I hope that all of you enjoyed the nice weekend. It was great to get out of the deep freeze these past few days. I just finished our Stallion Edition for 2009, and you should be receiving it the first week of February. If you don’t get it mailed, you can subscribe by contacting me or going to www.betterhorsesnetwork.com. Also, check your local Purina Dealer to see if they have them.

We really hope you can join us for the 6^th Annual Horseman’s Priority Conference on Feb. 6 & 7 at the Ransomed Heart Ranch near Lone Jack, MO. We have an excellent lineup of clinicians and speakers including Richard Shrake, Brent Wright, and cutting horse trainer, Nick O’Dell. Thanks goes out to all of the folks of the Open Range Cowboy Church for helping get the word out on this event. More information is in this newsletter on the flyer. I hope that you can make it.

Wow! We have some great riding clinics scheduled this Spring that are hot off the press!

March 21^st; Saturday, Kerry Kuhn Practical Horsemanship; Winding River Camp and Equestrian Center; Dearborn, MO; limit 10 riders; contact Linda Grimmett at 816/914-0490 or www.theranchatloneoak.com.

March 28 & 29^th; Lone Wolf Ranch Arena & Training Center; Cleveland, MO; Curt & Tammy Pate; Effective Stockmanship & Horsemanship; limit 30 riders. Call Ernie at 785/418-6047; evenings 785/242-8748 or e-mail at ernie@betterhorsesradio.com.

May 30 & 31^st; Lone Wolf Ranch Arena & Training Center; Cleveland, MO; 2^nd Annual Million Dollar Reining Clinic; Brent Wright & Dell Hendricks; Limit 22 Riders; call Ernie at 785/418-6047; evenings-785/242-8748 or ernie@betterhorsesradio.com. See flyer inside for more information.
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I still have some Priefet- Premier 12 foot panels for sale. These are the top of the line, so let me know if you are interested in any of them. $125/panel. ernie@betterhorsesradio.com.
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Our Spring Dream Ride is set for May 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd at the Flying W Ranch near Cottonwood Falls, KS. We will be riding on new pastures and ranchland. Last year's first Spring Ride proved out to be one of the best. Call Suzan Barnes at 620/273-6763 to register and for more information.

I look forward to seeing you at the HOW meetings and events coming up in 2009. Let me know if I can be of any help.

    EXCITING NEWS!

       We are very excited about doing our Better Horses Radio Road Show with our new Twister Cargo Trailer. We plan to be at
         several events this year taping our show and promoting our sponsors.

         We invite you to stop by the Purina booth at the Kansas Equifest and Missouri's HorseFest to say hello! Hope to see you there!

January

January 24 KCRFTHA GAIT AND BITTING SEMINAR, 10:00 am, Family Center, Harrisonville, MO. The Kansas City Regional Fox Trotting Horse Association will host a Gait and Bitting Seminar -- this four-hour event will feature a video presentation of the gaits of the Missouri Foxtrotter with a presentation by a member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association judges committee followed by a presentation on bits and how they can improve your horse's gait. Time will be provided for a question-and-answer period. This seminar should be helpful for those new to Foxtrotters as well as those with years of experience. For more information, contact Therese Murray at (816) 505-9980.

February

February 6-7 6^th ANNUAL PRIORITY CLINIC, Ransomed Heart Ranch, Lone Jack, MO. Sponsored locally by your Purina Dealers: STG Feed (Higginsville & Oak Grove, MO), Pleasant Hill Pet and Livestock Center (Pleasant Hill, MO) and The Family Center (Harrisonville, MO). Scheduled to do clinics this year are, NCHA Trainer Nick O’Dell, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Brent Wright, NBHA Barrel Racer Dawn Dawson, Cowboy Poet and Entertainer Geff Dawson, Equine Clinician Terri DeLouche, National Sales Manager for Adequan-Alynn Mann, and more! Along with the clinic, great horsemen and horsewomen share their testimony to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Reception and clinic on Friday night and clinics and a barbeque supper on Saturday. Cost for the weekend is only $10/family. (Bring your own chair.) For more information call Terri Delouche at (660) 747-9820 or Pleasant Hill Pet and Livestock Center (816) 987-2097. (RSVP for Potluck dinner is appreciated but not required.)
Click Here to view detailed agenda. Click Here to view detailed flyer.
February 8 - RICHARD SHRAKE SPECIAL CLINIC FOR RIDERS & AUDITORS. For information about this clinic, call Terri DeLouche at 660/441-1697
February 13-15 EQUIFEST OF KANSAS 2009; Wichita's Kansas Coliseum, Wichita, KS. Craig Cameron and his Extreme Cowboy Race^TM is a featured event this year. EquiFest of Kansas is loaded with everything equine, including daily clinics, lectures, workshops, entertainment and shopping at the giant trade show. For more information, contact Carol Wilson (785) 484-3570. Don't miss this great event!
February 20-21 NORTH AMERICAN TRAIL RIDE CONFERENCE, Embassy Suites Hotel, I-29 & Tiffany Springs (by the airport). Top quality speakers and information for only $60 for both days. Gastric Ulcers and Horse Behavior, Parasitology, Carbohydrate Intolerant Horse and Pasture Management, and Lameness plus many exhibitors. For more information, contact Jerry or Kim Weil (816) 781-2218 or e-mail jkweil@sbcglobal.net. Click Here for more details.
February 28 MISSOURI RAWHIDE MOUNTED SHOOTERS CLINIC; 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Indoor Arena, 24606 Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO. 9:30 a.m. check-in time. For more information, contact Leon (660) 885-4444 or e-mail lwatson@clinton.k12.mo.us. (Tell them Tim sent you -- need to RSVP to attend).

March

March 21-22 KERRY KUHN'S PRACTICAL HORSEMANSHIP / PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP; Winding River Camp and Equestrian Center; Dearborn, MO; limit 10 riders; contact Linda Grimmett at 816/914-0490 or www.theranchatloneoak.com. Click Here to view flyer with more details.
March 26 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP, Rocking V Ranch, 7325 SW 93rd, Topeka, KS. Curt Pate Family Tour. Sponsored by Premier Farm & Home in Topeka, KS. Doors open 6:00 pm, program begins 7:00 p.m. For more information, call (785) 862-2505).
March 27-29 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP / EFFECTIVE STOCKMANSHIP & HORSEMANSHIP; Lone Wolf Ranch Arena & Training Center; Cleveland, MO; how Event begins Friday--doors open 5:00 pm, reception/registration at 6:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday clinics begin at 9:00 a.m. Curt & Tammy Pate; limit 30 riders. Call Ernie at (785) 418-6047; evenings (785) 242-8748 or e-mail at ernie@betterhorsesradio.com. Click Here to view detailed flyer.
March 31 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP, Douglass Co. Fairgrounds, 19th & Harper, Lawrence, KS. Curt Pate Family Tour. Doors open at 6:00 pm, program begins at 6:45 p.m. For more information, call Ernie Rodina (785) 418-6047.

April

April 1 PURINA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP, Y Bar H Outpost & Pet, Olathe, KS. Curt Pate Family Tour. 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. For more information, call (913) 764-4626.
April 4 SPRING FUZZBUSTER SCHOOLING SHOW; 10:00 am, Showtime Equestrian Center, Lee's Summit, MO. The Carriage and Driving Society of Greater Kansas City presents their Spring Fuzzbuster Schooling Show; Gate Fee, $3/person (kids 6 and under free). Entry Fee, $5 per class. For more information, call Bobbi Wojtowicz (816) 540-2363 or (816) 258-1952. For more details, Click Here to view Showbill.
April 18-19 JULIE GOODNIGHT GENERAL HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC, Rocking V Equine Center, Topeka, KS. $400 for the 2 days; audit is $25. Limit 15 riders. Open to riders of all ability levels. For more information, call (800) 225-8827 or check website at www.juliegoodnight.com.

May

May 1-3 SPRING DREAM RIDE, Flying W Ranch near Cottonwood Falls, KS. We will be riding on new pastures and ranchland. Last year's first Spring Ride proved out to be one of the best. Call Suzan Barnes at (620) 273-6763 to register and for more information.
May 1-4 PETER CAMPBELL CLINIC: Foundation Horsemanship & Horsemanship II / Ranch Roping Clinic. SouthWest Arena, Archie, MO. One session $475.00 for 4 days if paid in full before April 24, 2009. After April 24, $525. Auditing per day, $30 at the door. Click Here to view flyer. Click Here for additional Clinic details and registration form.
May 29-31 PURINA MEGA HORSE OWNER'S WORKSHOP EVENT / 2^ndANNUAL MILLION DOLLAR REINING CLINIC; Lone Wolf Ranch Arena & Training Center; 22801 State Line Road, Cleveland, MO; Friday, doors open 6:00 pm, HOW Event Program begins 7:00 pm. Reining Clinics held Saturday and Sunday. Brent Wright & Dell Hendricks; Limit 22 Riders; call Ernie at 785/418-6047; evenings-785/242-8748 or ernie@betterhorsesradio.com.
Click Here to view flyer for more detailed information.

            Tune in to one of the stations airing our show:

                Saturday    7:00am - 8:00am          WLXG   1300 am - Lexington, KY
                Saturday    8:00am - 9:00am          WOCA 1370 am - Ocala, FL
                Saturday    9:00am - 10:00am         KMDO 1600 am - Fort Scott, KS
                Saturday    4:00pm - 5:00pm          KFRM   550 am - Clay Center/Salina/Wichita, KS
                Sunday      5:05am - 6:00pm           KMA    960 am / 99.3 fm - Shenandoah, IA
                Sunday      5:00am - 6:00am           KOMG 92.9 fm - Bass Country, Ozark, MO
                Sunday      6:00am - 7:00am           KTPK   106.9 am - (Country Legends) Topeka, KS
                Sunday      6:30am - 7:30am           KFEQ   680 am - St. Joe, MO
                Sunday      9:00am - 10:00am         KDKD 95.3 fm - Clinton, MO
                Sunday      4:00pm - 5:00pm          KOFO  1220 am - Ottawa, KS
                Sunday      4:00pm - 5:00pm           KTJJ     98.5 fm - Farmington, MO

Better Horses Radio is a nationally syndicated radio show hosted by Ernie Rodina and co-hosted by Dawn Dawson.

LISTING EVENTS IN OUR NEWSLETTER -- If you are an organization or business who would like to list your event in our Calendar Section, click on the Event Listings box above for rates. Then contact Jo Ann Riggs at e-mail address listed with your request.

CLASSIFIED AD LISTING -- If you are interested in a Classified Ad listing, click on the Classified Ad box above. Rates and placement information is located directly below the box. Simply click on "please click here." Be sure to check our Classifieds each newsletter as ads are changing all the time.

NEW CATEGORY FOR WEBSITES -- Due to many requests for website listings, we have a new section in our Classified Ads called WEB LINKS. Check this section from time to time as we add website links that may be of interest to you. Enter our Classified Ads and click on Web Links, then click on the name listed and you will be taken directly to that party's website.

Our subscriber list has grown to over 8,600+ recipients -- almost entirely horse-owning households!
Our ad and event services are a great way to reach those people!

While I am moving my horses around to feed or change pens, I do an exercise to help my horses adhere to pressure. While placing my right arm over my horse’s neck I place my right hand on their poll. I apply the least amount of pressure until the horse lowers their head, and then I release the pressure. I usually implement a click of my voice every time I put a little pressure on their poll. The horse then starts to correlate the sound of a click in my voice along with the slightest amount of pressure to lower their head.

I think it is important to be teaching our horses every time we get the opportunity.

Horsey Treat Recipe

Try this special treat for your favorite horse, especially on a cold, winter day . . .

Whinny Bars

2 cups oats
3/4 cup grain
3 cups bran
1 cup molasses (may have to adjust depending on how sweet your grain is)

Mix oats, grain and bran together (use a bucket). Drizzle in molasses while mixing with your hands. You're looking for a consistency a little thinner than play-doh. Place dollops (about half a handful) on a cookie sheet and bake at 375^ofor about ten minutes. Watch carefully--these bars have a tendency to burn. They never get completely hard, but they will store nicely.

Another option is to spread the mixture in a pan and bake it like bars. It can be a little difficult to get out of the pan, though, so be sure to grease the pan first.
(This recipe will make a lot -- so adjust according to your needs.)

Timely Reminder

As always, let me know if we can be of any help to you and your horse operation. When it comes to Equine Research, Purina Mills is the company that can say . . .

“WE FEED OUR FEED TO OUR HORSES, BEFORE WE ASK YOU TO FEED IT TO YOURS!”

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We at Better Horses Network would love to hear any questions, comments or suggestions you might have, and we are always looking for items to add to this publication. To contact us, please send an e-mail to Ernie.Rodina@agbusinessmail.net.

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