Two Bits

In part 2 of the horse photography series, we’ll learn that it’s all about the horse!

When you position your horse for his portrait you want to make sure that you are able to get the best shot of your American Quarter Horse possible. These rules apply whether a horse is photographed with a rider or not:

• All four legs should be visible.
• In a profile shot, the two legs nearest the camera should be farther apart than the other two.
• Read the rest of this entry »

Kids and adults alike mixed fun with learning at AQHA’s equine expo.

Participants and their horses gained confidence negotiating obstacles in a trail trial clinic.

By Holly Clanahan in The American Quarter Horse Journal

The rains came down, but the fun went on at QuarterFest on May 1-3, 2009, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Enthusiasm wasn’t dampened – not surprising when you realize that for one low price, you could sit in on clinics by the likes of Bob Avila, Curt and Tammy Pate, and Julie Goodnight among others. Read the rest of this entry »

Cutting expert Al Dunning offers advice for handling a powerful cutting horse.

Question:

I’ve recently purchased a much more advanced cutting horse than the one I was riding to teach me. This horse is much faster through his turns. I’m not having trouble stopping or turning; it’s when the horse makes multiple moves with the cow and then accelerates much faster than what I’m prepared for and slides me back out of the saddle before I can Read the rest of this entry »

At the 1998 NCHA World Finals, Lindy Burch and Bet Yer Blue Boons marked a record score that still stands today.

Lindy is the only woman in the history of the sport to take home the open world championship trophy.

By Honi Roberts in The American Quarter Horse Journal

This is the last of a two-part story. Need to review Part 1?

Lindy Burch and her mare, Bet Yer Blue Boons, were on their way, and Houston was their favorite destination.

“In Houston, the stands are always full, Read the rest of this entry »

A healthy horse is a happy horse!

Two Bits

Horses are like kids: they love treats and yummy snacks! Because horses are herbivores (plant eaters), they naturally enjoy plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables and grains.

But they also will eat other foods made from flour, like bread and cake and even some dairy foods. Many horses also have a sweet tooth and will nibble on jelly beans, peppermint and gummy candies; these super-sweet treats should only be given in very small amounts (two ounces or less).

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Learn how to take horse pictures with Two Bits!

With all the new-fangled ways to take pictures today, some folks have begun to take photos for granted. But not Two Bits. He likes to do it the old fashioned way… probably because we won’t give him a cell phone with a camera included with it.

Two-Bits

Even a disposable camera can take a perfectly nice photo. Two Bits has some advice for some of you amateur photographers.

• Stand the horse so his profile is in direct light. The sun should shine directly on his side, and his shadow should fall directlybehind him.

• Read the rest of this entry »

In breeding, sometimes Mother Nature knows best.

The old ways of pasture breeding seem to have been left behind. Or maybe not.

By Jennifer Horton in The American Quarter Horse Journal

In today’s world of e-mail, instant messaging and online banking, sometimes you might wonder if the old ways aren’t still the best ways. In the horse industry, technology comes to us by way of artificial insemination, DNA testing, and cooled and frozen semen, while the old ways of pasture breeding seem to have been left behind. Or maybe not. Read the rest of this entry »

The equine genome map is as important to the future of horses as the development of antibiotics was 45 years ago.

With the implementation of gene-chip technology and through responsible breeding, horses may never be affected by HERDA again.

By Denise Steffanus in The American Quarter Horse Journal

This is the second of a four-part series. Need to review Part 1?

Recently when studying osteochondrosis (OCD) in a band of Kentucky Thoroughbred yearlings, Dr. Alicia Bertone found an interesting development: The gene chip showed that those horses in the study affected by the disease had suppressed activity of the retinoic acid pathways, which is important for cell division. (Retinoic acid is used as a human dermatological treatment known commercially as Retin-A.) This discovery should spark an investigation into the role of retinoic acid in OCD, a possibility never before considered.

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Just a few hints from Day two of the AQHA Educational Judging Seminar in Irving, Texas.

AQHA Judges Sam Rose and Bill Enk

Many people at the AQHA Educational Judging Seminar aren’t here in Irving, Texas, to become judges: They’re here to become better competitors.

It’s not a bad idea. Where better to get tips on success in the show ring than directly from the judges?

Here are a few hints from Tuesday and the judges who gave them.

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Take a look at my life as a judge.

Nancy Swarm became a judge, because she wanted to give back and share her knowledge with the horse industry.

By Nancy Swarm in The American Quarter Horse Journal

I guess horses were truly my destiny, as I was born with “horse” in my blood!

I bought my first horse when I was 9 years old for $134. A lot of care and love later, we were ready to go to our first show. We didn’t have a trailer, so my father and I walked “Goldie” 10 miles to the show grounds. My mother met us at the show. We won some ribbons, and at the end of the day, some exhibitors felt sorry for us and gave us a lift home.

John Arena, Bobby La Pergola, Kitchie Little and C.T. Fuller of Willow Brook Farms had faith in my ability and made quality horses available to me. I showed youth activity and, at 15, began Read the rest of this entry »

In Part 1 of the AQHA Corporate Partner Spotlight series, let’s learn more about SmartPak.

AQHA members get 5 percent off all orders from SmartPak!

The American Quarter Horse Association has teamed up with SmartPak to provide an AQHA member discount on the official supplement feeding system of AQHA.  SmartPak was founded by riders and horse owners who understand the hard work and dedication it takes to care for a performance horse.

Two of SmartPak’s very own SmartSupplement products are problem Read the rest of this entry »

The top-five reasons you should be at the 2010 Judging Educational Seminar in Irving, Texas.

AQHA Professional Horsemen, Charlie Cole, left, Michael Colvin and Leslie Lange were instructors at the Educational Judging Seminar in Irving, Texas.

The 2010 Judging Educational Seminar is going on right now in Irving, Texas. Here’s what you’re missing if you’re not here.

5. Learning the difference between a tick and a hit in trail.
4. Hearing western pleasure expert David Dellin, an AQHA Professional Horseman, talk about how much he enjoys western pleasure and how to find the best horse in a class.

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