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ANOTHER MONTH TO COMMENT ON WILD HORSE PLAN Posted July 31 The Bureau of Land Management has announced it will extend for one month — until Sept. 3 — the time period to comment on its proposed wild horse management plan for the entire country. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar announced the proposal earlier this year, but it immediately drew criticism from wild horse advocates. The official BLM Strategy Development Document was released June 3, with a 60-day comment period. Click on the link BLM to see the BLM announcement about the extension. BLM news release on comment period extension _______________________________________________________________ CALGARY STAMPED ON HOT SEAT Posted July 31 I meant to link to this earlier. Several news sources say the Vancouver Humane Society and PETA are both demanding the Calgary Stampede end its annual chuckwagon race after five horses died durning the race this year. PETA is going even further and demanding an end to rodeos in general. But that's not unusual for that group. Below is a link to the online magazine Examiner story about the effort. Examiner story on fight over Calgary Stamped ________________________________________________________________
DOES THIS SADDLE MAKE ME LOOK FAT? Posted July 30, 2010 More to the point, does your saddle fit your horse properly? According to a recently released study from New Mexico State University, there is a good chance it doesn't. The study looked at 200 horse-and-rider combinations from competitive ropers and barrel racers. It found that nearly half the saddles in both categories created excessive pressure on the horse's back as a result of poor fitting. This photo is from the NMS website about the study. One surprising discovery to me, and probably lots of other horse folks, is the fact that thicker saddle pads don't necessarily alleviate the problems. In fact, they often make it worse. Read the article at Horse Channel.com by clicking on the link below. At the end of the article are
two links, one that will take you to the full report from New Mexico State, and one to an earlier article on saddle fitting.
Horse Channel.com story on saddle-fit study _______________________________________________________________
THE QUEEN, ON AND OFF THE TRACK Posted July 29 Anyone
who pays attention to horse racing knows Zenyatta is royalty at the race track. Seventeen wins in 17 starts, including the
Breeder's Cup Classic last year, make her an undisputed champion. This photo shows her winning a race this year. She is expected
to race several more times this year, including another shot at the Breeder's Cup, before retiring. However, unlike so many other champions — human and equine — is also regal off the track, but kind and appreciative of her fans. Man of War was mean to everyone but his groom. Secretariat was aloof. But Zenyatta loves to interact with people, from children to wealthy donors who pay thousands to spend time with her. This article from the Houston Chronicle offers some insight into Zenyatta and
her "people skills." Houston Chronicle story on Zenyatta _______________________________________________________________
RESTORING AN EQUINE MONUMENT Posted July 26 In Great Britain work is set to begin soon to restore a rock monument carved into a hill in Dorsent nearly 200 years ago. According to the BBC, the huge artwork -- 260 feet tall -- was created in honour of George III, who visited to the town frequently on his favourite grey charger. To read more from the BBC, click on the link below. BBC article on Dorset horse monument _______________________________________________________________ ANATOMY AND DRESSAGE Posted July 26 An interesting clinic is scheduled for Aug.
13, 14 & 15 in Colorado Springs: Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, a veterinarian and author of books on dressage and horsemanship,
and Sunsan Harris, known for her "Anatomy in Motion" paintings on live horses of their muscle and skeletal structure.
To download a flier for the clinic, click on the link below. ________________________________________________________________ IT'S FAIR TIME ON THE WEST SLOPE Posted July 23 The Mesa County Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds on Orchard Mesa, although the 4-H horse show was held last weekend. More PBRA bull riding competition is slated for tonight. Up in Rifle, the Garfield County Fair is under way, with the 4-H horse show there running today through Sunday. There's also jackpot team roping with JC Roping set for Saturday. The county fair is also taking place to the south, in Montrose, with a Colorado Professional Rodeo Association rodeo tonight and Saturday. Sunday, the Junior Horse Show and Junior Horse Speed events are scheduled, followed by a Junior Working Ranch Horse Show Monday morning. The Montrose County Fair continues through the week, with some rodeo and horse-related evens scheduled. Delta County's fair doesn't begin until Aug. 8. _______________________________________________________________
DIMWITTED DONKEY ABUSERS Posted July 22 Animal cruelty sparks anger, even in places like southern Russia, where this incident took place. Some folks at a private beach resort at the Sea of Azov, trying to attract more people to their resortlast weekend, apparently strapped a terrified donkey into a para-sailing rig, then sent the animal flying high above the water as it brayed in fright. The owner of the resort could do prison time for animal cruelty, the police say. The photo here was apparently taken from video one of the tourists at the scene shot. To read more, click the link
below. Horse Channel.com story on donkey ________________________________________________________________
PONY CLUB IN PARADISE Posted July 20 Moose and I were fortunate to be invited to join the Grand Valley Pony Club for a weekend of cross-country schooling at the beautiful Flying Horse Ranch near Oak Creek and Stagecoach Reservoir. I'm not sure what the elevation of the ranch is, but it was a good deal cooler than the Grand Valley last weekend. Hosts Lydia and Lou Dequine were great, and the lengthy cross-country course, with a variety of jumps at different levels, was wonderful. That's Whitney Jackson and her horse, Olive, easily handling one of the larger obstacles. Thanks
to Julie Ellis for inviting me and to all the Pony Clubbers and their families, as well as Lydia and Lou, for the great time
we had. Cricket, Michelle and Natalie provided instruction. I
plan to write more about the Pony Club for the September edition of Horseplay in The Daily Sentinel. For now click on the
link below to view more pictures. ________________________________________________________________ GRAND VALLEY HORSE WINS COLORADO DERBY Posted July 20 Sally Porter of Grand Junction sent notice that her horse, Cheatin a Little, won the Colorado Derby at Arapaho Park on the Front Range Sunday. Cheatin a Little is trained by Sally's daughter, Sarina Obergfell, and he had to overcome the undefeated Danzip to win the race. According to an article from the Daily Racing Form, Cheatin a Little overtook Danzip in the stretch in the 1 1/16 mile race. He won $31,050 for his efforts. Sally has long been involved in the horse-racing world while living in the Grand
Valley. She is a former director of the Mesa County Animal Shelter. Congratulations to Sally, Sarina and Cheatin a Little.
_______________________________________________________________ HEARING ON LARIMER COUNTY HORSE REGS TODAY Posted July 19 A final hearing
before the Larimer County Commissioners about proposed new horse rules is scheduled for today. The rules will govern horse
boarding operations, trainers and those that host events. The information below is from the Colorado Horse Council. "The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners assembled a group of citizens
knowledgeable in the horse industry in early 2009. For 18 months this group has been working to develop recommended changes
to the County's existing horse business regulations. The existing regulations were adopted in 1998 and are confusing, outdated,
and apply very rigorous standards to boarding stables and training facilities. The proposed regulations will scale the review
process to the size of the business and be quicker and less costly than the approval process currently required. The Board
of County Commissioners are also considering a transition program for existing businesses to secure approvals using a simplified
review process with substantially reduced fees. Information about the process conducted by county staff, leading horsemen
in the County, and others is available on-line at http://www.larimer.org/horses/." _______________________________________________________________ QUITE A PAIR Posted July 19 If you didn't see Patti Arnold's story about Madison Ketchum and her horse, Tommy in Saturday's edition of The Daily Sentinel, click below to read it. It's an interesting story about a young woman who's
found great success in the Paint and Pinto show worlds with a horse she acquired last year. To read Patti Arnold's story on Madison Ketchem click here ________________________________________________________________
MORE WILD HORSE NEWS Posted July 15, 2010 Now there are 12 wild horses dead in the Nevada roundup, according to the latest Associated Press story. Also, a hearing is set for today on the request by wild-horse advocacy groups for an injunction to halt the roundup. To read the entire AP story, click on the link below. Meanwhile, for some more encouraging wild horse news, local writer Pat Martin has peened a piece on Marty Felix, the Grand Junction woman who has spent decades working with the BLM to protect the Little Bookcliffs wild horse herd. Anyone who has spent any time dealing with the Little Bookcliffs wild horses has probably met Marty. The photo of Little Bookcliffs wild horses here is one I took in April in Main Canyon near Cameo. To read more about Marty Felix, click on the second link below. I'll be unavailable through the week, so there will be no new postings until Monday.
AP story on Nevada wild horse roundup Click here to download Marty Felix article _______________________________________________________________ SEVEN HORSES DEAD IN BLM ROUNDUP Posted July 13, 2010 Although I generally think the BLM has done a reasonable job trying manage wild horse herds in the West under the restrictions of federal law and competing interests, they blew it in Nevada over the weekend. The roundup was conducted in extremely hot weather, and horses died as a result. To read
the full story from the Associated Press, click on the link below. AP story on deaths in Nevada wild horse roundup _______________________________________________________________
HORSE MANURE TO LIGHT ROYAL STABLE Posted July 13, 2010 Manure from 170 horses that make up the Royal Horse Artillery in the United Kingdom will be made into pellets to create a biofuel, according to the BBC. The mounted regiment, also known as the King's Troop, is to move to a new headquarters in 2011, and the horse-generated fuel will help it to meet Britain's targets for reducing carbon emissions. In the photo here, members of the King's Troop participate in state ceremonies in Hyde Park. Click here for BBC article on King's Troop ________________________________________________________________
DOWN UNDER HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC Posted July 12 This sounds like an interesting clinic for a little different perspective on horse training. It features Clinician Dale Cunningham and it's a benefit for Dream Catcher Therapy Center in Olathe. The clinic is Aug. 28 and
29 at the Montrose County Fairgrounds. To see a flier for the clinic, click on the link below. ________________________________________________________________ FERAL NEVADA HORSES BOUGHT BY ACTIVISTS Posted July 12, 2010 With the backing of a California winery and Madeline Pickens, a group called Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue bought
172 horses rounded up from federal rangelands in Nevada Saturday. The horses likely would have been sold to slaughter plants
in Canada or Mexico if the group hadn't bought them for $31,415. Unlinke other horses rounded from federal lands — and then usually put up for adoption — these horses
weren't considered "wild" under federal law that protects wild horses and burros. Instead, they were considered
feral horses or strays — animals that had recently escaped or been turned loose by their owners in Nevada's Pilot
Valley. To read more from the Associated Press, click
the link below. _______________________________________________________________ MOUNT UP! Posted July 9 This announcement arrived yesterday and I'm sure it will be a helpful workshop for those who can attend. Plus it's at Gateway Canyons, so it would be a great half-day getaway: Join Horseman Jeff Jefferson for a half-day workshop
at The Stables at Gateway Canyons. Learn how to get your horse to "pick you up" from any elevated surface thereby
giving you permission to mount! "Mastering this one task sets you and your horse up for success every ride." Jeff
Jefferson has been a horse trader for more than 40 years, and has owned thousands of horses. A lifetime student of the horse,
Jeff has a wealth of practical experience and knowledge and a willingness to share. Contact Jeff at 970-201-9641 or email at: jeffjefferson1452@gmail.com or Amy at The Stables at Gateway Canyons at 970.931.2442 or email at: amy.wilkinson@gatewaycanyons.com."
________________________________________________________________ HORSE ARTISTRY IN PALISADE Posted July 9. This also came Thursday, from Brett Lee Arnold with the Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade: "I
wanted to notify all you horse lovers out there in the Western Slope about our show of amazing equine paintings by Kathleen
Steventon at the Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade This show closes at the end of this month so come take a look!" The Blue Pig Gallery is at 119 W. 3rd. St., in Palisade. Since Palisade is my adopted hometown, I can tell you the gallery is within easy walking distance of several good restaurants, not to mention a brew pub and distillery. And, of course, there are multiple wineries in the immediate area. The exhibit of horse paintings at the gallery is a great reason to visit Palisade. ________________________________________________________________ COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDE Posted July 8 This
sounds like fun, and a great opportunity to learn about competive trail riding through a sanctioned organization. Here is
the flyer for the event: _______________________________________________________________
HALTERS FOR CHARITY Posted July 7 Purchase
a halter worn by a champion and help a charitable organization known as The Race for Education. The halters come from Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, the two female stars of the
Thoroughbred horse racing world. That's Zenyatta, pictured here. The Race for Education is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to the children of low-income families
working in the equine industry. The halters are for sale on eBay. To read more about the program from HorseChannel.com, click the link below. HorseChannel.com article on Halters for Charity ________________________________________________________________
IOWA CARRIAGE HORROR UNDER INVESTIGATION Posted July 6, 2010 More information is coming to light now regarding the runaway team at the Fourth of July parade in Bellevue, Iowa. For one thing, it appears the driver was an experienced teamster who'd had his team in parades many times before. He was dragged down the street, hanging onto the reins, even after the carriage overturned and the team broke free. Also, the woman killed was the driver's wife, who had been riding in the carriage with him. But I have found little information about the horses -- what kind they are or what happened to them. One item said they appeared to be in good health after they were halted. It's a little difficult to believe that an experienced team bolted because one horse rubbed his head on the other and rubbed his teammate's bridle off. I'm not alone in that. In one article I read, a gentleman from Minneapolis who has been showing teams in parades for 28 years said he didn't think that was the primary cause of the wreck. But we all know stranger things have caused horses to bolt. One reason I've never participated in a parade with any of my horses. The damaged carriage is removed from the street in the photo above by Mike Burley, of the Telegraph Herald, via the Associated Press. To read more from the Associated Press, click HERE. _______________________________________________________________ FAIRGROUNDS AT FULL GALLOP Posted July 5, 2010 I wrote this article for The Daily Sentinel and it appeared in our Horseplay section on Sunday, July 4: Later this month, the equine facilities at the Mesa County Fairgrounds will be buzzing with activities. First there is the annual Frontier Belles horse show, July 10 and 11, in conjunction with the Grand Junction Horse Show Association. That will be followed the next weekend by the Mesa County 4-H Horse Show. And the week after that, there is the remainder of the country fair, during which some of the livestock exhibitors use stalls in the horse barns. A year from now, when the same shows occur, exhibitors are likely to find very different, modernized and expanded horse facilities. As part of the $17 million in capital projects approved by the Mesa County commissioners earlier this year, the county will spend $1 million to improve the equine area on the east end of the fairgrounds. A new barn and expanded covered arena are the main features of the planned improvements. In a related effort, the county also is developing a new master plan to guide redevelopment of the entire fairgrounds complex on Orchard Mesa. With that in mind, the county has held a series of meetings with residents of the area near the fairgrounds, business owners, Realtors, tourism officials and more, to help determine what the fairground should look like and accommodate in the future. But that work will require other funding. The money for renovating the equine facilities already has been identified and the project is moving forward. Six firms have submitted proposals for designing the renovation of the horse area, said Marsha Kosteva, the fairgrounds manager, and the county is in the process of evaluating them. The commissioners are expected to accept one of those proposals this month, with the intention of having a construction plan in place by late this year. "We hope to be under construction as soon as this show season is over" late in the autumn, said Tom Fisher, regional services director for the county. "Our ambitious goal is to be open for shows next March." Whether that deadline is met, users of the fairgrounds equine area will see significant changes once the work is completed. Most dramatic will be a new barn at the far east side of the fairgrounds. It is anticipated that a single large barn will include 70 to 90 horse stalls, although the actual number won't be determined until designs are finalized. The new barn will replace six old steel barns estimated to have been built in the 1970s, which are in rough shape. Those buildings are immediately north of the covered arena, where most horse events are held. When those old barns are demolished, the area they now occupy will be turned into a parking lot for truck and horse trailers. The covered arena will be expanded to the east — with 25 feet of additional show area and 15 feet of shaded waiting area for competitors and their horses. A permanent awning will be added to cover the bleachers on the north side of the arena. A new show headquarters building and a new judges' stand are to be constructed. Discussions at one point called for enclosing the entire arena, instead of leaving it open on the sides, but that probably won't be accomplished because of limited funding available. Other planned improvements include two new lunging round pens, an expanded warm-up arena, and a new small arena designated for trail classes. "We've known from several studies that there's been a lot of deferred maintenance of the horse facilities," Fisher said. "The $1 million being spent on the equestrian facilities the commissioners hope will be catalyst for boosting the entire fairgrounds."
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MALNOURISHED HORSES SEIZED NEAR COLORADO SPRINGS Posted July 2, 2010 The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region seized five horses — three adults
and two foals — from two different private owners in Fountain this week. Humane Society story on seized horses _______________________________________________________________
GRAVEYARD OF DUTCH CAVALRY HORSES? Posted July 1, 2010 An equine burial ground discovered near Amsterdam contains the remains of at least 51 horses that appear to have been killed in battle during the 1600s. Archaeologists who discovered the horse graveyard were actually looking for evidence of prehistoric human settlements. But, as one researcher put it, "From the first shovel, it was horses, horses and more horses." Historians say there were two large battles that the Dutch fought in that region during the 17th century. One involved the Spanish and one was against the French. It is not clear which army the horses belonged to, but there is definite evidence they were cavalry horses, not draft animals. The Associated Press photo here shows as archaeologist working to uncover one of the equine skeletons Wednesday along the Maas River. To read the Associated Press article on the discovery, click the link below. AP story on Dutch horse burial ground _______________________________________________________________ |
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