December 2019
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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The Horsemen’s Corral is the official publication for the following clubs: Adams County Horseman’s Association National Pole Bending Association Ashland Paint & Plain Saddle Club Northern Ohio Dressage Association Avon Lake Saddle Club Northern Kentucky Horse Network Northern Ohio Miniature Horse Club Black Swamp Driving Club Ohio Appaloosa Association Buckeye Horse Park Classical Attraction Dressage Society O.H.I.O. EXCA Central Ohio Saddle Club Association Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Central Ohio Wagoneers Ohio Gaited Horse Riding Club Colorado Ranger Horse Association Ohio Haflinger Association District One National Show Horse Ohio Horseman’s Council Dusty Boots Riding Club Ohio Morgan Horse Association Flatlanders Dressage & Combined Ohio Paint Horse Club Training Association, Inc. Ohio Quarter Horse Association Geauga Horse & Pony Association Great Lakes Appaloosa Horse Club Ohio Ranch Horse Association Ohio State Buckskin Association Indiana Horse Council Ohio Western Horse Association, Inc. Indiana Mounted Regulators Knox County Horse Park Ottawa County Horse Foundation Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros Pinto Horse Association of Ohio Tri-County Trail Association Massillon Saddle Club Tri-State Rodeo Association Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc. Wayne County Saddle Club Mid-Eastern Farriers Association Mid Ohio Dressage Association Western Reserve Carriage Association Mid-Ohio Marauders
Inside This Issue Corral Calendar .............................................................................20 The Cowboy Perseverance Ranch ................................................30 Feeding The Seniors with Dental Concerns ..................................22 Horse Treats ..................................................................................38 If You Dream It, You Can Do It.......................................................26 The Last Ride ..................................................................................8 Notes from Inside The Corral ..........................................................6 Put the ‘Merry’ in Your Barn ...........................................................24 Ride In Sync ..................................................................................16 Stabling in the Winter ....................................................................34 TrailMeister ....................................................................................12 View From the Cheap Seats..........................................................46 The Way of Horses ........................................................................36
The Corral Staff Editor .............................................................................................Bobbie Coalter Advertising Sales & General Manager .....................................Joe Coalter email ............................................................... joe@thehorsemenscorral.com Club Sales & Circulation Manager Art & Composition Director .....................................................Michelle Ross email ......................................................michelle@thehorsemenscorral.com Advertising Consultant ................................................................. Mary Vedda email ............................................................ mary@thehorsemenscorral.com
Club News Black Swamp Driving Club ............................................................44 Central Ohio Saddle Club Association...........................................40 Central Ohio Wagoneers ...............................................................39 Colorado Ranger Horse Association .............................................47 Dusty Boots Riding Club................................................................28 Flatlanders Dressage & Combined Training Assoc., Inc. ..............14
WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Features: .......... Eleanor Blazer, Bobbie Coalter, Rob & Tanya Corzatt, ........... Debbie Disbrow, Robert Eversole, Kristen Janicki, Lisa Kiley, ............................Terry Myers, Lynn Palm, Sarah Vas, Jennifer Woodruff
Geauga Horse and Pony Association ............................................18 Great Lakes Appaloosa Club ...........................................................8 Knox County Horse Park ...............................................................45 Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros ........................................................31
NEXT ISSUE
NUMBER 1 .................................................................................. JANUARY 2020 JANUARY 2020 DEADLINE ........................................ DECEMBER 10, 2019
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc. ..........................................45 Mid-Eastern Farriers Association...................................................44 Mid-Ohio Marauders ......................................................................10
DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO HORSE AND HORSEMEN since 1969 THE HORSEMEN’S CORRAL is published monthly by Horsemen’s Corral, 8283 Richman Road, Lodi, Ohio 44254. (ISSN 0164-6591). Published as Periodicals at the Lodi Post Office USPS 889-180 with additional entry points Cleveland, OH 44101; Williamsport, PA 17701-9998 and Madison, WI 53714. Periodicals postage paid at Lodi, Ohio, and additional entry offices. Subscriptions: One Year for $30; Two Years for $50; Three Years for $65. Single copies, $3.00. For subscriptions, address changes, and adjustments, write to: Horsemen’s Corral, P.O. Box 32, Lodi, Ohio 44254. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Horsemen’s Corral, P.O. Box 32, Lodi, Ohio 44254. Manuscripts, drawings, and other material submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. The Horsemen’s Corral cannot be responsible for unsolicited material.
National Pole Bending Association ................................................28 Northern Ohio Dressage Association ............................................14 Northern Ohio Miniature Horse Club .............................................40 O.H.I.O. EXCA...............................................................................18 Ohio Gaited Horse Trailriders ........................................................42 Ohio Horseman’s Council, Inc. ......................................................50 Ohio Morgan Horse Association ....................................................17 Ohio Paint Horse Club ...................................................................37 Ohio Quarter Horse Association ....................................................28 Tri-County Trail Association ...........................................................42 Wayne County Saddle Club ..........................................................48 Western Reserve Carriage Association .........................................39
MAILING ADDRESS & PHONE: P.O. Box 32, Lodi, Ohio 44254 OFFICE: 419/742-3200 or 330/635-4145
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HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
December 2019
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Notes From Inside The Corral
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s an equine enthusiast, horse, donkey, mule lover and a Christian, I’ve always been drawn to the idea that an equine; a donkey to be specific, was part of the story of the birth of Christ. Although in 2012, then Pope Benedict pointed out there were no mention of animals in the gospels about the birth and suggested references to the ox and the donkey in other parts of the Bible may have inspired Christians to include them in their nativity scenes. In fact, the Vatican includes animals in their nativity scenes at St. Peter’s Square each year. Benedict conceded the tradition would likely continue because no nativity scene wants to give up the ox and donkey.
The nativity scene aside, I wonder if a donkey really carried the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem. It was a long way from Nazareth, Mary was ‘great with child’, and Joseph had to return to his home land to be taxed with her. And let’s face it, there are a number of references to asses (the original name for donkeys) in the Bible including the one in the Gospel of Mark where later, Jesus road a ‘colt’, which is commonly assumed to have been a donkey. But as Pope Benedict said, there is really no reference to any animal surrounding the birth of Jesus in the Bible. Perhaps it is simply on faith that we believe the donkey was used to make the trip since other options for long travel where few. After all, the Mediterranean donkey usually does have a cross on its back! For centuries, many artists have included the donkey in their works when portraying either the journey for Mary and Joseph or in the Nativity scene itself. And
in the Nativity, you can typically find the donkey standing in the background or even looking down at the baby Jesus. No real surprise when you consider the brain power, steady demeanor, pleasant temperament and the bond a donkey can have with their handler. They are mentioned in our carols, hymns and stories of Christmas. Whether it be horse, donkey or mule, I for one believe an equine had a small part in that
very special day when Mary gave birth to the Son of God. Think about that when you see your equine partner on Christmas Day. On behalf of everyone at the Horsemen’s Corral, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ADVENTURE AWAITS It’s time to renew or join for the 2020 membership year. Apply online at ohconline.com by Dec. 31.
Ohio Horseman’s Council volunteers have worked with land managers and trail partners for more than 45 years to build and preserve horse trails in Ohio. Find your next adventure at ohconline.com where you can download trail maps and learn more about Ohio’s trails.
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December 2019
December 2019
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The Last Ride “So when we do make that last ride that is inevitable for us all to make, to that place up there, where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep—You’ll tell us as we ride in that our entry fees have been paid. These things we ask.—Amen.” ~Excerpt from ‘A Rodeo Cowboy’s Prayer’ by Clem McSpadden
STEPHANIE MARIE BABCOCK Stephanie Marie Babcock, 50, of Litchfield, passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 at Medina Inpatient Hospice Care Center after a seven year battle with cancer. She was born April 3, 1969 in Medina. Stephanie graduated from Cloverleaf High School and the Medina JVS in 1987, where she took animal care. She pursued her love of animals especially horses and won many awards in 4-H and other shows throughout her life. She continued to share her love of horses with many others as she took many borders to various local horse shows. Her beloved horse, Sir Tijuana Twister (Speedy), was her greatest pride and joy. She won many Appaloosa Horse Club High Point honors, 2002 COSCA Halter Horse of the year and took him to the World Championship in Texas. She worked for Liverpool Coil and was part owner-operator of Hundred Acres Farm and other boarding operations over the years. She had been a member in many horse organizations: 4-H, FFA, Appaloosa Horse Club, Central Ohio Saddle Club Association and the US Trotting Association. Stephanie was a very compassionate animal lover. She kept track of her horses over the years to ensure they were well cared for and safe. She took care of nearly 20 cats that had been dumped or left on her farms—fixing, vetting, feeding and loving them even when times were tough. Even during her treatments for cancer, she could be found in the barn until she was physically unable to be there. Mike
and her family would like to thank her friends that supported her and helped her to keep her dreams alive by caring for her animals. She leaves behind her partner of 28 years, Mike Fraunfelter; her parents, David (Bonnie) Babcock and stepfather, Rick (Terry) Krawczyk. Her mother, Tommie (Babcock) Krawczyk preceded her in death. She also leaves behind sisters, Jackie (Steve) Dunsmore, Rachel (Corey) Velasquez; nieces, Alexa and Lauren Dunsmore; her best friend and confidant, Kristine Lorentz and many other friends that supported them through the years. Stephanie will be missed by her family and friends. She always said she would cross that rainbow bridge someday to reunite with her beloved pets. A memorial will be held Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 at the Lafayette United Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. Stephanie donated her body to the Cleveland Clinic Body Donation program for the advancement of medical science, in hopes of helping others whom are still battling cancer. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing towards the care of her animals left behind, Multiple Breed Rescue or Lafayette UMC Memorial fund. Submissions for The Last Ride can be emailed to michelle@thehorsemenscorral.com. Please include a picture if possible.
Great Lakes Appaloosa Club
Annual Swap Meet Scheduled for February PRESIDENT, Todd Michael; VICE PRESIDENT, Patty McCartin; TREASURER, Patty Nye; SECRETARY, Melanie Dzek; CLUB WEBSITE, www.GLApHC.com
by Chuck Schroeder Merry Christmas everyone! February 16 is the date set for the annual Great Lakes Appaloosa Horse Club sponsored ‘Swap Meet’ held at the Western Farm of the University of Findlay. Information and space reservation forms can be found on the website, www.glaphc.com or on Facebook: GLApHC Swap Meet. Jim Hollis (269/214-6194) is the new office manager and Deb Follett (734/341-9219) is the new site manager. Booth space reservations should be made as soon as possible. This is a great venue for selling and purchasing used and new horse related items like show clothing, chaps, bridles, saddles, boots, bits, etc. at very reasonable prices. Two large indoor arenas, more than adequate parking—over 2500 customers come to this great event. Starting time is 8 a.m. 8
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Congratulations to David Wagner for being featured in the ‘Open Spotlight’, the NSBA Way To Go magazine. David grew up showing Appaloosa horses and now is a full time successful trainer with his wife Kimmy. He and his family live near Cassopolis, Mich. He was one of the scholarship winners that our club sponsors. After graduating from college and a short teaching career he deciding training horses, coaching youth and non pro riders was what he enjoyed the most. He has trained and shown horses to many club, National and World Championships in his new career. He is an example of our youth members going on to be successful. When you see him at one our shows say congrats. He is usually surrounded by good people and good horses. The World Championship Appaloosa Show has just completed. I will have a full report of our club members placing in the next issue. I know several of our members won World Championships. One for sure that was very happy was Jim Hollis. More later.... That’s all for now. Enjoy the holiday season! December 2019
December 2019
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Mid-Ohio Marauders
Balloon Setters Make for a Successful Shoot PRESIDENT, Tim Calvin VICE PRESIDENT, Tom Byrne SECRETARY, Judy Foster TREASURER, Laurie Maris PHONE, 740/206-7214 EMAIL, midohiomarauders@gmail.com WEBSITE, www.midohiomarauders.com
Once again, another successful Congress Shootout is in the books! Congratulations to all the individual class, division and overall winners! We couldn’t have done it without our many sponsors, hard working volunteers, other club members, officers, directors, and last but not least, our awesome competitors who helped keep the shoot going smoothly! To pull off such success in just one day is incredible! Teamwork, displayed at it’s finest. So how are we able to do it? This past year, I have been sharing all the news about the Mid Ohio Marauders and their activities. Often, writing about our shoots and the successes along with them. However, did you ever
stop to think about what it takes to host a successful competition? Let me share with you what it takes ‘behind the scenes’. The officers and directors of the Marauders along with CMSA select and confirm dates for the shoots. The ammo and balloons are ordered as well. Specific tasks are delegated and taken on by our members and directors for the weekend. Some of these duties include setting up the arena, setting up the entry office and taking entries, coordinating wranglers, flag ceremony, cowboy church, dinner on Saturday evening and awards for both days. If you want to see serious teamwork in action come early on the Friday before the shoot and stay late after the shoot on Sunday. However, one of the most important and respected jobs at our shoots is that of our balloon setters. Any club that hosts a shoot knows the value of these hard working people. We have been blessed with some awesome clubs, kids and adults at all of our weekend shoots and at our Congress Shootout as well. These hard working selfless
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Division winners from 2019 Congress Shootout. people have to show up before the first shot takes place. They also stay throughout the entire shoot until the last shot is fired in the last class. In between all that, they have to keep blowing up the balloons and tirelessly run out to the arena after each and every competitor to reset the stage. Sometimes they even have to run out to arena and change a particular balloon if requested by the competitor. During the tractor drag, they are also seen picking up balloon fragments to help keep the arena clean. I can’t emphasize enough how important these people are to us. They stay at it for hours on end, in cold and extreme heat weather conditions. I never hear them complain either. I honestly don’t know where they find all that energy to last an entire competition. I have also witnessed some clubs letting outside volunteers and spectators take part and assist making it fun for all involved. So how did the Marauders manage to pull off a 4 stage shoot, 103 shooters, shotgun, rifle and Calvary, all in one day? A big part of that success was due to our spectacular balloon setters. They stepped up to the challenge and managed to do it in not one, but two arenas. Ever since the first Cowboy Mounted Shooting competition took place, Troop
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342, from Fredericktown, Ohio, has arose to the challenge and kept the Congress shoots moving. Along with assistance from Troop 332 this year, they worked nonstop to set stages between shooters, and at one time, recording a 17 second balloon change! And that was in the Celeste arena, which is no small stage. The faster the balloon change the faster we can bring the next competitor in the arena. These kids don’t walk either. They know how to take care of business and get the job done! They stay behind the scenes and keep working as well. So, if you think you or your club might be up for the challenge and interested in making some money for your association, please feel free to contact one of our Marauders. You can help on one day or the entire weekend. Most of our shoots take place at the Madison County Fairgrounds in London, Ohio. We will also be at the 2020 Ohio State Fair on July 31 through Aug. 2. Again, a big thank you to all our balloon setters who helped make our 2019 season so fun and successful. We are looking forward to 2020!
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HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
35th Annual Sale
LIVE ON SITE MULTI-BREED GAITED EQUINE AUCTION SPECIALIZING IN PLEASURE TENNEESEE WALKING HORSES
JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 1, 2020
Alltech ArenA • KY horse PArK • lexington, KY WE WELCOME AND ANTICIPATE ENTRIES FROM THE FOLLOWING: KY MOUNTAIN SADDLE HORSE
RACKING HORSE
TN WALKING HORSE
MISSOURI FOX TROTTER
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HORSE
UNITED MOUNTAIN HORSE
NATIONAL SPOTTED SADDLE HORSE
SPOTTED SADDLE HORSE
AMERICAN GAITED MULE
Entries and participation from any and all breeds that offer pleasure, trail and show horses that compete in the pleasure division are welcome. We anticipate a nice selection of entries that are eligible for the KENTUCKY BREEDERS INCENTIVE FUND.
REQUIRED ENTRY DOCUMENTS #1 CATALOG FEE • #2 ENTRY FORM • #3 REGISTRATION PAPERS #4 SIX (6) MONTH NEGATIVE COGGINS TEST • #5 THIRTY (30) DAY HEALTH CERTIFICATE (#4 & #5 UPON ARRIVAL AT SALE)
Information regarding terms & conditions of sale, including seller & buyer fees/commissions, are available for viewing on our website, www.horsesalelp.com You may also contact us by email or phone. We look forward to hearing from you!
HOST HOTEL: CLARION HOTEL, 1950 NEWTOWN PIKE, LEXINGTON, KY • (859) 233-0512 (Ask for Horse Sale Rate)
Send us an email with your contact information to stay up-to-date on the Kentucky After Christmas Sale! kyafterchristmassale@gmail.com
CONSIGN TODAY!
entrY DeADline: JAnUArY 17, 2020 Fax entries to (615) 895-9793 or (615) 794-1289
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David Landrum 4468 Murfreesboro Rd. Franklin, TN 37067 (615) 794-1190 Fax (615) 794-1289 landrumstables@aol.com December 2019
Director Of Business Development Renee Lainhar Richmond, KY (859) 408-3100 kyafterchristmassale@gmail.com
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Jerrold Pedigo P.O. Box 2907 Murfreesboro, TN (615) 895-9792 Fax (615) 895-9793 jerroldpedigo@gmail.com
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TrailMeister
Preparing a Truck for Towing Setting up a new truck for safe trailer towing by Robert Eversole
I
got a new to me truck! She’s a 2019 Ford F450, diesel, 4x4 crew cab, long bed, and I’m finding out that much of the equipment from my old truck (2008 Ford F350, diesel, short bed) doesn’t swap over to the new vehicle. Even with all the factory installed towing options I’ve learned that there’s a lot more to preparing a truck for towing than pulling out of the dealership and hitching up. My animals are depending upon me getting this right for the many trips we have planned!
All of this means that I have plenty of towing capacity remaining, which to me equals a larger margin of safety.
My Initial Challenges
1. New truck came with a factory gooseneck package. The ball may be removable (via a nasty greasy latch on top of the ball) but neither it nor the factory safety chain loops inspired confidence. 2. With the trailer attached I cannot open the tailgate. It hits the trailer jack’s hydraulic pump housing. This was not a problem before but the new tailgate is a fraction taller than the old. I’d like to be able to drop the tailgate to load and unload hay and water when still connected to the trailer. 3. The new truck’s rear bumper pull hitch receiver is much larger than that on the old truck. (3” square vs 2”). What I thought were three easy questions soon turned into a rabbit hole of new queries and concerns, and the thought of messing it up was keeping me up at night. I’m not a truck guy, and have never been mechanically inclined, so I started searching for answers from experts. Real experts in the field, not the keyboard warriors you find across the Internet. My investigations led me to Beth Barlow of B&W Trailer Hitches in Kansas. Beth was able to help me sort through the most important considerations for my situation.
It’s all about Weight
Understanding your vehicles rate ratings are paramount and the first step to enlightenment. Unfortunately deciphering the various acronyms is similar to learning a new language. Here’s what Beth has taught me. For those of us that are hauling horses (or mules) the most important four letters are GCWR. This stands for Gross Combined Weight Rating, and refers to the weight not only of the vehicle, including passengers and cargo, but also the trailer and its load (horses, water, feed, etc.). This number is determined by the truck manufacturer to be the maximum safe weight that a vehicle can tow all-in, so it’s important not to exceed this guideline. That magic number is NOT found on the GVWR sticker in your door frame. B&W has a handy calculator that helps, https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/towing-helpgooseneck
Fun with Math
With the calculator I was able to do the following calculations: • My truck’s GCWR is 41,700lbs • The fully loaded trailer weighs 18,620 pounds including three animals, water, and feed. • The truck weighs 8,905 lbs with passengers, fuel, and assorted stuff • 27,525 lbs total weight • 41,700 – 27,525 = 14,175 lbs of excess capacity.
With these thoughts in mind I was able to go back to my original issues with a lot more clarity and understanding. 1) The factory gooseneck hitch option didn’t feel substantial so I swapped it out for a heavier duty kit that has a higher weight rating (30k lb) and even includes a handle that keeps my hands clean when removing the ball. 2) To open the tailgate I needed to swap out my trailer coupler with an offset version that moves the trailer back a bit. The model I chose moves the trailer back 10 inches and gives me plenty of room to load the truck bed with the trailer connected. The coupler has a 24,000 lb rating which is plenty to pull my 18,000+ lb trailer. 3) I could have added reducing sleeves to the new bumper hitch receiver but instead opted for a new drop hitch. Adding reducing sleeves reduces your tow rating (read your truck manufacturer’s fine print, it’s sometimes drastic) and they introduce another place for sloppiness and rattle. Using a hitch that is fit for your receiver eliminates all of these things which to my mind makes for a safer towing experience. There you go. My adventures in towing before I ever left the barn. Ensuring that our trucks are ready to haul our critters makes for great, and uneventful trips! I’m very thankful to B&W Trailer Hitches for their time and help in getting me safe for the road. You can learn more about them at www.bwtrailerhitches.com. And as always you can find the best in horse trails and camps at www.TrailMeister.com! Robert ‘The TrailMeister’ Eversole owns and operates the largest horse trail and horse camp guide in the world, www.TrailMeister.com. When he’s not speaking with horse and mule riders at events across the US, writing regular feature columns in leading equine publications including the Horsemen’s Corral, Robert can be found riding and packing trail maintenance crews into wilderness areas throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The GVWR sticker was not very helpful. The handy calculator (right) was. 12
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
December 2019
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Flatlanders Dressage & Combined Training Association, Inc.
Flatlanders 2019 Fun Shows PRESIDENT, Dianne Foltz; VICE PRESIDENT, Pat Boutwell; TREASURER, Mary Lou Paxton; SECRETARY, Shelley Zwiebel. WEBSITE, www.flatlandersdressage.com
by Dianne Foltz The year 2019, as far as fun shows went, was very poor due to the unfit weather conditions. The season started with a cancellation and reschedule of Dianne Foltz’s show. Pat Boutwell, next on the list of scheduled shows, was able to have the first show with a break in the weather; what a turnout of riders and volunteers! New members were able to ride first time tests, creating a fresh atmosphere. Thanks to Heather Bonifas’ and Pat’s active coaching and guidance, the
newest riders were able to ride their tests correctly. In September, Jonna Schumway had an absolutely perfect weather day. Many members were able to show. It was the first time Jonna’s outdoor arena was used for a show and the first time Jill Christopher rode a test on her horse, Ransom. An enjoyable day was had by all the participants. In October, Dianne was able to hold the final fun show,
rescheduled from May. Due to member’s busy fall outings, only a few were able to ride tests, however there were many good tests ridden. The weather was thankfully pleasant! Next year we hope to see riders testing at beginning levels up through fourth level. The relatively new sport of western dressage is also being ridden by several of our members. The club is growing in both knowledge and improved riding
skills. Importantly, they are eager and willing to share those skills and talent. There will be at least three fun shows scheduled for the 2020 season; a very inexpensive way of riding and schooling tests in preparation for open, schooling and recognized shows. These shows are certainly a benchmark for progress in both education and riding skills. We hope to see even more members riding tests next year.
Northern Ohio Dressage Association
NODA Members Remember Dagmar Zimmerman, 1941–2019 PRESIDENT, Barb Soukup; VICE PRESIDENT, Arielle Brodkey; TREASURER, Dee Liebenthal; SECRETARY, Patti Valencic. EMAIL, president@nodarider.org; WEBSITE, www.nodarider.org
Compiled by Fran Cverna Dagmar Zimmerman, NODA member of 47 years, passed away in September 2019. Dressage teacher, trainer, competitor, coach, breeder, R judge, clinician, animal lover, NODA’s fourth president, wife, mother, and friend, Zimmerman received the NODA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. What I will miss most about Dagmar is not her advice, her expertise, her encouragement or her passion about the correctness of training the dressage horse, although she shared those willingly with me many times. I will miss her friendship...the twinkle in her eye when we both found something funny, when we were the only ones foolish enough to be out on the road on 14
a winter morning to meet for breakfast, when an evening was incomplete without a stop at the local food stand for green grapes. I will miss her presence on the Music Street of my life, but I wish her well on the next part of her journey. —Dianne Braden I met Dagmar many years ago when she was judging a show at Brecksville Stables. Dagmar’s main concern has been the correct training and welfare of the horses and she wanted to make sure the horse was a ‘happy athlete,’ long before that became a term! I feel fortunate to have had the chance to ride in her clinics and to have known her as a friend who was always available whether I had a question or needed advice. Dagmar was very loyal and appreciated the same from her students! I miss her but hope she knows that she made a difference. I am a better rider because of her. —Sabine Walker Dagmar was my trainer in the 1970’s. How fortunate I was to learn from her. She was a true horsewoman, who cared deeply for all animals as well as a talented rider and trainer! It was so much fun being a part of Birchmont Farm, from her
breeding activities to clinics with Dr. Van Schaik. Fast forward to just a few years ago when Dagmar let my gelding Keegan, retire on her beautiful farm where he lived his last years like a king. I will always cherish my memories of Dagmar. —Christine Thompson I first met Dagmar in the 1980’s and thought Birchmont Farm was heaven on earth. I believed Dagmar knew everything there was to know about dressage and was very intimidated by her! Many years later my horse Rocky retired with Dagmar’s horse Anno. The two horses became good friends and so did Dagmar and I. Dagmar convinced me to be active with NODA again and I got involved with running the Schooling Shows, met people, and it changed my life. I will miss Dagmar and always treasure memories of our friendship. — Fran Cverna My memories of Dagmar go back to early days of NODA! One time she stopped at my house on her way home from the vet with her beautiful Chestnut horse, Camelot, in a trailer! She just parked on the street in front of my house and rang the doorbell—that was so much fun.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Her riding lessons were always a challenge, she had a great eye and saw everything! Her stories were always full of adventure and joie de vivre! She touched many, many lives and she will be greatly missed. —Patti Ferris In the late 80s when I was in the process of relocating from Germany to the United States with my Trakehner, it was suggested to me to check with Dagmar as she was a friend of the Trakehner horse as well as a knowledgeable breeder and trainer. I was an eventer, but Dagmar quickly changed us to a dressage team. Because of her horsemanship, knowledge and experience she was a successful trainer and a gifted teacher, able to pass it on to her students. My last two lessons with Dagmar just a few months ago were the best ones I ever had with her. Dagmar was very active with the American Trakehner Association. She was a successful breeder and importer of the Trakehner Horse trying to improve the Trakehner bloodlines and reputation in this country. Dagmar will be missed by all those who enjoyed and benefited from her advice. — Ursula Stanton-Hicks December 2019
December 2019
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Ride In Sync
Training for Ground Poles by Terry Myers
A
few months ago, I wrote an article about the body control needed to properly execute a trail pattern. One of the things we did not address is ground poles. We had a request from a reader to do an article about training your horse on ground poles, so here ya go… If you have ever watched a horse properly execute ground poles at the trot or lope, it is a thing of beauty. When done well, the horse floats over the poles with very little change in the cadence of their stride. The horse does not change speeds through the poles, maintaining a consistent rhythm. To get this result takes time and training over countless poles. Ground Pole Basics First you need to check with the association you will be showing in, they all differ a little on the
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distance between the poles. The distances I use to train on poles complies with American Ranch Horse Association and Ohio 4-H. Check your rule book. I put walk over poles at a distance of 20-24 inches apart. I like to start walk overs using big poles such as railroad ties or telephone poles. The reason I do this is to have the horse get used to picking up their feet when going over the poles. Most horse shows use jump poles or smaller landscape timbers. If your horse becomes accustom to walking over bigger poles, they should be fine with the smaller poles at the horse show. Before I walk a horse over poles for the first time, I walk them back and forth between the poles until I know they are comfortable. When I get ready to walk over them the first few times, I might start with just a few poles. I give them slack in the reins to allow them to have their head and let them pick their way through the poles. Do not
let them stop midway. After the horse has gone over them a few times and seems comfortable, I add more logs until I am eventually up to about 6-7 poles in a row. After working these and the horse is comfortable, I will stop them about 3 feet before the first pole so they can see the pole. Then queue them to move forward over the series of poles, giving them their head. Stop them after they clear the last pole. By doing this, the horse will develop the habit of walking slower over the poles. They will usually put their head down and look at the poles while crossing them, showing a great showring ‘expression’ (appearing to look at the poles all the way). The purpose of stopping them once you clear the poles keeps the horse from developing the habit of rushing over the poles. Trot over poles should be 3-4 feet apart. Given that the average stock horse has a total stride about 12 feet long, I like my trot overs at 3 feet apart. If you have a bigger horse, set your poles at 4 foot. Again, check the rules for the association that you are showing with. You also need to know your horse’s stride, short versus long. If you have a big long strided horse but are showing with an organization that will have their show ring poles at 3 feet apart, you will need to take that into account in your training. When you first start to trot over your poles, I work one pole. When the horse is comfortable, I add a second pole but not at 3 feet apart. Instead I put it 6 feet from the first pole. That lets the horse have a stride between the poles to help them relax and not be fearful as the learn their trot poles. As they get more and more at ease, I may add a third pole three feet from the second pole. The horse learns to pay attention to their feet. I do NOT use railroad ties or telephone poles for trot or lope overs. Just regular ground poles, preferring the longer jump poles. Don’t force your horse to slow jog over the poles. They call them trot overs for a reason, allow them to extend their stride and reach over the poles. For lope over poles, I work them at a distance of 6 feet apart. Again, start with one pole. It is the same process as with your trot
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Terry Myers over poles, except the distance between poles is greater. After the horse develops a comfort level with loping over one pole, add the second pole at 12 feet from the first. When they are loping over that well, add the third pole 6 feet from the second pole. That way they have a stride between pole 1 and 2, with no stride between poles 2 and 3. The goal is to get to them loping over several poles at the 6 foot distance, with your horse being comfortable. For both trot over and lope over poles, the horse must elevate their shoulders and drive from behind. For the western horse, the rider needs to sit deep in the saddle, pick up lightly (not back) on the reins and use your legs to drive the horse over the poles. Do not lean forward, pull back or take your legs off the horse. All this will accomplish is dumping the horse on their forehand while restricting their forward movement. The rider needs to look AHEAD, not down at the poles. There are several exercises you can do to help your horse develop the skills to navigate ground poles. One is to place poles at random distances in a 50-60 foot large circle (think spokes on a wheel). The horse should have several strides between poles. This teaches the horse to think about how to time their strides and place the feet to navigate these random distances. Other exercises can be found on social media, but this is one of my favorites. Remember to check your rule books about distances between poles for the walk/trot/lope. A few words of caution. Never EVER use plastic or PVC poles. They can roll or break, even fly up and hit your horse’s legs.
S December 2019
Ohio Morgan Horse Association
I Have Opinions and Theories, but not the Answer PRESIDENT, Alyssa Rose VICE PRESIDENT, Elizabeth Thomas SECRETARY, Nancy Rinz TREASURER, Elizabeth Burick WEBSITE, www.ohiomorganhorse.com
by Susan Walker December already, how did we get to the end of 2019 so fast? They say that as you age, time seems to move faster. Personally, time feels like a ride on a bullet train, or perhaps a fighter jet making a sharp ascent. In terms of club news, December is an in-between time of sorts. By the time you are reading this, the traditional year-end event, the banquet will have taken place; the high point awards will have been given to the winners and our board of directors will have two new members. For details on all of this, please look to next month’s
column (as it hasn’t happened yet). The current board continues with the monthly meetings but there is a bit of a lull as there are no events on the immediate horizon. Planning for the annual Buckeye Morgan Challenge never really ends. You would be surprised at all the checklist items that are being worked on this far in advance, dates and judges must be secured and contracts must be negotiated and signed. But since it is months away, there isn’t a sense of urgency over most of the planning. So traditionally, this is a time to reflect over the past year and to look forward to the new. In other words, I’m struggling to fill my allotment of words for this month’s column, so what follows may be a bit disjointed or rambling. Bear with me. You know I love horses and horse shows, but I’m also a lover of lots of other kinds of animals and I have found it fun to attend their shows when given the chance. I enjoy the animal judging at county and state
fairs and I usually try to attend a dog show and a cat show as a spectator at least once per year. So, on Oct. 12, I decided to attend the Cat Fancier’s Association International Cat Show since it was being held this year at Cleveland’s I-X Center. The CFA is the largest pedigreed feline registry in the world, and this is their equivalent of ‘Oklahoma’ except it truly is international (the cat fancy is huge in Japan and other oriental countries), and the show is hosted in a different city each year. When I entered the I-X Center, I found three cashiers selling $14 spectator tickets to the show, and each line was at least 15 people deep. Upon entering the show hall, there was a long line of tables offering a 4-page brochure with a map of the show setup, a list of the Meow Mall vendors (59 in all), and a schedule of events. Another handout was the ‘Cat Show Guide’ which explained how the competition takes place and answered frequently asked
questions about cat shows. A final freebie was a lovely 2020 8”x11” calendar with pedigreed kittens at the top of each month. The show had ‘Cat Ambassadors’ to meet the breeds and ‘Show Mentors’ wearing badges stating “Need Help? Ask Me!” I could go on and on, but the point I am trying to make is that this cat registry and their big championship show were doing a marvelous job of making their premier event accessible, educational, and entertaining to the general public. I couldn’t help but to wonder that so many spectators were willing to spend their Saturday afternoon and money from their entertainment budgets to watch cats when our horse shows find it so difficult to engage the general public. I have some opinions and I have some theories, but I certainly don’t have any answers. SUNDAY, DEC. 15 — Winter Academy Show Series, Second Show at Blue Lakes Farm, Newbury, OH.
Ride In Sync (continued) Training on ground poles can be frustrating. Take your time and keep your expectations low and slow. Your horse will develop these skills if they are given enough time and patience. If you are having trouble with ground poles, don’t get into a fight with your horse, it always makes things worse. This training is not a quick process. Let your horse learn one step at a time. If you get frustrated, then you are asking for too much. As I always say…horses don’t make mistakes, people do.
Terry Myers is a national clinician and champion horse trainer with a depth of knowledge developed from over 45 years in the horse industry. Myers has been a popular clinician at multiple expos in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about Myers’ Ride-In-Sync methods as well as clinic and training services available, visit Myers at www.tmtrainingcenter.com or on Facebook. Questions about this or any of our articles can be emailed to us at myers5000@aol.com.
Joe Coalter
Professional Equine and Rodeo Announcer
Call 330-635-4145 to Book Now!
December 2019
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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O.H.I.O EXCA
O.H.I.O. EXCA has Moved Indoors and Announces 2020 Plans CO-PRESIDENTS, Steve Fuller & Jimm McDonald; CO-TREASURERS, Robin Gigax & Jennie Bower; SECRETARY, Anissa Fuller; FACEBOOK, O.H.I.O. EXCA
by Anissa Fuller Thankfully, our decision to hold our end-of-year banquet outdoors at S bar L in Sugarcreek worked out great! All members, sponsors and volunteers were invited in appreciation of their support of O.H.I.O. EXCA in 2019 for an enjoyable evening of fellowship, thanks and awards... with no rain and tolerable temperatures! Volunteers and sponsors who attended were treated by the club to a catered and delicious hot meal prepared by Alta and Magen Mullet. We held a silent auction of about 10 items, and proceeds will be used to further our ability to sponsor youth entries for our scheduled 2020 races. Riders who attended at least
two of our three races, and were high point winners in their division, were awarded a specially designed buckle at our banquet. Congratulations to Jaymis Robinson (Young Guns), Ayla Holmes (Youth), Missy Staggers (Novice), and Jennie Bower (Non-Pro and RideSmart) who were presented these very deserved buckles. Sharon Oetzel won the Intermediate Division buckle, but unfortunately, could not attend. Following the meal, awards and auction, many lingered to sit and talk around the campfire, perfect for a chilly evening. Since the Nov. 4 time change, we have had two successful practice meetings at Riverland Arena’s indoor, heated and very spacious arena. Members who attend have helped in laying out a different obstacle course each practice meeting. We will be exploring some new obstacles this year and are excited to provide more variety. As always, we appreciate being a sanctioned club through Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Association in Texas for their long list of tried
and true obstacle ideas for our consideration. We continue to see new growth on our Facebook page, as well as our membership. As a newer club (only two years old), we feel blessed to have successfully completed four sanctioned EXCA races so far, with at least four of our club members qualifying for the EXCA Worlds event in Texas this year. Although no one decided to compete in Worlds this year, there are goals being established. I think those four might have been a bit surprised to discover that it was an option for them! We have recently announced our three races planned in Eastern Ohio for 2020, and they are scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at Riverland Arena in Navarre, Saturday, June 27 at Creek Side Horse Park in Waynesburg and Aug.15 at S bar L Rodeo Arena in Sugarcreek. We are looking forward to having some fun and friendly competition at our 2020 races for all ages and experience levels. We have always said that “we are so much more than racing”. If you have no interest in competition
(L to R): Ayla Holmes, Jaymis Robinson, Jennie Bower, and Missy Staggers. (and many of our members do not!), join us for our weekly practice meetings and meet fellow horsemen and women for socialization and support in your equine partnership journey. You may meet up with folks who are doing something outside of our meetings and enjoy that too! We will have a fun show scheduled on Saturday, March 28 to introduce and educate about EXCA races, and a youth and adult clinic scheduled on April 24-25 with Lee Hart, all at Riverland Arena for anyone to enjoy. We have an active Facebook page, check us out on O.H.I.O. EXCA for more information. Wishing everyone happy holidays!
Geauga Horse and Pony Association
Rich Bradshaw’s Rider Challenges PRESIDENT, Niki Barry; TREASURER, Shauna Gingrich; SECRETARY, Carmella Shale. WEBSITE, www. ghpa.us
by Paige Belew Rich Bradshaw’s horse and rider challenges ended on Nov. 23 and everyone had a wonderful time. The previous challenge, held on Oct. 27, featured a costume class where 16 entries dressed up and the winners received Schneiders gift cards! We loved to see all of the creative costumes this year. Thank you to everyone who participated throughout the year, we can’t wait to see you next year! The official annual banquet date is March 14, 2020. Our banquet committee is already hard at work, making sure this is the best banquet yet. This banquet would not be possible without all of our members, so please be sure to look out for the basket donation information. If you donate you receive two service hours. I 18
Fun at the Rich Bradshaw Halloween Horse and Rider Challenge. can’t wait to see everyone at the banquet! Stay up to date on club activities, shows and other information. Check the GHPA website, www. ghpa.us, for updates and clinics. You can also find membership forms, rules, and links to horse-related topics. General membership meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Geauga County Fairgrounds Education Building. Other ways to follow GHPA is to like us on Facebook,
Fun at the Rich Bradshaw Halloween Horse and Rider Challenge. Geauga Horse and Pony Assoc.; Twitter: @GHPAhorseshows; Instagram: GHPAhorseshows. A huge thanks to Big Dee’s, Schneiders Saddlery and all of our sponsors. GHPA would like to thank Big Dee’s Tack for their generous support of our
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
organization through their Bonus Bucks program. Likewise; thank you to Schneider’s Saddlery for their generous donations. We really appreciate all that both of these fine companies provide for us. Thank you to all the jackpot class sponsors. December 2019
December 2019
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Corral Calendar DISCLAIMER: The Horsemen’s Corral has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided on this calendar of events. However, the information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. The Corral does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Where possible, event contact information is provided. Please “Call before you haul”. DECEMBER 2019 DEC. 1 — Fulton County OHC Cowboy Christmas Tack Swap, Gift Shopping, & Live Auction, 9 a.m., WB Ranch & Arena, 1640 County Rd. B, Swanton, OH. FMI: Jo Neeley, 419-356-1350, www.fcohc.com. DEC. 6-7 — National Breeders’ Showcase Annual Auction, Michiana Event Center, Shipshewana, IN. FMI: 260-768-3300, www.michianaevents.com. DEC. 6-8 — Half Baked Winter Series Barrel Race, Champions Center, Springfield, OH. FMI: 330-592-5745, www. ontheroadwithdawnandclea.com. DEC. 7 — Youth Rodeo, Crazy Woman Ranch, 6450 Lancaster Circleville Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH. FMI: 614-595-1850. DEC. 7 — LaRue Horse & Tack Sale Monthly Auction, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1059 Richwood LaRue Rd., LaRue, OH. FMI: 419-889-9150. DEC. 7 — Moore’s Monthly Tack & Horse Auction, 11771 US Hwy. 223, Onsted, MI. FMI: 517-467-7576, www.tommooresales. com.
DEC. 8 — Tack Swap, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rogers Equestrian Center, 26897 Frederick Ave., Columbia Station. OH. FMI: Alyssa Rogers, 216-538-6753. DEC. 13 — Friday Night Winter Show, Camouflage Stables, 3249 St. Rt. 45, Salem, OH. FMI: 234-567-4066. DEC. 13-14 — Dutch Cross Classic, Topeka Livestock Barn, Topeka, IN. FMI: James Yoder, 260-593-3210. DEC. 13-15 — ShoMe Holiday ShoDown, MSU Pavilion, Lansing, MI. FMI: 269-8768609, www.shomeshows.com. DEC. 14 — Horse Sale, Mt. Hope Auction, 8076 SR 241, Millersburg, OH. FMI: 330674-6188, www.mthopeauction.com. DEC. 14 — IBRA Barrels & NPBA Poles Finals for Bonus Cash, Crazy Woman Ranch, 6450 Lancaster Circleville Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH. FMI: 614-595-1850, www. crazywomanranchohio.com. DEC. 14 — Rockin R Ranch Youth Rodeo Association Show, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: 740-475-9237. DEC. 14 — Maple Crest Farm Open House, 12-5 p.m., Brecksville, OH. FMI: 440-2927198. DEC. 15 — Ohio Morgan Horse Assoc. Winter Academy Show Series, Blue Lakes Farm, Newbury, OH. FMI: Alyssa, 216-5386753, www.ohiomorganhorse.com. DEC. 15 — CRBPHA & WV IBRA Show, Isaac Lopez Training Facility, Clarksburg, WV. FMI: Becky Hinerman, 304-826-7391. DEC. 27-29 — Half Baked Winter Series Barrel Race, Champions Center, Springfield, OH. FMI: 330-592-5745, www. ontheroadwithdawnandclea.com.
JANUARY 2020 JAN. 11 — Rockin R Ranch Youth Rodeo Association Show, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: 740-475-9237. JAN. 14-15 — Harrisburg Driving Horse Sale, Harrisburg Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA. FMI: Daniel, 717-629-8400. JAN. 17 — Friday Night Winter Show, Camouflage Stables, 3249 St. Rt. 45, Salem, OH. FMI: 234-567-4066. JAN. 18 — 22nd Annual Contenders 4-H Club Tack, Pie and Misc. Item Auction, 5 p.m., Mount Vernon Developmental Center, Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: 740-501-1045. JAN. 19 — Ohio Morgan Horse Assoc. Winter Academy Show Series, Blue Lakes Farm, Newbury, OH. FMI: Alyssa, 216-5386753, www.ohiomorganhorse.com. JAN. 23-26 — IQHA Winner Circuit Show, C Bar C Arena, 253 W. Stardust Rd., Cloverdale, IN. FMI: Kathy, 765-714-4324. JAN. 24-26 —American Ranch Horse Association 2020 Judges Seminar and 2019 Awards Banquet (25th), Center For Rural Development, Somerset, KY. FMI: 606271-2963, arhacontact@aol.com, www. AmericanRanchHorse.net JAN. 26 — Clark Co. 4-H Horse Committee Annual Tack Swap & Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Clark Co. Fairgrounds, Springfield, OH. FMI: Cindy, 937-605-0382, chance1_1@msn.com. JAN. 31 — Friday Night Winter Show, Camouflage Stables, 3249 St. Rt. 45, Salem, OH. FMI: 234-567-4066. JAN. 31-FEB 1 — Heart of America Dutch Harness Horse Sale, C Bar C Expo, Cloverdale, IN. FMI: Lamar Schrock, 217543-3543.
JAN. 31-FEB. 1 — 35th Annual Kentucky After Christmas Sale, Kentucky Horse Park Alltech Arena, Lexington, KY. FMI: Renee, 859-408-3100, kyafterchristmassale@ gmail.com, www.horsesaleslp.com. JAN. 31-FEB. 2 — Half Baked Winter Series Barrel Race, Champions Center, Springfield, OH. FMI: 330-592-5745, www. ontheroadwithdawnandclea.com. FEBRUARY 2020 FEB. 7-9 — Team Roping, Rodeo, Barrel Racing, Preble County Fairgrounds, 722 S. Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Roping: Adam, 937-459-2248; Rodeo: Jim, 937-392-4608; Barrels: Cristy, 513-256-1225. FEB. 8 — 9th Annual Ashland Paint & Plain Tack Swap, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, OH. FMI: Ashley Canfield, 419606-8383, acanfield386@gmail.com. FEB. 8 — Rockin R Ranch Youth Rodeo Association Show, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: Shane Rickly, 740-475-9237. FEB. 9 — Ohio Morgan Horse Assoc. Winter Academy Show Series, Blue Lakes Farm, Newbury, OH. FMI: Alyssa Rose, 216-538-6753, www.ohiomorganhorse. com. FEB. 9 — Butler Co. 4H Tack & Treasure Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Butler Co. Fairgrounds Multipurpose Bldg., 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, OH. FMI: 513706-3847, tenacollier@gmail.com. FEB. 14-15 — Sweethearts Barrel Race, C Bar C Arena, 253 W. Stardust Rd., Cloverdale, IN. FMI: Cindy, 765-426-1457.
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December 2019
Corral Calendar FEB. 15 — Stark County Annual Tack Swap, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stark County Fairgrounds, Canton, OH. FMI: Find Stark County Jr. Fair Horse Committee on Facebook. FEB. 16 — 37th Great Lakes Appaloosa Horse Club Swap Meet, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., University of Findlay Western Farm, Findlay, OH. FMI: Jim Hollis, 269-2146194, www.glaphc.com. FEB. 22 — Ohio Paint Horse Club Awards Banquet, 4-7 p.m., Ten Pin Alley, Hilliard, OH. FMI: Sue, 740-924-2305, suejohnson@ embarqmail.com, www.ophc.org. FEB. 22 — Knox County OHC Tack Auction, 2:30 p.m., 122 E. Liberty St., Martinsburg, OH. FMI: Terry Baker, whistlemeup08@ yahoo.com. FEB. 22-23 — Champions Center Open Show, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 937-324-4353, www. championscenter.net. FEB. 27-MAR. 1 — 18th Annual Horse World Expo & Theatre Equus (Feb. 29 & Mar. 1), Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA. FMI: 301-916-0852, www.horseworldexpo.com. MARCH 2020 MAR. 6-7 — Mid State Classic, Centre County Grange Fairgrounds, Centre Hall, PA. FMI: Ephraim Miller, 814-571-1553. MAR. 6-8 — Michigan Horse Expo, MSU Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing, MI. FMI: www.michiganhorseexpo.org. MAR. 8 — Horse Tack and More Sale sponsored by Defiance Co. OHC, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Paulding Co. Fairgrounds Extension Hall, 503 Fairgrounds Drive, Paulding, OH. FMI: Nancy Schroeder, 419-770-4621.
MAR. 13-15 — Great Lakes Area Driving ADT/Derby, Windy Knoll, 474 OH-58, Sullivan, OH. FMI: 440-292-7198. MAR. 14 — Rockin R Ranch Youth Rodeo Association Show, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: 740-475-9237. MAR. 19-22 — Road To The Horse, Kentucky Horse Park Alltech Arena, Lexington, KY. FMI: Tammy Sronce, 940-859-6512, www. roadtothehorse.com. MAR. 21 — Buckeye Mini Horse & Donkey Sale, Wayne County Fairgrounds, 199 Vanover St., Wooster, OH. FMI: Daniel Schrock, 330-763-0905, schrocksauctioneering@gmail.com. MAR. 21 — 5th Annual Old Fashioned Tack Swap Meet, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Richland Co. Fairgrounds, Mansfield, OH. FMI: 567560-4457, customconchosandtack@gmail. com, www.customconchosandtack.com. MAR. 20-22 — Saddlebred Show, C Bar C Arena, 253 W. Stardust Rd., Cloverdale, IN. FMI: Linda Beltz, 317-844-9702. MAR. 21-22 — Champions Center Open Show, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 937-324-4353, www.championscenter. net. MAR. 22 — Ohio Morgan Horse Assoc. Winter Academy Show Series, Blue Lakes Farm, Newbury, OH. FMI: Alyssa Rose, 216-538-6753. MAR. 28 — O.H.I.O. EXCA Fun Show, Riverland Arena, Navarre, OH. FMI: Steve Fuller, 330-340-1540. MAR. 28-29 — Champions Center Open Show, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 937-324-4353, www.championscenter. net.
APRIL 2020 APRIL 2-5 — Equine Affaire, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH. FMI: 740-8450085, info@equineaffaire.com, www. equineaffaire.com. APRIL 10-12 — Great Lakes Area Driving ADT/Derby, Windy Knoll, 474 OH-58, Sullivan, OH. FMI: 440-292-7198. APRIL 18 — The Great Garage Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Huron County Fairgrounds, Norwalk, OH. FMI: Carol Clemons, 419681-0168 (text or call). APRIL 18-19 — Rockin R Ranch Youth Rodeo Association Show, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: Shane Rickly, 740-475-9237. APRIL 22-25 — 76th River Ridge Charity Horse Show, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH. FMI: Dayne Maple, 740-464-5053, www.riverridgehs.org. APRIL 23-26 — Land Rover Kentucky ThreeDay Event, Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy., Lexington, KY. FMI: 859-2332362, www.kentuckythreedayevent.com. APRIL 24-26 — Mid Ohio Marauders “Ambush The Stage”, Madison County Fairgrounds, London, OH. FMI: Tim, 740206-7214, www.midohiomarauders.com. APRIL 24-26 — Ohio Ranch Horse Association Show, Henderson’s Arena, Jackson, OH. FMI: 740-407-2286, www. ohioranchhorseassociation.com.
APRIL 24-26 — O.H.I.O. EXCA Youth & Adult Clinic (24-25th) & Show (26th), Riverland Arena, Navarre, OH. FMI: Steve Fuller, 330-340-1540. APRIL 24-26 — Ottawa County Horse Foundation Spring Fuzzy Speed & Performance Show, 7870 W. State Rt. 163, Oak Harbor, OH. FMI: Brianne, 419-7070398, www.ochf.net. APRIL 25-26 — Kentucky Reining Horse Association Show, Lakeside Arena, 1385 Duncan Rd., Frankfort, KY. FMI: 740-8377441, www.krha.info. MAY 2020 MAY 1-3 — Hoosier Horse Fair, Hendricks County 4H Fairgrounds & Conference Center, Danville, IN. FMI: www. indianahorsecouncil.org. MAY 2 — Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. FMI: www.kentuckyderby. com. MAY 2-3 — Champions Center Open Show, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 937-324-4353, www.championscenter.net. MAY 8-10 — SAHIBA Arab Spring Show, Lakeside Arena, Frankfort, KY. FMI: Jeff Caldwell, 502-468-4953, www.sahiba.org. MAY 8-10 — Ranch Horse Association of Michigan Show, Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, Berrien Springs, MI. FMI: 616890-1190, www.miranchhorse.com.
Don’t see your Equine Event listed in the Corral Calendar? Email your information to michelle@thehorsemenscorral.com ********** More equine events can be found on our website, www.thehorsemenscorral.com
Ashland Paint and Plain Saddle Club
9 TH ANNUAL SWAP MEET FEBRUARY 8, 2020 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ASHLAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Mozelle Hall, Ashland, Ohio
• OVER 60 booths to shop from! • New and Used Tack will be available • Food Booth on grounds.
Admission Fee: $1 or 2 NON-Expired Can Goods
For more information or to reserve a booth contact: Ashley Canfield (419) 606-8383 call/text or email: acanfield386@gmail.com
www.ashlandpaintandplain.com
December 2019
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FEEDING THE SENIORS with Dental Concerns
by Kristen Janicki, MS, PAS
A
s your horse ages, he can experience an array of dental issues. This can affect what and how they eat, and could contribute to a loss of body condition, topline and overall muscle mass. In this article, we will discuss some common signs of dental trouble and give you some suggestions to help maintain your senior horse or pony’s health and performance through the golden years.
Could my senior horse have dental disease?
Possibly! Periodontal disease often accompanies advancing age, like in humans. Senior horses may experience tooth loss, or existing molars may become so worn that they can no longer chew feed properly. This makes it most difficult to chew long-stemmed hay. Have you noticed your older horse’s body condition score decreasing, or are you finding semi-chewed hay (called ‘quids’) around the feeding area? He is most likely struggling with dental issues and may not be consuming hay and concentrates as well as you may think. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, other signs of dental trouble include dropping feed, eating with the head tilted to the side, abnormal swellings around the cheek teeth, nasal discharge from one side, foul-smelling breath, or fussiness in response to the bridle or when asked to work. A horse of any age may experience dental problems, but seniors are especially prone. No matter how old your horse is, a ‘senior’ diet program that facilitates proper food intake can easily be implemented. This may involve a complete change in what you are currently feeding or simply making a few adjustments in the existing feed program, depending on the individual situation.
Feeds For Seniors
The most important part of feeding any horse with dental issues, including seniors, is ensuring proper intake of the fiber they need, especially if they aren’t able to consume hay. Fiber is essential for digestive health and providing forage for the horse with dental problems can be accomplished with alternative forage sources, if necessary. Chopped hay, soaked hay cubes or pellets, and soaked beet pulp are all excellent options. As another option, consider feeding a true complete feed, one that is designed to provide all the fiber and nutrients a horse needs as their sole diet. Complete feeds may be soaked to ease consumption and increase water intake. A daily ration of complete feed should be spread out into multiple small meals throughout the day. For example, a 1,000-pound horse may need 20 to 25 pounds of a complete feed every day. Feeding 4 to 5 pounds of the complete feed every 3 to 4 hours will help extend the time it takes the horse to consume his daily ration, while making every effort to mimic natural grazing behavior by spreading meals out over time. If your senior horse is maintaining weight and body condition regardless of dental concerns, it is possible that no dietary changes need to be made yet. However, if he consumes little or no concentrate, or is on a forage-only diet and is maintaining body condition, consider feeding a low-calorie ration balancer. Ration balancers provide vitamins, minerals and protein at low feeding rates to ensure a horse receives all the necessary nutrients they need – even the ones potentially missing from forage or fiber alternatives. This is especially important for seniors that may benefit from the extra nutritional support as they age. 22
If necessary, feed a commercial concentrate that is processed by pelleting or extruding. Pelleted and extruded feeds quickly soak and soften, and they are easy to chew and digest, especially if your horse or pony is missing teeth. Adding warm water to feed concentrates and alternative fiber sources also make it easier for horses to chew. The addition of water can help reduce the risk of choking and decrease the amount of feed dropped. If possible and if choke is not a concern, continue to encourage normal grazing behavior by giving your horse access to pasture and hay, which will help promote hindgut health.
Make the switch
If you decide to change your horse’s feed, make sure you slowly introduce new feed. Gradually decrease the amount of the old feed, while increasing the amount of new feed. It should take at least 10 to 14 days to transition to 100 percent of the new feed. If your horse has an extra sensitive digestive system, this process could take a few weeks to a month. The more time you can take to transition to the new feed, the better the transition will be for your horse. The practice of slow transition also includes hay—when a new batch of hay arrives, slowly mix it in with existing hay so the horse’s gut has time to adjust to the new forage source.
Summary
Good management and supportive nutrition will help your horse thrive and feel his best. Feed him the highest quality, safest feed available. Make dental care part of your horse’s routine wellness program in partnership with your veterinarian, and work with an equine nutritionist to design a diet best suited to your senior horse’s individual needs.
Kristen Janicki, MS, PAS is a Technical Marketing Specialist for MARS Horsecare US/BUCKEYE™ Nutrition, responsible for technical nutrition support, digital and social media, and working collaboratively with the Senior Nutrition Manager in providing high-quality nutritional content. Headquartered in Dalton, Ohio, BUCKEYE Nutrition has been manufacturing quality products since 1910. BUCKEYE Nutrition takes feed safety seriously, implementing many programs mandated in human food manufacturing facilities. With the backing of WALTHAM®, a world-leading authority on pet care and widely renowned as an institution of the highest scientific caliber, our equine nutritionists provide scientifically-based equine nutritional solutions which guide our formulations and our BUCKEYE Nutrition brand promise of being the highest quality, fixed formula feeds available. BUCKEYE Nutrition is a 100 percent equine-focused company, 100 percent medication-free facility, sourcing 100 percent traceable, pure ingredients for consistency. www.BuckeyeNutrition. com. 800/898-9467.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
Put the ‘Merry’ in Your Barn! With products that make daily chores easier. by Debbie Disbrow
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his is a busy time of the year. No doubt, your gift lists are made and you are counting down to the big day! As horse owners, we know that just because the holidays are at hand, we don’t take time off from the care we give to our horses. So let’s talk about some ways to make your Christmas merrier while you are out at the barn. Mud can be a problem this time of the year. While muck boots help, it’s no fun walking through mud when your doing chores, carrying grain or hay, or cleaning stalls. Mud Management systems offer a pretty nice solution to making wet, mucky areas dry quickly. Panels can be laid down over wet, uneven or low ground. Once in place, screenings are poured over the top of the honeycomb panels. Drainage is evident immediately. The problem of hard-to-navigate mucky areas are eliminated fairly easy. This will make walking easier and, if your horses are in a wet area, you’re helping to eliminate hoof problems as well as thrush. If you use a wheelbarrow or hay cart often in your barn, an electric wheelbarrow may be one of your best investments. These wheelbarrows can go wherever your tractor cannot and they are amazing power horses. With one turn of a handle, and a slight bit of guidance, these wheelbarrows can carry up to 730 lbs and have an ‘all day’ charge. They drive easily inside or out and the hinged hopper comes with a manual or a hydraulic dump. Carry grain bags, hay, heavy tack or manure with ease. Make any of your projects smoother with the help of an electric wheelbarrow. How are your stalls holding up with your horses being inside longer? If your horses are cribbing on the corners of your stalls, you can get post edging and capping to protect the wood. By taking action at the first signs of wear, you will not only save money on repairs, but also keep your horses healthier. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure. If you ride indoors in the winter, dust can be a problem. If the footing your riding on is mainly dirt, arena dust control with moisture lock can help to clear the air. A dusty arena can be tough for both you and your horse. Clear, nontoxic, moisture locking, pellet-like products will expand when watered and hold moisture to help keep the dust down. If your footing has turned into powder, it’s best to remove the broken down footing and replace it with new faceted sand. After this is done, simply water your arena, spread the moisture product with a seeder, lightly drag and finish with watering again. Your area should be dust free and hold moisture much longer. Over time, it’s best to turn your footing with a track and ring conditioner to bring the moisture lock product back to the surface. Electric fences are one of the best ways for your horses to respect their pastures. Electric fencing gives the ‘bite’ that says “stay away”
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just like horses show to each other in a herd. The bite of electric can be safer than when horses kick or actually bite each other. When tall grass, large sticks or snow touches your fencing, it can short out your fence and the protection of the ‘bite’ is gone. One way to avoid this is to run underground burial wire to the top of your post and then connect your rails from the top down (rather than the bottom up). If your fence is shorted from a bottom rail, your electric will still work on your upper rails. One of the best ways to be sure your fencing is working is to test it regularly. Periodic checks with a fence tester will let you know your fence rails are all hot and working. No one likes to touch electric fence, so keep a fence tester at hand. Also, fence alerts hook onto electric rails and blink when your fence is off. It can be seen from a distance and lets you know you need to troubleshoot your electric fencing. Dark evenings come quickly with winter months. If your barn is dimly lit or lacks lighting, look for 4 ft. 3-bulb T8 LED lighting fixtures for your barn or larger high bay arena lights for large areas. They simulate daylight and will allow you to see and evaluate your horses easily. These lights have a full-intensity startup, without humming or flickering even in -20 degree temperatures. Lights are cool to the touch and can even come with night light feature allowing you to check on your horses without disturbing them. It will be much easier to groom, saddle up or do your daily chores in simulated daylight. Is your tool box ready for any unexpected repairs? A pair of fence pliers are great to have on hand. They are great for cutting wire, pulling staples or hammering. A barbed staple starter is a long handled tool allowing the staples to be held in place while you hit the end of the handle, instead of your fingers. It is faster and easier to drive staples during projects or repairs. Always be sure your gates are latching securely. If not, see if you need to adjust your hinge bolts to allow your gate to be closer to your latch post. If your latches are not working, opt for a heavy duty two way gate latch or a quick release latch. It’s better to have a good latch rather than a loose horse. If you’re shopping for that hard-to-buy horse person, hopefully these ideas could be just what they would love to receive as a gift. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Debbie Disbrow, owner of RAMM Stalls and Horse Fencing, has over 45 years experience with horses and equine-related businesses. She is a certified fence installer and has helped build fencing and stalls for horse facility owners across the USA as well as into Europe. Debbie is highly involved in horse ownership and riding. Visit www.rammfence.com, or call 800/878-5644 for safer alternatives for your horses.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
If You Dream It, You Can Do It
Holidays Are For Horses by Jennifer Woodruff
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appy Holidays my friends! As I write the first real snow of the season has hit Ohio and the Midwest. Blanket sales are hot, Quarter Horse Congress is a distant memory and we are all talking turkey. While our horses often take a back seat for these two fleeting months, let’s not forget them and all that they provided us in the past year. What is the barn and the time with my horse to me? *A place to leave adult problems behind *A place away from drama and negativity *A place of quiet and peace for the mind *A place to rediscover you *A place to ponder life without interruption *A place to remember your value in life *A place to rekindle a childhood love every day I’ve crossed paths with so many people over the years who call their barn their therapy. Their horse their therapist. Our horses know our secrets and our dreams that we share with only a few close family and friends, or, no one else. As we run a brush across their muddy back, throw fresh hay down from the loft, carefully clean our favorite bridle or pick out a deeply bedded stall, we literally embrace the most simple parts of why we are drawn to this life. We think nothing of running out to the barn at midnight in zero degree weather to throw on another blanket or toss a flake of hay to our friends for a late night snack. Breaking ice out of buckets goes without saying as does shoveling out
Jennifer Woodruff New Horizons Equine
“If You Can Dream It...
...You Can Do It!” NOW BOOKING CLINICS AND SHOW DATES FOR MAY 2020-OCTOBER 2020
the manure spreader for the fourth day in a row. During the holiday season in the midst of the hustle and bustle, don’t forget the simple pleasures. Layer up with hot coffee or cocoa in your hand and head to the barn for a morning of simply grooming your horse. Drag your tack back into the warm house, take it apart, clean, oil and reassemble by a cracking fire with a cup of hot tea or a glass of wine. Create a bran mash a gourmet chef would love and serve it on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. On the coldest nights, bed down your stall extra deep and watch your horse snuggle down into it like the warmest comforter on your own bed. Take the time to sit quietly and watch your horse roll, buck and romp in the snow like a colt. Decorate your barn or your stall for Christmas complete with your horse’s own stocking to be filled with treats. Take a ride, even if it’s just in the outdoor arena, on a snowy day, and inhale the sights and sounds. My challenge to you...keep this same magic in your life all year round with your equine partner. Treat them with the kindness and respect that you expect to be treated. It’s this magic that keeps us hungry, healthy and riding for many years. It’s this magic that gets us up at dawn and puts us to bed past midnight. And it’s this magic that gets us back on after a fall, whether it’s from our horses back or from life. Merry Christmas my friends! Thank you for supporting me as a reader, a clinician and as a judge in 2019! I can’t wait to unwrap the gifts that 2020 has under the tree, I’ll see you there! Jennifer is a 28 year veteran of the show ring, where she has been blessed to mark the cards in over 700 shows lifetime. Stemming from roots deep in the 4-H program in New York, she grew up both training her own horses at home on the family farm and, soaking in knowledge anywhere she could find it through clinics, instruction, internship and eventually through her equine degree at Morrisville College. As a competitor, Jennifer has shown a large variety of breeds and disciplines, from Arabians to AQHA, USEF Hunters to Ranch and Barrel horses. As a clinician, her roster spans from local 4-H clinics to Equine Affaire, Horse World Expo, Midwest Horse Fair and Hoosier Horse Fair. Jennifer is currently serving as an advisor for the state 4-H programs in New York and Kentucky.
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Multi Carded, 28 Year Career Judge • Nationally Recognized Clinician Training and Teaching Champions at all levels on all breeds since 1988 Life Coach specializing in the Young Equestrian
(740) 604-0195 • lovetojudge@gmail.com 26
New Address ________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State ____ Zip ___________ Mail to: Horsemen’s Corral, PO Box 32, Lodi, OH 44254 or email address change to: michelle@thehorsemenscorral.com
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
December 2019
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National Pole Bending Association
Biggest Championship Show Ever, Join us in 2020 PRESIDENT, Steve Thomas VICE PRESIDENT, Chip Nicholson SECRETARY/TREASURER, Kristine Nagy EMAIL, coordinator.npba@gmail.com WEBSITE, www.polebending.org
by Kristine Nagy Hello Pole Benders! As 2019 comes to an end, we reflect back on all of our accomplishments this year. We had our biggest championship show ever, with
more added money and added saddles. We had our biggest super show ever with lots of added money and awards as well. We have the most members that we have ever had and have active groups and approved shows in more states than ever. All of this success is because of you, our members. We appreciate you more than you know and hope to continue to serve you all as your pole bending headquarters. If you are a current member, thank you. If not, now is the time to join. Our membership
now runs year to year, based on the date that you joined, and our points start Jan. 1. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunities to show at our shows and to win year end awards. Please consider joining us for 2020. All of our states give awards on a 3D format, with one second splits, and most give youth awards as well. If you join now you won’t miss any points. Check the website for approved shows in your state. 2020 will be our 15th anniversary and our championship show will
be a celebration of the last 15 years. Our open pole bending will have $12,000 added on a 5D format with saddles and buckles, our youth pole bending will be a 4D with saddles and buckles, and our amateur will be a 4D with saddles and buckles as well. Don’t miss your chance to share in this experience. Please check out our website for information on membership and upcoming shows! We hope you help us celebrate the 15th anniversary of the National Pole Bending Association.
Ohio Quarter Horse Association
Membership Renewal Applications are in the Mail CEO, Dr. Scott Myers PRESIDENT, Brent Maxwell EMAIL, media@oqha.com WEBSITE, www.oqha.com www. quarterhorsecongress.com
The Ohio Quarter Horse Association is busy wrapping up 2019 and looking forward to a successful 2020. Ballots for the
2020 Director positions are being sent out, next year’s All American Quarter Horse Congress is being planned and membership benefits are being updated! All current members will be receiving their applications for membership renewal in the coming month via email and the OQHA Winter Magazine. However, the application is also online at OQHA.com. Don’t forget that in order for any Ohio points to count in the
system, membership is required prior to the show weekend. The Ohio Quarter Horse Association offers two types of memberships: annual and life. The following is a breakdown of membership categories and costs: • Adult Annual Membership $25 per year (Amateur status is optional on an adult membership for no additional charge) • Youth Annual Membership $15 per year (must be 18 years or younger)
• Family Annual Membership $60 per year (includes spouses and all youths in household, 18 years and younger) • Life Membership (Adult and Youth) $250 one-time payment (Amateur status is optional on adult life memberships at no additional charge) Have questions on what you’ll get for this minimal member price? Email info@oqha.com or call 614/505-7200.
Dusty Boots Riding Club
Competing for the Next Crowns PRESIDENT, Billy Jo Brown; 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, Jason Brown; TREASURER, Donna Rohrer; SECRETARY, Tonya Wilson; EMAIL, dustyboots@dustybootsridingclub.com WEBSITE, www. dustybootsridingclub.com
by Tonya Wilson The Dusty Boots officers, directors, and trustees would like to thank each and every exhibitor that showed with us this year! 2019 was a great year—entries were up and the support of our sponsors allowed us to give away great prizes. The last meeting held Nov. 6 included election of officers and the royalty competition interviews and tests. 2020 Officers include Billie Jo Brown, President; Rick Wilson, 1st VP; Holly Carr, 2nd VP; 28
Tonya Wilson, Secretary; Donna Rohrer, Treasurer. This year the interest in our Royalty competition was superb! There were a total of nine contestants that completed all of the requirements—four ladies competing in the senior contest and five ladies competing in the junior contest. The 2020 Queen and Princess will be crowned at the annual awards banquet on March 21, 2020. The contest requirements include horsemanship, service, attendance, interview and test. 2020 Royalty Contestants include the following: Seniors: Alyssa Meaney, Anne Costello, Christiana Loveridge, Brianna Kibler. Juniors: Zoey Brown, Gigi Scipione, Brooke Devito, Marrissa Davis, Baylee Oskin. Again and again, we are thankful for all the people who make our shows successful! From the office
workers to the ring crew, our generous sponsors, and all the individuals who choose to compete at Dusty Boots shows. Without you all, this year would not have been a success! We would like to extend a special thank you to both Big D’s and Schneider’s Saddlery for their continued support of our organization. Are you interested in joining Dusty Boots Riding Club? Are you a current member looking to
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get more involved? We welcome everyone to our monthly meetings! The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. at the Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus (A-Tech) in the B Building. 1565 State Route 307, Jefferson, Ohio. The December meeting will be canceled. Monthly meetings will resume on Jan. 8. Check out our Facebook page or our website at www.dustybootsridingclub.com. December 2019
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The Cowboy Perseverance Ranch
All I Want for Christmas… by Rob and Tanya Corzatt
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ell it isn’t my two front teeth, I still have those. And it isn’t World peace, because we all know that isn’t happening until our Lord and Savior returns to round up Satan and his posse. As I write this in early November, we are all working our way toward Thanksgiving and the first of many food-induced comas. By the time you read this, however, it will likely be early December. Thanksgiving will have come and gone, and Christmas will be just a few weeks away. After that, another New Year! Despite the colder weather and the shorter days, I absolutely love this time of year. I think most of the box stores replaced their Halloween displays with the Christmas displays while the kids were out begging for candy! The ghouls and goblins were replaced by Santa and reindeer. Some stores
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had the Christmas stuff out even before Halloween. I don’t care for the commercial aspect of Christmas but have to admit that I do love all the Christmas decorations and lights. So do a couple of our neighbors who put their Christmas displays up in mid-October. In their defense, they haven’t lit them up yet! Many of us will be trying to take extra time to spend with our families. As embarrassing as it is to admit, the holidays will be the first time since our son’s wedding back in April that T (my pet name for my wife Tanya) and I will get to spend any time together with my side of the family! We didn’t even make it to the Quarter Horse Congress this year! We try to go at least one time each year so we can go through every single living quarters horse trailer parked at the show. Since we just bought a travel trailer in September (more on that later), we weren’t so upset that we didn’t do that again this
year. It has been a very, very busy year for the two of us, as well as the CP Ranch, and we are looking forward to an opportunity, as short as it may be, to spend some long overdue quality time with our family and friends. If you have been reading this column for the last year or so, or have been following the CP Ranch on Facebook, you probably know we have been trying to sell our current home for almost a year and a half. We first put it up on the market in May of 2018. We even had it advertised in this magazine for a few months but didn’t get any serious bites. In October of last year, we took it off the market. We figured we would put it back on shortly before our son and now daughter-in-law got married in our barn back in April. Just prior to their wedding, we listed the ranch again and then waited….and waited…and waited. We were so close to selling it back in June, but after a lot of prayer, the folks that were interested felt led by the Holy Spirit to hold off. In a moment of very un-Christian behavior on my part, I think I may have told the Holy Spirit to mind His own business! Turns out He was, I just didn’t realize it at the time. So, we kept mowing and cleaning and showing and mowing and cleaning and showing. Throw in a couple open houses and you will understand why our opportunities to spend any time with my family over the summer and early fall never materialized. We also spent an awful lot of time either putting up hay or trying to find hay. In the midst of all that, we continued to plan the layout for the future CP Ranch. We have an Amish builder to put up the barn and the apartment inside it, but we needed to find the other contractors to do the excavating work, plumbing, electric, septic, etc. We are rookies at the general contractor role and it took us a lot of time to figure it out. In September of this year we got a call from a family that was being gifted a horse. The owners of the horse recommended that the family contact us to see if we could do some tune up work on the horse since we had worked with it a few years ago. In an effort to maintain the anonymity
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Tanya and Rob Corzatt of the family, we will refer to them as the Goose family. So Mama Goose called T and talked to her a bit about working with their new future horse, Lacy. She also checked out our Facebook page and saw that our place was for sale. After a few weeks, Mama Goose messaged T on Facebook and asked, “could we come out to talk about working with Lacy, lessons for our daughter, and to check out the ranch, not really kidding”. We weren’t sure if she meant “just kidding about looking the place over” or “we aren’t kidding and want to check the place out”. To be safe, we hustled to get things cleaned up, mowed everything and made sure the place looked great for them. They weren’t kidding and instantly fell in love with it. I remember that one of their daughters kept asking if they could just buy the pond! They informed us that they weren’t even looking for a new home and barn at the time, but the ranch checked all the boxes on their future ‘dream’ place. Long story short, we closed on Nov. 8. Praise the Lord! Mama and Papa Goose have five goslings. Four girls and one boy. They also have one horse, two ponies, one dog, three cats and a bunch of chickens. They are a great Christian family that we found out attended the same church we do and know several people that we do also. Through the whole time leading up to the closing, we have become friends. They also understood that part of the deal for the sale included the ability for us to keep our horses here at the Sunbury ranch location until the Marengo ranch location was completed enough
S December 2019
Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros
Shooting Dates for 2020 Announced PRESIDENT, R. David Davis; VICE PRESIDENT, Brian (Doc) Hric; SECRETARY, Karen Davis; TREASURER, Brian Hric PHONE, 330-719-3290 EMAIL, karenld0819@gmail.com WEBSITE, www.lakeerievaqueros.net
by Karen (Chilipepper) Davis Our shooting season is over, it is now time to get ready for our awards banquet. It will be held Jan. 11, 2020 at the Lenox Community Center in Jefferson, Ohio. We are hoping to have a nice turn out which will depend on our January weather. Invitations were sent out the beginning of November to get a plate count for the dinner, which will be catered by Gages Concession (great tasting food).
There will be a Chinese auction, door prizes, music and dancing. We had a great season with our shooting family and friends and missed the ones who could not make it this year, but hope to see next year. A few new members were added to our club. I would like to welcome all of our new members! CMSA approved our dates for next year’s events and they are: June 20-21, July 18-19, Aug. 22-23, and Sept. 19-20, 2020.
I hope to see everyone in the spring and summer! Special thanks to our sponsors: Big Dee’s Vet and Tack Supply where you can get all your pets supplies and everything they need; CMSA; Lonesome Pine Ammo; Uncle Jimmy’s Brand Products for all your pets treats; Horsemen’s Corral; Stagecoach West; Wendy Shaffer, MMCP, massage therapy for your horses; KDGowins Photography for great equine photos of you and your
horse; Park Side Trailer Sales and Services, Inc., look them up for new or used horse trailers, parts or service on the one you have; Trumbull Locker for good tasting meat; Rocks Farm and Garden for good tasting fruit and vegetables; Siracki Realty, if you are looking for a new house, apartment or need a place to rent; Altmeyer’s Trailer Sales in Jefferson, Ohio, looking for new or used horse trailers, cargo trailers, car mate trailers, American Haulers.
scripture to students of all ages. One student has described her time here as “CPR for the soul!”
Visit our website at www.cpranch. wixsite.com/home or follow us on Facebook.
All I Want for Christmas (continued) to move the horses. That is a pretty generous offer on their part considering that at the time I wrote this we had just started construction of the pond and barn pad. They actually want to board horses and are anxious to have us through the winter to show them the ropes. That’s good, because, it may be January before we have the new barn to a point where we can move the horses over and begin lessons there. We were blessed that God brought the right family to us to accommodate both their needs and ours. The whole process has been a true test of faith and patience. There are so many verses of scripture we could add here, but the one that seems to run through my head at times like this is such a short and simple one, Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. He was there the whole time, but we just kept getting in His way. There were times that we became very impatient and frustrated. When we gave it all up to Him, that’s when things started falling into place. Despite the long wait, despite the periods of false hope, we know that He provided just the right family at just the right time to not only buy our place but to carry on with the ministry we started here. I have already had my Christmas wish granted. I pray you all have an opportunity to spend valuable time with your friends and families. But more importantly, December 2019
don’t forget the real reason we celebrate this Christmas Holiday. Our loving heavenly Father granted us the most beautiful gift of all, His Son, our Lord and Savior! 2019 is drawing to an end and 2020 is just around the corner. Proverbs 27:1 in the NIV Bible reads “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring”. Invite family members and friends to a Christmas service this year. Some may not have yet come to saving knowledge of Christ. What better time to hear about Him. Christmas miracles can truly happen! All right, time to get busy again! We have to figure out where to keep 12 horses and two ponies comfortable until the Marengo ranch is ready for the CP Ranch herd! Some of their kids may have to share a bedroom with their ponies, because they aren’t going to fit in the camper T and I will be staying in while we build! The CP Ranch wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God bless you all! The Corzatt’s (Rob, Tanya and their son Camdon) own and operate the Cowboy Perseverance Ranch (CPR) in Sunbury, Ohio. CPR is a faith based operation and our mission is to build a strong foundation and relationship with our training horses and students. We are blessed to be able to provide western horsemanship lessons infused with biblical
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by Lisa Kiley
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ith the winter upon us, it often means more stall time for our horses during colder days and inclement weather. Some horses love their stalls, while others are not as excited about being confined in a space. Either way, there are things that you can do as an owner to make their space inviting, healthy and comfortable:
Ventilation – When it’s cold out, it is instinctual to want to close the barn tight to keep it as warm inside as possible, but when it comes to respiratory health of your horse, it can be detrimental. Dust, stall odors and even hay can contribute to respiratory issues. The best ventilation will allow the stale air to escape the barn without causing a draft. Ventilation strips under the eves are a great option along with a ridge line down the center of the barn roof. Stall walls with bars will also maximize ventilation within the barn.
Feeding for Warmth – Consider increasing forage as temperatures
Stall Size – Horses need to be able to move around freely and lay down in their stalls without fear of getting cast. Most average horses do well in stall sizes of 12x12. Smaller equines can be comfortable in 12x10 or 10x10 stalls. If you have larger horses or a horse that primarily lives in the stall you may want to consider 14’ or 16’ options.
Enrichment – Providing toys, snacks and treats that engage your horse in the stall are a great way to curb boredom that can stem into behavior issues. Horses are social creatures and herd animals by nature. If they can see their neighbors in the barn or hang their head out of the stall, it can help relieve some anxiety for them. Most importantly, your horse still needs to get out and exercised. If you don’t have a place where you can ride or turn out regularly, try hand walking and ground-work exercises.
Stall Floor – Mats are a great option any time of year, but in the
winter having a base under your mats that allows for drainage and helps keep the floor level will make cleaning stalls easier. It is very important to clean stalls thoroughly every day to avoid ammonia odors and help keep the stall dry. Bedding will also add a layer of warmth and absorption under foot. Kiln dried bedding that is 100 percent pine is going to have the best absorbency and stall additives can be used to help control odor.
Fresh Water – Providing plenty of water for your horse is essential. In the winter it is critical that you have a way to keep the water from freezing. A thermal bucket is a great way to keep your water from freezing without needing electricity. Heated buckets or tank heaters can keep water from freezing, but it is important that safety considerations are made when using electrical products in a barn. 34
drop. A shaggy coat or blanket can hide changes in weight, so make sure to check your horse often. Because the stall restricts the natural grazing nature of the horse, slow feed hay nets or stall floor feeders for hay can slow a horse down and mimic grazing. Feeding smaller quantities more frequently is also preferred to a twice daily feeding schedule. Implementing these practices will aid a horse’s digestion and help negate boredom.
Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She is a proud member of the Cashmans Horse Equipment Team. Cashmans Horse Equipment, located in Delaware, Ohio, has been providing top quality products to the equine and agricultural community for 40 years. They have a commitment to sourcing environmentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A. Cashmans strives to educate customers and provide products that put safety first so you can enjoy more time with the horses you love. www.cashmans.com
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December 2019
740-683-4628 • Adam.Black.Horsemanship@gmail.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK: ADAM BLACK HORSEMANSHIP
December 2019
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The Way of Horses
What Bedding to Use? by Eleanor Blazer
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ater, water everywhere… and not a drop to drink! An average 1,000-pound horse produces about 2 ½ gallons of urine a day. So, how do you keep stalls dry? A stall that drains properly is the first step. Constructing a good base will allow the urine to drain. Poor drainage means the bedding must absorb all the moisture. It’s much easier to construct a good base before the barn is built. One method of establishing a good base it to remove the top soil (save it for other projects) and then remove enough soil so you are about three feet deep. The next step is to have the contractor place a layer of large stones, followed by a layer of small stones, then stone dust; followed by a final layer of clay or clay and sand mixture. Availability of materials will vary according to region. Check with a local contractor to find out what is best in your area. Avoid using straight sand as
your final layer. Horses ingesting sand can colic. The center of each stall should be slightly higher than the sides, so urine will not puddle. You will have to replenish the clay every few years. Solid, one-piece rubber mats will not allow the urine to drain. Many barns have concrete floors. These barns must have good quality mats installed. Plenty of bedding needs to be used to absorb the urine. Regardless of the floor type, the stall should be cleaned daily. Removal of the wet, urine soaked bedding will cut down on ammonia build-up. There are several considerations when deciding on bedding: absorbency, dustiness, how well it cushions, possible allergies to the product, how digestible it is, and availability. WOOD SHAVINGS Soft wood shavings are more absorbent and safer for the horse than hard wood shavings. Pine and spruce are the most common sources for commercial soft wood shavings.
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The soft wood shavings are generally safe to use. Occasionally a horse may be allergic to the pine resins. The symptoms shown by an allergic reaction will be bumps or hives. Hard wood shavings can be dangerous to use. You must be absolutely certain there is no walnut, cherry, or cedar in the material. The toxins produced by these products can cause laminitis. The horse does not need to eat the product—just standing on them allows the toxins to penetrate the hoof. Laminitis can occur within 12-24 hours of exposure, and can lead to severe lameness. Dust is not usually a problem with wood shavings. The texture can vary and every person who has cleaned stalls has a preference. Unfortunately it’s pretty hard to tell what the texture is until you open the bag. Remember: shavings are a by-product so quality control is not perfect. Wood shavings are not suitable for a foaling mare. The shavings will stick to the mare and newborn foal. Straw should be used in the stall as the foaling date approaches. PELLETED BEDDING Pelleted bedding is made from compressed soft woods. The resins, hydrocarbons, and any other moisture have been removed during the processing. This results in a highly absorbent product. The tightly compressed pellets become fluffy when wet. If they are allowed to dry they can become dusty. Manufacturers recommend the wet spots not be removed, but mixed with the dry material. The daily routine advised is to remove the manure and mix the wet bedding with the dry. Occasionally a bag may need to be added. In time the stall will need to be stripped and new product used. Pelleted bedding should not be used in a foaling stall. PAPER BEDDING Shredded paper and cardboard are the most common paper products used for horse bedding. They are very absorbent, but will mat when wet. This results in a poor cushion factor.
Eleanor Blazer and My Kustom Kruzer No dust is the main benefit of paper bedding. Paper based bedding products are low in allergenic mold spores, so great for horses with allergies. PEAT MOSS Peat moss is one of the most absorbent of all the bedding materials available. Dry peat moss will absorb 10 times its weight in moisture, making it heavy to remove when wet. There is no dust, as long as it is kept moist. Horses that are prone to allergies seem to do well when bedded on peat. Mares should not be allowed to foal in peat moss, as it will stick to her and the foal. Peat moss should be bedded deep. The deeper it is, the easier it is to clean the stall. It has a great cushion factor when bedded at 8-12 inches. STRAW Straw is the best bedding for a mare about to foal. It provides a good cushion and will not stick. There can be dust if it was not baled properly. Straw is not as absorbent as some of the other products. If a horse is not receiving enough good quality digestible fiber (hay) he will eat the straw bedding. As long as it is clean, not moldy, or dusty eating a small amount should not harm the horse. If the horse should eat large amounts of straw, impaction colic is possible. Earn Professional Certification as Horse Trainer, Stable Manager or Riding Instructor. All courses are online. Visit www.equinestudiesinstitute.org for information.
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HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
Ohio Paint Horse Club
New Membership Chair, Awards Banquet and Trail Hours PRESIDENT, Mike Schwendeman; VICE PRESIDENT, Tim Snapp; TREASURER, Roxann Rohrl; SECRETARY, Holly Ebelberger; EMAIL, r_paints@msn. com; WEBSITE, www.ophc.org
by Roxann Rohrl Hope everyone had a great turkey day with family and those great four-legged friends. Congratulations to our 2020– 2022 APHA directors. Sue Johnson, Tim Snapp, Daren Wright are the directors and Daniel Blay is the alternate. Marie Ternes and Roxann Rohrl are Lifetime APHA directors. Thank you to all our APHA members for voting. Thank you also for being APHA members in Ohio. Ohio is recognized with having the most APHA members in our zone. The OPHC Awards Banquet will be held Feb. 22, 2020, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Ten Pin Alley, 5499 Ten Pin Alley, Hilliard, Ohio.
More information about Ten Pin Alley can be found at www. tenpinalley.com. The food sounds terrific, lots of games to play and we will reserve lanes for bowling. Mark you calendar, come cheer on our 2019 award winners and have an evening of fun. Sue Johnson is the chair of this activity. More information to come next month! We are working on shows and dates for the 2020 show season and hope to have more information next month. We try to keep the OPHC Facebook and website up to date for you also. Keep in mind the three $500 OPHC scholarships that will also begiven out at the awards banquet. All applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2019 and mailed to Roger Taylor Scholarship Chair, 2889 Kendall Road, Akron, Ohio 44321. You can also reach Roger at 330/6089524. The OPHC scholarship information is available on our website. It is on page 15 of the rules. Please note Roger has a new address listed above for mailing in your scholarship applications.
We have a new Membership Chair. Meet Kathleen Azzarello, (9715 Priem Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44149), her email address is kathleen@getdependable.com. We ask that you please copy the membership form off the website or send her the following information: first name, last name, complete street address, state and zip code, telephone number and email address. We occasionally send out postcards and emails. If you have an email address Kathleen will email your 2020 OPHC membership card and if you do not have an email address she will mail it to you. It is important to send her all this necessary information. The OPHC is also looking for a Youth Club Chair. We thank Lauren Johnson and Janet Niese for chairing the Youth club in 2018 and 2019. They brought some good ideas into the club for the Youth, purchased year end awards, and started one of their money makers (Tribute Horse Feed Program). Lauren Johnson was also membership chair. The Board and members thank you
for all the time and work you donated to the club. If you are an OPHC member and ride the trails in state parks and other places, keep track of your hours. Suzanne Allen is the chair of Ride Ohio and will be looking for your 2019 trail riding hours by Dec. 31 or no later than Jan. 15. The form is also on the OPHC website in with your rule book and OPHC By Laws. Suzanne always has the greatest ideas when it comes to awards. Do not be left out, mail your hours to Suzanne Allen, 4239 Twp. Rd. 99, Mt. Gilead, Ohio 44338. The OPHC Recreational Riding Program is also looking for a chair for the Annual Trail Ride each fall. If you are interested please contact President Mike Schwendeman regarding this position. We follow APHA guidelines and forms. Merry Christmas to all our Paint Horse friends and horse friends out there in Corral land. We wish you happy 2020 New Year. When those foals start coming, send us some pictures and also share on Facebook.
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December 2019
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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Things Horses Love... • • • • •
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• Strawberries • Frosted Cheerios • Apples • Peppermints • Sugar Cubes
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• 4 cup bran • 4 cup appl esauce
Bran Snaps
Mix ingredie nts together . Batter shou doughy. Rol ld be l out with rolli ng pin, cut sh with cookie apes cutter. Let do ugh dry and serve.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
Central Ohio Wagoneers
Central Ohio Wagon Train Season Ended for 2019 PRESIDENT, Don Boyd; VICE PRESIDENT, Marvin Hart; SECRETARY/TREASURER, Kathy Boyd. PHONE, 614/563-9627
by Kathy Boyd Thanks to Janet Johnson and Dayle Lambert for letting Central Ohio Wagoneers once again use their family campground for our last wagon train ride of the 2019 season. Their dad, Dave Cass,
Enjoying time around the campfire.
Resting along the side of the road.
one of the original memebers of our club, built the campground to use for wagon train rides over
the years. It was so nice to return to such a great location. The temperature was crisp in the mornings, but warmed up in the afternoon to the typical fall degrees. Sunday there was a little rain, but it didn’t put a damper on our ride. Saturday’s lunch was in the shaded grassy area at the Pines Church yard, Janet’s home church. A few friends came to visit members of our club. Sunday’s lunch was in the wooded area at the Cole’s farm. The family have horses and ponies that are involved in horse and pony pulls all over the state. Central Ohio Wagoneers last potluck dinner and meeting of
Western Reserve Carriage Association
WRCA Falling into Winter PRESIDENT, Jon Roemer VICE PRESIDENT, Pam Root TREASURER, Ann Petersen SECRETARY, Cathy Rhoades MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY, Henry Rish. WEBSITE, www.wrcarriage.com
Bill and John Westbrook enjoy driving and riding their mules. 2019 was held Nov. 2 at the Edison Baptist Church activity building. We had our traditional Christmas gift exchange. It’s sad to realize the Central Ohio Wagoneers wagon train rides are over for 2019, but it’s exciting to know that families and friends will be joining us again for 2020. For more information about the Central Ohio Wagoneers please call Don Boyd at 614/563-9627 or Kathy Boyd at 614/563-4452.
by Cathy Rhoades Our last driving meeting at Jon and Nancy Roemer was held on a lovely fall October Sunday at their farm near Dover, Ohio. We had a great turnout of drivers who enjoyed the trails and road along the Tuscarawas River and changing foliage. As always there was plenty of food and friendship around Jon’s Swedish fire log. It is a drive that we all look forward to. The annual December Holiday Luncheon at the Oaks will be reported in next news column. Winter gives us some time to think about what we want to do for the next driving season. Western Reserve is always looking for people to host a driving event. Just need a place to drive, place to park, and a place to eat. If you need help with planning or have questions about suitability, cost, etc, WRCA can assist. Please
December 2019
Stacey Giere enjoying the weather at Roemers potluck drive. contact Henry Rish, our event co-ordinator if you are hosting a drive or need more information, hrish@roadrunner.com. In February we will have our organizational meeting at Fieldstone. This will also be the date of our fundraiser auction. We only offer this every twoyears and we rely on it to fund our educational programs, drives, and other events. We could use items donated that may or may not be horse related. Think of what you could offer to our auction. This meeting is open to non-members or people who may be interested in joining us.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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Central Ohio Saddle Club Association
Excited for the 2020 Show Season PRESIDENT, Mandy Dacek VICE PRESIDENT, Rachel Zielinski SECRETARY, Debbie Balan TREASURER, Bob Huff EMAIL, mdacek19@att.net WEBSITE, www.coscaonline.com
by Mandy Dacek I’m sitting down to write this article as the weatherman raves about the chances for snow for the coming week, so it’s fitting that this will be published in the December issue. Show season may be over for 2019, but we at COSCA are hard at work for 2020. This upcoming show season holds our 70th Fall Championship Show, so we are very excited for this year! Keep checking our website as well as our Facebook and Instagram accounts for information as the new year begins. COSCA offers a fantastic year end awards program. It’s simple to enroll: just sign your horse up when you fill in your membership form and pay a point fee. Then show to your heart’s content and see where you end up at the
end of the season. We cap off the show season at our annual Championship Show where the year-end winners take center stage Saturday evening. During the off season months, we like to spotlight our 2019 year end award winners. This month the spotlight shines on our Adult 19 and Over Champion and Reserve Champion. The 2019 Adult 19 and Over Champion is Kaili Mitchell and her Quarter Horse Awards Ceremony. Kaili and Snoopy, as Awards Ceremony is known around the barn, have been a pair since Kaili was a young girl showing in 4H. They are both tough competitors and have walls of ribbons to prove it. Kaili is working on her Master’s Degree at Kent State University. She also is planning her wedding to her fiancé Alex, who can be found at many horse shows cheering her on and helping her get ready for her classes. Somehow despite her busy schedule, Kaili and Snoopy showed in all the Adult division classes. The pair would start their show day early with halter and showmanship, get their English on with English pleasure and equitation and end a successful
Champion Adult 19 and Over, Kaili Mitchell and Awards Ceremony.
Reserve Champion Adult 19 and Over, Mandy Dacek and Heza Star Hunter.
day with western pleasure and horsemanship. Snoopy was also the 2019 All Around Champion Quarter Horse as well as Reserve Horse of the Year! Congratulations Champion Kaili Mitchell and Awards Ceremony! The 2019 Adult 19 and Over Reserve Champion is Mandy Dacek and her Appaloosa Heza Star Hunter. Mandy and Peyton have been partners for 11 years. They have proved to be a formidable pair in the show ring, with many colorful ribbons to prove it. Mandy is a third grade teacher who has been known to bring her ribbons to school to share with her students. Mandy
and Peyton showed in all the Adult 19 and over classes, with many successes in halter, showmanship, horsemanship and western pleasure. Peyton has proved to be pretty good at the patterns, with showmanship, equitation and horsemanship being favorite classes for the blonde duo. Peyton was also the 2019 All Around Champion Appaloosa, a title he has earned seven times in the past nine years, as well as earning the honor of 2019 Champion Western Horse! Congratulations to Reserve Champion Mandy Dacek and Heza Star Hunter! Merry Christmas from all of us here at COSCA!
Northern Ohio Miniature Horse Club
End-of-Year Banquet at Yacht Club PRESIDENT, Elly Magyar VICE PRESIDENT, Georgetta Meyer TREASURER, Pam Fritz SECRETARY, Rondelle De Long EMAIL, raygam@me.com PHONE, 419/271-6008
by Sharon Substanley On Nov. 10, we were very happy to be able to enjoy a special luncheon at the Sandusky Yacht Club, where we were treated to a large, scrumptious buffet in their beautiful dining area. We appreciate the efforts of Julie Thompson, who made all of the arrangements for us to have the NOMHC end-of-year banquet there. She also was the creator of a really fun tiny, toy horse race. We got to choose a horse number and then name the horse and the jockey. As she called the moves by drawing numbers out of a 40
Brian and Karen Taylor bag, Don moved the horses stride by stride. Prizes were awarded to the kids and the adults who won their races. There was a lot of cheering and applauding for this little race. Of course, we know that horses are great fun, no matter how small! With snow in the forecast already, we are aware of how unpredictable our Ohio winters can be, so we will not have meetings for the next three months. We chose our 2020 officers, who will preside over meetings, starting in March. Elly Magyar will be president, Georgetta Meyer, vice-president;
Julie Thompson giving out prizes for the winners of the tiny horse race. Rondelle De Long, secretary; and Pam Fritz, treasurer. We are grateful to have these members serve as officers to provide leadership for the club. It was great to see the 2019 president, Karen Taylor at the banquet with her husband, Brian. She regretted not being able to carry through the plans she had had when holding the office, due to health issues. Elly Magyar
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Julie callling horses’ numbers and Don moving the horses toward the finish line. filled in for Karen, and now will take the reins as president for the coming year. Hope everyone has a warm and fuzzy winter taking care of those warm and fuzzy mini’s! December 2019
December 2019
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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Tri-County Trail Association
Future Looks Good for Tri-Co PRESIDENT, Jim Mike; VICE PRESIDENT, Leroy Wilson; SECRETARY, Amy Crawford; TREASURER, Chuck Stephens EMAIL, ckrumm1958@gmail.com WEBSITE, www.tri-cotrails.com
by Cindy Krumm By the time you read this, we will have held our last meeting of the year and will have held our annual elections. January’s article will list the 2020 officers for Tri-Co and a tentative calendar of events. In October, we had our annual Halloween Weekend and it was a great weekend! Human, equine and canine goblins and other scary creatures of all ages invaded our campgrounds! All had a great time. The team of first time event chairs, Falicia Pitman and Terri Morris, along with all they enlisted to help should be very proud of themselves! It was
an outstanding weekend. Hosting and coordinating these weekend events is a huge and challenging undertaking and it was refreshing to see some of the newer members stepping up and handling some of our big weekends this past year. Another team that handled their first weekend event was the team of Beverly Mills and Harvey and Mary Miller, who recruited their own team and held the very successful Obstacle Challenge weekend held earlier in the season. They too, should be very
proud of themselves and their team. The event weekends are very important for our club because they are how we earn the bulk of the money that is put into the campgrounds and trails each year. In addition to the funds earned at our event weekends, the club is dependent on member participation in areas such as campground and trail maintenance. We have seen many newer, younger and stronger members stepping up throughout 2019 to shoulder some of these
responsibilities. Because of these new members getting involved and working with the older members, I am happy to say the future looks good for Tri-Co! Please visit our website at www.Tri-CoTrails.com for information about activities at our camp. You can also find information about future events at our camp this year on this club’s Facebook page.
Ohio Gaited Horse Trailriders
The Blessing of the Hounds on St. Hubert’s Day by Richard Anderson Once again, as in the past of each year, on the first Saturday of November, the Blessing of the Hounds is celebrated around the English-speaking world. It is a celebration to kick off the hunt season that begins when the crops are out of the field, and the Master of the Hunt takes his fellow land holders along with their hounds to rid the land of pests, as a favor to their tenant farmers, in order that they may be able to continue to pay their rent. Quite obviously, this is no longer the purpose of the hunt, and it is now largely symbolic of this ancient tradition. But it has become an annual tradition for a religious ceremony to be held on or about Nov. 3, St. Hubert’s Day, and it is a custom that has survived since medieval times, with its origin in
the belief that, by this blessing, the hounds and their riders would be protected from disease and petulance. St. Hubert, the patron saint of the hunt, or chase, was born in the middle of the seventh century. His early life was given to pleasures and worldly vanities, and his chief passion was the hunt. At the age of 27 on Good Friday morning, when all of the faithful had repaired to church, Hubert, in open defiance of pious customs, went forth on the hunt. As he was pursuing a stag, the animal turned, and between its antlers was seen to Hubert a crucifix. Shaken by this event, Hubert renounced all of his honors and rank, gave all of his personal wealth to the poor and entered the priesthood. And since his canonization, St. Hubert has been the patron saint of archers, forest workers, hunting, hunters, and hounds.
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Our Masters of the Hunt gathered with some of their hounds to drink of the stirrup cup for fortification at this year’s Blessing of the Hounds at the Rocky Fork Country Club.
A rider and her horse receiving a blessing and a St. Christopher medallion to wear around her neck for protection from pestilence during the hunting season.
It is also the kick off to the formal fox hunting season (foxes are never killed), which continues until mid-March of each following year. The riders are led by a bagpiper to the blessing field, and during the Blessing, each rider dismounts, and on bended knee, receives a personal blessing from a local pastor as well as a St. Christopher medallion to wear around his neck for protection, and is offered a ‘Stirrup Cup’, a centuries old tradition intended to bolster the spirit of the hunt.
And, following ancient tradition, each hunt is capped off by a celebration called ‘High Tea’, where all riders gather together to discuss the hunt and imbibe in libations of their own choice, which to my knowledge has never actually included tea. It is a fun tradition, and one we look forward to every year. It marks the beginning of the hunt season, but also the end of our trail riding adventures here in the Midwest. It is also an opportunity to begin plans for next year’s exciting trail riding schedule.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019
December 2019
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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Mid-Eastern Farriers Association
No Excuses PRESIDENT, Michael Boal VICE PRESIDENT, Toby Burdette SECRETARY, Chrissy Landreth TREASURER, Tim Dodd PHONE, 330/904-1489 FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/ Mid-Eastern Farrier’s Association
Why does your Farrier make mistakes? What were they thinking? Here’s what they might be thinking: “Should I take more foot? If I don’t take enough the client will be unhappy. If I take too much the horse will be lame and the clients will not be happy. How should I best balance this foot to the horses confirmation? How can I best fit this shoe to make up for that confirmation and best apply that shoe to help the horse better perform its job. Am I going to get home in time to see my family tonight? How much are all of my supply expenses
going to be this month. Oh Lord is this horse going to kick me? He’s not standing still. Oh, that hurt my back. I know the client doesn’t notice this horse jerking me around so I can’t reprimand the horse, or they will get upset thinking that I’m just being grumpy or picky about their horse standing still. I have spring clients coming out of the woodwork wanting work done the next day. How am I going to fit them in when my clients are booked four to six weeks in advance?” As well as the thought process of managing hoofcare in sometimes uncertain environments with sometimes unpredictable horses, good farriers strive for perfection during a lot of days and a lot of nails. For example, one horse shod all around has six nails per foot. That’s 24 nails hammered in each horse if none must be pulled out and re-done because they are too high or too low or too close to sensitive structure. And if that Farrier does minimum of four
horses a day that is 96 a day times five working days. That’s 480 nails a week, 24,960 nails a year. Most farriers do more horses than that and work weekends as well, especially during the summer months. And that’s only considered if the farrier uses only six nails per foot. So, at a minimum, a good farrier strives to be perfect 25,000 times a year. Not impossible, but not easy either. Great farriers love to make clients and their horses happy. Doing this can be difficult at times but made easier with things like: A nice clean place. Good lighting. Plenty of space. Horses that stand still. Owners that pay on time. Owners that stay on a good schedule. Owners that don’t have bounced checks. Tips. Owners who may not have the best barn in the whole world but try their best to accommodate. Owners who reprimand their horses when they’re being bad, so the farrier is not being jerked around or hurt. Clients who call in advance
to schedule before events like the fair and are understanding if they can’t call in advance. Great farriers think about a lot throughout the workday and always hope to hit the mark for their clients’ horses. The picture you see here is a good example of how close nails are to sensitive structure and what a farrier’s tolerances are when they strive for perfection every day.
Black Swamp Driving Club
Black Swamp Driving Club Ends Year on High Note PRESIDENT, Roger Higgins, Jr. VICE PRESIDENT, Julie Emmons SECRETARY & TREASURER, Susan Murray. WEBSITE, www.blackswampdrivingclub.com
by Mary Thomas Perfect is the best way to describe the Oct. 27 hayride hosted by Mary Elliott and Linda Spear at their farm near Galion, Ohio. Forty members and guests braved the cold, windy afternoon to enjoy the huge potluck set up out of the weather. Three pairs of Percherons were lined up as the hayride horsepower. Mary Elliott’s blacks pulled her covered wagon, while Mike and Lowella
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Stichlers’ horses handled a large hay wagon. Joe Reed’s gray Percherons moved along with a full wagonette. Just as the horses were ready to step off, the wind died down and the sun came out. The lengthy route was on quiet country roads past fields under harvest and woods full of fall colors. Black Swamp members gathered Nov. 9 at the Good Hope Lutheran Church in Arlington, Ohio, for their annual banquet. Following the delicious potluck dinner, President Roger Higgins, Jr. called a brief meeting to order. He reviewed the driving year, thanking all the hosts for their time and effort organizing the dozen events held throughout 2019. Sue Murray was recognized for her work as treasurer and her meeting notices to members.
(Left to right) Mary Elliott, Mike Stichler, Joe Reed and Percherons ready for the hayride. Winter meetings were announced for Jan. 12, Feb. 9, and March 8. The April meeting is tentatively set for April 19. The January meeting will feature the election of the 2020 board and scheduling of the year’s drives. During the evening a silent auction of baked goods was held with winning bidders taking home holiday fudge, cupcakes, breads, cookies, and pies. A reverse raffle (where the last name drawn is the big winner) created suspense. Prizes had been collected by Julie Emmons and included driveway markers and a lamp, decorated with the Black Swamp logo, a doormat, and landscape lights.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
These were won by Connie Gillfillan, Julie Emmons, Mary Thomas, Bobbe Polvony, Travis Emmons, and Will and Shirley Stevenson. Candidates for the board and ideas for the winter meetings are needed. Owning a horse or pony is not required for membership in BSDC. Interest in general equine care, care and restoration of carriages, as well as driving are all reasons for becoming part of BSDC. New members are more than welcome. Check www. blackswampdrivingclub.com or the Black Swamp Facebook page for membership forms and information. December 2019
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Now Accepting 2020 Memberships PRESIDENT, Chuck Fanslow; 1st VICE PRESIDENT, Al Davis; SECRETARY, Kathleen Moss; TREASURER, Mindy Ellis; WEBSITE, www.mtra. org; EMAIL, mtra.office@gmail.com; PHONE, 989/723-1425
by Jan Wolfin According to the calendar it is still fall in Michigan but Mother Nature doesn’t look at the calendar. Northern Michigan was covered with eight to 12+ inches of lake effect snow the first week of November and plunged into the deep freeze mid November with temperatures in the single digits. The Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail is open all winter for non motorized activities, however,
please be aware of weather conditions if you choose to go play in the northern Michigan winter wonderland. Currently plans are being made for the MTRA annual meeting at the Doherty Hotel in Clare Michigan on March 21. As always, our members will gather in the pool area in the afternoon to catch up with friends and start making plans for the 2020 ride season. The evening festivities will start with a tasty buffet dinner with the meeting and board of director’s election to follow. Once the business of MTRA is completed we will dance the night away to the music provided by McCarn Entertainment. Sunday morning, March 22, a board of directors meeting will be held at
the Doherty. All members are encouraged to attend. Plans for the May work bee will be discussed at the board meeting. President Chuck Fanslow is continuing to work closely with the MDNR through the winter to get everything in order to build a new camp on State land near Cheboygan. The north spur of the Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail and our trail to Mackinaw depend on getting a new camp near Cheboygan. The 2019 MTRA ride season was great. Our average number of riders per day was 65. Our highest daily number of riders was on the 2nd June ride with 99 at the Goose Creek Trail Camp. Fifty-six youth riders took advantage of our Youth Rider Program and enjoyed riding and camping with MTRA.
If you are thinking of becoming a member and riding with MTRA in 2020 remember that your membership must be current for 30 days before you can attend a ride. MTRA is accepting 2020 memberships now and we highly recommend that you get your membership early. Once your membership application is received you will get your membership packet with your membership card, the MTRA guidebook, the MTRA newbie booklet and a set of trail maps. You will also start receiving the MTRA quarterly newsletters. This is the best way to keep informed as to what MTRA is doing. Please contact MTRA at 989/ 723-1425 or mtra.office@gmail. com with any questions you may have.
Knox County Horse Park
Fun Shows in 2020 to be Held Second Saturday of the Month PRESIDENT, Debbie Cole VICE PRESIDENT, Travis Ross & Dave Huge; TREASURER, Pam Niner SECRETARY, Anna Chadwick PHONE/TEXT, 816-305-6328 WEBSITE, knoxcountyhorsepark.com
by Anna Chadwick The Knox County Horse Park (7360 Thayer Ridge Road, Mt Vernon, Ohio) had their monthly winter meeting at the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon Saturday, Nov. 2. We had our first chili cookoff, with five entries. First place was Liz Lutwick, second place was Pam Niner and third place was Claude Robertson. We also had our election of officers. Secretary for the
December 2019
coming year is Anna Chadwick. New Trustees are Claude Robertson, Dave Huge and Jeff Clawson. Floyd McKee will fill a vacant position. President, vice president and treasurer will remain the same. Our Halloween Fun Show was the last of the season and was a success. Our Dec. 7 meeting will be our Christmas meeting and gift exchange. Gifts are to be between $10 and $15 (please mark if gender specific). The meeting will be at the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon. We will have a garage sale at the arena on April 25, 2020. For the 2020 year we will have all of our fun shows on the second Saturday of the month starting in April with a rain date of the third Saturday of the month. All shows to start at noon. The last show will be in October. Our first show will be April 11,
2020 and is a walk-trot show. The Cowboy-Cowgirl Challenge will be May 9. We are also planning
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on having another steak/meat raffle this coming year.
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View From the Cheap Seats
Give the Gift of Equi-Tech Upgrades, Updates, and Installs by Sarah Vas
M
yself a devout Amazon Prime and Facebook user, my screen time is infiltrate with an increased onslaught of ads during the holidays. Products scroll by, promising ultra-convenience, long-awaited life hack solutions, and gadget combinations I didn’t know I needed. I’m particularly amused by that bizarre discount site, Wish. I’ve never bought anything from this online purveyor but made the mistake once of following my curiosity with a click. In return, my social feed is now heavily peppered with the strange, unique, and unnecessary. Who buys this stuff? A travel smoothie maker powered by USB port? A motion activated toilet bowl night light? The motorized beer cooler/ personal scooter? Wait, that’s
actually a great idea… Before I get roasted for bucking technology or accused of hypocrisy, I’m smartphonecarrying, backup camera-using, Bluetooth-connected just like the next lemming. But in spite of modern conveniences, I still face huge difficulties carving out time to consistently entertain my own personal horse activities. Life just has this way of throwing up obstacles at every turn. My finite daily hours are consumed by the tug of war between tasks I have to do and activities I want to do. Could I be consumed with the problems and missing the solutions? Modern society is embracing the flood of merchandise promising quick fixes, instant gratification, and endless multitasking in the palms of our hands. Well, when you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? I’ve been thinking these little
May Every Gift, Regardless the Size Appear with a Flourish, a Grand Surprise And Every Giver at Your Front Door Be Someone Cherished Who You Adore And the Season’s Blessings Bestowed on You Bring Joy and Bounty to the Year Anew Owners, Breeders, Artisans Kevin & Sarah Vas 330-242-3440
www.winfieldfarm.com
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34342 Law Road Grafton, Ohio
Exploring the Arabian/Welsh Sport Pony Cross For Dressage & Carriage
Sky Mall items need inventing and getting into my stocking by month’s end. My barn lifestyle could use some modern-day enhancements. What about a manure fork with built-in phone dock/charger? I’ve never been able to do that thing where you cradle your cell phone against your ear with your shoulder while continuing to pick stalls. Maybe it’s my ridiculously small noggin and extra long chicken neck but every time I’ve tried, it’s a guaranteed phone fumble. “Whoops! Hold On! I dropped the phone, whadyasay?”, I sputter while unsuccessfully wiping the sawdust and hay bits now electrostatically clinging to my screen. If I had a snug little compartment on the handle of my pitchfork, I could chat unlimited without concern for battery life or smearing manure in my ears. Perhaps a saddle with in-seat massager, like those chairs at the mall with powerful rotating balls in the head rest and conveyor belt roller bars that crawl up and down your back? Everyone who sits in them instantly gets that eyes-rolled-back-in-the head look of total bliss. Can you imagine a button on the cantle, pressed mid-ride that powers up soothing massage action right under your sore and tuckered tuchus? I’d make time for that ride any day! In fact, I could think of about a dozen different chores that could use a built-in massage unit somewhere on my person just to get me through to the end of the job. I’ve got an idea for a low jack system or at least some sort of Find My Phone app for horseshoes, fly masks, and turnout halters. Who hasn’t wandered the acreage in search of Fluffy’s lost left hind or Dobbin’s fifth fly mask of the season? Wouldn’t it be a lifesaver to click an app, let it plot the location, and walk straight to the lonely, missing item? I know my farrier would be much more pleasant about unplanned visits between our regularly scheduled shoeing cycle. How about a washer dryer combo that ACTUALLY removes all the micro bits of
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Sarah Vas sharp hay and pokey sawdust from your socks? Or every needle-fine sliver of clipped horse hair from inside your bra? Invent me one of those, Maytag Man! I can attest to the reality that horses can feel a tiny fly on their skin based on the number of times I’ve stripped off a boot to claw at a sock cactus or thrown out a perfectly good bra, unable to extract the singular, prickly hair firmly wedged in the underwire lining. I’m all for a complete line of horse trailers built for women. Window latches, tie rings, and door catches would all be reachable by a 5’5” woman with feet planted firmly on the pavement. Ramps would be automated. Floor mats would be disposable. Tack rooms and living quarters would be self-packing and auto-cleaning. To expound on these convenient features, I propose every pickup truck be outfitted with floor drains and easily hosed out interiors. They make waterproof smartphone cases that grant total access to the screen functions while protecting your precious Hello Kitty case and the aforementioned electronics within from untimely death while you snap Instagramworthy selfies of your whitewater rafting excursions! (yeah, I know, who the heck actually does those things?) So, why can’t our hauling vehicles be ‘easy wash and rinse’ after a long horse show? I can totally see it!
S December 2019
Colorado Ranger Horse Association
Join the CRHA Distance Program PRESIDENT, Toni Lukavich; 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, Charmaine Wulff; SECRETARY, Barbara Summerson; TREASURER, Jane Montgomery. WEBSITE, www.coloradoranger.com EMAIL, riderangerhorse@yahoo.com
by Monica Doddato The Colorado Ranger Horse Association would like to congratulate Kim Rumpsa and R Secret Decoration on earning Grand Champion at the first annual Appaloosa National Championship Competitive Trail Ride which was held Saturday, Oct. 26. The ride was held as part of the AHA (Arabian Horse Association) Distance Horse National Championships. The event was sponsored and managed
by AHA. The ride was hosted by Gunnar and Alanna Frank, and on the property of Twister Ridge Ranch. The sanctioned ride was Open Owl Hoot Spook, composed of several different categories of rides over three days. In addition to the AHA rides, seven other breed registry National Championships ran concurrently, including the Appaloosa Horse Club Appaloosa National Championship Competitive Trail Ride and Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Race. A Competitive Trail Ride is a timed event, and it is different from an endurance race. Everyone starts off with a perfect score, and points are deducted for higher pulse rates, injuries incurred during the competition, the slightest evidence of not being sound, lack of impulsion at vet checks, and lack of manners and/ or poor behavior at vet checks.
To win, a horse must meet all required pulse recovery, complete the ride sound as if to continue, meet other veterinary requirements, and have the highest score. Deco, as Kim refers to R Secret Decoration, completed a 40-mile ride with flying colors. Kim and Deco placed fourth overall in the open ride, and Kim has this to say about Deco, “She is a machine!” Deco is registered with the Colorado Ranger Horse Association, the International Colored Appaloosa Association, and is Foundation Pedigree Designated with the Appaloosa Horse Club. She is also an ApHC Gold Medallion earner. Special thanks to Kim’s husband, Jeff Rumpsa, for taking the photographs at Spotted Rump Rockin’ R Ranch. CRHA Distance Program recognizes riders and horses competing in distance and/or
competitive riding. Among the awards given are: Distance, Endurance, Versatility, Junior Rider, Senior Rider, and Novice Horse. For complete rules and entry forms, contact the chairperson Chris Ferri, christinaferri24@verizon.net or find forms to enroll on the website, www.coloradoranger. com under Show and Programs.
as breeders of Arabian/Welsh Sport Ponies for dressage and carriage while husband and wife
indulge their pent up creativity producing a variety of rustic décor and iron work.
Kim Rumpsa and R Secret Decoration.
View From The Cheap Seats Like a big bathtub, just pop the drain cover in your floor boards, crank open the spigot, and spray away the weekend. My point is this. Our horse industry should capitalize fully from the advancement of modern marvels. Start by embracing the Equi-techy Christmas. Send that text notification to your client roster with a link to your farm’s interactive online season’s greetings card. Tuck every new pony under the tree alongside a self-cleaning 12’x12’ litter box, an all-in-one saddle, girth, pad system with quick release safety clip features, and a set of microchipped horseshoes equipped with photosensor lighting after dark. Gift your trainer with a two-way headset to forever avoid that humiliating emotional trauma screeched at you across crowded warm up rings as you wander around on the wrong lead. And ask Santa for that head set indicator gadget. You haven’t seen it? Attached to
December 2019
the crownpiece, it lights up red, yellow, or green to confirm your horse’s bridling perfection in real time, live streaming, high def clarity. Why Not? Equestrians have been ignoring coaches and staring at ears long before technology finally caught up! Sarah Vas, a second-generation horsewoman, writes about her decades of adventure and mayhem among several breeds and disciplines, and countless equine educational endeavors both as student and teacher. Sarah owns and operates a continuation of her parents’ original business, Winfield Farm & Forge, Ltd., that which couldn’t currently exist without constant gratitude for Kevin, her very forgiving, ridiculously supportive husband. Together, they are quietly beginning to explore the Farm’s newest chapters, both in and out of the horse world. They are returning to Sarah’s family roots, this time
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Wayne County Saddle Club
Annual Banquet Scheduled for January 2020 PRESIDENT, Charlene Clark; VICE PRESIDENTS, Rich Gortner, Angie Didinger; SECRETARY, Tricia Crilow; TREASURER, Beth Eikleberry; WEBSITE, waynecountysaddleclub.com
In, what may seem to be, a rather dormant time for The Wayne County Saddle Club, December, the board has been busy preparing for the annual banquet Jan. 11, 2020. Each year the club hosts one major indoor event—the Banquet. ‘Banquet’, however, is a bit of a misnomer. The event includes a carry-in dinner, election of officers, presentation of year-end awards, a raffle, and dancing. Of course, there’s plenty
of downright good dialogue. It’s a great time to unwind a bit after the ‘Holidays,’ and look forward to the coming year. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by folks checking your memberships to hand out ballots (members and guests are welcome, however, only members can vote) for the election. At that time you can also purchase tickets for the 50/50 and ‘Chinese auction.’ We eat at 6 p.m. Bring one hot, and one cold dish and any special beverage. The club will provide plastic utensils, coffee, water and fruit drink, and meat. After the meal, we’ll progress to the election and presentation of year-end high point awards. And, finally, the part many folks really look forward to—the dance music. 2019 has, indeed, been another
abundant year at the ‘Hollow.’ Horse shows and other events went very well; we had good planning, good attendance, good support, and good weather this year. Financially, also, 2019 was good. If you had even a small hand in it, we are thankful to you. This club has survived through its 80 year sojourn because folks cared enough to “get’r done.” As we look to the banquet and beyond, please consider how you might become part of it all. Officer? Director? Mowing? Production of equine events? Food? Spectators? There are many facets to our year at the Wayne County Saddle Club. Whether seen or unseen countless hours go into the overall season. Whether or not you are active the club will continue. But it will be just a little
bit better when you help, too. By the time you read this, Christmas will be drawing closer and closer, our prayer is that you —amidst the frantic hustle and bustle—can experience the real reason for the season. Merry Christmas and God bless, ~Stan
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Arabian/Welsh Sport Ponies for Dressage & Carriage
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December 2019
FIND uS ON FACEBOOK: ADAM BLACK HORSEMANSHIP HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
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Ohio Horseman’s Council, Inc. Member of American Horse Council www.ohconline.com RECORDING SECRETARY & MEMBERSHIP Catherine Estill 513/899-2267 secretary@ohconline.com
TREASURER Jo Ellen Reikowski 330/806-3146 treasurer@ohconline.com
PRESIDENT Eric Estill 513/899-2267 president@ohconline.com
VICE PRESIDENT Jim Wallace vicepresident@ohconline.com
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Theresa Burke 614/329-7453 newsletter@ohconline.com
OHC CORRAL NEWS Janet Fox janet.ohc.corral.editor@ gmail.com
Greetings From Your President New OHC Memberships and Membership Renewals for 2020 are Open Please Renew Your OHC Membership Before January 1, 2020 If you wait until later next year to renew your membership to OHC, you risk missing editions of the Horsemen’s Corral and, if you have Equisure liability insurance, your coverage will lapse. Your 2019 liability insurance will expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Your 2020 insurance will start Jan. 1, 2020 if you renew your membership by Dec. 31, 2019. If you renew later, the day that your dues and insurance payment are received by an OHC chapter or state officer is the effective date of your coverage. The OHC website at https://ohconline.com has a new look. You may join or renew on the website. Click the button on the upper right side of the home page. If you renew online, you can pay your dues with a credit card through PayPal, or you can send or give a check to your chapter treasurer. If you renew or join online and you pay your dues with PayPal, your membership is active immediately. I renewed my membership in October with PayPal. The whole process took me 3 minutes and 5 seconds. If you prefer to fill out a paper form, you can find the form on your
chapter page of the OHC website at https://ohconline.com. Click ‘Find Chapter’ then click ‘List View’. Scroll down the list until you find your chapter. Click on your Chapter. You will find a membership form that you can download and print. Fill out the form, then mail it or deliver it with your dues payment to the treasurer shown on the form. Or, you can ask your chapter treasurer for the form. ~ Eric Estill
County Lines ASHLAND Jean and I spent four days camping at Salt Fork and rode about 30 miles of beautiful trails. We met several friendly individuals who were there for an OHC chapter meeting to finalize their plans for the annual Guernsey County Poker Run state ride. We also bumped into Carol and Roger Walsh from the Ashland OHC. He is one of a few individuals who rides the trails while wearing shorts. The weather was great except for a rain late one night while we were sleeping. There are a ton of walnut trees in the camp area, and each was loaded with nuts. Unfortunately, the trees started dropping the nuts in the rain, and the thump they made on our camper roof sounded like cannons going off. We both sat up in bed with our hearts beating fast. The good news was, there was no damage to the roof, and we only lost a little bit of sleep. The next day, we only sat on our 50
chairs under the awning for fear of getting hit on the head with a walnut. On a serious note, we had to have AAA come to our campsite to change an outside dual tire that had developed a fist-size lump on the sidewall. While I hate having tire issues, it was fortunate it did not blow out on the freeway on the trip down. Two weeks later, we ventured to Hocking Hills for four days of camping and riding. We stayed at Cowboy Larry’s and enjoyed both electric and water hookups in the RV. Surprisingly, we were the only rig in camp from Ohio. Several were from Pennsylvania, a couple from Kentucky, and a big group from Indiana. That is how popular Hocking is in the U.S., and it is right here in Ohio. This is an annual autumn ride for us, always with hopes of seeing the turning leaf colors, enjoying the cooler temperatures, and keeping warm sitting by a campfire. It is about a three hour trip from Ashland, and the maple leaves were extremely beautiful,
although not quite in full color. Cowboy Larry and his sidekick, Jean, spent some time with us enjoying stories told around the fire. While there is great riding at Hocking, they had just reworked several trails with a dozer, which dampened my enthusiasm at times. I realize it is good for the trails, and in the long run, I appreciate their efforts but will appreciate it more next year after it has a chance to settle in a little. I did suffer my first unscheduled dismount in years on the ‘Goat Trail.’ Fortunately, only my pride suffered any serious injury. I may decline the opportunity to ride that trail in the future as there are plenty of trails that are less challenging, and my kids say I am “getting older.” Treasurer Mike Gerard informed me the Annual Chili Cook-Off State Ride generated a nice profit this year. Some of the money is going to be donated to the Mohican State Park for a much needed new restroom located in the horseman’s area.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
It is hoped it will be completed in time for next year’s state ride. We spent a couple of days at the Quarter Horse Congress watching our daughter, Megan Bash, participate in pole bending with her junior horse. She did well and placed fifteenth in the Junior Horse class and was top 10 out of 67 in the Level 1 Amateur class. She was happy because she bought the little mare as a yearling and did all the work of training her on her own. Merry Christmas to all. We hope to see you down the trail and remember not to drink and ride or drive. ~Dan and Jean Reynolds ASHTABULA Hello from Ashtabula County. I hope this finds you well, happy and ready for winter. I am hoping for a few more nice days before the white stuff is covering the ground. Our regional ride this year was wonderful. Mike and Jessica December 2019
County Lines Sheets did an awesome job. Even though it was raining early in the morning, the sun came out, and the group rode out at 10 a.m. as planned. The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun, and the riders had some fun searching for those colored horseshoes. The day was not quite warm enough for a swim, but one of our Kathys thought it might be, or maybe it was her horse; never-the-less she was in the creek. We had a lot of good food as usual. The election of officers was held on Nov. 6 at Rustler Ranch. The annual Christmas party will be at Scooters again this year. We will order from the menu and have our ‘Dirty Santa’ game. Cathy Isenburg has been shopping, and I’m sure she bought some good stuff for us to choose from. At last count, there were 39 signed up...it should be a good time. There will not be a meeting in December. We will meet in January, but not the first Wednesday; that is New Year’s Day. We had a good year this year and hope for another next year with a few more rides. Let’s hope for an early spring and not as much rain so we can get out and ride. Until next time, give thanks for all the good things and give your horse a hug. ~Pearl Ann AUGLAIZE Hi all! October was a great month for riding. A lot of time was spent enjoying the colors, smells, and cooler air....and then it snowed here in Auglaize County; I’m not ready for that. We were busy preparing for the moneymaker for the Equine Youth at the Rustic Barn Vendor ‘Home for the Holidays’ event held at our county fairgrounds. We were given booth space by the wonderful women who put on the event. We sold hot chocolate and coffee at one booth. Most items were donated, again, by these wonderful women. We also had a booth for photo options with the Duke (a donkey brought in by the Equine Queen). It was a huge success! BUTLER Howdy from Butler County. Time is now flying by at breakneck speed, and Old Man Winter is going to start raising his wintry head at any minute. December 2019
CLINTON
Krista Hutzel and Ransae Hall. Work on the switchback trail at Sebald Park still awaits completion. There have been some unfortunate delays in getting this much needed repair done, but Butler County Metro Parks assures us this repair will be completed by the end of the year. Butler County has agreed to host the upcoming state meeting, giving our chapter an opportunity to earn some extra money. Hosts are responsible for the drinks and dessert at the luncheon. Hosts can also hold a split-the-pot and a silent auction where the hosting chapter keeps 100 percent of the profits. Dave Krazl, Krista Hutzle, and Ransae Hall volunteered to represent Butler County at the meeting. Several of our members attended the state ride hosted by Preble County at Hueston Woods State Park. I have heard nothing but praise for Preble County’s hard work that made this a successful event. The trails at the park are amazing. We hope to be able to get some more riding in before the snow flies. ~Mary Pope
Hello readers, I’m writing this Nov. 1. Last night was trick or treat, and it was 40 mph winds with sleet. I want to thank the Clarksville Fire Department for setting up the trunk or treat. They had hot cocoa and popcorn, and some of the residents helped hand out candy. My grandson came home very happy! The Farmers Almanac said we are in for a ‘Polar Coaster.’ I hope you all have enough hay put up for the winter. I know in the cold winter months, I like to give my horse a little extra by soaking alfalfa cubes in hot water for a warming snack. Their bodies use more calories to keep warm. Not only are the extra calories great for them, but the extra water is, also. In the winter a horse can become dehydrated faster with the freezing temperatures. Their drinking water freezes fast, and they cannot drink. Also, water insulates their bodies, so keep them hydrated. In our photos, you will see us in pink for the ‘Spurs for a Cure’ ride. We set up a pancake breakfast and had an awesome turnout! I want to give a special thank you to Stephanie Manriquez, Marybeth and Todd Norton, Diana Spencer, Judy Kohl, and Joey Gross for all their help! I personally was certified to be a Life Coach. My area is going to be ‘the other side of cancer,’ so for the ride I was able to talk to fellow survivors. It was awesome! The first photo is Cricket at Pot-Luck Greenhouse. Marybeth
CLARK Hello from Clark County. The October meeting was canceled, so there are not any updates to report. Our next scheduled event is the Christmas party to be held Sunday, Dec. 8 from 5-8 p.m. Details will be made available by email and Facebook. OHC membership renewals can be completed online at ohconline. com, or by printing a paper form from the OHC website and giving the form to the council treasurer. The next scheduled meeting should be Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Watch for email or Facebook postings for the location. Until next month, happy trails! ~MaryEllen
Susan Lamb, Diana Spencer, and Marybeth Norton.
Susan Lamb, Diana Spencer, Marybeth Norton, Judy Kohl and Todd Norton.
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Cricket at the fundraiser. took her there to do a fundraiser for the Clinton Massie Marching Band. Folks go to take photos with Cricket the unicorn, feed her treats and pet her for donations. Everyone loves Cricket! This horse poses for photos. What a wonderful fundraiser. Harris will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 and 29. Harris will be closed for Christmas Dec. 24 and 25. It will also be closed for celebrating the new year on Jan. 1, 2020. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, stay safe and warm! Much love and blessings, ~Susan DEFIANCE On the weekend of Oct. 19, our club had a gathering at Harry Hughes Equestrian Center. There was trail riding and camping, and on Saturday there were also games and food. Young ones and adults enjoyed Halloween themed activities including costume contest, small parade, cake walk, and egg and spoon. All of the kids were given treat bags. The day ended with a potluck and chili taste-off. Pictured are Jami Young, the costume winner on her draft, Chance, and Teresa and Kirk’s granddaughter, Elliette who dressed up for the event. A chapter meeting was held on Sunday. The officers for 2020 are: President Nancy Schroeder; Vice President Kate Limber; Treasurer Hope Russell; Secretary Bridget Russell; and Corral Reporter Deb Hubbard. The Christmas party will be on Jan. 18. Your riding miles need to be turned in by Jan. 5 to Nancy. The Boy Scouts are working on the mounting block that will be set at the Rail to Trails on Williams County Road 17 access. Watch your emails for dates of delivery and news coverage of the placement. 51
County Lines
Construction of Kilbourne platform.
Delaware booth at Watershed festival.
Defiance County OHC The Tack Sale will be March 8, 2020. We want more horserelated tables. Sign-up now! Merry Christmas to all! DELAWARE ‘Happy December’ from your friends in the Delaware chapter! In looking back over this past year, we can appreciate and be proud of the many accomplishments that have taken place, not to mention, the fun times! First, our awesome trail maintenance volunteers worked diligently throughout the year, meeting virtually every Tuesday, weather permitting, to tackle an array of bridle trail projects at our adopted park, Alum Creek State Park. Some of the major highlights from this year’s trail work include the installment of two new platforms along our Winterhawk West Trail, one of which involved collaboration with a local Eagle Scout candidate. Our 2019 OHC grant was used to accomplish a major improvement project at another 52
muddy and deeply eroded section of Winterhawk West. A portion of our Maple Glen Trail also saw a significant benching and widening project accomplished with the help of ODNR and Alum Creek’s US Army Corps of Engineers. With all the hard work having been done on our trails this year, it is gratifying to see so many horseback riders enjoying our park. On the ‘social front’, our members had the opportunity earlier in the year to tour the Weaver Leather factory in northeast Ohio. The heavy rains of early summer held off long enough for our club’s successful, firstyear participation in the Olentangy Watershed Festival in Delaware. This venue provided our club an opportunity to spread the word about our OHC organization and Delaware chapter. An interactive and very informative clinic was also held earlier this summer. Lead by member Mike Schott, participants were introduced to basic Parelli foundation and isolation techniques. Fun, food and fellowship were the order of the day for our club’s participation in this year’s Delaware All-Horse Parade as well as our chapter’s Autumn at Alum trail ride and potluck both held in September. It is likely that our chapter’s Christmas party will have already taken place by the time this issue reaches you. I will be sure to share details about this
Ben’s crossing on WHW. fun event in next month’s issue. Congratulations to our 2020 officers! President Theresa Burke; Vice President Kathy Sweeney-Kerr; Secretary Bobbi Arters; and Treasurer Lora Taylor. On behalf of all Delaware chapter members, I would like to extend a sincere ‘Thank you’ to Dan Chambers for his time and work serving as our president. Our first meeting of 2020 is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 3 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Tri-township fire station on SR 36/37. All members are encouraged to attend, and guests are always welcome. The agenda for the evening will include our annual awards ceremony for trail mileage and saddle hour achievements, as well as outlining our 2020 calendar of activities. Come to the meeting armed with your thoughts and suggestions for educational seminars, social events, rides, etc. Your input is important! Let’s keep our chapter moving ahead with excitement and enthusiasm! In closing, please remember to renew your 2020 membership as soon as possible. Please endeavor to do so online; it is quick and easy. Ask any officer for assistance, if needed. Until next month, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ~Theresa Burke ERIE Greetings from Erie County! December has arrived and we are preparing for our annual club Christmas party. This year it will be held at the Coupling Metro Park on Dec. 12. A fun gift exchange will be part of the evening festivities as well as a great potluck. The first weekend in October, Erie Metro Parks puts on an event called Harvest Happenings at Osbourn Park. Our club organizes a petting zoo and gives horse rides to the children. This
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Erie County OHC year, the weather was great on Saturday, with just a bit of rain on Sunday morning. It is really fun watching the children see chickens, donkeys, rabbits, goats, llamas, even a miniature cow, often for the first time. Saturday we gave about 350 horse rides, Sunday a little over 200. We worked in shifts to give horses and walkers a break. It is fun talking to the children as they ride. Many of the young riders were experiencing their first interaction with a horse. The horses even loved the extra attention they were getting all weekend, often stopping and posing for their pictures to be taken with their young friends. One of the horses, Maggie, actually fell asleep with her head in her hay bag. That would have been a great picture, but she woke up as soon as I got my phone. It was a great weekend sharing our love of animals with so many children. Our club did quite a bit of riding in October. Julie went to Tennessee for a week. I heard she had a lot of fun and had great riding. Lynn and Tim went to Brown County for a fall ride. Even if you have to reserve it far ahead, it is always worth the wait. Any day spent with your horse is a good day! The holidays are fast approaching, as well as the end of the year. Lots of new plans are December 2019
County Lines being made for future rides and campouts. Life is better on the trail! Merry Christmas and may everyone be blessed with peace, happiness and good health for the New Year! FAIRFIELD Fall has to be considered the favorite time of the year to ride a horse for those who trail ride. This October was no exception to this preference for Fairfield County OHC members. Mother Nature did not provide the most spectacular color display of all time, but the change was noticeable and nice while it lasted. Unfortunately, heavy rain and high wind settled into our area on Oct. 31, and most of the leaves are now on the ground. Our OHC club sponsored a Halloween ride the last weekend of October. Thursday and Friday were A+ days with clear skies and moderate temperatures. This was not the case for Saturday as rain moved in and hung around all day. To pass the time, some of us moved our base of operation to a local watering hole and watched the Ohio State vs Wisconsin football game. On Sunday the sun was back, and the saddles were back in use. All in all, it was a good weekend. In the middle of October, 17 Fairfield OHC members and two guests set up camp at Mammoth Cave, Ky. We camped at Mammoth Cave Horse Camp, which I highly recommend if you make a trip in that direction. Our camp host, Bubba, his choice of name, not ours, could not have treated us better. At first glance, Bubba appears a little rough around the edges, but under that exterior is a talented guitar picker and singer. The camp has a community building with a large fireplace in one end. With the backdrop of a warm fire, several spirited games of corn hole were played both evenings, plus Bubba sang a wide range of older country music. Good friends, good trails, great host, good weather, bottom line, it was a great trip. Several in our club have started to back off of the riding activities, while others continue to log miles. Our club has been very active this year. In 2018, we ranked third in the number of miles recorded by a club. I think there is a chance we could move up in the rankings. Several in our group day ride December 2019
Junior Dee Craig and Dakota conquering the tarp!
Bubba, our camp host at Mammoth Cave. all winter even after the trailers have been drained of water and winterized. Try riding in the winter sometime, the forest takes on a whole new beauty. At our November meeting, we elected our 2020 officers. Results will be announced in the January Corral. December 1 we will hold our annual Christmas party. This is a catered event at a local fire department community center. We will have a special visit from Santa plus a gift exchange to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Be safe and enjoy the upcoming holidays. ~Chris FULTON At what time of the year does a breeze become a draft? Last night, when I went out to feed, I closed the back barn door. It was windy! The front door remains open so they can get in and out, but that back door, well, I have to protect my boys. Until last night, that door had been open 24/7 to allow for the breeze. It’s a breeze no longer; now it’s a draft. With the cooler weather came the beautiful colors, and I know many OHC members were out on the trails enjoying them. The bridle trails through the Maumee State Forest had been mowed, and they were spectacular.
Beth Several members enjoyed some time at the edge of the forest with the Defiance County OHC at Harry Hughes. I hear they had a nice turn-out that weekend. November brought my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. That’s always a fun weekend with family gatherings, dog shows (there are plenty of dogs that are OHC members, too!), and the Fat Saturday ride at Tammy Royer’s place. This year, with Thanksgiving being so late in the month, the ride was on the last day of the month. This day just happened to be the day before our Cowboy Christmas Swap Meet at the WB Ranch in Swanton. Those who came Saturday to Tammy’s rode, ate the great food while watching the game at her house, rooted for the Buckeyes, and then went over to the WB to help set up for the swap meet. We had over 100 spaces sold and about 70 vendors last year. Check out our website, fcohc.com, for more information on that. Thank you to those who helped set up on Saturday and who volunteered on Sunday. It’s always a fun time, and there’s still plenty of time for volunteers to shop. I helped with the check-in and directing people to their spots. It was really nice because the WB is heated; I didn’t feel a single draft all day! This is a busy week with the swap meet followed by our regular meeting Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at Route 64 Pub and Grub. Then our holiday party is Friday, Dec. 6, at Otsego Park. Once again, check out our website for more details. GEAUGA
Marge
Greetings from Geauga OHC. October 12 marked our annual regional ride. We set out under HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
Cisco Kid teaching Linda Golding how to go through the pool.
Cathy Rehn Vella and Alexa at the obstacle course. cloudy skies and the threat of rain. The 14 riders and their trusted trail mounts stepped out in friendly groups to enjoy the well-kept trails at The West Woods. Our thanks to the maintenance crews who clear and repair our trails to keep them in good riding condition. Naturally, the fast-moving riders finished their ride before the walking group and proceeded directly to the delicious potluck buffet. Windy and cool conditions gave us all a healthy appetite. Pulled pork on freshly baked buns was our main dish, surrounded by a variety of salads, a baked bean casserole and a delicious array of desserts. A lot of socializing and catching up with friends capped off the activities as the sun finally warmed us all. Thanks to all who helped with setting up and cleaning up. Three cheers to Linda Golding who took the lead in getting regional ride T-shirts this year! On Oct. 26 fun was had by all at Rich Bradshaw’s obstacle practice. All the horses and 53
County Lines riders did an amazing job! It was a great learning experience for trail riders in building confidence for both rider and horse. A big thank you goes to Kendall Smith for organizing this. Dee Craig said, “Had an enlightening experience with Rich helping Dakota and I conquer an obstacle. Sometimes Dakota can get opinionated about indoor obstacles and try to get off the task. With Rich’s guidance, we did it. Thank you.” Cathy Rehn Vella, “I’m so proud of my little Alexa! She is the neatest little horse! Thank you, Rich Bradshaw and Kendall Smith, for the fun experience of working on some obstacles, today.” ~Linn Walker
hopefully that will change. It’s a work in progress. Remember to renew your membership before the end of the month, and to send your miles to Herb as soon as possible after Jan. 1. Also, remember we won’t have a regular meeting in December, but instead, we will meet at the Beavercreek Golden Corral for our Christmas celebration. Come join us, it’s always a good time! Merry Christmas, I hope to see you at the party! ~Mickie
This will be short and sweet this month. I’ve been busy with Halloween, and as I type this, my entire garage looks like the holiday exploded as all the decorations are waiting to be put away, so I’ve been a bit out of touch. I haven’t even been on the pony this year. Between weather and concerts, it just hasn’t worked. Luckily, other members have been riding some, though no one I’ve talked to has ridden as much as they’d hoped. For those of you who don’t like riding un-marked trails, like me, (I can get lost in a paper bag), the trails at Caesar Ford are marked. I heard a couple of weeks before writing this article, about half of them had been marked, and I know more has been done since. I’m guessing they’ll all be marked by the time you read this. Many thanks to Dave, Herb and Warren County’s Roger. The park has also made us a dedicated horse trailer parking lot. I’ve heard it’s not that big, and there is no port-o-potty, but
State ride
Nance Forte, Steve and Denise Bleser, Mike Frederick at the Chili Ride.
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Moonlight Ride #4 Ronda Austing and Steve Bleser.
HAMILTON Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please join Hamilton County Ohio Horseman’s Council as we review, celebrate and prepare for the many blessings of the season. On Saturday, Oct. 12, three stalwart HC-OHC riders participated in Moonlight Ride #4 on Miami Whitewater Forest Shaker Trace Trail. The night was brisk, the moon was full and the riders had a terrific ride under a clear night sky. Thanks go to members Ronda Austing, Dr. Steve Bleser, and Donna Gambill, who were tough enough to put on their winter riding attire and brave the elements to enjoy the last Moonlight Ride of 2019. On Sunday, Oct. 20, 16 HCOHC members and guests packed the Miami Whitewater Forest wooded horse trail shelter area with people, trucks, trailers and horses to enjoy a beautiful day of riding, friendship and food, during our annual Chili Ride. Why is this event so popular? We are a very nice group of people to hang out with, and we try to accommodate busy Sunday schedules! Guests are invited, lunch is scheduled for 2 p.m. sharp, and members plus guests have the option of riding before or after lunch, or simply coming
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membership application online at ohconline.com under ‘chapters’ or email mafvet2@gmail.com to request an application. For up to the moment HC-OHC information visit us on Facebook at Ohio Horseman’s Council Hamilton County Chapter.
Kristin Frederick and Bandit, Veterans Day Parade 2018. to enjoy lunch with friends and like-minded people under the shelter. Thanks go to the three HC-OHC members who supplied the huge pots of piping hot chili to share with all. Thanks to members who brought the many side dishes to share, and thanks for Mother Nature blessing us with a perfect fall day. Special thanks go to Nance Forte for once again organizing the Hamilton County OHC’s Annual Chili Ride. On a sad note, HC-OHC’s parade committee chair, Sarah Stuart was notified by the Veterans Day Committee of Hamilton County Parades that the Nov. 10 Cheviot Veterans Day parade was canceled! Canceled! Why? Due to lack of participation! For the record, not only is the Cheviot Veterans Day parade one of HC-OHC’s favorite parades, it is one of our most significant parades we had on the schedule for 2019. It broke our hearts not to be riding for our veterans this year. We enjoyed our Harvest Day Ride on the Winton Woods horse trail on Saturday, Nov. 9. Our club is looking forward to the Harrison Christmas parade on Saturday night, Dec. 7 and our annual, can’t be missed, Christmas party being held on Thursday night, Dec. 5 at Karen Osborne’s beautiful home. You can find HC-OHC’s
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Merry Christmas from all of us at Harrison County OHC. It is hard to believe it is December. Another year went by so fast. We did a lot of riding in October as the weather was great. We rode at Jefferson Lake Park as a group and met some people from Carroll OHC and some new members from Harrison. The trails were wonderful, and the trail down by the lake was just so beautiful with the fall leaves softly floating in the air. Great job on the trails, Jefferson and Carrol OHC. We are still in the process of collecting estimates for materials for the shelter at Harrison State Forest and making sure we have all the paperwork to give engineering. Hopefully, by the time good weather rolls around, we will be able to start on this project. We were able to accomplish a lot in the campground area by installing additional tie lines on the upper loop. The forestry service installed culverts on the Red Trail South, and also on the Yellow Trail, eliminating the wooden bridges that were getting some wear and were slippery when wet. We purchased a hedge trimmer this year, and it sure is the ticket for cutting back the sides of the trail where you are not able to access with machinery, and it works great for overhanging branches. Our Christmas party is being held at the Jewett Restaurant, Dec. 19, across from the post office. There is plenty of room for the kids to move around and enjoy playing with their gifts. We need to turn in our trail work hours to Amanda Perkins,
Harrison County OHC Fun Show. December 2019
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Missouri ride and also turn in our saddle hours online at the State OHC website. Be sure to renew your membership. Without people from the OHC who dedicate their time working on trails and taking an interest in the various parks and forests where we all enjoy riding, the trails will eventually be gone for future generations. Judy May and I attended the State meeting on Nov. 10. It is always nice to meet everyone that you may only see once a year. Keep the Christmas spirit in your heart all year long, lend a helping hand when you can, and be that friend you have always wanted. God bless you, be safe. ~Dorothy Glover HOLMES Welcome to beautiful horsefilled Holmes County. This summer and fall went so fast no one can believe it is December! We had a lot of fun camping and, for the most part, great weather too! We enjoyed all the fall colors and their magnificent display of color. We had many camps at Mohican and some great camps on the road. Some of us enjoyed a wagon train event, I was lazy and rode in a covered wagon. This makes me appreciate the Amish culture. I have enough trouble just having time to stop for gas, do oil changes, wash vehicles, etc. I cannot imagine having to hitch up on a cold day without having a heater to turn on and a defroster for my windows. Others went to Elkins Creek, Mary went to Bryce Canyon, some camped at Pleasant Hill, Malabar and the Cuyahoga trails. As many of you know, we had December 2019
a rough start in camping this year due to the rainy conditions. But all in all, we had a great summer. The last weekend in October, we had our Oktoberfest with rain and candy and rain and soup, Halloween decorated desserts and rain. Thank goodness for our pavilion. We painted pumpkins and rocks, and hung a pinata for the kids to take turns smashing. Along with all the fun, we had a great time working on trails and at camp. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who worked and played this weekend. Thanks to Yellow Trail workers Vickie, Pam, Cheryl and Pete for the transportation through water and up a hill! We removed hoof-catching roots and cleaned up water bars. The loop trail off 3275 where they did deberming needed work. Thanks to Mary, Wendy, Jamie, Shar and Sue. The camp crew that worked cleaning up camp included Tammy, Elsie, Bob, Mandi and Hoyt. The final work crew included Tom, Pete, Mike and Bob who did the tree removal. With all your help we make our trails safer to ride. We all wonder what the winter is going to bring and after having snow last night in the county north of us, who knows? I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was a blessed one and that you have a Merry Christmas! We lost one of our precious members in October. Imogene Lucille Picklesimer, Bob’s wife, passed away. She was a loved member of our group and will always be remembered by our past and present members of the Holmes County Ohio Horseman’s Council families. Happy trails to all. ~Ricki JACKSON The trails at Hammertown Lake are in top shape thanks to members Ralph Prater and Vic Cole. We so appreciate all the work they do for our chapter! Vice President Kenny Taylor has erected an orange construction fence and several danger signs along the deep spillway at Hammertown Lake. All riders need to be aware of this hazard at the end of a grassy meadow near the Red Trail picnic area. Kenny also escorted Robert Stone, a yellow jacket and hornet expert, to several hornets’ nests along our trails. He removed a nest while Kenny observed from
afar. We appreciate Mr. Stone removing these hazards and recommend him to our members. He collects the bees for free. His number is 740/820-3865. The next hazard is an old well that riders are close to as they take an unmarked shortcut on the red trail. We will shortly be erecting warning signs and an orange fence to surround the area. Another trail map sign has been installed at the Yellow Trail rest area; another sign will be installed at a different trail location later. The annual memberships are due at the end of the year. All current members will receive a renewal application in the mail with an addressed stamped envelope to return their 2020 application and dues. Please mail them to me as soon as possible so all members are current. We would like to ask any nonmembers who ride and enjoy the trails at Hammertown Lake to become a member of our chapter. It’s a small amount to keep such a wonderful resource available. You may also join online at www.ohiohorsmanscouncil.com. The November meeting fell on Thanksgiving, it is rescheduled for Dec. 12 at Cardo’s Pizza. We hope to see you there! ~Carmel Johnson JEFFERSON It’s so hard to believe this year is almost over. Where did it go? The trails at Jefferson have started drying out. During the winter months, we plan to keep working on the trails as much as we can. Right now they are not too bad. We moved our regional ride from June to October, and it worked out so much better that plans for 2020 are to keep the ride the first weekend in October. This is an early heads-up so you can put it on your calendar. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy (and healthy) New Year! ~Ghost Rider at Jefferson Lake KNOX We rode our last 2019 organized ride at Hocking. We gathered there to celebrate two fine members’ birthdays, Sam McDonald and Misty Lynn Teter. We had 13 riders on the trail. The morning was cold
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Salt Fork, 2019
Hocking, 2019 and required a large fire. In the evening, the wind died back, and we had a fun event. Great to see so many friends riding, wearing party hats, and having a good time with big smiles on their faces. While our riding calendar for 2019 has come to an end, we have already put plans for 2020 into motion. We will have a planning meeting on Dec. 6 for scheduling trail rides and other activities at Donatoes on High Street in Mt. Vernon at 6 p.m., which by this publication may already have passed. The 2020 tentative schedule will then be posted. Changes can be made throughout January. If you have places you would like the chapter to ride in 2020, make your desires known. Just post me at whistlemeup08@yahoo.com, come to a meeting, or inform one of the other officers. We are working with the Knox County Parks as to the placement of a mounting block at the Bridge of Dreams. They were to notify us when the proper foundation as provided by the parks system is in place. We did not apply for an OHC grant to put a shelter house at Thayer Ridge Park. This was tabled for 2020 because we must get permission and requirements from the Knox County Parks prior to any further activity. 55
County Lines We will not have a December meeting. We are once again Christmas caroling on horseback at Timbuck Tree Farm, where they offer Christmas trees for sale. We are finalizing the date at this time. We will have printed songs and hope we can all sing in harmony. Last year, Tumbuck posted our planned event and people showed up to see the horses. It was a fun event. The tack auction for 2020 will be Feb. 22 at 122 E. Liberty Street, Martinsburg, Ohio. Doors will open at 2:30, the sale of the tack will start at 3:30. Randy Newsum is the auctioneer, and Steve Armstrong is in charge of the tack. These plans were confirmed Oct. 28. We will be asking for volunteers for the kitchen, setup, and general assistance with the tack sales. As done in past years, we are forgoing a Christmas party as this time of year can be very busy for families, and instead, we will hold our now annual Winter Bash in January. Watch for your KCOHC newsletter. It is that time of year once again when we elect chapter officers for the next year. I want to thank Laurel Wagner for serving as vice president in 2019, Kathy Shoemaker for serving as secretary, and Barbara Stevens for serving as treasurer. I hope our secretary and treasurer remain one more year and wish our vice president all the best in her new endeavors in 2020. I hope everyone enjoys a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year! Come on over to Knox County where the gates are wide open, the grass is greener, the horses leaner, as we do ride them, and everyone is welcome. We meet on the third Monday of each month at the Long Branch Pizza on Main Street in Centerburg at 7 p.m. ~Terry L. Baker LAKE Our members met at Oak and Embers Place in Chesterland for our October meeting. The following members were elected to positions: Michelle Sheliga, president; Donna Kautz, vicepresident; Michelle Henderson, secretary; Rosemary Morgan, treasurer. After the elections, we discussed our club plans for 2020. Our club will have our 2019 celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. It will be held at the 56
Willoughby Brewing Company in Willoughby. Bonnie, who has planned our games at past celebrations, will plan games for this one, too. It will be so much fun! There will not be a meeting in December, see you in January at the celebration. Don’t forget to renew your memberships online on the state website. Also, please, shake your memories to add up your trail and riding miles to be sent to Ricki Bunkin before the end of the year. Michelle S. and Rayneen T. are off to Australia/New Zealand currently where they may encounter Brumbies, the equine equivalent of our American Mustangs. Have wonderful holidays and safe rides, ‘mates.’ ~Rayneen LICKING Hello from Licking County. Here we are back in winter, hello snow and cold. At our October meeting, we voted for the 2020 officers. Drum roll please, the officers for Licking County Chapter in 2020 are: President Charlene Santee; Vice President Paul Wilson; Treasurer Bill Craft; and Secretary Terry Drummond. Thank you all for accepting the positions. Yes, they are the same officers we have for 2019, but they do a terrific job, so we voted to have them again for 2020. As you can see in the picture attached, when we say anyone is invited to come to our meetings, we mean it. In attendance at the October meeting were Red Riding Hood, Miss Lady Bug, two witches, a unicorn, and Varsity Letter Man (wearing the sweater from his high school days). I do hope they come again. Debbie Stevens reminded everyone to get their reservations in for the Christmas party to be held on Dec. 7. Craig Santee, chairman of trail maintenance, arranged a workday with Licking County Park District to replace a bridge with a culvert and gravel at Infirmary Mound Park. The old bridge was in need of repair and was slippery when wet. The new improvement will be safer. A big thank you to all who showed up and helped on the project. I’m sorry I could not help because I was out of state. I went to Indiana the first week in October to the National
Deb and Lady
New attendees at the October meeting. Drive. It’s held every year at the Hoosier Horse Park, a week of recreational driving, clinics, and food. If you are a whip driver, check it out for next year. Please try to get your trail miles/ hours report turned into me by Dec. 31, 2019. Mail the report to Debbie Sheka, PO Box 260, Granville, Ohio 43023 or email dsheka@me.com. Everyone who turns in a report on time will have his or her name entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. The gift card will be awarded at the January meeting. Even if you only rode five miles, please turn in a report. You don’t have to be a member to attend our chapter meetings. Please come; I bet you will want to join. If you don’t have a horse but like being around horse people, you are welcome. Our meetings are the last Monday of the month, located at Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, at 7 p.m., (no meeting in December). For more information about our chapter, please check our website, lickingcountyohc.org. From OHC Licking County, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ~Deborah Sheka LOGAN What a beautiful fall. I hope everyone had a chance to get out and ride! Logan County OHC had its Oct. 6 meeting at Marmon Valley Farm in their dining hall. There were 20 members present who enjoyed a variety of pizzas and salad provided by the club. At this meeting, we had our annual silent auction. Everything was sold, and it looked to me
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like we did well on the sales. The main topic of this meeting was fundraising. It was decided that Logan County OHC was going to do concessions for one of the spring horse shows that Marmon Valley hosts. The show dates have not been set yet. Matt Wiley had an idea for Princess and Ponies at Marmon Valley. On Oct. 13 the Orr’s hosted a local ride. Only four members showed up, but it was beautiful; trails were dry and fall colors were peaking. Our Nov. 3 meeting was held at the Homecoming Restaurant in Bellefontaine, due to East Liberty having trick or treat in town and limited parking. We had 22 members present. Members brought canned goods to put together a veteran’s basket and gift card for Veterans Day to give to one lucky veteran in Logan County. On Nov. 17 the Logan County OHC hosted a bowling get together at TP Lanes in Bellefontaine. Urbana and West Liberty had Christmas parades with horse participation. Both were held on Nov. 29. Our end of year big event is the Logan County OHC Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the East Liberty Lodge. The $15 gift exchange is cowgirls buy for cowgirls, and cowboys buy for cowboys! The club will be providing meats. Kim Roberts will cook a turkey, and Becky Porter will cook ham. Of course, bring a covered dish to share. Becky is working on entertainment for the party. For Christmas this year, Logan County OHC will donate $50 to the Indian Lake Elementary School lunch program. As long as it lasts, no kids will go hungry. We donated last Christmas to Benjamin Logan, and we will pick another school within our county next year. The club voted on having trail and saddle mile awards to be presented at the January meeting. We are hoping everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Safe travels to all. LORAIN Holiday greetings ya’ll! ‘Tis the season to enjoy family and friends and to eat all those delectable meals and goodies, so what’s holding you back? Our December calendar sponsor is Dundee Automotive, Inc., located in Dundee, Ohio. December 2019
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Gymkhana championship buckle winners.
Off to see the Wizard. Phantom of the Opera
Super Heros They specialize in trucks, SUVs and 4x4s, new and used ‘take off beds’ and aftermarket sheet metal. You can check them out at www.pickuptrucksalvage.com for all their details. Hocking Hills had twice the number of folks this year as some, who didn’t win the lottery for Three Reasons, decided to head over to another camp nearby. We all gathered together for our potluck, and there was plenty of food for all. The riding was wonderful with plenty of sunshine this year, and the trails were mostly dry. Thanks to Sandy Shudy, who offered her home, and to all who came to help with the planning for our LCOHC 2020 calendar of events. A big thank you goes to Judy and Bob Budi for offering their farm for our clam bake and potluck at our October meeting. Also, thank you Jim and Laura Wallace, for preparing and serving the clam and chicken orders. Our Halloween dress-up ride at Carlisle had many awesome participants this year. We were able to stay overnight at Findley State Park this year on Saturday, Nov. 2, with many coming to day ride and just a few remaining to camp due to the rainy weather. We will have our Lorain County OHC annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Camden Township Complex located at 50679 SR 303, on the corner of December 2019
SR 303 and 511. Appetizers will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Please check the website for updates, www.loraincountyohc. net. Please bring one and a half dozen cookies to donate to the Lorain County Park employees and remember to sign up for something to bring; hams and turkey donations are much appreciated. Please note that carriages may be on the trails at Carlisle on Dec. 3, 8, 12 and 15. Trail miles will be due for 2019 no later than Jan. 15, 2020. Consider submitting these as your gift to both your fellow riders and to yourself, as this is what helps to keep money flowing into our trails from the state to keep them up and running. You will need to mail your trail miles to Brenda Lang. Thank you Brenda, (in advance) for tallying up all the numbers and submitting them to the state. Please see the form on the back of the calendar to see what you will need to submit. Have a joyful holiday season! ~Kathy Duncan MADISON Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Our Gymkhana series is done and the winners have received their awards. It was a great series and we want to thank everyone who volunteered or participated. Our 2019 first place winners are: Youth, Kayle Stonerock and Cowboy; Junior, Ben Shuler and Sassy; Adult, Glen Cole and Zeus; and our very popular 40 and Over class, Kyle Koehler and Lightning. They were awarded striking K Bar Sam championship buckles. Second place winners are: Youth, Rylee Gannon and Skunks Paradise; Junior, Molly Metcalf and Leo; Adult, Sam Shuler and Gunner; and 40 and Over, Jean
Gymkhana second place winners.
Gymkhana third place winners. Kritner and Miss Belle. They received custom leather headstalls handmade by Jennifer Hunter. Our third place winners walked away with beautiful leather show halters by Jennifer Hunter Leather. They are: Youth, Colton Salyers and Teddy; Junior, Aliana Looby and Ace; Adult, Merlee Lloyd and Sugar; and 40 and Over, Linda Shuler and Thunder. The fourth place winners took home grooming stools with a few goodies inside. They are: Youth, Avery Wolf and Rocky; Junior, Sky McLain and Baby; Adult, Amanda Lambert and Charlie; and 40 and Over, Kristy Batkiewicz and Jack. Saddle covers went to our fifth place winners. They are: Youth, Trent Derwent and Shadow; Junior, Alexandria Horton and Desert Bay; Adult, Amy Salyers and Fidget; and 40 and Over, Anne Hunter and Dakota. We’re looking forward to our 2020 season and hope to see everyone back. Keep an eye on our Madison County OHC Gymkhana Facebook page for those dates to be posted soon. ~Cheryl Barlett MEDINA Big news! The new visitors center for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is now open! It’s exciting to see this beautifully refurbished building rise up out
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of the beams of the old youth hostel on Riverview Road. It blends in perfectly with its historic environment. Be sure to visit it if you come to the valley. Our club is on hiatus from our scheduled work, but stay tuned for impromptu sessions of leaf blowing and other maintenance. If you have time on your hands, let one of our trail leaders put you on their list of contacts. The leaders are Patricia Vance (pavancelaw@ aol.com or 330/836-9358), Raydeen Ryden (334/663-7361 or reysden@att.net), and Mike Andrea (mlandrea03@yahoo.com or 330/592-5953). Be sure to renew your membership. The online system is easy, just a few clicks and you’re done. Forms are also available in our newsletter or by contacting Rosemary Young at 440/3827980 or rosemary4medinaohc@ gmail.com. Don’t delay! If you join or renew by Dec. 31 you will be entered in our raffle for one of two Big D gift cards. Our banquet will be held next year on Feb. 22 at Brushwood Pavilion in the Summit Metroparks. Come join us for an evening of fun, awards and other surprises. Call Karen Knuth for details at 440/333-7641 for more details or reservations. As the year draws to a close, we think of quieter times, reflecting on what we did this year and making plans for the year to come. It’s a time we think of giftgiving and gift-receiving. Here’s a re-hashed thought of mine from a few years ago I think bears repeating. Our equine friends won’t be giving us that new iPhone 11 this year, but they give us the gift of a long ride on a beautiful fall or winter day. They are the great equalizers whose strong backs can make us forget our aches and pains, disabilities and physical limitations. When we have a bad day, they can lift us out of our doldrums better than any psychologist. As for the rest of us, we can give the gift of companionship to those in need such as checking in on a neighbor or a friend who is down with an injury or down in the dumps. It’s a good way to feel the spirit of the season. Merry trails to you from down in the valley. ~Rosemary Young MEIGS On Nov. 3 we had our last fun show of the year. Every 57
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Addie at the fun show.
looking forward to the new year. We will start the year out by having our annual New Years ride. We will be riding out at 12 noon at the AEP horse camp, weather permitting. Have a happy new year and happy trails to all. ~Dian MONTGOMERY
Kelli Wilson fun show we have gets a little better, everyone increases their time and the youth are starting to beat the adults. Way to go! Now for Kelli Wilson, she thinks her horse is supposed to do tricks at these fun shows, and so the horse does. When she went out to do the circle ball event where your horse has to kick the ball out of the circle, her horse reared up and then jumped over the ball which then kicked the ball out of the circle. She keeps those shows interesting. Sometimes our timekeeper forgets to reset the timer, and they have to run the event over. The riders will tell him to wake up, or they will ask if he is awake. The members riding in the adult class at this fun show were Kelli and Teresa. The youth members were Addie, Daisee, Kaelin and Shayla. The helpers were Paul, Brad, Ed, Susan, and Gary. I take the pictures. Of course, there are others who help with these fun shows, but these are the ones who were there this year. At our Dec. 16 meeting we will be giving out awards for the winners in these events. We have youth awards and adult awards. We are looking forward to next year’s fun shows. Connie Abbott is recovering from back surgery. Connie is not a person to be sitting around, and she is always helping, whether it is taking care of someone, feeding their animals, or adopting a horse that needs some caring. She called me and was so grateful that our chapter sent her a get well card. She has only a few more weeks of recovery, and then she will be back at it again. By the time you receive this article, the holidays will soon be over. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and lots of good food to eat, and you are 58
Hello from Montgomery County! It is hard to believe yet another trail season has come to an end. However, we here in Montgomery County are happy to say we have had a wonderful year filled with fun camping trips and lots of conversation with each other around the campfire and on the trails. We hope all the other sister chapters can say the same! In August a bunch loaded up our four-legged best friends and headed south to Hang ‘Em High Horse Camp, which is located in London, Ky. Hang ‘Em High is a great place to camp, one of my favorites, I’d say. The owners are really sweet, too. When you first meet them, they make you feel as if they have known you their whole lives. The trails are part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. They can be a little technical at times, but they are really beautiful. If you haven’t camped there before, it is definitely one to add to your list of places to camp. In September, we had a trip on the schedule to camp at East Fork in Batavia, Ohio, but it was canceled because of the hot weather conditions. A few of us die-hard riders decided to just camp close to home. We did short rides in the mornings, went back to camp, watered and hitched the horses in the shade. We ate lunch, then went back out for a short evening ride. We had a wonderful time, and we were happy we had made alternate plans. In October, we participated in the state ride hosted by Preble County. I think it is by far one of our favorite rides to do as a group. The members of Preble County do an awesome job of organizing the ride. They especially worked hard this whole year spreading gravel, making the trails super nice for all of us to enjoy. The activities they had scheduled were fun, and the food was wonderful as usual. Another thing that is great, is that Hueston Woods isn’t very far from our county. For those who don’t camp, they still can drive
Montgomery County OHC up for the day ride and ride with us as a group. We would like to yell a big thank you to Don and Becky for all of the hard work they do. They definitely go above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks, guys, you are awesome. See you next year! On Dec. 11 we are planning to have our Christmas dinner at Amber Rose in Dayton. Christmas parties are always a great time for all! That’s about all we have for now; talk to you next month. ~Taronna MORROW Greetings from the Morrow County OHC chapter, which did not submit an entry for the November Corral issue, so this will be a two-month summary. Several members did enjoy reasonably good weather to explore some of Ohio’s great trails. Ted and Gerald participated in the early October Buckeye State Mounted Deputies (BSMD) annual fall meeting/ride at Salt Fork State Park with 38 horses on the Saturday ride. Former captain of the Morrow County Mounted Deputies, Lyle Reeve, and his entire family gathered to give a surprise birthday party for mother/grandmother Jan Reeve. Three of their four children live in other states, and it had been 22 years since the oldest son, Josh Reeve, had participated as a child in a BSMD ride. Four chapter members enjoyed a Sunday afternoon ride on the Mount Gilead State Park (MGSP) trails, followed by a picnic with some non-riding members attending to share in the equine fellowship. It was the first ride of 2019 for Gay Grazil, who had been grounded due to health issues and competing family
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Morrow County OHC activities (like landing a 28inch Lake Erie walleye). Frank Baxter and wife Drew joined us to explore the modified trails resulting from the renovation/ completion of the MGSP lake dam. The two pictures show Gay plus Frank and Drew watering their steeds in the MGSP Whetstone Creek. Gerald participated in the late September Knox County Horse Park (KCHP) Cowboy Challenge garnering a second place as a ‘79-year-old cowboy’ among the 20-plus other contestants who were much younger. Suzzane Allen and Gerald did ride in the September 2019 Delaware All Horse Parade (DAHP), even though Suzzane had said in 2018 that her riding days were over. She had lost her 31-year-old steed, Justin, after riding him in the 2017 parade; this year she rode on a pony cart driven by a member of her 4-H club for which she has been an advisor for over 50 years. The traditional post-parade Tail Gait Party was enjoyed by several OHC chapter riders plus some non-riding OHC spectators. Several chapter members are not riding because of health issues including Byron, who is having some joint replacement surgery, plus Joe and wife Susan, who are still recovering from horse-related accidents. Former president Karen is continuing to recover at Bennington Glenn Care Facility from a broken hip and may transfer to their extended care services since returning home because solo living is not a safe December 2019
County Lines option. Suzzane is also scheduling to receive some joint replacement surgery before 2020, with her daughter maintaining the winter care of her herd for several weeks. Information has not been received from other chapter members about horse/healthrelated issues, although Ted is traveling to Fort Worth to support his grandson Clayton who qualified for the National Penning/Sorting Championship competition. Our annual chapter Christmas party is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at our Depot local restaurant, with the usual fun gift exchange plus digesting events of 2019 and making plans for 2020. As a closing informational sad note, please be sure to have adequate fresh water readily available for your horses when they are consuming grain/hay. Our 22-year-old mare was just buried after dying following several days of veterinary treatment for a blocked GI tube before the stomach. Water was available while she consumed her grain, but was some distance away with tragic results, although it had not been a problem for several years for her and several other horses. With 20-20 hindsight, the event could have been avoided if the feed had been converted to a wet mash. Until next month, strive to provide the best care possible for your horses that provide you the opportunity to enjoy some great 2019 riding on the possible remaining good days for the year. I wish “happy trails to you” as Roy and Dale sang for their theme song, plus stay safe in the saddle/on your horse if you do have an opportunity to ride! ~DOC MUSKINGUM Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a nice fall and enjoyed the beautiful Ohio countryside on horseback. Although we are heading into the winter months, there is still time to enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature provides for us. Our annual Christmas party will be Dec. 14 at the Moose Lodge on SR 40 in Zanesville, Ohio from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The club will provide the ham and turkey, and we ask each member to bring a covered dish to share. MCOCH has some new faces in our leadership. The 2020 officers elected at the November meeting December 2019
are: Gary Ewing, president; Mark Weaver, vice president; Holly Thomas, treasurer; and Teresa McDonald, secretary. Congratulations and thank you for serving our chapter. MCOHC will be hosting our annual hog roast in 2020 a little differently, thanks to feedback from so many of our guests regarding the trail conditions and the seemingly never ending rain that we have in May. The 2020 Hog Roast will be held on Oct. 3 at Blue Rock State Park. We will have a poker run, silent auction, and, of course, dinner! Mark your calendars and make your reservations for camping. More details to come. If you haven’t already renewed, 2020 membership applications are available online at https:// ohconline.com/, or you can reach out to any of our officers for a membership application. Our next meeting is Jan. 6, 2020, at Golden Corral in Zanesville, dinner at 6 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. On the agenda are the state youth campout, 2020 trail ride schedule, and fundraisers. We hope to see you all there. PERRY Greetings from Perry County. We hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage we had. We saw the most beautiful leaves out on the trails. Since I missed last month, I have a few rides to report about; sit back and let me tell you what the Perry members have been up to. After Labor Day at Scioto Trails, many Perry members went to Fallon Park for the Coshocton hog roast! Now, I’ve been going to this ride for several years, and they never disappoint. The trails were in great shape, the food was superb and the auction was really nice. Next time you see Marianne Hartley, ask her about her snake she met up with on the trail!
Bark Camp Gang can you guess how many counties were represented in this picture?
snowflakes. Perry County had its last meeting of the year on Nov. 12. We elected the new officers for 2020. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Stay safe and warm and have a Merry Christmas. ~Heather
Tucker at Elkins Creek.
Part of the Elkins Creek clan, Carla Marshall, Heather and Ben Stengle, Marianne Hartley, Marsha McDonald. September 28 was the Perry County Soup Ride. I think there were seven soups entered. The winner was Cheryll Walker. Forgive me, Cheryll, I can’t remember what soup you made, but it sure was good! Congratulations! Burr Oak was in pretty good shape, the trails were nice, the Chinese auction was fun, and, of course, the campfire antics did not disappoint. We were serenaded by Mattie Funk and Marianne Hartley; does it get any better than that? On Oct. 11 Ben and I were blessed with a new member of our pack, a mini Australian shepherd. We named him Tucker. Tucker’s first campout was with some Perry members at Elkins Creek. If you haven’t been to Elkins Creek, you need to go. Rick and Jill have a great place down there. The weather was a little chilly, but the riding was beautiful. They had a superb band on Friday night, and, of course, the campfire, as I said before, never disappoints. Tucker survived his first camping trip with flying colors, and, of course, was spoiled rotten. Ben and I went to Bark Camp on Oct. 24. We met up with various OHC members for a last campout of the season. Those are sad words for me to say. Bark Camp was absolutely beautiful with fall colors. Unfortunately, Saturday was a rain-out, and we packed up and headed home. With the holidays quickly approaching and winter around the corner, enjoy your families, and hopefully, we can still sneak some horse time in between the
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PIKE Welcome to the glorious experience of riding through the beauty of the changing leaves in Pike County Forest, where many of my friends and I were able to enjoy an abundance of trail miles throughout the autumn months. We just couldn’t get enough of the fresh air and the colorful landscape that October and November had to offer. At our recent OHC meeting, I lost control of my senses and volunteered to report our activities to the Corral. I only hope that I can live up to those who have written before me. I rode my first horse at age two, and 67 years later, there have been at least 100 horses, two mules and four donkeys who have worn my saddle. I did some showing in 4-H, but trail riding has been my passion. That’s how my husband and I, after 45 years of farming, retired to Pike County, where the trails are ten steps from my back door. We have set up horse pens and tie lines, and a great fire pit for our family and friends and OHC members. You are welcome at our fire anytime! The Pike State Forest management and bulldozer operators have done a great job this summer repairing the trails after all of the heavy rains and after logging crews have gone. Ben Kelley, the forest manager, invited me to walk the trails with him about two months ago. He had never ridden a horse and was eager to understand the trail situation from the back of a horse. We agreed water bars should actually drain water away from the trail, not make miniature ponds. I explained the trail riders want forward movement from trail to trail, preferably, not on a road. Hopefully, some short connecting trails can be added in the near future and promote more riding safety. At our recent OHC meeting, all current officers agreed to continue their services for next year. As mentioned, Debby Sears became the new Corral reporter. Also, Paul and Paula Buser 59
County Lines volunteered to be our activities directors. Our members often enjoy duck racing, shooting, bean bag tossing, golfing and occasional outbursts of singing and guitar playing. Our Christmas party and meeting will be Dec. 7, at noon at the Methodist Church in Waverly. Bring a potluck dish and a $20 gift for our give and take exchange. ~Debby Sears STARK Two representatives from Camp Mohaven in Danville attended our October meeting to let us know of some new opportunities they are opening up for horse riders and families at their facility. Camp Mohaven has hosted the overnight camping weekends our State OHC has offered to our young riders the past few years which was really enjoyed by all who attended. If your OHC chapter is looking for a worthwhile project, Camp Mohaven would appreciate your support. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Until next time, happy trails to you! ~Jo Ellen SUMMIT I’m sorry about the missing Summit column in November. Actually, yours truly was on her first ever camping weekend with our chapter for our fundraiser at Mohican. I had volunteered to oversee the event and planned to sleep in my truck. Deb and Dave Donner took pity on me and extended an invitation to spend the weekend with them in their motor home, i.e., primitive camping became glamping. Everyone pitched in volunteering their time and talents from the moment they arrived to set up until the final trash bag was loaded on the last trailer out. Thanks to all the members and friends of the club who
Donner Party of three. 60
Riders heading out.
Nancy, kindling started.
so generously donated all the fabulous items to the sale tables which stretched throughout the pavilion. Members were treated to one complementary door prize of their choice from the club and also a second chance for some extra special prizes donated by our members. The weather started out a bit iffy with rain showers Friday morning but cleared and held off until late morning Sunday. In between, there were some great trail rides for novices who graduated to seasoned veterans thanks to the 14-mile ride to and from the lodge guided by ‘The Saddle Bags’. Anyone who has ever ridden with this group knows it is a life-altering experience; just ask Michelle Crew. Of course, no campout is complete without a campfire, and thanks to our resident pyrotechnician, Nancy Bedellion, orbiting satellites noted the anomaly from outer space. Thank heavens we left before one of the trailers was sacrificed as kindling for another night. Speaking of strange things around the campfires, all those extra horse blankets and saddle pads on the sale tables were mysteriously disappearing only to reappear draped over shivering campers. Now that’s a marketing strategy. Whether it was ashes from the fire blurring our vision or hypothermia setting in, some of us noticed an apparition slowly emerging from the inky darkness. It was the unmistakable white head and horn of a unicorn also seeking refuge from the cold. (No, the margaritas did not start until Saturday night.) After the initial gasps and shock, Cathy King emerged and her alter ego joined us for hot chocolate and a lot of hearty laughs. There were plenty of shrieks and gasps as the result of another prankster, Peggy Costic, who secretly visited empty trailers and campers throughout the weekend leaving her life-sized stuffed fox with piercing eyes to greet the owners in the most unexpected places. With all this craziness, you are probably wondering if we actually did any riding. The answer is
a resounding yes. There was plenty of food and fellowship to go around, and I hope everyone had as much fun and as good a time as I did. We shared the trails with hikers and backpackers, and our favorites were a dad and two small boys from Columbus who came in out of the rain and joined us for Sunday breakfast. What a great family. Thanks to all the other horsemen and women who stopped by to purchase items from the sale tables. All the funds we raised go toward horse trails in our state. We hope all of you had a safe and memorable year on our Ohio trails. ~Joann Ulichney TRUMBULL Merry Christmas and a wondrous New Year from all the members of the Trumbull County Chapter! 2019 now holds memories of great rides with friends and family, many new destinations explored and many local favorites visited. Once the rain quit in the spring, the riding was fantastic! TCOHC would again like to thank all of the chapters that attended our events this year. We enjoyed hosting you and hope to see you again in 2020! Welcome new members Joyce French, Karen Hazle-Johnson and Elizabeth Wood. We look forward to having you in our chapter. It is with great pleasure that I announce the 2020 officers: President Dave Shook; Vice President Dave Gibbs; Secretary Debbie Navarra; and Treasurer Nancy Shook. Thank you for your continued dedication serving as officers. Merry Christmas from Trumbull County. TUSCARAWAS In retrospect, several years ago, my Tuscarawas County OHC friends traveled to the Mt. Rogers summit in Virginia to experience riding the rough terrain typical of the area. Numerous times during our investigative rides,
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Mt. Rogers, Virginia 2007
Mt. Rogers, Virginia, Gina Hayes 2007 we crossed the Appalachian Trail notifications. As the AT is limited to hikers, we had to resist the lure of the historic trail. However, recently, I have read articles relating to adventures pursued where wanderlust was sated through extreme exploration as riders attempted sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT begins at the Mexican border in Southern California and extends northward through Oregon and Washington with 2,653 miles cataloged to reach the Canadian border. Unlike the common occurrence of thru-hikers, thrurider attempts have been sparse. The first to boast a successful thru-ride were Washington ranchers, Don and June Mulford in 1959. The Mulford’s began the feat of a lifetime April 19, accomplishing their goal at the journey’s end Sept. 25 of the same year, riding the PCT in its entirety. They documented their sojourn with cameras and a slide camera. The publicity created aided in overcoming obstacles to improve the rugged inconsistencies and conditions of the trail. Although great strides have taken place, few thru-riders have realized the Mulford’s success. Sectional PCT rides are frequent, yet challenging. Preparation, awareness of hazardous conditions, prolonged searches for water sources, availability for grazing, and meeting rendezvous points to recover supplies in a timely manner are just a few items to consider. Unpredictable weather paired with rugged, often impassable terrain can delay or impede progress. The December 2019
County Lines amazing photos recorded in 1959 transcended history and have inspired me to research further and perhaps, prepare for, at the very least, a sectional ride on the awe-inspiring Pacific Crest Trail. Are you up for the challenge? The Tuscarawas OHC annual Christmas celebration is in the works. Check our Facebook presence for date and details. We welcome new members. The winner of our October gun raffle was Jim Zadra. Congratulations, Jim! Happy Trails, ~Holly Waldenmyer
B&B weekend, Pleasant Hill Lake.
Celebration Day trail ride at Kinderhook.
Maple Glen in late October.
Wayne National and OHC officers celebrate new signs.
UNION Merry Christmas! I can’t believe it’s Christmas time already. I hope everyone has lots of horse related items on their list. On Oct. 13 we held our chapter meeting. We held our officer elections in November. Early in October, Karen and secondary member, Theresa Burke, along with some other friends, enjoyed their annual bed and breakfast weekend. They stayed near Mansfield and rode Mohican State Forest, Pleasant Hill Lake and Malabar Farm. They had a different place to ride each day. The weather was typical Ohio October, warm one day and cold the next, but everyone had a great time. Mid October was beautiful, and members from Sandusky County OHC joined Union and Delaware County members for a weekend at Alum Creek State Park. Sandusky OHC has some awesome cooks in their group, and the food was fantastic. Union and Delaware County members enjoyed showing off the beauty of Alum Creek, which this year was unsurpassed, and are looking forward to the next campout together. Ray Smalley joined friends for a four-day trip to Mammoth Cave, Ky. He had an awesome time. Toward the end of October, Karen joined members of
Alum Creek with Sandusky County. December 2019
Champaign County OHC for an afternoon ride at Alum Creek on the Maple Glen Trail. It was Karen’s birthday, and there is no better way to spend it than in the saddle. The weather was chilly but not cold, and it was a great and memorable day. There was plenty of dark chocolate and key lime pie along with great trails, great horses, and great friends. Union County has been keeping busy trying to ride as much as possible before the weather turns too cold. We hope you are riding as well. Until next time, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and safe rides. Happy trails. ~Karen Holland WASHINGTON Greetings! This is the round-up of the past year. Even though we are about to celebrate Christmas, we are reporting on what happened back in October. The final horse show of the year was held during the Barlow Fair. We had another great day. Carrie Johnson, Greg Oldman and their committee did a great job as always. It was a contesting show with some pay out classes added to what is usually a fun show for the club. We had several sponsors and a good spirit of comradery and sportsmanship prevailed! We also want to thank the Perry County club for coming and showing such support! Thanks to all! For nearly a year we have been working with the Wayne National Forest to improve trails and add an educational component to the trails at our home trail of Kinderhook in the Marietta district of Wayne National
Forest, the town Newport to be exact. The trail improvement did not happen due to a sever washout from the previous year that is not repairable. We are holding on to the grant money to help pay for a major reroute of the trail next year. However, the educational portion is complete. On Oct. 19 we hosted an event to open this part of the trail to the public. The project consisted of adding aluminum, all-weather fluorescent signs. There were several signs referring to the cultural history of the area, which includes a Revolutionary War cemetery, an old orchard and oil tanks. We also added 18 signs on the various trees along the trail. To promote the event, we visited the elementary school, and a flyer was sent home with each child. We invited the county commissioners and the Newport Township trustees and sent notices to the newspaper. The day of the event was a beautiful fall day. The OHC had an early ride, and at 1 p.m. we began. Jason Reed, ranger of Wayne National Forest, Athens Division, was our guest. The Washington County OHC provided free horse rides for the children. We served hotdogs, chili, s’mores and cake for refreshments. We had an approximate total of 91 people present. It was a successful day thanks to the hard work of many of our club. There is a standing invitation to come ride our trails and see the signs and the beauty of the Kinderhook trail! As we wind up the year, we have a big Christmas/ Thanksgiving dinner, as things stand as of this writing, on Dec.
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5. We have had chapter rides at Hocking Hills, Stroud’s Run and Kinderhook since the last update. We have had members riding across the state and beyond. As we ride, it occurs to me the amount of work it takes on each trail to keep it open and passable. We hope you will come to visit us at Kinderhook, and we hope to ride with you where you work so diligently on your trail system. Thanks for your efforts! Remember to bring your totaled trail miles to the January meeting along with any ideas or suggestions as to how we can improve our chapter in the new year, such as trails or activities you want to do together as a group. We are looking forward to next year! ~Rita V. Schultheis WAYNE October was a beautiful month to ride and camp. The leaves all over Ohio were beautiful, and it was dry. Members of the Wayne County Chapter took advantage of the awesome weather to travel, ride and camp with friends from all over the state. Some of our ‘older’ members are still out there riding strong. Marge Nussbaum, who is in her 80s, recently rode with Elsie Zuercher. Phil Urbank is 82 and rode over 13 miles with his bride Rhonda, who is in her 70s, taking Elsie and Kim Scarborough on a trip down memory lane in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They pointed out the spot where Phil proposed to Rhonda. Phil and Rhonda have done so much work on those trails and the trails in Wayne and Carroll Counties over the years, that they inspire us all to give just a little more so we can continue to enjoy the wonderful trail system we have in Ohio. Nancy Strayer and Elsie and Kim also camped with the Knox County Chapter at Salt Fork in October. Marline and Dave Smalley and Jim and Sue Baker camped at Great Seal. Trudy and Dave Schmidt joined them for a delicious chili dinner. Marline cooked in her cast iron pan over the open fire. The campgrounds at both places were in great shape and the trails were challenging. Taran and Heather Kinney and Sue Baker rode to Mt. Jeez to take in the beautiful trees and scenery in the valley surrounding Malabar Farms. They met Nancy Strayer and Tom Bahl, who were also taking advantage of a 61
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Rhonda Urbank, CVNP
Phil Urbank, CVNP beautiful fall Friday afternoon on Tom’s horses, Glory and Alvin. Several members traveled out of state although they didn’t take their horses. Elsie and Dave Zuercher traveled to Emerald
Taran Kinney, Wayne County Fair. Isle, NC, for some beach time, shelling and fishing. True to herself, Elsie didn’t let any grass grow under her feet and collected and cleaned shells the whole time Dave was fishing. Nancy Strayer traveled to Kentucky to visit an old friend and former Wayne County OHC member, Diane Mitchell. They had a great time hiking at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Reports are it is beautiful and well worth the work the hike entails. Susi Ally and her beautiful horse, Marz Creek Lad, did very well at the Ohio Standardbred Friends Show. Susi has done a remarkable job repurposing Marz from the race track. It takes a lot of patience and special talent to repurpose these remarkable horses. Congratulations. Work continues on the trails
and in camp at Mohican and Malabar State Parks. Tom Bahl recently removed the 100th tree from across the trails at Mohican. He and others have also worked tirelessly to remove trees at Malabar and to improve the drainage and safety of the trails at both parks. It is the volunteers who make our equestrian trails so nice here in Ohio. Thanks to those of you who are able to help. Finally, remember to turn your trail miles into your club so they can get reported. These trail miles are considered by ODNR when it allocates money and resources to the different parks. If it looks like no one is using a park, chances are there will be few resources allocated to that park. Also, if you camp in a park, please remember to pay. The statistics on equestrian use that are currently being relied upon by ODNR show very low equestrian camping use for all the parks. We who camp regularly know that is not accurate. ODNR may assume that if there are no payments for campsite use, there is no use. That is how the ODNR keeps track of campsite use. If you camp, please pay, and make sure everyone in your party pays as well. As we think about putting our trailers in winter storage, cleaning up tack, and settling our horses in for the winter and the holiday season, keep your calendars handy for planning spring workdays to keep our trails open. Happy trails to you, ~Sue Baker
Clara and Martha at Hobo Stew.
The grinch made an appearance at Hobo Stew.
WOOD
It is FREE to add your Equine Event to the Corral Calendar. Events will be added to the calendar in the magazine, added to our website and be included on our radio show “Horsin Around Ohio” on WQKT 104.5
Email your event(s) to michelle@thehorsemenscorral.com with the following information: Name of Equine Event Date/Time of Equine Event Venue Name of where event will be held Address of venue Contact name and phone number You may include an email and website address also.
www.thehorsemenscorral.com 62
We have completed our ride schedule. The North West Regional Ride went well. The hobo stew was lots of fun. The rain god was kind to us for the later two days as the rain clouds went north, and we only received a little of the predicted rain. Our trail crew accomplished a lot this year, reinforcing stone that washed away and laying geotec and stone to more places that have been on the back burner; not to forget all the downed trees chainsawed and removed from trail, thank you. Now we have the Christmas party in December at Jon and Kathy’s to look forward to. It is always a good time. We had our election of officers. Chosen are Jon Myers for president, Diane Joseph for vicepresident, Lisa Ley for treasurer, and Barb Recker for secretary.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
No idea who this is but it sure is cute at the regional ride. Diane made a list of places people liked to go, and we checked our favorites. The end of year mileage reports need to be turned in at our Christmas party as we voted not to have a meeting in December. There will be no meeting in February because of our banquet in February. Diane wants to remind everyone to give the pictures to her for the calendar. It is December and the weather is taking the plunge, so stay warm and hope for a few more days warm enough for day riding. Happy trails to you, ~Barb Oberhaus December 2019
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1646 US Hwy 42 North • Delaware, OH
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