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AN-49f (0113)

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December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

December 2013

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Where do you get your information? We have spent the better part of two days digesting the results of a comprehensive survey conducted by the esteemed American Horse Publications, an industry group we have not joined but By Steven Long profoundly respect. Well into the data a little gem appeared that bolstered something we have long believed. The survey question was: How do you prefer to receive your horse health information? A full 57.9 percent of respondents said they liked to get that information from short articles in print, followed by 40.3 percent who prefer to get it from long articles in print, and 28.7 percent who gather the information from online sources. All in all, this data tells us we are doing something right because Horseback’s equine health stories are found in all three categories in abundance. In the same survey the question was asked: Where do you get your horse health information? Magazines scored second only to veterinarians with more than 70 percent of respondents saying our genre was their first choice. Why? Because magazines in general, and Horseback in particular, provide the kind of long form journalism written by authoritative experts readers, particularly horse owners, have trusted for generations. As we head to a new year, it’s time to again pledge that our commitment to providing our readers with unvarnished fact will not change. But we also promise this. While we will continue to publish the serious stuff like comprehensive horse health articles, we darn sure plan to have a little fun along the way. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Steven and Vicki Long

On the Cover:

Peter Max original cover made for Horseback Magazine.

6 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

Cover Story:

28 Charitable Equine Giving - Steven Long

Features:

24 Peter Max - Taking it to the Max- Steven Long

Lifestyle: 12 Holiday Gift Guide 38 Real Estate Roundup 42 Barn & Garden

Columns:

8 Horse Bites 18 Why Are you Hitting Me? Pat Parelli with Steven Long 20 On the English Front - Cathy Strobel 23 Whole Horsemanship - Dianne Lindig 28 Tack Talk - Lew Pewterbaugh 36 Foot Form Function - Pete Ramey 50 Cowboy Corner - Jim Hubbard

ADVERTISING OFFICES

• CORPORATE OFFICE (281) 447-0772 Phone & (281) 893-1029 Fax Advertising@horsebackmagazine.com • BRAZOS VALUE BUREAU Diane Holt (936) 878-2678 Ranch & (713) 408-8114 Cell Dianeh@horsebackmagazine.com • GULF COAST BUREAU Carol Holloway - (832) 607-8264 Cell Carol@horsebackmagazine.com • NORTH TEXAS Mari Crabtree - (216) 702-4520 Mari@horsebackmagazine.com • NEW MEXICO BUREAU Laurie Hammer - (505)315-7842

Staff PUBLISHER Vicki Long

EDITOR Steven Long

NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR Carrie Gobernatz LIFESTYLE EDITOR Margaret Pirtle 832-349-1427 Horsebackmag@gmail.com EVENTS EDITOR Leslie Greco

Goldenhorses7@hotmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jim Hubbard, Steven Long, Vicki Long, Dianne Lindig, Roni Norquist, Pat Parelli, Pete Ramey, Lew Pewterbaugh, Cathy Strobel, Cory Johnson, Margaret Pirtle Volume 20, No. 12 Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397, (281) 447-0772. The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted December 2013 by Horseback Magazine. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Horseback Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Horseback Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management. Subscription rate is $25.00 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397. Fax: (281) 893-1029

Email: news@horsebackmagazine.com

Phone: (281)

447-0772

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SOONER OR LATER, EVERYONE HAS A MIDLIFE CRISIS.

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11-Time World Champion Charmayne James Comes Out of Retirement to Compete for Biggest Payout in Western Sports History Eleven-time World Champion, Charmayne James, has accepted an exemption invitation and will come out of retirement to compete in the barrel racing event during RFD-TV’s THE AMERICANon March 2, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. James dominated the sport of barrel racing from 1984 - 2003. She started riding horses by the age of three and running barrels by the age of six. At 14, she won the title of World Champion Barrel Racer and held the title for the next 10 consecutive years. She qualified for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) every year of her decorated career, 19 consecutive years in total. In 1992, James was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. She retired from the sport in 2003. After 10 years of retirement, James now runs barrel horse clinics around the country and designs saddles and riding gear. She is among one of the most decorated female equine athletes of all time, with titles including; All Time Leading Money Earner, Barrel Racing’s First Million Dollar Cowgirl, First Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) member to earn the right to wear the number one on her back and is holder of more individual world championships than any other woman in professional sports when she retired. RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Rodeo will be held on March 2, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is the richest rodeo in the history of western sports with a $2 million payout. The top-five winners from the semifinals will compete against the top 10 athletes after the PBR World Final standings and WNFR final world standings. The only other way to qualify for THE AMERICAN is a special exemption granted by RFD-TV.

Judge Finds Against Cloud’s Herd on Pryor Mountain in Questionable Ruling A United States District Court judge ruled against The Cloud Foundation (TCF),

8 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

vative new regenerative therapy called VIV8 from VIVREGEN, LLC, Ben is “Horse Bites is compiled from back on the re-enactment battlefield. Press Releases sent to Horseback Originally purchased in SeptemMagazine. Original reporting is ber 2012 as a trail horse and Civil War done as circumstances warrant. re-enactment mount, Ben was a solid Content is edited for length & style.” citizen until shortly before Thanksgiving last year, when he sustained a kick to his right front leg from another horse. His owner’s initial course of treatment, like Front Range Equine Rescue and Carol that of most, was to cold-hose the injury Walker regarding the number of mus- and wrap it. tangs that can live on the Pryor Moun- “It was a kick to the right carpus,” tain Wild Horse Range in southern said M.W. Myers, DVM, at Deepwood Montana and northern Wyoming. The Veterinary Clinic in Centreville, who first plaintiffs also challenged the US Forest dispensed Surpass, a diclofenac ointment, Service’s construction of a 2 mile-long and a furosemide/dexamethasone paste to fence built across a sub alpine meadow reduce swelling. on the jurisdictional boundary between By early December, Ben’s lameBLM and the Custer National Forest. ness remained at 2 to 3 on a scale of 5 in his The fence blocks horses from historic, right front. “He was on pasture rest and it crucial grazing land. was noted that he would not take his right “We are currently studying the lead in the pasture,” Dr. Myers said. judge’s decision,” states Ginger Kathrens, Come April, some swelling was executive director of TCF. “We will formu- still present so it was decided to bring Ben late our strategy after we have thoroughly to the hospital for further evaluation. discussed options with our legal team.” “Only fifty percent range of mo When BLM reduces the number tion was noted on his flexion and his lameof wild horses it will manage on the range, ness in the right fore still graded 3 out of it threatens the genetic viability of the herd. 5,” Dr. Myers said. “Radiographs demonEquine geneticist, E. Gus Cothran Phd, strated an older lesion on the medial aspect who has studied the Pryor Herd since the of the carpus, likely due to his conformaearly 1990s cautioned BLM managers of tion and show career as well as more recent the PMWHR in his newest report issued on inflammation in the swollen area of the August 22, 2013. The report reveals a herd carpus, with bony remodeling over the craat risk of losing genetic variability. Cothran nial medial area. The soft tissue component states that “compared to past sampling of of the swelling was involving the extensor this herd, variability levels for all measures tendon.” has been in decline.” He further states that At this point, Hylartin V and the expression of the Spanish heritage is Vetalog were injected into his tendon “stronger than seen recently,” but we could sheath and around the swelling but “no imbe seeing “the very beginning of evidence provement was noted.” of inbreeding.” Cothran advised that the In June, Ben’s radiocarpal and population be increased if the range could middle carpal joints were injected with support it. Gel50 “There was some improvement In the spring of 2013 The Cloud to this therapy… the lameness reduced Foundation volunteers helped the BLM to a Grade 2 out of 5.” Over the last 10 apply PZP to control population growth months, Ben had been through three difin the PMWHR with the shared goal of ferent courses of treatment but still showed reducing the need for removals, however, unrelenting lameness. unless crucial grazing land fenced off by So on September 8, 2013, Dr. the USFS is restored, as well as vital win- Myers decided to try a new regenerative ter range once included in the designated therapy called VIVR8: “Ben had been reBighorn Canyon National Recreation Area examined and was remaining at a Grade 2 portion of the PMWHR, the current range out of 5 lameness on the right fore, so his size may not support a herd of the requisite carpus was clipped and prepped for intra150-200 adults or more to ensure the ge- articular injection. One vial of VIVR8 was netic viability of this world famous herd. reconstituted and injected into the articular area.” The result was significant. “This case had a dramatic response to VIVR8,” Civil War Re-Enactment Mount Revived said Dr. Myers. “Although carpal swelling by Innovative New Regenerative Therapy was evident within 30 minutes, and enTen-year-old registered Tennessee Walk- larged in the first day, the swelling rapidly ing Horse gelding, ‘Ben’, and his owner regressed with increasing comfort and reare no strangers to the fields and former turn to full use was evident by the fifth day. battlegrounds of Virginia’s Civil War re- NSAIDs and ice pack were used during the enactments, but in November 2012, after five days to keep Ben comfortable. By Day a pasture-mate back home kicked Ben in Five the carpus had returned to original his right foreleg, the real fight to keep him size and the range of motion had improved sound and performing began. After a long battle of lameness, and thanks to an inno- Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 10 www.horsebackmagazine.com

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2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 8

to approximately 70 percent of the original examination. Ben’s lameness reduced to a Grade 1 by Day 5.” After a few short weeks on VIVR8, Ben was sound to ride and use again, both on the trails and in Civil War re-enactments. He takes his right lead easily under saddle and in the pasture. “There is still a Grade 1 of 5 lameness when he first begins work, but he warms out of it quickly,” said Dr. Myers. “Currently, Ben is sound to ride.” Draft Horse Show Participating at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN’s Semifinal Rodeo The best of six hitch horse teams from

across the country will gather in Mesquite, Texas at THE AMERICAN’s semifinal rodeo on February 22-23, 2014, to compete in a Draft Horse Show. These majestic creatures will move through the stadium in unison pulling historically restored freight wagons. Each draft horse weighs more than a ton and are maneuvered by the driver who handles them with six individual lines. The draft horse teams will be judged on presence, style, animation and how the team moves as a unit. Teams made up of bay and white Clydesdales, black and grey Percherons and sorrell Belgians will com-

pete for $100,000, the largest purse ever offered for a six horse hitch competition. THE AMERICAN is being closely coordinated with Professional Bull Rider’s (PBR) Iron Cowboy V, which will take place the day before THE AMERICAN on March 1, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Combined; the events are expected to bring over 100,000 fans and participants to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Tickets for RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN are on sale at americanrodeo. com.

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e d i u G t f i G y a d i l o H 3 201

DID YOU KNOW...

long with many English customs, after the American Revolution, Christmas fell out of favor. The first Christmas under America’s new constitution December 25, 1789 Congress was actually in session. Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. Before the Civil War, the North saw Christmas celebrations as sinful, while in the South it was an important part of the social season. The first three states to make Christmas a legal holiday were Alabama in 1836, Louisiana & Arkansas in 1838.

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November 2013 -- H HORSEBACK ORSEBACK M MAGAZINE AGAZINE December 2013

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Letters to Santa!

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December 2013 2013--H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE

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Western...

Why are you hitting me? By Pat Parelli with Steven Long

HORSEBACK MAGAZINE: How does a horse see a human when that person is doing what he considers to be punishment for something the animal did wrong? PARELLI: Punishment of a prey animal makes them feel like you are acting like a predator. He will nip and strike out at us. There is a big difference between what punishment is and what negative reinforcement is. HORSEBACK: I understand that difference, but the person hitting a horse weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

18 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

all seen so many times clearly doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it. Not so long ago on a trail I saw an otherwise sensible woman striking her horse after t h e animal d i d something as common as getting loose from their owner to run away. When this individual did

www.horsebackmagazine.com

catch the horse she was beating it with a rope across the withers. I suspect the horse had no idea what he had done wrong and why this predator was hitting him. PARELLI: Horses are zone specific animals. The zones of the horse are the nose, neck, torso, hips and tail. If a horse does something wrong in one of these zones and you specify punishment in another zone it doesn’t make sense to him. HORSEBACK: Okay, I’ve got that. PARELLI: Horses value safety. The important things to them are safety, comfort, and play. In order to make a horse feel safe, you have to give him three things; love, language, and leadership. It says in the Devil’s bible, “An idle horse is the Devil’s workshop.” You must keep your horse busy and interested, and then you can make

sure the negative things never, ever, happen. HORSEBACK: Keep him busy, huh? If the horse is engaged in doing something interesting to him it’s unlikely you will do something stupid like hitting him. PA R E L L I : Right. Our horses are well bred, well fed, and under exercised. Horses in the herd environment get all types of exercise. Pastured horses get exercise and interaction with their neighbors. They get physical exercise when they search for food and water, even if that food and water is right at home. They get mental exercise playing dominance games – the pecking order and through reproductive behavior. The

“The most important thing for horses is safety, comfort, and play.”

best leader whether mare or stud gets to procreate first. HORSEBACK: So what about that guy on the ground flailing away at his horse for something the horse supposedly did to him? What do we do? What should that person do? PARELLI: Americans usually get hurt and say, “What happened?” Then they attempt to punish the horse. Leadership is what horses are looking for, and very few humans exhibit the leadership quality to make horses feel safe. Someone is going to be in charge, be it horse or human. To be a great leader we have to be mentally, emotionally, and physically fit. When we aren’t, we take it out on the horse. To err is human. To blame it on the horse is more human. HORSEBACK: And being a leader involves discipline and respect. PARELLI: Experience tells us that horses need to be disciplined. One of my favorite sayings is “God help me be the human my dog thinks I am and my horse wants me to be.” One of the secrets instead of punishing your horse is to do less sooner – and more later. hB

S L O W Feeding & Horses. . .

am asked more and more lately about slow feeders for horses and whether or not our company is coming out with a slow feeder anytime soon. ProPanel Inc. has been manufacturing a slow feeder for nearly 20 years now right here in the USA. To understand slow feeding we need to understand how a horse is programmed to eat vs. how we would like them to eat. Horses are grazers by nature and if you take the time to observe them in a natural setting you will notice that their head is down and they are eating approximately 17 hours each and every day that feed is available to them. On average a horse will eat close to its own body weight each month. is is nature’s way of slow feeding. It has worked since the www.horsebackmagazine.com

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

English...

maginations run wild when you are young or even just young at heart. Riding bareback with the wind blowing in your face while galloping down the beach on a beautiful steed; jumping monstrous obstacles before a crowded stadium of cheering spectators; riding through the woods on an incredibly steady mount who is also your best friend. These are the dreams of so many little girls, and big ones too! Holiday time can churn those wishful thoughts into hopes, dreams and sometimes, reality. Not a Christmas went by in my youth that I didn’t wake up and run immediately to my window to see if there was a horse tied up in the yard to surprise me. While the surprise that I hoped for never came, when I was twelve, my parents graced me with ten riding lessons, a velveteen helmet, a pair of rubber riding boots and a crop. You would have thought I had just won the lottery. The boots and helmet went on immediately and the beginning of a long career in horses was launched. I would have to say the lessons were my

“Holidays & Horses” favorite gift ever but it was closely rivaled with the spring horse I was given on my fifth Christmas. I spent countless hours on my “pony”, trotting down the road in my head and making up songs as I bounced up and down on my trusty steed. You may think the young horse lover in your life is just going through a phase but there could be a lot more to it. There is something about horses that gets in your blood. Some people are born with it while others discover it later in life. One of the best things you can do for that horse crazy person is to test the waters at holiday time with a simple horse related gift. And then, of course, there are the confirmed horse addicts that can always give you a quick answer of the top ten items on their horsey wish list. If you need some help thinking of gifts for your equestrian, here are a few suggestions. For the horse lover who likes to read: Books about horses, both fact and fiction can thrill any age. You can

find illustrated stories for the younger set. The Saddle Club series is wonderful for the young reader. Classics such as Misty of Chincoteague or National Velvet or The Black Stallion series are fun. For educational books, my personal favorite for the kids is Happy Horsemanship by Pinch. It teaches kids about horses with very simple verbiage. George Morris’ book on Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation is a classic for the active hunter rider or Sally Swift’s Centered Riding that applies to every rider. And there are always the beautiful coffee table books with incredible artwork and photography for the horse lover who has it all. There are thousands of books to choose from to satisfy the taste of anyone. For the nonrider, use your imagination. Movies about horses such as The Black Stallion, Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken or National Velvet are fun. Breyer horses and other horse related toys are irresistible to most horse crazy kids. Jewelry, belts or clothing with an equestrian theme are sure to please most horse lovers. Household goods such as candle holders, plates, coffee mugs, wine charms, holiday ornaments, blankets, throws or artwork can be found in tack shops or any number of catalogues and websites 0 YEARS

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that cater to the horse crowd. For the avid rider, you might consider a crop, lunge whip and lunge line, new helmet, boots, gloves, saddle pad, boot socks, half chaps, show jacket, show shirt, breeches or just a pair of warm riding gloves and a winter hat to wear to the barn. For the horse owner, you can always splurge on a new saddle or bridle or a more conservative gift such as grooming tools, a new set of clippers or colorful splint boots. A new leather halter with a name plate is always nice, too. Don’t forget the horse’s comfort either. This is the time of year when blankets are likely to be in full use. If a new one would be beneficial, make sure you know the size and weight needed and check to see if a stable or turnout blanket is preferred. Accessories for a horse trailer such as new trailer ties, a corner water container, or a new shovel and broom for cleaning out the trailer might be greatly appreciated. For the do-it-yourself horse keeper, how about a new pitchfork or wheelbarrow to make the daily chores more pleasant? A new feed tub or

storage container, water trough or stall guard could be a winning gift. And then, there is the ultimate gift; a new horse. However, you need to know what you are doing and perhaps enlist the help of a knowledgeable horseman if you plan to surprise your loved one with a horse. And don’t forget to budget for the stabling and care of the horse once it is given. If you have a big budget, you might even consider a new horse trailer with the proper vehicle to pull it. If you need more help I think every rider can tell you about their

favorite horsey gift. It can be almost anything. I can tell you mine; the ten lessons that started a lifetime journey for me. I can’t imagine what I would be doing now if I didn’t have these incredibly sensitive animals to enrich my life and give me an avenue to enrich the lives of countless other people. God bless horses and the joy they bring to us! hB Cathy Strobel has over 30 years of experience as a trainer, judge & clinician she can be reached at Southern Breeze Eq. Ctr. at (281) 431-4868 or www.sbreeze.com

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General...

“Think About It”

me, and wants to make the change, they continue to do exactly what they have done all along. At those times, it is important that we take the time stop briefly, to review what they have been doing up to that point, to explain the change they need to make, and to have them visualize and to process the change in their technique before they continue. It may take one minute, two, or three. It may take stopping to review the same correction more than

to acknowledge and remember what the “new” way of doing it felt like. As a student, you should let your instructor know when you need more time, or a slower pace, to process a correction. Then use that time well to close your eyes, visualize, and imagine the feel of making the suggested correction. Don’t look around, talk, or let yourself be distracted while your instructor is reviewing the correction with you and while you are visualizing it. Before you continue, vow

one time. It takes whatever it takes. While I try to maintain a flow to the movement and energy of a lesson, it is equally important that we take these brief “thinking breaks” when necessary. Once the student has successfully made the correction, or at least improved their technique, I will also take a brief break then, to let him or her relax,

to yourself that you will make the change, even if you do not do it perfectly. Remember, the movement or technique will feel different to you than it did before you corrected it, but that is good. Accept your instructor’s affirmation when she says you did the technique or skill well, and promise yourself to repeat it in the “new” way every time, as you

instructors, students, and trainers, we tend to focus on the “doing” of our craft, sometimes neglecting to take the time to mentally process the changes we may need to make in order to improve our skills or technique. After all, riding, particularly, requires the “doing” of many things simultaneously, moment by moment, in order to manage not only our own movements, but those of our horses in a balanced and athletic way. In a sport that demands so much from us physically, we can forget that improving our horsemanship is a mental, as well as a physical process. As an instructor, I am sometimes guilty of not giving my students time to recognize this. I’ll give them moment by moment feedback- saying, “That’s good, that’s it!”, when they are doing something well, or giving them a succinct correction when I see something they need to change. Some students are able to make the changes immediately, and to continue to the next movement without interruption. However, there are many times when, although the student has heard

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continue through the lesson, and in subsequent riding sessions. As trainers, (and every rider is a trainer!), it is important that we also give our horses these brief “thinking breaks”, as well. While it is important to help your horse flow from one movement to the next, (simpler to more difficult), it is also important, from time to time, to give your horse time to process what it is you are asking him or her to do. If your horse seems confused by a new skill or maneuver, don’t get angry or frustrated with them. Think of a way to show them what you want in an incremental way, or at a slower pace, while still maintaining his or her correct body position, weight distribution, and balance. When they have done the skill, or even a part of it, better than before, stop for a moment, soften or release your rein pressure, and praise them. When they lick and chew, they are acknowledging and enjoying your praise. (When I was training Molly, if she did a beautiful, deep stop, I would stop, drop my reins, and massage her neck briefly before we went on. She would lick and chew and sigh. To this day, stopping is one of her favorite things to do.) It is also helpful to take “thinking breaks” in the broader sense, between your riding or training lessons or sessions. Giving yourself time to process the information from one session, before you begin the next. If a lesson or training session goes poorly, don’t “beat your head against a wall”, and force yourself to take another one the same day, or even the next day, unless you have had time to step away from it, look at it from the outside, and visualize a dif-

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ferent and better outcome from the next lesson or session. Of course, if a lesson or session has gone well, picture yourself repeating that positive experience and outcome in the next one. You can also let your subconscious work out problems and reinforce good experiences as you sleep. Have you ever noticed how a problem that seems huge one night, seems totally manageable the next morning? There is research that supports that this is not only because you can think better when you are well-rested, but that it is also because your subconscious can work out problems while you are sleeping. Just before you fall asleep at night, try thinking of the positive aspects of your horsemanship that you want to repeat or continue, and visualize how you would like to change those aspects you would like to improve upon. This type of thinking break is virtually effortless, and can yield, at the least, sweet dreams, if not big results! Finally, take your “thinking breaks” into the rest of your life. With the fast pace of life, and in a cultural environment that encourages us to react immediately to whatever we see and hear, try thinking first, before you form an opinion, or act out of pure emotion. Your body, your mind, your horse, and the world will thank you for it! Contact Dianne with questions or comments any time at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge, Bandera, TX, where she teaches Whole Horsemanship year-round. (830) 796-7950, info@ hillcountryequestlodge.com, www.hillcountryequestlodge.com.

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

Taking it to the

MAX By Steven Long

a visit with PETER MAX 24 24 HHORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE--December December2013 2013

HORSEBACK MAGAZINE FIRST BECAME AWARE OF LEGENDARY AMERICAN ARTIST PETER MAX’ INTEREST IN HORSES WHEN WE SAW A SNIPPET IN ONE OF THE NEW YORK PAPERS MENTIONING HIS OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF LARGE DRAFT BREEDS PULLING THE FAMOUS CARRIAGES ON GOTHAM STREETS. OUR INTEREST IN HIS INVOLVEMENT WAS FURTHER PIQUED UPON LEARNING OF HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ASPCA. SO WHEN WE GOT A PRESS RELEASE THAT HE WAS COMING TO HOUSTON, WE ASKED FOR A VISIT. HE DID MORE THAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF HIS TIME. PETER MAX OFFERED TO PAINT AN ORIGINAL COVER FOR US. THE IMAGE YOU SEE ON THIS MONTH’SCOVER IS OF OUR NIECE LUCY REYNA AND OUR QUARTER HORSE MARE, BRUJA. THE PAINTING IS BASED ON A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN SIX YEARS AGO. www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com

Grammy Icon by Peter Max HORSEBACK MAGAZINE: I’ve been a fan of yours for 40 years. PETER MAX: If I had known you I would have said the same thing. HORSEBACK: You were born in Berlin, I read from your bio. So was my great grandfather. PETER: You know, I’ve lived all over planet Earth. I left Berlin at the age of one, my parents went to Shanghai where we lived for ten years, if you can believe it. Then we went to Tibet for about four or five months. From Shanghai, there was a boat going to Israel. We got on the ship and we went 49 days by boat – we went all around the world until we got to Israel. I lived there for three-and-one-half years, and then we moved to Paris for six or seven months, and then to New York City, Brooklyn. HORSEBACK: Then I have one question. How in the heck did you end up with that New York accent? PETER: (He laughs) I guess China. HORSEBACK: Well, I love your work, and I especially love the fact that you are into horses. Boy, when they get you, they are kind of all consuming. You painted a beautiful carriage horse, Bobby, for an ASPCA fundraiser. PETER: I love animals so much. The horse is such a beautiful, beautiful, species. You know, we’re now living in a century, the 21st century. Something started in the last decade of the 1900s. The whole planet is going to become very, very, animal friendly, animal loving. We realize that we come from the same part of the Universe, you know what I mean? HORSEBACK: Absolutely. PETER: You know, different body, different faces, different language, different breeds, but you know www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com

– we are all so similar. Many times were are more similar than different. HORSEBACK: People are finally beginning to realize that animals are much older than we are. They have their own ways of communicating that we don’t even comprehend yet, especially horses. PETER: The more people get involved in supporting other animals, it’s the greatest deed we could do because the human race so far controls the whole planet, but with our sophisticated brains and communication we are now passing along through different media and mediums, to the beautiful animals that exist among us. They’re all cousins to us. They are all so close. We already live with kitty cats and doggies at home, rabbits, and turtles…but the world’s getting very animal friendly. It’s finally arrived. A few hundred years ago it wasn’t anything like this. HORSEBACK: Do you ride? PETER: I love horses, but I don’t ride. I look at them. HORSEBACK: There is a movement in the horse world, there are people who don’t ride but are perfectly content to play with their horses on the ground. PETER: Yeah. I love them, I love being with them, I love looking in their eyes, I love petting their little sweet faces, I just love these animals, these beautiful animals that are so elegant. HORSEBACK: Has it always been

that way for you, or did you come to love horses later in life? PETER: Well, I always admired them since I was a kid growing up in Asia. You learn more about various animals, and then I got involved in them. HORSEBACK: Prior to this Bobby horse you have painted, have you incorporated horses into your art at all? PETER: I have painted them from time to time. Over the years I’ve known some beautiful horses. Sometimes I was sent some pictures of some horses. I’ve done close to six to eight beautiful paintings. HORSEBACK: Do you have a particular breed that you like? Do you like race horses, for example? Do you like rodeo? PETER: You know, I like the whole species. I’ll just tell you this. There’s a movement in this country that’s affecting the whole world. It’s the animal rights groups, and there is an enormous amount of love for horses in these groups. (Max cites Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the December 2013 2013--H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE

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Max Heart by Peter Max

Humane Society of the United States). These groups are big, being funded with millions of dollars a year by the thousands of people who belong to these organizations. It wasn’t like that 100 years ago. If I ever find a sweet little bug in my house near the Hudson River, I will never hurt it. I pick it up, take it 15 floors down, walk it across the street into the park, then I find a nice place where I think that animal will be happy. I let it crawl off my hand, and I usuallyu put it a foot away from water , and I’ve done that at least 500 times – a little ant even. HORSEBACK: This horse, Bobby. It was a retired carriage horse. I’ve interviewed both sides of this controversy. Both sides have a compelling story to tell. The carriage drivers work closely with the ASPCA under some pretty stringent rules and regulations. What do you think of the carriages? PETER: It’s sad for me when I walk by them at Central Park South. They’re standing there for hours and hours, you know, with all that stuff around their neck. You just kind of feel sorry for them. Imagine if a human being was standing somewhere like this with stuff around him eight or ten hours a day. It’s sad. At the same time, I think the people who own those carriages horses, their lovely little friends, they love them. HORSEBACK: They do. PETER: You bet they do, but it’s like – we have a long way to go in this world to free up animals and show respect to the Universe that created these amazing sweet little animals.

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You know, we’re so amazing, is music. So I’ve called what we have – our brains, up my friend Ringo Starr, our nervous system, we can I’ve called up my friend hear, we can see, Paul McCartand you know, ney, I called “THERE’S A every animal has Bon Jovi, and the same thing. MOVEMENT IN THIS I’ve called a COUNTRY THAT’S It’s magical. A lot whole bunch of people don’t of friends up AFFECTING THE put their head WHOLE WORLD. IT’S and I’ve gotaround this. ten something H O R S E B A C K : THE ANIMAL RIGHTS like 18 -20,000 What’s next for GROUPS, AND THERE d i f f e r e n t Peter Max? IS AN ENORMOUS songs that I’ve PETER: I love to put on three AMOUNT OF LOVE draw and paint miniature iPFOR HORSES IN all day. I can do ods. So I’ve got it at home. I can all the music THESE GROUPS.” do it when I’m in on about 35 a car. iPods. When I HORSEBACK: Do you doo- have time, I listen to the dle? music a lot and when I PETER: I doodle all the time. find something I like I I think creative thoughts. I’m give it five stars. I’ve been all about creativity. I’m think- rating the music for three ing about doing several ani- and a half years. Of the mated feature length films. 20,000 songs, I’ve selectI have all the art it takes for ed about 3,000 that are many years, and I’m care- mind boggling, fantastic. ful about my filing system. So now, I’m organizing I just need to pick out the what I’ve selected and am order I want them to be in, putting it in order so it and I have lots of story lines. can be used for the films. What I don’t have complete hB

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December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

The POWER of Equine GIVING Horseback’s Annual Recommendations for Horses in Need... Rather than sending out Christmas cards, each year at this time Horseback Magazine likes to point out our favorite equine charities as a guide to giving. These are the non-profits who have most impressed us with their programs, volunteers, and the just plain good works they do for horses. We urge during this Christmas season that you remember our four hooved friends who have done so much to make our lives better in such a variety of ways. We don’t know of a single one of these organizations that is rich, but we can assure you that every one of them is needy.

Habitat for Horses

tudies are now showing a close relationship between animal abuse and future acts of violence both at home and in the community. In fact, animal abuse is a strong predictor of future violent acts among juveniles. It might start with a young child throwing rocks at a cat, but it can end up years later with the person in prison, convicted of assault or, even worse, murder. Some people think they need to have extreme power and control over other living things. While teaching a dog to heel or teaching a horse to ride requires control, it doesn’t require whips and chains. Starving animals to death, leaving them chained to a tree for months and years, all these are examples of an unhealthy need to dominate others. Sometimes it isn’t domination. Sometimes it’s just lack of knowledge. The beautiful pony bought by a family for their child requires a lot of knowledge and care. When that knowledge isn’t there, when the “pleasure” becomes too much work or the dream of owning a horse is replaced by the realities of ownership, the horse suffers. Lack of knowledge about the proper food, water and medical care spells a slow and “Starvation is their painful death for the horse, as does the owner who knows little about training, who becomes frustrated and angry, striking out with physical abuse that biggest complaint can permanently injure or kill. Starvation is the biggest complaint at Habitat for Horses, and neglect at Habitat for comes second. Most of the cases they work on are obvious, but other cases reHorses, and neglect quire testimony from witnesses who are sometimes reluctant to get involved. It’s a sad commentary on our society when abuse and neglect, be it a horse or comes second...” a child, goes unreported because, “I didn’t want to bother anyone.” Habitat for Horses is a 501.c.3 nonprofit equine protection organization supported solely by donations with around 200 donkeys and horses under care, plus one ornery, old mule. The ability to rehabilitate and re-home them comes from the financial support of people like you. Please support Habitat by making a donation for the horses at www.habitatforhorses.org/support-us/donate-by-paypal, or via mail at: Habitat for Horses, Inc., P.O. Box 213, Hitchcock, TX 77563.

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Wild Horse Education

everal years ago the editors of Horseback Magazine were impressed with a lone individual who was working single handedly to save wild horses from a government agency run amok, the Bureau of Land Management. That person was photojournalist Laura Leigh. The work grew and Wild Horse Education (WHE) was eventually founded by Leigh. After attempting to tell the story of America’s mustangs and burros Leigh began to have to fight for the right to observe the treatment of wild horses and burros in government care by going to federal court. The things she documented, and the fight to document them, caused the birth of this organization that is continuing to make a stand in federal court through four (currently) active federal lawsuits against abuse, unjustified removals and the public’s “right to know.” Through on the ground observation WHE brings you to the frontline of wild horse and burro issues. From documenting horses in the wild, in government holding facilities and during roundups WHE takes you first hand to where the horses are. To read about some of the big efforts of this small organization, or to donate, visit the link: www.WildHorseEducation.org. Paypal, credit card and mailing info can be taken at: www.WildHorseEducation.org/donate

Wild Horse Freedom Federation

he Wild Horse Freedom Federation pledges to fund legal challenges against the Governmental agencies that continue to further their programs to eradicate native, American wild horses and burros from their rightful public lands. Founded by author and wild horse advocate R.T. Fitch and award winning photographer Terry Fitch the Board of Directors of WHFF brings together years of collective equine advocacy expertise while the organization’s Advisory Board is comprised of a multitude of first rate equine welfare organizations and individuals. WHFF was created to unite and strengthen the stance and progress of several different, yet fully aligned, advocacy driven legal actions and is registered with the State Attorney’s Office of all fifty (50) states in the nation. By combining forces the founders of WHFF are confident that not only will the advocacy movement, overall, experience a united synergy but the organization will be poised to more effectively help protect the welfare and safety of wild horses and burros from the onslaught of the Obama Administration’s Wild Horse Harvesting Machine. To donate go to www.wildhorsefreedomfederation. org, or call 1-800-974-FOTH (Force of the Horse)

Above: Wild Mustang Colts, Photo by Laura Leigh courtesy: Wild Horse Education

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Triple Me Mac Equine Rescue

e’ve known of Dixie Neeley and her work for tuary and various foster homes, including eight seniors close to a decade. Her Triple Me between the ages of 26 and 33, Below: Foal Resting at Rescue Mac Equine Sanctuary is an orand several donkeys. Feeding these ganization of dedicated volunteers who are Photo courtesy: Triple Me Mac Equine Rescue horses and providing veterinary passionate about saving horses from the and routine care costs upwards of cruelty of abuse, neglect or slaughter. The $3500 a month, and 100 percent sanctuary has become well known locally of all donations and grants go toand nationally through its rescue efforts ward these expenses. In addition and participation in anti-slaughter and to monetary donations, TMMES anti-cruelty efforts. is always grateful for donations of Since its founding by Neeley in needed items such as feed, hay, hay 2009, TMMES has participated in the resrings, and water troughs. TMMES cue of more than 100 equines throughalso raises funds through the sale of out the U.S. and Canada. In addisoy candles, horse-themed greeting tion to its primary mission to rescue cards featuring whimsical artwork equines in jeopardy, TMMES particiby a local farrier, and through pates in promoting responsible horse the sale of baked goods and other ownership and is currently developing a items. program to assist owners who are expeTriple Me Mac Equine riencing hardships so that they can keep Sanctuary can be reached via email at tmmes@gvtc. their equines rather than having to surrender them. com; online at www.triplememac.org; At present, TMMES has 35 horses in the sancor on Facebook at facebook.com/tmmes.

Equine Welfare Alliance

he Chicago based Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) is an umbrella group representing over 300 organizations and 1,100 individual members worldwide in 21 countries. EWA focuses on the welfare of all equines and the preservation and protection of wild equids. Originally conceived in 2009, EWA incorporated in Illinois in February, 2010, and received its 501c4 status in February, 2011. EWA’s inception was driven in large part by a need for sourceable, factual information to expose misinformation from the equine processing industry lobby and the media. This mission has grown until the organization now performs statistical research, data analysis, and even field investigations into all aspects of equine welfare. EWA has become a repository of information and is the go to organization for statistics and drivers impacting equine welfare. Most recently, EWA’s president, John Holland, ex-

posed the fraudulent report on horse welfare issued by the GAO in 2011 and authored a paper along with Laura Allen of Animal Law Coalition that was published in the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agricultural and Natural Resources Law. He is frequently asked to speak at conferences and has made his statistics and analysis available on the EWA website at www.equinewelfarealliance.org. Donations to support EWA’s efforts can be made through Paypal at www.paypal.com/cgibin/webscr?cmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_ id=V4KC2CQN6M5X2 or by check to: Equine Welfare Alliance, P.O. Box 6161, Naperville IL 60567

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Above: Burro Foal Photo by Terry Fitch, courtesy: Equine Awareness Alliance www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com

WASHINGTON ANIMAL CLINIC Reproduction Sports Medicine Pain Management Surgery Dentistry Chiropractic Farriery Preventative Care

A "Special anks" to Equine Rescuers!

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The Cloud Foundation

he Cloud Foundation grew out of Ginger cated to preventing the extinction of Cloud’s herd Kathrens’ knowledge and fear through education, Below: Cloud for not only Cloud’s herd but media events and Photo courtesy: The Cloud Foundation other wild horses in the West. The programming, and herd was made famous by Kathren’s public involvement. three PBS specials on wild horses. “I The Foundation is began to realize that we were losing also determined to America’s wild horses,” Ginger says. protect other wild “They are rounded up by the thouhorse herds on pubsands, losing in an instant what they lic lands, especially value most--freedom and family. isolated herds with I realized that even Cloud and his unique characteristics family were in danger.” and historical signifi “In Cloud’s remote mouncance. tain wilderness we have a perfect opportunity to step back and watch The Cloud nature call the shots. Predators and Foundation offers daunting weather are limiting the a variety of ways herd size—naturally,” she states. friends can help “Yet, human over management is through donations. jeopardizing their future survival. We could lose Cloud and his herd To see which is right forever, unless we’re willing to stand for you visit: up for them now.” www.thecloudfoundation.org/about-us/donate. The non-profit Cloud Foundation is dediwww.horsebackmagazine.com

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

Wounded Warrior Project

SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Centers

ounded Warrior Project he physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding have been began when sevknown for several hundred years. Therapeutic riding has been a widely eral veterans utilized form of therapy for many years, first in Europe, then in the and friends, moved United States. The movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to by stories of the first the body and brain of the rider that wounded service affects a variety of muscle groups. members returnThe pelvic movement of the horse ing home from reproduces the proper motion of the Afghanistan and Iraq, human pelvis at the walk. For people took action to help othwho have lost that natural moveers in need. What started ment, or have never had the benefit as a program to provide of this stimulation, horseback riding comfort items to woundserves to “inspire” their bodies to ed service members has achieve this normal motion and imgrown into a complete prove motor coordination. Further, rehabilitative effort to asthe warmth of the horse’s body and sist warriors as they tranits rhythmic movements help stiff or sition back to civilian life. spastic muscles to relax, much like Horseback Magrocking soothes a crying baby. azine was so impressed Benefits of equestrian therapy when we did a story on include improved muscle tone, bala Wounded Warrior beance, posture, coordination, motor ing rehabilitated through development, and emotional and equine therapy at Houspsychological well being, as well as ton’s SIRE, that we desport, recreational, and educational cided to include the benefits. Specific physical benefits program in our annual include improved gross and fine morecommendation for givtor skills, experiencing three-dimening. America’s wounded sional movements of the horse that is vets deserve nothing less, similar to the movement of a walkand we have seen firsting human, enhancing balance and hand what equine therposture, and stimulating the cardioapy can do toward rehavascular system. Emotional benefits bilitation. include building self-esteem and You can empower confidence while developing feelings Wounded Warriors by of self-reliance, control and accombecoming a Proud Supplishments. Social benefits include porter. If you’re planning developing meaningful relationships Left: “Bob” a fundraising event and with volunteers and a strong bond Percheron Cross & proud working equine member of SIRE would like proceeds to with the horse, and channeling agPhoto courtesy: SIRE benefit WWP, we ask you gressive or hyperactive behavior into to please register your constructive activity. Educational event. After your registration has benefits include increasing the ability to listen and follow directions, improvbeen approved, you will gain access ing memory utilization, and developing sequencing abilities. to the exclusive Proud Supporter There is a benefit that is more difficult to measure but is easy to see. Community packed with useful On the back of a horse, a rider who may use crutches or a wheelchair is now event resources in addition to re- taller than everyone else and no longer has to look up at everyone. Full of ceiving WWP branded material for confidence, there is a sense of control and freedom that comes from making your event. that large animal respond to the rider’s direction. In the clinical setting, the disability can never be forgotten, but on the back of a horse, it quite often beQuestions? comes “invisible,” allowing the rider to experience a sense of accomplishment Check out the Proud and reward. Supporter FAQs To contribute visit or call 855.252.4997 www.sire-htec.org

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Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center

t Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Re- Old Friends celebrity horses live alongside horses tirement Center in Georgetown, KY, the horses who never earned much more than the love and respect may not be racing anymore, but they are win- fans give for any equine. ners every day. Founded in 2003 Every horse at Old Friends has a stoby former Boston Globe film critic ry to tell, and visitors to the farms Michael Blowen, Old Friends now can hear them all while learning cares for more than 130 horses across about racing and ways to help with three states, most of them stallions Thoroughbred aftercare. Racing whose racing and breeding careers fans in New York can also visit some came to an end. A “living history Old Friends champs. The first satelmuseum of horse racing”, the farm lite division, Old Friends at Cabin attracts nearly 20,000 tourists anCreek,: The Bobby Frankel Divinually that get up close and personal sion, is just a short drive from the with such stars of the turf as BreedSaratoga racecourse and is home to ers’ Cup Champion Gulch, Eclipsebiggest loser Zippy, Award winner Sunshine Forever, Guests come to visit a few ex-raceWhitney Handicap Winner Comhorses, but they often leave having mentator, millionaire gelding Arson been touched by the heart of a ThorSquad, and…the losingest horse in oughbred hero. the history of racing, Zippy Chippy. The formation of Old Friends kicked into high To donate or help Old Friends in some other way, gear when the news broke that Kentucky Derby winvisit: www.oldfriendsequine.org/how-to-help.html, ner Ferdinand had perished in a slaughterhouse in or mail a check to 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, 2002. That discovery gave the organization even more Georgetown, KY 40324. You can also call directly impetus. with a credit card payment at 502-863-1775 www.horsebackmagazine.com

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

Texas State Horse Council

he Texas State Horse Council’s Large Animal Rescue Program joins other equine professionals in training first responders to trailer accidents, weather caused emergencies, and other unexpected events which jeopardize horses lives. A large majority of first responders such as fire fighters and police, veterinarians, and horse owners, do not have a working knowledge of the highly specialized field of large animal technical rescue to support efforts when a horse is involved in an accident or other incidents. Often, horses are injured or even killed by well meaning first responders who are untrained in how to handle a terrified creature weighing more than a thousand pounds. The program, in its third year, has been involved in assisting training scores of Texas public service professionals. Every horse rescue demands a vast amount of knowledge to help ensure that the horse will have the best chances of survival with no additional injuries from the rescue. The TSHC has made it one of their main goals to support education that will help all groups acquire the necessary skills to successfully assist horses during these emergency situations that can become life threatening in a matter of seconds. From horse trailer accidents to lift rescues, the skills required to proficiently handle such events require specialty training and are very much in need all over the state of Texas. The Texas Gulf Coast is a hotbed of weather emergencies from hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. It is essential that a well trained group of animal experts be on hand to help in a crisis. By donating to the TSHC, a 501(c)5 organization, your funds will help support training and equipment that is in desperate need all over Texas.

True Blue Animal Rescue

rue Blue Animal Rescue has been taking in abused and neglected horses since 2004. Over the years they have placed hundreds of horses, but many still remain. When they rescue a horse their objective is to place it in a safe environment, then help it by providing vet care, good nutrition and farrier work. For many horses that’s all that is required and they’re ready for a new home, but then there are quite of few that require more. Some need time with a compassionate human who has the patience to work through some of the challenges a rescue horse might have to teach them to trust again. People who adopt rescue horses have huge hearts that are willing to give, but few have the skill necessary to train them. Thankfully True Blue Animal Rescue found Juan Vendrell of TC Ventures in Washington, TX. Juan’s been working with True Blue Animal Rescue horses for a year and many he’s trained are ready for a new home. Juan provides natural horsemanship methods for horses who have never been touched, have behavior issues, and those that are stubborn or spooky. Dancer, pictured, is one of the lucky horses who has benefited from training with Juan. Dancer was one of many horses left in a stall full of manure without proper nutrition or farrier work. His hooves were long and curled up like elf shoes, and his body was skinny and frail. Dancer didn’t trust and he was nervous and spooky. Dancer has since worked through his issues, and even accepts a saddle and rider now. Dancer was rescued when he came to True Blue Animal Rescue but he didn’t have a chance at a new life with a new family until he was trained. If you’re looking for a great riding horse with a great start in training, consider Dancer a beautiful Arabian-Saddlebred Cross (a.k.a. National Show Horse or NSH). Contact True Blue Animal Rescue for more information www.t-bar.org, help@t-bar.org or 936-878-2349.

Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch

ts nearly 1,300 acres near Murcheson, Texas, are home to more than 1,200 domestic and exotic animals, many of whom have been rescued from near-death situations such as slaughterhouses, biomedical research laboratories, and trophy hunting ranches. Others are discards from circuses or roadside zoos, or were former victims of the exotic pet trade. Still others have come from public lands where they were threatened with extermination by the federal government. Bison and cattle, horses and burros, antelope and apes, camels and llamas, all have permanent, safe homes at the ranch, which was founded in 1979 by Cleveland Amory, author and animal advocate. The ranch is not a zoo and is not open for regular public visitation. Amory’s vision was that it “would be a place where animals are looked after, not looked at.” In 2004, the board of directors of The Fund for Animals voted unanimously to rename its flagship animal sanctuary the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch to memorialize To contribute, mail your check to its late, great founder. Texas State Horse Council, Please support the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch by making PO Box 9294, Spring, TX 77387 an online donation, or call 903-469-3811 and donate via credit card by phone. You may also contribute using Checks can be mailed directly to: Pay Pal at www.ghhc.com 12526 County Road 3806, Murchison, TX 75778

34 34 HHORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE--December December2013 2013

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Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

f you aren’t familiar with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, now is the perfect time to get to know one of the best horse rescue organizations in Texas. BEHS works throughout the state to help law enforcement officials investigate neglect complaints, educate owners of starving horses so they can better care for their horses when possible, and remove horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies from negligent owners when necessary. Bluebonnet’s approximately hundred foster homes rehabilitate the horses and other equines who come into the rescue, and then volunteers work together to place those equines into loving homes. While Bluebonnet’s equines come from horrific circumstances, they flourish once they enter the foster home network thanks to their dedicated caregivers. Many of Bluebonnet’s former starved, abused, or abandoned horses have gone on to become competitive trail, endurance, play day, show, pleasure, trail, and ranch horses. Foster homes take pride in their Bluebonnet horses, and the organization strives to provide support to adopters for the remainder of the horses’ lives. Rosita is a perfect example of the great placement BEHS strives for. Rosita came to Bluebonnet early in 2012 along with ten other starving horses. She was in such critical condition that her rescuers worried she might not survive. You could see most of the bones in her body, and she was covered in wounds that resulted from eating toxic plants. While in foster care, she slowly gained weight and her wounds began to heal. In October 2012, she attended the Bluebonnet Horse Expo, a one-day event put on by Bluebonnet to help educate horse owners, raise funds to help the horses, and find the horses homes. While there, she caught the eye of a little girl who quickly began begging her daddy for Rosita. That evening, Rosita, now called Rosie, stepped into their trailer and headed to the next phase of her life. She and her little girl have spent 2013 competing in barrel racing, pole bending, and other play day events. This spring they brought home their first buckle! Together, Rosie and her little girl have become a wonderful team who promote BEHS at every opportunity: Rosie’s young owner makes sure everyone knows where Rosie came from. Bluebonnet relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to make the organization function, and the horses and humans of Bluebonnet hope you’ll consider getting involved in the organization this holiday season. While financial contributions are always welcome, Bluebonnet also appreciates donations of hay, grain, de-wormers, tack, and horse/farm equipment. The organization also needs volunteers to help www.horsebackmagazine.com

foster horses and other equines, check up on fostered and adopted equines, and perform a myriad of other tasks that make the rescue run smoothly. You can learn more about BEHS on the organization’s website at www.bluebonnetequine.org or via www.facebook.com/BluebonnetEquineHumaneSociety. You can reach BEHS at info@bluebonnetequine.org, (888) 542 5163, or PO Box 632, College Station, TX 77841.

Top & Bottom: Rescued Horses residing with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society Foster Families Photo courtesy: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

General...

“The Tack Room” Horseback Magazine’s Saddle & Tack Editor

hen you have too many horses and too much stuff, it’s almost impossible to organize. As difficult as it is, I’ve tried, and I think I’ve come up with some pretty ingenious ideas as well as having borrowed a few from greater minds than mine. I usually come up with some corny Christmas wishes, but this year, my Christmas gift to you is a collection of ideas that may help you organize your tack room to help keep things shipshape and easy to find. I hope these ideas help. Good bridles, English or western, are expensive. A good Hermann Oak harness leather headstall will set you back about $50.00; a good set of 5/8 by 7½’ reins, about the same. A good U.S. made bit will cost $60.00 and more, so there is a sizable investment in horse head gear. A good U.S. or European made English bridle will set you back about $200.00 to $400.00, so care is not to be taken lightly. If you hang a bridle on a nail, the leather kinks and the oils are squeezed to either side, and if the leather is in that position for any length of time, dry rot will follow right there at the crease. Always hang your bridles on something close to the width of a horse’s head. As you can see from the pictures, we have used half moon shaped pieces of wood, screwed from

the back, and then the board they’re mounted on screwed to the wall. A rustic variance is to take a cedar fence post, saw off 3” sections, and mount them the same way. You will also notice, if you look carefully, I cross my reins from left to right, and right to left. This helps maintain a nice loop on heavy harness leather reins. On English reins we just loop the buckle end of the reins over the crown of the bridle. Nylon halters don’t require as much care, so we just drilled ¾” holes and glued in sections of wooden dowel, cut about 3”. We only use halters when working with the horse, never leave them on to turn out, so every halter has its own lead rope that stays with it. Another case of drilling and gluing is the English pad rack. We have way too many English pads, and if you stack them together, you will have mice, scorpions, spiders, and all other sorts of critters making their home there. So, to give the ¾” PVC enough support, I used 4 x 4 landscape timbers and drilled holes all the way through, inserted the PVC, cut at 27½”, so the PVC sticks out 24”, more than adequate for any English pads. I don’t think this would work for western pads, as they are too long and too heavy. Those racks would need to be supported on both ends. Winter blankets are always difficult to store. They are big, bulky, and just take up gobs of space. I don’t remember where I got this idea, but it works great. If you are vertically challenged, you may need to keep a step

36 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

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stool handy, or carry a brick in your back pocket to stand on so you can reach. Even open front blankets, we leave the buckles fastened and slip the blankets over the horses heads and the swing them into place. We only blanket for extreme weather, and when it’s cold, the horses slip into their blankets gratefully. As for the rack, just pull out the ¾” dowel holding the blanket you want, and let the blanket fall into your hand. Couldn’t be simpler. Sometimes, hanging them back up is a little more problematic, but I don’t know of a single way to hang blankets that works better or takes up less space. With my POSSLQ (Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters) having so many English bridles, saddles, and about 3 girths for each of her 12 saddles, I had to find a way to keep them from being jumbled together, and make it easy to find the one 52” girth that I use when I ride my English saddle. I was tired of digging through a couple dozen girths looking for the one that matched my saddle. I found an old display stand, threw the rack away, cut a round piece of wood with a hole in the center to go over the center of the rack, drilled a hole in the post so the wood would not fall, installed screw eyes in the wood so it would hold several girths, marked the sizes between every 2 screw eyes, and voila, an English girth rack! I wish I had made the wood circle a little bigger, but it works really well. I hope these ideas are useful to some of you. Maybe, when it’s too cold to ride, you can get busy in the tack room and make some extra space, and get organized. Who wants to look for something buried when it’s time to ride! Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope the season and the New Year bring us all increased hope and happiness. hB Bandera’s Lew Pewterbaugh has been called the most knowledgeable saddle and tack authority in the Southwest. For private fitting consultation call (830) 328-0321 or (830) 522-6613 or email: saddlerlew@gmail.com. www.horsebackmagazine.com

December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

REALTOR Roundup DEITRA ROBERTSON REALTOR Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc. 38351 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX (O): (832) 642-6789 (C): (832) 642-6789

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DEE ANN BOUDREAUXREALTOR Texas First Real Estate 1116 FM 109 New Ulm, TX (O): (903) 322-3379 (C): (979) 583-7305

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TIM PHELAN OWNER Waller County Land 40040 Hempstead Hwy. Waller, TX

YOLANDA FUSILIER BROKER Peak Realty 17515 Spring Cypress Rd. Suite # C260 Cypress, TX (O): (979) 921-9530

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LARRY JACOBS REALTOR Jacob’s Properties 14372 Liberty Street Montgomery, TX (O): (936) 597-3301 (O): (979) 597-3317 (E): larry@txland.com (W): www.txland.com

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38 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

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43ac horse ranch in Madison County, 3 bed 2.5 bath 2650sf home with heated pool, 3 car carport w oﬃce, 1000 sf apartment, pool dressing room and bath. All pipe fencing with horse wire. 9 stall show barn w/2 runs, oﬃce vet room and bath, tack room, rubber mats, ceiling fans, cross ventilation, waterers and feeders. Hot & cold wash rack. (8)12 x 20 Stallion Sheds w 20 x70 runs, (9) paddocks w loaang sheds each w pipe gates to create 22 stalls. 6 horse hot walker and pro cutter ag system. 40x100 hay barn on slab w bunkhouse apartment. 2009 Oakcreek 3/2 mobile home. 150x300 lighted pipe arena w/Priefert “Score” fully automatic roping chute, electric eye, heading/heeling box, concrete walkway to chute and 20’ return alley. Heat and Air announcers box, w PA system and bleachers Drainage by engineer to ensure dry ground. Two lighted 100’ round arenas w/holding pens.

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35ac horse facility with 2 homes. Main home 4300 sq ft 3/3.5 remodeled with upscale amenities, granite & marble, separate climate controlled wine room with 100+ capacity and wine cooler. All counter tops granite or marble. Kitchen boasts Dacor appliances. Mother in Law suite, oversized master bath, 2 vanities, tub w/fp, exercise area, large master closet with built ins. ex Master bedroom sitting area with frig & coﬀee bar. Pool with slide & wooden deck wraps house on 3 sides. Irrigation system and alarm system-owned by Sellers. 6 stall pipe barn with automatic waterers, vet stocks & hot/cold wash rack, 4 horse walker, 125' lighted arena, 75x200 lighted roping pen with return alley. 30 x 60 lig workshop on slab with roll up doors. Over 2 miles of pipe fencing. 12 separate paddocks, 9 loaang sheds with concrete oors. 3/2 rental bringing in $1000/month income. Has been continually rented for last 4 years. Double carport and deck with wheel chair accessibility.

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Mineola 498 Ranch is a well diversified ranch, providing activities for all, with the focal point of the ranch being a state-of-the-art Equestrian facility. The ranch also features an 8+/- & 12+/acre lake, approximately 1+/- mile of Lake Fork Creek frontage and spring fed creeks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to find this many amenities all in one ranch of this size. The property is located just east of the quaint East Texas town of Mineola, TX located on FM49. Featured ranch activities include fishing, horseback riding, duck hunting, deer hunting, and relaxing walks on the miles of manicured trails through the mature pine and hardwood forest. 498+/- ACRES - Asking $3,350,000 - Equestrian Facility could be divisible.

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December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

By: Margaret Pirtle, Lifestyle Editor

“All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.” - Daniel Boone

Barn &

East Texas Mistletoe Christmas -1890

he mistletoe is hung up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas, and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked the privilege ceases.

42 42 H HORSEBACK ORSEBACK M MAGAZINE AGAZINE -- December December 2013 2013

Gourmet Vanilla Sugar Ingredients: • 2 cups sugar • 1 vanilla bean Directions: Slice along the vanilla bean to split it open. Scrape out the seeds inside the vanilla bean with the tip of your knife and stir these through the sugar. If you find that the vanilla seeds lump together, try rubbing the lumps on the side of the bowl using the back of a spoon to break them up. You should get a bowl of sugar flecked with vanilla seeds. Transfer this mixture to an air-tight container, and bury the rest of your bean pod into the center of your mix. After only a week or so, the vanilla flavoured sugar will be ready to use

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Garden Tree Cycle

Texas Caviar for New Years Luck

Sure-you’ve heard of Texas Caviar!

hances are you have settled down to more than one special meal where this unique vegetable was the center of attention, in spite of being surrounded by such grand dishes as honey-glazed ham, candied yams and an array of succulent deserts. You eat them for the taste, yes but you also eat them for good luck: to make certain the New Year is going to be a profitable and sustaining one. If you’re not from Texas, or a neighboring southern state, then perhaps you don’t observe the annual eating ritual on New Year’s Day when the black-eyed pea takes center stage on dining tables across the region. Most of us wouldn’t consider starting the New Year without them, so rooted has the tradition become in our culture. The nature and history of this humble pea is significantly important to Texans. In fact it is rumored that you can lose your Texas citizenship for not partaking on them on New Year’s Day. What is the origin of this tradition? Apparently during the Civil War it was quite common for the Union troops to burn Confederate crops, but Union soldiers viewed the pea as livestock feed and not an edible vegetable. As legend has it they spared the lowly “cow pea.” But we southerners knew different. We were over-joyed to find the peas still in the field. Hungry and hard pressed by the perils of war, we turned to the pea as a primary staple of substance. The tradition states that those who eat black eyed peas, an inexpensive and modest food, show their humility and thus bring good fortune to themselves for the entire year. www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com

on’t just toss your tree to the curb when Christmas is over. It still has lots of life left in it, but just in a different way. Conservation groups can use it as a habitat for fish in a lake. It can be used as a barrier against erosion for beach, lake and river shorelines. Put it in your back yard - make sure all tinsel is off and use it as a bird feeder. They will love the branches to rest on as they eat. And of course you can always mulch it up for the garden.

Keeping Decorating Greens Fresh

oming inside with branches of holly and pine for holiday decorating is great for the first few days. Then the warmth of the home, combined with the lack of humidity turns even the freshest vibrant colors into a drab arrangement. But you can keep those branches looking their best longer with just two items - water and a potato. First always soak the cut end of the branch for several hours as soon as it arrives in your home. Next, use a potato as a base for your arrangement. Stick the branches into the potato and the natural sugar and moisture of the potato helps to keep your arrangement fresh and beautiful.

December 2013 2013 -- H HORSEBACK ORSEBACK M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

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General...

High/Low Hooves: A Whole-Horse Issue

is fairly common for horses to have mismatched pairs of front feet. When the lower-angled foot seems to be the “problem foot,” most people call the horse a high/low or refer to that foot as having under-run heel or long toe/low heel syndrome. Others will say the horse “can’t grow heel,” when in fact an excess of heel length is typically being grown—it is just growing forward, instead of down toward the ground. When, instead, the more upright foot appears to be the “problem foot,” people tend to call it a “club foot.” While routine, competent trimming is important to horses with mismatched hooves, it is important to also understand that if the solution was simply trimming the feet to match each other, these conditions would not exist. Like most issues, the first step to helping the horse is to understand “why” this is happening. The hooves are constantly adapting to the way they impact the ground. If a horse repeatedly carries a limb farther forward than normal, the foot will tend to develop the long toe/low heel form. If the horse repeatedly carries the limb farther back than normal, the upright club foot form will persist. So when you see mismatched feet, it is important to figure out why the horse is moving in an imbalanced way. If you can identify and fix the true problem, the feet will adapt toward better balance as well. On the other hand, if you treat it as a hoof problem only, you will find yourself “spinning your wheels” because you are addressing a symptom instead of the true cause. INJURIES The first step is to have a lameness exam done by a competent veterinarian. Often these horses are simply compensating for pain from a current injury and/or dealing with a lack of mobility from an old injury. If this is the case, find out if the pain can

be relieved or the injury healed. If so, the feet will tend to become more balanced as the horse becomes able to move in a more balanced way. If pain or reduced flexion from the injury is permanent, so should be the mismatched feet—in fact this hoof imbalance may be very important to the horse’s ability to get around—an important adaptation designed to help balance an imbalanced situation. That said, it is often beneficial to warm up and stretch areas of past injury. If you can increase and maintain mobility, you will find that the feet readily become more balanced. The most common example is simply offering forward stretches to the limbs of club feet. TRAINING Injuries aside, normal horses tend to use the different sides of their bodies in different ways, just as we are right- or left-handed. For instance, when horses canter they tend to naturally favor one lead over the other. When they graze, they tend to favor placing one foot forward more often than the other. These tendencies can have dramatic effects on the hoof form. For example, think of the way the front feet hit the ground during a left lead canter: the left foot reaches farther forward, completes its cycle and then leaves the ground just as it reaches a vertical position. The right foot braces the horse’s weight by staying more underneath and the entire cycle of each step occurs farther back (relative to the horse’s body). So you might visualize what would happen if all a horse did, everywhere he went, was a left lead canter in a straight line; he would most-likely develop a low left and high right front feet. This would also affect the musculature of the horse—he would be strong, but have less flexion on the right and perhaps be weaker, but more flexible on the left. Mentally and physically he would resist the right lead and bending to the right. FIGURE 1

This is where balanced training and sports massage are at their most valuable. An imbalanced adult horse can only be corrected if all the pieces come together. Although the farrier work is an important part of this process, it is only one of many parts. Achieving balanced movement is the key— this means good training of both sides of the horse. The farrier work should be designed to get the hoof problems “out of the way” of balanced movement. RIDER AND SADDLE Kerry Ridgway, DVM, a veteran equine biomechanics expert came to ride with me and look over the horses in my care. I took him to a horse that had recently started trying to develop an upright front-right foot. He briefly evaluated the horse for injury, found a sore area high on the horse’s right side and then asked to see the horse’s saddle. The owner brought out a $3,000 English saddle she had just bought a few months earlier. Dr. Ridgway flipped the saddle upside-down, sighted down it from end-to-end, and said, “Here’s the problem. Your saddle is built crooked.” Sure-enough, once he had pointed it out, it was easy to see—the saddle was built with a left bend in its shape. Of course the horse owner was in tears, but in the end, the saddle company replaced the saddle with a straight one and the hooves quickly became balanced again. Imbalanced riders can imbalance the horse as well. These factors have dramatic effects if most of the horse’s exercise occurs under saddle. FOALS Once a horse reaches two-years-old with a club foot or high/low conformation, it is very likely that it will remain, to some degree, for the rest of the horse’s life no matter what you Pete Ramey - Con’t. on pg. 44

FIGURE 2

This Hanoverian had a low left/high right conformation. Front left above, before and after 13 months of treatment. At the time of the left photo, the horse resisted right canter leads, and was usually too unsound for riding. A better trim and padded boots put her in work immediately. At the time of the right photo, she is in dressage training/competition (barefoot), does not significantly favor either lead and is sound. On this foot, growing out the capsule rotation and optimizing breakover was prioritized. This improved heel and toe angles significantly over time. Photo reprinted from the book Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot.Photo reprinted from the book Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot , P. Ramey.

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December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

Pete Ramey - Con’t. from pg. 42

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

New Book from Pete Ramey Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot

Same horse: The high right foot, 13-month duration. A “heel rocker” was used to help lengthen stride. Making gradual increases to stride length (trimming, stretching, training) eventually forged a more normal foot. Meanwhile, the trainer and owner were exercising the right leads, focusing riding/training on the stiff right side of the horse. As her strength became balanced, so did the feet. Note that the feet/limbs still do not exactly match—trying to force them to completely match would negatively affect movement and reverse the progress. [Each trim/shoeing is available on DVD in That’s My Horse #2 available from HoofRehab.com] Note: A significant distal descent (sinker) reversal also occurred on both front hooves—this accounts for the shortening of the overall hoof length, even though the soles were thicker at the end of this 13-month period. Photo reprinted from the book Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot , P. Ramey.

do. By then, the joint surfaces, bone shapes, muscles, tendon and ligament lengths have become more set in their ways. Don’t get me wrong—balance can be improved in adult horses—but it can be truly fixed or prevented in foals! Routine and competent trimming of foal hooves is critical, but too-often overlooked or procrastinated. It is common to hear that this or that bloodline of horses has clubby feet or high/low syndrome. But in my experience, foals often show these tendencies but they are generally easy to keep in check if you start early enough. In other words they try to be imbalanced, but I don’t let them. Usually, if it is started within 2-3 months of birth, routine hoof trimming alone can keep foals from developing mismatched limbs provided that they are turned out—not stalled. In more severe or persistent cases, I sometimes also recommend moderate amounts of ground work, in circles, focusing on strengthening the weak lead (caution: this can be important, but also over-done). TRIMMING If you try too hard to trim the feet to match each other, you will probably make the situation worse. Very often, people with good intentions trim too much sole from the toe of low foot (trying to make it match the more upright foot). This causes the horse to avoid sensitivity at the toe and overwork the heels; they carry the limb more “out front.” This makes the original problem worse over time. It is equally common for people to trim the heels of the high foot too low in an attempt to match the opposing low-heeled

foot. This often causes sensitivity at the heels of the high foot, shortens stride length, and makes the foot adapt into an even more upright form over time. Instead, everything you do to the feet should be geared at balancing the movement. Good form will follow good function. On the low side, preserve sole thickness and keep the breakover back as far as possible (without injuring the horse). This helps the horse keep the foot on the ground longer (farther back relative to the body) and helps grow out any toe flaring or capsule rotation. On the high side, rocker the heels to enable the horse to extend the foot farther forward, while being very careful not to cause sensitivity at the heels (as this would shorten stride, forcing the horse to carry that limb even farther behind). Other than that, treat each hoof as an individual, and don’t try to force them to match. Just try to grow out wall flares and encourage thick soles and frogs. Work the feet into balance subtly—nudging them in the right direction at each trim. If the rest of the training program is encouraging balanced development, the hooves will become more balanced over time as well.

48 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

Go to

Hoof Rehab.com for Detailed Outline

Featuring Chapters from the Contributing Authors: Robert M. Bowker, VMD, PhD Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Dipl ACVSMR, MRCVS Brian Hampson, PhD Eleanor Kellon, VMD Kerry Ridgway, DVM Debra R. Taylor, DVM, MS, DACVIM Kathryn Watts, BS Pete Ramey

Practical Instruction for the Equine Veterinarian, Farrier and Trimmer. Details Internal Anatomy and Development, Caudal Foot Pain and Laminitis Treatment, plus help for countless other hoof problems.

Order Information Order and see more details at HoofRehab.com or write to PO Box 232 Lakemont, Ga. 30552 Product Customer Service Line (706) 212-8604

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December 2013 - HORSEBACK MAGAZINE

General...

Sortin! Howdy!

Welcome to Cowboy Corner.

Thank you Lord for rain. Don’t know if we are ahead yet, but bet we’re sittin’ even. Sure hope we can save a little for next spring. After being hot and dry for so long it’s hard to get used to cold and wet. Have a list of wet weather jobs, which means inside. All kinds of tasks make the list such as clean, repair, and sort. On the ranch there is a never ending supply of items to be cleaned, repaired and sorted. So let’s put another log on the fire and commence. Stumbled on a sorting deal last summer that I think is worth sharing. Most of us probably remember when coffee came in a one pound (16 ounces) can. Lots of the steel cans got recycled into hardware storage. Inside, out of the weather the metal cans worked good. However, when things got wet, the cans rusted in a heartbeat along with the contents. Several years ago when the price of coffee went through the roof, the coffee companies doubled dipped the consumer by raising the price and reducing the quantity. Suddenly a can of coffee went to eleven ounces and Folgers Coffee Company began using plastic cans. The plastic containers are great for part storage, strong, with a good fitting lid. Began collecting these plastic coffee cans because I wanted a fastener selection to carry

with me in the truck. The hardware folks call anything that joins materials a fastener and includes such items as nails, screws, bolt, staples, etc. My fastener kit needed to include such items as nails, staples, Tpost wire ties, and a few machine nuts and washers. Nothing worse, than seeing a hole in the fence, and having to go back to the shop, for a few staples or wire ties or whatever. After assembling my kit used masking tape and a felt tip pen to label each plastic can. Sorted and weatherproof, and the price is right. Each can is about 4 inches in diameter and 5 ½ inches tall so I needed some type of container to keep the cans from rolling around in the back of the truck. Came upon a container used for horse de-wormer, such as Strongid. The containers are strong, have a lid, handle, and are square with rounded corners. A bucket for ten pounds of de-wormer will hold four coffee cans and the twenty pound size will hold eight coffee cans. The deworming buckets are deep enough to close the lid which helps keep our fastener dry.

50 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE - December 2013

Since coffee cans are easier to get than buckets a little more about the buckets follows. Made by Ropak, four can size is 2.1 gallons, 8 ½ inches square and 7 inches tall. The larger bucket for eight cans is 8 ¼ inches square and 15 inches tall, 4 ¼ gallons. Not only de-wormer comes in these buckets so keep an eye out. Any square buckets you don’t need let me know, can handle the coffee cans. Folks, the holidays are here. Let’s all pause, take a moment, and give thanks for our many blessings. Feel especially blessed that the good Lord has given me the strength to live my dream. My Mother used to say “Jim came into this world as a cowboy, and will probably leave the same way.” Words of wisdom. So from the ol’ Brazos bottom cowboy, “Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year”. Better get back to sortin’, cause gonna need these fasteners when it stops rainin’.

Happy Trails...

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