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.

Featured Training Horse - Trooper

KS Bluestem Trooper Black is a coming 4 year old Morgan stallion. He belongs to Suzanne Avery, who raises foundation Morgans. With his eye-catching looks, talent, and good work ethic, Trooper was a lot of fun to have at the barn. We're going to miss him. If you are interested in foundation Morgans, be sure to check out Suzanne's website at http://www.kansasbluestemmorgans.com/.

Riding Sidesaddle

While we were planning our wedding, the idea came up that we should ride away from the ceremony on horseback. Ok, easy enough. But wait, I had always wanted to try riding sidesaddle. What better excuse could I have? Never mind those YouTube videos of sidesaddle riding brides gone wrong, it can't be that hard! So I borrowed a sidesaddle from a friend, and proceeded to practice. It's different than riding astride, but not as insecure as it looks at first glance. Rather than putting your weight down through your legs, you grip the leaping horn on the sidesaddle with your thighs, your left foot just barely resting in the stirrup. Your hips are tilted rather than perpendicular to the horse, which takes a little getting used to. Since you don't have a leg hanging down on the right side to cue the horse with, a crop or whip is used for a substitute. Mounting and dismounting were the biggest challenges, but that issue was solved with a tall mounting block. Despite making jokes about my dress ending up around my ears, the wedding day went smoothly, and we made a very pretty picture. Learning to ride aside was an interesting experience, and I'm glad that I decided to do it. We tend to get into ruts, and forget to push ourselves to try something new, or learn a new skill. The fear of embarrassment or failure can be a terrible cage, keeping us locked into the same old routine. So, go for it, and even if your dress ends up over your head, you'll have a really great story to tell!

KS Bluestem Reagan

Suzanne Avery sent me a link to this video, with permission to post as an example of one of my training horses. I sent Reagan home with about 3 weeks of riding, and he has done wonderfully. His new owner is absolutely thrilled with how well-behaved and solid he is. I can't take all the credit, because he was one of the most sensible babies I've ever ridden outside, but the things he's doing in the video are typical of what I expect a horse to be able to do at the end of 30 days. Here's Reagan : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq38pgwyWI

Back in the Saddle

As some of you know, I broke my leg back in April and haven't been training for the general public. I swallowed my pride, and used my older, beentheredonethat lesson horse for the first couple of rides back in June. It was ugly. I have a whole new understanding of how my lesson students feel. When you haven't developed the physical fitness necessary to ride (or have lost it from sitting on your butt with a broken leg), it's pretty darn hard to do things! Since then, I've been riding my horses and a select few outside horses, working on building my fitness level back up. Lessons learned from this experience:

• It gets easier, really.
• Consistency is key.
• Work on general fitness as well as riding-specific activities.
• Don't be in a hurry, but don't be sluggish either.
• Pay attention to your body position. If you don't use it, you aren't going to build muscle or develop a good seat.

My riding is back to nearly normal, and I'm starting colts again, but it's been an interesting road to recovery. If you start to think that you can't do something (I'm too old, too out of shape, too whatever), remember that with a good plan, some determination, and the right support system, you greatly increase the odds of your success. If it's something you truly want to do, don't give up.

Thanks Cheryl!

I'd like to thank Cheryl Manahan of the Wichita Riding Academy for letting me follow her around for a few days last week. She's been boarding, training, and teaching riding lessons for a number of years, and was nice enough to share some tips. I don't think I'll be switching to saddle seat any time soon, but it's sure fun to watch!

Congratulations to Paula and Stanley!

Clearwater Training Stables boarder Paula Guastello and her gelding Stanley are starting off the show season with a bang! At the KFQHA show in Lyons, KS, they earned the Novice High Point award, showing in halter, cattle, and pleasure classes. The picture is from the Aged Geldings Halter class, which they won handily. Last weekend a trip to Centerview, MO netted a first place in the Handy Ranch Horse and Ranch Pleasure classes. Congratulations, and good luck with the rest of the show season!

Another New Boarder

I'd like to welcome Paula Guastello to the barn. Her horses Stanley and Ruby arrived a week ago, and are enjoying being able to go in and out of their stall at will. Thanks for choosing to board at Clearwater, and here's to many happy hours of riding!

Pressure and Release

Horse Illustrated has a good article on Western training myths in the February issue. Sandy Collier, a reined cowhorse trainer, makes a really good point about how horses learn that I'd like to share. Myth No. 1 - "Horses that are strong in the mouth need a stronger bit," and Myth No. 5 - "Pulling on your horse makes him hard-mouthed" are really interconnected, and bring up a point that I notice with a lot of riders. If your horse is running through the bit, and not respecting your hands, oftentimes it is because you aren't releasing the pressure quickly enough. Horses learn from the release, not the pressure itself. If you aren't giving the "reward" for stopping by releasing the pressure on the bit, the horse doesn't have any incentive to listen to the signal given by the rider pulling on the bit. This becomes a vicious cycle when the rider starts using a stronger bit because the horse isn't responding, but doesn't work on improving their release. The horse will respond better at first, because the bit applies more pressure, but when the release doesn't come quickly enough to reinforce that that was the correct thing to do, the horse starts ignoring the stronger bit as well. So the rider switches to an even stronger bit. One of the most interesting things about starting colts, and training horses in general, is how quickly they pick up on things when your release of pressure comes correctly and consistently. They are looking and searching for that release, and it is incredibly effective in letting them know that they have done what you asked. When the release isn't there, oftentimes the horse becomes frustrated, or unresponsive. So for your horse's sake, think about how you are riding, and make sure to reward them with a prompt release of pressure when they do as you ask. One of the best things you can do for your horse is to always be learning, and trying to improve your riding and communication skills. Every time you ride, you are training your horse, for better or for worse.

Horse Holding 101

When you find a farrier that you like, you want to keep them as happy as possible. Working on a horse's feet can be back-breaking and potentially dangerous, but as a owner or handler there are some things you can do to make it easier. The latest issue of "America's Horse," a publication for AQHA members, has a great article on holding your horse for the farrier. It contains a list of do's and don'ts for horse holders, which I've summerized below. However, if you can, read the entire article, as it more fully explains each do and don't.

• DO: Relax
• DO: Stand on the same side as the farrier, except when the front leg is on the hoof stand
• DO: Square the horse up
• DO: Tilt the horse's head slightly toward the farrier
• DO: Keep the horse's attention - and pay attention yourself!
• DO: Keep a good hand on the lead
• DO: Use walls to your advantage
• DO: Keep the horse's head up
• DON'T: Allow nuzzling
• DON'T: Discliple without warning
• DON'T: Feed the horse
• DON'T: Use restraints you're unfamiliar with
• DON'T: Overload the horse's senses

Many of these tips also apply to holding a horse for a veterinarian. 

New Boarders

Welcome to Rachael Hull and Eleanor Harowicz! They both moved their horses in on Friday, and increased the number of horses in the barn by four. Thanks for deciding to board at Clearwater Training Stables!

How Do I Steer a Horse?

The first answer to this question is usually "With the reins, duh," but it's more complicated than that. Yes, most horses have been taught to follow their noses around, so if you pull on the reins, you pull their nose in the direction you want to go. But what about the rest of the horse? Or those horses that neck rein? That's where your legs come in to play. By using your legs when you ride, you can control the hip, barrel, and shoulder of your horse, not just the horse's head and neck. This allows the rider to be much more precise in the directions he or she is giving. Move your leg a little bit forward to push the front end around, a little bit back to move the hind end, ect. It's called body control, and is very important in today's performance horse. But it isn't just for people who show, or compete. If you've ever wanted to open a gate from horseback, or pick something up off the fence, or keep your horse straight while crossing an obstacle, you'll have a much easier time of it if you can control each portion of your horse's body. How do you do that? By using your legs as well as your hands to direct the horse. Sounds complicated? Don't think you're that coordinated? Practice, practice, practice. Take a few lessons. Have your horse tuned up a bit. Think about what your legs should be doing every time you move your hands. It's hard at first, but consistency is one of the keys to training, and by doing something exactly the same, at the same time, every time, it will become second nature for you and your horse.

Training Tenets

These are the things I keep in mind while training:

• Every time you interact with a horse, you are training it. Be conscious of this.
• Horses are incredibly good at reading body language. The horse is sizing you up from the moment you enter the pen or stall, trying to decide whether or not they have to respect and listen to you.
• Frightened horses don’t think, they react. You can’t train on a scared horse.
• A broke horse is a broke horse, no matter what the disciple. They should all be soft in the face and sides, balanced at all gaits, and exhibit a calm, willing attitude.
• The first 30 days of riding forms the foundation of the horse’s education for the rest of their life. Done correctly, it makes everything you teach them later in life easier. Screw it up, and you’ll spend the next several months or years trying to fix the bad habits they’ve learned.

Riding Lessons

Has your child been bugging you about wanting a horse or pony for Christmas? Not sure that they are ready for the responsibility, or have the skills necessary to ride and take care of such a large animal? Get them started in a riding lesson program instead. He or she will learn the skills necessary to ride and take care of a horse, spend time in an athletic endeavor, and be out of your hair for a little while. Even if they've ridden a little with grandparents, cousins, or friends, they will learn a lot more and be better equipped to deal with horses and ponies after spending time learning from a qualified instructor. Don't buy a horse on impulse, only to find out that it's more trouble than fun.