Whoa Podcast About Horses and Horsemanship

The Whoa Podcast About Horses and Horsemanship is just that - a conversation about all things horse related. Join us, John & Ranae Harrer as we explore this wonder world of equine ownership.

Horse Racing Fatalities We Talk with Journalist Natalie Voss

July 9, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Horse Racing Fatalities – A Candid Conversation with Journalist Natalie Voss

If you listen to or watch the news, you have seen the stories about the horse racing fatalities at Santa Anita this year. The number reached 30. Some horses died on the practice track, while some of them died while racing. They write the stories leading us to believe there has been a spike in horse racing fatalities this year. The New York Times did a story pointing a finger at the new track owners. The article examined if the owner coerced trainers into racing horses before they were ready.

Earlier in the season as people looked for answers, an article in the Paulick Report, and racing magazine, journalist Natalie Voss looked into the possibility that the drug bisphosphonate was a factor.

Jeff Goertzen of the Southern California News Group wrote a good article explaining horse racing fatalities at Santa Anita (published in the Mercury News June 30. 2019)

Talk to an Expert

Natalie Voss has been a journalist in the equine industry for years. She is the features editor for the Paulick Report and also has bylines in Chronicle of the Horse, The Horse magazine, The Blood-Horse, Quarter Horse News, American Racehorse among others. She has won journalism awards for her writing in the racehorse industry. When I requested an interview, she was quick to respond. She speaks clearly in a language laypeople can understand. She has a love of horses and cares about her industry. Her insights into the horse racing fatalities were invaluable to producing this episode.

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or, contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #150

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Relationship Based Horsemanship Mary Ann Brewer

July 2, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Relationship Based Horsemanship Mary Ann Brewer

The phrase that best describes Mary Ann Brewer’s philosophy with her horses is “Relationship Based Horsemanship”. She founded her company, In the Company of Horses, to integrate equine-assisted therapy and learning to help people with a variety of problems. She works with corporations and she works with people struggling with the loss of a loved one or people dealing with drug and alcohol problems.

Mary Ann developed her philosophy of relationship based horsemanship because she feels people need to be honest to the horse. She tells people, “Your outside needs to match your inside”. Sometimes, she says, people have the belief that they must dominate their horse, even if they don’t have a dominate personality. According to relationship based horsemanship, it’s okay to be who you really are. And, Mary Ann tells us the horses really respond to this honesty.

Check Out Relationship Based Horsemanship with Mary Ann Brewer

Her company has several programs. visit InTheCompanyofHorses.com

At MaryAnnBrewer.com you’ll find Mary Ann’s horsemanship and mentoring programs. To talk to her directly, call (609) 330-2444 or email her at Maryann@maryannbrewer.com

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #149

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Update on Jessie’s Lameness

June 25, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Update on Jessie’s Lameness

My 19-year-old Foundation Quarter Horse mare, Jessie, has been struggling with lameness since the first of the year. You can find out the background from a post in early May here: Lameness and My Mare Jessie

After going through the lameness evaluation process and taking it up to the point of an MRI, we decided on a treatment program. Jessie would get one gram of Bute morning and night. We would shoe her front feet with egg-butt shoes to increase her break-over angle. Additionally, we packed her sole with a gel product to protect her feet. The last part of her treatment program involved riding her 3-5 times a week.

Progress?

Well, it’s difficult to tell. The vet stated that her lameness score went from a “3” to a “2”. The doctor wanted us to move forward to the MRI. Jessie is an aged horse not used in competition. We enjoy trail riding and trail trials. We generally do both activities at a walk. There is no guarantee the MRI would provide a definitive diagnosis. The most prudent approach seems to enjoy her for as long as we are able. I suppose we could breed her. She has good bloodlines, a good mind, and the lameness is a genetic defect. It’s something to consider.

For now, we have changed her medication from Bute to Equioxx. I’ll still take her out for exercise 3-5 times a week. If she doesn’t improve, I may try swim therapy. There is a place in town that offers it may help.

I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #148

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Get to the Horse Show Advice from Kim Kelly

June 18, 2019 by John 2 Comments

Show Your Horse – Advice from Kim Kelly

Whoa Podcast listeners are great! I asked you to share your experiences and you come through again and again. A few weeks back, I got an email from listener Kim Kelly. Kim had always wanted to enter a horse show, but fear and insecurity held her back. She kept chipping away at her goal, however, taking little steps and this year entered her first horse show. It was a challenge she overcame, and she has some tips for those with similar aspirations.

Tips from Kim

Find the right horse. Kim worked with the horse she had. The stress of training and conditioning revealed the horse had a navicular problem. In her search for another horse, Kim enlisted the help of her trainer. Together they found the right horse for Kim to take to her first horse show.

Get yourself in shape. Training takes physical effort from both horse and rider. By her own admission, Kim was 30 lbs. overweight. Over the winter to prepare for the show season, she shed those 30 lbs. making it easier for both her and her horse.

Go to a horse show. Before she competed, Kim went to two horse shows. She got the feel of the show arena, watched the competitors, and felt the energy generated at a horse show.

Know the rules. Kim read the rules for the classes she was competing in. This prevented her from making “silly” mistakes such as petting your horse during the competition. There are basic patterns she would see in the show pen and, by reading the rules, she could practice those patterns.

Give yourself plenty of time to fill out paperwork. Face it. We all hate to fill out paperwork. But, it has to be done to enter a horse show. Kim suggests getting your paperwork and membership applications in early. There is nothing like the panic of not knowing whether you are qualified to compete.

Ranch Horse Associations

To learn more about Ranch Horse Shows check out:

American Ranch Horse Association

To hear about our experience with Working Equitation Working Equitation Training

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #147

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Let’s Talk Horse Vaccinations

June 11, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Let’s Talk Horse Vaccinations

What vaccinations do you give your horse? How often do you give them? What happens if your horse has a reaction to one of his vaccinations? These are questions I put to our listeners. As part of the dialogue we, got to hear from people in many parts of the United States. Some folks prefer giving their horses the 5 and 6-way combination shots. Some people spread the vaccinations over two weeks, lessening the chance or strain of a reaction.

A Source of Good Information about Vaccinations

However you add it up, your horse needs help from some nasty diseases out there. There is a lot of good information on the website of The American Association of Equine Practitioners. While there is no standard protocol for a vaccination schedule that fits every horse, the Association recommends a set of core vaccinations for most horses. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Rabies, Tetanus, and West Nile Virus fall into this core category.

Then there are the Risk-based vaccines. Use these vaccines if your horse has a risk to exposure (not all horses do). These include rabies, equine influenza, leptospirosis, strangles and a few others. Check out the information on their website to see which shots work best for your horses.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #146

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS