The Phantom Stallion

Phantom Stallion E-Newsletter September 2008

Welcome

The lazy days of summer are almost over! You can indulge your horse and your inner stylist in these last few warm weather weeks with some of these ideas. For those of you Phantom fans who have your own horse, you know that one major part of year-round horse care is caring for the mane and tail. Shampooing your horse's mane and tail regularly is the best way to keep them looking great. Keeping the mane clean and untangled will have your horse looking ready for a show (whether or not you're showing him!) and it's really easy. Just make sure to buy a shampoo made for horses (human shampoo can be bad for their skin) and comb or brush after every washing to remove dead hair and prevent tangles, as well as remove them. Just be sure to use a wide-tooth brush or comb made for horse mane and tails.

You may have noticed many show horses have a braided mane. This is also a nice way to keep your horse's mane tidy and out of the way--not to mention it looks beautiful! There are a few ways to braid a horse's mane. The most common type of braids in the U.S. are called button braids. These are several small braids down the horse's neck and they are sewn into little knobs, which look kind of like little buttons. These are very intricate, but will keep your horse's mane out of the way for a while, whether you're showing or competing.

French braids are another nice way to care for your horse's mane. They're easy if you've done a French braid on yourself or a friend, but unlike our hair, the braid will hang to only one side, so you'll pull hair only from the side of the braid that the crest is on.

One very beautiful braid is not even a braid at all! It's called the macramé or continental braid. It is used on long-mane horses and creates kind of a net in the mane, but made up of simple knots or even created with rubber bands. It is viewed as stylish, particularly those in breed shows for horses that have naturally long manes.

When getting ready to braid your horse's mane, it is best to have shampooed and brushed it a day or two before you start to braid. Do NOT condition the hair before braiding, as it will only make it slick and difficult to braid.

There are as many horse mane and tail care products out there as there are for your own head of hair. From conditioning and volumizing to shampooing and detangling, your options are limitless when it comes to horse hair care. Just be careful not to use your hair products on your horse. Many horses can be allergic to human hair gels (yes, they make gel for horses too! How else would you help those fly-aways?)

If you've tried out some stylish braids on your horse, let us know! Send us a photo of your style and artwork. Or send us an e-mail if you have any additional horse mane care tips! As always, be sure to get your parents' permission first. We will post your first name, state and photo or tip.

More information on horse mane care and braiding can be found at the following Web sites:

Raspberry Ridge Mane Care and Show Preparation
WikiHow: How to Braid a Horse's Mane
Horse Care and Grooming Tips

Check out Sam's blog to see what she's up to this summer!

Don't forget, you can send you friends an e-postcard of your favorite Phantom Stallion book.

Happy trails!

This just in . . .

A letter from a Phantom Stallion reader:

Dear Terri,

I attended a rodeo this summer while I was in Pennsylvania :D

I was riding my grandpas Friesian quarter horse gelding mix named Midnight Ride and I did the barrel racing event! When everyone did their turn on the barrels, the results came in and I got 2nd place!!!

Click here to read more!

Sam's blog

Some days are just worse than others, and today day was one of them.

On the first day of the second week of school, I left my backpack at home. I borrowed paper and pencils from Jen, but I didnÕt have my books. And itÕs not like my teachers know me well enough, yet, that they would completely believe I did the homework ...

Where is Terri Farley?

September

September 1
Riding for Reading Horse Show
Book-signing & Chat
Los Angeles Equestrian Center
480 West Riverside Dr.
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 840-9063

September 19-21
Nevada SCBWI Novel Immersion Retreat
Critiques and mentoring
Granlibakken Resort
Tahoe City, CA
Log on to www.nevadascbwi.org to register

October

October 11
Time: to be determined
United Animal Nations Benefit
Time-Tested Books
Sacramento, CA

Did you know?

The Phantom Stallion books are published in German -- here are two new covers:

Buy Phantom Stallion

Phantom Stallion books are available at your local bookstore and online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.org


	Newsletter \| Newsletter Archive
	Phantom Stallion E-Newsletter September 2008 Welcome The lazy days of summer are almost over! You can indulge your horse and your inner stylist in these last few warm weather weeks with some of these ideas. For those of you Phantom fans who have your own horse, you know that one major part of year-round horse care is caring for the mane and tail. Shampooing your horse's mane and tail regularly is the best way to keep them looking great. Keeping the mane clean and untangled will have your horse looking ready for a show (whether or not you're showing him!) and it's really easy. Just make sure to buy a shampoo made for horses (human shampoo can be bad for their skin) and comb or brush after every washing to remove dead hair and prevent tangles, as well as remove them. Just be sure to use a wide-tooth brush or comb made for horse mane and tails. You may have noticed many show horses have a braided mane. This is also a nice way to keep your horse's mane tidy and out of the way--not to mention it looks beautiful! There are a few ways to braid a horse's mane. The most common type of braids in the U.S. are called button braids. These are several small braids down the horse's neck and they are sewn into little knobs, which look kind of like little buttons. These are very intricate, but will keep your horse's mane out of the way for a while, whether you're showing or competing. French braids are another nice way to care for your horse's mane. They're easy if you've done a French braid on yourself or a friend, but unlike our hair, the braid will hang to only one side, so you'll pull hair only from the side of the braid that the crest is on. One very beautiful braid is not even a braid at all! It's called the macramé or continental braid. It is used on long-mane horses and creates kind of a net in the mane, but made up of simple knots or even created with rubber bands. It is viewed as stylish, particularly those in breed shows for horses that have naturally long manes. When getting ready to braid your horse's mane, it is best to have shampooed and brushed it a day or two before you start to braid. Do NOT condition the hair before braiding, as it will only make it slick and difficult to braid. There are as many horse mane and tail care products out there as there are for your own head of hair. From conditioning and volumizing to shampooing and detangling, your options are limitless when it comes to horse hair care. Just be careful not to use your hair products on your horse. Many horses can be allergic to human hair gels (yes, they make gel for horses too! How else would you help those fly-aways?) If you've tried out some stylish braids on your horse, let us know! Send us a photo of your style and artwork. Or send us an e-mail if you have any additional horse mane care tips! As always, be sure to get your parents' permission first. We will post your first name, state and photo or tip. More information on horse mane care and braiding can be found at the following Web sites: Raspberry Ridge Mane Care and Show Preparation WikiHow: How to Braid a Horse's Mane Horse Care and Grooming Tips Check out Sam's blog to see what she's up to this summer! Don't forget, you can send you friends an e-postcard of your favorite Phantom Stallion book. Happy trails! This just in . . . A letter from a Phantom Stallion reader: Dear Terri, I attended a rodeo this summer while I was in Pennsylvania :D I was riding my grandpas Friesian quarter horse gelding mix named Midnight Ride and I did the barrel racing event! When everyone did their turn on the barrels, the results came in and I got 2nd place!!! Click here to read more! Sam's blog Some days are just worse than others, and today day was one of them. On the first day of the second week of school, I left my backpack at home. I borrowed paper and pencils from Jen, but I didnÕt have my books. And itÕs not like my teachers know me well enough, yet, that they would completely believe I did the homework ... read more Where is Terri Farley? September September 1 Riding for Reading Horse Show Book-signing & Chat Los Angeles Equestrian Center 480 West Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91506 (818) 840-9063 September 19-21 Nevada SCBWI Novel Immersion Retreat Critiques and mentoring Granlibakken Resort Tahoe City, CA Log on to www.nevadascbwi.org to register October October 11 Time: to be determined United Animal Nations Benefit Time-Tested Books Sacramento, CA Did you know? The Phantom Stallion books are published in German -- here are two new covers: Buy Phantom Stallion Phantom Stallion books are available at your local bookstore and online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.org