It's not just about horses ...

I love seeing animal tracks in the snow. As I was riding yesterday, I noticed trails from rabbits, coyotes, deer, and other critters. It's so cool to see what path they took, where they stopped, and trace out their movements. It brings back memories of my grandfather teaching me the different tracks, and the wonderful hours we spent in the woods together. Rabbit tracks have always been one of my favorites, just because of the different way they look. I can vividly remember Grandpa drawing the snow the way their feet landed, to create such a weird design. That sense of wonder and awe at the beauty and intricacy of the natural world has never left me. My message to you, is to get out and explore. Especially with children. Horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, whatever it is. Nature surrounds us, grounds us, and reminds us that we are part of a much bigger whole.

What Makes a Horse Such a Great Athlete

One of my favorite classes at K-State was Equine Exercise Physiology. The changes that occur in a horse's body as they exercise are absolutely amazing. This video does a great job of summarizing how horses can run so fast. It does contain scenes from the dissection of a real horse, though, so be warned if such things make you queasy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHlqZ6VZvKE

Who's to Blame for the Poor Horse Market?

There has been a lot of finger pointing over the last few years over the crash in horse prices. Professionals blame backyard breeders for indiscriminately breeding horses, hobby horsemen blame the professionals for producing large numbers each year in the search for a big winner. Horse overpopulation coupled with a ban on slaughter and the economic downturn resulted in the market taking a nosedive.

However, fewer foals have been produced each year since then. The number of foals registered each year in the American Quarter Horse Association has been falling for several years, a trend reflected in other breeds as well. The results from the 2013 American Quarter Horse Association convention indicate that 2012 foal registrations were down by nearly half from 2004 (http://www.aqha.com/Showing/News-Articles/03082013-AQHA-Convention.aspx). So, if supplies are going down, shouldn't prices be going up? Law of supply and demand, right?

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Demand is strong for well-broke, well-mannered horses who are good at their jobs, whether that be showing or trail riding. Young horses, green horses, and those with vices are worth next to nothing. What's the solution?

GET OUT AND RIDE! As horse owners, we have a responsibility to our animals that includes making sure they are productive, useful members of society. Yes, there are people who enjoy having horses as "pasture pets," but wouldn't they be a lot more fun and more likely to appeal to new owners if you could ride or drive them as well? Get that young horse started, put more miles on the green one, seek help with correcting vices or bad habits. We need to put more effort into developing those well-broke, well-mannered horses that everyone enjoys riding. Yes, it's going to take effort and/or money, but it will make you a better rider and your horse more marketable should you ever want or need to sell him.

INTRODUCE NEW PEOPLE TO HORSES! Be welcoming to newcomers and those who express interest in horses. Invite them to come meet your horse, recommend a place to take riding lessons, be a helpful, friendly ambassador to the horse industry. Common misconceptions such as "you have to be young to learn to ride" and "horses are too expensive" discourage people from pursuing an interest in horses. The more people who are involved in riding, driving, and horse ownership, the more homes and demand there will be for horses. This doesn't just affect horse prices, it affects the availability of horse-related goods and services. More people with horses equals more shows, more tack stores, more riding trails, all sorts of good stuff that benefits us all.

So stop the finger pointing, stop complaining, and get out and do something about it. The past is the past, and can't be changed, but the future is wide open.

Where Should I Go To Find Boots?

New students often ask where they should shop for riding boots. There are several places in the Manhattan area that carry Western boots, but my favorites are RB Outpost , which is north of Manhattan on 24 Highway, and Vanderbilt's in Wamego. Both have a very large selection of men's, women's, and children's sizes and styles.

If you haven't bought boots before, here are a couple of things to look for:

• A smooth sole that will slip easily in and out of the stirrup. Leather-soled boots tend to be slippery on wet surfaces, so save those for the dance floor.
• Boots should fit tightly across the instep of your foot, but it's normal for your heel to slide up and down as you walk. 
• If you are going to be wearing spurs with your boots, a spur rest on the heel is nice. This won't be a concern for most beginning riders. 
• "Fat Baby"-style boots are NOT riding appropriate. The thick, textured sole makes it hard for your foot to slide out of the stirrup in an emergency.

Questions? Feel free to contact me and I'll help as best I can! 

CTS Lesson Students Bring Home More Ribbons

At the Black Jack Saddle Club show on September 22, Clearwater Training Stables students Mirah and Ashley once again had a great time and did well in their classes. Due to an unfortunate scooter accident, Ashley broke her arm and hasn't able to ride for several weeks, but showed super lesson horse Anchovy in the Halter and 10 and under Showmanship classes, where they received 6th and 4th places, respectively. Mirah took over Anchovy for the 10 and under Walk/Trot Western Pleasure, where they received 4th place, and then once again won the 10 and under Western Pleasure class. A great feature of the BJSC shows is that they have additional prizes for the youngsters, and both girls chose bags of apple treats to reward Anchovy for a job well done. Great job girls!

Let's Go To A Show!

Congratulations to lesson students Mirah and Ashley, who attended their first horse show Saturday, put on by the Black Jack Saddle Club of Manhattan/Wamego. Ashley placed 2nd in Walk/Trot Western Pleasure 10 and under, and Mirah took 1st place in Western Pleasure 10 and under. Seasoned show and lesson horse "Anchovy" took good care of them both. Way to go girls!

Hank the Steer

I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap bovine to introduce horses to cattle, and managed to find one a couple of weeks ago. Given that I only have one, and he's rather unusual looking, of course he had to have a name. So "Hank" is now living a life of luxury, munching on hay and stocker/grower pellets and occasionally emerging to help teach horses that cows won't eat them.