Last week I talked about the importance of competition and how we can use competition to help form our goals, and how to reach larger ones, by using each foray into the show pen as a way of gauging our progress.

However, if your interests don’t include showing, or you are intimidated by competition, then find another way to get where you want to go. One of the best ways to do this (whether you compete or not) is to keep a training journal. Make notes each ride about what you did and how your horse went, so that you can have some sort of measuring stick in the long run. You’ll be surprised when you look back through those notes just how far you have come - and that can be especially helpful when you are frustrated and feeling stuck!

I remember reading my notes about one horse that he had trotted and then was able to return to a loose-rein walk - and that was cause for celebration! Here I was frustrated two years later with a small training snag - I stopped banging my head on the wall when I realized just how far he had come!

Photo credit: Chris Hassell

I have a partial report following about the Northern Saddle Club’s Summer Schooling Show (partial because I only attended one day) and I will say that I did use this show as a measuring stick for my filly. I had absolutely no expectations of her and therefore didn’t pressure her up at all, and I was able to judge a little as to where we are in the grand scheme of things (very happy with her would sum that up!).

Now I am gearing up for the Bulkley Valley Exhibition (Smithers Fall Fair) and will aim my training over the next few weeks towards that goal, including spending a few days in Vanderhoof riding with Randy Ophus. It’s all stepping stones on the path to my larger goal of reining on this filly next year!

'Til next week, happy riding and I hope you are getting your winter’s hay supply in!
~ Kristi :)

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Wow, did I get my eyes opened when I asked the horseshoers themselves on how an owner can know if their farrier is doing a good job! I had figured on something like these replies:
- even nailing, usually 6-8 nails per shoe
- shoe fitted to foot, not hoof rasped off to match shoe
- shoes that come off without tearing the hoof wall to pieces, but that will stay on in reasonable conditions (deep mud and overreaching horses are hard on shoes!)
- matching the hoof angles to the pastern bones
- balanced hooves

Boy, was I in for a surprise!

One farrier had a list of questions that an owner can ask of themselves and their farrier. Another had a few short replies - and none of them were to do with what I had above. Someone else wrote in with her and her husband's point of view. All were similar in their approach - and all were quite different to what I had thought of!

One pointed out the obvious point of the horse not being lame after being worked on - provided of course that the horse was sound when the shoer started! He also felt that if the condition of the feet became better over time that chances were the farrier was doing the right thing for that particular horse. Of course, nutrition and scheduling also make a big difference, but he felt that a good farrier would take the time to talk with the owner to find what works best for that horse (supplements, special shoeing, etc), be willing to shoe to the horse's needs (clips, specialty shoes, etc) or recommend another farrier to the owner who could meet those needs. As another note, he also added that if the horse got along with the farrier on a long term basis, instead of being afraid of him or acting up every time he was there, that may imply a farrier with good horse skills.

Lastly, this farrier pointed out that if your horse is well trained (standing quietly and safely during each visit) your horseshoer will most likely always find time to work on your horse.

The last point is one that I found was a common theme. Two of the shoer's wives suggested basing a column on how important it is to recognize that a farrier is NOT a horse trainer, and so I will do that.

More next week...

If you have comments or suggestions along the way, please share with me at kristim@hiway16.com

All I can report on is the Saturday events from this show, as I was unable to stay to attend on Sunday.

Entries were way down for this midsummer show, which often happens as many people are away on holidays and still others get called to go haying on short notice. Still, it was an enthusiastic crowd and everyone seemed to have a good time.

The weather held remarkably well, with an overall hot day but not scorching. There was some cloud cover and a bit of breeze for much of the day, which made the warm temperature much more bearable!

The dressage classes seemed to go well, although only one driver attended the driving classes. The western group had quite a bit of fun as classes were picked and changed at the last minute to “make up a class” for another rider and so on. After all, who wants to be the only one in the class?

The reining classes were not nearly as well attended as at some shows, but there were still quite a few entries in the beginner classes. We had quite a bit of fun and there were some rather entertaining moments, like when Carla’s Rambler decided to buck during his run, and when Kelly forgot to finish her pattern. Being able to laugh at these moments is what a schooling show is all about - after all, we are all just there to see where our horses are at and have a good time!

The last event of the day was Liberty, which was a bit disappointing for two of the three entries when they were unable to catch their horses in the one minute time allowed. Still, all three entrants had beautiful horses and the music was enjoyed by the spectators. Liberty always attracts a crowd! Congratulations to Gina and her Arabian who won the class after putting on airs to the tune Puttin’ On The Ritz - the perfect music for that mare!

All in all, the Saturday was a great, low pressure show. Thanks NSC!

If you have information to share, please email me at kristim@hiway16.com

Northern BC Horse is sponsored by local businesses who support equine sports in our area including:

• Baerental Ranch
• Burns Lake Building Supplies
• Hoskins Ford
• Northern Horse Supply
• Reimer Ranch
• Ridennoure Paint Horses

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