W The SouthWest Chat


elcome to the February issue of SouthWest Horse Trader. If you are picking us up for the first time, welcome.


While most of my friends were down with the flu, I


met my favorite couple, Margaret and Jerry Blalack to go for a few days of serious trail riding. Of course, I showed up with a very broke horse that had never seen a trail. This is probably the 5th horse I’ve trail broke with the Blalacks. We’ve done it enough that no words are necessary. Melting . . . put her in the middle, too confi- dent . . . send her to the front, being pokey . . . to the rear you go. After 5 days of riding, she’ll not embarrass me too badly in public. We stayed at the Happy Horse Hotel, located 18


miles east of Austin and 2 miles from the equestrian trail head of the LCRA McKinney Roughs Nature Park. The hotel even provided us a rig to run back and forth so that we wouldn’t have to unplug our rigs. Our hosts were Hollis & Beaux which have made


the Happy Horse Hotel a comfortable, friendly atmos- phere with campsites with power, water, pens and a fire pit. They also have bunkhouses and tent areas and cater to not only the horse riders, but the hikers and bicyclists. In the center is a pavillion where all camp members can meet together on a clear Saturday night and listen to


the house band.


I’d give it 5


stars. To learn more www.happy- horsehotel.com. The 1100 acre


M c K i n n e y Roughs Nature Park was a gem. The trails were clear, well marked, and took you from sandy shady trails along the Colorado River with glimpses of the river through the pecan and cottonwood trees to the top of the scenic bluff views overlooking Bas- trop County. The trail is shared with hikers and bikes and everyone was friendly and respectful. There were lots of rest areas with picnic tables and some had water, pens and mounting blocks. The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is also


located at the trail head and offers activities from horse- back riding to kayaking, archery to tennis, and golfing to swimming. So if roughing it is not for you, a weekend at the Hyatt will provide the family plenty of activities while you can sneak off and ride in the Park. If you are looking for a centrally located Texas gem


for a quick weekend getaway, I highly recommend a trip to Bastrop County. w


The SouthWest’s Marketing Guide for the Equine Industry


The SouthWest Horse Trader offers equine enthusiasts and affiliated busi- ness’s a regionwide unbiased commu- nication guide to promote the sale of horses, equipment, products or serv- ices. Our staff works hard to provide the SouthWest region with up-to-date and comprehensive information on horse show events as well as to bring together buyers and sellers of different levels and disciplines. Our customer’s advertisements will receive the maxi- mum exposure for their advertising dollar and distribution as well as the highest quality reproduction in our market.


Publisher


Equine Publishing Concepts, Inc. Splendora, TX 77372


Editorial Roberta Johnston - Editor


Kasha Ford - Graphic Artist Advertising Account Reps


Louisa Zai • Jessicah Keller Correspondents


Laura Cannon • Sherri Mell Mailing Address


SouthWest Horse Trader P.O.Box 1865


Splendora, TX 77372-1865 (713) 562-8846


Fax: (281) 689-7290


advertise@swhorsetrader.com www.swhorsetrader.com


I WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE! Please mail my copy to:


Choose One Third Class


Name: ____________________________ Street: ____________________________ City: ______________St.____Zip______ Phone: ____________________________


Email: ____________________________ ____ Enroll me in the e-news with monthly discounts.


4 SouthWest Horse Trader February 2018


_____12 Issues for $19 First Class


_____12 Issues for $37 Mail this form with check to:


SouthWest Horse Trader P.O. Box 1865


Splendora, TX 77372-1865


© Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission of the Editor.


The SouthWest Horse Trader does not endorse and is not responsible for the contents of any ad in this publication. Neither that information nor any opinion which may be expressed here constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any secu- rities. All advertisements are accepted & pub- lished on the representation that the advertisers and/or agencies are properly authorized to pub- lish the contents & subject matter thereof. The SouthWest Horse Trader reserves the right to refuse any advertising.


The SouthWest Horse Trader assumes no fi- nancial responsibility for errors in or the omission of copy. The publisher will be responsible to no greater extent than the cost of the advertising space occupied by the error.


The SouthWest Horse Trader is published 12 times a year by Equine Publishing Concepts, Inc. Subscription rates: One Year $19 via third class mail. Single copies: $2.50 US, first class. Third- Class postage paid at Houston, TX.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32