Horse Crazy

I just bought this book online and sure would have loved it when I was in junior high!   This  is really complete guide to horses, including history, crafts, knowledge and more!    With Christmas coming, know that it is on Amazon for as little as $6.00!

Check out all my new hoodies — just $19.99 for a LIMITED time! 

Sale price cannot be combined with further discounts.

Three Day Eventing Hoodie

Kayla Jordan & her Horse Prince

This photo was sent in from Candy Jordan.     Gorgeous girl, gorgeous horse, gorgeous costume.    I am sure this horse is more of an angel than a devil in real life.  On the other hand, my two-year-old is going as a devil this year and believe me, the costume fits!

Horse Trailering Can be Fun and Easy

Most of us are in it for the horses.  But trucks, tractors and trailers come with the territory.     If you want to go to shows, clinics and trail rides with your horses, learning how to drive a truck and trailer is essential.   

When you get to your destination, you usually have to back in your horse trailer.   Here are a few tips:

•  If you are really awful at backing and can unload your horses first, that would be a nice thing to do for them.    
•  Also, if you can practice lots with any empty trailer that is even better. 
• Have a ground person, if possible, directing you.
• Tip: Point your truck wheels in the opposite direction you want to go.  For example, if your trailer is too far to the right, turn your truck wheels to the right.

This will get the job done, but if anybody else has more pointers or clever tricks please feel free to leave them!

Here are some Halloween ideas for your stable:

1. Have horses bob for apples 
2. Costume contest
3. Have riders race to eat doughnuts hung at mouth height from rafters
4. Carve horse stencils into pumpkins

Have any other ideas?  Please send them to bauer.dana@gmail.com and I will be sure to add them to the list!

I have added some Halloween items to my cafepress store!  Click here to check them out!

The following picture taking tips came from Jennifer Gulati of ASHAM:

Show season is winding down and old man winter is getting ready to visit Michigan soon.  Why not take advantage of the last few nice days of fall to get some great candid shots of you and your favorite friend?  
 
It seems everyone tends to think about those candid shots in January as the magazine deadline approaches.  Unfortunately, that means we end up taking poor quality indoor pictures of freezing people and fluffy horses.
 
Here’s a few tips for some great photos.
 
1) Go outdoors.  Natural light is always the best for pictures. 
 
2) The golden hour for pictures is the hour around sunset and sunrise.
 
3) Use your flash on bright sunny days.  You will brighten up dark shadows caused by the harsh differences between the dark and bright areas of the subject.  Flash may be useful on cloudy days as well.
 
4) Most flash has a range of 6-8 feet.
 
5) SCUFI, Shoot Close Up For Impact.  Get the subject, not the background.
 
6) Take care of the background, and the subject will take care of itself.  Telephone wires, cars and manure piles can easily ruin a great shot.
 
7) Go Vertical.  Humans are vertical, and horses from some angles are vertical.  The magazine is printed vertically.
 
Get help.  Have another person or two get the horses ears up, then the photographer can focus taking the picture.  Baby powder, umbrellas, noise makers, and ect….
 
9) Move around,  Different angles or heights may produce a fantastic shot.
 
10) Take lots of photos, You may have a great one hidden in the average.
 
 
Follow some of these tips and even point and shoot cameras can produce amazing shots.  There’s only a few good days left this season with beautiful leaf color and green grass.  Take advantage of them.  We hope to see the results of your good work in our annual magazine or on our website.
 
Good luck and happy shooting

The newest book in the Canterwood Crest series for young adults is here!   Check out their web site for more information about this great series for girls who LOVE horses!  And, visit the author’s blog for a chance to a win a free Dana’s Doodles t-shirt!