Many hoof problems are caused by the environment the horses’ feet are subjected to, or inadequate nutrition or genetics. Some horses inherit thin soles, small feet, or crooked legs. In most instances, horse owners can prevent serious problems with good care — and with the help of a farrier to correct small problems before they become large ones.

Checking a horse’s feet should be a regular part of owner chores. As a horse owner, you are the person most responsible for the health and welfare of your horse and its daily care. Even though your farrier may come every five to eight weeks, the horse depends on you to monitor and care for its feet between visits.

If you are riding, training or handling the horse daily, you get a good opportunity to look at its feet. Regular grooming is good for your horse’s coat and regular hoof care is good for its feet.

Buckaroo Leather Products
(800) 873 0781
www.buckarooleather.com
Buckaroo Leather Products is proud to say it has been making quality leather tack right here in the U.S. for over 34 years. Using nothing but the highest quality materials available, Buckaroo Leather Products has pride in the craftsmanship that goes into each piece of tack made. Most any equine enthusiast can find what they need for their riding pleasure, — whether it is in the show ring or on the trail –from the company’s regular lineup at www.buckarooleather.com. For the person needing special attention, skilled craftsman at Buckaroo Leather Products can make that custom piece to fit your horse or situation.

In the Old West a man’s handshake was his bond, and by extension his reputation. At Buckaroo Leather Products, the dedicated staff holds dear the Cowboy Code of Ethics and it holds its business to those ethics. The greatest asset a business can have is its reputation for products of great quality, fair dealings and outstanding customer service, assuring long-term relationships with its customers. Buckaroo Leather Products believes it offers all of these qualities to its customers. Buckaroo Leather is the Brand to Demand, and they look forward to hearing from you.

Cowboy Dressage
(530) 346-2715
www.cowboydressage.com
Could Cowboy Dressage be a new tradition in the making? All traditions begin as an idea, often an unconventional one. The idea is practiced by a few, then is practiced by a few more until it becomes popular and widely used. It stands the test of time, and this original, unconventional idea is now a tradition, held in high esteem and preserved as close to the original idea as possible. Without free thinkers and innovators, there would be fewer future traditions. When you approach a new idea that is not traditional ask yourself, “could this be a new tradition in the making?” We believe that Cowboy Dressage is a future “tradition.” Become a part of it and change your world.

Cowboy Dressage World
www.cowboydressageworld.com
“A World of Innovation, Vision Without Borders”
It takes courage to live your dreams, and the goal of Cowboy Dressage World is to help make dreams a reality. Horsemanship is an arduous journey, and a good relationship with a horse is an endless endeavor. There are highs and lows, frustration and joy, disappointment and achievement. Horses can stir all our deepest emotions. They heighten our senses and test our patience and knowledge. They can bring us peace and safe haven. Horses call to us, and for many, the call penetrates to the depth of our very being. Cowboy Dressage World wants you to experience it all. Open your heart and mind and saddle up and ride! Cowboy Dressage is inclusive, not exclusive, offering many different divisions — all of which focus on harmony and partnership, as well as “Soft Feel”. The most important rule: Be kind.
The Finals Show and Gathering will be held Sept. 7-11. The event will include a full day of educational free clinics on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Popular Top Hand and Musical Freestyle preliminaries will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, and three full days of Cowboy Dressage classes will take place Sept. 9-11. All are welcome.

LRM Equestrian
Lyn Ringrose-Moe grew up in the Central California foothills of Mariposa County. As a child, she was always impressed with the California stock horses at the County Fair where she rode her Shetland/Welsh pony, Pancho, in gymkhana events. Lyn has always been a cowgirl at heart and has always loved horses of all kinds. While attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Lyn was introduced to dressage and combined training (eventing).  She competed in eventing, but finally settled on the sport of dressage where she successfully competed, trained, and coached to the FEI levels of the sport.  Lyn also completed the USDF “L” judges program.  Lyn has trained and competed on many breeds of horses for competitive dressage, and she has coached many riders successfully up through the levels.

When Lyn first learned about Cowboy Dressage, she felt she had finally come home.  Her two favorite words combined into one discipline.  Lyn has competed in dressage, working cow horse, combined training, show jumping, and western pleasure.  She has also participated in cutting, reining, and team roping.  She has worked with or trained most breeds of horses (and mules) and finds beauty in all of them.  Lyn has a deep respect and love for horses and always strives to give the horse the benefit of the doubt while helping many riders/horses achieve harmonious, successful relationships.
Lyn currently enjoys a busy clinic schedule teaching Cowboy Dressage and training judges for Cowboy Dressage, traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada.  She rides training horses, teaches lessons, judges and competes in Cowboy Dressage.  She helped co-write/edit the Cowboy Dressage tests, is a partner in Cowboy Dressage World, is the instructor/ judge mentor for the Cowboy Dressage Judge’s Training Program, and is a recommended judge for Cowboy Dressage. Lyn resides at the Sliding J Ranch in Acampo with her husband, John Moe, their two dogs, a horse, and a mule.

Sierra HorseWear
800-456-7408
www.chaskit.com
Sierra HorseWear makes a full line of blankets, shells, sheets and hoods for horses of all breeds and all sizes. Since Sierra offers a choice of exterior fabrics and linings, each customer can order the blanket or sheet best suited to their climate and conditions. Name embroidery is available and special requests such as tail flaps and extra leg straps are welcomed. Since Sierra makes its products to order, all items can be made for other animals, including goats, pigs, sheep and llamas. Sierra DogWear, a division of Sierra HorseWear, makes indoor and outdoor coats for dogs of all breeds and sizes as well as orange safety vests, harnesses, collars and leashes. In 2014, Sierra HorseWear became a sponsor of the Cowboy Dressage World Finals show as a way of showing its support and respect for this fine discipline. This year, the company will award a custom-made, fully-embroidered trophy day sheet to the fifth place overall high-point in show horse and rider.

Wy-Not Cowboy Dressage
Wyatt Paxton (530) 784-8000
Nonny Largent (530) 949-8096
www.wy-notcowboydressage.com
Wyatt has ridden in clinics with Garn Walker, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, Buck Brannaman, Les Vogt, Lester Buckley, Nonny Largent, and Craig Cameron — some, several times. He became a huge Morgan horse fan when his wife introduced him to them, stating that “Morgan horses pick you, you don’t pick the horse.” Wyatt first started in Cowboy Dressage when Eitan asked if he would help set up courts for him. He was hooked by the “soft feel”, and the “everything right for the horse” mentality that resonated with his morals. One of the most rewarding feelings for him was coaching the Welcome Ring for Cowboy Dressage. Words cannot express the faces, tears of happiness and smiles of people when they feel the change in their horses.

Nonny Largent began her professional equine career training and showing Quarter Horses in Northern California, and continues to do so. She has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (emphasis in Equine Science) and was the coach at California Stete University – Chico, from 1990-1992, coaching team and individuals to High Point Western Team and High Point Western Rider for Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure. Lonny judges for several different organizations, and is now a Cowboy Dressage Recommended Judge. She is fair and knowledgeable, and always willing to help the exhibitors in a friendly manner.

Canoga Farrier Supply
(747) 202-0268
www.CanogaFarrierSupply.com
Canoga Farrier Supply, located in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, caters to farriers, trimmers, blacksmiths, as well as horse owners. The store prides itself on excellent customer service, and it carries a large selection of products from all major suppliers including Kerckhaert, Mustad, St. Croix, EDSS, Grand Circuit, Nordic Forge, and Vettec, to name a few. If by chance Canoga Farrier Supply does not stock something that a customer needs, the team will do its best to get it.  The retail store is conveniently located minutes off the 118 freeway, and if you can’t make it to the store, they’ll make a prompt delivery. Call the shop or place your order through its website, canogafarriersupply.com, and they’ll make every effort to ship in-stock items the same day. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact them with any questions by phone or email: canogafs@yahoo.com.

These heartfelt memories between moms and daughters are being reprinted from the California Horsetrader archives this issue to celebrate Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8.

Keeping the pony dry…
I’m the mother, but I think I’ll share our story. I was 29, and my daughter, Elishia, was 7 when we first got into horses — and we got her first pony. He was a Shetland Pinto, about 11.1 hands (good thing my daughter was very small). We named him Oreo since he was black and white. We were new to horses, and this was our first small ranch. It was a stormy and rainy night after it had rained all day. We only had partial covers, so Oreo was soaking wet. I felt so badly because my daughter was feeling so bad about her pony. So, thinking I was doing a good thing for Oreo and my daughter, I brought little Oreo into my living room, in front of the fireplace.

Friday, April 22nd – Ingalls Park
7 pm – Extreme Ranch Rodeo
5:30 pm – Gates Open, Children 3 and under free!
Come out and see all our vendors!

Dude Ranchers Association
(866) 399-2339
duderanch.org
Western * Adventure * Vacation
Whether you are looking to get your family to unplug and reconnect or to challenge and revive your body, spirit and mind in breathtaking off-the-beaten path locales, an all-inclusive dude ranch is the perfect vacation destination – paired with thrilling adventures, opportunities to recharge and a chance to explore the “Wild West.” Think horses, hats, hospitality, heritage, honesty and heart. And that’s just the beginning.
As the original all-inclusive vacation, dude ranches offer value and numerous advantages over other all-inclusive vacation options including no planning once you arrive, flexibility to customize your itinerary, and no additional costs once you arrive to your destination. Guest ranches also offer a wide variety of activities. From horseback riding and hiking, to zip- lining and archery, to swimming and yoga, a dude ranch vacation guarantees a memorable experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA) represents a broad spectrum of 100+ guest ranches across the U.S. (two are located in Canada), ranging from rustic, no-frills working ranches to luxury resort-style ranches offering five-star cuisine and spa treatments. Dude ranches are located in some of the most scenic, pristine areas in the country, from valleys complete with untouched Rocky Mountain backdrops to desert sunsets across the Southwest. The DRA takes great pride in the quality and standards it requires its ranches to uphold. Find out more at www.duderanch.org

As an Olympic year revs up interest in Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 as a U.S. Gold Medal hope in dressage this summer in Brazil, there is another force revving up in California, too, with a lower profile.
Western Dressage.

Western trainers have long been using dressage techniques that enhance communication with their horses, but since 2010, the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) has provided a structure and consistency that that has spawned growth. And, since the California Western Dressage Association (CAWDA) started in 2012, interest and participation has grown widely in the Golden State.

California Western Dressage Association
www.CAWDA.org
Western Dressage discipline is a melding of training methods. Classical Dressage brings the techniques of master European horsemen, techniques that are hundreds of years old and based upon principles which encourage cadence, balance, and carriage. It is technical and it is precise, a rigorous discipline for horse and rider. It is also an art. Western Horsemanship has been practiced on the ranches of the American West since the 1700s and even earlier through the traditions of the Spanish vaqueros. The subsequent advances in Western Horsemanship begun by the Dorrance Brothers and practiced by a new generation of horsemen and women opened the door to the mind of the horse, encouraging patience and understanding. The concept of “lightness” and subtle cues grew from its acceptance. They found that the result was good for both horse and rider.

POMONA– One of the fastest growing expos in the U.S., California’s Horse Expo Pomona comes to the L.A. County Fairplex Feb. 5-7. In three short days, you can catch up on the latest training and education, shop the nation’s premier equine vendors and connect with your horse friends. Attending the Expo is a low-cost, high quality way to stay engaged in the horse industry, making sure you have the tools, knowledge and products to help make the most of your investment in the horse owning lifestyle year round.

Shopping
No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find best-in-class solutions in every equine category. Great deals and custom one-of-a-kind craftsmanship abound in equal measure, ensuring something for every horse person to appreciate! This year, there are several new, exciting vendors with innovative products, like Big Mare (see page 20).