"Cold temperatures increase the amount of calories a horse needs to maintain body weight, as well as support activity or production. Because a horse may digest feed less efficiently as the temperature drops below the horse's comfort zone, additional feed may be required to maintain body weight and condition. It is important to maintain the horse in a body condition score of 5-6 (moderate to moderately fleshy) because a layer of fat under the skin provides insulation against the cold. Feeding an additional 1/4 lb of grain per 100 lb body weight to nonworking horses will provide adequate calories during cold, windy and wet weather. Working horses may require up to an additional 1/2 lb per 100 lb body weight, depending on workload, to maintain body weight during cold weather. Feeds such as Purina® Strategy®, Omolene #200® or Ultium® Horse Feed may be especially helpful in these situations, since the added fat provides more calories than grains alone.

The Ideal Body Condition Score is between 5 and 6-1/2

1. Poor
Animal extremely emaciated; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae (hip joints), and ischia (lower pelvic bones) projecting prominently; bone structure of withers, shoulders, and neck easily noticeable; no fatty tissue can be felt.

2. Very Thin
Animal emaciated; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes, transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae (hip joints) and ischia (lower pelvic bones) prominent; withers, shoulders, and neck structure faintly discernable.

3. Thin
Fat buildup about halfway on spinous processes; transverse processes cannot be felt; slight fat cover over ribs; spinous processes and ribs easily discernable; tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be identified visually; tuber coxae (hip joints), appear rounded but easily discernable;
tuber ischia (lower pelvic bones) not distinguishable; withers, shoulders and neck accentuated.

4. Moderately Thin
Slight ridge along back; faint outline of ribs discernible; tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it; tuber coxae (hip joints) not discernable; withers, shoulders and neck not obviously thin.

5. Moderate
Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not visually distinguishable but easily felt; fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy; withers appear rounded over spinous processes; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.

6. Moderately Fleshy
May have slight crease down back; fat over ribs spongy; fat around tailhead soft; fat beginning to be deposited along the side of withers, behind shoulders, and along sides of neck.

7. Fleshy
May have slight crease down back; individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat; fat around tailhead soft; fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders,and along neck.

8. Fat
Crease down back; difficult to feel ribs, fat around tailhead very soft; fat area along withers filled with fat, area behind shoulder filled with fat, noticeable thickening of neck; fat deposited along inner thighs.

9. Extremely Fat
Obvious crease down back; patchy fat appearing over ribs, bulging fat around tailhead; along withers, behind shoulders and along neck, fat along inner thighs may rub together; flank filled with fat."

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I was so lucky to grow up in California and accidently fall into the cutting horse world.  At the time it did not hit me but now looking back I realize that many people dream to have these experiences.

Whenever we would get the chance I would beg my parents to take me to visit the immortal Doc Bar.  Doc Bar lived at the Doc Bar Ranch is Paicines, a town in San Benito County, California and by that time he was sterile and retired.

I usually found him in his paddock with some of the mare's who made him famous, one being Susie's Bay and I think Jean Tivio were two of them.  It seemed like whenever a car drove in Doc Bar knew it was for him.

He was right - Doc Bar was the king.

Even in his old age it was hard to see anything but his greatness.  You did not notice his back was sagging a bit or that he was a bit grey around the edges.  You were too busy looking at him looking at you.

If you have heard of the look of eagles then you know what I mean.  He was like a monarch showing his grace and allowing mere peasants to be in his presence.  He was kind and had manners that would delight anyone.  He did not need to snort and blow because he knew he was special and no one needed to be reminded.

He also had a knack for pictures.  i was young and not a very good photographer but whenever a camera was around Doc Bar would pose and move his feet into position and hold still until he heard the click.

Most of the best pictures are in my memory - memories of being allowed to take a brush and wipe dust off his coat or just feel the warmth of the sun on his gleaming coat.  The day he died in 1992 at the great old age of 36 I cried and realized I would never see that greatness again.

I did visit the ranch after his death, you could feel his presence and know that the king of the Quarter Horse was there.  Sometimes I even looked for him.

Sadly no one is able to visit his grave.  On August 9, 2001 the Doc Bar Ranch was sold by Stephanie and Charlie Ward to painter Thomas Kinkade.  Kinkade has since pulled out the marker so there is no trace of the great horse on the property now known as Windemere.

Except in his progeny which still can be seen in showing in a show pen near you.

Rumour Has It

Back before DNA many horses did match their pedigree.  I remember many a time when foals that did not live up to their potential suddenly were registered to other parents.  I knew a lot of the Leo bred mares with way too much white got hid in the back field and never saw a show pen.

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For AQHA and other breed shows, Showmanship is a class where every extra bit of polish can set you apart.  The current trend is to show on a drape, which means your horse is not cued by the shank or chain, but by your body language.

One of the easiest things to train your horse to do is back up.  I had issues with my mare when I started her in Showmanship was a correct and energetic back.  I used a modified Natural Horsemanship method to create a relaxed, correct and crisp back. 

In order to achieve a good back you will need to spend at least 5 minutes a day at least 3 or 4 times a week for probably a month.  At first all you are trying to achieve is to give your horse the understanding that when you are in place and move towards them that they need to match the speed that you are moving in reverse.

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In today’s economy it is imperative that you show smart.  Many people are trying to decide how to continue to show with a smaller budget.

The first thing to do is determine if you want to be a weekend warrior or point to a few prestigious shows.  Make a decision and stick to it.  The other determining factor is points.  Do you need just a few more points to finish a Register of Merit or Superior?  If your breed or specialty incentive funds or state programs such as Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund (KYBIF) every point your horse earns puts money in your pocket.  It also increases the value of your horse should you ever wish to put it up for sale or if you own a stallion increase the stud fee.

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As we get closer to the end of the year, many mare owners are asking themselves if they should breed their mare next year.  In today’s economy and over-breeding situation horse owners need to make sure they are making the right decisions.

Pedigree

Any mare being bred should prove her worth.  Just because she has one or two nice horses in her pedigree is not a reason for her to be bred.  Yes there are stories of an unknown mare and stallion creating a spectacular foal but for every one of those there are thousands of mediocre ones. 

Genetic Testing

If your mare is a stock horse, have you had her tested for all of the genetic diseases.  All mares should be tested/cleared for HERDA, PSSM, HYPP and OWLS.  When deciding on a stallion, ask for copies of their tests as well.  If the stallion owner does not have results make sure that you add that to the equation – would you be fine with an N/H baby?  Or a lethal white?

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Unwritten Rules of the Show Ring

It can be nerve-wracking to jump into the quarter horse or other stock breed show rings.  It is not just about showing up and paying your fees.  Many people are afraid to show because they don’t know what to expect.

Here are some handy tips:

Equipment

It is better to have a well-made saddle than to have one with cheap, fake silver.  Nothing stands out worse than a stamped leather saddle with tin foil looking silver.  And those saddles rarely keep your body in position.  An older Harris or Blue Ribbon will cost the same as a cheap knock off but holds better value and is a much better saddle. 

There are tons of older model well made saddles that are actual cheaper to buy and work well.  Older Dale Chavez and Circle Y (meaning mid 90s and before) are great finds.  Also check for trophy saddles that someone may have won and do not need.  Your leg covers the writing and you get a phenomenal saddle for a fraction of the price.

The same thing goes for your bridle, check Tack Trader, eBay and other sites for used headstalls.  A bridle that cost someone $500 a few years ago can be yours for $100.  Many times you can even take them to have new leather put on the silver and you have a thousand dollar headstall for a few hundred dollar.

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