In order to keep up with the column, now more than ever I need to call on you - the readers - for help.

I would love to hear from you! Send me your column ideas, tell me about coming events, describe recent events, and so on! If you are unsure about your writing skills, that’s okay too - just send me lots and lots of details and I can fill in the blanks. And that’s all I have time for this week - hope you enjoy the columns and see ya next week!

Photo credit: Chris Hassell

Hope you’re all getting riding!!
~ Kristi :)
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For the last 20 columns on retraining the spoiled horse, you may be thinking that your horse doesn’t fit the criteria at all. In fact, he’s quite the gentleman - he leads and ties well, he never crowds you, he’s quiet in his stall and pen at feeding time and so on. But can you pick up his feet quickly and safely? Or is he one of those horses who just seem to play dumb when you ask them for a foot?

While many people never think too much about picking up their horse’s feet for cleaning, checking for injuries, or for the farrier, if you have a horse who just doesn’t pick up his feet well, then this column is for you.

A well trained horse should stand quietly while you clean his feet, without moving around, which can knock you off balance and put you at risk for being stepped on. A well trained horse should also quickly and easily lift each foot for you on cue - not requiring several minutes of tugging and pleading.

I’ve run into a wide spectrum of horses over the years in regards to their behaviour while picking up their feet. I had a narrow-chested yearling part Arabian filly who would always flinch away when I ran my hand down her leg - invariably she would whack her other leg when she jerked her near leg away. Every time she did that, she thought I was the one causing the pain (in a roundabout way I guess I was!) and it made it harder to pick up her feet because she was expecting to be hurt each time I approached.

Another horse I had would always take an extra nudge when it came time to cue for a foot. He knew what I wanted, but this particular horse was lazy and always needed and extra bit of “Hey you!” to get through to him. Still others (you may have had this happen before) will pick up the foot easily but then pull their foot away as soon as you go to work on it.

Each one requires a slightly different approach, but all are the same in that we need to work around every horse with quiet consistency in order to achieve the final result that we desire.

Next week, I’ll go over some of the cases and some ways of making each horse better about handling his or her feet.
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If you have comments or suggestions along the way, please share with me at kristim@hiway16.com

This report came in from Sharon, who bought my old reining horse, Raime. As you’ll see, she and her daughter Anwen are very happy with him and I’m thrilled that they think so highly of him!

Sharon writes:
I just LOVE Raime! Anwen rode the trot pattern and the youth lope pattern. She let Raime break stride in the trot pattern (not surprisingly) so she came fourth, but came first in the youth lope pattern. I came first in the beginner lope pattern (two fasts and one slow), but spun one too many times in the next class and zeroed. Did the same in one of the intermediate patterns as well. Got a 4th and 5th in the other two intermediate classes. Danny Morrison was the judge - said my circles and speed differentials were great and I hit centre every time, always took the correct lead but my stops sucked - my fault, not Raime's.

I didn't stay to the end of the show. It was running really late. Had been there since 7:00 am and the advanced classes hadn't even started by 6:00 pm. Heard that Jen Kershaw had a fabulous run in one of the advanced classes but that Nikki Loreth and Arlene Shallard both zeroed. I didn't hear anything about high point awards; I'm not even sure there were any.

Apparently, the highlight of the show (and I missed it, darn it) was Dennis Fowler riding Pat Collicut's palomino mare in the advanced classes. Cassie was doing her spins with her forelegs in the air to a chant of "Den-nis, Den-nis, Den-nis!" from the spectators!

Danny told me last night that there were 88 runs. And that's my report!!!

Regards, Sharon

Pleasant Valley Days - May 16-19

Well hi there! This is Dawn Park reporting from Houston, BC. This weekend is the 5th annual Pleasant Valley Days, and everything is in full swing!!

Coming up on Friday night is a team sorting clinic with Jeff Giesbrecht. Jeff hails from Grassy Plains, and has been taking clinics all over western Canada in the sport of Team Sorting and Team Penning. (It has also been reported that he is one of the best penners around here!) There is a maximum of 20 people allowed in the clinic, and it is almost full, so hurry and sign up fast.

Saturday morning finds us eating a pancake breakfast served up by the Elks Club of Houston. Then it’s on to team sorting until noon. We have a jackpot gymkhana in the afternoon, BCBRA barrel racing, and wind up the day with an exciting round of Chariot and Chuckwagon racing!!

We also have a dance on Saturday night at the Community Hall in Houston. The music is by Rocky's Mountain Music, and it only cost $5/ person.

Sunday morning finds us eating breakfast again, and sorting until noon. After that it is jackpot barrels, followed by the fun events. ( Like cowhide race, rescue race, etc.) This is always a crowd pleaser. We have ladies goat tying and open steer daubing. We end up the day with Chariot and Chuckwagon racing again.

Monday morning finds us starting our Grand Entry for our Little Britches Rodeo at 10 am. We have steer riding, barrels, pole bending, stake race, steer daubing, goat tail tying, and goat tying, and of course, Mutton Busting! Also we have the Kispiox drill team here to give us two performances. The Chariot and Chuckwagon finals are run at noon. We will run the greasy pig just after that, then the BCBRA Barrel racing.

It is a fun day, with exciting draws to follow in the afternoon. We have two airfare tickets, Smithers to Vancouver, return, donated by Hawk Air, that will be drawn on Monday. We also have four tickets from Houston to Prince Rupert donated by Via Rail to be drawn just before the awards. You must be present to win these prizes. The tickets are only being sold on the grounds, on the weekend, so its great odds. Get an arm’s length for only $5.00!!

So there you have it! If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 845-2121. Come on out and cheer on your favorite kids! (no matter how old they are!)

Dawn Park, signing off.
Pleasant Valley Days coordinator



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
• The Tack Store

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