Winning Ways was always important brain food for us. It kept us thinking all the time about making ourselves better. Motivation and proper training helps every winner win more. Like having clinics, doing the Winning Ways helps keep me winning by reminding me of all the basics and details and helping me focus on positive things. Speaking of positive, congratulations to all our former Josey students including, June Holman, Denise Adams, Mesa and Shiloh Leavitt. I am excited about barrel racing. I think that winners will be the people who demand more of themselves-the ones who are willing to put forth the extra efforts.
Personally, I’m happy to be running barrels in my fifth decade, because I see more enthusiasm and growth than ever in our industry. There seems to be more interest in barrel racing than ever before, judging from the attendance at our clinics and schools, and from the amount of people looking to buy horses. With the great youth barrel races around the country, the future looks more than promising. I think the key to winning is taking advantage of the knowledge that there is available through reading and attending clinics and schools and being motivated. This month, the main topic of Winning Ways is saddles. It’s important to understand that not every saddle will work for every rider. That’s why, in my Circle Y line of saddles, I have a variety of sizes, 12, 13, 13 ½, 14, 14 ½, 15, 15 ½, and 16. The saddle should fit both the rider and the horse to work well and allow maximum movement for both.
I like a wider stirrup because it allows me to balance better. We used to think the narrow stirrups were better because of the freedom they allowed, but when you ride on the ball of your foot and balance, more weight goes on the stirrup and the entire weight of the rider is distributed more evenly through the saddle.
| Circle Y 3" Rawhide Stirrups  |
S.A. Wall's 3" Aluminum Slanted Stirrups  |
S.A. Wall's 3" Aluminium Straight Stirrups  |
A lot of riders like a tall seat for confidence. If you have a tall seat, be careful that the angle of the back doesn’t throw you forward. Sitting on any saddle, you should be able to feel the horse closely-not be perched up there like you’re at the top of a tree. As for the difference between a fully tooled and a half-breed saddle, some people say a fully tooled saddle lasts longer, but most prefer a half-breed saddle after they’ve had one because they keep you from sliding. The weight of a saddle can also raise some questions. It’s hard to get a real good saddle with top quality leather that’s real light weight. I go for quality and security. If I ever try to take 2 or 3 or 5 pounds off the saddle, Josey laughs at me and says, “Take it off yourself!” That’s why I’m on a diet right now!
At our clinics, we get an opportunity to get on a lot of saddles. Some you just don’t feel secure on. I want to ride a good, safe saddle. The better, safer saddles do often cost more, but it’s always easier to explain price first than apologize over quality later. Video your runs in different saddles; watch how your saddle is affecting your feet, shoulders and hip position. A lot of times changing a saddle can make a change in a horse’s performance. For example, if one is pinching him in the withers, a horse will often drop in front. If it’s hurting him in the kidneys, he might not use his rear. An improperly fitting saddle that has to rely on a too-tight girth can make both his back and belly sore.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT!!!
Critical Heat Formula
David Freeman at Oklahoma State University has come up with a simple formula to tip riders to critical heat conditions for their horses. Since too hot weather can lead to possible dehydration in heavily exercised horses, this rule of thumb is a good one to remember. The test combines outside air temperature with relative humidity. “When the sum of the temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) and the relative humidity is less than 130, heat stress shouldn’t be a problem,” states Freeman.” Figures around 150 should tell the rider to use caution in exercising the horse so heat build-up doesn’t become critical. Most riding activities should be postponed when figures approach 180.” He adds that an exercising horse can produce up to 50 percent more heat than one at rest and when temperature and humidity are both high, horses are prime candidates for heat stress and heat stroke can develop rapidly. Symptoms of heat stress are dry and hot skin, higher than normal pulse and breathing rates and unusually high rectal temperatures (105 degrees or over for any length of time).
Heat Stroke
Hard work in extreme heat and humidity can cause heat stroke, a life threatening condition that is especially severe in horses. If a horse is not fit or not acclimated to the weather, the condition can be exaggerated. (So be careful in moving a horse from one part of the country to another or in going off to another part of the country to compete in very hot weather.) The horse suffering from heat stroke will not be able to coordinate voluntary muscle movement and respiration will be frequent and forced. A body temperature of over 105 degrees is not uncommon with this condition. Sometimes the horse will appear blind and stumble around into things. If you suspect heat stroke, call your vet immediately. Get the horse to a cool, shaded, well-ventilated area and run cold water or alcohol over his entire body. Ice packs can be used on his head and areas of the body where large blood vessels are near the surface of the skin to speed up body cooling. Prevent heat stroke by not working your horse during periods of extreme heat and humidity.
Warning on Peroxide
It seems that in some areas of severe drought, horse owners have been wondering about stretching their water supply with some home treatment techniques. One of these have been adding industrial strength peroxide (peroxide in a 30% concentration) to purify the water. According to Iowa State University, the claim that peroxide purifies water is open to question. ISU reports that using peroxide at the rate of one ounce for 260 gallons of water (as recommended in some farm magazines) would be unlikely to have much affect on harmful bacteria. The report continues that peroxide in any strength over 8 percent can cause blindness, burns, lung damage, and other health problems. Thus, eyes and skin must be protected, and water to dilute the peroxide must be immediately available. Furthermore, since peroxide can cause fire and even explosions, it must only be used in well ventilated areas. Of particular importance to horse owners is the warning that delayed fires can result if peroxide is allowed to dry on hay, straw, feed, wood or even clothing!
