Horse Evacuation Tips

Courtesy: Humane Society of the United States website.
• Make arrangements in advance to have your  horses trailered in case of an emergency. If you do not own a trailer or do not have enough trailer space for all of your horses, be sure you have several people on standby to help evacuate
your horses.
• Know where you can take your horses in an emergency evacuation. Make arrangements with a friend or another horse owner to stable your horses if needed. Contact your local agencies for information about shelters in your area.
• Inform friends and neighbors of your evacuation plan. Post detailed instructions in several places - including the barn office or tack room, the horse trailer, and barn entrances- to ensure they are accessible to emergency workers in case you are not able to evacuate your horses your-
self.
• Place your horses’ Coggins tests, vet papers, identification photos and vital information (such as medical history and emergency telephone numbers) in a watertight envelope. Store the envelope with  other important papers  in a safe place that can be
quickly reached.
• Keep halters ready for your horses. Each halter should include the horse’s name, your name, your telephone, and another emergency telephone number where someone can be
reached.
• Prepare a basic first aid kit that is portable and eas-
ily accessible.
• Be sure to have on hand a supply of water, feed, and medications for several days for each horse you are
evacuating.
• It is important that your horses are comfortable being loaded onto a trailer. If your horses are unaccustomed to being loaded into a trailer, practice the procedure so they become used to it.

Feeling & Listening to Your Horse

Cheryl and her beloved Arabian mare Jodi 

By Cheryl Childs

The other night, while I was watching the television show “ Dancing With The Stars”, I thought about people asking me if I could teach them to train their horse, when I was training  and giving lessons. Why, you  ask, did  I think of that question? Well, I guess because riding a horse is a little bit like dancing . When people begin to learn to dance they are taught the steps of the dance without the music. It all starts with choreography and the music is added later.  I always felt that  there was more to horse training than teaching the steps to someone. I could have done just that, but I didn’t, because eventually  you have to hear and feel the music or  you’re not going to be very good at the dance.
  It seems, of late years, the horse world is full people teaching other people the “choreography” of training horses without the “music”.  Training a horse is not just  a formula that works on all horses, because, just like people being instructed
in dance, horses have different personalities as well as strong and weak points.
Someone can give you the formula for training your horse, but  you can’t be successful if you don’t know your horse well enough to know his strong points and weak points.
 When people would ask me if I could teach or train them to be able to train their horse my answer, as  a rule, was no,  particularly when  they were fairly new horse owners. In my opinion,  it takes  years of experience with horses to be able to train them and, even then, not everybody is capable of actually training a horse. I would explain to them that the first, and most important, thing they needed to do was to really get  to know their horse. Listen to his “music”.
  I would tell them that they  needed to build a relationship of trust and friendship with their horse. I also suggested that they should start spending time with their horse so they could get to know the horse. I would tell them to just spend  the afternoon with their horse, not necessarily riding or schooling the horse. I would tell them  to just give the horse a good grooming then take the horse for walk on the lead line and let them graze, and just talk to the horse.  I suggested they watch their horse in the pasture with other horses, so they could learn about the horse’s personality , learn where he was in pecking order of the herd. I would tell them that just hanging around talking to, and watching, their horse sometimes was better than riding them. The more you know about your horse the better partnership you will build with him.
  If you know how the horse is feeling it makes it much easier to solve problems the two of you may have in your partnership. You need to listen to your horse and have a feel for what he’s thinking before you try to teach him anything.
 If you want to enjoy your horse and dance with  him then you need to listen to the “music” as well as know the steps. I believe that anyone can teach the “choreography” , but not many can teach you to feel the “music”. So, perhaps, before you make the decision to try to teach your horse some new steps you should be sure you know how to feel the horse’s “music” before you start the lesson.

Cheryl Childs is the Managing Editor of Seasoned Rider. She has owned horses since 1975. She has trained horses for 25 years, has been a riding instructor for 26 years and is founder of the Mind, Spirit and Body Confidence Building clinics. 

FBI Offers Reward

The Chicago office of the FBI is offering a $5000 reward over an arson that destroyed 13 horse-drawn carriages worth an estimated $130,000.

Special Agent Robert Holley, who heads the Chicago office, announced the reward on Tuesday over the arson that occurred at the Noble Horse Theatre, located on Chicago’s near north side, three months ago.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at the theatre, at 1410 North Orleans St, during the early hours of February 6.

Thirteen carriages were destroyed, and significant damage was caused to the building.

The cause was identified as arson. Holley said graffiti was also discovered.

The words “Save the horses” and “Freedom” were spray-painted on two interior walls.

The fires were set in two separate horse carriage storage areas, the FBI said.

The reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the arson.

Anyone with information is urged to contact local police or the Chicago office of the FBI on (312) 421-6700.

Western Dressage Is Growing Among Seasoned Riders

Western Dressage is all about classical horsemanship as a foundation for any discipline and is designed to help western riders learn to us the training scale to provide a step-by-step progression for training and relationship building. 

Whether you are a trail rider, a pleasure rider, a barrel racer or a endurance rider Western Dressage will help you become a better rider and will help your horse be better. Western Dressage promotes long-term soundness as well has enhances the relationship between  horse and rider. 

Western is style or type of riding just as English Hunt Seat is style or type of riding. Dressage is derived from a French word dresser that simple means to train.  The Dressage tests were developed to measure a horse's athletic development at a specific point in their training. The Dressage test is not a means to an end, but it is a process to provide feedback on the training of your horse. Western Dressage integrates the principles of Dressage with the best of Western Working Horse tradition. 

The elements of the two disciplines are of course very similar. Both disciplines create a better horse and rider through structured focused and progressive physical as well as mental development. 
Both look for balance, cadence and carriage. Both disciplines use tests as an opportunity to evaluate the progress of horse and rider through feedback. 

Where they due differ is in the execution of the fundamental elements. As the horse and rider progress through the levels of Western Dressage, the test elements reflect the movements, maneuvers and duties asked of a Western horse. The Western Dressage horse needs to handy, willing, safe and calm while demonstrating pure gaits and lightness. The Western Dressage horse is evaluated with the conformation and movement of today's Western horse in mind. In keeping with tradition, Western Dressage is shown in Western tack and clothing.

Western Dressage goal is not to create a Western horses that competes in traditional Dressage, but to develop a Western horse and offer additional education through the principles of Dressage and good Horsemanship. 

Any breed can participate in Western Dressage including gaited breeds. There is no special tack or embellishments required just good, clean, functional working western tack. They recommend rider's attire be conservative in the style keeping the focus on the horse. Rider can wear their jeans and jeans. Helmets or western hats are required, but the preference  for on or another is up to the rider.

There are several Western Dressage organization out there today who's goal are to educate and promote this fast growing equine sport. 

Horse's Save From Texas Flood Waters

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A cowboy family in Texas have pulled off a dramatic rescue of 31 horses from life-threatening floodwaters.

The Barrett family in Eastland County run the Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch in Ranger, Texas.

One of the roped horses is guided to safety. Photo: YouTube/Will Barrett

The family was in Abilene when heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood, which caused part of the Leon River, which runs through their property, to breach its banks on Mother’s Day, May 10.

Their 31 horses could not reach higher ground because the pressure of the floodwaters had pushed shut gates, cutting off escape routes.

The Barretts returned to their farm and Will Barrett and his sons, Bailey, 14, Jade, 12, and Trace, 8, saddled up to mount a rescue mission through their flooded farm.

They rode for hours through the water during the operation, eventually managing to gather up, rope and rescue all of the horses and lead them to higher ground.

At times, the flood-stricken horses were swimming for their lives and had been washed over fences.

The horses and ponies were herded back across the strong-flowing river and then escorted across the flooded ranch and into a set of livestock pens on high ground.

The final head count was 31 – all the horses had been saved.

Will Barrett recorded what he could of the rescue on video and posted it on YouTube.

The Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch encourages youung people to become involved in rodeo, providing them opportunities to practice and compete.

Queen's Horses On Parade

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Several of The Queen’s horses are on parade to welcome more than 50,000 visitors to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Held on the private grounds of Windsor Castle, Britain’s largest outdoor equestrian show starts today and runs until Sunday, May 17. It is the only time of year that the grounds are open to the public.

The 2014 RWHS Mountain and Moorland Champion.

Regarded as the first major event of the summer show season, organisers of the UK’s largest outdoor equestrian event have received a total of 1863 showing entries – a 4% increase from 2014, demonstrating that the five-day event is as popular as ever.

Her Majesty The Queen, who has attended the show every year since it began in 1943, has several entries including her home-bred Highlanders, Balmoral Erica and Balmoral Gemini ridden by Lizzie Bryant, and her former racehorse, Barber’s Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram who is this year entering the Ladies Side Saddle Hunter Class.

Showing entries for this year’s show are once again up on the previous year for the third year running.

Royal Windsor Horse Show plays host to more than 150 showing competitions during five days, ranging from Heavyweight Cobs to Mini Show Ponies. Highlights include the Land Rover Mountain & Moorland Supreme In Hand Championship, the Land Rover Working Hunter Championship, the Cob Championship and the Show Hunter Pony Championships.

Many of last year’s champions will be returning to defend their crowns, including winner of both the Cob and Hack Championships in 2014, Simon Charlesworth and Working Hunter Champions, Libby Cooke with Harley Foxtrot. Local Berkshire showing producer, Jayne Ross, who cleaned up at Royal Windsor in 2014 with six wins has a total of 12 rides at this year’s Royal Windsor, including the stunning coloured cob, The Humdinger.

Her Majesty The Queen, who has attended the Show every year since it began in 1943, has several entries including her home bred Highlanders, Balmoral Erica and Balmoral Gemini, ridden by Lizzie Bryant and her former racehorse, Barbers Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram who is this year entering the Ladies Side Saddle Hunter Class.

British showjumpers and dressage riders will also be hoping for home advantage, with leading international stars including Britain’s 2012 Olympic gold medal jumping team members Ben Maher, Peter Charles, and Nick Skelton, who will be hoping for home advantage in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, the only time of year that they are open to the public.

In addition to the action packed Jumping, Dressage, Driving and Endurance competition on offer, the crowd will also be treated to a masterclass from dressage Olympian Carl Hester on the Friday night. He will give the audience pointers on how he tutored World Champion Charlotte Dujardin to become the most successful and impressively decorated dressage rider of her generation.

Among the confirmed international entries for the CSI3*Show Jumping is Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al Sharbatly who will be looking to recreate his run of great form after three wins at Royal Windsor last year, and rising star Jessica Springsteen who, after a successful start to the year, is poised to secure a spot in the 2016 US Olympic Equestrian team. The CSI1* classes will also be brimming with new talent from 12 nations, including 15-year-old Harry Charles, son of Peter Charles, who was crowned leading Pony Show Jumper of the year at Horse of the Year Show 2014.

The show is also FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier, with World Equestrian Games placegetters Boyd Exell, Chester Weber and Theo Timmerman battling it out for victory. Three times World Champion Exell will be hoping to add a seventh Royal Windsor win to his list of impressive accolades and stop Weber from back-to-back wins at the show.

Royal Windsor Endurance takes place in The Great Park on Friday, May 15, and riders from nine nations will be competing. As always at this popular international ride there is a strong representation from the British riders including Nicola Thorne, who is currently second in the Open Riders World Endurance Rankings.

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American Pharoah wins the Kentucky Derby

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Race favorite American Pharoah has emerged victorious in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby.

The Bob Baffert-trained horse was ridden to the win by Victor Espinoza.

Firing Line, ridden by Gary Stevens, was a length behind in second, and Dortmund, ridden by Martin Garcia, was a further three lengths back in third.

A record crowd of 170,513 were at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, to watch the first leg of the Triple Crown, with American Pharoah now being aimed toward the Preakness Stakes on May 16.

It was Espinoza’s second straight win in the race, having won last year on California Chrome.

The race had a starting field of 18 following the scratching of four horses.

No horse has completed the much-vaunted Triple Crown – a win in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes – since Affirmed in 1978.

American Pharoah is likely to again face Firing Line and Dortmund – another horse trained by Baffert – when he lines up for the Preakness.

“We’re prepared for another tough race,” Baffert, a five-times winner of the Preakness Stakes – told reporters.

“It’s a huge sigh of relief to get it done,” he said. “I may never have another chance like this. It was my Derby to lose and we got lucky.”

It was ideal weather for the running of the $US2 million race.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $US194.3 million, an increase of 4 percent over the 2014 total of $US186.6 million, and an increase of 4 percent over the previous record set in 2012 of $US187.0 million.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby race increased 7 percent to $US137.9 million from 2014’s $US129.2 million and a 4 percent increase over the previous record set in 2012 of $US133.1 million.

Dangerous Disease If Spreading In West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. -- An extremely dangerous and possibly fatal horse disease is spreading in West Tennessee.

"It's called equine infectious anemia, or EIA, and is something we take seriously," Corinne Gould said.

The state veterinarian announced Thursday four cases of the illness, also known as Coggins, has been reported at three different locations in Henderson County.

"It's like HIV for humans," Tina Wooley with R&J Feed Supply said. "It completely shuts down the horse's immune system."

Experts say a horse should be tested for Coggins every year, typically in spring.

The state requires any horse that's leaving its stable to test negative for Coggins before they travel.

If a horse tests positive, the owner has only two options.

"They either have to put the horse down or they have to put them in quarantine," Gould said.

Experts say Coggins is spread through insect bites and that mosquitoes and horse flies are the typical transmitters.

"If a fly bites a horse that's contagious, then bites the horse I'm carrying, his chances are a lot higher," Wooley said.

State officials say to practice high standards of fly control to prevent that from happening.