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July 2013 Horse&Rider: Knockout!

June 17, 2013

I just got my editor’s copy of Horse&Rider’s July 2013 issue, and wow—it is a knockout, if I do say so myself, on our entire team’s behalf.

The Paint on the cover is Lets Play Bingo, owned by Rockin W Ranch of Chappell Hill, Texas. The rider is Carolyn Gunn. The image of “going for a good ride” is a good fit for our feature on a topic that’s seldom if ever addressed: how to convert a show horse into a safe, relaxed trail mount. Carrie Scrima, co-founder of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association, provides a how-to on helping an arena-trained horse make the transition.

Speaking of topics that are seldom if ever addressed, this issue also includes advice on how to best present and show an Arabian in Western pleasure competition. For this, we tapped a national champion in that subject, Arabian trainer, exhibitor, and coach Gordon Potts.

We go into the Unusual Topic zone a third time, with Dr. Barb Crabbe’s look at the unwanted horse population from a personal perspective. Personal, as in, where does personal responsibility begin and end for keeping one’s horses out of the ‘unwanted’ pool to start with? I expect to hear some buzzing about this one.

July’s issue also explores how to get confidence back after  fall, and how to transition your horse from a snaffle to a one-hand bit. We even picked readers’ brains for their best farm fixes so that you could borrow some of their ideas.

Enjoy, learn, and comment if you get the chance.

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!