A look back at the year’s Horsetrader highlights

From Horsetrader staff

Faster than a speeding bullet, 2024 is approaching its end. Here’s is a look back at a year’s worth of Horsetrader headlines (and some links to entire articles if you missed them the first time!)

Holiday gift-giving starts with local stores and barns!

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Horse people find the best holiday gifts not on Amazon but at your local feed and tack stores — and even your training barn!

When dealing with bad behavior, consider all possible factors

By Sheryl Lynde / Horsetrader columnist

“No-go” is a common complaint. The behavior ranges from slow walking — always lagging behind others in a group — to breaking gait once asked to transition to a trot or lope. The most extreme defiance is refusing to move forward altogether, or flying backwards once urged with leg. The more extreme refusals could culminate into rearing or bucking once coerced to move their feet.

By Daniel H. Grove, DVM

Horses are extremely good at dealing with a drop in temperature. I have driven through snow-filled states in temperatures in the teens and watched horses happily walking through the snow without a care in the world, no shivering or any other sign of a low body temperature. I have been in Southern California when it was 50° F out and I have full-grown adult mares coming into the barn to be palpated—and they were shivering like no tomorrow. What is the difference? Mostly, human management! Yes, there are certain circumstances where an individual may not be capable of proper thermoregulation without human interference, but by and large, with a little help, they can usually do it very well on their own.

WCRH celebrates Ranch Horse; 5th Annual ‘Rendezvous’ best yet

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Fifth Annual West Coast Ranch Horse Ranch Horse Rendezvous, held Oct. 10-13 at the California Ranch Company, was well-attended by seasoned ranch horse exhibitors and newcomers alike.

The four-day ranch horse extravaganza featured an array of clinics, futurities, maturities, weekend show, a catered dinner and live entertainment.

Region 7, CDS Championships enliven LAEC

Special to the Horsetrader

BURBANK — As the sun set on the Great American Insurance Group / USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and the 57th Annual California Dressage Society State Championship Show Sept. 26-29 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, memorable experiences traveled home with USDF and CDS members across the state and beyond.

One horse, two friends and champions

Two USDF champions are connected by a special horse, and on Sunday they shared the honor round for the Great American/USDF Region 7 Intermediaire 1 Adult Amateur Championship, with Champion Susan Walker on her own Don Amour N, a 10-year-old, 17 hand bay Oldenburg gelding, and Reserve Champion Kristina Huff on her own Winzer 207, an 18-year-old, 17.2 hand bay Hanoverian gelding.

Fred DeBoer Friesian Estate Carriage Auction is Nov. 16

From the Horsetrader sales staff

The immaculate carriage collection of Fred De Boer Royal Friesians will be at auction Saturday, Nov. 16. A dispersal of coaches, carriages, harness, livery and stable equipment will take place in an online and live auction in Tulare managed by Martin Auctioneers, in conjunction with the Martella & Black Auction Company of Hanford. An estate preview is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on auction day, with auction start time at 11. Absentee and phone bids will be accepted.

These keys open doors to equine-inclusive communities

By Danielle Bolte / courtesy elcr.org

Horses bring many benefits to our local communities — including economic, ecological, and aesthetic — and they enhance our general health and well-being. Plus, horses can be local economic drivers; according to the American Horse Council 2005 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry Study, the equine industry accounted for 460,000 full-time jobs with an annual impact of $39 billion annually to our economy, generating $1.9 billion in taxes.

SCRCHA wraps up 2024 season with September Classic

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The September Classic was the last show of 2024 for Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association. Soaring temperatures did not deter the hardy competitors from vying for the year-end points and coveted Doug Williamson Memorial Buckle, sponsored by Molly’s Custom Silver. The start time was moved up by an hour in an effort to save the horses and competitors from the heat.

Tina Lattanzio aboard her own Smooth Moves won both the Open and Non Pro Cutting, with Craig Cowley aboard Peppys Autumn Cat coming in second in Open Cutting.

San Marcos horse group introduces new parks head to equestrian community

From Horsetrader staff reports

SAN MARCOS — It was a postcard-perfect afternoon on Sept. 23 at Walnut Grove Equestrian Center — excellent for introducing the facility and its supporters to Mark Olson, who became Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of San Marcos last January. Patty Morton, President of the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association, along with other board members, led Mark on a tour of the grounds. The walk-and-talk ended in a meeting hall where additional local equestrians engaged in a town hall meeting that included a Powerpoint presentation on TOVEA, some area equestrian history, and the value of an equestrian lifestyle in a community. They also invited him to the Horse Heritage Festival and the 18th Annual Ride & Stride fund-raiser Oct. 20 at the park.