Ha... as a fellow horse person I know it’s not that easy now is it. Often we do without vacations or weekend getaways because as caring, loving, animal owners, we feel that we are the only ones that can take care of them properly. This is a valid belief, however, there are qualified Horse/pet sitters available that do this as a daily profession ready and willing to earn your trust so you can reap the benefits of getting away. You might be pleasantly surprised that they can do a darned good job of it for you in your absence. Granted, as horse owners we must all agree it’s possible that another person will not clean the coral as well or the same way you do (maybe better), or pick out the stall as thoroughly (maybe worse), but are your animals safe, content and happy when you come home? Were you able to unwind, relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about your 4-legged family? Peace of mind and quality care is “Priceless” where our large and small animals are concerned.

The most important thing to consider when selecting a professional Horse/pet sitter is their credibility and knowledge of their occupation. Many pet sitters, teens and neighbors are confident they know just about everything there is to know about the average pet so they can throw food to horses and that’s good enough. This is not the correct attitude to take. Horses are not like dogs or cats. If their stomachs get gassy or they can’t digest and push through what they were fed they just can’t throw it up as with the domestic small animals. It takes a knowledgeable person to be able to read these signs of distress. Most non-horse owning people/ sitters will not recognize them or know that the average horse poops between 8-10 piles per day and the consistency can tell you a lot about the horses present condition.

As with any professional trade (plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, etc. etc. etc.) word of mouth marketing speaks volumes for the individual or company they represent and usually the good ones are worth all the effort to book appointments & waiting for. If you are going overnight or just the weekend and can ask your neighbor to throw food, that’s a blessing. If there is a responsible teen in the neighborhood that can help that’s great too. Something to consider if you choose to do this for short-term excursions is for you to educate that neighbor or teen by meeting a few times prior to your departure and be sure that your animals are comfortable with them and vice versa. Get them familiar with the individuals and handling if needed. Let them know the proper amounts of food & water and where it should be placed and refilled. Let them know where all the gates latch and the importance of closing all prior to leaving. Horses are extremely smart creatures with very nimble lips. If given the opportunity, they wiltry to unlock or undo just about anything that will let them out to visit other animals or into the feed room

What if you want to leave for a well deserved lengthy stay of 14 or more days? Would you feel comfortable asking your neighbor to do that much work on top of their everyday activities or the possible unreliable teenager who has an active social life ? I don’t think so. Neighborhood friendships could soon begin to deteriorate with that much goodwill expected, so this is where you need to research and plan for your Horse sitter well in advance of your vacation date. Try to contact your potential sitter at least one month in advance for your initial interview. By doing this you can personally interview them, review responsibilities, rates etc. and then introduce them to your animals for your animals to tell you what they think. Yes... you read it correctly. Watch your animals react to this person, read what they are saying with their body language back to this person. Animal people are pretty intuitive by nature so listen to what they have to say. Watch the expression in their eyes, their movement around this person and their attitude to see how comfortable they are with your animals. Animals will sense and respect whom they want around them. These signs are what is going to be able to make you feel comfortable with that person and allow you to consciously leave knowing you can trust them to do what is right by you and your animals or you need to interview another person. You will know when you have met the right person for your extended family.

Here are some suggestions when planning to leave for your vacation:

1) Critical , Notify your small and large animal Veterinarian that you will be out of town stating specific dates and someone (name individual) is caring for your animals. Leave on file in their office or with the sitter, a “prime directive” authorization should your animal become ill in your absence notifying them of the limit to which you are willing to spend and your wishes for the animal. Notify them you will accept all financial responsibility upon your return or leave a credit card number on file prior to departure.

2) Be sure to have enough food supplies on hand that should you for some unforeseen situation be delayed in your return, the animals can continue to be cared for in a proper manner.

3) Leave emergency contact information and an evacuation plan... Keys to truck and trailer, have them pre- hooked up if possible prior to leaving, and notify sitter if you have difficult loaders. If so... what are their options for walking the horse or horses out and to where. Make up dog tags for halters with horses name and owners phone number. Leave crates for smaller animals and leashes readily available should the need arise.

4) Notify all neighbors/relatives that they will be seeing an additional vehicle coming and going from you property and from what dates. Give description of the sitter’s vehicle and physical appearance. Ask local law enforcement to patrol when they can during your absence

5) For lengthy stays hold all mail and papers at the post office.

6) Put sprinklers and lights (inside and out) on timers or ask sitter to change daily. Notify sitter of any additional hand watering required. Try to rotate light timers for different rooms as though you were home.

7) Make sure that there is a back up key hidden somewhere, because even the best sitter can lock themself out with the keys inside (Been there done that)

8) Try to schedule all shoeing or Veterinarian maintenance requirements for your horses prior to leaving or upon your return. Notify your Horse sitter if other people/things will be coming and going from your property while you’re gone. Notify sitter if gates (Pool or gardeners) or trash dumpster need to be opened or pushed out and on what days.

9) Be clear and specific in your expectations for your animals care while you are gone. If you want your animals turned out, tell them for how long and if you expect them groomed after playtime. If you want them blanketed do you want them groomed first. If you want them hand walked when and where.

10) Foremost, find a person that will fit your personality and that of your animals. No amount of credentials is going to matter if you just don’t like the person or you don’t feel comfortable right off the bat. You have to sooth your sub-conscious in order to be able to have a relaxing time and by all means find one that makes themself available to you at any time to check up on how things are going at home.

About the author:
Susie Tommaney is one of the industry founders for the specialized field of Horse sitting in Southern California, more specifically, in the East San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire Valleys. She created Susie Q’s Horse Training and Equine Services in 1995 due to the need for quality vacation care of her own horses. “The most vital thing to remember is that the horse owner has to have a certain level of confidence in your ability to properly care for their animals” “At the time, I just didn’t feel there was much to choose from!"

With over 35 years experience herself and having done this specialized field of work for other people since she was a responsible neighborhood pre-teen, Susie started up Susie Q’s. As she developed a rapport with her clientele, new and established, clients started asking more of her by utilizing training skills and pulling from her knowledge and exposure to many equine disciplines and breeds.

For a more comprehensive listing of what to do for your “Absence Preperation Checklist” please feel free to review this printable form Susie developed as a time frame guideline prior to your leaving home. It can be found under “Vacation Care” on her website www.susieqshorsetraining.com

Does Your Performance Horse Have an Attitude Problem
or could the problem be an Ulcer brewing?

When your normally well-behaved horse starts acting strangely, what do you do? Do you immediately think he's developing an attitude or do you look for other causes? If your horse demonstrates any or all of the behaviors below you may want to think twice before assuming he has an attitude problem:

● Refusing jumps
● Acting up
● Kicking in the trailer or stall
● Pinning his ears when you put your leg on
● Biting or kicking when his girth is tightened

While these may seem like a group of unrelated symptoms, they're not. They are common symptoms in horses with ulcers. Veterinarians and other researchers have recently recognized gastric and colonic ulcers as serious health threats, especially among performance horses or horses in training. The reasons ulcers are so common among these horses include:

● Infrequent high carbohydrate meals plus inadequate access to hay or pasture
● Heavy training schedules
● High stress environments
● Excessive use of drugs, especially non-steroidal and inflammatory drugs

Since most of the research has focused on gastric ulcers, we know quite a bit about the factors that cause them. One of the major causes is inadequate access to free choice hay or pasture. Horses are meant to eat continuously, so their stomachs secrete acid constantly. When they are able to graze constantly they secrete saliva, which has a buffering effect on the stomach acid.

Plus, the hay or grass forms a fibrous mat-like barrier between the acid in the lower portion of the stomach (where digestion is occurring) and the upper portion of the stomach, which cannot tolerate contact with the acid. The lower part of the stomach is protected by mucous while the upper part is not, so ulcers tend to form when acid moves into the upper portion of the stomach.

Exercise or a heavy training schedule is the second factor that can lead to gastric ulcers. When a horse exercises, he contracts his abdominal muscles, disrupting the protective fibrous mat and forcing acid into the upper portion of the stomach. Performance horses living in stalls may tense their abdominal muscles even when they are not exercising since regular barn activities may prevent them from fully relaxing, especially if they are not offered free choice hay to occupy their time. In contrast, horses living in pasture move about slowly in a relaxed manner.

A third cause of ulcers in performance horses is trailering. Horses must frequently tense their abdominal muscles to maintain balance in a moving trailer, which tends to have the same effect as heavy exercise. Since many people do not offer hay when hauling, their horses are faced with long, uncomfortable rides. It's no wonder that many horses start kicking and pawing in the trailer!

Finally, saddling and tightening the girth can cause your horse to tighten his muscles, forcing the acid into contact with any existing ulcers and aggravating ulcer pain. The association point for the stomach meridian lies under the back of the saddle where the ribs join the spine. If you suspect that your horse has ulcers, put light pressure on this point to see whether your horse has a pain response.

When a horse must be kept in training treating ulcers can be challenging. Most pharmaceutical products designed to treat ulcers act by blocking acid secretion. While this may be effective on a short term basis, it eventually interferes with proper digestion and adversely affects the health of the digestive system. Keeping your horse in as natural an environment as possible is best, including offering free choice hay, building digestive health, and providing nutritional support so the body can rapidly heal the ulcerated tissue. Horses can't use words to communicate with us so they have to send us signals when things aren't right. How many times do we confuse their attempts to communicate with a bad attitude? When a horse is punished for trying to communicate it causes him even more stress and discomfort, and the downward spiral continues. How many good horses have had their careers cut short because of discomfort from ulcers? Try supporting your horse's digestive tract and see how his performance and attitude improve.

These are the facts:

● Stomach ulcers are common in horses.
● Approximately 91% of racehorses get stomach ulcers, regardless of age.
● Approximately 52% of other performance horses have ulcers.
● Approximately 57% of foals have stomach ulcers, particularly during the first several months of life.
● Approximately 50% of horses with ulcers show no outward signs of gastrointestinal disease.
● Stomach ulcers in horses are a major problem in adult horses as well as foals

How do I tell if my horses have stomach ulcers?

Most horses don't show any signs of ulcers and you'll end up turning them out because they don't perform on the track as their pedigree would have you expect them to.

What are the signs of ulcers

Poor appetite, colic, decreased performance, attitude change, poor body condition, weight loss, dullness of coat, intermittent nursing, intermittent colic, diarrhea, teeth grinding, excessive salivation, pot belly, rough hair coat. These can all be signs of gastric stomach ulcers. However the only certain way to diagnose is via endoscopy as these can be signs of other conditions. Always consult your veterinarian. Do you currently have a horse that

How are ulcers diagnosed?

Scope the horse with a 3-meter endoscope or treat each horse for three days and look for a change in appetite or temperament.

"If you see an improvement in them when treated you can be quite sure that they were suffering from the pain of stomach ulcers."

Dr Percy Sykes AM MRCVS MACVSc

Why do horses get ulcers?

Acid released in the stomach in the absence of feed is thought to be the main factor in the disease. The stress of training together with high energy feeds means for much of the day there is no eating. With no eating there is no chewing, so there is less saliva to neutralize the acid. As the acid splashes across the upper side of the stomach it eats away the lining to form, sometimes within days, deep bleeding ulcers. The pain leads to the list of clinical signs mentioned above.

Performance horses are more likely to develop stomach ulcers

Excessive acid can erode the protective lining and damage the stomach. The prevalence of ulcers in stabled horses results from many factors including the way the horses are fed and managed. The stress of training also may contribute to the formation of ulcers. It has been proposed that grains and pelleted concentrates can increase the production of gastrin (Gastrin is a major physiological regulator of gastric acid secretion. It also has an important trophic or growth-promoting influence on the gastric mucosa), a hormone that stimulates acid production and horses that are fed high grain diets are more likely to have higher gastric acidity.

What are the causes of gastric ulceration in all horses

Horses are grazing herbivores – they graze almost continually when left in pastured areas, and the small stomach (only 8-15 liters capacity) is ideally designed for small, regular meals, as will happen when horses graze for long periods. Horses are also designed to consume large volumes of forage (roughage), and to obtain the bulk of their energy intake from the breakdown of fiber and roughage into available energy, under normal circumstances. The real problem for horses arrives when they have their eating and chewing time restricted (by stabling horses and restricting feed times to one or two large meals daily), and then by further stressing digestive function by undergoing regular hard exercise (often on an empty stomach). So a normal grazing horse will chew and graze for up to 16-20 hours daily, almost constantly producing saliva to neutralize the stomach acid which is constantly being produced.

Normal meals high in fiber tend to absorb much of the stomach acid produced (remember that stomach acid is there to begin to digest and break down fibrous materials in the meal immediately after the food is chewed, broken up, and swallowed). Normal meals high in fiber also tend to stay in the stomach for longer periods than watery, or non-fibrous foods (including grains and mashes). The actual emptying time of the stomach is governed by the size of the meal – so a large meal will empty faster than a small meal. Similarly, a predominantly grain or concentrate meal will empty rapidly.

If the stomach empties quickly, there are long periods when acid is being produced, yet there is no food in the stomach, especially when horses have restricted feeding times because they are stabled and fed to a stable routine once or twice daily.

The most likely causes of gastric ulcers in horses include feeding management practices, physical stress, diet and specific medications given in high doses. Stomach ulcers in horses are a major problem in adult horses as well as foals. Despite the fact that there may not be obvious signs of stomach ulcers, they interfere with performance by affecting training, appetite, and temperament. Although stomach ulcers may heal when horses are turned out to pasture for an extended period of time, they usually don't heal without treatment while they continue in training.

The Equine Stomach – Why Do Horses get Ulcers?

In simple terms, equine gastric ulcers are caused because gastric acid (hydrochloric acid secreted by parts of the stomach lining), and, to a lesser degree, the digestive enzyme pepsin, irritate the lining of the stomach, causing ulceration.

EGUS – (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome) is common in adult horses and foals.

With all of the information available to horse owners regarding gastric ulcers, it is worth taking a step back to establish what it is that actually causes gastric ulcers. The only way a horse owner can effectively prevent or treat gastric ulcers is when they have enough reliable information about what causes them in the first place. Given one time a day with feed or by syringe into the mouth Performance-Essentials Stomach Rebalance Ulcer Remedy might overcome obvious signs of ulcers within days but treatment for three weeks is required to heal ulcers. The background acid secretion in the stomach in the absence of feed is the main aggressive factor that causes ulcers. This treatment inhibits acid secretion from the glandular region of the stomach allowing ulcers to heal. The treatment is also useful to prevent ulcers but if treatment is discontinued ulcers are likely to flare-up. Fillies have had a reputation for being picky eaters. And it has been almost accepted that horses will fall away in condition the longer they stay in work. It is not surprising, therefore, that there has been a lot of myth surrounding training. Vets and trainers have had to battle with an insidious disease that has been hidden out of sight.

There are three ways I ride my show horses. I mix it up, following one of these three plans each of the 5 days a week I work a horse. Each way challenges a different part of their body and mind. It is important to develop a horse's whole personality. You want your horse to be able to handle and willing to try new and unexpected things. This ability to accept the world around him makes him safer and more enjoyable to be around.

The Hack: The perfect ride the the day or two after a horse show. I ride the horse around the property at the walk he offers me. If he wants to dilly dally or if he wants to truck it is fine with me. We wander down the driveway and walk down the street a bit. We come home and do an easy obstacle in the trail ring. We jog or lope a hill or two. We ride toward the barn and away from the barn over and over, being sure not to rush 'home' or refuse to go around the ranch again. After 30 minutes or so, we untack, shower and go to our stall. No tie out time.

The Drill: I take the horse straight to the arena. We lunge, if necessary. We walk, jog and lope circles for 20 minutes. I make sure the horse is responsive to my leg, moving over and forward when told. I make sure the horse's face is soft, giving to my hand readily. I check our stops, are they snappy and balanced? Then we work on the Hard Stuff. I go to what this horse has trouble performing. It does no good to ignore what isn't always fun to practice. It leaves a hole in your horse's training that will come back to haunt you in other ways until it is fixed. I make sure the horse is sound and comfortable. Have his hocks been injected if he needs it? Is his shoeing top notch? It is hard for the horse to be obedient when he is hurting. Does the horse understand what is expected of him? A confused horse cannot be obedient. If I am confident of his health and training thus far, I will create drills and exercises for him to practice a particular skill. I will r epeat and repeat until I can find the horse improving in some way. We quit on a good note and try again the next time. We untack, shower and stand tied.

The Trail Ride: The chance to try something new. We go to a real trail. A ride with water, traffic, hills, etc. I challenge the horse to be brave, willing and athletic. Choose trails that will push the horse a little but not shake his confidence. We come home, shower and go to our stall. No tie out time.

I hope the idea of riding with a specific plan will help you and your equine buddy.
I know it helps mine.

Have you ever been in a situation where you want to go on vacation, a business trip or just can’t get away from work during the day to take care of your horses needs, but you just cannot trust anyone to take care of your horse? Or how about an injury that requires more care than your schedule will allow? There is now an equine daycare provider that can help any horse owner with these daily tasks, from daily supplementing to injury care. Daycare services can help any horse owner with making sure your horse receives the quality care your horse deserves while you are away. These services prove to be very valuable to your horse’s regular routine care providing services when you just cannot be there to administer them yourself.

What you should expect from an equine daycare provider is someone who is prompt, reliable, follows your instructions to a “T”, is kind and caring to your animals, can identify when there is the onset of illness or lameness and has the knowledge to act according to the animals needs in a safe and responsible manner. A good caregiver will not hesitate to give you a call when it is necessary and will call the veterinarian in the time of need. They are knowledgeable, well educated, forward thinkers avoiding potential problems involving the safety and well being of your horse. Such as: feed changes, awareness of horses ability and present condition, handling & awareness of surroundings, understanding the horses temperament and individual needs.

Horse Lovers Haven Daycare, a licensed and insured full-care equine daycare service which is located at the Huntington Central Equestrian Center in Orange County, California. Inspiration came when Doreen Lettieri, a horse women with over 35 years experience, saw that there was a need for trustworthy all around daycare that even takes care of all the little things such as feeding supplements to major issues such as the care after an injury. Horse Lovers Haven Daycare also offers several services including hauling horses to and from clinics, horse shows, vet offices/hospitals, or trail rides. Being an a la carte style business, the services offered would fit into any budget. A daycare service, like Horse lovers Haven Daycare, takes away the worries of quality horse care in today’s society when we are constantly on the go. Horse Lover’s Haven Daycare can either take care of your horse at your location or can accommodate your needs at their location.

Take the worries out of horse ownership and a hectic schedule. To read more about Horse Lover’s Haven Daycare visit www.horselovershavendaycare.com. Emergency and after hours care always available.

The Southern California Equestrian Directory would like to congratulate Chaffhaye – Pasture in a Bag for winning the bid on a Corporate Sponsorship advertising package within SoCalEquine.com. This Corporate Sponsorship advertising package was donated to the USET Foundation Olympic Benefit for the silent auction in conjunction with Dressage Festival of Champions on the road to Hong Kong to benefit the USET riders going to the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.

We would like to Welcome Chaffhaye – Pasture in a Bag to the directory and introduce our viewers to this fine product for horses. Here is some information you will find to be of interest if you own a horse or two or three or more ….

Recent USDA reports indicate a reduced hay supply for 2008. Combined with other economic factors, the trend of higher hay prices will continue. This is not good news to horse owners and stable managers already struggling to fine quality feed sources at affordable prices.

There is an alternative. Since 1991 Chaffhaye has been producing premium quality forages that are independently tested for consistent, nutritional content. ….. read more...

Kino still wanted to pivot in circles, with the front end staying kind of stationary and the back end going round. This is really weird, Linda and I both commented. “Do you think I should call out the vet?” she asked. “Yes,” I replied, “this is definitely not normal.” As we paged the attending vet, Dr. Linda Byer of All Equine Healthcare in Valley Center, Kino seemed to be getting more distressed and couldn’t gain control of his balance. I suggested Linda and I wait for the vet up at my house, telling myself I really don’t want Linda to see her horse fall.

As a young girl of 12 years old, Linda learned to ride in Los Angeles, taking Hunter-Jumper lessons at a barn near her house. She used to ride her scooter to the barn, muck stalls and ride horses. Then her parents bought Kino for her when she was fourteen. He was a huge, off the track, chestnut Thoroughbred. To this day, Linda would comment how she can’t believe her parents bought this “crazy” TB gelding for her! It’s a “wonder” she wasn’t thrown and hurt! Kino and Linda formed a special bond, going through years of training, jumping and competing all through Linda’s teenage and young adult years. Thus he became known as “The Wonder Horse!”

Linda and Kino’s partnership lasted through several barn relocations, due to changes in housing, jobs or barn closures. That is how we met – Linda had Kino at a barn in Del Mar which had been sold to developers. When she first came out to Showcase Quarter Horses to see the facility, it was October of 2000. She liked the private yet spacious paddock that would become Kino’s full retirement home …he was done being semi-retired and was now ready to live outside and just enjoy being a horse. I remember Linda said how important it was to her that this be the place where Kino can end his days; he had been moved around so much that she wanted him to live out life to his last days here. I told her I had started my ranch from nothing, had built it from the ground up with my father over the past four years, and I wasn’t going anywhere. She was at ease about the facility and moved Kino to Showcase on November 1, 2000.

For Kino’s care, Linda had specific requirements. He must be fed carrots every day and he was on daily bute, dewormer and we were instructed to mix pancake syrup over the bute to make it taste good. Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, I thought to myself! Linda would be out every weekend to visit, to put fly spray on Kino, to spend time with him. Sometimes she would lunge him, other times she would give him a bath and grooming (no more mane pulling!). Kino really loved the shedding mitt, especially on his face. Linda also was adamant about keeping Kino well-shod even though he wasn’t being ridden. He was very over-at-the-knees and needed the support. For eight years she had Kino fully shod with pads, every six or seven weeks. Sometimes the shoes could be reset; in fact, there was one set of shoes that lasted about a year! Not really, but the farriers were good about utilizing the shoes and pads again whenever possible, as Kino wasn’t wearing them down much. This would always be done in Kino’s “Preferred Cross Tie” (sorry, a little inside joke from the barn!).

So time marches on and then came the 2003 Wildfires. All horses at our facility had to be evacuated, including Kino, and we weren’t sure if there would be a stables to come home to after the fires raged through Valley Center and Escondido. Fortunately, the fire came down our valley all around the stables, but only burned down the hay barn. The barns, mare motels, and houses were safe. The horses were off the premises for a hectic seven days. Kino was stabled in San Marcos and Linda went to see him several times to comfort him and make sure he wasn‘t too stressed. We had a lot of older retired horses to deal with at that time, and Kino weathered the firestorm evacuation like a trooper. I know all the horses were relieved when we trailered them home!

For a few more years, Linda and Kino were a regular retirement team, and after some vet checks we decided he needed to convert to eating soaked hay pellets and a senior equine complete feed. His condition bloomed and he really enjoyed eating on the veranda (the nickname for the nice covered area in Kino’s pasture). Linda also got a new sign for Kino’s pasture, made at the San Diego Fair. Of course, it reads: Kino, the Wonder Horse. Through the times we would write “Kino, The Wonder Horse” on his feed buckets, on his supplement containers, and even on his containers of bute!

On April 2, 2006, Kino celebrated his 30th birthday! What an amazing thing, to see this good old jumper still crazy after all these years!! Case in point, after a shoeing one day, Linda had to ask our facility Resident Trainer, Van Heggelund, to walk him back to the pasture as he was acting like a spring chicken (spring being the operative word-with a little rearing no less!). Linda invited a few of her close friends to visit Kino and mark the celebration. He also got a boat load of carrots that day!

In 2007, we were victims of the next wildfire, had to evacuate again, and Kino had to be kept in a barn stall. He did alright but after returning home (there was no damage to the stables this time) Linda noticed a change in Kino’s demeanor. Looking back, she really hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but these life stresses can take their toll. April, 2008 came around, and Kino celebrated his 31st birthday! One great thing Linda always did with Kino was take a birthday picture to remember how he was at a certain age. This year, Linda took the birthday picture with Kino and her new puppy, Rocco.

Kino didn’t really mind the young pup much, as long as the carrots kept flowing. In fact, Rocco would get jealous because Linda would tie him up at the fence outside the pasture, then spend her time with Kino. Kino was spending most of his time in the pasture, so Linda and her vet Dr. Byer had determined it was time to remove Kino’s shoes. This decision had been a big one for Linda for years-to shoe or to pull the shoes…..she didn’t want Kino to be so sore that he couldn’t walk if the shoes were pulled. The deciding factor came with his most recent shoeing appointment, where farrier Jeremy Sackett pointed out that Kino was really off balance and having trouble stabilizing. Linda didn’t want Kino to have a traumatic time during shoeing, with the threat of losing his balance and falling, so she consulted with Dr. Byer, who advised Linda to remove the shoes and just trim his hooves. Jeremy came out for the next appointment, went to Kino’s pasture so he wouldn’t have to walk so far to the other side of the ranch where the barns are, and took off the shoes. We buted Kino for the next several days, anticipating some pain. He seemed to be doing pretty good, and we reduced the amount of bute. Then came the fetlock sore, with Linda doctoring it every few days.

Fast forward to waiting for Dr. Byer, the vet, to arrive at Showcase. Linda and I went out to the pasture when the vet got there. Kino was already down. We described the pivoting actions Kino had taken, and Dr. Byer said it was time to put him down. She said this kind of thing happens in very old horses, usually over 20 years in age, and it just comes on swiftly. Linda was worried that the stress of removing the shoes, coupled with the injured fetlock had somehow caused this downturn. The vet assured her that it would have happened whether Kino was wearing shoes or not; it was just his time. Linda tearfully said her last goodbye and gave Kino a kiss on his neck. He was at peace now, and I told Linda that I hoped the other ponies in horse-heaven would teach Kino how to graze (he never learned to munch on the grass in his pasture). She remarked that she knew his soul was happy, and that she was grateful she was able to be there to comfort him at the end of his life.

This true story is a tribute to Kino, The Wonder Horse, but also to Linda, who I now think of as The Wonder Horse Owner. It simply boils down to character and a love of her horse; Linda took the best care of Kino in his senior years just as he had taken his best care of her as his rider and owner in his primetime. To continue to provide whatever Kino needed, for twenty four years, and give him the love and attention she did is a testament to the integrity of this Wonderful Horse Owner. My wish in honor of Kino is for all horses to experience this unconditional commitment from some Wonder-ful horse owner in their lives…

Written in rememberance of Kino and for his owner, Linda Hassakis
by Sue Schindler, Owner/Operator of Showcase Quarter Horses

Imagine riding four or five hours in spectacular country, finding an isolated meadow, off-loading your pack animal in the tree-covered hillside nearby and setting up a small camp. You hobble your stock out to graze, then set up a propane stove to brew some strong cowboy coffee. (Of course, “strong cowboy coffee” is redundant.) Settle back against a rock and listen to the hawks guiding their young, the trees shifting in the afternoon breeze, the soft munching of the horse, and nothing else. These are the perks of the dirt, the hard work, and the danger.

Now imagine riding into that meadow and you find bare spots where the stock have overgrazed, holes around the trees where the horses have pawed the ground, several blackened fire pits, and bits of toilet paper floating around. That’s a different scene, and that’s what the Wilderness Riders of the Backcountry Horsemen of California (BCHC) want to prevent.

“We want people to use the backcountry, but not abuse it,” said Wilderness Rider Jo Johnson, education chair for the San Joaquin Sierra Unit of the BCHC.

Using the backcountry, whether on horseback, on bicycle tires, or on foot, carries a responsibility to be gentle with the land, to leave no trace behind, and to be considerate of the horse and the other users. According to the Wilderness Riders, the essence of responsible and enjoyable backcountry use is leaving it in a condition that you would like to find it. This means riders plan ahead, come prepared, and use courtesy and care.

“You have to know where you’re going and what kind of camping you will have,” said Johnson. “You need to be prepared for emergencies for riders and stock, know the right places to set up camp, pack out any waste you create, store your supplies so bears and other wildlife can’t get them, and stay on the trail.”

According to the BCHC Web site, a major consideration for backcountry stock users involves gentle stock management. Horses simply can’t go from a meal of alfalfa hay one night to grass or pellets the next. They need to be conditioned in advance of the trip to prevent colic episodes many miles from any help.

Riders need to practice with their horse before they go into the backcountry so the horse knows about highlines, hobbles, pickets, electric fences or loose grazing. They also need to be accustomed to crossing noisy wooden bridges, logs, rocky trails, and dark and spooky water crossings. The first hour of a five-day pack trip is not the time to be training a horse to calmly climb a steep, rocky trail in a single-file line of stock.

According to Johnson, there are 47 active certified Wilderness Riders in California, and each one has been through a rigorous week-long practical training process. The course is usually taught by a representative of the United States Forest Service, a representative from the State Park Service, and two Leave No Trace Stock Users Masters. The training is designed to teach Gentle Use and Leave No Trace techniques to qualified BCHC members who then are charged to go back to their individual units and teach the principles to more people.

“As a Wilderness Rider, you really should have a love of teaching,” said Johnson. “The main thrust of the program is to spread the word about Low Impact Camping and Packing techniques. It’s the most incredible thing I had done in a long time.”

BCHC San Diego Unit President Cheryl Wegner agrees.
“I went in the summer of 2007,” said Wegner. “It was a great life experience for my horse and me. We each were given one Leave No Trace component to teach, and we had to come prepared with all our materials. It’s a fabulous program. I was honored to be selected and excited to learn from the dedicated experienced instructors on our trip.”

BCHC has about 3,200 members in 26 units throughout the state of California, from Yreka to San Diego, the bay area to Bishop. Formed in 1986 to preserve the historic use of trails for recreational pack and saddle stock, the group works through education and public outreach programs, activities and events, public service, and advocacy to encourage safe and enjoyable wilderness and backcountry experiences for all users.

For those dedicated equestrians who can’t get enough of the backcountry-horse combination, the Wilderness Riders program is just the ticket.
“It’s an absolutely fun thing to do,” said Lynn Joiner, BCHC treasurer and long-time Wilderness Rider.

Wilderness Rider candidates apply for training every odd-numbered year. The process involves a written application and an interview to determine the candidate’s level of commitment and capability to perform the required tasks. Once accepted, candidates prepare their instruction assignment and gather at the designated training center, a different place each year. In 2007, the training involved ten students, two cooks, and three instructors including Forest Service Region 5 LNT coordinator Ken Graves, and took place in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

They spend one day learning and practicing packing techniques before heading out into the wilderness. After a four or five-hour ride to the base camp site, they work together to set up camp including cleaning the restrooms, setting up a kitchen and putting up the highlines and tents.

For the next five days, candidates learn how to weigh a load, saddle a pack animal, throw a box hitch, manage livestock in the backcountry, minimize campfire impact, pack and prepare food, all the while respecting the environment and the wildlife.

Once certified as a Wilderness Rider, the trainees have their own responsibilities. They are required to serve two stints in the backcountry each year, patrolling for problems at campsites and generally helping all backcountry users have a more enjoyable experience.

At the Golden Trout Wilderness in 2007, Joiner contacted lots of hikers and riders.
“We carried backpacks for them, fed the backpackers, found the lost, and generally helped wherever we were needed,” she said.

They also have to make at least one Gentle Use and Leave No Trace presentation each year. For Wegner, being able to go back to her unit to conduct education and outreach was a main reason for taking the training.

Current Wilderness Riders meet every even-numbered year to review their training and Gentle Use techniques.

Candidates for the 2009 training will be interviewed at the 2009 Rendezvous, the BCHC’s annual three-day expo usually held in March in Turlock, California. The BCHC Education Committee will conduct the interviews and do the screening.

“We’re looking for candidates who have the capacity to carry out the training and fulfill their obligations,” said Joiner. “We don’t consider ourselves elite, unless you consider cleaning up a dirty camp or helping a sick backpacker a special activity.”

For complete information about the BCHC Wilderness Rider program, visit www.bchcalifornia.net.

There’s an exciting new opportunity forming in San Diego for junior high and high school equestrians called The San Diego Interscholastic Equestrian League (SDIEL).

Forming the SDIEL developed from the awareness that we could provide our children with an extra dimension in riding… the ability to represent their school with what they love to do best… ride. We are very excited to give our children the opportunity to be a part of a “high school team” and to promote the awareness of this sport at the high school level.

The primary goals of the SDIEL are: to embrace fair and friendly high school competition and high school team spirit; to encourage a knowledge of horsemanship and the development of superior riding skills in young riders; and to support and develop athletes for regional and national competition in equestrian sports.

Who to Contact for More Information?

An Organizing Committee dedicated to supporting the creation of the SDIEL has been established. Until our SDIEL website is up and running, the individuals listed below are those to contact if you have further questions:

Hunter/Jumper Division Representatives:
Shayne Berridge-Wireman, President, GSDHJA, contact via email at chestnuthillec@aol.com
James Waldman, Vice President, GSDHJA, contact via email at jwqhf@sbcglobal.net

Parent Representatives:
Debi Gibney, contact via email at debigibney@aol.com
Manou Allison, contact via email at akemo5@aol.com

SDIEL Overview

Creation
The San Diego Interscholastic League (SDIEL) is being created in the image of both the Los Angeles Interscholastic League (IEL), and the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League (OCIEL), two organizations that have many years of competition behind them; we are not starting from scratch. We invite you to explore their websites at www.ociel.org and www.theiel.org. Please keep in mind that modifications will be made to their rules and regulations, however the premise and format will be largely the same. A website for the SDIEL will be established and is forthcoming.

Membership
Any school interested in participating in the activities of the SDIEL and willing to subscribe to the bylaws and rules of the SDIEL is eligible for membership. A SDIEL High School Membership Form will be required, and will be properly signed by an official of the school empowered to do so. Said form shall also identify the Team Representative and/or Coach.

Fees
Specific fees are yet to be determined, however, the fee structure will be similar to the regular fees incurred at a county level show.

Show Format/Divisions
The show season will fall somewhere between October and March (dependent upon facility availability), and will consist of six one-day shows over a total of three weekends. The SDIEL will offer classes in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Western riding at the Novice, Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity levels. The SDIEL class list is as follows:

Hunter Novice
A beginning division, open to riders who have not shown successfully in any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA, GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 2’-3”.

Hunter/Jumper Freshman
Open to riders who have not shown successfully over a 3’-0” course at any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA, GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 2’-6”, and medal and jumper classes to be set at 2’-6” to 2’-9”.

Hunter/Jumper Junior Varsity
Open to riders who have not shown successfully over a 3’-6” course at any recognized show association (ie. OCIEL, IEL, PCHA, OCHSA, GSDHJA). Fences will be set at 3’-0”, and medal and jumper classes to be set at 3’-0” to 3’-3”.

Hunter/Jumper Varsity
Fences will be set at 3’-3”, and medal and jumper classes to be set at 3’-3” to 3’-6”.

Western Novice, Western Freshman, Western Junior Varsity and Western Varsity
Open to riders… (to be determined).

Dressage Novice, Dressage Freshman, Dressage Junior Varsity and Dressage Varsity
Open to riders… (tbd).

Ribbons/Points/Trophies
Ribbons will be awarded to 1st through 12th places, and prizes will be awarded to the 1st place winner in each class. Individual points shall be awarded for all classes and counted for all riders. High Point and High Point Reserve Individual and School ribbons will be awarded at each show in each division, and overall for each show. The best 4 of 6 show points will be counted for individual, division and school. No rider shall be considered for year-end awards unless they attend a minimum of 3 shows. Year end/perpetual trophies will be awarded at the end of the show season. Each division will have a high-point school and individual winner.

The SDIEL Horsemanship Award will be awarded on a yearly basis. It will consist of a written section and a practicum (with horse) that will test the student on general knowledge of horse, tack, and animal care. The highest scoring individual in each of the English/Dressage (combined for this award) and Western divisions will be awarded a perpetual trophy for their achievements.

Senior Scholarships
It is the goal of the SDIEL to offer scholarships to high school seniors on an annual basis. The criteria for awarding senior scholarships are yet to be determined.

Sponsorship Opportunities
At this point, the SDIEL is a non-profit corporation awaiting approval from the IRS for charitable status. The success of the SDIEL will be dependent upon the generosity of our supporters. Opportunities for sponsorship for businesses/families will be made available as early as possible.

Looking Forward to Riding at the College Level?
There are two ways to participate in riding at the college level: the Interscholastic Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

WE ARE ASKING PARENTS/RIDERS TO CONTACT
our parent representatives:
Debi Gibney via email at debigibney@aol.com or
Manou Allison via email at akemo5@aol.com

Organizing Committee members: Shayne Wireman & James Waldman

Local Horseman Steve Boyles Selected
to Compete in Mustang Challenge

Challenge contestants train wild horses
for a purse of $7,500

Steve Boyles of Santa Clarita California, has been selected by the Mustang Heritage Foundation to compete in the Western States Horse Expo Mustang Challenge June 6-9 in Sacramento, California. Trainers selected from applicants across the nation were invited to compete in the competition following a rigorous application and selection process which narrowed the field to a total of 34 horsemen who will have 100 days to gentle an American Mustang. Trainers scheduled to pick up their horses that were preselected on March 6-8 in Sacramento, California.

“The success of the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Texas, along with a heightened awareness of the value of these unique horses, caused the birth of the Challenge events as so many people wanted to see how these trainers worked with these Mustangs,” said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert.

About Steve Boyles
Steve’s love for mustangs began in the early ‘90s when he attended a Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Adoption at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. He was immediately captivated by the sight of the mustangs. Even crowded in their sales pens, the horses struck Boyles as something special. “I liked the spirit they had,” he said. Boyles was so taken with these wild horses that he adopted his first two mustangs at the sale. Since then, he has been committed to rescue and adoption efforts and and is typically recommended by the BLM to transport and train wild horses.

Boyles credits his experiences with wild horses with enriching his overall understanding of horse behavior. According to Boyles, getting a mustang to approach a person and allow itself to be handled takes patience and perseverance, but the rewards are well worth the effort. “Finding the horse’s aura, his energy, and blending your energy with his......it’s an amazing thing once you do it”. -About Steve Boyles by Mari Fukuyama

About the Chanllenge
During competition, trainers will be evaluated on the body condition of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the horse “in hand” through a series of maneuvers which include picking up the horse’s feet, maneuvering it through obstacles and loading it into a trailer. Following the “in hand” course, trainers will mount their animals and complete a “horse course” that will include a series of obstacles and require the trainer to demonstrate the level of competency the horse has accomplished. Three skilled horsemen, including well-known clinician and speaker, John Lyons of Parachute, Colo, will judge trainers.

The public will be invited to participate in adopting one of the Mustang Challenge competition animals June 9. Even though the animals will have been handled and trained, the same conditions will apply for the new owner when the animal is adopted.

Potential adopters will apply for the opportunity to be included in the competitive bidding process at the event with BLM personnel available to review and approve the application on site. In order to apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act and be able to demonstrate that adequate food, water, and facilities will be available to humanely care for the animal. Specific facility requirements pertain to type and height of enclosed space, as well as shelter from the elements.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), in partnership with the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), created the Mustang Challenge event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. The Challenge events are the progeny of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover first held in September 2007. The 2008 event, to be held September 18-21in Fort Worth, Texas, offers a purse of $50,000 and 200 horses. The purpose of the Mustang competition series is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West, where they are protected by the BLM under Federal law. One hundred percent of the horses place for adoption at the 2007 Extreme Mustang Makeover were adopted.

The Western States Horse Expo is the largest and most comprehensive equine exposition and trade show in North America. Created to bring together horse enthusiasts and the businesses that serve them, the Expo has evolved into a three-day extravaganza serving the interests of every type of horseman in an entertaining and informative atmosphere. Since 1999, the Western States Horse Expo has attracted a half million equestrian enthusiasts and industry professions from around the world.

About the Mustangs
The mustangs selected for the Western States Mustang Challenge are from an area known as the Coppersmith Herd Management Area (HMA). This area lies 30 miles southwest of Cedarville, CA in Lassen County, California and Washoe County, Nevada. This area is comprised of approximately 70,500 acres. This HMA has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 75 wild horses with a range of 50-75 animals. This area contains horses thought to originate from Spanish stock diluted with ranch stock and US Cavalry remounts prior to and during World War I. Many of the horses in this area have characteristics common to Morgans and Quarter Horses. Predominant colors are bay,
black, and brown.

About the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover are to increase the adoption of mustangs across the country. The Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to showcase the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition.

About the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 258 million acres of public lands, located mostly in the West. Wild horses and burros roaming public rang elands are managed in a manner consistent with BLM’s overall multiple-use mission, as set forthe in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Since 1973, the BLM has place more than 219,000 horses and burros into private care through adoption. For more information, visit wildhorsesandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSATANGS.

VISIT STEVE AND HIS MUSTANG AT:
WWW.STEVEBOYLESHORSEMANSHIP.COM

Two centuries ago, mountain men gathered twice each year at a rendezvous to swap lies and buy supplies for their treks to the backcountry. Today, the Backcountry Horsemen of California members and horse and mule enthusiasts all over the state meet for three days in Turlock, California to do almost the same things.

Since 1988, the Backcountry Horsemen of California’s Rendezvous has evolved into California’s biggest equestrian event focusing the backcountry and front country trails. This year’s statewide event will be held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock on March 21, 22 and 23.

For pack veterans or newbees and anyone curious about trail riding and packing into the wilderness, Rendezvous offers an array of activities packed into three full days, all in the interest of bringing horse lovers and the wilderness together.

At Rendezvous, you can check out the scores of horse equipment vendors, sample gourmet Dutch oven cooking, learn from the top experts about Gentle Use, Leave No Trace and packing dos and don’ts, enjoy demonstrations and exhibitions, and totally immerse yourself in the world of backcountry and front country trail riding.

Even if you usually limit your riding to the front country – established trails in regional and state parks – you will learn something valuable at Rendezvous. Joe Peacock will present workshops on natural barefoot hoof trimming, Jim Bell will teach about map reading and GPS for the backcountry, Garry Stauber will do a program on long riding, and Martha McNeil will teach about miniature horses for kids. Jo Johnson, Carol Jo Hargreaves, and Peter Kriger will present workshops on de-sensitizing and preparing the pack animal. More workshops and clinics are being planned.

Besides the clinics, Rendezvous participants can attend classes on Gentle Use, participate in contests for awards, and enjoy catered banquets in the evening.
They also can shop for all their horse-related needs, from top-quality hats to endurance equipment to trail guide books. This year’s Rendezvous features a new enlarged show of art works about the West.

And on Sunday, participants can attend a special Cowboy Church for Easter morning.
Whether towing a string of pack stock, or riding alone on a sweet single-track trail, riding the backcountry and front country beckons. Come to Rendezvous 2008 and get hooked.
For information and reservations, contact Chip Herzig @ 951-769-3781 or John Black @ 209-537-1516. And check out the Web site, www.bchcalifornia.net.

All of these activities are directed toward the aggressive goal of ground breaking by the end of the year (2008).

We certainly hope that the City, Belstarr and the Consultants are able to reach their goals by the end of 2008!

Margaret "Peggy" A. Hosking
Associate
Best Best & Krieger LLP
3750 University Avenue, Suite 400
P.O. Box 1028
Riverside, CA 92502
Phone: 951-826-8359
Fax: 951-686-3083
margaret.hosking@bbklaw.com

Last summer I asked you to write to Norco City Council and to attend a meeting to hear proposals for the 122 acre Silver Lakes parcel owned by the City of Norco. You guys were great; the City Council members were flooded with phone calls and e-mails, the meeting room was packed the night of the meeting and the City Council and Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into negotiations with Belstarr – a sister entity to Blenheim Equisports, the developer and promoter of the Oaks show facility in San Juan Capistrano. Since August, the City and Belstarr have been meeting to hammer out the details of their agreement which are memorialized in a “Memorandum of Understanding” or “MOU”.

On Wednesday, January 16, 2008, the MOU will be presented to the City for signature. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.

The City Manager, Jeff Allred, sent me an e-mail to let us know about this agenda item. In the e-mail he said, "the Belstarr agreement to initiate the equestrian project at the Silverlakes property will be on the City Council agenda this coming Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be in the City Council Chambers behind City Hall. Belstarr is enthusiastic about proceeding. I'm hoping that you and some of your friends that support the project will be able to attend."

It is important to keep the momentum going with the City Council, Commissioners and Belstarr. Please plan to attend the meeting Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 7 p.m. 2870 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA

Directions: From the 15 Freeway, Exit at SECOND STREET Go one block West (toward the car dealerships) to HAMNER AVENUE, turn right (north). Go to MARKET STREET (between Bank of America and State Bros. Markets), turn left. MARKET STREET ends in the annex parking lot. The Learning Center North is the building in the far right corner of the parking lot.

If you cannot attend, please write to our City Council Members to express your continued support of this project. (Please note, we have 2 new City Council Members who were not on the Council for the August Meeting, Berwin Hanna and Malcolm Miller)

Mayor, Frank Hall
fhall@ci.norco.ca.us

Mayor Pro Tem, Hal Clark
hclark@ci.norco.ca.us

City Council Member, Kathy Azevedo
kazevedo@ci.norco.ca.us

City Council Member, Berwin Hanna
bhanna@ci.norco.ca.us

City Council Member, Malcolm Miller
mmiller@ci.norco.ca.us

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
Peggy Hosking
PeggyHosking@sbcglobal.net