NEW MEXICO HORSES
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New Mexico Dec 2016 / Jan 2017
ways to be cold-weather safe blanket
ON? OFF? why not ask a horse...
'tis the season to
GIVE & HELP HORSES, HUMANS, THE LAND
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WINTER RIDE IN THE OJITO WILDERNESS LAST-MINUTE HORSEY GIFT IDEAS 1 www.horsearoundnm.com | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | HORSE AROUND
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THE HORSE COMMUNITY OF NEW MEXICO from the staff of Horse Around New Mexico magazine
18 12 FEATURES
38
12 Ride Ready
Being prepared is key to wintertime riding safety
16 Warm, Cozy, Healthy
How to care for your horse during the cold
18 Talk to Me
Research shows horses can indicate if they want a blankie
22 Home for the Holidays
If you are thinking of adopting, these horses need homes this holiday season
PLUS
27 Have a (Holiday) Heart for Horses 33 December / January Events Treat yourself by giving to horse organizations in need 31 Acquiring a Horse in Need? Get Rescue-Horse Savvy Want to rescue a horse? Read this to be prepared
34 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Horse Lover in Your Family
Great horsey gift ideas under $100 that are sure to please
35 Horse Services Directory
38 Try This Trail - Ojito Wilderness Horse Around New Mexico is printed six times per year: Feb/Mar, Apr/May, Jun/Jul, Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov, & Dec/ Jan. Submissions of articles and photos from all around NM are welcome! See our website or email/call for submission standards/deadlines: www.horsearoundnm. com, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, 505-570-7377.
Horse Around New MexicoŠ2016. All rights reserved. Horse Around New Mexico and Horsearoundnm.com are copyrighted, trademarked, and the sole property of Cecilia Kayano. Individual content copyright belongs to the author. All the opinions expressed herein are the sole opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect bias or belief on the part of the editor, publisher, distributors, printer, advertisers, or other contributors.
I was needing help with the little Rocky Mountain mare I had just acquired. She was gentle, but needed more trail miles. New to the area, I decided to post on Craigslist that I was looking for an experienced rider to exercise/train/ride my horse about three times a week. That night, I got a lengthy, grammatically perfect, at times funny, email from Karen Lehmann. When I met her the next day, I knew she was perfect for the job. She had dressage training and experience. She was a light rider, employing her seat and legs before her hands. But better than that, she was the same height as me: I wouldn’t have to adjust stirrups! Karen started riding Consuelo right away. Consuelo was green, and had only a few rides on her. Karen asked me if I wanted her to do ground work with Consuelo, and I said no, only trail rides. Little did I know that Karen disobeyed my wishes, and taught Consuelo to move her haunches, rib cage, and shoulders away from pressure. She then taught Consuelo to side pass. Karen rode Consuelo for about three months. Together, we put 60 rides on her. A few months after that, Karen contacted me. She was starting a horse magazine, Horse Around New Mexico, and needed my writing skills. I started to work for her as a staff writer. My first article was about riding after a total hip replacement. That was four years ago. Last year, Karen and I met at the Hollar restaurant in Madrid, and closed the deal. I purchased Horse Around New Mexico, and Karen went to work full time as a writer for a tech corporation. I have been the owner/editor for Horse Around New Mexico magazine for a full year. Karen is now a staff writer. I depend on her for informative, flawless articles ranging from bitless bridles to tips on training. (Don't miss her captivating and lively article about a research team teaching horses to communicate their blanketing wishes, page 18.) Being the editor of this magazine allows me to share some of my passions with you. I am crazy about being outdoors, trail riding in the mountains and the wilderness. There is nothing better than camping with my horse next to me, the endless New Mexico sky above, adventures ahead. My desire is to encourage readers to experience New Mexico's exquisite outdoors, through articles that inform and inspire. Producing this magazine requires the help and good will of many people: my staff, the contributing writers and photographers, the advertisers, and the readers. The foundation of this help and good will always go back to Karen Lehmann, and her vision to build and strengthen a horse community in our state. So thank you Karen. I never would have had the courage to start a horse magazine. You paved the way. You did the tough work. And thanks for disobeying me and doing ground work with Consuelo. Every time she side passes so beautifully, I think of you.
ano Cecilia Kay
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Karen Lehmann, Consuelo and Cecilia Kayano. (Photo by Celia Cook.)
New Mexico Editor/Publisher CECILIA KAYANO Associate Editor PEGGY CONGER Media/Events Manager SUSIE SPICER Contributing Writers STACIE G. BOSWELL & Photographers CASEY COOK CELIA COOK MATT COULOMBE LORRI DANFORTH THOMAS GARCIA RAVEN HICKSON AIDAN HULTING CEDAR MCCRARY MARSHA PARR OZANA STURGEON ANNETTE WOOD Staff Writers & EVALYN BEMIS Photographers KAREN LEHMANN Graphic Design/Layout MARIE ANTHONY Advertising & Sales Events Listing
HORSENEWMEXICO@GMAIL.COM EVENTSHORSEAROUND@GMAIL.COM
Subscriptions $30/YR MAIL CHECK TO:
HANM * PO BOX 367* PECOS * NM 87552 OR PURCHASE ONLINE AT:
www.horsearoundnm.com Next Issue: Get Ready for Spring Your Horse, Your Rig and You Well-written, informative, inspirational articles and high resolution photos are welcome. Submissions will be considered and are subject to editing. The next issue, the Get Ready for Spring issue, will appear at New Mexico outlets on February 1, 2017. The deadline for submissions is December 20, 2016. The deadline for ads is January 5, 2017. For information contact Cecilia Kayano, HANM Editor, 505-570-7377, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, www.horsearoundnm.com
Need more trail riding details, horsey events, and equine inspiration? Check out our expanded Facebook page. Make sure to like us!
ON THE COVER:
Mac Ryder aboard Hot Shot and Susie Spicer riding Scotch on a winter ride in CaĂąoncito near Santa Fe. Photo by Cecilia Kayano
May your Christmas be full Of horses and snow, The beauty of New Mexico, Its people and places The amazing light and abundant grace. 710 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos 575-737-9798 www.taostackandpetsupply.com
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RIDE
READY
Being prepared for winter riding keeps you and your horse more comfortable, and might even prevent a serious mishap BY MATT COULOMBE, PRESIDENT, NM MOUNTED SEARCH & RESCUE
12 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Devin McCrary rides his Rocky Mountain gelding Riddles Derby Day above Blue Bird Mesa near Cuba. (Photo by Cedar McCrary.)
R
Riding in winter can be tricky. Often a sunny and mild winter day can turn nasty in a few short hours, especially in mountain terrain where a storm can roll in without any warning. Dressing appropriately and having the right things with you can avert a potential disaster. Layer your clothing
Let’s start with clothing, if you’re not warm and comfortable, no one’s going to have a good time. Dressing in layers is crucial as it will allow you to add or remove layers as conditions change. Quality clothing will more than pay for itself should the weather turn. • Cotton and wool: A rule to follow is no cotton next to your skin and try to avoid full cotton clothing elsewhere. When cotton gets wet, it will remain wet for a long time and lower body temperature quickly. Wool has forever been the mainstay of outdoor clothing but in this day and age there are plenty of quality synthetics such as polypropylene, nylon, and polyester. These rival wool. • Under layer: Silks or synthetics like polypropylene will wick moisture from your skin while retaining body heat, and are still thin enough to not limit mobility and allow you to feel your horse underneath you. Avoid cotton or traditional style thermal underwear as they will get wet from sweat very easily
and remain wet for a long time. • Middle layer upper: Fleece is a great choice, along with wool or wool blends. Synthetic variations of both tend to not attract as much horse hair as fleece or wool. • Middle layer lower: Wool, fleece, polyester and nylon blends. If you’re a breeches kind of person, you’ll find that a few manufacturers offer “polar breeches” that are lined for more warmth while still providing a close contact feel. If you’re not a breeches type of person, look for synthetic blends (nylon or polyester). Again, remember to avoid full cotton denim jeans: If they get wet they’ll stay wet! • Outer layer: This will consist primarily of your coat or jacket and should include a poncho or slicker. Whatever you choose, be sure to consider its ability to provide wind protection as your middle and inner layers will be less effective if the wind gets through. Avoid big and bulky items as getting off and on a horse while resembling the Michelin Man can be quite challenging! • Head, hands and foot wear: The vast majority of your body heat will be lost from your head and extremities. Good gloves with thinsulate or other thermal properties that are also thin enough to still provide dexterity are extremely important. You can also find silk or synthetic helmet liners made for football or hockey that will fit nicely under your riding helmet or cowboy
Celia Cook (left) and her daughter Emily get QH Woody ready for a ride in Edgewood right after a storm dropped over 2 feet of snow in December 2015. The pair went for a ride around their neighborhood, but cut it short because of icy conditions. (Photo by Casey Cook.)
hat and help keep you warm. Or just a good ol’ beanie will do if you’re not a hat or helmet wearer. Boots that have insulating materials are essential as often your feet are the first things to get cold. Be sure to check that they safely fit in your stirrups without a chance of hanging up. I prefer to use large metal endurance type stirrups, as my winter boots still fit in them with room to spare.
Bring basic survival items
Any time you’re out on a trail ride you should have some basic survival items with you and it’s even more important in the winter months. Riding in winter, especially with snow on the ground, is a lot like any other winter sport where lip balm, sunglasses, and even sunscreen are important. Winter winds and sun glare will wreak havoc on your skin. Bring these basic essentials: lip balm, sunglasses, sunscreen, fire starter, flashlight, hand and toe warmers, water, knife, emergency blanket, whistle, basic first aid kit, map of area, gps and/or compass, extra water.
Be prepared for winter “what ifs”
With lower temperatures and shorter daylight hours, you should always be especially prepared for the unexpected: • What if your horse comes up lame and you have to walk out? Having boots that can keep you dry, have a treaded bottom
Barb White on her mule Blue at Ft. Stanton. (Photo by Annette Wood.)
Take these steps to prevent hypothermia: • Stay dry! Getting wet dramatically increases the chance of hypothermia. A common way people get wet is from sweating. Manage your physical activity to remain active enough to stay warm but not to the point of working up a sweat. If you feel a sweat starting, halt your activity until you regain proper heart rate and respiration. • Proper clothing, sheltering from the wind, and snacking often during outdoor activities will dramatically reduce the chance of hypothermia.
Treating hypothermia for traction, and are comfortable to walk in will make all the difference when a ride turns into a hike. • What if you lose the trail due to snow or can’t see familiar landmarks through the gray or changing skies? A map, compass and or GPS (and the ability to use them) might make the difference between simply a late arrival at home or spending the night in the woods! • What if you are lost or injured and need to stay out overnight? Flashlights and fire starters can sure save your tail. Practice with your fire starting device ahead of time and make sure you can effectively use it. A fire provides warmth, acts as a signal, and can be the best company you’ve ever had if you’re alone in the dark.
Another trick that has come in handy for us on search and rescue missions is to use an extra saddle blanket (the wool Navajo style) between your regular riding pad and your saddle. It will typically remain dry in that position and provide a great deal of comfort for you if you end up having to hunker down for the night. Also, remember to stay hydrated, even it its cold. Dehydration leads to fatigue and poor decision making.
Preventing hypothermia
The number one risk in outdoor winter activities is hypothermia. Taking the proper precautions and recognizing the early warning signs is critical to successful winter adventures. Hypothermia occurs when the body is losing heat more rapidly than it can replenish it. When the body temperature drops from a normal 98.5 degrees just 3 degrees to 95, hypothermia sets in.
• Mild hypothermia signs: Shivering, minor confusion, increased heart rate, and fatigue. Treatment: Passive rewarming, get out of the cold/wind, stand in the sunshine, increase physical activity, change into warm dry clothing. • Moderate hypothermia signs: Severe shivering, slurred speech, poor coordination, skin turns pale, lips may be blue, more confusion and may be unaware of their predicament. Treatment: Active external warming, applying warm blankets, apply heating pads, drink warm liquids, skin on skin contact from warm person. • Severe hypothermia: Shivering suddenly stops, difficulty speaking, inability to use hands, incoherent or irrational behavior, shedding of clothing if no intervention occurs, and or cardiac arrest. Treatment: Active external and internal warming. Usually requires professional medical treatment, remove from cold, put into warm environment, warm with IV fluids, may need airway management, can go into shock or cardiac arrest during rewarming.
Keeping your horse comfortable
Here are a few tips for keeping your horse comfortable in winter riding conditions. • Manage sweat. A horse with a good winter coat being ridden on a warm sunny day can work up a big sweat. Sweating by itself isn’t dangerous, but if the horse’s coat gets wet and slick it will lose its insulating abilities and the horse can then become quite cold especially in the wind. If you’re taking an extended break and your horse is sweaty, keep it saddled. That will help him retain some
Annette Wood rides Katja in the Rio Bonito river near the town of Capitan. (Photo by Marsha Parr.)
body heat and protect his wet back from the wind. • Allow foraging: Although many prefer their horses don’t graze while riding, having something to digest will help keep their body temperature up. Regulated browsing of dry grasses and forage will help keep the horse warm. • Don’t overdo it: Many horses lose some conditioning over the winter months as they may be ridden less and have possibly gained a few pounds from good winter feeding. If you’re riding in snow, keep in mind it’s a lot like walking in deep sand and requires much more effort from the horse to move. Take lots of breaks and pay attention to your horse’s respiratory rate. The New Mexico winters often provide ample beautiful days for riding. Just remember, it only takes a few moments for things to drastically change this time of year. Head out on the trail with good preparation and a few precautions and you’re sure to have some great winter riding!
n
Matt Coulombe owns American Diesel Service and is the President of New Mexico Mounted Search & Rescue. He can be reached at 505-299-0591. If you are interested in getting involved in search and rescue, you can find a list of teams, their specialties, and contact information, along with other useful information on the New Mexico Search & Rescue Council's website: www.nmsarc.org
Matt Coulombe rides Prince, a Clydesdale, near Tijeras. (Photo by Ozana Sturgeon.)
Are You Ready For Winter? Blankets •Heaters • De-Icers • Pet Beds & More
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-6:30 & Sun 10-5
BY THOMAS GARCIA
Warm, Cozy, Healthy Winter demands special care, from the inside out
A
As the dog days of summer give way to the frosty mornings and brilliant colors of fall, we know winter will soon be setting in. Your first instinct may be to wrap your equine partner in tons of blankets and stick him in a cozy barn. Be careful of over-coddling your horse. However, throwing him out until the spring thaw and forgetting about him is not the way to go either...
In last issue of Horse Around New Mexico magazine I wrote about equine nutrition, so I will not rehash the subject in its entirety now. However, here are cold-weather nutritional requirements that I will address. Nutrition Horses need about 2% of their body weight in feed, primarily forage, to maintain body condition. As the temperatures drop, horses need additional nutrition to maintain the same body condition. Heat is a by-
16 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
product of digestion, primarily the digestion of fiber which is a major component of forage. Horses should be fed a ration composed of good quality forage spread out over the course of the day which will provide a constant heat source. As in warmer months, horses should have access to salt and minerals at all times. Water Keep in mind that dry forage is usually less than 15% moisture as compared to the high moisture
content of summer pasture. Horses switching from pasture to dry forage will require more water to drink. At the same time, some horses may have a reluctance to drink cold or icy water which could lead to impaction colic. The best prevention is to provide a source of clean, warm water.
Blanketing is also good for the health and comfort of clipped horses -- horses that are shown, or clipped so they will dry more quickly after rigorous riding. Remember to never blanket a sweaty horse and again, monitor the temperature to make sure the blanketed horse does not overheat.
Hoof care It is especially important to keep runs and stalls clean during the winter months. With the freeze-thaw cycles of mud and snow, hooves can get impacted with a manure/mud combination which can lead to thrush. Stones embedded in the sole can cause bruises and should be picked out regularly. Although hooves grow out more slowly in winter, they should still be regularly trimmed. Snowballs accumulating on both shod and unshod hooves can cause slipping and also put strain on tendons and should be picked out regularly, especially after snow storms.
Riding and exercise Winter riding during decent weather can be quite enjoyable and provide that muchneeded exercise for both horse and rider. Certain precautions need to be addressed. • Warm up your horse prior to riding. After riding, let it cool down before blanketing. • Snow and ice can be dangerous. Make sure your horse's paddock has no hazardous icy areas. When riding, avoid steep, slippery slopes, frozen rivers and riverbanks, and areas of hidden obstacles. Above all, use common sense and caution. • Remove shoes as barefoot horses can more safely navigate winter terrain than conventionally shod horses. Or have your farrier put on snow pads. These minimize the snow accumulation in hooves and problems associated with that. • Your farrier can also shoe your horse with studded shoes or shoes with borium welded on for additional traction. A word of caution: When borium or studded shoes are applied, horses should not be left running loose with other horses as a kick from what is known as a sharp-shod hoof can injure another horse.
Keeping dry Another concern in wet, muddy weather is the occurrence of pastern dermatitis and rain rot. The best prevention is keeping the horse as clean and dry as possible. Indoor care Horses kept in barns during the winter need to be in barns with adequate ventilation. Stale, stagnant air can lead to heaves and coughing in horses. Ulcers and degenerative joint conditions can all be exacerbated when a horse is confined to a stall with not enough exercise. So provide ample turnout time or ride regularly. Shelter If horses are allowed to acclimate to dropping temperatures, and have natural hair growth and a good plane of nutrition, they are not bothered much by cold, winter temperatures. Shelter can be provided in the form of natural shelter and windbreaks such as trees. Three-sided barns with enough space to accommodate all horses and allow for the natural pecking order are an excellent winter shelter choice. Blanketing Many horse owners blanket their horses during colder weather. Blankets are especially needed for older and thinner horses, or horses coming from a warmer climate. Always monitor the temperature and conditions, and remove blankets before the rising temperature causes the horse to overheat and sweat.
Winter care nutshell In conclusion, horses should be fed a larger amount of feed high in fiber, and have ready access to clean, warm water. They should also have access to shelter and/or windbreaks, and have regular foot care and exercise. If stalled, regular exercise is a must. If blanketed, monitor the temperature and remove blankets before the horse overheats and sweats. When turning out or riding, do it safely, watching out for ice and frozen, slippery areas. Use caution at all times, and enjoy the beautiful New Mexico winter!
n Thomas Garcia holds a BS in animal science from New Mexico State University. He owns Spanish Creek Performance Horses and Taos Tack & Pet Supply. He can be reached at 575-737-9798.
Winter riding means shorter daylight hours and colder temps, requiring special equine care. It can also mean exquisite moments with your horse! (Photos by Thomas Garcia.)
BY KAREN LEHMANN
Talk to Me
What if your horse could tell you that it wants its blanket on or off?
D
Do you ever wonder whether your horse truly prefers that snuggly turnout blanket to “roughing it?” What about on a cold, sunny day – or during a wet and windy winter storm? In Norway, a group of researchers were curious. They knew that horses can discriminate between simple visual symbols. Could they also be trained to use that ability to communicate a preference to their human handlers?
18 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Some horse owners practice blanketing during colder weather, while some do not. A research team taught horses to indicate whether they want blankets on or off.
blankets, with the decisions about when to have the blankets on or off made by the horses’ respective owners. The study employed three visual cues comprised of plain white boards, one with a horizontal black bar (“put blanket on”), another with a vertical black bar (“take blanket off ”) and a third with no markings (“no change”). With the help of an experienced trainer and two assistants, the horses were first taught to recognize the symbols, and the consequence of their choice of one symbol over another. Using positive reinforcement training (clickers and carrots), the trainers successfully taught all 23 horses the necessary “free choice” skills in just two weeks. Although some horses learned more quickly than others, all the horses were capable of learning the task, and the slower learners were no less successful or interested in communicating their blanketing preference than the quicker learners.
The results may surprise you...or maybe you knew what Snowball was thinking all along!
In addition to exploring the blanket on/ blanket off question, the study confirmed
several commonly held beliefs about training horses. • Positive reinforcement works extremely well when it is presented by an experienced human with great timing and a comprehensive knowledge of equine behavior, or good “feel.” • Horses “learn to learn.” In other words, a horse that has been successfully trained with positive reinforcement once will be easier to train the next time. This study shows some evidence for this, as the warm-bloods (who had previous experience with positive reinforcement training) learned the necessary tasks a bit more quickly than the cold-bloods. • This type of training increases horses’ interest in humans. The horses in the Fig.study 1 were psyched when they figured out that they could communicate with their human handlers! The researchers wrote: “When horses realized that they were able to communicate with the trainers, i.e. to signal their wishes regarding blanketing, many became very eager in the training
Fig. 2
If they could, would the horses prefer their blankets on, or off? Would their choices reflect the weather? It’s common to blanket horses during Norway’s extreme winters, but not everyone accepts the practice as necessary or beneficial. Why not simply ask the horses? In an open access article published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, authors Cecilie M. Mejdell, Turid Buvik, Grete H.M. Jørgensen and Knut E. Bøe detail a study in which 23 horses were trained in a specific horse-to-human communication technique that made it possible for them to inform their human handlers of their blanketing preference on any given day. The study included 13 “cold-blooded” breeds and 10 “warm-bloods.” All the horses were accustomed to wearing
Applied Animal Behaviour Science DOI: (10.1016/j.applanim.2016.07.014) Copyright © 2016 The Author(s) Terms and Conditions
TOP: Symbols were presented on white painted wooden display boards (35 × 35 cm). To the left, the horizontal bar meaning “put blanket on”, in the middle the blank board meaning “no change”, and to the right, the vertical bar meaning “take blanket off”. BOTTOM: The horses Romano, Katug and Poltergeist photographed in choice situations. All horses had a blanket on and had to choose between “blanket off” or “no change”. In the two winter situations (left and middle picture) both horses touch the blank “no change” display board, whereas Poltergeist (right picture) touches the board with the “blanket off” symbol. www.horsearoundnm.com | Dec 2016/Jan Applied Animal Behaviour Science DOI: (10.1016/j.applanim.2016.07.014) Copyright © 2016 The Author(s) Terms and Conditions
2017 | HORSE AROUND
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some extra comfort and not want anything to come between them and the sun’s warm rays during nice weather. Also, if you’ve been around horses for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed that they communicate their preferences about many different things, in many different ways. What seems revolutionary about this study is that 100 percent of the horses involved were able to learn this system of communication within two weeks. Once they learned the system, they used it effectively to communicate with their handlers, taking the guess work out of interspecies communication completely.
Choices made by horses for blanket status is illustrated on days with very different weather conditions. All figures copyright Mejdell, C.M., et al. Use permission pending from Elsevier Rights Department.
or testing situation. Some even tried to attract the attention of the trainers prior to the test situation, by vocalizing and running towards the trainers, and follow[ing] their movements.” DOI: (10.1016/j.applanim.2016.07.014)
rms and Conditions
Of course, there were carrots involved. And even in a scholarly article like this one, the horses’ individual quirks shine through: “...some of the horses which learned quickly in the beginning (e.g. Poltergeist and Runa) began to explore other possibilities and solutions to earn more carrot slices, like “wood-pecking” or nibbling the symbol board, and hence needed time to be convinced that there were none. Further, the 3-year-old horse Blue seemed to enjoy the event of blankets taken on and off as he always touched the “change” symbol and therefore needed additional temperature challenge tests to understand the consequences of his choice for [his] own thermal comfort. In contrast, the slower learners (e.g. Sølvjan and Loke) made a steady progression without time-consuming explorative activities.” The researchers concluded that all the horses learned to communicate their blanketing preferences using the three touchboards. They also tabulated the results of the horses’ choices during all kinds of weather and found that a very clear majority preferred to wear a blanket when the weather was awful (chilly and windy with continuous rain) and go without when it was nice (sunny and 68 -72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Imagine if you could teach your horse to communicate in this way! The doubt and subjectivity of communication could be eliminated. Does the ol’ grey mare really hate her fly sheet like I think she does? Would my gelding prefer to be in the barn when it rains, or outside under the tree? There are so many decisions that we make for our horses every day – but what might the possibilities be if we could ask for and receive their input?
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Karen Lehmann is the founder of Horse Around New Mexico magazine. She writes from home in the small NM mountain town of Sandia Park. When she’s not working on something for Horse Around, or over at the barn with her horses, you’ll find her at karen@ phrasesincorporated.com. Karen with her Andalusian/Arabian gelding Rico. (Photo by Aidan Hulting.)
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Home for the Holidays
How about giving a deserving horse a new home this holiday season? 22 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
readers two or three animals in their care for whom they would be particularly pleased to find a forever home this holiday season. Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance Who they are: Barb Kiiper was born horse-crazy and after a lifetime in the corporate world, retired to follow her true passion of working with horses. She moved to the northwest corner of New Mexico from California, and discovered that mustangs were being rounded up and removed from the Jicarilla and El Rito districts of the Carson National Forest. After attending a Forest Service mustang auction held at Bob Browning’s facility, she asked him to keep an eye out for a black colt for her. Soon, Carson galloped into her heart. Next step: Barb got herself put on the BLM’s Advisory Council. She founded JMHA in 2012. Barb felt the need to do more for the little mustangs she had come to admire and love, so she took on four youngsters. She began the taming process with help from local trainers Delaws Lindsay and Rebecca Larsen, and numerous volunteers. After JMHA became a recognized non-profit in 2014, Barb entered into an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service as a partner in the adoption process. JMHA has an adoption fee of $125 and the usual rules and requirements of the federally mandated Wild Horse Program must be met. Title for the horse is received after a 1-year probation period. Their featured horses: Peers is a small bright bay yearling who came from the El Rito district and has approximately 3-4 months of handling. He shows a calm, willing disposition and should make up into a gentle riding horse when he is full-grown, maturing at around 13hh. Cat Ballou came in with the same group as Peers and is also a yearling. She is a dark brown, likely to go gray, with a pretty face and would love to be someone’s special girl. Lily is what Barb calls a three strikes horse, a horse that has been passed over in adoption events for whatever reason BY EVALYN BEMIS
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Captain Morgan photo by Raven Hickson.
Barb Kiipers with her personal herd. (Photo courtesty Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance.)
At any time of the year, organizations involved in horse rescue are trying to find secure and happy homes for their horses. The holidays are an especially poignant time, though, as we focus on the importance of family and friends, and sharing our good fortunes with those in need. To that end, we invited some of the horse rescues of New Mexico to share with our
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and is having a tougher time finding a home. Lily has a conformational defect called a parrot-mouth. Horses with this condition have upper incisors that protrude past the lower incisors. It can affect how they eat and a parrot-mouthed horse may require more frequent equine dentistry. Lily is four years old and 14hh, a good size for most riding purposes, with a gentle, quiet attitude. Lily soon will have 90 days under saddle, ridden in a bitless bridle. Her fee will be higher due to her additional training. Contact JMHA through their website to see any of their horses, wwwjicarillamustangs.org Mustang Camp Who they are: Patricia Irick approached the U.S. Forest Service in 2009 to ask if there were horses that needed foster care and training in order to get adopted. Indeed there were, and since then she has gentled and found homes for more than 500 wild horses. Patricia’s husband John was put to work in charge of logistics and adoptions, delivering horses all over New Mexico in a blue stock-trailer. In 2010, they organized as a non-profit. Mustang Camp has an educational program that trains people to train wild horses. Mustang Camp’s goal is remaining one of the largest privatizers of gentled mustangs in the nation. The remarkable thing is that they manage to do this from their facility in Largo Canyon in northwest New Mexico, 25 miles from pavement in any direction. To overcome the disadvantage of operating in the middle of nowhere, this year they started taking one or two horses at a time to public places to meet potential adopters. John spent his Wednesdays at the Pojoaque Farmers Market, where people enjoyed petting the surprisingly gentle mustangs. Next year, Mustang Camp plans many more events in small New Mexico communities. Most of the horses can be adopted for a fee of $125. Adopters must demonstrate they have adequate facilities for the care and feeding of the horse before they get title to the horse. Their featured horse: Captain Morgan arrived at Mustang Camp covered in dried balls of muck from the pens in Delta, Utah, where he had spent the winter. Raven Hickson, an MC student, immediately fell in love and dedicated herself to finding the beautiful horse under the muck. Student trainer Sereniti Mora finished his basic training and started him in the saddle training program. Presently Captain keeps order among a small harem of adoptable mares that have finished training, but will soon go to new homes. The good Captain needs a home of his own, with humans that love him, and other horses to bond with. He has a crooked pastern, which could limit the amount of weight he is expected to carry but otherwise is healthy and ready to go. To meet Captain Morgan, send an email to mustangcamp@ gmail.com or visit their website, www.mustangcamp.org
FROM TOP: Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance featured horses: Peers (with Beckah Larsen), Cat Ballou (with Delaws Lindsay), and Lily. (Photos courtesy Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance.)
The Horse Shelter Who they are: The Horse Shelter is a Santa Fe area sanctuary for New Mexico’s abandoned, abused and neglected horses. When THS was founded in 2000 by Jan Bandler as a 501(c)3 organization, land was purchased south of Santa Fe to house the first horses. The facility quickly grew from a few paddocks and hay barn into a first-class operation with multiple turnouts and run-in sheds, larger corrals for groups of horses to be together, and training pens and arenas.
On any given day, THS may have between 60 - 80 horses on the grounds or in foster care. Their record of successful adoptions grows each year, especially as their signature event, the Trainers Challenge, brings more awareness of the high quality of their rescues. Fees vary for their horses, depending on level of training, but are typically $250 for a companion horse and $750 for one that rides. There are adoption requirements in addition to the fee. Their featured horses: Jennie is a youngat-heart QH girl, born in 1995, who is happy to do whatever is asked of her. She has carried a 3-year-old quietly around the round pen, teaches the new recruits how to become proficient horse handlers, and is easy to catch, load and head for the hills. She is a love bug who will do well in any home. Rusty is devilishly handsome and should be, as a great-grandson of Seattle Slew. He stands 16hh, making him a useful size for either a male or female rider. He has three nice gaits and is quick to learn. He can be ridden English or Western. He is 12. Longfellow is a classy sorrel QH gelding, born in 2001. He has had quite a bit of Western training and has an especially nice, rocking horse lope. He is a sweetiepie and wants to be someone’s true love. Longfellow has some special needs. He wears a crib-strap and does really well on a slow feeder. He has also been diagnosed with head-shaking syndrome, which requires he has a shady place to eat and stand in the summertime. He needs a UV protection mask, and he is on some very inexpensive supplements. Contact ranch managers Mike or Michele Wolford at 505-577-2193 or by email, thsranch@hotmail.com to make an appointment to see any of their horses. If there is no room in your stable for another four-legged, please keep these terrific organizations in mind for a taxdeductible holiday gift. You might even sponsor one of their featured horses until they get adopted.
One thing is sure: Supporting New Mexico's horse rescues -- whether through adoption or donations -- is guaranteed to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling this holiday season. NOTE: Some of these horses may have found homes. Contact the rescue organization about availability. There are always new, adoptable horses looking for homes.
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Evalyn Bemis is a lifelong equestrian who continues to learn from every horse she meets. View Evalyn's photography online by searching Evalyn Bemis Photography.
COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Potential adopters look at horses from Mustang Camp at a farmer's market in Poquaque. At The Horse Shelter, Katie Johanson shows Rusty to potential adopters. Horse Shelter volunteer Brenda Brooks poses with Quarter Horse Jennie. Katie shows off Longfellow's easy way of going. (Photos by Evalyn Bemis.)
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Have a (Holiday) Heart for Horses
BY PEGGY CONGER
'Tis the season to give: Here are several horse-related charities worldwide who will use your dollars to help equines in a dozen different ways... www.horsearoundnm.com | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | HORSE AROUND
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This holiday season, consider donating as a gift to yourself, or to a horseloving friend. Even small donations to organizations that provide food/care for horses in need will help both equines and their owners.
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There are lots of ways to help horses in this season of giving -- and year round. Of course, New Mexico horse shelters, sanctuaries and horse rescues always welcome your donations, because feeding and caring for rescued equines is a pricey, 12-months-a-year endeavor for those dedicated folks. Other groups can benefit from your help too. Here are some charitable organizations all involved in one way or another in horses and the horse life. From preserving trails and wilderness to helping working horses around the world to tapping into horses’ natural therapeutic powers to advocating for wild horses to feeding needy horses right here in New Mexico, these groups have one wonderful thing in common: Equines are at the center of their missions. If you are a horse lover, or have one on your gift list, read on to see all the good your donations can do for our four-legged friends, both here in our own state, and around the globe. Owner assistance It can be a sad fact of life sometimes that caring for our beloved animals becomes a tough financial burden. For horse owners who are struggling in New Mexico,
the Equine Protection Fund can offer a hand. Run by Animal Protection of New Mexico, the EPF is the most robust statewide equine welfare program in the nation. “Since the program began in 2010, the Equine Protection Fund has provided humane support to nearly 750 horses, donkeys, and mules across New Mexico,” said program manager Kimberly Blanchard. “This includes 300 families assisted in keeping their horses at home, rather than having to give them up, and 15 agencies, including horse shelters. Many of these animals may otherwise have met the gruesome fate of being shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico.”
Do you yourself need help feeding your equines? To apply for up to two months of emergency feed assistance, contact the EPF Helpline, 505-803-3770, or download the application at www.equineprotectionfund. org. Approved applicants can pick up feed at a supplier in the Equine Protection Fund network of feed stores and volunteers -- in as little as 24 hours!
Trails and wilderness access If you do any trail riding in New Mexico, you have probably benefited from the efforts of New Mexico’s chapters of Back Country Horsemen of America. The dedicated volunteers of BCHA keep trails on public lands cleared and maintained A gift to the EPF will help provide throughout the U.S. How hard do these emergency feed assistance, subsidized hard-working folks work? Well, in 2015 gelding, and humane euthanasia assistance alone, BCHA volunteers spent 304,344 to needy families. Your donation also hours working to maintain trails on public helps provide veterinary services for lands across the U.S. When you pass by a horse shelters and assists law enforcement fallen tree sawed through and moved off agencies to facilitate seizure of neglected the trail, or ride across a culvert diverting and abused equines. water from eroding a trail, you are most likely seeing the work of BCHNM, the You can also volunteer by donating hay local arm of this great organization. How or feed, trailer transportation, equine can you help? You can sign up to donate $5 equipment, free or discounted veterinary a month to support BCHA’s Trails Forever services, or other goods and services. program. To give, visit BCHA.org and hit To donate or volunteer, visit www. the donate button on the home page. If you equineprotectionfund.org or contact want to help local chapters, they would Kimberly at kim@apnm.org. welcome donations of cash, saws, or GPS devices.
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Rivers and Birds is a Taos-based 501c-3 dedicated to preserving New Mexico’s 1.2 million acres of wilderness lands. Among the group’s many projects are successfully working toward the creation of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and protecting 45,000 acres of high alpine areas in the Sangre de Cristos. Their education programs are devoted to creating the next generation of stewards of the earth by getting kids out into wilderness areas and educating them on conservation issues. “As a people, we are all land-rich,” says says Rivers and Birds executive director Roberta Salazar. “Our wilderness areas are really special treasures.” What makes Rivers and Birds’ mission especially important to trail riders is that wilderness lands are, by law, accessible only by foot or hoof, though that decree is constantly challenged by those who want other recreational access. To support Rivers and Birds’ conservation efforts, you can donate at riversandbirds.org. Roberta says the group always welcomes volunteers, and she says she would love to hear from horse people willing to help Rivers and Birds assist the U.S. Forest Service in replacing aging signs in wilderness areas. Find her contact info on the website. The Equine Land Conservation Resource develops tools to help local horse people preserve access for equestrian activities on public and private lands nationwide. The 17-year organization was born out of a 1999 effort by the United States Pony Club to identify pressing issues facing horse owners. Land loss emerged as a key issue, says ELCR operations manager Abby Gates. “We’re losing up to 6000 acres a year,” Gates says. ELCR offers webinars, research, articles and technical assistance to support equestrian land use in six areas: value of horses to communities, conservation tools for horse lands, equine access to private lands, equine access to public lands, and planning for horses in a community. The group is entirely supported by charitable donations. You can help by donating at elcr.org. Therapeutic riding Winston Churchill is credited with saying the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, and this simple truism is evident in the therapeutic riding movement. The care and riding of horses is used to help adults and children with all sorts of disorders, from PTSD to MS, from cerebral palsy
Cloud Dancers Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., is located in Corrales. Participant fees cover about 35% of operation costs, so Cloud Dancers relies on its generous donors to provide equine assisted horse experiences for people with disabilities. To donate contact www.clouddancersthp.org or 505-235-8358. Pictured here is Levi riding Risa. Levi looks forward to his rides and the instruction, often showing his delight with a thumbs up, and "You got it, boss!" comment. (Photo by Lorri Danforth.) to Alzheimer’s. There are lots of ways you can help. The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship promotes safety and optimal outcomes for special needs riders of all sorts and has 850 members organizations worldwide. To donate to PATH, visit path.org. Locally, Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding in Rio Rancho is the only PATHpremiere accredited therapeutic riding center in New Mexico, serving veterans and developmentally, physically, and mentally challenged individuals.
Riding the wilderness, and riding on trails doesn't just happen. The organization Rivers and Birds is one that advocates for wilderness protection and horse access. (Photo by Peggy Conger.)
If you want to give directly to Loving Thunder, there’s lots you can do, according to executive director Twuana Rupp. A $300 donation sponsors a rider for an entire six-
Back Country Horsemen volunteers help keep trails cleared and equine-passable, so places like Trailriders Wall atop the Pecos Wilderness are accessible. (Pictured here is Rōni Merbler on her Rocky Mountain gelding Smooth.)
week session. $1500 supports one of Loving Thunder’s horses for a whole year. If you’d like to give goods, the center needs sacks of Oñate Complete Horse. If you’d like to help with veterinary costs, Loving Thunder uses Albuquerque Equine for veterinary services. One last thing on Loving Thunder’s wish list: a farrier who can donate one or two visits a month. You can make a cash donation at lovingthunder.com. One thing Loving Thunder doesn’t need: saddle donations. “We usually don’t get ones that will work for us,” Twuana Rupp says.
Another U.K-based organization, The Brooke, focuses on the welfare of over 100 million working horses, mules and donkeys worldwide, from the plight of Pakistan’s mining donkeys to improving vet care for working equines in India. To support their efforts, donate at thebrooke.org/get-involved/donate
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Horse Around NM Associate Editor Peggy Conger is a writer, editor, blogger, and trail rider. She rides an adopted mustang and a quarter horse. She can be reached at p_conger@yahoo.com
Wild horses The California-based organization Return to Freedom advocates for wild horses and donkeys around the U.S., specifically seeking a more equitable share of range resources for wild horses and burros; expanding incentive-based partnerships with public lands ranchers who will reduce their livestock grazing; increased use of proven, safe and humane fertility control for horses and burros; and the creation of a long-term, humane federal conservation program resulting in sustainable, on-the-range wild horse management. Donate at returntofreedom.org. The non-profit Cloud Foundation is dedicated to preserving the Montana wild horse band made famous by the PBS specials focusing on a stallion the filmmaker dubbed Cloud. The charity focuses on Cloud’s herd and other wild horse issues, and especially supports “isolated herds with unique characteristics and historical significance.” Visit thecloudfoundation.org Working horses If you want to give on a global scale, Britain’s World Horse Welfare organization aids horses across the world. They have programs to improve horses’ lives in Honduras, South Africa, Lesotho, Mexico, Senegal, Haiti, Guatemala, Cambodia, Costa Rica and in European countries. They teach humane treatment, nutrition, proper farrier work, tack improvements, and improving other facets of care for horse owners in lesser developed nations. Their Invisible Horse program seeks to shed light on the suffering of horses who are neglected or overworked around the globe. Donate at worldhorsewelfare.org/Donate.
Four Corners Equine Rescue “Rescuing horses from perilous situations.”
Four Corners Equine Rescue, located in Aztec, NM, has been giving horses second chances for over 12 years. Please come visit us to see our herd of adoptable horses. Check out our website to find out how you can make life better for horses by adopting, volunteering, sponsoring, or making a tax-deductible donation.
www.FourCornersEquineRescue.org
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505-334-7220
ACQUIRING A HORSE IN NEED?
GET RESCUE HORSE SAVVY
Cinnamon, an 18-month-old QH filly, spent time in a "kill pen" in Louisiana before coming to New Mexico and finding a home with Linx Lawless, who lives in Eldorado. She had her first hoof trimming in November by Richard Candelaria, Natural Balanced Trimming and Shoeing Farrier. Linx had spent time handling Cinnamon's hooves prior to the big event. "I was so proud of her. She was so trusting," said Linx.
BY STACIE G. BOSWELL, DVM, DACVS-LA
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Many people observe the heartwrenching situation of a post-career racehorse, a horse sold for slaughter, or a captive mustang and are spurred into acquiring a rescue. But acquiring and owning a rescue horse is very different than buying a healthy, sound horse that has had excellent care throughout his life. Your rescue may surprise you behaviorally, and it is possible he or she may never be restored to full health. An owner of a rescued horse recently put it this way, “I guess that is the hard thing about rescue. You never know what is going to happen.” If you are interested in adopting a rescued horse, or rescuing on your own, the first thing to consider is the background of the horse and how he has been handled since he was surrendered or sent to a rescue organization. Look for a rescue organization that: • Has a physical examination performed by a veterinarian at intake and
case there was very recent exposure to a stallion before rescue. It is surprising to see how emaciated a mare can be and maintain a pregnancy.
establishes a health record. The horse should be permanently identified by microchip, lip tattoo, or branding. Legal ownership documentation is an absolute necessity. • Quarantines new arrivals so contagious diseases are not spread. • Has a fecal evaluation performed to identify and quantify intestinal parasites. Deworming can be a risk factor for colic, as can a change in food, a change in location or housing, and a change in paddock size. Under-nourished horses are more likely to ingest bedding, so sand in their gut is a special consideration and should be identified and eliminated as well. • Performs pregnancy checks at the time of intake to all mares of breeding age. This should be repeated at 30 days, in
Other medical and training factors rescued horses may face: • Lack of nutrition: The Body Condition Score (BCS) is a standardized and convenient way of assessing and documenting the fat and muscle coverage a horse has. It is also useful for legally documenting that a horse has had inadequate nutrition. Standard of care is that a horse should be between a BCS of 4-6. Less than 3 is considered malnourished, with 1 being a state of severe starvation. Horses that are 7 or above are considered overweight or obese. • Refeeding syndrome: Horses that have experienced extreme starvation can develop respiratory, heart, and kidney failure after being fed concentrated calories. This usually occurs three to
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Check the hooves of the horse you are considering. Some may be damaged and need care. Know that the horse may need patience and time for you to pick up their hooves for care, trimming and shoeing. five days after good food is reintroduced. When a horse has a BCS of 1-3, a veterinarian should be contacted before beginning to feed the horse. Extremely slowly, these horses are re-fed starting with 1 pound of alfalfa six times daily. Feeding grain or weight-building supplements too early can have very serious adverse metabolic consequences, including death. • Vaccines: Any individual that has suffered from malnutrition may have a compromised immune system. A horse with a BCS of 1-2 cannot be expected to mount an appropriate response to vaccines. It is more appropriate to wait until the horse has a BCS of 3 before vaccinating. Working with a rescued horse The first order of business is to gain the horse’s trust – daily food and water goes a long way for this. Set your horse up for success by doing things and making new requests with the lowest stress possible. Consistency and kindness is key! Always stay safe and aware as a rescued horse may over-react unpredictably. A rescue horse (well, any horse, really) should accept haltering and having their feet and legs handled. If you cannot touch a horse, getting him to accept treatment is impossible. Training is as critical for these horses’ future as their health is. They should be able to accept injections, load into a trailer, enter and stand quietly in stocks, and be willing to go in and out of barns and stalls. Rescue groups often work with professional trainers to train and evaluate their adoption prospects. Many of these trainers essentially re-start the horse in the same way that a young
horse is started. Slow and methodical progression is critical for earning a horse’s trust, no matter what the age. Meal time safety Safety for all involved – handlers and horses – is of paramount importance. A rescue horse may be worried about his next meal, and may feel insecure. He may do best in a quiet place, where he is near other horses, but is safe in his own space and does not need to defend his share of food. Horses that have experienced starvation may bolt their food, ingesting it as fast as possible in an effort to ensure that they eat as much as possible. Horses that do this may be prone to medical consequences. The main one is that if feeds are not chewed adequately before the horse swallows, esophageal obstruction, more commonly known as choke, can occur. Some strategies to combat this problem are to use a large bin or old plastic water trough as a feeder. If grain is fed, add it on top of the hay so that they must pick through and eat the grain more slowly. Slow feeders are a great addition to helping slow horse’s eating process. Be cautious when choosing these. Plastic ones tend to become worn out or break, slow-feed nets or bags can be dangerous if they are shredded, and metal grates can damage teeth. Sharp edges are a hazard to gums, lips, eyes, and other soft tissues of the face. Grain may also be fed out of a plastic feeder with contours. Bricks or very large rocks added to a feeder slows the horse down as he eats around the objects, thus preventing bolting. It may be safer to place the food in the stall and then bring the horse to it. For some horses, this can eliminate pawing, aggression, stall kicking, and other
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MIDDLE: Feeders that will slow down eating can be purchased at some feed and supply stores. ABOVE: A home-made slow feeder will prevent a horse from bolting hay. It allows them to eat smaller amounts spread over time. unwanted behaviors that can occur with the impatient horse. Finally, it should be acknowledged that many animals who have had a severe starvation episode are mentally changed forever. Extreme meal time anxiety can be reduced, but for some it is never eliminated. These individuals are more likely to remain motivated to eat indiscriminately, and may be prone to obesity if allowed free-choice food. When is a horse healthy enough for full work? A horse that has a body condition score less than 3 should not be asked to do any active work or forced exercise. As a horse is gaining weight, turnout and handwalking is appropriate for helping the horse re-build muscle. This time period is also critical for kind and consistent handling with the goal of developing a horse that has respect and trust for humans. A horse that is less than a body condition score of 4, especially one that is unfit and lacking muscle, cannot be expected to comfortably wear a saddle and carry a rider. The horse should be at his new foster or rescue home for at least 6-8 weeks so that he is settled in socially and has the chance to develop trust for his caretakers. He should also have any lameness or foot problems addressed. When these criteria are met, a horse should be asked to progress through groundwork before riding. It is critical for his training and mental status as well as his physical fitness, muscle building, and will also serve as a soundness trial. The horse
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should be re-evaluated by a veterinarian for soundness after he has progressed through ground work before he is ridden. How can you help or get help? Obtaining a rescue horse may require a significant investment in time and money. Nursing care and re-training is an intensive process. The end result can be extremely rewarding, but the commitment is not to be taken lightly. If you need help, The Animal Protection Fund of New Mexico provides financial assistance to horse owners in need for gelding, veterinary care, or emergency feed. http://equineprotectionfund.org/ The New Mexico Livestock Board oversees, inspects, and recognizes eight official Equine Rescues in New Mexico. More information is available at www.nmlbonline.com/rescue. These organizations are in need of donations. This can be a donation of money, but many also need volunteer time to care for the horses, supplies, tack, or hay. They are listed below – please contact them to see how you can help! -FOUR CORNERS EQUINE RESCUE,fourcornersequinerescue.org -PERFECT HARMONY ANIMAL R&S, perfectharmony-nm.org/home.html -THE HORSE SHELTER thehorseshelter.org -NM HORSE RESCUE @ WALKIN’ N’ CIRCLES RANCH www.wncr.org
EVENTS: Dec - Jan DECEMBER
7 Ranch Sorting www.bosquefarmsrodeo.org Bosque Farms
3-4 and 10-12 John Baird Horsemanship Beth Beymer & Patty Wilber 4 Winds Equestrian Center
8 All Breed Training Shaggy Show NM Buckskin Horse Assoc. www.nmbha.com Bosque Farms
www.4windsequestriancenter.com
Reserve your time for Private Lessons @ 505-384-1831 Estancia....See ad page 33
17 Veryl Goodnight Raffle NM Ctr. for Therapeutic Riding 505-577-1895 HIPICO Santa Fe Horse Around New Mexico DEADLINES February/March Issue
-END OF THE ROAD RANCHendoftheroadranchnm.com -EQUINE SPIRIT SANCTUARYequinespiritsanctuary.org -SKY MOUNTAIN WILD HORSE SANCTUARY skymountainwild.org - MCKINLEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY EQUINE AID sfitz@wildblue.net
n
Stacie G. Boswell, DVM, DACVS – I am an equine veterinarian in Edgewood, New Mexico. I welcome your stories and snapshots of your rescued horses! stacieboswell@gmail.com
JANUARY
3-4 North Fourth Holiday Stop & Shop - Support your local businesses in Rio Rancho
Articles & Events Dec. 20th editor@HorseAroundNM.com EventsHorseAround@gmail.com
14-15 Skijoring Winter Rodeo www.redriverskijoring.com Red River....See page 40 21-22 SW Quarter Horse Assoc. Show www.swqha.com Las Cruces
Ads Jan. 5th ads@HorseAroundNM.com www.HorseAroundNM.com
To submit your event for listing consideration, send information to: EventsHorseAround@gmail.com. Listings are at no charge.
4 Winds Equest"an Center #e Equine Educational Center of New Mexico
Winter is Coming and Look What We Have to Offer!! The Weather Outside might be Frightful but Our Indoor Arena is Delightful!!! Special Discount for Winter Boarding Call for more information
Donʼt wait for spring to ride join us, keep you and your horse in shape all winter Even in snowy weather our trails are open and a great place to train your horse to ride in the snow Board your horses with us for the winter - No trailering in bad weather to Þnd a place to ride.... Ride & Learn All Winter Long with Our Instructors/ Trainers!!!
Special Offer!!! Lease ʻN Learn This Winter & Receive 4 Free Lessons with One of our Extraordinary Trainers
Aways wanted a horse but worried about the cost and commitment or getting in over your head? Do you have a horse crazy kid that needs an introduction to horses that doesnʼt cost you thousands? Are you wanting to get back into horses but not sure you want to own one?
4 Winds Lease ‘N Learn is the Answer!! Call us for more information!
4 Winds Equestrian Center www.4windsequestriancenter.com 505-384-1831 4windsec@qwestoffice.net
GET IT TODAY gift ideas for the horse lover in your family Hoofpick/knife in one! Great stocking stuffer. She will be shocked at how often she needs a hoof pick, and voila! there it is... all because of you! Get it today at Horsemen's in ABQ $56.99
A work of art in a very wild rag! And SO NEW MEXICO! If your guy or gal loves the New Mexico horse lifestyle, this silk wild rag is a perfect gift. Get it today at Hillson's Western Wear in ABQ $36.99
Is your gal a barrel racer or competitor, and does she happen to LOOK GOOD when she's in the saddle? Then this Weekender Duffel with makeup case and hoof boots compartment is the perfect gift. Get it today at Paul's Veterinary Supply in ABQ, $45.50
pt secret: Give It's not a well-ke or y human friend your horse-craz e, rs ho s hi for her/ lover something d. de ar w richly re and you will be es Cookies for ur st Try Mrs. Pa ith oats, Horses, made w . YUM! Get it molasses, apples e n Post Feed in th today at Hitch' , $14.50 East Mountains
What New Mexican does not like rainbow? This colorful mane and tail brush makes a perfect stocking stuffer. Get it today at Village Mercantile in ABQ, $9.99
Horsey gals love things that shine, like these fancy filligree spurs. They're jewelry for her boots. Substantial bling! Get these today at Taos Tack & Pet Supply in Taos, $59.99
Know a horse ga l who likes the color pink, an d likes to groom her hors e? NO BRAINER. In on e bag, she will get 7 groomin g items, all color coordina ted, in this Grooming Ba g made by Weaver. Get it to day at Miller's Feed in A BQ, $33.55
Show you really care for horse and human by giving this Trailer Aid. You can change a tire without jacking up the trailer. It may not be the most romantic gift, but when she/he needs it, you will be a hero. Get it today at Sandia Trailer Sales and Service in Edgewood, $63.69
HORSE SERVICES DIRECTORY
Listed here are horse-related services provided by the December/January issue advertisers. They are experts in their fields. Many of the business owners are also horse owners and enthusiasts. They are the reason Horse Around New Mexico magazine exists and why the magazine is growing. If you enjoy this free publication, please show your support by supporting our advertisers. ART/HORSE PORTRAITS L. Thayer Hutchinson, page 10
EVENTS Red River Skijoring, page 40
OUTFITTING Arroyo Outfitters, LLC, page 39
BARNS/BUILDINGS Ironhorse Pipe & Steel, page 8 Morton Buildings, page 21 Sweetwater Barn Co. LLC, page 5
FEED/SUPPLEMENTS Horse Sense Solutions, page 21
REAL ESTATE Horse Property, page 9 Roni Merbler, page 37
GUEST RANCHES N Bar Ranch, page 26
BLANKETS The Desert Sky Ranch, page 20
HORSE RESCUE/ ADOPTION Four Corners Equine Rescue, page 30 Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance, page 26 Mustang Camp, page 10
SPECIALTY SERVICES Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service, page 6
BOARDING Loal Tucker Horsemanship Horse Boarding, page 36 Mac’s Overnight Stables, page 35 Nizhoni, page 2 EQUESTRIAN CENTERS 4 Winds Equestrian Center, page 33
MASSAGE Life and Vitality, LLC, page 8
TACK AND FEED STORES Hitch’n Post Feed, page 8 Horsemen’s, page 10 Miller’s Feed, page 7 Paul’s Veterinarian Supply, page 9 Taos Tack and Pet Supply, page 6 Village Mercantile, page 15
TRAINING For The Heart of The Horse, page 7 Julie Phillips, page 36 Susan Smith, page 11 VEHICLE/TRAILERS American Diesel Service, Page 9 Hal Burns Truck & Equipment, page 26 WESTERN WEAR Hillson’s, page 7 VETERINARIAN Santa Sophia Equine, page 7 Western Trails, page 11
www.horsearoundnm.com | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | HORSE AROUND
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TRUE CONNECTION This winter learn how to connect with your horse to create a better relationship. Julie Phillips and her “Hands on Horsemanship” training method will get your horse to relax, release and learn. Horse Training • Individual Lessons • Fun & Friendship
LOAL TUCKER HORSEMANSHIP Albuquerque, NM www. starrynightranch.com 575-638-5661 505-554-0577 HORSE BOARDING LAMY, NM
Located in Lamy, 15BOARDING minutes from Santa Fe
Large facility just minutesMain Barn $550.00 from Eldorado and the Galisteo Outdoor 5 Stall Barn $500.00 Basin Preserve. Beautiful rural, quiet setting. Safe and Pasture Board $425.00 secure for horses and owners. Facilities include: Whether you board in the main barn or outdoor barn, you have access to the large u Indoor arena u CO grass hay, 3x per day indoor arena and outdoor riding arena, round pen, indoor hot/cold wash rack, u Outdoor arena u 40 acres of trails large individual locking tack lockers, ample horse trailer parking and boarder's u Round pen u Indoor wash rack lounge with restroom. The property is on 40 acres and has trail riding on property. u Stalls inside barn u Tack lockers We feed top quality Colorado grass hay or a mix hay and 3 feedings per day. Our u Large runs Boarders’ lounge u main barn has automatic Nelson waterers and our 5 stall has fresh water troughs. u Daily pen cleaning u Ample trailer parking Our stalls & runs are cleaned daily. Only 5 minutes away from the Galisteo Basin.
Call 505-466-3961 or e-mail loal@loaltucker.com OUR REASONABLE RATES $550 Main Barn / $500 5-Stall Annex Barn / $425 Pasture Board CALL US TODAY FOR A TOUR!
505-466-3961
EMAIL LOAL@LOALTUCKER.COM
36 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
Helping you find the
Roni Merbler
Horse Property of your dreams
ENCHANTED HOMES
505.259.9704 CRS, ABR, Broker Associate
REAL ESTATE 505.249.5102
Executive Horse Property
$749,000
Charming Country Home with Acreage
$259,000
Your Home on the Range
$255,500
At 27.5 acres, the Whispering Spurs Ranch is the largest lot in Deer Canyon Preserve, Mountainaire, NM. The quality Talon built home is ideal to take advantage of all of the spectacular views surrounding this home. Radiant floor, loads of windows for great natural light, kiva-style fireplace. The covered back porch is 25X15, affording comfort and endless views. The $70K 5-horse barn is insulated and heated, has a horse wash rack with hot and cold water, private huge tack room with 1/2 bath and heater, covered hay storage, attached dog run, covered tractor and tool area. Each individual turn out leads to combined horse pasture. Wonderful enclosed riding arena. Home ownership offers membership for the community club house and a horse facility. Deer Canyon Preserve is 18,000 acres of wildlife preserve for the residents use.
This lovingly maintained Edgewood home sits on 2 acres of usable land, with miles of views. Current owner raises pack goats who are pampered with their own shelter and separated turn outs. The property would be conducive to other livestock. The 1850 sq. ft. home includes three bedrooms and two full baths with spacious living areas. Third bedroom has ample space and is currently being used as an office and work out room. The home is light filled and bright with well-placed windows. Features include a circular driveway with plentiful parking, kiva-style fireplace, walled private yard with enclosed garden, low maintenance xeric shrubs, trees, and flowers. The second patio has a water feature, hot tub and 10X12 storage shed. This beautiful home offers both farm-life sweetness and tasteful amenities for your rural lifestyle dream.
3108 sf home on 5.6 acres. Beautiful house has massive windows for Manzano Mountain viewing. Soaring ceilings and aspen-covered walls lend beauty to 37 | Dec 2016/Jan | HORSE AROUND the great room. There is a separate guest suite with privatewww.horsearoundnm.com entrance. Three stall barn with Priefert stalls and roomy,2017 enclosed hay storage area. Separate grain/storage shed. Approx. 2.5 acres fenced for horses with access to thousands more acres to enjoy.
Try This Ride in the Ojito Wilderness,
Close but with a Far-Out Feel Drive just 1.5 hours northwest of Albuquerque, or 2 hours southwest of Santa Fe for some other-worldly scenery, pin-drop quiet, and possibly the discovery of a dinosaur bone or two. This is the Ojito Wilderness, one of the lesser-known wildernesses of New Mexico. Compared to the Gila and Pecos Wildernesses (560,000 and 222,000 acres) the Ojito is relatively small at 11,000 acres. Also, there are no horsedesignated parking/camping areas nearby, and no marked trails (only marked at the trailheads), so you need to have an adventurous, resourceful attitude, plus a GPS you know how to use. Still reading? Good, then the Ojito is for you. Our party of three, Evalyn Bemis on Rolle Red Beans, Liana Coppola on Booker T, and myself aboard my Kentucky Mountain Horse Lance, rode there in late October. To get there go to the town of Bernalilllo, travel NW on Highway 550 for 20 miles, and take a left on the Cabazon Rd. (Look for a small brown sign saying Ojito Wilderness.) Travel 9.5 miles on the main graded road. It is washboard at times, but very passable with a horse trailer. Seismosauras Trail At 9.5 miles, you will see the Ojito Wilderness sign. Go about a half mile past that, and there will be a dirt parking area on your left, with a trailhead and a barbed-wire fence on the right. This is the Seismosauras Trailhead, named after the petrified dinosaur bones found there by Albuquerque hikers. There is plenty of
BY CECILIA KAYANO room to pull a horse rig into the parking area. We actually set up a primitive camp there. It is kind of wide-open, treeless, and near the graded road, giving you a feeling of being perched with a view of the wilderness in front of you. Zia Pueblo officials and members came by and warmly welcomed us. Pueblo lands boarder the southern and western sides of the Ojito. We rode on the well-traveled trail for about one mile, to a rocky-edged bluff. Along this trail were several petrified logs, looking like gigantic Tootsie Rolls. We back tracked, then headed west, down a rocky hillside to the valley which is cut by what seems to be a bottomless arroyo. It took us a while to find a stock/game trail to cross the arroyo. The entry/exit of the arroyo was cut by the trail, the sides almost came up to my knees. Lance had to think twice, no three times, before he decided to enter the chute, drop down to the bottom, and climb out. It didn’t look pretty, but we got the job done. (Evalyn’s and Liana's horses, which happen to be rescued Thoroughbreds, crossed the arroyo with no fuss. Imagine that!) Hoodoo Trail In about 1 mile, we linked up to the Hoodoo Trail, which seemed much more traveled. We came upon a lone hiker/ photographer who said we were the first people he had seen all day. We went right (north). The hoodoos started appearing on our left, at the bottom of a mesa. Evalyn and Liana started talking about having a “picnic.” I am used to performing all bodily necessities (well, most necessities) in the saddle, including consuming
38 HORSE AROUND | Dec 2016/Jan 2017 | www.horsearoundnm.com
nourishment, so the thought of purposely dismounting and sitting down to eat seemed like a fancy-pants way to replenish calories. But I joined them at a base of particularly stunning hoodoo, all yellow and curvy, for a picnic lunch. Pleasant! We returned the same way, but stayed close to the road to avoid the horse-eating arroyo crossing. Our ride was 7.5 miles and took 3 hours, which included a sitdown lunch. TIPS: The Hoodoo Trail offers a more distinct trail, with big hoodoo-ey visuals, as compared to the Seismosauras Trail. One drawback is that it has a cable-fenced, rather small parking area, where it may be difficult to turn around a rig. Parking is allowed on the widened sides of the graded road. You can also travel a few miles further and turn around at the Pipeline Road. This wilderness offers no water or other facilities. Very primitive. Most trails are cross country. Shoes or boots are recommended. Watch out for eroded areas, holes, and bottomless arroyos. Bring a GPS to go cross-country. Check out: www. americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/ojito/ wilderness
The best way to horse camp in the wilderness -- bring your horse and your friends -- leave your worries behind! Outfitters Arroyo takes the logistics
dilemma out of horse camping in the wilderness.
We set up your camp, furnish the kitchen, and provide you with comfy, secure tents to sleep in.
A
also provide you We with delicious meals, and feed for your horses.
No need to wonder about what, where and how. We will meet you at the trailhead and guide you to your wilderness camp.
Arroyo Outfitter’s lead guide is James Casaus who comes from four generations of New Mexican outdoors men and women. He guides in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness, and other backcountry areas. He has a deep love and respect of the land, and extensive survival skills. “I want to introduce people to what I love, the mountains, forests, and meadows of New Mexico. I take much of the worry out of horse camping. Let me put together a custom pack/camp for you, your family, and your friends.”
HORSE * RIDER * SKIER Red River Skijoring
*
January 14 & 15, 2017
Round up your posse and join the fun of this fast-paced, action-packed, extreme competitive sporting event! It doesn’t get much more western than this winter rodeo! Enter up as a competitor or join in the excitement as a spectator. Either way pardner, you’re sure to enjoy the competition and many other shindigs scheduled around this event!
www.RedRiverSkijoring.com For Lodging and Visitor Information Call 877-754-1708 or log on to www.RedRiver.org