Hearts 4 Horses...Horse Chat 24/7

Hearts 4 Horses...Horse Chat 24/7 http://hearts4horses.com/forums/ Hearts 4 Horses...Horse Chat 24/7, an online community for horse people to network, learn and share. en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:58:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://hearts4horses.net/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Hearts 4 Horses...Horse Chat 24/7 http://hearts4horses.com/forums/ Kyra Kyrklund elected president of International Dressage Riders Club http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5937&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:28:48 GMT Finnish dressage rider Kyra Kyrklund has been elected as the new president of the International Dressage Riders ClubImage:... Finnish dressage rider Kyra Kyrklund has been elected as the new president of the International Dressage Riders Club

More... ]]> Jumping ReneMay http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5937 Re: THREE WORD STORY GAME 2 http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5938&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:28:48 GMT the road anyone Image: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/images/smilies/icon_question.gif More...... the road anyone

More... ]]> Diabetes in Horses and Humans Peggy http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5938 AZ Man Wants to Adopt a Horse http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5936&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:46:06 GMT Email request from a Hearts4Horses visitor: From: William Herring Email: wmherringfam@msn.com ... Email request from a Hearts4Horses visitor:

From: William Herring
Email: wmherringfam@msn.com

------------------------------------------------------

I am a very large man, 6'6" tall and 360 pounds.I have been looking for a
large horse, draft horse or mule to ride. I am in Kingman, Az. and have three
horses already. None are large enough for me to ride.
928-692-2242

------------------------------------------------------ ]]> Adoptions: Horses ready for a new home! Admin http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5936 <![CDATA[The thinking side of your horse's brain is like a big muscle]]> http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5935&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:25:45 GMT *Training Tip of the Week:* **The thinking side of your horse's...]]>

Training Tip of the Week:
The thinking side of your horse's brain is like a big muscle.

Imagine the thinking side of your horse's brain like a big muscle. The more you use a muscle, the stronger it gets. Let's say I went to the gym every day for a year, and I lifted weights with my right arm. At the end of the year, my right arm would be bigger and stronger, and it would be more useful to me. Now, let's say that after that year I quit going to the gym. What would happen to my arm then? Every day my arm would get weaker, flabbier and less useful. Pretty soon, I wouldn't be able to do as much with the arm as I used to. That's the way you need to look at the thinking side of your horse's brain. It's like a big muscle, and the more you exercise and use it, the more proficient it will get. The less you use it, the weaker and less useful it becomes.

This Week at Downunder

Road to the Horse
There's no one more excited about this year's Road to the Horse than Clinton. He can't wait to step into the ring with horsemen Pat Parelli and Chris Cox, and share the Method with thousands of horse owners. He's busy getting his game plan down, and we can't wait to be there to support him! If you want to witness one of the greatest competitions of all time, log onto the Road to the Horse web site www.roadtothehorse.com and purchase your ticket now. Hurry tickets are almost sold out!

NWC Mindy Picture Contest!
Clinton's number one gal turned 18 on September 5th, and we want our NWC Members to help us celebrate by sharing your best moments captured on camera with Mindy. We'll collect pictures until the morning of September 14th, and then post a poll on the forums for you to vote for your favorite photo. First place will receive a Downunder Horsemanship halter and lead rope set!

Fun fact: Unlike in America where all horses officially celebrate their birthdays on January 1st, in Australia all horses officially turn a year older in August due to a difference in season.

Working with Fergie and Stevie
Clinton's apprentice Megan Warlick and Certified Clinician Jennie Wentworth took time this month to teach two of this year's foals, Fergie and Stevie, how to calmly and safely load on the trailer. Although both of the weanlings had been on the trailer before with their mommas, it was their first time stepping onto the trailer solo. Thanks to solid fundamentals and Clinton's trailering technique, both fillies were craving the trailer in minutes. It just goes to show how important it is to teach foals the right information when they're young! Club members click here to see more photos of Fergie and Stevie's trailering lesson.

Pre-order Intermediate
Starting September 2nd, you can pre-order your Intermediate Kit and receive Free shipping for domestic orders and International orders get shipping for only $19.99 when you call 888-287-7432! We guarantee shipping by October 1st. No Worries Club members call in to receive your discount. To join the No Worries Club call or visit www.noworriesclub.com. For details on the Intermediate Kit, click here.

Featured Sponsor:

]]> Admin http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5935 Stolen Horse - Reward Offered http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5934&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:20:21 GMT Having trouble viewing this email? Click here ...

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

NetPosse.com Alert: STOLEN HORSE
REWARD OFFERED
www.netposse.com
Chief
QH Sorrel Gelding
Sept 3, 2010
Location: Clinton, AR Owner: Nate Priefert
Contact Owner: Click here
NetPosse.com Stolen Horse: Chief , Sorrel Gelding, STOLEN from Clinton AR Chuckwagon Races - September 3, 2010

Equine Name: Chief
Gender: Gelding
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Sorrel
Makings: Blaze face, 2 back stockings
Height: 14-15 hands
Age: 6 years

Law Enforcement contact: David Hess - 501-253-2752

We have talked to Nate and we are still waiting on the full report and do not have page up at this time. We will follow up with more info and a flyer as soon as we have full information.

Also stolen:

USTRC trophy saddle
Matt Bynum memorial roping breast collar
Rifle scabbard on right side of saddle

YOU CAN HELP: Circulate this alert and info to your friends and ask them to do the same, post on twitter, facebook, craigslist.

IF YOU SEE A HORSE WITH A DIAMOND P BRAND CALL US IMMEDIATELY!

The September NetPosse.com Alerts & Newsletters are sponsored by
the Golden Thistle. We appreciate its support of NetPosse and ask that you visit the Web site at:
http://www.thegoldenthistle.com/splash.asp

* See NetPosse.com Terms of Service and URL for listed item regarding Reward Terms and Conditions.

]]> 2nd Chance Mini Ranch Admin http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5934 Know Your ABCs: Part 1 http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5933&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:18:59 GMT

Alfalfa, Blister Beetles and Cantharidin – everything you wanted to know about this poisonous insect and the threat it poses to your horse.

The blister beetle poses a serious threat to horse health.

From The American Quarter Horse Journal

How many times have you thrown hay to your horse without thinking twice? A few flakes of alfalfa over the fence, and dinner is served. But what many horse owners are unaware of is a dangerous type of beetle that can kill a healthy horse in less than 24 hours.

As part of the Meloidae family, blister beetles contain an extremely toxic liquid called cantharidin. There are more than 300 species in this family in the United States and more than 2,500 worldwide. Often found in alfalfa and soybean crops, the blister beetle poses a serious health threat to livestock; however, horses are particularly sensitive to the cantharidin toxin.

What Is a Blister Beetle?

Adult blister beetles range in size from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches in length.

They are elongated and cylindrical with relatively soft bodies and wing covers. Though they vary in size and color, blister beetles can be identified by their broad necks. The striped blister beetle is the species most commonly associated with equine cantharidin toxicosis.

Need to brush up on your horse colors? Download AQHA’s Horse Color and Markings Chart for FREE!

Other species of the blister beetle tend to be less of a threat than the striped. Size, fewer tendencies to aggregate and lower cantharidin content make other types of blister beetles less of a risk. However, there have been reports of other species being a problem.

According to the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire have no reports of striped blister beetles. Though the striped blister beetle might not be present, there are other species spread throughout the country that should still be considered a risk.

Roll It!

Do you know what to look for in a round bale? Learn how to properly store bales of hay and more.

“As far as I know, there is no place in the United States where you can grow alfalfa and be guaranteed blister beetle-free,” says David Buntin, a professor of entomology at the University of Georgia. “They’re pretty much everywhere. Montana and some of the northwestern or north-central states maybe don’t have a couple of the species, but there are more than one. There are some smaller species – marginated and black, that are kind of a gray color – they’re out there and may potentially cause a problem, too.”

Male blister beetles produce the liquid toxin. During mating, males pass this toxin to the females who then use it as a defense mechanism, expelling the liquid around the eggs when they are laid. This toxin causes blisters upon contact with human or animal skin and internal body surfaces.

Alfalfa, soybean and other plants make up the adult blister beetles’ diet. As larvae, the species feeds on grasshopper egg pods. Because of this, large blister beetle populations are sometimes associated with a proportional grasshopper population in the year before. Though seasons may vary throughout the United States, the poisonous beetles are frequently present during the warmer part of the summer.

How Alfalfa Is Poisoned

The blister beetle produces an aggregation pheromone that results in large swarms in small areas of alfalfa fields. Aggregations of the striped blister beetle, a type that is more prone to this behavior, have been reported as large as 60,000 in small areas of fields.

During the haying process, beetles can be crushed by a crimper, swather or even tractor tires. The beetles secrete cantharidin into the hay as their bodies are crushed. Though beetle fragments might not be visible in the hay after baling, the liquid toxin remains. This presents the problem of deciphering which bales are poisoned.

“When they get into a field near the edge or around weeds, that aggregation pheromone kicks in, and there will be a huge aggregation in an area that’s maybe 10 by 10 feet within the field,” David says. “If those beetles were randomly distributed throughout the field and randomly distributed throughout the hay bales, you probably wouldn’t have enough to kill a horse.”

Need to brush up on your horse colors? Download AQHA’s Horse Color and Markings Chart for FREE!

While some hay producers think cycle-bar mowers reduce the risk of crushing, extensive research at Kansas State University has shown that is not the case.

“If you drive over the hay with the tires, that crushes the beetles just as effectively,” David says. “Ideally, what you want is to keep the beetles alive through the hay-making process so that they disperse on their own. That is the objective – it’s very difficult to do.”

There are many opinions on insecticides to eliminate the beetles. While the chemicals might kill the blister beetle, the problem lies in that the beetle will still be present in the hay. The only real solution is to keep the beetles alive and let them vacate on their own.

Stay tuned for the last half of this story.

More... ]]> American Quarter Horse HorseNut http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5933 British nations cup team chosen for Spruce Meadows http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5930&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:03:33 GMT The team selected to represent GB in the Spruce Meadows CSIO5* Nations Cup has been announcedImage:... The team selected to represent GB in the Spruce Meadows CSIO5* Nations Cup has been announced

More... ]]> Jumping ReneMay http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5930 Re: weight loss/advice please. http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5931&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:03:33 GMT Etty,
Thanks for the info and the support. Did you find it easy to lose weight on this low carb thing? I know that the 'cutting all visible fat off bacon' might sound virtuous - but it isn't

I just can't stand the texture of animal fat in my mouth, so I always remove all visible fat from all the meat that I eat

Went back to swimming this week. Started on Monday going to what the online timetable said was an 'adult session' but when I got there found it was an 'aqua running' session

. I really wasn't sure about it, especially when I found out that you have to wear a special suit for it. I spoke to the instructor and pointed out (as if I needed to

) that I am very large and that I was concerned that the suit would not fit. She assured me that the class had larger people than me and the suit would be fine. So I paid my £5 and joined the queue for the suits. There were other large people there, in the queue. There was a total of 20 people in the class, besides me, and most of them were suited up and in the water by the time I got my suit. It was about 3 sizes too small. It took 4 staff members to get me into it, at the poolside, and it wouldn't fasten up.

I was mortified, but reckoned that it would be less embarrassing to get into the water than to make a scene on the poolside with 20 other people watching, so I got into the pool. The suit is designed to keep you upright in the water. It worked so well that I couldn't get any sense of balance, couldn't swim or even get upright - I struggled like a floundering whale and 3 people had to haul me to my position in the row and then push my legs down so that I was upright

All during the class the suit bit into my upper arms so that the arm movements we had to do were nearly impossible, but the actual class, if the suit had fit, was good. Getting out of the pool at the end of class was not too bad. Couldn't get the suit off

Eventually had to ask 2 people to help me out of it

Went into the changing room, locked myself into a cubicle and cried

Won't do that class again

But have been back to the pool for swimming both days since then. I mustn't let that session put me off my swimming, or that pool as it is the best pool round here. I did email the council to say that they should keep their online info up to date and suggested that, if they are serious about encouraging overweight people to take up excersise (a big campaign around here)they should make sure that the essential equipment is of appropriate sizes

Another of life's little experiences, I suppose.

More... ]]> Diabetes in Horses and Humans Peggy http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5931 vetericyn: Did you know that September is National Pet Health Insurance Month? http:/ http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5932&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:03:33 GMT vetericyn: Did you know that September is National Pet Health Insurance Month? http://ow.ly/2BkRc More...... vetericyn: Did you know that September is National Pet Health Insurance Month? http://ow.ly/2BkRc

More... ]]> Vetericyn - Clean, Treat, Heal RSS Post http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5932 KYEHC Announces the Arrival of Breeze http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5929&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:53:13 GMT

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

The Kentucky Equine Humane Center Announces the Arrival of Breeze

Breeze was born at KyEHC on September 3, 2010 to Serena.
Serena was surrendered to KyEHC by a Central KY animal control agency. Serena arrived in fair condition at KyEHC but is now receiving all the nutrition she needs. Serena is a sweet mare and great mom. Thanks to animal control and everyone who assisted in helping Serena get the care she needed to deliver a healthy colt.

www.kyehc.org

Forward email

This email was sent to peggy@hearts4horses.com by info@kyehc.org.

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

The Kentucky Equine Humane Center | 1713 Catnip Hill Rd. | Nicholasville | KY | 40356

]]> Kentucky Equine Humane Center Admin http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5929 WEG Reining http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5928&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:07:41 GMT

Just 16 days before the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, all is looking well for the reining competition.

Eric Straus, the honorary steward general for reining for the Federation Equestre Internationale – the body that governs international equestrian competition – says that the Games are in good condition, and the world should be ready to marvel at the reining.

As the steward general for reining, Eric is in charge of building the stewards program for reining.

“I was already an FEI steward for jumping, so they just said, ‘As of tomorrow, you are an FEI reining steward.’ My job now is to teach the teachers and build the stewarding infrasctructure,” Eric said in the July 2009 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.

He spoke with the Journal again at the first of September and talked about how the competition is coming together.

The World Equestrian Games will be September 25-October 10. The reining team competition begins the first day and will be followed by the individual reining competition. Reiners will qualify for the individual competition by their placings within the team competition.

Reining is one of the horse disciplines that will see competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The other disciplines are eventing, dressage, paradressage, combined driving, jumping, vaulting and endurance. Reining is a relatively new discipline.

“Reining made a meteoric rise in the FEI. It went from being a conversation to being an FEI discipline almost overnight,” Eric said. “It was a demonstration sport at the 1998 WEG in Rome. In Spain in 2002, reining was on the program just like the other equestrian disciplines.”

To read more about how reining became included in the World Equestrian Games, see the October issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.

As a steward, Eric is in charge of making sure that the competition takes place on a level playing field.

“My job is to ensure that the welfare of the horse comes first,” he said. “In real life, that means the chief steward at an FEI reining competition is responsible for all aspects of security, stabling and training outside of the competition arena.”

In addition to being the steward general for reining on a global basis, Eric is the steward general for reining in the United States, and he points out that the 2010 Games will be on American turf with American reiners needing to defend their home country and their homebred discipline.

The Canadian, Italian and Germany teams look competitive, he said, and visitors who have never seen reining are going to see some exciting runs.

“The international community is going to see a competition that is very different from the other disciplines,” he said. “It looks different. It’s fast-paced and it’s in a stock saddle.”

AQHA and the National Reining Horse Association are planning many events within the Kentucky Horse Park in addition to the competition to introduce international visitors to our sport.

“I said in a toast at a dinner in Germany, where the 2006 Games were: Spain was fantastic, Germany is wonderful, and the best is yet to come,’” Eric said. “I think we will show the world that an American twist on the World Equestrian Games is a very positive one. I think everyone’s excited about coming to America.”

To learn more about the World Equestrian Games or to order tickets, go online to www.discoverhorses.com.

More... ]]> American Quarter Horse HorseNut http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5928 Plano Animal Services K-9 Kerplunk Dog Swim Saturday 9/11 (with slideshow) http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5926&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:33:06 GMT Take your dog swimming this Saturday, September 11th as Plano Animal Services hosts K-9 Kerplunk! at Oak Point Recreation Center's Outdoor Pool, 6000 Jupiter Road at Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the entry fee is only $3 per dog at the gate. The swimming is for dogs only, although owners can wade in with their pooches. Your dog will need a current rabies tag for admittance, and this is not an appropriate event for small children.For more information: Plano Animal Services website.

More... ]]> Dallas Rescue Examiners Rebecca http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5926 Announcing Reining Demos at the Alltech® FEI WEG http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:33:06 GMT The NRHA is thrilled to announce yet another addition to its efforts at the 2010 Alltech® FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) – NRHA Reining... The NRHA is thrilled to announce yet another addition to its efforts at the 2010 Alltech® FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) – NRHA Reining Demonstrations September 25 – October 10.NRHA Professionals, top competitors, and WEG athletes will lead daily NRHA reining demonstrations in the John Deere Reining Arena featuring NRHA “Ride a Reiner” and American [...]

More... ]]> Reining NRHA, NRCHA allen http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale concludes on upswing http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5922&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:48:03 GMT * Image: http://www.sallyharrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/CherryJubalee1.jpg ... *

Cherry Jubalee, a top seller at $240,000

*

The Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale defied a downturn in racehorse yearling sales by showing an overall 7.7 percent increase in average prices.

The three-day sale concluded on Sunday, September 5 at Ruidoso Downs, with a gross sales of $12,722,425 for 363 horses, an average of $35,048, and a buy back rate of 22 percent. The 2009 sale, with a buy back rate of 26 percent, saw 364 lots bring an average of $32,546.

Four of this year’s yearlings sold for $300,000 or more, including Wild And Fast, the sale topper at $340,000. The Corona Cartel colt, out of multiple G1 stakes winner Wild Six, was consigned by Lee, Sherwood and Mineer and purchased by Rene Ruiz.

The Corona Cartel son All Corona, whose dam, stakes producer Allamericandreamgirl, is a half-sister to champions Heartswideopn and Special Phoebe, sold for $300,000, as did First Down Dash offspring Too Tempting and Fly First Down.

Heath Taylor purchased All Corona from Lance Robison, while Raul Ramirez bought both Too Tempting and Fly First Down from Burns Ranch, agent. Too Tempting is a full sister to 2-year-old champion colt Tempting Dash and G1 stakes winner A Tempting Dash. Fly First Down is out of G1 stakes-placed Babe On The Fly by Strawfly Special.

Another four yearlings sold for $200,000 or more and an additional 27 brought $100,000 or more for a total of 35 yearlings that commanded prices from $360,000 to $100,000.

Julianna Hawn Holt, the leading consigner in 2009, realized an average of $120,286 on seven head this year, including Cherry Jubalee at $240,000 and Night Jasmine at $200,000.

Broodmare and broodmare prospects were offered on opening night before the yearlings were offered. All American Derby qualifier Callan Rocks topped that section on a bid of $300,000 from Dr. Ed Allred. The Corona Cartel daughter was sold by Crystal Springs Farm, agent.

More... ]]> Cutting - NCHA, NRCHA Bill http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5922 Penny Pinching http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5921&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:48:03 GMT

Follow these tips to get the best horse show bang for your buck.

Kristy Drew-Pruitt of Providence Forge, Virginia saves money by being a do-it-yourselfer.

From The American Quarter Horse Journal.

Rule No. 1 – Take advantage of the Journal.

Use the Journal to research the shows you think look promising in terms of your classes and the typical number of entries.

Rule No. 2 – Take advantage of AQHA’s website.

Use AQHA’s website to locate show dates and locations. It’s sometimes possible to plan back-to-back shows or multiple shows in the same weekend, at the same location. By doing this, you’ll decrease the amount of travel, yet you will still have access to the greatest number of points. Here are some tips to help you:

Review the current year’s shows in close proximity to the show that you want to attend and review the number of entries that were reported at those shows in your classes.
Call the show secretary and find out how the participation was at shows/in classes in close proximity to their show.
Call fellow competitors who you know might be going to the show to see if they have a feel for the number of anticipated participants at the show.

Are you ready to become a horse owner? Download AQHA’S Buying and Owning Your First Horse report.

Rule No. 3 – Take advantage of AQHA partnerships with hotels.

Partner hotels will give discounts for horse show competitors. Be sure to mention that you are with the show block. Also, many motels offer continental breakfast at no extra charge, and this helps start off the day with a good breakfast, plus it’ll save you money.

Rule No. 4 – Drive yourself.

Even if your trainer is taking your horse, sometimes driving to shows can be less expensive than flying, especially if more than one person in your family is going. Driving yourself means that you can choose your own time of departure and saves you from renting a car.

Even if your travel is centered on horse shows, taking your own vehicle means that you can take the time to sightsee.

Roll It!

Ready to switch things up with your horse? Watch Team Wrangler members Clay Farrell and Lance Graves trade saddles.

Rule No. 5 – Buy in bulk.

To save money on food besides breakfast, pack a couple bags of healthy snacks, fresh fruit, water, sports drinks and soda. Food can cut pretty heavy into your budget when you’re on the road for an extended length of time. It’s important to eat right when you travel. In the long run, it will save you money on doctor bills.

Rule No. 6 – Show an AQHA Incentive Fund-enrolled horse.

By showing an AQHA Incentive Fund-enrolled horse, you will get paid back to show and to win. An AQHA Incentive Fund horse can pay its own way at a show and sometimes even cover the costs for camping, stalls and entry fees.

Rule No. 7 – Take your house.

An easy way to save money traveling to horse shows is to bring along the comforts of home. Horse trailers with spacious living quarters offer all the amenities an exhibitor needs, plus they eliminate the cost of hotel rooms and offer convenient and comfortable camping on the show grounds.

Air conditioning in a horse trailer offers anytime relief from the summer heat and a great place for a quick nap between classes. Plus, you can stock the refrigerator with food and drinks, which will save you money by avoiding the concession stands at lunch time.

Another bonus to traveling with your trailer is that you can save on hauling costs by taking your own horse.

Rule No. 8 – Bargain-shop for show clothes.

Check out thrift stores in your area, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army or any others. Go into the store with an open mind – you just might find a diamond in the rough. Try to go periodically, as in every few months, and you might have better luck shopping at thrift stores in nicer neighborhoods.

Don’t forget to shop the bargain racks during the fall and winter at department stores – you may find a fitted jacket or a blouse that will work in the show ring just as it is. You might even find a suit on sale, which generally have great lines and unique styles not typically found in the showmanship arena. Keep in mind that a modern look might even update the current show arena style.

When bargain shopping, you might also find materials that you could use on other garments, such as piping, silver buttons or the fabric itself.

Sometimes all an outfit will be lacking is a little bling. It’s easy to update thrift-store clothes by adding French cuffs or rhinestones.

And whatever you buy, don’t be afraid to alter it. You can really dress up a shirt or jacket just by having it tailored to fit your body style.

Show clothes vendors will often offer used items on consignment. And don’t be afraid to ask other competitors if they have show clothes for sale – more often than not, a youth exhibitor will still own show clothes that she has outgrown.

If you have some talent with a sewing machine or know someone who does, you can always make your own showmanship jackets and horsemanship blouses. By saving money in those areas, it allows you to invest more in quality, custom-made hats and chaps, which are items that don’t go out of style.

A Few More Tips

One way to pinch pennies is to enlist a friend to come along and help you at shows. That’s what Kristy Drew-Pruitt of Providence Forge, Virginia, did during the 2010 Region Five Championship. Kristy’s friend, DeAnna Gordon of Winchester, Virginia, enjoys assisting at shows. Along with saving money at shows, Kristy is saving money by breeding her own horse and doing most of the training herself. Read more about Kristy’s cash-savvy methods at the 2010 Region Five Championship.

Do you dream of owning an American Quarter Horse? Then download AQHA’S Buying and Owning Your First Horse report today!

More... ]]> American Quarter Horse HorseNut http://hearts4horses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5921