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How to Ride Your Reining Horse Better with Sean Johnson Professional Reining Horse Trainer, Kellyville, OK

Training with Sean Johnson Kellyville, OK

Sean Johnson NRHA Professional and Irish

Sean Johnson started his riding career in the English world of three-day events. In 2001, he decided to make the change to reining to continue his career in horse training and showing. During my time at Sean’s we worked on my leg position and making my horse do more of the work. Sean believes that you should expect your horse to do their job and correct them when they make a mistake. He feels that you should not help them all the time because your horse will start to depend on you. The drawback of always helping them is when you don’t help them they fall apart. Sean says expect the horse to be good and maybe they will live up to your expectations, but if you always expect them to be bad they are still going to live up to your expectations. Taking this philosophy and incorporating it into the circle, the turnaround, and the stop was the focus of my time with Sean.

Warming up

Every day we would warm up with trotting exercises. First, we would trot a few circles in each direction. Than we would move to a long posting trot to stretch the horses shoulder. Than a trot and a long trot with the horse in a counter bend. To counter bend the horse you use the outside rein and slightly bend the neck to the outside of the circle. You want to keep the horse on the circle so you need to balance the neck with your inside rein and use your legs to keep the horse from dropping into or out of the circle.

Leg Positon

All horseback riders have heard keep your heels down from the time they start to ride. I for one have struggled with this the whole time I have been riding. Sean explained that the reason keeping my heels down was so difficult was that I was gripping too much with my upper legs. By relaxing my upper leg, I was able to push down into my heels more effectively. This correction allowed my horse to move more freely and me to connect to each stride without having to work so hard.

Circling

Sean explains that it takes another half circle before the error becomes evident. So, if your horse is not coming through center on a straight line, the error occurred half way back on the circle, not at the center. Thinking this way was a great insight into where the mistake really started and that the correction should be made back when the mistake was created and that would prevent the mistake that became evident halfway around the other side of the circle.

The goal of the reining circle is to have the horse willingly guided and if you are helping them all the time they are not willingly guided. You want the horse to do more work than you. If you want to teach the horse to lock into the circle, only correct them when they make the mistake. If they leave the circle guide their nose to the inside with your inside rein at the same time bump with your outside leg. Once they are following the circle bring your hands back to center and let the horse follow the circle. If the horse is dropping into the circle guide them to move out by opening your outside rein and bumping with your inside leg. After working on this my horse started to move more freely and was locking into the circle on his own.

Circling can become monotonous for both you and your horse. You really want them to be waiting for what comes next. A great way to do that is to add a stop and a turnaround to the outside and loping off in the opposite direction. This one exercise helps sharpen up the circles, the turnaround, the roll back, the stop, and the lead departure.

Turnaround

The turnaround requires the horse to cross their front outside leg over in front of the inside leg.  The outside shoulder cannot be pushing to the outside or the horse will not cross over well. To work on this start trotting your horse in a small circle and guide their nose by pulling your inside rein out and holding it there. Continue to trot like this until you feel your horse’s shoulder and neck commit to the circle. Once they commit to the circle open your inside leg and lay your outside rein and turnaround. While turning pull your inside rein out and kiss and release. The horse should increase in speed every time you kiss. If the horse does not increase its speed bump them in the outside shoulder and pull your inside rein out and kiss all at the same time. Do this for multiple revolutions and then trot out into the small circle and repeat the exercise. After doing this exercise in both directions and you feel the horse is crossing over well and is committed to the turnaround you can go ahead and do the turnaround maneuver in both directions.

Sean likes to start the turnaround by opening the inside leg and rein and laying the outside rein on the neck and outside leg on the body. He does not like to kiss to start the turnaround because he feels it can create a more abrupt start. Once the horse has taken three steps he kisses once for more speed and then again for each increase in speed. If the horse does not increase in speed he will bump the horse with the outside leg or both legs as well as kissing. If they speed up with every kiss, reward the effort by stopping the turnaround and let them rest.

The Run Down and Stop

When you are running down to the stop you want to have your inside leg forward and your outside leg is used to bump for more speed if the horse does not respond to the kiss.  You also want to be driving down into your heels and sit down and back in the saddle. The idea is to have your body already in the stop position and be behind the motion. Being in the stop position as you are running down allows your horse to go to the ground with their hind end and you to stay seated during the stop. When you are stopping a horse you also want to be aware of your reins. You can use them to moderate the speed if you need to but when you ask for the stop you really don’t want to pull back on the reins. Pulling back on the reins will stop the forward movement and result in a shorter stop that can be heavy on the front end.

As with everything in reining maneuver the approach to the stop is just as important as the stop itself. What we did was use the entire length of the arena as well as going around the ends. The advantage to this is you can practice speed control at the ends as well as squaring off your corners in preparation of the run down. Sean likes to practice the stop this way because it allows you to build for the stop but you are not always stopping every time. He feels that when you are sitting in stop position and squared your corner and building incrementally you are able to surprise the horse with the stop there by training the horse to stop only when asked.

While in Kellyville, OK I logged 11.5 hours of riding time toward the AQHA riding program. https://www.aqha.com/trail-riding/programs/aqha-horseback-riding-program

I hope this information helps your riding as much as it has helped me.

Feel free to share this with your friends.

Please visit Sean Johnson Performance Horses at www.johnsonreining.com

Check out more reining horse trainers by clicking this link: https://horsetaillegacy.com/063o

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Things to do in Oklahoma

Things to do in Oklahoma

Route 66 is alive in Oklahoma. We have traveled up and down Route 66 and its side roads as we explore the Northeastern part of Oklahoma. This area is like stepping into a time capsule of the American West.

The Rock Cafe Stroud, OK 

The Rock Café epitomizes the enduring spirit of the Route 66. In 1936 Roy Rieves built the café from the sandstone that remained after the constructions of U.S. Route 66. That is why the café is called the Rock Café. Over the years, the Rock Café has endured many hardship such as the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, an F3 tornado and a fire. Through all that the Rock Café remained and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To further confirm the impact of the Rock Café and Route 66, Disney Pixar’s film Cars based the character Sally Carrera on the current owner Dawn Welch.The Rock Café

The Rock Café is a must do for anyone traveling on Route 66. The menu takes standard dinner fare and puts a unique spin on it. The atmosphere is rustic and the staff warm and friendly. We even got asked to sign the visitors book while we waited for our meal. http://rockcafert66.com/    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Caf%C3%A9

Wine in Oklahoma

The first documented winery in the Oklahoma Territory was opened in 1898 by Charles Fairchild. By 1907 the state enacted a prohibition on alcohol. After the repeal of the national prohibition in 1933 the state of Oklahoma continued to imposed prohibition through 1959. It wasn’t until the mid-1990’s along the Route 66 corridor did Oklahoma see an increase in the vineyards and wine production. I am happy to say that we have visited two such vineyards and feel we have tasted the future of wine in Oklahoma.

The Stable Ridge Vineyards

Stable Ridge Vineyards is located on Route 66 in Stroud, OK. The tasting room is housed in an 1898 Catholic Church that was dedicated to those who died in the Civil War. As you taste the wine made from locally grown grapes you are treated to the simple architecture that made up the buildings of the time.  Stable Ridge Vineyards makes 11 wines including: Bedlam Chardonnay, Riesling, Peachy P, White Zinfandel, Beau Blanc, Montage, Centennial Red, Ridge Port Select, Cabernet Sauvignon, Wild Thang, and Jeremiah’s Red.  http://www.stableridgevineyards.com/

The Tidewater Winery

Tidewater Winery is located in Drumright, OK. The tasting room is the 8,000-square foot Federal Style Tidal School built by John D. Rockefeller company and later owned by J. Paul Getty. The school was to provide a first-rate education to the children of the oilfield worker. Tidewater winery makes ten different wines including: Moscato, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Way White, Cimarron Red, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Rush, White Zinfandel, and Sweet Jimmy Jane. All the labels on the bottles are of the mural depicting the history of Drumright. http://www.tidewaterwinery.com/

The owners of both these wineries have not only contributed to the regrowth of wine making in Oklahoma, they have also preserved the history and architecture of the area. If you are traveling Route 66 and love wine be sure to support these trail blazing wine makers.

Drumright Historical Society Museum

The Drumright Historical Society Museum was founded by Emma E. Akin in 1965 and is housed in the 1915 Santa Fe Railway Depot, which is on the National Register of Historic places. Mrs. Akin was passionate about education and the museum certainly carries on her vision of preserving the history of life in Oklahoma during the oil boom to current times.

The first thing you see when entering the museum is an eight-foot mural that tells the history of Drumright and Oklahoma from the arrival of the Spanish and French, the trappers and traders, the Trail of Tears and the discovery of oil.

On March 17, 1912 oil was discovered in Drumright. By 1917 Drumright and the neighboring towns of Shamrock and Oilton became the largest oilfields at that time. With the oil boom came an influx of people ready to capitalize on the wealth that came with finding oil. The setting as well as the artifacts paint a picture of a time when fortunes were made and lost on the backs of hard working men and women. There is still oil being drilled but the boom is over and all that remains is the small-town America and its rich history.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

“The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum preserves and interprets the evolving history and cultures of the American West for the education and enrichment of its diverse audiences of adults and children.”

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is located on the top of Persimmon Hill overlooking Oklahoma City. The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens that only enhance the setting. The portico at the entrance looks like a line of tents that would have been seen back when the west was wild. Once you enter the museum your eye is drawn to the magnificent 18-foot sculpture “The End of the Trail” by James Earle Fraser. This sculpture sets the stage for the amazing collection of fine art, and culture of the American west. The galleries take you from life on the frontier to modern day rodeos. Each gallery expertly presents a glimpse into what life was like for the Native American, frontier military, and cowboy of the west.

I found this museum to be truly amazing. The roll of the horse for me was the most interesting part of the museum. Even though we have modernized the making of saddles and horse tack, the basic form and function has remained the same. Now when I get into my saddle I will feel even more connected to my American heritage. For more information click this link   https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/about-the-museum/

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

On April 19, 1995 at 9:01 AM a bomb exploded on the street in front of the Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. This act of terrorism shocked not only Oklahoma City but the entire nation.  On that day 168 people lost their lives and countless others were affected by such a horrific event. Many lessons were learned as a result of the bombing and a community came together to rise above the hatred that inspired this act of violence.

Today, on the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building is the sacred Oklahoma City National Memorial. Every aspect of the memorial is designed to honor all the people effected by the bombing and to inspire hope for the future. The Mission Statement sets the stage for what you will find when entering the Memorial. Every aspect of the Memorial is designed to remind us of the great loss and the coming together of a community.

“The Mission Statement

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.” https://oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/about/mission-statement/

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gilcrease Museum

The Gilcrease Museum houses a vast collection of fine art, anthropology and archival items that bring the American West to life. When you visit, you will view the history of the American West through the art of Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, Charles Schreyvogel and Frank Tenney Johnson. You’ll find landscape paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt, and works by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler and William Merritt Chase.

What I found most interesting was the Plains Indian Art. The Plains Indians lived a hard life and yet they saw the beauty in what was around them and incorporated it into everyday life. I was also inspired by their ability to change and adapt to survive. Through their art, you are able to get a glimpse in the Native American values and culture. For more information about the Gilcrease Museum visit https://gilcrease.org/

The Page Memorial Library Sand Springs, OK

Charles Page lost his father at the age of 11, and was forced to go to work to help support his mother and siblings. This experience inspired Charles to create a planned community where widows and orphans could live and become more productive members of society. To achieve his vision Charles purchased land and encouraged businesses to come the Sand Springs to provide jobs and income that sustained the orphanage and homes.

The Page Memorial Library was donated to the city of Sand Springs in 1930 by Lucile Page in memory of her husband Charles Page. Today the building is a museum depicting the history of Sand Springs and the progressive thinking of Charles Page. The building is in the art deco style which is evident on the exterior facade and in the interior with its cork flooring and chandeliers. We were fortunate to have a guided tour of the building while hearing the history of Sand Springs from a gentleman that has called it home for most of his live. http://www.sandspringsok.org/index.aspx?NID=480

 

I hope you get a chance to travel Route 66 and experience this iconic highway.

For more travel blogs from HorseTail Legacy LLC  https://horsetaillegacy.com/01m8

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How to Ride Your Reining Horse with Bobby Avila Professional Reining Horse Trainer Rogersville, MO

Training with Bobby Avila in Rogersville, MO

Bobby Avila and Irish American Quarter Horse
Bobby Avila and Irish

Training with Bobby Avila for a week we focused on how to work with an older horse. We spent our time on circles, rollbacks, turn arounds and lead changes. Bobby’s method of working with an older horse that knows how to do the maneuvers is to correct the horse when they make a bad decision and then leave them alone. You also want to teach the horse that when they make a good decision there is a reward.  That reward can come in the form of getting to rest after they do what you have asked correctly. If you discipline and older horse over and over it creates a horse that will become frustrated and angry.

Circles

Our horses are trained to be responsive to our body cues. That being said, if you ride too far ahead of your horse it becomes difficult to maintain a consistent circle. Bobby likes to spot the circle 1/8 at a time so it is easier to keep your horse on the path of the circle. An older horse knows how to stay under your hands and follow the circle, however if they make the bad decision and lean in or out of the circle Bobby likes to correct this by turning the horse sharply across the circle by picking up your hands increase forward motion and riding the horse between your hands to get back on the path of the circle. These two techniques helped my circles a great deal. It also helps reduce the need to continually pick up my hands to guide the horse to do what he already knows. The more we did this the better he stayed between my hands and on the path of the circle.

Fast Circle to Slow Circle Transitions

The transition from a fast circle to a slow circle requires rhythm. The approach was to ask the horse to increase his speed until he and I were in a comfortable rhythm and to maintain that. Once I had the rhythm, it became a matter of transitioning down by putting weight into my feet and sinking down into my saddle and maintaining the rhythm to create a smooth transition to a slow circle. The end result was a much smoother looking transition in which I was in rhythm with my horse at each speed.

Rollback

The object of the rollback is for the horse to turn inside out and lope off in the opposite direction. You must move your hands so they are creating the alley way toward the direction you want to go. For the rollback that alley way is back over the horse’s hip to complete the rollback.  At the same time, you want to move your inside leg forward to create more forward motion so the horse can extend their stride. The extended stride creates a better lead departure out of the rollback.

When Bobby is teaching a horse to rollback he lopes it across the narrow part of the pen, stops and turns around and lopes off over and over until the horse understands what is expected is a stops and turn. This will condition the horse to think, stop, and turn.  Bobby then makes the horse stop stand square and back up and then turn and lope off. At the end of the practice session he will stop and stand and then walk off. By doing this final step it will take the rollback out of the stop and communicates to the horse that they are only to turn when you ask.

Turn around

My horse likes to hang his right shoulder out in the left turn around. I have used many different exercises to improve his reach in the left turn around, but have found that he improves for a while but then he goes back to hanging his shoulder out again. Bobby’s approach was to allow the horse to correct himself. The way we did this was by placing my right leg forward so when he hangs his shoulder out he would hit my spur. The advantage of this is the horse learns to reach with his shoulder because he wants to avoid hitting the spur not because you are spurring him. Again, teaching the horse what is right and giving him the ability to make the right decision

Lead Changes in the Center

All reining patterns require a lead change in the center. We all need to practice changing leads in the center especially before a show. So how do you do this and prevent the horse from anticipating the lead change in the center. What Bobby does is to practice the lead changes in the center of the circle until he is happy with the maneuver. Then he finishes the practice with circles and no lead changes so the horse does not think circling always means change leads.

While in Rogersville, MO I logged 8.5 hours of riding time toward the AQHA riding program. https://www.aqha.com/trail-riding/programs/aqha-horseback-riding-program

I hope these tips help you work with your older horse in a way that will keep you both happy.

Feel free to share this with your friends.

For more information about Avila Performance Horses clink this link: http://www.avilaperformancehorses.net/

Check out more post by clicking on this link: https://horsetaillegacy.com/063o

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Things To Do In The Ozark Mountains of Missouri

Ozark Mountains of Missouri

The Ozark Mountain area of Missouri is a beautiful part of the U.S. The rolling hillside has almost a roller coaster feel to it. There is a sense of history and family throughout the area. A visit to this area provides many sites to see such as Wilson Creek National Battlefield, Downtown Branson, Cavern tours, and the National Tiger Sanctuary.

Wilson Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri

Wilson Creek National Battlefield is the first National Park we visited on our trip across the U.S.. Being from the North-Eastern part of the country I was unaware that this battle opened the Civil War in Missouri and was the second major battle of the civil war. Looking back at Missouri during that time it was a true microcosm of the sentiments of that time in U.S. history. Although Missouri legislature voted to stay in the Union there was a section of the population that wanted to keep slavery. This division contributed to Missouri being the state with the third greatest number of battles to occur during the Civil War.

Leading the Union Forces were Brig Gen Nathaniel Lyon, Col Granz Sigel, and Major Samuel Sturgis. These men all are notable in their own right. However, Brig. General Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union General to die in battle during the Civil War at the Battle of Wilson Creek.

Leading the Confederate Forces were Brig Gen Benjamin McCulloch, Major General Sterling Price and Brig. General Nicholas Bartlett Pearce. Together these men and their troops fought a five-hour long battle against the Union forces at the Battle of Wilson Creek. At the end of the fighting, the Confederate forces drove the Union forces back and took the battle field.

A trip to this National Park brings the history of the civil war to life. The visitors center at the park, is nicely done with a collection of Civil War artifacts and informative displays. There is also a replica of the battlefield that shows the battle in action as it talks you through the event. The park offers access by car or walking trail around the site of this landmark battlefield. For more information click this link https://www.nps.gov/wicr/index.htm

Branson, Missouri Water Front

Branson, Missouri is known for all of the theater shows, but the center of town is a throwback to home town America. The main street has quaint shops to stroll through and a railway station. The water front offers a spot to take a leisurely stroll on Lake Taneycomo. There is a little bit of everything to do in the Midwestern town.

Lamberts Café is just north of Branson in Ozark, Mo, it is a family café known as the Home of the Throwed Roll for over 40 years. From the moment, you walk in you feel like the clock was turned back to the 1930’s. Once you are seated you feel like you are at one big family dinner with home style cooking and a friendly atmosphere. If you are hungry for some serious comfort food Lamberts Café is the place to get it.

The National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke, Missouri

The National Tiger Sanctuary (NTS) was established in 2000 by Keith Kinkade and Judy McGee. This non-profit organization was formed to provide permanent homes for rescued exotic and domestic animals. NST also provides educational opportunities in the areas of research and internships. Public awareness of animal abuse and the need for legislation to protect both domestic and exotic animals is part of the mission of NTS.  I have always loved big cats and visiting NTS and seeing these animals was a great experience. It is evident that the animals well being is the primary focus at NTS. If you are ever in the Branson, MO area a visit the National Tiger Sanctuary is a must. http://www.nationaltigersanctuary.org/about-us/

Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri

Missouri is also known as the cave state. There are nearly 6,600 caves one of which is the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri. The Caverns were discovered by John Knox and his hunting dog in 1862.  Over the years, the ownership and the name of the caverns have changed as well as its use. Today the family owned business strongly supports conservation and scientific educations. Three endangered species make the caverns their home. They are the Ozarks’ Blind Cave Fish, Ozarks’ Blind Cave Salamander and the Ozarks’ Blind Cave Crayfish. The Eastern Pipistrelle Bat shares the cavern as well.  Fantastic Caverns’ staff provide a one hour driven tour of the inside of the cave. You will get to see what nature has been building just underground from the water, minerals and limestone. The caverns feature stalactite, stalagmite, soda straws, columns, draperies, flowstones and sink holes. A trip to the cave state must include a visit to at least one of its’ many caves. http://www.factasticcaverns.com/

 The  Acrobats of China in Branson, Missouri

The Amazing Acrobates of China
The Amazing Acrobates of China

“Acrobatics have more than a 2,500-year history in China. Developed from everyday life and work the early acrobatic skills presented in village harvest festivals have now evolved into one of China’s national treasures. Building on the traditional performances, today’s artists have added new techniques and spectacular stunts thrilling audiences around the globe. Highly skilled, rigorously trained, and superbly talented, these performers follow an unbroken tradition since 700 B.C.” The performance was about 1 ½ hours and was filled with amazing acrobatic feats that showcase the performers skill of balance and strength. https://www.acrobatsofchina.com/all-about-acrobats

 

 

 

I hope you have a chance to visit the Ozark Mountain area of Missouri and experience all it has to offer.

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For more travel blogs from HorseTail Legacy LLC  https://horsetaillegacy.com/01m8

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Improve Your Horseback Riding with These Tips From Buffalo Ridge Arena with Bruce Barber in Georgetown, Kentucky

Training at Buffalo Ridge Arena with Bruce Barber in Georgetown, Kentucky

child on an American Quarter HorseThis week of training was all about speed control and freeing up my horse’s movement. Taking a week and focusing on communicating with Irish in a way that he understands and responds to without picking his face up and poking him with my spur made for one happy horse. My horse Irish is a 13-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding that knows how to do all the maneuvers in a Reining pattern. He does not need to keep repeating the maneuvers, he needs to do them in a way that he is more willingly guided. Bruce believes that the best way to teach a horse is through work.  Evaluate each maneuver and see what isn’t working and break it down and work on that part. He does not believe in doing the maneuver over and over and spurring a horse that already knows his job.  Below are the exercises that we did during our week with Bruce Barber.

Speed Control

Speed control is like a dance according to Bruce.  The way to communicate with your horse to slow down, speed up or stop is with your feet and your body. To develop the speed control, we made a diamond shape pattern instead of a circle. Begin by trotting to the first point once there loping off to the next point. Once you are at that point push down in your feet and stay behind the motion to tell the horse to slow down to the trot. To get the horse to speed up in the lope move your feet front and back with the motion of the horses back feet. Doing the diamond exercise also helps straighten up a horse that is over bent in or out of the circle. Once the horse is listening to your body do the same exercise in a circle. Bruce feels that putting pressure down into your feet and staying off the horse’s back allows the horse to drop his neck and round up his back ultimately freeing up the horse to move out.

Working the poles

Bruce placed three wooden poles about five feet apart horizontally on the ground. The goal of this exercise is get the horse to move out and pick his feet up. The added benefit is to see that when the rider is sitting down on the horse’s back it blocks the horses motion. We started at the walk and walked over the poles with me sitting down. Irish hit most of the poles with his feet. We tried it again and this time I put pressure in my feet and stood up out of the saddle and gave him a loose rein and he didn’t hit a pole. For the trot, we circled around the poles and turned perpendicular to the poles and trotted over them maintaining pressure in my feet and standing up out of the saddle. Irish loved this exercise by the end he was looking at his feet and the poles and you could feel him relax.

The “U” shape pole exercise is used to see if you have control of the horse body. This was set up so you had to trot into the inside of a “U” that was about 6 x 6 feet and circle around and trot back out. Doing this will help determine if your horse pushing in or out with their head, shoulder or hip. For me, Irish was pushing out with his shoulder. Determining that he was pushing out with his shoulder led to the reverse arch exercise.

The reverse arch exercise

The goal of this exercise is to get rid of any stiffness in the shoulder by pulling the horse’s head and neck to the outside of the circle. Trot and loop circles and pull your outside rein back to arch the horse’s head to the outside of the circle. This work helps to free up the shoulder so that the horse is able stay in the tight arch needed to complete a circle in the “U” shape pole exercise.

The “X” exercise

This exercise benefits the horse’s core, lead departure, lead changes, and roll backs. In this exercise, you make two diagonal lines across the pen to form an “X”.  Starting at the trot push the horse hip over in the direction of the opposite corner you are heading to. Essentially the hip is leading while keeping the horse’s head in line with his body to form a diagonal line.  Once you reach the opposite corner release the hip and trot around the top of the pen to the next corner and trot the diagonal line pushing the horse’s hip again to the opposite corner. Once you have it at the trot do the same maneuver at the lope. At the top of the pen push down into your feet and break into the trot to the next corner and pick up the lope pushing the hip over to the opposite corner. After a few “X” patterns at the lope instead of breaking into the trot ask for the lead change at the top of the pen and proceed to the next corner.

Counter canter lead change exercise

Counter cantering a circle is a great exercise to work on the lead change. Normally a horse wants to be in the correct lead on the circle so it becomes a natural movement for them to change to the correct lead when asked. It is important to stay in rhythm with the horse and to ask for the lead change by softening the horse’s chin and changing your weight into your outside hip and step through the change by placing your outside leg on and releasing the inside leg and clucking. This allows the horse to change into the correct lead for that circle while allowing you to practice the lead change.

Leaning in or out on the circle exercise.

This exercise helps the horse learn how to stay on the circle willingly. The exercise can be done at the trot and the lope. The goal is to make the horse work when they lean. Once they understand that it is less work to stay on the circle you have taught them to be more willingly guided. As you circle you will feel when the horse is leaning as soon as you feel it stop the horse, back them up and rollback and depart. Timing the work to happen as soon as the lean occurs is important so the horse connects the work with the leaning.

While in Georgetown, KY I logged 9 hours of riding time toward the AQHA riding program. https://www.aqha.com/trail-riding/programs/aqha-horseback-riding-program

I hope you can use these exercises to make your horse more willingly guided and happy just like Irish.

For more information about Buffalo Ridge Arena by clicking this link: http://buffaloridgearena.weebly.com/

Check out more post by clicking on this link: https://horsetaillegacy.com/063o

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Explore Kentucky Horse Country

Things to do in Kentucky Horse Country

When you think of Kentucky the things that come to mind are horses and Bourbon. Making Kentucky the first stop on my trip across the U.S. with my mother and my American Quarter Horse Irish was a must.  There is so much to do in this agricultural state that I am only going to be able to scratch the surface.

Bourbon and Kentucky

Bourbon is a truly American spirit and 95% of all bourbon is made in Kentucky. No trip to the area is complete without touring and tasting at the many bourbon distilleries. Bourbon is a type of whiskey made from 50% or more of corn, and the remainder being rye and barley. After the grains are milled, mashed and combined with yeast and water the fermentation begins. The alcohol is distilled and placed in single use charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years to age. The water used in bourbon is from the Kentucky river. The native limestone remove the iron deposits making the water ideal for distilling bourbon. Every distillery has their own method of distilling bourbon but the water from the Kentucky river has made Kentucky the premier producer of bourbon.

Wild Turkey Distillery was the bourbon tour that I took while in Kentucky. This company has been in operation for 75 years and is located on a cliff overlooking the Kentucky river. The owner of Wild Turkey is Jimmy Russell. He is the longest active distiller of bourbon in the country. He combines the art and science of distilling into producing the Wild Turkey Brand of Bourbon.

The tours include an explanation of how bourbon is made, starting with the grains, to distilling process, the rack houses and a tasting of the various selection of bourbon produced. At Wild Turkey, the tasting room is perched on a cliff overlooking the Kentucky River with a beautiful view of a “S” curved bridge.  You can learn more about Wild Turkey Distillery by clicking on the link http://wildturkeybourbon.com/

 

Chocolate and Kentucky 

Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory is the creator of the bourbon ball chocolate candy.  In 1919, two substitute school teachers in their mid-twenties, Ruth Hanly (Booe) and Rebecca Gooch, started the candy factory in a time when women didn’t even have the right to vote. The chocolates are still made with the original recipes that Rebecca and Ruth developed. Today the company is owned by Ruth’s grandson Charles Booe. When I was visiting the shop, it was hard to choose what to buy but the chocolate has the perfect consistency and flavor to satisfy this chocolate lover. To learn more about Rebecca Ruth Candy click on this link.  http://rebeccaruth.stores.yahoo.net/ruthbooestory.html

Kentucky and Horses

Kentucky is known for its’ horses, making it a horse lovers dream destination. There are so many ways to experience the wonders of the horse in Kentucky I can only cover a few.

The famous Churchill Downs located in Louisville opened in 1875 and is the official home of the Kentucky Derby. You can click this link to learn more about Churchill Downs. https://www.churchilldowns.com/about/churchill-downs/history/

The Kentucky Horse Park is a must do when visiting Kentucky. The commonwealth of Kentucky acquired the land from Mary Sherman Jenney for $2.7 million in 1972 and proceeded to build the only horse park dedicated to the relationship between man and horse. In 1978 the Kentucky Horse Park opened to the public and continues to grow to this day. To learn more about the Kentucky Horse Park click on the link https://kyhorsepark.com/

Of course, for me the focus was to train my horse at Buffalo Ridge Arena with Bruce Barber. Irish and I spent six days training and enjoyed learning as Bruce says “new tools to improve our dance”.   In an up coming blog I will be reviewing many of the training exercises Irish and I have learned while at Buffalo Ridge Arena. For more information about Bruce Barber click this link http://www.buffaloridgearena.com/

Toyota Motor Manufacturing and KentuckyHorse Statue outside the Toyota Motors Manufacturing Company in Georgetown Kentucky

Toyota’s largest vehicle manufacturing plant in North America is located in Georgetown, KY. The first completely American made Camry came of the assembly line in 1988. That car can still be seen today at the Toyota visitor center as you wait for your guided tour of the massive plant. For more information about the Toyota plant click the link http://www.toyotageorgetown.com/tour.asp

Frankfort the Capital City of Kentucky

The Kentucky State Capital is located in the town of Frankfort along the Kentucky River. The small town feel of Frankfort makes visiting the area very relaxing. The capitol building that stands today is the fourth building to houses the state legislature. The first two building were used between 1792-1830 until a fire claimed them. The third building was used from 1830-1910. This building is called the ‘old’ capitol building and still stands today.  The current building was designed by architect Frank Mills Andrews and was dedicated on June 2, 1910. The final cost of construction for this building was $1.82 million. Today it would cost between $500 million and $1 billion to construct. The facade is constructed of Indiana Bedford Limestone and Vermont Granite and interior is composed of white Georgia marble, gray Tennessee marble and dark green Vermont marble with grand corridors featuring 36 columns of Vermont granite and delicate art glass skylights and murals. The grounds of the state capital are beautiful and lend themselves to a leisurely stroll. To learn more about Kentucky’s capital click on this link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_State_Capitol

As you can see Kentucky has a rich history just waiting to be explored!

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How to Pack for a trip with Your Horse

How to Pack for a trip with Your Horse

For most of us packing is our least favorite part of any trip. Take the stress out of packing for a trip with your horse by following these tips. There are many reasons why packing is a chore, but for me it is the concern that I may forget something that I will really need.

Reduce the Packing Frenzy

One way to make packing go smoothly and minimize the chance of forgetting something is to create detailed packing lists. Spending the time creating a complete list of everything you need for yourself and your horse to travel is worth the work. Put your lists on the computer so it is easy to update it as needed. I like to print out my lists and carry them with me to check things off as I get or pack the items . This keeps me organized. Packing a few items at a time will spread the work load out and reduce the last minute packing frenzy.

Packing For a Giant Child

Packing for a horse is like packing for a giant child. They need more stuff than everyone else on the trip. Since what they need is often specialized items, you really want to be sure to take them with you. Plan as though you will not be able to purchase any of the items you need for your horse while your are traveling. Consider packing duplicate items for the things that your need the most.

Horse getting shoesDon’t Forget to Pack the Shoes

One thing that can bring your trip plans to an end is the loss of a shoe. Talk to your farrier so they can schedule hoof care close to when you plan to travel. They may want to change the way the horse is shod based on your planned activity. Since I am traveling for 3 months my farrier made two sets of shoes for me to take, as well as the nails required to attach them. I also took photos of how the hooves looked just after shoeing. This information will help the next farrier shoe your horse correctly.

Your net horse adventure will go a lot smoother if you take the time to pack everything your horse need. To get you started with your lists please click on this link to download my free packing lists at the bottom of my recommendations page. https://horsetaillegacy.com/jqb2

Please feel free to share this information with all your horse loving friends.

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How to travel safely with your horse.

How to travel safely with your horse.

The safety of your horse is something that can never be taken lightly. This article includes information on the following topics: horse insurance, route planning, vehicle inspection and more. Planning ahead will go a long way to minimizing potential problems during your trip.

Horse Insurance

Horse insurance is a personal choice and the type of coverage you may want is based on many factors. Consider the age of the horse, the purchase price of the horse and how you plan to use the horse. Think about what you can afford to pay if your horse gets sick or injured. I have always had mortality coverage on my horse but have increased his coverage to include major medical for my cross country trip. There are multiple companies that provide horse insurance so do your research and see what fits your needs.

Travel with a buddyhorse heads photo

Traveling with someone else is a wise idea. A good travel buddy will lessen the stress and fatigue of a road trip. It is even better if that person can help with the driving and management of the horses while you are traveling. Your horse may also travel better if there is a buddy with them in the trailer. Take the time and teach your horse how to load and unload as well as travel in a trailer. You want to be sure that your horse is as relaxed and as comfortable as possible so no one gets hurt.

Plan your route

Know your route before you head out. Driving a truck and horse trailer requires more planning than a car. Have your stops mapped out to get fuel and check on your horse. Truck stops are designed to accommodate large vehicles and they often provide more amenities to the traveler. The height and weight of your vehicle is also important to know, since you may be faced with restrictions on overpasses and bridges. Once you are loaded take your truck and trailer to a local truck weighing station and get its’ total weight. You will need to pull into police run weigh stations if you have any commercial information on your truck or trailer. I have included the links that I used to locate places to stop on my trip across the U.S.

Pilot and Flying J has a mobile app and, a trip planner as well as a rewards card https://pilotflyingj.com/

Love’s Truck Stop has a mobile app and, a route planner as well as a rewards card https://www.loves.com/

Truck Master Find Fuel Stops has a route planner and lists multiple companies’ truck stop information http://www.findfuelstops.com/

AAA is also a good resource for trip planning. www.aaa.com

Don’t depend on GPS alone. Print out directions using google maps or another online mapping service. Check with your destinations to get any details that are needed to find their location. We have all been there when GPS drops you off in front of nothing. A good road atlas or map is a must. You never know when you are going to be faced with a detour or get lost. Review the directions with your travel buddy so they can help navigate and you can focus on safe driving.

Road side assistance

The last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road with a horse and no help. The two companies I know of that specialize in road side assistance for equestrians are US Rider Equestrian Motor Plan and Trail Guard. Having a road side assistance plan is money well spent for the peace of mind it gives you while traveling. I recommend programing the phone number of your road side service along with your ID information into your phone.

US Rider Equestrian Motor Plan http://www.usrider.org/ This company sponsors AQHA www.aqha.com

Trail Guard https://trailguard.org/ This company sponsors NRHA www.nrha1.com

In addition to these services, you need to have your own emergency equipment with you. Having a way to alert other motorist that there is a stranded vehicle on the road will help keep everyone safer. Flares or an emergency signaling device are a must have. A reflective vest or clothing allow others to see you when you are out of the vehicle. Include basic emergency items like a lug wrench, hydraulic jack, and air compressor with charger, jumper cables and tire repair supplies. You can download my free list of emergency equipment here by clicking on this link https://horsetaillegacy.com/jqb2

Truck and Trailer Safety Check

Make sure your license, registrations, insurance and inspection are all valid for your truck and trailer for the duration of your trip. Know your vehicle’s tow weight capacity and never tow a trailer weighing more than the manufacturer’s recommended limits. Practice driving the truck and trailer until you are comfortable maneuvering in all different kinds of road conditions

Check under the hood for levels of engine oil, coolant, brake, power steering, and windshield washing fluid.

Check that all the belts and hoses are in good condition.

Check that the horn and all the lights are functioning. This includes: high beams, low beams, left and right turn signals, break lights, license plate light, four way flashers, fog lights, clearance lights.  Do this from the front, back and both sides of the truck and trailer before you leave.

Check the exterior of the truck and trailerHorse with trailer

Walk counter-clockwise around the entire rig every time before you pull out. You need to check the following items: the windshield is not damaged, wipers are working, tires are free from cracks, cuts or bulges, the lug nuts are tight, the treads on all tires are deep enough, and the tires are properly inflated. Check that all the doors, windows and compartments are secure. Check that the safety chains are secured to the vehicle. Check that the emergency break cable is working and attached to the vehicle and the electric cable is plugged into the truck and secure. Check for any obstacles that are blocking your way before you pull out.

Check the interior of the truck and trailer

A charged fire extinguisher that is easy to get to needs to be on board your trailer. Inspect the floor, ceiling, and walls for any damage or potential hazard to your horse. Provide appropriate ventilation for your horse while traveling.  Check that your horse is correctly secured. The horse needs to be able to move their head and clear their lungs during travel. Stop and check your horse every 2-4 hours and let them drop their head and drink water, this will lessen the stress on their body and the chance of becoming dehydrated during the trip.

The following links will take you to videos on how to inspect and hook up a horse trailer.

This is the bumper pull video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00AXdpzAGx4

This is the gooseneck video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KE4i7xEEL8

This link is a video on how to inspect your trailer and do a health check on your horse before you load up:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgDmeDErb4

Truck and trailer insurance

Check with your auto insurance company to see if your trailer is covered on your policy. Due to the distance and length of  time of my trip I had to get a farm policy to have the appropriate coverage for my truck and trailer. Don’t wait to find out that your insurance does not cover damages because you are using the vehicles in a way that is not covered. This would be a costly oversight.

This article has presented helpful information to plan your next safe adventure with your horse. As with all equestrian activities you are responsible for yourself and your horse.

Please feel free to forward this to all your horse loving friends. Until next time.

Thank you to Peggy McGee for all your editing skills.

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How to know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.

How to know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.

 

The health of your horse is the primary thing to consider before you begin any trip. How do you know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.  Your horse’s baseline vital signs allows you to evaluate the health of the horse before, during and after you travel. Below is a list of the common horse vital signs to check when you travel with your horse.

  • The normal body temperature Horse temperature check by a vet, How to know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.

The normal body temperature for an adult horse is 99 – 101 F (37.2 – 38.0 C).  The temperature for a foal is normally 99.5 – 102 F (37.5 – 38.9 C).  A temperature higher than that, may indicate an infection. A healthy horse’s temperature can vary by 3 degrees depending on weather conditions and level of exercise, stress or excitement

 

  • Normal resting heart rate:

Heart Rate Check by a vet, How to know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.The normal resting heart rate for an adult horse is 28 to 40 beats per minute. Newborn foals’ heart rates range from 80 to 120 beats per minute , older foals from 60 to 80 beats per minute, and yearlings from 40 to 60 beats per minute.

 

 

 

 

  • Respiratory rate:Respiratory Rate checked by vet, How to know if your horse is healthy enough to travel.

The normal respiratory rate for an adult horse is 10 – 24 breaths per minute. The respiratory rate for a foal is 20 – 40 breaths per minute.

 

 

  • Capillary refill :

Dental exam of a horse by a vetCapillary refill normally takes less than 2 seconds to return to pink after the gum tissue is pressed with a finger.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Hydration:

Check hydration by pinching the skin of the neck and watching for the rate at which the skin goes back to the normal shape. This should take less than 2 seconds. The best way to ensure your horse is well-hydrated is to offer clean, quality water regardless of whether he’s stabled, turned out, traveling, or competing.

  • Daily Hay Intake:

1.5% – 2.0% of the horse’s body weight

  • Daily Water Intake:

1 gallon per 100 lbs. of body weight

  • Daily Urine Output:

2 – 4 gallons for a 1000 lb horse

  • Daily Manure Output:

4 -13 piles or 28 – 44 lbs for a 1000 lb horse

Know your horse’s normal behavior.  Any changes in urination, defecation, or behavior could be a sign of a health concern.

This video link shows you how to take your horse’s vital signs. http://www.thehorse.com/videos/30388/how-to-take-your-horses-vital-signs

Click this link for a Quick Reference guide of horse vital signs. http://horsesidevetguide.com/vitals-and-anatomy

 

Veterinary documents are required whenever you travel with your horse!

Before you leave on your trip, call each state’s department of agriculture to find out what is required to enter their state. Most states require a negative Coggins test dated within six months to a year. The Coggins test monitors the serum level of antibodies  to the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV), an incurable fatal disease for horses.  For more information on EIAV click on the following link https://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/eia/eia_info_sheet.pdf

Some states require testing for the disease Piroplasmosis. Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease that affects horses, donkeys, mules and zebras. The disease is transmitted via ticks or through mechanical transmission by improperly sanitized surgical, dental or tattoo instruments or through the reuse of needles and syringes.

Travel with a record of when your horse was given the core vaccines.

These core vaccines are: tetanus, Eastern/Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, and rabies. The American Association of Equine Practitioners website contains guidelines for equine vaccinations. http://www.aaep.org/info/vaccination-guidelines-265  Always work with your own veterinarian to customize your horse’s vaccination needs.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection:

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection attests that your horse exhibited no obvious signs of disease on the day of inspection. Each state has their own requirements of what information needs to be on the CVI. Check with each state to learn their requirements. The certificates are generally good for 30 days, though some expire in just 10 days. Many neighboring states have formed reciprocal livestock health arrangements so people who travel frequently with their horses between the states can obtain an “equine passport” or equine interstate event permit (EIEP). Horse owners in the Mid-Atlantic States and the South, for instance, have the option of getting an EIEP that is good for six months and includes 15 states, from Texas to Virginia, as well as New York. Horse owners in the western United States can obtain a six-month CVI and EIEP for travel between Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington. Some states also require an entry or import permit, which is usually good for the life of the CVI.

For links to state agricultural department you can visit the United States Department of Agriculture website at http://www.rma.usda.gov/other/stateag.html

Recovery Time After Travel:

Allow for recovery time after traveling. The general guide lines when traveling by road for 6 to 12 hours, is to allow at least a one-day of recovery time.  When horses travel longer than 12 hours by road or are transported by plane, you need to allow 2 – 3 days of recovery time.

Following these tips will help you keep your horse healthy while you travel. For more information on equine health visit www.thehorse.com 

To receive all the latest updates sign up for our mailing list using the form at the top of this page. 

Thank you to Carrie Wheeler, DVM from Edelson Equine Associates for doing Irish’s CVI. Now he is ready for his big adventure across the U.S. to reining horse trainer so his owner can be a better rider for him.  http://edelsonequine.com/ 

Thank you to Peggy McGee for all your editing skills.

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6 Goals for a Horseback Riding Trip

6 Goals for a Horseback Riding Trip

Know your goals for travel before you load up your horse and hit the road. Here is a list of some of the most common reasons to travel with your horse. I hope these help you get started on your next exciting adventure with your best buddy on four legs.

  1. Showing

    – For this one it is good to set multiple goals since being ready to show takes commitment. Start with your end goal which could be anything from getting to your local show to winning at the top of your discipline. Find a coach that has the experience to help you reach your goal. You are going to spend a lot of time with your coach so choose one that works for you. Ask them about their program. Speak to their students. Ask what their students have achieved. You are looking for someone that not only excels themselves but wants to coach. One way to find a coach is to go to your riding discipline’s association website and look for a listing of riding professionals. If they don’t have a list contact them by phone or email and ask for referrals. To me this quote says it all “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their champion character.” T.A. Armstrong. National Reining Horse Association http://nrha1.com/findapro ,  American Quarter Horse Association https://www.aqha.com/journal/resources/learn/find-a-trainer/  Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association http://www.eprha.com/trainers/ .

  2. Attend training clinics, Work with new Trainers, and Learn a new riding discipline

    – This is my favorite type of trip. A fresh set of eyes can go a long way to improving your riding. The format is focused on acquiring new skills for you and your horse. Even if you don’t bring your horse with you, what you learn will make you better. To find these venues you could check with Horse Associations, friends, and on the web. http://cha-ahse.org/store/clinics.php,  https://aqha.com/journal/resources/learn/ride-the-pattern-clinics/searchresults?keywords=clinics

  3. horseback riding with friends in a holiday paradeWeekend away with friends

    – Today’s hectic life makes it hard to find time to spend with friends. Doing a weekend get away with your horse and friends combines two of your favorite things into one. That being said choose your trip and the friends wisely. Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to the activity you will be doing. Select what you want to do and have each person in the group responsible for different aspects of the trip. This will divide up the work and also get a commitment from everyone before you head out. State, Local and National parks provide great destinations for a weekend with friends.

  4. Trail riding and Camping

    – There are so many ways to enjoy trail riding from trail riding on horsebackprogressive rides that tour an area and overnight in different places as you go. Stationary rides that provide a home base from which you venture out each day. There are also wilderness rides, pack trips and camping on a trail ride. These provide that truly back to nature feeling. Whichever way you want to trail, do it safely. If you have never trailed before go with someone that has experience. Trail riding requires planning so everyone has fun and stays safe. I have included the follow links to help you plan your next trail ride. https://www.aqha.com/riding       https://www.trailmeister.com/trails

  5. Dude Ranch, Guest Ranch, and Working Ranch

    – These provide the chance to feel like a cowboy or cowgirl. The offerings at each will vary but many provide experiences that take you back to ranching roots. The experiences range from working cattle, roping, horse drives, trail riding, riding lessons as well as other activities that are unique to their area. This kind of vacation tends to be an all-inclusive remote locations. Do your wish list of activities before booking your trip. Call and speak to the ranch personnel. You want to feel comfortable with them and what they offer before you commit to spending a week or more in a remote location. http://www.duderanch.org/ http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2013/08/08/best-dude-ranches-north-america/2633115/      http://www.top20ranches.com/

  6. Travel to another country

    – Going native on horseback is truly a unique way to experience a new country. When planning this kind of trip consider using a travel company that specializes in travel and equestrian vacations. This will be especially helpful if you don’t speak the language in the country you want to visit. One thing I learned when traveling in Europe has an American is that our idea of standard amenities does not match and Europeans’ idea. So ask questions about what the accommodations include. One big surprise was that private bathrooms are something you have to arrange for. http://www.iexplore.com/articles/activity-guides/horseback-riding/top-10-europe   http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/03/travel/horse-treks/

 

Click this link  to read  “25 Things You Need to Know When Traveling With Your Horse:” your https://horsetaillegacy.com/lw0j

Make sure to visit www.horsetaillegacy.com and sign up for more updates!!!

You can also download packing lists for your horse and trailer from the recommendations page for Free.

The information presented here is for reference purposes only and not intended as professional advice or support. As with any equine pursuit, it is your responsibility to practice safety at all times.

Thank you to Peggy McGee for all your editing skills.