Summer 2011 • Volume 12 PUBLISHER & EDITOR-In-CHIEF Joni Gleason GRAPHIC DESIGN Joni Gleason COPY EDITOR Jacquelyn Laitala Julie Savola CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tonja Acker-Richards, Scott Jandron DVM, Morgan Hatch, Lisa Jasper, Kris Marrietti, Janet Rohde, Julie Savola, Joy Smith Pet Set Horse Source is a magazine for the pet lovers of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is published three times a year—spring, summer, fall—and is available (free) at veterinary offices, tack and feed stores, pet shops, grooming salons and other various businesses across the U.P.
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Questions? Comments? Advertising inquiries? Or to submit an article or photos: Contact Joni Gleason (906)361-4456 jonigleason@att.net Published by: Companion Publishing 255 W. Water St. Negaunee, MI 49866 WWW.PETSETHORSESOURCE.COM
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l a k e s u p e r i o r p r e s s . n e t Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 1
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Carol Hollenbeck rides Brock and Lynn Olson rides Carreras.
C ON T E N T S
Photo by John Penrod
U.P PROFESSIONAL RODEO BY JANET RODHE:
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ACTHA RIDE IN IRON RIVER BY TONJA ACKER-RICHARDS
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CREEPY CRAWLIES.... BY SCOTT JANDRON, DVM
ON HERITAGE 24 SPOTLIGHT HILLS BY JONI GLEASON
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CANINE GROOMING NEEDS BY KRISTEN MARIETTI
OF PET LOSS 28 EMOTIONS BY JOY SMITH
BASICS OF EQUINE GROOMING 10 BY MORGAN HATCH TALES FROM A DOG OBEDI12 ENCE INSTRUCTOR BY JULIE SAVOLA
17 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
COVER PHOTO: ‘Beth’ pulling a carriage for Jack’s Livery Stable on Mackinac Island by Sam Garrow
Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 3
The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) trail ride in Iron River
Tonja Acker-Richards Was There!
Bill Richards rides Nick & Tonja rides Ike
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Sue Cannon rides Clara
f eating a great breakfast then loping through a full bloom field of daisies and buttercups is your idea of a great day, then the UP Championship Rodeo Competitive Trail Ride held on June 11th in Iron River, was the event to attend. This American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) event brought together horses and families from the Upper Midwest to compete for fun and prizes. Being new to the ACTHA scene, I have to say neither Nick nor Ike, the Norwegian Fjord horses we ride at Pond House Ponies farm, nor our good friend Sue Cannon’s Clydesdale, Clara, knew what to expect. As you might gather, the event exceeded out expectations, helped season our mounts, and had us hankering to sign up for the next one, hosted on July 30th by the Northwoods Saddle club in Florence, Wisconsin. It was helpful to watch You Tube videos online to get a sense of what was expected at all ACTHA events. Several interesting obstacles were placed along a well marked trail through woods and fields including the “Tantalizing Tentacles” using hanging vines, brush and ropes, and the “Merry go Round” obstacle. Judges, much to Ike’s surprise, were sitting along the trail at the pre-designated obstacles to judge both the rider’s performance and the horse’s trailwise style. I think it’s fair to say what looks easy on paper or on You Tube is much more challenging in unfamiliar woods. These new smells and new scenery added to the competitive feels, as did the fact that riders were paired, sometimes with new riding companions at the days start. Horses should definitely have some trail riding experience and be thoroughly “sacked out” to various natural conditions from deer to grouse to muddy patches. We presented our Coggins papers, signed up for riding teams and times at the beginning of the day while eating a hot breakfast, letting the horses munch from hay bags, and turnout pens. A short briefing outlined the obstacles and their order, and put safety and fun
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firmly first. Brothers, Nick and Ike being ponies in small draft bodies initially were distracted by the lush grass in the pastures, about two weeks ahead of our greenery in Ishpeming. But they soon were persuaded to concentrate on the 7-mile trail and fun natural obstacles ahead. Brave and beautiful Clara entered the harder open division and she showed finely that draft horses, suitably trained, make fine riding mounts. She made more complex moves at the obstacles like side passing to the gate and trotting the cones on steep moist hills. No doubt her rider did a heroic job hoisting the simulated “dead animal” and her own self with a small log mounting block up to draft horse heights. She took home a well deserved first place blue ribbon, and several prizes including some pine shavings, a Rodeo tee shirt for hubby home tending the farm, and gifts certificates for ACTHA sponsors called “bucks.” Perhaps Clara will choose a taller mounting block from the many online sponsors. Nick and Ike wisely chose to show off their trail riding skills in the open division. Youth class was available to the younger riders and they took off on ponies, quarter and appys and made good showings across the lovely farm provided by a real nice rural family and their horse welcoming neighbor who snowbirds from the East coast. Afterwards bragging rights and prizes were awarded as we ate a pasty lunch, watered the thirsty horses, and socialized around a small fire circle. My husband Bill took first in the open division and cleaned up in the best groomed horse categories!
Contact Dave Wells about the upcoming Northwoods ride July 30th in Florence, Wisc. dave.wells@charter.net Join the horse-loving, nature-loving rural lifestyle loving people at the next ACTHA ride! Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 5
Creepy Crawlies... by Scott Jandron, DVM
Although there is no better place to be than the UP during the summer, it does come with challenges for our furry friends. Fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms are the “Big Four” parasites that we are concerned with as our dogs venture outdoors.
Howie
We are also seeing a rise in the number of cases of Lyme disease in our area....
Terk Page 6 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
then use various products and medicines that will protect him from contracting any of the diseases related to these parasites. Heartworm is the parasite that is spread from dog to dog through the mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, the heartworm larvae make their way into the bloodstream of the dog. Over the course of
Photo by Tara Truscott
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n our clinic alone, we have diagnosed 12 cases of Lyme disease and 1 case of heartworm disease at the time of this writing. Because of this, it is very important to bring your dog to your veterinarian for a “Spring Checkup” to be screened for all of these infestations or infections. Once you are sure that Fido is clear of any problems, you can
several months, the larvae develop into adult worms that can reach up to a foot in length and clog up the blood vessels of the heart and lungs. Fortunately, this disease is preventable with a prescribed chewable pill that is given once every month from June to November in our area. As long as the pill is given every month, any larvae in the dog’s bloodstream will be eliminated before they develop into adults. If the adult worms are allowed to develop in the dog, the treatment is much more expensive and risky to the health of the dog. Intestinal worms such as hookworms and roundworms are the most common parasites in our region. They are spread from dog to dog differently than the heartworm. The microscopic worm eggs are shed in the dog’s feces and stick to the grass even when the rain washes the feces away. When your dog walks in areas where infected dogs have passed, the eggs get on their paws. When the dog cleans himself, he ingests the eggs and the larvae are released into his system. Hookworms have an additional, clever way of entering your dog’s body. When the eggs stick to their paws, the larvae are released and actually penetrate through the skin and enter the bloodstream. The easiest way to detect the presence of intestinal parasites is still the fecal floatation test. If your dog tests positive for hookworms or roundworms, you can easily eliminate them with simple medications. However, prevention is also the best medicine for these parasites. The same monthly chewable pill that is given to prevent heartworm disease will remove any hookworms or roundworms from the dog’s system. Fleas and ticks are the external parasites that we all know too well in our area. The danger of these parasites goes well beyond the “ick” factor and the fact that they are bloodsucking creatures. The biggest problem with fleas is that they are a bloodsucking parasite that can cause allergy dermatitis in many cases and anemia in severe cases. Ticks can cause much more serious infections in dogs. Most people are familiar with Lyme
disease, but there are two other bacterial diseases that are spread by the tick called anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. If the tick stays attached to your dog for 24-72 hours, the bacteria pass from the tick into the bloodstream of the dog. If any of these infections go undetected, they can affect many parts of the body and cause disease in the joints, heart, kidneys, bloodstream and nervous system. In advanced cases, some dogs will die from complications that arise from these infections. However, with a simple screen test, we can detect the presence of the Lyme, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia antibodies very early in the disease. This allows us to treat the dog with a course of antibiotics and prevent them from suffering from the effects of the disease. The best plan of attack to protect your furry family member from any of the above issues is to bring your dog to your veterinarian for a “Spring Checkup”. The doctor will perform a simple blood test called a “4DX” Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 7
test which will screen your dog for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. A fecal flotation test can also be performed to screen for the intestinal worms. If your pet tests positive for any of these diseases, a treatment plan will then be put in place. Hopefully your dog will test negative for all of the above and then a plan of prevention can be put in place. First, we recommend that you use a product like Heartgard Plus for protection against heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Second, a good flea and tick product like Frontline Plus will help these external parasites from biting or attaching to your dog. By simply keeping fleas and ticks off of our dogs, we will prevent most of them from contracting any of the previously discussed tick-borne diseases. When it comes to Lyme disease, we have the added benefit of an effective vaccine that is available for dogs. If your dog is active in any way out in the woods, or if you live in a wooded area, we highly recommend that you vaccinate your dog for Lyme disease. As I noted in the beginning of this article, the Upper Peninsula is an awesome place to live. But, it does come with its challenges. By using the available screen tests, preventative medicines and vaccines, we hope to minimize or eliminate any of the diseases that are related to the presence of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. This statement applies extremely well when it comes to protecting our dogs from the dangers that lurk in the UP, the area that we all call “home.”
Dr. Scott Jandron has been practicing companion animal medicine in the IshpemingNegaunee area since 1993, and is currently co-owner of Northern Veterinary Associates in Ishpeming. He is a regular contributor to Pet Set Horse Source. He welcomes your petrelated questions; send them to: Scott Jandron, DVM 661 Palms Avenue Ishpeming, MI 49849 Or e-mail: srjandron@chartermi.net Page 8 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
Canine Grooming Needs by Kristen Marietti
Correct brushes, brushing techniques and good behavior are key to keep your pup looking and feeling great!
One of the greatest issues I see as a groomer: Most dog owners either are not aware of their dogs grooming needs, are not using the correct brushs for thier pet; Different breeds require different brushes or technique. Some don’t brush & comb at all or their pet will not a allow itself to be brushed. Good behavior on your pets behalf takes practice and should begin as soon as you can. I start at 4 weeks of age. The earlier you start a consistant grooming schedule, the more they will become accustomed to being groomed and enjoy the attention. Just last week I had a small terrier mix come into my shop for grooming, I always know when he comes in that he will have severe matting due to no brushing at home & way too much time between grooming. The little guy had me in tears, due to the shape he was in. He had a matt between his legs the size of my fist that was connected to
both legs. Basically his legs were tied together by this hairball/matt and it took me 4 hours to safely cut all the matts off of him. A full typical grooming usually takes 2 hours. This, of course, is an extreme case. As painful as it is for a dog to be this matted, it’s more painful & dangerous for a matted dog to be sheared. It’s very hard for a groomer to see where the matt ends and the skin begins which is not extremely cautious, it is very easy to cut Skin by accident. What I find sad is that matts are totally preventable by spending 10-15 minutes per session once or twice a week to brush and comb your dog throughoutly and consistently will promote healthy coat and skin. Encourage your dog to tolerate being handled, it will make your pets visits to your favorite groomer a positive experience. It’s also a great bonding experience for owners and their pet. And admit it, don’t you just love it when your baby looks great?
Call to get on the waiting list for free brushing lessons at Pampered Paws in Negaunee! 906-475-4255 Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 9
Five Basics of Equine Grooming I have loved horses ever since I was little. My parents thought it would be a good idea to send me off to horse work camps because they thought if I learned how much hard work horses are, that I wouldn’t want one as bad. Man were they wrong. One of the first things that we learned at these camps was how to properly maintain our horses. I believe that improper grooming and ill-fitting tack make the crankiest horses. I mean who wants to be itchy and uncomfortable? This article is about things that I have picked up about grooming horses and the five tools you need to start.
by Morgan Hatch
1. Curry brush - This brush is to loosen dirt, dead hair, mud, bugs and anything else that might be stuck to your horse. You use this in small circles to loosen everything up. I usually do not use this on their face. 2. Hard brush - This brush is for right after the curry to get all the dirt and hair that was kicked up off the horse. The bristles should be hard and coarse. Use this brush in small strokes and flick your wrist at the end so the dirt comes off. 3. Soft brush - Use this after the hard brush to buff your horse. It also gets more dirt off. Feel free to use on the horse’s head because it is soft enough. 4. Hoof pick - This is to clean up your horse’s feet. I will always buy a metal pick because I’ve had many plastic ones break. I also like one with a connected brush to help clean the hoof. 5. Mane & tail brush - I will always start with these brushes at the bottom of the hair because if you just start trying to rip through the mane and tail you will lose a lot of hair. By the way, manes and tails take about five years to grow back. I personally like a metal brush but you can use any brush here, even your own. Other good tips that I have learned is that you need to find brushes that not only work for your horse; but fit your hands as well. Brushes are hard to use when they are too big or painful for you to use. Also, there is no reason why any of these brushes should cost more then twenty dollars. Hope this helps in all your grooming adventures.
Buck enjoys a snack and the attention during a grooming lesson led by Morgan at Heritage Hills Horseback Riding Page 10 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
Morgan Hatch lives in Ishpeming and is a student at NMU. She helps out at Heritage Hills Horseback Riding: Contact her at cute12cbunny@aol.com
Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 11
Tales from a Dog Obedience Instructor Vol 2 – Not So Common Sense by Julie Savola
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n the last issue of Pet Set Horse Source, I promised to teach you the secret shortcuts to successful dog training. To effectively train your dog, you will need to improve your skills as well as the dog's. In the future we will focus on timing, consistency, repetition, and appropriate feedback. The concepts we will consider first are logic and common sense, which are equally important. When I enroll a student in a class, I warn that it is likely they will be sore from slapping their own foreheads while saying ‘DUH, why didn’t I think of that?” Let me give you an example: Student: “Fido won’t come to me when he gets loose outside.” Instructor: “Have you ever taught him what the command ‘come’ means?” Food for thought: If your dog was not born knowing how to sit and roll-over on command, why magically would he know what come means? Please understand I am not implying that any of my students were idiots. My point here is one aspect of training your dog is to use good ole common sense and logic sometimes. Dog training isn’t magic, for the most part it isn’t complicated, and it isn’t reserved for the Dog Whisperers of the world. Don’t give up on an exercise, yourself or the dog when the dog doesn’t ‘get it’ on the first session. If you don’t seem to be making any progress with an exercise, think about how you are presenting the exercise to your dog. Do you think it makes sense to you? Your dog? Is there as possibility you are confusing him? Are you trying to accomplish too much at one Page 12 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
time? Take a few moments to think it out instead of losing faith in your training abilities and the intelligence of your dog. Try this: Imagine yourself trying to teach a human foreigner that does not speak any English the same exercise. If you have an adolescent puppy; now it’s a foreign toddler. What would you do different with them, taking into consideration the language barrier. Guess what? Your dog will learn some English words eventually, but will probably not be fluent anytime soon, especially when he is just starting out. Give him the benefit of the doubt and let’s pretend he has no idea what you just said. You might notice no matter how many times you repeat the command to your foreign student, getting louder each time, and maybe even getting frustrated or a bit angry, your student still can’t understand what you want him to do. I guess you’ll just have to guide him gently first and when he seems to catch on, you can teach him the “English” word for it. Next issue we will tackle a few more really valuable lessons. Julie Savola operates her dog obedience instruction under the name K9 Basic O and has been helping UP dog owners train their dogs for over 20 years. She lives in Munising with her husband, Jerry, her Doberman, Doc, TBear, a miniature horse she is training for therapy work and two riding horses; Moe, a Tennessee Walking Horse and her new horse Byrd, a Quarter Horse she purchased for Team Penning.
Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 13
Mackinac Island riders photo by Sam Garrow
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Summer 2011
Calendar Please submit your fall pet-related events by August 15 to: Companion Publishing 255 W. Water St., Negaunee, MI 49866 or e-mail: jonigleason@att.net
July Events
11 - U.P. Championship Rodeo Competitive Trail Ride. Iron river. http://upprorodeo.com
1/4 - UPQHA Summerfest. U.P. Fairgrounds, Escanaba. Email: lampinen.gayle@gmail.com 9 - Tri-County Speed Horse Association. Stalwart Fairgrounds. 906-322-4667. 8/9/10 - Mini’s in Motion Horse Show. U.P. Fairgrounds, Escanaba. 906-942-7503 9/10 - TCHA Benefit Open Show. Dickenson County Fairgrounds, Norway http://tchahorseclub.org.
11 - Fantastic Damage Extreme Bullriding. Iron County Fairgrounds, Iron river. http://upprorodeo.com 9 - Rusty Spur Horse Club BCF Youth Show. Baraga County Fairgrounds, Pelkie. www.rustyspurhorseclub.net 16/17 - Eastern Upper Peninsula Horseman’s Association Open Show. Chippewa County Fairgrounds, Kinross. www.eupha.info.
Hold on to your calendars! Get them signed, marked, stamped: Ride Five times @ get the 6th ride FREE!
UPQHA Summerfest
UPQHA Summerfest
Extreme Bullriding
Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse
Championship Rodeo
Rodeo Festival of the Horse
U.P. QH Show
U.P. Quarter Horse Show Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 17
22/23/24 - 44th Annual U.P. Championship Rodeo. Iron river. http://upprorodeo.com 16/17 - UPHA Horse Show. Marquette County Fairgrounds. www.upha.net 23/24 - Timber Trails Riding Club Show. Houghton County Fairgrounds. www.timbertrails.webs.com 23/24 - TCHA Open Show. Dickenson County Fairgrounds, Norway http://tchahorseclub.org. 24 - Tri-County Speed Horse Association. Stalwart Fairgrounds. 906322-4667. 20/24 -3rd Annual Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse. Events include stable tours of the historic Victorian era barns on the prestigious West Bluff, Mackinac Island Carriage Parade, the Breeds of Mackinac presentation, lectures on the role of the horse in Mackinac's history, a good old-fashioned Barn Raisin' Dance to raise money for the new stable and more! www.mackinacislandfestivalofthehorse.org
23 - Rusty Spur Horse Club (BCF) Halter/Pleasure Show. Baraga County Fairgrounds, Pelkie.www.rustyspurhorseclub.net 16/17 - UPHA Open Horse Show. U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba. www.upha.net 28/30/31 - U.P. Quarter Horse Show. U.P. Fairgrounds, Escanaba. Email: lampinen.gayle@gmail.com 30/31 - Timber Trails Riding Club Show. Houghton County Fairgrounds. www.timbertrails.webs.com
August Events 4/7 - Iron County Fair. Iron River. 906-2653857. 5/7 - Alger County Fair. Chatham. 9 - Tri-County Jackpot Show. Stalwart Fairgrounds. 906-322-4667. 6/7 - TCHA Open Show. Dickenson County Fairgrounds, Norway. http://tchahorseclub.org.
Alger Co. Fair
Mackinac Island Alger Co. Fair Horse show
Marquette Co.
Mar qu e tt e Co. F air
U.P. State Fair, Escanaba
U.P. State Fair
Houghton Co. Fair
Dickenson Co. Fair Page 18 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
8 - 40th Annual Mackinac Island Horse Show. Great Turtle Park Horse Ring, Mackinac Island. www.mackinachorses.org 11/14 - Marquette County Fair: Visit us at www.marquettecountyfair.com 11/14 - Gogebic County Fair. Gogebic County Fairgrounds, Ironwood. 13 - Rusty Spur Horse Club (BCF) Open Halter/Pleasure. Baraga County Fairgrounds, Pelkie.www.rustyspurhorseclub.net 14 - Rusty Spur Horse Club (BCF) Game Show. Baraga County Fairgrounds, Pelkie.www.rustyspurhorseclub.net 15/21 - U.P. State Fair. Youth, open, miniature and draft horse shows. Horse and pony pulling and more. U.P. Fairgrounds, Escanaba.906-786-2192 21 - Tri-County Speed Horse Association. Stalwart Fairgrounds. 906322-4667. 24/28 - Luce-West Mackinac County Fair. Luce County Fairgrounds, Newberry. 2938785. 25/28 - Houghton County Fair. Houghton County Fairgrounds, Hancock. www.houghtoncountyfair.com or call 4826200. 28/Sept. 5 - Chippewa County Fair. Dafter. 906-632-3952. 31/Sept. 5 - Dickinson County Fair. Dickinson County Fairgrounds, Norway. 906-563-8840.
September Events 2/3/4 - Marquette Kennel Club 36th Annual All Breed Dog Show-Obedience Show and Rally. Lakeview Arena, Marquette. Call Mary Lee at 226-3712. 5 - Annual Labor Day Formal Ride. All of Mackinac's horse-folk dress for this Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 19
great Island ride and take the horses on this traditional ride. www.mackinac.com 4 - Tri-County Speed Horse Association. Kinross Fairgrounds for Fair Week. 906322-4667. 8/9/10 - Tri-County Speed Horse Association. Stalwart Fairgrounds. 906322-4667. 11 - National Pet Memorial Day. 10 - Rusty Spur Horse Club (BCF) Game Show. Baraga County Fairgrounds, Pelkie.www.rustyspurhorseclub.net
15/16 - UPQHA Fall Show U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba. Call Eimi Filkins 228-5188. 17 -5th Annual Albany Trail Ride. Money to benefit Camp Quality of Northern Michigan (camp for children with cancer) This is a 20 mile trail ride with a lunch stop. Detour Mi. More information: www.curlyhorsecountry.com/albanybenefitride.htm. 16/17 - Eastern Upper Peninsula Horseman’s Association Fun Weekend. Chippewa County Fairgrounds, Kinross. www.eupha.info. 23/25 - UP Equifest. U.P. State Fairgrounds Escanaba. Doreen Passuello 906-364-4210
All Bree d dog sho w
Dickenson Co.
Dog show
Nat. Pet Memorial Day
U.P. Equifest
U.P. Equifest
Page 20 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
U.P. Equifest
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he U.P. Equifest Board of Directors has been working to bring you all the popular events again in 2011, plus several new ones. New for this year will be a Saturday afternoon horse and equipment auction. After several years of excellent success with private treaty sales at Equifest, the board has decided to add an auction sale to the format. After all, we all love a good auction! Consignment information will be available soon on the U.P. Equifest website. Also in the planning stages is a Cowboy Trail Challenge. The Board is working with a group from the Eastern U.P. to set up this event, tentatively planned for Sunday, the 25th. Team roping is back on the Friday night schedule, pending a sponsor coming on board to help with payback for this event. The Directors are also negotiating with a reining clinician, hoping to add a ‘Ride a Reiner’ option to this year’s clinics. A Freestyle Reining Competition is again being planned as part of your Saturday evening enjoyment. Make your reservations now and plan to spend September 23rd through 25th in beautiful Escanaba this fall. The area boasts many, many excellent motels and camping sites at the State Fairgrounds are also available. Stay up to date with events and the up-coming schedule for the 2011 U. P. Equifest at: www.UPEquifest.com
Stay up to date with events and the up-coming schedule for the 2011 U.P. Equifest at www.upequifest.com Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 21
Kick up your Heels at Rodeo “Daze” by Janet Rohde
T
he 44th annual U.P. Championship Rodeo rides into Iron River the weekend of July 22-24 with jammed-packed “Rodeo Daze” for the entire family. Events include the popular Market Daze, the Wild West Parade, Miss U.P. Rodeo, chuckwagon breakfast, rodeo vittles, art round-up, the Windsor Rodeo Run and more. Activities kick off on Friday, July 22, with the popular Market “Daze” Celebration in downtown Iron River from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where shoppers will find a variety of vendors to meet their shopping needs. The annual Art Round-Up, celebrating its 32nd year, gets under way at the Windsor Center on U.S. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 11 a.m., the Miss U.P. Rodeo extemporaneous questions event is planned for downtown during Market Daze. C’mon down and see the Miss U.P. candidates who will be vying for this year’s title. Later in the day, the Miss U.P. Rodeo pageant speeches and modeling event is planned at the Iron County Fairgrounds’ Rotunda building. The 3rd annual U.P. Rodeo concert will be held at the fairgrounds grandstand; headliners this year are country singing stars Mark Wills and Jeff Bates. The two country performers are teaming up to bring fans a heel tappin’, hand clappin’ show. Local band, Next Myle, will be the opening act. Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance or $27 at the gate. Saturday’s Rodeo activities begin with the chuckwagon breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. in the upper level at the fairgrounds. Page 22 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
The popular Wild West Parade is set to start at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. “No pre-registration is required to enter the parade,” said the spokesperson. “Just show up and register at the registration table, which will be located at the corner of Fourth and Franklin avenues. Prizes will be given out in several categories,” said the spokesperson. “Horses are needed, as well as our ‘valuable’ pooper scoopers.” The Art Round-Up continues on Saturday at the Windsor Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With the opening of the gates at the grandstand; the main event, the U.P. Championship Rodeo, begins. A new specialty act, Dusti Crain McCall, will thrill spectators. McCall is an award-winning trick rider with her team of horses, Chief and Arial. In 2005 she competed in and won the International Professional Rodeo Contract Act Showcase with her Roman riding act. In 2006 she was hired on as the lead Roman rider at the Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. She now performs trick and Roman riding in over 700 shows a year at Dixie.
New rodeo announcer Anthony Lucia will emcee rodeo events. Lucia is known for his gifted ability to entertain with a personality to excite contestants and audiences alike. The second rodeo performance is set for 7 p.m. Gates to the rodeo arena open at 5 p.m. with pre-rodeo entertainment again provided by the Menominee Saddle Club at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s evening rodeo performance is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and everyone is invited to show that they’re “Tough Enough to Wear Pink.” On Sunday, July 24, events begin with the chuckwagon breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. in the upper level fairgrounds. At noon, the Rodeo Arena gates open. Pre-rodeo entertainment begins at 1 p.m. by the Menominee Saddle Club. At 1:30, it’s time for the crowning of this year’s Miss U.P. Rodeo Queen, who will represent the U.P. Championship Rodeo at many events; here in Iron County, the U.P. and in the Midwest. The third and final rodeo performance kicks off at 2 p.m. Tickets for rodeo performances are $15 for adult and $5 for youth. Stock contractor for this year’s rodeo performances are Three Hills Rodeo Inc. from Bernard, Iowa. During all three rodeo performances, spectators will be treated to the thrills and spills of rodeo events including saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bareback and bull riding. “There’s a lot to see and do during Rodeo Daze weekend,” said the spokesperson. “Plan on a wild and wooly western weekend in Iron River July 22-24.”
Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 23
Spotlight on Heritage Hills... by Joni Gleason
Riders approaching ‘Hole One’ of the original Wawonowin Golf Course that is now part of the Heritage Hills Horseback Riding’s trail system in Ishpeming. • Trail system plans in progress. • The impact of the horse industry in this country. • The delight on a child’s face at the realization that they can control this big animal!
W
ere among the topics discussed with Norm and Sandy Seppi while we rode the trails of Heritage Hills this past June, and Buck LeVasseur was there to capture it all for his popular Monday evening show, “Discovering.” For the last 30 years, Buck has brought us the best of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula outdoor activities, including the enjoyment of exploring our beautiful backwoods by horseback!
Buck LeVasseur
Norm Seppi & Trevor
Norm rides Trevor & Sandy rides Bubba
As you can imagine, we had our share of hurdles starting a horseback riding business within city limits in an area that is non-farming or agricultural, and hasn’t seen the likes of horses in these parts since the early 1900s! But we’re getting there, and now that we’ve started our second year in business, we’re showing the optimists that this horse operation might just be a good thing. Page 24 • Pet Set Horse Source • Summer 2011
Riders near ‘Hole Three.’
Norm rides Trevor & Joni rides Big John
But as Norm explained, “Michigan is not a horse friendly state.” President of the Pigeon River and Beyond Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Michigan, Norm Seppi has worked passionately for horse riders’ rights here in Michigan. “This is an eight billion dollar industry; this is tourism,” Norm explains. He recognizes we have a great resource here in Michigan, “let’s use it!” And we are using this historical outdoor wilderness area between Ishpeming and Negaunee; come ride with us! This is where iron ore was first discovered and the markers of those exciting days of early mining that changed our country still abound here. We ride near Mather A Mine and by old railroad grades that brought the raw ore to the boats in Marquette, and there are many other oddities left from that era nature is doing a good job erasing! There are old homesteads, the ruins area of the golf course club house, and even the remains of an old logging camp. There is a lot to ‘Discover’ here at Heritage Hills! And all from the back of a gentle horse. As our slogan says - Explore our world and find yourself.
Learn more about the Back Country Horsemen of Michigan at www.bchmi.org
Above, our wranglers from left Tara rides Scout, Squirrel rides Jenny, Karen rides Beau Below, Phil and Thom are Buck’s film crew for the day!
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HOPPER By Lisa Jasper
I
am a confirmed cat lover. Ever since I was little, I loved cats. I had my first cat when I was 11, and he lived for 20 years! So it should come as no surprise that I have high expectations for the second love of my life, Hopper. Hopper was born on my living room floor on a hot July day, the 9th, 1996 to be exact. I found homes for his brothers and sister, but I could not part with this beautiful, softmeowed, black and white angel who by now had beautiful emerald green eyes that would look straight into mine and pierce my soul. He would follow me everywhere, indoors that is, and sleep with me at night. He acquired his name one day when I was watching him play with his littermates. I noticed that his back legs jumped in unison just like a bunny rabbit did. So the first thing that came to my mind was “Hopper” and so it fit. He reminds me so much of a bunny even though he has now grown into a hefty 21-pound cat. One of the highlights of my life, and I’m sure I speak for Hopper as well, was the time in 2004 when in a bookstore I saw the 2005 Page A Day Cat Calendar. I did what I always did this time of year, thumbed through every page to see if they finally printed the picture of Hopper that I sent in earlier in the year. As I had not received any notice that he was accepted, I wasn’t expecting to see anything,
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but I checked anyway. And lo and behold he was there! A gorgeous, beautiful close-up of my boy! After all of these years, he was chosen as the July 5, 2005, Winner of the Week picture! I cried out with joy in the middle of this quiet bookstore, “He made it!” I gushed to complete strangers. I bought 10 copies to give to friends and relatives for Christmas. Surely they would be thrilled. Rushing home, I showed Hopper his picture in the calendar. He yawned and went back to sleep. Success and instant fame did not go to his head one bit. He managed to keep all fours firmly planted on the ground. Now approaching middle-age (for us both), we have settled into our daily routines. Hopper sleeps with me at night. When I get up, make the coffee, and start to run the bath, he instantly jumps down from the bed, noses the bathroom door open, then takes his spot on the ledge of the tub, watching the water rise and settles in. Yes, he has fallen in a couple of times, but has since learned his lesson. I get in, perch my coffee cup on the ledge where Hopper and I proceed to have coffee. He dips his paw in the cup and proceeds to lick the cream flavored coffee off it. I take a sip, set the cup down, Hopper dips and licks. I sip he dips. So there we sit for a few minutes having our coffee, until he decides he has had enough, when he jumps down, and noses the door open to go out. As soon as I get dressed, as if on cue, he starts yowling to go out on his leash for a supervised outing in the backyard where he lays in the sun to warm his old bones. And I just sit and watch. Oh my little guy, I cannot bear the day when we part, cannot think it. I just only hope it is years and years away.
Editors note: Hopper was also featured on the Fall 2004 cover of Pet Set Horse Source.
Lisa Jasper lives in San Clemente, Calif. yet has very strong ties to the U.P. - she’s comes here often to visit family and friends. If you have an interesting cat story or question for Lisa you can email her: lisajasper95@yahoo.com Summer 2011 • Pet Set Horse Source • Page 27
Emotions of Pet Loss by Joy Smith
PART 2: Anger
A
nger is a natural response when a person is hurting, and often that person will look around for someone or something that is causing the hurt. Focusing anger on a target of blame is a distraction. Yet, acknowledging your pain is essential part of your grieving process. While the distraction of anger only temporarily seem to ease your feelings, in the long run it only serves to prolong an already difficult situation.
September 11th is National Pet Memorial Day.
Whom can you blame for the loss of your pet? Pet owners have come up with a variety of possibilities. They may blame the loss on the veterinarian, animal shelter, the person who caused a fatal accident, the illness that was responsible for the death and even the pet itself. You may also feel anger towards yourself, perhaps seeing yourself as the cause of your pets death. Anger turned inward, into self-blame, becomes guilt. Constructive anger can help you resolve the situation that caused your pet's death, giving you a feeling of accomplishment. However, anger that you hold onto because you can't focus it constructively can make you feel helpless and hinder progress. Blind anger will simply send you charging off wildly through a grief swamp or keep you running in circles. In my next article, I will finish with the guilt, denial, and depression and methods to deal with those emotions. Joy Smith is the owner of Rivers Edge Pet Crematory in Ramsay, Mi. She worked in hunting and retriever training for 15 years but now concentrates on pet loss. She lives on 38 acres along the Black River with her two english labradors, one rescue blue heeler and 1 shelter cat. Contact her at 906-663-4811 joysriveredge@gmail.com
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