Better Horses - Winter 2024 Issue

RAISING YOUR EQUINE EXPERIENCE TO A HIGHER LEVEL

WINTER 2024 ISSUE

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WELCOME TO THE WINTER EDITION FEATURED IN THE ISSUE Hello and welcome to the Better Horses Winter Edition.

Better Horses is looking forward to a successful 2024. The Better Horses team is saddling up for a busy year so it’s not too late to set goals for you and your horse. Here at Better Horses, we hope to deliver training tips and helpful advice from professional equine experts around the country to help everyone improve their horsemanship techniques.

Thank you for supporting Better Horses and if you would like to subscribe to our newspaper go online to our website www.betterhorses.com or send an email to admin@betterhorses.com.

Special events coming in the 1st quarter of 2024: Equifest of Kansas will be back in Salina, Kansas, from March 14 to March 17 at the Livestock Expo Center. EquiFest welcomes approximately 15,000 attendees each year. Here you’ll find all breeds and all disciplines represented throughout the competitions, demonstrations, and displayed exhibits. Catch educational and informative workshops, visit one-on-one with world-renowned clinicians, or enjoy stage entertainment of music, poetry, history, and storytelling.

The Lazy E Arena will be hosting the 2024 “Cinch Timed Event Championship” in Guthrie, Oklahoma from February 29 to March 2. Pro rodeo’s top 20 timed event cowboys in the world are invited and required to compete in all five timed events—heading, tie-down, heeling, steer wrestling, and steer roping—over five rounds and three grueling days of competition. For more information, please visit, www.lazye.com.

The Missouri Ranch Horse Assoc. (MoRHA) will begin its first show with working ranch or stock-type horses from March 8 to March 10 at the National Equestrian Center, in Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

Beginning in 2024, Better Horses is pleased to announce Professional Horse Trainer, Merle Arbo, and Better Horses TV Host, Susie Arbo, will be joining the Better Horses Radio team airing nationwide on Rural Radio, local radio stations, and the Better Horses podcast.

As always we hope you enjoy reading, listening and watching Better Horses and if you are an Equine trainer, competitor, farrier, nutritionist, or veterinarian and would like to be featured on any of the Better Horses Platforms feel free to email Better Horse at admin@betterhorses.com.

Until next time, happy trails and ride for the brand.

ED ADAMS, CEO BETTER HORSES

4. The Road to the Horse 2024 8. Where Does Fear Come From?

11. Should We Be Clipping a Horse’s Whiskers?

12. Ranch Riding Lowdown 15. Blanketing When Trailering Horses Should Be a Consideration 16. Easing Your Horse Move to a New Barn 21. Rescue is a Six Letter Word 22. Mare and Foal Care 101 25. Time Management Tips for a Better Barn Life Balance 26. The Value of the Breeding Soundness Examination on the Stallion 29. Persist with Patient Consistency 31. Kansas Horse Mafia Extreme Cowboy Racers: Building Brave Horses 33. Constant Task Maintaining Fences 35. What is Title Insurance and Why it is Important

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THE ROAD TO THE HORSE 2024 International Competitors Chase Gold

WRITTEN BY ROAD TO THE HORSE STAFF

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n celebration of the 2024 Olympic Games, Road to the Horse 2024 will feature an international lineup of three world-class competitors, showcasing talented colt starters from around the globe. Road to the Horse is thrilled to select these stand-out athletes who will represent their country as they compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting: Ken McNabb (USA), Donal Hancock (Australia) and Tik Maynard (Canada). These three championship competitors will be joined by the Wild Card Challenge champion, allowing a total of four colt starters to compete for $125,000 in prize money and horsemanship’s most prominent title on March 21-24 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“We’re excited to add an international flavor to Road to the Horse 2024” states Morris Equine Group President, Tina Battock. “These inspiring individuals, who all share an unsatisfiable hunger for knowledge, will put a lifetime of horsemanship experience to the test, and we can’t wait to follow them on their journey. Combine these talented athletes with our Wild Card Challenge Champion, and the stage is set for a historic Road to the Horse event!”

KEN MCNABB – USA

Representing the United States is Wyoming horseman and rancher Ken McNabb — a lifelong cowboy who grew up in a traditional ranching community with strong family values, a commitment to patriotism and faith

in Christ. Ken is known for creating a unique environment where each horse is trained using gentle methods, and the rider is coached to become their best.

Ken has spent the last 26 years traveling the United States from coast-to-coast, teaching and hosting horsemanship clinics and events.

DONAL HANCOCK – AUSTRALIA

From the outback of Australia, Donal Hancock is proud to represent his homeland. Donal grew up in a remote part of Australia on a cattle station known as Saddlers Springs, where riding was as necessary as walking.

His quest for knowledge led him to America, where he apprenticed under Double Dan Horsemanship. In 2016, upon his return to Australia, Donal

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founded Hancock Horsemanship and is Wild Card Challenge the chance to now a respected Australian colt starter, step directly into a championship trainer, and clinician as he continues to competitor position. teach, show, and train.

Hosting both the Wild Card Challenge and the World Championship TIK MAYNARD – CANADA Competition at Road to the Horse 2024, Canadian three-day event rider Tik will allow fans to enjoy an expanded Maynard is no stranger to international array of diverse talent, along with competition. Tik competed full time educational clinics, demonstrations and in the sport of modern pentathlon. world class entertainment.

A Canadian National Team member and two-time National Championship winner, Tik competed at multiple World Cups, World Championships, and at the 2007 Pan-Am Games in Rio. Tik’s passion is three-day eventing, where he was listed for the Canadian National Three-Day Eventing Team. A trainer, clinician and author, Tik is married to USA Three-Day Eventing Olympic Team member, Sinead Maynard.

WILD CARD CHALLENGE – PEN WRANGLER EDITION

In addition to the World Championship action, fans will witness the first ever Pen Wrangler Edition of the Wild Card Challenge, where three past Road to the Horse Pen Wranglers will finally have their chance to step into the round pen and showcase their colt starting skills. Turning the tables, the past championship competitor that the Pen Wrangler assisted will be the Pen Wrangler for this challenge.

The Wild Card Challenge will precede the World Championship of Colt Starting Competition, starting on Thursday, March 21, and will conclude on Friday, March 22, 2024.

This will allow the champion of the

REMUDA FROM THE PITCHFORK RANCH

Since 2003, Road to the Horse has prided itself on bringing the very best American Quarter Horses to the World Championship of Colt Starting from ranches across the country. Over the past 20 years, six ranches have had the privilege of supplying colts for horsemanship’s most prestigious colt starting competition, including the Cornelius Ranch, Wood Ranch, Sutton Ranches, Bath Brothers Ranch and most recently the 6666 Ranch. Road to the Horse is proud to welcome the historic Pitchfork Ranch as the 2024 remuda partner.

The Pitchfork Ranch will bring one of the largest remudas the event has ever seen to the Kentucky Horse Park on March 21-24, 2024. The Road to the Horse 2024 Remuda will feature a lineup of the ranch’s best American Quarter Horses whose pedigrees include industry greats such as Peptoboonsmal, Smart Little Lena, WR This Cats Smart and Bet Hesa Cat. “Since 1883, the Pitchfork Ranch has prided itself on building a legacy

with passionate people, producing the world’s best cattle and horses,” states Morris Equine Group President, Tina Battock. “It’s an honor to have such a historic brand join our family. We can’t wait to shine a spotlight on their beautiful colts in Lexington, Kentucky.”

The Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was incorporated with 52,500 acres of land in central West Texas and a foundation herd of 9,750 cattle in December of 1883. Today, the home ranch covers 165,000 acres in Dickens and King counties near the town of Guthrie, Texas, with a satellite operation in Oklahoma. The Pitchfork Ranch is larger today than at any time in its history. The ranch’s remuda consists of approximately 50 brood mares, 125 saddle horses and four stallions. They raise horses primarily for their own use on the ranch but do make horses available to the public through a variety of special events including the Return to the Remuda Sale.

The Pitchfork ranch horse has a reputation that sells itself. The remuda has come a long way from the small native ponies first used on the ranch.

The first improvement in the horse herd came from a thoroughbred U.S. Military remount stallion named Trimmer. This gave the cowboys horses with increased size and stamina. Seal Brown was the first quarter horse stallion purchased by Pitchfork manager, Rudolph Swenson in 1941.

The stallion produced an outstanding herd of broodmares. Upon Seal Brown’s death in 1946, the ranch acquired

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Joe Bailey’s King, who soon became legendary. To add to the legacy were Otoe, Savanah Jr., Gray Badger, Gray Dee Bar and Dash For Cash. The modern bloodlines of Highbrow Cat, Playgun and Grays Starlight have been added in recent years. Pitchfork horses are very versatile and have been tried and proven in the pasture, rodeo arena, polo fields and performance arenas all over the world.

In addition to the Pitchfork Ranch Remuda, Road to the Horse 2024 will feature an international lineup of three world-class competitors, showcasing their colt starting abilities. These stand out athletes who will represent their country as they compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting: Ken McNabb (USA), Donal Hancock (Australia) and Tik Maynard (Canada). The three championship

competitors will be joined by the Wild Card Challenge Champion, allowing a total of four colt starters to compete for the world title and $125,000 in prize money. Wild Card Challenge competitors include Lindsey Patterson, John Baar and C.D. Wilcox.

PEN WRANGLERS STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT AT ROAD TO THE HORSE 2024

The Road to the Horse competition can challenge even the most talented colt starters. Those who have competed at the championship level have had one thing in common: a skillful Pen Wrangler. The role of the Pen Wrangler is critical as they assist in preparations, training and time management and offer a knowledgeable reflection of the colt’s progress to the competitor during the height of competition.

Above: The 2023 winner, Mike Major meets with the press.

Right: Colts are waiting for the start of a competition round.

Just like the championship competitors, the Pen Wrangler talent is impressive. In the first ever “Pen Wrangler Edition” of the Wild Card Challenge, three past Road to the Horse Pen Wranglers will finally have their chance to step into the round pen and showcase their colt starting skills at Road to the Horse 2024 on March 21-24 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Road to the Horse 2024 Wild Card competitors are Lindsey Patterson, John Baar and C.D. Wilcox.

Swapping roles for 2024, the Road to the Horse Championship Competitor, whom the Pen Wrangler previously assisted, will now be the Pen Wrangler.

• Lindsey Patterson will be aided by Road to the Horse (2022 Championship Competitor Brandi Lyons.

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• John Baar will be supported by veteran Road to the Horse Championship Competitor (2011, 2012 and 2022) Pat Parelli.

• C.D. Wilcox will be accompanied by the two-time Road to the Horse (2022 and 2023) World Champion, Mike Major.

“Watching Wild Card stories unfold has been an inspiring highlight of Road to the Horse. We’re excited to switch up the format in 2024 and, for the first time, bring a Pen Wrangler lineup to the Wild Card Challenge,” states Morris Equine Group President, Tina Battock. “Giving past Pen Wranglers a chance to showcase their talent aligns with our multigenerational approach to horsemanship, inspiring the next generation while showcasing a diverse lineup for our fans.”

The Wild Card Challenge will precede the World Championship of Colt Starting Competition, starting on Thursday, March 21, and will conclude on Friday, March 22, 2024.

This expanded schedule will allow the champion of the Wild Card Challenge to step directly into a championship competitor position, alongside Ken McNabb (USA), Donal Hancock (Australia) and Tik Maynard (Canada LINDSEY PATTERSON

With over a decade riding and training, Lindsey Patterson has seen and done it all. Patterson’s training career began when she met her mentor and friend, Brandi Lyons. Having completed both of

Lyons’ intensive trainer certification programs and subsequently working for Lyons as an assistant trainer, she has traveled across the country engaging in horsemanship clinics, expos and demonstrations. Patterson specializes in colt starting and problem horses but works with all level riders and horses. Patterson operates her successful business, Beyond The Bit, in Freedom, New Hampshire.

JOHN BAAR

Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, watching John Wayne movies with his dad fueled John Baar’s fire to become a cowboy. This passion sent Baar on the search for education from masters in the colt starting and equine psychology arena. He spent time with Martin Black and Ray Hunt, learning the art of colt starting, and quickly jumped on the opportunity to study at the International Horse-Man-Ship University with Pat Parelli. Through hard work and dedication, Baar turned this summer school program into a 10year educational career, which included horse training and development and a deep dive into human learning.

Alongside his wife, Kathy, Baar operates Raising The Baar Horsemanship Center in Kentucky.

C.D. WILCOX

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, C.D. Wilcox competed as an all-around rodeo athlete in tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling from junior rodeo throughout his

college career. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business, Wilcox went on to assist coaching the rodeo team at Texas Tech University, while also helping manage a ranch, starting two-year-olds and training rope horses.

Wilcox boasts many American Quarter Horse Association championships and world titles. His biggest influences are that of Philip Berry, a renowned rope horse trainer and colt starter, and Wilcox’s father-in-law, Mike Major.

Wilcox married his wife, Alexa Major, in 2019, and together they continue to breed, show, compete and train elite performance horses. He is now the Professor of Equine at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Road to the Horse 2024 takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 21-24. Tickets are available at www.

RoadtotheHorse.com or by calling 800514-3849. Follow Road to the Horse on Facebook for the latest information.

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WHERE DOES FEAR COME FROM? WRITTEN BY CHELSEA CANEDY HORSEMANSHIP

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o, I have a Mustang now. Her name is Luna, and she is a 6-year-old mare out of the Twin Peaks HMA in California. She is the first wild Mustang I have ever worked with, and I am learning A LOT.

experience in the wild to distinguish between what is a threat and what is not. Imagine everything she saw and felt in her first six years of life that is informing her decisions now.

out what gets her needs met. She figured out how to eat out of a hay net and drink from a rubber tub in minutes because food and water are necessities for survival. She already knows the sound of the side-by-side that brings Her eyes are always on her The thing that I am most struck surroundings, simultaneously taking in her hay and grain and of the bucket by every day I spend with her is the things near her and things at a distance. with training treats we use during our daily sessions together. stark contrast between the “normal” She’s always listening, ears moving behaviors of a domesticated horse and like satellite dishes picking up signals.

Luna has the uncanny ability to one that has been living without human She breathes in the scents around her distinguish between inanimate objects contact. Luna lives with every one to determine what might be passing and living things. To her, inanimate of her natural survival instincts fully nearby or coming her way. She is always objects hold no potential threat. They intact. The same cannot be said for the aware of every part of her own body. are simply there, inherently lifeless, other horses on my farm. The first time There’s no sneaking up on her. and easily ignored, even if they are a human ever touched Luna was about in motion. She is content to let such She is constantly learning to figure a month ago. She relies on her years of objects move around her and touch her

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all over her body without a care. Lunge whips, horseman’s sticks, flags, pool noodles – you name it, she doesn’t care about it.

A human hand, however, is a very different thing. I can move my hand in the exact same way over her body as I just did one of the aforementioned objects, but she treats it entirely differently as if she can feel my heartbeat in my touch. To her, that hand belongs to a predator and is, therefore, a threat. Put a small curry or brush in that hand, and again, there’s a safety barrier. The inanimate object is doing the touching, and it is allowed far more freedom of movement than the hand. I have talked to several Mustang trainers, and it seems this reaction is more common than not with wild horses.

This phenomenon was so surprising to me, having only worked with domesticated horses who have been handled by humans since they were young. I assumed that if I could touch Luna all over with these objects and wave them around her with no reaction, then I would be able to touch her in the same way. That’s how it works with most of the other horses I have helped, including the more sensitive ones.

from the moment we start handling them. The objects themselves hold no meaning. We give them meaning for our horse.

awareness and learning capacity than a foal or yearling. I am literally shaping her opinion and understanding of humans and the objects we use to For example, I have had many horses communicate with horses. That’s a huge responsibility, made more in my program whose owners tell me they are afraid of whips, and the horse’s palpable by my knowledge of the fact behavior demonstrates this fear. I would that Luna didn’t ask to be domesticated. now clarify this reaction in horses by She was perfectly happy in a world saying they were TAUGHT to be afraid without human contact. The innocence of whips. and sincerity in her expression as she tries to figure me out tug at my They weren’t born afraid of them. heartstrings, and I can only hope that Whips had no meaning to the horse when it was born. They were inanimate she sees our interactions as clear and kind. She deserves that from me, at the objects in their world like they are in Luna’s now. Somewhere along the way, very least. a human gave a whip meaning by using it in a manner that caused pain or fear and, in doing so, taught the horse to be afraid of whips. Then, logically, whiplike things also became frightening – things like flags and pool noodles, anything that is waved around quickly like a whip.

It takes a lot of time to rewrite the imprint of fear on a brain. Fear lays a heavy neural pathway because it taps into survival instincts. Once a brain sees an object as a threat to its survival, it takes a lot of relearning to override the reactivity that object causes. It takes empathy and patience to facilitate this In fact, most of them would much kind of relearning, even when you don’t rather be touched by me than have a fully understand the horse’s reactions whip swung over their head and around or where they came from. Rest assured, their body or a flag rubbed all over they came from somewhere, likely a them. I was pondering what caused this human hand. difference when it hit me. It’s us. It’s I am in a unique position with Luna people. It’s how we imbue the objects at the moment. She’s a bit of a blank in our horse’s world with meaning slate, like a baby horse, but with more

Special thanks to co-sponsors Alison Brigham and Michael Frankel, as well as the barn staff at Unexpected Farm who help make this journey possible.

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SHOULD WE BE CLIPPING A HORSE’S WHISKERS? WRITTEN BY BETTER HORSES STAFF

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ith show season always just around the corner, you may ask is it harmful to shave or trim a horse’s facial whiskers since they are “connected” to their brain cells?

WHY DO HORSES NEED WHISKERS?

There is much more to whiskers than meets the eye. That is, they’re not just long hairs on the face and body of horses and other animals. Whiskers, or, vibrissae, are different from regular hair in their anatomy, location, and purpose.

While it is not technically harmful to clip whiskers, doing so does reduce the animal’s ability to use these specialized tools as nature intended.

It is obvious when looking at a horse or other species (such as dog or cat, rodent, or marine mammal such as a seal, walrus, or sea lion), that whiskers are longer and thicker than regular hair. Whiskers are concentrated in very specific locations like around the eye, between the nostrils and upper lip, and on the bottom jaw beneath the lower lip.

WHISKERS HELP WITH SENSORY AWARENESS

While the whisker itself has no nerves, the follicle it grows from is extensively innervated. Signals from the whiskers have been found to travel to a very specific region of the brain for interpretation. Whiskers in animals are required for:

• Object localization • Orientation of the snout • Detection of movement • Texture and shape discrimination • Exploration • Thigmotaxis (movement in response to a stimulus) • Locomotion • Maintenance of equilibrium • Maze learning • Swimming • Locating food pellets • Fighting • Nipple attachment and huddling in rat pups Essentially, whiskers are tactile or touch sensors that help animals tell where they are, where danger is, and where food and water are. They help animals stay safe in their environment, especially at night (or in the water for marine mammals) when eyesight is less useful as a sense. Certainly, then it is best to leave whiskers alone so the horse can benefit from this additional sensory input, especially since they have a blind spot in the front.

ILLEGAL TRIMMING OF HORSE’S WHISKERS

In some European countries, not only is it prohibited to show a horse with trimmed whiskers, but it also violates animal protection laws. The Fédération

Whiskers have been found to send signals to the brain for multiple functions.

Equestre Internationale (FEI) passed a rule in 2021 that banned the trimming of sensory hairs around the muzzle and eyes. In the United States, it is generally accepted that some competitive disciplines clip or even shave whiskers and other hair on the horse while other disciplines don’t.

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RANCH RIDING LOWDOWN WRITTEN BY HEIDI NYLAND MELOCCO

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anch riding tops the list as one of the most popular western show classes. The appeal? A class that riders can succeed in without expensive silveradorned saddles or fancy clothes. Most any horse-and-rider team that prepares for the pattern class has a chance to win.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) debuted the class and set standards that the “ranch riding horse should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and reflect the versatility, attitude, and movement of a working horse.”

Horses walk, jog, lope, trot with extension, lope with extension, stop, back, and change directions. The 15 AQHA patterns also include sidepassing, 360-degree turns, lead changes (simple or flying), poles, and other “reasonable maneuvers that a ranch horse could perform.” The latter may include light cattle work.

Julian Nemmers is a championearning trainer and regular competitor in ranch riding. Along with his wife, Nancy, and son, Justin, the family has earned ranch-riding honors at the AQHA World Championship Show, as well as at top Appaloosa Horse Club shows. The Nemmers’ ranch is in Longmont, Colorado. Their clients have also received World Champion titles and national-level honors.

Here, Nemmers explains why the class is popular and shares tips to succeed.

Some horses may be better at different pattern elements. Do your best at each; every horse has a chance.

“A great horse can be beaten by a mediocre horse if the great horse breaks gait,” says Nemmers. “There are so many maneuvers in each pattern that you can beat an exceptional horse if you do well at every maneuver and show off what your horse is best at.”

THE RANCH RIDING LOOK Heidi Nyland Melocco rides ranch trail.

RANCH RIDING IS FAIR GAME CLASS

“This is the class that’s made for the horse we all want to ride: an easy-going animal that’s smooth to ride and is consistent,” says Nemmers. “Many of the horses that do well in the class also show in other classes, but it’s available to all types of horses. A rider can go in with a limited amount of investment and do well.”

In a ranch riding class, you and your horse should present a clean look—ready for real ranch work. For your horse, this means no bands, no hoof paint, and little to no clipping.

The Nemmers trim bridle paths and sometimes show a horse that is clipped for other events.

Choose a saddle that you ride in for work without excess silver. Riders compete in a button-down shirt, jeans and a hat.

He says that horses trained for cow work and reining easily transition to ranch riding. However, those horses may need to learn to extend the trot and work over poles. They’ll also need to stop without sliding.

RIDE THE RANCH WAY

A horse that has done real ranch work may have the desired groundcovering gaits but may not have fast turnarounds. The winner for the show may depend on the maneuvers required that day.

“All horses should be soft in the bridle,” says Nemmers. “While we strive for a horse that is level-headed, some horses may be naturally higher-headed, and that’s OK.”

Judges want to see ranch riding horses ridden with contact. Forget the usual show-ring posture and long, draped reins. For this class, you’ll ride like you are getting a job done.

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It’s permissible to post or stand for an extended trot and to stand for the extended canter. Allow your horse to move forward.

He recommends following the pattern horse’s smooth transitions and exactly. Ride to the correct mark and responsiveness. make your transitions obvious.

• Ranch Trail: Obstacles mirror “The speed of your gait should objects and tasks on a ranch, such A ranch riding horse should also be be equal from the start to finish— as operating hinged gates, crossing comfortable riding near or through matching when the pattern asks for that a bridge, backing or sidepassing and cattle. There may be cattle penned change,” he continues. “You don’t want dragging a log. The course includes a beside the show pen. Make sure you can to slowly build up to the requested gait. walk, trot and lope. ride straight past without your horse Be precise and follow the pattern.”

• Ranch Reining: Judges select one turning to look or becoming worried.

Nemmers agrees that downward of eight patterns that include spins, If you must ride past a pen of cattle, make sure your horse is focused ahead and not distracted by the sight.

“An all-around horse may not be used to seeing cattle,” says Nemmers. “Keep in mind that what you look at, your horse will, too. Your eyes turn your body, which turns your hips. Get your horse used to the cattle at home or during warmup, then walk on by. Sometimes you’ll be asked to open a gate and ride through the cattle, move them around, and come back to the gate and exit.”

SHOW SUCCESS

Each ranch riding pattern has a different number of maneuvers, so the score can vary. For each maneuver, you can get a positive or negative mark.

Make sure you’re showing at every moment.

transitions can make or break your show scores in ranch riding. Downward transitions from the extended lope to the extended trot rob riders of points.

Practice at home and make sure your horse knows a precise cue for that transition. Nemmers says that standing up on the transition may help you give your horse a clearer cue.

If you know your horse’s strengths, practice your transitions at home, and memorize your pattern, you may have a new favorite show class.

VERSATILITY CLASSES

The American Quarter Horse Association’s Versatility Ranch Horse division (VRH) includes six classes: ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch cow work, ranch cutting and ranch conformation. VRH judges want to see horses that could “go do a job,” and versatility classes are designed to show off horses’ athletic ability.

“You almost always enter the arena at a walk,” says Nemmers. “The extended walk carries as much weight in the points as an extended trot. If you come Here’s a rundown of each class in the arena and ask your horse to cover included in VRH: ground with an alert look, you’ll do • Ranch Riding: Riders show much better than if your horse looks individually while performing half asleep.” a pattern, displaying their

rollbacks, stops and speed changes.

This class is often combined with the ranch cow work class—riders perform a reining pattern before working a cow—but are scored separately.

• Ranch Cow Work: Includes “boxing” (controlling and keeping a cow in one area of the arena), driving the cow down the fence, and boxing again.

To finish, riders drive the cow down the long side again until crossing the middle mark. In some divisions, riders must also circle the cow and rope.

• Ranch Cutting: Horse and rider team must separate then hold a single cow away from the herd to demonstrate the horse’s ability to work the cow.

• Ranch Conformation: Judges look for horses with a balanced look, adequate muscle and correct structure—a horse who looks like he could move easily around the ranch. Wearing only a halter, horses are led in a pattern that includes walking and trotting, then set up for closer inspection by the judge.

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BLANKETING WHEN TRAILERING HORSES SHOULD BE A CONSIDERATION WRITTEN BY BETTER HORSES STAFF

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lanning your horse’s blankets carefully when trailering in the colder months will make traveling a positive and comfortable experience for your horse. Below are factors to consider when making decisions on blanketing when trailering.

COAT LENGTH: BODY CLIPPED OR WINTER FULL COAT?

If you’re keeping your horse heavily blanketed or in a heated barn this winter, we can assume that she’s body clipped. That means whenever your horse goes outside, she’ll need a blanket because she no longer has her natural winter coat to protect her from cold, especially when it’s windy and rainy. So, your horse will probably need a blanket whenever she’s hauled, too.

Stop to check underneath your horse’s blankets to feel if she’s warm, sweating, or even shivering, as feeling her will be a good indicator of how much clothing your horse needs to keep comfortable.

FRESH AIR AND TRAVEL BUDDIES

if your horse will be traveling alone in a stock trailer with open sides, she’ll need a fairly heavy blanket.

HORSES HANDLE TEMPERATURES DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE

Even if it’s January and the ground is frozen, if it’s a warm day (like in the 50°s or 60°s Fahrenheit) your horse may only need a sheet, even if she’s in an open trailer. Remember that the “thermoneutral zone” for horses— where they’re neither too hot nor too cold—is said to be between 20° and 60°F, cooler than for us. However, if it’s below this, we recommend considering using a medium to heavy blanket or layering a couple of light ones.

First, if you have a small two horse trailer with solid walls and another horse alongside her, your horse will only need a sheet or light blanket because the two horses will give off heat that won’t be lost in the wind. Be HOW LONG WILL YOUR HORSE BE sure to crack open some of the windows IN THE TRAILER? (especially in the ceiling) so there is How far and how fast will you be proper ventilation, and the horses get going? A quick 10-mile trip down plenty of fresh air. On the other hand, backroads won’t warrant as much

protection against the cold as four hours on the interstate. So, take your travel route and time into consideration when you’re deciding how to dress your horse.

DON’T BLANKET A WET HORSE

Make sure your horse is completely dry before you load her into the trailer.

If you’re in a hurry, speed up this process by hand-walking her in a cooler designed to wick away moisture. Then put your dry horse under a dry sheet or blanket for the trip and she should be in great shape! If your horse is sweating a lot, consider adding an electrolyte or salt to her meals this winter, at least around the days you’ll be traveling and competing. It’s easy and inexpensive insurance against dehydration and the illness’ that can come from it, such as colic.

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WINTER EDITION

EASING YOUR HORSE MOVE TO A NEW BARN WRITTEN BY BETTER HORSES STAFF

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et’s face it, moving is rarely fun!

And just like for you, moving can be stressful on your horse. For those of us who board (and even those that keep their horses at home), moving is likely going to be a necessity at some point.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to help make moving your horse as stress-free and smooth as possible.

keep the receipts handy. If your horse is going to be crossing state lines, you’ll also likely need to get a health certificate from your veterinarian.

PLAN VETERINARY CARE WELL IN ADVANCE

Try not to schedule your veterinarian to do any kind of wellness care for about two weeks before the move.

Vaccinations, deworming, chiropractic Here are our top tips to help keep you adjustments, and simply having an and your horse happy and healthy as he examination can be stressful for your or she makes the move to a new barn. horse. You don’t want to shock his system with too many new things at REVIEW YOUR HORSE’S HEALTH RECORDS once, instead try to spread out his vet care a couple of weeks beforehand.

Make sure that your horse’s Coggins, vaccinations, deworming, and hoof PACK AHEAD OF TIME care are up to date so that you won’t There’s nothing quite as stressful have to do them right before you move. as packing at the last moment, then Many boarding stables and shipping realizing you’re missing your horse’s companies will also require proof of lead rope, an important medication, these services, so it’s a good idea to or a piece of tack. Packing a few days

Although moving can be stressful for horses, maintaining a routine is one of the many tricks to keep them calm.

or even a week before your move will allow plenty of time to go through your things and make sure everything is there. Any items that need to be left out until the last minute should be put on a checklist for the final day, to make sure they are not accidentally forgotten.

BRING FOOD & WATER

Many horses become accustomed to the taste of the water at home and are reluctant to drink while away. Dehydration can have serious consequences, such as colic. It’s essential to keep your horse hydrated and drinking sufficiently, especially during warm weather travel.

To ensure that your horse drinks readily when he arrives at his new home, it’s a good idea to pack some water to take along. This will also allow you to mix his water for the first day or so until he gets acclimated to the new taste. If your horse is reluctant to drink, you can try giving him an electrolyte to encourage normal drinking.

Bringing along a few bales of hay and the grain your horse is accustomed to eating is one of the most important factors to ensure a smooth transition.

Did you know that changing the type of hay your horse eats increases his risk of colic by ten times? Similarly changing grain type increases the risk of colic by five times. So, changing both at the same time can be a recipe for disaster.

Be sure to pack enough hay and grain

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Since horses adhere to daily habits, establishing a similary daily routine helps aclimating your horse.

to transition your horse slowly over the course of seven to ten days to new hay and/or grain by mixing the two sources.

If your current barn manager doesn’t let you take any hay or grain for whatever reason, find out who supplies the hay/feed. Usually, feed stores and local farmers are more than happy to help.

SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY LEND SUPPORT BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER TRAVEL

Since the stomach seems to be where many horses gather stress, you’ll want to protect your horse’s digestive health at all costs. While keeping your horse’s nutrition the same throughout the move is crucial, you may also want to talk to your veterinarian about adding a gastric or hindgut supplement for support throughout this transition period.

a supplement that includes probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and yeast.

starting a new lesson program or going to a show right after the move.

Depending on how your horse typically handles stress, you may also want to talk with your vet about going one step further and giving UlcerGuard, which is omeprazole – an FDAapproved medication to prevent ulcers.

This can be a worthwhile conversation as some horses can be sensitive to change and need extra support.

If your horse will be receiving less turnout or exercise at the new place, consider taking him out for some extra hand walking, lunging, or hacking to help minimize the negative effects.

If your horse will be receiving more turnout or exercise, that’s great news!

But you’ll want to also make these changes gradually, especially if he or she will be on grass pasture.

MAINTAIN A ROUTINE

Horses are creatures of habit and quickly learn their daily routines. When your horse moves to a new barn, it’s likely that he will have to adapt to a new feeding, turnout, and/or exercise schedule. Try to keep his daily routine the same as best you can and make schedule adjustments slowly.

Sudden changes in exercise and activity have been proven to increase A daily digestive supplement can help the risk of colic, so it’s important your horse’s hindgut adapt to change to make these changes as slowly as and manage digestive stress. Look for possible. For example, don’t plan on

NEW TURNOUT AND HERD DYNAMICS

Further, the social dynamics of your horse’s pasture mates can be a whole other situation to iron out. If your horse used to go out in a big herd but now is being turned out alone, it’ll be a big adjustment. Try talking with the barn manager and other boarders to see if you can find a suitable social group for your horse (based on age, size, personality, etc.). Of course, always be very careful when introducing your horse to his barn-mates.

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WINTER EDITION

WELCOME FERGUS TO THE BETTER HORSES FAMILY

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BETTER HORSES

Visit www.fergusthehorse.com for more!

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WINTER EDITION

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Dr. Clint Rusk, Executive Vice President (816) 464-2474 ext 101 • crusk@charolaisusa.com www.charolaisusa.com

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BETTER HORSES

RESCUE IS A SIX LETTER WORD WRITTEN BY KAREN THALLER – RISEN FROM THE ASHES HORSES RESCUE

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t’s Monday again, and I’m standing in front of the paddock, ankle deep in mud. The night before it rained an inch, which we needed, but the paddocks hadn’t recovered from the last rain.

Rivulets of muck water canal through the paddock and pool in front of the water trough and feed pans. The freezing drizzle stings my cheeks, and my hands are frozen to the bone. Standing with three pails of grain, the horses watching my every move, I contemplate how to maneuver through the muck and mire, without being bullied by three very impatient horses. The opportunity presents itself, and I move slowly trying to keep my boots from being sucked off.

Just as I reach the first feeding trough, I’m met with a very large, swinging rear end, and there I am, prostrate, spread eagled, sinking quickly in the muck of despair.

The remaining two grain buckets are still intact, but it’s just a matter of time until they are accosted. Sopping wet, I angrily dump the remaining two buckets, and slowly slouch out but not before a boot is sucked off.

A few months later, I’m once again standing in front of the paddock, now a dry and barren wasteland. The dust of the day has seared into my skin, and with every step I can feel my skin pull and crack. The weather reports the hottest heat index of the week, and any effort brings sweat to my brow. This time, four horses are glaring at me demanding their feed, but feeding is more challenging as

this group of horses has a hatred towards people. Four pails of grain in tow, I make a beeline for the first trough. This time a rear end is backing up at a rapid pace, pinned ears visible, and I dive like an Olympic swimmer under the fence. The three remaining pails are still upright, but I know they won’t be for long. Contorting ridiculously, I retrieve the remaining three pails, dump them in the feed trough and walk out of the paddock with an added layer of encrusted summer dirt.

Why do I? Rescue fills my cup; it’s what the universe keeps spinning me back to.

Every time I metaphorically throw in the towel, a text or phone call from an adopter thanking me for the equine they adopted tilts the emotional imbalance back to center.

Why would anyone want to get into rescue knowing the financial tax, the heartbreak, and the million tears shed?

at RisenFromAshes1@gmail.com. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and appreciate those willing to join forces to help continue our efforts.

Whenever an emaciated elderly horse appears on the auction floor, I wonder whose children he raised, how proud the trainers were of him when he was in the show ring, how he was so loved once Seasons come and go, and horses also upon a time, but now discarded, a few come and go; the cycle of rescue is never pity bids on his bony carcass. Once home, ending. It’s mud, rain, wind, heat, every the long look of gratitude. The look of element that nature can possibly concoct. thanks for giving him or her dignity, the The only thing that ever changes is the thank you for giving the horse the end it horses. They come elderly, emaciated, so desperately deserved, the thank you for unhandled, broken (physically/mentally/ the last act of kindness. For those horses emotionally), pregnant, unwanted that still have something to offer, I rescue or homeless due to family dynamics for the kid that needs a kind first horse, changing. It’s special feed, metric tons of for the teen who can’t afford a $50,000 expensive hay, thousands of pounds of show horse, for the person who needs grain, supplements, medical treatment, a companion horse, for the older rider vet visits, late nights, and early mornings. who still has the passion but who needs There are no vacations or getaways with a quieter mount, and for any reason that rescue. Everybody blesses the rescuer, but hasn’t been mentioned. I rescue for the nobody wants the job, and a dirty seldom shear satisfaction of having righted some spoken truth is that rescuers dig deep into small wrong in the world, it’s just that their own pockets to keep things going. simple.

Literally, who wants the challenge of If you would like more information fixing broken animals and going into debt about our organization, visit our website doing it? risenfromtheashesrescue.org or email us

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MARE AND FOAL CARE 101 WRITTEN BY KELSEY DAVIS, DVM – WILHITE AND FREES EQUINE HOSPITAL

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t some point in every horse person’s life, they dream of having a foal and starting that horse themselves. There is something in our DNA that makes us want to experience the “start to finish” in a horse’s life and training. Not everyone will realize this dream, but if it’s something you’re considering, this is a good place to start to decide if it is the right path for you.

You have your mare and you have picked out the stallion with the right genetics, athletic ability, conformation, and personality you desire in your foal. The next step depends on the stallion. There are several options for breeding today. Which option is available depends on the stallion. The main type of breeding veterinarians assist with is artificial insemination with fresh, cooled or frozen semen. Live cover (pasture or hand breeding) is still performed very commonly as well.

If a mare is bred (by any method), she needs to have a rectal ultrasound performed at 14-16 days post-ovulation to determine if she is pregnant. If she is, it is important that the vet looks for twins at this ultrasound. If there are twins, this is the time to manually reduce one (for the safety of the mare and the fetus) as they have not yet implanted. If the mare is pregnant, the vet will check progesterone levels to make sure she has adequate levels of the hormone to maintain the early pregnancy. Another rectal ultrasound

should be performed at the 30-day mark to check for a viable heartbeat.

During the course of the pregnancy, we vaccinate the mare several times.

At months three, five, seven, and nine, the mare should receive an equine rhinopneumonitis vaccine to protect against abortion and respiratory disease caused by EHV-1. Four to six weeks prior to her expected foaling date, she should receive her full set of vaccines, which usually includes a combination vaccine and rabies vaccine. She should also be dewormed at this time. 60-90 days from her due date, she should be pulled off of grass and transitioned to a hay that is either 100% alfalfa or has a guaranteed analysis to not include any fescue grass. Late-term mares that are fed fescue grass are at risk of fescue toxicosis (caused by a fungus on the grass) which can be fatal to the mare and/or the foal.

There are signs that lead up to your mare foaling. In most horses, their udder begins to fill with milk 2-4 weeks prior to foaling. Within the last week, the muscles around her tailhead will begin to relax, making the tailhead more prominent. Four to six days prior to foaling, the teats themselves will become engorged. One to four days prior to foaling, her teats should wax [honey-like secretion (colostrum) should appear on her teats].

Around the 340-day mark, as long as everything goes well, your mare should foal. A large majority of horses do this unassisted very well. Most foals are born at night when no one is around, so it is not uncommon to find a new foal standing at her dam’s side when you go out to feed one morning. Should you be lucky enough to catch your mare foaling however, it is important to know what is normal and what isn’t. It

A mare licks her newborn foal in the stall.

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is necessary to know when you should intervene should things take a turn for the worse. For starters, when you first see your mare in active labor, you need to start a timer and start taking notes. Stage 1 of labor lasts anywhere from 1-2 hours. The mare may get restless or even act mildly colicky as the foal makes its way through the cervix and into the birth canal. The fetal membranes surrounding two front feet should protrude from the mare. When the “water breaks,’ stage 2 begins.

Stage 2 is the actual expulsion of the foal. This stage should take no more than 30 minutes. If the mare isn’t making progress after 15 minutes, you should give your vet a call to decide if they want to head your way. Rapid intervention is key to the highest likelihood of success. During this step, if you see red instead of white covering the foal’s feet, it is an emergency. This is known as a “red bag delivery” and the foal is detached from its blood and oxygen supply. The red placenta will need to be cut or torn open immediately.

Stage 3 is following delivery until the expulsion of the placenta. This should occur in 1-3 hours following delivery of the foal.

There is a “1, 2, 3” rule we like to go by. At the 1-hour mark, the foal should be standing. At the 2-hour mark, the foal should be latched and nursing. By 3 hours, the placenta should be passed and complete. If any of these steps don’t occur, veterinarian intervention is highly recommended.

One important piece of foaling is to make sure to monitor both the mare and foal, postpartum.

The next step in the process is to monitor the mare and foal closely.

The foal should be bright, breathing normally, nursing well, standing and laying down without assistance, urinating, and defecating. The mare should be accepting of the foal and not aggressive towards it. She should be bright and alert, happy to interact with foal and to eat. Between 16-24 hours (vet dependent), your vet should perform a very thorough exam on the mare and foal. Keep the placenta in a bucket so that your vet can examine it and make sure it is complete. An IgG level should be performed on the foal to make sure he/she has received

adequate immunity from ingesting the mare’s colostrum. The foal will likely be given an enema and will have his/her umbilicus dipped as well.

At this time, your vet can also make further deworming and vaccination recommendation for the mare and foal.

If breeding your mare is something you want to pursue, but you don’t want to foal her out yourself, there are farms and vet clinics that will do that step for you. As you can imagine, having access to an on-call vet is an absolute must when you foal out a mare. The vet will be an integral part of the process for caring for your mare and foal both.

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TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR A BETTER BARN LIFE BALANCE WRITTEN BY BETTER HORSES STAFF

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ike many riders, balancing barn time with a full schedule isn’t always easy! Most of us have to manage riding, family, friends, work, and other responsibilities. Finding the time for it all can be challenging and often overwhelming. Having a plan and staying consistent can help reduce stress and allow you to enjoy more of your time at the barn without feeling pressured by the to-do list. These five time management tips will help you balance horse time with life outside the barn.

SCHEDULE NON-NEGOTIABLE ITEMS FIRST

Scheduling is important when trying to balance multiple responsibilities and priorities. Always schedule nonnegotiable items such as work, classes, family trips, or doctors appointments before adding anything else. These could be anything that can’t be skipped or moved.

Next, add events you want to take part in, such as your goal of making it to regional championships, to ensure the dates won’t conflict with other things on your calendar. Lastly, add

more flexible items to the schedule, such as riding and training days.

HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY

Unfortunately, things don’t go according to plan. The weather might not cooperate, work may run late, or something unexpected may arise.

Whatever the case, you will need to be flexible to get everything done.

This may look like swapping a riding day with a training day or using the weekends to catch up. Also, be willing to skip a day if the stars don’t align.

Sometimes family, your partner, work, or another task must take priority, which is when flexibility is key to keeping everyone happy.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP

benefit from a more consistent work schedule, making you both happier.

Don’t hesitate to ask for support if you need help with riding, childcare, or work.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

No one is perfect, and there must be some give and take to complete everything and achieve your goals.

Sometimes you may need more downtime or may not be feeling well.

If you miss a riding day or a day at the gym, try not to let it mentally overwhelm you. Simply resume your routine as soon as possible, and don’t let a temporary setback derail you.

REMEMBER WHY YOU HAVE A HORSE

Riding and life are supposed to be No one can do it all; even if you could, fun, not stressful! If you are constantly it’s not fun! When life gets too crazy, frazzled or overwhelmed, it’s time to lean on friends, family, or a trainer to look at your schedule and cut back in help you. Recruit a fellow rider to hop a few places. For many owners, horses on your horse when you are on vacation are a hobby, not a job, so if you aren’t or during busy weeks. Often, having a enjoying yourself, you’re doing it wrong! free evening to do other stuff or stay Try to appreciate your time at the barn home and relax during busy periods as downtime away from the stresses of can be a huge relief. Your horse will also everyday life.

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WINTER EDITION

THE VALUE OF THE BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION ON THE STALLION WRITTEN BY ADAM S. BASSETT, DVM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY VETERINARY HEALTH CENTER

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t’s that time of year again! The equine breeding season is just around the corner. While most of us have been planning for the 2024 breeding season all summer and fall, much of the focus has likely been on the mares. Things such as which stallion to breed your mare to, completing stallion contracts, and whether or not you will use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), embryo transfer, conventional AI, or even live cover breeding methods have all been carefully thought through and planned for this coming breeding season. However, one aspect of the breeding season that is often less discussed, unless you happen to own a breeding stallion, is how to prepare a stallion for the upcoming breeding season.

have a breeding soundness examination For example, if your stallion happens to done on their stallion prior to the start have hock or back problems, multiple of the breeding season. attempts at mounting the phantom for semen collection can progressively Breeding soundness examinations become more difficult for your stallion (BSE) are just as important in the as the breeding season goes on due stallion as they are in the mare. They to pain. Therefore, by the end of the are especially useful for evaluating the breeding season, stallions with pain stallion’s potential to produce high quality semen without transmitting any issues may become harder to collect or may even stop producing semen of infectious diseases to mares. BSEs can sufficient quality for breeding purposes also help to determine the number of mares a stallion might be able to service due to the pain. for the upcoming breeding season, his ability to establish an acceptable number of pregnancies during the upcoming season, and the best way to process the semen for breeding mares.

When a stallion presents to me for a BSE, the first thing I do after I have completed the history and physical exam is a reproductive system physical exam. This is done by first palpating the testicles to evaluate their structure Components of a typical BSE and consistency. The stallion is then include a thorough medical and presented to a mare that is in heat. This breeding history of the stallion, full is the preferred method for inducing body physical exam, examination of Stallion owners often have just as reproductive anatomy, semen collection an erection in the stallion to evaluate many considerations to prepare for each and evaluation, and thorough his penile anatomy. At this time, I will breeding season as mare owners, albeit examination of the stallion’s testicles be looking for things such as lesions on the considerations may be slightly the penis that suggest a past or current via palpation and ultrasonography. different. Things such as whether their The history is important because it infectious problem, such as equine stallion can be used for conventional herpesvirus-3 or vesicular diseases. can identify trends in breeding ability AI or if he must be an ICSI only This is also a great time to evaluate and overall health over time that can stallion must be determined before the stallion’s reproductive behavior be important to know, especially if the start of the breeding season. Other and libido. Normal sexual behavior the stallion has a history of difficulty considerations might include the price producing pregnancies, etc. Fertility is in the stallion includes things such of the stud fee, the book size for their best evaluated by pregnancy rates. The as vocalization in the presence of the stallion, or whether or not to stand mare, sniffing mares’ urine and lifting general physical exam goes along with their stallion at a breeding facility or to the history in that it can help identify his upper lip in the flehmen response, manage him at home. One important and even biting and licking the mare existing problems or things that have method that will help stallion owners in the potential to become problems for in various locations of her body. This making these important decisions is to the stallion during the breeding season. is also the time when bacterial culture

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BETTER HORSES Breeding soundess exams are important to prepare your stallions for upcoming breeding seasons.

samples are taken of the penis and urethra to make sure the stallion is free of venereal disease causing bacteria such as the bacteria that causes contagious equine metritis (CEM), a reportable and economically important disease in horses.

Once I have completed this initial part of the exam, I make my first attempt to collect semen. In a standard BSE, two semen collections are done with the second collection occurring one hour after the first collection. Now, one important thing to keep in mind is that if a stallion has not collected much since the last breeding season, he may need to undergo several “clean-out” collections before we can do the semen collections for the BSE. This is variable among stallions and not all stallions need to be “cleaned-out,” but “cleanout” collections are important if we want to get the most accurate results out of the BSE. Assuming the stallion has been “cleaned-out,” the first collection

attempt of the BSE will help determine the stallion’s ability to mount a phantom and produce an ejaculate. Immediately following this collection, a culture sample of the stallion’s urethra is taken again for a post-ejaculatory sample.

This ejaculate will then be evaluated for sperm cell concentration, total sperm in the ejaculate, and motility, and a culture sample of the semen is taken as well.

At this time the stallion can either be allowed to rest while he waits one hour for his second collection, or the veterinarian can attempt to do an exam of the testicles and accessory sex organs. I like to wait until after the second collection to finish the exam of the testicles and accessory sex organs because the stallion often needs to be sedated for these exams and I prefer not to have some of the sedation still on board during the second semen collection.

Therefore, one hour after the initial collection is when the second

collection occurs. The second collection is important for estimating the stallion’s daily sperm output (DSO) which provides valuable information about the stallion’s semen production abilities throughout the season and how many mares he might be able to service for that season. Once semen is obtained from this collection, the semen is evaluated for sperm cell concentration, total sperm in the ejaculate, motility, morphology, and cooling ability. Other tests can also be completed if the veterinarian deems necessary or if a problem is discovered regarding the semen.

Once this collection has been completed, it is time to finish the physical exam of the reproductive tract. As I mentioned before, this often requires sedating the stallion and restraining him in a set of stocks.

I begin this part of the exam by sitting next to the stallion on either his left or right side and placing my ultrasound

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probe on one of his testicles. This ultrasound exam allows me to evaluate his testicular anatomy to make sure he has normal appearing testicular tissue. This is also the time when I will measure the length, width, and height of his testicles and calculate his testicular volume for each individual testicle. The volumes of each testicle are then added together to determine total testicular volume. Total testicular volume is then plugged into an equation to determine the expected daily sperm output, which is the number that is used to calculate the number of mares a stallion might be able to service for a particular season.

Once the testicular exam is done, I then palpate the stallion rectally to examine his accessory sex organs. The accessory sex organs are important for

WINTER EDITION

producing the seminal plasma which is a necessary component of semen and to help in the final maturation of the sperm cells. I will also do a transrectal ultrasound exam of these organs to make sure they have normal structure and consistency. Things I might be able to find on the transrectal ultrasound exam include signs of seminal vesiculitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicles) which can lead to poor semen quality.

In conclusion, the BSE is an important part of stallion health management for stallions intended for breeding purposes. The most important aspect of the BSE is that it allows you to find, and hopefully correct or manage, any reproductively related problems prior to the breeding season. That way you, as a stallion

owner, can be sure you are producing and shipping a high quality product to help your mare owner clients achieve their goals. This benefits you as the stallion owner because it will help protect your reputation as a reputable stallion owner and it will help protect your stallion’s reputation as a producer of high quality foals, regardless of the intended purpose of his foals.

Breeding soundness exams are one of the many stallion services we offer at Kansas State University, but many other veterinarians offer these services as well. Don’t hesitate to ask your favorite veterinarian if they offer breeding soundness examinations for your stallion. It can really help you to have a successful 2024 breeding season.

Dr. Lutter conducts a chiropractic adjustment.

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BETTER HORSES

PERSIST WITH PATIENT CONSISTENCY WRITTEN BY CHELSEA CANEDY HORSEMANSHIP

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ersistence is defined as the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something, even though it is difficult or opposed by others. It means don’t give up. Stay the course, even when it’s hard. Keep your eye on the prize, put your head down, and keep going. And sometimes, in the training process, you have to get a little gritty.

You have to dig deep when something new is hard for you or your horse to learn and keep trying. The caveat here is that you need to be persistent in a useful way - that is where patience and consistency come in.

My mother used to say that patience is a virtue. She would say this when I was being impatient in an effort to help me understand that patience is something I would need to cultivate.

It’s a practice. It’s a choice in the moment we are getting frustrated when taking a different path. It’s what we are referring to when we say that ego, anger, and frustration have no place in training horses.

Empathy breeds patience, and as we watch another being struggle with the understanding of something new, we can understand the difficulty of that position (as we have all been there) and have patience with the process.

When we add in that bit of gritty persistence, we can allow the learning process to take the time it takes, finding

appropriate places to wrap up tough sessions without tipping over our patience threshold.

And then there’s consistency - the magical ingredient that brings it all together into concrete understanding between you and your horse.

So often, I see people struggling to teach their horse something new, getting worried or frustrated when their horse hasn’t caught on as quickly as they think their horse should, and then changing tactics to try and move the process along. To me, this would be like teaching someone a complex math equation and changing part of the equation just when they start catching on to the idea. This would be inexplicably confusing for no good reason and would lead me to give up on trying to understand, as the end goal seems like an unattainable moving target. This is why consistency is so important.

Here is how to be consistent. Make a training plan, break it down into the smallest pieces possible, and then methodically and carefully work through that plan. The smaller the bite, the easier it will be for your horse to make sense of and digest. Be consistent in the message you are sending. Don’t change the rules part way through. And if you aren’t sure how to break it down, seek professional help in figuring it out.

Another aspect of consistency is the regularity with which you work with your horse. If someone is learning a new skill, they need to practice it. Not drill it for hours a day, but pick away at it almost every day, in small, easyto-understand pieces, until it becomes muscle memory.

If you work with your horse once per week, it will take so much longer to gain new understanding than if you worked with them five or six days per week. If you work with them year-round, with short vacations as needed, rather than taking months off at a time, they will remain clear in their understanding of the skills you are teaching them.

Using consistency in this sense will mean that you don’t have to start over at the beginning of a learning process continually and that you will actually begin to see progress with your horse.

Together, patience, persistence, and consistency are a force to be reckoned with. There’s not much I can think of that can’t be accomplished when a person checks those three boxes during training sessions. The amount of each you might need daily will vary - a pinch of one, a dash of another - but keeping all three at hand and ready to use will lead to the kind of understating and communication everyone wants with their horse.

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HELLO WINTER S H O P R B A R B F R O M T H E C O M F O R T S O F H O M E !

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BETTER HORSES

KANSAS HORSE MAFIA EXTREME COWBOY RACERS: BUILDING BRAVE HORSES WRITTEN BY KRISTINA SALICETI

I

f you head out to R Bar B on any given weekend between April and October, there is a good chance you will run into the Mafia. No, not that mafia, the Kansas Horse Mafia Extreme Cowboy Racers. This group of riders, who range in age from 7 years to 80 years old, meets up the hill at Rafter 4B Arena behind the well-known saddle and tack shop in Topeka, Kansas. If you like challenging yourself and want to create a willing and trusting partnership with your horse, you might just want to join them. They have created a positive environment where riders can train, learn, develop a brave horse, compete, and of course have fun.

They are part of the Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA), the original and only recognized association for the sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing.

Essentially, when they compete they run timed obstacle courses in which the horse and rider must be prepared for a variety of challenges. This particular EXCA club is unique in the fact that they wanted to do more than just host races. They recognized that not everyone wanted to compete right away, nor did new people often feel confident enough to just show up to an event without having gained some exposure to the discipline first. Seeing a need to provide an environment where new riders could learn the

sport in a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere, they formed the Kansas Horse Mafia Extreme Cowboy Racers.

They are showing others why they love the sport and in turn creating new raving fans of EXCA. In addition to competitions, throughout the year the club hosts obstacle schooling days where they set up more than 40 different obstacles across an enclosed arena as well as in open pasture. Club members come together to practice engaging their horses in a relaxed, safe, no pressure environment. Both horse and rider gain confidence in each other by accomplishing new and unfamiliar tasks as a team. There are always several seasoned EXCA veterans on hand to offer their advice and assistance when needed. Currently, there are more than 80 club members and they boast abilities from beginner novice to multiple National and World Champions.

In addition to hosting schooling days, they also bring in world class clinicians such as Lee Hart (EXCA Level 5 judge, Road to the Horse Wild Card, EXCA Multiple World Champion), Cole Cameron (EXCA judge, Road to Horse Competitor and Wild Card Champion, EXCA Multiple World Champion), and Chad Mathes (Professional Roper). These professionals bring their

knowledge and skill to the local area to help riders over multiple days find success over their toughest challenges.

Always looking to create a true community of well-rounded horses and riders, the Kansas Horse Mafia also puts on fun shows with a variety of classes, kids only activities and clinics, cook outs and pot lucks, and members only appreciation events. Individuals come together from across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma to enjoy each other’s company as well as take advantage of each other’s expertise.

Their ideas are proving successful as this past year they had 22 members and 41 entries in the 2023 EXCA World Championships, 20 of those entries making it to the Top 10!

At the heart of the Mafia is of course, their love for the sport. Extreme Cowboy Racing is a multi-faceted equestrian sport that requires the riders to demonstrate both speed and horsemanship. Each horse and rider team are judged on the completion of each obstacle as well as given an overall horsemanship score, and a calculated time score. It is definitely not your basic western trail class. You could be asked to run a course that has everything in it from opening a basic rope gate to jumping multiple logs, crossing water, cutting cows, roping, executing lead changes, doing spins, side passing,

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backing, traversing numerous bridges, competitive structure for all EXCA and more. Each challenge is appropriate members in their designated regions for the level of the division. across the globe. Each region has local, State, and Regional Championship The Extreme Cowboy Race™ was competitions, which culminate in originated by the first “Original National Championships and the Extreme Cowboy”, Craig Cameron.

EXCA World Championship.

Craig is a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and has achieved national recognition and prominence as a true cowboy and is known as the “Cowboy’s Clinician”, being one of the finest horsemen in the United States. Recognized as the “fastest growing equine sport”, there are EXCA clubs around the United States as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Belgium, France, Germany, and Israel. There is an official

The EXCA is designed to welcome horses of all breeds and riders of all ages and levels to participate in this fast growing sport. Divisions include Young Guns (7-11), Youth (12-17), Ride Smart (55+), Novice, Intermediate, Non-Pro, Pro, Open, Green Horse, and Give It a Try. The Kansas Horse Mafia also offers a KHM class just for Mafia members, and at the World Finals they have additional classes for New Partner

A competitor jumping through the trail course.

Competitions include various non-traditional obstacles.

Youth members are encouraged to compete.

Mustang and also a Mule division. If you would like to learn more about the KHM Buckle Series Races, Kansas State Championship, clinics, events and schedule, check out their Facebook page at Kansas Horse Mafia Extreme Cowboy Racers, and join them for their Meet and Greet and Schooling Day at R Bar B on March 23.

If you would like to learn more about Cowboy Racing and see the Official EXCA Rulebook, check out their web site at www.extremecowboyassociation.com

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CONSTANT TASK MAINTAINING FENCES WRITTEN BY FRANK J. BUCHMAN

“F

ence is essential for keeping livestock, pets, and sometimes even children out of trouble and where they’re supposed to be.”

Of course, fences for centuries have been built using various other materials with wood probably the most recurrent.

Regardless of how well a barbed Days of open range are long gone when wire fence is built, there seems to be cattle grazed at random going from one unending maintenance. One large location to another without boundary. rancher contended that all barbed wire fences must be rebuilt on a regular basis.

There was major disgruntlement He felt that fence replacement should between landowners and cattlemen be done on a certain footage half mile, when fences were constructed to keep more-or-less, every year. livestock in their specified place.

Having constructed lots of fences Barbed wire was used for building during this lifetime, most of them were many fences and is still the most not done very well. There is a wide common material for keeping variation in the quality of new barbed livestock confined. wire fences depending on who’s doing Interesting evaluating early day fences the work. constructed out of native limestone.

Basic requirements are that the Remains of those rock fences still exist although likely none can safely be used fence will keep livestock confined in to keep livestock in. Difficult to imagine a certain locale. A new fence should the arduous work required to build and not need major repairs in a long time unless it is damaged by livestock or maintain those layered rock fences. careless land managers.

Many of the ranch fences were “new” when property was acquired but they are now worn out and must be replaced.

There are numerous loose, broken pieces of wire, and sagging wire splices throughout the fence.

Majority of the posts now are steel compared to earlier wooden posts, but everyone is leaning from grazing pressure. Osage orange (hedge) tree corner posts were formerly used for the best fences, but fence builders now often prefer steel corner posts. They are strong as hedge posts and will not burn during a pasture fire.

Fence construction today is demanding work and expensive, requiring definite skills and specialized modern-day equipment. It’s much more than wire, posts, shovel, hammer, pliers, and staples.

Reminded of the Proverb: “Good fences make good neighbors.”

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LOOKING TO ADVERTISE IN BETTER HORSES? Contact our staff members for more information on prices and sizing for upcoming issues.

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SPRING 2024 ISSUE AD DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2024

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BETTER HORSES

WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT? WRITTEN BY MAGGIE STONECIPHER

T

itle insurance isn’t always an of paper files had to be converted. exciting topic but one that is very Plain and simple human error can important to understand. You might lead to major disputes. be surprised how many properties have • Forgery: Scams and Cyber-crimes title blemishes that need to be cleared are only increasing, and they are prior to a closing. Just one step in the getting more creative. In cases of many I have with helping my clients fraudulent property transfers or is ensuring a property has a clear title. forged documents, I have been Title Insurance is not always well shocked at how bold these scammers explained even though it is a cost to have become. the seller and buyer of any property in • Disputes Over Property Boundaries or Kansas or Missouri. It is a fundamental Easements: Disputes can be expensive aspect of any real estate transaction, and time-consuming. And a seller and when it comes to investing in horse needs to clear any disputes prior to properties, its importance cannot be any closing. overstated in knowing you can utilize a • Easements: Knowing what easements property as you intend. exist on a property is significant to Title insurance is essentially a form your plans. Is there a utility easement of indemnity insurance designed to where you want to build a barn, or protect both buyers and lenders from run a fence line? What access rights potential financial loss resulting from does a utility company have to your blemishes in the property title. These intended pasture? blemishes can be small and easy to There are many steps that the Title clear or more complicated. Some Company must take before issuing a examples are: policy. The first is a comprehensive • Undisclosed Liens: Title insurance Title Search. A thorough title search ensures that you won’t be blindsided is conducted of various documents by hidden liens or unpaid debts and records, including public records, attached to the property. I have had deeds, mortgages, easements, and a property owner not even aware of a other relevant documents. The lien from something they thought was Title Company then reviews the resolved years prior. property’s title for any existing defects, • Errors in Public Records: Mistakes in discrepancies, or encumbrances. This public records happen. Not too long examination helps ensure that the ago everything was paper files. Then property’s title is clear and marketable. everything went digital, and decades

If any issues or defects are discovered during the examination of the title, the title company takes proactive measures to clear these issues by working with the seller. But it is ultimately the seller’s responsibility to clear any blemishes. I have had a buyer decide to pay off a lien when the seller could not in order to move forward with the purchase of property, but that is an exception to the norm. Once any blemishes have been resolved, the title insurance policy is issued. This policy provides comprehensive protection to both the buyer and lender, safeguarding them from any potential title-related disputes or financial losses that might arise in the future.

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