BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN INFO
April 30, 2010
There's lots of valuable
information (and photos) in the latest newsletter for the Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen newsletter. Of particular interest
to me is a report on efforts to protect some backcountry trails and in the Northern Dolores River country near Gateway. I
haven't spent much time in this area, especially on horseback, but I've heard its spectacular and would like to ride it some
day. I'm glad this effort is under way. To download a PDF of the newsletter, click on the link below.
Grand Mesa Back Country Horsemen May Newsletter
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ROLEX WRAP-UP
April 30
For those who may be interested, here's a
pretty concise look at the Rolex Three-Day Event held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington last weekend. It was won by
William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, riding Cool Mountain. There's a decent video of Fox-Pitt's stadium jumping round lower
in the article. I couldn't find any video of the cross country.
HorseChannel.com article on Rolex
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| Big Jake |
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| Einstein |
HORSES: BIG AND SMALL
April 29, 2010
Big Jake might be taller than any other
horse in the world, but his owner Jerry Gilbert describes him as a gentle giant.
The 9-year-old Belgian gelding is the
Guinness World Record-holder for world's tallest living horse at one quarter inch short of 6-feet, 11 inches.
That's
2.75 inches taller than the previous record-holder, a Clydesdale from Texas named Remington.
Then there's Einstein. This cute little pinto is the World’s smallest horse! He is just a 3-4 days old pinto
stallion, weighing 6 pounds and with a height of just 14 inches! Now you may say that he is small because he is young, but
normally baby horses are bigger. He’s also the smallest horse at birth.
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| Kara aboard Turk with wild horses in the background |
SPRING RIDE IN LITTLE BOOKCLIFFS
April 25, 2010
Kara and I had a wonderful ride today
in the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area. Weather was cool. The gnats weren't out. There was water for the dogs in Main Canyon.
And the Indian Paintbrush was gorgeous.
We arrived fairly early
— about 10 a.m. — and we were the second horse trailer in the parking lot. By the time we left about 1 p.m., people
were having trouble finding parking spots for their trucks and trailers. Even the hiker lot was packed.
We saw four different bands of wild horses, but no babies. The ones in these photos
were a mile or so west of the trail head in Main Canyon.
I'll
be working on my Ute book project the next few days, so I won't be posting on this site until later in the week.
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| Wild horses in Main Canyon, April 25, 2010 |
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| Joe Torre and Homeboykris. Yahoo sports |
BASEBALL LEGEND IN LEGENDARY HORSE RACE
April 23, 2010
Joe
Torre, the longtime manager of the New York Yankees and now manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, (and a great baseball player
in his day) is hoping for a new championship — this one on the racetrack.
Torre is part owner of a horse named Homeboykris, which is entered in next Saturday's Kentucky Derby. He's a longshot,
but he's in the race.
Torre will be coaching the Dodgers in
Los Angeles the day of the race, but he dropped in at Churchill Downs this week to see Homeboykris, and perhaps offer the
horse one of the fiery speeches about competition he occasionally gives to his baseball players. To read more, cliick on the
link below.
Yahoo! Sports article on Torre and his horse
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ROLEX VERSUS THE VOLCANO
April 21, 2010
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day
Event — the premier three-day event in the United States — begins tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington,
despite some volcano-related problems.
Two of Great Britains top
riders barely made it to the United States in time for the event because ash from the volcano in Iceland temporarily halted
air travel in much of Europe. And several judges had to be replaced because they couldn't make it.
But the show is still on, featuring some of the best horses and riders in the world. Read more at
the Web site links below.
Lexington Herald-Leader article on Rolex
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event website
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RABIES CONFIRMED IN FRONT RANGE HORSE
April 20, 2010
Rabies
has been confirmed in a number of animals on the Front Range this month, including a horse in Arapahoe County, according to
the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Although this appears
to be mostly a Front Range issue right now, rabies is often found in creatures like skunks. It can occur on this side of the
Continental Divide and can be transferred to horses. The department urges people to consult with their veterinarians about
rabies protection.
To download the Department of Agriculture
press release, click on the link below. Thanks to Barb Young for the information.
Department of Agriculture Rabies Press Release
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| Mariah and Kara in 2008 |
MISSING MARIAH
April 19, 2010
I didn't make it to any
of the many events that occurred this past weekend because I spent most of the weekend dealing with Mariah, my daughter's
old mare, who colicked early Saturday morning. Despite Dr. Bob Bessert's best efforts and his several trips to our house,
we were unable to save her. We put her down Sunday morning.
Most
horse people have had to go through the emotional trauma of making the difficult decision to euthanize a beloved horse. It's
not easy in any situation. Mariah was especially tough because she was born on our small farm 22 years ago, we raised her
and I trained her. She was my daughter, Kara's 4-H horse and companion. She was a sweet-tempered horse who liked Kara
a lot more than she liked me. She also enjoyed working cows (she took eagerly to team penning on the couple of occasions when
we tried her at that). She liked trail rides and she enjoyed having Kara groom her.
Eleven years ago, Mariah gave birth to Turk, the dark brown horse lying out in the sun with her in the second photo.
When she was carrying him, she foundered and she has never been entirely sound since. However, thanks to the efforts of Dr.
Bob, farrier Ray McCall, and more recently, Brian Crandall, we had managed to get her reasonably sound. In fact, when Kara
was home from Denver in February, Mariah was sound enough for Kara to go for a brief bareback ride on her around our neighborhood.
But ever since her first founder, fresh green grass, especially in the spring, has been
something Mariah can't have. Saturday morning, the electric fence was down and Mariah was lying out in the middle of fresh
spring grass in our small horse pasture. She must have eaten a lot in a hurry. This time she didn't founder, she colicked.
Cost aside, because of her age and founder history, she was not
a candidate for surgery. At first she didn't seem that bad, and we didn't think there were any intestinal problems,
just a lot of gas. But she got progressively worse throughout the day Saturday. We tried to keep her comfortable and quiet,
walked her a bunch and Dr. Bob released a lot of gas from her intestine. But it wasn't enough.
So Mariah is gone. We'll all miss her. We take comfort in knowing she lived a long, mostly happy
life all on our small farm.
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| Turk catching some sun, with Mother Mariah |
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COSTLY CARRIAGE RIDES
April 16, 2010
If you're going to do anything in New York
City, I guess you have to expect to pay more for it. Now, thanks to a measure passed by the NY City Council Wednesday, a carriage
ride in Central Park or anywhere else in Manhattan will cost you $50 for the first 20 minutes. It used to be $34 for the first
half hour.
But that's the first increase for New York carriages in
20 years under the city-regulated system. The city also set new requirements for the size of stalls for horses and mandatory
five weeks vacation for the horses each year. Read more at the link below.
New York Times article on carriage horses
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| Rachel Seferle on Lucille at Brad Cameron mule clinic in Ignacio |
NO RIDE (yet) FOR BABES
April 14, 2010
My friend, Alan Moore, and his 23-month-old
molly mule, Babes, attended the Brad Cameron colt-starting clinic in Ignacio this past weekend. He filed this dispatch on
his experience.
"Babes got wound up in the arena, and it
took a bit to get her calmed down. And the time is here to try the first ride. Brad dallies the lead rope, and checks out
her attitude, rubbing her head, shaking the saddle, etc. Then its time to try to climb on. He expects her to jump, and he
is right. We back off, and break it down to just stepping in the stirrup, and adding just a little weight ...
"Its day 4, and I am ready for our first ride. But Brad asks if I would be
bothered if I didn't ride. I told him it was his decision, and if it was best for her we wouldn't. He thought it best to wait,
and work on more basics first. Looking back I am sure it was the best decision for her. We spent the rest of the day working
on basics, including transitions in the round corral. She seems quieter, and more confident about everything. I am very pleased
with her. progress."
Click here to read the entire article, and see more photos.
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| The Big Hitch performs last year. USA Today photo |
BUDWEISER WANTS BIG BUCKS FOR CLYDESDALE APPEARANCES
April 13
Several news accounts
sounded aghast that a private company, Anheuser-Bush, would actually charge money to have its iconic advertising symbol make
public appearances. These are the Budweiser Clydesdales were talking about, after all. They're as American as apple pie, hot
dogs and ... well ... beer at a ball game.
But maintaining, transporting
and showing the most famous harness hitch in the world doesn't come cheaply. So I'm not surprised the company is now asking
$2,000 per public appearance. Click on the link below to read more.
USA Today article on Budweiser Clydesdales
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HELPING
THIRD WORLD HORSES
April 12, 2010
Charities are developing to help horses and other animals in Third World countries,
where harness and pack animals are often overworked and have little veterinary care.
It seems odd to us — where we not only have a multitude of laws against animal abuse, but many groups that
help to protect animals. But that isn't the case in many nations.
To
read more, click on the link below.
HorseChannel.com story on international horse charities.
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LONG-EARED LESSONS
April 10, 2011
As I mentioned in my last entry, my
friend Alan Moore is down in Ignacio this weekend, attending a Brad Cameron mule clinic. He sent the following dispatch:
"Okay viewer poll. When dealing with a mule, is it better to use a small board
with big nails, or a big board with small nails. And the results are.......
"Well if you asked Brad Cameron, you might get an alternative answer. Brad is a well-known clinician from Montana.
He has methods that remind me of Ray Hunt, only with a primary clientele of mules.
"I am at Wild Horse Equestrian Center near Ignacio with my 23-month-old molly mule, Babes, attending a colt-starting
and mulemanship clinic taught by Brad. There are four mules and four horses in the class. Today (Friday) it was all day. The
next three days it is mulemanship class in the morning and colt starting in the afternoon. Spectators are welcome.
"Brad's methods seem to revolve around communication. He has certainly worked
to help everyone in the class with individual problems. I can notice a big difference in my scared-of-everything molly.
I know that the learning is an ongoing activity both for my mule and me, but this clinic is making a big difference. I suspect
that when it is over, I will be able to recommend Brad's clinics to everybody.
"I will try to post a progress report for Babes after the clinic."
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ZENYATTA KEEPS PERFECT RECORD
April 10, 2010
Last year's Breeder's Cup
champion, Zenyatta, made it look easy Friday, when she extended her winning record to 16 victories in 16 starts by capturing
first place in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Invitation in Oaklawn Park near Saratoga, N.Y.
With the victory, Zenyatta joins an elite equine crowd. According to The Saratogian, "Her record
now matches the accomplishments of 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation and 1995-06 Horse of the Year Cigar, who each won 16
consecutive races at an elite level while based in North America."
Important
Kentucky Derby prep races are taking place today in various parts of the country. But Zenyatta, who is too old to run in the
Derby, is still the best Thoroughbred racing.
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WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
April 9, 2010
The Kelly Kaminski Barrel Racing Clinic,
at the Mesa County Sheriff's Posse Fairgrounds on 25 Road, gets under way today, with former world the champion barrel racer
from Texas. For more information about Kelly, click on Web sit link in the "Upcoming Events" to the left.
My friend, Alan, headed to Ignacio with his two-year-old mule, Babes, to attend
the Brad Cameron Mule Clinic. I expect reports from him later.
The
Friends of the Mustangs are having a work day in the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area Saturday.
And the local contingent of the Mounted Shooters of America will be holding a practice session at 1 p.m. Sunday at
1448 14 Road in Loma. The cost is $5 per run and the session will give participants a chance to warm up prior to next weekend's
clinic with world champion shooters Brian and Paula Bausch. There are still spots available for that clinic. For more information,
call Cheryl Yaws at 241-0273.
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| Zarela Olsen and Capuchino Forever. Zarela Olsen photo |
DUPLICATE YOUR FAVORITE HORSE
April 8, 2010
For just $160,000 or so, you can clone
your favorite horse and raise a duplicate of him or her. That's what this Florida woman did with her Paso Fino stallion.
Lots of us would like to keep a special horse living forever, through cloning or
whatever means. But I remain unconvinced that a cloned horse will share all of the traits of its "parent" even if
it shares all of its DNA. There is still the nature versus nurture issue. Below is a link to the story in the Los Angeles
Times.
L.A. Times article on cloned horse
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RESCUING HORSES AND SETTING A RECORD
April 7, 2010
A national
organization of competitive trail riders is teaming up with an animal protection group for a nationwide trail event this June
that they hope will set a mark recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, and will raise money for horse rescue programs
at the same time.
To read more, click on the link below.
HorseChannel.com story on Ride for the Rescues
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HORSE BUSINESS GETTING MORE COMPLICATED IN
LARIMER COUNTY
April 5
Larimer County officials have been considering for some time
new rules for regulating horse businesses in the Front Range county that includes the city of Fort Collins and Colorado State
University. A hearing Tuesday will move the regulations further along.
There are already horse-business rules in place, but they are one-size-fits-all, and an estimated 70 horse businesses
operate in the county without the appropriate permits.
The new rules will be a tiered system, with permits for larger operations costing more money and requiring more conditions.
A transition period would allow existing businesses to come into compliance. Read more at the link below.
Fort Collins Coloradoan article on Larimer County horse rules
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FUN 'N FUZZY
April 3, 2010
Despite some cool and occasionally blustery
weather, dozens of riders showed up Saturday for the Grand Junction Horse Show Association's annual spring Fuzzy Horse Show.
They came from Moab and Montrose, and of course, the Grand Valley, most to compete in their first horse show of the season.
continued below photo ...
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| Judge Megan Grieve of Fort Collins gives instructions to equitation riders |
Congratulations to the Grand Junction Horse Show Association
and show director Katie Turcotte on a great show.
To view more
photos, click on the link below.
Fuzzy Horse Show photo page
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FUZZY HORSE SHOW
April 2, 2010
As I write this, it looks
like "fuzzy" is still a good condition for critters in Western Colorado. It began snowing about 6 a.m. here in Palisade.
But, never fear, the weather forecast calls for partly sunny skies and temperatures of 57 degrees Saturday, for the Grand
Junction Horse Show Association's annual Fuzzy Horse Show.
Here's
some information on the show that will be held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, from the show's director, Kristen "Katie"
Turcotte:
****This show starts at 9 am instead of 8 like all
the other shows!
****Show will happen rain or shine. No "rain"date or cancellations.
****This show is
casual dress, no formal show clothing required or recommended, but if someone wants to get dressed up they are more than welcome
to! Boots, Jeans, and Long-sleeve shirts are required though. Because we don't know what the weather is going to be like,
we encourage everyone to dress accordingly, and be prepared for anything.
**** Lots of fun for the entire family....
7 age groups (10 and under, 11-13, 14-18, 19 and over, 19 and over limited(walk trot), first year rider, and novice rider)
**** Levels of beginner and advanced riders!
**** Great warm up show to get horses going and back in the swing
of things for show season without the stress of traveling to a breed show!!
****Lots of fun with old friends, and a chance
to meet new people you share a common interest with
****A fun weekend to spend with your best friend (four legged).
Questions? Call Katie at 970-640-4442.
The show is sponsored by
the Grand Junction Horse Show Association. Below is a link to download the showbill.
Click here for Show Bill
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| Will this arena get larger and be enclosed? |
MESA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS MAY GET AN UPGRADE
April 1, 2010
Big
changes may be coming to the equestrian area at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, including a modern new horse barn and a fully
enclosed arena.
No, this isn't an April Fool's Day joke.
If you read The Daily Sentinel today, you'll see an article about Mesa County unveiling
a $17 million stimulus plan. The Mesa County Commissioners are to vote on whether to proceed with the plan on Monday. There's
a link to the GJSentinel.com story at the bottom of this article.
The
article mentions improvements at the fairgrounds that would be included if the commissioners approve the project, but it doesn't
go into detail. Here's what I know, from talking to Mesa County officials:
The plan is to remove many of the old metal barns closest to the arena and replace them with a large, modern barn
with wooden stalls (Priefert-style). A few of the old buildings closest to the highway would remain. A new trailer parking
area would be constructed where some of the existing barns sit near the area, at the north end of the equestrian area. There
would be improvements to the warm-up arena and lunging area. And the existing covered arena would be extended and fully enclosed.
Up to $1 million would be set aside for these projects if the commissioners approve
the financing project -- which does not involve any tax increase. I hope to have some drawings or site maps in a few days.
Below is the link to The Daily Sentinel article.
GJSentinel.com article on county stimulus plan
