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

From Horsetrader sales staff

Cooler temperatures will be falling on us in autumn, but horse sales will be heating up!

On Sept. 18, the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Sales will fill the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center for three sales: the 2021 Performance & Ranch Horse Sale, the 2021 Select Weanlings, Yearlings & Broodmares Sale, and the 2021 2-year-old Select Sale. Check the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity website (renosnafflebitfuruity.com) to see the catalog, when available. The event, managed by Parnell Dickinson, last year had average sales averages of $9957 (2-year-old Select Sale), $8,000 (Performance and Ranch Horse Sale) and $9,838 (Select Yearling & Broodmare Sale), respectively. For more info, see the ad on the back cover of this issue!

Another exciting horse sale on this fall’s calendar is the Nov. 6 West Coast Ranch Horse Rendezvous Sale at the beautiful Tucalota Creek Ranch. Managed by XIT Western Productions, this sale will bring 35 head of high-quality ranch horses that “are ready to be your next partner.” The sale will specialize in horses that are show-ready or are great ranch horse prospects. There is a consignor application process and a selection committee to ensure only the cream of the crop are offered. The sale will take place alongside a series of events over the 2021 WCRH Rendezvous weekend Nov. 4-7. As for the show, the WCRH Rendezvous will include ranch horse clinics with Sami Hernandez, Cowley Performance Horses and others, a two-day ranch horse show, ranch horse futurities, a silent auction, wine and cheese reception, vendors, and a banquet dinner with live cowboy music from Eric Gorsuch. There will be a saddle awarded to the Top Hand of the weekend, division buckles, trophy knives, trophy stirrups and more! The sale preview will be held with the wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, and the sale will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Those interested in consigning to the sale can participate in an application process and can learn more via the WCRH website (westcoastranchhorse.com). All horses will come with vet exams in order to provide the buyers with the confidence that they deserve in buying any of the quality horses offered. Consignors are encouraged to enter their horses in the events in the ranch horse show, especially those that qualify for Friday’s futurity. Consignor check-in and vet checks will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4 starting at 8 a.m. Horses will then begin moving into their stalls, and the horses can be ridden during the open riding that evening from 4-7 p.m. Online bidding will be available through XIT Western Productions website (www.xitwesternproductions.com).

We love and appreciate our stores — for more than 40 years, they have devoted space in their store for California Horsetrader magazine! We also lift up in appreciation our store advertisers who trust and support us! Thank you Inland Vet Supply (Temecula and Norco… ad on page 2), Tony’s Hay and Grain (Norco… ad on page 31) and The Shoein Shop (Yucaipa…ad on page 34 and online at theshoeinshop.com).

How about a new John Deere Gator? Another loyal advertiser in California Horsetrader magazine, our friends at Farnam, has been keeping horses healthy and happy since the company was founded in 1946. In honor of the trusted partnerships that have united Farnam and the equine community across the decades, the company is marking its diamond anniversary with a special event for its loyal customers.

Now through Dec. 31, 2021, horse owners are invited to enter Farnam’s 75th Anniversary Giveaway. Front and center is the Grand Prize, a 2021 Farnam-branded John Deere® Gator® XUV835M (approximate retail value, $18,000), loaded with $1,000 worth of Farnam® products including supplements, fly control, hoof care and grooming. In addition, there will be 10 First Prizes featuring $75 worth of popular Farnam® products in a handy five-gallon bucket.

Only one entry is allowed per person. You must be a horse owner and legal U.S. resident of one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia and 18 or older as of Aug. 9, 2021 with a valid driver’s license to enter. Please visit farnam.com/75-giveaway for complete rules. See Farnam’s ads this issue on pages 3, 17, 27 and 39.

Round up your posse, lace up your sneakers or saddle up your horse, and come out for the 15th annual Ride & Stride at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos on Sunday, Oct. 17. Organized by the Horse Heritage Conservancy and Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association, the event encourages the “two-legged” contingent to join in and bring their other Best Friend to stride this three-mile loop through the valley. Participation in this event helps the Horse Park, a rare gem in the heart of the Twin Oaks Valley. Come celebrate this unique park and its trail connectivity. All contributions collected are fully tax deductible and support this public facility which is used for so much, including equestrian events, trail staging and emergency evacuation. The Ride and Stride promotes the rich cultural history of San Marcos and the importance of preserving a rural and equestrian presence within the community. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Visit helpthehorsepark.org for more information and registration forms.