Transitioning from a snaffle or hackamore to a bit with a shank and a curb chain is a big transition in a young horse’s life and not one that happens overnight. First, the pressure applied takes place in entirely new and different areas. Acclimating a horse to new headgear is something that takes time, tenacity, and the right tools.

The discipline of Ranch Riding tends to lend itself to a casual, more laid back outfit: an oxford shirt, starched jeans, cowboy hat, boots, and a belt. While many exhibitors may invest in a pair of well-made chinks or armitas, a more cost-effective, simple, and unique alternative to dressing up any ranch outfit is the “wild rag” or cowboy scarf.
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Perfecting the rhythm, flow, and connection that elevates your Trail work from the mundane to the sublime requires countless hours of practice over the poles. Many Trail exhibitors seek that precision by setting up Trail obstacles at home. It sounds simple: throw a few poles out there and do some lope-overs. However, to really make your extra practice time beneficial, a lot of thought and planning needs to go into the course setup. Accuracy matters if your goal is to closely simulate the challenges you will face at the show.
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Every competitor has experienced that dreaded moment when the pressure is on and, for some unknown reason, their mind takes a holiday. What pattern? Extend the trot where? What are logs doing here? Which side of the cone am I supposed to be on? In the past, show nerves were exacerbated by the pressure of having to memorize patterns with little prep time before an event. Trainers and competitors juggling the excitement and energy of time crunch at the horse show found it difficult to do their best under those circumstances when only given a few minutes to learn a complicated series of maneuvers.
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We asked top professionals your biggest questions about keeping a show-worthy hair coat. Here’s what they had to say…
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Episode 16 of A Splash of Color, a Michigan-based podcast by Amy Franks: Discussing Disciplined Rail with PtHA, APHA & NSBA Judge Mark Smith Listen as PtHA, APHA, NSBA Judge and PtHA Judges Hall of Fame recipient Mark Smith, an instructor at the University of Findlay, shares his perspective on disciplined rail as well as […]
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The choice of bits for English classes can be overwhelming with a seemingly infinite combination of mouthpieces and cheek designs. English bits are commonly considered to be either direct rein or snaffle bits. However, some have shanks, use leverage, and are regarded as curb bits.
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The search for the right bit is an ancient one. Archeologists now speculate that humans probably became equestrians at least 6,000 years ago, and riders have spent the intervening millennia trying to figure out how best to communicate with their horses. Early bits were made of vastly diverse materials, such as animal horn, bone, wood, sinew, rawhide, and rope. The appearance of metal bits coincides with the Bronze and Iron Ages, roughly the time between the 8th and 14th centuries BC.
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All eyes were on Dan Huss and Ms Dreamy in the Senior Reining Finals at the AQHA World Show last year. Many came to their feet to cheer for a run made famous by a bridle malfunction, resulting in an unplanned bridleless run.
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Back in 2008, before a young Cody Parrish could even drive, he was on his way to the Redbud Spectacular with his mom, Candy Parrish of Parrish Quarter Horses in Pavo, Georgia. “Bret didn’t want me to drive the whole way to Oklahoma myself,” Candy explains, “so he had us stop at Masterson Farms and spend the night.” It was there in Somerville, Tennessee where Candy first saw KM Hot Number–who was born that night.
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