For most of us, trail riding is all about relaxation and enjoyment. When you leave behind the rigors and repetition of arena work, you can simply savor the experience of being in the saddle and perhaps getting to know your horse a bit better.

But sometimes a trail outing becomes a test of wills--and your skills. It’s hard to relax on a ride punctuated by successive spooks or interrupted by refusals to cross water or pass “scary” objects. And it’s exhausting trying to control constant jigging or, conversely, squeeze a little momentum out of a sluggish mount. The disappointment is even greater if every other horse on the ride seems to be taking everything in stride. What is it about those horses that makes them so much more fun to ride on the trails?

Finding the answer means looking beyond specific incidents and frustrations and taking a broader view of your horse’s training. To perform well on the trail, a horse must have a good foundation, says trainer and clinician Jonathan Field from British Columbia, Canada. “People don’t equate the same level of prep for trail riding as other disciplines because it seems like such a simple endeavor,” he says. “But the people who are living the dream, they’re the ones who have put in the time to make that horse the best trail horse he can be.”

To set out on that path yourself, you may need to revisit a few basic training exercises. Many of these will involve skills your horse learned long ago but hasn’t had to use very often. Others will focus on gaps in training that can be fudged a bit in the security of the riding ring but become significant issues when you’re away from home. But, mainly, going back to the fundamentals will help you address larger issues of compliance and respect that underlie many trail behavior problems.

Here are the seven things to teach your horse to keep your trail outings as harmonious and enjoyable as possible.

1. Teach your horse to: Load willingly.
“Big red flags go up when I see someone having trouble loading because it tells me about the willingness of the horse and if he has respect for the rider,” says Gary Woods, a frequent trail rider from Gilbert, Arizona, who is also my riding instructor of many years.

Loading into a trailer is basic to trail riding; you won’t get to many far-flung trails without a willing traveler. Although horses tend to be a little claustrophobic by nature, most learn to tolerate hauling, given enough time and patience. But loading problems are usually not just about getting into a trailer. They’re almost always about you and your horse, and where you stand in his estimation of your leadership skills.

I learned this the hard way years ago, when I called Woods to ask if he could help me retrieve my horse, Louie, from a friend’s backyard after he refused to load … for two days. Woods said he could help, but that it would take patience, trust and groundwork. He was right. Today, Louie is a consistent loader. He hops into any trailer when asked, and just as important, once we arrive at the trailhead, he’s quiet, confident and a pleasure to ride.

“If the horse is stressed out the whole time he’s in the trailer, and he’s burned up every ounce of confidence he’s ever had, and he’s sweating and scared, how is he ever going to go on that great ride you want?” points out Field. If you take the time to teach your horse to haul safely and confidently, many other issues will resolve themselves in the process, he says. Along with gaining the horse’s trust, exercises such as sending him over tarps and driving him through narrow openings can help prepare him for loading and hauling, according to both Woods and Field.

2. Teach your horse to: Go where you point him.
A good trail horse will go willingly over obstacles, around rocks, down canyons and, especially, through water. “At some point you’re going to come to water that you have to cross, and if your horse refuses, you’re going to have a problem,” says Field.

Some horses are willing to cross water and go where you point them, either by training or by nature. Woods says he can tell a lot about a horse’s willingness by his response to pressure. “If I touch his rib cage, I expect the horse to move over. If he doesn’t, that doesn’t mean I can’t teach him to move off of pressure, but a good trail horse will already have that ability,”
he says.

An unwilling horse is one of the more common problems for trail riders, but it’s also one of the more fixable ones, given the right training and leadership. Both Woods and Field do leading exercises to get the horse in sync with his handler’s body language. “If I’m not able to control the path on which my horse walks from the barn to the stall, why is he going to pay attention when we get out there and things get a whole lot more interesting?” points out Field, who expects his horses to walk stride for stride with him, just as they would with the herd.

“By having that level of sensitivity to the herd and awareness to every movement, they have no time to focus on anything else. Their focus is locked in on me, the leader,” he explains.

3. Teach your horse to: Come back to neutral.
A good trail horse will keep a cool head no matter what is happening around him. A mare in season, a barking dog or a small-scale mutiny among the other horses on a ride---any of these situations can turn ugly if your horse overreacts. “I see this happen a lot. A horse in the group becomes animated and starts bossing other horses around, and someone’s horse explodes as a result,” says Field. Some horses naturally have a calm and willing disposition, yes, but training, leadership and riding with intention can help to defuse any horse and bring him back to neutral in eventful situations.

“So many recreational riders are just going along. They’re not active in their intention, and the horse feels he has to look out for himself as a result,” says Field. Keeping your horse’s mind engaged while in hand or under saddle, and generally riding with purpose can help cooler heads prevail in times of high stress and uncertainty.

4. Teach your horse to: Be careful about where he puts his feet.
He has four of them, and he should know where they are and where you want him to put them next, says Woods. This is especially important when your horse is asked to scramble down a steep canyon of loose rock or to scoot around, say, a moving bike or low-hanging branch. I had some time to think about this recently as a small group of us braved a too-narrow mountain pass with a steep drop-off on one side. I remembered my conversation with Woods years ago, at a frustrating time when just about everything needed to be trained in or out of my little brown horse. “Give me one good reason why I should keep him,” I said to Woods, who replied, “Because he is sure-footed.” He was right, of course. Over the years, I’ve spent more than a few anxious moments in the saddle thanking my lucky stars that my horse could keep all fours on the ground during incredible circumstances and on tough terrain.

But what if your otherwise trail-worthy horse trips from time to time and sometimes seems a bit unstable? Woods and Field suggest getting him to pay attention to his feet by asking him to step over cross rails, around poles and through obstacles of all kinds, and the more uneven the ground, the better. “I’m never quite comfortable with a horse who’s raised on the flat because it’s like riding two horses. He’s bound to be out of balance so that if he gets in trouble on the front end, his back end can’t help him. Horses like this get trippy,” observes Field. He likes to back his horses up hills and down hills, and to get them to lift up their feet and round their backs when possible. “I want to see them get worked up and down hills in hand to figure out how to get themselves balanced, so that by the time I get on them, they have a pretty good idea where to put their feet,” he adds.

5.Teach your horse to: Overcome his flight instinct.
One day you’ll be ambling along the trail and, in the blink of an eye, you’ll come across a bear or deer or, more likely, a bush with fangs. Your horse’s split-second reaction should be to stop, not bolt, and to wait for your cue. “If I can wriggle the rein, and his ear comes around as if to say, ‘Yes, I’m here,’ that’s good. But if I try to wriggle my rein or touch him with my leg and he doesn’t move, that’s not good,” says Field, explaining that a refusal to move is almost as bad as a bolt---and, in fact, is a precursor to a bolt. “Anybody who has started young horses knows that the longer the horse takes to take his first step, the more he is going to come apart when he does because he’s stored up energy,” he explains.

Of course you can’t expect that your trail horse will never spook, but you’ll want to teach him not to overreact when he does. “He is going to spook at some time, so the question is how big is his reaction and how long is it going to be before he’s OK with it?” says Field. Simple observation can tell you a lot about how a horse reacts to new stimuli. Is he explosive without warning? Or does he take things in stride? Does he get worked up slowly and remain in a heightened state of alert for a long period? Or does he snort, approach the object of concern and return to a more relaxed state within no time?

Easygoing horses who quickly recover from surprises make the best mounts for trail riding. But it’s wise to spend time building any horse’s confidence. Trail challenge competitions and play days are great for desensitizing the horse and exposing him to new stimuli in a controlled setting. In addition, Woods suggests establishing a relaxation cue, such as a pat on your horse’s withers or a slight lift

of one rein as a “Come back to me” or “It’s OK” cue as one more measure of control should your horse’s world turn upside down while ambling down the trail.

6.Teach your horse to: Maintain his independence from other horses.
If your horse is friendly with his herdmates, that’s fine. But if he’s glued to the tail of the horse in front of him, that’s not. Likewise, if one horse in the group trots, your horse shouldn’t have to trot, too.

Seemingly little issues like these can become dangerous quickly if you’re separated from the group for any reason or if one horse bolts or starts acting out and your horse follows suit. “So often these horses live in small spaces, and they’re not used to horses coming and going. If their riders don’t fundamentally have the leadership to keep these horses with them, they lose control,” says Field.

To find out where your horse falls on the herd-bound spectrum, both trainers suggest watching him interact with his herd or taking him out for a ride alone. Does he call out to other horses or balk when leaving the property alone? Does he feed off the energy of other horses in the pasture? Does he readily back down when challenged by the herd? Or is he overly bossy?

An insecure horse is more likely to be herd-bound than a more confident one, but aggressive horses also exhibit a related behavior---a tendency to be bossy or pushy toward other horses, according to Woods.

He suggests exercises such as gradually lengthening the distance between you and other riders and keeping the horse’s attention on you at all times, which is at the heart of all herd-bound issues. “The reason he’s looking to other horses is because he doesn’t trust you, and that’s the number-one thing you need to develop in a good trail horse,” says Woods.

7. Teach your horse to: Head out as eagerly as he heads home.
A good trail horse has to be able to go anywhere without issue. He won’t jig, grow anxious, or bolt for the barn at the first sign you’re turning for home.

Barn-sour horses typically lack confidence and have many of the same tendencies as the herd-bound horse, and they may even be attached to their herdmates as well as to familiar surroundings.

Horses who are more curious by nature or have been exposed to different environments early on are more likely to adjust to the novelty of trail riding, while habitually barn-sour horses are more predisposed to be anxious in new settings and situations, according to Field. He says that many horses fall somewhere between these two extremes and simply need more exposure to new and different surroundings before they make confident mounts.

“A lot of horses live in 10- by 10-foot pens, and suddenly they’re put out on the side of a mountain somewhere with little or no preparation whatsoever. You have to be willing to prepare them for trail riding like you would any other activity,” says Field, who advises ponying a young horse with a more experienced, confident horse when possible.

He also suggests slowly expanding the barn-sour horse’s zone of comfort around a familiar trailhead or arena to help him gain confidence and adjust to new environments.

There’s one last thing you’ll want your trail horse to have, but it’s not something you teach with lessons or exercises: It’s a good attitude. A good attitude trumps all other desirable characteristics in a trail horse simply because with the right attitude, he is more inclined to load willingly, get along with other horses, and keep his cool during times of excitement and uncertainty.

A good attitude means he’s confident in his abilities as a trail horse and he’s enjoying the ride to the extent that any horse can.

No doubt, your horse has already let you know his feelings on the matter. If he’s difficult to catch, balks or pins his ears at the merest suggestion that you’ll be saddling up for a trail ride, he could be telling you he doesn’t like his job and it might be time to reconsider his trail prospects. But if he nickers to you when you hook up the trailer, greets you at the gate, and practically puts on his halter himself when you go to catch him, you can be fairly certain he likes to trail ride.

A trail horse with this kind of attitude is worth his weight in gold.

This article first appeared in EQUUS issue #425.

Is your barn safe for your horse? Take a look at the following six barn hazards, then tour your barn. If you spot a hazard, fix it today!

Hazard #1: Sharp protrusions. If there’s anything sharp in your horse’s stall — such as nails, splinters, or sharp edges on a broken plastic manger — he’s likely to scrape, puncture, or lacerate himself. His eyes are particularly at risk. Action steps: Visually scan stall walls, then run your hands over all surfaces, including feeders, waterers, and feed buckets. Check the ceiling, too. Remove splinters, and replace any broken boards. If the sharp object is hard plastic, remove it, replace it, or wrap it in duct tape. If you find sharp nails, pull them out, or whack them in.

Hazard #2: Unsecured feed. Rodents and birds can contaminate feed with urine and feces, which can make your horse ill. Mice might chew on the insulation around any accessible wiring, which can cause a barn fire. And if your horse gets into the grain, he could colic, suffer laminitis, or both. Action steps: Keep pellets and grain inside heavy metal containers. Make sure the lids fit tightly. Look for locking lids. For maximum protection, keep feed in mouse-proof cans inside a horse-proof (closed and locked) feed room.

Hazard #3: Improper hay storage. Hay dust interferes with your horse’s breathing and can harm his respiratory system. Hay is also a major fire hazard. Action steps: Store hay away from your horse, preferably in a separate, well-ventilated building. Keep hay on pallets to keep it safe from ground moisture. Stack bales on their sides, and leave spaces between bales to promote air circulation, which helps keep the bales dry. If necessary, make a “floor” with pallets, stack the hay, and cover just the top two-thirds of the stack with tarps, so air will circulate.

Hazard #4: Electrical wiring and cords. An exposed electrical cord can electrocute your horse or cause a barn fire. Horses will chew anything. Action steps: Enclose your permanent wiring in PVC conduit. Use extension cords

Photo by Heidi Nyland Melocco

only when absolutely necessary, and then use only heavy-duty models designed for outdoors. Be very careful with fans and water heaters, and protect these cords with conduit. Avoid heat lamps, which can start a fire. Don’t overload your circuits.

Hazard #6: Cobwebs and dust. The cobwebs that accumulate in barns are dangerous because they’re flammable, and they trap dust, bits of hay/straw, and bedding particles. Action steps: Routinely dust and remove cobwebs. A long-handled feather duster is ideal for dusting light fixtures; a light broom is useful for stall grilles, walls, and corners. Pay special attention to light fixtures, outlet covers and switches, and panel boxes.

Jessica Jahiel, PhD, is an internationally recognized clinician and lecturer, and an award-winning author of books on horses, riding and training. Her e-mail newsletter is a popular worldwide resource.

{Western Wishes - Santa Maria, Calif. 805-929-8590, westernwishes.org}

Larry Mahan takes a young cowboy for a ride.

Donnalyn Quintana was raised in a rodeo family. She’s well-connected in the Western community, and saw an opportunity to grant wishes to and spotlight children and young adults who live and love the cowboy lifestyle but are facing tough challenges. And the program is not just limited to those facing illness or disability. Those who have had accidents or have lost family members, for instance, can get involved, too.

“I remember a kid that I read about in a high school rodeo paper,” says Quintana. “He was a roper and battling cancer, and I had this passing thought to call Roy Cooper for help. Well, that boy passed away. I found out later and thought: ‘I could’ve made a difference with one phone call.’ So that’s when I started Western Wishes.”

Founded in 1994, Western Wishes is now a national organization with 16 chapters in many states and regions of the country. “Wish Kids” are mostly found through word of mouth or by meeting people at rodeos, horse shows, and expos. Approximately 5–25 wishes are granted annually, depending on funding.

“Too many kids fall through the cracks, and it just breaks our heart when we find out too late,” Quintana says.

Western Wishes has also fostered a special partnership with horseman Chris Cox, who dedicated his Road to the Horse win this year to the organization. He and Quintana are working to develop a Wish Kid program to be held at Cox’s ranch. They hope to have a camp for Wish Kids to attend for an entire week, where kids can work the Western lifestyle and interact with different Western personalities in a faith-based environment.

“I’m so glad that he was so on the same page as I was, because we’re all such close friends,” says Quintana. “We’ve become like family, so I never wanted to obligate Chris. I never went to him, he came to me.”

Quintana likes fostering the national community that has grown out of Western Wishes. In fact, wish recipients have returned to help make other’s dreams come true as well. For instance, one leukemia survivor had her wish granted by meeting Reba McEntire; she later attended the NFR through the efforts of Western Wishes and now serves as the Utah chapter director. As their motto states, Western Wishes is “leaving a legacy of goodwill.”

{Honor Flight - Springfield, Ohio 937-521-2400, honorflight.org}

Honor Flight cowboys.

In 2004, 59 years after the end of World War II, President Bush dedicated the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. By then, many of the nation’s WWII veterans were into their 70s and older, and making the trip to see the memorial was a hardship for many. Earl Morse, a retired Air Force captain and physician’s assistant, had some veterans under his care and offered them private flights—free of charge—to see their memorial in D.C. The idea struck a chord with other private pilots, so Morse formed Honor Flight. The first flight included six small planes that flew out of Springfield, Ohio, in 2005. Since then, Honor Flight has expanded to 109 chapters in 33 states, each devoted to flying as many veterans as possible to the WWII Memorial.

In the fall of 2008, WWII veteran Gus Fleischli took the flight to D.C. with the Northern Colorado hub and subsequently started a program in Wyoming in the spring of 2009. Honor Flight Wyoming is the only Honor Flight “hub,” or locally based chapter, within that state, and each flight requires military-like coordination. Veterans take charter planes from Cheyenne or Casper and are accompanied by a staff of guardians and a medical team. Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the veterans are treated to a banquet at a D.C. hotel and visits from state and national politicians. The next morning, the veterans are greeted by welcoming committees and schoolchildren at the memorial, honoring their service.

“The veterans don’t expect any of this, they think they’re just going on a little tour,” says Operations Officer Larry Barttelbort. “When they get off the plane, there are ladies waving flags and men shaking their hands and hugs and kisses. They get the royal treatment everywhere we go, and they are just floored by that.”

The so-called Greatest Generation, many of these men and women returned from war, rolled up their sleeves, and went to work building America into a Superpower. Known for being humble and proud, WWII veterans seldom talk about their combat experiences or efforts.

“Many of them have not left the ranch, or left their homes that much, so we provide that support network to allow them to have a very enjoyable trip,” says Barttelbort.

In a very moving gesture, each flight brings a casket flag from a Wyoming veteran who passed away to place at the memorial. A moment of silence and the playing of Taps recognizes those who were not able to make the trip. The day in D.C. concludes with a bus tour around the Nation’s Capital to see other war memorials and landmarks. Then it’s back on the plane to Wyoming, where throngs of people greet the veterans at the airport to give them a hero’s welcome home.

{Tough Enough To Wear Pink - Hughson, Calif.  866-910-7465, toughenoughtowearpink.com}

Are you tough enough to wear pink?

Terry Wheatley, then an executive with Sutter Home Winery, attended the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2004 to watch her son, a roper, compete on rodeo’s main stage. A breast cancer survivor, Wheatley asked her son if he would wear pink in support of breast-cancer awareness—and to ask other cowboys to do the same. The response was overwhelming, and Wrangler solved the lack of pink shirts with a special FedEx delivery.

“We challenged the cowboys if they were tough enough to wear pink,” says Wheatley, who is married to Jim Wheatley, a six-time NFR roper. “That first event, every single cowboy wore pink (with the exception of two, who weren’t allowed to because of their sponsors).”

She went on to found Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) in 2004, which has raised more than $10 million for local and national breast-cancer causes. Anyone who wants to host an event can contact TETWP for permission to use the slogan.

“I attribute almost all the success to the fact that the funds are kept locally,” says Wheatley. “The events are created by the independent rodeo committees and some of these folks are quite creative in how they motivate their community to wear pink or support pink during the lead up to their rodeo.”

While the individual events decide which breast-cancer initiatives to support, TETWP asks that they report how much was raised and to whom they donated it. Participants have done everything from raffling off pink-painted tractors to dying their hair pink to hosting “Pink Glove Dances.”

While Wheatley may have passed on day-to-day TETWP operations to her daughter and daughter-in-law (and has since moved on from Sutter Home), she started Purple Cowboy winery, which donates 10 percent of its profits to TETWP.

“It proudly states on the back of each label that we support Tough Enough To Wear Pink and the fight against breast cancer,” she says.

Wheatley also believes that TETWP plays an important role in highlighting the softer and caring side of the rodeo community—something that can be overlooked during all of the action and excitement at performances. Even though cowboys are known for being macho, they will gladly let their guard down for the well-being of the women in their lives.

{Horses for Heroes & New Mexico, Inc. Cowboy Up! - Santa Fe, N.M. 505-798-2535, horsesforheroes.org}

Horses for Heroes.

During last summer’s raging wildfires, Rick Iannucci, founder of Horses for Heroes, temporarily boarded up to a dozen horses at his Crossed Arrows Ranch near Santa Fe, N.M. It’s just one example of the generous and helping spirit that inspired Iannucci to start Horses for Heroes in 2009. He had been working with a local 4-H club, when he received a call from a woman in the area who worked with disabled children.

Iannucci remembers: “She called me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got a veteran on hand, and you’re the only Green Beret and cowboy I know. Could you maybe see if we could get this guy horseback?’”

Iannucci was inspired and began reaching out to more veterans with disabilities and had them work in conjunction with 4-H riders. He also started a “cowboy camp,” where in-patient veterans from the VA hospital were invited to come work with horses for eight-week sessions. After that first camp, one of the veterans kept returning and eventually joined Iannucci at working cattle for the neighboring Bonanza Creek Ranch. The positive impact on that veteran made Iannucci realize that the focus of Horses for Heroes needed to be on more than just horsemanship and riding skills. So he started the unique Cowboy Up! therapy program, which gets veterans involved with ranch work. Soldiers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or combat trauma discover a road to healing via non-judgmental, gentle partnerships with horses.

Ranch work is a safe, focused way to wind down after combat. And for soldiers who have seen some of the longest deployments in history, Iannucci has also found that the transition from the military lifestyle to the Cowboy Way is natural for veterans. The physical and emotional discipline required to care for cattle and horses is somewhat similar to qualities that veterans draw on for military service.

“We give these guys and gals a new mission, and that’s important,” says Iannucci. “These are mission-oriented folks. When they return from combat, the sudden shift from being Joe-Bad-Ass Marine can feel like becoming a nobody in their minds.” Horses for Heroes gives access to a team, and a communal feeling is built between the veterans and staff. In addition to riding and ranch work, participants see movies together, attend rodeos, and share meals.

Iannucci likens this to “mission training,” which relaxes the new riders and helps them relate to working cattle. He also encourages soldiers to orient their combat patrol experience to looking for strays.

“I’ll say, ‘Go work that little draw there and make sure there’s no mamas and babies laying down there.’ So they go out, and come back exactly where they left the formation, so to speak,” he says.

In other words, this training helps veterans transform military skills into new skills for the next stage of their lives, whatever that may be.

“We’re going to take those skills and show you how to apply them to something as obtuse or counterintuitive in your mind as jumping on a horse and wading into a herd of cows,” Iannucci explains. “Then, once they feel that, it’s like, ‘Dang, I can do just about anything.’”

Do you keep your horse in a warm barn in the winter? If so, it’s important to bring in fresh, healthy air. Poor barn ventilation can make your horse ill, and some illnesses can even lead to death.

Here, we’ll first tell you how your barn’s polluted air can make your horse sick. Then we’ll give you six ways you can improve your horse housing’s air quality in all seasons, whether you’re updating an existing barn or building a new one.

The Air in There
From the rancid smell of ammonia from degrading urine, to the build-up of dusts, molds, and other pathogens from insufficient ventilation, your barn may be the reason for your horse’s respiratory difficulty.

“Poor ventilation can ultimately kill your horse,” notes Brad Cumper, DVM, of Saginaw Valley Equine Clinic in Freeland, Michigan. He explains that the long-term effects of poor ventilation create a wide variety of respiratory disorders, some of which are fatal under the right conditions.

There are three categories of airborne irritants that adversely affect horses: contact irritants; airborne allergens; and infectious agents. Here’s a brief rundown on each one, courtesy of Dr. Crumper.

• Contact irritants aren’t truly harmful by themselves, and invoke a mild inflammatory response without an immune response. They become the trigger for the overproduction of mucus and constrict the lower airways. Once the noxious irritant is removed, airways quickly return to normal function. If irritants persist, the primary defense mechanism is weakened, exposing a vulnerable respiratory tract.
• Airborne allergens — molds, pollens, and proteins derived from plants, such as hay dust — invoke a mild to severe immune response. This may show up as periods of labored breathing, a chronic cough, and severe nasal discharge.
• Infectious agents — bacteria, fungi, and viruses — invoke a severe immune response and can diminish your horse’s ability to defend himself by eroding the airways of his defense mechanisms. If infection overwhelms your horse’s immune system, he may become lethargic, have no appetite, become feverish, and display nasal discharge and/or a cough.

A Healthy Design
Here’s how to clear the air, with design tips from Lorri Hayward of Hayward Designs in Lafayette, Georgia. She’s planned, designed and constructed equestrian facilities of all types and sizes for 20 years.

To increase air circulation in your barn, keep in mind that hot air rises and cool air falls, says Hayward. “When trying to move and remove air, you want to pull fresh cool air in from below and pull hot air out from above.” Here’s how.

• Install ceiling fans. Install ceiling fans over the stalls, over the stall partitions, and down the center aisle. Position the fan blades to pull air up from the stalls.
• Install ventilated cupolas. Vented cupolas are basically air vents in the roof. Ventilated cupolas are equipped with an electric fan that pulls air out of the barn. “Ventilated cupolas cost more money, but in the long run, it’s a critical feature to produce healthy airflow,” says Hayward. Consider investing in a thermostatically controlled cupola that will turn on the fan when your barn reaches a certain temperature.
• Consider an air exchanger. Air exchangers replace stale, polluted air with clean, outside air that’s filtered to remove pollens. The filter also removes moisture from the air, which can carry pollutants, and cause mold and mildew. It truly exchanges the air. “It’s a big expense, but it’s worth it,” says Hayward.
• Vault the roof. If possible, leave open spaces in the pitch of the roof, especially over the stall areas. “You want a volume of air above the horses,” Hayward explains. “Don’t put ceilings over the horses. Instead, put a ceiling over the wash rack or tack stall and have vaulted ceilings over the horses.”
• Install stall vents. Interior stall vents at the bottom of the stall front increase ventilation and air flow at the floor level and within the stalls, where air is typically still. Hayward recommends either grill or mesh on the bottom half of the stall, with a bedding guard on the bottom. If your horse has a turnout door, a full-sized, durable screen door with a bedding guard on the bottom will foster air circulation when inclement weather keeps him inside.
• Install Dutch doors. If direct turnouts aren’t an option, Hayward recommends Dutch doors that open to the outside, to allow outside air in.

Photos by Betsy Lynch

As the only horse show in the heart of a major American city, it's an eye-opener even for the well-traveled. Horses often gaze  in wonder at first as they go for a stroll on the sidewalk to stretch their legs or catch some fresh air. Life  swirls around them, from pedestrians who are startled to see stables on the street as they exit the Metro transit system, to admirers eager to pat them, though some are a bit intimidated by their first face-to-face equine encounter.

Most of the horses are housed on the street in portable stalls behind chain link fence. The jumpers live inside the building, just off the arena floor. Their exercise and warm-up area is a tiny space punctuated by pillars. You can't bring every horse to Washington (the claustrophobic animals need not apply), but I've never seen any of them freak out. The place is in use 24 hours a day, with exercise sessions scheduled by division post-midnight and pre-dawn.

There is compensation for the inconvenience. Riders and owners have the luxury of enjoying hotels and places to eat only a block or two from the facility where the competition takes place, in an arena that usually hosts basketball or hockey (at least when the latter isn't involved in a lockout).

"This show is amazing," said Australian rider Matt Williams. "You're so close to everything, you walk outside and all the restaurants are there. It's well-publicized, so people coming in who don't know anything about horses are learning about the sport, and they've got things happening other than jumping to keep everyone entertained."

High above the arena floor, platforms at either end of the building host VIPs who have paid $25,000 for a table that seats eight guests so they can dine in style with a great view of the action. Above that, on one side, is the Acela Club, where folks fork over four figures for a sumptuous buffet and spectating privileges during the key evenings for the run of the show.

The big finale always is the $100,000 President's Cup, which over the decades has drawn diplomats and the leaders of the country or their representatives for an evening that is both gala and exciting (the Obama administration is the exception that has not sent anyone, but the Belgian ambassador was on hand last night to keep up that part of the tradition).

Reed Kessler and Cylana, winners of the President’s Cup

© 2012 by Lawrence J. Nagy

A look at the order of go gave a big hint as to who might win the class. Reed Kessler drew the advantageous spot as the last of 28 to ride, and she is never shy about speeding across the finish line with her Olympic mount, Cylana. Knowing the time of the other eight contenders in the jump-off was all she needed for a slam-dunk. She was fault-free in 32.62 seconds, well ahead of runner-up Paulo Santana from Brazil, clocked in 34.15 on Taloubet.

Reed wasn't quite sure how she got the perfect spot on the roster, but she made the most of it "keeping it slick," taking seven strides rather than eight to a double halfway through the shortened route, and then seven again, instead of eight, to the final fence, an oxer pointed toward the out-gate side of the arena. The victory in the World Cup qualifier (the Cup finals are her next goal) also nailed the Leading Rider and Owner awards for Reed, who marked her 18th birthday last summer by becoming the youngest member ever on the U.S. Olympic jumping team.

"It's my first year of being old enough to do all these grands prix. Last year, I was leading (for) Leading Rider going into it, and I wasn't old enough to do it, so I really wanted to come back this year and seal the deal," she said.

"I'm thrilled. I brought out the red coat for it and everything."

Whatever else happens in Reed's brilliant career, 2012 will be remembered as the time when all the big stuff happened for her.

Listen: Reed Kessler

Understandably, if you're competing against Reed, it's intimidating.

"She made us feel old," the good-humored Paulo said with a twinkle in his eye. "Two seconds in an indoor competition is a lot of a difference," he pointed out.

"I will try to get my pride back. I was afraid to try and have a rail really early," he said, explaining why he was a touch conservative in his approach.

Matt finished third on Watch Me VD Mangelaar, the 9-year-old he took to the Olympics. He now is employed by Missy Clark's North Run, and found that working equitation horses in recent weeks was to his advantage with Watch Me, giving him techniques that helped improve the horse's performance and make him more rideable. He finished the course in 36.15.

Margie Engle, right behind on 36.42 (the slowest of the clean rounds) with Indigo to claim fourth, was, as Paulo pointed out, at a disadvantage. Washington was only her second show back after recuperation from a broken angle, and Paulo believed it hampered her performance. He was probably right; she told me she may need another surgery, but plucky Margie at least picked up some World Cup points.

However, under saddle, spooking behavior can seriously jeopardize your safety, as well as that of your horse. Stay safe by teaching your horse not to spook, and by taking the correct actions when your horse spooks on the trail.

Photo by Daniel Deweese

First, evaluate your horse. Does he occasionally spook when startled, is he green and inexperienced, or is he a genuinely spooky horse? A spooky horse is one that’s naturally more sensitive and worried than others. He tends to see “monsters” around every corner.

Next, look at your own attitude. Your thoughts, fears, and anxieties will transfer to your horse, increasing the likelihood that he’ll spook. If you’re afraid your horse is going to spook, he probably will!

The good news: With enough time and confidence-building riding, even the most jumpy horse can become a solid, reliable trail mount. However, it does take dedication on your part.

“If you have a spooky horse, you need vast amounts of patience and time to improve him through miles of riding,” notes top trainer/clinician Lynn Palm. “If you don’t have what it takes to work with him correctly, you and your horse may not be suited to each other. Be realistic.”

To work on your trail horse’s jitters, be proactive, and form a plan before you hit the trail. Know the trails you’re going to take, know whether they include potentially scary places, and know what gaits the other riders expect to take.

If you have a young or genuinely spooky horse, let your riding buddies know that you’ll need to work with him and make training progress, not just get from Point A to Point B.

On the trail, keep your eyes and ears open. Be aware of things that could potentially be a problem. The farther ahead you look, the more prepared you’ll be. Listen, as well: Sounds can also provoke a spook. Traffic, dogs barking, children playing, a flapping tarp -- any of these can be frightening to your horse if he isn’t accustomed to them or if they’re sudden.

Then follow Palm’s four-step strategy for spook prevention and control:

1. warm up
2. recognize pre-spook signs
3. face the scary object
4. dismount if necessary.

Step #1: Warm Up
“Most of the time, horses are spooky because they’re too fresh,” says Palm. “Don’t just saddle your horse and go. Take time to warm him up.” (Note that this warm-up session will also warm you up, so you’ll be better prepared for your trail ride.)

At home, warm up your horse in an arena with good footing. Away from home, find a level area near the trailers or the facility’s barn area. You need enough room to longe your horse, and walk, trot, and lope/canter him in both directions.

Photo by Daniel Deweese

The length of warm-up depends on your individual horse. Palm recommends at least 10 to 15 minutes of longeing or riding. This will give you enough time to see how your horse is going and judge his responses to you and the surroundings.

Consider longeing your horse before you mount up, so you can watch him from the ground. If you need longeing help, consult a reliable trainer or certified riding instructor in your area. Be sure you’re able to control both your horse and the circle size.

When longeing your horse, create a “surprise” by suddenly clapping your hands. Then gauge your horse’s reaction. Acceptable behaviors include acting playful, head-shaking, accelerating, and even bucking and kicking. As long as he’s listening and responding to your commands, he’s releasing that energy in a safe, non-spooky way.

However, if your horse responds with explosive reactions, this is a clear sign he’s not ready to be ridden on the trail. Continue to warm him up until he’s less reactive before you head out to ride.

Step #2: Recognize Pre-Spook Signs
Horses are hardwired to run from danger, not stay and fight. Because of this ingrained tendency, horses prefer to immediately get away from something they find frightening or uncertain.

You can often observe this behavior in pastured horses. When the horses detect a potential threat, they’ll initially run away from it. Then, after going a short distance, they’ll turn and look back to reevaluate. They’ll often approach the “spooky” thing for a closer look.

Unfortunately, horses may also try this tactic under saddle. Be alert to your horse’s body language for signs that he’s primed to spook. Here are a few of the most common pre-spook signs:

• Pricked ears and elevated head carriage. Ears pricked sharply forward (or moving rapidly forward and back), a high head, and tense neck are all signs your horse is focused on something other than you.
• Respiration rate. Rapid breathing is another noticeable pre-spook sign. If your horse’s breathing suddenly quickens, and/or he’s snorting or blowing, he’s likely anxious about something.
• Signs of avoidance. Pay attention to any signs of avoidance, such as hesitating, slowing down/trying to stop, veering off to the side, or trying to turn around.

If you detect any of these signs, stop, and take control before your horse spooks, bolts, or tries to run away. Read on for how to do so.



Photo by Daniel Deweese

Step #3: Face the Scary Object
If you notice the signs of a potential spook, take action before your horse does.
If you wait until he reacts or spooks, he’ll be in charge instead of you, and you’ll lose control.

To stay in control, stop your horse, and keep him facing the scary object. Ask him to stand still and look at the object; you don’t want him to turn and flee. If you can keep in control at this point, your horse is on his way toward accepting the object and overcoming his fear or uncertainty without spooking.

Don’t grip with your legs or overuse the reins, as this will only stimulate your horse more. Keep your legs close to his sides without clamping down, and maintain light rein contact.

If your horse moves around, guide him back to the object, and ask him to stand and face it once again. As his concern lessens, he’ll turn his head away. As soon as he does so, straighten his head, and cue him with your legs and seat to walk forward a few steps. Then stop him. Don’t wait for him to stop on his own.

As you bring your horse to a stop closer to the object, have him stand and look once again. He’ll likely swing his head back and forth to get a better look. Let him. Stroke his neck.

When your horse relaxes a little, speak to him in a soft voice, move forward again a few steps, then ask him to stop. Always ask him to stop before he takes charge and stops on his own. You want him to trust you and respond to your cues.

You might end up doing the stop/walk forward/stand-look routine a number of times before your horse will stand close to the object of his concern. Get close enough to let him smell the obstacle if he wants to.

Then move your horse so that he’s parallel to the scary object. Walk a few steps so that the object is at his hip or behind him, and stop again. His ears will probably be flicking back and forth, or remain upright, but if he can accept the obstacle behind him without spooking, you’ve succeeded.

If you return home the on the same trail, prepare for another “object lesson” at the same place.

“You have to start all over again when approaching from the other way, because the obstacle will appear different to your horse from the other direction,” says Palm.

Step #4: Dismount
If you’re a confident, experienced rider, you’ll often be able to help your horse through a potential spook from the saddle, as just described.

But if you’re nervous or afraid your horse may spook or bolt, dismount, and perform the same routine from the ground so you feel safe and your horse won’t pick up on your anxiety. You’ll be safer on the ground, and you’ll still help your horse deal with his insecurities.

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Lynn Palm

Cynthia McFarland is a full-time freelance writer who writes regularly for national horse publications and is the author of eight books. Horse-crazy since childhood, she owns a small farm in north central Florida. She enjoys trail riding on her Paint Horse gelding, Ben.

Lynn Palm has shown more than 34 Quarter Horse world and reserve champions, competing in both English and Western disciplines. She’s won a record four AQHA Superhorse titles and was the first rider to win the prestigious Superhorse title twice on the same horse, Rugged Lark. In 2000, Palm was named Horsewoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation and the AQHA. In 2003, Equine Affaire gave her its Exceptional Equestrian Educator award.