Written by multiple American Quarter Horse Association world champion Mike Major, Ranch-Horse Versatility helps prepare you to participate in the equine world’s fastest growing event, no matter which competitive association you prefer. Major’s training tips can improve your horse’s performance in all aspects of ranch-versatility competition, and the expertise he shares, gleaned both in the show arena and from real ranch work, can help polish anyone’s horsemanship skills.
Maybe you compete in versatility ranch-horse events or plan to meet that challenge and want to take advantage of every opportunity to polish your performance. Perhaps cattle work can put a fresh perspective on your riding program, or you simply want a handy, responsive horse, no matter what your day’s ride might bring. Whatever your interest in Ranch-Horse Versatility, Colorado horseman Mike Major is uniquely qualified to provide the information to take your horse program to the next level. A rancher by profession and a competitor by choice, Major has developed the horsemanship expertise to be successful in both venues, in large part because he draws no real distinction between his show horses and ranch horses. A Major Cattle Company horse might well work on the ranch today and compete in the arena tomorrow, a dual-purpose approach that has proven successful. Major and his stallion, Smart Whiskey Doc, have claimed multiple national titles—American Quarter Horse Association 2006 Bayer Select Working Cow Horse World Champion, World’s Greatest Versatility Horse at the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association 2008 and 2009 National Finals, and AQHA 2009 and 2010 Versatility Ranch Horse Open World Champion. Plus, in 2010 Major rode Black Hope Stik, a daughter of Smart Whiskey Doc, to become the inaugural Battle in the Saddle Ranch Remuda Champion and the first Project Cowboy Champion. American stock-horse associations were founded on the backs of such talented horses, and versatility competition has brought a renewed appreciation for these all-around athletes. In his book, Major shares how he develops such responsive, maneuverable horses. His understanding, how-to tips and thoughtful insights in Ranch-Horse Versatility can help you sharpen your skills to ride effectively, compete successfully and show your horse to advantage.
This books tells how almost any rider of almost any level of expertise can adapt ranch-horse-training techniques to help his or her mount become a safer, more enjoyable ride. Pate's step-by-step methods offer a hands-on and in-your-own time approach well-suited for most recreational riders. Each chapter includes do-it-yourself ideas appropriate for the small-acreage horse owner.
"Short Go" is a bay Quarter Horse who is owned by siblings, Elsie and Max. Inspired by real childhood play, Short Go and the children re-enact the timed events at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The book has a surprise ending where Short Go travels to Las Vegas to help carry out a very special task during each performance at the real NFR. Cowkids will love the storyline and illustrations and parents will love the valuable lesson shared through Short Go's experience.
This non-breed-specific equine curriculum is full of information and activities! Youth will learn horse basics through engaging activities in this book as well as the web site. The best part is--youth don't have to own a horse to participate.Instructors will like the easy-to-use format and the national teaching standards that are outlined for each lesson.
Equine Wound Management, Second Edition is a comprehensive, authoritative resource for both theoretical and practical information on the care of wounds in horses. Now highly illustrated with full-color photographs throughout, this long-awaited second edition is significantly expanded to include new developments and techniques in wound healing. Equine Wound Management is an essential reference for veterinary students, veterinary surgeons, veterinary dermatologists, and equine and large animal veterinarians.
Stories from a rural working life that teach us how to be better horsemen—and better people. Van Hargis grew up in the saddle on an East Texas ranch, training his first horse at age 12 and eventually making a living starting cutting and reining colts, many of which would leave his hands to become champions. Naturally outgoing (labeled a “talker” by teachers in grade school), Hargis shared stories and lessons from his work with horses early on. Here, in his first book, he reaches out to readers with a collection of down-to-earth, highly relatable tales—experiences that, over the years, have impacted his own horsemanship and life in significant ways. Readers absorb fundamental knowledge of horses skillfully embedded in genuine anecdotes straight off the ranch: How Grandma's cross-stitch laid the groundwork for more patience when starting colts and trailer loading. How a daughter's temper tantrum helped perfect timing of the release of pressure. How the way Mom worked the gate when sorting cattle taught you to look for what the horse really wanted to achieve. How playing on championship football teams provided the understanding of true partnership between rider and horse. With easy-to-remember quotes to anchor what readers learn and practical tools that can be used in the arena or on the trail, by Western or English riders, The Horse Is My Teacher imparts the principles of great horsemanship while also inspiring each of us to apply those same principles to further our own personal growth and success.
A favorite storyteller sheds new light on the never-ending process of becoming better for the horse. Over 30 years ago, renowned horseman and popular storyteller Mark Rashid’s first book, Considering the Horse, was published. In it he shared his experiences with horses and people, subtly delivering practical lessons in horsemanship and life in a conversational style that resonated with audiences around the world. Now Rashid considers all that has happened in the years that have passed since that first book was published—the transformative moments and impactful individuals who have helped shape his philosophies and methods since then. With his distinctive voice, he shepherds readers through topics of relevance in the equestrian industry while telling more of his life story, resulting in an engaging memoir-style read that remains rich in nuggets of wisdom that you can put right to work in your daily interactions with horses. In For the Love of the Horse, Rashid explores: Ways he tried to find his own way of being with horses without actually knowing what he was looking for. How the art of aikido, and the teachers he had, changed his ideas about life and relationships outside the dojo. How it feels to be soft (and how it feels to not be), and how Rashid learned to stay true to the principles of softness as he understood them, regardless of the situation. How he broke out of the pattern of assigning human emotions and comprehension to horses. The impact neuroscientist Dr. Steve Peters had on Rashid’s understanding of the horse’s behaviors and responses and how they correlate to what is actually going on in the horse’s brain. The power of observation and learning how to be still, even in the midst of activity. The difference between trying to connect with the horse versus allowing the horse to connect with you. How over time Rashid has shifted from trying techniques that alter a horse’s behavior, to adjusting his own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to help the horse feel safer. In his familiar way, Rashid takes readers on a journey that rewards with both adventure and education, finding new inroads in our attempts to become better company and fairer caregivers to horses. With his thoughtful lifetime of study leading by example, we are all encouraged to consider how far horsemanship has come and how bright its future might be.
