Apr 21, 2012
Packing With Your Horse
Packing 101
Does packing into the backcountry with a pack horse or mule seem too complicated to master? I had a similar experience with another backcountry skill.

Many years ago, I stood hip-deep in the crystal-clear waters of a stream near my home, enjoying a delicious day while trying to lure a rainbow trout with my fly rod. My casts were far from perfect, but on the third try, a big trout snatched the fly from the surface, and I knew for the first time the thrill of playing a trout on a light fly rod. I also kicked myself mentally for waiting until midlife to give fly fishing a try.

I’d been psyched out by the mysterious aura of fly fishing, by tales of “matching the hatch” with just the right fly, by fears that fly casting was far more difficult than fishing with familiar methods. Then a friend gave me a few minutes of instruction and said, “Just go do it.”

Many trail riders are similarly “psyched” at the idea of packing their camping gear onto a horse or mule safely and securely for a trip into the backcountry. They’ve heard about the mysteries of the diamond hitch, read about spectacular wrecks suffered even by experienced packers, and been told that packing is an art that takes a lifetime to master. More info...

Apr 17, 2012
Discount Cruises
Save Money - Have Fun
Discount cruises on Disney Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard, Crystal Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Costa Mediterranean Cruises. Cruise Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and more. Select your cruise: More info...

Apr 17, 2012
Whether You Ride English or Western, It’s Your Seat That Counts
Dressage
Shhh! Don’t tell my husband, but I’m getting him a dressage saddle for his 50th birthday.

Believe me, this isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. I’ve been saving my pennies and contemplating it for months, ever since he first showed interest in riding in a dressage saddle, which is a far cry from his Steve Mecum Western saddle.

But since he started using our riding instructor’s dressage saddle, his lovely Western saddle has just sat on the saddle tree in the horse trailer. He even finally brought it home.

But is he an English rider? Oh, heck, no. He still uses his Western bridle, complete with mecate reins, when he rides–even with the dressage saddle (the hybrid mixture doesn’t bother him at all, so I say nothing).

I would happily place a large bet that he’ll never pull on a pair of breeches. And I think my husband is a good example of many riders–it’s not the discipline of English or western we’re committed to so much as our comfort in the saddle. We’ll happily try whatever works, because when it comes down to it, riding is riding, no matter what style of seat you’re on, and being a good rider and enjoying your horse is what’s really important. More info...

Apr 17, 2012
10 Cost-Cutting Tips
By Bonnie Davis
Looking for ways to reduce expenses without sacrificing essentials during this economic downturn? Here are 10 ways to stretch your dollars.

1. Rethink boarding needs. If you board your horse, he might be just as happy and safe (but cheaper to keep) in a pen or pasture instead of a stall. Provide adequate weather protection, such as a run-in shed, enclosed shed, or even a grove of trees.

2. Trade labor for boarding fees. Talk with the owner of your stable about a barter arrangement, in which you perform weekly chores in exchange for reduced board costs. If that's not an option, earn money by providing services - such as turnout, under-saddle exercise, currying, deworming, or giving supplements - when fellow boarders go out of town. More info...

Apr 15, 2012
Horse Colic Prevention Checklist
Regular turnout is one way to prevent colic.
Preventing horse colic is a priority of every horse owner. And to make it easier for you, the editors of Horse&Rider magazine featured this handy checklist by veterinarian Julie Dechant, DVM, MS, DACVS, of the Equine Surgical Emergency and Critical Service at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis:
Tips to reduce your horse’s risk of many types of colic:
Feed a high-quality diet on a regular schedule; horses thrive on routines. Provide grazing–a horse’s most natural food source–as much and often as possible.
Make any changes in your horse’s feed gradually over several days to avoid upsetting your horse’s system.
Have fresh, clean water of a drinkable temperature available at all times.
Provide regular deworming and dental care to promote normal function of the digestive tract.
Give your horse daily exercise, through riding or turnout, to increase his intestinal motility and keep him in a good state of mind.
Check his environment regularly for toxic plants or substances.
Minimize stress by avoiding frequent changes to his management or routine.
If he’s in a sandy environment, place his hay in a feeder or on a rubber mat to avoid his ingesting sand (which can lead to sand colic).
Ask your vet about other regional colic concerns, such as enterolith (intestinal stone) formation in the sun belt; ileal impaction in the Southeast; and blister beetle toxicity wherever these pests may be present in hay.

Apr 13, 2012
Joy as Florida rescue horse delivers healthy foal
South Florida
The South Florida SPCA is celebrating after a malnourished pregnant mare rescued just six weeks ago gave birth to a healthy colt.

On March 4, the welfare group rescued 11 horses from certain death.

Although 11 horses were rescued, it was too late for at least seven other horses. Their carcasses and skeletal remains were found on the property. No arrest has ever been made.

President Jeanette Jordan said sorrow turned to unbridled joy this week when one of the horses rescued that day, a 20-year-old quarter horse named Connie, gave birth to a healthy, frisky colt.

The new baby boy has been named “Little Champ” in memory of Champ, another horse that lost his battle for life last week.

“For the past six weeks, we’ve been watching, waiting and praying that Connie, despite her severe malnutrition and deprivation, would give birth to a healthy baby,” Jordan said. More info...

Apr 13, 2012
Saving Money On Annual Horse Vaccines
by Laurie Cemy
Laurie A. Cerny has over 25 years experience in the horse industry as a journalist and communication professional and is a member of American Horse Publications.

She shows open, AQHA, Quarter Horse Halter Association (QHHA), and the International and the Michigan Ranch Horse Association. Here Laurie tackles the question, “How can I save money on my horse’s annual vaccines?” for us:

The first step in saving money on horse vaccinations is to know exactly what vaccinations are truly necessary for the horse(s) you have, and what particular diseases are an issue in the area you live.

Talk to your vet. Let him or her know the specifics of your horse management and how you use your animals; are they strictly backyard animals that never go anywhere, or do you show every weekend? You can also see what vaccinations are recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP); go to http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm More info...

Apr 13, 2012
Wrangler Trail-Riding Guide
The Wrangler Trail-Riding Guide is a handy reference guide to take with you on your trail-riding adventures.
More info...

Apr 11, 2012
Horse Training: What is Nagging and Over-correcting?
Horse Training Florida
The hardest working rider is the one that corrects just under the amount required to make a change in the horse. This is usually done by someone who is a little more sensitive than their horse. Once the rider understands that the sensitivity of the ride is determined by the sensitivity of the horse, they usually increase their correction to an appropriate level. Over-correcting is a problem with some riders as well. This is the rider who wants respect and they want it now. There is no discussion and that is final. The problem is that the horse will do what is asked of him or her but they end up looking mechanical and dead in their eyes. That is not really what we are after either. The rider who makes appropriate corrections is the rider who uses enough correction to get the job done but does it in a conversational way. Basically telling the horse he or she is not trying enough and they should consider using themselves a little more. For example an assertive rider will touch lightly with the whip and if no response is felt will go to a medium touch before going further up the scale. In this way the horse knows he or she needs to try harder but is not afraid of the rider. Sometimes we see very skilled riders coming in with very hard corrections. When they do this most of the time and their horses look mechanical at best. If the rider is very skilled they may do the requirements very well but their horse never seems to enjoy their job. The advanced riders have a huge responsibility to correct in a proper amount. The beginning and intermediate riders copy your behavior. Have a great ride every time – both rider and the horse! More info...

Apr 11, 2012
How often do you have your horse's teeth tended to?
Beyond Basic Equine Dental Care
Many horses with serious dental problems now benefit from a wide array of treatment options.
Most horses will get through life just fine with little more than regular dental checkups and occasional floating to correct uneven wear. But equine dental specialists also offer a variety of advanced treatments for those with more serious problems. Here are some of the therapeutic dental options available today.

Orthodontics
Many horses live quite comfortably with minor malocclusions—misalignments between the upper and lower teeth—but some bite defects significantly impair the ability to chew food. In these cases, orthodontic treatment can be beneficial. “We’ve started to approach developmental abnormalities from a functional orthodontic standpoint—actually changing the way the teeth interact with each other,” says Jack Easley, DVM, author of Equine Dentistry. More info...