Fighting the Bit

Written by Dr. Jim & Lynda McCall Courtesy of America’s Horse Daily

Help your young horse learn to accept – and respond to – the bit

The Problem
I have been riding my 2-year-old gelding for about three months, but I still can’t seem to get him responsive to the bit. I had his wolf teeth removed before placing the bit in his mouth, so I’m sure that isn’t the problem.

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Did You Know? - Courtesy of America’s Horse Daily

Who figured out how to use an ultrasound in mares? How long have ranchers looked for safer fencing? The Journal staff dug up some unique stories and facts behind some of the everyday items in our American Quarter Horse world, and we thought you’d like to hear them.

Quick-Change Stirrups
The next time you step into your western stirrup, take a peek under the fender and see how it adjusts. Chances are there’s a Blevins’ Quick-Change Buckle there (or a copy of it). Have you ever wondered where it came from?

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Miss Callie Cat Gets the Call

The cattle were tough, but Miss Callie Cat and Junie Wood were tougher.

Miss Callie Cat and Tarin Ricedrew last to work in the first set of the NCHA Derby Finals, on Saturday, August 2, and marked the winning score of 224 points. Junie Wood, under John Mitchell, the first to work in the 22-horse horse finals, scored 220 points for reserve.

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Lane Ranch and Company Shines Bright on the Silver Screen

For most ranchers the day begins early, goes late and revolves around managing stock animals. For George Lane, his wife Charlene and adult son Justin, the whole endeavor is a bit more star-studded. You’ve very likely seen their work in a variety of places without ever knowing it. Those horses galloping alongside cars in a salt flat for a Firestone tires commercial aren’t the result of computer graphics. They are the liberty horses of Lane Ranch and they really did gallop along with those cars for the commercial.

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Practice, Patience, and Planning Take Four Young Riders to World Show Finals

Each year young riders spend countless hours at the barn preparing, weekends competing, and late nights staying on top of classroom studies to make their way to the American Quarter Horse Association Youth World Show. The Pacific Coast region is no stranger to talented young competitors. This year’s event held once again in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma August first through the ninth saw several young women reach great heights in the world finals.

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Watch Out for These Red Flags When Buying a Home

Oh, those crafty sellers, disguising the deferred maintenance of their homes! We’re not saying they’ll lie, but if they can get away with selling the house and not having to spend thousands of dollars on a moldy basement re-do?

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Fitting the Sale Horse: It Pays to Prepare

Horses consigned to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales in Reno, Nev., are in one of the most important competitions of their lives, as they try to win a buyer willing to pay their maximum value. When sifting through hundreds of sale horses, a savvy shopper looks closely at conformation and pedigree. Those two qualities influence buyers to raise their hands at the auction, but to command top dollar, a horse must also look like a champion.

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NSBA Hosts Largest World Show To Date

NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity See Big Increase in Participation
The 2014 NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity, held August 9-17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the largest show the association has held to date, with a 19 percent increase in stalls and an increase of 600 entries over last year, a 17 percent increase.

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NRHA Futurity Reminders & Move-In Info

As the summer nears its end, anticipation is building for this year’s National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Okla. This year’s event is scheduled to start one day later and includes a new Level 1 Open Rider Challenge. Below are a few reminders and updates to consider when making plans for this year’s event.

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Entries Still Accepted for Congress Sale & Appaloosa World Sale!

Mike Jennings of Professional Horse Services, LLC, announces “We are still accepting entries for two major show horse auctions, the Congress Super Sale & Appaloosa World Sale. You can offer your horses to the top owners and exhibitors in the industry because they are held in conjunction with the top shows in the business.” Entries will be accepted into early September.

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