C O N N E C T IC U T
HORSE
A CALMER AND MORE RESPONSIVE HORSE
November/December 2018 connhorse.com $4
BY LOWERING YOUR HORSE’S HEAD
QUINEBAUG VALLEY STATE TROUT HATCHERY TRAIL GUIDE
DUNGARVAN FEATHER FARM FEATURE
SECOND CHANCE LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE LEND A HOOF
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November/December 2018
Connecticut Horse
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Stacey Stearns
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courtesy of Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Sally L. Feuerberg
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Helen Peppe
November/December 2018
Kelly Hitt
contents
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features 8
A Calmer and More Responsive Horse
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Kathy Curran
A Volunteer with a Compassionate Touch
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Farm Feature
By Lowering Your Horse’s Head
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Dungarvan Feather
Gypsy Horses
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Second Chance Large Animal Rescue
Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery Trail Guide
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The Horse Promised Is Not What I Received
Above the Bar
Lend a Hoof
Horseperson Feature
in every issue 5
From the Publisher
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Partners
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The Neighborhood
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Your Letters
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Nutmeg State Events Calendar
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Is This Your Horse?
Overherd: News in Our Community
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This Olde Horse
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From the Publisher always with them (unless it’s pouring rain). It’s a beautiful friendship.
Pocketful of Ponies Photography
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ecently 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 it. I finally captured him and he got the full treatment — neuter, deworm, vaccinations, 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 chooses to stay 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
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. Do you have barn kitties or feral cats that need to be spayed or neutered? The Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM) Mobile Feline Unit is the state’s only mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinic for cats. The TEAM Mobile Feline Unit’s goal is to spay and neuter as many cats as possible before they reproduce. TEAM travels to more than 30 communities statewide. It’s only $110 for a spay or neuter and that includes vaccines and ear mite treatment (if needed)! Any cat, domestic or feral, is welcome aboard the mobile clinic. To learn more, see page 6. I’m heading out the door to pull carrots, some for me and some for my ponies. I also have a catnip mouse I’ll leave in the barn for Belfie.
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CON N EC T ICU T
HORSE vol. 4, no. 3 November/December 2018
ISSN 2378-5721
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Gypsy Horse Dungarvan Jackpot. Jack is a world champion and stands at stud at Dungarvan Feather Farm in West Suffield. ©Helen Peppe photo
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the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Connecticut Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Connecticut 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 Connecticut Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Connecticut 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.
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November/December 2018
Your Letters To the Editor: Connecticut Horse featured Little Britches Therapeutic Riding
Retirement Farm Litchfield County, Connecticut
and myself in the September/October issue. Thank you!
E SPAC LE! ILAB AVA
Kayla Ireland, Plymouth
To the Editor: In your recent issue the Is This Your Horse? contest photo is my horse, M3 Wolkenlilly, being ridden by Elizabeth Caron at the July Carbery Fields Farm Show. What a surprise and pleasure to see this lovely photo in your magazine! Cynthia Clarke Paolillo, Westbrook
To the Editor: We were so excited to talk to our friends at Connecticut Horse! It was a pleasure to have them with us. Alice Daly, executive director, Little Britches Therapeutic Riding, Roxbury
Send your letters to editor@connhorse.com or Connecticut Horse, 99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, part of the Hospital for Special Care Community, is seeking dedicated community members with horse experience who are interested in becoming active volunteers in our equine-assisted activities program. Winter sessions are conducted in our heated indoor arena. Orientation and training is provided. Please call 860.685.0008 or email MMVolunteerCoordinator@hfsc.org.
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
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By Lowering Your Horse’s Head by Rebecca Howard Hathaway
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ave you ever experienced a runner’s high? Or, more likely, a rider’s high? Endorphins are the reason for your euphoric mood during and after exercise. Endorphins are neurotransmitter molecules that relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure. Thus, activities that produce endorphins are self-reinforcing — for humans and horses. The endorphin buzz — exercise, eating, and sex, for example, can produce a lot of feel-good endorphins in our brains, and make us want to repeat those behaviors. You could even be addicted to riding (in a good way). And, as if these little neurotransmitters weren’t working hard enough — bringing our pain levels down and pleasure levels up while lowering anxiety and promoting feelings of social comfort — endorphins also boost the immune system. People who exercise regularly have higher endorphin levels, which helps explain why exercise has so many health benefits and is one of the most evidence-based treatments we have for depression. When my horse is blissed-out on endorphins, it’s most likely from eating, getting exercise, or social interactions and bonding.
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Adrenaline: Fight, Flight, or Freeze In addition to managing pain and pleasure, the nervous system has the job of managing stressful fight-or-flight decisions. The stress hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine are responsible for our immediate reactions to a perceived threat. For example, you’re driving on the highway and just as you click on the blinker to change lanes, an aggressive driver accelerates out of your blind spot and blasts his horn. As you lurch the steering wheel to the right your heart is instantly pounding, all your muscles are tense, and you feel shaky and sweaty. That’s adrenaline. Or, how about when your horse teleports sideways 20 feet as a large, barking dog erupts out of a nearby car? Thanks to adrenaline, you and your horse are now experiencing increased heart rates, a surge of energy, and heightened attention, putting you both in a state of hyperarousal. Some people — and some horses — grow to love the heightened experience of adrenaline. They learn to channel and manage that energy. Adrenaline junkies unite! But more often than not, scary horse stories go something like this: “Well, there was a plastic bag in the
warm-up arena at the show, and another horse bolted and we wound up in the emergency room getting x-rays and racking up vet bills.” Adrenaline takes whatever kind of horse you have and makes it a lot more horse. Every horse on the planet can go fear-based for a moment with at least a startle when the adrenaline trigger happens. What happens next is what matters. We want to recognize when the horse gets jacked up on adrenaline and become skilled at getting him back off, and on endorphins instead.
Fight: Some horses, especially stallions or geldings that were cut late, may choose fight more readily, especially when on adrenaline and if they’re trapped or feel trapped. Horses with a lot of testosterone and dominant character traits are also more likely to try fight, especially when they’re on adrenaline. Flight: By nature, horses are prey animals and their primary defense is flight — running away. The horse’s sensory perception is much more acute than ours in many ways, and his instincts are to run away from danger and to do it now! Horses have the fastest response
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A Calmer and More Responsive Horse
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1. Start light and polite. With the horse standing with her poll next to your shoulder, look and point down. Radiate pleasure, relaxation, and relief.
2. Slowly and smoothly apply pressure on the lead rope as your upper body bends over; your arm is straight. (You may not need pressure on rope.)
3. The instant the horse drops her head, even a centimeter to start, drop your pressure on the lead rope. Relax and let her soak in some endorphins.
times of any domestic animal, way faster than ours. Have you ever been on a horse when he gets an adrenaline rush and makes the judgment call to run away before you could even realize what was happening? Maybe you felt like you were left sitting in mid-air when the horse spooked out from under you.
— we’re just hanging out level-headed. The idea is that endorphins lead to a positive outcome of relaxation and pleasure in our work while adrenaline leads to stress, vet bills, and the vet clinic. Let’s review the body language the horse will exhibit at both the stressedout/adrenaline and blissed-out/endorphins ends of the spectrum.
• Yawning. Maybe the eyes roll back — that’s a good, big download. • Shaking it off — the head and neck and maybe the whole body — like a wet dog. • Big exhales, almost like a human sigh. • Attention is toward you instead of the environment — relaxed muscles, slowing down, standing still.
Freeze: Like a deer frozen in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, many prey animals and abuse victims (both human and animal) may dissociate (a way of coping with acute and chronic stress by mentally exiting the present moment), going numb and withdrawn. In situations where resistance and/or escape is impossible, being passive and not triggering predatory pursuit or further aggression can be the best coping mechanism available. If a horse, or person, is pushed too hard while in a freeze state, they can explode dangerously. Horses who are prone to this behavior are often seen as unpredictable. They may “freeze” — head way up with the “look of eagles,” focused far, far away. Or sometimes they have more depressed, withdrawn body language. At either end of that dissociative body language spectrum, the horse will hold it together as long as he can, until he blows up, possibly hurting himself and us. This unpredictability can be dangerous if we’re unable to read the horse’s body language and don’t recognize an adrenaline freeze that’s liable to blow. WE WANT TO help our horse be more blissed-out on endorphins and less jacked-up on adrenaline. Granted, there’s a lot of times when my horse and I are neither euphoric nor stressed out
Teach the Horse to Lower His Head Adrenaline Body Language • Head is up with the poll (just behind the horse’s ears) above the withers — the higher the head, the higher the amount of adrenaline circulating through the horse’s body. Head position is literally an adrenaline switch. • Pulse is raised, and veins are standing out. You may feel your horse’s heart thumping through the saddle. • Horse is antsy, busy with displacement behaviors, the whites of his eyes may be showing, and he has high muscle tension. • Horse moves quickly and through pressure quickly, and when horses move through pressure they break things. A horse on adrenaline breaks things, including himself and us. Adrenaline masks pain very effectively so breaking things doesn’t bother him much when he’s on adrenaline.
Endorphins Body Language • Head is down; poll is below the withers. • Horse is blinking frequently. This is often the first link in the chain of coming off adrenaline. It’s easy to miss but try to notice. Blinking is thinking — we want the horse thinking instead of reacting instinctively, like he would be on adrenaline. • Licking and chewing; if he shows his tongue, he’s really feeling good about things.
The horse’s head position is so important to his mood that we teach him to lower his head as a specific lesson. Several important reinforcement principles will help us teach the horse how to manage his own brain chemistry by changing his head position. With some consistent repetitions over time, you’ll see the horse voluntarily lower his head to feel better, flipping his own adrenaline switch. Here’s a bit on positive and negative reinforcement before starting the lessons. Positive reinforcement, in this case, pairing a reward to a desired behavior, creates a lasting bond. It involves the addition of a pleasurable stimulus following a behavior, making it more likely for this behavior to occur again. For example: When the horse comes to the gate, his owner gives him a carrot. As a result, the horse always comes when he sees his owner standing by the gate. Many things can be positive reinforcement for your horse — happiness and gratitude from you, personal space, rest, stroking the neck, scratching an itch, a treat . . . really anything your horse enjoys. Systematizing this positive reinforcement requires using a specific sound to “mark” a specific moment the horse offers the right response to my request. Marking what I want clarifies Connecticut Horse
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1. Anchor your thumbs on the side of the horse's face, in front of the cheek. Very slowly and smoothly, add the pressure you would put on your own eye lid on the bit, toward your thumbs.
2. Stay at that pressure for three seconds and then smoothly and slowly add a tiny bit more pressure. Stay at that pressure for three seconds before you add more.
3. Stay at your current level of pressure while your horse looks for the answer, and the instant she lowers her head, drop your fingers from the bit. Relax and let her soak in some endorphins.
my intention for the horse, and speeds up our evolution together immensely. To mark the right response, I make a double-click/cluck noise with my mouth rather than use an actual clicker device. (Practice your sound away from your horse.) Nonverbal sounds are best since our voices drone on for the horse — probably like the adults do for Charlie Brown and the Peanuts characters. Within three seconds after I make the clicker noise I give the horse a small
treat, such as a hay stretcher pellet or thin slice of carrot, at knee level, and out of my personal space — low and at arm’s length. Please note that mugging you (invading your personal space) is never how the horse gets a treat. He must figure out your intention and offer a behavior you want and that behavior will be marked and rewarded. Pushing into your personal space is not the behavior to reward.
Research shows that horses trained using positive reinforcement learn quicker, retain longer, and bond stronger with the handler. However, horses that are only offering a behavior for food may lose behaviors you need once they are on adrenaline. Luckily, negative reinforcement has more staying power, as it’s a behavior modification system horses use on each other all the time. Negative reinforcement is essentially an on/off pressure switch. Horses modify each other’s behavior using negative reinforcement — which is different from punishment. Negative reinforcement is turning pressure off for the desired behavior. For example, when a dam wants a foal to turn right, she pushes on him from the left. The moment he begins to turn to the right, she stops putting pressure on him. Pressure starts light and polite, first with mental pressure and maybe a hard look from the alpha horse, and becomes physical pressure, a nudge, a nip, a kick, if the other horse doesn’t respond to the mental pressure. The alpha horse is not afraid to be effective. Behaviors reinforced with negative reinforcement do not evaporate in the presence of adrenaline because negative reinforcement is how horses sort out the hierarchy with each other. Both negative reinforcement systems (like natural horsemanship) and positive reinforcement systems (such as clicker training) have really shifted the evolution of how we understand and communicate with our horses and are important strategies to use. We will use both systems to help our horse learn to lower his head.
Arbitrage Tack 1886 Watertown Ave., Oakville, CT . (860) 417-2608
Saddle Fitting & Saddles Deb Fabiani, a member of the Society of Master Saddlers and an Independent Saddle Fitter, is available for on-site Evaluations and Dynamic Assessment of Horse and Rider. Whether searching for a new saddle or assessing your current saddle, call us to set up your personalized sitting appointment. New saddles: Amerigo, Bates, Kent & Masters, Lovatt & Ricketts, M. Toulouse, Pessoa, Phillipe Fontaine, Stübben, Thorowgood. Used saddles: Ainsley, Albion, Black Country, Barbier, Collegiate, County, Devoucoux, and many more!
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A Simple Unmounted Exercise for Lowering Your Horse’s Head At first, practice lowering your horse’s head with this exercise in comfortable, familiar surroundings. Once you and your horse have mastered this exercise in comfortable surroundings, practice in increasingly stimulating places. If he’s a hot, antsy horse, start when he’s tired at the end of his workout, so he’s set up to succeed. In this exercise, we show the horse how to lower his head in response to pressure on his poll and the bridge of his nose. A rope halter will clarify the pressure and release cues because a rope halter concentrates pressure on a smaller surface area, allowing us to use less pressure. It’s important to remember that a horse’s instinct is to move into pressure. We’re helping him understand a fundamental skill of interacting with humans when we explicitly teach the horse to yield to pressure. We’re also playing a game his mother taught him immediately after birth. Let’s call the game, “You do what I do.” Your horse already knows this game. In this case, when I bend down, he bends down. Playing this simple game is another way to explain things to your horse.
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Stand with your shoulder next to your horse’s poll, and gently begin to point and look down. That’s your intention (mental). This is the light-andpolite phase. Visualize the horse lowering his head and feeling relaxed and happy. Breathe soft and deep, and radiate relaxation. Soon that will be all it takes to get him to drop his head, but probably not yet. Next, smoothly and slowly, begin to bend forward from your waist, bowing down while you still point down. With the lead rope in your pointing hand, slowly and smoothly apply pressure on the lead rope as your upper body bends over. Keep your arm straight. The splitsecond the horse lowers his head even one millimeter release the downward pressure on your line. Drop it like a hot potato, but quietly and smoothly. This is the magic moment of negative reinforcement — when the horse yields to pressure, the pressure disappears. Spend four days installing the pattern. Do four to seven repetitions on each side — on both eyes. For the horse to code memories this number of repetitions over four days has magic in it. (It has to do with memories being coded with amino acids.) A four-day program of four to seven repetitions from both
sides of the horse will only take five to ten minutes each day. In four days you’ll have a new tool to instantly reduce your horse’s stress level. After four days, it will be easy to cue the head-down behavior by pointing and looking down — following through with light and polite, slow pressure if needed. Once you can easily cue the headdown behavior by pointing and looking down you may want to install a verbal cue and/or add clicker training. Verbal cues can be helpful, but I find it important for us humans to focus on clear body language first. I also find it most efficient to create a behavior first, then mark the behavior once it’s there. Horses learn by association, so the verbal cue will link to the behavior quite easily once the behavior is there. You could say, “Head down,” or make a downward trill noise with your tongue as the cue, just at the moment the horse lowers his head. Remember, he doesn’t understand “Head down” as a command yet; you’re creating the association for him in this phase. Think of your job at this stage as labeling the behavior for your horse — when it happens, let him know. In four days, the verbal/sound cue will start to
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1. Slowly lift your reins — your hands are tracing the edge of a circle. The bit is the center point, and the rein is the radius — your hand moves up and also forward — not pulling backward.
2. Slowly and smoothly lift your reins about an inch a second. Slowly build pressure from eye-lid pressure to the weight of a stick of butter pressure.
3. Eventually the horse will look for an answer and try dropping her head. Let her through your fingers and allow her to relax her top line.
take hold if you’ve been consistent and your timing is good. Now you can use the verbal cue first and follow through with your body language if needed. Fine-tune the behavior and add motivation with clicker training — by making a clicking sound right after the horse lowers his head, then giving him a tiny treat at knee level. Remember, negative reinforcement cues won’t evaporate even when the horse is on adrenaline. Positive rein-
forcement may not be enough to ensure the horse will offer the desired behavior when he’s on adrenaline. This is partly because a horse that feels unsafe won’t eat — and it’s why a bag of carrots won’t make your horse load in the trailer. If a horse doesn’t believe in you as the leader, he might let himself be manipulated with food when things are easy — but when things get challenging, you need his genuine respect and trust to get him off adrenaline.
That’s why I want you to start creating the head-down behavior with negative reinforcement. We then fine-tune the behavior and add motivation with clicker training.
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Mounted Exercise for Lowering Adrenaline Starting first from the ground, with your horse in a bridle and a simple snaffle bit, stand facing the same direction as your horse, his poll at your shoulder, and gently but firmly anchor your thumbs on both sides of his head so that your fingers can apply very slight gradations of pressure on the bit. Your thumbs anchor you so that even if the horse tosses his head or looks for other solutions to the pressure you can stay anchored and not change the bit contact. Ever so gently introduce very light, steady pressure on the bit, upward and back toward your thumbs. This would correlate to an upward, light use of the reins when mounted, not a backward or downward pull. (Think of how much pressure you would put on your own eyelid, and use that amount of pressure to start.) Wait to see if that’s enough pressure to motivate the horse to look for an answer. Allow three seconds at each phase of pressure. Some horses are so sensitive that very light pressure will motivate, while others will still be asleep at this stage. If the horse isn’t looking for an answer, smoothly and slowly increase the amount of pressure on the bit. Strive to keep it consistent regardless of what the horse does with his head. As long as he’s looking for an answer, don’t increase the pressure. Eventually, the horse will drop his head in answer to the pressure. It may be a small
him to believe in me. I want the horse to offer submissive body language, like lowering his head and easily moving for me in all directions — sideways, backward, and forward. The more he can do this, the more endorphins he will have in his brain and the less he will spook or exhibit dominant behaviors. He will be happier, more willing, and relaxed. I OFTEN WORK with off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). They are perhaps the best examples for adrenaline management as central to training. I recently had an OTTB mare fresh off the track who was smart, generous, young, and beautiful, with lovely conformation, uphill movement, and an inquisitive, sweet mind. There was only one little problem — she was fearbased, high-headed, with a hair trigger for adrenaline. Once she was on adrenaline, things would go terribly wrong, things like bolting and bucking. In addition to their instincts, OTTBs also have an association humans have built, connecting “give me your energy” with “get on adrenaline.” So this lovely girl needed adrenaline management skillbuilding. The racetrack builds some strong associations between “give me your energy” and adrenaline.
If you follow the guidelines provided here, after a relatively short amount of time you’ll see your horse lower his head on his own when he’s feeling stressed. Then you’ll know you’ve done a good job of empowering your horse to help himself feel better and get those endorphins flowing. I want to help horses and humans understand body language and brain chemistry so everyone can get on endorphins, relax, and have fun!
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response, perhaps only a centimeter, but in that split-second, release the pressure of your fingers on the bit. Horses never miss what turns pressure off. Do your four to seven repetitions for four days and you might be surprised how quickly the horse will drop his head with very light and polite pressure in his mouth. Now we can teach him how to lower his head when ridden. Again we will use negative reinforcement to get the horse’s head down when he is under saddle. When mounted, starting at the halt, take up a very light and polite connection on the reins by slowly lifting your hands both up and a bit forward, adding tiny gradations of pressure until the horse drops his head and neck. When he seeks that relaxation of lowering his head, allow the reins to slide through your opened relaxed fingers and let him stretch to help him relax his top line and lower his head. Later we can refine this to a tiny inch of lift on the bend you are looking for and you can melt tension in his top line and get some endorphin body language under saddle too. Remember it’s a lift of the rein, not a backward pull. Because all three exercises have the same answer, and that answer gives him happy brain chemistry, he’ll grow to love them and will lower his head when he feels stressed. The horse will learn that relaxing is how to turn the pressure off. The rider must prove that rein contact is not a trap, but rather an invitation to better body use. Again, be willing to do the repetitions for four days at each gait. A horse’s instinct tells him to move into pressure, especially if he’s on adrenaline and the pressure feels predatory. Once the horse’s head is up, it’s hard to get it down. If I teach this exercise before I need it and do the repetitions, I will have a switch for when the horse gets an adrenaline rush and I need to help him switch it off. There are many ways we can help a horse get off adrenaline and this is a good place to start. To get a horse off an adrenaline rush in an efficient, low-risk way, he needs to believe in my leadership and focus on me. If the horse feels like it’s his job to focus on me as leader, and that it’s my job to worry about everything else, he can relax and get some endorphins in his brain. In fact, the most underlying association I build for my horse is associating me with endorphins. By the time I ride him, I want
Rebecca Howard Hathaway has been working with horses for more than 30 years. She has taught, coached, and competed in English performance sports including hunters/equitation, eventing, and dressage. She integrates natural horsemanship and positive reinforcement techniques into her training techniques. She lives in Newtown.
Connecticut Horse
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West Suffield
by Lara Rudowski
Farm Feature
Dungarvan Feather Gypsy Horses
f there were a roundup of the best, hidden horse farm gems in Connecticut, perhaps even in all of New England, Dungarvan Feather Farm would surely top that list. The West Suffield private breeding farm raises and trains some of the most distinguished Gypsy Horses in the country
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dream of what they wanted to make from a plot of land in northern Connecticut. “When we first bought the farm, it was all wooded,” says Kate. “We cleared it, section by section.” Drawing back to her beginnings of familiarity with the breed, Kate selected
out when they run. They look almost untamed, but Kate makes sure their personality and smarts aren’t lost in all the flare with careful breeding matches. “They’re very even keeled, well mannered, and there’s a difference on how well they behave compared to other horses — just their whole nature.
Kate riding Dungarvan Tabitha at the Feather Classic Horse Show in North Carolina.
Robyn Estes riding Dungarvan Luska bareback in Maine.
Kristine and Gypsy Horse stallion Dungarvan Jackpot practicing the cross-country phase of eventing.
with a 50-acre backdrop of magnificent fields and stately barns. Owner Kate Reed has marveled over the unique Gypsy Horse since childhood, when she was first struck by their beauty, but also their even demeanor. “My family had a farm in Ireland and I used to spend my summers there,” says Kate. “We would see the horses everywhere, especially with the traveling people’s caravans, and you’d see two or three little kids just sitting up on them, bareback. That kind of makes you think that they must be pretty mild mannered.” The Gypsy Horses and their ease in excelling in almost anything, continued to grow on Kate each year during her visits to Ireland. “There was a big annual hunt that started right in front of our cottage and you’d see the Irish Sport Horses, the Irish Draft Horses, and these guys, so they do everything,” says Kate. In 2006, Kate and her husband Bob started Dungarvan Feather Farm to begin their own journey with Gypsy Horses in America. Both had a vivid
her Gypsy Horses from the land that bred some of the finest horses in the world. “We’d always had the farm in Ireland and been to the big horse fairs there, Ballinasloe and also Appleby, up in northern England,” says Kate. “We originally imported most of our horses from Ireland and then started breeding here.” Rising costs and quarantine eventually ended importing more horses, but Kate had already set up the groundwork for a solid breeding program in the U.S. In just more than a decade, the farm has seen 20 foals born, a number of which have become champions themselves. The 16 Gypsy Horses that fill the barn with regular nickers, snorts, and conversation are like something out of a fairytale. Day to day, the horses are maintained in a more casual, braided appearance to keep their long manes and tails clean and tidy. However, slip off a halter in one of the paddocks and the horses burst into motion, playfully tossing luxurious manes and tails, the signature feathers on their legs flying
You can take them anywhere and they can do anything.” says Kate of training and working with them. “Usually we start them driving first and then transition to riding. Most of these guys do English and western. They really are an all-around horse.” Dungarvan Jackpot, a striking, splashy, blagdon palomino is one of Kate’s only two currently standing stallions. (Blagdon is any base color, with white markings on the legs and coming up on the belly.) The white is often quite extensive around the belly and upper legs, and almost always accompanied by white on the face.) Skilled in many disciplines of riding, Jackpot is the first of Kate’s Gypsy Horses to have competed in eventing at the Larkin Hill Horse Trials in New York. “He loves to jump,” says Kate of Jackpot’s fondness for eventing.”When the jumps are out in the ring, he usually goes straight to them.” A national champion at Gypsy Horse breed shows, Jackpot has also been a standout in versatility at Equine Affaire. “When Equine Affaire had its
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November/December 2018
anniversary, they only invited certain horses to come back and he came in third against all the Quarter Horses, which is pretty amazing!” says Kate. Gypsy Horses are often identified for their piebald (black and white) and skewbald (brown and white) coat, but the breed comes in all colors, something Kate has specifically bred for among her horses to represent the many beautiful color variations Gypsy Horses display. The facilities at Dungarvan Feather are undoubtedly some of the finest. The indoor arena was constructed with space for driving practice in mind and is flooded with so much natural sunlight, you’d think there was no roof over your head. An outdoor arena and round pen offer a change of scenery with stunning views of the fields. More than a dozen paddocks are lined with split-board fencing and the horses frolic in grass fields pulled straight from a painting. A favorite spot of Kate’s, the galloping trail, winds around the furthest of the paddocks and borders the acres of forest that still surround the farm. The main barn aisle is heated by a large, wood burning furnace in an adjacent building and roomy stalls have doors that open into the barn aisle and to the outside. Tacking up a beautiful white mare named Luska, time has flown by for Connecticut-raised trainer, Kristine Gallagher since the day she unexpectedly fell in love with the breed. A passionate eventer, Kristine had been around warmbloods her whole life, but was won over by the Gypsy Horse’s personality and skills. “It’s going on seven years,” says Kristine. “I’ve never owned a Gypsy, I have a retired warmblood who lives right there.” She points at a stall down the aisle at one of the non-Gypsy Horses peeking out of his stall. “I had no idea what a Gypsy Horse was. A friend of mine, who happens to be Kate’s sister-in-law, kept telling me ‘my sister-in-law has these hairy horses.’ I was asking her what they were and she said she’d find out for me. When I googled Gypsy Horses, I saw all the hair and I thought what do these horses do?” “I met with Kate and Bob,” says Kristine. “I initially was just coming to ride one of Kate’s mares, Queen. That was my starter horse and when I first rode her, it was a completely different
feeling. Gypsy Horses actually do a lot of stuff, you just have to ask them.” “They’re built to pull a cart, so being light on their hooves and jumping over jumps — never in a million years did I think they’d jump things or do dressage,” says Kristine. “But, the more I rode the different Gypsy Horses, I realized they’re so strong and they can really do it all.” Kristine now shares Kate’s interest in expanding people’s knowledge of the Gypsy Horse. “A couple years ago, we were invited to the Rolex Three-day Event in Lexington,” says Kate. “So we trucked all the horses down to Kentucky. We were the first people to ever do Gypsy Horse breed demos there.” “We also took part in some dressage clinics with well known people and they’ve been really surprised,” says Kristine. “It’s been fun to go to shows and walk into a ring full of warmbloods with a Gypsy Horse and say, ‘we can do this too.’” Author and equine photographer, Helen Peppe has a longstanding friendship with Kate and proudly owns two of Dungarvan Feather’s horses, a gelding named Rua, and mare, Ree. Helen is forever grateful to the Reeds and the incredible opportunities to capture Kate’s horses with her camera. The naturally photogenic Gypsy Horses are a joy to shoot. “I continue to be awed by their beauty and power, as if every shoot is my first shoot,” says Helen, who’s dazzling photographs showcase the uniqueness of each horse. “I especially love letting them out to play in the snow. They’re athletic!” Helen trick trains Rua and Ree. They love to play games and learn new behaviors. “Rua can play basketball and soccer,” says Helen. “He bows on a pedestal and shakes your hand. They’re quick learners, loyal, and very sane, not overreactive or spooky. Gypsy Horses bond very strongly with their owners.” Dungarvan Feather Farm’s premier focus is breeding and training Gypsy Horses, so the property is not open to visitors unless by appointment. Kate always welcomes getting in touch through social media, where Helen also updates the farm’s Facebook page with photos of happenings and new additions to the barn. The smoky aroma of burning wood drifts in the early autumn air, as the last
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horses are brought in from the paddocks for dinner. Kate trailers her horses to Maine to ride on the beach with Sherrye Trafton, a key trainer in Jack’s and Luska’s educations. “The horses love to gallop on the beach,” says Kate. “We always have a great time up there.” There’s a gleam of pride in Kate’s eyes as she walks down the aisle, where large, carved name banners hang over each stall. The Dungarvan horses are Kate’s treasure and joy. She stops at each door to offer a brief introduction, but also to check up on how they’re doing. “Horses are just good for your soul,” says Kate. “They make you smile and then you set goals for whatever you want to do with them and that’s something you have to look forward to everyday.” Singer/songwriter Lara Rudowski enjoys performing, spending hours at her piano composing, and writing stories and spoken-word poetry. Inspired by travel and the everyday details of life, she can often be found, camera in hand, at equestrian events capturing her love of horses and riding since childhood.
Connecticut Horse
17
Horseperson Feature New Canaan
Kathy Curran A Volunteer with a Compassionate Touch
by Sally L. Feuerberg
K
athy Curran is like many of us that are involved the equestrian community — we all had some sort of beginning, or some sort of introduction, that opened the door to what has become an integral and essential part of our lives. It may have started for you when you first set eyes on that magnificent horse that captivated your soul.
and the location of major muscles and muscle groups. We also learned to be aware of the specific conditions that may affect the horse if those muscles become strained, tense, sore, injured, or not adequately nourished through blood and lymphatic circulation.” “Equine Sports Massage reduces inflammation in the joints, relieving
Kathy massaging Maryanne Holland Ruh’s Serendipity, a.k.a. Chloe, at Quiet Rein Farm.
Kathy riding The Joker at the Salamander Equestrian Resort in Virginia.
“One of my favorite horses of all time, Ariat,” says Kathy. “What a love!”
Or it could have been that adorable little pony that immediately nuzzled its way into your heart. No matter how it started, you knew deep down that you were hooked forever. For some of us, our involvement started much later in life. After 30 years of government and corporate jobs, Kathy Curran decided she didn’t want to return to a desk but wanted to work with horses. “I may be late to this whole horse party, but I’m never leaving!” says Kathy. In 2008, Kathy’s burgeoning equestrian passion followed to her to Switzerland as she and her husband, Bob, relocated. “We moved for my job and we wanted to have a house in the country, although my job was located in downtown Zurich,” says Bob. “It gave me the opportunity to walk the dog daily, down to the local farms, to see if the horses were out,” says Kathy.
thought she could do that for a longer period of time. She worried about the horses and how hard they work. “I got into equine massage because I wanted to do something to help horses feel better,” says Kathy. In 2014, she trained at Equissage New England – New York, located in Sterling, Connecticut, in the Equine Sports Massage Therapy (ESMT) Certification Program. ESMT is the therapeutic application of hands-on massage techniques for the purpose of increasing circulation, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion in all horses, from therapeutic riding and lesson horses to dressage and competitive horses. “The curriculum emphasized the application of massage techniques, strokes, and sequences,” says Kathy. “We learned the basic physiology of muscles,
pain,” Kathy explains. “It helps maintain the horse’s body in better physical condition and aids in preventing injuries and loss of mobility. It also restores mobility to injured muscle tissue and prevents the formation of adhesions.” With newfound knowledge and proper training literally at her fingertips, Kathy has started her own equine massage therapy practice, Equine Sports Massage by Kathleen. “When I meet a horse for an equine massage, I really just talk to them for a few minutes and scratch them, maybe give them a treat or two, so they can get to know my voice, before I ever touch them,” says Kathy. “Most horses haven’t had a person massage them. Usually, after a few minutes of talking to them, then starting out lightly with different strokes, they start to relax, soften their eyes, bring their
Sally L. Feuerberg
When they returned to the states in 2012, Kathy started volunteering at therapeutic riding barns and rescues, anything to be near horses. Eventually she got hired to work in those barns, but that wasn’t enough. She thought at some point she might not be physically able to do barn work anymore so she got certified in horse massage with the
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November/December 2018
head down, and maybe lick and chew. I love when they let out a big sigh.” “I do what I call ‘letting the horse drive,’ ” says Kathy. “I pay close attention to the horse’s facial expressions and also their sensitivity and/or movements to ensure that they are enjoying themselves. Sometimes they almost lean into you for more strokes if you are easing their pain, and that really makes me happy! Equine massage is most beneficial when done about once a month or every six weeks, as a cumulative thing, instead of a one-time deal. When horses are feeling good, they are much more responsive to what you’re asking them to do, and it really helps with their disposition and stress levels as well.” Kathy presently works as an assistant riding instructor in the Super Trooper Program at New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) in New Canaan, and she applies her massage skills to the many of the hard-working horses and ponies at the farm. She began as a volunteer at NCMT two years ago, bringing along her previous work experience at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding in Brewster, New York, and the Access Equestrian Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship Program, which works out of Bronxville and Bedford, New York. She’s also trained at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme. Kathy recently became certified as an equine specialist in mental health and learning through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. “The Equine Specialist Workshop is a three-day workshop offered to equine professionals and therapeutic riding instructors who work or would like to work with students with mental health and/or learning issues,” says Kathy. “The workshop also benefits those who work with mental health or education professionals, helping to enhance cooperation and provide a more complete experience. Our Super Trooper Program at NCMT works with children and adults with special needs including autism, Down syndrome, social skill difficulties, spinal trouble, and motor skill issues.” “Kathy has been such a wonderful addition to our therapeutic team, and we’re so grateful she found us,” says Caroleigh Evarts, NCMT’s therapeutic program director. “Her love for our horses and the work we do in our therapeutic program spreads like sunshine around the barn! Kathy is patient, kind,
and so willing to work with our barn team volunteers who help groom and tack up our horses for adaptive riding classes. As a former corporate event planner, her keen attention to detail and willingness to learn is evident in everything she does. “Kathy is likely to be found giving one of our horses a special massage after a class, reviewing grooming skills with a volunteer, or taking a horse out for an extra-long graze. She cares so deeply about our horses, and I love that she found this passion as an adult. We are all lifelong learners and her enthusiasm is both inspiring and infectious!” When she’s not helping at a lesson, or giving that well-deserved massage to a client’s horse, or a lesson pony, you’ll find Kathy riding at Quiet Reins Farm in New Milford. She’s been riding for five years and her devotion and spirit matches that of a seasoned equestrian. During this experience she has formed strong bonds and valued friendships with many of the women she’s met during her ongoing adventure. “I’ve met so many lovely women that are either still into horses after many years, or those of us that just got into horses after kids and a career,” says Kathy. “We’ve so much in common about our passion for horses and we’re all in awe about how majestic horses are, how powerful, how delicate, how beautiful, and especially on the equine therapy side, how horses just understand humans and know what we’re thinking sometimes even before we know ourselves. Also, how gentle they are in working with kids with special needs, and veterans with PTSD.
“We share a lot of stories about the physical aspect of riding and running alongside horses during lessons, as some of us have had knee surgeries, arthritis, hip replacements, and various other things that come with getting a bit older. The friendships that I’ve made through horses are some that I cherish the most. “I feel so blessed and lucky that, at my age, I have a job that allows me to work with horses almost every day, either assisting the riding instructors at New Canaan Mounted Troop or doing barn work there as well.” Bob best describes his wife’s passion and perseverance when he says, “She’s fallen off, been kicked, bitten, knocked down, head butted, and had knee surgery. Every time she has shaken it off and gotten back on the horse, so to speak. Even after her knee surgery, her first thought was how to get back to the horses as quickly as she could. Some people are born to do certain things. There is no doubt Kathy was born to work with horses.” A career decision and a new direction led Kathy on a path to help those who require compassionate understanding and a gentle touch. Whether it’s the special needs rider or the horse in need of her extraordinary touch, both have truly benefitted from her diligent journey that continues today. Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.
Connecticut Horse
19
Lend a Hoof
by Lara Rudowski
Second Chance Large Animal Rescue
A
monarch butterfly settles on a blade of grass growing near a stretch of weathered brown fence, which separates spacious fields from a wooded grove. At least a dozen turkeys sit perched along it, comfortable in this little haven of nature that’s seemingly so far from any hassles of the world. The quiet is broken only by the rhythmic clamour of metal, as a farrier’s truck stands parked in front of a large, drawn back barn door. The handful of green paddocks and two red barns here at Second Chance Large Animal Rescue in Niantic are an especially welcome retreat given its unlikely location. The
“We’ve a statutory grant of authority so that we can go in and rescue animals that are in those circumstances, and we take custody of the animals while whatever criminal actions are being brought forward,” says Jason. Several years ago, the state seized 32 horses — Friesians, Gypsy Vanners, and Andalusians — from a hoarding situation. All the horses arrived at Second Chance Rescue and were rehabilitated while the state awaited its claim of ownership. “Through a court order we ended up the owners of thirty-two horses and ultimately ran our own auction to place
Lara Rudowski
courtesy of Connecticut Department of Agriculture
In 2003, there was a case where Second Chance needed to seize 22 horses and that was too many to find foster homes for as Second Chance had done in the past. The 22-stall barn was errected in four days. “It’s a good location and a good program because it allows us to get additional help from the inmates and that has been very beneficial to them as they start doing their rehabilitation and re-entry into society.” York Correctional Institution has long incorporated on-site agricultural resources for inmates, and the vast grounds offer ample space to accommo-
Lara Rudowski
Niantic
Chinook Mustang Cheyenne is ready for a home.
The clean barn ready for horses in need.
Employees Mary Santagata and Tanya Wescovich.
five-acre rescue farm is hidden far behind the gates of York Correctional Institution, which since 1918 has served as the only prison for women in the state and houses inmates convicted for minor felonies to maximum security offenders. The idea to place an animal rescue on the institution’s premises came along in 2003, when the state explored its options for having consistent means of care provided to horses and animals seized from abusive and neglectful situations across Connecticut. Amid considerations, the concept of prison inmates playing a part in the animals’ recovery and assisting in daily tasks was proposed. “In the past, we would work with local municipalities and different rescues,” says Jason Bowsza, chief of staff from the State Department of Agriculture and overseer of Second Chance Large Animal Rescue.
date a program of this size and nature. Second Chance was built in partnership with the Department of Administrative Services and the state now uses a combination of bond funding and general fund appropriation to keep the place up and running. Day to day operations are also run out of the agencies’ general fund, along with donations that come from events such as auctions, from which money is deposited into a fund dedicated to the program.
them, which was very successful,” says Jason. “We did thorough background checks as well.” One of the rescue’s other notable large seizures included 76 goats, many suffering from illnesses, and almost half turned out to be pregnant. The rescue soon found its barn bursting with 124 goats! While many had to be put down due to serious ailments, healthy adults and kids were auctioned or adopted out to new homes. With the exception of one or two cases, horses and animals almost never return to the original owners and most cases of abuse or neglect are successfully won in court. Jason emphasizes that every situation is individually assessed and if the department believes owners can resolve a non-critical issue, they are guided toward doing so before more serious measures are taken. “We’ll give owners corrective direc-
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November/December 2018
A Call for Help The initial call for help begins with just that, a phone call to either local authorities or the Department of Agriculture addressing concerns of suspected animal cruelty and/or negligence on private property. Every lead is pursued and investigated to ensure that appropriate measures are taken in cases with any degree of harm.
tions if the situation calls for it, so we don’t have to seize the animals and the situation can be resolved,” says Jason. “In cases where those remedies have not worked, we step in. We educate before and while we regulate.” Right now, there are just three horses and a wide-eyed, bearded goat named Nanny housed at Second Chance Rescue, which, as Jason notes, is a good thing, but rarely long lived. In the years since its establishment, Second Chance has rescued well over 300 horses and other animals, some of whom prove the words ‘large animal’ in the rescue’s name to be misleading. Everything from livestock, wild deer, and emus to dozens of chickens, roosters, and rabbits have come through its doors, so many that the rescue needed to up-size on accommodations to keep up. Built in 2013, the new, larger of the two barns on the property holds 38 roomy stalls, divided by two long aisles and offers a peaceful refuge for horses coming in from dire situations. Many are starved, little more than skin and bones, others physically harmed or completely abandoned. In the weeks and months of veterinary care and recovery, the horses equally seek the simplest of things — a nurturing and compassionate approach.
nance such as mucking stalls and paddocks. Some inmates have helped with training when we’ve had youngsters here.” For most inmates working with animals, much less horses, is a new and often daunting experience, but both horses and women learn to mutually understand each other’s comfort zone and limits. “It’s always a learning curve,” says Tanya. “There are some inmates that start out super afraid and usually by the time they leave, they’ve bonded with at least one or two specific animals. I’ve never had anybody say, ‘I’m too afraid, I can’t do this.’ ” Tanya has recognized how much the horses naturally encourage the inmates to open up and find their own personalities. “The women usually come in quiet and they get a little louder and more excited with time,” says Tanya, of the transformations she sees. “I see changes in people, especially if they come in with anger issues. They do definitely chill out quite a bit because if they’re angry near a horse, the horse reflects that energy back. The days can be long in the barn, but no one complains. “Most women say ‘I don’t care what we’re doing, I just don’t feel like I’m in jail.’ ”
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Current Residents Second Chances In the duration of their sentence at York Correctional Institution, each inmate must participate in and complete a work assignment from a variety of positions offered on-site. Second Chance Rescue is on that list. “This is something the women actively seek to get assigned to,” says Jason of the voluntary requests to work at the rescue. “They can work in the laundry, kitchen, or they can apply to come to the farm. This gets the women out in the fresh air and caring for animals, which is a significant step to giving them some value and appreciation for what they’re getting back into when they come out of here — it’s being responsible for something other than yourself, which is a great thing.” State Department employee Tanya Wescovich has been with the program for years and is continuously amazed at the benefits working alongside the horses brings to the inmates. The women perform day-to-day tasks that give them something to get up for and look forward to each day. “They feed, groom, and turn out the horses,” says Tanya. “Others do mainte-
Blaze, a 22-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, is currently the clown at the rescue. A neglect case from an owner who battled custody for him, Blaze’s former struggles haven’t appeared to damper his cheery mood. His favorite activity is snatching lead ropes and swinging them playfully to guarantee a smile on anyone's face. Blaze still enjoys light pleasure riding when Tanya takes him out onto the grass behind the barn. “He’s easy to ride and would be great with kids,” says Tanya of the friendly chestnut who’s quick to greet you at his stall door. Across the aisle, Cheyenne’s recovery has been many patient years in the making. She and another Mustang, Chinook, were originally adopted from an online bidding auction held by the Bureau of Land Management. “Their previous owner took them in as pets and then had no idea how to take care of them,” says Tanya. “On a body condition score of zero to eight (eight being the best), they were a one when they arrived here. It was awful.” While still a little nervous with strangers, Cheyenne has regained her spirit and loves to soak up attention.
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The Original Equine Protectavest protectavest.com . (207) 892-0161 She, along with Blaze, and a beautiful Arabian named Isis, are all ready to be adopted into loving homes. To learn more about these horses, call (860) 7132506 or email agr.animalcontrol@ct.gov. Second Chance Rescue’s inmates and animals strive toward one similar goal — a better, more fulfilling life, another opportunity —one could say, a second chance to start again. Want to lend a hoof? To make a donation, send a check to: Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account, c/o Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Ave, Room G-8A, Hartford, CT 06106. . Singer/songwriter Lara Rudowski enjoys performing, spending hours at her piano composing, and writing stories and spoken-word poetry. Inspired by travel and the everyday details of life, she can often be found, camera in hand, at equestrian events capturing her love of horses and riding since childhood.
Connecticut Horse
21
Trail Guide
Plainfield
by Stacey Stearns
Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery
N
The pasture pond is a stocked trout pond that’s for kids interested in fishing. There’s a two-fish per person/per day limit. Several people were fishing at the pasture pond on a Sunday in April so we didn’t explore this area. A port-a-potty was available in the parking area near the pasture pond and there are a few picnic tables. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. I recommend hoof protection. There’s a lot of gravel, and I found a rock stuck in the bar of my gelding’s hind hoof at the end of the ride.
cials hadn’t been able to clear up yet. We did some re-routing and bushwhacking around downed trees, and were able to explore everywhere we wanted. There are drains on the far side of the two large ponds and a drop-off on the opposite side of the drains, which means you have to ride between the drains and the drop-off. Most of the horses, including our seasoned trail mounts, were a little nervous going through here, probably because of the sound of the rushing water in the drain, but managed well. In the summer
stocked in waterways statewide. The facility includes a hatch house, intermediate tanks; grow-out tanks, and brood stock raceways. Scattered throughout the property surrounding the Hatchery are 14 wells that supply the 5,000 gallons of water per minute needed for fish production. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) manages the hatchery.
Out Riding It
months when water levels aren’t as high, this area probably causes fewer problems for horses. We also rode somewhat closely to the fenced enclosure with fish tanks and could see the water bubbling to aerate the fish. After we had looped around behind the ponds and through the woods, we came out on Trout Hatchery Road and then rode down past the hatchery. Instead of going left down to the trailers, we went straight on a trail into another section of the woods. We meandered around in here for a while and then took a right toward the river. There’s a trail that runs alongside the Quinebaug River. It was technical and narrow with roots on the trail, and trees that could hit your knees if you’re not riding carefully. Our horses are trail savvy and it was a picturesque ride to enjoy the river as it quietly flows south toward the Shetucket River that it joins northeast of Norwich. Near the parking area, just beyond the fields, there’s a place where you can cross the river and ride on the power
Stacey Stearns
estled on 2,000 acres in the Central Village section of Plainfield is the Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery. The mix of fields and woods along the Quinebaug River is an equestrian paradise. I’d always wanted to explore the area, but was unable to find a map so I never went. However, in late April of this year I found an event on Facebook for a led ride and signed up. The Hatchery was built in 1971 and is responsible for the majority of the Nutmeg State’s trout production. Fish are
A Leg Up Use 141 Trout Hatchery Road in Plainfield in your GPS. Depending on the direction you arrive from there is a really sharp corner at the junction of Route 14 that’s tough with a larger rig, but doable. Just use caution. The road in, Trout Hatchery Road, is a little rough so we drove slow. On Trout Hatchery Road, drive past the trout hatchery building on your left; you’ll see the brown DEEP sign on the front lawn. Keep following the road and you’ll find plenty of parking by going down the hill on the left toward the pasture pond. 22
November/December 2018
Quinebaug Trout Hatchery has lots of woodland roads and trails that loop around the main hatchery areas. Our group rode out together, but once we started riding I didn’t have to worry about getting lost at all. After a while, we all started breaking off and doing our own rides, and everyone had a great time exploring the area around the hatchery. “I love riding at the hatchery,” says Lynda Guzman. “It’s peaceful and quiet.” She and her family organized the ride I was on, and live in Lisbon with their horses. “There are nice trails you can ride along the river and when it’s low enough, you can cross to the power lines. There are also areas to have a nice cookout after your trail ride. We don’t ever have to worry about parking or being overcrowded.” The trout hatchery has a nice mix of fields and forests. We rode past the two large ponds and saw turtles and a Great Blue Heron. There are mostly pine trees in the forest. The area had a lot of wind damage over the winter that DEEP offi-
lines on the other side. We were riding in April, and given the wet weather we’d had, the river was running deep and fast, so we saved the power lines for another day. The big open fields are perfect for cantering and galloping. There’s a lot of wildlife, so keep an eye out for holes in the ground, but then be sure to enjoy the feeling of the wind in your face and the sun on your back as you gallop. At the end of one of the side trails in the woods is a watering hole on the Moosup River that is used for fly fishing. The Moosup River flows into the Quinebaug River. We stopped here to water the horses. It was easy to walk them right into the river, but the water was up to their shoulders! That prompted our decision not to cross the Quinebaug River — a deeper river — and ride the power lines. There are also more trails on the opposite side of the watering hole on the Moosup River. If people are fishing, try not to go in the water near them as it will scare the fish and hinder their recreational enjoyment. We saw a few people fishing the Quinebaug River, but the fly fishing area on the Moosup River was empty. The power lines also run along the back edge of the fields, and there’s still
a large timber roadway along the expanse that was built by the power company when they were putting in new lines. We rode on the roadway because it was so wet on either side of it, but there were a lot of holes in it that were big enough to get a hoof through. Our horses were fine, but one of the other horses at the ride did pop a leg through the bridge (and was uninjured). If you go and the timber roadway is still there I would go around it, or ride alongside it instead to be safe. Our ride was two hours and it was only the tip of the iceberg as far as trails
at the Hatchery go. I’m not sure how many miles we rode as I didn’t bring my Garmin on this ride, but it was a fabulous place to condition because of the various types of terrain and water to ride through. I’ll definitely be returning to explore further. Happy trails! If you go on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can take a self-guided tour of the hatchery. Stacey Stearns, a lifelong equestrian from Connecticut, enjoys trail riding and endurance with her Morgan horses.
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23
Above the Bar
The Horse Promised Is Not What I Received
by Sean T. Hogan, Esq.
This article is for educational purposes only, so as to give the reader a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. No attorney-client relationship exists between the reader and the author of this article. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.
T
here’s the occasion when the purchaser of a horse discovers that the horse they bought is not of the same temperament, ability, or soundness as it was when they tried the horse. Even worse, a buyer may discover an illness or condition that could affect their use or re-sale of the horse, which may not have been disclosed at the time of purchase. Everyone has heard a story about a horse being sedated when tried by a prospective buyer or given medication to mask a soundness issue. That’s why we often rely on pre-purchase examinations by veterinarians. Consider the following scenario. A buyer purchased a horse for his daughter to ride from a trainer. Two weeks after completing the purchase of the horse, the horse was subsequently diagnosed as partially blind. Further, the blindness was expected to worsen over time. The buyer sued the trainer, alleging fraud and breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular use. At trial, a veterinarian testified that the horse’s blindness had existed for a substantial period of time prior to the sale to the buyer, but that there was no evidence that the seller had known about the blindness. The fraud claim was dismissed, but the buyer was successful in his lawsuit as the court found that the seller had sold hundreds of horses in the past and as a result could be considered a “merchant” under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). As such, the implied warranties of UCC Article 2 applied to the plaintiff’s purchase. (See Randazzo v. McCarthy, 2005 WL 2361588 [Conn. Super. Ct. 2005]). The Randazzo case presents two things that all horse buyers should be aware of, which are (1) the importance of a pre-purchase examination, and (2) your rights as a buyer under the UCC. First, the purchase of a horse represents a considerable expenditure of both time and money. Although the added expense of a pre-purchase examination may not seem necessary for a horse that
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appears fine, it’s probably one of the most important aspects of the purchasing process. Additionally, a buyer should not only rely on their trainer or agent for communications with the veterinarian, but also should review the pre-purchase examination and speak with the veterinarian personally, so as to understand the health of the horse. If the plaintiff in the Randazzo case had
completed a pre-purchase exam on the horse, he could have discovered the blindness prior to the purchase. The second point that the Randazzo case raises is the rights of a buyer under the UCC. UCC Article 2 covers transaction regarding the sale of goods. Horses are considered goods and their sale or purchase is covered by the UCC. If a buyer purchases a horse from an individual “who deals in goods of the kind or otherwise by his occupation holds himself out as having knowledge or skill peculiar to the practices or goods involved in the transaction, or to whom such knowledge or skill may be attributed by his employment of an agent or broker or other intermediary who by his occupation holds himself out as having such knowledge or skill,” (UCC §2-104) that person is known as a merchant. A buyer purchasing a horse from a
trainer, breeder, or broker is buying from a merchant, and as such is entitled to specific warranties relating to the purchase. The statutory warranties include, unless otherwise modified or excluded, that the horse is fit for a particular purpose (UCC §2-315), and that the horse is merchantable (UCC §2-314), meaning that the horse is sellable as described and for its intended usage. In Randazzo, had the horse been purchased as a hunter, the blindness would have made the horse unsound and not fit for that particular purpose. The buyer was successful in his lawsuit as a result of his claim based upon the protection of the implied warranties of the UCC. There was no evidence to show that the seller in Randazzo had any preexisting knowledge of the horse’s blindness. Knowledge of a pre-existing condition should be clearly outlined in a bill of sale agreement. Buyers will often accept a simple bill of sale for the purchase of the horse. However, I would recommend a more formal bill of sale and agreement, which describes not only the horse, but also the buyer’s intended usage. Additional paragraphs can be beneficial to both the buyer and seller as it can clearly delineate the warranties, implied or otherwise, that the parties are making and relying upon in the horse’s purchase. A dispute between a buyer and seller over an undisclosed condition, ailment, temperament issue, or soundness, if not resolved amicably may often lead to litigation. Litigation can often be a time-consuming and expensive proposition, especially when a horse will need to be maintained (board, veterinary care, farrier care) during the litigation. Prospective litigants (both buyers and sellers) should conduct a thorough costbenefit analysis when reviewing all of their options in attempting to resolve a matter regarding undisclosed conditions in horses. Sean T. Hogan is an attorney living in Westport and is licensed in New York and Connecticut, where his practice focuses on estate planning and assisting trainers, owners, and investors in equine-related transactions and litigation in Connecticut, New York, and before the United States Equestrian Federation. He’s a governor of the Fairfield County Hunt Club and co-chairs the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show.
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News in Our Community More than 100 people attended a groundbreaking event at Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club on Sunday, September 30, to celebrate the progress of a comprehensive transformation of the 104-year-old property and club. Long recognized for training award-winning equestrian champions, the club is being remodeled for today’s active family. The $11.5 million construction project will bring a variety of sporting activities, including singles and doubles squash, horseback riding, platform tennis, and a fully equipped fitness center, as well as a new 18,000 sq. ft. clubhouse are on track to be complete in the spring of 2019. Once finished, Ox Ridge will be a one-of-a-kind club in the heart of Fairfield County, offering athletic families a combination of sports and socializing in a casual and family-friendly environment. The property will remain open during construction, with the majority of its riding facilities and services fully operational. The club is building a new indoor arena, two outdoor riding rings, and is fully renovating its existing horse stable complex with the adjacent 12 grass paddocks. The new hunter ring will be 125' x 250' while the existing jumper ring measures 180' x 280'. The new heated indoor arena, which has a tentative opening date scheduled for December 2018, will measure 200' x 120' and will include an elevated viewing area for spectators. Footing will be upgraded to a high-performance mixture of silica and fiber. Ox Ridge’s stables are 26
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being restored and modernized, with a new roof and an exterior that features new cedar siding and larger stall windows that give the horses in residence the capability to
visible evidence of progress can be seen, and is wholly appreciated by all. As this historic venue graciously transforms from one of area’s oldest clubs into an elegant and new state-ofthe-art facility with fully upgraded equestrian arenas, with its top-tier professionals to manage junior and amateur development, and competitions in riding and racquet sports, Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club is destined to be among the most desirable equestrian clubs in Fairfield County.
which will keep the stable’s interior cleaner and warmer. Upgraded energy-efficient lighting has been added throughout the facility. There’s also an equine tread-
n Sally L. Feuerberg
Sally L. Feuerberg
Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club Open House
Ox Ridge Riding & Racket Club Open House on September 30 held a groundbreaking ceremony with Suzanne McGraw, president of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and founding member at Ox Ridge; Alison Potter, director of operations and founding member; Richard Colligan, president and founding member; Flavia Callari, business manager and founding member; and KBE Building Corporation’s project manager Jim Glaser.
safely stick their heads outside. (It was delightfully obvious during the open house that many of the horses were taking full advantage of this opportunity!) When the renovations are complete, there will be more than 60 stalls. The remodel presently has five aisles, with each section having its own large, heated tack room. There are three substantial wash stalls and multiple grooming stalls. With the new grooming stalls, horses will no longer have to be groomed or tacked in the aisles, keeping aisles clear and providing better maneuverability throughout the stable. The ceilings have been redesigned as well. They have been lowered to eliminate the bird population,
mill available to provide opportunities for training, rehabilitation, and exercise in inclement weather. The stable complex design was reconfigured to accommodate future expansion of the new indoor arena and accommodate a better flow in and out of the ring. It will have two direct and covered access ways, and the main corridor will include a mounting station. The floor areas were made safer with rubber matting. Anticipation and excitement were palpable during the club’s open house. When you talk to Ox Ridge’s members, as well as the design and building teams, you can’t help but be swept up in the contagious enthusiasm. Each month, week, and day,
H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut’s Christmas Open House On Saturday, December 8, the Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E.) of Connecticut, now celebrating its 37th year, will hold its annual Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a snow date of Sunday, December 9. “This is an event you won’t want to miss!” says Patty Wahlers, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut’s founder and director. “The fun starts from the minute we open the gates at ten in the morning with hourly tours to meet our many horses, a silent auction with many must have items such as toys and horse accessories, and pony rides from noon to two,” says Patty. “Our popular bake sale will offer tables filled with a variety of home baked goods, from cakes to cookies, many beautifully wrapped and ready to be given as gifts. Other great gift options such as bracelets and necklaces plus handmade scarves and hats. Remember, all your purchases go directly toward helping to care for our many horses.”
“The tack shop is packed with too many items to list for our last tack sale of of the year, so be sure to stop in!” says Patty. “A few of our featured items are two Wintec Isabell Werth dressage saddles, one in almost new condition. We have a huge variety of other saddles, bridles, blankets, boots, helmets, grooming equipment, and new and used equine clothing.” “Looking for a gift for the person who has everything?” says Patty. “We also have several horses available for sponsorship, a program that includes four visits a month during which you can groom, spend time with, and hand-walk the horse for only fifty dollars!” H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization located at 43 Wilbur Road, Washington. To learn more or to make a tax deductible donation, visit horseofct.org or call (860) 868-1960. “We hope to see you here!” says Patty.
Hay Burr Inn’s Winter Trail of Light Walks Bundle up for a festive trail walk this holiday season at Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue in Plainfield. The nonprofit rescue is holding its second magical Winter Trail of Light Walk. Get in the holiday spirit with a trail adorned in Christmas lights and, of course, say hello to the loving bunch of rescue horses at the barn. The Winter Trail of Light Walk will be open December 15 and 28, and January 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., weather permitting. The event is free for everyone who wishes to wander through a little winter wonderland. The rescue kindly asks that you leave pets at home. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Donations to fund the rescue and its horses are always graciously accepted. To learn more about the event and Hay Burr Inn, visit
hayburrinn.org or find us on Facebook.
Nutmeggers Add Spice to Louisville “Casey loves to work and he’s the sweetest, kindest gelding,” says Cheryl Innis of Somers about her nine-yearold Standardbred that won the World Youth Roadster to Bike Championship at the Kentucky State Fair. The World Championship Horse Show was held during the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, August 18 to 25. Since 1902, it’s been the world’s most prestigious Saddlebred horse show, and attracts spectators and competitors from around the world. Saddlebreds perform in a variety of divisions, and there are classes for Hackney and harness ponies, and roadster horses and ponies. Over 2,000 horses and ponies compete for more than $1 million in awards during the seven-day event. Cheryl co-owns the speedy world champion with her husband, Rick Harris, and Danny Hicks, who drove the gelding to the top award. Danny is the son of trainer Rodney Hicks and equine artist Janet Crawford. Maya Tasch of Ridgefield had a unanimous win in the Walk Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 8 and Under qualifying class. Then, riding Zagnut, she went on to win the Reserve Walk Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 8 and Under World Championship. Maya shows her 12-year-old gelding under the direction of David and Kristen Cater of Cater Stables. “Maya is a competitor well beyond her years,” says Kristen Cater, enthusiastically. “She has the ‘it factor’ we all try to instill in our riders that comes deep from within. She loves horses, equitation, and competing. But above it all, Maya loves her horse Ziggy. I could not be more proud of her.”
n Suzy Lucine
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The New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) is preparing for its biggest fundraising event of the year — Jump for Joy at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien on Saturday, November 10, at 6:30pm. NCMT’s philosophy is “Giving horses a second chance so kids can have a first.” Proceeds from this year’s benefit will help support the Super Troopers therapeutic programs, scholarships for equine care and riding programs, and medical/general care of NCMT’s horses and ponies. The gala includes a gourmet dinner, a silent auction with exclusive experiences, and live entertainment from local band Mind the Gap. Radio presenter Allan Lamberti, from 95.9 THE FOX, will be the emcee. Individual tickets are $225 and can be purchased at 501auctions.com/NCMT. NCMT, a 501(c)(3) serving the community since
1939, is a youth development and therapeutic equestrian center. NCMT’s mission is to build leadership, responsibility, and confidence in youth through sound horseman-
one hundred children in the youth development program and more than one hundred adults and children with special needs participating in our equine care and adaptive
courtesy of Eastern States Exposition
Jump for Joy Fundraiser
John Bennett Jr., second from right, of John Bennett Stables in Putnam, was honored with the Eastern States Exposition Equestrian Hall of Fame award September 22 at the Big E in West Springfield. Pictured with John at the ceremony are, from left: Eastern States Exposition president and CEO Eugene J. Cassidy and John’s daughters, Jennifer Bennett Benzie and Kay Bennett.
ship and to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs through equineassisted activities. “There are more than
riding programs,” says Sara Tucker, NCMT executive director. “All of our horses and ponies are donated. “Our fundraisers enable us to achieve our mission and expand our programs. Your financial support is essential to allow us to run our programs and serve the community. Each and every contribution is greatly appreciated and we hope to see you on November 10 for our fall fundraising gala.” To learn more, visit newcanaanmountedtroop.org and facebook.com/newcanaanmountedtroop.
Hall of Fame Inductee John Bennett Jr. John Bennett Jr. of Putnam was inducted into the Eastern States Exposition Equestrian Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held September 22. John is a familiar name to those involved with Morgan horses. He was born and raised on his family dairy farm in Putnam, and when he was eight years old, he went with his father to UConn in Storrs and purchased a Morgan. They sent UC Exhilaration to nearby 28
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Bob Brooks for training, and while watching Bob train the horse, John decided he wanted to be a horse trainer. John received his BS in animal science from UConn in 1974. He’s operated John Bennett Stables in Putnam since 1978, and added a lesson program in 1985. Kay, John’s daughter, is a trainer and instructor at John Bennett Stables, where they have 25 horses, give 50 to 60 lessons per week, and John has 130 acres of hay fields. John was hired as the horse unit manager at UConn in 1986, a faculty position that included teaching and mentoring students and training horses. He taught numerous courses, trained horses and students, and advised clubs over the course of his career. John retired August 1, 2018. John is regularly seen in the ring as a competitor, judge, or announcer, and on the rail at Eastern States Exposition. He and Kay, their clients, and UConn students are frequent competitors at horse shows throughout New England. The Big E was always one of John’s favorite places to show because it’s the only place you can go and show horses in front of a large crowd. The many spectators on the rail and in the stands really increase the energy in the atmosphere at the horse show. In 2017, John was the barn manager for Morgan Row at Equine Affaire in West Springfield, and drove a pair of UConn Morgan horses in Fantasia each night. He served as Connecticut Morgan Horse Association president in 1987 and 1988. He received the American Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame Award in 2002 and a North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award in 2008. John’s service to the equine community and pro-
motion of Morgan horses extends beyond UConn and the Morgan world. He’s a past president of Windham County Farm Bureau and has served on the board of directors for the Connecticut Horse Show Association and New England Horsemen’s Council. It was very appropriate for John to be inducted into the Eastern States Horse Show Hall of Fame. Congratulations, John!
n Stacey Stearns
Ebony Horsewomen Harvest Horse Fundraiser Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian and Agricultural Center, which supports mental health and wellness through equine youth therapeutic, agricultural, and educational programs and equine-assisted psychotherapy, is hosting its Harvest Horse Fundraiser on November 8 at Keney Park Golf Course’s Tavern in Windsor from 6 to 9 p.m.
The fun event will raise vital funds to support Ebony Horsewomen’s equine therapeutic programs and its mission of helping improve lives through horses. “The youth that participate in our organization are always at the center of all that we do here at Ebony Horsewomen,” says Patricia E. Kelly, founder and CEO of Ebony Horsewomen. “We’re excited to host our first annual Harvest Horse Fundraiser. We’re dedicated to sustaining our programming and providing our kids with healthy and enriching experiences that enhance their quality of life.” The Harvest Horse Fundraiser will include a silent auction, music, hot and cold refreshments, and an open bar serving beer and wine. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased through EventBrite. To learn more, contact Tiffani Jones at (860) 206-1227. Ebony Horsewomen is a
nationally recognized organization founded in 1984 to heal, encourage, and empower youth toward positive and successful lives by using horses. Serving hundreds of youth annually, Ebony Horsewomen operates holistic equestrian programming, including comprehensive equine education, certified equine-assisted growth and learning, junior dressage team, junior mounted patrol (through which our young men serve as mounted community ambassadors while patrolling Keney Park), Saturday saddle club (in partnership with the University of Connecticut 4-H extension), and leadership/ self-empowerment classes. Ebony Horsewomen programming also features unique experiences such as rodeo king and queen riding competitions, blacksmith shadowing, veterinary science classes, and externships with local veterinarians. Ebony Horsewomen’s equestrian,
education, and support programs have helped improve the lives of our participants, most continuing on to higher education and college. To learn more, visit ebonyhorsewomen.us.
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Partners Our goal is to foster connections within the horse community throughout the Nutmeg State, and one of the ways we do this is with our Partners Program. Connecticut organizations that partner with us receive a free one-year subscription for each member; space in the magazine for news, events, and photographs; and a link from connhorse.com to its website. Interested?
public input. A yes vote on ballot Question 2 will preserve our public lands. Voting yes means that a public hearing and a two-thirds vote (rather than a simple majority, as it is now) from the General Assembly in both the House and the Senate will be required
Point State Park in Groton. Members and nonmembers on multiple breeds of horses joined us for a fun ride followed by pizza. We had 14 riders. There were at least two other trail rides we knew of that day, but Bluff Point is a tradition on the first Sunday in October for board mem-
Connecticut Renegades
The midterm election has so much at stake in both state and national elections, so go out and vote! There’s one item on the ballot that equestrians will want to know about before they go to the polls — our environment and public lands are under assault when the General Assembly can sell, swap, or give away our public lands without our voice. These lands are owned by all of us. This long-standing practice has happened for many years without much debate or discussion during the regular session. These are lands that allow us recreational opportunities to swim, hike, bike, and ride our horses on trails and in open space that we hope will be preserved for future generations. People who use the public land for recreation don’t always know that the state has the power to give it away without any input. For too long, state politicians have cut backroom deals to give away our public lands to politically connected developers. The developers profit, and the people of Connecticut lose their parks. The old way of doing things isn’t working, and this measure will put a stop to it and end the secrecy around political deals. Currently, the General Assembly can allow the sale of our state parks, forests, open spaces, and other valuable public lands with no 30
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Sabrina Beckman, overall Creepin’ into Halloween shoot winner on Jet at the Renegades’ annual Creepin’ into Halloween shoot on Saturday, October 13.
before our state parks and forests can be sold, swapped, or given away to private companies or local governments. By voting yes on Question 2, our cherished parks and open spaces can be preserved by this constitutional amendment that will require public hearings before our land can be sold, swapped, or given away; improve accountability and transparency of public land transactions; and make it harder for the Connecticut General Assembly to sell, swap, or give away our state parks, forests, and stateowned farmlands. To learn more, visit protectctpubliclands.org. (This information was gathered from Protect Public Lands Coalition.)
n Diane Ciano
Connecticut Morgan Horse Association CMHA hosted its annual Pizza Ride at the Bluff on Sunday, October 7, at Bluff
bers Karen and Nicole Bobbi and Hunter’s Glen Morgan Farm, so this year we all joined them. Sophie Proctor was our Youth of the Year Contest winner in June at the CMHA Open Horse Show, and represented our club at the Morgan Grand National and World Championship Horse Show in Oklahoma City in October. Sophie won the Youth of the Year Contest at the Morgan Grand National as well. CMHA board member Nicole Bobbi was also competing, representing the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show, and placed third overall. Congratulations, Sophie and Nicole! The new membership year begins November 1 — send in your paperwork for year-end points and Morgan Time, and renew your membership. To learn more, visit ctmorgans.org. We’re looking forward to another successful year.
n Stacey Stearns
Jeanne Lewis Images
Connecticut Horse Council
The Connecticut Renegades made up for a rainy start to the season with four events in September and October. At the Connecticut State Saturday, Championship held September 15, the top cowboy and cowgirl were Rob Baratta and Cara Penley. Reserve cowgirl and cowboy were Dina Baratta and Tom Beckman. On the following day, the club held the Thunder in Naugatuck Valley competition. Rob took the overall win again followed by Tom, Cathie Hatrick-Anderson, and Dina Baratta. The Renegades kicked off October with a demonstration at the Bethany Harvest Fair on Sunday, October 7. Several spectators came out to the Old Bethany Airport on a beautiful fall day to see what cowboy mounted shooting is all about. Riders ranging in age from five to “well north of five” put on a one-hour demonstration that showed just how much fun one can have in this sport. Riders also mingled with the spectators at the end of the event, answering all types of questions from what kind of horses they were riding to the ear plugs used for the horses. The Renegades finished out the competition season with the annual Creepin’ into Halloween shoot on Saturday, October 13, back at the Old Bethany Airport. Cowboy mounted shooters from the Northeast and New York celebrated the club’s annual Halloween shoot with a variety of costumes. Riders dressed up as John Wayne, a Beach Boys 409 car (complete with their own tunes), a Jack ’n Coke, a pirate, a superhero, Catwoman, a race car driver, and even Cat in the Hat with Thing 2. Leading for nearly the
t us a re t i Vis Affai 04 ine Equ oth 30 y o or in b e Mall h ! in t mplex o C
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ers must ride the same course as the adults, but instead of shooting the real .45s, they ride with cap guns. Patty Groht, a first grader at James Morris School in Morris who just turned six, rode not one but two horses in the competition. Patty rode Jet for two stages and Arwen for the last two stages. The Renegades will celebrate another successful season at their annual banquet in
November/December 2018
n Allison Forsyth
Connecticut Trail Rides Association September brought rides every week. On the 16th, Treasurer Ruth Strontzer hosted a ride at Bluff Point State Park. This is a favorite
Katrina Tiktinsky was the 2018 New England Horsemen’s Council Junior Hunt Seat Medal Finals Champion at the New England Equitation Championships in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Left to right: Augsburg, Katrina Tiktinsky, Nadja Tiktinsky (sister), Jon Tiktinsky (dad), Gabrielle Tiktinsky (mom), and Jenny Martin-Rudaz (trainer). Congratulations!
Give t of the gif h c healt holisti liday! this ho
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November. Planning for the 2019 competition season will begin as early as December. To learn how to get involved, visit ctrenegades.com.
Brenda Tanabaum
entire day and taking the overall win was Sabrina Beckman of Harwinton on her horse Jet. Sabrina and Jet rode four very fast courses with no missed targets and took the lead by almost nine seconds over the second place rider. The second place rider, Kayla Davis of Granby on Cherokee, also had plenty to be proud of. Not only was this her best finish to date, but this 14-yearold is a Ladies 2 rider and she finished ahead of six other riders in higher divisions — including a Level 5 rider! The top four riders of the event were Sabrina, Kayla, Allison Forsyth of West Granby on KC, and Tom Beckman of Harwinton on Choctaw. If winning overall in the main match wasn’t enough, Sabrina also took the overall win in the Shotgun division. The Renegades were also excited to welcome a new wrangler into the club. The Wrangler division is for riders 12 and under. The rid-
ride for most, because it is along the Long Island sound. There are a few spots you are allowed to bring your horse into to the ocean water. This is the only state park in Connecticut that allows horses all year long. Other beaches that allow horses only allow them from November 1through March 31. On September 23rd, Treasurer Ruth Strontzer and Area Vice-President Peggy Robinson hosted a ride at the Sunrise Resort area of Machimoodus State Park. Several riders enjoyed the ride and tailgate lunch after. The Annual Boardman Memorial ride was hosted by Area Vice-President Peggy Robinson. This ride is a CTRA tradition, organized to memorialize our members who have passed away. Peggy began the ride at the Ranger’s station in Mohawk State Park. She took members through trails that included the Ram Tower and the tower at the top of Mohawk mountain. Riders were blessed with a beautiful
clear early fall day! They could see 7 mountain ranges that extend into Vermont. This ride was also our annual Turkey Ride. Treasurer Ruth Strontzer was the lucky one to find the hidden Turkey! Congrats to Ruth! Area Vice-President Shane Emigh hosted a ride at Cockaponsette State park, in Chester, CT. This ride had a stop at the H. K. Dairy Barn in Higganum, where everyone enjoyed their ice cream treats. Member Mark Grabulis showed up to this ride with his drone, and took some pictures from the drone, which can be seen on our Facebook page. We want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season, and hope you enjoy the days with family and friends Remember, the President will host an Executive Board meeting, followed by the General Membership meeting in January. This meeting is where we plan the Calendar and schedule rides for the year. We need volunteers to host rides, host Sunday breakfasts on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. We also need someone to host the annual Pasta Dinner, usually held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and a host for the BBQ at our annual BBQ Auction. All members should come on camp cleanup weekend, when we rake the fallen leaves, clean up fallen limbs, and repair any water lines that the winter weather may have damaged. Our membership has grown to 200+ and it takes help from all members to keep the club, with its own campground, running smoothly! Members will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the meeting.
n Patti Crowther
Fairfield County Hunt Club FCHC riders are coming off a fantastic week at the New England Equitation Championships in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The week began when I won the Older
New this fall and winter, FCHC is expanding the horse show schedule in our Indoor Horse Show Series. In addition to our monthly USEF horse show, we’ll be offering additional monthly CHJA/NEHC/M&S/FWPHA recognized horse shows. We’ll also will be awarding series champions in each division. Prizes monogrammed by BlueSteed
transitions when the rider’s shoulder is at the letter, the free walk, the ideal horse head carriage, and stopping square. The benefits of dressage (training) transfer to all riding disciplines! Stephanie Shaw of Granby presented an exciting program on mounted archery. Steph explained the many variations in the way clubs compete and the
Joan Davis
Adult Sportsmanship Award! I also placed third in my section of the Open Adult Amateur Equitation 28 to 45 and ended the day placing third in the New England Horsemen’s Council Adult Amateur Medal Finals 28 to 45. The junior riders had a very strong showing out of 174 riders. Two new riders to the finals this year were Isabel Rudaz and Eloise Foster. Isabel finished nineteenth and placed fourth in the 3' Junior Rider Award for riders who’ve not competed in a 3'6" state, regional, or national finals. Eloise placed fourth in her section of the Open Equitation 14 and Under and was a member of the gold medal winning team in the Challenge of the States. Her team dressed as sushi rolls with their chef d’equipe as a sushi chef. Michaela Pritchett placed sixth in her Open Equitation 15 to 17 section. Michaela was a member of Team two in the Challenge of the States. Their theme was witches and warlocks. Michaela finished out the weekend with a top 30 finish in a competitive two-round class. She’s bound for Kentucky to compete at the National Horse Show in the ASPCA National Maclay Finals on November 3. Katrina Tiktinsky competed in her last Junior Medal Finals of her career. She started the show with a fourth place in her section of the Open Equitation 15 to 17. Sunday brought a fairy tale ending to Katrina in her final show of her junior year. After two highly competitive rounds and a test, Katrina was crowned 2018 Junior Hunt Seat Medal Finals Champion. Trainers Jenny MartinRudaz and Cassandra Opren received the Norman Hall Perpetual Trophy and the Eileene Finnell Memorial Challenge Trophy as trainers of the winning rider of the New England Equitation Finals. All of the trainers and staff are so proud of our riders’ accomplishments!
Stephanie Shaw on Scamper demonstrating mounted archery at the September Granby Horse Council meeting.
Embroidery will be awarded to the horse and/or rider who has accumulated the most points in each division at the series finale show in April. To learn more, follow us on Facebook: Fairfield County Hunt Club - Stables.
equipment used. The sport is new in this area. It’s important to become skilled in
archery before trying it from a moving horse. Several people took some shots from the ground and were impressive. Upcoming programs include a talk about fall foliage that can affect a horse’s diet and a visit from the Granby animal control officer. On September 22, our parade team participated in the 250th Anniversary Parade in East Windsor. As always, our royal blue uniforms and perfectly behaved horses were impressive. Some of our trail rides were cancelled due to the unrelenting wet weather. However, in July we rode toward the west on the Cross Town Ride that started at the Salmon Brook Park Riding Ring. We enjoyed refreshments and a rest at the Holcomb Farm Riding Ring and then returned to the park. In August, members enjoyed the Poker Ride through Salmon Brook Park and adjoining town trails. Horse and rider teamwork was tested at five stations
n Wynatte Chu
Granby Horse Council The GHC meets every month and includes an educational or entertaining program before or after the business meeting. We welcome visitors who are interested in the program or would like to meet some members. The meetings are open to everyone. Recently, we’ve enjoyed Beth Libby, Director of Riding at Shallowbrook Equestrian Center in Somers. She explained the basics of dressage. Beth described the Pyramid of Training, focusing on rhythm and relaxation. Becky Hills on Declan demonstrated a beginner novice test, and Kathryn Phair on Champ rode a novice test. For our demonstration, Beth narrated, pointing out what the judge is looking for, such as smooth Connecticut Horse
33
n Joan Davis
Middlebury Bridle Land Association The MBLA held its annual Fall Hunter Pace on the beautiful trails of the Larkin Farm in Middlebury, on Sunday, September 16. Accolades and thank yous are still pouring in from our riders! Comments about the perfectly marked trails, beautiful vistas, raves about the luncheon food and the gracious hospitality are proof the MBLA Fall Hunter Pace can be declared a spectacular success. Even the weather cooperated, featuring perfect temperatures and sunny skies. MBLA Vice-President Sylvia Preston and her husband Tom did an awesome job of not only clearing the trails after the May 15 brutal storm, but also charting the best route for all the riders. The storm and tornado that touched down in our area caused so much devastation — countless trees, some with trunks up to 24 inches in diameter, were toppled, crossing almost every trail in our system. Sylvia and Tom were relentless in their tireless and constant work toward the recovery of the trails. Along the course was evidence of their hard work — tree trunks, branches, and 34
November/December 2018
brush that had been carefully moved away for a safe hunter pace route. Without the Prestons’ dedication and perseverance, none of these glorious and precious trails would have been available or accessible. They put their heart and soul into these trails, and the MBLA will be forever in their debt. Thanks to all of our volunteers! The MBLA could
Pomfret Hunter Pace held at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret. Due to the unprecedented rainfall the week before the event and the condition of the trails, it was wisely decided to cancel the event. Twenty-five participants took part in our Introduction to Foxhunting Clinic on September 8 at Tyrone Farm. We began with a lecture on the history of foxhunting, rules,
Rick Antuono
with fun and tricky obstacles. Sandy Strain, Steve Strauss, Margot Hosford, and Elizabeth Stroebel won the poker pot of $100. In September, the Strain Ride took a hardy group through the trails in the north end of Granby that included the great sand dune slide for the courageous! October sent the trail riders to Wethersfield Estate in Armenia, New York. The trail riding season continues through November with a ride at White Memorial in Litchfield, the ride in Granville, Massachusetts, and the Mystery Ride at a surprise location. To learn more, visit granbyhorsecouncilct.com and facebook.com/Granby (CT) Horse Council or call Joan at (860) 653-6805.
Participants in the Tanheath Hunt Club’s Mock Hunt at Hearthside in Lincoln, Rhode Island on September 15.
never pull together a hunter pace without your help. We’re so grateful to each and every one of you, whether you manned a crossing, the start line, or the finish line. Thank you to those who helped out at the registration desk, scoring, coordinating our volunteers, handling our ribbons, assisting in the lunch tent, decorating our photographer’s jump, working on the prize buckets, organizing the parking, or helping with the setup in the morning or breakdown in the afternoon. You all played a vital part in making our pace so successful. Our most important thank you goes to Marian Larkin and the Larkin Family. In a world where open space and breathtaking vistas are disappearing at terribly rapid rates, it’s an honor and privilege to ride these magnificent trails. We can never thank them enough for this opportunity.
n Sally L. Feuerberg
Tanheath Hunt Club Although we’ve had significant rainfall this autumn, there was only one event casualty this season. The Tanheath Hunt Club had agreed to take over the management of the annual
and etiquette. Attendees also had a presentation on attire and what can be expected in the hunt field, given by whipper-in Leslie Cashel. Both Leslie and hunt master Cathy Leinert answered questions after the lecture. Twenty-three of the participants brought their horses and were taken to the field for a mock hunt after the talks. Hunt masters Bill Wentworth and Cathy each led a group through the field explaining how the hunt functioned and answering questions. The goal of this clinic to give everyone a sense of what the hunt is like. Although there’s sometimes an initial trepidation about foxhunting, most people and horses adjust quickly. Any rider who can negotiate a trail or a hunter pace can enjoy a hunt. Everyone agreed it was a good time and we ended with four new members. Not to let grass grow under our hooves, the following day we held our Fall Hunter Pace at Natchaug State Forest. There were 70 attendees and the weather was perfect, almost too cool. The approximately nine-mile course led riders along the Airline Trail, through woods and fields, with well-placed
jumps along the way. A delicious lunch was followed by awards, handed out to those who came closest to the optimal time in each division. Our three hunter paces are major fundraisers with the monies collected going to hound care and maintenance of the kennel. We heartily thank all of those who came out. On September 15, we had our new annual event, the mock hunt at Hearthside in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Hearthside is an historic house museum presenting historically themed exhibits and original programs. The theme for this event was Downton Abbey, highlighting the years 1900 to 1930. The sight of the horses and hounds is a real crowd pleaser for young and old. Those in attendance agreed it was a sight to behold. Guests were given an opportunity to ask questions and to meet the horses and riders as well as the hounds. A photo opportunity was presented to all who wished to have their pictures taken with horses and hounds. The popularity of this event indicates it will be on our club roster for years to come. Our members volunteered as safety riders for the Lord Creek Hunter Pace in Old Lyme in September. Although we were prepared to assist in any way necessary, fortunately there were no safety issues. The hounds are performing beautifully and their training and practice shows. The Tanheath Hunt Club operates as a drag hunt; in other words, a scent is laid before the hunt and normally the hounds follow that sent. We have volunteers who act as “foxes” — on foot, bicycle, and mounted. If you’re interested in participating in this manner please contact us. We can always use another fox or two. To learn more, visit tanheathhunt.com or follow us on Facebook: Tanheath Events.
n Raymond Hill
Connecticut
Events November
2 – 4 ANN HALLER CLINIC, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. sperryviewfarm.com. 3 GYMKHANA, Lebanon Lions Club Recreation Grounds, Lebanon. stirrupfunstables.com. 3 RRRC TURKEY AND POKER RIDE, Camp Glazier, Stafford. reddingtonrockridingclub.org. 3 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Ethel Walker School, Simsbury. rideiea.org. 3 SCHOOLING SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarmct.com. 3 CTRA ANNUAL BANQUET AND MEETING, Il Monticello Banquet Facility, Meriden. cttrailridesassoc.org. 3 CHJA M&S Show, White Bridge Farm, Litchfield. showbrv.com. 3 GREENWICH PONY CLUB BARN DANCE, Kelsey Farm, Greenwich. thegrta.org. 3 TSHA ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET, Groton Inn and Suites, Groton. tristatehorsemen.com. 3 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, ABF EQUINE, Coventry. rideiea.org. 4 CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com. 4 IHSA WESTERN SHOW, UConn, Storrs. ihsainc.com. 4 PINK FLAMINGO SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Epic Farm, Middlefield. showbrv.com. 4 MYSTIC AUTUMN CHALLENGE II, NEHC, CHJA, CHSA, Marshall & Sterling rated. Jumper Classics, Hunter Derbies, Equitation Classics. Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com. 4 HALLOWEEN FUN RIDE, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. All levels and disciplines welcome to enjoy a 10K ride at your own pace. Optional jumps. babcockhill.com. 4 HUNTER PACE, Ayer Mountain Farm, North Franklin. (860) 642-8053. 4 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. rideiea.org.
4 GHC ST. JUDE RIDE, White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield. granbyhorsecouncilct.com. 8 HARVEST HORSE FUNDRAISER to benefit the Ebony Horsewomen Equine Therapeutic Programming. Tavern at Keney Park, Windsor. ebonyhorsewomen.us. 10 LIONS AND TIGERS AND HORSES? OH MY! Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport. Fundraiser for the Blue Ribbon Ventures Foundation. showbrv.com. 10 JUMP FOR JOY GALA FUNDRAISER for the New Canaan Mounted Troop Super Troopers therapeutic programs, scholarships for equine care and riding programs, and medical/general care of the horses. Wee Burn Country Club, Darien. newcanaanmountedtroop.org. 10 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Quiet Rein Farm, Milford. rideiea.org. 10 SCHOOLING SHOW, Herbst Arabians, Wallingford. herbstarabians.com. 10 CHJA NEHC SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org. 10 CHJA, CHSA, M&S SHOW, The Pines, South Glastonbury. pinesfarm.com. 10 IHSA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. ihsainc.com.
16 FWPHA HIGH SCORE DINNER, Ethan Allen Inn, Danbury. fwpha.com. 17 GHC LAST HURRAH TRAIL RIDE, Evans Farm, Granville. granbyhorsecouncilct.com. 17 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, ABF Equine, Coventry. rideiea.org. 17 REIKI, CHAKRAS, AND ESSENTIAL OILS, Lock, Stock, and Barrel, Bethany. Free class by Ellen Roberto, B.S. Animal Science, certified Reiki Master, Doterra Wellnes consultant, on Reiki and essential oils for dogs, cats, and horses. RSVP ceilir@hotmail.com or (203) 3930002. lsbfarmsupply.com. 17 VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown. Sarah at (860) 685-0008. hfsc.org/manes-motions.
Dawn Bonin Horsemanship
Natural Horsemanship Lessons . Training . Boarding . Sales/Leases Two Outdoor Rings . Indoor Arena Miles of Trails . Versatility Course
11 CHJA SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com. 11 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com. 11 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Avon VAlley Show Stables, Avon. rideiea.org. 14 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR HORSE OWNERS, Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian, Hartford. RSVP to (860) 293-2914 or info@ebonyhorsewomen.us. ebonyhorsewomen.us. 14 USEF CHJA NEHC SHOW, Ethel Walker School, Simsbury. ethelwalker.org. 16 PATRICK KING HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC, KB Equine, Meriden. kbequine.com.
See website for upcoming events. Giſt certificates available! Coventry, Connecticut 860-742-2667 (barn) . 860-985-7611 (cell)
DawnBonin.com . BabcockHill.com Connecticut Horse
35
17 RENEGADES ANNUAL BANQUET, Old Well Tavern, West Simsbury. ctrenegades.com. 17 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Babcock Hill Horses Naturally, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.
18 CMHA TURKEY TROT, Bluff Point State Park, Groton. All breeds welcome! Donuts, lunch, and door prizes. A benefit for the Sue Brander Sport Horse Scholarship Fund. ctmorgans.org.
17 CHJA SHOW, Hebron. windcrestfarmct.com.
18 HUNT SEAT SCHOOLING SHOW, Gales Ferry. mysticvalleyhuntclub.com.
17 SNEHA YEAR END AWARDS BANQUET, Holiday Inn, Norwich. snehassociation.com.
18 CHJA CHSA NEHC SHOW, Somers. shallowbrook.com.
17 USEF REGIONAL II SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.
18 CHJA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. wesbrookhuntclub.com.
17 – 18 TANHEATH HUNT HUNTER TRIALS AND ANNUAL PLEASURE RIDE, Ayer Mountain Farm, Franklin. tanheathhunt.com.
18 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. rideiea.org.
Little B Barn The Best Little Tack Store in Connecticut English & Western Tack & Apparel Cowboy Hats . Boots & Accessories Outerwear . Clothes Call ahead of visit to confirm store hours!
JoAnne & Ron Gross, owners 12 Bashan Rd., East Haddam . (860) 267-8811 LittleBBarnTack.com . littlebbarn@sbcglobal.net
18 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, TerryAllen Farms, Terryville. rideiea.org. 24 CHJA CHSA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com. 24 HUNTER PACE, Lebanon Green, Lebanon. Six plus miles of trails with jumps (and go arounds). stirrupfunstables.com. 25 CHJA, CHSA, NEHC, FWPHA RATED SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us. 25 CHJA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. wesbrookhuntclub.com.
Boarding
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Leasing
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2 Outdoor Arenas Indoor Arena
Covered Round Pen
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239 Sand Hill Rd., Portland, CT 06480 (860) 581-0307 wbfllcct@gmail.com
Dressage is our Specialty Board . Lessons . Training All Breeds Welcome (especially Morgans)
New England’s Largest Quality Sales Stable Celebrating 50 Years.
Gretchen Geromin, trainer USDF certified instructor . USDF bronze medalist . British Horse Society certified
Mansfield Center, CT . Just 10 minutes from UConn foxfirestables.net . (860) 543-1399
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AgriMixMulch.com contactagrimix@gmail.com . akenworthman@gmail.com 36
November/December 2018
562 S Main St., Middletown, CT (860) 347-2531 www.midstatetractor.com
25 NEATO HOT CHILLY PLEASURE RIDE, Pachaug State Forest, Griswold. orgsites.com/ct/neato.
December
1 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, Somers. rideiea.org. 1 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. rideiea.org. 1 PINK FLAMINGO SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Epic Farm, Middlefield. showbrv.com. 1 CHSA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. foxcrossingequestrian.com. 2 CHJA CHSA SHOW, Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com. 4 CHC MEETING, Northeast Utilities Building, Berlin. cthorsecouncil.org. 8 BLUE RIBBON VENTURES SHOW, North Meadow Farm, Winchester. showbrv.com.
We have your horse.
Always a nice selection of horses and ponies for sale. Watch videos and view photos at HeritageFarmEasthampton.com. see Call us to s and new horse s! ponie
9 SSF SHOW, Stepping Stone Farm, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com. 8 – 9 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. rideiea.org. 9 REINDEER SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Westbrook. westbrookhuntclub.com. 9 KEN WHELIHAN HUNTER/JUMPER, CLINIC, Somers. shallowbrook.com. 9 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris. rideiea.org. 15 USEF CHJA SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org. 15 KEN WHELIHAN HUNTER/JUMPER, CLINIC, DeCarli Equestrian Center, Ellington. decarliequestriancenter.com. 15 TRAIL OF LIGHTS WALK FUNDRAISER to benefit Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue, Plainfield. 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the horses and walk the lighted trail. Free and donations are appreciated. Hot chocolate and snacks. Experience the rescue in a new light! hayburrinn.org.
WNEPHA Hunter & Dressage Shows English & Western Lessons, Clinics, Training
n Follow us ok Faceboo to see new horses!
Open to buy, sell, and trade horses 7 days a week, by appointment. Nice Horses for Nice People. The R aucher Family 30 Florence Rd., Easthampton, MA (413) 527-1612 HeritageFarmEasthampton.com State Auctioneer license # AU450
16 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Magnolia Run Equestrian Center, Columbia. rideiea.org. 16 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, TerryAllen Farms, Terryville. rideiea.org. 19 GHC CHRISTMAS PARTY, Holcomb Farm, West Granby. granbyhorsecouncilct.com. 20 VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown. Sarah at (860) 685-0008. hfsc.org/manes-motions.
Connecticut Horse
37
Fox Ledge Farm Dressage Training with a Winning Tradition
Ann Guptill
Greenwich
This Olde Horse
USET Pan Am Dressage Team Silver USDF Instructor & Certification Examiner USPC Graduate A . USDF “L” Judge Graduate
Offering:
Board . Training . Lessons . Clinics All Levels Welcome . Exercise & Layup Conditioning Show Prep & Coaching . Indoor and Outdoor Facilities Competitions . Wooded Trails and Open Rolling Fields Staff On Site 24/7
©Ted Freudy, Freudy Photos
29-A Daniels Road, East Haddam, CT (860) 873-8108 . eqarts@snet.net www.foxledgefarm.net
Mohawk Distribution Quality Equine Products
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How about a nice massage? For your horse!
Nine-year-old Nancy Pierce Chapin riding Taffy at the Greenwich Riding and Trails Association’s Fall Hunter Pace at the Altschul property in 1970. (Now the Graham property and part of the GRTA trail system.) “I have great appreciation for the Graham family,” says Nancy. “The jump is gone but the beautiful fields remain. There’s a 145-acre Altschul preserve abutting the Graham property that’s held by the Stamford Land Trust.” “I believe my mom, Ann Pierce, found my beloved pony Taffy at the Quaker Ridge Stables,” says Nancy. “At first she bucked me off every day. She really taught me how to ride. Mom started me riding bareback so if I fell off, I wouldn’t get dragged.” “I was told to go around the jump,” says Nancy. “Both Taffy and I couldn’t resist that last jump on the course. It was definitely bigger than we thought and I’m not sure who was more terrified, me or Taffy! I remember the moment like it happened yesterday.”
Have a photo for This Olde Horse? Email
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Ridgefield, CT (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net
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connhorse.com November/December 2018
28 TRAIL OF LIGHTS WALK FUNDRAISER to benefit Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue, Plainfield. 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the horses and walk the lighted trail. Free and donations are appreciated. Hot chocolate and snacks. Experience the rescue in a new light! hayburrinn.org.
January
5 PINK FLAMINGO SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Epic Farm, Middlefield. showbrv.com.
Send us your events
5 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, ABF Equine, Coventry. rideiea.org.
for the Annual Events Issue by February 1, 2019! Email events@connhorse.com.
Request a free Youth Award for your event at connhorse.com/youth-awards.
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PORTRAITS BY SHAWNALEE Middlebury, CT, (203) 598-0065 shawnalee.com Charcoals, oils painted by hand.
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THE CARRIAGE SHED (800) 441-6057, carriageshed.com Custom-built barns, shed rows, arenas, run-in sheds, Amish crafted.
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FOX LEDGE FARM, ANN GUPTILL East Haddam, CT, (860) 873-8108 eqarts@snet.net Quality dressage instruction and training; beginner to Grand Prix. SHALLOW BROOK FARM Bridgewater, CT, (203) 788-2122 shallow-brook.com Event, hunting, and pleasure horses; boarding, lessons, sales; 4,000 acres of trails, cross-country fences.
Connecticut Horse
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SPERRY VIEW FARM Bethany, CT, (203) 915-8293 sperryviewfarm.com Dressage, eventing, boarding, professional training, shows, clinics. SPRING VALLEY FARM Westbrook, CT, (860) 399-5000 Hunter, jumper, boarding, lessons. WHIMSY BROOK FARM Redding, CT, (203) 938-3760 whimsybrookfarm.com Boarding, lessons, training, equine therapies, Pony Club. WHITE BIRCH FARM Portland, CT, (860) 581-0307 wbfllcct@gmail.com Boarding, training, trails, lessons, leasing, clinics, indoor arena. BRAIDING
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MANES & MOTIONS Middletown, CT, (860) 223-2761 manesandmotions.com Therapeutic riding for body, mind, soul. EQUINE MASSAGE
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EQUINE MASSAGE BY KATHLEEN Ridgefield, CT, (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net A nice massage, for your horse! EQUISSAGE NE/NY CT, MA, RI, (860) 564-7759 equisportmt@sbcglobal.net Integrated body work for performance horses: reiki, Masterson Method, sports and therapeutic massage, myofascial release, cranio sacral therapy.
LITCHFIELD BLUE SEAL STORE Litchfield, (860) 482-7116 LOCK, STOCK & BARREL (203) 393-0002 lsbfarmsupply.com Large-animal feed and pet food. Tack, farm supplies, and power equipment. Blue Seal and Purina. NORWICH AGWAY Norwich, (860) 889-2344 norwichagway.com SHAGBARK LUMBER & FARM SUPPLY East Haddam, (860) 873-1946 shagbarklumber.com VALLEY HOME & GARDEN CENTER Simsbury, (860) 651-5646 valleyhomeandgarden.com HAY AND SHAVINGS
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IMPERIAL HAY TRANSPORT Royalton, VT, (802) 234-2141 imperialhaytransport.com Quality New York and Canadian hay; shavings.Maine to Florida. PLEASANT VIEW FARMS Somers, CT, (860) 803-2777 pleasantviewfarmsinc.com Quality hay, straw, and non-GMO grain. HORSES FOR SALE
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HERITAGE FARM Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-1612 farmheritage.com Open to buy, sell, or trade horses seven days a week, by appointment. STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable celebrating 50 years.
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MATT LEWIS Colchester, CT, (860) 575-2455 foxglovefarm.com Professional horseshoeing for the performance horse.
SEAN T. HOGAN, ESQ. Westport, CT, (203) 221-3250 seanhoganlaw.com Assisting owners, riders, and trainers with equine litigation, equine taxation, land use, ownerships, sales, leases, and USEF and FEI hearings.
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BENEDICT’S HOME & GARDEN Monroe, CT, (203) 268-2537 benedictsgarden.com G.M. THOMPSON & SONS Mansfield Depot, (860) 429-9377 gmthompson.net H. H. STONE & SONS Southbury, (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons.benmoorepaints.com
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November/December 2018
INSURANCE
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ASSOCIATED REFUSE HAULERS Newtown, CT, (203) 426-8870 associatedrefuse.com Containerized manure removal in southwestern Connecticut. LE MAY, INC. Newtown, CT, (203) 426-2497 (475) 529-8567 (mobile) agrimixmulch.com We buy manure. Containerized manure removal, many options/sizes. PENDERGAST HAULING AND BARN SERVICES New Fairfield, CT, (203) 948-9493 Manure removal, arena-footing restoration, excavation service. PHOTOGRAPHY
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JEANNE LEWIS IMAGES Wallingford, CT, jeannelewisimages.com Western events, barn shoots, portraits. Serving New England. SARAH GROTE PHOTOGRAPHY Cromwell, CT, (860) 301-6647
Kubota, John Deere, Scag Power Equipment, Stihl, Honda. TRAILERS
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PAUL CONGELOSEI TRAILER SALES Montgomery, NY, (888) 310-2246 congelositrailersales.com Finding just the right trailer? At Congelosi Trailer Sales, it’s easy! VACATION
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REAL ESTATE
GRAND PRIX EQUINE Hawleyville, CT, (203) 733-0789 grandprixequine.com Focused care for the performance horse. Johanna Kremberg, DVM, Mark R. Baus, DVM.
WILLIAM RAVEIS EQUESTRIAN raveis.com Specializing in equestrian lifestyle real estate.
CARA KNESER, DVM Bozrah, CT, (860) 823-8951 kneserveterinary.com Mobile 24/7 equine veterinary service.
RETIREMENT SANCTUARIES
TWIN PINES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES Griswold, CT, (860) 376-4373 twinpinesequine.com Quality, compassionate care.
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MITCHELL FARM Salem, CT, (860) 303-8705 mitchellfarm.org Permanent sanctuary for senior horses. TAYLOR FARM New Hartford, CT, (860) 482-8725 taylorfarmct.com Horse retirement is all we do! TACK
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ARBITRAGE TACK Oakville, CT, (860) 417-2608 arbitragetack.com New, used saddle; saddle fitting. MOHAWK DISTRIBUTION Ellington, CT, (860) 490-7509 mohawkdistributionct.com Repping Designs by Loriece, Garroutte Products, and La Victoria Performance. SMITH-WORTHINGTON SADDLERY Hartford, CT, (860) 527-9117 smithworthington.com Fine English saddlery and tack. TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT
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myAGWAY of North Haven 66 State St., North Haven (203) 239-1687 . myagway.com
myAGWAY of Manchester 33 Adams St., Manchester (860) 643-5123 . myagway.com
myAGWAY of Southington 1198 Queen St., Southington (860) 410-1726 . myagway.com
myAGWAY of Middlefield 147 Meriden Rd., Middlefield (860) 347-7229 . myagway.com
Benedict’s Home & Garden 480 Purdy Hill Rd., Monroe (203) 268-2537 . benedictsgarden.com
myAGWAY of North Branford 11 Whitewood Ln., North Branford (203) 483-7800 . myagway.com
G. M. Thompson & Sons 54 Middle Tnpk., Mansfield Depot (860) 429-9377 . gmthompson.net
H. H. Stone & Sons 168 Main St. S., Southbury (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons.benmoorepaints.com Litchfield Blue Seal Store 99 Thomaston Rd., Litchfield (860) 482-7116 . blueseal.com
Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supply 21 Mt. Parnassus Rd., E. Haddam (860) 873-1946 . shagbarklumber.com Valley Home & Garden Centre 16 Railroad St., Simsbury (860) 651-5646 . valleyhomeandgarden.com
Lock, Stock & Barrel 770 Amity Rd., Bethany (203) 393-0002 . lsbfarmsupply.com Norwich Agway 217 Otrobando Ave., Norwich (860) 889-2344 . norwichagway.com Connecticut Horse
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Hebron
Is This Your Horse?
Connecticut’s own Smith-Worthington Saddlery is the proud sponsor of Is This Your Horse?
275 Homestead Ave. Hartford, Connecticut 860 . 527 . 9117 smithworthington.com
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November/December 2018
Kelly McKenna
Crafting fine English saddlery and tack since 1794. Available at fine tack shops throughout the U.S.
Is this your horse? This photo was taken at the October 14 Four Winds Farm Fall Foliage Ride at Gay City State Park in Hebron. If this is your horse, contact us at win@connhorse.com for a Smith-Worthington Saddlery leather halter and a two-year subscription to Connecticut Horse!
Connecticut Horse
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRIDGEPORT, CT PERMIT
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