Two more days to until the show

Maddie is so excited to be showing her new horse in two days.  She has been counting down the hours.  I love seeing her have so much joy over her horse. 

Pinto Spooktacular is one week away

We are one week from Maddie's first show on her new horse.  I can honestly say I'm a little nervous.  He's such a good boy, but a long ways from being 100% finished.  He's a walk/trot rock star and since that's all she does they should do great.
I can say since she has started riding her new horse her horsemanship skills are way above anything I could have imagined for her for such a green horse

She has followed her trainers lead and they are making a pretty fantastic team.
As soon as the show is over I'll post pictures of Maddie and her new baby.  She wants me to keep it a secret until after the show.  So lips are zipped, but man has it been hard!
If your at the Spooktacular Pinto Show in Albany, Oregon next weekend come say hi and give my baby girl a big hoop and holler when you see her in the ring!

Happy showing,
Horse Showing Mom

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

Horse Showing Mom has teamed up with Uniquely Different Tail Extensions and we are giving away two $20.00 gift certificate towards any item you choose from their website.

Here's the details on how to get a chance at this giveaway:

 

Youth rider giveaway:

 

Write me a quick comment on my facebook page (link is below) about your youth rider and I'll let my youth rider, Maddie, chose one person from the comments to give the gift certificate to. You have until Monday Oct. 7th at 8:00 PST to write your comment. (A youth ride can be anyone college age to birth!)
 

Adult rider giveaway:

 

Share Horse Showing Mom Blog facebook page and write a comment about how your horse has given you the ability to fulfill your passion for riding.
I will pick one winner Oct. 7th at 8:00 PST. 

 

Here's the link to my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HorseShowingMomBlogPage

Head over to Uniquely Different Tail Extensions website and see what's on your wish list.  She has many products from tails to sleazy's.
http://www.uniquelydifferentextensions.com/html/home.html

 

You can also like her facebook page to get all the latest deals!

https://www.facebook.com/uniquelydifferenttails

 

**Maddie's new tail..Looks amazing and matches perfect!

 **A few examples of her work.  Quality, quality, quality!

 

**She also makes custom hoods, body sleazy's and tail bags.

 

 

When to call the vet

I belong to many facebook forums and see people post health issues about their horses.  Some are minor, but others are things you need to call the vet about.  It concerns me people see the vet as the second call not the first. 
I can appreciate individuals bouncing ideas off each other.  There is hundreds of combined years of experience on forums.  I do though feel strongly about calling the vet for serious issues.  That being said what constitutes a serious issue. Here's a list of a few I found when doing research on the topic.

• Any injury with profuse bleeding that won't stop.
• Obvious or suspected fractures.
• Any cut or injury that requires stitches
• Sudden lameness, often accompanied by heat and swelling.
• Respiratory distress. Obvious difficulty in breathing, noisy labored breathing.
• Choking. obvious distress and choking, neck stretched out. Saliva
  and food particles may exit through nostrils.
• Horse having seizures.
• Watery diarrhea. If left untreated, the horse could become severely dehydrated.
• Any apparent eye injury. Lack of treatment or incorrect treatment could mean loss of vision.
• Learn to recognize the signs of colic. Can range from mild belly ache that will pass on its own to excruciating pain caused by a twisted gut that will require surgery.
• Abnormal vital signs, such as elevated pulse that does not return to normal at rest.
• Temperature over 102 usually indicates an infection or disease process.
• Pulse over 80 beats per minute is considered a sign of trouble in a non-exercising horse.
• Elevated respiration rate in a resting horse can be caused by excitement, pain or infection.

One of the most important thing you can do it recognize what your horses norm is.  You know your horse better than anyone.  You will be the first one to recognize when they are not themselves.

Also it is very important to collect all the necessary information before you call the vet.  Those would be:

• Vital signs
• Location of injury if there is on
• A brief description of what happened

If you are unsure on how to take your horses vital signs here is a YouTube video I found which was very informative for someone like me with limited experience in this area.

This is a great topic and there is so much to take away from it. 

For more information on these topics please visit the following websites:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/first_aid/emergency102801a/
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/12386/when-should-i-call-the-vet

What you can do to help your vet

I was going through facebook forums like I normally do and found a article I had to share. 

I have always been blessed with horses which were very good for the vet, but I'm guessing not all horses are like mine.  I never thought about how difficult it would be for the vet to effectively exam your horse if they are not  properly exposed to a few simple every days things.

-How is you vet supposed to look in your horses mouth with a light if your horse has never been exposed to a light??

-How can your vet give a shot if your horse kills everyone within 100ft with a syringe??

-If you your horse has colic and the vet can go no where near his back end, how can he help your animal??

-If your horse can't lead or tie, well that's an easy one!!


Trust me this article by Erica Franz over at Equestrian Blog is worth the read and your vet will thank you for it!!

http://www.writingofriding.com/observations/avoid-killing-your-vet/

Improve your fitness level while bonding with your horse

I don't know about you but I think all I do at horse shows is sit and eat when I'm not getting Maddie ready to show.  I even find myself snacking when watching her ride at home. This horse showing mom needs to get healthy again.  I've written before about how to exercise while riding and had found a great article with awesome tips.  Today when doing some more research on the topic I found a wonderful article about how to exercise with your horse on the ground.  Not only did I find these simple exercises to be effective, but also its a great way to connect with your horse on the ground. 

Paul Dufresne give detailed instruction from stretching to jogging.  The bonus is all this is done while spending time with your horse on the ground.  Your developing fitness and bonding with you horse at the same time. 

Because Maddie is the primary rider in our household right now I don't ride all that much.  Only a few times a week just to keep Indie tuned up.  I can honestly say when I'm done I'm really starting to feel my age.  These exercises will help to the stretch before I ride and help prevent injury from not being as in shape as I was years ago riding.

To read the full article and get great tips from Paul Dufresne go to http://www.pkequestrian.com/fitnessarticle.html

What to do in case an emergency happens and you don't have a vet to call

 

I always hear these awful stories about people out trail riding or moving cattle and something happens to one of their horses.  I realized if I had an emergency with my horse in a situation as these I would have no idea what to do.  At home I call the vet, but what if I didn’t have a vet just a phone call away what would I do.

I found an outstanding article with suggestions for when an emergency situation arises with your horse and you don’t have a vet to call.  Cynthia McFarland and Linda Tellington-Jones give great on how to use TTouch for specific scenarios.

Would you know what to do if your horse ties up or colic’s on the trail?  McFarland and Tellington-Jones give step by step instructions on how to effectively do belly lifts to relieve the symptoms until you can reach a vet.  They also give suggestions for shock, injury, gas colic, exhaustion and fatigue. 

I hope the information in this article can help save the life of your horse and give you tools to better prepare you in case of an emergency.

The full article can be found below:

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/training/general/ttouches-for-trail-emergencies/

Myths on cooling down your horse

I recently wrote a post about how to properly cool down a horse.  After some great feedback from very experienced riders and trainers I realized there are many myths out there concerning cooling down.  Here is a list of a few common myths:

1. Hosing a horse with cold water will cause muscle spasms or a heart attack.
Completely false. Cold water won't hurt the horse one bit, and the cooler the water, the more efficiently it will cool him down.

2. Letting a horse drink all he wants after exercise will cause founder (or colic Completely false. Water cannot make a horse founder, no matter how much he drinks, or when.

3. Cold water will cause founder or colic. It won't. But studies have shown that horses given warmish water will drink more. So it's a good idea to draw a bucket of water and let it warm up a bit if your water supply is very cold.

4. Horses cool out faster when wearing a cooler.
 False.  Never put any kind of cooler on a horse in hot weather. When you're hot, do you crawl under a blanket or take off extra clothes? The same thing goes for your horse. You want his body heat to transfer to the air and blow away, not be trapped close to him.

5. Never clip a horse because his hair helps him cool out quicker.
Very false!  Common sense alone will tell you that the less you have between skin and air, the quicker cooling will occur.

How to properly cool down a horse

It's been pretty warm outside lately and our poor Indie is a giant sweat ball after Maddie gets done riding.  Maddie walks him out and then we normally hose him down before we put him up.  I started wondering the other day if how we are cooling him down is healthy for him. I decided to do some research on how to properly cool down a horse.  Here's a few points I felt everyone should know.

1.) Begin cooling down with a 15 min walk.  Loosen the saddle to help with airflow up the back to help prevent cramping.

2.) Give your horse a minimal amount of cold water.  To much water can create cramping in the stomach.

3.) A curry comb or towel to dry them down is sufficient.  You may choose to hose them down, but dry afterwards.

4.) It is more important to cool your horse down in the winter than it is in the summer.  Cool down in the winter can consist of not only the above, but also a large flake of grass hay.

For more information you can read the complete article by Horse Magazine at the link below.

http://www.horsemanmagazine.com/2008/08/cooling-down-a-horse-correctly/

Looking for a way to spice up your helmets?

Maddie is one of those kids who likes to stand out a bit.  When showing western she can really let her personality shine, but in english there isn't a lot of room to individualize your looks.  I was doing some research on how to help her stay within the guidelines for showing yet make her English outfit her own.  I found a really fun website that offers just this.  Bling Bands!  So fun!  I had the folks over at Bling Bands do a little write up for me about their products.  Which I posted below.  Other than their fun products they offer wonderful opportunities for groups to fundraise through selling their products.  Check out their website for information.

 

Bling Bands for Helmets & Hats 

Just in time for the busy show and recreational riding season, Bling Bands' innovative, stylish accessories personalize helmets and hats for English and Western show and pleasure riders. Swarovski crystal Bling Bands in clear, pink and blue, gold plated curb chains, silver plated rolo chains, and silver conchos add bling from subtle to smashing for every rider!  Bling Bands are one size fits all stretchy bands with bling on the front to dress up a helmet or hat.
Made in the US and spotted in the dressage, rail, performance and showmanship rings, Bling Bands are at home on a helmet or a hat - and can make the switch from one to the other in 10 seconds! Match a Bling Band to your tack, your outfit, your style or your mood. They're simply fun for lessons, show, trail.
Are they appropriate for all shows? No:  not hunter classes at recognized USEF Hunter/Jumper shows. They are appropriate and seen in dressage, jumpers, eventing, showmanship, 4H shows, rail classes, breed shows, and more - on helmets and hats. One size fits all helmets and hats.
Who wears Bling Bands?  Girls, women, and even guys wear them! Silver conchos on a helmet-wearing guy at a 4H show.  Clear Swarovski crystals on a helmet wearing woman in a dressage test.  Pink Swarovskis on a girl in a Western pleasure class - coordinating with her outfit, tack and horse's color!
Bling Bands are $36/each for silver, gold and crystals, and $50 for concho designs.  Shop by phone at 206-304-1049, online at www.BlingBandsForHelmets.com and be sure to visit Bling Band's Facebook page:  www.Facebook.com/BlingBands  Add some bling and personal style to your next ride and stand out in the crowd!
 

Bling Bands For Helmets & Hats   •   206-304-1049

BlingBandsForHelmets@gmail.com   www.BlingBandsForHelmets.com

 

*** Do you have a business you would like me to feature on my blog?  Send the information to horseshowingmom@gmail.com and I'll write about you on my blog!***

Fireworks can be scary for horses

We recently moved to a boarding facility which is directly behind a baseball stadium.  After every Friday night game they set off fireworks.  On the 4th of July they put on a huge fireworks display.  While many are getting excited about the show I am very worried about our horse and his response to the fireworks.  I did a little research on how to help your horse through the anxiety of a fireworks show. 
One of the greatest things you can do for your horse is put them inside during a fireworks show. If the sound doesn't scare them the lighting from it may.  Also is recommended you give them a little extra feed to keep them busy.  It will help calm their nerves.  Also you may choose to put a radio on to muffle the sounds.  If your able to be there with your horse, do it!  Your horses trusts you and looks for your reaction.  If you are clam and speak to them in a calm manner it will help them to not be anxious during the fireworks.

Check out this article on what to do for your horse during a fireworks show.

http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Fireworks

What to look for when buying quality horse hay

I bought hay for the first time in my life yesterday.  I know what your thinking....how is that possible.  Well my parents have always had a farm and I've never had to get hay anywhere besides the barn.  This last year my parents sold the farm which left me to look for hay on my own.

I've never had to think about what it takes to find good quality hay.  I started looking at the feed store and realized I would need to win the lottery to buy hay from them on a on going bases.  I started looking on Craiglist and found about a million ads for "Quality Horse Hay".  What did that mean.

I had reached another point in my lack of knowledge concerning something horse related.  So what do I always do, that's right research it.  I found an article explaining everything related to picking quality hay for your horses.  The article located at horsetalk.co.nz is titles Horse hay: how to identify the good stuff by Neil Clarkson.

I always understood looking for mold.  Mold and horses a huge no no! But I never thought about looking for lots of leaves.  It makes perfect sense.  Indie hates it when his hay has lots of stems.  I also didn't know  hay should be baled when the moisture content is around 15 to 17 per cent and if hay sits out in the sun to long it loses it's vitamin A.  There is so much more but I'll leave that for you to discover we you read it.  Here's a link to the article:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/11/04/horse-hay-how-to-identify-the-good-stuff/#axzz2XkNdJ06v

I feel very confident with the hay I purchased.  Indie's not so sure about it.  He stuck his nose in the feeder and then looked back at me like, "What is this?" He's so spoiled.  I know he'll get use to the change and am so grateful I was able to find a farmer who has enough for the entire year so we didn't have to change hay on him again.


A little hay hauling humor!

 

Horse behaviors and what they mean

There have been so many times I have wished God gave me the ability to talk horse.  What I wouldn't give to just know what Indie is thinking.  Could you imagine what a team we could make with our horses if we understood them. 

I have been riding for over 25+ years and I can honestly say I learn something new every day when it comes to horses.  For example just recently I learned that when Indie pins his ears he isn't necessarily mad, he might just be listening to me.  Wish I would have known that years ago when I thought my horses was just being naughty.

After learning about the pinned ears I started doing some more research on Indie's behaviors.  I found an awesome website that gives you the inside scoop on horse behaviors http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/publications/general/fs525.htm.  The article written by Carey A. Williams, Ph.D. covers everything from the 10 natural horse trait to body signals your horse can display and what they typically mean.  Even if your a professional in the horse world I believe there is something for everyone to learn from this article.

Fly control using Sweetlix

We just moved Indie to another barn and the owners use Sweetlix to keep the flies down.  Its a block the horses eat and it really does work.  There is not a fly in the barn.  I was shocked.  Why did I not think of something like this.  Flies are awful!  My poor 4 year old son makes me cover his face as we enter the barn to keep them away from him.
I honestly didn't know a lot about the product so I did a little research for everyone.  Here's a link to everything you need to know about it.
http://www.sweetlix.com/media/documents/articles/Cattle_FlyControlStrategiesforCattleHorseOwners.pdf

What are your thoughts.  Do you use Sweetlix?  If so how do you feel about it?  What is the down side to using it?

Here's another link to the companies website
http://www.sweetlix.com/default.aspx

**I do not endorse products nor am I selling anything.**

First time in the new pasture

It's was so nice to put Indie out in the pasture today.  I put the chain on him to lead him out there because I knew he was going to be excited.  When I got him into the pasture and let him go he ran over to the other horses and said hi then found the only dirt spot and rolled.  It's was so funny.
After he rolled he headed back to the other horses to have a pow wow.  It was really cute because there is one pony in the pasture with the four big horses.  He just scooted right in the middle over everyone to see what was going on.
I was s nervous we wouldn't catch him tonight because he was in heaven, but he ran right to us.  Tomorrow he goes out again after Maddie's lesson.  We are so blessed to have him at the new barn!

down time

When we aren't showing we're a normal family. We love hanging and enjoying time together. Today we are at Super Bounce having an awesome !

new arena

first ride down in the new arena . he did awesome

first ride in new barn

Wondering if it would be safe to let Maddie ride at the new barn tonight or if we should just let him turnout and check things out. Hes used to new arenas because of showing so much.

Find the right boarding facility

We moved out horse tonight to another boarding facility.  It was hard moving him.  He was in a wonderful barn where they took exceptional care of their horses, but our Indie needed to get out more often and unfortunately do to the amount of horses in the barn they were unable to turn him out daily.

When you are looking for a boarding facility what do you look for?  Our first priority is safety first for our horse and child.  We also look at the condition of the facility.  We want to make sure he barn is well kept and the horses there are taken care of.  An indoor arena is a must.  Living in Oregon the weather is unpredictable and if we had an outdoor arena only we'd only ride about 4 months out of the year.  Because I have a  young daughter the environment is very important.  I want to make sure the other boarders and the owner is respectful and there is limited drama.

I did a little research on what to look for when researching a boarding facility.  I found an article which laid everything out.  There were things I never thought of for example the type of riding done in the barn. Maddie shows Pinto and she had a hard time relating to the kids in our old barn because they were all 4-h kids and didn't understand the importance of practicing. 

For anyone looking for a facility here's the link to the article I found:
http://voices.yahoo.com/finding-horse-boarding-stable-303659.html

It's exciting to make changes and scary all at the same time.  I know our move is the best thing for our Indie, but its always hard leaving things behind especially the wonderful people we met and formed relationships with.

How to fill classes up at horse shows?

Since the first show I took Maddie to there has been this passion inside of me to see more youth at the shows.  Her first breed show she was the only one and this last show she was one of two.  I have also noticed that the other classes for old youth are combined a lot because there is a lack of participants.

I fear breed shows are starting to fade away and I really don’t want to see that happen.  I know there are shows out there that a very successful and would love to brainstorm and bounce ideas off of other horse show participants on how we can get these classes fill up and make breed showing successful again.

Some of the things I have thought about are: breed show clubs hosting a show at the end of the show season that will be just like a breed show but not require a card (this will help people to see what a breed show is all about), going to the 4-h clubs and presenting to them what breed showing is all about, starting a mentoring program for individuals wanting to breed show but don’t know how to get started, ect. 

What ideas do you have on how to fill these classes up?  If you're someone wanting to show but haven’t what is keeping you have jumping in there?

We show Pinto but there are many different types of breed shows out there.  Lets all become one  horse show family and help each other to have successful shows!