The Ultimate Christmas Shopping Guide for Horse Lovers

 Just in time for Black Friday comes the ultimate guide for what to get those equine obsessed people in your life.

Price Index

$- Under $50

$$- $50-$100

$$$- $100+

            Always a great standby for the horse lover in your life are equine-related gift cards, association memberships or subscriptions to industry magazines.

1.     Association Membership-This is a great idea for the person who has everything. Everyone who shows or owns horses has to have one, but most people wouldn’t think of giving such a thing as a gift. However, this is a great alternative to giving a gift card. You can visit any national breed association website like aqha.com or apha.com to get more information on pricing.

2.     Magazine Subscription- A thoughtful gift for the avid horse-show fanatic is a subscription to an industry magazine, (like The Equine Chronicle for instance).

3.     Gift Cards- Always are popular choice are gift cards. Many horse show vendors or local tack/feed supply stores can help you out. Wouldn’t it be nice if you opened up an envelope awarding you with a certificate for a new 20X hat, or $50 to buy supplements at SmartPak?

4.     Association DVD’s $- AQHA has recently released the newest additions to its “Showing to Win” series. “Showing to Win: Trail” and “Showing to Win: Western Pleasure” give insight into industry standards from well-respected trainers and judges. Price: $24.95, members get a $5 discount Where to Buy: www.aqhastore.com

5. Books- Chosen by a Horse by: Susan Richards $- The memoir of a forty-three-year-old              divorced woman who becomes the caregiver of an abused horse. Price: $10.04 The Spur: History, Art, Culture, Function by: David R. Stoecklein $$- This beautiful coffee table book features full-page color photographs and a detailed account into the history and use of spurs throughout the years. Price:$89.39 Sometimes a Woman Needs a Horse by: Betsy Talcott Kelleher $- A personal story of discovery of a spiritual message in the horse and rider experience. Price: $12.23

           

If you have a little bit of a creative side, or just enjoy giving personalized gifts, these are a few great options.

1.     Fabric-Covered Horseshoes $- While this might sound a little strange at first, these colorful creations are a good way to share your lifestyle with people who may not be that familiar with horses. The actual horseshoes are wrapped in printed fabric and can be used as good luck charms to hang on the wall as decoration, or use as paperweights. These are locally made in Corsicana, Texas. Price: $18 Where to Buy: www.hableconstruction.com

2.     Engraved Tack Plates $- These serve as excellent stocking stuffers, or small gifts for your barn friends. It gives an element of personalization, but still allows the recipient to choose where to put it. Price: $7.50 Where to Buy: www.usbrassshop.com/tack_tags.htm

3.     Do-it-yourself Makeup Kit $-$$- This is an interesting idea for the ladies in your life. It is way too daunting to sift through countless beauty products trying to find the perfect choice for your daughter, mother, friend, ect. You can purchase a relatively inexpensive, but trendy, makeup case at a store like Target, and then place a Sephora gift card inside. Other small items you can add at your discretion are rubber bands, bobby pins, hairnets or travel-size hairspray.

4.     Urban Decay “Show Pony” Shadow Box $- Since we’re on the subject of makeup, I had to mention a new aptly-named compact just released by Urban Decay. Featuring the most popular colors like Snatch, Mildew, Flash, Toasted, Painkiller and Smog, this shadow set is a fun gift for your equestrienne friend who has a love of cosmetics. Price: $30 Where to Buy: Sephora

5.     Custom-Framed Win Picture $$- This next idea may take a little extra work, but the result is a keepsake that will be treasured forever. The idea actually comes from a gift my mother gave me a few years ago. After one of my wins at the APHA World Show, she took a win photo and an action shot from the class and had them matted in a double frame. The finishing touch was a piece of yarn that came out of my horse’s braids that day. This idea can be replicated for any discipline, by adding either a belt buckle, or even a horseshoe. (A farrier will have to help you with that part). Stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby can help you with the framing.

6.     Photo Throw Blanket $$- This is one of my all-time favorite gifts I received from a friend one year. This company can take your photo, and through some combined miracle of computer technology and clever stitching, reproduce it onto a full size blanket to adorn your living or bedroom. The picture on mine was a photograph of my horse, that I had taken myself, so it was extra special. Price: $70 Where to Buy:www.personalthrows.com

7.     Ribbon Creations $$- This is probably the neatest use for old horse show ribbons I have ever seen. Just send your piles of old ribbons to this company and they can give them a completely new purpose in life by creating pillows or stuffed animals. Price: varies Where to Buy: www.barnsmart.com

8.     Letter Art $$- You may have seen these booths at kiosks in the local mall and wondered what they were all about. Basically, you look through an alphabetized catalogue of stock images composed of everyday objects that form the images of certain letters. (A horseshoe might be used as a U, or part of a rusty gate might be an H) You can spell out the name of a person, horse or ranch by picking out the letters that are then placed in a horizontal frame. If you are really ambitious, you can wander around the barn and take pictures of your own letters to create your desired word or phrase. Price: varies Where to Buy: www.letterartphotography.com

9.     Horsehair Jewelry $-$$$- This is one of the neatest things I have seen in a long time. There are several companies on the Internet that can take small amounts of hair from your horse’s mane or tail and create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Price:varies Where to Buy: www.treasuredtails.us/

For those who love technology, there are some new gadgets out there that are great as general gifts or for the parent who may not know that much about your horse habit.

1. Flip Ultra Camcorder $$$- This easy-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder holds up to 120 minutes of high-quality video on 4 GB of built-in memory. It has 2x digital zoom and is practically “goof proof” because there are only three buttons; record, play and delete. With a flip-out USB arm you can plug it directly into your PC or Mac to download video clips. Pre-loaded software makes it easy to edit your own movies to share on Facebook or YouTube. It also comes with a TV cable so you can show your videos on the big screen. This is what we at the Equine Chronicle use for the video interviews you’ve been seeing on Facebook. Price: $150 Where to Buy: Walmart, Target, RadioShack, Amazon.com
2. Pandigital Digital Picture Frame $$- This is a great idea for the father who may not know a lot about your horse habit, but still loves to show off photos to his friends or colleagues. The 7’’ version stores up to 4,000 images on 512 MB of internal memory. The 9’’ version stores 6,400 images on 1 GB of memory. Most models come with an easy to use CD that will show you how to download your photos. (You should do this before you wrap it up) Most people like to use the slideshow feature to keep the photos rotating on a continuous loop. Price: $50-$80 Where to Buy: This particular model is available at The Sharper Image, but other stores carry their own versions like Brookstone, Walmart, Target, RadioShack
3. Custom iPod, iPhone, Laptop Skins $- This is a really fun way to create an inexpensive, but still personalized, gift. One website offering this service is schtickers.com. This company allows you to upload your own images, (of your horse perhaps?) use stock graphics and customize text to create a one-of-a-kind cover for your iPod, iPhone or laptop. The best part is that the skins are made of specially designed vinyl with a reusable adhesive, so you can remove the skin and reuse it without having to hassle with any of the sticky goo other skins leave behind. Price: $15-$30 Where to Buy: www.schtickers.com
4. NeatDesk $$$- This a great idea for that always-hard-to-buy-for horse trainer in your life. It is a Desktop Scanner/Digital Filing System that is a little smaller than a laptop. This electronic filing cabinet has the ability to scan and extract key information from receipts and financial documents, and then organize it into an Excel document. You can also scan business cards to create a digital address book. This handy gadget would be perfect for the horse trainer whose office desk is overflowing with gas, hotel and meal receipts. Price: $400 Where to Buy: neatco.com/CNT922, use coupon code CNT922 for free shipping or (866)-395-7464

Soldiers Heal Through Horsepower

             As I found myself in the airport, at 4 o’clock this morning, trying to catch a flight home for Thanksgiving, I didn’t have much to do but sit and wait. So, I decided to do a little light reading in Continental’s official in-flight magazine. Amidst the interviews with CEO’s and advertisements for professional matchmaking services, I found an interesting article written by Lora O’Riordan about Donna Thibedeau and her Tranquil Valley Sanctuary.

            The Sanctuary, which is located in Idaho, became a pet project of Thibedeau’s after she studied horse therapy in college.

“I learned that horses can heal wounds,” she says. “They are a mirror into souls.”

          What first began as a rescue effort for older horses, soon turned into a horse therapy program for wounded soldiers. She says she was inspired by a television show that showed how much post- traumatic stress disorder affects the lives of wounded soldiers after they return home. As a result, she created a special program at Tranquil Valley that involves therapeutic riding for amputees.

“In one hour’s riding each day, we’ve seen improvement in as little as three weeks,” she says. “Some of the soldiers have even started walking again.”

            Along with physical rehabilitation, the horse therapy program also provides a unique outlet for the soldiers to vent their emotions to a few good listeners.

            “We tell them that they can talk to the horse and whatever they say stays with the horse,” she says.

            She says this helps soldiers to let go of combat memories they may not feel comfortable sharing with members of their family.

            An exciting new development is that Thibedeau has received permission from the Department of Veterans Affairs to bring miniature horses into the VA hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

            If you would like more information about this solely-donation run program you can go to tranquilvalleysanctuary.org

Horse Superstitions and Wives’ Tales

            Most of us are familiar with the well-known superstitions that involve horses. For instance, an upward facing horseshoe hung above a doorway will bring good luck to the home.

However, after a little research I found a number of interesting superstitions and wives’ tales that I had never heard of before.

            Supposedly, you can predict the sex of an unborn foal by doing “the nail test.” To begin, you take a hair from the mare's tail and tie a nail to it. Then, you hold it above the mare's hips. If it swings in a circle, she's carrying a filly; if it swings in a straight line, she’s carrying a colt.

             In some instances, it is thought that horses can be used to counteract bad omens or change someone’s luck. Walking under a ladder is considered to be bad luck, but you can counteract the bad luck if you keep your fingers crossed until you have seen three horses. If a bride and groom see a grey horse on their way to the church it is considered to be good luck. On the other hand, in certain situations a horse can be a bad omen. If a horse neighs at the door of a house, someone in the house will become sick.

            There are also a few wives’ tales that are still popular among the older generation of horsemen. Supposedly, the deeper a stallion dips his nostrils into water when he drinks, the better sire he will be. Also, putting copper pennies in a mare’s water tank can help to eliminate moody behavior.

One very common belief is that the location and number of hair whorls on a horse’s head or neck is related to its temperament. Actually, Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University conducted a study of hair whorl positions and concluded that there is a definite relationship. A hair whorl that is located high above the eyes indicates a flighty temperament. 



Some of the most unusual superstitions come in the form of cures for various conditions or diseases. For example, eating a hair from the forelock of a horse is supposed to cure worms. Also, it was once thought that inhaling the breath of a horse could cure whooping cough. It was also believed that warts could be cured by circling them in horsehair.

However, possibly the most well known superstition of all involves the bad luck that comes from putting a cowboy hat on a bed. Almost every cowboy believes this superstition and will go out of their way to counteract its effects. There is a widely circulated story about a cowboy who showed up at the National Finals Rodeo to compete with a smashed hat, because the night before his mother had accidentally placed it on a bed. According to the superstition, the only way to fix this is to throw the hat outside and stomp all of the bad luck out of it.

I hope you enjoyed all of these and if you come across any other interesting ones please share them with us on Facebook.

            

Sex Selection in Equines

This blog is intended to be an extension of a post we put up on Facebook recently that concerns the relatively new technology of sex selection in horse breeding. While I certainly do not claim to be any kind of expert in breeding, or in science for that matter, I thought that I could expand on a few interesting points that were brought up by some of our loyal Equine Chronicle followers. 

            With the introduction of any new scientific procedure, especially one concerning genetics, there will always be questions raised about its supposed benefits and possible detriments.

            Some experts claim that utilizing sex selection when breeding horses may help to eliminate gender specific diseases, or conditions that are more prevalent in either mares or stallions. Could this help to “breed out” conditions like endometriosis in mares or cryptorchidism in stallions? Or is this simply a justification for breeding to get the more profitable gender?

Is this the same thing as saying we should decrease the number of human females to lower the incidence of breast cancer, or decrease the number of males to lower the incidence of red-green color blindness? Or can these comparisons not be made between the human species and an animal species?

Over a long period of time, could this lead to an overpopulation of one sex? Could this reduce genetic diversity leading to a less disease-resistant generation of horses? Or will the high cost of the procedure and extensive regulation control for all of these concerns?

As far as ethical concerns go, some people have expressed that this technology circumvents natural selection and in essence “goes against” the will of God/Nature. With all religious implications set aside, should we as a community, have the power to select which gender we want when breeding animals? If this is something that is going to permitted in equine breeding, should it be allowed in human reproduction as well?

Other aspects to consider are the implications this may have on different breeds within the horse world. In the Thoroughbred racing scene, stallions are generally eligible to compete for higher purses, have more lucrative breeding opportunities and chances for syndication. On the other hand, in the cutting and pleasure horse arena, there seems to be a large number of standing studs, therefore owning a quality mare might be more advantageous. Could breeds become gender-specific, or is that something that would never actually happen?

While I may have raised more questions than I have answered, one thing remains clear. There are a lot of variables to consider before you decide for yourself whether or not sex selection will be beneficial or detrimental to the horse industry.

Scientific Study of Saddle Fit at New Mexico State University

 The Agricultural Marketing group at New Mexico State University has undertaken the first scientific saddle fit study of western performance saddles.
The group will utilize new technology in the form of a force sensor array (FSA) pressure pad to analyze how a saddle applies pressure to the back of a horse. Different levels of pressure will be shown in different colors and in three dimensions.

The focus of the study is on barrel and roping saddles, but the results are applicable to all types of western saddles.

Using this latest innovation in saddle fit diagnosis, New Mexico State University students are examining all aspects of saddle fit, including how both movement and padding affect the distribution of weight across the back of a horse.

The results from examining several hundred horse and rider participants are currently being scanned and catalogued. The group plans to release the results of the study sometime in January. The group is hoping the study will provide new insights into horse and rider comfort and health, as well as challenge some traditional ideas on ways to improve saddle fit.

For information or to access to the results, contact Bill Gorman at New Mexico State University, wigorman@nmsu.edu, or dave@specializedsaddles.com.

Calling All Equine Artists

 If you have a talent with a paintbrush and a flair for depicting the natural beauty of the American Paint Horse, then you should consider applying to be the APHA 2010 World Show artist. But don’t waste any time, because the deadline for all submissions is January 22, 2010.

            The winning artist will receive $1,000, a booth to display their work in at the show and their finished artwork will appear as the cover of the World Show program for both shows. In addition, their artwork will be reproduced as a commemorative fine art print that will be available for purchase.

            If you attended the APHA Fall World Championship, you probably saw the artwork of the 2009 winner, Linda Massey of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Her finished piece was a two-part mural depicting Paint Horses competing in different disciplines like Western Pleasure, Trail, Halter and Jumping.

            APHA Art Director Art Vasquez describes what the association is looking for in the next World Show artist. “We need an artist who can convey the communication we share with the American Paint Horse in their art, from the alert eyes and ears of a proud stallion, to the calm and willing demeanor of a show horse.”

            To enter a piece of artwork or portfolio into the contest, all artists must include their name, contact information, art media used and dimensions of the final artwork. Any digital submissions smaller than 3 MB may be e-mailed to Patricia Hellam at phellam@apha.com Non-digital submissions should be mailed to American Paint Horse Association, Attn: Patricia Hellam, P.O. Box 961023, Fort Worth, Texas 76161.

            The winning artist will be notified on February 5th and any mailed submissions will be returned. The final artwork will be due April 16^th.

APHA World Show Wrap-up

For those of you who haven’t been able to keep up with the real-time results we’ve been posting on Facebook, I thought I would give everyone a little wrap-up of a few highlights from the APHA World Show.

            At the end of the first ever Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show, APHA named 127 World Champions and awarded over $450,000 in cash and prizes.

            While every World, Reserve World Championship and top ten title earned is an achievement to be proud of, there were a few exhibitors whose performance is worth extra notice.

            In the halter horse scene, Clint Fullerton accumulated a very impressive 16 World/Reserve world titles with horses like Shes Somthin Sexy, Far Too Fancy and Dee Dee Delicious.

            Mike Short made a clean sweep in the pleasure driving by winning the Junior with Mr. Cool All The Time and the Senior with Ultimate Bonanza.

            Susan Wilson was named both World and Reserve World Champion in the Masters Amateur Trail with her two horses, Predictably Perfect and Real Groovy respectively.

            Mike Hachtel won the Senior Western pleasure with Hot Lips Cookie, the 2-year-old Western Pleasure with Scenic Ocean Drive and was Reserve in the Junior Western Pleasure with Sensational Lollipop.

Sara Simons was Reserve in the 2-year-old Western Pleasure with Miss Texas Sensation, World Champion in the Junior Western Riding with One Flashy Sensation and Reserve in the Senior Western Riding with Mystical Machine. 

The Gillespie barn won approximately 10 buckles in various hunter under saddle and Novice Amateur classes. Shannon almost made a full sweep in the hunt seat by winning the Senior Hunter Under Saddle with In A New York Minute, the 3-year-old challenge with Must Be A Dream, and the 2-year-old Hunter under Saddle with Guitar Hero.

At the end of the Amateur portion of the show, Chelsea Bain took home the All-around Classic Amateur title with Sensational Blonde and Casey Hicks was Reserve with Strait Ole Paint. Capturing the Masters Amateur All-around was Susan Wilson with Predictably Perfect and Reserve was Dr. Kelli Foster with Fleet’s Serenity. In the Novice Amateur All-around, Shannon Sullenberger won with Jettn Champagne Chex and Melissa Haberkorn was Reserve with VR Knock Your Socks Off.

In the Open All-around, Ill Be Sensational was the Highpoint English horse, Super Gelding and Highpoint overall horse.

I also have to give a little shout out to my own horse, Its All Bhindthe Zipr. Together we won the Classic Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation and the first ever Hart Non-pro Versatility Challenge. Theo is looking forward to riding around town in his new trailer!

            Congratulations to everyone who participated at the Fall World Championship Paint Horse show.

Things are a little different this year...

As the last day of preparation for the World Show comes to a close, I began to think about how this APHA Fall World Show will be different from World Shows past. Obviously the fact that the Open and Amateur portion is now held in November instead of June is a big one. However, as I walked around the show grounds today, I noticed a few things that are also different this year.

For one, the trade show has been scaled down considerably and is now located in the entryway to the John Justin, where the show office used to be. The show office is now sharing space next to the stall office in the John Justin. Also, our beloved cinnamon roll and baked potato stand is now located in with the trade show, as opposed to being in its normal corner in the John Justin arena.

A new part of the décor in the John Justin is the addition of five large posters listing the 2008 Amateur exhibitors who received top twenty and year-end honor roll awards. Also, part of the décor in the John Justin are yellow, gray and white curtains that line the glass windows behind the stadium seating. (Don’t ask me who picked out the color scheme for that one).

One exciting new feature in the Watt arena is a 9x9 projector screen like the one in the John Justin that is used to post finals results and stream advertisements from the Paint Horse Journal.

A proposed change that the Executive Committee is debating involves a member-driven proposal to make the World Show a regional qualifying event. But that’s still in the works for now.

While a few things at the World Show have changed, there are some things that will always stay the same. Like the fact that you can order a cinnamon roll at 6:00 at night and no one thinks you’re strange. Or that despite show management’s desperate attempt to schedule arena times for different disciplines, there is never space to warm up when you need it. Or the way that you can hear the lights in the John Justin hum when you’re riding by yourself at 2:30 in the morning.

They say that change is a good thing, but I hope that some things about the World Show will never change.

Another Equine Chronicle Exclusive: Joe Moran Gives Insight into his Decision to Purchase Vital Signs Are Good

Joe Moran, the proud, new owner of one of the most recognized Quarter Horse mares in the industry, said that the chance to own a horse like Vital Signs Are Good comes along once in a lifetime.

“Horses like the Zippo LTD’s and the Harley D Zip’s become available so rarely,” Moran said.

Kristen Galyean had gone back and forth for a year about selling the mare and the Moran family hadn’t even thought about buying the horse until they got to the Congress Moran said. He said that while buying a horse with such an impressive career can sometimes lead to high expectations, he believes that his daughter Theresa and “Lucy” will make a good match.

“Theresa really only has two years left in youth competition,” he said. “She’s been riding for a long time and I think she has the confidence to handle an upgrade.”

Moran said that the sole reason for buying “Lucy” was to be a show horse for Theresa, however he does plan on continuing her career as a champion producing broodmare. Moran said that he is by no means a “serious breeder,” but instead he does it because he loves raising foals.

Interestingly enough, Moran said that the one person who was instrumental in the purchase of the horse was not a part of either the buying or selling party.

“Without Lew Papendick holding my hand through this, the deal really wouldn’t have gone through,” he said.

Moran said that he did have to go outside for a moment to take a deep breath after he realized how much he would be paying for the mare. However, Lew Papendick put Moran at ease when he said that his similarly pricey purchase of Harley D Zip was the best decision he ever made.

As far as how Theresa feels about her new horse, Moran said, “we’re going to send a spacecraft to Mars to bring her back real soon.”