Category

What’s New?

2021 Dates Set for Versatility Clinic & Ranch Trail Challenge at Bonina!

By | What's New?

On the Horizon in 2021 – Trail & Versatility at Bonina

  • March 12-14, 2021 – Versatility Clinic with Nina Lundgren & Mary Jane BrownENTRY FORM
    • Get ready for the Bonina Ranch Trail Challenge with this all-around ranch versatility clinic. You’ll get world class instruction with NCHA Hall of Fame Member, Nina Lundgren along with Mary Jane Brown! From cow work, to ranch riding and competitive trail fundamentals–our instructors will give you the help you need to get ready for competition! 
  • March 18-21, 2021 – Ranch Trail ChallengeENTRY FORM
    • This is one of the premier ranch trail challenges in the northwest! Join fellow equine enthusiasts from around the country for this fun weekend of ranch trail, ranch riding, beginner cow work classes and more! There will be divisions and classes available for every rider level. 

To learn more about opportunities to ride at our events or come to the Ranch for lessons or just to come say hello, contact Nina Lundgren at 509-539-3435 or email her directly at bonina@bonina.com

2020 Ranch Trail Challenge Results

By | What's New?

2020 Ranch Trail Challenge A HUGE SUCCESS!

    • CONGRATUALTIONS to our 2020 Buckle Winners:
      • OPEN ALL-AROUND HIGH POINT CHAMPION
        • Buckle Winner: Mickie Maxson-Box
      • AMATEUR ALL-AROUND HIGH POINT CHAMPION
        • Buckle Winner: Stephanie Nelson
      • INTERMEDIATE ALL-AROUND HIGH POINT CHAMPION
        • Buckle Winner: Holly Jones
      • NOVICE ALL-AROUND HIGH POINT CHAMPION
        • Buckle Winner: Cindy Mello

    To learn more about opportunities to ride at our events or come to the Ranch for lessons or just to come say hello, contact Nina Lundgren at 509-539-3435 or email her directly at bonina@bonina.com

    The Omega Balance: Why the Perfect Ratio Matters

    By | What's New?

    Balancing the Omegas
    Did you know that Vitamin E and the Omegas 3 and 6 work together to maintain healthy cell function in the body? Today’s focus topic is on Omegas – essential fatty acids – nutrients that every horse diet can benefit from. Without Omega 3 and 6, Vitamin E would not be able to perform its function of providing cellular repair.

    It is important to realize cellular repair happens on a daily basis to maintain normal function and that Vitamin E is essential for that process; however, this doesn’t mean your horse is always in an injured state. Here is a brief insight of what goes on in a damaged cell – you’ll see how Omegas are a key ingredient to initiate this repair process.

    Visualize this: Omega 6 comes in to stabilize an “injury,” add in Omega 3 which cleans up the cell, which then makes room for Vitamin E to repair the malfunction. With all three of these ingredients readily available in Bonina Nutrition products, your horses won’t struggle to maintain a healthy inner body and immune system.

    Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential fatty acids that should be included in every equine diet. It’s important to choose a balanced and complete feed for your horse whether he is performing or providing pleasure rides. When these two fatty acids are provided in the correct ratio, they help the horse’s body respond to exercise and exertion at all levels.

    Our products are one of a select group of supplements that offer these three essentials in
    the same feed…but more importantly – in the correct ratio to make a difference!

    Why is it important that Omega 3 and 6 be provided in a balanced ratio? Many diets are loaded with Omega 6, but would require additional Omega 3 supplementation to reach a 1:1 ratio, the ideal ratio in which all three ingredients can “do their job.” This is where Bonina Nutrition formulas separate themselves as one of the best supplements from the just-ok. To reach the perfect ratio of Omega 3 and 6, we add flax and canola meal; thus, you will see these added Omega 3s in the guaranteed analysis – creating the 1:1 ratio required for optimal nutritional benefit.

    Now – here’s how your horses can benefit from this high concentration and perfectly balanced level of Omega 3 to Omega 6:

    Omega 3
    *Reduces Inflammation
    *Aids in injury repair
    *Aids clean up of injury sites
    *Responsible for maintaining cell structure

    Omega 6
    *Increases inflammation response (necessary to stabilize injuries)
    *Supports the immune system

    We recommend you feed our Vitamin/Mineral supplement OXY+EQUINE ENHANCED or our complete feed BOOST based on your horse’s particular needs for optimal essential fatty acid support in his diet. If you have questions about which supplement would work best for your horses, email Sterling Autry.

    Order direct here: www.bonina.com

    The Need for E: Does my horse have enough Vitamin E?

    By | What's New?

     

     


    Common Signs of Vitamin E Deficiency

    Does your horse have a hard time recovering after a workout? Tie up easily? Is he losing muscle?

    In case you are wondering what our supplements can do for your horses – whether performance or pasture pals who may show these signs of deficiency – the amount of Vitamin E in his diet may be the culprit. Unfortunately, the proper amounts of Vitamin E CANNOT be found in hay! In general, various types of hays can lose from 30%-80% of Vitamin E in the drying process. Unless your horses rely solely on a diet of fresh green grass, it is likely they are deficient in Vitamin E.

    How can you address this vital nutritional deficit in hay? With a quality nutritional supplement. Bonina Nutrition products are set apart from others because of the increased IUs of Vitamin E in each product. Why do we boost our formula? For the benefits, of course!

    Vitamin E Benefits (They are huge!)

    Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the horse’s cell membranes and helps ward off disease. Horses deficient in Vitamin E suffer from fatigue as well as damage in the muscular and nervous system. Some horses can show skin issues, diminished muscling, and low immunity. Vitamin E deficiencies are very common in horses that get a lot of exercise, travel and compete.

    A recent study showed that horses who were given 800 IUs of Vitamin E per day did not maintain their optimum blood and muscle Vitamin E levels. Bonina’s Oxy-Equine Enhanced has 8,000 IU of Vitamin E for this very reason!

    If any of these symptoms or dietary regimens sound familiar, then you need to check out the guaranteed analysis of both Oxy-Equine Enhanced and Boost and their levels of Vitamin E and Omegas (which help deliver the Vitamin E throughout your horse’s system). We guarantee that your horses will thank you!

    Do you still have questions about Vitamin E? Contact Us today to learn more!

    Fall Fun Show Highlights!

    By | Bonina In The News, What's New?

    What an amazing weekend at the Bonina Fall Fun Show! From cutters aiming for the NCHA World Finals climbing the rankings to brand new cutters trying the sport on for the first time, it was a weekend for the books! The Costume Class on Friday night was a barnyard cutting like you’ve never seen before with two chickens and a bull riding into the herd!


    From left to right: Colonel Sanders (Holly Jones) & Chicken Fried Mia (BNL Mia Mabel), Cow Patty (Marilyn Kittelman) & Flamin, and Hen Sitting on Her Nest Egg (Kacie Bane) (401K – BNL This Blondes Smart). Chicken Fried Mia won the cutting, the crowd couldn’t decide on who won the costume contest, so prizes were divided equally amongst contestants! Thanks to Matt Magan for donating the beautiful headstall and leather halter prizes!

    L to r: Annie Gray riding BNL Baby Hugh E, Reserve Champion with halter donated by Matt Magan. Nicole Harder riding BNL Verey Blonde, Champion Climb Aboard A Cutter with buckle donated by Bonina Nutrition.

    The real proof was in the pudding during Bonina’s one-of-a-kind Climb Aboard a Cutter (a class for folks who have never shown a cutting horse); especially considering the outstanding performance of the cutters provided for the first time riders (all 20 of them!). To put it one way:

    ??Bonina’s mare pen cut cows like it was their day job at a ribbon factory! ✂️?✂️?

    A testament to top line breeding, excellent nutrition standards, and a well-honed training program, it’s fair to say that from the cradle to the brood pen, Bonina makes **Cutters for life – for EVERYONE!** ~BNL


    #ncha #climbaboard #nchaworldfinals #cuttinfun #bonina #broodmares #freedom #oxyequineenhanced #select #bgood #boost

    2019 Colt to Cow Connection Contestants Announced

    By | What's New?

    Our 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection contestants have been selected!

    Each trainer will step onto a 60-day colt and teach him to work a cow. Five head of cattle available per colt each day.  Competitors will be judged 25 minutes Day 1, 20 minutes Day 2, 15 minutes for Finalists on Day 3.

    Winner will receive a champion buckle and cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. These colts have a great start on them by Dean Autry and they should be ready to go to a cow!

    We have 9 quality colts with stellar pedigrees that include sires like:

    Once In A Blu BoonMetallic Al | Im Countin Checks 

    One Time Pepto | Cat IchiLethal Playgun 


    Meet the 2019 Colt to Cow Connection Contestants…


     
    Levi Gibson of Full of Faith Ranch & Two Tru Quarter Horses – Cambridge, ID

    Pictured cutting on “Moony”

    Katie Lyle of Hiner Performance Horses – Walla Walla, WA

    Pictured riding a 3-year-old (with 20 rides) dragging one to the fire.

      Jason Smith of Mackenzie Quarter Horses – Jordan Valley, OR

    Pictured riding a nice Mackenzie Ranch 2-year-old.

      Brent Stewart of Stewart Performance Horses – Aldergrove, BC Canada

    Pictured riding “OKP Shanias Cat” 4yr old Owned by Brent and Leah Stewart.

    Lane Ternan – Bridger, MT

    Pictured riding Badgers Danny Dry

     

    She’s camera shy!

    Teres Vining – Chewelah, WA

     

     
    See the highlights from our 2018 Colt to Cow Connection featuring the Champion!

     

    Meet Levi Gibson – Colt to Cow Connection Contestant

    By | What's New?

    Our 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection contestants have been selected! Each trainer will step onto a 60-day colt and teach him to work a cow. Five head of cattle available per colt each day.  Competitors will be judged 25 minutes Day 1, 20 minutes Day 2, 15 minutes for Finalists on Day 3. Winner will receive a champion buckle and cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. 

    Click Here for Competition Schedule


    2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestant…


    Name: Levi Gibson, 26

    Location: Cambridge, ID

    Currently Training At: Full of Faith Ranch & Two Tru Quarter Horses

    NCHA Lifetime Earnings: $1,420.71

    # Years Training Horses to Work Cattle: 10

    Background: Grew up cowboying and helping run his family’s farm and ranch. Came up through the high school rodeo ranks roping and showing in the cutting. Worked for Jody Cada in high school starting colts and schooling show horses for 3 years. Transitioned into training rope horses and running his own cow/calf operation and raising horses. Currently specializes in starting 2-year-olds and training performance horses with his wife.

    First lesson you learned about putting a horse on a cow?Everything goes back to the cow. When the cow goes, go. When the cow stops, stop. Let the cow tell them what to do and keep it fun for your horse. When you’re in time with the cow, it’s like the cow picked up the bridle reins and asked your horse to move.”

    Influences: “Jody Cada taught me a lot about helping a horse work cattle and how to successfully train a cutter. Even though I never had the privilege of riding with them, training videos from Boyd Rice, Ray Hunt, Nick Dowers, and Austin Shepard all have helped shape my training style. Most recently, my brother-in-law, Joe Painter, has influenced my colt starting. I’ve learned how important it is to adapt to fit the horse instead of just making your horse fit the program. My time helping with my mother-in-law’s horsemanship clinics (MJB Clinics) has also contributed. I continually seek to learn from the people I meet and all of the resources available today with modern technology. It’s always a process and I think that’s what horsemanship is all about.”

    Expectations for the Bonina Colt to Cow Connection event: “I’m excited to learn from the other trainers’ techniques and hopefully help my colt succeed at working a cow.”

    To learn more about Levi’s horse training services give him a call: 208-880-1033

    Photo: Levi cutting on a horse called “Moony”

     


    Want to stay in the loop with Bonina? Follow our Facebook page!

    Meet the rest of the 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestants…

    Meet Katie Lyle – Colt to Cow Connection Contestant

    By | What's New?

    Our 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection contestants have been selected! Each trainer will step onto a 60-day colt and teach him to work a cow. Five head of cattle available per colt each day.  Competitors will be judged 25 minutes Day 1, 20 minutes Day 2, 15 minutes for Finalists on Day 3. Winner will receive a champion buckle and cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. 

    Click Here for Competition Schedule


    2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestant…


    Name: Katie Lyle, 22

    Location:Walla Walla, WA

    Currently Training At: Hiner Performance Horses & Takes Outside 2-Year-Olds

    # Years Training Horses to work cattle: 3

    Background: Grew up on a cow/calf operation in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Went on to College in Walla Walla to get her Animal Science and Agri-Business degrees finished. She was referred to Diehl Hiner after college to help ride horses and that quickly turned in to a full-time position. Since 2017 has continued starting all of their two-year-old colts. This coming year she will get to see those horses shown at Fort Worth and will begin getting to participate showing horses. Katie also takes outside 2-year-olds to start and welcomes new clients. 

    First lesson you learned about putting a horse on a cow? “Teaching the horse that it’s in control. When the horse learns that they dictate the movement that’s when they really find confidence in their job. Even in a using situation it really makes difference for that horse to understand that they’re in charge.”

    Influences: “I’ve been pretty blessed with the opportunities I have had. My mom has taught me so much about starting colts and took me to clinics with Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman. My experience on the ranch with my father taught me the fundamentals of stockmenship. Diehl Hiner has really taught me everything I know about performance cow work and it’s been a real privilege to learn from him. I guess you could say, Mom taught me how to start a horse, Dad taught me how to use one, and Diehl showed me how to take it to the show pen.”

    Expectations for the 2019 Bonina Colt Cow Connection: “I’m just hoping I can communicate to the audience what a connection should look between a horse and a cow. I want to be able to show what I like one to feel and look like doing their job.”

    Feel free to contact Katie to learn more about her training services at: 509-288-1913

    Photo: Pictured riding a 3-year-old (with 20 rides) dragging one to the fire.

     


    Want to stay in the loop with Bonina? Follow our Facebook page!

    Meet the rest of the 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestants…

    Meet Jason Smith – 2019 Colt to Cow Connection Contestant

    By | What's New?

    Our 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection contestants have been selected! Each trainer will step onto a 60-day colt and teach him to work a cow. Five head of cattle available per colt each day.  Competitors will be judged 25 minutes Day 1, 20 minutes Day 2, 15 minutes for Finalists on Day 3. Winner will receive a champion buckle and cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. 

    Click Here for Competition Schedule


    2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestant


    Name: Jason Smith, 39

    Location: Jordan Valley, Oregon

    Currently Training At: Mackenzie Quarter Horse Ranch December-March / Takes Outside Horses April-November

    # Years Training Horses to work cattle: 21

    Background: Worked with Jake Telford Reining Cow Horse Trainer for 5 years. Also spent 2 years with Chad McDaniel, a rope horse trainer, then moved out on my own for the past 13 years. 12 of those years I have spent my winters starting the coming 2-year-old colts for Mackenzie Ranch Quarter Horse Program.

    First lesson you learned about putting a horse on a cow? “There is no one thing that sticks out as a “first lesson.” It’s experience gained through many different trials or scenarios… plus knowledge of stockmenship; combined with changing and conforming to each individual horse. Then putting it all together to form unity between you, your horse and the cow.”

    Influences: Jake Telford & Annie Reynolds as cow horse trainers; adding ranch stockmenship and low stress cattle handling with the Mackenzie Ranch.

    Expectations for the 2019 Bonina Colt Cow Connection: “Looking forward to new challenge and fellowship with other trainers.”

    To learn more about Jason’s training services give him a call: 208-989-3963

    Photo:Riding a nice Mackenzie Ranch 2 year old.

     


    Want to stay in the loop with Bonina? Follow our Facebook page!

    Meet the rest of the 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestants…