R OCKY S PRINGS
Free Spring Issue 2015
H ORSE N EWS Q UARTERLY Vol. 2 No. 2
April 2015
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Story and photos by Cheryl L. Detamore, DVM For many people, “the most wonderful time of year” evokes the well-known classic Christmas song celebrating the holiday season. For horse lovers, it means foaling season! It’s been a long winter but an even longer wait for the muchanticipated debut of your new foal. As the arrival approaches, worry often replaces excitement. However, proper planning can alleviate the stress of uncertainty. Proper Health Care The average equine gestation period is 345 days, plus or minus two weeks, depending on the breed and climate in which the mare resides. Mares foaling in warmer climates or during warmer months tend to deliver early, although those due in colder months or climates are more likely to exceed their expected due date. Maiden mares, or first-time mothers, might deliver prematurely. Early in pregnancy, or at least 45 days before foaling, remove mares from fescue grass to prevent problems. Fescue toxicity in pregnant mare causes significant problems, including prolonged gestation, retained placenta, absence of milk and delivery of weak foals. Continue routine vaccinations based on your geographical recommendations. If your barn has several breeding females, heavy horse traffic or a history of abortion, vaccinate pregnant mares at five, seven and nine months of gestation for the abortogenic strain of equine herpes virus, or EHV-1, to protect against late-term abortions and birth defects. Don’t confuse this with immunization for rhinopneumonitis, or EHV-4, a different viral strain that causes respiratory and neurological disease in young and adult horses. Give all mares tetanus toxoid boosters six weeks before their due dates to protect them during and after delivery and to ensure that their colostrum contains adequate levels of antibodies to the disease. The organism that causes tetanus is actively secreted in horse manure and lives in the environment where horses are kept, making them extremely susceptible to the disease. Mares are particularly vulnerable at foaling time, especially in cases of prolonged labor, or when partially retained fetal membranes are allowed to contact the ground. Foals, meanwhile, are at risk of contracting tetanus through their navels.
You can safely treat mares for parasites throughout their pregnancies, and it’s recommended that you deworm pregnant mares six weeks before their expected due dates. This ensures that they’re in good condition at foaling and that their milk is free of parasites. Mares that have undergone Caslick’s procedures need special attention. In this minor surgical procedure, the upper portion of the vulva is sutured shut following breeding, allowing just enough space for the mare to urinate. It’s performed primarily in older mares with genital conformations that contribute to fecal contamination of their reproductive tracts. Without this procedure, many mares are unable to carry a pregnancy to term. In preparation for foaling, the veterinarian opens the vulva by cutting along the center where the tissue has been sewn together, while using local anesthesia. It’s also advisable to remove shoes, to prevent mares from injuring themselves during labor and from damaging their foals after delivery. Bare feet aren’t nearly as dangerous to delicate newborn flesh or as likely to cause fractures as those that are shod. Expectant mares should receive moderate exercise to maintain fitness, even in the last weeks of pregnancy. Daily exercise strengthens muscles, promotes circulation and prevents colic. Even though pregnancy and impending lactation increase nutritional demands, don’t allow mares to become sedentary and obese. Mares rarely suffer from obesity-related dystocia (difficult birth), but extra weight causes fatigue during delivery. Continued on page 8
2/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Contents
Rocky Springs HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY
Page 1 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Professional advice on foaling by Dr. Detamore
April 2015
3 Buying a Horse Advice from Rocky Springs Ranch
Vol. 2, No. 2
Publisher/Designer … Claudia Swisher Editor ………………. Joan Kibler
4 Dear Blue Rocky Springs HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY is published four times a year and is distributed on Issuu, Facebook and Twitter. Copies are free to the public. Contact the Publisher to have copies available at your place of business.
5 Therapeutic Riding 6 Eagles’ Wings 11 4–H Reports 12 Starting Over Fences 13 Classifieds, Photo Contest 14 Horse Rescue 15 Directory Local Equine Services
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HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/3 Tips on Buying a New Horse By Claudia Swisher, Publisher Most horse lovers can’t wait until springtime arrives. The sweet fragrances of flowering trees and spring flowers mingle with soft warm breezes, and riders want to a mount up and enjoy some quality time with their equine best friends. If you’re looking for a new equine companion to share those great moments with, there are many important considerations for a successful purchase. Don’t rush into it. Think about the breeds that are most suitable for you based on the type of riding you do. Ask your instructor or trainer what he or she suggests. If you are taking lessons at a reputable barn, they will not try to sell you a horse immediately; they will want you to be a good rider first. Don’t feel awkward about asking questions. You will learn something new every time you look at a horse. As you start trying out horses, keeping the following tips in mind. Have the owner or someone else ride the horse before you do. Watch him or her catch the horse, tie it, groom, tack it up, and lead it to a safe place to ride. If you don’t see the horse do what you want, then expect that the horse doesn’t do it. A few examples: the owner doesn’t tie the horse and says, “See how wonderful he is; you don’t have to tie him.” Or, the horse bucks or rears, and the owner responds with “Well, he’s never done that before.” Or, the owner rides with only a halter and no saddle and says, “See how good he is; you don’t even need a bridle or saddle to ride this horse.” Chances are the horse is not broke to tie, he does buck and rear, you can’t put a bit in his mouth, or his back is injured. The buyer must always beware! On the other hand, you may run into the owner who tells you everything he or she knows about the horse, including all its problems. While this owner may be far more honest than you expected, don’t overlook that horse. Realize that you may be getting a more accurate picture of the horse’s personality. Also realize that other horses you’ve looked at may have just as many faults; the owner either wasn’t telling you or didn’t know. Ask about the horse’s history and if you can talk to the previous owners for more information. Before you ride, run your hand up and down the neck groove on both sides to check for an IV mark to rule out that the horse has been drugged or had blood let to make it calmer. (Unfortunately, this happens more than you think.)
If the horse has done everything you expected and you really like it, then have your trainer or instructor go back with you to see if it will be a good match for you. They will usually charge a small fee to do this, but this charge be well worth it. If they like the horse and think it might work for you, then the last step is to have your veterinarian do a vet check. The vet check can be a simple or a complex checkup. If you only want a horse to ride on the weekends, then just a basic examination is fine. If you are going to do lots of work or show, then you will need a more extensive examination. Find out what your vet will charge in advance so you can plan that in your budget. A vet check may save you thousands of dollars and headaches and heartaches later. I also recommend using a different veterinarian than the one the seller uses, even if you are planning on using the same vet. A different vet may see something the horse’s regular vet might overlook because of his or her familiarity with the horse, or the vet might assume you are already aware of the issue. A vet check provides many benefits: it will let you know exactly what you are buying and how to best care for the horse – and it will help you decide if the horse can do what you want. When I sell a horse, I always ask the buyer to do a vet check. That way, everyone is aware of the condition of the horse before it leaves my place. If the person buys the horse and then something comes up later, we have proof that the problem was not there before the purchase. Remember, though, the veterinarian can only tell you what he or she sees the day the horse is examined. Never sign a pre-purchase contract until you have your instructor and a veterinarian do a pre-purchase exam. If the seller tells you that you must sign a contract first, walk away because he or she is trying to hide something and wants to make you buy the horse even if it is not right. Continued on page 10
4/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Dear Blue With help from Kim Meyers Hello Blue, I work at a schooling barn, and lately I have picked up a bad habit. I've taken to nipping my handlers, especially when they are not looking! I know this is annoying for them, and I truly want to be a good horse. What can my handlers do to help me break this bad habit? Sincerely, Biting the Hands That Feed Me Dear Biting, My goodness! That is a bad habit, buddy. I have also bitten my person, and she still remembers how it felt and is cautious when I am walking behind her. No worries, though. I think I can offer some suggestions for your handlers. First of all, do they feed you treats from their hands? If so, then that needs to stop. Once we horses figure out treats come from hands that tends to be all we think about when humans are around us. Biting seems, at the time, to be a way of letting our handlers know we want a treat, or don't like something they are doing, but really it is just an impulsive behavior, like throwing a temper tantrum. My person gave me several quick pops with her elbow when I bit her, and I decided right then, "No more biting!" Another suggestion would be for your handlers to look into different types of negative horse behavior and learn what the best action is to stop it, and then be consistent and quick with the consequences. You will be a much happier horse and companion if you learn good manners. Happy trails, Blue______________________________________________ Kim Meyers boards Blue at Rocky Springs and is a 4th grade teacher. If you have a question for Blue send it to him at talktothehorse2014@gmail.com or rsr.cswisher@gmail.com
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/5 Therapeutic Riding in the Northern Shenandoah Valley By Marjorie Youngs Spring is finally here! Volunteers and instructors for the Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship have been busy shedding out winter coats and cleaning and organizing tack and equipment in preparation for our eight-week spring session which started April 14. We are serving 23 students – children and adults – in our Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Learning (EFL) programs. *Therapeutic riding instruction includes grooming, handling and knowledge as well as mounted activities. *EFL emphasizes psycho-social learning through observation of and interaction with horses in mostly unmounted ground activities. In addition to our outstanding, versatile instructor, Babe Romine, we have hired a new, young and very capable instructor, Tiffany Neel. Both Babe and Tiffany are certified through the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, or PATH. This past winter, BRCTH held a Longaberger/Vera Bradley Bingo event in Berryville to raise funds to support our wonderful therapy horses. We had almost 100 attendees and were able to raise more than $3,000, in part to the hard work of many volunteers and the generous folks who donated items and services for the raffles. In early March, I attended the PATH Region 3 Conference in North Carolina. I took advantage of the many networking opportunities and was inspired by the work being done at centers throughout the region. I brought home many ideas about how to improve and diversify services at BRCTH, from programs designed to heal and enhance the lives of our war veterans, to ones designed to serve the unique needs of the elderly, particularly those with Alzheimer’s.
BRCTH held another fun Trail Obstacle Play Day on April 11 at Full Moon Ranch in Berryville. Despite the gusting winds that kept us busy trying to keep the obstacles from blowing over and away, it was a fantastic day. Riders of all ages and backgrounds came together to learn and challenge themselves and their horses. This summer, we will once again offer two weeks of our Fun with Horses, Adaptive Recreational Day Camp for children ages 7-12. The first will run from June 22-26 and the second from July 6-10. These camps combine riding, leadership and problem-solving activities – with the horses as the helpers, of course – and an art component. Camp runs from 9:00 to 12:30 each day. If you are interested in registration for camp or for our fall session which will begin in early September, contact me at 540-533-2777 or at brcthinc@hotmail.com. You can also contact us about volunteer opportunities and other ways you can contribute to supporting our mission. Look for information at our website, www.brcth.org, and on Facebook.
BRCTH recently welcomed new board member, Joan Kibler, a dedicated and resourceful volunteer who began working with BRCTH in spring 2014. She helps in many ways, including traveling to Lexington, Va., last October to support our student athletes at the annual Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia Horse Show. .
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Marjorie Youngs, M.Ed., is Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. She has been involved with therapeutic riding since 1987. She served as president of TRAV from 1998-2005 and started BRCTH in 2006.
6/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Eagles’ Wings: Girls learning about life, themselves and God through the love of horses Story and photos by Jeannie Ramsey Eagles’ Wings Educational Girls Home is a faith-based, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works with girls ages 1118 in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Located in Hedgesville, within Berkeley County, West Va., our reach goes throughout West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Since the late 1990s, Eagles’ Wings has focused on serving young girls through education and facilitation with the use of horses. Using biblical principles and teaching the horse language known as horse whispering, girls learn the art of effective communication. Girls learn a variety of life lessons about human interaction and behaviors by learning about horses and how they interact in the herd. Because horses are social herd animals, they have a pecking order. That same system plays out in society on virtually every level from the family dynamic to school and the work place. The pecking order constitutes respect, hard work, advancement, ability and submission to authority. Learning and developing much-needed life and communication skills allow girls to be more receptive to personal disciplines such as anger management, self-control, persistence, hard work and coming under authority. Girls also develop critical thinking skills, as well as conflict resolution and problem solving.
Horse whispering techniques are relevant to girls as they are challenged to recognize and work on negative behaviors and responses to everyday situations in their own lives with family members, friends, peers, teachers and other adults. Eagles’ Wings “But those who hope in the Lord intervention and will renew their strength. prevention They will soar on wings like eagles; services use they will run and not grow weary, creative learning they will walk and not grow faint.” approaches to Isaiah 40:31 empower youth to become successful. These enrichment programs have a nontraditional approach which helps promote self-evaluation of attitudes and behaviors and which encourages proper decision-making and critical thinking skills, as well as accountability and responsibility. These innovative, hands-on learning approaches with horses teach each girl to fulfill her role and purpose in life by becoming productive members of the community using all her talents and gifts. All programs are meant to bring our youth to a place of healing and restoration through horses and are of little or no cost to low-income families. Students may attend a variety of programs that teach different levels of communication, discipline, respect and awareness that are not necessarily taught in the home or in public schools. We offer several incredible programs as well as offer work scholarships and fundraising opportunities to help defray costs for parents and students. Registration is going on now.
Contact: 304-754-4414 www.eagleswingsgirls.org Facebook: Eagles’ Wings Girls & Horses
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jeannie Ramsey is Founder and Director of Eagles’ Wings, a ministry focused on preparing young girls for adulthood through horses and horse whispering techniques. Jeannie and her sister, Carol Watts, founded Eagles’ Wings 18 years ago.
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/7 Eagles’ Wings introduces new Show Series By Jeannie Ramsey Eagles’ Wings Show Series is an exciting special event for equine lovers of all disciplines: English, jumper, lead line, western, trail break and command, and speed classes. We believe in the eloquent beauty of horse and rider in all aspects. Our goal is to have an event that is stunning, incredible, competitive and challenging as well as fun! We are seeking competitors, spectators and vendors to come to this year’s events at the Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Show dates are May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. The event will feature excellent judges, an equine photographer, concessions and vendors. Vendor and exhibitor space is available for $50, and sponsorship and advertising packages are reasonable. Overnight accommodations are available for horses at the fairgrounds. We will host a semi-formal end-ofyear awards banquet for the top four in all divisions at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, West Va. Eagles Wings is a faith-based, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works with girls ages 11-18 using horse whispering techniques to teach life, critical thinking and comprehensive communication skills. This show series will help in expanding services and scholarships. We need all the help we can get to be a successful series, and we encourage you to spread the word to other horse organizations, clubs and enthusiasts. Please help us be successful! For more information, call 304-754-4414 http://www.eagleswingsgirls.org/#!eagleswingsshowseries2015/c1wsg
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jeannie Ramsey is Founder and Director of Eagles’ Wings, a ministry focused on preparing young girls for adulthood through horses and horse whispering techniques. Jeannie and her sister, Carol Watts, founded Eagles’ Wings 18 years ago.
8/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Continued from page 1 Comfortable Accommodations Mares can safely foal in a variety of locations, but it’s imperative that they become accustomed to their birthing location at least two weeks in advance. In mild climates and during warm months, turned-out expectant mares can comfortably foal on grass. However, in extreme weather, move them to an alternate area. Avoid placing late-term mares in expansive areas where they aren’t easily observed. Small paddocks or pastures are ideal. If the mare is pastured but expected to foal inside, bring her in at night for the last few weeks of her pregnancy to introduce her to the new accommodations. Fencing should consist of some type of flank – avoid mesh and barbed wire. Follow the same fencing guidelines when preparing turnout areas for mothers and their babies. Bear in mind that it’s difficult for foals, with their immature vision, to decipher mesh, even that constructed of small weave. Additionally, young foals might fatigue or injure themselves trying to keep pace with their dams in large areas, so keep them in a more manageable location.
Proper ventilation ensures the respiratory health of mothers and foals. The lower levels of foaling stalls should be draft free, with adequate air exchange above. Stalls with open tops or constructed from bars are generally well ventilated but might not offer enough warmth in colder climates. Cold areas might require completely enclosed foaling stalls. Adequate barn and stall lighting allows you to observe expectant mares. Ideally, provide sufficient light to watch mares without disturbing their rest. Most importantly, ensure that enough light is available to work in emergency situations. Straw is the best bedding for foaling stalls. Avoid sawdust and shavings because they’re dusty and can lead to respiratory disease in foals. They also tend to stick to moist surfaces, which can contribute to reproductive infections in postpartum mares. Wood bedding also is associated with higher ammonia levels in barns. If mares are ordinarily bedded on shavings or sawdust, change to straw a few weeks in advance to allow time to acclimate.
The ideal foaling stall is at least 12 by 16 feet – the roomier the better. Mares need enough room to safely turn and roll without injuring themselves or becoming cast during the initial stage of labor. The stall should have sufficient room for attendants or the veterinarian to work in emergency situations. At the same time, a larger stall allows new foals room to romp and play without injuring themselves. Solid walls with no holes or loose boards are safest. Don’t leave space between planks or under the bottoms of walls or doors. Check carefully for nails or any other protruding objects. Water and feed sources are safest at ground level, as foals can get caught in buckets or tubs hung on walls.
Before switching back after delivery, allow another few weeks for the risk of health-related complications to subside. And remember to provide mares plenty of hay on which to nibble to prevent them from eating their bedding. Don’t bed stalls too deeply, or it might be difficult for wobbly foals to stand. Avoid stall mats when possible because they’re slippery when wet. If permanently installed, cover them with a thin layer of sawdust for traction before covering with straw. In areas where temperatures fall below freezing, heat lamps are often necessary additions. To optimize their use, place them in stalls with ceilings to help prevent the heat from escaping. Focus the light into the corner nearest the lamp rather than trying to scatter it over the entire space. This produces a cozy area for the occupants, while still allowing them to escape the heat. Always exercise caution with any heat source. Specifically, make sure horses can’t chew on the cords. Continued on page 9
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/9 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Continued from page 8 Foaling Detection Fortunately, there are a number of devices on the market today aimed at predicting foaling. They include surveillance cameras designed to observe expectant mares in foaling stalls and throughout the barn and paddock areas. The systems consist of closed-circuit video cameras connected to a television or computer, allowing horse owners or foaling attendants to watch for signs of impending labor in mares without directly observing them. Monitors that connect to halters can detect restless movement or whether the mare is lying down, while others respond to changes in skin moisture. Vaginal monitors are inserted directly into the vagina or sewn into the vulva to detect contractions. Exercise caution with these types, though, as they can lead to vaginal and rectal lacerations once the foal’s feet have entered the birth canal. Never rely heavily on any of these devices as primary indicators of foaling because they’re often misleading and provide a false sense of security. Nothing replaces good, old-fashioned observation. Calling for Help One of the most difficult aspects of foaling is knowing when to call the veterinarian because every birth is ultimately unique. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain that you can handle the situation, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian. Many horse owners experience anxiety about having their veterinarian make “wasted” trips, but any equine practitioner would rather take time out of a busy day to find a healthy mare and foal than to face a situation that’s escalated into a dismal prognosis. Give your veterinarian a list of foaling dates and potential problems ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to have a competent back-up veterinarian if yours is unavailable. Keep phone numbers and contact information convenient at all times. And in case of emergency, be prepared to provide details when the veterinarian arrives. Normal Foaling Stages The first stage of labor can last up to eight hours. During this time, the mare experiences contractions as the foal moves
into position for delivery. If this stage lasts longer or seems more violent than expected, call your veterinarian immediately. The second stage of labor begins when the mare’s water breaks and usually lasts only about a half hour before the foal is delivered. After the allantoic fluid escapes, the foal’s front feet should appear within a few minutes. One foot should be farther forward, with the nose resting on top of the legs. If the foal doesn’t present normally, or if more than 45 minutes has elapsed, seek immediate help. When they initially appear, the foal’s feet will most likely still be encased in the amniotic membrane, which should rupture as the foal advances. If the membrane appears overly thickened, or if the foal is enclosed in a bright red sac, the sac must be opened immediately with blunt scissors. During a red-bad delivery, the placenta prematurely separates from the uterus before the foal is delivered. If not opened immediately, the foal will suffocate. In this case, there’s no time to wait for your veterinarian to arrive. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect any abnormality. Remember that harm can be inflicted by either action or inaction. Being prepared can’t ensure that foaling will proceed without incident, but it sure helps when circumstances take an unexpected turn.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cheryl L. Detamore, DVM, has practiced equine integrative medicine in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia for more than 16 years. She now resides in Winona, Kan. Learn more about her product line at www.MeliHeal.com, and follow her blog at www.horsedoctales.wordpress.com.
10/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Tips on Buying a New Horse Continued from page 3 If the seller does not want you to take the time to have your trainer come nor to do a vet check, then move to the next horse. There is a reason the seller doesn’t want a professional to look at the horse. The owner might give you the hard sell: “Well, I have someone coming tomorrow, and this horse may not be here for you later,” or “I really need the cash right away because of --- some hard luck story.” In that case, run – don’t walk to the car and leave! You don’t want to buy from someone trying to force you into a snap decision before you have time to think about it. In the equine market today, there are many horses for sale and lots of free ones, too. The economy has forced owners thoroughly as if they were for sale, and read all the fine print and dealers to move horses. There are good and reputable in the contract or adoption agreement. dealers and owners out there trying to sell horses and some that may not be as good or as trustworthy. Remember they The right horse is out there. Be prepared, be well advised, be are all trying to sell that horse. The more expensive horse may safe, ask questions and have fun. Use your head and not your be a wreck waiting to happen, or it might be a real bargain heart – for you and the horse’s sake. when it comes to safety and the horse’s training. Look at free horses and rescue horses as well. Check them just as Now go out there and start your search! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Claudia J. Swisher is the founder of Balanced Awareness Horsemanship and owner of Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. She is also the Publisher of the HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY. Join her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch
Visit the Double J Stables and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/doublejstablesllc
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/11 4 – H News Report Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club stays active in all seasons
By Rose McDonald Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club just ended our knowledge season, and we are headed into our riding season, which means preparing our members for competitions, Southern Regionals and the State Horse Show. Among our current and planned events:
We started a club project on Horsemanship. Our members are completing project books. We occasionally meet at the 4-H arena to assist members in learning about horses as they complete their projects. We prepared for the Tack Swap on April 25. We had a concession stand during Apple Blossom to raise money to support our members headed to Southern Regional 4-H Horse Show in Georgia in July. And we are deep into preparation for the Northern District Horse Show in May. Many sponsors are needed to make this show a success. We must pay for two judges, ribbons, trophies, food for the concessions, and other expenses. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact me at horsemomrose@yahoo.com. We appreciate any and all support. Even the smallest amounts add up, and all contributions help our youth.
Just last month, many of our members participated in Horse Judging, Hippology and Horse Bowl competitions during the Virginia Horse Festival in Doswell, Va. Our Horse Judging Team finished its year at the State Horse Judging Contest. Our junior two-man team consisted of Katie Sharp and Mila Jelnic. This was Mila's first year joining our team. Katie placed multiple times, and the biggest accomplishment was winning the oral reasons phase of Horse Judging. Katie will now advance to the senior team. Our Senior Judging Team A placed first overall. This team consisted of Morgan Strickler, Camryn Madagan and Alina Hackney, with Morgan winning high individual overall. Team B – with Emily Bucklew and Taylor Gardner – had multiple 10 placings.
Our members took multiple awards in several categories, and we are pleased that Morgan and Camryn have both been offered places on the Virginia State Horse Judging Team. Team members appreciate the extraordinary efforts of Coach Hannah McDonald who helped them reach their goals. And we wish her luck as she continues to compete with the Virginia Tech Horse Judging Team. We are proud of our teams’ efforts in the Hippology and Horse Bowl competitions as well. Again, we had many new members, and our senior teams experienced their first senior State Championship Contest. They endured many practices and contests. In Hippology, the juniors completed as individuals. Out of 64 contestants, Katie placed sixth and Mila, twenty-third. Senior Hippology consisted of Team A with Camryn, Morgan and Alina, and Team B with Emily and Taylor. They had both individual and team placements. And in the Horse Bowl, the junior team took first place overall and the senior team took sixth overall. Our congratulations to the teams and to Coach Faye Strickler for leading these young ladies to much success. For dates of our activities visit the Community Calendar on the last page of this issue of the HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY. If you wish to enroll as a member or a volunteer, please contact: Rose McDonald: 540-877-4935 horsemomrose@yahoo.com Faye Strickler: 540-533-7029 lfstrickler@ihmcloans.com We have clinics and other activities planned for later in the summer. Check us out on Facebook.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rose McDonald has been a 4-H volunteer for 15 years and has been a leader with Golden Horseshoe since 2005. She holds several leadership positions in District and State 4-H horse organizations, as well as volunteering with other local groups. Faye Strickler is co-leader of Golden Horseshoe and has been a 4-H volunteer since 2008.
12/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Starting Your Horses over Fences By Susan Murch Editor’ Note: One of the most thrilling equestrian events is jumping. It’s poetry in motion for both horse and rider. If you want to get your horse ready for jumping, preparing him to go over poles and cavaletti is an important start. This article describes those initial steps. Recognize that these steps are progressive, and they may take weeks or even months to accomplish smoothly. Each horse and rider bring different levels of experiences to this training exercise. Starting your horse over fences is not difficult, but it takes time, patience and common sense. First, the horse should be well schooled on the flat. He should have a good understanding of the aids, be able to calmly do transitions at all three gaits, and have a good stop. You will need a good helmet and proper footwear. Your horse will need a well-fitted bridle and a saddle with tendency toward jumping. A ground person to help is also a good idea. A quiet place to school your horse with good footing is a must. You will need eight wooden poles, 6-8 inches in diameter, 1012 feet long and some type of standards. You will need two pairs of wings or standards to start and more poles and standards as you move up in your training. Warm your horse up quietly with walk, trot and canter transitions on a long rein for about 15-20 minutes. Assuming your horse has worked over trot poles or cavaletti, you can start with your first jumping exercise. If your horse has not been over poles, you will need to practice just walking, then trotting over one pole; then go over two, then three poles until your horse is comfortable with that.
Once you’ve accomplished this, you can add another crossbar 24 feet beyond the first and repeat your exercise with the poles and two crossbars. When this seems easy for both of you, instead of stopping at the end, alternate with a canter circle left and then right. At this point, you are trotting the poles and crossbars. After landing at the second one, ask for canter right; do a canter circle then go back to a trot. Approach the grid again, trot the poles and crossbars, then land and canter left circle. Transition to halt. Repeat four to six times. From here, you can move up to small straight fences, 18-24 inches high. The most important parts of this exercise are the straightness, transitions and circles; the jumping and timing will improve with practice. Do not be in a hurry to jump higher. It is easy to jump high, but it takes talent to jump well. Going too high too soon will create an anxious horse and probably ruin his outlook so keep it easy and fun. You will need good instruction to move up, so find a reputable instructor who thinks safety and common sense first as well as appreciates good flat work.
You will set up a crossbar by just placing the poles together on the ground between a pair of standards, nine feet out. Set three trot poles spaced comfortably for the horse to trot through. Go through this at the walk, picking up a half seat as you approach the poles. Let your horse go through. If he walks through calmly, trot through, stopping about 30 feet from the pole fence. Look back to see if you are in a straight line from the center of the grid. Repeat the exercise 10-12 times. If all goes well, make the pole fence into a crossbar and repeat the trot exercise. If your horse becomes excited with the fence, walk over it even if you have to get off and lead him. He will gain confidence this way. Try again; after a few attempts, he should understand your expectation. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Susan Murch, an FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) instructor, has trained and instructed jumper, hunter and Dressage riders for 4-H and open showing. She is from Maine and has been teaching for more than30 years. Contact her at 304 856 2976.
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/13 Community Equine Free Classified Listing Saddles
For Sale
Thorowgood all-purpose saddle - complete with fittings and pad. 16-1/2" seat. Good for hunting, trail, jumping and flat work. Very good condition. Asking $250. (304) 856-2976
Stubben English saddle, good condition - $550
Double T western youth silver show saddle - 13“ light oil & black seat, great condition - $300 or BO. (540) 858-3090
Western Bridle In excellent condition - $75
Engish jumping saddle - NICE brand in very good condition. 17 ½ “ wide bars. $275 or BO. (540) 858-3090 Western Saddle - trail 16” good condition $275 or BO.. (540) 858-3090
Big Horn 15” Western Saddle, good condition - $400
2011 Ford Expedition , excellent condition - $25,000 2002 Big Valley 2 horse trailer, good condition - $1,550 For more information on the above items: Call Kay Hallett at (703) 795-0740
Tractors 2001 John Deere 790 tractor, like new with only 119 hours on it. Really Nice John Deere 30 HP, 3 cylinder diesel 790 Series Tractor with manual transmission, 3 point hitch, pto. Well maintained and everything works like it should, tires are original and in great shape. Cranks in cold weather instantly and includes a 6ft. 3 year old County Line 72 inch Finishing Mower. $9,500 Call (304) 724-7723 Pickups Selling a nice 1994 Ford F350 7.3 IDI 8Cyl Turbo Diesel RWD Dually with 215K miles. Truck comes with a matching camper shell, bed liner and an extra chrome bumper. Asking $7500 or best reasonable offer. Please call 304-724-7723 Selling 1997 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Toyota FZJ80 Land Cruiser 4WD (No Differ. Lockers), 210K miles. Reliable 4.5L in-line 6 cylinder automatic and all time - all wheel drive w/ high and low. Asking $6500 or BO. 304 724 7723 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Photo Contest Horse Crazy! Horse enthusiasts are touched by their equine friends in so many ways. They bring joy to our hearts, tears to our eyes, contentment to our souls – and sometimes they make us laugh. Horse News Quarterly wants to see funny pictures of your horses. Get out your cameras and start snapping. Send a high resolution photograph, as a separate attachment, to rsr.cswisher@gmail.com. Include a funny caption in the body of the email since the photograph should not be altered. Include the photographer’s name and contact information. When we go to press for the July issue, we will narrow the field to the top 10 and pick the winner. The winner will receive a free Leather halter from Rocky Springs Tack Shop. Submissions are due June 30. In the spirit of the Triple Crown, GO BABY GO!
Here’s an example: On Guard: My older brother wouldn’t have to sleep all day if he’d stopped running with the fillies at night!
14/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY SVERN seeks volunteers for horse rescue By Cheryl Sparrow Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation for unwanted, abandoned, neglected, abused and malnourished horses while educating the public in equine rescue and all aspects of horse ownership and care. Based near Winchester, Va., SVERN serves the entire Shenandoah Valley. Thank you to all who supported our cash party. It was a huge success and provides funding for some of the many expenses needed for the horses in our care.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with feeding and care of our horses. Please contact the rescue at 540-247-4747 or info@SVERN.org if you are interested in becoming a horse care volunteer. If you don’t have prior experience, we will train and help you learn all you need to know. Our spring clean-up date was April 26 from. We can always use many to help with a variety of projects large and small. Please consider using your talents and time to help us.
We will also have a volunteer picnic and open house at our facility on June 20 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about horse rescue, this is a great opportunity to meet our volunteers and our horses and to see our facility.
Congratulations Felix and Gruff! They have been adopted to their forever home with Becky Hoover. She will provide them with a lifetime of much-deserved love and care. They already light up each other’s lives!
We would love to have you visit us on our Facebook page and like us.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cheryl Sparrow is president of SVERN and a resident of Frederick County.
HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY/15 Directory for Services and Businesses Blanket Cleaning & Repairs Rocky Springs Blanket repairs & cleaning
540 858 3090
Boarding Double J Stables – Full care boarding 540 869 7770 388 Vaucluse Rd. www.facebook.com/doublejstablesllc Stephens City, VA 22655 Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. Full care boarding 540 858 3090 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Clubs &Non Profit Organizations Golden Horseshoe 4-H Frederick County,VA 540 877 4935 www.goldenhorseshoe4h.com Stars and Spurs 4-H Club
Warren County, VA
Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network 501-c3 nonprofit assisting equines in the area
540 622 0390 540 247 4747 www.svern.org
Farriers Sue's Farrier Service – BWFA Certified Farrier 703 401 7683 Correct shoeing & trimming for balance and performance. HappyHorses1@comcast.net Feed & Supply Stores Southern States -Winchester Cooperative 447 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601 Hay Suppliers James Michaels - Timothy hay square bales Delivery available/ear corn for sale as well. Horse and Barn Sitter services Horsey Helpers- Cathy Schultz www.horseyhelpers.com Heating * Cooling * Water Services Kangen Water Units – Making your water better www.wateriam.com The Gas Store - Your Hearth Connection 234 Weems Lane, Winchester, VA 22601 www.Gasstoreinc.com
540 662 0375
304 258 5277 540 533 2777 703 314 4961
540 335 1919 540 325 9756 540 665 1833
Saddle Fitting and Repairs Rocky Springs Tack Shop - Claudia Swisher 540 858 3090 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Tack Shops & Saddlery Rocky Springs Tack Shop – Repairs/fitting/sales 540 858 3090 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Wild Bill’s Western & English Things 540 869 4430 Western and English tack and horse care, boots, accessories and clothing for the whole family. 4541 Valley Pike, Stephens City, VA Tack Repairs Rocky Springs Tack Shop/ 20 years experience 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA 22637 Therapeutic Riding Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship BRCTH Trailer Sales and Services W. F. Artrip & Son Trailers 1726 Front Royal Pike, Winchester VA 22602 www.artriptrailers.com Training Team Barlow
540 858 3090
540 533 2777 www.brcth.org
540 662 5028
540 869 7271 www.teambarlowperformancehorses.com
Veterinary Services Cheryl Detamore, DVM - Phone Consultations Meliheal creator-Healing Salve for Equines/Canines www.meliheal.com
785 846 7404
Hackwood Equine, Inc- Valerie L. Babcock, DVM 540 662 1662 Equine Veterinary Services Mobile www.hackwoodequine.com
Instruction/Riding Lessons/Academies Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC Balanced Awareness TM 540 858 3090 Lessons- Western, English, Dressage, Hunter – beginners/advanced 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore,VA 22637 www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Susan Murch – Dressage / hunter / show prep
Physicians / Chiropractors /Physical Therapy Cheff Chiropratic Care 540 459 3900 118 Fairground Rd Woodstock, VA 22664 www.cheffchiro.com
304 856 2976
Mountain State Equine & Large Animal, PLLC 304 856 3010 Fred D. Minazzoli, MS, DVM www.msequine.com Schay Swope DVM – Mobile Equine Veterinary Services schswope@gmail.com www.facebook.com/schswope
304 283 7421
Massage Therapy Hope O'Toole-Certified Equine/Canine Massage 304 897 7073 PO Box 40 Baker,WV 26801 540 878 8060 donkeymomhope@gmail.com
__________________________________________________ Healing Hands for the Horse, L.L.C.- Nell Kushlak Certified Equine Massage nell@healinghandsforthehorse.com
540 931 3440
If you are interested in being listed in the Directory, please contact us at 540 858 3090 or email rsr.cswisher@gmail.com
16/HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY Shenandoah Community Calendar May
14 – Golden Horseshoe 4-H meeting, 6 p.m., 4-H Arena, Frederick County Fairgrounds 14 - 17 – Potomac Highlands 4-H Horse Club Horse Camp; find them on Facebook 14 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 16 – Northern District 4-H Qualifying and Open Horse Show, 9 a.m., Frederick County Fairgrounds 16 – Eagles’ Wings Show Series, Berkeley County Fairgrounds; call 304 754 4414 16 – 4-H Horsemanship Skills Testing, Golden Horseshoe 17 – Rocky Springs Ranch Members Trail Ride and cook out, 4 p.m. 23 – Rocky Springs Ranch Spring Warm-Up Clinic, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (getting your horse and yourself on a good program for the year ahead; learning to gauge your horse’s ability and yourself) 28 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 31 – Cowboy Dressage practice, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Rocky Springs Ranch; call 540 858 3090
June
11 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 20 – Eagles’ Wings Show Series, Berkeley County Fairgrounds; call 304 754 4414 22 - 26 - Children’s horse camp; all levels will be combined this year; Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; contact Rocky Springs Ranch, 540 858 3090 22 - 26 – Fun with Horses day Camp, Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship; 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; ages 7 - 12 25 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 27 – Gainesboro Yard Party 27 – Rocky Springs Ranch Members Activity Trail Ride and cook out, 4 p.m. 28 – Cowboy Dressage practice, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Rocky Springs Ranch; call 540 858 3090
July
6 - 10 – Fun with Horses Day Camp, Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship; 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; ages 7 - 12 9 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 18 – Prepare at 12:00, Rocky Springs Ranch Members Activity River Ride; call 540 858 3090 18 – Eagles’ Wings Show Series, Berkeley County Fairgrounds; call 304 754 4414 23 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 25 – Frederick County Fair Open Horse Show, 9 a.m., Frederick County Fairgrounds 26 – Cowboy Dressage practice, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Rocky Springs Ranch; call 540 858 3090
Aug.
6 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 8 – Rocky Springs Ranch Members Activity Trail Ride, 6 p.m., and ice cream social, 7:30 p.m. 20 – Maple Hill Arena Buckle Series Speed Shop; call Alison DeHaven, 540 336 3170 22 – Eagles’ Wings Show Series, Berkeley County Fairgrounds; call 304 754 4414
Please send us your activity or event. We are happy to add it to the calendar, but you MUST let us know by sending an email to rsr.cswisher@gmail.com or you can mail it to Claudia Swisher, Rocky Springs Ranch, 116 Pinetop Rd., Gore VA 22637.