Editorials

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Showing Question - Dear Suzi:

I have a question about showing. My mare is currently a hunter. I would really like to do western with her also. Do you think she would be suitable with training or look too Englishy? Thanks!

Hi.

I am not a horse trainer or a judge, but here are some thoughts: in order to be a successful western pleasure horse, your mare must jog and lope slowly, balanced, and in a relaxed frame with minimal rein contact and support from you. Do you think she can do this?

An evaluation by a legitimate western pleasure trainer could give you a much better idea if your particular mare could adapt to a very different way of traveling than what is expected of a hunter horse.

Rather than shoving these new skills at your mare, get an objective opinion about her chances of success before you remodel her. And of course, teaching her to jog and lope slow is fine just for mental exercise, but you may need to be realistic and understand that she might never be good enough at it, because of her long stride and bigger frame (most Thoroughbreds are taller and longer than traditional stock breed pleasure horses) to win prizes as a western pleasure horse.

Good luck and have fun!

Suzi V
Hobby Horse


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Safety Helmet Style - Dear Suzi:

I'm having a problem finding a safety helmet that is styled like a western hat. Although we ride western pleasure, I'm truly concerned that western-style safety helmets are not available for this class or style of riding.

We complete at local open shows, and see many young children on horses and ponies not wearing safety helmets because they don't complete the look of a western rider. Horses are horses and are prone to be unpredictable. Why is it that just because were not jumping our horses, western riders are not given the option to complete our "look" in a safe manner? Do you know of any helmet companies that make decent-looking western hat "safety" helmets?

Hi.

Thanks for your note. I know of no western ‘cowboy hat’ style approved safety helmet that doesn’t feel like wearing a bowling ball on your head, looks like a birdbath, and is the size of something Carmen Miranda might have worn. However, I suggest you look into some of the regular schooling helmets that are lightweight, comfortable, and have been tested for effectiveness. Many western riders use these helmets with simple covers and get along with them just fine in the show ring. You might want to look at Troxel's website (www.troxelhelmets.com) for their good selection and additional safety information.

I don't expect that we’ll see good-looking western safety helmets anytime soon, for three reasons. First, that market does not traditionally wear safety headgear, where the English riders always have- it's a hard sell to mix the romance of the Marlboro Man galloping across the prairies with scrambled brains.

Second, a manufacturer would really have to believe that there was a fortune to be made in that particular product to justify the development costs, marketing launch, and the ongoing giant hassle of product liability coverage. Just because a rider, skater, or cyclist wears a helmet does not make them immune to acts of stupidity, ignorance, or just plain old accidents, but of course the helmet manufacturer will be sued every time someone is injured wearing their product- regardless of the details. Helmets do not keep accidents from happening, but they may reduce resultant injuries.

Third, a western hat/helmet is difficult to make look nice. The cowboy hat part needs to cover the safety helmet, and this creates a western hat that looks like something Yosemite Sam wears in cartoons, or those foam-rubber cowboy hats fans wear at football games. Safety helmet + western hat = big, funny silhouette that is more jarring that a traditional safety helmet with an attractive cover on it.

Safety is ultimately the responsibility of the individual, not the manufacturer of helmets or other protective gear. Good for you to be a responsible parent in seeking to protect your family with good equipment. Remember, though, that an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. Learning and promoting good horsemanship is the best tactic to reduce the chance of disaster, and in the meantime, study up on helmets and wear what you think offers the best protection, not the best fashion.

Thanks for a great question!
Suzi V
Hobby Horse


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Barrel Racing - Dear Suzi:

My question is about Barrel Racing. I want to barrel race sooooo bad! I have a horse that I know would be perfect... The problem is, I don't know how to get started with it. Like the local shows & stuff... Can you help me?

Hi.

I suggest you go to www.nbha.com which is the home page of the National Barrel Horse Association. NBHA is a rapidly-growing club dedicated to barrel racing, from beginners to top rodeo pros. They have affiliate clubs just about everywhere, and lots of hints and tips for successful training and competing.

Also, look at www.barrelhorses.com for event schedules and results, as well as clinic calendars. A clinic would be just the thing to get you and your horse started in the sport.

When you're in the barrelracers.com web site, search for Martha Josey, a many-time world champion and famed clinician whose website is hosted there. “Miss Martha” as she is known to generations of barrel racers, has dedicated her life to the sport, and to teaching others how to succeed in competition. You'll find great information and inspiration on her site.

Go watch any kind of barrel competition you can find, ask questions (politely) and then gently begin to teach your horse to perform the pattern. The more time you take to study the event before you even start to teach your horse, the more success you will probably find.

Good luck, and have fun!
Suzi V
Hobby Horse

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Seeking Showing Tips - Dear Suzi:

I have not shown in over 30 years. I am looking for tips in showing my 4-month-old colt in halter, for example, cut a bridle path? Trim the body? Cut the mane or tail? Color the hooves? I brush him daily but he still has his baby coat and baby mane and tail. Any other tips you could give on showing my foal to his best advantage would be appreciated.

Hi.

Thanks for the note, and welcome back to the show ring. The most important thing I can recommend, because the questions you ask could encompass a book each (!) is to go watch some shows before you take the little guy out.

In fact, a great thing to do would be to haul him to a couple shows just to walk him around, and for both of you to see what’s going on. Any show will work, but an Appaloosa, Paint, or Quarter horse show would all have the style of presentation and turnout that you should consider for him.

Even the foal classes are very competitive these days, because the performance of young horses immediately impacts the reputation of their breeders and sires. It’s a big-money game at any level, and there are people who do nothing but prepare and show young horses at halter, with the process of polishing and primping started the day each foal is born.

If your baby is four months old and still half-fuzzy, he is way behind his star-struck peers. However, if you go with an attitude that you are teaching your young guy life skills, not to collect a blue ribbon, you will have a much better time.

Foal halter classes are like first dances for little horses- they learn how to behave in public and get to be scoped out by all the other kids and humans. But baby horses are often nuts the first few trips out, so do try to stage some dress rehearsals, and bring a big bucket of patience!

You may have another option in Oregon: in-hand trail classes. These are catching on in a few parts of the country, and you may find some in your state. Basically, the young horses are lead over and through simple obstacles to demonstrate obedience and trust. Check the archives of both Cascade Horseman and Western Horseman, as I believe both magazines have run stories on the class. Check the on-line archives of The Appaloosa, Paint, and Quarter Horse Journals, and also Horse & Rider magazines, to find articles about prepping babies for the show ring from top pros, too.

Think about all this and decide if you want to show or just go. If you are certain you want to compete, then do your homework first and many of your questions will answer themselves.

Good luck and have fun!
Suzi V
Hobby Horse

Have a question about horses? Ask Suzi! E-mail your request to suzi@hobbyhorseinc.com. Writing or riding, Suzanne Vlietstra enjoys horses and their people. Vlietstra is president of Hobby Horse Clothing Company www.hobbyhorseinc.com a show apparel manufacturer, and also the caretaker of an assortment of lawn ornament horses.

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