Equine
Madson’s Tack and Equine
By Corsi Martin
From the swamps of Louisiana to the mountains of Colorado, a military couple has found their home in the plains of Texas. What started out as a wife’s passion for horses and ranching would eventually blossom into a business in the heart of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Djamie and Garrett Madson of Madson Tack and Equine grew up in different worlds geographically. Garrett was born and raised in Louisiana while Djamie was born in California but raised on a farm in Colorado. The largest common factor between the two was their service to our country. Djamie and Garrett are both U.S. Marine Corps veterans.
“We even deployed together in 2011,” Djamie said. She was an avionics technician on vertical landing jets (AV8B Harriers), which is an extremely demanding position. Her time with horses and equestrian practices was extremely limited during her time in the service. Being stationed in Yuma, Ariz., also put a damper on her time spent with horses.
However, when Djamie got out of the Marine Corps, she went back to school for her Bachelor’s Degree and is currently working towards her Master’s. All the while, she and her husband moved to North Texas, where the idea for Madson’s Tack and Equine was born. When they realized how often they were making trips to Fort Worth for good leather and equine supplies, they decided to bring the supplies they needed to Wichita Falls, which is conveniently located between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, in the form of their own business, which opened in May of 2016.
Djamie said, “Nothing can replace the ability to be hands-on with leather goods, have a professional fit a saddle to your horse or try out a saddle before purchase. Rather than continue tedious road trips with two toddlers, we decided to bring a tack store to the Wichita Falls area and encompass all the aspects of our favorite stores.” Although her husband was not introduced to the competitive show industry until he married her, Djamie wasted no time showing him the ropes, literally.
To read more pick up a copy of the September 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
By Krista Lucas Wynn
The month of August is smack dab in the middle of summer. When in the thick of the hot summer days, it is important to keep horses, livestock and yourself cool, whether leisurely riding, competing or traveling. Texas temperatures, along with the humidity, can be extremely draining on equine athletes and riders alike.
The 100-plus degree days should come as no surprise. It happens routinely every year, and in true Texas summer fashion, it does not cool off much at night either. Horses cannot get much relief from the conditions, unless provided by a responsible owner. Sweating day in and day out can be detrimental to horse health.
It is vital to have fresh, cool water in front of horses at all times. Stalled horses should have at least two buckets in front of them. Electrolytes can help replace any lost hydration after riding. Fans are an important item to have on hand as well. They keep air moving, and now that it is dry and dusty, air movement is even more important.
To read more, pick up a copy of the August issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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