Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2024 i Horse & Rider

IT’S EASY TO GET BOGGED DOWN with negativity in this industry. You try to compare yourself to riders who can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single horse to compete at an elite level of competition. Or find yourself envious of riders who have unlimited access to trainers you dream of working with. Or maybe it’s the negative thoughts that float through your head when you see other people ride and enjoy their horse while yours is sitting on never-ending stall rest. Leaving you wondering if you’re ever going to even make it into a show pen. Last year it was easy for me to get dragged down by negativity. I questioned my ability as a horse owner when my horse ended up needing colic surgery: Where did…

TRAVEL Arlington, Texas WHAT The American Performance Horseman WHEN March 8, 2024 Experience Western Culture Under the bright arena lights of the Globe Life Field, is the fast-paced event called The American Performance Horseman. On the eve of The American Rodeo, hosted by Teton Ridge, this per-formance will feature cutting, reining, and cow horse events (americanrodeo.com). With the action that accompanies cutting, reining, and cow horse events, The American Performance Horseman is a thrilling and adrenaline-fueled event with something for everyone to enjoy. As contestants compete individually and as teams for the $1 million purse, spectators enjoy a showcase of equine athleticism and good old fashioned Western entertainment. With teams drawn at random, and riders qualifying based on their money earnings from the previous year, you can bet that the competition…

While a low-density feeding program can be a game changer for some horses and distressed owners, it’s not for everyone. Learn the ins and outs here and then work with your vet to understand if it’s right for your horse. When your horse can’t chew, chokes, or continues to colic, you worry. It feels like a lose-lose scenario. You can’t feed them, or you’ll have a problem but if you don’t feed them, they can’t thrive, and they certainly can’t perform if they’re a riding horse. Enter, the low-bulk diet. What is a low-bulk diet? The difference between a low-bulk and a high-bulk diet can be described quickly in human terms using the burger and the salad. To get the same amount of energy (or calories) from a salad as…

Your child might’ve become interested in horses after watching you ride or attending an event. While that excitement of being horseback serves as an initial draw, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of groundwork to really understand horses, how to interact with them, and how to stay safe. Learn the Horse Before a child can ride, he or she must be able to control the horse from the ground and understand how to be safe around horses. A newcomer to horses probably has some apprehension—or even fear—of handling a 1,200-pound animal, so building confidence comes from grassroots interactions. I teach kids to read a horse’s eye—does he look calm or distressed?—to understand how the horse feels that day. They can also recognize changes in the horse’s tail (is he switching…

I was the event veterinarian for a big horse show when my pager went off in the early hours of the morning. ‘We have a colicky horse,’ the message said. ‘We can’t keep him on his feet!’ It was a groom for a trainer I’d never met, and the owner was from a different state. I threw on my clothes and jumped in my truck, wondering how this story would unfold. As I drove to the horse showgrounds, my brain clicked into overdrive. How bad would this horse be? Can we find the owner? Is the facility set up so I can get my truck in to the barn? And would I be able to perform an adequate exam in the horse’s stall? What about a truck and trailer? Would…

PRIVATE LESSON | Turn on the Forehand THE TURN ON THE FOREHAND IS A MANEUVER that’s often skipped over because of its simplicity. But the truth is, this maneuver is far from simple, and can even help you prepare your horse for other fundamentals like lead departures and lead changes. Read on to see how I incorporate this drill into my riding routine to help my horses with body control.…

We see a lot about how to resolve trailer-loading problems, but the best method is always to prevent them in the first place. With a little effort on your part, you can keep a good hauler instead of creating and then correcting a bad one. Maintain Manners/Training A horse that’s well-trained, good-mannered, and responsive will almost always load more easily than one that’s less obedient, has holes in his training, and/or has bad manners overall. If you think about when you see a horse that refuses to load, it’s usually one that, even away from loading, is untrained, drags on the lead line, doesn’t pay attention, and/or isn’t responsive to a go-forward cue. A better-mannered horse—whether that’s standing tied, leading, or loading—will always be easier to handle, even when he’s…

you should know / horseandrider.com Al Dunning Makes Hall of Fame! Longtime H&R contributor Al Dunning was recently inducted into the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame. Check out his Problem Solved department starting on page 32 to learn more from him. Andrea Fappani’s Secrets to Success Learn from the best by heading to HorseandRider.com and watching Andrea Fappani’s video series brought to you by Polyglycan. • Get Your Horse’s Mind FocusedBefore you jump right into your horse’s warm-up, it’s important to first get his mind focused on you. Learn how Fappani gets his horses ready for the day. • The Fundamentals of a Good StopHave you ever wondered how Fappani gets his horses to stop the way they do? It all starts with the basics. • The Importance of Pattern…

Experience a new level of convenience in organizing your riding gear with the Easy-Up saddle rack ($259.99; sstack.com). Its space-efficient design sits flush against the wall, offering large-capacity storage for up to five saddles and eight pads. The system is notably easy to assemble, featuring hook-on saddle racks and pad rods, with a sturdy base for stable support. This is a must-have tool for anyone wanting to maintain a tidy tack room. Tack Room Transformation When you need to clean up the clutter in the tack room, these items will help. 1. Boot Bag With its tough nylon shell and PVC mesh on the sides and bottom to help dirt escape, this bag will keep all your horse’s leg gear in one place. $54.99; classicequine.com. 2. Winter Blanket Hanger The…

To complete a pattern while presenting a pretty picture to the judge, you must be able to connect with your horse every step of the ride. And the best way to keep that connection with your horse is to engage with his mind before it’s time to head to a show. If you do your homework ahead of time, you can use that connection to ensure that you have control in the arena, no matter the situation. Engage with Exercise Connection starts with the baseline you set at home. What you do at home is so important because you don’t want to wait until you get to a horse show to change up your riding routine and cause frustration. By having control of your horse’s body, you also have control…

Whether you embark on your next trail ride with the intention of relaxing in nature, letting your horse decompress from arena work, see new sights, or put both of your skills to the test in rugged country, take time to evaluate your horse’s fitness level first. For some riders, a leisurely stroll down a trail is enough to bring you contentment and joy. Others seek out more rugged terrain and crave adventure and new country. Regardless of your trail riding goals, I’m going to give you a few things to look for when evaluating your horse’s fitness for trail riding—and how to choose a trail horse that fits your needs. When purchasing a trail horse, I recommend you take certain factors into account. Here are some tips to determine your…

Owning a horse is filled with daily challenges. The list is extensive, from ensuring your horse’s health and cleanliness to maintaining an organized and functional barn. However, there are barn hacks to make these daily tasks a breeze. Transform your everyday barn chores into smooth, hassle-free experiences. Think outside the box, and make your life simpler and more efficient. From keeping your horse’s tack tidy to lighting up your barn so you’re not stuck fumbling in the dark, these barn hacks are designed for horse owners who value efficiency and simplicity. These solutions aren’t just about making chores easier but about improving your barn life, saving money, and giving you back more time to spend with your horse. HACK #1 Wash Rack on the Go What’s the Hack? When a…

‘The biggest thing we all try to accomplish is to be a better horseman. That will lead to all the other things we want to accomplish…I think we need to always try to be better, or you’re going to get left behind. And that’s the beauty of it too; it’s never going to get old or boring, because there’s always something new you can learn.’ —Linde von Koeding on The Ride, a podcast by Horse&Rider, available to stream or download wherever you listen to podcasts.…