Indholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2023 i Horse & Rider

TRAVEL Denver, Colorado WHAT National Western Stock Show RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining WHEN January 7, 2024 A Display of Horsemanship Like No Other Among the hustle and bustle of the National Western Stock Show, the RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining remains a crowd favorite. With consistent sold-out performances, that bring together equestrian enthusiasts of all backgrounds, this event never disappoints. Reiners from across North America are invited to submit their names for this invitation-only performance. Fourteen riders compete for a purse of more than $27,000, under the bright lights of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). TRAVEL Colorado In the heart of Denver, Colorado, the NWSS is an exhibition of agriculture, equestrian, and livestock education and competition. Among other popular events, the RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining is a crowd pleaser, featuring…

The young girl taking care of the geriatric mare while her owner was out of town had called my emergency pager in a panic. “Misty has a terrible wound on her withers,” she gasped through her tears, “I need help right away!” When I arrived, I could smell it from across the barn. The gaping wound was big, gooey, and painful to the touch. It was also located right under where the horse’s blanket normally rested on her withers. The poor girl had taken the blanket off to groom the old lady in the owner’s absence. Unfortunately, that blanket hadn’t been taken off in a very long time. Think this could never happen to you? Don’t be so sure. You might be surprised to learn that this wasn’t a place…

Ironically, one of the worst starvation cases Aiken Equine Rescue has taken in arrived at their farm in November 2020, close to Thanksgiving. They named him Pilgrim. Pilgrim’s gaunt frame was covered in rain rot and infection. He had open sores and large scabbed areas over his entire body. Pilgrim had so many issues related to starvation, weakness, decreased immunity, hypothermia and gastrointestinal problems which led to severe bouts of colic. He suffered from extreme dental problems as well as hoof deterioration. Physically, he was struggling and very uncomfortable. Mentally, Pilgrim was fearful of humans and difficult to handle. The staff and volunteers worked tirelessly, offering kindness and slowly building trust. Dental problems made it difficult for him to eat traditional feed, but he slowly began to improve. As his…

“REROUTING,” IF YOU WILL, has always been one of my biggest challenges. I’m not talking just in terms of horses, but in all aspects of life. Call me crazy but I genuinely believe there isn’t a single thing I can’t make happen. However, this instance involves my best mare, the dreams and goals I had for her, and the lessons learned by having to reroute my best laid plans. Finding the One It started back in 2019. My husband, who is a farrier for a local breeder, suggested I look at one of their colts by one of my favorite studs. Like most of us, I’m incredibly particular about what I look for when horse shopping, especially when it comes to yearlings. The colt was well-built and had a mane…

What Is Thrush? Any horse is susceptible to developing thrush if kept in an unclean stall or muddy paddock, or if dirt and manure is allowed to build up under the hoof. The condition usually begins in the clefts alongside the frog on the underside of the hoof. Hooves with deep clefts and narrow heels provide an ideal environment for growth, though thrush also happens even in flatter, wider hooves. Horses shod with therapeutic pads are also at risk, as the bacterium can develop between the hoof and pad. How To Recognize It Once thrush takes hold, it’s fairly simple to detect, as it emits a foul odor and appears as a black pus-like fluid. The black color of thrush will be visible in the clefts against even the gray…

As with any athlete, horses are prone to sore muscles due to the physical exertion they undergo during training and competition. Exercise essentially strains your horse’s muscles, causing them to break down. The body then heals itself and produces an adaptation—it increases its fitness! While soreness doesn’t equate to an effective workout, a little bit of tenderness is usually inevitable. You can take steps to prevent and care for sore muscles in your horse to ensure they are recovered, comfortable, and can perform. Know the Signs If you’ve been riding intensely, you may already suspect that your horse is sore by the way they feel under you. But it’s always a good habit, especially when you’re riding consistently, to look for signs of soreness during your regular routine. When you’re…

➞ Everyone has those days when you wake up with a case of a bad attitude. Maybe you face a task you don’t want to complete, didn’t get a good night’s sleep, or something else. But with some proactive thinking, you can change your attitude to get through the day. Or maybe you don’t, and then your next day mimics the one before, until it becomes a cycle you have to break. Your horse can face a similar situation and express it by pinning his ears when you go to catch him or turning around and biting at your boot once you’re in the saddle. It’s up to you to adjust his attitude to keep it from becoming habit. Here’s the course of action I recommend to prevent his grumpy…

➞ THESE MARES WOULD BE TYPICAL OF what I see in ranch conformation classes, with more casual presentation than a regular halter class. I always begin by assessing overall balance, then structural correctness to back up that balance. I’m looking for the horse that will provide the smoothest ride and stay sound through a working career the longest. In ranch conformation, mares, geldings, and stallions show together, and do take into consideration a mare’s feminine traits. To stay organized and find the best horses, I put my classes in groupings, with the horses that are free of major faults in my top group, and any horses with major faults in my second group. I find the best in each group, and that helps me place them in an orderly manner.…

Effects of Equine Feeding Methods Feral and wild horses can spend about 16 hours per day grazing. Changing their access to food can affect their natural behavior and lead to health problems. To understand these changes better, Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers looked at several feeding methods, including free-choice feeding or unlimited food access, slow-feeder, which also allows unlimited hay access but requires the horse to pull hay through a net, and an automatic box feeder. Read the results of this study at bit.ly/equinefeedingmanagement. AAEP 69th Annual Convention Takes on California What: American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention When: November 29–December 3, 2023. Where: San Diego, California. The Details: The AAEP Annual Convention & Trade Show stands as the global pinnacle of continuing education in equine practice, offering over 100…

It doesn’t matter if your trip is 10 minutes or 10 hours, hitting the road unprepared with horses is like sending an open invite to potential disaster. Things can go wrong in the blink of an eye, and having your trailer prepared, your travel plans detailed, and your horses ready to rock, will all help mitigate any potential problems that may arise. Traveling in general can be stressful, and when you add horses into the equation, it can be no small feat to get on the road in a timely and organized manner. Here is my pre-trip checklist that helps make for a smooth trip—and keeps my horses safe and my peace of mind intact. Rig Maintenance Matters A mistake I often see people make is neglecting their truck and…

Well, folks, after nearly 25 years of writing articles, first for The Trail Rider Magazine and then Horse&Rider Magazine, we have reached the end of our trail. This will be our last regular article, and we will be off spending more time riding than writing. However, you may see an article from time to time if a special adventure awaits. We’re going to miss this chapter in our lives, but we have another one waiting to be started. Over the years, it has been a privilege and an honor to write articles for our readers. You have inspired us with your stories, motivated us with your enthusiasm, and rewarded us with your smiles and automatic friendship. As photojournalists, our goals have been to share horse traveling ideas, inspire folks to…