Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 1
Publisher Jim Hargrove Editor John Hawfield Advertising Sales Kristina Goulet and Colt Williams
www.horsesmagazine.com
• Horses Magazine has no liability for content, representations in advertisements, and articles may not express the opinion of the editors/publishers/owners. It is the buyer’s sole responsibility to clarify any and all advertising representations. We cannot be held responsible for any representations concerning a horse’s health, eye status, disposition, gait or any other aspect of the horse. Any burden of proof rests solely on the advertisers. • Horses Magazine reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising or articles submitted for publication. We do not assume any liability for errors, but will correct it in next issue or a credit will be negotiated. Designs by Horses Magazine are the property of Horses Magazine. • Articles, editorials opinions in Horses Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of Horses Magzine or the publishers. • Address changes must be sent in 6 weeks in advance, magazines are not forwarded by the U.S. Post Office. • Copyright 2016 by Jim Hargrove Creative, Inc. All or part of Horses Magazine, including logos, cannot be reprinted without permission. • Horses Magazine is published twelve times a year by Jim Hargrove Creative, Inc., 2730 Lansing Rd., Bancroft, MI 48414
Horses Magazine
2730 Lansing Rd. • Bancroft, MI 48414
Call Toll Free 877-476-6270
to Advertise E-Mail National Sale Manager Kristina Goulet Kristina@horsesmagazine.com or Call Direct 517-204-9110
2 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 3
Horses Calendar APRIL 15-16
Would you like your event included in the next Horses Magazine and on our web site for no charge? Just send your information to jim@ horsesmagazine.com
World Equestrian Center, Wilmington, Ohio, www.oqha.com
EOQHA SHOW
Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Ohio, www.oqha.com
MAY 10 - May 14, 2017
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW
5-day hunter/jumper show. Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. www.kyhorsepark.com
Since shedules can change, be sure to confirm the event’s date, time and location before you travel!
MAY 20-21
TACK ROOM SHOW
Franklin, Indiana, www.iqha.com MAY 20, 2017
HIGH HOPE STEEPLECHASE Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com MAY 26-29
MAY 12-14
MQHA GREAT LAKES SPRING CIRCUIT
MAY 4 - May 7, 2017
2017 IHSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Alltech Arena – Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com
Michigan Quarter Horse Association, MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com May 13th - 14th, 2017
SOQHA THE CHALLENGE
World Equestrian Center, Wilmington, Ohio. 4 judge Approved for OQHA Points, www.oqha.com
MAY 6-7
EOQHA SHOW
I’m not coming out
until you get me a
what are you
waiting for!
4 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
MQHA SUMMER SERIES
Michigan Quarter Horse Association, Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, MI, www.miquarterhorse. com JUNE 1-4, 2017
SPRING FLING CARRIAGE DRIVE
Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com
Since shedules can change, be sure to confirm the event’s date, time and location before you travel!
Would you like your event included in the next Horses Magazine and on our web site for no charge? Just send your information to jim@ horsesmagazine.com
Horses Calendar
JUNE 3-6
JUNE 16-18
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 2017
INDY CIRCUIT
JEFF BUJACK QUARTER HORSE SHOWS
REGION XIV ARABIAN SILVERAMA HORSE SHOW
New Castle, Indiana, www.iqha.com JUNE 7-10, 2017
2017 EGYPTIAN EVENT -World’s Largest Egyptian Arabian Horse Show Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com June 9 - 11, 2017
MICHIGAN SLIDE IN
Reining Michigan Inc., Midland Fairground, Midland, Michigan www.mrha.org
Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com
Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. www.kyhorsepark.com
JUNE 24-25
THE JANE JOHNSON MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW
Rochester, Indiana, www.iqha.com JUNE 23-25, 2017
CLAYTON WOOSLEY HALL OF FAME REINING SHOW Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com
JUNE 30
ROOKIE/NOVICE SHOW
Rochester, Indiana, www.iqha.com JULY 1-2
IQHA SUMMER SIZZLER
Rochester, Indiana, www.iqha.com
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 5
Horses Calendar
Would you like your event included in the next Horses Magazine and on our web site for no charge? Just send your information to jim@ horsesmagazine.com
Since shedules can change, be sure to confirm the event’s date, time and location before you travel!
Covered Arena – Kentucky Horse Park Lexington, KY. Www.kyhorsepark.com July 14th - 16th, 2017 JULY 8-9
IQHA JULY JUBILEE SHOW
New Castle, Indiana, www.iqha.com
OAQHA- LITTLE BUCKEYE
World Equestrian Center, Wilmington, Ohio, www.oqha.com July 14 - 16, 2017
MQHA HARBOR CLASSIC
Michigan Quarter Horse Association, Mason County Fairgrounds, Ludington, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com JULY 14-16, 2017
IQHA TOM WILSON MEMORIAL
Rochester, Indiana, www.iqha.com AUGUST 12-13
THE LIBERTY JULY 4-9
JULY 29-30
Reining Michigan Inc., Midland Fairground, Midland, Michigan www.mrha.org JULY 28-30
NMQHA HORSE SHOW
Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com
BREYERFEST
IGHAA SUMMER FUN SHOW
Rochester, Indiana, www.iqha.com AUGUST 23-27
LISA TERRY MEMORIAL SHOW
Mason County Fairgrounds, Ludington, MI, www.miquarterhorse. com
Spring:
A reminder of how beautiful change can truly be…
es y to r y. a d o t p Call your co
er ve
The new RAMM Catalog Your ultimate fence & stall planning guide!
800.653.8985 | rammfence.com 6 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Since shedules can change, be sure to confirm the event’s date, time and location before you travel!
Would you like your event included in the next Horses Magazine and on our web site for no charge? Just send your information to jim@ horsesmagazine.com
Horses Calendar
AUGUST 25-27, 2017
SEPTEMBER 14-17
NOVEMBER 11-12
MICHIGAN MEMORIAL
MQHA BREEDERS FUTURITY & GREAT LAKES CLASSIC
MQHA HARVEST CLASSIC
Reining Michigan Inc., Midland Fairground, Midland, Michigan www.mrha.org
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com SEPTEMBER 23-24
IQHAA FALL SHOW
Henry County Saddle Club, New Castle, Indiana, www.iqha.com OCTOBER 3 - 29, 2017 SEPTEMBER 1-3
HENRY COUNTY FALL SHOW & IQHA FUTURITY New Castle, Indiana, www.iqha.com
ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS
Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Ohio www.quarterhorsecongress.com OCTOBER 27-29
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com
Would you like your event included in the next Horses Magazine and on our web site for no charge? Just send your information to jim@horsesmagazine. com
ALL BREED YOUTH SHOW
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, www.miquarterhorse.com
REAL HORSES REAL PROBLEMS REAL HELP
HARRISBURG, PA • FARM SHOW COMPLEX EQUINE ARENA
MAY 6-7
2017
OVER $6,000 IN PRIZES GIVEN AWAY AT EACH TOUR STOP INCLUDING SADDLES, RITCHIE WATERERS, TACK, TRAINING KITS,NWC MEMBERSHIPS, AND MUCH MORE!!
CLEMSON, SC T. ED GARRISON LIVESTOCK ARENA
IT ONLY TAKES TWO DAYS TO BECOME A BETTER HORSEMAN. DISCOVER THE METHOD and begin your journey toward real horsemanship, attend a Walkabout Tour stop near you. JOIN WWW.NOWORRIESCLUB.COM TO GET COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
FEB 4-5
HARRISBURG, PA FARM SHOW COMPLEX
MAY 6-7
MONROE, WA EVERGREEN EQUEST. PARK
JUN 24-25
LAS VEGAS, NV SOUTH POINT ARENA
JUL 22-23
LAKE ST LOUIS, MO NATL EQUESTRIAN CENTER
AUG 26-27
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
PRESENTS
WALKABOUTEVENTS.COM 888.287.7432
Scan for 2 FREE tickets
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 7
EACH SWIFT, SURE STRIDE BEGINS WITH A SOUND FOUNDATION.
Around the world, horse arenas and tracks trust the performance and safety of advanced GGT Footing and the dependable quality of custom-blended Fairmount Santrol sands. It’s been that way for over 15 years, most recently in the footings for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at Kentucky Horse Park. Now these top-quality footings and additives are united under the Fairmount Santrol Sports + Recreation banner… promising you service and support as solid as the products themselves.
8 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
To find out more, visit fairmountsantrol.com/sports-recreation. 800.255.7263
Kristina Goulet
Checking In On Your Goals:
An Amateurs Guide to Monitoring Your Progress 2. Share it.
By Kristina Goulet It’s been a few months since we’ve talked about those riding goals we set back in December. I think it’s time we check in on ourselves and monitor how our progress is going. Here is a reminder of the six tools I laid out when we started talking about goals. Take a moment to reflect on them again and our discussion will focus on #6.
A lot like writing it down, sharing it with someone (especially your trainer or coach) puts an extra level of seriousness on it. Also, the people you share it with can help hold you accountable. After I wrote down my goals list I sent them to my trainer. We talked about the list, whether or not they were attainable and started working on a plan. 3. Break it down.
1. Write it down. If you’re like me, writing it down seems to make it more real. It’s now not just a passing thought. It’s become an item on my To Do list and I am more apt to take it seriously. I started a journal for my riding goals. I keep it in my truck and can jot things down before or after my lessons.
If your goals are big, try thinking about breaking them down into more manageable steps. For me, one of my goals is to get my lead changes down. This is a big one for me and my horse and gets me a little, well, frazzled we’ll say. My trainer has helped me break this goal down into more manageable steps. 1) Getting my horse more responsible to pushing her hips 2) Keeping a consistent cadence as I lope through center 3) learning better control of my leg cues etc. 4. Create some milestones. In addition to breaking down your goals into manageable steps, putting some dates to the steps helps to keep you on pace and on track. You can write your timeline in your journal and check in on yourself from time to time. A word of caution though, do not beat yourself up if you fall behind on a goal. Sometimes it will take longer than you expected. Do not lose your momentum, keep driving! For my timeline, because I do show, I used my show schedule for next year and worked my way backwards to set my milestone goals. My lead change milestone is to get them basically solid by the end of January so that I still have a few months to clean them up and finesse. 5. Celebrate! Remember to celebrate your victories, even the small ones. You’ve worked really hard towards your goals; give yourself credit for how far you’ve come. When I’ve met a milestone or have had a few hard training sessions I like to take a ride and do something I and my horse enjoys. GO for a trail ride, have a spa session and just groom, play with some obstacles, whatever you and your horse enjoy. It’s OK to take a break from your goals and enjoy. 6. Reflect on how far you have come. Sometimes as you are busily working towards a goal, it can feel as though you’re not getting anywhere. Especially when you are working on something really tough. Improvements can come slowly, so slow that it can be very frustrating. I guarantee that if you look back a few days, a few weeks, a few months ago, that you will realize you really have made some excellent progress. This is again where the journal comes in handy. Another tool I like to use to check on my progress
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 9
C
M
Y
is videos of past rides. A few weeks ago I was feeling a bit frustrated on my progress. I popped in a video of my first few rides of the show season and wow! I really did improve! For me show season is now starting and the internet is buzzing with social media posts about my fellow riders’ first shows including all of the jitters, outfits, accomplishments and dare I even say it fails. The nerves are starting to set in for me too. I’ve been working pretty hard on a few very specific things with my horse lately, and I honestly kind of forgot about all the goals I set for this year. I think they call that “tunnel vision”. Or in my case, “too scared to think about more than one thing at a time” vision. I brought out my goals list and started down the page making my mental check marks… Improving my use of leg and learning to isolate them – yep getting better on that one. Learning to still my upper body and hands in the lope-yeah, that one’s improving too. Maintaining a consistent frame in transitions – better, but still needs work. Getting clean and reliable lead changes by January – whoops, Houston we have a problem. In retrospect, this goal may have been a little lofty in the timeframe I gave it, but hindsight is always 20/20 isn’t it? In reality, my amateur experience did not take into consideration all of the prep work that still needed to be done in order to achieve this “singular” goal. Boy oh boy did I underestimate this one. Lead changes are hard maneuvers and require a lot of good, solid, fundamental basics to be performed correctly. Evidently, I still need to work on that foundation. So what happens now? How do I manage this predicament? When I set my goals, I wasn’t prepared answer to not achieving them. 2017.pdf 9 quite 1/4/17 12:26toPM A few options I came up with include 1) I could easily panic; I mean my first horse show is at the end of this month where I will have to perform
this little doozy of a maneuver. 2) I could get frustrated with myself and my horse, come on Cookie, I know you know how to do this! 3) I could give up, maybe reining isn’t for me after all. OK, I admit I did a little of all three, but that kind of drama my friends gets you nowhere. What I ought to do and what I am determined to do is to swallow some pride, take some more lessons and keep working. One truth I’ve come to realize over my 20+ years in the saddle is that riding is something one is always learning. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with some of the greatest, most seasoned horsemen around and the one. thing I admire the most about all of them is that they are constantly learning and gaining knowledge. Thinking about this gives me the fortitude to keep pushing through. To keep learning the skills I need. To keep gaining the knowledge that I can use towards my goals. This process of “Goal Riding” has been a humbling one. I realize now that I should have prepared myself more for those “what if” moments. Not that I should have relaxed my goal setting, after all if you don’t set them high enough what’s the point? I think I just needed to have more of a plan in my thoughts. I guess I could have used more of tool #3. All in all, I suppose I’m doing pretty well on my overall goals, I need to celebrate that and be pleased with my progress. Checking in on them made me realize that. Instead of dwelling on the ugly thing, I can appreciate the good and now move forward to fixing the bad. I do have a show coming up very soon, and I may not achieve the dreaded lead change in my pattern, but the good news is that there is always the next show to work towards! See you next month for more of The Amateurs Guide.
STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12: TAKE THE REINS AND JOIN THE IEA
www.rideiea.org
“Team spirit and confidence! This has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Highly Recommended!” -Parent, Westborough, MA
“As a coach I feel incredibly lucky to work with an organization that offers young equestrians so many opportunities! Our riders have developed such a strong sense of sportsmanship and horsemanship because of the ideologies and practices of the IEA! -Coach, Chatham, VA
CM
MY
CY
MY
K
Riders in grades 6-12 can compete with teams in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). School-age equestrians, with various levels of experience, compete in Hunt Seat and Western disciplines throughout the school year. Riders not only compete for individual points, but for their team as well.
Founded in 2002, the IEA has more than 13,500 riders on over 1,500 teams competing in hundreds of shows across the United States each year. For more information, please contact Jennifer Eaton, IEA Membership Coordinator, at 877-RIDE-IEA (877-743-3432) or Jenn@rideiea.org.
It’s fun and challenging – and there is no need for any rider to own a horse! The IEA is available to public or private schools and barn teams. Horses are provided to each rider at every event. All mounts are selected by a draw. Parents like that the IEA provides an affordable format for their child as he/she builds riding skills. Many of our riders receive scholarships based on their performance throughout their IEA years.
TH
A N N I V E R S A R Y
2002
7
10 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Clinton Anderson
Foal Training Success Taking on a young horse this spring? Follow these tips to get your relationship off to the right start. Be consistent. The earlier you start working with your foal, the quicker he’ll learn the right behavior and never get the chance to develop bad habits. Don’t leave him turned out in a field and wait until he’s 1,000 pounds to realize he’s pushy, disrespectful, spooky and downright dangerous. The golden rule when you’re working with horses, but especially young ones, is to be consistent. Consistency is your greatest alley. Inconsistency is your greatest enemy. Spend 15 to 20 minutes a day, or even twice a day, working with your foal, moving his feet and desensitizing him. The more consistent you are, the faster he’ll learn the right behaviors.
Avoid chasing the foal. Don’t let the foal get into the habit of thinking he can avoid you whenever he wants. When you first go to work with him, be sure you’re in a small, enclosed space, such as a stall or roundpen, so that he can’t run away from you. I always have someone help me catch the foal for the first couple of weeks so that he never develops a habit of running away. If you let the foal run away from you, darting around his mother, ducking under her belly, etc., he’ll soon turn catching him into a game of “You can’t touch me!” And once he learns that game, undoing his bad habits will take a lot of work. Set yourself up for success by starting to work with your foal as soon as you can, working in a small, enclosed area initially, and having someone help you in the beginning.
Don’t let the foal get pushy. Once a horse is no longer scared of human beings, he’ll see if he can dominate you. That’s when the foal will try to bite you, kick you and see if he can push you around. Remember, horses live by the rule – whoever moves first loses. That’s how they establish their pecking order. The lead horse in a herd is the horse that can make everyone else’s feet move. Once the foal is over his fear of you, he’ll quickly see if he can dominate you and make you move your feet. You have to prove to him that not only can he not make you move your feet, but you will make him move his. How do you earn a horse’s respect? By moving his feet forwards, backwards, left and right and always rewarding the slightest try. Letting foals get pushy and dominant is the biggest mistake I see people make with young
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 11
horses. Someone will raise a foal in their backyard and treat him like a big dog. That’s all well and good when the foal is little. When he rears up, nibbles your clothes, kicks out or squeals and runs away, it’s all kind of cute. That behavior soon turns dangerous when he’s 500 pounds and eventually 1,000 pounds. That’s when the owner shows up at a tour and says, “My horse bites me and attacks me. What should I do?” The answer is the same thing you do with a foal – move his feet forwards, backwards, left and right, but now that the horse is an adult, you have your work cut out for you. If you gain the foal’s respect when he’s young, he’ll never have a chance to develop those bad behaviors. He’ll never learn that it’s OK to bite, kick or run away from you. I like that people get their foals quiet, I just don’t like when they try to turn them into lap dogs with no respect for human beings. Because in that situation, it’s not if you’re going to get hurt, it’s just a matter of when and how bad. Just like adult horses, foals will quickly learn to dominate you if you let them. Be a leader that your foal respects by moving his feet forwards, backwards, left and right and always rewarding the slightest try. Build the foal’s curiosity. The more you can just hang out with your foal in the beginning, the better connection you’ll have with him. Go in the stall with him and the mare and read a book, talk on your cell phone, groom the mare, clean the stall, etc. The more you ignore the foal, the more curious he’ll become. However, if every time you go into the stall you approach the foal like a predator and quickly try to get your hands on him, he’ll soon start to get defensive and run away. When you go into the stall, act casual, have passive body language and pretend that you couldn’t care less about the foal. If you do that, it won’t be long before he’ll be coming up to you, sniffing you and wanting your attention. Use a little reverse psychology to increase his draw to you. Moderation is key. It’s important that when you’re working with foals you don’t underwork them or overwork them. Be careful of falling to one extreme or the other. I recommend working with foals 15 to 20 minutes a day and giving them short, frequent breaks throughout the
12 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
session. You’re not going to be working the foal as hard as you would work an adult horse because he doesn’t have the same stamina as a grown horse. With foals, you have to be conscious that you don’t run them out of air. When you first start working with the foal, three or four laps around the stall will tire him out. That’s why I recommend giving the foal frequent breaks to catch his air. The more you work with him he’ll gradually build his stamina up so that your training sessions can last longer. Once a horse gets out of air, however, he stops thinking and quits looking for the right answer. Instead, he’s focusing on survival and finding air. At the same time, I don’t want you to think foals are so delicate and fragile that you can’t make them move their feet or correct them when they misbehave. They’re a lot stronger than what people give them credit for, and if you don’t move their feet and correct disrespectful behavior, they’ll quickly turn into problem horses. Your foal can handle exercise; he just can’t do it to the level of a grown horse. Working with your foal isn’t going to harm him as long as you don’t go to either extreme. You have to stay in the middle – not excessively working him and not treating him like he’s made of porcelain either. Moderation is key. Author note: Clinton Anderson is a clinician, horse trainer and competitor. He’s dedicated his life to helping others realize their horsemanship dreams and keeping them inspired to achieve their goals. The Downunder Horsemanship Method gives horse owners the knowledge needed to become skilled horsemen and train their horses to be consistent and willing partners. Discover for yourself how Clinton and the Method can help you achieve your horsemanship dreams at www.downunderhorsemanship.com.
Look for our ackaging! New P The Grooming Company
A Healthy Clean
The Brands You Know & Love
Always at Your Favorite Tack & Feed Store
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 13
Vicki Wilson takes the title at Road to the Horse Road to the Horse 2017 was created in dedication of the cowgirl. “We may have started out to celebrate the cowgirl but what we created was the most inspirational and most exciting Road to the Horse fans have ever seen” stated Road to the Horse Owner/Producer Tootie Bland.rtthHomepageFeaturedImage2017-winner In the closest scoring competition in the history of the event, less than approximately 8 points per judge separated each competitor. There was no mistaking, Vicki Wilson was different but there wasn’t any doubting her horsemanship. Wilson was not only the first competitor from New Zealand, she was the first competitor from an English discipline to not only compete but to walk away with the coveted World Championship of Colt Starting title. “This isn’t about being a cowgirl anymore, it’s all about horsemanship” stated the first lady of Road to the Horse, Stacy Westfall, as the competition moved into the final round on Day 3. Wilson’s Road to the Horse journey was far from scripted. After dislocating her left shoulder during Round 1, many fans were unsure if she could even continue. She didn’t just continue, she shined. Wilson may have had to alter her strategy with her 6666 Ranch bred colt Boon River Lad, who she fondly named ‘Kentucky’, but she continued with the grace and grit of a champion. This cowgirl may have had a broken wing, but she certainly showed ‘Kentucky’ how to fly. “My shoulder is sore but when you walk out there, the atmosphere, the people, everything about it, you don’t even think about it. He didn’t quit and I didn’t quit, that’s what being a cowgirl is all about. I believe our job as riders and trainers around the world is to inspire the next generation, to get kids to believe that anything is possible in this life and if we want something bad enough, you have to work hard and
14 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 15
16 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
be prepared to sacrifice and chase those dreams” Wilson stated as she admired her Gist Silversmith Championship buckle. “Never stop chasing dreams.” Rachelle Valentine selected the 6666 Ranch horse gelding Playin A Seven, this playful grey gelding soon became a fan favorite. Sarah Dawson selected Smart Hunt and California cutting horse trainer Kate Neubert claimed the prestigious Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award riding Sixes Captain. It’s almost a tradition that the winner of Road to the Horse chooses to purchase their colt to continue their training, Wilson didn’t break tradition. “Yes, ‘Kentucky’ is coming back to New Zealand. It’s a bit of a trip for him, but he deserves it. He will become a new demo and clinic pony, he loves his jumping, so that is something we will develop. He is going to be a pretty cool kid.”
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 17
Equine Health
Safely Introducing Hors Dr. Eleanor Kellon Staff Veterinary Specialist for Uckele Health & Nutrition No feed or supplement yet devised can put the bloom on a horse like grazing spring pastures. Spring vegetation is Nature’s remedy for the nutritional hardships borne over winter and for meeting the high requirements of foaling and lactating mares. Young green grass is full of vitamins missing from hays like C, A and E. Minerals are often different from later growth stages, particularly lower levels of Magnesium. Fiber is low but sugar is high, and in clovers starch is high as well. Protein is extremely high, often 20% or more in young grasses. However, there can be too much of a good thing. Digestive Changes Everyone knows you should introduce feed changes or new dietary items slowly. However, many only think about this in reference to grains or other bagged feeds, and this is a mistake. Sensitive horses may have digestive upsets even with different shipments of the same grass hay. Any horse can have difficulty making the move from hay to spring pasture. The higher vitamin content in spring grass is a big plus, but the lower fiber and easier fermentability is a big change. The organisms in the horse’s hind gut adapt their numbers and proportions to reflect the species best suited to the diet. For example, if more starch or sugar starts to appear, the organisms that use those substances most easily will flourish, but so will lactate-utilizing organisms that help take care of the lactate the other organisms produce. The catch is that shifts in organisms take time and they can be overwhelmed by
a sudden change. The most common result of too much spring grass too soon is diarrhea. In severe cases there may be some colic pain. The high protein content may also contribute to bloating and colic. When pasture is sparse or slow to come in, the horses may adapt to it with no special measures because they do not get too much grass at one time, giving their hind gut a chance to adapt. When growth is dense and rapid you are likely to see digestive upset. Muzzling until the grass is taller and more mature can restrict access enough to allow the gut to adapt. Muzzles that can be adjusted to allow more or less grass are the most useful. Restricted grazing time is another approach. This is particularly advisable if the horses have been off pasture over the winter and are being reintroduced after there is good growth. Start with intervals no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Studies have shown horses given limited access make up for it by eating 3 times faster! Increase by 10 minute intervals every 3 days, backing down again at any sign of diarrhea. When they have reached 1 to 2 hours and are tolerating it well you can try full access but keep a watchful eye until grass has stopped growing. Mineral Balance
18 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Low Magnesium levels can cause muscle irritability. In some horses there will be no outward signs of this. In more sensitive animals, particularly those with a history of muscle disorders such as equine polysaccharide myopathy, twitching or cramping, hard muscles and worsening of the horse’s usual symptoms may occur. Some horses become nervous and over-reactive to touch or sound when their Magnesium intake is too low. One horse I know of developed “thumps” every year in the spring. Supplementing with 8 to 10 grams of Magnesium per day (1000 to 1100 lb horse) until the grass has matured will usually control this. Laminitis
ses to Spring Pasture Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, large Drafts and Quarter Horses are at low risk, as are horses in regular heavy work. Lines particularly prone to insulin resistance can be found in minis, pony breeds, hardy native breeds (e.g. Icelandics), Morgans, Spanish breeds (including true Mustangs) and Arabians.
The classical victim of pasture laminitis is a fat pony. For many years it was felt that being fat was the risk factor but research has now shown that insulin resistance is to blame. Horses with insulin resistance do not respond to normal levels of insulin and must excrete higher amounts to keep blood sugar normal. The more sugar and/or starch in the diet, the higher the insulin. High insulin has been proven experimentally to trigger laminitis. Pregnant mares are at risk because late pregnancy induces insulin resistance. Otherwise, there will be breed specific risks.
It is true that sugar and starch levels in a pasture vary according to type of grass, time of day, temperature and intensity of sunlight. However, attempts to manage horses at risk of laminitis by controlled grazing time and knowledge of when plant levels of sugar and starch will be lower often fail. The only way to reliably prevent pasture laminitis in IR horses is to not allow them to graze those spring pastures. If you have a horse from a high risk breed but no history of laminitis and are not willing to keep the horse off grass, be alert for changes such as rapid weight gain, development of a hard cresty neck and reduced activity which are red flags for worsening insulin resistance. Even with diligent observation there are no guarantees the horse won’t show laminitis at the same time as those other signs. The only way to know for sure if your horse is insulin resistant is blood testing.
being insulin resistant, feral Mustangs do not have problems with laminitis. Part of the reason is their diet does not contain the higher sugar and starch varieties of grass usually planted in pastures. The most important factor though is probably that feral horses typically travel 15 to 20 miles a day. If we exercised our horses that way we wouldn’t have to worry either! Summary Spring growths of grass are the perfect food for equines and their appetite for it is huge. To prevent too much of a good thing you will need a plan for gradual introduction, controlled grazing if necessary, and mineral supplementation. Horses with insulin resistance should be kept off spring pastures. About Dr. Kellon Dr. Eleanor Kellon, staff veterinary specialist for Uckele Health & Nutrition, is an established authority in the field of equine nutrition for over 30 years, and a founding member and leader of the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) group, whose mission is to improve the welfare of horses with metabolic disorders via integration of research and real-life clinical experience. Prevention of laminitis is the ultimate goal. www.ecirhorse.org Uckele Health & Nutrition is an innovation-driven health company committed to being on the leading edge of nutritional science and technology for over 50 years. Uckele takes pride in formulating and manufacturing a full spectrum of quality nutritional supplements incorporating the latest nutritional advances for equine athletes and companion animals to help achieve optimal health. www.uckele.com
It’s interesting to note that, despite
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 19
20 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
SOME ARE LEADERS
& SOME ARE LED For over 25 years, Triple Crown has led the horse feed industry in innovation and nutritional superiority. Throughout
that time, our competitors have struggled to keep up. So while we’ve always understood the immense health benefits of prebiotics and other nutrients, those same competitors are just now figuring it out. Don’t believe us? Try our nutrient comparison tool to see who’s in the lead, and who’s following.
Visit TRIPLECROWNFEED.COM/COMPARE and discover the countless advantages of Triple Crown feeds today.
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 21
Do You Have A Question?
Equine Law Topics What is an “Inherent Risk” With Horses? Nationwide, 47 states now have some form of an equine activity liability act (“EALA”). All of these laws differ, but most share common characteristics. EALAs often provide that “equine activity sponsors,” “equine professionals,” or “another person” are not liable if the “participant” sustained injury, death, or damage as a result of an “inherent risk of equine activity.” Georgia’s EALA, for example, defines “inherent risk” this way: ‘Inherent risks of equine activities’ . . . means those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of equine activities or llama activities, as the case may be, including, but not limited to: (A) The propensity of the animal to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around them; (B) The unpredictability of the animal’s reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movement, and unfamiliar objects, persons, or other animals;
(C) Certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions; (D) Collisions with other animals or objects; and (E) The potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the animal or not acting within his or her ability. A frequent issue is whether the EALA bars an injured person’s claim because an “inherent risk of equine activity” caused the injuries. Numerous courts around the country have grappled with this issue. Let’s review a sampling of the cases. AN “INHERENT RISK” CAUSED THE INJURIES AND WARRANTED DISMISSAL Here are a few cases where courts dismissed lawsuits based on a state EALA, finding that an “inherent risk” caused the injuries under the facts of the case. Ohio - A horse’s reaction to a dog, which jumped at the horse’s back legs, was deemed an “inherent risk” under Ohio’s EALA. Indiana - Getting trampled by a loose horse at an event was an “inherent risk of equine activity” under Indiana’s EALA.
22 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Kentucky - A horse spooking from the sound of an opening gate was an “inherent risk” under Kentucky’s EALA. Texas - A horse spooking during a trail ride, while riding across muddy and swampy terrain, was an “inherent risk” under the Texas EALA. New Jersey - A horse backing and tripping over a cavaletti in the riding lesson arena was an “inherent risk” under New Jersey’s EALA. Texas - A horse’s violent reaction to the bite from a fire ant was deemed an “inherent risk” under the Texas EALA. Wyoming - The risk of a saddle slipping during a trail ride was an “inherent risk” under Wyoming’s EALA. COURTS FOUND THAT “INHERENT RISK” WAS AN ISSUE FOR THE JURY TO DECIDE In these cases, courts ruled that a jury needed to decide whether an “inherent risk” caused the injuries and would not dismiss the cases outright. Wyoming - Court found that a trail ride staff’s alleged failure to saddle a horse with even stirrups was an issue of fact for the jury. Hawaii - Whether plaintiff’s injury from a horse bite during a trail ride was caused by an “inherent risk” was considered to be a question of fact for the jury. CONCLUSION Equine activity liability acts have been credited with dismissing some equine and equestrian-related cases, but the issues can become complicated, and there is never a guarantee that a court will dismiss a case based on the facts and the applicable law. Plan ahead, stay properly insured, and comply with state EALA requirements that apply to you.
MOVING THE HORSE A party to the arrangement might want to haul the horse out of state, such as to a lengthy show circuit, which would deprive the others in the “half lease” arrangement of their time with the horse. What is an equitable arrangement? LIABILITY SURPRISES All persons in the half lease arrangement could be at risk of liability if the leased horse injures someone while the arrangement is in progress. For example, let’s look at the scenario of a lessee being thrown from the leased horse, and the horse thereafter running loose into the road, colliding with a motor vehicle, and injuring a motorist. The collision also injures the horse. Injured Motorist v. Lessee and Lessor. The injured motorist might file suit against the Lessee (claiming he or she negligently handled the horse, which caused it to run loose) and the Lessor (claiming, for example, that the Lessor negligently entrusted the horse to the Lessee). Lessee v. Lessor. The Lessee might potentially sue the Lessor under the theory that the Lessor, who owned the horse, failed to disclose known dangerous propensities that led to the horse throwing the Lessee and running off. Lessor v. Lessee. Possibly the Lessor might sue (or countersue) the Lessee, claiming that the Lessee is responsible for all damages caused in the accident because the Lessee misrepresented his or her riding experience, and the Lessor relied on the misrepresentation in allowing the half lease arrangement to proceed. Could these legal battles occur? The answer depends on the circumstances and the applicable law, but the risk is present. The parties to half lease arrangements have every incentive to protect themselves by communicating up front, using detailed contracts that address foreseeable issues and risks, and considering appropriate insurance. This blog post does not constitute legal advice. When questions arise based on specific situations, direct them to a knowledgeable attorney.
Half Lease Whole Problem
The words “half lease” seem unique to the horse industry. In law school, this lawyer never heard the phrase mentioned, and the authoritative legal dictionary, Black’s Law Dictionary, nowhere mentions it. Yet, people in the horse industry, with greater frequency, are entering into arrangements they call “half leases” through which one or more persons (the “lessees”) pay a horse owner (the “lessor”) for shared use of the horse. “Half lease” arrangements might seem budget-friendly, but without careful planning, they could be quite the opposite as disputes could follow. PAYING FOR ROUTINE UPKEEP Without a written agreement specifying who pays routine expenses, such as veterinarian and farrier, and how these expenses will be split, the parties may be left to guess. Also, if one party to the half lease wants costly attention for the horse, such as equine massage or acupuncture, can that party automatically obligate the others to share the cost? YOU INJURED THE HORSE – CAN YOU WALK AWAY? If the leased horse becomes injured while under the lessee’s control, who must pay ongoing expenses for veterinary treatment? What if the time frame for treatment, such as a lay up, is longer than the expected length of the lease? Can the lessees be relieved of their obligations?
Julie Fershtman is one of the nation’s most experienced Equine Law practitioners. A Shareholder with the firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, based in Michigan, she has successfully tried equine cases before juries in 4 states. She has also drafted hundreds of equine industry contracts. She is a Fellow and officer of the American College of Equine Attorneys. Her speaking engagements on Equine Law span 28 states, and she is the author of three books on equine law issues. For more information, please visit www.fershtmanlaw. com, www.equinelawblog.com, and www.equinelaw.net.
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 23
Richard Winters
Lead Change Honesty With Richard Winters By any measure, a flying lead change is considered an advanced maneuver and can be tricky to execute correctly. Horses dropping their shoulder, not changing behind, rushing through the lead change and anticipating the change are all common problems that riders encounter. In this article I want to share with you some exercises that I do with my horses to
your horse over into the pre-existing circle with your outside leg. Get definite lateral movement for numerous strides. You would then continue on in the same circle and direction. Now your horse will begin to realize that he really does need to move his body over when he feels that outside leg. Just because he feels your outside leg doesn’t necessarily mean it has anything to do with a flying lead change.
keep them more correct and honest in the lead
You can also practice this leg yield at the
change. These tips are intended for horses that
lope by traveling from one corner of the arena
are advanced enough to perform flying lead
all the way down to the diagonal corner at
changes.
the other end while loping. Keep your horse
To begin, let me say that I rarely change leads in the middle of the figure 8, like we are asked to do at the horse show. Changing leads in the middle of the arena is a sure way to get your horse anticipating the lead change. That anticipation often causes anxiety and acceleration in the change or not changing at all. When I do change directions in the middle of a figure 8 I will often begin to counter canter around the
pointed toward the end of the arena and push them over sideways. As you approach the end of the arena you can allow your horse to straighten out and continue in the direction of the lead that you are on or you can counter canter around the end. This leg yield down through the arena could be considered an “oblique” maneuver. Here is another great exercise to keep your
new circle and possibly change leads halfway
horse honest in the lead change. This is espe-
around that new circle.
cially beneficial for those horses that drop their
When setting up a lead change most riders will press with their outside leg on the horse. (Example: Pressing with your right leg when your horse is on the left lead.) The rider will then switch to the opposite leg when they ask for a lead change. However, many horses, when they feel our outside leg, will begin to anticipate and never really move off of the rider’s outside leg. They never picked up their shoulders, moved their rib cage over or changed the arc in their body to get set up for the new lead. You can improve this by leg yielding your horse over into the direction of the lead that they are on, for numerous strides, and then continuing on in the same direction. You can set this up like you are going to do a figure 8. As you come through the middle begin to press
shoulder and want to fall into the new lead. This exercise will necessitate the fence or wall of the arena to help you. As you are traveling around the arena, a few feet off of the long wall, ask your horse to change leads towards the wall. This means that if you are loping around to the right, on the right lead, you would change leads to the left while loping along that fence line. The arena fence will now become a visual barrier for your horse and discourage them from fading and falling into the new lead. Then you can continue counter cantering to the end of the arena and on around. Always keep in mind that you never want your horse to think that a change of lead has anything to do with the change of direction. If they do, they will begin exhibiting the negative behaviors we mentioned previously and your
24 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
This mare is demonstrating good posture on her left lead.
lead changes are going to suffer. Experienced performance horse riders are always thinking outside the box and being creative in how they set up and ask for lead changes. There are many other things that a rider can do as well. I certainly have not given you an exhaustive list. These are just a few ideas to help keep your horse accurate and honest with their flying lead changes.
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 25
26 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com
Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com • April 2017 • HORSES MAGAZINE • 27
28 • HORSES MAGAZINE • April 2017 • Download and View FREE on-line at www.horsesmagazine.com