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E-News for July, 2008
In This Issue
Developing the Young Horse, Part 8
Legal Advice: Horse Trailer Ride Share
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We pick up again with our article series from Lynn Palm on Developing the Young Horse.  This series is available in our archives for those of you new to our newsletter.  Simply click on the Free newsletter link on the site.

Equine Legal Solutions contributes a very helpful article on trailering.  A timely article given the cost of gas and this being a very busy time for dressage shows.

As always, I hope the newsletter is helpful and everyone is having an enjoyable and successful show season.

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Developing the Young Horse
The Goal Riding Training Level, Test 1, Part 8
Wellie 4 PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING™
By Lynn Palm
 
 If you have worked on your rider form and balance and your aids and become fairly proficient at both, and if your horse is responding consistently to your aids, and if you have practiced all portions of Training Level Test 1, then you are ready to put it all out there and go to a show. To assess your readiness it may be helpful to be reminded that USEF's goal for Training Level, Test 1 is "to confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit." For the purpose of this article, I will discuss procedures for a USEF/U.S. Dressage Federation-approved show, although you may want to get your feet wet at a local schooling show first.
 
Before the Show
    Preparation should begin long before the show day. Request a prize list from the show organizers. This will tell you the classes offered, costs, paperwork required, stall availability, etc. Even if stalls are not required and they let you show out of your trailer, I recommend that you get a stall because it gives both you and your horse a chance to relax. I also recommend that you enter only one or two tests per day.
 
    Make sure all your show clothes are clean and that they fit properly. Wear them once while riding at home to make sure that they are comfortable. Show dress requirements are: a black or navy coat, a white stock tie with stock pin, white or black gloves, white breeches and black dress boots.
 
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"Horse Trailer Ride Shares: Making Them Work for You" 
 
Wellie3 by: Rachel McCart,
 
 
With the price of diesel continuing to climb, sharing a trailer ride with friends is a convenient and even fun way to make attending horse events more affordable. However, when horses or people get hurt or trucks and trailers are damaged, not only can it ruin a friendship, it can also result in a lawsuit.
Whether you are sharing your rig or someone else's, there are the following risks:
 
(1) People could be hurt or killed
(2) Horses could be hurt or killed
(3) The trailer and tow vehicle could be damaged or totaled
(4) Tack and equipment inside or around the trailer could be damaged or lost
 
Here are some tips for mitigating the above risks:
Check Your Insurance Coverage (MORE)