The Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship

We have a double interview on today's show.  First, from Australia, David Wilson winner of over 200 open Campdraft events and is the chairman of the Australian Stock Horse Society.  David will be coming to Bakersfield May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to hold a Campdraft Clinic followed by a competition.  As Campdrafting is relatively new to the United States, it is important to learn about the sport and how it is scored and judged.  Then, once we have an idea of what we are doing we can go at it in live competition.

John Thomson, a breeder of Australian Stock Horses is one of the organizers and a driving force behind Bakersfield Campdraft CA.  John's group has teamed up with Rancho Rio Stables to have a weekend of extracurricular events including perhaps a Stock Horse Time Trial.  There is a stock whip demonstration scheduled.  David Wilson will give us pointers on how to crack the whip.  (John & I collaborated to produce a video on YouTube on how to introduce a horse to the stock whip)Food vendors and western and horse venders will have their wares on display for people to shop and enjoy.  The competition will provide buckles and a saddle to the winner.  There are also scheduled to be saddle blankets and other prizes available to competitors.  Honor Flight and Wounded Heroes will be on site and will benefit from the proceeds from the event.

And we are very please that the Australian Stock Horse Society sponsored this podcast.

Keeping up with the Australian theme of this week's podcast, I have a book review.  Well, sort of.  It's my review of the Spring Downunder Horsemanship product catalog.

Stay in touch.  It is easy.  Just put your name in the newsletter subscribe box at the top of the page.  As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along. Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

The are many types of activists and activism.  I've always admired people who, believing in a cause, act on that belief.  On today's show we talk to a man who will ride for a cause, Dr. Don Funke of Bozeman Montana. Don is preparing for a 1200 mile ride on horseback to bring awareness to environmental and social concerns affecting the west. Don feels quite passionate about his life in the west and calls this a pilgrimage he feels compelled to make. I won't try and go into the motivations here for his ride.  It's better you visit Don's website Riding4Creation .org and see for yourself.  Don is planning on leaving from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Bozeman, Montana on the back of a horse.  On the show we'll talk about the details it takes to ride for 1200 miles, his horses, and equipment, and how you can help if you like.  Don is planning on leaving from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Bozeman, Montana on the back of a horse.  He will be relying on the kindness of people along the trail as well as sharing his concerns about the American West.

And, we'll have a childhood memory I share in my Ride Into The Sunset.  Most people tell the story of how great their first experience with horses happen to be.  Mine involved much grumbling, a little yelling, and near disaster.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

On today's show we find out how others are networking to learn more about horses and horsemanship. Two followers of the Downunder Horsemanship Method Michael Canfield and Laurie Frohn live in Northern California. They have a love of horses and an appreciation for horsemanship.  The result was naturally to form a horsemanship group.  The two knew if they connected with other like-minded horse owners their knowledge would grow much faster. Through the No Worries Club, offered by Downunder Horsemanship, they networked with other horse owners and formed a group called the Nor Cal Downunder Brumbies. This is a real go-getter horsemanship group.  The group  meets often whether it is just a practice day or a camp out.  They love to have fun and from what I understand, they love to eat too!

On Memorial Day Weekend the NorCal Downunder Brumbies are hosting a big horsemanship group outing at the Windemere Ranch in Paicines, CA.  I understand it is a beautiful ranch and was once the home of Doc Bar.  It sounds like a not only a fantastic value, but a lot of fun too!

In the fall they are organizing a symposium with many equine professionals.  They are hoping to draw professionals from a wide range of horse-related topics that go beyond just training.  The Brumbies will bring in experts in nutrition, tack, and farrier services.  It is happening in October at the Brookside Equestrian Park.

They host many get-togethers where the members work together as a group to improve their horsemanship techniques. I caught up with Laurie and Michael recently and we talked about how the group was formed and there plans for 2014.

A new feature on the Whoa Podcast, my Ride Off Into the Sunset.  This week I tackle a movie review, in particular the Steven Spielberg World War I action feature War Horse.

I'll give you my thoughts on it and let you know if I think it's worth giving it a look.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listener-ship.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

Tommie Turvey Equine Extremist

It was a good day in Bakersfield when I received a return email from Tommie Turvey saying he would be on the show.  My email caught up to Tommie at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo.  We scheduled a time we could connect once he returned home to Summerville, Georgia.  I called him at 6 am, it was 9 am Georgia time, and Tommie Turvey was in his office managing his Liberty Horse Ranch and working on the Facebook page for his Mustang Blade. (Click on the link and it will take right to Blade's page to give it a "Like".  You can also check out PokerJoe's Facebook Page).  You may have seen Tommie's YouTube video - it's had over 4 million views.  If you have ever seen Tommie on TV or at one of his shows, you know Tommie is not only a very good rider, he is an excellent trainer.  He is an even better interview with all the stories he has to tell. Tommie shares some tales from his early years on today's show.

Working in the entertainment business has given Tommie Turvey a wide range of knowledge about horses and people.  Sure he can ride, but he performs stunts from the back of a horse that will make you shake your head in wonder.  (Sometimes, he's not even on the back of the horse) I knew we would get into training tips and styles, but I really wanted to know how Tommie Turvey got to the level he is today.  We go through his early years and the time he spent at Medieval Times in Florida and Arabian Nights Dinner Theater in Florida where he talks about learning to trick ride and performing in front of an audience.  We even hear the tale of Tommie's adventure in Paris with the Disney Wild West Show.

We touch on a number of different topics, such as training dogs and cats.  Then we find out a few things he has planned for 2014.  He is hosting an Open House at his Ranch and he will be at Equine Affaire Ohio.  I think you will really enjoy this interview with Tommie Turvey.

A new feature on the Whoa Podcast, my Ride Off Into the Sunset. Here's where I'll editorialize a bit about topics important to me.  This week I talk about podcasts. One podcast in particular that has influenced me, Bullseye with Jesse Thorn.

No, it's not beneath us to try and bribe you to listen. Courtney at ThextraScoop.com is doing it again. Here's your chance to win a pound of Karbo Combo+. Hidden in this podcast is a "Word of the 'cast".  Listen in, find it, then email the word to [email protected]. That's it. You will be entered. We'll announce the winner on a future show. If you want to learn more about how  Karbo Combo+ can help your animals check out this podcast with Dr. Smith, the creater of Karbo Combo+.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listenership.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

Ultimate leash

Rapper Bubba Sparxx

Justin Mundt of Justin Mundt Horsemanship joins us to talk about horsemanship.  Justin got hist first horse at age twelve.  Justin talks about the hard knocks he went through and how he developed Justin Mundt Horsemanship as a way to help people build a good foundation for their horse so they can move on to another disipline.  Justin talks about his background in martial arts and how it helped him not only in his life, but his work with horses.  We go on to talk about Justin's clinics and demonstrations.

Justin Mundt Horsemanship "No Shenanigans" horse training aims to get real, lasting results for his clients.  Based on a set of  11 Laws of Horsemanship, Justin breaks down each step of the training process in a very simple, easy-to-understand, way.  Later in the show we talk about Justin's personal horse, Vegas and the where they will be in 2014.  Justin will be the main exhibitor at Horse-O-Rama in Wisconsin in May.  Justin is also available for clinics and private lessons.  Check out Justin Mundt Horsemanship for more details.  And, be sure to check out Justin Mundt Horsemanship Facebook page.You can also get a hold of Justin by phone - (608) 354-5371 or email [email protected] .  And, if you want to see Justin in action, visit Justin Mundt Horsemanship on YouTube

I apologize for the less than perfect sound quality.  I'm not sure what happened.  Everything sounded great to me and I assure you Justin was calling me from an echo chamber.  Justin said he would love to come back on the show and deal with your specific issues.  I am working on a way to ad voice comments to the site, but until then you can leave your questions by calling 661-368-5530 or by emailing me at [email protected]

Courtney over at the Xtrascoop has been a friend of the show since it started.  She's always offered creative ideas and encouragement and we really appreciate it.  The Xtra Scoop is your source for Karbo Combo+ and all Karbo products.  Courtney likes to have fun, too.  We came up with a little game.  Hidden in this podcast is a "word of the cast".  I'm not going to tell you what it is.  You have to listen.  Once you find it, email it to [email protected] Include your name and address, and if your name is chosen, she will send you a one pound container FREE!  We'll run this contest over two podcasts and pick the winner at the end of February.  Here's your chance to try Karbo Combo+ on your animals.  We give it to our horses and dogs and I really believe it makes a difference.  Max will be 13 in May and he is still going strong.  But, if you want to find out more, I suggest you give a listen to our podcast with Dr. Smith, the formulator of Karbo Combo+.  This remains one of our most popular podcasts even a year and a half after it was first released.  (It was so long ago,  we still were called the DUH Podcast)  Find Dr. Smith's podcast here.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listenership.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

Porta-Grazer with Walt Tharp

Episode #017.

When I received an email on the No Worries Club forums from listener Rebekah about a device that was helping her horse in a number of different ways, I was a bit skeptical.  After all, there are a lot of gimmicks out there.  But she is  a fan, and the show is about learning, so I investigated.  The product is the Port-Grazer, a slow release feeder with a unique design.  My first visit was to the Porta-Grazer website.  It was very informative.  As with any animal, including humans, it's not only what we eat, but when and how much.  There's a lot of great information here and I would encourage you to look into it if your horse has any metabolic health problems.

My next step was to contact Porta-Grazer's owner, Walt Tharp.  Walt developed the Porta-Grazer while trying to find a way to help horses with founder who were getting too many sugar calories too quickly.  Walt talks about how he researched the problem.  Once he felt he handle on the problem, he had to come up with a solution that was durable, effective, and accounted for the individual personality each horse.  Walt's Porta-Grazer has a number of great features.  One is a little trough for capturing the dust and sand that might be in the feed.  Another feature is the locking feed system so the horse can not get to all the feed at once.  But, I don't want to give it all away.  Have a listen and hear Walt tell you about all the great features of the Porta-Grazer.

Walt has a few videos on the Porta-Grazer too.  You can check those out here:  Porta-Grazer video.  Find Porta-Grazer on Facebook at Facebook/Porta-Grazer.  Or contact them at 209-745-5671.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listenership.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

Campdrafting Comes to Texas ~ Episode #016

Horse and riders are getting the campdrafting USA fever.  Last summer's campdraft in Kiowa, Colorado was so popular that new associations are forming to promote campdrafting in the States.  On Today's podcast we chat with Dr. Kellee Campbell, a small animal veterinarian in Austin, Texas.  Kellee is a breeder of Australian Stock Horses at and owns SandHaven Farms.  She is also an avid polocrosse competitor.  I met Kellee last summer in Colorado.  When she told me she was forming an regional association under the US Campdraft organization and producing her own event, I had to talk to her about it.

Although the winter has been terribly cold in Texas and many people have not had a chance to get out and ride their horses, this event happening in March is sure to have a big draw.  Kellee and her group, the Texas Campdraft Association have convinced Steven Hart, clinician and champion campdrafter to come to Texas and put on a clinic and competition.  The dates have been set.  Mark your calendars for March 6th - 9th.  The first two days will be a clinic.  The clinic will teach you the rules of the campdraft.  There is also a short judges clinic.  Even if you are not interested in being a judge, the clinic can help you be a stronger competitor.  Kellee tells us all about the Texas campdraft, her horses, and a little about Texas.

Steven Hart is a campdraft champion and clinician in Australia.  Steven is flying to the States to teach the skills necessary to be a better campdrafter.  Steven has won over 200 open campdrafts in Australia.  He not only is a fierce competitor, he is a great instructor.  I had the opportunity to watch him work last year in Colorado.  He has a teaching style that is clear and effective.  I really saw the riders make some huge improvements in their skills over the two days.  Steven tells us exactly what campdrafting is and how it is scored.  He tells us what to expect at the Texas Campdraft.  And, he covers information about the horses and equipment best suited for the sport.  Steven works with Select Sires of Australia to produce some of the finest performance horses.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future show please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listenership.  You guys are the best!

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

On today's show, Rick Lamb, host of The Horse Show radio and TV programs stops by and we chat about his life with horses.  Rick Lamb is an example of someone loving horses and working to make a life out of it.   I believe one of the reasons Rick Lamb is so popular is because he is so very easy to relate to.  There is a little bit of him in all of us.  He had a boyhood fascination with horses and kept following it until he found a place in the horse world.  He took his experiences in the recording studio and blended them with his knowledge of horses and his desire to teach.  Rick developed his radio show and emceed many horse expos and demonstrations.  He found good people, like Dr. Robert Miller, to co-write a book with, then wrote his own.  He developed a TV show on the RFD network and it is no surprise it quickly grew in popularity.  And, Rick Lamb continues to grow by working on a doctorate on educational technology so he can keep on teaching people what he has learned about horses.

Rick tells us a little about his journey and some of the key moments in his life.  We hear how Rick got his first horse and a little about the trials he had getting them home to his ranch in Arizona.   We also get to hear about Rick's experience interviewing and hosting numerous shows with some of the biggest names in natural horsemanship.  Rick touches a little on his relationships with Clinton Anderson, Dr. Robert Miller, Pat Parelli and John Lyons and how they all had an impact on his life and career.

One of the most interesting topics, (maybe it is because I would love to raise a foal someday), is imprint training that Rick and Dr. Miller talk about in the book A Revolution in Horsemanship.   Rick tells us how if the training isn't followed, the results could leave you with a problem horse.  But, if done well you get a much more confident horse.

Talking with Rick was just so comfortable.  You know I've only been doing this a little while.  I make no bones about my interviewing skills.  I know I don't have "the pipes" to really be doing a podcast.  Rick recorded his side of the conversation at his home studio and sent me his side of the file to mix together.  He was very patient and generous with his time and was open to any questions I wanted to ask.

You can find more about Rick Lamb at RickLamb.com and the HorseShow.com

And, I would really encourage you to check out his books:  The Revolution in Horsemanship, Human to Horseman, Horse Smarts for Busy People

His TV show can be found on RFD-TV.  Check out their website for details.

As always, we are very interested to hear what you have to say about this episode.  You can email us at: [email protected] And, if you have any comments or suggestions for future show please pass them along.

Thanks for sharing these podcasts.  Our numbers are really growing and we owe it all to you, our loyal horse loving listenership.  You guys are the best!

On today’s program we speak with Alan Day a rancher from Arizona who back in 1988 started a wild mustang government subsidized sanctuary in South Dakota.  Alan cared for 1500 horses on 35,000 acres.  It was the first project of its kind and there was much to learn.  Mr. Day had run cattle on two other ranches one of them the Lazy B, a 175,000 acre ranch in Arizona.

But these were horses, wild mustangs in fact.  To properly manage the land the horses would have to be moved from pasture to pasture.  Did I mention they were wild mustangs?   With careful consideration to the horses’ welfare, Alan developed a way of training the wild mustangs to follow his ranch horses from one pasture to another.  Slowly he was able to gain their trust and the horses thrived on his ranch.

Alan Day has written a book, The Horse Lover, A Cowboy’s Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs, chronicling the events leading up to the creation of Mustang Meadows in South Dakota and detailing the day-to-day operations.  Along the way, Alan intersperses stories of his own personal experiences with the horses in his life.  From his first horse, Chico to Aunt Jemima, Alan has a world of stories to tell, some funny, some poignant, all captivating, about the partners he shared his work with.

You can find out more about Mr. Day by visiting his website www.thehorselover.com. It has a blog where Alan's stories about horses, ranching and the West are being posted, and also where he will be speaking.

You can connect with him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Horse-Lover-A-Cowboys-Quest-to-Save-the-Wild-Mustangs/641650999198071?ref=hl

And on Twitter, conect with: https://twitter.com/AlanDayAuthor)

To order his book from Amazon:  http://amzn.com/0803253354

Special thanks to Alan Day and Lynn Wiese Sneyd for setting up this interview and giving us some insight into the world of wild mustangs. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of the manuscript and thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend the read!

Thanks for listening.  We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.  Email us at[email protected]

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store.

I've been lucky enough to get a few freelance writing assignments.  For my latest article I had an opportunity to do a sidebar about team roping in Bakersfield with champion Team Roper Denny Watkins.  

Denny made it to the NFR 19 consecutive years. He still ropes competitively.  He also teaches roping to ropers of all levels.  Denny offers a great insight to the word of team roping and with 40+ years of experience he has a ton of stories to tell. Once again, it was an impromtu interview just before one of Denny's Team Roping practices.  You'll hear some background noise (sorry) of him getting his horses ready to work.  

Denny talks about his Dad and his early years with horses.  Then, Denny tells the story of how he got into team roping.  Along the way you'll hear some stories about his years at the NFR.  And, you will also get some insight into the world of team roping, how the scoring is set up and how money is earned. 

Denny has a series of short instructional videos on Vimeo VOD and Youtube.  These videos offer offer hints and tips every team roper can use.  Most of these videos are less than 2 minutes.  They are designed so you can watch them on your phone before an event or practice.  they can improve your team roping.

Check out a couple of these links: http://vimeo.com/dennywatkins

And his Youtube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgqsDpsQeBt17WKfU0F9cA

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store

Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!  

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