Care to Comment on This New H&R Issue?
Here's the cover of Horse&Rider's next issue, dated for October 2008. Since your commentary on the September issue's cover and blurbed stories was extremely interesting and useful, I wanted you to have another shot at being a sounding board. (And may just do this on an ongoing basis.)As before, these are some elements to think about:
* What's your initial reaction to this cover? Would you pick it up and look further, or pass it by? Any explanation as to why?
* Which of the blurbed stories, if any, are of particular interest to you at this point in your life with horses?
* Anything else you'd care to share?
I'd also like to know if you're a regular reader of Horse&Rider, an occasional reader, or someone who just drops by my blog but doesn't read the magazine.
TIA....
posted by Juli Thorson @ 11:12 AM
34 comments
34 Comments:
(I've been reading H&R for at least five years)
I like the cover. It looks good, but I can't really say analytically why. The first story I'd go to would definitely be the Bob Avila one on horses being too young at futurities, as that is a HUGE issue to me. I would also like the arena exercises one, but pretty much all of the stories look interesting.
After seeing the cover I am going to go pick this issue up. I am an occasional magazine reader, and I do not subscribe to any. I simply pick them up if they look interesting.
This issue looks good to me because of the money saving article, I do shop online once in a while, but am impatient and don't like to wait for things to ship.
The arena exercises caught my eye because I just started taking lessons, and would like something else to work on in the arena to keep my horse from getting bored.
I am also interested in the Bob Avila article about age because I have a coming three year old filly that I want to start, but am trying to hold off to allow her to grow a little more...
Like I said, I think I'll have to go pick this issue up, thanks for the preview!
I have been an H&R Reader for three years now. This cover is okay. I wouldn't immediately pick it up because of that though. The horse is beautiful but looks very much like a western pleasure show horse (not my gig).
The articles on the arena exercises and on creating a "broker" horse are the most interesting to me. I ride a 9 year old appaloosa--mostly trail ride but we do some showing at the open show level. Thanks for the opportunity to comment....I really enjoy your blog.
I am only an occasional (as in 2x a year) magazine reader, but I am on equisearch several times a week.
I would definitely pick up the magazine and look through. My horse background is in showing, and the clean, classic look of the horse on the cover would catch my eye.
I have never owned my own horse, though, and am no longer about the showing. My work with horses now is mostly through polo (managed a herd of about 15 last summer)- so I'm attracted to the articles that apply whether or not you own, and about barn care, new products, etc (the money saving one caught my eye).
Hi Juli!
I've been a loooong time reader of H&R and am now a subscriber.
That said, if there's a horse on the cover I'll pick up any magazine in the grocery store to check it out. This one however? If I saw it on the newstand it would be one of the last I'd pick up. IMO that cover is boring. Gorgeous horse but just a blah cover. Maybe a full body shot or an action shot would have caught my eye more?
Now the blurbs, those would have got me looking inside! This is a rare one in that every single blurb had an appeal for me.
Now I can't wait for my October issue to arrive!! :)
Julie
I'm a long, long time subscriber. I wouldn't necessarily pick it up at a store, just because the head shot of the horse shot is just that - a shot. The horse is beautiful but has a dead eye to me, there's nothing remarkable about the shot that catches me.
I'd pick it up because the article on arena work appeals to me, as does the idea on on-line information.
Hello Julie,
I have read H&R since I was a kid,@ 12 or so, I am 41 now :).
I like the look of the issue, the bright sorrel pops out. The articles look interesting, arena exercises and the saving money on-line, I would pick it up of course.I would like to see a feature on riders overcoming disabilities and still riding, I had major brain surgery, for a tumor, in march of '08 and will continue to ride dispite my balace issues, I have ridden three times now since my surgery and am mucking stalls.
reddunappy--
Congratulations on making it back to the barn after your surgery.
Did you get a chance to see the March '08 issue, with the feature article, "Riding With Health Problems?" While it didn't specifically name your type of health issue, some of it would have been pertinent, I'm guessing.
Well I have been getting H&R off and on since I was 15 and just turned 54. I currently have a subscription.
Cover doesn't do that much for me but the blurbs are going to pull me in. Fear is big issue as I want to start riding again but know I'm not going to bounce as well as I used to when I hit the ground, so the fear article will get read.
As well as starting horses young. We just got a 3 year old back from 60 rides so any exercises we can use to further her training will go a long ways.
Can't wait for the October issue to hit my mailbox.
Hi Julie
I'm a regular reader and have a subscription. I guess I've been reading H&R on and off over the past 20 years or so...gee, that makes me sound old!
I love the horse's expression...he looks so kind.
I would be interested in the articles about fun arena excersises and the falling and fear...I'm just not bouncing like I used to!
Love your blog
Karla
The cover is appealing to me, beautiful horse in western tack, snaffle bit, maybe there are some training tidbits in the mag for a young horse. I am definitely interested in arena riding exercises. Where I live (Wyoming) outdoor riding will soon end. I would love to learn about something new to do in the arena.
The other topics look interesting. I am a longtime subscriber and look forward to the issue.
I enjoy the blog. Thanks for keeping it going.
Kim
Hi Juli - thanks for giving us a chance to comment - makes me feel that I'm one step closer to having some input in a magazine! How cool... :-)
I subscribed as a kid and now have the mag available electronically through work. I go out and buy issues that have good articles to keep in my little home horse reference library. I actually keep all of the confirmation clinic pieces - I love those the best, I think.
I like the cover picture - I'm a bit obsessed with WP horses these days. Nice close-up photo with nice tack.
All of the cover articles sound interesting - especially arena exercises. Tack bargains online is tempting - although alot might not apply since I live in Canada - but a girl can dream! The riding smart and of falls and fear also pique my interest.
I don't subscribe, but I have been reading regularly for the past 6-8 months. I will definitely buy the issue. I'm interested in the arena exercises article.
Hi Juli,
I am an avid reader of your blog and have subscribed via RSS Feeds. I do not subscribe to the magazine.
I liked the last cover we surveyed very much and had a chance to browse that magazine a few days ago. I found the article on avoiding reining errors very interesting, but did not like it's representation on the cover. Ie, I prefer to hear about what I will/may learn rather than what I should avoid.
The cover in the current post is not spectacular to me. The horse portrait is plain and the blurbs are sparse.
By the way, the SD Girls Horse Getaway was awesome, we are already planning next year's trip.
Glenda
I'm not much of a magazine reader. There seem to be too many ads and not enough content most of the time. I don't think I've ever read Horse and Rider, but I might pick up this issue if it's not too expensive. The articles look like they'd be interesting.
I'm not much of a fan of the photo. I think a ranch horse in well used, well made tack is prettier than a show horse in makeup with the pristine forelock and bridle.
I have read H&R for more years than I care to mention! I have had a subscription most of that time.
The one thing I like about the picture is that the horse has his tack on correctly and is groomed. My pet peeve in a lot of magazines is when the tack is wrong, or the people have hats on back wards or have working tack on a show horse. To me this does not look so much like a show horse as some people said. I would use this outfit for trail riding not showing.
All the articles look really good and very interesting. Can't go wrong with Avila, saving money and exercises. I would like to see some articles on trail riding and maybe something on winter get aways. That time is coming way too quickly! I know H&R is more about showing, but so many of us have taken other trails that it would be fun to see a little something else along the way.
This post has been removed by the author.
Okay you asked - so here I go.
The horse on the cover looks nice and the bridle he has on is nice too, kinda unique - I am already wondering if it goes with the article on used tack.....but....I am already kinda hoping a certain someone didn't write that article because her articles (although well written) on shopping tend to be hit and miss - blanket article BIG HIT - last bargain shoppin article (for clothes I think) was a big miss for me - I got no new information out of it and found most of it to be common sense stuff that didn't need to be in an article. I am wondering if the tack article is worth it to comb through.....you know I will anyway its Horse and Rider!
However, I would not even have to pick up the issue to find out because I would settle right down on the couch to read the "Age of Futurity Horses" article - I subscribe so I can do that but if I were shopping I would pick that up in a second hopping beyond hope that H&R is going to ask and answer some of the tough questions that SOMEBODY needs ask - and i don't think that H&R can get sued for doing so this time...I hope - least some slighted MR fan is still lurking out there waiting for revenge...
At this point in time in my horse life I am wanting the organizations that I belong to - to become more responsible and accept responsibility for things they not only need to do but have done. To adopt rules, change policies and promote practices that encourages its membership to be responsible horse owners who do not produce (through whatever way) unwanted horses. I am eagerly hoping this "Futurity Age" article may touch on some of that - so it is very interesting to me.
Sorry about the delete - last comment has too many errors in it for me.
I had a subscription to H&R years ago, but have not read one since. If the line at Tractor Supply is long I'll flip thru some of the magazines on the rack that catch my eye. I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and have been reading back as time allows.
I probably wouldn't pick this one up just because of the photo. But the futurity article might catch my eye. Like many other FHOTD readers, this is a hot topic for me and I'd like to see some change in the near future.
My initial reaction to this cover is that I know WHY the horse is on a slant (to make his head fit the area to the right of the text), but he still looks slanted and visually, it's awkward.
I like reading stories where people share their own experiences (Falls & Fear), but almost never read through an entire article on arena exercises. I would probably be interested in saving $$, but it depends on what bargains are being highlighted.
I don't have a subscription to H&R, or regularly buy one. My chiropractor has a subscription and that is the magazine I pick up when I'm in the waiting room.
I have been a long time reader and subscriber. I usually read each issue cover to cover, unless there's an article that absolutely holds no appeal. I have all my issues divided by year and stored in the tackroom with a copy of the article index in the front so I can quickly find a topic I need...
Regarding this specific issue, the cover shot is ok. I guess I miss seeing the action shots that seemed to be more common on the cover in years past. I'd have to go back and look but there are several shots of reining horses doing sliding stops that are captivating (and I'm not a reiner!). I wouldn't pass up a magazine based on the cover photo, but rather what's on the inside. I already can't wait to read the article on futurity horses - its right up my alley. I'll read anything claiming to help a horse become better broke and how to avoid wrecks but neither gets me excited about reading. I wish there would be more tack and equipment article reviews... it would be interesting to see how different companies manufacture saddles or bits or something. For example, I'm looking at purchasing a new show saddle - I already have preferences but maybe there's a company out there that I haven't heard of that makes a better product at a better price.
Overall, a nice cover with enough blips about the articles contained inside to keep me going. Oh yeah, and I love reading about industry leading stallions, mares or breeders!!!
I have been a regular reader of H&R for 5-6 years. I would pick up the issue to read further because the cover picture is bright and clean, though the horse could be a little more alert-looking. The cover stories are also of high interest to me.
Horse Wrecks: Anyone who rides can always be safer, and hearing about well-known trainers having wrecks is interesting and comforting to know that they have them too.
Tack Bargains: I am always looking for low-cost, good-quality tack.
Ride-Smart Secrets: I'm also always trying to make my horse better too.
10 Fun Arena Exercises: Good for the winter blahs.
Of Falls and Fear: Something we all can relate to.
Too Young?: I LOVE Bob Avila's articles, and this is a big issue. I'm interested to hear what he has to say.
Keep up the great work!
I have been reading H&R for many years, off and on. Mostly on when You were/are the Editor.
I don't really like the look of this cover- the horse looks too scrubbed. I would buy it on the basis of the Bob Avila article- like Original 1, this is a huge issue for me.Also the article on Fear and Falling- a real big issue that I was able to overcome and that I now try to help other women of a certain age overcome.
Overall I like the direction H&R is heading again! I may just have to resubscribe.
I have been following your blog for a few weeks now..stumbled across it. Loved the "blind horse" saga. What a blessed soul that "mikey" is..angels will await her in the here-after for sure! Don't know what to say about no one closer than 2400 miles to come to this horses rescue...or maybe I have that wrong..and who cares really...mikey was there and she earned her angel wings for sure with that trip! Juli, how are you..it seems you are doing?? It seems just fine way over there in Troy, Idaho....life, as they say, goes on....PC's Friend.
I'm a subscriber. I like the layout of the white in the title, the article titles, and the horse's blaze. It definitely draws my eye to the cover. All of those articles look interesting. I can't wait to get my copy in the mail.
I did a series of posts on fear a while back and never got so many responses from people. Everyone has a horror story regarding working with horses, and each story was something we could all learn from in hindsight.
I've just started reading H&R and have a Percheron. I think the coveer looks good. I especially like the angle of the shot with the horse. The articles that I'm looking forward to read would be the Arena Excersises and the articles about Horse Wrecks. Keep up the good work on the magazine!!!
I think it is interesting that some find the horse on the issue to look like a show horse, some a trail horse, some think it is too scrubbed. All in the eye of the beholder.
After showing for many years, when we take our horses (or even in the barn) they are always clipped and look show ready. We catch a lot of grief about this from other riders that just brush and ride. However, to us it would be just like going to town in your painting clothes. To each his own!
I have been reading H&R since at least 1994, I still have some issues lying around that have that year on them so I know it's been at least that long.
The cover, I love it. I am a subscriber but if I wasn't two things that would make me buy it , first the tack looks high quality. I am more apt trust a trainer with the right equipment. The second reason is for the article that says 10 fun arena exercises. I'm always on the look out for fun arena exercises for my students.
I agree with Phyl, I always have my horses well groomed and show look trimmed, I am embarred to take them out looking like I dont care about them. long bridle paths and feathers on my stock horses, no way. Maybe its left over from being drummed into my head for 4-H but I think it shows pride in ownership.
Julie,
NO I didnt get to see the March issue :( I was in the holpital untill the end of april, 2 mo. yeck. How can I find a copy?
reddunappy--
Information on obtaining back issues of Horse&Rider is here:
http://www.equisearch.com/about/backissues/
H&R was the magazine I looked to when I switched disciplines from dressage to western pleasure. I've been a subscriber for several years now and thoroughly enjoy your magazine. I loved the cover and the blurbs alert me to articles that might be of interest. Laugh if you want, but H&R has a valued place in my "reading room" (guess which room that is...LOL!).
Love the Bob Avila articles. Wish we could get him on the east coast for a clinic!
* My initial reaction is "Ohhh, how pretty!"
* Ride-Smart Secrets is of interest, because I am currently training a horse and any tips are useful! I also am trying to polish off my old guy. Also of interest: Horse Wrecks! Because I had one a few days ago due to said green horse in training!
I am a regular subscriber of H&R, but I don't always get a chance to read the magazine before it gets lost or eaten.
Hi Juli: Been a subscriber of H&R, for longer than I can recall. The photo cover didn't do anything for me....the Avila article drew my attention immediately since I'm an Avila fan and Working Cowhorses are my passion.
Karen
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