Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i Horse & Rider

Bridleless Freestyle Watch up-and-coming Mustang trainer Madison Shambaugh wow the crowd during her Extreme Mustang Makeover freestyle performance. Showmanship Trot Trot with confidence next to your horse in the trotting elements after you perfect your pattern with showmanship tune-up help starting on page 58. On Trend Ranch Riding has become one of the most popular classes offered at a variety of shows. Learn how to look the part and ace the pattern online. Put on Weight Help your horse gain back weight he lost when ill in Whole Horse Q&A (page 12), then read how to keep his weight steady on our Web site. Join the Herd! We love hearing from you! Send all high-resolution images for Conformation Clinic; Problem Solvers questions; and any feedback, ideas, photos, and letters to…

Details: 2004 Arabian stallion by Versace and out of BEA Society Belle, by Baske El Amigo. Barn name: Joe. Owned and shown by: Linda Clark of Argyle, Texas. Trained by: Stanley White III of Argyle, Texas. Just a good guy: “You’d never know he’s a stud,” Clark shares about Joe’s personality. “He’s always well-behaved, whether he’s at a horse show or if he’s at home. And he really enjoys having kids come to the barn and love on him.” He’s honest: One of Clark’s favorite traits about Joe is how he always wants to be good when you’re riding him. “Joe’s pretty simple. He never wants to misbehave but he’s definitely going to make you ride him every step of the way,” she shares. Family affair: Joe currently competes in…

Timing Is Everything SAGE SOLUTION Timing and feel should go hand in hand for every single ride. For instance, if your horse breaks into a lope after you’ve asked for an extended trot and you wait to come to a stop after five or more strides of loping, your horse won’t understand why he’s in trouble and might even become scared of the correction. Instead, recognize when your horse does something wrong and correct it instantly to help him understand the correct response. Horse-Proof Bell Boots The situation: Your horse loves to lose his bell boots. The solution: Try using a pair of GatorBootz. The fastener on the bell boot easily latches and unlatches when you want it to—not when your horse wants it to. The no-rub collars prevent chaffing,…

Do you consistently glance down at your horse’s shoulder to check if you’re on the correct lead or diagonal? _ at quick glance can throw o_ your horse’s balance, not to mention cost you points in a judged class. Riding bareback can be just the thing to put you in close contact with your horse to feel every footfall so you can correctly identify which lead you’re on at the lope or diagonal at the trot. If you’re not comfortable riding bareback, you can complete this exercise in a saddle; it just might take you longer to really feel every stride your horse makes. When riding bareback, be sure you’re in an enclosed arena for safety. When you begin, it’s best to have an extra set of eyes in the…

Ranch Anything It all started with ranch pleasure. Which quickly became ranch riding in most associations. And we latched onto the concept quicker than you could say “forward gaits.” In 2016, ranch classes grew beyond anyone’s expectations, but to just about everyone’s delight. “Ranch events have exploded in the Paint horse world the past few years,” said American Paint Horse Association Executive Director Billy Smith. “From 2015 to 2016, we saw double-digit percentage increases in entries in these types of classes at our open/amateur world shows. We’re seeing some trainers who are typically dedicated to other speci_c disciplines starting to cross over and train/show in the ranch events. We even have an issue of the Paint Horse Journal dedicated to this segment now (the February Ranch Life Issue) because we…

THANKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA, FADS CAN COME AND go as quickly as you can refresh your browser. But there are a few that stick and even move forward to develop into new ideas and concepts, evolving into trends along their life cycles. We’ve identified seven trends to notice, beginning on page 46. Where do these trends come from? I notice three places. The Wave of the Future Players new to the game are often more willing to take risks, try new ideas, and push the limits of the status quo. These leaders of the new class bring ideas they learn from their mentors that maybe have a new twist for the modern landscape. We introduce you to six upand- comers we’ve identified beginning on page 39. They’re from every corner…

QMy 14-year-old _oroughbred gelding was quite ill for three weeks with a virus my vets never could identify despite many tests. He was on antibiotics for two weeks and lost a lot of weight throughout the ordeal. Now, a month and a half past the worst of it, he’s still thin. He gets generous servings of alfalfa hay twice a day; I’ve also been giving him probiotics. What else can I do to encourage weight gain? JENNIFER MERIDIAN, California AWe’re providing recommendations to help your gelding gain weight aTher his illness, but please consult with your veterinarian prior to instituting any nutritional changes to con_rm that your horse is indeed recovered from the infection. If he’s still suThering residual eThects, he’ll require further treatment in addition to nutritional management. It’s…

For this update on navicular issues, we directed questions to Tracy A. Turner, DVM, MS, of Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Big Lake, Minnesota (turnerequinesportsmed.com). Dr. Turner has chaired the Farrier Liaison Committee for the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is an acknowledged expert on the issues surrounding navicular syndrome. Is the term ‘navicular disease’ now outdated? I prefer navicular syndrome because it actually is a syndrome, meaning different diseases that all appear alike. They all create pain, and the horse perceives the pain similarly, but they stem from different injuries and must be treated differently. Palmar heel pain is also a good descriptive term, as it refers to the fact that all these conditions are desensitized by a palmar foot block (where the nerves at the…

Before the focus on specialization in show horses, it wasn’t uncommon to see a horse compete in multiple classes—pattern work, rail work, cattle events, English and Western classes. While specialization has its bene_ts, it can get stale. Adding an event or diversity to your horse’s everyday routine helps keep both you and your horse fresh, engaged, and motivated. ATher all, how many circles can a reiner lope without losing interest? Or how many times can a Western pleasure horse go around on the rail without developing bad habits or a poor attitude? How many days can you spend doing the same thing over and over in an o_ce cube and not get bored? Probably not many, and that’s why you have horses as a hobby. Here I’ll oTher my advice…

5 Star Equine The All Around 5 Star Saddle Pad is 5 Star Equine’s best seller, and it is easy to see why. It is handmade in the USA and perfect for barrel racing, trail riding, and roping, as well as for use with smaller-skirted saddles. Your horse will thank you for keeping him cool and comfortable — the 100% pure virgin wool felt wicks away moisture to keep his back drier and cooler, plus it stabilizes your saddle with limited cinching and no additional pads needed. You’ll appreciate the durability the wear leathers provide —standing up to more than 2,000-plus hours of riding — and cleanup is quick and easy. The All Around Pad has a square skirt and measures 30" x 30". Available in natural, black, cinnamon, dark…

The Difference Is Huge Real Fly Predators Only Come From Spalding If you thought there was no difference between our little fly bugs and Arbico’s Fly Eliminators, think again. Here are just a few differences. A Multiple Species Mix. Not Just 90% Nasonia Fly Predators are a mix of up to three species. None of which is Nasonia, which historically has made up 90% of Fly Eliminators. Our three species have complimentary characteristics. Some travel farther, some dig deeper, some are far bigger. Even though Nasonia costs less to produce, Arbico is the only US insectory producing it for large animal fly control. Scientific Tests Show Nasonia Is Ineffective For Large Animal Fly Control When reviewing all published scientific studies using fly parasites for fly control we could find (total…

The first thing a judge sees when you’re standing at the cone waiting to go is your overall presentation. Is your attire properly fitted? Does it look like you took time to clean up your horse before the class? Are you and your horse relaxed but ready at the cone, or are you both fidgeting? Confidence is a key component to a class like the showmanship, and a judge will be able to tell if you’re poised in your decisions as you perform your pattern. The easiest way to feel confident when you’re in the arena is doing your homework beforehand and making sure that you’re presenting yourself and your horse in the best way possible. When you go into the class, your horse should be groomed—bathed, brushed, and clipped—and…

Beet pulp, a sugar-beet industry byproduct, is an inexpensive, highly digestible form of fiber that benefits many horses. Uses include as a fiber source for horses with poor teeth (it’s easier to chew than hay), as a digestive health aid for horses experiencing digestive troubles, and as a way of adding weight to a thin horse (as replacing hay with an equal weight of beet pulp results in a higher calorie content). Soaking beet pulp isn’t always necessary; beet pulp is included in some packaged feeds that don’t require soaking. But soaking plain beet pulp—shreds or pellets—can help prevent choke and usually makes the substance more palatable. Soaking also aids in hydrating a horse reluctant to drink. Soak one part beet pulp to two parts warm or cool water in…

Ranch Riding Headgear One thing that never goes out of style is a high-quality leather headstall. Whether you’re competing in ranch riding and need an attractive headstall with minimal silver or are looking to add a new bridle to your everyday riding collection, a leather headstall like this one from Weaver Leather (#10-0581; $65.99) is a perfect fit for your tack room. The leather on this headstall is dipped in oil and dressed with butter to create that goldenchestnut color that looks good on any-color horse and is built to last you a long time. Photographed with this Weaver headstall is the 5-inch Jeremiah Watt snaffle bit. This stainless-steel snaffle bit has black accents to help highlight the flattering floral engraving (#25-6020; $68.52). More info: Visit ridethebrand.com. Perfect Shirt in…

I’ve been a horse vet for almost 30 years. I’ve bred the mares and watched their foals come into the world. I’ve vaccinated those foals, been their dentist, rushed out to suture their wounds, and helped load them in the trailer on the way to the surgical center for a midnight colic. I’ve celebrated with their owners over their big wins and successes, and cried alongside them when chronic lameness ended their careers. When the time came, I’ve even helped these horses _nd restful peace. As veterinary practices grow and demands increase, you might find that your relationship with your veterinarian has evolved to be more like the one you share with a physician. Maybe your appointments seem shorter and less personal, possibly with a vet who’s new to the…