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SHA Mini Summer Schooling Show Review

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SHA Mini Summer Schooling Show Review
By: Bridgett Locken
Photos by: Bridgett Locken, Locken Art Studio

The Sacramento Horsemen’s Association (SHA) held a Western Schooling Show on July 20, 2017 at 7:00pm. This was one of four shows for the mini summer schooling show series. The average class size was about six to seven horses in each class. Western pleasure, western equitation, ranch horse, and trail classes were available for this show (no halter classes at these shows). They offered awards for 1st place and ribbons for those who placed 1st-5th. The class entry fees were very inexpensive compared to other local horse/schooling shows. It really is the perfect place for a new rider or green horse to get the experience they need in a show environment without breaking the bank. SHA is under new managment and they have clean restrooms and a great snack bar/kitchen area for dinner, snacks, and refreshments. I noticed the judge made time to give feedback to those who needed it or requested it. Two warm up arenas and round pens were open for competitor to use to get ready for their classes. SHA has one English Schooling Show left and that will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm. They are thinking of holding a mini fall schooling show series too. Photos from the event taken by Bridgett Locken can be viewed at https://lockenartstudio.smugmug.com/Equestrian-Events or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lockenartstudio/
More information about the show(s) or upcoming shows can be found at http://sachorsemen.com/wp2/event/back-to-basics-schooling-western/
Or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Sachorsemen/

2017 Draft Horse Classic Tickets on Sale Now

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DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC TICKETS ON SALE NOW

 

Majestic Draft Horse performances, breathtaking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up-close” are all part of the festivities at the 31st Annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 21 – 24, at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six different performances by the Draft Horses, this event has become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States. The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules.  The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.

 Tickets to this event are on sale now. You can choose from six different performances or purchase a season ticket for all six. Tickets can be purchased by calling (530) 273-6217, by visiting the Fairgrounds Office on McCourtney Road, or online at NevadaCountyFair.com. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets online. As a reminder, all tickets purchased after 5 pm on Wednesday, September 20, are an additional $4 per ticket.

Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Fairgrounds is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair happening during the four days of the Classic. Visit the grounds to enjoy musical entertainment, a Western Trade Show with vendors selling wares, the Harvest Fair agricultural competitions and community exhibits, a horseshoeing demonstration, delicious food, and Art at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the famous Draft Horses. We even offer guided barn tours!  

New this year at the Harvest Fair, we’ve got two new musical acts performing on the Pine Tree Stage. On Friday, September 22 at 4:30 pm, James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash takes the stage. Saturday, September 23 at 4 pm, features Left of Centre and the Jason Aldean Tribute band. Both concerts are free, so stop by and grab a bite to eat, enjoy some music under the shade of the tall pine trees, and catch a Draft Horse performance after the musical entertainment.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone number is (530) 273-6217. Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.

What Bridle Should I Use With A Snaffle Bit?

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The illustration above shows what happens when a snaffle bridle is used without a throatlatch. When the reins are pulled, the bit is pulled up in the horses mouth causing the cheek pieces of the bridle to bow out. This can cause the bridle to have enough play to slide over the ears of the horse and fall off, especially if the horses head is lowered or he goes to shaking his head. A properly adjusted throatlatch will prevent this from happening. There should be no more than a few fingers width between the horse jaw and the throatlatch. If the throatlatch is too loose it will not be any better than not having one at all. However, be cautious not to over tighten a throatlatch, because when a horse flexes or tucks his head, a too tight of throatlatch could compromise air supply.

 

 

Why Is There A Curb Strap on a Snaffle Bit?

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Why would someone use a curb strap on a snaffle bit when a snaffle bit does not work off of leverage? For safety of course! The strap keeps the bit centered in the horses mouth, and prevents the bit from sliding through the horses mouth when you pull on one side. A curb strap when used with a snaffle should never be made of chain, it moves too much, and can bang on your horse’s chin and drive him crazy. Also, if the bit does get rotated in the mouth the chain could injure your horse’s lips or bars of his mouth. So, stick to leather, nylon, string, or even baling twine ( not wire) for your curb straps. Your strap should be adjusted so it can not flop over his chin, but not so tight that is makes contact with the curb area of your horse’s jaw, and put unnecessary pressure on the bit. Your reins should attach behind the curb strap, just like the drawing shows.

 

Halter & Showmanship Class Check List

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Here is a handy list of supplies you need for showing in hand classes. Please note that the links are affiliate links. If you end up shopping for the items through those links, SacHorse makes a little bit off the sale. No additional cost to you.

 

 For Handler

  • Hat/helmet
  • bobby pins
  • hairspray
  • hairbrush
  • earrings/necklace
  • show shirt/Jacket
  • Belt
  • pants
  • boots
  • gloves
  • safety pins
  • clip on/magnet number holder
  • show number
  • class list
  • Amateur/youth card
  • water/snacks
  • chap stick
  • cash
  • show entries
  • breed registration papers
  • show association papers
  • mirror
  • trailer keys

For Horse

    • show halter
    • silver cleaner

Mayflower Polishing Cloth for Cleaning Silver, Gold and Platinum Jewelry – NON TOXIC- Jewelry Cleaner – Size 11″ X 14″ – Tarnish Remover- Layer of Protection for Jewelry – Includes A Jewelry Bag (assorted colors)

    • lead shank
    • halter/lead rope
    • sheet/sleazy hood/blanket

Sleazy Sleepwear For Horses LYCRA Horse Hood Solid Colors M Black

    • neck/jowl sweats

Tough-1 PVC Neoprene Jowl / Throatlatch Sweat

    • leg wraps/boots

Back on Track Therapeutic Polo Wraps 4pk 9Ft Black

    • longe line
    • stud chain

Basic Brass Plated Stud Chain 20 Inch

    • longe whip

Intrepid International Horse Training Lunge Whips

    • tail bag

Mustang Tail Sack – Waterproof – Works with Braided Tails also (Black)

    • rubber mane/tail bands

Rubber Braid Bands

    • show sheen

Absorbine 32 fl oz Showsheen Showring Shine Original Hair Polish & Detangler Horse Products Mane and Tail Care

    • fly spray

PYRANHA 001GWIPEG 068022 Wipe N’Spray Fly Protection Spray for Horses, 1 gallon

    • green spot remover

Charmar Land and Cattle Cowboy Magic Pet Greenspot Remover for Horse

    • clean brushes
    • detangler
    • mane/tail comb/brush
    • scissors
    • face goop/baby oil

Silverado Face Glo, 8 oz Black

    • hoof polish
    • hoof polish remover
    • sand paper
    • hoof pick/hoof brush

Hoof Pick With Brush

    • clippers
    • white marking spray/chalk

Shapley’s Show Touch Up Color Enhancer, White

    • vetwrap for top of tail
    • Cooler for staying clean ringside

Tough-1 Softfleece Traditional Cooler Navy Blue Horse

    • clean rags
    • baby wipes
    • fake tail
    • Water bucket
    • water (if horse is picky about horse show water)
    • hay/grain/supplements
    • hay bags/nets/grain feeder/bucket

Tough-1 Slow Feed Hay Bag Black

    • bute/banamine
    • vetwrap/gauze/betadine solution/wound ointment etc…

Misc

    • Trailer spare tire
    • tire caulks for trailer
    • tire ramp (to fix flats)

Trailer Aid Plus Tandem Tire Changing Ramp

    • twitch

Tough-1 One Man Twitch

  • pocket knife
  • Truck/Trailer emergency kit
  • Tack repair kit/chicago screws/leather pieces/hole punch
  • magnets to hang up class lists

Feel free to add your showing essentials in the comments below!

Photo by Mandi Thompson Photography

Martingale Safety

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While a running martingale, or training fork, is a common and widely used training aid, there are a few things to remember when using one. I prefer the martingales with a neck strap. I don’t like the idea of having the fork swinging in front of their legs when they are traveling with their head down. A wrong step could get a leg tangled up and cause a wreck. I also like the center ring to sit close to chest, so everything is adjusted close to the body, so there isn’t a bunch of leather to wiggle around.

Anytime you use a neck strap you need to tie it up to your saddle. This will keep it from slipping down and getting locked up behind the horses ears. I just use a piece of twine and tie it to the ring on my pommel.

One of the most important things to remember when using a martingale is if you are using snaps on the reins or a shanked bit, or anything else that could get hung up on the ring, you must have martingale stops. These prevent the rings of the martingale from catching over the snap on reins, or the ring on the shanked bit, which could cause the reins to get stuck in a position that could make the horse panic and flip over backwards.
As for adjustment, that can be personal choice. Ideally, if you lift the rings of the fork towards the throatlatch they should just about reach. However, many people prefer their martingales adjusted tighter so it pulls on the reins even when the reins are sitting in “neutral” position. This causes a pulley type action when the reins are pulled and can significantly increase the pressure put on the bit, so this technique should be used with discretion. If the martingale is too loose it simply will just be useless, because it won’t put any pressure on the reins no matter how you pull.

I typically use a martingale to tune up a older seasoned horse that needs a little reminder to steady their head and neck, or a green colt that is starting to learn a little fine tuning about headset and body control.

-Mandi Thompson Training

Hunter Under Saddle/English Pleasure Checklist

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For the Horse

    • Saddle
    • Pad/show number pad/riser pad/gel pad

Medallion by Toklat All Purpose Competition Saddle Pad

    • Number holders/fasteners
    • Bridle
    • Bits
    • reins
    • breastplate
    • fake tail
    • zip ties
    • rubber bands/yarn for tail and mane
    • Halter
    • Lead rope
    • Trailer Ties

Weaver Leather Nylon Trailer Tie, Hurricane Blue

    • Longe Line
    • Longe whip
    • Stud chain
    • leg wraps/boots
    • Water bucket

Fortiflex Flat-Back Bucket 5 Gallon Purple

    • water (if horse is picky about horse show water)
    • hay/grain/supplements
    • hay bags/nets/grain feeder/bucket
    • bute/banamine
    • vetwrap/gauze/betadine solution/wound ointment etc
    • Sheet/blanket/sleazy hood/tail bag/cooler/shipping boots
    • clippers

Wahl Pro-Series Dog / Cat Grooming Kit, Rechargeable, Cord or Cordless Operation, 9590-210

Grooming

  • Clean brushes
  • mane comb
  • tail brush
  • tail and mane bands
  • spray bottle for water
  • fly spray
  • hoof shine/polish
  • polish remover
  • show sheen
  • hair spray
  • green spot remover
  • hoof pick/hoof brush
  • clean rags
  • baby wipes
  • Scissors
  • Braiding Supplies

Misc

    • Trailer spare tire
    • tire caulks for trailer
    • tire ramp (to fix flats)
    • twitch
    • pocket knife
    • Truck/Trailer emergency kit
    • Tack repair kit/chicago screws/leather pieces/hole punch

General Tools 72 Leather Hole Punch Tool, 5/64 Inch to 3/16 Inch

  • magnets to hang up class lists

For Rider

    • Shirt and ratcatcher collars
    • collar pin
    • undershirt/tank top
    • string for tying on back number
    • hunt coat
    • gloves
    • breeches
    • belt
    • socks
    • boots
    • boot polish
    • spurs

Prince of Wales Spurs with Straps Ladies

  • hunt cap/helmet
  • earrings
  • makeup
  • hair ties/hair net
  • hair spray
  • bobby pins
  • water
  • snacks
  • cash
  • show entries
  • breed registration papers
  • show association papers
  • mirror
  • trailer keys

Photo by Mandi Thompson Photography

How To Measure An English Saddle

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While browsing Ebay for saddles, I came across an auction for a english saddle that the seller claimed to be 15 inches, but it really didn’t look that small in the first picture. So I check out the other pictures and find out that they are measuring the wrong way. When measuring a english saddle it should be from the middle of the cantle to the middle of one of the nail heads on the side of the pommel. I did a little quick photoshop, and I can guess this saddle is closer to 16.5 inches. That is quite a difference in size!
First the original image:

Next the Photoshopped image:

The ruler reaches to about 15.5 inches and if you imagine it reaching to the middle of the nail head, it would be about 16.5 inches.

Western Show Checklist

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For the Horse

  • Saddle
  • Pad
  • Show Saddle Blanket
  • Number holders/fasteners/safety pins
  • Bridle
  • Bit
  • curb strap
  • reins
  • fake tail
  • zip ties
  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Trailer Ties
  • Longe Line
  • Longe whip
  • Stud chain
  • leg wraps/boots/bell boots
  • water bucket
  • water (if horse is picky about horse show water)
  • hay/grain/supplements
  • hay bags/nets/grain feeder/bucket
  • bute/banamine
  • daily medications if staying overnight
  • vetwrap/gauze/betadine solution/wound ointment etc…
  • Sheet/blanket/sleazy hood/tail bag/cooler/shipping boots
  • Silver cleaner
  • clippers

Grooming

  • Clean brushes
  • mane comb
  • tail brush
  • tail and mane bands
  • spray bottle for water
  • fly spray
  • hoof shine/polish
  • polish remover
  • show sheen
  • hair spray
  • green spot remover
  • hoof pick/hoof brush
  • clean rags
  • baby wipes
  • Scissors

Misc

  • Trailer spare tire
  • tire caulks for trailer
  • tire ramp (to fix flats)
  • twitch
  • pocket knife
  • Truck/Trailer emergency kit
  • Tack repair kit/chicago screws/leather pieces/hole punch
  • magnets to hang up class lists

For Rider

  • Show shirts
  • undershirt/tank top
  • pants
  • belt
  • socks
  • chaps
  • boots
  • spurs/spur straps
  • hat/helmet
  • earrings/necklace
  • makeup
  • hair ties
  • hair spray
  • bobby pins
  • water
  • snacks
  • cash
  • show entries
  • breed registration papers/amatuer or youth cards
  • show association papers
  • mirror
  • trailer keys

 

Simple Coat Supplements

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Coat supplements are most likely one of the most popular supplements used with horses. There are many ingredients and brands to choose from, but here are some of the main ingredients used in commercial supplements, that can be purchased in bulk and fed by itself at significant less cost. Always consult your vet or equine nutritionist before altering your feeds.

Flax Seed- Common ingredient for many supplements. Most effective when ground, but should be used immediately because it quickly goes rancid. However, it can be fed whole. No more than 8oz should be fed per day.

Rice Bran-Comes in powder or pellet form. Stabilized should be fed unless the bag is used within a week. No more than 2 pounds a day. Popular and easy to feed. Rice bran has a high fat content, so avoid storing it where it would bake in the sun and go bad.

Black Oil Sunflower Seed (BOSS)- Found in the Wild Bird Food aisle these black seeds provide great nutrition towards a shiny coat and weight gain. For coat feed .5-1 cup a day, and for weight gain feed 2 cups. These should not be fed to HYPP positive (n/h or h/h) horse due to their high potassium content. Make sure you get the Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, and not the striped seeds we commonly eat for snacks.

Paprika- The main ingredient in color enhancing supplements, Hungarian paprika is the preferred type to use. Feed 1-2 tablespoons a day. Warning: it contains capcasin, which is an illegal substance in some show associations. It will test, so use with caution.

Oils-Corn, vegetable, soy, and other oils marketed to horses are a simple way to increase calories in your horse’s diet. Oil can top dress grain or hay. Talk to your vet about the proper amount to feed. It can vary from oil to oil.