September/October Preview

Our September/October issue is out, and with it, my feature with Ian Tyson – My Life in Seven Horses. It\’s a piece I\’ve been longing to write with Ian for some time. There are few iconic individuals in our western universe that I can think of that are seemingly as passionate, visionary, steadfast and bold as Ian Tyson is. He grew up riding \”Indian\” ponies, then broncs in the interior B.C., he\’s shared trails and whisky with the best of the vaqueros, and ridden into the herd at the NCHA Fort Worth Cutting Horse Futurity. There is so much more to Tyson, of course, but a lot of what he is, relates through the telling of  his stories with horses . . . hence, My Life in Seven Horses.

By the way, Ian has a beautiful new CD out, a fitting addition to his library of work. It\’s called Carnero Vaquero (Carnero is the Spanish word for ram, and Vaquero is Spanish for cowboy), his 13^thalbum for Edmonton-based roots music label Stony Plain.

As the weather gets colder, it\’s a given your thoughts turn to making sure your horses are ready for winter. Given how much of the country experienced dry conditions this summer, many will be looking for suitable substitutes in the event of a hay shortage. Jenn Webster provides a number of options for keeping your horses healthy and in their best condition in \”Hay Alternatives.\” Winter preparations also include horse wear; we look at 12 styles of winter turnout blankets, made for varying temperatures and needs, to keep horses warm and protected from the elements.

Also appropriate for this time of year is \”A Buyer\’s & Seller\’s Guide to Horse Sales,\” written by Deanna Beckley, with Billy Williams. Williams, a professional horse trainer from Tioga, Texas, shares his expertise on preparing horses to get top dollar at auctions, just in time for the fall horse sale season.

Our Futurity Road series ramps up as Quarter Horse trainer Lindsay Soderberg reveals a little surprise. Meanwhile there\’s a few bridges to cross yet before Soderberg\’s class of futurity prospects wind up “on deck” at the first of the shows.

Tara Muldoon was the only Canadian barrel racer to make it to the final four round of Championship Sunday at the 2015 Calgary Stampede. We visit with her about competing at the Stampede this year, her barrel horse, Revy, and how the team prepares for and approaches a run.

In late September, Calgary will host the first Canadian qualifier for The American, the richest one-day rodeo in the world. This stop on the road to The American will feature around $80,000 in prize money up for grabs that day. On the topic of Canadians breaking into the American spotlight, legendary rancher George Lane will be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the first Canadian to receive this honour. Find both these stories in our Out West department.

In the Health department, we look at the choices available in equine joint injections, and compare five different options based on ingredients, where they are injected and effects.

Barkerville, B.C., is a National Historic Site of Canada, steeped in the history of the Gold Rush, and a perfect western getaway. With a number of trails in the area and plenty to see in this beautiful mountain setting, we give this adventure our \”Best Canadian Trails\” title for this issue.

Everyone has an opinion on this, and now Ron Anderson gives his take on Tuf Cooper\’s controversial fall from grace at this year\’s Calgary Stampede. Look for Anderson\’s opinion in his \”Over the Back Fence\” column.

Enjoy the issue, if you don\’t already, you can subscribe here, or look for it on the newsstand.