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Q-TALK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005 TheHorse.com has presented an interesting topic: Should farriers be licensed? Christy West, the managing editor and Internet editor, writes “farriers in the United States have long practiced with no regulation and only voluntary certification, but some in the industry think that will — and should — change soon. An American Farrier's Association task force presented a proposal to the AFA Board of Directors in late February on this issue, and that proposal has generated an explosion of controversy. "’Our charge was to evaluate the current status of farrier education in the United States and to look at the issue of farrier licensing or registration,’ stated an introductory note in the report. ‘These issues have suddenly become critical to the future of farrier work in the United States, due to the emergence of legal restrictions on farriers in several states.’ “The report cited as examples veterinary practice acts in Florida and Arizona that state or imply that professional health care work (including farriery) on animals is within the realm of veterinary medicine. This opens the door for legal action against farriers providing hoof care in those states, which understandably causes a lot of concern for farriers throughout the country.” The AFA will now select a new task force to create the farrier school survey for mailing in July. Survey results will be collected and released, and any additional action will be determined by the AFA board of directors. This is sure to be a hot issue in the horse industry. If you would like to voice your opinions, e-mail the AFA at info@americanfarriers.org, or The Horse at letters@TheHorse.com. Two discussion forums on the issue have also been set up. Click here and here to read them. To read the AFA Task Force Report, click here. For more information go to www.americanfarriers.org. Wyeth Cuts Back on PMU Ranches In April, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals announced it would be discontinuing PMU collections from ranches in Alberta, Canada. This affects 19 ranchers. Wyeth will also be making additional voluntary and mandatory reductions among 30 of the remaining Canadian ranchers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well as American ranchers in North Dakota. Alberta was chosen simply because the ranches were the furthest away from the processing facility in Manitoba. A compensation package has been offered to producers that were cut, plus Wyeth will continue to fund the Equine Placement Fund, a program the company established in 2003 to support placement of PMU horses into productive markets. The downsizing of the PMU ranch network is a result of the change in demand for post-menopausal therapies and a shift toward a lower dose product following the results of a study in 2002. However, the company believes that the decline appears to have bottomed out. A glut in horse sales in western Canada is expected, however, most breeders are expected to stay in the horse industry. Presently, the NAERIC program will continue. Foals born this year are still eligible for the incentive but those produced next year will not be. Crocus Cow Horse Association Forms Canadian reiners, cutters, ropers and team penners in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario now have a new association to join. Mark Michie has helped found the Crocus Cow Horse Association to “bring together a lot of people that have shown and competed in their own circles, but now have common ground to compete together.” Three shows were approved for this year. The first was May 28 in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. The next two are Saturday at Thunderbird Horse Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, and August 1 at Neepawa, Manitoba. If you would like to get involved in this new association, contact Michie at mmichie@mts.net or call (204) 637-2104.
Grooming Tip Cathy Colwell and Joe McAllister of Cornerstone Farm in Kingston, Ontario, offered this tip in the Horse Canada newsletter for keeping track of your grooming tack: "I tie about an 8-inch piece of binder twine or wool in a color that matches my grooming kit around all of my smaller, lost-if-dropped items (hoof picks, mane combs, latch hooks for braiding etc.). If it doesn't have a hole to tie the string/wool through, then I duct tape it to the handle. Then, if they do get dropped, you can easily spot them in your stall bedding or aisle area.” If you have any tips you would like to share with Q-Talk readers, e-mail them to tonyag@aqha.org. You never know, you might even win a prize. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2005The AQHA Regional Experiences are off to a strong start with Regions 4 and 6 receiving strong entries and Region 7 beginning this week. The new program is designed for anyone who desires fun, competition and a chance to learn more about American Quarter Horses. There will be Experiences in 10 of AQHA’s 11 regions. The Region 7 Experience, which begins Wednesday in Hurricane, Utah, has shaped up to be a strong season opener. With more than 300 entries, a trade show, test rides and dozens of clinics and demonstrations, the Region 7 Experience provides a strong debut to AQHA’s newest program. The Region 4 Experience, which is July 14-17, has garnered strong early support. Scheduled to be at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, Region 4 includes participants from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Ontario, Canada. Already, more than 1,900 entries have been received and 2,200 are expected. “The level of interest in the Region 4 Experience has been outstanding,” said Denny Hales, Region 4 coordinator. “We have put up some big numbers already. It is great to see this many people interested in American Quarter Horses.” As of June 1, 678 horses were entered in the competition portion of the experience and more than 200 horses are consigned to the sale, just one of several special events planned. The large number of horses expected to attend has resulted in the Ohio Expo Center considering the use of tents to house additional horses. The Region 4 Experience has 115 classes, each with 3 or more entries. Only 15 classes have fewer than three entries. Late-entry fees will be waived for these classes to encourage people to enter. The Region 6 Experience, which is July 14-17 in Skowhegan, Maine, is also shaping up for a strong first-year turnout. The region already has about 750 entries. Exhibitors in the competition portion of the Experience will receive awards based on their placing. In each region, a custom-designed Montana Silversmiths buckle will be awarded for first; a WeatherBeeta “Rug Sac” containing three unique blankets will be awarded for second; a Justin Boots gift certificate for a product in the new George Strait product line for third; Professional’s Choice horseman’s accessories for fourth; and a one year subscription to The American Quarter Horse Journal for fifth place. Other awards will vary by region. All Regional Experience attendees also will have the chance to win other prizes from AQHA and its team of Corporate Partners. Exiss Trailers will give away a vacation to the 2005 AQHA World Championship Show where those winners will be placed in a drawing for one trailer valued at $20,000. John Deere will give away one 4x2 TS Gator at the end of the year. Collegiate Saddles will give away one saddle and Weatherbeeta will give a Tri-Color 420D Sheet at each of the Regional Experiences. Nutrena will give away 500 lbs. of Nutrena equine feed every day of each Regional Experience. Visit AQHA Corporate Partner booths for complete details and to sign up to win. In addition to the competition, each of the 10 Regional Experiences includes educational programs, such as clinics, American Quarter Horse test rides, judging sessions and equine health seminars. A unique shopping experience also will be offered at the trade shows. Regional Experiences are aimed at introducing more people to the American Quarter Horse lifestyle and inviting competitors back to the Association. All levels of competition will be offered to provide competitors with a variety of events that fit their comfort level. For more information, click on one of the links above or click here. Region 3 Extends Entry Deadline for its Regional Experience The Region 3 Experience in St. Paul, Minnesota, has extended its deadline for entries. Originally, the deadline was slated as June 10, but show management has extended it to June 20 to account for the large response of competitors. The Region 3 Experience is July 21-24 in the coliseum at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Classes for all levels of competitors will be available at the Experience. From novice to open, everyone has a chance to participate. In addition, more than $120,000 in total prizes will be awarded. The Region 3 Experience is open to exhibitors and owners residing in the states or provinces comprising the region. For more information or to enter, click the link above or email info@region3experience.com. FEI Reining Committee Takes Care of Business The FEI Reining Committee had its annual meeting in Manerbio, Italy, in May during the European Championships in Reining. The committee discussed a wide range of topics, including:
The FEI executive board met June 1 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Here are a few of its decisions:
The next meeting of the executive board is July 25 in San Patrignano, Italy. SRHA Futurity Returns to Finals Format The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, which is October 27-30 at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma, will return to a finals format. The top scores from the preliminary round in both the open and non-pro divisions will advance to the clean-slate finals and a chance at the event championship. SWRHA President Tim Lynch cited the popularity and excitement of the finals as reason for the change. "People just enjoy watching the top horses go," he said. "The SWRHA board feels that this will be a positive move that keeps more people in the stands. That benefits both our sponsors and our organization." The futurity has long been a preview of the top horses that will be seen a month later at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity in Oklahoma City. Both timing and proximity have been factors and the percentage of SWRHA alumni that have gone on to NRHA Futurity finalist and championship slots is a long one. Besides the 3-year-old competition, on tap for this year's futurity is the new $7,500 added open reining sponsored by the owners of Lil Ruf Peppy and Green Valley Ranch. "This is the largest added-money open reining this event has ever held," Lynch said. For information on the futurity or to request an entry form, call (580) 759-2572 or click here. CSU Selling Some of its Horses Colorado State University is selling a number of riding horses and some stallions through its online equine auction site through 10 a.m. Friday. The site currently features more than 20 horses trained in either English or Western riding principles. Horses are available beginning at a $1,000 minimum bid and include registered stock. A few stallions that were used in the CSU breeding shed are also up for sale but are not included in the auction. One of the stallions is Winnerinic, a 1981 stallion by Doc’s Remedy and out of Wininic, a daughter by Sugar Vandy and out of Fillinic. Pennsylvania Scholarship Nears Completion The American Quarter Horse Foundation announced this week the Joyce Wyatt Pennsylvania Scholarship fund is close to completion. The fund lacks about $400 to complete the $10,000 initial endowment. Once $10,000 is reached, the fund will endow a scholarship to one Pennsylvania youth each year. The fund was established by friends and family of AQHA’s 2003 Professional Horsewoman of the Year Joyce Wyatt. Wyatt has long been known for her service to the American Quarter Horse industry. “The board of directors of the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association felt if 330,000 members of AQHA could recognize this fine lady in such a way, the Quarter Horse industry in Pennsylvania could do no less,” said Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association President John Comerford. “We established a capital campaign in 2003 to endow an AQHF Scholarship for a Pennsylvania youth in Joyce’s name as continuing recognition for her accomplishments in promoting Quarter Horses in Pennsylvania, the nation and many places across the world.” “It’s an unbelievable honor,” Wyatt said. “It takes my breath away. It’s absolutely wonderful.” Wyatt is an AQHA Director and judge and is a member of AQHA’s Show Council, Show Committee and Hall of Fame Selection Committee. “Joyce has a strong interest in young people because of her work in her church and with pro football Hall of Famer Mel Blount on his Pennsylvania farm, where troubled inner-city youth come to learn life lessons from horses,” Comerford said. “Her compassion for people and horses are appreciated by all who know her.” To help Pennsylvania reach its goal, contribute to the Joyce Wyatt Pennsylvania Scholarship fund at aqha.com/foundation through the secure online donation form, or contact the Foundation at (806) 376-5181 or e-mail lowens@aqha.org. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2005Shawn Flarida is having a very good year. The Springfield, Ohio, reining horse trainer took the 2004 NRHA Futurity aboard Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook. The pair came back in May to win the NRHA Derby. Now he won the champion title at the World Reining Trophy this past weekend in Mooslargue, France.
He also tied for the reserve title on Tinsel Nic (Bueno Chexinic x Holly Tinseltown by Primary Pine) by marking a 226. The 1999 brown stallion is owned by Sternberg of East Sussex, United Kingdom. Austrian Rudi Kronsteiner shared the reserve title after scoring a 226 on Chex Enterprise (Be Aech Enterprise x Poco Sweet Chex by Ready Chex). The 1990 bay stallion is owned by Heidi Wallner of Dunzling, Germany. A 20-year-old student from Naples, Italy, won the non-pro title. Gennaro Lendi rode the 12-year-old stallion Playing It Out (Hollywood Dun It x Kaliflower by Kaliman) to a 221. Gennaro has been riding the stallion, which was a stud at Arcese Quarter Horses before, for about two months. The horse had not been shown for six years. The stallion is now owned by Playing It Out Syndicate. Jeannette Krähenbühl of Switzerland and ARC Golden Boy (Surprise Enterprise x ARC Topsail Lady by Topsail Cody) placed second scoring 219. "I'm really content with my horse," Krähenbühl said. "We did not win, but he did his best although he was looking around a little bit. But I am so glad for Gennaro – he did such a wonderful job!" For more on the World Reining Trophy and full results, click here. New Texas Law Should Boost Event Purses Texas Gov. Rick Perry has signed into law a bill that will allow a portion of the state sales tax collected in connection with special events like the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity, Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular to be allotted to those events. "(These) events have meant so much to Fort Worth (Texas), and Fort Worth means so much to the equine events," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "This bill is a win-win-win situation. It is a win for the events because we can make them bigger and better, a win for the city because the better the events, the more people are going to come here, and a win for the state because it means more sales tax money. It’s a matter of pride and tradition and dollars." Virus Infects 30 Arizona Horses; Quarantines Ordered An outbreak of a viral infection has put 28 horse properties in the state under quarantine, caused other states to block entry of Arizona horses and heightened concerns that the virus could spread to Arizona's cattle industry, The Arizona Republic reports. Since late April, 30 horses have been confirmed with the virus, an untreatable but non-lethal ailment that can cause painful lesions in the mouth area and can spread readily to other horses as well as cattle and sheep. AQHA Horseback Riding Program Participations Nearly Doubles The all-breeds division of the American Quarter Horse Association¹s Horseback Riding Program has been growing at a fast pace. The number of AQHA members enrolled in the program has increased from 328 members in 2004 to 627 members in 2005. The Horseback Riding Program was developed to provide AQHA members with a rewards system for hours spent in the saddle. Participants log the hours they spend riding and receive awards based on the number of hours they accumulate. In 2005, participants in the all-breeds division have logged 37,123 hours. Last year, participants logged 4,874 hours. AQHA¹s Horseback Riding Program has two divisions available exclusively to AQHA members. The American Quarter Horse division is for logging hours spent on American Quarter Horses. The all-breeds division allows AQHA members to log hours spent riding any breed of horse. “The all-breeds division began when AQHA members were looking for a program that would reward them for the hours they spent on any horse, not just an American Quarter Horse,” said Ward Stutz, AQHA Director of Membership Services and Public Policy. “The all-breeds division provides an opportunity for nonmembers to join AQHA and participate in a recreational riding program that rewards you for spending time with your horse.” The all-breeds division has seven awards levels. More than 65 participants have reached the 50-hour mark, and 42 participants have reached the 100-hour level in 2005. Prizes awarded include gift certificates from Drysdales, Tex Tan headstalls, rocker bars and AQHA patches. For more information on AQHA¹s Horseback Riding Program, contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811 or click here. Trail Ride Raises More than $10,000 for Charities For 31 years, the Allegan County Pleasure Riders Benefit Ride has been know by area equestrians as the first big trail ride of the season, reports the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Gazette. “The reputation for a great day of horseback riding at Silver Creek County Park, great raffle prizes and a great cause drew 311 riders recently and raised a total of $10,568 in donations for Wings of Hope Hospice and for Allegan County Exceptional Equestrians. Each organization received $5,284. "’It's for a good cause, that's for sure,’ said Jennifer Merrill, a paramedic from Allegan, Michigan, who, through her encounters transporting patients, is familiar with the importance of organizations such as Wings of Hope Hospice. ‘I don't like having to see these people in pain. I would rather see these people in remission,’ she said after finishing a morning ride on Sharday, a 17-year-old Quarter Horse mare.” The Gazette reports that ACEE, a 4-H therapeutic horseback riding program, uses the money it gets from the ride to support its operations. "’The money we receive virtually covers all of our major expenses,’ said Nick Meier, president of ACEE. ‘Their donations to the incredibly great causes, both hospice and ACEE, provides a tremendous amount of support to those who are at the end of their lives and to improve our riders' quality of life. "’This horse ride is directly related to what we do; most people don't realize that the difference between themselves and our riders is a blow to the head,’ Meier added. "’Most people don't realize how quickly they could be in hospice or in our program.’" A True ‘Paint’ Horse Robert Nott of The New Mexican in Santa Fe, New Mexico, wrote a story about an unusual horse in Sunday’s newspaper. Jake, a 14-year-old buckskin Quarter Horse at the Walkin N Circles Ranch in New Mexico, has taken up painting. The gelding is among nearly 50 horses that live at the Edgewood, New Mexico-based refuge for neglected, abused or abandoned horses. Nott writes, “since Jake started throwing paint on a canvas in a Jackson Pollock-like manner a year-and-a-half ago, he has become something of a star attraction at the ranch. And he's also managed to learn how to wield a mean paintbrush that is attached to his halter, which means he now creates abstract expressionistic pieces that pay homage to the independent spirit of horses. ”John decided to attach some paint sponges and balls to Jake's halter and place some empty canvases on the ground outside the horse's stable. In no time at all, the horse was creating art via the ‘throw and paint’ method. Then Jake began using the halter-mounted brush, which Colleen said was New Mexico artist David Copher's idea.” Jake’s paintings went on sale at an art auction in Albuquerque in December, and some of the works brought up to $500.
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