Manure Woes:
What to do with horse manure? It is a question that has been asked over and over again. While most horse owners have basic practices for their farm - what policies do they have when off their farm at shows, clinics or simply out for a trail ride? This was a question asked by one of our readers recently .
I know that I travelled with a manure bucket, fork and broom to clean up my horse's do-do's at shows, but I wanted to know what other horses do as well. It's funny, not one comment came back that they leave it behind. In fact, most responses to my question were met with bold-faced "pick-it up and be responsible! Read more:
HOLY LONGSHOT
Horseplayers young and old are fully aware that there is no value in playing the low-price race favorite. Therefore, bettors look elsewhere. Some of them, if the right odds beckon, will consider the second or possibly the third choice in the wagering to put their money on. While still others will look for a likable longshot. Bettors can't resist the allure for a long priced horse. Of course, the higher the odds, the more alluring and tempting the wager. However, most times longshot players keep their fingers crossed, hope and pray that maybe their longshot choice crosses the finish line first, but it's usually to no avail. After the race ends, longshot players rip up tickets and grumble something about wasting money....AGAIN. So imagine the absolute joy longshot players received after backing 75-1 EVERLEA and then watching the 5 year old horse win the 2nd race at Fort Erie on Sunday, July 24th, returning $151.70 for a two-dollar wager. Let's hear it for EVERLEA, who answered the hopes and prayers for those who supported her that day. No ripped-up tickets, but rather tickets cashed. No talk about money wasted, but rather about money well invested. And of course, as with any longshot player who can catch that big prize, let the bragging begin! EVERLEA is trained by Doug Sroka and owned by Jenn Sroka and IdaMae Duffy. I recently sat down with Doug and Jenn to find out more about the two of them and their winning longshot horse.
Equine Niagara News: Give us a bit of history of when & how you got started being involved with horses and horseracing.
Doug Sroka: My family moved here to Fort Erie when I was 10 years old in 1958 and like most kids around Fort Erie, we all went to get hot-walking jobs at the track in the mornings. I walked horses for Les Lear back in 1959-60 and then Yonnie Starr. I walked for him for quite a few years. Basically, walking horses was all I did for many, many years. After I finished high school, I got a job as an accountant which I didn't like, sitting in an office eight hours a day. One day in 1969, I was at Woodbine and trainer Art Warner asked me if I wanted to go down to Pimlico and rub horses. I said "okay let's go". Read on:
Farm Flicks Contest open to enthusiastic young Canadian videographers
For immediate release
(July 11, 2011) – Young Canadian adults between the ages of 16 and 24 are encouraged to get out their video cameras this summer to capture and create clips about Canadian farming for the chance to win a wide variety of prizes.
The Farm Flicks contest is being sponsored by the Farm Care Foundation.
Contestants will create a one to two minute video on one of five topics. They will then submit their videos, electronically to the Farm Care Foundation for approval before being posted to YouTube. Video topics include:
Our Trails: Use & Support Them
or Lose Them!
Gone are the days where we depended on our horses to work
the fields, pull the wagons and get us from point a to point b. With
the introduction of the automobile, horses soon became a thing of the
past as far as 'work horses' go, leaving this magnificent animal as a
creature of pleasure. This being said, there are some cultures that
still use the horse for working the fields etc., but here in Ontario
not so much.
In Western Canada and in some states in the U.S., there
are beautiful trails, a horse is common place in town and you may even
find a local watering hole with a hitching post or two. Here in
Ontario, more often than not the horse is looked upon as a nuisance.
Heaven forbid you should ride in to town and leave a pile of manure on
the city streets, not to mention those inconsiderate driver's (not
everyone, but quite a few) that honk, run you off the road and scare
the #!* out of your horse. Read more:
Paso Fino Wins Extreme Cowboy Race at Equine Expo
Camilla Willings receiving cheque for winning. Read more & watch video
100 miles across the Blue Grass:
The road to Kentucky and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Written by Dr. Brianne Henderson
In September of 2010 the eyes of the equestrian world were fixed firmly on Lexington Kentucky for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. 752 horses and 632 athletes representing 58 countries descended upon the Kentucky Horse Park for two weeks of intense competition.
Prior to the television coverage and floods of ticket holders entering the park, teams gathered at local farms around Lexington for training camps and team selection trials. The Canadian Endurance Team was lucky enough to be hosted by the McConathy Farm, which can be found along a winding road lined by the traditional 4 rail white fences of the Blue Grass region. From the moment we arrived, our entire team was welcomed as though we were family. We could not have asked for a better host for our training camp.
Under the blistering sun and 90F heat, the 9 horse and rider teams that were long listed for the WEG began a stringent agenda of 2 veterinary inspections per day, before and after a 6-10 mile training loop. In addition to this we held “pit crew” practice to streamline our crewing tactics and many team building exercises to bridge the gap between the East and West riders. Kim Wooley from Ontario took on this task as the team coach. Her focus and creativity,was welcomed by all. Kim worked tirelessly to provide a communication link between riders and officials as well as ensuring that we were in a good state of mind for the training camp and the race itself. Read more:
For school my daughter who is 9 had to write a speech. She wrote it on her horse Misty:
Misty…
Who is Misty you ask?
Misty is my horse and NO you cant have her! I got misty August 25 2010, it was a Wednesday. Misty is a chestnut coloured mare that means she is a girl. She has a white blaze down her face and two white socks. Chestnut horses are the same colour as… you guess it …chestnuts and they are my favourite colour of horse!
Misty is 24 years old registered paint but she forgot to get spots. Her registered name is Rainy Poco Mist. Misty was born on April 2nd 1986. It was a Wednesday…yes I used google to find that out. She is the kindest, gentlest and the slowest horse EVER! My love for Misty started 3 years ago. My mom has always been into horses and I started to take interest in them but because my moms horse is CRAZY she thought it would be better to take lessons on a horse that would be good to me. Read more:
Brock & Juno Arrive Home
Brock & Juno, the two former police horses arrived at their new home this week after being awarded to the two police officers that comprised the Niagara Region's Mounted Police Unit . Niagara Regional Police Services decided to disband the unit at the end of 2010 to allow more resources in other areas of police servicing, namely domestic violence and in high schools.
2011 CLINIC SERIES with SCOTT CARMICHAEL
January 6, 2011 - FENWICK, ON
Scott Carmichael has an exciting line-up of clinics for spring 2011. All clinics will be held at Scott Carmichael Quarter Horses, with a beautiful indoor arena on 955 Chantler Road, Fenwick Ontario.
The 2011 Clinic Series with Scott Carmichael will kick of with the popular RUSTY RIDERS CLINIC on Saturday MARCH 12. This clinic will cover general horsemanship skills useful to anyone working with horses. Scott will teach ground work exercises that improve communication and respect from your horse. He will talk about how horses learn and the best methods to teach your horse. The afternoon will include riding exercises focusing on body control. This clinic is a must for anyone looking to improve their horsemanship. All levels of riders and disciplines welcome.
Read more about Scott's Schooling Show & Showmanship, Western Pleasure & Horsemanship Clinic:
OQHA Adopts New Pattern Score Sheets for 2012
For Showmanship, Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation exhibitors there are some exciting changes coming in the near future. As an AQHA Novice Judge I am required to attend the AQHA judges conference and this year they have announced some great changes. A few years ago judges were presented with several different score sheets to try for these popular classes. The Show and Judges committees have narrowed it down to one score sheet that works best for exhibitors and judges. Starting in 2012 all judges will be required to use and post score sheets for these classes.
Until now these three pattern classes have been scored on a 0-20 basis with a 14 being an average score. Exhibitors never got a chance to see how they scored and rarely got feedback from the judges on their performance. The new score sheets have boxes to separate and individually score maneuvers within your pattern. Judges will assign a plus, check, minus or a combination of the symbols in the designated boxes to explain how a maneuver was completed. A plus meaning above average, a check meaning average and a minus meaning below average. Judges may also use a double plus or double minus which will mean very good or very poor. There is also an area for comments. This is a great way to understand how the judge saw your run and which components to improve in the future. Read more:
New Tags for the OEF with Membership this Year
Have you renewed your Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) membership for 2011 yet? Have you received your new membership card? Were you surprised? New this year the OEF has added three tags along with your wallet card. These tags can be put on your key rings, or even put one on your horse's halter or saddle when you are out riding. Many people do not carry much while riding, but they usually have their keys - these new tags offer a quick and convenient way for you to prove your membership in the OEF as so many organizations require this membership. It's also a great way to receive your member discounts at participating OEF affiliates. Proof of liability insurance instantly! Not to mention, if one of these tags is on your horse, it will provide a quick method of identifying the horse's owner should the horse and rider become separated. Another grand idea by the OEF! For more information on the OEF visit www.horse.on.ca
Equine Education
Reach Huron (Clinton, ON) has announced more courses for the equine enthusiast starting in February. It might be just what you are looking for to get you through the duldrums of the winter months. Courses offered include Blankets, Boots & Bandages, Herd Health Programs, Equine Nutrition, Performance Horse Injuries and the Prevention, English Saddle Fitting, Equine Photography Series (Portraits, Action, Liberty), Equine Stretching, Equine Reproduction for Mare Owners, Introduction to Equine Massage Techniques, and Advanced Equine Massage Therapy. Courses range in price from $25 to $480 for the two day courses. Reach is also offering discounts to organizations registering 4 or more people for any one course. To find out more visit www.reachhuron.ca
