BRAVE HORSE

FEBRUARY 2015

 

Welcome to the Extreme Cowboy Association   

We are excited about 2015 and the many fun filled and exciting Extreme Cowboy Racing events that are on the schedule. 

The formation of EXCA has been an thrilling and challenging adventure! Many people have worked tirelessly to create an association that you will be proud to tell your friends about.


 

This is the latest issue of your monthly newsletter, The Brave Horse.


 

You will receive it each month electronically around the middle of the month.  The Brave Horse will be full of interesting stories, EXCA event results, point standings, human interest stories about EXCA members and Tips and Tales from our founder, Craig Cameron.  We encourage you to communicate your suggestions for stories and ideas that will make The Brave Horse fun, better and more informative.  The Brave Horse the best newsletter in the equine world.

 

Please forward your ideas and suggestions to Frank Turben at webmaster@extremecowboyassociation.com

  

 

Craig mm photo

Photo By:  Marilyn Merrick

 

True story
A Simple  Fix
 

Many so-called horse problems such as balking, rearing and bucking, come from a horse having no place to go and nothing to do. In other words, he has no job or destination.  

At a recent clinic, a lady had these exact problems, including the fact that her horse would not go in a straight line. She had done all the groundwork and desensitizing; however, when she tried to ride in what she called "simple circles", The horse refused and reverted to one or numerous bad habits. 

After warming up the horse from the ground, I set up my Unending Pattern for her to do. This isn't just a mindless circle, but offers the horse and rider a more interesting challenge, with a lot of turns and forward movement. I put a rider in front of the woman and asked her to follow that rider at a walk. I think having the other horse to follow put her horse's mind at ease, and having a lot of turns kept his mind occupied. Interesting patterns-not the same old circles and drills-keep a horse's mind and feet busy. 

After several times around, I asked them to change directions. It wasn't long before this problem horse, with a job to do, someplace to go and busy feet, straightened out and went to work. Instead of forcing the horse, whipping the horse, scaring the horse or hurting him, we fix the horse with controlled forward movement. 

This isn't the first time I have used patterns to solve these common problems that so many horse owners have. The clinic participant who owned this horse was so excited and amazed at the results. She said, "I don't really understand what you did. It's like you didn't really do anything. You just gave him a simple job to do."  My response? "Exactly!" 

Excerpt from "Riding Smarter" page 152 
by Craig Cameron with Susan Morrison

   

In This Issue

Craig Cameron Tools of the Trade

Sponsorship Opportunities

Brave Horse Story Submission

Ask the Judge: Interview with Bill Cameron

 

Craig Cameron Collection 

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Click on logo above to take you to Craig's collection. These are the tools & equipment he uses everyday.  They will help you to Ride Smart and achieve success in any discipline you choose. 

  

Especially Extreme Cowboy Racing!  

 

Quick Links

EXCA Web

EXCA Rule Book

EXCA Schedule of Events

Craig Cameron

EXCA Store 

  

 

Visit Our Sponsors

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Instant Replay Productions

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Twister  

Roy Frey    

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SPONSORSHIP

Become a 2015 SPONSOR

 

Corporate Sponsorships, Branding, Display & Signage Opportunities.

Visibility for sponsors is offered through web, advertising, printed flyers, signage and race day promotions.

  

Corporate sponsors are encouraged to take advantage of the various opportunities 

for exposure. 

    

Contact Us

EXCA Texas Headquarters

 

Phone: (254) 728-3082

Fax: (254) 728-3081

Email: doublehornd@lipan.net 

  

 

Submit Your EXCA Stories and Photos

to Brave Horse

We would love to hear from you!!

 

Have an interesting or funny EXCA competition story about you and your horse that you would like to share?

 

Funny stories of your travels to an EXCA show?  

 

Share with us your tips for preparing you and your horse for an EXCA race? (article format please).

 

How about a travel checklist that you use and any advise on how to get those horses to drink water while hauling?

 

Please submit your stories and ideas to EvonKurtz@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

What new obstacles would you like to see added to our rule book?   Please submit your photos and ideas for approval to:  Frank Turben

 

Lic Plate

 

Don't forget to give your local National Advisory Board member a big thank you for all their contributions and hard work.  Keep them informed on your race feedback and any new ideas your EXCA group club may have.

 

   

 



 

Craig Cameron the original

"Extreme Cowboy"

Ask the Judge:  

Question:

What is a good free ride? 

The most important part of their free ride is to show that your horse will keep his gait and not lose forward motion or slow down or spook at obstacles. The reins should always be loose no matter how fast you ride. The judge likes to see a relaxed horse that is ready to take on obstacles.   

Often times trying to throw a few lead changes, stops, or turns can eat up valuable time. It is good to see a nice departure, gradually accelerating reaching a hand gallup, then slowing to a nice stop or continuing momentum through an obstacle. Your horse doesn't have to be in frame or in a perfect headset, A relaxed natural headset is perfectly acceptable!

An open mouth, head tossing, and heavy on the bit can lead to minor deductions. Also, every time you break or lose forward motion there will be a deduction. For instance, if you start at a lope, you must stay at a lope.  However, if you start at a trot, then start loping, your score increase slightly.  

 

                                                - - -     Bill Cameron

 

Craig Cameron Horsemanship Clinic for free!

Don't miss this special opportunity to attend a Craig Cameron Horsemanship Clinic for free! Equine Champions for Christ and the Crooked Creek Ranch will be hosting Craig Cameron May 8-10, 2015 in Hamilton, Texas. This clinic will be free for all kids ages twelve to eighteen. Craig Cameron will focus on taking each participant and their equine partner from beginning to winning by covering basic fundamentals as well as advanced maneuvers of horsemanship.

Meals, housing, and stalls for participants will be provided at no cost. Families of participants are welcome to attend meals with their loved one throughout the clinic. Those riding in the clinic are responsible for bringing a horse, tack and feed. This is a rare opportunity and those wanting to participate should sign up as soon as possible as spaces are limited! 

For more information or to sign up contact Equine Champions for Christ or Craig Cameron American Horsemanship.

Equine Champions for Christ: 254.386.0076

Craig Cameron American Horsemanship: 254.728.3082

Sign Up Form: http://www.equinechampionsforchrist.com/ECFCEvents.html

 

 

Craig Cameron
 
Learning to Learn

 

Learning is the response from a demand to grow or do something that you have never done before. Horsemanship, like life, is an unending journey of learning for both horse and rider. No person comes into the world knowing horsemanship. By the same token, no horse comes into the world knowing what the human is asking of him. In the art of horsemanship, the student is not only the horse but also the human. In this article the word 'student' will be applied to both entities.

In most cases, the human is the one who steps into the horse's life. It is the human who is asking something of the horse. And the horse is only asking for a fair deal. With most occupations in life, a license or diploma is required. Doctors, lawyers, plumbers, accountants, electricians and other disciplines demand years of education and money to receive a degree or diploma. Only with this achievement does one have the authority to practice a trade. Unfortunately for the horse, there is no requirement of a license or education to ride or even purchase this amazing animal. I think most of us would agree that the majority of people who own or ride horses know little or nothing about the horse. The human is the one who must make the conscientious effort to become educated in the art of equine. Each person must put his ego aside, be truthful and seek out whatever it takes to learn horsemanship.

It has been my experience that the majority of humans who are starting out in horsemanship believe that the endeavor will be simple. To these people, horsemanship is 'kick it to go, pull it to stop' and 'why won't it do what I told it to do?' Truly, my favorite comment by novice horseman, (which they usually say in frustration), is "This horse has a mind of its own!" I always respond "Whose mind did you think he was going to have!?" In my opinion, the slowest and hardest way to learn horsemanship is to try and teach oneself.

Learning how to ride without instruction is like trying to cook an intricate meal without any recipe. I am often asked, "Where do I start?" To this I reply "The beginning would be nice!" Years ago, as a young horseman, I found information difficult to obtain and experienced horsemen close mouthed about their techniques. Most old horse masters got their knowledge through the school of hard knocks and they figured you ought to get it that way as well. Fortunately for horse people today, there is an abundance of readily available information through magazines, books, videos, clinics, instructors, and expositions. Conscientious horse people of today, whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced, are helping themselves by attending one of the many educational opportunities offered throughout the country.

To be great in anything, I think you must do it every day. If you cannot do it, you must think about it, visualize it, or read about it. With a little investigation, one can find out who the better horseman are in your area. Start with lessons and surround yourself with the world of horses. One thing will lead to another. You will meet new people and make new friends who have the same interest in horses. These are the seeds you plant and you nurture then with knowledge.

Horsemanship is a physical, mental, and emotional endeavor for both man and horse. Horsemanship is always a work in progress. I must warn you that it is hard work but if you love horses, it will be the most rewarding work you ever do. Learning is expounding, compounding, and mathematical. The more you learn, the more fun horsemanship becomes. Like anything worthwhile, the learning process can be frustrating. Do not let frustration get the better of you. With desire, determination, and dedication, anything will get better. As you hone your equine skills, it becomes easier for the horse to understand what you want and don't want. Remember that the horse seeks the level of the rider. Be patient and do not forget that your equine friend is learning as well. The horse, just like you, will have good days and bad days. This is part of the learning process.

Remember, as students of the horse, not only are we learning but we are also teaching.  The horse is always learning something from us.. Whether that something is good or bad will be up to you. To be a good teacher, you must first be a good student. When it comes to horses and horsemanship, the horse may be the best teacher. Don't forget to let the horse teach you as much as you teach him. Remember, teaching is the art of communication and communication requires TWO minds listening and TWO minds open- yours and the horses.

  

Craig Cameron, Horseman

  

 

 Trailering Comments from Craig    

With Spring arriving soon, more and more riders will be hitting the road for trail rides and other equine events.  I decided to remind everyone about some basic trailering tips.  These tips will make things easier for you and, of course, your horse.
 
Give your horse a good experience in the trailer and he won't mind hopping in it for you.  His comfort is all-important as you haul him down the road.  Here are some tips for traveling.

Ventilation-Horses are more hot-natured than humans and would prefer to be a little cool, rather than too hot.  They generate lots of heat in the enclosed trailer.  Make sure your trailer is properly ventilated.  Open the drop-down windows, if you have them, to let in fresh air.  Make sure you have window screens or face cages so your horse cannot put his head outside the trailer risking serious injury.  We recommend trailering with fly masks to protect your horse's eyes from debris, such as dust, shavings, hay and other flying debris and assuring your horse arrives with healthy, clear eyes!

Footing-Put rubber mats on the floor of your trailer and follow with shavings.  This will help with road noise and heat and it will be much easier to clean your trailer.  This will also serve as a cushion between your horse's feet and the hard floorboards for your road trips.

Rest Stops-Unload horses every 4 or 5 hours.  Dealing with road vibration is a lot of work for a horse; allow him to rest and relax for a few minutes outside the trailer.  Many rest stops even have grassy areas, so let your horse graze a little.  These short breaks are great for his mind.

Water-Offer water at every opportunity.  Many horses won't drink well on the road, but try to water them anyway.  Carry a watering container and bucket and offer your horse water at rest and fueling stops

Tying-Don't tie too high or too long.  You don't want your horse to get his foot over the rope, but make sure your length of rope allows him to lower his head to a comfortable level.  Most horses like to lower their heads to blow accumulated dust out of their noses.  In a slant-load or side-by-side trailer, you don't have to tie experienced travelers at all.  It's best to tie novice haulers, though, so they don't cause any trouble.
 

 

See you next time and remember "Ride Smart."- Craig Cameron


                     

 

 

 


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