What do Shawna Harding, Cesar Parra, Lisa Wilcox, Heather Blitz, Andre Dignelli, and Gaby Salick have in common, other than being world-class riders and trainers? They all train on GGT Footing, a tried and true formulation that originated in Germany but is now taking the United States by storm.

By Jennifer Roberts

No Hoof, No Horse. We’ve all heard the saying; we all know that hooves are important, but what does it take to keep them healthy and strong? This month, we talked to knowledgeable farriers and hoof specialists to learn just what it takes to keep our horses (and their hooves) looking and feeling their best.

1. The best secret to healthy hooves is no secret at all! All of our experts were emphatic about picking out horses’ hooves at least once a day, more if necessary. Be sure to pick hooves before and after riding your horse, as well as when you bring them in from the pasture to keep them free of damaging stones and mud.

Behind You for the Long Haul

Superior trailers built just for you are the hallmark of Hawk Trailers. At Hawk Trailers, located in Manawa, WI, horse-lovers work together to build a trailer that is custom designed for you and your equine counterparts.

Hawk Trailers is a customer-driven company. They listen closely to you, the customer, to manufacture quality horse trailers that exceed your expectations. Our reputation for being fair and honest comes from working together as a family of friends. We also build and maintain strong relationships with our dealers. Strong dealer support means better overall customer service.

in Horse and Rider
By Lesley Stevenson
Courtesy of Rate My Horse Pro

Confidence is crucial to both horse and rider in the sport of eventing. If you or your horse doesn’t believe that you can do something, you most likely won't be able to do it, even if you actually are capable. A solid foundation with good basics will go a long way toward building confidence levels. Many times, horses or riders lack confidence because of a weak link in their basics. It is so very important to find a good instructor who can identify what that weak link is so that it can be improved. Many riders are pleasantly surprised to find out that they can do something that they didn't think they were capable of, once a good instructor has fixed an underlying problem.

Carlsbad, CA
By Rebecca Eddy

Founded in 1991 by Don Van Kempen, EQyss is celebrating their 20th year of business in 2011. Don’s son, Dallas Van Kempen, now President of the company, says, “I’m very proud of that.” During that time period, the company has grown in leaps and bounds. Originally, all of the inventory was stored in the broom closet of Don’s previous business at the time with another company making and bottling the products. Today, EQyss has grown into a manufacturing company spanning over 30,000 feet, making and bottling their own products from top to bottom for over 10 years.
“The idea sprang from my father’s love of the Thoroughbreds he had owned for over 30 years and the love my sister and I had for our own pets, mostly dogs,” explains Dallas. “It was a great idea. Nobody at that time, or anybody else today that I know of, had the foresight to take the best formulas for grooming products available, which were human quality products and make them available to horse and pet owners. He saw how much we loved our dogs and thought that there should be an “absolute best” product available.”

#72 Soften Your Jaw
By Wendy Murdoch
Copyright© 2011. All rights reserved.

Does your horse have a tense jaw? Is it hard to get him to go forward? Is he unwilling to stretch forward and down? Does he chomp on the bit, pull his tongue back or otherwise fuss with his mouth? The answer may not be what you think! Horses often mirror the rider’s behavior and movements. If you are having a problem getting your horse to softly accept the bit, it is time to examine what you are doing with your jaw and mouth.
Next time you ride, notice your jaw. Do you clench your teeth? Do you hold one side tighter than the other? Do you pull your jaw back and up in order to “sit up straight?” Do you tuck your chin or brace it forward, especially when asking for transitions?

10 Steps to Pest Prevention
By Jennifer Roberts

Uninvited guests can wreak havoc on a barn. Whether it is flies driving your horse into a sweaty, pacing mess, or mice chewing through your electrical wires, one thing is for certain…the only animals wanted in the barn are horses, and the occasional cat or dog. Simple preventive measures can help to ensure that your barn does not end up infested with pests. Follow this month’s ten tips to keep the pests where they should be…not in your barn!
1. One of the most effective forms of pest prevention is also the most obvious: be sure that all of your grain is in a secure container. Almost every unwanted animal in your barn, from flies to mice and skunks, would love to get at your horse’s carefully selected meals! Be sure to take the same care when storing your horse’s supplements. If you spill any feed, clean it up immediately, using a damp cloth to wipe away any residue.

Graham, NC
By Diane and Steve Barrow, Parelli Ambassador

Ever since my husband, Steve, and I started our journey in Parelli Natural Horse*Man*Ship in 2001, we could only find a few, widely-scattered students of this discipline. It was difficult to connect everyone and keep them in touch with each other. We hoped for a centralized rallying point for people of the same mindset to connect.

In late 2001, we met Lauren Kahn and Michael Varnum, whose dream was to have a farm embracing natural horse-keeping methods and Parelli Natural Horse*Man*Ship. In 2005, that dream became a reality. It was named Eagle Bear Farm in honor of Michael’s Native American heritage. We have been fortunate to be involved in and be benefactors of their dream. Eagle Bear Farm is a place you can come for interaction with like-minded people; a place of community, and the opportunity to have fun, learn, and share your knowledge.