Does your horse display the characteristics of his color?

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Tradition, they say, can teach us a lot,

So here is what horsemen, on color, have thought.

A bay is hardy, a chestnut is fast

And you can’t kill a buckskin: he’ll last and last

A grey is gentle, a sorrel is hot

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This 2004 gray gelding is one to watch for at the racetrack.

Dustin Orona Photography

The Bank of America Racing Challenge Championship night is November 8 at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana. It will feature six championship races with some of the best horses in the country battling it out for titles in their respective divisions.

One of the stars to watch for is Vital Winner, who will run in the Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1).

Vital Winner will be making his first start in Louisiana, but fortunately he is one of those horses who doesn’t have to bring his racetrack with him. That’s a good thing, too, because the 4-year-old gelding by Easy Winning Jet has logged some miles on a van.

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Certified journeyman farriers undergo rigorous schooling.

Test your knowledge

Take a look at this shod hoof.

Looks pretty good, right?

That’s until examiner Dusty Franklin, American Farrier’s Association certified journeyman farrier, goes over it with his eagle eye.

Here’s how he’d evaluate the nail clinches on this foot:

1. “The toe nail looks pretty good. It’s good and square, and it’s in line with the tubules of the foot.”
2. “The second clinch has a ragged edge. The back part of it has been rasped off, and the front hasn’t, and it’s a lot longer than the first clinch.”
3. “The third one, you see where the hoof wall has been pulled down when (the farrier) clinched it? He over-clinched it.”

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Great items to have with you as you ride the trails.

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We’ve compiled a list of great items to have in your saddle bag as you ride your horse along the trails.

Hint for the holidays: these items make great gifts for the trail rider who has everything!

• Record your trail ride adventures in any weather with Rite in the Rain journals.

• The Professional’s Choice Trailer Door Caddy is the only organizer designed to accommodate you and your horse.  It is composed of durable construction and features both open and zipper mesh pockets to keep things neat and organized. There are also insulated cup holders to keep your beverages cold while grooming. The caddy installs easily and securely to a trailer or stall door.

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What should your horse breeding contract include?

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It’s wise to include the following elements in every breeding contract:

• The parties of the contract – The owners of the mare and stallion should execute the contract. This section should include the address and phone numbers for both parties.

• Stallion – The breeding stallion should be clearly identified, along with his AQHA registration number.

• Location of the stallion

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Take these steps to save precious fuel while pulling your horse trailer.

With fuel close to $5 per gallion, hauling horses can seem like the ultimate nightmare. Though hoping for the return of $2 fuel may never pay off, these tips can help you save some green at the pump. After all, your money is better spent on entry fees at your next show. Read the rest of this entry »

A good horse is an excellent teacher for your children.

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. It can also be one of the best investments you’ll ever make on behalf of your children.

Participation in the care of a horse teaches children some of the very things they’ll need in order to succeed as adults – responsibility, how to honor a commitment, loyalty, organizational and management skills and patience.

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A good guide earns a horse’s respect by reassuring the horse and inspiring his trust.

Order Fundamentals of Horsemanship

Your horse is relaxed and receptive when he has found and understands his role in your relationship. Horses know how to recognize a good guide, and they are happy to follow.

If your horse is displaying negative behavior, take a look at your leadership style. Read the rest of this entry »

Speed ratings give Quarter Horse handicappers another number to compare speed.

By Michael Cusortelli

Speed figures make the world go around – at least the world of American Quarter Horse racing.

For the past 11 years, Quarter Horse handicappers have had two speed figures to choose from: the traditional speed index and the TrackMaster speed rating. The speed index has been around since 1970, when it replaced the original letter-grade system with a number system.

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Getting your horse to drop his head gives him a serene, quiet place to be.

From AQHA Professional Horsewoman and Certified Horsemanship Association instructor Julie Goodnight.

Your horse’s head is like a needle on a gauge – it can signify your horse’s mental state. When his head comes up in any increment, the horse is tensing; when the head lowers, he is relaxing. When the horse is poised for flight, the head is all the way up, and when he is most relaxed, his nose is all the way to the ground. Signs of relaxation in the horse are synonymous with the signs of subordinance, because once the horse accepts your authority, he can relax and doesn’t have to worry, think or make any decisions. Read the rest of this entry »

Use these tips to select the right stallion for your mare:

• Your decision depends on several things, including the goals you have for the foal. Are you trying to produce a future AQHA Champion? Do you plan to sell the foal for a good price based on impeccable bloodlines? Do you hope to raise and train the foal to become the horse of your dreams?
  

  AQHA Executive Committee Member Peter J. Cofrancesco III of Sparta, New Jersey, and A Radiant Image, 2007 amateur aged stallions world champion.

• You need to choose a stallion based on traits that he could pass on to his offspring: conformation, athletic ability and disposition. Bloodlines are important, but a critical assessment of the stallion himself is probably most important.

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A handy first-aid item for your horse is in your freezer.

Relief for your horse

Cold therapy can help a variety of your horse’s muscle, tendon and joint injuries. So when ice is what the doctor orders, a bag of small frozen vegetables, such as peas or corn, makes a convenient cold pack.

Don’t want to ruin tomorrow night’s dinner?

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