Montana Horses Magazine | Breeders Issue 2021 | Volume 2 Issue 4

) ( ONTANA HORSES V All Horses. All Montana. | BREEDERS ISSUE 2021 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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MONTANA HORSE BREEDERS HORSES OF THE BIG DRY PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS CLEVELAND BAYS

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Danny Nestor ON THE COVER “Show Ready” WINNER of the 2020 MONTANA HORSES PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

“I was born and raised in Queens NY. It’s a head scratcher for most when they hear about my passion for photographing horses and the western lifestyle. I spent 23 years with the NYPD working in New York City and retired as a detective in 2017. So it’s a real, “HUH, how did that happen?”

I was drawn to horses from an early age. Of course, keeping one in the garage instead of my dad's car in NYC was a long shot, but that didn't mean I ever stopped asking for one. I first picked up a camera in high school, but playing sports was my main focus then so it took a backseat until I tried again, when I became a young police officer. It was a great break, getting behind a camera and going out into the wilderness, away from the big city, photographing wildlife and landscapes. As my passion for photography grew it bonded with my love of horses.

After several trips to Yellowstone, I made my first trip out to the Flathead Valley around 2005 to photograph horses in the snow. I was hooked. I returned year after year. It lead me to teach a workshop, which I’ve now done for eight years, at the very ranch my first shoot was - The Bar W in Whitefish. It afforded me an amazing experience.

In the spring of 2017 I decided to follow my dream and moved full-time to the Flathead Valley. I think another reason for the connection to horse and rodeo people was that they’re a lot like cops. They’re a family. They work together, care for each other and cheer for each other. It’s funny the turns life takes.

Through my other job as a personal trainer at World Gym (fitness is still a big part of my life), I met a friend, Kristi Bruyer. Kristi introduced me to Ron Marsh, owner and operator of Marsh Performance Quarter Horses in Huson MT. The cover image "Show Ready” is of Marsh’s horse, Blue (registered name GFR Bacabebar). Their mission is to provide great minds and conformation, and boy do they. It's just an honor and joy to be able to photograph their horses.

If I could only photograph one thing, what would it be? Well, a horse of course. So I'm very thankful that on many sunrises and sunsets you can find me and my dog Maverick out in Montana trying to capture a moment and I’m extremely lucky I get to photograph horses.” ~Danny If you are interested in seeing more of Danny Nestor's work you can check out his website :

www.DanNestorImages.com or follow him on Instagram @dnphotography22 If you’re interested in having your horse photographed, you can email him at dnphoto22@gmail

FEATURES

>>>DEPARTMENTS

12 RMBA

2 cover artist >>> danny nestor

Rocky Mountain Breeder’s Association

6 breed >>> cleveland bays

18 HORSES OF THE BIG DRY

10 feed >>> pasture management

By Montana author John L. Moore

14 health >>> euthanasia

20 NILE

36 health >>> foaling

Northern International Livestock Exposition

24 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

39 column >>> the profitable horseman

in HORSES, LANDSCAPE, PEOPLE, RANCH LIFE, PEOPLE’S CHOICE

45 find it >>> advertisers

34 BREEDERS

46 profile >>> john l. moore

V ) ( ONTANA HORSES

EDITOR Renee Daniels-Mantle | renee@montanahorses.com ADVERTISING AND DISTRIBUTION Mark LaRowe | mark@marklarowephotography.com

All Horses. All Montana.

CONTRIBUTORS Writers: Renee Daniels-Mantle, Mark LaRowe, Doug Emerson, John L. Moore, Dr. Stacie Boswell Photography: Mark LaRowe Photography

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PUBLISHER Montana Horses, Inc. PO Box 405 Manhattan, MT 59741 Montana Horses is published every 4 to 6 weeks and available free at locations throughout Montana. Please let us know if you’d like to have it in your place of business. Subscriptions are also available. We welcome story, photography and event submissions.

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(406) 579-4060 | info@montanahorses.com | www.MontanaHorses.com No part of this publication may be reprinted without permission. Copyright © 2021 Montana Horses, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

FIND THE MAGAZINE AT ALL THE PLACES HORSE PEOPLE HANG OUT - 5-

CLEVELAND BAYS at Bear Paw Bays

Tom Brown, of Bear Paw Bays, with beloved William, their purebred Cleveland Bay stallion

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orty years ago, a dream was born in the mind of a young Montana cowboy, Tom Brown, who listened to the family lore of his grandfather owning big bay horses that carried themselves with grace while performing numerous tasks required on a family ranch back before tractors replaced horses in the hay fields. Being multipurpose, these horses could pull a mower all day long, or spend the day as a comfortable and tireless mount while scouring the mountains and coulees in search of cattle. Their size and substance made them ideally suited for the work on the ranch, but equally important were their intelligence and kind disposition. The young cowboy's mother spoke of these horses with such a genuine fondness, he was inspired to learn more. Thus began a 40-year quest to fulfill the dream of owning one of these critically endangered horses, the Cleveland Bay. In the fall of 2011, Tregoyd William, a purebred Cleveland Bay, came to live with Tom and René Brown at their ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains of north central Montana. William was originally imported from Wales. His first Montana foals were welcomed at Bear Paw Bays in 2013. Although introducing Cleveland Bay lineage into the family's ranch horses had always been the goal, getting to know William gave rise to another cause that's now dear to them. William's many positive attributes convinced them they must do their part to help ensure the survival of these great horses. With fewer than 250 purebreds in the United States and less than 1,000 purebreds worldwide, they know it is important to help contribute to the worlds pure population.

The Cleveland Bay originated in England in the Cleveland district of Yorkshire. It is said to be the oldest established breed in England. So old, when carriages were invented in the 16th century, Cleveland Bays were the preferred horse to pull them. During the Middle Ages, native stock, then used as packhorses, were crossed with the Andalusian and Barb for a slightly lighter draft horse built for pulling, then crossed later with Arab and Thoroughbred to develop an even lighter draft, more suitable and versatile for riding and other “general utility uses.”

They are used for farm work and under saddle. The British Royal Family has always used Cleveland Bays to pull their carriages, and continues to do so today in royal processions.

The breed standard for a Cleveland Bay , according to the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America (CBHSNA), “denotes activity and strength, combined in a manner not seen in any other breed.” They are 16 to 16.2hh with a wide and deep body, good sloping shoulder, short back, powerful loins, and long quarters, giving them ground covering action. Their feet are one of the most important features, they must be “of the best and blue in color.” Aside from their stunning conformation and “useability” they are docile, strong, and have great endurance. As René Brown says, “They are big, beautiful, and amicable.” And they are bay. Only bay. The hallmark of the horse.

After the Second World War, with the advent of the automobile and machined farming, widespread deportation, and decreased popularity, the Cleveland Bay population seriously declined. Now, they are considered rare and threatened. But, thanks to breeders like Tom and René Brown, Montana is doing its part to revive this rare and wonderful breed. They have clearly fallen in love with the Cleveland Bay, and encourage you to visit them and do so yourself. Check out their ranch and purebred and crossbred Cleveland Bays for sale at:

www.BearPawBays.com -6-

breed >>> cleveland bays

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There are fewer Cleveland Bays in the world than giant pandas.”

- René Brown, Bear Paw Bays

Baw Paw Bays has infused the Cleveland Bay breed into its ranch stock, clearly showing their versatility, useability, and beauty.

Their breeding program ensures the continuance of this wonderful breed.

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ADVERTISE WITH MONTANA HORSES MAGAZINE We distribute 5,000 copies to over 220 locations across Montana, every 6 weeks, and to our mail subscribers, e-news list, at events, and have a digital publication and social media presence with thousands of followers.

All ads include web ads on montanahorses.com and Facebook.

(406) 579-4060

info@montanahorses.com

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feed>>> pasture management

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CORTEVA CLAIRE VOLK specializes in tailored solutions to maximize productivity for your lowest cost feed supply—your pasture.

By Mark LaRowe

I

f you are in the livestock business, whether it is cattle, sheep, horses, etc., you know how important efficiency and productivity is to your operation. Your lowest cost feed supply is your available pasture. Maximizing the productivity of this source is paramount to your success. Enter Claire Volk, a pasture and land management specialist of Corteva Agriscience. A child of the DuPont and Dow Chemical merger, Corteva provides a variety of products and services that focus on a profit-per-acre mindset. Claire represents Corteva across Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas and works with livestock operations of all sizes and shapes as well as other specialized land uses such as wildlife habitat conservation and restoration.

No stranger to ranch life, Claire was raised on a Simmental and Angus ranch in Nebraska, she has an obvious passion for agriculture that is evident when she speaks. Claire recalls, “I inherited my love of agriculture from my grandparents and parents. They always said that their goal was to make the land better than we found it. And that is a very important theme that runs through all forms of agriculture because the land is the most precious of our non-renewable resources.”

Working with ranchers across such a large and diverse geography presents a wide variety of circumstances and challenges. Claire enjoys hearing about people’s unique experiences on their own land and how they make things work with the limited resources that are available to them, and what they want their future, and the future of the land, to look like.

Because she shares a common foundation, her clients’ concerns resonate with her. “We can all learn from each other’s past experiences and apply them in unique and specific ways,” Claire states. She continues, “Each ranch or operation has different micro-experiences that have been lived and breathed for years and even generations. This is valuable information that we can use to develop custom approaches that result in beneficial solutions for their specific goals.”

Claire and Corteva specialize in “tailored” solutions. There is not a single one-size-fits-all silver bullet, and with three representative teams covering the nation with over 100 years of experience in agriscience, Corteva is a leader in its field.

Recently, Corteva rolled out its newest solution for range and pasture management, DuraCor®.

A broad spectrum product with no grazing restrictions, it is designed to control noxious and invasive weed species that affect cattle and horses in western rangelands. Claire says that her clients are excited about this new tool because it controls more species with a single product, and that saves time and money in product acquisition and application, resulting in a more efficient operation.

While technology allows us to work and communicate more effectively from a single location, Claire still spends over 25 weeks a year on the road and travels in excess of 50 thousand miles visiting existing and prospective clients.

“It is nice to be off the road sometimes, but that face-toface time with my clients and the relationships that are built that way are still extremely important.”

For more information you can email Claire at claire.volk@corteva.com, or call her mobile phone at (307) 439-9095. You can also visit Corteva at www.rangeandpasturemanagement.com.

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

By Mark LaRowe

“The primary purpose of the organization, on behalf of our membership, is to provide promotion of breeding programs, assist with offspring marketing, offer training, competition and educational opportunities, as well as increase the visibility of horses that emerge from these programs.”

Forging ahead into 2021, the Rocky Mountain Breeders Association (RMBA) is looking forward to continuing the 21 years of commitment to its membership, and to increase its exposure within the Montana horse industry. Conceived by a forward-thinking group of breeders, the association has grown to include approximately 50 breeders and interested individuals. It was intended to provide an affordable and supportive environment for breeders and cow horse enthusiasts. I was able to corral the ever-busy Jan Finn and discuss the association, as well as its plans for the upcoming event season. Jan wears many hats on behalf of the association, including board member, secretary, manager of the newsletter, and member of both the Stallion Service Auction Committee and the Show Committee.

Historically, the association hosted a variety of competitive events from Muley Roping and Ranch Rodeos to Reining Clinics and Round Pen Shootouts. They also offered a variety of clinics with opportunities to learn from experienced trainers and evaluate how the horses would respond to the different tasks and disciplines.

Today, the association sponsors a summer season full of Ranch Horse Competitions beginning in April and ending in late August. The competitions are held at the Saddle Peak Equestrian Center (Belgrade) and the Madison County Fairgrounds (Twin Bridges). The Open Ranch Horse Competition is open to any horse and is designed to demonstrate the horse’s ability to perform various tasks that may be part of working on a ranch. It consists of a reining pattern, different trail obstacles, and single cattle work (no roping or sorting/cutting). These competitions provide an excellent introduction to the world of Versatility Ranch Horse Competition for both the rider and their horse. The six-event series offers the opportunity to learn and compete, as well as earn points which accumulate over the summer and result in a Year-end Awards Program. Each horse and rider combination must attend a minimum of 50% of the shows with scores from a maximum of 75% of the shows being tallied. There are 19 classes for competitors and their horses to choose from depending on experience and skill level. These classes range from green novice to highly advanced and allow competitors from a wide variety of ages to compete directly with others at a shared skill level.

RMBA INTRO TO RANCH HORSE CLINIC with clinicians Jess Holloway and Tye MacDonald APRIL 24, 2021—Belgrade, MT For more info contact Ruth Hall (970) 556-4131

While everyone looks forward to the summer show season, the big event that really kicks off the year is the Annual Stallion Service Auction.

Breeders put up their top stallions with all proceeds being donated to RMBA, with the exception of mare care and additional breeding expenses (ultrasounds, AI fees, chute fees, etc.). This is an important fundraiser for the organization and it also provides an opportunity for the breeders to feature their stallions. Entry for the service auction is free and includes a website listing, feature in many magazine ads and promotions (February issue of The Wrangler), and association flyers. The first bidding period starts on January 15th and ends on March 1st for Round 1. Bids must start at 50% of normal breeding fee or $250, whichever is higher. Stallions that receive a bid by March 1st are awarded at that time. For stallions that do not receive a bid during the first auction period, a second auction commences on March 2nd and runs through April 1st, with the same bidding requirements and rules applied.

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Here are three of the stallions offered this year: Watch Joe Jack Move - Standing at the Canyon Ranch operated by Ron and Donna Burns outside of White Sulfur Springs, MT, Joe Jack is a 2013 AQHA gray, the son of Joe Jack Red, a Pitzer Ranch’s World Champion rope horse. Ron describes this horse as one with good bone, great endurance and beautiful conformation. “He’s an excellent ranch horse, and just a joy to ride and work with. And he’s got such a great disposition.

He just comes running to me no matter where he is in the pasture,” Ron says. This horse is approved for Quarter Horse and grade mares, and is available for hand or pasture breeding. His offspring are eligible for the RMBA Stallion Stakes classes. Ron and Donna will be donating Two-Eyed Smooch, a daughter of Joe Jack, to the 2021 Northern International Livestock Exhibition in Billings later in 2021.

Zips Little Tyree - This beautiful golden buckskin is a 2007 AQHA son of Zip Little Wolf, and is standing at the ELF Ranch near Whitehall by Bill and Wanda Levengood. Bill states, “This little horse just gets better every year! He’s good in the hills, moves cows, and shines in the show pen and arena.” With an extensive pedigree steeped in roping and cow work to western pleasure and trail riding, this is a great sire for an all-around horse. If that isn’t enough, two of his first two foals were 1D barrel horses and he has a history of producing money-earning rope horses, as well.

Perkster - A stunning palomino, this well-built and heavy-boned stallion really proved himself. With top-of-the-line genetics coming from his sire, Dash For Perks, this gem is offered by Weaver Quarter Horses out of Big Sandy, MT. Having bred ranch horses since 1888, the Weavers have learned a thing or two about breeding quality animals. Known to feature cow horses with speed, good bone, feet and withers, this solid goodminded stallion was no exception. Though lost in an accident last fall, the Weavers have collected and stored a solid supply of his semen. The conception rate is very high for artificial insemination and they can accommodate about 5-10 mares per year.

The RMBA is eager to put the difficulties of 2020 fully in the rear-view mirror and move into 2021 with positivity and energy. In conclusion, Jan feels that the association has stayed true to its founding concepts of providing an affordable and supportive group, and still strives to provide opportunities for a wide range of riders of different ages and skill levels, as well as for horses of varied ages and experience.

“The association puts a lot of effort into, and emphasis on, keeping the events fun and friendly. We really want to foster an environment of shared community that is welcoming and inclusive. Attracting young people to the association, and the horse community in general, is another priority for us as it builds things for the future and ensures our continuity.”

For more information on the RMBA, its members, mission and events check out their web page at www.montanarmba.org

THE TIME HAS COME: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT EUTHANASIA

by Dr. Stacie Boswell

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esponsibly considering euthanasia (the humane ending of a horse’s life) is difficult, though thinking about it in advance can help ease the emotional burden that will occur during a crisis. It helps to think of euthanasia as a gift to a beloved animal to relieve his or her suffering.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has specific criteria for euthanasia, including that which a horse should not have to endure: - continuous or unmanageable pain - a medical problem with a hopeless chance of survival - a lifetime of stall rest.

Another important consideration is the horse’s ability to eat. If he is not able to maintain his weight at a body condition score of at least 4 out of 9, he either needs a different feeding regimen or he needs to be euthanized. Leaving an older horse with poor dentition standing in front of a round bale skinny and starving could be considered torture. Imagine that you are ninety years old, toothless, and are offered only tough steak and raw carrots for your meals.

During Montana’s winters, a horse’s ability to navigate his environment may play a role in the decision to say goodbye to him. A horse with severe arthritis, especially in his knees, will have trouble getting around in the snow. If he falls down or lays down, he may not be able to get up. It seems kinder to allow a horse to cross the rainbow bridge without suffering hours of agony unable to rise in deep snow.

The decision for euthanasia is individual and has many contributing factors. Talking with your veterinarian and all caregivers or family members may help bring you confidence when considering this difficult decision. An emergency event, such as a severe injury or colic will make the decision clear. Progressive compromise and slow demise of mobility or function give a horse’s caregivers a lot of gray areas, which can lead to disagreements and strife among family members. Having conversations in advance can minimize friction when the critical time comes to say goodbye.

The two most common ways to deliver humane euthanasia are an overdose of barbiturates (anesthetic drugs, which must be administered by a veterinarian) or by gunshot to the brain. If a horse is euthanized by gunshot, it’s critical to understand the anatomy specifically. I’ve personally had two patients who were mis-shot by an owner’s acquaintance and survived (one was shot at the racetrack at the age of four, but was finally euthanized because of colic at the age of twenty-seven).

After a horse is deceased, his body can be difficult to deal with because of the size. In southwest Montana, At Home on the Range provides body pick-up, and will either bury horses on their farm or cremate them. Other services may be available in the rest of the state. In many areas, the landfill may be the only option for disposal. If a horse is euthanized with barbiturate overdose, he must be buried deeply, and local laws and regulations must be followed. Predation or scavenging will result in secondary death of wildlife. The cost of euthanasia may range from $400-1500 depending on body aftercare options and if it is necessary because of an emergency. The United Horse Coalition may be able to help direct needy owners to financial assistance programs.

Coping with loss includes going through stages of grief which include denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. Mourning a horse is harder if your relationship with him has encompassed years of trust as a team. Some psychological studies have shown that horse owners grieve for four to twelve months. Though thinking about losing your beloved horse is sad, knowing your options, and the conditions through which he should not be allowed to suffer helps bring closure. Because our horses are riding partners, the depth of our relationship with them means they will leave a big hole in our hearts when they are gone. Making the decision for euthanasia with the horse’s best interest in mind is hard, but it is comforting to know that we really can relieve suffering.

Resources: At Home on the Range accredited cremation and burial services, Manhattan, MT. https://athomeontherange.net/ 406 Pet Crematory, multiple locations in Montana. https://www.406petcrematory.com/ American of Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) euthanasia guidelines: https://aaep.org/guidelines/euthanasia-guidelines United Horse Coalition: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/uhc-materials/resources-for-owners/

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health >>> euthanasia

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Dr. Stacie G. Boswell is a veterinarian board-certified in large animal surgery and has an interest in equine welfare. She practices in Belgrade, MT and is the author of The Ultimate Guide for Horses in Need. More information can be found at https://stacieboswell.com.

THE CANADIAN HORSE Rick Macalister, who owns and stands “Kub”, a premiere stallion in the Canadian horse registry, explains the breed: “Many are not familiar with Canadians, or the ‘Canadian bred’, a breed derived from the best horses a French king sent to New France to defeat the British.

From them, the Morgan and the Tennessee Walker were developed. They have a shorter back like the Morgan and the Arab, which gives them tremendous strength. They're also somewhat gaited like the Tennessee Walker and are considered the best cross between the warm bloods (Draft) and the power and the athleticism of the Thoroughbred, Arab and Quarter Horses. They are currently bred with many Olympic hunter jumper class horses to give greater endurance, power and height in their jumping ability. Their focus, demeanor and disposition are some of their strongest traits.

Their hooves are exceptionally hard and wear evenly, rarely needing to be trimmed. They can forage on pasture and do well when other horses might not and handle extremes in weather better than most other horses. This is why Canada exported so many to South Africa during the Boer War that the breed almost became extinct. The English knew they were superior horse in every way.”

Kub: Gimlet Duke Kub. Purebred Canadian Stallion Canadian Horse Registration #8515. 16hh.

Bozeman, Montana.

Contact: Rick Macalister oilandwine8888@gmail.com 406-580-4881

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Horses of

THE BIG DRY

By John L Moore, originally published in America’s Horse

What a country it must have been! From the 1890s until the 1940s, Miles City, Montana was indisputably the Horse Capital of the World.

Generals from the world’s armies came here to buy warhorses; draft horses were raised for southern farms; polo horses were exported to England; and coach horses were sent to bustling city centers. Many of these horses ran north of Miles City on vast unfenced prairie and breaks that stretched from the Yellowstone River north to the Missouri and from the Musselshell River east to the Redwater.

This region was only sparsely settled before the homesteaders arrived and was nearly depopulated following the Great Depression. Dubbed "The Big Open" by famous pioneer photographer L.A. Huffman, its residents knew it better as "The Big Dry." Before 1940 the horses here were of varied breeds: Percherons, Shires, Cleveland Bays, Standardbreds, Morgans, Foxtrotters, and French Coach among them, but Thoroughbreds -- many of them provided through the government’s Remount Service -- prevailed. (The Ft. Keogh Remount Station in Miles City started in 1912 and processed more horses during World War I than any other station, but most of its horses were Morgans.) Some Remount stallions were simply turned in with wild horses, in other cases, ranchers had mares from well-blooded stock like Ogden (TB), Official (TB), Easter Boy (TB), Post War (TB), Rey de Los Angeles (TB) and Grand Vizier (TB).

By 1940 branded and "slick" horses still ran by the many tens of thousands on the northern range. Mechanization, drought, and The Depression added to the horse glut. Failing homesteaders often turned mortgaged horses loose. "There were horses on every hill in those days," old-timers recalled. Stud fights were common and brutal. It was survival of the fittest.

The growing market for the new "short horse" of the southwest, the Quarter Horse, would challenge and change this equine mongrelization. Two men -very different in some ways, much the same in others -- played big roles in redefining the range horse of The Big Dry. Lester Ben (Benny) Binion was a short, stocky, high-rolling Las Vegas casino owner born in Texas in 1904. Corwin Allen (Bud) Kramer stood over six-seven in his boots and was born to The Big Dry in 1913.

Binion is said to have never attended public school. He got his education traveling with a horse-trading father. Having heard that Montana grew the strongest horses, he came north in 1940 and leased a ranch near Hardin. A year later he trailed 150 horses north to a sprawling ranch he’d purchased east of Jordan. It contained, by most accounts, 95,000 deeded acres and a couple hundred thousand acres of state and federal leases. Binion bought and traded land so totals varied.

Bud Kramer maybe finished the third grade. He was a quiet but rough, hard-living man who put together a huge ranch – 160 sections at its largest -- by capturing, breaking, and marketing wild horses after returning from World War II where he’d been a cavalryman. Though a legend in his time, Bud was often outshone by his spunky, diminutive wife, Bobby Brooks Kramer, a lady bronc rider and pilot. Together they ran thousands of horses, cattle and sheep, but were best known for their rodeo stock. Besides putting on their own rodeos they supplied stock to contractors like Beutler Brothers, Everett Colburn and Leo Cremer. The incomparable Descent, six times PRCA Saddle Bronc of the Year, wore the Diamond A of the Kramer string.

While Kramer had the home base, local reputation and range-raised resources, Binion had southwest connections, finances, and a passion for the fledgling sport of cutting. His little black gelding, Nigger, a son of Band Time (TB) won the first three world titles (1946-48) in the National Cutting Horse Association.

There were, of course, already some southwestern "short horses" in The Big Dry. Horses of Copperbottom breeding had come north with Texas trail herds but larger horses were more common. Besides the Kramers, ranchers like the Harbaughs, Twitchells, Savages, Millers, Tot Robertson, R. B. Fraser, Harry Ross and others had bred big country horses for years. To this pool of Thoroughbreds and range ponies, Binion brought a Quarter Horse stallion of distinctively royal heritage.

George Clegg, a 1939-model dun named for the pioneer Texas breeder, was by Tommy Clegg and out of Lady Coolidge making him a full brother to the famous Bert P-227. Bert’s reputation as a sire of hard-knocking rope horses gave George Clegg credibility with Montana’s cattlemen and Binion’s crossing of him on Band Time (TB) mares sealed the deal. Longtime Big Dry rancher and Quarter Horse breeder Ray Beecher remembers a George Clegg gelding he owned. "He was the perfect horse if there ever was one," he recalls. "He was as smart of a cowhorse as I ever rode."

Binion’s next major sire was Comet Binion, a 1940 son of Chief Wilkens by John Wilkins by Peter McCue. More of a throwback to the Thoroughbred days, Comet Binion sired big, stouthearted horses that covered ground but could be cold-backed as colts.

Bud Kramer suspected the Quarter Horse had come to stay and his visits to Binion’s annual ranch sales only confirmed that. Whether intentional or not, he back-trailed Binion south to find his own type of Quarter Horse. In 1955 Little Texas E, a son of My Texas Dandy, was a 12-year-old match racehorse in Sonora, Texas. His owner, H.T. Espy, didn’t want to part with the stallion but needed money to finish building a new house, so Little Texas E, a halfbrother to Clabber, went north to Garfield County.

"He was a nice horse with flat bone and a good disposition," remembers Gary Crowder, the Kramers’ longtime trainer and adopted son. "His colts stood 16, 16-1 and were really cowy." Kramer put Little Texas E on the better of some 300 mares he’d purchased from Harry Miller.

Photo by Laton Alton “L.A.” Huffman (1854-1931)

Lorin Abarr, now semi-retired, worked often through the years for both Kramer and Binion. "Those Little Texas E colts were just my type of horse," he says. "I broke a bunch of them. They had plenty of gas, good withers, they were tough and good gallopers."

LA Huffman traveled the western range by horseback from his home in Miles City with his 50 pound homemade camera and chemicals and plates to develop his photography. He documented the frontier West, its culture, spirit, cowboys, ranching, range, and the Plains Indian people. He is considered the Charlie Russel of western photography. Much of his photography was done in the area surrounding Miles City, which he dubbed “The Big Open”.

To complete their breeding battery the Kramers went to Holly, Colorado to purchase Thirsty, a son of Leo. Instead, they came away with the yearling colt Thirsty Jr. The Leo blood infused a smaller, "typier" bloodline into their program. "Just good all-around horses," Abarr recalls.

Binion, meanwhile, had a constant stream of stallions moving in and out of eastern Montana. "Daddy always ran at least 200 mares so we had 15 to 20 head of stallions around all the time," remembers his daughter, Brenda Michael. Notable among these stallions were Rodeo Buck, a dun colt purchased from Hoss Inman in Colorado and Stan The Man, a Top Deck son out of California. Rodeo Buck progeny quickly scattered to area ranches and arenas while the Stan the Man colts became known as "big circle" horses that could carry cowboys all day. Another stallion in the battery, and Brenda Michael’s personal favorite, was Bob Levis, a 1956 sorrel of Gold Mount and Norfleet breeding.

Garfield County rancher Phillip Murnion bought many Binion horses through the years and remembers Stan the Man and Bob Levis well. "Bob Levis was Brenda’s barrel horse," he recounts. "He was a very nice horse. I owned a stallion, Walkin Man, that was by Stan the Man and out of a Bob Levis mare.

He was a great horse, easy to break. One of the two best horses I’ve ever owned in my life."

A later Binion sire, On The Money Red, still influences the breed directly today as a leading sire and grandsire of barrel horses.

The third major component of the Kramer program came to Montana from the famous JA Ranch of the Texas panhandle. J.B. Jordan, a Big Dry rancher, bought Side Twist, a gray son of Hard Twist from the JA but didn’t own him long before the Kramers acquired him. Like his famous sire, Side Twist was known to be very fast but noticeably ornery. "He was a little busy," Crowder remembers. "He and his colts were fine if you didn’t mess with them, but if you picked on ‘em they’d ante up."

By the early ‘60s the Quarter horse dominated the northern plains. The Kramers bought 80 acres outside of Billings where they built a large indoor arena and training facility. Bobby, who was eventually enshrined in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, spent much of her time there building a nationally recognized cutting and reining horse program with Crowder.

Both the Kramers and Binion helped carry the breed forward through the Seventies. Tragically, Bud Kramer died in a truck accident north of Miles City in 1979. The ranch near Cohagen was soon sold, but Bobby and Crowder continued their program in Billings where Bobby remained active with horses into her late 80s. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 91. Crowder now runs the Kramer-Crowder operation with his wife, Linda.

Benny Binion bred top Quarter Horses, and lots of them, through the 80s until dying of heart disease on Christmas Day, 1989. The Montana ranch remained in the family until its sale in 1997. A final dispersal of the ranch’s horses drew a crowd of buyers from all over the nation. Many came for a last chance at Binion breeding while others probably wanted to own a piece of history and take home a horse with Binion’s TJ brand.

The Big Dry is still big, often dry, and vastly open. There are more fences, bigger wheat ranches, and fewer horses than when Binion and the Kramers saddled their ponies for a day’s ride. And while Benny, Bud, and Bobby may be gone their stamp remains on the Montana horse industry and will for years to come.

Story by John L. Moore See this Montana author’s profile on page 46

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Mark LaRowe talks with NILE’s Jennifer Boka about one of the largest agricultural events in the Northwest.

Photos from NILE

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hen most people hear the term Northern International Livestock Exhibition (NILE), they generally think of a fall stock show and rodeo, but in actuality it encompasses far more than that. The concept originated in 1966 from an idea hatched by the Livestock Committee of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, local cattlemen and financiers. This group of forwardingthinking individuals had a firm grasp on not only the importance of agriculture to Montana, but also to the country. With the foresight to promote agriculture in a positive manner, blending educational opportunities with entertainment, their goal was to create an event that would be attractive to members of the agricultural community, but also non-agricultural people. Since then, The NILE has evolved to become one of the largest agricultural events in the northwest and now includes the region’s largest agricultural trade show, the Montana Agri Trade Exposition (MATE), which is held in February.

In the fall of 2013, Jennifer Boka joined the NILE team as the General Manager leaving her position as the Communications Director for the Red Angus Association of America. Her current role at The NILE encompasses a wide range of responsibilities and tasks, and she wears many hats overseeing all of the events and activities of the non-profit organization. These events include the NILE Stock Show & Rodeo, a Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough event, the

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events >>> the nile

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MATE Show and Home & Health Expo, and the NILE Foundation Stetsons & Stilettos. No stranger to hard work and challenges, Jennifer learned at a young age to judge livestock and traveled the country during her college years doing just that to pay for her degree in Animal Science and Agri Business from Colorado State University. Steeped in a history of agriculture both from a familial and professional perspective, Jennifer has been deeply involved with agriculture her entire life. Raised in Colorado, her family has deep roots in the Simmental/Angus beef industry. This lifetime of cattle industry experience ranging from commercial, to registered cattle, as well as show ring experience both competing in and judging cattle events, has prepared Jennifer well for her role at the NILE. She has also served on the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Board of Directors while competing in professional rodeos across the Rocky Mountain region and further. The all-around cowgirl spends her free time supporting her daughter’s rodeo, athletic and agricultural aspirations. Jennifer still competes on her own barrel horses as a current member of the WPRA. Since 1966 the NILE’s mission has been to preserve and embrace the western way of life. It is dedicated to promotion of livestock, agricultural education, and respect for the western way of life and culture. One of the most important ways of achieving these goals is to engage young people through education and participation. Jennifer feels that this is one of the most critical aspects of the NILE which can be easily overlooked by the high profile events such as the PBR event, the PRCA rodeo, and high-end cattle and horse shows. One of the most popular youth events is the Junior Fed Show. The first Junior Fed Steer Show was held in 1969 and has seen tremendous grown over the years. Since 2006 there have been nearly 3100 entries with payouts valuing just shy of $1,000,000.00 since 2010. The NILE Merit Heifer Program began in 2006 and has seen 425 kids participate since its inception and has awarded over $1,000,000.00 in prize money. A staggering 45,000 students have gone through the NILE 4th Grad Ag Education Program and has helped turn them into “Agvocates". The NILE 4-H and FFA Sales, Service, and Livestock Judging event has enjoyed 25 years of existence and has brought over 10,000 kids to the NILE. Jennifer is proud of these successes and states that the future of agriculture is dependent on programs such as these. “Without exposure to youth, and their subsequent participation, our production agricultural industries will suffer and the future of agriculture will be in jeopardy,” says Jennifer.

Certainly the crown jewels of the NILE are the annual PRCA Rodeo, PBR event, the horse events and cattle shows. As the most publicly visible events, these events create critical revenue for the non-profit organization and help give the NILE its high profile status. The NILE is the longest running host of a PBR event, and is the home of Montana’s most prestigious PRCA rodeo. The historical growth, profile and momentum that the NILE has experienced in the last decade is evidenced by the number of entries, in all events, and by its annual financial reports. With such a solid

foundation and history of success the future seemed bright. But then, 2020 happened. March marked the beginning of a dizzying array of predictions, reactions, and constantly changing governmental guidances and regulations associated with the global Covid-19 pandemic. How could the NILE run a successful event that had been created, and has evolved, with great dependence on physical human attendance and participation? “Of course our greatest concern has always been community health and the well-being of our staff, participants, and attendees. And as an event that is highly dependent on county facilities, we were obviously bound by county regulations.” Jennifer states. With a regulatory environment in constant flux and access to public event facilities limited or even eliminated, the event itself was in jeopardy unless creative solutions could be conceived and carried out. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.

And invent they did. The horse and cattle shows were moved from The METRA to Miller’s Horse Palace, just West of Billings. While the public was still welcomed, social distancing and masks were required. Attendance was also limited to 50% of capacity for all ticketed events. Constant cleaning and sanitization of hand gates, latches, door knobs, seats and bathrooms by staff created a whole new set of responsibilities to oversee. “During that week I turned into a janitor and cleaned more bathrooms than I care to mention. The show must go on. We had no choice,” quips Jennifer. Just another hat that she and all of her staff had to wear. Due to the obvious challenges faced, one might assume that the various events were impacted negatively. Quite the contrary. The horse sale enjoyed 990 class entries, up from 899 in 2019, and the sale set an event record with a gross of over $347,000.00, an increase of nearly $30,000.00 from 2019.

As the rest of the world moved towards remote video conferencing, the NILE followed suit. Instead of scrapping the 4th Grade Educational programs they decided to go with a pre-recorded video format. A wide variety of educational

videos were created by wool growers, bee keepers, the Montana Cattle Women, soil conservationists and many others, and then presented online to the young students. 4H and FFA livestock judging? Not a problem. Zoom links were set up between the judges and the entrants and the events proceeded. Kids could even pre-record their own show videos and send them in to the judges for remote viewing and scoring.

In all, over 350 kids participated in the video-based programs. Jennifer states, “It was our light bulb moment. We realized that we could still reach these kids and give them a chance to show what skills they had learned over the past year. In fact, we reached kids in over 13 states from Montana to Arkansas, Texas, and Nevada whose events had been cancelled.” Instead of omitting the events which the kids had worked so hard to compete in throughout the past year, the NILE held them and actually increased its geographical exposure. “We filled a big void for kids all across the country. I’m very proud of that,” reflects Jennifer.

While the PBR event was moved from its normal date in the spring of 2020 to September, and ticket sales were limited to 32% of the facility’s capacity, the big casualty of 2020 was the PRCA rodeo. A major source of revenue and exposure, the decision was made in the spring to cancel the October rodeo. It was an unpopular decision, which most of the public didn’t fully understand. Jennifer recalls, “We had to make that difficult decision in the face of so many unknowns.

Contracting and planning for the rodeo starts well in advance of the event itself and we were facing the reality of losing in excess of onehalf million dollars if we incurred the expenses and were not able to have full capacity at the event. That kind of loss would be devastating to the future of the NILE, and we were not willing take that risk. We decided to come back stronger in 2021.”

All-in-all, the hybrid version of the 2020 Nile was a success and it experienced good growth in most aspects. That kind of success in the face of so much adversity is difficult to achieve and does not come without sacrifices, lessons learned, but mostly not without tremendous leadership. “Any success that we have seen and enjoyed as an organization is the result of exceptional leadership and vision from our Board of Directors and from the dedication and selfless efforts of our staff. I’m just fortunate to work with great people and give all the credit to them,” says Jennifer.

While the NILE will no doubt continue its growth and pursuit of its mission moving into the future, Jennifer has other plans. She is stepping away from her role as general manager this fall after overseeing her ninth show. “God brought the girls and me to Montana and the NILE, but now it is time to move on to new pastures and focus on my family and a new career in real estate.” When asked about what her favorite things were while working for the NILE, she says the mission of the organization and the diversity of the people she has worked with and met, as well as the wide array of events tops the list.

Planning for the 2021 NILE is well underway and the staff are preparing for a full slate of events and looking forward to getting back to creating one of the top agricultural-based series of events in the country. For more information on the NILE, visit their website at www.thenile.org

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HORSESHOEING AND PERFORMANCE TRAINING

MONTANA HORSES 2020

WINNER - LANDSCAPE “Roundup in Polson” by Debby Thomas Debby Thomas, a former horse trainer and riding instructor, expresses her intuitive sense for animals through her artwork and photography. Her equine, canine and wildlife work is in private collections worldwide and has won numerous awards in national and international juried exhibits. Her work has been featured in “Horses in Art” magazine, exhibited at the AKC Museum in St. Louis and the "International Museum of the Horse" in Kentucky. She was chosen for the books “Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing”, “Best of Virginia Artists” and is featured in the book “Best of America, Photography”. www.AnimalArtAndPhotography.com

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

2nd place - HORSES “Wild and Free” by Ross Mosher 2nd place - PEOPLE “Contemplation” by Debby Thomas

Ross Mosher was born and raised in Augusta, Montana. He’s lived, helped run/worked on his family ranch, the T- Ranch Company, with his dad Kent Mosher his entire life. Ross grew up around horses and cattle and has lived the western life “the best I can.” He’s pursued many sports and activities including a career in wrestling and rodeo. He now coaches wrestling and hopes to build a great program in Augusta, while still going down the rodeo trail and tackling farm animals “aka steer wrestling.” Ross got into photography about three years ago. It started as a small hobby and has grown into a passion.

He says, “It’s still just a small side hustle, but I hope for it to grow and expand more. I still have lots to learn and gear to acquire and hope to do so in time to help build my profession. I love the outdoors whether I’m working, fishing, hunting, or taking pics. In my photography, I like to capture moments that we normally don’t see or take advantage of. I’ll do anything from family photos to activities, events, trips, portraits, animals, landscapes…if you can take a pic of it I will do it. I love the Montana life and hope it keeps staying the way it is.”

Ross displays and sells his art at: www.rossmosherbeyond.com

WINNER - PEOPLE “So God Created Cowboy” by Ross Mosher - 26 -

WINNER - RANCH LIFE “No Rest in Winter on a Ranch” by Heather McIntosh

Heather McIntosh comes from a family cattle ranch in Avon, MT. McIntosh Ranch was established in 1910 and many of the methods and equipment they use are very traditional. They do all their cow work with horses, put up loose hay with a beaverslide stacker in the summer, and feed it off with teams of draft horses in the winter (as seen in the photo). Heather taught school for a few years, but is back at the ranch now. She enjoys ranch life with her parents and brothers and their families. One of her passions is photographing ranch life—feeding, calving, branding, riding in the mountains, haying, round-up, shipping, etc.

She also owns a wedding and portrait photography business, Lighted Path Photography, which keeps her very busy during wedding season.

Congratulations to DANNY NESTOR for winning the HORSES category with “Show Ready” which was chosen for the cover of this issue. You can read more about Danny on page 2.

We received over 375 spectacular entries to the Montana Horses first annual photo contest that can been seen at www.montanahorses.com/montana-photo-gallery Winners were chosen in four categories - horses, people, landscape, and ranch life.

Thanks to all of you for your entries and to our judges who had a very difficult time choosing the winners!

The 2021 Photo Contest will commence July 1st.

Stay tuned for details.

Lightedpathphotography.com

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WINNER - PEOPLE’S CHOICE “Withstanding the Storm” by Grayson Cottrell

Grayson Cottrell is the owner of Gray Design Photography and specializes in ranch, equine, and western business photography.

From working ranches to performance horse barns, she's lived all aspects of the western industry and currently works full-time marketing ranches and rural businesses. She also does sale photos, barrel races/rodeos, trainer advertisements, and all kinds of ranch photography. Gray Design Photography strives to showcase the Lord's creation and customers' life and business through photography and videography.

GrayDesignPhotography .mypixieset.com

2nd Place - LANDSCAPE “Turned Out” by Janie Carlson

Janie Carlson is a 3rd generation rancher from Two Dot who "cut her teeth on a saddle horn and can’t remember when she didn’t have a rope in her hand."

She produces her very authentic art under the name of Horse of a Different Color Photography.

Kristen Schurr is a photographer based out of eastern Montana specializing in capturing bold images for the cowboy or cowgirl in us all. From commercial photography to western lifestyle, she loves creating images that tell a story.

“Blair Ranch Morning” was taken during the gather on shipping day at the Blair Ranch in Ekalaka, MT. While horseback, Kristen captured the image as the pairs streamed down the hill towards to corral. www.kschurrphoto.com

2nd Place - RANCH LIFE “Blair Ranch Morning” by Kristen Schurr

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MONTANA ASHLEY QUARTER HORSES | Forsyth, MT | (406) 347-5264 BANNOCKBURN FARM CLYDESDALES | Kalispell, MT | (406) 890-9097 BAR 6 RANCH | Ronan, MT | (406) 544-8710 BEAR PAW BAYS | Cleveland Bays | Big Sandy, MT | (406) 386-2417 BROKEN FIDDLE RANCH | (406) 321-4326 BURNS RANCH QUARTER HORSES | White Sulphur Springs, MT |(406) 547-2165 CIRCLE DIAMOND RANCH | Vaughn, MT | (406) 590-8682 COLD COUNTRY PERFORMANCE HORSES | McCallister, MT | (406) 577-6824 CROSS THREE QUARTER HORSES | Conrad, MT | 406-278-9945 DIAMOND BAR LAZY A QUARTER HORSES | Helena, MT | (406) 431-4288 ELF RANCH | Whitehall, MT | (406) 498-0952 FLINT CREEK QUARTER HORSES | Drummond, MT | (406) 544-9987 GARRISON QUARTER HORSES | Glen, MT | (406) 925-1937

HAHN QUARTER HORSES | Polson, MT | (406) 270-9476 HEART X QUARTER HORSES | Dillon, MT | email HEINECKE QUARTER HORSES | Lewistown, MT | (406) 350-4159 J BAR STENBERG RANCH | St. Ignatius, MT | (406) 644-3636 JK MINIATURE HORSES | Billings, MT | (406) 591-4366 L4 QUARTER HORSES | Deer Lodge, MT | (406) 239-9365 LAZY DC BAR | Mules | St. Ignatius, MT | (406) 317-2907 MAHLSTEDT RANCH | Circle, MT | (406) 939-1890 MANECKE SPORT HORSES | Cut Bank, MT | (406) 229-0683 MONTANA BREEDERS GROUP | Shelby, MT | (406) 434-5724 MONTANA PONY CONNEXION | Willow Creek, MT | (406) 285-3969 MONTANA RANCH CUTTING HORSES | Big Fork, MT | (406) 270- 2767 NICHOLIA CREEK QUARTER HORSES | (406) 925-9616 NORTH COUNTRY QUARTER HORSES | Big Sandy, MT | (406) 378-3199 NORTH STAR RANCH QUARTER & PAINT HORSES|DeBorgia, MT|(406) 210-7316

O’DONNELL QUARTER HORSES | Cardwell, MT | (406) 287-3572 OPEN SPEAR RANCH | Melville, MT | (406) 537-2333 PIC PERFORMANCE HORSES | Roundup, MT | (406) 861-4550 PURCELL PERFORMANCE HORSES | Helena, MT | (406) 465-8719 Q QUARTER HORSES | (406) 861-2921 RAFFETY CATTLE COMPANY QUARTER HORSES | Dillon, MT | (406) 925-0124 RAFTER J RANCH HORSES | Ryegate, MT | (406) 663-2285

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BREEDERS ROCKING R LAZY T DRAFTS | Whitehall, MT | (406) 595-1037 ROGERS QUARTER HORSES | Missoula, MT | (406) 239-6096 SHEEHAN QUARTER HORSES | East Plains, MT | (406) 396-2415 SLUSH CREEK WALKERS | Bainville, MT | (406) 769-2971 SNELLMAN RUNNING QUARTER HORSES | Helena, MT | (406) 439-8853 SNOWY MOUNTAIN QUARTER HORSES | Lewistown, MT | (406) 535-2025 THUNDERBROOK TENNESSEE WALKERS | Vollborn, MT | (406) 939-3503 TRUWEST MORGAN HORSES | Roberts, MT | (406) 445-9802 U LAZY V CLYDESDALES | (406) 471-8554 WAID QUARTER HORSES | Helena, MT | (406) 439-6579 WEAVER QUARTER HORSES | Big Sandy, MT | (406) 378-2600 WMR LIVESTOCK | Whitehall, MT | (406) 475-0225

Are you, or someone you know, missing from the list? Please add your name to our online business directory at www.montanahorses.com/montana-business-directory. It’s free!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FOALING PROCESS `bu Dr. Stacie G Boswell

Dr. Stacie G. Boswell is a veterinarian board-certified in large animal surgery and has an interest in equine welfare. She practices in Belgrade, MT and is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Horses in Need. https://stacieboswell.com

health >>> foaling

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pring is upon us, and foals will be entering the world very soon. Problems are rare, but can mean loss of life for the foal and/or the mare. Therefore, attending the foaling is advisable so that assistance or veterinary care can be provided as soon as possible. Here are some guidelines for what is expected from parturition (foaling or birthing process).

Predicting Arrival Mares are pregnant for 342 days on average, though a normal foal may be born up to two weeks before or after this expected due date. Most fetal growth happens in the third trimester, so it may not be outwardly noticeable that a mare is pregnant until the tenth or eleventh month of pregnancy.

Development of udder begins about six weeks prior to parturition, and peaks the evening prior to foaling. There are test kits which use a few drops of milk to predict foal arrival. These are 90% accurate in predicting foal arrival within three days. Mares may “wax” or leak colostrum (first milk) anywhere from six to forty-eight hours prior to foaling, though this may not occur at all. Foals are typically born at night, most often between midnight and 4:00 AM. Predicting birth helps you know what nights to stay up and watch but minimize your sleep loss.

Hormonal changes signal the birthing process. One hormone (relaxin) will cause her vulva to elongate. She will also develop loose, jiggly muscles through her croup and tailhead. This sign, along with milk development and changes, help us know when a foal’s birth is imminent.

Entry into the World Stage one of parturition is subtle. The foal will move into position. He must be healthy and have normal limb development in order to actively move into the correct position for birth. Developmental deformities or infections in the womb can result in malpositioning.

As the foal moves into position, a mare will show signs of colic or abdominal discomfort. She may lay down and get up repeatedly, roll, paw, sweat, or turn her head to watch her flank.

Stage two begins when her “water breaks.” The first visible part of the foal will be his front hooves, and shortly thereafter, his nose. He should be completely out after about thirty minutes of active, hard labor. The mare and her foal may then rest for ten to twenty minutes. The foal will soon attempt to stand up, and should achieve this feat within an hour of being born.

Foals normally have a suckle reflex at birth, but they are uncoordinated. Initially, a foal may try to suckle his mother’s elbows, shoulders, and hind legs. An experienced mare will guide her foal to the correct location. The first time he latches on will be only for a second or two.

A foal should suckle within two hours of being born. It’s critical that a foal suckles within this short time window because that is how he acquires immunity. If he doesn’t suckle, he will have a dysfunctional immune system (think: the “bubble boy”) and will quickly succumb to an infection such as pneumonia, infected joints (“joint ill”), or an infected umbilicus (“navel ill”).

A foal should defecate within two hours of suckling. The meconium is the first feces that a foal expels. It appears as dark, tarry pellets. About one to two percent of the time, this is delayed and a foal develops a meconium impaction, which requires veterinary treatment.

Stage three is marked by the passage of the placenta or afterbirth, which should be within three hours of the foal’s birth. This event is closely associated with the foal suckling, because as he suckles the hormone oxytocin is released. This hormone causes milk to be released, and simultaneously signals the muscles lining the uterus to contract, which results in Diagram by Dr. Maria Schnobrich expulsion of the placenta.

Foals are so much fun, and hold so much promise.

Understanding what to expect during foaling is critical for a successful foaling season.

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2008 AQHA Palomino Mare

column >>> the profitable horseman

Granddaughter Frenchman’s Guy out of Sugar Bars mare.

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How to Charge What You’re Worth WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY

Gentle, all around, trail, ranch, family. $8500

HORSES FOR SALE (406) 579-4060 2008 AQHA Dun Gelding Some heeling, all around, gentle, trail. $7500

By Doug Emerson

I

f setting fees for your horse business is a struggle, you're not alone. You don’t want to charge too much and risk losing a sale and you don’t want to set prices too low and cheat yourself out of income. Where is the balance point between a fair fee and customer price resistance and why isn’t there an online guide to help you answer this question?

My son has been shopping online for a used pickup truck. He's narrowed down his selection to make, model, year and mileage. There are plenty of online resources for establishing values of used vehicles. You probably use these resources as price guides, too. With printed guides, price is well defined within a range of evaluation factors. It's fast and EASY. Best of all, it educates buyers not familiar with values and makes seller/ buyer negotiation easier for both parties.

Demonstrating value offered in the horse industry is far more difficult than beginning with a Blue Book guide to current values.

Often, professional horsemen are selling to customers not fully educated on value differences among. Successful professionals know the top five things they are really good at and memorize them to effortlessly convey the value they offer without having to think about it first. Confidence sells.

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A riding instructor might say something like this: “Here is the value I offer my students:

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Seven years of professional instruction experience as a certified riding instructor help my students learn quickly and safely.

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I specialize in youth instruction and know when to push students and when to help them relax if fear arises.

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Group instruction helps reduce lesson expense and allows students to benefit by watching classmates learn, too.

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Punctuality is important. I start on time and end on timeeveryone is busy.

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You will quickly recognize my commitment for students to have fun learning how to ride and spending time with horses.”

A horse trainer might say this about the value they offer:

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I’ve invested a considerable amount of time and money attending training clinics, asking my training mentors countless questions and studying the psychology of horse training and human psychology.

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I’ve started colts of all ages and helped riding horses of a variety of skill levels. I know patience in a training program makes the difference.

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My goal is to help you and your horse perform at the best level you can. I want to see your relaxed smile when you’re trail riding or your look of confidence as you compete in the show ring.

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Your investment in me to train your horse will pay satisfaction dividends for years after. Isn’t a well-trained horse providing maximum enjoyment for you what we all want?

No doubt you've found naming your price is a challenge at times. (maybe all the time) It could be because of the following reasons:

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You are uncomfortable talking about, you know, shhh. . . money.

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You worry that the customer may object to your fee and you won't know what to say next.

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You feel you don't have the experience or correct qualifications to charge that kind of fee.

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You have a fear of rejection over price.

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You think your fees are too high compared to your competition.

Don't feel like you are the only person troubled with naming your price.

Everyone has tripped over setting price at one time or another, including me.

Here are some tips for getting through the money talk with your prospects and customers: 1. Have a pricing strategy. Know what the competition offers and what the price is. Evaluate what you offer in comparison and raise your fee if you have more to offer.

2. Make a "Standard Fees and Prices Sheet." Start with a single sheet of paper. At the top, print your business name and directly underneath print "Standard Fees and Prices." Then list all of the services and products you offer and the fee you ought to charge. Congratulations. You now can say, "My standard fee for a private one hour lesson is____, My standard fee for trucking horses is____, My standard fee for schooling at a horse show is___ “ and so on.

The word standard followed by fees is powerful. Think about the sign in the auto repair shop: Standard Labor Rate $105.00 per hour.

Once you have standard fees on your price sheet, it will be much more professional than saying, "How does one hundred bucks sound, is that fair?"

3. Talk with your customer or prospect about what her expectations are before quoting your fee. Suggest to the customer that before you talk about money, the two of you should see if you can deliver what she needs. This allows you to more fully understand what the customer wants and needs.

Then, charge appropriately.

Answering the question, “How much do you charge for . . .?” without knowing the details is a rookie error often resulting in undercharging.

4. Be confident. Deliver the price, and then stop talking. That means don't talk even if there is a long uncomfortable period of "dead air". As the seasoned salesperson knows, he who speaks first, loses.

5. Avoid discounts, they just lead to more negotiation. Instead, offer different levels of service at different fees.

If the money talk and your standard fees scare off some prospects, don't be discouraged. Be thankful that those prospects were quickly eliminated allowing you to concentrate on the prospects who will enjoy working with you and pay you what you’re worth.

About the author: Doug Emerson, the Profitable Horseman, consults, writes and speaks about the business half of the horse business. Visit www.ProfitableHorseman.com

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The following businesses and individuals have made this issue of MONTANA HORSES MAGAZINE possible. Please stop in and tell them thanks!

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Shipton’s Big R - pg 2

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North 40 Outfitters - pg 3

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Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply - page 4

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Haras Vista da Serra—Montana Marchadors - pg 8

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Rod Freeman, Bitterroot Horse Properties - pg 9

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JR - Jennifer Royston Tonjum—Venture West - pg 11

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Corteva - pg 11

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RMBA—Rocky Mountain Breeders Association - pg 12

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Circle Diamond Ranch - pg 16

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Call JR—Venture West Realty - pg 17

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K Lazy 3 Lodge in Lincoln - pg 17

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Author John L Moore - pg 18

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NILE - Northern International Livestock Exposition - pg 22

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Mile High Horseshoeing - pg 23

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Dynamic Coatings - pg 23

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Spirit of the Big Sky Gallery and Portrait Studio - pg 30

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The Ranches at Belt Creek - pg 32

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BLS—Billings Livestock Horse Sales - pg 33

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Burns Ranch Quarter Horses - pg 34

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Raffety Cattle Company Quarter Horses - pg 34

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Ashley Quarter Horses - pg 35

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Purcell Performance Horses - pg 35

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Mahlstedt Ranch - pg 35

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Mark LaRowe Photography - pg 38

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Montana Mad Hatters - pg 39

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Blue Mountain Veterinary Clinic - pg 39

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Stealing Broomtails - Movies with a Mission - pg 40

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Dr. Stacie Boswell - pg 41

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Firebug Leather - pg 41

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Doug Emerson—The Profitable Horseman - pg 42

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The Den - pg 42

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Kiip Fladland Horsemanship - pg 42

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WMR Livestock—Famous Gold Coin - pg 43

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Western Ranch Supply - pg 44

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Spot On Fencing - pg 45

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Rocky Mountain Supply - pg 47

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Cold Country Performance Horses - pg 48

Montana Horses can be found at over 200 locations across Montana. Find out where here: www.montanahorses.com/outlets

ADVERTISING DOLLARS MAKE THIS POSSIBLE THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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profile >>> john l. moore

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JOHN L. MOORE

His latest novel, Blue Man, will be released this May.

He Writes Horses Miles City rancher John L. Moore is one of the most widely-published and respected writers in the West. For 50 years he has told the stories of cowboys, horses, and the landscapes of Montana through seven novels, five non-fiction books, and over 1000 articles.

The son of John W. (Johnny) Moore, a legendary CBC cowboy, Moore’s stylish prose and tied hard-and-fast authenticity has earned him numerous state and national writing awards and induction into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Montana ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2020.

His JohnLMooreWriter Facebook page, which features lesser-known but worthy historical subjects, has almost 24,000 followers. His latest novel, Blue Man, will be released this May. “I like my country big and open, my horses tough and honest, and my prose lean and muscled,” he says. “My biggest joy is giving honor to men and women who might otherwise go unnoticed or be forgotten because they never sought attention for themselves.”

Moore’s article “Horses of the Big Dry” appears on page 18 of this issue.

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