Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i Horse & Rider

In a nod to novice riders “of a certain age,” the All American Quarter Horse Congress will debut a new division of classes at this year’s event October 6–30 in Columbus, Ohio. The novice amateur select (50 and over) division will include classes in horsemanship, Western pleasure, showmanship, hunter under saddle, and hunt seat equitation. The world’s largest single-breed horse show—three weeks in duration—also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year (quarterhorsecongress.com). LECTURES, MOUNTED WORKSHOPS ‘Safety, fun, and excellence in horsemanship— a perfect description of our conference.’ …Julie Goodnight, CHA master instructor and clinician, speaking of the Certified Horsemanship Association’s International Conference set for October 20–23 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Her Friday keynote talk, delivered on horseback, will focus on building trust in both humans and horses. The conference is open to…

Have you tried alternative health therapies with your horses? Many owners have (see poll on page 20), finding them useful for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Here’s a summary of three of the most popular alternatives, from Barb Crabbe, DVM, H&R’s consulting veterinarian and author of The Comprehensive Guide to Equine Veterinary Medicine. Acupuncture The therapy: Tiny needles inserted at specific locations along your horse’s body. Developed by the ancient Chinese, acupuncture is now known to access areas particularly rich in nerve endings and/or blood vessels. Needles placed in these locations cause the release of neurotransmitters and other local factors, leading to body-wide therapeutic effects. Potential benefits: Can be helpful if your horse is muscle-sore from performance or from compensating for an injury elsewhere, or if he’s suffering back pain.…

On September 29, Chics Magic Potion was inducted into the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Hall of Fame. “Magic,” owned by Ken and Laina Banks, spent his entire career in my barn. He was part of our family. Very few horses have all the qualities it takes to make a mark on the horse world and join prestigious halls of fame. Looking back on my time with Magic, I’d say there are a few key things that stand out about truly legendary horses and how they reach the accolade of joining a hall of fame. You Can’t Predict It From his first major win—the 2003 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship—to his retirement as the highest-earning cow horse at the time, I knew Magic was special. But I didn’t look…

YOUR HORSE CAN’T TALK THE way we do, but he sure can tell you things via his behavior. I’m going to share some of the most common “tells”—or messages—a horse sends. I’ll translate them into human-speak, so you’ll know what each message is saying about what your horse is thinking and feeling—and why. Then I’ll suggest what you should consider doing in response, to fix the problem at the root of your horse’s message. It’s all a part of good horsemanship. The more readily you can “get” what your horse is telling you, the stronger will be the connection between the two of you. THE ‘TELL’: Retreat to the back of the stall or pen when you arrive with a halter. LEAVE ME BE THE TRANSLATION: “Leave me be.” Your…

Your horse’s physical activity falls into two general categories. Anaerobic exercise (characterized by short bursts of maximum effort—think cow horse, barrel racer) is primarily fueled by glycogen, a polysaccharide composed of sugars and stored in muscle fibers. Soluble carbohydrates from the diet provide the building blocks for glycogen. Aerobic exercise (characterized by low- to moderate-intensity activity lasting from several minutes to several hours—think reiner, trail horse) is primarily fueled by fat, a slow-burning fuel. No performance activity is either all anaerobic or all aerobic, but fueling your horse with a mind to the dietary energy source from which he draws the most fuel can boost his performance (purinamills.com/horse-feed). Safe, Effective, Same-Day The lowdown: Last November, AniCell Biotech launched a new line of regenerative products created from amnion, the membrane enclosing…

You’re standing in your vet’s office when he delivers the blow. “Your horse has a tendon injury, and it could be extremely difficult to heal.” Not only does your riding plan come to an abrupt end until your horse recovers, but you’re also faced with making decisions about a treatment plan. Do you want to take the conservative road, with a rest and rehabilitation program that counts on Mother Nature to do her best? Or should you explore more aggressive treatment options like stem cells or platelet-rich plasma that might expedite your horse’s recovery and increase his chance to get back in the game? Horse owners face a lot of confusing information about regenerative medicine, with terms like “pluripotent” and “mesenchymal” making things even harder to understand. So, what’s it…

QWhen I take my horse outside the arena for even a short trail ride, he fusses with the bit and tosses his head. I’ve tried to contain his head-tossing, but even when he gives up, he goes right back to it. What am I doing wrong? His behavior makes it hard to enjoy rides outside the arena. TAYLOR JONES, Mississippi A Before addressing behavioral causes of head-tossing, I first advise that you have your horse checked for a physical problem, especially something in his mouth like teeth that cause him discomfort or interfere with the bit. With physical problems ruled out, we can focus on your horse’s behavior. A horse most often tosses his head out of frustration. He wants to go forward, but his rider maintains a firm hold…

Before your horse starts wearing his winter turnout blanket, check to see if water still beads off the fabric. If it doesn’t, consider re-waterproofing your blanket. While most turnout blankets are waterproof when you first purchase them, the treatment can degrade after years of use. There are several water-repellent washes and sprays specifically designed for equine blankets, but you can also use a silicone-based spray that’s intended for patio furniture. (To see the latest blanket styles, turn to page 56.) Disaster Information The problem: Finding a quick, hasslefree way to keep identification on your horse during natural disasters. The solution: Attach ManeStay to your horse’s mane, allowing him to be identifiable during an emergency. Take a lock of mane, loosely twist it, and then push the hair into the hook…

Choosing a blanket for your horse is a daunting task. With so many styles, price points, features, and colors to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. Never fear: We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of blankets that fit the different wants of riders and their equine partners. If you’re lucky, you might win one in our Great Blanket Giveaway. (See page 64 for details.) BLUE RIBBON BLANKETS The Winter Rug incorporates style into a functional, everyday turnout blanket. The 1,000-denier, water-resistant fabric can withstand harsh climates and has a long-lasting color-fastness, meaning your blanket won’t fade. It’s insulated with 10 ounces of wool felt; lined with plush, non-pilling, brushed fleece; and has faux beaver at the withers to provide comfort for your horse.…

UNICORN. Three of my four horses have been white, so naturally I go for the unicorn look, with a braided-and-hairsprayed forelock as the “horn.” I even included wings once! Sarah LeGear, British Columbia, Canada COW AND DAIRYMAN. I affixed “horns” to my black-and-white tobiano mare. I wore denim overalls and carried a milk bucket. Easy-peasy and everyone “got” it. Misti Engebretson, Montana RACEHORSE. My gelding is an 8-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, so I concocted a racehorse costume consisting of a numbered saddle pad for him and a patterned shirt for me. Kendal Stokes, North Carolina HEADLESS HORSEMAN. If you had a black horse, you could paint a white skeleton on him, then dress yourself as that ghoul from Sleepy Hollow. Alissa Altadonna, Pennsylvania PAINT PROJECT. I put a “Wet Paint” sign…