Trainers
Clinton
Anderson - Downunder
Horsemanship
Lance
Shockley- Shockley
Farm and Stallion Station
Steve Schwartzenberger - Schwartzenberger
Equine
Darren Miller - Darren
Miller Stables
Guy Vernon - Vernon
Performance Horses
John
Lyons
- John
Lyons Certification Program
Larry
Trocha - Larry
Trocha Training Stable
(read a great article 'Dream
Horse or Problem Horse')
Top
of page
General
Tips
How
to tie your own simple
rope
halter
The
Western Performance Horse (How to Select
the Right One for the job)
Bridle
& Bit
Dan's
Soapbox (Common sense hoof care)
Additional
information on equine management or in hard copy form by contacting
the local Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service office, usually listed
under county government in local directories.
Aged
Horses Have Special Needs
By
Donald Stotts
Requests for recommendations about nutrition and feeding guidelines
for older horses are on the rise. Aged horses seem to be growing
in popularity, particularly among hobby horse enthusiasts, said
Dave Freeman, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service equine specialist.
"That's the reason for the increased number of requests,
and the reason why feed manufacturers have increased the number
of formulations designed specifically for older horses,"
Freeman said. Nutrition is extremely important to combat loss
of weight and condition as a horse ages. The natural aging process
causes older horses to become less active, less efficient in digesting
foodstuffs and have a reduced appetite. Aged horses also are stressed
more easily.
"Horse managers should take a three-prong approach to nutritional
management: optimize intake, optimize digestion and reduce animal
stress," Freeman said. Palatability of the ration is important.
Horses prefer immature pasture forages rather than stemmy, mature
grass. Similarly, different grain formulations and the physical
form of grain mixes influence the desire to eat. Many older horses
prefer pelleted or extruded forms of grain mixes rather than whole
grain diets.
"This desire may be related more to dental condition than
anything else, as extruded or pelleted feeds may be chewed more
easily," Freeman said. Also, older horses may not want to
eat as much at one time as younger animals. "Commonly fed
levels of fresh, high-quality grain may need to be split into
more frequent feedings throughout the day if grain cannot be left
in feed bunks because of competition from other horses,"
Freeman said.
Since depressed appetite may affect the adequate intake of nutrients,
it is recommended that total rations provide at least 12 percent
protein, 0.3 percent calcium, and 0.25 percent phosphorus. "Be
aware that energy density requirements may increase, so more grain
as a portion of the diet may have to be fed," Freeman said.
"The inclusion of fat-added grain mixes is another popular
way to increase energy intake without feeding large amounts of
ration."
Some horse managers who do not use commercial grain products designed
for older horses meet additional nutrient needs by feeding more
legume hay as a portion of the forage, or by switching to a grain
mix formulated for horses in heavy states of production or growth.
"At some point, older horses will lose their pecking order
in the herd," Freeman said. "Younger horses may drive
them away from feed, or they many not eat as readily as other
horses."
Freeman recommends older equines be grouped with less competitive
horses, or be split off into a separate group comprised entirely
of aged horses during feeding periods. Environmental extremes
also will increase stress. Older horses should have access to
shelter that provides adequate protection from cold, wet or excessively
hot weather.
Health programs also must be maintained. Hoof care and frequent
health examinations become increasingly important as a horse ages,
as does dental care. "Good dental care can affect intake,
digestion and stress reduction," Freeman said. "Loose,
damaged teeth, uneven wear, sharp points and missing teeth are
common occurrences in older horses."
An equine veterinarian can provide advice on specific dental care
needs and the frequency of examinations after an initial inspection
of the horse. Freeman said some equines age well with respect
to dental needs, while stablemates of similar age may need dental
care several times a year.
Top
of page
Trail
Clubs
No Tenderfoots Trail Riders
AQHA
Recreation
Saddle
Tramps Adventure Rides
Larimer
County Horseman's Association (LCHA).
Johnstown
Saddle Club
CLICK
HERE
Gymkhana ($4 per class, 4 office charge)
Scott & Shelly Hayden
587-5179
Barrels, poles, keyhole, cross poles, speed barrels, dash class,
flag race
* I-25 to Berthoud exit (county 44) go East
* Go past county road 13 and county rd 15
* The Johnstown arena is on the South side of the road about 4 miles
from I-25
Top
of page
Miscellaneous
*Treating
Founder (Chronic Laminitis) without Horseshoes Click
here
*Hoof
Rehabilitation Specialists Ivy and Pete Ramey
It's all about growing a healthier hoof! Click
here
Spotted
Fever Ranch
Click
here
"The
Ranch" - Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex Click
here
My
Little Sister's Jokes Click
here
Horse
Astrology Click
here
Horse
Numerology click
here
Every
creature counts Click
here
Where
do pet store cats and dogs come from? Click
here
Tack
Info & Saddle Links
Fitting
a western saddle
©
McMaster Custom Tack, Inc
Saddle Fitting
A saddle that doesn't fit your horse properly can give rise to
all sorts of training and health problems. A saddle that doesn't
fit you properly will be uncomfortable to ride in and will throw
you out of position.
The main feature of the saddle which dictates whether it will
fit your horse or not is the width of the gullet. All horses'
backs are not created equal, ranging from the prominent withers
of the Thoroughbred to the rounded, mutton withers often seen
in Arabians and Quarter Horses. If the saddle you choose has a
gullet that is too wide, the saddle will press down on the withers.
If the gullet is too narrow, the saddle will pinch.
Other points to consider are the balance of the saddle when it
is on the horse, are the pommel and cantle level, or does the
saddle tip backward or forward. A saddle that doesn't sit level
will create uncomfortable pressure for your horse, as well as
making it difficult for you to maintain your position.
As well as fitting the horse, it's important that the saddle fit
the rider. A saddle that is too small will cause discomfort as
you bump against the pommel at every stride (believe me, I've
been there) A saddle that is too large will have you swimming
around trying to maintain your position. Ideally you should be
able to place your flat hand between you and the cantle when seated
in the lowest part of the seat.
How To Fit The Rider
Measure from the base of the horn straight back to the top middle
edge of the cantle.
You
should feel comfortable in the saddle, having adequate clearance
for your legs and stomach. You should not feel jammed into the
seat. You should have about 4 inches in between the front of your
body and the pommel/fork. Your seat needs to rest against the
base of the cantle but not be squashed against the rise of the
cantle. The fender length should allow your leg to rest comfortably
in the stirrup.
How To Fit Your Horse
1) Stand your horse on flat, even ground.
2)
Place the saddle on his clean dry back without a pad or girth.
Make sure you set the saddle on his back starting at the withers
then slide the saddle down towards his back, letting the saddle
settle where it wants. A properly fitted saddle should rest nicely
into your horse's back.
3)
Check the skirt. Does the skirt follow the shape of your horses
back? The skirt should conform to the shape of the horse's back.
The skirt should not stick out away from the horse's back. The
skirt should not be too long. If the skirt juts into the horse's
hip it may cause your horse discomfort and may impede his movement.
4)
Check for balance. Step back several feet to view the saddle from
the side of your horse. The billets should follow the contour
of your horse's girth area and the flat area of the seat should
be parallel to ground. Note: The pommel should not be higher than
the cantle, however the cantle maybe higher than the pommel depending
on style of saddle.
5)
Check pommel/fork clearance. You should be able to place four
stacked fingers between the horse's withers and the pommel/fork.
On a new saddle if you can fit more then four fingers, it's too
narrow, less then three it's too wide. The clearance will shrink
to 2 1/2 stacked fingers after the saddle breaks in.
6)
Check for gullet clearance. From the same position in step five,
look down the gullet of the saddle making sure there is clearance
the entire run of the back.
7)
Look at the horse's shoulders. Make sure the saddle flaps follow
the contour of the horse's shoulder and is not pinching anywhere.
8)
With a new saddle it is always recommend to try the saddle. Remember
to research the saddle trial/return policy at the store you are
shopping before adding stirrups and a girth to the saddle. When
you test ride the saddle go through your regular routine. Paying
close attention to where the saddle places your leg and your body.
Making sure you can rise out of the saddle at the trot without
hitting the pommel. Can you get out of the saddle in order to
jump? Does your horse feel like he can extend as he normally does
or is the saddle pinching the shoulder hindering his forward movement?
These are just a few good things to look for when trying a new
saddle.
9)
After the test ride, check the pattern of your horses sweat marks
after you remove the saddle. The area under the saddle should
show consistent sweat marks, you should not see any dry areas
or areas that are excessively wet compared to others. If you do,
the saddle does not fit your horse properly. The saddle is sitting
or pinching certain areas of the horses back unevenly.
Western
Saddle Size Chart - Fitting your saddle to you
Your Size: Appropriate Saddle Size
Youth
13"
Small Adult 14"
Average 15"
Large 16"
X-Large 17" & up
Western
Saddles Consist of These Different Bar Widths For Proper Saddle
Fitting:
1.
Standard Quarter Horse bar - fits 80% of all western horses.
2.
Semi Quarter Horse bar - fits higher withered horses with narrow
shoulders.
3.
Full Quarter Horse bar - fits flat or "mutton Withered"
horses.
Note:
All of the saddle fitting steps listed here are subjective and
comes with several options, please use this information as just
a general guideline and nothing more.
To
be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.
Dear Dogs and Cats, The dishes with the paw prints are yours and
contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.
Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of
food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish,
nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't
help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very
sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the
couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl
up in a ball when they sleep.
It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched
out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking
tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end
to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom.
If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door
shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the
knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.
I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been
using the bathroom for years--canine or feline attendance is not
mandatory.
The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's
butt. I cannot stress this enough!
To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message
on our front door:
**************
To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About
Our Pets.
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off
the furniture.
(That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted
son/daughter who is short hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't
speak clearly.
Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called.
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college,
AND
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children
Top
of page
You
know you are a horse addict if.......
Your
most relaxing and therapeutic moments are when you are shoveling horse
manure.
You would rather be dumped by a horse than a man.
When a horse bucks you off, you get back on it.
"""Bling"" to you has something to do with
tack vs. jewelry.
You kiss your horses before you kiss your husband in the morning.
You always grab a horse magazine at the local feed store.
You enjoy looking at a horse's hip as much as at a man/womans behind.
You would rather sleep in the barn with your horse than with your
spouse
You spend more time feeding your horse than you spend feeding your
family.
You decorate your hair with hay.
You examine every piece of rope or twine for its halter potential.
You think a great vacation is spending a long weekend in front of
a horse trailer by a dusty arena.
You take your children's temperature and think 102* is normal.
You prefer the smell of a stable to cologne.
You're in a better mood when you can smell a horse barn.
You sleep with your boots on and count horses to fall asleep.
Your laugh is beginning to sound like a whinny.
Instead of giving someone directions to turn left or right you tell
them to "gee" or "haw".
You still have your childhood horse statues in your bedroom.
Your morning chores include gloves, boots, a coat, and either coveralls
or chaps.
You talk to your horse more than you talk to your spouse.
You spend more time at the feed or tack store than at the grocery
store.
You want to spend every minute of your life with your horse.
You cannot afford new shoes for yourself or your kids but the Horseshoer
comes every 8 weeks to put new shoes on your horse.
Your mail is mostly tack catalogs.
Your favorite "pets" food is measured in tons.
Your barn is cleaner and more organized than your house.
Your saddle costs more than your living room furniture.
Your vet bill is larger than your Dr. bill.
Your horse trailer might as well be welded solid to your pickup as
it is rarely unattached.
You wish you had a second pickup so you wouldn't have to unhook your
horse trailer.
You use your horse's shampoo on yourself because it is better than
your own.
You have a farrier bill large enough to deduct from taxes.
Your vocabulary consists of words like: Laminitis, colic, thrush,
rain rot, cribbing, wormer, West Nile, founder.......
Your feed bill is bigger than your grocery bill.
Most of your shirts have pictures of horses on them.
Your criteria for purchasing a new vehicle includes: Does it have
a tow package, how large of a horse trailer will it tow, what kind
of pulling power does it have.
You are on a first name basis with the local veterinarians and their
staff, and also with the vets and staff of the nearest (and sometimes
farthest) Equine Hospital.
You try to draw something and no matter what it turns out to be a
horse.
Your favorite word is whoa!
Your outfit includes horse hair.
You can expertly braid your Andalusians mane but don't brush your
hair.
You think nothing of eating a sandwich after mucking out stables.
You know why a thermometer has a yard of yarn attached to one end
of it.
You are banned from Laundromats.
You can magically lower your voice five octaves to bellow at a pawing
horse.
You will end relationships over your horses.
You insure your horses for more than your cars.
You know more about your horse's nutrition than your own.
You have Neatsfoot oil stains on the carpet right next to the TV.
You engage in a hobby that is more work than your day job.
Top
of page
|
