by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 1, 2016
The American Horse Council has told the U.S. Department of Agriculture that proposed changes to the regulations governing the Horse Protection Act–which has the goal of ending soring of certain breeds of horses– should be applied only to Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses and Racking Horses in shows, sales and auctions.
Some trainers in those industries have used cruel methods to emphasize the gaits of their horses. But the proposed changes would include a ban on pads used in shoeing, as well as action devices, weighted shoes and foreign substances.
As AHC and other equestrian organizations have pointed out, soring is not a problem in other segments of the horse industry and over-broad regulation could have unwanted effects.
“The AHC strongly opposes soring and believes action is needed to stop the soring of “big lick” Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses,” said AHC President Julie Broadway.
“However, the AHC believed it was necessary to voice concerns that certain provisions of the proposed rule are too broadly written, not sufficiently defined and could cause confusion for the horse show industry.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 26, 2016
The Rutgers Equine Science Center will host its annual update, an Evening of Science & Celebration, on Thursday Nov. 17 from 6-10 p.m. at the Cook Campus Center in New Brunswick.
Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, its keynote presentation will be “Protein Needs for Equine Athletes,” given by Dr. Kristine Urschel, an associate professor of equine science in the Animal & Food Science Department at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on studying protein and amino acid requirements and metabolism in horses of all ages and physiological states, especially during and after exercise..
The Evening of Science and Celebration brings together equine professionals, horse owners, farm owners and barn managers, educators and students, 4-H members, and all equine enthusiasts to learn about current projects and research initiatives being conducted at the Equine Science Center. The Center’s mission is to address horse industry issues and challenges through sound-science and research.
Jeanne Vuyosevich, a thoroughbred trainer from Sunset Meadow Farm in Farmingdale, will receive the 2017 “Spirit of the Horse Award” for her contributions to the welfare of horses. According to ESCC Director, Karyn Malinowski , “Jeanne’s long-time care and rehabilitation of thoroughbred horses make her a worthy candidate for the award, which is given to people whose lives have been impacted by horses and who continue to give back to horses and the equine industry.”
The Center will present its annual Gold Medal Horse Farm award to the Nienart family from Hidden Hills Farm in Hillsborough. The award, part of the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program, recognizes outstanding horse farms for their dedication to environmental sustainability and management. It also underscores the efforts of the New Jersey equine industry to maintain the beauty of the Garden State. The program is a collaborative initiative by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University, the Rutgers Equine Science Center, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Prior to the beginning of the event, the Equine Science Center will present a demonstration of the high-speed equine exercise physiology treadmill at 5 p.m. at the Red Barn on College Farm Road.
An Evening of Science & Celebration will begin with dinner at 6 pm. After dinner, Madison Whiting, a New Jersey 4-H Horse Project member will present her award winning presentation, “What’s for Dinner?” about the odd things that horses eat.
The event requires registration that can be made online at: http://www.goo.gl/xEANWt . The fee for the event, which includes dinner, is $35 for adults and $15 for full-time students.
For additional information, contact the Equine Science Center at 848-932-9419 or Kyle Hartmann at hartmann@aesop.rutgers.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 11, 2016
The Califon Book Shop at 72 Main St. in Califon is hosting a multi-author horse and dog book signing, “Of Horses and Hounds,” from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29. The session will showcase the work of six authors, as well as paintings by animal portrait artist Andrea Gianchiglia of Califon.
Children are encouraged to attend the signing, as there will be numerous juvenile titles available.
Horse book authors include Lisa Holderby of Middletown, Lucy Friedland of Martinsville and Loren Spiotta-DiMare of Tewksbury.
Working through the government’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse Adoption Program, Lisa Holderby adopted, Soleil a wild mustang through an on-line adoption auction. While Holderby has owned other horses, the bond she has developed with Soleil is like no other. Their special relationship is captured in Holderby’s young adult novel, Soleil: A Mustang’s Story.
The author fictionalized the story by adding a young female character to make the book more appealing to young adults. However, 60 percent of the story is based on actual experiences with Soleil.
Several years later Holderby penned a sequel, Soleil’s Journey Home. In this volume, Soleil is taken back to where she was captured. The fictionalized characters ride through the back country of the Rockies in search of Soleil’s herd.
In a surprising moment, Soleil breaks free and joins the wild mustangs. Through dangerous terrain and unpredictable weather, the small group searches for the beloved Soleil.
Fifteen year-old Lucy Friendland wrote and self-published a hardcover picture book, Take A Tall Walk With Me ,based on the experience of her brother, Adam, with physical therapy at Mane Stream, a therapeutic riding center in Tewksbury.
With Adam by her side and contributing ideas, Friendland penned the story. She hired an illustrator, designer and printer to bring the book to life. Proceeds from the sales of Take A Tall Walk with Me benefit Mane Stream.
Quarter Horse owner Loren Spiotta-DiMare has been writing animal books for adults and children for 40 years, with seven horse books to her credit. Beyond The Finish Line: Stories of Ex-Racehorses, is a coffee table book highlighting 22 New Jersey equestrians who have adopted Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds off the track and retrained them for other disciplines and activities.
Men & Horses and The Women Who Love Them is a collection of stories by women writers and riders. The author’s juvenile titles include a picture book, Madeline‘s Miracle and a series, Horses That Help with The American Humane Association.
A disabled pony able to walk only on three legs, Madeline is taken in by Mylestone Equine Rescue in Pohatcong. Hearing of Madeline’s plight, area children raise funds for surgery and a brace to restore the pony’s mobility. Horses That Help highlights horses with special jobs: Police Horses, draft horses, performing horses and therapy horses. Spiotta-DiMare is working on a collection of stories about wild Mustang adoptions.
For more information about the event, call the store at 908-832-6686 or visit: www.califonbookshop.com
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 10, 2016
The Horse Park of New Jersey is presenting Horse Health Day Oct. 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to showcase information on optimal equine performance at all ages.
Presentations will cover Lyme disease, respiratory disease and hoof care to minimize injury and correct problems.
The speaker is Dr. Mark V. Crimson an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Tech who is a Zoetis veterinary expert contributor.
RSVP early to: info@foundationequinenj.com or call 609-291-0535 to reserve a gift bag. Lunch and refreshments will be based on the RSVP count.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 6, 2016
Need new tack at a bargain price? Have old tack you want to pass on?
Mane Stream, which offers equine-assisted therapies to help improve the quality of life for people with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges–will have its tack sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 8,. The sale at 83 Old Turnpike Road includes new and used items, and offers such brand names, as Ariat, Baker, Tailored Sportsman and Essex. Mane Stream accepts donations of horse-related donated items year-round. For more information, contact Holland@manestreamnj.org, call 908-439-9636 or go to www.ManeStreamNJ.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 11, 2016
The Amwell Valley Hounds are holding their hunter trials Oct. 1 at Black River Farm, 20 Boss Road, Ringoes. Featured are the B.W. Furlong Associates hunter derbies at 2-6 and 3-feet, but there are many other classes as well. Competitors do not have to be a hunt member. For information, go to www.avhounds.org.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 7, 2016
Those who contributed to the kitty for Holly Payne Caravella’s trip to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with Never Outfoxed saw their contributions validated last weekend, when she finished 19th in what many consider the world’s toughest 4-star.
Holly and Fox had no jumping penalties on cross-country, despite going near the end of the jumping order when the footing had deteriorated on a rainy day. They did have time penalties, but so did everyone else, and 28 horses were either eliminated or retired on cross-country. Only 38 from the starting field of 68 finished the event.
Holly, 50th after dressage, moved up to 17th with her thoroughbred after cross-country. She had four rails in show jumping that put her down two placings.
She’s staying in England to contest the Blenheim Palace International 3-star with another thoroughbred, Santino, this weekend. She got a Land Rover/U.S Equestrian Federation grant for this competition.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 16, 2016
The Rutgers Equine Science Center’s “Spirit of the Horse” award was presented to Jeanne Vuyosevich, who doesn’t believe in giving up on any horse.
Her Sunset Meadow Farm in Farmingdale is a sanctuary for horses in need of care, treatment or a good home. She was nominated by Dr. Cathy Ball, who said of her, “Jeanne is a consummate professional horsewoman. She has an innate feeling for a horse and what it needs to be happy.”
She has re-homed many ex-race horses on her own and established organizations such as Re-Run using networking to find hard-working horses forever homes.
Jeanne’s award was presented during the Evening of Science and Celebration in New Brunswick, where the Gold Medal Horse Farm award went to Hidden Hills Farm in Hillsborough, owned and operated by the Nienart Family.
The Nienarts have made a commitment to conservation and worked with the Natural Resource Conservation Service for planning, technical assistance, and grants to make their idea a reality. They developed a comprehensive nutrition management plan for their 40 acres, developed a soil erosion/water reclamation plan and used “rotational grazing” to insure the farm is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also an example of environmental sustainability and management.
by Nancy Jaffer | Oct 25, 2016
Andy Kocher of Stockton won the prize for the best costume in the $35,000 Accumulator Class at the Washington International Horse Show Thursday night.
Andy Kocher and Ciana won the prize for best costume at the Washington International Horse Show. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
He was quite a clown, and even his horse, Ciana, got into the act with a big red nose (slightly lopsided). Andy finished fourth (Laura Kraut, sweetly dressed as Little Red Ridinghood won on Andretti S) but the cheers of the barn night crowd were with the clown.
Andy made a great effort to entertain spectators, which really is what this class is all about. So we salute him.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 10, 2016
Meg Sleeper of Kingwood is in Slovakia, where she represented the U.S.in the FEI Endurance World Championships. It didn’t go well overall, but I’ll let her tell you about it:
Meg Sleeper and Rimbaud.
I had hoped my post today would be good news, but unfortunately it is not (although I am thrilled that Rabi and Fernando finished in a ride time of about 8 1/2 hours). Mr Ono was still out on trail when we left the barn, but was due to finish soon. Hopefully that will mean 2 USA horses finish.
Unfortunately, neither USA team horse finished. Tom and Reinman were pulled at the 3rd gate for lameness and Rim and I were eliminated at the 4th gate (88 miles) for lameness. Fortunately, neither lameness was severe and both horses will be fine to compete another day.
Rim was fabulous all day with very good heart rate recoveries and he ate like a pig at every check. I was really proud of him. It is hard to put into words how one feels after a pull at this kind of event. It is awesome just to be selected to represent the USA, but of course the idea is to do well and there are so many people that give so much to make it possible for us to be here, it is rather demoralizing to feel like you are letting everyone down.
However, there were good parts of the day. About 8 miles in on the second loop, the bolt of my stirrup broke and I had to ride about 3 miles without a stirrup (after dismounting to pick up what was left and then having a little difficulty getting back on the big guy. I basically just cantered as much as possible).
At the next PC stop, Carol Giles tried zip tying it back together, but that only held about 100 yards and I was back at square one. She ended up tying a loop of string though the stirrup leather and I put my foot in that. It gave me some support and I was able to make reasonable time, although I probably lost over 20 minutes all together (and my riding was definitely pretty bad for the next 12 miles until I got the stirrups replaced at the vet gate). That part was not good, but so many people tried to offer help and that part was great.
The ride volunteers at the water spots were also incredibly kind and helpful. Perhaps the worst part of the day, and something that many know who have followed on FB, is that a horse fractured his/her leg and was put down on the trail. I have avoided looking at any videos or pictures but it is horrific and I am so thankful that Rim and Rabi are safe. I feel my (our) sport has been usurped from us and it has become something that is not endurance. The most “endurance like” part of this ride for me was riding without a stirrup, but the trail itself was flat and fast…much more like an extended flat race than an endurance ride. I want my sport back and I hate that something like this had to happen, but I hope we can finally get change.
