HORSE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER AND MORE!!!
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Topics in this issue:
1) Comments from readers: Wind-sucking and ulcers
2) Feature: Uncle Moose's Trailer Safety Quiz
3) Recommended products and services: Future Fork
4) Rally and rating tips: D1 prep guide
5) Questions and answers: Rally questions galore
6) Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs: Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid
7) Horse Management Judging: The Big Picture
8) Featured rule: Longeing requirements

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Comments from readers
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The following comment is in regards to the question last month about a
wind-sucking horse.

Hi Stormy,

I have a hunch about wind-sucking in horses that are stressed. While a lot
of scientist types say horses wind suck due to lack of forage in their diet
in the stabled environment, many owners of wind-sucking horses that I have
asked feed very adequate amounts of forage. So why do their horses
wind-suck? I am starting to wonder if horses like Marcyıs in your
newsletter may in fact have ulcers induced by some trauma, and the
wind-sucking somehow helps to alleviate their discomfort. This would
explain why Marcyıs horse tends to wind-suck more when stressed. Horses
that tend to suffer from ulcers may not have ulcers all the time, and as
with people their ulcers flare up in response to stress. I would be very
interested in hearing if Marcyıs horse does in fact have ulcers, or if
treating the horse for ulcers reduces its wind-sucking. I do know a horse
that did have ulcers and although she did not wind-suck, she would put her
head up in the air, open her mouth and role her top lip as a pain response.

Just a thought.
Clair Spackman, DC, Panache Pony Club

Stormy's note: I forwarded Clair's comment along to Marcy and then did some
research, it definitely would make sense that the wind-sucking behavior is
linked to ulcers in this case. I remembered hearing something like it years
ago but had totally forgotten. For equine ulcers, they used to give the
human ulcer treatments Zantac or Tagamet but now the drug of choice is
GastroGard.

For more information on cribbing and ulcers, see the websites below:

From the GastroGard website:
http://gastrogard.us.merial.com/equine_ulcers.asp

A study of generics compared to "gastrogard" at UC Davis:
http://www.vetcontact.com/en/art.php?a=111&t=aktuell&f=

An interesting Australian herbal article about ulcers:
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/articles_equine_stomach_ulcers.html

Another interesting one:
http://www.xcodesign.com/aaep/displayArticles.cfm?ID=215

One last one:
http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/2000resmag/horseulcers.html

Marcy replied: Our vet calls out of the blue and suggests that Holly may
have ulcers and we should start her on meds.

Hey, thanks! Marcy Neher, HMO Inland Empire region

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Stormy,

I think this family [the Neher's] ought to be recruited to do a lot more
writing.

Eileen O'Farrell, Panache Pony Club graduate A's mom

Stormy's note: Here you go!

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Uncle Moose's Trailer Safety Quiz
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by Talitha Neher

Including:
Beating crazed thieves back with a tire iron
What Uncle Yuri shouldnıt do when the light turns green
A river of blood on the highway
Swamp Fever‹a bad, bad thing
A mummy in the trailer

Questions:

1. Uncle Yuri is driving you to a hunter pace in Possum Crick. On the
way there, you stop for a red light. In the lane next to you, two shiftless
louts in a red Camaro are revving their engine. The light turns green. What
should you say?

1. Gun it, Uncle Yuri! Letıs show that hunk of junk what this baby can
do.
2. Do you want another beer?
3. Be sure to accelerate slowly so that the horses donıt scramble.
4. Did you remember to close the trailer door? I know I didnıt.

2. What is a Coggins test for?

1. Hairy Heel Wart
2. Coggins Disease
3. Equine Infectious Anemia
4. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis

3. Mack the Knife just made you a bet. He bets that you canıt name five
things to check on the truck or trailer before you leave for a trip. If
Mack is going to cut off a lock of hair for each thing you canıt name, what
could you list to save your hair?

4. Which is not something you need to carry in the trailer when you
travel?

1. Equipment to change a tire.
2. Water from home.
3. Beer from home.
4. An extra halter and leadrope.

5. If someone offered to bet you fifty dollars and a yearıs supply of
kitty litter that you couldnıt name three things you need to change a tire,
what could you say to get the money?

6. If you got stopped at the state line and Officer Friendly said ³You
look like a shifty-eyed, low-down dirty hoss thief if I ever saw one,² what
are three things with a description of your horse you could show him to
prove him wrong?

7. On a long trailer ride, how often should you stop?

1. Every time I see a casino, baby, every time I see a casino.
2. At least once every twenty-four hours, so that the driver can get
some rest.
3. About every four to six hours, so that you can get the horses out to
stretch their legs, pee (some horses wonıt pee in the trailer) and have a
drink.
4. Stop? Are you crazy? Once I get in my driving groove I donıt stop
till I get where Iım going. You kids can pee in a cup and throw it out the
window.

8. Which is an appropriate place to stop the trailer and walk the horses?

1. In the parking lot of the casino.
2. In the pet area of a rest stop.
3. On the side of the interstate.
4. At the gas station.

9. When traveling with your horse, which is the most appropriate halter
type to choose?

1. All nylon. Like meat and fur, leather is murder.
2. All leather, or nylon with a leather crownpiece or breakaway strap,
so that it will break in an emergency.
3. All nylon. Itıs so much easier to color coordinate with nylon.
4. None. The horse is better able to balance if he is left free in the
trailer.

10. Which is the best use for a tire iron?

1. To remove a hubcap when changing a tire.
2. To encourage a reluctant horse to load.
3. To fend off an assailant such as a car or horse thief.
4. To break into a convenience store if it is closed and you are hungry.

11. Of the following, which is most important to consider when selecting
shipping wraps or boots for your horse?

1. Whether or not they match my horseıs halter, lead rope, fly sheet and
grooming kit.
2. How well the color complements my horseıs coat.
3. Whether or not there is adequate padding and whether the leg is
covered from just below the knees and hocks including the coronary band and
the bulbs of the heel.
4. How long it takes me to put them on. I want to be done in ten
minutes. Tops.


12. Which of the following would be acceptable ways to protect your horseıs
legs when traveling?

1. Commercial shipping boots with adequate padding and which protect the
horse from at least just below the knees and hocks including the coronary
band and bulbs of the heel.
2. No wraps but two feet of straw on the floor of the trailer.
3. Plain polo wraps or track wraps.
4. Sheet cotton padding followed by flannel wraps, covering the horse
from just below the knees and hocks including the coronary band and bulbs of
the heel.

13. What are trailer wraps for, anyway?

1. To keep the horseıs legs warm.
2. To protect the legs from injury‹a horse can step on himself or be
stepped on by the horse next to him if he scrambles while in the trailer.
3. So that if the horse pees in the trailer her legs wonıt get wet.
4. Itıs just one more way to make my horse look good.

14. Why is protecting the coronary band such a big deal?

1. Have you ever heard of a coronary? Like a heart attack? If a horse
steps on his coronary band, he will get an instant heart attack.
2. There are lots of major blood vessels in this area, so an injury here
will result in serious blood loss. You will only become aware of this when
you notice a river of blood running down the highway in your rear view
mirror.
3. Damage to the coronary band can affect future hoof growth and
therefore future soundness.
4. Lies. Itıs all lies. The coronary band is the least important part
on the whole horse.

15. How should the horse be secured in the trailer?

1. With a quick-release knot or a safety snap on a trailer tie.
2. Tied up so tight it would take a team of nuclear physicists to get
that knot undone‹Iım not taking any chances on him getting loose in the
trailer.
3. With a bike chain to deter horse thieves.
4. I told you before‹horses balance better when left loose in the
trailer.

16. If something went wrong with the quick release knot and you had to get
the horse free in a hurry, what could you use?

1. An axe.
2. The pocket knife in your travel kit.
3. A tire iron. This is truly a tool of many uses.
4. A broken beer bottle.

17. After arriving at the hunter pace, Uncle Yuri suggests that you tie
your horse to the trailer and go find your entry packet while he takes the
truck to a casino he remembers passing a few miles back. What do you think?

1. It would only be okay to tie the horse to the trailer with the truck
still attached, and the horse under supervision.
2. This would be okay as long as she is tied directly to the trailer on
a long line so that she can graze, since it might take you a while to get
your number.
3. Since you will both be gone, it would be best to use that bike chain
in case a horse thief comes along.
4. She would be more comfortable if she were left loose in the trailer.

18. As regards equine apparel, what is the bare minimum for safe travel?

1. A leather halter or one with a leather crownpiece or breakaway strap,
a lead rope tied in a quick-release knot or a quick-release trailer tie and
shipping boots or wraps which protect the horse from at least just below the
knees and hocks including the coronary band and bulbs of the heel.
2. A leather halter with a nose fuzzy, a poll guard in case he bumps his
head, a sheet in summer or a rug in winter, a fly mask, a trailer tie,
shipping wraps, knee boots, hock boots and a tail wrap. If that horse isnıt
wrapped up like a mummy, I donıt want him anywhere near the trailer.
3. All tacked up and ready to go the minute he steps out of the trailer.
4. How many times do I have to tell you? Naked, natural and loose in
the trailer.

19. When hauling a trailer, it is best to drive:

1. Offensively
2. Defensively
3. Aggressively
4. Passive-aggressively

20. What is Swamp Fever?

1. Malaria
2. Equine Infectious Anemia
3. What Uncle Yuri gets when he drinks too much moonshine down in the
bayou.
4. Equine Protozoal Myelitis

Bonus question: Mack the Knife wants to make another bet. Mack bets that
you canıt name five things you should always bring when you travel with your
horse. If you lose, Mack will cut off your belt. What could you say to
save your belt?

Super bonus question: Equine Infectious Anemia has reared its ugly head
several times in this quiz. Why is it such a bad thing?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Be sure to look up the answers, they are just as good as the questions! You
can find a printable version of this quiz, followed by the answers at the
following link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HorseManagementNewsletter/files/
Look for the Uncle Moose's Trailer Safety Quiz link.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Talitha Neher was a Pony Clubber in Idaho (did the pony club thing, liked
run/swim/jump/shoot, liked dressage/jump/jump), got older, taught at some
camps, helped local kids, earned a Creative Writing Masters degree in
England, and is currently waiting for the last weeks of vet school to
drag by so she can get the internship thing done and finally have a horse
again. Talitha likes bat-eared, muscular dogs with undershot jaws and screw
tails and kayaks big enough for bat-eared dogs to ride along.

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Recommended products and services
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Future Fork, just the best apple picker ever made!

Back sometime in the '80s when plastic head manure forks were invented,
there were the Future Forks. I had one of those original forks, and still
had it at least through the beginning of this millennium when a conflict
involving an ATV and a horse shelter left it in pieces. How many of you old
timers out there can boast about a plastic manure fork that lasted over 10
years of consistent use? I've since replaced it with two more Future Forks
(I like help when I'm shoveling) that have been trouble free as well. There
are dozens of imitations, Fantastic Forks, Wonder Forks, Pro Pick Forks and
others, many of which come in more attractive colors than the Future Fork's
basic black, and are priced lower as well, but if you want durability,
Future Fork is the name to remember. There's a reason they're still on the
market after all these years.

When I worked at other barns and the employer would supply the cheap rakes,
we'd end up with what we called "Zen Forks". These were the ones that would
lose a tine every month or so until you ended up with a true Zen fork, where
you learn the lesson that you just have to let some of the manure pass
through.

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Rally and rating tips: D1 prep guide
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Hooray, this completes the series of prep guides for the D1-HA levels which
started 7 months ago. I have even begun to see the results. At a rating I
did for the Shasta and Durham-Chico clubs, many of the kids had used the
study guides and passed their ratings with ease! Please keep these on file
for your future ratings. The questions are ones that give a good indication
of the depth of knowledge needed at each level. Only certain sections may
be covered.

The guides are not meant to be comprehensive, they are only intended to get
you studying on the right track. Many of the answers can be found in the
Pony Club manuals. Additional resources include veterinarians, trainers,
farriers, and graduate Pony Clubbers. Memorizing this knowledge from books
is a start but the examiners will also want to hear of practical experiences
and applications of this knowledge. These guides should be used along with
the standards.

**Most importantly, I hope there are never any answer keys made for these
questions. It isn't necessarily these questions or answers that are the
most important part. The studying and questioning that you have to do to
find the answers will be the biggest value.**

Good luck!
~Stormy

Why is it important to make sure your pony is cooled out before you stop
riding?
How can you safely hang a water bucket in a stall?
How can you safely feed a horse hay in a pasture?
Should you feed a horse grain from your hand?
Which is the first tool you should use when grooming?
How is a curry comb properly used?
What is the difference between a dandy brush and a body brush?
How can you tell if your saddle and pad are in the right place?
How can you tell if your bit is on the bridle correctly?
Why are people always telling you to clean your tack?
What are 6 parts of the bridle?
What are 6 parts of the saddle?
When another horse takes off in the arena, what should you do if you are
riding too?
When you're in a warm up arena and you're coming towards someone, should you
pass them on the left or right side?
When you're riding how much space should be between your horse and the horse
ahead of you?
When was the last time the vet looked at your horse? What did he or she do
with your horse?
Why is it important to make sure the pony's feet are picked out?
When you're putting a halter on your pony, where should you be standing?
What should you do before you actually put the halter on?
Which side are ponies typically used to being led on?
Which is the safest direction to turn your pony if you need to turn around
when you're leading?

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Questions and answers
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Along with rally season, come the inevitable rally questions...

Hi Stormy,

I wanted to ask you a couple of questions about rally kits. We are putting
together a 2nd HM kit and I am amazed at the cost so we are being frugal and
buying 2nd hand etc where possible. On the over night rally list it says ³4
leg bandages with appropriate padding for 4 stable wraps². I know in the
past we have been told that when we have horses and ponies on the team which
is pretty much each rally we need to have leg pillows that would fit both
sizes of horse. Do we need 4 pony pillows and 4 horse pillows or will 2 of
each size work? Section 19 of the HM rule book is a bit vague.

In the same vein, we have been told that we need spare tack to fit all
horses/ponies and therefore in our first kit we have a horse and a pony
bridle. Although we donıt have 2 sizes of girth. Section 19 says that
different sizes MAY be required. What does MAY mean? Obviously if we need
it we will buy it but I donıt want to be misspending money!

Thanks for MAYBE clarifying these points :).

Clair Spackman, DC, Panache Pony Club

Hi Clair,

The 4 leg bandages with appropriate padding needs to be enough stable
bandages and padding so that 4 horse legs, or 4 pony legs could be bandaged,
or that 8 legs (4 pony and 4 horse) could be properly padded if there are a
mix of horses and ponies on the team. It's quite creative to use 2 of each
size, and in all but the worst emergencies that would probably be
sufficient, but the rules are talking about 4 of each size. It is
permissible to use the same wrap material for both (flannel, or "standing
wrap"), but the padding would have to be different sizes. The cheapest way
if you can't find second hand pillow or no bow padding, would be to make up
the pony and horse sized padding from sheet cotton and then roll them
individually so a person in an emergency could wrap a leg quickly without
having to make the padding from a whole bag of sheet cotton.

Spare tack does need to fit all equines on the team. What people will often
do to avoid having two girths if there are ponies and horses on the team, is
to have a small girth with a girth extender included. The horse management
judges may choose to test out the girths to make sure they do fit all
horses, so do make sure it can fit! The other thing is if some saddles have
long billets and others have short, the spare(s) need(s) to fit in all
cases. The part that says "MAY" refers to the case where perhaps there are
large ponies and small horses on the team, in which case the same spares
might fit all of them.

Maybe this answers your questions :0)
Stormy

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Hello Stormy,

I have a question about the stable wraps on the equipment checklist, my
club for years has put 2 bags of sheet cotton in the vet box, but recently I
have been questioned about whether or not sheet cotton would work in an
emergency. But when I went over the checklist it was not clear to me what
the HM judges would be looking for. But is it necessary that the bandages
be premade or bought? Can a couple of bags of sheet cotton in the box be
marked down as not having the stable wraps?

Thank you,
Christina Brennan, C2, English Hills Pony Club


Hi Christina,

Thanks for the question! The padding for the stable wraps needs to already
be made into 4 individual pads of about 7-8 sheets each (rolled up
separately) that will fit all of the equines on the team. You may need 8
individual paddings if there are a mix of horses and ponies. In an
emergency the sheet cotton will certainly work well but you don't want to
take the time to open a new bag of sheet cotton and make up the pads while
the horse may be gushing blood. If you do use premade "pillow wraps" or
"no-bows" do make sure it fits everyone on the team as well.

For more on making your own wraps and padding, don't forget to refer back to
the May 2003 issue at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HorseManagementNewsletter/message/2 .

Happy wrapping,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

If Logan chooses to wear a dressage coat this weekend at the rally, vs.
going dressed as a "D" what should he wear around his neck if he doesn't
wear a turtleneck? I've never paid attention to what men are wearing
around their necks at dressage shows - a stock tie?

Thanks,
Linda Talken, DC, English Hills Pony Club

Hi Linda,

Thanks for asking. He can certainly wear a stock tie. Alternatively, he
can wear a regular necktie instead, as long as his coat isn't solid black.

See you at the rally!
Stormy

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Hi There,

After migrating north from Mid Cal region, I have some questions about
the hay the kids bring for rallies. Can the kids bring a bale & then weigh
out a portion for each feeding as long as they have the weight of how much
feed on a feed chart? I go round & round with the kids on this issue. What
do you all have to say about this method vs. bagging & tagging hay for each
feed time?

Barb Seidel, Napa Valley PC

Hi Barb,

The requirement for overnight rallies used to be that either the hay was
pre-weighed and packaged (not in plastic) or a scale was brought with
appropriate weights noted on the feed chart. At one of the last CHMJ
meetings in Kentucky it was brought up that the scale is no longer a
requirement. It was said that the weighing and measuring is taught in the
standards and should be taught within the club, that there isn't time to
teach it at rallies.

Because we're still using the 2002 HM Handbook, it is still on the required
equipment checklist for overnight rallies that the hay either be prepackaged
by weight or the team bring a scale, but since the change of rules, I
personally haven't given penalty points for a team not having a scale. My
best advice if they want to bring hay by the bale and a scale with the
weights noted on the feed chart, they will certainly not be penalized.

Thanks for weighing in,
Stormy

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Stormy,

The required equipment list calls for a heavy duty feed tub.....I thought it
was acceptable to feed the horses on the ground. Is the tub for hay? Will
a muck bucket work (with the rope handles cut?)

Thanks,
Logan Talken, D3, English Hills Pony Club

Hi Logan,

You're right, it is acceptable to feed hay on the ground at a rally. The
heavy duty feed tubs typically used are the black rubber tubs that have no
handles. They can be used for any supplements, or for holding the salt
blocks. However, if you don't feed supplements or feed them in a hanging
bucket and would prefer that your salt block doesn't get stepped on, then
you really don't have a use for a heavy duty feed tub. Personally, I don't
give points for people who don't use feed tubs and don't bring them, but
since it is on the required equipment list then you could have a chief who
does. You may get away with a muck bucket with the handles cut off in that
case, but I'd hate to see that knocking around in a horse's stall if it
isn't needed.

Keep it practical,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

Hope you and your four footed crew are well and into the rally season. A
question turned up during a non-qualifying games rally. At least three very
small D's on VERY small ponies had the Wintec treeless children's saddle.
We made a comment that treeless saddles were not allowed, but I could see
that they were really great for those particular kids. Long story short, DC
calls and wanted to know the history of this rule and if it can be changed
and if it is a hold over from times past. I didn't know, so I am emailing
you!

Marcy Neher, HMO Inland Empire region

Hi Marcy,

Treeless saddles are only disallowed in games because of their tendency to
slip when the kid is climbing on and off. Hopefully these kids and ponies
can find alternative saddles for the games rallies. Otherwise treeless
saddles are fine for all other activities.

No slipping!
Stormy

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Hi Stormy,

My daughter, Averie, was a member of the Shasta Pony Club until about
a month ago when we moved to Washington State. My daughter has ridden with
a bitless bridle for two years and we love it. Well, here they only use
mechanical hackamores. So when either of us rides one of their horses we
have to use the mechanical hackamore. I rode with it once and was quite
worried as I had seen your bit video and know there are some things to be
concerned about. If you could briefly tell me the points I should remember I
would greatly appreciate it. My daughter and I don't know whether to neck
rein or direct rein or what other factors we should be concerned about. My
search on the web revealed that the mechanical hackamore is one of the most
severe bridles available. The shanks are long as well. The man in charge is
self taught and has his own ideas and ways of doing things. I do not think
he has all the facts about the mechanical hackamore, nor do I think it would
make any difference. I am not trying to get him to change the type of
bridle he uses--just want to know how to use it safely when I ride one of
his horses (our horse is only going to be in the bitless bridle!).

Many thanks for all the information you are making available to us.

Sincerely,

Mona Johnson
Goldendale, WA

Hi Mona,

It sounds like you watched my video very carefully and did pick up that
mechanical hackamores can be dangerous. They are made to be used like a
curb bit and therefore the horse should be neck reined. If you must use a
direct or leading rein to turn the horse, just expect some confusion and
head tossing as the shank on the leading side will dig into the jaw. The
more gentle and patient you can be the better. The biggest danger comes
when the noseband is positioned low and the hackamore has long shanks. If a
rider uses the reins roughly they can break the nosebone and/or lower jaw
because of the leverage between the noseband and the curb chain or strap.
If you position the noseband half way between the protruding cheekbone and
the corners of the lips it should be high enough that the bones can
withstand a little more pressure without fracturing. Before and after your
ride with a mechanical hackamore, carefully press on the nose and jaw and if
the horse seems very sensitive there, you may want to tactfully suggest that
the owner should keep an eye on that. Maybe if you're lucky he'll see how
well the bitless bridle works on your horse and make up some new theories!

Happy neck reining!
Stormy

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Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs!
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Horses Never Lie: The heart of passive leadership by Mark Rashid

For those older Pony Clubbers and adults interested in my way of doing
things, and especially my particular leadership style, you'd do well to read
this book by Mark Rashid. In the book, Mark tells about his theory of
"passive leadership" which he learned from working with different large
horse herds over many years. The book is easy to read and understand, and
it tactfully points out that force isn't always the best way to gain and
maintain control of a situation. I think it works with people too.

Reviews from the Amazon.com website:

Reviewer: Lisa from South Boston, MA United States

This is one of the best horse 'training' books I've ever read. I found that
Mark presented his theories in a unique format, where each story teaches you
something about horses. I was able to read through the book in a matter of
hours and was not only entertained, but felt like I could apply many if not
all of his practices to the horses I deal with everyday; it isn't your
typical how-to at all. I especially like the way Mark explains how horses
view us and how, many times, it is miscommunication between humans and
equines that becomes the culprit in many 'problem' horse cases. Bravo to
Mark Rashid for taking a new approach to writing about horse training and
keeping it humble, down to earth, and honest (just like our horses!)

Reviewer: Reader from Eagle, ID United States

Mark's books aren't "how to do it manuals." They let us see how the mind of
the horse works and they illustrate that it is not so much what we DO that
is significant, but how well we OBSERVE and understand the actions of the
horse and the feedback it is giving us. Mark, in his books and in his
clinics, acts as a translator and ombudsman for the horse. We come to
understand through his stories (parables, if you ask me) that it is the
horse who teaches us and not the other way around. Mark shares with us how
he has virtually lost his ego and learned humility through his interaction
with horses over the years...something that wouldn't hurt ANY of us. We (as
predators) always seem to want to DO something - when we would be much more
effective if we were to WAIT and WATCH and CONSIDER before we DO. There are
plenty of books that provide specific techniques for getting a horse to
perform all kinds of maneuvers. While he provides some of this type of
information, Mark's approach is refreshing in that he explains things from
the horse's perspective and even encourages us to think CREATIVELY (gasp!)
in "reading" what our horses are telling us and designing appropriate ways
that we and the horses can work together to achieve the desired result. I
think this approach is very necessary in this "point it & punch it" era.
Horses are a lot more like small children than the powerful machines they
APPEAR to be. Mark is a gentle, understanding guide to the psyche of the
horse and how we can (and should) communicate with it.

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The Big Picture: Horse Management Judging at rallies
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Hello Stormy,

The Horse Management at some rallies can be perceived as negative. At a
recent rally, most of the tackroom inspectors seemed new and never
indoctrinated by you and the kids were not pleased, there was much grumbling
about the "Gestapo's". It was very interesting to watch it play out. The
whole tone of the HM judging was somewhat negative.

With that said, I have a question re the "kinder, gentler system"......It
seems like there should be some kind of distinction between two teams, if,
say team one has all their items labeled, they don't scramble to make boot
trees and they never leave their stall doors open; then you have team two
who the AHMJ finds items not labeled but gives them an opportunity to fix
it, and they do, they leave the door open, they are reminded, then they
don't do it again. How does this all play out in the end, shouldn't team
one be rewarded somehow for not needing the extra time to fix things? What
if in the end first place is in question and team two gets it when team one
really deserved it? Just curious, I know that AHMJ's don't actually assign
the points, they are simply the note-takers; but in order to "buy into" an
idea, it's nice to know the big picture. How do you make that work?

Thanks,
From a concerned AHMJ and Pony Club parent

Dear concerned AHMJ,

Thanks for the update on the perception of Horse Management judging. Your
feedback, and others like it are invaluable to improving the system.

Your question is very insightful and I'd like to share my views on rallies.

Pony Club was developed to teach safe, effective horse care and riding to
youth. Rallies as we know them were instituted because some kids learn
better through competitions. Rallies never were and never should be a
requirement for all Pony Club members because some just don't learn well
during competition.

When teams come to a rally, they are all on completely different levels of
competency. If they have not rallied much before, chances are that they are
not aware for example, of the need to close a stall door after the horse is
out, or to label the saddle and bridle racks. Because of the high turn over
rate in club leaders, and the questionable attendance of some members (for
whatever reasons) the knowledge that should be passed on before a rally,
typically doesn't get passed on. More importantly, "rally requirements"
often aren't practiced at the home barn or club meetings. Think back, the
last time someone came to a mounted meeting with a sleeveless shirt, was the
person allowed to ride? How about someone who comes to every mounted
meeting with an all-nylon halter? What about jewelry? What kind of things
are being accepted at meetings that aren't acceptable at rallies? What
message does this send to future rally competitors?

As a Chief Horse Management Judge (CHMJ) then my option is either to assign
penalty points for every infraction, whether it's corrected or not, or to
give teams a chance to fix the problem before resorting to points. I have
found that by giving the teams a chance to fix minor infractions first, they
actually make the corrections, and in making them, they learn without
feeling defensive or upset. Typically the team is relieved to have a chance
to fix the problem. My philosophy is to only give points if the infraction
is something uncorrectable at that time (for example dandruff in the tail of
a C2's horse), obviously unsafe (for example stirrup stitching coming out),
or if I feel that a point would make the competitor and team never make that
mistake again (for example, a water fight close to tied horses).

It's important to remember that people have different learning styles, at a
rally some competitors will learn through kindness and gentleness, and
others need more of an iron fist to get the message across. In my opinion,
kindness and gentleness goes 99 times further than the iron fist, but I know
there is a place for both.

There has been discussion among the chiefs about changing to a positive
point system, whereby competitors would be rewarded for doing the right
things. Not taking into account the whole new scoring system that would
need to be devised, the problem with the positive points is that it would
encourage the overachievers to run around getting these "extra credit"
points in order to balance out any negatives they may get. It doesn't sound
like a big deal on the surface, but ultimately it would reward those
competitors who are achieving well above their standard, and competitors who
are just solidly at their standard would be discouraged. If the horse
management aim is to ultimately teach safe, effective horse care, the
competitors shouldn't be expected to be more than what is specified for
their level. We can't expect an 8 year old D2 to outperform a 15 year old
D2, but we can expect them both to be at the D2 standard and not below.

The two best rallies I have ever chiefed were in this region a few years ago
at Brookside. One was Games, the other was Show Jumping, neither were
qualifying rallies. What made these two rallies stand out was the way they
were set up. Saturday morning the competitors arrived, but instead of
starting the rally then, Saturday was a clinic day. The riders received
instruction in Games and Show Jumping, and when they weren't riding, they
attended several horse management stations ranging from proper helmet fit,
how to tie a stock tie, polishing boots, proper attire, and even how to do a
jog out among others. The parents were allowed to help with the horse care
and attend the HM stations on Saturday because the kids were busy with other
things. The other things we did on Saturday were the required equipment
checks. The assistant horse management judges (AHMJs) did an "unofficial"
required equipment check and if anything was found missing, outdated, or not
labeled, the kids then had until the next day to get it fixed. Because of
this extra time spent getting all the competitors on the same page as to
what we expected for the rally, the actual rally days were phenomenal,
rarely was there any problem. It all came down to education. Once we made
sure the competitors were properly educated, it was all smooth sailing. As
an added bonus, since the parents had been able to help in the barns on
Saturday, they were less anxious about their children on Sunday and we had
no unauthorized assistance issues. The horses were more settled in by then
as well.

So, back to the two teams, one who follows the HM handbook to the letter,
and the other that needs to be taught, reminded, and given time to correct
any mistakes. I ask myself, was the aim of teaching safe, effective horse
care achieved in both cases? Yes.

Should the first team be higher placed than the second? Speaking from
experience, in general the first team will tend to get the higher placement.
Their preparedness often reflects in other areas such as written test
scores, and formal inspections that end up giving them the better horse
management score. Some chiefs bring special awards to give to teams like
the first one, to assure that they get special recognition for their
efforts. Occasionally the second team will end up on top, and when that
happens, the competitors on that team are thrilled to be considered such
good horse managers and will often continue with that thought in their heads
as they proceed to the next event even better prepared. Either way, the aim
of the rally was fulfilled. In my mind, the competition part of it is
secondary.

At championships, things are a little different. There, we know that all
competitors have been to at least one rally before and are considered the
most qualified team in their region to compete at a rally. At that point,
the team that needs teaching, reminding, and time to correct mistakes will
not score as highly as one who already knows and follows the rules.

The other point you make is regarding the assistant horse management judges.
I really think there needs to be an official training program for assistants
in this region. The idea hasn't taken hold yet, mostly because all of this
is volunteer work and those things tend not to take precedence. If we ever
could get the horse management judges and teachers paid the way the riding
discipline judges are paid, it would be a different story. Now, I do not in
any way want to belittle the current horse management judges, they have done
a fantastic amount with a very minimum of training and compensation. In the
same way that we can't expect the kids to know what they haven't been
taught, we can't expect the judges to judge in a constructive manner if they
haven't been guided and shown ways to do that. It's definitely an area that
needs work.

Thank you so much for asking about this, and for helping out!!! Look for
improvements here in the months to come. If anybody has some novel ideas,
or time to spend towards improving Horse Management judging, please let me
know at: stormy@... .

Keep it positive,
Stormy

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Featured rule
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2002 Horse Management Handbook page 32 section 20:

Longeing of a mount during competition may be done with the consent of and
only in the area designated by the CHMJ. Longeing may only be performed by
C-3 and above competitors, the owner of the mount [owner is defined as the
adult responsible for the care of the horse], or a person designated by the
owner of the mount, following USPC standards and safety guidelines. A
person designated by the Chief Horse Management Judge will supervise
longeing.

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Call for submissions
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Help make this newsletter the best it can be. Do you have any issues you'd
like to see addressed here? How about ideas for recommended products, books,
or videos? Want to submit your own article, or a question for the questions
and answers section? Send them to: stormy@... and I'll keep a log
of topics and articles for upcoming issues.

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