Recreation Riders - Two questions

[CarolU]

1) What articles would you like to read in PFHW that would help you enjoy your horse more?

2) What could PFHA do that would help you enjoy your horse more, and make you feel PFHA was responding to your needs?

[Laura S]

1) I really like training articles and articles about the history of famous paso finos

2) What has helped me the most enjoy my pasos are to attend training clinics. There is always more to learn, and I enjoy networking with other paso owners.

[Centauress]

I agree with Laura, they should have a section dedicated to training advice every month.

Maybe start a "trainer spotlight of the month". You could get to know the trainer and some of his tricks of the trade! As long as they mixed it up and didn't have just "show" paso trainers.

[PasoCanuck]

How to purchase a good family mount.
Training info relating to trail skill for horses like hobbling, ground tying, one rein stop, loading etc...
Health and care info for Newbies who own horses for the first time.

[DebbieS]

Yes, a training article each month is a great idea. That's why I love my Perfect Horse magazine and read the entire thing the day I get it!

Maybe a place where members could submit small stories about their horses - maybe a different theme each month..... tell us about a horse you had growing up.... or tell us about a horse that has overcome odds, changed your life, crazy things your paso has done, etc.

These are things that have us coming back to the bb each day! I think small stories about everyday people and their horses would be very interesting.

[Linda Y]

I like articles about 'real' people and their horses...with lots of pictures!
The articles about the farms have been good.
Articles about famous Pasos, with lots of pictures. Of the horses and people or just horses.

[Centauress]

yes - I really enjoy the monthly farm spotlight, that's been great. I also like to see a ton of photos!

[Cindy]

For those who liked the farm tours in the mag, they will be back shortly.

[SandyMM]

While the 'farm tours' were initially interesting - for the first 2 pages.... I couldn't believe the article I saw went on and on and on and on..... Two or three pages tops - maybe - after that it seems like one big commercial. Now if the articles were split into interviews with various farms showing why they chose a particular fencing, type of barn, bedding, feed/hay, training facilities, breeding/show bloodlines - _that_ would be interesting to me. I felt the length of the farm tour articles took away space that would have been better used to give substantive information.

[Cindy]

I think other people did not like the length as well, Sandy. I know that they have tweaked the format so that may have been one of the tweaks that was made.

[sporthorse]

I really would like to see promotional reports for our outreach to the markets outside ;related to showing the paso fino as a riding horse(as opposed to its long standing prominence as as show horse,of novel & distinct capabilty) to the world in the normal or inspired uses for vesitile equine activity.I like the fact the resources are being dealt with via media. Maybe success stories from folks who found paso finos via the outreach of media magazines word of mouth or TV .Of course thier adventures in shopping for what they wanted,would be the real fun.
About the RFDTV I see that our horses can be represented in many fashions I loved the Cabalgata segment in Ocala but the trail rides looked nice too, artsy, which is good & they showed where you can go with the horses. There is a writer I have seen alot in American Cowboy for trailriding articles her name Is Janine Wilder ,she is a "longrider" and she also is an avid paso fino rider(her husband may also ride paso finos which she rarely mentions in the articles.She should be given a lifetime membership for her accomplishments,A long rider has a 1000 mile tour on horseback I believe.(that does not mean without trailering but more geographical distance covered if I remember correctly) Maybe she could do a feature at least once a year, she is a professional writer so she would have to be compensated.Same goes with a horsewhiperer/trainer spotlight. Dennis Reis used a paso fino for a trailering video/DVD if I remember correctly. these trainers are watched nationwide by folks of all breeds of horses. Gawani Pony Boy has a paso fino segment also. The spotlight article for our Paso fino pros too.The discovery of market stories of celebrities like Shania Twain and Alyssa Milano and Maryanne Kennedy having paso finos could be a catchy interest to some .Where did they find the first ones and why or how.
http://www.thelongridersguild.com/Associates-2.htm

[CarolU]

Actually Ed, we've had some articles by Janine Wilder in the magazine. Her photographs are as inspiring as her writing. They were great. She wrote the Western Horseman book on Trail Riding.

But, great ideas...anybody else?

[Bonnie M]

Yes, training articles for trail horses would be good. Also more pics of average people riding, not always pics of the show people. And it seems a lot of the pics are always of latins showing, NOTHING against the latins, heck I am married to one, but for someone new to the breed, if they opened up the mag and saw maybe the spread of Nationals, they would think that is all who shows these horses.

There needs to be more organized trail rides. And a better program for the recreational rider. There aren't enough trail rides for people to get the points needed for the program that they have now.

[Terry Wallace]

I'd like to see a places to go with your trail horse article....maybe two or three states per issue if room provides...including rules & ammenities (porta potties, parking, fees, dogs allowed or not, picnic tables, potable water, camper hook ups, corrals, etc)

[jodiTowne]

I have been a member of PFHA twice. 11 years ago when I registered my gelding and this year for the mare. I didn't bother with the magazine last time because I never found anything interesting in it. This time, of course, I get the magazine with it. It is better, but not interesting enough for me to continue unless it changes.

Not once (granted I have not seen a lot of issues, but probably a dozen) have I seen an article going into paso tack, how it works, training for gait, etc. Should have articles based on caring for pasos....anything that sets them apart from other breeds.

I do like the idea of showcasing a certain paso on occasion.

[Terry Wallace]

Jodi... I have saved articles on tack and such from PFH World... I could email them to you....PM if you want... ;-) there was a good article on bits years ago....

[Pasogirlz]

Not once (granted I have not seen a lot of issues, but probably a dozen) have I seen an article going into paso tack, how it works, training for gait, etc. Should have articles based on caring for pasos....anything that sets them apart from other breeds.

That's b/c it aint easy to get the trainers to sit down and write one for ya. ;-) They are always out riding.

[SandyMM]

That's b/c it aint easy to get the trainers to sit down and write one for ya. They are always out riding
Not _always_ - sometimes trainers and cohorts have ribs in the oven and Uno Attack on the table... hahahhahaa!

[Pasogirlz]

That's b/c it aint easy to get the trainers to sit down and write one for ya. They are always out riding
Not _always_ - sometimes trainers and cohorts have ribs in the oven and Uno Attack on the table... hahahhahaa!

The truth comes out. :lol:

[PasoPerson38]

I know this Topic IS for recreational riders, BUT I need somewhere to voice my opinion! ;-)

Why doesn't PFHW ever run the results to shows? Yes they do Nationals, but I think that would be a great way for people to see what horses are placing top at regional level shows, not just National.

[Boyd R]

I would love to see in the upcoming events calander more trail rides.

But then whos fault is that. MEMBERS

[Pasogirlz]

What about getting organized for Parades? Each region could really get out there and represent in their local areas...... :idea: Maybe an award for the region that does the most parades, or has the most pasos in a parade?

What about each region looking into the 4-H or Open shows in the area that might interest some of the ppl who would like to show for fun or practice. That is great breed promotion even if PFHA isn't getting the show fees. ;-)

[Abejita]

Why doesn't PFHW ever run the results to shows? Yes they do Nationals, but I think that would be a great way for people to see what horses are placing top at regional level shows, not just National.

Well probably due to space constraints ..plus they are available on the website.. I do think you need your membership and pin # s though.

[Blair]

I agree with all of the above sections but I also would like to see health articles or anything related to research being done that might be breed specific (if any is occuring). I do get alot of this from Equus but they are not specific to breeds usually. More regional information (shows, etc) is nice too but I suspect some of us might just read our region/surrounding region and that is all.

Also, an article or two on horse photography (not a sales pitch but how too article) from some of you who are so darned good! Grooming articles (how do you get a white horse white????), etc.

The mag is better but can improve.
Blair

[PasoPerson38]

I hate to copy anyone....but have you ever considered a DVD with the mag?

[AliceG]

I'd like to see interviews with trainers, especially those who train for real riding horses :twisted: not just show horses!

I'd like to see articles on gait - pictures, differences, etc. Maybe some articles like the old What is this gait? video.

The farm tour articles were okay, but were too long and not really of any educational value.

I'd also like to see interviews with people who do endurance on the pasos, like some of the people on this BB! :idea:

[Camilla]

Throwing in my 2 cents...
Personally, I loved the farm tours and did not find them too long. it really felt like you were getting a tour. please keep them coming. :smile:
I like any stories, articles, anything that is paso related.

I think there is a good balance of show and recreational.

For general horse care or info, there are lots of other venues and sources. Anything paso is good, leave general stuff to Equus, etc.

I'd love to see a trainer question and answer column. I'd also love a conformation analysis column with pics.

And i second the historical profiles and pics of horses.

and pics, pics pics.

[Minouri]

I love to see an article on someone taking backyard horses and that don't gait well and improving their gait. Like before and after photos of the tack used....the training that went into it....how the horse carried himself before and after. Pictures of success stories...inexperienced Paso riders becoming more knowledgeable riders.

Even stories that did not produce much success would fascinate me.

[jodiTowne]

I LIKE the "trainer question and answer section" idea.

[Camilla]

Hey Minouri...
that is a great idea! Would make a very interesting read.