Scott Purdum

So who is this Purdum fellow anyway? Scott grew up riding horses and began riding at the age of three. When he was only sixteen, he took on his first attempts at real training. His parents had a high-strung mare that spooked at practically everything, and Scott believed he could help the horse. He read volumes of books about horses and horse training, and he watched numerous training videos, too. He took the best parts of all of them and created his own formula. Upon his success with the mare, word about him spread to other horse owners in the area. Before long, he had three horses a month in training. Then that number increased to five, and then to ten.

What makes this 23-year-old trainer so special? Well, for one thing, Scott has learned to think like a horse and to use this kind of knowledge in his training methods. Scott uses an equine’s natural instincts to his advantage. He explained it this way:

Horses are herd animals and are fight-or-flight creatures, and they usually prefer flight. A horse can go from grazing calmly one second to what Scott calls a “high-energy state” the next second. Centuries of instincts have programmed this in equines to enable them to escape predators in the wild. The trainer’s job is to get the horse into a calm, relaxed state of mind. According to Scott, a horse in this state of mind is willing and will do anything asked of it. “They might not always get the right answer, but they’re sure as heck going to try.”

How does Scott accomplish this feat? By teaching a horse to pay attention to his energy. It’s all about the energy.

In each group of horses, there’s an established “pecking order.” One horse will be viewed by the other horses as the leader or as the dominant horse. The other animals in the herd get their energy from that one horse. They take their cues from it. If it’s calm, they’re calm. If it’s nervous and excited, they follow suit. Let’s say a subordinate horse has positioned itself at the pasture gate, and the dominant horse has decided that it wants to be at the gate. The dominant horse lays its ears back, gets into a high-energy mode, and pushes the lower horse out of the way. The lower horse reads the herd leader’s energy and runs out of the way, giving up its position in favor of the dominant horse. Now the lead horse has what it wants, so it becomes calm. The submissive horse realizes that the dominant horse has become calm, so in turn, it calms down, also. To be an effective trainer, Scott establishes himself as the dominant “horse.”

Scott says he often talks to owners who have tried remaining calm when their animals misbehave, yet the horse does not calm down, and it remains excited, even though its handler is calm and relaxed. What went wrong? Why didn’t it work? Scott explains that the problem here is that the horse does not recognize the human in question as the leader or dominant horse, so the calm state of mind does not transfer. For the horse to truly pay attention and respond to the energy you convey, you must first establish yourself as the leader.

Scott’s basic training philosophy? He believes successful training has two parts: the horse’s mind and the horse’s body. He states that 90% of the times, misbehaviors are not the problem. Instead, they’re the symptoms of an underlying, bigger problem. In order to alleviate the symptomatic inappropriate behavior, the underlying issue must be identified and handled first, then the symptoms will dissipate.

Scott calls his training methods “advantage horsemanship.” When asked how it compares to natural horsemanship, he explained that the two schools of thought have much in common, but that they also have differences. Scott shed some light on this topic by saying that there’s actually nothing natural about riding a horse: “Out on the open range, you don’t see a lion on top of a horse unless the big cat is acting the part of predator. But since humans have bigger brains, we have the intelligence to be able to work with these animals and to teach them to allow us to ride them. To me, the term Advantage Horsemanship means a combination of every single facet of horse training.”

Scott has studied the principles of natural horsemanship and the tactics of tradition breaking methods. He found advantages and disadvantages in both, so he took what he considered to be the most effective elements of these methods and combined them. He added a few “tweaks” of his own, and Advantage Horsemanship was born.

When asked about especially tough cases he’s handled, Scott related the story of a Chincoteague pony. The pony was a young stud colt, and from the beginning, he was “pushy,” according to his owners. After being confined to a stall and beginning simple, basic training, the pony resented “being told what to do,” and it became aggressive. It was brought to Scott’s training facility, and while it was at Scott’s barn, it would strike out at Scott’s employees, attempting to bite, kick, or paw them. It got to the point where Scott could not allow anyone else to interact with the pony except for him, due to safety precautions. After talking with the owners, Scott discovered that they had unknowingly been partially responsible for the pony’s inappropriate behavior, so he worked with them in addition to working with the equine.

Scott worked with the Chincoteague for a month before the owners took it home. It calmed down, and the owners were able to handle it on their own. According to Scott, the pony is now doing well and is ready for training under saddle.

Scott told about another case he handled that was very unusual. A horse owner called Scott about a problem horse, and the trainer visited the owner’s barn. This particular equine would “go crazy” whenever a blanket was placed on its back. It would kick, run, and generally become very frightened. Scott recommended the horse be brought to his facility.

After working with the horse for a week, Scott was making little progress. He would leave a blanket on the horse while it was grazing in the pasture, and for a time, the horse seemed okay with having the blanket on its back. But Scott noticed that whenever a breeze would even slightly rumple the blanket, or whenever something else would occur to remind the troubled animal about the offending blanket, the horse would spook and become extremely agitated. Scott was puzzled, and he even enlisted the aid of other trainers in this case – to no avail. No one seemed to be able to solve the mystery of the “scary blanket.”

The horse in question was a rescue horse, and finally, the frustrated owners returned the horse to the rescue operation. They purchased a new horse to replace the rescue animal, and much to their horror, the new one began exhibiting the same behavior as the former occupant. Everyone involved decided that this was just too uncanny to be a coincidence.

They finally discovered that the stall bedding material was conducting an electrical current and was shocking the horses. Once, when the new horse was led into the stall, its hair stood on end, and when the owner touched the horse, he received a jolt. It had been the owner’s practice to blanket the animals once they were stalled, so the horses were associating the blanket with the pain of being shocked. No wonder no one could break the first horse of its blanket fear!

Scott went on to relate his experiences with a BLM mustang. He said it was one of the smartest equines he has ever worked with. Scott began saddle training the horse, and all was going well. He could put anything on its back, including a surcingle, and tighten it up with no problem. When Scott placed a saddle on the mustang’s back, however, the horse would take off. Scott says that horse probably threw his saddle onto the dirt twenty times.

After two months, the horse was accepting the saddle and was doing well in its training. It was doing so well, in fact, that Scott even shot a couple of videos using the horse and used it in his teaching demonstrations at several clinics. Even so, the horse’s intelligence continued making training difficult at times. Scott says as soon as the horse learned something new, it would use the knowledge against the owner. The mustang would do fine with Scott, and at first, it did well with the owner. But as time went on, the horse learned exactly how to “push the owner’s buttons,” making riding difficult.

The horse was returned to Scott for more training, but what Scott discovered was that the horse had figured out his training methods and had “outsmarted” them. Scott had to re-teach the basics to the mustang, using different methods. The canny equine soon figured out the new methods, too. Scott finally deemed the horse was unsafe for the owner. He feels that this was his only failure as a trainer.

When asked if he found older horses with ingrained bad habits more difficult to train, he responded that that’s often the case. While an “old dog can be taught new tricks,” as Scott says, it’s sometimes hard to “un-do” years of bad habits. If an equine has not yet established a bad habit, it’s much easier to train them to do what you want them to do.

Scott grew up riding English, but switched to Western about nine years ago. “I discovered I was better in jeans than in breeches,” Scott explains.

One aspect of Western riding that Scott does not like, however, is the Western saddle itself. In his view, it forces the rider to sit back on his bottom and to swing his legs forward. And according to Scott, humans don’t have balance that way. They achieve balance with a straight up and down position – not sitting back. Also, it’s uncomfortable for the horse’s back. With these factors in mind, Scott designed a Western saddle that rides more like an English saddle, helping the rider achieve proper balance.

When asked about the future of Advantage Horsemanship, Scott said what they really want to do is to go national. He’s had amazing success in the East, but he’d like for word to get around in California and the entire West coast, also, as well as in other parts of the nation. A manager has been retained in order to help accomplish this feat.

Judging from the success Scott has achieved in the East, it won’t take long for him to reach his personal goal of national prominence. His clinics and videos are certainly helping with the endeavor, and his name is often in the news. As a matter of fact, he recently won the top honors at the Northern Illinois Trainer Challenge, against trainers from Kansas and Indiana. With accolades like these, Scott’s sure to be a household or perhaps a barnhold – name in no time.

If you haven’t heard about all this, it’s not surprising. The concept is fairly new. The first person to enlist the aid of a seeing-eye pony was Dan Shaw. Due to a rare disease, Dan became totally blind several years ago. He was determined to continue living an active life, so he enrolled at a school for the blind. He understood that a seeing-eye dog was an option, but he didn’t want to get attached to a dog only to lose it in a few years.

Dan heard about a new program that a North Carolina couple, Don and Janet Burleson, were experimenting with – miniature horses for the blind. When he learned that these equine typically live for more than 30 years, he was intrigued. He made the trip to the Burlesons’ to meet and work with Cuddles, a miniature mare.

Miniature Guide Horse

Dan and Cuddles hit it off, and now the man and his young horse are exploring the world on their terms. Cuddles has helped Dan navigate the streets of New York City, and she’s even accompanied him on a commercial flight. In fact, she was the first horse ever to fly in the cabin of a plane.

Dan also enjoys long walks in the woods with his little equine, and he states that she’s very calm and well behaved. She knows more than 25 voice commands, and when she needs to go outside for a bathroom break, she taps the door with a hoof.

There’s a lot of controversy regarding miniature horses as assistant animals. Those who support the practice cite that horses are her animals, so the miniatures naturally stay in step with its master. Tiny horses are also less aggressive and less threatening than large dogs. Also, they’re a good option for people who are allergic to canines. The horses are also strong enough to pull a wheelchair and to help a mobility-limited person rise from a sitting position. And as already stated, the miniature horses live much longer than dogs.

Miniature horses also have their disadvantages. For one thing, they eat, urinate, and defecate more often than dogs do. They also take up more room than a dog on public conveyances like taxis, subways, and planes, which can sometimes present a problem. Another issue surrounding the service minis is the legality. Laws can’t decide whether to categorize the small equines as companion animals, exotic animals, or in their traditional role – livestock.

Some urban and suburban areas are reluctant to identify the horses as assistance animals, although they are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some owners have filed lawsuits to protect their rights, and with more and more seeing-eye horses being put into service, many people are realizing their unique value. One thing seems sure: The blind who use and depend on these horses for their day-to-day activities are not about to give them up.

Horse Industry

Horses are expensive to keep up, and according to a study conducted by the American Horse Council, more than a third of all horse owners make under $50,000 a year. The average cost of caring for a horse is five times the amount of caring for a dog. With the increased cost of fuel, food, and other necessities of life, many of these households just don’t have the disposable income any longer to care for their equines. An alarming number of horses are being abandoned or just left in the pasture to slowly starve to death.  Some attendees of horse shows reportedly lock their horse trailers now to keep someone with an unwanted horse from leaving it anonymously in a stranger’s trailer.

This is a multifaceted problem. All these unwanted horses have flooded the market, driving prices to all-time lows. Sales barns and horse auctions are inundated with equines, and some sales operators have noticed the poor condition of many of the animals.

Ronald Mariotti, owner of the Enumclaw equine auction house in Washington, says, “I see a lot more skinny horses come to market; a lot more horses that are off flesh come to market. People can’t afford to feed them. They shouldn’t own them if they can’t afford to feed them.”

Mariotti has been in the horse selling business for over forty years, and he says the current market is the worst he’s ever seen. Some sellers are letting their horses go for as little as $200, while other animals aren’t even receiving bids.

Compounding the problem is that there are few buyers. Some experts partially blame the closing of the last equine slaughterhouses in America, located in Illinois and Texas, as a significant piece of the puzzle. These “killer buyers” paid up to fifty cents a pound for lame, aged, and dangerous horses that no one wanted. Now, that’s no longer an option i♠Missouri Equine Council, “Along with the economic crunch, removing slaughterhouses also removed the base price for a horse. That has led to a glut of low- to mid-price ranged horses that owners are trying to get rid of. You take away that foundation, and there’s nothing under it. It’s affected not only low-end horses, but the mid-range horses. People used to get rid of lower-end horses and upgrade to a mid-price-range horse. But if they can’t get rid of those lower range horses, they can’t afford another horse or have no room for another.”

Equine veterinarian Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, has 35 years of experience dealing with horses and their owners. He says another problem with the horse population is that owners breed too many inferior animals, and suggests that only horses with special skills should be used for breeding purposes. He also explains that most Americans view horses as pets instead of as livestock.

Lenz stated, “Some cultures don’t eat pork. I don’t think we should judge whether another society is right or wrong because of the meat they eat. Besides, what difference does it make to the horse?”

Even though the equine slaughterhouses in the US are closed, the ones in Canada and Mexico are still open for business. Each year, thousands of unwanted horses are shipped to these plants from the US, but because of the high cost of fuel for such a haul, this has resulted in very low prices paid for unwanted horses. And currently, new American laws are being recommended that stop any transportation of horses from the US to slaughterhouses.

Regarding the new legislation, Lenz said, “If that legislation passes, it will really complicate things.”

This is a highly charged emotional issue, and to many horse lovers, Lenz’s views are repugnant.  Sending a horse to a kill plant is not the same as humanely euthanizing the animal. Some might use “dead is dead” as an argument, but it’s not that simple. For one thing, horses are shipped for hundreds or even thousands of miles on hot, crowded trailers, enduring long periods without food and water. Horses that receive injuries on the trip receive no care of any kind. Once the animals reach the slaughterhouse, they might have to spend more days with little, if any, sustenance. They are often handled roughly and cruelly into chutes while waiting their turn to be killed. When it’s their turn, their death is not quick or painless. They are generally stabbed multiple times in the neck with a puntilla knife to paralyze them. They are still conscious when they are hoisted up by a hind leg to have their throats cut.

Many people who love their animals had rather give their horses away that see them suffer the brutality of the kill plants. They talk to friends, place ads in newspapers, and offer them to riding schools or therapy stables. Unfortunately, there are few takers. Consumers are realizing there’s no such thing as a “free” horse – even if there’s no up-front price, the cost of keeping a horse dissuades many would-be horse owners. And for those who are willing to accept a free equine, many quickly come to the plain, hard fact that they cannot afford to care for the horse and must give it up, so the cycle begins all over.

Humane euthanasia is another option, but it’s not cheap. It costs an average of $200 to euthanize a horse. Euthanasia is Greek for “good death,” and that’s the goal of the practice. In euthanizing a horse, a veterinarian gives the animal a tranquilizer intravenously. Then the horse is given an overdose of a barbiturate, making the equine’s death quick and painless, with no fear involved. Problem solved, right? Wrong. Now the body must be disposed of properly. The carcass can’t just be dragged to the woods like folks used to do. The horse’s body is now contaminated by the drug. Any scavengers that might feed on it could be killed, and the horse owner would be responsible. This list could include birds, wolves, coyotes, foxes, opossums, or even domestic dogs.

If an owner cannot afford for his animal to be euthanized but believes that shooting an unwanted horse is more merciful than shipping it off to Canada or Mexico to be killed, then they’re left with disposing of the body. In many locations, horses cannot be buried, and even if it’s legal in certain areas, hiring someone with a backhoe to do the work is cost prohibitive. This is not a hole you want to dig with a shovel.

So why not just surrender the unwanted horse to a shelter or equine rescue group? Great idea, but many shelters are full and are no longer accepting any horses. They simply can’t afford to feed them. Many shelters and rescue operations depend on private donations to provide funds for caring for their animals, and citizens who are strapped financially cannot afford the luxury of donating money to charities. For those shelters and groups that receive local and state funding, things aren’t much better. Many of these funds have been cut, or in some cases, revoked altogether.

A good example of this problem is found at the Horse North, Inc., a horse rescue operation in Michigan. Previously, the outfit turned away maybe 10 or 12 horses a year, but now they’re turning away more than 30 in a single month. They just don’t have the funds or the room to adequately care for all the horses being surrendered by owners who can no longer afford them.

Another Michigan rescue, Horse Haven, is turning away even more unwanted horses. According to horse Haven President Barbara Baker, “Right now, we don’t have the space to take them, or the funds.” Baker says they turn away about 100 horses a week, and owners often leave in tears as they realize they may have to euthanize their pet horse.

And these problems aren’t unique to Michigan. The problem is found all over the US. In Georgia, which has not been hit as hard as Michigan by the recession, people who can’t afford to feed their horses often just stop feeding them. According to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin, “We often find the animals in deplorable conditions. Sometimes there is gross neglect, which can be prosecuted as a felony. We’ve got some cases now that fit into that category.” Georgia has seized more than 200  horses in the last year.

“That’s more than we have in any year since I’ve been commissioner,” Irvin added. He cites the reasons as the effects of a drought, along with the economic collapse, stating, “When pasture land deteriorates, some owners don’t have the resources to buy supplemental feed.”

It’s obvious that there are no easy solutions to the problems associated with the horse industry and the economic meltdown, even for owners who truly try to do the “right thing.” Some options are off the table, and others have serious drawbacks.

It’s not only horse owners who have been impacted, either. Other players in the horse industry are feeling the pinch due to the slow economy. Instructors who offer riding lessons are seeing fewer students, even after many have lowered their fees.  Horse trainers and boarding stables are experiencing the crunch, too. Store owners who sell feed, tack, and other supplies say their businesses are suffering. Attendance at horse shows and other equine events is down.

In many states, the horse industry is a large slice of their economy. Agribusinesses, in particular, are supported directly by the horse owners. Farmers who produce grain and hay depend on equine owners buying their products. Horse people who show their animals or compete in other equine events are counted upon to purchase equipment unique to their specific discipline and to buy special clothing for competitions. Even the timber industry is affected. Sales of wood for fences, barns, and shelters have decreased, as have wood shavings used for bedding and stalls. States that have always considered their horse races, shows, and horse sales as part of their tourism trade can no longer count on these events to contribute substantially to the economy.

Think of all the people who are employed by these various aspects of the horse industry. As horse-related businesses lose money, workers will be laid off or terminated. For example, for every twelve horses at a racing stable, there’s one employee, on average. For a stable that handles show horses, there’s one employee for every twenty horses, on average. When participation decreases drastically, it’s not only the stable owners who are hurt; it’s also the “little guys” – the employees.

To shed some light on the importance of the horse industry on the US economy, take a look at the statistics for just a few states. In California, for example, horse-related goods and services generate $4.1 billion and employ over 311,000 workers. In Florida, the horse industry contributes $3 billion and provides 440,000 jobs, directly and indirectly. In the Thoroughbred capital of the world, Kentucky, horses generate $2.3 billion and provide 194,300 jobs and positions. The list goes on and on. The declining horse industry, of course, is not the cause of the slow economy; instead, it’s a victim and a symptom.

The Horse Industry and the US Stimulus Initiative

Although the horse industry is suffering along with the rest of the economy, help is on the way. According to the American Horse Council, the Economic Stimulus package signed by President Obama includes some benefits for horse owners. These include two tax incentives that expired in 2008.

The first, Section 179, allows owners to count up to $250,000 of expenses used to purchase horses, farm equipment, and other related costs, as long as they were placed in service in 2009.

The second incentive continues the first year bonus depreciation of 50% for horses and related property that are placed in service in 2009.

These incentives might not affect the average horse owner, but they will help keep many horse-related businesses like racing and breeding stables in operation and indirectly give regular horse owners and the horse industry as a whole a financial boost. Hopefully, these incentives will keep the average value of horses from further deflating and will have an overall positive impact on the horse industry that will “trickle down” to everyone involved with equines.The

Julio Mendoza has held many jobs in his lifetime – all dealing with horses. He’s been a groom, a stable hand, a farrier, a veterinarian, a trainer, and a farm manager. As a youth, he mucked stalls for the military. Julio has pretty much run the gamut in the world of equines. He comes from a long line of excellent horsemen, including his father, who started a riding school in Ecuador; his grandfather, who was a famous trainer in Colombia; and his great-grandfather, a skilled horse trainer in Spain. Now a successful trainer himself, Julio also plays the role of builder, dancer, and psychologist.

He can be considered a builder because when training, he first lays a strong foundation, then adds to it gradually. He’s found that if his foundation is sound, his training plans will not crumble. If there is no strong foundation, however, any subsequent training is likely to fail.

Julio’s grandfather, Bienvenido Loor, a renowned horse trainer, taught the young Julio to “dance,” explaining that teaching the movements of dressage is like dancing and that the horse is his partner. Julio has never forgotten this sage advice and always sees himself as the horse’s dance partner in the training ritual, with each interpreting and reacting to subtle nuances of the other.

Julio Mendoza - The Latin Horse Whisperer

Julio also acts as a horse psychologist of sorts. As he puts it, “I get into the horse’s head, reading and understanding him.” As each animal is an individual, sometimes it takes Julio weeks to achieve this integral component, and at other times, it may take only hours, depending on the horse. No matter how long it takes, however, Julio patiently learns what makes each of his equine students “tick.”

Julio grew up in Ecuador and came to the US in 2007. In the South American nation, horsemen who have a good working knowledge and respect for horses use natural horsemanship methods when training, according to Julio. Others, especially the Indians and “country folk,” often rely on the old style of “breaking” rather than “gentling.” They force their animals into submission. Julio disagrees with these techniques, stating, “My father, grandfathers, and teachers taught me to always respect the horse and create a bond and partnership with him before starting to train him.”

When asked to describe his basic philosophy on training, Julio replied, “I believe in lots of ground work first and foremost when training a horse. You must first gain the respect of the horse on the ground before he will respect you on his back. If you want your horse to do certain exercises well, whether it be transition, piaffe, passage, or collected canter, they must do it well on the ground first. I like to incorporate cross training in my training program with all horses and disciplines. I do not just train and ride the horses in the arena but also take them out on the trails, do cavaletti work with them, long-lining, in-hand, and ground work. Hill work is great for muscling, stamina, and overall well being.”

In Ecuador, Julio learned the importance of employing natural horsemanship methods when working with foals. Typically, when a foal is born, he handles it right away so that it will not be afraid of him. He gets it used to having its feet picked up and wearing a halter. At six to eight months of age, the foal is weaned and taken to the country, where it’s released into a huge pasture with other youngsters. The foal is given time to mature and to just “be a horse.” They still receive regular handling, trimming, and veterinary care, but no actual training yet.

When the young horse reaches the age of two and a half, it is brought in for training, first in the form of ground work. It becomes accustomed to stalls, cross ties, wash stalls, different people, and trailers. At the age of three, Julio would start longing, with the walk, the trot, and canter transitions. Once he gains the animal’s respect, he begins ground driving, and the saddle and bridle are introduced. Julio would begin riding the horse when it reaches the age of three and a half.

When asked how he establishes trust with a new horse, one he didn’t raise as a foal, he explained, “When I have a new horse to work with, I always create a bond with him first. You must always have a deep understanding of your horse. I will spend time brushing him, walking him, catching him in the field, and talking to him – letting him get used to my voice, touch, and scent. I will take him out for hand grazing, and I will give him lots of praise and rewards. I learn to read him – you can learn a lot about body language between the horse and you if you are looking for it.”

With any green or new horse, Julio believes that trust is paramount. Once he gains the horse’s trust, he begins longing, ground driving, and long lining, and finally, riding. When Julio deems the horse as comfortable, calm, and happy, he decides whether or not the animal is ready for another rider.

While Julio has occasionally trained a green horse and rider together, he does not recommend this practice unless the rider is confident and experienced. “A green horse and a green rider do not go together,” he explains. “It is a match that usually never benefits the rider or the horse. The horse is learning and needs to learn from someone with experience to bring him along and not confuse him with bad cues or inconsistency. When training a horse, you must always be consistent!”

Julio adds that an inexperienced rider can best learn on a schoolmaster mount and build confidence. Once the rider is ready, his horse in training will be ready, also, resulting in a happy pair.

Julio goes on to stress the importance of properly starting a young horse. Bad habits are difficult to “un-train.” Once a horse has learned bad habits, they get used to repeating them. These misbehaviors can be very difficult for even an experienced trainer to “un-do.”

Furthermore, Julio is a firm believer in the importance of dressage. “Dressage is the most important work to train any horse first. The purpose of dressage is to develop a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work in a calm manner, making him supple and attentive to his rider. Learning the basics of dressage will help a horse in any discipline!” Julio attributes much of his success in jumping to the fact that his jumpers are first trained in dressage.

When asked about any especially difficult or challenging horses he’s trained, Julio related the story of an Argentinian horse he worked with in Ecuador. It was a Selle Francais, a breed often considered the world’s best show jumper and France’s most important sport horse. The breed is large and powerful and generally has superb athleticism. This particular horse’s owner had purchased it with high hopes of it becoming a jumper. The equine was very “hot,” with too much energy and spirit for its beginner rider and owner. By the age of three, the horse was known as “Houdini” because it could escape from any confinement. It would jump out of any pasture, stall, or arena that attempted to hold it. The owners were running out of farms and stables that would agree to boarding the equine escape artist. Out of frustration, the wily horse was sold to a large ranch in Ecuador that promised to give it a good home.

The new owners felt sure the horse would make a good bull fighting mount because of its intelligence, its courage, and its incredible athletic ability. They began training the horse with a harsh Spanish bridle called a “serretta.” A serretta has metal teeth in the cavesson that puts a great amount of pressure on the bone, thereby giving the rider more control of the horse. This particular horse would not submit to its rider, even with the use of the serretta. The rider was always fighting with the horse, and the animal was punished daily. The owners decided the horse was too dangerous and undependable to take into a ring with a bull, and again, out of frustration, the horse was put up for sale.

By this time, the horse was viewed as totally unmanageable. It broke every halter that was placed on it, and no one could catch the horse. The frightened, mistreated steed broke the bones of its handlers, and once it even bit into a worker’s arm and shook him around. No one wanted anything to do with the horse, and it became neglected. Its feet were never trimmed, nor did it receive proper basic care.

The horse had gained an infamous reputation, and word of it eventually reached Julio. He decided to go have a look at this nefarious equine. When he did, the owners told Julio the horse was a lost cause and would never amount to anything. Yet, before the end of the day, Julio had the horse on his trailer, and he brought it home with him.

Julio spent two years getting the horse back in a healthy physical condition and healing the animal’s mental and emotional condition. Julio turned the troubled horse out into a large pasture. He brushed the horse daily and took it on long walks. He spent months talking to the animal and gentling it, and by the end of the two-year period, Julio had finally gained the horse’s trust and respect.

At that point, Julio started working the horse under saddle, with ground work and dressage. When Julio began riding the horse on trails, it natural jumping ability and its heart for jumping became apparent. According to Julio, “The horse would jump for joy! There would be no logs around, but he would jump with all four feet off the ground out of happiness when you took him out of the ring. I realized he was now a very happy horse.”

Julio started jumping the horse, and its potential soon became evident. As the training progressed, so did the animal’s jumping ability. Julio won many jumping competitions astride the once unmanageable horse, including the 2002 Annual Wall High Jump – an impressive six-foot tall jump – on a horse that everyone said would never amount to anything.

In closing, Julio offers advice and inspiration to all horsemen: “Everything is possible. You have to believe in yourself and your horse. I recommend for people who have problem horses to always have patience, respect, and trust – even if it seems like no matter what you do or try, nothing works. Never lose faith. Always check the basics, too, like if the saddle really does fit your horse, and if the bit is the right one for your horse and fit. These are basic but important things that surprisingly, most people forget to check. There is no one-size-fits-all. Every horse is uniquely different.”

Currently, Julio is the trainer and riding instructor at The Stables at Rolling Ridge, located in Laytonsville, Maryland. He specializes in competitive dressage and in dressage-based horsemanship. In addition to working for Rolling Ridge, he also takes on his own clients and shows Friesians extensively. He’s placed in the top five for five straight years in the prestigious International Cup, and in 2007, he placed third in the SA Rolex, out of hundreds of horses and riders.

Julio’s wife, Jessica, is a skilled horsewoman in her own right and helps her husband in the care and management of horses. Their two-year-old son, Justin, is following in the footsteps of his parents and ancestors, and already loves being around equines and helping out around the stables.

Julio and Jessica are also active in the Mid-Atlantic Friesian Association and are members of the Friesian Horse Association of North America.

If you ever have the opportunity to watch Julio work with horses, you’ll echo the sentiments of other horsemen who have nicknamed him “The Latin Horse Whisperer.”

Part I

Once in a great while, a very special human being comes along who has an amazing gift with horses – someone who understands how the animal thinks, what motivates it, how to help each horse achieve its full potential. These talented individuals are rare and seem to be born with a sixth sense that no amount of formal training can teach. Julio Mendoza is such a man.

Born Julio Cesar Mendoza Loor in 1979 in Empalme, Ecuador, Julio was reared in the world of horses and was descended from a great equine-training family. His great-grandfather, Eduardo Carranza, was a professional horse trainer in Spain. His maternal grandfather, Bienvenido Loor, was a renowned horse trainer in Colombia, South America. Both of these men had a great impact on the young Julio. They recognized his gift and acknowledged his dream of someday becoming a professional trainer himself, and they nurtured his aspirations. They frequently offered him advice and tips on riding and handling horses and always encouraged him to follow his dream.

Julio remembers his grandfather’s telling him, “When training your horse all the movements of dressage, always remember it is like dancing. As the horse is your dance partner, always dance with your horse.” The young Julio took the advice to heart, and as always seen himself and his mount as partners.

Julio’s father, Ramon, was also an avid horseman. He founded a riding school called “La Tranquera,” where he focused on rider equitation and the principles of dressage and jumping. Julio learned to ride under his father’s instruction and on his own. By the age of eight, Julio was showing horses all over South America, competing in dressage and jumping events on Andalusians, Thoroughbreds, Hanoverians, warmbloods, and Lusitanos.

At the tender age of eleven, Julio became a groom for the military. He mucked countless stalls in exchange for instruction on their horses. Julio felt the more horses he could ride and handle, the more he would learn about different breeds and different individuals. Obviously, it paid off.

Julio Mendoza

Julio has shown successfully in top-rated horse shows, including the Rolex and the Audi Cup, both held in South America. Amazingly, he placed in the top five for five years in a row at the International Cup, also held in South America. He has successfully trained and ridden horses to Grand Prix. In 2007, just before he left Ecuador for the United States, Julio placed third in the prestigious SA Rolex on his eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Gramero – out of hundreds of the world’s best horses and riders. This was a special win for Julio; he had owned the horse since it was a yearling.

When asked about the horse world in Ecuador, Julio describes it as “very wide.” All the popular disciplines in the US are also favorites in Ecuador, except for western disciplines. “You won’t find barrel racing there,” he explains.

The most popular equine event in Ecuador is called “doma vaquera,” a style of riding which enables horsemen to perform the daily duties normally involved on a working cattle ranch. It evolved in Spain from the practice of handling fighting bulls on horseback, and over the decades, it progressed into working cattle on large open ranges on horseback. In doma vaquera tests, horse and rider must show confidence and brilliance at the walk, trot, canter, and gallop. Judges sit at each end of a 20 x 60-meter arena. During the test, many riders choose music to accompany their performance, including Spanish or Latin guitar melodies without vocals. Horse and rider are judged on cadence and impulsion, but riders can improve their overall score by employing impressive style and presentation. Spanish-style tack and dress are used during the performance.

The second most popular discipline is hunter-jumper, followed by polo, and according to Julio, dressage is “dead last.” Horses are still used in the South American nation as a major form of transportation, too. People ride their horses to work and to the market to buy groceries.

Farming is common in Ecuador, making up 15% of the GDP and employing 30% of the total work force. The most common crops grown are bananas, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, and potatoes. Horses are often used to plow the fields and for general farm work, especially on small subsistence farms that grow potatoes, maize, rice, manioc, and soybeans. The farm work is usually done by a breed unique to the country, called the “Runa Ecuadoriano,” or the runa for short. Julio describes the breed as tough, sturdy animals of excellent health. He says they’re actually a mixed breed, sort of a “mutt.” After the runas plow the fields and help harvest the crops, the small farmers take their produce to local markets to sell, again with the aid of the all-purpose runa.

Trail riding is also popular in Ecuador, especially for visitors. Numerous stables offer guided trails through stunning landscapes of ancient volcanoes, deep gorges, clear mountain streams, cloud forests near the tall peaks of the Andes, and lush tropical foliage and wild orchids. By offering rides for tourists, small farmers are able to subsidize their incomes through horses.

Although Julio had achieved much success in Ecuador and in South America as a whole, he always believed he could accomplish even more. His gaze turned north, to the United States, where his favorite discipline, dressage, was a “wide-open” field, full of gifted riders and talented mounts. The idea of moving to the US was firmly planted in Julio’s mind when fate offered a hand in the form of an employment advertisement.

In the Spring of 2007, Julio and his wife, Jessica, moved to the United States. They felt that they would have much more opportunities in America for training and showing. Julio has always had an intense interest in dressage and was, in fact, one of the few trainers in Ecuador who focused on and specialized in dressage and flat work. Julio believes his success at jumping is due to the fact his jumpers were first trained in dressage. He explains that in Ecuador, dressage is considered boring and is often not taken seriously. In contrast, dressage is a serious, well respected discipline in the US. In America, Julio would have the chance to compete in more shows against a much larger number of horses.

When the Mendozas discovered a job opening in Maryland for a trainer and manager of Friesians, they both felt it was the right position for Julio. Jessica had imported her own Friesian when she was just thirteen years old, and she loves the breed. Julio contacted the stable and got the job. They left Ecuador right away for their new life in the United States and never looked back. They left everything behind, including a farm, family, friends, and their beloved horses, but as Julio explains, “It is a decision we will NEVER regret!” Julio and Jessica both say they plan on staying in the United States for a very long time.

Julio has held a number of jobs throughout his life, as groom, trainer, farrier, veterinarian, farm manager, and stable hand, but every position allowed him to be around horses and to learn from them. In fact, he’s never had a job that did not involve horses. For the past nineteen years, Julio has been training horses in dressage, driving, and jumping, at all levels. He’s currently the trainer and riding instructor at Rolling Ridge Stables in Laytonsville, Maryland, where he specializes in competitive dressage and in dressage-based horsemanship. Julio instructs his riders in the importance of correct training from the beginning and provides a safe, positive, upbeat atmosphere for his students, be they human or equine.

The owners of the facility, David Deal and Michelle Lee, have five beautiful Friesians, including three stallions and two geldings. One of the stallions, a seven-year-old named Ivan Sport, is currently performing fourth-level dressage. He’s also the youngest stallion ever to achieve the Sport Predicate, which is earned through high scores in third-level or above dressage competitions. Another Rolling Ridge stallion under Julio’s care, Tije 401 Sport, is a Preliminary Approved Stallion from Holland. Julio has just started training Rompke, a four-year-old Ster stallion at Rolling Ridge, in dressage and says the young horse exhibits amazing potential. The two geldings, Miendert and Falko, are great in the ring, too. They also serve as wonderful schoolmasters and teachers for the lessons program offered at the stables.

In addition to training for and managing Rolling Ridge Stables for Mr. Deal and Ms. Lee, Julio is able to take on his own clients to train. He still competes in the show ring, also. He states that he and his family are very happy with his current situation, and he loves working with Friesians. Although he has been successful with many impressive horses representing a variety of breeds, the Friesian is his favorite. According to Julio, “Their temperament and willingness is hard to beat with any breed. No matter where I go with them, they are always a show stopper. They have a special presence you could never train into a horse; they just have it naturally.”

If you ever have the chance to view Julio aboard one of these magnificent Friesians, you’ll understand why they draw so much attention: the slim olive-skinned Julio, donning white shirt, white gloves, and white breeches, along with black coat, black tophat, and tall black riding boots, astride a magnificent, powerful jet-black Friesian. Horse and rider move as one, in perfect harmony. The pair are hard to forget, and apparently, many top judges feel the same way.

Not only has America proven to be the land of opportunity for Julio, it has also offered a whole new world of horses for Jessica. Julio says that in Ecuador, female riders in shows are few and far between. Out of every twenty competitive riders, only one or two are female. In the US, of course, horse showing is more equally matched between the sexes. Jessica has been riding and showing horses all her life and has discovered many more opportunities for horsewomen in America than there were in Ecuador.

The Mendozas seem to be the perfect partners and kindred souls, especially when it comes to horses. Julio says, “Jessica works with the horses, and I would never be able to do it all without her. She is a very knowledgeable horsewoman. It’s wonderful sharing my passion with her, as we both live and breathe horses.”

Julio and Jessica have a beautiful two-year-old son named Justin. He’s already following in the footsteps of his father, his grandfather, his great-grandfather, and his great-great-grandfather. Justin adores being around the horses, and he can often be found helping out at the barn. Even as a toddler, he’s already exhibiting the “horse blood” that runs deep in his veins. No doubt Julio will continue the family horsemanship tradition through his young son, adding a fifth generation to the equinefamily legacy.

Julio and Jessica are actively involved with the Mid-Atlantic Friesian Association, a group that promotes the Friesian breed and educates horse owners through a variety of clinics and demonstrations. The association is open to Friesian owners and to Friesian enthusiasts and includes members from Florida to Pennsylvania. The couple is also part of the Friesian Horse Association of North America, or the FHANA.

Other horsemen who have watched the tall, lanky Julio work with equines have been amazed at his ability to read the horse and coax it gently to his will. They have nicknamed him “the Latin Horse Whisperer.” Julio himself best sums up his philosophy about handling horses: “I create a bond with any horse I am working with, and we become like one. My horses and I enjoy what we do, which makes a huge difference. I am very happy and find myself so lucky to get to work with such great people and horses.”

To learn more about Julio Mendoza, and especially about his training methods and philosophies, stay tuned for Part II.

Most people think of Thoroughbreds and they think racing. This breed is developed to run, and yet not all Thoroughbreds have the talent to excel at racing. Some simply don’t have the desire but these horses are not lost causes.

Thoroughbreds can make good broodmares if the genetics and conformation is good. They are hunters, jumpers, dressage, cross country and polo stars. They are the lesson horses teaching new riders and the challenging mount for more accomplished riders. Each horse is an individual situation and should always be treated as an individual.

Thoroughbred Horses

Like many trainers, Robin Petrasek of Maryland’s Talbot Run center appreciates what the Thoroughbred brings to the arena. From the onset there are qualifications a good Thoroughbred should have, and what was a disadvantage on the race track can be an advantage in other venues.

The first step is selection and of course this varies on the intended use of the horse. As a general rule the Thoroughbred is built to cover ground. With the right temperament and “handle” they can excel in polo, but some many not be cut out for this work just as in racing. Also, not all will pan out in the hunter or dressage world. But what this should highlight is the various opportunities other then racing available to the Thoroughbred.

What to Look For in a Thoroughbred

Robin notes “For a dressage horse, I like good, straight legs. They are the base of the horse, and if there is any sign of problems (i.e. chips or severe crookedness) I steer clear. Any leg conformational problems can lead to severe problems later.” An example of this might be an injury that heals but doesn’t hold up to the stress of jumping – when a conformation problem predisposes the horse to injury, the horse is really set back from the beginning. This creates an issue where because of the structure of the leg they can’t help the way they walk.

“I also like a strong solid back, not too long or short. A long back is hard to collect and susceptible to pain and discomfort, as well as difficulty truly tracking up. I like a longish neck so the horse has an easy time stretching over the topline to really develop and strengthen their backs.” This is a basic form to function for the horse – they must be equipped to do the job. The muscles in the neck and back are needed for that long pretty profile a dressage horse has.

Although a balanced picture is important in dressage too much length alters the picture. Too long or too short detracts from the balance needed to really excel in the sport. The more one is too long or too short the harder it is to find that balance point that allows an excellent result in the dressage ring.

Some trainers swear by – or at – certain bloodlines in general terms that overlooks the individual. Robin comments “A lot of the horses that have been specifically bred to run, tend not to hold up as riding horses. However, I believe that every horse has the potential to do anything with the right amount of training and patience. If they have the heart and drive to do it, there should be nothing to stop them!”

This sometimes means finding the right way to communicate what you want so that the horse understands it. Many Thoroughbreds are very intelligent. The intelligence that allows them to excel at the track and observe the small things in their world is the same intelligence that if challenged with training can carry them far.

“A good head and willingness to be sane on the ground. It all starts with ground manners, so something that cannot be controlled on the ground will be very difficult to turn in to a good riding horse.” This falls heavily to the early handlers of young thoroughbreds long before they get to a racetrack. This is often small teaching of and giving respect to a young horse which can truly change, or save, a horse’s life should he (especially geldings) or she be unable to race for whatever reason. The manners can be taught but the horse’s nature can’t and some horses naturally want to please and “go with the program.” These can be ideal for training for a second career.

The Maryland horse trainer had advice for the potential owner as well “I believe that only a very confident rider with a lot patience and dedication should take OTTBs as projects. They are very easy to mess up, and need a lot of consistency.” This is not something to undertake for the rider who is easily rattled as at times you will swear Thoroughbreds have a bad sense of humor. There’s a fine line sometimes between putting a foot down and starting a battle and it takes experience to do the first without doing the second.

The long debate of geldings vs mares can also matter to some. Robin observes “Geldings are often easier to ride and calmer, while mares have a bit more attitude. However, it is often the mares that will give it their all and really perform when needed.”

One adage is you tell a gelding, you ask a mare and discuss it with a stallion. For most a stallion is out of the question to compete on, but the differences between mares and geldings can be substantial, as well as the way to approach an issue. There are also exceptions to the general guidelines as we all know horses don’t read! A mare can be “testy” to deal with but once you get through the communication and earn her trust and respect she’ll dig down for every last drop for you.

A good Thoroughbred is worth the effort – choose wisely and prepare for an adventure where challenges may be high but so are the rewards.

Talbot Run Equestrian Center in Mount Airy, Maryland will be offering summer camp again this year for children and teenagers, from ages 5 to 16. The camp will consist of formal instruction, leisurely trail rides, and informative classes.

Talbot Run is a family owned and operated stable. Ann and Bob became interested in horses after their daughter, Robin, began riding at the age of 6. Four years ago, the family bought the stable which is equipped with a 30 stall barn, and both indoor and outdoor riding arenas.  They now offer lessons, boarding, and training as well as summer camps.

Talbot Run Summer Riding Camp

When asked what inspired the Petraseks to offer this summer camp, Ann replied “we started it as a part of our instructional program to give the kids more opportunities to learn horsemanship.” Their endeavour has proved fruitful, as many of the regular lesson students attend this yearly camp along with several newcomers.

Campers will be given two riding lessons each day of the week-long session. Students will have a chance to ride several of the stable’s Mount Airy lesson horses, which include Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Shetland and Welsh ponies. Working with different horses will give the campers a broader range of experience, as opposed to becoming accustomed to the habits of only one horse. For lessons, campers will always be matched with a horse appropriate for their experience and likewise split into groups according to ability level. The emphasis is mostly on English riding, but Western is used for trail rides and barrel racing. The riding will not be confined to the lesson arena, as all campers will be given the opportunity to go trail riding through Talbot Run’s 147 acres. At the end of every week, a presentation will be held to display skills the students have learned.

When they are not riding campers will be learning how to care for their horse, braiding techniques, the horse’s anatomy, and the various breeds. Ann Petrasek, owner and director of Talbot Run, says “Our camp focuses specifically on horsemanship skills” both in and out of the saddle. It will be a “hands-on” experience for the campers, as they will groom, bathe, and saddle their own horses.  Arts and crafts are always horse-related as well, which vary from horseshoes decorated with pictures, painted ponies, to braided brow bands.

A regular session will be held every week, which is perfect for beginners who have spent little to no time in the saddle. For students with more experience, specialty camps will be offered. These will include eventing,  jumping, dressage, trail riding, and show team competition. Their unmounted classes will also be more advanced, covering topics such as advanced braiding (perfect for show competitors), how to condition themselves and their horses for cross country courses, and how to care for their tack. Students will also design jump courses and create their own routines for musical dressage.

Ann Petrasek and the instructors make it a point to emphasize safety around the horses, and riding helmets are provided for all students. The camp’s riding instructors are certified through the United States Pony Club, and the Certified Horsemanship Association. Many of the other staff members and helpers either took lessons at Talbot Run, or have been campers themselves.

Whether your child is just learning to post at the trot or is perfecting their subtle movements in the art of dressage, Talbot Run Equestrian Center can cater to and develop his or her skills. This is a great opportunity to break into the field of horseback riding, as campers will learn how to work with horses both in the saddle and on the ground. Experienced riders will be challenged by qualified instructors in their preferred field.  Talbot Run’s summer camp exposes campers to all aspects of equitation, teaching students not only how to ride well but also providing them with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the sport.

Each day’s session lasts from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended care available from 8 to 5 for an additional charge. The maximum is 15 campers per session.

For more information, please call 410-635-3842 or visit Talbot Run.

The top five horse farms in America are an elite group. When considering the big picture these farms can encompass all breeds. Their contribution to the horse industry as a whole as well as their section of it stands out.

There are many farms blessed with a couple good stallions, and then there are those that get one that changes everything. They are legends, they are driving forces in their breed. Some embrace the past, present and future. All have made an impact.

5. UVM Horse Farm is long known for top Morgans. The Weybridge Vermont farm has for 150 years produced some of the best Morgans the breed has known. In 1907 Colonel Joseph Battell perhaps saved America’s first breed of horse from extinction by deeding his farm and the horses to the government, and over the years such legends of the breed as UVM Promise, UVM Flash, UVM Kathy and UVM Trophy emerged. Grand National stars such as UVM Christine, UVM Columbine and UVM Unity have lit up the show ring.

The farm is credited with raising horses to the 2nd largest agriculture industry in Vermont, with over $27million per year and 100,000 acres kept open because of the horses. In 1951 the US government gave the farm to the University of Vermont, where it is a designated national historic site. While it’s true that the Morgan is not as popular in numbers, this historic farm is a vital part of the breed. The UVM Equestrian team has excelled at the national and regional level as well as an active Dressage team. The apprentice program teaches students proper riding and driving skills as well as foaling, breeding mares and handling the stallions.

4. Riverside ranch began on a humble dairy farm in Sultan Washington. Now with a main branch in Weatherford Texas owners Stephen and Cindy Stephens have opened a Leitchfield, Kentucky location also. It was a different picture on that farm in western Washington. They found a nice horse and bought him re-mortgaging the farm to come up with his purchase price. The horse was foaled in Galva Illinois by Verlin Jackson in 1981. He was a decent enough horse, earning some recognition in the show world. But this was Quarter horses it takes more than a nice horse as there are many nice horses. When the Stephens took that step they could not have dreamed how this horse, found in Mississippi, would change their lives. His name was Dynamic Deluxe.
DD was a horse ahead of his time. As an 8 year old paired with an up-and-coming couple it made the perfect puzzle. DD became a legend pleasure competition sire. He had sired champions and yet was valued not just for what he did but for the incredible horse he was. DD was laid to rest at 21 after a long battle with laminitis.

Today DD grandsons carry the tradition. Riverside Ranch is the epitome of not being the biggest yet maintaining high quality. They are a USDA approved export collection center to provide semen for overseas shipment, bringing that top quality to an international market.

3. Sheldak Ranch means Appaloosa legends such as King David, Mighty Tim and Mighty Bright. To have one great horse is a dream. To a list warrants all breed recognition. Mighty Tim alone has a resume that speaks for itself.

These are horses that excel not just in one event but from halter to roping to steer daubing to pleasure. To have a beautiful, colorful, tractable horse home produced by generations of breeding is something worthy of all-breed credentials. Outstanding horses have been sold throughout the USA as well as Canada, Mexico and as far as Spain. With decades of outstanding horses they warrant being in a list of the top farms America has to offer.

Calumet Farm

2. Calumet Farm is history. It is a name recognized around the world for great Thoroughbreds such as Whirlaway, Citation and Alydar. It is a name marked with tragedy and sadness, following the controversial death of Alydar and the demise and sale of what once was a thriving operation. It is forgotten that the farm influenced more than just Thoroughbreds. A Standardbred gelding Peter Manning in 1922 he set a mile record trotting in 1:56-3/4. It was this Standardbred gelding that brought William M. Wright to purchase the farm. In the early days of Calumet it was Standardbred trotters that ruled. Mr. Wright passed away in 1931 and the farm passed to Warren Wright, the same year Calumet Butler won the Hambletonian Stakes. It would be two years before Hadagal became Calumet’s first Thoroughbred stakes winner and Nellie Flag became their first champion. In 1936 Blenheim II and Bull Lea came to the farm and the 1940s ushered in the glory days for Calumet. Whirlaway and Citation became Triple Crown winners. Twilight Tear, Coaltown, Barbizon and Real Delight were named champions. In 1950 Mr. Wright passed away, and Mrs. Wright took over the farm. In 1964 Bull Lea and in 1968 Forward Pass became Calumet’s eighth Kentucky Derby winner. Calumet’s involvement in Thoroughbreds was secure as was the farm. In the late 1970s came arguably the most famous reserve Triple Crown winner in history, when Alydar pushed Affirmed to become the last winner at this writing. In 1982 Mrs. Markey died and ownership passed to JT Lundy, son-in-law of the Wright’s only child. In 1990 Alydar was America’s leading sire when he died. That year Criminal Type was named Horse of the Year. The unraveling of Calumet is documented in the book “A Wild Ride” and the remaining horses were sold. In 1992 Henryk de Kwiatkowski, owner of Danzig, bought the farm at auction and restored it to what it could be. When he died in 2003 the farm passed to family members and trustees.

The farm is currently on 800 historic acres with reputation world wide for their record of Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winners.

1. Claiborne Farm certainly shares a long history in Kentucky at the top. For horse people and especially Thoroughbred fans this is hallowed ground. A bay stallion foaled in 1909 named Wrack was purchased by the Hancock family and by 1923 he was the leading US sire, a feat he repeated in 1930 and 1931. It was 1920 when the farm welcomed Sir Gallahad, who won G1 races in France whose son Gallant Fox won the Triple Crown.

In 1947 Claiborne’s homebred Jet Pilot won the Kentucky Derby and in 1950 Hill Prince was Horse of the Year. The farm had purchased a little Irish horse named Princequillo born in Ireland due to his dam being moved to safety in WWII. Princequillo sired Horse of the Year Hill Prince. In 1951 *Nasrullah, English 2 year old champion, was brought to the US to stand. In 1954 his son Nashua was named champion 2 year old. In 1955 *Nasrullah began a run at the leading sire list that he himself held for 5 years and Claiborne held for 15. Times were good. Bold Ruler and Round Table returned to Claiborne for stud duty, marred by the loss in 1959 of *Nasrullah. By 1963 Bold Ruler led the sire list for the first time where he would stay for 7 consecutive years. In 1967 Claiborne-foaled Buckpasser returned home for stud duty after winning Horse of the Year the year before.

By 1970 the outstanding horse Nijinsky came home to Claiborne. In 1971 Bold Ruler died and the following year Round Table topped the leading sire list. In 1973 Secretariat was syndicated for a record $6million before winning the Triple Crown. Wajima sold for a yearling record $600,000 at Keeneland which would be topped in 1978 by Nureyev selling for $1.3million.

In 1981 Danzig entered stud at Claiborne. Champions Swale, Forty Niner, Personal Ensign, Easy Goer, Lure are Claiborne horses.

Claiborne homebred Lure won the Breeders Cup Mile twice on his way to a dominant run at racing history but unfortunately fertility issues kept him from sire records. In 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled joined the stallion roster. In 2002 Monarchos became the 14th Kentucky Derby winner to stand at Claiborne. In 1996 Smuggler won the Eclipse Award for 2005 champion 3 year old filly the 63rd champion in major racing to be foaled at the farm since 1954.

Today the stallion roster holds names like During, Horse Greeley, Political Force, Pulpit, Easing Along, Seeking The Gold and War Front – many with ancestors who also lived or were produced at the farm. For the long reign at the top of the heap not just in America but in the world, Claiborne has earned a place at the top.

Editor- Chenay Jordan-McDowell

Photographer – CJ Wheeler

Cowhorse Ranch

Located off the dirt Rancho Ballena Road, in Ramona, California (near San Diego), the Cowhorse Ranch sits in a lush green valley between two majestic mountains.

To get there, you will have to drive through the quaint downtown of Ramona, and then follow a winding country road (Highway 78) with endless rolling golden hills.  On the way you will pass by an endless number of cow ranches and upscale horse breeding farms. You can even stop at the road side stand for some farm fresh eggs.

The moment you arrive, you will find that the Cowhorse Ranch is simply charming.  From the blue eyed cow dog that greets you with a kiss, to the warm sun slowly setting behind the mountains, and the horses… everywhere.

Owned and operated by John Mallon and his wife Stephanie, the Mallons’ offer ranch visitors two lifetimes of equine knowledge and with their easy going, warm nature, it’s easy to see why even the most novice equine enthusiast feels welcome here.

John has conducted equine seminars worldwide, written and published hundreds of articles, and even sings country music and plays the guitar.  Also insightful about equine behavior, he says the most common mistake horse owners make is: “People treat their horses like they are dogs. They talk to them like they are dogs, like the horse has some interest in pleasing them, or cares about them. They don’t. The horse just cares about being comfortable and feeling safe. So if you think your horse is trying to outsmart you or is being stubborn, take that stuff out of your mind. It doesn’t exist.”

He adds: “Your horse is hardwired to be super cooperative. But they are not looking for a buddy; they are looking for a boss. Your horse is looking for a nice, kind, benevolent dictator.”  For more information about the “Mallon Method” visit: The San Diego Equine Exchange.

Stephanie is also very involved and teaches ranch sorting.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, a sorter, a cutter, or a roper, the Cowhorse Ranch is a facility that is fully equipped to suit a number or events and disciplines.

Boasting four arenas that are guaranteed to be dust and rock free, the Cowhorse Ranch lets patrons rent the arena of their choice by the hour, half-day, or full-day as well as the use of either their mechanical cow or their live cattle, which are rotated out regularly.

By appointment only, you can book a Ranch Sorting Practice or a Cutting Practice.  Fees are based on standard arena rates and turn back service is always available.  A great way to introduce young horses to cattle in a non-hostile environment, tune up seasoned horses, or improve your own riding/sorting skills.

Weekends at the Cowhorse Ranch are busy with both Ranch Sorting and Ranch Roping, and “you’re guaranteed to have a good time or your money back!”

Every Saturday (weather permitting), the Cowhorse Ranch Cattle Club hosts its Ranch Sorting & Shootout.

Ranch sorting is an equine sport that is rampantly becoming popular among equine families and is now an approved event of the American Quarter Horse Association.

The Shootout event is Ranch Sorting “individual style” and is an equally exciting event to participate in.

A Seasonal Membership for the Cowhorse Ranch Cattle Club can be purchased for $25. During the event, members pay a $5 fee for each run they participate in.  Non-members can also participate for a mere $6 per run.

Sponsored prizes are given for the best Ranch Sorting time of the night and the Shootout has a 50% payback.  Jackpots and Buckle Runs are also hosted throughout the season.

Signups start at 1:30 p.m. and Sorting starts at 2:00 p.m.  Between 4-5 p.m. the Shootout will begin, with Sorting continuing immediately after.

Saturdays are no doubt an entire day of ranch fun for the whole family.  Not to mention, the incredibly friendly atmosphere at these events makes for an ideal learning environment for beginners and provides friendly competition for more experienced riders.

But Sundays don’t slouch either.  Visitors on Sundays can expect to participate in Ranch Roping.  Times and rates for Roping Practices vary so be sure to call ahead.

And if you’re not local?

The Cowhorse Ranch offers overnight accommodations for both you and your horse.  Stay in your horse trailer, your truck, or your tent and put your horse up in one of their corrals.  And, if roughing it isn’t your style, try a B&B in nearby Julian or Ramona.  John and Stephanie can help you find one that suits your needs.

Lessons and training are also available at the Cowhorse Ranch for “novice to intermediate horses and for riders who wish to start or improve their cattle working skills.”

If you don’t have a horse suitable for working cattle but want to get involved, John and Stephanie have a number of horses for use as well as prospects for sale.

No matter when you visit, before you leave the “world” of the Cowhorse Ranch, be sure to drive the mere 10 minutes to the World Famous Julian Pie Company.  A slice of delicious apple pie is a marvelous way to recoup after spending a day (or days) at the ranch.

Afterward, loosen your Wranglers by walking across the street to Donna Sherrill’s Antique store. Packed with fascinating antiques as well as great jams and jellies from the orchard Donna runs, the shop emanates a nostalgia many will recognize.
Make sure to pat Donna’s dog “Becky” on the head while you’re there.

You will probably have to step over her to get in the door.

For more information about the Cowhorse Ranch, visit their website at www.cowhorseranch.com.

Mark Rashid

Written by: Mary Knetter

When you think of martial arts, the image of a man dressed in chaps, boots and a cowboy hat doesn’t exactly come to mind. But Mark Rashid isn’t your typical martial artist. He’s a horse trainer and student of aikido who, with a unique combination of patience and insight, teaches riders to use many of the same techniques used in the martial arts.

Getting Started

Mark Rashid learned about the concepts of martial arts by working with a riding student who happened to teach martial arts. His student noticed that many of the ideas he was trying to teach related to the teachings of martial arts. So after two years of studying and nearly ten years of training, Rashid became a second degree black belt in aikido, a form of Japanese martial arts that focuses on controlling body energy by staying centered, entering into opposing energy, blending with opposing energy and using circular movement. In Japanese, “aikido” means “the way of harmony.”

Mark Rashid’s Five Principles

Rashid teaches that the five principles of softness–consistency, dependability, trust, peace of mind and softness–also apply to many of the things we try to achieve with our horses. “The more consistent you are, the more dependable you are,” he said, pointing out that one principle is reached by achieving the one before. “The more dependable you are, the more trustworthy you are; the more trustworthy you are, the more peace of mind you’ll have.”

Softness

According to Rashid, softness and lightness are not the same concept. Lightness, he points out, works from the outside and only works as long as everything is going well. When the horse is introduced to something new, lightness goes away. Softness, on the other hand, works from the inside and works all of the time. “Some trainers will tell you that softness is riding with a big loop in your rein,” he said. “That’s not softness, that’s riding with a big loop in your rein.”

How to Get Softness

Mark Rashid says that horses are traditionally taught to lean into pressure with contact, but that concept is incorrect. “When somebody pulls you, you want to pull back,” he said. “When somebody pushes you, you want to push back.” That pulling and pushing goes through the rider’s entire body, directly affecting the same muscles in the horse. Instead, ask your horse for softness through rein contact without pulling and giving the horse a release by moving toward the pressure. “The horse looks for you to soften,” he said. “The horse will offer you something really small. And if you don’t release, they’re just going to continue bracing.”

Softness Leads to Collection

Rashid defines collection as “teaching the horse to relax, because they’re already tight” and that collection can only come from a horse that is relaxed. In other words, collection comes from softness in the muscles. Rashid said that to work on collection, start by backing your horse. “You can do a lot of work just backing,” he said. “The key here is we need to use pressure without pulling.” In using pressure to ask a horse to back, you will feel your horse brace, soften up and then let go. “We want to wait until he does that,” Rashid said, adding that for the horse it is a release of the brace.

Balance

Mark Rashid also points out that the majority of collection comes from the rider. Using the theory of a balance point, he says that between horse and rider, the two should be at a balance point value of 10 and both need to be active in the partnership. “If we aren’t present, there’s no reason for them to pay attention,” he said. Ideally, you and your horse should each have a balance plane value of five, but if the horse’s energy moves up or down, your energy needs to increase or decrease to create a balance and allow the horse to relax. “The tighter you are, the tighter the horse will be,” Rashid said. “A muscle has to have a corresponding muscle to relax.”

Breathing

“Breathing is the only function of the body we don’t need to control,” said Rashid, but adds that breathing is very important because we can control it. “Breathing is the only function that affects the rest of the body.” He goes on to say that breathing affects the chemical responses in the brain and directly affects the breathing and mind of the horse. “If his mind is gone, you can’t teach,” he said, demonstrating that breathing from deep within the chest encourages the horse to take that same deep breath, resulting in more control over the horse’s body. Rashid adds that regular breathing throughout the ride allows the two of you to become in sync, especially when asking your horse to do something. “If you breathe out when you stop, he’ll stop better,” he said. “If you breathe out when you turn, he’ll turn better.”

Study the Martial Arts

Rashid said that martial arts can help you become a better rider. “Martial arts made a big difference,” said Mark Rashid. “It put me in a different place internally and externally. I’m also asking more from the horse.” However, such activities can be dangerous, even deadly, when the speed is increased. He points out that other activities like ballroom dancing can be beneficial if you’re looking for a way to achieve the self-control and harmony you want with your horse. When looking for a martial arts program to help build your horsemanship skills, Rashid suggests doing some research before you start and spend some time with the instructor to see what they do and then decide if it’s right for you.

For More Information About Mark Rashid

For more information about Mark Rashid, his training and a complete list of his books, DVDs and clinic schedule, visit his website at http://www.markrashid.com.