Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2022 i Horse & Rider

“YOUR GREAT-GRANDFATHER would have been proud of you,” were the words my mom said to me when I bought a yearling filly last year with intentions of starting her myself. I’m a fourth-generation horsewoman, and my love for horses started before I could even walk. My great-grandfather Claire Louis Morgan is probably the one I can thank for that. He was a farmer in Illinois who used to buy mustangs off the train as they came through Chicago and start them. From the stories I’ve been told over the years, his true passion in life was starting those horses, which is why my mom knew he would be so proud to pass along that love of starting horses to me. My grandfather also grew up around horses, and while he…

What Are Those Warts? Perhaps you’ve owned or known a horse with warts. If so, you were likely seeing a visible manifestation of equine papilloma virus. This infectious herpes virus can cause bumps known as equine warts on the exterior of a horse’s muzzle and inside his mouth, and sometimes on his ears, legs, and genitals. This virus is species specific, appearing only in horses. It’s not contagious to humans but is contagious to other horses. It’s usually transmitted from horse to horse by direct contact, though it can survive outside of a host for long periods of time. It can be spread by fomites (inanimate objects that, once contaminated with pathogenic bacteria or viruses, can transfer disease to another host). It occurs most commonly in horses from 6 months…

WHILE IT’S NICE to have access to an entire trail course when you’re practicing at home, it’s not always practical, especially in a small arena. If your horse knows the basics of trail and you need a tune-up before your next horse show, or you just want to teach your horse how to go over a pole, there’s a lot you can do with one pole. When you’re working with one pole in your arena, there’s a lot you can do with it. You can practice maneuvers you might see in a trail class, like a sidepass, or you can work on body position, and approach and exit to a pole. It’s also a great way to check in with your horse and test his responsiveness to your riding cues.…

When I present at horse expos, the topic of confidence comes up a lot. People will ask me how they can deal with their fear and anxiety, and they’ll ask for help with training their horses. But the reality is that we don’t train horses when we’re trying to make confident riders. We train people to become more confident riders. Building confidence is a matter of training yourself to feel more confident. Like with any other kind of training, being confident is about practicing your confidence. We can practice confidence in the way we breathe, the way we handle negative emotions and negative thoughts, the way we manifest our confidence, and of course, the way we ride. Establish Your Rhythm When I’m working with an anxious rider, the first thing…

Stemming from the desire for more realistic obstacles in a classic trail class about 20 years ago, came extreme mountain trail. With elaborate man-made landscape and obstacles to maneuver, an extreme mountain trail course consists of log crossings, streams, boulders, bridges, water obstacles, a teeter-totter bridge, and just about anything else you can dream of. Over the years, I have hosted and participated in many extreme mountain trail competitions and clinics, and I have seen what it takes to be successful. In this article, I’m going to talk about the fundamentals that a good extreme mountain trail horse and rider need to tackle the challenging obstacles put in front of them. But first, I’m going to tell you how to introduce a new horse to the discipline so that you…

There’s something special about sharing your horse passion with your family members—parents, grandparents, and children, sometimes even beyond. In today’s trend toward multigenerational living (18% of all U.S. households include grandparents, parents, and children, according to Pew Research Center analysis of census data), equine partners help build bonds, provide family fun, and offer common ground for understanding each other. The Swanson family, based in Sedalia, Colorado, exemplifies this in the family’s horse life. Patriarch Dr. Terry Swanson, DVM; matriarch Elaine “Peachie” Swanson; their son, Roy, and his wife, Betsy; and their kids Quincy (12) and Waylon (10) come together to build their dream life with horses while supporting each other, encouraging their budding riders, and letting every family member strive to achieve goals of all kinds. Here, you’ll learn how…

►IMMEDIATELY: move the horse into shade. This can be under a tree, in a barn, or even in the shadow of a horse trailer. ►IMMEDIATELY: douse the horse with the coldest water available. Direct application of cold water to the horse is the fastest and most effective method of lowering body temperature. The notion that putting cold water onto hot muscles can cause cramping or laminitis has been debunked, so use as much of the coldest water as you have. ►IMMEDIATELY: use any other cooling aid you have on hand. If you have ice (or can send someone to get some quickly), put packs along the horse’s head and throat, where major blood vessels serving the brain run close to the surface. Standing the horse in front of a fan…

Many kids’ horse lives start at home, with basic handling and riding lessons from parents, grandparents, or another relative. But getting your young rider under the instruction of a reliable, trustworthy professional can really help his or her horsemanship start to soar, not to mention ease any tension that might be caused by you coaching your own kids. It can also help your child realize new goals, find new interests with horses, and push him or her to take things to the next level. Thanks to industry-wide organizations, finding the right fit might be easier than you expect. Here are a handful of resources to use when looking for the perfect instructor for your budding rider. Also, don’t forget to tap your own local horse network to make a final…

►IMMEDIATELY: most colicky horses will not eat or drink, but as a precaution, remove all food and water from the stall. Any intake could worsen an impaction or blockage. ►IMMEDIATELY: determine whether walking might help. As a general rule, if a colicky horse is lying down or standing quietly, there is no need to walk him—just let him be. If, however, the horse is restless and repeatedly lies down and rises, walking might help distract him and, in that way, make him feel a bit better. That said, if your horse is extremely agitated he is a danger to everyone around him. Put him in an indoor arena, paddock, or another open area and stay clear until the veterinarian arrives. Do not give your horse any medication while you wait,…

►IMMEDIATELY: apply direct pressure to staunch bleeding. Use a clean cloth—a towel, your shirt, even a saddle pad—to press gently but firmly on the wound. If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, place another directly over it. An alternative is to use a bandage to hold the cloth in place. However, do not apply a tourniquet unless specifically instructed to do so by the veterinarian. ►IMMEDIATELY: move your horse to a safe treatment area, if possible. Ideally, your veterinarian will be able to tend to the wound in a well-lit, quiet area with access to running water. At the very least, the treatment area needs to be clear of obstacles and debris. If your horse is not in an area where treatment can be safely delivered, see whether you can…

TRAVEL HEALTH SOLUTIONS HORSEKEEPING TRAVEL Nevada WHERE Las Vegas WHAT The Run For A Million WHEN August 17–20, 2022 Viva Las Vegas! Spectators from around the world head to South Point Arena for reining’s premier event, The Run For A Million, where top reining and cow horse riders compete for big money. To compete in the main reining and cow horse events, riders had to qualify at previous horse shows, with only 16 spots available for each event. TRAVEL Nevada As you roam the tack and apparel vendors set up near the arena in between events, you might recognize some familiar faces on the concourse. Actors from Yellowstone and 1883 are known to make an appearance during the event, along with camera crews that are filming the latest season of…

Has your horse ever cut his leg when loading in a trailer? If so, you’re not alone. Trailering is a common time for horses to be injured. In fact, many seasoned horse owners are adamant that shipping boots are essential any time a horse is loaded in a trailer. Yet most experienced commercial long-haulers refuse to allow shipping boots on the horses they haul. Why? Because just like exercise boots, shipping boots don’t come without risk. So how do you decide? It all depends on your horse and the nature of the trip you’re taking. Protection Options Option 1: Commercial shipping boots. Perhaps the most convenient and protective option are commercial shipping boots that extend up and over your horse’s knees and hocks, and are held in place with heavy duty…

►IMMEDIATELY: check his nose. Most cases of respiratory distress in horses are due to equine asthma (also known as heaves), but breathing can also be inhibited if an allergic reaction, insect sting or injury causes inflammation of the nostrils. If the horse’s nose appears swollen, or if he is bleeding from one or both nostrils, you’ll want to alert your veterinarian, who can prepare for a possibility other than heaves. ►IMMEDIATELY: keep the horse quiet and still. Exercise or excitement will make breathing even more difficult. Allow the horse to simply stand quietly. Bring out a friendly horse to keep him company if that will help keep him calm. Do not give the horse sedatives or tranquilizers, however. These may further inhibit his respiration. ►IMMEDIATELY: get him some fresh air.…