Innehållsförteckning för September/October 2017 från Young Rider

Have you been dreaming of a horse of your own? If so, you’ve probably read every horse book you can (and of course, Young Rider mag). You’ve been taking lessons and learning how to ride and take care of a horse. When you’re finally able to make your horse dream come true, it’s important to find a good match. I found my first horse right at my own lesson barn. My riding instructor paired me with Teddy, and I loved him from the first time I rode him! I leased him first, and eventually he became mine. Teddy was my best friend, and he was the perfect first horse for me. I was lucky that I didn’t have to look far to find Teddy. If you are starting your search…

Congratulations to our 2017 BreyerFest ticket winner, Lexi Vonetes! If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to go, Lexi shared her diary of a day at BreyerFest with us. 6:00 AM: Beep! Beep! My alarm clock sounded. I excitedly jumped out of bed and got dressed then headed to the hotel lobby for breakfast. 7:30 AM: Arrived at BreyerFest. 9:00 AM: Gates open! We picked up some freebies like BreyerFest pencils, posters, and magnets. Then we went to the covered arena to watch some of the shows. 10:00 AM: Met Nazruddin, the Marwari horse. I loved him! Then I got Guy McLean’s autograph. He is really nice and funny, too. Last but not least, I met Spanky and Dally, the Mini horse and dog team. They are so cute.…

There are so many things to think about when you’re riding. Is my position correct? Is my horse moving right? But one big factor influencing your horse’s way of going that you may never have thought about is saddle fit. Imagine what it might feel like to your horse if there is an uncomfortable pressure point digging at his back every time your weight touches the saddle. Not very good! And he certainly won’t be able to relax and do his best work until he’s in a saddle that fits well. Step 1: Check the Width Saddles are built on a frame called a tree, usually made from wood, although some are plastic, metal or carbon fiber. The shape of the tree determines the fit and width of the saddle.…

Pre-Purchase Exam QUESTION: How can you tell if a horse is healthy before you buy it? ANSWER: When a buyer is considering purchasing a new horse, often the veterinarian is called out to perform a pre-purchase examination (PPE). The goal of the exam is to detect any possible lameness or health problems before the sale goes through. The vet will check vital signs, eyes, and teeth for any abnormalities. She will feel all four legs, looking for lumps, swelling or any other signs of a problem. The feet are evaluated for soreness with a special instrument called a hoof tester. The vet will also look at how the horse is built, including conformation of feet, legs and body. After the initial exam is completed, the horse is walked and trotted…

Samantha has been leasing Chick , a 19-year-old chestnut mare, for three years. Chick is a double registered American Quarter Horse and Quarter Pony. They show at 4-H events, breed shows, and the All-American Youth Horse Show (with two top-10 placings this year!). You name it, Chick does it: western, English, contesting, jumping, trail, and freestyle reining. Chick takes good care of Samantha, with the occasional disapproving “Chick side-eye.” Samantha and her family love Chick so much that they bought Chick’s daughter, Peep, for Sam’s next show pony. Sam’s younger sister, Waverly, will be leasing Chick next season. Sammy rode Gretta, a bay Welsh Pony, for four weeks at Touchstone Farm sleepaway camp. When she first arrived, Sammy was feeling a little nervous wondering which pony she would be assigned.…

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Bring your barn style along with you as you head back to school with these super cute horsey desk décor ideas! Step 1: With the help of an adult, hot glue a Mason jar lid to the band. Next, hot glue a small toy horse to the top of the lid. Step 2: Spray paint the entire lid your favorite color. Make sure to have an adult help you with this part, too! Step 3: Once dry, fill your new school supply jars with your favorite markers, crayons, pencils and erasers and set them on your desk. SUPPLIES • Mason jars • Hot glue gun & glue stick • Small plastic toy horses •…

As a horse-crazy kid, you’ve probably been asking your parents for a horse as long as you can remember. And they finally said yes! You are excited for a horse of your own, but where do you start? Follow our guide to finding your first horse. Horse Shopping Goals Your main goal is to find a horse or pony that’s appropriate for your riding ability. You want to be able to have fun and feel safe in the saddle. What you want to do with your new horse? Some horses can do a little bit of everything—this type of horse is often referred to as an “all-arounder.” If you are really into a specific sport, like barrel racing or jumping, you’ll want to look at horses already trained in that…

HOW TO ENTER Your parents can email a photo to yreditor@luminamedia.com. You can also mail your entry to YR Me & My Horse, 470 Conway Court, Suite B6, Lexington, KY 40511. You will need your parents’ permission to enter. Please be sure to include your name and age, the horse’s name, your mailing address and parental contact information (email and phone number). Model prizes vary each month; approximate retail value $45. Deadline for entries is October 2, 2017. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or District of Columbia, ages 8-16. You must get permission from your parents to enter. Email entries must be received between 12:00:01 AM PT on 8/24/17 and 11:59:59 PM PT on 10/2/17. Mail-in entries…

Thanks to Julie Witt and Lewis for being our super-cool models at Lucky Dog Eventing! It’s not hard for both you and your horse to work up a sweat while you’re riding. A horse’s body temperature is 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he exercises during your ride, his body temperature increases—which is natural—but if his temperature increases too much, it can be dangerous for his health. In hot weather and in cold, bringing down the temperature of your horse after a ride is super important. Janet Johnston, DVM, an emergency and critical care veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, offers these six steps to cool down your horse after a ride. 1. Take a walk. Just like you warm up for your…

✔ Have you been taking lessons for at least a year? ✔ Can you groom and tack up your own horse? ✔ Can you ride and lead a horse with minimal help? ✔ Do you have time for a horse? If you’re on a bunch of teams and do lots of after-school activities besides riding, think about whether you will have time to ride and take care of your horse every day. ✔ Can your family afford it? The purchase price of a horse can range from free to thousands of dollars, but horses come with lots of regular monthly expenses. You and your parents will need to budget for board if the horse will live at a boarding barn, feed, farrier and vet care, and other expenses. These costs…

Getting to know the Paso Fino starts with a little language lesson. In Spanish, paso means walk, and fino means fine. The Paso Fino is literally the horse with the fine walk! Paso Finos can walk, trot and canter like any other horse, but they also have an extra, very smooth gait that can be performed at three different speeds. FAST OR SLOW  The classic fino is slow in forward movement, but the horse’s feet move really fast in short, quick steps. The paso largo moves forward very fast but has a longer stride. The paso corto is the medium speed, in between the fino and the largo . Speed and stride are both moderate. At all three speeds, each foot hits the ground individually, which is why the gait…