Lend a hand at the Essex Horse Trials

by | Mar 30, 2017

The Essex Horse Trials, making a comeback after 19 years, is looking for volunteers to do everything from fence judging, dressage scribing and decorating to handling hospitality June 24-25 at Moorland Farm in Far Hills.

It’s a great way to meet people and become involved with an iconic event at the same time. Go to the website at www.essexhorsetrials.org or call Lisa at 201-838-5164 or Mary at 201-787-3795.

Help the Mylestone Equine Rescue Horses April 22

by | Mar 30, 2017

Mylestone Equine Rescue’s Help a Horse Day will be held from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. April 22 at Horsemen’s Outlet, 37 Molasses Hill Road, Lebanon.

Warren County-based Mylestone has a chance to win a grant awarded by the ASPCA to equine rescues that highlight the plight of horses in urgent need. Mylestone was a winner in 2014.

You’ll find all the details here, including how you can get a special discount on Horsemen’s Outlet merchandise just by signing the Mylestone roster. Even if you are unable to attend, you can still make a difference with a donation earmarked “Help A Horse Day”.

Featured will be a silent auction (can you supply an item for this?), bake sale and tack swap. Mylestone merchandise, refreshments and more will be provided. Want to get in touch with Mylestone? Here’s the link: contact us.

 

Get a jump on the competition season at the Horse Park

by | Mar 30, 2017

Here’s a new competition that may suit you as you get ready for the competition season. The Jump for Jersey Eventing Derby, presented by Rowsell Equestrian Design to benefit the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, will be run April 23 at the Horse Park of New Jersey over a combined show jumping and cross-country course.

Set up in the park’s grand prix ring, it offers fences for novice at 2-feet, 11-inches; 2-7 for beginner novice and 2-3 for starter.

The fee for the first round is $65, which includes a jump-off round. A second full round at the same level or another level (same horse and rider combination) is an additional $20.

There will be a cash pot for each division, utilizing $10 from each first-round entry. Cash will be divided among the top three competitors, while ribbons to eighth place will be awarded.

The closing date for entries is April 15. Click here  for entry information.

UPDATE: EHV-1 rears its ugly head in New Jersey

by | Mar 29, 2017

The B.W. Furlong & Associates veterinary hospital in Oldwick has reopened, after closing last week, when it was discovered that a patient tested positive for the neurologic variety of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).

“The patient is in our isolation unit, removed from our main facilities and is under the care of (Dr.) Rachel Gardner…and her team of veterinarians and technicians,” according to a statement. Seven other horses who did not show symptoms but had contact with the infected horse remain in isolation as well.

“The index horse has no history of recent travel, therefore no other horses in the area are expected to be at increased risk at this time. The potentially exposed horses have been transported via closed commercial carrier to a separate quarantine facility and will continue to be cared for by B.W. Furlong & Associates veterinarians and technicians,” according to the statement.

“The established quarantine area has been reviewed by the state veterinarians and they have confirmed that it exceeds expectations put forth by the Department of Agriculture,” the statement continued.

The practice has concluded multiple rounds of cleaning and disinfecting in the hospital, and began accepting patients again April 8.The intention of the practice was to exceed the state’s recommended biosecurity protocols.The quarantine was not imposed on Equine MRI of NJ or Furlong’s Soundness Center and ambulatory veterinary services continued without restriction.

Jeff Wolfe, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture, said there have been no other cases reported around New Jersey.

More information can be found on the American Association of Equine Practitioners website, here, and the memo from the Department of Agriculture can be found here.

For questions or concerns, clients are advised to contact B.W. Furlong & Associates or Dr. Gardner at (908) 439-2821.

Retirement for Nick Skelton and Big Star

Retirement for Nick Skelton and Big Star

by | Mar 29, 2017

Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist Nick Skelton always said he’d retire when Big Star did, but his farewell is coming earlier than planned.

Although he had hoped to show this summer, plans to compete at Geneva and Olympia last December were scuttled when the horse came up with a slight injury. Although word was Big Star would be jumping again this past January, it was decided he didn’t owe anyone anything and it was time to bow out.

The retirement ceremony for both Nick, 59, and the stallion will be held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Their last competition was the Royal Winter Fair, where I was lucky enough to see them jump.

Nick Skelton and Big Star at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair last year, their final show together. (Photo copyright by Nancy Jaffer)

 

Mane Stream holding tack sale and open house

by | Mar 29, 2017

Mane Stream, which offers a program of equine-assisted activities, including therapeutic riding, is having a tack sale from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 8 at 83 Old Turnpike in Oldwick.

Want to accumulate riding clothes, tack and other equine-related paraphernalia? This is your go-to. Rather de-clutter? Drop off donations or call 908-439-9636 to arrange a pick-up of items.

On April 9, Mane Stream is hosting an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It’s an opportunity to get insight into all that Mane Stream does by meeting the horses, talking to therapists and chatting with volunteers–maybe you want to become one.

There also will be activities for children as a preview of what goes on at Mane Stream’s summer camp.