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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Mark Your Horse in Hurricane Season
It’s hard to believe that in just a few short weeks brisk cold breezes will be blowing cross the Lone Star State. Summer flew by, and it was neither better nor worse than the ones before. In Texas, better means a nice occasional shower to cool things off. Worse means that shower comes with blinding rain and hurricane force winds. Every time I write anything like this mentioning the weather I worry my words will be prophetic and we’ll have a storm. Thus far, By Steven Long my luck has held. But when that worry is overwhelming, I harken back to September, 1961 and hurricane Carla. The storm came ashore at Port Aransas, near Corpus Christi, far from my home in Galveston County up the coast. Yet the fury hit our neck of the woods very hard. Low lying Kemah, where I had close friends, was virtually destroyed, wiped clean at the shoreline of Galveston Bay where famed seafood restaurants had stood packed with people the week before. After the storm, only concrete slabs remained. So why am I writing about this in a horse magazine? It’s simple. I’ve seen what a hurricane can do first hand to fences, barns, and livestock. I’ve seen adult cattle impaled by fence posts. I don’t want such tragedy to happen to our readers (or the animals they love). Each year, new horse owners face the prospect of such a storm oblivious to what might be in store for them. Their inclination will be to button up their animals in a poorly constructed barn where they believe they will be safe. Smarter horse owners than us point out the danger of such a strategy. Hurricanes spawn up to 100 tornados an hour. Think about that. Chew on the thought, savor the horror it brings to your mind, and then think about that barn being broken wood and twisted steel, with your horse lying dead or dying impaled by sharp flying objects under that debris. That is why we repeat this column each year as we move into the transition from summer to fall. In short, don’t trap your horses in a potential death trap. If you can’t evacuate your animals (definitely the smart thing to do), we’ve always been told by longtime ranchers and horsemen, that turnout behind a stout fence is a far better option to the consequences of leaving them confined in a collapsing barn. Put it this way. Your horse will turn his butt up into the wind, put his head down, and ride out the misery. Mark the animal with waterproof paint in case the fences go down and your horse wanders away. Either spray, or apply your name to the animal’s coat with a brush, along with your phone number (cell phone preferred since lines go down in a storm). I repeat. Make sure the paint is waterproof. And remember, this is a time of crisis. Don’t worry about the horse’s coat; the hair will grow back replacing the paint before you can say Kentucky Derby. But at least the folks who find your stray, will have your number to contact. Finally, allow us to beg the forgiveness of longtime Horseback readers who have endured similar columns on this each year. We’re sorry for the redundancy, yet we are confident that those same horse owners understand more than most, that you can never repeat these suggestions to new horse owners enough. Fences and barns go down in hurricane force winds. If your horse is unmarked, sometimes the person whose claim is accepted by authorities in the absence of evidence is the person with the loudest voice and most compelling tale. Not all who want or claim a horse are honest people. To others, a loose animal is meat on the hoof destined for the kill buyer. After a storm has passed, loose horses and cattle can wander. Needless to say, any horse owners I know will make a bee line to the pasture to make sure things are okay. In all likelihood, your horse will be there still standing butt into the wind and grazing if there is still grass available. Finally, it’s wise to apply to the deity of your choice for rain, but in the same prayer, ask for not too much of it - and please keep the winds down to a gentle Texas breeze.
On the Cover:
Trail Rider’s at Vista Verde Ranch
4 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
September 2015
Cover Story: 20 A Vacation Paradise - Diane Holt
Lifestyle & Real Estate: 16 24 28 44 46 50
Charity through Charlottes - Margaret Pirtle Great Destinations Happy Trails Tips for an Easy Trip - Tom Seay Realtor Roundup The Great American Trail Ride - ACTHA
Columns:
C
M
8 Horse Bites
Y
10 Riding in Groups, Part II - Linda Parelli
CM
12 Ride-N-Sync™ - Terry Myers
MY
30 Tack Talk - Lew Pewterbaugh
CY
32 On the English Front - Cathy Strobel
CMY
38 Hoof N’ Horse - Jaime Jackson
K
54 Cowboy Corner - Jim Hubbard
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jim Hubbard, Steven Long, Vicki Long, Roni Norquist, Linda Parelli, Kelsey Hellmann, Lew Pewterbaugh, Cathy Strobel, Cory Johnson, Margaret Pirtle, Jaime Jackson Volume 22, No. 9 Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397, (281) 447-0772. The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted Septemmber 2015 by Horseback Magazine. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Horseback Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Horseback Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management. Subscription rate is $25.00 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397. Fax: (281) 893-1029
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 5
TOGETHER
WE’RE INVINCIBLE I TRUST MY FEED TO DO ITS JOB SO I CAN DO MINE. Purina® understands there’s a lot riding on our horses. It’s why I partner with them and why my feed of choice is Purina® IMPACT® horse feed. IMPACT® is based on 85 years of research and formulated by Purina Ph.D. Equine Nutritionists to contain the essentials my horse needs so we can perform at the top of our game. VISIT YOUR PURINA® RETAILER OR HORSE.PURINAMILLS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Turtle Powell © 2014 Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. All Rights Reserved.
6 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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E-Barr Feeds Gonzales, TX • 830- 672-6515
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American Feed Seagoville, TX • 972-287-5984
The Feed Station Austin, TX • 512-301-7788
Feeders Dallas, TX • 972-224-5559
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Mabank Feed Mabank, TX • 903-887-1771
Producers Coop-Seguin Seguin, TX • 830-379-1750
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Pasturas Dallas, TX • 214-563-9875
Arrow Feed & Ranch Supply Granbury, TX • 817-573-8808
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S&S Ag Center Groesbeck, TX • 254-729-8008
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AgVantage Farm & Ranch Decatur, TX • 940-627-2312
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Watson Ranch & Farm Supply Hamilton, TX • 254-386-3717
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Maci Feed Hardin, Texas, TX • 936-298-9404
Belton Feed & Supply Belton, TX • 254-939-3636
D&L Denton Denton, TX • 940-891-0100
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Howard County Feed Big Spring, TX • 432-267-6411
Martin Farm and Ranch Edinburg, TX • 956-383-4949
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Middle G Naples, TX • 903-575-1869
B&S Farm & Home Center Waco, TX • 254-752-0777
Needville Feed and Supply Needville, TX • 979-793-6141 New Braunfels Feed and Supply New Braunfels, TX • 830-625-7250 Berend Brothers-Olney Olney, TX • 940-564-5674 Engledow Farm & Ranch Supply Palestine, TX • 903-723-3210 Big Country Farm Center Paris, TX • 903-785-8372
Bar None Country Store Waco, TX • 254-848-9112 Haney’s Feed and Supply Waller, TX • 936-931-2469 Ark Country Store Waxahachie, TX • 972-937-8860 Walden Farm & Ranch Supply Weatherford Weatherford, TX • 817-598-0043 Wharton Feed & Supply Wharton, TX • 979-532-8533 Berend Brothers-Wichita Falls Wichita Falls, TX • 940-723-2736 Walker’s Farm & Ranch Supply Willis, TX • 936-856-6446 King Feed and Hardware Wimberly, TX • 512-847-2618 Berend Brothers Windthorst, TX • 940-423-6223 Tri County Enterprise Winnsboro, TX • 903-342-3586 Poole Feed Wylie, TX • 469-323-7814 Yoakum Grain, Inc Yoakum, TX • 361-293-3521
Lone Star Country Store Corpus Christi, TX • 361- 387-2668
September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 7
Detailed Undercover Investigation Aleges Tennessee Walking Horse Abuse at Top Training Barn, with Big-Name, Previously Cited Trainers Continuing Their Illegal Conduct For the second time in four years, an undercover investigator with The Humane Society of the United States has documented trainers and grooms cruelly “soring” Tennessee walking horses to create an exaggerated and unnatural gait known as the “big lick.” This time, the investigation focused on ThorSport Farm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is well-known and highly regarded within the big lick show world. Their investigation documented that several horses slated to compete in this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration have been illegally sored, which could give them an advantage at the industry’s high-profile showcase event. During the investigation, more than 60 wrapping samples were allegedly taken directly from horses whose legs had been slathered with caustic chemicals and wrapped tightly to cook the chemicals into their flesh and cause extreme pain. All samples allegedly tested positive for substances that have been banned from use in the show ring by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of its enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. Keith Dane, vice president of equine protection for The HSUS, said: “This investigation proves that the practice of soring is alive and well in
the investigation was turned over to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. “Horse Bites is compiled from Press Releases sent to Horseback The HSUS has offered to provide Magazine. Original reporting is assistance with the collection of evidone as circumstances warrant. dence and handling of horses during Content is edited for length & style.” the execution of a search warrant, and to provide transportation and care for any horses seized. The HSUS is urging Congress to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 3268/S. 1121), which would bolster the Horse Protection Act by finally putting an end to the Our investigation revealed abuse of Tennessee walking horses corrupt, inefat ThorSport Farm in Tennessee. Photo by The HSUS fective system of industry the heart of Tennessee walking horse self-regulation, banning the tall stacks country, and that some top trainers and owners in the industry are com- and chains that are an integral part of plicit in the abuse. The pain and suf- the soring process, and strengthening fering our investigator documented penalties for violations of the law. inside ThorSport Farm is nauseating, and unfortunately continues unabated USET Foundation Mourns the Loss of despite the industry’s persistent, false Eventing Legend Karen Stives claims that it has cleaned up its act. Congress must recognize the need to pass legislation that will finally protect The United States Equestrian Team these majestic, gentle animals and give Foundation is sad to report the passing of Karen Stives on August 14, them a fighting chance.” ThorSport Farm is well-known 2015. Karen passed away peacefully and highly regarded within the Big Lick at her home in Dover, Massachusetts show world, but its trainers Chad Wil- after a long illness. Karen has been heavily inliams, Aaron Self and Robert Cortner, volved with the USET Foundation have histories of being cited for violating the law by presenting sored horses for two decades, serving as a Trustee at shows. Allison Thorson, daughter from 1989-2002 and a member of the of ThorSport Farm owners Duke and National Advisory Committee from Rhonda Thorson, also has past Horse 2003 - present. In 2014, Karen estabProtection Act citations, and during lished the Karen E. Stives Endowment the investigation, wrapping samples Fund for High Performance Eventing from her horses tested positive for sev- with a $1 million gift that provides an annual grant for an Eventing High eral prohibited substances. Wrapping samples taken from Performance activity which will have two former Grand Champions trained a direct impact on the United States’ at ThorSport and expected to be ex- ability to win medals at International hibited at the Celebration—He’s Vida Championship competitions. On the day of Karen’s passing, Blue and The Golden Sovereign—also Phillip Dutton and Lauren Keiffer, tested positive for numerous illegal the riders receiving the 2015 Karen substances. All evidence collected in
8 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
Horsebites- Con’t. on pg.36
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WHY ARE MORE VETERINARIANS R E C O M M E N D I N G T R I P L E C R OW N ® S E N I O R ?
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H
Triple Crown® is a registered trademark of Triple Crown Nutrition Inc., Wayzata, MN. • Illustration ©2009 September 2015R. Monticelli 2 ORSEBACK
MAGAZINE 9
General...
Riding In Groups: Confidence & Strategy Part Two By Linda Parelli, Photo by Coco
Some horses are great when riding in groups, but others can get quite emotional – defensive, aggressive, impulsive, kicking, charging... not much fun for either of you! Here are some ideas to help you prepare yourself and your horse for a more safe and enjoyable experience, naturally. Approach and Retreat The best way to build confidence in horses (and humans) is with approach and retreat. You approach the thing that is difficult and, before it becomes unbearable or frightening, you back off to where it feels safe again, then re-approach. Repeat this until, one by one, each threshold disappears and the horse can move forwards without hesitation or tension. The worst you can do is feel the fear and do it anyway, pushing through regardless. That just does not work when it comes to prey animals... and it’s dangerous. How this relates to riding in groups with a horse that is afraid to be with others is rather simple... you start with just one other horse! Then you add one, and another and another, etc. This may not be all on the same day, but that is also quite possible so long as you don’t add another horse until your horse is completely relaxed each time you added one. Simulations • Walk and circle: Ride in the same direction at the walk, turning little circles every so often. This helps horses not get so concerned about another horse following them. Remember – always stay out of the kick zone! That’s about 9 feet, or one “horse-length.” • Pass each other from opposite directions: Start with a generous distance that slowly gets smaller but be sure to widen a little the moment you feel any of the horses get tight. Try to do this before the horse reacts, and pretty soon he will not have any issues
at all about other horses coming towards him. What upsets horses is when they need to get out of another horse’s bubble but are forced to stay on the same track. It can lead to total panic. • Play “Switch the Leader” games: First stop or slow down and allow the other horse to take the lead, giving a wide berth as they pass. Soon you’ll be doing it at the trot and even the canter and able to stay quite close. • Ride in pairs, threes or fours: – in a straight line abreast and then in different configurations such as an arrow- head, behind each other in a line, etc. Make sure you keep your horse on a predetermined track and don’t drift off course. Imagine you are one of the Blue Angels Air Force demonstration team - the others are depending on you to not swerve around in the air! That’s why these incredible pilots can fly with wing tips so close together. You need to be a good pilot for your horse and your friends when riding in groups. • Experiment with speed on a circle: Start by trotting, trotting faster then slower, faster and slower, then transitions to walk and trot... all as a group, as one. When this feels easy, and if you are all ready for it, do the same in canter – faster and slower, faster and slower. Vary the sizes of your circles – start smaller, get larger and smaller again, approach and retreat style. • Horses get really upset when you hold them back, and this can spell disaster. Instead of holding them back, simply make your circles spiral in smaller, and keep riding forward until your horse doesn’t feel the need to run any more. This occurs because the adrenaline gets used up in a positive way. Of course you would bend your horse to a stop with one rein if you got into trouble, doing less sooner. And remember that this is about rehearsal. It’s going to be hard to bend to a stop in a group in a real situation, which is why you want to rehearse this until you are confident that your
10 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
horse is going to keep it together under different conditions. • All for one and one for all: It’s really important to all be there for each other during your preparations. Be conscious of how your actions affect others and don’t be afraid to speak up when you need everyone to wait or slow down. Just make sure you ask sooner rather than later, at the first signs of difficulty. And do it calmly not in an emotional panic! • Recently seven of us were riding at a nearby hunt club, not in the hunt but expanding our skills and exposing our horses to new environments. We felt confident to go for a bit of a gallop together, just a hand gallop, like a fast canter with us standing up a little in our stirrups. I told everyone that if their horse started to get excited to yell out “circle!” and the leaders would turn to the right and stay circling until their horse was calm again. We didn’t have to do it, which was great... but it’s a wonderful strategy to keep in mind and rehearse for. Repetition and Testing
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When it comes to preparation, repetition is a very important key. You need to do your simulations as a positive pattern, which means for seven sessions. In hearing that, you’ll probably realize just how underprepared so many riders and horses are for their activities! What does Pat say? “Prior and proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Now, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to have to do it every time for every new situation, but when you are training in the beginning, you will need to take it seriously and establish the foundation for the future. Over-prepare rather than under-prepare. After that your leadership and your horse’s trust in you should already be established and now it just needs to keep strengthening with just a little ‘top up’ here and there. But any time you’re going into a very new and different and potentially quite challenging experience for your horse, think ahead. Be savvy, stay safe, be really prepared. What if things go wrong at the event or activity? Bend to a stop and get off as soon as it starts to feel bad and you have that “Uh-oh” thought. The idea is to feel when things are just starting to go wrong, like your horse getting tense and distracted, and you feel a little tight. Act right www.horsebackmagazine.com
then. Of course you will always make sure you are well warmed up on the ground so your horse is calm, connected and responsive before you mount up. What else do you have to prepare for? It’s important to know what kind of situation you are preparing for. In this way you can tailor the exercises to more accurately simulate and prepare for them: • • • • •
Trail rides Arena groups (warm-up arenas, group lessons, clinics) Competitions Hunting Parades
In some of these situations, there will be additional elements such as horses coming too close, cars, wagons, hounds, displays, music, crowds, floats, stressed people, shouting, hurrying, etc. And while not all of us can gather a couple of thousand people or a live band at a moment’s notice, take heart because this is about being able to keep your horse’s attention and connection more than anything else. In simulations, you can just have one person make a commotion and challenge yourself to keep your own focus and calmly, but
insistently, keep your horse on a task – getting him to put his feet on a pedestal is a good one to start with. After that, think of the gait you’ll be using when in that situation and over-prepare. If it’s going to be the walk, get to where you can do it at the trot, and so on... and first on the ground. How to make a commotion? Having someone shaking a flag (Carrot Stick with plastic bag on the end), or shaking and dragging a tarp, banging on a barrel, fence, roof, jumping up and down, etc. will all work really well. Start softly and build from there, softening the commotion before the horse gets upset and then escalating again (approach and retreat). Have your helper stay in one place at first, allowing you to change the proximity when ready. Later on, you can deal with more movement and unpredictability. As you know, we so often say “It’s not about the _____ (fill in the blank).” It really is all about the relationship of trust and connection. When a horse really trusts you, he will learn to not worry unless you do... and of course you won’t worry because you are emotionally fit! Be or become the leader your horse needs – calm, confident, prepared. For more info visit Parelli.com
September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 11
Training Tips..
Horsemanship through Cadence
In
previous articles we have talked about proper rider body position and how to use your body to help your horse perform. In our quest of learning to dance with our horse, we need to consider rhythm or cadence. As with any dancer, you have to dance in a tempo which matches your music. With horses, you need to develop a method to feel the rhythm or cadence of their feet. Not always an easy thing to do, but essential to becoming a dance team with your horse. As with any good dance team, there needs to be a leader and a follower. And yes, you guessed it; you must be the leader, not your horse. The leader in the dance must know how to guide their partner through a series of moves. If the leader’s timing is off, the follower cannot achieve the desired movement. That’s when feet get stepped on and you get voted off the show! Cadence and rhythm being important, how do you achieve it? If you can count to four, you can begin to learn your horse’s rhythm. While walking your horse in a circle, start to feel the rhythm of your horse’s feet and start your count with the inside front leg. One-twothree-four. Your goal is to have all four feet to hit in an even cadence, similar to the beat of a metronome (one of those gadgets that your piano teacher put on the piano that goes tick-tick-tick). So you count your horse’s feet over and over. As you count, pay attention to your count. If you are beginning your count with the front inside foot, are you counting ONE-two-three-four, with the ONE count being more pronounced? That means your horse is heavier on that foot. Not sure what we mean? Listen to the hoof beats and determine if one is louder. If so, your horse is heavier on
that foot. Try cadence at the trot, a two beat diagonal gait. Most people count ONE-TWO-three-four, indicating the horse is forehand heavy. With the horse’s power coming from the rear end, this type of beat tells you that the horse is pulling themselves rather than driving from behind. This problem cannot be fixed by slowing the horse down, but by speeding them up and driving them into the bridle. Once you routinely count your horse’s cadence, you start to become aware of the movement of your horse’s feet one foot at a time. This will enable you to start to time your request for a transition, based on the position of their feet. Example: you ask for a left turn as your horse begins to step off with that front foot. If you ask for the turn just as they put the left foot down, it is much harder for the horse to make the turn. In previous articles we have talked about singing as a way to relax the
12 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
stomach. There is another benefit, sing a song in the same tempo as your gait. It becomes very easy to tell when the cadence of your horse’s feet change. This is particularly beneficial at the canter. You will quickly realize when your horse has slowed and collected, to allow you to release rein pressure. Doesn’t matter if you are a good singer, your horse is not a music critic! When starting to try to feel the feet, you naturally focus on the front feet. The goal is to learn to feel all four feet. This will enable you to feel movement from the back end forward, which is important in all disciplines. Once you can start to feel your horse’s feet, you start to gain the ability control all parts of the body and you begin to become the leader in the dance with your horse. Terry Myers is a national clinician and champion horse trainer with a depth of knowledge developed from over 45 years in the horse industry. Myers has been a popular clinician at multiple expos in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about Myers’ Ride-In-Sync Horsemanship methods as well as clinic and training services available, visit Myers at www.tmtrainingcenter.com and on Facebook.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 15
Charlotte’s Saddlery Helping Rescued Horses By Margaret Pirtle
W
hen the news broke at the end of June about the 200 horses found starving in Conroe and rescued by the Houston SPCA, everyone in the equine community of Texas was taken back by the stark pictures of abuse. Since then, many of the horses have been moved to other shelters, some even taken out of state to find good homes, and Charlotte’s Saddlery, who has been on the forefront of giving, is still steadily supporting these horses with customer donations and keeping up the public awareness of their plight. “ Everyone who comes into any of our three stores can see a list of things that the horses need right now,” Tim Raisbeck told Horseback. “If you would like to purchase an article that they need from our store, we’ll give you a twenty percent discount on the item and take it to the SPCA for you. Right now we are making weekly trips, making sure the horses receive the things they need. If you would like to make a monetary donation, then just make the check out to the Houston SPCA and we will make sure they receive it.” Charlotte’s Saddlery has always been the place to go in the Houston area and now Austin for all your riding needs. They are now putting all their resources behind helping the horses that have been abused and starving. Through their effort, they are helping bring attention about animal cruelty and together Charlotte’s and Texas equestrians can unite to help ensure the safety and protection of our beautiful horses.
16 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
Photograph by Lisa Rotter, Houston SPCA Houston SPCA Equine Supervisor, Jackie Kelsey, with one of the horses rescued from Calico Dairy in Conroe, Texas.
To make a donation contact or visit one of Charlotte’s three sites: 11623A Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77079 US Phone: 800-231-6530
114 West Main Street Tomball, TX 77375 US Phone: 281-351-1705
13945 US Hwy 183 N #D-170 Austin, TX 78717 US Phone: 512-527-3127
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 17
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A Colorado Winter Vacation
PARADISE At Vista Verde Guest Ranch By Diane Holt
N
estled in the secluded Elk River Valley up against the Continental Divide in Northwest Colorado and shadowed by the rugged peaks of the snowcapped Zirkel Range at the headwaters of the Elk River, sits a piece of paradise, the 570-acre world famous Vista Verde Guest Ranch. When the legendary snowfalls blanket the Elk River Valley in powder, Vista Verde Ranch transforms into a sparkling white wonderland and becomes one of the most beautiful places on earth. This all-inclusive vacation is one of the best dude ranches in the Centennial State. It places the wild and scenic Elk River, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, at your
doorstep. The ranch is removed and remote from the hustle and bustle of people and traffic, yet easily accessible from the world-renowned Olympic training town of Steamboat Springs and nearby Hayden Airport. Hayden offers daily flights to Denver International Airport, an easy onehour drive south and west of the ranch. During the ski season, direct flights are available from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Newark, New York City, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles. Vista Verde combines the amenities of a luxury Colorado resort with the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of a ranch vacation. Hideout in a cozy log cabin with private hot tub and enjoy delicious, freshly prepared meals in between adventures out in the snow. At Vista Verde you can depend on small guest counts,
20 20 HHORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE2 2September September2015 2015
personal service and warm Western hospitality The three lodge rooms and ten freestanding one to three bedroom log cabins, all have hand-hewn furniture and come stocked with free snacks and drinks. The cabins all feature private decks with a hot tub and simply elegant accommodations to delight anyone. There is so much to do at Vista Verde, and planning what to do first will be an adventure for either the summer, or fall and winter months. In the winter months, the crosscountry ski program leads the pack with customized tours through the untouched backcountry. If skate or classic are your sport of choice there are miles of track, groomed by ranch staff. My favorite was backcountry skiing through untouched snow www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com
{
“We give Vista Verde Guest Ranch a FIVE STAR rating from everything to the care of their horses, to the care of the guest and staff that they employ.”
down to the mare barn and meeting the babies being raised in a natural setting. The simple beauty of seeing colts and fillies running free in the snow with their moms throughout the valley was a true breath of mountain air. There are so many things to enjoy in this winter wonderland of fun called Vista Verde. They specialize in snowshoeing, horseback riding, snow tubing, horsemanship clinics, sleigh rides and so much more. One of the most breathtaking things to see is the bringing of the herd of horses down the driveway that have www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com
been selected for the morning ride. Seeing a herd of over one hundred horses running freely through snow to open pasture it is an experience hard to describe in its beauty. Then to actually get to go on the sleigh that feeds the herd throwing huge bales of alfalfa and hay as it moved along to ensure all horses were fed daily, was for me pure pleasure and enjoyment. You like to eat? Good, because
}
there is never a lack of food at Vista Verde. The culinary program is designed to impress even the most experienced dinners, while providing comfort food options such as homemade chili, which I might add was simply incredible. The chefs prepare three bountiful meals each day. The meals vary from casual family style cookouts on the trail to elegant white tablecloth dinners served in the main lodge. Families eat together for most meals except for a few nights when the kids have their own Dine ‘n Dash dinner while the adults enjoy a lon-
September September2015 2015 2 2H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE
21 21
ger, more gourmet dinner. The Chefs also offer a weekly cooking class and wine tasting. Beyond all of this, what is so special about Vista Verde? Well let’s get to the BEST part. Everyone always boasts about their staff. Well, the staff at Vista Verde are made up of a mix of folks from all over the U.S. that ended up in this melting pot of what I call incredible people. Vista Verde takes great pride in who is part of the ranch and that becomes your BEST experience; getting to enjoy the staff as much as you do the amenities they have to offer . There are lunches and dinners where the staff is invited to dine with the guests. The stories they share of how they ended up at the ranch, what they do and how they do it, are entertaining. But better yet is why they do it, they all love the great outdoors, working as a team and the ranch they call home. One of the guides on staff got so caught up in sharing his fishing stories and how he makes his fishing
flies for guests he takes fly fishing, I found myself wrapped up in every detail of what he was sharing. The music night in the big lodge when Ben the general manager started singing our favorite country music while playing the guitar; or how equine trainer Mandy got excited over it being “chili day” in the dining room, (and now we know why the chili isn’t just chili, by offering several variations); all of these things added up to creating an enjoyable, authentic experience provided by genuine fantastic people. This is your chance to create memories that will last a lifetime with your family. But, the beauty is, you can play it your way. Spend all day trying new adventures with the family, or split up and regroup to share stories at the end of the day in the hot tub. What’s great about a place that has so much to offer families is you can do some of both by creating memories full of laughter trying new adventures together, but also find time away from the kids to experience the West on your own as a couple. It’s pure luxury treatment all the way
22 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015 22 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
around, including a guest count that is limited for personalized service and an intimate experience with a one to one staff to guest ratio. That incidentally, tends to be wonderful if you happen to lock yourself outside your private cabin for a nice evening hot tub soak and you don’t have a key at 11:30 at night. We give Vista Verde Guest Ranch a FIVE STAR rating from everything to the care of their horses, to the care of the guest and staff that they employ. It’s definitely the trip of a lifetime, offering something for everyone all year round. Skiing, snow shoeing, sleigh rides, tubing, Fall cattle round-up, adult weeks, and for sure a White Christmas, it’s there for all to enjoy. It’s time to pamper yourself make reservations now at this luxury ranch resort in Steamboat Springs Colorado and create your memories of a lifetime. FOR MORE INFO: Vista Verde Guest Ranch 970-879-3858 Toll Free: 800-526-7433 Reservations@vistaverde.com www.vistaverde.com www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com
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September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 23
DESTINA
great
H
ave you wanted to take that dream vacation to an exotic destination, but don’t want to spend a week or two away from a horse? We found the perfect solution with Equitours. They have the finest collection of riding vacations worldwide. You select from only top quality destinations. H er e ar e o n l y a few o f the ma ny they o ffer:
GRAND CANYON WINTER PASTURES RIDE OVERVIEW The Winter Pastures horseback riding vacation will take you far below the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon into a microclimate which is sheltered from the cold and winds above. As one descends into the depths of the Canyon there are a series of benches or esplanades which vary in width from 200 yards to a mile wide. Thanks to the exquisite scenery and solitude they make an inviting location for winter camping and exploring. This adventure is definitely not to be confused with infamously tedious donkey rides; it is a rigorous horse pack trip into some of the canyon’s least frequented drainages. It is rough going in this country, and riders often dismount to lead the horses through particularly treacherous stretches. You will quickly gain an appreciation for the amazing fortitude of these horses, and their instinctive skill negotiating the rugged trails. Once the trail drops off the north rim, you are unlikely to meet anyone but the odd desert bighorn sheep, wary mule deer or perhaps glimpse a condor soaring overhead. The groups are small, and everyone must be a competent rider and be willing to lend a helping hand around camp. The few hardy souls who venture into the Winter Pastures will be rewarded by experiencing the grandeur of the canyon as the first explorer did.
24 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
HORSEBACK RIDING IN COSTA RICA
This is an excellent destination for adventure travel and the best way to see the most fascinating parts of the country is through horseback riding in Costa Rica. This small country stands out in Latin America as a haven of political stability, safety, freedom and ecological responsibility. It is blessed with a tremendous variety of ecosystems from the Caribbean to the Pacific and an unprecedentedly high percentage of it is given over to national parks. The bio diversity is tremendous and goes from coastline to highlands to volcanic peaks. In a short time you can change from a gallop on the beach to walking along a trail through the tropical forest with its lush jungle life. This is the home of monkeys, tree frogs, lizards, butterflies, orchids and countless other fascinating flora and fauna. Costa Rica is comparatively easy to reach with many short flights from the US and no jet lag. Ticos, as the local people call themselves, are friendly and welcoming. They are proud of their rich culture and the beauty of their landscape which they have made such efforts to protect. It is easy to see why this attractive country has become such a popular tourist destination. The horses used for the ride are primarily Criollo and Paso Costariccense – the gaited horse of Costa Rica; a cross between an Andalusian and a Peruvian Paso. These beautiful, smooth-gaited horses help make horseback riding in Costa Rica a memorable pleasure. www.horsebackmagazine.com
ATIONS TULI SAFARI IN AFRICA
This is a classic point-to-point horse safari in Botswana covering approximately 120 miles in the vast Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block. Mashatu is a privately owned wildlife sanctuary of 75,000 acres, situated at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers. This is an area of great bio-diversity, magnificent vistas, ancient civilizations and dramatic rock formations bordered by the great Limpopo River in the south. Aptly named the “Land of the Giants� for its baobab studded plains and large herds of elephant, the land remains largely untouched by man and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species including lion, cheetah, leopard, African wild dog, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds. To make the most of the prime game viewing hours, the day begins just before dawn with a quick breakfast before tacking up and heading toward the next camp as the sun is breaking over the horizon. Gallop along the river courses where huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra. Five or six hours in the saddle has you arriving at the next camp in the early afternoon with time to relax before an evening walking safari to witness the smaller creatures and plants missed on horseback. The guide, who is highly qualified and experienced, will point out some of the 350 bird species, and is often able to find elusive nocturnal species like bat-eared fox, African wildcat and the magnificent leopard. There are significant archaeological and historical sites en route, from subtle sign of the ancient indigenous people to relics from the Boer War. The small group size, the fit, energetic horses and the light mobile camp allow this safari to cover a lot of interesting territory in this seldom visited corner of Africa.
Ideal for warmer climates & feed requiring air circulation!
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September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 25
DESTINATIO
great
BEACHES, DUNES & TRAILS IN IRELAND
selves and their mounts for a week.
An unguided ride for experienced and resourceful horse people who are prepared to take all responsibility for them-
One stays in a different local farmhouse or bed and breakfast each night, where the horses overnight as well. Maps are provided and the routes are marked, but it can still take skill to find the right trail. The route takes in a variety of the beautiful country around Donegal. There are woods and hills, beaches and dunes, farmland and peat bogs as well as quaint villages with their pubs and shops. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover Ireland on your own.
INDIA CHRISTMAS RIDE The Christmas Ride begins like the first part of the Pushkar Fair, Forts and Palaces ride and continues through and along the Aravalli Hills to end in Jaipur.
BOOMERANG TRAIL AUSTRALIA
This is a horseback riding vacation in Australia that will allow you to experience the beautiful and diverse landscape of Australia’s Mid North Coast, of New South Wales, astride fit and well trained horses. The Boomerang Trail is a stationary ride, returning each evening to the 60 acre farm property of ‘Kerewong’ where your hosts will make you feel right at home.
Still The One! NO DENYING IT!
The Grooming Company
On this riding tour in India you will get to spend Christmas Eve in an 18th century castle and New Year in a fort situated on a hill overlooking a village famous for its miniature paintings. The Marwari horses will carry you across the changing landscape, and you will also visit some of the architectural wonders of India.
E
quitours works to provide you with the perfect riding vacation, not just a ride that they can sell you. They will be there for you from the planning stage until you return from the ride. Equitours is more than a booking agent. They love, live, and breathe horses and travel. Your vacation their passion. Visit their website and find your trip of a lifetime equitours.com, or call 800.545.0019
26 26 HHORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE2 2September September2015 2015
The Brands You Know & Love
Always at Your Favorite Tack & Feed Store
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ONS
You will follow quiet narrow horse trails, 4WD tracks, fire trails and forest roads through the Comboyne State Forest experiencing pockets of rainforests, creek crossings, a historic timber railway line, eucalyptus forests and steep ridges. Combine this with rolling farmlands, a visit to a local winery and a ride along the deserted beach where the Pacific Ocean waves break for mile after mile and you have an impressive taste of Australia. While at the farm property and out riding you will have the opportunity to see wildlife and flora unique to Australia. Wallabies, goannas, king parrots, cockatoos, and galahs are all around. The property used to be an Australian native nursery so you are spoiled by banksia trees, kangaroo paw plants, bottlebrush, lilly pilly, macadamia trees, lemon- scented eucalypt, myrtle trees, and magnolia trees, along with the colorful birds that visit them.
Zealand about 800 years ago. Much of their ancient heritage still thrives to enrich the culture of the islands. The English settlers did not begin to arrive until the early 19th century. The country has a strong equestrian reputation and consistently produces of the world’s top 3 day event riders and some champion performance horses.
NORTH ISLAND RIDE NEW ZEALAND The sparsely populated islands of New Zealand have magnificent, unspoiled scenery and make a superb destination for a horseback riding vacation. Our tour takes place just two hours out of Auckland so you can easily stop there on the way to or from Australia. This program can be custom tailored to do virtually anytime your schedule permits. The temperate climate makes it possible to ride there any month of the year. Maoris, the original settlers, were a Polynesian people like the Hawaiians who navigated thousands of miles in their open canoes to reach previously uninhabited New
This beautifully green, agricultural country is a lovely setting for equestrian vacations. You will ride through forests and traverse farmlands and pastures where they raise red deer, dairy cows and, of course, sheep for which New Zealand is famous. You will also canter to your heart’s content on endless miles of uninhabited beach with sand dunes on one side and strong waves from the mighty Pacific beating down on the other. You will be honored guests in the comfortable farmhouse of your hosts whose hospitality is legendary. The broad choice of fresh sea food, vegetables, fruit and meat, to say nothing of the fine New Zealand wines is mouth-watering and you will have a good appetite to appreciate it after an active day of horseback riding.
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September September2015 2015 2 2H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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Happy Trails
H
APPY TRAILS cabin is located in the prestigious family luxury resort of Leatherwood Mountains. Leatherwood is a premier vacation resort, gated community and family destination in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Boone, NC and BlowingRock, NC. Many activities offered by the resort can be enjoyed during your stay at HAPPY TRAILS.
Enjoy the short drive from the Visitor Center through the scenic meadow where you will see deer welcoming you as you come and go. From the moment you arrive at HAPPY TRAILS you will be greeted by the majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our paved driveway makes your unloading a breeze. Whether you are just hitting the trail or coming off the trail, HAPPY TRAILS cabin is
28 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
the place for you. The amazing trail system developed by Leatherwood is just a few steps from HAPPY TRAILS whether on foot or horseback. If your idea of hitting the trial is the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or a day of shopping you’re in luck.. Boone, NC and Blowing Rock, NC is close by. After a long day, head back to HAPPY TRAILS and enjoy the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains by www.horsebackmagazine.com
DESTINATION: HAPPY! dining on the large porch or indulging in the hot tub or just relaxing and breathing in the mountain air while the birds sing you a song. HAPPY TRAILS is beautifully decorated with mountain accents for you to enjoy. With a full bath on every floor there is plenty of room with family and friends while enjoying your own private accommodations. The cabin offers three floors that include: a king size bed and full bath www.horsebackmagazine.com
on the main floor, a master suite on the upper floor with a king bed and a spacious bathroom that includes a whirlpool tub, and a downstairs that has it’s own 55� TV fully equipped for movies, games, etc. along with 2 bunk beds. HAPPY TRAILS not only has top accommodations for you but also for your four legged friends. A four stall barn for an extra charge is available for them to relax after a re-
warding mountain trail ride. In addition to the four stall barn, HAPPY TRAILS also has a paddock area for them to stretch their legs and enjoy the mountain air. VISIT DESTINATION RELAXATION! Everyone has Happy Tales when they leave Happy Trails! Happy Trails is available for rental through kehorses.homestead.com kandehorses@gmail.com
September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 29
Tack Care...
Western Reincarnation Horseback Magazine’s Saddle & Tack Editor
A
fter I “sold” Bunkhouse Leather, I wanted to start my long time dream of restoring antique saddles. I love the evolution and history of the western saddle. It is really intriguing to see how the saddles evolved, and it is amazing to find an old saddle that is 10, 15, or 20 years ahead of the curve. As much as I have studied the history of western saddles, I am still often surprised by a saddle that pops up that just should not have been made at a time when particular nuances just were not common. A lot of saddles fit the mold very well, for their particular time. Some of the smaller makers were just way ahead of the industry. The reason I call this article “Western Reincarnation” is because old saddles believe in being born again. Just like old cars reposing in a junk yard, they are hoping that
R.A. Wilkerson Saddle
someone will come along and fall in love with them and restore them to their original glory. I loved the name, “Western Reincarnation”, but because it needed such a lengthy explanation, I didn’t use it. Now, I don’t even hang my open sign on the door of my shop. I don’t advertise, and I don’t solicit business. I have a few high end antique dealers that have found their way to my little shop, and I tell them, “Please, don’t tell your friends about me.” I recently did a really neat saddle for a new museum opening soon. Documentation on the saddle dates it to about 1918. It is a “Henrich” saddle from Mason, Texas. Several of the saddle features are indicative of the era, but there are many elements that are way ahead of their time. The extra wide swells are common to the “Freak Forks” of the era, mid teens to about 1920. The one piece seat and front jockey is way ahead of its time, by 7 to 8 years. The one piece back housing is more common than I originally thought, as several of the antique saddles I have worked on have shown that feature. One of my most interesting projects has been a salesman’s sample saddle. These were built in the 1870’s and 1880’s for drummers to carry
Miniature Salesman’s Sample Saddle
30 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
instead of full size saddles. Drummers usually traveled by train and coach to their prospective customers, and carrying a full size saddle would be problematic, so the companies built ¼ size saddles for their salesmen. This particular saddle was made about 1880, and, as a miniature saddle, was obviously used heavily by a child, or perhaps even a monkey riding a dog in a rodeo. Whatever its story, it was not cherished. Trying to bring a saddle like this back, making new parts, and trying to make them look 135 years old, is a real challenge. I will let you be the judge of how well I did. Some saddles are just a real joy to work on, like this R. A. Wilkerson saddle, about 1895, which somehow, has apparently never been used! Cleaning and conditioning the leather, and trying to replicate the original stirrups, plus doing some discreet splicing on the strings, was about the extent of this job. This saddle was virtually brand new, despite being 120 years old. One of the cool things about researching these old saddles, is learning the history of the makers. In 1926, R. A. Wilkerson started opening several “ice cream shops”, where he sold bootleg whiskey. Now, that is an interesting story!
Heinrich Saddle
I. Sichel Saddle www.horsebackmagazine.com
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TreelessSaddle.com Well, I love my new life of refurbishing antique saddles. So much history, like the I. Sichel saddle I rebuilt, with a saber slash through the built in saddle bags on the back of the saddle. Had to be made in Pancho Villa’s war when A U.S. soldier, coming from behind, reached across and came down with his U.S. Cavalry sword, cut through 5 layers of leather on the saddle, had to have gotten the horse, too. I don’t believe the saddle was ridden from the time of the incident to the time of its sale. When you are a student of history, some things are obvious, although they are subject to interpretation. I don’t have any proof of what actually happened in this case, but it is a logical conclusion, at least in my muddled mind. I repaired everything on the saddle but the saber slash, which I felt needed to continue to tell a story. Another interesting saddle that was brought to me was a Bona Allen, not truly an antique, but vintage. The man who owned it for the last 50 years before a friend of mine bought www.horsebackmagazine.com
it, said he had a letter from the family he bought it from, stating that it was the very same saddle that won the blue ribbon for manufactured products at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1933. Usually Bona Allen saddles are pretty basic, like Chevrolets. This one was definitely a customized Cadillac. Having no documentation, I just came to some conclusions about the saddle on my own. In 1931, F.O. Baird, one of the most famous leather toolers of all time, lost his shop in California because an employee had embezzled all of his money. To me, it stands to reason that Bona Allen commissioned him to build this saddle to enter in the World’s fair. Twenty three years after this saddle was made, F. O. Baird published a book on leathercraft that included many of the same designs that were on this particular saddle. As much searching as I have done to track down the history of this saddle, I was not able to find any proof of my theory, except that Bona Allen did receive a blue ribbon for a saddle that they entered
in the World’s Fair in 1933. It may seem like a strange passion, but I do love these old saddles, even if I do tend to make up their history sometimes. Who can truly say I’m wrong ? Some of them have documentation to verify their history, and that is really valuable. Provenance, or written proof of a saddle’s history, can double or triple the value of an antique. If you have an old saddle that had an interesting story, or was owned by a famous person, it’s worth writing that information down and making sure it stays with the saddle. Don’t hesitate to call me or email me if you have an old saddle that you would like to identify or find out more about. I may not always be right, but I almost always can come up with an answer, even if I have to make it up!
Bandera’s Lew Pewterbaugh has been called the most knowledgeable saddle and tack authority in the Southwest. For private fitting consultation call (830) 328-0321 or (830) 522-6613 or email: saddlerlew@gmail.com.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 31
English...
C
hoosing the right bit for your horse can be one of the most baffling decisions a horseman can make. As a rule of thumb, less is best. The softest bit that your horse will pay attention to is what every rider should strive for. Bits are intended as a communication aid that the horse is trained to accept. They should never be used for punishment or as a source of pain. If your horse is having issues and you have already determined that he has had proper training, has no dental issues or sores in his mouth, and the rider is clear on his aids, then it is time to take a look at bitting options. When considering bits, understand that there are several pressure points on the horse that are
PIC TURE KE Y:
A Bit of Choice affected by bits. The tongue, roof of the mouth, bars, corners of the mouth, chin groove, sides of the face and the poll can all be directly influenced by the bit. Resistance appears in a variety of ways such as a horse that pulls, throws his head, holds his head too high, tucks his chin to his chest or resists steering. Therefore, when assessing the effectiveness of a bit, you must first diagnose the problem that needs to be remedied before considering your options. Snaffles are generally considered to be the mildest of bits, followed by kimberwicks, pelhams, full bridles and gags. Hackamores are bitless bridles that operate on mechanical pressure at the nose and poll. Some hackamores can be gentle with minimal control and some can be far more severe than standard bridles. These devices are not allowed in all competitions and should be selected with care by a knowledgeable horseman. There are several factors that determine the severity of the bit other than the type of bit. Mouthpieces can be thick or thin, straight,
ported, single jointed, double or multi-jointed. The sides of the bit can have rings, bars or shanks and work off of direct pressure or indirect leverage. Given these factors, the choices seem endless. Always keep the abilities and education of the rider in mind when choosing a bit. Riders with unsteady hands or unbalanced seats should stay with the mildest bit possible. Stronger bits need to be used with quiet hands and a great deal of skill and judgment. Let’s start with the mouthpiece on a snaffle. Mouthpieces come in a variety of materials. Rubber or plastic can be softer than metal while stainless steel is more substantial, inexpensive, easy to clean and considered to be the standard. There are also other metal choices on the market that help horses to salivate when being worked. However, it should be noted that if a horse is relaxed and working without resistance, salivation is rarely a problem. Thickness of the mouthpiece can also have a dramatic effect on the horse. The thinner the mouthpiece, the more severe it is.
a. full cheek snaffle b. twisted full cheek Dr. Bristol c. full cheek waterford d. slow twist egg butt snaffle e. rubber D ring snaffle f. Kimberwicke g. copper twisted wire loose ring snaffle h. low port comfort snaffle i. mullen mouth pelham 32 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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Plain snaffles have a single joint in the mouthpiece which has a nutcracker effect on the mouth. Most horses respond well to a plain snaffle when correctly trained. When the head is properly positioned with the nose dropping toward the ground, the bit works on the bars and the roof of the mouth where the horse is most sensitive. If the horse carries his nose straight out in front of him, the snaffle will work on the corners of his mouth instead. Horses can develop tough skin in the corners from excessive pulling. It doesn’t take long for rough hands and improper riding to cause horses to lose their sensitivity and develop hard mouths by traveling with a high head. Mouthpieces can also have two joints such as a Dr. Bristol that has a small flat bar that lays on the tongue between two hinges. This bit prevents the horse from leaning against the hands by creating more movement to encourage chewing and giving it a softer mouth. Rollers on the mouthpiece can also encourage desirable mouthing of the bit. The shape of some bits is curved to conform to the shape of the mouth for the horse’s comfort. If you’re looking for a stronger bit, the Waterford bit has multiple hinges with little balls that create a chain effect to get the horses attention and give him nothing solid to grab. Mouthpieces can also be twisted. The tighter the twist and sharper the edges, the more severe it is. The sides of the bit can help soften the jaw or give additional help in turning. Loose rings are used to soften a mouth by encouraging horses to work the bit in a chewing fashion. Eggbuts have more stability and give a little more turning power, followed by “D” rings and then full cheek shanks to improve steerability. Kimberwick and pelham bits operate on curb pressure under the chin and over the poll. Kimberwicks use only one rein which can have optional attachment points to adjust the severity. Pelhams use two reins. The top rein is attached at the mouthpiece to operate as a www.horsebackmagazine.com
snaffle. The lower rein is attached to a shank to control the curb chain and the poll pressure. The longer the shank, the more it will increase the severity of the bit by tightening up the curb chain. These bits have a chain that fits loosely under the chin groove to give extra braking power. The chain should be twisted until it lies flat, as it will tighten up when pressure is applied to the reins. Curbs will also have a variety of mouthpieces offered. Some are jointed like a snaffle and some are solid with a raised center called a port. Bigger ports are more severe than smaller ports and work on the roof of the mouth. Full bridles contain a thin snaffle and a curb bit which are worn together in the horse’s mouth to achieve greater finesse or to harness the energy of an excited horse. These are typically used in upper level dressage for finesse, hunt fields and jumper classes for more control. Full bridles can be severe if used improperly and should only be used by very experienced riders. Gag bits are similar to snaffles
but are much more severe as they put a great deal of pressure on the poll in addition to the mouth. These bits are typically used in speed events such as show jumping, polo or cross-country on horses that tend to pull hard. Gags should never be used by inexperienced riders. Different bits work in different ways. Sometimes you just need to experiment to see what will work best. However, remember that correct training is paramount when choosing a bit. If the horse does not understand the aids, a stronger bit will almost always teach him resistance and foster a bad attitude. Always assess the horse’s training and rider’s ability before going to stronger bit and use the softest bit possible to control your horse. Cathy Strobel has over 30 years of experience as a trainer, judge and clinician and can be reached at Southern Breeze Equestrian Center at (281) 431-4868 or www.sbreeze.com
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 33
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34 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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SEPT 10-12, 2015 Fort Worth, TX
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September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 35
Horsebites... E. Stives grants, led the U.S. Eventing Team at CCIO Aachen to a bronze medal. Karen’s intention for her grants to help this country win medals shined brightly on that day. Karen Stives won Team Gold and Individual Silver at the 1984 Olympic Games Karen’s dedication and commitment to the United States Equestrian Teams will live on through her generosity; however, she will best be remembered as one of this country’s most decorated equestrian athletes. Karen was the USCTA Rider of the Year in 1981, 1987 and 1988. In 1982, she represented the United States at the Luhmuhlen World Championship and in 1984 she anchored the U.S. Eventing Team that won the Team Gold at the Los Angeles Olympics, while also winning Individual Silver. Karen earned the Leading Lady Rider title in 1981, the Mercedes-Benz Horsewoman of the Year in 1984, and the prestigious Wofford Cup. Following her retirement from international competition, Karen became an FEI judge and was the Chairman of the
Horsebites - Con’t. from pg.8
USET Three-Day Event Selectors’ Committee for many years. “Karen was the epitome of a competitor, philanthropist, businesswoman and friend. She achieved Gold Medal status both on and off the field of play and has left a legacy through the Karen E. Stives Endowment Fund, which will Karen Stives won Team Gold and Individual Silver give other riders the at the 1984 Olympic Games chance to achieve their supporting this country’s athletes and dream of riding for the United States and standing on the po- high performance programs. The United States Equestrian dium. She will be dearly missed by ev- Team Foundation (www.uset.org) eryone who had the privilege of knowis the non-profit organization that ing her,” said Bonnie Jenkins, USET supports the competition, training, Foundation Executive Director. coaching, travel and educational needs Karen is survived by her partner Bob Hutchison, her sister Linda of America’s elite and developing inMcCabe and three nieces and neph- ternational, high-performance horses ews. A celebration of life will be held and athletes in partnership with the on a date to be announced. Contribu- United States Equestrian Federation. tions to the USET Foundation for the Karen E. Stives Endowment Fund for Eventing will further Karen’s goal of
36 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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October 24 - 26, 2014 Be a part of a fabulous three-day Working Equitation competition at Haras Hacienda. Open to the public, this event will feature special horse performances, exclusive vendor booths, entertainment for children with inflatables and an obstacle competition, a fashion show by Jonathan Blake, and a ladies hat derby sponsored by Thomas Markle. Friday DRESSAGE PHASE Starts at 8 am FASHION SHOW by Jonathan Blake 6pm
Saturday OBSTACLES PHASE Starts at 8 am GALA NIGHT with horse exhibition, fun and music 7pm
Sunday COMPETITION SPEED PHASE Starts at 9 am HAT DERBY by Thomas Markle 11 am
Come and enjoy with your family a very special we ekend.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 37
Hoof Health...
We
continue our look at the pathway of laminitis in horses – second only to colic as the primary cause of death in domestic horses. With all the toxic trigger factors crammed in the stomach, there is nowhere else to go next but into the intestines and concentrate there. This environment is normally a habitat for many digestive flora and fauna that thrive together naturally in what is a delicate state of ecological balance. The high incidence of colic and laminitis among domestic equines testifies to just how precarious the equilibrium is when our dietary programs are not well thought out. Not surprisingly, the equilibrium immediately begins to shift as digestive bacteria compete for “available forage”. The horse’s hind gut is home to various strains of bacteria. They “eat” what the horse eats, and, in the process, help the horse to break down and metabolize his food. Like everywhere else in the food chain, these bacteria must compete with each other for what’s available. Bacteria that enable normal and healthy digestion are dependent on a natural diet driven by natural feeding behavior, such as we see among wild horses in wild horse country. When this is the case, these bacteria prevail as the dominant species in the horse’s gut. With the introduction of unnatural dietary triggers, there is a sudden switch in the bacterial population. Now, other strains of bacteria, harmful ones which prefer large concentrations of green grass or rich grains in the hind gut, began to
The Supercoriaitis (Laminitis) Pathway Redefined – Part II of II
multiply and colonize in full force. The “helpful” bacteria, which are adaptable to the more “frugal” wild horse diet, begin to decline for lack of “suitable forage”. A proliferation of harmful bacteria soon overrun the hindgut. Laminitis researchers now have evidence that Streptococcus bovis and at least one other species of bacterium, can double their population every 12 minutes! Meanwhile, the natural digestive bacteria continue to starve and dwindle in numbers. As the harmful bacteria prolif-
38 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
erate, they produce lactic acid as they grow and mature, the outer linings of their cell bodies, called “exotoxins”, are also shed. As the acidity of the hind gut increases due to the proliferating harmful bacteria, the normal bacteria cannot adapt and they begin to die off. Toxins from inside their cell walls (“endotoxins”) now leak into the gut. The lactic acid begins to erode (“lactosis”) the mucosal lining of the gut. And as ulcers begin to form, harmful bacteria and dead cell matter (endotoxins and exotoxins) in the gut are then absorbed into the bloodstream and travel
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VA.0615.HBMORNGE.pdf
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VA.0615.HBMORNGE
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Four week application.
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throughout the horse’s body. Exotoxins, harmful bacteria, and other soluble gut contents - absorbed into the blood - now reach the vascular system within the hoof, where damage to the hoof-to-horse attachment mechanism commences. Research has shown that these toxins perfuse the Supercorium and then adversely impact the various attachment mechanisms of the sub-coria securing the hoof to the horse. This research has focused primarily on the lamellar bonds of the inner hoof wall. For example, according to the U.K. Laminitis Trust: There are a group of enzymes in the laminae called matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). Their normal function is to allow growth of the hoof down the foot by continuously attaching and detaching the hoof capsule from the underlying laminae. The exotoxins from the bacteria in the gut cause a mass activation of these enzymes which appears to cause the hoof to detach from the horse.¹ In summary, Supercoriaitis (“laminitis”) is the dietary or chemical-induced inflammation of the Supercorium resulting in the failure of the horse-to-hoof attachment mechanisms. With much brevity, this article has described the Supercoriaitis pathway leading to the attachment failure. Researchers continue to study the precise pathophysiology leading to breakdown, as well as the triggers that initiate the disease. Natural hoof care practitioners approach the treatment and prevention of Supercoriaitis from the standpoint of the wild horse model. They know from studying the lifeways and hooves of wild horses, (where Supercoriaitis is nonexistent) that what and how many feed domestic horses today is not natural. The epidemic levels of Supercoriatic equines world-
Jaime Jackson - Con’t. on pg. 40
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 39
Hoof Health... wide testify to this. Through years of observation and experimentation, natural hoof care practitioners have learned that naturalizing the equine’s diet and living quarters will ameliorate and restore his devastated digestive system. Restoring his feet to their native natural conformation is accomplished effectively and humanely through genuine natural hoof care—an indispensable adjunct in the “whole horse” approach to Supercoriaitis rehabilitation and prevention. For example, cultivated green grass is not natural for this desert species. Mounting scientific research, cited in this article, supports this thesis. The fact that all horses do not succumb to grass founder does not dissuade me either from this opinion. No doubt some horses are simply more resistant than others, and this may explain why they seem immune. On the other hand, I believe the incidence of grass founder is far greater than is reported. I know from years of experience that many horse owners simply fail to recognize the symptoms of Supercoriaitis. Once they do, it’s often too late, and, today, many of these horses, most
Jaime Jackson - Con’t. from pg. 39
probably, are put down and buried on private property. I have speculated that grass founder may have been a cause of the horse’s extinction in North America following the Pleistocene (Ice Age) epoch. As the glacial sheets retreated, vast temperate grasslands spread across North America, including the now arid American Southwest. Equus caballus, and perhaps other ungulates too, could not adapt due to their evolved digestive idiosyncrasies. In this interpretation, the herds weakened as foundered members succumbed to starvation, diseases, and predators. Quickly, the food chain was thrown into disarray, affecting other “grazers” that cohabited the steppes. Predators, which depended on the dwindling populations of hoofed prey, then began to perish. In the end, not a single horse—not to mention other familiar species occupying the grass biome, prey and predator alike—survived the carnage. Not until the early Spanish explorers of the 1500s made their incursions into North America, did the horse rise again in his ancient homeland. Interestingly, today, the only significant herds of wild, free-roaming horses to be
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found descended from the Spanish (and other European and American) colonies, are in the arid Great Basin, where, as I’ve written many times before, Supercoriaitis is virtually unknown. What’s so different about the grasses wild horses consume in the Great Basin, that they are free of laminitis? As I am not a botanist, I can’t really answer that question on a technical level. In a separate article, I do discuss what little research exists on the diet of our wild horses.¹ As you will learn, they eat many, many different things, dry bunch grasses being a main staple. Also, as I wrote in HOG, whatever it is that they’re eating ought to be investigated by the feed industry, and then grown commercially and sold to horse owners. Is there any research being done on Probiotics that can be used to counter the “harmful” bacteria identified in laminitis pathophysiology? Yes. They are called MMP inhibitors, such as Foundergaurd, a product from Australia now in its testing phase. Actually, there are commercial feed supplements now on the market which claim the same benefits. But I have a problem with all of them. Nature has determined that
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horses and grass are not meant to mix; so, if we try to “go around” this and find chemical avenues with which to supplant natural diets, I think we are in store for serious repercussions. We wouldn’t think of drinking poison followed by questionable antidotes to meet our fluid needs, not when there are safe and natural alternatives. The same should hold for our horses. So, does this mean that we should all start taking our horses out of pastures and putting them in lock-up for their safety? I think horse owners should start doing this immediately, unless, of course, their ranches are in wild horse country. I don’t think they should put their horses in lock-up (e.g., stalls and small paddocks), however. I’ve thought a lot about this over the years. What would be a positive alternative to limited stall life? I began to think about how wild horses band together and move—and eat. The result is a concept for natural horsekeeping, which I’ve written about in a book called Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding.
Enroll in the Natural Hoof Care training program at the Institute for the Study of Natural Horse P Care Practices. Visit www.isnhcp.net for details.
To find a competent practitioner near you, see "Get Help" at www.aanhcp.net
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 41
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 43
Lifestyle...
Tips For An Easy Trip By Tom Seay
44 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
F
or most of us, riding our horse, pony or mule to explore wonderful places has been with us all our lives. It is a deep passion that restores joy to our lives and those around us. I can remember, as a child watching the Hardy Boys on Walt Disney. Although I did not tell anyone, recently when we rode in Arizona, I rode through a rock canyon that just had to be the location of one of the shows I admired so much. It may even have looked kind of like a place John Wayne rode with the Calvary in one of his movies. Either way, it fulfills dreams of riding in places with our horses. Maybe it is the adventure, or maybe the exploring, or maybe it is the bond with our horses and the endless outdoor beauty of God’s creation. As we have grown older, we transform those wishes and dreams to reality. Our television show focuses on great places to ride that anyone can visit. The show itself, Best of America by Horseback became a television show as a result of my ride from the Atlantic to the Pacific, over 3,000 miles, visits to 81 cities and towns and meeting countless people that express their wishes to do this as well. To be quite candid, I did not even own a horse trailer when I made the trip. Now, anyone can travel with their horses with a range of a full live-in stock trailer to a simple two horse trailer and camp along the way. In one article or an entire series of books, no one can cover all the topics, but I can offer a few basics that have worked for me. Many came from mistakes and others from experience, but here are a few ideas you may want to consider. First, before we list Coggins, maps and things you expect me to say, and I am serious about this one, pick a date on the calendar that you wish to take that trip. Maybe it is next year on your vacation time from work, or maybe it is a long weekend. The important thing is to set a date to take that trip and then we can plan on making it happen. If you are going to travel out west, you may want to consider the time it www.horsebackmagazine.com
takes to drive. From the east, it will take you a week out and a week back. If your vacation time is two weeks, you may have a couple of hours to actually ride. Perhaps you should consider flying to an approved dude ranch and ride their horses, suited for your needs, and enjoy the two weeks on horseback. Pick the timeframe as a basic start for any trip. Second, consider the family. Who is going to go? If your spouse is not a horse person, consider a trip that includes their passions. Photography, historic places, museums or perhaps including a visit to relatives. This is so important to make the trip meaningful when everyone is enjoying all aspects of the trip. If they do not ride, include what they do like, such as a fishing stopover, golfing, or a car race. While this is not often thought about, it will certainly set the stage for that reluctant spouse to say, “....next year, can we do this again and include this or that event, rodeo or festival?” Third, join a horse club or start riding with seasoned riders. They offer time tested advice of places they have ridden and may very well want to go back and use you for the excuse to do so. The one single place I have ridden, other than a riding ranch was years ago, long before the television show, with Donna and Onzie Culbertson to a place out west with unsurpassed beauty in a remote place without facilities. We just camped, but as I grow older, it is one place I wish to return if I had only one more ride to make. It was that beautiful to me and it lingers to this day in my mind. Donna and Onzie were seasoned riders, who did not take chances, did not show-off, did not drink and loved the great outdoors. So, I strongly suggest you ride with a club or with friends. By the way, 25 years later, we still ride together and, yes, we tell the same old stories around the campfire we have heard a hundred times. NOW, FOR A FEW BASIC SIMPLE RULES I FOLLOW: Never stop at a rest area on the highway. It is a nice place for folks to size you up and see you are traveling away from home alone. I stop at truck stops where cameras are everywhere, security all over the place, probably more guns with truck drivers then the local nationwww.horsebackmagazine.com
al guard and every service for everything you need from tires, repair, fuel, food, laundry, haircuts, mail services, internet, etc. Further, their office knows every vet, medical service and the nearest Walmart. Make a copy of your Coggins and driver’s license in case you misplace yours. Yes, I know it is not valid, but both our sons are police officers. Having something to show you are legal is better than nothing. Keep those copies with your spare keys. (If someone tells you they have never locked their keys in their car or truck, you know they are not being honest.) It happens to all of us. Have a safe house. When I travel, I plan on breaking down and have the name and phone number of a friend within 100 miles. I never had to use it until less than a year ago. It happens, so have an emergency plan with someone to call. Arrange for a second person to be able to go by your home and take care of Fluffy the cat and your livestock. The person you are counting on may have an out-of-state emergency. As I write this article, the person that was to check on my place and open a gate to move cattle, was called away. My back up plan worked and all is well. Always plan for the unexpected. Plan your trip by calling the location you are going to visit. Never trust the GPS. It will not tell you there is a railroad track where you will bottom out your rig and ruin your holding tanks. Call and ask for “the best route in to their location”. Sometimes they will tell you to turn by the little place that makes homemade pies across from the grocery store. IMPORTANT, NEVER RIDE WITH DRUNKS. Pull the trailer in the yard a few days ahead of time and bring a yellow pad to write on. Spend the night in the trailer and write down everything you forgot. Can opener? It happens to someone on every trip. Also, hooking up with a full fuel tank saves time later and lets you know ahead of time if the brakes, lights and plumbing works. It makes you bring your Coggins, emergency numbers, registration and a ton of little things. Test it all out ahead of time! The morning of your trip, just make a cup of coffee and
get in and drive. Plan on at least one day and one night for you to do nothing. Maybe it is to just make coffee by the campfire or cook a slow roast all day. An evening of looking at the stars by the campfire is one of my favorite things to do. I often take my favorite coffee cup so I am reminded each day of those moments or places in the great outdoors. Do not lose sight of a trip that is to nourish your soul. Forget survival trips. Take the break you deserve. One of my fondest memories of the 2,000 mile Mexico to Canada trip is watching one of the nicest people I ever met, just brushing his horse in the mornings without a word being spoken. The unspoken communication and bond was beyond words. By the way, he was the only person to ride one horse every step of the way. I think it was his character and the respect his horse had for him. One other thought, visit us on Facebook to exchange ideas with a bunch of pretty nice people. Also, you can email me at my personal email anytime for ideas or questions. tseay10@aol.com. Contact me for anything and I will get right back to you. I enjoy the opportunity. Perhaps you would like to go on a future long ride with average folks like us seeking extraordinary adventures. Both my long trips of border to border or coast to coast had no injuries to people on the ride and none to horses other than one snake bite (to the horse and it survived). I know of someone in the Best of America television show and related to me that is planning a big one in 2017. Do not tell anyone I told you but I plan on joining my niece’s ride but have not told my wife yet. Oh yeah, she will go as well. Timing is everything.
Find Tom Seay and Best of America by Horseback’s schedule of upcoming events where you can join them, list of locations that you can visit, learn more about the show, Tom and their sponsors, read the newsletter, and even watch past episodes all at www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com. Like them on Facebook: Best of America by Horseback. There you can follow Tom, keep up with all of their travels and stay connected with other horse and travel enthusiasts. You don’t need to horse to “LIKE” Best of America by Horseback.
September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 45
REALTOR Roundup TAMMY FOREMAN REALTOR Hodde Real Estate Co. 112 W. Main Street, Brenham, TX
DEITRA ROBERTSON REALTOR Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc. 38351 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX (O): (832) 642-6789 (C): (832) 642-6789
(O): (979) 836-8532 (C): (979) 451-2945
WENDY CLINE REALTOR/BROKER CLHMS, SRES, ABR, Million Dollar Guild Wendy Cline Properties Keller Williams Memorial
950 Corbindale Ste 100 Houston, TX 77024
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SPECIALTIES: Farms/Ranches, Equestrian, Residential, Country Homes, Land. TERRITORY: Texas
SPECIALTIES: Farms/Ranches, Horse Properties, Land TERRITORY: Texas
SPECIALTIES: Equestrian, Farm & Ranch, Land, Residential, Luxury, Commercial TERRITORY: Texas
YOLANDA FUSILIER BROKER Peak Realty 17515 Spring Cypress Rd. Suite # C260 Cypress, TX (O): (979) 921-9530 (C): (713) 417-7567 (E): peak@wt.net (W): www.peakrealty.sbuilder.net
MARY GARBETT BROKER ASSOCIATE Right Time Real Estate LLC at KW Farm & Ranch 950 Corbindale Rd, #100 Houston, TX (C) (713) 213-2420 (O) (713) 470-2055 (E) mary@marygarbett.com (W) www.har.com/marygarbett
DEE ANN BOUDREAUXREALTOR Texas First Real Estate 1116 FM 109 New Ulm, TX (O): (903) 322-3379 (C): (979) 583-7305 (E): deeboudreaux@windstream.net (W): www.texasfirstre.com SPECIALTIES: Residential, Equestrian, Farm/ Ranch, Country Property TERRITORY: Texas
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WILLIAM “BOO” CHRISTENSEN BROKER/OWNER RE/MAX Advantage 110 E. Alamo Brenham, TX
TOOTIE LYONS RIXMANREALTOR, ASSOCIATE Heritage Texas Country Properties 605 S. Austin Brenham, TX
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SPECIALTIES: Acreage, Homes, Horse Property, Country Homes, Farm & Ranch TERRITORY: Texas
RENEE DIEHL ALHS Round Top Real Estate 101 Main St. Round Top, TX (C): (713) 401-8958 (O): (979) 249-5732 (E): diehl@gmail.com (W): www.roundtopland.com SPECIALTIES: Farm & Ranch, Land, Country & Luxury Homes TERRITORY: South Central Texas
46 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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September 2015 2
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 49
The Great
American Trail Horse Festival photos by Aponi
T
he Von Holten Ranch, a family owned century farm and Gateway to the Ozark Mountains will play host to the largest trail horse celebration in US history. The Great American Trail Horse Festival will take place November 5-8, 2015 in Mora, Missouri. Hosted by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) this unprecedented equine event of the year is open to all trail riders, organizations, breeds and disciplines as we join together to pay homage to the diversity of the great American trail horse. The Great American Trail Horse Festival is packed full of everything for the trail rider, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned rider. While most come to test their riding skills in the various
divisions, this four day event is open to the public and non riders for a gate fee of $10 daily (gate fee does not apply to registered riders) and boasts world renowned clinicians, vendors, shopping, a certified judges clinic for those interested in becoming a certified ACTHA judge, live entertainment with rising country music star Josey Milner, a barn dance, cash bingo, karaoke, a kid care corral and of course, miles of beautiful trails and camping with friends and family at the scenic Von Holten Ranch. Pleasure riders not interested in competing may join us in our celebration of the trail horse by riding in the Scout or Buddy Division. As a Scout, riders will perform obstacles however will not compete for points or prizes. In the Buddy Division
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riders are welcome to ride along and enjoy the camaraderie and fun without performing obstacles. Both divisions offer a non-member entry. While non-competitive riders are not eligible for points or prizes, there are still many opportunities to win door prizes or gifts from our many sponsors, as well as gate fees being waived for any days participants registered to ride. For those entering the competitive rides, a total of six rides are scheduled from Friday to Sunday with both a Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC) and an Arena Obstacle Challenge (AOC) occurring each day with a different themed ride for each competition. Themed rides offer riders a chance to dress up themselves and/or their horses, play a role, or spot an unlikely www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com
visitor. Themes for the festival’s competitions include The Wizard of Oz, On the Hunt for Bigfoot, Safari, Murder Mystery, Cowboys and Indians and Wonders of the World. Double points will be awarded for riders placing in their respective divisions. Members will compete for cash and prizes totaling well over $5,000, as well as door prizes and gifts for riders. YEARS FOR 60 EXANS
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Competitive Trail Challenges are six miles long and include 6 obstacles one mile apart. Unlike other competitive trail challenges, this is not a timed event over the course, but does include a time limit at each obstacle. Winners are determined by their ability to execute the obstacles while demonstrating their horsemanship skills to the judges. Arena Obstacle Challenges
will take place in an arena, either indoors or outdoors, and are composed of eight obstacles. As with the CTC riders are judged on their horsemanship skills. There is a time limit at each obstacle depending on the division of the rider, as well as a time limit for the completion of the course. Clinicians scheduled to attend the Festival come from
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as diverse a background as the attendees and the horses they ride. Organizers of the event realize this is a once in a life time opportunity for many trail riders to spend time with
clinicians they have only admired from afar, while providing an opportunity to see or work with them in person. At the Festival, all will be given the opportunity to experience
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uled at different times of each day allowing riders to enjoy one or two of the scheduled rides, while also attending a number of clinics during the course of the festival. .In addition, many of the clinicians will be offering private lessons with sign ups available during rider check in. Clinician fees may apply. Clinicians headlining the Great American Trail Horse Festival are; equine performer Guy McLean, Byron Hogan of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and competitive member of the Extreme Mustang Makeover, Michael Lyons of Michael Lyons Horsemanship, dedicated to the study of horsemanship and a certified equine massage therapist, Colleen Kelly of Colleen Kelly Rider Biomechanics, who scored a remarkable 100% in the Official Dressage Judge’s Examination and has coached at the Olympic, Para Olympic and World Equestrian Games level in Dressage, Scott Purdum of Advantage Horsemanship whose expertise in the area of horsemanship can be viewed on RFD TV every week, John Lyons, one of our nation’s best known horse trainers in the field of natural horsemanship for over thirty five years, Rupert Issacson and Iliane Lorenz from Horse Boy International, Lee Hart, EXCA World Champion and Annie Chance EXCA and Calgary Stampede Champion, Diane Sept, Gaited Horse Clinician and Connected Riding Instructor, hunter/ jumper trainer Phil May, Laverne Schmidt, Equine Canada Coach and Mentor and CHA instructor, natural horse trainer Evon Montgomery of Horses 1,2,3 Riding System, and Jeff Wilson of Jeff Wilson Cowboy Dressage. Make new friends or ride with old ones on the miles of trails. You don’t need to be an
ACTHA member to take part in the festivities; you can compete for the blue ribbon or ride as a buddy. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. For complete information and registration to the Great American Trail Horse Festival please visit www.actha.us/festival.
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General...
End of Summer Thoughts! Howdy!
Welcome to Cowboy Corner.
T
hank you Lord for the rain. My part of the Brazos bottom got rain the middle of June and the third week of August and nothing in between. Sure we had had a wet winter and spring, but sixty days of summer with triple digit temperatures can change things in a short time. Hopefully, the rain will come again within a couple of weeks and we might be able to make more hay before frost. First hay crop was a month late, second crop during the dry spell was short, so third cutting could be the best. Time for some good luck is now. Have written many times about the 180 rule and the effect on people and animals. Remember when the temperature and humidity add to 180, slow down. Ninety degree temperature and 90 percent humidity add to 180 and needs to be the signal to increase hydration, find some shade with a breeze, and take a break. If you don’t believe me just try to work some black cows after lunch in August. Won’t have any trouble finding the cows, they will be in the shade in an area with south frontage and feeling the breeze. During the triple digit temperature days check the water troughs especially those with automatic float valves at least once a day. Several types of troughs and float valves are available so each livestock owner must make choices.
Size should come first, and as a rule of thumb allow a 100 gallon tank for each 20 – 25 cows. A lactating cow will drink 10-12 gallons of water per head per day. Cowboy arithmetic figures 20 cows at 10 gallons per cow equals 200 gallons per day, but watering occurs all during the day, and not all water at the same time. The float valve allows refilling continually and permits using a smaller tank for more cows. All of the newer tanks are made of a strong plastic material and are fitted with a 1 1/2 “ NPT drain fitting. Two tanks can easily be plumbed together using the drain fittings requiring only one float valve. The two tank system works good placing one tank on either side of a cross fence. If the drain feature is important in your application, use a “T” and valve in the connecting base. The two tank system is also good in horse stalls with adjacent run layouts. My preferred tank/float valve combination is made by Rubbermaid. The Rubbermaid products are tough and the float valve bolts to the tank rather than clamping on using set screws. Have learned to use stainless steel or brass fasteners when attaching the float valve to the tank rather than the bolts and nuts supplied. Might need to take the valve off the
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tank someday. Rubbermaid makes tanks in 100, 150, and 300 gallon sizes for cattle and 50 gallon size for sheep and goats. Use the small tank for hay feeders for horses especially if feeding alfalfa. Like to use a float marker in the water tanks saying “All is Well”, easy to read from a distance. Have tried all types of floats and come back to plastic jugs of one gallon size or larger with an integral handle. Laundry bleach jugs are good, but better when filled with Styrofoam “peanuts” used in the packing for the shipping business. The “peanuts” make it just unsinkable even if a leak develops. Always attach a weight to the handle of the jug to keep the jug marker in the tank. Best marker weight found is a brick or part of a brick made with holes. The masonry is non-toxic and easily attached to the jug marker handle with a hay string. Also the more weight, the higher the jug will ride in the tank water and make it easier to see from farther away. Keep a close eye on the water supply. It is the most critical factor in livestock production.
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our Tomball location moved to: 12751 N. Eldridge Pkwy. Cypress, TX 77429
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 55
Luxury Horse Properties by Wendy Cline Properties
13694 Taite Rd
40000 Wildlife Run
8384 Krueger Rd
Horseman’s Paradise with 170 acres of improved pastures. Custom home on 17 acres in Ranches of Clear Creek. 29 acres of wide open rolling Texas land with stunning Custom home, 8 stall barn, 6 acre stocked lake + 4 ponds. Pond w pier, Outdoor kitchen. Gorgeous recent constuct- views. Custom limestone home, 2 barns, working cattle 5 paddocks, 480’ deep well. Robertson County pens, arena & round pen. Open plan w granite island kit. tion Open Plan home. Equestrian Center. Gated.
40177 Wildlife Run
Custom home w high end finishes on 16.8 acres. Antique Elm & Distressed Pine Flooring. Black granite & white quartz Chef’s kitchen. Heavily wooded. Private pond.
24824 Mitchell Rd
Custom Estate Ranch House and Guest House/Office on 25.5 Acres. Slate floors, stone walls, wood beamed ceiling. Arena, barns, 4 horse walker, chutes. Fenced/cross fenced.
26087 Crown Ranch
29109 Dobbin Huffsmith
3 AC in Crown Ranch less than 2 miles from Tiger Woods designed Bluejack National Golf Club. 3,448 SF home w gourmet island kitchen, 2 office/studies. New hardwoods.
10 Acre Estate w Custom 6,571 SF 5 bd, 6.5 bth, 4 car stone & stucco home. Lighted Pipe Arena. Custom Barn. Resort Pool. Owners Gym. Game. Office. Pond w fountain
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24743 AJs Way
Custom estate on 10 acres. AG exempt - horse barns w 30 AC Horse ranch with Custom home, pool, 10 stall 6 stalls. 3,484 SF home w 4 bd, 2.5 bths. Split plan w Mstr barn, walker, turn outs, multiple loafing sheds & paddocks. down. Open floor plan. Island kitchen. Hardwoods. Gorgeous Updated Home with breathtaking views.
56 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 2 September 2015
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