Play this game and learn more about the challenges of a good ol’ western cattle drive!

Two Bits has been watching lots of old west horse movies. In many of these movies are cattle drives.

A cattle drive encountered a number of challenges along the way. As the herd moved north, the outfit (or group) might be charged a toll to cross Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The toll would range from ten cents to one dollar per animal, to allow the cattle to cross the tribal lands. When the outfit got to Kansas, the cowboys had to beware of Read the rest of this entry »

A tornado left hope after tragedy.

Tuesday's owners, recipient mares, Katie and Friday, and the Equine Reproduction Laboratory team.

By Patrick M. McCue in The American Quarter Horse Journal

A tornado about a mile wide ripped a 35-mile path of northern Colorado on May 22, 2008. A small herd of horses housed in a pasture gathered behind a shelter for cover. Like most run-in sheds in the region, this one faced southeast, away from the origin of a majority of storms. Unfortunately, the tornado came from the southeast. Winds estimated at 111 to 165 mph blew the shelter over, and an 11-year-old mare named “Tuesday” was severely injured. Read the rest of this entry »

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture focuses on health.

Committee meetings explored how the initiative may impact the various species and segments within production animal agriculture and animal health management.

One Health: Implications for Animal Agriculture was the theme of the 2010 annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture on March 15-17 in Kansas City, Missouri.

“One Health is a worldwide initiative focused on the interdependencies of human, animal and ecosystem health, and with this concept comes significantly expanded roles and expectations placed on animal agriculture and professionals within animal agriculture,” says Dr. Tony Forshey, Read the rest of this entry »

Longtime dressage enthusiast and competitor Lisa Rasmuson shares her excitement over AQHA approving dressage classes.

Lisa Rasmuson with JDH Prestige, or as she and all the local 4-H’ers know him, “Preston.”

By Tiffany Mead, AQHA marketing intern

With the announcement of new AQHA-approved dressage classes, many members are happy to have the chance to earn year-end points in their favorite equestrian discipline. Dressage and American Quarter Horse enthusiast Lisa Rasmuson hopes to earn points and awards through dressage. Read the rest of this entry »

Learn more about AQHA’s partnership with Ford Motor Company and the great discount offered to AQHA members!

Ford prides itself in its ability to appeal to the widest range of potential automotive customers, offering a variety of cars, trucks, SUVs, CUVs and services. The maker of the official truck of Read the rest of this entry »

Why you should buy insurance for your horse.

AQHA Corporate Partner Markel helps you protect your most valuable assets.

AQHA Corporate Partner Markel helps you protect your most valuable assets.

You know that owning a horse is both an emotional and a financial commitment. Expenses for food, tack, boarding and vet care can really add up. But you also know they’re all essential for protecting your horse. The same is true for equine insurance. If your horse was stolen, became seriously ill or even worse, how would you handle that loss? Read the rest of this entry »

Show us a great way to re-use old boots, and you’ll get a chance at a new pair of Justin boots!

These could be yours! Enter the April Facebook contest today!

Out with the old, in with the new!

AQHA’s Facebook page features an exciting contest every month with a BIG prize up for grabs. This month, we want to see your most creative uses for old cowboy boots.

So, show us how you recycle your cowboy boots that have become too Read the rest of this entry »

The American Association of Equine Practitioners explains the three stages of your mare’s labor.

Question:

Would you please spell out the time frames of the foaling process, and at what times the foal and the mare become in danger?

Answer:

Labor (or parturition) is divided into three stages:

Read the rest of this entry »

Urge your representative to sign a letter supporting LWCF and Forest Legacy Program.

From national parks to urban parks, from open trails to open spaces, LWCF has been the key to providing and protecting places for all Americans to relax and get outdoors.

Provided by the Equine Land Conservation Resource

President Obama sought $620 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in his fiscal year 2011 budget request, an increase of $167 million over this year. But the president’s budget request is just that – a request to congressional appropriators – and it’s up to you to ensure that Congress feels compelled to provide that funding. Read the rest of this entry »

Host your own Hollywood horse movie party!

Two Bits

Did you know that Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger, appeared in ninety feature films and more than one hundred television shows starring this Hollywood legend?  Films made by Rogers and other Hollywood legends like the Lone Ranger are called “classics,” meaning they are treasured, historic and have been enjoyed for many years. In the following activity a delicious movie snack will be made and movie invitations will be created to invite friends over to watch a few “classic” horse movies…

Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy these smart, Earth-friendly tips at home or on the farm.

Help make this a better place for all of us by using these tips at home or on the farm.

STEP – Stewards for Trails, Education and Partnerships – is an AQHA program that was formed to encourage good stewardship and conservation of riding trails.

Here are some Earth-friendly tips from STEP.

• Organics: Sold as animal feed, alfalfa pellets are rich in nitrogen and make excellent organic plant food. You can dig the pellets into the soil or add them to a compost pile.
• Composting: Composting is beneficial, because it binds water and nutrients in reserve, freeing them when plants need it the most. It holds double its weight in water, hence cutting back the need to water and increasing a plants capacity for our dry months. Read the rest of this entry »

The Weather Channel’s Dr. Anna Marie creates a haven for her American Quarter Horses.

Anna Marie Chwastiak came up with the idea of “greenovation,” converting the place from an energy-using property to an energy-producing property.

By Larri Jo Starkey in America’s Horse

Dr. Anna Marie Chwastiak, known for her “Forecast for Health” reports on the Weather Channel has always had a passion for Quarter Horses.

After a news segment she completed with Thoroughbred Smarty Jones comparing the athleticism of equine athletes and professional football players, Anna Marie bought her first Quarter Horses, a little red dun, RR Zans Shaker, and a bay gelding, Poco Quarter Note. She didn’t have a barn, so she boarded her horses in different facilities in Maryland. But because of her work with The Weather Channel, she was often in the southeast, especially in Florida, where she was and still is involved in the Black Stallion Literacy Project. Read the rest of this entry »