Midwest Horse Digest May 2010

www.horsedigests.com

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010

3

www.horsedigests.com

MAY 2010

midwest

Horse Digest

Contents Train in g wi t h To d ay’s To p Trainer s 6

Preparing Your Horse for the Farrier by Ken McNabb

8

Earn Your Horse’s Respect by Clinton Anderson

Of Interest FEATURES

10 Investing in the Older Horse - Money Well Spent by Dennis Auslam

32 Gitty Up- Dutch - Trail Ride Critic Dutch Henry’s News from ACTHA

12 Herd Behaviour by Craig Cameron

HEALTH

We s t er n P le a su r e 14 Simple Steps to Improve Quality of Movement by Jennifer Lindgren 16 Grooming to Win by Tommy Garland

D r e s sage - E n glis h

18 Ask The Vet: Skin Conditions 21 STRAIT From Texas 22 Human Health - Tick, Tick, Tick, part 2 27 Principles of Vaccination

Special Sections

18 B is for Balance, Part 2 by Tracy Porter 20 “Ground Manners – Handling Your Horse’s Feet” - by Lynn Palm

Per f o r m anc e Ho r se 24 Fixing the Barn, Gate, or Buddy Sour Horse by Richard Winters 26 The Two Main Processes of Teaching the Horse by Monty Bruce

Trai l Ho r se 34 It’ll Be Fine! part III by Doug Lindgren 35 Ask Mary: My trail horse won’t cross water. How can I teach him to

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

On the cover: Dennis Auslam of Redwood Stables ,Morton, MN - trainer and clinician.

Dennis has been involved with and trained horses all his life. See article on page 10 on Investing in the Older Horse.

do that? by Mary Hamilton 36 Pawing by Julie Goodnight

Eq uine VIP 38 Kristin Dickerson talks to Equine VIP by Susan Ashbrooke

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!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW .HORSEDIGESTS.COM

4

May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Midwest Horse Rahn Greimann, Publisher, Owner and Editor Š 2008 Greimann Industries 35418 90th Street Blue Earth, MN 56013 507-526-5943 Fax 507-526-2629

Hi all, April was and always will be a very busy month for all who are working and doing business in the upper Midwest. Cabin Fever is replaced with Horse Fever with the coming of Spring.

We, like many, were participating at several of the horse expos and horse fairs that were in the area. Sorry to say we were not able to make them all personally, but the Midwest Horse Digest did. I am very excited to report that the attendance at some of the shows was up and people were buying.

At least I saw a lot of bags walking around and headed out the gates. This, to me, is a good indicator that the horse industry will survive and continue through these tough economic times.

We love our horses and the lifestyles that they create, which is "real and tangible", not just an imaginary, fleeting

Lynn Palm and Rahn

Advertising Contacts Mark Bahls Peg Bahls 507-943-3355 /Fax 507-943-3352 mark@horsedigests.com peg@horsedigests.com

Julie and Rick Vinsand 877-205-7261 julie@horsedigests.com rick@horsedigests.com Andrea Jo Kroening 952-237-5311 andrea@horsedigests.com 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 Please direct all editorial and correspondence, as well as change of address to: rahn@horsedigests.com or call 507-526-5943

moment of pleasure. Many of us have had horses, or been involved with them our whole lives and will sacrifice other areas of our lives to keep at least one horse.

Besides the horses, my favorite part of the spring expo season is meeting back up with some of our friends that tour throughout the country and the many friends and customers that participate at the shows. For some, it is the only time that we get to see each

Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard amd Rahn other face to face. We stay in touch during the year via phone and email, but it is not quite the same as in person. Visits are usually brief due to the need to do business with customers at the show, but always valued by us. If we missed any of you, I apologize and hope to catch up with you soon.

I would like to personally thank my friends that contribute to our magazines and came to some of the shows that we

Dennis Auslam and Rahn attended. After almost 20 years of working in the equine industry around the country, I am happy to say that good relationships have been built through the good and the bad times, the thick and the thin. For this I feel very fortunate and would like to thank those that I know and consider as friends, and those that I hope to know and build friendships with in the future.

Thank you.

Rahn Greimann

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Julie Goodnight and Rahn May 2010

5

www.horsedigests.com

Today’s Top Trainers

Preparing Your Horse for the Farrier

By Ken McNabb with Katherine Lindsey Meehan

In this month’s article, we will cover how to prepare your horse for the farrier. This is not focused on fixing a horse that has problems with having his feet handled, we are just going to cover some exercises that will make your horse easy and pleasant to shoe. I firmly believe that it is your job, and your responsibility as a horse owner, to have your horse trained to

6

May 2010

stand quietly and politely while his feet are being trimmed and shod.

Your farrier should not have to train your horse.

For these exercises, you will need a halter, a 12’ lead rope, and a lariat rope. You may notice that I usually specify a 12’ length for the lead rope. This is because that gives me enough rope that I can work my horse around me while staying safely out of his way, and I also have enough rope available that I can use the tail end of the rope as a motivator to move my horse forward if I need to. At the same time, a 12’ rope is short enough that I can handle it easily and I am not tripping on it or getting tangled up in it as I work.

You can start with either the front or hind feet. Most people start with the front since those feet are easier. I like to start on the hind feet because once you have done that the front feet are usually quick and easy.

With your horse haltered, run your hand over his hip and down his leg. Start by running it just a little ways down the leg, and each time move a little farther down until you are all the way to the hoof. Make sure your touch is firm and doesn’t tickle your horse.

There are a few things in relation to safety that I want to mention. One is the way you stand

while you are starting to handle the hind legs and feet. You should stand with your toes pointing out at a 45 degree angle away from your horse. That way, if he kicks you, he will buckle your knees and may knock you down, but he won’t be likely to blow out your knee joints. If you are standing facing in towards your horse and he kicks you in the knees you are likely to blow out the joint. You should also stand close to your horse at all times, so if he does kick he pushes you more than hits you hard with a lot of wind up. The other thing I do for safety as I begin handling the hind feet is I always keep my lead rope in my outside hand. Don’t leave too much slack in the rope in the beginning (just enough so you are not pulling your horse’s head around towards you). This is so you maintain control of your horse’s head. That way, if he does move to kick you, you can pull his head towards you, which will automatically swing his hind end away from you. These safety steps should help you to feel calm, which is very important. If you are nervous your horse will be nervous and jumpy too, and you will have a very hard time getting him to stand still and relax through these exercises.

If you are working with a horse that you really think is going to kick you, you can use your lariat in two ways. First, when you are sacking out his hind legs, you can use the coiled lariat instead of your hand. This will allow you to stand by the horse’s girth area while still touching his hind legs, keeping you farther out of kicking range. The other thing you can do is use the lariat rope to sack out his hind legs by putting it around his belly, then dropping is around his hind legs and running it gently up and down. Then try to get him to step one foot out of the loop and run the rope gently up and down each leg separately. Keep the lead rope in your hand at all times.

Once you can run your hand down your horse’s leg and he will stand, run your hand down to the cap of the hock and squeeze. You want your horse to shift his weight off that foot, and eventually pick it up himself. I like my horse to pick his foot up, not take the weight off it and make me pick it up for him. When he takes the weight off that foot, release and reward him.

Build on your success until he progresses from taking the weight off that foot to lifting the heel, to lifting the entire foot. When he picks up his foot, hold it for a short time at first and progress to holding it longer and longer. At first, I like to bring the foot forward toward the horse’s belly, because that is more comfortable for him than having his leg stretched out behind him, and it’s also safer for me. Once he is relaxed enough that you can move his leg freely as you hold it,

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

then you are ready to start bringing his leg out behind him.

Once he will allow you to bring his leg out behind him, hold the hoof and simulate as much of what your farrier will do as you can. Bang on the hoof with a stick or a rock, scratch things over the bottom of the hoof to make a noise like a file, and so on. Remember to release and reward your horse regularly. As you become more comfortable, you can put more and more slack in the lead rope. My ultimate goal is to be able to drop the lead rope and be able to pick up each of the four feet while my horse stands still.

Once you can work with both hind feet, you are ready to start on the front feet. Rub down your horse’s shoulder and leg, and pinch the chestnut to ask him to pick up his foot. Work with him till he is relaxed enough to let you move the leg freely and shake it gently. Repeat the banging and scratching exercises you did on the hind feet on each front foot. Be careful not to twist the horse’s knee by bringing his foot out towards you. That is uncomfortable for him and therefore will make him less likely to cooperate. Try to work with his leg under him where it naturally falls, and where it will be comfortable for him.

If you take the time to work your horse through these exercises before the next visit from the farrier, shoeing will be an easy and stress free process for your horse, you, and your farrier.

Enjoy your horses and 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.

Murphy's Horse Laws •There is no such thing as a sterile barn cat.

•No one ever notices how you ride until you fall off.

•The least useful horse in you barn will eat the most, require shoes every four weeks and need the vet at least once a month.

•A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching.

•Your favorite tack always gets chewed on, and your new blanket gets torn.

•Tack you hate will never wear out and blankets you hate cannot be destroyed.

•Horses you hate cannot be sold and will out live you.

•Clipper blades will become dull when your horse is half clipped.

•If you approach within fifty feet of your barn in clean clothes, you will get dirty.

•The number of horses you own will increase to the number of stalls in your barn •Hoof picks always run a way from home.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010

7

www.horsedigests.com

Today’s Top Trainers

Don’t Beg, Steal or Borrow,

Earn Your Horse’s Respect

by Clinton Anderson

A respectful horse is a willing horse. When you ask him to move, he does so instantly.

When you lead him, he walks next to you like a shadow. When you go into his stall, he greets you with his ears pricked forward. He wants to be your partner. A disrespectful horse pins his ears at you, nips at you, shows you his heels and ignores you. He’s unsafe to be around and takes all the joy out of horse ownership.

We all know that we want our horse’s respect, but knowing how to go about getting it can be a challenge for some. Before attempting to earn your horse’s respect, it’s important that you understand what you’re asking for and how to go about getting it.

Respect and the Personal Hula Hoop Space Respect is broken up into two categories, a safety category and a learning category. When I refer to the safety category of respect I’m talking about the personal hula hoop space. The person-

8

May 2010

al hula hoop space is a 4 foot circle that surrounds you and serves as your safety zone.

Whenever I’m working with a horse, I always imagine that there’s a 4 foot circle drawn around me—almost like an invisible electric fence. Unless I invite the horse into my personal hula hoop space, he should keep a respectful safe distance from me. The horse should never come into the circle unless I invite him in.

Think about all the times people get hurt by horses. The horse bites them, kicks them, strikes at them, runs over the top of them, etc. Each time the horse was in the person’s personal hula hoop space. You can’t be injured if the horse is kept outside that circle. A horse can’t bite you if he is 4 feet away from you.

He can’t kick you if his hind leg doesn’t get any closer than 4 feet to you.

People think that it’s just a disrespectful horse that will hurt you, but that’s not true at all. A fearful horse will hurt you just as fast. Have you ever noticed that when you’re leading a horse that is nervous and frightened, when something scares him, he tries to jump on top of you? He pushes into you and invades your personal hula hoop space. He tries to jump in your top pocket doesn’t he? Because the horse is looking for us for safety, but unfortunately, we’re a lot more fragile and smaller than a horse. And eventually, we will get hurt. A fearful horse will hurt you just as fast as a disrespectful one will. I don’t care if my horse has a heart attack and gets scared; I just want him to do it outside of my personal hula hoop space.

The first part of respect is to teach the horse that you are fragile and that he needs to be careful around you. When a horse kicks another horse in the belly what does that horse do? He grunts, walks away, and starts eating grass again like nothing ever happened. It doesn’t really bother him. But, if we get kicked in the ribs by a horse, we’re in the hospital for a week with seven broken ribs. It’s the same kick, but it means a lot

more to us because we’re smaller creatures.

We’re 140 to 200 pounds and horses are 1000 to 1200 pounds. They’re a lot bigger than us. The safety part of respect is to say, ““Listen, take care of me. I’m pretty fragile, so you can’t be biting me and kicking me or playing rough around me.””

By Invitation Only The first rule of safety is: ““Don’t come into my personal hula hoop space unless I invite you in.” It’s kind of like how you want your neighbors to treat you. You might like your neighbors, but you never want them to just barge into your house. You always want them to walk up the door, knock and ask to come in. At that point, you can ask them to come in, but you always want the option to turn them away. You don’t want your horse to act like a nosey neighbor and barge into your space. When I first meet a horse it’s very important for me to establish my personal hula hoop space. If I can touch any part of the horse with my Handy Stick while my arm is stretched out, he is too close.

A lot of people reading this are saying, ““Does that mean I can’t love on my horse?””

Not at all. I’m just saying in the first few lessons until you have your horse’s respect, the safety category is taken care of, and you can back him up and move his feet, don’t have the horse come in close to you. When he’s in close and something bad happens, you’re going to come out on the wrong end of the stick.

Once you have the horse respectful, you want him to come up to you. I love my horses running up to me, but in the beginning they need to stay out of my personal hula hoop space until I know that I have them respectful. You can’t train the horse if you’re dead. You have to survive the experience first and train the horse second. I want myself to be safe, and I want my horse to be safe, but in that order—me first and the horse second.

Author’s note: A native Australian, Clinton Anderson began his quest to become the best horseman he could be by apprenticing under nationally acclaimed 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. To find out more about Clinton and how you can transform your horse into the partner you’ve always wanted, log onto www.downunderhorsemanship.com.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

www.horsedigests.com

Investing in the Older Horse Money Well Spent

by Dennis Auslam I have the opportunity and privilege of working with many novice horse owners. I have found, through the years, an impression among people new to the horse industry - that you can purchase a young horse and grow with it.

The truth, in most instances, is quite the opposite. The younger horse is often ultra-sensitive and has a lack of depth of training and experience. The novice horse owner is often nervous and/or fearful, plus may not understand the horses mentality or the correct ways of training the horse. This all results in telegraphing the nervousness or fearfulness directly to the horse with incorrect body language and then not knowing what to do to correct the situations that will arise.

Here is where the older horse enters the

picture. The older horse has the experience and depth of knowledge to help the new rider learn and stay much safer. They can be far more forgiving and in most instances are worth their weight in gold.

Though an older horse may have some slight physical issues, many of these issues can be dealt with through correct nutrition, supplements and shoeing. Today’s older horses are much healthier and have a far longer life span than in days past.

Many have received excellent care and have a number of years of riding left in them. Of course, you don’t want to buy a severely lame horse or old horse with a severe physical aliment, but just like us, they still enjoy what they do.

When taken care of an old horse can become practically new!

Think about this - when you need advice on something important are you going to go to someone young, with no life experience or are you going to go to someone with some age, with years of life experience? Whom would you have more confidence in?

The same thought pattern applies to the horse. They may have a few aches and pains, but they still like to work and enjoy life, it just maybe at a little slower pace.

I am pretty honest in telling people when I think they have the wrong horse. Not that I have always been right, but I take my profession seriously and feel that I have a

huge responsibility to the public to keep them safe. I know that at times I have upset people, but I want them to be matched up with the correct horse. I want to keep them safe and enjoying their horses and one of the biggest mistakes I see is the less skilled horse owner paired up with a young horse. If I don’t state my opinion I don’t sleep well at night.

I have seen to many instances where people have gotten seriously hurt or are so frustrated they quit. I have also had people who have listened when I have given this advice and are still riding today and enjoying their horses.

Having the right horse should be a well thought out and serious consideration and a newer horse owner may need help with finding the correct horse for their skill level. Many times a new horse owner doesn’t know what it is that they don’t know, so it is a wise individual that seeks council from a knowledgeable horse person that is trusted.

I am not trying to drum up business here, but I am happy to help an individual find the right horse. The first thing I do is have them come in so we can gage their ability, then we can help in the horse hunt. Though this may cost a little up front, it can save you from paying later - literally thousands. A trauma center visit is around $5000, a helicopter ride around $25,000, and that is if you survive. I am not trying to scare anyone here, but I have seen to many accidents that could have been avoided if the horse and rider had been paired up correctly or an older horse had been chosen.

I want people to take this very seriously.

Horses are wonderful, but the horse experience can be a disaster if you don’t have the correct horse and there is so much to consider. Even a good horse can get you into trouble, so unless you have the experience, an older horse is truly your safer choice.

If you already have purchased your horse and you are struggling you may have to part with that particlular horse and get a different horse. I know that this can be difficult to do, but as you ride safely down the trail, relaxed and comfortable, you will find that you have gotten over parting with the original horse and you are now in the horse world to stay.

Stay safe and have a great spring!

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 507-430-0342 or email him at redwoodstables@mvtvwireless.com - You check his clinic and event schedule by visiting his website at www.redwoodstables.com

10 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 11

www.horsedigests.com

Herd Behaviour

by Craig Cameron One thing you should realize is that horses expect discipline. That’s the way their society works.

Offending horses get swift kicks or bites from their superiors. When the skirmish is over, law and order in the herd are restored. That’s not to say that you should kick or in any way get rough with your horse, but realize that you might have to use firmness at the appropriate time.

Discipline in a way that creates respect. A sharp tug on the lead rope and a demand for the horse’s attention are more effective than severe punishment. Let the horse tell you how much or

require more firmness from you just to get his attention and respect.

Many people have problems with "herdbound" horses. You'll never meet a horse that isn't herd-bound in some way. That's natural for the species. If your horse doesn't have another horse to bond to, he might bond to you.

It's important when you work with your horse Like most prey animals, horses are herd that you give him a reason to find solace and animals. They travel in small bands for safety comfort with you like he would with other horses. and companionship. There’s safety in numbers If you don't spend enough time with your horse, if when predators lurk. But just as important is the he spends too much time with the herd or his fact that horses are social creatures, interacting buddies, naturally the bond with them will be with one another in a very strict and ordered stronger. society.

You change that by becoming the leader No matter how large or small the herd, horswhen you're with your horse. You should recoges develop a pecking order — a hierarchy or nize when your horse is in charge, caste system in which the entire herd when he takes over by ignoring operates. They work through leaderyou, by walking over you, by turning ship. They learn their places in the his rump to you, not giving you his pecking order and stay there until attention. You can't train a horse something changes. When one horse unless you have his attention. You'll gets crippled, sick, weak or leaves the have to earn his attention, his herd, then each horse moves up in the respect, his confidence, his trust. pecking order. There’s always a domiThese are things you can't make nant leader, a second-in-command happen. You do it spending time horse, a third, a fourth and so on down with the horse and working with him the line. correctly.

Submissive horses are very conThree Levels — Physical, tent to be low on the totem pole. It Emotional, Mental doesn’t bother them. It’s just not very Some horses are physically, important to them, it is important or emotionally and mentally very senmore instinctual for a dominant horse sitive and you can't change that. to be in charge.

Always remember that you're dealHorses learn from one another ing with a horse on all three levels.

Your horse might test your leadership skills to find out who’s and they’re incredible disciplinarians.

Most of us deal with horses physicalthe leader of the pack.

When two horses clash over food or ly — we handle them, we ride them; breeding rights, they might fight; and but we don't do a very good job dealwhile the squabble can be vicious at times, it’s typically over with quickly. Usually, one horse how little discipline he needs. Correction is good, ing with them mentally and emotionally.

By mentally, I mean the mind, which controls yields. The next time it comes time to feed or but encouragement is better.

Leader of the Pack the body, the legs and the feet. Your horse's legs breed, all the victor needs to do is pin his ears Horses are easier to teach than people, and feet are what he uses to flee and fight with. or turn his rump and the defeated horse will because they have no ego to deal with. The If you control his mind, you've probably got read the signs and give way.

In developing a relationship with your horse, horse doesn't care if you're the dominant one. He control of his body, as well as his legs and feet. If it would behoove you to mimic herd behavior in expects there to be a Number One. That's natu- you can't control his legs and feet, it's a pretty your own little herd of two. You can do so, not by ral for him. You won't bruise his ego or embarrass good indication that you don't have control of trying to work through pain or fear, but through him. He might test you. If he finds that he can his mind either. A horse that bucks or runs off is understanding. Sometimes to achieve under- walk over you, run you off, get you to yield, a good example of a horse whose mind isn't standing, like the aggressive horse above, you’ll then he'll do it. But if you assert yourself as the under the control of his rider.

You're also dealing with your horse's emohave to use discipline or firmness, but the dominant one, he'll think, "Yep, you're the leader; that suits me just fine." He'll know and accept his tions. He can get bothered, bored, scared, lessons should have positive effects.

Your discipline shouldn’t be the enemy of place in the pecking order. You didn't have to unsure, happy, troubled — all these things, and your horse’s enthusiasm. Don’t discipline in a scare him to create that respect. You just had to they all affect your relationship with your horse. way that creates fear. For example, whipping work with him like another horse would, within For instance, within the herd, when one horse a confused horse never accomplished the herd dynamics, in this case, within the herd spooks, they all usually spook. So if you jump at something, your horse might very well jump too. anything, except to justify your horse’s fear. He of two.

You can't change a horse's nature.

He might If you're not afraid, then your horse will take his didn’t understand what you wanted in the first place, and now all he knows is that he’s be naturally dominant or naturally submissive. cue from you. Your horse will sense if you're sure afraid of you. He’s convinced now that you’re You have to work with a horse the way he is. or unsure. Ultimately, you want your horse to the predator. Your aggressive actions proved Obviously, the way you'd deal with a dominant face his fears, not run away from them. personality is different than what you'd do with a You can order Craig’s book and DVD’s at that to him. submissive one. The dominant horse might www.CraigCameron.com

12 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Tintagel Enterprises, Ltd. Launches New Website To Feature Equine Models & Actors Long well known for highly trained, athletic, and beautiful horses, owner Sarah Hollis of Tintagel Enterprises, Ltd. has launched a new talent website to showcase the artistic gifts of her media trained horses. With an easy to use design for individuals, production companies, and agencies alike the new site provides a photo gallery and downloadable comp cards for each of the different horses that lists their statistics and skills.

With each horse’s display of Athleticism, breed and color Rarity, and unsurpassed Talent they have become nationally recognized Performance A.R.T. equine models and actors.

All Tintagel media performance horses are trained by Sarah Hollis at her Equestrian facility located in Westhampton, Massachusetts.

Through verbal cues and body language, the horses are taught to hold poses and offer expressions on cue. This enables the horses to perform tricks such as the Spanish walk, standing on pedestals, rearing, bowing, liberty work, and much more. The most important lesson the horses are taught is having safe behavior on set by learning to calmly and safely respond to any unfamiliar objects or situations they might encounter. Widely recognized for her equine media training expertise and the consistency of the horse’s performances, Tintagel has become renowned in the equine, fashion, and entertainment industries. Photographed by notables such as Annie Leibovitz and Steven Klein the Tintagel horses have graced the pages of fashion magazines such as Vogue, appeared in ad campaigns for designers such as Ralph Lauren and Loewe, as well as appearing in television commercials, the latest being for Morgan Stanley Bank. The Tintagel media horses can also be seen internationally in magazines and galleries from London to Sydney, Australia as well as being found on the pages of equine and fine art books across the world.

With such versatility and dependable consistency, Tintagel Enterprises, Ltd. is one of the few businesses that has specialized in media trained equine actors and models. To view who is currently available for commercial advertisement and editorial purposes please visit the new talent website at TintagelTalent.com a division of Tintagel Enterprises, Ltd. or for additional information please call 413-529-2413 or email to tintagel@comcast.net.

What is Saddle Up® for St. Jude?

Saddle Up for St Jude Event

Saddle Up for St. Jude is a fun, family-oriented fundraising event based around horseback riding that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Typically, a Saddle Up event consists of a trail ride, but it can also include horse shows and other equestrian events. Horse enthusiasts and the general public alike, have joined together to hold Saddle Up events across the country to help in the hospital’s fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. For a ride in you state visit www.stjude.org/saddleup

June 4-5, 2010 - Lost Valley Lake Resort Owensville, Mo Friday Night: Fun Horse Show 7pm • Saturday: Noon Trail Ride • 4pm Hog Roast and Auction Positive Spin Band for more info contact Paula at peakabuck@yahoo.com www.stjude.org/saddleup 314-606-9370 negative coggins • camping • t-shirts sponsor sheets • Paula K Buchheit-Dierkes Never sell your saddle, cause lifes a long,long ride! St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

photo credit - Jeff Anderson

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 13

www.horsedigests.com

Western Pleasure

Winning at Western Pleasure

Simple Steps to Improve Quality of Movement © 2010 by: Jennifer Lindgren

It doesn't matter whether you ride horses for competition or pleasure, every owner wants a sound, happy, willing partner for their mount. The more comfortable the horse, the better he can concentrate on his job and the more successful you will be at yours. But keeping a horse sound and healthy throughout the season can often be a difficult task. Have you ever slept on a bad mattress, worn uncomfortable shoes, or had stiff joints after sitting in the truck too long? How many days does it take you to recover after a big show? I am sure you become crabby, irritable and unfocused. Imagine how your horse must feel!

A sore horse is more than unproductive, he is costly. The endless hours you spend trying to

perfect your riding, racing, or trail skills are sure to take a toll on your partner.

There is nothing more disappointing than qualify for a major competition but your horse becomes too sore to be competitive. Do you scratch your entries, or push forward? It isn't uncommon to see liniments, specialty pads, magnetic therapy, joint supplements, ulcer medication, vitamins and pain killers at major competitions. If you compete, you probably have more money invested in maintaining your horse's comfort than your own.

Sometimes the key to improving movement and avoiding unsoundness is as simple as eliminating the cause of the problem. Even a small change in routine can result in big problems for your horse so it is expected that all the stresses of travel and competition will take a toll on his health and performance. Spend serious time locating both the source of your horse's discomfort and in making him comfortable with the inevitable stress of being on the road.

First examine his home environment. Is his stall completely level, matted, and deep with bedding? If your show horse spends 23 hours a day locked in a box, it better be comfortable.

Does he get an opportunity each day to stretch out and move naturally? Longeing is neither stretching nor natural. Horses need to run and move without restriction. How is the footing in your work arena? Do you provide proper leg support? Does your work saddle and pad fit properly? Is your horse shod properly and regularly? Do you sit square and centered when riding?

Next, write down all the changes that you force upon your horse while preparing for, transporting to, and attending a show. Do you tie him longer than normal to clip, wash and band? No wonder he is crabby and has a neck ache after being tied for 3 hours. Is he accustomed to wearing the blanket you put on? Does it restrict his shoulder movement? Do you wrap his legs for any other reason than trailering? Are you able to feed the same times and style as you do at home or does your horse have to be tied to a trailer all day, eating unnaturally from a hay bag?

At rated shows, the majority of his “walking” is now upon pavement or cement. The trek to the warm up and show arena doesn't help if he is walking on pavement. His stall floor is probably cement – ouch! There is no opportunity for free movement at all because there is limited space for longeing and warm-up. He is unable to release any stress or tension. The show saddle and pad that you save for special shows are tight and stiff and you are drilling him in his “show” bit.

His water tastes funny and there are lots of strange noises and smells that keep him from relaxing and sleeping at night. To add to that, you are sore, tired, crabby, hungry and nervous.

What to do? I take portable stall mats to every overnight show. I walk my horse on grass and dirt as much as possible. My show saddle and pad are limber and comfortable for both of us. The more grooming that can be done at home, the better. Show touch ups are done in the stall (except for hoof polish). Horses that are tied to trailers for single day competitions are also tied to trailers at home. Eating lunch daily from a hay bag on a trailer becomes routine and less stressful both physically and mentally.

Any physical therapy (liniment, massage, magnetic, wraps) has already been tried at home for effectiveness and reaction. Imagine buying a cure all liniment at a show only to have it bump and blister your halter horse's legs!

I allow for ample, free movement while warming up and cooling down with no headset, no backing, just stretching.

Some of you will read this and think that I am overly cautious and the pampering is unneccessary. Your horse has spent thousands of hours training to make your dreams come true. He doesn't want his mane banded, he doesn't want his feet polished, he doesn't want to wear a polka dot slinky. He deserves the pampering!

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

14 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

AMHA Partners with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) today announced a marketing partnership with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games that will launch April 6, 2010.

AMHA will be working with the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. to promote the 2010 Games by communicating ticket and hospitality opportunities to their membership.

The Association will then receive a portion of the proceeds generated by their membership through these efforts.

“We are very excited to announce this partnership with such a terrific organization as the American Morgan Horse Association,” said Terry Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Foundation. “This will allow their members to get involved in the 2010 Games and support their Association at the same time.”

“The Games will represent an unprecedented opportunity for our nation's multi-faceted equine industry to showcase itself in a variety of ways to spectators from around the globe," stated Julie Broadway, AMHA Executive Director.

"AMHA is delighted to work with Foundation to offer this promotion to our members.”

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan and the American Quarter Horse Association.

anniversary and they have some great things in store for exhibitors this year!

The show is giving away $50,000 in added cash as well as cash awards for high-point and reserve, $2,500 Ladies English Pleasure Championship for the UPHA Pink Ribbon class, and $250 qualifying classes with payouts to six places deep! All this plus a trip down memory lane, a golf tournament, and the Park Harness and Park Saddle Incentive Program.

This year's show will definitely have something for everyone!

The 50th Anniversary of the Morgan Gold Cup will take place June 15-19, 2010 in Springfield, Ohio.

For more information, go to www.morgangoldcup.com

To learn more and to order tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com/promo/irjypx.

For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com

Morgan Gold Cup Celebrates 50 Years in June!

For two years, the Gold Cup Board of Directors has been planning for their 50th

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 15

www.horsedigests.com

Western Pleasure

Grooming to Win

By Tommy Garland

Good grooming habits begin by paying close attention to your horses health & nutritional requirements. Having your horses teeth floated on a regular basis is crucial to their ability to chew & digest their food but it’s also important to remember that teeth that are too long and/or uneven can also affect your horses ability to properly hold the bit and respond to what you’re asking them to do.

Having your horse on a regular worming schedule is also a component of good grooming.

Parasites can not only affect how your horse feels, infestations can cause dull coats, hair loss, etc. so check with your vet or trainer and make sure your horse is on a regular worming schedule.

Your horse needs good quality hay and grain on a continual basis. Some people think you can only feed alfalfa hay and that’s not true. A good quality grass hay is perfectly acceptable. The important thing to remember is that both hay and grain should be clean and free from mold and mildew.

Now let’s get into the nuts and bolts of grooming. I groom all my horses daily and I follow this regimen: Step One: Use a small rubber curry and curry them from head to toe on both sides to knock loose any hair, dirt and debris. The small rubber curry will also stimulate your horses’ skin and bring the oil to the top of their coat.

Step Two: After you’ve used the curry you should use a hard brush with stiffer bristles and brush your horse from head to toe on both sides to remove dust, dirt, loose hair and debris.

Step Three: Soft brush your horse from head to toe on both sides.

Step Four: Use a towel (preferably clean) and rub down your horse to remove any residual loose dirt, dust and/or debris.

Step Five: If you don’t already own one, invest in a full-body slinky and leave it on your horse all day long. The slinky will keep the dirt off, keep the coat laying down and it will bring the oil up and give your horse a shiny coat. Slinkys,

16 May 2010

as a general rule are lightweight and they breath well so typically you can leave them on, even in hot, muggy weather however use common sense.

Watch your horse on hot, humid days especially and if your horse is obviously sweating and uncomfortable, remove the slinky.

Step Six: Bathe your horse with a good quality shampoo but don’t wash them with soap every day. Soap can have a tendency to dry your horse’s coat and skin if used on a daily basis, I also suggest conditioning your horses tail, mane and entire body after you’ve shampooed. If you’re working your horse and he/she gets sweaty, you can certainly rinse him off without using soap.

Step Seven – Tails: We prefer to pick through the tail hairs with our fingers first. This helps remove snags and once the snags are out, we may follow with a gentle brushing. Brushing can pull out tail hair and cause breakage so a gentle approach is always best. I only use tail bags with my horses as they are larger and it gives the tail breathing room, which I think is essential in maintaining a healthy tail.

We do braid our horses tails and I actually have a video showing step-by-step the procedures I suggest, on my website.

Basically I begin by separating the long hairs out and I do not include them in the braid. Begin your braid just below where the tailbone begins and braid as far down as you can. Use a small rubber band to secure the braid at the bottom.

Place the tail in the tail bag and secure by running the tail bag handle through the area right above where your braid begins.

Step Eight – Braiding Manes: How do you know if you should or should not braid your horse’s mane? My rule of thumb….if you braid your horses mane and the hair breaks off OR if there are excess, short hairs coming out of the braid after the braiding is done….stop braiding! Anything that causes mane or tail hair to break should be avoided and that includes braiding.

Step Nine - Body Clipping: A lot of people ask if I body clip my horses and the answer is…..Yes and No. It’s a confusing answer so let me explain: I never body clip a colored horse because I don’t think you ever get the same kind of shiny coat after body clipping. I prefer to put them under lights and clip/trim long hairs on their face, legs, etc., as needed.

I DO body clip grey horses however because their hair is thicker and coarser. Once I’ve bodyclipped a grey horse, I will put some baby oil or olive oil in warm water and I’ll sponge them off, several times a day for a couple of days.This process helps put oil back in their skin and will help them have a shiny coat.

When I body clip, I begin by using a 40 blade on their muzzle, ears and bridle path. I also clip long lashes under and over their eyes.

I use a 10 blade to keep my horses heads clipped out, clip around the coronet bands and for a horse with dark legs; I’ll clip any long hairs around their legs. For horses with white legs/socks, I’ll clip out their white socks.

Bridle paths are clipped and determined by breed and preference and there is no standard rule on how long or short your bridle path should be. If you’re in doubt, consult a reputable trainer or your breed association for additional information.

After clipping, if you have access to a vacuum system, rub it on your horses’ body like a curry to remove excess, loose hair. I personally use the Laube iVac for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it can be attached to a vacuum system and the hair can be suctioned away while you’re clipping. A little side-note: there is an illness called “Barbers Lung” that is causing a number of wide-spread, health related issues throughout the United States. The State of California for instance is considering legislation that would require groomers to utilize clippers that clip and suction away hair simultaneously to prevent this illness.

I prefer using Laube Clippers for a variety of reasons: they are incredibly reliable and durable, their blades oscillate giving a closer, cleaner cut, they’re lightweight and easy to handle and they utilize a spring-clip blade. I could go on and on but you need to see and use these clippers to really understand just how good they are!

I’ve used hundreds of clippers in my lifetime and Laube Clippers are the best, without question.

Laube has been in the Clipper business for well over 30 years and they have a wealth of experience in the clipper industry. Their commitment to innovation and quality is second to none and I’m proud to have the opportunity to partner with them.

Step Ten: Hoof Conditioner/Dressing: I apply a hoof dressing to my horses’ feet each day as I think it’s a key ingredient in promoting and maintaining healthy feet. You could do this every other day if you’d like, as long as you do it on a regular basis.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Good grooming habits are essential whether you’re on the trail, in the show ring or working with your horse in your own backyard. I’ve outlined some of the basics in this article and if you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact me at info@tommygarland.com or visit my website (www.tommygarland.com) for additional videos and tips on proper grooming techniques.

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 Arabians and HalfArabians but Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, Paints and Mules as well. His techniques have been universally accepted, respected and utilized by horse owners of all breeds & disciplines.

Tommy had a very popular TV show, “CPR For The Horse & Rider” on RFD TV for a number of years and he Tommy regularly participates at clinics, expos and other equestrian events throughout the United States, Canada and Brazil. Tommy is a regular contributor to several popular equine publications and his online clinics and training DVD’s are valuable resources for any who loves horses!

Tommy resides in Virginia with his wife Dawn and children, Samantha, Katie and TBird (Tommy Jr.). For additional information Tommy’s products, training aids and DVDs and clinic and expo schedule, please visit www.tommygarland.com or email us at info@tommygarland.com.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 17

www.horsedigests.com

B is for Balance Part 2 by Tracy Porter

order thru all phases: C, K, E, H, A, M, B and F. Later you will go counter clockwise, but as in the other 2 exercises, these explanations are only for traveling clockwise!

Want your horse to be in balance? Of course you do! Last time we discussed our balance and how to find it. Now, let’s explore a way to help our horse find his balance!

I have found that no two horses ever ride or train the exact same way. Why should they? I don’t think there are two of me, which I am sure makes a lot of people happy, namely my family!

Even though each horse is an individual I find that I have a favorite exercise that helps them find balance in our ride. It combines gait transitions and directional changes. The horse that is in balance is also a horse that is soft, calm and relaxed! Those are great qualities to a happy well trained horse.

The neat thing about a dressage arena is there are letters that help you have specific reference points in an arena. But you can achieve the same results with objects or colored tape. At first using these reference points will

starting at letter C. EXERCISE 1 Start riding clockwise at C. Ride the rail around the corner at K to E. At E, make a nice round circle (or you can think of it as a loop) passing thru X and back to E. Repeat at H, A, M, B, F, C and K. Do both directions. This pattern can be done at a walk, trot and canter. It will help slow your horse’s speed.

EXERCISE 2 Starting clockwise at C. At K ride toward X and then back to H, again at M, ride to X and then back to F. You can increase the number of serpentine loops as well as making them full arena.

The important part is to have a specific path you are riding to. If you want to make more serpentine loops, use a halfway mark between the wall and the middle line (A & C), come off before K, at K is your half way mark, where you will return back toward the wall at a point between E and K. Then your next halfway mark will be between E and X, returning to a halfway mark between H and E. You can also ride the width of the arena in a pattern like ribbon candy. Ride from C to K, at K ride back so you are turning toward B at F. At B, ride toward but hit the wall half way between K and E. Riding past E, come off the wall toward B, but aim for the halfway point between B and M, then ride around past A, coming off at H, ride toward A, back around toward M, coming off at M

Phase 1 You are first going to make circles (or loops) at K, H, A, M, F and C, just like you did in Exercise 1 (lets call these clockwise loops for easier understanding). At E and B you will be making counterclockwise loops. When you do the letters in order around the arena, you will find you will be alternating at times between clockwise and counterclockwise loops!

Phase 2 You will make counterclockwise loops at K, H, M and F. You will make clockwise loops at E, A, B and C. It is essentially the same as phase 1, just adding in more complicated loops at A and C. Phase 3 You will do the same as Phase 2 except you will make counterclockwise loops at K, H, M and F. Clockwise loops at C, E, A and B. These exercises will help your balance, you just have to put your nose to the grind stone and practice them! If you need personal lessons or training please contact me.

If you would like to see Caz and my special ride “The Little Paso Fino Stallion with the Huge Heart”, please Facebook me at Tracy@TracyPorter.net. You can see all our videos there in addition to this special one.

Life is too short to keep trading horses. If you find a horse you like, but have a few issues, instead of looking for a new horse and falling in

give you, the reader, an idea of the pattern I am following. Later, when you practice on your own, you will find that they will also be a visual for how close you and your horse are working together. For instance, if you pick a certain target to turn and reverse, but your horse takes 6 strides past it before you can turn him, and when you do it takes over half the arena, then as you practice you will find your horse turning better and becoming more specific to your request. You might find the opposite, that he turns too quick and sharp, so your goal might be to have softer rounder turns. No matter what your horse is doing, he will improve a lot even if the only thing you do is try to become more specific.

Note: all the exercises are explained as if you are tracking in the arena in a clockwise direction

and riding toward H but hitting the wall between H and E, then riding across the arena to the point between M and B. These exercises help you think about where you are riding and require you to have to plan ahead! They also will start to help your horse improve his balance by changing directions. He will start to respond softer to your steering as well as level out and find his own balance as he realizes that you are not always going the same direction and he is having to turn both to the right and to the left. He will also become steadier as he is able to make the changes of directions in much smaller spaces. This will help you be ready for Exercise 3!

EXERCISE 3 You will go thru each letter in the arena in this

the same rut…why not look into where your communication is failing? Learn how to create a successful life long partnership with your horse!

You will find a new found freedom when you and your horse are speaking the same language!

If you have any questions on training you and your horse and you would like to be a part of a clinic or perhaps you would like to board your horse and become involved with ongoing lessons and training opportunities, please call 608-8685432. or visit www.Tracy-Porter.net.

I’d love to help you and your horse be the best of friends and have and enjoy the same relationship that I do with mine! Until next time, may you always…Ride Straight!

18 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

SWANA Launches First Online Marebook

Emergency Equine Assistance

SWANA has unveiled a beta version of the first online Marebook among North American warmblood registries. The Online Marebook lists every mare in SWANAs North American Marebook, past and present, from Premium B to Elite mares. Each mare listing includes the mares four-generation pedigree, current status, owner contact information, and a list of her known offspring.

This is a great tool for anyone looking to learn more about mare lines, and is free for anyone to explore its not limited to SWANA members only.

This project is currently in its infancy, and is considered a beta version. As the project develops, photographs of the mares will be available, and people will be able to click through horses in the mares pedigrees as well as their offspring, to learn more information about those horses, their pedigrees, and their accomplishments as well.

Visit www.swanaoffice.org/Studbook/Mares.aspx to explore the Online Marebook. About SWANA: SWANA is the official Swedish Warmblood registry of North America and operates with the full support and authority of ASVH, the Swedish Warmblood Association in Sweden. Contact: Carol Reid, Director SWANA 575-835-1318 http://www.swanaoffice.org

A new emergency service is being launched for people travelling with their horses.

Free to join, this is a network of equestrian people who are prepared to “come to the rescue” for other members stranded with their horses.

Vice-versa, equestrian people can now access a network of people to call upon for assistance when they are out and about with their horses and run into trouble.

Equestrian people have, until now, not had a road-side assistance or call-out network for when they find themselves stranded, either by the roadside, or at a venue away from home.

Whether it’s a flat battery, flat tyre, or needing a fellow member to collect their horses from the roadside, now there is a support network to take the stress out of travelling.

The websites are Canada> http://sites.google.com/site/eeacanada/ USA > http://sites.google.com/site/eeausa1/ Membership is easy – simply complete a brief form online. Each month, an updated list for each state will be distributed.

For more information, please visit the website, or email Maryanne.online@gmail.com

Recognition for Anglo-Arabians in 2010 The North American Anglo-Arabian Horse Association (NAAAHA) will again be honoring Anglo-Arabian horses competing at Youth Nationals and Sport Horse Nationals in 2010.

The top winning Anglos in all classes at each show will be awarded an embroidered cooler and neck ribbon, with a gold trophy also going to the Supreme Champions.

NAAAHA is again conducting their High Point Award Program for Anglo-Arabians that compete in Working Hunter, Jumper, Eventing., Dressage, Sport Horse, Conformation, Endurance and Competitive Trail. All shows/rides whether rated or unrated will count towards these awards.

Points are retroactive from 12/1/09. Details are posted on the website. Membership is required to participate.

Sponsorships of these awards are available and are tax-deductible, as NAAAHA is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Current sponsors include Anglo-Arabians.com, Miranda Kuchera, Starstruck Farms, Greenbriar Farm, Herbst Farms and Bayview Farm.

Anglo-Arabians are the third oldest breed in the world, having been bred in France as far back as the early 1800’s. The breed is comprised of a combination of Thoroughbred and Arabian blood, requiring no more than 75% Thoroughbred and no less than 25% Arabian to be registered. AngloArabians are highly respected worldwide as exceptional athletes, especially in the Olympic disciplines, and are ranked third in the world in the sport of Eventing.

You can visit NAAAHA’s website, www.NAAAHA.com for more information, or call (410) 823-5579.

UHC's "Own Responsibly" Brochures Now Available The Unwanted Horse Coalition announces the release of its updated Own Responsibly: The Problem of the Unwanted Horse brochure.

The Own Responsibly brochure details important aspects of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, such as its key mission to educate horse owners about owning and breeding responsibly. The goals of the coalition are also listed within the brochure, with the vital objectives being to 1) Raise awareness of the issue and its consequences, 2) reduce the number of unwanted horses and work towards eliminating the problem, 3) Facilitate the exchange of information on adoption, care and alternative careers, and lastly 4) Provide information on life ending decisions for equines such as euthanasia and disposal.

“We have updated the brochure to reflect the growth the coalition has experienced, with new members and important new resources and materials,” said Tom Lenz, chairman of the UHC. The brochure contains valuable information on owning responsibly, the problem of the unwanted horse, and facts regarding the Unwanted Horse Coalition. It also includes a section of recent resources and materials, which are available for public use. All material included in the brochure is pertinent information for horse owners and breeders, as well as organizations and associations.

This third installment of the Unwanted Horse

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Coalition Brochure, Own Responsibly: The Problem of the Unwanted Horse can be found on the UHC website at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org. Limited hard copies can be requested by contacting UHC director, Ericka Caslin at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or by calling 202-2964031.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition The mission of the Unwanted Horse Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care and disposition of these horses. The UHC grew out of the Unwanted Horse Summit, which was organized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and held in conjunction with the American Horse Council’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in April 2005. The summit was held to bring key stakeholders together to start a dialogue on the unwanted horse in America. Its purpose was to develop consensus on the most effective way to work together to address the issue. In June 2006, the UHC was folded into the AHC and now operates under its auspices.

Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.

Introduces Welactin® Equine Fish Oil Supplement Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Supports Overall Equine Wellness Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., the makers of Cosequin® Equine Products, announces the launch of Welactin® Equine, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement formulated to support overall wellness in horses. Welactin Equine is a rich source of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), derived from salmon and other cold water fish. Available in a 32 oz tip and measure bottle, the tasty peppermint-flavored Welactin Equine is molecularly distilled for quality, purity and safety.

“Horse owners know the benefits of taking omega-3 fatty acids for their own health and are looking for a quality fish oil supplement for their horses,” commented Tara Cullen, equine product manager at Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. “We are proud to offer veterinarians and horse owners a superior product to help maintain overall equine wellness.”

For more information about Welactin Equine, contact Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. at 800-9255187 or visit WelactinEquine.com.

About Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.: Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. develops nutritional supplements for horses and small animals to help improve their quality of life. Cosequin® is the #1 veterinarian-recommended joint health supplement brand.* Proviable®-EQ is a digestive aid that encourages normal gastrointestinal function and health, and Welactin® Equine is an omega-3 fish oil supplement. To learn more, contact Nutramax Laboratories at 800-925-5187 or visit nutramaxlabs.com, *Source: Surveys conducted in the Fall of 2002, March 2004, and September 2007 of equine veterinarians who recommended oral joint health supplements.

May 2010 19

English/Dressage

www.horsedigests.com Be the Rider Your Horse Deserves

Golden Rules of Ground Training,

“Ground Manners –

Handling Your Horse’s Feet” PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING‘ “Good manners matter!”

by Lynn Palm

20 May 2010

Your mother may have told you this countless times and guess what…she’s right.

The fact is manners are also important when it comes to horses. Our horses must have the good manners to allow us to safely and effectively work with them for daily grooming and health care maintenance. Good manners come through proper training and taking the time it requires.

With proper ground manners, routine grooming procedures can be safe and pleasurable for both you and your horse. You should introduce these lessons to young

horses as part of their basic ground training, and to older horses whose ground manners may need some re-schooling. Introduce these lessons in a safe, confined area such as the horse’s stall or barn aisle way. Your horse should be outfitted with a well fitting halter and a longe line or lead rope.

Picking Up Your Horse’s Feet A horse must willingly let us pick up each of his feet for daily hoof care and routine blacksmith work. This is a good lesson to introduce in a stall and it can be easily be incorporated into your basic ground training sessions.

Use the “come to me” command to position your horse so that his right side is alongside the stall wall. This will give you an advantage to keep him straight and give you an extra measure of control.

Stand parallel to your horse on his near (left) side facing his hindquarters. Hold the longe or lead in your left hand and maintain a loose contact throughout the maneuver, but keep his head straight. If he swings his head toward you, use your left hand on the side of his head to gently push it back into alignment.

Start by stroking your horse’s neck with your right hand. As he accepts your touch, extend your stroke to his shoulder, then down his left front leg. Keep your body parallel to your horse and bend at the waist as you extend your touch.

Your knees should be slightly bent to protect your back and help you move with your horse.

Gently push your left shoulder into his left shoulder to help him release the weight off his foreleg. Keep your touch on his leg, moving your hand down his leg. As he releases his weight, gently but firmly hold his leg between his pastern (located just below the fetlock joint which similar to our ankle) and his coronet band (the top of his hoof) to support his leg as he lifts his foot. Your contact on his shoulder and leg will help him to balance.

He may be unsteady when you first introduce this lesson. If he is, be ready to move with him.

Hold his foot up for only a moment or so, then gently replace it on the ground. Keep your touch on his leg as you relax your support at his shoulder. Continue stroking him from his lower leg back up to his shoulder as you praise him.

Picking up the hind leg is a little more challenging because you still need to keep your horse straight even though you will be positioned further away from his head. Be precise in your position and aware of his reactions to stay safe in case he kicks.

Stand facing your horse’s hindquarters with

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

the lead in your left hand. Make sure you are positioned parallel to his hind leg. This is a safe zone. If you are too far forward, the horse can “cow kick” towards you with a forward kick. If you are too far back, the horse can get you off balance or kick backwards. Keep your eye on the horse at all times to evaluate his reactions.

Start by stroking him with your right hand along his back, on his barrel, under his belly, to his hip. When he accepts this contact, continue stroking him over his rump and down the back of his hind leg to just above his hind fetlock joint.

Be careful not to unknowingly tighten the tension on the lead or pull his head toward you as you reach with your right hand to stroke his hindquarters. Extend your left hand towards his head to keep the lead line loose.

Push your left shoulder against his hip to support him and encourage him to release his weight off his hind leg. Extend your touch and run your hand down his leg and gently, but firmly grasp it just above the fetlock joint as your horse lifts his leg. If your horse reacts by moving his hind leg more than you’ve asked for, move with him. Keep your contact as you lower his foot back to the ground. Stroke him back up his hind leg, to his rump, up to his back as you praise him.

Repeat the entire lesson on your horse’s off (right) side. Remember to change your horse’s position so his left side is against the stall wall.

These tips will make it easier to teach your horse to pick up his feet: •Keep your horse positioned straight so he can stay balanced •Keep his lifted leg underneath his body •Keep your touch on the horse even if he pulls away or resists. If you keep your touch, the lesson will improve each time you practice. If you release the touch, your horse will learn that he can avoid what you are asking.

A horse who has mastered this lesson will be well mannered for daily hoof care. This is especially important because it teaches the horse to stay relaxed, which will allow the blacksmith to do his work.

Teaching your horse basic training lessons is covered in “Advancing Basic Training”, the second tape in my 6-part Longevity Video Series.

Learn how to build a partnership with your horse from the ground up with Palm Partnership Training?. Ground training is covered in detail in my Longevity Training Series, and each maneuver is demonstrated with several young horses. You can order this series and other helpful training products at www.lynnpalm.com or by calling 800-5032824.

STRAIT From Texas

Hangin our with George Imagine some of the greatest team ropers in the world at the most prestigious Open Team Roping competition in the country. I was lucky enough to be there. The event was The 28th Annual George Strait Team Roping Classic took place Friday and Saturday, March 12 & 13 2010 at The San Antonio Rose Palace, Boerne, Texas.

All competitors hoped for a chance to each win over $80,000 in cash, Custom painted 2010 Chevy duallies, matched with Bruton trailers, Twister saddles, Resistol roping bags, Gist buckles and Wrangler jackets. With nearly 470

by Teresa Hanson teams, enthusiasm and excitement was at its peak.

Friday’s roping rounds determined Saturday’s finalists. Saturday started with a traditional prayer and national anthem, which seemed so routine until the “Great Strait” rode out. He graciously thanked all the sponsors for the event, then wasted no time in riding the entire perimeter of the arena, shaking hands with everyone, saying “Good mornin’, thanks for commin’”. Yep! I got to shake George Strait’s hand and say good morning’.

After two full days of hard core serious roping and muscled up horses giving their all, the Grand Champions were Coleman Proctor and Jake Long. The two have been best friends since toddlers and roped together since young kids. This was the moment of a life time they had dreamed of. The cowboys threw their hats high in the air and rode gloriously to the end of the arena where they would be greeted and congratulated by George. The rest of the day consisted of mega photos with the winners, Mr. & Mrs. Strait, and a number of others involved in making the event come together.

If you imagine George Strait as being a super laid-back, super cool guy, you’re right. He was present during the entire two day event, and he is just as good a guy in person as he is up on stage.

NEW PRODUCT Horse Fly Net Introduces The Magic Mat

TM

TM

The Magic Mat™ will be a special addition to any trailer for those days of showing and relaxing with friends and for trailriders to picnic after a long ride.

This American made mat is: * Attractive * Tough * Will not kill the grass as it allows air and light to pass through the material * Easy to roll up and throw in the trailer when storing * 8 Feet x 10 Feet with grommets every 2 feet for anchoring The Magic Mat ™ is reasonably priced at $65.00 plus shipping.-Horse Fly Net, LLC info@horseflynet.com, www.horseflynet.com 434-973-0121

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 21

www.horsedigests.com

Tick, Tick, Tick, TICK! The Truth About Lyme Disease

by Martie Jacobson Lyme Disease is the fastest growing epidemic in the world today and is much easier to treat when treated early. According to some experts, current testing for Lyme Disease misses 44 – 56% of all patients tested, which means that approximately one half of all patients with active Lyme Disease receive false negative test results.

There are also cases of false positives, too, depending upon the “bands” which test positive for Lyme. That’s a bit too technical to get into, but it does happen, so folks can be treated for Lyme without actually having it, which can be a problem, too. Because of this, a diagnosis of Lyme Disease relies heavily upon clinical diagnosis.

The International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS) reports that only 50% to 60% of patients recall a tick bite, the target rash is reported in only 35% to 60% and joint swelling typically occurs in only 20% to 30% of patients.

ILADS identifies itself as a nonprofit, international, multidisciplinary medical society, dedicated to the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of Lyme and its associated diseases. ILADS promotes understanding of tick-borne diseases through research and education and strongly supports physicians and other health care professionals dedicated to advancing the standard of care for Lyme and its associated diseases.

Top Ten Tips to Prevent Chronic or Late Stage Lyme Disease as published, in part, by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.

Know that Lyme Disease is a nationwide problem. Ticks known to carry Lyme Disease have been identified in all 50 states and worldwide. It is not just the deer tick which carries Lyme and related diseases. Ticks are found wherever there is grass or vegetation. Spraying one’s clothes with DEET and Permethrin-containing insecticides (Permethrin is the key ingredient for repelling and killing ticks,) wearing long sleeves and long pants and tucking pants into socks continue to be the best ways to avoid ticks attaching to the skin. Always do a full body check after spending time outdoors.

Check your tick facts. Ticks can vary in size from poppy-seed size nymphal (baby) ticks to sesame-seed size adult ticks and can carry other infectious agents including Erlichia, Babesia and Bartonella. Lyme Disease can be difficult if that’s all you have, but even more difficult to treat if these other infections and they’re not treated at the same time.

Show your doctor every rash. The bull’s eye rash is the most common but there are many types of rashes associated with Lyme Disease which can be mistaken for spider bites or skin infections. Take photos and see your doctor before the rash fades.

Don’t assume that you can’t have Lyme Disease if you don’t have a rash. Lyme Disease is difficult to diagnose without a rash, Bell’s palsy, arthritis, or meningitis but you can still have Lyme and not have any of those symptoms. Many patients experience fatigue, headaches, irritability, anxiety, crying, sleep disturbance, poor mem-

22 May 2010

ory and concentration, chest pain, palpitations, lightheadedness, joint pain, numbness and tingling.

Do NOT rely upon test results only.

Currently, there is no 100% reliable test to determine if someone has contracted Lyme Disease or is cured of it. Physicans MUST consider a patient’s symptoms, health history and exposure risks. Doctors experienced in recognizing Lyme Disease will treat when typical symptoms are present, even without a positive test, in an attempt to prevent the development of chronic or Late Stage Lyme Disease.

Be aware of similar conditions. Chronic Lyme Disease is called the “great imitator” of our time because it is often misdiagnosed as other conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or anxiety. Ask your doctor to thoroughly evaluate you for Lyme Disease, even if your tests are negative.

“Wait and See” approach to treatment may be risky. Up to 50% of ticks in Lyme-endemic areas are infected with Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. With odds like that, if you have high suspicion that you’ve been bitten by a tick, waiting to treat the disease has risks. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure with this disease.

Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. It is worth getting a second or third opinion if you are symptomatic and your doctor advises not to treat, or symptoms recur or persist after treatment.

One symptom, perhaps a swollen knee, may not be seen as one part of a much bigger condition.

Know your treatment options. Work with your doctor not only in identifying and treating Lyme, but also to make sure that you don’t have something else.

Expect success. You should expect to get better. Do not accept the “watch and wait” practice of stopping antibiotic treatment before you are well and then waiting for symptoms to clear of their own accord.

Finding a “Lyme literate” doctor anywhere may prove to be difficult. This is due, in part, because some doctors do not believe in longterm antibiotic therapy. However, that makes no sense to this author when that belief is in direct conflict with typical, long-term antibiotic treatment of other diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB.) Treatment for TB can go on for two or more years and is proven to work. HIV requires life-long treatment. Even chronic acne can require years of antibiotic treatment but acne doesn’t kill you like some of the very serious, above referenced diseases do. There are well documented cases of long-term antibiotic treatment working very well.

Ask any Late Stage Lyme Disease patient which of two choices are preferable ... endure the debilitating symptoms of Late Stage Lyme Disease, which can lead to multi-system involvement and even death, or undergo long-term antibiotic therapy which, more often than not, goes unpaid by insurance and can cost the patient six figure amounts in some of the most difficult cases. Many families are financially

(Part 2) destroyed while trying to pay for treatment of this disease, yet they do choose treatment when faced with seizures, dementia, immobility, feeding tubes, loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of balance, and basically, loss of a normal life for themselves and for those who love them.

In summary, if you have ANY reason to believe you’ve been bitten by a tick of any kind, seek medical attention immediately. Anyone can get Lyme Disease. This author’s 87 year old mother-in-law was diagnosed with Lyme last year and the only outdoor activity in which she participates is to water her flowers daily. Those of us who spend the greater portion of our time trail riding, walking through pastures, camping, hiking, walking our dogs or hunting are at MUCH greater risk than those who do not.

Next month, part three of this series will address prevention and treatment of Lyme and associated diseases in small and large animals.

The following organizations were listed in Part 1 of this series for your reference and are listed again below. All of them offer tremendous information in the form of articles, pamphlets, books, testimonials and videos as well as providing help in finding a Lyme literate doctor should you need one.

The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society: www.ilads.org Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group: www.mlasg.com This is a statewide group which meets the second Tuesday of every month.

Lyme Disease Association: www.lymediseaseassociation.org Lyme Info: www.lymeinfo.net Minnesota Online Lyme Support: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/minnesotalyme May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. You are encouraged to hang “Lyme” green ribbons from your trees, homes and businesses and to also wear awareness ribbons to help create awareness of Lyme Disease. A walkrun will be held May 22nd in Forest Lake, MN. For more information or to participate, please go to www.mlasg.com The award winning film, “Under Our Skin,” will be at the Sawmill Inn in Grand Rapids, MN in April 27th and May 3rd. Please call 218-2440286 for information or to schedule your own community viewing of the film. Under Our Skin is a sobering eye-opener. A Lyme Disease support group, affiliated with the Minnesota Lyme Disease Advocacy and Support Group, has been created to service Northern Minnesota and meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Sawmill Inn. Martie Jacobson is a free-lance writer whose 30 year old daughter is bed-ridden with Late Stage Lyme Disease. To read Elizabeth’s story and for access to informational links go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethfadling.

Martie may be reached at mlj@2z.net. She wishes to acknowledge and thank all of the above listed resources for information included within this article.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 23

Performance Horses

www.horsedigests.com

From Sour to Sweet -

Fixing the Barn, Gate, or Buddy Sour Horse be the most convenient. However, they are sim- and begins to nip it in the bud before it becomes ple and can go a long way in balancing out your a serious issue. Paying attention and taking a lithorse. tle extra time can turn your sour horse back into Don’t make a habit of riding out the arena something sweet. gate and going directly to the barn after a workRichard Winters Horsemanship Biography out. At the end of your training session, ride to the For nearly three decades Richard has dedifar end of the arena, stop, dismount, loosen your cated himself to honing his horsemanship skills cinch, and lead your horse back to the barn. and to passing this knowledge onto others. His If your arena has more than one gate, exit vast experience includes starting literally hunfrom a different gate than which you entered. dreds of horses that have gone onto almost every When completing a ride, continue to ride past equine discipline imaginable. where you would normally dismount and unsadRichard’s credentials include World dle. Keep riding well past that area and then dis- Championship titles in the National Reined mount and lead your horse back.

Cow Horse horse speeds up when Association along Performance Horsemanship goingIf your toward the gate, trot multiwith being an A ple figure-eights in front of the rated judge. In 2007 with Richard Winters gate and then trot to the other end Richard was named champion of the Have you ever found yourself in one of of the arena. Now, stop and rest West Coast Equine the following real life scenarios? You and your there for a few moments.

If your horse is resistant to Experience husband have paid good money to ride in a “$10,000 Colt clinic and both horses get frantic every time leaving the barn area, begin a Starting Challenge.” you attempt to ride in opposite directions. You’re training session right there. Trot He was also preriding in an arena and every time you start around the barn, trailers, and hitching rail and then sented with the back toward the walk out away from 2007 Monty gate your horse the barn quietly. If Roberts Equitarian speeds up. You Being at the other end of the arena is Award for outstandyou encounter resistare out on a long where my horse gets to rest. ance, trot more circles ing achievements in trail ride and as around the barnyard Horse/Human relasoon as you and walk away again. When your tionships. Richard was also honored to be named turn back toward horse leaves the barn area willingly, champion in the 2009 Road to the Horse - Colt home, your horse ride out a ways and then dismount Starting Challenge in Nashville, TN. In July of becomes excited and walk your horse 2009 Richard won and jigs all the back to the barnyard. the Super Cow way back to the When schooling, Horse competition barn. You want to at a horse show, in Santa Ynez, CA. ride out from the allow your horse to Most recently he barn and go for stop, rest, and relax competed in Road a leisurely trail Being at the gate is a lot of work. at the farthest point to the Horse 2010. ride but encounter from the gate that he Much of a horse that will not Richard’s work has go forward and is attempting to rear, whirl, and gravitates towards.

When your horse starts lookbeen accomrun back to the barn. Maybe you have asked plished through the your reining horse to do a run-down through ing for his stable mate, head right numerous clinics the center of the arena but rather than run in a over to his pal and trot about a he conducts straight line, it feels like there is a magnet dozen tight circles around him and around the country. pulling your horse off the line and toward the then take off and rest somewhere He also enjoys Leading my horse out of the arena, gate. Barn sour, gate sour, or buddy sour. No else. Repeat this as often as necessary.

After a while your horse being a guest prematter the label, it’s no fun! Let’s talk about rather than riding out, will keep senter at various what causes these behaviors and see if we can won’t be so inclined to want to be him more balanced. with his buddy.

Horse Expo’s. try to counteract them.

I imagine that you’re getting the Richard, along Horses are creatures of habit and they quickly pick up on routines. They soon realize idea! As with any training scenario, you simply with his wife Cheryl, reside in Ojai, California, at where they experience discomfort and where make the right thing easy and the wrong thing dif- the historic Thacher School where he currently they can be comfortable. They understand that ficult. If your horse wants to go to the gate, make serves as artist-in-residence. You can view the arena means work and that the gate leads him work at the gate. If he won’t leave the barn- Richard Winters Horsemanship programming on back to comfort. A horse learns quickly that head- yard, make your horse work at the barnyard. Rest Dish Network Channel 9411 on Sunday’s and ing back home from a trail ride means that work where your horse thinks he should be working Wednesday’s at 6:00 P. M. (PST). For more inforwill soon be over. Of course, they’re right! We and work where your horse would generally rest. mation about Richard Winters Horsemanship subconsciously train them to understand where Whenever I feel “magnets” drawing my horse to please go to www.wintersranch.com.

See the accompaning video in the online they have to work and where they can rest. The a certain spot – I begin using reverse psychology following suggested training tips will probably not to reprogram my horse and get him mentally bal- version of Midwest Horse Digest at anced. A conscientious rider feels these things www.horsedigests.com

24 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Hyalogic SUPPORTS NRHA INSIDE REINING The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is excited to announce that its signature television show NRHA “Inside Reining” will be brought to you, in part, by Hyalogic’s HyalunPro for the 2010 season. Hyalogic’s 52-week commitment ensures that reiners can catch the action each week on In Country TV. Hyalogic is considered a pioneer in the field of oral hyaluronic acid for joint support in animals and humans. Eight years after its introduction, comes the next generation of oral joint support – Hyalun PRO which is designed with a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) to assist in maintaining healthy joints in competitive horses.

HA is considered “nature’s moisturizer.”

Extensive clinical trials prove its effectiveness in reducing joint friction, maintaining joint mobility and lubricating joints.

Darren Landis, President of Hyalogic, says, “We’re proud to be a part of Inside Reining. With exciting coverage of events like the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and a full 52-week schedule, there’s never been a better time to get involved. It’s a great partnership since Hyalun is backed by some of the same NRHA Professionals you’ll see on Inside Reining – Andrea Fappani, Bob Avila and Steve Schwartzenberger.”

ABOUT NRHA INSIDE REINING NRHA Inside Reining travels to the most popular Reining ranches across the nation and gather tips from top Reining pros. The show offers viewers a unique look inside the world of Reining, the men and women involved in the sport, and the lifestyles they lead. NRHA Inside Reining is produced in conjunction with production company Sandbur Video of Jones, Oklahoma.

Reining’s most popular television show appears in prime time for thirty minutes, three times each week in 2010. Find it on In Country TV – DISH Network channel 230 and DIRECTV channel 344 each Monday night at 8:30 and 11:30 EST and Saturday at 7:00 pm EST. Go to insidereining.com for more information.

arships to such outstanding individuals. The youth program of NRHA has made a huge leap forward to really promote the sport among young competitors throughout the world. We hope the scholarship program will help recognize our youth members and all the youth programs NRHA as to offer,” said Costantini.

RHSF Scholarships - Scholarship recipients will be determined based on academic achievement, future goals, involvement in NRHyA and NRHA and financial need. An applicant must be a senior in high school planning to pursue an undergraduate degree from a two- or four-year institution or a trade and technical school and be a current NRHA member for at least two years.

Applications are now being accepted for RHSF scholarships. All applications must be postmarked by June 15, 2010. Previous recipients of the RHSF scholarships are eligible to reapply for scholarships until they are 25 years

old. The scholarship application may be downloaded at nrhya.com/scholarships.php.

Varsity Reining Club Scholarships - The Varsity Reining Club was established to engage youth members and encourage them to become more active at both the local and national levels.

This program offers NRHyA members opportunities to contribute to the youth association in addition to developing valuable life skills that will allow them to be successful contributing members of society. Scholarships will be awarded to Junior Varsity individuals placing 1st through 5th and Varsity individuals placing 1st through 8th.

Get More Information - For more information about the RHSF Scholarship program, go to rhsf.com or nrhya.com. You may also contact the Manager of RHSF & Youth Programs, Brian Bendele at bbendele@nrha.com (405) 946-7400, ext. 130.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS:

RHSF WILL HONOR LEADERSHIP & ACHIEVMENT WITHIN NRHYA Members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association are the future of the sport of Reining. The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to these youth members. At this time, RHSF is offering $10,500 in academic and need-based scholarships for seven youth members. Plus, NRHyA is adding $2,000 in scholarships for participants in NRHyA’s Varsity Reining Club.

The increase in scholarship awards shows RHSF’s commitment to the future of Reining.

RHSF President Frank Costantini says it’s an honor to recognize the hard work of these youth members. “RHSF is proud to award these schol-

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 25

www.horsedigests.com

Performance Horses

The Two Main Processes of Teaching the Horse

by Monty Bruce

There are two main processes of teaching or learning, they are: pressure, release of pressure (cues) and repetition. When we apply pressure or cue a horse and they react correctly to the pressure, we release the pressure or cue on them. When we apply pressure there is energy and movement created, this is very basic in the beginning stages of training. As training progresses and we gain more and more control of the movement and the horse’s body, we can direct that into the moves and maneuvers we want. This is when our timing becomes a key factor. When we apply pressure to the horse and we get the correct response, we must release the pressure instantly to clearly let the horse know he has made the correct response. Example; if we apply pressure and pull on the horse’s reins to stop him, the very instant he ceases motion we release the pressure to reward him for stopping.

By releasing pressure we can create the desire in a horse to do what we ask, again we will use the stopping for an example; If the horse does not stop well. Instead of yanking on his

mouth or using a bigger bit, we want to make him want to stop. We can make the horse want to stop because he thinks its a good idea. We try to keep this approach on all phases of training. We pick up the reins, apply pressure and set our hands, the horse will look for relief from the pressure.

His first reaction might be to push against your hands or throw his head up, but just hold your hand position with the same pressure and he will find the relief when he breaks at the poll and drops his head. The first time he finds the relief from the pressure he will probably stumble on it by accident, but the very instant he gives his head and stops, you release the pressure and give the reins back. By being consistent with your pressure and release of pressure timing, he will start to look for that spot of relief. The horse starts to realize that if we take a hold of the reins and say “whoa”, if he stops and gives immediately to you he gets the relief from pressure instantly. It becomes a good idea to him to stop and he starts wanting to stop. Also, when we sit down and say “Whoa” on our horse and there is no response, we have given them the chance to stop on their own. We then take a hold of the reins and softly draw them back till the horse stops, then we make them back up several steps every time they do not stop for us. It may take fifty times of asking first (by sitting down then saying “whoa”), then telling him by drawing in the reins and backing him.

But, one time he will stop crisply for you when you give him the voice command. When he does, be ready, don’t pull on the reins, just drop

them and sit quietly and pet him. Clearly letting him know that was the correct response. Again by using this method we are teaching the horse, not pulling, yanking on his mouth or using a bigger bit. We are communicating with the horse. These are examples, but they are also the principles we want to use in every area of our training.

The next question we want to ask is how do we apply pressure to our horse. Remember, we are teaching the horse and we want him to respond to us willingly, we are not forcing him. We want to present it to him that when we ask for something, with time, repetition and consistency, he wants to give us the correct response. \When we first apply pressure to ask something of him, we ask or apply very lightly, hesitating to give him the chance to respond to light pressure. On a horse that is just learning something new, likely he will not respond at first. Next, we will tell him with our pressure in the form of a cue what we want. We will tell him by stepping up the pressure and slowly keep stepping up the pressure until even if by accident, he takes one step in the right direction. Once the horse takes the first step, immediately release the pressure rewarding him. Important note, when stepping up the pressure, be sure to keep the cues consistent and gradually increase the pressure.

Remember, we are asking, directing and teaching. not demanding or forcing.

Repetition is the next major factor in a horse’s learning. Once a horse understands what we are asking of it and how to give us the correct response, then it is a matter of being consistent with our cue or pressure, timing and release of pressure, these train the horse for the response we want.

Now that we have a basic understanding of how horses learn and how to teach by pressure, release of pressure, for the next issue we will get started on the first lesson on our green or unbroken colt.

See you next month! Monty Bruce Monty Bruce Training Center is a full service equine facility specializing in the “Performance Horse”, providing superior care and training for all your equine needs. Monty has a low pressure style of training that focuses on “teaching the horse, not forcing the horse” and also works to teach the rider with motivational tips, theories and goal setting.

If you have any questions or would like more info visit our website at www.MontyBruce.com

26 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Principles of Vaccination A “standard� vaccination program for all horses does not exist. Each individual situation requires evaluation based on the following criteria: *Risk of disease (anticipated exposure, environmental factors, geographic factors, age, breed, use, and sex of the horse) * Consequences of the disease (morbidity/mortality, zoonotic potential) *Anticipated effectiveness of the selected product(s) *Potential for adverse reactions to a vaccine(s) *Cost of immunization (time, labor and vaccine costs) vs. potential cost of disease (time out of competition; impact of movement restrictions imposed in order to control an outbreak of contagious disease; labor and medication if, or when, horses develop clinical disease and require treatment, or loss of life.)

*Although rare, there is potential for adverse reactions despite appropriate handling and administration of vaccines.

Ranging from animal welfare to uniform medication rules for racing, the AAEP stands as a solid source of information for the entire equine industry. As a liaison to such organizations as The American Horse Council and other industry associations, the AAEP dedicates time and resources to provide a consistent veterinary per-

spective to contemporary equine issues. With its commitment to research and development, the AAEP also maintains its presence with schools of veterinary medicine and equine research institutions and organizations throughout the world. Visit the AAEP website at www.aaep.org American Association of Equine Practitioners 4075 Iron Works Parkway | Lexington, KY 40511

Note: The use of antibody titers or other immunological measurements to determine if booster vaccination is warranted is not currently practiced in the horse as standardized tests and protective levels of immunity have not been defined in most cases. A correlation between antibody levels and protective immunity under field conditions has not yet been identified.

Clients should have realistic expectations and understand that: * Vaccination alone, in the absence of good management practices directed at infection control, is not sufficient for the prevention of infectious disease. * Vaccination serves to minimize the risks of infection but cannot prevent disease in all circumstances. * The primary series of vaccines and booster doses should be appropriately administered prior to likely exposure. * Each horse in a population is not protected to an equal degree nor for an equal duration following vaccination. * Protection is not immediately afforded the patient after administration of a vaccine that is designed to induce active immunity. In most instances, a priming series of multiple doses of a vaccine must be administered initially for that vaccine to induce protective active immunity. *All horses in a herd should be vaccinated at intervals based on the professional opinion of the attending veterinarian (Ideally, the same schedule is followed for all horses in a population, thus simplifying record keeping, minimizing replication and transmission of infectious agents in a herd and indirectly protecting thoses horses in the herd that responded poorly to vaccination, thereby optimizing herdimmunity.) * A properly administered, licensed product should not be assumed to provide complete protection during any given field epidemic.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 27

The perfect place to advertise your Stable, Training Facility, Events, Stallions and more...

Great Value, Great Exposure... both in print and online!

Call Mark or Peg - 507-943-3355 mark@horsdigests.com peg@horsedigests.com

Win A Trip to the Big Apple!

One of Many Rewards from using Durvet Apple Flavored Wormer Are you a hard working horse owner who goes above and beyond the line of duty for your horse? Needing a vacation in the near future?

Well you’re just in luck. Durvet’s Apple Wormer has given responsible, hard working horse owners the opportunity to win a trip for two to visit The Big Apple, New York City, NY. New York City is known for its countless number of cultural attractions and landmarks; The Empire State Building, The American Museum of National History, Ellis Island, Broadway, the Rockerfeller Center and many more. Trip includes airfare, lodging, entertainment and spending money!

Now, not only will your horse reap the rewards of Durvet’s Apple Flavored Wormer, but so will you!

Entry is simple, but time is limited. So hurry and get to your favorite feed and tack store to find a Durvet Apple Wormer Big Apple Trip entry form, or go to www.AppleWormer.com to register online.

Durvet’s Apple Flavored Ivermectin and Pyrantel Paste Wormer is great for helping maintain your horse’s health and it’s enhanced with the apple flavor that horses love! With just a single dose Durvet’s Ivermectin can remove worms and bots. Better yet, with Durvet’s new Safety Seal Pak, their apple wormer is tamper evident; making sure your horse’s wormer hasn’t been tampered with. Durvet’s Pyrantel Paste reaps just as many rewards, with the same great Apple Flavor and Safety Seal Pak technology.

Now, not only is Apple Wormer good for your horse, but it’s good to you too!

Be sure to hurry and enter to WIN what could be Your FREE Trip to New York! Deadline for entry is December 31, 2010.

Durvet Apple Wormer - They’ll ask for it by neigh!

28 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Gelding Project offers free horse castration clinic for Minnesota horses Animal Humane Society, in partnership with the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition and the Minnesota Horse Council, are offering a free, one-day horse castration clinic on May 15, 2010, at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge, Minn. through the Gelding Project. The goal of the clinic is to reduce the number of unwanted horses in Minnesota. “Unwanted horses are such a critical issue for the animal welfare industry.

This clinic is an answer to this, and to preventing inhumane situations where horses are neglected and do not have the resources they need,” says Janelle Dixon, President/CEO of Animal Humane Society.

The clinic is the second in a series of clinics that will take place in different regions of Minnesota through the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition’s Gelding Project. The project was launched in 2009 by the coalition, of which AHS is a part, in cooperation with the Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners. Its goal is to educate horse owners on the care of their horses by providing assistance and education to current and potential horse owners and law enforcement.

The Minnesota Horse Council provided a grant for the project.

Individuals who qualify to bring a horse(s) to the free clinic are from certified equine rescues or stallion owners who can’t afford the cost of geld-

ing, have been invited to participate by their veterinarian or have been referred by the AHS Humane Investigations team. Jack (male donkey) owners are also eligible.

Stallions must be halter broke with two descended testicles and be in good health. Colts must be at least four months old. All stallions must be in good health and be held off feed for 12 hours prior to the procedure. Procedures will be performed by University of Minnesota veterinary students under close supervision of area

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

veterinarians.

Interested equine rescues and stallion owners can contact Krishona Martinson with University of Minnesota Extension at (612) 6256776, or krishona@umn.edu, for more information on the application process. Castrations must be scheduled in advance.

For more information on the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition and the Gelding Project, visit www.animalhumanesociety.org/mnhwc.

May 2010 29

Trail Horse

www.horsedigests.com

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 Reba’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 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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

May 2010 31

Trail Horse

www.horsedigests.com

Gitty Up- Dutch

World Renowned Trail Ride Critic Dutch Henry’s News from ACTHA Howdy Folks, For our inaugural installment of ACTHA News it seemed to me that only an interview with Karen VanGetson would be appropriate. In two short years the American Competitive Trail Horse Association has grown from an idea, to a national organization boasting over 5,000 members.

Last year ACTHA, with the combined efforts of their members and Affiliates, donated $100,000 to horse charities and rescues; and is on track to donate $500,000 this year! They’ve grown from two sanctioned rides that first year to over 300 already scheduled for this year.

How did anything so amazing happen? The birth of ACTHA can be traced back to the spring of 2004 when Karen answered Carrie Scrima’s ad seeking help to exercise her horses. As they rode and worked together, and became close friends, Carrie kept talking about a sport she visualized, which is now ACTHA. Carrie had ridden thousands of miles in endurance competitions, and loved it. But she also realized that those long hours in the saddle were a little less inviting than they used to be. But the competitor in her wouldn’t relent. Karen grew up in the saddle exploring trails in the forest of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where her father was stationed

as a Marine. She happily told Carrie of riding for hours, many times bareback, swimming her horse, navigating treacherous creek crossings, dragging logs out of the way, and picking her way through dangling vines.

As the two friends swapped countless stories of wonderful times spent with their horses ideas began to take shape. Carrie’s competitive spirit and Karen’s trail horse savvy blended together to paint a clear picture of a sport that could offer competitors, both rider and horse, the thrill of competition within the simple joy of an easy paced trail ride. Easy enough so folks could enjoy the scenery and their friends, yet challenging enough to satisfy the competitor in them.

One day as they loped along in the early morning Texas Hill Country sun Carrie asked, “Why don’t we just do it? Let’s start a sport where people can ride with their families and friends and tackle a few obstacles. We can even have judges at the obstacles and keep score of the riders and horses!”

“We’ll keep records of the riders and their horses and create a registry. Carrie, let’s figure out a way to make this happen!” Was Karen’s response – And so it had begun.

The story goes they spent the rest of that day sitting with their horses by a stream under the shade of a massive cottonwood discussing in earnest how they could make their dream a reality.

Karen has a degree in computer science and had spent years in the corporate trenches designing software for clients. Her strategic mind

sprang into action and she began creating the logistics of an organization that could be both exciting and manageable. For the next several months Carrie and Karen devoted themselves into launching what they called at the time the first Competitive Trail Challenge – CTC for short.

Together they shared the work, which they never considered work, of advertising, contacting folks, finding insurance, making and distributing flyers, and securing the location for their first organized ride. In the spring of 2008 Woodrock Ranch located in Bluff Dale, TX hosted the first CTC. But that was only the beginning! There were 38 horse and rider teams at that ride, and Karen and Carrie knew already they had embarked on something fantastic. They immediately began to brainstorm to discover ways to make it even better. To create an organization that would matter – An organization that would benefit horse owners and horses alike. Karen built the first website called CTC. It offered a place where everybody could find the rides, dates and locations. She posted competitor’s scores, entry forms and other pertinent information The fall of 2008 Woodrock Ranch hosted the second CTC… Their dream was beginning to take hold.

This ride had 75 horse and rider teams.

After the first season they knew they must create an association and track the horses for their lifetime. It was at that time that Carrie said she wanted to make it more than that. Why not build such a powerful organization that we could generate funds to start a retirement home for trail horses, she asked. They spent some time investigating that and soon realized they could do more good by creating a system that would donate to already existing retirement farms and rescues and horse charities. Without hesitation the two friends dove into building the infrastructure that would allow ACTHA to donate to horse rescues and charities all across the USA. I asked Karen what is your one wish, “We want to make a dent in the unwanted horse world. I’d like to know that ACTHA can tangibly feel and know that they made a difference in the world of the unwanted horse.”

With the upcoming June 13, RIDE FOR THE RECORD targeting $100,000 raised for horse charities in one day…My friend I think you’ve already made a difference! Currently seventy-five percent of ACTHA rides are fund raisers for charities!

But they are not stopping to rest anytime soon. With each stride forward Karen and Carrie set even loftier goals, and with remarkable, if not unbelievable tenacity they set out to meet them…exceed them.

I asked Karen what makes her the happiest.

She said, “That ACTHA is getting so widely known that anybody who can trail ride is able to enjoy their horse and take part in fun competitions, and that our CTCs can encompass any kind of rider, from the fierce competitor who wants a national record to the occasional rider who wants to be with family friends and take in the scenery.”

How could Carrie Scrima have known her little Help Wanted ad would be the answer to her dream of helping thousands of horses and people nationwide? Aren’t we glad Karen VanGetson was the one to answer that ad?

Gitty Up! Dutch Henry

32 April 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 33

Trail Horse

www.horsedigests.com horses are more content to be alone. When I take a horse out for a ride and leave his neighbor in the next tie stall behind it doesn’t seem to be a big deal and that’s a good thing.

Last summer I trained an appaloosa mare, Missy. Her attitude was “all is well as long as everything goes MY way”. As soon as I would ask her for anything the battle was on. She had a real bad habit of pawing and stomping the ground like a spoiled child. This is unacceptable behavior, so after many hours of standing at the tree of knowledge wearing hobbles she finally realized she could stand still. Also, if she was not on the trail or at the tree she was in her tie stall, day and night. By the time she was due to go home she was a changed lady. Her owner was amazed and wanted to know how I made it happen. I explained the program and he is now building tie stalls at his stable.

Hobbles are another great tool I use to teach patience. This is one of the first things I do when training a new horse. Lots of guests here at HCR have come to understand the many benefits of hobbles. First, your horse learns to stand quietly, anywhere. It’s nice to be able to remove the bridle and let your horse graze while you stop on the trail for lunch. You don’t have to look for just the right tree to tie him to and you don’t have to worry about him damaging tack or the tree. Another huge benefit is if your horse gets tangled in wire that’s been left on the ground he will be more likely to figure out that standing quietly and waiting for help is better then fighting the restraint and getting hurt.

After observing my horses hobbled I have had many guests request I teach their horses to accept hobbles. Most are amazed at how quickly their stock learns. It usually only takes a few minutes.

Tie stalls and hobbles are great tools to help you and your horse. They certainly are not new or complex. They’ve been used for so many years for good reason, they work. If you want to see the tie stalls I use at HCR you can check out some pictures of them on our website, www.haycreekranch.net. They’re very simple and inexpensive to build.

If you want to own a quiet, patient horse at home and on the trail, try some of these age-old methods. I’m sure “It’ll be fine”.

Use trail riding to benefit your partnership.

It’s fun and relaxing for you and gives your horse a job he can succeed at, a great combination. With increasing confidence and trust between you and your horse, remember, “It’ll be fine!”

IT’LL BE FINE! Article III

by Doug Lindgren

Horses, mules and cowboys all have to learn patience. I’ve learned you can’t hurry anything and have success with your animal. Have you heard the old saying “The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get”?

When we rush training or any activity with our stock we are setting the stage for a wreck, or at least an unfulfilling ride. It’s time to slow down and read your horse’s body language. When you come to the gate is he relaxed and eager to see you or has he thrown his head and tail up and headed to the opposite end of the pasture? Also, pay attention to your reaction to his behavior. If you blow up, start yelling and chase after him you have become a predator in your horse’s mind and he can’t get far enough from you.

On the other hand, if you respond to his running off by slowly walking toward him for a few steps, stopping for a moment, and then repeating this process your horse will most likely be curious and begin to lower his head and start to move in your direction. Slow, quiet and easy patience is the key to success.

Remember Sally, my mule? If I hadn’t been patient with her when I wanted to touch her she probably would have run all the way back to Iowa by now. By being willing to work with her patiently I have been able to grain her trust and we are building a strong relationship “on her time”.

The need for patience works both ways. As you learn about some of the tools I use to teach my horses patience keep in mind “it’ll be fine”.

When I work with my horses and mule I expect them to be patient. There is no excuse for a horse standing at a trailer pawing the ground or the trailer and generally acting like a spoiled brat. It doesn’t matter if he is alone or in a strange place, your horse needs to stand quietly.

The best method to teach a horse to be patient is to tie him up. I find the “tree of knowledge” to be a valuable tool. I will let my horse stand at the tree for hours after a trail ride or training session. I tell my guests the tree talks to the horse while he is standing and contemplating life, it really does. When you finish a ride it is good for the horse to have some downtime.

He gets a chance to think about the ride. You are also teaching patience when you let him stand quietly. Think about your after-ride routine.

Most folks get in from their ride, hurry up and get the saddle off, brush the horse and turn him loose in a pen with a full feed bunk. It’s a great reward for your horse and he loves this chain of events, so guess what happens next time you go out on a ride. That’s right; when your horse senses that he is headed back “home” he finds a new gear. You are pulling to slow him down and he gets anxious and upset with you because you are keeping him away from rest and the feed box. In your horse’s mind there isn’t much that could be more important than no work and a pail of sweet feed!

Another tool I use on all of my horses is the simple tie stall. When farmers and ranchers used horses to pull their wagons and implements they never knew what a box stall was. They used tie stalls. This system made chores easy and efficient for the farmer because he had a feed manger in the front of the stall and all the waste to muck out was behind the horses. Typically a team would stand in one stall beside each other, making it easy for the farmer to care for and harness them. When the horses were not working they were in their stall, day and night. This was home.

A big benefit of keeping horses in tie stalls is the way they will behave.They are very quiet and patient, no stomping around or pulling back, just calm and comfortable. I also observe my

Doug and Jody Lindgren own and operate Hay Creek Ranch near Nemo, SD. Doug rides 2-10 hours every day, spring, summer and Hay Creek fall, training horses to Ranch be great trail horses.

You can visit their website at www.haycreekranch.net

34 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

y r a M k As

Mary Hamilton answers your training questions!

Ask Mary: My trail horse won’t cross water. How can I teach him to do that?

Water crossing can be a daunting task for a skeptical horse. It helps to understand some of the reasons behind your horse’s fear. First there is the footing issue. Maintaining good solid ground underneath you means survival to the horse. Lose your traction when a predator is around and you could lose your life! Near water, the footing can be slippery or muddy and make your horse scramble for that solid ground. Factor in poor depth perception and your horse can’t tell if that mud puddle is ten i nches deep or ten feet deep.

Rather then wait for the next trail ride; take a little time to train your horse to be comfortable crossing water before you try this out on the trail. Start with a puddle, not the Mississippi river.

It’s spring; there should be puddles aplenty to practice on. Enlist a friend with a calm, steady trail horse that goes through water to help you.

Just having that calm horse around can help relax your horse for this training.

Begin by having your horse stand, facing the puddle. Let your horse watch the steady horse walk back and forth through the puddle.

Then have your horse follow the steady horse through the puddle once. Now there’s a trick to this. You have to follow closely and your horse has to be locked on the horse in front of him and in the following mode. Just like those tourist trail horses that follow nose to tail up and down the mountains. So start your following at least 50 feet from the puddle. Remember to breath and not anticipate a refusal. If you feel your horse start to slow down or hesitate, sit back on your pants pockets and urge him f orward with your legs. It may take a couple tries but you should be able to get your horse to follow another calm horse through the puddle.

Repeat this until your horse calmly follows the horse through the puddle. When he is calm, take a break and reward him.

Now it’s time to try it solo. Use the very same puddle he has already been through. Have your friend on the calm horse stand on the other side of the puddle. Your horse’s natural inclination will be to be with the herd (the other horse) and in order to get to the herd he has to cross

the puddle. Take your time with this, stay calm and relaxed. Slow, steady and in control is the key. Don’t look down at the puddle; it will cause your horse to stop. Keep your chin up and look ahead to where you want to go. Once he goes through the puddle make sure to give him a big reward. Set the same exercise up to return across the puddle.

Once you have conquered puddles move on to something a little bigger like a small stream or get your horse to put a few feet into a lake. Follow the same procedure as you did with the puddle. Be mindful that your horse could lunge forward or try and jump the stream so keeping it slow and in control is important.

This method of using a calm horse to help keep your horse quiet and in control is the way the Cavalry trained their new horses to accept cannon fire and the noise of war. They would pair up an old steady cavalry horse with a fractious new one. The new horse learned from the calm

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

confidence of the seasoned veteran.

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

May 2010 35

www.horsedigests.com Building a Better Relationship

behavior better, they generally will stop giving treats (you'll find very few professional horsemen that give treats to horses).

Another common

by Julie Goodnight situation that exacerbates the horse pawing is that when he paws he gets attention from you.

Horses are just like kids sometimes- they would rather get negative attention than no attention.

So if every time your horse paws, you come to him to stop him, he begins to think he is controlling your actions (and he is) and getting you to come to him and keep him company. Therefore it is best to totally ignore his pawing and only come to him when he is quiet.

Like most trainers, I am a big believer in the "patience post." We will leave young or untrained, ill-mannered horses tied at the hitching rails for hours each day. In the beginning the horse will fuss and paw and carry on, but eventually he will learn that his fussing does him no good and he will learn to stand tied patiently. This may take a week or two, but eventually he'll learn to have patience when he is tied. Using rubber mats at the hitching rails will help prevent a horse fro digging a big hole when he paws.

There is certainly nothing wrong with hobble training a horse and in fact, many people think that all horses should be hobble broke so that they learn not to fight restraints. This way if the horse is ever caught in the fence or a rope, they will not fight it and injure themselves. Just make sure your hobbles are soft, comfortable and well fitted and that whoever is helping you is knowledgeable about training a horse to hobbles.

There was recently an article in Western Horseman about hobble training a horse (summer 2004). Craig Cameron, a clinician from Texas, makes my favorite kind of hobble. They are made of re-braided cotton rope and are very soft and easy on the horse's legs.

One more thought on your pawing problem: you need to do more ground work. Your horse should know to stand still without moving a foot when you are around him or when you ask him to. Your horse should not be moving at all when you groom him and if he is, it is an indication that he has poor ground manners, is disobedient and does not think of you as his leader. There are numerous articles on my website about ground work and teaching ground manners to your horse, but you'll probably need some on-site help to do it with your horse. Groundwork done well will always result in a quiet, more responsive and willing horse that is focused on you and totally obedient to you.

Pawing

Question: Hi Julie, I have a question about pawing. I am a new horse person I have had my Arabian/ QH gelding for 1yr now he is 6 yrs old and when I got him he was perfect in every way except he was very head strong. I have been taking lessons with a trainer so I can be taught the proper way to work and ride him. He has been at the same place now

for a yr and it seems he is picking up habits and one being the worst is pawing, he paws as soon as I walk in the barn or as soon as he sees me walking toward the paddock, he is often getting his foot caught in the buckets, (they have been moved all over his stall) I have tried all kinds of things not to reinforce this behavior (such as no treats if he does this), I wont take him out to groom him if he paws and sometimes when I am grooming him it seems he paws right at me. The barn manager wants to use hobbles on him and I am not sure if that is the right thing to do, can you suggest anything I can do to stop this behavior? I do see him every day we do have a fair to good relationship he does test me from time to time but I don't know if what I am doing is wrong and makes him do this. I know I have a lot to learn so I am sure part of his problems is because of my lack of knowledge. If you have any ideas they would be greatly appreciated Thank you,Tina Answer: Dear Tina, Pawing is a common problem and it is a communicative gesture on the part of the horse that means that he is frustrated and wants to be moving. And yes, people contribute to this behavior in several ways. Probably the fact that you give him treats at all is a big cause. He has learned to associate you with a handout and when he sees you he is very anxious to receive his treat (the feeding of treats erodes your leadership over the horse). I would suggest that you not give treats at all- ever- and that will help to resolve this problem and other problems that you are having with leadership with your horse. There are numerous articles on my website about the problems that handfeeding treats cause and once people understand the horse's

36 May 2010

JG Julie Goodnight has more than a quartercentury 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.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 37

www.horsedigests.com

Equine VIP

Kristin Dickerson talks to Equine VIP

by Susan Ashbrook,, owner Equine VIP

Kristin Dickerson, Oklahoma’s Tulsa Channel 8 Morning News Anchor, joined other celebrities for this year’s Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) annual “Celebrity Slide”. The event helps the children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma. Kristin came to the Sooner State from Las Cruces, New Mexico on an athletic scholarship to ride for the Oklahoma State University’s Women’s Equestrian Team where she earned an individual national championship.

As a morning news anchor, we imagine you have a disciplined schedule. Did your years of riding for the Oklahoma State University’s Women’s Equestrian Team give you some early lessons that help with your career now?

My time with OSU certainly helped prepare me for my early morning anchor shift. For the last three years, I’ve woken up around 2 O’clock in the morning to be at work by 3 and on television at 5 a.m. But technically I only get up a couple hours earlier than I did in college.

While at OSU, we had 6 a.m. workouts where we’d lift weights and run, then I’d go to class, and then head out to the barn to ride for a majority of the afternoon. After a full day, I’d head home to study for several hours, eat dinner, and go to bed.

OSU instilled in me a strong since of discipline, work ethic, and pride in what I do. The team also helped me realize that when I put my heart into something, it will pay off in the end.

You earned an individual national championship when you rode on an athletic scholarship for Oklahoma State. How has riding changed since then?

A lot has changed since I was on the team from 2000-2004. When I rode on the team, OSU competed with the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (some colleges have equestrian club

38 May 2010

teams and this is where they compete) and National Collegiate Athletic Association, now they’re strictly NCAA. I’m not an expert on the results of that change, but it seems like the competition is incredibly tougher.

Thanks to their coach, Larry Sanchez, I was able to walk-on the team as a freshman and then earn a scholarship the following year. Now, the team spends more time recruiting girls from around the country; it’s very similar to how colleges recruit for football or basketball.

To my surprise competition clothing has changed tremendously, I realized that while preparing for the Celebrity Slide. After a lesson with Jared, he asked what I planned to wear and I told him with excitement that I had a great vest that I used to wear in college. He gave me a look that said “oh no,” and told me I could borrow an outfit of Heather’s (his wife). I still don’t know why vests are out of style—I love vests!

sistently, I totally lost my seat. It seemed like my mind knew what my legs and my body were supposed to be doing, but they didn’t seem to work!

It took several weeks of riding with Sean until my balance came back and I was more comfortable in the saddle.

You were one of the celebrities riding at the Reining Horse Sports Foundation for the MakeA-Wish Foundation. You teamed up with top Reining trainer, Jared LeClair, to prepare for the competition. Was it important for you to work with the right trainer and match up with the right horse?

I couldn’t have asked for a better match up.

Going into this competition I had a lot of anxiety about getting on a horse again. When I found out that my trainer was one of the top five money earners in 2008, I was that much more nervous.

But once I spent some time with Jared and his wife, Heather, my anxiety disappeared. My husband and I drove down to Pilot Point, Texas, to train with him for two weekends and they treated us like family (they even took us to a friend’s family bar-be-que). I also learned that in college Jared rode for the University of Findlay, and earned a reining national championship.

You had to give up riding to devote yourself to your career. What did it feel like to sit on a horse again after a few years of giving up the sport?

It felt great! I was so honored and thrilled to get the opportunity to ride again, and to ride for a good cause.

I had a really hard time adjusting after my time on the OSU Equestrian team. My life revolved around the sport, it was all I did. The NRHA Derby was my last collegiate competition, and when the competition was over I didn’t want to leave the barn—knowing that it would be the last time I’d be on a horse for at least several years.

When I first started my job, I had limited time and income and I didn’t know how to keep up with the hobby. So when I was asked to participate in the fundraiser? back in the saddle at the biggest reining horse competition there is? I was overwhelmed and incredibly nervous!

I started my preparations for the competition with Tulsa trainer Sean Johnson, and it was a humbling experience. In the years since I’d ridden con-

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

I couldn’t have asked for a better match up.

Going into this competition I had a lot of anxiety about getting on a horse again. When I found out that my trainer was one of the top five money earners in 2008, I was that much more nervous.

But once I spent some time with Jared and his wife, Heather, my anxiety disappeared. My husband and I drove down to Pilot Point, Texas, to train with him for two weekends and they treated us like family (they even took us to a friend’s family bar-be-que). I also learned that in college Jared rode for the University of Findlay, and earned a reining national championship.

Jared didn’t just sharpen my skills but he also worked on my confidence on a horse, specifically getting me comfortable with going fast and stopping hard. It also seemed like he tuned-up the horse with me in mind. As my skill level increased, the horse got sharper with me.

The horse Jared picked for me was perfect: RR Superstar owned by Daniel Dugan. Star is deaf and so he needs cues that are more hands on. That style is perfect, because the horses I rode in college used more body aides than verbal ques, so it worked perfect. When I get back into riding I’d be lucky to find a horse like Star.

Yoga, which is a huge help with balance and strength. But after I got back on a horse for the first few times, everything was sore: my leg muscles, my rear-end, everything! So the first few weeks I spent some extra time trying to stretch my legs out. It’s amazing the amount of muscles you use when you’re riding, no other exercise can replicate it (except the Thigh Master, I used one in college to help strengthen my legs for English riding and it worked wonders).

When you took up riding again for the Reining competition, did everything come back to you “like riding a bike”?

It took the whole month of training to get used to riding again, and I still wasn’t 100 percent. But when I first walked into the horse barn, the smells of horse manure and sawdust made my riding career seem like yesterday.

Are there any equestrian products that you use and recommend to our readers?

I’ve used Mane n’ Tail shampoo and conditioner on my hair since I was little and still think it works great.

Do you have a website or “News Team” website you can give us so we can follow you? www.ktul.com search for “Kristin Dickerson” and you’ll find my stories that followed my experience with the Celebrity Slide. You can also follow me on Facebook.

Equine VIP is written by Producer/Host Susan Ashbrook who is also developing a TV series based on her interviews with celebrities and top equestrians. For more information go to www.equineVIP.com Equine VIP interviews celebrities and equestrian VIPs because “If It’s About Horses, We Cover It”.

At the Reining competition, you rode against Lyle Lovett, William Shatner and Christi Proctor amongst other celebrities who regularly ride.

Can you give us any advice on how you handled your nerves?

Before the competition I got the chance to meet all of the celebrity competitors, and all of them were so incredibly nice! That really helped with my nerves.

The biggest thing that helped with my nerves before my ride was something I hadn’t planned on. As I walked into the arena the announcer told Austin’s story: he’s 7-years-old, was diagnosed in 2005 with a brain tumor, survived five surgeries and 33 radiation treatments, and is now in remission.

Hearing his story, and seeing his picture up on the arena’s big screen, was a great reminder of why I was in that arena. Austin’s fight made a three minute reining pattern seem minimal, that reality calmed my nerves immediately.

As a competitive person, is it easier for you to compete and ride now or is the pressure to win still important? Are you “easier” on yourself now?

I’m certainly not easier on myself, but I am more appreciative of the person who beats me.

In my senior year at OSU I created a mantra for myself, “work as hard as you can, leave nothing to chance, and it’ll all work out.” So as long as I give it 100%, it’s okay if I get beat. After working as hard as I could to win this competition, it was my honor to get beat by Lyle Lovett . . . not just because he’s “Lyle Lovett,” but because his pattern was breath-taking! After watching his ride, my goal was second place.

I don’t know if I’ll ever fully be able to put my competitive spirit on idle, especially in a competition like this. I wasn’t just competing for myself; I was representing Jared, Star, Star’s owner, and most importantly my Make-A-Wish coach, Austin.

During my training I had to keep reminding myself to relax, “this is just a fundraiser.” But it’s not. If I win, so does Austin.

Did you have to exercise or stretch before you started riding again?

For the past few years I’ve done Bikram

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 39

Ask The Vet:

Skin Conditions Spring is in the air . . . and so come the allergies, biting insects, flies, etc. Skin conditions are certainly aggravating, but more so when they include your horse. Dr. Etta Bradecamp andsweres questions on the topic of skin conditions. Fot even more questions and answers visit the AAEP website at www.aaep.org/ask_the_vet.php Question: My gelding (Tuff) has two scarcosis spots on his shoulder, one above his eye and under the neck. I have tried topicals, but they have not worked. I have a biopsy scheduled in May. Any suggestions? Is this something that could turn fatal? Tuff is now 12-years-old and started with a sarcoid on his shoulder probably about eight years ago. Then two more appeared a couple years later. He got one above his eye and another under his neck probably two years ago. Over the weekend, I found another on his belly and one on the side of his groin. I’m worried.

My plans are for the veterinarian to biopsy them soon. The ointment that the vet gave me to put on these areas a few years ago didn’t help. I have tried Listerine and lately Emu Oil and Tea Tree oil; but I’m making them bigger rubbing hair off with toothbrush.

The shoulder spots are round and smooth, while looking much like ringworm. His neck and eye were a little bumpy but they are both smooth and hairless now.

Answer: Due to fact that your gelding has what appear to be numerous sarcoids (an examination by your veterinarian and a biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis), that he has had them for many years, that he has several of them and that previous therapy was not successful, will require a comprehensive plan formulated by your veterinarian and followed through by you to successfully treat your horse. Sarcoids can be difficult to treat sometimes and not every treatment is effective for every sarcoid. The treatments that have been used to treat sarcoids successfully include: * Xxtera (a topical ointment); * A series of chemotherapeutic injections (typically cisplatin, carboplatin or 5-Fluorouracil); * Cryotherapy (freezing); * Surgical removal (typically used in conjunction with chemotherapeutic injections); * Surgical removal and freezing in liquid nitrogen of one sarcoid and then transplanting numerous small pieces of the frozen sarcoid under the horse's skin to elicit an immune response and hopefully regression of the other sarcoids. Since your horse has several sarcoids, this treatment may be a possible option for him.

There are no quick, fast and easy treatments to treat all sarcoids. Working closely with your veterinarian will be important to achieving a successful outcome for your horse.

Question: My thin-skinned Arabian gelding, also has four white stockings) has had a problem for the last ten plus years. On the front of his rear

40 May 2010

legs he get a scrungy soft skin that gets to looking grey in color and when I soften it up with antifungal soap and use a soft curry brush, it comes off with the hair. My gelding also becomes tender to that area. It is not urine burns, as one veterinarian suggested years ago. I have wrapped the rear legs, used every concoction suggested, even sourkrout juice to no avail. It is much worse in the summer even in low humidity (we live in Phoenix, Arizona). It all started about twelve years ago when he had a bout of scratches. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I have come to the end of my rope, but want the horse to feel better.

Answer: Based on your description, your gelding may be suffering from a chronic dermatitis that may be bacterial or fungal in origin. I would recommend having your veterinarian collect several samples of the hair and attached skin and submitting them for bacterial and fungal culture and examination.

Treatment would then be based on those results.

While this may not be the problem, we need to start here and rule out any infectious causes. Due to the chronic nature of the condition, I would not expect a "quick fix" type solution, but if we can determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan, you may be better able to manage the condition. Your veterinarian may also recommend consulting with a dermatologist to help diagnose the underlying cause.

Question: What is the best way to keep horses comfortable when they become itchy and start to rub their faces practically raw? I am using fly spray on the horse's entire body and applying an antifungal/antibacterial on the areas he rubs really bad. I also use the fly spray in addition, but how can I stop him from being so itchy all over his body?

Answer: Click To View The behavior you describe is most likely due to an allergic reaction that your horse is having to one or more allergens. These allergens include pollens from weeds, trees and grasses as well as insects, mites, molds and danders. To identify what allergens your horse is allergic to, intradermal skin testing is recommended. Once the offending allergens are identified, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) "vaccines", which are used to hyposensitize the horse, can be formulated for your horse. Your veterinarian may refer you to a dermatologist for this testing and treatment.

The most important part of controlling your horse's itchiness, especially if it is due to a hypersensitivity to insect bites, is fly control. Examples of typical environmental insect control recommendations include the following: Moving the horse away from standing water, compost, manure piles and cattle; Using fly sheets and masks sprayed with permethrin as a repellent; Stabling during the dusk and dawn hours when gnats are typically at their worst; Employing box fans within stalls, time-released insect sprays, and 32 x 32 per 2.5 cm meshing.

Recommended fly repellents include: · Knockout LA®, Zonk it®, War Paint®, and Amigo Fly Sheet® are effective products · Fly sprays are most effective when combining permethrin, sunscreen and silicon (If a flyspray does not contain sunscreen it is quicky deactivated by the UV light when your horse goes out in the sun.) · Avon Skin-So-Soft® bath oil diluted 50:50

with water · Avon Skin-So-Soft Big Guard Plus IR3535® lotion with sunscreen · Products with DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) solution at approximately a 15% concentrate Other treatment options include: 1. The addition of an antihistamine such as certirizine to your horse's treatment plan.

Certirizine works best when the horse is maintained on it for the entire season that he is itchy.

It is not as effective when given after the horse is in an outbreak.

2. When you first notice your horse getting an itchy spot apply a topical steroid spray such as Genesis topical spray to decrease the itchiness in the affected areas. An ointment such as panalog, which contains both steriods and antibiotics, may be beneficial to reduce the itching. If your horse has scratched his face bad enough to have raw or infected skin, consult with your veterinarian to determine if special treatments are needed to get the secondary bacterial infection under control.

3. At times, your veterinarian may recommend the use of systemic steroids if your horse cannot be controlled with the other treatment that you already have in place.

4. Placing your horse on a supplement that contains Omega-3 essential fatty acids such as Paltinum Performance Skin and Allergy supplement.

It is important to discuss all of these options with your veterinarian so that the best plan can be formulated for your horse.

Question: My yearling colt has warts all over his nose. My vet says they are self-limiting, but the colt's for sale and I want to get some pictures.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of them sooner?

Answer: Your veterinarian is correct; the warts are self limiting and should resolve spontaneously in 60 to 100 days after development. If the warts must be removed in a short period of time (a couple of weeks) cryosurgery has been recommended as the treatment of choice. Chemical cautery has also been described. I would recommend discussing these options with your veterinarian if you feel that the warts must be removed.

However, I agree with your veterinarian that they are self limiting and they will resolve on their own.

If there are other horses on the premises (especially younger horses) it is best to isolate the affected horse from the others to prevent the spread of the warts. Do not use the same grooming supplies on other horses and do not allow them to share feed and water buckets. Good hygiene can help reduce the spread of the warts.

The opinions and answers expressed by each attending veterinarian during the "Ask the Vet" forum are solely their views and opinions based on their practice and not those of the AAEP, and should not be used as substitution for diagnosis from your local equine veterinarian.

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

Ace Tack & Outfitters ACTHA Ansur Saddlery Arena Fenceline Bakko Industries - The Jug Bale Buddy Blairview Bloomquist Law Firm Cannon Falls Trailer Sales Central Iowa Featherlite Classifieds Conway Arabians Custom Panel Doors Donn’s Leather Works Equi-Spot Farnum Flysect Super-7 Farnam Federated Coop Gaitway Farm Haycreek Ranch Horse Fly Net I90 Expo Center Ivanhoe fQ JJ Paints Julie Goodnight KCB Equine Center Ken McNabb K Fence Laser Sheen Farnum Lincoln Sales LJB & Company Lynn Palm Midwest Cremation Minnesota.edu/equine Mimbach Fleet Supply Minnesota Horse Council MN Hooved Animal Rescue MN School Of HorseShoeing More Custom Leather Northland Buildings Pleasant Hills Saddle Shop Photo Classifieds Ralco Nutrition Real Estate HJN Team Century 21-Atwood Century 21 - Miickelson Edina Realty

page 7 page 32 page 14 page 14 page 7 page 34 page 10 page 45 page 3 page 25 page 42 page 28 page 45 page 45 page 47 page 2 page 27 page 46 page 30 page 21 page 35 page 29 page 43 page36 page 45 page 6 page 27 page 17 page 45 page 45 page 20 page 29 page 17 page 45 page 27, 45 page 28 page 26 page 45 page 14 page 39, 45 page 43 page 11

Redwood Stables - Stallion R.T. Duggan Square Meal Feeds Stallion Station Super Mask Farnum Tak Shak The Boot Lady The Natural Gait Tri-Tec 14 Farmun Triple Cross Design UBRA Vertolin Farnum

page 28 page 45 page 30 page 45 page 23 page 45 page 14 page 30 page 9 page 43 page 33 page 13

Real Estate

Adertiser Index

page 41 page 41 page 41 page 41

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 41

www.horsedigests.com

Classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Horse Lovers! Would you like to own your ownbusiness helping horses, working your own hours and make about $75 an hour plus excellent sales commissions? 7 Year old company needs reps for US, Europe, Australia, etc. Our success rate is amazing, and we can show you what to do and how to do it. No pushy sales people, please. Ifyou love horses, PLEASE visit the THERAPY page at www.sumereltraining.com to learn more. In 2 weeks you could be in a new career. Part or full time. $5,000 covers all equipment. Exclusive territories and excellent company support. If you already work with horses, this could help you as well. 540-384-6220 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 320558-2980.

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS 10 box stalls,- 1-x1- - Brand new, no wood.$13,000. Choose your color. Contact 507-527-2914. Will sell individually.

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 Master Saddler offers complete saddlery repairs.Trees replaced, complete reflocks, new seats,billets, tree alterations on Kieffer and Prestigesaddles. Appointments booked for quick turnaround. Skilled repair of driving harness andsidesaddles. Custom accessories for side saddle competition. Bridles sewn in. Contact Michael 847-776-6700 or email master_saddler@saddlersrow.com Website www.saddlersrow.com EVENTS MWHA at 22208 Rum River Blvd, Anoka, MN. 55303 - come join the MWHA for a Poker run ride May 9th at Wild River state Park - Registration begings at 11am and ride ends at 3:30. - $20.00 per rider which includes lunch. Call for more information - Jane Bellert 763-712-1032 HORSES FOR SALE Registered Gox Trotters, good sound minded trail horses, mostly spotted. Homozygous broodmare,

open resonable, also breeding stallion, well-mannered, easy to handle, young stock. Call for details. 763--689-2596 evenings

Athletic, Correct, Beauty, Elegance, Kind disposition with awesome movement.

Registration Numbers: 320-283-5933, spruchlo@gctel.com

2007 Buckskin gelding, cow bred, good disposition and 100% foundation. 2008 Bay Stallion, Poco Bueno, Martin's Jessie and Hollywood Gold. Stud Prospect.2008 Buckskin Stallion, 34% Poco Bueno, 22% King, 100% foundation. Stud Prospect. 620-378-3152

REAL ESTATE 165 Acres, Farmhouse & Horse Barn in Elk River, MN for $699,000. Located next to 2,700 acre Sand Dunes State Forest which has 29 miles of Horseback trails and the Bob Dunn Horse Campground.

Contact Brian 612-532-1164

Beautiful Buttermilk buckskin Mare!! Smart, willing, and really sweet, broke to ride outside or in an arena. Needs a intermedite ridder!! She is built for speed but could be just a nice trail or ranch horse if someone is willing to put time into her, up to date on shots, worming, and trimming 920-566-0241 .

Barrington Hills – Famous Kickapoo Farms. 28 acre horse facility w/2 updated homes, 15-stall barn w/70x100 indoor arena, 90x60 pole barn, 90’ round arena, 125’ outdoor arena, 11 pastures.

Used to breed & train cutting horses/thoroughbreds. Lori Rowe, Coldwell Banker 847/774-7464 Go to www.premierhorseproperty.com

Athletic, Flashy 8 YO TB Gelding, 16.1H beautiful gaits, upper level eventing potential. $12,000. SE Wisc. - 847/924-9089.

TRAILERS All aluminum 2009 Cimarron 3H - .Upgraded weekender package. Fridge, micro, sink, lots of cupboard space, toilet, shower, ac/heat, bthrm fan & window, outside water spicket, 2 battiers,lp gas tank, great clean trailer, 218-340-8211 stefbenson@hotmail.com

2007 Bay Overo English Prospect, started under saddle and still in training. Good looking, big bodied, nice stride, good minded and great manners.15.2 and still growing. Asking $9500.

815/238-8462.

For Sale: 16 Yr. Buckskin Paint Gelding. Needs experienced rider. 815/943-7031 evenings.

Appaloosa Reg. Mares. 3 Yr+ Gentle, pretty, friendly. Will be great under saddle. Reasonably priced. 815/814-1803.

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.

STALLIONS Dakota Gambler Rare Black and White Pintabian At Stud: Proven 99.6% Purebred Arabian.

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

42 May 2010

_____________________________________________________

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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 Equipment For Sale 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

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

2009 Twister 4 Horse GN 8X32 7'6" Tall, with 14'SW Slide Out, Knotty Alder, 20" TV, Copper Sinks, Western Package, Ducted AC, 6 cu ft Refrig., Microwave, Recessed 2 Burner Stove, Large Bathrm with lots of Closet Space, 888-2637212, www.cannonfallstrailers.com

Services and Products 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 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

NORWEGIAN FHORD HORSES Beautiful, family horses 1 Grey mare, 4 years old, Registered P.S. Emmie.

Broke to ride, started driving, beautiful! 1- 3 year old brown dun gelding, started riding and driving. 2 coming 2 year old geldings. 1 grey and 1 brown. Ready to start.

All excellent breeding, family raised.

515-243-3807 days, 515-238-2745 cell pantherstables@aol.com

Stallions and Stallion Auctions

For Sale - WAGON - Saw-mill Lumber - Small case running gear, Excellent condition. Set of harnesses - fits quarter horses, all leather, Various Carts and harnesses.

1 high wheeled cart, harness.

515-243-3807 days, 515-238-2745 cell pantherstables@aol.com

Riding Horse Sale/Auction Sat. June 19, 2010 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

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

at J & J Paints and Quarter Horses, Dodgeville, WI. 40 top quality Trail & Show. APHA/AQHA Horses & ponies riding/driving.

Call for Catalog (608) 341-8144, www.jjpaintsandquarterhorses.com

clearcreekarabians@yahoo.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

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

IOWA GOLD STAR AUCTION NOMINATED! Half-Arabian 2009 Purebred Chestnut gelding.

Momentum NA x OFW Veronyka (RSD Dark Victory) 816-678-5807

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

smc1776@embarqmail.com

clearcreekarabians@yahoo.com

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

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

May 2010 43

www.horsedigests.com

Upcoming Events Remember, call before your dirve 5/ 8 & 9 - Jefferson, WI - Wisconsin Buckskin Horse Assn / IBHA, Kathy Yager 920-568-1111 or sales@premierawards.com 5/8-9 - Upper Midwest Endurance Ride - Glacier Trails Ride - Palmyra, WI, Mona Radtke - 608222-5200, helinoretonsor@earthlink.net

www.redwoodstables.com for more info 5/29-5/31 Memorial Showdown All Breed & ABRA Show. Jefferson County Fair Park, Jefferson, WI. 8:00a.m. Kyle Raabe 414-9400375 swba@swbuckskin.com, www.swbuckskin.com 6/5-6- Palmyra, WI - Upper Midwest Endurance Ride - ApDRA - Dawn Haase, 262-495-8105, jhaas@centurytel.net

May 11 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com .All Breed Horse & Tack Sale

6/ 5-6 - UMBHA-IBHA show - Jackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls, WI - AQHA Special events, Heading, Heeling and Tie-Down roping - Michele Giraud 608 343-5690.

5/14-16- Upper Midwest Endurance Ride, Run for the Border, Wolf Creek, WI., Darlene Molitor, 320-597-2147, valleycreekfarm@clearwire.net

June 5 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com TCHS Select Gelding Sale*

5/14-16 - Sherburn MN - I 90 Open Barrel Race & $2400 Purse Slot Race.-Barrel Race - Futurity - UBRA - jessica@ubra.org - 715-857-6343

6/5-6- Pelican Rapids, MN - Bismarck Maplewood West - Charlotte Tuhy, 701-5263734, chart@loretel.net

5/15 - North Branch MN - MBRA Open Jackpot Fundraiser Start at Noon Fir -Barrel Race HouckHorseCompany@yahoo.com - 651-2771095

June 5-6 UMBHA-IBHA showJackson County Fairgrounds, Black River Falls, WisconsinAQHA Special events, Heading, Heeling and Tie-Down roping. Contact Michele Giraud 608 343-5690.

May 15 & 16 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com .South Paws K9 Dog Show 5/15-16 - Upper Midwest Endurance Ride-Dead Dog Creek, Kinmundy, IL., Linda Mowrer, 618839-3632, ridedeaddog@hotmail.com 5/15-16, 2010 Osceola, WI NVRHA clinic & competition, clinicians: Jay & Jena Henson, contact Rick & Lyla Demulling lyladtr@hotmail.com 715-248-7243 5/21/10 - MN, Pine City, Heidelberger Arena, Barrel Race and Pole Bending, 5PM Exhibitions, 7PM Start time - (651)464-6460 dunsmore_flmn@msn.com 5/22/10 - MN, Pine City, Heidelberger Arena, Rodeo - MN High School - 6PM Start time (651)464-6460 - dunsmore_flmn@msn.com 5/22-23 - Upper Midwest Endurance Ride, My Own Backyard (AHDRA I) - Wyanet, IL., Lori Windows - 815-878-4555 kickbuttshaman@cs.com 5/21-23, 2010 - Entering the Realm of Possibility - Women's Retreat - Eagle Valley Equestrian, Fountain City WI. Heather at 608-687-9534 or eaglevalleyequestrian@yahoo.com; www.groundspringcoaching.com 5/29-5/31 Memorial Showdown All Breed & ABRA Show. Jefferson County Fair Park, Jefferson, WI. 8:00a.m. Kyle Raabe 414-9400375 swba@swbuckskin.com, www.swbuckskin.com May 29 – 31 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com USTRC Team Roping 5/29-30 - Morton, MN - Confidence Clinic with Dennis Auslam, Level I & II, 507-943-3355 or

44 May 2010

June 8 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com Summer Special All Breed Horse & Tack Sale EAU ClAIRE BIT and SPUR OPEN SHOW SCHEDULE - 10409 West Cameron St, Eau Claire, WI - June 12&13, July 10&11, August 21& 22. Sept. 11& 12 - www.eauclairebitandspur.com , 715-833-2086

6/19-20 - Upper Midwest Endurance Ride, Prairie Smoke, Bismarck, ND, Deb Kolegraf, 701-258-6347, debkimk@msn.com 6/19-20, 2010 Valley City, ND NVRHA clinic & competition, clinician: J.J. Ryberg contact: Wyatt Zaun, wjzaun7@hughes.net 701-8400104 6/ 25, 26, 27 - Jefferson, WI - Wisconsin Buckskin Horse Assn / IBHA / NSBA, Kathy Yager 920-568-1111, sales@premierawards.com 7/ 3, 4, 5, - Illinois State Buckskin Association 2010 Heartland Holiday Circuit Shows, 8:00 am.

Contact Dan Vincent 815-562-9552. Open classes offered for non-IBHA horses. PAC Approved. www.freewebs.com/illinoisbuckskin July 10-1 - 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 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- 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

June 12 & 13 - Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN - 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com Summerfest Saddlebred Horse Show

9/1-12 - Nevis, Minnesota NVRHA clinic & competition, Strait Rail Ranch, clinician: Mike Major contact: Terry & Shirley Lund, 218-389-6069 moosehornranch@msn.com, Susan Heyvaert, 763479-1895, heyvaert@frontier.net

6/19-20/2010 NE, 20th Annual Ride the Ridge Trail ride - historic Fort Robinson, NE, (308) 432-3841, don.huls@yahoo.com

Minnesota Pinto Horse Association Show Schedule

6/19th, 2010 - J & J Paints and Quarter Horses, Dodgeville, WI. - Riding Horse Sale/Auction.Phone bidding welcome. Sale catalog - June 1st. www.jjpaintsandquarterhorses.com 608-341-8144

July 9-11- 3 days, 4 Judges - Red Horse Ranch, Fergus Falls - *WIN A KENSINGTON BAG SET* Field Representatives - Mahlon Bauman - 612508-6832 & On Site PtHA Abby Duncanson - 612-877-0338 - Registrations Mary Noonan 402-920-0455

June 19 & 20 Simon Arena - Cannon Falls, MN 507-263-4200 - www.simonhorsecompany.com .MPHA Horse Show 6/13, 2010 - Minnesota Walking Horse Assoc.

Open House and Horse Sale,Crow Wing County Fairgrounds - Brainerd, MN \abragstad@hotmail.com or 218.568.4153 6/18-20 -Upper Midwest Endurance Ride, Forestville, MN, SE Minnesota, Dianne Schmidt, 507-545-9937, schmidt.dianne@mayo.edu 6/18-20, 2010 Newcastle, WY Today’s Horse NVRHA clinic & competition, clinicians Bob & Dolly Wallace Bosque Farms, NM Contact: Deb Black 605-716-5000 or 390-3410 dblack@todayshorse.net

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 Please email your event listing - typed into the body of your email or a word document.

Email to Mark@horsedigests.com

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

TRADERS CORNER Associations

Equine Lawyers

Equine Health

Saddles , Tack & Gear

Website and Ad Design

Farm Equipment

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 MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 45

46 May 2010

MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST

May 2010 47