January 2023 Digital Edition~ Winter Horse Care

PEOPLE & HORSES

Alabama: Fayette Farmers Co-op, Fayette Seven Springs Lodge, Tuscumbia

Arkansas: University of Arkansas Division of Ag Research & Ext., Jonesboro A-State Equine Center, Jonesboro City Feed, West Memphis Delta Farm Products, Wynne

Kentucky: Stockdale’s, Bowling Green KY Lake Trailer Sales, Calvert City State Line Ranch Supply, Hazel Inter. Museum Of The Horse, Lexington

Mississippi:

Mattox Feed Mill, Aberdeen Griffin Feed, Baldwyn Latham’s Boots, Batesville Panola Co. Co-op, Batesville Tractor Supply Co., Batesville Tractor Supply, Boonville

Mid-South Ag, Byhalia

Blue Ribbon Riding Academy, Canton Mullins Farm Supply, Charleston Edwards & Son, Coffeeville

Hawkeye Feed Mill, Coldwater Lowndes Farm Supply, Columbus Tri-County Feeds, Como

Alcorn County Co-op, Corinth Winterview Farm, Flora Boots N More, Florence

Cross Country Seeds, Grenada El-Kidd Western Wear, Hamilton

Tri-County Farm Services, Hernando Desoto County Co-Op, Hernando Complete Home Center, Hernando Side Alley Gifts, Hernando

Louie’s Pharmacy, Hernando Magnolia Lighting, Hernando Southern Eatery, Holly Spings

Marshall County Fairgrounds, Holly Springs

Cooper Feed & Fertilizer, Holly Springs

Sports Corral, Holly Springs

Bi County Farm Supply, Holly Springs Ware Farm Services, Houston

Todd’s Feed & Hardware, Independence

Animal’s Choice Vet Clinic, Iuka

Boots N More, Jackson Edge Horse and Tack, Moorville

O C Leatherworks, New Albany

Tractor Supply, New Albany

Full Circle Equine Vet, Olive Branch

Frontier Western Store, Olive Branch

Equine Vet Associates, Olive Branch Co-Op, Olive Branch

North Grove Equestrian Park, Oxford Oxford Farm and Ranch, Oxford Tractor Supply, Oxford Reeder Farm Supply, Pontotoc Moore’s Feed, Pontotoc Harvest Feed, Red Banks Ripley Feed, Ripley Reed’s Metals, Saltilo Scruggs Home & Garden, Saltilo Tractor Supply Co., Senatobia Tate County Co-Op, Senatobia Agri Farm & Ranch, Shannon Cavender’s Boots, Southaven Paul Battle Arena, Tunica Tractor Supply Co, Tupelo Tupelo Farm & Ranch, Tupelo

Tomlinson Farm & Building Supply, Walnut Woods Farm Supplies, Watson Clay Co. Co-op, West Point

Tennessee: AG & Nag Supply, Adamsville

Mid-South Farmers Co-op, Alamo Ashland City Co-op, Ashland City AG Central, Athens

Bedford Tack, Bell Buckle Circle E Quest Ranch, Belvidere

Mid-South Farmers Co-Op, Bolivar Stockdale’s, Bolivar Tractor Supply, Bolivar

Tractor Supply Co., Brentwood Boot Barn, Brentwood

Tennessee Tractor, Brownsville Tractor Supply, Brownsville

Brunswick Feed, Brunswick Brunswick Kitchen, Brunswick Benton Co. Co-op, Camden

Hickman Feed & Farm, Centerville Tractor Supply Co., Clarksville

Bonnie’s Barnyard, College Grove

Tractor Supply Co., College Grove Silver Caboose Café, Collerville Hewlett & Dunn, Collierville

Hall’s Feed & Seed Store, Collierville Tractor Supply, Collierville United Farm & Home Co-Op, Columbia

Buckaroo Hatters, Covington Tractor Supply, Covington Stockdales, Covington

Bob’s Feed & Fertilizer, Crossville Tennessee Farrier Supply, Cumberland Furnace Gin Lot, Dancyville Decatur Farmers Co-op, Decaturville Gibson Co-op, Dyer

Tennessee Tractor, Dyersburg Tractor Supply Co., Dyersburg Pennington’s Feed, Dyersburg Tennessee Equine Hospital, Eads First Choice Farm & Lawn, Eads Stewart Bros, Ellendale Humphreys Co. Co-op, Erin Franklin Equine Services, Franklin Brownland Farm, Franklin Dover Saddlery, Franklin Franklin Horse Supply, Franklin Tractor Supply Co., Franklin Saddles & Such, Germantown Agricenter Showplace Arena, Germantown Gibson. Co. CO-OP, Greenfield Tipton Farmers Co-op, Halls Roan State Expo Center, Harriman First Farmers CO-OP, Henderson Tractor Supply Co., Henderson Stockdale’s, Hickson Hohenwald Animal Hospital, Hohenwald Lewis County Co-Op, Hohenwald Horse Stop, Hohenwald Gibson Co-op, Humboldt Goodrich Arena, Humboldt

Carrol Farmers Co-op, Huntingdon The Cowboy Store, Huntingdon

Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch, Hurricane Mills

Deming Veterinary Service, Jackson

My Animal Hospital, Jackson Reed’s Metals, Jackson

Mid-South Farmers Co-op, Jackson Rustic Soul Western Wear, Jackson R & J Feed Store, Jackson Tractor Supply, Jackson Southeast Pack Trips, Jamestown East Fork Stables, Jamestown

Old Town Saddlery, Jonesborough

Sonny Brook Stables, Knoxville Agra-Feed Supply, Knoxville

Unv of TN Inst Ag Vet Med, Knoxville Tractor Supply, Knoxville Penrose Farm, Knoxville

Tractor Supply, Lakeland

Digger O’Dell’s Nursery, Lakeland

Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, LaVergne

First Farmers CO-OP, Lexington

Tractor Supply Co., Lexington

Perry Co. Farmers Co-op, Linden

Weakley Farmers Co-op, Martin

Univ Of TN Martin Elam Center, Martin

Coyote Run Arena, Mason

McKenzie Feed & Grain, McKenzie Novel of Lauralwood, Memphis Raleigh Feed Store, Memphis JP Shelly and Son, Middleton

Tractor Supply, Milan Tractor Supply Co., Millington

MTSU Horse Science, Murfreesboro

Horseman’s Supply, Murfreesboro

Rutherford Farmers Co-Op, Murfreesboro Miller Coliseum, Murfreesboro

Walnut Trace Farm, Nashville

Parnassus Books, Nashville

Thompson’s One Stop New, Johnsonville Gibson Co-op, Newburn

Josh Quinn / CrossRoads Ranch, Nolensville Stockdales, Oakland

Obion Farmers Co-op, Obion Henry Co. Farmers Co-op, Paris New Hope Saddles, Ripley

Animal Care Hospital, Ripley Ripley Farm Store, Ripley

First Farmers Co-op, Savannah

Rogers Farm Supply, Scotts Hill Stockdale’s, Selmer

Select Trailers, Shelbyville

Somerville Farm Supply, Somerville Teague Store, Somerville

Reed Bros. Feed & Seed, South Fulton

Tractor Supply Co., Thompson’s Station

Equine Performax-Jaeckle Center, Thompsons Station

Tennessee Equine Hospital, Thompsons Station

Tennessee Tractor, Trenton Gibson Co-op, Trenton

Obion Farmers Co-op, Union City Blackberry Farms, Walland

Humphreys Co. Co-op, Waverly

Waynes Farmers Co-op, Waynesboro Rawhide Feed Store, Whiteville Beckerman’s, Whiteville

Lauren

Andrea Winfrey andrea@mshorsereview.com 901-867-1755

Alicia Johnson Juliana Chapman Michele Harn Gary Cox Paul Nolte Main Office: 6220 Greenlee St. Suite 4 Arlington, TN 38002 901-867-1755

Publisher’s Note

Preparing for the Arctic Blast

Arctic Blast, I’m sorry, what!? We live in the south. Usually I worry more about the summer’s unbearable heat. We had a horse, Bucky, that had anhidrosis so when summer approached we prepared. Misting fans, supplements, even finding a cooler summer barn we could move him to during the peak of the summer was a yearly routine. It was stressful every year. Keeping him comfortable was the goal, but it was difficult to make sure he had proper care, especially since it is a rare condition that not many horse people deal with regularly.

Now, winter has become the season I stress over, and when I hear the weatherman say phrases like “Polar Vortex, Arctic Blast, Ice and Northern Winds” my stress level rises. All because my senior Thoroughbred, Gage, can no longer eat hay, the main nutritional necessity for horses in the winter.

Due to Gage’s megaesophagus he is unable to swallow hay. He has had this condition since he was about 5 or 6 years old. When he would graze and eat I’d notice a bulge in his throat but it never caused any issues. He didn’t have choking episodes and he was an extremely low maintenance Thoroughbred. As he aged I had to watch him a little more closely. I started adding some water to his feed and I fed him high off the ground. He did not have a full choke until he was about 14 or 15. Then when he was 16 he had a massive choke, followed by pneumonia and a hospital stay. After that, the hay was a hard no.

While working closely with his Veterinarian, we came up with a nutritional plan for him. In the summers he is able to graze safely while being supplemented with senior feed. However, when winter comes and the grass goes dormant, he must rely 100% on senior feed three to five times a day depending on how cold it gets. His feed is completely liquified, and, thankfully, he slurps it down with no complaints.

Senior feed is heavy with forage. Unlike other grains, senior feed is safe to feed horses 100% of the time if hay and grass are not options. Many senior horses are prone to choke due to issues with teeth. A megaesophagus is rare in horses, and it can be found in some breeds, like Fresians, more so than others. Overall, only about .5% of horses have this degenerative condition, and they typically are extremely hard to manage. I know: anhidrosis, megaesophagus, somehow these horses find ways into my heart.

My barn is set up nicely for hot summers. We built stalls that open to the horse pasture under a large overhang. Closed on the west and south the horses have a nice crossbreeze from the north and east that helps cool them during extreme

heat in the summer. In the winter, however, when winds come out of the north, it can be frigid. And when the temperature plummets to sub zero levels, Gage needs extra TLC to keep him warm and from dropping too much weight.

Our old barn was used as a workshop. The inside has shelves from floor to ceiling. When we moved to the property two years ago I told my husband my vision of building out interior horse stalls, specifically to keep the horses out of extreme winter temperatures. Clearing out the shelving and setting up interior stalls had taken a back seat. And then “Arctic Blast” was forecasted to slam our southern region, dropping our temperatures 50 degrees in less than 12 hours. What a nightmare for horse and livestock owners!

The only thing I knew to do was start my “reno” project. On Tuesday at 2:30 pm, before the Thursday arctic blast was expected to arrive, I walked into the barn, picked up a hammer, put on my gloves and I went swinging away. With every shelf that came down I thought about the things I have done in order to keep my horses comfortable. By the end of it I ripped out shelving that occupied a 200 square foot space, laid eight stall matts, weighing 100 lbs each and patched some rotten wood on the west wall that needed repairs.

The outcome was a 10 x 20 indoor stall that opened up to their 10 x 18 stalls under the overhang. I double blanketed Gage, and I fed him every 3 hours to help keep him hydrated and add extra calories, knowing it would be rough throughout the nights at sub zero temps.

Luckily, my old fella did well, and now we have a nice indoor stall to keep him out of the extreme northern winds when it blows through our southern region. The next step is to remove all the shelving from the neighboring area in the barn to make a second stall for our hardy mustang pony. Hopefully, we do not have any more arctic blasts this winter, but if we do I’ll be ready.

In this issue we wanted to highlight Winter Horse Care and ways to better prepare for freezing temperatures. Keeping horses comfortable and healthy throughout all seasons is the main goal for horse owners and caregivers. We hope this issue will help make your winter less stressful on you and

Abbott Publisher & Owner

Lauren Pigford

Before and After images of Abbott’s workshop barn.

People & Horses

Henson Avenue is the Road to Success

the-grade racing, they quickly said, “He must go!” That failure was the birth of his future success. Henson may have been bred to run, but his true talent would prove to be in Eventing.

By Michele Harn

As a two year-old, Henson Avenue failed to live up to the promise of his Thoroughbred breeding and training. When it was clear to his owners that he wouldn’t make-

Talana Kennedy of Collierville, Tenn. leased her daughter’s successful Preliminary level Eventer to an Adult Amateur female rider in St Louis, but the horse died only a few weeks into the lease. Feeling remorseful, Talana went on the search for a horse for the woman. Through connections in Kentucky, she found a 2-year-old Thoroughbred who had only raced twice. When the lady in St Louis decided she didn’t want a young horse, Talana decided to get Henson anyway. She says, “I love rehabbing young horses.” Henson Avenue was “lovely but slow: he raced twice and was dead last both times,” she adds. Talana thought, “I might as well go get him, get him going, and sell him if I can’t use him.” Once she brought the horse home and turned him out she gushed, “my jaw literally dropped the first time I saw him trot in the pasture at home. Thoroughbreds don’t move like that!” What do you do when you think you’ve found that special horse? You make a plan and go slowly. Henson was ridden lightly as a 3-year-old. “He didn’t bat an eye when ridden. He seemed so special,” Talana recalls. So in late 2021 she created a plan to qualify for the 2022 Duta Corp USEA Young Event Horse Championship held at the Maryland 5* at Fair Hill in Elkton, MD.

The fall of Henson’s 3-year-old year she rode him on a cross country course for the first time. “He was so brave,” she says. At home she watched him jump huge piles of sand in the arena, “he looked like a Grand Prix jumper!” With the help of Eads, Tenn. trainer, Macy Clark, of Windyrein Farm she brought him along with the championship in mind. Talana notes Macy was instrumental that year in developing his talent. Talana is also quick to credit Tracy Moss for his role in Henson’s progress through body work and excellent farrier care. Everything was coming together for 2022.

Aiken, SC was the location for a qualifying event, so Talana asked her friend Allison Thompson to recommend a trainer there. Morgan Conrad Batton’s name rose to the top so a few months prior to competition Henson went to her farm to prepare. Morgan also rode him at the championship event where he finished second in jumping, tenth overall, and was awarded the Thoroughbred Incentive Program high point award. Talana is clearly very proud of Henson: “he’s such a good boy. He shows up! He gives his all, he is genuine at shows, and so honest!” Talana is “excited about being in the competition world again. Not as a rider, but with my horse!”

Now, what to do in 2023? Henson will move to Ocala, FL to train with Allison Thompson where he’ll go to local schooling shows, rated shows, and compete in a qualifying class for the 2023 5-year-old

East Coast Eventing championship. Allison will focus on Dressage, his weakest of the three phases in Eventing. He will start 2023 competing at Novice level, but will move up to Training level as soon as possible. To be successful at the 2023 Championship he must be confident at Training level. As he continues to develop physically and mentally, he will be monitored closely to ensure he is ready for the challenge.

For now, Talana is satisfied to have Henson showing with experienced professionals, but she does dream of the day when she might compete with him herself. “Maybe some year I will ride him in lower levels. I am working on my riding in order to give him the ride he deserves,” Talana says. She’s also quite aware of the investment of time a young horse requires. Balancing Henson’s schedule and needs with her work as a hospital-based RN and a new, non-horsey husband was “personally a challenge last year.” “My husband, Brian Kennedy, is so supportive of my dreams for Henson,” she lovingly says. They weren’t married when she got Henson in 2021, but he willingly went with her to Kentucky to get him. “He has truly been with me since the beginning of this journey,” says Talana. She acknowledges he’s learned a lot and understands her passion for developing young horses. She is looking forward to them cheering together for Henson Avenue at the 2023 USEA Young Horse Championships.

Photo by Alleyn Evans for Shanoon Brinkman photo

Photo by Alison Green for Shanoon Brinkman photo

Talana Kennedy with her horse Henson Avenue

By Tanja Hodges

If you would have asked Tanja and Scott Hodges a year ago if they thought they’d be taking their newly acquired Friesian mare, Hilde fan Seldsum, and rider/trainer, Macy Clark, to US Dressage Finals during the close of the 2022 Dressage show season they would have chuckled at the thought of it even being possible.

However, exactly one year prior to this prestigious Dressage event, Tanja and Scott Hodges contacted Macy Clark with Macy Clark Eventing in Eads, Tenn. to see if she could ride and continue to develop Hilde fan Seldsum SPORT for them, known affectionately as “Tamina.” Unbeknownst to them,

this step would initiate an incredible year for all involved, filled with unforgettable experiences and successes in the Dressage arena. “I had just moved to the area and was happy to meet their newly imported Friesian Dressage mare, located at their beautiful property called Pond View Farm just outside Collierville, Tenn.,” explains Clark.

The Hodges family initially fell in love with the Friesian breed several years ago when Scott Hodges acquired his first Friesian gelding, “Rocco,” a retired Dressage Schoolmaster who was a perfect example of the good nature and sweet character of this breed. After Tanja Hodges’ Quarter Horse Dressage mare aged out of the sport and was retired from competition to their farm, they finally found the perfect Friesian mare

just in time for Tanja’s birthday in the fall of 2021. They looked for the perfect fit for almost two years prior to their purchase but found it to be a very difficult undertaking, complicated by the pandemic- especially since they were lacking the necessary connections in the Friesian community. Another issue they encountered in their search was that they were looking for a seasoned Friesian mare: 16 hands or taller with an existing Dressage performance record, which proved to be a tall order. After continuing to come up empty handed in the horse market they partnered with Janna Weir of Black Sterling Friesians in California in the fall of 2021 to help find their perfect Friesian partner.

Janna specializes in matching riders with their dream Friesians and has a reputation of successfully doing so that spans several decades. Tamina, who holds the coveted Sport Predicate in Dressage from the Netherlands (Z1 level/Third level overseas with several winning points), was deemed a perfect match after a close evaluation. With assistance from Janna, the mare made the journey safely to North America from the Netherlands in September 2021 to continue her competitive Dressage career as part of the Hodges family.

Macy Clark thinks fondly of the first time she met Tamina at Pond View Farm and their first ride together. “She is truly a lovely mare; I remember my first ride on her was very pleasant, but also very different from anything I had experienced before under saddle. I knew immediately that I was eager to ride her again and figure her out! Getting proper and continued training was going to be instrumental in learning how to get the most out of Tamina competitively so we asked Heather Kennedy, based out of North Grove Equestrian Park in Oxford, Miss. to join the team as a Coach. This was an excellent decision because Heather not only has experience herself with the Friesian breed in the Dressage arena, but also earned her USDF Gold Medal in recent years. The resulting combination of knowledge and great teaching benefitted us greatly as we slowly acclimated Tamina to her new home and riding schedule.”

Once the Hodges family hired Macy as a rider/trainer the focus shifted to designing a consistent program for the mare who had been an accomplished athlete in the Netherlands prior to her journey to North America. When asked about this routine Macy continues: “As part of our riding program I also took virtual lessons with Heather whenever possible since she is not local to our immediate area and as we progressed, she would either travel to Collierville to teach us onsite at Pond View Farm or at Windyrein Farm in Eads, where my training business is based out of while also accompanying us to horse shows. The combination of regularly scheduled progressive training sessions, great horse care from owners Tanja and Scott, combined with a very experienced, rideable horse yielded great results at our first couple of horse shows.

Our US debut with Tamina was at the Springtime I and II show which is a two-day recognized show series hosted by the MidSouth Dressage Academy in Hernando, Miss. We opted to enter her at Training Level in the Open division, allowing us to bring her up the levels correctly, and in doing so we scored a 72% and a 74% with ease, earning us qualifying scores for Region 3 Championships, while also earning us the Friesian High Point Award at our very first recognized event. We were very happy with such a successful first outing which encouraged “Team Tamina’’ to keep going to competitions. During the summer, we set our sights on attending the Ole South Dressage show series in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Our goal was to get a qualifying score for USDF Region 3 Championships at First Level in the Open division as well, having qualified at Training Level already. Again, Tamina rose to the occasion by not only winning both classes with a 70.0% and 70.4 %, she was also High Point Champion on both days of the Ole South show in the Open division. Our successes with her just kept coming and she was getting better with each show!”

After the positive experiences at both shows “Team Tamina“ decided to head to GAIG/Region 3 Championships in Conyers at the Georgia Horse Park in early October.

Photo by Susan J Stickle Photography

During the competition

Tamina earned Reserve Champion at Training Level Open with 71.293%, thus qualifying her and Macy for the 2022 US Dressage Finals in Lexington, Kentucky in early November. As an added bonus she also secured a Top 10 placing in the highly competitive First Level Open Championships with a score of 67.708 %. Both results were achieved with the help and expert coaching from Heather Kennedy who traveled to Region 3 Championships to assist onsite during the competition. Macy remembers her success at Regionals: “Once again, Tamina blew all our expectations out of the water by inspiring us to keep moving forward and prepare for US Dressage Finals!”

The entire team was beaming with excitement as they prepared to head to Kentucky in early November 2022, as this would be the very first time the rider, horse, groom, and owners experienced the US Dressage Finals. Sadly, Coach Heather Kennedy was unable to make the trip due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Macy had ridden with Brian Hafner of Brian Hafner Dressage previously during a stay in Ocala, Fl. and reached out to him to see if he could coach her in Heather Kennedy’s absence. “I thought he would be a great match because he is very experienced himself with a vast Dressage background involving horses of all types at Regional and National Championships. We were delighted when he accepted our request for coaching us at US Dressage Finals on such short notice since

he had already signed up to compete there himself, along with several of his students who had also qualified for the event. Brian was brilliant and a huge help to us; he gave us the confidence to go in the big, scary and rainy ring with 3 judges to show them what we had!”

Tamina and Macy placed in the Top 5 at their first US Dressage Finals with a 4th place finish overall in the Training Level Open Championship class earning a score of 70.517 %. In addition to this success, the pair also won the FHANA (Friesian Horse Association of North America) High Point Open Award at US Dressage Finals – another outstanding achievement for the pair to set themselves apart during their first year of Dressage competitions together.

Macy sums up her first experience at US Dressage Finals: “Riding into the Alltech arena on Tamina for the prestigious Awards Ceremony and experiencing the applause and cheers from the crowd was a surreal feeling! I feel so lucky to be given the opportunity to ride, learn, and grow with Tamina. Tanja and Scott Hodges have been the most helpful, supportive, and enthusiastic owners. Their attention to detail in her care, show preparation and schedule planning has truly set the whole team up for success time and time again.”

“Team Tamina” is looking forward to taking Tamina to Ocala, Fl. this winter so they can continue to work with Brian Hafner at his facility. The goal is to further develop Tamina’s Dressage talent so the team can

continue to shine during the 2023 show season. Tanja Hodges remarks, “this mare is so special to all of us and we all feel so blessed to have had the outstanding competition year we did with her. Cheers to a very successful 2022 and a world of opportunity in 2023!”

Tanja Hodges, Macy Clark on Hilde fan Seldsum, and Scott Hodges. Photo by Rebecca Moore

Young Riders

Becca Schaffauser

slides her way to success

“Maintaining her horse’s soundness and mental state plus overcoming her own self-doubt while showing so frequently and needing to always be at the top of her game was a tall order for a then 12 year-old. She studied therapy and preventive medicine for her horse and worked on maintaining her own competitive mindset constantly.”

- Jeanna Schaffauser

equestrian. Though the family will be moving their business to the Darling 888 Ranch in Princeton, KY in March 2023. Becca will continue sliding and spinning her way to the top of the Reining world.

Accomplishments

• NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) Youth 13 & Under World Champion

• NRHA Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup World Champion

• Three time Quarter Horse Congress Reserve Champion

• NRHA Derby 13 & Under and Short Stirrup Champion

• TNRHA (Tennessee Reining Horse Association) High Point Rookie

• TNRHA High Point Youth 13 & Under.

By Michele Harn and Jeanna Schaffauser

She was born into it. Her father (Sam Schauffauser) and grandfather (Randy Schaffauser) are professional Reining horse trainers with a barn full of champion horses. Her mom, Jeanna, is a non-pro competitor. But having it all on the proverbial silver spoon doesn’t guarantee success in the show arena. No, that takes endless hours in the practice pen, hours researching therapies for her equine athletes, and a dedication seldom seen. Fourteen-year-old Becca Schaffauser of Eads, Tenn. has made the very most of the opportunity she was born into.

Becca is a competitive, focused young lady. Becca’s mother, Jeanna Schaffhauser, tells of Becca “riding unassisted when she was 2 years old on Hunter ponies and competing in Reining when she was 7 years old.” She also danced competitively for 8 years before deciding to focus solely on the horses. Part of that focus includes researching therapies to keep her competition horses in top condition and preventative medicine for all the horses in the barn. Becca enjoys learning more about veterinary medicine as an additional way to provide the very best for her equine partners. Her parents are proud of the role she plays in managing the horses.

We asked Becca’s mom to tell us about challenges she has faced.

“In order to accomplish her NRHA World Championship (which is a cumulative high point award for the year in NRHA), Becca had to get creative to help her horse, Cruz, avoid burn out. With the help of family friend and Ranch Riding guru, Matt Lantz, of Michigan, Becca taught Cruz Ranch Riding, and she credits adding Ranch Riding at shows for their Reining world title win. ‘It gave Cruz something different to think about. Reining can be terribly predictable for the horses, and Cruz learned to relax and really listen to me when we started showing Ranch Riding.’

Maintaining her horse’s soundness and mental state plus overcoming her own self-doubt while showing so frequently and needing to always be at the top of her game was a tall order for a then 12 year-old. She studied therapy and preventive medicine for her horse and worked on maintaining her own competitive mindset constantly.”

Becca competes at NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) and AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) events including the NRHA Futurity and Derby, National Reining Breeders Classic, Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA Youth World Show, and many other smaller events in TN, FL, GA, KY, IN, OK, and TX. Besides Reining she also competes in Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, and Ranch Rail to keep her horses in top physical and mental condition. Her equine partners are Dun Got My Rest (Cruz), Buttons On my GT (Buttons), and Tinsel At The Ryman (Harold) who was recently sold.

It’s a Family Affaire

Becca’s father, Sam Schaffhauser, a NRHA Professional and Judge, ranks in the top 75 all-time NRHA riders with earnings over $600,000 and top placings in every major NRHA event. Sam is also passionate about developing young horses and coaching riders to the top of their games.

Becca’s grandfather, Randy Schaffhauser, a NRHA Professional and multiple IBHA (International Buckskin Horse Association) Reining World Champion, has been training horses for over 50 years. Randy enjoys both showing and coaching Non-Pro and Youth Riders in both Reining and Ranch Riding.

Becca’s mother, Jeanna Schaffhauser, grew up showing AQHA All-Around and shifted her focus to reining over 20 years ago after meeting Sam. She serves as manager of Sam Schaffhauser Performance Horses and shows Reining Futurity and Derby horses in the Non-Professional division.

Becca certainly has a bright future as a third generation

Becca and Buttons On my GT. Photo by Rhonda Leach

Above: Becca and Dun Got My Rest. Photo by Rhonda Leach

Above: Becca & Tinsel At The Ryman. Photo by Rhonda Leach

Sponsored Content by Kentucky Equine Research

The Basics of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome From the Experts

more than 1.5-1.7 lb. per 100 lb. of body weight daily. Horses on all-forage diets should be fed a ration balancer to ensure protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements are met.

• Feed concentrates only when necessary to satisfy energy requirements. Consider feeds that are low in starch with higher levels of fat (oil, stabilized rice bran) and fermentable fiber (beet pulp, soy hulls). Add chaff or alfalfa pellets to concentrate meals to dilute starch intake. Feed small concentrate meals, three or four times daily.

• If concentrates cannot be tolerated by especially sensitive horses, vegetable oil (canola oil) can provide energy to the diet. Mix oil with alfalfa pellets or chaff. Horses on high-fat diets should be supplemented with a natural-source vitamin E, such as Nano-E®, a research-proven product with superior bioavailability developed by Kentucky Equine Research.

A diet of high-quality forage (pasture, hay, or hay alternatives) and limited starch should reduce acidity of the stomach, support healing of the stomach lining, and decrease the likelihood of ulcer recurrence.

phosphate buffer gastric pH, and sucralfate buffers hydrochloric acid by increasing bicarbonate secretion and stimulating prostaglandin secretion.

For more information on Kentucky Equine Research digestive health products developed to support gastric health, visit ker.com/digestive-health.

Modern feeding and management scenarios often place horses at risk for gastric ulcers. Common management practices that place horses at risk of gastric ulcers include meal feeding, diets high in concentrates and low in forage, intense training schedules, and social stressors.

The prevalence of gastric ulceration depends largely on breed, use, and disposition. Racehorses seem to be most bothered. In untrained Thoroughbreds, prevalence of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), which affects the upper portion of the stomach, is 37% but escalates to 80100% within two to three months of race training. ESGD is not as prevalent in show and sport horses, ranging from 17-58%. Horses kept primarily at home and used in familiar environments have the lowest prevalence of ESGD at 11%.

Conversely, the prevalence of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), which damages the lower portion of the stomach, is less well documented but seemingly less widespread in racehorses and more common in leisure and sport horses.

Numerous clinical signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) have been identified, though expression of these signs varies from one horse to the next.

• Poor appetite: feed intake is generally reduced, and some horses will lose their appetite for only certain elements of their ration, such as grain or hay.

• Loss of weight or body condition: weight loss is generally associated with reduced appetite, but may be attributed to chronic, low-level pain.

• Dull hair coat: perhaps due to weight

loss and low-grade pain.

• Behavioral changes: often show signs of sourness toward horses and humans, including increased frequency of pinned ears and wringing tail; some horses become more reactive, while others become duller.

• Abdominal discomfort: some horses will lie down more frequently or will stand in a stretched position; ridden horses often express discomfort while adjusting the girth.

• Decline in performance: though this might be an effect of reduced energy consumption and weight loss, distraction due to pain could be the cause.

• Colic frequency: recurrent colic with mild to moderate pain has been identified in horses with gastric ulcers. The only reliable method for diagnosing gastric ulceration is endoscopy, also known as “scoping,” which must be performed by a veterinarian. During gastroscopy, a thin, flexible tube outfitted with a camera is inserted into the mouth, threaded down the esophagus, and passed into the stomach, providing visualization of the stomach lining. Nutritional management strategies can reduce the risk of gastric ulceration. Key considerations include:

• Horses should be fed a forage-based diet. Continuous access to pasture forage may be preferable for at-risk horses, but free-choice hay or haylage can be fed to stabled horses that are not overweight.

For overweight horses and ponies at risk of EGUS, hay with low energy content should be fed in small meals throughout the day with a goal of feeding no

In addition to dietary changes, other pharmaceutical agents or supplements are available for the treatment or prevention of EGUS. Omeprazole is the only FDA-approved treatment for gastric ulcers in horses. Omeprazole blocks secretion of hydrochloric acid for 24 hours when given to horses at the recommended dosages. Further, antacids such as aluminum

Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. The company advances the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, applies that knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses, and supports the nutritional care of all horses throughout their lives. Learn more at ker.com.

Horse Health

The Importance of Hay

By Alicia Johnson

Hay is probably not something most people think about on a daily basis, but in the equestrian world, we know we can’t go without it. In fact, last summer’s drought had many horse owners scrambling to find enough to put away for the winter. So if hay is such a vital aspect of our horses’ diets, what factors should we consider in choosing what kind and how much to feed?

Hay and forage are crucial parts of a horse’s diet, as they provide both nutrients and satiety for your horse. However, when the seasons change and the lush, green grass of summer leaves us with cooler temperatures, we’re left with dull, and in many cases, over-grazed pastures. That’s when many horse owners turn to hay as the main source of roughage throughout the winter.

Digestion is the best way for your horse to generate heat, as it is, literally, a central heat source. Good bacteria in the hindgut of a healthy equine are responsible for creating

this heat. There’s an old horseman’s saying that grain is the best way to heat a horse; however, this is not the case. While grain may provide more calories for the horse than forage, it is not the most effective feed to keep it warm- that’s where hay comes in.

When deciding what type of hay to feed this winter, consider your horse’s nutritional needs. Mixed-grass hay may not have the protein content other types of hay contain, but it is high in fiber, making it a great choice for senior horses or horses that can maintain their body weight throughout the winter. It is also affordable. Also high in fiber, bermuda hay is a popular choice in the South, although it still may not be the best option for horses with high protein needs. If you have a senior horse that needs help maintaining weight or a performance horse in training, alfalfa hay may be a good option. Although it is rich in protein and other nutrients, alfalfa should be fed with caution as it has been known to cause colic due to the excess gas it generates in the hindgut.

At Redemption Road Horse Rescue in Jackson, TN, bermuda hay is fed year round. If a horse in poor body condition requires the protein of alfalfa, it is introduced gradually and mixed with the bermuda hay.

Steve and Rebecca King of Triple C Farms in Covington, Tenn., suggest providing a variety for your horse through mixedgrass hay. They liken it to humans- just as we don’t all have the same preferences, horses are similar in that way. Some horses may want clover, some lespedeza, some bermuda; they’ll be drawn to their preference when grazing. “Providing mixed-grass hay mimics how they forage in the pasture,” says Steve. There’s something for every horse in a mixed-grass roll.

Once you know what type of hay you want to feed, consider the amount your horses will need. “Normal daily hay intake should be 1.5%- 2% of body weight, so for an 1,100 pound horse that is 16.5 to 22 pounds of hay,” according to Michele Harn, MS, Equine Nutrition. If your horse is on a

small pasture with little grass thanks to last summer’s drought, consider free access to a round roll. Placing the round roll in a hay ring will help reduce waste that comes along with horses dragging and trampling the hay. Commercial slow feeder nets that encase the entire roll may also be beneficial in helping reduce the amount of the roll that is wasted.

If you’re concerned about your roll being exposed to the elements and moisture potentially creating mold, you may want to invest in a covered hay ring or a DIY covered horse feeder. If you have a larger pasture where your horse can forage daily, you may choose to feed flakes of square bales.

No matter which type of hay or how much you feed, make sure your horses have access to sanitary water. Hay increases thirst demands, so if your horse is eating more hay to stay warm this winter it will need more water as well. When the temperatures drop, blankets are a personal preference, but hay is a necessity.

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Horse Tech

Top 4 Barn Management Digital Tools

By Juliana Chapman, The Tech Equestrian

Managing horses is not an easy task, especially with all the demands these days. Keeping an accurate schedule that is easily shared with owners, riders, trainers, grooms and support staff can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are digital solutions you can use to manage your barn more efficiently and help keep your horses happy and healthy. The Tech Equestrian highlights each solution below to find the right fit for your horse care needs.

BarnManager: Made for barn managers, by barn managers

Hippovibe: Manage Your Horses Digitally

Stable Secretary: Barn Management Made Easy

The Equestrian App: Helping People Help Horses

Founded in 2012 by lifelong equestrian Nicole Lakin, BarnManager is a cloudbased software solution that helps horse owners and managers simplify their daily management responsibilities. Users can access BarnManager online to create horse profiles, store medical records, schedule appointments, make detailed lists, and much more. BarnManager has become a valuable organizational tool for stables across several disciplines.

Designed to incorporate the nuances of an equine business, the enhanced BarnManager Pro allows users to invoice for multiple horses, split shared expenses across multiple clients, put multiple horses on a single invoice, and ensure that the full amounts of payments are covered. The Pro plan currently offers secure ACH payments through Stripe Connect, one of the most respected and popular online payment providers, which will yield substantial savings in payment fees over major competitors.

BarnManager is committed to looking for new tools to help barns manage, organize, analyze, and grow their businesses.

Plan profile: 14-day to 30-day free trials; 3 plans to choose from (monthly and yearly payment options)

Free essentials plan for 501(c)(3) Website: https://www.barnmanager.com

BarnManager is available as a web-based software/cloud-hosted solution.

Say goodbye to your whiteboard thanks to Hippovibe, a digital horse management tool with a task planning feature that makes keeping track of your barn chores so much easier. The functionality allows you to plan your horses’ daily activities and add all sorts of information, from who should execute the job, timing/duration, order and pertinent notes (no carrots, only apples).

Tasks are assigned to specific users, so everyone knows what he or she needs to do and what has already been done. The app is not only ideal for planning ahead but can also be used as a reference point to view historical tasks.

The Hippovibe solution can store all the related information about your horses’ health on the system. Now you don’t have to guess when the next vaccination is due or write down on a calendar. The historical health data storage is a user favorite and provides a more holistic view of a horse’s health profile.

Plan profile: 14-day free trial/book a demo. Quarterly or yearly pricing based on number of horses.

Website: https://hippovibe.com

Hippovibe is available on iOS, Android, and desktop.

As one of the early barn management solutions, Stable Secretary knows how important it is to offer options when it comes to managing horses efficiently. The four packages include: professional – the highest level with the most features including payments and invoicing; performance – has all the health features plus the ability to record services and expenses; essentials – keeps track of all the basic health information and go! – developed for ‘on-the go’ professionals who do everything on their mobile device.

A new feature added to the platform is the scheduling tool that enables users to add tasks and appointments, as well as services (like lessons, rides, etc.) which can easily be converted into billable records. You have the option to add event information and keep it simple or you can add details like participants, horses, admin-by, locations, and more. Events can be one-time or recurring and allow for setting time perimeters including reminder alerts. The feature was created by StableSecretary to allow for all the nuances of scheduling horses and riders and to keep costs down for users.

Plan profile: 30-day free trial with 4 plans to choose from (monthly or yearly payment options)

Discounts are available to educational institutions and non-profits Website: https://stablesecretary.com Stable Secretary is available on iOS, Android, and desktop.

The Equestrian App was launched by founder, Patrick Husting in 2019. Patrick created the app due to the reality that there are many people involved in the care of horses. The app gives users the ability to connect with a community of trainers, veterinarians, farriers, boarders, and other providers. All the information is directly stored in the journal so everyone can stay updated on your horse(s).

A software designer by trade, Patrick created the app by listening to his customers. He wanted to enhance the user experience year over year with recurrent updates for equine business professionals. If you’re a bodywork pro, a farrier, a trainer, or barn owner, there are features in the app to help you connect with your clients and provide an unmatched equestrian business experience.

The app has partnered with Barn Pros to offer features that easily define their barn, such as stalls and which horses are in those stalls – this includes the ability to create QR codes to post on the stall which are scannable by the app. Another partner is Equine Discounts, where you can save up to thousands on items you purchase for your horses and farm.

Plan profile: Free to download; with 3 plans: Gold; Silver; Bronze Website: https://equestrianapp.com

The Equestrian App is available on iOS, Android, and desktop.

Equine Management Winter Turnout - How

Much is OK?

By Michele Harn, M.S.

Mid-south temperatures over the recent Christmas Holiday weekend could have been easily posted for the upper Midwest. How should horse owners respond to extended subfreezing temperatures? How much turnout time is safe? Do horses need to be stalled in freezing temps? Barn managers and horse owners’ response to these challenging weather days is as vast as the horses and activities they pursue with their equines.

Wild horses and northern climate horses do well in sub-zero temperatures. Nature provides quite well for horses in both their instinct and seasonal changes in hair coat. Horses will naturally seek shelter from wind to maintain their body temperature. And most have hair so thick and insulating, that snow will pile-up and not even melt. They also seek the sun to warm themselves. Stick your fingers deep into the hair of a dark horse on a sunny day and feel how very warm the skin is. Thoughtfully placing shelters in turnout lots will help horses maximize their exposure to sun and minimize exposure to wind.

Horses in the mid-south tend to be very active throughout the winter, and as such, have different challenges during deep-freeze days. Some horses may be partially, or fully clipped thus needing blankets or stabling to keep warm. Some have shoes, making frozen and possibly icy ground treacherous. Paddocks that have become rutted from extended rain can be painful, even dangerous, for horses to walk over when the ground freezes. Depending on the condition of the ground, horse owners may opt to limit time outside. Others may have the luxury of large, grassy pastures that provide good footing even when frozen. Muddy lots may freeze on top but remain muddy below so it can be slippery, especially when horses start running around on a brisk morning. Often there is rain preceding a deep dive in temps so it is important to walk the area where your horses will be once the ground is frozen.

For horses that are stalled more than normal there are a few environmental conditions to evaluate. The utmost importance is air quality. Horses kept in stalls with barn doors closed are at risk of being exposed to elevated levels of ammonia, a potential danger to horses’ upper respiratory tract. Cleaning stalls several times a day will help. Horses can become bored or cranky when stalled for an extended period. Frequently feeding hay and stall toys may entertain your confined horse. If possible walk them in the barn aisle or indoor arena for a bit of exercise to calm their mind and keep their legs limber.

Joanna Wilburn, owner, trainer, and manager at Rollingwoods Farm in Olive Branch, Miss., along with sisters: Dr. Ruth Wilburn and Sally Ross Wilburn Davis, were the 2020 USEF Ellen Scripps Davis Memo-

rial Breeders’ Cup award winners proving their knowledge in breeding, managing and raising Welsh ponies for performance and show. Their ponies are not hot house flowers. “Preferably they stay out 24/7 with run-in sheds, but they tend to stay out, even in cold rain,” Joanna explains. The ponies have access to round grass bales 24/7 and all receive small square bales of higher test grass hay twice a day. Joanna notes the round bales keep them busy and warm. In bad weather she gives more of the richer hay. All ponies come into the barn twice daily to be fed. “If they’re wet or shivering they stay in the stall longer to dry out before going out again. With prolonged wet, cold weather they all get under cover in the barn or arena until they dry out and then they go back out again. At Rollingwoods the emphasis is on ponies living outside ‘being horses’” Joanna is quick to add.

Windyrein Farm owner and manager, Kim Carpenter Clark, describes their plan when extreme winter weather hits their farm in Eads, Tenn. “We have Eventers, Jumpers, and Dressage horses in training who are typically turned out overnight. These horses are accustomed to being in stalls on a 12-and-12 schedule: twelve hours in and 12 hours out. When the temps get frigid we keep them stalled and prioritize water and hay consumption, while trying to keep their routine as unchanged as possible. When they are able to be turned back out, we make sure they have access to water and throw as much hay to them as possible. We monitor windchill and blanket them based on their coat and if they are body clipped. We find the amount of layers needed can be very breed specific, Thoroughbreds needing the most blanketing. Of course, the body clipped horses wear as many layers as they need, including hoods. We do not turn out in cold rain, blanketed or not.” Living onsite makes this around the clock care possible when the occasional arctic blast dips into the mid-south.

In summary, there are a few simple management tools to help your horses make it through frigid winter days. Keeping your horse’s internal heater fueled is key to surviving temperatures below freezing. A horse’s gut produces heat when digesting hay and water keeps the gut from becoming impacted. Offering hay several times a day and providing warm (not icy) water will ensure your horse’s heater does its job. Shelter from wind, cold rain, and snow allows the natural hair coat to maintain its insulating properties and reduces heat loss from windchill. Blankets in several weights provide warmth for those horses with inadequate hair coats. Having a second blanket is a good idea in case one becomes wet from rain or melting snow. Winter is barely getting started, but following the recent arctic blast, it’s important to make plans before the next Snomageddon hits the region.

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Keeping the Water Trough Thawed

tank thawed and your horses hydrated is paramount, as lack of water can cause dehydration-induced colic. In its early stages dehydration can be hard to detect in horses, so it is imperative they always have access to clean, fresh water.

While there are many commercial products available on the market that involve water-safe electrical heating units, there are DIY options as well. Michele Harn, MS, Equine Nutrition and owner, Kalos Sport Ponies, Wis. and Tenn., has numerous suggestions to help equestrians keep their horses’ water flowing freely all winter. She says, “Wind and contact with cold surfaces are major factors in stability of water temperature.” First, she suggests raising the trough off the ground. This can be done by simply placing wood underneath. Next, wrap the tank with reflective, flexible insulation material. If you’re concerned your horses will want to chew on this, wire fencing can be placed over the insulation. An insulated top which partially covers the trough will also be a great addition to reduce the surface area of water exposed to the wind and elements. Pink styrofoam-type insulation from a home improvement store and wood framing work well to construct the top, and this side of the trough can be placed outside the fence so horses aren’t tempted to pull it off or chew it. Michele suggests using a plug-in type water heater, as the float type can be pulled out by horses and can even burn a plastic trough if it doesn’t have a wire basket preventing it from touching the sides.

num stuffed with hay or even water heater jacket insulation. For a smaller water bucket, you can place an old tire stuffed with straw around the entire thing. A floating object, such as an old soccer ball, thrown in the trough can also be an affordable option to keep your water flowing. “Anything that can promote movement in the water will help prevent freezing,” Laura states. Another suggestion Laura offers is to fill milk jugs with a salt water solution. Saltwater has a lower freezing point than freshwater and should help your horses’ water stay in liquid form when the temperatures drop below freezing. However, if your tank does freeze, a sifting shovel works wonders for not only breaking up the surface ice, but for removing it as well. Leaving ice in the tank will only further drop the temperature.

After spending lots of time and effort busting up water troughs last winter, Mindi Harrison, equine trainer, did some research and found that powdered molasses added to the trough works wonderfully. She puts a couple of cups of powdered molasses (available at the Co-op) into her water tanks and says even when the temperatures become bitterly cold, the tanks don’t freeze, but take on a more “slushylike” texture. She also sprinkles some of the powdered molasses right on top to encourage her horses to drink.

By Alicia Johnson

It’s that time of year again… the temperatures have dropped across the mid-south, and many horse owners are fighting the annual winter battle with Mother Nature: keeping the water trough from freezing. Keeping your water

For those equestrians who may not have power in their barns or access to electricity near the trough, Laura Lutz, Barn Manager at Redemption Road Horse Rescue in Jackson, Tenn., provides many practical solutions to keeping your water tank from freezing this winter. She suggests wrapping the trough or tank in insulation- this can be alumi-

Tanks with little water in them will be more susceptible to freezing solid. So, if the temperature falls below 30 degrees for more than 12 hours, be sure to keep your water trough full. Whatever the way you offer water to your equines, it is important to remember that the trough still needs to be dumped and cleaned- even throughout the winter months. Offering horses fresh, clean water is a great way to encourage hydration and decrease the risk of colic episodes throughout the winter.

Michele Harn’s DIY insultated water trough the morning after December’s Arctic Blast

Greener Pastures Winter Pasture Improvements

By Michele Harn, M.S.

Mid-winter is a great time to give your horse pastures a little love. While summer grasses are slumbering now, come spring they will appreciate the attention you give them over the winter. Tipton County Extension Agent III, Becky Muller, gives several pasture management action points for the remaining winter months.

An excellent pasture starts with healthy soil. Your local extension agent is a great resource for advice on collecting and submitting an effective soil sample. Once the results are obtained, the agent can then advise on soil amendments, such as lime, fertilizer, or herbicides. Ms Muller advises checking lime status of pastures every 3 years. “When soil pH is optimum, lime encourages good grass growth and discourages weed growth,” adds Muller. “Lime moves very slowly in the soil, but January is typically wet so it can be challenging to spread lime in winter,” she notes. She recommends spreading fertilizer as grass starts to green in the spring, but cautions to spread right before a rain so the fertilizer is watered into the soil.

Winter can be a good time to address problems above ground such as muddy areas or erosion. Muller says, “horses in a smaller areas mess up the soil and grasses, so keep a sacrifice area to feed hay over the winter.” She suggests using hay feeders or slow-feed nets to reduce hay waste. While it may be too wet to bring equipment into the pasture, you can identify areas that need attention when the ground dries enough to bring in additional soil, re-route water flow, add gravel to high traffic areas like gates, or maybe use fencing to exclude horse traffic in an area of erosion. It’s a good time to call contractors to do a walk-through and get estimates for major work. Spring will come

soon and schedules get busy.

While summer grasses are dormant it’s easy to find areas that may need re-seeding. It’s important to spread seed at the optimal time and rate (pounds per acre) for each variety of seed. UT Extension PB1651 “Pastures for Horses” is the go-to resource for horse owners who want to optimize their pasture’s performance. Remember to keep horses off new seeding for 6-8 weeks while the grass establishes a good root system.

Don’t forget the mechanical aspects of keeping horses. Winter is an excellent time to get your tractor and mower ready for the growing season. Many shops are less busy at this time of year making it easier to get repairs done quickly. Find a sunny day to take a walk around the fence line too. While you make not need to make repairs now, it’s good to plan for updates and changes you might want to make in the spring. A little prep now will make the transition to pasture mowing and pasture turnout go smoothly.

While winter might seem an odd time to consider your dormant pastures that sit vacant over the winter, it really is the perfect time for pre-season evaluation. A little love now will assure good grass growth come spring.

Scan the QR Code below to read UT Extension’s “Pastures for Horses” resource.

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Training Tips

Warming Up and Cooling Down in the Cold

and ready to go. Most summer cooldowns consist of both a walk down and a hose down. However, when the temperatures drop, equestrians need to take into consideration more effort is required to properly warm-up and cooldown the horse.

Mindi Harrison, owner of Broken Wheel Ranch in Trenton, Tenn., and volunteer trainer at Redemption Road Horse Rescue in Jackson, Tenn., says her warm-up consists of two components: flexing and walking circles. Flexion, or asking for suppleness from the horse as you bend its nose toward your knee while in the saddle, is a great way to prepare your horse for a ride. “Flexing fixes so many problems,” Mindi states, “including standing still, softness, and attention problems.” It’s also of utmost importance because it’s the basis for the one-rein stop, which, according to Mindi, is the best way to refocus your horse’s attention back on you, the rider, if your horse is acting up. Mindi asserts, “You can’t practice flexing too much.”

relationship.

A full winter coat can intensify sweating, so whether you plan to ride indoors or outdoors this winter, always assess your horse after the ride. If your horse is sweating once you’ve cooled down, Mindi recommends putting a wool blanket over it with another blanket on top of that. The wool blanket will wick away the moisture, and the extra blanket on top will keep the heat locked in so the horse can dry. Never put a non-wicking blanket on a sweaty horse, as the hair won’t be able to dry.

By Alicia Johnson

Cooler temperatures bring on different equestrian challenges. One of those is determining how much warm-up and cooldown is needed when riding in the cold. In the heat of summer, it is easy to assume the horse is already warm

Walking lots of circles is the second part of Mindi’s warm-up. Not only does it provide physical warmth to the horse’s muscles, but it is also the quickest way to control your horse, she says. Walking circles around cones, trees, or whatever you have available mimics the way a dominant horse circles and controls its herd members. “When you walk circles, that gives you the control,” Mindi states. Walking circles, not trotting or cantering is a part of Mindi’s cooldown as well. This reinforces the rider is in control over the horse, which is paramount in the equine-equestrian

Brittany Stang, a local horse trainer here in the mid-south, suggests incorporating stretching into the cooldown after a ride on a cold day. This will help your horse’s muscles remain warm and pliable. There are many different types of stretches you can perform on your horse, including both shoulder and hip flexors, and extensors. Just like humans, these stretches are most effective when done after a workout. Increased flexibility and decreased risk of injury are just two wonderful benefits of stretching your horse. Studies have shown improvements in both speed and power in performance horses from adding static equine stretches into a warm-up and cooldown routine. If you do choose to add stretching to your routine, do your research first, as it is possible to do more harm than good to your horse if you are unaware of proper equine stretching techniques.

Whether you choose to ride or just keep your horse tuned up on the ground this winter, be sure to give your partner the proper warm-up and cooldown he or she deserves.

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Winter Lunging and Groundwork

you need to determine the goals of your lunging and groundwork- in what areas would you like to see improvements in your horse? Tailor your training to fit the purpose of your horse: a performance horse will need different training techniques than a trail horse. For example, Brittany works on “slow work with simple mental tasks” with her horses still in training for barrels. However, with her finished barrel horses who need to keep their muscle condition throughout the winter, she may lunge for 15-20 minutes per session, 2-3 times a week, depending on ground and weather conditions. On the other hand, a trail horse may not need as much lunging, but rather new buttons added through groundwork over the colder winter months, such as side passing.

By Alicia Johnson

As many equestrians know, some horses can sit all winter and pick up right where they left off in the spring with excellent behavior and manners; however, some horses need consistent groundwork if not being ridden. If you don’t enjoy riding when the temperatures fall as much as you did a few months ago, but you do want to keep your horse tuned up throughout the winter and early spring, lunging and groundwork are ways you can achieve your goals.

If you are unfamiliar with lunging or groundwork in general, a quick, online search can help you prepare. Local horse trainer and owner of Broken Wheel Ranch in Trenton, Tenn., Mindi Harrison, reminds us: “Any equipment can be harmful in the wrong hands.” This includes a lunge line and whip, so understand your purpose and the intent behind

your groundwork before you get started. This will make the training more enjoyable for both you and your horse.

Brittany Stang, barrel racer and horse trainer, recommends starting with the basics. First, she says, “Know your horse.” Begin by assessing your horse’s body condition and nutritional needs. Make sure “you are feeding properly to keep up with colder temperatures and exercise,” she states. Take into consideration the increased metabolic demands the winter temperatures place on your horse. Brittany suggests speaking with an equine nutritionist if needed.

Ulcers can be a cause for concern in the winter time due to a lack of grass. If your horses don’t have free access to hay or forage, Stang suggests feeding hay before lunging to help the stomach acid neutralize and prevent ulcers or a flare up for those horses who are prone to ulcers.

Once you have assessed your horse’s nutritional needs,

Whatever the purpose behind your groundwork this winter, Brittany states it is important to keep it fun and interesting. Routine can cause boredom for both you and your equine partner. Adding in desensitization days during which you expose your horse to scenarios it may see at a show, in the arena, or on a trail can be helpful and will keep your horse’s mind sharp. Regardless of what type of riding your horse is used for, focusing on “keeping the horse soft through light conditioning” is important, Brittany adds.

If you notice a behavioral problem when working with your horse, Mindi Harrison urges you to “fix the horse right then and there [through groundwork] so it doesn’t snowball into a bigger problem.” Taking the time to work with your horse on the ground can correct disrespectful behavior in your horse. It’s important to remember whatever you do with the horse on the ground translates into the saddle.

Groundwork and lunging this winter can be great ways to strengthen your relationship with your horse. Learning new things while building trust will be beneficial for both you and your equine partner.

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How Cold is Too Cold to Ride?

By Alicia Johnson

During the cold winter months many equestrians in the region become fair weather riders, choosing to give their horses a break from regular riding; however, many devoted riders keep riding no matter what the weather throws at them…Which leads to the age-old question: How cold is too cold to ride?

Typically, we have mild winters with moderate temperatures that allow for riding throughout the entire season if one chooses to do so. Although, at the end of December we experienced single-digit temperatures, frigid wind chills, and icy precipitation that warranted exercising caution when it came to winter riding and horse care. Paying attention to key factors in both your horse and the elements will help you decide if it’s a good day for a ride.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple temperature cut-off for riding throughout the winter; several factors come into play. First, consider the terrain your horse will be ridden on. Slick, frozen ground or deep snow are deal breakers for a winter ride. Hard, icy terrain not only puts your horse at risk for losing its footing and, consequently, potential injuries, but places the rider at risk as well. Sprains, strains, and concussions are more common when riding on slick trails, as the risk for falls increases due to treacherous terrain. Snow may hide potential hazards on trails, such as holes or ruts. Also keep in mind that if temperatures are hovering around or below freezing, keeping outdoor riding at a walk is a good rule to follow. Your horse’s coat length is another factor to consider when riding in the cold, as it affects both evaporation and heat conductivity.

David Gitchell, local farrier and long-time horseman, goes by this general rule when it comes to riding in cold

weather: “Listen to your horse.” If the horse is reluctant on frozen ground, David says the icy terrain is more than likely hurting its hooves. “Frozen ground can cause sole bruising which can lead to an abscess,” David states. He suggests shod horses’ shoes be picked; otherwise, ice balls will form in the shoes making it uncomfortable for the horse and potentially causing an abscess as well.

Another piece of advice for cold weather riding David offers is to warm up your bit. If you don’t have a heated tack room, try keeping your headstall indoors until you’re ready to tack up on a cold day. You can also place the bit in a warm bucket of water (make sure it’s not too hot), use commercial hand warmers over the bit, or simply warm the bit in your hands for a few minutes before you put the bridle on.

Quarter sheets can be purchased to drape over the hindquarters of your equine companion to ensure warmth while riding on a cold day, especially if your horse is clipped.

Equally important is dressing in layers to keep yourself warm and comfortable as well. If trail riding alone when the temperatures dip, be sure to inform someone where you are going and when you should return. Consider ordering EquineTrac’s tracker and download their app. The tracker and app will record and track your ride. Should an emergency occur it will call your emergency contacts.

If you choose to keep your horse on a riding schedule this winter, enjoy those cooler temperatures. Most equestrians would gladly trade the horse flies and sweat that come with summer for a jacket and gloves in the winter. Just keep in mind to always evaluate your horse before you ride in the cold- is he or she reluctant or hesitant? Check the ground: is it too slick to ride? Is snow covering ruts, holes, or other potential hazards? If you have safely assessed the environment as well as your equine companion, enjoy that winter ride.

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The 2nd annual Bucking Around the Christmas Tree was held at the Northwest Multi-purpose Arena in Senatobia Miss. The event is a local fundraiser, with admission being a toy or food item which was then delivered to the community. It was a rainy, cold night but was full to capacity with a huge crowd coming to watch some great bull riding and barrel racing.

Cameron Favazza won the Junior bull riding category while Jayden Jackson took first in the Senior bull riding. In the open bull riding Hudson Bolton won the event with a ride of 87 points. Hudson is from Milan Tenn., just returned from Las Vegas where he won the 14-15 age group of the 2022 Junior World Bull Riding Finals.

Photos By Paul Nolte

Ranch Horse Christmas Finale

Bradford Performance Horses presented the Ranch Horse Christmas Finale on December 17, 2022 and Gould Arena in Moscow, Tenn. Open to Amateurs, Novice and Youth riders classes included Herd Work, Working Cow, Reining, Trail and Pleasure.

Photos by Gary Cox

Liberty Bowl Rodeo

The 34st Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Rodeo took place Monday December 26th, at the Agricenter Showplace Arena, with a great turnout of local fans as well as the Arkansas Razorback and Kansas Jayhawks visitors.

A slack performance (rodeo events for overflow entries) was held in the morning with some fast action that saw the 2nd fastest time in Team Roping for Cooper and Justin Cowan (6.7sec), as well as the 2nd place run of David Holt (8.5 sec) and 4th place run of BJ Billingsley (8.8 sec) both in Tie Down Roping event.

During the evening event the overall winners were produced by Bareback Bronc rider Jackson Poe (73 pts), Tie-Down Roping by Glenn Jackson (8.1 sec), Team Roping by Cooper and Cade Cowan (5.6 sec), Bare Bronc rider Kody Rinehart (81 pts), Cowgirl Barrel Racer, Mary Brooks (14.575 sec) and finally Bull Rider Colby Burgess (82 Pts).

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by Paul Nolte

Photo by Paul Nolte

Photo by Paul Nolte

Photo by Paul Nolte

Marketplace Classifieds & Business Cards

BOARDING

Hillside Stables – Boarding with 2x daily feeding, stall cleaning and turnout. Retired/aged horses welcomed. Wound care/rehab available. Riding lessonsEnglish or western.

Includes covered arena, round pen and wonderful wooded trails. Full board $500.00. We are located south of Collierville/Germantown, east of Olive Branch. www.HillsideStables. wordpress.com 901/857-7500

Premier Horse Boarding in Fayette county. Full/pasture board. Retired horses are welcome. Private pastures, grained 2x daily w/senior feed & Bermuda hay. All weather outdoor arena w/lights. 50+acres of riding, lots of additional amenities. Look us up on FB. Blues City Warmbloods Dana 901-331-3500

SADDLE REPAIR

Boarding at beautiful

WHITE OAK FARM: Located on 40 acres in northeast Shelby County at 10023 Rosemark Rd. Full Board $400/month. Board includes stall cleaning/shavings and morning/evening feedings.

Numerous amenities include large stalls with windows, stall fans, heated waterers, turnout pastures, lighted outdoor arena or inside barn riding, crosstie area with hot/ cold wash rack, fly spray system, Bermuda hay grown and baled onsite. Gated facility with owners and farm manager living on property. Call Sammy 901833-3075.

HORSE TRAINING

Training your horse, the correct & gentle way. Desensitizing & teaching respect on the ground; trust without fear. We mostly use the Buck Brannaman training methods. Exc. References. Grained 2 x day w/ Bermuda hay & private pastures. $800 Mo. Michael Garner 901-857-8060 Blues City Warmbloods on FB

SADDLE & TACK REPAIR:

Van’s Leather Craft. Custom gun holsters, belts, knife sheaths, photo albums etc. For sale: Used & new saddles and horse health products.

Off Hwy. 309, 1909 Bubba Taylor Rd., Byhalia, MS. (662) 838-6269.

EQUINE BUSINESS SERVICES

7777 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN http://www.agricenter.org/events/ FEB. 24-26: IBRA Super Show

https://mshorsepark.com/events

FEB. 10-11: Starkville Breakaway

FEB. 11-12: Rotary Classic Rodeo Harriman, TN

http://www.roanestate. edu/?6497-Events-Calendar

FEB. 10-12: East TN Cutting Horse Assn. FEB. 17-19: Flamekissed IEA

FEB. 24-26: SE Ranch Horse Series Murfreesboro, TN www.mtsu.edu/tmc

FEB. 11-12: MTSU IHSA Hunter Seat Show

FEB. 18-19: MTSU IHSA Western Show

www.utm.edu/departments/agnr/pavilion. php (731)881-7221

FEB. 10: Equestrian team meet

http://www.ihsazone5region1.com http://www.campusequestrian.com/zone/ 5zone/5z2r/5z2r-index.html http://www.ihsainc.com/events/ FEB. 4: Brooklet, GA; Hunt Seat http://www.collegerodeo.com Coll(731) 658-5867 http://tnhsra.com

FEB. 11-12 Harriman, TN (tentative)

FEB. 25-26 Rainsville, TN (tentative)

(731) 658-5867 http://tnhsra.com

FEB. 11-12 Harriman, TN (tentative)

FEB. 25-26 Rainsville, TN (tentative)

Calendar of Events

DRESSAGE

Pages/default.aspx http://extension.msstate.edu/4-h https://ag.tennessee.edu/AnimalScience/ UTHorse/Pages/Shows.aspx#AnchorTop

Sarah, MS. 548 Bryant Lane. Bryant Lane Cowboy Church. Info: facebook Wynne, AR. CR 381. Three Trees Cowboy Church. Info: threetreescowboychurch. com; facebook Collierville, TN. 1656 N. Col-Arl. Rd. Old

FIRST SATURDAY: Houston, MS. Triple E Livestock. Tack 10 am. Horses 2 pm. Info: A.J. Ellis 662-401-9760; 662-2662808

FOURTH SATURDAY: Holly Springs, MS. Marshall County Fairgrounds. Marshall Co. Livestock Exchange. 662-3179021

FIRST, THIRD, FIFTH FRIDAY: Woodbury Livestock Market, 2403 McMinnville Hwy. Tack 5:30 p.m.; Horses 8 pm. Info: (423) 447-8119

FIRST SATURDAY: Hattiesburg, MS. T. Smith Livestock Sales. Tack 10:30 am. Horses 1:30 pm. Info: 601-583-0828

SECOND SATURDAY: Gleason, TN. West TN Auction Barn. 330 Fence Rd. Tack 5:30 pm. Horses 8 pm. Info: Chucky Greenway 731-571-8198

SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY: Scotts Hill, TN. Scotts Hill Stockyard. Info: James Linville 731-549-3523. www. facebook.com/scottshillstockyard

SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY: Carthage, MS. Farmers Livestock Marketing. Tack 1 pm. Horses 5 pm. Info: 601-2677884; 662-317-9021

www.midsouthdressageacademy.org, www.TNDressage.com, www.tvdcta.org, kentuckydressageassociation.com, https:// sites.google.com/view/greystonedressage/ home

FEB. 25: Ring Stewarding, Bit Checking, Scribing and Scoring Clinic. KY Horse Park, Lexington, KY MAR. 25: Greystone Dressage Virtual Mud Bowl. Kim Carpenter 931-452-9225 dressageshowservices@gmail.com

https://nwha.com, www.sshbea.org, www. walkinghorseowners.com, www.shobaonline.com

FEB. 11: WHOA Annual Convention & Awards Banquet. James Union Building. Murfreesboro, TN.

http://wthja.com, https://mhja.info, www. brownlandfarm.com, www.mthja.com, www.ethja.org www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com FEB. 15-MAR.26: 25th Annual Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Harrison County Fairgrounds and Equestrian Center. Gulfport, MS.

MAR. 31- April 2: SE Ranch Horse Series. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Michelle Turner 423-619-4467; southeastranchhorse@gmail.com

tnreining.com, www.nrha1.com

MAR. 24-25: TNRHA. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Ronnie Fox 865-388-1780

MAR. 25-27: TNRHA Shamrock Slide. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN.

www.ipra-rodeo.com, www.prorodeo.com, www.lonestarrodeocompany.com FEB. 3-4: Shelbyville, TN. Calsonic Arena. Lone Star National Finals

FEB. 4: Tupelo, MS. Bancorp South Arena. NE Mississippi Championship Rodeo FEB. 10-11: Starkville, MS. MS Horse Park. Starkville Breakaway

FEB. 10-12: Bowling Green, KY. WKU Ag Expo Center. 41st Annual Lone Star Rodeo FEB. 10-18: Jackson, MS. Mississippi Coliseum. Dixie National Rodeo FEB. 11-12: Starkville, MS. MS Horse Park. Rotary Rodeo

www.nlbra.com, mslbra.org/schedule

FEB. 4-5: Murray, KY

FEB. 18-19: Murray, KY

FEB. 25-26: Lebanon, TN

FEB. 25-26: Brandon, MS

https://www.ponyclub.org/Calendars/ Events.aspx https://midsouth.ponyclub.org/calendar/ https://deepsouth.ponyclub.org/ https://middletennessee.ponyclub.org/calendar/

FEB.11: Mounted Games. Lagniappe Equestrian Center. Folsom, LA. PK Richter pkrichter1026@gmail.com https://4h.tennessee.edu/Pages/default.aspx https://extension.tennessee.edu/western/

FEB. 25: Ring Stewarding, Bit Checking, Scribing and Scoring Clinic. KY Horse Park, Lexington, KY

http://www.nbha.com; https://ibra.us/ shows/US-TN-WEST

FEB. 18: Dash 4 Love 4D Barrel Race. Holly Springs, MS. Marshall Co. Fairgrounds; Info: Dianne Holman and Callie Eubanks, facebook

FEB. 24-26: IBRA Super Show; Memphis, TN; Agricenter Showplace Arena; Info: Jamie White 901-378-7470

MAR. 18-19: Liberty, KY. Central KY Ag Center. Info: 502-239-4000

www.apha.com, www.missphc.com, tphconline11.homestead.com, www.volunteerstatepintoorg.com

FEB. 3-4: Jackson, MS. Kirk Fordice Equine Center. MPHC- Dixie National POR. Info: www.missphc.com

www.ustrc.com, www.jx2events.com FEB. 10-12: Memphis, TN. Agricenter Show Place Arena. USTRC/WSTR Super Q Muddy River Classic

www.nchacutting.com

FEB. 10-12: Harriman, TN. Roane State Expo Center. ETCHA.

FEB. 12-13: Forest, MS. Scott Co. Forest Coliseum. ETCHA. MS CHA Weekend Show.

FEB. 18: Prairie, MS. Infinity Ranch. Northeast MS CHA Weekend Show.

www.tqha.org, www.mqha.org, www. wtqha.org, www.midsouthquarterhorse. com, facebook Mid-South Breeders FEB. 7-8: Jackson, MS. Mary Hopkins Memorial Equestrians with Disabilities Show. Info: http://www.dnqhs.org FEB. 10-12: Nashville, TN. TQHA Annual Convention. Info: Keith Glad 615-8722905

FEB. 14-19: Jackson, MS. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show. Info: http://www. dnqhs.org

www.nationalsteeplechase.com, www. bloodhorse.com, https://www.oaklawn. com/racing/calendar/ Every Saturday through May: Hot Springs, AR. Oaklawn. Info: https://www.oaklawn. com/racing/calendar/

www.americanranchhorse.net, www.volrha. com Info: Parker Bradford 901-651-1145 MAR. 11-12: VolRHA. Agricenter International. Memphis, TN MAR. 18-19: SERHS Clinic. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Michelle Turner 423-619-4467; southeastranchhorse@gmail.com

Facebook: Ingram Mills Saddle Club. Holly Springs, MS. Marshall Co. Fairgrounds. Cook’s Lake Saddle Club. 4269 N. Watkins, Memphis, TN. Info: Wes (901) 5703595. Cookslakesaddleclub.com Woodstock Cuba Saddle Club. 7211 Woodstock Cuba Rd. Millington, TN. Info: John (901) 412-0327. mywcsc.com

www.ustpa.com, www.rsnc.us Gould Arena. Ranch Sorting. Info: 901651-1145

FEB. 18-19: City Forest, MS. DJ Cowhorses Show. Info: www.ustpa.com

CUTTING HORSE

AGRICENTER SHOWPLACE ARENA

MISSISSIPPI HORSE PARK

ROANE STATE EXPO CENTER

TENNESSEE MILLER COLISEUM MTSU

UT MARTIN AG PAVILLION

INTERCOLLEGIATE/INTERSCHOLASTIC

LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO

COWBOY CHURCH

HORSE SALES/ADOPTIONS CLASSES AND CLINICS

BARREL RACING

RACING

HUNTER/JUMPER PAINT/PINTO QUARTER HORSE SHOWS

RODEOS & BULL RIDING

ROPING

TEAM PENNING & RANCH SORTING

TENNESSEE HS RODEO ASSOCIATION

US PONY CLUB

GAITED HORSES

RANCH HORSE

SADDLE CLUB

REINING