Log In Sign Up

Tornado Survival: Wear Your Riding Helmet

May 22, 2013

If you live in tornado country, chances are you’re on higher alert after Monday’s historic tornado devastation in Moore, Oklahoma.

Here’s a tip that comes straight from that tragic event: When a tornado is imminent, protect your head with a helmet. A football team in Moore was saved from the leading cause of tornado fatality (head injury) by the helmets worn during games and practice.

Worth remembering: Your riding helmet could serve the same purpose. Keep it at hand during tornado season, put it on as soon as you see or hear that a tornado is approaching, and teach other family members to do the same.

It could make all the difference during those terrifying moments of flying debris, uprooted trees, and collapsing buildings.

Fresh From the Press, Horse&Rider’s June 2013 Issue

May 20, 2013

Horse&Rider’s June 2013 issue is out, and it’s cover horse is Huntin Big Dreams, the 2012 National Snaffle B it Association Horse of the Year and AQHA World Champion in junior Western pleasure.

The issue itself covers a lot of bases–timely ones. For instance, in the feature about vitamins and minerals in a horse’s diet, you’ll find out what they do, where they come from, and why good pasture and hay are so important.  It’s prime time for fencing in many parts of the country, and if that’s on your To-Do list, one of this issue’s other features will guide you with fence-planning dos and don’ts.

Meanwhile, back at the arena, trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight explains common training jargon in how-to-do-it terms. This is a must-read for anyone who’s ever been frustrated by trainer lingo in a lesson!

Another trainer/clinician, Jonathan Field, provides solutions to common trail-riding problems.

Regular contributor Clinton Anderson continues his series on how to start a colt under saddle.  This month’s topic is on how to use the saddle itself to desensitize your colt before you get on him for the first time. Another regular, Bob Avila, discusses the importance of teaching new skills to older horses.

I hope you’ll get a chance to explore this issue and discover its other stories. And don’t forget to stop by at HorseandRider.com, too, for the issue’s online content.

What Happens When You Trail-Ride Your Show Horse?

April 24, 2013

As part of this week’s H&R To Do list, I’m reviewing an article we’ll be running soon on the topic of transitioning a show horse to the trail.

Yowza–the very thought of that brings back memories!

I took my late all-around show horse out on the trail after retiring him from competition, and he did not share my enthusiasm for the career change. At least not at first. In an arena, he was one of the best-broke horses that ever lived. Put him out into the natural world, and nobody (recognizable) was home. It took lots of miles and trials before trails were any fun or either of us.

That seems to be a fairly common story. Has it ever happened to you with one of your horses? I’ll bet you have some stories! Did he ever come around?

‘Green’ Horsekeeping Qs for You on Earth Day

April 22, 2013

April 22: Earth Day. A perfectly good day to open a discussion about ‘green’ horsekeeping, and any tips or thoughts you might have. So I’m wondering:

* In the effort to contribute to the betterment of the environment, have you made any changes to how you keep or care for your horses? If so, what did you change?

* Do you take environmental issues into consideration when purchasing products to be used on your horses, your gear, your rig, your pastures, or around the barn? If so, please elaborate.

And thanks for checking in!

Discuss: Your Best Barn/Farm Improvements

April 18, 2013

Safer. Easier. Money-saving.  More attractive.

With those benefits in mind, what can you share about the best improvements you’ve made to your horsekeeping facilities?

I’d like to hear about what you’ve installed or changed, and how it’s been a benefit. This would be useful info for other horse owners to have, and could even become the focus of a future article in H&R.

To get your juices flowing, I’ll mention three of mine:

* Installed rubber mats in all stalls, the barn aisle, and in washrack. Easier cleaning, bedding lasts longer, no more ‘pee craters,’ better cushion for standing and lying down.

* Added hot-water source to washrack. No more cold-water bathing (the horses thanked me), and useful for cleaning tack and equipment as well as horses.

* Installed heavy-duty eye bolt on a sidewall in each stall. Invaluable for training the equine occupant to tie and for hanging up a haybag.

Ok—your turn!