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Hunter Jumper Horses

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Jumper courses are very demanding, calling for technical accuracy on the part of the rider and absolute obedience from the horse. Connecting with the horse from the hind legs, through the back to the bit will prevent most of resistance problems that horses have with jumping. As the riders head toward the jump, they focus on the rhythm of your horse’s strides.

Elements of successful show jumping include riding lines, related distances, bending lines, and jumping off of turns. Competitors in jumper classes are judged on number of faults caused by knocking down or refusing to jump obstacles and on speed. A typical jumper course is 8-12 fences consisting of natural as well as brightly colored jumps. Most jumper classes consist of a first round (or two rounds) followed by a jump-off among all riders with clear first rounds. A jump-off course has fewer fences than the jumper class.

Penalty points are assessed if the horse refuses a jump, or brings down the highest element of an obstacle. Additionally in the jumper ring penalty points are added if the allowed time limit for the course is exceeded. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course.

Classes are broken into a variety of sub-groupings. Amateur owner jumpers must be ridden by amateur owners only. Adult amateur jumpers must be ridden by amateur rider, but do not have to actually own the horse. While Junior jumpers must be ridden by riders under the age of 18. Schooling jumpers may be ridden by anyone.

In the jumper show ring, style does not count; jumper classes are purely athletic tests of speed and strength. Competitors in jumper classes are judged on number of faults caused by knocking down or refusing to jump obstacles and on speed. In addition to the faster speed of jumper class competition, courses in jumper classes are also composed of more varied obstacles.

The dynamics and beauty of horse and rider soaring over fences makes jumping a thrilling sight.

It’s Spring and the Horses are Running

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

When spring returns to Kentucky, so do the Thoroughbreds (I’m talking horses). Native Kentuckians say that Kentucky is the home of beautiful horses and fast women and great Bourbon. Anyone who has ever lived in Kentucky knows that spring is Kentucky’s best time of the year. The forsythias, azaleas and dog woods are in bloom, the temperature is perfect and the grass that gives the Blue Grass State its name will soon be going to seed. It is at this time, that the blue of the grass is most apparent to the eye.

Given all of the above, the biggest event of spring in Kentucky is the opening of the racing season which starts with Keeneland’s Spring Meet (Lexington, Kentucky) in mid April followed by the running of the Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky) on the first weekend of May.

I particularly love going to Keeneland not only to watch the races but to see the ladies of Lexington dressed in their finest, wearing hats that would make the Queen of England weep for joy.

If you are lucky enough to be in Lexington during the spring meet at Keeneland, you should plan to get up early in the morning when the dew is still on the grass and go to the track. Admission at this time of the day is free and you will be allowed to visit the horse stalls to see the Thoroughbreds who will be running in the races and will possibly get a chance to talk to the owners, the trainers or even the jockeys. You will be able to observe and time the early morning work outs of the horses. Finally, you will be able to go the cafeteria to eat along side the men and woman who make racing the Sport of Kings. The atmosphere in the restaurant is warm (a nice change after walking around the field in the cool of the morning) and cozy (or crowded, depending on your definition). The breakfast menu is a complete working man’s meal in the true cafeteria tradition: greasy and tasty and the conversation (if you care to listen in to the surrounding buzz) can be salty, informative and hilarious (and perhaps you‘ll pick up a hot tip for the race). And the check for all this is CHEAP.

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

On the other hand, if you are in Kentucky for the running of the Derby and do not have tickets to the Grandstand at Churchill Downs, I would advise you to visit this historic track on a day when there are no races or when the races are not of great import. During Derby day, the track is as crowded and as crazy as Times Square (NYC) on New Year’s Eve. You will not be able to see any significant part of the race. You will not be able to find a bathroom quickly and when you do find one you will wait and wait and wait for the opportunity to relieve yourself in private (a particular problem for women). You will not find a place to eat although there are vendors on the outside of the track where you may purchase a hot dog (the heart burn that sets in later is part of the charge). However, if you are in the mood to mingle with drunken frat boys and their girls, (the campus of the University of Louisville is a short walk away) the in-field may be your cup of tea. Otherwise, you can see the race on TV or you can get yourself invited to the ubiquitous parties that are held by native Kentuckian’s all over the Commonwealth. Don’t worry about finding an invitation to one of these since you can just start a casual conversation with any native and you’ll probably find yourself invited to one. No matter where you see the Derby, don’t forget to catch the singing of “My Ole Kentucky Home” at the end of the race (guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any listener, especially if you‘ve been drinking Mint Juleps. Mint Juleps are a particular tradition on Derby Day in Kentucky).

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

When you are in Lexington, I would advise you of the following: go to desha’s (a restaurant in downtown Lexington) and get a piece of their Cornbread with Honey Butter (recipe to follow); and make sure you go to Roger’s Restaurant (a bit out of downtown on Harrodsburg Road) for their Wilted Lettuce Salad (recipe to follow). Roger’s is an old Lexington landmark and a favorite with old Lexingtonians and some in the race horse industry. I am really not recommending the food in general, although I’ve had worse…but I really like that salad.

While in Louisville, treat yourself to a meal at the Brown Hotel. This is an old Louisvillian landmark and a fabulous Hotel with a good restaurant. It is also the creator of the Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich (recipe to follow). I’ve never seen the Hot Brown served outside of Kentucky, but it is a great sandwich which can be had in just about any restaurant in Kentucky.

Tip! Learn to be Open Minded - Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses.

And finally, while I am sharing recipes I will offer one for the Mint Julep (see below). This particular recipe comes from an old Kentucky family’s private recipe file and as this drink goes this is a pretty good recipe (although to be truthful, I don’t really like this drink), but, as I said, it is a Kentucky Derby tradition and as they say: “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do” or as they do in Lexington and/or Louisville, Kentucky.

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RECIPES

desha’s Cornbread

3 cups self rising corn meal
 1/3 cup sugar
 6 eggs
 1½ cup vegetable oil
 3 cups sour cream
 2 and 2/3 cups cream style corn
 1¼ cups softened butter
 ½ cup butter

Combine first 6 ingredients in the order listed and mix well. Pour into greased 9 by 13 inch greased pan and place in preheat oven (350 degrees F.) and bake for 30 about minutes. Makes 12 good sized squares.

Honey Butter
 Mix equal amount of softened butter and honey together. Serve with warm cornbread.

Wilted Lettuce Salad

6 generous handfuls (about 12 cups) fresh leaf lettuce
 2 green onions, sliced thinly
 6 slices thick-sliced smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
 ¼ cup cider vinegar
 2 teaspoons sugar
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly. Place the lettuce and onions in a serving bowl. Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels, leaving the bacon drippings warm in the skillet over low heat. Add the vinegar and sugar to the bacon drippings, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and cook the mixture until it is very hot, but not smoking. Pour the hot dressing over the lettuce and onions, tossing to coat and wilt the greens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately after pouring the hot dressing over the lettuce and onions because once you do this step, the salad won‘t keep. Makes 4 servings.

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich

6 tablespoons butter
 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 3 cups milk
 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
 1 egg, room temperature and beaten
 Salt and black pepper to taste
 1/2 cup prepared whipped cream
 8 slices toasted white bread, crust trimmed off
 1 pound cooked turkey breast, thinly sliced
 Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
 1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained (optional, I don’t like pimientos)
 8 bacon slices, fried crisp

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Gradually add flour, stirring constantly, until smooth and free from lumps. Gradually stir in milk until sauce comes to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well blended.

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

In a small bowl, beat egg. Gradually add 1 cup of hot sauce, 1/3 cup at a time, to the egg, stirring constantly. Gradually add egg mixture to remaining sauce, stirring constantly until well blended; add salt and pepper to taste. Fold in whipped cream.

For each Hot Brown sandwich, place two slices of toasted bread on a metal (or flameproof) dish. Cover the toast with a liberal amount of turkey. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the turkey. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until the sauce is speckled brown and bubbly. Remove from broiler, sprinkle with diced pimientos (optional, as I said, I don’t like pimientos), and cross two pieces of bacon over the top of the sandwich, and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings of two open-faced sandwiches each.

Mint Julep (special thanks to k.a.s., of Oldham County, Ky.)

2 cups granulated sugar
 2 cups water (branch water is best)
 Fresh Mint (this grows like a weed in Kentucky gardens)
 Crushed Ice
 Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving) (Note: I like Jim Beam, but any good–and they’re all good–Kentucky Bourbon will do).

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

Make a simple mint syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes; cool. Place in a covered container with 6 or 8 bruised mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight. This makes enough syrup for about 44 juleps. To “bruise” mint: Put some leaves or sprigs in a cup and press the leaves lightly, a time or two, with the bowl part of the spoon. This releases the minty fragrant of the leaves).

Make a julep by filling a julep cup or glass with crushed ice (NEVER ICE CUBES), and then add 1 tablespoon of your mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost outside of cup or glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Mint Julep Tips:

1. Always use premium Kentucky bourbon (I can’t stress this enough)

2. Use crushed or shaved ice and pack in cup (Never, never Ice Cubes which would be Barbaric).

3. Add a straw, cut to protrude just above the rim of the cup, and serve. You should be able to get a faint smell of the mint sprig when you’re sipping.

4. Keep the covered syrup in the refrigerator (after removing the mint leaves) if you don’t plan on drinking all the servings.

Maureen R. Sinclair is an American (via N.Y.C. and Lexington, KY). who currently resides in Nova Scotia, Canada. Educated as a Registered Nurse, she holds an M.S. in Psychology. Ms. Sinclair has traveled widely and has many interests. She is an accomplished artist and writer currently writing for onlinecooking.net. She may be reached at mrs3371@hotmail.com or msinclair@onlinecooking.net.

Some Observations on the Colour and Mark of Horses - Info from 1751

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

Having recently been lent an original copy of the ‘Treatise on the Diseases of Horses’ written by William Gibson, Surgeon, in 1751, it has been interesting to compare horse lore then to now. This article looks at one of the early chapters on the colour and marks of horses. Beautifully written in expressive old English this book is a real pleasure to read.

We would still agree with Gibson today that ‘so much of the beauty of a horse depends upon his being well marked and of a good colour’ and also that ‘we often meet with good horses that are very ill marked and of bad colours and sometimes very bad horses, that have almost all the beauty that colour and marks can give them’. Reading this chapter from three centuries ago it becomes obvious that then marks and colour were taken to determine the character of the horse, and that much store was put on good looks. It is obvious, for example, that a gentleman in 18th century England would never be seen on the type of coloured horse which is becoming popular today! Some pictures from the book are reproduced at http://www.limebrook.com/1751horselore.html

Bays, Gibson suggests, are ‘perhaps so called from their resembling the colour of dried bay leaves’. In his opinion the bay is ‘one of the best colours, and horses of all the different kinds of bays are commonly good, unless when accidents happen to spoil them while they are colts’.

Although Chestnut mares have a poor reputation in the 21st century, it is interesting that this treatise does not mention this, although he does say that ‘when a chestnut horse happens to be bald or party or to have white legs…such horses are not very agreeable. Chestnuts, however, were preferred by most people to the sorrel, both ‘in point of beauty and goodness’.

The brown horse is described as a colour not so beautiful as the bay or chestnut, and ‘plain brown [horses] are esteemed more ordinary. Many of them are coarse, but strong and serviceable, fit for draught, for burden or for the wars’.

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

Gibson is impressed by black horses, finding them ‘very beautiful, especially when they are of a jet shining black and well marked, and have not too much white’. Too much white, apparently, adds ‘nothing to their goodness’. A little white, however, is good. A star or blaze, ‘sometimes a white muzzle and one or more of the feet tipped with white always looks beautiful and lively, and is no diminution to the goodness of a horse, but most think an addition’ although some ‘form an opinion that horses with mark are generally stubborn and ill-conditioned’. He has however ‘found many of the English black horses, especially of the largest breeds, not so hardy as the bays and the chestnuts etc. However, if they are black brown they are ‘generally the strongest in constitution’.

Of greys he states; ‘The greys are so diversified in colour, and so common and well known that it would be a needless curiosity to describe them particularly’. The dappled greys are ‘reckoned the best and are founding most parts of the world.’ Silver Grey is ‘extremely beautiful’, Iron grey has a ‘gay appearance but are not accounted the most hardy’, the light plain grey and pidgeon coloured grey soon change and turn white.

Of the roans Gibson notes that ‘many of them turn out much better than they appear to be’. Many roans make ‘good road horses’.

There are so many colours of horses that Gibson states would be ‘no great use to describe’, But ‘sometimes horses turn out very finely spotted, some like leopards or tigers, some like deer, with black, red, yellow or other gay colours, and when these happen also to be comply in shape and appearance they are generally reserved as present for Princes or other great men’ but ‘others again as so disagreeably diversified in their colours, and in such a remarkable manner, that no Gentleman would care to be seen upon their backs, or even suffer his servants to make use of them wherefore such are usually condemned to the meanest drudgery, and no properties they can have, will be sufficient to recommend them to any other use.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

As Gibson fails to describe coloured horses (piebald or skewbalds) one can assume these are those which no Gentleman would ever ride!

As to the markings on horses Gibson says that some have reckoned horses to be lucky or unlucky by the way in which they are marked, but in his modern times of 1751 ‘believe few persons in our times are so superstitious as to regard such things’ He does follow this up by saying though that some people ‘denote all the good or ill qualities or a horse form his marks’. He himself though thinks that a ‘horse always looks the more beautiful for being well marked’.

The most common mark is a star, and an artificial star is often used when it doesn’t occur naturally. Gibson describes marks: ‘When the white descends pretty broad towards the nose it is called a blaze; when it descends into a smaller line it is called a snip; and when most of the horse’s face is white he is then said to be bald. All these marks are beautiful when they are not to extreme, for a very large star is not reckoned so beautiful as one that is of moderate size, neither is that baldness that spreads over a horse’s whole face and cheeks any ways becoming. As it gives him the looks of an ox, and such horses are often plain headed.’

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

Unfortunately Gibson has strong views about some horses: ‘where a horse’s pasterns, hoofs and all his four legs are white, especially when the white rises about the knees or hocks, it looks ugly, and a horse thus marked has too much of the pye-bald, which are seldom fit for gentlemen’s use.

Of feathers he is more a fan, saying, ‘wherever they happen to be, they are almost always signs of goodness, and some of them are exceeding beautiful’.

Reading this treatise from 1751 it is obvious that much store was put on what colour the horse was - certain horses would be condemned as war horses, or committed to a life of drudgery simply by their colour. Others, more happily marked (sorry, the 18th century language is addictive) end up living with Prince’s. Although today we still value the look of a horse, we do not tend to group them so much by colour, and a good show jumper or dressage horse can be any colour. It is hard to imagine that a horse would fail to make the Olympics just because he was of a colour that no gentleman would want to be seen on!

Working With Horses

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

Where there are horses there is always work to be found. The job description for a groom will vary from yard to yard, however there are several duties that always go with the job. These duties include feeding, grooming and mucking-out (cleaning the stables). Initially as you begin to fill the shoes of a groom you may realize that it can be hard physical work, especially cleaning the stables.

Your mind and body both need time to adjust to the rhythm and work load. A task that may take you 30 minutes to complete should eventually take you at least half the time to complete as you become competent and efficient.

All horse care facilities, yards and stables have a set routine that is carried out from morning to night. As a groom you would perform the routine for more than one horse. A groom can be in charge of three to seven horses. If you manage to take care of a single horse, consider yourself lucky and if you care for more than seven. I hope you do not end up with an extensive list of duties for each horse!

Here is a basic breakdown of possible daily routine when working with horses:

1. Feeding of the horses (breakfast)
  2. Turning out of some horses
  3. Grooms breakfast
  4. Rotating horses to be turned out
  5. Mucking out
  6. Exercising the horses
  7. Feeding lunch to horses
  8. Grooms lunch
  9. Bringing all horses in from the field for the night
  10. Grooming of the horses
  11. Tack Cleaning
  12. Skipping out of stables (taking out of droppings)
  13. Feeding of the horses (supper)
  14. Sweeping the yard
  15. Preparing the feed for the following morning
  16. Yard check of horses and lock up of yard
  17. Grooms supper
  18. Late night check of the yard and horses.

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Every day the above duties will be carried out and there are usually interruptions and additions as the day goes on, such as a scheduled visit from the farrier or an unscheduled visit of a veterinarian for a sick horse. Take each day as it comes.

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Your horse guide. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about Natural horsemanship.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. Price compare Educational DVDs, read reviews, download free E-books. Read this month’s e-book on “How To Spot A fraudulent Email”. Grab your free copy today.

Miniature Horses as Guide Animals

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a guide animal for the blind? Usually we think of dogs. Have you given thought to the use of miniature horses? The number of miniature horses as guide animals has steadily risen since 1999.

The use of horses rather than dogs has several benefits. They are great for horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs and for the person who wishes to have an animal with a longer life span.

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Ideal candidates for miniature horses include horse enthusiasts who have an understanding of equine behavior and their care. Those who are severely allergic to traditional guide animals benefit from using horses. Mature individuals who have a difficult time dealing with the grief of the loss of a guide animal will be delighted with a horse’s longer life span. People with a phobia of dogs will benefit from a miniature horse. The physically disabled will love the docile nature, which makes the horse easier to handle. A horse is sturdy enough to provide support such as aiding its handler to rise from a chair. For those who prefer their animal live outdoors when off duty, the miniature horse is ideal.

Why consider a horse at all? They are natural guides. In a herd, if one horse becomes blind, one of the other horses will take on the responsibility for that horse, becoming its guide. Historically, Calvary horses are known to guide injured riders to safety.

Miniature horses have several characteristics that make them ideal guide animals. They are cost effective. Their long life span is a demonstration of this. It takes a several thousands of dollars to train a guide animal. A miniature horse has a lifespan of thirty to forty years as compared with the seven to eight year life span of a dog. Horses are better accepted in public places. People view horses as a service animal rather than a pet. Horses tend to be calm in nature. Calvary and police horses demonstrate this well. These horses must be steady in chaotic situations. Guide horses receive the same desensitization training that riot control horses receive. Horses have excellent memories. They instinctually recall dangerous situations decades later. Horses have phenomenal vision. Their range of vision is nearly 350 degrees. They are the only animal capable of independent eye movement and can see clearly in near total darkness. Trained horses are extremely focused and are not easily distracted. Horses are always on the lookout for danger and will find the safest, most efficient route possible and will avoid obstacles that obstruct their path. Horses are hardy and can travel many miles in a single outing. Miniature horses also have excellent manners! They are very clean and can be housebroken. They don’t tend to get fleas and only shed two times per year. And, they will stand quietly while on duty.

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

While dogs are excellent guide animals and shouldn’t be discredited, miniature horses are gaining on them in popularity. With so many positive traits to their credit, they are definitely an option to consider.

A Quick Check for Your Horses Health

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

Do you check your horse’s general condition on a regular basis? Do you know what to look for to make sure your horses health is where it should be? This is something you should make a habit of doing on a daily basis. And once you know what you are doing it should not take you very long. This will prevent something minor turning into something major.

First, each day when you go out to visit your horse, whether at your home or if you board your horse at a farm, think about what your overall impression of her. Does she look well, does she have a healthy appearance? What are your first thoughts? Below are major areas to observe.

Mobility - Does your horse move with comfort, on or off the halter and lead. Is her coordination good, is she reluctant to move, stiff or seem to be in pain when she walks.

Posture - When you look at your horse at a stand still, is she standing squarely on all four legs or balancing on three legs with the fourth hind leg in an easy resting position? Alternating the resting hind leg is a sign of a sound horse; they should not always rest the same hind leg.

Expressiveness - A horse, like most animals, facial expressions show that they are not feeling normal, from a small ache to a large pain, there facial expressions will show you how they are feeling, sometimes they may even act out with anger if you accidentally touch the area that is hurting, the horse may try to lash out and bite or kick you. Keep an eye out for glassy stares or an anxious pre-occupied appearance.

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Reaction to Your Visit - As your horse gets to know you, she will definitely respond to your presence, either with a whinny or other time of reaction. Learn how your horse reacts, if she does not react to your presence when she normally reacts this is a big red flag that something may be going on and that she does not feel well.

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Hydration - If you are familiar with the skin pinch test, this will show you if you horse is hydrated. If you don’t know this procedure, just pinch a small amount of skin on the horses neck, it should return to its normal place, if the skin stays up the horse is dehydrating or already dehydrated. A very fit horses skin may be a bit thinner and take longer to return to its normal position, this does not mean they are dehydrated, so you may want to also perform the capillary refill test where you use your thumb to pressure blanch a spot on their gums just above the corner incisor, then remove your thumb quickly and count the seconds it takes for the color to return. The capillary refill time is a measure of blood pressure and volume.

You should also check and monitor your horse’s vital signs. This includes her pulse, respiratory rate, temperature and the capillary refill time. First, stand beside your horses rear end, on her left side if you are right handed and vice versa for left. Stand close to avoid getting kicked. Drape the arm closest to your horse over her rump and gently grasp her tail. Have a lubricated thermometer ready in your other hand. Lift her tail gently, if she clamps down, gently wiggle her tailbone to assist in relaxation. Gently insert the thermometer into her anus, taking care to hold the end of it gently with your thumb and index finger, keeping the thermometer in place for the recommended manufacturer’s time limit. Remove and read. It’s that simple, just be cautious the first few times you take her temperature.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

Most importantly, if you are unsure or have any signs that something is not normal with your horse, check with your veterinarian or veterinary staff at your barn and have her checked out, a simple problem can be corrected quickly, but some things that are let go, may turn into a serious life threatening illness, so pay very close attention to your horse and her health.

Nanette Hughston is a freelance writer from the southern United States Region. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance. She rides dressage with Grand Prix Level Trainer, Tracy Masterson at Highlife Farms, Orlando, FL. For more information and articles please see her website at http://www.dressageamerica.com and to visit her training site, please visit http://www.highlifefarms.com for dressage and hunter/ jumper information. Permission for reprint is granted with full bio remaining intact.

Horses - Seattle Slew

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

In the short list of triple crown winners, this horse had to be one of the biggest bargains in racing history. We’re referring to the puzzle of a wonder, Seattle Slew.

The story of this horse is just another reminder of how weird the sport of horse racing can be and how unpredictable it can also be. All over the racing industry millionaires were spending small fortunes trying to breed the best horses they could in the hopes of coming away with a winner. While this mad spending was going on a few friends got together and spent $17,500 to buy Seattle Slew when he was just one year old. You wouldn’t think that kind of money would get you much of anything. But these friends saw their investment go on to become a triple crown winner and also go on to be one of the greatest horses in the 20th century.

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Seattle Slew was the son of Bold Reasoning.

Again, once Seattle Slew hit three years of age, his trainer took things slow with him, not starting him in his first race as a three year old until March 9, 1977. That race was in Hialeah where he won by nine lengths. On March 26 he then won again at the Flamingo Stakes by four lengths.

Finally, he won the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 23 by 3 and 1/4 lengths.ng and My Charmer. The horse was brought along very slowly in his career by a young trainer named

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

William H. Turner. He was the oldest horse in history to make his two year old maiden race which was on September 20, 1976 at Belmont Park. Out of twelve horses in the field, he went off as a 2.6 to 1 favorite. He took the lead quickly and won the race by five lengths.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

Oddly, Seattle Slew started just two more races as a two year old. He won an allowance race on October 5 and then won the Champagne Stakes eleven days later by a whopping 9 and 3/4 lengths. After that race people were already talking about whether or not he would be the next triple crown winner in just 4 years since Secretariat in 1973.

By the time the Kentucky Derby came around on May 7, because of his past performances, Seattle Slew was the overwhelming favorite to win going off at 1 to 2. Ironically, the race was nearly a disaster for Slew when he swerved and was sharply taken by the jockey. He was allowed to take an early lead because of this but that resulted in him tiring down the stretch that became a 3 horse race. Slew did manage to hang on and win by 1 and 3/4 lengths.

At the Preakness, two weeks later, things were very similar to the Derby as Slew was involved in a real horse race but managed to hang on to win by 1 and 1/2 lengths. At this time people were starting to worry that he would fall short in the Belmont. But Slew didn’t disappoint. The Belmont was a completely different story and Slew went on to win by four lengths.

The victory made him not only the 10th triple crown winner but the first undefeated triple crown winner. Slew finally retired at the end of the 1978 season.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Horses - Citation

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

In this article we’re going to briefly go over the career of one of the most famous horses in racing history, Citation.

If you look past the losses that Citation sustained at the end of his career, this has to have been one of the greatest horses in racing history if you simply look at his accomplishments. Citation was a horse that was not only blessed with blinding speed but with great staying power. The horse just never tired. Add to that a killer instinct that literally willed him past the other horses and this horse was almost unbeatable until he just got too old to do it anymore.

Over the course of Citation’s career there were many changes. After the patriarch of Calumet Farms, Warren Wright, died, trainer Ben Jones started to hand over more responsibility of handling Citation to his son Jimmy. He ultimately took this horse to a place where no other horse had been to that time; retiring as a millionaire in 1951. Unfortunately, the losses he sustained in the last 2 years of his career greatly diminished what he had accomplished in the eyes of others.

The truth is, racing was never easy for Citation in spite of his natural talent. Injuries kept him completely out of the 1949 racing season. To compound matters, Warren Wright’s dying wish that Citation retire a millionaire kept this horse racing into his sixth year when most other horses would have already been long retired. In spite of all this, Citation somehow managed to shake off the defeats late in his career and win his final three races, something nobody expected him to be able to do. His final victory was the Hollywood Gold Cup, which was the race that put him over the million dollar earnings bracket, the only horse to ever reach this plateau.

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Warren Wright was actually more responsible for the great horse that Citation became than anyone realizes. It was his choosing to breed Bull Lea, a less than successful triple crown winner, and Hydroplane II, a horse he purchased from Lord Derby in the spring of 1941. Obviously, this pairing was a work of pure genius on Wright’s part.

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Citation’s career began in 1945 with great fanfare. By the time he reached his 3 year old season in 1947 he was honored as racing’s Horse Of The Year. That year he won the Flamingo Stakes and Everglades Handicap and he was on a seven race winning streak.

But the pinnacle of that year was when Citation won the triple crown, winning the Kentucky Derby by 3 1/2 lengths, the Preakness by 5 1/2 lengths and the Belmont Stakes by an amazing 11 lengths. With that victory, Citation became racing’s 8th triple crown winner.

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

But he wasn’t through. Citation won 9 more starts in 1948. By the time his 3 year old career had ended Citation had won 27 races and came in 2nd twice in 29 races.

Citation died on August 8, 1970, at the age of 25. He was truly one of the greatest.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Horses - Breeds, A To Z

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

A horse is a horse of course of course. Right? Well, not exactly. There are more breeds of horses than Carter has liver pills. We’re just going to touch on a few examples here, otherwise we’re going to need a book about 2000 pages long.

For example, and we’ll just start with the letter A, there is the Australian Stock Horse. This is one of those horses that arose from selective breeding due to the demands of the environment. The history of this breed actually began in 1788. When the first breed of horses was brought to Eastern Australia by the First Fleet. These horses were of mixed English Thoroughbred and Spanish stock and they were hardy enough horses that they were a perfect choice for the cavalry.

Moving along to the letter B, we have the Basotho Pony. This horse is found only in Lesotho, which is in South Africa. The horse is used almost exclusively for riding. The breed itself was developed sometime after 1825 from the Cape Horse. By the start of the 20th century this breed almost completely disappeared due to exporting of the horses and cross breeding with Arab and Thoroughbred horses. Fortunately, during the later part of the 20th century, a society was formed to revive the breed.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

One of the most famous breed of horses starting with the letter C is the Clydesdale. This horse was developed in a district of Scotland. It is a heavy draft horse breed. The breed itself was developed by farmers in Lanarkshire, which is the old name for Clydesdale. This horse was mainly bred to meet the agricultural needs of farmers. The Clydesdale is a real work horse. Make no mistake about that.

The letter D gives us the Dartmoor Pony. This horse is one of nine breeds that are specific to the British Isles. This particular breed comes from a barren moorland called Dartmoor, which is located in Devon, England. These are very old horses which go all the way back to the reign of King Henry I. Today, Dartmoor Ponies are found all over Great Britain as well as countries like France, Sweden and Germany.

Moving along to the letter E, we have the Eriskay Pony. This particular pony is the only surviving variety of the Hebridean pony. It is found on the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland. Today this particular breed of pony is almost extinct. Recent DNA testing of these animals show that they are of very ancient origin. These horses are mostly used for transportation and common chores such as pulling carts and even taking children to school.

And in case you are wondering, yes there are breeds of horses that begin with the letter Z. One of them is the Zaniskari Pony, which is found in Northern India. This particular breed is what is called a riding and pack breed.

Yes, there are more breeds of horse than you can possibly imagine. If you’re interested in doing more research on these animals you can do so by going to http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/Horses-w.htm. You’ll have enough to read to keep you busy for many years to come.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Farrier: Working With Horses

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If you enjoy working with horses and are strong, then being a farrier just might be for you!

According to the Farrier’s Act 1975, the definition of a farrier is “any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of such a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot.”

The craft is an ancient one, possibly practiced as long ago as during the time of the Roman Empire.

To become a farrier, you must attend one of the many schools offering classes in the craft. A wise idea, although not required, is an apprenticeship after graduation. This lends itself to hands on skills while under the watchful eye of an experienced farrier.

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A farrier’s work consists of checking a horse’s leg, foot and hoof, cutting away any excess hoof growth and ensure that the horse is balanced. Selection of the appropriate shoe relies on the horse’s size, foot condition and whatever work or activity the horse is involved in. Next, adjust the shape of the shoe using an anvil and hammer. Then affix the shoe to the hoof.

There are few considerations you should take into account if you feel this is the career path for you. You must enjoy working with horses and know how to handle them. Some

horses don’t like their feet handled and can be difficult to work with. Good manual skills and hand-eye coordination are a must. You do want to hit the nail rather than your fingers! Physical strength and stamina are givens. The horses you may work with can be upwards of two tons! You’ll need to possess good communication skills so that you can work well with the horse owners, and veterinarians as well.
Farriers are often self-employed and, as a result, will need to posses a few more skills. You must be willing to travel. You will be taking your business to the horse owners. This means driving to farms, ranches and private owners, all of whom many be quite a distance apart. Organizing appointments and keeping accurate records of things such as expenses, p

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

ayments and other accounts is essential.

Hours rely on the horse owner’s schedule. Likely, you will be working days and often, on weekends. Earnings reflect your area and how much you choose to charge. Keep in mind costs of equipment and travel expenses when you set your fees.

Being a farrier is a physically demanding job. You may be asked to shoe one or many horses at any given time, not to mention time spent on the road between appointments. A lot of bending and lifting is involved and, of course, be ready for problem horses!

As a farrier, you must keep the horse’s welfare in mind first and treat the animal humanely and respect. Maintain and build upon your knowledge of your craft. Good customer relations is essential for repeat business and can earn you recommendations for future clients. Be honest and trustworthy. Always handle any complaints in a timely manner. You are your own public relations person and your work is your best advertisement!
Being a farrier is demanding but rewarding work. If working with horses is what you’d like to do, this career path is one to be considered

Nikola lives and writes in Oklahoma. She is involved with the local Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni and Volunteers in Policing. She enjoys reading, acrapbooking and spending time with her two dogs. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Facsimile.Com/ which is a site for Fax Machines.