Horse Travel Network Blog

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Winter feed for horses and cattle varies a lot in price in our area (northeastern Montana), but it is always needed. Usually we are able to sell all our extra hay by mid-winter. This year we can’t get it out of the field before it is sold! As soon as the first swath was on the ground people started to inquire about buying the hay.

Naturally, we were pleased that the hay is easy to sell this year. Most of this hay will be going to local ranchers who will feed it to their cattle. The cattle market is reasonably healthy right now and most ranchers can justify the additional price for hay.

But when the price of hay goes up, what does that do to an already-depressed horse market? Prices for weanlings this fall already look like they will be low. When the cost of hay to feed a mare through the winter is significantly more than her colt is worth, it makes it difficult to justify continuing in the horse business.

In our area, even the backyard horse owners are seeing a problem with finding enough hay for their horse for next winter - at any price. I would love to hear comments on what people are seeing in other areas of the country.

Technorati Tags: alfalfa hay, sweet clover, hay bales, horse business

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Tags: Random Musings by totalhorse
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We moved our Quarter Horse yearlings to new pasture last week.  The grass wasn’t short yet where they were, but the new pasture has limited water in late summer so has to be used before that disappears.

It can sometimes be a little challenging to move young horses because they haven’t learned the “routine” yet.  On the other hand, they are easier sometimes because of their tendency to follow another horse - which is why you see a lead horse in the photo.  These yearlings were pretty relaxed about moving, but didn’t want to be left behind so daughter, Vanessa, rode ahead of them and I followed along behind to keep them moving.  It was only about a mile to their new pasture so they didn’t have time to get tired and want to stop.

One of the really rewarding parts of moving to a new pasture is watching the horses when you get there.  Invariably, they will be excited to see the new grass and will stop to graze immediately.  This pasture hasn’t been grazed much since last summer, and has a lot of native grasses so it is particularly delicious!

After allowing the horses a little time to sample the new grass, we took them to the water hole so they would know where to find it.

Technorati Tags: horses, yearling horses, horse pasture, moving horses, horse ranch

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Tags: Daily Horse Life by totalhorse
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Do you travel with your horse and need a reliable place to stay while on the road?  If so, you may want to join the Horse Travel Network  and use their friendly On the Road overnight stabling section.

Membership is free when you use code RGC10 (compliments of this blog), but you must register to use the On the Road stabling department.  Click on Register Now and input your information and the RGC10 code…..then log in. 

Stable listings are divided by states so that you can look through each state separately for a stable that may suit your needs.  Many stables have specifics listed, such as size of stalls, room for large trailers, farrier available, etc.  Phone numbers and emails are given for contact information - many of these places fill up in advance so be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Why use Horse Travel Network?  It is truly a Network of people with similar interests and concerns.  Use the forums to ask questions about specific travel destinations or to express opinions on everyday horse happenings.  Use the handy form in the Stabling area to recommend your favorite places to stay while on the road.

Technorati Tags: horse hotel, horse motel, overnight stabling, horse travel

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Tags: Random Musings by totalhorse
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Rodeo performances could not happen without the hard work and dedication of the contestants, but the rodeo committee members and local volunteers also work hard to make the rodeo possible.

Take the Grand Entry, for example.  It just takes a few moments at the beginning of the rodeo, and can be anything from a simple flag presentation to celebrity stars, fancy opening acts, and fireworks. 

Even the simplest grand entry, which usually consists of a mounted rider carrying an American flag around the arena and presenting it while the National Anthem plays, takes some planning.  Who will carry the flag - a member of the local rodeo committee, a local celebrity, a rodeo queen?  Do they have a horse to ride that will allow them to carry the flag on it?  If a song is involved, practice in the arena will be required to get the timing of the song right with the size of the arena, speed of the horse, and where the flag is to be presented at the end of the song.

The Grand Entry for the Wolf Point Stampede, pictured in the previous post, was practiced the afternoon before the rodeo.  Practice included 10 local cowgirls with their horses, several rodeo committee members, and the rodeo announcer.  The announcer explained how local National Guardsmen would present the American flag, girls were assigned their riding order, given flags, and the practice began. 

One girl led the group into the arena at a lope and circled the American flag until a certain beat of the song which indicated that all horses should stop.  Then the National Anthem was played and the cowgirls circled the arena with their flags again and the National Guardsmen marched out.  After this had been practiced several times the girls were given matching saddle blankets for the performance and instructed to wear white western shirts, jeans, and straw hats.

Grand Entry participation also included an “advertising” function.  The 10 cowgirls carrying the American flags in the rodeo were required to also carry flags in the Stampede parade, held each day at 3 pm.

Technorati Tags: rodeo grand entry, mounted flag bearers, grand entries, rodeo preparation

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Tags: Rodeo by totalhorse
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The 85th Annual Wolf Point Stampede rodeo started off with a grand entry tribute to the American flag.  Area National Guardsmen carried in a large flag and then mounted cowgirls carrying more American flags raced around the arena and circled the big flag.  It was a great start to a good rodeo.

Cowboys and cowgirls competing in the Montana Circuit vied for top scores and times in the arena during the 3 days of rodeo.  Barrel racers and rough stock had only one go-round, but the cowboys in the timed events had 2 go-rounds of competition.  A slack performance for the timed events was held Friday morning.

The weather was pretty varied during the performances.  Thursday night was very hot, and then Friday turned cold and windy, with Saturday similar to Friday.

Heather Hart Schwank turned in a good run on Thursday night..

Technorati Tags: Wolf Point Stampede, wild horse stampede, rodeo, wild horse race

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Tags: Rodeo by totalhorse
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Flashy Appaloosa horses and drivers in fancy dress warmed up before the Pleasure driving class at the National Appaloosa show. 

This class always appeals to me.  The drivers are so colorful, and the horses appear so well-trained as they trot around the arena.  Maybe it’s the echo of a past era that makes this class so interesting.  You can almost see these horses and drivers trotting around town on a Sunday afternoon. 

Technorati Tags: pleasure driving, driving horses

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Tags: Appaloosa Youth World/National Show by totalhorse
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