October Newsletter by Best of America by Horseback

Issue 127| October 2021

Your Monthly Access to the

Top Rated Trail Riding Show

in the World,

Best of America by Horseback!

Office Phone : 540-829-9555

Office Email: lisa@bestofamericabyhorseback.com

Tom's Email: tseay10@aol.com

Visit our website

Fall is here!

Campfires with

hot coffee perking and

Dutch oven cooking is a

delightful experience when camping with your equine!

A Birthday Call to You!

Tom Seay

Executive Producer & Host

Best of America by Horseback

Over the years, we have been blessed with meeting thousands of wonderful people from all over Canada, Mexico and every state in America.

If you are like me, we have great intentions to keep up with new friends and to give them a phone call or send them a card in the future, but life and all the things we have to do each day, kinda get in the way. By making sure we call on your birthday, we can keep up and visit a while by phone. I will not discuss business or upcoming rides. I simply want to catch up and make sure you are doing OK. I want to know about your health, your heartaches, your family and your concerns plus give a simple birthday wish. Birthday calls create that opportunity for me to do this.

If I did not call you over this past year, it is because I do not have a good working number for you. Perhaps you have moved or changed numbers. Perhaps you have not set up your voice mail or it was full when I tried to call.

You are important to me. If you have not received a call over the past year, please take a moment to call our office and let Lisa know the correct number to call. Her number is 540-829-9555 or you can email her at:

lisa@bestofamericabyhorseback.com.

TOM

Letter from Del Shields

What a Tremendous Year!

by Del Shields

Dear Friends,

What a tremendous year this has been. Our people are the most resilient people I know. When I say, "our people" I am speaking of our true Americans, who love this country and work hard every day to keep our hopes and dreams alive. I am speaking about "our people: in the equine world, who wouldn't give up for anything, because our love for our animals means everything. I am speaking about those who have ride locations, who can't wait for the next trailer to pull in through the gate.

I am thinking of our feed suppliers, from mill to store shelf, who make sure their customers are cared for, and their animals are fed. Also, the Animal Health care providers, who take calls all hours of the day and night, to care for our four legged friends, and calm our fears, or hold our hands.

And, I will not fail to mention those of you who follow us, mile after mile to ride with us, or to watch us from afar each each week on RFD TV. Your faith in God, Country, Family and us, keeps us pushing to new heights and broader borders. Thank you for that belief.

Tom and Pat, along with Shevawn and myself and our production team have traveled to some new and amazing places in 2021. Those travels took us from Florida to Montana and many places in between. We also re-visited some well-loved places that our viewers asked to see again.

2022 holds just as many planned journeys, as we look forward to securing locations all across the map. We love it when folks tell us how much it means when we come to their region, so they can join us. We also are honored by those who trek clear across the country to be with us. Our Best Of America By Horseback Family, truly are the best of the best!

The future of trail riding is bright. Through our travels and conversations and Equine Expos, where we are blessed to appear; it is evident that trail riders and trail providers have no intention of looking back. With this in view, our goals are to keep creating opportunities for you to take your horse and ride in places you may never have the opportunity otherwise. We have a ride scheduled at historic Fort Robinson next year and hope you will take the opportunity to visit it with us by horseback!

I love hearing from so many, that coming to one of our events was a bucket list experience. The truth is, every one of our events is a bucket-list experience for me, as I get to meet each of you and enjoy our time together. We do what we do because we love it. Our cups overflow each time we meet at a new location, where we see old friends, build new relationships and experience new trails.

As we continue to expand the shows and create more exciting opportunities, we invite you to keep riding, keep watching and keep in contact with us. We love hearing from you, and hearing how you are doing.

Until we meet, God bless you. Keep safe, and.....ALWAYS RIDE THE HIGH TRAIL.

DEL SHIELDS

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Tips for New Trail Riders

by Del Shields

‌

New to Trail Riding?

Simple but important tips.

While it may seem trivial to experienced riders, I too often see less experienced riders make this mistake. When traveling down hill, the rider needs to lean slightly back while securing your feet in the sturrips. Leaning forward puts you out of balance and at risk of going over the horses front.... Likewise, when traveling uphill, the rider needs to lean forward and give the horse enough rein to lower his head for the climb. Simple Tips. Great rewards.

2022 Cattle Drives at Andora Farm in VA

Join Tom Seay on his cattle farm in Virginia to drive and work cattle with your horse. This is a perfect adventure for riders and horses of any experience level, whether you've worked cattle before or not.

Guests will learn a variety of skills from horseback, including gathering and moving cattle and team penning. Riders and horses new to cattle will have time to slowly acclimate to moving cattle on Friday afternoon.

All of our guests are treated to delicious hot meals throughout the weekend, cooked right here at the farm and served to you family-style around the long dining table. Guests are also invited to take part in leisurely guided trail rides around the property.

Best of America by Horseback's

Family Cookbook

Order yours now in time for the holidays!

The holidays are right around the corner and we all enjoy having family and friends over to share a meal and memories. Tom grew up helping cook in his family's small country restaurant. Most of our events include sharing a meal with our guests, especially the cattle drives we host at our farm in Virginia. When we ask our guests what they enjoyed most about the weekend, the family style meals are always on the top of the list. Tom gets many comments that he should write a cookbook, so he did! Tom's recipes he serves at the cattle drives are in the book along with recipes submitted by members of our Best of America by Horseback family. It also makes a unique gift for the holidays. Click on the video below to see the details.

Click on video to the right

to see the details!

Shop now

George Strait uses Priefert Horse Walkers

The World's Most Advanced

Horse Walker!

Click on video to the left to see it work.

Visit the Preifert website

With today’s busy schedules, it's hard to find the time to give your horses the exercise they need daily and hiring someone to do so is costly and risky. Not to mention that finding someone to exercise your horses without teaching them bad habits can be a challenge in itself. That's why a good horse walker is the safest, most affordable, and practical solution.

Priefert horse walkers are like no other on the market. Our walkers are virtually maintenance free, safe, attractive, durable and offer more options and benefits than any other walker, and all for a fraction of the cost hiring someone to help keep your horses fit. Hundreds of the top equine professionals around the world and in every equine discipline choose our horse walkers because the only thing more reliable than a Priefert Walker is the company that stands behind it.

Join Best of America by Horseback

On Upcoming Show Locations for 2022!

Show locations are constantly being added to our schedule. Please visit our website at

www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com

frequently to see all of our upcoming rides as they

are added to the Home Page for 2022.

Preparing Your Trailer for Winter

It's not too early. . .

by Tom Seay

It may seem to early to winterize your trailer but . . .

it is time to set a date to get it done. I have found, over the years, if we do not pick a date, we often put it off until it may be too late. The colder it gets, the harder it is make yourself go outside and get this done. So pick a time before the temperatures drop drastically. Here are a few suggestions that may help.

The first and most important is to drain the water tank but make sure you include the gray water tank and black water. When it gets cold, the ice can cause cracks that will surface next season, probably on your first horse vacation. If you have a hot water tank in your LQ, remove the heating element, which is located on the outside of your trailer. This also drains the hot water tank. I just leave the element in that compartment so it is there in the Spring.

Your owners manual or perhaps You Tube, will show you how to set the valve on your hot water tank and where the valves are to drain the tanks. On my trailer, I just turn on the water and let it run out. I then add the "pink" antifreeze to the water system until all faucets are running pink. I will probably get mail on this one, but I have no problem using regular car anti-freeze on the gray tank and black water tank.

Consider leaving the trailer plugged in this winter with a trickle charger. They are cheap and will keep the battery topped off. There is a lot of discussion about how this might affect your battery life, but even if it does, it is worth it to me to have the trailer charged up. This is especially helpful to have the lights working when I test the generator each month.

About that generator. You can extend the life of that generator if you run it at least once per month, preferably under a load. Microwave yourself some tea, coffee, hot chocolate or a bag of popcorn! I like to run it at least 20 minutes to make sure the generator brushes and working parts have not fallen prey to the mud bees or other unwanted visitors.

This is a good time to actually write down which light bulbs are not working. If you are like me, I seem to ignore just one or so, but next season, you will be glad you updated them. I replaced all my light bulbs with LED bulbs. They are much brighter and use a great deal less electricity.

New LED replacement bulb

My old interior lights would get hot enough to burn you if you touched them. The LED bulbs are cool to the touch. I actually will take the old bulb to an auto parts store or an RV store to make sure we get the right match. I usually buy an extra for a spare and put it in an envelope in the kitchen drawer so it is easy to find.

We also visit the tack area of the trailer and throw out or replace the "almost empty" spray cans of fly spray, various medical supplies and leather oils. This is a great way to keep your trailer well supplied. You can also buy a second bottle to put in someone's Christmas stocking. Somehow a full bottle of spray just seems better than an almost empty one.

I like to go through the pantry or shelves and check the expiration date of everything. You will be surprised how many things are now past the 'best use' or expiration date. To avoid freezing that can of soup or tuna fish, take it in the house and use it. Replace it in the spring.

This end of season is also the best time to actually remove all your tack and take a few minutes to oil the bridle, saddle, reins and other leather parts. The constant freezing and thawing of your tack over the winter is simply not good. Newly oiled care will help.

Yesterday, I pulled my truck and trailer into the local feed co-op and (for free) got a weight ticket for my rig. I carry it with my registration papers in case some occasion arises where there is a question of my weight being legal. I have proof. In that same line of thinking, check with your insurance company to see if you are fully covered for your weight and also check with the DMV of your state to make sure your license registration covers your trailer weight. Usually they will simply increase your limits for almost nothing.

Give your insurance company a call and tell them you are parking your trailer for the winter. Inform them that you have not driven as much this year as you wanted due to Covid-19 or health issues, but the important thing is to ask for a insurance rate adjustment for less miles (lower risk to them). My rates were reduced almost 25%.

We like to go through the glove box of our truck and throw away or file all those papers and receipts we thought we should save. If they are needed, keep them for whoever does the taxes. Otherwise, toss them and have a neat, clean glove box that has only the papers you really need.

Finally, most states require a yearly vehicle and trailer inspection. Even though mine is not due until January, I go ahead of time (November) and have the trailer inspected now. It is a lot warmer now. The inspection will not be needed again until next November, not in the middle of a travel trip in mid riding season. The inspection will also let you know if you need anything repaired or replaced and the trailer will be ready to go in the spring.

By no means is this a complete list but it is an encouragement to get ahead on things you need to get done before the weather turns cold and to give you additional peace of mind.

If I can do anything for you, or if you have questions on anything, please do not hesitate to write me at my personal e-mail, tseay10@aol.com

Tom

A Poem by Del Sheilds

"Wild"

By Del Shields

Written during the Best of America by Horseback ride at the Hughes Ranch in OK with the Mustangs

I felt her muscles tense beneath me. But, she walked on without resistance, fear or fight.

Her eyes locked intently on before her. What intrigued her, lay just out of her sight.

As our vision broke over the canyon, the wind blew hard on our face.

Then three hundred ears perked straight in alert, as six hundred hooves started to pace.

We sat there in awe of this glorious view.

It's a sight very few men ever see.

Chills shivered down my spine. It erased all sense of time.

For a moment, I like them, felt wild and free.

I could feel her nerves vibrating; this mare on which I sat.

And, I wondered of her thoughts inside her mind.

I pondered if she knew of their history and their fears. Did she sense that she and they were one in kind?

In an instant came retreat. Up the hill they ran. Their pounding hooves like thunder did resound.

Their tails and manes flowed magically. No words can tell this scene. A poet to describe it, can't be found.

I, in leather saddle sat, to witness this rare sight; What my Maker made majestic, free and wild.

As they disolved ore crested hill, my spirit wrapped in thrill.

My countenance broke free in raptured smile.

Today they're just a memory. These El Mustango, Hippo, the Mustang, I did see.

But it's branded in my mind. No man can steal this treasure. I alone possess this golden key.

If interested in acquiring any of my work, I can be contacted at: singingpoet_1@hotmail.com or text or phone 620-433-1819.

Look for one of Del's poems in our next issue!

2022 UPCOMING RIDES AND EVENTS

2022 Rides & Events

April 29-May 1 True West Campground - TN

May 13-15 Mammoth Cave Horse Camp - KY

May 20-22 Fort Robinson - NE

TBA Pine Creek Horseman's Camp - OH

For more information or to make a ride reservation, please call

540-829-9555

$300 OFF a Millcreek Manure Spreader!

Great Savings from Millcreek

It's hard to believe the end of the year is almost here! If you're looking for a spreader, now is a great time to get one in our schedule before any potential 2022 price increases. Mention this ad for $300 OFF a size 27 or larger!

(Valid through 12/31/21, paid up front only.)

Our stainless steel models are especially popular - we guarantee our stainless bodies for LIFE against rust through.

Give us a call today at 1-800-311-1323 to learn more!

See their entire line of spreaders at

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Want to Save Money on Hoof Care?

By Carole Herder

Bunker Down for Uncertainty

The future is vague and these are unpredictable times. Many of us are thinking twice before making purchases, asking if this is necessary right now, or can it wait?

Horse Care is Non-Negotiable

For the conscientious horse owner, neglecting their horse’s well-being is not an option. We all know the saying, "No hoof, no horse". So how do we economize with hoof care? It's Simple. Go barefoot. Horse owners are choosing to pay much less money for a trim, rather than an entire metal shoeing job. And it’s working well. A great deal of money can be saved. Just pop Cavallo Hoof Boots on when you want to ride and leave your horse barefoot at home. It's not only a healthy solution but also a frugal one.

Horse Owners Seek More Affordable Hoof Care

Over the past two months, our team at Cavallo has had received increased communication from first-time hoof boot users. There has been a marked trend in questions coming in:

How long do Cavallo Hoof Boots Last?

Horse owners are weighing the cost of hoof boots and regular trimming against the costs of continual metal shoeing. You can expect a pair of Cavallo Hoof Boots to last for about two years (for regular use, several times per week on regular to moderate terrain)

Does Cavallo have an economical boot style, that would be suitable for those trying hoof boots for the first time or working within a very tight budget?

Cavallo offers the world's most affordable horse hoof boot. The Cavallo ELB. For those still nervous about making the shift to becoming ‘barefoot and booted’, and for those who are already barefoot but require protection on limited occasions, the Entry Level Boot is the perfect solution. The ELB is also ideal for rehabilitation and therapeutic purposes, and it makes an excellent ‘spare tire’ for a lost shoe. (The ELB retails at just $69.95 per boot)

Advantages of Barefoot

& Booted Hoof Care

Overall hoof protection – with Cavallos, the entire hoof is fully protected, especially the softer, more vulnerable sole area

- Hoof functions normally, allowing blood to circulate freely throughout, guarding against lameness and disease

- Thick Cavallo Boot soles absorb shock/concussion to prevent hoof injury/arthritis or reduce pain caused by prior hoof ailments

- Cavallos prevent stone bruising, chipping on rough trails, sensitivity to gravel. Increased grip on rocky trails, asphalt, wet surfaces (better than metal)

- Ride in snowy/icy conditions with the use of studs added to boot soles

- Vet savings over the long term

- Extra comfort/cushioning on hard, dry Summer ground and hard, frozen Winter ground

- Boots can double as therapy/rehab boots or soaking boots when required

Barefoot and Booted – A Savings Plan

When crunching the numbers, horse owners are always amazed at the potential for substantial savings when becoming barefoot and booted. The yearly savings are significant, but when added up over the lifetime of a horse, it can become a large amount of money.

A conservative estimate of the yearly cost of shoeing one horse is $960 USD per year (based on eight shoeings per year, at $120 per shoeing).

The yearly cost of keeping your horse in Cavallo Hoof Boots: Less than $200 USD (this is a very conservative estimate, (based on the price of the Trek Hoof Boot, which retails at $99.95 USD per boot), as a pair of Cavallo Hoof boots is likely to last up to two years or more, and lower-priced style options are also available.

(Most often, people choose only to boot the fronts, unless their horse is exhibiting signs of discomfort on the backs, in very rough terrain, or prone to chipping)

The Inspiring Success of the Houston Mounted Patrol

To find a qualified role model, look no further than the Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol in Texas. This unit has reported long-term savings and decreased veterinarian costs after stopping the use of metal shoes. The Houston Mounted Patrol keeps their herd barefoot, using Cavallo Hoof Boots when required.

CAVALLO – THE WORLD’S MOST TRUSTED HOOF

Cavallo Boot Giveaway!

Dianne Tulley

from

Ft. Wayne, Indiana

is the winner

of this month's

Cavallo Hoof Boots

Gave-a-way!

Enter to win the next pair of Cavallo Boots by emailing "patseay@aol.com" with the subject line:

"Enter Me to Win"

Include your contact information and state.

ENTER TO WIN!

Spurr's Bix Fix All Natural Hoof Care

All Natural

Spurr’s Big Fix “Hoof Fix” and Spurr’s Big Fix Antiseptic Spray are both excellent for Horse Hoof Care and maintenance. We all know the old saying “no hoof no horse” and our Spurr’s Big Fix Antiseptic Spray is no less than miraculous when it comes to conditioning dry, brittle or cracked hooves! And try “Hoof Fix” – it’s an awesome Hoof Conditioner!

Farriers love Spurr’s Big Fix Antiseptic Spray because they can simply spray it on the foot, wait a moment and trim a much more pliable hoof.