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Hi Readers,
Midwest Horse Digest Rahn Greimann, Publisher, Owner and Editor
Advertising Mark Bahls 507-943-3355/Fax 507-943-3352 mark@horsedigests.com
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Don't forget to stop and smell the horses (roses). Competition and other uses of horses is great but don't forget to simply take time to share them with the people around you. My daughters come home periodically to spend time with us, and their horses. Makenzie, our youngest, lives and works in New York City and comes back to get her feet on the ground. I live for the private time that I get with her when we go for our dad and daughter rides. Watching the sun go down while riding and talking with your daughter is magical. Likewise, Peg and Mark’s and my grandchildren and our horses, provide the perfect mix to share moments of "heaven on earth". As we take time out of the hustle and bustle to simply feed them together or give the young ones a lead line ride, time stands still and memories that can last forever are created. My grandchildren and their mother, Brianna, are home with me now and the first thing that they did with Papa was to go to the barn and feed the horses. James and Clarine are 5 and 2 ½. Heaven was at home this morning when the smell of the horse mixed with the laughter and joy of the children. It doesn't get any better than this, at least not for me. Take Care and God Bless, Rahn Griemann
This Month in Midwest Horse Digest Chris Cox - Keeping It Practical! Productions Sales Listings Craig Cameron - Horse Crazy National Walking Horse Assoc. - Waht’s in a Word? Lynn Palm - Be the Rider Your Horse Deserves...Part 4 American Shetland Pony Club Dennis Auslam - Learning Horse Behavior Ken McNabb - Head Start for Foals Monty Bruce - Gaining your Horse’s Acceptance... International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Assoc. Champ Show Bob Jeffreys/Suzanne Sheppard - Three Ways to Become Horse Trainer Mary Hamilton - Rising costs The Science Behind Modern Hoof Sealants Julie goodnight - Round Pen Revealed ...part 3
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Ready to Ride Guide Upcoming Events Advertisers Index Classifieds Traders Corner Thumbnail Ads Real Estate
pg. 19 pg. 28 pg. 38 pg. 41 pg. 41 pg. 40 pg. 38-39
Featured on our cover along with the listing of Trainer Articles and Affiliates is Nadia BA, 04 Andalusian Mare. She is the 2008 IALHA Raffle Horse donated by Bricco Andalusians of Wadsworth Illinois. See page ...20 for details We hope you enjoy this issue of
MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST! We are proud to be able to bring it to you and ask that you support the advertisers that support this magazine.
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Keeping it Practical!vChris Cox Uses Down-to-Earth Methods to Create a Partnership with the Horse By Cynthia McFarland with Chris Cox
Photo by David R. Stoecklein
When horseman and clinician Chris Cox won the prestigious 2007 Road to the Horse event, it was no surprise to anyone who knew him. When he won it again in 2008, the victory was a resounding affirmation of the practical horsemanship techniques he uses every day. Born a cowboy, Cox is as common sense as they come. His down-to-earth methods were developed out of practical necessity through years of using a horse as a working partner. He doesn’t rely on gimmicks or fancy equipment, but uses knowledge, skill and proven techniques to communicate with the
horse and establish trust. Cox’s talents with a nervous, unhandled colt at an event like Road to the Horse are nothing different from how he typically works with a young horse at home. “The key is to build a solid foundation using a step-by-step progression,” explains Cox. “I don’t advance to the next step until the horse fully understands and has accomplished each lesson. If you skip steps or rush ahead, your horse is going to have gaps in his foundation that will hinder his performance down the road.” Hailing from a ranching family in central Florida, horses and cattle were central to Cox’s life from childhood on. He was barely a year old when his father, intrigued by the opportunities in Australia, bought an island off the coast. The family packed up everything – including a 96-year-old great grandmother – and moved to Prince of Wales Island in Australia “Growing up on that island, everything in my childhood revolved around horses and cattle,” recalls Cox. “The only transportation we had on the island was our horses and a Massey Ferguson tractor, so my two brothers and I rode horses everywhere, every day.” By the time he was in his early teens, Cox was already breaking colts
on his own and helping “muster” cattle during roundups. His passion for horses drove him to learn better training methods and to use techniques that would respect the horse, rather than force him to obey. After high school, Cox attended Longreach Agricultural College in Queensland, a two-year institution where he scored the highest marks of any student at the time in horsemanship and won the school’s horsemanship award. In 1986, Cox returned to the United State to further his career with horses. He has trained horses for a variety of disciplines, both Western and English, and has a great fondness for working horses, cutting horses in particular. A popular headliner at horse events around the country, Cox has also given many demonstrations using newly adopted, unhandled mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management. His Diamond Double C Ranch in Mineral Wells, Texas, is an ideal setting for Cox’s week-long horsemanship courses. Today, Cox travels the United States, Canada, South America and Australia appearing at expos, conducting clinics and horsemanship demonstrations. His weekly RFD-TV program attracts a wide viewing audience. In 2006, Cox launched his successful “Come Ride the Journey” tour, which he continues each year, visiting cities across the U.S. Horsemen and women of all ages and skill levels attend the tour stops for two packed days of practical learning, entertainment and inspiration. "I have attended a couple of events put on by other nationally and internationally recognized folks and by far Chris is the best true horseman of the bunch,” says Wendy Boyd of Kaysville, Utah, who caught Cox in action at his Ogden, Utah, stop last summer. “The others have a lot of ‘froo froo’ catchy terminology and fancy techniques. Chris is a true horseman as evidenced by his ability to tackle horses that none of the others would dream of tackling in front of a crowd." (continued on next page)
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comes when he lowers his head. (Chirs Cox continued) As soon as the horse begins to Cox’s brand of authentic horsemanship has earned him wide respect. What lower his head, release your right hand horse owners appreciate is that his and rub his neck. Leave your left hand proven methods are easy to understand resting on the bridge of his nose. He and highly effective. With his straight may not lower his head much at first, but he will f o r w a r d improve if approach, Cox you reward manages to take Don t advance to the by the mystery out of next step until the horse fully him releasing working with understands and has the pressure horses, and helps as soon as everyday horseaccomplished each lesson. he drops his men and women head. learn how to betBe consistent with your pressure ter communicate with their horses and polish their horse handling skills. His until you get results. Once your horse Western Horseman training book, learns to lower his head with your hand courses, tour stops and DVDs are all on his poll, you can begin asking him by designed to make it possible for horse exerting downward pressure on the lead owners to master techniques that can rope. The head lowering technique is dramatically improve their horsemanship skills and increase their confidence. covered in detail in the new Western Horsemanship Tip: Teaching your Horseman Book, Ride the Journey, by Horse to Lower his Head. Chris Cox teaches all his horses to lower their heads on command because this teaches them respect, and on the practical side, makes them easier to handle. This method works because you don’t fight the horse and force his head down. Instead, you reward him when he gives to the pressure from your hand. Stand next to the horse and never put your head over the horse’s neck or poll when teaching this lesson. Stand on your horse’s left side and place your left hand on the bridge of the horse’s nose. Place your right hand atop his neck. Gently begin rocking his head from side to side using both hands. As soon as the horse starts to lower his head at all, release the pressure from both hands. When the horse accepts this rocking motion by lowering his head, move your right hand from his neck to his poll. Spread your fingers out so they cover the poll area between his ears. Keep your left hand on the bridge of his nose just to maintain contact. Gently exert pressure on the poll with your right hand until the horse lowers his head. DO NOT PUSH the horse’s head down! The goal is to establish a hold, which is completely different from pushing. Hold the pressure steady until you get some response from the horse. This teaches him to seek the relief of pressure that
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Chris Cox with Cynthia McFarland. To order the book, just visit the website at www.chris-cox.com or call Chris Cox Horsemanship Company at 888-81HORSE. On the website, you’ll also find information about the “Come Ride the Journey” tour, upcoming course dates at the ranch, training DVDs/videos and equipment.
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Fall Production and Futurity Sales July 26, 2008 HS Performance Horses Production Sale. 1pm, Manchester, KS, 785-388-2783, 785-223-3855. hsperformances@yahoo.com Aug. 1, 2008 Weller Ranch 4th Annual Invitational & Production Sale 1pm MST, Kadoka Rodeo Grounds, Kadoka SD. Contact Bill & Carrie Weller, 605.837.2713 or visit www.wellerranch.com August 15, 2008 Lazy JS Ranch 49th Annual Quarter Horse Production Sale, 6:00 pm, Bowman Auction Market, Bowman, ND, 701-523-5605, peach@ndsupermet.com, www.lazyjsranch.artmall.org August 16, 2008 33rd Annual Lopez & Meyer Quarter HOrse Production Sale, 1:30, Faith Southe Dakota, Karen Meyer, 605-4662456, kbmeyerqh@lakotanetwork.com August 16, 2008 Dakota Winds Quarter Horses
Foundation & Performance Production Sale, 1:00 pm, www.dakotawinds.net Howard, SD., 605-772-5410, dakotawinds@alliancecom.net
August 22, 2008 Lowery Quarter Horses Complete Dispersal, 4pm Burwell Livestock Market, Burwell, NE 308-348-2249, sandscript@kans.com
August 16, 2008 Hetletved Quarter Horse 11th Annual Production Sale 2:00 pm at the LH Equine Center near Bismarck, North Dakota 701-392-8351, hqhbek@bektel.com, www.hqhrahch.com
August 23, 2008 Ozark Foundation Breeders Association Production Sale 11am, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Salem AR 72576, 870-458-2963
August17, 2008 Crago Quarter Horses 30th Annual Production and Performance Sale at the Seven Down Arena in Spearfish South Dakota. www.cragohorsesale.com 605-892-4569, 605-892-0451 August 17, 2008 Central South Dakota Ranchers & BreedersQuarter Horse Production Sale, 1:00 pm Central Time, Held: Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch Arena, Blunt, SD, Denny and Doris Lauing,phone 605-9626344 ddranch@venturecomm.net Veiw catalogue On-line: www.HORSEAUCTIONS.com
August 24, 2008 Select Hancock Breeders Production Sale, 12:00, Kearney Livstock Market, Kearney, NE, 308-383-0039 August 29,2008 Hunt’s Production Sale, 5pm, Main Street, Dupree, SD, 605-538-4411, www.huntranch.com Septmember 5, 2008 Pitzer Ranch Fall Sale, Special Perfomance Horse Sale - 12 noon, at the ranch 3 miles N.W. of Ericson, NE.,www.thepitzerranch.com, 308-653-2134 (continued on nexr page)
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When you decide to take the big step to buy a horse, don’t get in a rush. Owning a horse is a big responsibility. Shop around and most importantly, find a horse that fits you and your goals. Make sure the horse is sound and well broke. Bad chemistry is the green horse and the inexperienced rider. Use your common sense – in this case, use some good old horse sense. Have a good By Craig Cameron place to keep your So you want to be a cowboy? You horse. It does not have to be fancy, but I have the desire to buy a horse. You want to recommend that it be clean. Horses like get involved. Some inspiration usually room to roam and run, to be warm in winter brings an individual to this point; perhaps and cool in summer. Horses are herd aniyou went to the rodeo, a horse show, saw a mals and like to be around other horse. movie, or just old desires that long to be ful- Again, common sense. With horses come filled seem to surface. You have been bitten vet bills, farrier bills, feed bills, stall bills, by the bug. The horse bug. Your friends and expect the unexpected bills. Warning – think you are crazy. Remember that things horses are an addiction. Be forewarned. people do not understand they are usually Some of the things that are involved against. I say, Go for it. Achievements are with this addiction are trail rides, horse started with dreams and dreams are the shows, blue ribbons, prize money, clinics, substance of achievements. Friends will horse trailers, clothes, trucks, saddles, parsay, “You don’t have the time.” Heck, who ties, traveling and some of the greatest and does? We never find time; we can only most fun-loving people you will ever be make time. Make time for your dreams and around. Last but not least, this addiction will make them come true. put you in direct contact with one of God’s The question I get asked most is, greatest gifts to mankind, the horse. The “How and where do I start?” My answer, “At horse, if you will let him, will teach you as the beginning would be a good place.” much about life as anything. The horse will Don’t be bashful. Ask question. Go to your teach you about mind, body and spirit. The local feed stores, western stores, local rop- horse will show you that you only get what ing events and stables. Find who is rep- you give, good or bad. The horse is a masutable in the business and start by just ter of patience and forgiveness and shows going and watch people ride and take les- over and over that gentleness is not strong. sons. If this pricks your curiosity for more, The whole idea in horsemanship – or the go for it. bottom line, as they say – of having a horse The Internet, bookstores and trade is to have fun. Like anything, if you work at magazines are full of all kinds of informa- it I know you will have the time of your life. tion. Read up and then get ready to ride up. So, do you still want to be a cowboy? Sign up for the your first lesson. Go by rep- Or do you just think you’ve gone crazy? I utation and word of mouth. Locate a local say, “Don’t worry. It’s okay. Join the crowd, horse trainer to learn and work with. Find a you’re only horse crazy.” teacher who will inspire and not defeat. – Craig Cameron They are out there. I feel correction is good, but encouragement is better. Find that Craig Cameron teacher. Don’t be afraid, have faith in yourself. Double Horn Ranch People and horses both learn through The Making of Great Horses repetition. It is like working out. The first & Horseman time is hard and almost defeating. Hang in there. Give yourself a couple of months, www.CraigCameron.com with lessons twice a week or more. At the end of those two months, I think you will be surprised at how well you might be doing.
Horse Crazy
July 08
Prodution sales continued.... September 6 & 7, 2008 Pitzer Ranch-bred Production Sale 9am, www.thepitzerranch.com 308-653-2134 September 12, 2008 Dakota Classic Cutting Futurity Horse Sale Selling Yearlings and 2 year olds eligible for the DCCF Futurity Held in Conjunction with the Dakota Classic Cutting Futurity 3:00pm Central Time Held: SD State Fair Grounds, Huron South Dakota Request a catalogue or information: Jenny 605-222-7491 September 13, 2008 WYO Quarter Horse Sale, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, in Thermopolis, Wyoming. 12 pm. WYO Quarter Horse Ranch, PO Box 642, Thermopolis, WY 82443, 307-864-5671, PHONE NUMBER FOR SALE DAY: 307-272-0593, email: wyoqhr@directairnet.com
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NATIONAL WALKING HORSE ASSOCIATION....
There IS a Difference. This article is written by Martie Jacobson, member of the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) and carded NWHA judge. The beliefs and opinions expressed herein are her own, based on Ms. Jacobson’s experience in riding, driving, breeding and showing Walking Horses, Shetland Ponies and Peruvian Horses and are not necessarily the official position of the NWHA.
If you spend enough time around Walking Horse judges and would-be judges, you will undoubtedly be subject to discussions of gait and whether or not particular horses are performing their gaits correctly. We judges just simply can’t help ourselves … we can’t not talk about gait. Sprinkled throughout these passionate discussions are words which may be confusing to someone new to the breed. What causes some of the confusion is that many breed-associated words mean one thing to some folks and another thing to other folks, sometimes depending upon the area of the country in which one happens to be, or sometimes just in basic interpretation. With that in mind an attempt will be made to define some of the more common terms used in the world of the Walking Horse. Some of the more words often used to describe a Walking Horse’s way of going can include trotty, hocky, fox-trotty, short-striding, over-stride, square, squared up, too square, pace, stepping pace, swingy, and many more, but you get the idea. Trotty: How can a Walking Horse be trotty? A Walking Horse is totally capable of trotting, especially at liberty, just like any other breed. It might perform a true trot under saddle for various reasons, one of which would be incorrect riding or lack of the horse’s natural ability. But let’s say the horse really isn’t trotting at all, that is, moving the front right and left rear together and the front left and right rear together. Some observers, including judges, may label a Walking Horse as being trotty
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What’s in a Word?
if the horse is short striding in the back end, has little or no driving impulsion from the rear, or it may be too “hocky” in its hind leg movement. So what do the terms, hocky and fox-trotty mean when describing a Walking Horse’s gait? Hocky: This usually means the horse’s hind legs are moving incorrectly in more of an up and down motion, a piston-like manner, with minimal length of stride from hind foot to hind foot rather than the correct driving, reaching or sweeping motion. Fox-trotty: Many folks incorrectly label a Walking Horse as being foxtrotty if it has a hocky movement in the back end because the Missouri Fox-trotter does have a distinctive, up and down tail bob when performing the fox trot. But a bobbing tail does not mean a horse is necessarily performing the fox-trot, it’s just a term sometimes used in the Walking Horse industry, mostly in the show ring. Short striding: Short striding can be used to describe a variety of gait deviations but the most common 3 scenarios in which this term is used refers to the movement of one or both hind limbs. First, the term may be used to describe a horse which is short-striding on one side only which means its movement and timing is off in one hind leg. This can happen for several reasons; the horse may be mildly or severely lame due to leg injury, hip or back problems, sore foot, or even an unbalanced rider sitting off to one side, which then causes the horse to take a shorter stride with one of its hind legs. Secondly, the term is used to describe a horse which has very little sweep or drive (impulsion) in the hind end which causes the distance between one hind foot set-down to the other hind foot set-down to be minimal. Typically, a horse with minimal rear end stride will exhibit little or no overstride, which may also be referred to
as being short-strided. Sometimes, horses which move in this manner are also described as being “too square.” Over-stride: Over-stride is the distance between the hoof print made by the front leg and the hoof print made by rear leg on the same side. The hind foot will “over-stride” the hoof print made by the front foot of a correctly gaited Walking Horse. Some Walking Horses will only overstride a few inches, while some will easily over-stride 2 to three feet. This author believes that sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on over-stride and too little placed on the rear leg to rear leg stride. For example, a long backed horse with extreme reach of the front legs could have a fairly short over-stride, yet be very correct in its gait, whereas a horse which performs a pace or step pace could have a huge over-stride, yet be incorrect in its gait. There are those who would strongly disagree with the above statements, but there is always room for opinion and that’s what makes discussion of gaits enjoyable and challenging. Square or too square: The NWHA rule book describes the Flat Walk as being “bold and four-cornered with an evenly timed 1-2-3-4 beat” and the Running Walk pretty much the same, but with greater speed. So, how then, if the correct gait is a “square” gait, can a particular Walking Horse’s way of going be described as being “too square?” Basically, being too square usually means the same thing as being trotty, hocky, or short-strided, in other words, the horse has very little impulsion and is not driving off its back end nor striding out and reaching far enough under its belly with its hind legs. To make things even more confusing is to hear someone say a horse needs to be squared up. What that usually means is that the horse tends toward the lateral movement of the pace or step pace and needs to continued on page 31
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Rider Position, Part 4
experience any pain or have medical conditions that could be complicated by doing any of these exercises, stop! Seek advice from a health care professional before con-
tinuing. LOWER BODY EXERCISES All of these exercises should be In this series of articles, I am sharing some simple stretching and flexibili- done very slowly. Be sure to breathe ty exercises to help with a rider’s relax- when you are doing them. This is imporation, proper from, and balance. In the tant because it encourages relaxation. If next few articles, we will focus on lower you find yourself holding your breath, try talking or singing to encourage regular body exercises. To do any of these exercises, you breathing. Think “center-square-balanced” will need a consistent, well-schooled horse that is tacked up with saddle, bri- while you are doing the exercises, and dle and leg protection. Practice in a continually analyze your position using large, enclosed area like a paddock, these three key words. Lower Back and corral, or arena to give To do any of these Stomach Exercise: you and your horse more security. These exercises, you will need a Poll to Dock Stretch This exercise exercises can be done consistent, well-schooled stretches both the lower in either a Western or English saddle. horse that is tacked up back and stomach, and with saddle, bridle it can be done at either However, a Western the walk or the trot. Hold saddle will give you and leg protection. the reins in your left more security and is a great confidence builder. On the other hand. While you look straight ahead, hand, using an English saddle is good to very slowly stretch your right arm forward. Reach your right hand toward the build better form and balance. As with all physical activity, if you horse’s poll. You may not be able to
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actually touch his poll, but try to reach as far up his neck as you can. This will give your lower back a nice stretch, and it should feel good. Hold the stretch by keeping your hand on his poll or neck for a few seconds. Stay centered in the saddle, and do not let your lower leg swing backwards as you stretch. (Note: If you are using a Western saddle, be careful not to poke the horn into your stomach.) Now release the forward stretch and bring the right hand back behind you, trying to touch the top of your horse’s tail or dock. This stretches the stomach muscles. Keep looking forward. Stay centered in the saddle and do not twist your body as you reach backwards. Avoid the common error of letting your lower leg swing forward. Hold the stretch with your hand on the dock for a few seconds and then release. Do a few repetitions on this side, and then do the stretch with the other hand. Over the Neck Exercises for Hip Joint Flexibility Flexibility in the rider’s hip area is critical to be able to follow the horse’s movements. The next set of exercises will improve hip flexibility and build the rider’s confidence and balance. These exercises are best done while mounted and standing still. Exercises in this set require the rider to bring his/her legs up and over the horse’s neck and shoulders with no rein contact. Therefore, it is important to be mounted on a very quiet horse that will not become alarmed or worried. Even the most laid back horse may be a little startled to see his rider’s legs in an unusual position. Take a moment to show your horse he has nothing to fear by “sacking” him out with your legs. Holding the pommel with both hands, lean back slightly and rub one foot and leg on the side of his neck, and then repeat the sacking out process with the other leg. When he shows acceptance, you are ready to start these exercises. Ask a helper to hold the horse if you have any doubts about his steadiness. Tie a knot in the reins and loop them over the saddle horn, or simply knot the reins if you are using an English saddle. Put yourself in the starting position by grasping the saddle’s pommel with both hands and “scooting” your hips a little more forward in the saddle. This position allows more hip flexibility. Take your feet out of the stirrups, but let your legs hang in the proper riding posi-
July 08 tion beneath you. Knee Touches With both hands behind you, grasp the cantle, keeping the elbows slightly bent. Bring your upper body back slightly as you lift both knees up at the same time. Touch the knees together over the horse’s withers or the saddle horn and slowly bring them back to the starting position. Slightly rocking your upper body back as you do this exercise makes the hip joint more flexible. Be careful not to kick your horse! This is a challenging exercise that also builds leg and abdominal muscle strength. If you can only bring the knees up part way, it is okay. Keep practicing a little at a time until you can touch them together. Leg-Over-the-Shoulder Stretch This exercise helps develop leg and inner thigh muscles as well as balance. Start with the legs in normal riding position with feet out of the stirrups. With the knee slightly bent, bring the right leg above the neck with the foot extended towards the horse’s head. Then bend the knee and extend the lower leg and foot across the horse’s neck and down towards his left shoulder as you grasp
M idwest H orse D igest the cantle with your left hand for stability. The leg should be held up and above the horse’s neck and shoulder by several inches. Bring the leg back over the horse’s neck and return it to normal riding position. Alternate legs. For the greatest benefit, do the exercise very slowly. Do not kick your horse in the neck or allow your leg to drag across his neck or drape down on his shoulder. The keys to doing all of these exercises are: 1. stay centered in the saddle, 2. remain balanced, and 3. do not look down. Between exercises, take a break and let your muscles relax before starting again. Do not forget to breathe! My book, Head to Toe Horsemanship, has many of these exercises as does the first part of, “Respecting the Rider’s Form,” my five-part visual series, Dressage Principles for the Western and English Horse and Rider. These products are available along with other Palm Partnership Training™ resources by logging on to www.lynnpalm.com.
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July 08 M idwest H orse D igest October 4th Fundraiser for ASPIRE Theraputic Riding Program
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On October 4, 2008, many well-known equestrians and their horses will come together to perform at Dances With Horses, a fundraiser for ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program. Come to the McElroy Auditorium at National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa to experience the magic and beauty of rare horse
breeds as they dance with their riders to various genres of music. ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program invites you to participate in the VIP package for $40 which includes a gift bag and box seats for the performance at 7pm. General admission tickets for the show are also available for $20, and a silent auction will precede the performance.
The Dances With Horses program will include a silent auction and performances by Black Pearl Friesian Dance Troupe, Wood Pecker Woods- Norwegian Fjord Carriage Driving, Raccoon River Riders Equestrian Drill Team, Zorro and Groovy, Erica Frei, Side Saddle Ladies, ASPIRE & many more! All proceeds from this unique weekend event will go to ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program. ASPIRE is a non-profit organization that benefits individuals with disabilities through animal-assisted activities and outreach program. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (319) 296-3096, or visit the website at www.danceswithhorses.com
To Advertise in Midwest Horse Digest call Mark or Peg Bahls at 507-943-3355 or email peg@horsedigests.com or
mark@horsedigests.com
July 08 M idwest H orse D igest The American Shetland Pony Club Salutes Hong Kong For Hosting the 2008 Equestrian Olympics With a Gift of Two Shetland Ponies
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Morton, IL- In a gesture of goodwill, the American Shetland Pony Club is sending a gift of two American Shetland Ponies to the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation to salute their efforts in hosting the 2008 Equestrian Olympics. The two Shetland riding ponies are currently in quarantine in Lexington, Kentucky awaiting their flight to Hong Kong scheduled for June 6th. The two show ponies will fly from Chicago to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) will host a special presentation ceremony on July 10th in Hong Kong to receive the ponies. Established in 1888, the A m e r i c a n Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) is one of the oldest breed registries in the United States. When ASPC Marketing Director, Johnny Robb, read about the efforts that the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation and the Hong Kong Jockey Club put forth to host the 2008 Olympics, she was moved. “In these unsettled times, it was exciting to see one country put forth such energy and resources for an effort that will unite equestrians worldwide”, said Robb, “It is an example of the true spirit of the Olympic games”. Robb also read that there were only a few ponies in Hong Kong imported by the local riding schools to be used as school ponies as well as 6 mini ponies reportedly left by a Russian circus. “Our Shetland Ponies have truly been a part of the fabric of American life. I thought it would be so special if we could thank the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation by sending a gift of two of our ponies”, said Robb. Robb rallied the support of the ASPC Board of Directors. Robb’s friend, Lily Zilo is a Chinese American Dressage rider vying to ride for Hong Kong in the 2008 Olympics. Mrs. Zilo introduced Robb to her contacts at the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation. Next, Robb and
ASPC Director of Operations, Zona Schneider, met with HKEF Vice President, Mr. Edwin McAuley while he was visiting the United States. Mr. McAuley liked the idea and discussed the idea with members of the HKEF upon his return to Hong Kong. Mr. Simon Ip, President of the HKEF, gave the green light to receive the ponies in Hong Kong. Mr. Soenke Lauterbach, Secretary of the HKEF, became the liaison to the project and things began to proceed quickly. The ASPC purchased two very special Shetland Ponies. One National Champion riding and driving pony, FMF Imagination was purchased from Brenda Basham and Jason Prince of Excalibur Training Stable in Illinois. FMF Imagination’s holds dual registrations. Along with being a registered American Shetland Pony, his unique color pattern qualifies him for registration with the Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA), an organization that accepts spotted equines from a wide variety of breeds. The second American Shetland Pony heading to Hong Kong is PC’s Karmel Kid, who is trained in the Olympic discipline of Dressage and was purchased from Ingram Training Stable in Florida. With the help of International Racehorse Transport’s Simone Glennie, the flight to Hong Kong was arranged. The two ponies will fly from Chicago on June 6th. They will have several weeks to adjust to their new home prior to their presentation ceremony on July 10th in Hong Kong. The American Shetland Pony Club is proud to honor Hong Kong’s efforts to host the Olympics, but a campaign of this magnitude takes a village. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the National Governing Body for US Equestrian Sports, gave their full support to the
ASPC’s tribute to Hong Kong. “The American Shetland Pony Club is a recognized breed with USEF,” said Robb, “The USEF’s support of this effort is just another display of their commitment to support their members and the global equestrian community.” Along with USEF and the PtHA , several other organizations joined in to support the ASPC’s effort. Ozark Mountain Mini Tack pitched in to supply saddles, bridles and accessories for the ponies. “We were uncertain if there would be tack and equipment small enough to fit the ponies in Hong Kong”, said Schneider, “We are grateful to Ozark Mountain for ensuring the riders in Hong Kong will have everything they need to enjoy these fine ponies.” The WF Young Corporation supplied Absorbine Show Sheen® and grooming products for the ponies and Freedom Health supplied the ponies with Succeed® a digestive aid, during quarantine and for their transition period in Hong Kong. “Thanks to the vision of the American Shetland Pony Club and these fine companies we are able to share our wonderful American Shetland Ponies with the riders in Hong Kong,” said Robb, “We are looking forward to July 10th when we can salute our fellow equestrians in Hong Kong and play a small role in honoring their Olympic effort.” Visit www.shetlandminiature.com to learn more. The American Shetland Pony Club, the American Show Pony Registry and The American Miniature Horse Registry are non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of these small equines and promote the enjoyment of small equines. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club offer a variety of programs for Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse enthusiasts of all ages. Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.
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July 08
Learning Horse Behavior By Dennis Auslam One of the hardest things to learn about horses is why they behave the way they behave. As humans we tend to want to humanize the horse or treat the horse like we do our pets. When we do this we to often become the creator of our own problems with our horse. Becoming aware that the horse is a herd animal and flight is its first instinct is one of the hardest things a new horse owner has to learn. The top priority of the horse is having a safe place to be. When the horse is in its natural environment, the herd, the herd leader is the safety director. In your relationship with your horse It is your job to be the herd leader and provide him with that safe place to be. Your horse needs to learn that you are a leader, his leader. That is most often where we, as
humans, get in trouble. We start having problems with our horse when we do not provide that leadership. We tend to think that a horse that misbehaves is just trying to make our life difficult. When a horse starts acting out they feel as though you have stepped out of the leadership position and they by instinct have to step into that position and be on the lookout for danger. It is extremely important for us to be consistent with our leadership to create that horse we all desire, the one that respects and has confidence in us. To achieve this, though we may love them, we cannot treat them like they are just a 1200 pound lap dog. If you do not know how to attain that position of leadership in your relationship with your horse you need to seek out professional help. You need to learn how to obtain this position of leadership to stay safe and have a pleasant experience with your horse. The sooner we can learn why horses do things the sooner we can get control of and respect from our horses. A horse acts in ways that are instinctual and that instinct is geared toward self preservation. He doesn’t automatically or naturally realize he isn’t supposed to do that. If you find that your horse is just not listening to you I am going to suggest to you that you have not set yourself up as his herd leader and until you do you are going to have problems. Your horse is not misbehaving just to make you mad, they do not have vindic-
tive motives, they are just being honest. I am not saying that horses cannot be vindictive or stubborn, but 9 times out of 10 it is a learned behavior that we created because we do not understand the horses natural behavior. They just want to be safe and you are not putting yourself in the position where they trust you to keep them that way. Safety, for the horse, comes before food or fun or anything else, including us. Because of that simple fact, it then becomes your job to convince the horse that the safest place for him to be is under your management. . So how do you accomplish that? How do you teach the horse that you are the place of safety? That is what we will be covering in the next few articles. This is an extremely important topic and very misunderstood. A couple of things we will be talking about is meeting your horse in the middle, building the horses confidence, building your confidence in the horse and building the horses confidence in you. We have a confidence building clinic, on a regular basis at our facility in Morton, MN. that specifically addresses these issues and teaches you methods of how to gain that leadership ability starting on the ground. Our next clinic is August 2nd and 3rd, 2008, so come join us! Stay safe and God Bless!
Dennis Auslam is the owner, operator and trainer at Redwood Stables in Morton, MN. He has been working with horses all his life and has a true passion for training and teaching, both the horse and the rider. You can contact him at 507-430-3042 or visit their website at www.redwoodstables.com
July 08
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July 08
Head Start for Foals By Ken McNabb with Katherine Lindsey Meehan
In this month’s article, we are going to discuss some tips for teaching your foal to lead and how to begin sacking him out. This will lay a solid foundation for the work you will do with him for the rest of his life. To start, keep in mind that you should only expect to work your foal for about 20 minutes at a time. This is not so much because of his attention span, but more because you don’t want to push him physically at a young age. Twenty minutes won’t tire him out, and that’s what we’re looking for. I’ll give you two exercises that I like to start with. The first is to teach the baby to lead off a halter, and to soften his head and neck towards you as he does. Begin by haltering your foal. Halter him for the first time just like you would an older horse. Don’t make a big deal of it, and chances are it won’t be a big deal to your
baby either. I like to use a wide nylon web halter that fits properly. I don’t recommend a rope halter, as a wider halter distributes the pressure over a larger area. If he is scared of the halter, move it up and down in front of him a few times until he relaxes. Don’t shove it on to his face or force him to accept it, just give him a little time to think about the new situation. Now, you are ready to begin teaching your foal to lead. Step off to the side of him, and put a gentle pull on the lead rope. Hold the pressure steady. You are looking for your baby to bend his neck in the direction of the pressure and take a step towards you. As soon as he does, release all pressure on the lead rope and pet him to let him know that was what you wanted. Be sure that you reward him for even one step towards you. One thing that is important to remember here is that you are looking for more than just his feet to move. You also want your baby to soften his neck towards you. This is laying the foundation for him to be light and responsive to the bridle later in his training. At this stage in his training, you should never pull on your foal to move straight towards you. Always ask him to move with pressure to the
side. As he progresses and begins to understand what you want, you can elongate the circle that you are working on so the baby takes more steps forward and less to the side. The second exercise I like to teach my babies is to sack them out all over with my hands. It works well to work on leading for a few minutes, then practice sacking out, and then switch back to leading. This way the foal doesn’t get bored. Begin at the head, and start rubbing your foal gently but firmly. If he stands for a few seconds, take your hands off him to let him know he is doing the right thing. Then go back to rubbing on him, working your way from the head and neck to his shoulders, down his front legs, and on to his back, hip, and hind legs. Remember to stop and take your hands off to give him a release at regular intervals throughout this process. Your goal here is to sense his level of anxiety and stop sacking him out BEFORE he moves off on his own. However, if he does move off while you are still sacking him out, back off what you are doing and let him take a few steps away, then stop him gently using the leading exercise you have already practiced, and go back to what you were doing. There is a reason that you need to give your foal a chance to take a few steps away when he gets nervous. In the wild, a horse’s survival depends largely on his ability to run away from predators. If you don’t allow your baby to move at all when he is afraid, you are telling him that when he is scared, there is nothing he can do about it. By allowing him to leave a little, but then bringing him right back to what you were doing, you are teaching him that he can move when he is afraid, but he will learn that nothing bad is going to happen and you will take care of him, so he can make the choice that he does not have to leave, even
July 08 when he is nervous about something. Once you can touch your horse all over with your hands, you can sack him out with the lead rope as well. Be sure you are using a soft cotton rope, and toss it gently over his back, let it bump his legs, and so on. You can even take the rope around his belly like a cinch and practice tightening it a little. Use your imagination, and remember, you own your horse for enjoyment. Make sure that you keep
CALL MARK OR PEG AT 507-943-3355 TO PLACE YOUR AD IN MIDWEST HORSE DIGEST
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every exercise fun for you and your baby, and enjoy building the foundation that will allow you to progress smoothly through your training for years to come. 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 Ken McNabb Discovering the Horseman Within
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By Monty Bruce In other issues we discussed how horses learn by examples of 1. The application of pressure and release of pressure, combined with 2. Timing and consistency to gain desired results from the horse. Again, we are not using force with pressure. We are offering it to the horse and when he gives us the desired results we quickly release the pressure to help him understand he did the right thing. Now, we are ready to get right into our training program. We are going to work with you and your colt, which has had very little or no handling, through the steps from the very beginning up. I start all my colts in a round pen, a 45 to 50 feet is my personal favorite size, however, I have used round pens that ranged in size from 30 to 65 feet. Size is not as important as safety and good ground footing. In my first session I turn the young horse into the round pen without halter or lead rope. I stand in the middle of the round pen with a 35-ft. nylon rope, about an inch in diameter. I recommend a very loose or soft braided nylon because it is easy on the horse. Also, nylon is heavier in weight Remember, each horse is very different and some react quicker to pressure than others. Just by my presence in the middle of the pen, some colts will be on the outside ring moving out and others will be trying to walk over the top of me, which will have to end quickly. My main objectives in this training session are; for the horse is to acknowledge and respect me and to start getting a basic
M idwest H orse D igest July 08 Gaining your horse’s acceptance and undertanding - key to learning understanding of pressure and release of pressure. If the horse is on top of me, I want to step towards him, raise my hand, cluck to him, and/or start swinging my rope. Whatever it takes to get him to step away and out on the rail. With some horses it will not take much, once they are out on the rail moving, I stay facing the pen and start to swing and move the rope in my hand, a little at first. I don’t want to scare the horse, so I watch him closely and back off if need be. There will be two types of colts, one on each end of the spectrum and everything in between. Each one must be handled differently. On one end you will have what I call the back yard pet, which can be a bit disrespectful, pushy, sometimes a little more dull in their responsiveness. Then you have on the other end, what I would call the range colt; which are nervous, flighty, a bit shy of you, and over- reactive to pressure. Each of these we want to handle a bit differently and I am looking for a little different objective in each. In my backyard pet, I am definitely looking for respect, that he acknowledges me. He would rather be standing on top of me than working on the rail. As well as accepting the rope and the things I ask of him, I need to sharpen him response to pressure. As I raise my hank, cluck, and step towards him (applying pressure) asking him to move out, I need him to do so immediately, instead of just standing there, looking at me thinking “Do I have to?” When working with this type of colt I will step lively toward him, hand in air, maybe swing my rope, and cluck. I don’t care which direction he goes just as long as he puts himself into motion and moves out. If he does not respond to the pressure, I will not be afraid to tap him with the rope to move him out. I want to handle my range colt much differently. He is nervous, unsure of the situation and me, and is, most likely, already moving on the rail. With him I am looking more for acceptance and for him to acknowledge and look at me. I want to keep my movements smaller and much slower with this type of colt; the last thing I want to do is scare him. My main objective with him is to gain his trust and acceptance. Either
colt should be on the rail moving at a steady pace (trotting or loping, both speeds are fine as long as it’s not too fast). Slowly I start swinging my rope and softly tossing it towards them as if I was trying to reach out and touch them. Remember, a little bit at a time as they can handle it. If they get too rattled, back down. I keep this process up until I can actually toss the rope and coils over the horse’s back and they accept this without any negative effect. On you range colt, remember the 3-S’s, do everything Softly, Slowly, and be quick to Stop pressure, or back off. By using a rope on the range colt it enables you to sack him out, so-tospeak, at a safe distance. With the yard pet, the rope shows the colt you can touch him and control him from 20 feet away, helping to gain respect. At this point, what I want from the colts is to be able to send them out on the rail, while remaining relaxed, and move them until I tell them to stop. It is then that I start to watch for signs of acceptance and understanding in the colts. As they start to accept me, they will acknowledge me by keeping their inside ear cocked toward me fairly consistently. Watch for him to start licking his lips. This shows he is starting to understand what is being done. Then, you should see him lower his head and neck for two to four strides at a trot on the rai. This is showing acceptance and submission. These signs are strongest portrayed on the range colt type because of being most reactive and responsive, but you will see it on any colt. This session will generally take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the colt, but when all this comes together my first session is complete. Next time we will do more respect training and teach the colt to look up and focus on me. Also, we will start some softening and more pressure and release exercises.
Until next time, Good luck! If you have any questions or would like more information, log onto Monty’s website at www.montybruce.com
July 08
Ready-to-Ride Guide MINNESOTA Trail Rides Bush Wacker Trail Ride Club, Huntersville Fall Trail Ride, Huntersville, MN.; 218-894-0056
M idwest H orse D igest Custer, SD: 605-673-4471, www.brokenarrowcampground.com Hay Creek Ranch, Nemo, SD:605578-1142, www.haycreekranch.net
Outback Ranch, Inc., Houston, MN.; 507-896-5550, www.outbackranch.com
Krieger Cattle Company, Burke, SD: 605-775-2113 Riding Vacations Bitter Sweet Ranch and Camp, Hill City, SD: 605-574-2324, wwwbitterseetranchcamp.com
Overnight Stabling Outback Ranch, Inc., Houston, MN.; 507-896-5550, www.outbackranch.com
Broken Arrow Horse Camp, Custer, SD: 605-673-4471, www.brokenarrowcampground.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
Hay Creek Ranch, Nemo, SD: 605-578-1142, www.haycreekranch.net
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.; 701-973-4331, www.littleknifeoutfitters.com Public Lands Fort Ransom State Park, Fort Ransom, ND.; 701-973-4331 SOUTH DAKOTA Trail Rides Broken Arrow Horse Camp,
Gunsel Horse Adventures, Rapic City, SD 605-343-7608, www.gusdelhorseadventures.com 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
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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; 262594-6200 Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls;715-382-4574 Token Creek County Park, Madison, WI.; 608-246-3896 Wild Rock Park, Neilsville, WI.; 715-743-5140
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July 08
2008 International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Championship Horse Show The 2008 International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Championship Horse Show will be held at the Will Rogers Equestrian Centre in Fort Worth Texas on October 13-19, 2008. Once again it will be time for Andalusian and Lusitano horses and their admirers from all over the world to meet in the great state of Texas and celebrate, compete and train for the coveted N a t i o n a l Championship titles. Horses entered will have competed at over twenty five qualifying events, held across the United States and Canada, in order to be entered and judged by expert judges, licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation, at this final event of the year. Local Judge, the honorable Mrs. Helen Hogan of Fort Worth, Texas will officiate at the final qualifying day, Monday the 13th of October, giving competitors a last chance at making the cut. Tuesday will see Dressage horses and their riders in a dance of precision and harmony, executing tests of skill and discipline in the equestrian art. Horses for this event will have qualified by receiving a qualifying score at a United States
Dressage Federation approved event, for the level they are competing, from training through Grand Prix. The Honorable Mr. Thomas Poulin of St Charles, Illinois will bring his vast personal knowledge and love of the sport, to the task at hand,
Times. Educational clinics and seminars will be peppered throughout the week covering topics ranging from grooming, nutrition, and driving. Whizzer and Kathi Baker of Four Winds West Horse Show Management along with their incredible staff will keep the show rolling along in the seemingly effortless way they always have. Bricco Andalusians of Wadsworth Illinois have generously donated the beautiful purebred Andalusian mare Nadia BA to be raffled as a fundraiser for our National Show! In addition many of the owners on Dressage day, and in the “all of the top stallions in the country new� USDF Sport Horse In Hand have donated breeding services to division, supported capably by be auctioned off online at Veronica Holt of Colorado as www.Horsedigests.com , further Technical Delegate. insuring the success of our From Wednesday through Sunday, Nationals! The first member to step horses will compete in Halter, up and donate a breeding was Driving, Western, Hunt, Show Hack, Becky Thornton for her National Country Pleasure, Doma Vaquera, Champion Lusitano stallion Solar ! Reining, Saddle Seat and Costume. For more information on the National Judges for the balance of Halter and Show, Vendor Space, Advertising, Performance classes will be the hon- Sponsorship , Stallion Service orable Mrs. Diane Morgan-Stasiak, Auction or to purchase raffle tickets CO., Mr. Richard Petty, and/or Cecile on Nadia BA please visit our website Hetzel-Dunn of FL. at www.IALHA.org or contact the Joanne Asmin of Burbank , CA. National Show Committee Chair , will oversee the exhibition rides and Gareth A Selwood at special performances including such selwoodp@idcnet.com greats as the Knights of Medieval
July 08
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Three Ways to Become a Horse Trainer
July 08
Two as One Horsemanship
By Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard
People who love to ride horses often envy those of us who work with or are around horses every day. They truly believe that it would be just great if they could quit their current job and subsequently work at training horses, or if just starting out, choose a career with horses right from the get go. There is nothing else quite so rewarding as working with horses. The look in a horse’s eye when he figures out what you want, or the expression of joy shown by a client when she rides her young horse for the first time, are just a few examples of what makes this job worthwhile. The lifestyle itself is not just appealing; it’s often liberating. Once you mount up and begin to ride in the arena or out on the trail, there are no lawyers, regulations, government interference, nagging bosses, or people trying to get your money; there’s just you and that horse. If you truly believe that time spent with God’s finest creatures is what you’re all about, then read on for suggestions on the best ways to prepare yourself to follow your dream! There are several different ways to get started, and we’ll discuss three of the most common avenues available to assist you in achieving your goals. Be aware that good trainers learn not only by working with lots of horses, but also by doing so under the supervision of highly skilled, more experienced trainers. Why is it just not sufficient to work with horses as your only teachers? Because when learning to train you need feedback from a professional who knows more than you do. After all, we can’t watch ourselves train, and therefore can’t see the little (or not so little) mistakes that we make. Furthermore, we don’t need to recreate the wheel; people have been effectively training horses for thousands of years, so why not take advantage of the knowledge that’s already out there? So find a situation in which someone is willing and able to show you the ropes and become your coach as you learn. The first option, and a great one for youngsters to get started, is to attend an equestrian college. Here equine education is augmented with an academic degree. We are personally
familiar with several such schools, and therefore can highly recommend them. Every year there are numerous applicants lined up for matriculation at these schools. In years past equine colleges had to do a lot of recruiting, but today there is certainly no shortage of students. It is at graduation time that shortages are more likely to be noticed, since the shortages are in job openings. Be sure to check on the job placement rates, as one valuable benefit would be support in getting hired upon graduation. If you’re not one of the lucky ones who are hired by breeding, racing, medical or other such facilities, you’ll have to consider apprenticing at an established facility, or starting up an operation on your own. We receive dozens of requests each year to work at Bob’s ranch from many such students, with good academic and equine credits. We personally prefer to help out our own students first, and we’re sure we’re not alone in this regard. It makes sense for us to hire people who are already trained in our philosophies and techniques so that we know they are teaching horses effectively, safely, and in a way that is consistent with our approach. Therefore, if you want to work with a specific trainer and/or with a particular training system, your best bet would be to attend horsemanship training courses offered by those trainers, such as we offer. Because we teach our ProTrack™ Trainer Certification Program personally, our students enjoy working directly with us. There’s nothing like learning from the creators of a system; sometimes trying to learn secondhand from others can result in a shallow, incomplete education with holes in your training. Work directly with the source! If you want to pursue this second option, then contact the trainer, get all the info you can, and then visit the trainer and the facility. Discuss your needs, experience and goals, and get a
feeling for his/her skill level, ability to explain and teach, and personal style. Is this a person you respect, who can not only train horses, but who can also teach people? If you’re going to invest the time and money into the program, be sure that your prospective teacher is one who will truly help you, and that he/she has a real commitment to your education, training and safety. Also, is there flexibility built into the schedule? Most of us have very busy lives, and the rigid schedule of some programs can make it almost impossible to participate. Our particular program consists of nine weeks spread out over five or six months of extensive and intensive horse training and riding instruction, and we offer both a certification track(“ ProTrack™”), and horsemanship education courses. We try to build in choices; not only in terms of whether people want to simply become the best horseman or horsewoman they can be, or to work towards certification,thereby enhancing their knowledge, expertise and professional credentials, but also in whether to complete the program in one year, or to spread out the coursework over two or more years. This type of education is completely hands-on; there is no academic degree associated with these types of programs, just horsemanship and business savvy applicable specifically to effective, safe, profitable, horse training. For example, in our own program we’ll show you how to decipher what people really mean when they tell you about their horse. “He’s just a little light in the front end”, or “He’s got a really strong hind end” probably mean that this is a horse that will rear at the drop of a hat! Once on your own you still have to establish a practice, which usually takes some time, and putting a well established trainer’s name behind your method can help minimize that time.
July 08 A third approach is to apprentice privately at an established training barn under the tutelage of their resident trainer. Since these positions are quite competitively sought after, you may have to accept very little or no pay for awhile, or even pay the trainer for the “privilege” of hanging around and assisting when permitted. While this may initially be a more convenient option for you, the local resident trainers may not be particularly good teachers, and may not pay particular attention to your education, as they are primarily concerned with getting their own job done. However, if you work hard enough and long enough with them, you might eventually learn some of their secrets. Unfortunately this education by osmosis can take quite awhile, and you may need to work with more than one trainer to find a system that works for you. We won’t kid you that this will be a walk in the park, however, because just like everything else, working with horses looks easier than it actually is. You can expect to work long, hard hours and get dirty. Sometimes the job can even be dangerous, and usually the pay is not that great. Vacations can be few, and you normally have to work through your sick days. But if deep down you have the soul of a horseman, then it’ll all be worth it, and you’ll be one of the lucky few whose days fly by ‘cause you’re doing work that is meaningful to you, and having fun.
For info about our Horsemanship Ed Courses or ProTrack™ Trainer Certification Program call (845)692-7478, or visit www.TeachingTwoasOne.com .
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Ask Mary: W i t h everyt h i n g costing more how can I economize without compromising the wellbeing of my horse? Unless you are rich, paying more for gas and groceries influences spending on activities like riding. Our salaries just aren’t keeping pace with escalating prices. Here are some ways to stretch your horse
keeping dollars and ride out the recession. Find out where your money goesCreate a budget. It can be as simple as a spiral notebook an excel spreadsheet or even better, a Quickbooks program that will show you where you spend your money. Categorize costs such as feed, farrier, veterinarian, insurance, equipment, and training. It is difficult to manage your money if you don’t know where it’s is going in the first place. A budget is your first step in
INSULIN RESISTANCE (IR) LAMINITIS N OBESITY N CUSHINGS N N
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July 08
evaluating where you can cut costs with the least impact on your horse’s care. Once you have created your budget you can prioritize what the most important budget items are and what you can reduce. Reduce feed costs- How much is a scoop of grain or a flake of hay? Now is the time to start weighing and measuring. Start monitoring your horse’s condition every time you feed them. An elderly horse that has trouble keeping weight on may need a pound of grain a day. However, many horses I see are overweight. Cut your costs by reducing their calories until they are at a desirable and healthy weight. If you don’t know if your horse is over weight, ask your veterinarian the next time they are out. Or educate yourself on the body conditioning scoring points used to evaluate your horse’s condition. Plan ahead, hay prices will be up in 2008-2009. Even with a bumper crop, fuel and fertilizer costs to harvest it are higher for the farmers that sell it. Inspect your hay for quality before you buy it. No use paying for a moldy bale that you have to throw away. Feeding hay from piles on the ground results in significant waste. Because horses step on it, urinate on it or it gets wet from rain or snow. Feed your horses from a feeder that doesn’t waste a morsel. Similarly, use a garbage can or other sealable container to store grain. This will reduce loss from spillage and rodent damage. Manage your pastures. Rotate your livestock so your pasture is not over grazed and allow it to rest and regenerate. Evaluate your property. Is there an area you can flash graze with temporary fencing to allow your main pasture to rest? If not consider using a dry lot or sacrifice area. Mow those bathroom areas in the pasture and use a drag to break up the manure there.
July 08 Compost your manure and use it to fertilize your garden. Reduce energy costs- It’s automatic, we walk into a room and flick on the light. The next time you do that, ask yourself, “Do I really need it on to do what I want to do in here?” If you don’t need it, don’t turn it on. Maximize your use of windows and natural lighting. Instead of grooming your horse in the barn with the lights on, consider doing it outside in natural lighting. Break some convenient old habits for the sake of saving some energy costs. Consolidate errands and find the shortest route. Trail ride in local parks, car pool with your trail riding partners and split the gas. I find myself pushing the wheel barrel more and turning on the tractor less. I call it my new exercise program. Reuse, recycle, repair- Anytime safety is compromised you need to replace equipment. Don’t sacrifice quality for cost. Many times if you buy quality equipment, your initial cost may be a little higher but it will last longer and break less often.
M idwest H orse D igest Before you throw away something that has broken, ask yourself, “Can it be repaired? Can it be used for something else? Do I really need to replace it?” I grew up on a farm in northern Wisconsin. My parents were wonderful role models in sustainable living. We cut our own wood for heat, raised a big garden, canned vegetables and butchered our own meat. I find myself revisiting that lifestyle more and more as I try to economize. Those of us on a little acreage are the fortunate ones. We can put in a bigger garden and help our neighbors and friends by giving away any extra vegetables. We can evaluate what is the best land usage for our property and be smarter about how we use this valuable resource. We can make more hay. Final ThoughtsMany people I know are fearful and worried about paying their next bill. The only way I know of beating fear is to educate yourself, make a plan of action and implement that plan. Don’t count on the govern-
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ment to fix the rising energy costs or the recession. It’s not going to pay for your next veterinarian bill. It’s up to each of us to plan ahead for future costs by making a budget and reducing our energy consumption. We can economize by focusing extra attention on how to best use our land and resources to care for our animals. We can buy local products to support our local businesses. We can work together with neighbors by bartering, sharing and helping one another. The good news is you can do something to ride out the recession. Mary is a Mounted Police Insturctor and a fully insured ARICP certified 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. Visit her website at www.riderselite.com
Benefit Trail Ride at Outback Ranch The MQHA presents a benefit Trail Ride at The Outback Ranch, Houston, MN, September 11-14, 2008 In alliance with Make-a-Wish Foundation® of MN, the majority of our net proceeds will help to provide 18 year old Kimberly from Wheaton, MN with her very own horse and custom saddle! FEE FOR EVENT: Adult - $105.00 includes 3 nights camping, dinner, Music by Geoff Landon & the Wolfpack Clinic with Dennis Auslam of Redwood Stables and drawings! Dinner & dance only- $15.00 • Dance only- $5.00(at the door) For more information and to register
contact Midge at (651) 260-6354 or Holly at (507) 8965550 Download forms at www.mnqha.com or www.outbackranch.net E-mail requests can be sent to jwieser@acegroup.cc or mnride06@yahoo.com Open to all breeds anddisciplines! AQHA’s Ride Program is an international series of trail rides that welcomes horses of all breeds and riders of all disciplines to celebrate the joys of horseback riding. The Ride Program benefits local charities as well as the American Quarter Horse Foundation, a charitable organization that provides scholarships, preserves the heritage of the American Quarter Horse and raises important dollars for equine research. Kimberly, 18, from Wheaton is battling congenital myopathy, a neurological
disorder. Kimberly likes to listen to music, watch TV, play computer games and read. Some of Kimberly’s favorite things include playing cards, listening to country music (especially Garth Brooks), and eating Chinese food or chocolate! In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys scrapbooking and photography. Kimberly’s true passion is horses! Kimberly’s wish for her very own horse and custom saddle will come true in March! She will receive a reddish-brown Tennessee Walker! Thank you, Minnesota Quarter Horse Association, for sponsoring Kimberly’s wish and continuing to support our mission!
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July 08
The Science Behind Modern Hoof Sealants by Dr. M. J. Pautienis and Dr. Richard Shakalis researchers for SBS Equine Products F o r hundreds of years people have seen the wisdom of coating horses’ hooves with various substances for their protection and to maintain flexibility. Pine tar, paraffin, oils and salves have been passed down from one generation to the next with varying degrees of success. The basic scientific principles they were trying to achieve, maintaining the internal moisture of the hoof wall while repelling harmful substances are as valid today as they were then. To understand why the modern hoof sealants work so well, let’s review some basic biology and function of the hoof. The hoof wall is the weight bearing structure of the hoof and it is composed of thousands of tiny hollow fibers called tubules. These tubules run vertically from the coronary band and are cemented together with a protein substance called keratin (see figure one). Layer upon layer of these tubules act effectively as springs to absorb tremendous amounts of concussive force while retaining the necessary tensile strength. The elasticity of these tubules and the hoof wall in general is dependent on its internal moisture content. This moisture is not simply water, but a mix of salts and electrolytes much like that found in an I.V. solution. Without this essential moisture, the hoof wall would dry up, crack, become brittle and generally fail at its job of a leaf spring/shock absorber. Too much moisture, on the other hand, can make a hoof too soft, mushy and fail to absorb its concussive load. We now understand that the ideal hoof conditioner maintains the natural moisture bal-
ance found within the hoof wall. Where does this important moisture come from? The hoof is designed to receive at least 90 percent of its moisture from within, from the blood and lymph vessels, and a small percentage from the sole. Modern bonded sealants are so effective because they stop the evaporation of this essential moisture from escaping the hoof wall. Attempting to moisturize the hoof wall with grease or salve is mostly futile because the hoof wall is virtually non-absorbent. This is why using hoof conditioners and dressings that contain vitamins or proteins are a complete waste of time. To be of any benefit, proteins and vitamins have
The layers of horn tubules that act as springs to absorb concussive forces are dependent on internal moisture for elasticity
to pass through the digestive system and be broken down into useful building blocks by digestive enzymes. Putting vitamins and protein on the hoof wall makes as much sense as trying to eat by sticking your hand in a bowl of soup. The coronary band is the only place where products meant to condition or increase hoof growth should be applied, and even care should be taken here. This is where, along with the sole, transpiration or “breathing” occurs (see figure 2). You may ask, “Why don’t wild horses have all of these hoof
problems? Why do I need hoof protection if I don’t have any hoof problems now?” Good questions whose answers lie in domestication of the horse. The periople is the protective covering that evolved to contain natural body fluids within the hoof wall while repelling harmful contaminants. Thus the hoof actually has its own natural, delicate hoof sealant. This natural sealant serves wild horses well, but it is usually lost in a domestic environment. It is inadvertently removed during the shoeing process when the hoof is trimmed, balanced, leveled and shod. To compound the problem further, the domestic horse can no longer roam free over miles of open space but is confined to smaller pastures, paddocks, and stalls. Now, with little or no natural sealant left and with the horn tubules opened from nail holes and rasping, hooves are exposed to higher concentrations of destructive uric acid and other contaminants. With the protective outer covering removed, the introduction of these agents into the hoof wall can lead to breakdown of its protein, keratin. It is important to remember that because the hoof is protein, it is potentially biodegradable. Domesticated horses need a hoof conditioner that effectively replaces the periople. Your grandfather and his grandfather before him intuitively used a type of hoof conditioner called pine tar. This product acted as a precursor to the modern sealants as it helped to retain moisture in the hoof wall. Pine tar, unfortunately, had its drawbacks but Grandpa was on the right track. Later came various products that contained oils, paraffin derivatives (wax) and petroleum-based ingredients that were used with limited success to coat the hoof and fill in the nail holes. Hoof conditioners containing tar, paraffin, petroleum derivatives or especially protein and vitamins are
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not inert and tend to breakdown with of bonded hoof coatings was born. ings are its thin, watery nature that time when exposed to the environ- These bonded coatings far outper- tends to make it wear rapidly and not ment. These formed the old fill in cracks and nail holes effectivedressings are oils and pine ly. The other class is urethane usually sticky, and tars and are based, an extremely tough, inert, as such, attract e x t r e m e l y flexible polymer. Recent breakcontaminants effective at throughs include urethane coatings instead of sealing in the that contain millions of tiny microrepelling them. essential mois- fibers in each bottle. These coatings Their applications ture and seal- that contain the fibers, fill in small actually may be ing out the cracks and nail holes and tend to counter-producharmful sub- wear much longer between applicative because they stances. tions. can serve as a There are Tiny openings on the hoof bacterial and/or two classes of wall, from cracks and nail holes, are fungal growth modern hoof the main pathways for infection from medium when sealants. The bacteria, fungus, or other contamithey fester in a first one is nants. Modern technology has given small crack or nail based on us new products that are now availhole. These methyl cellu- able. With products like these availhoof breathes through the coronary band organisms produce Theand lose, the main able for the horse today, even and the sole. The hoof wall is nonenzymes and exoingredient found grandpa would approve! absorbent. toxins that can break in fingernail poldown collagen and protein in the ish. The drawbacks with these coathoof wall. If you do not get hoof wall disease, the least that can happen is OL /VVM :LHSHU[ ;OH[Z 4HKL ;V 3HZ[ that the hoof can get soft and punky KL]LSVWLK I` [^V KLU[PZ[Z at the nail holes. If this happens, Farriers Hoof Sealant (also sold sold as Hoof Armor Clear your horse will throw more than his &RDWLQJ LV &RDWLQJ LV PDGH PDGH XS XS RI RI PLOOLRQV PLOOLRQV RI RI FOHDU FOHDU PLFUR¿EHUV PLFUR¿EHUV fair share of shoes. The ideal hoof VXVSHQGHG LQ D WRXJK XUHWKDQH SRO\PHU S ,W ERQGV LQ RQH ,W ERQGV LQ RQH VXVSHQGHG LQ D WRXJK XUHWKDQH SRO\PHU conditioner should be stable when PLQXWH WR VHDO DQG ¿OO QDLO KROHV DQQG FUDFNV .HHSV KRRYHV .HHSV KRRYHV PLQXWH WR VHDO DQG ¿OO QDLO KROHV DQG FUDFNV ÀH[LEOH DQG SURWHFWV WKHP IRU ZHHHNV QRW MXVW KRXUV OLNH ÀH[LEOH DQG SURWHFWV WKHP IRU ZHHNV QRW MXVW KRXUV OLNH cured, able to seal out harmful conWKLQ FRVPHWLF FRDWLQJV ZLWK QR ER RG\ :K\ VHWWOH IRU OHVV WKLQ FRVPHWLF FRDWLQJV ZLWK QR ERG\ :K\ VHWWOH IRU OHVV taminants and resistant to abrasion. Other added ingredients SBSEQUINE.COM SBSEQ QUINE.COM found in some hoof conditioners, 239-354-3361 239-354 4-3361 formaldehyde and acetone, are powDistributed D istributed bby: y: erful drying agents and can be Matthews aatttttheew w wss C Co. o. 8800-578-9234 8000-5577788-92233344 • D Delta elttaa H Horseshoe orrssseeshooee 8800-931-7181 0000-99331-7181 • V VICTORY ICCTTTO OR RY Y 8800-872-7528 0000-88772-77555228 downright harmful to horses, • RRJJ M Company 800-252-4884 ny 800-252-48 884 • Canadian Centurion n Supply 800-361-38600 humans and the environment. Their • Davis Mfg.. Compan use has been associated with cancer and liver damage. Use them with caution, or better yet, not at all. Further, these sealants or dressings do not have any resistance to abrasion and can be easily wiped off. As a result, they need to be reapplied frequently, even daily, to get the maximum benefit. The new generation of hoof conditioners is a spin-off from the field of dentistry. For years, dentists have been coating children’s teeth with bonded sealants to keep them protected against tooth decay. When someone had the idea to try this same technique and apply it to horses hooves, the new generation
The Sealant That Lasts!
M idwest H orse D igest
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July 08
Upcoming Events July Jam - July 11,12 & 13 ---- Red Horse Ranch, Fergus Falls, 6 Judges. Stalling, Contact Karen Clark at 763-682-5324, Show Manager, Kameron Duncanson 763-355-9541 or Larry Bartells 320-248-8642 7/12/08 “MN, Beroun” “Barrel - NBHA MN-06, United Barrel Racing Association - NBHA MN06/UBRA Barrel Race Mission Creek Ranch - cac@wgacarton.com (320) 396-2710” 7/13/08 “MN, Princeton” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Round Up Riders Saddle Club Saddle Series - roundupriderssc@yahoo.com - (320) 983-2679 7/15/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 7/16/08 “MN, Chatfield” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Gartner’s Arena UBRA Summer Series - 2 Opens, PW, Youth, 2D Futurity Sidepot gart5@hotmail.com - (507) 259-8105” 7/19-7/20 “WI, River Falls” “Barrel, Team Roping - United Barrel Racing Association - UW-River Falls Rodeo Club Presents: Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger Memorial Barrel Racing & Team Roping Jackpo annika.dushane@uwrf.edu - (651) 226-5832” 7/22/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 7/23/08 “MN, Litchfield” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Meeker Country Flyswatters UBRA Summer Series markjuliegaarder@hotmail.com - (763) 675-4003 7/25-7/26 “MN, Hutchinson” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Added Money: $2000 - 2008 Kickin Up Dust Summer Series Finals - kicknupdust@gmail.com - (320) 583-5807 7/29/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 7/30/08 “MN, Chatfield” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Gartner’s Arena UBRA Summer Series - 2 Opens, PW, Youth, 2D Futurity Sidepot gart5@hotmail.com - (507) 259-8105” 8/2/08 “MN, Princeton” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Round Up Riders Saddle Club Saddle Series - roundupriderssc@yahoo.com - (320) 983-2679 8/5/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 8/6/08 “MN, Monticello” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Arrowhead Arena Weds Night Summer Series arrowheadarena@aol.com - (763) 878-1554” 8/6/08 “MN, Chatfield” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Gartner’s Arena UBRA Summer Series - 2 Opens, PW, Youth, 2D Futurity Sidepot gart5@hotmail.com - (507) 259-8105” August Extravaganza - August 8, 9 & 10 ----
Minnesota Equestrian Center Winona, 6 Judges. Stalling, Contact Karen Clark at 763-6825324, Show Manager, Kameron Duncanson 763355-9541 or Larry Bartells 320-248-86428/8-8/10 “MB, Winnipeg” “Barrel, Futurity - Northern Region Futurities, United Barrel Racing Association - Northern Lights $6,000 Added Futurity $4,500 Added Derby - info@nlfuturity.com (204) 727-1289” 8/9/08 “MN, Pine City” “Barrel - NBHA MN-06, United Barrel Racing Association - NBHA MN06/UBRA Barrel Race Heidelberger’s Arena - cac@wgacarton.com (320) 396-2710” 8/12/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 8/13/08 “MN, Litchfield” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Meeker Country Flyswatters UBRA Summer Series markjuliegaarder@hotmail.com - (763) 675-4003 8/19/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 8/20/08 “MN, Chatfield” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Gartner’s Arena UBRA Summer Series - 2 Opens, PW, Youth, 2D Futurity Sidepot gart5@hotmail.com - (507) 259-8105” 8/23/08 “MN, Loman” “Barrel, Game Show, Spectator Events , Trail Ride - United Barrel Racing Association - Dancing Sky Ranch UBRA Summer Series & ADDED MONEY. Pig Roast - swright_s@hotmail.com - (218) 2853433” 8/26/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 8/27/08 “MN, Litchfield” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - MAKE UP DAY - IF NEEDED -Meeker Country Flyswatters UBRA Summer Series - markjuliegaarder@hotmail.com - (763) 675-4003 8/30/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show & UBRA Barrel Race - Always the last Saturday of the month! Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 9/1-9/1 “ND, Edgeley” “Barrel, Futurity, Horse Expos & Fairs, Sales, Spectator Events , Store Specials - United Barrel Racing Association - Added Money: $750 - UBRA Tour #4 $$$ADDED$$$ & AWARDS jessica@ubra.org - (715) 857-6343” 9/2/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 9/2/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show Saddle Series & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 9/3/08 “MN, Chatfield” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Gartner’s Arena UBRA Summer Series FINALS2 Opens, PW, Youth, 2D Futurity Sidepot -
gart5@hotmail.com - (507) 259-8105” September Celebration - September 5, 6 & 7 --Red Horse Ranch, Fergus Falls, 6 Judges. Stalling, Contact Karen Clark at 763-682-5324, Show Manager, Kameron Duncanson 763-3559541 or Larry Bartells 320-248-8642 9/6/08 “MN, Princeton” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Round Up Riders Saddle Club Saddle Series - roundupriderssc@yahoo.com - (320) 983-2679 9/6/08 “MN, Loman” “Barrel, Game Show, Spectator Events , Trail Ride - United Barrel Racing Association - Dancing Sky Ranch UBRA Summer Series - Added $$$ swright_s@hotmail.com - (218) 285-3433” 9/10/08 “MN, Monticello” “Barrel, Futurity - United Barrel Racing Association - Arrowhead Arena Weds Night Summer Series arrowheadarena@aol.com - (763) 878-1554” 9/12-9/14 “MN, Cannon Falls” “Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - Added Money: $5000 - $5,000 Added Barrel Bonanza. 4 Trophy Saddles, avg awards to 3rd place. Youth & Futurity awards. - info@ubra.org - (715) 857-6343” 9/16/08 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show & UBRA Barrel Race - Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 9/20/08 “MN, Loman” “Barrel, Game Show, Spectator Events , Trail Ride - United Barrel Racing Association - Dancing Sky Ranch UBRA Summer Series & BBQ swright_s@hotmail.com - (218) 285-3433” 9/27/08 9:45 “WI, Balsam Lake” “Barrel, Game Show - United Barrel Racing Association - JJ Arena Fun Show & UBRA Barrel Race - Always the last Saturday of the month! Julie@JJArena.com - (715) 857-5505” 9/28/08 “MN, Lindstrom” Barrel - United Barrel Racing Association - $500 Added-Jackpot Barrels/Pole Bending at Oasis. Check www.betterbarrelraces.com for BBR approved dates. - oasisequine@frontiernet.net (612) 205-2256
July 08
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It's Three for Three at the NRHA Derby By Christa Morris
In one of the deepest fields assembled in recent memory, Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Weatherford, TX, dominated a field of impressive four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses with a decisive win in the 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Ridden by NRHA's Leading Money Earning Rider Shawn Flarida, the team accomplished what no other combination has—winning the NRHA Futurity, NRBC, and the NRHA Derby consecutively! Andrea Fappani piloted Reserve Champion Tinsel Jac for owners Tinsel Jac Partners, Mexico, and third place finisher Spooks Gotta Gun owned by Duane Hicks, Marietta, OK. In a tie for fourth place were KR Lil Conquistador, owned by Cheree Kirkbride ridden by Flarida and Miss Rey O Shine, owned by Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, Wildwood, MO, and ridden by Brent Wright. Tied for the Intermediate Open Co-Championship were Wolf Stern Partnership's Rootin Tootin Dunit ridden by Jared Leclair and Anthony Boerma/Ned Point Quarter Horse's Gallos Stylish Star, with Jason Vanlandingham in the saddle. Each entry earned $11,431. A coin toss determined who would take possession of the extensive list of Intermediate Open awards, which included a Cimarron horse trailer, Pard's saddle, Gist buckle, and much more. The lucky winner was Leclair. The Wolf Stern Partnership is from Horse Cove, KY, and Boerma/Nedpoint from Paul's Valley, OK. A plane trip from Brazil for the NRHA Derby certainly paid off for this year's Limited Open division champion. A penalty in the go round kept Whiz Shady MA out of the Open finals. Owner Roberto Jose Ribas, Brazil, and rider Gabriel Diano, made the most of their opportunity and will take their title and bragging rights home to Brazil. The reserve champion West Coast Pocos Wrangler was ridden by owner Ryan Potucek of Fitzgerald, GA. Mark your calendar for next year's NRHA Derby, June 22-27. It's sure to be the family-fun vacation destination for reiners in 2009.
CALL Mark or PEG AT 507-943-3355 to help you with your advertising needs.
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July 08
Craig Schmersal Outmaneuvers the Competition to Win the 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship Open Reining Championship—he first By Stacey Meier Oklahoma City, OK – Under the won the championship in 2005 when it took place in Lexington, lights at the KY. Schmersal, 35, won Oklahoma State Fair the championship with a Park, Craig score of 225.5 aboard Mr Schmersal bested Dual Rey, an eight-yearsome of the top reinold Quarter Horse stalers in the country to lion. Taking reserve win the 2008 champion with a score of Adequan®/United 223.5 was Jordan States Equestrian Larson, 27, of Federation (USEF) Whitesboro, TX, on Lena National Open Gallo, a bay Quarter R e i n i n g Horse stallion owned by Championship preLapke Quarter Horses. sented by Equine "He [Mr Dual Rey] has Motorcoach. just been a good show Schmersal, an horse the whole time and Oklahoma native, I could not resist coming won the title along Craig Schmersal on Mr Dual Rey and showing him." said with his share of the Photo by Waltenberry Schmersal. "He's been $25,000 in added money. The USEF championship was part true blue the whole time—He's never let of the National Reining Horse Association me down. Schmersal credits Mr Dual Rey's (NRHA) Derby. This is Schmersal's second time consistency as a big part of their success winning the Adequan®/USEF National along with their partnership with Mr Duel
Rey's owner, Holly Casey. "I've got a great owner- Holly Casey- she's like a mother to me. She's been there for us for the whole deal. She deserves this because she supports me through thick and thin," said Schmersal. Thanks to the support of Carlee Mahajan, Schmersal and Casey will both take home a 450 pound marble trophy commemorating their win. The trophies are custom-made from the same marble as the Taj Mahal and shipped from India. Carlee Mahaja has given these trophies to the winning rider and owner since the inception of the Reining championship. In addition to winning the title of 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship, Schmersal secured a spot on the U.S Reining Team for the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship in Manerbio, Italy September 11-14. For more information, please contact Courtney Barnett, USEF Director of Reining Programs at (859) 225-6919 or via email at cbarnett@usef.org
M idwest H orse D igest National Walking Horse -What’s in a Word? continued from page 9 July 08
actually be timed up to the more correct bold, 4-cornered gait. Pace: The pace is a lazy gait, easy for the horse to perform because it has little or no impulsion. It is an incorrect, lateral, 2-beat gait which is what a Standardbred Pacer horse does. In the true or slick pace, the legs on the same side of the body move in synchrony giving the horse a side-to-side, rolling motion. This is not a desired gait for the Walking Horse and extremely uncomfortable to ride. If you hear a person say, “That horse is too slick,” it usually means the horse is doing a true pace. Stepping Pace: The stepping pace (sometimes referred to as a broken pace) is an incorrect, 4-beat gait with an unevenly timed foot fall of: 1,2 – 3,4, 1,2 – 3,4. A horse with a lateral movement of the pace or stepping pace is sometimes referred to as being swingy, however, a correctly moving horse can also be referred to as swingy. Swingy: So if the pace and step pace are swingy, yet incorrect, how can a correctly gaited Walking Horse be described as swingy? The term, “swingy,” when referring to a correctly gaited horse, can mean that the horse’s movement is loose and flowing, that he is a big mover possessing huge stride in the back end with a sweeping motion of the hind legs. This horse typically has a beautiful, rolling shoulder movement to accompany the big back end. A big, loose headshake is the icing on the cake with ears flopping and teeth clicking in time to the stride. Loose: Looseness in a correctly gaited Walking Horse is GREAT and always sought after. A loose going Walking Horse absolutely flows in its movement from tail to nose. The looseness comes from the back end with the impulsion and moves forward with correct collection. It is an absolutely lovely thing to see because a truly correct, loose Walking Horse appears to perform its gaits effortlessly. Unfortunately, it’s
one of the more difficult components to achieve because the horse must be happy in the mouth and comfortable in its entire body, be responsive and supple and have the natural ability to do what is asked. The head shake is a dead give-away because a loose horse’s head shake involves the entire neck and head, not just the head bobbing or nodding at the end of the neck. The maine and forelock will be absolutely whipping back and forth, the shoulder will roll with a loose, reaching motion, giving the front legs their reach and lift, and the hind legs will be reaching under the belly and sweeping and driving with incredible impulsion from the rear end. As the horse goes by there is an unmistakable sound of the hooves as they hit the ground … it is a purposeful, “whonka, whonka,
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whonka, whonka” sound. The horse will look like it’s really going somewhere and does so without laboring. Big front end: This term is used to describe a Walking Horse which has great shoulder roll enabling the horse to produce reach and lift of the front legs. The Lite Shod or Plantation Pleasure Walking Horse with a big front end will often break level with the ground with its forearm during the lift portion of the movement. But along with that lift the front legs will also reach, which is sometimes referred to as “pulling in the ground.” A Trail Pleasure horse can also have a big front end with reach, but will usually not have the lift of the horses in the other two divisions. continued on page 42
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Round Pen Revealed Part 3 by Julie Goodnight
would make him turn around. Your horse may try to turn around on you, just to see if he can challenge your control. But if you are having trouble with your horse constantly turning and getting frustrated, chances are it is because you are getting in front of the balance point and blocking his way. Control Direction This step happens almost simultaneously with driving the horse away. You must convince the horse that you not only control when he moves, but you also control the direction that he goes. Drive him assertively around the pen in one direction, using direct eye contact, raised shoulders and fast feet, keeping well behind the horse's balance point. You will be waving and driving at his hip, not at his front end, because that
Once you can keep the horse moving in one direction, you must turn him around and make sure you can also make him go in the other direction. The horse can turn around two ways: toward you or away from you, an inside turn or an outside turn. In my opinion, you should never let a horse turn toward you at this stage. You are in the midst of establishing dominance over this horse and if he is feeling reluctant to give up his power over you, it is quite possible that when he turns toward you he could charge you. When a 1200pound raging horse is coming straight at you, with teeth barred and ears flat back, the round pen gets very small. At this stage, I always want the horse turning away from me to reinforce him moving out of my space. The horse must be very contrite, respectful and subordinate before I will allow him to move into my space to
make an inside turn. To turn the horse away from you or to make an outside turn, you will step in front of the horse's balance horse to block his direction and then wave toward his nose to move it away from you. This may be a rather abrupt turn for the horse at first, but as the horse becomes accustomed to your signals, he will be turning in a controlled maneuver, rolling back over his hocks. Be careful not to over do it and ask the horse to turn too often, because that may make him tense and irritable at a time we want him to start calming down and focusing on us. When your horse is maintaining a steady speed in both directions and is making smooth and responsive outside turns, you have your horse's subordinance and focus and you are ready to move on to step three. Control Speed By now your horse should be calm, relaxed and maintaining a consistent and respectable distance from you as you move him around the pen and it is time to work on controlling his speed. If you back off of him, he will slow down to maintain his comfortable distance. If you speed up and move closer to him, he should mirror you and speed up and move off. This is when a keen spatial awareness is useful; your horse will find a comfortable distance to keep from you when you are working him and he will be very conscious of it. You can open or close this space to control your horse's speed. Directing your eyes toward the horse, lifting your shoulders, waving your arms and speeding up your foot steps will cause the horse to speed up. Deflecting your eyes, lowering your shoulders and arms and slowing your feet will allow him to slow
July 08 down. By asking for numerous transitions from your horse, slow trot to fast trot to slow trot, walk to trot, trot to walk, you will be establishing a line of communication between you and your horse; you are beginning to speak the same language. Gradually the horse will become more and more dialed into your signals and will begin to match you step for step. At this point you can also start working on the stop cue. To ask the horse to stop, simply take one step in front of his balance point and stop your feet and drop your eyes, shoulders and arms down. Basically, the horse will learn that when you stop, he can stop, and by now he is eager to rest. If the horse does not immediately stop, just hold your position and wait. He'll stop eventually. If he seems to be totally ignoring you, you may want to squat down closer to the ground to make yourself even smaller. Usually this change in landscape will make him take notice. This step may be difficult with a hotblooded horse, or a horse with too much go. It is easy to drive him off, but a challenge to make him slow down, relax and stop. Even a very forward horse does not really want to run around in a circle, so eventually he'll figure out your signals, if you are consistent and patient. With a hotblooded or highly sensitive horse, you'll need to really slow down your signals and make them extremely subtle. For instance, you can control the speed of most Arabs with just a shift of your eyes away to slow down and toward them to speed up. With enough practice, you will be controlling your horse's speed just as if he was your dance partner and you were the lead. Once you can do smooth transitions, you have gone well beyond subordinance and focus and are operating on respect and trust. If the horse is obedient to you, he respects you and your wishes; the trust comes as he learns that if he is obedient, he won't get in trouble
M idwest H orse D igest and will in fact, is rewarded. It is important to release the pressure and reward the horse constantly as you work him, whether you are riding or training from the ground. In the round pen, the pressure you put on the horse is mental, or indirect pressure (as opposed to physical or direct pressure). To release the pressure, simply turn and look away from the horse. This will make the horse want to turn and face you and perhaps even come to you and hook-on, which is the ultimate response we
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want. You can further reward the horse by letting him rest and occasionally strolling up to him (with eyes diverted and shoulders low) and rubbing him on the withers in a friendly gesture. Julie Goodnight Horsemanship Training Goodnight Training Stables, Inc P.O. Box 397 Poncho Springs, CO. 81242 719-530-0531 Fax- 719-530-0939 www.juliegoodnight.com
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R E A L E S TAT E
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THUMBNAIL ADS
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Horses For Sale Generators Cuervo Gold - Reg TWH/SSH /NSSH, 15.2h, rare champagne /wht, stallion, 4yrs, prof. trained, shows (blue ribbon winner), drives, trail rides, nice disposition, easy keeper, champion blood lines, smooth gaits . Asking 6,000. Call Kim @847-287-5270. Whiskeys All that Jazz - Reg SSH and Amer Gaited Pony, 12.2h, blk/wht tobiano, gelding, 4yrs, shows eng or west, blue ribbon winner, umps, trail rides, flashy, good disposition, easy keeper, lots of training. Serious inquiries only, $5500 call Kim Walker 847-287-5270 CC EVER DREAMIN , 99.6% Arabian, Rare Black&White Pintabian Mare great ENDURANCE/SPORT HORSE potential with her on-the-go, energetic attitude. Cedar Coulee Pintabians Phone: 701-859-3221 lbrubaker@dia.net First (Blue) Premium Pinto Friesian Warmblood Colt - Coming 4 years - started riding & driving! $15,000 • STANDING AT STUD, UNTIL SOLD. Born 8/08/04. 50%Friesian/Warmblood -Pinto Colt. 612-940-4998 legendwoods@msn.com Grulla Friesian X Mare Started Riding & Driving & In foal to Champagne Friesian/ASB! $8,500.00 Zeta Gold born 7/20/02. Friesian/Paint Mare. Solid Grulla with tiger stripes & dorsal stripe. GORGEOUS!! 612-940-4998 legendwoods@msn.com
Grulla with bird spots. Friesian/Appaloosa Colt Started Riding & Driving. Sired by Nero! $8,500.00 born 7/15/04 Very upheaded. Nice Friesian build and movement with suspension! 612-940-4998 legendwoods@msn.com Black Tobiano Friesian/Paint Mare - 4 yr. old $9,500. Born 11/5/03 Friesian/Paint Mare. Black & White Tobiano! Out of Legend’s Liberty Chance, sired by Zero Gravity. Sweet, lots of personality, fancy mover! In foal to California Cadence 612-940-4998 leglendwoods@msn.com Friesian/Paint Gelding by Novi - GREAT Temperament! $5,500 Born 8/30/04 Friesian/ Paint Gelding. Solid Bay. Out of registered Paint mare, Trinity Gold, and sired by Novi by Nero. 612-940-4998 legendwoods@msn.com 16+hand Paint Dressage/Hunter over Fences Prospect. $4,000.00 Great Mind, Super Disposition, Fantastic Mover, flaxen mane/tail, this guy’s an eye catcher. 701-878-4683 orvedahl@westriv.com
Stallions and Auctions Pure Friesian “ROEK” 2nd Premie Stallion - $500. ROEK has a great pedigree, to match his great intelligence, temperament, and CHARISMA. 218-780-7064 dr.horseslave@yahoo.com http://friesianroek.gotpetsonline.com/
Solar HM, Paragrafo Top x Nena RT, 2005 IALHA Ntl Champ for Lusitano Stallions 6 years and over. Price: not specified Best Offer:Yes Born 12/19/1998 Hands:15.1 Standing at: Casa Lusitana, Tyngsboro, MA 978-649-2473 www.CasaLusitana.com
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July 08 FOR SALE RayGold Miniature Horses...Dispersal, Champion - Double registered, 5 mares in foal , 2 show fillies, 2 stallions, Jim Ramaker, Wells, MN. cell:507 402 0832/home:507 553 5753 Pictures: www.miniatureequine.com/raygold email: rrealty@bevcomm.net SOLD thru HorseDigests.com US National Champion Selwood Park Norsk, Despierto x Fanci Norsk.... $25000, 262-249-8870 WI Francisca v/d Mokkenburg Krist 358 x Weigertsje / World Champion Purebred Friesian Mare This spectacular 2001 purebred Friesian.... $25000, 262-249-8870 WI
Grulla Friesian X Mare Started Riding & Driving & In foal to Champagne Friesian/ASB! Zeta Gold born 7/20/02. Friesian.... $8500, 612-9404998 MN Grulla with bird spots. Friesian/Appaloosa Colt Started Riding & Driving. Sired by Nero! ... $8500, 612-940-4998 MN Black Tobiano Friesian/Paint Mare - 4 yr. old Started Riding & Driving & In Foal! Legend Woods Zevida: born 11/5/03.... $9500, 612-940-4998 MN Friesian/Paint Gelding by Novi - Started Riding & Driving - GREAT Temperament! Legend Woods Tovi: born 8/30/04 Friesian/Paint Gelding. Solid.... $5500, 612-940-4998 MN
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Homozygous! Exotic, tall & stretchy, with trot! Intro stud fee for 2008. Sweepstakes nom. Spotz Sensation is a gorgeous black.... $650, 715-210-5371 WI Homozygous! The Color of Fame son who can trot! Book early & save. Famous Echo is a picture of beauty.... $1000, 715-210-5371 WI
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Legado, Dejado II x Lucena V , Black Bay P. R.E. Andalusian Stallion, Natl Champ 3 Level Dressage Owned by: Gareth.... $750, 262-249-8870 WI
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Homozyous Tobiano Black Hi % ASB mare Star has been used as a broodmare crossing to Fresians and Part Fresians.... $1200, 320.679.4765 MN
Fabio II, Davido MC x Selwood Park Fabiola, A Baroque Horse Society Foundation Stallion Grey<br />Owned By: H. Paul.... $750, 262-249-8870 WI
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Legado, Dejado II x Lucena V , Black Bay P. R.E. Andalusian Stallion, Natl Champ 3 Level Dressage Owned by: Gareth.... $750, 262-249-8870 WI
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Piri Piri, Faneco x Suica, 1996 Bay Lusitano Stallion, Imported from Portugal Standing at Selwood Park StableOwned.... $, 262-249-8870 WI
ASB Color of Fame daughter Sophie’s Gift is a nicely marked dtr of Color of Fame out of a black.... $2500, 320.679.4765 MN ASB Color of Fame dtr Serafame is a chestnut daughter of the Color of Fame. Dam is a Skywatch dtr.... $1200, 320.679.4765 MN
Black Pinto Friesian cross colt! Stud prospect, Dressage Prospect, or BEST friend! Marquette - 1/2 Friesian black and white colt. 1/2.... $7500, 507-5343311 MN Priti Priti, 2005 Bay Andalusian Filly, (Piri Piri x AA Despierta) This pure Spanish/Portuguese Andalusian filly is by Piri.... $15000, 262-249-8870 WI AA Despierta, Elite Winner of the GANADOR Trophy, (Despierto x Ardorosa del Greco) This mare is one of the few.... $15000, 262-249-8870 WI Montserrat, Despierto x AA Despierta 8 Year old, Pure Black Andalusian Mare Open, Sells with a breeding to Legado.... $12000, 262-249-8870 WI 16+hand Paint Dressage/Hunter over Fences Prospect Great Mind, Super Disposition, Fantastic Mover.....flaxen mane/tail...this guy’s an.... $4000, 701878-4683 ND Appaloosa Horses for Sale Registered appaloosas for sale, we have colored and non-colored. Weanlings, yearlings, stallions, mares and a.... $, 320584-5069 MN Big, Flashy, 4 yr Friesian X Mare Started Riding &amp; Driving! Sired by Zero Gravity by Nero. Z Holiday is.... $7500, 612-940-4998 MN First (Blue) Premium Pinto Friesian Warmblood Colt - Coming 4 years - started riding &amp; driving! $15000, 612-940-4998 MN Second Premium Friesian/Holsteiner Gelding Coming 3 year old sired by Novi by Nero $8500, 612940-4998 MN First (Blue) Premium Pinto Friesian Warmblood Colt - Coming 4 years - started riding &amp; driving! $15000, 612-940-4998 MN
Flashy, Friesian/Thoroughbred Mare by Nero Started Riding &amp; Driving! Nala Rox: born 9/24/02 Friesian/Thoroughbred Mare sired by Nero.... $9500, 612-940-4998 MN
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continued from page 31...What’s in a Word?
July 08
If you would like to discuss this article please contact Martie Jacobson at mlj@2z.net. For general information on the naturally gaited Walking Horse or to become a member of the National Walking Horse Association please contact our executive director at execdir@nwha.com or 859-252NWHA (6942) or visit us at NWHA.com.
Big back end: This does not mean with the horse protection act without the horse has a wide or fat rump. the use of torturous enhancements. This term is used to describe a horse A naturally gaited Walking Horse is which has great impulsion and a happy horse and a joy to watch, a reaches forward a great distance joy to own and a joy to ride. Put with its hind legs and then drives some joy in to your life and buy a with the leg. This horse will always naturally gaited Walking Horse from have a big overstride and a big hind- one of the members of the National leg to hind-leg stride. A horse with a Walking Horse Association. big back end will rock its pelvis with the tail end of the rump sitting down lower which enables the horse to reach underneath itself. This type of horse is often referred to as having a Give your horse Make a natural “big motor,” a.k.a. impulsion. Good Health … choice for your horse. All TechMix products are formulated Big going: This pretty much is all year long. by animal nutrition experts and Whether it’s a new colt, thoroughveterinarians to provide all-natural, a combination of loose, big bred racer or family companion, nutritional, support for your horse’s good health. every horse has nutritional chalfront end and big back end. lenges at one time or another. TechMix equine supplements Timed up: If a horse is timed provide nutritional support that up, it means the horse travels helps maintain your horse’s good season after season. correctly with an evenly timed, health, Regardless of the event, for more support, our Timed 4-cornered gait and shakes its nutritional Event Nutrition (TEN) products offer the needed head correctly with each stride. the right time. assistance at Animated: If a Walking Horse is animated, it usually refers to TechMix Equine TechMix Equine TechMix Equine BlueLite® Natu-Joint Hydration Pellets the amount of lift in the front Helps maintain joint Provides electrolytes for sustained energy and sports drink of the horse world. Formulegs. This is almost always The mobility and lubricaincreased water consumption. Rehydrates your lated to rehydrate working horses by replacing tion. Formulated for horse through a convenient to use pellet. vitamins and electrolytes lost due accompanied by great reach essential competition horses to sweating with glucosamine, and heavy and a brilliance or “look at me” exercise. chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic attitude of the horse. This acid (HA). does NOT mean (at least not in the naturally gaited Walking Horse world) the lift of the Performance Walking Horse which has had its gait artificially created with huge pads and Try TechMix – and let horse decide! chains or any number of other your $ $ Here’s our challenge: Take advantage of these money-saving offers methods. and make TechMix supplements part Trial size TechMix A 15-pound pail of A 6-pound pail of horse’s nutritional program Enhanced: If a horse’s gait is offoryour Equine Hydration Pellets TechMix Equine three months. Watch your horse TechMix Equine Pick up your free sample at enhanced this usually means bounce back from heavy workouts, Hydration Pellets any participating retailer. 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If there’s Austin, MN Hennepin Coop Federated Co-ops Princeton, MN 507-625-2505 Swanville Co-Op Double K Specialties 763-428-2257 763-444-5561 Federated Co-Ops 320-547-2455 one thing on which the National 507-437-1747 Maple Lake, MN 763-389-1431 Delano, MN Lake Elmo, MN Lake Region Co-Op Waconia, MN Walking Horse Association Buffalo, MN Waconia Farm Supply Hagberg's Country Country Store Rochester, MN Waconia Farm Supply Centra Sota Co-Op 888-741-3276 Rochester Feed & Feed, LLC 320-963-3137 612-467-3111 (NWHA) membership prides 763-682-2783 Pet Supply 651-779-8700 Elk River, MN Maple Plain, MN 507-285-5547 Waconia Farm Supply Hennepin Co-Op itself it is that NWHA horses are 888-741-3276 763-479-2123 naturally talented, naturally gaited and 100% compliant For more product information, call 1-877-466-6455 or visit www.techmixinc.com
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