Representatives from 20 organizations gathered last week to advance the efforts that began at the nation’s first United Horse Summit in Washington, D.C., in April.
Gathering September 21 at the American Veterinary Medical Association headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, the group focused on solidifying its mission and building a long-term organizational structure.
The important roles of education and owner responsibility in reducing the unwanted horse population were a key theme of the day's discussions and are reflected in the group's mission statement: "To reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care of the horse."
The next meeting will be in late October or early November in Lexington, Kentucky. At that session, the group plans to formalize a governance structure and finalize specific strategies to benefit unwanted horses.
Those attending the September 21 meeting were:
- AQHA
- American Association of Equine Practitioners
- American Horse Council
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- CANTER
- Carriage Operators of North America
- Day's End Farm Horse Rescue
- Hooved Animal Humane Society Humane Society of the United States
- National H.B.P.A.
- National Thoroughbred Racing Association
- New Mexico Livestock Board
- North American Equine Ranching Information Council
- Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
- The Jockey Club
- Thoroughbred Charities of America
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Trotting Association
For more information about the unwanted horse initiative, contact the AAEP at (859) 233-0147. The report and educational presentations from the initial Unwanted Horse Summit can be found in the press room of the AAEP's Web site at www.aaep.org.
U.S. Reiners Win Gold and Silver at Reining Masters
American reining superstars Craig Schmersal and Tim McQuay won the gold and silver medals, respectively, at the 2005 FEI World Reining Masters Final competition in Manerbio, Italy, on Saturday.
Riding his 9-year-old stallion Tidal Wave Jack, Schmersal turned in a score of 231.5, earning a gold medal and one of the highest scores on record. The pair also won the U.S. Equestrian Federation Reining Championships in August, earning the right to travel to Italy for the FEI event. Tidal Wave Jack is by Hollywood Macho Jac and out of Tidal Mist Cody by Lance Cody.
Coming in second with a score of 224 was AQHA Professional Horseman Tim McQuay and Mister Montana Nic. The 7-year-old stallion is also owned by Schmersal and is by Reminic and out of Mollie Montana by Montana Doc.
I don’t have the details yet of who won open bronze medal or the top three finishers in the restricted division. I’ll let y’all know as soon as I find out.
Horse Trainer Says Dyslexia Helps Him Understand Horses
Karen McConkey of The Free Press in Kinston, North Carolina, recently wrote of Quarter Horse trainer Dave Robart of Hookerton, North Carolina, and how his dyslexia has helped him understand horses better.
“What may initially have seemed a handicap unlocked a gift inside Robart – a gift for understanding how horses learn and respond to commands.
"’Horses seem to think the same way as dyslexic folks,’ Robart said. ‘I have to process every part of a question to get an answer. I get there. I just don't get there at the same pace as most people. Neither do horses and, as a trainer, you have to remember that.’
“Robart has been training horses for more than 30 years. The son of a horse trainer, he grew up in Colorado and remembers living on Roy Rogers' ranch while his father trained Rogers' horses. Now, Robart is training champion horses.
“Because no one understood dyslexia, especially Robart, his family worried that he might not succeed as an adult. But Robart already knew his success would lie in his ability to communicate with horses and teach them to do things no other trainer had done before.
"’The fact is, that's exactly what I've done," he said. "Horses are very sensitive to a handler's mind. I'm a mental trainer more than a physical trainer.’
"’Anybody with a disability, no matter what it is, can overcome its limitation,’ he said. ‘Set your mind on what you want to do. It may take you longer to get there, but you'll get there.’"
— Tonya Ratliff-Garrison
