tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:38:43 +0000Horse & Rider's editor/associate publisher Juli Thorson covers a broad range of subjects of interest to Western riders--everything from trend reports and tips for managing your horse life to what's new in gear, tack and riding.http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/noreply@blogger.com (EquiSearch.com)Blogger411125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-6603987099638930073Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +00002009-11-06T09:31:00.835-05:00Yesterday afternoon did not feel like a November day. It was shirt-sleeve warm just before sunset, and so calm that not a twig was stirring.But the three horses in the pasture--LB, Corky, and Tiffany--were not out grazing on grass that's started growing again. They were up as close to the house as they could get, clustered near the gate to the barn. They made it pretty clear that they wanted http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/calm-before-storm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-4773478864045308246Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:24:00 +00002009-11-06T09:10:43.481-05:00Here's a picture from a training walk with Smitty that will be best understood with some context added to it.We're headed across a parking area, toward the barn, and Smitty's been doing an excellent job of walking straight, on a slack lead, at my speed and pace (note that we even have matching "front legs" here.)Suddenly, over to the right of the frame, where Smitty's left ear is pointed, are http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/whats-going-on-in-this-picture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-8863025652085108177Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:23:00 +00002009-11-05T10:28:17.244-05:00Here's a link to a neat story and set of photos from an H&R visit to Highpoint Performance Horses in Texas. This is the operation of Team H&R's Charlie Cole, and it packs a few surprises--like his tortoises and other exotic critters.Charlie lives within driving distance of our Texas mag-staffers, and has let us use his facility as a photo location on several occasions.Thanks, Charlie!http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/h-visit-to-highpoint-performance-horses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-6345425340777344118Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:54:00 +00002009-11-05T09:06:36.126-05:00Have you had a chance lately to visit the On Staff at Horse&Rider blog? It's written by two of our other mag-staffers, Erin Sullivan Haynes and Alana Harrison, and they have been busily out and about and blogging all about it.Just lately, they've done a photo shoot with world champion trainer Charlie Cole--visited the All American Quarter Horse Congress--attended a Breyer Creations party at the http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/those-other-h-gals-theyve-been-busy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-4871830119395734827Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +00002009-11-04T12:07:06.585-05:00leadingfield-testingSmittyThere's an old saying among horsemen that "your horse is a reflection of you," and Smitty is proving this to be so, so true. As I was walking him out in a huge field the other day, I was very pleased with how well he did with the leading lessons he's had in the barn/arena. For the most part, he stayed with my pace, on a lead with slack, and didn't get too eager or anxious. He did what he has beenhttp://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/smittys-field-testing-continued.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-2948705215142677460Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:34:00 +00002009-11-03T19:33:37.166-05:00small-test momentsSmittyAfter 60 days of twice-daily handling in and around the barn and our immediate yard, Smitty has what I'd call a 'pretty good handle' on him. He leads well, ties fairly patiently, stands nicely for the vet and farrier, accepts various forms of sacking out, obeys whoa MOST of the time, is solid on his head-down cue, and so forth. Part of the steady learning curve comes from the application of http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/baby-training-out-of-arena-small-test.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-8041262825371106941Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +00002009-11-02T07:31:05.500-05:00obedience walkTankDakota SmithSmittySmitty's ApHC papers came in the mail over the weekend, and he is now on the books (in the computer, I guess I should say) as Dakota Smith. I've had that name saved for a horse for quite a while, and Smitty is a good one to have it (with Dakota Smiths, my brother and sister-in-law, as his breeders and all). We had a spectacular sunny Sunday, perfect for some literal "in the field" training http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/11/smitty-gets-his-registered-name-and-so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-3410637894433949689Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:11:00 +00002009-10-29T16:15:38.033-04:00Just look at this face as Smitty takes in the first snowflakes of the season. His expression says it all, as far as I'm concerned.Care to write a caption? http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/smitty-expresses-his-thoughts-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-732430017857787194Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +00002009-10-28T10:56:29.807-04:00Sheri, one of my blog readers from western Washington, has started a blog with an interesting subject--that of having and riding horses at 50+. Pay a visit here. Sheri appears in this photo with Champ, the horse she inherited from her daughter. She just rode Champ in her first show last weekend--you go, Sheri! Here is Sheri's motivation for starting her blog, as stated to me in an email: Hope to http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/new-blog-that-caught-my-attention-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-6696287695834792903Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:29:00 +00002009-10-26T11:01:24.328-04:00Today, the topic up for discussion is showing. Specifically, getting started in it, and/or getting back into it after a long hiatus. Do you fit this profile? If you do, I would love to hear about some of your experiences and impressions.Some starter Qs: * What's the draw--what do you hope to get from the experience?* What's your venue--where do you show or hope to show, and in what?* What's your http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/new-to-or-back-into-showing-is-this-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-2637181178161716864Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:56:00 +00002009-10-25T10:35:35.937-04:00I'm wrapping up a week's hiatus from magazine work, which gave me the chance to go visit some family in North Dakota.Even though it's a pretty long run, I like to get there by driving. It's a trip of over 1,100 miles, and this time, I covered quite a lot of it by getting off the interstate system and out into two-lane country, farther north. Which, in eastern Montana/western North Dakota, http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/road-trip-scenes-from-big-empty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-7474571614250809459Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:15:00 +00002009-10-18T22:46:03.627-04:00Yesterday, I was finally able to do something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I got to visit the Evelyn Cameron Gallery of her pioneer photography in Terry, Montana.Never heard of her? That's OK--most people haven't, even though she is in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and was the subject of a PBS documentary in the mid 199os. Cameron was born to a life of privilege in Britain, in 1868. Her http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/wherein-i-achieve-something-from-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-7654876761432871898Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:56:00 +00002009-10-15T13:06:25.090-04:00Horse & Rider's November issue will be out any day now, and I'm excited for you to get it and share your thoughts.The cover rider is reining trainer Dave Moore, of Florida. He provides great insights about the importance of putting "wait" on a horse--in other words, training it to wait for the rider's cues rather than to make decisions on his own.The Q&A Interview is with Craig Cameron, http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/novembers-horse-rider-whats-in-store.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-1144231978173955636Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:56:00 +00002009-10-13T10:15:16.708-04:00OK, this may seem like an off-topic post (see subject line). But bear with me, because it's really not as off-topic as one might think.I've been doing some thinking on the subject of livestockism. Which would be a term for strong prejudice for or against a particular kind of livestock; a term for attributing positive or negative qualities to a group based on personal belief. (Think racism.)Many http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/cattle-as-cute-companion-animals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-9217958938369332028Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:03:00 +00002009-10-09T10:31:19.667-04:00OK, I have to confess that I am getting a huge kick out of everyone's comments about the TV cowboys of the '50s and early '60s, and their influence in the kids of their era. A few recollections from my own kidhood: * Endless games of cowboys & Indians. Or, the alternative, good guys & bad guys.* The decision on whether to name our first pony Trigger, after Roy's horse, or Buttermilk, after http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/playtime-inspired-by-tv-cowboys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-5783747173701477447Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:09:00 +00002009-10-08T14:13:59.987-04:00When TV and baby boomers both were young, any cowboy role model worth his salt had his set of rules for kids to live by.Here's a roundup of those creeds and commandments, accompanied by a lovely piece of writing that paints a great picture of the Saturday-morning TV scene recalled so fondly by so many.http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/creeds-of-tv-cowboys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-7765085185264887591Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:06:00 +00002009-10-07T20:34:48.481-04:00Today seems to be the day for the universe to be sending out horse-nostalgia vibes for us baby boomers. No sooner did I find out about the impending closure of the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum (see previous post), I opened an email to find this link to history of another TV favorite for kids of my generation--the show about Fury, the black stallion.This was yet another TV show, featuring horses, http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/more-baby-boomer-nostalgia-fury-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-4565265481411433968Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:26:00 +00002009-10-07T15:36:22.668-04:00....the Roy Rogers Museum announces it is closing its doors.Citing a faltering economy, high expenses, and the aging of Roy's longtime fans, Dustin, grandson of the late singing cowboy, confirms that the museum will shut down at the end of this year.Contents of the museum will either be sold or placed privately.I know I can't be the only horse lover of a certain age to be saddened by this news ofhttp://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/you-know-its-end-of-era-when.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-2953062576112049439Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:35:00 +00002009-10-02T08:56:57.199-04:00...bringing up a weanling? Here's a picture I took yesterday of my weanling, Smitty, as he modeled his very first horse blanket. (It's not quite the horse equivalent of a human infant's onesie, but close. It seems teeny compared to the big horses' blankets!) Smitty went through some prep work before I made the move to put this blanket on over his head and buckle the straps. He learned the http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/10/whats-one-thing-youd-like-to-know-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-7214476987414363279Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:58:00 +00002009-09-30T10:10:54.771-04:00IdahoSmittyUp in north Idaho, where I live, the trees are just starting to turn to their autumn colors and the asters, last flowers of the year, are in their contrasting glory.But it's all going to change soon, because I woke up this morning to the sight of frost at the bottom of the pasture (visible from the kitchen window).Time is ticking now on the "get ready for winter" clock. And when I went to the http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/off-topic-enjoying-last-days-before.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-3715136900970695235Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:55:00 +00002009-09-24T10:41:58.310-04:00clippingSmitty...the fact that there is ALWAYS something new to learn. For instance: I just figured out, in working with my new weanling, Smitty, that a way to get head/face clipping done without a battle is to first teach and get reliable response to a head-down cue. I didn't have clipping in mind when I started with the head-down cue--I just thought of it as a way to help him chill out and relax when he got http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/thing-i-love-best-about-having-horses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-1337949581871728822Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:32:00 +00002009-09-23T14:35:59.346-04:00My friend Debbie L. has access to a pretty cool 'virtual tour' feature that is Web-based, and created this 360-degree panorama on a recent ride we took out on the backside of our Idaho ranch.It's a gorgeous day today, and I'll be saddling up to head back out there as soon as my work day is done!http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/where-we-might-ride-if-you-were-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-5958648789326476705Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:52:00 +00002009-09-20T01:10:54.195-04:00One of the horses who lives at our place is a "vintage" mustang gelding named Corky. He retired late last year from a 20-year career as an outfitter guest horse, and now does duty as a grandkid horse for my friend Shelley. Two of  Corky's four wee peeps, Camryn and Kellen, came to visit him today with Shelley and their mom, Marae. Extra oats! Corky is all for that. Extra fun for me. I love http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/snapshots-from-grandkid-horse-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-2622093131834091877Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:22:00 +00002009-09-17T14:42:23.780-04:00It's an issue that comes up over and over in Horse & Rider's reader mail: Middle-aged horse lovers, struggling to overcome  a fear of riding, and/or some sort of anxiety that keeps them out of the saddle or at least riding less than they would like. With 3/4 of our readership being age 40 or over, I suspect it's a widespread problem. Is it one that YOU can identify with? If it is, I'd like to http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/middle-aged-afraid-to-ride-share-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34081618.post-6062410079384250244Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:35:00 +00002009-09-16T14:00:51.825-04:00Hey, I just realized something--I've now been doing this blog for three years! The first post was on September 15, 2006. So I guess that makes today, September 16, 2009, the first day of the rest of my blogging life--haha. For the record, the post with the most comments was from September 3, 2008--"The Horse Nobody Wanted." The runner-up was posted February 4, 2009--and was about Tank's last http://special.equisearch.com/blog/horsetalk/2009/09/first-day-of-my-fourth-year-of-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Juli Thorson)5