SpringWaterStation.com blog

 The Kiger Mustang range from 14 hands to upwards of 16 hands.

But the real criteria for your horse should be you.

Let’s face it, its pretty tough for an 800 pound horse to comfortably pack a 200

pound man and a 40 pound saddle. That load is more than 30% of the horse’s

own body weight. In my opinion, that’s too much. It would be better for the horse if he were carrying a load that was more in proportion to his size. I feel that’s 25% of a horses own body weight.

I want a horse that’s strong enough to carry me without undo stress and yet not so big that he is a moose for me to handle.

If we have a Kiger Mustang that is in the lower ranges say 14 hands to 14.2 hands I would expect him to weight in around 800 pounds.  That equates to a 160-pound rider and a forty-pound saddle or less.

I would think a Kiger 14.2 hands to 15 hands would weight in somewhere nearer a 1000 pounds; That’s a 210-pounds of rider and a forty-pound saddle.

15.1 hands to 16 hands Kiger would tip the scales around 1100 pounds maybe more and could handle a 250-pound rider and a forty-pound saddle.

If we’re over 250 pounds hit the skids first, drop a few pounds, then saddle up.  Our balance if off when we carry that much weight.  Stitching breaks, cinches loosen up, and we hit the dirt and it’s not my butt striking a packed trail that hurts it the 250 plus pounds that come thundering after.  Riding is suppose to be fun not bone crushing.

My daughter is in China now with plans to attend the Olympics.  Here are some pictures of the horse facilities China has prepared.  The equestrian games will begin Aug 9th and are being held in Hong Kong.

 The Grandparent Boom.

A phenomenal growing market in the horse industry specifically grandparents and their from-the-heart effort to involve themselves in their grandchildren’s lives.

Horse owning grandparents numbers aren’t just big they ‘re also on the rise- up from 60 million in 1990 to an expected 80 million in just two more years. Add great-grandparents and step-grandparents to the total and the forecasted number bulges to 115 million horse owners with discretionary income.

The projected spending is expected to reach $35 billion-double that of ten years ago and $10 billion more than the current amount spent annually for the entire current horse industry.  Now maybe you can see the potential market?

In 1900 with a life expectancy of 49 most newborns had only one In four grandparents alive. Now with a life expectancy of a, health and vibrant 77 years, it’s normal to have all four grandparents with thirty years to play the role; that more than long enough to turn their grandkids rocking horse into a full-fledged life long passion.

Now do you see the Market?

To really be a part of your children and grandchildren’s lives we must engage them in something they love to do.  And today’s grandparents have the Time & Money to do it.

So how do we sell horse into this market? You will need a “Demonstration Horse” a very well-trained Kiger Mustang one who can show the promise of the Kiger Mustang and can be demonstrated at 4-H meetings, fairs, any place Grandparents and grand children gather.  The market will generally be in broke geldings and mares that can stay out in the pasture all winter and yet are ready to go at a moments notice. 

Actually-it will be all about selling treasures of the heart.

Reining horses need to keep their hind legs together to maintain their balance over a thirty foot sliding stop.  Were, as a cutting horse needs their hind leg wide apart so they can make a fast roll-back with the cow.  The secret is the cue.

For the reining horse you should first cue him with Whoa! Before you touch the reins. This allows him to collect himself before you ask him for a sliding stop.

For the cutting horse give them no cue except a hard stop.

What you will find is that the reining horse will learn to listen to the trainer were as the cutting horse will learn to take his cue from the cow and think for himself.  It is much easier to train the finished reiner, for cutting then the finished cutting horse, for reining.

In 2008 we have one student register so far. Christane Baars from Germany.  She will be coming in August.

We have room for one or two more students.  If you are interested please contact SpringWater Station by email.

Before Spurs it’s important to teach your horse to respond to the “CLUCK” or the “KISS” or a “VOICE COMAND” your choice - when you begin saddle-work. You want your horse to be responsive, have impulsion and stay in his gait.

Here’s how to  “Get it Done:”

From a walk, que the horse, then squeeze with your legs and if he doesn’t accelerate into a trot, pop him on the butt with a crop or the end of the reins. Only use enough force to get your point across. Most horses will only need a couple of light pops on the butt. Lazy or insensitive horses may require a
good, strong whack to get them to respond.

Repeat this every ride and within a short time your horse will have it. Just be consistent.

Spurs have been around and used for a thousand years; if they weren’t useful they would have been abandoned long ago; cowboys wore them for a reason. START USING SPURS; if you want a smooth horse that has impulsion; a horse that responds like a top reiner.  I always wear spurs when riding any horse that has more than month or two under training.

Even a really sensitive horse will eventually require a spur. A rider’s leg by itself isn’t enough when is comes to training most horses.

Spurs are used to enforce leg aids. The calf of the leg is used FIRST and if the horse doesn’t respond to the leg, the rider PRESSES him with the spur. PRESS with the spur don’t JAB.  A smooth pressing action will get all the response you need from your horse. Jabbing with the spur upsets the horse, makes him anxious and could cause him to wring his tail.

Most people misunderstand what spurs are for. Just because a rider is wearing spurs doesn’t mean he has to use them every time he cues the horse. With most horses, all you have to do is touch them a few times with the spur and that’s it. They will respond to the rider’s bare leg if they know the spur might be used to back it up.