November 28, 2011
Dr. Scott Morrison, a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, explains the difference between acute laminitis and chronic laminitis, or founder.
You can learn more about laminitis and founder from Dr. Morrison in “Living With Laminitis” in the October 2011 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
If my horse has laminitis, does that mean he has foundered?
November 21, 2011
AQHA Professional Horseman Kelly McDowall shares his insight on how to pick an all-around prospect.
To find out how Kelly trains his all-around prospects, check out the October 2011 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
My starter all-around horse is ready to retire. When I got him, he knew it all and he taught me all of the all-around events. I’d like to buy an all-around prospect horse so that I can be the one teaching this time, but I don’t know what I should be looking for in a prospect.
What sort of things do you look for in an all-around prospect?
November 14, 2011
AQHA Professional Horseman Gary Wells sheds some light on what the ideal dally team roping heading run should look like.
For more insight from Gary on training a heading horse, check out “Is He Cheating You?” in the October 2011 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
I started team roping a few years ago, but I’ve mainly been competing at jackpot ropings. I’d like to train my horse to be competitive in judged ropings, but in order to do so I’d like to know what the ideal heading run should look like.
November 7, 2011
Question:Does anyone have ideas for keeping a stock tank from freezing in a remote area with no electricity? My two horses usually drink from a creek that occasionally freezes.
Since my 16-year-old Quarter Horse went blind in April, he has grown used to his tank and scared of the creek. Being a paranoid blind-horse mom, I want him to have as many options for water as possible.
October 31, 2011
AQHA Professional Horsewoman Lainie DeBoer shares her tips on mentally preparing riders for shows.
For more of Lainie’s insight on how to develop a mental preparation game plan, check out “Borrow a Trainer” in the November 2011 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
I’m really excited to say that I qualified for the AQHA World Championship Show! I’ll be competing in hunt seat equitation, and even though my trainer and I have been working on my equitation and my communication with my horse, I’m still worried about this being my first World Show.
Do you have any tips for overcoming show jitters?
October 24, 2011
The American Association of Equine Practitioners offers great advice for this mare owner. AAEP is an AQHA educational marketing alliance partner.
Is it advisable to breed a mare year after year after year? Does it affect the quality of the foal if she is bred every other year instead of every year, providing that there are no health issues? Until what age do you recommend breeding a mare?
October 17, 2011
Question:I have a gelding that foundered years before I got him and a mare that foundered several years ago during the fall on grass. Both recovered nicely and I monitor their weight and grazing carefully.
Even with the precautions I take, the gelding has recently shown signs of heat and soreness in his feet again. I have him completely off grass at this point with only free choice hay, salt block and fresh water.
Even though neither of them are overweight, do I need to pull them off spring and fall grass completely? And, if so, when is it safe to allow them restricted pasture time again? Possibly after a hard freeze?
October 10, 2011
Question:What is the best method to train a horse not to stick its nose out while being ridden?
I have used a German martingale, training rings, tie-downs, and all without success. These methods work while being used, but this is dangerous when competing in ranch sorting or team penning, where a calf could run through the device and cause serious injury to horse or rider. Also, the horse will be back to sticking out his nose when the device is not used.
October 3, 2011
Question:My 15-year-old mare cribs. As a result, her front incisors no longer touch. Stopping her from cribbing is not an option, so what should I have the dentist concentrate on when he is here for fall dental care? The mare is currently in good weight with plenty of energy.
September 26, 2011
Question:I have a 12-year-old gelding whom I’ve owned for seven years, and during that time, I have spent little time riding him because of work, but we have spent time working in the round pen.
In the past year, I have ventured out trail riding, and when possible, have maneuvered through obstacle courses.
Since my gelding lives on our property along with our other horses, he has not had a lot of exposure to strange horses. When he is around other horses, he gets overly excited and wants to follow every passing horse group on a trail ride. This is where the conflict begins. I want him to walk and not trot, but he resists by pulling through the bit or moving backward or sideways.
September 19, 2011
Question:I have a 4-year-old horse who simply refuses to load! He doesn’t rear, back up or do anything stupid — he just simply won’t go in!
I have used food as a treat when he comes in the door with his front feet, and again when he finally steps his back feet in. He will stand at the trailer door for an hour or more and not budge. He hates it if you pull on his lead rope, and it makes him very resentful at what you’re trying to do, so I don’t pull on him — I just try to coax him in by talking and maybe using a treat, such as hay.
September 12, 2011
Question:I have a horse with some breathing issues. I would like to work on building up his endurance. Currently, we just ride for pleasure and work in the riding ring about four days a week.