Innholdsfortegnelse for Bonus Issue 2025 i Horse & Rider

➞ Traditional stock horse training methods dictate that you go from the snaffle to the hackamore to the two-rein and finally to the bridle. Two-rein classes at National Reined Cow Horse events and stock horse shows highlight this training phase, but many riders choose to skip it, especially if their horse isn’t responding great in the hackamore. If you choose to go through the two-rein phase, it’s critical that you do it correctly so your horse responds as he should once he’s in the bridle. Incorrect implementation of the two-rein can lead to undesirable responses such as head-tossing and mouth-gaping. Equipment The two-rein consists of a bosalito with a mecate and a bridle with a romal. The bosalito serves to remove some of the worry a horse might experience when…

➞ IN JUDGING CONFORMATION, I always look at the four categories of overall balance, structural correctness, breed and sex quality, and muscling. I first notice which horses set themselves apart, then analyze what I like about them, asking myself a series of questions about each horse’s positives and negatives to make sure I’m correct in my initial impressions. The quality category, judged on breed and sex characteristics, is an important consideration, especially for classes of stallions or mares. However, that category cannot override the categories of balance and structural correctness, since athletic performance is at the core of what I’m looking for. A mare’s femininity will attract the eye, but she must have balance and correctness as her foundation. I’m still looking for the overall best combination of all four…

Think about how you feel after a good night’s sleep. Rested, alert, and ready to take on the world. Now imagine a morning when you were up all night, disturbed by a party at the neighbor’s house, awakened by your kids coming in late at night, or just unable to turn off your brain from thinking about all the things on your to-do list. Tired, crabby, and wishing you could just check out for the day. Not such a great feeling, right? Guess what? Your horse feels the same way! You may not think he sleeps that much, but sleep is just as important for his well-being as it is for yours. Sleep is a critical component of both mental and physical good health. It allows the body time to…

BARRY DENTON SAYS IT’S a good thing that I’m not a dog trainer. My dog is spoiled, coddled, and refuses to come when called. She’ll come to anyone else, but not me. My horses, on the other hand, are the very best-behaved: respectful, thoughtful, and eager to please. It’s very clear as to why this is. But why does this matter? It matters a great deal if you want to stay safe, be a successful competitor, or just become a better rider. Lessons Learned Having been raised on a ranch from the time I was a child, there are so many experiences that have shaped the horsewoman I am today. Our ranch horses were tough, smart, and hard working. They each had their quirks. Some were impossible to catch before…

Identifying the Issue If your horse has symptoms of osteoarthritis, it’s best to get him examined as soon as possible, as early identification can significantly improve care and maintenance. Even if you suspect OA, you’ll want to have your veterinarian complete an exam to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other causes of lameness. They’ll likely start with a lameness evaluation and x-rays, and if needed, will recommend imaging, such as CT, MRI, or a PET scan. Your vet may also recommend diagnostic arthroscopy. Either way, imaging will help your vet identify narrowed joint space, indicating cartilage breakdown, bony growths, or excess joint fluid, all of which are indicators of osteoarthritis. Navigating Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition that occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning on the ends…

Whether you’re sliding into the pen for a reining pattern, loping in the arena for horsemanship, or trotting in for your ranch riding pattern, your performance begins outside the arena. The time you spend before or after your ride, during warm-up and cool-down, sets the tone for the rest of your show day and is also crucial for your horse’s long-term health. Learn why and how to implement show-day routines. Build the Habit Warm-up and cool-down routines aren’t just for the show. The best warm-up and cool-down routines resemble what you already do at home. Create a ritual that you can follow during practice and at the show, as it’ll give your horse a sense of comfort in familiarity, even in a new environment. It also helps you get focused…

➞ Confidence around cattle has never been a problem for a kid raised on a South Dakota ranch. Sorting between 4,500 and 8,500 cattle every day ingrained many of the basics I still fall back on when competing in Cinch RSNC ranch sorting events. However, when a rider is new to ranch sorting, there are a few check boxes I use to determine their confidence working cattle and their skill levels on the back of a horse. Find the Right Fit To gain the confidence you need to sort cattle, you must have a horse that fits your skill level; a horse that isn’t going to intimidate you but instead teach you how to be comfortable around cattle. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who are in your…

➞ The idea is simple. In this exercise, your horse learns to follow what you’re looking at. But it’s not just your eyes he’s following; it’s your whole body. When you shift your focus, even slightly, your horse should feel that change in your body position and respond to it. It might take some time for your horse to fully understand where you’re asking him to go, but the more you incorporate this drill into your riding routine, the more in tune your horse is going to become with these subtle shifts in body position, and the more confidently he’ll be able to respond. While this kind of connection is useful in everyday riding, it’s going to show up in big ways in the show pen. If my horse can…

➞ For an inexperienced rider, the warm-up pen can represent a place of anxiety and fear, which doesn’t set up anyone for a good day with their horse. Whether at a show or a playday, set up your rider for success with a little practice at home and watchful eyes at the event. Practice With Other Riders Kids won’t know what to expect unless they get a taste of it at home. We try to duplicate the show experience at home with a variety of riders in the arena, from walk-trot kids to more advanced horsemen, so it’s as close to a real event warm-up pen as possible. Then we work on things like passing, riding left shoulder to left shoulder when going in opposite directions, staying on the rail…

When the NRCHA introduced a provisional class called beginning fence work in 2020, it filled a crucial gap for riders ready to move beyond boxing but not yet ready for full fence runs. Now officially known as box-drive, this class has become a popular steppingstone for non-pro riders eager to level up their skills in a more approachable way. The box-drive class gives competitors the opportunity to build confidence by boxing a cow, driving it down the fence, and boxing again, without the added complexity of making turns or circling. It’s a class designed to develop feel, timing, and cow sense in a controlled setting while still capturing the thrill of working down the fence. In this article, we’ll break down what the box-drive class entails, what to expect when…