Iconic Cowboy musician Ian Tyson passes

If you are a fan of Cowboy music then you know by now that Ian Tyson passed away yesterday. Born in September 193, Ian was 89 when he passed on 29 December 2022 on his ranch in Longview, Alberta Province, Canada. As my wife and I would may trips to horse events, more often than not one of his music CD's would be playing in the truck. His music and persona will live on as long as there is one Cowboy left. I am included my favorite song of his in the music video below....it would be nice if the news of his passing, sad as it is, prompted a resurgence of his music.

The Season for Giving - Supporting our own in need

I think everyone believes that Christmas is the season for giving. We can give in many ways - prayers, time, attention and of course, money. There are several people from our community, and I mean the community of the horse, that are in need. The latest tragedy happened to Josh & Anna Meyers of Meyers Silver, and their two young children.

The Art of the Cowgirl Facebook page posted the following yesterday:

Tragedy struck the Western Arts Community. There are multiple personal auctions going around to help this sweet family, and we plan on hosting our own in the upcoming days. Below is more information on how you can help the Meyer's in their time of need.

As many of you may have learned today, Josh & Anna Meyers of Meyers Silver need our help. This past Saturday, December 17th, their home in northern California burned to the ground- losing everything. Praise God the four of them are safe and thankfully have wonderful neighbors allowing them a warm house to stay in for the time being.

Now is the time for our ranching and artist/maker community to come together and do what we do best- help others. I have been talking with Anna and she has given me permission to share her Venmo and Paypal. If you are able to help this family and dear friends of mine this Christmas season through monetary donation, it would mean the world.

Venmo: Anna-Allen-2
Paypal: horsecountry66@mac.com

Additionally, while there is not yet a group formed to support the Meyers, there will undoubtably be Makers and Artists in the Art of the Cowgirl and extended family that will be making/selling their creations to raise money for the Meyers. Emily McCartney, the creator of the this Facebook message and owner of Road Runner Gallery will be listing an auction item in support

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

The Art of the Cowgirl Event is held annually and this year from January 18-22, 2023, at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Tammy Pate, the better half of Curt Pate, founded this event to showcase women in the horse and related industry. Or as they say "showcase through an annual gathering that celebrates cowgirls and their artistic contributions to western lifestyle. And raising the necessary funds to support emerging artists in expanding their knowledge and skills via fellowships with master artists in their field." The Art of the Cowgirl hosts a trade show, women's ranch rodeo, horsemanship clinics and demonstrations, roping and cow dog competition, music, art and horse sale.

National Day of the Horse

I hope everyone enjoys and reflects on the National Day of Horse. These wonderful creatures that God gave us have meant so much to so many over the centuries. Horses have taken us into battle; tilled fields for crops; pulled wagons and carts; and many, many other tasks.

On average horses haven't been treated that well by humans. But those of us who have horses in our lives move that ledger more in the horse's favor. Really, all they want from us is a fair life....they give us so much more in return. And to quote an old saying "If there aren't any horses in Heaven, I don't think I want to go."

Cowboy Knives

I have often been asked where someone could obtain a sheath knife they see me carrying. And over the years I sent a few local people to my knife maker. Unfortunately, he passed away a couple years ago. Since then I have referred people to several other makers or sites who carry custom maker's knives.

However, recently I found a company who makes really nice Damascus knives of the style I like. I bought a couple of them earlier this year and have used them to cut hay twine, rope, boxes, plastic buckets and scrap salt blocks. They held up well, although I am not testing them like you see on the television program 'Forged in Fire' where they beat knifes in car hoods and cow skulls. I have yet to ever have to do that with a knife. But I did think highly of these knives to buy a couple more and put them on the prize table for the Arena Challenge I ran a couple months ago.

Recently I obtained several more of them and will offer them through this site. I have added a coule to the store. These are not custom made knives. They are production knives and that is why I can offer them at so affordable a price. Anyone who has any questions on these knives can contact me at: brad@functionalhorsemanship.com

Update:  These knives are now added to the store, click here to go to the store.

Each knife will cost $60.00 plus shipping 

Both knives are of the same design, but I have two options on the handle. These are of a full tang design with 7 inch fixed blade having a blade cutting length of 3 inches and a thickness of 1/8 inch. One has Cattle Bone scales (handle) with a fiber liner (see top photo). The other knife has stabilized Indian Rosewood scales with a fiber liner (see bottom photo).

Both come with 45 degree canted sheaths that are reversible for right hand or left hand draw. This design has a finger choil which is handy keeping it positioned in your hand even wearing gloves.  These knives sit low in the sheath like I like them and I braid a leather popper style tail for easier draw.

Correcting a Horse that Bites

Evelyn wrote to ask what can be done about a horse who bites. She explained that her horse likes to bend his head around sometimes and nip at her boots in the stirrups and she did not do anything but move her feet backwardsso he couldn't reach it. Then she said she was grooming her horse and reaching for a brush hanging up when her horse nipped her arm. Didn't break the skin but she said it hurt. She wanted to know if biting is a thing that escalates and what to do about it.

The bottom line is that if a horse puts his teeth on you, or does any other bad habit, and there are no consequences then yes, it will likely escalate. Its pretty common for many people to accept a horse putting their muzzle or lips on our hands or arms. We think thats cute and we get comfort from the horse displaying what seems like a level of comfort all their own. They get this way because we don't correct them violating our space and/or we help that along by feeding them treats by hand and they get to looking for them. But they get too comfortable doing this, moving their lips back and forth on our hand or arm, then the next thing you know they are placing their teeth on you. Again, I think some of this comes from feeding by hand, although I think a horse can sort out when you offering them a treat by hand and when you are not.

If one of my horses or a client's horse if putting his head too close to me, I'll just gently push him way. I may have to do it a couple times, but the horse will get the message...for a short while.....then you'll likely have to correct him again. But if a horse has a habit of moving his head to me, to put his mouth on my hand or my arm, I'll set it up so he bumps into my hand or arm. I'm actually bumping him with my hand or arm, but only having to move it a couple inches, so it seems to the horse that he bumped into my hand or arm.

It's been a long time since I've had a horse bend his head around and nip at my boot when I'm in the saddle. It may be a situation where the horse is uncomfortable, like you have him cinched up really tight, but maybe more likely you stopped and the horse is just bored. If he is bending to put his lips or teeth on my boot, I'll time it so when his mouth is an inch or two from my boot, I'll move my foot forward and make contact with him, in effect bumping into him, but the idea is for the horse to think he caused that contact.

I have a new horse right now (he's the one in the photo top right) and several weeks ago I was cleaning his stock tank and he has a practice where he'll come over the put his nose under my arm, or rub my arm or hand with his lips. He's just comfortable and curious, so I don't treat this like a federal crime, I just gently push him away. However, the other day he put his teeth on my arm so I reacted quickly bumping my arm into his mouth and yelling at him. He startled, turned quickly and moved away. The idea here is that for the first 2 or 3 seconds after the horse put his teeth on you, you react and the horse thinks you are trying to kill him. Your reaction has to be immediate and very short lived, a couple seconds. Again, this cannot be a delayed response otherwise the horse will not connect what he did (teeth on you) to your reaction. And to be clear, you are scaring him not whacking on him. Let him be for just a bit then you can approach, touch him and walk away.

In the case of this new horse, once I reacted like I did and he quickly moved away, he then stopped, turn and faced up about 20 feet away. I gave him 10 seconds or so, then I walked up to him and rubbed him on his head, then went back to cleaning the stock tank. I have since cleaned the stock tank a few times, and he'll come over and stand by me but has not yet put his lips on my arm or hand. It's likely it'll happen again in the short future, but generally after this he won't have that habit again.

I am not saying that you can only have a business type or strict relationship with your horse(s). I am not saying you cannot feed your horses by hand. I do, and in fact I feed them treats, a piece of an apple or carrot, by hand quite a bit. You can do so in moderation and in such a manner not to create a spoiled horse. I also rub on my horses a lot. I rub my face on their noses quite a bit as well. I have come to believe that I do this more for myself than for them, but in any extent, you have to set some boundaries. Horses are smart, they can sort the rules out, you just have to be clear and fair.

2022 8th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge Results

The 8th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge concluded on 1 October 2022 with ths year's event saw 25 riders competing across the four competitive divisions of Stockhorse, Open, Intermediate and Novice. This year's event also probably saw the highest level of horsemanship demonstrated as a group.

This event was not an obstacle challenge but evaluation of the horse and rider through a series of tasks, usually 12-15, commesurate with their competitive divisions. Since I design the courses, the things I asks the rider and horse to do are pretty much designed on what I consider important, hat I try get sorted out on my horses.... control of the front and back end (8 foot turn around box and switch back pole bending for example) and responsiveness (lead departures, leg yields for example). The judges are also evaluating softness.  Photo above right is Don Carpenter, who won last year's Stockhorse Division.  Don is a retired rancher from Arizona and competes in Team Roping and day works on a couple local ranches.  

In this year's Stockhorse Division, I placed four roping dummies inside a circle. The riders were required to through a head or heel loop on the dummy depending upon the color of the roping dummy staying outside the circle. The dummies were placed to make the required shot a little bit difficult. This was the best we could do to replicate roping calves out of a rodear. Photo above is Debby Hale from Deer Lake, TX, who the Stockhorse Division, on the basis of her strong showing in the roping and flag work. She was a past winner of the Horsemanship Award and finished second in this year voting. Debby competes in Team Roping and Ranch Sorting events. 

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to host a Challenge this year, so I started late advertising and rounding up support, but several of the usual supporters came through. Tom and Valerie Buchino of Covenant Special Projects donated $200 gift card for the Stockhorse winner and a $100 dinner card for the Open winner. Animal Health International provided items for prizes as well as bulk items as a donation to Perfect Harmony Horse Rescue. Tractor Supply gave three nice prize package, and Eclectic Horseman provided magazines for the rider's bags.

Growth of a horse and rider in many ways come from taking them out of their comfort zone and asking them to do things they may not have done before. Over the years asking riders to back in a serpentine or circle, ide pass over L shaped ground poles, dismount and back their horse on a soft feel, or blindfold their horse and lead him out a gate along with more common tasks have pushed competitors to work on these things in prep for the next year's challenge which increase the riders and their horse's communication. That's kinda the goal    of the whole thing. Photo above is Celeste Hudgens (left) from Santa Teresa, New Mexico won the Open Division. This was her first year competing in this event, however she competes in AQHA, Reining and EXCA events throughout the year.

After the competition, while the riders ate a lunch of brisket tacos, tamales, rice, beans, nachos and desserts provided by my wife, and my niece and her significant other who came in from Phoenix to help, we tallied up the scores as the results were: Stockhorse winner - Debby Hale - Deer Lake, TX; Open winner - Celeste Hudgens, Santa Teresa, NM; Intermediate winner - Paola Talamas; and Novice winner - Mark Schleicher, Carr, Co. Paola also won the Horsemanship Award voted on by the competitors and judges on who best exemplified the best attributes of horsemanship. Photo above is Paola Talamas shown warming up in the round pen. She won the Intermediate Division. She also won the Horsemanship Award, riding a young horse in a snaffle bit.

Sometimes a span of 4 or 5 points separated several riders, but the 2nd through 6th in each Division included: Stockhorse - Don Carpenter, Erin Weich, Celeste Hudgens, Jessica Bailey and Mark Schleicher. Open - Robin Lackey, Eric Weich and Donna Diller; Intermediate - James Utterback, Nikol Endres, Kay Lee, Jessica Bailey and Marianne Bailey. Novice - Dan Bailey, Edith Deleski, Brittany Sanchez and Maryhelen Short. Photo is Mark Schleicher from Carr, Colorado shown in the turn around box. He rode in Stockhorse and Novice, winning the Novice. His horse, Tucker a BLM Mustang just recovered from a 9 month layoff after foundering.

A special thank you to Sara Tyree, guest judge and Vicki Maly who also helped judge the Intermediate and Novice divisions. Both have been mainstays in this annual event. Vicki and Kathy McDaniel also provided desserts. By the time I got to the desert table it was slim pickens. I'll have to fix that next year.

8th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge

Our annual Arena Challenge, the 8th year in a row, will be held 1 October 2022. I think this event is a little unique in the horse competition world for non-Pro riders as I try to blend different facets of multiple discilplines into an event where Cowboys, Dressage riders, Eventers, Team Ropers, Trail riders and Barrel Racers can compete on an even playing field.


It can be challenging for a working cowboy to have to cross an arena on a leg yield or move their horse on a shoulders in manuever. Likewise difficult when a Dressage competitor has to draw a slicker off the fence and put in on, or, open and close a gate. Some may find a 8 foot turn around box hard to do on their horse with forward momentum, and yet others crossing a long narrow bridge difficult. A canter departure on a given lead will be easy for some, while others may find backing their horse in a circle or a serpentine is something they may need to practice. My objective in this annual event, other than to have a safe event, is to promote horsemanship and the desire to increase one's knowledge and abilities. I use some the same tasks over several years in a row to stress certain performance. One year the rider's were required to dismount, stand in a box and back their horses using just a feel on their reins or get down rope, then drop their reins/lead and walk away to demonstrate their horse ground tying. The next year the same was required and an observer could see who worked on it and who did not. Another task was draping a towel over their horse's head and leading their horse blindfolded, such as taking a horse through the smoke of a fire or out of a burning barn. Each year that goes by we can see more and more riders perform some of these tasks.

Additionally, the focus on horsemanship is paramount. I try to design each competitive division course as safely doable yet challenge the horse and rider. Each course is a combination of basic, intermediate or advanced maneuvers and obstacles as appropriate to the competitive division. Common maneuvers and obstacles that have been used in the past and may be used this year include: turn on the hocks; turn on the forehand; backing straight; backing in a serpentine; backing in an L shape; backing in a circle; trot through serpentine cones, move bending through vertical poles; crossing a bridge; trot around a short cricle using the garrocha pole; go through a cowboy curtain; retrieve ball from bucket and place on cone; open/close a gate; cross a tarp; retrieve and put on a slicker; dismount/remount; ground tying; backing a horse in hand; trailer loading; crossing ground poles; leg yield; shoulders in; transition from slow walk to fast walk; transition from slow trot to faster trot; canter departures on designated lead; simple lead changes; walk to trot transitions; trot departure to a canter transition; side passing straight; side passing in L shape; and side passing with front feet on platform; and blind fold horse and lead on ground to name some of the tasks that a competitor may see.
br> In the Stockhorse division rider’s will be required to throw several loops on roping dummies and perform other roping and ranch horse related tasks. Most rider's in this division can throw head shots and heel trap loops - it's their stock in trade for Cowboys and Team Ropers. But I'll ask them to something different like throwing a loop to their off side and pivot their horse underneath the loop fcing up on the roping dummy. Stockhorse competitors may also have work their horses on a Pro Cutter flag; Drag a heavy log; throw a loop around a barrel and trot around the barrel feeding out their slack and wrapping it around the barrel; and, trailer load their horse.

In the lead up to the Arena Challenge, I'll put on several weekend clinics for registered competitors. These clinics are not practice for the Challenge, but are really problem solving sessions, working on getting horses softer and handier.

We are thankful for the great support in the past from many companies. Noteable supporters for last year's Arena Challenge includes Cashel Company, Covenant Special Projects, and Tractor Supply Company. When the awards ceremony has ended everyone has been fed lunch and collected awards and prizes, I'd like to think that each and every competitor had their fun meter pegged and believes they got thier time and moneys worth.

To saddle a tied horse or not?

Garrett asked me "if it's a good idea or bad idea to tie up        horses when saddling them, and if I tie them do I suggest hard tying them or use one of my Functional Tie Rings?" I can't remember the last time when I saddled a horse hard tied to a       tie rail or D ring on outside of a trailer. Having horses tied     when saddling is useful as some horses, especially younger horses will move their back ends around and having the horse secured makes it easier to put them back into position.    Sometimes I have just looped the lead rope over a tie rail, but most of the time I just use my Functional Tie Rings, because      it's easy and safe for me and the horse if he pulls back. But I       do not tie horses if they do not have an understanding of    yielding to pressure.

You never see a good hand saddle a colt for the first few times having tied that horse up. And I know old cowboys who never tie a horse when saddling. You have to be pretty sure about that horse staying ground tied to do that, especially when in a pasture where that horse could spook and bolt. In fact, one of my buddy's had a young Arab, he was putting miles on to eventually ride him in endurance races, and his horse spooked while saddling without being tied. That Arab took off and it took my friend a half a day to catch that horse.

The horse in the photo at top right, Hays, is fairly new having just been on the ranch for the past 7 weeks. I'll be writing more on him in the coming months but when I got him he did not give to pressure, instead pulling back and rearing up when he felt the pressure of the halter on his poll. I was warned that he did not trailer well, and he did pull back and rear when I tried to lead him into the trailer the first time. I worked him for a few minutes on giving to pressure and got him to step into the trailer. After a 10 hour trailer ride home, the first thing I did when I unloaded him was work with him for a short time, handling his feet and trying to give him a beginning understanding of giving to pressure. Again, all horses have to have that understanding before you tie them, with or without any type of tie ring.

In the photo you see the lead rope laying on the ground and Hays is ground tying well. However, this is a temporary position. I tell riders in my clinics to consider this a neutral position like the gear shift in your car. The horse learns neutral, when there is no pressure or no feel on his lead or reins, and learns that this is a rest position for him. In my ground work as I try to give the horse an understanding of feel in the lead rope and connect that lead rope to his feet, I'll get the horse to move his feet based on that feel which he sorts out from the different angles. I get the horse to back up on the feel and when he is good with that, and comes forward on feel, then he can understand the lack of feel, or the neutral position, and stayed ground tied.

Once a horse backs up really well on the feel of the lead, you can let him back up until the lead rope goes taunt which increases pressure on the poll, and once the horse is good about giving to pressure, he'll stop backing and shift his weight forward or take a step forward to alleviate that pressure - now he is giving to pressure and can be tied. On Hays, I have been saddling him without tying him just to give him more experience in staying ground tied, because as he becomes good at this he'll also be good at understanding the feel of the lead rope or reins from the different angles I present to him to direct his feet.

I suggest in the beginning try grooming a horse or picking up his feet while holding onto the lead line, either in your hand or the end in the crook on your arm. Much like you would do when working with a horse to get comfortable with picking his feet up in the beginning. You'll get better about moving around and managing the lead rope so it doesn't wrap around your or the horse's legs, so you can later saddle him by holding onto the lead as a fail safe.

But all horse's need to be able to be tied (as well as stand ground tied). If I'm using a Functional Tie Ring and I have to leave the immediate area, I'll put a half hitch in the open end of the lead, just to ensure he doesn't walk off when I'm gone. I have seen many riders attending the clinics that won't leave their horse' tied. Some will say he just doesn't tie well. When I suggest we work on that, often I'll be told that their horse just doesn't like being tied. Well, horses are predisposed to not like a lot of things we do with them until we present it in a way they can understand.  If hey never get a release, then they can't begin to understand.  

Cold Weather Gloves

It may seem too close to Spring to talk about cold weather, but it snowed in West Texas yesterday and temperatures dipped to the mid 20's. Certainly balmy weather for Montanans but cold for the Southwest desert. And, also likely debilitating for people with previous cold injuries or arthritis which makes doing chores and riding in cold weather sometimes a  painful deal.

I have had frostbite on my hands and feet in my teens and for the past 50 years have struggled in cold weather. Add the onset of arthritis from hand and finger injuries over the years and I have motivation for finding good cold weather gloves and still give  the dexterity allowing handling tools, saddling horses and other routine chores.

Recently I stumbled upon Bear Knuckles Gloves, an Idaho based company that makes a variety of high quality leather gloves, lined and unlined, and even roughstock gloves and roping gloves.

I ordered a pair of the Thin, Fleece Lined, Water Resistant Cowhide Driver Gloves for less than $30. These gloves are the best lined gloves I have found, ever.  These gloves have gussets in the fingers that make bending your fingers and grabbing rope or straps much easier than conventional gloves.  I can ride in my mecate reins with these gloves.  I prefer thinner glove for riding, but I prefer feeling my hands more.  And they are water resistant. After getting them wet busting ice in stock tanks, my hands stayed dry. Leather tends to get stiff after getting wet, so I just applied a thin coat of saddle butter to them and they were good to go.

Maybe you are looking for a pair too.       

Can we understand how Horse's understand?

I've received several questions recently asking for any insight on how horse's think and understand - this wasn't the exact nature of the questions but sort of how I perceived them. I replied to each question in separate e-mails where while I really can't say for sure how horses understand, I think I have an evolving process on understanding of how horse's think.  I do subscribe that horses' have a reactive side and a thinking side to their brain.

We all understand that horses have a default to see threats until they determine that they are not threats, so it is useful to me to explain to some of my clients that we as handlers and riders are usually working to lengthen the thinking period before the reactive side turns on. But not always. I believe there are two components to the reactive side - one is instinctive as in self preservation, and the other a trained response built upon an understanding and many repetitions.

I think some of the misunderstanding we have about how horses understand is that we as humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize with horses. That big word means subscribe human traits to horses. I don't necessarily think it's a world ending bad habit. Sometimes that human trait to anthropomorphize may help us find empathy for the animal, but it can certainly get in the way of our communication and understanding of horses. And when gets in the way of communicating to a horse an understanding on what we are asking, we just don't make progress. Or worse, it could put our safety at risk.

I've heard more than one rider say something to the effect that "my horse is pretty mad at me right now, because he wants to be fed". This same rider will likely throw feed to that horse not being cognizant of the horse's behavior - ears pinned, head tossing, maybe pawing - and doesn't realize that the way they interact with the horse at feeding time just perpetuates that behavior.

No, I don't think the horse is mad at you. I could be wrong, but I don't think they have that emotion. I think they have fear and that fear can turn into a protective aggression. I've routinely seen riders in my clinics or events, or some other one's clinic, where the horses aren't simply broke to lead. When I point that out often the handler will tell me that "my horse is nervous or just doesn't like to stand still." Again, I could be wrong, but I don't think it's the 'disliking' of standing still. It's the anxiety that isn't quelled by a handler giving direction to that horse. In the absence of a leader the horse will make their own decisions......for their own preservation,....whether you're holding on to the lead rope or not.

And the all too common questions on 'can horses learn voice commands'? One person asked "how well do horse's understand voice commands? Are they closely related to how a dog understands voice commands?" I just don't know if a horse understands human verbal commands. I do think horses understand a cadence in a human's voice associated with our posture - this is really a type of pressure, so when a human is asking a horse to do something, that the horse reads pressure from our position relative to them and within the situation, or the totality of the circumstances, is what causes them to act.

An example would be if you taught a horse to break at the poll and drop his head. In the beginning we start with a hand on the horse's nose and the other hand on his poll and apply the lightest pressure while commanding "head down". I use the verbal command "head down" just a second before I apply that light pressure. In the beginning the horse may slowly move his head down. Release that light pressure and take it as the horse beginning to understand. Wait a few seconds, then begin again and repeat. In no time, the horse will be dropping his head on the voice command before you apply pressure on his nose or poll. So is the horse's learning a voice command? Or is he taking in your position and posture and associating your verbal command with pressure on his nose and poll? And accepting that as he gets a release from that pressure as he complies? I'll just bet if you said "Timbutku" rather than "head down" the horse will do the same thing as he taking in the situation and circumstances. I've entertained children like this, but standing next to the horses head and said "Are you a good horse?" and the horse obligingly drops his head as in confirmation.

Backing would be another example. In the beginning I stand at side of the horse, facing the direction the horse is facing and next to his head/neck, I will hold onto the lead rope as it ties into the rope halter, then using slight backward pressure and a side to side movement, give the voice command to back. At first I'm just looking for the horse to change his balance backwards then I release, rub on him, and do all over again. Very soon starting this process I'll be giving him a release as a foot begins to break off the ground moving backwards. I'll repeat this, each time giving the verbal command first, and taking backward pressure away on the lead rope, so the only feel the horse gets is the lead rope kind of 'waggling'. In very short order you are asking for two feet to move, build on that for more. You have to do so gradually and make you give him a release and a few moments to absorb the understanding. And before you know it, you can just use the verbal command and the horse will back. I don't think he is doing that because he understands the command "back". You position and posture likely has much to do with it. It all adds up to pressure.

New DVD - In the Snaffle Bit - Buck Brannaman

If you have followed Buck Brannaman over the years you'll know that he is about making good horses that can be ridden straight up in the bridle - that is in a spade bit and using romal reins. And to that end he has made several training DVD's, from ground work, to the snaffle bit, hackamore, two rein and finally in the spade bit. And while it can be intimidating even thinking about the day in and day out dedication over years to get a horse from the halter to the bridle, I don't think this training ladder is not an all or nothing thing.

Many people can find great functionality in riding a horse in the snaffle bit and/or the hackamore where the horse can be ridden one handed most of the time which of course is necessary to have a hand free to throw a loop, open gates, or work a flag while on horseback among many other things.

I don't have anything hanging up in my tack room or trailer that isn't either a snaffle bit or a rawhide hackamore anymore. On my own horses, I don't think I've ridden one in anything but a snaffle or hackamore in 15 years now. Although it wasn't always that way. It doesn't seem that long ago when I was chasing bits trying to find just that right bit that the horse responds to best, and I cringe when I think about how I was going about things back then. I wish this new DVD from Buck was available back then.

The good thing attending clinics, or watching DVD's is that they can shorten the learning curve. Some people are in a position where traveling to clinics just isn't possible and that's where the value in a good DVD comes in, not to mention that you can rewind and watch over and over.

The latest DVD from Buck Brannaman, almost 5 hours long, is a two DVD set that takes Buck working with several different horses in different stages in the snaffle showing what he expects from each horse in that stage. And this 2 DVD set covers many other things such as roping, dragging, hobble training and much more. I think this DVD set is likely the one most people cannot do without.

I'm a big fan of Eclectic Horseman magazine, so that's where I recommend picking up 'In the Snaffle Bit'. This is the link to EH and the DVD if you are interested - In the Snaffle, by Buck Brannaman.

Sedating a Horse for Trimming or Shoeing

Julia wrote to ask if I had any experience in sedating hard to handle horses for a farrier. She wrote "Have you ever had to sedate horses so they could be handled safely for the farrier to trim their hooves? My farrier tells me that he won't try again to trim my mare's hooves unless we approve of him sedating her. He said he has done this before several times and everything worked out well. My husband and I are not so sure, but she came to us from a neglect case and her hooves really need to be trimmed."

I replied to Julia by e-mail and this is what I sent her:

No, while I have not personally had any experience in sedating my horses to be trimmed, it did go on in a large public barn I ran years ago. I have also had horse owners give their horses medication, Prozac rings a bell, for a couple days before the horse shoer came. But I have no direct knowledge of this and I can't imagine trying that myself especially when working with the horse to get good about handling his feet in a traditional manner has farther reaching effects than just being able to trim his hooves.

I think it's pretty clear that it is the responsibility of the horse owner to ensure their horses are safe for the horse shoer to trim or shoe. And providing a safe work environment as well. Owners made need some help in getting your horse safe for the horse shoer to handle their feet, and some horse shoers will work with the owner on just how to make that horse good on having their feet handled, but they will need to ne compensated. I know several shoers who have fired clients because their horses were just not safe.

However, I'm also sure there are circumstances where sedating a horse just makes sense. Maybe like your case where you just took in the horse and immediate foot care is necessary. A fellow I knew to be a hay broker had bought a stud horse and two mare's thinking he would get those mare's bred and turn a profit. Not something you can just decide to do, but he wanted me to work with his stud horse. I went over to an old feed lot where he kept the horses. I saw a 8-10 year old stud horse whose that hooves were horrible and the horse appeared to have an abscess on his hip and was pretty lame. I told him I would not touch that horse until he got a Veterinarian over to look at the horse and told him he ought to also have a horse shoer come at the same time so the Vet sedates the horse for an exam he could trim the feet.

I believe some or most state's have regulations governing the non Veterinarian possession of drugs for sedating live stock. I would think some horse shoer's have the confidence of a Veterinarian to have one or two doses of sedation medications prescribed to them on a case by case basis. I really don't know as I have never had my horses except for Veterinarian procedures like teeth floating for biopsies on suspicious masses.

I did call a horse shoer I knew and while he does not sedate horses for shoeing, he say's he has known a few shoer's who have sedated horses and he mentioned that he knew of a case where a horse was sedated every 7-8 weeks for a few trims, then the horse became better on his own about having his feet handled.  He aid he guesses the horse just became accustomed to it.   I would not count on medications doing the job of a horse owner, but again in the short term, for the horse's health and safety relating to getting his feet in shape, and for the safety of the horse shoer, it may be the best option. And better yet if you could get a Vet out when your shoer is there to do it. Depending on your shoeing schedule, that would give you 6-8 weeks to get your horse good on having his feet handled.

Lastly, there are some calming feed through supplements available from reputable companies such as Platinum Performance and Smart Pak. I don't know how or if these work, but it seems like it would be a low cost, safe option for some. Hope this helps and please let me know how you progress.

2021 Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge Results

This past Saturday, 2 October 2021, we concluded the 7th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge here at the Red Bird and the results were Don Carpenter winning the Stockhorse division (photo of Don below and yes he is a big man capable of one man doctoring on Grizzlys); Robin Lackey winning the Open division; Jessica Bailey won the Intermediate division; and Nikol Endres won Novice.

I won't go into all the tasks and obstacles per competitive division, but in the Stockhorse Division rider's had to open and close a gate; track a Pro Cutter flag and perform roll backs, turn then show they could control the front end of the horse by cutting on the flag as if they were blocking a gate. There were four throws on roping dummies - the obligatory head and heel shots as well as off side head loop and facing up on orse back. I also had them build and throws loops while up against the arena fence to see how good their rope management was. The Stockhorse rider's had to throw a loop over a barrel and trot around the barrel feeding out their loop and coiling it around the barrelthe rider's had to trot forty feet dragging the log. Photo below of Lewis Martin tracking the Pro Cutter flag.

Gena Blankenship won the coveted Horsemanship Award. In addition to his plaque, ribbon and trip to the prize table, Don Carpenter received a $250 Starr Western Wear gift card donated by Tom and Valerie Buchino of Covenant Special Projects, and a custom Horseman's knife and sheath from Cow Camp Supply. Robin Lackey in addition to her plaque, ribbon and prize table trip, received a $50 gift card. Gena Blankenship also received a $50 gift card in addition to her Horsemanship statute (photo of Gena below).

Full results are: Stockhorse - Don Carpenter, Gena Blankenship, Erin Weich, LuAnne Santiago, Jesica Bailey, Travis Reed, Lewis Martin and Mark Schleicher. Open - Robin Lackey and LuAnne Santiago. Intermediate - Jessica Bailey, Gena Blankenship, Marianne Bailey, Eric Weich, Joyce Getrost and Kay Lee. Novice - Nikol Endres, Abigail Means, Mark Schleicher, Dan Bailey and Edith Deleski. And lastly, Dan Bailey won the best mustache contest, but only because Miss Bertha from Tularosa did not enter this year.

Special thanks to Tom and Valerie Buchino of Covenant Special Projects for their generosity in supporting the Stockhorse division and Sara Tyree for being the guest judge again this year. And last but not least thanks to the vendors who support this event - Cashel Company, Eclectic Horseman, Animal Health International and Tractor Supply Company.

US Border Patrol Del Rio Sector Horse Patrol Controversary

Occupying the news cycle these past several days  was the still photos and political commentary on Border Patrol agents of the Del Rio Sector horse patrol 'aggressively' confronting migrants, who are largely Haitian, and being accused of using whips, later amended to be split reins, on the illegal aliens   to drive them back across the Rio Grande river  which separates the United States from Mexico.    

This bothers me greatly, as I know hundreds of Border Patrol agents, who are largely over worked, under appreciated, and given a near impossible task  at securing the Southern border all while being handicapped by politicians.

CNN reported that an investigation was launched after video of Border Patrol agents on horse patrol confronting migrants surfaced earlier this week. Several top Biden administration officials as well as congressional Democrats have expressed outrage over the images, taken by Al Jazeera and Reuters, which appear (in their view) to show law enforcement officers on horseback, including authorities swinging long reins near migrants who crossed the border near Del Rio.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has temporarily suspended the use of horse patrol in the Del Rio Sector. DHS Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said he was "horrified" by the situation. Vice President Kamala Harris called the incident "horrible" and demanded a swift investigation. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) described the incident as "worse than what we witnessed in slavery." President Joe Biden even suggested retaliatory action against the mounted Border Patrol agents on Friday, promising they "will pay" for their actions. "It was horrible you saw. To see people treated like they did. Horses nearly running people over and people being strapped," Biden said at the White House. "It's outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. They will be investigated. There will be consequences," he declared.

C'mom Man, sounds like ignorant pre-judging to me.

Nevermind that the photographer who snapped the now-infamous images of mounted Border Patrol agents said this week that he "did not witness any abuse of migrants contrary to what Democrats and the media have claimed". An Associated Press journalist who captured the incident on video released that footage on Friday, confirming Border Patrol agents did not abuse the migrants. And lets be clear, these people who are described as "migrants", really are illegal aliens. That is the term codified by law, statute and policy. In fact, Secretary Mayorkas recently fired Chief Rodney Scott, the Chief of the US Border Patrol for refusing to change all terminology in paper, policy and practice, from "illegal aliens" to "migrants". Scott's point was - change the law and written policy and the US Border Patrol will comply as the agency is a non-political law enforcement agency that will follow the law. His position costs him his job.

Several facts are lost in the discussion and frankly the irresponsible and politically motivated rush to judgement accusing USBP Del Rio Sector Horse Patrol agents of abusive actions concerning their attempts to contain illegal immigration this past week.

The horse patrol agent is responsible for the safety of themselves, their horse and the subjects they are interacting with who are on the ground. The subjects on the ground are openly committing an immigration crime and defying the agents' lawful commands.

A subject on the ground can grab the reins between the horse's mouth and the rider's hands and pull the horse over injuring the horse and the agent. A 1200 lb horse falling and pining the agent can easily result in a broken leg, pelvis, back, neck or head injury. These are all common with a rider going to the ground on his horse. This is particularly a danger on uneven terrain such as the banks of the river, with video showing the large rocks presenting a further hazard, or the uneven ground of the river bed.

A subject grabbing the reins connected to a bit in the horse's mouth, can also result in an injury to the horse's mouth including a cut or severed tounge. A horse with a severed tongue can to be put down as it cannot be reattached and the horse needs the tounge to eat - pulling fed into the mouth by the front teeth and moving that feed to the back molars using the tongue. A cut tongue is not a rare injury to a horse and is usually caused by the rider's heavy pressure using the on the reins. I have seen 8 year old children do this and cutting a horse's tongue even using a snaffle bit. A subject pulling one of the split reins from a rider's hand can also result in a horse stepping on the reins, again connected to the metal bit in the horse's mouth, and result in a mouth injury.

Lastly, even a first year prosecutor would likely concede that an agent using the end of the split reins to whack a subject's attempt to grab the reins, breast collar, saddle or agent would be at the low end of the Force Continuum, and since the agent must retain control of the horse often using both hands, and resorting to a baton or taser is impractical and dangerous to the agent and horse. Using OC spray is even more problematic. Image being on the back of already agitated 1,200 lb horse who has the wind blown OC spray into his eyes or nose.

I have worked with several agents on their horsemanship and as a Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) on horseback for several years, I often trained with other horseback LEO's and we trained to never let a subject, especially a suspect, near a position where the reins can be grabbed. We practiced turns on the front end in order to use the horse's back end to push people away and this is common across all horseback LEO's in other agencies.

Can you safely lunging Bridled Horses?

Sylvia wrote to ask about "Is it proper to lunge a bridled horse? Or should you only a horse who has a halter or nothing on all on it's head?"

This is the response I sent her: Not to be smart aleck, but I don't where to find the rules on lunging a horse with head gear or not. Safety would be my first concern and it kinda depends what I'm lunging for, whether or not I'm free lunging or using a rope, what the experience of the horse is, and, whether or I am lunging in a round pen or not.

I am in the practice of usually free lunging any of my horses in a round pen before I ride him. I do this for several reasons: 1 - I believe it's good for the horse to warm up; 2 - I can see where his mind is and if he has any injuries or lameness; and 3 - because I'm in my sixties, and while you can't lunge the buck out of a horse, you can get the fresh off of him.

I pretty much exclusively use mecate reins, so I take the lead rope portion of the Mecate reins and put a clove hitch in it over the saddle horn before I free lunge the horse (see photo above). However, every once in a while the horse is pretty fresh and tossing his head while trotting or loping, the reins will flip over to one side of his head. You can actually look close and see the photo of the photo top right with the reins flipped over as the horse is trotting around the round pen. Usually not a problem, but every once in a while he or any horse can or will get it into the mind to race around, or be driven by some outside stimulus, like a county school bus going by and laying on the horn (true story), and I don't like having the reins messed up while he does so.

So in the past few years I have taken to tying a leather string around the reins and lead underneath his neck to keep them in place. (see photo above). I always carry an extra leather sting in a girth hitch on my rear saddle D ring as I had have use for that to make a repair on my or other rider's bridles or whatever needed fixing (see photo below).

Since I use Mecate's I automatically have a lead rope that can use to lunge the horse with as well. In the beginning when I am lunging a horse with a snaffle bit and mecate reins, I usually tie up the reins in the traditional manner so there is less room for the snaffle bit to go banging around the horse's mouth. As the horse's gains a understand it becomes more of a deal of putting a feel in a loose reins to send him, stop him or turn him, then I don't tie up the mecate reins, just twist loop the rein portion of the mecate over the horn while I lunge with the lead portion.

It would likely be the safest deal for the horse if you are free lunging him with headgear that the reins or lead rope are secured so it won't come loose and start dragging on the ground, not be loose enough so he can't step through it or step on it. I would not free lunge a horse with headgear unless you could stop him and draw him him to you in case there is a problem with the like this.

A Government Hostile to Ranching?

I am publicly apolitical to the greatest extent I can manage. But in the past I have written a little about Federal Government abuses of power when it comes to how an ignorant or even hostile bureaucracy treats cattle and other livestock ranchers. Such was the case with the Hages and the Hammonds, relatively unknown families in the horse industry. And now it seems the Government has it eyes set on Ace-Black Ranch which is run by Martin Black, a renowned horsemanship clinician, and his extended family.

But less than two months ago, 14 June 2021, five armed US Marshals and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agents with search warrants showed up unannounced to inspect their property on Bruneau river. The pristine Bruneau River runs through the ranch, and the Ace Black is one of the oldest in ranches in Idaho: “This has been in the family since 1875, different branches of the family, my grandpa bought it in 1967, and then my Dad started buying from him thereafter and we started buying from him shortly thereafter,” said Terry Black.

After almost three days of the EPAs search, the inspectors abruptly packed up and left. They didn’t say what they found, or what warranted the search. On July 23rd the case was in Federal District Court in Boise. The Blacks were never told what they were charged with, but they have an idea. “Ace Black Ranches has changed our irrigation. We went from flood irrigation to center pivots, so that’s required us to change our roads. That's required us to do a little more gravel work to fill those roads and tracks to make our irrigation system work.”

Watch the video at the end of this article.

Readers can also go to this site for a compendium, with links, on the articles on the Hage family and the Hammonds who endured years of regulatory and judicial abuse from the Federal government.

This is not just a blip on Government actions, President Biden's nominee to serve as the head of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) "collaborated with eco-terrorists" in a tree spiking plot before trading her court testimony for legal immunity, according to court documents reviewed by Fox News. In 1993, Biden's nominee to head up BLM, Tracy Stone-Manning, was granted legal immunity for her testimony that she retyped and sent an anonymous letter to the U.S. Forest Service on behalf of John P. Blount, her former roommate and friend, those documents reveal. The letter told the Forest Service that 500 pounds of "spikes measuring 8 to 10 inches in length" had been jammed into the trees of an Idaho forest. ~ Fox News, 16 June 2021

Note: Tree spiking is a dangerous and violent eco-terrorism tactic where metal rods are inserted into trees to prevent them from being cut down. The metal rods damage saws that, in turn, have severely injured people, such as a mill worker whose jaw was split in two from an exploding saw.

Stone-Manning, advocates that Americans undergo Chinese style population control in the name of environmental stewardship. According to the Daily Caller 25 June 2021, Stone-Manning featured a shirtless American baby in an ad for her graduate thesis declaring the child an “environmental hazard.” If confirmed as Secretary of the BLM, Stone-Manning would oversee 155 million acres of grazing land for livestock nationwide, about the size of Arizona and New Mexico. Her position on grazing? “It is overgrazed. Most likely, the grasses won’t grow back, because the topsoil took flight,” Stone-Manning contends. “Worse still, the government encourages this destruction. It charges ranchers under $2 a month to graze each cow and its calf on public land — your land.”

I was an Army Range Rider charged with providing law enforcement coverage in 1.2 million acres of land, much of it owned by the BLM and leased to the US Army. This land included 15 grazing units which the BLM leased to ranchers. I was present at the bidding and even the most dogged grazing units went for much more than $2 an acre...some for $17 an animal unit month...and these are 2008 figures. And use of those grazing units were tied to a maximum number of pairs. So it is misguided at best to believe the ranchers are making their living off the backs of tax payers.

Two things the relatively uneducated public should understand about ranchers grazing on public lands is that these ranchers are best stewards of the land - they not only practice low stress stocksmanship, but low impact use of their deeded land and the land they lease from the US Government agencies. Leased grazing units are substantially better off land health and sustainability wise, than land that has been prohibited for use. The second thing is that ranchers and sometimes the same family have been leasing federal land for many decades and in some cases before the US Government claimed that land and imparted controls.

I really don't know what to tell people other than to get educated on the issues and write their legislators with their concerns. America was settled by immigrants who came here for two primary reasons: 1 - for religious freedom, and 2 - an ability to own property and prosper. Both which were largely denied in the countries they came from. We sure as hell can't afford to lose those God given rights.

7th Annual 2021 Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge

Our annual Arena Challenge, the 7th year in a row, will be held 2 October 2021. This event is a little unique in the horse competition world for non-Pro riders as I try to blend different facets of multiple disciplines into an event where Cowboys, Dressage riders, Eventers, Team Ropers, Trail riders and yes even Barrel Racers, minus the yippy dogs (ha!), can compete on an even playing field.

It can be challenging for a working cowboy to have to cross an arena on a leg yield or move their horse on a shoulders in maneuver. Likewise, when a Dressage competitor has to draw a slicker off the fence and put in on, or, open and close a gate, it may be challenging. Some may find a 8 foot turn around box hard to do on their horse with forward momentum, and yet others crossing a long narrow bridge difficult. A canter departure on a given lead will be easy for some, while others may find backing their horse in a circle or a serpentine is something they may need to practice.

 
My objective in this annual event, other than to have a safe event, is to promote horsemanship and the desire to increase one's knowledge and abilities. I use some the same tasks over several years in a row to stress certain performance. One year the rider's were required to dismount, stand in a box and back their horses using just a feel on their reins or get down rope, then drop their reins/lead and walk away to demonstrate their horse ground tying. The next year the same was required and an observer could see who worked on it and who did not. Another task was draping a towel over their horse's head and leading their horse blindfolded, such as taking a horse through the smoke of a fire or out of a burning barn.

Additionally, the focus on horsemanship is paramount. I try to design each competitive division course as safely doable yet challenge the horse and rider. Each course is a combination of basic, intermediate or advanced maneuvers and obstacles as appropriate to the competitive division. 

 Common maneuvers and obstacles that have been used in the past and may be used this year include: turn on the hocks; turn on the forehand; backing straight; backing in a serpentine; backing in an L shape; backing in a circle; trot through serpentine cones, move bending through vertical poles; crossing a bridge; trot around a short circle using the garrocha pole; go through a cowboy curtain; retrieve ball from bucket and place on cone; open/close a gate; cross a tarp; retrieve and put on a slicker; dismount/remount; ground tying; backing a horse in hand; trailer loading; crossing ground poles; leg yield; shoulders in; transition from slow walk to fast walk; transition from slow trot to faster trot; canter departures on designated lead; simple lead changes; walk to trot transitions; trot departure to a canter transition; side passing straight; side passing in L shape; and side passing with front feet on platform; and blind fold horse and lead on ground to name some of the tasks that a competitor may see.
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In the Stockhorse division rider’s will be required to throw several loops on roping dummies and perform other roping and ranch horse related tasks. Most rider's in this division can throw head shots and heel trap loops - it's their stock in trade for Cowboys and Team Ropers. But I'll ask them to something different like throwing a loop to their off side and pivot their horse underneath the loop facing up on the roping dummy. Stockhorse competitors may also have work their horses on a Pro Cutter flag; Drag a heavy log; throw a loop around a barrel and trot around the barrel feeding out their slack and wrapping it around the barrel; and, trailer load their horse.

In the lead up to the Arena Challenge, I'll out on several weekend clinics for registered competitors. These clinics are not practice for the Challenge, but are really problem solving sessions, working on getting horses softer and handier.

We are thankful for the great support in the past from many companies. Notable supporters for last year's Arena Challenge includes Cashel Company, Starr Western Wear, Tractor Supply Company, Animal Health International and Eclectic Horseman magazine.  When the awards ceremony has ended everyone has been fed lunch and collected awards and prizes, I'd like to think that each and every competitor thinks they got their time and moneys worth.

What People do to Horses

I really couldn't find the right title for this article other than my constant thought on what kind of a human being starves horses. Good Lord, it doesn't take a someone with smarts to ask for help when they can't fed a horse nor does it take much for people to recognize a near death horse and report it. I don't know what troubles me more, the sadness in seeing a horse in this condition, or the anger I have for the person who is responsible. But thank God for people like the Perfect Harmony Horse Rescue and Sanctuary of Chaparral, New Mexico. Chaparral is located just north of El Paso, Texas, and is one of many little incorporated or unincorporated communities that make up the greater El Paso area. Although there are several certified horse rescues in the area, Perfect Harmony is the only one I have confidence it and will support.

Marianne Bailey, Owner/Operator of Perfect Harmony, along with her staff who also consists of her daughter Jessica and husband Dan,  received a call on or about 19 June 2021 concerning a horse in really  poor condition who had been seen wandering the roads around Berino, New Mexico. A New Mexico Livestock agent placed the horse in a temporary home and called Marianne. 

Marianne and her crew looked at the horse, who they named Esme, and committed to take her in knowing full well the cost in terms of money and time that it would take to try to save Esme. Not to mention the emotional toll if they weren't successful.

On 21 June 2021 Perfect Harmony picked Esme up, who looked to be in her late 20's, and trailered her to their facility.  That's Dan Bailey in the photo above with Esme.  She received immediate Veterinarian attention and on top of the obvious malnutrition, Esme was diagnosed with a respiratory infection and Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Disease (DSLD), then started on anti-biotics immediately. On top of that, her teeth are bad and need attention, but now is not the time for sedation and equine dentistry.

Despite people telling Marianne to just to euthanize the horse, she decided to give Esme a chance as long as she seemed willing to fight. Perfect Harmony believes, like we all should, that all horses deserve a fair life and an honest effort on the part of humans to give them that.

Rehabilitating a starving horse is not as simple as it sounds. Perfect Harmony has been in the business of rescuing horses for a couple decades now and they are sound horse people. They use the UC Davis refeeding schedule, available at this link, as well as strict protocols on when and how much to feed and only designating one person for this chore.

As of today, Esme is doing well and gradually putting on a little weight. In the last eleven years I have only asked readers of this site to support one other rescue case as I am cognizant of all the pulls for people's donations. Perfect Harmony never asks for money, instead funding their rescue of items they make,  and an on-line store.  They also do community events and outreach such as equine education and pony rides. 

But I am asking now. I just sent Perfect Harmony $100 via PayPal to their e-mail address, Perfect Harmony1@aol.com. I have faith that a sufficient number of readers would donate $10-$15 each or to visit the Perfect Harmony on-line store and pick something up, to help give Esme a fighting chance.  She, and every horse, deserve at least that.