Dear Shaboom and Clyde,
I have recently developed an interest in Western riding but my parents tell me that we cannot afford another horse. My horse is trained for English riding. What can I do to be able to ride and compete in Western without buying another horse?
Shane from Fort Collins, Colorado.
Dear Shane,
You don't have to have two horses to ride and compete in both English and Western riding. Both Shaboom and I are all-around horses, which means that we are trained to do events in both English and Western. Most of us have the ability to do more than one type of event; we are pretty smart. Your horse could also be a more all-around horse with additional training. Because both you and your horse will be new to Western riding, I suggest you work with a qualified trainer until you master your new style of riding. Have fun!
Did You Know...
Fun Facts About Horses
1. Horse or pony? Not every animal under 14.2 is a true pony. The tiny Falabella (mini horse), for example, has horse features but in a pony size.
2. Friendship is vital for happiness. Horses, like humans, enjoy the company of others.
3. A vital factor in a horse's health is fresh air. The stable must be well ventilated as horses have sensitive respiratory systems.
4. The Arabian horse has 17 ribs, five lumbar bones and 16 tail vertebrae. All other breeds have 18 ribs, six lumbar bones and 18 tail vertebrae in comparison. This difference in structure contributes to the high carriage of the tail.
Ranch Horses
The Blue Collar Equine
With their flyaway manes, hairy fetlocks, fuzzy ears and whiskers, ranch horses are probably one of the most overlooked specimens in the horse industry. Usually born outdoors in a herd situation, complete with a
stallion on duty, these foals are bred for a toughness not found in their barn-bred cousins. When weaned, they are halter broke and then turned out with other colts and fillies their own age to live the carefree life of horses until they reach 3 years old and begin training. They rarely live in a barn and they scorn winter blankets. A three-sided windbreak with a roof and nature’s own insulation is plenty to keep the winter chill and snow away.
It's the days they spend working that truly set this amazing equine apart from others in their species. The ranch horse has to be truly versatile to be competent at his job. They need to possess an amazing combination of assets: the inborn cow sense of a cutting horse for sorting and feedlot work, the ability of a team roper to drag calves to the branding fire, and a calf roper’s ability to keep the rope tight while his rider doctors a cow 25 miles from the home ranch. Not to mention the need to possess the speed of a racehorse to catch and turn back the yearling heifer that wants to go any where but the right way. If that's not enough, they need the stamina of an endurance horse and the sure footedness of a trail horse to navigate every terrain from sand dunes to rocky mountain trails on an all day round up or a routine spot check on range and cow condition. They must be able to imitate a pleasure horse in order to stay behind a herd of cows whose natural speed is half a gear lower than his own natural ground-covering walk. To finish out the total package, they need the amazing ability to switch from one of these traits to another and back again at a moment’s notice.
The most popular breeds for ranch work are Quarter Horses and Paints. However, other breeds are used. Mustangs, Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas and crossbreeds are not uncommon. The occasional Standardbred and Arabian may also be spotted on the range. While pedigree is important, it doesn't play as important a role in the selection of ranch horses as workability and soundness. Many ranches run registered breeding stock, their bloodlines all but unheard of on the show ring circuit, but proven generation after generation in ranch country. Many of these range horses are also sought after for the show ring, as they have developed the mind, conformation and stamina needed in show ring situations as well.
Ranch horses are normally 15 to 16 hands with broad chests, deep heart girths and powerful hindquarters. Intelligence, good feet and bones, strong tendons and overall sound conformation is a requirement for the demanding tasks that these horses are asked to perform. However, the most outstanding trait these horses share is a generous and willing heart that prompts them to give 110% every day in all seasons. They are truly America’s blue-collar horse.
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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