When Barbara and Tom Gonzalez married and began to raise their kids, the thought of being a horse show family was never on their radar. “We weren’t raised around horses and didn’t know anything about horse shows,” explains Barbara. Barbara and Tom with their three daughters, Meagan, Molly, and Melissa, enjoyed taking family vacations to various parts of Colorado and New Mexico. On their vacations, riding horses was one of their favorite family activities, and they discovered their love for horses together. “One memory that stands out is when we were on vacation in Colorado and our youngest daughter, Melissa, instantly fell in love with riding when she took a ride on a pony named Pete. She was three at the time and was smiling from ear to ear. After that ride, she never stopped talking about horses and has been horse crazy ever since,” Barbara says.
Continue reading …An Unlikely Pair- How a Quarter Horse Adopted an Orphan Calf
July 17, 2020 Comments Off on An Unlikely Pair- How a Quarter Horse Adopted an Orphan Calf
When Michelle Khoshbin came across an orphan, twin calf that wouldn’t nurse, she knew she had to do something. To her surprise and delight, her American Quarter Horse, Vinny, stepped up in ways she never imagined would be possible.
Continue reading …Howdy! From the Athens Summer Jubilee
July 16, 2020 Comments Off on Howdy! From the Athens Summer Jubilee
AQHA competitors were met with a big ole’ dose of Texas hospitality when they attended the Athens Summer Jubilee July 8-12 in Athens, Texas.
Continue reading …Virtual Horse Shows Offer New Opportunities Amid Uncharted Territory
July 16, 2020 Comments Off on Virtual Horse Shows Offer New Opportunities Amid Uncharted Territory
In mid-March, amid growing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, the horse show community began to mourn the loss of the typical show season. Shows were postponed, left and right, and then cancelled all together. It was then that horse trainer Charlie Cole saw an opportunity to make the best of a tough situation.
Continue reading …The Little Buckeye is a Wrap! Click Here for Results and Photos
July 15, 2020 Comments Off on The Little Buckeye is a Wrap! Click Here for Results and Photos
There was a Team Tournament at the event, and the results are as follows. Team 1 was the winning team with a total of 47 points. They each won a leather halter from Mane Stream Saddlery. Team members were Kim Best, Laura Salome, Ryan Ventura, and Maggie Garwood. Team 3 came in second place with 45 points.
Continue reading …
“I still remember the one-year mark after her cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and stem-cell transplant like it was yesterday. It was one year to the day that we last rode together. We were not out on the beautiful trails or a road ride. It was a single lap in the arena with me by her side. She rode her black and white horse, Toby, and I was on my boy, Justin, and we just walked a single lap of the arena. Her smile of triumph still sticks with me. I still have her horse, Toby, because he is one special boy and holds a special place in my heart.”
Continue reading …Should You “Half Lease” Your Horse?
July 14, 2020 Comments Off on Should You “Half Lease” Your Horse?
What is a “half-lease” (sometimes called a “share board” arrangement)? Don’t ask any lawyer since the term won’t be found in law books (except for this author’s Equine Law books). These arrangements enable horse owners to continue use of their horses, though limited, while another person shares use of the horse. Horse owners sometimes consider these arrangements as a way of sharing expenses of boarding and care. The problem is, these arrangements can create problems and unintended consequences. This article discusses legal aspects of “half lease/share board” arrangements.
Continue reading …Around the Rings- NQHA Jumanji Level 7 Show
July 13, 2020 Comments Off on Around the Rings- NQHA Jumanji Level 7 Show
Thanks to Becky Ruehle of Ruehle Photographix for some great candids from around the rings at the Nebraska Quarter Horse Association Jumanji Level 7 Show. Because, let’s face it, we all feel like we’re living in the wild and crazy world of Jumanji right about now! The show took place July 9th-12th at the Lancaster […]
Continue reading …Pain Transference – Tracking Clues to Find the Source
July 12, 2020 Comments Off on Pain Transference – Tracking Clues to Find the Source
While lameness can only be definitively diagnosed by a veterinarian, your detective work can help to mitigate issues and speed recovery. Lameness is an indicator that something within a horse’s body hurts. In turn, the horse will alter his gait to control the amount of load the affected limb has to bear. Pain is the most common cause of lameness in all horses, though mechanical restrictions or neuromuscular disease can be factors.
Continue reading …AQHA Youth World Contests Still On! With Social Distancing
July 11, 2020 Comments Off on AQHA Youth World Contests Still On! With Social Distancing
Contests held at the 2020 Ford Youth World have been modified, due to the coronavirus pandemic and social-distancing mandates. Ford Youth World health protocols will be available soon at www.aqha.com/youthworld.
Continue reading …