Midwest Horse Source August 2012 by Midwest Horse Source

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4

AUGUST 2012

Midwest

Horse Source

Connecting all breeds and disciplines of the Midwest Horse Industry.

Inside This Issue... • Why get a lameness exam? • Hot Weather Horse Management • Midwestern Horse Named “Americas Favorite Trail Horse” • Will Swierenga: A Driving Force in Wisconsin 4-H

PLUS... Calendar of Events News Roundup Training Tips Horse Properties Personality Profile & more!

Grass Roots Show Review -page 11

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AUGUST 2012

NEWS • COVERAGE • COMING EVENTS

MIDWEST ROUNDUP BraveHearts Awarded $10,000 Grant –Poplar Grove, IL

raveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to support its hippotherapy programs. In December 2010, BraveHearts debuted its first therapy session incorporating hippotherapy and equine assisted activities. Word spread of BraveHearts incorporating this unique and beneficial technique, and almost immediately there was a waiting list. BraveHearts is the only PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Premier Accredited Center in northwestern Illinois that houses a comprehensive interdisciplinary therapy team incorporating hippotherapy and equine assisted activities. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is the area's largest provider of grants and scholarships. Its mission is to attract, grow and preserve and endowment for the needs of the people of northern Illinois. BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization helping both children and

adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges through various horseback riding programs. BraveHearts began offering therapeutic riding and carriage driving programs for disabled veterans in 2008 and is currently the largest veterans' therapeutic riding program in the United States. BraveHearts also services approximately 100 children with various diagnoses and needs on a weekly basis year round, bringing hope, joy and unlim-

ited possibilities through the healing power of the horse.Contact: Meggan Hill-McQueeney, President & COO BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center (847) 366-4571 meggan@braveheartsriding.org

McCrae Farm hosts a Quadrille Clinic

n a year dedicated to education, McCrae Farm recently hosted a Quadrille clinic with Victor Pozzo from Tempel Farms. The initial purpose of the clinic was to help prepare McCrae Farm's students for their performance, "Montage", on June 30, 2012. The clinic was the first of its kind for McCrae Farm and was well attended with nine riders and several auditors. Victor took the riders through various exercises in formation which helped the riders to focus on and get in sync with each other. Though the clinic was initially to help the performers, the acumen to be aware of and in sync with ones fellow riders is something that all riders can benefit from. Jill McCrae and Juliet Voy work on feeling an arms length apart, while Quebec & Romeo take a break.

The participants perform a circle exercise teaching one to focus on partners across from them.

The cast from McCrae Farm's Montage, working on turning together for their Phantom of the Opera piece.

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 3

NEWS • COVERAGE • COMING EVENTS

MIDWEST ROUNDUP St. James “Family Field Day” –a day of horses and history

nce a year in May, St. James Farm celebrates our heritage with their "Family Field Day". This free familyoriented event is a day for families to come and celebrate our heritage of agriculture and horses. The day is filled with educational demonstrations from past ways of agricultural life to current. The horse is well represented by local clubs and groups with various breeds and disciplines. Seeing all

The Wayne Dupage Hunt Pony Club with some of the youngest participants. Kathleen Gheorghe on Tristan, Zola Gudger, Anita Snow, Ashley Fortcamp on Sugar and Jessilynn Weibel on M & M. Above: Carlos Granados and his Warlander, "Conquistador", perform a perfect "sit". Left: Jil McCrae and Quebec dos Pinhais display falconry on horseback.

Below: Manuel Tejeda on Zarco, in traditional charro garb.

different types of horses, from Baroque to draft to pony, make this event an enjoyable way to spend a horse filled day with family and at the same time get a little bit of history. Though the Family Field Day is once a year, St. James Farm is open daily, June through November. St. James Farm is situated on over 500 acres in Warrenville, IL and is the former estate of the McCormick family. It has a rich history with horses as can be seen with the beautiful stables and artwork. For more information visit: www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/

ForestPreserves/St__James_Farm.html Draft horses provide hay rides throughout the day.

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NEWS • COVERAGE • COMING EVENTS

MIDWEST ROUNDUP Mustang Trainer, Chad Kelly, conducts clinics

Algonquin native

Jamie Price, joins RateMyRiding.com

amie Price, of Algonquin, IL, grew up in the McHenry County area riding everything and anything she could get her hands on. School ponies. Backyard, unbroken horses. Off-the-track thoroughbreds. Competition catch-rides. You name it, she rode it.

iamond Acres in Woodstock had another great week with Chad Kelly. He came in and did a series of colt starting, private lessons, and semi-private lessons. Everyone walked away with huge shifts in relationships with their horses in just one session. Seeing the way he worked with problem horses with a calm, steady hand, he was successful at gaining trust and helping the owners understand how to accomplish

their goals with their horse. Chad also helped many people work with their fears and with his great stories and contagious laughter, had them doing things with horses they never thought they would accomplish. Chad will be coming to Woodstock again, August 1826 for private, semi-private, groups and a day on the trails for problem solving. Visit diamondacreshhl.com for more information or call 815/210-1309.

“From a very early age, Jamie has been extraordinarily passionate about horses,” said Chris Price, Jamie's mom. “Although she played other sports in school, her riding always came first.”

Now, more than twenty years after her riding career began, Price is well on her way to achieving her goals of competing at the most prestigious equestrian events. She is continually a top placed year-end rider in Area IV and in 2011 she was named Preliminary Rider of the Year there. She was also ranked a top ten rider at the intermediate level last year. Price was named the 3rd Ranked Preliminary Rider in the US in 2009. You'll often see Price schooling at the Barrington Riding Center and competing and training at the local events. Besides teaching and training locally, through her business, Team Price Eventing, the rising star has now partnered with RateMyRiding.com. RateMyRiding.com is an innovative website that connects riders of all levels and disciplines to industry-leading coaches. By submitting a photo or video to the coach of their choice, riders receive a comprehensive written analysis based on their specific riding and training goals. “I'm excited to work with Rate My Riding because it gives riders a chance to learn from professionals that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to connect with,” said Price. And Rate My Riding is equally excited to partner with her.

Auditors Welcome!

Go to www.purinamidwest.com to register for $30.00. Pre-register and get $5.00 off!

“We are really pleased to be working with Jamie at Rate My Riding,” said Susan Starr, Rate My Riding's founder. “She will offer more scope to our program and allow us to cater to more students whose passion is Eventing. Her focus on total horsemanship is refreshing and I encourage everyone who needs help with their training plan, position, or scores to seek Jamie's assistance through our coaching sessions.” Price looks forward to applying her training and teaching skills to the online format with RateMyRiding.com. “My main focus in my training is producing a very happy horse and partnership between the horse and rider,” said Price. “I also focus on the safety of the rider and horse and I'm looking forward to teaching that through RateMyRiding.com.”

AUGUST 2012

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NEWS • COVERAGE • COMING EVENTS

MIDWEST ROUNDUP Cherry Valley Feed celebrates grand Re Opening–new owners, Anita and Curt Luckey

herry Valley Feed & Supplies was the sight of a festive Re-Grand Opening celebration on June 23rd to introduce the new owners, Anita and Curt Luckey. They offered special discounts on several products including Purina® feed and Ariat® boots. Several people helped out with events and activities including: exhibits by True Colors Alpaca Farm, Black Pearl Friesians, Dr. Debbie Sink, DVM, Equine Massage by Shauna Garas and Susan Frank who specializes in Pet first aid and CPR. Sheila Highland , whom operates a pet grooming business inside the store offered pet nail trims for a small donation to a local shelter. Gigi's Playhouse set up a lemonade stand and food was served by the Boone County 4H club. Cherry Valley Feed was established in 2001 by Bob Kramer after he sold his feed business in West Chicago, IL.

Cherry Valley Feed & Supply located at the corner of Bell School Road and Newburg Avenue is the largest independent dealer of PMI Nutrition® Pet Food in the United States and one the largest Purina® Brand feed dealers in the Upper Midwest Region. Bob sold this business to local residents Anita

and Curt Luckey on March 29, 2012, after a very successful 35+ year career as a Purina® Feed Dealer. It was a smooth transition for Anita, who has worked at the store with Bob for the past 6 years. Anita along with her husband Curt and children, plan to carry on the great customer service,

quality product lines and delivery that customers have enjoyed over the past 10 years. This is truly a family business that cares about people and their animals. Visit their website or Facebook for monthly specials and see what's new in their store at www.cherryvalleyfeed.com.

Go back to college for horses–Last year for Equine Studies at Kishwaukee Community College

ishwaukee Community College in Malta, IL. will be offering four equine classes this fall, starting the last week of August, for horse-lovers who want to learn more about horse training, care and management.

AGR 145 Form to Function, a study of how the horse's build relates to performance, as well as AGR144 Horse Care and Stable Management, will be taught by Juli Realy. These are hands on classes held at Golden Gait Stable in Marengo, IL. and students work directly with a variety of horses. AGR 148 Basic Equine Nutrition and AGR 252 Advanced Equine Nutrition

classes will be taught by Laura Burau at Kishwaukee college campus in Malta, IL. This class will help you unravel the mysteries about your horse's digestive health and feed management. In Spring 2013, AGR 147 Starting Under Saddle, AGR 251 Equine Health Management, and AGR 242 Equine Hoof Science will be offered for the last time. They are also hands on classes held in Marengo, IL. Out of district students are welcome to register if their home community college doesn't offer equine classes, but will need to obtain a cooperative agreement from them to register.

Kishwaukee Community college students in the equine program get hands-on experience.

Kishwaukee College's Equine Science Certification Program has been educating horse-lovers and equine career enthusiasts in multiple counties for over 17 years. Unfortunately, due to continued poor enrollment, this program will be discontinued after this academic school year.

If you're considering expanding your equine knowledge and skills, or you've taken some of the classes previously but never received certification, this is your last chance. For more information or to register call Kishwaukee college at 815825-2086 or visit www.kishwaukee college.edu. Registration is open now.

Equine Extravaganza equestrian college fair–Nov. 2-4, Richmond, VA

earching for the right equine educational program or seeking the perfect equestrian team, college-bound equestrians have a very specialized quest ahead of them, one which will not necessarily be addressed at your average college fair. For these young equestrians, a far-reaching trek around the country is likely in the cards. But for those students and their families who would prefer to reduce their time on the road and maximize their time with college representatives, (and have some fun at the same time) Equine Extravaganza's Equestrian College Fair is just the ticket. The 2012 Equine Extravaganza, to be held at the Richmond International Raceway November 2-4, 2012, will launch the Equestrian College Fair, a dedicated exhibit and informational program for colleges and universities with equestrian offerings, including equine majors and minors and competitive equestrian teams. While Equine Extravaganza, now in its eighth year, has always had a college section, the Equestrian College Fair, formalizes their dedication and substantial commitment to this exciting program.

The College Equestrian Fair will be facilitated by Randi Heathman, the Equestrian College Advisor, and will provide an interactive format in which students and their families will have time to explore multiple schools and programs in one weekend. Collegebound students will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from individual schools as well as participate in college information panels and round table discussions designed to familiarize

the students and their families with as many of their college equestrian options as possible, including, intercollegiate competition options (IHSA, NCAA, ANRC, etc.), resume-building programs available to middle and high school students now, pre-vet and veterinary program insights, the college application process and financial aid, how to make a recruiting video, and much more. An independent educational consultant, Randi will be available to answer questions and help guide prospective students though the college exploration, application and financial aid process. “We're excited about the opportunity to give college-bound students and their families an easy, efficient, and economical way to conduct their college search,” said Vicki O'Hara, event organizer. “The Equestrian College Fair offers prospective students and their families an “equestrian destination” that combines their search for the right equine program with a three day festival of equestrian education, entertainment, and shopping, making the trip multifaceted and more enticing than a standalone college fair,” O'Hara said. The Equestrian College Fair will be promoted to mid-Atlantic high school and middle school students, as well as to youth equestrian organizations. Albion College, Tiffin College, and Mount Holyoke College are among the first schools out of the collegiate gate, and many more are planning to participate. Learn more about the Equestrian College Fair at http://www. equineextravaganza.com/schools.htm

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AUGUST 2012

Features Get a Soundness Exam

Establish a baseline for your horse’s health. by Keith Merritt, DVM

Managing Horse in Hot, Dry Weather Tips for keeping your horse healthy in our current drought conditions. UK College of Agriculture

Olympic Dreams A review of the first two Grass Roots Horse Shows. photos by CJM Photo

CAZ: America’s Favorite Trail Horse

Associate Editor/Web Manager Lisa Kucharski Allied partner - Land o’ Lakes Purina Feed Paul Homb, Account Manager

Tracy Porter’s talented Paso Fino wins this national title.

Published six times per year: January/February March/April May/June July/August September/October November/December

A driving force in Wisconsin 4-H Will Swierenga, one of the instructors at Southeast Area Animal Science Day. by Lisa Kucharski

Columns 7-Lead Lines

10-Checkerboard Chatter

14-Who’s you favorite lesson horse? 15-Living the Dream 16-From The Side of the Trail 17-The Winning Edge 18-The Perfect Round 18-Better Safe Than Sorry... 19-Horse Werks

Departments 2-Midwest Round-Up 17-Calendar 20-Corral Business Listings 20-Classified 22-Greener Pastures, Real Estate Listings

NEXT DEADLINE: Aug. 30 Advertising and Editorial Office Kucharski Publishing 18209 Collins Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098 815/568-6772 mwhorsesource@gmail.com Website: www.midwesthorsesource.com Subscriptions: $15.00 per year. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Cover photo by Cathy Pierson “Maggie Pierson on Shady Grove Haflinger’s Classic Beauty”

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AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 7

Lead Lines Blessed be the Hay Makers by Sandy Kucharski, editor/publisher the same way that the grain farmers and Iersncattle ranchers ensure that we can have burgand buns, those who bale our hay, make sure that our horses can graze all year long on the diet they were designed to consume. The drought we’ve experienced this summer in the midwest has affected every crop, including our precious hay supply–the lifeblood of our equine’s existence. We’ve heard a lot about hay shortages and can already feel the pinch in our wallets when we hear the projected prices for the season. It might be easy to look at our hay suppliers and grumble that they are making a killing this year at our expense, but once you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, you can start to understand the challenges they face. The initial reaction is how hard can it be? You wait for the grass to grow, then you cut it, bale it, stack it and $ell it. Right? Then you wait a few weeks and repeat. Realistically though, the process is a little more involved. First there’s the investment in equipment: tractor, cutter, rake, baler and hay wagons. The amount you spend just depends on how deep you plan on diving into the hay business...backyard farmer who just wants to get enough to feed their own animals vs. full fledged custom hay baling outfit. Next is the investment in time. You’re at the mercy of the weather and it’s highly unlikely that ideal conditions will always coincide with your time off. You literally have to be able to drop everything and “make hay while the sun shines.” And you better hope you have plenty of friends and family who are willing to do the same. You only need a couple each time you bale, but I recommend you have plenty lined up, because you usually don’t get a “yes” the second time you ask someone who helped you when the temperature was 98 degrees in the shade. Finally, there’s an emotional investment. It really helps if you love what you’re doing. Loading wagons can be hard physical work, usually done in intense heat. Operating the machinery requires patience, knowledge and common sense–and it usually requires you to be pretty mechanically handy. There’s always something to fix or maintain. A little spirituality doesn’t hurt either. You’re praying for the rain to

fall when your hay needs to grow, praying for the rain to hold off while your hay’s cut and on the ground, and praying for the knowledge to predict when the time is right.

I think he appreciates the little things, like this summer when we took a break from baling to float on inner tubes down our neighbor’s creek. For me, it’s all family time and I love every minute of it!

We took the plunge quite a few years ago and made the investment in some second (or more likely third or fourth) –hand equipment so that we could save some money and bale our own 5+ acres of hay. How hard can it be, we thought?

Although it’s definitely a valuable commodity right now, the sight of a nice wagon load of hay doesn’t look like dollar signs to me. It looks like security for another month or two of happy, healthy horses. And it looks like an honest day of hard work, patience, persistence, and a wonderful way of life.

We’ve had our shares of ups and downs with this project over the years. If I look at it realistically–the cost of the equipment, fuel, repairs and man-hours we’ve put into it vs. the actual cost of the hay we produced–we probably break even. The time investment has been considerable. I know everyone in our family can recall many occasions when we missed out on something because we were busy baling hay or putting it up in the loft. We’ve all taken time off of our “real” jobs to take advantage of good weather, and we’ve called on countless friends and family to give us a hand. But the emotional investment (and returns) have been the greatest of all. I’ve celebrated with the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, sitting atop a wagon of sweet, green hay as we pull it into the barn. And I’ve felt that knot in my stomach when I heard the sound of thunder and rain as it fell on acres of cut and dried hay that was still on the ground. I’ve raised three kids on the back of the hay wagon from the time they were too little to stack, to the point now where they are the one’s driving and I’m just along for the ride. They’ve all been influenced by the experience. Kevin, my oldest, likes the machinery end of farming enough that he has taken over the haying duties; trying to keep the equipment in running order, renting additional fields and lining up help to get the job done.

Gaited Horse Trainer • Clinics • Private Lessons Tennessee Walking Horses for Sale Jim Walker 847/287-5280 jim@jimwalkertraining.com 301 Clyde Gleaves Rd., Wartrace, TN 37183

Lisa’s gains are more physical and she’s used it as cross-training for track and field. As the other horse owner in the family, she can also appreciate the savings in the feed bill. Justin, my youngest, is probably the most comfortable with the whole process. It’s only natural. I was baling hay two days before giving birth to him.

Ride 400 acres of trails through forest, hay meadows and ravines! Barn lounge, w/kitchen & shower Brand New Stalls • Wash Rack Heated Indoor Arena • Daily turnout Laid back environment • Newark, IL Owner/Manager - Joa Bright Primary: 630/774-0042 Secondary: 815/695-9955 www.brighterdazefarm.com Email: info@brighterdazefarm.com

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AUGUST 2012

An ounce of prevention...

Get a soundness exam Keith Merritt, DVM

am often asked, “What is a soundness exam?” Many people wait until their horse is lame before having a veterinarian look at them. This is the “fire engine” approach to fighting lameness. At Merritt & Associates Equine Hospital, we recommend doing routine soundness exams on every breed of horse no matter what discipline. Depending on the horse's workload, a soundness exam every eight to twelve weeks would be recommended. A soundness examination consist of doing a complete physical exam which includes: palpating or feeling every part of the horse, putting hoof testers on all four feet, watching the horse walk, trot and canter both directions on a lunge line, and watching the horse walk, trot and canter both directions while being ridden by the person that normally rides them. During this process we listen for any upper respiratory noise (or a cough). We also perform lower and upper limb flexion tests of all four legs (a whole leg flexion test should be avoided so as not to confuse which joints are being flexed). Some horses may require some special flexion tests such as stifle

extensions or cross flexion of the hind legs. The neck, back and croup should be examined before and after riding to see if they will bend both directions with ease as well as checking to see if they will extend and flex their backs with ease. The hind legs should be pulled laterally which will pinch the opposite sacroiliac joint–if there is pain there the horse will not let you do it– and finally a complete neurological examination should be done.

and walked forward, this tests the horse's balance. If he get ataxic (drunk, sways or get pacey gaited, there is a problem. The proprioception for legs (which is the horse knowing where their legs are supposed to be) should be tested by crossing the front legs over one another in both directions to see if they move them back in place. Next, the hind legs should be crossed behind one another in both directions.

“A complete soundness exam involves a lot and allows us to get to know your horse really well. This type of exam provides a Keith Merritt, DVM great baseline for the health of your horse.” The neurological evaluation involves watching the horse walk forward and backward. Then raise the head to take away the ground surface and repeat walking forward and backwards. The horse should be walked in as small of a circle as they can as long as they are moving forward to see if they swing either the front or back outside leg wide, drag the toe or snap the inside leg up quickly. Next, the horse should be blindfold

One must be careful in interpretation of this test because some horses just want to please so they will leave their legs wherever you place them. Another way to test proprioception is to place the legs as far away from the body as possible and see if they will pull them back into the correct place. Included in the neurological evaluation would be testing the cranial nerves as well as tail tone. Then lastly the horse should be walked in a straight line

while one is pulling the tail to the side. This should be done from both sides to see if one side is weaker than the other. If possible, one should watch the horse walk up and down an incline with the head in normal position and then with the head elevated. It is important to include a neurological evaluation in every soundness evaluation so one has a baseline of what is normal for that horse. As you can see, a complete soundness exam involves a lot and allows us to get to know your horse really well. This type of exam provides a great baseline for the health of your horse. If something changes before or at the next examination, it can be addressed before the horse goes lame. A complete soundness examination will not prevent accidents nor does it stop horses from getting injured but it helps prevent small problems from becoming large ones. Too often, owners resort to injecting joints every 3-4 months to maintain soundness. Instead, I believe in doing a full soundness evaluation. Most of the time if we catch something small conservative therapy works well.

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Managing Horses in Hot, Dry Weather reprinted with permission from UK College of Agriculture

plants may continue to thrive. When pasture conditions are poor, hungry horses may be more likely to eat weeds or toxic plants. Also, plants that may not normally cause a problem may become toxic to horses during stressful growing conditions, or when a period of rain follows a period of drought.

ith the intense weather hitting Kentucky this summer, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture experts are recommending horse owners take stock of their pastures and consider other management options such as supplementing with hay.

According to Laurie Lawrence, a nutrition researcher and faculty member in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, the combination of high heat and low moisture has caused coolseason grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and orchard grass to dry up in many horse pastures. Dry pastures mean low forage availability for grazing horses and a potential need for supplemental hay. “A brief pasture walk can reveal whether a pasture has edible grass or just green weeds. If it is not clear whether there is adequate grass for horses in the paddock, the best test is to offer hay and see whether horses consume it,” she said. “A practical approach is to put out a few flakes of hay and then observe the horses. If they devour the hay in a short time, then pasture quality is probably poor and hay is needed,” Lawrence said. “If the hay is untouched or is mostly wasted, then it may not be needed. But, just because it is not needed now doesn't mean it won't be needed in a few days or a week.” The amount and type of hay that should be fed will depend upon the

type of horse and the condition of the horse and pasture. For mature idle horses in good body condition, a mid-maturity grass or grass-legume mix hay will provide an adequate substitute for pasture during the summer months. However, more nutritious hay should be fed to lactating mares, foals and weanlings. Legume hays or early maturity grass-legume mixes are suitable for horses with higher requirements. Horses with a low body condition (too thin) should also be fed hay with a higher nutritive value. According to Lawrence, a mature idle horse will generally eat about 20 pounds of pasture or hay forage per 1,000 pounds of body weight per day. Lactating mares will eat about 5 to 10 pounds more; and an allowance should also be made for their nursing foals. Because pasture may provide some of the needed forage, the amount of hay fed each day may vary. A common rec-

ommendation is to adjust the hay offered to an amount that horses will clean up between feedings. Horses with high nutrient requirements also will usually require some concentrate supplementation, such as sweet feed or pellets, in addition to hay and pasture; concentrate, however, should not be substituted for all hay or pasture as this could result in gastrointestinal problems. Providing hay is not just important for the horse's nutritional state, Lawrence said. If hay is available in the pasture, it provides a substitute forage source for horses and may reduce overgrazing. Overgrazing, particularly when plants are already stressed by heat and low moisture, can negatively affect long-term pasture productivity. Even though cool-season grasses may not be growing in the pasture during this hot, dry period, less desirable

For example, young shoots of Johnson grass that emerge when a rain follows a long drought period may be toxic to horses. Hungry horses may chew on thorny weeds or bushes and sustain mouth injuries. When horses can satisfy their hunger with hay or with desirable pasture plants during good growing conditions, they will be less likely to consume toxic or injurious plants, Lawrence said. Along with adequate forage, horses should have access to plenty of clean water. Normal pasture plants are high in moisture, but during hot, dry conditions, their water content is greatly decreased. Similarly, hay has very little moisture, so horses usually drink more water when they are receiving dry forage than when they are consuming succulent pasture. Horses also maintain body temperature by evaporative cooling from sweat. Sweat is mostly water but also contains several electrolytes, particularly sodium, chloride and potassium. Most forages provide potassium but not much sodium or chloride, so in addition to providing plenty of water, horses should have access to a salt lick.

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Checkerboard Chatter Kirk Dailey KADailey@landolakes.com

with Purina Sales Specialists Kelly Grosskreutz KLGrosskreutz@landolakes.com

Kindra Callahan KCCallahan@landolakes.com

My life with horses–made possible by my Mom impressed. I'd been dreaming of a chestnut Arabian with 4 white stockings and a blaze. What stood in front of me was a snowflake Appaloosa gelding-well past portly and with a mane and tail that left a young girl wondering what was she to braid? I certainly wasn’t overwhelmed, but put on a brave face and agreed to try him out.

by Kelly Grosskreutz, Sales Specialist Land O Lakes Purina Feeds, LLC

The owner decided I should try him bareback with a lead rope tied to both sides of his halter. Mom bent down to give me a leg up and the horse promptly shifted his weight and stepped directly onto her foot….and stayed there. It took quite a push to move him over and then we were off down the driveway. He rode well enough for my standards–kicking and pulling seemed to do the trick. Mom asked if I loved him and I got a big knot in my throat. What if they never brought me to see another horse? What if this was my one chance to have a horse I so desperately wanted? I said yes and Mom was thrilled. Looking back, I'll never know if it was luck or my Mom's amazing intuition that garnered us my best first horse that day.

ourth of July seems to be a time to measure things. Whether it's the old adage “the corn should be knee high by the Fourth of July” or kids and parents noting a month of summer has already flown by, often with different reactions to that realization. For me the Fourth of July reminds me of a measure of time as well--of how many years ago, on that date, we lost my mother. It seems hard to believe that 2012 marks 12 years.

Mom was always championing my horse dreams. She saw it begin in the eyes of a two-year-old on a merrygo-round. And although my dad refused to believe it, she told him, “We are going to have to buy a horse someday.” So we read The Black Stallion and Black Beauty and anything else with a horse on the cover until grandma bought me a summer of riding lessons. A horse DID follow soon after.

My love of horses started early, nurtured by my Mom. I remember the day my Mom and I went to see the horse that would end up being my first. When the owner rolled back the stall door, I must say, I wasn't

A year before Dusty came into our lives I announced to my Mom I wanted to work in equine nutrition. I told her I already had the company picked out as well–Purina. I was impressed by their research farm and the quality of their products. She never batted an eye, and never said, “Why can't my kid be a doctor or a lawyer?” She bought me a book on equine education and careers and told everyone that I had a great plan. So it came as no surprise that upon bringing Dusty home, nutrition was an immediate topic of interest. When I say that Dusty was portly, it may be an understatement. We had three board wood fencing, and his belly hung under the second board. He had been eating 6 pounds of feed per day-3 pounds of oats and 3 pounds of corn. Looking back, he must have been a saint to have been so leveled headed with all that excess energy. I immediately told the owner of the boarding farm, who also happened to be a friend of the family, that not only did I not agree with what he had been eating, I also did not find their local mill mix acceptable for my new horse. After some animated banter, the owner and I decided to make a trip to the feed store together the following Saturday. I already knew what I wanted-Omolene 200®. We came home with the red bags later that day and never looked back. Over the years, Dusty played a significant role in my life and my Mom tried to keep up. She asked lots of questions and learned to be a show mom. She believed me when I told her he needed a full set of Professional Choice SMB boots with matching bell boots. She finally learned what leads were when I was 15. She never rode Dusty, but she loved to watch us work together. Dusty stayed with me until a few years ago when we lost him to colic brought on by a strangulating lipoma. Although he was certainly a senior horse in years, maintaining a good body condition score was never a challenge. I found the best way to maintain Dusty was to provide good quality grass hay and 1 pound of Enrich 32® daily. This allowed him to get the majority of calories from his hay but still balance his needs for protein, vitamins and minerals. With every year that passes, I get closer to being able to really celebrate the Fourth of July again. I try to remember that it was my Mom's favorite holiday and think about how grateful I am for the opportunities with which she provided me. Have questions about your feeding program? Contact one of us today!

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 11

Olympic Dreams

photos by CJM PHOTO, O'FALLON, MO

The first two Grass Roots Horse Shows are history, but there’s still time to get in on the fun in September!

uture Gold Medal winners converged on Lamplight Equestrian Center the weekend of June 1-3 for the first Grass Roots Horse Show sponsored by Purina®, Saddlers Row and Horse Shows.com. Tommy and Debbie McIntyre of Equine Productions Inc. orchestrated an amazing weekend to provide an atmosphere for teams of young riders to compete in entry level classes. It was fun for the whole family as younger brothers and sisters created their own stick horses to compete in a “stick horse” barrel race. Even the family pets were part of the first show as several dressed their pets to show them off in the pet parade.

Smiles were abundant for the finale on Sunday as five teams participated in the “School Horse” show. Market Hill Farm, Winter Meadow Farm and McIntyre Stables were among the training barns represented. Each team member was outfitted with a new saddle pad and polo shirt courtesy of Saddlers Row and Purina®. Trainers and family members proudly watched as their future Gold Medal winners competed in the professional atmosphere of Lamplight Equestrian Center.

Team Fun waiting for their next class. As the summer heated up, so did the competition in the second show in the series which took place on the first weekend in July. Four more teams took to the stage at Lamplight Equestrian Center with their lesson horses in hand. The purpose of these shows is to emphasize the fun in horses to young riders and adults alike. Three youth teams and one adult team that braved the heat and elements. Chris J. Mautz from O'Fallon, MO, operates CJM Photo, and he was on hand again to capture photos of the event. PURINA® Feeds turned the event purple on Saturday, with Mazuri® Diets for all animals from aardvarks to zebras and everything in between. Small Furry Pets, from Chana, IL, had some exotic creatures on hand to mingle with the horse show public. Pets on hand included a 10 year old tortoise, a three year old “pet” skunk, and a white prairie dog. Carrie Kuball, Mazuri® Head Nutritionist helped host the horse show and worked on educating those in attendance on the benefits and care of exotic pets.

Purina’s Kindra Callahan, pictured above, got in on the fun and was rumored to have asked her husband about getting a skunk to add to her collection of animals. Organizers look forward to the adult teams joining and eventually hope to have the top kids team come back against the top adult team for a “Battle of the Ages!” It’s not too late to join in on the fun at the final Grass Roots Academy Show of the season, coming up on September 7-9th. For more information call Equine Productions Inc. at 815/281-1474, or Kindra Callahan 309/507-2383. You can also stop in and visit with Frances Bowers and her staff at Saddlers Row to learn more.

Overall group of participants along with sponsors at first Grass Roots Horse Show.

12 MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE

AUGUST 2012

Tracy Porter’s CAZ: America’s Favorite Trail Horse Milton, WI pair win national title. Horse: Casadero Sin Par (Caz) Breed: Paso Fino (chestnut tobiano pinto) Age: 17 Owner: Tracy Porter Home: Milton, WI Title: America’s Favorite Trail Horse (2012)

hen she saw ads last year looking for audition videos for America’s Favorite Trail Horse, Tracy Porter knew that she needed to submit an entry. Her beloved gelding has a lengthy resume’ of special talents and tricks up his sleeve and she was eager to share them with the public.

The winner was ultimately determined by online voting, and when votes were added up in early July, Caz was the winner of the professional division. Along with the title, “America’s Favorite Trail Horse, Tracy received a belt buckle and a cash prize. She donated the $2500 check to her church to be used to defray roof repair costs. The 17-year-old Paso Fino has been with Tracy since he was a yearling. Together they have enjoyed countless activities including camping, swimming, parades, school visits and Mustang training. They have also made hundreds of personal appearances like clinics and schools and done numerous acts and performances. One of Tracy’s favorites is the fire jump act. The title of his YouTube video says it all. “The Little Stallion with the huge heart.”

Above:: The fire jump at Midwest Horse Fair. Below: Caz at his annual grade school visit

Aside from just working together as horse and trainer, Tracy and Caz have a very special bond. They have both experienced separate serious injuries and each has helped the other recover. Tracy’s enthusiasm and Caz’s willingness to try anything she asks, makes them a very entertaining pair. For more information on Tracy or Caz, visit www.tracy-porter.net

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AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 13

A driving force in Wisconsin 4-H Several Wisconsin horsemen, including Will Swierenga, led clinics for 4-Hers during the Southeast Area Animal Science Day. by Lisa Kucharski erched on the top rail of the arena fence, Will Swierenga takes bids from the bleachers for his grand champion Welsh pony. He grins with satisfaction as several hands pass over the pony's precious face and carefully examine the leather harness from blinders to crouper. The multiples driving demonstration was entertaining and informative, but it was time to get down to business. How much?

Priceless. The pony was not for sale, but the group of 4-H members attending the Southeast Area Animal Science Day hauled home some new experiences. Held at the Walworth County Fairgrounds on June 22, this clinic was packed with activities, contests, and demonstrations. Youth participants from six Wisconsin counties, including Jefferson, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth and Waukesha, competed in horse, livestock and dairy competitions. The horse related contests included hippology and judging, as well as a model horse contest and an art, photography and poster competition. Aaron Englund showed the 4Hers the ropes with a roping workshop, while Donna Kundert provided a mane rolling clinic. 4Hers also enjoyed the sweet scents of essential oils from a raindrop therapy demonstration and learned the ins and outs of the equine digestive system. After his driving demonstration attracted a small crowd of participants to his pony, Will Swierenga was pleased to see the kids having fun while learning about horses. As an educator, Swierenga enjoys volunteering his time for local 4-H events and teaching youth to drive through the Walworth County 4-H Driving program. Swierenga began his horse career in the professional world by training Standardbreds, for 12 years. Once he started hitching ponies, he was hooked. Swierenga went up to a 10 pony hitch and competed in American Driving Association shows. For the past 21 years, Swierenga has shared his passion for driving with 4-H youth by providing driving clinics six days per week. Members have the opportunity to practice driving dressage as well as maneuvering the ponies and miniature horses through obstacle courses. They take the ponies and minis to local shows, like Columbus and Prairie du Chien, as well as the 4-H county show. There is a small fee for using the facilities, equipment, and ponies, but mostly, Swierenga and his wife Nancy enjoy watching their students learn and grow. “Because both my wife and I are educators, my favorite part is watching that skill development and the development of kids as people,” Swierenga says. Unfortunately, though, one problem has occurred. Membership. “The problem with this program, as with any athletic program, is our kids graduate,” Swierenga says. Each year, about four seniors graduate out of 4-H and the driving program to head off to college. The number of youth coming in is not keeping up with the number leaving, but Swierenga is content with these statistics. “The average stay in an equine program in the U.S. is about four years, here we have them from grade three through grade thirteen,” Swierenga says. “Probably the proudest thing is the kids that leave our program typically go on to college and do quite well.” One of these “kids” is J.J. Markham. He started driving with Swierenga 11 years ago. Although he moved on from 4-H to attend school at Platteville University in Wisconsin, he is still driving hitches at shows and he came to volunteer his time for the demonstration at the Southeast Area Animal Science Day. Although Swierenga didn't surrender his pony to the group of bidding 4-Hers, he did help Wisconsin 4-H achieve one of its main project objectives of the day: “To increase the availability of educational opportunities in the 4-H Animal Science Projects.”

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Will Swierenga volunteers his ponies and expertise for the Southeast Area Animal Science Day. Swierenga teaches 4-H members to drive ponies and minis in single, two, four, and six-horse hitches. Platteville University Junior, J.J. Markham and Elkhorn High School Junior Jessica Nehs prepare their team of Welsh ponies for the multiples driving demonstration.

14 MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE

AUGUST 2012

Who’s your favorite lesson horse? Midwest Horse Source asked BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Education Center this tough question. f you ask for the name of the most special horse at a lesson barn, the response is usually the same: “Wow, that's a hard question. They're all special.” But in the case of BraveHearts, a therapeutic riding and educational center in Harvard, IL, it took them almost a week to come up with an answer.

That's because BraveHearts works in large part with military veterans who as a result of their physical and emotional wounds, need more than average horses -- in both size and heart. As an accredited center for the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, BraveHearts is the largest veterans' therapeutic riding program in the United States, and they have plenty of special horses to choose from. There is, for instance, Huff, a Percheron mix who is so big he's been known to walk through fences to get to his favorite pasture. Then there's Boone, a Belgian mix, who hooves are the size of radial tires, and Lucky, a massive Clydesdale whose shadow provides shade to the regularsized horses on hot days. Their eyes alone are so big, you see your own reflection in them.

Lucky (Clydesdale), chillin’ in the turnout.

Physically, the BraveHearts horses can hold just about anyone, and because riding requires balance and the use of very specific muscle groups, the program helps veterans with amputations, spinal cord injuries, and other mobility impairments that need refined strengthening. Despite their size, or maybe because of it, they are as quiet and gentle as horses get. Emotionally, military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) sometimes connect with these gentle giants in ways they might not ever with a human therapist, because as one participant from the US Army stated, “They don't ask questions. They just accept you as you are.”

Pitty Pat & Maria, Bravehearts donkeys.

Boone, with two of his volunteer friends.

At the other end of the physical spectrum are Pitty Pat and Maria, two donkeys BraveHearts uses to teach veterans how to lead. Once you get past staring at their ears, which soar like radio towers on the tops of their heads, you realize that they have the softest, most empathetic eyes of possibly any animal on earth. When you gaze into them, it's like experiencing some sort of healing. It would be worth anyone's time to volunteer at BraveHearts just to get a chance to meet these two. BraveHearts also provides equine-assisted activities to children and adults with disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and attention deficit disorder. In addition to muscle strength, balance and a whole host of other physical benefits, riding horses also helps build self-esteem, confidence, and independence. For more information about BraveHearts, visit their web site at www.bergmanncentre.org

Next Deadline:

August 30 September/October 2012 issue

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 15

Living the dream...

Name: Marissa Chapa Age: 17

SPOTLIGHT ON HORSE KIDS How long have you been involved with horses and how did you get started? My grandpa always had horses at his house, so I would visit and get the occasional bareback lead around and feed the horses treats when I was really young. I didn't start riding all the time until I was about nine years old though. I remember my mom telling me about a horseback riding camp they had at a local barn, and asking me if I wanted to participate, of course I was super excited and couldn't say yes any faster than humanly possible. Then, after my first day of camp I was hooked and I've been riding and showing ever since. It's been 8 years now.

Home: Maple Park, IL I know your sister shows too. What's your favorite thing about having a sister that rides with you? I think it's really awesome that my younger sister rides and shows with me. We both go to the barn every day together and work hard to do what we love the most. It gives us a stronger relationship, I think, because we can relate to riding and help another out. I also feel that us both being riders, and myself being 5 years older, I'm a role model throughout my riding, as she can look up to my accomplishments throughout my riding career and I can often help her with any riding troubles. Besides, she's my only sibling, so the fact that we both love the same thing makes riding the center focus of our family, because it's all she and I do.

What are your favorite horse activities? It's hard to say what my favorite horse activities are, because I pretty much like them all. But if I had to choose a few, my first would definitely be showing. There's nothing like the pride and joy you receive from showcasing all the hard work you and your horse have put into the preparation. Dressing up in blingy outfits, and having both my horse and I look our best, makes it even more exhilarating. On the casual end, there's nothing like having a good ride and finishing it off on the trail, especially in beautiful weather. It's so relaxing and gives you time to reflect on things.

What is your biggest challenge with your horse? The biggest challenge I've had with the current horse I ride, Lily, has been to accommodate to her personality and the way I ride her. I've had to learn to have a completely different mindset and disposition with her than my horse, Henry. It's been a good experience though and has taught me a lot about working with other horses in more depth.

Tell us about the horse(s) in your lifeI've had a lot of different horses go through my life, but the first horse I ever owned all to myself was Henry, a paint cross. I got him when I was in the seventh grade and I've had him ever since, so it's going on almost 7 years in 2013. He was only 3 when we got him and I was 12, we've grown together and taught each other a lot of things which I'll never forget. I showed him all around in open shows (showmanship, English pleasure, western pleasure), the Kane County Fair, and even a hunter show. I'm proud to say we've won a few grand champion titles. He's a very special horse with a vibrant personality, and actually similar to me in a lot of ways. But, starting in about November of 2011, I started working with a quarter horse mare named Lily, who belongs to my trainer, Sarah Yakle. I started riding Lily because I was ready for a more challenging showing scene, which I chose to be the quarter horse circuit. Since then I've been training and working with Lily virtually every day, and have shown her nearly every weekend this show season. Now, we've become more efficient in showmanship, English pleasure, western pleasure, and even hunter hack. This summer we'll be showing at the Kane County Fair and the Illinois State Fair, which I'm more than excited about. So for now, I'll continue to show Lily and keep Henry as my riding acquaintance.

What is your most memorable horse-related moment (so far)? My most memorable horse-related moment, so far, would probably be winning the grand champion trophy in english showmanship, along with reserve grand champion in western showmanship, last year at the Kane County Fair with my horse, Henry. It was a remarkable moment of pride and happiness that I'll never forget. Who do you look up to in the horse world? As involved as I am with horses, I don't really pay much attention to the 'celebrities' of the horse world. I do admire though, the general group of people that show at prestigious levels, such as the Quarter Horse World show, as one day I hope to reach such perfection of a level. What have horses taught you? Horses have taught me quite a bit. They've taught me how to communicate, not only with them, but people. They're a very sensitive and connective animal, they pick up on peoples' emotions easily, and they've always been a sort of 'therapy' for me. I think they make me a better person somehow. What other activities/interests do you have aside from horses? Aside horses, I snowboard, draw, fish, and enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like four wheeling. I also used to play for my high school's basketball team, but I gave it up so I can put more time into my riding.

What horse-related clubs/organizations do you belong to? I belong to the American Quarter Horse Association in relation to showing the quarter horse circuit as it is mandatory to be a member to do so. Also, I'm involved in 4-H and FFA. The Kane County Fair is a week of showing and fun presented to all 4-Hers. The FFA show, is only presented in a day, but in school I take classes related to animal science which also links to horses. Along with my classes, I compete on our high school's horse judging team. Last year we took first in regionals and ninth in state. This year we hope to place higher in state and hopefully make it to nationals!

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What would be a perfect day for you? A perfect day, for me, would insist upon mid 70 degree sunny weather, and a successful day of showing with lots of laughs, hard work, rewards, and enjoying the company of the friends and family that I'm fortunate enough to share my passion with.

What grade are you in and what are your plans for the future? I'm going to be a senior in high school this upcoming school year. After graduating, I plan to attend college and study to potentially become and equine veterinarian, along with participating in my given college's equestrian team.

Do you have news or upcoming events to share? Email it to Midwest Horse Source: mwhorsesource@gmail.com Or enter it on our website: www.midwesthorsesource.com

16 MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE

AUGUST 2012

From the Side of the Trail

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Ginger, the hero horse by Kandee Haertel

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y good friend Holly invited me to go horse camping with her recently. I was thrilled because it has been eleven years since my last camping trip. I remember loving every minute from setting up camp, to lots of trail riding, to the great shared meals, and even breaking down camp and heading home. I would not be able to bring Suzanna (no trailer), but riding Holly's very nice Tennessee Walker Ginger would not be a hardship. I've had the luxury of riding her horses before and it is always a good time on a good horse.

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We arrived at Mattheissen State Park mid-afternoon on Friday and promptly set up camp. Very different from my simple truck set-up, but when you camp with Holly you are “forced” to spend time in her very nice fifth wheel camper. I learned about leveling and other things, but was glad that I was there to help at least a little. The day was miserable hot and humid, so we took our time and shared some laughs. By the time we had dinner, another couple who were friends of Holly's camped next to us. We all shared a campfire and good conversation that evening. By about 10:30 pm, we were all very tired and turned in for the night, which is pretty early for a campground campfire group.

Stay Connected... ...Like us on Facebook! Ginger relaxing on the picket line with her buddy Zane after a good trail ride at Mattheissen State Park.

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I had just hit that point between awake and almost asleep when all of a sudden Holly's mare Ginger let out a very loud whinny. She could then be heard spinning in circles on the picket line. According to Holly, Ginger never whinnies at night and is a very quiet camper. We both grabbed flashlights and took at look. Ginger was extremely agitated. Holly was afraid that Zane had somehow gotten off the line, but he was standing quietly right where he was supposed to be. We glanced out the window and the neighboring picket line, but didn't notice anything wrong. Mumbling about what could be wrong with Ginger, we both went back to bed. As I tried to go back to sleep I kept hearing this noise that was a cross between a grunt and a groan coming from outside. Ginger continued to spin around on the picket line and whinnied again. This was simply not like her, so we both checked again. This time we used a stronger flashlight to check the neighboring picket line. Something was definitely wrong with one of those horses. With that knowledge, Holly went to check on the horse and I went to wake the sound asleep neighbors. What we saw was their mare caught by her back leg in the tie from the picket line and unable to get up. She was basically hanging half upside down by her hind leg. After freeing her from the line, we found that she had a cut between the bulbs of her heel, but didn't seem to have any other injuries. She walked out okay and didn't have any swelling. All we really had to treat was the blood running from between the bulbs of her rear hoof. The first outdoor spigot we came to had been broken by either selfish, uncaring campers or vandals. There was no way to hook up our hose to flush her hoof. The next spigot was some distance away and wouldn't stay on unless someone held it. At least there were four of us working to help the mare! Fortunately, the camp ranger came by and we could use his big spot light to see what we were doing. (He also promised to have maintenance fix the spigots as soon as possible.) We bandaged her hoof as best we could and agreed to wait until morning to see what daylight brought. After the ranger left, it occurred to us that we were all still in our sleeping clothes! Holly tripped a couple of times because she is as blind as a bat without her contacts. Only the mare's owner had bothered to pull on pants before he came outside, but he still had his slippers on! We were quiet an ensemble. I wonder what the ranger thought when he first came up this unusual group, but he has probably seen stranger things in a campground. When we were certain that the injured mare was tied properly and ready to spend the rest of the night in peace, we began to discuss the incident. It was doubtful that any one of us would have noticed the mare's distress if it hadn't been for Ginger's antics. Her calling and circling is what made us come outside and ultimately help the other mare. The other mare is a horse that Ginger did not know, but somehow she knew that the mare was in distress. When we came back to camp, Ginger was standing quietly munching on hay. No matter what anyone could tell the four of us humans, Ginger is the hero of this story, the moral of which is: Pay attention to your horses. They may know more than we do!

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 17

The Winning Edge

ÂŠ 2012 by Jennifer Lindgren

Keeping your horse interested in his job Adding variety by schooling for a new oredom, monotony, and predictability are class is easier and more fun than you may B negative training tools. Many riders seem think. Western pleasure training provides a to think that because horses learn best through repetition, doing the same thing each and every day is the best way to teach them. Horses are smarter than that. When they study our behavior and learn to predict our next move it doesn't mean they are well trained. And too often, this becomes obvious when a horse's routine or environment changes. The longstanding debate over whether versatility improves the quality of a pleasure horse will never end. Some trainers argue that a great horse, in any discipline, must focus only upon his particular job to be a world class athlete. It is true that you rarely see a great reiner enter a trail class, or an open western pleasure champion enter the hunter ring. It is not that those horses lack the ability to compete successfully; their current training has been fine tuned to win in one specific class and owners won't risk injury or confusion by altering the successful training regime of a prospective champion. But what about the horses that aren't contenders for a world or national title? Does training for and competing in multiple events, help or harm their overall performance? While there are still a few very fortunate competitors who have the ability to maintain a show string of horses that specialize in one event, most owners have had to downsize. As the pleasure horse industry continues its economic struggle, we are seeing more horses allowed to cross enter classes and show off their talents. The actual number of horses entered in shows (from the local all the way up to the world level) has decreased, but the number of entries at most of the shows has either increased or remained stable. This is because horses are being asked to enter more events, more divisions, and are often shared among family members. There are many advantages to versatility training (cross training for different events). Most importantly, it helps improve both the rider's skill and timing and their horse's abilities and attitude. Imagine being a full time horse trainer. At first it might seem like a dream job. But after a few months of the monotony of riding around in the same ring all day, every day, with no change of scenery, your enthusiasm starts to wane. Your cues, while highly consistent, become automatic. Riding becomes work, not pleasure. Taking on a new challenge helps the rider to refocus and recharge. A show horse, especially those that are stall kept, suffers through a lifetime of monotony. And while a special few actually love to go to the shows, many develop bad habits and resentful attitudes as a result of boredom and repetition. They begin to crib, weave, bite, pull off the rail, dash to the center, miss a lead, refuse a jump, etc. The demands placed upon our western pleasure horses to remain slow, controlled, and emotionless, strains both their physical and emotional health. Taking your horse on a trail ride, teaching him to cross a bridge, or ground tie, gives him a much needed break.

strong foundation for multiple events. Showmanship, western riding, hunter under saddle and trail are an easy transition and won't conflict with your horse's current training. I do not recommend adding speed events. Very few horses can return to pleasure after the adrenaline rush of a speed event. I know a lot of riders that don't want to settle for slow after a quick turn around the barrels. However, training around poles or barrels for balance, bending, and lead changes is a great exercise. Just keep your ride slow and steady. If you are looking to market your horse, showmanship and trail are essential to add to his resume. Showmanship targets the youth market and teaches discipline and respect. Trail training, which helps to desensitize and spook proof, gives him a job after his show career has ended. Your horse is your partner. The more training you are able to provide, the better off both of you will be. If you want to be successful in many classes, provide your horse with solid training in one event before moving forward to school in another. Both of you will become better at some than others. Your goal should be to add one event per year. If you are looking for a family horse to compete with, find one with a strong western pleasure background that is at least 10 years old and has experience in the show ring and trailering. Horses 6 years and younger often have trouble mastering multiple events at once. They will require extra time and patience. Horses over 15 are great for beginners but often have soundness, ring, and behavioral issues that need to be addressed and can be difficult for an amateur to retrain. I am getting more involved in competitive trail and find it a great experience for both the horses and the riders. Trail challenges are competitive events where riders and horses go beyond the typical bridge or mailbox obstacle, but within a controlled setting. Some events are arena based, others are short trail rides (about 6 miles) with judged obstacles set up on the course. This fast growing sport is perfect for riders and horses who are looking for more than the typical show experience. The horses are actually excited about the change of pace and work better after a few days off from rail work. The riders are delighted to see what side passing is really for and can't believe how eager their champion horses are to go over logs, through brush boxes, and across water hazards. You can find more information on this through AQHA Trail Challenge, the ACTHA, or by calling us. Have a great ride!

MIDWEST

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST 1 - Lamplight Equifest II, Lamplight Equestrian Center, Wayne, IL. Visit http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/events/. AUGUST 2-3 - Dressage and Sport Horse Show, Lilo Fore "S" Dressage, Aug. 2* (SH) Lilo Fore "R" Sport Horse, USEF/USDF Recognized, Sorensen Equestrian Park LLC, East Troy, WI. Contact Reid Sorensen - Show Manager 262/642-4111. Visit sorensenpark.com. AUGUST 4 - Dressage and Sport Horse Show, Sandy Chohany "S" Dressage, USEF/USDF Recognized, Sorensen Equestrian Park LLC, East Troy, WI. Contact Reid Sorensen - Show Manager 262/642-4111. Visit sorensenpark.com. AUGUST 4 - McHenry County Fair Open Show, premiums and high points offered, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock, IL. Contact Suzanne 815/790-4460. AUGUST 4-5 - Green River Saddle Club Trail Ride/Corn Boil, Amboy, IL. Contact Jack 815/970-1658. Visit http://www.greenriversaddleclub.webs.com. AUGUST 4-5 - Silverwood Farm Summer Horse Trials, USEA recognized, Starter Novice/Beginner Novice/novice/Training levels, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Lisa Cannata 847/2356410 or dressage@silverwoodfarm.net. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. AUGUST 5 - McHenry County Fair Open Speed Show, premiums and high points offered, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock, IL. Contact Suzanne 815/790-4460. AUGUST 5 - FVSA Mini Event #2, Hampshire, IL. Contact Lisa Will 630/803-1904. Visit http://www.fvsa.org/. AUGUST 5 - USEF/USDF Dressage Show #329723, Fields & Fences Equestrian Center, Gurnee, IL. Contact Anita Schadeck 847/244-4121. Visit http://www.fieldsandfences.com/events.html. AUGUST 5 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Dressage & CT, Sunflower Farms Bristol, WI. Contact Elizabeth Kieffer 262/857-8555 or office@sunflowerfarms.com. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/ or http://www.sunflowerfarms.com/. AUGUST 5 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Mini Event & CT, Fox Valley Saddle Association, Hampshire, IL. Contact Lisa Will 630/8031904, will4him@sbcglobal.net. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. AUGUST 5 - August Dressagefest at Fields & Fences, Gurnee, IL. Contact Anita Schadeck 847/275-6634 or Anita@FieldsAndFences.com. Continued on page 19

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2 COLT RANCH OPEN HOUSE Saturday, August 11th - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Come see our NEW addition and amenities such as: • Large heated indoor arena & heated barn • Numerous paddocks • Large lighted outdoor arena • Grass pastures • 2 hour trail that leaves from the farm • Grooming bays • Hot & cold indoor wash bay • Ñew lounge • Onsight ownership & management • Open 365 days a year • • Windowed stalls • and much more! We welcome Bill and Felicia Clements and all their customers to our facility and our excited to have them with us!

We welcome all disciplines. 21617 107th Street • Bristol, WI 53104 • 847/830-6295

The Perfect Round by Felicia Clement

The benefits of cross-training

I am a hunter rider and I ride in a forward seat all of the time. Is there any reason for me to learn a full seat, or another position if I only ride jumping horses? Just wondering and curious. Morgan - Racine, WI

I think it is useful and important to learn how to be an effective rider in a forward seat, a three-point position, and a full seat. I think a good rider is educated in all three and knows when the time is right for each one. Its just like Dressage riders who have never jumped, and/or jumping riders who never learn Dressage; it is their shortcoming I believe if they do not at least experience the discipline if only to attain knowledge even for a very short term. Inside the opposing discipline could be in idea, answer or feeling that is applicable somewhere else in your riding and you would have never known or discovered it unless you "crossed over." It’s good to venture out and get out of your comfort zone for the sake of the animal. Sometimes when we ride one style or discipline for so long you become rigid and close minded. Not to say you should abandon it, but rather broaden your horizons..

For example: Dressage is the basis of all training. Therefore if you learn Dressage first, even just the basics well, then it is a natural "springboard" of knowledge into any other discipline you could possibly think of. On the other hand, if you start off learning a forward seat style of riding and you experience difficulty with your horse for some reason with regard to responsiveness or training, you go back to basic Dressage for the answers; hence the importance of knowing how to ride and be effective in a full seat

certainly helps. A rider can ebb and flow in and out of different positions depending on the task at hand especially when riding jumping horses this is particularly handy. There may be a time on course that warrants opening up your hip angle and getting closer to the saddle into more of a three-point position even if its momentary. During that same course there may be a time that warrants opening up your hip angle even more and coming down into a full fledged full seat for whatever reason, who knows, but its nice to know you have the versatility. Obviously, a full seat is more applicable for jumping when the discipline is open jumping vs. hunters but again, you never know what you are going to need at any given moment. The ability to "own" all three positions especially as a hunter rider means you can "troubleshoot" and do what is necessary at the time and not have to give up and hand the horse over to the trainer every time for a solution. Another example of a forward seat/jumping rider needing to possess a full seat is: As your jumping horse gets older and on nonjumping days where you are still exercising and hacking, wouldn't it be nice for your aging horse to get off his forehand or front end and get some relief from stress on those front legs? The best way to achieve that result is in a proper full seat, in a slower tempo, with a basic Dressage repertoire.

Better Safe Than Sorry... Safety Tips for your Horse Life Dress for (Safety) Success provided by ersonal Protective Equipment P (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, gloves, or other garments designed to protect the wearer's body from injury. It is often an OSHA requirement for PPE to be used in reducing employee exposure to prevalent hazards; in addition, it is the employer's responsibility to determine these hazards and the corresponding PPE needed. Many hazards present in the equestrian industry can be alleviated with PPE. With this knowledge, an effective plan to protect your employees and business as well as for the casual rider can be employed. An effective PPE plan begins with wearing proper clothing. How an employee dresses is a reflection upon not only the barn's professional persona but its safety attitudes as well. Everyone that enters or works in a barn should be outfitted in a manner that will protect them from a few simple hazards. First, proper shoes must be worn to ensure comfort and foot stability, while also providing the foot with adequate protection from dropped items or a horse's misplaced hoof. Boots are preferred as they offer stable foot and ankle support for working both in and outside the barn. Waterproofed foot wear is also a must. Shoes should have good traction to prevent slips and falls on wet

ground. Appropriate dress must be worn when working around horses. Long pants will protect legs from rash or itchiness that could come from working with straw or hay. Shirts should be sleeved and worn at all times for similar reasons. Clothes should not be too tight or too loose. Remember that barn work is often a dirty job and clothes that are worn should not be shy of dirt or dust. Gloves are recommended for a number of activities within the barn. Handling heavy objects-hay bails, water buckets, and even horses with lead ropes-should be done with gloves to prevent rope burn and other stresses on the hands. The probability and risk of an injury increases significantly when riding a horse. The rate of serious injuries in horseback riding has been reported to be as few as 1 per 350 hours of riding (BixbyHammett, 1989). An injury to the head is the most likely to occur when the rider fails to wear PPE in the form of a helmet. The use of helmets will help in the effort to prevent head injuries; they should be required at all times when riding. The most common type of injury to a rider is a concussion. Whether mild or severe, a concussion can wreak havoc in your life and keep you away from what you love most…riding your horse.

Recommendations to promote a safe barn atmosphere. • Proper footwear must be worn at all times when in the barn. Shoes must be closed toe with hard soles, preferably boots. • Absolutely no sandals allowed for any worker or visitor in the barn. • Pants must be worn at all times and must fit properly. Loose or baggy pants could potentially be a safety hazard. • Sleeved shirts must be worn at all times and must fit properly. • Gloves are strongly recommended for riding, lunging, and leading horses. • Always wear a helmet when riding.

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MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 19

Horse Werks

MIDWEST

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from page 17

Training Tips for all Disciplines by Carolyn Kakuska

Are we pulling together or apart?

hen you think about the Olympics what's the first word that comes to mind? For me it is the word unity. Every four years athletes from around the world gather to compete against each other in many different games. All the athletes have been conditioned and trained in their chosen sport; often training for years to be at this particular Olympic game. Once the games begin there will be momentous accomplishments for some of the athletes and discouraging outcomes for others. That is, after all, the nature of competition; someone has to win and someone has to lose. But, surprisingly the competitors all seem to be able to live side by side and enjoy the company of their opponents, gaining comfort and support from the camaraderie. During the course of the games they learn from each other, they appreciate the other competitor's talents and they enjoy the time they spend with fellow Olympians. They learn that they have more in common with each other than they have differences from one another. Horse enthusiast can gain insight from the attitude of the Olympians. We need to understand we have more in common with each other than we have differences from one another. Although there are many different breeds and disciplines of horses, coaches and instructors are basically all encouraging the same ideas. Each style or discipline has its own word for a specific movement but the message is always the same. For example, all disciplines stress understanding the importance of the rider's mental confidence, soft and quiet hands, collection, balanced seat, and supportive legs in developing a precise "feel" tailored to the horse's performance. When the rider understands how and why these characteristics work, no matter the ability level of the rider or the breed of the horse a maximum trust and confidence level is fostered between horse and rider.

English and Western riding styles both emphasize the importance of shifting and carrying more the horse's weight on the hind legs in order to properly accomplish specific movements. As horse people we identify this weight shift as collection. These movements can be lower level movements such as forehand turns or shoulder in. They can be upper level activities like racing, jumping, cutting, or reining. The important point here is we are discussing the same need to shift a horse's weight in order to maintain better balance and move more gracefully. Another common topic among horse enthusi-

asts is riding with a balanced seat. Riders can appreciate a sitting on the horse while using a balanced seat because it helps them stay on the horse. A balanced seat supports the rider's center of gravity as it evenly distributes the rider's weight on both seat bones directly over the legs and stirrups. And once again, all disciplines promote a balanced seat as the fundamental way in developing proper movement in the horse without interference. Commonly, coaches discuss the purpose and position of a rider's legs during a lesson. The correct positioning of a rider's leg is the foundation of riding a horse. Proper leg position offers support for the rider's body. It also allows the rider the opportunity to regulate his horse's speed and movements without needlessly pulling on the reins. Probably, one of the most difficult tasks for a rider to master is developing soft hands. The definition a rider who understands soft hands is; “A rider who is able to handle the reins so there is no unnecessary jarring or pulling. Furthermore, this rider can follow the motion of the horse's neck and head without accidentally pulling on the reins, while still maintaining contact.” Hunt seat, Western, Gaited, and coaches of all other disciplines will all teach their riders about proper body alignment so the rider will not need to rely on their hands for balance. Again, coaches of every discipline agree that riders need to have a strong and positive mental attitude. Riders are encouraged to retrain their mind to have progressive and positive thoughts. Coaches know that success or failure can be determined solely by the rider's attitude. Many first riding lessons start out with the coach reinforcing the rider's confidence and promoting mental success. Correct body position, soft and quite hands, supportive legs, and the rider's mental confidence will all enhance a horse's performance. It is necessary to take a holistic approach to riding and accept the premise that riding horses is a time honored and universal activity. While there are some differences, there is truly much more in common between the disciplines. As horse lovers we all want whatever is best for our animal. We all want our animal to be the best he can be. We all want our animal to be stay strong and healthy. We want our animal to have a long and successful riding career. Realizing we can learn something from every discipline and instructor or coach will help us all appreciate the ultimate goal of mastering horsemanship.

Unity among breeds and disciplines will be the topic of a first time ever symposium

The International Equestrian Masters Symposium • September 8-9, 2012 Featuring five internationally known equestrian master coaches, each from a different riding discipline. The master coaches will instruct and school eight riders from the disciplines of Dressage, Three Day Event, Western, and Saddle Seat as a panel. Denny Emerson (3- day Eventing) • Lynn Palm (rider/trainer of AQHAs multiple Super horse winner Rugged Lark) Gail Lampe (judge/coach U.S. World Cup Saddle Seat Championship) Richard Shrake (judge of World Championship shows, coach for multiple world championship titles) Carolyn Kakuska (trainer of World and National Champion horses) For more information please call Carolyn at 262-857-7348 or email carolyn@firstclasshorsecomplex.com. Tickets can be purchased at www.firstclasshorsecomplex.com.

AUGUST 9-11 - Dressage and Sport Horse Show, Tricia Joaquin "L", Youth Team Competition Schooling Show, Sorensen Equestrian Park LLC, East Troy, WI. Contact Reid Sorensen - Show Manager 262/6424111. Visit sorensenpark.com. AUGUST 10-12 - Sommers Gate Farms Cowgirl Camp n Ride with Jessie Adams, Vandalia, IL. Contact Lea R. Sommers 618/644-5859. Visit www.sommersgatefarms.com. AUGUST 10-12 - Janet Foy Clinic, Judd's Green Meadows Farm, Belleville, WI. Contact Mary Hanneman 608/455-1037 or mahanneman@gmail.com. AUGUST 10-12 - Silverwood Farm NIHJA Show, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Donna Battaglia showsecretarydonna@yahoo.com. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. AUGUST 11 - Frank Morgan Memorial Open Horse Show Series, Quarter Circle 7 Ranch, Marengo, IL. Contact Karen Sander 815/861-2644 or qc7teampenning@hotmail.com. AUGUST 11 - Excelsior Dressage Schooling Show, Hobart, IN. Contact excelsiorequestrian.com. AUGUST 11-12 - Silverwood Dressage Shows, USEF/USDF recognized, Intro Grand Prix, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Lisa Cannata 847/235-6410 or dressage@silverwoodfarm.net. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. AUGUST 12 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Dressage, Tower Hill Stables, Hampshire, IL. Contact Carrie Sibley 847/464-1616 OR tower.hill@yahoo.com. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. AUGUST 12 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Mini Event & CT, Valley View Acres, Woodstock, IL. Contact Amber Bauman 815/455-3020 or valleyview8@yahoo.com Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. AUGUST 12 - Northern Illinois Outlaw Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Six Shooters at Dawn, CMSA DWPQ, Boone county Fairgrounds, Belvidere, IL. www.northernillinoisoutlaws.com. AUGUST 14-17 - Beginner Horse Camp, Fields & Fences Equestrian Center, Gurnee, IL. Contact Anita Schadeck 847/244-4121. Visit http://www.fieldsandfences.com/summercamp.html. AUGUST 17 - Lamplight Eventing Derby Series II, Lamplight Equestrian Center, Wayne, IL. Visit http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/events/. AUGUST 17-18 - Midwest Horse Fair's Taking the Reins, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. Visit www.takingthereins.net AUGUST 17-19 - Silverwood Dressage Shows, USEF/USDF recognized, Intro Grand Prix, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Lisa Cannata 847/235-6410 or dressage@silverwoodfarm.net. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. AUGUST 18 - Dressage and Sport Horse Show, Caryn Vesperman "L", Schooling Show, Sorensen Equestrian Park LLC, East Troy, WI. Contact Reid Sorensen - 262/642-4111. Visit sorensenpark.com Continued on page 21

Reach 10,000 horse enthusiasts. Advertise in Midwest Horse Source Display Ads • Real Estate Section Business Card Listings • Classifieds Contact Sandy mwhorsesource@gmail.com for rates. www.midwesthorsesource.com

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AUGUST 2012

CORRAL BUSINESS LISTINGS BOARDING /TRAINING

BOARDING /TRAINING

PHOTOGRAPHY/ARTWORK

Spring Willow Farm SALES • TRAINING • SHOWING LESSON HORSES AVAILABLE KEN (847) 204-9520 23629 W. Milton Rd. MARY (847) 989-4857 Wauconda, IL 60084 mcgrathsporthorse.com

• One of Kenosha County’s finest equestrian facilities • 10 minutes north of the Illinois state line, 25 minutes from Milwaukee or Lake Geneva • All day turnout w/5 ac. pastures • Outdoor/heated indoor rings

• 100 acres: trails through uplands, lowlands, wetlands, woodlands, streams, ponds, fields • Friendly, congenial, adultoriented atmosphere • Hunter/Jumper/Dressage Training available

Open 7 days, caretakers and owners on premises 2002 Hwy 45, Paris Corners, Wisconsin • 262-878-1288

SpringWillow.com I NSURANCE

BOARDING /TRAINING

HORSE BOARDING Woodstock, Illinois

First class facility with a large heated indoor arena and heated wash racks. Daily turnouts in oak fenced paddocks. Outside track, pastures and trails. Excellent, professional care at very reasonable rates.

John White Stables (815) 648-4458 SERVICES

FENCING Hardwood Split Rail & Plank Triple Crown Vinyl Ornamental Composite Decking Sunesta Retractable Awnings Interlocking Rubber Pavers

e-mail:chicorycreek@jcwifi.com website: designerdecksandfence.com

MIDWEST

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Horses for Sale

Reg.Arabian mare. Dressage trained. 15 hands, grey, 15 years. View video at youtube.com, search Arimar Farm, see “Rhianon” $2500 920-526-3046

Shareboarding Shareboarder wanted for beginner rider(s) on fabulous kids’ pony. 847/8306295.

Boarding Looking for quality care pasture boarding? 24 hour hay in the winter and very large pastures in the summer. Individually fed 6 days a week with Spirit Plus nutrition. Large indoor arena, outdoor arena, outdoor round pen and trails. Experienced owner lives on premises. Natural horsemanship and riding lessons available.A beautiful and relaxing place for your and your horse in Woodstock. $305 per month. Call Jodi 815/210-1309. Chad Kelly is coming back August 18-26th! Privates, semi-private, groups, and a day on the trails for problem solving.To sign up for the clinic, call 815/2101309 or visit diamondacreshhl.com for a breakdown of days.

Quiet, private farm, west of Woodstock. Daily turnout, box stalls, indoor arena, experienced care, individual TLC. $275/mo 815/568-6772, fivelazyk@dls.net.

Trucks/Trailers 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty Lariat V-10 Gasoline Engine, 106,000 miles. Leatherinterior, AM/FM/CD/Cassette. Air. Super Cab 4x4 off road.Very clean. $8900. 815/206-5185. ‘96 Titan 3-horse slant GN horse trailer. Hauls well, solid, some rust. $2800 815/568-6772, fivelazyk@dls.net.

Tack/Equipment Horse tack, clothing and saddles for sale. Billy Cook youth barrel saddle $350; Circle Y Trail saddle $275; Collegiate Laureate like new (16”) $500; Wintec 2000 English saddle and fittings; youth clothing, english boots, halters, Parelli 22” line, brand new buckets, etc. Everything must go. 815/245-0493.

Horse Care Skin-so-Soft 24 oz bottles, $8.00 each. Contact Gerry 815/338-8344; gerrycfrank@sbcglobal.net.

Your Business Card Ad should be here! Midwest HORSE SOURCE

CLASSIFIED RATES $5.00 per line Minimum insertion: 3 lines, $15.00 35 characters or spaces per line. Pre-payment required. Make checks payable to Midwest Horse Source.

Submit all classified copy to:: Midwest Horse Source 18209 Collins Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098 Or Email to: mwhorsesource@gmail.com

TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE CORRAL, send us a business card (either by mail or email a j-peg) and enclose payment:

3 ISSUES @$105 or 6 ISSUES @$200 Please make checks payable to: MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE

QUESTIONS: NEXT DEADLINE: AUGUST 30

Call Sandy at 815/568-6772 or Email: MWHorseSource@gmail.com

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 21

Rooster Creek Kennels

Bob and Joanne Connors: PMI Nutrition® Pet Food Ambassadors

ooster Creek Kennels is located on the Illinois/Indiana State line near Beecher, IL. Bob and Joanne Connors established this kennel 10 years ago to specialize in obedience as well as game bird hunting and retrieval training of Labrador Retrievers. They have raised and trained some outstanding champions that have succeeded at multiple state and national competitions.

Bob Connors has been a Regional Ambassador for PMI Nutrition® and Exclusive® Brand Pet food for more than four years. Bob is an avid promoter of these products at competitions and pet expo's around the region. He likes the fact that Exclusive is made with wholesome ingredients (Contains fresh chicken, but no soy, corn or wheat) to bring out the best in his dogs. Exclusive® Brand Pet foods are sold at most independent dealers that are authorized to sell Purina® Horse Feed. You can find more information at www.exclusivepetfood.com. PMI Nutrition® is proud of Bob and Joanne's accomplishments and their commitment to helping others learn how best to care for their dogs. They also appreciate their openess to sharing ideas with others. Bob and Joanne currently have two dogs training for American Kennel Club Hunt Tests. They also raise a few litters of high quality pups each year, including a recent litter that was born in early July. In addition to the their passion for raising champion Labrador Retrievers , Bob and Joanne enjoy their life on a small farm with their horses Mecca and Bella, plus goats, and chickens. The Connors’ purchase Exclusive® Brand dog food and Purina® products from Leo's Feed and Garden Center in Cedar Lake, IN. www.leosstore.com.

MIDWEST

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from page 19

AUGUST 18 - Green River Saddle Club Annual Payback Pleasure Show, Amboy, IL. Contact Joyce 815/973-1371. Visit http://www.greenriversaddleclub.webs.com. AUGUST 18 - Indian Hills Horse Driving Trial, Gilberts, IL. Contact MaryAnn Carter 847/769-5191 or ihdrivingtrial@gmail.com. Visit www.indianhillsstables.com.

Some Rooster Creek Kennel highlights include: Casey - 2007 National Bird Dog Circuit US Open Top Gun Champion Cooper- 2008 National Bird Dog Circuit Puppy Champion Ammo- 2009 High Point Dog of the Year

AUGUST 18-19 - Green River Saddle Club Trail Ride, Amboy, IL. Contact Jack 815/970-1658. Visit http://www.greenriversaddleclub.webs.com. AUGUST 18-19 - Illinois Paint Horse Show, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL. Contact Show Mgr: Dale Bushue 618/238-4310 or dalejulie@hotmail.com. Visit www.illinoispainthorse.com. AUGUST 18-19 - Open and ABRA Shows, Wis-Ill Buckskin Dun Grulla Promoters, Showtime Arena Deerfield, WI. Visit www.wis-ill-bdgp.com. AUGUST 18-26 - Chad Kelly Clinic (private, semi-private, group lessons and day on the trails for problem solving, Diamond Acres, Woodstock, IL. Contact 815/210-1309. AUGUST 19 - Green River Saddle Club Annual Payback Speed Show, Amboy, IL. Contact Joyce 815/973-1371. Visit http://www.greenriversaddleclub.webs.com. AUGUST 19 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Mini Event & CT, Sunset Ridge Stables, Caledonia, IL. Contact Pam Berkenpas 815/262-5570. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. Continued on page 23

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AUGUST 2012

GREENER PASTURES HORSE PROPERTIES

REALTOR’S CORRAL Your business card should be here! Contact Sandy for details. mwhorsesource@gmail.com 815/568-6772

Find your dream horse property here... Shop in ‘Greener Pastures’ Horse Country on a Budget!

Ambiance of Caledonia Countryside

Eliminate your horse’s board and build an income! Horses or hobbies are perfect for this property. And you will love the house! This well located 6 acres has yesteryear charm and nowadays appeal! Seller is a builder who renovated the house! It boasts hardwood flrs, sep DR, and trayed ceiling in LR. Kitchen has granite counters, w/ plenty of cabinets, movable breakfast bar and opens to sunny breakfast room. Large Mstr, & 3BR & 2Bths. 1st fl BR or Off. New windows, New roofs, New Deck & pool. 12 stall barn w/ feed rm & huge hay mow. Heated tack room, small indr, & outdr sand arena. Other outbuildings are great for storage of any type. Close to many trail systems. Also permission to ride around 80 adjacent ac. Minutes from WI I-94 w/Union Grove HS. $389,000

On a quiet road with easy access to I-94, these lovely18 acres will be the property that begs you home. Updated home has a designer kitchen w/drop lighting, stone floors, SS appliances and a granite 2 tiered island. Spectacular great room w/floor to ceiling stone fireplace and dramatic foyer. Romantic master, also w/fireplace, huge W/I closet & cabinets throughout. Extraordinary bath with all amenities will wow! New Norseman building has 10 stalls and an indoor arena (65x160) w/cured limestone base. Paddocks have all been redone w/ PVC or Centaur fencing. Drainage allows for mud free lanes between pastures. Loafing sheds and water to paddocks. Great location near Caledonia Trail System. Seller must sadly size down, lucky you! Do not miss! 20 min to airport and just minutes from Amtrak! Caledonia, WI $699,000

CONTACT KAY FELDMAR

Turn of the Century Charm One of a kind horse property in an awesome location! 16 acres in the heart of Mill Creek, IL with an early 1900’s gorgeous barn with 9 huge stalls. It is not hard to imagine the aristocrats of yesteryear, in this lovely barn! Stable also features a hay mow, wash stall, tack room with wall cabinets, aisle and stall mats, a new roof and a manure dock. Studio apartment opens to overhead walk to check out foaling stall! Heated barn leads to downstairs hay storage and a work out aisle with turn-around on one end, such as the Saddlebreds often used. Plenty of room there to add more stalls and/or another indoor arena - subject to zoning. Gorgeous land with several paddocks and about 5 ac. could be hayed. 1760 SF farm house with big kitchen, 3BR and an office, lst floor laundry, and a detached garage. There is a Spectacular spot for a grand homesite, similar to others in the area! Trainers, breeders, Gentleman farmers, call now, you will love the property! $920,000 CONTACT KAY FELDMAR

If you’re looking to buy or sell a HORSE PROPERTY, you’ll want to call me first!!

CONTACT KAY FELDMAR

Ready for Business!

Finally an affordable horse property in a great location for your business! This 10.5 ac. property has user friendly A2 zoining and has an 18 stall barn and a smaller indoor w/plenty of room to expand! Tack room, feed room and a separate newer 3 1/2 car garage that can be used for storage of hay, grain, shavings or even add more stalls. Plenty of turnout and 3 run in sheds, plus sand outdoor arena. Very nice trails run around property and beside a river, (property is 16 above flood plain) Such a nice farm house that has been updated in the last few years. Well maintained 1700 SF home has 3 BR and 1 Ω bath. Stainless appl. in good size kitchen that opens to the dining area. Back door enters a big mud room and/or basement. It's all there, you do not want to miss this opportunity. May consider some owner financing to well qualified buyer. Great place for a vet clinic or Therapeutic Office: 847/557-1626 riding program! Kenosha, WI area Cell: 847/224-5311

It doesn’t matter whether it is a smaller farmette type, a boarding stable, or land zoned for horses, I have the properties and/or connections to help you. I’ve been in Real Estate for 22 years and prior to that I was in the horse business. I know how to market your property and I will understand when you tell me what you and your horses need. Call or e-mail if you would like my “Tips on Buying Horse Properties” sent to you.

KAY FELDMAR

Licensed in IL & WI

Visit my website: www.horsescallithome.com Email me at: Kfeldmar@koenigstrey.com

$425,000 CONTACT KAY FELDMAR

AUGUST 2012

MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 23

MIDWEST

Bring the horses!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from page 21

AUGUST 19 - FVSA Open Show #3, Hampshire, IL. Contact Sandy Kucharski 815/568-6772. Visit http://www.fvsa.org/.

WINFIELD Builders/ investors/ developers - take a look! Tremendous opportunity to build your dream home on almost 4 acres of private, serene wooded horse property. Close to train, Cantigny, tollway and town. Homes on property sold as it, but the white house is nicely updated. Value is in the land. Both homes currently rented and bring in over $2000/month rental income. $429,900 Sharon Mennerick CLASSIC REALTY GROUP 630-408-5844 sharonmennerick.com To get my mobile search APP Text MYAPP4U to 87778

22 Acre Horse Farm

AUGUST 23-26 - Dressage at Lamplight USEF National Championships for the young and developing Horse and Developing Grand Prix Horse, Lamplight Equestrian Center, Wayne, IL. Visit http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/events. AUGUST 24-27 - Summers End "A" Hunter Jumper Show. Contact Kate Geraldi 847/224-3854 or kt@evergreenfarm.net. AUGUST 24-25 - Dressage at Lamplight, Wayne, IL. Contact Lloyd Landkamer 612/2908523 or DressageShowInfo@aol.com. Visit http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/. AUGUST 25 - Northern Illinois Outlaw Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Outlaw Dirt Nap, CMSA DWPQ, Amber Sun Acres, Malta, IL. www.northernillinoisoutlaws.com. AUGUST 26 - Dressage at Lamplight, Wayne, IL. Contact Lloyd Landkamer 612/2908523 or DressageShowInfo@aol.com. Visit http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/. AUGUST 26 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Dressage, Paris Farms, Paris, WI. Contact Jennifer Rhyner 262/859-0323 or jennifer_rhyner@yahoo.com. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. AUGUST 26 - Open Hunter/Jumper Show, Valley View Acres, Woodstock, IL. PAC Approved. TIP Classes. Showbill at http://www.freewebs.com/evenheaven/2012events.htm. AUGUST 28 - FVSA Dressage Show #2, Hampshire, IL. Visit http://www.fvsa.org/. AUGUST 31 - KWI Saddle Club Gaming Show, Pole Bending and Barrel Racing, Kankakee, IL. Visit http://kwisaddleclub.com/. AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 2 - Indiana CDE, Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, IN. Contact Dave Sadler 217/621-5547 or davlin@sadlerfarms.net. Visit www.iwwi.org.

Two barns with total of 50 stalls, 2 washstalls, 2 viewing rooms, office with bathroom, 2 tackrooms. One half mile training track - presently Standardbred training facility. 80’x100’, 6 horse free-style exerciser, 4 board fenced paddocks. Grain bin and shavings storage building, 8 acre hay field. Four bedroom, 3 bath ranch home with finished basement. Excellent location, close to I90, in area for future development potential. $745,000 (possible contract)

Sandy Butenschoen at Century 21 New Heritage 815/382-1815 sandybc21@msn.com Call for further details!

Affordable!

Sandy Butenschoen at Century 21 New Heritage The “Stable” Realtor 815/382-1815 sandybc21@msn.com

SEPTEMBER 1-2 - Silverwood Dressage Shows, USEF/USDF recognized, Intro Grand Prix, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Lisa Cannata 847/235-6410 or dressage@silverwoodfarm.net. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. SEPTEMBER 1-2 - Silverwood Farm Fall Horse Trials, USEA recognized, Starter Novice/Beginner Novice/novice/Training levels, Silverwood Farm, Camp Lake, WI. Contact Lisa Cannata 847/235-6410 or dressage@silverwoodfarm.net. Visit www.silverwoodfarm.net. SEPTEMBER 2 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Dressage, Indian Hills, Gilberts, IL. Visit http://www.idcta.org/schooling/. SEPTEMBER 3 - Labor Day Open Show, Wis-Ill Buckskin Dun Grulla Promoters, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Walworth, WI. Visit www.wis-ill-bdgp.com.

9-1/2 Acre Horse Farm

Presently 5 stall barn...room for more! Grow your own hay, fenced paddock, 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch with unfinished basement! 17608 Altenburg Road, Harvard. Also close to Woodstock! Priced Right at $230,000!

SEPTEMBER 1 - IDCTA Schooling Show Series, Dressage, Horse Fair Park, Spring Grove, IL. Contact Denise DeCicco 815/675-6048. Visit www.springgrovehorseshow.com or http://www.idcta.org/schooling/.

SEPTEMBER 3-7 - Ill. State Stock Horse Association 100 Mile Ride, Amboy, IL. Contact Jack 815/970-1658. Visit http://www.greenriversaddleclub.webs.com.

This is a gorgeous 10 acre horse ranch that has way to many features to list, master bdrm with tray ceilings,living room with cathedral, finished bsmt with real hardwood floors and full size windows, dog grooming area with whelping room, a dream deck with heated pool, surrounded by multiple horse paddocks, and perfect horse barn with two lean too sheds one a kennel the other a equipment shed, a round pen and much, much more this is a must see property, so call today for a private showing. $550,000 Call Bob Nowak 262/620-0391 1st National Real Estate LLC www.houses1st.com

SEPTEMBER 7-9 - Janet Foy Clinic, Judd's Green Meadows Farm, Belleville, WI. Contact Mary Hanneman 608/455-1037 or mahanneman@gmail.com. SEPTEMBER 7-9 - Villa Louis Carriage Classic, Villa Louis Historic Site, Prairie Du Chien, WI. Contact Mike Rider 608/326-4436 or info@carriageclassic.com. Visit www.carriageclassic.com. SEPTEMBER 8 - Illinois Paint Horse Show, Rawlings Arena, Hopedale, IL. Contact Show Mgr: Kristy Doyle 309/838-4769 or hrswmn@msn.com. Visit www.illinoispainthorse.com. SEPTEMBER 8 - KWI Saddle Club Gaming Show, Pole Bending and Barrel Racing, Kankakee, IL. Visit http://kwisaddleclub.com/. SEPTEMBER 8 - Frank Morgan Memorial Open Horse Show Series, Quarter Circle 7 Ranch, Marengo, IL. Contact Karen Sander Sander 815/861-2644 or qc7teampenning@hotmail.com.

Midwest

Horse Source

Connecting all breeds and disciplines of the Midwest Horse Industry

IOWA DEALERS 1. Horse and Hound Country Store Ltd. Burlington, IA 319/752-6611

DEALER LOCATOR MAP

WISCONSIN DEALERS 1. Premier Cooperative Lancaster, WI 608/723-7023

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2. Premier Cooperative Mineral Point, WI 608/987-3100

3. Premier Cooperative Mount Horeb, WI 608/437-5536 11

4. Oregon Farm Center Oregon, WI 608/251-9657

5. Claws 2 Paws Animal Supply LLC Stoughton, WI 608/873-8014

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Horn Bros. Inc. Muskego, WI 262/679-1717

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8. Landmark Services Co-op Elkhorn, WI 262/723-3150

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12. Horn Trevor Feeds Inc. Trevor, WI 262/862-2616

9. Sublette Farmers Elevator Company Sublette, IL 815/849-5222

19. Feed n Time Chebanse, IL 815/697-3231

ILLINOIS DEALERS 1. M and W Feed Service Ltd. Elizabeth, IL 815/858-2412

10. Northern Partners Cooperative Mendota/Triumph, IL 815/5539-1085 11. Brothers Country Supply Ottawa, IL 815/433-3775 12. Midland Crossing Mercantile Newark, IL 815/695-1130 13. D & H Ag. The Country Store See ad below Yorkville, IL 630/553-5826 14. Tri-County Stockdale Co. See ad page 12 Joliet, IL 815/436-8600 15. Ludwigs Feed Store Lemont, IL 630/257-3097 16. Capital Pet Food & Supply Country Club Hills, IL 708/798-4800 17. Most Feeds and Gardens Crete, IL 708/672-8181 18. Andres & Wilton Farmers Grain & Supply Peotone, IL 708/258-3268

20. Earlybird Feed & Fertilizer Goodfield, IL 888/893-3450

3. Woodstock Farm & Lawn Woodstock, IL 815/338-4200 4. Leader Ace Hardware Fox River Grove, IL 847/639-4431 5. Grayslake Feed Sales Inc. Grayslake, IL 847/223-4855 6. Animal Feed and Needs Arlington Heights, IL 847/437-4738 7.

Trellis Farm and Garden LLC St. Charles, IL 630/584-2024

8. Elburn Co-op Feed Store Elburn, IL 630/365-1424

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11. Main Street Country Store Walworth, WI 262/275-0620

2. Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies Inc. Cherry Valley, IL 815/332-7665

9. Landmark Services Co-op Burlington, WI 800/800-3521 10 Landmark Services Co-op Union Grove, WI 262/878-5720

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6. Frontier FS Cooperative Ixonia, WI 920/261-1718 7.

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21. Paws Claws and Exotics Too Pekin, IL 309/925-3111 22. Country Feed & Supplies Princeville, IL 309/385-3333 23. Reynolds Feed & Supply Reynolds, IL 309/372-4414 24. H&H Feeds Stronghurst, IL 309/924-2521 INDIANA DEALERS 1. Karp’s Garden and Feed Hobart, IN 219/942-2033 2. Crown Feed & Supply, Inc. Crown Point, IN 219/663-0139 3. Leo’s Feed and Garden Cedar Lake, IN 219/374-6757