The Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association in conjunction with the Horse Heritage Conservancy brought together current — and future — equestrians to the 15th Annual Ride & Stride Oct. 17 at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos. The event encouraged the “two-legged” contingent to join in and bring their other best friend to stride a three-mile loop through the valley on City of San Marcos trails. Participation in this event helped the Walnut Grove Equestrian Park, a rare gem in the heart of the Twin Oaks Valley.

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

I don’t know you, and you don’t know me.

We dress differently, we are of different ages, different backgrounds and reside in different states and countries. But for a moment, just a glimpse in time we can find a commonality. I know a place where we can connect and share a space together as we ride on the back of a horse.

SCRCHA wraps up super 2021 at Green Acres Ranch event

TEMECULA — Smiles, great runs and beautiful weather were all part of the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association’s final scheduled show of 2021, the September Classic.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Two business groups with different visions for the 40-acre Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park made respective public presentations Sept. 21 to the City Council, as ongoing discussions continued toward the beautiful facility’s future.

CRHA Summertime Slide enlivens Midstate Fairgrounds

PASO ROBLES — There were familiar faces and familiar horses at the 2021 California Reining Horse Association Summertime Slide, but one new item this year that had everyone’s attention was the venue itself — the iconic Midstate Fairgrounds. Steeped in history and Western heritage, the Central Coast town hosted a CRHA reining for the first time.

Stay abreast — or ahead — of environmental rules

By Jamie Cohen Wallace / courtesy ELCR.org

In recent years, Best Management Practices (BMPs) have essentially become standard for horse farms/facilities across the country. Meant to protect the ground and surface waters, BMPs are excellent management practices that should be utilized by every horse farm and facility to stay in compliance, regardless of legislation.

Jennifer Welch Nicholson, who started at Riata ranch as a 9-year old and later navigated the organization through tumultuous times and to international renown, has been nomnominated for the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award.

WCRH continues its successful Summer Classic Buckle Series at Tucalota Creek Ranch

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Beautiful Tucalota Creek Ranch came to life Aug. 21 for the second of three shows in the West Coast Ranch Horse Classic Buckle Series. The series is just part of the WCRH line-up of popular 2021 events, which will culminate Nov. 5-7 with the big Ranch Horse Rendezvous at Tucalota Creek.

The three shows in the summer Ranch Horse Classic Buckle Series, featuring classes in Ranch Riding, Ranch Rail, Ranch Trail and Ranch Conformation, will wrap up at the series finale Sept. 25 at Green Acres Ranch in Temecula where winners of eight series belt buckles will be determined. All shows count for points in the series, and competitors must show in at least two shows in order to be eligible for high-point and division awards.

November’s WCRH Rendezvous 2021 promises to be an exciting two-day event. In addition to the popular horse show with divisions for all levels and a futurity for 4-under and 5/6 year-old horses, there will be ranch horse clinics with Sami Hernandez and Cowley Performance Horses, as well as a silent auction, wine and cheese reception, vendors, and a banquet dinner with live cowboy music from Eric Gorsuch.

Adding to the excitement Saturday, Nov. 6, will be the Ranch Horse Select Sale produced by XIT Western Productions, who says 35 high quality ranch horses will be ready to be your next partner. Sale preview will take place during the wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, and the sale is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.

Consignor check-in and vet checks will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4, beginning at 8 a.m.. Horses can then begin moving into their stalls and can be ridden during the open riding that evening from 4-7 p.m.

More online: http://bit.ly/09awcrh

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

When pairing a horse with a rider, consider several factors that can help ensure the rider’s safety as well as the horse’s well-being.

In previous columns, we’ve looked at the planned use of the horse. If you are looking for a good-minded trail horse, finding a horse that has been used in that capacity would be your best bet. We’ve also explored the ability of the rider and the amount of training the prospective horse has had. Again, if the rider is green, the horse needs to be well-seasoned, and if the horse is green, the rider needs to be more experienced. Also, lifestyle plays an important role. If a demanding career or family require most of your time, purchasing a young horse to start is not optimum for either you or the horse.

But, there is another factor of equal importance to the longevity of your horse’s riding career: the weight of the rider.

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour suggests that the rider should weigh less than 15 percent of their horse’s body weight. You can have a conversation with your vet; I have spoken to many. I have found that, as a general rule, the most commonly offered advice is that the combined weight of the rider and saddle should not exceed 15-20 percent of the horse’s body weight. This means if a horse weighs 1,000 pounds, the combined weight of the rider and saddle should not exceed 150–200 pounds. If your saddle weighs 40 pounds, then the weight of the rider should not exceed 110–160 pounds. Again, this is a generality. When I lean more toward the 15 percent body weight of rider and tack, factors that I take into consideration are the horse’s age, intended use, and overall soundness and well-being of the horse.

The horse’s reaction when asked to carry weight above their physical ability varies depending on the temperament of the horse. I’ve witnessed an obvious swaying of the horse’s back, losing their balance under the rider once mounted, the horse splaying their legs underneath them in an attempt to stay upright, and bucking or bolting to rid themselves of the weight.

I understand that the horse’s health and well-being are at the forefront of the owner’s concerns. However, as evidenced every day, the path to injury is paved with good intentions.

Imagine that someone put a backpack on your shoulders that far outweighed your ability to carry it for any distance. It may cause you to fall backward, splay out your limbs to find your balance. You may lean forward into the trail only to find yourself stumbling, unable to right yourself until you eventually hit the ground.

Now, add to that the issue of balance. Try carrying a pack that pulls you to the left or the right. I’ve observed many riders that lean to one side or the other, unaware of their imbalance. When brought to their attention, unfortunately, the saddle is unduly blamed or perhaps the cinch isnt tight enough. The stirrups of the saddle are intended to rest the foot lightly. When riders depend on their feet for balance instead of their seat, they press with their strong or favored leg and foot into the stirrup, causing their saddle to shift, regardless of how tight the cinch has been fastened. Imagine the soreness and misalignment that would cause your body over a period of time. Additionally, what if the backpack didn’t fit properly? It still carried the same amount of weight, but was too small or too large for your back. Feeling a bit uncomfortable? So is your horse.

Weighing the proper weight for your horse, having a good-fitting saddle and mounting properly can save your horse’s back.

To protect your horse’s withers, use a mounting block. Hold onto the mane with your left hand while you insert your left toe into the stirrup. This is not an upper body pull, it is a lower body push. Push up off your right leg to elevate yourself enough to clear the cantle as your throw your right leg over your horse’s back and lower yourself nice and polite into the saddle

When you get on, sit in the “pocket” of the saddle, not on the cantle. Two fingers should fit between the swells of the saddle and your leg. If you can fit your entire hand, the saddle is too big. If you can’t fit a finger, the saddle is too small. It’s better to have a slightly bigger fit than too tight.

Owners openly express their aversion to particular bits or disciplines due to a perceived risk of injury. However, weight remains a sensitive subject.

How do you weigh in?

–Sheryl