Since “Horse Journal” focuses on field trials of products for horse lovers, I’ve developed into somewhat of an expert on shopping for horse equipment and can easily tell you what’s the best supplement or bridle or shampoo and why. We also include veterinary and nutrition articles that focus on what to do for your horse rather than a lesson in anatomy and physiology. The training articles we run fascinate me since I’m obsessed with improving my riding. But I digress.

My evening hours take me away to other worlds and often other times, and I frequently wish I had been an adult in the 1950s. I have a preference for romantic novels, since I don’t want to read about murders and thefts and kidnappings. My favorite books, of course, involve both romance and horses . . . that’s as close to heaven as I can imagine.

I realized I was into romances when I read about Charlie Carter and Ellen Sprague during “The Golden Stallion” series of books by Rutherford G. Montgomery. They were originally published in the 1950s and are now out-of-print, but you may find them at second-hand shops or on the Internet. 

I also loved “Scarlet Royal” by Anne Emery. It’s another book geared for pre-teens and teens, but I still re-read my battered copy. It was originally published in 1952, and I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t love it. Wouldn’t today’s youth eat that up, too, or would they be turned off by yellowing pages and no corresponding game for Nintendo Wii?

Other favorites from my youth include “The Sweet Running Filly” series by Pat Johnson and Barbara van Tuyl, the “Fury” series by Albert G. Miller (I had a black stick horse named Fury), anything by Marguerite Henry, Jane McIlvaine, C.W. Anderson or Walter Farley. In fact, “Little Black, A Pony” by Walter Farley may be my all-time favorite book, followed closely behind by Mary O’Hara’s three Flicka books.

Published in 1961, “Little Black” was reworked in 2006 to include the story in the Navajo language and illustrations to suit. It was redone because it was so popular with young readers of the Navajo Nation. I’m partial to the original version and artwork by James Schucker, but I’m thrilled nevertheless that this story is still in print and being enjoyed.

I have several copies of “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell, too.  Although I devoured this book over and over as a kid, I simply can’t bring myself to read it again. Most reviews call it “heartwarming,” and I agree it is a magnificent piece of literature that deserves to be a classic, I cannot re-read the stories of the horrible things that happened right from Rob Roy through to Ginger. Of course, Anna Sewell’s purpose was to show the difficult lives of cab horses, and she did a splendid job capturing the tribulation. Yes, I know, it ends on a happy note, but I believe this book is one of the reasons that I find it so difficult to even consider selling one of my beloved horses.

As an adult, I still eat up any book that includes horses, and I’m thrilled when authors like Susan Wiggs, Nora Roberts, Janet Dailey or Danielle Steel include a well-done horse theme. Borden Deal wrote “Bluegrass” in 1976, and it’s as wonderful today as it was when I first read it.

I’m sure that there are countless other books that you’ve enjoyed and I’ve neglected to mention. I’d love to hear about them, especially since I may be able to find them in a used-book store or online. I don’t mind if the pages are yellowed. It simply adds to my enjoyment, knowing that I’m reading a book that’s been loved by enough readers that it hasn’t faded into obscurity.

First, several readers asked where they can get the black corn barn broom that I mentioned in a previous blog. I found some online at www.ablackhorse.com, www.parish-supply.com, www.unbeatablesale.com, and www.pronto.com. I simply searched, as I would for my own shopping, for “black barn broom corn.” They really are terrific brooms, which Horse Journal has been recommending since its earliest days.

We were blessed this past weekend with gorgeous fall weather, so we spent much of our time doing additional “pre-winter” tasks. The most fun was getting the horses ready for the coming snow and ice. We trim the tail to between the hocks and ankle. My husband uses scissors, and makes one cut from the bottom on each side, angled in toward one another. It looks nice. The shorter length means the tail will be less likely to drag in the snow.

The mane and forelock were also trimmed, as it will help prevent icicles from forming. We also cut the whiskers, as they, too, will become icy, and that simply can’t be comfortable.

Finally (and a lot of folks are going to tell me they disagree with this), we cut back the fetlock feathering. We don’t shave the area, leaving thick hair close to the skin, but we do cut the long hairs. This helps stop snow balls from building up on the fetlock area and helps us with the mare with chronic scratches, as it helps keep the wet and mud off of the back of her fetlocks. We believe that this one mare battles scratches partially because she has four white socks and partially because she has chronic inflammation in her joints. I had a bay with black points that battled scratches, too, probably for the same reason, but I didn’t know back then that inflammation could be a cause. (Yes, she’s on a joint supplement, and I use firocoxib when it’s needed.)

We’ve got blankets fit for each horse, repaired and ready to go, with backup blankets, too, so we’ve got coverage while the other ones are being laundered. So, the only thing left to get ready is my mindset. I’m already battling winter depression, and it hasn’t even started yet.

That was what we experienced last week at the Syracuse (N.Y.) Invitational/National Horse Show. On the first night of the show, a seminar was given by jumper greats Ian Millar and Anne Kursinski and dressage superstar Courtney Dye-King (it was supposed to be George Morris instead of Anne, but he was unexpectedly unavailable; Anne was certainly a valid substitute!).  The clinic was guided by John Madden, the genius behind the Syracuse Invitational and husband and trainer of Beezie Madden, arguably the best jumper rider in the United States, if not the world.

The spectators got more than their money’s worth, as the three riders shared their training philosophies and methodology, demonstrating exactly what they were talking about. All three riders were quick to point out that we all have the goal of developing a straight, balanced horse with trust and respect. But, they stressed, you need sound basics in order to achieve that true connection. And it takes a lot of time. “Listen to what the horse needs. Think about what the ride was and use that to plan the next ride,” said Courtney. They emphasized education, and it became clear during the seminar that we all need the eyes of a good trainer, at least every now and then, as it can make a huge difference in your riding.

I was impressed when Ian Millar stated that listening to Courtney as she explained and demonstrated half-halts, right there, helped his own half-halts (you could see him practicing, as she was speaking).  He was inspired by her comment that a half-halt should be quicker than he was doing it. You immediately release the horse so the horse can carry himself. 

We also watched Ian training over a combination, working to correct the horse’s landing and take-off, and then we heard John Madden’s suggestion to Ian to change the distance just a bit. The result was greatly improved. Here were four equestrian greats, all humble and eager for more knowledge, all listening to each other, learning themselves while teaching us.

Anne Kursinski reminded us that there are no shortcuts in training, and that safety is the No. 1 rule (stressing the need for helmets, which was echoed by both Ian and Courtney). Second is to do no harm. Challenge your horse, but don’t over face him.  Use simple, quiet, clear aids. Too many aids at once, and you’ll confuse him. Be consistent, and use discipline when it’s fair. And it’s fair only when your aids were clear. That means you use one aid, get one response and reward the horse, generously.  As John Madden said, “You need to have empathy for the horse.”

There was discussion about both rider and horse conditioning. Anne talked about her many years in California, training with the legendary Jimmy Williams, and how she learned to ride all types of horses in all disciplines (she said she once won a saddle-seat class), and how that helps you become “one with the horse.”  They all ride about six hours every day!

Ian also stressed conditioning, stating that your horse should be fit enough to jump a course four times, and that takes a lot of time. Conditioning is developed through transitions (sit-push-strengthen), hills, trotting poles, longeing over poles. Include leg yielding, shoulder-in, gymnastics.  Use interval training, with a lot of galloping. And, Anne said, it’s very important to do it yourself. “Don’t let everyone drive the car.”  Amen to that.

The evening went by far too quickly, and I left the arena feeling refreshed, motivated and determined to better my own riding. The most inspiring quotes of the evening to me were: 

“There are more important things in the world than riding a horse, but not while you’re riding the horse.” Courtney King-Dye.

“Bad judgment leads to experience and experience leads to good judgment.” Ian Millar.

“We all have the same problems and the same goals, just at different levels.” Anne Kursinski.

I think they should be posted in every barn.