum – Educational presentations, exhibits, and activities for new riders and horse owners young and old.

The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition – a fast-paced timed and judged race through an obstacle course with $5,500 at stake!

The Fantasia (sponsored by Absorbine®) – Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

NEW! Your Farm Forum – Exhibits and informative sessions focusing on the horse’s home and environment and covering a wide range of topics for owners of horse farms of all sizes. Discover ways you can expand your equine operation to include other hobby farm activities and animals.

NEW! Interscholastic Equestrian Association Horse Show w – this western show will take place on Sunday from 10:00am-2:00pm in Cooper Arena and feature youth competitors representing schools from throughout the region.

Ride a Horse for the first time! We’re partnering with the American Horse Council’s Time to Ride program to give aspiring new riders an opportunity to enjoy their first ride at Equine Affaire on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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30 / HorseandRider.com

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LARGE PHOTO BY NICHOLE CHIRICO

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HORSEKEEP I N G

Mare Issues

One reason to regulate your mare’s cycle would be pinpointing when you want her to have that foal; another would be resolving behavioral issues related to estrus.

Fix That Cycle Raging hormones can contribute to a mare’s difficult behavior.

Here’s what to know about regulating an estrous cycle.

Is your mare troublesome when she’s in season? Does her behavior change for the worse during estrus? Regulating her cycle may provide a remedy.

How Heat Cycles Work Most mares experience heat cycles during spring and summer months, when days are longer and warmer.

On average, your mare will be in heat (estrus) for six days, then out for 15 days in a recurring cycle. During heat, her developing follicles release the hormone estrogen. When she’s out of heat, she’s under the influence of progesterone, the so-called “happy hormone.”

The estrogen released during heat is what prompts her to act in ways to attract a stallion. These behaviors— frequent urination, squealing, tail swishing, threatening other horses—can hamper her trainability and performance.

You may want to control her heat cycle to minimize these behaviors. Or, if breeding is your goal, you may want control when she comes into estrus in order to bring about a desired foaling date. For any heat-cycle management in your mare, you’ll need to work closely with your veterinarian.

Methods of Control Ways of regulating your mare’s heat cycle include: • Oral altrenogest. Giving her this synthetic progesterone orally every day will reliably keep her from coming into heat.

Once you stop giving it, heat cycles return.

• Injectable progesterone. Produced by compounding pharmacies, these injections are given at intervals ranging from once a week to every 30 days and have varying degrees of reliability.

• Oil in the uterus. Your vet’s placement of a small volume of sterile plant oil into your mare’s uterus at a certain time in her cycle can suppress estrus for 60 days or more.

• Injectable oxytocin. Daily injections of this hormone for a week or longer (generally at a specific point in the cycle) can keep your mare out of heat for up to 90 days.

Bottom Line Ideally, the method of heat-cycle regulation you choose will be safe, reliable, cost-effective, and reversible—in case you later decide to breed your mare.

(For more information, review “She’s an Angel… She’s a Devil… She’s a Mare!” at HorseandRider.com.)

When the Behavior Persists If your mare exhibits extreme stallion-like behavior year-round, it may be due to a granulosa cell tumor on one of her ovaries. Such tumors

A First Step?

If you choose to try heat regulation, choose daily oral altrenogest for the first month of treatment (one example, above).

Altrenogest is the only reliable, FDA-approved method of estrus suppression currently available. If your mare doesn’t improve on oral altrenogest, she’s not likely to respond to other methods of control. But if she does, then that's a reliable indicator her behavior problems are heat-cycle related. Then you can continue with altrenogest—or explore other options.

are benign but release the hormone testosterone, causing the behavior.

Surgical removal of the affected ovary provides a cure.

LARGE PHOTO BY LWILDROZE/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; BOTTOM PHOTO BY ALANA HARRISON

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PRIVATE LESSON / WINNING INSIGHTS / CONFIDENT RIDER / CONFORMATION CLINIC

PRIVATE LESSON

Teaching the Turnaround

IN THE SHOW ARENA, YOU may be familiar with watching events where horses are required to turn at different rates

of speed. But having a precise turnaround isn’t only essential when you’re in the show pen. Being able to perform a controlled pivot also allows you to have more steering ability and control anytime you’re in the saddle.

March 2018 / 35

Ride&Train

PRIVATE LESSON

BY WES WETHERELL, WITH NICHOLE CHIRICO

Teaching the Turnaround ­ Before you can perform a turn with speed that rivals a reining horse, you must start with the basics of shoulder and hip control, and allow your horse to build confidence in himself as he crosses one foot in front of the other.

Here I’ll show you my steps to starting a young horse in a turnaround. As you begin to teach your young horse how to turn for the first time, ride in a snaffle bit, using two hands. Two-handed riding gives you more control and allows you to steer your horse in the direction he needs to go—aka direct reining. As your horse’s guide improves, and he

becomes more comfortable moving his feet in the pivot, you can progress to riding one-handed in a shanked bit.

One Before I ask my young horse to turn, I warm up and check to see that she’s supple on both sides of her body by having her counter-arc at a trot in both directions. To do that, I take my horse’s head to the outside and use my outside leg to cross her outside front foot over her inside front foot and move her ribcage in. This helps her soften up in her ribcage, neck, and shoulders so she can successfully move them over when I eventually ask for her to pivot.

Two Wes Wetherell, Purcell, Oklahoma, trains Western pleasure, all-around, and young show prospects.

He’s been training horses professionally for over 33 years and has produced multiple world and Congress champions in several breed associations. Learn more at weswetherell quarterhorses.com.

36 / HorseandRider.com

When I feel that my horse is supple enough in her ribcage and shoulders, I go back to the walk and put her on a small circle.

Here I’m guiding her in a 15-foot circle, with some slack in my reins so she can carry her head and neck where she’s comfortable while she figures out how to move her shoulders over and cross her legs over one another.

1

5 I’ll work my horse in both directions, and as she becomes more relaxed moving her body in each direction, I’ll ask for more collection in her face.

Three As I continue to walk in a tight circle, I use both my hands and my right leg to gently move my horse’s head and shoulders over to the left, allowing her right front foot to cross

over her left front foot. I also release my inside leg so I’m not blocking my horse from being able to move her body to the left.

The forward motion from the walk encourages her to cross her outside foot over her inside foot and avoid clipping herself with her feet or crossing over behind. As I ask my horse to cross her front legs, I want her hip and back legs to remain in the same spot, so she learns to keep her hip still when she turns.

PHOTOS BY NICHOLE CHIRICO

It’s easy to get comfortable riding on the rail. Find

Stuck in a riding rut?

Wes Wetherell’s tips for breaking out of your comfort zone and getting off the wall online.

2

6

Four After a few minutes of walking, my horse becomes more familiar with crossing her front legs as we circle. I then challenge her by making my circle smaller, eventually asking her to hold her hip still during our turn. As I ask my horse to turn, I use both hands and my outside leg to guide her neck and shoulders to the left.

Once my circle is small

4

3

7 enough, she should keep her hip still and perform a true pivot. I don’t expect her to know how to turn more than two or three steps at the beginning. After we’ve turned a couple steps, I walk her out of the turn and go back to my circle to start the process over again.

and gradually ask my horse to walk in a smaller circle. This time my horse starts her turn by sucking back, and her right foot crosses behind her left.

This is incorrect. Because I’ve lost all forward motion in my turnaround, my horse has nowhere to go but backward.

Five

Six

I resume walking in a tight circle for a few strides,

I don’t want my horse to get in the habit of crossing

her outside leg behind her inside leg, so I immediately take her out of the turn and ask her to trot so we can get our forward motion back. I continue to stay on my circle and use my feet to push her forward while I keep steady contact with my hands so she can drive through the bridle. Just as I did at the walk, I use more outside leg and steer with my reins so she can cross her outside leg over her inside leg.

Seven Once I’m done trotting, I immediately go back to my turnaround. This time when I ask my horse to turn, she crosses her outside foot over her inside foot, and keeps her hip in the same spot for a few strides. Because she did what I asked her to do, I’ll end my ride there so she knows that’s the correct answer.

March 2018 / 37

Ride&Train

WINNING INSIGHTS

BY BOB AVILA, WITH JENNIFER PAULSON

The Prospect Gamble Are you an all-in risk-taker? Or a more conservative speculator? It matters when shopping for young horses.

­ If you went to the Kentucky Derby, would you bet big on the long shot? Or would you take the sure thing? Your choice can mean the difference between winning—or losing—big or minimizing your risk along with your possible profit.

The same holds true when buying and selling prospects—that is, horses younger than 2 years old.

A yearling represents the big gamble with more unknown variables and chances for “what if this goes wrong?” The older the prospect is, the fewer unknowns there are, making that horse a less risky investment.

No matter the horse’s age, I consider his look/presence, breeding, attitude/ disposition, and movement. I’ll break down what these traits indicate and which are more likely to be sure things or complete unknowns in yearlings and 2-year-olds. This will arm you with knowledge to buy your next young horse.

38 / HorseandRider.com

No doubt, this young mare is an eye-catcher. Her look, presence, and age make her a less-risky purchase.

Trait #1: Look/Presence What it means: Every horse’s look and presence is different, which means each horse must be considered as an individual. To me, this attribute takes the whole package into consideration instead of focusing on one trait, such as his pretty color or markings. When you look at a horse you’re considering buying, you probably have an instant reaction.

Note your gut feeling, and keep it in mind when you make your final decision.

Yearling sure bet?: Not yet. A horse’s overall look

can change drastically even in just one year. You can get a feel for “that one will be a real looker,” but you can’t be 100-percent sure at this point.

2-year-old you’d better get?: Possibly. By the time he’s 2, a colt (or filly) is showing his true colors in terms of his presence. He could still change—something as simple as a run-in with a fence can drastically alter his physical appearance. But his presence and look are more set by this time.

Trait #2: Bloodlines What it means: This one’s

self-explanatory. But you still have to do your research and know the traits of the bloodlines you consider and how they’ll work within your riding and training program, as well as with your personality. Also consider if the sire and dam are just a fad, flash-in-the-pan or if they’re proven producers of what you’re seeking.

Yearling sure bet?: Most likely. This is about the only sure bet you get on a yearling. The black type on his papers can’t lie.

2-year-old you’d better get?: Probably. Just as with the yearling, this is a box you can either check as being what you want or

PHOTOS BY MARC LAXINETA, DVM

Learn more online...

A 2-year-old can give you a more reliable impression of what’s to come as they progress in training in terms of willingness and way of going.

not check and walk away.

At this point, you’ll likely pay a higher price for the designer genes, plus the effort that’s gone into starting the horse, feeding him, and maintenance up to this point in his life.

Trait #3: Attitude/ Disposition What it means: Is the horse willing to be caught? Does he respond to pressure on his nose?

If he’s started under saddle, how does he respond to cues? Does he move away from your leg?

These types of questions will give you an indication of his attitude and disposition. It’s also something that can come from his sire and dam, so do your research.

Yearling sure bet?: Nope, still not 100-percent.

But you can get an idea of how his attitude will develop. He could change drastically once he’s started under saddle and handled more. A youngster’s willingness and pleasant disposition can be “trained out” if he’s not handled correctly at the beginning.

2-year-old you’d better get?: More likely. By this time, the horse’s attitude and general demeanor are better formed. You can look for his reaction to different stimuli and know if he’s very sensitive, inquisitive, interested, willing, etc.

Trait #4: Movement What it means: This is

Before you go shopping for that prospect—or any horse— you’ll want to read about the eight most common mistakes Bob Avila sees horse buyers make, online this month.

form to function. You’ve considered the horse’s conformation when taking in his overall look. Now it’s time to see it in action.

Consider how he carries his head and neck. (See “Why So Low” in the January issue for my thoughts on head carriage.) Is he coordinated or clumsy?

Yearling sure bet?: This category is still a question mark for most very young horses. They’re bouncy and playful, so it’s hard to get an idea of what they’ll look like when they work.

Watch your prospect in a round pen. Does he go along quietly in a way that could develop into what you’re looking for?

2-year-old you’d better get?: A 2-year-old is probably started under saddle, so you can get a better idea of how he might fit into your program and how he moves.

A high-headed horse with a choppy stride isn’t going to change much as he progresses in training. A soft-faced, graceful mover has more promise of becoming what you want— or what you want to sell.

market turns or demand for a bloodline diminishes.) I find that if he’s one I wouldn’t mind keeping, most other people will want to buy him.

Next, identify your risk tolerance. Are you willing to gamble big on recouping your expenses—and making a profit—if you choose a yearling? Or are you more conservative and want to buy a surer thing, which you’ll pay more for as a 2-year-old or older?

All horse purchases are gambles—there aren’t any sure things. But you can improve your odds by considering the horse’s main traits and assessing your end goals.

Bob Avila, Temecula, California, is an AQHA world champion, three-time NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity

Add It All Up

winner, NRHA Futurity champ, and two-time

Once you’ve considered these four traits, ask yourself, “If I buy this prospect, would I be willing to keep him if I can’t sell him for some reason?” (E.g., the

World’s Greatest Horseman. He's been named the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year. Learn more at bobavila.net.

March 2018 / 39

Ride&Train

CONFIDENT RIDER

BY ROB BICK, WITH J. FORSBERG MEYER

Lope With Impulsion This stop-and-go exercise helps you learn to ride with impulsion and confidence at the lope.

40 / HorseandRider.com

Your goal at the lope is to ride your horse forward, encouraging impulsion by sitting deep, following the motion with your seat and lower back, squeezing with your legs as necessary. Loping like this is fun!

Why It Works When a rider is fearful, her body never fully commits to the lope. The horse is going, yes, but the rider’s body isn’t going along.

She may keep checking with the reins, or interfering with the movement by stiffening and not following through with her seat and lower back.

Instead, I tell my students to think of catching a wave. You must ride along on top of a wave;

you can’t try to hold it back. It’s the same on your horse. As long as you’re going along with the movement, it’s all good.

Only when you try to hold back or go against the movement does it start to feel out of control.

The solution is going just short distances at a time. This enables you to concentrate on getting into the canter rhythm and encouraging impulsion with each stride. You can do this because you know you’ll be stopping soon,

and so there’s no need to worry about your horse getting out of control.

You’ll start at a trot, then move on to the lope.

How to Do It Warm your horse up as you normally do, then put him into a forward trot on the rail, driving him forward with your seat and legs. Continue for several strides, sitting up tall and relaxing down into the saddle, or posting (rising

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RBC SHOW HORSES

­ Do you ride your horse forward? If not, that’s a problem, because you must go forward before you can do anything else. I train many disciplines, and a goal for them all is getting the horse’s hind leg moving up underneath him. This kind of “forward” has nothing to do with speed—it’s all about hind-end engagement.

Timid riders often hesitate to push for that engagement. The feeling of impulsion it creates scares them.

They worry their horse might get out of control, the way a truck driver going downhill worries when he’s not sure of his brakes.

With this exercise, you’ll learn not to fear going forward. In a repeating sequence, you’ll go forward, then apply your horse’s “brakes,” then move forward again with energy until you feel completely confident doing so.

Ride this exercise in a secure arena with safe fencing and good footing.

Outfit your horse in the bit he responds to best.

Arabians are fun to ride!

TOP LEFT: The rider is holding back with reins and stiff body, robbing her horse of impulsion. TOP RIGHT: Periodic stops can alleviate the rider’s fears plus help the horse gather himself. ABOVE: Now the rider is going with her horse—and his hind leg reaches nicely forward.

every other stride) if that’s more comfortable for you.

Then sit deep, pick up on the reins, and ask for a stop. Once your horse is still, remain there for a moment to reward him, then trot forward again.

When you feel completely comfortable

doing this—that is, you’re 100-percent confident about your horse’s brakes—move on to riding the exercise at a lope.

Now, the Lope At first, lope just a few

How do they compare to Quarter Horses? Find out at HorseandRider.com this month.

strides before stopping.

Knowing you’ll stop soon helps you relax and find your horse’s canter rhythm. It’ll also give you the confidence to go ahead and push him forward with energy.

Don’t hold back with your body. Think “push,” using your legs and seat, rather than pulling with your reins or blocking with your body. In this way, you’ll drive your horse’s hind legs up underneath him to achieve balance and impulsion.

Then, after a few strides, sit deep again, pick up your reins, and ask for the stop. As before, stand quietly for a moment, then repeat the sequence.

Let It Be Fun! Even with my senior ladies who began riding later in life, this exercise helps them relax

and learn to feel what’s happening under them.

Before long, they don’t want to keep stopping.

They want to keep loping around the arena.

And that’s the best part—because riding your horse at the lope is really fun when you do it right.

Rob Bick of RBC Show Horses in Smithfield, North Carolina, trains Arabian horses and coaches youth and amateurs to compete in the breed’s major events, including the U.S. Nationals, Youth Nationals, Canadian Nationals, and Scottsdale. Learn more at rbcshowhorses.com.

March 2018 / 41

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Ride&Train

CONFORMATION CLINIC

Quarter Horse Mares Evaluate and place these junior AQHA mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge’s. ­ I FOLLOW the rulebook when evaluating horses as a judge. I look for overall balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics, and volume and tone of muscling. I then relate those traits to how each would enhance or limit a horse’s usefulness. A horse can appear a beauty in color and a few traits, but the core components of balance and correct structure are what make a good athlete and performer or lead to lack of performance or unsoundness. I look for horses that overall make the best performers and for the structure that backs that up.

Halter classes should reward the horses with the best form to function. In judging these young mares, for example, I’ve assessed their topline-to-underline ratios.

Studies and experience support that a shorter back (measured from break of the withers to the hip) in relation to the underline (measured from elbow to stifle) is a trait of an athletic horse as well as other animals that run and jump. That ratio alone doesn’t determine a class winner; but supported by other good traits of balance, it’s part of the winner’s attributes. →

A

B

KAREN BANISTER Karen Banister owns and operates White Harvest Farms, a boarding and training facility in Brighton, Colorado. Banister coaches and trains world-champion horses and riders on AQHA, APHA, and USEF show circuits. She holds AQHA, APHA, ApHC, NSBA, and NRHA cards, and is sought after around the world, having judged in Canada, Mexico, Australia, Israel, Italy, France, Germany, and Belgium, as well as throughout the U.S.

C March 2018 / 43

Ride&Train

CONFORMATION CLINIC

1st

2nd

3rd

Mare A

Mare C

Mare B

­ This palomino is the best balanced of the three mares. Her color puts an appealing touch on her athletic appearance. She’s well balanced from front to back, but also from top to bottom. Ideally, her back could be a touch shorter; but overall, she looks like a very capable performer.

Her head shows femininity, and her eye has a quiet, inquisitive look. Her trim, clean throatlatch connects to a pretty and functional neck that’s long on its topline and ties in high to her chest, which will allow her to use her neck freely. Her shoulder is wellsloped, and her front pastern angles are equally good, which will give her a long, smooth stride.

She has good length from point of hip to point of buttocks and a smooth turn over the top of her croup.

Though presented in a natural stance, it’s clear she has a good, straight profile to her knees and a good angle to her hocks. She’s only 3 years old; she should develop into a substantial mare with great balance and structural correctness.

­ Though lacking substantial stature, this mare is well balanced and would be useful for many tasks. She’s proportionate in her topline-to-underline ratio, meaning her back is shorter from break of her withers to her hip than the bottom line of her body from elbow to stifle, a trait of athletic horses.

She has a kind look in her eye.

Though clean through her throatlatch, her neck could ideally be longer. Her neck is still fairly proportionate in relation to her build, and she should be able to use it in various positions to adapt for various tasks.

Her shoulders are more upright than Mare A’s, but adequate for work, and her front pasterns’ length and angle are also acceptable.

Her hip is a touch high, but not enough to cause her to struggle in athletic work. She’s lightly muscled in her hind end and lacks length from the point of her hip to point of her buttocks compared to the other two mares, though she remains proportionate for her own build.

­ This eye-catching roan isn’t as balanced as the other two mares, but does have a sizeable, muscular hip that’s long from the point of the hip to the point of the buttocks and adequate over the turn of her croup.

Her length of head from eye to muzzle nearly matches the length of her neck. A horse’s neck and head balance the body when moving. This mare has a lot of body, so coupled with her head size and neck length, she’ll work most comfortably with her neck up. If made to level her neck, she’d need to carry her nose out in front of her to hold balance.

She has a good-sized shoulder, but it’s upright. Her front pasterns match that upright angle, which won’t provide a long, smooth stride.

She’s long in the back when assessing her topline-to-underline ratio, and she’s not deep in her heartgirth, which limits her lung capacity.

Her knees are straight and her hock angle is acceptable, but her lack of balance from front to back compromises her athleticism.

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.

44 / HorseandRider.com

THE 6-WEEK RIDER FITNESS PROGRAM WITH KELLY ALTSCHWAGER

ARE YOU READY TO BE SADDLE STRONG?

HEAD TO WWW.AIMEQUINEU.COM

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

All Around 5 Star Saddle Pad

Hitting the Trails A Guide to Good Gear

For the special demands of trail riding, 5 Star Equine Products offers its best-selling All Around Saddle Pad with a Flex Fit wither option. Crafted from moisture-wicking, easyto-clean, 100% purewool felt, the pad stabilizes the saddle and boasts no break-in time with no heat buildup, and no need to double-pad.

The Flex Fit design, with its cutback gullet area, eliminates the pressure over the withers often seen with traditional pads, freeing up the shoulder and making sore withers and backs a thing of the past. The result, according to 5 Star Equine, is no more stops to readjust the saddle and pad—and a happier, more comfortable horse.

Handmade in the USA, this 30-by-30-inch square-skirted pad features wear leathers for protection and durability. The pad is available in Natural, Black, Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate, Turquoise, Hot Pink, and Purple & Red, in 1/2-, 3/4-, 7/8-, and 1-inch thicknesses. (Not all colors are available in all thicknesses.)

For other custom options—including wear leathers, embroidery, wool colors, Swarovski crystals, and spots—check out the pad designer under the All Around Pad on the company's website.

5starequine.com; (870) 389-6328

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Synergist Custom Western Trail Saddle

Cashel Lite Trail Saddle

The longer the trek, the more important the comfort of both horse and rider. The Di Pietra family understands that, combining experience in competitive endurance racing with skill in saddle design and fitting for its Synergist saddle lines.

Fit and comfort are both priorities in Synergist’s Western trail saddles, particularly the Custom Western Trail model. This handmade saddle is built according to your individual measurements. Your horse or mule gets a precision fitting, too, with the patented EQUImeasure Kit. Comfort features on this saddle include a custom-shaped seat with specific seat bone depressions and sculpting to fit your thighs. Free-swinging fenders are designed to alleviate joint pain on long rides; you may also choose a sheepskin-finished seat or a stitched-down padded seat with extra foam or Supracor Honeycomb padding.

To help absorb shock from the horse’s gait and minimize rider fatigue, Synergist offers EZ Ride Stirrups as an additional option. Built wider and deeper than traditional Western stirrups to improve weight distribution, these come with a patented top bar and a thick EVA foam pad, ensuring extra comfort for the knees and back. synergistsaddles.com; (877) 595-0115; (307) 433-1008

Cashel has a history of developing innovative products in its quest to make riding safer, more convenient, and affordable. The Lite Trail, the company’s lightest saddle to date, tips the scales at only 20.5 pounds. But despite its light weight, this next-generation trail model is big on features designed to appeal to all types of trail-riding enthusiasts.

Security and comfort are essential for both horse and rider when traveling over uneven terrain. It should come as no surprise, then, that Cashel puts this combination high on its priority list when creating saddles for trail use. Nor does "lightweight" have to mean plain and strippeddown, as this saddle illustrates.

The Lite Trail's build begins with a fiberglass-encased tree and a cotton-poly blend lining. It sports a smooth, chocolate leather skirt and a rough-out seat with extra cushioning, something most riders are sure to appreciate on those long excursions. Light aluminum stirrups are standard on the Lite Trail, which also comes with a matching breast collar. The standard gullet size is 6.5 inches; the saddle comes in 14-, 15-, and 16-inch seat sizes. cashelcompany.com; (800) 333-2202

March 2018 / 47

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dixie Midnight No-Sweat™ Vent Pad

Wrangler Treeless Saddle

Long trail rides often leave your saddle pad filthy and your horse’s back hot and sweaty. The Dixie Midnight NoSweat™ vent pad is guaranteed to keep your regular saddle pad clean and dry, and your horse's back cooler, on even the longest, hardest rides—or your money back.

It’s easy to use: The No-Sweat™ vent pad is placed directly on your horse’s back, followed by your regular saddle pad and your saddle. Made from soft, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal material and designed to conform to a horse's back, the vent pad has large, loosely interlocked fibers to help maintain airflow under even a fuzzy saddle pad.

The result is reportedly a cooler equine back, with no sweat trapped in the saddle pad. A cooler, drier back is a healthier back, because it is less likely to get sore from lactic acid buildup and less prone to skin infections.

Made in the USA for 22 years, the No-Sweat™ vent pad is easy to clean by simply rinsing with water. According to Dixie Midnight, using the vent pad will eliminate the need to wash your regular pad after every ride, extending its life. dixiemidnight.com; (888) 287-6716

The late Bob Marshall maintained that his Sports Saddle® treeless saddles kept riders comfortable, secure, and in balance. He also believed that horses ridden with these saddles were more relaxed, responded more quickly, and moved more freely than with conventional saddles.

Like all genuine Bob Marshall saddles, the trail-savvy Sports Saddle Wrangler conforms to different sizes of shoulders and withers. This is because the independent tree parts are not rigidly set. When cinched down, they automatically conform to a horse’s unique shape.

The Wrangler was the brainchild of Marshall’s wife, Dianne, who came up with its design after years of trail riding and training horses. Though originally created for gaited horses, the Wrangler suits several different types of horses and disciplines. Weighing in at about 22 pounds, it is built with special slide-bar rigging, which allows more movement with the stirrups, and a 5-inch deep-dish cantle for added support.

The Wrangler comes standard with an endurance seat, which is available in black or chocolate endurance leather, or in a hand-tooled version. (Shown is the diamond with basketweave tooling and antique finish.) Customization is available. sportssaddle.com; (270) 988-2684

T R AV E L I N P E R F E C T B A L A N C E

THE ULTIMATE RIDIN G RAIN GE A R

& Comfort

Freeform Virginian Western Saddle

Long Raincoat

both horse and rider.

Weighs only 18 lbs!

WATERPROOF • BREATHABLE • DURABLE

www.TreelessSaddle.com

MuddyCreek.net 425-243-2620

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Nikwax

Imus 4-Beat® Saddle

Conditions can get uncomfortable out on the trail, especially if you get caught in a sudden downpour. At times like that, wet-weather clothing can make a world of difference. But when those garments get dirty or start to lose their water-repellency, specialized products might be needed.

Nikwax offers cutting-edge solutions for cleaning and waterproofing outerwear. Tech Wash® is a technical cleaner for clothing like wet-weather jackets and chaps, which need special care when cleaning so their water-repellency is not destroyed. Unlike conventional detergents, Tech Wash doesn't leave a residue that attracts water. Instead, it is designed to revitalize a garment's breathability while reviving its water-repellency.

TX.Direct®, which comes in two formulas, can also be used to add high-performance water-repellency or to refresh factory-applied, water-repellent finishes. Specifically optimized for breathable waterproof garments, TX.Direct Wash-In is easily applied with a home washing machine. For non-machine washable items or those with wicking linings, there is TX.Direct Spray-On. Also available from Nikwax: products developed to clean and extend the water-repellency of horse blankets; products that add water-repellency to fleece and down-filled outerwear; and products that clean, condition, and waterproof leather. www.nikwax.com; (800) 563-3057

Gaited horses are known for their smooth, comfortable movement, a definite plus when riding the trails. But what about the horse’s own comfort? Phoenix Rising Saddles’ Imus 4-Beat® Saddle addresses the unique muscle action in gaited horses’ backs, particularly during a four-beat gait.

Though it might resemble an ordinary saddle, the Imus 4-Beat® is a study in appropriate fit and dynamics. Central to the saddle’s design is a unique, flexible tree that enables the saddle to be placed farther forward on the horse’s back. This frees the shoulder by allowing the front edges of the tree’s bar to cup around the shoulder and prevents interference in the loin area. This forward placement also puts the rider just behind the withers, in a position that Phoenix Rising considers more natural, more balanced, and more comfortable—like riding bareback.

Nor are pressure points an issue. This saddle provides even weight distribution, thanks to the Supracor open-cell padding under its tree bars.

And while the Imus 4-Beat® Saddle was created with gaited horses in mind, it reportedly works well on non-gaited equines, too.

For a video and other information, please visit the website below. phoenixrisingsaddles.com; (716) 665-2999

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Saddle Up Virginian Western Barrel Treeless Saddle Achieving good balance and proper position can be difficult if your saddle does not suit your build. Saddle Up’s Virginian Western Barrel Treeless Saddle by Freeform is designed to address women’s comfort in particular, for a more secure seat on the trail and in the arena.

Endowed with a large, deep cantle, this handmade Italian saddle features a narrow Cleburn seat and a removable Y bolster to help create the ideal twist for your hips. More forward placement of the fork than usual and adjustable fenders are intended to promote perfect leg position.

And, of course, the saddle is treeless, which means it is relatively light (18 pounds) while offering close contact and an easy fit on many horses. The saddle also comes with large D-ring cinching to target the true girth groove, cutback withers, and hook-and-loop fasteners on optional panels to further hone the fit.

The Virginian is available in a Short Back 24-inch length or a Standard 26½-inch length, with a Large, X-Large or XX-Large fork and a black, brown, or burgundy leather and seat. For more information about the Virginian and Saddle Up’s demo program, visit the website below. treelesssaddle.com; (540) 830-2713

Muddy Creek Rain Gear Long Coat Rain need not halt your adventures out on the trail if you are outfitted correctly. Muddy Creek Rain Gear specializes in functional outerwear for the hardcore rider who refuses to be sidelined by wet weather.

Proprietor Nancy Blystone is a lifelong trail rider who knows what it takes to stay dry and comfortable. Her extensive experience is reflected in apparel like the Long Coat, a Muddy Creek original, which is fashioned from a machine-washable fabric that is not only waterproof, lightweight, and durable, but breathable. That means that no matter how wet it is outside, there is no buildup of condensation inside. Plus, it packs down to a small size for those longer treks.

Full-lined and cut oversized to cover your saddle front and back, the Long Coat will also accommodate layers of warm clothing and protect your lower legs. An oversized cape helps shed rain. Other rider-friendly features include a two-way zipper with a hook-and-loop-closure storm flap, extra-large pockets with storm flaps, hook-and-loop sleeve and collar closures, sealed seams, and a detachable hood. Available in black or chocolate, and in unisex sizes from XSmall to 2XTall. muddycreek.net; (425) 243-2620

THE ORIGIN AL TRE EL SAD ESS DLE

www.sportssaddle.com (270) 988-2684

sportssaddle@tds.net

Horses teach us extraordinary lessons... to hold on to hope. At Hope in the Saddle, our mission is to

Share your story and read those of others at www.hopeinthesaddle.com THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR HELPING OUR HORSES FEEL THEIR BEST SO THEY CAN HELP US FEEL OUR BEST

P H OTO BY NI C H O L E C H I R I CO

When the Shoe Fits Mark Milster’s passion for blacksmith and farrier work has taken him all over the world. It even landed him an induction into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame.

BY NICHOLE CHIRICO

ON AN EARLY MORNING, BEFORE THE HEAT HAS SETTLED IN FOR THE DAY, a gust of Oklahoma wind carries a familiar sound of hammer hitting steel out of a workshop and across a pasture of grazing horses. The workshop’s garage doors are open, and at quick glance I can see the silhouette of a man hovered over an anvil working to turn a bar of steel into what will be a set of custom-made horseshoes for the horse he’s currently working on.

“He’s always practicing,” Dana Wetherell says when the noise starts back up. She’s talking about her longtime friend, neighbor, and farrier Mark Milster. In his professional career, Milster has managed to take a traditional approach to blacksmith and farrier work and use it to help modern Western performance horses compete at the highest levels of competition. His talents have taken him across the world to participate in and judge international farrier competitions and present shoeing clinics. In 2014, this lifelong dedication to furthering his craft led Milster to an induction into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame, located in the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. →

March 2018 / 53

As Wetherell fetches her 18-hand, retired Clydesdale gelding, Drew, from the pasture to take over to the workshop, she shares a story about her farrier that’ll always stick with her. “I remember him telling me how he came close to winning at the World Championship Blacksmith Competition, but he could hear the clock ticking away while he was working,” Wetherell says. “The year he won his world championship he couldn’t hear anything going on around him—he was that focused.”

As we walk 50 yards down the road to Wetherell’s neighbor’s house, I ask why that story sticks with her so well, and she tells me that she likes to use Milster’s laser focus as inspiration when she’s showing her Quarter Horses at national-level competitions.

Getting His Start When I first walk into Mark Milster’s shop, I’m greeted by his trusty four-legged sidekick, Crash.

The newness of seeing me wears off, and Crash returns to his dog bed, which sits beneath a collection of dusty photos featuring an assortment 54 / HorseandRider.com

of Western horses. When asked about the old pictures hanging on the wall in his workshop, Milster explains that they’re all customers of his from throughout the years.

I notice there are a few photos of himself from various blacksmith competitions, but he’d rather talk about the success of the different horses he’s worked on. After all, they’re the reason he does what he does.

The brick forge that sits in the middle of his shop begins to heat up, and Milster goes to work prepping Drew for his new set of front shoes. As he trims the large gelding’s left front foot, I pick Milster’s brain on how he got his start in horseshoeing.

He grew up in Missouri around horses and helped his father shoe horses as a kid. Milster never had the chance to meet his grandfather, but he’s heard from family that he was a farrier, as well. “I never planned on becoming a farrier,” the third-generation horseshoer explains. “My dad pushed me to study shoeing, but I decided to go to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, to play football and get a degree in criminal justice instead.”

What changed his mind? “I remember watching this guy shoeing my brother Marty’s horses and asking myself, ‘Why am I not the one shoeing those horses?’ It was like a lightbulb turned on, and I knew that was exactly what I was supposed to do.”

There was no backup plan after that. Milster sold a pistol given to him as a graduation present and used that money to buy his first forge.

You’re Never Good, Unless You’re Ready Milster briefly stops talking, puts down his hoof rasp, and walks over to give Drew a handful of grain.

“Drew is one of my favorites,” he says.

He wipes his hands of excess feed and tells me that he originally regretted attending college and not going into shoeing right away. It wasn’t until he ran into his former professor, Norman Hess, at a local fairgrounds in Ada, Oklahoma, that he realized he made the right decision. “I started to tell Norman about regretting college, and before I could finish, he said, ‘You wouldn’t have been any good at

P H OTOS BY NI C H O L E C H I R I CO

shoeing horses,’” Milster shares with a laugh. “I turned to him and asked what he meant by that, and he said, ‘You’re never good at something, unless you’re ready.’”

Milster realized his former professor had a point. “I wasn’t ready to be a farrier at the time I started college.

I think I would have a chip on my shoulder had I gone straight into it, and would probably lack the passion I have for it today.”

Milster studied at Oklahoma Farriers College—but only for two weeks.

“My instructors said I was past what they could teach me, and that I’d be better off going out on my own and making a living.”

The World of Competition I’m distracted by the number of tools I see around Milster’s shop, and ask how many he thinks he has.

Rather than answering my question, Milster walks over to one of several toolboxes to pull open each drawer.

Every shelf is stacked to the rim with different tools. He picks up

each piece and notes the person who crafted it quicker than I can write. He explains that they’ve all been created by good friends or mentors throughout the years—but a large part of his collection comes from pieces he’s handcrafted himself.

By now the brick forge is at the right temperature for Milster to begin custom-making Drew’s two front shoes.

He grabs a pair of tongs and places the slab of steel into the forge. There are no shortcuts in Milster’s work. Each shoe is meticulously handcrafted to fit the needs of the particular horse he’s working with. “My only goal when I’m shoeing is to make the horse happy,” he says. “When the horse is happy, the owner is happy, the trainer is happy, and the veterinarian is happy.”

He’s often asked if there’s a difference in shoeing for customers versus shoeing for competition. To him, it’s all the same. “Anytime you shoe a horse you’re trying to please someone,” he explains. “In competition, you’re trying to please the judge; in a certification, you want to please the examiner; and in everyday shoeing, you need to please the horse and owner.”

FROM LEFT: Mark Milster stops what he's doing to offer Drew a bucket of grain. Each shoe Milster works on is handcrafted for the particular horse he's shoeing. Because Drew is a Cyldesdale and requires larger, heavier front shoes, Milster has brought in friend and fellow farrier Kyle Noyce to work as his striker (the person who wields the sledgehammer).

Milster pulls a front shoe out of the brick forge and continues to shape it on the anvil.

That brings me to my next question: How did he get his start in blacksmith competition? He’s quick to credit friend and fellow farrier Sherrill Spears for introducing him to that world. Milster attended his first clinic with Spears at the American Farriers’ Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1991. That’s where he first witnessed a tryout for the American Farriers’ Team. “I was floored that something like this actually existed,” Milster says. “I couldn’t believe how talented these guys were, and I realized I had a lot left to learn. When I returned home I grabbed every horseshoeing book or magazine I could get my hands on.” → March 2018 / 55

BELOW, TOP TO BOTTOM: Milster posing with teammate Austin Edens. Milster and mentor Jim Keith competing in the two-man class at the World Championship Blacksmith Competition. Milster winning his world championship. RIGHT: Milster’s workshop is filled with tools he’s handcrafted.

Milster once again picks up his tongs and pulls the steel from the forge, placing it on the anvil. His hammer hits the steel to shape the shoe, and the sound echoes through the workshop. Between clinks I ask him about his first shoeing competition.

Feeling inspired after watching the 56 / HorseandRider.com

American Farriers’ Team, Milster hit the road again with Spears, traveling to Branson, Missouri. He grins when I ask how he fared at this competition.

The contest required him to put keg shoes on a horse with a toe clip— something he hadn’t done before. “I walked away winning it,” he laughs.

“The guys I was with were so mad.”

Learning How to Practice Milster has since worked with

a handful of farriers who’ve helped him master his craft, but one person in particular stands out: A legendary blacksmith and farrier from New Mexico named Jim Keith.

Keith’s name comes up often in our visit. Milster first read about him in a magazine. “I decided to drive to New Mexico to attend a five-day class he was teaching and paid $500 for that class,” Milster recalls. “I now go to his place as often as I can. But he hasn’t charged me since that first trip.” A small smile comes across his face

ABOVE-LEFT PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK MILSTER; ABOVE-RIGHT PHOTO BY NICHOLE CHIRICO

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TOP: The hammer and nail Milster used to win his world championship. BOTTOM: A pile of shoes that sits outside next to Milster’s workshop. RIGHT: The end result of handcrafting Drew’s front shoes.

when he mentions that last part.

When I tell Keith about Milster’s recollection, he laughs. “He’s an interesting guy to be around, and I enjoyed working with him, so I probably cut him a little slack with not charging him,” Keith jokes. “The first thing I remember about him was his attitude. He took instruction very well and accepted advice from anybody who’d give it to him.”

So what’s the most important thing 58 / HorseandRider.com

Milster has learned from Keith? “How to practice,” Milster says without hesitation. “I saw what it took to be the best there is, and saw how much practice was involved to get to that level. There are people out there who have the will to win but don’t have the will to practice. Jim Keith is one of the few who has both the will to win and the will to practice.”

During his studies with Keith,

Milster’s weeks consisted of shoeing horses in Oklahoma, and then driving to and from New Mexico on the weekends to study under Keith.

Milster had set his sights on being part of the American Farriers’ Team, a team consisting of six American farriers chosen to represent the United States in international forging competitions.

“I was a former manager for the

P H OTOS BY NI C H O L E C H I R I CO

American Farriers’ Team, and had some of the pins the team wears, so I sent Mark one,” Keith shares. “I told him that in five years he’d get to wear it. He was afraid I’d jinxed him, but sure enough, five years later he made the team.” Milster has now been part of the American Farriers’ Team five separate times.

Keith shares that some farriers work their whole lives to be part of the American Farriers’ Team, making selection for it an honor; accomplishing that kind of goal in such a short timeframe showcased Milster’s dedication to his craft.

Teaming Up Back in his shop, Milster continues working on Drew.

Because he’s such a large horse, Milster has brought in friend Kyle Noyce to be his striker (the person who wields the sledgehammer), a common practice farriers use when working with larger, heavier shoes.

Milster and Noyce work as a team to create what I think is a perfectly constructed horseshoe. (Although, if you ask Milster, he’ll tell you the perfect shoe has yet to exist.) As I watch them work, I realize there’s an art to making a shoe that many don’t realize. Every move Milster and Noyce make together has a unique purpose that’s designed to help the horse they’re working with—and they make the whole process look almost effortless.

Milster is no stranger to working as a team. He’s won countless competitions where he’s been part of two-man and four-man crews. His most memorable win in a four-man team comes from the World Horseshoeing Classic held in Richmond, Kentucky, an international competition that takes place over the span of three days. On the first day the team makes draft shoes, the second day is fox-hunter shoes, and the final day is roadster shoes.

“Every shoe in that competition is handmade; it’s probably the highest standard of shoeing in any competition I’ve ever seen,” Milster says. “We won that competition in 2014 and 60 / HorseandRider.com

2015.” Back-to-back championships; an even more impressive feat.

However, when Milster pairs up with close friend Austin Edens—also a world-champion farrier—they’re a force to be reckoned with. Together they’ve won the two-man division at the annual Calgary Stampede five times. Milster doesn’t tell me much more than that, but MacKenzie Lawson, Milster’s apprentice, shares with me that when it comes to competition, the two of them have set the standard.

“I think everyone secretly dreads when those two walk into a competition together,” she jokes.

Edens thinks that one of the reasons he and Milster click so well is they share the same passion for horseshoeing. “We’re both super competitive, and I think our competiveness with each other helps us both succeed,” Edens tells me. “The thing about Mark that makes him so different from other farriers is that he doesn’t get burned out. He’s always looking for the next big thing that’s going to help a horse.”

Winning the World Milster finds a stopping point with the horseshoe he’s working on for Drew and walks into the small apartment that’s attached to his shop. He returns holding an old hammer. “This is the hammer I won my world championship with,” he explains. “The last nail is actually still in it.” I look closely, and sure enough I see a little nail wedged in there. He’s kind enough to bring it outside so I can photograph it, but I let him arrange it for fear of knocking that nail loose.

One of the highest honors a blacksmith can take home is winning the Blacksmiths’ World Championship at the annual Calgary Stampede. While Milster had come close to winning this individual world title two other times (by a half of a point, to be exact), it was in 2001 that he finally secured the title and brought the world-championship buckle home to Oklahoma.

Edens tells me that the year Milster won his world championship everything fell into place perfectly. “He finished with plenty of time left on

the clock, and walked to the front of his horse and kissed the horse on the face,” he recalls. “Mark won’t ever say this out loud, but you could tell by his body language that he knew he’d won.”

Striving for Perfection By now, Milster and Noyce are back to work. I take a minute to photograph the sparks flying off the shoe as the sledgehammer hits the steel. The clinks stop, and Milster closely examines the shoe, deciding that it’s ready for Drew. They’re going to hot-shoe him, so back to the forge the shoe goes to heat up again. It’s a technique that’s been around for years, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it done in person.

Once the shoe is at the correct temperature, Milster and Noyce make their way over to Drew. As they press the shoe onto the Clydesdale’s gigantic hoof, smoke rises to the ceiling, and a distinct smell fills the air. I look over at Drew who doesn’t even notice that two men are working on his foot. In fact, the only thing he’s worried about is the treat his owner (and Milster’s neighbor), Dana Wetherell, has in her hand.

It’s another 15 minutes or so before the left shoe is finally finished, and the process starts from square one again as Milster and Noyce begin to shoe the other front foot.

Some more time passes, and the two farriers have successfully finished both front shoes. This time, instead of a handful grain, Milster finds a bucket and pours some more of the feed into it. He holds the bucket up to Drew, who willingly accepts his offer.

I pull out my camera to take a couple more photos of the end result, and out of the corner of my eye I see Milster studying each of Drew’s handcrafted shoes. “Here, take a picture of this shoe,” he gestures at Drew’s left foot.

“It’s the better one.”

This is the essence of what makes Mark Milster the blacksmith and farrier he is: He’s always finding ways to improve on his own work. The constant challenge of creating the perfect shoe for a particular horse will keep him going for years.

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TITER TALK Learn what blood titers mean, including what they can—and can’t—tell you about your horse’s health.

BY BARB CRABBE, DVM PHOTOS BY SHELLEY PAULSON

Y

ou’ve heard the word “titer” come up in conversations in your barn, at the feed store, or on the Internet. Could your vaccination decisions really come down to a simple blood test? You’ve heard this test will tell you whether your horse is protected from various diseases. And if he’s protected, does he really need a vaccination?

Unfortunately, the answer may be more complicated than you think. While blood titers do give you some information about your horse’s immunity, they don’t tell you everything. A “high titer” against a specific disease doesn’t always provide a black-and-white answer about whether you should vaccinate or not. Add to that the expense of running titers compared with the expense of simply vaccinating, and practicality also enters the equation.

In this article, I’ll explain basic immunity so you can better understand what titers communicate. You’ll learn what titers are and what they really tell you, plus find out when running a titer against a specific disease makes sense and when it doesn’t. Finally, I’ll explain alternatives to titers that might help you make rational and practical decisions about what vaccinations to administer to your horse.

IMMUNE-SYSTEM BASICS The first step for understanding titers is to understand a little bit about what your horse’s immune system does and 62 / HorseandRider.com

Blood titers can tell you whether your horse has antibodies to a specific disease.

But what this means about his health—and whether or not you should vaccinate—is more complicated.

how it functions. The immune system is responsible for mounting a defense against foreign invaders—such as bacteria and viruses (called “antigens”)— that can cause disease. There are two primary branches to the immune system: cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity.

Cell-mediated immunity is the non-specific branch of the immune system. White blood cells called T-lymphocytes identify and destroy foreign invaders directly. They also attack cancer cells and assist with the functions of humoral immunity.

Humoral immunity is the branch of the immune system that targets specific invaders through production of antibodies—antigen-specific proteins that are released by white blood cells called B-lymphocytes. When the B-lymphocytes recognize an antigen, they produce and store antibodies that’ll target that specific threat if it ever comes around again. Your horse will develop antibodies when he’s exposed to a disease, whether he gets sick or not. If he does get sick from a virus or bacteria, he’ll have lots of antibodies to spare and will be much less likely to get sick from that same organism in the future.

Humoral immunity is the mechanism we manipulate when we administer vaccinations. By injecting your horse with a small amount of virus or bacteria that’s been altered so it won’t cause a given disease, we trick the body into producing and storing antibodies that’ll protect it in the future and prevent your horse from getting sick if he’s exposed to the real-life disease-producing organism.

Whether your horse produces and stores antibodies because he’s exposed to an organism, contracts a disease, or is vaccinated, these antibodies will dissipate over time. When this happens, your horse’s ability to protect himself is diminished until he’s exposed to the organism again, ideally through vaccination rather than by getting sick.

WHAT’S A TITER? A titer is simply a test to measure the number of antibodies against a specific antigen in your horse’s blood. The num64 / HorseandRider.com

Vaccinations: Risk-Benefit Assessment If titers aren’t a practical option, how do you decide what vaccinations you should administer to your horse and when? Your best approach is to evaluate the risks versus the benefits of every vaccination you’re considering. Answering the following questions will help you decide.

How serious is the disease? If the disease is almost always fatal (such as tetanus), there’s more reason to vaccinate than if your horse might get sick, but is likely to recover (such as influenza).

Can the disease be spread to humans? A disease like rabies isn’t only always fatal, but can spread to humans. That makes vaccination against something like rabies more justifiable, especially if your horse lives outside and is in contact with wildlife in an area where rabies is common, meaning he has a high exposure risk.

How effective is the vaccine? Some vaccines, such as those that protect your horse against tetanus, are extremely effective. Others aren’t. You might choose to eliminate less-effective vaccines from your horse’s schedule, especially if he’s a bad reactor or has limited exposure risk.

Does the vaccine have a high risk for side effects? Some vaccines rarely cause reactions, while others can cause serious problems. It makes more sense to skip a vaccine that’s associated with side effects.

What is your horse’s exposure risk? Does he live in an isolated barn with no other horses in sight? Chances are he won’t fall victim to an influenza outbreak.

Does he live in a busy show barn with horses coming in and out every day? His risk for exposure to influenza is higher, and you should choose to vaccinate.

Is your horse a reactor? If your horse gets sore or develops a fever every time you vaccinate, that might be good reason to eliminate some less-crucial vaccinations from his schedule.

If you’re worried about over-vaccination, your best bet is to discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. Your vet can answer all of your questions about the risk versus the benefits of the many different available vaccines, and help you design a reasonable plan to best protect your horse while minimizing risk.

ber of antibodies detected correlates to the strength of your horse’s immune response against the organism.

Titers are measured with tests that detect antibodies on a series of dilutions of your horse’s blood. The sample will be diluted 1:2, then 1:4, then 1:8, and so on, until the highest dilution is reached where no antibody can be detected. The more dilutions that can be made with antibodies still being detected, the more antibodies are present in your horse’s blood, and the stronger his immunity.

Test results will be expressed using the dilution factor. For example, a 1:200 titer against the organism that causes strangles would be considered very low, while a 1:3,200 titer would be considered very high.

A titer test will tell you whether your horse has antibodies against a specific organism and give an indication about how many antibodies he has. But what

does it really tell you about his health status? That’s the million-dollar question—and the place where titer testing is often misunderstood.

WHAT TITERS (DON’T ALWAYS) TELL YOU About Exposure to Disease It seems simple, right? You’re worried that your horse has contracted a specific disease, so you ask your vet to run a titer. It comes up positive, so that means your horse has the disease, right? Not exactly.

All a titer really tells you is that your horse has been exposed—and mounted an immune response—to a disease.

That exposure could have been years ago or just last week. In fact, it could be completely meaningless.

Although the level of the titer can give some indication of the likelihood that your horse has contracted a specific disease, in most situations

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“paired titers,” titer tests run several weeks apart, are necessary. To confirm a diagnosis, your horse must have a significant rise in titer over a period of time. The problem is that the second titer, which provides the answer to the diagnosis, often comes too late to be of any use. In most cases (we hope!) your horse will be fully recovered before you have an answer. If, however, your vet is trying to determine what caused your horse’s disease with the goal of protecting others and avoiding an outbreak, paired-titers can be very helpful.

In many diagnosis-seeking situations, a negative titer is more useful that a positive titer. For example, if your horse begins showing neurological symptoms consistent with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), your vet might recommend you run a titer to help rule out this disease.

Although it’s not 100-percent reliable, a negative blood titer against EPM gives pretty strong evidence that your vet should look for a different cause for your horse’s symptoms. Another example where a negative titer might be useful is for the bacterium called leptospirosis—a potential underlying cause of uveitis (a common and serious eye disease). As many as 75 percent of horses have been exposed to leptospirosis and develop antibodies without ever becoming sick.

Because of that, a positive titer doesn’t mean much when trying to confirm a cause of uveitis. A negative titer tells you that leptospirosis is an unlikely cause of your horse’s eye disease.

About Your Vaccination Choices What about using titer testing instead of vaccinating your horse? It’s true that a strong positive titer is a good indicator that your horse has a high level of circulating antibodies against a specific disease. But it doesn’t always mean that he’s completely protected against getting sick. Remember, cell-mediated immunity is important, too, and doesn’t involve antibodies at all. It’s also true that high numbers of circulating antibodies are more protective for some diseases than for others.

Unfortunately, the practicality of 66 / HorseandRider.com

The cost of running blood titers ranges between $80 and $200 per organism, which means using them to rule out unnecessary vaccinations doesn’t make sense from a cost standpoint.

running titers in place of every vaccination also comes in to play. The cost of running titers ranges between $80 and $200 dollars per organism. Considering that the core vaccinations recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners for every horse in the United States include five different organisms (tetanus, eastern and western encephalitis, West Nile virus, and rabies), with two optional vaccinations that are considered important for many horses (influenza and rhinopneumonitis), your titer testing could cost $1,000 or even more each year—just for the basics. For most horse owners, this simply doesn’t make sense.

There’s one specific situation, however, where your veterinarian is likely to recommend a titer to help minimize vaccination risks. The vaccination against Streptococcus equi, the organism that causes strangles, has a

risk of serious side effects if given to a horse with a high circulating-antibody titer. This vaccination can lead to a bodywide immune-system reaction called purpura hemorrhagica. This inappropriate immune response causes a vasculitis, or inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body.

Damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the tissues to cause extreme swelling, most commonly of the legs, face, and belly. In severe cases, internal organs are affected. Purpura hemorrhagica can even be fatal. If your horse has ever been sick with strangles, or been vaccinated against strangles regularly, it’s a good idea to request a titer before you vaccinate. Some veterinarians even recommend a strangles titer prior to vaccination for any horse. If your horse has a titer of 1:1,600 or higher, vaccination against strangles should be avoided.

In a trail emergency, decide whether you should slowly ride, walk, or pony your horse to your trailer or leave him with your riding buddy.

68 / HorseandRider.com

PHOTO BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

Handle Trail Emergencies Learn how to lessen the risk of experiencing a trail emergency and steps to take should your horse become injured despite your best efforts.

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS PHOTOS BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Y

ou can save your horse’s life by being prepared to handle trail emergencies until you get him to a veterinarian. You must know what to do in case of emergency if your riding adventures take you far from help.

Here I’ll tell you what to do to prepare for an emergency before you leave on a ride, including what to pack in your saddlebag and on your person. Then I’ll share what to do in a crisis. Next, I’ll give you guidelines to handle six emergency situations until you can get your horse to a vet. I’ll also give you an emergency toolkit, and tell you what to do if your horse is stuck in a perilous situation or suffers a catastrophic injury. (Note: In any equine emergency, call a veterinarian as soon as you have service, and follow his or her instructions.)

Emergency Prep You can decrease the chance you’ll have a trail emergency by being well prepared for your ride. Here are key preparation steps to take before you leave the barn and as you set out on your trail adventure.

Train your horse. Several months before your trip, train your horse to build his trust in you, so he’ll remain calm and trusting in challenging situations. Work on his ground manners. Teach him to stand tied. Train him to calmly pony another horse and be ponied from another horse. Practice trailer loading in

March 2018 / 69

ABOVE: Pack a waterproof duster that can also cover your saddle to ward off rain; add a waterproof slicker for a lighter layer of protection. OPPOSITE: Know where any water sources are available so you can help keep

over rugged terrain or on overnight adventures, ride with at least one other person. It’s always safer to ride with someone, especially if you’re on a green or unknown horse or in new terrain.

your horse hydrated.

varied conditions so you can get him to a vet quickly. (For training help, go to HorseandRider.com.)

Schedule a veterinary exam. Make sure your horse is healthy and able to tackle your planned trails, and ask your vet for any medications you might need to help relieve pain until you can get help.

Condition your horse. Prepare him for the type of trail riding you plan to do.

(For a conditioning routine, go to HorseandRider.com.) If you’ll be riding in high altitudes, give him at least 24 hours to adjust once you arrive at your base camp.

Plan to ride with others. On long rides 70 / HorseandRider.com

Select the right riding buddy. Find a trail-riding buddy who’s knowledgeable and seasoned and has a calm, trail-savvy mount. If you can, ride regularly with this team to ensure that the horses are compatible in terms of personality and speed.

On challenging trails, such as extreme desert or mountain terrain, consider hiring a guide—either a professional guide or a local horseman who’s familiar with the trails and conditions.

Take vital signs. Learn how to take your horse’s vital signs—heart rate, temperature, respiration, gum color, capillary-refill time, and gut sounds.

Once you have a baseline, you’ll know how much he’s deviating from normal if he suffers an injury or illness. (For how to take vital signs, go to Horse andRider.com.)

Compile veterinary resources. Carry your veterinarian’s contact information, and compile a contact list of local vets in the area where you’ll be riding.

(For a list of veterinarians who are members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, visit aaep.org, and click on Get-a-DVM.) Know the terrain. Lessen the chance for a surprise cliff, a washed-out trail, or other hazard by knowing the terrain. Talk with riders familiar with the area, park rangers, members of trailclub groups, and members of the local Back Country Horsemen of America chapter to ensure that your planned route is something you and your horse can handle. Train your horse to handle terrain challenges, and shoe him for those conditions or invest in trailready hoof boots.

Plan for weather conditions. Study the weather, and prepare for sudden weather changes. Though the day may be warm and pleasant when you start

TRAIL-EMERGENCY TOOLKIT Here are supplies to take with you on backcountry rides in case of emergency. Carry your cellphone and emergency items on your person, in case you and your horse part ways. Carry other items in your saddlebags.

Vital Signs • Digital equine thermometer • Stethoscope First-Aid • Antiseptic (Betadine scrub) • Antibiotic ointment • Self-adherent bandage • 4-by-4-inch sterile gauze pads • Gauze rolls • Cotton quilts Hoof Care • Pliers • Rasp • Hoof boot Other Supplies • Duct tape

out, a sudden thundershower or cold sleet can thoroughly chill you and your horse. Temperatures may also change drastically after sundown. In high altitudes, it might be sunny in the morning and raining or snowing by afternoon.

Wear layers: Use a cotton base layer to absorb sweat, then add insulating layers. Pack a full-length waterproof duster that’ll cover you, your saddle, and your horse’s hindquarters in rainy conditions. Add a waterproof slicker if you need a lighter layer or to cover emergency supplies if you need to treat your horse in a rainstorm.

Plan to keep warm. If you’re cold, you’ll be less able to help your injured or ill horse. Pack matches in a waterproof container to build a fire to keep you warm and create smoke for visibility in case a rescuer needs to find you. Pack a candle stub to start a fire in windy, wet weather. On frigid days, put small, disposable hand-warmers in your gloves

or boots. Stash a couple of Mylar space blankets in your saddlebag to cover your horse if he ties up or goes into shock.

• Halter and lead rope • Multipurpose tool • Sharp pocketknife • Small fold-up saw

Plan your route. Use trail maps and online information to plan your route.

Find topographical maps that show altitude gain. Plan to be back at the trailhead or horse camp before dark, allowing for lunch breaks and detours.

Let a trusted horseperson know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Give this person your cell number, your vet’s number, and notes about what to do if you’re not back as planned. Leave a note in a plastic zip-close bag on your truck windshield with your route, time you left, time you expect to be back, and your contact information.

Know where you are. As you head out, note landmarks and places you could meet a responder to help you.

Keep track of where you are on the

•Wire cutters

trail map so you can tell someone the most direct route to find you in case of emergency. Know where any water sources are so you can help keep your horse hydrated in case you’re stuck for hours. You can also soak a hurt leg in a stream to reduce swelling.

Trust your horse. Trust your horse’s instincts. He might refuse to cross a stream or obstacle because he senses a danger you’re overlooking. If you become lost or disoriented, note that a horse will almost always go back toward home or to where you started the ride if you allow him to make directional decisions. → March 2018 / 71

Emergency Protocol If an equine emergency occurs despite your best efforts, follow this protocol.

EMERGENCY RESCUE!

Stay calm. Don’t compound the problem by overreacting. Take deep breaths. Remind yourself that your horse’s health and well-being (and yours) rest on your ability to stay calm, safe, and take appropriate action.

situation—such as at the bottom of

If your horse is stuck in a perilous a cliff or in mud—or has suffered a catastrophic injury, call 911 immediately to get help from trained emergency responders who’ll work with a large-animal rescue team specifically trained to extricate

Examine your horse. Approach your horse calmly. Speak to him in soothing tones, and stroke his neck to calm him.

Assess the injury or illness, and determine your best course of action.

horses and provide transport to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, Inc. (tlaer.org), trains responders to quickly and safely take immediate and appro-

Take emergency steps. Take immediate action if your horse has suffered a wound or is colicking or tying up.

(For how to do so, keep reading.) Apply common-sense first-aid. Stop the bleeding. Remove the stick from a puncture wound.

priate action when a horse is stuck

Assess the situation. Decide whether you should slowly ride, walk, or pony your horse to your trailer or leave him with your riding buddy and ride his or her horse to get help. (If you’re alone, tie your horse safely and walk out for help.)

demonstrate mud rescues and lifts

or injured. Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, TLAER’s primary instructor and president, travels internationally to teach certification courses, which use well-trained horses to mimic tragic scenarios.

ate action. Symptoms include kicking at the belly, looking at or biting the belly or flank, refusing to drink, grunting or groaning, pawing the ground, rolling or thrashing when down (indicating severe pain), and gut changes (including excessive gas production, abnormal gut sounds, and no gut sounds at all.)

If you suspect your horse is colicking, and your vet has prescribed Banamine for colic, give it to your horse as directed to relieve pain. Note that Banamine doesn’t treat colic—and can mask colic symptoms—so get your horse medical help immediately. If you’re far from the trailhead, your only treatment option might be to walk out to a place where you can trailer out. As soon as you’re in cellphone range, call a vet for professional advice. Note that indigestion, gas pain, and intestinal spasms might resolve after walking a few miles; still, call a vet immediately to ensure that the colic episode has completely resolved.

“Our horses are trained to

On-Trail Treatment Here’s how to handle six trail emergencies until you can get your horse to a veterinarian for care.

Leg wound/cut heel. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure. Pressure is key to halting blood loss and safer than a tourniquet. Then rinse the wound with water or a saline solution, wash with Betadine scrub, and apply an antibiotic ointment. To dress the wound, pack pieces of rolled up 4-by-4-inch sterile gauze pads against it. Then apply a nonstick cotton-wool material to absorb drainage and pad the wound. Finally, apply a self-adherent bandage. Slowly lead your horse to the trailhead, and call a vet as soon as you have service.

Laceration/puncture wound. This is a common injury. Your horse might fall off a trail or fall down; injure a leg going over a log; or spook, rear up, and 72 / HorseandRider.com

without sedation so our students work in real-life scenarios,” Gimenez explains.

fall over. First, use a sharp pocketknife or small saw to extricate your horse from brush, if needed. If he’s bleeding significantly, apply a pressure bandage (such as sterile gauze pads) or apply direct pressure to the wound. After you stop the bleeding, remove any foreign material from the wound the best you can (and keep it in your saddlebag for your vet’s inspection), wash and dress the wound as described previously, and lead him slowly along the trail back to your trailer or to get help. Call a vet as soon as you have service.

Wire/barbed-wire injury. If your horse gets tangled in a snarl of wire that was hidden in the bushes or tall grass, carefully cut the wire with wire-cutters to free him. Wash and dress the wound, and head back to the trailhead.

Colic. Colic (abdominal pain) can be life threatening for horses, so take immedi-

Tying up. Your trail horse’s muscles might cramp painfully due to heat stress, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or energy depletion.

Symptoms include muscle cramping, severe muscle pain, elevated heart rate, tail swishing, and moving away from touch. If your horse ties up on a ride, don’t make him move. Give him a dose of Banamine to relieve pain, and cover the afflicted area with a space blanket to ease cramps. Offer water.

When the cramps ease, walk him very slowly back to the trailhead, resting every half hour. Call a vet as soon as you have service.

Lost shoe. A loose or lost shoe can hurt your horse’s foot. If a shoe comes loose, file the clinches with a rasp, slowly and carefully work the shoe off with pliers, then apply a temporary hoof boot. If you ride or lead your horse with a suddenly bare foot, he can damage the hoof wall or bruise the sole in rocky terrain. If you don’t have a hoof boot, walk your horse home so there’s less stress on his bare foot. In a pinch, use duct tape to create padding on the bottom of his foot until you get to the trailhead.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Savvy Feeder®

Deluxe Soft Stall Mat

Slow feeding of forage is an excellent way to curb equine boredom and nervousness while reducing the incidence of ulcers. With the Savvy Feeder®, horses can pull only small amounts of hay through a moveable grate. This keeps them calm and occupied without wasting hay or creating the mess common with ground feeding and traditional feeders.

Crafted from safe, durable polyethylene with built-in drainage to help prevent hay spoilage, this versatile feeder is designed to give years of use, whether indoors or outdoors. It holds two to 22 pounds of hay and is light enough to move around and even tote to a show. No matter how fine or how coarse your hay, three grate sizes have you covered.

Horses are said to eat four to 10 times slower from the Savvy Feeder® than from the ground, with less risk of ingesting sand and debris, which can cause colic. They also maintain a natural head-down position with the jaw in correct alignment, reducing the likelihood of choke, guttural pouch infections, and respiratory issues.

Available in several colors and with an optional plate for engraving, the Savvy Feeder® comes with a 30-day, no-questions-asked guarantee. savvyfeeder.com; (701) 793-SAVY

A popular flooring for equine stalls, the Deluxe Soft Stall Mat is the "pride and joy" of LRP Solutions (formerly Linear Rubber Products).

No need to repair a stall floor.

This mat—the largest of its type in the industry—can be installed over almost any surface, including dirt, concrete, and wood.

Since it typically requires only two pieces, installation is simple, with a minimal number of seams.

The Deluxe Soft Stall Mat is made in the USA from genuine, nylon-reinforced rubber and is approximately 5/8-inch thick.

It can withstand extreme heat and cold without cracking, peeling, or disintegrating. Because it is nonporous, it will not absorb or retain moisture. Bedding does not adhere to it, and there are no dust issues. According to the manufacturer, use of this mat also saves up to 75 percent on the cost of bedding.

Designed to stay in place, this mat is easy to clean and disinfect without removal. In addition, its Sure-Traction grid surface guards against slipping, abrasions, and leg fatigue.

The Deluxe Soft Stall Mat is available in all standard stall sizes, comes with free custom trimming, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. rubbermats.com; (800) 558-4040

March 2018 / 74

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Haygain® Hay Steamer

Bedford Technology

Recent studies indicate that Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) may be more prevalent among horses than was previously believed. The condition, often only detected by scoping, impacts performance and reduces a horse’s quality of life.

One way to address IAD and Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) is to reduce the number of allergens in horses’ hay. The Haygain Hay Steamer employs the only scientifically proven method for purifying hay. Inside its thermally insulated chest, steam is propelled from a best-in-class generator through a patented spike manifold system that ensures the uniform distribution of steam throughout the hay. The high temperature purifies the forage by destroying breathable particles, fungal spores, bacteria, and mites, while maintaining its palatability and nutritional value.

Research shows that use of the Haygain Hay Steamer reduces the incidence of IAD by as much as 63%. It can also aid in the management of laminitic, colic-prone, and post-operative equines.

The Haygain Hay Steamer comes in three models to accommodate everything from one horse to stables with four or more horses. Hay can be steamed by the bale, in flakes, or in Haygain’s custom non-shrinkable hay net—and the process is easy, taking about 60 minutes. haygain.com; (707) 838-4855

Plastic lumber is a practical product for the safe, durable containment of horses and other livestock. Bedford Technology prides itself on exceptional customer service and a commitment to innovation in premium structural and reinforced HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) products, including those designed for equine and agricultural applications.

The company's SelectForce®, FiberForce®, and BarForce® product lines can be used in everything from stalls, paddocks, posts, and fencing to trailer beds and riding arenas. SelectForce®

by Bedford Technology is the company’s most versatile offering.

Strong enough for any weather or environment, it is suitable for many different types of animal enclosures and can be ordered in custom colors, sizes, and shapes. For an even stronger, more rigid type of barrier, FiberForce® by Bedford Technology is a high-quality HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) reinforced with strands of fiberglass, and available in both standard and custom dimensions, as well as a range of colors. In applications where added durability is desired, BarForce® by Bedford Technology combines the strength of FiberForce® plastic lumber with fiber-reinforced polymer rebar for a truly sturdy material.

To find the right solution for your facility, call Bedford Technology, or visit the company’s website, below. plasticboards.com; (800) 721-9037

Carri-Lite Corrals Carri-Lite Corrals provides your horse with a safe resting area away from home.

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The portable stall is convenient to transport, collapsing down to 1/5th its size.

Choose from pink, tan or white.

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The best in ranching supplies

Made in USA Ships UPS ground

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Keep up with Horse&Rider on Social Media for All You Need to Live Today’s Western Horse Life facebook.com/horseandrider instagram.com/horseandridermag

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76 / HorseandRider.com

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Nook edition available at www.barnesandnoble.com Android edition available at play.google.com/store iPad edition available in iTunes App Store Search. Zoom. Link. Share.

South/Southeast Region

Your Next Trail-Riding Adventure

FOXTROTTER RANCH

is a Click Away!

Come Rest ’N’ Ride with your horse in horse country Stay with your horse on the beautiful greenway trails in Ocala, FL. We are located at the land bridge off of I-75.

Ride right off the property and enjoy the miles of wonderful trail choices or ride to the 500 acre horse park!

3/2 western cabin w/deck & grill Living Quarter/RV hook ups-30 amp 4 board fenced turnouts w/auto water & shade trees or 12 x 12 stalls Barn access w/matted wash racks, h/c water, cross ties or hitching posts Tack room w/fridge, shower, sink & toilet

www.goldenacresfoxtrotterranch.com restnride@gmail.com or littmarlin@aol.com Call for pricing and availability!

(352) 817-2862 Rocky Mountain Region

Midwest Region

Midwest Region

W H E R E -T O - R I D E G U I D E

An unspoiled adventure in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Come join us in the beautiful northern corner of Wyoming.

out Ask us ab HCR-AZ Our newnear p Horsecam

in

July 29th thru August 4th, 2018 ~Big Horn Mountains~

of Wyoming

Visit our Facebook page to view photos of previous rides, and see new ride dates

SCENIC DAY RIDES EXQUISITE FOOD NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT For more information, write or call:

Midwest Region

Cross Country Trail Ride Set in the heart of the Ozarks, CROSS COUNTRY TRAIL RIDE is an EQUINE VACATION OF YOUR DREAMS. • Bring your own horse and camping gear and let us take care of you for a week or a weekend.

• Our facility is newly renovated with all new stalls and electric/water hookups in 2018!

• Packages include 3 meals per day, camping with water/electric hookup, and daily entertainment.

(307) 587-9761 Florance Ann Calkin Wyoming High Country Rides, LLC Join us in

36 Sunburst Drive Cody, Wyoming 82414 wytrailride@gmail.com

2018

May 13-19 • June 10-16 • July 4-7 • August 5-11 Aug. 31 Sept. 3 • Sept. 30-Oct. 6 • October 21-27

and let us make your dreams come true!

Jim and Jane Smith Cross Country Trail Ride, LLC P.O. Box 15 • Eminence, MO 65466 573-226-3492

WWW.CROSSCOUNTRYTRAILRIDES.COM

March 2018 / 77

Advertiser’s Index APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Muddy Creek Rain Gear www.muddycreek.net............................................ 48

ASSOCIATIONS Equine Land Conservation Resource www.elcr.org........................................................... 78 The Walkaloosa Horse Association www.walkaloosaregistry.com ............................... 59

BARNS, STALLS & FOOTINGS Linear Rubber Products www.rubbermats.com ........................................... 74

EVENTS Equine Affaire www.equineaffaire.com......................................... 27

FARM & STABLE EQUIPMENT Bedford Technology www.plasticboards.com ........................................ 73 Carri-Lite Corrals www.carrilitecorrals.com....................................... 76 Kubota www.kubotausa.com ............................................... 3

FEED Cargill/Nutrena www.NutrenaWorld.com .................................... 4,19 Haygain Ltd www.haygain.us..................................................... 75 Purina Mills www.purinamills.com/horse-feed .................... 15,17 The Savvy Feeder www.savvyfeeder.com ........................................... 74

GIFTS, ART & COLLECTIBLES Bradford Exchange www.bradfordexchange.com ........................... 34,42 Dunn Knives www.dunnknives.com ........................................... 20 ShowOff Ribbon Racks www.merbeth.net .................................................. 76

GROOMING EQyss Grooming Products www.eqyss.com .................................................. CV4

HEALTH CARE Adequan (Luitpold) www.adequan.com ................................................ 31 Back On Track www.backontrackproducts.com............................ 11 Boehringer Ingelheim www.bi-vetmedica.com ................................. CV2,25 Farnam www.farnam.com ................................................ CV3 Kentucky Performance Products www.KPPusa.com .................................................. 14 Merck Animal Health USA www.merck-animal-health-usa.com ..................... 21 Osphos®(Dechra Veterinary Products) www.osphos.com ................................................... 12 OvaMed (Bimeda Equine) www.bimedaequine.com ....................................... 18

SmartPak www.smartpak.com ............................................ 2,29

HOOF CARE Life Data Labs, Inc. www.lifedatalabs.com ........................................... 59

INSECT CONTROL Alzoo (Hackamore Health) www.hackamorehealth.com .................................. 61 Spalding Laboratories www.spalding-labs.com/ku462 ............................... 9

PUBLICATIONS, VIDEO, WEBSITES & AUDIO A Home For Every Horse www.AHomeForEveryHorse.com ......................... 65 AIM Equine U www.AIMEquineU.com ......................................... 45 Equine Network Store www.EquineNetworkStore.com....................... 19,67 Hope In The Saddle www.HopeInTheSaddle.com ................................. 51

TACK & EQUIPMENT 5 Star Equine Products, Inc. www.5starequineproducts.com ............................ 46 Cashel Company www.cashelcompany.com ....................................... 7 Dixie Midnight www.dixiemidnight.com ....................................... 20 Phoenix Rising Saddles www.phoenixrisingsaddles.com ........................... 49 Saddle Up, LLC. www.treelesssaddle.com....................................... 48 Shorty’s Saddles & Tack www.timberlinesaddlecompany.com ................... 76 Sports Saddle Incorporated www.sportssaddle.com ......................................... 50 Synergist Saddles www.synergistsaddles.com .................................. 47 Weaver Leather www.ridethebrand.com ........................................... 1

TRAINING Downunder Horsemanship www.downunderhorsemanship.com...................... 8 Warwick Schiller Performance Horsemanship www.warwickschiller.com .................................... 61

TRANSPORTATION USRider Equestrian Motor Plan www.usrider.org ..................................................... 57

WHERE TO RIDE GUIDE Cross Country Trail Ride www.crosscountrytrailrides.com .......................... 77 Golden Acres Foxtrotter Ranch www.goldenacresfoxtrotterranch.com ................. 77 Hay Creek Ranch www.haycreekranch.net........................................ 77 Valley Springs Foxtrotters/Brushy Creek Lodge www.brushycreeklodge.com ................................. 77 Wyoming High Country Trail Rides, LLC .................................................................................. 77

HORSE & RIDER VOLUME LVII, NUMBER 3 (ISSN 0018-5159/USPS 523-410) COPYRIGHT 2018, 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)

Classifieds APPAREL/ACCESSORIES

REAL ESTATE/LAND

TACK/SADDLES/LEATHER GOODS

Free catalog! Hobby Horse has ready-to-win western show apparel, tack, saddles, and accessories. (800) 569-5885 or www.hobbyhorseinc.com.

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

BE PREPARED IN AN EMERGENCY! ID MyHorse tags provide emergency and medical contact information for both horse and rider. Easily hang from the back of a saddle or weave into horse's mane or tail. Encased in a waterproof plastic sleeve and top-quality leather. Use on the trail or in an impending natural disaster. www.ID-MyHorse.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.

ASSOCIATIONS/REGISTRIES

Southern Illinois horse properties, located adjacent to and near the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. Midwest Real Estate - Larry Woodney (618) 658-2006 and (618) 9672106, www.MidwestReaIEstate.com Tired of trailering? Properties with trails, $11,000.

Jill Houston, (931) 879-7911, Riders Realty, LLC. jillhouston@hotmail.com

SUPPLIES

AERC.org/InfoRequest

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WANT TO EARN extra income selling Equine Supplements? Call today for your free brochure and CD. Top Choice Animal Products. (303) 275-9977

BEST PROGRAM in the industry! GUARANTEED MONEY BACK. Financing. MNHorseTrainingAcademy.com.

(320) 272-4199 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).

Don Vinson Monument Valley Trail Rides, Call (805) 7045778 or www.monumentvalleytrailrides.com

TRAVEL/TOURS/VACATION Double Rafter Cattle Drive. 115 years of family tradition.

Week-long, 50-mile trip. Compared to us City Slickers is a pony ride. See us at: www.doublerafter.com (800) 704-9268.

WAGON TRAIN RIDE, 226 miles. 37th Annual John Wayne Pioneer Wagons & Riders cross-Washington state ride.

Wagons, horseback riders, bicyclists, & walkers welcome in our wagon train on the historic John Wayne Pioneer Trail.

Pristine forests, lakes, rivers, desert, prairies & ranches.

Enjoy campfires, entertainment & camaraderie. WHEN: May 17-June 3, 2018. WHERE: Cascades to Idaho. YOU: Bring your horse, team/ wagon, truck/trailer, bicycle & equipment. Care for yourself, your stock & equipment. US: JWPWR arranges campsites, portable toilets, shuttle bus & advise. COST: $200 per person/2 weeks. For more info: Judy 425/788-4880. www.JohnWayneTrailRide.com

American Endurance Ride Conference

CLINICS/ EDUCATION/ SCHOOLS

TRAIL RIDES

TACK/SADDLES/LEATHER GOODS

ClassiďŹ ed Rates Start as low as $3.75 per word (10 word minimum)

Reach Over 350,000 Avid Horse&Rider Readers Monthly!

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HORSE CAMPS

Shawnee National Forest Hayes Canyon Campground & Cabins As featured on RFD-TV’s Best of America by Horseback‌ - ' ) ((

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Contact us at (760) 546-1192 hr@aimclassifieds.com

The

The

Collector:

Collection:

Robin Frid Denton, Texas

The quality in craftsmanship and the vibrant color combinations are what originally caught Robin Frid’s eye when he purchased his first Golden West saddle blanket.

Fast-forward 20 years,

80 / HorseandRider.com

and Frid now has more than 50 of the rainbow-hued show blankets in his care— all custom-made to showcase a horse and rider’s individual style when they’re in the show pen.

There’s one show

blanket that stands out among the rest.

The fourth blanket from the left, on the bottom row, holds special significance to Frid because it was the show blanket he used when Quarter Horse stallion

Investing Wisely recorded a 230.5 in junior Western riding—a benchmark that stood for 15 years as the highest score earned in that event at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show.

PHOTO BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

My Collection

SHARE YOUR COLLECTION! Send a high-resolution photo of your favorite Western items to HorseandRider@aimmedia.com.

No matter what your style, be your best, all the time

• EQUINE SYSTEM •

NATURAL • BOTANICAL

COLOR INTENSIFYING

MOISTURIZES COAT FOR A HIGH GLOSS SHINE

EQyss

®

800-526-7469 • www.EQyss.com