“So You’ll Never Take a Dressage Test?” Part I

by Alice Trindle

I hope this article finds each of you having experienced a wonderful holiday season, and now ready to look toward 2008 as a year of new and deepening understanding with your horse. I recently read a quote by Johann Friedrich Von Schiller that seemed to sum up my personal visions for the upcoming year: “Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.”

I reflect back on how many times we have said in our clinics that horsemanship is really quite "simple," it is just not "easy." Now, that doesn’t take anything away from the blessings we receive from working with horses--not the least of which is pure joy and fun! So as I look forward to the activities of 2008, I am going to keep in mind that pursuing my passion for understanding horsemanship will take a four-letter word…work, combined with the patience to practice the basics in order to gain a measure of the wisdom that horses have to share. I am also drawn to two words that were emphasized to me during this past holiday season…humility and service. With these semantic ingredients, perhaps I have found the recipe for the over-arching theme for my 2008 clinics: working with patience to discover through the horse what is the best of our humanity, while giving and receiving unconditional service. I am so excited!

Looking Ahead
For the upcoming year, we have a great line-up of article topics in this ‘Beyond the Basics’ series exclusively in Northwest Horse Source magazine. In keeping with the original premise of providing readers with very practical exercises to apply to their personal horsemanship development, we have created a year-long series that looks at three BIG topics. Over the winter months, we will look at the benefits of pursuing the classical dressage training scale and how these age-old principles can prepare both horse and human for great riding experiences, including how these principles can help people make decisions about getting into riding at a later stage of life, or returning to horses after a sabbatical.

Over the spring months we will tackle one of my favorite subjects…riding outside the box! These articles will give you great ideas for riding games beyond the walls of the arena. From helping those of you pursuing trail classes with all sorts of obstacles, to seeing how cows can help the dressage horse enjoy his training tests, this series will keep your horse happy.

The final series breaks down a huge subject that really is the essence of horsemanship…training. Often times it is only people who want to start their own horse that take on the deep responsibility of learning to use tools that will help to establish a willing attitude with balanced movement. However, these same tools and the exercises you can accomplish with them are the critical foundation for all our horses, no matter where they are in their training. We will examine the use of some traditional cowboy tools such as the lariat, flag, and round pen, as well as looking at the more classical tools of the whip, the surcingle, and square pen liberty work. We "western-types" have so much to learn from the dressage folks…and vise-versa. Open minds and open hearts make for a better partnership with horses--and humans!

So let’s get started with this month’s topic...

Investing in the Study of Dressage
At first glance, I may have killed about one-half of the readership’s interest, as you are saying to yourself, “I will never ride a dressage test, so why would I want to study dressage?” The answer is, quite simply, in the semantics. The word dressage means training. Classical dressage, or intense studying/training of the movements of the horse, was first developed primarily for military warfare purposes to allow the rider to escape from incredibly dangerous situations. Not only did the horse need to be schooled in the basic movements with rhythm and balance, he also needed to know how to defend the rider from the ground attacker, and therefore learned to use his weapons--primarily his feet and legs --in amazing movements called "airs above the ground." By rearing up in the levade or jumping straight up and kicking out with the hind legs (the capriole), he could protect himself and his rider. The essence of these movements is still being preserved today as an art form in such classical riding schools as the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, the Cadre Noir in Saumur, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera, and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Lisbon.

Why, then, should we mere mortals--who are probably not interested in military pursuits with our horses--want to study the principles of dressage? Again, quite simply, it gives us a clear system of principles we can use to train the human and the horse...one based on thousands of years of study. It truly is "so old that it is new again."

From the human’s perspective, dressage gives us not only the training tools to help develop the horse athletically and mentally, but also calls us to a higher standard to be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to become a good leader. From the perspective of the horse, dressage principles provide clear, step-by-step exercises to achieve; when combined under the watchful eye of a good rider, these exercises blend into a symphony of movement. This dance is not limited by the costume worn, the country in which it is being performed, or the breed of horse. The concert that is achieved by applying mindful dressage--thoughtful training--is universal in my book. From the court in Vienna to the cow pastures of eastern Oregon, it is a joyful noise!

Getting Started...Again
In the past several years I have had the pleasure of working with many people who are getting into playing with and "training" horses in later life, or are returning after years without riding. Many of these folks happen to be women who find they now have the time and means to pursue their life-long dream. Equally so, I have encountered many people who rode when they were younger, and are now returning to horses for joy, companionship, and maybe even to participate in smaller equine competitions. In both of these scenarios there is often a wee bit of trepidation and fear involved with both riding a horse and safe ground handling. It is here that this series of articles, "Investing in the Study of Dressage," can give you a template for fun and safety.

Thousands of years of study have yielded some practical steps to help humans develop a willing and safe partnership with their horses. The dressage training scale is a great place to start preparing the horse and rider, in the saddle and on the ground, to have a positive experience. In next month's article, we will examine how this training triangle can provide a picture for all of us to pursue no matter what discipline we enjoy, or where we are within our horsemanship journey.


For now, begin to think about your personal definitions of the elements in the training scale and examine how they apply to you and your horse, both on the ground and in the saddle. How does rhythm apply to your everyday life? Do you walk with rhythm as you are doing your shopping? How does balance play a role with rhythm and perhaps influence the timing of your movements? Does rhythm affect your attitude?

Get the picture? Over the next few months we are going to dissect the training scale and look at each element's depth and possible implications. In the end, I can guarantee you will be walking with better posture, completing a safe dance with your horse, and most importantly, having fun with dressage--the training of you and your horse!

Is Manure Happening to You? Part 2 of 2

by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water

Stockpiling manure behind the barn eats up a lot of valuable space, plus it is annoying and unsightly. You and your neighbors probably don’t appreciate the odors, insects, and runoff it causes. In addition, in many parts of the country there are laws that prohibit an uncovered manure pile from accumulating for too long. Last month, we began with two alternatives to simply stacking stall waste and the pros and cons of each. This month, we finish off with three more.

Remember that all manure management options begin with cleaning stalls and picking up the manure in paddocks, pens, and turnout areas on a regular basis, at least every 3 days (to help break the parasite reinfestation cycle). Also, you need to cover your manure pile or bin with a tarp, plastic sheet, or a roof. Covering prevents the valuable nutrients you're saving for the pasture from being washed away.

Give Away All the Manure Produced on Your Property
Advantages: If you advertise well and your pile is in a good location, you may be able to attract enough people to take all your manure. This is a useful option for small horse places without pasture or enough land to utilize the manure produced. This works particularly well in urban areas where neighbors are avid gardeners or natural landscapers.

Disadvantages: Manure can be harder to get rid of than compost, and it can take time and effort to attract enough people to your site to get rid of it all. If your manure pile isn’t easily accessed, it can be a nuisance to meet and help people interested in taking it. This is not as feasible an option for commercial facilities that regularly generate large volumes of material.

Costs: Advertising is the primary expense, although there are many creative ways you can advertise for free, such as on the Internet, in flower and garden clubs, or at local nurseries. If you will be generating larger quantities of material, you may want to give it away in large amounts. In that case a tractor with a front loader makes your product more “attractive” for the small gardener with a pickup.

Give Away or Sell Your Compost
Advantages: Compost can be a lot easier to give away or even sell than manure. If you’ve got nice compost, you probably won’t have to work too hard to get people to come and take what you produce. If you’re able to deliver it to landscapers, tree farms, or topsoil companies, you may be able to charge for it and actually make money on your compost.

Disadvantages: Composting requires an initial investment and ongoing labor, the amount of both dependant on the size of your operation. You’ll have to put some time into researching companies that will pay for compost, and you most likely will have to haul it to their site.

Costs: The costs of getting a good composting system started vary, but you may be able to make a profit on your investment. If you’re hauling your compost off-site, you’ll need equipment for loading and transport.

Haul Manure (Or Have it Hauled) Off Your Premises on a Regular Basis
Advantages: May require less energy and time on your part than the options above. Paying to dispose of manure off-site may be the easiest way to go if you have a mountain of manure, lack storage space, or don’t have time to research or implement other options.

Disadvantages: If you have to hire out for this it can be more expensive than other options, and it requires an initial time investment to research potential sites.

Costs: If you have the equipment to do your own hauling, you can haul your stall waste to a composting facility or topsoil company. Some compost or topsoil facilities rent drop boxes they will deliver and empty. They usually charge pick-up, rental, and disposal fees. Check with your local garbage hauler or shavings supplier, as they may be able to pick up and haul away stall waste as well. (Note: In this situation, be sure that stall waste hauled off your property is going to a renewable use and not to the landfill. Stall waste is a valuable, renewable resource and should not end up taking up space in a landfill.)

Having a manure management system on your horse property is part of responsible horse ownership; diligence about manure management is just as important as properly fitting tack, a sound nutrition program, trailering safety, and the many other aspects of owning horses. The benefits are many: proper manure management will reduce the parasite load for your horse; cut down on mud, flies, odors and runoff; improve pastures and reduce costs for fertilizers; improve the neighborhood esthetics; and make the environment a lot healthier, too. And with an effective manure management plan in place, you will know just what to do when manure happens!

Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne

Did you miss part 1 of this series? Find it in our old archives.

Cherry Hill's Horsekeeping Almanac

Keeping horses healthy and happy is all about establishing good routines and following the natural cycles of the animals and the land. Nobody knows this better than Cherry Hill: professional horsekeeper, lifelong horse lover, and author of more than 30 books on horses. Her routines--daily, monthly, and seasonally--are the framework for Cherry Hill's Horsekeeping Almanac, a goldmine of horsekeeping knowledge for all horse enthusiasts.

Month by month, Hill touches on every issue likely to affect horses, horse farms, and the people who care for them both. Each month opens with a brief description of what's happening on the farm, followed by personal notes on specific, month-appropriate topics. Also included are recurring reminders, to-do lists, reference charts, climate notes, equine wit and wisdom, a word of the month, and an "Ask Cherry" section featuring seasonally relevant excerpts from her newsletter.

Cherry Hill is an award-winning author of more than 30 horse books and DVDs and more than 1000 articles for various publications. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their horses.

Storey Publishing, 2007
576 pages, illustrated
ISBN: 9781580176842
http://www.storey.com/

Preparing for Natural Breeding

by Nicole Lanphear

‘Tis the time to prepare for breeding season! For a successful season, there are several things to keep in mind. While natural breeding, or “pasture breeding,” is used less regularly than artificial insemination, Mother Nature still has some benefits that current science doesn’t.

Preparing for Natural Breeding
Careful planning and preparedness can help to avert several of the drawbacks of natural breeding, which include a higher risk of infection and injury. Overall, natural breeding gives a higher chance of getting the mare pregnant while artificial insemination, despite its lower risk of injury, has a lesser chance of impregnating the mare.

Breeding healthy horses is key for the overall success and health of the mare and stallion—not to mention the foal--no matter which method you choose. Both stallion and mare owners should have the animals inspected prior to breeding to ensure quality and success. Because natural breeding has the risk of infection that artificial insemination doesn’t have, having a vet-check is one way to protect your mare or stallion.

For the Stallion
Regular exercise without over-straining the stallion will keep him in prime condition for natural breeding (careful attention to the mare’s condition will also help prepare her for the event). Injuries with natural breeding are generally mild, and commonly include bites and scrapes; more severe injuries include kicks to the stallion’s penis, but even then, most horses eventually recover. The more interaction a stallion has with other horses on a day-to-day basis, the better behaved he will be in a pasture breeding situation. For in-hand breeding, experienced handlers are also able to minimize the risk of injury.

One way to give a stallion more experience is to turn him out with one mare in a secure pasture, and then if the experience is successful, add more mares to his harem. Most of the time, the stallion will be able to impregnate all the mares of the group.

For the Mare
Now is the time to introduce your mare to artificial light 12 hours a day, says Dr. Ron Friedman of the Oregon Equine Reproduction Center. This tricks the mare’s brain into thinking the days are longer and spring is here. She will then start her cycle earlier and be prepared for breeding. Also, a breeding soundness check at this time of the year will identify any problems, especially in a mare that has had previous trouble conceiving.

The prepared mare will have a regular cycle and no uterine infection or inflammation. Avoid a headache by having the mare examined before she is taken to the stallion or breeding farm.

Successful Breeding
Returning the animals to nature allows the horses to relax and without surrounding stresses, the likelihood of pregnancy increases. Although it may take some time, in pasture breeding the mare is able to regulate and dictate when she is most ready to become impregnated. This process can’t be compared with artificial insemination.

Pasture breeding healthy mares produces a pregnancy rate of 90 percent, while in-hand breeding produces a rate of 80 percent. International Competition Stallions, a breeding company in Great Britain, shows a 75 percent success rate with artificial insemination, but the rate varies with each stallion. As with natural breeding, artificial insemination conception rates can be higher when the timing is right.

Racing thoroughbreds are required to breed naturally, and those breeding farms are highly managed. Because they are so meticulously maintained and overseen, the natural breeding has a high success rate. But natural breeding is not for everyone.

AI as an Alternative to Natural Breeding
Artificial insemination can be less costly than transporting a stallion or mare, and is more accessible for those mare owners who can ship semen from across the country if there is no suitable stallion in the area. The procedure is less stressful on the animals than if they have to be transported for a natural breeding, and it is quicker than in-hand or pasture breeding. There is also less of a risk for spreading disease.

Because of this, AI has gained greatly in popularity, but only you can decide which method is right for your own breeding program. Before deciding to breed, evaluate which technique is most practical for you and your horse. Also, consult a vet or expert and make smart decisions in the choice of stallion and your commitment to raising a foal.

The best time for pasture breeding is April through June, so the time to prepare mares and stallions is now. Healthy diet and exercise over the first few months of the New Year will make the time for natural breeding smoother.

Don’t let the cold weather fool you – spring will be here before you know it, and nature will take its course. The sooner you begin preparing, the better your chance for success.
--
Proper procedure and advice from local breeding experts or veterinarians is essential. Some resources in the Pacific Northwest include:

Reproductive Revolutions
Newberg, OR
www.reproductiverevolutions.com

Puget Sound Equine Reproduction Center
Snohomish, WA
www.pilchuckvet.com/services/horse_repro.htm

Oregon Equine Reproduction Center
Lake Oswego, OR
www.oregonequine.com/reproductionpg.html

Rocky Bay Equine
Vaughn, WA
www.rockybayequine.com

Your Hard Drive will Disappoint You

by Doug DeVries

I've written this article before. Why am I writing it again? Because I keep hearing the same thing from people. Here is how the conversation goes:

"My hard drive makes a clanking sound when I turn it on."

"That's not good. Your hard drive has probably failed."

"Aaaack! ...all my photos, business accounting, and documents are on it! Help!"

"Oh, don't worry, it's pretty easy to restore your data from a backup." (This is said with much sympathy.)

"Backup? I don't have a backup!"

This is usually when the person either starts to cry uncontrollably or yell, "No, no, no, it can't be!"

It really is a sad situation...with digital cameras, email, accounting, and everything else we do on the computer, it is amazing to me that people don't consider the need to back up their files. Your computer will fail, your hard drive will die...it is not if, but when. You need to be prepared.

Several options exist:

1. Buy some blank CDs and copy all of your important files from My Documents to the burnable CD. Don't forget to finish the "burn process."

2. External "thumb drives" can be used to store a copy of important files.

3. A second hard drive can be installed and used to make a mirrored copy of your regular hard drive.

There are several backup programs available. Each of them will take some time to set up, get working, and keep working. If it is too much, find a support company to help you with the setup.

Hard drive failure can happen any minute...are you ready?

Do I Have to Clean That?

by R. Paul Schwab, D.V.M.

Always frequent questions for veterinarians: "How often do geldings or stallions need their sheaths cleaned?" "Do you have to clean them?" "Why do they need cleaning?" As with any question, there are multiple answers depending on the horse.
The sheath houses the penis and associated loose folds of skin that stretch out and expand when the horse either has an erection or “drops” the penis to urinate. The skin inside produces a thick secretion called smegma. Smegma helps to moisturize and protect the skin of the penis and inside of the sheath. Because the inside of the sheath is a dark, moist space that doesn’t get much air, this smegma has a fairly foul odor.

During the summer and fall this smell can really attract flies, which can be very aggravating to the horse and induce skin irritation and allergy on the belly around the sheath. Of even more concern is the "bean." The bean, as it has been named, is a mass of smegma that collects in a cavity that surrounds the end of the urethra (the urethra is the tube in the penis where the urine comes out). If this bean gets large enough, it can actually put enough pressure on the urethra to prevent urine flow. This can be life-threatening if not caught in time.


How do wild horses survive without sheath cleaning? Well, wild stallions (no geldings in the wild) are breeding multiple mares in their group, which naturally removes/cleans these secretions. Geldings obviously aren’t breeding mares, so they may need more cleaning. Every horse is different on the amount of smegma they produce and may vary in how clean they keep themselves. Not every horse always drops to urinate, so the urine really makes the inside of the sheath a mess.

Horses that need sheath cleaning may have swelling in the sheath area, discharge, or even discomfort. Some horses will stretch out to urinate, but the stream will be weak or not flow at all. These signs can be confused with signs of colic.

Some animals will let you check their sheaths without sedation, but it can be risky. A great time to check sheaths is during routine sedation for teeth floats or other veterinary procedures. Usually, the sedation will relax the muscles of the penis so that it will drop and a complete exam can be accomplished.

When cleaning the sheath, it is important to remember that the smegma is there for a purpose. It moisturizes and protects the penis and the inside of the sheath. If it is cleaned too much or with products that dry and irritate, there will be more problems than with no cleaning at all. There are commercial products that are made specifically for cleaning, such as Excalibur®; mineral oil works for breaking up the smegma as well. Never use surgical-type soaps or wound cleansers such as Betadine or Chlorhexadine. Warm water from a hose helps to remove both debris and soap.

Above all, be careful. There are many horses that allow their owners to check and clean the sheath, but it is very easy to get kicked while working under the horse's belly. Also, “beans” can be difficult and sometimes painful to remove.

Stallions are of special concern when it comes to sheath cleaning. Smegma can harbor bacteria and viruses that can be spread to the mare during breeding. Stallions that are used frequently for breeding are inspected and cleaned often when they are about to breed the mare.

Take-Home Messages Concerning Sheath Cleaning:
1) That yuck is there for a reason
2) Don’t clean too often
3) Be careful!

Ask your veterinarian to check your horse’s sheath during times the horse is sedated. They can show you how to clean it and if it even needs cleaning at all.

January Spotlight

Flying Monkey Ranch, The Original Rough Weather Chaps
Looking for a comfortable, easy to wear, lightweight option to help stay warm and dry while riding this winter? Flying Monkey Ranch Rough Weather Chaps might be right up your alley.

"I put these chaps through their paces in rain, wind, and weather temps down to 26 degrees, and they kept me warm, dry, and are very comfortable to wear," says NWHS's K.C. Cowdrey. "An added bonus is that they’re very light weight and easy to stuff into saddle bags, plus they can be washed in your washing machine. This is one product that will be a staple in my saddle bags."

Made of Polartech POWER SHIELD ™, Flying Monkey's chaps conform to a woman’s curves comfortably. Not only do they keep you dry and warm, but the breathable fabric ensures that you won't become overheated in hotter weather.

For more information visit www.flyingmonkeyranch.com or call 208-478-6969

AYHC Seeking Nominations for Inaugural Partnership Award
Strong leadership for young horsemen and women now will ensure a vital horse industry in the future. With that in mind, the First Annual American Youth Horse Council Partnership Award has been created to recognize an organization, program, or formal activity that provides leadership and inspiration to young people in accordance with the overall mission of AYHC as exemplified by its motto, “Connecting Kids Through Horses.”

To receive an application form, contact AYHC at 719-594-9778, www.ayhc.com, or info@ayhc.com. Nominations close on January 31, 2008.

Professional's Choice Releases Norfields Magnetic Therapy Products!
Professional’s Choice Sports Medicine Products and Norfields Magnetic Therapy products have joined forces to raise the bar for equine health and soundness. Norfields will bring its patented, clinically proven, magnetic therapy benefits to Professional Choice’s Sports Medicine Products.

The Norfields line includes an array of products that use bipolar magnets to promote circulation and speed recovery from joint and muscular injuries. Scientific studies have shown Norfields Magnetic Therapy increases circulation and cuts recovery time from soft tissue, bone and joint injuries while aiding in the relief of pain and soreness, as well as the stiffness associated with arthritic conditions. The Magnetic HockWrap, KneeWrap, Shin & TendonWrap, and Magnetic Bell Boots are available in tack stores now.

To locate an authorized Professional's Choice dealer near you, call 800-331-9421 or visit their website at www.profchoice.com.

Equine Affaire, America's Leading Horse Exposition, Returns January 31-February 3, 2008
Equine Affaire, the premiere horse exposition in North America, will return to Fairplex for the eighth time. The event's legendary educational program will include more than 150 different clinics, seminars, and demonstrations by highly renowned national and international trainers, competitors, and coaches. Additional event highlights include a Youth Pavilion designed specifically for young riders, more than 350 exhibitors in one of the largest equine trade shows in the country, a Breed Pavilion that will showcase a wide variety of breeds from around the world, and, for the first time at the event, Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race on Friday and Saturday evenings.

For more information call 740-845-0085 or visit www.equineaffaire.com

Parelli's "Success" Series DVD – Reviewed by K.C. Cowdrey
If you are looking for a nice ‘Reader’s Digest’ version of the Pat Parelli Training Series, then Success will be a “must have” for your video library collection.

The series starts out with “Horsenalities,” where you learn how to compile your horse's unique “horsenality” so that you can best approach training through that horse's individual learning style; then, the series moves into how to safely handle your horse and build respect for riding from both the rider's and horse's perspective. Also included is how to collect your horse and get successful lead changes.

This series is not designed to be comprehensive. In Pat’s own words, it is a “Reader’s Digest” version, more of an overview of his programs to either refresh things you may have already learned in his various Level DVDs, or it’s a good place to learn which of his various Level DVDs would help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of technique and method.

The series is a 10-DVD set with each DVD including a handy pocket reference booklet for use when you’re out actually working with your horse. Overall, Success is a nice introduction to Pat’s more comprehensive Level DVD series.

One With the Horse

An Open Invitation from Bedu Arabians

Ten years ago, Rod Friese bought a horse as a gift for his wife and daughter. Little did he know at the time that one horse would lead to a farm with world class Arabians and two distinct breeding programs. Still, the spirit of love and giving that started it all remains on the farm that Friese shares with his wife, Dawn, and two children, Brittnay and Nate.

It Begins With a Name
In the beginning, the Frieses searched for a name that would speak to their passion for horses and dedication to their quality of care. They found that name in Bedu, a word meaning "to become one with your horse" in certain dialects of Arabic. Bedu Arabians embraces that principle by putting care of their horses above all else.

Click here to read the full story.

The Arabian Horse

"An Arabian will take care of its owner as no other horse will, for it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed." ~Sheikh Mohamed

The origin of the Arabian horse remains a great zoological mystery. Although this unique breed has had a distinctive national identity for centuries, its history is nevertheless full of subtleties, complexities, and contradictions. The subject is hazardous, for archaeologists' spades and shifting sands of time are constantly unsettling previously established thinking.

The very nature of the breed, its shape as well as its color, was influenced by religious belief, superstition, and tradition. It was believed that the bulging forehead held the blessings of Allah. Therefore, the greater the "Jibbah," the greater the blessings carried by the horse. The great arching neck with a high crest, the "Mitbah," was a sign of courage, while a gaily carried tail showed pride. These traits were held in high esteem and selectively bred for.

Historically, the Arabian has maintained a reputation as a horse of beauty, intelligence, courage, endurance, and romance. Because he was bred and reared in close contact with man from the earliest records, and existed in mutual interdependence, he developed an unequaled ability to bond with humans. He is gentle, affectionate, and familiar, almost to the point of being troublesome. Foals, for example, have no fear of man, and are usually indifferent to sudden noises.

Show classes in English and Western pleasure, cutting and reining, even jumping and dressage, provide opportunities for fun and enjoyment at both all-Arabian events and open breed shows alike. Today, with more living Arabian horses in the United States than in all other countries in the world combined, America has some of the best horses and breeding farms from which to choose.

Information in this Breed Profile excerpted with permission from the Arabian Horse Association website, www.arabianhorses.org. Photos provided by Kristi Hopp at Bedu Arabians www.beduarabians.com. Top photo: Kingston, owned by Kristi Hopp . Bottom photo: Arieana, owned by Bedu Arabians.

A Letter From the Editor

by Deb Taber

After a year here at the Northwest Horse Source, it seems time to step up and introduce myself. As a horse person, I'm mostly a bystander with just a few handfuls of lessons and trail rides under my belt. Still, horses have been a part of my life from a very young age, through books and stories, movies and imagination. Fact or fiction, it didn't matter. All through school, I read breed histories and how-to texts in between Walter Farley and Marguerite Henry. I begged to go riding on every birthday, every vacation. I saw the Rocky Mountain National Forest and criss-crossed the Rio Grande on horseback as a result of that persistence.

It comes as no surprise, then, to find myself the editor of a horse magazine. While my current reading tastes are far more varied than they used to be, I love reading everything that comes across my desk here at NWHS. Our columnists have taught me much, and even if I have no horses to train or care for, their lessons are often applicable to other aspects of life: prepare, be patient, and work for clear communication and understanding.

That sounds a lot like an editor's job.

I hope that all of you have enjoyed the past year with NWHS as much as I have. As we begin 2008, I'm pleased to bring you a full lineup of columns from all of our great writers, as well as a highly informative look at the basics of breeding with AI and TCS techniques (see page ??).

I'll also be using this space to give you glances at what's ahead for NWHS and to respond to reader comments and concerns. Is there something you want to see in NWHS as the year unfolds? Just send a note to editor@nwhorsesource.com. In the meantime, have a great 2008. May your horses be healthy and your trails take you where you want to go.

A Fresh Start

by Karen Pickering

Welcome to 2008! Lately, I've been thinking about how blessed we are here in our country. Even in the midst of what appears to be an economic downturn, we have much to be thankful for!

The truly wise people in these times are the ones who keep themselves out there in the world. It shows strength and longevity, and that's just as true for businesses as it is for individuals. I hear the concern in some of your voices...for our economy, for soaring fuel prices, and for the difficult decisions on where to cut back.

Here’s my plan: keep purchasing from our local horse community first. In times like this we need to take care of each other, so my customers always get first crack at my money. Maybe I’ll have to cut back on a latte or two, or make fewer trips to save gas. This is what I try to practice when I feel the dollars pinch. Remember, when the economy is struggling you can find some of the best deals out there on everything from horses to real estate.

To start off the year, I’d like to welcome some great new members to our team: “KC” Karyn Cowdrey in customer service and Tom Brennan, Lisa Emory, and Diane Kimker in sales. There are many others in the background who help make this team successful through the good times and the difficult times--thank you! I am getting my “dream team.”

Finally, I’m going to quit being so wordy and turn over some space to my editor, Deb Taber. She’s done an incredible job for us, truly capturing the essence of our magazine. Please read her comments in her new column, The Lunge Line. So if you call the office and I’m not there, it’s because my team is very capable...they let me get out and enjoy life!

Have a great January, and remember to ride!

"You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen as long as you keep yourself centered."
~Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

The Business of TCS: An excerpt from Shipped Semen 101

by Judith Pilgrim

Advantages of Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is the preferred method of breeding on numerous farms. There are many reasons for incorporating AI into your own breeding program. Most importantly, AI protects the stallion, mare, and stallion handler from accidental injuries that can occur when hand breeding mares. It reduces the risk of introducing infections to both the stallion and mare. It reduces the risk of illness or injury to the mare’s newborn foal, especially if the mare is being rebred on foal heat. It allows the breeding farm to breed more than one mare per collection. And lastly, AI allows the breeder to ship transported cooled semen.

The goal of breeding with TCS is to produce beautiful foals from mares spared the stress of transportation to the breeding farm and of separation from their familiar surroundings.
Business ProceduresIf you thumb through any AQHA or APHA journal or go online and search stallion websites, you quickly realize that the competition for the breeding dollar is fierce. There are some business procedures that you need to have in place before you advertise your stallion.

1. It is essential that you have an e-mail account; a website is nice, but not necessary. Most of your customers will want to be able to contact you via e-mail. (Do not respond to the customers in all capital letters. According to email etiquette, all caps is like shouting to your customer. Use correct punctuation and spell-check your letters before sending them.)

2. Contact FedEx and establish an account with them for shipping your containers. They provide, free of charge, shipping labels with tracking numbers and special handling tags. You need a supply of these before you begin the breeding season. Insert photo Equitainer

3. It is nice to be able to offer a one-day shipping service to your customers. Contact at least one airline to make your farm eligible for one-day, counter-to-counter shipping. Since 9/11 this is a much more complicated process, but it generally costs only about $50 for the security inspection of your farm. American Airlines calls this cargo shipping account a PAL account. It takes four to six weeks to establish a PAL account with American Airlines.

4. Develop a breeding contract. Go online and review the contracts of different farms to use as a guide for your own contract.

5. Develop a packet of breeding information for your customers. I sent one to everyone who expressed an interest in our stallion. I put it together in a pocket folder that has an address label on the front with our ranch name, address, e-mail and website. On one side I have a letter to the mare owner that includes some general information about our program, our shipping history, and a thank-you for their interest in our stallion. Behind the mare owner’s letter I have an expanded pedigree of our stallion, two signed copies of the breeding contract (one for the customer and one for me), and a self addressed envelope for contract return. The other side of the folder has an 8 by 10 color photo of the stallion that is also a flyer with all of his stats on it (I place this photo in various places of business that allow such advertising).

6. Set up a set of books for each breeding season. There are very nice bookkeeping software programs you can purchase, but I find it just as easy to keep my accounts in a three-ring binder. I use dividers and alphabetize my customers. I developed my own billing sheet, and it was an inexpensive but effective billing method. Note: Our stud fee did not include the shipping expenses. If your customer does not have a FedEx account to charge the shipping expenses to, you will have to pay those expenses and re-bill them to your customers. I pay for each shipment when I take it to FedEx and receive a copy of the shipping label that includes the cost of shipping. When I bill the customer, I include a photocopy of the FedEx receipt with their bill.

7. Eventually, you may want to invest in a free-standing, plain-paper fax machine and a tabletop black-and-white copier. I find these to be very useful in my business. I bought the Canon PC940 copier and the Sharp UX-510A free-standing plain-paper fax. Both are easy to operate and use regular photocopy paper I purchase by the ream.

8. Maintain contact with your customers either by phone or e-mail and answer any questions promptly. Most of us have other jobs besides the farm, and no one likes to hear the excuse, "I have to work, so I didn’t...." When you commit to standing a stallion, you double your workload. There were many nights when my husband and I did not leave the barn until 11:30p.m., but we still had to get up the next morning and teach our biology classes.

9. Always give your customer the FedEx tracking number--or the flight number and arrival time of the airline--for their shipment of semen so it can be tracked.

10. Always insure your semen shipments for the amount of the stud fee plus any collection and container fees. Very important: On rare occasions shipments get lost and, of course, then you miss the mare’s cycle. Some of your customers' dissatisfaction with this will be eased when you return to them the insurance check from the carrier.

11. Do I have to tell you to be nice? To be courteous? To be conscientious? To be customer oriented? I shouldn’t have to, but I am constantly amazed by the horror stories I hear from my customers who have had unpleasant dealings with other stallion owners in the past. So do be nice to your customers; be courteous in your conversations and in your e-mails; be conscientious with your paperwork, correspondence, and collection procedures; and be customer oriented--or don’t start a service business.

The goal of a good breeding program is to ship high-quality semen to satisfied customers. The best advertisement in the industry is through veterinarians or breeding technicians praising the quality of the semen they have received from your farm. Mare owners also want to be treated courteously. Never forget that word spreads quickly in this industry and that you want this word to be good.

Judith Pilgrim was a professor of pre-medical and pre-veterinary biology at the college level for 32 years, and has bred and shown horses and stood a very successful paint stallion for more than a decade. She is available for speaking engagements, workshops and seminars on artificial insemination, collecting and shipping cooled semen, setting up an equine breeding laboratory, etc. For further information go to her website at www.twinoakshorseranch.com.

This article reprinted from Shipped Semen 101 with permission. Shipped Semen 101: A Lab Manual for Breeders and Stallion Stations is available through Alpine Publishing www.alpinepub.com. [ISBN: 978-1-57779-082-2]

Teaching in the Way of the Horse: Training Creatively Outside the Box

by Paul Dufresne

Would you like to have your horse:
· reach deeper levels of relaxation and release the tension in the topline?
· improve body control and balance?
· achieve a smaller base of support to power out of into collected movements?
· gain confidence in your leadership and be more courageous?

I have found a good way to accomplish all of these with the use of a prop such as a box. To get the most out of this, we really have to think outside of it. What is there that is more than just a horse climbing on a box?

To many of you this may just appear to be another trick, but it can be so much more. Below, I will explain how it can be used safely and how it can improve your relationship and your horse’s performance. As far as equipment goes, a good halter, leadline, and 3.5-4 foot whip come in real handy. These are all extensions of the leader and must be used as such. For the purpose of this article we will use a box approximately 4 feet square by 8 to10 inches high.

Approaching the Box
The handler should have the horse’s respect and attention; if not, this lesson will let you know where you stand. The horse should understand yielding to pressure in all directions. Having some relaxation cues established, like a head down cue, is also helpful. Now, if you have the horse at the box, ask it to move forward with gentle, steady pressure on the leadline and draw it forward. Then reach with your whip toward the lower hind leg and tap gently but firmly until the horse makes an attempt to move forward, toward or onto the box. As long as the horse makes an attempt, even unweighting a leg and "thinking forward," I would reward the horse with a "good!" (a clicker could be used here as well--I prefer using my voice).

At this point, I will calmly walk away from the obstacle and go for a short little walk, then move on to some other exercise or come back to the box and repeat again. If I keep focusing on the box and driving the horse forward, assisting with light forward pressure on the halter, the horse will attempt to start putting weight on the box. It may paw it, bang it, or put weight on it and back off. Some horses may want to walk up onto it. As soon as the horse makes a bigger attempt than the previous attempt, I acknowledge the try, reward the horse by backing it up slowly, and walk away in a calm, relaxed manner.

If a horse is absolutely terrified, as soon as it tries I would say "good" and offer a tiny piece of horse crunch. When horses start to understand that there is something in it for them, they often change their attitude about trying. Many horses are reasonably confident, so I won’t use a treat unless the horse is stuck.

As soon as the horse gets a pretty good idea of what I am asking, I will acknowledge that with the word "good," and then reward with a rub, especially the first time the horse puts two feet on the box. If I allow the horse to rest on the box with two feet, it usually starts to look around, enjoying the view from up there. I like to have the horse back off under control before it has the desire to leave on its own. Note that I specifically said back off, as this is the more difficult way to get off the box.

Horses often want to step up on the box, then run off of it. I try to discourage this by building it up a step at a time, repeating each part: first one foot, then back, then two and so forth, always backing out of it. When the horse starts to expect this and is calm and balanced backing up, I might ask the horse to step down forward, first with one foot, and then back up onto the box and back down off of it. If the horse is concerned and wants to panic forward, I don't force it to stay, but slow its forward progress and then immediately come back to the box and mount it again. Remember: only reward what you want, otherwise you will reinforce what you don’t want.

As the horse gets more comfortable with this, allow it to stand on the box with two feet, then four, for some time while petting it all over. If you use a whip, you should also use the whip to show affection--it is an extension of you. When you attach friendly language to your tool(s) the horse will perceive it as part of you.

Courage on the Box
The horse that overcomes a challenge that had it concerned or fearful will then go into a deeper state of relaxation. Usually, the head starts to drop with signs of licking. On top of the box, the horse is on a smaller space, reducing its base of support. This rounds and releases the topline and gets the horse's legs underneath it just by doing the task. This becomes a great stretching position, particularly if you were to ask the horse to then get on an even smaller box or to move only the hind feet further forward (building one little try at a time). You will need to halt the horse’s forward progress with your leadline in a low position. Alternatively, you could lift it up, elevating the base of the neck. With that you can ask the horse to get its back legs under itself, then by releasing as it attempts to do so, you allow the horse to feel good.


You can develop this to the point where the horse has the entire topline stretched from head to tail. As this is accomplished, the horse becomes very relaxed. When the horse feels good it is less likely to get anxious, thus it is in a much more courageous frame of mind.

In doing this exercise, there are some obvious physiological changes happening. Without getting into the technical aspect, we are inducing or facilitating a state of relaxation that the horse can’t help but participate in.

You can teach a horse to do all kinds of things on the box--from simply standing still to doing high school maneuvers. You can also have tiers of boxes going to higher and higher boxes, smaller tops, combinations, and even trailering. In trying to use your imagination, you will exercise and improve your leadership skills. Your horse will learn to trust you even if you ask it to do challenging things. Physically, your horse will develop better balance, more body awareness, flexibility, and most importantly, it will learn to relax the whole topline and become ready for the strong engagement of the ring of muscles.

Horses like to hang out with leaders that show them how to feel good by considering their feelings and helping them find the ability and courage to execute challenges positively. When training for courage, we become that leader and teach them in "The way of the horse."

The Battle With Cattle

by Allison Trimble

It can be a real challenge in the Northwest to train a horse in cutting or working cowhorse. It takes typically two years of training before a horse is ready to show, and a large portion of those days need to be on cattle. In the Northwest we don’t have the large feed lots or grazing operations that make cattle readily available, and hay and fuel prices are so high right now that everything costs an arm and a leg.

Trainers often have arrangements with cattlemen to feed leased animals. They promise a certain weight gain on the cows in exchange for the chance to use them in training. The other way to get cattle is to go to an auction, buy a group of cows, use them, and then return them to the auction, resell, and buy a new bunch. This ties up a large amount of cash and has higher personal risk, but can be easier than finding someone to let you work their cows. Both scenarios require a cattle facility, hauling, time, and high feed expenses. Cattle also go sour very fast. It is a bad feeling when you are standing in your pen watching sour cattle eating little bales of dollar bills.

There is no way that a horse can be finished without working a lot of fresh cattle, but there are some proven ways to cut your cattle costs by using training devices.

The Flag or Pro Cutter
The original flag was designed as a feed sack attached to a rope that on one end ran through a pulley and on the other end looped around an ancient stationary bike. A person would sit on the bike and run the sack back and forth for the horse to work. Later, the Pro Cutter was developed. It is a sack or fake cow that is on a pulley system similar to the flag, but is driven mechanically by a control box on one end and manipulated by a remote control. With the Pro Cutter it is also possible to train using a preset program.

The advantages to these training tools are that they are relatively inexpensive, they let you get your horse correct because you can go at any speed you like (or as fast as someone can peddle), and they allow you to “pattern” your horse, or make him comfortable going straight across the pen. You are able to teach your horse the basics or clean up his movements without using up valuable cattle.

The disadvantages are that it can be hard to use the remote while riding, so you often need someone else to run it for you; the cow only goes right and left and has a very mechanical feel to it; and it is hard for a horse to learn to really read a cow using this tool.

The Human Cow
This is where you con one of your friends or your husband/wife into emulating the movement of a cow, walking or running back and forth. A horse will often hook onto a human as well as they will to a cow. The advantage to this is that it has a “real” feel to it, and the horse can learn to read a human’s movements as they would those of a cow. This technique, unlike the flag, can be three-dimensional. Your cow can come toward you as well as move side to side. It is also a great way to lose a few pounds if you want to volunteer your services to a horseman in need!

Obvious disadvantages are that it is hard to get someone to fall for your trickery, and even if you do, your human cow sours fast. This is not often used as part of a training program, but is commonly used at horse shows to tune up a horse before competition.

HydraBull
The HydraBull is a relatively new invention that is the life-sized shell of a cow that sits on three wheels, driven by a person sitting inside it. For the past couple of months, every Tuesday morning I've loaded up some horses, gone to meet a group of girls at Curt Storbakken’s place, and worked the HydraBull. I have really enjoyed this time and have been surprised by how much can be done with this training tool.

The advantages are that it can mimic almost every move a cow can make in a very lifelike way. It can go fast or slow and it is three dimensional, having the ability to go side to side and front and back. You can use the bull as a training tool for fence work as well, and that is something not offered by other cattle replacement devices. When you work the HydraBull, it is amazing how similar it is to working a cow...but it's like working a cow that knows exactly what you need to do to train your horse.

The disadvantages are that it is much more expensive than a flag to purchase, and you need a skilled person to drive it.

Spotlight on the HydraBull and its Creator
Curt Storbakken began his horse training career while he was a school teacher in North Dakota by riding horses for people before and after his school day. After ten years, he picked up and moved to Anacortes, Washington with a brief one-year stop in California in between. When Curt met his wife, Linda, also a horse trainer, they decided to join forces and start looking for land to build on. In 1971 they purchased a piece of land just north of Burlington, Washington and Curt built by hand the arena and home they still train out of today. He has trained halter horses, pleasure horses, reining horses, and cutting horses. Though he loves all types of horses, Curt’s passion is the cutting horse. He has had many successful years showing and training cutters and helping non pros achieve their goals.

Anyone who knows Curt is familiar with his propensity to tinker around with and improve things, whether they are horses or mechanical devices. Curt was the guy who first had the idea for the bicycle-driven flag, and then the first guy to motorize that flag. For many years, there was a mechanical bull that was driven similarly to the present day HydraBull. Curt had one, but it ran on batteries and had a lot of limitations to its use. In 1999 Curt bought a Dixon lawn mower that could turn on a dime and was run by levers. When the two machines were combined, the first HydraBull was born.

One of Curt's clients was Bob Gudmundson, a Washington ship builder whose kids were riding at Curt's training stables. When Bob saw Curt's mechanical cow, he said, "I can build one of these."

For a ship builder used to making 240-foot barges and tug boats, you'd think it would be a cinch to make a mechanical bull, right? Still, it took eight years of work and field testing in real-world training settings to perfect the design. After intense research and development through countless live training sessions, the HydraBull was ready for commercial production. It is now available to the horse training community.

Last week when I was at Curt’s, we tested a bull that was about to be shipped to a ranch in Italy. This innovative training tool has the potential to revolutionize the cutting industry worldwide.

For more information on the HydraBull, go to www.hydrabull.com.