USRider® Equestrian Traveler's Companion-Fall 2018

Equestrian Traveler’s

COMPANION

Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource Fall 2018

Leg-Wrapping Basics

Trailer-Loading Troubleshooting

Fall Getaway:

Expert Guide to Equine Protective Gear

New England Resort

Trailer Fix-Up Checklist An AIM Equine Network Publication

Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANION Fall 2018

Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource

FEATURES 10 Safe Travels

Equine Protective Gear

14 Your Healthy Horse

Leg-Wrapping Basics

18 Trailering Clinic Trailer-Loading

Troubleshooting

22 USRider Member Story Wyoming Border Breakdown

24 Holiday Gift Guide Pick the Perfect Present DEPARTMENTS 4 Trip Tips Expert Travel Help 6 Skill Set

Are You Too Skilled?

8 Handy Checklist

Fix It Up or Give It Up?

26 Winner’s Circle Advantage

USRider® Member Benefit Spotlight

28 Getaways New England Resort COVER PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

USRider General Manager: Bill Riss Editor: Rene E. Riley Art Director: Abby McDougall Contact USRider: (800) 844-1409 P.O. Box 20634, Boulder, CO 80308 memberservice@usrider.org • www.usrider.org USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

AIM Equine Network is a division of Active Interest Media. Its stable of award-winning magazines includes EQUUS, Dressage Today, Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman, and The Team Roping Journal.

AIM Equine Network also offers a proprietary line of books, DVDs, trailering products, and equestrian gifts through its online store, EquineNetworkStore.com.

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Fall 2018

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• Up to 100 miles free towing • Emergency stabling assistance • Emergency veterinarian referrals

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TripTips USRIDER MEMBERTIP----------------------------

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

With USRider’s Auto Renew feature, your membership will be automatically renewed every year using the credit card you’ve placed on file.

USRider® created the Auto Renew feature to simplify bill-paying for its Members. When a Member’s renewal becomes more than 30 days delinquent, a fee of $29 is assessed to reactivate the membership. With the Auto Renew feature, the membership is automatically renewed each year on the credit card the Member has placed on file with USRider.

USRider notifies Members 30 days prior to the expiration date advising them that their account is going to automatically renew and on which credit card. If the credit card on file has expired, that information will be included in the letter. The renewal will be presented to the Member’s credit card 10 days prior to the expiration date; this gives USRider time to notify the Member if any problems are encountered.

Keep USRider informed of any changes to your credit card. Visit USRider.org, and click on the Member’s Area.

TRAILERINGTIP-------------------------------------

Signal for Safety The turn signal’s purpose is to let other drivers know of your intention to change lanes or turn to minimize hazardous surprises and help prevent accidents. Although the turn-signal lever is conveniently located within mere inches of the steering wheel, countless drivers fail to use it. USRider notes that a contributing cause of this is in-vehicle distractions, such as talking on one’s cell phone. Driving is an activity that demands close attention.

Appropriate turn-signal use is important for alerting other drivers of your turn when changing lanes and when merging onto a roadway to avoid collisions. USRider offers these turn-signal safety tips: • Make sure all signals are in good working order. Have a friend check the lights from time to time. Don’t pull your trailer if the turn signals aren’t working properly.

• Turn on the signal before you make a turn or maneuver.

• Use the turn signal all the time, not just when other drivers are present.

• Be an aware driver. Turn off the turn signal when you’ve completed your turn or maneuver.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Appropriate turn-signal use is important for alerting other drivers of your turn, when changing lanes, and when merging onto a freeway to avoid collisions.

Fall 2018

HEALTHTIP------------------------------------------------------

Keep His Coggins Current

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

It’s important to get an annual Coggins test for your horse, whether or not you plan to travel with him. Equine infectious anemia can travel long distances through movement of infected horses.

PHOTO BY BOB LANGRISH

A simple blood test, called a Coggins test, can determine whether a horse is a carrier of equine infectious anemia.

Is your horse up on his Coggins test for equine infectious anemia (EIA)? In late August, EIA, a potentially fatal disease that has no vaccine or cure, was found in a horse in Weld County, Colo. The horse’s owner buys and sells livestock across the country.

According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office, about 240 horses were on the quarantined premises at the same time as the index positive animal (now euthanized). About 100 of these horses were sent to 20 other states; steps are being taken to locate, quarantine, and re-test those horses. At press time, no other horses had tested positive for EIA. The remaining horses are still in Colorado. “We are working to locate approximately 140 horses that went to different premises across Colorado,” said State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. “We are asking horse owners to contact us if they purchased horses in Weld County between July 18 and August 20, 2018.”

EIA, now relatively rare, is typically transmitted via biting flies. The first diagnostic step is the Coggins test, a blood test that detects antibodies to the EIA virus. When this is positive, two more specialized and more sensitive tests are done to make sure the diagnosis is correct. If it’s been more than a year from your horse’s last Coggins test, make an appointment now, whether or not you plan to travel with him.

SEASONALTIP------------------------------

Avoid Leafy Bites Fall’s crisp weather and fall foliage can be beautiful, inviting comfortable equine travel and long trail rides and hacks on wooded paths. But keep in mind that many types of leaves are toxic to your horse. For instance, red maple leaves (Acer rubrum) are poisonous when they’ve fallen and wilted; red oak leaves can contaminate still drinking water. Cherry and plum leaves are also toxic to your horse in the fall.

Consult your state extension office to find out what leaves, grasses, and weeds are toxic to horses so that you can identify and avoid them when you travel with your horse. For safety’s sake, don’t allow him to nibble on any fall leaves or unfamiliar grasses and weeds.

— Heidi Melocco USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

As you travel with your horse this fall, don’t let him grab a bite of poisonous red maple leaves.

Fall 2018

------------ SKILLSET------------

Are You Too Skilled?

You have hitching Once learned, the up down pat and prefrontal cortex are an expecoordinated all rienced horse the subtasks in hauler. You have order and enabled years of knowyou to carry them how under your out. belt. You consider As you beyourself an excelcame a seasoned lent driver. You hauler, other brain feel good knowing regions, such as PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO your skills and If you hitch up your trailer in “automatic pilot” mode, you might miss some- the cerebellum, experience will thing crucial. “learned” their part help keep you and of the tasks. You your horse safe on the road. You no the ignition, put the transmission stored how to perform the skills longer need to practice such skills, into Drive, and ease down the road. related to hitching up and hauling as you did when you were a novice. You’ve driven to your trainer’s barn a trailer in the parts of your brain Or do you? Read on to see how countless times. Your truck practirelated to memory. You started your knowledge and experience cally drives itself. to feel relaxed and comfortable. related to hitching up your trailer Off the main highway, you sneak Eventually, even something as and hauling your horse can actually a glance at a text message. While complicated as hitching up your work against you, especially if you’re looking down, you miss seeing a trailer—and something as difficult over 40. speed bump and drive over it too and dangerous as driving—started Scenario: You hitch up your trailer quickly. Suddenly, you feel your trail- to feel “easy.” just in time to get to your trainer’s er sway and hear a terrible scraping.

This phenomenon, along with barn for your dressage lesson. You’re You pull over and run to the back of ego, can lead you to fail to perform in a bit of a hurry to get to your your truck to find the coupler off the organizational tasks. Note, too, that lesson on time, but you don’t worry. ball, dangling from the safety chains. brain processing and multitasking You’ve hitched up your trailer so After giving thanks that your get harder to do with age. After age many times, the procedure is fast horse is OK, you mentally go over 40, you’ll switch back and forth and automatic. You consider youryour hitch-up procedure. You pobetween subtasks more slowly. self a seasoned expert. In fact, you’re sitioned the coupler correctly onto In this scenario, as the hitch-upproud of your skills. Maybe you the ball—or did you? Did it actually and-haul subtasks started to require should teach a trailer-hitching class seat? You’re appalled that you don’t less demand from your attentional to horse-hauling newbies in your remember. prefrontal cortex, your mind wanneighborhood. And throw in some What happened: You actually dered. You multitasked. And you driving tips. know the hitch-up-and-haul roucame very close to an on-the-road Your mind on your brilliant idea, tine too well. When you first learned disaster. you lower the coupler on the ball, these tasks, you engaged your Skill-set lesson: Take time to connect the wiring harness, attach brain’s prefrontal cortex, the part of continually practice your hitchthe safety chains and cables, attach the brain that processes cognitive ing-up and driving-related skills to the pins, and connect the emergenthought and motivates the rest of help avert a potential disaster, no cy breakaway system. Piece of cake. your brain to pay attention to learn- matter how much experience you You load your horse into your ing a goal. You had to concentrate have, especially if you’re over 40. trailer, hop into your truck, start until you had the tasks down pat.

— Rebecca Gimenez, PhD USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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Fall 2018

Horses teach us extraordinary lessons...

They teach us to trust, to have compassion, to love, to fight, to hold on to hope. At Hope in the Saddle, our mission is to share some of the most meaningful and important stories to emerge from the equestrian world—stories of how our relationships with horses help us overcome life’s toughest challenges. What lessons has your horse taught you?

Share your story and read those of others at www.hopeinthesaddle.com THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR HELPING OUR HORSES FEEL THEIR BEST SO THEY CAN HELP US FEEL OUR BEST

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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Fall 2018

------------HANDYCHECKLIST------------

Fix It Up or Give It Up?

By Tom Scheve and Neva Kittrell Scheve

Use this checklist to decide whether your aging trailer is worth fixing up or if it’s time to sell.

If you have an aging trailer, it might be time to determine whether it’s time to fix it up or give it up.

Do your trailer’s design, size, and features still work for you? If not, let it go, and invest in a new trailer.

However, if your trailer still works well for you, use this checklist to decide whether it’s worth it to fix it up—or whether it’s time to sell.

come apart in transit. Check rims for weakness and rust.

■ Axles. If you’ve kept your tires properly inflated every time you’ve used your trailer, then you’ll be able to use them to determine axle integrity. Run your hand over the tires to see if there’s uneven wear on the tread. If one side of the tire is wearing more than the other, your trailer isn’t tracking straight, and your axles might’ve been damaged somewhere along the line.

■ Electrical system. Check the running lights, turn signals, and brake lights to make sure all are function properly. If they aren’t, the wiring could be deteriorating, which isn’t an easy fix.

■ Coupler and jack. Examine the coupler to make sure it’s in good working order. Some tag-along trailers use a mechanism that can be replaced.

■ Windows. Make sure all windows slide easily, and that the screens and bar guards are in good shape.

Are Repairs Worth It? First, determine whether the cost of repairs will exceed your trailer’s value.

■ Determine value. Determine your trailer’s value in “as is” condition and in “like new” condition. To do so, enter your trailer brand, model, and year into your favorite search engine. Jot down your trailer model’s value the way it is and the way it could be.

■ Get an estimate. Go to the nearest body shop, and get a parts-and-labor estimate of everything you want done and everything that needs to be done.

■ Do the math. If the repair estimate is in line with your trailer’s value (what you can sell it for), then it would be worth your while to repair it.

For example, if your trailer is worth $2,500 as is, but it’s selling for $5,000 in top condition, then you could spend up to $2,500 and still protect your investment.

Pre-Repair Check Following is a list of things to check before you head to the body shop. Once there, have the person doing the estimate check the bearings, brakes, axles, floor boards, floor supports, frame, coupler, and lights.

■ Tires. Tread wear and/or age will determine whether the tires should be replaced. Check the build date. Discard any tires older than 6 years old, even if they have good tread. It’s likely that the rubber has chemically weakened and could

PHOTO BY CATE LAMM

If your aging trailer still meets your needs, use this checklist to decide whether it’s worth it to fix it up—or whether it’s time to sell. >>

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Fall 2018

■ Doors. Make sure all doors open and shut easily, but also make sure they fit securely and won’t pop open on the road.

■ Ramp. If there’s wood in the ramp, walk on it to see if it “gives.” If it does, there’s a good chance it needs to be replaced.

■ Wood floor. Check for rot, softness, and cracks in the stall area. Check the bracing under the floor for rust.

■ Dressing-room floor. If there’s a dressing room with a plywood floor and carpet, check for any “give” and soft spots.

■ Aluminum floor. Check for corrosion and damage from the alkaline in the urine and manure. Look for holes with a rough texture; these are often dark.

■ Frame. Check for rust if the frame made from steel; check for cracks if the frame made from

aluminum. Most trailers built with steel after the 1980s will feature galvanized steel.

■ Side walls. Check for rust if the side walls made from steel; check for corrosion if the side walls are made from aluminum. Rust and corrosion will be found closer to the floor.

■ Dividers and butt/breast bars. Check for rust underneath the padding if these elements are made from steel; check for cracks and tearing if they’re made from aluminum.

■ Padding. Check for dryness, tearing, and mildew. Check the foam underneath the vinyl padding. If rain water has leaked into the vinyl and retained, the water will rot the wood and damage the foam.

Tom Scheve and Neva Kittrell Scheve are the authors of the nationally recognized textbook, The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. Neva has also written two other horse-trailer books, including Equine Emergencies On The Road with Jim Hamilton, DVM. The Scheves present clinics at equine expos and promote trailer safety through articles in national magazines.

They’ve designed and developed the EquiSpirit, EquiBreeze, and ThoroSport lines of trailers.

Dedicated to enriching the lives of unwanted horses.

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A Home For Every Horse is brought to you by the Equine Network and sponsored by:

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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Fall 2018

------------SAFETRAVELS-----------

Equine Protective Gear Here’s a rundown of gear designed to help keep your horse safe and comfortable during travel.

By Rebecca Gimenez, PhD

Protective gear, such as shipping boots, can help keep your horse safe in the trailer. Here’s a rundown of common protective gear, including expert recommendations.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Should you use protective gear when you trailer your horse? One could argue that no safety gear will prevent your horse from hitting steel or aluminum in an accident. You’d have to add air bags, safety padding, and slings, or perhaps yards of bubble wrap. HowUSRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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ever, protective gear can help keep your horse safe during the occasional kicks, constant road debris, usual bumps, slips, and cold weather during transport. Here’s a rundown of common equine protective gear, including what I recommend in each category. >> Fall 2018

PHOTO COURTESY OF KENSINGTON PROTECT PRODUCTS

“I recommend shipping boots over leg wraps—ease of use means you’ll be more likely to apply them every time you trailer your horse,” says Rebecca Gimenez, PhD. Shown are shipping boots from Kensington Protective Products.

Shipping Boots/Leg Wraps • What they are: Shipping boots with hook-and-loop fasteners run from knee to ground, and are easy to apply and remove.

Leg wraps are elastic wraps/bandages you carefully wrap around your horse’s lower legs; these take longer to apply and require skilled application to avoid placing too much pressure on your horse’s tendons. You’ll also need to make sure you don’t leave the wraps on for extended periods of time. (For more on leg wraps, see page xx.)

• What they do: Boots and wraps help protect your horse’s lower legs as he gets in and out of the trailer, if he falls or is kicked by another horse en route, and even in an accident.

• Recommended? I highly recommend leg protection when you trailer your horse. I recommend shipping boots over leg wraps—ease of use means you’ll be more likely to apply them every time you trailer your horse.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHIRES EQUESTRIAN, INC.

“I strongly recommend using a fly mask when you trailer your horse, especially if you use an open stock trailer,” advises Rebecca Gimenez, PhD. Shown is Shires Fly Mask with Ears.

Fly Mask

• What it is: A mesh mask that secures to your horse’s face (and sometimes ears) to protect him from flies and other pests.

• What it does: When you haul your horse in a trailer that’s open to outside elements, a fly mask protects your horse’s eyes and ears from insects and dust that whip by.

• Recommended? I strongly recommend using a fly mask when you trailer your horse, especially if you use an open stock trailer.

Head Bumper

• What it does: A head bumper will help protect your horse’s head from injury if he should hit it during the loading/unloading process or during transport.

• Recommended? I recommend that you use a head bumper if your horse is tall or fractious, or if your trailer is a little too short to accommodate his height.

Head bumpers aren’t usually needed for all horses, and can make their heads hot and itchy.

Temporary Hoof Boots • What they are: Rubber boots designed to go over the hooves of barefoot horses to protect the hooves. They’re designed to be easily applied and removed.

• What they do: In the trailer, temporary hoof boots can provide traction, as well as a layer of shock absorption to help cushion your horse’s joints.

• Recommended: See what works best for your horse.

Barefoot horses can be trailered safely. Note that in very hot weather, boots may contribute to heat stress.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CASHEL COMPANY

“I recommend that you use a head bumper if your horse is tall or fractious, or if your trailer is a little too short to accommodate his height,” says Rebecca Gimenez, PhD. Shown is a head bumper from Cashel Company.

• What it is: A nylon or leather pad with cushioning material that’s shaped to fit on your horse’s crown.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF EASYCARE INC.

In the trailer, temporary hoof boots can provide traction, as well as a layer of shock absorption to help cushion your horse’s joints. Shown is an Easyboot from EasyCare Inc.

Fall 2018

Blanket/Sheet

Trailering-Safety Tips

• What it is: A blanket or sheet covers your horse from withers to tailhead. These products come in a wide variety of materials (usually nylon or cotton) and offer varying degrees of insulation.

• What it does: During transport, a blanket or sheet provides warmth/wind protection in cold months, and can offer some protection in the event of a bump, bite/kick, or an accident.

• Recommended? Normally, horses don’t need to be blanketed for transport, because they generate plenty of their own heat. But older or compromised horses might need a light sheet. Watch for heat stress; trailers are often poorly ventilated. USR

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Consider a rear-facing stall configuration, which tends to allow horses to better balance their weight than do forward-facing models, especially during braking.

In addition to protective gear, your choice of trailer and attention to safety when hauling will also help keep your horse injury-free. Here are my top three trailering-safety tips.

• Consider a rear-facing trailer. Trailer cameras tell us that rear-facing trailer models tend to allow horses to better balance their weight than do forward-facing trailers, especially during braking. And in the event of an accident, your horse’s strong hindquarters will absorb an impact much better than his face and head.

• Consider a stock trailer. A stock trailer is also a good choice, because it allows your horse to find his own comfortable space and hauling angle.

• Keep horses separated. If you’re hauling more than one horse, make sure the animals can’t bite or kick each other in transport.

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PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Normally, horses don’t need to be blanketed for transport, because they generate plenty of their own heat,” notes Rebecca Gimenez, PhD. “But older or compromised horses might need a light sheet.”

Rebecca Gimenez, PhD (animal physiology), is president and a primary instructor for Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. A Major in the United States Army Reserve, she’s a decorated Iraq War veteran and a past Logistics Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Team. She’s an invited lecturer on animal-rescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist.

Fall 2018

Because she is Everything.

your trusted roadside assistance company.

Call for a quote: 800.50.HORSE (504.6773) Or visit: www.usrider.org/insurance for an online quote

Make sure you’re covered.

------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------

Leg-Wrapping Basics Learn how to properly wrap your horse’s legs with these expert guidelines.

By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Leg wraps—such as polo wraps (shown)—can be useful, but improperly applied wraps can damage your horse’s legs. Learn leg-wrap basics with this expert guide.

One way to protect your horse’s legs in the trailer is by wrapping his legs. Leg wraps are also called for to protect and cover an injured area; provide warmth to stiff/old tendons, ligaments, or fetlocks; and control acute-injury swelling and movement.

Leg wraps can be useful, but improperly applied wraps can damage your horse’s legs. The blood supply to the tendons in USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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the back of his lower leg is compromised if the wrap is too tight, is applied with uneven pressure, or if it slips down and bunches up.

How much tension to use when applying a wrap depends on the leg-wrap materials you choose. A properly applied bandage will stay in place without slipping and will lie snug against your horse’s Fall 2018

>>

Step 1. When you bandage a leg, use an inner layer of cotton or fleece.

Step 2. Apply the inner layer so that it lies smoothly along the leg.

skin, but not snug enough to indent it. You should be able to slide a fingertip between the bandage and your horse’s leg.

Here, I’ll first go over wrap materials and leg-wrap lingo. Then I’ll give you an overview of three common types of leg wraps: Stall wraps; shipping wraps; and wound/injury wraps.

Leg-Wrap Materials Here’s a rundown of common leg-wrap materials.

Cottons: Cottons are used for the inside layer of stable bandages, and sometimes work bandages. This term may refer to either disposable cotton sheets or reusable and washable wraps of cotton or synthetic materials.

Quilts: Quilts are cottons with a quilt pattern.

Pillow wraps: Pillow wraps are extra-thick cotton wraps.

Fleeces: Fleeces are lamb’s wool wraps used in place of cottons.

Leg-Wrap Lingo

Step 3. Always start the wrap over bone, not the tendons.

Step 4. Each layer should overlap the one before by half the width of the bandage.

Step 5. Wrap down to cover the fetlock joint and then back up, ending on bone, not tendon.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Here’s a rundown of useful leg-wrap lingo.

Polo wraps: Polo wraps are typically made from fleece or nylon, and are 2 to 6 inches wide. These are used as the outer layer of a stall wrap or shipping wrap, or during exercise. Polo wraps are available in varying amounts of stretch.

Stall/stable/standing wrap: Wraps your horse wears when in the barn. A regular stall wrap (also called a stable wrap or standing wrap) has an inner layer of cotton, fleece, or nylon and an outer bandage to hold that layer in place. Note: Most horsepeople use standing wrap synonymously with stable wrap, while others mean a wrap that comes down to cover the pastern and coronary band, like a shipping wrap (below).

Stall/stable/standing bandage: This is the wrap’s outer layer. It may be made from no-stretch cotton, fleece, or nylon.

Shipping wraps: Shipping wraps are those worn in the trailer.

Shipping wraps should be long enough to cover the pastern, heel bulbs, and coronary band.

Stall Wraps A regular stall wrap (also called a stable wrap or standing wrap) has an inner layer of cotton or fleece and an outer bandage to hold that in place. For full-size horses, the inner cottons are available in 12and 14-inch lengths. The 12-inch cottons are for your horse’s front legs; his front-leg cannon bones are likely shorter than those of his hind legs. Look for an outer bandage that’s between 9 and 12 feet in length and 4 to 6 inches wide.

Here are three rules of thumb when bandaging: • Always start the wrap over bone, not the tendons.

• Bring the wrap around the front of the cannon bone first.

• End the wrap along the cannon bone.

Stretchy materials are easier to work with than cotton-flannel bandages, but can also be pulled too tight. As a rule of thumb, never >>

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stretch to more than 1.5 times the resting length of the fabric, and never, ever stretch as tight as it can go. To get an idea of how much pull/force this requires, first unravel a 4- to 6-inch length of bandage, hold it in front of you and gradually stretch until it is 1.5 times the original length.

Before you begin, clean the leg where the bandage will lie. Brush the hair so that it is lying smoothly. Start at the cannon bone. If you’re right-handed, start the wrap on the left leg on the outside of the cannon bone, wrapping clockwise. On the right leg, start the wrap on the inside of the cannon bone, again going clockwise, to come across the front of the cannon bone first. If you’re left-handed, reverse this.

Apply the cotton so that it lies smoothly along the leg, with no wrinkles. While holding the cotton in place lightly with one hand, begin the outer bandage by tucking it under the end of the cotton for a short distance, then wrapping in the same direction, first down to cover the fetlock joint, then back up again to end at the top of the leg. Each layer should overlap the one before by about half the width of the bandage.

One of the trickiest things to learn is where to start the outer bandage so that you finish wrapping at the top of the leg without too much bandage left over, or not enough left. This will depend on bandage length (9 or 12 feet), the width (between 4 and 6 inches), and how much stretch it has, as well as how long your horse’s cannon bone is.

Experiment with bandaging materials to find out what works best. In general, the outer bandage is started anywhere from halfway up the cannon bone to just above the fetlock joint, worked down to take in the fetlock, then brought back up again.

Shipping Wraps

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

A shipping boot or wrap must cover your horse’s pastern, coronary band, and heel bulbs. The easiest route is to invest in one-piece shipping boots designed for trailering (shown).

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When your trailer your horse, sudden stops and sharp turns can throw him off balance. In the scramble to regain his balance, he could step on himself, usually along the lower leg or coronary band. This can result in serious injury. Shipping boots and wraps help protect his legs from such injuries.

A shipping boot or wrap must cover your >> Fall 2018

horse’s pastern, coronary band, and heel bulb. The easiest route is to invest in one-piece shipping boots designed for trailering. These are easy to apply and are typically secured with a hook-and-loop closure.

If you opt to wrap your horse’s legs for travel, 14-inch cottons and long polos are usually sufficient for horses with fairly short cannon bones. For longer cannon bones, you might need to go with regular stall wraps and a pair of bell boots or use shipping boots—or simply use shipping boots.

Wound/Injury Wrap Whether it’s a pulled tendon, a wrenched ankle or a nasty wound,

wrapping can improve your horse’s comfort by controlling swelling and, in the case of wounds, keeping the injuries clean.

Wrapping over a wound, whether sutured or open, can be tricky.

You don’t want the cotton in direct contact with the wound, because of lint. It’s less of a problem with the disposable sheet cottons, but these can end up sticking to wound drainage.

Your best bet is to cover the wound with regular gauze sponges that have been lathered with plain petroleum jelly, a skin rejuvenator (such as Veterinus Derma Gel), or an antibiotic cream. (Don’t use Telfa dressing, as it won’t adhere

well.) Smooth out the gauze so that all edges are well stuck to the skin before you begin wrapping.

When wrapping injured legs, be careful with pressure. Too much pressure is painful and can cause additional damage when combined with swelling. Wrap just tightly enough to ensure that the bandage doesn’t slip down. Check the wrap every few hours to make sure no swelling appears above or below the bandage. USR Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD, is a staff veterinarian for Uckele Health and Nutrition, Inc., and is the owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions, a nutritional consulting firm.

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Fall 2018

------------ TRAILERINGCLINIC------------

Trailer-Loading Troubleshooting Learn how to load your horse every time you ask with these techniques from Julie Goodnight.

By Heidi Melocco with Julie Goodnight Photos by Heidi Melocco

Before you start each trailer-loading session, outfit your horse in a rope training halter for control, says Julie Goodnight (shown). Switch to a gentle, breakaway, flat halter for trailering.

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Have you ever had trouble loading your horse into the trailer—even when he’s loaded successfully in his past? There’s a chance you may unknowingly be contributing to his trailering issues.

“It’s easy to train your horse to resist trailer loading,” notes top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight.

“Chances are, you may not realize how you’re contributing to his behavior. It can take years to train a horse to do the right thing, but only moments to ‘un-train’ him.”

Here, Goodnight will give you her proven training techniques to help you correct any mistakes you might be making and squelch your horse’s behavior problems before they escalate. She’ll also give you a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind as you trailer-train your horse.

Training Techniques Step 1. Prepare. Wear sturdy boots and leather gloves, for safety. Outfit your horse in a rope training halter for control. (Switch to a gentle, breakaway, flat halter for trailering.) Find a quiet place with good footing. If possible, back your trailer to your barn, close to a fence, so that your horse’s options are limited and the only way to go seems to be into the trailer.

Step 2. Perform ground work.

How well your horse handles from the ground will impact how well you can handle him in a difficult trailer-loading situation. If he suddenly decides he doesn’t want to load, you need to know that you’re fundamental handling skills are intact. Work on instilling ground manners. Make sure your horse will stand still on command. A horse that will stand still on your authority has decided he must abide by

rules of behavior. He’s respectful.

If he won’t stand still, work on that skill first.

Step 3. Correct unacceptable

ber that you’re in charge when you approach the trailer. Note: You may need to enlist the help of a knowledgeable horse friend or qualified trainer to work through the trailer-training process.

behavior. Does your horse look away from the path you choose? Do you allow him to look away without Be confident and correcting him? Does he walk in aware. Your horse will always turn front of you? These are all signs that away from what he doesn’t like and he isn’t paying attention to you. toward what he does like. Watch Address small acts of disobedience his ears to see what he’s “pointaway from the trailer—and before ing” at. Horses are also keen on the looking-away behavior leads to your determination and intention a turn-and-bolt. Once he learns he level, so pay attention to your own can get away from you, it can’t be attitude and body language. Here’s unlearned. how to project confidence, read If your horse has learned to get your horse’s intentions, and make away from you or turn his nose to corrections early on, so the behavthe side to go where he wants, he ior doesn’t escalate. may display these behaviors when trying to avoid approaching the trailer. If he displays the turn-andbolt behavior when you’re trailer-loading, examine your leading techniques and his behaviors when you’re working away from the trailer.

The first time your horse ripped the rope out of your hand and got away, it might’ve been an accident.

But then he thinks, Wow, I got free. He’ll forever know that he can overpower you.

You can dissuade the behavior, but he’ll always remember that it’s possible.

To fix this behavior, establish a solid When you approach the trailer, your horse needs to relationship from the know that you mean business. Point his nose straight ground. He’ll remem- ahead. Don’t allow him to look from side to side.

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of your eye, watch his eyes to see whether he’s even thinking of moving back, not forward.

Step 5. Avoid circling. If your

Keep your horse’s nose pointed at the trailer—no matter what.

• Be confident. When you approach the trailer with your horse, there should be no doubt in his mind that he’s going in.

Be a confident leader. Conduct yourself in a way that tells your horse you both are walking straight in the trailer.

• Catch the look-away. If your horse doesn’t want to load up, he’ll tense and look away long before he’s close to the trailer.

Determine the exact moment when he sees the trailer and

realizes that’s where he’s going.

If you don’t notice that small glance away, your horse may look right and left to plan his evacuation route. Correct him the second he looks away, before he escalates his plan and balks, turns, or even bolts.

• Keep his nose straight.

When you approach the trailer, keep your horse’s nose pointed straight ahead. If he even tips his nose to the side, bump the rope to correct him. Out of the corner

horse is “experienced” in throwing tantrums before trailer-loading, he may learn that if he does turn his head, balk, or even wind up completely out of position, you’ll circle him and approach the trailer again.

Never circle your horse when trailer-loading. It’s a fatal mistake.

If you turn him around and allow him to face the direction in which he wants to go, he’s gotten his own way for a few steps. Allowing him to turn away reinforced the tantrum, so he’ll certainly do it again.

Instead, let him figure out how to straighten up and get his feet in line without circling. Then follow the guidelines in Step 4.

Step 6. Stay out of the way.

Horses are trained not to invade your space, so avoid stepping up into the door of the trailer before asking your horse to step up. If he were to follow your request, he’d have to walk on top of you. If you’re stepping up into a long slant-load trailer, enter well ahead of your horse, keep walking straight ahead, then step close to the wall to get out of his way. Show him there’s a path to move forward.

Step 7. Retrain him. If your

Avoid circling. When you circle back around, your horse learns that he can get his way—if only for a moment.

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horse has been known to balk at entering the trailer, approach, then ask him to stop before he enters.

When he stops, praise him for listening and looking forward at the trailer. If he looks away, correct him to remind him that he’ll be moving straight ahead. When he looks at the trailer, praise him. When you stop, he’ll show you what he’s Fall 2018

Stay out of your horse’s way as you load him. Don’t stand in front of him. A well-trained horse will wait until you walk forward and get out of the way to load up. However, a horse that doesn’t want to load will take your placement as a reason not to move forward and to think of an alternate destination. thinking about. You’ll have an opportunity to praise him for looking forward and looking at the trailer.

Stopping him also keeps him in a compliant mind-set—you’re praising him for moving and stopping on command. This technique keeps him interested in moving forward and discourages him from thinking about an escape.

Do’s and Don’ts Here are several do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when trailer-training your horse.

Don’t: Train on the road. Don’t fight with your horse because you need to get on the road right away. If you’re in a hurry, you may be tempted to resort to different and inconsistent tactics to get him loaded.

Do: Schedule plenty of time for trailer-loading practice sessions.

Don’t: Use a rope or whip. You want to teach your horse the right

response rather than trying to force him into the trailer. To help him to think about moving forward, avoid touching him with anything from behind, including a rope or whip.

As soon as you touch him from behind, his attention is immediately transferred to his hindquarters. Using a rope or whip could also scare him, and a fearful horse doesn’t learn.

Do: Enlist a helper to snap a training flag, if your horse needs extra encouragement to go forward. This technique applies mental pressure on your horse that tells him backward isn’t the direction to go. The noise helps him associate quiet and easy with forward movement and an unpleasant sound with thoughts of backing up. You’re not physically touching him or applying constant pressure.

Don’t: Trailer-load alone. You need to close the back door before you tie your horse, for safety. You don’t

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want your horse to learn that if you’re alone, he has time to back up before the butt bar is snapped and the door closed.

Do: Ask a traveling buddy to go with you to help you load your horse. After your horse walks into the trailer, your buddy can snap on the butt bar, close the doors, and help you tie your horse, all in the correct order. USR

Internationally respected trainer, riding coach, and clinician Julie Goodnight shares her expertise on her RFD-TV show, Horse Master, and at clinics throughout the United States. Her Julie Goodnight Training Stables, Inc., and Julie Goodnight Natural Horsemanship Training are located in Poncha Springs, Colorado.

Heidi Melocco of The Whole Picture, LLC, is a top equine journalist, professional equine photographer, and frequent horse hauler based in Mead, Colorado.

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------------ USRIDERMEMBERSTORY------------

Wyoming Border Breakdown This horse owner experienced a breakdown in a remote area near Sheridan.

USRider Equestrian Motor Plan helped get him back on the road.

By D. Lee

USRider Equestrian Motor Plan Member D. Lee frequently travels to remote areas for horseback field trial events. Shown is his rig in Northern Arizona. “I was very impressed with the promptness, competence, and professionalism the USRider Member Care Specialist provided,” Lee says of his experience when his truck broke down near Sheridan, Wyoming,

Let me start by saying that I’m not what most would consider a “normal” horse traveler. I do field trials on horseback. We conduct our pointing dog field trials well into the boondocks, far away from the hazard of vehicles. Therefore, my destinations are almost always remote locations where our events are conducted.

Several years ago, I learned that the normal road-service outfits wouldn’t tow my horses, so I added the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan to my travel resources.

The following incident was my first call for assistance.

Bad News Last fall, I was camping at a remote training camp about 30 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming, just across the USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Montana state line. A broken stirrup leather sent me to town to get a quick repair done.

On the trip back to camp, about a mile from our camping area, my truck started making a very loud noise in the area of the driveline. I was able to limp into camp.

When I looked underneath my truck, I found that the carrier bearing was badly damaged and the drive shaft had nearly exited the transmission. My truck wasn’t drivable.

We had no cell-phone service at camp, so a friend drove me about four miles to a hill where we were able to make calls. Our first call was to the Sheridan Dodge dealership to get an idea as to when they might be >>

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USRider Equestrian Motor Plan Member D. Lee’s field trial dogs at a training camp in Montana. “We conduct our pointing dog field trials well into the boondocks, far away from the hazard of vehicles,” says Lee. “Therefore, my destinations are almost always remote locations where our events are conducted. able to do a repair. The news wasn’t good: “Maybe in a couple of days.”

We asked them who could tow us in and were told to contact a particular towing company in Sheridan.

Prompt Help Our next call was to USRider for emergency assistance. Right from the beginning, we were put at ease by the first question from the Member Care Specialist, who said, “Are you and your animals safe?”

We told our rep that we were all well, but that our vehicle needed a tow to Sheridan for driveline repairs. She asked for our location, and we told her that we were in a remote area near the border of Montana and Wyoming, near Sheridan. We added that our recommended towing company could likely haul us in. She asked for a call-back number. We explained

that we couldn’t count on a call back, as we were barely able to get a phone signal.

So rather than arranging a call back, the Member Care Specialist asked us to stay on the line while she made some arrangements. In less than 10 minutes, she was back on the line. She explained that our recommended towing company wouldn’t have been able to even speak with her for 20 minutes, so she’d contacted another towing company in Sheridan that could do the job.

We gave the towing-company representative directions to our camp and asked him if he knew of an independent shop that could possibly get to our repairs completed faster than the dealership had estimated. He referred us to a good shop located next door to the dealership. We contacted the shop; they told us they could get on our

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vehicle the next morning.

Our Member Care Specialist stayed with the calls until all matters were handled, acting in a calm, professional manner at all times.

She was a great comfort and should be applauded for her exceptional abilities.

‘Thank You’ As I mentioned, this was my first call to USRider for emergency assistance. I was very impressed with the promptness, competence, and professionalism the USRider Member Care Specialist provided.

There were four others at our training camp. When the story was passed on to them, they all planned to become Members, just as I’d done when told of USRider by a fellow field-trial competitor.

I thank USRider for being there when I really needed assistance on the road. USR Fall 2018

------------GIFTGUIDE------------

Holiday Gift Guide

Pick the perfect present for every horseperson on your holiday-shopping list.

Staff Report

Get started on your holiday shopping with these six equestrian-gift ideas from the Equine Network Store, a division of Active Interest Media, USRider’s parent company. USRider Members will receive a 15% discount on products shown from October 9 to December 9, 2018. Just enter USRIDER15 at checkout.

Horse Holster Perfect for the horseperson on the go, the Horse Holster is the equestrian solution to carrying a cell phone and other necessities while in the saddle. The neoprene holster fits all sizes of cell phones and cases, including Otterbox and Lifeproof cases. A front zippered pocket provides extra storage for keys, money, identification, and more.

Peace of Mind

Holiday Fun

You enjoy all the benefits that come from a USRider Equestrian Motor Plan membership, including emergency roadside assistance, travel benefits, and Winner’s Circle Advantage discounts.

Share the gift of peace of mind with your favorite horseperson with a USRider Gift Membership.

Just go to the USRider website, log in, and click on Give a Gift Membership. Bonus: Your own USRider membership will be extended by one month for each gift membership you give.

Fergus, the world’s most popular cartoon horse turns into the world’s most traveled equine with this epic holiday adventure inspired by the classic tale, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” In the new book, Fergus and The Night Before Christmas, Fergus and his motley group of equine teammates bravely take to the skies to give St. Nick the sleigh ride of his life. Can Santa manage his ungainly hitch and deliver the perfect gift on the most magical night of the year? Fasten your seatbelt!

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Reflective Trailer Signs

Must-Have Resource Hitch Up & Go: Expert Guide to Horse Trailers & Safe Trailering is an indispensable resource for on-the-go equestrians. Published

by AIM Equine Network and USRider, this guide will help equestrian travelExpert Guide to Horse Trailers & ers safely arrive at Safe Trailering their chosen destinations with their equine friends, whether hauling across town, across the country, or anywhere in-between.

Hitch Up

Hitch Up & GO Expert Guide to Horse Trailers

Give the gift of safety with pressure-sensitive Reflective Trailer Signs from Caution Horses Safety Products™. Made from engineer-grade vinyl, these signs are bright and visible during the day, and reflective at night to help keep horses safe on the road.

& Safe Trailering

&GO

S T O R E Purchase additional copies of this book — and more great riding and training books and DVDs — at www.EquineNetworkSto re.com.

Experts Share their Top Tips on Trailer Buying, Training, On-the-Road Safety, and Equine Travel

AIM EQUINE NETWORK AND USRIDER ®

Hitch Up & Go: Expert Guide to Horse Trailers & Safe Trailering is an on-the-go equestrians. indispensible resource for Published by AIM Equine Network and USRider® your chosen destinatio , this guide will help you n with your equine friend, safely arrive at whether you haul your across the country, or anywhere in between. horse across town, Top experts — including Tom Crabbe, DVM, Katie McLaughl and Neva Kittrell Scheve, Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, in Barb Phalen, Julie Goodnight, and advice on trailer buying, John Lyons — share their trailer training, on-the-roa savvy d safety, and equine travel.

Is your trailer the right size for your horse? How into your trailer? Which do you teach your horse equine traveling papers to willingly load do you need — and why? provides expert answers Hitch Up & Go to these questions and much more.

Edited by René E. Riley

AN AIM EQUINE NETWORK AND U S R I D E R® P U B L ICATION

Bucket Covers

Dressage Key Rack

These handy Bucket Covers from Shires Equestrian protect feed and supplements on the barn and on the road. Clear lettering indicates morning and evening mealtimes for portions and supplements.

Made from lightweight nylon, the covers fold up for ease of travel. They also make great stocking stuffers and holiday barn-warming gifts. Set of two. Each cover measures approximately 11.4 inches by 10.2 inches by 3 inches.

Dressage riders will love this attractive, practical Key Rack. Handy for the home or barn. Great for keys, dog leads, and towels. Measures approximately 6.75 inches by 6 inches.

Galloping Gift Card Need a last-minute gift? Shopping for a barn buddy, but not sure what she’d like? Give the gift of choice with the Equine Network Store Gift Card. Gift cards are delivered by e-mail with instructions on how to redeem them at checkout. You can print out the card and gift it in person or forward the e-mail you receive as an instant gift.

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------------ WINNER’S CIRCLEADVANTAGE------------

USRider Member-Benefit Spotlight As a USRider Member, you can enjoy money-saving discounts through Winner’s Circle Advantage tailored to the active horse owner.

You may access these benefits directly through the Members Area of the USRider website; plus, a brochure you’ll find enclosed in membership kits and renewal mailings provides codes to give

you quick access to all Winner’s Circle Partners.

With so many discounts, you can easily save the cost of your annual membership fee, and more!

This issue, we spotlight Farm and Stable Equipment and Supplies. For more information on each of these companies, and for more Member discounts, click here.

EZSignsOnline.com EZSignsOnline.com offers long-lasting, maintenance-free Pet Memorial Markers (shown) to honor the memory of a beloved horse or pet. The company also offers personalized farm signs, an excellent, affordable way to enhance your farm or barn entrance. Use the company’s easy-to-navigate, secure website to “build” your sign online. Farm signs also make great gifts. USRider Members receive a 10% discount on all sign orders, plus free shipping.

QuitKick Stall-wall kicking and door pawing are dangerous habits that can result in serious damage to stalls and severe injuries to horses. QuitKick stops stall kicking and door pawing humanely, effectively, and without the need for any human interaction between horse and caretaker.

QuitKick uses controlled water jets activated by the kicking, pawing, or banging action of the horse on the door or walls to stop these habits. Shown is the Quit Kick Total Stall System. USRider Members receive a 10% discount on all QuitKick products.

Spalding Fly Predators® Say goodbye to flies. For easy, safe and effective fly control, use Fly Predators® from Spalding Labs. For 35 years Spalding Labs has supplied Fly Predators™ to horse owners nationwide. These tiny beneficial insects are the natural enemy of flies but never bother people or animals. Simply put them out monthly during warm weather. USRider Members receive double the quantity of any one shipment at no extra cost.

Woodstar Products Woodstar Products was founded in 1977 to provide custom horse stalls for the discriminating horse owner. Woodstar has expanded its product line to include an array of products, making “one stop” shopping a reality. Woodstar has always subscribed to the QC (quality and customer) method of doing business. The company’s friendly staff is available to assist you with any questions regarding its products or your planned equine facility. USRider Members receive a 10% discount on horse stalls exceeding $500.

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------------ GETAWAYS------------

New England Resort Experience fall color from the back of your horse at Vermont’s luxurious Mountain Top Inn & Resort.

By Lauren Back Photos Courtesy Of Mountain Top Inn & Resort

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In the fall, Mountain Top Inn and Resort’s miles of wooded trails thread through colorful foliage.

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This fall, go on a true luxury vacation with your horse at Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, Vermont (11 miles northeast of Killington). The resort is located on 700 private acres of woods and meadows surrounded by vast stretches of the Green Mountain National Forest. Resort property overlooks a pristine mountain lake.

Your hosts: Roger Hill and Khele Sparks.

Your accommodations: Stay in the resort’s luxurious lodge, a private guest house on a wooded lane, or a rustic cabin.

Equestrian center: The equestrian center is open from Memorial Day through October. The 100-foot-by-25-foot single-story barn features matted stalls and good ventilation. There’s one turnout pen for guest horses only. The resort staff is available to feed and care for your horse during your stay. Or you may purchase a day pass for access to trails, two outdoor riding arenas, and a cross-country course.

Riding mounts: You may trailer in your own horse. Ranch horses are also available for both experienced and novice riders. Professional instructors will help improve your Western or English riding skills.

The trails: Enjoy The Mountain Top’s spectacular property as you ride through serene mountain pastures and 40 miles of wooded trails that thread through colorful fall foliage. Riding clinics are offered all year. Just outside the barn, you’ll be treated to Vermont’s beauty, with Mount Carmel to the northeast, and meadows and the main trailhead across the road. The staff will help you to create a personalized riding vacation to suit your needs and ability level.

Onsite activities are offered year-round.

Best time of year to go: Each season brings something new to the resort.

Autumn brings Vermont’s glorious fall color.

Contact the resort about its Thanksgiving Holiday package. Winter and summer are busy seasons, with a variety of activities offered. Off-season months, such as November and April, bring quiet and solitude to the resort. USR USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

From top to bottom: There are 40 miles of trails to explore at Mountain Top Inn and Resort. Stay in the resort’s luxurious lodge, a private guest house, or a rustic cabin (shown). Resort property overlooks a majestic mountain lake. From Memorial Day through October, you may trailer in your own horse for a day ride or overnight stays.

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