Unleash the Spirit of Western Horsemanship

I recently experienced one of the most memorable moments in my life. It was an almost indescribable mixture of sheer joy, thankfulness, relief, and surprise when my horse and I finally marked a 70 in a reining run. I’d be a wealthy woman indeed if I could bottle that feeling; one lightning rod capturing five years of training in a series of reining runs gradually building to that single achievement. And no, I’m not talking about doing this on a Futurity horse or an expensively bred reiner but on a 17-year-old family pet that came into reining training as an 11-year-old. And here’s where is all started.

In this Q&A Clarice Cooper explains about artificial insemination and how importing semen from abroad can open up a wealth of champion bloodlines. What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination?

Julie Goodnight tells us how to keep our horses in check when riding on the trail.

Does your horse like to look around when out on the trail? That’s fine but if this turns into disobedience to your aids, then you have a problem. An obedient horse will be focused straight ahead and will go in the direction you ask at the speed you dictate without constant direction from you.

Using his programme for months five to eight of training a young western horse, Patrick Hopgood adds refinement to some basic manoeuvres applicable in all disciplines.

MONTHS 5-8 OBJECTIVES

• To stop from any one of the three 'stop' cues
• To lock into a turnaround and turn unaided
• To collect by breaking more at the pole than withers while circling
• To counter canter at least two large circles on each rein
• To be able to move the hip softly in both directions at a walk

Ranch sorting is heading towards being a specialist discipline all of its own. Not surprising given that this team event showcases horse and rider working on a knife-edge between success and failure, and it can be quite a spectacle.

AQHA Professional Horsewoman Robin Gollehon gives the low down on selecting a western pleasure prospect.

The modern western pleasure horse must be balanced, attractive and very athletic looking. A steeper slope to his shoulder will make him less ground covering and will allow his neck to come out of his body leveller. A strong top line with withers higher than the hip will give him more balance when in motion. The angle of his shoulder will also help him to swing his legs from the top line, rather than bending at the knee, and the knee should be low to the ground.