Bedding: Make the Right Choice for Your Situation, Part 2 of 4

by Alayne Blickle

Dozens of bedding products available to horse owners today boast a variety of benefits, including odor control, low dust, quick composting, and ease of storage. In this series, we are looking at how to choose the right bedding for your situation – your needs, your horse’s and your land’s needs. Last month we assessed your situation and needs in the barn. This month we'll cover bedding availability and selection criteria.

After you have determined your particular needs for bedding and how you plan to utilize stall waste generated on your property, it’s time to see what bedding types are readily available in your area and if they meet your selection criteria.

Different products are available in different locations. You may find a supplier in your area that offers a non-traditional bedding material that may be cost-effective for you to investigate. For example, if you live in a heavily timbered area you might find good sources of alder sawdust or pelleted bedding. In another part of the country, newspaper bedding might be more readily available. Other non-traditional bedding materials available in some parts of the country include rice hulls (Northern California area), wheat by-products (Eastern Washington), kenaf (a fibrous plant grown for paper on the East Coast), and other products like shredded phone books or cardboard. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask questions.

Selection Criteria
First, determine if the product is healthy for your horses. If you choose a non-traditional product, be sure to check with your veterinarian or another knowledgeable resource (like Cooperative Extension www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/). Some materials, such as black walnut, are extremely toxic to horses.

Chipped landscaping material from tree trimming services is not recommended as horse bedding. Many types of trees are toxic to horses when eaten, especially those of the landscaping variety such as black locust, parts of oak trees, horse chestnut, many kinds of fruit trees, etc. Also, horses could be tempted to eat the molding green material in landscaping chips. Another health factor to consider is whether your horse will be tempted to eat the bedding. This is often the case with different types of straw beddings. If so, is there a health risk?

Absorbency is next selection criteria. The primary purpose for bedding is to absorb urine and moisture. The more absorbent a bedding is, the lower the levels of ammonia will be in your barn. Very absorbent bedding allows you to reduce the amount you use, thus saving money.

How well it composts is another consideration. Whatever you use as bedding is going to end up in your manure pile. Whether you plan to use the final product on your property or give or haul away straight stall waste, what’s in it may either deter or encourage folks. Large wood chips will break down much slower than smaller particles. Products like peat or newspaper (covered next month) compost exceptionally well. Mushroom growers usually won’t accept stall waste with wood products. On the other side, commercial composters may not accept stall waste with straw. Knowing what you plan to do with your stall waste plays a large part in determining which bedding product is best suited to you.

Cost is the final factor. Many products may be more expensive pound for pound, but if they are highly absorbent you won’t need to use as much in the stall. When you are able to purchase in bulk – either loose in a large storage bin or bagged or baled by the ton or pallet – you will be able to take advantage of a cost savings.

Inquire at your local feed store about the types of bedding products that they carry. Many stores carry a selection of bagged and baled beddings, so call around and compare costs. Bulk loose shavings and alder sawdust (which we discuss next month) are available from shavings supply companies. Check in your phone book or on the Internet.

Discovering other product options may require some sleuthing. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet, farrier, or other horse owners what they use and what’s available locally.

Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne

Next month we begin reviewing specific bedding types.

Bedding Selection Criteria
Look for material that is:
· Safe for horses
· Absorbent
· Easy to compost
· Available
· Easy to store
· Low dust
· Chore efficient
· Cost effective

Concise Guide to Medications, Herbs and Supplements by David W. Ramey, DVM

In today’s horse industry, the ongoing debate between traditional and alternative medications can be truly overwhelming, and herbs and supplements are pre-packaged with "promises" of improvement. So how do you decide what your horse does and doesn’t need? Dr. David Ramey saves the day with a fully updated edition of his no-nonsense compendium of all you really need to know about:

Vitamins • Minerals • Sedatives • Hormones • Antibiotics • Liniments • Emollients • Anesthetics • Ointments • Corticosteroids • Oils • NSAIDs • Antihistamines • Dewormers • Joint supplements • Bronchodilators • Hoof dressings • Expectorants • Poultices...and more.

Crystal clear explanations, helpful cross-referencing, pronunciation guides, and an index of brand names make this book a convenient and easy way to understand the actions of ingredients, administer medications safely, select substances wisely, and avoid problems in competition.

Northwest Horse Source's K.C. Cowdrey says of The Concise Guide...

"I found this book well written and easy to read and understand, while at the same time it didn't talk down to lay people. The ability to quickly look up the name of a drug or chemical compound makes this book a fantastic ‘quickie’ reference. This is one book I definitely will keep in my informational library!"

Dr. David Ramey is a 1983 graduate of Colorado State University. After completing an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Iowa State University, he entered private equine practice in southern California.

Trafalgar Square Publishing
http://www.horseandriderbooks.com/
Paperback - 978 1 57076 365 6
280 pp

Top Ten Website Mistakes

by Doug DeVries of Tech Help

Developing your website is an ongoing process. Don't get discouraged if you are currently breaking all the rules below. Begin the process of your redesign by addressing one area at a time. Your customers will appreciate it, and I believe you will see a return on your investment. Chances are, all of us break a few of these rules, but to help you overcome that, here are the top mistakes as detailed by Jakob Nielsen of Useit.com.

1. Bad Search
Keep your search simple. If your site search (the function that searches within your website) is overly literal and can't handle typos, plurals, and hyphens, your users won't be able to properly find your products or services.

2. PDF Files for Online Reading
Users hate coming across a PDF file while browsing because it breaks their flow. On the other hand, PDF documents are great for printing and for distributing manuals and other big documents that need to be printed.

3. Not Changing the Color of Visited Links
A good grasp of past navigation helps users understand their current location, but many design styles don't change link colors once they have been visited. This can be an easy update on your website.

4. Non-Scannable Text
A wall of text is deadly for an interactive experience. Intimidating. Boring. Painful to read. Use these well-documented tricks:
· Subheadings
· Bulleted lists
· Highlighted keywords
· Short paragraphs
· A simple writing style

5. Page Titles with Low Search Engine Visibility
Create custom titles for each of your pages (that line that appears at the top of your browser window). Don't leave "home page" or "welcome to my website" as the title text. It is confusing for users and doesn't help search engine optimization. The change is simple, but it makes a big difference.

Tune in next month for part 2, mistakes 6-10!

Adapted from Jakob Nielsen's article on Useit.com (www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html)

Your Horse gets the Sniffles, Too

by Nicole Lanphear

As spring draws near, you aren’t the only one to fear the rising pollen count. Break out the bottle of Benadryl or Claritin. Allergy season is here – for you and your horse.

Equine allergies are not limited to any breed, size, or gender. They can appear in any horse at any point in the horse's life. Asking about allergy attacks before you purchase the horse is an important step to better prepare yourself and your vet in case your horse experiences symptoms again.

In a given day, your horse is surrounded by dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens. Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening, and can also be a result of bug bites, supplements, or even some types of hay. Some horses will react to a vaccination or a new fly spray.

The symptoms for horse allergies can easily be associated with other diseases or ailments, and there is no diagnostic testing for hives or any other allergic reactions short of skin biopsies and other costly, inconclusive methods.

Symptoms can present as skin allergies or respiratory ailments. Most commonly, after being exposed to the allergen, hives will appear around the horse’s neck or shoulders. The horse will itch and might also present with a fever.

Many horses will recover from hives on their own, but if symptoms persist, corticosteroid sprays or an allergy shot from your vet can help alleviate the reaction. Most importantly, recognize the source of the allergen and remove it so that the horse can recover. Repeated exposure to the source could lead to a more serious reaction.

For respiratory allergies, “heaving” is the most common reaction. Coughing, heavy breathing, and nasal discharge are signs of heaves, which can be caused by anything from mold spores to pollen. Fresh air or changing the bedding can reduce allergens in the horse’s immediate environment.

Hay hosts organisms that can lead to allergic reactions such as heaves. Soaking the hay in water can help remove some of those allergens, but if the reaction is serious enough, consider replacing hay with pellet feed. Always consult your vet first and explore other options, such as other types of hay or feed. As a second measure, corticosteroids administered by the vet can ease the effects of heaves.

Preparation for allergy season is the best prevention for your horse’s allergies. Be aware of changes in your horse’s behavior or condition. If you change fly spray or feed, be on alert for allergic reactions so you can remove the allergen as quickly as possible if your horse reacts. Cleaning out the dusty barn rafters, keeping old hay outside, and ensuring good air circulation in barns will help reduce allergens – hopefully for you and your horse!

Equine Allergy Symptoms*:

• sneezing
• labored breathing
• head shaking
• nasal discharge
• nasal bleeding
• heaves
• hives, itching
• hair loss from rubbing

*Always consult a veterinarian before treating your horse for allergies.

Sources:
1. “Horse Allergies: Symptoms, Common Causes & Treatments of Equine Allergy,” www.horses-and-horse-information.com
2. “Allergic Reactions” by Heather Smith Thomas, www.TheHorse.com

EMS, Cushings, and Spring Feeding

by R. Paul Schwab, D.V.M

Over the next few months, our horses here in the Pacific Northwest will be challenged by the lush green grass we are blessed with after the months of rain and cold. For many, the grass is a welcome source of vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates and a break from relying on expensive hays and grains as a chief source of nutrition. For a growing number of horses, however, this same grass can be extremely dangerous to their health.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Equine Cushing’s Disease are two metabolic abnormalities of horses that make them extremely sensitive to the sugar content of lush, rapid-growing spring grass and sometimes any green grass at all.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a syndrome in which horses are extremely “easy keepers” and seem to put on weight with barely any pasture. They tend to have more fat over the crests of their necks, around the tail head, and in the sheaths of geldings and stallions. There seems to be a breed disposition, with ponies, donkeys, Arabs, Paso Finos, and Mustangs commonly affected, although any breed is susceptible. Horses with EMS are more prone to laminitis (founder), as well. Veterinarians usually diagnose EMS when they are called out to see an overweight horse or pony that has laminitis.

One of the reasons these animals have such weight and laminitis issues is because of insulin resistance. In technical terms, insulin resistance describes a decreased response of tissues to insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Basically, there is plenty of insulin in the horse's system, but the muscles, liver, and fat tissues have only limited response to it. Insulin is responsible for telling the tissues to take up and use glucose, which is their main source of energy. In the case of insulin resistance, the glucose stays in the blood stream instead of going into the tissues, causing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Over time, high glucose in the blood is toxic to the lining of the vessels and other tissues and contributes to the development of laminitis. High sugar/starch in the diet, or in some cases any sugar, overwhelms the metabolic ability of the horse to maintain the proper amount of glucose in the blood. The fat that accumulates on the crest of the neck, rump, and sheath may actually produce chemicals that worsen this insulin resistance.

Equine Cushing’s Syndrome is another disease in which horses are more sensitive to sugar in the diet. Equine Cushing’s Syndrome, or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, is a disease in which an enlarged pituitary gland in the brain causes a cascade of hormonal changes that ultimately result in an overproduction of cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s natural stress response hormone, which is needed during times of danger, stress, etc., but over time can result in damage to multiple organ systems. It brings down the overall immunity of the animal and causes insulin resistance. Horses with Equine Cushing’s Syndrome tend to have long, curly-haired coats that don't usually shed out in spring, drink and urinate frequently, and have problems keeping on weight. They are also extremely prone to laminitis.

Both of these conditions require diets with little or no starch or sugar. Sugar and starch are classified as Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSCs). Examples of feed ingredients high in NSCs are corn, oats, barley, and molasses. These ingredients are low in fiber and high in sugar. Lush green grass can fall into this category because it is high in natural sugars called fructans. Ingredients low in NSCs include most hays and hay pellets, beet pulp, rice bran, soybean hulls, and oils. Knowing this information can help you formulate a proper ration for horses with EMS and Cushing's Syndrome.

Feeding Strategies
Obese Metabolic Syndrome Horse --Feed grass hay at the rate of 1.5-2% of their body weight per day (15-20 lbs. of hay per day for a 1,000 lb. horse). Yes, you really need to get into the habit of weighing your hay! Feeding a vitamin/mineral supplement is recommended because grass hay may not have the nutrition the horse needs. There are multiple commercial “super supplements” that have added protein as well that are ideal to feed to these horses. Don’t forget, these guys still need exercise. It helps the weight loss and encourages the tissues to utilize glucose.

Thin Metabolic Syndrome or Cushing’s Syndrome Horse--The diet for this type of horse is basically the same as the previous with the addition of extra calories in the form of fat and/or concentrate with a low non-structural carbohydrate level (low starch and sugar). Beet pulp is an excellent feed ingredient for these horses because it is low in NSCs but higher in calories than hay alone; it does need to soak in water before feeding, however. Beet pulp also works well for horses with dental problems. Fat can be fed in the form of rice bran or canola oil.

There are also several commercial diets now available for horses sensitive to starch and sugar. Most feed companies have developed their own versions, such as Nutrena’s Safe Choice™ and Lite Balance™, LMF’s Low NSC Stage 1™ and Complete™, Purina’s Well Solve™, and Elanbaas’ Nutracool ™and Equibalance™. Talk to your equine nutritionist or veterinarian for help deciding which may be the best choice for your horse’s specific needs.

What about grass? In general, lush green fast-growing grass is a problem for these horses. For much of the country, this growth happens in springtime. In northwest Washington, grass can be a problem through spring, summer, and the beginning of fall. Dr. Nicholas Frank offered a great guideline at this year’s American Association of Equine Practitioners conference: “Clients [should] pay attention to their lawn when managing an affected horse (horses prone to founder easy); their animal should be held off pasture when the lawn needs more frequent mowing.”

Grazing muzzles are a lifesaver for the overweight or sugar-sensitive horse. They allow the horse to be on pasture and get the exercise and nutrition they need while avoiding rapid weight gain and usually preventing laminitis.

As with any nutritional or medical issue with your horse, talk to your veterinarian before any management or feed change. Not every diet works the same for every horse. Also, horses with metabolic problems often have various other medical issues that need to be addressed, such as immunity problems, dental issues, and musculoskeletal concerns. Your vet can help you keep your horse at his best for many seasons to come.

March Spotlight

LMQHA Horseman’s Bazaar & Country Fair is Just Around the Corner
Join us for a weekend of clinicians, demos, speakers, and entertainment. Wander through over 100 exhibitor booths geared towards the equestrian and country lifestyles. View the latest models of trucks, horse trailers, tractors, and other equipment we use every day. Visit with the owners of the magnificent horses in our all-breed Stallion Showcase and perhaps choose the sire of your next super star. Our giant tack sale is the best place to find that deal you’ve been looking for on some quality used tack.

The Horseman’s Bazaar & Country Fair will be held in Fort Langley, BC, March 15 & 16. For more information visit www.bcqha.com/lmqhahorsemansbazaar

Product Review: The Fold-A-Cart®
Fold-A-Cart folding carts are like wheelbarrows, but different! Folding down to 20% of their original size for easy transport, they're perfect for carrying bales of hay, garden tools, fertilizer, soil, and shrubs quickly and easily. When you're done, your Fold-A-Cart folds down to save space in your barn, garage, or horse trailer. The FHG-200, PRO-400 and FCG-400 all come with a handy wall hanging bracket.

NWHS owner/publisher Karen Pickering says of her Fold-A-Cart:
It's stable and easy to assemble (includes all the necessary tools). It's easy to maneuver, clean, and dump, and I love the hanging rack. What a wonderful tool for the stable! The one downside is that the bolts are a little short, so if you don't tighten them down enough, you might lose one. Just double-check them or just get yourself an extra set, and you'll get plenty of use out of your Fold-A-Cart around the barn!

Horses & Humans Research Foundation 2008 Call for Proposals
Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) invites proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. The foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and the quality of life for people with disabilities who are involved with equine assisted activities/therapies.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account scientific merit, scientific and clinical significance, and relevance to areas designated by the foundation. Preference will be given to investigators with solid credentials and research experience who are associated with institutions located in the US or Canada. The average grant award is $50,000 for up to a one year period.

Guidelines and application materials are available on the HHRF website at www.horsesandhumans.org. Submit by May 15, 2008

Missy Wryn's Starter Package—Training DVDs and More
The starter package includes Wryn's Clinic Highlights DVD, “W”Holistic Training Halter & Lead Rope, Five Fundamentals DVD, plus training stick and training string with flag.

NWHS account representative Diane Kimker says of the DVDs:
Missy Wryn has developed a unique training program that combines Natural Horsemanship with an “W”Holistic approach, whereby the overall health and well-being of the horse is taken into consideration to solve behavior and training problems. Missy believes that "problems are not always training issues" and that once pain and health issues are addressed with appropriate veterinary care, nutrition, equine dentistry, acupuncture, etc., the horse will become a much more receptive and willing partner. Missy’s passion for horses and upbeat delivery of her message makes this Oregon-based trainer one to consider for analyzing/developing a problem horse, or starting a new one.

For more information, visit www.WHolisticHorsemanship.com.

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource Teams with Breyer®
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) and Breyer Animal Creations® are offering funding for local conservation groups to protect land for equestrian use. Applications are available now and must be received by midnight, September 1, 2008.

"The impending loss of open land for horse activities has reached crisis proportions," says Deb Balliet, ELCR CEO.

That’s why Breyer and ELCR partnered to create a special model horse from which a portion of the proceeds will create a fund that will help local conservation groups preserve land for horses and horse related activities. Breyer has pledged a minimum donation of $10,000 to ELCR.

Grant applications and application information are available online at www.elcr.org and www.breyerhorses.com.

Nutrition and Health

Equine Nutrition Inc. shares 30 years of family, horses, and equine health

There has been a lot of talk about "wellness" in recent years. Through preventative medicine, diet, supplementation, and exercise, people are looking at good health as a condition to be nourished and maintained, not just restored when something goes wrong. This is as true in horse care as it is in human health, but when it comes to equine nutrition, Del Johnson has been a champion of the "wellness" approach for three decades.

That Was Then: A Wild Ride

Think back to 1978. Maybe you were cheering as Affirmed won the Triple Crown. Maybe you were listening to "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys." Del Johnson was riding bucking broncos on the rodeo circuit and envisioning a better future for equine health.

Click here to read the full story.

Horse From Antiquity: The Barb

The Barb’s history traces to the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas. From there, the Barb horse went to North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. They were already in Spain with the Hebrew people when they were reintroduced to that area by the Moors and Berbers.

During the Spanish colonization, Barbs came with the Hebrew people to North America, ending up in areas of the southwestern United States. The International Barb Horse Registry Barb is neither a "Spanish Barb" nor a "BLM mustang," as some have mistakenly reported.

The Barb is a "hot-blooded" horse, meaning its red blood corpuscle count is 35% higher than "cold-bloods" such as draft horses. This allows for higher endurance and faster recuperation. The ideal Barb is alert, curious, and spirited in temperament, highly intelligent and robust, and known for strong legs and good feet. Official breed colors include duns, blacks, blue corns, chestnuts, bays, and palominos, among others.

The Barb horse is a versatile breed for all types of horse lovers and riding disciplines. They are easy keepers with good sensibility. They make excellent all-around using horses and combine stamina, endurance, and hardiness.

The IBHR is an autonomous registry for the recording of the pure bloodlines. Additionally, there is the International Society for the Promotion of the Barb Horse (ISPBH). For information about selection of foundation stock, Barb characteristics, and more, refer to the website http://www.originalhorses.org/.

Information and photos provided by IBHR (www.originalhorses.org)

Winter Winner & Springtime Shows

by Deb Taber

The weather is finally warming up (well, getting less cold, anyway) and the daylight has decided to come back and join us for a little bit longer each day. I know I'm looking forward to getting back up on a horse and out on the trails, but before we leave the winter weather behind entirely, I'd like to present to you the winner of our Winter Wild! photo contest, part 1.

Congratulations to Cindy Oswald at Westwind Ranch in Idaho for submitting the winning photo. I hope you enjoy your copy of Molly Gloss' The Hearts of Horses!

Many thanks to all who entered—it was great to see all those horses having some snowy fun. If you missed the call for this photo contest, don't worry, there will be more! All you have to do is sign up for our semi-monthly email newsletter. You can sign yourself up at www.nwhorsesource.com. The e-letter contains sneak peeks into upcoming issues, grooming and horsekeeping tips, advertising and marketing tips, and--of course!--contest notifications.

If you don't have access to email, don't fret. Our annual youth essay contest is closed, but we'll be announcing a new all-ages contest in the April issue. Until then, the NWHS staff will be attending quite a few events this month, so look for us in the following places:

March 15-16: LMQHA Horsemen's Bazaar and Country Fair, Langley, BC
March 21-23: NWRCHA show, Lynden, WA
March 28-30: Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, Albany, OR

Have a great spring, and perhaps we'll see you soon!

Publisher's Test Ride

Stride Right Farms: Breeders of Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses and Rocky Mountain Horses

by NWHS Owner/Publisher Karen Pickering

When I arrived at Stride Right Farms in Issaquah, Washington for a test ride at noon one January day, I was greeted by Mel Kuhlman and his wife, Debbie, the owners of the farm. A few visitors were checking out the horses, and I met some regulars who said they absolutely loved coming to Stride Right Farms for the environment and were particularly impressed by the temperament of the horses.

Mel put me up on a 14.2-hand mare named Ginger, gave me a little instruction, and let me have some fun with this new experience. We warmed up in the indoor arena, allowing us all the chance to play with the Rocky Mountain Horse's smooth 4-beat gait. After that, we were able to ride off into the woods that sit beyond the farm's driveway. The weather decided to break just long enough for us to get a nice ride up in the hills on some well-groomed trails at the base of Squak Mountain State Park.

What a hoot! This little horse could flat out move, yet she was unbelievably smooth. I can certainly understand the attraction to these horses, especially for long hours on the trail. Ginger was well-mannered, willing, and had plenty of energy, yet remained easy to control. I had suspected she was young, but when Mel told me she was only 2½ years old I was completely sold on his breeding program.

If you’re new to horses or just getting back into riding, I would highly recommend having a look at the horses from Stride Right Farms. Mel Kuhlman has a solid breeding program, producing national champions that can trail ride or do just about anything you want to do. I came away with appreciation for the Rocky Mountain Horse as a breed and for what they have to offer our readers.

Give Mel and Debbie a call. They are gracious hosts and have a love for the breed. Stride Right Farms welcomes you to come for a test ride.

(425) 766-1184 • http://www.striderightfarms.com/

Wellness

by Karen Pickering


As I write this column, it’s mid-January. Like every year, I struggle with the darkness and rain. I’m always looking for ways to get motivated and stay uplifted. I find Starbucks, a good ride, a warm fire, and a heartwarming movie always seems to do the trick. I often wonder if it isn’t the same for our equine friends. My horses spend most of the winter months in the barn and sacrifice areas since our pastures get pretty waterlogged. The coffee and movie might not be what they need, but I’m sure they like some activity as much as I do.

I’ve actually been riding this winter. Between lessons, working cows at Double S Quarter Horses, and test riding a Rocky Mountain Horse at Stride Right Farms, it’s been a stimulating month. One of the most rewarding parts was the opportunity to reacquaint myself with my senior horse, Dawn. Neither one of us had ever worked cows before, and Dawn is having as much fun as I am with the experience. Just goes to show…you’re never too old!

Another way to get past the winter "blahs" is to look ahead. I'm already getting excited about the three shows NWHS will be going to in March: The Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Bazaar in Langley, BC; the Northwest Reined Cowhorse Show in Lynden, WA; and the NW Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, OR. I’d love the opportunity to meet you at one of these events. We’re having a reader appreciation day at the Northwest Reined Cowhorse Show on Saturday, March 22. You can meet "On the Plus Side" columnist Allison Trimble and watch her compete, plus we will have some specials just for show attendees and spectators!

As for last month's challenge, I was somewhat disappointed that I only got one email about someone's “perfect day.” My hope is that the lack of messages means you were all out there living that day for yourselves. Still, what better way to keep the perfection alive than to share it with someone else? We really do want interaction from our readers. If you’ve had an awesome day and would like to share it with us, send me an email at karern@nwhorsesource.com. I’ll be waiting!

Have a super March...and remember to ride!

"Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul." -Charles Buxton, 1823-1871, British Author

Weed Seed Free Feed

by Jeanne Koester, Director, Northeast Chapter BCHW

In 2007 it became rule of law in Washington State that state-certified weed free forage must be used at all wilderness trails and trailheads in designated wilderness areas within Region 6. This region includes Washington, Oregon, and a section of Idaho. In 2009 this rule of law will include all National Forest System lands in Region 6, and no doubt will soon become a requirement on all public lands.

Equestrians will want to abide by the weed free forage ruling because it is good stewardship as well as being the law. There are also significant financial penalties if you are ticketed for not having your weed free certificate on hand when requested by USFS personnel. However, this ruling has presented us with a challenge because, at this time, there is not a statewide program for producing and certifying feed that is weed seed free.

Above: Spotted Knapweed

Photo by: Cindy Roche, Bugwood.org

To date, only Pend Oreille County along the northern Washington/Idaho border has established a certification process, with the county weed board as the inspecting and certifying agency. Twenty-five other counties have expressed interest in developing a weed seed free certification program over the last several months.

The North American Weed Management Association has boilerplate documents and information that can be used as a model for any county weed board or hay grower wanting to upgrade product and comply with these regulations. Unfortunately, there is as yet no specific agency to run the certification process, and the steps for a certification program are not in place.

Some areas of Idaho have qualified inspectors to certify weed free hay, but they are so few in number, and the time frame from flower to seed-head development can occur so rapidly, that fields awaiting certification do not qualify because weed seeds have begun to develop by the time the inspector arrives. Specialist contractors who are qualified to do the certification are often prohibitively expensive, overbooked, or otherwise unavailable.

The Farmer's Perspective
Much of the hay grown in Washington State is headed for the export market, and some hay growers are reluctant to develop a specific category of feed that is certified as weed free because of the implication that uncertified product must be weedy and of lesser quality, which is generally not the case. Most healthy, crop-producing fields are largely weed free, and no self-respecting farmer wants to grow weeds or lose production space to weeds. The Washington State Hay Growers Association has expressed willingness to explore the development of this product, but proposed using the label "Wilderness Certified Forage."

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board have also been contacted by hay growers who are willing to certify their crops. Many equestrians are willing to buy a certified product year round, not just when they are heading out to ride or work in regulated territory. A proposal was made by one organization that backcountry equestrians should guarantee purchase of a specific amount of weed free forage annually in order to get that amount grown and available in Washington; however, this sort of economic barter for a niche market is not in the best interests of responsible stewardship, which is the driving force behind noxious weed control efforts nationwide.

Why Weed Seed Free?
The purpose of enacting the weed seed free forage rule is to reduce and eradicate invasive and noxious plant species and to respond aggressively to habitat restoration. The more individual users, groups, organizations, and governmental entities unite to reduce and eradicate weeds, the better the success rate will be. Nationally, we are faced with a serious threat to native habitat and wildlife forage.

· The U.S. has about 2,000 non-native species growing with “significant escalation.”[1]
· In four states--Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota--$144 million is spent annually on spurge control alone.
· Noxious weeds reduce crop yield and each year cost farmers time, labor, and money to control.
· Noxious weeds destroy plant and animal habitat, reduce biodiversity, and threaten rare plants with extinction.
· By displacing native habitat, non-native plants reduce wildlife forage and in some cases, change physical and chemical properties of the environment so native species can no longer grow.
· Noxious weed spread not only eliminates native habitat and wildlife forage, it contributes to the threat posed by forest fires in that some invasive species such as cheat grass burn more readily than native species.

Most equestrians are committed to responsible wild land stewardship and value opportunities to work and play on public lands. At this time we do not know how we will continue to do either in places where weed seed free forage is required.

Currently, one equestrian organization has a grant to repair and maintain trails in Washington State National Forests; however, neither forest service personnel nor the organization have the required weed seed free forage to enable them to feed their horses on site. Hike-in volunteers are invaluable but simply cannot compete with the amount horses can carry or the distance they can cover.

It makes sense that the certification process would be developed and managed through county weed boards with the individual weed board as the certifying agent. This would be a much faster course of action than any other, since weed board staff won’t require much new information before they can hit the ground running. County weed boards already have knowledge of their own county and a comprehensive understanding of local noxious weed species, thus allowing the most rapid response and cost-effective means for implementing a certification program.

What You Can Do to Help
Contact your hay supplier and ask if they would be willing to certify their hay. If so, the hay grower should contact their state Weed Control Board. Producers of straw or other mulching crop products may also contact their state Weed Control Board about their products.

Educate yourself on this issue. Currently, the State of Washington Department of Agriculture does not have a statewide weed free certification program for hay or crop products. Interested county noxious weed control boards may have employees trained to certify weed free hay and crop products under North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) standards in March, 2008 for the upcoming growing season. www.nwcb.wa.gov/FAQs/weed-free.htm.

Whether or not you live in Washington, learn to identify what noxious weeds are a problem in your county area and walk your fields with one of the free booklets available from your county extension or weed control board. Hand-pulling in the spring--and for some weeds, again in the fall--can make a difference, as can herbicides and biological controls.

By definition, a noxious weed is highly destructive, competitive or difficult to control, and it is damaging to our economy and our resources. Be informed. Be proactive.

For Further Information:
www.fs.fed.us/r6/weeds Weed-free Feed Required in Northwest Wilderness
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/ Noxious Weed Control Board of Washington (links to county weed boards)
http://www.nawma.org/ North American Weed Management Association
http://elcr.org/resources/R3.html "The Role of Recreational Trail Horse Use In The Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species" by Gene W. Wood
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
An Exotic Invasion of Elk Country by David Stalling


At left: Rush Skeletonweed

Photo by: Utah State University Archive, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

At Right: Leafy Spurge

Photo by: Montana Statewide Noxious Weed Awareness and Education Program Archive, MSU, Bugwood.org

Jeanne Koester has served as Director of Back Country Horsemen (BCHW) Chapters in the Olympic Peninsula and NE Washington. Currently, she serves as Executive Assistant to the President of BCHW. When she isn't volunteering on trail crews or writing grants for trails, she is riding backcountry trails.
[1] Mitchell, J.E. 2000, Rangeland resource trends in the United States: A technical document supporting the 2000 USDA Forest Service RPA assessment. RMRS-GTR-68. USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. 84p.

Making a Change

by Steve Rother

In the last article, we were talking about how to fix a barn sour attitude in our horses. Long story short, I simply said to first work them more at the barn, then second, to rest them more away from the barn until they make the decision that being on the trail may be just as good as being in the barn, if not better. Since then, hopefully, you have had a chance to create a learning situation similar to the one I described last month.

New Problem
So here we are at the barn, showing our horse that we have learned something new, lap after lap, circle after circle. Now it is time to try to teach him a thing or two about not messing with our confidence level so that we can all have more fun.

But something unexpected happens. It seems like things are coming along pretty good, like your horse is moving through the exercises and giving it a go, but then it's like you hit a wall. Not just physically, but mentally. It isn't working! Our question is why?

Why it Didn't Work
There comes a point in time when we start to get pretty handy with a few exercises with our horse. Things start to come along pretty good. But then we are faced with a situation where our horse is distracted, and then the test is on. Do we have what it takes at that moment to get our horse to focus on the task at hand? Do we have what it takes to get the job done?

The answer is simple, but it requires a degree of feel and focus that may not be easy for some people at first. So what is this “feel and focus” thing? Have you ever pushed a ball or a shopping cart and had it roll straight and true for quite a distance? Then have you ever pushed a ball or shopping cart and had it spin, twist, drag, and crash into the wall? There is a difference in feel.

The hard part is gaining back this sense of feel. The size and motion of the horse can be very distracting, and therefore it can be hard to “feel” what they do.

Example
Have you ever ridden a horse through a gate, heading toward home? Remember how straight and true the horse felt as it passed through the gate. Then remember when you turned around and rode the horse back through the gate, heading away from home? Did you notice a change in the way he felt, maybe slower, stickier, leaning to one side? This is the missing ingredient that you may be looking for if you are unable to get your horse to feel good about leaving the barn.

Reassess your situation if you are having difficulties with your horse. You may just not be circling long enough or working steady enough until the feel in the horse changes. Or the horse might be trying and you might not be letting up long enough to give them a clue about what you are looking for. You are giving him a random release, and he has gone on to resisting harder because you missed his earlier try. You are rewarding the wrong thing, which the horse now thinks is the right thing. You and your horse are huffing and puffing, flustered at one another, going through the motions but not getting the job done.

The Solution
So what do you do? Back up and teach yourself and your horse some feel. Take your horse into an enclosed arena or round pen and set your reins down on your horse’s neck with one hand still on them. On this very loose rein, allow your horse to wander around the pen. Whenever the horse is on the wrong end of the arena (near the gate), urge him to go faster by squeezing or tapping your legs. When the horse goes to the right side of the arena (away from the gate), pet him and let him rest. The key to this exercise is to not pick up on the reins (unless you have to, then put them back down as soon as you can).

Continue this exercise until you can feel your horse go to the right side of the arena on a loose rein, straight and true.

Doing this exercise on a loose rein assures that you are actually getting to the horse’s feet, not just going through the motions. The only way for the horse to get to the right side of the arena is for him to make the decision - for himself. Continue this exercise until you can get to at least four different spots in the arena consistently on a loose rein. You can then take this feel back outside and give my barn sour exercise another go.

Important Keys:
Go until you feel your horse change (this may take a little longer than you think) Always notice when your horse tries Continue to ask your horse to try harder Have fun and stay focused
As with most things with your horse, the foundation is the key. I cannot stress enough the importance of having a good foundation on your horse in order to more easily tackle these problems.

Staying a Cut Above

by Allison Trimble

In athletic performance, the major emphasis is on the physical aspect of the sport. This is the same for equestrian competition. We spend so much time training, practicing, and perfecting maneuvers that we often forget about the mental training that is needed to become an elite performer. My fiancé, Jon, is pursuing a masters degree in sports psychology at Western Washington University. As a result, my mind has been opened to a whole new way of approaching competition performance.

In the cowhorse industry, there are trainers and riders who have reached a level of accomplishment most of us only hope to achieve. We watch in awe as they effortlessly make flawless runs and control the rankest cattle. In sports psychology, this is referred to as an "elite athlete." Elite athletes have honed certain mental skills that we, too, can model in our daily practice and show preparation.

Studies have shown that elite athletes consistently possess:
· Achievement Drive - The desire to apply persistence and effort to overcome obstacles to meet a goal;
· Self Awareness - The ability to engage in honest evaluation of their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors;
· Productive Thinking -The ability to control their thoughts and to respond to life situations in a way that results in personal success and goal attainment; and
· Self Confidence - The internal belief that they have the abilities and resources to be successful, combined with an unshakeable belief in their ability to achieve a goal.

For many years I have had what I like to call “The Reno Curse.” I could be having a great show year, but every time I got to the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno I could never get shown, not even on my aged horses. It was infuriating! My parents always came down from Alaska hyped up on reports from shows throughout the year, anxious to see it in person. The normal horse show jitters were further compounded by the fear that I was somehow destined to fail.

This past fall I was determined to make the finals, but I was worried about getting my head in the right place. I knew that I was responsible for this nightmare. The horses were the same, the cows were just cows; I had to be the variable that was causing all the issues. One night when I was on the phone with Jon, I asked him for some pointers from his studies. He gave me a couple of exercises to do, and I think they really helped me. I will admit that this was hugely experimental, but I was desperate.

For the first time in eight years, I made the finals.

Since then I have paid more attention to Jon’s studies, and I want to share with you what I tried in Reno and a few other helpful tips I have picked up in the past months.

Some of the most common things I hear at horse shows are "ride like you ride at home" or "pretend you’re in the practice pen." This is an attempt to encourage relaxation and make a stressful situation less intimidating. However, we all know that we aren’t at home. There is added pressure, both social and internal. Often, that pressure gets in the way of even the coolest cat showing to their full potential.

Once you and your horse are broke at home, your goal is to perform well at the shows. You want to show your horse into a paycheck. There is a real art to being a tough competitor, and sometimes all the desire in the world isn’t enough to conquer the horse show demons.

Mental Imagery and Self Talk
One of the most popular techniques is Mental Imagery Training. This is done by creating or recreating a sensory experience in your mind. There are two ways to picture this: either from an external perspective (seeing yourself performing a task) or an internal perspective (imagining a situation as though you were in it). One of the keys is visualizing yourself having a successful performance. When I was in Reno, Jon encouraged me to close my eyes and remember a time I had a great fence run. I pictured a run from when I won a class that was important to me. He then asked me to tell him five words that described how I felt during that run. I thought of confident, controlled, excited, in-position, and brave. I sometimes struggle with feeling anxious about going down the fence, and having that feeling of success in my mind when I walked into the pen helped me tremendously. I felt self-assured and that seemed to make me more able to "go for it."

Another way to do this is to watch videos of yourself making runs that you wish you could make all the time. This is called highlight video training.

It is really important to remember that one of the best ways to prepare yourself for an upcoming challenge is not to worry about that task itself, but to get yourself into a rhythm set by a previous event that will allow you to perform successfully in a future setting.

Self Talk is what performers say to themselves or others about their ability to achieve their competitive goals, and it can be positive or negative. I like to think of it as the conversation we have with ourselves. This is often used when attention is focused too much on uncontrollable factors, weaknesses, the outcome of the performance, the past, or the present. Positive and supportive comments that illicit excitement and confidence, like “I really feel prepared” or “my horse really feels ready” help increase your performance ability. This is also a great tool to use after a run that may have gone poorly to help regain your confidence for a future class.

"Thought stopping" is a way to decrease the amount of negative Self Talk. It is crucial to be able to identify any thought you feel is detrimental and to know why this is hurtful to your performance. Plan ahead of time to have a trigger word you use when you start to have those negative thoughts...for example, "STOP!" Then find a way to replace that thought with something positive.

There is no question that horse showing is a sport, and anyone who shows knows the head games that happen in the hotel room, in the warm up pen, and as the gate is swung open and your name is announced. You may not be able to control the cow you get or who is judging that day, but you can own what is yours. I encourage all of you to take control of your show experience and use the tools that are available to you!

Resource:
Tenenbaum, G. & Eklund, R. C. (2007). Handbook of sport Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley and Sons. From Chapter 13, Mental Skills Training in Sport by Robin S. Vealey.

So You'll Never Take a Dressage Test?" Part 3

by Alice Trindle

As I review the past two articles in this series, I have to admit that they are a bit on the academic side. I apologize for that, at least a little...and yet the premise of these articles is all about dressage, or the mindful training of both horse and rider. I guess there is no escaping the fact that if we truly want to develop a willing partnership with our horses, we have to commit to stretching the boundaries of our understanding--to read, listen, compare, and observe.

This month, let’s look at applying the rudiments of the training scale to some very specific training scenarios. In each case, it is important to keep in mind that these steps, or notes of the scale, combine and build one upon another, and that the human has a responsibility associated with each step. It never is just the horse’s fault! Somewhere, the human has missed a critical step, preventing us from accomplishing the maneuver in a willing partnership. By going back to the training scales, we can usually discover a better way to set up for success.

Example One – Out of Balance Ground Work
We have discussed many times in previous articles the necessity and benefits of proper ground work, work-in-hand, and liberty work. Hopefully, everyone is applying some ground work exercises to your equine routine, whether you are working with a young horse or training at the Grand Prix level.

With the more recent "natural horsemanship" movement, it has been great to see so many people enjoying the fun and benefits of ground work with their horses. However, as I have traveled these past few years, I have seen many horses moving on non-geometric circles at inconsistent gaits and balancing with shoulders popped-out, heads up, and with stiff backs. The involvement of the human – the leader – is often non-existent in truly influencing the overall picture of the movement in this poor ground work. To experience this feeling, try trotting a circle on your two-legged horse. As your toes try to stay on the imaginary circle beneath your feet, look to the outside of the circle and lift your outside shoulder.

Notice how it became difficult to keep your toes on the arc of the circle? And you probably lost the rhythm of the two-beat trot. Can you imagine a similar situation with a horse you are trying to trot on a circle at end of a longe line?

Okay...so what is creating this unpleasant picture, and how might we provide leadership from the ground to make the situation more pleasing? Go to the training scale for answers! First, we must be missing some very basic notes in the scale. The horse has poor rhythm which is being influenced by a lack of suppleness in his back, causing a lack of balance. What do you need to do to help? Look at the human training triangle and make sure you are accomplishing each note of the scale:

Step 1 - Provide clear leadership with a positive and present attitude
Do you have a clear picture of the direction and rhythm you want to achieve? Have you internalized the rhythm of the gait you are asking the horse to accomplish?

Step 2 - Suppleness & Relaxation
Are you balanced in your stance and engaged in picturing/watching for the movement? Are you breathing...with a smile on your face?

Step 3 - Contact & Feel
Are you feeling of, for, and with the horse through the line? In your mind's eye, are you riding the horse with contact through your entire body, including all aids--seat, leg, and (last) hands?

Step 4 - Straightness & Balance
Rather than continuing to send the horse on a circle out of balance, have you thought of other methods or exercises that might help him to understand self-carriage? Perhaps accomplishing some work-in-hand or lateral maneuvers will help, then come back to the exercise on a circle.

Step 5 - Impulsion, Schwung, & Collection
Depending on the age and development of the horse, even these elements can be accomplished with proper ground work for the exercise of a balanced trot on a circle. You may want to consider tools such as driving on the long lines, use of the surcingle with light side reins, or the cowgirl side rein system (i.e., run your reins up through the gullet of a western saddle and hook over the saddle horn, with very light contact on the snaffle bit.)

Example Two – Excessive Bending in the Shoulder-In
As a quick review, the shoulder-in exercise is a three-track maneuver that strengthens, supples, and balances the horse. It is a critical exercise in the development of all horses and all disciplines. If we are riding on the track to the left, a proper shoulder-in posture would find the left front foot slightly off the track toward the center of the arena. The right front foot would be on the same line as the left hind, and the right hind foot would be on the outer track. The rider can see the horse’s left eyelash, with a slight bend to the left.

Now, what if we see the entire left eye of the horse, and his neck was definitely bent to the left? Let’s use the training scale to examine what is happening. Clearly, the horse is over-bending, which is most likely causing him to be out of balance, certainly not straight, and probably rigid or braced in various portions of his body. He may also be a little mentally bothered, as his eyes are not in a very natural position. On top of that, the most basic of the notes—rhythm--is probably non-existent! HELP!!

Step 1 – Leadership & A Balanced Seat
Are you present, with a clear picture in your mind’s eye of what a shoulder-in looks like? Is the rhythm of the gait clearly beating with your internal clock? Have you checked that your aids are correct for the shoulder-in posture, with your seat bone and shoulder weight balanced in the direction of travel, your inside leg active at the girth, your outside leg relaxed, and your hands accepting the energy as it moves from the inside hip to the outside rein?

Step 2 – Relaxed, Supple, and Active Hips
Did you remember to do your suppling and stretching exercises for both you and the horse?

Step 3 – Contact & Feel
Are you using all your aids efficiently, without bracing?

Step No. 4 – Straightness & Balance
How is your posture? Are your shoulders parallel to the ground? Are your pressure and balance aids working in unison? (Review NWHS "Beyond the Basics" articles July – August, 2007, available online at http://www.nwhorsesource.com/.)

Step 5 – Impulsion, Schwung, & Finesse of Aids
Are you feeling for the energy starting with the push of the horse’s inside hind foot and carrying that energy toward the outside shoulder and rein, with rhythm? Is the timing of your aids enhancing the rhythm and flow? Are your hands there to accept the energy, not inhibit or brace? Can you feel the freedom of the back muscles, and does the tail swing with rhythm, not annoyance?

Step 6 – Collection & Lightness
Can you now ride the shoulder-in with imperceptible aids, with the poll as the highest point and energy pushing from behind, in a balanced, rhythmic, pleasing dance? Yeah! You have reached the pinnacle of the Training Scale!

For more information on the classical dressage training scale
www.artofriding.com/articles/trainingscale.html
http://www.horsemagazine.com/CLINIC/W/weis/rider www.woodsdressage.com/training_scale.asp