Horseman's Etiquette
This is the most important thing weather you are simply in the arena at a
fun show in Western Pleasure or in a parade or on a trail ride with a bunch
of friends...

1.)  If your horse is a kicker, be sure and put a red ribbon in the top of his
or her tail to warn people to stay way back.  Way back, I mean AT LEAST
one horse length.  Really, you should be that far back no matter who you
are behind because horses will be horses!  Would you like it if someone's
nose was up YOUR rear??

2.)  If you are behind someone on a trail ride or in a parade and your horse
is not listening to you and he or she is getting too close to the horse in front
of you, use one rein and turn him or her into a small circle.  Don't worry
about holding the people up behind you, they can wait.  Your safety is most
important.
3.)  More times than any, someone blames they're horse for being too close and just lets them do it
because they think that the horse might learn if he gets kicked.  Well that is wrong!!  The horse isn't in
danger there, it is the rider!  Because when a horse kicks, the leg will kick a little outward aiming right for
the rider's shin!  Youch, does that hurt!!!

4.)   If you are a ways behind a group of riders on your horse and you are trying to pass them, don't
EVER gallop on by them!  This is a big no, no.  You could cause the group of horses to get nervous
simply because it is a instinct to want to run when another horse is running.  For all they know,
something is going to eat them all.  It is just a instinct that is drilled into every horse that you can't
remove.  Just slow to a slow trot way back and carefully go around with plenty of space
between you and the other horses.  If it looks like you are making a horse nervous, slow down and try to
get further away.  If there isn't enough room to pass, ask politely if you can get through.  If not, just be
patient!

5.)   If you are on a trail ride and there is a creek crossing of any kind, everyone must go through one at
a time and give the person in front of you, plenty of space.  Wait till the person in front of you is
completely through before you start in because if your horse decides to jump or run up or down, you
don't want to land on or run into that person causing someone to get hurt.  

6.)   If a horse gets loose weather in camp or on a trail ride, don't go running after the horse.  You will
only cause the horse to want to run faster because the instinct thing kicks in again.  As long as everyone
just stays calm the horse shouldn't go to far from the other horses unless something is really scaring him
or her.  Even then, he or she should calm down fairly soon. A lot better than if someone was chasing him
or her!

7.)   Do not gallop on Asphalt!!  This is way to dangerous for your horse and you!  Especially if your
horse has shoes on! Your horse's feet could slip out from under him!  Don't make the EMS have to
scrape you off the pavement!

8.)   Any young children that aren't quite good enough at controlling a horse, please have a lead rope on
them and pony them!  Your child could be trying his or her best to keep the horse they are on from
sniffing a horse in front's butt and that horse could kick!  Anything can happen, an accident could even
be caused by other people and you don't want your little one mixed up in it!

9.)    Rule of thumb to remember while following behind someone on a trail ride or in the arena.... If you
can't see the back heals of the horse in front of you, you are probably following too closely.


If there is anything anyone can think of that I am forgetting on this page, email me!
Thanks, Valerie Brunhoeber                cowgirlupgood@yahoo.com
Best Fly Spray Recipe:
1 Single Ingredient: Cold air
Only works between the months of November & March
Fly Spray Recipe 1:
2 parts Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Part Water
A Squirt of Dish Soap

Fly Spray Recipe 2:
Using a 2 quart bottle:
1 Cup Skin So Soft Bath Oil
1 Cup Vinegar
1oz. Citronella Oil
1 Cup Listerine
4oz. Concentrated Laser Sheen
Fill rest of the way with water and shake well.

Fly Spray Recipe 3:
6 Cap fulls of skin so soft
1 Cup of White Vinegar
1 tsp. ivory liquid soap
Put in spray bottle and shake well.

Fly Spray Recipe 4:
1 cup vinegar
1 cup baby oil
1/4 cup original pinesol (orig)
1 tbs dish soap
1 tbs skin so soft
1 cup water

Recomended skin so soft bath oil:
http://shop.avon.com/shop/search.asp

Fly Spray Recipe 5:
Mixture of 1:1 ratio of Pinesol and water

Fly Spray Recipe 6:
18 oz white vinegar
2 Tbsp dish washing soap.
Mix in a 32 oz spray bottle and fill remainder with water. Shake
gently until well blended.

Flay Spray Recipe 7:
15 oz water
5 oz commercial fly spray ( any brand)
5 oz vinegar
2 oz vegetable oil
2 oz green Dawn dish soap

Oil Based Fly Spray (may attract dirt):
2 cups light mineral oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tsp. citronella oil
2 tsp. eucalyptus essential oil
2 tsp. lemon dish soap

Feed though Fly Control:
1/4 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar once a day... what does it do... It
Raises the blood acid level just enough to irritate flies and still be
healthy for your horse to eat!

Also I found someone had a good comment on some fly spray
called "Wipe" by Farnam it is sold at horse.com.
Fly Spray Recipes:
With this Hard
economic time...
hopefully we can
save a little on our
fly spray $$!!

Hope this HELPS!!
If you have any fly control ideas PLEASE Email: cowgirlupgood@yahoo.com
Fly spray recipes at the bottom!