Horse & rider 4 17 by glsense

BREED YOUR MARE? ANSWER 6 QUESTIONS FIRST

WESTERN TRAINING HOW-TO ADVICE

APRIL 2017

Your Dream Barn

• Innovative New Implements, Products • Tips For A Fresh, Clean Barn • Promote Paddock Use Manage Your Horse’s Arena Anxiety

STUMBLEBUM? Here’s The Fix

Avoid Mistakes Amateur Riders Make Use Poles For Better Impulsion & Collection

Quarter Horse gelding Huntin The Blues

#Youholdmyheart aqha.com/myheart

TableofContents

April 2017

On the Cover Breed Your Mare? Dream-Barn Innovations Tips for a Fresh Barn Promote Paddock Use Stumblebum? Here’s Fix Amateur-Rider Mistakes Use Poles for Impulsion Manage Arena Anxiety

56 43 26 14 64 35 31 73

Barn Life, Made Easy Who doesn’t want the barn

11 From the Editor: Fancy barns. 12 We Hear You: Senior horses. 14 Whole Horse Q&A: Getting a mare to go out in her paddock. 16 Your Stories: Mare? Gelding?

to be a little spifﬁer, and barn chores a little easier? Here are nine innovations that might be just the right ﬁt for your horses’ home and the

YOUR HORSE YOUR LIFE

set-up on your property.

19 We’d Love to Own: 2011 AQHA gelding The Company You Keep. 20 Talk: Learn from a master. 22 Health: Spring grazing times. 24 Solutions: Baking-soda magic. 26 Horsekeeping: Fresh, clean barn. 28 Style: Lightweight spring jacket.

By Heather Smith Thomas

PRACTICE PEN 31 Private Lesson: The Knabenshues on riding a cloverleaf over poles. 35 Bob Avila’s Winning Insights: Mistakes non-pro riders make. 39 Conformation Clinic: 2- and 3-year-old Quarter Horse geldings.

73 Problem Solvers: Build conﬁdence in a nervous pattern horse. 80 You Said It: The dream barn you’d have if money were no object.

Thinking of breeding your mare? Ask

a potentially dangerous behavior that

yourself these six crucial questions be-

needs addressing. Here’s how.

fore you make that important decision.

By Clinton Anderson,

By Barb Crabbe, DVM

With J. Forsberg Meyer

To Breed, or Not to Breed?

Curing a Stumbler Is your horse a stumblebum? If so, it’s

On the cover: Huntin The Blues, a 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding owned by Karen Dolen of New York. With prior owner Caroline Cavallo, of St. Louis, Missouri, ‘Tuffy’ campaigned successfully in amateur horsemanship, showmanship, and trail. Photo by Mallory Beinborn April 2017 HorseandRider.com 5

Are You Happy With Your Fly Control?

Fly Predator Customers Are! ®

Volume LVI, Number 4 Editor Jennifer Paulson Senior Editor Jennifer Forsberg Meyer Assistant Editor Nichole Chirico Contributing Editor Barb Crabbe, DVM Alana Harrison Jennifer von Geldern Art Director Adam Purvis Contributing Photographer Mallory Beinborn Editorial Inquiries (303) 253-6409 HorseandRider@aimmedia.com Subscription Inquiries/ Address Changes/Back Issues: horse&rider@emailcustomerservice.com (877) 717-8928 (U.S. and Canada) or (386) 447-6306 P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142 Web Site Address HorseandRider.com Circulation Director Dana Raven Director of Retail Sales Susan A. Rose PRODUCTION Group Production Director Barb Van Sickle bvansickle@aimmedia.com Production Manager Diane Paolini HorseandRiderProduction@aimmedia.com Prepress Manager Joy Kelley Prepress Specialist Galen Nathanson Idania Mentana

43,000 Customer Reviews Prove It The comments you’ll see on our website come from the “Report Card” we send to every customer. We ask them to give Fly Predators a “grade” (A to F) on how good a job they were doing. This is the largest ongoing fly control satisfaction survey, with over 43,000 responses to date. Of these thousands, in 2016 90% reported “hardly a fly” (an A), “a few flies” (a B) or “better than before using Fly Predators” (a C), with A’s and B’s at 67%. See those nearest you at: spalding-labs.com/8yaad Fly Predators control flies over the entire property, with an easy monthly application, costing as little as $2-$4 per horse during warm months. What grade would you give your fly control last year? How much did it cost?

Make The Switch: Save Money, Save Time And Plan To Be Happier

Horse&Rider Editorial Ofﬁce 5720 Flatiron Parkway Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 253-6409

Executive Chairman CEO & President Executive Vice President of Operations

Efrem Zimbalist III Andrew W. Clurman

Patricia B. Fox

Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and CFO

Michael Henry

Senior Vice President Digital and Data

Jonathan Dorn

Vice President, Equine Group

David Andrick

Vice President, Controller

Joseph Cohen

Vice President, Research

Kristy Kaus

Vice President, Information Technology

Nelson Saenz

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HorseandRider.com April 2017

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This Month @

HorseandRider.com Vice President/Group Publisher David Andrick dave.andrick@EquiNetwork.com Associate Group Publisher Mitch Miller (303) 644-3782 mmiller@aimmedia.com ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Rick Swan (480) 471-4671 rswan@aimmedia.com Advertising Representatives Christian Leatham (508) 461-9611 cleatham@aimmedia.com Michelle Adaway (859) 619-8263 madaway@aimmedia.com Kathy Dando (717) 303-3793 kdando@aimmedia.com Tom Brazil (805) 379-8729 tbrazil@aimmedia.com Susan Lee (540) 905-9111 slee@aimmedia.com Benjie Lemon (303) 625-1667 blemon@aimmedia.com

When to Breed Before you breed your mare, take time to learn about ﬁve-panel genetic testing to help you make an informed breeding decision and answer the question “should I breed my mare?”

Shelley L. Partridge (859) 327-7057 spartridge@aimmedia.com Keith Cunningham, Automotive/Truck Representative (248) 763-0526 kcunningham@aimmedia.com

No More Stumbling

Safety First

Go to our Web site to watch Clinton Anderson work with a horse that tends to stumble, after reading “Curing a Stumbler” on page 64.

If you keep your horse at home, review our safety checklist to ensure that your barn is safe for both you and your horse this spring.

Classiﬁed Advertising Warren Wilson (760) 546-1192; fax (760) 546-1459 hr@aimclassiﬁeds.com Advertising Information Manager Judy Howard Advertising Coordinator Alicia Smith

Scoop on Poop

Products That Work

In Whole Horse Q&A, read about a mare that only eliminates in her stall, then see what your horse’s manure can tell you about his health.

Read “Hey! It Works” on our Web site to learn about products for you and your horse that performed as promised when put to the test.

Digital Advertising Operations Manager Ron Goldy rgoldy@aimmedia.com

To sell copies of Horse&Rider in your store, please contact Active Interest Media Customer Service, (800) 365-5548 We assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts

We love hearing from you! Send all high-resolution images for Conformation Clinic; Problem Solvers questions; and any feedback, ideas, photos, and letters to HorseandRider@aimmedia.com. Or mail correspondence to 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

and/or artwork, which must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

American Horse Publications Alliance for Audited Media

Illustration by June Brigman

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NEW

From the Editor

™

By Jennifer Paulson

Fancy Barns THIS LINE OF WORK TAKES ME TO COUNTLESS dream barns. From over-the-top fancy (chandeliers, posh lounges, and matching everything) to fancy-functional (every gadget serves a purpose, expert organization, and superclean). It’s enough to make a girl have serious barn envy. In an effort to keep my green monster in check, I think back to my early horse-crazy days, when I didn’t have the luxury of keeping my horses at home. A little perspective helps me appreciate what I have.

From One Pasture to Another When my mom returned to horse life after a motherhood-induced hiatus, she boarded her 2-year-old gelding at a nice barn (the one with the lesson pony that launched me into a fence) not too far from our home. But when my brother and I finally got our first horse, paying two full-care boarding bills wasn’t feasible. Lucky for us, even in our suburban area, unused horse property wasn’t scarce. We kept our horses in open pastures (our car’s trunk became a tack room) and places with paddocks and small feed/tack rooms. While I appreciated just having horses, I dreamed of having our horses at home.

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Finally, a Home Barn That dream came true when we moved out of town onto an acreage with a fourstall barn, a tack room, hay storage, an arena. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I could ride virtually any time I wanted. I even looked forward to cleaning stalls every day (still a favorite chore). Our modest cinderblock barn wasn’t anything over-the-top, but it was ours. Our family’s horses still stay at my parents’ place. The barn’s been in our family for 20-plus years now, so it has some wear and tear. But it’s still in pretty good shape. It got a new roof last year, along with new dirt in the runs off the stalls. Our past boarding situations have made us well aware of how lucky we are to have a little place of our own to keep our horses and our gear.

Barn Envy Used for Good While I still envy those highly functional and pristine barns, I try to use what I see there to improve our horses’ situation. I look for tricks that increase a barn’s functionality, implements that make jobs easier, and ideas I can borrow to spruce up our place. You’ll find such suggestions in “Barn Life, Made Easy” on page 43. We also offer tips for keeping your barn fresh and clean (page 26), and Solutions (page 24) always has a few tricks to use around the barn, too. What’s your best tip for making your barn more functional? Be sure to include your home state when you send your tricks to me at the email address below. We’ll look forward to sharing some of them in future issues.

™

Strong bonds are built with great care. You can reach Jennifer Paulson at jpaulson@aimmedia.com. Photo by Mallory Beinborn

©2017 Farnam Companies, Inc. Farnam with design and Strong bonds are built with great care are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc. PuriShield with design and Purifect are trademarks of BioCare Animal Products, 17-10096A April LLC. 2017 HorseandRider.com 11

back to real work after being pampered by an 8-year-old for a few months. LAURA PHILLIPS, Connecticut

My gelding (above) is 27 this year. He’s now fully retired after being a wonderful family horse for 25 of his 27 years. I’ve always given him hoof supplement to help his thin hoof walls, and with age we added a pelleted multivitamin, corn oil, and a cup of Devil’s Claw Yucca to help with his aches and pains. He still has a spark in his eyes and enjoys romping in the field with his younger pasture-mates (two 12-year-old mares). Every horse shows his age differently. The key is to pay attention to your own horse and know when it’s time to retire him.

UGH

Know Your Senior

STE R

SUE WATSON, Washington

John Lyons’ Bringing Up Baby: 20 Progressive GroundWork Lessons in Developing Your Young Horse into a Reliable, Accepting Partner

A Bay Mix-Up In February’s “Seniors That Still Have It,” we mistakenly included a photo of Zippos Gold Command (Kosmo) instead of Artful Investment (Artie). Here’s Artie at work at Silver Spur Riding School, where he and Kosmo spend their retirement teaching kids to ride and care for horses. Bottom photo by Jennifer Paulson

In 20 lesson plans you will use stress-free conditioned response techniques to teach your youngster groundwork basics. Whether your plans are to compete or ride the trails, you and your youngster will benefit for the skills, confidence, trust and communication you will gain from this progressive training program. Paperback, 100 pp. $19.95

THE EQUINE NETWORK STORE Official store for Horse & Rider Magazine

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Whole Horse Q&A

Mare Won’t Use Her Paddock Her barn-mates use their paddocks, but she hangs out—and eliminates—in her stall only.

My barn has box stalls and large, shady paddocks. My two geldings usually eliminate outside, but my 5-year-old mare stays in her stall 24/7 in all weather. She eliminates there, then walks through it, creating a mess that requires frequent cleanings. When I work her in a nearby pen, she doesn’t seem to mind being outside. Would feeding her in her paddock, instead of her stall, encourage her to go out more? STACY HAWES, Ohio

It sounds as if you’ve provided a great environment for your horses, with options of being inside or heading outside for

visual stimulation and exposure to the elements if they choose. Two of your horses take advantage of this and eliminate in that location, as well.

nates there, which is normal under the circumstances (see box). To get your mare using her outdoor space more, make that area more inviting for her. Putting food and water outside is a good method if she’s willing to go outside to eat and drink. If she does, she’ll start associating this area with good things, plus become more likely to start eliminating there, saving you work and bedding. If she’s too fearful to go outside, however, then it would be dangerous to That’s a boon to the cleaning process— place her food and water there, as she plus saves on shavings. might wind up not eating or drinking Your young mare, however, seems to for a few days, which can lead to probfeel safer or at least more comfortable lems like dehydration or even colic. If in her stall. She therefore also elimi-

Make that area more inviting for your mare.

Photo by Dana Bolton

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Where Do They ‘Go’? Most horses don’t like to eliminate on hard surfaces and will instead choose a softer, more absorbent area to do their business. They also tend to eliminate in the areas where they most often walk and eat. Only stallions commonly interrupt what they’re doing to eliminate in a speciﬁc area; these are known as “stud piles.

this is the case, you need to scrutinize the paddock area and beyond “through your mare’s eyes” and become a bit of a behaviorist yourself. Look for anything that might seem frightening to her. Maybe the other horses are too close to her, and there’s social conflict. In that case, changing her to a different stall could help. Maybe you have predators in the area. If so, ask her to go outside only during the day when she feels safe, and you might even close the stall door at night. Maybe there

are nearby sounds that are frightening her, and you could simply leave some music playing to help distract her. Start routinely haltering her and leading her outside to the paddock. As you do, observe her body language. Is she relaxed and calm, or alert? Does she follow her regular cues, or does she refuse to do so or seem distracted? If she’s alert and refuses to comply with cues, then she’s likely frightened. If she’s calm, begin grooming her in the paddock, especially if she enjoys being

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groomed. You can also do some clicker and target training in her paddock. (Review “Click to Motivate Your Horse” at HorseandRider.com.) Once she’s comfortable in the paddock, start providing fewer or no shavings in the stall, instead creating an inviting area in the paddock with shavings and/or sand to encourage her to eliminate outside. JEANNINE BERGER, DVM, DACVB Director of Behavior Resources San Francisco SPCA

HorseandRider.com “Read” your horse’s manure for health clues.

Send horse health and behavior questions to jfmeyer@aimmedia.com. Include horse’s age, breed, gender.

Ask your vet.

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April 2017 HorseandRider.com 15

Your Stories

A Gelding, a Mare, a Lesson Does a mare or gelding make a better riding horse? This reader found the right answer. By Denise Robertson

grew up in a family of horse people. My parents rode endlessly, teaching me the ropes when I was old enough to walk. I got my own horse when I was still in single digits. Though many different horses passed through our little family ranch, all of them had one thing in common. They were all geldings. Though a lover of all horses, my dad was a firm believer that geldings make better mounts. According to his credo, they were safer and easier to train, plus didn’t come with the “moody baggage,” as he called it. “With a gelding, you always know which horse you’re taking out of the pasture,” he’d say. “With a mare, you never know.” As an adult, I heard variations of this wisdom from other horse owners, too. Those with geldings would swear they were better than mares. But mare owners would stick up for their choices, too. “A mare will take care of you better than a gelding will,” they’d say. They’d admit that, yes, their girls often were moody, but that didn’t change how they felt about them.

Seeking a Gelding CRUELDENIM.COM

16 HorseandRider.com April 2017

A few years after having to say goodbye to my most beloved friend, a large Quarter Horse gelding named Daily, I found myself looking for another horse. I’d taken the time we horse people need to mend from a loss like that, but now I began perusing the ads with increasing fervency. My desire for another horse became a need, then a craving. Still, I stayed true to what my father

The author with her AQHA mare, Belle.

had taught me and steered clear of mares. I test-rode many geldings without finding quite what I was looking for. It was frustrating. Finally, my resolve began to weaken. Soon I found myself glancing sideways at the mare section of the ads. As I went through the list of available horses there, I actually began seriously considering a mare. Then, on a warm spring morning, I came across an ad that riveted my attention. A 7-yearold Paint mare named Cherokee was staring back at me from a Craigslist ad. Something about her said I needed to go look…even though my dad’s words were reverberating in my head. “I’m just gonna look,” I told myself. The next day, however, I trailered her home, convinced I’d found the horse for me. But she wasn’t. After a few expensive trainers and a broken wrist, I faced the fact that this horse and I weren’t a good match. Naturally, the whole “mare thing” was echoing uncomfortably in my mind. Still, I was sure this horse’s issue wasn’t her sex. We just weren’t Photo courtesy of Denise Robertson

good together. I was fortunate to find someone she did match better, and went back to searching. This time, though, I planned to stick with what I knew best…geldings. I kept saying the Paint’s mare-ness hadn’t been the problem, but still. I was gun-shy.

Choosing a Mare Six months later I met and fell in love with my equine soul-mate. Belle is a 16-year-old Quarter Horse mare and an ex-racehorse (another thing my dad said to stay away from). But my beautiful Belle has never done anything wrong. She’s absolutely perfect, if there is such a thing. If I want to ride, we ride. If I want to lope, we lope. If I want to sit in the grass and hold her rope while she grazes, she’s OK with that, too. Way past our honeymoon period, we’ve become inseparable. I guess I’d say she has the courage and brilliance of a mare and the kind soul of a gelding. Every moment I spend with her, I think how my preconceived ideas could’ve stopped me from finding her. So, if you’re considering buying a horse, look for one thing and one thing only. Not color, not sex, not size, or even age. Look for your perfect match. As Belle and I ride the trails, my dad is looking down from heaven, smiling and shaking his head. He’s happy I found my horse, but he can’t believe I chose a mare. Denise Robertson lives with her husband, Jack, in Squaw Valley, California. She enjoys her job as a registered veterinary technician and hospital manager at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, where she gets to work with exotic animals of all species. Denise enjoys her time away from work, as well, doing anything horse-related with her husband and four horses, including Belle.

Have a poignant, humorous, or educational story to share? E-mail jfmeyer@ aimmedia.com; 675-word maximum.

John Lyons’ Troubleshooting In this outstanding guide to anticipating and managing horse behavioral and training issues renowned trainer and clinician John Lyons-teaches readers how to “troubleshoot” common problems such as spooking, running away, rearing, kicking, head-shyness, balking at water, refusing to load, and more. Paperback, 224 pp., On Sale! $19.95

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Mallory Beinborn Photo by Photo MallorybyBeinborn

The Company You Keep Details: 2011 AQHA gelding by One Hot Krymsun and out of Zipped Tight, by Zippo Pine Bar. Barn name: George. Owned and shown by: Angela Fox of Oak Point, Texas. Trained and shown by: Highpoint Performance Horses of Pilot Point, Texas. Curious George: “He’s very mischievous,” Angela laughs. “He gets into just about everything; his personality reminds me of a cartoon character. We’ve learned that you can’t leave standing wraps on him at night because he likes to rip them off immediately and chew on them.” Play time: When George isn’t competing at horse shows, he makes the most of his turnout time in the pasture. “He’s not a peaceful grazer. He’d rather visit with everyone or run and play the entire time,” Angela shares. Game for anything: Angela and George compete in the amateur all around, and she says that George’s willingness to do anything is the reason he’s become such a great mount for her. Brought back gold: The team captured gold last year at the AQHA World Championships in amateur showmanship—a favorite event for the duo. “I’ve always loved the showmanship, and I did a lot of the training on him,” Angela explains. “He’s a light-contact horse, which is great for the backing and trotting elements, and he has a lot of show-ring presence.” Unique nicker: “When George sees me walk into the barn, he sticks his head out of his stall and nickers,” she says with a smile, “but it’s not a regular nicker it’s more of a scream—it’s pretty funny. He’ll do that until I pull him out to go ride.” …Nichole Chirico

HorseandRider.com See Angela and George in action at a past AQHA World Championship Show. April 2017 HorseandRider.com 19

YourHorse YourLife

TALK Sit in on an Al Dunning clinic by watching videos now available at Horse andRider.com.

Other 5%

At a Family/ Friend’s Place 10% At My Trainer’s Barn or a Boarding Facility 31% On My Own Property 54% GALLOP POLL

Horsekeeping Arrangement?

Learn From a Master Looking for great insights from a master horseman? Check out the new video series ﬁlmed last fall at “Beginning to Winning,” a clinic conducted by Al Dunning at his Almosta Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. The videos focus on ranch riding pattern evaluations plus training and tack tips. Find the series at HorseandRider.com by searching #RideWithAl, or simply check the “Latest Videos” section midway down the home page for these and other outstanding videos on riding, training, and horsekeeping.

We asked which option best describes how you keep your horses. Above is a breakdown of the responses we received. For the latest in fencing and barn innovations, see page 43. (To participate in future polls, “like” us at our Facebook page.)

HUGE TRADE SHOW

A Riding Coach’s Reference

Number of retailers on hand for the 2017 Equine Affaire April 6–9 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus—as well as more than 200 seminars, demonstrations, and clinics (equineaffaire.com).

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20 HorseandRider.com April 2017

“Learn From a Master” photo by Jennifer Paulson

Now available: The Equine Professional Manual: The Art of Teaching Riding, published by the Certiﬁed Horsemanship Association. Written by a host of horse-industry experts, the 208-page guide is designed for anyone who teaches riding, from seasoned coaches to ﬁrst-year instructors, and includes discussions of learning styles, teaching styles, sample lesson plans, safety concerns, and stretches for the rider. Learn more: Go to http://bit.ly/chamanual or call the association (859) 259-3399.

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YourHorse YourLife

HE ALTH

Arenus Colic Assurance

Spring Grazing Times If springtime means transitioning your horse from hay to pasture, do it gradually to allow your horse’s digestive system to adapt. If your horse is insulin-resistant, grazing time and duration can make the difference between soundness and a disabling condition like laminitis. Temperature and sunlight affect levels of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) accumulation in grass; too much NSC is especially risky for horses with metabolic issues. Basic guidelines: (1) When the night temperature is below 40 degrees F, grass will be too high in NSC. (2) Once the night temperature gets above 40 degrees F, the lowest NSC level is before the sun rises. (3) NSC levels tend to be highest in late afternoon, after a sunny day. Thus in moderate climates, spring grazing tends to be safest before dawn until approximately 10 a.m., then again at night starting at about 11 p.m. (gettyequinenutrition.com).

MUSCLE TREMORS, WEAKNESS

56%

Proportion of Quarter Horse halter bloodlines carrying the gene for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP). (For more on breeding-decision dilemmas, see page 56.)

Barn smarts: Stall doors should never swing inward—a hazard for someone trying to exit when a horse is also eager to get out. Side-sliding doors mounted on rollers are safest. (For more tips, see “Perform a Barn Safety Check” at HorseandRider.com.)

22 HorseandRider.com April 2017

The lowdown: Arenus has introduced a colic insurance plan that makes qualiﬁed horses eligible for up to $10,000 in lifetime reimbursement beneﬁts for surgical and non-surgical colic treatment. Key link: The Colic Assurance Program is a natural progression from the company’s line of Assure System products, which include digestive aids combining pre- and probiotics, enzymes, yeast, and psyllium to support digestive health. Learn more: Visit arenus.com or call (866) 791-3344.

Natural Pain Relief? The lowdown: Absorbine’s new Bute-Less Performance pellets are designed to manage your horse’s occasional stiffness, soreness, and discomfort associated with training and competition. How it works: A blend of curcumin and other natural, show-safe ingredients aim to relieve inﬂammation, support GItract health, aid muscle recovery, and protect against free-radical damage. Learn more: Go to absorbine.com and click on “Supplements.”

“Spring Grazing Times” photo by Alana Harrison

Springtime means foals, green grass, and extra care for pasture turnout.

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YourHorse YourLife

SOLUTIONS

Find a healthy treat even your pickiest eater will enjoy.

Healthy Horse Treats The problem: Your horse is a picky eater with treats. The find: SmartPak’s SmartCookies. The details: SmartPak’s new SmartCookies are a healthy and tasty alternative for an everyday treat. They currently come in two flavors, ChiaMint and Guilt-Free Carrot Cake, and include coconut meal, beet pulp, alfalfa, and flaxseed oil in their list of healthy, tasty ingredients. Bonus: This treat’s size and texture makes it easy for your senior horse to enjoy. And they smell delicious! More info: Starting at $12.95; smartpak.com.

Keep Pads in Place Avoid having your horse’s pad end up in the dirt by applying vet wrap to your pad rack. The vet wrap helps grip your pad and hold it in place—so it doesn’t end up on the ground. Going to a horse show or for a trail ride? Don’t forget to vet wrap your trailer’s pad rack to keep your pads in place while you’re headed down the road.

Stay connected with your horse at all times with Equisense Care (equisense .com). This tech device can be worn year round, and you can choose between a lightweight, breathable one for summer, or go with one that covers more of your horse and protects his shoulders from his winter blanket. Monitor your horse when he’s moving, follow his daily stress levels, and keep an eye on his health at all times with the app that connects to your phone—it’ll even alert you if colic is suspected. The app works two ways: Use it without a subscription to receive all of your horse’s data once your phone is connected by Bluetooth to the sensor he’s wearing, or buy a monthly subscription for real-time data access and to be alerted if your horse’s health has any changes.

Using Baking Soda Next time you’re at the store stock up on baking soda to help your barn look—and smell—clean. Buckets Give your horse’s water and feed buckets a good spring cleaning. Add baking soda to water to create a paste then scrub with a brush.

Sheets Remove stains from your horse’s sheet by dampening the stained area with water, then add baking soda and use a towel or brush to clean.

24 HorseandRider.com April 2017

Bits Create a paste using baking soda and water, and apply to your horse’s bit using a sponge or cloth. Once clean, rinse with cold water.

Stalls Use baking soda to help deodorize your horse’s stall. Apply a light layer of it over the stall ﬂoor then cover it with fresh shavings.

“Healthy Horse Treats” photo by Jennifer Paulson; “Keep Pads in Place” photo by Jennifer Paulson

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HORSEKEEPING

Keep a Fresh, Clean Barn What’s that sweet smell? With a little planning and ongoing effort, it can be the inside of your barn.

clean, sweet-smelling barn makes for happier horses— healthier, too, as muck that causes bad smells can, over the long term, also damage equine respiratory systems and hooves. Here’s what you need to consider to ensure you’re maintaining your barn in as fresh a condition as possible.

Adequate drainage. Stalls and pens that drain well ease the cleaning process and reduce mud in wet weather. How your barn is positioned on your property can negatively affect drainage and cause mud problems; in that event, well-placed gutters and downspouts can help to

A clean, fresh-smelling barn is pleasant and healthful for your horse —and for you.

divert runoff and keep mud from accumulating near barn entrances or in stall runs. Proper ventilation. An adequate airﬂow within your barn minimizes ammonia buildup (plus reduces eye and lung irritation from accumulated dust and hay/ bedding particles). If you’re constructing a new barn, work with a farm-building contractor to choose a design that of-

Barn-Fresh Helpers These commercial products are designed to help eliminate ammonia and keep stalls—and your whole barn—sweeter-smelling. • Sweet PDZ: A popular clay/zeolite product available in granular or powder form. Non-hazardous and non-toxic. Captures, neutralizes, eliminates ammonia and odors (sweetpdz.com). • Odor-No-More: A flaky powder consisting of micro-nutrient salts and fine, kiln-dried fiber. Blended to control moisture and odor (odornomore.com). • Stall Dry Plus: Granules of diatomaceous earth and clay plus antimicrobial ingredients. Provides ammonia control and deodorization; helps absorb moisture (absorbentproductsltd.com). • Bye Bye Odor: A non-toxic microbial liquid available as spray or concentrate. Formulated to reduce ammonia levels (spalding-labs.com).

fers sufﬁcient ventilation while avoiding drafts; strategically placed vents and exhaust fans will help. To make do with the barn you already have, keep doors and windows open as much as weather permits, even blanketing your horse if need be to keep him warm in winter in a setup with good cross ventilation. Handy helpers. What if you keep your barn clean, dry, and well ventilated, but want to go that extra mile for the freshest possible effect? Consider one of the many products available to further reduce ammonia and moisture in stalls and other areas of your barn (see box). Barn lime (calcium carbonate, or ground-up limestone) is a less expensive option, though modern products specially designed for use in horse stalls are safer overall and less dusty. (Calcium hydroxide—“hydrated lime”—is caustic and should never be used.)

HorseandRider.com “Seven Steps to Better, Easier Stall Mucking.”

26 HorseandRider.com April 2017

Photo by Nichole Chirico

Regular cleaning. When left overlong in your horse’s stall, the naturally occurring ammonia and other substances in urine and manure can irritate his lungs, contributing to respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and heaves. It can also weaken his hooves. So muck stalls out at least daily, and when you do, dig for urine spots, using a broad shovel to scrape out all wet bedding. Rubber stall mats will enable you to economize on bedding while still keeping your barn nice and clean. (Just be sure mats are installed properly, so urine can’t collect underneath them.)

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YourHorse YourLife

ST YLE STYLE TIP: SHOW-SADDLE CARE

Step 1: Use an air compressor or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust. If needed, wipe saddle down with damp cloth afterward.

Trail-Friendly Jeans

Springtime Jacket It’s time to think about putting your winter coat away and choosing a jacket that’s perfect for springtime layering. Horseware Ireland’s Nessa riding jacket comes in the colors charcoal gray and pool green, and is a lightweight, waterproof topper. The hidden hood comes in handy when you’re stuck catching your horse in the rain, but can be tucked away to dress it up when you’re running around town. When it’s time to get the mud that comes with spring off your jacket, just throw it in the washing machine. More info: $80; horseware.com.

Base Layers This time of year, unpredictable warm/dry and cold/wet weather mean you require a base layer that works well with other layers when you’re riding. Carhartt’s Force Ferndale quarter-zip shirt ($39.99; carhartt.com) works well under a sweatshirt or jacket, or can be worn by itself. This ﬁtted shirt releases stains, so you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty in the barn, and it wicks away sweat so you can stay comfortable for the duration of the day—no matter what barn task you’re completing.

28 HorseandRider.com April 2017

Step 2: Carefully apply polish paste to silver, and use a clean cloth to shine. Don’t let silver cleaner get on leather to avoid damage.

Step 3: When you’re not using it, keep your saddle in a clean saddle bag to avoid dust and sun exposure, which will darken your leather. Avoid: If your show saddle has light-colored leather, avoid using certain saddle soaps that can darken leather. Ask your saddlemaker to see what soap they recommend using with their light leather.

“Springtime Jacket” photo by Lindsey Mulvany; “Trail-Friendly Jeans” photo by Nichole Chirico

Stay dry this spring and incorporate a trendy color into your wardrobe with the help of a lightweight, waterproof jacket.

The situation: Your jeans become uncomfortable during long trail rides or training sessions. The answer: Smooth Stride real riding jeans. The features: The jeans are made in the United States and are designed without any inner-thigh seam, so you can avoid the irritation that comes with wearing jeans on an all-day trail ride. They ﬁt well under a pair of chaps and come in three different lengths. Bonus: These jeans have a built-in pocket on the right thigh to hold your smartphone. More info: $115; smoothstride.com.

THE ONLY THING I FEEL WHEN I RIDE IS FREE.

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Practice Pen PRIVATE LESSON

Cloverleaf Over Poles Use this pattern to practice pole work for trail and enhance your horse’s guide and self-carriage for any riding purpose. By Will and Elizabeth Knabenshue, With Jennifer Paulson Photos by Jennifer Paulson

ole practice is obviously required for horses competing in trail classes and ranch riding, but it also encourages your horse to lift his back and travel with cadence and impulsion (i.e., collection) to avoid hitting poles. Any horse can benefit from being better collected under saddle, so don’t hesitate to try the exercise even if judged trail isn’t your focus. Set up four 12-foot poles in a square in your riding arena. (You can buy garden timbers at a garden-supply store if you don’t have any at home.) You’ll travel over the square in a fourleaf-clover pattern. Outfit your horse in a bit he responds to, and ride with one or two hands on the reins. Two-handed riding helps when you’re starting out, then you can progress to one-handed riding when your horse’s guide improves. This example is shown at a working jog, but you can advance to a lope once you and your horse master it at a jog. →

April 2017 HorseandRider.com 31

Practice Pen PRIVATE LESSON

Finish

Start

Begin by jogging around the box you made with the poles. Work at a forward, rhythmic jog to encourage cadence and self-carriage. This circle around the box is “neutral.” Anytime your horse loses collection or gets frustrated, return to circling around the box until his mind is focused and his body is in position to work over the poles. In this example, the rider circles to the left around the box, and she’ll make left turns every time she exits the box. Be sure to work to the right, too, so you can avoid one-sidedness in your horse. We do find it important to work in one direction all the way through the drill before working the other direction. Once your horse is handy with it, you can change directions as you go along to keep his interest and test his collection. 32

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Plan your entry into the box so that you approach the first pole with your horse straight and in the middle of the pole. Successful overall execution comes from the approach more than anywhere else in the exercise. The same applies when you’re working an obstacle in a trail class. If you’re straight going in, you’ll be straight coming out the other side. As you approach the first pole, look 4 inches on the other side of the pole, inside the box. If you look directly at the pole, that’s where your horse’s foot will land—and he’ll hit the pole.

Ideally, your horse’s first step over the pole (his right foot in this photo) lands the same distance in front of the pole

You can see how this exercise rounds your horse’s back. Keep driving forward and straight at this point. If your horse dives left or right or loses cadence, he’ll hit the pole with his last foot. A straight exit from this obstacle sets up a precise approach to the next one when completing a trail course, so it’s good practice at home. Once your horse clears the pole, trot forward two strides, then turn to the left to make the first “leaf” in the clover pattern, and approach the box from the second side. Be sure to achieve that same straightness and cadence when you ride up to the pole. If your horse leans, ducks, or loses collection, go back to “neutral” and circle the box until he’s back on track. Then try again. Repeat these steps to complete each of the clover’s leaves, and exit on a straight path when complete.

6 as that foot was away from the pole before he made the step. Your horse’s impulsion and cadence are key as he makes his first step into the box. Drive him forward with your legs and seat; don’t let him get lazy as he enters the box.

When trotting through this box, your horse should take four steps between the two poles, inside the box (two if loping). Use your legs to drive him forward and keep him straight as he travels to the second pole. Don’t allow yourself or your horse to anticipate the left turn that comes after you cross the pole. Again, look 4 inches beyond the pole to drive your horse’s first step over without hitting a pole.

Challenge exercise: Start in neutral to achieve cadence and collection, then enter the box closer to one of the sides (instead of centered) to trot a circle inside the box. It gives you a feel for your horse’s stride so you can tell when you need to push him to step a little farther or scale back his stride to cover less ground. Will and Elizabeth Knabenshue, Whitesboro, Texas, grew up showing horses on opposite coasts—Will in Virginia and Elizabeth in California. The two now train all-around horses and coach amateur and youth riders. Will is an AQHA and NSBA judge. Elizabeth is an AQHA World Champion and multiple All American Quarter Horse Congress champion. The couple has trained and coached numerous amateur and youth world champions. April 2017 HorseandRider.com 33

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Practice Pen BOB AVILA’S WINNING INSIGHTS

The Biggest Mistakes Nonpro Riders Make Being a non-pro/amateur rider is challenging. But it can be easier if you avoid making these seven common mistakes.

By Bob Avila, With Jennifer Paulson Photos by Marc Laxineta, DVM

f you’re a non-pro or amateur competitor, horses are most likely your hobby. You enjoy the preparation and showing experience, but you also thrive on improving, learning, and competing. It’s a pretty great way to spend your free time. But there are mistakes I see amateur riders make that hold back your enjoyment and hinder your competitive success. Keep these seven common errors in mind to ensure that you get the most out of every ride.

Mistake #1: Not Riding Enough. I’ve said it many times: The non-pros who ride are the non-pros who win. Granted, there are factors that you can’t control such as the weather, health issues with you or your horse, family emergencies, or work problems. But if you can’t put in at least three days a week in the saddle, then you can’t be disappointed when you don’t mark the highest scores or see your name at the top of the judge’s card. Putting in saddle time at home and in lessons enhances your connection with your horse, so you have a better idea of where he excels and where you might need to help him. It also teaches you to stay out of his way, allows you to learn how much cue he needs for a maneuver, and just plain makes you a better rider.

If you want to be a successful non-pro or amateur competitor, avoid making these seven mistakes, including ignoring your trainer when he’s coaching you.

Mistake #2: Not Focusing in the Saddle. I understand that riding for you is a social event. You probably have friends at the barn and shows who you enjoy spending time with, and you should! This is your hobby and should be fun. But if you come to the barn for an hour and spend 20 minutes catching up with friends, be sure that those 40 minutes in the saddle are completely focused on your horse and your trainer, if you’re having a lesson. If you have an extra-chatty friend, let her know that you’ll have time to visit after your lesson, but your horse is your priority when you’re riding. And leave your phone in the truck or tack room. You can live without your text messages, emails, phone calls, and social-media posts for 40 minutes.

Mistake #3: Self-Sabotage. If your horse is tougher to change leads,

for example, you might be inclined to ride into the arena hoping you can get your lead change. If that’s your thought process, you can be sure you’ll have problems. Worrying about the negative instead of focusing on the positive sets you up to fail. It’s called a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” If you think a bad situation is going to happen, it probably will. Instead, project in your mind the best run you can realistically have. If your horse usually marks around a 71 in a reining pattern, visualize the best 71 you can achieve. Focus on the positive rather than the negative, and you’ll have a better chance of success.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Your Trainer. You pay an instructor hard-earned money to teach you to ride, train your horse, and compete. Why would you throw that money in the garbage by ignoring the person you pay to educate you? SomeApril 2017 HorseandRider.com 35

Practice Pen 2017 EVENT SCHEDULE

BOB AVILA’S WINNING INSIGHTS

March 3-5 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Conyers, GA March 24-26 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Lexington, VA March 31-April 10 10-Day Fundamentals Clinic Stephenville, TX May 6-7 Walkabout Tour Harrisburg, PA May 19-21 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Mason City, IA June 9-11 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Great Falls, MT June 24-25 Walkabout Tour Monroe, WA June 27 - July 7 10-Day Colt Starting Clinic Stephenville, TX July 7-9 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Lynden, WA July 22-23 Walkabout Tour Las Vegas, NV August 26-27 Walkabout Tour Lake St. Louis, MO September 8-10 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Nampa, ID September 15-17 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Eagle, CO October 20-21 Ranch Rally Stephenville, TX November 3-5 3-Day Trail Clinic Stephenville, TX November 10-20 10-Day Intermediate Clinic Stephenville, TX December 15-17 3-Day Fundamentals Clinic Hurricane, UT

www.downunderhorsemanship.com 36

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Take advantage of every learning opportunity that presents itself, from at the barn to in the saddle to sitting in the stands and watching the warm-up pen with your trainer.

times it’s not blatantly ignoring—maybe you’re distracted by your phone or your friends. Or maybe you’re loping around the arena in La La Land, thinking about what you’re going to order for dinner. Either way, pay attention to what your trainer tells you. He’s not speaking (or yelling) to hear his own voice; he’s doing it so you can get the most out of your experience and be successful.

Mistake #5: Succumbing to High Highs and Low Lows. There can be a lot of up and down in horse showing. Amateur riders and pros alike have to learn to take the good with the bad. Part of winning is learning to lose. Part of making great decisions in clutch situations is making mistakes. When you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. Don’t let it haunt you into your next ride. Put it behind you and try again, with more knowledge to draw from. On the opposite side, don’t hang onto your latest win too long, either. Remember the hard work it took to get there, and then put in that much effort, plus more, to exceed your achievement.

Mistake #6: Blacking Out in the Pen. I ask each of my non-pros to tell me about their run when they come out of the pen. If it’s a cow horse class, I ask about boxing, going down the fence, circling up—even what color the cow was. You’d be surprised how many of them black out in the pen and have amnesia when I ask them to recall their performance. When you can focus enough to recall every step in the show pen, then you can learn from each run and start thinking when you’re in the moment of competition. Thinking in the show pen is how you become a winner.

Mistake #7: Missing Learning Opportunities. You can learn from things going on right in front of you every time you’re at the barn, at a horse show, taking a lesson—virtually any time you’re around your horse. I know that horses are your rest and relaxation, so I’m not saying you need to treat all of your barn time like a classroom, but be observant.

Competition has highs and lows. Appreciating your successes and learning from mistakes keeps you on track and positive about your riding.

When you walk into your horse’s stall, pay attention to his demeanor. When grooming, look for scabs or other indicators that he might’ve caught himself on something. While riding, feel his cadence, watch his ears, and look for his response to your cues. You can learn so much about your horse in each of these situations. Furthermore, watch your trainer ride, sit with him as he observes the warm-up pen, ask questions. It’s a great opportunity to understand why he does something or why a horse reacts in a certain way. Capitalize on learning opportunities to push yourself to the next level.

A multiple AQHA world champion, Avila has also won three NRCHA Snafﬂe Bit Futurities, the NRHA Futurity, and two World’s Greatest Horseman titles. He received the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year honor. His Avila Training Stables, Inc., is in Temecula, California. Learn more at bobavila.net.

Cowboy Dressage: Riding, Training and Competing with Kindness as the Goal and Guiding Principle Lifelong horsewoman Jessica Black expertly weaves Eitan Beth-Halachmy’s experience and expertise into an engaging and articulate explanation of the philosophy of Cowboy Dressage; defines the expectations of the rider; and describes what a participant needs in terms of equipment, as well as how the horse should be prepared. Specific descriptions of the Cowboy Dressage tests are provided, with additional tools for those interested in competition, including rules, divisions, and how to execute and judge tests. Paperback, 224pp., #ZF919, $29.95

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Practice Pen CONFORMATION CLINIC

Evaluate and place these 2- and 3-year-old Quarter Horse geldings. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge’s.

Karen Banister Banister has been a carded judge for APHA since 1994. She’s also carded with ApHC, AQHA, NSBA, and PtHA. She’s judged the APHA Youth World Championships and the European APHA Championships, as well as the German and Italian Quarter Horse Championships. Banister and her husband, Marc, started White Harvest Farms in Brighton, Colorado, in 1986. It operates as a breeding, training, boarding, and lesson facility. They coach riders, and breed and train Paints and Quarter Horses for nationallevel competition. They enjoy training national and regional champion hunters and team roping horses.

hen judging conformation, I adhere to the rulebook to judge each horse fairly and on his breed organization’s standards. The AQHA standard is a horse of stock type that’s balanced, structurally correct, attractive with high quality, and well muscled. A horse should be symmetrical from head to tail, with eye appeal that results from the blending of an attractive head; refined throat latch; a well-proportioned, trim neck; long, sloping shoulders; a deep heartgirth; a short, strong back; and long hips and croup. These characteristics are coupled with straight, structurally correct legs and feet that are free of major deviation. The ideal horse is athletic and uniformly well muscled throughout, with well-defined and muscular forearms, chest, shoulders, stifles, and gaskin. Judging horses for conformation from photos is difficult. It doesn’t allow me to walk around them, see them from different angles and distances, or to see them move. For this class of young geldings, I can assess their conformation from only one side, so I try to determine angles and alignment of legs based on this one view. →

For a more detailed guide that’ll help you master Conformation Clinic, see “Decoding Conformation Clinic” at HorseandRider.com.

C April 2017 HorseandRider.com 39

Practice Pen CONFORMATION CLINIC

First: Gelding B

his bay gelding is the best balanced, both front to back and top to bottom, of these three horses. His top-to-bottom-line ratio is excellent, with his back shorter than his underline, which contributes to his athleticism. His overall look conveys an ability to perform, possibly at the professional level. His well-shaped neck is adequately long and trim through the throatlatch, and ties into his chest high enough to

allow him good flexibility. He has good depth of body through the heartgirth, and his shoulders are well sloped for a reaching stride. The angle of his front pasterns matches the angle of his shoulders, which allows his front end to work efficiently and will help keep him sound. His front legs are clean and have substantial bone. He has smooth, athletic muscling throughout his body, and his hindquarter muscling ties into his hocks low and

deep for power in his hind end. His hocks are well set—not too much angle and not too straight—which also gives him power to drive from the hind end and will help him stay sound.

Second: Gelding C

his gelding appears well balanced and useful. He has a good top-to bottom-line ratio—short in the back in relation to his underline. He has an attractive, smooth line in the turn over his croup, and presents a compact, athletic look with good muscling throughout. His neck isn’t as nicely shaped or useful looking as Gelding B’s neck, though. It’s thicker at the throatlatch and ties in lower to his chest, giving him less

flexibility. His shoulders are well sloped, and his front pasterns match that angle for a smooth stride and soundness over time. His legs are clean, but lighterboned than Gelding B’s. He has good length from his point of hip to point of buttock. His muscling carries down his hind leg adequately, and his hocks are well placed under him with a good angle so his hind cannon bones line up plumb to the ground. Though

he has many good attributes and could make a nice performance horse, he lacks the overall substance and well-shaped, effective neck of Gelding B.

shoulders are a bit steep in angle, but his front legs have good, flat knees (not over or back at the knees) and decently sloped pasterns. He has a very steep hip angle, and appears almost concave in the line from the top of his croup down to his tailhead. His hocks appear to be set underneath him well, but their angle is obscured by his tail. Though this horse doesn’t have the attributes we look

for in a top professional performance horse, he could make a nice amateur or youth horse, and could stay sound for many years.

Third: Mare A

Third: Gelding A

his flashy-colored gelding has a lovely, shiny coat and is in great condition. However, he’s the least balanced of the three horses here. If divided into thirds from front to back, which should all be fairly equal, his middle section is too long. His topline is as long as his underline. His neck, though it ties into his chest high and tapers to a trim throatlatch, is “ewe-necked,” a sign of weakness. His

To submit a photo of your horse to be evaluated in Conformation Clinic, send us a left-side proﬁle photo of your horse (for digital photos: high-resolution, 300 dpi, in at least 3" x 5") to HorseandRider@aimmedia.com with your contact info and your horse’s breed, age, gender, and height. (We welcome all breeds!) Visit HorseandRider.com for additional instructions.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

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Adoption Event Schedule April 7-8

Batesville, MS April 7-8

Seguin, TX April 18-22

Internet Adoption April 21 -22

Lumberton, NC April 22

Lorton, VA

44,580 MUSTANGS NEED A HOME.

May 5 - 6

Delphos, OH May 6

Ewing, IL May 18 - 20

Jacksonville, FL Trained Animals Available May 19 - 20

Riverton, WY Trained Animals Available

44,580 MUSTANGS NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU. We are dedicated to ďŹ nding homes for every mustang and burro in holding. And you can help. As a trainer halter train a mustang or burro, ďŹ nd an adopter and you can earn up to $1000 per animal. As an adopter you have the opportunity to adopt a gentled mustang or burro for just $125 per animal. Same fee as a wild animal. Visit MustangHeritageFoundation.org or call 512.869.3225.

Trainer Incentives up to

$1000

Learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program and how you can take a wild horse or burro home. Events are free. Sale-eligible animals are available at some events. Otherwise, animals are available for adoption. Visit BLM.gov

Barn Life, Made Easy Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want barn chores to be a little easier, or the barn to be a little spiffier? Here are nine innovations that might be just the right fit for your horsesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home and your property.

By Heather Smith Thomas

Illustration Big_Ryan/istockphoto.com

April 2017 HorseandRider.com 43

e have a love-hate relationship with barn chores. Sure, we enjoy the time in the barn, watching our horses as we…shovel poop, clean buckets, fix fence, or clean up wasted feed, sometimes in cold, muddy conditions. But there are innovations that can help the “love” part outweigh the dread that sometimes comes along with barn work. Here are nine products to consider trying in your barn, whether you have a small acreage and a few stalls or a larger horse farm with more property to manage.

ClearSpan Fabric Structures The idea: The Hercules Truss Arch Building is ideal for horse or stable owners. These durable buildings provide a clean, dry, safe environment to house your horses, set up an indoor arena, or store feed. The company also offers metal and hybrid buildings, which blend the beneﬁts of metal and fabric structures. How it works: ClearSpan structures are built with ultra-durable, triple-galvanized steel. They’re covered by a polyethylene fabric that lets natural light ﬁlter through, eliminating the need for 44

HorseandRider.com April 2017

artificial daytime lighting. The structure’s design doesn’t require support posts, so there’s maximum usable space, whether it’s for riding, boarding, or storage. The Helical Anchoring System foundation eliminates the need for expensive foundations and cuts construction time and costs significantly. Choose from stock models or customize your order to fit your needs. Learn more: Prices vary by model and design; call (866) 6431010 or visit clearspan.com.

Kubota BX80-Series The idea: These sub-compact, four-wheel-drive, diesel tractors—the BX1880, BX2380, BX2680 (shown), and BX23S—are perfect for small farms and horse facilities for all the jobs that are too big for a wheelbarrow, farm cart, or four-wheeler. How it works: Attachments and implements for any job—including mid-mount mower decks for clipping pastures, operator-friendly front loaders, front- and rear-mounted snow-blowers, and a full line of Land Pride implements—afford user-friendly versatility. The new BX23S comes standard with the LA340 Swift-Tach Loader and new BT603 Swift-Connect Backhoe. This makes attaching the loader or backhoe implements quick and easy. Learn more: Starting at $11,789; learn more at kubota.com.

Horse Walker Walkways The idea: These mats from Linear Rubber provide a smooth surface with good footing for exercising horses on a hot walker. How it works: Walkways are donut-shaped paths for use with horse walkers. The mats create a smooth, level surface and are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. They eliminate any dangerous ruts, mud, and dust as the horse is exercised. These mats are custommade to any diameter and any path width, so Walkways are easily installed over any existing surface. Assembled like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece has precision-cut, interlocking tabs to form the circle of continuous matting. Genuine rubber has a durable surface and is impervious to moisture and resists extreme heat or cold. Learn more: Price varies by size; for details call (800) 558-4040 or visit rubbermats.com. → April 2017 HorseandRider.com 45

Workman GTX The idea: New for 2017, the Toro Workman GTX is a utility vehicle for horse farms that boasts a combination of comfort, utility, and control, making it user-friendly. How it works: “The increased power, improved steering, and exclusive suspension and braking systems make the Workman GTX the most versatile, practical, and comfortable utility vehicle in its class,” says Steve Anderson, founder of

Equine Equipment (learn more about Equine Equipment on page 48). Available in gas or electric models, the Workman GTX features hundreds of configuration options, including front and rear attachments, a flat bed, and a four-seat option. Use it for hauling hay, cleaning stalls, doing farm repairs, or construction. Learn more: Visit toro.com.

Simple Feeding Solutions’ Hay Rack Corner Feeder The idea: This corner feeder works in stalls, lean-tos, and turnout pens or on panels, fences, or barn walls—anywhere there’s a corner, indoors or out. How it works: This corner feeder takes advantage of often-overlooked space so horse owners can maximize any feeding set-up. The Hay Rack includes a metal 24-by24-inch frame that accommodates the Hay Chix hay het (half-bale/full-bale sizes) and hardware, and is quick and easy to install. Once installed, this feeder drastically reduces hay waste. With no closure hardware required, it’s easy to use and saves time. Simply toss in the hay. Learn more: Call (651) 404-7377 or visit haychix.com. 46

HorseandRider.com April 2017

ElectroBraid Fence Wire The idea: ElectroBraid is a permanent electric fence designed especially for horses. It’s both a physical barrier and a psychological deterrent for enclosing pastures and paddocks. It’s highly visible to horses, strong, durable, and resilient. How it works: This fencing material looks like high-quality braided yachting rope. A double helix of copper wire conductors is braided into the outer jacket of the electric fence rope. Three or four strands of “Braid” of ¼-inch diameter are mounted on insulators on any kind of posts. Horse fence posts can be wood, vinyl, or steel, spaced 30 to 50 feet apart. The Braid comes in white, checkered, or black. The ropes of ElectroBraid are highly visible and can absorb the energy of a panicked horse, typically “bouncing” the horse back into its pasture with no harm to horse or fence. This fencing has a 25-year warranty. Learn more: $174.99 per 1,000-foot reel of electric rope; visit electrobraid.com.

Cowboy Shed, by Universal Structures The idea: This versatile building can be the ideal workshop or storage building for hay or farm equipment. It can also be used as a two-stall or four-stall horse barn. These can be built as a do-it-yourself building kit. How it works: There are several options to choose from, including a 36-feet-by-36-feet basic model with 10-foot or 12-foot sidewalls. This building can have a gable roof or raised center aisle. If you need more space than the basic building affords,

you can add 12 feet to extend its length, with a 12-foot bay extension option. End-wall sliding doors come standard. Other options include 12-foot bay extensions, man doors, windows, lean-to, 12-foot eve height with 3/12 pitch, roll extension, solarlight package (solar panel, batteries, and two LED lights), and a raised center-aisle roof with 12-foot eve height. Learn more: Prices vary by building and options; call (888) 404-2276 or visit universalstructures.com. → April 2017 HorseandRider.com 47

Massey Ferguson Global Series Tractors The idea: For 2017, Massey Ferguson is featuring a product line of 60-horsepower to 130-horsepower tractors with three different frame and horsepower ranges. How it works: The Massey Ferguson Global Series was designed to deliver rugged and reliable operation for users in the equine world. Strong and agile, they’re suitable for handling heavy loads found on larger horse operations. Learn more: Visit masseyferguson.com.

Everyone Loves a Deal When shopping for expensive new equipment, it always helps to ﬁnd a price break. You can start by checking if any of your breed or discipline memberships come with discounts on certain equipment brands. You can also see if you qualify for a discount program like that offered by Equine Equipment (equineequipment .com; (877) 905-0004). You contact their ofﬁce, complete a short survey to determine if you’re eligible, and then they notify your local dealer that you qualify for up to a 26-percent discount. The bonus is that you’re buying from a local dealer, which makes maintenance and repairs easier for you in the long run. Equine Equipment represents a number of brands, including the Toro and Massey Ferguson implements mentioned in this article. 48

Exmark Radius The idea: This new zero-turn riding mower combines commercial durability, reliability, and comfort with style and value. Every mower model has different conﬁgurations, from suspension seats to rear discharge, propane, diesel, electronic fuel injection, etc. How it works: Each of these new mowers features a heavy-duty fabricated steel frame and Exmark’s Ultra Cut cutting systems in side- or rear-discharge conﬁgurations, which are perfect for the family horse farm. Learn more: Visit exmark.com.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Why I Use Beneficial Insects For My Fly Control By Sheri R. Herrera de Frey

You have probably seen my face on our Fly Eliminators ads. Since 1979, we have

Fly Eliminators are natural, non-synthetic beneficial insects that control filth flies at your barn, stable or boarding facility. START SOON TO BEAT THE FLIES!

parasites we call Fly Eliminators in our insectary. I’m a horse lover and have been fortunate to have kept a couple of horses on our property over the years. We all know what a nuisance

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guardians. They can transmit diseases, cause irritation and sores. My solution at home is to use our Fly Eliminators Sheri R. Herrera de Frey,

Vice President, ARBICO Organics

Every 3-4 weeks I take a bag of hatching Fly Eliminators out to where we keep our horses. We have covered stalls and open turnout areas. I open the bag and begin to sprinkle the tiny Fly Eliminators and contents of the bag on “hot spot” areas where our horses place their droppings, favorite urination spots and other places where manure may accumulate such as fence posts, corners of stalls and manure piles. I dig a little hole with the heel of my shoe or a spade, add the Fly Eliminators and cover with manure, dirt or bedding. The Fly Eliminators do the rest! Here’s how they work. Female Fly Eliminators burrow into lay their eggs inside the pupae and as the eggs develop into

Eliminators are affordable too. A ½ unit of Fly Eliminators, enough to treat 2-5 horses including USPS shipping costs only $18.95*. Fly Eliminators should be used continuously

Only $18.95 Per Shipment for 2-5 Horses USPS Shipping Included in Prices! Number of Horses

Units Suggested†

Early Bird Special Price*

1/4 Unit

$15.95

2-5

1/2 Unit

$18.95

6 - 10

1 Unit

$28.95

11 - 15

1 1/2 Units

$38.95

16 - 20

2 Units

$50.95

21+

PLEASE CALL 1-800-827-2847

*Boosters Included With July & August Shipments. Early Bird Offer Expires 4/30/17!

CHURCHILL DOWNS CHOOSES ARBICO ORGANICS “ We started using Fly Eliminators back in 1983. We are still using them today. It’s a wonderful product and a successful program that everyone should use! All the big corporations are going green and we were one of the first to go green by using Fly Eliminators.” – Butch Lehr, Former Track Manager of Churchill Downs

our four legged friends and other loved ones are numerous. Best of all, Fly Eliminators are non-synthetic and natural! Trust me, your horses will love you when you use Fly Eliminators!

MAIL IN THE ATTACHED CARD TO TRY A FREE SAMPLE!

1-800-827-2847 www.arbico-organics.com

† These are units of measurement, not warranties or guarantees of performance. The total seasonal cost of Fly Eliminators™ depends on the recommended number of shipments which may be different than what competitors may recommend. We recommend releasing a shipment every 2-4 weeks throughout the fly season, but releases ranging from 1-6 weeks are not uncommon. Customer experiences may vary. The quantity required and frequency of application can differ according to region, size and condition of property or stables, severity of fly problem, neighbors, manure management, number of animals and start date of program. All warranties, express or implied are disclaimed. One unit bag shown. © 2017 ARBICO Organics™. All Rights Reserved.

Barnyard Makeover Special Advertising Section

Electrobraid

MD Barnmaster

Save time, money, and have fewer fence-related injuries with ElectroBraid ® electric fence. This fence uses copper wire conductors braided into a highly visible rope, providing a safe and effective barrier. ElectroBraid ® fence has a psychological effect, as well, allowing horses to see each other and you — and you can see them. There are no places for predators to hide. Horses are happier and more relaxed, so they don’t pace up and down their fence line. ElectroBraid ® can absorb and repel the energy of a fast-moving horse, keeping the horse in the pasture with no harm to horse or fence. Unlike a wooden fence, there are no sharp points, hard edges, or boards to break or splinter. The electric shock from a UL or CSA approved fence energizer is completely harmless, but provides an immediate, unpleasant psychological deterrent. Once shocked, the horse won’t want to touch the fence again, so say goodbye to horses leaning on your fence. Available in white, checkered, or black, ElectroBraid ® is highly visible to horses, strong, and durable. Fence posts can be spaced 30 to 50 feet apart, requiring fewer materials and less maintenance than traditional fence. ElectroBraid® offers a complete line of branded accessories and full system for electric fencing. Visit the website to order yours today. www.zarebasystems.com

An Estate Barn Series is more than just a horse barn. It’s built upon the proven MD Barnmaster structure, but adds elements that make it the place to enjoy the quality moments of being a horse owner. Estate Series Stall Fronts feature beautiful wood facing. Other upscale features include box roof purlins for sleeker lines, eliminating the ability for birds and insects to nest. Optional tongue-and-groove wood interiors and enhanced exterior options are also available. The MD Barnmaster 14-gauge galvanized-steel frame is built to last a lifetime, with an additional hot-dipped galvanized coating on the bottom channel for superior rust protection. The SuperRib™ 26-gauge roof panels are leak-free, and stand up to high winds and heavy snow loads. There is no compromise for safety: The MD Barnmaster steel interior wall system is Kick-Proof, Chew-Proof, and has a 0% Fire Spread rating. Walls are easy to sanitize to help keep your horse safe from disease. MD Barnmaster has a variety of design conﬁgurations, from a single-stall shedrow to boarding facilities, and the company’s modular design allows the ﬂexibility to build the barn of your dreams. www.mdbarnmaster.com; (800) 343-2276

DR Power

EZ Fount from Classic Equine by Ritchie

The DR Power Grader is the perfect tool for maintaining unpaved driveways, roads, and other surfaces. Towed behind your ATV, UTV, or riding mower, the Power Grader’s carbide-tipped scarifying teeth loosen and redistribute compacted materials — potholes are filled in and washboard is smoothed out without the expense of trucking in fresh gravel or other materials. New for 2017, DR Power offers all new powered remote models. The operator is able to adjust the height of the scarifying teeth from the tow vehicle without getting off. Enjoy more control and consistency without worrying about losing the remote or replacing batteries. The unit is more compact for easier storage. With higher side walls, the unit pulls and distributes more material with ease. In addition, DR Power has the EZ-Dial model starting at just $899.99. The EZ-Dial uses a simple hand crank that allows the operator to make adjustments from the tow vehicle. Add a Drag Screen to give a professional, groomed appearance with a consistent depth to areas with high sand or soil content, such as horse arenas. DR Power stands behind its products, offering a six month trial and free shipping. Visit the website today to view DR Power’s wide range of products, including mowers, stump grinders, tillers, and more. www.drpower.com; (800) 687-6575

™

One of our most important natural resources is also one of the fundamental keys to your livestock’s health: fresh, clean water. Thanks to Classic Equine® and Ritchie®, an automatic watering solution designed specifically for your horse is now available. The EZ Fount is a simple and effective replacement for the bucket. It attaches in minutes to any standard garden or washing-machine hose, allowing for a variety of portable or permanent mounting options. The heavy-duty polyethylene construction is strong enough to last for years. The EZ Fount comes with a full 10-year warranty and is easy to clean. EZ Fount is the fastest way to provide clean, temperate water in any climate for up to 20 head of livestock. The fresh water will encourage your horse to drink more, resulting in better performance, higher feed efficiency, and fewer episodes of colic. Because the EZ Fount utilizes a smaller surface area and running water, it reduces runoff and evaporation, and creates less breeding ground for insects. All things considered, the EZ Fount is better for your horse and better for the environment. To learn more or locate a dealer near you, visit the website below. classicequinebyritchie.com

Barnyard Makeover Special Advertising Section

Linear Rubber

Equine Equipment

Family-owned Linear Rubber has been manufacturing high-quality rubber mats and flooring for use in recreational, agricultural, and industrial facilities since 1971. The highly popular Soft Stall Mats are easily installed over virtually any surface. The Deluxe Soft Stall mats eliminate the need to repair a barn floor by adding dirt, screenings, or other costly fillings. With the largest mats in the industry, installation is simpler, and there are fewer seams than with many other mats on the market. Soft Stall Mats help reduce the cost of shavings, straw, or sawdust by up to 75%, often offsetting the cost of the mats within two years. Bedding will not stick to the top side of the mats, and dust problems are eliminated. The nonslip surfaces provide a natural, solid, and secure footing to reduce abrasions, as well as leg, knee, and hoof fatigue. All products are made from genuine rubber, which is easily cleaned and nonporous so it will not absorb or retain moisture. It will not crack, peel, or crumble — even under extreme heat or cold temperatures. Customers can feel good about their purchase, which comes with a 10-year warranty. Visit the website, or call the highly experienced sales team to find out more. www.rubbermats.com; (800) 558-4040

Equine Equipment provides discounts on nationally recognized brands that horse owners can use. The company represents the world’s finest manufacturers of farm equipment, mowers, commercial goods, utility vehicles, and paint to horse farms and ranches. Equine Equipment simply makes sure you are active in the equine world and then lets your local dealer know you are eligible for the dedicated discounts — all horse owners are welcome to participate. Equine Equipment’s discounts are the same nationwide, so you can support your local dealership, and we serve the USA and Canada. No catch, no hassles, no fees or dues, just straightforward savings on the equipment you need. Some examples of savings include: • Toro commercial goods and mowers at up to 26% off of the manufacturer’s retail price • Exmark mowers and goods at up to 26% off of the MSRP • Massey Ferguson and Challenger Tractors with two incredible ways to save • Substantial savings with Farm Paint Products Simply call Equine Equipment today to save at your local dealership, or visit the website below for more information about Equine Equipment. www.equineequipment.com; (877) 905-0004

MANUFACTURERS DISCOUNTS FOR THE HORSE WORLD Own a horse? Are you an Equine Facility? Our Equine Equipment program Call us today! No fees or dues. Save up to 26% off MSRP

Call 1 (877) 905-0004 to Save! www.EquineEquipment.com Serving the USA and Canada.

TO BREED OR NOT TO BREED? Learn the crucial questions you should answer before deciding to breed your mare. By Barb Crabbe, DVM

YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BREED YOUR MARE. She’s beautiful, sweet, and has been the perfect companion over the years. Now she’s 16 years old, and if you don’t breed her soon, it might be too late. Of course, you don’t have any trace of her registration papers, she has a clubfoot, and she’s hard to keep sound…oh, and you’ve never raised a foal on your own. Maybe you want to breed your mare…but should you? That scenario might seem extreme, but it brings up the question of your desire versus the realities of breeding. The decision to breed a mare isn’t one to take lightly—it can be expensive and risky to bring a foal into the world, especially at a time when the plight of the unwanted horse continues to be one of the biggest problems the horse world faces. With that in mind, there are some serious ethical questions to consider before you breed your mare. In this article, I’ll ask you six important, tough questions to help you decide whether breeding your mare is the right thing to do. Answer them honestly and thoughtfully, and you’ll arrive at the best answer for yourself, your mare, and your possible-foal-to-be. →

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Photo by Jennifer Paulson

Are you breeding your mare to create your â&#x20AC;&#x153;dream horse?â&#x20AC;? Think carefully before you do, as getting to the point where the foal you breed is ready to ride can cost as much as $10,000 to $15,000.

April 2017 HorseandRider.com 57

Foals are adorable, but they require a lot of care and planning. Just as your house must be baby-proof when you have a child, your barn, pastures, and fencing must all be foal-proof.

Can You Afford It? Breeding a mare doesn’t only consist of the stud fee (which can be exorbitant in itself, depending on your chosen stallion). It also includes veterinary bills to get your mare in foal. Most breeding is done with artificial insemination, and you can count on spending anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for a routine breeding cycle, depending on whether you use fresh or frozen semen and whether you’ll take your mare to your vet or breeding station, or have the work done at your own farm. Additionally, there are expenses associated with pregnancy and foaling, including extra vaccinations, setup required for the foaling event, and veterinary visits for your new foal. These costs are fairly predictable and easy to budget for, but they add up quickly.

What many people don’t take into account is that not everything in breeding goes as planned. For example, pregnancy rates can vary widely—depending on the fertility of the stallion and mare, and whether you choose to breed with fresh or frozen semen. What if she comes up empty after the first breeding attempt? Add another breeding cycle to your costs. And if she’s still not pregnant? Repeat. What if she requires extra diagnostics and treatment to get her in foal? Add a little—or a lot—more. Finally, and most important, what if your mare experiences complications during or after foaling? A difficult delivery or a sick foal can rack up thousands of dollars in veterinary care. Are you prepared to pay the price? Keep in mind that as an ethical breeder you have a responsibility to provide the care your mare and foal require in case of an emergency.

Hats Off to AQHA While it’s true you “don’t ride their papers,” it’s a fact that affiliation with a registry can go a long way toward helping to ensure the foal you produce is healthy and “wanted,” even when it’s no longer yours. Through several of its programs, the American Quarter Horse Association provides a great example of just how far a registry can go to protect you and the foal that you produce. First, AQHA offers genetic testing for all of the genetic diseases known to affect Quarter Horses. They’ve even taken a stand to prevent the perpetuation of HYPP, one of the most prevalent of these diseases, by restricting registration of foals carrying this disease. Other registries also offer genetic testing, but few have yet to take as firm a stand as AQHA has on limiting registration. AQHA also offers a program they call “Full Circle,” where breeders and owners of AQHA-registered horses can be notified when a horse they bred or owned changes hands or is in need of a long-term home. Through this program, you can rest assured your past horses have less of a chance of winding up in the “unwanted” pipeline.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Above photo by Jennifer Paulson; Opposite photo by Alana Harrison

EVEN SOME BIG-TIME BREEDERS HAVE THE ADAGE ‘BREED TO SELL, BUY TO RIDE.’ Is She a ‘Quality Mare’? You might love your mare, but does that make her a good candidate for breeding? If you intend to commit to keep (and care for) the foal forever, this question may not be as important, but that’s rarely the case. The best way to ensure that the foal that you produce will never end up in the evergrowing pool of unwanted horses is to ensure that the colt or filly is healthy, sound, and has the potential to be a solid performer—whether it’s in the show ring or on the trails. If your mare is sound with good conformation, spectacular bloodlines, and a solid performance record there’s a good chance she’ll produce a quality foal, especially if she’s crossed with an equally outstanding stallion. If she’s sweet with “not quite ideal” conformation and you don’t know

who her parents were, it’s pretty hard to predict what you’ll produce, no matter what stallion you choose. Are you breeding your mare to produce your own “dream horse?” Think carefully before you do. Estimates are that it costs between $10,000 and $15,000 to produce and raise a foal to the point where it’s ready to ride. Until that time, you won’t know what you really have. Purchasing a horse might actually improve the odds you’ll end up with the right mount for you. Even some big-time breeders have the adage “breed to sell, buy to ride.”

Is She Free of Genetic Diseases? There are a number of genetic diseases that impact horses, and it’s possible your mare could carry a gene for one of

Even if you do everything possible to produce the best foal you can, it’s still possible for it one day to become “unwanted” unless you intend to make a lifelong commitment to its care.

April 2017 HorseandRider.com 59

Do your homework when it comes to foal handling. Halter breaking and instilling good ground manners can set your foal up for success from a young age.

these diseases, even if she appears perfectly healthy. Genetic tests are available to identify many of these diseases such as hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) in Quarter Horses, overo lethal white syndrome in Paints, and equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in a variety of breeds. If your mare is registered, the registry might offer genetic testing for the diseases carried by her breed. If she’s not, you’d be wise to do some homework about her bloodlines and consider testing for the diseases she could carry.

Obviously, if you identify a gene that’s guaranteed to result in problems in your foal, the ethical (and sensible) choice is to opt out of breeding. But what if your mare has “good conformation, spectacular bloodlines, and a solid performance record,” yet she’s a carrier for a genetic disease that’s mild or might not cause a problem? For example, if you identify a gene for a recessive trait and you opt to breed her to a stallion that’s been tested and isn’t a carrier, her foal won’t be affected. However, the gene could be passed to her offspring, and the

Ethical Breeding: The Veterinarian’s Dilemma When I was a young veterinarian, performance horses were my passion. I’d grown up in the show ring, and dreamed of being the veterinarian who diagnosed those hard-working horses’ soundness problems, provided appropriate treatment, and sent them back to the ring. By the time I became a mid-career veterinarian, I found myself drawn to breeding work. After all, while a lame horse might get a “little bit better,” become “serviceably sound,” or require “a little management,” there’s just no such thing as “a little bit pregnant.” Either your mare is in foal or she’s not. Black or white. It’s true that a lot of breeding work is black and white, but I’ve discovered the gray. These days I find myself asking not if I can get a mare pregnant, but should I? If I have a client who wants to breed a mare with a potentially heritable problem, or one who is ill equipped to raise a foal—should I do the work? Should I encourage horse owners to produce foals knowing there’s a good chance those horses may become unwanted? Just like you, when it comes time to make a decision whether or not to breed a mare, those are the questions I have to ask.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Photo by Jennifer Paulson

disease could continue to be perpetuated in future generations. Genetic testing makes decisions easier, but it doesn’t stop there. What if your mare has a condition that’s believed to be genetic, but the precise heritability hasn’t been clearly defined, such as a clubfoot, osteochondrosis, or recurrent uveitis? You won’t know for certain whether her foal will be affected, but there’s a chance it could. Deciding to breed your mare if she has a genetic disease isn’t easy, and the answer isn’t always black or white. It’s one of the hardest questions you’ll have to answer when considering your choice, so be thoughtful in your choice.

Is She at Risk for Complications? You love your mare, and want to produce a foal. Have you considered the possibility that she could die? While it’s true that a young, healthy mare should be able to produce a foal without a problem, as a breeder of a beloved mare you’re wise to think about the risks. Specifically, if your mare is 15 years or older, she’s at increased risk for a uterine artery rupture—a foaling complication that’s almost always fatal. Your mare could be at greater than average risk for other complications, such as a uterine infection if she has a tipped vulva, or she could suffer post-foaling colon torsions if she’s very large. Ask your veterinarian to evaluate her condition and reproductive conformation and advise you about potential risks.

Are You Prepared to Care for Baby? Have you considered that having a foal means…having full-time care of a foal? And that the foal will soon become a feisty yearling, then a rambunctious 2-year-old? While newborn foals are sweet and lots of fun, they also require a lot of care. Just as your house must be baby-proof when you have a child, your barn and pastures need to be foal-proof, with special attention paid to fencing, gates, stalls, and sheds to ensure they’re safe. Handling young horses also requires time and skill. As veterinarians we see far too many difficult, unsafe horses

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April 2017 HorseandRider.com 61

that were raised by amateur handlers who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what they were doing. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never raised a foal, do your homework. Enlist the help of an experienced foal handler to guide you in correct methods for halter breaking and instilling good ground manners. If you plan to start your youngster under saddle, have a plan in place to get that going at the appropriate time. (And have the money to pay for it.) Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing more disturbing than to see a 7-year-old, barely handled, difficult horse that has yet to be started under saddle because its breeder didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the time, skills, or resources. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also no scenario more likely to lead a horse straight to the unwanted pipeline.

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American Horse Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unwanted Horse Coalition estimates there are more than 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States. Many of these become unwanted because of financial or time constraints or simply because they fail to meet their ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expectations. Some could still have useful lives if they could be rehomed, yet theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re often abandoned, starved, or otherwise abused. The lucky ones find their way to rescue facilities or foster homes. Others starve to death or are euthanized. If you produce a quality horse thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthy, sound, well-handled, and started under saddle, chances are your horse will always have a home and care. But even if you do the best you can, you still have to consider the possibility that any foal you produce has the potential to become â&#x20AC;&#x153;unwantedâ&#x20AC;? unless you intend to make a lifelong commitment to its care. What does this look like? Either you never sell that foal, or if you do, you keep track of where it goes for the rest of its life and offer a home if one is ever needed. Although this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always as easy as it sounds, as a breeder you can consider including a buy-back clause with any sales agreement and offer a retirement option for the horses you produce.

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HorseandRider.com April 2017

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A horse that minds well how he places his feet is safer and more fun to ride than a stumbler. You can help by how you ride and train him.

Curing a

u St 64

HorseandRider.com April 2017

that in a moment), then the culprit is usually a lazy horse that’s not paying attention, a shortcoming that can be extremely dangerous to you and him both. Stumbling can cause your horse to fall down on the trail, go over a steep drop-off, or jolt you suddenly out of the saddle. And, as with everything we do with our horses, the more you let one trip, the better he gets at it. Before long, it’s an ingrained habit. So take action promptly once you notice a genuine issue.

Consult Your Vet, Farrier Your first job is to rule out physical or health problems that could be making your horse trip. Start with his feet. Do you allow him to go too long between trimmings or shoeings, resulting in overlong hooves? Is your farrier skilled at providing a correct, balanced trim that allows for an easy breakover of the foot? Also work with your vet to rule out lameness, as even a subtle issue can cause stumbling. Is your horse sore on one or more of his feet? Anything from sole bruising to navicular issues could be to blame. Finally, is he suffering a neurological issue that could cause him to stumble? EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) is one example of a disease that can lead to persistent stumbling. If there are no physical or health problems at the root of your horse’s behavior, move on to training him away from it.

Make Him Pay Attention Frequent stumbling without cause is a sure sign your horse is letting his mind wander rather than concentrating on the task at hand. Remember, no matter what you’re doing with your horse, he’s responsible for his feet—where he places them and how fast he moves them. If he’s not paying attention to his feet, you’re going to have to give him a reason to do so. When he stumbles, immediately pick up on one rein and cue him with your leg on the same side to bend him 66

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Your ﬁrst priority with a horse that stumbles is to work with your vet and farrier to eliminate any physical or health causes of his tripping, such as improperly shod feet. Photo by Alana Harrison

Groundwork Makes Nimble Feet Groundwork with obstacles is a great way to help your horse learn to mind how he steps, plus it adds variety to your usual routine. Obstacles such as step ups, step downs, ground poles, and jumps are all excellent ways to condition your horse to be responsible for how he uses his feet.

around in a circle. You might thump his belly with the heel of your boot, or roll your spur up his side—whatever it takes to hustle his feet as you turn him in a circle. If he ignores your leg, spank his hindquarters with the end of your mecate or a dressage whip. Move him vigorously in one direction, then reverse all cues to move him in a circle the other way. When he’s fully alert, moving with energy, and focused on you, put him on a loose rein and go back to what you were doing. The loose rein is important not only because it rewards his response, but also because it dares him to make a mistake. Get out of the habit of babysitting your horse and trying to micromanage his every step. Put 68

HorseandRider.com April 2017

With health reasons ruled out, discourage stumbling by hustling your horse’s feet every time he gets careless. Bend him on a circle in one direction, and then the other.

After circling, put him on a loose rein and invite him to be responsible for his own feet. If he stumbles again, repeat the circling. He’ll learn careful stepping means less work. Sidebar photos from H&R ﬁles; Above photos by Alana Harrison

him on a loose rein and let him be responsible for his feet. If he trips again, repeat the same steps. By doing so, you’re making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult. In other words, as long as he’s paying attention to where he’s placing his feet, you’re leaving him alone on a nice, long rein. But whenever he gets lazy and lets his mind wander, you’re waking him up and making him feel uncomfortable by hustling his feet.

Keep Him Interested Another good strategy is to alleviate boredom (which can exacerbate stumbling) by keeping things interesting. Challenge your horse by incorporating more variety into your lessons and trail rides. Yes, consistency and repetition are keys to teaching your horse, but you also must be sure to add “variations on the theme” to help command your horse’s attention. The key is “just the right amount.” If you include too much variety, your horse will never learn anything because he’ll never get to practice a lesson consistently enough to get good at it. But if you have too much consistency (you practice the same things in the same way and the same order every day), your horse will get bored and resentful. Adding groundwork over obstacles is a great way to add interest to your horse’s regular routines; it also encourages him to watch more carefully how he steps (see “Groundwork Helps Make Nimble Feet,” page 68). Clinton Anderson, Stephenville, Texas, is a clinician, horse trainer, and competitor. Learn more about his clinics, appearances, and educational materials at his Web site, DownunderHorsemanship.com.

HorseandRider.com Watch Clinton in action, dealing with a horse prone to stumbling.

HorseandRider.com April 2017

When you’ve conditioned your horse to step carefully plus helped him to avoid boredom, you’ll feel safer whenever you’re in the saddle—in the arena or on the trail.

Do Your Own Part, Too Be sure your own actions aren’t a part of the stumbling equation. • Stay balanced in the saddle. Avoid constantly leaning from side to side or back and forth as this can throw your horse off balance, making it harder for him to keep a steady pace without tripping. • Don’t put your horse on autopilot and forget about him. Give him a reason to pay attention to where he’s placing his feet by occasionally asking for a little serpentine, sidepass, or two-tracking—even on a trail ride. (Bonus: You’ll be keeping his body soft and supple.) • When you’re on a trail with rocky or rough terrain, give your horse his head and let him pick his way through. Horses use their necks to balance themselves, so having free rein will allow him to raise and lower his head and neck as he needs.

Photos by Alana Harrison

HE W AS AL AS A LH RA EA THEN CE RT HE HO W AS RS HE H AD N C E AL OF . LE OO SO W D D, E GA A NO VE BU SH HI R FOU M E LT ND A ER HIM SE , C A NO O WA WH N RM D Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ,L CA O AN L LE VI DH D N IS PA HE N AR TI S . EN D E. . OP H CE O N AN

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Help for a Nervous Pattern Horse Build conﬁdence in your horse at the start of your pattern with advice from professional Jeff Mellott.

Produced and Photographed by Nichole Chirico

An anxious horse puts you at a disadvantage in a pattern class. Overcome arena anxiety with these tips.

I’ve been showing for a few years and compete in several classes in the novice division at local Quarter Horse shows with my gelding. When we show in rail classes he’s fine, but I’ve noticed that when we’re doing pattern events—like horsemanship—he gets extremely nervous standing at the cone and it continues through the pattern. I’d like to complete a pattern without him tensing up as we approach the cone. What can I do at home and

at horse shows to help him become more comfortable alone in the arena? ALYSSA WRIGHT, Iowa

Your horse is naturally a herd animal, so it’s not surprising that he’d rather be with other horses than in the middle of the arena by himself. But when you compete in pattern events like the horsemanship, trail, Western riding, or reining, you and your horse must be comfortable riding a pattern alone in the arena. As a judge and exhibitor, I’ve seen

and dealt with horses that suffer from separation anxiety. However, I’ve also seen a lot of riders unintentionally create these problems with their horse as they walk to the start cone. Here I’ll discuss a few reasons why your horse might be nervous when you approach the start of your pattern and explain what you can do to help him when you’re at home or at a horse show.

Work on Yourself While your horse could be genuinely April 2017 HorseandRider.com 73

Problem 1. Correct

Solvers

anxious when he leaves the lineup to go to the middle of the pen by himself, it’s important to look at what you’re doing when you leave the lineup. When you approach the start cone, it’s easy to become nervous—especially if you’re a rookie in pattern events—and your horse recognizes your nerves. The start of the pattern dictates the rest of your ride. If you’re fidgety before you begin, your horse feeds off your nervous energy. You’ll then be up against it for the entirety of your ride. When you become nervous, your body tenses up, and your horse feel’s a difference in your body language, including how you cue him. This causes him to become tense and change the way he responds to you. Eliminate the shuffle: When I’m judging a horsemanship class, I notice some riders like to do what I call the “shuffle.” This means as you approach the cone, you’re moving your body around, adjusting your upper body and leg. You might catch yourself bumping on your horse’s head or unintentionally jabbing him with your spur to get his attention as you approach or stand at the cone to begin your pattern. Your horse doesn’t understand why you only do this when you go into the show arena. If you automatically start jabbing

If you constantly kick your horse and bump on his face as you approach the start of your pattern, he’ll think he’s in trouble and become nervous when he approaches the start of a pattern.

your spurs into his sides or bumping on his face every time you walk to that cone, he’s going to associate it with getting in trouble. He doesn’t understand why you’re punishing him

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every time you walk to the cone, and eventually he starts dancing around, trying to figure out what you want. Be prepared: Imagine a scenario where you walk to the cone on a draped rein, no contact with your horse, and stare at the judge, completely forgetting about what your horse is doing. Then when time comes to start your pattern, you kick him forward and try to get his back rounded up, and his head in the bridle as you’re maneuvering through a pattern. The lack of preparedness at the cone throws your horse off guard, and just like when you constantly bump his face when you’re walking to the cone, eventually he’s going to get nervous if you go from no contact to a full kick forward every time you start your pattern. The fix: Before you work on getting your horse to relax at the cone, make sure you’re riding form to function. Don’t change the way you ride when you’re showing. Support him with your leg as you walk to the cone, keep contact with your hand, and keep him in the bridle. This helps him focus on you as you wait to start your pattern. When you’re showing, be aware of how long the pattern

is. Don’t arrive at the cone too soon before it’s your turn and start bumping on your horse’s face because he’s lost focus. On the other hand, don’t be late getting to the cone so you must rush. That can cause both you and your horse to become nervous before you even begin your ride. Give yourself enough time to be at the start cone so you’re ready to go when the judge looks your direction.

Work on Your Horse If your horse does have anxiety leaving a group of horses to go into the arena, spend time both at home and at horse shows riding alone to build up his confidence. At home: Ride in the arena when there are no other horses to distract him. If you keep your horse at home, it might be easier to find a time to ride without anyone else in the arena. But if you keep your horse at a boarding barn, try to choose a time when there are fewer or no other riders in the arena. As nice as it is to ride your horse next to your friends, it’s important that your horse gets comfortable at home without any other horses around him. Build his confidence at home so when you get to the horse show he’s

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Take Horse&Rider with you any and everywhere by subscribing to one of our digital editions: Zinio edition for all devices available at www.zinio.com Kindle edition available at www.amazon.com Nook edition available at www.barnesandnoble.com Android edition available at play.google.com/store iPad edition available in iTunes App Store Search. Zoom. Link. Share.

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Solvers

already more comfortable riding around by himself. Set up a few cones in your arena to help you practice the start of your pattern. When you walk up to it, keep your leg on your horse and have steady contact with your hand to help him stay rounded up and in the bridle. If your horse isn’t round when you start your pattern, you can’t expect him to be round when you ask for a walk, trot, or lope. Make sure he stands still and relaxed. Be patient the first time you work with him. You might do more standing than moving until he realizes that you’re not going to move your body around or bump on his face. At the show: It can take a lot of horse showing before your horse gets more comfortable in the show pen by himself. If you only attend a few shows a year, it might take longer to build his confidence compared to someone who has the opportunity to show every weekend. Some horse shows keep arenas open all night, which is ideal for working on this problem, but is not always an option. Pick a time to ride when there are fewer riders in the arena. Practice standing quietly alone. Place a cone in the arena if you can, walk up to it, and stop. Keep your horse’s attention, but don’t pick at him. Instead let him relax and find assurance that he’s safe on his own, especially with his attention on you. Patience will be key to overcome his anxiety. Frustration will only exacerbate the problem; remain calm and be a confident leader for your horse. Jeff Mellott, Greeley, Colorado, is an AQHA and NSBA judge, and currently works as an associate trainer for T&L Quarter Horses with Tom and Leslie Lange. As a professional, Jeff has coached and trained multiple all-around riders and their horses to world championships and All American Quarter Horse Congress titles.

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“Always get your horse ready to accept training before you start training on him.” –Don Murphy, “Ride Better Right Now” June 2016

Internationally acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid shares and analyzes the remarkable events, quiet moments and humbling stumbling blocks that significant in his personal journey to finding “softness” with both horses and people. Readers get a glimpse of a life that has produced a man known for his ability to solve difficult problems with communication rather than force, as well as methods and techniques gleaned from decades of work with horses, horse people and martial artists. Paperback, 184 pp.

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Head-to-Toe Horsemanship: Improve Your Riding, Improve Your Horse Lynn Palm gives you a complete program to develop your horsemanship and riding skills. You will move in building-block fashion, examining and strengthening your position, literally from your head to your toes. You will learn to apply and use proper aids, including artificial ones. Finally, you will test your skills with a series of games that both you and your horse will enjoy. Paperback, 93pp.

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Advertiser’s Index Classifieds APPAREL/ACCESSORIES

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

INSECT CONTROL

Cruel Denim.................www.crueldenim.com ........... 16 Dublin......................www.dublinclothing.com ........... 29 Resistol..................www.resistolridesafe.com ........CV4 Smooth Stride Jeans www.smoothstride.com................................................ 77 Twisted X Boot Company www.twistedx.com ..................................................... 134

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ASSOCIATIONS American Quarter Horse Association www.aqha.com................................................................ 2 Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov ................................................................ 42 Mustang Heritage Foundation www.mustangheritagefoundation.org .................. 14, 42 The Right Horse Initiative www.therighthorse.org ................................................ 74

BARNS, STALLS & FOOTING Authentic Builders......www.aubuilders.com ............ 55 ElectroBraid Fence (Woodstream) www.electrobraid.com.................................................. 51 Linear Rubber Products www.rubbermats.com .................................................. 62 MD Barnmaster.....www.mdbarnmaster.com ........... 52 Ritchie Industries......www.ritchiefount.com ........... 55 We-Cover Structures........www.wecover.net............ 55

PUBLICATIONS, VIDEO, WEBSITES & AUDIO A Home For Every Horse www.AHomeForEveryHorse.com ................................ 72 Equine Network Store www.EquineNetworkStore.com .............. 13,17,37,61,78

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CLINICS/ EDUCATION/ SCHOOLS Study horse courses at home. Earn grades and Certificates. www. NewHorizonsEquine.com

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REAL ESTATE/LAND Looking for horse property around Dallas - Fort Worth? Visit: www.texasliving.com. We’re an elite group of horse property specialists with Keller Williams Realty. (940) 3654687, ext.1, info@texasliving.com

TRAVEL/TOURS/VACATIONS Don Vinson Monument Valley Trail Rides, (805)704-5778 or www.monumentvalleytrailrides.com.

TRAVEL Valley View Ranch www.valleyviewranch.com .......................................... 77

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HORSE & RIDER VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 4 (ISSN 0018-5159/USPS 523-410) COPYRIGHT 2017, CRUZ BAY PUBLISHING, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY CRUZ BAY PUBLISHING, INC., AN ACTIVE INTEREST MEDIA COMPANY. THE KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION IS AT 5720 FLATIRON PARKWAY, BOULDER, CO 80301. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BOULDER, CO. AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: PLEASE SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO HORSE & RIDER, SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE DEPT., P.O. BOX 420235, PALM COAST, FL 32142-0235. CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40612608, CANADIAN GST NUMBER 12345 2781 RT0001. CANADA RETURNS TO BE SENT TO BLEUCHIP INTERNATIONAL, P.O. BOX 25542, LONDON, ON N6C 6B2 CANADA. ONE YEAR (12 ISSUES) SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $24 UNITED STATES. THE CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE EXPERTS CONSULTED, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE EDITORS OR POLICY OF HORSE & RIDER MAGAZINE. UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANIED BY RETURN POSTAGE WILL BE HANDLED WITH CARE, BUT PUBLISHER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY. PLEASE ALLOW 3 MONTHS FOR REPLY. REPRINTS: CONTACT WRIGHTS REPRINTS TO PURCHASE QUALITY CUSTOM REPRINTS OR E-PRINTS OF ARTICLES APPEARING IN THIS PUBLICATION AT (877)652-5295 (281/419-5725 OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA)

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April 2017 HorseandRider.com 79

You Said It!

My Deluxe Dream Barn Will Have… You describe the kind of horse barn and amenities you’d have if money were no object.

welve extra-large stalls with runs and horses to go in them. Padded cement ﬂoor. Indoor heated wash stall. A fourcow Dairy Parlor and Creamery. Heated human stall with large-screen satellite TV. Attached drive-in hay storage. Secondﬂoor guest quarters. Post-and-beam wood construction. Bigger than our house! Robert Shurtleff and Family, Colorado

oomy stalls separated largely with heavy-duty metal mesh, so my horses can see-smell-hear each other to the max. They’ll feel as if they’re together in a herd— even when they’re in the barn. Randi Parker, Utah

ight large stalls with outdoor runs for our rescued herd. Saddle racks with rein and rope hooks at each stall. A well-vented tack room, ofﬁce, and wash area. Storage for feed and hay. A wide center aisle with solid, easy-to-clean ﬂooring. The whole thing well-lit for night visits. Fadocia Annette Nole Hall, Tennessee

pace inside for a small riding arena with a built-in watering system. Also plenty of ventilation above to let hot air out, so I can ride in the summertime protected from the heat, dust, and sun! Bill McLean, California

wash stall, heated tack room, several box stalls, ﬁve tie stalls, and a large indoor riding arena with an adjacent viewing area. Each box stall will have double doors, its own feed and water buckets, and a little mini-pasture out back for the horses to enjoy. Rhiannon Mckenzie Swimelar, New York

dozen stalls—six on one side and six on the other. Black-hinged doors. The whole interior done in oak walls and ceilings, with red brick aisles. Stall ﬂoors of sand, with rubber mats. Cannon lights wherever needed, and three big wagon wheels with lights, hanging from the ceiling. Handsome benches for seating. Sheena Predmore, Nebraska

heated tack room/ofﬁce. I dream of one every winter. Gabriella Halpert, North Dakota

deluxe stall for my mare, Cinnamon. An indoor arena. And a tack room containing all the tack in the world. Ashley Young, Montana

Join in! Describe, in under 50 words, a horse-trailer innovation that would make hauling more pleasant. Respond by April 15 to jfmeyer@aimmedia.com. Include your full name and home state; put “You Said It/Trailer” in the subject line. 80

HorseandRider.com April 2017

Illustration by Navah Rae Adams