Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Horse & Rider

TRAVEL / HEALTH SOLUTIONS / STYLE HORSEKEEPING Chaps & Chablis “Temecula is known for wine—and horses,” says T.J. Davis, owner of Saddle Up Wine Tours (saddleuptours.com), which offers small-group tours through Temecula’s Wine Country. Indeed, this temperate horse haven not only is home to world-class trainers (such as Bob Avila) and trail enthusiasts seeking year-round riding, it also nurtures 40-plus wineries. For wine lovers, this sets the stage for the ultimate riding vacation. TRAVEL Calif. WHERE Temecula, California WHAT Riding Temecula’s Wine Country WHEN Year-Round…

On a back road in Illinois, just south of the Wisconsin border and hidden among fields of corn and soy, sits a horse farm. At first glance, the barns, arenas, pastures and buildings resemble those of any other horse facility. Look closer, though, and you’ll notice wheelchair ramps, accessibility features and lifts, as well as horses with unmistakable neck brands. The farm is more than an average horse facility—it’s BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, PATH-accredited center specializing in assisting military veterans and their families. The program offers everything from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology to therapeutic riding and independent horsemanship. It’s also home to a unique herd of rescued mustangs. Rising to a Wild Challenge In 2013, BraveHearts launched Operation Mustang®. The program pairs…

The Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), after which the park is named, isn’t really a tree. It isn’t even a cactus. It’s actually a member of the agave family. The Joshua tree was named by Mormon settlers in the early 1800s; the plant’s distinctive branches reminded them of the biblical prophet Joshua raising his arms to the heavens for guidance to the Promised Land. The Joshua tree can live for 150 years and grow to be 40 feet tall, providing a home for birds, lizards, and insects. A winter freeze and sufficient rains produce lacey white-green flowers in the spring.…

AS MUCH AS I wish I could, I can’t seem to shake my stubborn streak of cowboy pride. Sometimes it manifests itself in a positive way—doing a job right or not backing down in the face of a challenge. But sometimes it gets in my way. While I’m fairly confident of my abilities in the pasture, my show-ring potential has a pretty low ceiling. Yet, like anyone, I truly enjoy an exceptional horse. Despite my limited competitive experience—and for some reason I haven’t completely figured out—the ranch horse versatility contests hold a bit of appeal for me. I’ve been to a handful of clinics, watched online instructional videos, and picked the brains of horsemen whose talents I respect. While helpful, none of these situations could give me what I really…

Davis established Saddle Up Wine Tours to raise funds for the horses she rescues. She has an all-volunteer staff, and every horse in her trail string is a rescue. Davis will also take you on a vineyard and wine-tasting tour aboard your own horse; experienced riders travel at the faster gaits. Juanita Koth owns Gaits in the Grapes (gaitsinthegrapes.com). Designed exclusively for horse owners, GIG offers an all-inclusive trip experience, from a customized vineyard tour with after-ride wine-tasting to a Vines-to-Views ride, a hot-springs excursion, and fine dining. “We want people to feel they have a really good friend who lives here,” she says. 67.4 The Facts Average December high temperature in Temecula in degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t Miss This explore. Take a step back in time in 1. Old Town Temecula…

➞ Your horse’s destination addiction can be associated with anything inside or outside the arena. It can be the gate, other horses in the vicinity, or the barn. The thing is, you might be tempted to try to “ride him through it,” kicking him past the place he wants to be, pulling him away from the other horses in the area, or pushing him past the barn that he drifts toward. This wears out your leg and hand cues, making him less responsive and duller to your requests. Here, I’ll demonstrate how to bust destination addiction involving a gate. You can apply these methods to anything that attracts your horse. One For this example, lead your horse into the arena, about 30 feet from the gate that attracts his attention.…

SOME NATIONAL PARKS are blatantly beautiful and crammed with tourists and hikers. And then there are national parks that quietly wait to be discovered. Southeastern California’s Joshua Tree National Park (nps.gov/jotr) awaits your discovery. This desert park—which encompasses more than 200 miles of equestrian trails and three horse camps—offers unique riding experiences among Joshua trees and fanciful rock formations. If you’re planning your trip, top riding seasons are fall, winter, and spring. Avoid riding here in the summertime. Not only is it brutally hot, but locals tell us that bees are very aggressive in the heat, swarming on any moisture, including drinking glasses, water buckets, and even sweat. Winter may bring occasional snow flurries, but still offers comfortable riding. Spring generally spreads patchwork quilts of wildflowers. The park began as…

The cholla cactus, often referred to as “the jumping cholla,” got its name because the slightest movement from animal, person, or wind will cause a ball of spines to “jump up” and cling with tenacity to any unwary passerby. These spine balls (called cholla balls) tend to blow off in windstorms, so the cholla-free trail you rode on one day might have cholla cactus segments lurking on it the next day. While riding on the gorgeous Burnt Hill Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, our blissful mood was slightly dimmed when a cholla ball hitched a ride on Kent’s leg. On a previous desert ride, one of our horses sideswiped a cholla cactus and wound up with a dozen cholla balls stuck to his body. Fortunately, he was calm-minded. We…

The Collector: Brooke Ingstad Fargo, North Dakota The Collection: This saddle-and-bridle set, designed in the 1920s, has been in Brooke Instad’s family for three generations. “My grandfather bought this parade tack 70 years ago,” Ingstad shares. “He used it on his horse to participate in parades in Valley City, North Dakota.” Although Ingstad never had the chance to know her grandfather personally, she says having his parade tack nearby connects her to him in a special way. “If I met him, I think we’d have a strong bond because of our love for horses,” she explains. “Every time I look at his old tack, I’m reminded that horses have been a huge part of my family for generations, and being on a horse’s back is exactly where I’m meant to be.”…

Ride at College Do you wish you could ride and compete while at college, but your school doesn’t have an equestrian program? Start one! The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association will help you. Simply determine which IHSA zone your college is in (at bit.ly/ihsazonemap), then contact your zone’s chair to find out which IHSA region you’d join. (Go to ihsainc.com, click on “Contact Us,” then “Board of Directors,” then scroll down.) The zone chair can direct you to the appropriate regional president, who can guide you on finding a coach, recruiting members, and other key tasks. DISASTER RELIEF As we note in “The Best of Western Horse Life” (page 52), a sense of community and willingness to lend a hand are at the heart of horse life. Throughout the year, countless…

Zimecterin dewormers contain ivermectin, a broad-spectrum ingredient effective against bot-fly larvae as well a wide variety of other parasites. The Gold formulation also includes praziquantel, which additionally controls tapeworms (zimecterin.com). Check Dewormer Labels Not all dewormers are effective against bots, so read product labels carefully. Avermectins (ivermectin and moxidectin) are the only approved over-the-counter dewormers for control of bot-fly larvae. • Ivermectin has a broad spectrum of activity against intestinal and insect parasites, including bots; it also kills migrating larvae. • Moxidectin, introduced as an equine dewormer in the U.S. in 1997, is effective against encysted small strongyles as well as bot-fly larvae. Guard against bot-fly damage Bot-fly larvae can wreak havoc in your horse’s stomach lining, causing significant swelling and ulceration. Large infestations can even lead to colic. The larvae originate…

An older horse can be worth his weight in gold. Plus, you just plain love him. Here are important considerations for keeping your senior horse—that is, one 15 or older—happy and healthy. Movement Exercise keeps aging muscles strong and joints operative, plus promotes your horse’s overall mental and physical health. Full-time turnout (with appropriate pasture-mates that won’t haze or injure him) is ideal. With under-saddle exercise, keep expectations realistic. After all, a 25-year-old horse is roughly comparable to a 75- to 100-year-old human, and while some 80-year-olds run marathons, many others are in wheelchairs. So use common sense and stay aware of your senior horse’s changing capabilities and energy levels as you continue to ride him. (Review “Feel-Good Work for Your Senior Horse” at Horseand Rider.com.) Nutrition A changing metabolism…

IT’S TRUE: YOU REALLY CAN’T BEAT THE LIFEwe get to lead with our horses. Every day we count various blessings that come along with horse ownership—sometimes even while cursing things like vet bills and downed fences. Here we’ve gathered 57 things that we think make Western Horse Life the best life. While that’s a healthy number, we’re sure we missed a few. Share your favorite parts of horse ownership by emailing HorseandRider@aimmedia.com. The Freedom to Explore! Whether you’re a bona fide trail-riding master or someone who ventures out into the ungroomed wild only on occasion, opportunities to get outsideare always available with our horses. If you’re lucky, they lie just beyond your pasture fence. But sometimes the sights and sounds of nature—and experiencing them with your trusty steed—are worth loading…

Carol Metcalf is a competitor to be reckoned with. In the male-dominated reining horse industry, she’s inspired a generation of female competitors. Her knack for design has influenced many a Western wardrobe. But what drives this horsewoman to achieve her goals? Grit, talent, and a positive attitude, to start. More than anything, her passion for horses makes even the long hours in the saddle worth it. Becoming a Queen Carol grew up in a residential area of Santa Maria, California, the daughter of architect Nick Carter and his wife, Nadine. When Carol was 4, her neighbors started taking riding lessons. Carol wanted to take lessons too—an interest that just never stopped. Carol acquired her first horse—a little bay pony with a roached mane named Tinker Toy—at age 7. She showed…

Trail riding and horse camping in California’s deserts is sublime, but the harsh environment requires extra planning no matter what time of year you go. Here are our top tips. • Pack water. An ample water supply is your first consideration. Provide water for your horse in your trailer. Check in advance if your campsite has potable water for you and drinkable water for your horse. If not, pack enough water in your rig for both you and your horse. • Carry water. On the trail, there are seldom water sources. Carry enough water for all riders. Don’t wait to feel thirsty before drinking or you could become dehydrated. • Provide sun protection. Wear a long-sleeve shirt and other protective clothing. Apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. If your horse…