Stallion Handling Tips

1. It’s important you know your environment. Stallions can be difficult to handle around mares, so avoid tempting them when possible.
2. Even more than your average mare or gelding, stallions thrive on consistency. Ideally, you create a schedule of feeding, turnout, and work that is consistent day in and day out.
3. Never get flustered or anger with them. You need to be patient and keep your cool!
4. You can’t been timid or fearful when working with them. The best handler is assertive and not too passive or aggressive.
5. There isn’t necessarily a right way to handle them. Each stallion needs to be treated like an individual. When introduced to a new one, always ask for a history of how he was handled- both the equipment and techniques used.
6. Don’t even think about interacting with one until you have a good amount of experience. For the first time, enlist the help of a professional.

The average riding or boarding barn will not have stallions. They’re really best left to the professionals. If you do need to interact with them, then always respect their power!

Winter Tips for Barn Cats

• Allow them access to the inside of your barn or garage. They will need some sort of entrance and exit that remains open.
• Set up a cat carrier or cardboard box with bedding and straw. The container should be on the smaller side. This allows the cat’s heat to warm the space.
• For feral cats, cut a hole in a Styrofoam cooler. Put it outside in areas they’re frequently seen. They will climb inside when no one is around.
• A dog igloo can also be left near the barn for feral cats. It’s helpful to stuff them with straw.
• Make sure your barn cat has access to unfrozen water. You can surround the bowl in Styrofoam or straw. A heated water bowl is another idea, if you have access to electricity.
• You should also give them extra dry food in the winter months. It can be harder for them to find a meal when the weather is cold.
• Always check your tires and under your car. A cold cat may be hiding in there to stay warm.
• Avoid harsh chemicals designed to melt ice, as they can damage their paws.

They keep your horse barn free of rodents, so the least you can do is keep them warm!

What is Ranch Riding?

These patterned classes test the skill and versatility of the horse and rider. Their performance should reflect that of a real working ranch team. The horse’s abilities and manner are put to the test through a series of maneuvers. They should be forward with working gaits and light contact.

Some Basics

• The performance is scored from 0 to 100. 70 is considered an average score.
• There are both required and optional maneuvers that are performed individually.
• Each gait should be free-flowing and ground covering.
• There is no time limit.
• Natural logs are encouraged.
• Holding and touching the saddle horn is acceptable.
• Posting at the extended trot is allowed.
• Flashy accents like silver on tack or hoof polish is discouraged.
• Trimming the bridle path, fetlocks and facial hair is allowed.

Required and Optional Maneuvers

Riders and their horses will need to perform the walk, trot, and lope both directions. The extended jog and extended lope must be shown in one direction. Stops and a back up are also required.

Optional maneuvers include a side pass, 360 degree turn or more, change of lead, traveling over poles (at walk, trot, or lope), and any other maneuvers a horse would perform on a working ranch.

Penalties in Ranch Riding Classes

Your horse can receive one point, three point, five point, and zero point penalties. Something minor, such as being too slow or out of frame, will yield a one point penalty. A buck or rear can result in five points.

A Sample Pattern

Who’s ready to saddle up and give it a go?!

The Working Walk

Most western performance classes will require a working walk. A working gait is your horse’s normal pace. They should be balanced and have rhythm with slight impulsion. Be careful your horse doesn’t get pacey or jig! On the other hand, a horse that is moving too slowly with drag their hooves. Try to find a comfortable middle.

The horse will have a relaxed back, swinging tail, and slight head nod.

How to Ride It

• Stay relaxed
• Swing with your horse’s movement
• Your body should sway from side to side

The Extended Walk

When extending the walk, your horse should lengthen their stride. This is not a quickening of the legs. Their legs and neck will stretch forward and reach more. You should notice the hind hooves stepping over the print of the coordinating fore hooves.

How to Ride It

• Press your left leg into your horse’s side as their left front leg comes back
• Release the pressure momentarily
• Then press your right leg into their barrel as their right front leg comes back
• Develop a rhythm that encourages your horse to move with energy

The Collected Walk

The collected walk covers less ground, but has the same four beats. Your horse will need to shorten their steps. It may be helpful to imagine them marching!

How to Ride It

• Stay centered in the saddle and sit up straight
• Encourage impulsion through your legs and core muscles
• Absorb this energy with light contact on the reins

The walk is an excellent starting point in training. It allows you to advance your skills in a slower gait.

Make sure to check out ‘The Power Of Riding With Your Seat‘.

The women’s workwear line is based on Wrangler’s existing workwear line for men, but this line takes into account the on-the-job needs of working women.

“With our Wrangler RIGGS Workwear line, we have been outfitting jobsites for more than fifteen years,” said Jenni Broyles, VP & GM, Wrangler North America. “Today, we are proud to offer a collection that provides the exceptional fit that female consumers know and love from Wrangler, while meeting the functional and performance benefits found in all Wrangler RIGGS Workwear apparel. The women’s Wrangler RIGGS Workwear line is designed to be as strong and protective as the woman who wears it, leaving her feeling empowered, confident and comfortable without compromising her style on the job.”

The collection currently features pants, jeans, shirts, performance t-shirts, Henley shirts, and work jackets. Durable, flexible fabrics, Room2Move® comfort, reinforced pockets and stitching, and moisture-wicking fabric combine in comfortable and functional work pants. Shirts and jackets were built with comfortable stretch fabric, gusset details for range of motion, and reinforced stitching.

RIGGS offers inclusive sizing, ranging from sizes 0-20 and XS to 3XL, and it’s available now in select retailers and at wrangler.com.

]]>