The Art of Staying in the Saddle

With Spring here I decided to write about favorite riding follies.  Having ridden since I was a little kid, I have seen all types of falls, spills, dumps and have been in a few myself.  My best friend and I have been riding together for about 10 years now, the other day we got to talking about all the different times we have fallen off each others horses, or been on rides where we had to switch horses with others, or have seen others come off.  We complied a list of the most memorable that could go on Funniest Home Videos. (Wish we had had a camera!)

Creek Diving

We went on a cattle round up a couple of months ago, a friends horse was being a twit, shaking his head, refusing to walk. I offered to switch, but she didn’t like the colt I was riding, so she switched with another friend. Part of moving cattle often involves crossing water. We crossed a creek, about 4 feet deep and 15 feet across. My friend rides the new horse up to the creek, he jumped in and sent her DIVING off into the water! It’s a long miserable ride, when your wet.

Side Ways Jumping

My best friend and I decide to go ride the two colts I was training. I had started them over fences and they were doing great, she wanted to practice as she was also learning, so we set up some little cross rails. She jumped the first, her saddle starting slipping, she jumped the second sitting sideways. The colt landed and off she went. He stopped and gave her the strangest look, no one had fallen off of him before!

Disappearing Horses

My mom started riding working cow horses (after years of riding english Tb’s), and leased a super cool gelding to ride, he didn’t know she was new to cutting and he got down and went to work, he went left and she went left, he went right and she went right then he just went and left mom standing on the ground where they started! He kept working the cow! Finally he quit the cow and looked at her as if to say, “why are you over there?” She still hasn’t figured out where he went, he was there then gone.

Alien Leg Wraps

I was riding a filly for some friends, I knew she could be a little skittish and was very prone to buck and buck hard, but she was being great that day, we had worked a couple of cows, practiced our rollbacks, and spins, she was tired, we were done, so I rode over to the fence, reached out and picked up a couple of polo wraps, thinking I would carry them back to the barn. HAHA, ladies and gentlemen do not try this on green horses. She made a very quick 180 in the opposite direction and proceeded to do her best imitation of an NFR saddlebronc. I made the bell, but no more.

If you ride long enough you eventually will fall off, its just a given, I figure I’m due for one every year or so, but I wish you the best of luck staying in the saddle, and remember if you do fall off get back on quick, that way no one notices.

Happy trails

The School Master

I met him 13 years ago on a cool wintery day in Oklahoma. I had seen him in the past, but had never worked with him or been up close and personal.

After months of searching for a replacement to my show horse, I was given the opportunity to train with the master. Oh, he would was wild and wooly looking, and none to happy to ride in a trailer for the 6 hour drive home, but it was a new beginning for both of us.

Nate as we called him, had very definite idea’s about life and training. He had a tendency to look down his long elegant nose at everyone. (Still does.) Nate wanted things his way full time and usually got what he wanted. His philosophy was, “Your either right or wrong, and if your wrong I’m not doing it.”

When Nate came into my life, I had multiple World 10 ten wins, regional championships, and was used to being told I was a very good rider. Nate was a master and would soon teach me how very little I knew.

Nate taught me that riding is more than sitting pretty, or even cueing for the movement with a light touch, he taught me balance, harmony with the horse, how to feel with my seat, and the art of Classical riding. I tossed everything I had learned about riding out the window and started over. The phrase, “you can never stop learning to ride,” took on new meaning.

Nate was and is a true master, a master of classical dressage, and more importantly a Master Teacher. I owe him for always trying what I asked, and for putting up with my learning curve. Now at 25 he has earned his retirement and will live the rest of his life hanging out in the pasture and eating well deserved carrots with much love and gratitude.

Summer Heat and Riding

For many of us summer is in full swing. Temperatures climbing into the high 90′s and a heat index over 100. If you live in one these “warm” climates here are a few recommendations to help keep you and your horses cool while riding this summer.

1. Ride in the early mornings or late afternoon/evenings when possible. If you need to ride during midday try to stay in the shade or gain access to a covered arena. By riding when its cooler there is less risk of overheating for both you and your horse.

2. Drink plenty of fluids. For the rider drink water or gatorade type drinks. Stay away from carbonated beverages that contain corn syrup.

Horses: check your horses water to ensure they drinking plenty during the heat. If you horse is not consuming at least 3 gallons of water a day try adding some electrolytes to their water or an additional pinch of salt to their feed.

3. Change your daily routine: If you normally ride for 1 hour at trot and canter  – increase your ride time to include several breaks for walking to help the horse cool off  and a water break for yourself.  Include supplying and stretching exercises in place of high energy work when possible.

4. Wear appropriate clothing: To help stay cool wear cotton clothing that reflects light (whites, yellows, oranges), other options for shirts include those made for fishermen that are vented on the shoulders.  If your riding English wear breeches designed for summer heat. If your riding Western try dance pants to help cool off your body.

5. Wear a neck cooler, or other coolant type vest, hat, or wrist band especially if you are porn to overheating.

6. Rinse your horse off after each ride and make sure you scrape off all excess water before turning them lose.

Happy Trails!

EHV – 1 Outbreak Information and Disease prevention

Update: The Horse listed in Texas as having EHV-1 has recovered. It is believed this was an isolated incidence not related to the Ogden, Utah show.

The EHV -1 (Equine Herpes Virus) outbreak is related to the Ogden, Utah National Cutting Horse show held in late April early May, 2011. Horses in 15 states have been reported with confirmed and suspected cases. Since the outbreak 9 horses have been euthanized due to severe neurologic symptoms. EHV infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease. The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

This is a highly contagious virus and can be transmitted through direct and indirect contact, as well as through the air. The virus is shed through nasal discharge of the infected horse. EHV-1 is a envelope virus meaning it is readily killed by soap and disinfectants.

Currently only horses attending the Ogden, Utah event and horses coming to contact with those at the show have confirmed or suspected cases of EHM. At this time we have 1 confirmed case in Texas.

Preventing disease spread starts with vaccinating horses against EHV-1 and EHV-4. The vaccine provides limited immunity, and can be given as a booster. This is especially important if you are hauling to shows or your horse is a boarding stable environment. Consult with your veterinarian about providing a booster to your horse.

The virus can be killed with soap and water, washing cloths, and using hand sanitizers. Its recommended that you follow basic disease control procedures and do not share tack, brushes, buckets, etc between horses who are traveling and those staying at home. The virus can live on an affected surface (stall walls, feed containers) for up to 48 hrs. The longer you can keep unexposed horses away from an area of exposure, reduces the chance of spreading the virus.

State Veterinarian offices are advising “new” horses to any premise have current health papers (within 72 hrs), be isolated from all other horses for 2 weeks, and limit travel to events. You should also check horses traveling and inbound horses to your facilities for fever 2 days prior to travel and for several days after arrival.

If you are competing and traveling to shows check with your breed or show association for new requirements regarding health safety, lowered point requirements, and travel restrictions. USEA, AQHA, and several other organizations have made changes regarding world shows and qualifying.

Thank you to the Horse.com for providing the EHV-1 webinar, and thank you to CSU for assisting and providing much the above information.

Here are a series of links for further information regarding this outbreak.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jul09/090715g.asp
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/afs13243/$FILE/equine_biosecurity_principles_and_best_practices_guide.pdf
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Biosecurity_instructions%201.pdf - excellent link with clear easy to follow information

EHV-1 Outbreak

Veterinarians in multiple states are in the process of determining the extent of an EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus) outbreak associated with the April 29 – May 4, 2011 Western Nationals Cutting Championship.  To date 2 horses have been euthanized and several are in quarantine.

Horses testing positive for the virus have been located in Utah, Washington, California, and Colorado. Cuttings in Tulsa, Oklahoma May 14-28, 2011 have been canceled as a precautionary measure.

Symptoms include fever, ataxia, weakness, rhinopneumonitis, and myeloencephalopathy, the virus is highly contagious among horses, but is not transferable to humans.

Vaccinations are available and highly recommended.

Information from the Horse.com and Erica Larson, News Editor.

Fire Safety and Horses

Texas is currently suffering from a severe drought and fire danger. The central Texas area including Austin and its surrounding community’s are not immune, as the recent Oak Hill Fire demonstrated . With the high fire danger its important to have a safety plan in place for our Equine companions. Here are few steps to follow to ensure your horses safety.

1. Have proof of ownership available at all times.

• Current pictures (front, rear, both sides, any unique markings)
• registration papers or bill of sale, vet records
• keep all information in a book or 3 ring binder in an easily accessible place

2. Have an evacuation route planned

• Check your trailer tires and floor to ensure trailer safety and ready use.
• If you don’t own a trailer, check with neighbors. Ask if your horses can ride with theirs, or if a trailer can be burrowed.
• If a trailer is not available for transport have a route mapped out to lead/ride your horses to safety.

3. Boarding and Fire Safety.

• Make sure your halter is well adjusted and has a tag with your horses name, your phone number and other emergency contact. Ask the owner/manager to make sure your horse is haltered with your halter.
• Ask the barn owner/manager for the evacuation routes. (You need to know where to find your horse afterwards)
• Make sure the owner/manager has copies of your horses coggins papers to allow for transportation.
• If there are not enough trailer spaces available ask to be notified immediately so you can lead/ride your horse to a safe location.

4. Practice your evacuation route.

• Ride your evacuation route and familiarize yourself and your horses with obstacles along the way.
• Drive the evacuation route and make note of any places cars, or other vehicles may jump onto the road.

5.  Practice loading your horse.

• Many horses will resist loading under the best circumstances, practice loading your horse at least twice a month.

Always practice good horse keeping and stay safe. Happy Trails.

Winter Weather Turnout

The recent cold spell has many horses confined to the barn, but before you turn out in the snow or damp ground this week here are a few items to check.

1. Hand walk your horse before turning out to reduce their desire to run and play.
2. Make sure the turnout area is free of ice. Ice can cause the horse to slip and fall resulting in injury.
3. Check fences for damage from ice, snow, and wind.
4. Limit turnout time for several days and limit exposure to cold.
5. Clean your horses hooves after each turnout and remove any ice or packed in snow.

Stay Warm!

Questions to ask When buying a Horse

This checklist is designed to ensure you thoroughly examine a prospective horse’s personality and suitability for your purposes. Questions to ask the owner of the horse are in bold. The other steps are things to look for in a potential equine. I recommend taking a notebook to help remember information about a particular horse.

When handling a horse for the first time always approach with caution and practice safe handling. Wear a helmet when mounted, always watch were you are in relation to the horse’s body, do not cross under a tied horses neck, and keep your hand on the horse’s rump when moving behind them.

1. Approach the horse from the side (approximately neck, shoulder area)
2. Judge the horse based on conformation (are the legs straight and clean, is the horse’s back shorter than his underline, does he appear well proportioned.)
3. Examine the horses eyes they should be clean, clear, and alert
4. Ask the owner the horse’s age, breed, and how they would rate the horses temperament on a scale of 1-10
5. Watch the horse haltered (look for aggression or fear from horse or handler)
6. Ask the owner to tie the horse to several objects (trailer, tree, barn, fence)
7. Watch the horse tied and untied several times
8. Watch the horse groomed and then groom the horse yourself. Does the horse attempt to kick when brushed around the flanks or shy away from being brushed on the face.
9. Pick the horses feet, examine the feet for signs of neglect (cracked hoof wall, thrush, or foul odors) Check that the horse will pick up all four feet.
10. Ask the owner how often the horse’s feet are trimmed/shod by the farrier
11. Run your hand (using thumb and first two fingers) down the horse’s spine, if the horse gives to the pressure, you have identified soreness in the horses back.
12. Watch the horse tacked.  How does the horse react when the saddle is placed on his back? How does the horse respond to the girth being tightened?
13. Watch the horse bridled.
14. Ask about the bit, what type is it, how severe is it?
15. If the horse is tacked using a tie-down or other martingale ask why.
16. Ask how often the horse is ridden and by whom?
17. Watch the horse ridden by its owner/trainer. Watch the horse for signs of discomfort or fear. (Head tossing, tail ringing, hunched back, consistent pulling on the reins, refusal to move forward, refusal to back up)
18. Ride the horse
19. While riding the horse ask him to trot, canter, back, sidepass, turn on its haunches, judge the horse on how quickly and easily it responds to the cues. Ask the horse to cross over small obstacles such as logs or poles.
20. Ask the owner how the horse responds to noise, such as car doors slamming, cars honking, paper bags, other common noises encountered while trail riding.
21. After riding the horse, unsaddle the horse and watch its reactions
22. Is the horse breathing hard, sweating excessively or not sweating at all

If you are still interested in the horse at this point ask the Owner the following questions.

1. Ask the owner about the horse’s is health history
   1. Has the horse ever coliced?
   2. Has the horse ever been injured (look for scars on the body)
   3. Has the horse ever been lame? If yes, why?
   4. When were the horses teeth last floated
   5. When were his feet done
   6. Last vaccinations – including WestNile
   7. Will the owner allow a pre-purchase exam with a vet or your choice

 

24. How many months/ years training has the horse had?

25. How often has the horse been ridden in the last year?

26. Who has ridden the horse the most in the last year?

27. How long have you owned the horse?

27. Does this horse require any special feeds, shoes, stabling accommodations?

28. What does he eat on a regular basis? What kind of feed, roughage?

29. Does he stand for the farrier, vet?

30. How often is the horse dewormed, shod

31. Is he easy to catch in the pasture?

32. How is he to handle after being out for a long time?

33. Is he used to being hauled? How often?

34. How does he react in new places?

35. Does the horse have any vices (biting, cribbing, kicking, etc)?

36. Why is this horse for SALE?

Write down the owners answers, and make any notes about the horse’s behavior, attitude, and rideability, this will help you compare the horse to others you have seen.

If you feel you have found the perfect horse, offer to make a small non-refundable deposit to hold the horse until it passes the pre-purchase exam. Once the horse has passed the pre-purchase exam the owner will expect payment in full.

You may also ask the owner to allow the horse to go on trial for 2 weeks, during which time you will insure the horse for its full value, loss of use, and death. A contract is usually drafted in this case to ensure safety of horse and both parties involved. Not all owners will allow the horse to go on trail.

I hope this list helps you with finding the perfect horse.

Happy Trails

 

Buying VS. Leasing

If you are unsure you want to accept full responsibility for the lifetime a horse you can look into leasing a horse to ride several times a week.  Many owners may offer a lease option if they are emotionally attached to the horse and no longer have the time to ride them.

Under a lease you are responsible for the horses care, nutrition, and maintenance but the owner retains all ownership rights to the horse. If you are taking lessons at a boarding/riding facility, your instructor may have horses available to lease. Prices for leases range from a zero monthly fee to ½ or all of the board owed each month. Partial leases entitle you to ride the horse several times a week. In some cases the owner allows you to use their tack preventing you from having to spend money to purchase your own.

Leasing is a great option if you do not own land but wish to ride and care for a horse. It is also a great way to become familiar with horse care, riding, and develop your skills before buying a horse. Leasing also provides you with a less expensive way to ride and be around horses.

It is wise to sign a lease agreement with the owner of the horse stating who is responsible for various expenses, such as major vet bills or accidents. Must equine professionals will have a lease that they prefer to use. There is not currently a standard lease contract available. You should also check your state laws to ensure the contract used complies with all statutes.

Owning a horse requires monthly and yearly expenditures.

The price of the horse is a hard cost. This cost will depend on your budget and the type of horse you buy.  I have given you a simple range to assist in calculating cost. Board is an adjustable cost: If you own land you do not have to board. If you are considering board locate stables around your area and insert the cost of boarding near you. The average cost of feed is between $10 – $15 dollars a bag. Feed and Hay are hard costs required to keep the horse in healthy condition. Hay is between $3 – $5 a bale for square bales. Round bales cost approximately $50 – $80 a bale for horse quality.  I have estimated the yearly cost of the veterinarian at $400 per year. This only includes the horses yearly shots and dental work. This cost will change depending on your location, the veterinarian, and if the horse requires any special medical care. The farrier comes every 6 to 8 weeks to trim/shoe the horse’s hooves. A trim will cost between $20 – $35 dollars. Shoes will cost about $60. Monthly Maintence cost on the horse include dewormer which costs about $14 per tube. Training is an adjustable cost, and is only needed if the horse you purchase requires riding by a professional. If you plan on taking lessons insert the monthly cost of lessons to help with your budget. The last hard cost is tack. Before buying tack do some research. You can purchase a bridle for as little as $20 or for a speciality bridle spend as much as $300. Saddles range in price from $100 to $3000. The average Western saddle sells for $600-$900. The average English saddle sells for $700 – $1500. The average yearly cost for a horse in central Texas on Pasture board is about $4500.

Total the costs based on numbers for your local area and determine the monthly/yearly cost requirements for owning a horse, compare this to leasing a horse and only paying a small monthly fee to have riding privileges.

Exert from Horse Manure Tastes Like Chicken. CopyRight Lydia Bagley.

Secretariat the Legend and the Movie

If you haven’t already been to see the new Disney Movie Secretariat, I highly encourage you to do so!  Disney did a great job telling the story of one of America’s greatest athletes.  You don’t have to be a horse lover to enjoy this movie.

Secretariat Trivia

Born in Virginia in 1970 to SomethingRoyal by Bold Ruler. Owner Penny Cheney (Tweedy) was able to keep the colt based on a coin toss.

Nicknamed “Big Red” he stood 16.2 and weighed almost 12oo lbs.

1973 Kentucky Derby: Secretariat won with a record time of 1:59 2/5. The most impressive part he ran each quarter mile faster than the previous. The first quarter was run in 25 1/5 and the last in 23 second flat.

1973 Preakness: Made a huge last to first place move on the 1st turn and won by 2 1/2 lengths. Recognized time of 1:54 2/5. After the Preakness he appeared on the covers of Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. (Only horse in history to be on the covers of all 3 in the same week)

1973 Belmont: Time 2:24 flat the fastest dirt mile and 1/2 ever run. Winning distance over field of 5 horses 31 lengths. Secretariat ran an average of 37.5 miles per hour. His records in the Belmont still stand.

Secretariat won a total 16 out 21 races in his career. He died in 1989 at age 19. His heart was found to be 2.5 times larger than the average horse. He would be remembered as a great race horse and broodmare sire.