Your Monthly Access to the
Top Rated Trail Riding Show
in the World,
Best of America by Horseback
!
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Office Phone
: 540-829-9555
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Gorgeous fall foliage on display during a trail ride at
Smoke Rise Ranch in Ohio
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In this newsletter, I wanted to express our heartfelt appreciation for the many kind letters and emails about offering a place of refuge for anyone and their horses at our farm and home in Virginia. Over the years and in past hurricanes, we have offered the farm, stalls, hook ups and a place to come to avoid the storm. There is never a charge for any of it. It is just the right thing to do for friends, both old and new. Moreover, I am moved at how many people offer to transport animals at no charge or to offer their place as well. It is an attitude of, "If they are friends of yours, they are friends of ours." We are all blessed that the storm has spared much of the damage they predicted. If you are like me, you and I would be hesitant to ask for help, but sometimes the weather or other factors overwhelm us and it is family or folks that act as family that see us through. I just wanted to say how much your notes meant to me. As other storms of weather or the storms of life hit any of us, we will do whatever we can for you. Each of you would do the same for me.
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On another note, a neighbor of mine, this late in the year, had an outbreak of pink eye in their cattle. We helped them treat their cattle but I was asked if we had much trouble with pink eye in our cattle. I said no but actually, we used to. (And this is not a commercial) we discovered a fly repellent system that we feed to our horses and cattle. I have tried them all. I rarely endorse any product or company and when I do, I do not charge an endorsement fee. If it really works, I want people to know about it.
For wounds on our horses or cattle, we use
Spurr's Big Fix
.
It really does work. For fly control, we use a product by
Equinutrix
called Fly Shield Spray
. They can explain how it works, but our horses had significantly fewer fly problems. On the cattle side, we had fewer fly problems and very little problem with pink eye because of it. Wanda, who does video production with us on the road, talks about Spurr's all the time and for our horses, it is the only wound medicine my wife will use. Best of all, we know the folks of both these companies that produce these products and they are the kind of folks you would invite home for dinner. Neither company knew I was writing this. They just make good products you can trust.
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One other note: You may have heard on the news the recent death of a young woman from
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
. There were cases in Florida, North Carolina and Michigan. There is no cure for human infection that comes from mosquitoes. It is usually fatal. I personally called the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta for information. I was shocked and then furious that they said they have no records or updates since 2018! I personally wrote and/or called the major medical companies from across the globe in India, Great Britain, and the United States. Nothing available. When I asked what was in the works, nothing. The companies I wrote or called were GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Serum Institute of India, and Pfizer. Merck does have a vaccine for horses called Prestige but they do not have anything in the works for humans. However, the best information I was able to obtain was from the
Virginia Department of Agriculture
. They, of course, recommended to keep your horses and mules vaccinated but also cautioned about the time (early morning and early evening) when mosquitoes are most active. They recommended long sleeve shirts and pants with top quality insect repellent at those times. I guess, when it is profitable to sell vaccines, companies might pay attention to the problem, but for now, do whatever you can to avoid standing water at your barns and home. Hats off to Virginia Ag who has folks that really care about you and your animals.
Start planning your fall riding and enjoy the colors of fall with your friends and family. This is one of the best times of the year to ride. Enjoy it!
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If we can do anything for you, do not hesitate to write me at my personal email,
[email protected]
Sometimes it takes a day or so to get back with you, but I will do so. Also, please consider riding with me. I would be honored. You can call our office and talk to Lisa at 540-829-9555. If you want to go, I will make it happen.
Tom Seay
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Learn more about these and other products Tom recommends for equine care and travel.
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Upcoming Nationwide Events
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Cattle Drive Weekend
Culpeper, VA - September 13-14
Why Go West? Tom and Pat Seay have been asking this question since they were outfitters in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now, they invite guests to enjoy the cowboy way of life at their own horse and cattle farm,
Andora Farm
. Learn to work cattle on horseback from Tom himself and enjoy hot Southern meals each night.
Call 540-829-9555 for reservations.
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Cook Forest Trail Ride
Clarion, PA - September 17-22
Explore more than 200 miles of trails through woodlands and logging trails in the Allegheny National Forest. Autumn foliage should just be starting, so this will make for a gorgeous ride for you and your horse. You don't want to miss this!
Call 540-829-9555 for reservations --
only primitive campsites remain.
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RFD-TV The Ranch
Ribera, NM - September 28-Oct 1, Oct 3-6, Oct 9-12
Book the perfect Southwestern getaway with Tom Seay! Best of America by Horseback is heading for New Mexico this fall to stay at the spectacular RFD-TV The Ranch. Take advantage of their beautifully maintained equine accommodations and ride the National Historic Santa Fe Trail -- the same trail Tom rode during his monumental Transcontinental Trail Ride in 1995!
C
all
575-421-3506
for reservations
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Daniel Boone Days, The Gathering, & Cattle Drive Weekend
Culpeper, VA - October 18-20
Celebrate colonial history at Tom and Pat Seay's home, Andora Farm! Guests can explore the farm while learning about what life was like in the Virginia colony through demonstrations by craftspeople, historians, and local experts. Folks attending the Gathering and Cattle Drive portion get the opportunity to work cattle on horseback with Tom.
Call 540-829-9555 for reservations -
only primitive campsites remain
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Nov 14th-16th:
S
henandoah Valley Equine Expo - VA
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June 26-28
: Mackinac Island - MI
*wait list*
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Ride with Best of America by Horseback | 540-829-9555
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Be Seen by an International Audience
Best of America by Horseback wants to showcase your event or riding destination! Our website is a great resource for
trail riding locations and
horse events across the country, all submitted by folks like you. All listings are FREE. Simply send us an email with the details and we can get you listed.
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Daniel Boone Days & The Gathering
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October 18-20, 2019
Events
dutch oven cooking
soapmakers
hay rides
black powder demo
team penning demo
cattle drive
trail ride
Mountain Men (Saturday only)
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Andora Farm
17275 Germanna Hwy
Culpeper, VA
To join us, please call
540-829-9555
To showcase your colonial crafts, email Tom at
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Frontiersman Daniel Boone and his family lived and worked within a mile of what is now known as Andora Farm during the Cherokee Indian Wars, hauling tobacco to neighboring ports. We celebrate this each fall with
Daniel Boone Days, a weekend where folks can explore the farm and learn about colonial Virginia by interacting with craftspeople and artisans.
This year's event is even more special because it is combined with our Annual Gathering at the Farm and a Cattle Drive Weekend! Friends old and new will all gather in Virginia at Tom and Pat's home to take part in festivities like a relaxing trail ride and driving nearly 100 head of cattle on horseback.
Primitive camping plots are still available.
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Enjoy a weekend in the great outdoors, full of beautiful views and working cattle on horseback with Tom and Pat Seay. This is the perfect adventure for riders and horses of any experience level, whether you've worked with cattle before or not.
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Event Dates
September 13-14, 2019
October 19-20, 2019**
primitive camping available!
November 1-2, 2019
April 10-11, 2020
April 17-18, 2020
May 15-16, 2020
June 5-6, 2020
July 24-25, 2020
July 31-August 1, 2020
September 25-26, 2020
October 2-3, 2020
October 30-31, 2020
November 6-7, 2020
Andora Farm
17275 Germanna Hwy
Culpeper, VA
To join us, please call
540-829-9555
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Best of America by Horseback is Proudly Sponsored by Priefert
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Priefert has an unbridled commitment to safety and quality when it comes to the equine products they manufacture. Regardless of discipline or age, Priefert wants your horses to be healthy and happy. That's why their products are designed with the highest degree of consideration for the safety of both the horse and the handler.
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Tombstone Round Bale Feeder
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New Ride - V6 Ranch in California
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V6 Ranch
Parkfield, CA
March 13-15, 2020
$25 deposit
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Lodges, RV camping, & primitive camping available
Ranch horses for rent
Limited horse pens available
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To book accommodations & rental horses, call V6 Ranch
805-463-2421
Then reserve your place on the ride by calling us
540-829-9555
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Come to the west coast and experience the cowboy side of California with Best of America by Horseback at V6 Ranch! This filmed-for-television trail ride will take place in the remote Cholame Valley. V6 Ranch boasts over 20,000 acres of land with lodges, RV sites, camping, and a full service restaurant called Parkfield Cafe. The guest ranch frequently hosts events like cattle drives, rodeos, clinics, and more, so you can bet they know how to show guests to a good time.
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by Carole Herder
Poor Saddle Fit Hurts Riders Too
Poor saddle fit doesn’t just hurt horses, it hurts riders too. It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t experienced some form of back pain in their lives. Conflicting reports about whether riding horses helps alleviate the discomfort or makes it worse depends on who you talk to. The important thing to remember is that when riding, you and your horse are a unit. Being a unit, it would be reasonable to assume that if your horse’s back is sore, it affects you also. Perhaps it’s not readily obvious but, be assured, it is difficult to be fluid on a rigid animal. It is difficult to relax when your horse is holding tension. It is difficult to keep your back elongated, supported and strong when constriction, concussion and poor biomechanics are under your seat, and it’s difficult to breath regularly and fully if your horse cannot. Too often, saddles pinch and restrict not only the muscles and skeletal structure, but they radically inhibit adequate blood and oxygen flow along the spine.
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Comfortable Horses Are Willing
Encouraging non-resistance is a mutually beneficial goal in your riding partnership with your horse. True suppleness, freedom of movement and willingness can only be attained when you and your horse are pain-free. It goes both ways. If you’ve ever worn riding boots that chaffed or a helmet that pinches, you know the feeling. It’s just hard to concentrate, relax and enjoy your experience. In the past, we were told to collect our horses using our hands to push them into the bit and round their spine. We now know that unless there is a significant psychological or physical problem, comfortable horses are willing to please and forcing them is very simply counterproductive over the long term.
Trust, balance and communication can only exist in a pain-free environment. Your four-legged riding partner will be motivated and inspired when understood. As a rider, knowledge of your horse is your responsibility. It’s not about fixing posture, it’s about allowing freedom for suppling, extension and forward movement. Your ride depends on it. Your riding ability for years to come, depends on it.
Of course, we at Cavallo are all about ensuring happy hooves with
Cavallo Hoof Boots
, but did you know we are committed to support and benefit your horse’s back too? A saddle is a static object, but your horse is a living, dynamic creature. Even slight changes throughout the year in your horse’s weight have a significant impact on the fit of the saddle. And, naturally, the saddle fit in turn significantly impacts your horse’s experience. That’s just common sense, of course. But many riders forget that a horse normally undergoes slight alterations in weight and posture throughout the seasons and throughout his or her life. And we continue to put the same saddle/pad combination on her back, year in and year out.
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Take the Test
· Is your saddle tree balanced or asymmetrical?
· Are the stirrup bars placed perfectly even?
· Are the panels stuffed evenly?
· Is a displaced gullet uneven or developing lumps or bumps?
· Has the wool flocking changed shape over time?
· Do you feel centered and balanced at every gait?
Here’s How
- Technically advanced panels sit on either side of the spine to enhance the function of the saddle gullet, allowing your horse a place to put his backbone and use his structure properly
- Shock-absorbing foam provides a gentle massaging action, stimulating blood flow and circulation
- Memory foam seeks to regain shape and bounds back in anticipation of the next impact.
- Firm poly-fiber sheets create
internal stability
, especially in lateral performance. movements
- This construction allows complete utilization of the horse’s scapula…and
weighs only one pound!
Cavallo Total Comfort System Saddle Pads are designed to promote even distribution of weight to the weight-bearing longissimus dorsi muscles along either side of the horse’s backbone. Our Four-Density Solution provides the ultimate in Saddle Pads, benefiting both horse and rider!
Shock absorbent - It’s not shocking!
· Saves the backs of both horse and rider
· Promotes blood circulation (slow release memory of the open cell foam creates a gentle massaging action on the horse’s muscle structure)
· Improves saddle fit: fit for Excellence!
· Contracts at pressure points, fills gaps
· Enhances the saddle gullet (protecting the spine)
· Cutback allows wither relief
· More comfort for a saddle which fits perfectly
· Allows one saddle to be used on multiple horses
· Compensates for the change of horses’ backs (different levels of conditioning, natural development over the season and development over the horse’s lifetime)
· Four different material densities create a thinner pad with greater shock-absorption than a pad twice as thick
· Allows more room for free movement of the scapula (shoulder blade)
· Reversible: effective & stylish
· New Zealand wool on one side, closed cell shock absorbing foam on the other
· Use either side against the horse; it’s your personal preference!
· Soft and Lightweight
"The Cavallo Total Comfort System Saddle Pads help your horse increase his movement around the shoulder. The gullet system encourages horses to lift their spine and use themselves properly while taking pressure off the withers. This unique memory foam sandwich helps your saddle fit better. In addition to the lightweight thinness of the Cavallo pad I love the reversible feature as I prefer to ride with the 100% New Zealand wool to my horse. Cavallo pads are the best pads in the world today."
- Monty Roberts, the "Man Who Listens to Horses”
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This Month's Giveaway Winner
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Eileen Swann
Florida
is the September 2019 Winner of
one pair of Trek Hoof Boots from
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Enter to Win: Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots
Cavallo is giving away a pair of their Trek Hoof Boots
to one lucky Best of America by Horseback subscriber every single month!
To enter, email Jess your name and state with the subject line "Enter Me to Win!"
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Name:
Jess
Role:
Community Manager & Executive Assistant
Years with BOABH:
almost 1
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Best Place You've Ever Travelled:
Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Next Travel Destination:
Colorado or the Pacific Northwest -- it's so beautiful!
Favorite Place You've Ridden:
My family once rode in Arizona after watching an old west "shoot out" at Tombstone
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Hi! I'm Jess.
I'm the Community Manger here at Best of America by Horseback, which means I handle our social media presence on things like
Facebook
and
YouTube
. If you've ever messaged us on Facebook or commented on a post, chances are you've talked to me! I also manage and update our website,
bestofamericabyhorseback.com
, create images for all of our digital media, and edit the newsletter each month. Besides that, I help Tom and Pat with events at their farm in Virginia and any other tasks that need to be handled.
When I'm not working, I enjoy playing with my two dogs, Ed & Peaches, devouring books, taking photos, learning how to paint with watercolors, and trying to convince my husband Matt that we should book another trip. :)
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Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains with the pups earlier this summer
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Special Trail Riding Event!
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Come along with Best of America by Horseback as we head back to the historic Chisholm Trail! This special five day trail riding event will be taking place in Clearwater, Kansas with the Clearwater Chisholm Trail Saddle Club next year, September 9-13, 2020. Ride a different leg of the Chisholm each day and return to the same camp each night for a variety of cattle activities, dutch oven cowboy cooking, live music, and so much more.
Call 540-829-9555 to reserve your place today!
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Tune in to RFD-TV this October to catch the four part series capturing our incredible ride along the Chisholm Trail this past June! Each episode will highlight different locations along the route from Caldwell to Wichita and some of the friends who rode with us.
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Does Your Horse Respect You?
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This is the fourth blog in a series about my education as it pertains to my horse’s education. If you haven’t read
Part One
,
Part Two
, and
Part Three
I would encourage you to start there. In this post we pick up the story after two long, hard days of lunging 2 hours in order to get the most basic compliance from Finn, my ½ Arab ½ QH/Thoroughbred gelding. He is 7 years old and I haven’t had him long, and he is just not sure that I am a herd leader he is ready to follow…
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As I mentioned in Part One, I have a lot of dog experience and I can read canine body language pretty well. I am also a small animal veterinarian, so I just have vastly more experience in doggy dynamics than I do equine behaviors. But my dog experience, and frankly my kid experience (I worked for years with troubled kids who had learned to manipulate at a very early age just to survive…) has taught me how to tell (at least most of the time) the difference between I can’t and I won’t. My Arabs are smart. It didn’t take me too long as I watched Finn make a zillion revolutions around the round pen to tell when he knew what I wanted but simply chose to ignore me. And when, at the end of an exhausting couple of hours, he does everything I ask, with a calm and willing attitude, his change in compliance clearly directly relates to how the battle of the wills resolved.
After two days in a row of two hours, he had a day off because of my schedule. On Day 4, I headed out to the barn resigned to the fact that probably the next couple of hours were not going to be fun. He was quiet and docile as I haltered him and attached the lunge rope. He readily walked into the round pen. He listened from the very beginning to my basic lunging commands, and with no fanfare at all he went over the round pen panel! I couldn’t believe it. We had a blissfully short session that day as he did everything I asked and never tested me once.
The next day, I laid out a tarp in the round pen. Kadeen struggled himself with tarps, and my trainer, who had put a year of work into Finn, said the only time she saw his really belligerent behavior was when she asked him to cross a tarp. When asked to do something new, his default position is “I can’t! That’s too HARD!” He resisted at first and made every effort to skirt the tarp, but in a matter of minutes he was crossing it. He did test, and we did have some “discussion” about it, but all in all I was quite pleased with how far we got and how fast we got there.
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Our next lesson occurred at a new trail riding location. I took both horses and a friend of mine met me at Clinton Lake. I feel like I am giving Finn every chance to succeed when I provide him with his stable buddy directly in front of him on the trail, showing him that there is nothing to fear. By the way, Finn loaded into the trailer without incident, something that isn’t always a given. Loading is yet another area where Finn checks to see if I am “on duty” so to speak…
The ride went mostly okay, although there ensued another battle over water crossing. The first time we came to the creek, he did what he did before…. He immediately turned his butt to the creek and his whole body was screaming “I CAN’T! DON’T MAKE ME!” He was relatively quickly dissolving into a hissy fit. I dismounted and he was so wound up, he knocked me onto the ground. I was quite thankful I was wearing my helmet as I did come perilously close to shod feet. I picked myself up, and told him we were crossing the creek, and we did. Not daintily, not exactly how I wanted it, but we crossed. At the next little tiny stream, we repeated that scene, minus the part where he knocked me over. I dismounted and led him over it, with much less fuss. On the return ride, we had only the first stream to cross back over. Kadeen was in front. Finn came to the crossing, looked at Kadeen already on the other side, knew we had to cross it to get back to the trailer, and with a sigh that was totally visible, leapt over it with me on his back! Again, not pretty, not how I wanted it, but a first in terms of doing it while I was mounted.
After that ride, he had a couple of days off, and I lunged him 3 days later. He was readily crossing the round pen panel, and the tarp, so it was time for another challenge. He had to do as I asked, or at least try with a willing attitude, no matter whether it was a new challenge or an old one. On that day I took out a hula hoop that rattled. I hadn’t done any “sacking” of him at this point, and that is all about compliance and trust as well. I had all of these same issues with Kadeen when I was first building the relationship, so just to “take a reading” I first “hula-hooped” Kadeen. He stood there like a stone, never flinching or showing any concern whatsoever. In Part Five I will tell you how Finn reacted….
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This is part four of the five part series
Does Your Horse Respect You?
You can read more on
Nancy's blog here
.
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ID MyHorse Identification Tags
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ID MyHorse Emergency Identification Tags were created to help keep horse and rider safe and identified at all times. There are many situations where horse and owner may become separated, or a rider gets hurt and requires immediate medical attention. ID MyHorse believes the time to be prepared is in advance-- not when you are in a crisis.
FREE SHIPPING when you use code FREESHIP!
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Tom Seay's Tennessee Log Home is For Sale
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Jamestown, Tennessee is known for horses and trail riding with The Big South Fork Recreation Area, East Fork Stables, Pickett State Park and other nearby horse camping areas.
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Tom’s log home is in the gated equestrian community known as “The Highlands”. This community has 23 miles of designated horse trails on private property that will always be there and open to The Highlands property owners. These shaded trails lead riders through the woods, past streams and natural outcroppings with beautiful views of the gorge. Other equestrian communities have no trails with only access to trails on neighboring properties that could one day be closed to horses. The trails in The Highlands community will be there for the property owners in perpetuity!
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A large, open front porch greets visitors as they approach. The log home has gorgeous high ceilings with wood beams and natural wood floors. An open floor plan makes this cabin great for entertaining friends and family, and wood cabinets in the kitchen add to the home's rustic feel. There is a beautiful natural gas stove in the living room that conveys with the home.
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The Master bedroom is downstairs and features carpet and lots of natural light. The en suite bathroom features a large vanity and sink, and a full size bathtub and shower. The home's washer and dryer are also conveniently located in the Master bathroom.
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Upstairs, there are two carpeted bedrooms with dormer storage, an open area overlooking the living spaces downstairs with wood floors between the bedrooms that could be made into a nice seating/office area, and a full bathroom with a large vanity, sink, and a full bathtub and shower.
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The loft could be an office or seating area
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The back of the cabin has a large covered porch that faces the horse barn-- it's perfect for relaxing in the evenings after a long day of riding. There is a two stall barn (with turn out paddocks in the rear) and a storage area located behind the home. You can see your horses from the house. The trail head to 23 miles of private horse trails is just beside the barn.
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Tom Seay's Log Cabin
Jamestown, TN
Sale Price - $299,000
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
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Join us November 8-10, 2019
for a ride benefiting
Tallapoosa Girls Ranch
in Alabama
The Alabama Sheriff's Girls Ranches provide homes for girls in need of support. These facilities also provide extracurricular activities, mental health care, and meals for the residents. 100% of the proceeds generated will go directly to the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch!
Call
256-872-1535
to join the ride or donate
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Join us April 24-26, 2020
for a ride benefiting
Horses for Hope
in North Carolina
Horses for Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides services like therapeutic riding for individuals with disabilities as well as horsemanship lessons and a variety of riding lessons. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Horses for Hope!
Call
919-270-4832 to join the ride or donate
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Watch Your Favorite Trail Riding TV Show
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Two Chances to Watch!
Episodes air Tuesdays & Thursdays on RFD-TV
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Look for BOABH All Week Long!
Episodes air Monday-Friday on The Cowboy Channel
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Anytime, Anywhere
Find the latest uploads and your favorite destinations from
our website
or on our YouTube channel!
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September 10
Riding the Klondike Gold Rush Trail - AK
September 12
Bogue Chitto State Park - LA
September 17
Bogue Chitto State Park - LA
September 19
Hang 'Em High Horse Camp - KY |
NEW!
September 24
Hang 'Em High Horse Camp - KY |
NEW!
September 26
Trails Etc. - AL
October 1
Trails Etc. - AL
October 3
Black Horse Ranch Resort - FL
October 8
Black Horse Ranch Resort - FL
October 10
The Chisholm Trail - Part 1 |
NEW!
October 15
The Chisholm Trail - Part 1 |
NEW!
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