Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 1]
WHAT MOTHER NATURE DIDN’T
TAKE CARE OF
WE DID When Triple Crown® set out to create a premium supplement that could fill the nutritional gaps left behind by a forage-based diet, we ended up with the recipe for our 30% Ration Balancer. Low NSC levels, ideal for horses with metabolic issues, combined with EquiMix ® Technology that delivers high levels of vitamins, organic minerals, probiotics and prebiotics, make it easy to keep your horse thriving with Triple Crown’s 30% Ration Balancer.
TRIPLECROWNFEED.COM
[2] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
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JUST AS EVERY HORSE IS UNIQUE , SO IS YOUR EQUINE OPERATION It just makes sense to choose coverage that addresses your specific interests and risks. Choose additional coverages that can include protection for horses that are in your care, liability for horse show judges, computers, golf carts, non-owned tack and more. For more information, contact us at:
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Products and services may not be available in all states. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply. Life insurance and annuity products are issued through American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas. Property and casualty products and services may be underwritten in Texas by American National Property And Casualty Company, Springfield, Missouri or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates: American National County Mutual Insurance Company or American National Lloyds Insurance Company.
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 3]
93388.V2.2.2016
Table of Contents Feature Story:
Ghost Horses of Texas
[32]
Featured Lifestyle: Fall Trail Riding Guide
[16]
Cover Stories: 24 Hurricane Harvey Horse Rescue - Jennifer Williams, Phd.
Lifestyle & Feature: 8 Barn & Garden
ADVERTISING OFFICES
• HEADQUARTER OFFICE (281) 447-0772 Phone & (281) 893-1029 Fax Advertising@horsebackmagazine.com
Staff PUBLISHER Vicki Long
EDITOR Steven Long
NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR Carrie Gobernatz
• BRAZOS VALLEY BUREAU Diane Holt (936) 878-2678 Ranch & (713) 408-8114 Cell Dianeh@horsebackmagazine.com
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Margaret Pirtle 832-349-1427 Horsebackmag@gmail.com
10 Halloween Pet Safety - Texas A&M 14 Cold Weather Prep - Vicki Long 27 Buzz Off! Texas Animal Health Commission 36 Recipe - Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice
Columns: 30 Tack Talk - Lew Pewterbaugh 38 Cowboy Corner - Jim Hubbard
On the Cover:
Fall weather makes for great Trail Riding!
[4] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jim Hubbard, Steven Long, Vicki Long, Roni Norquist, Lew Pewterbaugh, Cathy Strobel, Margaret Pirtle, Kelsey Hellmann
Volume 24, No. 5 Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397, (281) 447-0772. The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted Fall 2017 by Horseback Magazine. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Horseback Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Horseback Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management. Subscription rate is $25.00 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Horseback Magazine | P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397 | Fax: (281) 893-1029 Email: vicki@horsebackmagazine.com
Phone: (281)
447-0772
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 5]
®
WHEN YOUR HORSE RECOVERS FASTER, ®
YOU’RE READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT.
INTRODUCING PURINA® SUPERSPORT ™ AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENT. Developed and proven on our nutrition research farm. In scientific research, horses fed SuperSport™ supplement recovered faster and increased their fitness and stamina.* With SuperSport™ supplement, your horse will be ready when you are. V I S I T YOU R PU R I NA ® R ETA I L E R OR SU PE R SPORT R EA DY.C OM F OR MOR E I N F OR M AT ION. © 2014 Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. All rights reserved. *vs. horses fed similar protein levels from alfalfa pellets.
[6] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
NEW MEXICO Circle S Feed Store LLC Carlsbad, NM 575/885-8369
Davis Feed and Fertilizer, Inc. Buffalo, TX 903/322-4316
Bunks Feed Barn Hobbs, NM 575/397-1228
Bernardo Farm and Ranch Sply Cat Spring, TX 979/732-5161
TEXAS Johnson Feed and Western Wear Alpine, TX 432/837-5792 Angleton Feed and Supply Co. LLC Angleton, TX 979/849-6661 Arcola Feed and Hardware Arcola, TX 281/431-1014 Lab Supply, Inc. DBA Argyle Feed Store Argyle, TX 800/262-5258 Southside Feed and Supply Athens, TX 903/677-5373 Pasturas Los Alazanes 2 Balch Springs, TX 214/563-9175 Ranch Store, Inc. DBA Bandera Ranch Store Bandera, TX 830/796-3342 Bastrop Feed and Supply LP Bastrop, TX 512/321-3700 Bay City Feed, Inc. Bay City, TX 979/245-2712 Sams Western Store, Inc. Beaumont, TX 409/842-2625 Blue Ribbon Country Store LLC Beeville, TX 361/392-3333
Boles Feed Company, Inc. Center, TX 936/598-3061 Wise Feed (Main) Chico, TX 940/644-2100 Silvers Pet and Feed Cibolo, TX 210/566-8020 Ricks Farm and Home LLC Clarksville, TX 903/427-3395 Lonestar Ranch and Outdoors Cleburne, TX 817/645-4325 Close Quarters Feed and Pet Supply College Station, TX 979/690-3333 Conroe Feeders Supply, Inc. Conroe, TX 936/441-5549 J and D Country Store, Inc. Conroe, TX 936/756-7667 Lone Star Country Store CC LLC Corpus Christi, TX 361/387-2668 Feed Shack and Tack Smith General Store Corsicana, TX 903/875-8026 Pecos Cnty Feed/Crane County Feed Crane, TX 432/558-2225
Bear Creek/Bells Bells, TX 903/965-4900
Crockett Farm and Fuel Center, Inc. Crockett, TX 936/544-3855
Linseisens Feed and Supply of Bellville LP Bellville, TX 979/865-3602
Dewitt County Producers-Cuero Tx Cuero, TX 361/275-3441
Belton Feed and Supply Belton, TX 254/939-3636
Aggie Feed Store Dallas, TX 214/391-3595
Howard County Feed and Supply, Inc. Big Spring, TX 432/267-6411
Feeders Supply Co. Dallas, TX 214/371-9413
Wheelers Feed and Outfitters Boerne, TX 830/249-2656 Berend Brothers of Bowie Bowie, TX 940/872-5131
Pasturas Los Alazanes Dallas, TX 214/484-3860 Feeders Supply/Feeders Supply 2 Dallas , TX 972/224-5559
horse.purinamills.com Dri Enterprises Ltd DBA NRS Feed Store Decatur, TX 940/627-3949 Del Rio Feed and Supply Del Rio, TX 830/775-5090 D and L Farm and Home-Denton Denton, TX 940/891-0100 Feeders Supply/ Duncanville Feed Duncanville, TX 972/298-3404 Blamar Feed and Surplus Eagle Pass, TX 830/757-6310 United Agricultural Coop, Inc. El Campo, TX 979/543-4104 Elgin General Store LLC Elgin, TX 512/285-3210 Potts Feed Store, Inc. Emory, TX 903/473-2249 Capps True Value Hardware and Ag Fairfield, TX 903/389-4504
Buchanans Feed Hallsville, TX 903/668-2012 Watsons Ranch and Farm Supply, Inc. Hamilton, TX 254/386-3717 Maci Feed and Supply Hardin, TX 936/298-9404 Mummes, Inc. Hondo, TX 830/426-3313 Hieden Feed and Supply, Inc. Houston, TX 281/444-1010 Sam Houston Feed and Supply II Houston, TX 281/591-2443 Cypress Ace Hardware Houston, TX 281/469-8020
Industry, TX 979/357-2121
Cordell Farm and Ranch Store, Inc. Kaufman, TX 972/932-2164
Pecos County Feed and Supply Fort Stockton, TX 432/336-6877
T Bar T Farm Supply Kaufman, TX 972/962-7677
Rendon Hardware and Feed Fort Worth, TX 817/561-1935 Gulf Coast Equine and Pet Friendswood, TX 281/482-7186 Ganado Feed and More Ganado, TX 361/771-2401 Coryell Feed and Supply Gatesville, TX 254/865-6315 Georgetown Farm Supply Georgetown, TX 512/930-4054 Goliad Feed Co. Goliad, TX 361/645-3266 E-Barr Feeds, Inc. Gonzales, TX 830/672-6515
Brenham Produce Co. Brenham, TX 979/836-3523
J and N Feed and Seed LLC Graham, TX 940/549-4631
Producers Coop Assn (Main) Bryan, TX 979/778-6000
Chachere Feed Store, Inc. Dayton, TX 936/258-2670
Arrow Feed and Ranch, Inc. Granbury, TX 817/573-8808
Jakes Feed and Animal Center LLC Longview, TX 903/663-3139 Lufkin Farm Supply Lufkin, TX 936/634-7414
McDonnell Building Materials Co., Inc. Keller, TX 817/431-3551 Kerrville Ranch and Pet Center Kerrville, TX 830/895-5800 Ricardo Ranch and Feed Kingsville, TX 361/592-3622 Hoffpauir’s Ranch & Supply Lampasas, TX 512/556-5444 Laredo Country Store Laredo, TX 956/206-7357 LaVernia Country Store LaVernia, TX 830/779-2600 Llano Feed & Supply Llano, TX 325/247-4126 Bear Creek Country Store Leonard, TX 903/587-0385 Lexington Feed and Farm Lexington, TX 979/773-2782
Coopers Country Store Stephenville, TX 254/968-5633
Engledow Farm and Ranch Supply Palestine, TX 903/723-3210
Allied Ag Services, Inc. Stonewall, TX 830/644-2411
Big Country Farm Center Paris, TX 903/785-8372
Temple Feed and Supply, Inc. Temple, TX 254/778-7975
Reeves County Feed and Supply Pecos, TX 432/447-2149
D and D Feed and Supply Tomball, TX 281/351-7144
Luling and Harwood Farm and Feed LLC Luling, TX 830/875-5423
D and L Farm and Home Pilot Point, TX 940/365-3129
Mabank Feed, Inc. Mabank, TX 903/887-1771
Wells Brothers Farm Store Plano, TX 972/424-8516
Standley Feed and Seed, Inc. Madisonville, TX 936/348-5272
NA Ag LLC/ Anderson Ag Supply Refugio, TX 361/526/5018
Spring Creek Feed Center Magnolia, TX 281/252-5400 Mansfield Feed Mill Mansfield, TX 817/473-1137 Williams Feed Store Ltd Marlin, TX 254/883-2401
Huntsville Farm Supply LLC Huntsville, TX McGregor General Store LLC 936/295-3961 McGregor, TX 254/840-3224 Lindemann Store
Noonday Feed Store, Inc. Main Flint, TX 903/561-5622
Damon Farm and Ranch Service Center Damon, TX 979/742-3317
S and S Ag Center LLC Groesbeck, TX 254/729-8008
Orange Grove Coop (Main) Orange Grove, TX 361/384-2766
Sheffield Farm and Ranch Supply Mexia, TX 254/562-3818 Ark Country Store #2 Midlothian, TX 469/612-5050 Walden Farm and Ranch Supply, Inc. Millsap, TX 940/682-4667
Rockdale General Store Rockdale, TX 512/446-6100 Round Top Farm and Ranch Round Top, TX 979/249-5666 Eagle Hardware Farm and Ranch Royse City, TX 972/635-7878 Holt Ranch and Feed LLC Royse City, TX 469/723-3230 Sabinal Grain Co. Sabinal, TX 830/988-2215 Grogan’s Farm & Ranch San Angelo, TX 325/227-6870 Tibaldos Feed and Supply Santa Fe, TX 409/925-2735
Southwest Hay and Feed Co. Steinhausers (Sealy Store) Mission, TX Sealy, TX 956/580-1717 979/885-2967 C and S Feed and Producers Cooperative Farm Supply Seguin, TX Montgomery, TX 830/379-1750 936/597-4050 D and D Retail LP DBA Scotts Crossing Farm Store Seguin, TX Murchison, TX 830/379-7340 903/469-3122 Garners Feed and Seed Boles Feed Company Sherman, TX Nacogdoches, TX 903/892-1081 936/564-2671 Berans Agri-Center Middle G Cattle Co. Shiner, TX Naples, TX 361/594-3395 903/575-1869 Somerville Farm and Ranch Needville Feed and Supply Somerville, TX Needville, TX 979/596-2224 979/793-6146 Struttys Feed and New Braunfels Feed and Pet Supply Supply, Inc. Spring Branch, TX New Braunfels, TX 830/438-8998 830/625-7250 Springtown Feed Berend Brothers-Olney and Fertilizer Olney, TX Springtown, TX 940/564-5671 817/220-7656
Texas Farm Store, Inc. Uvalde, TX 830/278-3713 Northside Ranch Pet and Garden Center Victoria, TX 361/573-5000 Waco Brazos Feed and Supply, Inc. Waco, TX 254/756-6687 B and S Farm and Ranch Center Waco, TX 254/752-0777 Bar None Country Store Waco, TX 254/848-9112 Haney Feed and Farm Supply Waller, TX 936/931-2469 Ark Country Store Waxahachie, TX 972/937-8860 Wharton Feed and Supply, Inc. Wharton, TX 979/532-8533 Berend Brothers Wichita Falls, TX 940/723-2731 Walkers Feed and Farm Supply Willis, TX 936/856-6446 King Feed and Hardware, Inc. Wimberley, TX 512/847-2618 Berend Brothers, Inc. Windthorst Windthorst, TX 940/423-6223 Tri County Enterprises Winnsboro, TX 903/342-5328 Poole Feed Supply Wylie, TX 972/442-4844 Yoakum Grain, Inc. Yoakum, TX 361/293-3521
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 7]
More than “Just a Hoof Stand” Hoof Jack has been the premium hoof stand for the equine community for years, but did you know they also can supply you with videos on Natural Balance Shoeing and Common Sense Horse Hoof Care/Hoof Trimming? You can even pick up a Paul Mitchell Sharpener, the highest quality sharpener on the market from Hoof Jack! So don’t worry if you aren’t a specialist in hoof care, with Hoof Jack video’s you can learn all you need to know about keeping your horse on firm ground.
Going Nuts! Its fall and that means the Texas pecan crop should be dropping off trees in the next few weeks. We live among so many pecan trees that it’s hard to realize how special this nut is. Pecan trees are only native to North America and the first writing about pecans was in 1533 by two Spanish explorers who were shown how to eat them by the Indians. It’s taken a few years, but now everyone knows the health value of pecans. Since Texas is the second largest grower of pecans in the United States, it’s no wonder that our state tree is the pecan. The pecan pie is the state pie of Texas, so now the only debate still going on is getting Blue Bell Ice Cream to be the state’s favorite dessert. My solution is a heaping scoopful of Blue Bell on a warm slice of pecan pie.
[8] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017 [8] Barn & Garden Fall 2017
Crock Pot Gardening?! Planting bulbs can seem daunting if you haven’t done it before. After all, when it’s done right you have a beautiful spring garden. If you think that must be difficult, check out bulbs like “Crock-pot Gardening.” Basically read the care directions carefully. Give them a good watering the first day you plant and then periodically thereafter. Plant at the widths and depths directed. Then leave them alone. This fall’s bulbs will begin sprouting in the early spring, about six months after planting. You can add annuals in the spring for bulbs that didn’t make it. Crock-pot gardening is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have time to spend hours tending, watering, and clipping old leaves, flowers and stems. By just waiting, you will have a vase full of flowers from your very own garden.
Fall Foliage - Texas Style! I love fall. It’s always been my favorite season. But, by living in the Gulf Coast area, I am afforded only a brief glimpse of fall color. However, that’s not the case for all of Texas. Texas offers some magnificent areas of color that can rival the fall colors we come to expect from the Eastern United States. Lost Maples State Natural Area: First opened to the public in 1979, it’s located approximately 100 miles northwest of San Antonio and it’s the perfect place to view beautiful maple trees in their autumn glory. East Texas: From Rusk to Henderson, then northwest to Tyler and Longview plus all spots in between, East Texas glows in golden and orange shades of autumn at every turn. Leaves take on their most fashionable hues toward the end of October into the first weeks of November. Lubbock: Even in West Texas you can find a burst of fall color as neighborhood red oaks explode with color. Heading southwest to the small town of Balmorhea, take in the beauty of goldenleafed cottonwoods. Texas fall foliage may not include quaint covered bridges or be as widespread as the colors of New England, but they do have one BIG TEXAS SIZED advantage – they’re local!
Fall 2017Magazine FallHorseback 2017 Barn & Garden [[9] 9]
Pet Talk..
Halloween Pet Safety
T
hough children and adults get a thrill from the spooky traditions of Halloween, our pets are less likely to appreciate the costumes, masks, and parties associated with Halloween night. To ensure your pet’s safety this Halloween, Kit Darling, infection control coordinator at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, recommended a few tips. “Keep candy secure from pets,” Darling said. “Many candies are toxic to pets, such as chocolates. Candies and gum containing the sugar-free sweetener xylitol are also toxic.” Additionally, Darling said lollipops and other candies with plastic components and wrappers can cause intestinal blockage if ingested. Be sure to clean up any candy trash, and store candy on a high shelf to prevent pets from reaching it. Other items to keep away from your pets include candles, pumpkins, pumpkin seeds, corn, lights, and electrical cords. These objects are a hazard if consumed or chewed on by your pet. If you suspect your pet has ingested harmful candy or another dangerous item, Darling recommended contacting the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian. Pet owners may want their pet to participate in the well-known Halloween tradition of wearing costumes, but they may not enjoy the experience as much as you. To determine if it is appropriate to dress your pet for Halloween night, Darling recommended these helpful tips. “Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know they are fine with it,” she said. “Try on the costume before Halloween and make sure it does not restrict their movement, hearing, sight, or breathing.” Additionally, costumes with lights or batteries are a safety hazard and should be avoided. Another safety tip Darling recommended was keeping [10] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
pets in a secure location to ensure they are protected from pranksters who may steal, tease, and injure pets. Black cats should be kept inside several days prior and after Halloween because they are especially at risk for being a target of a Halloween prank. Trickor-treaters or party guests may also stress out and startle your pets, so this is another good reason to reserve a safe and secure place for your pets to stay on Halloween night. “Continuous doorbell ringing and people at the door in costume may cause stress for your pet,” Darling said. “Put your pet in a secure location, such as a crate or room away from the front door. This will help minimize stress and will keep your pets from running out the front door.” Although pets should have an identification on them at all times, it is especially important on Halloween night. Human and vehicular traffic may frighten animals and cause them to run off from the safety of your home. If you are going to take your pet trick-ortreating with you, walk them on a leash and provide them with a reflective collar or tape so they are more visible at night. Darling also recommended a form of identification that could not come off, such as a microchip. Halloween is a fun night for people of all ages, but it is important to keep in mind your pet’s safety when planning parties and participating in other Halloween traditions. Nobody wants to spend Halloween night searching for a lost pet, so be sure to put your pet’s safety first.
Pet Talk is a service of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu. edu/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.
Protecting Bare Feet When protection is needed: Trail riding in terrain that the feet are not adapted to, changing from wet to dry environments and therapeutic cases.
Protection options for the unshod foot: • Super Fast shoe with or without a pour-in pad • Sole-Guard pad • Glue on shoes • Boots
Does your horse need hoof protection? Contact us to talk it over.
www.vettec.com | info@vettec.com US Customer Care 1.800.483.8832 | EU Customer Care +420 800 260 001
Putting Foot Back on a Horse By Tab Pigg
Maintaining and trimming horse hooves are essential in order to sustain optimal hoof health. Without proper hoof care, a horse’s feet can develop either too much toe or too much heel, among other conditions, and can result in costly treatment in order to get the hooves back to a healthy state. Lack of regular hoof maintenance can also cause horses to become uncomfortable or develop infections. When a horse’s feet become overly unkempt, it’s important for horse owners to provide the proper support and maintenance in order to get hooves healthy again. Causes: The main cause of unhealthy hooves is lack of regular maintenance. In order to keep horses comfortable, horse owners should have their horses on a regular trimming schedule. Sometimes, keeping up with a schedule can be challenging, which leads to putting hoof care on the backburner. It is crucial to trim horse hooves every six weeks in order to avoid infections or expensive repair work in the long run. Unhealthy hooves can be a result of poor conformation, so horse owners should be mindful of their horses’ body structures. If a horse has unbalanced hooves or is base-wide or base-narrow, its feet may need more frequent trimming than the average maintenance schedule. Because the frequency of hoof care depends on the horse, and every horse is different, horse owners should consider their horse’s conformation to ensure hooves are getting proper attention. Symptoms: Symptoms of unhealthy hooves and soles
can be addressed so the condition can be maintained and corrected. The most common symptoms include: • Flaring: A horse may flare in its feet, either toe-in or toe-out, if its hooves are bothering them, and may need extra attention to get its feet back to a healthy state. • Lack of comfort: If a horse is visibly uncomfortable when walking or is noticeably less active, it may be a sign that the horse needs hoof maintenance. • Chipping or cracking: Without regular hoof maintenance, horses can develop obvious chipping or cracking in the hoof wall, so it’s important for horse owners to be aware of it, keep hooves trimmed and repair the cracking or chipping. • Infection: Conditions like thrush or White Line Disease can also be a symptom of unhealthy hooves. Thrush is a bacterial infection that can be detected by a strong odor coming from the hoof, whereas White Line Disease is determined by a deep separation between the hoof wall and the sole. Both conditions can lead a horse to become lame, so it’s essential for horse owners to take all necessary steps in the hoof care process to avoid or treat these infections. Treating Unhealthy Hooves: In order to improve hoof health, a horse may need one or two aggressive trims before going back to a regular every-six-weeks maintenance schedule. To speed up the healing process, horse
owners can use pour-in pad and adhesive materials to help repair a horse’s feet. If lack of regular hoof maintenance caused damage to the hoof wall, hoof care professionals can use an adhesive to seal cracks or apply filler in areas with missing hoof wall. If a crack appears to be an exposed wound or infected, it’s important that the area is cleaned and left uncovered to heal, and treated by a hoof care professional or veterinarian. If it is not infected, Vettec Adhere can be applied over a crack to help close the gap, or even act as missing hoof wall. Adhere is designed to fabricate large and small hoof wall repairs, and can be bonded to the hooves while a horse is standing. For shod horses with weakened hoof walls, pour-in pad materials like Equi-Pak CS can help take pressure off of the hooves and center a horse’s weight. Equi-Pak CS is a fast-setting soft instant pad material, and is infused with copper sulfate. It provides extra protection and support, and also bonds to the sole. For barefoot horses, SoleGuard helps to increase sole depth and add protection to weak soles. Sole-Guard is a 30-second-setting liquid urethane hoof protection material that is easy to apply, durable and can last up to three weeks. In order to avoid costly treatment and procedures, it is crucial for horse owners to maintain a regular trimming schedule year-round. Ongoing maintenance to a horse’s hooves is vital to its comfort and wellbeing. Solar support, pour-in pad and adhesive products can aid in the recovery process, and be a tool for maintaining optimal hoof health.
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 11]
• One nutritionally balanced feed suitable for multiple horses, life stages and activity levels • Calorie-dense formula for lower feeding rates • Guaranteed controlled starch & sugar levels to support healthy digestion • Top quality protein with guaranteed lysine for muscle development and maintenance • Guaranteed levels of biotin to support hoof wall strength, healthy growth rates and hair coat quality • Includes organic trace minerals and yeast culture PROTEIN
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[12] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017 © 2017 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Alice, TX Gonzalitos 361-256-4141
available at your local nutrena® dealer! Cibolo, TX Silvers Pet & Feed 210-566-8020
Houston, TX Hieden Feed & Supply 281-444-1010
Nacogdoches, TX Ward Animal Hospital 936-564-4341
Rockdale, TX Whiteley Farm Supply 512-446-3541
Alvin, TX Steinhauser’s 281-388-0388
College Station, TX Close Quarters Feed & Pet Supply 979-690-3333
Houston, TX Cypress Ace Hardware 281-469-8020
Natalia, TX Alamo Feed Store 830-665-2060
Rosenberg, TX Steinhauser’s 281-342-2452
Alvin, TX Stanton’s Shopping Center 281-331-4491
Commerce, TX Fix & Feed 903-886-7917
Ingram, TX Double L Ranch & Wildlife Feed 830-367-4100
Navasota, TX Steinhauser’s 936-825-2081
Rosharon, TX Arcola Feed & Hardware 281-431-1014
Atlanta, TX Newkirk Feed 903-796-2541
Conroe, TX Conroe Feeder’s Supply 936-756-5549
La Vernia, TX Big Bear Home Center 830-779-2514
Needville, TX Needville Feed & Supply 979-793-6146
Sealy, TX Steinhauser’s 979-885-2967
Austin, TX DLS Feed 512-288-5025
Corsicana, TX Olsen Feed 903-874-4812
Lufkin, TX Double R Feed 936-634-6726
New Braunsfels, TX Producers Cooperative 830-625-2381
Seguin, TX Producers Cooperative 830-379-1750
Bellville, TX Harrison Farm Service 979-865-9127
Cotulla, TX Ranch Equipment 830-879-2223
Madisonville, TX Standley Feed & Seed 936-348-2235
Orange Grove, TX Orange Grove Coop 361-384-2766
Spring Branch, TX Strutty’s Feed & Pet Supply 830-438-8998
Belton, TX Belton Feed & Supply 254-939-3636
Edgewood, TX East Texas Vet Supply 903-896-1115
Magnolia, TX Steinhauser’s 281-356-2530
Ore City, TX J & G Feed 903-968-3860
St. Hedwig, TX St. Hedwig Feed 210-667-1346
Boerne, TX Strutty’s Feed & Pet Supply 830-981-2258
Edna, TX Jackson County Feed 361-582-3816
Magnolia, TX Spring Creek Feed Center 281-252-5400
Palmview, TX El P.A.S.E. Feed & Seed 956-240-1745
Sulphur Springs, TX Fix & Feed 903-885-7917
Boerne, TX Wheeler’s 888-249-2656
Elm Mott, TX Miller Hay & Feed 254-829-2055
Magnolia, TX WD Feed & Supply 832-454-2515
Paris, TX Big Country Farm Center 903-785-8372
Temple, TX Temple Feed & Supply 254-778-7975
Bonham, TX Fix & Feed 903-583-9995
Floresville, TX Lubianski Enterprises 830-216-2132
Manchaca, TX J&B Feed & Hay 512-282-4640
Pearland, TX D&D Feed 281-485-6645
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Brenham, TX Cattleman’s Supply 979-836-4756
Floresville, TX Dittmar Lumber 830-216-9200
Marion, TX Hild Brothers 830-420-2313
Pipe Creek, TX Barrel House 830-565-6303
Tomball, TX D&D Feed & Supply 281-351-7144
Brookshire, TX Steinhauser’s 281-934-2479
Freer, TX Susies Freer Farm & Ranch 361-394-7061
Mineola, TX Big Country Farm Center 903-569-3200
Pittsburg, TX Texas Country Farm Supply 903-855-8458
Victoria, TX Dierlam Feed & Ranch Supply 361-575-3224
Bryan, TX Steinhauser’s 979-778-0978
Garrison, TX Garrison Hardware & Feed 936-347-2715
Montgomery, TX C & S Feed & Farm Supply 936-597-4050
Port Arthur, TX Five Star Feeds 409-736-0777
Victoria, TX The Other Feed Store 361-572-3811
Bulverde, TX Bulverde Feed 830-438-3252
Gatesville, TX The Ranch 254-404-2220
Mt. Pleasant, TX Bronco Feeds 903-572-7777
Port Lavaca, TX Melstan Feed & Seed 361-552-5441
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Caldwell, TX Homeyer Feed & Supply 979-567-9355
Giddings, TX Carmine Feed & Fertilizer 979-542-2446
Mt. Vernon, TX Texas Country Farm Supply 903-537-4516
Richmond, TX Brehm’s Feed Co. 281-341-9005
Willis, TX Walker’s Feed & Farm Supply 936-856-6446
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Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 13]
READY FOR SOME COLD WEATHER?
As
much as we love the cool nights and not so hot days, when the pumpkins show up in the stores and we change from ice tea to a hot latte it’s time to get everything ready for our horses and barns before a winter blast. STOCK UP If you think stocking up is just making sure you have enough hay for the winter, then you will find your-
self in a cold snap wishing you had done more preparation. Now is a great time to check out all your winter equipment, from tank heaters to extension cords. It’s much easier to order a part online now and have everything working fine than it is to need something and find yourself waiting on a part to come in.
TACK AND STALL Cold weather is hard on tack, halters and saddles. So pull out the cleaning soap and conditioner and give every piece a good once over. And that blanket STALL HEATERS you tossed aside as the weather Electric radiant make infrared heaters warm warmed, sure you get it horses and owners cleaned and rewithout heating the paired before the entire barn. nights turn nippy.
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[14] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
The stall which was fine in the spring and summer will probably need some extra shavings to keep your horses comfortable. And speaking of comfort, if you have a draft horse, this is the perfect time to trim the feathers to keep ice from solidifying on them.
LET THERE BE LIGHT With winter comes short days and long nights but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the dark. Placing solar lights near gates will help you find your way when coming out of a pasture and also help you see while placing the halter on your horse to lead him to the barn. Motion lights placed at each end of the barn will light up the area when you arrive and save energy when no one is around. CHECK YOUR PLUMBING Nothing is worse than waking up to no running water. Simple foam tubing around exposed pipes and facets is all it usually takes to protect your running water. Instead of waiting until winter is here, now is a perfect time to place that foam protection around all exposed exterior plumbing. Use caulk to seal any spaces where pipes enter your barn. GOOD TIME FOR VET & FARRIER Now is a great time to make sure your horse is up today on shots and worming. Call your farrier and see if it’s is a good time to remove shoes since hoofs grow slower in winter. Giving your horse some time to let its hoof walls grow out can benefit some horses. This season of pumpkin spice and sweaters is a great time to have everything ready before Old Man Winter comes knocking. Being prepared, makes winter just another season and not something to dread.
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 15]
Texas Fall Trail Riding Guide When the temperature dips below 90 degrees, it’s time to hit the saddle and go on a nice long trail ride.
Central Texas
7IL Ranch: Trails Open To the Public, 1,150 Acres of Private Land, 40 Miles of Permanently Marked Trails, Electrical and Water Hookups. No hunters or motorized vehicles allowed on trails. Just West of Houston off I-10; • 5389 Mill Creek Rd • Cat Spring, TX 78933; • 979-236-5552 | www.7iltrails.com
Dinosaur Valley State Park: The terrain is wooded and semi-rocky, and has no marked trails. Parking for trailers and horses can drink from Paluxy River. Restroom available in day-use area. • 1629 Park Rd 59 Glen Rose, TX.
Sea Rim State Park: Three miles of Gulf Coast beachfront that’s ideal for horseback riding. Primitive camping is available on the East Beach - bring your own portable corrals and horse trailer. Please check with park HQ on best places to ride. Galveston – West Beach
C-Bar Ranch: A thousand acre ranch is not far from Waco and Hillsboro. There are approximately 20 miles of trails to explore. The trails range from basic level ground to more challenging gullies and steep rocky inclines. There are two horse pens and you can also high tie your horses as well, plus 17 electrical hook ups, water, 2 portable restrooms, cabin rental and camping allowed. Valley Mills, • Texas Larry & Martha Montgomery, 254-749-6962.
Gulf Coast
Cattail Marsh: Tyrrell Park offers a unique horseback riding experience on 900 acres of wetlands, eight miles of gravel levee roads allows you to enjoy the wildlife along the banks of Hildebrandt Bayou and Willow Marsh Bayou. Beaumont, TX. Big Thicket National Preserve: The Big Sandy Creek Trail is an 18-mile horseback riding trail in one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Horseback riding is allowed only on the Big Sandy Creek Trail in the Big Sandy Creek Unit. This trail is approximately 18 miles round-trip. There are no stables in the area and trail is closed during hunting season. Beaumont, TX; (409) 951-6700 Brazos Bend State Park: Six primitive equestrian campsites are at the trailhead of the six-mile multi-use trail system. Each site has a picnic table, but sites do not have water, electricity or showers. Water for horses and chemical toilets are available. Needville, TX [16] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center: A great place for horse and mule riders to camp and ride on over 50 miles of trails along the Lampasas River on 2000 acres. There are four cabins available which includes corral and water nearby plus RV hookups and primitive camping. • 13816 N. Maxdale Rd. Kileen, TX, 254-394-0330
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Shaffer Bend Recreation Area: With 523 acres, this is situated on Lake Travis with the terrain ranging from bottomlands to bluffs and hills. This underdeveloped area is good for camping but there is no potable water or electricity. • Marble Falls, TX McKinney Roughs Nature Park: A day use park where riders can explore close to 18 miles of trails on horseback. It has three dormitories which can sleep up to 128 with air conditioning, and hot showers. • 1884 Hwy 71 W Cedar Creek, TX 78612 • (512) 303-5073 • Sister Creek Ranch: A 700-acre working ranch that is tailored it to be a perfect spot for horse owners to enjoy themselves to the fullest. No horse rentals - full and pasture boarding. Upscale guest houses, saloon, barn, arena, round pen, and lots of horse riding trails. • 27030 Toutant Beauregard Rd, Boerne, TX • 830-755-4911
Central Texas
2E Twin Elm Guest Ranch: 250 acres on the Medina River of gentle rolling hills. Bring your own horse or rent one of theirs. RV Hookups available. • 810 FM-470, Bandera, TX 78003 • 888-567-3049
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[18] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
Bar M Ranch: Bar M specializes in unique Hill Country trail rides on private lands where you’ll see no other humans or constant signs of modern civilization. Their trails offer all the terrain the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Overnight stays available at a cabin. No personal horses allowed. • 2569 RR-1077 • W, Bandera, TX • 830-796-9096
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Hill Country
LH7 Ranch: 1,200 acre working longhorn ranch with loads of room for you and your horse to explore. Lodge with fireplace, pool. 14 RV hookups/electric & water. Primitive camp sites lakeside and riverside. • Hwy 16, Bandera, TX • 830-796-4314
Hill Country State Natural Area: Tucked away in the rugged terrain southwest of Bandera is Hill Country State Natural Area, an undeveloped and secluded retreat. Approximately 40 miles of multiuse trails wind up grassy valleys, cross spring-fed streams, and climb steep limestone hills. Campsites for primitive and back country camping are available to equestrian riders. A group lodge will sleep 12 people and the area has five stalls and two pens for horses. W.Texas • 10600 Bandera Creek Road Bandera, TX • (830) 796-4413 Big Bend Ranch State Park: Horseback is a great way to explore almost 300,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert, in Texas’ largest and most remote state park. Big Bend Ranch State Park offers approximately 238 miles of multi use trails that are suitable for horses. Five equestrian-oriented campsites are available, most of which offer corrals and water.
& Panhandle
Must bring weed free horse feed and proof of negative Coggins. Big Bend Ranch State Park is about as remote as you can get and the park store at the Sauceda Ranger Station has limited inventory. If you think you need it – bring it! This country is hard on horses and horseshoes. Make sure your horses are fit and that you have spare shoeing equipment. 0 YEARS
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W.Texas & Panhandle
Caprock Canyon State Park: The park offers day-use and camping facilities. Almost 90 miles of multi-use trails range from the very difficult in rugged terrain to trails with less than 3% grade. About 25 miles of the trails include cliffs and drop-offs, with steep climbs and descents that are recommended only for the experienced equestrian and mountain bike riders. There are 13 trails in all for equestrians to explore. • Quitaque, TX Davis Mountains State Park: Davis Mountains State Park offers a unique and remote destination for riders. The 11 miles of trails take riders from 4,900 feet high at Limpia Creek to over 5,700 feet high at a scenic overlook. Choose from one of six primitive or equestrian campsites. Non-potable water is available at the staging area and at the high point on the trail. • Ft. Davis, TX • (432) 426-3337
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Monahans Sandhills State Park: This park has an 800-acre equestrian area with no marked trails. A trailer parking area and potable water is available, as well as three campsites. The general terrain is heavy sand, with brush and a few mesquite trees. Visitors must provide their own horses. • Monahans, TX • (432) 943-2092 Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Ride on trails through 1,500 acres set aside for horseback riding. You can also share two other trails with hikers and mountain bikers. Bring your own horse. Park your trailer at the equestrian campground and bring a water bucket for your horse. • Canyon, TX • (806) 488-2227
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Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 21]
North & East Texas
Sam Houston National Forest: Offering 85 miles of multi use trails designated and developed for hiking, biking, horses, and registered Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). The multiuse trail, forest service roads and areas cleared for pipelines are used as horse riding trails. • New Waverly, TX • (936) 569-8547
Cooper Lake State Park: The 10.5-mile Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail crosses nearly 600 acres of shaded forest and thick vegetation, and takes you down hillsides and through creek gulches. Some parts of the trail are challenging. Equestrian campsites available and you can access the trail from them. • 1664 FM 1529 South Cooper, TX 75432 • (903) 395-3100 East Fork Campground: The Lake Lavon Trinity Trail system is about 25 miles long with multiple access points and even a well-appointed horse camp. This excellent trail system is located near Dallas and is one of the best maintained trails in Texas. Each equestrian camping site has a portable horse stall. • 3375 Skyview Drive, Wylie TX • (972)442-3141 Ebenezer Park: Sam Rayburn Reservoir: This is the only area where equestrian camping is allowed at the very popular Sam Rayburn Reservoir. With many miles of excellent riding available with 1.5 miles on US Army Corps of Engineer land and well over 20 miles on the adjacent Angelina National Forest. The Equestrian area contains 30 campsites, 13 with campsite water and electric connections, and 17 without water and electric at the campsite. • Jasper, TX
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[22] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
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North & East Texas
LBJ National Grasslands – Over 75 miles of trails with camping facility. Two restrooms and stock water available but no potable water. No electrical or water connections for trailers. Terrain varies from grassy fields to woods and creek crossings. Trails well marked and the best time to visit is spring and fall. • Decatur, TX Mineola Nature Preserve: The Mineola Nature Preserve on the Sabine River encompasses 2,911 acres located in Wood County. Over 20 miles of equestrian trails and a special entrance for horses: Derby Entrance for Horse Trailers & RVs • 4429 SE Loop 564 Mineola, TX 75773 Trace Trail: Rolling sandy land, mostly in natural oak woods. Well cleared trails and deep sandy roads are what to expect. Shoes are optional. Horse camp is an open field lined with trees. Stationary tie horses to trailers (or high lines between trailers).Camping is primitive, no hookups are available. There are two horse water tanks and multiple frost free spigots with hoses. Trails are well marked. • Athens TX
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 23]
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society Jumps Into Action to Help Horse Owners Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
A
fter making sure the rescue’s adopted and foster horses were safe, Bluebonnet’s Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Williams joined the moderator team for the Facebook group East Texas Equine Evacuation and Disaster Relief Network. The group, which was established by Fleet of Angels, served as a resource for horse and other livestock owners and those who wanted to help. Using the Facebook group, horse owners posted requests for assistance evacuating their animals, and volunteers offered to help. Hundreds of cattle, horses, and other livestock were saved due to the resources offered on the group. The group continues to function to help owners find needed supplies, to connect donors and donations sites, and to provide educational resources for future disasters. Bluebonnet also partnered with mobile equine veterinarian Dr. Kris Anderson of Santa Fe. The organization established a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that’s helping pay veterinary bills for horses injured in the flood, and Dr. Anderson has been traveling throughout the area answering pleas for assistance from horse owners. Dr. Anderson’s goal is to help any horse who needs it during this time, regardless of their owner’s ability to pay, “Please do not let financial limitations prevent you from seeking care for your horses that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”
Mare surrendered to Bluebonnet after standing in flood waters for days. She’s recovering from “river rot”, a condition that occurs when horses slough skin after standing in water for days.
Dr. Anderson and Bluebonnet also established a donation center, first at the Galveston County Fairgrounds and now at a private residence in Rosharon. Donors from across the country have brought hay, feed, shavings, and other supplies for horses, cattle, other livestock, dogs, and cats. Bluebonnet is distributing those items to local animal owners who lost their supplies to Hurricane
Harvey. “I know what it is like to suffer a huge weather-related loss,” says Dr. Jennifer Williams. “After Hurricane Ike, it took us seven months to rebuild our home and barn. So many people helped make that possible, and now we want to help others. Our goal is to provide supplies so that horses and other animals can stay with their people.”
[24] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
(Hurricane Cont. on Pg. 26)
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Dr. David Warren & More!
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 25]
(Hurricane Cont. from Pg. 24)
Rescue shipments of feed from our neighbors up north in Maryland! Unfortunately, some owners are unable to keep their horses after the hurricane. Although Bluebonnet rarely takes in ownerdonated horses, instead focusing on law enforcement cases, they’re making exceptions for horses whose owners need to rehome them due to damages from Hurricane Harvey. So far, the rescue has taken in ten horses with an additional three on the way, and they expect to take in more over the next few months. The worst case has been an emaciated mare who stood in flood waters for days. She’s lost large patches of skin and hair all over her body and has to be medicated and bathed daily to help her recover. Bluebonnet knows that the rebuilding and regrouping process could take a long time, and they’re committed to helping horse owners throughout the process. “Our donation and distribution centers will stay open until we are no longer receiving donations or until there are no longer folks needing help,” says Dr. Williams. While the rescue’s goal is to keep horses with their humans, they are also providing peace of mind to owners who have to rehome their horses. For more information on Bluebonnet and their Hurricane Harvey efforts, visit www. bluebonnetequine.org. [26] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
Photo of the barn of one of the people who has received supplies from Bluebonnet. Her barn and property flooded and she lost hay, feed, and other supplies.
BUZZ OFF! TEXAS HORSE OWNERS ENCOURAGED TO VACCINATED AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is encouraging owners to take precautions and vaccinate their equine to protect against the West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
As of September 1, 2017 the Texas Department of State Health Services has reported five cases of WNV and one case of EEE in 2017. In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito popula-
tions and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations include removing stagnant water sources, keeping animals inside during the bugs’ feeding times, which are typically early in the morning and evening, and using mosquito repellents. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease of all equine species. Infected horses may suddenly die or show progressive central nervous system disorders. Symptoms may include unsteadiness, erratic behavior and a marked loss of coordination. The death rate for animals infected with EEE is 75100%. West Nile Virus is the leading cause of arbovirus encephalitis in horses and has been identified in the entire continental United States, most of Canada and Mexico. The case fatality rate for horses exhibiting clinical signs of WNV
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 27]
Mosquito borne Threats Post Hurricane & Flooding Authorities have recommended that horses and pets be vaccinated and/or treated against mosquito-borne illnesses resulting from standing water. Here’s what to watch out for: HUMANS ONLY: Dengue - sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, back ache, joint pains along with a rash which appears on the third or fourth day of illness.
Remember to keep both horses and premises free of standing water, in addition to spraying with the proper repellants to keep nuisance insects at bay! infection is approximately 33%. Data have supported that 40% of horses that survive the acute illness caused by WNV still exhibit residual effects, such as gait and behavioral abnormalities, 6 months post-diagnosis. Vaccines are available for neurologic diseases such as EEE and WNV. As part of routine equine health care, the TAHC strongly recommends that equine owners consult with their local veterinarians to discuss an appropriate vaccination program to protect their horses against mosquito-borne diseases. For more information contact the Public Information Dept. at 512-719-0750 or at public_ info@tahc.texas.gov.
Yellow Fever - high fever, internal bleeding, jaundice. Law requires such cases be reported immediately. Malaria - fever along with flu-like symptoms, including chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Zika - fever, rash, muscle and joint aches, red eyes. Pregnant women and infants are particularly at risk. Chikungunya - joint pain, headache, nausea, fatigue. PETS, LIVESTOCK & HUMANS: Encephalitis - (Humans, Birds, Equines) Human Symptoms: high fever, convulsions, delirium along with other central nervous system issues. West Nile Virus - (Humans, Birds, Horses) Human Symptoms: fever along with flu-like symptoms can affect brain and nervous system. Dog Heartworm - (Dogs, Cats & rarely Humans) Human Symptoms: coughing and labored breathing, a general loss of vitality in advanced stages. If left untreated can cause death.
[28] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 29]
Tack Care...
Musings from inside the Saddle Shop!
Horseback Magazine’s Saddle & Tack Editor
As
I sit here in my little saddle shop on a rainy afternoon, I am thinking about how our country seems to be falling apart more and more in countless ways, big and small. Political correctness has made wusses of so many, while liberal education in schools has taken away competitiveness, the racial divide is worse than it has been since the 60’s, and politicians are career path people instead of a governing body. I never was a football fan, or any other team sport fan for that matter, but these overpaid mental midgets need to stand with their hands on their hearts for the National Anthem, then get on their knees to thank God for the opportunity they have to do so. All of this brings me to my personal pet peeve, companies exporting our heritage to third world countries to make inferior products and make more money by hiring cheap labor and avoiding U.S. payroll taxes. I really dislike the big companies that take good U.S. designs and take them to India and China and Viet Nam to try and copy. I could probably get in trouble for naming names, so I urge you to check your purchases for the country of origin. Some of the Indian saddles look [30] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
pretty good in pictures, but on close inspection, they are almost always poorly tooled, inferior leather, and crappy silver. You simply cannot buy a good saddle for $400.00, period. Today, you can barely buy an adequate saddle for $900.00. So, you don’t have $900.00 or $1,000.00 to buy a new saddle? Buy a good used one. A good used saddle can sure fill the bill if you don’t have the bucks for a brand new saddle. Typically, a 10 year old saddle will be about one half the price of a new one of the same type. For instance, I have a Billy Cook roper in the shop now. It’s an older Greenville Billy Cook, probably from around 1980, so it’s almost 40 years old, hard to imagine. Anyway, in 1980 that saddle retailed for about $895.00. Today that same saddle retails for about $2000.00. A ten to fifteen year old saddle of the same quality is going to sell for around $1,000.00. Since this older saddle I have is still in excellent shape and the style hasn’t changed, it has actually started climbing in value, and is still a good buy at $800.00. I guess in 20 years, when a new saddle is $4,000.00, that 20 year old saddle will probably be around $2,000.00. I have another great saddle in the shop, an older Keyston roper. Now Keyston hasn’t made saddles since the 70’s, but when you see the glow on this saddle, you just know that is some really fine leather. Most new leather today will never show the quality tannage that some of those older saddles had. I’m guessing this
old Keyston was probably made with Scholts leather or one of the other great old companies that were pushed out of existence by the EPA. I’ve often talked about my old Heiser saddle, made in 1923. I still ride it every week. Even the finest Hermann Oak leather today won’t compare to that old well- tanned leather. Shep Hermann was quoted in an old Weaver Leather catalog saying that they could tan leather in a week that it used to take them 6 months to tan. Really? And it will come out the same? I sure don’t believe it. Hermann Oak leather is one of the finest still tanned in the U.S.A., along with Wickett and Craig. Still, I don’t think they compare with that long tanned leather. I was in a saddle shop in Burnet years ago and this big old boy was putting the finishing touches on a nice custom saddle. I said, “Yep, that’s a nice saddle. Too bad you can’t make one as good as my old Heiser”. He turned on me with his hammer in his hand, pretty po’ed, and said’ “Listen Pup, I can make a saddle as good as anything Heiser ever made!” I said,” no you can’t. You can make one as well, but you can’t make one as good, because you can’t get the leather!” I smiled at him and he laughed and said, “well, you got that right.” Of all the new saddles that I’ve sold over the years, back in Tennessee, here in Texas at Bunkhouse Leather, and out of my little shop in Medina, how come, you may ask, don’t I ride a new saddle? Because to me older is better if it has been taken care of and not just plumb wore out. I have
three western saddles; the old Heiser almost 95 years old, A Big Horn cordura which I dearly love for its weight and little maintenance, and on older Circle Y that I made several alterations to make it work on my extremely wide, short backed Polish Arab. If I rode often enough to justify it, and if I had the money, I would gladly ride a McCall saddle. Heck, even the used ones go for $2500.00 to $3,000.00. Frankly, I just don’t ride enough to warrant it. So, rather than spend $400.00 on one of the new cheap saddles on eBay, shop around for a good used saddle, preferably a name brand, and not one with a name that is supposed to confuse it with a popular name. Circle this and Circle that will try to make you think it’s a Circle Y, and there have been times in Circle Y’s past when they weren’t very good either. Keep in mind, most production saddles were made down to a price. Most small volume builders were built up to a quality. If you find a name like Oliver, McPherson, McCall, or tons of other small manufacturers, check them out. If you aren’t familiar with the name, call me and I’ll try to steer you in the right direction.
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Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 31]
By Margaret Pirtle
Devil's Backbone Can Send Chills Up Your Spine
DEVIL’S BACKBONE
There are plenty of ghost stories along the Backbone, a limestone ridge that runs along State Highway 122 between Wimberly and Blanco which is one of the most scenic drives in the hill country. Like many areas of Texas it has seen its share of violence and is ripe with the ghost of both people and horses that seem to have lingered there. Apparitions have been seen of a lost patrol of Confederate soldiers, the sounds of their horse’s hoofs so loud that they can shake a car if they pass near. Locals in the area say they have witnessed this lost patrol of ghostly soldiers and their [32] Horseback Horseback Magazine Magazine -- Fall Fall 2017 2017 [32]
steeds usually in the dead of the night when the wind is still and the moon lights the hills. The rebels look real, but if you turn your eyes
away for just a minute, they vanish into the night with only the sound of their horses filling the night air.
The White Ghost Steed of the Prairies Out of the descendants of the Spanish horses comes the legend of the White stallion – a superb horse with all the desirable qualities of speed, endurance and beauty that the imagination could give him. The stories around the camp fires of this large stallion is that he was always seen alone in the vicinity of the Cross Timbers area north of Denton near the Red River. He was never known to gallop or trot, but could out pace any horse and rider sent out to find him. A Mexican, mounted on a fresh horse was paid well to bring him in by a rancher in the area. After days of spotting him, but watching him vanish as he neared, the Mexican
returned and gave back the wealth, leaving empty handed. Now this area is no longer wild and free but still the white stallion is seen in the distance by many– a lasting hope that the horse still exists – even if he is a ghost. Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 33]
Phantom Horses of Palo Duro Canyon
PALO DURO CANYON
In September of 1874, the Comanche warriors left their reservations to hunt and stockpile for the winter. They made their camp in the Palo Duro Canyon. Hearing the Comanche were off their reservation, General Ronal MacKenzie and a large number of troops tracked them to the Canyon with orders to force them back to their reservation. A Comanche lookout spotted the soldiers and alerted the Indians who were able to flee from the charging troops by climbing up the canyon walls, but they had to flee for their life by leaving
their horses behind. In the one-sided fight, more than 50 Indians were killed and the troops captured all the Indians’ supplies and almost 2,000 horses. After giving 30 of the captured ponies to a scout and saving 300 more as a bonus to his troops, MacKenzie ordered the rest of the 1400 horses killed. Over the years, since the killing of the pinto ponies, dozens of people who have visited the Canyon have heard the ghostly sounds of hundreds of horse hooves. Then, like magic, the sight of ghostly pinto horses, at full speed appear running along the canyon rim. As quick as they appear, the misty horses and noise of their hoofs vanish, leaving spectators with nothing but an eerie silence.
STAGECOACH ROAD
Stagecoach Road The sight of an old stagecoach drawn by four black horses has kept an old dirty road spread beneath a canopy of pine trees buzzing with locals for decades. The Stagecoach Road which has been in use since the early 1800’s ran between Marshall and Shreveport Louisiana. Locals and ghost hunters have dubbed the road haunted by the appearance of the old clattering coach and its four jet black spectral horses which appear and
[34] Horseback HorsebackMagazine Magazine--Fall Fall2017 2017 [34]
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disappear regularly. Others say that the stagecoach is an old funeral hearse, and refer to it as the “death coach.” Strange glowing lights have been reported by many people when traveling the road at night and believe that the lights are lanterns hanging from the coach as it rushes down the road. Stagecoach Road can be a scary place even in daylight and fear and ghostly horses pulling a long ago coach wait for those who are brave enough to travel this road at night in the deep piney woods of East Texas.
Fall Fall 20172017- Horseback Horseback Magazine Magazine [[ 35] 35]
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[36] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
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Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 37]
General...
Of Hurricanes & Hitches! Howdy! Welcome to Cowboy Corner. Wow, what a storm. Harvey will go down in history as a real mess maker. After every storm threat to the Brazos River Valley I have written about lessons learned. Trailers, especially high profile models such as livestock trailers, are real susceptible to wind damage. All trailer pullers have been in crosswind situations at highway speeds, and can imagine 100 mph winds moving their trailers around. Several of our trailers have rear receiver hitches which allow hitching one trailer behind the other - handy, when hauling hay for example. So for the storm, an eighteen foot stock trailer got hitched to a twenty foot flat bed trailer, which got hitched to a tractor. Don’t forget to use the trailer safety chains and park away from trees and buildings. Another smaller stock trailer got chained [38] Horseback Magazine - Fall 2017
to a shredder which was hitched to a tractor and a smaller cargo trailer chained to the stock trailer. All my “trailer trains” made the storm okay and I am plenty grateful. Soon as the clean-up started, unhitching was easy. Since portability is very important, I use medium size tractors of about 50 hp. These tractors, as all in the medium horsepower and smaller range, are equipped with a Category 1 - three point hitch. Years ago I built a three point receiver hitch to be attached to a Category 1 drawbar available at the agricultural supply stores. The use of the tractor’s three point hitch allows for one person hitching and unhitching of bumper pull trailers. To use with goose-
neck trailers, a 2 5/16 inch ball must be attached to the top of the hitch in the area of the adjustable connecting link. When the tractor three point hitch is used, raising the drawbar and the front of the trailer has a “dumping” affect by lowering the rear of the trailer. It’s handy, when handling tree limbs and branches, cleaning up from a storm. Think that cowboys knew before plumbers, that **it doesn’t run up hill, so “dumping” your livestock trailer will make it easier to clean. Guess we only have to know two more things to be plumbers, don’t lick your fingers and pay day is every Friday.
Happy Trails...
Fall 2017- Horseback Magazine [ 39]
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