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Wednesday, April 4, 2012; Issue No. 62 |
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Your Guide to Trail Rides
How to Be Safe and Have Fun with Your Horse
Horses have played an integral role in human history for thousands of years. They've inspired artists and poets, aided soldiers in war, plowed our crops, played as part of the team in sports events, and acted as our companions in good times and bad.
Join us as The Western Vault celebrates the joys of riding your horse and getting out in nature. We've found great tips for a safe, delicious treats for your horse, and clothes and gear to show off your love of your four-legged companion.
To get the latest on everything else Western, vist our members' pages.
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| Your Guide to a Fun, Safe Ride | |
Trail riding is an excellent way for riders and horses to bond and work on communication aids in a new environment. However, riders must always be prepared to confront the unexpected when out on the trail.
Be prepared, confident and successful on the trail and beyond with these trail riding tips:
Preparation
- Make sure the distance and duration of the trail ride is within your horse's current fitness level.
- Remember to check the weather before you ride and dress accordingly.
- Riders and light-skinned horses should use sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays.
- Make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Also let a friend or family member know where the keys to your various vehicles are. They should be accessible in case anyone is injured.
On the Trail
- Never hit the trail without a buddy, and never leave the buddy behind.
- Always carry a fully charged cell phone or satellite phone, first-aid kit, flashlight, water, hoof pick, map, compass and GPS receiver. Take advantage of the technology available to you.
- Carry an ID and put identification information inside your helmet. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and emergency contacts.
- Use your manners! Be friendly to other people you encounter on the trail.
After the Ride
- Make sure to cool your horse down properly to relieve and prevent lactic acid buildup in the muscles.
- Check to see if your horse sweated evenly under the saddle pad to make sure your saddle doesn't have any pressure points that can make your horse uncomfortable or cause long-term problems.
- Rinse or hose off sweat and always offer fresh clean water.
- Do a visual and tactile evaluation of your horse. Check his legs for swelling or any cuts he might have from the ride. Treat accordingly.
Get all 40 trail riding tips here.
Courtesy of the American Quarter Horse Association.
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| The Horseman's Destination | |
South Texas Tack | (979) 421-8800 | Profile | Inventory | Website
South Texas Tack is the ultimate horseman's destination. The store has everything for the novice beginner to the competitive professional. The store carries a full line of premium harness leather tack, all your favorite brands of horse leg protection, animal health necessities, and everything a horse owner would need. Our South Texas Tack saddles are ridden by some of the top trainers and competitors. If you would like something custom made, South Texas Tack can have it done to your specifications. The store also does trophy saddles, buckles, and tack if you have an event coming up.
Keep in touch with South Texas Tack by "liking" the store's Facebook page.
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| A Delicious Treat Before the Trail Ride |
Although bran mashes were once popular winter fare, served to horses to prevent colic and tying up, modern research has shown that these mixtures do not have any particular medicinal powers. In fact, bran mashes can be detrimental to horses with insulin resistance or other dietary issues. But this doesn't mean that you can't treat most horses to a tasty, warm mash occasionally. Here are two recipes to try:
Sugar-Free Apple Mash
- 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 6 to 10 cups bran or ground oatmeal
- 2 cups Cheerios
- Hot water
In a bucket, mix together the water and bran or oatmeal. You can make the mash as watery or dry as you like, so experiment to see which your horse prefers. Add the applesauce and allow the mash to cool before sprinkling with Cheerios and serving.
Sweet Celery Soup
- 8 to 10 cups bran or your horse's
- Regular grain ration
- A cup of molasses
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- Hot water
In a bucket, stir together the hot water and oats or grain. Stir in the molasses, then add the chopped celery and carrots. Let the "soup" cool before serving. For the grain portion, use the same ration your horse gets on a daily basis, and if using bran, do not feed this mash more than twice a month.
Courtesy of EquiSearch.
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| Riding in Style | |
Pinto Ranch | (800) 393-8001 | Profile | Inventory | Website
Pinto Ranch is much more than just Western wear--it's a lifestyle. That's why the store's wide range of exclusive collections embody the romanticism of the Old West and the contemporary stylings of Southwestern chic, and includes items devoted to cowboy and cowgirl's best friend--the horse:
- The beautiful hand-carved sterling silver three-piece buckle set by Clint Orms features a detailed horse head overlay. The keeper has a lucky horseshoe overlay, and the tip finishes the piece with a 3D star overlay.
- The eye-catching ladies fringed suede jacket with colorful hand-painted horses is a perfect piece for the Western woman who appreciates the grace and beauty of a horse. Each jacket is unique, as it is hand-painted. Antiqued silver and turquoise stud detailing are added embellishments on front and back of jacket.
- The store also has Jeff Deegan horsehead 1 1/2-inch trophy buckles. The sterling silver horsehead is framed by a detailed horseshoe. (The belt's not included.)
- Another great item is Pinto Ranch's ladies 3/4-sleeve black shirt with a horsehead design made out of Swarovski crystals. Turquoise, silver, and gold crystals are used to add depth and color to the design.
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| The Art of Horses | |
La Coda Art | (817) 797-6816 | Profile | Inventory | Website
La Coda Art's Sherri Alexander, a native Texan born in Fort Worth, began her love for Western art, animals, and the cowboy way of life at age two when she became an annual visitor to the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo. Her painting career then blossomed and, by age 21, she was creating her own works in watercolors.
These days, Alexander is hard at work on her North Texas ranch, "Ranchero de La Coda", pursuing her passion for her horses and the Texas Longhorns she raises with her husband Dave.
Sherri Alexander's Western art work can be found in hotels, restaurants, major resorts, and fine art galleries throughout Texas and around the world.
Contact Alexander to find your own work of art that captures your passion for horses and the cowboy way of life.
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New Inventory | |
Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Purses | (503) 756-1480 | Profile | Inventory | Website
Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Purses has released photos of the store's newly made stylish, super chic bags that'll give your spring outfits a little kick!
If you love Corral Boots, you will love the Corral Cowboy Boots Bag (left)! If you love crosses, you will love this handbag even more! Made from Corral Cowboy boots, this cross-embellished Western purse is perfect for everyday wear, from going to the honky tonk to dancing at a Taylor Swift concert! Simple, elegant with a side of cowgirl christian attitude.
The Black, Pink and Purple Boot Bag (center) is made from black leather cowboy boots and embellished with purple stitching, pink insets. and hot pink Swarvoski crystals. It's the perfect bag to make a statement.
This captivating working stock boot is just what the doctor ordered! Cheer up and show up with a rootin' tootin' attitude with this one of a kind Green Leather Twisted X Cowboy Boot Purse. The bag is embellished with gold and cream contrasting stitch pattern and amber crystals across the front.
For the latest news and new bags from Diamond 57, check out the store's Facebook page.
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| Upcoming Events |
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Infinite Analysis
Admirers of David Foster Wallace, the cultish writer of "meta" insight, are still reeling from his suicide in 2008. Aside from their frustration that there will never be another Wallace novel, there is the concern that we may never know the true meaning of his famously complex tome Infinite Jest.
A good place to commiserate is at the David Foster Wallace Symposium, featuring some of the people who knew him best: Bonnie Nadell, his agent; Michael Pietsch, his editor; and D. T. Max, the New Yorker writer who is penning his biography. Complementing the discussion will be a display of correspondence, corrected proofs, and other papers from the Harry Ransom Center's archive that will help unlock verse whose footnotes alone can get to the meaning of life. It will be a team effort.
"I remember reading Joyce's Ulysses in grad school and feeling very alone as I wrestled with the book," said Amanda Eyre Ward, an Austin novelist participating in the symposium. "Reading D.F.W., you're never alone with your questions, unless you want to be."
(Harry Ransom Center; April 5 and 6; various times; hrc.utexas.edu)
Courtesy of Texas Monthly magazine.
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| The Texas Music Chart |
There's only been a slight change at the top of this week's Texas Music Chart. Jason Boland & the Stragglers' "False Accuser's Lament" ( listen here) has moved into the number three spot. Meanwhile, the Randy Rogers Band is holding steady at number one with "Last Last Chance" ( listen here) and Eli Young Band's "Even if It Breaks Your Heart" ( listen here) is staying at number two.
Top three spincreases:
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Turnpike Troubadours "Gin, Smoke, Lies" |
229 | |
Jason Boland & the Stragglers "False Accuser's Lament" |
135 | |
Mockingbird Sun "That Girl Tonight" |
118 |
The two new entries on the chart this week are from Josh Ward and Green River Ordinance.
The Texas Music Chart is the industry standard for measuring airplay of Texas and Red Dirt (Oklahoma) music with 95 radio stations filing information each week. To see the entire chart this week, please go to www.TexasMusicChart.com.
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| Western Blogging |
Find out everything that's happing throughout the week by tuning in to The Western Vault blog. There, you'll find delicious recipes in our Daily Bite feature, read the latest in Western news, get tips on everything from gardening to horseriding, learn about nationwide events, and more!
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| Super Sales and Holiday Discounts | |
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Save 20% on Designer Jewelry
For the month of April, member Carol K is offering subscribers to TheWestern Vault newsletter 20%-off on her incredibledesigns. Simply mention you saw this advertisement, and you'll get a gorgrous piece of jewelry at a great price. | |
Offer Expires: April 30, 2012 |
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