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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 3
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4 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
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To find a Purina dealer near you, visit: horse.purinamills.com Steinhauser’s
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December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 5
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK At Year’s End Let’s Give to the Organizations That Give So Much to Animals Charitable giving is part of what the Christmas Season is all about, even if we’re just giving to an animal organization. There are a slew of animal charities out there that sorely need By Steven Long your help. Unlike the big ones like United Way beneficiaries, we don’t know of a single animal related charity that doesn’t struggle at some point, in some way or another. Let’s face it, these charities are out of the mainstream when it comes to gaining the easy pickings of revenue. Unlike organizations with broad appeal, the non-profits that reach the hearts of many Horseback readers draw from a very limited universe, a small number of Americans who are passionate about animals – and passionate enough to dip into their pocketbooks to help those in need. Much needed funds simply don’t fall from a tree to be scooped up by opportunistic fund raisers. That is precisely why if you are a horse owner, dog or cat owner, make your living from horse owners, or are just a lover of all things equestrian, it is a must that you do your part to keep our non-profits alive. Two million of us own horses. Millions more own other pets. Just think of what would happen if each of us dipped into our pockets to save pets in need? The horse industry has a direct economic effect in the U.S. of $39 billion annually. Horses have an overall impact of $102 billion on the U.S. economy That is significant. When the multiplier effect of spending by industry suppliers, and employees is taken into account. Including off-site spending by spectators at events, the number is staggering. Aside from those of us who own horses, there are 71.4 million homes in the United States that have pets which means that well over two thirds of our citizens love and want pets. What does this say about seasonal giving? It says a lot. With that many of us, and that kind of commitment to the animals that bless our lives, we can each reach into our pockets and donate to the charity of our choice. So if you own a horse, cat, dog, goat donkey, etc. give back to those who support the animal that has given you so much pleasure. Reach out to your favorite organization and ask them what they need, whether it is a cash donation or in kind giving. We assure you, it’s most welcome. From our Horseback Magazine family to you and yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We have so appreciated your support.
On the Cover:
This Holiday Season Consider Adopting!
6 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
December 2014
Cover Story: 22 Charitable Giving - Jaime Jackson
Lifestyle & Real Estate: 14 34 36 44 46
Gift Guide Marketplace The Rescue Option - Vic Schoonover For Piper - Diane Holt Real Estate Roundup Acquiring Equipment - Texas Farm Credit
Columns: 8 Horse Bites 12 The Right Horse - Linda Parelli 20 Tack Talk - Lew Pewterbaugh 40 Hoof N’ Horse - Jaime Jackson 50 On the English Front - Cathy Strobel 54 Cowboy Corner - Jim Hubbard
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jim Hubbard, Steven Long, Vicki Long, Roni Norquist, Pat Parelli, Kelsey Hellmann, Lew Pewterbaugh, Cathy Strobel, Cory Johnson, Margaret Pirtle, Jaime Jackson Volume 21, No. 12 Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397, (281) 447-0772. The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted December 2014 by Horseback Magazine. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Horseback Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Horseback Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management. Subscription rate is $25.00 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Horseback Magazine, P.O. Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268-1397. Fax: (281) 893-1029
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December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 7
High Society Bombshell: Julep Ball Cancelled Uof L James Graham Brown Cancer Center discontinues the Event LOUISVILLE, Ky (U of Louisville) – The University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center announced it will discontinue The Julep Ball. The gala has been held annually on the evening before the Kentucky Derby since 2009. “While The Julep Ball has over the course of its history provided great visibility for the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and a wonderful venue for us to thank our supporters, the resources necessary to stage a quality event have grown too great to make it successful as a significant fund-raising effort,” said Michael Neumann, executive director of development for the cancer center. “We have always worked to make The Julep Ball much more than simply an enjoyable evening for our patrons; it has become the singular premiere Derby Eve ‘Party with a Purpose,’” Neumann said. “Maintaining the standards of quality that we have set for ourselves has required more and more resources, particularly manpower, each year. This means we have to divert those resources away from other projects and activities equally important to our mission to provide world-class clinical care, education and research in the field of cancer.” Neumann added that The Julep Ball and its predecessor, the Mint Jubilee, have generated over $1.5 million over the past decade to support the work of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. However, the resource requirements involved in attracting celebrity guests and providing top-
8 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
provide assistance to those in need. Shannon Hall Cutting Horses, “Horse Bites is compiled from Comanche, Okla.; Daube Cattle Press Releases sent to Horseback Co., Ardmore, Okla.; and Gardiner Magazine. Original reporting is Angus Ranch, Ashland, Kan., will done as circumstances warrant. Content is edited for length & style.” offer a tremendous cutting horse mare, Little Lindas Dually, who sells as Lot 3087, Preferred Breeders Sale, Session 1, December 11. quality entertainment, food and One-hundred percent of drink in a gala setting have continthe proceeds from the sale of Little ued to grow as other Derby Week Lindas Dually will be donated to the events have mushroomed. WRCF. (View Little Lindas Dually’s “When we began more than catalog entry here.) a decade ago, the field of Derby Little Lindas Dually (Dual Week parties was quite limited,” he Pep X Smart Little Linda) has earned said. “We believe that our success her place in the cutting horse world encouraged and even helped give with a stellar pedigree of proven, high birth to other parties organized by stakes winners. She sells bred to the individuals and groups who do not 2011 Open World Champion, Bet have the mission we do and with Hesa Cat, the only stallion from a whom The Julep Ball now competes.” High Brow Cat X Bet Yer Blue Boons Events organized by others in support mating. The Bet Hesa Cat breedof the cancer center will continue ing was donated by Austin Shepard, to receive assistance from university Shepard Cutting Horses, Summerfaculty and staff, he said. Art to Beat dale, Ala. Cancer is traditionally held each fall This worthy cause offers an and will be held Nov. 21 from 5:30opportunity to purchase a tremen9:30 p.m. at the Green Building, dous cutting horse mare bred to one 732 E. Market St. The Twisted Pink of the most important stallions in a Masquerade Ball supports metastatic generation while partnering up to breast cancer research at the cancer benefit the WRCF. center and will be held Feb. 7, 2015, The Working Ranch Cowat The Gillespie, 421 W. Market St. boys Association (WRCA) was Hats for Hope traditionally kicks off founded in 1995 to promote ranchthe Derby season and will be held ing on a national level and preserve April 16, 2015, at the Triple Crown the lifestyle of the ranch cowboy. PreConference Center. serving that lifestyle means reaching “We look forward to continu- out to those in need during difficult ing to support these events in every times. Aspiring doctors, veterinarway we can, and explore new events ians, teachers, and ranch managers proposed by our supporters,” Neuof tomorrow often need assistance. mann said. Cowboys and their families often He added that the university do not have the benefits of health has retained ownership of the name insurance or workers compensation and brand of The Julep Ball. and need assistance making ends “The Julep Ball grew to meet when disease, injury or hardship become a wonderfully festive Derby strike. Eve gala, and for that, we thank each In 2001, WRCA formed of the many volunteers over the years the WRCF, a 501(c)(3) organizawho helped it thrive,” Neumann said. tion, honored to help hard working “We hope they continue to support cowboys and their immediate famthe James Graham Brown Cancer ily members. Each year, the WRCF Center in the months and years to awards scholarships and assists come.” numerous families through the Crisis Fund. The WRCA/WRCF is nearing the 2 million dollar in assistance to the working ranch cowboy and Three Ranches “Partner Up” for their immediate family for continued Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation education and crisis situations. For more information about AMARILLO, (WRCF) – Three the WRCA and the WRCF, visit ranching families are “partnering up” www.wrca.org. to benefit the Working Ranch CowFor more information about boys Foundation (WRCF) in support Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 10 of efforts to fund scholarships and www.horsebackmagazine.com
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December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 9
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Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 8
how the Adequan Global Dressage Festival has grown since its inception and I look forward to its continued success this season,” stated ESP CEO Mark Bellissimo. “With the support of Adequan and the many other dedicated sponsors at AGDF, we have worked from the beginning to inspire the sport of dressage in America and take it to the next level. Each year brings further evolution, and we look forward to watching the incredible competition that unfolds during this year’s event.” The winter season is quickly approaching as AGDF prepares to welcome many of the world’s top horses and riders to the beautiful dressage facility at The Stadium at PBIEC. International competition includes four CDI-W rated shows, a CDI 4*, a CDI 5*, and the Western Hemisphere’s only non-championship CDIO, which is also part of the FEI Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 38
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December 2014 •
R U R A L
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 11
L E N D E R
Which Horse Is Right For You? By Linda Parelli
T
here are lots of ways to acquire a new horse – buy one, receive one as a gift, adopt, or rescue. But no matter where or how you get your horse, going into it with your eyes open is the most important factor. Making good decisions about the type of horse that matches your goals, skills, experience, and personality is key to a long and happy relationship. One of the elements I put a lot of stock into is Horsenality. This is ‘personality-typing for horses,’ and it helps you identify the natural character of a horse and where their aptitude lies. With this model, we look at whether a horse is extroverted (more “go”) or introverted (more “whoa”), and left-brained (self-confident) or right-brained (more insecure). Left-brained horses tend to be more confident, pushy, and occasionally argumentative, while right-brained horses are more naturally obedient and look for leadership. This means there are two kinds of extroverts: • Left-Brain Extroverts (LBE): These horses like to move, and are confident and playful. • Right-Brain Extroverts (RBE): These horses like to move,
have a lot of energy, and can be spooky. … and two kinds of introverts: • Left-Brain Introverts (LBI): These horses prefer to go slow, and are confident and laid back. • Right-Brain Introverts (RBI): These horses prefer lowpressure environments, are a little reserved, and need security. On top of all this is the horse’s spirit level, which can be low, medium or high. Think of spirit as an amplifier; it amplifies the good and the not-so-good tendencies in your horse. That’s why it’s important to know your horse’s Horsenality, so you can recognize these characteristics and bring out the best in him. While good training and development can get any Horsenality to do any job or sport, your horse’s in-born character gives him certain aptitudes (things he is naturally more suited to do). Here’s a quick guide to common aptitudes, based on Horsenality.
Left-Brain Extrovert Jumping, eventing, reined cow horse, cutting
Right-Brain Extrovert Endurance
Left-Brain Introvert Trail riding, team penning, sorting
Right-Brain Introvert Kids’ horse, therapeutic riding, dressage, reining
It’s important to note that the breed adds another layer to your selection process and success. For thousands of years, horses have been carefully selected and bred by humans in order to genetically specialize them for their needs. Just remember that, no matter the breed, horses still have their individual Horsenalities and spirit levels. It’s hard to keep emotions out of the equation, because love at first sight often applies. Here’s a checklist to get you started and ensure that you’re looking in the right direction. Pretty is as pretty does, but don’t just go for looks!
12 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
Start With Your Goals In Mind Knowing what you want to do with your horse is a good place to start. Some people want to have nice, relaxing trail rides, but end up with a highly bred, high-spirited horse that wants to do everything but walk casually down a trail. This kind of mismatch is destined for frustration, disaster, and divorce from your horse! Find out what you can about your horse’s past – the more information you have to consider, the better.
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Highland (pictured left) is one of Linda’s newer partners - a highly bred, high-spirited Holsteiner warmblood and an extremely talented jumper. He was destined for the scrap heap before Linda brought him to the USA. Photo by Maree Stewart
THE GOAL
HORSE
SPIRIT
HORSENALITY
Relaxing trail rides
Choose a horse that is not too tall and has smooth gaits.
Low to Medium This kind of horse enjoys lowpressure activities.
Left-Brain Introvert (Could also be on the cusp of LBE and RBI). LBIs enjoy being out of the arena and going places, and are usually not very spooky or easily excitable.
Ideal breeds: • Gaited Horses • Quarter Horse • Paint • Cross breeds • Mustang
Recreational activities
Any breed; preferably not a difficult horse.
Low to Medium
Any Horsenality
Horsemanship Studies
Any breed; select according to your level of skill and experience.
Low, Medium or High Again, select according to your level of skill and experience.
Any Horsenality
Sports & Competition
Select the breed according the sport you wish to pursue.
Select the appropriate spirit according to the level of the sport you’re aiming for. For example, low/medium spirit for local and regional competition, and high spirit for national and international competition.
Choose the Horsenality according to the aptitude chart above.
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Older horses, small to medium size, with smooth gaits.
Low to Medium
Right-Brain Introvert
During your selection process, make sure you watch the horse being handled and ridden, then do it yourself so you get to feel and know a little about the horse. It’s a great idea to take an experienced horseman with you too; of course, I’d recommend one of our licensed Parelli Professionals.
Once you’ve selected the horse, and BEFORE you make your final decision, I strongly advise you to fill out a Horsenality & Humanality Match Report. By answering a quick but specific set of questions about the horse and yourself, you’ll get a detailed map of the pros and cons of this relationship.
The more similar you and the horse are, the better the chances of success. The more different you are (in Horsenality and Humanality, or in spirit level), the more challenging it will be. But then, some of us LOVE a challenge, don’t we?
Linda Parelli is known for choosing challenging horses with high spirit. They match her energy and passion for learning, and are never boring. The best part is that what she learns as a student of the master – her husband, Pat Parelli – and of the horse, she passes on in educational articles, DVDs, and the extensive Learning Library of the Parelli Savvy Club. www.horsebackmagazine.com
December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 13
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14 H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE• • December2013 2014 14 December 2014 - November
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16 HORSEBACK December2013 2014 ORSEBACK MAGAZINE AGAZINE • - November
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H M • December 2014 18 H18 ORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014 2013 18 HORSEBACK ORSEBACK MAGAZINE AGAZINE - November
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Great Gifts for Horse Owners
Horseback Magazine’s Saddle & Tack Editor
It’s
the same old hassle every year, isn’t it? I thought maybe I should put some thought into it, and pass some ideas along. Most people that have had horses for years already have everything they need or want, so unless you can come up with something better than what they have, you might want to look outside the horse world. Having had a tack store, I pretty much had the best
of everything I needed, but still people managed to surprise me once in a while. One of the best gifts ever was a really nice, heavy duty hoofpick, made from stainless steel with a nice walnut handle. I later found the hoofpick on sale for $24.95. Now, I would never pay $24.95 for a hoofpick for myself, but whenever I use a hoofpick, that’s the one I use. I love it. Grooming tools are always nice, and nice grooming tools are nicer. Novice horse owners would appreciate a set of grooming tools, including a stiff bristled brush for mud, a soft bristled brush for face and legs, and a medium body brush, a sweat scraper, mane comb, and hoof pick. Old timers already have all of these things, so a really high quality horse hair face brush with a nice lacquered handle could become a cherished treasure. A usable item that is a little nicer than a person would usually buy for their own use generally makes a nice gift. If the horse owner has a list of tack they need, fine, otherwise with so
20 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
many variations of different items, the chance of you getting the one they want is pretty slim. Unless you have some specifics, it’s probably safer to go with something more generic. I know with some of the hard times I’ve seen the last couple of years, if someone gave me a gift certificate to the local feed store or hay barn, I’d be absolutely thrilled. You might even keep some poor old pony from going hungry. If someone likes to travel with their horse, a nice bale of hay in a rolling hay bag could make a thoughtful gift. Gift certificates may seem like an easy out, but they certainly do let the person you’re buying for get exactly what they want. I used to like to shop in antique and junk stores. A nice old horse print in a pretty frame can make a nice gift. If you are familiar with the person’s home, try to imagine a place where an item could be used. Above one of the couches in the living room, I have a big print in a really nice western frame, with western artifacts, an old rope, a handmade pair of spurs, an old pair of stirrups, and an old
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silver mounted bit, on one side, and an Indian made bow, a quiver with a couple of arrows, and a parfleche on the other side. Any antique decorator piece could make a nice gift, especially if you know the persons décor, or can picture where it can be used. A big tub of horse treats is a mighty handy thing to have, too. My favorite has always been “Mrs. Pasture’s Horse Cookies”. The horses always agreed. Giving a gift that someone can give their horses is like giving something
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to the owner, for most of us anyway. For that matter, food is always a good gift, for horse or owner. A homemade pie, cookies, or such is a treat for anyone, obviously not just horse owners. For trailer owners, an organizer to keep all of your grooming tools together, like one that hangs on your tack room door, is especially handy. Buckets, tubs, and grooming trays in matching stable colors, make a professional appearance. Since most of these are plastic, a nice 2 or 3 step mounting block can make a nice gift
for an older person that is starting to have trouble getting on their horse. Trail riders can benefit from a nice horn bag, full of trail mix, and maybe a nice water bottle. You can make your own trail mix to give friends. It’s pretty expensive, actually. I mix raisins, peanuts, and M&M’s, and pack them in zip lock snack bags. If you don’t know specifically what a person needs, if you know what they like to do with their horses, just find something associated with that activity. When all else fails, food is always good. The best gifts don’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful and appropriate. If in doubt, ask friends or family for advice and ideas. If nothing comes to mind, a gift certificate from their favorite tack shop is always welcome. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and that your heart and hearth stay warm.
Bandera’s Lew Pewterbaugh has been called the most knowledgeable saddle and tack authority in the Southwest. For private fitting consultation call (830) 328-0321 or (830) 522-6613 or email: saddlerlew@gmail.com.
December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 21
,W 6XUH )HHOV Horseback Magazine’s
Charitable Recommendations for Christmas, 2014 By Steven Long
So
it’s only appropriate that at this time of year we invoke the spirit of the season with the closing line of England’s most beloved storyteller, Charles Dickens, in his immortal tale, A Christmas Carol:, the author wrote of the chastened Ebinezer Scrooge “It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”
And so, a hearty blessing from us here at Horseback. Have a most Merry Christmas and support the following charities in this most generous of seasons. Cheers to you from Steven and Vicki Long, Carol Hollaway, Diane Holt, Margaret Pirtle, Roni Nordquist, and the rest of the Horseback Magazine team. And in the spirit of the season, Horseback Magazine urges you to give to the following worthy charities.
22 22 H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE• •December December2014 2014
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*RRG WR *LYH OPERATION PETS ALIVE Operation Pets Alive see a need to increase community awareness and community involvement regarding the No-Kill movement and the plight of homeless dogs and cats in the community. Their innovative Trap, Neuter, Return program leads our list this year. They recognize the overwhelming numbers of strays that breed indiscriminately. With this program these animals are able to enjoy life but cannot breed. Last year they had some prescient words: “We believe that life is precious and the finality of death should truly be a last resort. We believe that the term “euthanasia” should be used only in reference to “the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy”* or for truly aggressive animals and should not be used for the killing of healthy or treatable animals with a fair or better prognosis for a quality life.” Here at Horseback, we totally agree. Operation Pets Alive partners with Cloud 9 Rescue flights, and P.E.T.S. LLC to transport animals across the country to partnering shelters in the Northeast and other surrounding states where there is a greater demand for adoptable animals, giving many more animals a chance to be saved. To contribute call 713-591-5918 or email Tanis Morse at tanismorse@hotmail.com or visit operationpetsalive.org
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TRUE BLUE ANIMAL RESCUE A favorite in the Brazos Valley, True Blue Animal Rescue has been taking in abused and neglected animals since 2004. This 501c3 non profit organization rehabilitates them and finds them great new homes. They educate the public on overpopulation and provide support by spaying animals for people who could not otherwise afford to do so. Aside from dogs and cats, over the years they have placed hundreds of horses, but many still remain in their care. The horse rescue objective is to place the horse in a safe environment and help it gain physical health by providing vet care, good nutrition and farrier work. If you’re looking for a great riding horse who’s had a great start in training, consider True Blue Animal Rescue. For more information www.t-bar.org, help@t-bar.org or 936-878-2349. Give a rescue horse a chance, you won’t regret it!
December December2014 2014 • •H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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December 2014 •
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 25
MUSTANG HERITAGE FOUNDATION
SIRE THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTERS
BLUEBONNET EQUINE HUMANE SOCIETY
The Mustang Heritage Foundation works to promote the Mustang’s versatility, trainability, and worth as an equine companion through innovative and exciting gentling programs and competitions including Extreme Mustang Makeovers, Mustang Million, Youth and Yearling Mustang Challenges, Youth “Camp Wildfire,” and the Trainer Incentive Program. Over 5,000 American Mustangs have been adopted through the Mustang Heritage Foundation since 2007. The Mustang Heritage Foundation is a 501 C 3, IRS, Charitable Organization and contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. No goods or services were provided by the organization in return for contributing. www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Benefits of equestrian therapy include improved muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development, and emotional and psychological well being, as well as sport, recreational, and educational benefits. At SIRE, those benefits are showered on clients on a weekly basis. There is a benefit that is more difficult to measure but is easy to see. On the back of a horse, a rider who may use crutches or a wheelchair is now taller than everyone else and no longer has to look up at everyone. Full of confidence, there is a sense of control and freedom that comes from making that large animal respond to the rider’s direction. In the clinical setting, the disability can never be forgotten, but on the back of a horse, it quite often becomes “invisible,” allowing the rider to experience a sense of accomplishment and reward. To contribute go to www. sire-htec.org
Now is the perfect time to get to know one of the best horse rescue organizations in Texas. Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society works throughout the state to help law enforcement officials investigate neglect complaints, educate owners of starving horses so they can better care for their horses when possible, and remove horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies from negligent owners when necessary. While financial contributions are always welcome, Bluebonnet also appreciates donations of hay, grain, de-wormers, tack, and horse/farm equipment. The organization also needs volunteers to help foster horses and other equines, check up on fostered and adopted equines, and perform a myriad of other tasks that make the rescue run smoothly. You can learn more about BEHS on the organization’s website at www.bluebonnetequine. org or via facebook.com/BluebonnetEquineHumaneSociety
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ACTHA’S HELPS HORSES IN NEED
KOUNTRY KATZ FERAL RESCUE
WILD HORSE EDUCATION
Whether this is accomplished via fund raising, contributions, Saddle Clubs making money to remain viable, or an individual profiting from a ride so they can feed their horse, it benefits our wonderful horses. Thanks to their wonderful members, ride hosts, and sponsors, ACTHA is able to facilitate donations to many charities, organizations, and non-profits (Over $500,000 so far).... but it’s ‘the Cause’ that is their driving force! Love to Trailride? Then join ACTHA who’s cause is “Full Equine Employment to help ease the suffering of horses in need.” The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) has a simple mission based on the fundamental belief that a horse with a job is a horse with a home, security and a future. The association is the largest holder of equine events in the USA, and growing in Canada. Every rider entry helps support a horse rescue or other equine non-profit, as designated by each individual Ride Host. To date, ACTHA has served as a conduit to fund over a million dollars to equine charities across the US and Canada. 28,385 horses are currently registered with ACTHA. Among them are 1,432 rescue horses. 100,000 more horses across North America remain homeless, in rescues or worse. The choice to help is easy. Visit www.actha.us for more information and a list of charities they support.
From her three acre homestead near Waller, Texas, Kathy Ladd, with Kountry Katz Feral Rescue, takes in feral cats, neuters them and gives the unwanted felines room to roam in a safe environment. The problem of feral cats is one that has been with us for generations, but over the past few years has come to the attention of cat lovers everywhere. Un-neutered cats repopulate, and owners, not knowing what to do with the offspring, many times dispose of the unwanted kittens by dumping them in a public place to fend for themselves. Thus, those few kittens that can survive will, of course, breed a new generation of basically “wild” cats Just like dogs, cats do need attention, food, love, and a warm and safe place to live. Taking care of all these cats, getting them vaccinations, food, neutered and all their basic needs met takes a lot of work and money. Please take this time to help the abandoned kittens. Help them find the love and safety they need. Please donate money or bags of cat food. Find them on Facebook at: Kountry Katz Feral Rescue. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / Kountrykatzferal
Humanitarian Laura Leigh began to have to fight for the right to observe the treatment of wild horses and burros in government care by courageously going to federal court. The things she documented, and the fight to document them, caused the birth of Wild Horse Education that continues to make a stand in court through federal lawsuits against abuse, unjustified removals and the public’s “right to know.” Paypal, credit card and mailing info can be taken at: http://wildhorseeducation.org/ donate/
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WILD HORSE FREEDOM FEDERATION The Wild Horse Freedom Federation pledges to fund legal challenges against Governmental agencies that continue to further their programs to eradicate native, American wild horses and burros from their rightful public lands. To donate go to www. wildhorsefreedomfederation. org, or call 1-800-974-FOTH (Force of the Horse)
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 29
OLD FRIENDS THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT CENTER
TRIPLE ME MAC EQUINE RESCUE
THE CLOUD FOUNDATION
The sanctuary has become well known locally and nationally through its rescue efforts and participation in anti-slaughter and anti-cruelty efforts. Since its founding by Dixie Neeley in 2009, TMMES has participated in the rescue of more than 100 equines throughout the U.S. and Canada In addition to monetary donations, TMMES is always grateful for donations of needed items such as feed, hay, hay rings, and water troughs. Triple Me Mac Equine Sanctuary can be reached via email at tmmes@gvtc.com and through regular mail at P.O. Box 66, Bulverde, TX 78163
The Cloud Foundation grew out of humanitarian Ginger Kathrens’ knowledge and fear for not only a famous herd of Mustangs and a wild horse named Cloud, but also other wild horses in the West. The herd was introduced to America by Kathrens’ three PBS specials on wild horses. The Foundation is also determined to protect other wild horse herds on public lands, especially isolated herds with unique characteristics and historical significance. The Cloud Foundation offers a variety of ways friends can help through donations. To see which is right for you go to www.thecloudfoundation.org.
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The formation of Old Friends kicked into high gear when the news broke that Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand had perished in a slaughterhouse in 2002. There the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, the horses may not be racing anymore, but they are winners every day. Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, Old Friends now cares for more than 130 horses across three states, most of them stallions whose racing and breeding careers came to an end . Every horse at Old Friends has a story to tell, and visitors to the farms can hear them all while learning about racing and ways to help with Thoroughbred aftercare. To donate or help Old Friends in some other way, just go to www.oldfriendsequine.org or simply send a check to 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, .Georgetown, KY 40324. You can also call Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center directly with a credit card payment at 502-8631775
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LOPE We are huge fans of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. However, one of the great tragedies of the sport is the attitude among many breeders, owners, and trainers, that these magnificent athletes are disposable commodities. The sad truth is that many of these horses go to a cruel death across the border in Canada or Mexico. The horses are slaughtered at a very young age if they don’t finish in the money – sometimes as young as 2-years-old. LOPE believes that every ex-racehorse is waiting to be someone’s special champion, whether as a trail horse, jumping competitor or just plain pet. For more information go to www.lopetx.org.
HABITAT FOR HORSES The TSHC has made it one of their main goals to support educaSince 1998, Habitat for Horses has worked closely with law enforcement throughout Texas and across the nation, assisting in investigations, temporary holding, documentation, and court presentation in abuse and neglect cases. All they ask in return is, if the horses are removed from the abusive owner, they be turned over to them for rehabilitation and adoption. Keeping a horse in its home is the primary goal of their investigations team. When they receive a complaint about a neglected horse, they’re usually able to correct the situation by providing assistance through education, medical assistance, feed or hay. Should that not work, they turn to law enforcement. Habitat for Horses, Inc is a non-profit 501.c3 registered in Texas. For more information go to: www.habitatforhorses.org, or call 409-935-0277.
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 33
H
orses are like dogs in that, histori- the responsibility of owning one. If you don’t own cally, man has used them for work or have cheap access to a fenced pasture with water and for fun. Like dog owners, horse and shelter, owning an horse is a lot more expenowners enjoy their animals; even sive than keeping a dog. On the other hand, people who own and thinking of them anthropomorphically, giving them human personalities and at- ride horses, whether as part of their living like farmers and ranchers or simply as a hobby, are titudes. But recently, economic downturn and se- pretty hard core in their enthusiasm for keeping vere drought brought an end to much of the hu- one or more of the big animals. They will tell you there is nothing like riding a fast horse at a galman-horse pleasure connection. When people lose their jobs and homes, lop with the wind blowing your hair. Even better, their hobbies are the first to be discarded. When they will tell you, is being able to do something drought strikes at the same time, farmers find while riding a horse even if it is just walking down strange horses grazing their pastures. Police find a country road. Horse owners and riders compete stray horses wandering in suburban traffic. Not be- in rodeos, horse shows, competitive trail rides and ing able to pay for a place to keep them or for feed, horse racing. Rescued horses, unwanted and discarded horses are left to starve in country pastures without by their owners, are water or forage. obtained by county While unsheriffs’ departments wanted horses were and city animal resonce sold at auction cue departments. In for slaughter purposes, the best of situations, federal law prevents nonprofit horse rescue horse slaughter in groups take them and the US. If horses are attempt to find responbought by the pound sible people to adopt at auctions to be them and give them slaughtered, they must good care. Older or be hauled to Canada or crippled horses can be Mexico where slaughadopted as companion ter plants are operatanimals to be placed ing. Horse meat is by Vic Schoonover with other horses or a delicacy in eastern other animals. Those Canada and Europe. horses with gentle disWith the rural US population becoming smaller each year, fewer positions and good physical condition, for a small horses are kept for work or pleasure. There are fewer fee to pay for their feed and care, can be adopted purebred horses bred each year. The Quarter Horse by people who want a good pleasure or working with the American Quarter Horse Association in horse. There are many horse adoption services in Amarillo, Texas, keeping a registry, and other breed registries like the Thoroughbred, Paint, Appaloosa the US. Several of them are located in Oklahoma. and Morgan are recording fewer colts being born This writer has personal knowledge of two of them after adopting a rescued horse and two retired race with each succeeding year. People like to watch them and talk about horses. My wife and I moved back to our farm them, but not too many people are ready accept
The
Rescue Option
Obtained from the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program, Blanchard, Oklahoma, High Hill Road is a Thoroughbred gelding. Now eight years old, High Hill Road was four years old, fresh from the race track when this picture was taken near Edmond. He is very gentle,and a good riding horse.
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Alabama, a grey Quarter Horse mare, is ridden by Bruce Schoonover, Snyder. She is one of four horses rescued August 25, 2010, by the Oklahoma City Animal Rescue Division after being found in a starving and dehydrated condition. She is eight years old now, and has actually grown larger with better nutrition. Alabama is a friendly, gentle riding horse. in early 2011. Deciding to obtain one or two riding horses, we learned about Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue at Jones, Oklahoma. Located on the web at Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue.com, you can readily see the horses they have accepted as rescued horses, their state of well-being as they are reconditioned and which ones have been adopted and are ready for adoption. To obtain one of their horses, you simply fill out an application stating how you can take care of the horse, select the one you want, pay a small fee to pay for the horse’s upkeep while there and pick up your choice. Blaze’s Tribute will accept one or two horses or in one case, when a truckload of horses bound for a slaughter plant in another country turned over outside of Oklahoma City, they accepted the entire load. Some of the horses were killed in the wreck, some were injured and others were in pretty good shape. Blaze’s Tribute accepted all of the live ones. One of the horses in the wrecked truck was a young Thoroughbred mare who had won over $100,000 as a race horse. Apparently the owner had no place to go with her so he sold her at auction. A slaughter buyer bought her for a few dollars a pound. She was adopted by a family wanting a gentle riding horse. The Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program, headquartered at Blanchard, Oklahoma, has a website, OTRP.info. The website has a list of adoptable Thoroughbreds for riding horses and in the case of those with lasting injuries, they can be adopted as pasture retirees. Both Blaze’s Tribute and the OTRP, being nonprofit organizations, accept donations to help them with veterinary care and horse feed. Donations for feed have been particularly welcome during the last severe drought. We wound up with three horses, a rescue mare from Blaze’s Tribute and two Thoroughbred geldings from OTRP. The mare, along with three other horses, had been taken into custody by the Oklahoma City Animal Rescue Division. Turned out in a bare, dry pasture, they were starving for feed and had health problems. Blaze’s Tribute accepted the www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com
horses in August, 2010. We adopted the mare, who was getting healthy and gaining weight, in April, 2011. She is very gentle and a very reliable riding horse. She is a favorite of the grand kids when they visit. Curious about the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program, we applied for and were accepted to adopt two geldings, four and six years old. The four year old had just left race training. The six year old had been a ward of OTRP for a longer period of time; being returned once because the horse and the owner didn’t get along. Racehorses are fed high protein rations, trained daily to increase their speed and stamina and at retirements, are like athletes who need to take some time off when leaving a strenuous training schedule. Racehorses need to be gradually shifted into a regular horse’s life. This means at least two to three months of turnout time with an increase of hay or pasture and decreasing the high protein diets. Some horses will take six months to let down and become more laid back. The best part of adopting a retired racehorse is they have been handled by humans all their life and are very gentle. The main drawback is, unless they have some downtime before being ridden as a saddle horse, they are ready, willing and able to run like the wind. Time off takes care of much of the jacked up attitude a racehorse has when leaving the race track. Adopted racehorses come without their registration certificates and cannot be raced again. One of our Thoroughbreds won nearly $70,000 in its racing career. The other one, a little more laid back in its attitude, won over $13,000. Both retired sound and with a minimum of training, they have proven to be good saddle horses used for both pleasure riding and checking cattle. Both Thoroughbreds are gentle for anyone to ride. People who would like to help a humane rescue program and obtain a good, gentle riding horse.should contact one of these nonprofit programs or a similar one.
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$QG 7KH 2QHV /HIW %HKLQG
)RU 3LSHU By Diane Holt
T
he holidays bring a lot of blessings to most of our homes, and sometimes these blessings come in live packages such as a puppy, or a kitten. When you adopt you save a life while finding an new best friend. It is a serious commitment to take a pet into your life. Tragically, four to five million adoptable animals are destroyed each year in the U.S. That’s a shocking and little-known statistic. Adoptable animals are often mixed breed pets, and when it comes time to obtain a pet, unique, healthy shelter animals are an amazing choice. Also twenty five to thirty percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds. Why should you say no to pet stores? The answer is because of puppy mills. What are the conditions of puppy mills. Many times cages are stacked on top of each other where the dogs and puppies can urinate and defecate on each other. “They walk on wire 24/7 while their feet swell up like golf balls from urine and feces”, says Crystal Maib from Orphaned Angels Rescue in Edmond Oklahoma. She deals with these conditions on going and it’s horrible. When someone buys a puppy or kitten from a pet store, they are unknowingly supporting puppy mills, which are large scale breeding operations that put profit ahead of animal welfare. Female breeding dogs are forced to pro-
36 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
duce litter after litter until they can no longer breed—at which point they risk destruction. Many puppy mills dogs have never been out of their cages, have never felt grass under their feet—never been hugged in a way that makes them know that they’re cared for. By saying no to a pet store you are saying no to animal cruelty. But, you want a particular breed and not a mixed breed dog or cat. Did you know that all American Kennel Club breeds are required to have a dedicated rescue group? You can find them on line by searching that breed and the national rescue association for it. When folks are wanting a particular purebred, that is the best place to start to find that breed. There are many in need of a home from an owner that passed away, or had to move and couldn’t take the dog with them, or perhaps were lost and never found by their owners. It used to be that people who wanted to get an abandoned or abused animal went to the local pound, saw one they liked, paid a small fee, and drove home with a new pet. Since the 1990s, however, the movement to reduce animal euthanasia and the arrival of the Internet have given rise to a new type of rescuer. These are private groups, or even individuals, who create networks of volunteers to care for needy animals with Facebook, Twitter and other social media to get connected. Before this, enormous numbers of animals that went into shelters never www.horsebackmagazine.com
came out. More than 40 years ago, an average of 20 million dogs and cats were euthanized annually. Humane organizations started a campaign to spay and neuter pets, especially those coming through shelters, and today fewer than four million dogs and cats are euthanized yearly. It is still terrible, but a vast improvement. In addition to pet sterilization, an effort has also begun to find accommodations for homeless animals outside the municipal and private shelter systems that have limited room and often short deadlines for keeping animals before moving them to death row. The new organizations take potentially adoptable pets out of the shelters and foster them, usually in private homes, until the right owner comes along. They control the fate of an increasing number
of animals. In many ways, it’s never been easier to adopt a rescue dog or cat. The Internet has transformed pet-human matching in the same way online dating has changed how we find mates, and it’s now easy to size up potential pets from the comfort of your laptop. The credit for this revolution goes to Petfinder, a Web clearinghouse for adoptable pets. The site, which has helped place more than 17 million pets went national in 1998. By the turn of the millennium around 400 rescue groups were posting their furry darlings on Petfinder. Today, almost 14,000 groups post 347,757 available animals on the site from dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and more. There are many options out there for the pet you’re wanting to add to your family such as Petfinder.com, HoustonSPCA.
“Piper” Today
org, Houston Human Society at Houstonhumane.org. Adopt or foster rather than buy another puppy or kitten from a puppy mill whose business is based only on breeding for profit. Save a life and help the rescues keep doing what they do every day to save these animals. This is also true for horses. There are so many rescues out there. Find one that suites you, and it may just be your next best partner for your trail rides. By doing this, together we can knock out unwanted animals. The photos are of Piper, the poster boy for this article. He was found in Washington County Texas on a hot one hundred degree afternoon, living on the side of a road, and for months eating off a dead deer barely surviving. He was starving, covered in scabies, dehydrated and scared to death. It took four days to finally trap him and save his little life but, but between myself and True Blue Animal Rescue, he made it. You can find True Blue Rescue on Facebook , or www. petfinder.com/shelters/TX754.html, or Tbar.org. Save a life and adopt. Don’t buy your next family member from a pet store.
“Piper” the day he was found in Washington County www.horsebackmagazine.com
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 37
+RUVHELWHV
Horsebites H orseebittes - Con’t. Con’t. ffrom pg. 10
Nations Cup series. Luitpold Animal Health, the maker of Adequan®i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), is excited to return to Wellington, FL, as the title sponsor of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. “I was very encouraged by all the riders and owners that participated at the 2014 AGDF and their anticipated excitement to return in 2015,” stated Allyn Mann, Director of Luitpold Animal Health. “It is an amazing facility, with a wonderful group of people that manage all aspects of the show to make it a world-class operation.” This year’s event has many exciting highlights to look forward to, including the CDIO Nations Cup, sponsored by Stillpoint Farm and Peacock Ridge. This special team competition for dressage gives riders the unique opportunity to experience a championship-style format. CDIO competition will run March 25-29, serving as the last team event before the Pan American Games in Toronto in July. The CDI 5* competition, sponsored by Diamante Farms and Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on February 5-8 featuring over $200,000 in prize money. This notably makes it the second richest CDI 5* in the world. A star-studded line-up of competitors is set to show this winter in Wellington. Top U.S. riders, including shooting star Laura Graves and Verdades as well as Steffen Peters and Legolas are scheduled to compete along with top Canadian riders, including the full World Equestrian Games Team and Ashley Holzer. Top European riders such as Laura Tomlinson of Great Britain, Daniel Martin Dockx (ESP), Christoph Koschel (GER) and Michael Klimke (GER), son of the late Dr. Reiner Klimke, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE), and Lars Petersen and Mikala Gundersen, both of Denmark, are expected to attend, among many others. FEI dressage committee member Thomas Baur joins the management team at AGDF as Director of Dressage once again this year and looks forward to welcoming all of the competitors. “It is going to be a very busy season,” Baur stated. “We have lots of Europeans coming this year, including some of the top names in the sport. We are proud to offer the richest dressage circuit in the world with the second richest CDI 5*. The CDIO at the end of the circuit will help riders on the way to the Pan Am Games in Toronto as well. It is going to be a fantastic season, and we can’t wait for the competition to get underway.” AGDF is also pleased to announce that it will host the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby for the second year during the week of March 5-8, which will feature a special new derby competition. A new CDI Amateur international division will be introduced during the first week of competition as well and will be offered during the whole season in every CDI. Riders must be at least 26 years of age and will compete at the Small Tour level. While riders in the CDI Amateur international division cannot be listed on the international ranking list (which is reserved for Large Tour riders), this division will give a great opportunity to those looking to step up to international level. Show manager Lloyd Landkamer noted, “There many exceptional Amateur riders paired with exceptional horses, yet they lacked the confidence to step into the International light of the CDI ring, which is viewed as the professional division. The FEI created this division to encourage these riders to participate in this international
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+RUVHELWHV format to develop the confidence to go forward in representing their countries.” He added, “I look forward to seeing the development of this division as it will bring new faces into the winner’s circle. It will add new heroes and inspiration to the sport.” As always, everyone looks forward to the stunning “Friday Night Lights” Freestyle performances and many special events throughout the season. ESP welcomes the wonderful sponsors as well as the riders, trainers, exhibitors, and owners who will participate in this year’s circuit. For
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more information and a full schedule for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Nominations for Special Needs Loan Areas AUSTIN – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is accepting nominations until Friday, January 2, 2015 for areas of the state experiencing a specific need for veterinarians to work in the areas of food animal
medicine, rural private practice, or public practice. The TAHC will forward nominations for selected areas to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for inclusion in the national Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) for the 2015 award cycle. The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 per year for three years towards qualified educational loans, for eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a designated shortage area. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has specific
December 2014 •
Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 48
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 39
+RRI +HDOWK
Rescued Horses & Hoof Care
T
he late Colonel Alois Podhajsky, long time Director of the Spanish Riding School in Austria, known for their performance horses ridden into their late 20s, wrote about his Lipizzaneer stallion, Pluto Theodorosta, in My Horses, My Teachers. “When he had attained the age of 29, I wanted to retire him and give him his well-deserved rest. But he did not seem to be of the same opinion. One day, he took advantage of the fact that the door of his box was always open and trotted through the time-honored courtyard and across the street to the indoor riding school. Appreciating his zeal, I continued to ride him for another year in the beautiful riding hall.” Pluto died at age 31 and it is worth noting that he lived part of each year in a box (stall) as
turnout was only during the summer at the SRS, and could very well have lived longer had his boarding conditions been more natural year round. Nevertheless, he lived with other stallions (as we see among bachelor bands in the wild) and was exercised, trained and ridden daily in the tradition of authentic classical horsemanship. “His advanced age was not only proof of the correctness of the training that had maintained his health and stamina until the very end in spite of the demands made upon him,” wrote Podhajsky. Several years ago, I conducted a consultation with a breeder of draft horses. There were a dozen or so in his herd but one in particular caught my attention – a gelding that the owner’s family had raised since he was born and was then aged 48! I was stunned. The family said he was in such fine shape and spirit be-
cause he had spend a good deal of his adult life eluding an aggressive alpha mare who chased him every day and, in more recent years, round and round a track they put together on a small tract of land after reading my book, Paddock Paradise. This issue of Horseback focuses on equine rescues and I share the two stories above since the discarded equine seniors often find themselves living in rescues or sanctuaries. It’s unfortunate we even need rescues -- what are we doing to our horses that makes these organizations necessary? And are these operations really serving the needs of abandoned, neglected and abused horses? These are tough questions, and having visited and occasionally advised and helped a number of rescues around the country, I have some observaPaddock Paradise - Con’t. on pg. 42
AUDREY BEFORE Upon arrival. Although ‘Audrey’ does not look as shockingly bad as many horses who are rescued, she did have the classic symptoms of so many horses who are provided with traditional but unnatural care and diets: when she arrived in California, she had no muscle tone, was underweight, had overgrown, poorly trimmed hooves that were extremely unhealthy. Not only did all four hooves have severe stress rings proliferating down the entire hoof wall - a classic symptom of laminitis - but they also were ragged, chipped and had numerous vertical lines that seem to indicate a poor diet. Her skin had a fungus - generally known as rain rot.
40 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 41
Paddock Paradise - Con’t. from pg. 34
tions and suggestions to share. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION First and foremost, the horse world as a whole needs to understand and embrace the biological needs of the horse. This is the paradigm of the natural horse. It is clear that as a horse-using community, we tend to use these animals to meet our own needs and aspirations, ignoring how this may clash with the species’ capabilities and limits. In doing so, we are precipitating epidemic levels of laminitis worldwide, breaking down equine joints and muscles, and confining horses in “cell size” stalls and mini-paddocks, leaving them with vices and other aberrant behaviors one never sees in the natural world. As caring horse owners, it is time for us to look at our equines’ needs in the name of preventive care. If we do this responsibly, giving attention to the horse’s biology as Equus ferus caballus, the burgeoning rescue culture can be checked and hopefully reversed. NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING Many rescues are overrun with horses. Because of this, they are unable to serve the horses’ needs. Animals still stand listlessly in stalls or mini-turnouts, and feed rations are often as problematic as before.
Hooves are neglected due to lack of funds, or else are trimmed wrong. Or, in some cases, the horses are shod because those in charge do not understand the healthful benefits of the proper diet, proper trimming, movement – or natural hoof care. It’s not because the rescue managers don’t care -- they clearly do -- but many don’t really understand what their charges need, and/or are too under-funded to serve these needs. Volunteers try to rise to the occasion, but their knowledge base and resources are often just as inadequate. What can be done about this dilemma? Reflecting upon this reminds me of that moment back in 1977 when I was reading a book that one of my clients given to me that had become very popular in both the farrier and equine veterinary circles: Horseshoeing Theory and Hoof Care by Emery, Van Hoosen (DVM) and Miller. The authors had come up with a model for helping horses with navicular syndrome based on aligning hoof angles with the angles of the shoulder and hip joints. But what really caught my attention was this extraordinary statement: The horse’s life style has been altered drastically through domestication. In order to take proper care of him, we must understand how and where he
lived in a wild state. From nutrition to hoof care, this concept is important … from the form that the hoof takes when the horse runs wild on an arid prairie, many of the guidelines for shoeing must come.” Of course, by 1982, the event that would change my career forever occurred when I was asked to look at the feet of a wild horse that one of my clients had just adopted through the BLM. As I have previously written, I was staggered by what I saw -- the most perfect hooves imaginable. And as explained in various papers and books I have written, I ceased putting shoes on horses by 1986, believing it was inhumane to use these animals in any way that was beyond their natural capabilities. And so, I believe, first, that it is important to educate the horse owner, ideally so that their horses are never brought to auction, given away for free on Craigslist, Facebook (etc) or turned over to a rescue. For example, when horses are managed under Natural Horse Care practices, there is a dramatic decrease in the costs associated with farriery and veterinarian bills which might make it possible – more affordable - for more horses to remain under the care of their ‘owners’ and be allowed to live out their remaining years with their familiar herd at home or in a
AUDREY AFTER A little over a year later, Audrey has developed an athletic, muscular body simply from her environment and lifestyle and her hooves show exemplary health. Any horse - regardless of their age or history - will benefit from living in a manner that most closely resembles what nature designed and intended for this magnificent species!
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natural boarding facility. Without education as that essential ingredient and foundation, it’s the rescuer who will need rescuing. In fact, this is already happening. Humane organizations and law enforcement officials have moved against many rescue operations that fail in their purported mission to save horses. Perhaps this is good, because it will draw attention to how such facilities should be operated, as well as to the need for preventing so many horses from requiring rescue in the first place. Until that time, we need to help educate and advance these operations to construct facilities and management practices with the paradigm of the natural horse as their guiding light. Most rescued horses need some form of rehabilitation and my advice to rescues who want to manage horses so that they are sound and healthy well into their 20s and beyond it sit practice the principles of Natural Horse Care. I refer to these as the Four Pillars: natural boarding, a reasonably natural diet, natural horsemanship, and the natural trim. Here’s one thing you can do from each pillar: Natural boarding – put together your own Paddock Paradise and let the horses move 24/7 as a herd. A reasonably natural diet – whole oats, handfuls of mixed fruits and vegetables, free choice mix of grass hays, free choice salt and plenty of fresh water. Natural horsemanship – if the horses are ridden at all, your best immediate example how to ask your horses to move (short of visiting wild horse country) is what you’ll see in the Paddock Paradise. You will be amazed. A natural trim – follow nature’s model, the wear patterns of U.S. Great Basin wild horses. That’s what we do at the AANHCP Field Headquarters and our horses prosper for it!
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 43
REALTOR Roundup DEITRA ROBERTSON REALTOR Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc. 38351 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX (O): (832) 642-6789 (C): (832) 642-6789
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WENDY CLINE REALTOR/BROKER CLHMS, SRES, ABR, Million Dollar Guild Wendy Cline Properties RE/MAX Realty Center 13611 Skinner Rd. #100 Cypress, TX (O): (281) 213-6271 (C): (281) 460-9360 (E): wendy@wendyclineproperties.com (W): www.wendyclineproperties.com SPECIALTIES: Equestrian, Farm & Ranch, Land, Residential, Luxury, Commercial TERRITORY: Texas ANETT MIER BROKER Coldwell Banker Properties Unlimited 31315 FM 2920 #24 Waller, TX (C): (832) 876-8875 (E): miera2008@gmail.com (E): info@AnettRealtor.com (W): www.AnettRealtor.com SPECIALTIES: Farm/Ranches, Land TERRITORY: Texas MARY GARBETT BROKER ASSOCIATE Right Time Real Estate LLC at KW Farm & Ranch 950 Corbindale Rd, #100 Houston, TX (C) (713) 213-2420 (O) (713) 470-2055 (E) mary@marygarbett.com (W) www.har.com/marygarbett SPECIALTIES: Equestrian Estates, Farm & Ranch, Residential TERRITORY: Ft. Bend, Waller, Austin, Washington, Grimes, Harris Counties CARRIE SHWAGER REALTOR The Property Source 7424 FM 1488, Ste. A-1 Magnolia, TX 77354 (C): (281) 960-5190 (F): (936) 449-4586 (E): carrieschwager@att.net (W): www.texasluxurypropertyrealtor.com SPECIALTIES: Equestrian, Farm and Ranch, Hunting, and Luxury Residential TERRITORY: Texas
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 45
5HDO (VWDWH
ACQUIRING EQUIPMENT: Purchase or Lease?
As
the leaves fall and temperatures drop, fall and winter can be the perfect time to replace or acquire new farm or ranch equipment. When going out shopping for that shiny tractor or pickup truck, consider whether you will purchase and finance, or lease. Before you make that decision, assess the relevant criteria and weigh your options carefully.
money out of pocket.”
Purchasing and Financing New or Used Equipment As a full-service ag lender and a member of the Farm Credit System, Texas Farm Credit can finance rakes and hay-balers, grain carts, irrigation equipment and tractors of every size. The cooperative also finances trucks, trailers and ATVs for farm and ranch use.
In terms of financing, there can be some difference between purchasing new versus used. Franklin says that Farm Credit typically finances new equipment purchases on 5- to 7-year notes, while loans for used-equipment are generally structured for two to five years.
Walt Franklin, vice president and branch manager of the lending co-op’s Pleasanton office, says there are several factors a buyer should consider when deciding whether to buy new versus used equipment. “First of all, think about what fits your budget price-wise,” advises Franklin, who has 32 years of ag lending experience. “Remember, the down payment is calculated off the purchase price, so typically the lower price on a used piece of equipment results in less
Whether you want to buy new or used may also depend on the availability of a specific make or model you want, and can be affected by the availability of high-quality used inventory. One distinct advantage of new equipment is the warranty that can alleviate worry over repairs.
Leasing Machinery Franklin says that leasing is a viable option for many shoppers, as it eliminates the down payment requirement, while allowing terms such as the length of the obligation, that are similar to conventional loans. Options on leases include, but are not limited to: • residual amount at the end of the lease • length of the lease • ability to upgrade equipment relatively easily A major difference between a lease and
46 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
a loan is that the lease typically cannot be cancelled, thus you are obligated to make all payments for the entire lease term as opposed to paying a loan off early. “Texas Farm Credit works “hand in hand” with Farm Credit Leasing to provide our customers with options that give them flexibility in how they acquire their equipment,” Franklin stated. To best make the purchase-versus-leasing decision, Franklin encourages his customers to consider several options, because there is no same right answer for everyone. “After the decision is made that your operation needs an additional piece of equipment, the manager should look at down payment requirements, tax advantages, terms and rates of financing versus leasing. It is usually recommended that a person discuss these options with their CPA.”
Article provided by Texas Farm Credit, a part of the nationwide Farm Credit System. For more tips on buying and improving rural land, visit TexasFCS.com, or call Michael Biesiada at (936) 344-9400
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 47
+RUVHELWHV
Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 37
criteria for nominated areas and the state will not be able to forward a nomination unless all of these criteria have been met. Individual nominations may also be edited or combined with others from nearby communities by the TAHC when appropriate. Including your current information will help the TAHC staff contact you if there are questions or if they need clarification on your nomination. Specific details on livestock populations, changing industry demographics, gaps in specific veterinary services currently available, community support, and future outlook for veterinary services (such as solo practitioners retiring or trying to sell a practice) are all valuable criteria in defining the need in a specific area. The USDA program focuses on three types of veterinary practice and will accept nominations in each category: Type I Shortage situations involve need for a veterinarian to spend at least 80 percent of time working on food animal species in a private practice setting. Type II Shortages involve need for a veterinarian to spend at least 30 percent of time working on
food animal species, and providing veterinary services in a rural (remote or economically depressed) area in a private practice setting. Type III Shortage is defined as public practice, including work in public health, laboratory, local or state government veterinary work, meat inspection or epidemiology. A map of the previously designated shortage areas from 2014 can be viewed on the USDA website at: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ nea/animals/in_focus/vmlrp_14/ vmlrp_shortage_situation_texas.html . Any of the areas designated but not filled in 2014 (shown in black on the map) may be carried over to 2015. Areas highlighted in red may also be re-nominated, meaning a second veterinarian could receive an award to practice in that area. TAHC will accept comments regarding the need to re-nominate previously designated areas, to the same email or fax listed below. In 2014, two veterinarians accepted a loan repayment agreement with USDA to practice in Texas. The counties covered for one veterinarian were: Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Hartley and Moore counties (Texas
Panhandle). The other veterinarian covered Grayson, Fannin, and Lamar counties (North Texas). If you would like to nominate an area of Texas for the federal loan repayment program, go to this link http://www.tahc.texas.gov/vets/ VMLRP-2015.pdf to complete the nomination form and forward to comments@tahc.texas.gov or fax to 512-719-0719 attention Dr. Holly Hughes-Garza. Questions about the process, or comments regarding existing designated areas shown on the 2014 map, can be directed to Dr. Hughes-Garza at 512-719-0718 or comments@tahc.texas.gov . Please do not send forms directly to the USDA as they will not be accepted unless approved by the State Veterinarian. Deadline: The TAHC will accept nominations until 5 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015. Late applications will not be accepted by the TAHC. For more information about the VMLRP and the process of shortage designation, visit: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/animals/in_focus/an_health_if_vmlrp. html
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+RUVHELWHV PERFORMANCE HORSE MANAGEMENT SURVEY INVITES PARTICIPANTS DAVIS, CA (UC Davis) – The Center for Equine Health at the University of California, Davis, is seeking input from horse owners, trainers, riders and veterinarians for an online survey regarding the management practices of all performance horse disciplines. Claudia Sonder, a veterinarian and director of the Center for Equine Health, is conducting a study to help identify links between performance horse management practices and musculoskeletal health, injury and performance. The anonymous, online survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and is available at http://tinyurl.com/qzm3pws. “Once we identify trends in management practices and correlate them with health, injury and performance, we will target research to fill gaps in knowledge and establish science-based recommendations for equine athletes,” Sonder said. The resulting research findings will help prevent injury and increase safety for equine athletes, thus benefiting horses, owners and
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the industry, she added. The Center for Equine Health is a center of excellence within the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. More than 100 equine specialists from the veterinary school and the animal science department at UC Davis are involved in research studies funded in whole or in part by the center. More information about the center is available at http://www. vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh.
FEI SHORTLISTS AWARDS NOMINEES AND THE NOMINEES FOR THE FEI AWARDS 2014 ARE… LAUSANNE, (FEI) – Equestrian heroes will soon be ditching their breeches and boots to don tuxedos, ball gowns and high heels for a glittering competition of another kind. They will fly to Baku (AZE) to be whisked onto the red carpet of the FEI Awards on 14 December. The “Oscars of the equestrian world” have been organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of equestrian sport, since 2009.
Eighteen candidates have been shortlisted for this year’s awards, and one from each of five categories will be selected as the winners by a jury of international experts chaired by FEI President HRH Princess Haya. The winners – individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the growth of equestrian sport in 2014 – will be announced at a gala evening in Baku’s stunning Buta Palace, where 350 guests representing the FEI’s 132 National Federations, enthusiasts and stakeholders will celebrate their achievements. Longines Rising Star – Dedicated to equestrians aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding sporting talent: Irma Karlsson (SWE) Lambert Leclezio (MRI) David Ziegler (CAN) Reem Acra Best Athlete – Athletes who have demonstrated exceptional equestrian skills and have taken the sport to a new level over the last 12 months: Boyd Exell (AUS) Daniel Deusser (GER) Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED)
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Horsebites - Con’t. on pg. 52
HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 49
(QJOLVK
A Season of Hope
‘Tis
the season when we are hopeful for so many things. We hope for world peace, the health of a loved one or maybe a special gift. We get wrapped up in giving and wanting for more. If you’re like most people reading this, you’ve hoped for a horse at one time or another. It might have been a special horse that could do amazing things when asked or it could have just been any old horse that had four legs and a tail. But did you ever think about what a horse might hope for? We have turned ourselves into a disposable society. When something gets old and worn out or has a broken part, we’re inclined to throw it away and get the newest, most improved model. Sometimes we do that with our horses too. Sometimes we forget that they are sensitive animals that have only one life to live. A lot can be done with good care or the help of a vet to maintain an older horse for a while longer. But sometimes, there’s nothing more that we can do to maintain a horse at a level that allows it to perform. When
we find ourselves with a horse that is no longer able to perform the way we need it to, we have to make decisions that are sometimes tough. Sometimes it still has several more years ahead of it in retirement. If you are paying a monthly board bill for a horse that can’t perform to your standards anymore and is not valuable to sell, what do you do? You don’t want to end the life of your friend that has given you so much just because you don’t want to spend more money than you have to. You might start by trying to finding someone with land who would enjoy looking out the window at a horse or needs a companion horse for another and is willing to commit to the responsibilities of horse ownership. Make sure they understand that it means feeding, providing shelter, routine vet care and inoculations as well as caring for the feet with picking them out and having them trimmed regularly. It might even be worth sharing the cost of the care with that person to make sure it is properly cared for. Often times you can find someone by networking with your local farrier, vet or trainer. If you can’t find someone to take your horse, consider sending it to a local horse rescue. These rescues typically work as a non-profit
50 HORSEBACK MAGAZINE • December 2014
and need donations to stay in operation. They market horses that they have taken in and try to find appropriate homes for them. If they are not adoptable they are usually cared for throughout the rest of their natural lives. These “lifers” can each cost thousands of dollars to a horse rescue. If you would like to help, donations are tax deductible to any non-profit. Donations of supplies such as hay, feed, wormers, vet services, grooming assistance and physical labor are always appreciated, according to Barbara Jacobs, operator of the Blue Ribbon Equine Rescue in Katy, Texas. Blue Ribbon (blueribbonequinerescue.com) has 30 lifers at this time with no room to take any more in. With a cost of over $2,000 per month to care for the horses and few donations coming in, the challenge of caring for the horses is daunting. Barbara is constantly on the lookout for people who are willing to give a good home to a horse as a pet or companion animal for another horse. “These horses have given so much to their people and deserve a comfortable and safe retirement”, says Barbara. Race horses are bred by the thousands each year in the hopes of winning lots of money on the track
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for their owners. The turnaround from conception to the end of the racing career is often five years or less. When horses are injured on the track, the trainers and owners will often cut their losses instead of rehabilitating a horse because of the expense. If they are too slow to win, it can also prove very expensive to keep them in training. Once they have served their purpose to the best of their ability, they are discarded in one way or another. Off the track thoroughbred rescues can be a great source of an inexpensive horse for someone looking for a project horse. Consider adopting one if you are looking for a project. There are numerous rescues that are more than happy to help you find your new horse but it takes time, patience and commitment to find the right horse to adopt. Expect to be screened for suitability and expect to pay an adoption fee. And while you’re at it, you might consider adopting cats and dogs to help around your barn. There are literally thousands of animals in your area waiting for homes. Many will be euthanized, while the lucky ones will find homes. If you have a barn, cats make excellent mousers and can keep the mouse population under control. Don’t expect them to live on a diet strictly of mice, however. They need to be fed, inoculated, spayed or neutered and given a safe area for shelter. If you adopt cats, make sure you talk to the shelter about ways to settle your cats in so they don’t run away out of fear and disorientation. Aside from being great companions, dogs can make excellent rat hunters, too. The same advice for adopting cats goes to adopting dogs. All of these animals can make great companions, making life around the barn that much more fun. For more information on shelters and adoptions, check the internet listings or consult your local horse professionals. Let’s give some real hope to these wonderful animals this season. Cathy Strobel has over 30 years of experience as a trainer, judge and clinician and can be reached at Southern Breeze Equestrian Center at (281) 431-4868 or www.sbreeze.com or email cstrobel@sbreeze.com
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HORSEBACK MAGAZINE 51
+RUVHELWHV Horsebites - Con’t. from pg. 48
Joanne Eccles (GBR) Best Groom - This award is reserved for those all-important, behind-the-scenes team members who work around the clock to ensure that horses get the best possible care and attention: Alan Davies (GBR) Jackie Potts (GBR) Jessica Benbow (GBR) Against All Odds – People who have pursued their equestrian ambitions despite physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances: Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Sofie Lexner (SWE) Sudipti Hajela (IND) Sydney Collier (USA) FEI Solidarity – An equestrian development project, or an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill and energy in expanding equestrian sport: Andrjey Malcievsky (RUS) Equal Ark (SIN) Southern Hills Eventing Inc (AUS) Yuriy Chertkov (UKR) “Supporting the up-and-coming athletes in the sports Longines is involved in has been a high priority for the brand for the past few years”, said Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines Vice-President and Head of International Marketing. “These young talents are the future of their discipline and will be part of the development and influence of the sport across the globe. “To encourage these promising sportsmen and women to reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams is one of the most rewarding efforts a brand can make and we are very proud of that. Along with the Longines Rising Star prize, which rewards the most promising athlete between 14 and 21 years in any FEI discipline, Longines organises a tennis tournament for children in the frame of the French Open at Roland-Garros and a race of young jockeys during the Prix de Diane Longines. In alpine skiing, we support young talents with the prize Longines Ris-
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ing Ski Stars, as well as the Longines Future Ski Champions, a race held in the exact same conditions as the World Cup.” “After another season of top level sport I am thrilled to announce the shortlist for the Reem Acra Best Athlete Award for 2014: Jeroen Dubbeldam (Jumping), Daniel Deusser (Jumping), Boyd Exell (Driving) and Joanne Eccles (Vaulting). The competition was intense but these riders have all risen above their peers. I cannot wait to see who will make the final jump to the number one position this year”, said international fashion designer Reem Acra, title sponsor of the Western European League and Final of the prestigious FEI World Cup™ Dressage series. The FEI Awards were launched in 2009 to reward excellence, commitment, dedication and courage. The
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+RUVHELWHV shortlist for the FEI Awards 2014 has been made following nominations from the public. For full information on the FEI Awards 2014 and past winners visit: www.feiawards.org
Bruce Duchossois Remembered as Aiken Horse Park Foundation Celebrates Groundbreaking AIKEN, S.C. - On Saturday, November 8th the Aiken Horse Park Foundation unveiled its capital improvement plans for the Aiken Horse Park, holding a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Park. This event highlighted the Park as the future location of permanent, state of the art multi-purpose facilities capable of accommodating equestrian activities, including but not limited to educational clinics, training for amateur athletes, exhibitions, and competitions. The Park will also be available for use by various charitable organizations, reflecting the Aiken County equine industry’s range of positive impact upon the Aiken community. This development will realize the vision of Mr. R. Bruce Duchossois, a prominent figure in the local and national equine communities, who purchased the 66-acre field and steeplechase track in August 2000 with the immediate goal of preserving it from residential development and the long-term goal of turning it into South Carolina’s premier horse park facility. Scot Evans, the President of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, of which Duchossois was an important contributor talked about his love of Aiken and of the equestrian community there. “Bruce meant a great deal to Aiken’s horse community in that he has supported all disciplines and embraced horsemen of all walks of life. Everybody that’s been touched by Bruce in the equestrian world, as well as his philanthropic efforts, remembers him as a giver and one of the most thoughtful people,” Evans said. “The Aiken Horse Park is Bruce’s field of dreams come true,” he continued. “Most of all, Bruce’s intention is to bring horse lovers together to share in their passion as well as using the facility for charity and educational purposes. It’s his way of giving back. Bruce felt very strongly www.horsebackmagazine.com
about bringing tradition back in every way.” In June 2013, just over a year before his untimely passing, Mr. Duchossois formed the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, a recognized 501(c) (3) charity, with the mission of carrying out his dream for the park. To that effect, the Foundation has established the following mission statement: “The mission of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation is to promote Aiken’s equestrian way of life and to encourage the community’s civic, educational, and charitable endeavors.” Following construction, to begin this winter, the Aiken Horse Park will feature the Aiken Steeplechase and the Aiken Charity Horse Show, as well as a multitude of other equestrian, charitable, and educational events. In memory of Bruce’s legacy and his incredible gift to the community that he loved, the park has been named “Bruce’s Field”. Speakers at the ceremony included Mr. Jack Wetzel, President of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation Board of Trustees, Mr. R.L. Duchossois, father of Bruce Duchossois, Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie
Young, and Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce President David Jameson. Though he was not able to attend, Senator Lindsey Graham penned a letter to Mr. Wetzel, which was read on the occasion. Other attendees included Martha Ruthven of Congressman Joe Wilson’s office, the Board of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, four generations of the Duchossois Family, and numerous friends of Bruce, the Family, and the Aiken equine community. “Bruce had a way of bringing people together and if you happened to be an animal lover, all the better. He loved to share his passion for animals and was known for rescuing every type of animal, two or four legged. Having had the good fortune to serve together on the board of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, I firsthand learned of his caring ways for equestrians in their time of need. He will always be remembered as a true gentleman and I’m honored to be part of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation as a member of the board of trustees, building Bruce’s dream,” Evans concluded.
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*HQHUDO
Thanks! Howdy! Welcome to Cowboy Corner.
L
ast month was writin’ about where was the cool weather. Well, Jack Frost came with Halloween. The experts predict cold and wet, so be a good time to check your winter coat and rubber boots. Most of us have probably done both, due to the weather in the past month. Got one of those bad calls in life this morning. My long-time friend and horseshoer, Allen Petrie, died suddenly last week. Allen was a member of Houston Livestock and Rodeo for many years serving on the Speakers Committee. My ol’ pal made many visits to area schools telling students about horseshoeing, why’s and how’s. Kept my horses goin’ for many years, and we shared the same thought “A horse is only as good as his feet.” Allen was originally from Houma, Louisiana deep in Cajun Country and just down the road from my wife’s family in Lafayette. While shoeing the horses, Allen and I would visit about the “Bayou Country.” Over fifty years ago the then young Brazos bottom cowboy married into a big Cajun family from south Louisiana. I was the first out of state outlaw, and my father-in-law used to say “difference between a coonass and a horses’ ass is the Sabine river.” Life is a collection of memories and am going to miss my amigo, Allen Petrie.
Bout time to think about knotchin’ the stick for another year. Let’s look back and reflect, then look forward and think about the future. Have figured out in life ‘bout the only thing I can change is my attitude. Remember folks, if the glass is half empty, it’s also half full. Let’s be thankful for what we have and spread our good fortune just a little more in the coming year. The holiday season is here, even saw Christmas decorations in stores before Halloween. Now that’s a head start, on what promises to be a great Christmas season and New Year. Folks ask about cowboy Christmas gifts, and am not going to be much help with the ladies. However, for the men in your life have a suggestion for those out amongst the mud, the blood, and the beer. Several years ago began using insulated vests on those cold mornings often topped by a jean material jacket. My “Levis leisure suit”, with a vest is just right, and provides the layers needed to stay comfortable outside as the temperature changes during the day. Ranchin’ is a dirty business, and cotton denim is the perfect material for pants and jackets. The
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insulated vest really adds versatility. The vests come in several models but my choice is the “work wear” models with cotton canvas on the outside. These vests have zipper fronts, front pockets, are made strong, and come in big sizes. Other types are available, but since we don’t have any snow ski slopes or poker tables at my place, like the insulated canvas models best. The vest makers also make insulated jackets from the same material that we understand are also great on the ranch. So the choice is yours, but go with the vest first. The high altitude cowboys in the western states can’t be wrong where the daytime/night-time temperature range is 40-50 degrees. Just a note to all the Cowboy Corner readers all these years. Thank you for your interest , comments and support. As mentioned earlier, now is the time to reflect and look ahead. Let’s all try to give a little more and thank the Lord for all our blessings. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”, to all Horseback readers everywhere. See you in the pasture next year.
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