Midwest Horse Digest July 2010 by Horse Digests

July 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

July 2010

www.horsedigests.com

Horse Digest

JULY 2010

Contents

Of Interest

Training with Today’s Top Trainers 6

Colt Starting, part 1 by Ken McNabb

Catching the Foal by Clinton Anderson

10 Making Your Farriers Life Easier and Safer by Dennis Auslam 12 Bargain Horses: Are They Really? by Bob Jeffreys & Suzanne Sheppard 14 Troubadour by Craig Cameron

W estern Pleasure 16 Versatility and the Western Pleasure Horse by Jennifer Lindgren 18 Why Long Line? part 2 by Tommy Garland

Dressage - English

NEWS 25 NRHA Announces Changes to the Nomination Program 26 Companies Making an Impact on Horse Health Bring the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Gamesto the U.S. 37 Lynn Palm Shares 40 Tips for the Trail Rider 39 Second Annual Diamond McNabb Horse Sale Averages $6,494 Per Head 41 Dave Wolfe, President of RSNC, Ranch Sorting National Championship comments... EQUINE NUTRITION 11 Yeast Culture: Improving The Way We Feed Horses 22 Managing and Feeding Your Horse in Hot Weather 27 Forages

20 Ground Manners – Banishing Bathing Blues - by Lynn Palm

Special Sections

P erformance Horse 24 True Horsemanship – A Life Long Journey by Richard Winters

Trail Horse 32 Must be in Front on Trail by Julie Goodnight 34 It’ll Be Fine! part V by Doug Lindgren

28 30 41 41 42 43 44 45

Equine Central Ready to Ride Guide Advertisers Index Real Estate Classifieds Photo Classifieds Upcoming Events Traders Corner

35 What is the best saddle pad to use on my horse? by Mary Hamilton

Equine VIP 36 MARIO A CONTRERAS talks with Equine VIP by Susan Ashbrooke

Featured on the Cover:

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS ISSUE! We are proud to be able to publish it for you, our readers, and ask that you support the advertisers that support this magazine. Thank you! You will find our archive of back issues online in flip-page format, plus other articles and videos ~ VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW .HORSEDIGESTS.COM

July 2010

Action photos from the RSNC finals at Ardmore, OK taken by Jim Davis of Jim Davis Photography, www.JimDavisPhoto.com 863-634-7455

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Advertising Contacts Mark Bahls Peg Bahls 507-943-3355 mark@horsedigests.com peg@horsedigests.com

It’s been a busy summer, full of adventure and meeting new people and making new friends. I recently attended the Ranch Sorting National Championship RSNC Finals at the historic Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore Oklahoma. It was my privilege to get to know and appreciate the owners of the association, Dave Wolfe and Van Gemmill. Their association has almost 5000 members competing and having fun all over the country. It is growing and ready to explode. Anyone can do it. I was very impressed by how the young and old, male or female can successfully compete, while having a great time. The cattle add an element of excitement and uncertainty as well as the pace is quick. With 6 arenas set up, they were able to complete about 4000 team runs in six days, including a celebrity sorting to raise money for Western Wishes. While there, I had the opportunity to get to know Aaron Ralston and Brad Zanin of Cow Horse Productions, producers of “The Ride” that airs on RFD TV. Their show takes a creative look at time-honored disciplines such as reining, roping, cutting, and fence work. Aaron is helping to promote RSNC and has agreed to be a contributor to Horse Digests. I am excited to be able to include Aaron in our group of professionals that provide the great articles and videos for the educational enjoyment of our readers. We too are proud to announce our support and participation with RSNC whose mission is to lead the industry in developing and improving the sport of Ranch Sorting through affordability and a fair rating system. Their goal is to preserve the heritage and integrity of the ranching lifestyle while providing a family-oriented, competitive riding experience at the grassroots level. Till next time, take care and God Bless, Rahn Greimann

Midwest Horse Digest is distributed FREE at equinerelated businesses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northern Illinois and North and South Dakota. No material from this publication may be copied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Neither the advertisers nor Greimann Industries are responsible for any errors in the editorial copy.. Greimann Industries reserves the right to refuse any advertising which we deem unsuitable for our publication. No liability is assumed for errors in or omissions of advertisers in this publication. Opinions and views expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or employees, nor does publication of any opinion or statement in Midwest Horse Digest constitute an endorsement of the views, opinions, goods or services mentioned. While every possible effort is made to make our publication accurate and timely, Midwest Horse Digest does not warrant the accuracy of material contained in any article or the quality of goods or services contained in any advertisement.

TO ALL OF OUR ADVERTISERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND READERS WE THANK YOU! Pick up Midwest Horse Digest every month at over 850 feed stores, tack shops, veterinarians, farriers and equestrian centers across the Upper Midwest. If your location does not get Midwest Horse Digest call us at 507-526-5943 or email rahn@horsedigests.com You can also view Midwest Horse Digest online each month or back issues in our online archive. Just go to www.HorseDigests.com Please direct all editorial and correspondence, as well as change of address to: rahn@horsedigests.com or call 507-526-5943

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July 2010

Today’s Top Trainers

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Colt Starting Part 1 by Ken McNabb with Katherine Lindsey Meehan

This month we will cover how to start a young horse in the round pen as the first step towards starting him under saddle. For these exercises, you will need a round pen about 60 feet in diameter, a lariat rope, and protective boots for your horse’s legs. I want to start by mentioning some safety notes. Make sure that your round pen walls are smooth and free of any hooks or sharp edges that could cut your horse. You also want to be sure you have good footing in the round pen so your horse doesn’t slip. If your horse is gentle enough, put protective boots on his front legs. If you can get boots on his hind legs safely, do that too. Throughout this exercise, try to keep a really good feel for your horse. If he is getting tired, find a place where you can let him rest. If he is trying very hard, release him and reward him.

Start by turning your horse out in the round pen and give him a little while to just play and explore the pen’s boundaries. If you give your horse this time before you start working him, he knows where the fence is and he will be much less likely to push on it or try to go over it. Once your horse has explored the pen, go in with your lariat coiled in one hand. Move to the center of the pen and ask your horse to move off in a circle around you. Your first goal is to get consistent movement. That means your horse is going forward without trying to change directions, and you can change his leg speed. Your lariat rope will be used as an extension of your arm, so if your horse is not moving forward when you ask him to, you can throw the rope towards his hip to encourage him. You always keep one end of the rope in your hand so you can pull it back in to you and re-coil it. Once you have consistent forward movement, you are ready to move on to the next step, teaching your horse to turn in towards you and change direction. As he moves around the pen, step towards the edge and think about making an opening for his shoulder to turn towards you. If he turns to the inside, that is great. Relax and give him a chance to stand if he wants to. If he tries to turn to the outside of the pen to change directions, move quickly and turn him back so he is going the same direction he started in. Keep doing this until he turns to the inside, then release all the pressure and let him stand. It is important to keep forward motion throughout this exercise. If your horse stops briefly and he is thinking about turning inside,

that is fine, but you will need to maintain forward energy in order to get good turns. On the other hand, the point is not to run your horse around and around the pen to tire him out. Ask for turns regularly and release and reward when you get them. Your horse will know he got the right answer when you release the pressure you are putting on him. Once your horse is turning in towards you to change directions consistently and is slowing down and really paying attention to you, you are ready to move to the next part of the exercise. This is to get your horse to turn in to you and stop. Ask for an inside turn, but when he is part way through, stop your body motion. He should stop, too. If he doesn’t, just sent him off around the pen a few more times and then ask again. He should also stay looking at you with both eyes when he is stopped. If he looks away, send him off around the pen and then bring him back to a stop again. When you can get your horse to stop and face you, you can approach him. Stay very relaxed but walk up to him confidently; don’t creep up to him. Watch your horse closely. As soon as you sense that he is about to step away from you (but before he actually takes a step away), turn and walk away from him. Many horses will follow you, which is what you want. If your horse does not follow, send him off around the pen and try again. If your horse follows you, sort of ignore him and keep walking. If he stops following you, send him off around the pen. Once your horse is following you consistently, turn and rub his face. If he leaves, send him around the pen. If he stands, pet him for a short time and then walk off again. He should follow you. Gradually work from his head back over his entire body, sacking him out with your hands. Remember to release and walk off with him following you regularly. Your goal should be to keep aware of your horse enough that you are releasing and walking off with him following you before he leaves on his own. But if he does leave, send him around the pen and then bring him right back to you. Once your horse is letting you sack him out and following you all the time, you can add the last pieces to this part of the exercise. Send your horse off around the pen again, and ask him to turn to the outside and change directions by stepping towards his eye. You should be able to ask him to turn to the inside or outside on cue because he will learn that you create an opening for his shoulder when you want an inside turn, and step towards his eye for an outside turn. Then, start asking your horse to step towards you and follow you instead of you having to walk up to him before he will start following. Stop a ways in front of him and step away and to the side. He should follow you, but you are really looking for his feet to step forward towards you rather than him just pivoting around his front end to keep his eyes on you. Practice this until your horse will approach you and follow you whenever you ask. Next month, we will cover the next step in starting your colt in the round pen. Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride. For more information on Ken McNabb’s programs call us at 307-645-3149 or go to www.kenmcnabb.com.

July 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

July 2010

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Today’s Top Trainers

Catching the Foal

by Clinton Anderson I’m a firm believer in working with foals as soon as they are born because the earlier you can start to work with them, the less fearful and more respectful they become. Catching your foal is the first step to desensitizing him to human touch. Before you can begin teaching your foal fundamental exercises, he first must trust you. In this exercise, you’ll catch the foal and then teach him to stand still and relax while your arms are wrapped around his body. You’ll find that the more you practice walking up to the foal and catching him, the quieter he’ll get. Teaching Stage: Before starting this first lesson, it’s important that you can trust the mare and she can trust you. In this lesson, you’ll use an assistant to hold the mare while you work with the foal (or tie the mare up if you have no assistant). Before you catch the foal, you should be confident that the mare is not going to get worked up or aggressive when you try to touch the foal. If she still show signs of aggression or gets worried when you enter the stall, spend more time reassuring her and just hanging out in the stall. Once she’s comfortable with you in the stall near the foal, then you can begin the first lesson. I recommend teaching this lesson in a stall because it’s easier to work with the foal in a small enclosure. You’ll find that some foals like to run around and play games with you. The bigger area they have to run around in, the more difficult it is to catch them. Playing a game of “catch me if you can” can easily turn into a habit for foals, so you want to discourage that behavior as quickly as you can. You want the foal to realize that you can get a hold of him whenever you want. If you don’t have a stall, create an enclosed 12’ by 12’ area in which you can safely work with the foal. 1) Have your assistant position the mare next to the stall wall so that you’ll be able to easily reach the foal. If you don’t have an assistant, use an Aussie Tie Ring to tie the mare up so that she won’t be moving around the stall making the foal

July 2010

anxious. The quieter the mare stands, the calmer the foal will stay throughout the lesson. If the mare is pacing in the stall and getting worked up, the foal will mimic her behavior. I recommend positioning the mare next to the wall because you’ll find that when you go to catch the foal, he’ll duck under his mother’s belly or try to hide behind her. By putting the mare next to the wall, even if the foal tries to sneak under her, you’ll always be able to get a hand on him. 2) Walk up to the foal with passive body language and scratch his hindquarters or withers. It’s important to approach the foal in a casual, relaxed manner. Pretend that catching him is the furthest thing from your mind. A common mistake people make is to walk up to the foal like a predator. They enter the stall and walk straight over to the foal. That sounds simple, but to the foal, you look like a predator on the hunt for his next meal. He’s not going to wait around and think about the situation because even at this young age Mother Nature is telling him to run! Horses always run first and think later. To seem less threatening to the foal and less like a predator, relax your body language and spend a few minutes scratching his hindquarters or withers. Horses love to be scratched on their withers, and the more the foal associates you with pleasant a feeling, the better. 3) When the foal is standing beside you, slide one hand up under his neck and then grab the base of his tail with your free hand and lift it straight up in the air. Lifting the foal’s tail up in the air is similar to a twitch because it subdues the foal. By applying pressure to his tail, you’re making it uncomfortable for the foal to move his feet and try to get away from you. 4) As soon as the foal stops moving his feet and relaxes, release the pressure on his tail. When the foal relaxes, he’ll show one of five signs: he’ll lick his lips, cock a hind leg, take a deep breath, blink his eyes or lower his head and neck. If he doesn’t show one of those five signs, but stands still for at least 15 seconds, he’s telling you that he has no intention of trying to get away and you can go ahead and release the pressure. When the foal stops moving his feet, make him feel comfortable by releasing the pressure on his tail. Horses learn from the release of pressure, not the pressure itself. The quicker you can drop the foal’s tail when he stands still and relaxes, the faster he’ll understand that he did the right thing. However, if you drop the foal’s tail and release the pressure when he is moving his feet, you’re teaching him to struggle against you. Be very conscious of your timing and what you’re rewarding the foal for. 5) Any time the foal goes to move, immediately make him feel uncomfortable by lifting his tail up. As soon as his feet stop moving and he shows a sign of relaxing, release the pressure on his tail. You’ll make the wrong thing (moving his feet) difficult, and the right thing (standing still and relaxing) easy. 6) Be sure to keep the foal as close to the mare as you can, even if you have to physically

move the foal next to her. In fact, it’s best if you can put the foal in the nursing position so that his muzzle is close to the mare’s flank. This position is familiar and comfortable to the foal and will help ease the tension in his body and make him less defensive. 7) When you can successfully catch the foal on one side of his body, and he doesn’t struggle against your hold, practice catching him from his other side. Remember that horses have two sides to their brains, a left side and a right side. Whatever you teach to one side, you have to teach to the other. Act like you’re training two different horses and be very thorough with each side. Handler Mistakes: Not keeping the mare in one place positioned next to the wall. If you let the mare walk around the stall, chances are the foal is going to get upset because you won’t be able to keep him next to the mare at all times. The advantage of having an assistant hold the mare or tying her up in the stall is that it keeps her in one place and makes it easy for you to keep the foal next to her side. Keeping the mare against the wall also makes your job easier because you’ll be able to reach the foal even if he tries to hide from you. Holding the foal away from the mare. While you’re working with the foal, be conscious of keeping him next to the mare at all times. When you first catch the foal, you might have to physically move him back to the mare’s side so that he can see her and she can see him. It’s best to put the foal in the nursing position because it’s familiar and comforting to him. Allowing the mare to see and touch the foal will keep her relaxed. Approaching the foal like a predator. Remember that horses are prey animals and have a flight or fight response. If you approach the foal like a predator, his reaction will be to run away from you. If he can’t escape you, then he’ll do whatever he can to fight you off and survive the situation. However, if you relax your body language and pretend that catching him is the last thing on your mind, he’ll allow you to approach. Not releasing the pressure on the foal’s tail when he stops moving his feet and relaxes. Horses learn from the release of pressure, not the pressure itself. So the quicker you can release the pressure on the foal’s tail when he stands still and relaxes, the quicker he will learn he did the right thing. Foal Problems: The foal rears when you try to catch him. If the foal rears when you first put your arms around him, stay in position and move with him. As soon as you possibly can, get your hand on the base of his tail and lift straight up in the air to make him feel uncomfortable for struggling against you. Keep a steady, consistent pressure on the foal’s tail until he stops moving his feet and relaxes. Don’t punish him for rearing because he’s not being bad on purpose, he just doesn’t understand what you’re asking him to do. Through repetition, you’re going to teach him that when you catch him, he has nothing to worry about.

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The foal gets worried when he can’t see the mare. Be sure to keep the foal next to his mother throughout the exercise. As long as he can see his mother and she can see him, they’ll both stay relaxed. Ideally, the foal should be kept by the mare’s side so she can bend her head and neck around to see or even touch him if she wants. The foal kicks or strikes out at you. If the foal kicks out with his back legs or strikes at you with his front legs, keep applying pressure to his tail and wait for his feet to stop moving and for him to show a sign of relaxing. By kicking out or striking at you, the foal is just letting you know that he isn’t comfortable with what you’re doing to him. But with repetition, he’ll soon learn that you’re not trying to hurt him and he can’t get rid of you by kicking out or striking. The only way he gets a release of pressure is by standing still and relaxing. Troubleshooting Advice:

The mare gets aggressive or worried when you try to catch the foal. If the mare gets aggressive or overly worried when you try to catch the foal, stop the exercise and go back to gaining her trust. Spend time sitting in the corner of the stall just letting the mare and the foal get used to your presence. Prove to her that she has nothing to be worried about when you try to touch or catch the foal. It’s important that the mare isn’t worried about you when you start working with the foal because if she is, she’ll upset the foal making it impossible for you to accomplish the goal of the exercise. Success Tip: Catch the foal when he’s nursing. The easiest way to catch the foal is to do so when he is nursing. He can only think about one thing at a time, so if he’s thinking about nursing, he won’t have time to be worried about you. And when you do catch him, he’ll already be in the perfect position next to the mare. About Clinton Anderson Clinton Anderson is America’s favorite horse-

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man. An Australian native, he began his quest to become the best horseman he could be by apprenticing under top Australian trainers Gordon McKinlay and Ian Francis. In 1996 Clinton moved to America to continue training horses and apprenticed under Al Dunning, winner of multiple AQHA World Championships, before beginning to train under his own name. Clinton loves training reiners and cow horses and has been successful in both competitive arenas. Clinton is the host of Downunder Horsemanship TV, the number one rated RFD TV program that airs at 10 and 12 pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesdays and 3 pm on Sundays. Find out more about Clinton at www.downunderhorsemanship.com

July 2010

Today’s Top Trainers

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Making Your Farriers Life Easier and Safer!

by Dennis Auslam I will start off by saying this - the safety of the individual is first and the safety of the horse is your second consideration, not the other way around. As horse owners we need to remember this and that it is our responsibility to teach our horses to have respect for us. The chances of us hurting the horse are far lower then the horse hurting us and the more successful we are at teaching the horse to respect us the less chance that anyone will get hurt, horse or owner. When getting ready to teach the horse to pick up its feet you will want to first make sure that you have lunged, round penned or rode the excess energy out of your horse before starting the exercise. The tools needed to start with are a rope halter with a 12 foot lead, a 6 foot crop, or whip with no tail, or a tapping stick. The goal of this lesson will be for the horse to pick his leg up,

10 July 2010

bended at the knee at a 45 degree angle, and hold it up willingly on his own for a few seconds. Position your horse with the opposite side of the side you are working on along a fence line. He will still have the ability to move forward and backward, but will not have the ability to evade you, as the fence will not allow him to move away from you. You will begin to start tapping lightly on the portion of the front leg between the hoof and the knee. Tap consistently, more to annoy the horse, in effect this is what will make him eventually lift his hoof. Also, make sure you are not standing directly in front of the horse, but off to the side, so that you are out of the strike zone if the horse decides to strike out. If your horse decides to try to move forward during this process, stop the forward motion by putting pressure on the halter. In other words, if he starts moving forward, immediately put pressure on the halter, if that doesn’t work pull down vigorously on the halter until he stops moving forward. If your horse wants to move backwards, in an effort to avoid the tapping, move with them continuing the tapping until they stop moving. Do not try to restrain them from moving backwards, as that will not work. Just keep tapping and once they stop moving backwards move them back to the position you had them in originally and start tapping again. What we are looking for is any kind of effort from the horse to take the weight off the hoof or pick it up. When your horse does this stop tapping. Praise the horse and let him know that was the correct answer. Continue practicing and he will get better and better. and remember to stop and praise him when he responds correctly. You will do this exercise to all four legs, but don’t move to the next leg until you are successful with the last leg you were working on. This process, depending on the horse and his willingness, can take a little bit of time. So don’t start this process if you don’t have the time to put into it. Save it for another day when you have the time. On a difficult horse you may not get him exactly where you want him to be in one session, so plan for this also. You will also want to practice this with your horse on a regular basis. If they start putting their weight on you when you are cleaning their hooves, or on the farrier when he is trimming, it is definitely time to refresh their memory. This little bit of training also ties into the big picture of teaching the horse patience, understanding, and just plain ol’ behaving. Another reason to teach this to your horse is that it is not your farriers responsibility to teach your horse how to stand correctly and lift his feet.

On a different note - I recently came back from a trip to Peoria, Ill and Lexington. KY. I volunteer my time every year for a big St. Jude benefit trail ride and auction. This year I was able to take my two apprentices, Sam and Addie, and my daughter, Emma. My reason for taking them was not only to help with the driving and working with the horses, but also to show them it is very important to give back. We worked approximately 12 head of horses at the St. Jude benefit. What we do is charge our normal rate for working with individual’s horses and then the money goes back to St. Jude. It was a very successful benefit and overall they raised about $25,000 dollars for St. Jude. We also had the priviledge of meeting a St. Jude family at the auction. The wonderful thing about St. Jude is that when the parents of the patients go to St. Jude they never receive a bill. Everything is taken care of. So if anyone is interested in donating to St. Jude you can find them on the web, http://www.stjude.org and find instructions for giving your donation. It is a very good cause! From there we went to Lexington, KY to pick up my stud, Roper, who is going to the World Games. along with me, to do 4 days worth of clinics. He was in dressage training and while I was there I took more lessons too, as I have been working on broadening my knowledge base. Just so you know, you will never see me in breeches, but I am learning that there is value in bringing the western world and the dressage world together. My apprentices had the privilege of riding under the tutelage of JP Giacomini and I also was working at refining my knowledge of Endotapping™. It is a technique I have been learning that provides relaxation of the horse during the training process. A horse will learn quicker when relaxed. For more information on Endotapping™ contact me. We will also soon have a page on our website with more information about this process. Aside from a few days of bad weather it was a wonderful trip and a great learning experience and the girls had a terrific time! But I did find out how small my living quarters trailer really is. I spent most of my time outside the trailer, even in bad weather. I also learned where all the Dairy Queens are on the route from Minnesota to Illinois to Kentucky. So if anyone needs to know that information just give me a call. I can tell you where each and every one of them is at. Coming up at Redwood Stables is a Colt Starting Clinic the end of July, this is by application only, so call us. We will also be having a Confidence Clinic August 14 and 15. Again, for more information visit our website or call. Stay safe and happy trails! Dennis Auslam Dennis Auslam of Redwood Stables in Morton, MN, trains both the horse and the rider through lessons and clinics. He runs a regular schedule of clinics for Confidence Building, Horsemanship and Cattle Work, including Roping Clinics and has recently added a Challenge Trail Course to his facility. Call Dennis at 507-430-0342 or email him at redwoodstables@mvtvwireless.com with questions on training. - You can check his clinic and event schedule by visiting his website at www.redwoodstables.com or call 507-525-6691

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Yeast Culture: Improving The Way We Feed Horses By Paul Kropp, Diamond V®

Mmmm, yeast. It brings to mind images of bread baking in the kitchen, or maybe thoughts of microbreweries and wineries. But what about horse feed? Through the years, research has clearly demonstrated that adding Yeast Culture to equine feeds corresponds directly with improved digestibility, a decrease in plasma lactic acid concentrations after exercise, better utilization of protein in the diet, enhanced overall fitness levels, and improved tissue and muscle accretion and repair. Consequently, diarrhea, colic, laminitis and a variety of other equine health and performance problems are frequently prevented, while simultaneously improving performance and well being of the horse.

XP Yeast Culture in all of our Super Horse® feeds and our Equine Health supplements, ShoGlo®, Sho-Flex™, and Opti-Zyme®. Visit the MannaPro website at www.mannapro.com for more information on their products

The Equine Digestive Tract: Understanding the Hindgut Horses are grazers. They were designed to consume a forage-based diet in small, frequent meals throughout the day. The hindgut, which consists of the cecum and large colon, is the largest and arguably the most important part of the horse’s digestive tract. Billions and billions of microbial organisms, commonly referred to as microbes, reside there. It is these microbes that give the horse the ability to make use of forages. In the hindgut, microbes produce volatile fatty acids (VFA) by fermenting the fibrous portion of the diet. These VFA are short-chain compounds that are absorbed and transported to the liver to be utilized as a source of energy. VFA are nutritionally significant because they can contribute 30 to 70 percent of the horse’s total energy requirement. Microbes in the hindgut also have the ability to digest those starches that were not digested in the small intestine. Feeding excessive amounts of grain and poor feeding management can put extra stress on the hindgut. Yeast Culture can help maintain a healthy environment in the hindgut under such stresses. In summary, the microbes break down the fibrous portions of the diet that the horse’s own digestive enzymes cannot. Given that the majority of a horse’s diet is comprised of forage, microbes are essential to the nutritional well being of the horse. Yeast Culture stimulates the growth of these microbes, resulting in improved overall digestibility of the feedstuffs, making more nutrients available for growth and performance. Horse owners have the ability to improve feed digestibility and their horse’s overall health by choosing nutrition products that are not only high in quality but also incorporate addedvalue ingredients such as Yeast Culture. Remember to look for products that contain Yeast Culture in their formulation and are properly balanced to meet the specific needs of your horse(s). The bottom line is that all horses can benefit from improved digestibility and gut health. Regardless if the horses are racers or pasture pets, proper digestion and utilization of feedstuffs is a crucial aspect in maintaining a healthy horse. This article has been provided courtesy of Manna Pro®, who is proud to include Diamond V

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July 2010 11

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Bargain Horses:

Are They Really? By Bob Jeffreys & Suzanne Sheppard

Many years ago, Bob bought a horse that no one else seemed to want. They called him “yesterday’s goods”, too hot to handle, too small and not very athletic. Translation: all used up at the very old age of 5 years. He only traveled at two gaits, walk and gallop, was only 14.3 hands and didn’t want to pick up the left lead. From Bob’s point of view, these were mostly positives. Five years old is a great age, movement is essential for learning, short horses are easy to mount on the trail and leads are usually a two or three day fix on a sound horse. It turned out he’d found the proverbial

diamond in the rough. He says, “He was one of the best horses I have ever had. I kept him for almost ten years before selling him to my best friend when my young horses were consuming all my time”. This sounds like a great story, but it is unfortunately the exception rather than the rule. There is always a reason why a horse is for sale. It could just be that someone goes off to school or a breeder needs to sell stock to survive, etc, but often it’s for negative reasons. Perhaps the horse is dangerous, i.e. it rears, it bucks, it bolts, it won’t move, it won’t stop, it’s afraid of everything. You can usually expect some or all of the above in the so called “bargain horse”. The initial purchase price is often very low or even free (adoption horses come to mind) but the ultimate price you pay in order to bring that horse along may not result in such a bargain after all. Remember the old saying, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is’. It’s not just the training time and costs that he’s referring to. When horses have acquired and have practiced bad habits or have been

taught to fear or mistrust humans, they are not “cured” overnight. This takes time and patience, not only from the trainer, but from the owner as well. A horse with any or all of these problems could cost you several months and several thousand dollars to “fix”. In the meantime, you may be at risk of injury when handling or riding these horses. Even if you don’t get hurt, but are constantly in fear of being hurt, you are obviously not enjoying such a horse. Regardless of what we wish to actually do with our horses, we presume that we would all like to enjoy them. So just a few words of advice to consider when buying your next mount: 1. Always see the horse in person, don’t buy on a video alone. 2. Watch the owner or seller ride the horse before you do. This way you should get to see the horse perform at its current “best” level. 3. If the seller or owner refuses to ride the horse, this should send you a warning. Only ride this horse if your insurance premium is fully paid. 4. If you’re not experienced with horses, bring your favorite trainer along to get their assessment of the horse. Don’t use one of the barn mavens who offer their “expert” advice for free. (Remember free advice is only worth what you paid for it…) 5. Have a vet check for soundness at least with a flex test if you don’t know the horse or the seller. If they fail the flex test, move on. If they pass, but your vet suggests x-rays or further testing and you like the horse, do what he or she suggests; it could save you a lot of money later. If you’re looking for bargains, shop at WalMart. As far as we know horses aren’t sold there yet, so be cautious when presented with a socalled bargain price horses. Spending a few dollars more for the horse that you can start riding and enjoying immediately, one that is sound, willing, well trained and just fun to be around is the true bargain. If you find yourself already in the position of having acquired a horse with some problems, your situation is certainly not hopeless. Just realize that you’ll need to find a trainer that you’re comfortable with and be prepared to spend the money, time and effort required to teach your horse properly. Until next time, ride safe! Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard travel nationwide teaching people how to bring out the best in their horses. Their homebase is Bob’s Two as One Ranch in Middletown, NY. For info about Bob & Suzanne’s Wind Rider Challenge, private horse training lessons, riding lessons, clinics, DVDs, books, Horsemanship Ed Courses and ProTrack™ Trainer Certification Programs please visit TwoasOneHorsemanship.com or call 845-6927478. Free horse training downloads, too! ©Two as One, LLC 8/07

12 July 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Today’s Top Trainers

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Troubadour by Craig Cameron

When Darrell Dodds of Western Horseman Magazine announced “and the Winner of the 2010 Road To The Horse World Championship is … Craig Cameron” those were words that I had worked hard to hear since the inception of this great event almost 10 years ago. This World Championship serves as a tough event that weighs on its competitors all year long as they prepare for a competition that is definitely a physical, mental and emotional roller coaster ride and challenge. Each contestant must call upon his very best to come out on top. He must be equipped with the skills, patience, timing, feel and balance. To be a champion he has to call upon a wealth of experience and a heart full of courage to display his best work. Lastly, and maybe the most important ingredient, he needs a darn good horse. In the “Road To The Horse” event a competitor chooses his own horse out of a herd of ten unbroke wild horses. His pick sometimes is his fate. Each contestant must be able to read horses well to pick the all important partner to take him to the end of the road: the end of the rainbow, “The World Championship of Colt Starting”. This year I think the one question that I was asked most was: “Craig, why did you choose that horse?” I do not think my fellow competitors, Ken McNabb and Richard Winters were asked that question near as much as I was. In fact, they might not have been asked that question even once. Why? Both horses Ken and Richard picked were very good looking Quarter Horses. My pick on the other hand was a small, rough looking, extremely shaggy and somewhat thin colt. I think many people were shocked by my choice, if not altogether puzzled, as I was asked over and over “Why the heck did you choose that little ragamuffin of a horse?” “What were you thinking about?” “Craig, have you gone loco or just lost it altogether?” I was also asked, “So, why the name Troubadour?” Of course, I did not give him the name Troubadour until the free-style part of the competition. Until then I just called him “the little yellow #10 horse”. So why would I choose such a rough looking little horse, when the other choices seemed - on the outside - so much better? As a horseman, I never stop watching and reading horses. Tootie Bland, creator and producer of Road To The Horse™ keeps making it better each year and the rules give competitors a chance to study their young horses in a natural environment, The herd of prospective horses is turned loose together in the middle of the colise-

14 July 2010

um. Here, they move around in a natural herd atmosphere, free to do as they please. This gives the contestants and all the spectators the chance to study, evaluate and choose the horse they think will be the best for this competition. The competitors draw to see who will be first to walk into the arena with the ten prospective horses to pick out his horse for the competition. In the draw for order of go I got the #1 position. I had first pick from the entire herd of ten horses. So what

made me pick the roughest looking and maybe the smallest horse in the bunch? As a horseman, I am in the habit of evaluating any horse I see or come in contact with. Like any good horseman you check breeding, conformation and disposition. All the contestants were able to look at the papers of these horses and see the bloodlines. The horses were from the Wood Ranch in Heber Springs, Arkansas and had excellent bloodlines. Some of the horses were Hancock bred. Hancock horses are excellent horses, but some of them have been known as tough to start. Other horses had Shining Spark bloodlines, also great horses that can sometimes be tough in the get go. My inclination was to lean toward the Shining Spark bloodlines. I like them. They are usually really good movers with a lot of “natural”. When I evaluate and study potential horses to buy or train I want to see them move. Do they have a nice flat smooth looking trot? Do they naturally pick up the correct lead? Are they traveling with a nice level top line? Does this horse have a kind eye? Is there a slope to his shoulders and matching angle at the pasterns? Does he exhibit a good trapezoid -in other words – a balanced look: good neck, short back, deep heart girth, long on the bottom, short on top, good loins, croup and hind quarters? How about straight

legs and good feet? There is so much to consider when looking for a good prospective horse. However, at the Road To The Horse competition we are looking for the horse that will carry us to a world championship. This means a horse that will do well with just three hours of training. With that in mind, it puts a whole new twist on what one might look for in picking out his horse. In addition to the traits I’ve mentioned, I was looking for a special ingredient that I think maybe the most important for this world class colt starting competition. You might think it would be good old fashioned trainability. That would be a good guess and a component all competitors and horse trainers desire. However, that trainability or willingness is sometimes only able to be identified when you actually start working with that individual horse. You hope you find it in your choice at Road to the Horse. There are no test runs. The key ingredient I was looking for was bravery; you know, old fashioned courage. As I watched those horses, I noticed that the little raggedy #10 horse would always move away from the herd. He would put his head down instead of up, just walk right up to things and check

them out. He had a lot of curiosity which I believe to be a sign of intelligence. Instead of being worried, unsure or looking scared (which would be natural to a horse that has had very little handling) the yellow #10 seemed cool, calm and somewhat sure. That is what caught my eye. I kept looking at a really good looking palomino which was the #2 horse, but something just kept drawing me back to that little hobo looking #10. The shaggy horse gave me a good feel and connection. When my time had run out and the decision had to be made, I spoke i nto the microphone. “I am going to choose a horse I don’t think one person here would pick. I choose the #10 horse.” A hush fell over the Coliseum. All I could do from that point was hope I made a good choice and give it my best.

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I tell you the truth, when I was into my first hour of training, I truly thought I had made a big mistake with my choice. The little guy avoided me completely. He was really spooky and did not give any positive response to my work. I roped him with my first shot, but he fought the rope and would spin away, avoiding any touch from me. “The horse is not even going to let me halter him” was the thought going through my head. Quit is not in my vocabulary so I really bore down. Finally, using all my skills and an ultra soft touch, I finally got the little outlaw haltered. Believe me, I may not have looked like it, but I was extremely happy to get that all important step done. After that I began to make fast and strong progress. Although this little guy was very touchy, he was also brave, just like I thought, and the change I wanted began to take place. At the end of the first hour, I was pleased and happy with my progress. I felt like the choice I had made might possibly be a good one. Day 2: Two hours to work and I wasted no time. I got “little yellow” haltered with no trouble, although he was extremely touchy around his head. I presented him with a feel from head to tail with my hands and ropes. He adjusted well and was “learning to learn” and to give to pressure. I worked diligently and got him very soft laterally and vertically through his head and neck. I went to the surcingle to prepare him for the saddle and he accepted it without much fuss. In short order and without missing any steps I had him saddled. I worked the saddle and his heart and bravery were intact, just as I had hoped. I introduced him to the snaffle bit. I immediately realized he did not like or accept it. Avoiding any fight, I went straight to a simple Craig Cameron Rope Hackamore. It worked like a champion and he followed the feel of the good hackamore. I ground drove him and I think we did exceptionally well, garnering more points from the judges. Finally, the Cowboy moment of truth…time to get on. I stepped up slowly in the stirrup and swung on. Using a short crop, I touched him on the rump and got the forward

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

movement I wanted and needed. We were a good pair finding the walk, trot and canter with little problem. I rode both directions and I must tell you I felt good about him. Before the mandatory break, I unsaddled him, and set up several obstacles to present to the good young colt after the break. As I walked out of the round corral, the crowd started to applaud as this interesting, shaggy and rough little guy started through the obstacles on his own. I knew then, he was the brave horse I thought he might be. As I entered the round pen after the break, we went straight back to work, crossing obstacles, swinging my rope, dragging a log, walk, trot, canter both directions and more. When time was up, I felt this young vagabond and I were ready for the final part at the competition - the obstacle course in the big coliseum. We were briefed on the course. Saddle your horse and ride both directions at a walk trot and canter. Step off and pick up all feet. Re-mount and start the obstacle course. The young colt kept me honest by making me use the best of my skills and experience. Next we went through the obstacles: poles, jumps, tarps, ridethrough, circles, roping, dragging and all on a young horse with just three hours of training. The surprise obstacle was a person dressed in a gorilla costume and you had to ride up to it. My horse nailed the whole obstacle course, including the gorilla, which he touched with his muzzle. This little guy was truly brave, but in my opinion, he also had heart. So much was going through my mind. “I am almost done. All I have left is my freestyle. I feel I am doing well. I want this championship. I need this championship. It is important to me personally and I do not want to blow it now.” I really did not have any special plan. I knew I

would have to feel the horse out. I had a few ideas, but it really depended on my horse. I stepped off, adjusted my saddle. Without any previous thought or plan I said over my microphone”I am going to call this horse ‘Troubadour’ after my favorite George Strait song. We are going to make some sweet music!” I looked up at the sound booth and said to the sound man, “You don’t have that song “Troubadour”, do you? That guy was good at his job because 5 seconds later George Strait began singing “Troubadour”. I pushed my newly named horse, Troubadour, into a trot and right on into a lope. We were headed around the coliseum. As we came around the perimeter of the arena I asked Troubadour for more speed, and then dropped the reins on his neck and held my arms straight out from my sides like Kevin Costner in “Dances with Wolves”. Little Troubadour never weakened and we made it all the way around. As I came to a stop, he gave me all his trust and I gave him all mine as I stood on his back and tipped my hat. A standing ovation was our reward. We won the Championship: a World Championship! I say we because I could not have done it without him, little Troubadour, the little ragamuffin horse, the ugly duckling. He was now a swan. He was brave and most of all he had heart. Never judge a book by its cover. Beauty is more than skin deep. Look on the inside. I will always be in debt to that horse. I will always respect and remember him: a little Champion with the big heart, little Troubadour – Thanks, Craig Visit our website at www.craigcameron.com

July 2010 15

Western Pleasure

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Why

ong ine?

move their shoulders and hips and in the end, you’ll have a much more confident horse as a result of this process! About Tommy Garland Tommy Garland has ridden horses all his life and credits his trainer father, also named Tommy, with teaching him much of what he learned early on about horsemanship. Tommy has spent the past 30 years training, not only Arabians and Half-Arabians but Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, Paints and

part 2 by Tommy Garland

Let’s quickly re-cap the benefits of long lining from the first part of this article. I use long lines with every horse that’s in training at my facility because I find the benefits to be immense regardless of age, discipline, breed, etc. Whether you’re starting a new horse, teaching a horse the fundamentals of backing up, working on achieving collection, getting a horse to be softer in the bridle, etc., long lining is incredibly useful and essential for building a strong foundation in developing skills you and your horse need. These first four steps are crucial because not only is your horse getting accustomed to what you’re asking him to do, he’s also getting used to the feel of the long lines around his hind quarters. These steps will require patience and a methodical approach but the results will be worth it in the end. Step One: You’ll want to begin by having the long lines positioned lower around your horses hind end and if you’re long lining in a round pen or arena and it’s your first attempt, position yourself a safe distance behind your horse. You can begin by asking your horse to walk. Starting at a walk will give you time to get used to working with and having control of the long lines and it will give your horse ample time to get used to the feel of the lines. Ask your horse to “Whoa” and then move forward, “Whoa” and then move forward. It’s normal for your horse to want to stop, lift their head and not move forward during this first step, especially if this is the very first time they’ve been long lined. Be patient and persistent and keep your horse moving forward. Step Two: Once you’re comfortable asking your horse to “Whoa” and then move forward, you can work on turning your horse with the long lines. If you want your horse to turn right, you’ll pull on the RIGHT rein and if you want to turn left, pull on the LEFT rein. When you’re turning your horse to the right, the lines will pull your horse’s head to the right and push their hip to the left. Likewise when you’re turning your horse to the left, the lines will pull your horse’s head to the left and push their hip to the right. Having the rope lower around your horse’s hind end will ultimately give you better control and leverage while helping you capture his hip and this will

16 July 2010

also help drive him up to the bit better. Practice turning right and then left. Practice your “Whoa” and make sure when you say “Whoa” your horse stops. I am adamant about my “Three Strikes, You’re Out” philosophy. If you ask your horse to “Whoa” and he doesn’t, say “Whoa” again. If he still doesn’t “Whoa” ask him one more time but this time, pull on the lines and make sure he understands “Whoa”. “Whoa” always means “Whoa”. Step Three: When you’re comfortable with steps one & two, practice backing up. Gently pull on both lines and ask your horse to back. If your horse backs, release the pressure on the lines and allow your horse to relax. If your horse doesn’t back-up, be patient and keep asking. Step Four: Practice all of the above-mentioned steps at the walk until both you and your horse are comfortable and your horse is responding appropriately. As soon as you’re comfortable at the walk, you’re ready for the next step which is asking your horse to do the very same things at the jog and then the canter. Move your horse forward at the jog and turn left, then “Whoa” and then back-up. Move forward, turn right, “Whoa” and then backup. You get the idea…keep your horse thinking, focused and working. Step Five: Once you’re proficient at the above-mentioned steps, move your long lines UP. For instance, consider moving them up to where the chest plates goes. I outlined the equipment I recommend for long lining in Part 1 of this article and I stressed the importance of having the ability to be able to move and position your long lines higher up on your horses hind end. (If you’d like an ‘equipment refresher’, email me and I’ll be happy to email you Part 1 of this article which will outline my suggestions). Moving the long lines higher up will allow you to achieve better collection by helping shift his weight to his hind end. Instead of having a ‘straight-line’ to the bit. Moving the lines up creates more of an angle on the bit which also creates a different type of pressure in your horses mouth. The pressure on the bit will be different as you move the long lines up and it’s important for your horse to learn to give to the pressure. Repetition and Patience are the keys to success when you’re long lining your horse but the benefits are immeasurable. Long lining is key in achieving collection and ultimately your horse will be softer in the bridle and much more responsive with what you’re asking him to do. You’ll see your horses begin to use their legs more and you’ll notice a change in how they

Mules as well. His techniques have been universally accepted, respected and utilized by horse owners of all breeds and disciplines. He regularly holds clinics throughout the United States, contributes to several well-known equine publications and is still actively training and competing. In addition, he just released a new series of training DVDs and his new TV show will be appearing late summer or early fall 2010. Tommy resides in Virginia with his wife Dawn and children, Samantha, Katie and TBird (Tommy Jr.). For additional information on products, training aids, DVDs, clinics and expo schedules, please visit www.tommygarland.com or email us at info@tommygarland.com.

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2010 MTA Yearling Sale The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association will be holding its 2010 Yearling Sale on Saturday, August 7, 2010. 52 Minnesota-bred yearlings have been consigned to this year’s sale. The sale weekend begins with the Parade of Yearlings on Friday, August 6th, at 4:30 p.m. in the Walking Ring at Canterbury Park. This is a perfect opportunity to get a preview of the yearlings consigned before enjoying an exciting evening at the races. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for the Parade, visit with consignors about their yearlings in the Receiving Barn and stay for the evening’s races with first post at 7:00 p.m. The 2010 MTA Yearling Sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 7th, following a full afternoon of racing at Canterbury Park. Admission to Canterbury Park is free all season in celebration of Canterbury’s 25th Anniversary! Experience the thrill of Thoroughbred racing and purchase your own sports franchise all in one place. Visit the MTA’s website at www.mtassoc.com for more information about the sale. An online version of the catalog will be available shortly on the website. If you’d like a printed copy of the catalog please email info@mtassoc.com or call 952233-4802.

Easy New Hoof Boot Available from Castle Plastics Inc., a durable hoof boot that is quick, fast and simple to apply. The boot is constructed of lightweight neoprene rubber with a polyurethane bottom. It attaches with a velcro closure for a secure fit. It is available in sizes 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3. For more information, feel free to contact us. Call 1-8009CASTLE, email castle@net1plus.com or visit us online - www.castleplastics.com

Gist Silversmiths launches new website Gist Silversmiths has launched their newly designed website! The site has been created to make your viewing experience a pleasant and memorable one! It has an expanded Custom products section full of ideas for your award programs or personalized buckles and accessories. The newest feature is the Ready to Wear Online Store where you can find hundreds of beautiful hand-crafted jewelry, buckles and accessories that can be purchased from the comfort of your own home. Stay current with Gist Silversmiths' corporate news updates, promotions and be able to register soon for the Corporate Newsletter. Visit the new site at www.gistsilversmiths.com.

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July 2010 17

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Western Pleasure

ersatility and the Western Pleasure Horse

by Jennifer Lindgren

The longstanding debate over whether versatility improves the quality of a pleasure horse will never end. Many trainers argue that a great horse, in any discipline, must focus only upon his particular job to be a world class athlete. It is true that you rarely see a great reiner enter a trail class, or an open western pleasure champion enter the hunter ring. It is not that those horses lack the ability to compete successfully; their current training has been fine tuned to win in one specific class. Owners won't risk injury or confusion by altering the successful training regime of a prospective champion. But what

about the horses that aren't contenders for a world or national title? Does training for and competing in multiple events, help or harm their overall performance? While there are still a few very fortunate competitors who have the ability to maintain a show string of horses that specialize in one event, most owners have had to downsize. As the pleasure horse industry continues its economic struggle, we are seeing more horses allowed to cross enter classes and show off their talents. The actual number of horses entered in shows (from the local all the way up to the world level) has decreased, but the number of entries at most of the shows has either increased or remained stable. This is because horses are being asked to enter more events, more divisions, and are often shared among family members. There are many advantages to versatility training (cross training for different events). Most importantly, it helps improve both the rider's skill and timing and their horse's abilities and attitude. Imagine being a full time horse trainer.

At first it might seem like a dream job. But after a few months of the monotony of riding around in the same ring all day, every day, with no change of scenery, your enthusiasm starts to wane. Your cues, while highly consistent, become automatic. Riding becomes work, not pleasure. Taking on a new challenge helps the rider to refocus and recharge. A show horse, especially those that are stall kept, suffers through a lifetime of monotony. And while a special few actually love to go to the shows, many develop bad habits and resentful attitudes as a result of boredom and repetition. They begin to crib, weave, bite, pull off the rail, dash to the center, miss a lead, refuse a jump, etc.The demands placed upon our western pleasure horses to remain slow, controlled, and emotionless, strains both their physical and emotional health. Taking your horse on a trail ride, teaching him to cross a bridge, or ground tie, gives him a much needed break. Adding variety by schooling for a new class is easier and more fun than you may think. Western pleasure training provides a strong foundation for multiple events. Showmanship, western riding, hunter under saddle and trail are an easy transition and won't conflict with your horse's current training. I do not recommend adding speed events. Very few horses can return to pleasure after the adrenaline rush of a speed event. Training around poles or barrels for balance, bending, and lead changes is a great exercise. Just keep your ride slow and steady. If you are looking to market your horse, showmanship and trail are essential to add to his resume. Showmanship targets the youth market and teaches discipline and respect. Trail training, which helps to desensitize and spook proof, gives him a job after his show career has ended. Your horse is your partner. The more training you are able to provide, the better you overall performance will become. If you want to be successful in many classes, provide your horse with solid training in one event before moving forward to school in another. Both of you will become better at some than others. Your goal should be to add one event per year. If you are looking for a family horse to compete with, find one with a strong western pleasure background that is at least 10 years old and has experience in the showring and trailering. Horses 6 years and younger often have trouble mastering multiple events at once. Older horses (over 15) are great for beginners but often have soundness issues and can be difficult to retrain. Good Luck and Ride Safe. Jennifer Lindgren has been an All-Breed Judge since 1985. She is an experienced competitor who has earned Regional and National awards in Halter, Western Equitation and Hunter. She loves all breeds of horses and keeps her private collection in Grant Park, IL. contact: jenlind22msn.com

18 July 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

The Selection Process in at the Alltech Games. Drivers and horses must incur no more than 70 penalties in a special Driving Dressage competition. Three-Day eventers aiming for the Alltech Games have two options. As a combination, horse and rider must complete either one CCI (FEI-certified) event at the 4* level, or they must complete one CCI (also FEI-certified) at the 3* level and one CIC at the 3* level. The distances of the cross-country phase are more difficult for CCI events than are the cross-country distances in CIC events. To successfully qualify, the pair must complete the event(s) with no more than 75 total penalty points. They cannot have penalties at obstacles during cross-country tests for CIC events but are allowed up to 20 maximum penalties on cross-country obstacles during CCI events. A number of time penalties are permissible, but no more than 90 seconds over optimum time for 3* level events and no more than 120 seconds over optimum time at 4* level events. Vaulting teams are composed of vaulters who must qualify individually. Individual vaulters must score at least a 6.0 in Round 1 in a minimum of two CVI 2* events (FEI-certified event 2* level). Vaulting teams must bring a horse that

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How Does a Rider Make It to the Alltech Games?

Although it is still early in the 2010 show season, competition for the coveted spots on national teams has already heated up, with less than 200 days left to go until the Alltech Games begin! The New Year kicked us off with a fresh round of qualification events for competitors who hope to participate in the Alltech Games this September and October. There were more than 50 qualifying competitions in February and more than 100 in March, with another 80-plus set for April. The competitions are going on all over the world, from the United States to Japan to Australia and back again. Each discipline has different qualification criteria, but they all follow the same idea: Receive a certain score at an event that has been approved as a qualifying event and you get to compete at the selection trials, where you are considered for a spot on your national team. For each competing national federation, there are selection committees that make the ultimate decision on who gets a spot on the teams sent to compete at the Alltech Games. (If a national federation does not have a full team to send, a rider may qualify to compete as an individual representing his country.) Reining competitors must average no less than a score of 68 at two different CRIs (certified FEI reining events) during the designated qualification period of January 1, 2009 to August 16, 2010. To send a team or individual riders to compete, each national federation (country or countries wishing to send a team) must host at least two CRI events within its country. Germany is one of many countries scheduled to host qualifying events before August 15, which ends the Dressage qualification period. Horse and rider combinations wishing to participate in the Alltech Games must compete in at least two of these certified events hosted all over the world and attain a qualifying score at each event. As a combination, they must receive a minimum score of 64 percent from two different FEI judges who are of a different nationality than the rider. Endurance competitors have a slightly more complex qualification process than the other disciplines. Horses must complete a minimum of three CEIs (FEI-certified qualification event) at the 2* level or higher. At least one of these events must be completed with the rider who wishes to compete on that horse at the Alltech Games. As a combination, they need to complete at least one event that is the same distance, minimum speed, and time frame as the Alltech Games. This specific event can occur no earlier than two years before, and no later than 60 days from the start of the Alltech Games. Individually, riders must have completed at least five CEI events at the 2* level or higher. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosted five CEI events, the last of which concluded March 20. Considering its early culmination of hosting events, the UAE may choose to announce its team for the Endurance test at the Alltech Games sooner than other nations. The qualification period for the Driving competition started March 9, 2008 at the Four-InHand World Championships in the Netherlands. All horses and drivers who competed at that championship are automatically qualified for the Alltech Games this fall. Those who did not compete in the 2008 World Championships must complete three FEI National or International Driving Events in the class they wish to compete

By Kelsey Hamilton canters to the left. For the first time ever, Para-Equestrian Dressage will be one of the eight disciplines included in the 2010 competition. The qualification for Para-Equestrian Dressage is very similar to the Dressage qualification requirements. Riders must score a minimum of 60 percent from three judges of different nationalities at any CPEDI (FEI-certified event) at the 3* or 4* level. Qualification for Jumping must also be accomplished by horse and rider pairs wishing to compete at the Alltech Games. Pairs that completed all three rounds at a World Championship, European Championship or Olympic Games during the qualification period automatically qualify for the Alltech Games. Horse and rider pairs that successfully complete the first of two rounds for a World Championship qualifying outdoor event with zero penalties, or the first of two rounds at an outdoor Grand Prix CSI 3* with zero penalties, a CSI 4* with a maximum of 4 penalties, or a CSI 5* with a maximum of 8 penalties are qualified to compete at the selection trials.

July 2010 19

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Ground Manners

anish athing lues

by Lynn Palm Bathing is a basic grooming procedure that a horse needs to learn. Introduce this lesson only when a horse accepts basic training commands. A wash stall is an ideal teaching spot, but these techniques will work outdoors along a fence. Step-By-Step Bathing Success Stand the horse in a straight position with his right side along the wash stall wall. Use a hose with a nozzle that releases a soft stream of water,

and make sure the water temperature is comfortable. Stand off the horse’s left shoulder, keeping a loose tension on his longe or lead rope. Let him look, smell, and investigate the wash stall. When he relaxes, hold the hose a few feet from him. The hose can be a scary object. Move slowly and give your horse plenty of time to get used to it. Turn the water on so it trickles from the hose onto the floor. Again, let him get used to the running water. If he moves forward to get away from it, hold up your hand and give him the command to “whoa.” Reassure and praise him to encourage him as he accepts the hose. Slowly move the hose toward your horse. With the hose pointing downward, slowly move it close enough so that water falling on the floor splashes up on his foreleg. When he accepts this, bring the hose up and direct water on his leg. If he lifts his leg to avoid contact with the water, move with him and maintain the water’s touch. If he wants to sniff the hose or play with the water, let him for

now. These are signs of acceptance. Gradually move the hose up the foreleg to the shoulder. To give him more reassurance, hold the end of the hose in your hand and stroke him with that hand at the same time the water is touching him. Work from front to back, letting a gentle stream of water run along his topline and barrel. Introduce water to the hind leg area by using the same steps as on the foreleg. When the horse accepts the water on his hind leg, then move the water up the hind leg, across the hindquarters, and back to the shoulder and neck area.

Face Washing Many horses do not like getting their faces wet. Start with a soft damp sponge to teach your horse to accept this important grooming procedure. Hold the side of the halter and bring the sponge up the crest of the horse’s neck, behind his head, and rest it on his poll. Once he accepts it, bring the sponge between his ears and down to his face. With short, soft strokes, gently wipe his face, ears, and head. If he brings his head up, move with him, keeping contact with the sponge until he relaxes his head and neck down. This step may take some time and practice to master. Once your horse accepts a sponge with water, introduce the hose. With the hose turned off and in your hand, bring it up the crest of his neck and hold it on his poll. When he accepts this, repeat the same procedure except this time with the water turned on to a very gentle stream. Hold it on his poll, and let the water trickle down his face. Gauge his reactions to know when he accepts the feel of the water on his face. Finally, teach the horse to accept the hose being brought up directly in front of his head with the water applied directly to his face. Incorporate a bathing lesson into your daily training--even if it means just getting your horse’s legs wet with a hose--until he learns to accept bathing without the blues. How long will it take for a horse to learn to accept bathing? Horses, like people, are individuals. There is no set amount of time that should be spent on this lesson. Your horse will tell you through his reactions when he is relaxed, accepting, and ready for the next step. The hardest thing for us is to be patient and take the time the horse needs to accept these new experiences. Time spent in teaching this lesson will pay you back many times over in a horse that accepts and trusts everything you want to do with him. Need more help learning how to teach your horse to accept bathing? Let me show you how in my DVD “Advancing Basic Training.” Bring the popcorn because this 90-minute visual is packed full of training techniques to help you teach your horse how to accept ground tying, bathing, clipping, brushing, and trailer loading. You can order this and other educational products or inquire about our courses by calling 800-503-2824 or visiting us online at www.lynnpalm.com.

PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING‘

Be the Rider Your Horse Deserves 20 July 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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Managing and Feeding Your Horse in Hot W eather Horses can suffer during hot weather. A horse’s thermal neutral zone—the range of ambient temperatures where they are most comfortable and perform best—is lower than humans. People are most comfortable in temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas horses are most comfortable in temperatures 20 to 30 degrees lower. When any animal is within their thermal neutral zone, they are more efficient at maintaining body temperature so they feel and perform better within that zone. A horse will burn more energy trying to warm up in cold weather or cool down in hot weather, so proper management and feeding of your horse in hot weather is important for optimizing performance. Hot Weather Horse Biology There are many horse competitions held in the summer months when horses must operate during high ambient temperatures. Muscular activity produces additional heat, and the relative humidity and lack of air movement may also be factors. Horses produce a tremendous amount of heat during exercise. Within muscle, the conversion of stored energy (glycogen, for example) into mechanical work (muscle contraction) is very inefficient, which results in heat accumulation. The rate of heat production is related to the work effort—the faster the horse runs, the greater the rate of heat production. Similarly, steep terrain, difficult footing and weight carried (rider and tack) all increase effort level and increase the rate of heat production. At any given work level, the total amount of heat produced depends on the duration of the exercise. Physical conditioning and heat acclimatization influence tolerance to heat. A poorly conditioned, overweight horse can be at high risk for overheating if worked too hard in hot conditions. For one, body fat acts as an insulator, impeding heat loss. Secondly, physical conditioning can result in a number of adaptations that improve temperature regulation during exercise. With training, muscles can work more efficiently and produce slightly less heat. The cardiovascular system is also more efficient at moving heat from the site of production (muscle) to the skin. Training also helps increase the efficiency of sweating. Therefore, it is imperative that your horse undergoes a training program that is appropriate for the work he will be doing. Horses dissipate heat mainly by sweating (evaporative cooling), resulting in water and electrolyte loss. Horses exercising in hot weather can lose 2-4 gallons of water per hour. So their water and mineral consumption must increase to meet normal requirements, plus the losses that have occurred as a result of performing during hot weather. Without adequate replenishment of the water he has lost while exercising in hot weather, a horse’s performance can suffer and there may even be dire medical consequences during or after exercise. A horse is composed of about 65 percent

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water. That means a 1,000-pound horse is carrying approximately 650 pounds of water. This includes all the water in the digestive tract, and the fluids in both the vascular (blood circulation) and extravascular (intracellular and interstitial) systems. A 15 percent water loss can be fatal. Losses of 5 to 10 percent are serious and, if not corrected, can lead to health problems. Horses at maintenance level will drink between 10 and 12 gallons of water per day. A mare that is milking will drink twice that amount. Horses that are exercising during hot weather may drink 30 to 40 gallons per day. Keeping ample clean water available is extremely important to your horse’s health. Minerals that are lost in sweat are called electrolytes, which include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium. These electrolytes are important in regulating fluid exchange as well as nerve and muscle function. Electrolyte deficiencies or imbalances will affect performance and general health as well. Care Considerations for Heat Industry research has shown that for best performance, horses should maintain a body score of 5 regardless of the time of year. Anything below this index may cause a decrease in a horse’s performance. Anything greater can cause a problem with heat dissipation. Optimum body condition should be monitored and maintained. It is also important to monitor body weight. (For details on body condition scoring and calculating horse weight, visit www.nutrenaworld.com). Start with a good diet that is appropriate for hot weather. Consider the ingredient composition of the diet and how it relates to performance in hot weather. Horses must have energy (caloric intake) to maintain and to perform work. There are four dietary sources of energy. Soluble carbohydrates—starch and sugars—are found in cereal grains and molasses. The other three sources are fiber, fat and protein. Protein is not a good source of energy as it is causes more heat to be given off as it is metabolized. Horses perform better with a high-fiber diet. Fiber is obtained from hay, pasture and the concentrate portion of the diet. Without fiber, horses may develop digestive problems. But, like protein, there is also more heat given off by fiber digestion than with soluble carbohydrates or fat. The amount of heat produced by fiber fermentation can be controlled by selecting highquality fiber and restricting its intake to 0.75 to 1 percent of body weight. Industry research has also shown that horses can utilize fat very efficiently. Fat is used during aerobic metabolism, which occurs at a heart rate below 150 beats per minute. Fiber is also used during aerobic metabolism, however, it produces heat as a by-product of the fermentation necessary to digest it. As the saying goes, you can’t change the weather. But by understanding horse biology and giving your horse proper care during hot weather, you can help ensure he stays healthy and high-

performing when the mercury rises. Feeds ideally suited for horses performing heavily in hot weather include: Farr XTN®, Vitality® Ultra, EnergX Enriched formula or the addition of Empower™ to any Nutrena® premium performance feed. This article was brought to you by Nutrena®. Visit our website at www.nutrenaworld.com

13 Tips and Recommended Practices for Horses in Hot Weather 1. Try to avoid exercising your horse during the warmest time of day. 2. Do not feed within 3 hours before or after exercise. 3. Feed a balanced diet with added fat. 4. Restrict hay intake to 1 percent of body weight. 5. Do not feed a high-protein diet. 6. Maintain a body score of 5 – a score higher causes heat dissipation difficulties. 7. Keep your horse physically fit.Don’t exceed a horse’s level of fitness. It takes about three weeks for a horse to develop fitness, and exercise should be increased gradually. 8. Water your horse frequently between activities. Allow a horse to drink 1-2 gallons at a time and then offer water again after 15 minutes. 9. Spray your horse with water to assist cooling. Fans, especially water-cooled fans, are very effective for cooling, too. 10. Salt should be available daily, preferably in loose form in a stall or paddock. 11. Horses can be trained to drink water fortified with electrolytes. Offer water with and without electrolytes to remove a taste preference. There are also some paste electrolyte mixtures that can be given orally. 12. Use a rectal thermometer to take your horse’s temperature. Normal is 99-100 degrees F. You should also learn to take the pulse (40 beats per minute target) and respiration (20 breaths per minute). It is not unusual to see the heart rate and respiratory rate exceed 100 per minute. These vital signs are important when exercising during high temperatures. A normal horse will recover in 20-30 minutes following exercise. 13. If a horse doesn’t recover promptly, seek veterinary attention.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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Performance Horses

True Horsemanship – A Life Long Journey

Performance Horsemanship with Richard Winters Some trainers proclaim they are “selftaught.” Others credit one particular mentor who shaped their horsemanship philosophy and techniques. After thirty years of full time horsemanship, I believe I am the product of many great horsemen and women I’ve had the privilege of learning from. I have had the opportunity to work extensively with numerous amazing individuals. Some trainers only once or twice, while others it was through their training videos, DVD’s, or articles in which I gleaned training nuggets. The following is a glimpse of many who have been so generous with their horsemanship knowledge. When I was just a boy, every Saturday morning I would help Clay, the resident wrangler, saddle twenty-five dude horses at the local rental stable. He taught me to do up my latigo when unsaddling so that it would hang straight, and pull smooth, when I saddled my next horse. I’ve been pleased to continue the routine for over thirty-five years. While still in High School, Troy Henry taught me how to use a lariat rope as a nerve line. (What others might call a war bridle), I still recall how he would step up and loosen the rope to release the pressure when a horse attempted to yield rather than resist against the pressure. Pat Parelli showed me how a round pen should be so much more than the place where you first stepped on broncs or just run horses around to get them tired. He demonstrated how the round pen could be a place to have a conversation with a horse and establish a relationship built on trust and respect. Twenty-five years ago, I observed Joe Wolter at a clinic with a young horse to be saddled for the first time. Joe held the saddle with his left hand and had it propped on his left hip. When he put it up on the colt’s back, it was the smoothest technique I had ever observed. I vowed to go home and master that same method. I’m glad I was there that day! Many years ago Tom Dorrance showed many of us how we could help a horse execute a

24 July 2010

flying lead change, using a pole on the ground. will be an opportunity to glean yet another piece This is a great exercise for horses and riders, of wisdom to be used on your journey. For who have a pretty good foundation, yet lack the footage to compliment this article: Google refinement of ultimate body control. I use this “YouTube – Richard Winters Horsemanship same exercise with students at many of my clin- Channel” ics today. Observing Ray Hunt, in numerous Colt Richard Winters Horsemanship Biography Starting clinics, convinced me that getting out of For nearly three decades Richard has a colt’s way, and not pulling on them, would be dedicated himself to honing his horsemanship the best policy for getting along and staying out skills and to passing this knowledge onto others. of trouble. The objective is not “how I would get His vast experience includes starting literally them stopped,” but rather, “how can I help them hundreds of horses that have gone onto almost move out.” every equine discipline imaginable. Buck Branaman came to the Thacher School Richard’s credentials include World to conduct a clinic a few years ago. He demon- Championship titles in the National Reined strated a simple yet meaningful technique for Cow Horse Association along with being an A softening a horse on the ground, while backing. rated judge. In 2007 Richard was named With his left hand at the base of the halter, thumb champion of the West Coast Equine Experience down, he firmly worked the halter laterally back “$10,000 Colt Starting Challenge.” He was also and forth. As the horse softened his face and presented with the 2007 Monty Roberts backed up, he softened his hold on the halter. Equitarian Award for outstanding achievements This exercise removes a lot of braciness in a in Horse/Human relationships. Richard was also horse and helps the handler develop a lot of feel. honored to be named champion in the 2009 I do this with all of my colts before I step on them Road to the Horse - Colt Starting Challenge in for the first time. Nashville, TN. In July of 2009 Richard won the I attended a Les Vogt clinic in Klamath Falls, Super Cow Horse competition in Santa Ynez, Oregon, about ten years ago. That was a turning CA. Most recently he competed in Road to the point in my own personal horsemanship journey. Horse 2010. He showed us exercises and a plan to obtain Much of Richard’s work has been accomcontrol of each of our horses’ body parts. This plished through the numerous clinics he body control opened doors for me to advance my conducts around the country. He also enjoys own performance horsemanship. What I learned being a guest presenter at various Horse Expo’s. that weekend was invaluable. Richard, along with his wife Cheryl, reside Doug Williamson has shown me the advantage of shortening my stirrups when riding performance horses. If I want to be comfortable, on a long trail ride, I can let them down. Yet, if I want to help my horse do something athletic, I need to raise them up. Ted Robinson suggested I might like the feel and results of a Billy Allen curb bit, versus a Tom Thumb or Argentine Snaffle. He was right! It was also Ted who helped me understand a horse’s proper body position This latigo has been put up correctly and is ready to go for next when counter cantering. time! Without that guidance, I would just be loping around on the wrong lead! Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive in Ojai, California, at the historic Thacher School list. These are just a few instances and individu- where he currently serves as artist-in-residence. als who have added value to my training pro- You can view Richard Winters Horsemanship gram. As I’ve recounted a few of my “learning programming on Dish Network Channel 9411 moments,” I hope it has reminded you of the on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s at 6:00 P. M. teachers and mentors who have given you so (PST). much as well. Remember, the list is not all-incluFor more information about Richard sive and the learning is unending. The next les- Winters Horsemanship please go to son you take, DVD you watch, or clinic you attend www.wintersranch.com.

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NRHA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE NOMINATION PROGRAM The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has approved changes to the North American and European components of the NRHA Nomination program. These changes were approved as the best solution to ensure the long-term success of both programs. WHY WERE THE CHANGES MADE? In late 2009, NRHA European Affiliates and breeders expressed concerns about the structure of the program. Its reciprocity could leave purses in jeopardy if horses competed on a different continent than they were originally nominated. As it stood, horses born in North America could nominate to the North American component of the program, with all of those nomination funds going to the NRHA Futurity and Derby in North American. The horse would be eligible to compete in both the NRHA North American and European Futurities and Derbies even though funds from its nomination would not be distributed to both components. The same scenario would be true for a European-born foal that would go on to compete in North America, even though it was nominated in Europe. Horses would benefit from the nomination on both continents, but purses would likely suffer. After a study of 2009 and 2010 NRHA European Futurity entries, the concern heightened. Nearly 50% of the horses at the 2010 NRHA European Futurity where North American born horses that were shipped to Europe. These horses would have nominated in the North America, but would not have contributed to purse in Europe. This concerned European breeders and stallion owners tremendously. One of the goals of the European Nomination program was to strengthen European reining breeding programs. With this type of nomination structure, the opposite would occur. HOW WERE THE CHANGES APPROVED? During the 2010 NRHA European Futurity, European Affiliates proposed changes to the program conditions starting foals born in 2010 and later. The Executive Committee endorsed their recommendation during the subsequent April NRHA Board of Directors meeting. The Board voted to approve the recommendations starting with all 2010 foals. WHAT ARE THE CHANGES? In general, the changes are as follows: 1). To make a horse eligible to enter both the North American and European components of the program, the horse must be nominated to both North American and European programs. The second nomination for the foal is discounted. For example if an owner wants a European weanling to be eligible to enter the NRHA North American Futurity, NRHA North American Derby, NRHA European Futurity and NRHA European Derby, he/she will need to: A). Nominate the weanling to NRHA European Nomination Program for 230? B). Nominate the weanling to the North American component at a discounted rate of $100 If an owner wants a North American weanling to be eligible to enter the NRHA North American Futurity, NRHA North American Derby, NRHA

European Futurity and NRHA European Derby, he/she will need to: A). Nominate the weanling to NRHA North American Nomination Program for $300 B). Nominate the weanling to the European component at a discounted rate of 78? By completing both nominations, the foal becomes eligible for the NRHA North American Futurity, North American Derby, European Futurity and future NRHA European Derby. A weanling can be nominated to one component of the program and later nominated to the other. However as the horse gets older, the nomination fee increases accordingly. 2). All nominations will be due December 31 of each year. Previously, NRHA European Nominations were due following the NRHA European Futurity on March 31. To protect the integrity of the program, the Board of Directors

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agreed that the deadline for both components must be the same. 3). Also during the Board of Directors meeting, NRHA and the Italian Reining Horse Association announced their intent to host a $125,000 added NRHA European Derby in Italy in 2011. GET MORE INFORMATION ON NOMINATING 2010 FOALS • Visit nrha.com for updated conditions and nomination forms. Conditions and forms will be distributed in the NRHA Reiner, the official publication of NRHA and “Your Source for Reining.” • For U.S. Nomination questions, contact Melanie Rinehart at mrinehart@nrha.com or 405-946-7400. • For European Nomination questions, contact Nick Cornelissens at nick@nrha.com or +32(0) 477 57 25 89.

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www.horsedigests.com riding competitors from more than 60 countries. They will perform before an expected 600,000 live spectators and an international TV audience of more than 460 million people. A time to show the world “The quality and talent of the FEI World Equestrian Games athletes and their riders will be the best you have ever seen,” says Sue Nerud an equine specialist at TechMix. “To have that opportunity right here in the U.S., to experience these top world athletes at one time is unbelievable. This is the time to show the world how we in the U.S. welcome the world equine community and athletes.” Getting the most out of equine athletes - Just as their human counterparts have benefited from the science of hydration, so have equine athletes. Field tests have shown that improved hydration helps horses utilize all the vitamins and minerals needed for complete wellness and optimum performance. “When a horse is properly hydrated, everything you do for your equine athlete works better,” says TechMix President Mike Nelson. “Wellness in equine athletes not only equals less veterinary, emergency, and maintenance calls, it means placing them in a better protected environment for sustained health.” Equine sports drink - Did you know that a horse should consume more than four times more water than food? That’s why hydration is so important, and at competitions such as the FEI World Equestrian Games it becomes far more

Companies Making an Impact on Horse Health Bring the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to the U.S. World’s most prestigious equestrian event makes its U.S. debut The TechMix company, makers of timedevent nutrition for better animal health, announces that it is a joint partner with Alltech in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games being held in Lexington, Kentucky this September 25 to October 10. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is the world’s largest equine event. Held in the United States for the first time, these games will feature world championships in eight equestrian events at Lexington’s 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park. Events include show jumping, vaulting, reining, dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, and para dressage. The competition will involve more than 800

26 July 2010

important. But hydration is more than just about filling the gut with water. People typically think of hydration in association with hot weather, but as cold weather approaches a horse needs to drink even more water. TechMix, which developed Equine BlueLite® 20 years ago to help horses maintain hydration and increase energy. This is usually apparent while watching sluggish horses during warm weather. TechMix found that BlueLite also improved a horse’s performance by increasing water consumption on cooler and cold days when impaction is a real concern. Like a human sports drink, BlueLite contains electrolytes. But unlike a human sports drink, the electrolytes in BlueLite are unique, maximizing hydration for when horses need it most. Improving horses health and nutrition The World Equestrian Games is more than just a horse olympics. It’s a place for horse enthusiasts to meet and see companies selected as the best in horse health and nutrition. In particular, TechMix was selected as a joint sponsor because of its reputation for hydration and water-soluble products for horses. “Our focus at TechMix is to provide userfriendly, timed-event nutrition to all classes of horses through the most challenging times,“ states TechMix President Mike Nelson. “We are passionate about horses. Whether it is a recreational trail ride, a statewide quarter horse competition, or the World Equestrian Games, TechMix wants our customers to know that our products will deliver.” Alltech cosponsors three other TechMix products at the game. Equine Natu-lax is an apple cinnamon flavored pellet containing 99% pure psyllium to aid in colic prevention. Equine Hoof Protect achieves, preserves, and protects strong healthy hooves. And Equine Natu-Joint provides the necessary building blocks for a horse’s joints. (TechMix also makes Equine Enteric Colloid, Equine Live-Bac, Equine Restart, and Equine Total Joint complex.) * A horse should consume more than four times more water than food. Water contains nutrients that affect the nutritional balance…. unbalance will lay the foundation for illness. Field tests have shown that improved hydration will help horses utilize all the vitamins and minerals needed to complete wellness, which equals optimum performance, better hoof integrity and normal acidic levels. Two firsts - Not only is this the first time the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be held in the U.S., it will be the first time that all eight events are held in the same location. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or visiting the Alltech ticket page at www.alltechfeigames.com. About TechMix For over 25 years, TechMix, has specialized in developing nutritional products to meet the needs of animals during challenging times throughout their lifecycle. Our scientific formulations help minimize dehydration stress by restoring normal body fluid and electrolyte balance. Each product is field tested by teams of veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure optimal health and performance. TechMix offers a complete line of nutritional specialty products that are specifically designed to help maintain feed intakes and normal fluid-electrolyte balance. For more information, visit www.techmixequine.com.

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The equine digestive tract is designed in t his way to allow the horse to ingest large quantities of forage in a continuous fashion. The small capacity of the upper part of the tract is not wellsuited for large single meals, a fact that is often ignored by horsemen. Large single meals of grain overwhelm the digestive capacity of the stomach and small intestine, resulting in rapid fermentation of the grain carbohydrates by the microflora in the hindgut. This fermentation may result in a wide range of problems including colic and laminitis.

A horse's digestive tract is adapted to digest and utilize diets that contain high levels of plant fiber, whether it's spring grass, hay, or a hay product such as pellets or cubes.

Horses have evolved over millions of years as grazers, with specialized digestive tracts adapted to digest and utilize diets containing high levels of plant fiber. They are capable of processing large quantities of forage to meet their nutrient demands. In an attempt to maximize growth or productivity, horses are often fed diets that also contain high levels of grains and supplements. Unfortunately, this type of grain supplementation often overshadows the significant contribution that forages make in satisfying the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nutrient demands and can lead to serious gastrointestinal disturbances. DIGESTIVE FUNCTION Horses are classified anatomically as nonruminant herbivores or hindgut fermenters. The large intestine of the horse holds about 21 to 24 gallons (80-90 liters) of liquid and houses billions of bacteria and protozoa that produce enzymes which break down (ferment) plant fiber. These microbes are absolutely essential to the horse, because the horse cannot produce these enzymes without them The by-products of this microbial fermentation provide the horse with a source of energy and micronutrients.

FORAGE COMPOSITION Forages are composed of two components, cell contents and cell walls. Cell contents contain most of the protein and all of the starch, sugars, lipids, organic acids, and soluble ash found in the plant. These components are degraded by enzymes produced by the horse and are highly digestible. The cell wall contains the fibrous portion of the plant, which is resistant to digestive enzymes produced by In spring, it is the horse. often a good The primary management components practice to of the cell continue to wall are cel- offer horses l u l o s e , on pasture hemicellu- additional lose and hay even if the lignin. The pasture appears n u t r i t i v e thick and lush. value of for- If the horses getting ages is are adequate fiber determined from the by two fac- pasture, tors: (1) they will fiber content ignore (the propor- the tion of the hay. plant that is composed of cell wall), and (2) fiber quality (the degree of lignification). These factors are important because the horse can digest practically all of the cell contents contained in forages, but bacterial fermentation can digest only 50% or less of most plant cell wall. The degree to which plant cell wall is digestible is largely dependent on the amount of lignin that it contains. FACTORS AFFECTING FORAGE QUALITY Many factors affect the quality of forage. Most important of these are the species of plant, stage of maturity, location of where the plant was grown, and content of inhibitory substances. All of these factors should be considered when assess-

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

ing the suitability of a particular forage for horses. Species. Most plants that serve as forages for horses can be divided into two different categories, grasses and legumes. Grasses contain much structural matter in their leaves and leaf sheaths, and this can be as important as or more important than the stem in holding the plant erect. Examples of grass forages used for horses include temperate species such as timothy, orchard grass, brome grass, and fescue and tropical species like pangola, guinea, Bermuda, and kikuyu. Legumes, on the other hand, tend to be treelike, though on a miniature scale. Their leaves have very little structural function and form on the ends of woody stems. The primary legumes used as horse forage are alfalfa and clover. At a similar stage of maturity, legumes tend to be higher in protein, energy, and calcium than grasses. ADF (acid detergent fiber; lignin + cellulose) does not vary that much between grasses and legumes at the same stage of maturity. NDF (neutral detergent fiber; lignin +

The good-quality grass hay in the wheelbarrow is a suitable forage for most classes of horses. Growing grass is richer in certain vitamins and minerals.

cellulose + hemicellulose), however, is much higher in grasses than legumes. This is because grasses contain a great deal more hemicellulose than legumes. Therefore, evaluating the fiber content of forages based on ADF alone underestimates the total cell wall content and overestimates the total energy content of a grass. Remember, hemicellulose is typically only 50% digested in the horse, and cell solubles are almost completely digested. By only considering ADF, the assumption is that the rest of the forage (besides protein, fat and ash) is soluble sugar. This is truer in legumes, which contain only around 10% hemicellulose, than in grasses, which can have hemicellulose contents of 30% or more. The fiber in legumes tends to be less digestible than the fiber in grasses, largely because legumes tend to have higher lignin content per unit of total fiber. This means that the digestible fiber content of grasses is much higher than it is in legumes of similar maturity. continued on page 29

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28 July 2010

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FORAGES - contintued from page 27

Because of these factors, legumes contain 20-25% more digestible energy than grasses at the same maturity. In certain instances, the amount of legume hay fed may be limited so that the horse doesn’t get too fat. This can result in intakes of digestible fiber that are below optimal levels, particularly in extremely high-quality hays. Stage of maturity. Generally, as plants mature they become less digestible because a Because of the horse's physiologic need to graze, access to forage at all times is one way to keep horses healthy. when paddocks or pastures do not produce sufficient forage to meet their occupants' needs, filled hayracks do the trick.

greater proportion of their mass becomes structural. Legumes tend to mature by decreasing leafiness and increasing the stem-to-leaf ratio. Alfalfa leaves maintain the same level of digestibility throughout their growth. Their stems, however, decrease dramatically in digestibility as they mature because they become highly lignified to support the extra weight of the plant. The ultimate example of lignification for support is the oak tree. The wood of the oak tree is highly lignified and practically indigestible. When pulp wood is processed to make paper, the lignin is removed using harsh chemicals such as sulfuric acid (hence the sulfur smell around paper mills). The leaves of grasses serve more of a structural function than in legumes. As they mature, these leaves become more lignified and less digestible. Since the stems of certain grasses serve a reserve function, they may actually be more digestible than the leaves of these grasses at a later stage of maturity. When forage is grazed as pasture, its nutrient quality is almost always higher than when it is harvested as hay unless the pasture is the dead aftermath left over from the previous growing season. New spring pasture can be quite low in fiber content and high in soluble carbohydrates. Latitudinal effects. The digestibility of tropical forages is much lower than temperate forages. Plants that grow in the tropics have been genetically selected for a larger proportion of protective structures such as lignin to avoid predation. At the other extreme are the perennial plants in the far northern regions of the world. These plants have very short growing seasons and need to store energy in reserves as sugars and fructans rather than in irretrievable substances such as lignin and cellulose. Care should be taken when feeding high-fructan forages to horses since these compounds are poorly digested in the small intestine and may lead to colic or laminitis due to excess lactic acid fermentation in the hindgut. Inhibitory substances. Besides lignin, a number of other substances in forages can reduce digestibility of fiber and minerals. Silica is used as a structural element that complements lignin to strengthen and add rigidity to cell walls. Alfalfa

and other temperate legumes restrict absorption of silica and contain little in their tissues. Cereal straws are quite high in silica. This gives the straw a clean, glassy appearance, and it also reduces its digestibility. There are also substances contained in forages that can inhibit mineral digestibility. Two that are particularly important are phytate and oxalate. Phytates contain phosphorus in a bound form that is unavailable to the horse. Phytate may also inhibit the digestibility of other minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iodine. Oxalates can reduce the digestibility of calcium in forages if the calcium-to-oxalate ratio in the forage is 0.5 or less on a weight- to-weight basis. This is a common problem in tropical forages that tend to be high in oxalates and low in calcium. Low calcium availability in tropical forages can lead to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or “big head” disease. Therefore, when tropical forages are fed to horses, supplemental sources of calcium should be available. FORAGE INTAKE To accurately calculate the contribution that forage makes to the horse’s overall feeding program, forage intake as well as composition must be known. Table 1 gives a range of forage and concentrate intakes for various classes of horses based on body weight. High forage intakes will occur where there is an abundance of forage available, such as with Kentucky pasture or

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Washington state alfalfa hay. Low forage intakes will occur where forage is sparse and of poorer quality such as in the tropics. These estimates illustrate how much forage quality and level of intake can affect a horse’s overall feeding program. Not taking into account the contribution that forage makes to a horse’s overall nutrient intake can result in some serious errors in feeding. Reprint Courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research, Inc., 3910 Delaney Ferry Road, Versailles, KY 40383 Phone: 859-873-1988 • Fax: 859-873-3781 • Order Department: 888-873-1988 • www.ker.com • info@ker.com

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READY-TO-RIDE GUIDE ILLINOIS - Trail Rides 34 Ranch & Camp, Herod, IL. 618-264-2141 www.34ranch.com Bay Creek Wilderness Rides, Shawnee National Forest, Simpson, IL.; 618-695-2670 www.baycreekranch.com Bear Ranch Horse Camp, Eddyville, IL.; Shawnee National Forest, 618-672-4249, www.bearbranch.com Cedar Lake Ranch, LLC, Vienna, IL.; 618-695-2600, www.cedarlakeranchllc.com Circle B Ranch HOrse Camp, Eddyville, IL.; 618-672-4748, www.circlebranch.com

Double M Campground, Junction, IL.; 618-275-4440, www.doublemcampground.com Jim Edgar Panther Creek, IL.; 217-452-7741 Little Lusk Trail Lodge, Harrisburg, IL.; 618-672-4303 One Horse Gap Trail Ride, New Hope Hill, IL.; 618-264-7433, www.onehorsegap.com York Hills Horse Park, Albion, 260-564-0305, www.yorkhillshorsepark.com Riding Vacations 34 Ranch & Camp, Herod, IL. 618-264-2141 www.34ranch.com Hayes Canyon Campground, Eddyville, IL.; 618-672-4751 www.hayescanyon.com Overnight Stabling 34 Ranch & Camp, Herod, IL. 618-264-2141, www.34ranch.com Public Lands Argle Lake State Park, Colchester, IL.; 309-776-3422 Big River State Forest, Keithsburg, IL.; 309-374-2496 Chain Lakes State Park, Spring Grove, IL.; 847-587-5512 Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, DeWitt, IL.; 217-935-8722 Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston, IL. 217-345-6416 Giant CityState Park, Makanda, IL.; 618-457-4836 Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield, IL.; 815-454-2328 Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais, IL.; 815-933-1383

Lake Le-Aqua-Ne State Park, Bourbonnais, IL.; 815-369-4282 MatthiessenState Park, Utica, IL.; 815-667-4868 Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area, Collison, IL.; 217-442-4915 Moraine View State Park, Leroy, IL.; 309-724-8043 Newton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Newton, IL.; 618-783-3478 Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, IL.; 618-786-2156 Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park, IL.; 815-885-3311 Shawnee National Forest, Harrisburg, IL.; 618-253-7114 Weinbrg-King State Park, Augusta, IL.; 217-392-2345

IOWA - Trail Rides Amana Trail Ride, Amana Colonies, Amana, IA.; 319-462-2206, www.amanatrailride.com Natural Gait, Harpers Ferry, IA, 877-776-2208, www.thenaturalgail.com, ntrlgait@acegroup.cc Overnight Stabling Aunt Rebaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bed and Breakfast, Larchwood, MN.; 712-478-4042 or 888-282-5349: www.auntrebas.com Iowa Bunkhouse, Audubon, IA.; May-September: 712-773-2737 JM4 Rand, Arena, Horse Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Crescent, IA.; 712-328-7593, www.JM4Ranch.com Lewis Bottom Farms, Shellsburg, IA.; 319-436-3323, www.lewisbottomsfarms.com Natural Gait, Harpers Ferry, IA, 877-776-2208, www.thenaturalgail.com, ntrlgait@acegroup.cc

Advertise your Trail Ride - Equine Resort Facilty in our Ready-to-Ride Guide! Special Rates and sizes - Most Read Horse Magazine in the Upper Midwest Get Noticed! Call 507-943-3355 for info! 30 July 2010

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READY-TO-RIDE GUIDE River Valley Horsecamp, Farmington, 319-8783888, www.rivervalleyhorsecamp.com, info@rivervalleyhorsecamp.com MINNESOTA - Trail Rides Bush Wacker Trail Ride Club, Huntersville Fall Trail Ride, Huntersville, MN.; 218-894-0056 Outback Ranch, Inc., Houston, MN.; 507-896-5550, www.outbackranch.com Overnight Stabling Outback Ranch, Inc., Houston, MN.; 507-896-5550, www.outbackranch.com Public Lands Arrow Head State Park, Tower, MN.; 218-753-6256 Chippewa National Forest, Deer River, MN.; 218-246-2123 Heartland State Trail, Nevis, MN.; 218-652-4054 Lake Louise State Park, LeRoy, MN.; 507-324-5249 Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN.; 218-863-8383 North Shore State Trail, Two Harbors, MN.; 218-834-5238 Pillsbury State Forest, Brainerd, MN.; 218-828,2557 Taconite State Trail, Tower, MN.; 218-753-2580 ext.250 NORTH DAKOTA - Trail Rides Badlands Trail Rides, Killdeer, ND.; 701-764-8000, www.badlandstrailrides.com

Tennessee Walking Horse Associaiton of North Dakota Trail Ride, Grassy Butte/Turtle River State Park, 701-947-2190 Riding Vacations Knife River Ranch Vacations, Golden Valley, ND.; 701-983-4290, www.kniferiverranch.com Little Knife Outfitters, Watford City, ND.; 701973-4331, www.littleknifeoutfitters.com Public Lands Fort Ransom State Park, Fort Ransom, ND.; 701-973-4331 SOUTH DAKOTA - Trail Rides Blue Sky Ranches, Custer State Park, 520824-1660, www.blueskyranches.com Broken Arrow Horse Camp, Custer, SD: 605673-4471, www.brokenarrowcampground.com Hay Creek Ranch, Nemo, SD: 605-578-1142, www.haycreekranch.net Krieger Cattle Company, Burke, SD: 605-775-2113 Riding Vacations Bitter Sweet Ranch and Camp, HillCity, SD: 605-574-2324, wwwbitterseetranchcamp.com Broken Arrow Horse Camp, Custer,SD: 605-673-4471, www.brokenarrowcampground.com Hay Creek Ranch, Nemo, SD: 605-578-1142, www.haycreekranch.net Gunsel Horse Adventures, Rapic City, SD 605-343-7608, www.gusdelhorseadventures.com

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Salt Camp Cabins and Bed and Breakfast, Rosebud, SD: 605-747-2206, saltcamp@gwtc.net WISCONSIN - Trail Rides Bremer Creek LLD, Mondovi, WI.; 608-323-3092, www.bremercreek.com Riding Vacations Bremer Creek LLD, Mondovi, WI.; 608-323-3092, www.bremercreek.com Palmquist Farm, Brantwood, WI.; 715-564-2558, www.palmquistfarm.com Spur of the Moment Ranch,LLC,Mountain, WI.;800-644-8783. www.spurofthemomentranch.org Public Lands Black River State Park, Black River Falls, WI; 715-284-4103 Brule River State Forest, Douglas County, WI.; 715-372-4866 Castle Rock Trails, Arkdale, WI.; 608-564-2233 Governor Dodge State Park ,Dodgeville, WI.; 608-935-2315 Haymeadow Flowage, Chippewa Falls, WI.; 715-726-7880 Kerrle Moraine State Forest, Campbellsport WI.; 262-626-2116; 262-594-6200 Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls; 715-382-4574 Token Creek County Park, Madison,WI.; 608-246-3896 Wild Rock Park, Neilsville, WI.; 715-743-5140

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Trail Horse

Issues from the Saddle

Must be in Front on Trail by Julie Goodnight

Question: Dear Ms. Goodnight, I have a 15-year-old quarter horse, MAX, who decided he does not want to be the second horse out on the trail. I ride alone most of the time but do enjoy the company of others. When he feels any competition from another horse he starts to arch his neck sets his head. He is not on

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the bit at all. After he gets mad enough he just oops once and then rears. This can happen so fast I don't see it coming until he is up. He is getting very good at rearing. I have been trying some things like another horse being in the lead, Max and I going by the first horse and stopping and letting the second horse become the first, as soon as he gets "excited" I ask him to go away from the first horse, as soon as his direction is to the other horse he starts with the neck, head and the rear is very soon to come. How do you feel about tie-downs? Any suggestions besides don't ride with others or be the lead horse all the time, those are some answers I have been given. Thank you in advance, Ruth for Pennsylvania Answer: Ruth, This is not a matter of your horse rearing or whether or not you can ride with others, but a serious indication that your horse is dominant (over you and the other horses), aggressive and inadequately trained. A horse this out-of-control is dangerous to you and those you ride with. It is certainly not an issue that a tie-down would resolve, since these behavior problems are related to dominance and herd behavior, not raising his head (head raising and rearing are symptoms not the cause of the problem). Just for the record, there is no situation in which I would use a tiedown on a horse to resolve a training problem because in this application it simply masks the symptoms of the horse's problems and can get in the way of a horse's natural carriage and balance. A tie-down is particularly dangerous in the event

of a rearing horse because the horse is more likely to lose his balance and fall over when he rears. Your horse needs to learn, right here, right now, in no uncertain terms, that this aggressive, herding and dominant behavior is absolutely intolerable when he is undersaddle or in the presence of humans. Any transgression should be met with the harshest correction; the punishment should fit the crime and the more aggressively your horse behaves, the harsher the punishment. Always in horse training, you have to apply enough pressure to the horse to motivate him to change. In the case of your horse, because he is acting abnormally aggressive, it will likely take a lot of pressure to gets his attention and motivate him to change. Based on the history you have with this horse, it is questionable whether or not you will be assertive enough or in control enough to motivate this horse to change his behavior. In capable hands, this horse could be taught to mind his manners and be obedient in a short amount of time; you may want to consider taking this horse to a qualified trainer. The behaviors you are describing are all natural herd behaviors. Your horse wishes to be in front because that is where the alpha horse should be and he is intolerant of any subordinate who dares to get in front. He is arching his neck in a display of might, in a prideful manner. It is a warning to "his" subordinates, along with the squealing, that he is about to become aggressive, should they persist in their insubordinance. Horses have three weapons in their personal arsenal when they choose to become aggressive or combative: bite, strike, and kick. Your horse is displaying threatening gestures with all three weapons. The rear is the threat to strike and the whirl is the threat to kick; horses make biting gestures with their head and mouth making snaking or herding gestures. There is lots of information on my website about these behaviors. Young horses should be taught at an early age that they may not act impulsively and interaction with other horses is not acceptable when being handled and ridden. They can act however they want when out in the herd, but once a human has haltered them and brought them in to work, they should refrain from displays of herd behavior and interacting with other horses in any way, even rubbing noses. This fundamental expectation should be strictly enforced at all times whether you are riding alone or in the company of others. Clearly your horse thinks he's dominant and does not think of you as the herd leader, or he would never act this way. There is no quick fix to repair the relationship between you and your horse. You will have to work at it by doing ground work and changing your impression to the horse both on the ground and in the saddle.

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I have DVDs on this type of relationship building with the horse: Round Pen Reasoning and Lead Line Leadership (order online or at 800- 225-8827). Your horse must learn that there is certain behavior that is simply not tolerated while undersaddle, specifically displays of aggression and herding behaviors. My expectations of any horse I ride would be even greater: no fraternization at all with other horses and its nose must remain right in front of its chest and it must maintain the path and speed that I have dictated. There should only be one conversation between you and the horse, "This is your Captain speaking." Any deviance to the expected rules of behavior should be met with immediate correction (within less than three seconds, preferably less than one second). The best way to correct a horse is to "make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard." You have already touched on this concept, but not effectively. Remember, the pressure you put on the horse should be no more and no less than the pressure required to motivate him to change. If it is not enough pressure, he will continue the unwanted behavior (all the while learning to ignore and disobey your commands). If it is enough pressure to motivate him to change, he will then immediately look for a way out of the pressure. As soon as he finds the right answer, he gets an immediate and welcomed release and life gets easier. Comfort and security are the two greatest motivating factors for horses. It is always best if the motivating factors are something that comes naturally to the horse. Therefore, one of the greatest motivating stimuli for horses doing something you perceive as wrong is to make them work hard and remove companionship. The release (reward) is letting the horse rest and be with the herd. Thus the hard thing is work and isolation, the easy thing is rest and companionship (comfort and security). While you are out on the trail, anytime your horse even hints that he is concerned about another horse in the group, you should immediately take him away from the herd and put him to hard work (turn, circle, change speeds, lope circles, go-stop-go; possibly until he is dripping in sweat the first few times). When he becomes obedient and responsive to you, let him rest and come back to the herd. When and if he becomes aggressive again, immediately take him away and put him to work again. Repeat this process until the horse makes an association between his behavior and the negative stimuli. Depending on how effective your timing is (both with the correction and the reward), he may make the association the first time or it may take dozens of times. Remember, there is an old axiom about horse training that says, "It always gets worse before it gets better." Since your horse has been displaying dominant and aggressive behavior, chances are he will not easily be dissuaded from his bad behavior and he may challenge your authority and control to an even greater degree. Therefore, be very careful and make sure you are up to the task. If you have any doubt about your ability to get the job done without a greater risk of getting hurt, consider enlisting a professional to help retrain your horse and teach him some manners. JG Julie Goodnight has more than a quarter-

century of horse training experience. Her varied background ranges from dressage and jumping to racing, reining, colt-starting, and wilderness riding. She teaches "Classic Skills for a Natural Ride" and travels coast-to-coast and beyond to film her award-winning television show, Horse Master, as well as to appear at horse expos, conferences and clinics. In 2008 she was named Equine Affaire's Exceptional Equestrian Educator--one of only three awards ever given. Visit www.juliegoodnight.com.

BOOK RELEASE

The Official Horse Breeds Standards Book The only multi-breed reference - endorsed and verified by North American equine registries - collected for the first time in The Official Horse B r e e d s Standards Guide The Official Horse Breeds Standards Book is a collaboration of national breed registries and professionals • The final, definitive authority, complete and exhaustive • Accurately portrayals of more than 118 horses and ponies, from popular American greats to rare exotics • Foundations, histories, descriptions, and standards • Guide to registration of purebreds • Includes index to registries • Full color photos • Little known facts and breed insights With all the accolades the horse world makes about individual horse breeds, it is easy to question how every breed can possibly claim to be “the best”. How and why particular horses mature and excel can best be understood by knowing their breed history and standard characteristics. It is an advantage, therefore, to become better acquainted with the history and original use of each breed and the ideal specifications for body conformation and personality tendencies as set forth by the real authority, the breed organizations. The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide supplies this source. It clarifies confusing information through its honest representation of horse and pony breeds, utilizing the expertise of national registries. Whether interested in registering a horse or just becoming a more knowledgeable observer, The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide offers insights and clear evaluations of all our breeds. It includes the standards and descriptions of every equine breed found in North America. Each breed’s qualifications for competition or practical uses are explained in an easily understood format. Even professionals are surprised with facts they didn’t know. How interesting to compare one breed to another! Their differences are fascinating! From the pounding bulk of the enormous draft or the

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lightness of the desert Arabian, to the glitter of the Akhal Teke, and the tenderness of the United Kingdom Shetland, an array of diversity in breeds is explored. This is their history, their traits, their standards, and their story, as complete as possible. It is a surprising revelation concerning the truth on many different horses and ponies. Now it can be more easily determined what to look for and what each one has to offer. This is a handy and dependable reference that no horse library should be without. About the Author - Fran Lynghaug is an experienced horse breeder and trainer from Downing, Wisconsin.

Your Horse – An Illustrated Manual for Owners and Riders Your Horse: The Illustrated Handbook to Owning and Caring for Your Horse is a definitive illustrated guidebook to buying, owning and caring for a horse. Packed with more than 350 color photographs, Your Horse helps horse owners and riders understand the what, why and how of horses—what they are, why they are so special, and how to understand and care for them. Step-by-step instructions and detailed captions by two equine experts make this a one source reference for everything you will need to know about a caring for a horse including: • Selecting and buying horses and ponies • Expert hands-on advice and recommendations • Housing, feeding and grooming tips • Basic health care and first aid for your horse • Tack and equipment About the Author and Editor - Carolyn Henderson is a regular contributor to leading equine magazines and is the author of more than 20 books on all aspects of keeping, training and riding horses and ponies including Horse & Pony Book and Horse Tack Bible. About Voyageur Press Voyageur Press, a member of the Quayside Publishing Group, features books about nature and the environment, American heritage, country life, crafts, trains, boats, sports, collectibles and travel.

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IT’LL BE FINE! Article V by Doug Lindgren

Have you ever moved to a new community, joined a new church, become a member of a board, or joined the local YMCA? Remember how uneasy and nervous you felt at that first meeting? I sure can remember numerous times being in those situations and feeling like I just want to get out. I have more comfortable things I could be doing, like staying home and working in the yard or just reading a book. After the first meeting or workout we begin to settle in and get to know the people around us. We quickly become more relaxed and soon start to build relationships. We adapt and become comfortable with our new surroundings and before you know it we feel at home. Our horses are exactly like us. Every week we have a group of new guests and horses arrive at Hay Creek Ranch. As guests arrive at camp their horses are put in corrals, penned as their owners wish. Some horses get along and some need a room of their own. As the corrals fill up horses are penned next to horses they don’t know and herd dynamics begin to show. The

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you stayed home because you were worried about how you or your horse would react remember “It’ll be Fine”. You will never know how much you have missed if you never get out on the trail. There is whole new world to experience for you and your horse. Join your friends at their favorite horse camp or trailhead and begin an exciting journey. Several years ago my brother invited me to join him on a trip to the Black Hills with our horses. I didn’t go because I was too busy; this went on for two or three years. I finally took the time to join my brothers on a week long trip to the Hills and my life has not been the same since. I got hooked on the absolute feeling of peace I got every time I threw my leg over my horse’s back. The Black Hills National Forest is a great place to ride, the best I had experienced and I wanted more. The next thing I know, I am quitting my office job, Jody and I are buying property near Nemo, South Dakota and starting a new business in the Black Hills. You never know what opportunity lies ahead of you. If you never step outside of your comfort zone I can guarantee nothing will ever change. We all get to make choices everyday. We can chose to keep it safe and comfortable or we can look our fears and insecurity in the face and take on new exciting challenges. It is up to us. If I had not taken on the challenge of moving to a new state and starting a new business, Hay Creek Ranch, and faced a few fears I would not be enjoying the wonderful life I have today. My office is the beautiful Black Hills National Forest. My screensaver is viewed through the space between my horse’s ears, and my office chair is, well it’s my saddle. Guess what, that isn’t even the best part. The best part is helping our guests enjoy their vacation while riding their horses in the Black Hills and building new relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime. Life can’t get better than this! Who ever would have thought that making the decision to ride a horse could make such a difference in so many people’s lives? So, the next time you think you want to stay home and sit on the sofa to watch your favorite TV show while your friends are out enjoying all the world has to offer via horseback think it through very carefully. You may be giving up far more than you can ever imagine. Who knows, you may be taking your horse to new territories and start living a life you may have only dreamed about. Doug and Jody Lindgren own and operate Hay Creek Ranch near Nemo, SD. Doug rides 2-10 hours every day, Hay Creek spring, summer and Ranch fall, training horses to be great trail horses. You can visit their website at www.haycreekranch.net

boss mare doesn’t what anyone next to her. Ears are pinned back and teeth are showing, just because she is the boss mare and everyone should know it. By the time evening comes the corrals have a quietness about them. All of the horses have shaken in and have established their spot in the pecking order. Every week we have a FIRST ride, the one where all of the guests and horses are nervous, worried and are wondering what in the world am I doing here New surroundings unfamiliar to all involved create a situation that can be exciting or it can become a big wreck depending on how you manage. I have found the best way to avoid the big wreck with new guests and their horses is to get out on the trail and spend less time on the trail and more time in the trees. Going to the trees gives everyone a job instead of looking down that long open trail. It seems the horses are much more relaxed when they are busy figuring out where they need to put their feet. They lower their heads and go to work. Navigating deadfall, rocks, and jack pine has a higher priority than fussing about which horse is ahead or behind them. After about five to ten minutes the horses are working and guests are talking. All are settling in and enjoying themselves. For me that is what it is all about.Trail riders are a social lot, beyond having a lot of fun riding through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, meeting new people and building new relationships is just as important to most riders. The second day of riding is a totally different experience for a group of horses and riders. All of the first day jitters are gone, because like us, our horses are relaxed in their new surroundings. We are also more relaxed because our horses are relaxed, everything has gone full circle. I encourage anyone reading this article to get out and challenge yourself. If you have had a friend invite you to join them on a trail ride and

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ry a M k s A

Mary Hamilton answers your training questions!

Ask Mary: What is the best saddle pad to use on my horse? We all want what’s best for our horses. But, they can’t tell us which saddle pad works the best and advertisements can be misleading. Have you ever been overwhelmed by the number of choices at the tack store? Airflo, quilted, high-density therapeutic foam, felt, wool, neoprene, canvas duck, fleece, closed cell foam, open cell foam, non-slip gel pad, honey comb pad, frictionless saddle pad are some of the options we have in saddle pads. How’s a person to choose? In order to select the best saddle pad for your horse, let’s consider a pad’s function and how well any one product accomplishes its job. The Purpose of a Saddle Pad The purpose of a saddle pad is to keep your saddle clean and dry. Its job is to collect dirt and sweat from your horse’s back, keeping your saddle clean. Accumulation of dirt and sweat could break down the leather on the underside of your saddle. A well-fitted saddle could, theoretically be used without a pad. While it’s not practical to throw your saddle in the washing machine to clean it, it’s a relatively simple task to clean your saddle pad. That’s why we use a pad. Check your saddle pad every time you ride. A dirty pad can cause your horse back problems by irritating his skin. I like sheepskin fleece, the real wool fleece products. If you have ever used a sheepskin duster to dust your house, you know how well it collects dust and dirt. Choose a pad you can clean easily. I just throw mine in the washing machine and allow them to air dry. A good saddle pad dissipates the heat and absorbs the moisture generated by your horse as he sweats. The drawback of most synthetic products like foam pads is two fold. They prevent free air passage down the gullet (middle channel) of the saddle and the foam acts as an insulator. Instead of dissipating the heat generated, it holds it against the horse’s back. This can cause the horse’s back to over heat and become sore. Choose a pad made of natural materials like sheepskin fleece or wool felt pad. These products wick away moisture (sweat) and allows air to circulate keeping your horse’s back cooler and drier. A high-quality saddle pad stays in place and doesn’t slide around your horse’s back. A pad that slides around or moves can pinch and cause

saddle sores. A pad that has a smooth texture becomes more slippery when wet. As your horse sweats, the sweat stays on the surface of the pad and it becomes even more slippery. Look for a pad made of a product that won’t slide around your horse’s back when it gets wet from sweat. Take a ruler and hold it on your horse’s back along the spine line. Unlike the straight edge of the ruler, your horse’s back is contoured. It has hills and valleys. It rises at the withers, drops down at the heart girth area and slowly slopes upwards to the loin. Now look at the top of your saddle pad. Is it straight like your ruler or is it contoured? If the design of your pad is straight it can’t conform to your horse’s contoured back. This type of pad can put pressure on the wither area where it binds and will pull on the horse’s back at the cantle or loin area. Select a pad that is shaped the way your horse’s back is. This will maximize your horse’s comfort. A well-made saddle pad can help your saddle disperse pressure over the back and act as a shock absorber. To do this the pad must be of even thickness. Pads won’t change where the weight rests so your number one priority is to have a good saddle fit. Ill-fitting saddles cause pressure points. Have you ever noticed white hairs on your horse’s back? Most often these are the result of deep tissue damage done by a saddle that doesn’t fit. Any pressure point is uncomfortable for your horse and can cause soreness. Imagine having a rock in your shoe. Adding more padding, (another pair of socks) doesn’t relieve the discomfort. Padding won’t solve the problem of an ill-fitting saddle.

In summary, when choosing a saddle pad keep function in mind. A saddle pad protects the saddle from dirt and moisture. It dissipates heat and absorbs sweat, keeping your horses back cooler and drier. Look for a contoured pad that fits your horse’s back. Select one that is easy and convenient to clean. Do this and you will have chosen the very best pad for your horse. Mary is a Mounted Police instructor and a fully insured ARICP riding instructor. She devotes her creative energy to developing customized training programs to improve show ring performance, mount obedience and despooking trail horses utilizing training methods used in training police horses. Mary does Horsemanship Clinics, Trail Safety Clinics and also Mounted Patrol Clinics, She also does indiviual instruction and has interactive DVD and Interactive CD-Rom training available. Visit her Website at www.riderselite.com or email your questions to mary@riderselite.com If you have a specific question you would like her to answer in her column please email her at mary@riderselite.com

Size of Your Pad. Your saddle pad should be larger than your saddle. The saddle should not hang over the edge of the pad. Check the pad for seams along the bottom edge that may rub or bind as you tighten your cinch. Unless you ride an activity that is physically jarring, like calf roping, stick with the thinner pads. A thick pad will tend to raise up the front of the saddle near the wither area. This could change the position or balance of the seat (how you sit on the saddle).

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

July 2010 35

www.horsedigests.com

Trail Horse

Gitty Up - Dutch

World Renowned Trail Ride Critic Dutch Henry’s News from ACTHA

Howdy Folks, Pam Campbell said, “Anybody can do these rides, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, grandparents and grandchildren, casual riders as well as people who are all about competing. If you trail ride at any level, you can compete.” Pam is not only an ACTHA Affiliate, that means a ride host, but she’s an important part of the inner workings of the organization as well. She first found ACTHA while watching the Rick Lamb Show on RFD TV and their focus on rescues was a perfect fit for her as she does rescue work herself. “I was on board 100% from the start!” She said. The first thing she did was go to the ACTHA website to sign up for a ride, but there were none in her area – So she signed on the host one! The first one in Missouri! Her first CTC as a host was March 27, at Eagle Ranch in Collins Missouri. Sixty-one horse and rider teams participated – seven Open, fortysix Pleasure, three Junior, and five Buddy Riders. Like most ACTHA rides it started Friday night with a meet-and-great campfire. Pam said, “What was so cool was how the group around the fire kept getting larger all night. We started with about five people, and we had to keep making the circle big-

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ger and bigger as more people drifted in. That’s what I love about ACTHA, because the competitions are so casual and laid back it lends itself to making a lot of new friends. Even though rain moved everybody into the pavilion the socializing went on! So on Saturday when they rode out they had gotten to know each other and that added a dimension of friendship to the day’s ride.” Well the rain cooperated and quit in the morning and the ride went on without a hitch, although just about the time all the riders had gathered for lunch and Awards, the skies opened again. “But we all huddled in the pavilion and visited for a few more hours and enjoyed a demonstration of Equine Massage Therapy.” I asked Pam about ACTHA’s focus on Rescues and the many homeless horses. “As I said, it was that very focus that led me to become part of ACTHA.” She said. “The underlying purpose of ACTHA is that they are doing this for the horses. That increases awareness of rescues. People can not only come have fun with their friends and family and their horse, but can help other horses at the same time. Maybe someone will want to become part of a rescue. Maybe more people will consider adopting a homeless horse. Rescue horses know that you’ve helped them and actually many of them, once you’ve

established the relationship will have a bond so connected and loyal it is indescribable. Many people never experience the bond that can be built with a rescue horse. When a horse, who has not known kindness, or has known cruelty or neglect, offers you their trust, it is such a special gift.” Of course there is no single organization that could ever raise enough money to alleviate the Horse Rescue dilemma, but what we can do is increase the awareness of rescue animals who are available and need our help. It is not only the money ACTHA’s members, affiliates and sponsors contribute through magnificent efforts, it is that each week, hundreds of people are touched by the spirit of the horse, and by offering a venue where casual competition and fun can be enjoyed by riders of all levels perhaps many homeless horses will find loving homes, and jobs. It is ACTHA’s goal to make horse ownership so much fun that every horse has a home, and a job! I asked Pam what she thought about being an Affiliate and hosting a ride. “The support is unbelievable.” She said. “From the personal contact from the Trail Bosses, to the website loaded with tutorials, Affiliate menus, live WebEx calls, and manuals and videos. Of course as an Affiliate you need to read and make use of these tools, but the support is there to make everyone’s ride a success – Even though the support is phenomenal the success of each ride is a result of the Affiliate’s hard work in organizing their ride, recruiting riders and volunteers and marketing their ride. Now being part of the behind the scenes operations of ACTHA as well as an active Affiliate hosting CTCs, and planning to compete in others, Pam plays big part in helping Affiliates all across the USA make their rides a success. She’s one of a team of dedicated horse lovers at ACTHA who will contact new Affiliates with their support package. She also helps coach new Affiliates in marketing their ride. Another task she handles with ease and grace is making sure Affiliates have all the important information on their ride page at ACTHA’s website. And by golly she still finds time to ride her horses! If you’d like to be part of an organization whose focus is helping needy horses through having a great time with horses go to and browse their website. It is an impressive website with rides listed all across the USA. Just go to the Rides and Locations page and click on a ride near you. There are over 225 rides listed right now! Spend some time watching the videos. Browse the pages of terrific sponsors. It is easy to become a member – or an Affiliate if you’d like to host a ride and help raise money and awareness for the homeless horses. Pam will talk you through it! Gitty Up! Dutch Henry

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Lynn Palm Shares 40 Tips for the Trail Rider This year marks the 40th anniversary for Lynn Palm as a horse trainer and clinician. Palm offers 40 tips to trail riders as they hit the lush green trails or sandy beaches with their horses. Trail riding is an excellent way for riders and horses to bond and work on communication aids in a new environment. Training outside the box is something Palm does with all her horses in training, especially the competition horses. It is an opportunity to strengthen the bond by overcoming new obstacles together and encountering situations not found in an arena setting. However, riders must always be prepared to confront the unexpected when out on the trail. Here is a list of forty tips for the trail rider to be prepared, confident, and successful. PREPARATION 1. Before hitting the trail, you and your horse should have mastered basic skills in an arena such as stopping and turning, as well as having control at all gaits. 2. Make sure the distance and duration of the trail ride is within your horse's current fitness level. 3. Keep tack in good condition to prevent anything from breaking when out on the trail. 4. Groom your horse thoroughly before trail riding. 5. Use protective legware such as polo wraps or boots. I love to use Professional Choice boots! 6. Use insect repellant for both you and your horse. 7. Remember to check the weather before you ride and dress accordingly. 8. Riders and light pigmented skin horses should use sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays. 9. Before leaving the barn, trailer, or campsite, check to see if your horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes are tight and tack is fitting properly. 10. Plan your route and stick to equestrian approved paths. 11. If you plan to stop and tie your horse bring a halter and lead with you. 12. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Also let a friend or family member know where the keys to your various vehicles are. They should be assessable in case anyone is injured. 13. Do not go on the trail without some warm up for you and your horse. I always do stretching exercises to loosen up and longe my horse on a 20 meter circle for at least 20 minutes. ON THE TRAIL 14. Never hit the trail without a buddy and never leave the buddy behind. 15. Wear a certified helmet that fits snugly and always buckle the chin strap. I love the Troxel helmets! 16. Always carry a fully charged cell phone or satellite phone, first aid kit (EquiMedic has the best First Aids kits on the market), flash light, water, hoof pick, map, compass, and GPS receiver if able. Take advantage of the technology available to you! 17. Carry an ID and place identification information inside your helmet. Be sure to include

your name, address, phone number, and emergency contacts. 18. Be prepared to confront common problems that can go wrong with your horse such as lameness, laceration, colic, tying up, and snake bite. 19. Know how to monitor your horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital signs and be able to administer first aid to both horse and human. 20. Make sure to rest and walk after periods of trotting. Don't over-do-it! 21. Use your manners! Be friendly to other people you encounter on the trail. 22. Leave one horse length between horses, two if trotting. 23. Pass on the left at reduced speed after giving the person you are passing a verbal "heads up!" 24. Always be aware of your surroundings and think ahead so you don't put yourself or your horse in a dangerous situation. 25. Be a proactive rider! Avoid riding on footing that can be hazardous to your horse such as roots, holes and debris. 26. Change positions and do transitions often! This will help the horse wanting to be at the front all the time, as well as keep the horse concentrating on you and not the outside environment or other horses. 27. If your horse spooks on the trail, it is okay to get off the horse to address the spooky obstacle or the "boogie man" in the woods. It is safer to deal with a sticky spot on the ground then under saddle. 28. To encourage your horse to be willing and obedient on the trail, be his leader! This means you, the rider, are always in control. Move your horse the opposite way he wants to take you. If he goes left-go right, if he goes right-go left, if he backs-go forward, if he goes forward without you asking-stop and back a few steps. This works the horse's mind and reminds him that you are the leader. As your horse's leader, he will trust you! 29. When approaching new obstacles that may frighten your horse, stop and let your horse address them in a safe manner. Let him swing his head to see it from both eyes and let him smell it. Take your time. Once your horse learns to trust you, the next obstacle you address will take less time to accept. 30. If your horse gets too close to a tree or obstacle and may hit it, slightly turn his head pointing his nose towards it and use your inside leg aid (leg closest to the obstacle) to yield him away from the obstacle. If you use too much rein

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

aids, you will actually turn him more into the tree! 31. Use your body position to help maintain your horse's balance while traveling uphill (tilt upper body forward, extend arms up the horse's neck to give him his head) and downhill (lean upper body back, push feet forward in stirrups so legs are in front of the cinch/girth, and hold reins approximately 3-4" higher than usual). 32. At a water crossing, pond, river, or lake, stop and offer the horse water. 33. Try to know the depth of a water crossing before attempting to cross it. 34. Always remove a tie-down or martingale before crossing a water obstacle in case you encounter a deep spot. These devices restrict your horse's head so much that he won't be able to swim. 35. Socializing on the trail with your friends can be fun, but remember always pay more attention to your horse and his body language than to a conversation. 36. Always have your horse walk on the way back to the barn to prevent him from learning to rush home. AFTER THE RIDE 37. Make sure to cool your horse down properly to relieve and prevent lactic acid buildup in the muscles. 38. Check to see if your horse sweated evenly under the saddle pad to make sure your saddle doesn't have any pressure points that can make your horse uncomfortable or cause long term problems. 39. Rise or hose off sweat and always offer fresh clean water. 40. Do a visual and tactile evaluation of your horse. Check his legs for swelling or any cuts he may have from the ride. Treat accordingly. About Lynn Palm Palm's career highlights include 2007 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horsewoman of the Year, a record four AQHA Superhorse wins, AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women's Athletic Association, named one of the top United States clinicians by Horse & Rider magazine, over 34 AQHA World and Reserve World Champions, over 50 bridleless dressage exhibitions at events including the National Horse Show, 1989 World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and World Cup. Palm and Cyril Pittion-Rossillon are co-founders of three horse industry companies: Palm Partnership Training, Women LUV Horses, and Alliance Saddlery USA.

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www.horsedigests.com

Equine VIP

MARIO A CONTRERAS talks with Equine VIP by Susan Ashbrook, owner Equine VIP

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST QUESTIONS FOR MARIO A CONTRERAS: YOU WERE INTRODUCED TO HORSES AND RIDING AT AN EARLY AGE. HOWEVER, IT WAS A TRIP TO VISIT YOUR BROTHER IN CALIFORNIA THAT CHANGED YOUR CAREER PATH. CAN YOU TELL US MORE? I rode my first pony at 4 years old. I took the opportunity to work for my brother at the California Medieval Times Castle in 1990 because I always dreamed of performing, entertaining and training horses. This place was everything I dreamt about. I worked there for one year as a stable hand, squire and then began training as a knight, working under Victor Lara (Head trainer of all Medieval Times) and my brother Marcial Contreras. After working in California I was offered to help open the Dallas Castle and worked there for three years. After working in Dallas I became a knight and assistant horse trainer. Next, I moved to Chicago for a year after they offered the position of head horse trainer to me. My next adventure was a move to Cancun for two years continuing to work in entertainment with horses and pirate ships that belong to the Medieval Times. I decided to come back to the country to run the castle as head horse trainer in 1997 and have been the head trainer ever since in Chicago. AS HEAD HORSE TRAINER OF MEDIEVAL TIMES IN ILLINOIS, YOU’VE HAD TO MAKE SACRIFICES ALONG THE WAY. WHAT ADVISE CAN YOU GIVE OUR READERS? Do what you like and follow your passion THE ANDALUSIAN HORSE IS FEATURED PREDOMINENTLY IN THE MEDIEVAL TIMES SHOW. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS BREED THAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL? They are powerful, intelligent and beautiful to look at. They also have the temperament and quality that our show requires. WITH ANY FORM OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THERE ARE SURPRIZES. CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOU PREPARE AND TRAIN A HORSE FOR THESE (MAYBE SHARE A STORY)? All the horses and knights are trained from scratch and everything is done here. We start with the basics and a year later they are ready to

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be in the show and do simple parts of the show. Put together a resume and email it to any of My biggest pleasure is when I see my horses the castles that you are interested in working and students in the show performing in front of for. Request an interview with the head horse thousands of people a year. trainer or the head knight. M E D I E VA L BESIDES TIMES HAS IT’S TRAINING AT OWN BREEDING MEDIEVAL Mario A Contreras has worked as head horse trainer at PROGRAM IN TIMES, YOU Medieval Times in Schaumberg, Illinois for 13 years. TEXAS. AT WHAT TRAIN AND Although Mario comes from a family dynasty of horse trainSTAGE DO YOU RIDE FOR PRIers, it was a fateful trip to visit his brother (the head horse GET INVOLVED VATE CLIENTS trainer at Southern California’s Medieval Times), that conIN THE YOUNG vinced young Mario to follow in the family tradition. Mario’s AS WELL. HORSE COMING WHAT LEVEL knowledge and understanding of the horse is apparent but TO YOUR SHOW? OF RIDERS one is immediately impressed by Mario’s humble manner & O u r his quest to always learn more. Life at Medieval Times keeps AND HORSES Andalusions are DO YOU MOST Mario extremely busy but Mario finds time for private shipped to the cas- clients & also competes in Classical Dressage competitions in ENJOY WORKtles between ages ING WITH? the Midwest. Mario took some time to speak to Equine VIP three and five Any level, & Midwest Horse Digest Magazine years old, that is as long as they when they are fully have the discimature to start working. pline and the drive for pleasure or competition. WITH SO MANY HORSES PASSING HOW DO YOU FIND TIME FOR BOTH THROUGH THE MEDIEVAL TIME’S BARN, MEDIEVAL TIMES AND COMPETING IN THE ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL ONES THAT ARE SHOW RING? MEMORABLE FOR I sacrifice a PERSONALITY OR lot of my personPERFORMANCE? al time to accomYes, my best plish my goals. instructor was ARE YOU Narangito MT. He was NERVOUS the horse who taught WHEN YOU me through every sinCOMPETE IN gle routine and every THE SHOW single step. He was my RING? HOW IS school master. He was IT DIFFERENT a beautiful Andalusion T H A N stallion. He was trained MEDIEVAL by my brother Marcial TIMES? and that’s a horse that I I do get very nervous when I’m in the show ring riding competitions, I always try to do my best in any competition no matter what level. At medieval times I feel very confident when I’m doing an exhibition and performing in front of a loud crowd, it makes me more nervous when everything is quiet! WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PERSONAL GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? My goals are the continue competing, to earn my medals, to have my own school and my own barn and be the best of what I do. I will continue to teach others to understand horses and find the best way to train them. Equine VIP is written by Producer/Host Susan Ashbrook who is also developing a TV series based on her interviews with celebriwill never forget. ties and top equestrians. For more information go IF SOMEONE WAS INTERESTED IN to www.equineVIP.com APPLING TO BECOME A RIDER IN THE Equine VIP interviews celebrities and equesMEDIEVAL TIMES EQUESTRIAN SHOW, trian VIPs because “If It’s About Horses, We WHAT SHOULD THEY DO? Cover It”.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Second Annual Diamond McNabb Horse Sale Averages $6,494 Per Head The 2nd annual Diamond-McNabb Ranch Horse Sale in Douglas, Wyoming on June 5, 2010 drew 500 attendees/online bidders and garnered a $6,494 sale average (up from $5,850 in 2009). Offered to the public by Diamond Ranches and Ken McNabb, along with a few select consignors, 71 ranch geldings were auctioned to the highest bidder. High selling horses included "Dusty" ($18,500) a 5-year-old buckskin ridden by Ken McNabb and purchased by Judy and Don Jefferis of Unionville, PA and "Ruger" ($18,000) a 10-year old red roan ridden by Diemer True and purchased by Pam Renstchler of Cameron, MT. Ranging from three to fifteen years old, each horse had been used on the expansive Diamond Ranches for a variety of tasks from riding high mountain pastures to branding cattle in the working pens. McNabb personally oversaw the training of all Diamond-McNabb sale horses. Tessa Farmer and Jared Daniels of Eden, GA saw information on the sale on McNabb's television program, Discovering the Horseman Within, which airs four times per week on RFD-TV. "We were on vacation in the mountains and Jared said 'I want to go to that'. So 1,700 miles and here we are," said Farmer. Like many buyers in attendance, it was the couple's first trip to Wyoming and the state's signature western hospitality made its mark. "Everyone is very nice. I was very impressed how warm and welcoming everyone was. They were so helpful, you can basically ask them anything about the horses. There's a lot of nice horses here and I wish we could take them all home," said Farmer. The couple did take at least one horse home with them, purchasing a 4-year-old gelding (JS Better in Blue) consigned by Swenson & Martin Cattle Co. to use on their cattle

operation in Georgia. Whatever the buyer's budget, riding level or riding goal, the sale had a horse to suit. From dead broke kids horses to good rope horses with just enough fire in their belly for the working cowboy, every buyer found a slate of horses to suit their needs. McNabb was quick to explain to the sale audience though that the right fit should be buyers' first consideration. "Our goal is to sell you a horse for a lifetime and to have you enjoy that horse. And so making a good match is what we really try to do. Not every horse is perfect - we know that. Not every horse is going to be without mistakes you know that. But, what we try to do is help you make the best choice you can," explained McNabb to sale bidders. No average horse auction, the DiamondMcNabb Ranch Horse Sale offered a variety of special features to buyers looking for that horse of a lifetime. Preview videos, pedigrees and descriptions were posted on the sale's web site in advance of the event, while extended video footage of the horses were featured on McNabb's RFD-TV show in mid-May. On-site buyers were treated to a complimentary BBQ dinner and McNabb Horsemanship clinic Friday night and enjoyed the opportunity to watch each horse in action and visit with the riders and trainers of each horse in the sale. For many buyers, the Diamond-McNabb Ranch Horse Sale was their first auction experience. Recognizing that unique circumstance the 2010 Diamond-McNabb sale offered buyers a 30day "Good Fit Guarantee" which allowed buyers to return the horse for a credit in the 2011 sale if they were not pleased with the horse's performance after getting the horse home. Cowboy mounted shooters Kin and Stephanie Barker of Willis, TX appreciated the guarantee and said it made the choice to buy a

horse at the sale that much easier. "So many situations you drive off the lot and that's it, whether from an auction or private individual, so the guarantee made a difference" said Kin in a post-sale interview. For wife Stephanie, the decision to attend the sale came down to the horses' training and experience. "I decided I needed a well-rounded ranch horse that had done everything, seen everything, which these horses have" says Stephanie. The couple chose Frosty, 5-year-old 14.2 hand gray grade gelding who they plan on sending for 60 days of training to become a shooting horse. The couple competes nationwide at 25 events per year and talked at length with Frosty's rider before making their selection Appreciation ran deep at the event and sale managers Diemer True and Ken McNabb were quick to thank buyers for attending and ranch staff for their exemplary hospitality and a job well-done. Being a working ranch however, it was business-as-usual on the sprawling Diamond Ranches first thing Tuesday after a brief post-sale respite. "We were very, very pleased with the good horses and great buyers at this year's sale. It was a tremendous success. We're looking forward to next year's sale. We've got horses we're already getting prepared," said True, Diamond Ranches owner. Diamond Ranches and Ken McNabb will be offering another great group of ranch geldings at their third annual ranch gelding sale on June 4, 2011 at Powderhorn Ranch in Douglas, Wyoming. For more information on the Diamond/McNabb Ranch Horse Sale, visit www.diamondmcnabbhorses.com or call 307233-3909.

Featherlite Trailers announces partnership, trailer design collaboration with horse trainer Lynn Palm Horsewoman of the Year. Palm is also a Featherlite Trailers, a leading horse trailer manufacturer, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Lynn Palm and Palm Partnership Training. Through this partnership, Featherlite Trailers is collaborating with Palm in the development of a horse trailer designed to be both horse friendly and female horse owner friendly. This year marks Palm’s 40th year as a horse trainer, competitor and clinician. “Featherlite is excited to have the opportunity to team up with one of the most respected and sought-after horse clinicians,” National Sales Manager Randy Lewis said. “Lynn Palm’s methods of connecting the horse to its rider have had an impressive impact on horse owners for many years. In addition, Lynn also has a stellar list of accomplishments as a competitor.” Palm has been a Featherlite horse trailer owner since 1990 and still owns and uses her first trailer. Her insight as a competitor and trailer owner as well as a trainer who has worked with thousands of fellow horse owniters will be influential in the development of the Lynn Palm

Signature Trailer. The trailer, whose design is a closely held secret, is scheduled to be unveiled in coordination with Palm’s appearance at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games being held September 25-October 10, 2010. “(A partnership with Featherlite) means that I am working with a company in the horse industry that cares for horses and owners,” Palm said. “I love that we are working together to develop a new combination of features that will give more comfort to our horses. I love that they know that women are a major part of the horse industry, and we are also working together to develop trailers that are female friendly.” Palm is one of the few horse clinicians who also has a proven competition record, which includes 34 reserve and world championships and four AQHA Super Horse titles. She was also named the AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women’s Athletic Association, was chosen to perform exhibitions during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and was the 2007 AQHA

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

contributor to many equine publications. Featherlite is the nation’s oldest aluminum specialty trailer brand and is the official trailer of American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and other equine organizations. In addition to horse trailers, they manufactures stock trailers, car trailers, utility trailers, ATV trailers, racecar transporters and other specialty trailers. For information on Palm Partnership Training, visit www.lynnpalm.com. In addition, new Palm Partnership Training television shows begin airing June 28 on HRTV on the Dish Network. For more information on Featherlite horse trailers visit them online at www.fthr.com or call 800-800-1230. About Featherlite - located in Cresco, Iowa, is the nation’s leading aluminum specialty trailer manufacture with highly diversified product lines offering horse, livestock, car, utility and recreational trailers through an extensive dealer network in the U.S. and Canada and is a --part of the Universal Trailer Corporation’s family of brands.

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Miniature Therapy Horse Proves She Is Magic When She Is Named AARP’s “Most Heroic Pet in America” newspaper was taking photos of a Gentle Carousel visit at an assisted care facility. “A woman who had not spoken since she arrived at the assisted care facility three years earlier began talking to Magic. ‘Isn't she beautiful’ were her first words and then ‘It's a horse’," Garcia-Bengochea said. “The activities director began to cry and told the woman she loved her.”

everywhere from nursing homes to hospitals all across North Florida. “We have 26 minis in our program, which is a non-profit volunteer pro-

Garcia-Bengochea went on to explain that the woman answered "I love you too" – her first words spoken to another person in all those years. “Before Magic left the woman asked, ‘Will she come back again?’ The woman has continued to talk since that

Strebors Black Magic On Demand, a Miniature Horse registered with the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR), is spreading a special form of magic as a therapy horse. Known to her many fans as Magic, the black mini with blue eyes was recently named the “Most Heroic Pet in America” by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). Magic, owned by Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in High Springs, Florida, was featured in the 2010 May/June issue of AARP Magazine for her heroic efforts as a therapy mini. “I am so proud of her,” Debbie Garcia-Bengochea said. “She has worked with over 4,000 people, but the story that helped her win the ‘Most Heroic Pet’ title has to do with a woman who hadn’t talked in three years.” Garcia-Bengochea said that in September of 2009, a reporter from the Ocala Star-Banner

gram,” Garcia-Bengochea said. “Our minis have sparkles in their coats and look amazing when they do their visits. We love minis and it’s a great way to have them in the community.” Garcia-Bengochea said the story of Magic being named the “Most Heroic Pet In America”

visit with Magic,” Garcia-Bengochea said. “AARP used this event, and the story and photos the Ocala Star-Banner published, to select Magic as the Most Heroic Pet in America.” Magic isn’t the only Miniature Horse owned by Gentle Carousel that is working their magic

Healing Tree Goes Green with New Conditioning Shampoo Now there’s a completely ph-balanced antimicrobial “green” conditioning shampoo made especially for conscientious horse owners. Healing Tree’s new Private Reserve Conditioning Shampoo is derived completely from organic plant materials, is biodegradable and safe for horses and the environment. It is also formulated to meet the stringent standards of ECOCERT. ECOCERT is an oversite body of the cosmetics industry and is an organic certification organization. It supports manufacturers of cosmetics and other products who make a point of

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respecting the quality of the natural substances used and who respect the environment. Founded in 1991, ECOCERT conducts inspections in over 80 countries, making it one of the largest organic certification organizations in the world. Because “green” labeling is often confusing, they oversee and certify only those companies who meet their high standards of organic manufacturing. The new Healing Tree private reserve formula contains ingredients from guar, coconut, tea trees, corn, citrus, aloe vera, and peppermint. About us: Healing Tree® offers top quality, naturopathic and veterinary formulated topical wound, skin care, hoof care and grooming products. All products are wax and petroleum free. "Naturally Superior Products” www.healingtreeinc.com

has been picked up by news outlets in Argentina, Korea, New Zealand, Holland and Thailand, just to name a few. “Magic has been with people when they passed away and when they have awoken from a coma,” Garcia-Bengochea said. “Magic is requested so often that she actually has an understudy.” The tiny black mini with blue eyes certainly seems happy to be representing the American Miniature Horse Registry, introducing people each day to the remarkable breed. “We can’t cure the many diseases out there, but we do bring magic into the lives of sick people,” GarciaBengochea said. For more information on Miniature Horses, visit www.shetlandminature.com. (Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses)

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33 Ranch & Saddlery page 45 Ace Tack & Outfitters page 7 ACTHA page 36 Alpha Buildings page 10 Arena Fenceline page 19 Arena Trailers page 13 Auto Body Art page 25 Bakko Industries - The Jug page 25 Bale Buddy page 35 Blairview page 11 Bloomquist Law Firm page 45 Cannon Falls Trailer Sales page 2 Classifieds & form page 42 Cleary Lake Vet page 17 Conway Arabians page 28 Donn’s Leather Works page 45 Dun Haven Horsey Headwear page 18 Federated Coop page 12 Haycreek Ranch page 30 Holistic Horse Fair page 28 HoofHaulers, Inc. page 9 Horse Fly Net page 5 I90 Expo Center page 26 Horse Portraits page 9 Julie Goodnight page 32 KCB Equine Center page 45 Ken McNabb page 6 K Fence page 27 Laser Sheen Farnam page 5 Lincoln Sales page 45 Lynn Palm page 20 Midwest Cremation page 25 Miller Land and LIvestock page 28 Minnesota Equifest page 11 Minnesota Horse Council page 17, 45 MN Hooved Animal Rescue page 28 MN School Of HorseShoeing page 34 MN Thoroughbred Assoc page 29 More Custom Leather page 45 Northland Buildings page 35 Nutrena page 23 Pleasant Hills Saddle Shop page 18, 45 Photo Classifieds page 43 Ralco Nutrition page 10 Real Estate Stone Pony pabe 41 RNR Ranch and Tack Clinics page 28 R.T. Duggan page 45 Square Meal Feeds page 31 Subscription Form page 30 Tak Shak page 45 The Boot Lady page 18 The Corral Trailer Sales page 11 The Natural Gait page 30 Total Equine Supplement page 45 Tri-Tec 14 Farman page 3 Triple Cross Design page 45 Twin Cities Featherlite page 47 UBRA page 46 Wehrs Chevrolet page 17 West 20 Ranch and Saddle page 17 www.HorseDigests.com page 48

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Dave Wolfe, President of RSNC, Ranch Sorting National Championship comments; Hold onto your hats if you are anywhere near the RSNC camp! RSNC is pulling out all the stops to make RSNC Ranch Sorting the biggest and best there is! The opportunity for tremendous growth is here, and RSNC intends to seize the moment! No other cowhorse sport is as contagious as RSNC Ranch Sorting. There is no question that success in the sport of RSNC Ranch Sorting is more attainable than in roping, cutting, versatility ranch horse or any other cowhorse event out there. There is a place for riders of all levels at RSNC events - that is being proven by the current membership! The 2010 National Finals set an all time record in Sorting or Penning for the number of teams with over 4000. The membership is already the largest within the sport - now it is going to EXPLODE! RSNC is giving a free membership to all new contestants that join RSNC at anytime during the 2009-2010 season, as well as all current members that bring a new contestant to compete at an RSNC event anytime between September 1, 2009 and the renewal of their current membership for the ’09-’10 season. This is RSNC’s way of welcoming new contestants and rewarding our current members who help us grow our sport! This phenomenal offering has been made by only one other national association; when Denny Gentry sold his team roping company to Equibrand, they opened their doors with the offer of a free one-year membership. That association grew to the tune of 20,000 new members in that year alone! WOW! The current potential for growth in the sport of RSNC Ranch Sorting is unprecedented! No other cowhorse competition has as much to offer to such a wide variety of riders. RSNC sorting takes place in a controlled environment where a rider can set his or her own pace; less cattle are required for a greater number of teams; it is a timed event where politics do not affect the outcome; contestants of all ages and abilities can

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succeed in a competition made fair by ratings and a handicapping system; the variables make it challenging and exciting; furthermore, it can also be a great schooling experience for young horses! Recently, RSNC polled our association’s producers and contestants in order to find out what they thought the association could do to increase participation. When asked about the biggest barrier faced when introducing the sport to others, producers and contestants both felt that the membership fee was a major factor. Many potential contestants were sitting in the wings wanting to try the sport before they committed to a membership. After exploring the possibilities, many people agreed that the offer of free membership would be a huge advantage to the association. FREE MEMBERSHIP will be a win/win/win situation for everyone involved! Those who have been hesitant to venture into the unknown due to the cost of a membership will now be willing to give RSNC Ranch Sorting a try - we all know they will love it! Existing members will not only benefit from a year of free membership by bringing in one more free member, but will also see an explosion in entries - and PAYOUTS - at sanctioned events. Producers will see an increase in contestants and entries at their events thus making them more successful! RSNC, as a whole, will see more producers willing to sanction events which will bring more sponsors to our sport and MORE ADDED MONEY to RSNC events including the RSNC National Finals! Being a part of this great association, dedicated to the sport that combines timed event competition with true to life cow work, should be a reality for anyone and everyone who ever wanted to be a part of this great ranching lifestyle! RSNC is making it happen! For more information go to www.RSNC.us or Address: P. O. Box 1 Wellington, Colorado 80549 Phone: 970-897-2901 Fax: 970-897-2921, info@rsnc.us

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Classifieds ASSOICATIONS International Spotted Horse Registry Association. Color registry for horses of color patterns. Drafts to Miniatures, Grade to Pureblood, Sponsoring 2010 Online Photo Horse of Color Show! 300 different classes. January to November 1st. 866-201-3098 ISHRPPA@AOL.COM BOARDING www.sunsetridgeranch.com: Heated/cooled indoor - outdoor - roundpen: pasture/boxstall board-training and lessons. Clearwater, MN 320-558-2980. 10/10 EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS Carts, Buggies, Carriages & Sleighs for sale. Horse, pony & mini sizes. All prices, all in good condition. Also driving horses, ponies & harness. 847/360-9313. Top quality Animal gifts and collectibles. Vintage style kitchen linen. Equine office decor. Figurines galore! Something for everyone. www.1000figurines.com New leather harness, 3rd generation business. Team, work, complete with hames, collars extra. Draft $802.00. Qtr. horse $757.00. w 3 hip - Draft $882.00. Qtr. horse $812.00. Buggy breast Qtr $220.00, Pony $140.00. (651) 222-5616. Website - stpaulsaddlery.com Catalogue - St Paul Saddlery, 953 W 7th St., St Paul, MN 55102 Horse breeds book - Horses of Distinction - Oneof-a-kind reference. Mysteries now revealed by the best informed professionals - North American breed organizations. Descriptions, histories and official standards of some of the most exciting and unique pleasure breeds. Practical guide to registering and showing. Surprising facts and interesting insights. 31 color photos. 91 pages. 10" x 8 1/2". Softbound. 715-265-4226 Fran333@centurytel.net EVENTS SAVE THE DATE:3 day Equine-Assisted Learning Clinic. Oct 22 & 23, Nov 6. Black Creek WI pegasusleaders.com 920 420 3825 GRAPHIC/WEBSITE Custom website design, ad design, banners, newsletters, business cards, logos and business promotion. Call for info. 507-525-6691 HORSES FOR SALE Weanling to 5 year old, registerable Spanish Mustangs. Many colors and coat patterns, registerable. Appaloosa, dun, grulla, white, buckskin, 13-14.5 hands, out of one stallion Great Mystery's Blueprint and four foundation mares. Potential for many disciplines 608-583-3045 threefawnmeadows@me.com

Iowa Gold Star 2010 Half-Arabian Nominated Auction Filly! She is very fancy, with a sweet personality. CR Blonde Bombshell Half-Arabian filly Vanilla Hot Shot (Cremello ASB) x Kismet May Wine (Aladdin-breeding) - 816-678-5807 • 816-665-7030 - smc1776@embarqmail.com

Finished 4’ Paneled & Insulated Dress Rm, Lg GN Windows, Carpeted GN - Drop & Flr, Dress Rm Dr w/Window, Finished Side Tack Paneled, 3 Saddle Rks, Bridle Hks, Dr w/Window, 3 Swing Out Feed Drs w/Windows - $6,500.00 Cannon Falls Trailer Sales - 888-263-7212 Cannon Falls, MN www.CannonFallsTrailers.com

SERVICES Affordable Website Design & Hosting. Stallion listings, Banner ads, classifieds, Country Kitchen, Rural Singles. www.stallionstation.com 952.472.1438

2010 BLUE RIBBON 3-H GN W/8’ Shortwall shell, - Hoofhaulers, Inc. 612-810-7550 Shakopee, MN - hoofhaulers@att.net www.HoofHaulers.com

REAL ESTATE Southern WI Horse Property. 6.38 Acre Country Home, Horse/Hobby Newer 6 stall pole barn, auto waterers, heated tack room, 80 X 150 outdoor sand arena, and three fenced pastures all with Centaur Fencing! Blooming tree arbor leads to private stream and woods with paths! Beautiful 2105 sq. ft., 2/3 bedroom, 3 bath home, gleaming hardwood, vaulted living room with brick fireplace and 1st floor laundry. $369,900. See: www.WIHomes.com, MLS 1546170 for pictures. Call/email for more info.: AsiaVoight@aol.com, 608-225-1925.

2005 Integrity 3H slant load LQ trailer w/10’ short wall - couch, lrg fridge/freezer (6cu), microwave, t.v., sink, lots of cabinets/closet space! Bthrm has sink, radius shower, toilet, lots of cabinets, walk-thru dr! Feed mangers, drop down windows at horses head, sliding bus windows at hip, dbl back drs w/rear tack compartment! Awning, manual jack! (#9701) Arena Trailer Sales, 507-263-4488 Cannon Falls MN sales@arenatrailers.com www.arenatrailers.com VACATIONS The first Montana High Country Cattle Drive of 2010 will be a singles drive. If you are into horses and romance, please visit our website at www.montanacattledrive.com. or call 1-800-3459423 for more information.

TRAILERS New & Used. Horse • Stock & Flatbeds. Steel/Alum. Bumper/Goose. Slant, Walk-Thru, Custom. Trailet, Exiss, Corn Pro & more! Full Service. Trades & consignments taken. Helenville, WI 920/699-8048. www.thecorralinc.com

To Place Your Classified fill in form and mail or email: mark@horsedigests.com

1987 Trail-et GN 7’X18’X7’ SST Jetstar 3H, Dress Rm, Sidetack, Alum Skin, Fiberglas Roof,

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! $10.00 per month for 20 words, $.15 for each word over 20. Send your classified in with your check or credit card to: Midwest Horse Digest, Attention: Mark (classified) 40694 30th Street, Elmore, MN 56027 or call 507-943-3355 Name:______________________________________ 20 Words = $10.00 Address:____________________________________ # Extra Words ___x $.15 = ______ City:________________________St:_____Zip:_________ Sub-Total: ______ Credit Card#____________________________________ # of months to Run x: ______ Type:________Exp. Date:_________3 Digit Code:______ Total: ______ Phone:_______________Email:______________________ Number of Months to Run:______ AD Category:_________________ Classfied:_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

FRIESIANS,FRIESIANS,FRIESIANS www.excaliburbreeding.com 218-678-4125

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Place your photo classified here for $20.00 per

Thumbnail Photo Classifieds month just call 507-943-3355 for more info Plus you can also place your ad online at

www.HorseDigests.com For Sale 8 YR. MARE, Gorgeous, Beginners Dream Horse! Barrel racing and trail. $4,000 Pinto-Beginners, young or old, this is the horse for you. Gentle, smooth, and a nice barrel horse, great on trails too. Call 605-670-9098 harttraining@hcinet.net FINISHED SORTING/CUTTING HORSE - AQHA MARE REG. #4165060, Lady was started cutting, own granddaughter to Peppy San Badger and Doc's J Jay. * Cutting * Ranch Horse * Team Penning or Sorting * Trail Horse - 719-269-3749 - rlmillerco@wildblue.net HALF- ARABIAN / NATIONAL SHOW HORSE/ Sweepstakes Nominated Angel Kisses Regal Basque+/ x Contessas Wine 2001 National Caliber Mare Suitable for a Junior Rider/Driver or Equitation. 816-678-5807 smc1776@embarqmail.com

Weanling to 5 year old, registerable Spanish Mustangs - Appaloosa, dun, grulla, white, buckskin, 13-14.5 hands, out of one stallion Great Mystery's Blueprint and four foundation mares. 608-583-3045

Equipment

threefawnmeadows@me.com IOWA GOLD STAR AUCTION NOMINATED! Half-Arabian 2009 Purebred Chestnut gelding. Momentum NA x OFW Veronyka (RSD Dark Victory) 816-678-5807 smc1776@embarqmail.com WISH UPON A STARR- HALF ARABIAN, IOWA GOLD STAR AUCTION NOMINATED - Sir Spattson x Greta Starrbo TM (GG Bask Starr) Extremely nice mare, lively, well-mannered! BLACK with 4 whites! Pprofessionally trained. Shown in Halter and Western Pleasure. 816-678-5807, smc1776@embarqmail.com

Stallions

ZINNIA BA ANDALUSIAN MARE (Despierto x Zinnia) US Reserve National Champion Andalusian Mare $15,000. Well started under saddle, Great Broodmare, Proven Show Horse 262-249-887 selwoodp@idcnet.com

URGEL III. PROVEN PRODUCER OF MOVEMENT! ANCCE Revised, 16.1 hands (Danes III by Maja VII). His foals are of consistent quality and have his conformation, power, movement, kindness, and love for people. 940-6860910 ranchoandalucia@earthlink.net

AA DESPIERTA, Elite Winner of the GANADOR Trophy, (Despierto x Ardorosa del Greco) $15,000 Andalusian In foal to US National Champion 3rd level dressage horse "Legado".She is carrying a "sexed" male foal.Available in utero for $10,000 262-249-8870 selwoodp@idcnet.com

SPOTZ SENSATION, Homozygous! Exotic, Tall & stretchy! Only known grandson of both Hot August Nite & Chubasco! Great motion, fantastic temperament, Multi Championship Winner. 715-210-5371

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: BAILADOR DG. GREY SON OF SANTENO KDW Lots of action in the front and push from behind. This is a colt with substantial bone and an upright neck. Perfect for Dressage 972-746-1457 vintageandalusians@hotmail.com

FAMOUS ECHO SCA - 2001 Bay Tobiano American Saddlebred Champion Stallion, direct son of Saddlebred stallion, The Color of Fame.16 HH, Tested Homozygous, Double registered ASHA and PtHA . 715-210-5371

clearcreekarabians@yahoo.com

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2011 TRAIL RIDER ROYAL CUSTOM - 17' LQ, 3H, 12' Slide out, flat screen tv's, Cust. cherry interior, DirecTV satellite, loading ramp,Onan generator, outside grill, electric awning, sofa/ dinette, cook top w/oven, stainless 7.0 refrigerator w/ice maker, enclosed front LP cover, horse fans, ceiling fans, forced air, dual power jack, drop down windows, fireplace, hay pod Loaded! 8 yr warranty 719-269-3749 rlmillerco@wildblue.net

2011 TRAIL RIDER EXPRESS 10' LQ W/SLIDE OUT, Fireplace, Power Jack & Stereo, loaded $32,795.00 Payment Terms: 10% down, balance on completion 719-269-3749 rlmillerco@wildblue

Services and Products ORIGINAL HORSE PAINTINGS Artist Lisa Kosmo 218-834-3482 or lslkosmo@usfamily.net Each painting is drawn directly on canvas then painted with acrylics.

Real Estate RARE OPPORTUNITY! 67 acre dream property, just west of Alexandria, MN. Commercial horse stable. Possibilities- horse stable,camp ground, mixed use development. $499,000 218-943-9180 Mn. Lakes Realty of Alexandria http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?req94qdfymp,4,1

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Upcoming Events Remember, call before your dirve July 10 & 11 - 4-Star Challenge Barrel Race Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-2634200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com July 10 - UMBHA-IBHA Show Jackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls Wisconsin. Contact Michele Giraud 608 343-5690 7/17 & 18 - Jefferson, WI - Wisconsin Buckskin Horse Assn / IBHA, FIVE JUDGES, Kathy Yager 920-568-1111 or sales@premierawards.com July 10-11- UMBHA-IBHA Show - Jackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls Wisconsin. Contact Michele Giraud 608 3435690 July 13..All Breed Horse & Tack Sale - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 www.simonhorsecompany.com 7/16-18/2010 - Cowgirl Tuff Barrel Bash http://barrelbash.com - Double B Productions bolling@iowatelecom.net - 641-745-5845 Central States Fairgrounds Indoor, Rapid City, SD July 17 &18-MPHA Horse Show-Simon Arena Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 www.simonhorsecompany.com 7/17/2010 - 7/18/2010 - Auburn IA - Corderman Trailer Sales Chasing Cans for a Trailer Series Clint Sigmon Arena - Barrel Race - Futurity UBRA - jessica@ubra.org - 715-857-6343 7/17-18/2010 IA – Appaloosa Horse Association Show, Iowa Equestrian Center, Cedar Rapids. Liz Lindner, 319-398-7107, iowa.equestrian@kirkwood.edu or www.iowaequestrian.com 7/21-22/2010- Nevis, MN NVRHA clinic & competition, Strait Rail Ranch, clinicians: Jay & Jena Henson contact: Greg Booth and Vickie Kettlewell 218-828-8895 greg@sunupranch.com, Susan Heyvaert, 763-479-1895 heyvaert@frontier.net 7/23-25/2010 MN – Minnesota Barrel Horse Association, Red Horse Ranch Arena, Fergus Falls. 218-736-3000, rhra@prtel.com, www.RedHorseRanchArena.com 7/23-25/2010 WI – Upper Midwest Endurance Ride Association Wildcat Ride, Neillsville. Elinore Tonsor, 217-382-4544, helinoretonsor@earthlink.net 7/24-25, 2010- Wessington Springs, SD NVRHA clinic & competition, clinicians: Don & Elise Ulmer contact Kamber Ulmer 605-890-2188 dkulmer@venturecomm.net, Bill Krech, 605291-9398 b.krech@yahoo.com 7/21-22/2010- Nevis, MN NVRHA clinic & competition, Strait Rail Ranch, clinicians: Jay & Jena Henson contact: Greg Booth and Vickie Kettlewell 218-828-8895 greg@sunupranch.com, Susan Heyvaert, 763-479-1895 heyvaert@frontier.net

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July 30-31,2010 – Minot, ND – North Dakota State Fairgrounds - COWGIRL TUFF BARREL BA$H 2010 Double B Productions bolling@iowatelecom.net - 641-745-5845

9/1-12 - Nevis, Minnesota NVRHA clinic & competition, Strait Rail Ranch, clinician: Mike Major contact: Terry Lund, 218-389-6069, moosehornranch@msn.com, Susan Heyvaert, 763-479-1895, heyvaert@frontier.net

July 31 & August 1, 2010 - Western Canadian Miniature Horse Club Show, AMHA sanctioned show. Stampede Park, Calgary, AB Classes include halter, driving, obstacle, jumping, liberty and showmanship. Special classes for exhibitors under 7 years and horses over 20 years. Canadian Futurity Gala Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. . Free admission to the show but Stampede Park parking fees apply. For more information or for a prize list contact Charlene 403-932-5992 charlene@wildroseinternet.ca

October 2-3 - UMBHA-IBHA show - Jackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls Wisconsin. AQHA Special Events, Reining, Heading and Heeling. Contact Michele Giraud 608 343-5690

July 30, 31 & August 1…Mid Summerfest Saddlebred Horse Show - Simon Arena Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com Online sales of more than 40 Warmbloods and Sport horses at www.warmbloods.ca Sale One June 22 to July 22, Sale Two July 15 to August 16, Sale Three August 3 to September 3 8/1/2010 - North Branch, MN - Houck Barrel Racing Saddle Series $250 Added - Barrel Race HouckHorseCompany@yahoo.com - 651-277-1095 8/1/2010 - Greenbush, MN - Wojo's Horse Training Northern MN UBRA Series - Barrel Race - UBRA Stacey Stoskopf - sleestoskopf@yahoo.com - 218386-3656 - Wojo's Arena 8/4/2010 - Salem, SD - Stone Pony Barrel Races 2010 Barrel Race - UBRA - Hope Andal canchaser03@hotmail.com - 6052473240 8/4/2010 - Logan Co. Fair Open Horse Show ,10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Logan Co. Fairgrounds, Junction Route 10 & Route 121, Lincoln, IL 62656 Contact Fair Office at 217-732-3311 or email logancountyfair@ccaonline.com 8/6/2010 - 8/8/2010 - Fergus Falls MN - Red Horse Ranch Arena - UBRA World Show 2010: OPEN TO EVERYONE! UBRA - jessica@ubra.org - 715-8576343 8/7/2010 - 8/8/2010 - Fergus Falls MN - Red Horse Ranch Arena - 9th Annual JJ Classic Open Futurity & Derby w/ Breeder's Incentive - jessica@ubra.org 715-857-6343 8/10 - .All Breed Horse & Tack Sale - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 www.simonhorsecompany.com 8/14-15/2010 - Confidence Clinic with Dennis Auslam, Redwood Stables, Morton, MN - email redwoodstables@mvtvwireless.com, www.redwoodstables.com, Call 507-943-3355 8/20/2010 - Balsam Lake, WI - JJ Arena Saddle Club OPEN Fun Show & UBRA Barrel Race julie@jjarena.com - 715-857-5505 8/26-29/2010 - WI NBHA State Finals at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. Aug 28-29UMBHA-IBHA SHOW - Jackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Michele Giraud 608 343-5690.

9/9/2010 - 9/12/2010 - Rainer Ranch, Huntsville, MO 14th annual AQHA charity ride event hosted by Robbie & Tesia Rainer. Open to all breeds and disciplines with several levels of trails to suit every rider. Fun for the entire family. There will be live entertainment, an auction, door prizes, cowboy poker ride and seminars. You must pre-register to attend.For more information visit http://www.missvalley.com/rainertrailride/index.htm 9/11/2010 - 9/12/2010 - Rocky Mountain Iberian Horse Show - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Douglas County Fairgrounds - 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock, CO 80109 - Regional 4 National IAHLA qualifying show. We will offer all IAHLA qualifying classes plus some fun classes, such as Hunter Hack, Working Equitation, Dollar Ride and more - For more information visit http://www.rmihc.org 10/9/2010 - 10/11/2010 - Illinois State Buckskin Association Heartland Holiday Circuit Shows - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Rawlings Arena, Hwy 155 at exit 15, Delavan, IL 61734 - Contact Dan Vincent 815-5629552. Open classes offered for non-IBHA horses. PAC Approved. For more information visit http://www.freewebs.com/illinoisbuckskin 10/25/2010 - 10/30/2010 - World Percheron Congress - 9:00AM - Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317 - For more information visit http://www.2010worldpercheroncongress.com/ Wazee Riders Horse Club 2010 Game Show dates - Sunday Game/Fun shows Noon on Sept 19 - Game shows 5:30 pm Thursday afternoons: July 22, Aug 5 & 19, Sept 2 & 16 All shows held at Jackson County Fairgrounds, Hwy 54 West, Black River Falls WI Rain or Shine, We have indoor and outdoor arena, Information: wazeeriders@hotmail.com or 715-284-7004 Minnesota Pinto Horse Association Show Schedule August 6-8 - Jubilee of Color Show - MN Equestrian Center, Winona *CO-PRODUCED WITH MIN-I-KOTA PINTO* - Jubilee Show Committee Christine Peterson 320-493-3435 - * Special Awards * 3 FULL DAYS * 3 judges * 4 sets of points September 11 & 12 2 days, 4 Judges - Red Horse Ranch, Fergus Falls - *WIN A MIKE BRAY SADDLERY MIRROR* Stabling Ron & Karen Clark - 763-682-5324 - Show Office Manager - Ed Neu 763-477-5027 - Visit our website www.minnesotapinto.com OCTOBER 9 American Competitive Trail Horse Association Ride (as seen on RFD TV). El Rancho Manana, Richmond, MN. Sponsored by Friends of Sherburne County Mounted Patrol. Entries close October 7 Details www.actha.us. Frieda Bruck 612.481.3567 Email events to Mark@horsedigests.com

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Advertise in Traders Corner for as little as $20 per month. Call today for information on advertising in Traders Corner, Let people know about your business! 507-943-3355 Your ad is here in print and in our online magazine too! July 2010 45

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