Hello, Neighbors! By Claudia J Swisher Welcome to the Horse News Quarterly. Our purpose is to provide specialized information to our equine-owning neighbors. In this and future issues we will attempt to give you interesting articles and the latest news and information from our local horse world. The publication will keep you posted on equine events and activities in Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah and Warren Counties in Virginia and in neighboring Hampshire County and Martinsburg, WV. In this second edition you will find articles by equine professionals and horse owners who have interesting stories to tell. To the right you will find an Inside This Issue box to guide you through this issue. In subsequent issues, you will find more breaking news from our area, information about new products, seasonal advice, regular features like Kids Corner, 4-H News Report, Tips from the Professionals, and Ask the Professional along with an Activities Calendar. Your editor is Claudia J. Swisher, owner of Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. And founder of Balanced Awareness Horsemanship. Claudia is a life-long resident of the Winchester/Frederick County area. Follow her on Facebook or visit her blog for more valuable information at http://ofhorsesandhumans.blogspot.com. Questions about horses or suggestions for future articles should be e-mailed to rsr.cswisher@gmail.com. Contributed news or articles may be e-mailed or snail mailed to Rocky Springs Ranch, 116 Pinetop Road, Gore, VA 22637. If you are interested in advertising a business, product or service, call us on 540 858 3090 for information.

ROCKY SPRINGS

HORSE NEWS QUARTERLY

http://issuu.com/claudiajswisher/docs/horse_news_quarterly_july_1 https://www.facebook.com/RSRHorseNewsQuarterly Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. 540 858 3090 116 Pinetop Rd., Gore, VA 22637

Introduction to the “Dear Blue” column… Hey friends! I hear that you have been enjoying my pictures posted on Facebook! That’s great, but I am not just a pretty face. I have my hoof in a few different things besides hanging around the ranch and watching the grass grow. One of my most important jobs is helping my owner with her

classroom. I play a big part in helping her with behavior by sponsoring “Blue’s Bucks”. Her students earn bucks with my face on each one. The children love to get these rewards. I also help write a newsletter to parents called “Blue’s News.” The children also like to hear “Blue Stories” and this fact got me thinking. Why not write a column for the Horse News Quarterly and share my wisdom and antics with other horse lovers! I am also a very witty and smart fellow, and I love to share my adventures, thoughts and opinions with others. Life around the pasture probably seems calm and peaceful to most human folk, but from where I’m standing it isn’t always the case. For instance, just yesterday I was trying to come in from the pasture to my stall for my morning grain. The boss mare, Ms. Claudia, was calling and calling the herd from the top of the upper pasture. I was hungry and ready for some alone time in my stall. Well this particular morning, none of the other horses wanted to listen. They just stood there and looked at each other! I thought to myself, “Are you kidding me?” It’s grain time, time for some TLC and to be by myself in the shade of the stall! I was standing in the rear of the herd (my usual position) and no one moved. I decided to risk it and moved my way around the horses in the back only to come face to face with Maggie. Maggie is the lead mare. She is not as important as Ms. Claudia, but when Ms. Claudia is not there, you better listen to Maggie. She gave me a look that said, “Don’t even think about it, Blue!” and then she pinned her ears at me. So I did the only thing I can do in that situation, I backed off. Breakfast would have to wait. Dear Blue continued on page 2

J u l y 1 2 0 1 4

V o l u m e 2 , N u m b e r 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Hello Neighbors page 1 Dear Blue page 1-2 The Thoroughbred: lessons learned page 2-3 Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network page 4-5 Therapeutic Riding page 6 Shenandoah Community Calendar page 7 A Forgotten Dream page 8 4-H News Report page 9 Tips from the Professionals Emergency care page10 Continued story : A forgotten Dream page 11 -13 Summer Horse Care Tips page 14 Advertising with us Prices and sizes page 15 10 Tips for Fall Hay and Pastures page 16

Dear Blue With help from his

owner Kim Meyers

Special Free

July Issue 2014

Horse News Quarterly

The Thoroughbred: Lessons Learned and Reflections on One Year of Ownership By Sarah Jenkins

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Dear Blue continued from page 1

Just as I was thinking about my next move, Maggie decides to move down the hill toward the barn. All the horses fell in line and as is usually the case, I brought up the rear. (Well somebody has to, right?) Anyway we sauntered down at the slowest pace possible because Maggie was in no hurry this morning. I stayed in the back and tried to be patient. We crossed the creek, one horse at a time. By the time we got to the barn, Ms. Claudia was mad. She does not like to wait for us to come to breakfast. She opened the gate to the ring and I finally could see my stall and breakfast! I galloped to the gate and into my stall. “Good boy, Blue!” Ms. Claudia said. The wisdom in this story is something everyone needs to consider. What is your place in “the herd”? Are you a leader? Are you a follower? Do you give orders or do you follow orders? The point is everyone has his or her niche in the herd. If you accept your position and execute it to the best of your ability, then you will support your herd. By accepting your position, you will be kept safe and live a happy and healthy life. I hope you enjoyed reading my first article for the Horse Quarterly. Please send in any ideas for articles, questions, or wonderings to talktothehorse2014@gmail.com

The Showjumping Hall of Fame is brimming with the names of thoroughbred athletes that climbed to the pinnacle of our sport in years past. Miss Budweiser, Gem Twist, Touch of Class, Trail Guide, and the incomparable Sinjon all earned their places in equestrian history by displaying the athleticism and courage that many professional and amateur horsemen know to be infused in the blood of all thoroughbreds. Nearly all of the warmblood sport horses seen sailing over fences in professional competition today can have their own bloodlines traced back to the thoroughbred. The Trakhener, Wesphalian, Hanoverian, and the currently-tending Irish Sport Horse all share genetics with the thoroughbred. Many celebrated American breeds can also call the thoroughbred an ancestor, including the Standardbred and the American Quarter Horse. Throughout the history of modern horse breeding, it would seem that whenever a bloodline is in need of athleticism, the thoroughbred is brought into play. My own experience as a horsewoman is extremely limited. However, over the course of my few years of riding I have been lucky enough to learn from innumerable off-track thoroughbreds (OTTB). The immediate impression the breed made on me during my first riding lesson in 2009 has led to a passion for the ex-racehorse, so much so that when it came time to purchase my own horse last spring, my only non-negotiable criterion was that it absolutely had to be an OTTB. Several months of searching finally brought me my equine match: a failed flat racer and former broodmare named Surprise Return. May 2014 marks the one year anniversary of my journey to becoming a true horsewoman, and while the ex-racehorse brings its challenges as every breed does, my experiences with Surprise have only strengthened my passion for this breed and it’s potential as a sport horse in both professional competition and amateur riding. My own experience with the OTTB began before I knew anything about the differing temperaments between breeds. I had no idea what a hot-blooded horse was, and I didn’t have the equestrian background to know how a “hot” horse compared to the cool demeanor of a draft cross or a Quarter Horse. In retrospect, I believe this was a great introduction to the thoroughbred. While I believe there is a lot of truth to the idea that thoroughbreds are a more highly-strung horse than many others, I also believe that the idea of the “crazy thoroughbred” is an unfair assessment of the breed. The first instinct of a thoroughbred is to go forward in all scenarios. I think all horsemen would agree that forward is preferable to backwards or sideways in a sticky situation, and the thoroughbred excels at moving forward; even if they do it a bit too quickly at times. In my time with Surprise, I have learned that whenever we encounter a problem: a scary object on a trail ride, nerves when stepping off the trailer at a show, or a new jump in the ring, keeping her feet moving forward is generally the best solution. The need to move when faced with uncertainty has forced me to be brave at times when I didn’t think I could, and I have Surprise and her thoroughbred instincts to thank for my newfound courage. The Thoroughbred: Continued on page 3

Horse News Quarterly

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The Thoroughbred: continued from page 2

Learning to ride on ex-racehorses and working with my own OTTB has taught me one of the most valuable lessons any equestrian can learn: to let go and trust your mount. Those unfamiliar with the OTTB often have a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that it is impossible to slow an ex-racehorse down with your hands. Tugging on the reins will only make a thoroughbred go faster. An OTTB must be slowed down with your seat, your leg, and often your voice. My thoroughbred’s sensitivity to aids is perhaps my favorite thing about her. Every cue can be given with subtlety, and I believe that the ability to give subtle aids is what separates good riders from excellent riders. I was once told by my first trainer: “if you can ride a thoroughbred, you can ride anything.” While this statement is probably worth of debate, I can guess that it was probably a reference to the breed’s sensitivity. Perhaps the most important thing my own OTTB has taught me in the last year is patience. Unlike the very professional lesson horses I’d ridden in the past, Surprise came to me with very little experience for a horse of her age. At 12 years old, she had never been to a show, had been on one trail ride in her life, and had rarely travelled since the end of her racing career. As with any inexperienced horse, we had a variety of problems with loading, hacking outside of the ring, and standing quietly in the wash rack while her field mates called to her from the paddock. It wasn’t until I owned Surprise that I became personally familiar with the dancing, nervous thoroughbred seen so often at the race track. This behavior is handled differently by different horsemen, and I do believe that there is no “best” method that can be applied to every horse. My horse and many other thoroughbreds I’ve met seem to respond better to a soft hand when nerves turn into bad behavior. The sensitivity of the thoroughbred that is so beneficial when riding can also spell disaster if a rider or handler loses their temper on the ground or in the saddle. If you become frustrated or angry, your thoroughbred will immediately pick up on it and match your emotion, and that emotion will undoubtedly manifest in dangerous behavior. Surprise, true to her name, has surprised me a few times; and every time, the negative behaviors she has displayed have been a direct result of my inability to control my own emotions. By owning a horse and dealing with her behavior; good and bad every day, I have come to value my newly-developed ability to maintain composure in unpleasant circumstances. My OTTB’s sensitive nature has taught me that trying to strong arm an animal into listening will never work for me, and I hope to take this lesson that Surprise has taught me and utilize it in not only my riding, but in my professional and private lives as well. With all the lessons learned from my time with OTTBs and Surprise in particular, I can say that my experiences with other breeds have taught me this: no horse will try for you the way a thoroughbred will. From the time they are very young, racehorses are made to work hard, every day. The thoroughbred racehorse is quite literally a workhorse, and every OTTB I’ve met has the business-like attitude of an animal that wants to get the job done, whatever it may be. This work ethic and desire to please their rider are not left at the track when their racing careers are over. Surprise has proven herself up to any challenge. From her first show just six weeks into her training, where she won two over fences classes and was champion in her division, to her recent ascent to three-foot fences, she does what all thoroughbreds are bred to do: she surges forward with courage.

For Sale: Jelt (aka Nessy) is a Magnificent Ster Friesian gelding, foal date 4-16-2003.

Imported from the Netherlands as a three year old, He has been classically trained in dressage and in harness, has shown saddleseat and in costume, and ridden on trails. He has very fluid movement, natural collection, and has impulsion from behind. He has excellent ground manners, loads, bathes, clips, loves to be groomed, good for farrier and vet. He is light in the bridle and goes easily off leg and voice commands. He loves to work, is very willing and kind and intelligent. He can be turned out with other horses or by himself. No vices, healthy and sound, goes barefoot. Videos available on YouTube search under Jelt. Please contact Beverly for further information at 616-690-9512 or by email at

Grandpaws06@aol.com.

Horse News Quarterly

Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network

By Cheryl Sparrow

Page 4

The Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network (SVERN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation for unwanted, abandoned, neglected, and malnourished horses while educating the public in equine rescue and all aspects of horse ownership and care. SVERN was born out of a group of concerned citizens who began to realize horses were being left in deplorable situations because there were no funds available within counties to provide care for the horses, no facility to take them to, no one knowledgeable in how to care for the horses, and no funds for training needed to understand the complexities of proper seizure of horses. All of these resources are necessary to respond to equine abuse cases. SVERN believes no animal should be reduced to a life of suffering. Horse rescues are established for many different purposes. The primary purpose of SVERN is to provide to county animal control officers all resources that are needed to assure seizure can occur and proper care and facility are provided to the horses as prescribed by veterinarians, farriers, and equine specialists. SVERN also provided an Equine Abuse Investigative Training, free of charge, to all animal control officers throughout the Shenandoah Valley. We will continue to search for and provide these trainings to animal control as again, there is no money available to them for equine abuse classes. The most asked question is, “Why do people treat the horses is such a horrific manner?” My answer is that there is really no logical explanation but although we cannot control other people’s actions, we can certainly make a difference in our reaction to it. The second most asked question is, “Are there really that many horses in these types of situations?” The answer is yes. Even though our rescue is young and growing, we have received calls for 48 horses since the last week in October. Unfortunately, we can only take as many as we have funds, facility, and volunteers to properly care for these horses who are most often very near death. Growth of the organization has allowed us to move into a larger facility, bring in many volunteers, and we continue to work at ways to expand our funds. We have recently moved to a new facility where many wonderful volunteers are dedicated to caring for the needs of our charges. Rescue horses can take months and even more than a year to fully rehabilitate. The reward is the astounding change that occurs in each horse as it is brought back to health and in many cases, receiving nurturing care they have never before experienced. We would like to introduce you to our charges in this and subsequent issues of Horse News Quarterly.

Meet Scotland and Tobias Only 4 months after a new board took on the rescue and worked to decide priorities in building the rescue and working on all that needed to be planned and written to obtain the 501c3 status, we received a call from animal control imploring that we help him get these two stud colts out of the situation they were in by the next day. They were a 1 ½ and 2 body score, had no water, food or pasture, were very fearful of people, and their dry lot was riddled with trash, including boards with nails and broken glass. Fortunately, we had done our research and called another rescue who could take them on. We transported them the following day, on Easter weekend, to Days End Farm Horse Rescue. Although we were not directly responsible for the rehabilitation, we feel very gratified that under the circumstances at the time, we were able to place them where their lives would undergo exceptional changes. Below is an email we received from Scotland’s new owner.

Dear Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network, On this day of Thanksgiving, one of the things I am most thankful for this year is my new pony. I have this pony thanks to you....and Days End Farm Horse Rescue. In April 2012, you brought two neglected paint colts to Days End Farm. One of them, a bay paint, they named Scotland. After almost a year of rehab., I started fostering Scotland and began his ground training. Six months later, exactly two months ago today, I adopted this amazing pony. I couldn't be happier! I want to thank you for what you did for Scotland.....for what you do for all the horses. I am more than happy to provide some pics so you can see how far he has come. Just let me know. Again, thank you. SVERN UPDATES Continued on page 5

Horse News Quarterly

Tickets will be on sale at local events and you can also purchase them by calling 540 303 9746 or 540 858 3090.

Page 5 SVERN continued from page 4

Meet residents of SVERN and fall in love with each of them in upcoming issues of Horse News Quarterly.

Jack Ana Bijou Bree Casanova

PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM! We cannot exist or move forward without the communities’ support. There are multitudes of ways that you can help.

Donations can be made on our website at www.svern.org or mailed to 204 Indian Hollow Rd. Winchester, VA 22603.

Donations can also be made directly into our account at Southern States on Amherst Street in Winchester, VA.

Become a member, just $35 a year. Members receive a SVERN t-shirt, attend member meetings, trainings, classes, and seminars provided by SVERN.

Save proof of purchase labels from Legends, Triple Crown, and Southern States feeds. SVERN earns credit for the labels.

Volunteer! Work directly with the horses or work in the many areas of the organizational needs. As we grow the need for volunteers increases. Take on a piece that is a part of the whole and enjoy new relationships with people who are good-hearted, fun, and have a great time making a difference.

Like us on Facebook and follow the rescue horses’ progress, events and keep up to date with progress being made.

Basket Raffle Fundraiser Over $250 worth of equine products

Drawing will be August 2 2014 at the Frederick County Fair

Tickets will be on sale up to August 2.

$2.00 a ticket or 6 for $10

Therapeutic Riding in the Northern Shenandoah Valley By Margie Youngs

Horse News Quarterly Page 6

Both Spring Session and our Fun with Horses Day Camps were resounding successes at Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship (BRCTH) in Berryville. We served 20 students this spring, 17 children and 3 adults, with disabilities ranging from ADHD to Autism, Brain Injury, Intellectual and

Learning Disabilities. And we had 10 young campers participate in our adaptive, recreational week-long day camps, one in June, and the other in early July. Camp was held from 9:00 to 12:30 each day, and included grooming, basic horse handling and behavior, riding skills, mounted and un-mounted games, and an art component. Our PATH-certified instructors, dedicated volunteers and remarkable equines worked (and played) hard to make every lesson and activity fun as well as therapeutic. The Benefit Trail Ride and Obstacle Play Day, which was scheduled for June 21

st at Sky Meadow State Park in Delaplane, VA, but

had to be canceled due to poor trail conditions, will be rescheduled in September. Riders will have at least 10 obstacles with which to practice and play, plus play a special scrabble game for Dover Saddlery gift certificates. Look for information at our website, www.brcth.org, and on our facebook page re: upcoming events: Route 11 Yard Crawl in August; fundraiser at Chipoltes restaurant in Winchester and Vera Bradley/Longaberger Basket Bingo, both in September; Vineyard Wine and Food Pairing/Musical event in October. Our 8-week fall session will begin in early September, and interested adults and parents can contact Margie Youngs, Executive Director, at 540-533-2777 or at brcthinc@hotmail.com to pre-register and be placed on waiting list. A two-part training for lesson volunteers will be scheduled for late August. Horse leaders must have horse experience, but side walkers, although preferred, do not. Minimum age for lesson volunteers is 14, but younger youth can still help in other ways. volunteerbrcth@gmail.com. BRCTH is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that relies heavily on volunteers to help not only with lessons, but in many other roles. If you feel you have something to contribute, please contact us. We would love to hear from you.

Shenandoah Community Calendar

July 17 Barrel racing series Maple Hill Arena, Winchester VA

540 336 3170

July 26th

Frederick County Fair Open Horse Show hosted by

Golden Horseshoe 4-H start time 9am. We are looking for

sponsors for classes, $20 a class to sponsor. To be a show

sponsor Contact Rose @ horsemomrose@yahoo.com

August 7 & 21 Maple Hill Arena Barrel Racing again.

August 16th – 1 pm Rocky Springs Ranch Members Adults

Water/Ice cream party. Bring your swim wear for a day at the

Rocky Springs water park! Water games, homemade ice

cream and shaved ice.

August 30th Golden Horseshoe 4-H will be hosting a Northern

District Showmanship and Trail class clinic at the Frederick

County Fairgrounds, by donation. Clinicians will be Faye

Strickler and Hannah McDonald. Call Rose for details, 540-

877-4935

September 20th – 9 am Rocky Springs Ranch Trail Ride and cook out September 28th - 9 am Fall Fun Show at Rocky Springs Ranch October 11th – Cowboy Dressage Clinic 10 am – noon at Rocky springs Ranch

Horse News Quarterly

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Frederick County Fair Open Horse Show

Hosted by the Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club

Located at Frederick County Fairgrounds Winchester, VA Saturday July 26, 2014

Youth show all day for $45; Adults for $50 (per horse/rider combination) Or $10 per class for youth; $12 for adults

Jackpot classes $15.00(not included in the all day fees) Classes start promptly at 9:00 a.m. Rain or shine

DIRECTIONS To get to the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Winchester, VA, just take I-81 to Exit 317 (Stephenson), go North onto U.S. Route 11

(Martinsburg Pike) and drive for about 2.7 miles. The fairgrounds are on the left.

DIVISIONS Western (Beginner, Junior, Senior, Open): Show High Point Winner (includes all western Showmanship, Pleasure and Horsemanship)

Hunter (Beginner, Junior, Senior, Open): Show High Point Winner (includes Showmanship, under saddle, and equitation) Gaited ( Junior, Senior, Open): Show High Point Winner (includes Showmanship, Pleasure Gait and Equitation)

Gymkanna (Junior, Senior, Open): Show High Point Winner (includes barrels, poles and stakes)

For More Information: Rose (540)877-4935 Faye (540) 533-7029

www.frederickcountyfair.com

If you have an event you would like to have posted please contact us at rsr.cswisher@gmail.com. Visit us and like us on Facebook as well. You can also post on our page. https://www.facebook.com/RSRHorseNewsQuarterly

Horse News Quarterly

A Forgotten Dream

By Nancy Upshaw

Page 8

This is a tale of a little girl’s dream. One that, as life went on was forgotten. My parents were country folk – first generation off the farm, and the neighbors on our street were of similar origin. We had our own little country “village” on that street, and believe me; the village raised all us kids. We often had communal gatherings to shell the

beans and peas, or to shuck the corn, that someone had brought home from a day out in the country on the old home place. Tales were told at the supper tables (and I ate at many) about growing up on the farm. My mother was from Fauquier County, VA where my uncle and grandmother still lived on a farm until Grandmother died when I was 6. My father grew up in Fairburn, GA and had farming relatives. We lived in Atlanta, inside the city limits, but I was a farm girl at heart. Sometime in the 1950’s when my parents bought the black and white TV, suddenly a whole new world appeared before me. On into the 1960’s, much of that world focused on the Old West or other country fare, with shows like Zorro, Roy Rogers (w/Dale Evans), My Friend Flicka, Fury, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Hopalong Cassidy (I still have the brown plastic HC bank with box), Sky King, and many more. I loved them all. Especially the ones with horses featured. I had a Dale Evans costume, complete with red felt hat, boots and a toy gun. I read all the Black Beauty books, all the Misty of Chincoteague Island books, and played “horse” on the playground with my friend Becky, who alone shared my intense level of enthusiasm for horses. This consisted of us actually pretending we were horses, and acting accordingly. I’m sure we were a poor imitation of the beautiful, elegant, mysterious creatures which captivated us. Year after year I would beg Santa to bring me a pony for Christmas. Year after year I was disappointed. Within the city limits of Atlanta, in a middle class neighborhood, we had no room for a horse (surely a ½ acre would suffice?), and no money either. My only solace was, eventually, Girl Scout camp - Tall Timbers - not far outside of Atlanta. Every summer I would spend two weeks there, and one of the activities was riding. I loved the horses but I was never a good rider because I only got to ride for 10 days a year, along with 10-15 other girls all at the same time. There was little personalized attention. I (and everyone else) loved the old gelding Tall Man, so named because he was a very tall Tennessee Walker. He was too old to put up a fuss, and he didn’t scare us. Besides, he gave a us a nice trot. After the 8th grade, my Girl Scout leader moved out of state, so our troop disbanded. I remained an individual GS throughout high school and into my early adult years, helping the council with camping training for leaders, and assisting beginning troops with camping trips. But my riding was curtailed, and I was busy “growing up” in the city. Fast forward 50 years or so. > After decades of school and computer work, my body rebelled at sitting at a desk all day for 50-60 hours a week. Arthritis set in. I discovered I had had scoliosis since my youth. Add aching hips and other various joints, along with weight gain, and I was heading towards the typical sedentary ailments of later life. I did do yard work, and I started attending yoga class, which helped – that is, until during yoga class one evening, I was doing a waist twist to the right and felt a ‘pop-pop-pop’ in my lower back. “Uh-oh” I thought. “I hope that was good.” It wasn’t. A week later I could not move out of bed. I had herniated three disks. Long story short, I did not go back to work. At least not for several years. It was my choice. I felt it would kill me (literally) to go back to work and luckily, I had savings. Without work to keep me busy, life in the city was not exciting. There is only so much an injured person can do in the city. My postage-sized yard didn’t offer me much either. At least I lived in Reston, VA with trees around me. But, everybody else was busy with their own stuff of life. I never saw anybody until Sunday morning at church. “Hi, bye, have a good week!” I felt life was passing me by. One day a friend called to ask if I would consider sitting her sister’s farm out in West Virginia (about a 2 hour drive). She took me out to look over the situation and meet her sister. I decided I could do it – would do it – if it killed me. For three weeks I was in heaven. I took care of two horses and a llama, a good many cats, and a Doberman on speed. (That’s another story.) I met a lot of nice, interesting people (farmers). My love affair with country life was renewed, and I made myself available to farm sit in that area anytime I could get it. Some time went by, and I finally started to think to myself, why sit around the city when you could be having fun in the country? So I bought a house, sold mine, and moved as quickly as possible. Fast forward another few years…. I continued farm sitting, but I was on a shoestring budget. So I got a job in town (Winchester, VA) – at a store that sells western clothing and boots, work clothing and boots and the accessories to go with them. I’m still on a shoestring budget and many of my customers and neighbors were horsewomen. Seemed like everywhere I went, another horse person (usually a woman) would pop up. I begin to get angry. Why? Because I still had a bad back and now that I was around horse people a lot (and horses), I was beginning to remember my long-buried childhood dream. I wanted to ride on the trails with my friends. I wanted to ride a horse!

Continued on page 11

Horse News Quarterly

Two Friends – Two Welsh Ponies – A Recipe for 4-H Fun

By Cate Byard, 12 years old, Cabins, West Virginia This May, for the fourth year in a row, I went to the Potomac Highlands 4-H Horse Camp which is held at the Grant County fairgrounds in Petersburg. At horse camp you can hang out with your friends and horses for four days! There are several riding classes to choose from including: western and English equitation, trail, fun and games, miniature horse handling, and hunter. Campers who do not have a horse may even participate because there is an excellent horseless class. Each class has a trainer to help you improve your riding skills and hopefully learn new things. Besides riding sessions, campers enjoy activities such as crafts, tribal meetings, and informative clinics, and even recreational events such as trick riding performances. My ten-year- old section B Welsh Pony is my best friend. When I first got him he was very green, only ninety days under saddle, because he had been kept as a breeding stallion. I was only nine years old, Danny was seven, and we were both learning together. We participated in the beginner’s class our first year at horse camp. Danny Boy was very nervous about the stables and the riding arenas, but he was a perfect gentleman around the other horses. Since then, he has continued to advance in his skills, and after four years, we both have progressed amazingly. We participated in the hunter classes the last three years and can jump a course now, although we are still learning. I have taught Danny how to do flying lead changes, and at home we enjoy riding western on trails. I even helped teach him to neck rein. I am so blessed to have a Welsh Pony because Danny Boy is a versatile and talented partner, even if he is a bit spirited at times.

By Allison Barr, 12 years old, Moorefield, West Virginia For the first time ever, I went to the Potomac Highlands 4-H Horse Camp as well. I entered the Intermediate class with Russell Jaxx, a six-year-old green Welsh Pony. It was his first time too! I had a wonderful 1st experience, and not only did I learn excellent riding skills, but I developed a closer bond with my pony. I even met lots of new friends! Having only begun learning to ride last fall, I still have a lot to learn. And I am learning along with my pony! He is Danny Boy’s son, and he inherited all of Danny’s spirit. Russell was very nervous on the first day of horse camp, as was I, but once he got used to the strange new setting, he was very well behaved. I got to canter him for the first time at horse camp, and now I can’t stop! I can’t wait to go back next year with my beautiful Welsh Pony!

4-H News Report This Quarter was submitted

By Cate Byard, 12 years old, Cabins, West Virginia (and) By Allison Barr, 12 years old, Moorefield, West Virginia

In the News for Frederick County, VA 4 - H Golden Horseshoe is also busy volunteering this year with Gainesboro Fire/Rescue, Frederick County Fair, Ruitan, Skirmish and county, state and national events in 4-H and as we say anyone else that calls us. At the present time we are cleaning up and beautifying the 4-H Horse Arena at the fairgrounds. Rose McDonald the Leader of Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club is the Chairman for the Silent Auction (fundraiser for state 4-H Horse Show) she is looking for donations. Please contact her if you can help by soliciting or donating. This is the main fundraiser that keeps our state show alive and helps us afford to pay horse center. 540,877-4935, horsemomrose@yahoo.com

Page 9

Frederick County Horse Show is July 26th at the Frederick County Fair Grounds. Show details on Calendar Page.

Tips from the Professionals This month’s Tip By Cheryl Detamore, DVM

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Knowing when to call your veterinarian is one of the greatest challenges of horse ownership. What one horse owner considers an emergency might seem minor to another. And no one wants to gain a reputation for “crying wolf” when no real medical crisis exists. To prepare yourself for unexpected emergencies, use this step-by-step guide to safely manage wounds.

Preparation Because preparation is often the best medicine, it’s critical that every horse owner becomes familiar with basic equine anatomy. It’s also important to have an emergency first-aid kit convenient at all times. Keep one centrally located in your barn, another in your trailer and a portable kit for trail rides. Keep kits stocked with items to stabilize and treat wounds, including a tourniquet, hemostat (clamp-like instrument used to stop bleeding), bandage scissors, antimicrobial solution, gauze pads and rolls, adhesive wrap, cotton rolls and antibacterial ointment. Also, keep an extra tetanus-toxoid shot in the refrigerator in case of an emergency.

Treatment The first step in treating a laceration is to control the bleeding. The amount of bleeding depends on the duration, severity and location of the injury. Simple lacerations involving skin capillaries usually seep slowly and clot with compression. Severed veins, however, bleed moderately to severely. Arterial bleeding pulsates and squirts in rhythm with the pumping heart.

1. Apply pressure to bleeding areas immediately. If you suspect that a major vessel has been damaged, notify your veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, hold gauze or some type of bandaging material with your hand on affected areas of the body, or apply pressure wraps to the legs. When applying pressure, wait at least 20 minutes to evaluate your clotting progress. Doing so prematurely disrupts clotting and might necessitate starting over.

2. Inspect the wound. Once the bleeding has subsided, remove your compression and thoroughly inspect the wound. If you’re unsure whether the wound requires sutures, avoid the wait-and-see approach. All wounds have a “golden time of healing.” During this period of time, usually the first three hours after injury, treatment is most effective.

3. Clip around the wound. If you’re confident that you can handle the injury yourself, begin by clipping the hair along the hair along the wound margins. Take care to protect the wound, and sweep away loose hair; clipped hair sticks to exposed tissue and is difficult to remove later.

4. Clean the wound. The wound is already contaminated, so tap water, as opposed to sterile water and liquids, is acceptable. Rinse well with moderate pressure, resisting the urge to scrub. Abrasive treatment disrupts clots and inflicts trauma.

5. Flush with antimicrobial solution. Once visible contamination and debris are washed away, gently clean the wound with antimicrobial solution. Avoid peroxide, as it can increase bleeding and damage delicate tissues.

6. Apply antibacterial ointment. Minor cuts don’t require extensive aftercare. In fact, over-doctoring actually can impair natural healing. Apply an antibacterial salve, such as MeliHeal, twice daily for several days. 7. Apply insect repellent. During warm months, apply insect repellent to surrounding areas, but avoid spraying directly on the wound.

8. Monitor the wound. Keep the horse in a clean area, such as a stall or small pen, where you can observe the animal until risk has passed. Check the affected area daily for delayed healing and signs of infection, such as oozing, swelling and warmth.

9. Administer tetanus-toxoid booster. Last, but certainly not least, give the injured horse a tetanus-toxoid booster if more than three months have lapsed since his last immunization. If the horse wasn’t previously vaccinated for the disease, or the status is unknown, administer both the toxoid and antitoxin (the antitoxin offers temporary protection until the toxoid booster takes full effect), along with a toxoid booster in two weeks. Early signs of tetanus include difficulty swallowing, prolapsed third eyelid and overall stiffness. Additionally, affected horses are often sensitive to light and sound.

If you only take one thing away from this discussion, please stop using peroxide. It’s my mission to inform the horse public that peroxide is the devil (smile). A graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Detamore practiced equine integrative medicine in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia for over 15 years. She now resides in Winona, Kansas. Learn more about her product line at www.MeliHeal.com.

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A Forgotten Dream continued from page from page 8 How could I ever think about riding with my back like this? It had gotten some better over time but it was still sensitive to any little bit of misuse I might put to it. After cautious encouragement from my friends (who didn’t want me to ride with them in case I got hurt), I finally made “The Phone Call.” I spoke with Claudia Swisher, the owner and instructor at Rocky Springs Ranch. I had passed by there several times coming home the “scenic route”, so it was “in the neighborhood”, only 10-15 minutes from my house. I explained to her my dilemma. She encouraged me to come on down and try it. It would either be ok, or it wouldn’t. We would know pretty quick. I restarted my chiropractic care with a new doctor in the area, and Claudia consulted her own chiropractor about how best to proceed. My own chiropractor was skeptical (but since I was only going to him so I could ride, he let me do it without a lot of hassle). Claudia’s doctor said for me to try it, but to wear my back brace on every ride, just to be safe. The first few lessons were very basic. I told Claudia to assume I knew nothing (which was pretty much true). At first my back got a little sore, because I was using those back muscles to maintain my position in the saddle as the horse moved. I persisted until I could know whether it would get better or get worse. It got better. It got stronger. And I began to think this was going to actually work. Sometimes I’d be at home thinking about the last lesson, and suddenly a light bulb would go off in my head. I could hardly wait for my next lesson! I lost my fear, and began enjoying myself. Although I was still lacking confidence, each lesson built on the last, and after a few weeks one of my friends ran into Claudia and asked her how my lessons were going. She replied, “Well, she’s not just a sack of potatoes anymore, she’s a rider.” That made me feel good! I was riding! Within a year, I was cantering around barrels on a little Arabian-mustang cross mare. She and I were both old, but we still had it in us! The second winter, I kept on riding through the season at Wagon Wheel Ranch with Sam Snapp, because I wanted to go out on the trail, so that I could possibly ride drag for the Capon Valley 50K Ultra marathon in May. I rode 2 to 3 times a week, snow or not. Unfortunately, without my own horse, I was not able to make that happen. But I was riding well, and Sam jokingly said I should start riding barrels. (Yeah, right, Sam!) My dream to ride had finally come true, but, alas! It was short-lived. My old hip pain came back big time after I quit taking the anti-inflammatory pills for my shoulder (due to the stomach bleeding scare that hit us at that time). I got the hip taken care of that winter but in the spring, my other hip began to hurt too, and I no longer could ride the very healthy, broad-backed QH’s at Claudia’s. I decided I needed my own horse (one of a thinner-shaped breed). Luckily by this time I had a real job again, so I could afford to do this. After having absorbed two and a half years of Claudia’s infinite wisdom of how to see a horse for what it really is, I embarked on this new endeavor. This is what I knew about horse-buying: Never trust what the seller is telling you. Always verify things yourself in some way that the seller cannot hide a problem. Always have the seller (or their substitute) ride the horse so that you can see it move. If they won’t ride it, don’t get on it yourself, just leave. Once things seem ok, ask to try out the horse for a couple of weeks on approval. If they won’t do that then leave (without the horse). Have your own vet (not theirs) do the vet check. Try to avoid the obvious conformation problems. (I won’t list those here – they are well documented elsewhere). Try to avoid white heads and white feet because of potential sun exposure skin problems. Inspect the hooves and the legs closely. I knew pretty well by this time what a good leg and hoof looked like, at least enough to weed out obvious problems. (I had assisted in a partial rescue and learned a good bit more.) So, I went on a visit to a farm south of Strasburg, to see a small QH mare that seemed interesting. She was a good size, seemed to be well trained and of good manners, but her trot banged me to death. Nope, the back won’t stand that! I continued scanning the ads and keeping my ear open for possibilities. Then one day a friend of ours emailed both Claudia and me about a horse she knew about that was for sale. She knew this horse and wanted it to have a good home. It was a Missouri Fox Trotter mare. I was aware of Missouri Fox Trotters because one of my friends had converted from Arabians to MFTs after she decided she was too old to sit an Arabian. This was definitely an interesting prospect. I went to see her on my own first. When I arrived, I found a sorrel mare, with a narrow white strip and snip on her pretty face. She only had a little spot of white on one fetlock (check). Her legs looked good and sturdy(check). Promising. The hooves were a little long, but not bad. The place she was kept was a large, semi-wooded, but dirt lot with a large round bale of hay in a run-in shed. Water trough by the fence. The clearest area was slightly sloped and had water run-off ruts all over it. Not the best place to move her around, but I tried. I put her on a longe line, and she seemed a bit mystified as to what to do. I finally got her going to one side, but the other direction she didn’t like too much. I had the owner ride her, and she seemed to go OK for her. She accepted the bridle from her owner with only a little hesitation. So far so good. Continued on page 12

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A Forgotten Dream continued from page from page11 Next, I had Claudia go with me for another visit. This time I rode her around the dirt lot, such as it was, tried out her trot, and liked it. I don’t remember many of the details of this visit but Claudia did her best considering the environment, to check her out for me. It wasn’t “love at first sight” – but I wasn’t looking for a pet – I was looking for a decent mount, and she behaved ok and seemed healthy enough. She just wasn’t immediately “in my pocket”. After some conversation with Claudia, I decided to give it a go. Considering the mare was 16 years old, we thought the price was a little high, so I offered half that. With some hesitation, the owner said ok, because she knew Angel would have a good home (she knew of Claudia and her barn.) This was, of course, pending a vet check. Unfortunately, the vet we would have used in this case had just recently moved out of state, so I had to hunt for one that could come to the area where the horse was. I was able to find one, and she met me to see Angel a few days later. We went through all the normal vet-check things. There was some question about one of her hocks being arthritic, but it didn’t seem to affect her much. A slight variation on one of her eyes, but at her age that was to be expected. Despite the bad conditions of getting her to move in the dirt lot, the owner did ride her, and we moved her otherwise. We noticed something wasn’t “quite right” with her back legs, but it didn’t seem bad enough to worry about. I decided not to do any major blood work on her, since for the most part she seemed ok, as far as we could tell. (And, I have to admit, when I start a new “project”, I’m a little slow with shelling out money. I have a lot of German and Welch back ground, so I blame it on that.) The next day, Sunday, it was very rainy, but Tom (Claudia’s husband) and I went to get her. She loaded just fine, and arrived at the farm a little nervous, but we put her in with a new gelding so she wouldn’t feel both overwhelmed and alone. That week I went over every day to see her, get her used to me, and to help with the extra work. However, by the end of the week, it was obvious there was something wrong. A stroke of luck had our former vet friend back in town, so I had her come take a look. This is a vet who has seen a lot of the local-area problems, and with a few hands-on physical tests, can usually figure out what was going on. After some examination, she decided Angel had EPM. I was familiar with EPM, because several of the horses at Claudia’s had come in with it, and another friend’s horse had had it as well. I had seen the treatments done, and the good recoveries. So, despite the disappointing news, I decided to keep Angel and pursue treatment. Claudia moved her to another small paddock with an old pony that wouldn’t bother her, to keep her company. We used Marquis, along with apple cider vinegar added to her feed, plus a few other supporting supplements. After about 10 days we noted measurable improvement. By the end of treatment she was much better (relatively speaking), but she was anemic, so we treated her for that, and changed supplements to help that endeavor. Once she gained good color in her gums, I began to give her light exercise in the round pen. The object was to remind her muscular nerves how to work. She was weaker on one side, so for every lap on the good side, I had her do 2 on the not-so-good side. Her muscles began to gain strength and bulk. Her coat became dappled and coppery-shiny. She probably gained about 100-200 pounds (and she needed to). But I couldn’t get her to gait. Darn it! I had a gaiting horse and I had a bad back. I wanted her to gait!! I studied Internet videos of trainers with problem gaiters. I read everything I could. First of all, if a gaited horse is not feeling well, they will only do what is comfortable for them, and a gait requires healthy muscles and more work for the horse. As I began to ride her in lessons with Claudia, we kept debating whether Angel would ever gait for me. After one particularly hot discussion about it, she and I both came to the next lesson with a different attitude. That week I had finally found some videos of a trainer who dealt specifically with MFTs, and I sent her a picture of Angel so she could see her conformation. Her qualified answer wis as that she could see no reason for Angel not to gait, based on what she saw in the picture. I studied her videos which gave me more ammunition to try at the next ride. I guess Claudia had decided she was a bit hard on me, so at the next lesson we tried some different things based upon our separate research efforts. That day, Angel gaited for the first time. Finally!! However, my joints were again speaking to me. My other hip and my shoulder got to the point, only a couple of months after that first good ride, that I couldn’t even ride Angel anymore without great pain. And my lung doctor wanted to get the lump out to see what it was. Within 13 months, I had four major surgeries, including a second one on the same shoulder. I let other people at the barn ride Angel when they could, but she got pretty fat over the winter. After the last surgery in January, I have now ridden Angel 4-5 times. The right shoulder still isn’t right, but if I ride two-handed instead of neck reining, we have found that she and I do better. She has more buttons on her than a computer and I struggle to know how to ride her correctly. But I will push on until I know it simply isn’t going to work. Thank you Lord for remembering my dream! Continued on page 13

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A Forgotten Dream: continued from page from page12 After her recovery from EPM, Angel still wasn’t “right” either. She was nervous and excitable on the ground. With a rider, though, she seemed to try hard to be good. This is a horse who used to be a therapy horse, and who was taken by an older woman to ride because she felt safe only with her. So, Claudia and I figured she had some residual damage from the EPM. First, we gave her the one-time nerve treatment from Silver Linings. If she was better after that, it was only marginal. So then we tried the Mare Mood mixture from Silver Linings. I chose the Silver Linings mixture because it did not have much Valerian in it. Most mixtures have it as a first ingredient, but I didn’t want to be riding a sleepy horse, hence the Silver Linings mix. Aha! After two weeks we noticed an improvement, and after a month, Wow! She was a totally different horse. The farrier was grateful, I can tell you! After nearly a year on that mix, we decided there was still a bit of a problem. Since she was getting so overweight we decided to put her on D-Carb, to see if it would make a difference. Wow! again. Another whole level of ratcheting down. She is now so calm, she actually is reaching out to me now, rather than my having to demand attention from her. Claudia and I believe that THIS horse is the horse she really is, that she has been all along. Now if I can only learn to ride her the way she deserves!

Summer Horse Care Tips By Claudia Swisher

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“When is hot TOO HOT? “ That is the question we all should be asking ourselves when we are riding and working our horses.

As we start to ride our horse in the summer heat we need to know a few facts about heat and how it can adversely affect our horse and ourselves as well. Yes it is a lovely day to go for a ride, work the horse in the arena or practice for a show. There is nothing wrong with doing that if you have been constantly working your horse incrementally for the last few weeks as it starts to get hotter. What you want to be careful of is starting your training or riding and the horse and/or yourself has not been acclimated to it. Here are a few things you should know how to do and understand if going to ride a horse at any time, but more so in heat.

1. How to take a temperature of a horse and what is normal. (Check with your Vet or look it up if you do not know.) 2. How to do a respiration count and what is normal for that particular horse. (It can vary, but not much for each.) 3. How to cool your horse off if it is starting to get over heated. (Again ask your vet before it happens.) 4. Know the different signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sun stroke. (Again if you don’t know LOOK IT UP)

All of the above things are extremely important to know and understand before you go out riding in this high heat. It can happen very quickly if you are not watching for the signs. Everyone should know what their horse’s temperature, respiration rate at rest is and how to do a gum check for capillary refill. (Get your vet to show you how to do these things and practice.) Just a few rules of horse care for the summer: To think before you do something, prepare for problems and have ample supplies in case you may need them. Check the temperature for the day and see what the heat INDEX is going to be. High humidity is worse than just heat. The horse and you sweat to cool, in heat the sweat evaporates and that will cool you, but in high humidity it does not evaporate. The water stays on and just heats up more. (This is why you always scrap the water off your horses after you hose them down.) Things to think about.

1. Can you get into shade if you need too, just in case your horse or you start to get over heated? 2. Do you have a water source for drinking and hosing off? Do not let a horse drink while he is breathing to hard. Walk them

until their breathing rate goes back more too normal, as drinking a lot of cold water can cause colic and/or foundering if allowed to drink too much while they are too hot. Only let them have a little sip and keep them walking. Hosing or pouring cool water over the neck and under the girth area can help lower the body temperature quickly as there are major blood vessels in those areas. If hosing off, after you hose them then make sure you scape off the water, because the act of removing the water is what cools them.

3. Can you get to a phone quickly? In case of an emergency for the horse or yourself and have the numbers at hand. 4. When your horse is turned out can they get into shade or are they standing in blazing hot sun all day?

Things to have on hand.

1. Electrolytes. For humans and horses. (check with your vet for a good brand or type) 2. Sponges or towels to be able to soak in water. There are some specialty ones you can look up. 3. Have salt bricks and or blocks for your horse in the stall as well as in a pan in the pasture. 4. Adequate and clean water in the stalls and in the field your horse can always have access too.

These are just a few things that will help prevent issues this summer while you ride. So try to ride either early in the mornings or later in the evening. You can also take those trail rides in the woods and under the canopy of the trees for a nice cool ride and go through the creeks to cool your horse’s feet off. Enjoy summer cause it is here for a few months, go ride smart and stay safe. Claudia J Swisher has been a lover and an advocate for the horse for 40 years now. With years of training and teaching experience she has seen a lot and ridden and trained in all disciplines from western pleasure, hunter horse, jumper, gymkhana to classical dressage. She is the founder of the Balanced Awareness Horsemanship Program and continues her study in all things horses. “You never stop learning, because you always progress every day in every way or you regress in everything.” < Claudia. Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC 116 Pinetop Rd., Gore VA 22637 Like us on Facebook and give me a holler at 540 858 3090 for lessons or training issues and help. We also teach you how to be a balanced awareness instructor and teach safe horse training.

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with four issues for $240.

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middle or bottom of the page for $70 each issue or

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We also can place you our extensive emailing list if

you would like. Just email us.

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Dates due : Dec. 10Th for the January issue

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Advertisers please contact Claudia Swisher at 540 858 3090 for more details.

You can also email at rsr.cswisher@gmail.com

If you would like have copies at your business please contact me at the above phone number or email.

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While proper pasture management is a yearlong endeavor, fall is an excellent time to evaluate your pastures in an effort to

maximize their productivity come spring. Southern States Agronomy experts recommend 10 things you can do right now to get

pastures ready for cold weather and improve spring growth.

1. Test Soil - Soil quality is one of the most important aspects of any pasture management program. Test results will reveal if

pH and nutrient levels need to be adjusted to produce the highest yields possible. If it’s been 2-3 years since you last

tested, it’s time to test again.

2. Control Weeds – Fall is a great time to control thistles and other perennial and annual weeds. Apply herbicides prior to

the first frost.

3. Mow Pastures – Clipping pastures will promote even grass growth. Mowing is also a weed control measure as it prevents

weeds from going to seed, thus reducing the

number of weeds later.

4. Drag Pastures – Run the drag through your fields to spread manure evenly throughout the pasture. Dragging will recycle

the nutrients from manure back into the soil. Parasites will also be reduced as their eggs will dry out when exposed to the

sun.

5. Apply Fertilizer – Fall is the best time to fertilize cool season pastures. If possible, try to fertilize by the end of

October/early November. Pastures fertilized in the fall will be hardier throughout the winter and experience quicker

growth when spring arrives.

6. Apply Lime – If your soil tests reveal pH levels below 5.9, lime application will be needed to bring your pH above 6.0. One

to one and a half tons of lime should be applied per acre. Remember, the higher the pH levels, the more nutrient rich your

soil will be. More nutrients equal better conditions for plant growth.

7. Seed Pastures – Soil temperatures are warmer in the fall than they are in the spring. Therefore seed applied in fall will

experience rapid germination and reduce weed growth.

8. Stockpile Growth – “Stockpiling” is when you grow pastures for later use. Apply nitrogen in August, then wait to graze

these fields until late fall/winter. Nitrogen application will spur growth for cool weather grazing. Fescue pastures are

good candidates for stockpiling as they are able to maintain nutrient levels during the winter.

9. Rotate Pastures – Develop a rest and rotation plan to allow your pastures to be lush and green in the spring.

10. Evaluate Stocking Rates – Too many animals in one pasture can have a negative impact on plant growth. Remember;

even if you follow all the tips above, pastures that are too heavily stocked will never thrive.

10 Tips for Fall Hay & Pastures Courtesy from Southern States

By Kevin Headley

FYI. We have several articles targeted to horse owners on our

website under the “How To” category at the top of our home

page. This is a link directly to the page.

http://www.southernstates.com/articles/index.aspx