Happy Spring! I have seen lots of trees and bushes blooming and it smells amazing out on the trails! Enjoy these spring days before the bugs arrive
A huge thanks to our DNA who worked so hard to repair the deck and clear out any tree limbs from our recent storms If you run into any tree obstacles on the trails, please let us know so we can get those cleared right away
Our Halloween Trail Ride is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 11:00am. Please mark your calendars!
Please remember that there is NO hunting at Maybury State Park, which makes it a great place to ride all times of the year
Continue to follow us on our website, www.mayburytrailriders.com or Facebook for updates on the trails, events and general news going on in the park Feel free to post pictures from your rides
Are you passionate about your Fox Trotter? It’s a comfortable and versatile breed, isn’t it? You can promote them This association is actively searching for new and previous members willing to take over leadership roles in the Fall. We also need more owners to provide volunteer support for activities Our officers are ready to turn the reins over to qualified individuals
You must be a registered member in good standing of both the MFTHBA as well as the Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association. Many people complain lately that we don’t offer anything of interest to entice people to join Your new ideas, time and energy are needed and welcome to grow this association President Bob Howell is willing to answer your questions Call him at 989-560-2102 or go to michiganfoxtrottinghorse com to learn more
The members of this association like to help others enjoy camping and trail riding We have gaiting experts, a shoeing/farrier expert, horsemanship and training experts and have two successful breeders on board who supply Michigan with popular and handy bloodlines The breeders are Chuck Fanslow (Riverflatranch.com) in Gladwin, MI and and John & Kelly Sweet (klorneacres com) in Barton City, MI We have access to a number of clinicians and saddle fitters to help you learn how to comfortably outfit your horse We meet frequently via Zoom and sometimes in person as we know everyone is so busy Our website is very informative and has links to many valuable resources Check out the various clinics we have hosted and the pictures of our members riding on their beautiful horses
ride 100 miles total at the Ortonville Recreation Area / Hadley Hills during the challenge period It costs only $50 to register and only 50 people can register. EVERYONE who registers gets a swag bag with OREA Medal with OREAnge neck ribbon, OREAnge bandana with the map of ALL official Ortonville trails (including 3A and High Vista Trail), OREA decal, OREA Challenge Brag Tag, a genuine Michigan Horse Council Decal, AND a Michigan Horse Council Water Bottle!!!!!! You don’t have to be a member of the Michigan Horse Council or OREA to enter the Challenge. Go to the Michigan Horse Council OREA Trail Challenge page to register.
There is a slight delay in getting water from the well at the Ortonville Equestrian Campground No – the delay has nothing to do with water not being available right now! We call it the Ortonville 30-second well. There is about a 30-second delay from the time you turn the handle on the spigot until water comes gushing forth! The well operates on a pressure-sensitive switch, which introduces the delay.
Everything Everywhere All At Once. That seems to be the DNR and OREA motto this year!!
The DNR team (with some assistance from OREA) has completed the Magnificent Manure Bunker (MMB) at the Ortonville Equestrian Campground!!! Now, instead of flinging your horse droppings out into the woods, you convey them to the MMB!!
OREA is working with our DNR partners to set up lighting and outlets in the pavilion!! When you contribute over $1300 to make this a reality, we feel that it is something that will be beneficial! We appreciate everyone who contributed - or even thought
Welcome June! Summer is here and the kids are getting out of school, families will be taking their summer vacations, building projects are underway, and people are finally coming out of hibernation to enjoy the warm weather months. Northern Michigan is coming alive after the dormant months of winter Please remember to allow extra travel time to your destination because there are more cars and trucks on the road and road construction is in full swing all over the state When traveling with my horses, I always carry a few buckets of water with me in case I get stuck in a traffic jam or have a break down. Don’t forget to do your trailer maintenance and pretravel check before going on the road. Tires, wheel bearings, electric system etc Drive safely and have fun.
The second show in our WDAMI show series is the Sunflower Horse Show which will open on June 6 and close on June 29th, with videos due by July 20 Then comes the Big Boss show which will be open July 11 thru August 3, with videos due August 25th. Our judge for the Boss Show is Joann Williams who will also be judging the Western Dressage World Show this year The WDAMI show series is one of our main fund raisers to help support our awards program Both shows offer door prizes just for being part of the show, as well as a Harmony award, Show high Point award, and the series high point buckles. Please plan to participate and have fun supporting our cause. Check it out at www spotlighthorseshow com
Upcoming events: Brandi Lyons will be at Miracle Ranch also known as Rach Riding Academy, on June 11,12,13, and 14th Auditing fee is $45 a day or $120 for three days or $160 for 4 days
Brandi is a great clinician, with lots of knowledge. The ranch is located at 3380 Morrow Ln, Milford MI For more information contact Karen at 586-2427351 or KI rach@Yahoo com
Lynn Palm will be coming to Michigan June 28 – July 1 with her new platform, Winning Way with Western Dressage. Hosting the clinic is Oak Lane Equestrian in Bridgeport, Michigan. For more information contact info@oaklaneequestrian com or call 716-997-2019
Our quote of the month is by Suzanne Morisse: “There is no perfect test ridden, so enjoy your journey. Be happy with even small improvements that will build on one another to form a solid foundation and a harmonious partnership between you and your equine partner.”
Please remember to help and support one another and always keep in mind your horse’s mental health Please share your ideas and concerns with us We always love to hear form our members. You may email me at Eaglehorse1@hotmail com
WDAMi is looking for sponsors for our year-end awards and educational events. If you would be willing to help by sponsoring or by helping us to find sponsors, please contact us by email at infowdami@gmail com
Don’t forgot to renew or join WDAMI and WDAA for 2025 and be part of the fastest growing equestrian sport. You can find us online at www wdami org Thank you for your support. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your equine partner and exercise an act of kindness to all Until next time
Between Jackson and Albion! Easy access to I-94! Parma, Michigan
Approximately 95 acres of agricultural/residential land available for future developm Avenue and Litle Roads with Michigan Avenue being an expressway exit off I-94 Loc of Jackson
PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING
In this series, Western Dressage from a Judge’s Perspective, I will give you tips from my point of view as a judge that may help your scores and learn to ride with more accuracy and precision I find there are common challenges that everyone has learning the discipline, or common movements that riders have difficulty learning, which leads to horse and rider frustrations
Let’s take what you learned from the Introductory Level and move on to the Basic Level With the lope as a new requirement at this level, I have many tips to share!
1. Also coming down center line, if I see a rider with the lower leg off the horse and the feet pushing in the stirrups, I know that the rider will have balance issues. The balance is too much in the feet and not through weight in the seat I also will see a rider that will have a bouncy movement at the lope Balance from the feet/stirrups will push a rider’s balance up and bouncing will occur.
2. Adjust the reins slightly before and after transitions so you don’t have to adjust your hands position to try to achieve the same communication to the horse’s mouth When your hands get out of position, you are late as well as stronger with your reins than you intend to be.
3. Coming down center line and in the corners of the arena, when I see the hands position too high or wide and low, it tells me that the rider’s skill level is limited They could be balancing with the reins to some degree, thus hands not being independent from the seat/balance. A rider who balances on the reins in any way will have struggles with the effective use of aids
4 Free Walk: lengthen reins without changing hands position and keeps hands moving forward to encourage the neck to lengthen When a rider’s hands spread wide and low, this is trying to get the head down to stretch One may get one to lower the head, but you will not get the neck to go lower as the horse stretches the nose out as it lowers At the same time the rider must encourage more activity from the walk to maximize stretch. Practice Free Walk after a set of working jog work or lengthening the jog Both will encourage stretching after connecting ‘ on the bit’.
PARTNERSHIP
Lynn Palm | lynnpalm.com
5. Show correct Bending! Riders need to advance their skills and encourage that the horse is straight in his body position when going straight and bending through the body with head flexed in the direction of travel on any curving line I see too many riders making curves and turns with the horse’s head flexed outward, which means that the horse is not bending in his body, thus losing his balance inward, or “falling in”. The horse will speed up and stay tight or tense, as the horse is not balanced while turning
6 For turns at E & B, I see riders turning too early or too late, and or horses not bending before and during the turns Prepare your horse to bend at the letter before B or E, turning toward the letter on the other side of the ring 12’ before the letter When you get to X prepare your horse to bend and turn 12’ before B or E As you begin the turn, look at the letter after B or E you are riding toward This will help you not turn so early or late and have the proper body position for the horse.
7. 10 meter loop: When a rider shows the correct bend of the horse in the corner, the loop usually goes well However, the middle loop is where I see riders not getting the correct bend, not making X in this figure. My tip here is after you make the turn going toward X, at the quarter line straighten your horse and bend as you pass the quarter line Keep the bend through X and the next quarter line, straighten the horse, bend the new direction returning to the rail and corner The change of bend on the quarter line should be within 3 strides as you are passing the quarter line.
8 1/2 circle 10 meters can be a challenging figure at this level, however, done properly it is really fun! It is a must to have the correct bend BEFORE turning the 10 meters 1/2 circle to X. Know your distance that you must meet in the first quarter of the half circle It is very important for accuracy here. As you are to meet X, view with your eye the letter you are going to ride to and have accuracy In this figure when not done correctly the rider is behind the horse, as it comes up quickly Keep your eyes ahead, looking for the 5 meters distance to ride the half circle, X to find 10m wide half circle, and looking to the letter you are going to complete the figure. Look further ahead than usual to help you perfect this figure Remember, you must control the same tempo before, during, and after the figure I find the horse will change the tempo in the half circle is the horse is not bending and straight!
9 Free Jog, at this level is not going to be much change in the horse to stretch, as they are not asked enough before the stretch as in Level 1 or higher However, in Basic, I see riders, not able to control the horse’s balance/bending, and the roundness of the circle Learn to trust your horse and ride the circle with your leg aids! The reins should not be loose and dangling, but the horse should be stretching to the contact. The more the rider controls the horse with the
leg aids and does not use the corners (not round circle) the scores will get higher. When you don’t use your reins to steer the horse on the circle, he can stretch more and relax as you are using 95% of your leg aids to control the horse on the circle
During the 20 meter circle at the lope, I find most riders want to hurry! I see this with an abrupt transition up or down, the horse will be tight, tense, swish the tail or other things saying they don’t need to have hurried or harsh cues. Plan to have your transitions in the middle of the last quarter of the circle or middle distance where you are asked to do the transition. The transition is the key to have control and direction and speed as you are loping a short distance Know your 4 points of a circle to perfect and take your time to ask for clear cues to the lope and down to the jog from the lope Keep your eyes looking ahead for the spot in your circle to a round circle and precision where you ask for your up and down transitions
Enjoy working through these Basic Level tips I’m looking forward to the next month’s Level 1, when I will share tips from the judge’s box from my experience as a USEF R Western Dressage Judge
Caro, Michigan 48723
(Use Pizza Hut for GPS Mapping)
BWHAOpenPleasureOnlyShow
Sunday,June1st;Startsat9am
2025 HORSE SHOWS
ContactDaveGoretski(810)614-2290;email:bigshow107@aol com
Senior Citizen Day Free Admission 62 & Older Senior Sponsored By: Aspire Rural Health System
SATURDAY, JULY 26
Unique Motorsports Bump & Run Off-Road Derby; Night of Destruction with Motorhome class
GRANDSTAND SHOWS: MONDAY START 6PM; TUES-SAT START AT 7PM
TUSCOLA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Senior Citizen Day Thursday, July 24
FreeAdmission62&Older Seniors- join us for the Euchre Tournament in Air-Conditioned Midway Hall at 5:30pm BABY ANIMAL BARNYARD
SHOW & EVENT DATES
Michigan EVENTS
June 7, July 5, August 2, 16, 29, & 30, 2025: TNT Arena 2025 Sorting Shows Open: $25/Rider, #8, #5, $25/Rider, #2 $15/Rider. All shows start at 10am. $50 Payback all class except #2 #2 class buckles to winning team each show TNT-Arena com 734-649-7973 5251 Lyons Rd , Lyons, MI 48851
June 7 & 8, 2025 Blue Ribbon Pleasure Driving Show, Driven Dressage & Combined Test. ADS recognized Ionia Fairgrounds, Ionia, Michigan Questions call Dorothy at 517-763-3729
June 14, 2025: GLASS-ED Annual Dressage Show. Plainwell, Michigan Online entries available at pinelakestables com Entries deadline is June 5, 2025.
June 22, and August 3: Spur of the Moment Horse Club, Show Starts at 8:30am Show Attire Optional www spurhorseshows org admin@spurhorseshows org Facebook.com/spurhorseshows. Hosted at Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Saline, Michigan 48176
July 12, 2025: WHAM Presents Gaited Horse Clinic with Suzy Wyckoff. Hardy Farms 7215 N Latson Road, Howell MI 48855 Suzy Wyckoff 734-323-2273 mmfwyckoff@gmail com Facebook: The Walking Horse Association of Michigan
August 29 - September 1, 2025: Labor Day Weekend Sleep Hollow Trail Riders Camp Over Saturday poker run, potluck campfire Call Marsha Putnam at 989-277-8544.
September 6, 2025: Pine Lake Stables September Dressage Show. Plainwell, Michigan Online entries available at pinelakestables com Entries deadline is August 28, 2025.
September 27, 2025 Fall Horseshoe Hunt Trail Ride. Silver Creek Equestrian Campground 3900 134th Ave Hamilton MI 49419 Questions Kaitlynn Tuckey 810-614-1468 kait.tuckey@yahoo.com Facebook: The Walking Horse Association of Michigan
October 4-5, 2025: Phil Haugen Horsemanship Tour. $750 00/Rider Lyons, Michigan at TNT Arena. Limited to 15 riders More information and tickets available at philhaugenhorsemanship.com/events
October 17 - 19, 2025: Explore the Hollow Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders Weekend Camp Over. Extra trails Friday and Saturday Potluck on Saturday Call Marsha Putnam at 989277-8455.
MICHIGAN AUCTIONS
HORSE & TACK AUCTION: 2nd Saturday of each month 5:00pm start Lake Odessa Livestock Auction, 3675 Tupper Lake Rd , Lake Odessa, MI Call Roger Leech 231 730 0353 Facebook or lakeodessalivestock.com
HORSE/TACK AUCTION: First Saturday of each month (except July) Tack 2pm, Horses after 6pm Consignments welcome. Northern Michigan Livestock, 1848 N Townline Rd. Gaylord, MI. Office 231.439.5679. Find us on Facebook northernmichiganlivestock com
MONDAYS: HAY & STRAW: 3:30pm, Livestock 5pm (cattle, goats, sheep, hogs, etc ) Ravenna Auction, LLC 3265 S. Slocum Road, Ravenna, MI. Call 231 853- 5738 Facebook or visit us at ravennaauction com
TACK AUCTION: 3rd Saturday of each month, 5pm start. Longhorn Auction Service, 3265 S Slocum Rd , Ravenna, MI Call 231 730-0353 Facebook: Longhom Auction Service
May 31 - June 1: Mustached Horse Guild, Great Lakes Spring Classic. All Breed Open Show Contesting Show on Friday Night. Jackpot Classes Shows hosted at Henderson’s Indoor Arena, Jackson, Ohio More Information Available on Facebook at Buckeye Spring Classic.
June 1: Belmont Country Saddle Club, 2025 All Breed Open Horse Show Start time of 11:00am rain or shine Ribbons place 1st through 5th 41915 National Road, Belmont, Ohio 43718.
June 13, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 3, and October 17 (finals only): Friday Night Buckle Series, Starts at 6:30pm. Unlimited Runs. Includes Stakes, Flags, Down & Back, Cake Walk, Mystery, Poles, and Barrels. Show Info from Leanne Louive at 330-844-4041 Hosted at 4200 Overton Rd , Wooster, OH
SHOW & EVENT DATES
June 21, July 26, August 30, September 20 and October 18: Dusty Britches Farmer’s Tan Gymkhana
9AM Start Time
Miami Co Fairgrounds
650 N County Rd 25-A Troy, Ohio 45373
Enter Online Via SaddleBrook. Follow Dusty Britches Equestrian on Facebook
June 21, June 26, August 12, September 6, October 4 and November 2: Breakaway From Cancer Breakaway Series
70% Payback Entry deadline is the Monday prior to each event. Locations vary depending on the date For more info: follow Breakaway From Cancer on Facebook
July 26 - 27: Mustached Horse Guild, Buckeye Summer Classic All Breed Open Show Contesting Show on Friday Night. Jackpot Classes. Shows hosted at Henderson’s Indoor Arena, Jackson, Ohio More Information Available on Facebook at Buckeye Spring Classic
OHIO AUCTIONS
ATHENS LIVESTOCK SALES: Sale every Saturday at 12:30pm Consignment welcome. Athens Livestock Sales, 3738 Enlow Road, Albany, OH Call 740 592 2322 Email: jdbrowning01@gmail.com or find us on Facebook
MT. HOPE AUCTION: Horse, rack, livestock auctions monthly Mt Hope Auction, 8076 SR 241 Millersburg, OH Call us at 330 674 6188, email: info@mthopeauction.com. Find us on Facebook or mthopeauction com
LARUE HORSE SALE, LLC: Hay, straw, tack, and horse auction on the first Saturday of every month 1059 Richwood-Larue Rd., Larue, OH. Call 419 889 9150, email laruehorsesales@hotmail com laruehorsesales.com
Indiana EVENTS
August 10: Wabush Valley Horsemen’s Association Pleasure Show, Office Open at 8am and Show Starts at 9am $5/Youth Class. $10/Open Class. $5 Office Charge Call Before you Haul Lori at 812-243-3819 or LaRea at 812-2405377.
INDIANA AUCTIONS
HAMILTON COUNTY HORSE SALES: 1st & 3rd Saturday each month New and used tack, hay, strawy, trailers, & horses Consignors welcome 22217 St Road 37 N , Noblesville, IN Call 317 946 4450 or 317 773 5590 or find us on Facebook for more information
IILLIANA LIVESTOCK, LLC: Tack, ponies, donkeys, and horse sales held at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds, 325 W. Maple St. Cayuga, IN. Call Clay Norris 574 780 8378 or Cobie Norris 217.260.5696. Facebook “Illiana Livestock LLC“
SHIPSHEANA TRADING PLACE: Horse Auction Fridays 10:30am tack, 12:30pm horses 345 S Van Buren Shipshewana, IN 260 768 4129, email: info@shipshewanatradingplace com, or visit shipshewanatradingplace.com.
Submit ShowDates to saddleupmag@gmailcom
Submit ShowDates to saddleupmag@gmail.com
TOPEKA LIVESTOCK AUCTION: Hay and livestock auction every Tuesday. 601 E Lake St , Topeka, IN Call 260 593 2522 or email us at info@topekalivestock com Find us on Facebook or topekalivestock com
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2025 Deadlines and Special Editions 2025 Deadlines and Special Editions
Tack Sale Special: DiscountedAdRatesOctoberthruAprilIssues
Tack Sale Special: DiscountedAdRatesOctoberthruAprilIssues
Tack Sale Special: DiscountedAdRatesOctoberthruAprilIssues
Camera Ready –HighResolutionPDF,CMYK(blacktextmustbe100%K)
Professional Ad Design –Youmaysubmitcamerareadyart,orwecan designyouradforyouatnoadditionalcharge.AlowresolutionPDFproof (jpguponrequest)willbeemailedtoyouforyourapprovalbeforeyour advertisementgoestoprint.
New Advertisers –Mustprepayforthefirstthreemonthsuntilcreditis established.WeacceptallmajorcreditcardsandPayPal.
saddleupmag@gmailcom
www.saddleupmag.com
Do Tires Go Bad Before They Wear Out?
By Robert Eversole trailmeister.com
Spoiler Alert: Yep. They Sure Can.
I just put a fresh set of tires on the Taj Mah Small, my little LQ horse trailer. That might not sound like breaking news, until I tell you those tires only had about 10,500 miles on them. The tread still measured a healthy 7/32 of an inch. So why the swap?
The answer lies in what you can't always see The sidewalls showed some signs of cracking, and the DOT date codes told the rest of the story: they were old And old rubber doesn't age like fine wine; it dries out, loses flexibility, and eventually becomes a liability. It's a bit like using a rubber band that's been sitting in a junk drawer for a decade. It looks fine until it snaps when you need it most
Cracked sidewalls might seem cosmetic, but those cracks can run through the structure. If the steel belts separate or the tread peels off at speed, you're in for a rough ride, or worse Even short of catastrophe, aging tires can leak, hydroplane, or increase your stopping distance when you really need to hit the brakes
And this isn't just about sun-baked trailer tires Even tires stored indoors eventually break down. Most manufacturers agree that tires have a shelf life, no matter how good they look. Ford and Nissan say six years, tops. Michelin and Continental stretch it to ten, if you're inspecting them yearly after the fifth birthday
Trailer Tires Age Out - Period
Most folks will wear out their vehicle tires before the rubber ages out. But not when it comes to trailers. Let's be real: trailer tires do a lot more sitting than rolling For most of us, the tread will still be perfectly serviceable when the sidewalls start to crack Trailer tires almost always age out before they wear out. And that's where folks get surprised, because it's not about miles It's about time
Reading the Fine Print (Literally)
If you know where to look, every tire has a "born-on" date. Find the oval with four numbers stamped into the sidewall A code like 2719 means the 27th week of 2019, around July
Just know that the code may be on the inward-facing side of the tire That means you might have to crawl around with a flashlight or even pull a tire to check it It's worth the hassle.
And no, your four tires might not all match exactly. That's normal and shipping and supply quirks But they should be close in age. A few weeks or months apart is fine. Years? That's something to question
Check Before You Roll
Even if the tires you're buying are "new," double-check those date codes before you leave the shop Sometimes, what's labeled new has been sitting on a shelf for years. That doesn't make it dangerous, but it does mean a shorter lifespan for you, and maybe a better price, if you ask
And the Spare? Yep, That Too
It's easy to forget the spare tire Most of us only think about it when we're stuck on the side of the road But spare tires age just like the rest, even if they've never touched pavement Give yours a look If it's looking rough or aging out, replace it before you need it.
Tires also age faster when exposed to sunlight, extreme heat, salty air, or repeated curb contact. Underinflated tires also break down more quickly Keep them properly aired and out of the sun when you can
Bottom Line
Tread depth isn't the whole story Check the sidewalls Read the DOT date code. Sometimes, the real danger is what you can't see until it's too late
For more of my thoughts on trail riding and camping with horses, plus gear tips, safety advice, and a few hardearned lessons, visit me at TrailMeister.com or grab a copy of my best-selling book, The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping, on Amazon
MSU Farrier School
There are currently approximately 155,000 horses in Michigan, based on the last Equine Survey (2007). While these numbers may have decreased somewhat based on the recession, the use of horses in the state has not decreased, and in fact may be increasing (personal observation). Each of these animals is in need of regular hoof care, with trimming required every 6-8 weeks and shoes (for those who are shod) required on a similar schedule.
The old adage “no foot, no horse” holds, in that a horse without regular hoof care by a knowledgeable professional, is unlikely to be of use to its human caretakers. Further, most horsemen and women would rather hire someone knowledgeable to do this work than to do it themselves Finally, well-trained farriers have the potential to make a decent
living, as evidenced by “An American Farriers Journal survey in 2012 found that the average annual salary for full-time farriers in the U.S. was reported to be $92,623 per year and for part-timers, $21,153. This amount is an average and varies according to experience level, training, etc ” (TheFarriers Guide com)
The problem currently facing the horse industry in the Midwest is that there is currently no reputable means by which to consistently produce well-trained farriers. Michigan residents wishing to pursue this line of work, have needed to leave the state for extended periods of time. Until now.
Michigan State University offers the MSU Farrier School! This 12 or 24-week program will be housed on the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center, and will be led by MSU alum, David Hallock, CJF, ASF. Students in the program will receive both hands-on and classroom-based instruction in hoof and farrier science, equine anatomy and physiology, basic welding, and business The class will run 8 hours per day, with the intention of producing individuals poised to be well trained, professional farriers to serve the equine industry
For additional information, please contact: Karen L. Waite, Ph. D. kwaite@msu.edu 517-432-0383 David Hallock, CJF, ASF 3rforge@gmail.com
Online application and details available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/farrierschool/
Photo credit: D Hallock, A Kampfer
Living 2025 N Series
Show starts at 6 P (Makeup July 30 i Five Divisions: Ad 8+
1st, 2nd, and 3rd P based on accumu
80% Payback opt all ages combined
Fowlerville Family
8800 West Grand R
Fowlerville MI 488
Show Bill: bit.ly/25NightR
Questions? Plea
Active horse enthusiasts can submit their equine story/article for a chance to be highlighted on the Saddle Up! Magazine social media page For more information visit SaddleUpMag com
Protecting Your Confidence with Your Horse (and in Life) 3 Powerful Ways to Strengthen Trust and Partnership
By Kim Cardeccia | ConfidenceThroughConnection.com
Confidence is the foundation of a strong partnership with your horse. Yet, just like in life, it’s easy to get rattled—an off day, a moment of miscommunication, or a situation that shakes your trust in yourself and your horse.
When doubts creep in, they can send you into a spiral of second-guessing, making it harder to show up as the calm, grounded leader your horse needs. That’s why protecting your confidence is essential—not just for your riding or training, but for deepening the connection you share. And if you’re not working with horses, this same concept applies. Whether it’s in relationships, work, creative expression, or your own personal growth, confidence fuels your ability to stay steady, connected, and true to yourself— especially when things get uncertain.
Here are three powerful ways to build and protect your confidence on your journey—whether you’re at the barn or simply navigating the ups and downs of life:
1. Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Confidence isn’t built in isolation. The people around you shape your mindset more than you might realize. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with those who uplift, encourage, and remind you of your progress—whether that’s a mentor, a trusted equine coach, a friend, or a community of like-minded people.
I still remember a rider who was struggling with self-doubt after a difficult training session. A trusted friend simply reminded her, “Your horse doesn’t need you to be perfect—just present.” That shift in perspective turned frustration into understanding. When you have people who help you reframe challenges, you stay focused on growth rather than setbacks. Whether you’re pursuing horsemanship, building a dream, or healing from burnout, seek out people who believe in you and your path. And be mindful of those whose words drain your confidence instead of fueling it.
2. Protect Your Energy in Training (and in Daily Life)
Just like a live speaker can be thrown off by a negative comment, a horse can feel when your energy shifts due to self-doubt. If you’re constantly questioning yourself mid-ride, overanalyzing every mistake, or letting one rough moment define the entire session, your horse will pick up on that uncertainty.
But even outside the barn, your energy matters. People feel it. You feel it. Confidence grows when you learn to protect your energetic state and stay rooted in presence.
What can you do?
Stay present. Instead of replaying a mistake or worrying about what others think, focus on the moment you’re in. One choice at a time.
Set boundaries. If unsolicited advice or outside opinions shake your confidence, be intentional about whose feedback you allow in.
Trust the process. Whether it’s with your horse or your personal journey, not every day will feel like a win—and that’s okay. Growth is rarely linear. You don’t need to get it “right” all the time. You just need to stay connected.
3. Keep a Library of Your Successes
It’s easy to dwell on what didn’t go well. But how often do you take time to acknowledge what did?
Just as businesses keep records of customer wins to remind them of their impact, you should keep a record of your own personal milestones. Whether it’s a journal, a photo album, or simply a mental list, take note of:
The moments your horse offered something new with softness and willingness.
The time you remained calm in a situation that would’ve rattled you before.
The small breakthroughs that remind you both are growing.
Even if horses aren’t part of your world, this practice is powerful. Remember the times you showed up with courage, responded with grace, or made a choice that aligned with your truth. These are your inner wins—and they matter.
One of the most powerful things you can do when self-doubt creeps in is to revisit your past moments of strength. They serve as proof that you are learning, evolving, and creating a life built on trust—from the inside out.
Bonus Tip: Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
The most confident horse-human partnerships aren’t built on flawless rides—they’re built on resilience, understanding, and a willingness to grow together.
In their book The Gap and The Gain, Dan Sullivan and Dr. Ben Hardy explain how shifting your focus from what you haven’t achieved (the gap) to what you have achieved (the gain) creates a more fulfilling and confident mindset. The same applies to horsemanship—and to life.
Instead of focusing on what’s not perfect yet, reflect on how far you’ve come. Notice the subtle improvements. Celebrate the small moments of connection. Confidence isn’t about eliminating challenges—it’s about trusting that you can navigate them, one step at a time.
Your Confidence Shapes Your Partnership (and Your Path) When you protect your confidence, you show up differently. You become more grounded, more present, and more willing to embrace the process. In return—whether it’s your horse, your relationships, or your goals—the world responds to that steadiness with trust and connection.
So keep moving forward, one ride, one moment, and one small win at a time.
You’ve got this—and if you forget for a moment, come back to your wins. They’ll remind you of who you really are.
Phone: 517-881-3622
Email: gailqmoon@gmail.com
Website: johnson-gail.bemergroup.com
RENTALS, SALESandDEMOS
Human&EquineSets
The Unsung Harrow
By Lisa Kiley | www.cashmans.com
The Overlooked Workhorse of the Farm
While there are a lot of different pieces of equipment needed to keep a horse farm in tip-top condition, the harrow is often overlooked for all the good it can do from the arena to the pasture. A harrow can be used in all four seasons of the year, but spring is probably where it can be put to work the most and earn its position as an investment that gives you the most bang for your buck. Easy to use and convenient to store, once you get one, you may wonder why you didn’t sooner.
Spring is the Prime Season for Harrowing
In the spring, harrowing pastures can help matted grass to stand up which will allow for quicker growth of new grass. Moving leaf patches that were missed in the fall will also encourage growth. This type of activity allows for better air circulation, water distribution and nitrogen penetration to the roots. When crossing over the fields, organic matter will also be evenly dispersed into the soil which will stimulate growth, making pastures stronger earlier in the season and increase the number of days horses can be turned out to graze, helping to save on the cost of hay and feed.
Finding the Right Size for Your Farm
Harrows come in several different sizes and you will need to know what width and length work best for your purposes. Starting at 4’ long x 4’ wide, this size harrow is perfect for small jobs, but you will want something larger if you have a lot of area to cover, or it will take way too long to get the job done. Large harrows can be 8’ long and up to 14’ wide, but these will typically need a good size tractor to tow them and can be too cumbersome for daily small farm usage. An 8’ long x 8’ wide is a great mid-size length for home farm use. If you do have a larger harrow, adding a 3-point hitch so that it can be picked up as you move it from one area to another can be an upgrade you might want to consider.
Manure Management Made Easy
Choosing the Right Tow Vehicle
One thing to be mindful of is the vehicle you are using to tow your harrow. If you are using a larger tractor, you may have to wait until later in the spring to do your first harrow so that you don’t tear up the ground with the wheels of the tractor. However, if you are using an ATV, you can usually get out on the pastures earlier in March without having more of a negative impact than a positive one. The harrow should be wider than the wheelbase of the vehicle you are using to tow to avoid leaving tire marks in the arena or pasture. The larger the harrow, the less time you will spend on your pasture and arena maintenance throughout the season.
What to Look for in a Quality Harrow
All harrows are not created equally, so you will want to look for a unit that provide some of the following attributes: The tines should be designed in such a way that the tines don’t spread apart in the center allowing the area you are working on to be surfaced without clogging or bunching. The harrow should follow the contour of the ground which will provide maximum coverage. The more tines on the harrow, the more effective the harrow will be. Multiple position tines permit higher operating speeds without skipping, jumping, or skimming the surface. Both sides of the unit can be used depending on the application, with one side being more ‘aggressive’ allowing the tines to go deeper into the ground and the flip side less so, this makes it flexible for a variety of conditions.
As you get further into the season, harrows are great for breaking up manure piles in pastures. When manure piles sit in pastures, they can cause bare patches in the grass and can lead to weeds taking over those areas. Manure piles can also harbor fly larva and parasites. Distributing the manure will help with fly management and help keep your parasite load under control by exposing them to the heat and sunlight. Even with regular pasture management, you should always consult with your veterinarian to set up the best parasite control program for your horses.
Manure Management Made Easy Harrowing Through the Summer
In the summer, harrowing can help stimulate grass growth during otherwise dormant times. It can also be helpful to harrow before you mow so that you can pick up growth that has been trampled down. However, harrowing over weeds can have the unintended consequence of spreading weed seeds. It is worthwhile to have weed management practices in place if you are going to do routine harrowing so that you don’t ruin your pasture by encouraging weed growth inadvertently.
Beyond the Pasture: A Year-Round Asset
Outside of the pasture, the harrow can be used to smooth out drives and walkways and work both indoor and outdoor arenas. In the fall, harrows are great tools for shredding dry leaves and dethatching. In the winter, they can be used to break up ice and iced over snow creating safer paths around your home and barn. There are limitless opportunities to use this handy implement to improve the grounds of your farm, arenas, and pastures. They are quite an economical investment and come in handy any time of year, but they can really make the biggest impact on pasture management in the spring and summer.
Nelson preferred provider for repair and maintenance of your Nelson Automatic Waterers. Excellent response time Most parts in stock Honest, ethical and reliable Will travel. Serving Michigan and Northern Ohio. WATERFIX COMPANY – John Guthrie Dexter,MI(Washtenaw) 313.418.5676or734.475.8898
TUTHILL FARMS, SOUTH LYON
offers
stalls and pasture board on over 20 acres. Miles of trail riding on the farm Good location for trailering to nearby parks
Automatically get rid of flies, mosquitoes, and spiders. Safe and inexpensive to use. Used throughout Michigan for over 30 years We Install or Do-It-Yourself
SHOO-FLY INSECT CONTROL
BillTressler–517 927 8089
Webberville,MI(Ingham)
Email:bill@radiant-energy com (S-08/25)
HORSE BLANKET WASH
GOOD AS NEW BLANKETS – Horse blanket washandrepairservice 10yearsexperience
GOOD AS NEW BLANKETS –517 404 6336 2711E.GrandRiver,Howell,MI48843 Email:goodasnewblankets@gmail com Online:https://www goodasnewblankets com/
All Aluminum trailer- including floor. Like new condition $18,500 Big Rapids, Michigan 231 250-1292 (M-05/25)
SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES
We specialize in horse trailers: full living quarters with slideout, to smaller two horse bumper pulls. Cimarron, Lakota, Sundowner and Trails West Great selection and even better prices! SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES
CallJimKelly–616 887 34568955
SpartaAve NW,Sparta,MI(M-12/25)
Email:jkelly@spartachevy.comOnline: www spartachevytrailers com
PET & FARM SITTING
K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING: Need to get away, call K & J – 248 667 2185! Also HORSE ART, Books and Journals (links below): www zazzle com/store/thistlebrook/products https://www.amazon.com/stores/kimberlykingstad/author/B0BZSMTH7P?
K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING KimKingstad–248.667.2185callortext
Milford,MI(Oakland) (M-03/25)
SADDLE/LEATHER REPAIR
SADDLE, LEATHER & TACK REPAIR: Used saddlesandtackboughtandsold Certifiedwith 40plusyearsofexperience.
BIG BUCK SADDLERY RogerBurkowski–830.285.2080 Flint,MI(Genesee) (S-07/25)
SADDLE REPAIR & LEATHER WORK: New and used saddles and tack bought and sold. CompleteLeatherRepairavailable Manyyears ofexperience M-F9am-6pm,Sat 9:30-5pm
Mid Michigan's QuickBooks expert here to assist you with your business accounting needs. Sandalwood CPA specializes in equine and agricultural business taxation
Deadline is the 16th of the month prior to the Issue!
2025 Issue July 2025
Deadline: June 16th Deadline: June 16th
We produce two issues of Saddle Up! Magazine each month; one printed and one in digital format for online. Non-profit equine groups can now receive one full page, full color ad in our online edition FREE of charge. We ask one thing in exchange...
share the issue link that your ad appears in to your social media page(s). All ads must be online ready (7.13” W x 9.43” H). Limit one ad per month, per non-profit group Ad format: PDF or jpg.
WANTED/NEEDED: Horse Farms and Vacant Land of all siz and have great, qualified buyers that are
2025 Oakland County Open Horse Show Circuit
ALL SHOWS START PROMPTLY Friday at 6:30PM and Saturday at 8:30 AM RAIN OR SHINE
Pre-registration form: May 9-10 Kick-Off Show (Fuzzy Horse-Show Clothes Optional); May 30-31 Triple B’s; June 6-7 Mane 2 Tails Connection; Grand Finale Weekend: August 8-9 Paint Creek Valley
All shows held at Springfield Oaks County Park 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, MI 48350
Please see show bill for details at: www facebook com/OC4Hhorsecouncil/
Please see website for additional details at: https://oaklandcountyhorseshows.com/ Pre-Registration Form: https://form jotform com/243426553831154
