ONLINE ARTICLES 101 Best Tips - March Online Extra The Ultimate Best Of...we did the work for you! The result ­ 101 useful gems of advice from the experts ­ gathered at the 2005 edition of the Alberta Horse Breeders and Owners Conference. You'll find the first 88 in the March issue of Western Horse Review...and here are the final dozen gems... Compiled by Heather McCutcheon, Ingrid Schulz and Jenn Webster Rich Decker on selecting and promoting a stallion 88. "Quarter Horse owners need to do a little outcrossing ­ everyone talks about it but no one wants to take the chance of actually doing it. Many people have tunnel vision." 89. "Incentive and nomination programs are great promotional tools for stallions." 90. "My opinion regarding two-year-old sires? Too many mares too quick could cause a young horse some future problems." 91. "When bearing in mind a potential breeding, the pedigrees are very important. Read what the pedigrees tell you." 92."When you own a stud, you will likely have a batch of mares by him. So you really have to think about who you will breed them to. You cannot breed them back to your own stallion. Don't be afraid to try something new. Take a look at what pedigrees are fashionable, but don't be afraid to step outside every once in a while." 93. "I think we have bred the feet right off of our horses." Dr. Penny Lloyd, DVM, on why horses buck 94."Why do horses buck? Some horses may do so because they are fresh, but I believe some horses buck out of fear, pain, anticipation of both, or anger." 95."Poor saddle fit can cause chronic back pain, kissing spine lesions, a change in the horse's posture and secondary lameness." 96."If you have an even sweat mark under your saddle pad, usually it means you have a good, even saddle fit." 97."The skirt lacing on the back of a western saddle can point downward and dig into a horse's back. Itšs supposed to be a decoration, but sometimes it's a weapon as the lacing may cause pain to your horsešs back." 98."Many horses are in tremendous pain because of their winter blankets! They become sore at the top of their withers and shoulders. Choose a winter blanket that contours and finishes above the withers ­ not at the top of the withers." 99."If you place your saddle too far forward, it changes the angle of the saddle seat and throws the rider's balance off. Then as the horse extends its gait, the scapula moves further back ­ which is another reason saddles are better further back." 100."Your saddle pad can only do so much. A good fitting saddle is best. Plus, you won't have to cinch it up as tight." 101."Tree-less saddles donšt provide enough channel space along the horse's spine." __