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Safety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

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Safety on the trailSafety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

It’s a bit of a shame that we even have to talk about safety on the trail.  Once upon a time, it was you, your horse, and the countryside. If you did a good job with your horse, you were safe.  Nowadays, there are outside factors.  Besides the usual dogs, as the open areas get gobbled up with developments, it forces many of us to ride in more urban areas.  That puts us into contact with more people who don’t know or care about horses.  As homelessness increases, we encounter tents and encampments.  People come out begging for money.  Or as we ride along the river, they are along the bank bathing or doing dishes.  The site of someone splashing around in the water unsettles many horses.

Thinking About Safety on the Trail

I’ve found that a little preparation goes along way from preventing disaster.  Having a few basic tools at your fingertips can solve many problems.  Pepper Spray is a powerful deterrent for unwanted advances from both people and dogs.  Carrying a $2 whistle helps you alert others nearby that you may need help.  Ensure that your cell phone is on your person and NOT in a saddlebag in case you get unseated from your horse.  And, there are many more “little” things you can do to improve your safety on the trail.

Local Boarding Stable Gets Proactive

Our local boarding stable, Rancho Rio Equestrian Center,  is being proactive about safety on the trail.  They’ve hired trainer Elmo Sheeran.  Elmo is a retired Sheriff Deputy who has trained many mounted police forces.  Teaching civilian rider is quite different.  The main difference, according to Elmo, is civilians need training in moving away from danger.  Law enforcement moves carefully toward danger.  Elmo will teach a class on Safety on the Trail at the equestrian center later this year.

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 #154

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Vesicular Stomatitis with Dr. Tolley

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Vesicular Stomatitis

vesicular stomatitisI had been hearing news about an equine disease vesicular stomatitis that was quarantining horses in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.  Looking for more about the disease, I contacted my vet, Dr. John Tolley of Bakersfield Large Animal Veterinary Hospital.  I recorded this interview on a Thursday, and I write this the following Tuesday.  The number of quarantined premises have doubled.

If you look up the words “vesicular” and “stomatitis” on Google, you’ll find vesicular means blister.  Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth.  Vesicular stomatitis usually presents in horses with blisters in the mouth, lips, and coronary bands.  The disease spreads several ways, but most commonly through flies and mosquitos.  Some of those flies can move 150 miles in a day.  I wasn’t able to find a good answer about a vaccine for VSV.  It is a summer disease and spreads up from the gulf in Texas.

Dr. Tolley gives us the details on vesicular stomatitis.  He talks about suspected origins and why the Federal government keeps a close eye on the number and location of animals affected.  Good horse-keeping practices and staying away from horses afflicted with the disease are currently the main preventative measures.

To find out more about vesicular stomatitis check out these websites:

American Association of Equine Practitioners Website

A Comprehensive Article from Science Direct

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 #152

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Relationship Based Horsemanship Mary Ann Brewer

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relationship based horsemanshipRelationship 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

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 #149

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Get to the Horse Show Advice from Kim Kelly

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Show Your Horse – Advice from Kim Kelly

Horse showWhoa 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

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 #147

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Get Your Horse Legged Up with Sam Finden

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Leg Up Your Horse with Sam Finden

legged upRecently I asked listeners how they get their horse in condition, or legged up, after a winter’s layoff.  It’s been a long, cold, and wet winter in much of the country.  Here in California, we had snow in the nearby mountains and, as I write this, it’s Memorial Day weekend.  We have only used our horses a few times in the last several months.  With peak riding time around the corner, it’s time to get your horse “legged up”.

Sam Finden lives in Townsend, Montana working, riding horses, and writing novels.  I asked listeners how they get their horse in condition, or legged up, after a winter’s layoff.  An avid hunter, Sam uses his horses to ride and pack in on his hunting trips.  He starts with short trips at the beginning of the season.  Sam works his horses up to peak condition for rifle season in the fall.

Sam Finden’s Advice to Legging Up Your Horse

  • Keep it a positive experience.  Your horse would rather sleep in instead of work.
  • Start with groundwork 15-20 minutes to get their bodies and mind back thinking about you.
  • After groundwork use short rides at the walk and trot to help both horse and rider get in shape.
  • Pay attention to your tack.  Your horse’s weight and body condition may have changed over the winter.  Make sure your tack is in good conditions and still fits properly.

Check Out Sam’s Books

We’ve invited Sam  on the show twice before.  He knows how to tell a story.  After he published his first novel, Saddle My Good Horse, we talked about Sam’s journey to Montana.  We caught up to Sam a few years later and talked about his horses and his writing.  You can see more of Sam’s work at Samfinden.com

Join Us on this Journey

I’m not the best community builder.  I need your help for that.  I’m not the best at conversation. Let’s change it up together.  I hope you will join me.

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 #145

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