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Q-TALK Q-TALK ARCHIVE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2005 I’ve been in Southern California all week for a couple of interviews for upcoming Journal issues. I’d heard that the West Coast Circuit Quarter Horse Show was starting Thursday, so I decided to drop by and check it out. While there, I met Laura Day, a resident of Camarillo, California, who started showing Quarter Horses about six months ago.
“I’d never rode horses before this,” she said shortly after showing her gelding, SB Top Dun, in the novice amateur reining class. “I’ve been riding a year-and-a-half with Tom Foran, and showed from March until October last year. This is only my second show this year.” Day showed at the Sun Circuit for the first time this year with “Scotty” and her other reining horse, Oaken Rooster. “I didn’t really get any points, but I did OK,” she said. Although she lost her hat in her first sliding stop this morning, Day and “Scotty” looked good during their run, and, frankly, I couldn’t tell that Day hadn’t been riding long. “I’m still a little nervous when I’m out there, but I’m always a little more confident each time,” she said with a smile. “It’s getting better.” Day finished out of the points again today but there’s still Saturday, plus the rest of the show year. “I’m going to show in every show I can this year,” she said. “It’s incredible. I have so much fun doing it.” The West Coast Circuit continues through Sunday at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, California. Natural Healing Arts Bill Introduced in Oklahoma An Oklahoma House bill was recently amended to match a state senate bill that would allow animal owners the right to choose natural healing arts practitioners. In 2003, the Oklahoma law pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine was amended to include "complementary and alternative" medicine to the definition for scope of practice for the 1,700 licensed vets in the state of Oklahoma. Shortly after the Oklahoma law went into effect, the vet board began sending out "cease and desist" orders to alternative therapy practitioners, mostly those who provide massage and other bodywork services to horses. It is now illegal for an animal owner to engage the services of an alternative therapy practitioner who is not a veterinarian to provide natural healing arts services to an animal in Oklahoma. If passed into law, this bill will allow horse owners to hire natural healing arts practitioners. This is a controversial issue regarding the definition of “practicing medicine” and the qualifications needed for such practice. Watch the Journal for more on this topic. Fourth Case of EHV-1 Closes Michigan Track Michigan Department of Agriculture director Dan Wyant on Thursday confirmed a fourth case of equine herpesvirus type-1 at Northville Downs in Northville, Michigan. He has cancelled all live racing through Monday at the track. Under joint authority of MDA and the Office of Racing Commissioner, all restricted areas of the track have been placed under quarantine, prohibiting any horse from entering or leaving the grounds. Northville Downs remains open to conduct simulcast wagering on races from other racing jurisdictions during the cancellation. On February 8, a sample from the affected horse tested positive for EHV-1, and state veterinarians continue to monitor the horse, which represents the fourth case to be found at the track in the past three months. The three previous cases occurred in December and January, resulting in 21-day quarantines of separate barns at the racetrack. Michigan animal health, racing commission and racetrack officials have taken additional steps and safeguards to contain and prevent the spread of the disease. Horse owners and trainers should contact their veterinarian regarding vaccinations against EHV-1. Horse owners with additional questions can contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture's state veterinarian Office at (517) 373-1077 or the Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner at (734) 462-2400. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2005 AQHA met with members of the National Snaffle Bit Association on February 8 to discuss the relationship between the two alliance associations. The task force aims to promote the fact that the rules in both associations are the same for western pleasure and hunter under saddle classes and to develop ways to ensure judges are enforcing the rules. “AQHA and NSBA are unified in seeing that current and future rules for western pleasure and hunter under saddle are interpreted the same by judges, exhibitors and owners of both associations,” AQHA Executive Director of Judges Alex Ross said. The task force plans to meet again in May to further develop a working relationship between AQHA and NSBA and to focus on a wider spread effort to educate exhibitors about the rules and standards of each association. “We need to do more to educate our members about what defines excellence in these classes,” NSBA President June Warren said. The goal of all AQHA alliance relationships is to unite the strengths of each association and combine marketing efforts to increase interest in horse ownership and participation in AQHA and alliance partner shows. NSBA recognizes the Quarter Horse breed as the preferred horses for the western pleasure and hunter under saddle disciplines and a continued relationship ensures mutual benefits for both associations. For more information on rules and regulations, visit www.nsba.com or review the 2005 AQHA Official Handbook online at www.aqha.com/association/registration/handbook.html. Farnam Supports Literacy Project With Web Site Farnam Horse Products and the Black Stallion Literacy Project have partnered to help inspire kids to read while learning about the world of horses. The BSLP reaches grade school children nationally through Walter Farley’s “Black Stallion” and horse show extravaganzas. To help the program, Farnam is handing out bookmarks in Arizona grade schools, and creating an educational equine Web site, www.farnamkids.com, for teachers and the children. The BSLP curriculum runs from January through March each year, culminating with professional performances that reflect the “Black Stallion” story in the states that utilize the program. It will serve more than 50,000 students in Arizona, Florida, Arkansas and Texas. In addition to classroom work and special horse shows, the BSLP also offers workshops for teachers and students, including a "first touch" program that brings first graders in close contact with horses. The Farnamkids.com Web site features information and images to teach kids about horses. It includes a section detailing various horse disciplines (courtesy of many Farnam equestrians who contributed to the site), as well as sections on horse care, tack, health, and more. The site also includes interactive educational games, a glossary of equine terms, and listings of horse clubs and associations for more learning. Young Rider magazine contributed several pieces to the site as well. World’s Tallest Horse OK. This isn’t about a Quarter Horse, but I just couldn’t pass this one up. The Sun in London has a story about the world’s tallest horse: a 16-year-old Shire gelding that measures 6 feet, 6 inches, or 19.5 hands from the ground to the withers. Measured to the tips of his ears, he’s 9 feet, 6 inches. The story says “Cracker” puts away 35 gallons of water a day, and is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It’s worth clicking on the link above to see this monster of a horse. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2005 Just east of the Indiana state line Tuesday night, three horses were badly injured in a highway accident because their trailer’s back gate wasn’t properly latched. The gate came open while the trailer was traveling down Interstate 74 and the horses fell out onto the highway. Two of the horses have serious injuries and the third horse has a bad gash on one leg. Even when you think your horse is safely loaded and things are going well on its trip, this kind of tragedy can happen very easily. Terry Ekberg of Nationwide Horse Transportation offers these tips for safe hauling:
It’s also wise to pack an emergency kit for even short hauls. It should contain:
PBS Miniseries 'Texas Ranch House' Seeks Participants Participants in PBS' new miniseries "Texas Ranch House" will ranch, rope and ride as they experience life in the real West of the American cowboy. Applications to participate will be accepted until March 18. The eight-part series will challenge a group of 20 people to experience the exhilaration and exhaustion of life in the Old West. Monty Lewis gives a lot of his credit to his partner for his 2004 world championship at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. His partner? That would be his 13-year-old Quarter Horse, IR Still Dry, “Ned.” Paula Hunt of the San Antonio (Texas) Express-News writes about the 24-year-old Hereford, Texas, resident, who is competing this week at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. “Fred Whitfield and Cody Ohl had owned tie-down roping at the NFR for the past 10 years, sharing nine titles since 1994. But it was the rookie who won the tight race for the championship on his and Ned's final run. "‘It's fully a 50-50 event,’ Lewis said. ‘It's about timing and chemistry and working together. But you can plan and you can practice, but if the calf sticks its leg out the game's over.’ “For four years, however, college, not rodeo, was Lewis' priority. “It wasn't until after he earned his degree in finance from West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, in 2003 that he began competing professionally full time with Ned. “Lewis and his father, Wade, had purchased Ned as a 6-year-old for $4,000 — a relative bargain when top roping horses can sell for as much as $100,000. “Because Lewis had delayed diving into rodeo full time, the two had six years to work together, gain experience and develop their skills. He couldn't have foreseen that Ned would turn into a horse that would become the AQHA Horse of the Year like he did in 2004. "‘You've got to be partners,’ Lewis said. ‘A great horse can elevate your roping, and you've got to have a great one to win big. And Ned has a pretty cool personality. It's one thing to be able to win off him, but I just like him and that's a good thing to say.’ TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005 Former Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Terry Bradshaw is moving his Quarter Horse ranch from Texas to a 704-acre spread in southern Oklahoma.
Bradshaw, now a host on Fox's "NFL Sunday," was looking for a location in North Texas about five years ago when a friend told him about the spread for sale in Thackerville, about five miles north of the Texas state line on Interstate 35. "He happened onto it," Wing said. "When he drove onto the place, he fell in love with the land." The property includes about 200 wooded acres in rolling hills and a creek, with a house that cannot be seen from the main road. Fee Would Fund Horse Marketing Program Ohio horse-feed producers might be chipping in for a proposed equine marketing program beginning this summer. Clifford Anthony of the News-Herald in Willoughby, Ohio, writes that state Sen. Tim Grendell and two other lawmakers have introduced a bill that calls for charging a 2 percent fee on horse feed sold. The money would be used to promote the horse industry. The fee is along the lines of the existing cattle and corn checkoff fees, Grendell said. A 15-member equine marketing committee would be formed to promote horse-trail rides, races, horse ownership and research on equine health care, among other items. Canadian Horse Farms Hit with Huge Tax Bill Ontario’s property tax hikes, as high as 2,600 percent, may be forcing the province’s horse farmers out of business. "Emotionally, people are devastated. Financially, they have no idea how they can possibly pay these bills or how they'll continue. Some haven't. They're already out of business," Leslie Brooks told Linda Leatherdale of the Toronto Sun. Brooks, who with her husband, Jim Waechter, operate the JL Equestrian Centre just outside Kitchener. “Faced with hardship when a tax bill hit stating they owed $15,000 retroactive to May, 2003, and had six weeks to pay – the pair decided to fight back. “Their letter-writing crusade aimed at bending political ears showed they were not alone. An outpouring of grief came from all parts of the province. “The overwhelming response, followed by a flurry of meetings with government officials, sparked a response.” Brooks writes that Queen’s Park Finance Minister Greg Sorbara has asked the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to meet with representatives from the equestrian association to develop appropriate criteria for assessing equestrian facilities. A review is to be completed within a month. A Teacher for the Generations Tony Gabriele of the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia, wrote a touching piece about a Quarter Horse, who, at 25, is still giving lessons. “The Lone Ranger's Silver, The Cisco Kid's Diablo, Zorro's Tornado. Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, The Black Stallion. Yes, the fiery steeds with the thundering hooves get the glory. But ask horse lovers which mount holds a special place in their hearts, and they're likely to say it was the gentle, friendly horse they learned to ride upon. Such as Bill the School Horse. When you enter a business deal involving a horse, especially when it involves a sale, get everything in writing. Case in point: Christine Dittmar and Tina Wheeler had a dispute over 3-year-old mare named Kay Cee Seeker. In 2002, Dittmar and Wheeler agreed that Wheeler would purchase the mare for $3,600 and Dittmar would house, feed and train the animal. The pair would eventually sell the horse and split the profits. But the business deal eventually turned sour, and one of the women was arrested for theft. In a Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat story, reporter James L. Rosica writes “after a disagreement, Wheeler took the horse from Dittmar’s stable – without her knowledge.” Dittmar took the horse back the next day. “A few weeks later, Wheeler’s husband went to Dittmar’s stable in the middle of the night and took the horse once again.” Neither Wheeler nor her husband was ever charged, but Dittmar was arrested and charged with horse theft. She was cleared of the charges last week in a Leon County court. Another lesson learned the hard way. If the pair had just put their agreement in writing, this dispute might have ended up in civil court rather than the embarrassment of an arrest and a public trial. So, remember, get every business deal you do in writing. It could save you from a major headache. Two NRCHA Horses Earn 2005 AQHA Alliance Bonus Awards
The National Reined Cow Horse Association's top money-earning AQHA Incentive Fund Horses earned big rewards in 2004, both for their owners and for the owners of their sires. In 2003, AQHA created the Big Five Alliance Bonus for the NRCHA, along with similar programs for the National Reining Horse Association, Palomino Horse Breeders Association, National Cutting Horse Association and National Snaffle Bit Association. A $5,000 purse is presented to each association, compliments of the AQHA Incentive Fund. To spread the rewards, 50 percent of the bonus is given to the top AQHA Incentive Fund-nominated horse in each division and 50 percent to the owner of the sire of each top horse. This year's top money earning AQHA Incentive Fund horse in NRCHA Non Pro competition is Shiners Dulena, exhibited by Dema Paul of Scottsdale, Arizona. The 4-year-old palomino gelding, by Shining Spark and out of Docs Sulena by Doc O’Lena, won the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity non-pro championship. Owners Jim and Dema Paul and Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas, owner of the sire, Shining Spark, each receive $1,250. The Open NRCHA Big Five Alliance Bonus winner is A Chic In Time, by Smart Chic Olena and out of Paula Tari by Tari Glo. Owned by Sharon Babcock's Broken B Ranch, the 1993 stallion earned the 2004 World's Greatest Horseman title for Ron Ralls, and was the 2000 AQHA senior reining world champion. He has earned more than $100,000 in NCHA earnings. Both Broken B Ranch and Jim Babcock, owner of Smart Chic Olena, receive $1,250. Only horses nominated to the AQHA Incentive Fund are eligible for the Big Five Alliance Bonus. This year's winners will be recognized during the annual NRCHA Awards Banquet February 27 in Stephenville, Texas. Alex Ross, AQHA Executive Director of Judges, will present the award checks on behalf of AQHA. How Transporting Horses Affects Their Immune System A study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal looking at the effects of long-term transport on horses showed measurable changes in immunological status. Carolyn Stull, D.V.M., found the immune systems of transported horses took about 24 hours to recover, making travel-stressed horses more prone to problems upon arrival at their destinations. “The horses’ immune systems (in the study) were suppressed at every level, significantly increasing their susceptibility to infectious illness,” said Stull, who is an extension specialist at the Center for Equine Health at the University of California, Davis. During the first 24 hours after transport, Stull said horses need careful management because if they are exposed to pathogens, they are much more susceptible to infection. Stull also said cross-tied horses experienced greater stress than horses traveling with unrestricted heads. Cross-tied horses were more likely to suffer from dehydration and immune system dysfunction, during and after travel, than horses moved in box stalls without head restraint. “Horses normally don’t hold their heads above their withers for any length of time,” Stull said. “An elevated head position not only increases the number of bacteria in the respiratory tract, it also suppresses the immune system, making horses more vulnerable to travel-related illnesses.” About Half Participating in UK’s Horse Passport Program The British government reports that horse owners applying for the mandatory “passport” for their animals could be as low as 50 percent. By the end of February, all horses, ponies and donkeys in the United Kingdom must have a passport, which is designed to show that horses exported to Europe are free from dangerous veterinary drugs. After February 28, animals without a passport cannot be sold or exported, and owners could face fines up to £1,000. There are between 600,000 and 1 million horses in Great Britain. The government has issued about 500,000 of the documents.
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