Massachusetts Horse October/November 2018

M A S S AC H U S E T T S

HORSE

DEWORMING EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND GUIDE

LIKE HERDING CATS LEND A HOOF

SPENCER STATE FOREST TRAIL GUIDE

RED MARE FARM October/November 2018 mahorse.com $4

FARM FEATURE

2 October/November 2018

contents

October/November 2018

columns 20 Connecting with the Nokota Horse

8

Shawn Tinkham Photography

Horse Logic

22 Spencer State Forest 16

Trail Guide

32 Adventure Trail Massachusetts Horse Benefit

14

Massachusetts Only

Pocketful of Ponies Photography

Kara Noble

34 Events Calendar

41 Junior Awards 18

features 8 Deworming An Easy-to-Understand Guide

Lead Feature

Horsemanship

in every issue 16 Judi Milano The Road Back Horseperson Feature

5 From the Publisher 7 Your Letters 24 Overherd 28 Partners 39 This Olde Horse

14 Red Mare Farm We Speak Fluent Neigh Farm Feature

18 Like Herding Cats Feral Barn Cat Program at Second Chance Animal Services

40 The Neighborhood 42 Is This Your Horse?

Lend a Hoof

Massachusetts Horse

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4

October/November 2018

From the Publisher it. I finally captured him and he got the full treatment — neuter, deworm, vacci-

Pocketful of Ponies Photography

T

he September 16 Massachusetts Horse Benefit Adventure Trail at Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center in Millis raised more than $6,000 for the Central New England Equine Rescue (CNEER), the Trustees, and the Norfolk Hunt Club to help keep trails accessible for equestrians in the greater Millis area.

We had an amazing turnout of 106 riders and awarded more than $7,500 in prizes. The first 100 riders received a pair of socks from Shires Equestrian and a keepsake rosette, just for showing up!

In the past 14 years, together we’ve raised more than $71,000 for nonprofit equine rescues and therapeutic riding programs in the Bay State. Thank you to every rider, volunteer, and sponsor!

Recently a feral cat found my farm and had been enjoying my barn kitty Ella’s kibble. He’d show up for a few days, eating and sleeping, and then be gone for three or four days. I knew he was an unneutered male so I purchased a trap and began trying to woo him into

nations, blood test for diseases. He’s a shiny new penny now.

He’s a ginger, so his name is Belfast,

a.k.a. Belfie. I know I’ll probably never get to pat him, and yet I get so much joy just observing him. He now lives on the farm, no longer leaving for days at a time to fulfill his biological mandate to reproduce.

The newest development is Belfie’s friendship with Miniature horses Peanut and Little Rasta Man. He’s with them when they graze, when they rest, as they wander about in their pasture . . . he’s always with them (unless it’s pouring rain). It’s a beautiful friendship.

Belfie’s not ready to turn in his feral card yet, so to speak, letting me know when I put out his food that he’s still one tough dude with his hisses and growls. But, he stays within four or five feet of me, patiently waiting while I tend to his food and water bowls.

On page 18, read about the feral barn cat program at Second Chance Animal Services in East Brookfield. Do you have room in your heart and in your barn for one of these kitties?

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HORSE vol. 17, no. 3 October/November 2018

ISSN 1945-1393

99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096 phone: (413) 268-3302 • fax: (413) 268-0050 • mahorse.com

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editor Kathaleen Emerson feature writers Nicole Birkholzer, Alessandra Mele, Kara Noble Stacey Stearns, Angela Steadman contributors Shipley Allinson, Sophiea Bitel, Jamie Kubosiak, Suzy Lucine Diane Merritt, John Miller, Karin Orsi, Annamaria Paul, Dale Perkins Shawn Tinkham, Anne Marie Zukowski

reporters Alessandra Mele • (413) 949-1972 • alessandra@mahorse.com Cora Shillinglaw • (508) 737-6810 • shillinglawc@gmail.com Holly Jacobson • (978) 356-5842 • holly@mahorse.com Karen Morang • (508) 797-2828 • karen@mahorse.com

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October/November 2018

Haflinger gelding Ace owned by Maddie Fortin of Hatfield. ©Pocketful of Ponies Photography

Massachusetts Horse is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper.

the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Massachusetts Horse, its publisher, editor, and staff are assumed for publication. Photos, stories (verbal or printed), notifications, news items, and all other material that is submitted, including all materials and photos not specifically solicited by Massachusetts Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Massachusetts Horse assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of material submitted for publication. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety and return of all materials.

Your Letters To the editor: Thank you for keeping Massachusetts Horse about the horses.

So many other magazines out there are only interested in the big name, big money trainers, that they forget about the small owners, small barns, and personalized trainers. I love the Trail Guide features and the horseperson features.

Thanks for keeping it all local to Massachusetts.

Chris Barch, Belchertown

To the editor: Thought you guys might like this. This is our new little cowboy Colton taking a break in the truck and catching up on the latest

Massachusetts Horse with his grandfather, Peter Bourque.

Meghan Bourque Tyler, A Touch of Majic Equestrian Center, Pepperell

To the editor: I can’t wait for each issue! Thank you.

Carole Himmer, Brookfield

To the editor: Great magazine! Thank you!

To the editor: Thank you so much for the article in Massachusetts Horse!

[Lise Krieger: Figuring it Out and Having a Good Time; August/September 2018] I loved it and am getting a lot of nice feedback.

Lise Krieger, New England Saddle Fit, Whately

To the editor:

Let us know your thoughts!

We LOVE your publication

Holly Hokrein, Salem, New Hampshire

We’ll enter you to win a $75 Cheshire Horse gift card!

All letters received by November 5 will be entered in the drawing. Send your letters to: steph@mahorse.com or Massachusetts Horse, 99 Bissell Rd., Williamsburg, MA 01096.

Libby Hopkins, Amherst

Betsy Merritt Barefoot Performance Natural Hoofcare Orthopedic Trimming and Holistic Lameness Rehabilitation Trimming to promote the healing of coffin bone rotation (laminitis), club “feet,” navicular syndrome, thrush/white line problems, contracted heels, under run heels, cracks, poor hoof quality, and shod to barefoot transitions. Genuine options to conventional shoeing and hoofcare. High performance barefoot and maintenance trimming of all equines including donkeys, ponies, and minis.

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Massachusetts Horse

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Deworming An Easy-to-Understand Guide larvae develop into adults and lay eggs larvae enter large intestinal mucosa

horse eats grass and ingests larvae

eggs pass out in manure

eggs in manure develop into larvae

larvae move onto grass

by Stephanie Sanders

W

hen it comes to internal parasites and your horse, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news: There’s evolving resistance by parasites to chemical dewormers. The good news: Though the problem of resistance is serious, with a savvy schedule developed with your veterinarian, coupled with good stable management practices, and fecal testing, you not only can stay a stride ahead of an infection but can potentially save money by decreasing how often you deworm and lessen your horse’s chances of a case of colic as well.

Dewormers were introduced to the horse community more than 50 years ago. Now, the easy-to-use paste dewormer can be found in every barn, local tack shop, and vet’s truck.

Effectiveness, safety, and ease of use in controlling internal parasite populations and minimizing parasite-related diseases, including the dreaded colic, were the benefits to horse owners in the 1960s with the introduction of the first benzimidazole-type drugs (Panacur, Safe-Guard) that were highly effective at eradicating large strongyles.

When tubes of paste dewormers were first introduced and available to the consumer without involving a veterinarian, the most common and concerning internal parasite was large strongyles.

The goal of those initial tubes of 8

October/November 2018

dewormer was to eliminate adult large strongyles before they could lay eggs and infect pastures and paddocks.

Because strongyle eggs reappeared in manure about two months after deworming, most parasite control schedules involved deworming every two months.

“In terms of management priorities, an effective parasitecontrol program is second only to supplying clean, plentiful water and high-quality feed.

It’s that important.”

American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

In 1966, J. H. Drudge and E. T. Lyons were the first to describe a modern equine anthelmintic program based on suppressive treatments. With the availability of Panacur and Safe-Guard, Drudge and Lyons used the best scientific evidence available at the time to recommend a treatment protocol involving year-round, bi-monthly treatment of all horses.

This protocol has since then been denoted the standard interval dose regimen. If you’re still following this 52year-old program, this article is for you!

Today, dewormers are used in parasite-control programs but concerns about effectiveness have emerged due to parasites’ increasing resistance against various dewormers.

Now, we’re seeing that small strongyles, roundworms, and tapeworms are the leading causes of parasite infection and parasite-related diseases.

The life cyles of these worms differ from that of the large strongyle. This is one reason that frequent deworming on a two-month schedule is not effective in controlling small strongyles, roundworms, and tapeworms.

Large strongyles are now rare, and small strongyles are the parasites of concern in adult horses, while roundworms remain the parasite most frequently seen in foals and weanlings.

While different worms have different life cycles, all types progress through similar stages: eggs hatch and develop into larvae, migrate through a host body and mature into adults that, in turn, lay from hundreds of thousands to millions of eggs daily. Horses are infected with eggs or larvae by eating grass, grain, or hay contaminated with manure or by physical invasion, via the mouth or skin. (Think of that mouthy foal or young horse that tastes everything.)

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners

(AAEP), “In terms of management priorities, an effective parasite-control program is second only to supplying clean, plentiful water and high-quality feed.

It’s that important.”

Left untreated, the damaging consequences of parasite infection can lead to obstruction of blood vessels or the gastrointestinal tract, tissue invasion/ destruction, toxic reactions, anemia, depletion of nutrients, and increased susceptibility to disease such as colic.

In short, stopping a parasite problem before it starts is your best defense.

Fecal Egg Count Testing Schedule horse’s age

fecal egg counts

fecal egg count reduction test

deworm

youngsters

routinely to determine roundworms

annually until more than two years old

deworm foals for roundworms, after weaning focus on small strongyles, tapeworms

adults

once or twice per year

every three years for each dewormer drug class used

deworm spring and fall after first hard frost, additionally for high egg shedders as needed

elderly

same as adults, some elderly horses are high egg shedders

every three years for each dewormer drug class used

same as adults

upon arrival

same as adults

Growing Resistance Stopping parasite infection early is more important than ever because parasites are continuously becoming resistant to dewormers. Nature has a way of adapting its creatures to a changing environment and that resistance is happening now.

Resistance develops with repeated use of dewormers to populations of worms that have resistant genes. Over time, those organisms with the greatest resistance to a drug pass on their genes, allowing ever-greater numbers of their species to remain unscathed. Ultimately, enough of a proportion of the parasite population will possess resistance genes, resulting in dewormer treatment failure.

Dewormer resistance is a major threat to the current and future control of worm parasites in horses. It will be years before a new class of dewormer is developed and tested for use in the horse.

According to the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines, “Resistance is real and researchers have identified it in the United States against three classes of dewormers.” A large majority of the studies have been performed in the southeastern states, but there’s little information for the Northeast.

However, here are the current levels of resistance seen in the southeastern states for the four dewormer drug classes: Benzimidazoles – generic names: fenbendazole and oxibendazole; brand names: Panacur, Safe-Guard, Anthelicide EQ – widespread resistance in small strongyles in the Southeast, no resistance in large strongyles, and early indications of resistance in roundworms.

Macrocylic Lactones – generic names: ivermectin, moxidectin; brand names: Ivermectin, Zimectrin, Zimectrin Gold, Quest Gel, Quest Plus Gel, Ivercare – early indications of resistance in small strongyles, no resist-

new horses

Fecal egg counts help you know your horse’s level of worm egg shedding. Collect a manure sample prior to deworming.

Fecal egg count reduction tests are the only way to know if your dewormer is

effective. Perform a fecal egg count before deworming, deworm the horse based on results, and perform another fecal egg count 10 to 14 days after deworming.

ance in large strongyles, and widespread resistance in roundworms.

Pyrimidines – generic name: pyrantel pamoate; brand names: Strongid, Exodus, StrongyleCare, Equi-Mintic, Equi-Aid – common resistance in small strongyles, no resistance in large strongyles, and early indications of resistance in roundworms.

Isquinoline-pyrozines – generic name: praziquantel; brand names: Quest Plus Gel, Zimectrin Gold – no resistance known.

There’s considerable concern about the eventuality of worms becoming resistant to virtually all the drugs currently available. In parts of South America, Australia, and South Africa, large sheep ranches went out of business because worms on those ranches became resistant to every drug available. The eventuality is rather frightening, because theoretically, worms should develop resistance to just about any dewormer.

So what’s a horse owner to do?

The Lowdown on Egg Loads Successful defense begins by working with your veterinarian and diagnosing which parasites your horse is carrying.

Fecal Egg Count Test A fecal egg count test, (two types are recommended by the AAEP: Modified McMaster Procedure and Modified Wisconsin Technique), quantifies the number of eggs per gram of manure. If the infecting parasites are at the stage in their life cycle when they are producing eggs, a fecal egg count can help estimate the worm burden. The fecal egg count test does not tell you the worm burden in the horse, but the number of eggs being shed by those worms. From there, one infers the parasite load in the horse.

For example, horses with small strongyle egg shedding of 0 to 200 eggs per gram are considered low (pasture) contaminators; 200 to 500 eggs per gram are moderate contaminators; and eggs per gram of 500 or more are high contaminators — shedding the most eggs in your pasture, paddocks, and stalls. If you have multiple horses, 20 percent of your horse population passes about 80 percent of all parasite eggs on your property.

In our Massachusetts climate, test adult horse’s manure in the spring when the grass begins growing and again in the fall after the first hard frost.

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Dewormers Demystified BENZIMIDAZOLES generic names: fenbendazole, oxibendazole brand names: Panacur, Safe-Guard, Anthelicide EQ effective against: large and small strongyles, encysted small strongyles, roundworms, pinworms resistance*: prevalent in small strongyles in Southeast, early indications in roundworms

MACROCYCLIC LACTONES generic names: moxidectin, ivermectin brand names: Quest, EquiMax, Zimectrin, Equimectrin, IverEase, IverCare, Rotectin effective against: large and small strongyles, roundworms, pinworms, bots resistance*: early indications in small strongyles, widespread resistance in roundworms

PYRIMIDINES generic name: pyrantel pamoate brand names: Strongid, Equi-Aid, StrongyleCare, Equi-Mintic, Exodus effective against: large and small strongyles, roundworms, pinworms, bots resistance*: common resistance in small strongyles, no resistance in large strongyles, early indications in roundworms

ISQUINOLINE-PYROZINES generic name: praziquantel brand names: Quest Plus Gel, Zimectrin Gold effective against: large and small strongyles, roundworms, pinworms, bots, tapeworms, threadworms resistance*: none known * Based on information for the southeastern states

that have been studied. No studies yet in Northeast.

10

October/November 2018

Horses should not have received dewormer treatment at least eight weeks prior to the sample, preferably 12 weeks.

Since we have cold winters here in the Bay State, you won’t need to deworm adult horses during the winter because the cold prevents parasites from developing into an infective stage.

Once you’ve tested an adult horse several times to determine his shedding status, his classification as a low, moderate, or high contaminator is unlikely to change.

Foals, yearlings, and young horses have higher burdens of parasites and are much more susceptible to disease.

As young horses age, their immune system is better equipped to eradicate worms. Consult with your veterinarian if you have a youngster on your hands as they carry more roundworms and need a specialized fecal egg count and deworming schedule.

Horses more than 20 years of age tend to have special parasite control needs as they are typically high shedders. Work closely with your vet to determine the best practices for your elderly horse.

Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test A fecal egg count reduction test — running a fecal egg count before and after administering a dewormer — can help your veterinarian assess the efficacy of the dewormer used and identify the possibility of parasite resistance on your farm.

The test involves comparing the fecal egg count in a fresh manure sample, taken the day a horse is dewormed (before deworming), with a second sample, analyzed 10 to 14 days after deworming.

Although egg counts can vary, if the second egg count has not decreased by at least 98 percent compared to the first for ivermectin and moxidectin and at least 90 percent with other dewormers, it’s likely that your dewormer isn’t doing its job and/or your parasites have developed resistance.

For dewormers that are effective with your horse, recheck about every two years with a fecal egg count reduction test to be sure their effectiveness has not decreased.

If a fecal egg count reduction test suggests your product is working effectively, use it. If not, discuss with your veterinarian the next steps for your horse and farm.

It’s easy to keep using the same products for years — maybe because

there’s no reaction in your horse. But it’s also possible that no reaction means no parasites are being killed. They could be resistant, and without a test, how would you know?

Wrapping Up Tapeworms What a fecal egg count will not pick up is the presence of tapeworms, because tapeworms shed eggs only sporadically.

Grazing horses become infected when they ingest, while on pasture, mites that have consumed tapeworm eggs from the manure of infected horses. The most common species reach about two inches as adults, whereas others grow upward of 30 inches long.

Tapeworm segments are usually not detected in manure, so infection won’t be obvious until the horse is in surgery or has died. The most deadly colics are often a result of these parasites. In addition to colic, tapeworms can also cause unthriftiness and diarrhea.

How can you confirm if tapeworms have infected your horse? A saliva test that determines your horse’s tapeworm burden is now available. Previously, the most reliable method of identifying tapeworms was a blood test to measure antibodies specific to tapeworms.

The new test, EquiSal Tapeworm, works by identifying levels of tapewormspecific antibodies in your horse’s saliva. The saliva test is just as accurate as the blood test at predicting the presence of tapeworms, and it can also predict the severity of the infestation. A higher saliva score indicates that your horse is carrying a larger number of tapeworms. EquiSal is not available in the U.S. However, U.S. labs will be able to conduct the test early in 2019.

Since fecal egg counts only identify small strongyle and roundworm burdens, once a year (the fall, after the first hard frost, is a good time), administer a dewormer that is also effective against tapeworms to adult horses.

What You Can Do Good stable management is the first and best line of defense because inevitably parasites will find their way into the intestines of almost every horse. What exacerbates the problem are conditions that perpetuate high parasite loads: overcrowding horses on pasture, not cleaning stalls and paddocks to minimize fecal contamination, and not tracking parasite loads, not only in your current horses but in new arrivals as well.

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Parasite control boils down to a deceptively simple, three-step strategy.

Strategic Deworming First, decrease the number of egg-laying, adult parasites by running fecal egg count tests and fecal egg count reduction tests and deworm horses based on findings and your veterinarian’s recommendations.

All horses on a farm should be included on a deworming schedule.

The way you deworm has to be strategic. The goal is not to eradicate worms entirely in your horse, but to reduce the number of eggs your horse is shedding to reduce pasture infection.

Pasture/Paddock Management Next, get rid of larvae and eggs your horse could ingest by removing manure from all feeding areas. The pickup and disposal of manure yields dramatic results and longer intervals between needed deworming — an important benefit considering the increase in drug resistance by parasites.

If you remove manure within 48 hours from paddocks and pastures, there’s considerably less risk of contamination. Don’t drag pastures with

manure unless you’re rotating horses to a different pasture and spreading manure on a pasture where horses will not be grazing. Spreading manure exposes the manure to air, heat, and light, which will destroy parasite eggs IF the temperature is above 77 degrees for a few weeks or above 104 degrees for a few days. If you drag a pasture/spread

If you drag a pasture/spread manure on a live [actively grazed] pasture, you’re actually doing the parasites’ job for them and helping them travel. manure on a live [actively grazed] pasture, you’re actually doing the parasites’ job for them and helping them travel.

Notice the “rough” areas of your pastures and paddocks, the places the horses use as “toilets.” The majority of horses will defecate in these areas and will not graze on the grass that grows in these areas. This is to avoid the ingestion of parasite eggs. (One of my Haflinger mares didn’t get this evolutionary memo and grazes in the rough areas. As a result, she’s a very high egg shedder.)

When you drag a pasture where horses will be grazing before the eggs are destroyed by air, heat, and light, or feed hay where there’s manure, you’re forcing your horses to eat in their “toilet” and increasing the number of worm eggs your horse ingests.

New Arrivals When a new horse comes into a barn it should be stalled away from others for two weeks, which is enough time for any viruses in transit to go away. Begin a fecal egg count reduction test the day you deworm the horse (upon its arrival at your farm). Collect all manure from both the stall and isolation paddock. Be sure the manure goes off the farm, directly into compost, or is plowed under on crop fields. At the appropriate 10 to 14 days after the initial fecal egg count test, do another to finalize the fecal egg count reduction test. You want to be sure the dewormer used was effective and that the new horse’s parasite load is known prior to introducing this horse to turnout buddies where he could contaminate your pastures, paddocks, and your horses with egg shedding.

Equine Worm Guide

parascreen.com 12

October/November 2018

worm

population

symptoms

resistance

bots

all horses in summer

none, bothersome, a way for flies to breed

none known

large strongyles, bloodworms

uncommon in adult horses

sever colic, blood clots in arteries, intestinal damage

none known

pinworms

widespread, less common in adult horses

tail rubbing, skin irritation around the anus

some

roundworms

widespread on breeding farms, foals, weanlings

airway inflammation, small intestine impaction, poor growth

pervasive

small strongyles

widespread

weight loss, diarrhea, dull hair coat, poor performance, lack of appatite, lethargy

pervasive

tapeworms

horses more than six months of age

spasmodic colic, colic

none known

threadworms

widespread

diarrhea, sometimes unthriftiness

none known

Dosages and Weights Deworming results will be only as good as its application. Giving a horse an adequate dosage can be a big challenge.

Horses can hold paste in their mouth for five minutes before spitting it out.

Not all paste dewormers are particularly palatable, and it can be a challenge to get your horse to swallow it. If you can administer a flavored paste, you’re likely to be more successful.

The critical step is in the dosage.

Most horse owners are familiar with using a measuring tape to get the heart girth measurement to estimate the weight of their horse. Although muscle weighs more than fat, using a tape is a good place to start. However, there’s a more accurate way to estimate the horse’s weight.

Weight tapes use a horse’s heart girth measurement alone, but by adding body length to the heart girth measurement you get a more accurate weight for horses older than one year.

Measure the heart girth — the midsection of your horse, immediately behind the elbow and withers. Next, measure from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock. Then, use this equation: (heart girth x heart girth

x body length) divided by 330. For a weanling divide by 280 and for a yearling, divide by 301.

Now you have a more accurate weight for your horse.

Deworming medications are not effective when given in an inadequate dose, so always err on the side of giving more rather than less of the recommendation for your horse’s weight.

Consult your veterinarian, who may suggest that because deworming medications are very safe, even at higherthan-recommended doses, you should administer the dose for an additional amount of pounds more than you think your horse weighs. Your vet may suggest that if your horse weights 1,100 pounds, you dose the horse for 1,250 pounds.

When it comes to foals, smaller ponies, and Miniature horses, however, overdosing can become a problem, so you should always consult with your vet before determining the appropriate dose, and take extra care during the actual administering to ensure that an overdose does not occur. Make sure that little stopper is firmly in place so you don’t mistakenly give a 250-pound Miniature horse a 1,250-pound dose!

What if your horse spits out some

dewormer? It’s much easier for your horse to spit out the paste when he can combine it with a wad of food, so before administering the dewormer check to be sure he has no hay, grass, grain, or treats in his mouth.

It’s a good idea to have extra dewormer on hand in case more ends up on the outside of your horse's lips, on the ground, or on you than you expected. You want to be sure the correct amount all goes down the hatch, so to speak.

These drugs are not effective when given in small amounts over a period of time. The whole dose must be administered at one time. If your horse doesn't swallow his full dose within 12 hours, wait a few days and start over with a new plan and another full dose.

Rewarding your horse with his absolute favorite food after you are sure he’s swallowed the dewormer is one way to help him stay open to you putting dewormer and other medications in his mouth. I did this with my Haflingers from the time they were weanlings.

Once they were about a year old, they got so excited to be dewormed that I had to be sure I kept the tubes and caps securely in my pockets. My horses have continued on page 38 . . .

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13

Hatfield

Farm Feature

Red Mare Farm We Speak Fluent Neigh

by Kara Noble

N

Kate says. “She was short-listed for the Olympics in the 1960s. She went to Radcliffe and was very educated, but she went back to the family farm after her father died. She was the one who got me excited about eventing. She taught me the most useful things I know about horse care and training.

She emphasized turnout for horses,

Kate applied all the equine training skills she learned from Doris Eddy to turn her mare into an eventing competitor. But even as she trained, competed, and bred Frankie, horses remained a hobby until 2016.

That year, the pressures of her demanding medical career reached the breaking point. “I was burning out,”

Kate with Rikki Tikki Tavi, son of the red mare who gave Red Mare Farm its name.

The run-out paddocks and stone-dust footing outside one of the two barns at Red Mare Farm.

Kate offers student Lise Krieger guidance during a lesson at Red mare Farm.

established Massachusetts horse farms.

When horse trainer and instructor Kate Cameron bought the Hatfield farm, she fulfilled a childhood dream she once thought might never come true.

As a child, Kate’s parents were prepared to indulge their daughter’s horse craziness, but only up to a point. For her eighth birthday, they gave her weekly riding lessons with John Moffat, then the director of riding at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, where her mother taught English.

When John retired in 1984, Kate continued her riding in the community program at Smith College.

“I rode one hunter jumper lesson a week,” Kate says, “and I rode in the little weekend shows at Smith [College], but that was it. My parents definitely didn’t want to get into the horse-owning stuff.”

When she was a teenager, her folks worried that her annual summer visits to the 60-horse farm of Doris Eddy in Middlebury, Vermont, might inspire her to consider a career as a professional horsewoman. But they did it.

“Doris was an interesting woman,”

feeding more hay than grain. She taught me about handling foals and saddle starting. She showed me the importance of going slow with horses, of not rushing them. I thought she was a really neat human being.”

“My parents were both professors,” Kate says. “They knew I wanted to work with horses full time, but they said, ‘No! You’re going to get a good job.’ ” Bowing to parental pressure, Kate attended college and began a 23-year career as a physician’s assistant — but her work with horses never stopped. In 2010, she began boarding four horses at Windy Hollow Farm in Montague. The following year, she moved to a larger farm in Granby where she could keep up to seven horses.

It was the Granby farm that Kate first dubbed Red Mare Farm, after her Thoroughbred chestnut mare, Frank’s Present, Frankie for short. She bought the mare from a woman who had once raced her at Suffolk Downs. “Frankie grew up on the track,” Kate says, “then she had babies for four years, so she was really starting at ground zero as far as her training.”

Kate says. “I was coming up on fifty, and I decided if I was going to change, it was time to do it.”

The sale of King Oak Farm in Southampton became a catalyst for that change. “It was an eventing farm with a cross-country course. Eventing is my passion,” says Kate. “There are only so many eventing farms left in the United States now. I wanted to buy King Oak to save it.” In the end, she realized the farm was too large and expensive for one woman to run alone. But thinking about buying it started her farm shopping.

Her hunt for the perfect property led her to a 17-acre private horse farm in Hatfield that she recalled from her teenage years. “I worked with Dr. [Fred] Hess one summer trying to decide if I wanted to become a vet,” says Kate. “I remembered coming to this particular farm with him because it had a tobacco barn that was converted into a horse barn. You don’t see that every day.”

Kate purchased the property in November 2016. It still included that eight-stall converted tobacco barn, as well as an 18-stall Morton barn and an indoor riding arena. Sixteen of its acres

Kara Noble

ew farms are like young horses: both need time to mature, to discover their strengths and weaknesses, to develop distinctive personalities. Like a young horse, a new farm requires careful handling to grow into its niche in the horse world.

Red Mare Farm is young and growing, literally a rising two-year-old among

14 October/November 2018

were (mostly) cleared for riding rings, turnouts, and pasture. But all the horse facilities were 30 years old. Major updates were required to bring the facility up to the standards of a professional equestrian boarding, training, and lesson facility.

Saddle fitter Lise Krieger worked as a stable hand at the old farm for two years before it was sold. She befriended Kate and witnessed how she transformed the place into Red Mare Farm.

“She installed miles of fence, put in new paddocks, laid fresh stone dust footing,” Lise says. “She cleared paddocks and built run-in sheds. I’m incredibly impressed that this single mother has done so much all by herself.”

Kate and her then seven-year-old daughter, Liza, moved into the farmhouse on the property to supervise renovations. She moved her competition horse, Rikki Tikki Tavi (son of Red Mare Farm’s namesake, Frankie) and her latest training project, a young Holsteiner named Cylas, into the Morton barn. She contacted a Thoroughbred rescue in upstate New York looking for sale, lease, and school horse prospects.

The huge, foaling-sized stalls in the tobacco barn were rehabilitated. A round pen and jumping field were set up. Three fields for outdoor board (two horses per field with run-in sheds) were added. A dressage ring was ordered.

Red Mare Farm began accepting boarders in January 2017. The farm can accommodate 32 horses; 26 horses are presently housed there. Four farm employees feed and care for the horses.

Kate trains, sells, and leases horses, gives lessons, and personally conducts nightly checks of all horses on the farm.

“The Red Mare Farm slogan is ‘We speak fluent neigh,’” Kate says. “I put the emphasis on the horses. I want them to be happy and healthy. That’s why I put them outside rather than having them standing in a stall 24/7 waiting for their human to come.”

One of Kate’s goals is to build a community at Red Mare Farm where horse people can enjoy their horses.

Horses and riders from any discipline are welcome, but Kate admits she hopes the farm’s community will include people who share her passion for eventing.

According to Beth Gatti, a boarder who moved her gelding to Red Mare Farm after Smith College’s Equestrian Center closed in May 2017, the community is off to a great start. “There’s a nice group of riders here, mostly mid-

dle-aged women, a lot of trail riders,” says Beth. “Kate’s so easygoing and knowledgeable, and she takes good care of the horses. It’s a comfortable place.”

Beth and Lise both appreciate the trail-riding opportunities near the farm.

“You can go for miles on the nearby sandy farm field roads,” Lise says. “And across Route Five, there are miles of wooded trails.”

Lise, who trailers her Cheval Canadian mare, Mae-Mae, in for lessons, likes Kate’s teaching style. “She pushes just enough for the rider and the horse — not too easy, not too crazy,” says Lise. “After our lesson, my mare and I are both tired, but not exhausted. I feel like we accomplish something each week that we come. It’s only been five weeks, and we’ve already improved a lot.”

Lessons at the farm focus on English disciplines, and school horses are available for students who don’t want to trailer in. Red Mare Farm also leases horses to riders who want to enjoy the feel of owning their own horse without the full responsibility.

To introduce kids to horses in a positive way, the farm offers two-hour, on-site pony parties. One hour of the party can be spent enjoying cake, exchanging presents, or doing crafts.

During the second hour, Kate and her Miniature horse, Cinnamon, treat party guests to pony-cart rides while barn staff help children mount and ride 13-hand Pony Bologna in the indoor arena.

Kate also loves to start and train young horses. In the coming years, she hopes to expand her training program to get more young horses off to a positive start in English riding disciplines.

In the short time since Red Mare Farm’s doors opened, Kate has honed her own skills as a horse professional, gently settling the farm into its niche in the local horse community.

“I had a whirlwind first year-and-ahalf,” she says. “Things are working into the farm’s new normal. I’m feeling the ups and downs of the horse business.

But the economy’s not too bad, and I’m one of the few eventing barns in the area. I’m working hard. And I speak fluent neigh. I’m hopeful.”

Kara Noble has a pair of Icelandic mares and a pair of mini donkeys at her farm in Montgomery and has ridden for most of her life. She’s a professional writer and editor and holds an MFA in creative nonfiction.

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15

Horseperson Feature

Boxford

by Angela Steadman

Judi Milano The Road Back

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horse was airborn and Judi was on the ground. Linda’s horse galloped off with Linda in one direction, together with Judi’s now riderless horse, and Sue’s horse went in the other direction with Sue. Although the giant pine that had fallen did not land on any of the riders or horses, Judi had crashed to the ground hard, and fractured her pelvis

beauty and the colors in the ever-changing landscape as they ride. “There was never a shadow of a doubt in my mind that Judi would one day return to riding,” says Pam. As the months passed, Judi’s injuries healed, and she got stronger physically. Still, the mental impact of the injury felt insurmountable to her.

John Miller, Spectrum Photography

Shawn Tinkham, Nature of Light Photography

he day had started like most other days for Judi Milano, a longtime resident of Boxford, up early to feed the horses before hooking up her trailer, grooming and tacking up her horse, and heading over to Bradley Palmer State Forest in Ipswich to meet up with her friends for a ride.

Anyone who rides regularly on the

Judi and Nan Macgown in the carriage with Justice at the 2015 Myopia Driving Club Estate Drive.

Judi and Justice riding at the 2017 Green Mountain Horse Association Fall Foliage Ride in South Woodstock, Vermont, with husband Joe Dailey on Tonto.

trails in and around Bradley Palmer knows Judi. She’s been riding on these trails practically daily for more than 30 years and knows the complex network of trails that wind through this area like few others do. Her longtime friend, Sue Knowles, describes her as a “trail riding institution” in this part of the state, and that’s probably not far from the truth.

To those who know her, Judi, horses, and trail riding have always somehow seemed inextricably intertwined.

Judi recalls that it was a beautiful morning in April of 2010, as she, Sue, and another close friend, Linda Bennett, headed out onto the trails. As they rode along enjoying the spring day, the winds started to pick up.

Within a short time, the winds intensified even more, and the three riders decided to head back to their trailers.

Unfortunately, they did not manage to get out of the woods soon enough.

Judi describes hearing the loud crack of the huge pine tree next to her, just before it crashed to the ground along the trail. In a split second, Judi’s

in three places. Sue recalls that after she got her horse under control, she rode back to find Judi on the ground, unable to get up. Sue quickly dialed 911 for help, and a rescue vehicle was dispatched. Judi was transported out of the state forest by stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

One month of inpatient rehabilitation followed as Judi regained the ability to walk. Additional months of at-home physical therapy and occupational therapy were also required. Judi makes clear that she did not expect to ever ride again. At the time, she was in her 60s, the physical injuries she sustained were severe, and the road to recovery very long. However, Pam Stone, a friend of Judi’s who’s ridden with Judi for 20 years, was not convinced that Judi’s riding days were over.

Pam understood, more than most, the joy that trail riding brought Judi.

Being out on the trails on horseback is “just a part of who Judi is,” Pam says. Pam goes on to describe how Judi, an artist, is always the one to notice the

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October/November 2018

As Judi explains, given time, bones will heal, but the mind is not so quick to heal. Even a year out from the accident, Judi had no plans to return to riding.

But, as the saying goes, time heals all wounds. Ever so slowly Judi’s mindset began to change. She missed riding, she missed the time with friends on horseback, and she missed the beautiful countryside. There was simply a void in her life that other activities couldn’t quite fill.

With encouragement and support from Sue, Pam, and other friends, Judi tentatively got back in the saddle on a couple of horses known to be trustworthy, and after getting some confidence back, she began her search for another horse of her own. Initially, she purchased a horse that did not stay sound, and within a short time he had to be rehomed. Judi continued her search for a suitable mount.

Judi recognized that finding the right horse was critical to her successful return to riding. She needed a horse that would be sensible and safe, but she

also wanted a horse that was smart, had energy, and was not so quiet that she would be bored. She wanted a horse that was rugged and that would stay sound with daily riding, including over the challenging Vermont terrain, so that she could once again participate in the Green Mountain Horse Association rides that she had enjoyed for so many years. Also, having had a passion for driving since she was first introduced to the discipline in the 1970s, Judi was hoping to find a horse that was trained to drive. Seemingly, this would be a challenging set of criteria to fulfill with one horse.

In the spring of 2015, quite fortuitously, Bridle Wreath Star Justice, a Canadian Horse, came into Judi’s life.

Judi had been inquiring about a different horse when she learned about Justice, half of a driving pair whose equine partner had gone lame. As a result, Justice’s owner was looking for a new home for him.

A Canadian Horse was not one of the breeds that Judi was considering.

Indeed, until that point in time, Judi had never even heard of the Canadian Horse, a breed that is listed as critically endangered by the Equus Survival Trust. It’s one of North America’s oldest distinct breeds, having developed from horses that were shipped to what is now Canada from the famed stables of King Louis XIV of France between 1665 and 1672. With long, thick, flowing manes and tails, the breed is known for being hardy, strong, and willing, not to mention suitable for many disciplines.

Judi was impressed with Justice from the start. He was 16 years old, coal black, smart, and handsome. Judi took him out driving on the dirt roads near the farm at which he was living, unexpectedly passing dump trucks and construction vehicles along the way, yet he remained unfazed. “This looks promising,” Judi thought to herself.

She then saddled him up and took him for a ride. Being a long-time driving horse, Justice didn’t respond to the canter cue well, but from Judi’s perspective this wasn’t an insurmountable problem, and would likely be easily corrected.

Judi took him home for a 10-day trial, and they were out on the trails the next day. Within a few weeks, Judi was not only trail riding, but she was also taking driving lessons with Justice to help her get back in the swing of things.

Justice proved himself to be sensible, lovely to work with, a very quick study, and he willingly tackled all that Judi asked of him. Judi has never looked back.

That summer Judi took Justice up to Vermont for a 10-day, all-girls riding vacation with friends, tackling the challenging Vermont terrain. That fall, she was again up in Vermont with Justice for the Green Mountain Horse Association Fall Foliage Ride, an event that Judi and her husband had enjoyed for many years. Several weeks later, she and Justice participated in the Myopia Driving Club Estate-to-Estate Carriage Drive. As the name implies, in this event, drivers, dressed in their finest with gleaming horses and carriages travel from estate to estate in the Hamilton area, pulling up at the front door of each estate home, where the owners and their families greet the drivers and provide refreshments. Then it’s off along the scenic trails and roadways to the next estate home, for more refreshments. As Judi describes the trail riding and driving events in which she participated with Justice, whom she now refers to as her “accidental Canadian,” the excitement in her voice is unmistakable.

But that was just the start. With Justice as her mount, trail riding with friends, driving through the local countryside, and riding trips up in Vermont have once again become a regular part of Judi’s life. After her riding accident, Judi was convinced that her life of trail riding had come to an end. But in the spring of 2015, Judi crossed paths by happenstance with a Canadian Horse named Justice, whom Judi credits with her successful return to a life full of riding adventures.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, I saw Judi and her husband in the Bradley Palmer State Forest parking area, preparing to head out for a ride, as they do most days. Justice stood quietly next to Judi’s gooseneck trailer looking striking with his western saddle, black coat gleaming in the warm sunlight, and thick tail casually swishing away the flies.

Judi couldn’t have looked happier at the prospect of heading out onto the trails on this near picture-perfect day.

She and Justice had just returned from her annual riding adventure with her girlfriends in South Woodstock, Vermont. This summer tradition started more than 30 years ago, and Judi

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Unfortunately, the weather in Vermont this year did not cooperate and it rained almost every day, but these longtime friends were not to be stopped by a little bad weather, and simply squeezed their rides in between the raindrops.

Reflecting back on all the time that she’s devoted to riding and driving through the years, and on her successful return to a life of horses after her accident, Judi says that it’s the simple things that matter. “Heading over to Bradley Palmer State Forest to spend the morning riding with my husband,” says Judi, “or meeting up with some of my girlfriends to head out onto the trails is what I love. This is why I ride.”

When Angela is not practicing law in Beverly, she can be found riding her horses, Merlin and Tzar, in and around Essex County, or hiking the local trails with her cattle dogs.

Massachusetts Horse

17

Lend a Hoof

East Brookfield

by Alessandra Mele

Like Herding Cats

Feral Barn Cat Program at Second Chance Animal Services

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“We help thirty-four-thousand animals a year at our four locations and beyond,” says Sheryl. “That includes providing shelter, facilitating adoptions, offering low-cost spay and neuter programs, providing veterinary care for all, training, maintaining a pet food pantry, and so much more.”

Second Chance now has community veterinary clinics in Springfield, Worcester, and North Brookfield,and an adoption center in East Brookfield.

Feral cats have benefitted from

important to take steps to keep your population healthy and under control.

Sheryl Blancato became all too familiar with the feral cat conundrum when she was working as an animal control officer. So, when she opened Second Chance Animal Services in 1999, she made sure to include a feral barn cat program. “This initiative has been a great solution for these cats who don’t have a lot of options,” Sheryl says.

“In the old days, feral cats simply would have been euthanized. But now, we have this simple, important step in feral cat management that truly gives them a second chance.”

Second Chance’s mission since the beginning, finding special attention within the organization’s Feral Barn Cat Program. “Before Second Chance, I was working as an animal control officer and I knew very well how feral cat populations could quickly get out of control,” says Sheryl. “Unfortunately, since these cats are typically born in the wild, they will never do well in a home setting, limiting their options severely.

We established the Feral Barn Cat Program as a means of addressing that.”

Horse farms are often attractive spots for feral populations to take up residence due to the bountiful rodent supply and easy access to shelter. “We work with barns a lot because they love having feral cats around as they keep the rodent population down,” Sheryl says. Rodent control around barns gives feral cats a job and a purpose along with a place where they can live comfortably.

Farm life presents a great opportunity for feral cats, but important steps

must be taken to keep populations manageable and free of disease. This is where Second Chance comes in. “What we provide feral cats is known as TNR — that’s trap, neuter, and release,” says Sheryl.

“That process is the foundation of the Feral Barn Cat Program. It’s very simple and an important step toward preventing overbreeding, halting the spread of disease, and creating an overall much better quality of life for the cats.”

The program is working: Second Chance puts an average of 500 cats

A Second Chance When Sheryl founded Second Chance Animal Services in 1999, she wanted to address a wide range of issues she saw affecting animals. The nonprofit, nokill shelter she established offers help to dogs and cats in need, and assistance to the people caring for them.

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October/November 2018

galleryhip.com

galleryhip.com

hat’s a barn without a cat or two? Or 50? Okay, hopefully not 50, but when feral cats take up residence on the farm things can quickly get out of hand. Five kitties snuggled away in a hayloft here, three tiptoeing across wooden beams over there, the rest are off stalking rodent pests out in the hayfield, and oh look, another litter of new kittens in the vacant stall. Barn cats are a well-loved part of the working stable landscape, but when they’re considered feral, it’s

through the Feral Barn Cat Program each year. “It’s a great program and it’s been very successful,” says Sheryl. “It really gives the cats a second chance at a good life, and the barns benefit too.”

What To Do for Your Feral Cat So, you’ve been noticing a cat or two (or 50?!) slinking around your barn, keeping the mice in check. That rodent control has been a nice benefit, but you can’t have an unvaccinated, unneutered/ unspayed cat hanging around and inviting his feral friends over. This is when you call Second Chance Animal Services.

First, you’ll want to know the difference between a feral cat and a stray.

Check for a collar first and foremost; that will indicate if the kitty perhaps belongs to someone nearby, or is missing. If the cat is friendly toward you, looking for ear scratches and kibble, and is comfortable coming inside a house, then he’s a stray. That means he was a pet at one time and is comfort-

able with human interaction. A feral cat, on the other hand, was born in the wild and has had no socialization with humans. He’ll keep his distance, hide, and perhaps only come out at night.

Once you’ve identified the cat as a feral, it’s time to bring in a trap.

Contact Second Chance Animal Services and they’ll provide you with an easy-to-use humane trap and instructions to trap the cat, and then set up an appointment for a spay or neuter and vaccinations.

“Sometimes it can take a little time to successfully capture a feral,” Sheryl says.

“Typically, we’ll give you a trap to set over the weekend, and set the cat’s appointment for early the following week.”

Once the cat has been trapped, Sheryl recommends covering the cage with a blanket to make the TNR experience a little less traumatic. When the cat arrives at Second Chance, staff will perform the spay or neuter surgery, administer vaccinations, and provide any other necessary veterinary care such as ear mite and flea removal as well as deworming at a low cost. A quarter-inch of one ear will also be snipped while the cat is still under anesthesia.

This practice is known as ear-tipping and it is the universal, easy-to-spot method of identification for a feral cat that has already been through TNR. The cat can be picked up in the afternoon, and then released back into the barn area. As independent as the cat may be, he is still under your care going forward. It’s important to make sure he has access to warm, dry shelter, and food and water available at all times. He will be much happier and healthier post TNR, and you will have taken an important step toward controlling the feral cat population around your barn.

Making a Difference One Cat at a Time The importance of TNR can’t be stressed enough: Sheryl has witnessed first-hand the dangers of feral overpopulation. “People often don’t realize how quickly two cats can become thirty or forty!” she says. “I’ve seen some barns reach a point where someone finally calls us, and there are nearly one hundred cats running around. Then it becomes a very difficult trapping situation, and takes a while to get things under control.”

She remembers a particular case in North Adams just last year that posed a

serious public health threat. “There was a very large feral colony in which one of the cats tested positive for rabies, which was a huge concern for the entire area,” Sheryl says. “This population had never been touched, and none of the cats were spayed or neutered. We sent all of our mobile units there, and performed TNR on about fifty cats that day. This was a significant rescue effort because if any others were to become ill, the entire group would have had to have been trapped and euthanized. This was a much more humane solution.”

Sheryl also observes that although bad cases like these pop up, the overall feral cat problem has improved. “Things have changed a lot in New England over the last ten years,” she says. “Feral cats aren’t nearly as prevalent as they once were. I now actually get phone calls from barns looking for feral cats, because their own colony has declined and they need a rodent problem addressed. That wouldn’t have happened in the past.”

Initiatives like Second Chance’s Feral Barn Cat Program have greatly contributed to effectively regulating the feral cat population.

If you are looking for good barn cats, Second Chance will put your barn on a list of safe homes for unwanted ferals that come in for TNR, but have no place to return to. Your barn could be just the working opportunity these beatnik kitties need.

Feral cats deserve our humane help. Seventy-five percent of kittens born feral do not make it to adulthood.

That’s a staggering number of adorable kittens suffering and dying.

No doubt, feral cats have a place and a purpose in the working stable, and can be well loved even if from a distance. Providing them veterinary care through the process of TNR is essential,

and Second Chance Animal Services makes it accessible to all.

Want to lend a paw? Visit secondchanceanimals.org and click on the DONATE button where you can find a wish list, donation options, and some creative ways to help. See what’s needed and animals looking for homes at facebook.com/secondchance animals.

Alessandra Mele is a freelance writer and designer in Wilbraham. She enjoys spending time with the horses on her family’s farm, especially riding her Quarter Horse, JoJo. To see more of her work, visit thehomegrownstudio.com.

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19

Horse Logic

Connecting with the

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he night I arrived in Linton, North Dakota, a thunderstorm with epic rainfall swept across the prairie. I was to meet some of the semiferal Nokota horses the next day and hoped that this rainfall was not washing away my plans.

The next morning the sun was out when I arrived at the ranch to meet Frank Kuntz, the executive director of the Nokota Horse Conservancy (NHC). Frank and his brother Leo, who had sadly passed away as a result of a tragic accident the week before, have devoted their lives to preserving the bloodline from Sitting Bull’s and sub-chiefs’ horses, now known as the Nokota.

Frank explained that the descendants of Sitting Bull’s horses had originally lived wild in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In 1980, the park administration decided to change the appearance of the wild horses by introducing outside bloodlines. The park organized several large roundups to capture and sell some of the horses. The main goal was to remove or kill the dominant native stallions in the park and replace them with an Arabian, a Quarter Horse, two feral Bureau of Land Management (BLM) stallions, and a part-Shire bucking horse.

At that point, Frank and his brother Leo began buying as many of the original park horses as they could in order to save them from slaughter and to preserve the ancient bloodlines of these robust and curious horses. Frank, a great storyteller, says, “These horses are intelligent. They stop and think before they act.” His description stuck with me and was later confirmed when I met some of the horses.

The horses of the NHC and a few of Frank’s personal horses live on a 6,000plus acre property owned by Paul Silbernagel. Paul, who leases his land to Frank, has divided his grassy prairie land into large sections — each hundreds and even thousands of acres in size — to pre-

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October/November 2018

Nokota Horses

serve the land and to offer the horses a variety of vegetation.

As luck would have it, the downpour from the night before was a blessing.

The watering hole in one of the large pastures that had been dry for two years was filled again and Paul decided it was time to move a large band of mares and foals into this newly rejuvenated part of the land.

barnyard they stayed together like one large amoeba, expanding and contracting in various ways without ever losing their connection to each other. Frank offered to leave the herd in the barnyard for a while. What a treat!

I loved watching these beautiful animals mingle amongst themselves. The diversity in color was unlike anything I’d ever seen before — there were grays and blacks, a few bay horses, and some palominos.

But, the majority of the horses were a variation of blue and red roans.

There were light and dark colors, with patches and without.

Some had large blazes, and others had no marking but a few old scars. The manes were long or short, the tails had burrs, or not, and all the hooves were remarkably well balanced for horses that had never seen a file or nippers.

The other thing that struck me was that this group of 120 wild to semi-feral horses was hanging out in a barnyard no larger than an acre. There were a few squabbles among the horses that caused the herd to move from one area to another but, in general, these horses were very calm. Whenever a dominant mare moved a few other mares toward where I stood, the horse coming closest to me would eventually stop on a dime or swerve to the side as if to keep me, the human safe.

Taking deep conscious breaths all the way into my abdomen to release any tension I was holding in my body while standing in the midst of this wild band of horses made us both feel more comfortable with one another. Occasionally, a few horses lined up behind my back or around me, just standing quietly, seeming to enjoy the new company just as much as I did.

Most of the horses were shy, but certainly not spooky, which confirmed my belief that many of the so-called spooky David Milos

by Nicole Birkholzer

Watching the two men on their ATVs bringing the horses from one end of the property to another was fascinating. They rode slowly to move the horses forward without scaring them. Later, I asked why they didn’t do this type of work on horseback and Paul explained that carrying a solid guy over such terrain while trying to stay on top of a large herd was too tiring for the riding horse. I gave him a brownie point for that compassionate answer.

In order to get the horses to the designated parcel, the herd had to cross the swollen Beaver Creek and move through a big barnyard. I stood by the river’s edge eagerly watching as the horses, depending on their size, waded or swam across the churning water. Some of the smaller horses found themselves upstream in the quieter current, but a few of the foals were pulled downstream for a few feet and worked hard swimming against the current to stay with the herd.

Once the entire herd arrived in the

hooves, they are sure-footed and never miss a stride. What amazed me most was their natural gait. The Nokotas seem to lift their knees just a little bit higher than the average horse, which makes them look solid and yet also elegant.

Standing in the prairie overlooking the hills, I took a lot of deep breaths which benefited me the next day when we went out to be with the Nokota stallions.

The Nokota stallions carried a different energy than the mares. The herd of 29 stallions was naturally divided into a few groups, each spearheaded by one stallion. A relatively large group stood on

On the way back to the ranch, Frank explained that the stallions always lived together and only those who carried the strongest lineage of the original wild horses were taken out of the bachelor herd in the spring and put in with a band of mares to breed and produce more foals that will carry on the legacy of these remarkable horses.

I could have listened to Frank for days on end. The passion and compassion he has for the horses, the land, and the legacy of the Nokota horses is expressed through his eyes and his telling of their beautiful and painful sto-

only had a mom but often had a second mare nearby. When I asked Jennifer, Frank’s assistant about this, she says that most foals have an “auntie” who also looks out for them.

My mare Shana had one of those “aunties” — our other mare Kaylaa. In domestic settings, these bonds occur when the foal is weaned and attaches him or herself to another horse.

In wild herds, foals have a built-in foal sitter from the start. More than once I saw a mare raise her head to look out over the many bodies and call for her foal. While the foal was aware of the mom’s call, it would stay by the auntie’s side until all were united again when the herd shuffled into a new order.

Time seems to move slower out on the prairie, and when the sun started to go down it was time to move the horses to the new grazing ground. While Frank and Paul used their ATVs to move the herd along, I joined Jennifer in the truck as she opened and closed the gates that separated the large parcels until we arrived in the rejuvenated pasture.

Seeing the horses move across the prairie, circumventing holes left by gophers and wild hare (we saw a few of those speeding across the fields) was stunning. Not only do the Nokota horses have strong legs and extremely durable

the first jagged hillside overlooking the valley and surrounding mesa. A smaller group of horses stood on a second overlook. I decided to approach those horses, taking a few deep conscious breaths to slow my nervous system as I drew closer.

Standing about 10 feet from two stunning black Nokota horses, I could sense their power and independence.

Eventually, a large blue roan with a black head separated himself from his group and approached me. He sniffed my hand and then stepped even closer, inviting me to scratch his neck. Just like Frank had said on the first day, these horses are so intelligent; they stop and think before they act. In this case, the stallion took me in from afar, then came over to smell me, and decided it would be okay to engage with me.

Too often, in domestic settings we don’t give our horses a chance to come and reach out toward us. We head into the pasture or stall and halter the horse, not realizing that our horses, too, would like a moment to take us in, then sniff us to say hello before engaging more. If we’d approach our own horses more like we would approach a wild horse we would again be in awe, as we were when we were younger — we’d take an extra breath and a bit more time and suddenly be more deeply connected.

ries. The horses are Frank’s life and he honors their history.

A few years ago, Frank gave a Nokota horse to the Lakota Hunkpapa people (the Buffalo people) at Standing Rock with the intent to bring the horse back to where it belongs. Since then, the Lakota nation has added a few more Nokota horses to its herd and started a program to connect young members with the horses their ancestors raised, revered, and communed with, literally, as the horses were part of their family and often stayed with the natives in their tipis.

Connecting with the Nokota horses and the people who hold them in such high regard reaffirmed my mission to mindfully connect horses and humans in our domestic settings. As Frank says, “Respect and trust are the two pillars of every relationship.”

David Milos

horses at our domestic barns and stables are simply overwhelmed, and that their spook is a sign of their nervous system being in overdrive because there isn’t enough space to release any fight/flight tendencies in a natural way.

Several of the horses were curious. A few times, when I wasn’t looking, I’d suddenly feel a nose booping me from behind, or a nostril blowing air into my ear. The few times I’d reach for a mare, she’d often move away. However, some of the foals were happy to get a few scratches as the fly season was in full swing.

I also observed that most foals not

To learn more about the Nokota Horse Conservancy and support Frank in his efforts, visit nokotahorse.org. Stop by at the Nokota booth at Equine Affaire in West Springfield and let Frank tell you a story or two. I’ll be there for sure.

Nicole Birkholzer is on a mission to understand the logic behind our horses’ behaviors. To learn more, visit mindful-connections.com. Flowtrition teacher Dr. Lance Wright organized this trip. For more information, visit flowtrition.com.

Massachusetts Horse

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Trail Guide

Spencer

by Stacey Stearns

Spencer State Forest

S

twists and turns. When I got to Cranberry Road my GPS told me to go right, and that ended up taking me in a circle back to Hebert Road (away from the forest). I stopped and confirmed this with a woman out in her yard, and she said to go left at the intersection and ignore the GPS. Howe Road narrows to one lane under a railroad overpass. I had no

Some trails in the park are for hiking only, and you’ll know which ones these are when you see them, or you can consult your map. Bridges on these trails are also only meant for people.

The bridges that I rode over on the multi-use trails were all sturdy and safe for horses.

As there were a few other people at the picnic area I tried to avoid Howe

Trails run for miles through the woods and across rivers. Howe Pond (also referred to as Howe State Park) is another Bay State property that benefited from the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Benches overlook Howe Pond at scenic points, with picnic tables and grills available in several spots, including a couple of picnic tables near the dirt parking lot I used, if you want to bring your lunch.

My horse also enjoyed grazing in the grass that was between the parking area and Howe Road.

Spencer State Forest is popular year-round — for picnicking at Howe Pond in the warmer seasons, and with snowmobilers in the winter months.

Other activities allowed include hiking, canoeing and kayaking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hunting, and mountain biking. Part of the 92-mile MidState Trail runs through the forest.

problem with a 2500 truck and twohorse trailer, but it’s a sharp right to get into the tunnel, and a blind intersection. On a weekday afternoon there was only one other car at the tunnel.

There are several pull-offs along the side of the road leading up to the forest; I drove past all of these until I arrived at the main forest headquarters.

Just across from Howe Pond, right before the dam, is a small dirt pullthrough parking area. I parked in here.

The main parking area is paved, and has ample parking if you choose to use it, or if the dirt lot is full.

There were no trail maps (and no signage at all on the bulletin board). I had saved a PDF of the map from mass.gov/locations/spencer-state-forest.

Restrooms have been locked for the past decade due to budget cuts at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the garbage barrel was overflowing. Despite the lack of attention this forest receives. it’s a gem for horseback riding. The Spencer State Forest Friends Group and Spencer Snowbirds Snowmobile Club have maintained the trails beautifully.

Pond. There was a surprising amount of traffic on Howe Pond Road, and cars traveled at a brisk pace. I felt safe riding down the road, but stayed alert at all times.

Stacey Stearns

pencer is a small town of 12,000 residents in Worcester County. It’s also home to the 965-acre Spencer State Forest that has three parcels, including one at Howe Pond. It’s also an historic site and was the estate of Elias Howe, part of the Howe family of inventors. Elias invented the lockstitch sewing machine in the 1800s.

A Leg Up Use 51 Howe Road in Spencer for your GPS. I came in via South Spencer Road and Hebert Road. Drive slowly; this is a rural town and roads are narrow with 22

October/November 2018

Out Riding It I decided to explore a little bit of all of the trails. I started with the trail directly across from the dam. There’s a bridge to cross Cranberry River, or you can ride up Howe Road to the stone monument for the Howe Inventors (Elias and his family; the foundation for the house is here too), and enter the trail that way, skipping the bridge. This trail is wide and beautiful, and obviously well used by snowmobiles in the winter as their signage was at the major intersections.

Down the trail there’s a place where you can ride into the river.

Despite the recent rain it wasn’t very deep (I would have called it a stream but the map states otherwise). I watered my horse here, and then continued on the trail. This trail is a loop, although lots of little side trails wind through the woods that you can explore.

An interesting feature about this

trail that doesn’t show up on the map is that when you get near the northernmost boundary of Spencer State Forest there’s a little three-sided log hut that looks like it’s used as a resting place by snowmobilers and through hikers.

Another smaller pond is nestled in back here, with the boundary line for private property with hayfields beyond it.

This trail came out through some large meadows across from the parking area, and I followed the paved road up toward the forest headquarters. Just past the headquarters the paved road stops and there’s another bridle trail that loops through the woods. As you ride along this trail, there are stone walls on either side of the trail, and it’s obvious that it was once a road. A few very large oak trees stand sentinel, and the rest of the forest — oaks, hickory, and northern hardwood — has grown up around them. The trails aren’t marked, but I felt comfortable in the woods and never consulted my map (although I did study it at home before leaving), and didn’t get lost.

At the fork in this trail, you can go left and ride a loop in the eastern section. Then it circles back, and when you get to the same fork, go left again, and ride parallel to the Cranberry River, and then parallel to Howe Pond, looking down over the pond. I came back out at the main parking lot.

I headed up the trails on the other side of Cranberry Road but they were steep and rocky, so I decided to save that for exploring another day. The deer flies were abundant in the woods in August, despite a heavy dose of fly spray and BuzzOff breeches. We kept up a steady trot on the trails to minimize deer fly bites. Trails are rocky with a lot of roots, and I recommend hoof protection. In some areas there has been gravel dumped to minimize erosion.

On an overcast weekday afternoon, there were only three or four other trail users at Howe Pond. Spencer State Forest is fairly close to me and easily accessible, yet somehow I’ve never ridden here. Now that I’ve discovered it, I’ll certainly be making return trips.

Happy trails!

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23

Overherd

News in Our Community Bay State Equine Rescue (BSER) recently welcomed three Halflingers to its herd.

Their owner, who was in his 80s, passed away. His children don’t live nearby and can’t take on the responsibility of three horses.

Baby is a 16-year-old, 11.2-hand mare. She’s intelligent and very easy to work around. She’s the perfect family pony. Before coming to BSER she’d not been used for many years. She’s quickly responding to training. Baby is that child’s pony everyone is looking for and is a perfect candidate for driving.

Tatiana is a 15-year-old, 14.1-hand beautiful, gentle mare that’s also very easy to work around. We’re not cer-

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October/November 2018

tain that she had any training at all, but she is responding beautifully to handling and training. Tatiana is immensely intelligent and

and needs lots of hands-on work. He will be an amazing riding or driving horse once he is trained.

The Save on Shavings Sale is Saturday, October 20.

Pick up is 9 to 11 a.m. at Camp Marshall, in Spencer, or Bay State Equine Rescue.

A minimum order of 10 bags is required. The price is $4.90 per bag up to 199 bags.

Orders of 200 bags and more are $4.75 per bag.

To learn more, visit baystateequinerescue.

Dude, the son of Tatiana, is not registered.

He’s a nine-year-old, 14.3hand gelding. This beautiful guy doesn’t have any training

n Karin Orsi

Karin Orsi

Three Haflingers Join BSER Herd

Bay State Equine Rescue’s new residents, Haflingers Dude, Baby, Tatiana.

learns new skills very quickly.

She will make a great riding or driving horse.

and he’s a little skittish around new things. He’s kind, easy to work around,

Your Smarts Could Earn You Prizes!

SmartPak is excited to announce a new and exclusive sweepstakes for their SmartPerks members. Every month, SmartPak customers

with equine supplements on AutoShip can now enter to win a prize package as part of the #SmartPerksPays sweepstakes!

SmartPerks are the free benefits that customers earn by ordering their horse’s supplements on AutoShip. This sweepstakes provides a special opportunity for those customers to win exclusive prizes, just for taking great care of their horse(s).

Entering the sweepstakes is as easy as 1-2-3 for SmartPerks members.

Simply start by placing an order with SmartPak’s Customer Care Team. Next, take a photo or video of the order once it arrives at your door. Finally, tag your post on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with #SmartPerksPays. Each post will count as one entry, so the more you order, the more chances you have to win! A winner will be selected each month and will receive a prize package that includes a $500 gift card and an engraved SmartPak leather halter.

If you’re not a SmartPerks member, becoming one is simple. When you place your horse’s supplements on AutoShip, you’re automatically enrolled to receive free SmartPerks benefits. As a SmartPerks member you’ll also receive additional benefits such as free shipping on every order, 10 percent off all SmartPak brand tack, apparel, and gear, exclusive access to sales and discounts, and the annual SmartPerks calendar.

To learn more, visit smartpak.com.

Fall for Fantasia at Equine Affaire Equine Affaire’s Fantasia returns for three performances, November 8 to 10, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. Featuring renowned equine performers Christine Drentwett, the Trixie Chicks trick riders, the Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team, and more, the horses of Fantasia will thrill every horse lover with renewed admiration for the beauty, grace, and power of the horse.

Fantasia features a variety of equine and equestrian performances set to musical scores and popular songs. From freestyle dressage to Wild West acts and trick riding, every performance showcases the remarkable and varied talents of the horse. See Christine Drentwett’s beautiful, high-stepping Andalusian dance under the lights as they perform the Spanish art of Garrocha and Susanne Hamilton’s Grand Prix dressage freestyle. Wild West fans will enjoy the trick-roping, gun-slinging stunts of Loop Rawlins, the western performer and trick-roper extraordinaire who captivated millions on America’s Got

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Talent. If you’ve never seen horses at liberty, you’ll love watching Luke Gingerich’s reining horse perform loose in the pen and under saddle. A drill team of Haflingers will criss cross the arena in perfect harmony, demonstrating precision and grace with every step, and international level jousters will keep you on the edge of your seat with their daredevil feats.

Tickets are on sale now. To learn more, visit equineaffaire.com.

City to Saddle New Charter Member Horse SenseAbility at Wildstar Farm in Sherborn is the newest stable to be

added as a Charter Member of City to Saddle. The Charter Member Program helps like-minded groups and stables create horsemanship opportunities for local underserved children. City to Saddle backs these grass roots initiatives by providing resources, materials, and the know-how necessary to establish and run successful programs. Charter Farms, in turn, develop a donor base to raise much of the funds needed to run their programs.

In its first year, Horse SenseAbility completed four weeks of City to Saddle programs. Twenty-four children from Boston, Natick, Framingham, Ashland, Massachusetts Horse

25

and Lincoln participated.

Farm owner Polly Kornblith received excellent evaluations and says, “Everyone went home with a smile, lots of good memories, and some souvenirs of their experience.”

For more information, visit citytosaddle.org.

n Dale Perkins

into the Northampton Horsemen’s Hall of Fame at the 79th annual New England Morgan Horse Show.

Curt and Phyllis Collins of Marshfield were honored for their hard work and dedication to the New England Morgan Horse Show. Curt

Bridle Path Tack Equestrian Fashion Show

Morgan Enthusiasts Inducted into Horsemen’s Hall of Fame Three Massachusetts Morgan enthusiasts were inducted 26

October/November 2018

n Suzy Lucine

Equine Affaire Clinicians

Joslin Wells

Four-year-old Aubrey Setterlund and 29-year-old Quarter Horse Keeper of the Castle, barn name Garth. “He’s been my horse since I was six and here I am thirty this year!” says Aubrey’s mother, Joslin Wells. “I’ve been fortunate to share him with my three children.”

Elevate your equestrian experience by attending Equine Affaire in West Springfield, November 8 to 11. Learn firsthand from clinicians Clinton Anderson, Mark Rashid, Brandi Lyons, Tik Maynard, Warwick Schiller, and more.

Clinton Anderson will share tips and techniques in humane horse training while helping riders and their

courtesy of Wildstar Farm

Bridle Path Tack is hosting a multi-discipline and multispecies fashion show, the first of its kind, on Sunday, October 14, in the Wells William Arena at Camp Marshall in Spencer.

“Tickets are five dollars per person,” says Bridle Path Tack owner Jessica Rollins.

“Children three and under are free. Proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction go entirely to 4-H horse camperships at Camp Marshall.”

Bridle Path will have a cash-and-carry sale after the runway show with five percent off your entire purchase. “We’ll be donating five percent of these sales to the camperships as well,” says Jessica. “There will also be a mini trade show where orders can be placed for special items or specific sizes, colors, styles.”

You’ll see products modeled from Horze/Finn-Tack, Ovation, TuffRider, Ariat, BOGS, Trauma Void, and more. The models include equines of all sizes and breeds, humans of all genders, ages, and sizes, dogs, and even a mule. Lucky attendees may even spot a unicorn or two!

Tickets will not be sold at the door, so get yours now at Bridle Path Tack in Westminster, from one of its mobile units, or at bridlepathtackllc.com.

Morgan Horse Show Carriage Driving division would not exist without the time, commitment, and energy poured into it by Elsie. Since the 1990s, Elsie has been a tireless proponent of this sport horse division and has given so much of herself to make it a huge success. Elsie is a horsewoman who embodies the spirit of selfless volunteerism, and she is a true champion of the Morgan horse.

Diesel and Tammy (City to Saddle participant) at Wildstar Farm in Sherborn.

and Phyllis reflect the importance of family and friendships within the Morgan breed. As the parents of two Morgan trainers, Curt and Phyllis extended their support to the Morgan community as a whole — spending countless hours providing their services to this horse show.

Elsie Rodney of Stow was the third inductee into the Hall of Fame. It’s safe to say that the New England

mounts tackle real-world issues in and out of the saddle. Mark Rashid uses and teaches the principles of aikido and softness in his clinics. He shows students how to stay centered and to look for quiet, effective ways to blend with a horse’s energy. During his clinics at Equine Affaire, Mark will share his principles and methods for helping riders achieve better communication with their horses. Brandi

Lyons educates horses and riders on horsemanship, ranch sorting, conquering trails and obstacles, performance, and trick training.

Brandi’s clinics will focus on natural horsemanship and ranch sorting. Improve your reining scores and learn more about reining at Warwick Schiller’s clinics.

Eventer and natural horsemanship advocate Tik Maynard is an accomplished rider, student, and teacher.

His clinics at Equine Affaire will focus on natural horsemanship.

In addition, learn from Jan Ebeling and Silke Rembacz (dressage), Jeff Cook (hunter/jumper), Muffy Seaton (driving), Paul Humphrey (barrel racing), Lynn Symansky (eventing), Tom Chown (western horsemanship, showmanship), Marcie Morey (easy-gaited horses), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Christine Smith (sport horse in-hand), Steve Edwards (mules), Suzanne Marshall (working equitation), Scott Seymour (draft horses), Janice Dulak (pilates), Heidi McLaughlin (overcoming fear), the Copper Hills Vaulting Team (vaulting), and the U.S. Mounted Games Association.

To learn more, visit equineaffaire.com.

Equestrian Histories Gallery Opens June 2019 The Equestrian Histories gallery at the Wenham Museum in Essex County will be an evolving exhibit dedicated to inspiring discovery of the rich equestrian history that helps define Boston’s North Shore. Whether visitors are avid equestrians, non-rider enthusiasts, or young people eager to learn more about these magnificent animals, there will be something here for everyone. Designed by world-class museum curators and exhibit researchers, each year the gallery will focus on the horse in sport — a

hands-on experience engineered from its inception to meet the expectations of modern museum visitors. To learn more, visit horses.wenhammuseum.org.

Two Champion Morgan Show Horses Retired

n Suzy Lucine

Tessa Holloran Overall Champion at Youth Dressage Festival In July, fourteen-year-old Tessa Holloran of Pepperell was named the 2018 Overall Champion at Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival held in Saugerties, New York. Tessa swept her FEI Junior division with first place for all three phases of the competition — written test, equitation, and dressage test — and outscored more than 200 riders at this annual Dressage4Kids

Kristine Holloran

During the 79th annual New England Morgan Horse Show in Northampton, two champion Morgans were officially retired. The show was held July 24 to 28 at the Three-County Fairgrounds.

Medomak French Invasion GCH, sired by Futurity French Command and out of Vega Sweet Dream, has had a storied show career. Showcasing the versatility of the Morgan breed, “Maxx” has shown successfully in hand, under saddle, and in harness. His illustrious career spans disciplines from English pleasure, pleasure driving, classic pleas-

In recognition of his amazing career, Boss was named Horse of the Year by the New England Morgan horse Association, United Professional Horsemen’s Association Chapter 14, and Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association, a rare triple-crown win.

Tessa Holloran and her 2005 Dutch warmblood gelding Appielousos B, affectionately called Tigger.

ure saddle, and driving to equitation.

Maxx holds two World Championship and three Grand National titles. He’s made more than 20 victory passes at New England, including four East Coast Championships.

Maxx will live out his retirement years under the loving care of Liz and Pino Ciccone at their bucolic stable.

Equinox Bossanova GCH, an amazing Morgan, amazing champion, and amazing friend, brought his fairytale show career to a close. “Boss” is a champion in and out of the ring, the poster boy whose quintessential Morgan beauty has made him the face of numerous Morgan promotional events, and the horse whose incredible Morgan personality and heart made him central to the lives of the two women who loved him best.

Boss personifies the beauty of the breeding program of the Beattie’s East of Equinox Farm, and early on that beauty, along with a spunky personality, caught the eyes of several admiring trainers.

event. She’s the second person in the show’s 20-year history to repeat the Overall Champion win, a title she also earned in 2015 with her mare Usela.

Tessa trains locally with USDF gold, gold bar, silver, and bronze medalist Vincent Flores at Settlement Farm.

Overherdisms • “Breathe. This is not an underwater sport.”

• “Wait, don’t go over there! She’s changing in the stall.”

• “Track left, left . . . your other left!”

• “How does the rider know which jumps to take?” says one nonhorse person to another. “The horse knows the order,” says the other nonhorse person.

• “I hate course walks. Do you know how much of my life I’ve wasted pretending I know how to walk strides?”

• “When you finish a great pattern, don’t you just want to raise your hands up and yell, ‘Tada!’ ” Massachusetts Horse

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Partners Our goal is to foster connections within the horse community throughout the Bay State, and one of the ways we do this is with our Partners Program. Massachusetts organizations that partner with us receive a free one-year subscription for each member and space in the magazine for news, photos, and event listings.

Bay State Trail Riders Association BSTRA is excited to announce its latest raffle.

The prize is a two-person, two-night horseback riding mini-vacation at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm and Mad River Inn. This is a trip that’s sure to please horse lovers! Valued at $750, the lucky winners will enjoy two days of riding and a daily three-course breakfast. This is a great opportunity to ride iconic Icelandic Horses, provided by the hosts, through Mad River Valley into the woods of the beautiful Green Mountains. Tickets are $5 for 5, $10 for 12, and $20 for 30.

The drawing will be held December 15. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bstra.org.

Three New England Horse and Trail (NEHT) affiliate rides will be held in October for those accumulating miles. The Robinson State Park Ride, sponsored

by Ocean State Equine Associates, is October 14 in Agawam. Robinson State Park trails are unique and lovely despite being so close to the city. The Mount Jefferson Ride, sponsored by New England Dry Wall, is October 20 in Hubbardston.

The Big Pumpkin Ride, sponsored by Homefield Credit Union, is scheduled for October 28. Be ready for some ghoulish fun in Upton State Forest!

The annual Turkey Trot at Miles Standish State Park in Carver is November 4 and is sponsored by South Shore Equine Clinic. It’s also NEHT affiliated.

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October/November 2018

Finally, don’t forget to stop by the BSTRA booth at Equine Affair, November 8 to 11 in West Springfield.

Catch up with trail friends and see what BSTRA has been up to. It’s a great time renew your membership!

See you on the trails!

7 Annamaria Paul

Hampshire County Riding Club This year the club has decided to once again hold monthly membership meet-

Horse Show: A Donkey Donk Story. Club members provided the horse show backdrop and contestants for mini donkey Donk’s first horse show, highlighting his participation in the obstacle course. We’re looking forward to seeing photos of our club grounds and members in Ellen’s book. Participants enjoyed a potluck lunch and a trail ride.

After enduring all that hot weather, the fall riding weather is finally here. Riders

luck barbecue. If it’s chilly we can enjoy the warmth of the visitors’ center.

On Sunday, November 4, members will head to Hammonasset State Park on the Connecticut shore for a beach ride. The park has huge parking lots and riding trails in addition to the beach.

Both rides are open to HCRC members and their guests.

To learn more, visit hampshirecountyriding club.org and follow us on Facebook.

7 Diane Merritt

New England Equestrian Center of Athol

Bay State Trail Riders Association member Sydney Moon enjoys the August Lake Dennison Ride in Winchendon.

ings with a speaker and presentation portion open to the public. The August meeting, held at the Westhampton Library, featured natural horsemanship practitioner Barb Macon. To learn more, find her on Facebook at Sterling Rewards Natural Horsemanship.

Our Annual Meeting and Elections are scheduled for October 17, at the Westhampton Library. There will be a featured speaker, election of officers, and refreshments. The presentation and meeting are open to the public.

Lights! Camera! Action!

The HCRC grounds were the location of a photo shoot for children’s author Ellen Feld’s forthcoming book,

were eager to cool off in the Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest in Hawley on September 9, where they were treated to shaded dirt roads and wood roads bordered by stone walls, old foundations, and a cemetery.

This is a favorite location with more than 50 miles of riding trails.

HCRC has two final trail rides to round out our season. Our annual Fall Foliage Ride will be held at the colorful Northfield Mountain Recreational Center on Sunday, October 14. Riders will be provided with a map of the expansive trail network to explore on their own or ride with a group. Following the ride we’ll fire up the grills in the picnic area for a pot-

What has NEECA been up to this summer, you ask? Where should we begin? This has been a very busy summer at the park.

We kicked off June with the Equestrian Showcase on June 9. Pete Whitmore headed up this full day of everything equestrian including vendors at the park, an equestrian demonstration, and a drill team competition followed by a Versatile Horse and Rider competition.

The Susan Harris Centered Riding Clinic was the same weekend, held at Windswept Farm for two days, organized by Caroline Mansfield. This was Susan’s eleventh clinic with NEECA, and this world-class instructor always draws a crowd and a full class.

On June 16, presenter Shad Smith held the first Trailer Safety/Skills Class.

This will likely not be the last clinic as this was a very popular event coordinated by Caroline Mansfield. Ten participants spent the day learning the dos and don’ts of trailering, which included a tire change, checking brake cables, and looking at tow chain length/safety releases on both bumper pull and gooseneck trailers. The day ended with individual lessons

ing, saddling, and bridling and there was an opportunity to work with a Miniature horse. The event was offered to all youth participants for only $1, which also included

on August 11. While there was a spattering of cancellations, the event was a huge success for the riders and spectators. This event was judged by Libby Lyman,

Jamie Kubosiak

on backing up, making tight turns, and parking straight.

Moving into July, NEECA held its horse show at Felton Field in Barre as part of the Barre Riding and Driving Club Horse Show series. NEECA members Wendy Warner and Lynnda LeBoeuf put in considerable effort to organize the show.

Mike Sietz served as the event announcer and kept the day running smoothly while NEECA member and volunteer Carol Boudreau took pictures and printed them for class winners. This made for some very memorable photo opportunities.

There were many other volunteers as well who really helped make this a fantastic and fun NEECA event!

The Youth Fun Day returned to the park on August 4. Event coordinator Pam DeGregorio held a funfilled day for youngsters to learn about horse safety, basic veterinary care, groom-

The photo shoot at the Hampshire County Riding Club in Goshen: Donk, author Ellen Feld, and Barb Weyant with her horses Moxie and Cody.

a NEECA membership to the end of the year.

New this year to the NEECA event line-up was the Rita Martin Memorial Versatility Challenge. Luckily, we won the battle with the rain

based at Piper Ridge Farm in Maine, who scored riders in either the Novice or Advanced division. Riders were expected to maneuver either 11 or 16 obstacles with their equine partner. This

event was not merely about speed and obstacle completion; it was equally important how well horse and rider completed obstacles together as partners.

The last gymkhana in the popular series will be held October 14 at the park.

Unfortunately, one event was cancelled in August due to the rain, but event coordinator Frank Whitney and his crew of volunteers plan to finish the year strong. New patterns and challenges are always popping up on the NEECA Facebook page for these events.

Cathy Drumm’s Western/ English Dressage Clinic Series, coordinated by Pam DeGregorio had four dates, starting in May and ending on October 21. Cathy is a well-respected clinician whose teaching style is calm, clear, and concise. Riders of all levels and interests can benefit from her instruction, and these clinics fill quickly.

Retirement Farm Litchfield County, Connecticut

E SPAC LE! ILAB AVA

Staff and Owner live on farm with their own horses.

Large Paddocks & Fields with 24/7/365 Turnout Fresh, running water - Run-in Sheds Daily (at least) hands-on checks, grooming, and supplements.

Vet and Farrier just down the road. References Available

WoodgateFarmllc.com JoeGitterman@me.com

Massachusetts Horse

29

working hard to bring electricity into the park. At this time, the park is using a generator as a source of power, which limits some of the

West Newbury Riding and Driving Club

NEECA’s Anne Marie Zukowski promoting the effort to bring power to the park and install 20 light poles to transform the usage of the park.

activities, especially at night.

The organization is in full force to raise $20,000 to install approximately 20 light poles that will totally trans-

Canadian Horse Expo October 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date 10/14) Harwinton Fairgrounds, Connecticut $5 entry for ages 14 and up

Find out why this rare breed is your next favorite horse!

DEMONSTRATIONS Mounted archery, obstacles, western dressage, classical dressage, jumping, combined driving, pleasure driving, extreme cowboy, farming and agriculture . . .

CLINICIANS Heidi Potter - Stress Free Obstacle Training & Sharon Wilsie - Horse Speak Demonstration

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS Reproduction, nutrition, photography, saddle fitting, sports psychology, integrated body work, Masterson Method, later-in-life riding strategies, horse presentation tips, and more.

VENDORS Canadian Horse breeders, horses for sale, equine-related businesses and services.

Facebook.com/CanadianHorseExpo Margo Killoran at threefoldfarm@comcast.net

30

October/November 2018

To learn more about NEECA and its many events, visit neeca.org.

7 Anne Marie Zukowski

form the usage of the park and allow for greater flexibility of activities. NEECA has accepted donations from nine generous sponsors and

Robert Juckins

The NEECA Campout at the Park was September 7 to 9. The weekend activities included day trail rides, riding in the confidence course, a twilight ride in the moonlight, and great conversations by the campfire after a tiring and fun day.

The Elwin Bacon Memorial Fun Day is on October 20. Elwin was the founding father of NEECA and the day is full of games and fun! You don’t need to be competitive to join a class and, if you are, there are numerous events to take part in to get your competitive game on!

Closing out the year is the annual NEECA Fall Social on November 3. This is a fun night with a delicious buffet dinner, awards, recognition, and live auction hosted by Quabbin Valley Auctions.

NEECA members are

Sponsored by the New England Cheval Canadien

many more are needed! For more information on how you can help fund a utility pole, please contact Pete Whitmore at (978) 652-2231.

WNRDC is running its 30th anniversary season of Schooling Horse Trials at Pipestave Hill this year. The first of the series was in July and the second is coming up on October 7. The fun includes five new cross-country jumps and two new stadium jumps that were introduced in July. We’ve added anniversary ribbons and prizes that include anniversary saddle pads for first place and cash prizes for some divisions. The energy was high and happy in July and we know it will be even more so in October. Come join us for a fun, relaxed competition and to learn about eventing.

volunteered for the club.

We’re a totally volunteer-run organization, and we could

The annual meeting will be November 9. We’ll review the year, honor volunteers,

Sophiea Bitel

The Annual Adventure Trail was September 9. Every year riders create teams to ride in this non-competitive trail ride to benefit the Essex County Trail Association that helps to care for the area trails. The trails were beautiful and fun. This year we added a Guided Ride for those unfamiliar with the area. Completing the adventure was a jump course in one ring and some fun horse-challenging obstacles in the other.

Stephie Baer, a four-star eventer, has given several well-attended clinics on the various disciplines of eventing at Pipestave Hill this year.

Keep your eyes open for more clinics.

The cross-country course is open at Pipestave Hill for schooling. Look for our five new jumps.

WNRDC holds volunteer raffles for anyone who has

Brianna Touzjian riding Merlin at the August West Newbury Riding and Driving Club Pipestave Hill Horse Trials in West Newbury.

not operate without our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. Each winner receives a $50 gift certificate to Dover Saddlery!

and vote in board members.

The Yankee Swap Christmas Celebration will be December 7 with fun, a pot luck dinner, and, of

course, a Yankee swap (always a good laugh).

WNRDC invites all who love to ride at Pipestave and in the surrounding areas to become a member. Support the continued presence as the oldest riding and driving club in the state and help us also support various service and nonprofit organizations in the area. In return, you’ll make new friends and enjoy the opportunity to join in our various social and educational events that occur throughout the year. Be part of a movement to keep the horse community and the environment thriving in Essex County and surrounding areas.

All events are held at Pipestave Hill, 691 Main Street, West Newbury. To learn more, visit wnrdc.com.

7 Shipley Allinson

Massachusetts Horse

31

Alessandra Mele

Millis

Benefit Adventure Trail

The Massachusetts Horse BeneďŹ t Adventure Trail

held September 16 raised more than $6,000 for the Central New England Equine Rescue, the Trustees of Reservations, and the Norfolk Hunt Club. The day combined a eight-mile hunter pace, a timed obstacle course, and a horsemanship-knowledge quiz at Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center in Millis. In the past 14 years, Massachusetts Horse has raised more than $71,000 for horse-related nonprofits in the Bay State.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors!

Counter Canter Designs 32

October/November 2018

Alessandra Mele

To see more photos, find us on Facebook: Massachusetts Horse Benefit.

Massachusetts Horse

33

events Massachusetts

5 – 7 ERIC SMILEY CLINIC, Black Oak Stables, Hamilton. blackoakstables.com.

5 – 8 MIGUEL ANACORETA CLASSICAL DRESSAGE CLINIC, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknoll.com.

6 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

6 OPEN WESTERN SCRIMMAGE, Orange. crimsonacres.org.

6 SORTING, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

6 – 7 BRDC FALL TRAIL RIDE WEEKEND, Felton Field, Barre. barreridingdrivingclub.com.

7 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, New Braintree. whitesprucefarms.com.

7 SOUTH COAST HUNTER SERIES, Wolf Rock Farm, Plymouth. southcoastseries.com.

7 PIPESTAVE HILL HORSE TRIALS, West Newbury. wnrdc.com.

13 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

7 SCHOOLING THREE-PHASE, Groton Fairgrounds. grotonponyclub.org.

Emily Eckstrom Found. Show

Sept. 30

Heritage Farm

Oct. 7

FINALS!

Oct. 14

Harmony Hill

Oct. 28

Muddybrook Farm

7 HRC BEACH RIDE AND COOKOUT, Rexhame Beach, Marshfield. hansonridingclub.org.

13 – 14 NEDA FALL SYMPOSIUM FEATURING CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN, South Hadley. neda.org.

7 FUN DAY AND GYMKHANA, Blanford. kellimarie43@yahoo.com.

14 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknollfarm.com.

12 LENDON GRAY DRESSAGE CLINIC, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

14 HRC VERSATILITY, Balmy Acres, Middleboro. hansonridingclub.org.

DRESSAGE SHOWS English and Western Tests

Oct. 28

Higher Ground Farm

JOIN US! The Western New England chapter of the Professional Horsemen’s Association of America has a full schedule of shows planned for 2019!

14 HCRC FALL FOLIAGE RIDE, Northfield Mountain. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

14 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Lakeville. belandstables.com.

14 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Harmony Hill Farm, Great Barrington. wnepha.com.

14 BSTRA ROBINSON STATE PARK RIDE, Agawam. bstra.org.

14 FALL/HALLOWEEN SCHOOLING HORSE TRIALS, Sherborn. coursebrookshows.com.

14 HUNTER EQUITATION SHOW, Evenstride, Farm, Byfield. evenstrideltd.com.

14 ONBH FALL HUNTER PACE, Red Rail Farm, Lincoln. oldnorthbridgehounds.org.

14 NEECA GYMKHANA, Athol. neeca.org.

14 BRIDLE PATH TACK FASHION SHOW, Camp Marshall, Spencer. bridlepathtackllc.com.

Featuring year-end awards in many divisions.

Full schedule can be found at

14 GWYNETH MCPHERSON DRESSAGE CLINIC, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

WNEPHA.com

20 MHC SHOW, Bolton. centurymillstables.com.

An organization for horsemen, by horsemen.

34

13 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

7 WNEPHA HUNTER/EQUITATION FINALS, Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley. wnepha.com.

HUNTER/EQUITATION SHOWS Sept. 29

13 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

Scott Porter

2 – 3 CONRAD SCHUMACHER DRESSAGE CLINIC, Elmwood Acres Equestrian Center, Mansfield. warrenmcmullindressage.com.

Mount Holyoke equestrian Center

October

October/November 2018

20 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

21 4-H CLUB FUN DAY AND SCAVENGER HUNT, Goshen. hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

20 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

21 CATHY DRUMM CLINIC, Athol. neeca.org.

20 ELISA WALLACE EVENTING CLINIC, Azrael Acres, Uxbridge. azraelacres.com.

21 NEW ENGLAND HUNTER TRIALS, Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield. myopiahunt.org.

20 BSTRA MOUNT JEFFERSON PLEASURE RIDE, Upton. bstra.org.

21 WRC KNIGHTVILLE DAM RIDE, Huntington. westfieldridingclub.org.

20 SUNRISE PLEASURE AND WMAA BREAST CANCER BENEFIT SHOW, South Hadley. mhcriding.com.

26 GYMKHANA, Grafton. hillside-meadows.com.

25 – 28 TWIN STATE OCTOBERFEST SHOW, West Springfield. twinstateasb.org.

20 NEECA FUN DAY, Athol. neeca.org.

27 MHC SHOW, Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

21 GRHC RIDE AND OBSTACLE COURSE, Wilbraham. granbyregionalhorse.org.

27 MSPCA HORSES HELPING HORSES BEACH RIDE, Ipswich. mspca.org/beachride.

21 HDA SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Briggs Stable, Hanover. heritage-dressage.org.

27 POLO MATCH, Georgetown. bostonpolo.org.

21 CRANBERRY CIRCUIT SHOW, Cape Cod Fairgrounds, East Falmouth. (508) 564-0754.

27 RANCH SORTING, Chipaway Stables, Acushnet. chipawaystables.com.

21 JUMPER SHOW, Sutton. jh-eventing.com.

28 HALLOWEEN HUNTER PACE, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknollfarm.com.

21 SCHOOLING TWO-PHASE AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

Cross-Country Derbies

28 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, Muddy Brook Farm, Amherst. wnepha.com.

2019 Dressage Schooling Shows Traditional & Western Dressage Tests

May 5 June 2 August 11 September 8

018 The 2 s Award Series et is Banqu t er 13 a Octob rm! the fa

Check our Facebook page for updates!

404 S. Washington St. Belchertown, Mass.

(413) 284-0371 independencestablellc.com

25 Forest Lane, Millis, MA ~ (508) 376-2564

October 14 & November 4

Polocrosse Clinic with Ryan Murphy

Halloween Hunter Pace

Polocrosse coach Ryan Murphy has represented the USA in three Polocrosse World Cups.

Participants will be in groups of six to nine riders in two-hour blocks. Equipment is provided.

Pre Elementary through Training

October 28

Independence Stable

NEW DATE!

Three Divisions Prizes for best costume and best matched team!

December 8 & 9

Miguel Anacoreta Clinic

October 5 - 8 spanishdq@gmail.com or (781) 801-0406

Patricia Kottas-Heldenberg Clinic November 17 - 18 crdressage.org

Prize lists and entry forms at:

appleknoll.com. Check the website often as new events are added!

© Aryta Anny Photography

Lucky Finn Photography

MIG Equine

Training with Adrienne Iorio Three-Day Eventing Competitor and Trainer . Millis, Mass. & Winter Training in Aiken, South Carolina Show Jumps For Sale . Horses and Ponies For Sale/Lease

Rent our facilities for horse shows, clinics, and other equine activities. Our cross-country course is open for schooling by appointment, weather permitting.

Massachusetts Horse

35

28 FALL FRENZY FUN SHOW, Camp Marshall, Spencer. campmarshall.net.

28 SOUTH COAST HUNTER SERIES, Grazing Fields Farm, Buzzards Bay. southcoastseries.com.

28 BSTRA BIG PUMPKIN RIDE, Upton. bstra.org.

Brands we carry Abady Poulin Alpo Blue Seal Precise Pro Plan Canidae Purina Diamond Eukanuba Purina Mills Science Diet Friskies Iams Sensible Choice Solid Gold Kaytee Triple Crown Merrick Natural Balance Triumph Wellness Nature’s Recipe Neura Whiskas Nutrena Nutro Wild and caged bird Wysong and small animal feed.

Old Mother Hubbard Kakadu Oilskin Coats.

Pedigree Pinnacle

Country Corral 35 Main St., rear, Rte. 9, Williamsburg, MA (413) 268-0180 countrycorral@aol.com M-F 9:30AM - 5:30PM, Sat 9:30AM - 4:00PM Right behind A-1 Hilltown Pizza in Williamsburg center.

36

October/November 2018

November

3 MHC SHOW, Medway. saddlerowe.com.

3 NEECA FALL SOCIAL, Athol. neeca.org.

4 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis. appleknollfarm.com.

4 MYOPIA HUNT FALL HUNTER PACE, Groton House, South Hamilton. myopiahunt.org.

4 BSTRA TURKEY TROT, Carver. bstra.org.

4 THANKSGIVING HUNTER PACE, Camp Marshall, Spencer. campmarshall.net.

4 EQUINE SAFETY AND AMBULANCE TRAINING, Nevins Farm, Methuen. mspca.org/events.

4 COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Lakeville. belandstables.com.

4 EASTERN REGIONAL PLEASURE TRAIL RIDE, North Brookfield Sportsmen’s Club, Eight- and 17-mile rides. $3,000 in prizes! Dinner, raffle. eregtrailride@yahoo.com or (508) 867-7855.

8 – 11 EQUINE AFFAIRE, West Springfield. equineaffaire.com.

11 MHC SHOW,Haverhill. ridecornerstone.com.

13 LENDON GRAY DRESSAGE CLINIC, RER Ponies, Hatfield. rerponies.com.

Send us your events

appleknoll.com.

for the Annual Events Issue

by March 1, 2019!

Email events@mahorse.com.

16 SANTA AND PONY RIES, Will Brook Farm, Holliston. willowbrookholliston.com.

Presents the 24th

Equine Expo Paraphernalia Sale

17 – 18 CRDA PATRICIA KOTTAS-HELDENBERG DRESSAGE CLINIC, Millis. appleknoll.com.

25 JUMPER SHOW, Dracut. cutterfarm.com.

25 HUNTER EQUITATION SHOW, Evenstride, Farm, Byfield. evenstrideltd.com.

December

2 BSTRA EARLY CHRISTMAS RIDE, Grafton. bstra.org.

2 IHSA WESTERN SHOW, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley. mhcriding.com.

8 – 9 RYAN MURPHY POLOCROSSE CLINIC, Apple Knoll Equestrian Center, Millis.

Request a free Junior Award

for your event at mahorse.com/junior_awards.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 . 9-3 Large vendor marketplace selling new and used items! Plus services for the horse, rider, and driver.

Demonstrations All Day! $5 Admission . children under 10 free Held in the Arena Building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield Vendor Spaces Available . Free Parking

Contact Kay at: 978-768-6275 or kljoreo@aol.com

Eastern Regional Pleasure Trail Ride

19th

November 4 . North Brookfield Sportsmen’s Club . Rain or Shine

8 & 17 Mile Rides . Obtacles You’d Encounter on a Pleasure Ride . NEHT Affiliated $3,000 in prizes . Breed Awards . Dinner Banquet of Roast Beef or Chicken Barbecue . Raffle Divisions: Men . Women 49 & Under . Women Over 49 . Novice Rider . Junior/Pony Club . Novice Horse . 4-H’ers

Registration and entry fees must be received by Sunday, October 28 and are required for those riding in judged divisions.

Unjudged late entries accepted until ride fills or Thurday, November 1, whichever comes first. No late entries.

For more information, contact Larry at ERegTrailRide@yahoo.com or (508) 867-7855.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Absorbine, Vetericyn, Nutrena, Poulin Grain, and Cowboy Magic !

Massachusetts Horse

37

HORSES SMALL ANIMALS EXOTICS

Barefoot Hoof Care Rehabilitation of Laminitis/Founder & Other Hoof Pathologies Transitions from Shod to Barefoot Maintenance Trims

Diet & Nutrition Analysis Total Body Health

ACUPUNCTURE

Natural Horsemanship Training

CHIROPRACTIC

Classical Dressage & Work-In-Hand

HOMEOPATHY PHYSICAL THERAPY

Connection & Communication

Achaina

Balance, Strength, & Agility

Holistic Equine Services . Kathleen Ladendecker

(413) 310-4692 . Achaina.com kathy@achaina.com

HOUSE CALLS FULL-SERVICE SMALL-ANIMAL HOSPITAL GROOMING PET SUPPLIES

FAMILY VETERINARY CENTER BUD ALLEN, M.S., D.V.M. ROBIN KARLIN ALLEN, D.V.M. 99 MAIN ST. (RTE. 9) HAYDENVILLE, MA (413) 268-VETS FAMVETS.COM

Hanover Equine Dental Terry Paul

Graduate of the American School of Equine Dentistry

Performance floating for all disciplines.

Serving all of southern New England.

eqdent1@verizon.net . (781) 630-0741

Tack Repairs & Restoration

saddles . chaps belts . halters bridles . reins harnesses dog collars & leashes

Blue Dog Leather 64 South Shore Dr., Orange, Mass.

978.544.2681 bluedogleather.com Open by appointment, please call ahead.

38

October/November 2018

. . . Deworming continued from page 13

been known to try to eat the actual dewormer tube! This is because they anticipate their favorite food via the “treat bucket” after every deworming.

(They also swallow the dewormer immediately in anticipation of said treat.)

Working with Your Veterinarian A recent study in the United Kingdom found that deworming strategies were 75 percent more effective when veterinarians were involved in the deworming program.

There’s a lot more to it than just picking out a tube of paste from a shelf and hoping your horse is cured.

Veterinarians are able to act as your horse’s health consultant. They do it every day, with each physical exam, with every animal. Not only can they advise on when to give dewormers, there are times when they will advise against it.

This is just as important.

Today’s products have negated the need for such old-fashioned approaches as tube worming, but they’ve also disenfranchised veterinarians from the process.

Essentially, to stay one step ahead of the worms work closely with your veterinarian to customize a parasite control program — one that addresses the problem completely.

As parasites develop resistance to dewormers regularly used to treat against them, the answer is not to stop deworming our horses. What it does mean is that, whenever possible, we should deworm fewer times a year and select the deworming agent with care.

Using fecal tests allows us to do just that, deworm less frequently and more accurately.

Continuing the old methods of deworming every two months, or whatever you may have done in the past that doesn’t include fecal tests, is contributing to the parasites’ ability to become resistant to the current dewormers.

As parasites evolve and develop resistance to dewormers, we too, as owners, must evolve in our efforts to come up with a better system of horse care, incorporating a closer relationship with our veterinarian, a more rotational cycle of dewormers, and more vigilant stable management protocols.

Stephanie is the publisher of Massachusetts Horse and Connecticut Horse. A lifelong horsewoman, she’s been a riding instructor and a breeding manager at an 80-horse Arabian farm where she foaled out mares, collected stallions, and administered the vaccination and deworming programs.

Stephanie currently lives in the foothills of the Berkshires on Pocketful of Ponies Farm.

Springfield

This Olde Horse Lise Krieger

Certified Saddle Fitter saddle assessments fitting evaluations flocking . repairs consignments . sales

newenglandsaddlefit.com newenglandsaddlefit@comcast.net 203 . 685 . 2308

City Bakery and Groceries in Springfield with a beautiful Appaloosa to help with deliveries. In the background, a sign for W. L. Kellogg Livery Saddle and Boarding Stable.

Got Manure?

MANURE REMOVAL FOR LARGE & SMALL FARMS

Roll-off containers 10 to 30 yards on call or scheduled service. Full stock pile removals.

978-425-6181 MitranoRemoval.com Proud sponsor of Bear Spot Musical Freestyle and Oakrise Farm Shows.

Lessons 5 Training Clinics 5 Drill Team Horse Shows Games Nights Summer Camps

Recovery . Maintenance . Performance Therapeutic Massage . Bodywork . Reiki

(413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net

DRESSAGE

Susan Rainville

Dressage Training, Groundwork & Response Training for a more confident partnership.

USDF bronze & silver medalist

Dressage Schooling Show Series April 29 May 27 August 26 October 7

White Spruce Farms Central Massachusetts (978) 257-4666 whitesprucefarms.com Massachusetts Horse

39

the

neighborhood

ASSOCIATIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAY STATE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION bstra.org Keeping trails open for equestrian use; organized trail rides; volunteer opportunities for trail clearing and maintenance.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB Goshen, MA, (413) 268-3372 hampshirecounty ridingclub.org Monthly trail rides, woodland obstacle course, scavenger hunt, and clinics.

BARN CATS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• PAWS WATCH P.O. Box 7005, Warwick, RI 02887 cats@pawswatch.org, pawswatch.org Barn cats need homes! Healthy, fixed, vaccinated barn cats provide rodent control. Delivered!

BARNS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• CARRIAGE SHED Serving the Northeast, (800) 441-6057 carriageshed.com Barns, arenas, shed rows, custom buildings.

DRESSAGE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BRADFORD EQUESTRIAN CENTER Haverhill, MA, (978) 374-0008 Dressage for all disciplines and driving.

Keith Angstadt, USEF dressage judge.

CATHY DRUMM Pittsfield, MA, (413) 441-5278 cathydrumm.com Clinics, lessons, training, western and English dressage, hunter/jumper.

FAIRFIELD FARM Rochester, MA, (508) 763-8038 dressageatfairfieldfarm.com Boarding, instruction, training, indoor.

WHITE SPRUCE FARMS New Braintree, MA, (978) 257-4666 whitesprucefarms.com Dressage shows, instruction, all levels/ages.

XENOPHON FARM Montague, (413) 367-9828 xenophonfarm@aol.com Dressage schooling shows, clinics, lessons, boarding, training, trails, owners on site.

EQUINE DENTISTRY •••••••••••••••••••••••••• WENDY BRYANT, EQDT Northampton, MA, (413) 237-8887 wbryantnatrualbalancedentistry.com Natural balance equine dentistry.

Improved topline, maximized performance, increased flexion. Serving New England.

NORTHEAST EQUINE VETERINARY DENTAL SERVICES LEAH LIMONE, DVM Topsfield, MA, (978) 500-9293 nevds.com Licensed professional veterinary dentistry.

Routine preventive care, maintenance, diagnostics, extractions.

40

October/November 2018

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT •••••••••••••••••••••••••• DALE PERKINS/MESA FARM Rutland, MA, (508) 886-6898 daleperkinshorseshow.com Trick riding and much more.

EQUINE MASSAGE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• HORSEBACK AND BODY Northampton, MA, (413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net Massage therapy for horses, humans.

FINANCING, LOANS, TAX PREP •••••••••••••••••••••••••• FARM CREDIT EAST (800) 562-2235, farmcrediteast.com Financing, loans, tax preparation, business consulting, financial planning.

HAFLINGERS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• SOMMER HILL FARM Adams, MA, (413) 743-9301 sommerhaflingers@yahoo.com One Haflinger is never enough.

HORSES FOR SALE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• HERITAGE FARM Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-1612 farmheritage.com Auctions, sale horses, shows, clinics, boarding, lessons, and training.

STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable celebrating 50 years. Supplying NE with horses and ponies since 1967. Forty family, trail, and show horses to choose from. New loads every week. We buy horses, take trade-ins and consignment horses. Great three-week-exchange guarantee. Find us on Facebook.

INSTRUCTION/TRAINING •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BACK BAY FARM Ipswich, MA, (978) 356-0730 backbayfarm.com Lessons, boarding, training, and sales.

INSURANCE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• DON RAY INSURANCE Marshfield, MA, (781) 837-6550 donrayinsurance.com Farm, mortality, major medical and surgical, clubs, shows, instructors.

FARM FAMILY INSURANCE farmfamily.com Boxborough: (978) 467-1001 Carver: (508) 866-9150 Centerville: (508) 428-0440 Easthampton: (413) 203-5180 Great Barrington: (413) 528-1710 Marlborough: (508) 485-3800 Middleborough: (508) 747-8181 Northborough: (508) 393-9327 Southwick: (413) 569-2307 Topsfield: (978) 887-8304 Wilbraham: (413) 887-8817

Williamstown: (413) 458-5584 Worcester: (508) 752-3300 JUDGES •••••••••••••••••••••••••• MARY BRAZIE Egremont, MA, (413) 528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com Judging open, 4-H, carded; lessons.

ED GOLEMBESKI Gill, MA, (413) 863-2313 riker119@comcast.net 4-H, open shows, clinics, lessons.

SMARTPAK RETAIL STORE Natick, MA, (508) 651-0045 smartpak.com/retailstore Tack, equipment, supplements, blankets, apparel, gear, gifts, clearance outlet.

TRANSPORTATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••• J.R. HUDSON HORSE TRANSPORTATION West Bridgewater, MA, (508) 427-9333 jrhudsonhorsetrans.com Serving the lower 48 states and Canada.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE HERON FARM Charlemont, MA, (413) 339-4045 blueheronfarm.com Quality, purebred registered Fjords.

VETERINARIANS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• FAMILY VETERINARY CENTER Haydenville, MA, (413) 268-8387 famvets.com Traditional and alternative care for dogs, cats, exotics, and horses.

PHOTOGRAPHY •••••••••••••••••••••••••• KAREN MORANG PHOTOGRAPHY Find us on Facebook.

Equine photography and events.

SOUTH DEERFIELD VETERINARY CLINIC DR. ROBERT P. SCHMITT S. Deerfield, MA, (413) 665-3626 sdvc@aol.com Equine medicine, surgery since 1969.

REAL ESTATE •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ALTHEA BRAMHALL HOMETOWN REALTORS North Quabbin region, (617) 678-9300 althearealtor@gmail.com Real estate is more fun with horse people!

EQUINE HOMES REAL ESTATE LLC MA and NH, (800) 859-2745, ext. 704 equinehomes.com. sally@equinehomes.com Sally Mann, Realtor, MA and NH. STABLES, FARMS, BOARDING •••••••••••••••••••••••••• APPLE KNOLL FARM Millis, MA, (508) 376-2564 appleknoll.com Eventing training, lessons, schooling trials.

CARRIER’S FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-0333 rcarrier0333@gmail.com Indoor, outdoor arenas, round pens, fields.

GLENCROFT FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-8026 kraymond24@hotmail.com Boarding, pastures, ring, trails, fields.

SANDYHILL FARM Florence, (413) 320-1881 sandyhillfarm@yahoo.com Boarding, ring, trails, lessons available.

STRAIN FAMILY EQUESTRIAN CENTER LLC Southwick, MA, (413) 569-5797 strainfamilyequestrian.com Boarding, lessons, training, sales, therapeutic riding.

TACK •••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHESHIRE HORSE Swanzey, NH, (877) 358-3001 cheshirehorse.com English, western, feed, supplies, trailers.

Advertise for just $49 a year?

Yes!

Have your business and/or services in Massachusetts Horse and on mahorse.com for just $49 for the year.

Plus, receive a free one-year subscription .

Place your ad at mahorse.com.

Junior Awards Massachusetts Horse gives back to our community through its Junior Award program. The award is given to the junior exhibitor who has shown the best horsemanship and sportsmanship at a competition in the Bay State. This is the junior who is not winning, but who is working hard with a great attitude. This junior is taking

good care of her horse, cheering on her friends, and helping others.

Want to give out a free Junior Award at your upcoming event? Visit mahorse.com/junior-awards. These awards are made possible by Stephanie Sanders, Massachusetts Horse publisher, and Absorbine.

Equestrian Fashion Show!

October 14 . Camp Marshall Arena, Spencer, Mass.

This multi-species fashion show will feature the latest in color and style for horses, dogs, and those who love them!

Swag Bags . Door Prizes . Silent Auction . Mini Trade Show 5% off your entire cash and carry purchase!

Tickets are $5 (Kids under 3 free!) and only available in advance in the store, at our mobile units, and on bridlepathtackllc.com!

100% of ticket sales and silent auction proceeds plus 5% of sales at this event go to the Camp Marshall camperships!

32 Main Street, Westminster, Mass.

(978) 668-5662 . bridlepathtackllc.com

Open M-F 12-6, Sat. 10-5, Sun. events/mobile unit

Maggie Pollart and Indiana Jones Area I Schooling Horse Trials Championships Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center, Millis

Horse & Dog Lover’s Dream!

“I would not be where I am today without my trainer Jessica Iorio,” says Maggie. “She found the perfect horse for me and has been such an amazing coach! Thanks, Jess!”

WARWICK - Farm with fields, brook, and a view of Mt. Grace on just more than 12 acres. Miles of trails and dirt roads. Stables, run-in sheds, paddocks, pastures, automatic waterers, round pen, and sand riding ring. Two-car and storage garage, a new guest or artist building, plus more outbuildings. The Cape home has three bedrooms, two baths, fireplace, and open/flexible downstairs. A big bonus – a professionally installed fenced-in huge dog yard. $285,000.

Contact Althea today!

(617) 678-9300 (voice & text)

Francesca Moretti and Lunar Eclipse Westfield Riding Club 4-H and Open Show

althearealtor@gmail.com

northquabbinhomes.com Massachusetts Horse

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Gorgeous Coastal Land

Millis

Is This Your Horse?

Alessandra Mele

“Down by the Sea” 21 acres meadows Point Judith Pond, Rhode Island Price reduced to $1,999,000 (314) 414-0070.

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken at the September 16 Massachusetts Horse Benefit Adventure Trail at Apple Knoll Equestrian Center in Millis. If this is your horse, contact us at win@mahorse.com for a month’s supply of SmartPaks and more from the Bay State’s very own SmartPak, smartpakequine.com, and a two-year subscription to Massachusetts Horse.

The 2019 Massachusetts Horse Benefit Adventure Trail

will be a Halloween Scavenger Hunt in Wilbraham on Sunday, October 27. To learn more, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MassachusettsHorse Benefit or visit mahorse.com/benefit.

RER Ponies Training, Lessons & Sales

by BHS trained, USDF “L” Graduate & Bronze Medalist

BLAZE ORANGE HORSEWEAR For hunting season, riding safety, and visibility.

Heather Reynolds Dostal

Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery

Available for Judging & Clinics

Serving the North Shore since 1951

U.S. Pony Club Riding Center offering boarding, training, pony starting, and tune-ups. Professional, well rounded, goal-oriented lesson program for riders of all ages beginner through advanced.

Accepting new clients with 2017 expansion!

Helen Noble, VMD . Robert Orcutt, DVM Derek Cavatorta, DVM PhD Kirstin Anderson, DVM . Ashley Taylor, DVM Mary Ann Montesano, DVM

54 Plain Rd., Hatfield, MA 413.427.2026

RERponies.com . rerponies@gmail.com 42

October/November 2018

vests . tailbags . half sheets . halters helmet covers . collars . dog vests

The Original Equine Protectavest protectavest.com . (207) 892-0161

295 High St, Ipswich, Mass.

978-356-1119 (ph) . 978-356-5758 (f)

srhvets.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRIDGEPORT, CT PERMIT

Amherst Farmer’s Supply 320 South Pleasant St., Amherst (413) 253-3436 amherstfarmerssupply.com A.W. Brown Pet & Garden Center 144 Shaker Rd., E. Longmeadow (413) 525-2115 . awbrown.com Brattleboro Agway 1277 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT (802) 254-8757 . achilleagway.com

Bridgewater Farm Supply 1000 Plymouth St., Bridgewater (508) 697-0357 . bridgewaterfarm.com Country Corral 35 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-0180 . countrycorralonline.com Dodge Grain Company 59 N. Broadway, Salem, NH (603) 893-3739 . dodgegrain.biz

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Essex County Co-op 146 S. Main St., Topsfield (978) 887-2309 essexcountycoop.net

Hoosac Valley Coal and Grain 2 Gavin Ave., Adams (413) 743-0163 hoosacvalleycoalandgrain.com

Greenfield Farmers Co-op Exchange 269 High St., Greenfield (413) 773-9639 greenfieldfarmerscoop.com

Sweet Meadow Feed & Grain 111 Coolidge St., Sherborn (508) 650-2926 sweetmeadowfeedandgrain.com

Hardwick Farmers Co-op Exchange Rte. 32, Gilbertville . (413) 477-6913 hardwickfarmers.net

Thibault’s Poultry 92 N. Spencer Rd. Spencer (508) 612-1907