March 2023 Saddle Up! Magazine

BARN WITH INDOOR ARENA | POSSIBLE LAND CONTRACT TERMS

Tired of boarding your horses? Buy your own private barn with indoor arena between Davison and Lapeer, near I-69. Currently 5 stalls (1 double stall, 1 foaling stall), office, tack room on one side of the arena. Other aisleway has large run in area and plenty of space to add additional stalls. Ample hay storage including loft areas on both sides. Indoor arena has new footing and is approx. 70x64 and has a deck next to tack room that could be a viewing area. 2019: NEW metal roof, NEW asphalt flooring in aisleway between stalls, NEW flooring in stalls & barn was painted in 2020. Stall mats and fencing needed, otherwise turnkey for horses. Barn has water/electric. 13 acres has woods, crops and plenty of room to build a home in the future. Great hunting property!

WORKING EQUITATION

April 15 & 16:

Introduction to Working Equitation Clinic

May 27 & 28: Working Equitation

USAWE Recognized Show

Judge: Polly Limond, CA

All levels, membership required.

May 29: Working Equitation Clinic with Show Judge: Polly Limond, CA

June 25: Schooling Show

Working Equitation, Dressage & Rail Classes.

June 26-30: Working Equitation Camp

Clinicians: Emily Gill, Tarrin Warren and others TBA. All ages and WE levels.

August 19 & 20: Working Equitation

USAWE Recognized Show

Judge: Cari Schwartz, OR. All levels, membership required.

August 21: Working Equitation Clinic with Show Judge Cari Schwartz, OR

October 29:

Working Equitation & Dressage Schooling Show

2022 USAWE National Youth High

This means that Allison had the most points across all youth in all divisions of USAWE during the 2022 competition season. Allison earned her scores in the Novice A performance level, Youth division.

HORSE BLANKET LAUNDRY

Saturday Night Pizza Party Added Money Sweepstakes Classes

MI Apple Blossom Prize Drawings

Daily & Year End High Point Awards

2023 MICHIGAN APPLE BLOSSOM CLASSIC OPEN SHOWSS

MAY 12-14 JULY 7-9

5/13 Jeff Moody, 5/14 Brian Craig Judges: TBA

SEPTEMBER 22-24 MSU Agriculture Pavilion, East Lansing, MI

Judges: TBA

Stalls Reservations: mabcstalls@gmail.com or 517-655-4712 • Find Us On Facebook: Michigan Apple Blossom Classic

7 PM Friday Trail Classes 57-62 • 8 AM Saturday/Sunday Classes 1-55 • Arrival Starting Noon Friday – NO EARLY ARRIVALS

1) Sweepstakes Halter Open 2) Mares at Halter All Ages 3) Geldings & Stallions at Halter All Ages 4) Quarter Horse Halter

5) Stock Horse Color Breed/Other Halter

6) Ranch Horse Conformation (Ineligible for Grand/Reserve) Grand and Reserve Champion Halter

7) Two-Year-Old & Under Longe Line**

9)

10)

Showmanship 12 & Over**

Showmanship - $100 ADDED

11) Showmanship 13 & Under 12) Showmanship 14-18

# May not show in any other classes.

** Walk/Trot rider or Novice horse may not show in any canter/lope classes.

@ May cross enter pleasure age group classes. % MUST be NOHSA member Trail Classes 57-62 run Friday Evening ONLY. Trail counts for Saturday High Pt.

Classes entered at the gate instead of the office will be subject to an entry fee of 1 ½ class fee.

MUST BE PRESENT to win random drawing awards.

Year End High Point eligibility requires min. of 4 shows & High Point Fees.

CLASS FEES

$7 All Ages ($10 if entered @ gate) All Stalls $50 (all horses must be stalled) $10 Sweepstakes ($15 if @ gate) Camping – $30/Night

Daily High Point Fee $5 Office Fee for EACH Horse/Rider $10

* Valid driver’s license MUST accompany ALL checks & credit cards *

Returned/NSF check or credit card will incur a $35 fee in addition to bill. Major credit cards accepted: 3.75% Convenience Fee • NO REFUNDS for dropped/missed classes or early pullouts – PLEASE plan accordingly

* NO SMOKING ALLOWED * ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED *

33) Hunt Seat Pleasure 50 & Over

34) Sweepstakes SR Hunt Seat Pleasure & Over - $100 ADDED

35) Peewee Western Pleasure 11 & Under**

36) Peewee Western Horsemanship 11 & Under**

37) Walk/Trot Western Horsemanship 12 & Over**

38) Sweepstakes Western Horsemanship OPEN - $100 ADDED

NOHSA Horsemanship Medal Class (tentative) %

39) Western Horsemanship 13 & Under

44) Sweepstakes Peewee and 12 & Over W/T Pleasure - $100 ADDED

45) Sweepstakes Walk/Trot Pleasure OPEN - $100

FRIDAY EVENING ONLY – TRAIL CLASSES 7:00 PM START

THANK YOU 2023 SPONSORS!

Show management reserves the right to cancel, combine, divide classes or shows, or refuse any entry, check, or tab. Fees are subject to change without notification. Judge’s decision is final. WARNING: Russell Training Center LLC and/or individuals assisting at these events shall not be individually or collectively responsible for any loss, damage, or injury to any person(s), horses (s) or property in connection with this event. Michigan Equine Activity Liability Act 1994 PA 351; An equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of the equine activity Completion of the Entry Forms for these events constitutes waiver of liability beyond the provisions of this act and such waiver shall be valid and binding.

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Soft Tissue Injuries In Canines

Lameness in dogs due to an injury is quite common. Dogs that compete in canine sports such as agility and flyball tournaments are especially prone to soft tissue injuries. However, even the backyard pup can suffer from ligament, tendon, and muscle damage. Regardless of the injury, the diagnostic procedures and recommended treatments are the same.

The first determination is whether the dog is suffering from an injury related to some form of trauma or from overexertion.

The terms sprain, strain, and “pulled muscle” are used interchangeably to describe soft tissue injuries.

Some background information for understanding ligament, tendon, and muscle locations:

• Ligaments are attached to the bones that span a joint to provide joint stability A ligamentous injury is usually caused by acute overstretching or twisting of the ligaments.

• Since tendons and ligaments are more fibrous than muscles, this makes them tighter and more compact. When an injury occurs, they can tear when stretched.

• Once a ligament has been stretched, recurrent injuries are common due to inadequate healing of the injured ligament. A healed ligament is estimated to be only 75% as strong as the original ligament.

• Tendons connect muscle-to-bone with their primary function being to transfer the force of the muscular contraction to the skeleton. When the muscle-tendon unit is strained, this tension can result in a soft tissue injury.

• These types of injuries usually occur due to overstretching such as when an animal reaches and jumps. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur from overuse.

Soft tissue muscle injuries are most often related to direct trauma. Muscle injuries are less common and can be more difficult to detect during a physical exam. The most obvious signs are focal pain as well as swelling.

Soft tissue injuries are divided into 3 grades depending on severity.

Grade 1 injuries are usually minor, as they involve damage to a small percentage of the fibers resulting in minimal loss of the structure. These injuries are usually localized in one region with minimal heat or swelling The dog may not even be lame and his joint may still be fairly stable when palpated during a physical examination.

This type of injury usually involves bruising of some form and is found primarily in the muscle as opposed to the ligament.

Grade 3 injuries consist of complete ruptures, while Grade 2 injuries begin with a Grade 1 classification but have some components of a Grade 3 injury though they are not as severe.

With Grades 2 and 3 there will be localized pain and swelling at the site of the injury

Ligament injuries will show joint instability and are often accompanied by bruising and hematomas (blood-filled pockets) at the site of the injury.

Ultrasounds can provide more information with musculotendinous injuries, as they provide “real time” images, while the tissue is placed in varying ranges of motion.

For more serious cases, a Computed Tomography (CT) scan can give more information especially in chronic or acute trauma cases.

The Gold Standard for assessing soft tissue injury is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Treatment for minor grade 1 sprains and strains is usually a period of rest until the lameness subsides. Topical and systemic medications may be prescribed for pain and to reduce inflammation.

With any tissue injury, the objective is to prevent the formation of disorganized scar tissue and a recurrence of the original injury.

If the injury is severe, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove and reduce the chances of scar tissue forming Modern treatments also offer therapeutic ultrasound therapy being used to treat a variety of musculotendinous disorders. However, laser therapy may be more effective for some cases since it can expedite the healing process.

Shock wave therapy is another treatment that is showing good success with both bone and tissue injuries. High intensity sound waves interact with the affected tissue stimulating blood vessels, reducing chronic inflammation, stimulating the production of collagen, and dissolving calcium buildup.

This therapy is especially helpful for areas that prove slow to heal. Overall, it stimulates the healing process and helps reduce any pain from inflammation.

The procedure lasts only for a few minutes and can be repeated as necessary, usually a few weeks apart.

Once a soft tissue injury has occurred, dogs must be prevented from becoming heavy, as the extra weight can aggravate an existing condition.

Dr. Joanna Bronson graduated from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 at the top of her class. Following graduation, she worked as an intern at a large equine referral practice in Cleveland, OH, specializing in lameness, surgery, and racetrack medicine. In 2005, she opened Bronson Veterinary Services in Coldwater, MI. What started as an ambulatory only practice, quickly grew to a full-service equine and small animal hospital and surgical center The now three doctor practice provides medical, surgical, reproductive, and preventative care services for Branch County and the surrounding area.

As per standard procedure, x-rays are used first to access soft tissue damage and joint instability. Visit: http://bronsonvetservices.com/

April 15

April 29

May 6 & 7

May 20

May 27 & 28

June 17

June 23 & 24

July 15 & 16

July 22

August 6

August 12 & 13

Sept 9

October 14 & 15

Dec 9 & 10

2023 Show & Clinic Schedule

Simple Bodywork Clinic with Fran Cilella Register at glass-ed.org

Glass-Ed Bit Fitting Demonstration with Tara Graham Register at glass-ed.org

Wyn Farm Dressage Show May I & II

Contact Alexandra Pollack, email: wynfarmshowseries@gmail.com

Pine Lake Stables May Dressage

Contact Mary Johnson 269.664.4223 or email: equineline@mei.net

Rivendell Stables Dressage Show I & II

Contact Linda Cooper 616.260.1470 or Lcooper@rivendellstables.com

Glass-Ed Annual Dressage at Pine Lake Stables

Contact Mary Johnson 269.664.4223 or email: equineline@mei.net

Willow Ridge Dressage I & II

Kim Bench-Dunlap (text) 616.617.2497| www.willowridgedressage.com

Wyn Farm Dressage Show July I & II

Contact Alexandra Pollack, email: wynfarmshowseries@gmail.com

Rainbow Riders 4-H Club Summer Dressage

Linda Cooper 616.260.1470 or email: LcooperTeam@aol.com

Countryside Dressage Show

Contact Patti Adams 269.625.5656 or email: adamspatti50@gmail.com

Wyn Farm Dressage August Show I & II

Contact Alexandra Pollack, email: wynfarmshowseries@gmail.com

Pine Lake Stables September Dressage

Contact Mary Johnson 269.664.4223 or email: equineline@mei.net

USDF L Education Program Register at glass-ed.org

USDF L Education Program Register at glass-ed.org

Ada, MI

Hudsonville, MI

Williamston, MI

Closing date: 4/23/23

Plainwell, MI

Closing date: 5/11/23

Lowell, MI

Closing date: 5/19/23

Plainwell, MI

Closing date: 6/8/23

Hudsonville, MI

Closing date: 6/15/23

Williamston, MI

Closing date: 7/2/23

Lowell, MI

Closing date: 7/13/23

Centreville, MI

Closing date: 7/27/23

Williamston, MI

Closing date: 7/30/23

Plainwell, MI

Closing date: 8/31/23

Hudsonville, MI

Hudsonville, MI

HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

IONIA HORSE TRAILS ASSOCIATION

Please join us for our 2023 Events!

Forbidden Trails Ride: Saturday, June 10.

Chili Cook Off: Saturday, October 7.

Please note: We are struggling with new Facebook "Meta" solutions for our page –which is not letting us create events. Please go to our website for more information and registration forms.

https://ioniahorsetrailsassociation.org/

We are planning a workbee for March or April, depending on how the weather plays out. Our goal is to install corrals on two more campsites, so ... if you have a preference where you'd like them installed, or a preference where you Do Not want corrals installed, please let us know.

We have plotted out the path for Phase 2 of the Ionia Confidence Course. Previous plans had been to build in 2023. We have decided to keep the path mowed this year so riders can travel it and pack the soil before we build obstacles. Riders are welcome to start using the path to go from day staging to the Phase 1 course. The path will pick up from the trail just across the road from day staging, then take the first right (presently it is marked by pink ribbons in sets of two - stay between the ribbons.) Trail staff will keep the trail brush hogged so you can easily find the path next season.

After our annual meeting of 2022, we have 2 available seats on our board, so if you'd like to contribute a bit of time and be part of the improvements at Ionia, please reach out to any board member, or tag us at Ionia Horse Trails - IHTA on Facebook, or simply show up at a meeting. That would be great!

When reserving online, remember your first click is on the "Equestrian" tab on the right side of the first page, then you can select our horse camp.

THREE DAY PARKING AREAS: 1) Normal Day Staging; 2) Go past the day staging parking lot to the "Barn Lot" on the same side of the road; 3) There is also a new option to access the west end of the park more easily! It is still signed as the X Country Ski Trail,

just before the beach entrance (on the opposite side of the road) when entering the park. Park staff enlarged the parking area to hold four or five horse size rigs, but this is not a parking area suitable for BIG rigs. The drive entry is not wide, and the turn around area is not huge. If your rig is more than 30 feet or you lack backing skills, this may not be a good option. Please park like you expect the lot to be full when you come back. Leave room for others and plan for all rigs to be able to exit safely.

If you encounter a situation on the trails, please let the park staff know as soon as you can by calling 616-527-3750. Let us know if you think we can be of help. We all work together as best as we can to keep the trails clear. You can ask questions or report trail issues on our Facebook page: “Ionia Horse Trails - IHTA”

ested, contact Traci Sincock via email at sincockt@michigan.gov

Please remember that there is NO hunting at Maybury State Park. Another great reason to ride in our park during the winter months! Check out all the new updates to the website at: www mayburytrailriders org and continue to follow us on Facebook for updates on the trails, events and general news going on in the park. Feel free to post pictures from your rides!

Happy Trails ~ Mary Nader

MAYBURY STATE PARK TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION (MSPTRA)

Hi, trail riders! It isn’t spring, but it sure feels like it! Remember to protect our park by not riding when it is super muddy on the trails. Thank you for your help in maintaining our beautiful park.

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to sign up for your yearly MSPTRA Membership! Join and pay online, or print the membership form and mail it in. Our fees have not gone up in 2023 and we appreciate your support!

The Michigan Horse Expo is coming up soon! Join us March 10-12, we are sharing a table with the Kensington Trail Riders and Proud Lake Trail Riders Associations. Please stop by and say Hello!

Remember to mark your calendars for our fall ride which will take place on October 22, 2023. We look forward to a great turnout like last year!

Recently, we received two (2) separate inquiries about taking over the riding stables facility at the park. They are both considered serious inquiries, so we are hopeful! Still, if you or anyone you know that might be inter-

We did it – our application for federal 501c3 designation was approved!! We are formally a non-profit now! Thank you to all who helped make this happen!

Are you ready for a season of fun? You have a number of activities to choose from. Become a member and get into these clinics for a reduced price. Go to www.michiganfox trottinghorse.com for the membership form, then to the “Activities” page for the list of clinics ,etc. and the associated registration form. There might still be room for you in the March 18-19 Trail & Obstacle Clinic at Morning View Farm in Ionia, MI. Clinician Susan Williams will teach you and your horse how to trust before you safely negotiate various obstacles out on the trail. This is a must-attend clinic!

Also, on March 25 is the Groundwork/ Showmanship Clinic at Goodell's Equestrian Center in Wales, MI with clinician Gabby Oddo of Go Performance Horses. You will learn how to create a better connection, properly and safely move your horse on the ground using specific exercises useful every-day and in shows. This is a great clinic on the east side of the state for all ages and disciplines.

The April 1 Introduction to Cows Clinic at Slippery F Ranch in Nashville, MI with Clinician Greg Flower will fill fast. Get your registration form submitted right away This safe and psychological clinic is a favorite and will expose your horse to cows and give

HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

MI FOXTROTTING HORSE ASSOC., CONT.

them confidence on how to be near them and to move them.

The April 15-16 Levi Beechy Horsemanship Clinic at Morning View Farm in Ionia, MI is one you surely should attend. You don't have to haul way up north that weekend to learn from him. Levi will teach you how to connect with your horse so that you will have a better ride. He has helped so many riders succeed! His clinics fill fast, so don't hesitate to submit your registration form.

May 27 is the All-Breed Judged Trail Ride at Ionia Recreation Area, Ionia, MI near the day staging area. Come test your skills and safely expose your horse or pony to things they might encounter on the trail. There will be prizes and ribbons for the youngsters and money payback for ages 18 and up. Camp for the weekend or come just for the day.

June 25 is the Natural Trail & Obstacle Clinic at the beautiful Holland Western Horse Park, Holland, MI with Clinician Susan Williams. You will be instructed on how to safely work out a way to negotiate actual trail obstacles. Make your clinic and camping reservations via www.HollandWestern.com

July 7 thru 9 is the 2nd annual Great Lakes National Trail Ride at the Horseman's Camp at Waterloo State Recreation Area, Chelsea, MI. Earn a point on your Fox Trotter toward your MFTHBA award. Make your camping reservations via midnrreservations.com or park in the day staging area if you only want to come for a day of riding A potluck will happen Saturday night, so come with something to share. Last year the weather was perfect and there were no bugs! Let's look forward to the same good conditions again.

Are you interested in learning how versatile your horse is? The Versatility Challenge program will help make your mount a more valuable horse citizen. This program will help you document all of the things you can accomplish with your horse. These include training, camping, showing and LOTS more.

We have sections for horses Not Under Saddle, Under Saddle or In Harness and the rider/handler can earn points in the Horseman's Challenge which focuses on all of the things that the human accomplishes. There are quarterly and year-end prizes for Youth and Adults. Enroll for the 1000+ point club too and earn the special sticker for your vehicle or trailer. The rules, lists of qualifying

activities and registration forms are on the Activities page. Get started now!

Remember to send in your MFTHBA membership too. Go to mfthba.com to see all of their programs and benefits, then renew or become a member We are the Michigan affiliate of the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association (mfthba.com) based in Ava, MO. Our mission is to promote MFTs and to encourage the breeding and training of them, as well as to help their owners learn to enjoy their horses more through educational clinics, trail rides and discussion.

MICHIGAN TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION

Hopefully we are over winters frigid days and will have more sunshine soon!

MTRA will have a booth at the Michigan Horse Council March Horse Expo! We hope to see friends there in the trails section. If you haven't renewed your membership it can be done there or on the website.

March also brings our annual banquet and meeting March 25th is the date and it will be held at the Doherty Hotel in Clare, MI. Members will be receiving ballots for electing new and reelecting current board members up for reelection. This is a time to reconnect with friends and get updates on MTRA for 2023.

Last year we started a patch for riding the whole shore to shore using the blue trail. This year we will be starting a mileage incentive program to recognize our members. Information is within the February newsletter and on the website. So starting logging your 2023 miles! We hope to see on a shore to shore ride this year!

Please visit us at: https://www.mtra.org/

The Annual Meeting was February 4th and we had a great turnout. Thanks to Cowboy Dan, Pat B., Rachael M., Scott S., Rex B. and Dennis K for entertaining us with their music during social hour We did annual reports, volunteer hours and election of new BD members Rosie J., Mary Mallory and Dr. Cynthia T and returning members Chanda D and Lori C. Welcome. Twenty eight memberships were taken, and the auction was done by Don B., Joyce M. and helpers. The drawing was held and Beth R. was the lucky weekend winner SleezyBarb Horsewear donated lovely plants for bidders. Bob and Rosie were picked as Volunteers of the Year for all their donations of time, equipment and efforts. Pat and Don were honored for their 35 years for service, work efforts and donations of time for SHTRA

April 22: Our first 2023 workbee will be Saturday at 9:00 am-? Rain date is April 29. Join us for raking up the staging area, trimming trail debris, and cleaning up camping sites. Depending on weather, your ATV crew would help with trail trimming and draining muddy areas. Lunch at Noon. If you can’t help with trail work, instead help with lunch. Bring a dish to pass, donate a case of water, pick-up several sub sandwiches it all helps. Remember 4 hours of work earns one overnight free camping. That’s a $20.00 value. RSVP for head count.

May 26: Memorial Weekend. Come camp with us. Saturday Potluck and campfire. Don’t fight the traffic driving up north!

Sept. 1-4: Labor Day Weekend. Riding or Driving fun, campfires and a potluck.

October 26-29: Explore the Hollow. This a once a year event where equestrians can ride marked Bike/Hiking trails on Friday and Saturday Sunday is “pick up pooh day.“ Come join us, special riding, group campfire and a Saturday Potluck.

At the cabins: 4 Corrals and 8 Pickett Poles! Go online at: midrnreservations com or call1-800-44-parks if you wish to rent one of SHSP’s heated cabins Both are equine friendly with four pickett poles, 2 adjoining

HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

SLEEPY HOLLOW TRAIL RIDERS, CONT.

corrals and by connector to the equine trail system. Go online to see the many perks of the Deluxe cabin and the charm of the Rustic cabin (allows dogs). I would advise to book ahead, as these cabins are getting more popular. Get a group together and rent both (easily do 9 people and 10 horses) for a great get away. Open year round!

When the trails are really muddy, please avoid the East and West loops. Try to ride the scenic South loop that has the firm old roadbed, takes you to the island and is a much less muddy ride.

Remember to do your membership for 2023. Forms can be downloaded from the website at: shtra.org or call me at 989-277-8544 and I’ll send you one.

Have a great ride ~ Marsha

On January 28, 2023, WDAMI hosted the 9th Annual Year End Awards Banquet via Zoom. Our board member, Mary Linton, prepared a wonderful slide show presentation highlighting all of the 2022 Year End Awardees. You can view the presentation on the following YouTube link: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4yA_X2rq0

Congratulations to all our members who participated in the 2022 Year End Awards program. Hope to see you again next year!!

February 2023 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order: 6:20pm

Allegiance was pledged to the USA

Attendees: Kathy Taylor, Ron Walker, Carla Walker, Heather Ward, Tom Chaffee, John Soper, Travis Buehler, Sarah Buehler

Excused: Ruth, Ken Terpening, Jeanne, Skip Burger, Heather Slocum

Attending YSTRA Members: Dick Smith, Terri Cross, Tina

Consent agenda, accept secretary and treasurer’s reports from prior month. Carla Walker motion to accept. Tom Chaffee 2nd. All voted/approved to accept all as written.

2023 Approved Event Dates

WESTERN DRESSAGE ASSOC. OF MI

Dear WDAMI Members, it is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our cofounder, Tom Baldwin. Tom and Carol cofounded the Western Dressage Association® of Michigan in 2013. Over the years, Tom has been in the background supporting all the activities of WDAMI. He always enjoyed attending our live banquets and watching the winners receive their awards. Tom was so very proud of all the members.

An accomplished horseman, Tom loved riding his curly horse Ronnie. Their favorite times were spent trail riding, exploring new places and getting lost from time to time. He was not one to compete in WD classes, but he traveled to many places with Ronnie. In 2012 and 2013, Tom and Ronnie attended and showed at Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. So many of the attendees at Equine Affaire had never seen nor heard of a curly horse. Tom enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the breed. Ronnie and Tom served on the Cheboygan County Search and Rescue Division from 2010 to 2016.

To read about Tom and the life he loved, visit the following link: https://martinfuneral home com/tribute/details/6388/ThomasBaldwin/obituary html#tribute-start

WDAMI is planning a total of four educational clinics for 2023. There will be a WDAMI benefit clinic on May 6 and 7. This clinic will be on Understanding Collection with Elizabeth David-Zoerhof Elizabeth is a student of Buck Brannaman and has spent the last 6 years working with Bettina Drummond. (Bettina is highly regarded in both the US and Europe as a trainer and teacher in the French Classical system of riding, and was a student of Nuno Olivera, one of the last great masters of Classical dressage.) That clinic will be held at the Lazy S Ranch in Dafter, Michigan in the beautiful U.P For more information, please text or call Suzanne Morisse at 906-440-0215.

Our Freestyle Clinic will be held on June 2425 and will feature Joann Williams. Joann is a WD large R Judge, a WD Multiple World Champion and Supreme Champion, and a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist along with top honors in USDF freestyles awards. The clinic will be held at the Lucky Dog Ranch in Harrisville Michigan. For more information, please contact Mary Linton at 810-338-0884 or by email: luckydogranch. jm@gmail.com

Don’t forgot to renew or join WDAMI and WDAA for 2023 and be part of the fastest growing equestrian sports. You can find us online at http://www.wdami.org/ Once on the home page, click on Contact/Join.

April 22: YSTRA Shot Clinic 9am-12pm

Stoney Hills will be at the Buehler residence to conduct the annual vaccine and coggins clinic. This is a public event. You do not need to be a member to attend. Location: 10370 Parmalee Rd., Middleville, MI 49333. Facebook sign up or come the day of the event.

May 13: YSTRA Member Appreciation Ride

Come ride the 9 mile and be treated to an on trail lunch. Burgers, hot dogs, fixings along with sides will be waiting for you at Shaw Lake Road “horseshoe” area. Tie lines and water will be provided for your horses. Sign ups will go from 8am-12pm. YSTRA membership is required. Lunch will be available on trail for riders from 11am-1pm.

September 2: Annual Meeting

Camp with and cast your vote for your board members. We will be supplying a roast with all the fixings (attendees – please bring a dish to pass). Ride to Yankee Bills Saloon on an “off the beaten path” trail.

October 14: Halloween Spooktacular (TBA)

Trail Report: Heather and Rickie Ward were our only known members to do a New Year’s Day Ride! We hope you guys had a great time! Ron, Travis and Tom hope to tackle a few trouble spots on the trails where ruts are present. Tentative plan is to get to them the beginning of March weather permitting

HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

YANKEE SPRINGS TRAIL RIDERS, CONT.

Event Insurance: Auto Renewed. Ron will be getting a copy to the DNR office as soon as possible.

New Trailer Information: Ron reminded the group that the trailer which was purchased in 2022 has more repair work due to some unforeseen areas that fertilizer had corroded. It Has been decided that we will sell this trailer and purchase one that better fits our needs. Carla and Sarah began the hunt immediately! Will have more information coming soon.

Land Manager Update: Ron discussed the improvements of the new day use area, and we are planning to be available once Joe shares some available dates with us to get the hitching posts installed. The DNR was able to get the stump grinder into camp to remove the stumps that had been left from last year’s tree removal. Ron will contact Joe and Lucas about manure pits in the new day use also.

Meeting came to a close at 7:30pm

Regards, Sarah Buehler, YSTRA Secretary

Visit us online at: https://ystra.org/

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HORSE ASSOCIATIONS & TRAIL RIDING GROUPS

1. Free Horse Association & Trail Riders News (submitted monthly or bi-monthly, includes logo and up to 3 photos)

2. Free Show & Event Dates

a) Printed Listings b) Online Calendar w/Showbills c) Facebook posts

3. 15% Off Non-Profit Discount on all paid advertisements (excludes specials).

4. $30 Online Only Event Flyers (placed within monthly online edition) Full color, full page: includes ad design. $50 for two full pages per month.

5. Showbill Issues: April, May and June printed and online editions. Special advertising rates, includes free online banner ad. Full page black & white $145. Half page black & white $105.

6. Purchase 2 Ads, Get 3rd 50% Off Advertise in 2 of 3 of our showbill issues and your 3rd ad is 50% off. (of equal or lesser value, use the 3rd ad anytime you wish in 2023).

Deadlines: the 16th for the next months issue. Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com https://saddleupmag.com/

810.714.9000 (Mon-Fri 10am-3pm)

• $20 for a 10x10 space (you provide table)

• Vendors can set-up at 7:00 am

• Deadline to reserve a space is March 31st 4379

Riding Volunteer Associaon

Reassurance

Over the past few weeks, the horses have shown me something I am so excited to share with you. It is probably not anything remarkably new, rather a deepening, or a renewed understanding, just as it was for me. The horses are so amazing in their ability to simplify things. Thank goodness they agree to share and teach!

Not only do the horses want to be seen and heard, they deeply need to know that everything is safe and they will be okay. The word that emerged was reassurance. Such a powerful descriptor.

What my horses and a few new ones I got to meet showed me was their desire for reassurance. They wanted an opportunity to drop their fear In human terms, to release the doubt.

Releasing the doubt and letting go of fear is so important for trust. Holding the space of security with validation and patience. One of the best things is that it is not hard to do! I am guessing that you are already offering at least a version of this to your horse. Or to the humans in your world. Adding some extra attention and focus might offer new depths of trust and reciprocity for the others you are interacting with.

A couple of things you may have heard me say a few times (or maybe like 400 million!): Intention is everything. Hold the intention of offering reassurance. And, the more time you spend in an emotional state the easier it is to get to that state.

Keeping these concepts in your attention will shift your interactions and thoughts so they are aligned with offering reassurance to your

horse. Closely observing and listening to that nonverbal communication will help you be aware of when your horse is asking for reassurance. If they exhibit any apprehension, put calming their fear as a first priority. Pausing and holding a space of compassion and softness is so often what they need.

Trust your intuition. The impressions you get from your heart and essence will guide you.

A great bonus is that from holding the space of reassurance and offering it to another is that you will be more able to give it to yourself As you conquer new frontiers, you have yourself to rely on. And, the wisdom of horses, of course!

• April 21-23

• May 19-21

come SHOW WITH THE MI FQHR IN 2023!

Midland County Fairgrounds, 6905 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI

• June 23-25

• July 28-30

Become a member, find events and contact information at:

http://www.michigan-fqhr.com/

Foundation Quarter Horse Registry - Michigan Affiliate

Larry Heyboer Cattle

Extravaganza ~ May 20th

• September 15-17

Breeder’s Classic Finale!

The Foundation Quarter Horse Registry

http://www.fqhr.net/

MORE WEEKEND PRIZES!

Breeder’s Classic ~ April, June & September Shows!

Working Ranch Horse Futurity & Derby ~ July 28th-30th

Open, Amateur and 3-5 Year Old Divisions!

2023 SPECIAL EVENTS 2022 AWARD HIGHLIGHTS

OPEN VERSATILITY

Champion: Pay For My Whiskey ~ Rhonda Broekema

Reserve Champion: TNT Drift ~ Levi Beechy (owned by Amy Beningo)

OPEN 3-5 YR OLD VERSATILITY

Champion:

GRF Hollywoodstarlet ~ Jarid Walton (owned by Tim Waite)

Reserve Champion:

GRF Biddington Stars ~ Trevor Walton (owned by Karen Waite)

FAMILY FRIENDLY!

AMATEUR VERSATILITY

Champion: Who Man Too ~ Kyleigh Walton

Reserve Champion: Jacs Finest Flower ~ Jodi Monarch

AMATEUR 3-5 YR OLD VERSATILITY

Champion: Nu Royal Diamonds ~ Patty Athey

Reserve Champion: GetRowdy InHollywood ~ Grace Pribble

BREEDER’S CLASSIC CHAMPION

Dual Wielding ~ Owned by Erica Walton ~ Sired by Dual R Smokin

More informaon on our website!

AHCA is a family friendly compeon and a diverse skills challenge. It is an obstacle course event perfect forallriders,alldisciplinesandeveryskilllevel.

AHCA DIVISIONS OFFERED

• Green Horse I & II

• Jr Horse (3-5 years old)

• Lead Line (10 years & under)

• Wrangler (12 years & under)

• Youth (18 years & under)

• Novice Rider

• Limited Amateur

• Legends (55 years & older)

• English • Open • Amateur

• In Hand I & II

Fiber & Abnormal Oral Behaviors

Horses occasionally display abnormal oral behaviors such as excessive licking, sham chewing, and bedding eating. These behaviors could reflect poor welfare, such as unpleasant living conditions or chronic stress. One study shows that altering the diets of horses with abnormal oral behaviors by providing more forage and fiber decreases the frequency of these behaviors and * improves health.

Abnormal oral behaviors were observed in horses housed at a single facility. Twelve of those horses were used in a study designed to examine the effect of diet modification on abnormal oral behaviors. All horses exhibited behaviors described as either oral stereotypic behaviors or redirected behaviors. Oral stereotypic behaviors included sham chewing (i.e., making chewing movements when no food is present in the mouth) or repetitive licking of inanimate objects. Researchers defined redirected behaviors as the result of insufficient appropriate stimuli, so the behavior is redirected to alternative stimuli. Boredom or nutritional imbalance may lead a horse to coprophagy or wood chewing, both examples of redirected behaviors in horses fed low-fiber diets.

Horses were divided into two groups: a control group in which horses showed a low frequency of these behaviors and a treatment group that showed multiple abnormal oral behaviors with a greater frequency than horses in the control group. Horses in the control group were maintained on a standard high-concentrate, low-fiber diet, whereas horses in the treatment group consumed a highforage, high-fiber ration.

“The high-concentrate diet consisted of alfalfa (lucerne) hay, wheat chaff, and a concentrate. The high-forage diet was formulated by adding timothy hay to the ration and reducing the amount of concentrate,” explained Ashley Fowler, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

The effect of the diet change on behavior was assessed by measuring the amount of time horses spent displaying abnormal oral behaviors, both oral stereotypies and redirected behaviors. In addition, cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” ghrelin, and leptin were measured. Ghrelin regulates food intake and plays a role in stimulating hunger, and leptin is produced by white adipose tissue to create the sensation of satiety

Researchers compared changes between treatment and control groups at the start and end of the 30-day trial.

“The time spent on abnormal oral behaviors significantly decreased in the treatment group over the 30-day study period. Specifically, oral stereotypies decreased by 70% and redirected behaviors decreased by 86%,” Fowler explained.

In addition, abnormal oral behaviors were significantly lower for horses fed the high-forage diet compared to the control group at the end of the study period. Manure eating was not observed in the treatment group during the study period, and less time was spent on oral stereotypic behaviors and bedding consumption in the highforage group.

This study also found that the mean plasma cortisol and ghrelin levels decreased by 30% and 20%, respectively, in the treatment group over the 30-day trial. These hormones were also significantly lower than the control group by the end of the study

“For leptin, values increased by 16% in the treatment group over the 30-day study and were 18% higher in the high-forage group than the high-concentrate group at the end of the study,” Fowler said.

According to the research team, ghrelin and leptin changes support the hypothesis that oral stereotypic behaviors and redirected behaviors appear to derive from failure in feeding motivation and lack of satiety

“In other words, the high-forage ration provided longer satiety compared to the high-concentrate diet,” explained Fowler

“This study shows that diet can influence behavior and hormone levels in horses. Ensuring horses have sufficient fiber in their diet can therefore affect the overall health and well-being of horses.”

According to Fowler, timothy hay was added to the diets of horses included in the study to increase fiber content. For horses requiring more energy in their diets than provided by hay alone, consider adding fibrous stuffs such as soy hulls and beet pulp.

“When feeding a forage-based diet, it is important to balance the vitamin and mineral content of the ration, as most forages are low in some trace minerals. Adding a well-formulated vitamin and mineral supplement will help ensure the horse's nutritional requirements are being met,” Fowler recommended.

*Hanis, F, E L T Chung, M H Kamalludin, and Z Idrus. 2023. Effect of feed modification on the behavior, blood profile, and telomere in horses exhibiting abnormal oral behaviors. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 60:28-36.

2023

Pre-registration form:

Oakland County OPEN HORSE SHOW CIRCUIT

ALL SHOWS START PROMPTLY FRIDAY AT 6:30PM AND SATURDAY AT 8:30AM RAIN OR SHINE

May 12-13 Kick-Off Show (Fuzzy Horse – Show Clothes Optional) • May 19-20 Triple B’s

June 2-3 Mane 2 Tails Connection • August 4-5 Horse Council

Grand Finale Weekend: August 11-12 Paint Creek Valley

Shows held at Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Rd., Davisburg, MI 48350

Please see showbill for details at: www.facebook.com/OC4Hhorsecouncil/ Pre-Registration Form: https://form.jotform.com/230485065982160

All entries are entered into the High Point competition for the weekend.

For YEAR END “HIGH POINT AWARDS” separate registration & fees apply

WEEKEND/YEAR END HIGH POINT DIVISIONS

Gymkhana (20 & Over)##, Gymkhana (15-19), Gymkhana (8-14) | Adult (20 & Over)##, Senior (16-19), Junior (13-15), Youth (8-12)

Walk/Trot (Adult)##, Walk/Trot (13-19)##, Walk/Trot (8-12)##, Mini (8 & Over)##

## Not Eligible for Overall Year-End High Point.

Friday 6:30PM: GYMKHANA

1 INDIANA FLAG RACE—ADULT

2. INDIANA FLAG RACE—15-19

3. INDIANA FLAG RACE—8-14

4.

5. CLOVERLEAF—15-19

6. CLOVERLEAF— 8-14

7 DOWN & BACK—ADULT

8. DOWN & BACK—15-19

9. DOWN & BACK—8-14

10. KEY HOLE—ADULT

11 KEY HOLE—15-19

12. KEY HOLE—8-14

13. POLE BENDING—ADULT

14. POLE BENDING—15-19

15. POLE BENDING—8-14

16. SPEED & ACTION—ADULT

17 SPEED & ACTION—15-19

18. SPEED & ACTION—8-14

19. 2-PERSON RELAY—OPEN

Saturday 8:30AM

50. IN-HAND JUMPER (MINI)—8 & OVER

51 MINI IN-HAND SCURRY JUMP—8 & OVER

52. HUNTER HACK—8 & OVER

53. #LEAD LINE—5-7 CLOVERBUDS

54. #WALK ONLY EQ CLOVERBUDS 6-7

55. *SADDLESEAT EQUITATION—16 & OVER

56. *SADDLESEAT EQUITATION—8-15

57 SADDLESEAT PLEASURE—16

General Information:

REGISTRATION/OFFICE HOURS:

Friday: 5:00-6:30PM ONLY for exhibitors entering classes #1-19.

Friday: 6:30-9:00PM for ALL entries

Saturday: 7AM through end of show

Class Fees: $7 per class $10 for Sweepstakes class

Stall/Tack Stall Fee: $40 per stall/per weekend ($20 refund after stall check)

Trailer-In Fee: $10 per horse/per day

Gymkhana Jackpot: $12

Office Fee: $5

Camping: $25/per night

Paid to Oakland County Parks & Rec. Contact Springfield Oaks 248-599-2708. Camping arrival after 3PM on Friday

1. 4-H RULES APPLY — No Stallions

2. NO REFUNDS for registered classes.

3. A current year Negative Coggins Test is required.

4. Exhibitor’s age as of January 1, 2023.

5. Ponies must ride in age division.

6. No Novice Horses in 12 & under classes.

7 ALL STALLS MUST BE STRIPPED!!

8. All trailers not being used for overnight camping MUST BE PARKED in NONcamping areas, in trailer parking areas. DO NOT park trailers in camping.

9. Please clean up around your trailer As a courtesy to others, leave the grounds as clean as when you arrived.

ADDED CLASSES:

Horse Council—May 12 & 13

52.1 EQUITATION OVER FENCES—MIHA JR

54.1 SADDLESEAT PATTERN—MIHA JR

74.1 WESTERN REINING—MIHA JR

Triple B’s—May 19 & 20

86.1 ADVANCED TRAIL—W/T/C

86.2 ADVANCED TRAIL—W/T

Mane 2 Tail Connection—June 2 & 3 55.1 EQUITATION OVER FENCES—MIHA JR 54.1 SADDLESEAT PATTERN—MIHA JR

Horse Council—August 4 & 5

52.1 EQUITATION OVER FENCES—MIHA SR

54.1 SADDLESEAT PATTERN—MIHA SR

74.1 WESTERN RIDING PATTERN—MIHA SR

40. *HUNT SEAT EQUITATION—YOUTH

41 W/T ENGLISH PLEASURE—ADULT

42. W/T ENGLISH PLEASURE—13-19 43. W/T ENGLISH PLEASURE—8-12 44. HUNT SEAT PLEASURE—ADULT 45. HUNT SEAT PLEASURE—SENIOR

46. HUNT SEAT PLEASURE—JUNIOR

47 HUNT SEAT PLEASURE—YOUTH

48. HUNT SEAT BAREBACK—8 &

Paint Creek Valley—August 11 & 12

52.1 EQUITATION OVER FENCES—MIHA SR

54.1 PROTÉGÉ’ PROGRAM SHOWCASE (FOR YOUTH ENROLLED IN PROGRAM)

54.2 SADDLESEAT PATTERN—MIHA SR

74.1 WESTERN RIDING PATTERN—MIHA SR

* Equitation Pattern Class – Pattern will be posted. # Cloverbuds not to ride in any other classes. Participation awards only

10. Lunch breaks to be announced. Food concessions will be available.

11 Back number is 1 Horse/1 Rider combination.

12. Stalls to be stripped 1 ½ hours after completion of last classes.

13. Miniature Horse (38 inches and under) and Small Ponies (38-46 inches) are eligible for Mini classes.

14. Payment by cash or check only

15. See showbill for additional information.

Profits to benefit

(Excludes Adult, Mini & Walk/Trot)

The Eyes Have It

I was recently asked to write something about horse eyes (I'm happy to respond to such requests, by the way). I think that eyes are really cool, so here goes.

From a medical standpoint, eyes are their own little world. And, honestly, I think that it would be a little irresponsible of me to try to write all about the medical problems that can affect horse eyes because, frankly, I don't think that it's a very good idea to try to treat such an important structure as an eye without consulting your veterinarian. Of course, not all eye problems are serious problems, but if you see your horse holding his eye shut, or if the cornea (the surface of the eye) is cloudy, or if you see blood, or excessive tearing, then you should call your veterinarian immediately.

Now, that said, the eyes of the horse are unique in several ways. So, here are a few things about normal horse eyes that you maybe did not know. Fun stuff to talk about around the barn.

The surface membrane of the eye – the cornea – provides a clear, protective layer for the eye. Clear, of course, so that the horse can see through it. It's clear because it has water in it. However, it doesn't have as much water in it as it can hold – in fact, keeping the right amount of water in the cornea is an important part of the function of cells of the cornea. There is even a word for keeping the right amount of water in the cornea: deturgescence.

Ever see an injured eye? In many cases, the eye that has been injured turns a bluish color There is a reason for that. It is because the injury to the eye causes the cornea to swell. And when it swells, the clearness of the cornea is lost: it turns blue. So, if you are going out to see your horse, and you see that his eye is blue, call your veterinarian. The cornea is swollen, and there is something wrong. Horses are mostly colorblind. They aren't completely colorblind –just mostly Horses can see blue and green, but not red. To a horse, red, and related colors, appear mostly green (like red-green colorblindness in people).

If you are painting jumps for a horse, you might want to take this into consideration. If the jumps and the color of the ground are only a few shades different from each other, the horse will have a harder time distinguishing between the rail and the ground. In fact, there have even been studies to show that horses are less likely to knock down a rail if a jump is painted with two or more contrasting colors, as opposed to one color. So, in addition to multi-colored jumps being prettier, they are probably safer, too. And keep mind that horses do not distinguish colors very well the next time you hear someone tell you about their horse being afraid of a particular color. In fact, most horses can't tell that there is much of a difference.

Horses actually have pretty good vision. Most studies suggest that horses don't see as well as people, but they see better than dogs, cats, and rats. (Imagine doing visual acuity studies on a rat. There truly is a job for most everyone.) There is actually a part of the eye where vision cells are concentrated, which explains why horses often tilt their heads to look at things; they're trying to get the objects into the best area of vision to see them more clearly.

Horses are very sensitive to detecting motion, too. Of course, horses are prey animals, so they need to be able to quickly detect when a predator is moving in. Unfortunately, the area where motion if first seen – at the edges of the eye, in the peripheral vision field – is where vision is the poorest. And that is why horses often spook if

they see something moving – they can detect the motion, and, who knows, it may be coming to eat them!

Horse eyes are really big, and they see a lot. In fact, horse eyes are one of the largest eyes of any mammal. They are set on the sides of the horse's head, which allows the horse to see in an almost 360 degree circle (almost – they can't see directly behind themselves, so you should never come up from behind a horse and surprise him).

They may see a lot, but their depth perception is pretty bad. There is a trade-off for the wide field of vision. Because the horse's eyes are set so far apart, they mostly use one eye to see anything, and that is mostly in front of the horse's face. And because they usually use one eye, they don't have very good depth perception. And that is why you often see horses arching their necks, or moving their heads up and down, when confronted with an object that they don't recognize – they're trying to get the best view of the object.

Horses cannot see two things clearly at the same time. At one time, I heard that horses had the amazing ability to see two things at the same time. That is, they could be down on the ground grazing, and see the grass clearly, and, at the same time, see clearly in the distance (to look for predators, or, people coming to catch them, I supposed). This was supposed to be due to what was described as a “ ramp retina”. But it turns out that the ramp retina does not exist. When a horse needs to see distant objects, he picks his nose up to use the part of his visual field where both eyes are in play – down the nose.

What is that black stuff coming out of my horse's eye? That is called the corpora nigra (black body, in Latin). It sticks out from the top of the iris. It looks like a bunch of black globs. I have had three emergency calls on them over the years, too. But they are normal. Nobody is completely sure why it looks like the inside of the horse's eye is exploding, but some people thing that it is a sunblocker for the pupil (the slit in the iris that lets light back into the eye). Don't worry.

How come my horse's eyes glow in the dark when I shine a light on them? That's the tapetum (ta – PEE – tum). It is a layer of tissue at the back of the horse's eye, that reflects light and enables the horse (and cat, and dog, and deer, for example) to see better at night. So there you go – some tidbits about the horse's eye. Eyes (all eyes – not just horse eyes) are absolutely fascinating. They are like their own little self-contained world. And not all eyes are alike, for example, they are quite different from human eyes.

Of course, if you think that your horse has an eye problem (squinting, draining, swelling of the eyelids, etc.), it is best to get your veterinarian out to see it as soon as possible. As interesting as eyes are, they are also too important to mess around with.

ABOUT DAVID RAMEY, DVM:

Dr Ramey began veterinary practice in 1984, in the Los Angeles area of southern California. He has been providing outstanding care to horses in southern California ever since. He specializes in the care and treatment of pleasure and performance horses. His clients particularly value his no nonsense approach, focused on providing services instead of selling products, his compassion for horses, and his ethical approach to the practice of veterinary medicine.

Dr Ramey believes that compassionate care involves providing therapies for which there is good scientific evidence of effectiveness. It is not compassionate to simply offer to sell someone the latest unproven therapeutic nostrum, nor is it kind to the horse to simply pull out therapies and give them a try, just because it is something to do. True com-passion – for horse and horse owner –involves adhering to high ethical standards, and high standards of scientific evidence in choosing therapies.

Spring Feeding Tips

With Dr. Nettie Liburt of Buckeye Nutrition

Spring is just around the corner and soon we will be enjoying nicer, longer days and hopefully some anticipated extra time in the barn with our horses. While this is a great time to do some spring cleaning around the barn and prepare for the season ahead with our horses, from scheduling trail rides to planning for upcoming shows, it is also a great time to think about your horse's nutrition. Changing seasons have an impact on our horses needs and it is important to take some time to evaluate your feeding program to make sure it is working well or see if some adjustments need to be made.

Dr Nettie Liburt is the Senior Equine Nutrition Manager at Buckeye Nutrition, and she has some great tips for what to think about when it comes to feeding your horse this spring.

There are often two main issues that come to mind when thinking about our horses – horses that may need to gain weight and those that might need to lose a little. In the spring, these issues can be magnified because we are dealing with fluctuations in temperature and pastures that are producing grass quickly. Dr. Liburt advised that monitoring horses through the winter is important for keeping track of any weight fluctuations. Checking under blankets and regular grooming sessions are a good start, but she also recommends getting in the habit of snapping a photo of your horse about once a month and using a weigh tape to get a real sense of any changes that are going on. While we might think that we would be able to catch changes in our horse, having the visual and measured evidence gives a much better gauge of changes and getting in the habit of documenting for health records is a great idea.

In the case of a horse that is coming out of the winter thin, it is a good idea to have a veterinarian do some basic tests to determine if there might be any underlying medical or dental issues. Even if your horse is healthy, having a basic blood panel drawn is a great way to understand what your horse's ‘normal’ is. That way, if there are any issues in the future, you have something to compare them to. Dr Liburt suggested that in addition to working with your veterinarian, seek the advice of a trusted nutritionist to put together the best plan for your horse going forward. She stressed that quality forage is the first step to any feed program. Sometimes hay can get a bit scarce as spring approaches, but it is so important to make sure that your horses are getting what they need to maintain a healthy weight. If you are in an area where sourcing hay is difficult, there are other options such as soaked hay cubes or chopped hay that can supplement to get through the season. To add weight, the horse needs an increase in calories and Dr Liburt advised that adding fat is the best way to provide these calories. This can come in the form of a supplement or a feed that has a higher fat content.

For horses that have extra weight coming out of the winter, there are several things that can be implemented to help them. One of the important things that Dr. Liburt pointed out was that a horse's feed should never be cut drastically. She advised that even if a horse needs to lose weight, their requirements for vitamins, minerals and proteins stay the same. She recommends that a ration balancer be used to meet these needs. Similarly, when it comes to forage, hefty horses still need to have access to hay and should not go longer than four hours between meals. However, Dr. Liburt advises that the hay for horses that may need to reduce weight does not have to be

of the highest quality, a good medium quality hay provides plenty of chew time without allowing them to overindulge. Using slow feeders, like bags or boxes, can really help slow down intake while keeping the horse busy. These horses are also great candidates for grazing muzzles once the grass does start to grow Just like their thinner counterparts, knowing a horse's health status can pinpoint issues like metabolic disorders that will need to be treated and closely monitored so they don't become a major issue with devastating results.

When it comes to gearing up for spring pasture turnout, Dr Liburt stresses that slow and gradual is key to getting horses used to pasture after having been on a dry lot or a winter field for the past several months. While not an option for everyone, she advised that rotational grazing is a great way to manage pastures. Similarly, monitoring when a horse is turned out during high growth periods can help manage sugar intake. Generally speaking, the grass has a lower sugar content in the morning, and it increases as the sun shines on it during the day With this in mind, she recommended allowing horses to graze in the morning and then adding a grazing muzzle or moving them to a dry lot with a hay source to avoid excess sugars that can exacerbate metabolic issues in the horse's system Strive to keep balance for your horse as they are acclimating to pastures in the spring

It is also important to think about your horse's increased activity in the spring and going into the summer. If your horse is going to be working a lot more, they may need to have their feed program adjusted to meet their needs. Dr Liburt recommended that any changes in feed should be done slowly and at minimum in a twoweek period to help avoid any upset in their digestive system. While we all like to see quick results, it is important that we are patient and allow changes in feeding programs to have time to work. It can take some time to see results and Dr Liburt shared that although you might see some positive changes around 30 days, it may take closer to 60 days to really notice your efforts in changing their program.

When it comes to nutrition, Dr Liburt encourages owners to get good sound advice for their animals from a qualified equine nutritionist and scholarly articles that are backed by scientific evidence. She mentioned that it is easy to get lost in misinformation on the internet and it can be detrimental to how we care for our horses. It is important that we seek out good sound advice from trusted professionals when it comes to our feeding programs both in the spring and all year long.

Lisa Kiley is a horse enthusiast and a proud member of the Cashman’s Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, OH. Cashman's Horse Equipment provides top quality products to the equine and agricultural community, with a commitment to sourcing environmentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A

Norma Agnew MEMORIAL HAIRY HORSE SHOW

SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH, 2023

8:30 am Start | $40.00 Stall | $8.00 Class | MSU Pavilion, 4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI

All proceeds to benefit Michigan Youth Horse Programs and the MSU Horse Judging Team

Join us for an interactive horse show where the judges wear microphones and give on-the-spot feedback to exhibitors! No ribbons or points will be awarded for class placing; the feedback is your reward!

DIVISIONS: Open, Adult, Youth: 14-19, 13-8, 5-7

121 Youth Walk Trot English Pleasure (Saddle Seat)

122. Open English (Saddle Seat) Pleasure 20 & over

123. Open English (Saddle Seat) Pleasure 19-8 yr old

124. Open Saddle Seat Equitation 20 & over

125. Open Saddle Seat Equitation 19-8 yr old

126. Walk Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 8 yr & over ~ 15 minute break ~

127. Fine Horse Western Pleasure All ages

128. Open Western Pleasure 20 & Over

129. Open Western Pleasure 14-19 yr old

130. Open Western Pleasure 13-8 yr old

131. Adult Western Pleasure Walk-Trot 20 & over

132. Youth Western Pleasure Walk-Trot 19-8 yr old

133. Adult Ranch Riding

134. Youth Ranch Riding

135. Open Western Horsemanship 20 & over

136. Open Western Horsemanship 14-19 yr old

137. Open Western Horsemanship 13 & under

138. Cloverbud Western Horsemanship 5-7 yr old

139. Adult Western Horsemanship Walk-Trot 20 & over

120.

140. Youth Western Horsemanship Walk-Trot 19-8 yr old

Horses may arrive AFTER 5:00 P.M. on Friday, April 14th, 2023

• An Approved Michigan 4-H Horse Judges Seminar

• Event open to all, not just 4-H members!

• ASTM/SEI approved helmets are required in all youth Hunt/Saddle Seat classes.

• Negative Coggins in last 12 months required.

• No stallions allowed at this event!

• Show clothes are optional.

• Class entries will close at 11:00 a.m. on the 14th.

• No refunds will be issued after 4/06/23.

• ONLY PREPAID STALL RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. A limited number of stalls are available. You must have a stall, no showing out of trailer! All horse stalls must use bedding.

To reserve a stall, please send a check payable to “MSU” to:

Hairy Horse Show – Attn: Carla

474 S. Shaw Lane, Room 1287

East Lansing, MI 48824 Stalls may also be reserved with credit card online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3645

Cloverbud Policy (age 5-7 as of 1/1/2023). ALL 4-H Cloverbud members must wear ASTM- or SEI- approved helmets.

• Age 5 (6, or 7): May be involved with equine on a halter and lead. They MUST be directly accompanied one-on-one by a parent, guardian or adult volunteer who is on foot holding the animal’s halter or lead to maximize safety

• Age 6 (or 7): May ride a horse unaccompanied, but only at the walk. Adult volunteers should be in the ring w/Cloverbud at all times.

• Age 7 only: May participate in walk-trot events with adult volunteers in the ring at all times. 4-H Cloverbud members must wear ASTM- or SEI-approved helmets for all 4-H Cloverbud horse experiences.

• No Stallions allowed at this event. • “Fine Horse” Classes open only to Arabian, Half-Arabian, Morgan, Saddlebred, etc.

• Reserve early, a limited number of stalls are available. You must have a stall, no showing out of trailer

• No refunds will be available after 4/06/23.

Questions? Email Carla McLachlan: CarlaM@msu.edu

Credit card payments and stall reservations available at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3645

Department of Animal Science

Equine Business Series

Business Insurance

Are you ready to turn your horse hobby into an equine small business? Do you have what it takes to turn your passion into a career? Whether your dream business is a tack shop, freelance photography, a boarding barn, or anything else, it is crucial to learn how to set your business up for success before launching and learn from those who have already made the leap. The goal of this Equine Small Business series is to guide you through the process of becoming a small business, be a resource for growing and maintaining your small business, and give real-life advice from equine professionals with an established small business. Read on and let's get to business!

Planning for Success

In a previous installment of this equine small business series, you developed your business plan and calculated a rough estimate of your starter costs. As a refresher, a business plan is your roadmap to achievement and should summarize your business's past, current state, and future goals. A thorough business plan is the key to convincing yourself, your customers, and your future investors that you are serious about success! Another critical step to starting your business is to calculate your startup costs, as this will allow potential investors to estimate when you might turn a profit. Both of these key elements to success need to be in place before you or your future investors fund your equine business venture.

Once you know how much startup funding you need to get your new business up-and-running, it is time to figure out how you will get it. There is no one-size-fits-all method for funding your business, but some types of funding will be better suited to your specific situation than others and sometimes the best answer might be a combination of several options. Essentially, there are four primary options to get funding for your equine small business: self-funding, crowdfunding, small business loans, and microloans. Whichever your loan options might be, it is a good idea to compare any loan offers in search for the best possible terms and lowest possible interest rates for your equine small business loan. As a general rule, a lender will always favor the low-risk, well-organized business with a higher credit score, because it will be the most likely to yield a profit. Choosing a method of funding is one of the first and most important decisions you will make as an equine small business owner Remember, the goal is to get your business off the ground and not to saddle you with debt from the start.

Although it may seem intimidating, building business credit is essential to convincing yourself, your customers, and your future investors that you mean business! As you may have guessed, business credit works similarly to personal credit; it is used as an indicator of how reliable and healthy both yourself and your business may be. When you establish business credit, you open the door to financing through loans, applying for credit cards, and building partnerships with vendors and other businesses. For monitoring your score, you can get a copy of your equine small business's report from Equifax, Bun & Bradstreet, Experian, or similar reporting services. If you discover any outdated information or any suspicious activity, be sure to contact the business credit agency right away A good business credit score can make the difference between launching your dream equine photography studio and keeping that dream on the shelf for another decade.

Equine Insurance Basics

Regardless if you are just starting out or expanding your services, every equine business should have a solid insurance plan! General liability insurance is a must to protect yourself and your business from the inevitable risks that horses – yes, even your trusty lesson pony – pose to your clients. The safest bet for selecting the correct insurance coverage is to use either a licensed insurance broker or agent. A broker sells insurance from several different companies because they are not employed by a singular insurance firm. Conversely, an agent works for only one firm and will only offer insurance products from a single company.

If you don't own the horses you are working with in your business, the best option would be a Care, Custody, or Control Coverage plan. A CCC plan is based on the value of each horse and can also typically cover tack or equipment that you use but don't own. In the event of an accident or emergency, a CCC policy pays the legal amount that you are obligated to pay, on your behalf, if serious injury or death happens to a horse that is in your care, custody, or control. Although not included in most liability insurance policies, this plan would protect you and your business in the event that the horse's owner sues you after an accident. Often, mortality insurance is bundled with medical and surgical insurance policies, which would translate to life and health insurance for humans. A sobering thought, mortality insurance reimburses a horse owner if their horse dies and premiums are based on the horse's breed, age, use, and bloodlines. Most insurance policies require a certificate of your horse's health from the vet and will cover nearly any cause of death including colic, fatal injuries, fire, and freak accidents. Medical and surgical policies typically cover diagnostics, medications, surgeries, and postoperative care. Similar to human health insurance, each horse has a deductible and an annual premium, and there's usually a $5,000 claim limit. Typically, it does not cover routine care such as vaccines, dental care, some alternative therapies, elective cosmetic surgeries, and treatments for congenital birth defects. Mortality and medical and surgical insurance policies could help you avoid every horse owner's nightmare: whether or not you can afford to safe your horse's life.

Whether you are selecting your first plan or rethinking your current plan, these are some tips for choosing equine business insurance:

· Be sure that any and all of your horse-related activities are disclosed and covered in your plan

· Annually evaluate potential risks involved in your business, such as: your business' financial stability, the value of your horses and tack, your level of personal involvement, and more

· If possible, boarders at your operation should carry their own insurance for their horse to cover any major medical emergency that could happen at your barn

Straight from the Equine Businesswoman's Mouth

“Yes, absolutely [have] insurance!” When Carien Schippers was asked if equine small businesses should have insurance, she was adamant. Schippers is the founder and owner of the Equine Photographers Network, a global community and platform of equine photographers who promote and share their work as well as participate in members-only networking and career development events. “Liability insurance as well as equipment insurance. Equines are inherently dangerous,” Schippers explained, “and sometimes photographers may unknowingly cause an accident, or be blamed for one. This is why it is so important for us to understand horses and horse behavior!”

Given the potential for emotional and financial devastation, having a clear understanding of equine business insurance is critical to protect yourself and your business. There are as many different kinds of insurance policies as there are horse businesses and working with a licensed insurance seller to get the coverage you need could make the difference between bankruptcy and success.

About Lisa Skylis: Lisa graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Animal Science. She is a professional freelance writer and her work largely focuses on the equine industry When she is not writing, Lisa can be found doting on the horses at her local therapeutic riding barn or entertaining her mischievous Golden Retriever, Roy. Freelance inquiries can be sent to: skylis@msu.edu

Sources for this article include a 2019 article from Horses Extension titled “Equine Business Resources-Insurance for Equine Businesses,” an article from the U.S. Equestrian Federation authored by Markel Insurance in 2020 titled “Commercial General Liability Horse Insurance: Who Needs It and Why?,” and a 2019 article from Horses Extension titled “Equine Business ResourcesLiabilities and Waivers.” Extension Horses maintains a host of equine business-related articles from their Equine Business Network that can be viewed at https://horses.extension.org/equinebusiness-network-articles/

“The horse, with beauty unsurpassed, strength immeasurable and grace unlike any other, still remains humble enough to carry a man upon his back.” ~ Amber Senti

GRASS LAKE EQUESTRIAN TEAM & Stoney Farm

Food On Grounds | $1.00 Admission | Doors open for sale at 10am Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 10am-4pm

QUESTIONS? CONTACT:

Sheila Shortz: 517.403.1813

Email: ssshortz5@gmail.com

VENDOR SET-UP: Friday 6pm or Saturday 8am

Please make checks payable to: Grass Lake Equestrian Fund Reservation form: Sheila Shortz, 2720 Mt. Hope Rd., Grass Lake, MI 49240

10x10 Space Tables $20 each $10 each

ANIMAL RESCUES

CANTER Thoroughbreds Now Available! Visit us online: www.canterusa.org/Michigan, Horses For Sale. Visit CANTER Michigan on Facebook. Celebrating over 20 years of successfully transitioning more than 25,000 Thoroughbreds.

CANTER Michigan

Janet Salisbury, President

Commerce Twp., MI (Oakland) (S-08/23) Email: cantermichigan@canterusa.org www.canterusa.org/michigan

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

CLASSIFIED ADS

BOARDING, CONT.

Boarding in Hastings, MI (South East Grand Rapids area). Quiet, country with 165 acres of trails. Inside and outside board, large pastures w/shelters. 60x160 indoor riding arena. Lessons available. Horses for sale.

EVERVIEW FARM – 269. 948.9570

Hastings, MI (Barry) (S-04/24)

Email: lee@everviewfarm.net

www.everviewfarm.net

FREE BOARD FOR ONE HORSE: In exchange for feeding, watering, various chores for 7 horses. Must be dependable and w/references. Includes 12x14 stall and a private paddock. Please Text: 248.444.8942

Okemos/Williamston, MI Area (M04/23)

EQUINE DENTISTRY

LaRose Equine Dentistry, LLC: Specializing in equine dental care without the risk of sedation. Doug LaRose has 25 years of experience as an EqDT and has partnered with thousands of horse owners across Michigan to promote excellence in equine dental care. Find us on Facebook.

LAROSE EQUINE DENTISTRY (PS-09/23) 989.430.8595 or 989.285.5557

www.LaRoseEquineDentistry.com www.facebook.com/LaRoseEquineDentistry

Fastrack Animal Supplements – Keep your horses healthier. Healthier hooves, shinier hair coats, and more. With 16 of the top 17 horses in the National Barrel Race finals using Fastrack, why aren’t you using it?

FASTRACK ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

To get started, call Ray 989.550.1999 (PS-12/23)

or message: 888.266.0014, ext. 8778

AUTOMATIC WATERERS

Nelson Automatic Waterers – A Nelson preferred contractor! Installed from start to finish. Many units to choose from. Maintenance free, time saving, energy efficient. Repairs and directional boring available. Horse fence installation. R. BARNES CO., INC. – Rick Barnes Howell, MI (Livingston) (PS-12/23) 313.407.7373 cell.

Nelson Automatic Waterers – A Nelson preferred provider for repair and maintenance of your Nelson Automatic Waterers. Excellent response time. Most parts in stock. Honest, ethical and reliable. Will travel. www.WaterFixLLC.com

WATERFIX COMPANY – John Guthrie Dexter, MI (Washtenaw) (S-03/23)

313.418.5676 or 734.475.8898

BOARDING

Beautiful Boarding and training facility for all breeds and disciplines. Green horses and firsttime riders welcome! Offering western dressage and short-term intensive training programs.

IRONWOOD FARM – Dorothy 313.215.1944

Leonard, MI (Oakland) (S-03/23)

Email: ironwoodfarmdressage@yahoo.com

www.ironwoodfarmequestrian.com

Offering Full Service Boarding, Training and Dressage lessons. Relax and enjoy your horse in a quiet, adult atmosphere. Please visit our website at www.EleventhHourFarm.com, or find us on Facebook.com/11th Hour Farm

ELEVENTH HOUR FARM – 248.755-2083

Holly, MI (Oakland) (PS-11/23)

Email: info@eleventhhourfarm.com

OPEN 24/7 – Quality Boarding. Includes tack locker, heated rooms, 12% pellet grain, hay, large pastures and daily turnout. We have trails, two indoor arenas, and one outdoor arena with lights.

HARDY FARMS – 313.363.2243 (call or text)

7215 N. Latson Rd., Howell, MI (M-03/23)

Email: info@hardysfarm.com

http://www.hardysfarm.com/

Find us on Facebook: Hardy Farms

TUTHILL FARMS, SOUTH LYON offers stalls and pasture board on over 20 acres. Miles of trail riding on the farm. Good location for trailering to nearby parks. Quality hay, outdoor arena, round pen, dry lot, heated tack room and restroom.

TUTHILL FARMS – Sandra Tuthill 248.207.6201

South Lyon, MI (Livingston) (S-12/23)

Email: sandra@tuthillfarms.com

Online: www.tuthillfarms.com

TWIN ELM TRAINING: Full service training and boarding facility Friendly, professional barn on 40 acres, indoor and outdoor arena, wash rack, tack lockers, 1/2 mile track, trailer parking Resident trainer/instructor: hunt seat (on the flat), saddle seat, western, and western dressage.

TWIN ELM TRAINING, LLC – 248.697.6503 Northville, MI (Washtenaw) (S-05/23)

http://www.twinelmtraining.com/

FREE Exam and Evaluation. Equine Dentistry, using hand tools. Also offering Equine Sports Massage Therapy, Gait Analysis, Trigger Point Manipulation, plus Red Light and Heat Therapy

SPRING EQUINE SERVICES (PS-01/23)

Lauren Springstube, EqDT CESMT 248.842.7821

Email: springequineservices@gmail.com

Facebook: Spring Equine Services

EQUINE MASSAGE

Horses In Harmony Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, since 2001. Offering massage, Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy and Red/Infrared Light Therapy. Facebook: HorsesInHarmonyCESMT, Instagram: @horsesinharmony.cesmt

HORSES IN HARMONY – Candy 810.923.5003

Howell, MI (Livingston) (M-03/23)

Email: horsesinharmony@att.net

horsesinharmony0.wixsite.com/horsesinharmony

FARRIER SERVICE

Hoof Care Matters! Over 25 years of experience in trimming, shoeing and corrective shoeing. Ask about teeth floating too! Serving Oakland County and surrounding counties.

JOHN PETERSON FARRIER – 248.303.6498

Milford, MI (Oakland) (S-07/23)

FARRIER WRITTEN BOOK

EVERYDAY PROBLEMS OF EQUINE LAMENESS: Causes, Solutions & Facts by Orthopedic Farrier, Brian D Gnegy, CMF Topics such as: Proper alignment of trailers in relation to equine anatomy Complete index on Amazon. (M-06/23)

Email: brian.gnegy.personal@gmail.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKR8PD3X

HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

FLY & INSECT CONTROL

Shoo-Fly Insect Control – Automatically get rid of flies, mosquitoes, and spiders. Safe and inexpensive to use. Used throughout Michigan for over 30 years. We Install or Do-It-Yourself

Bill Tressler – 517.927.8089

Webberville, MI (Ingham) (S-08/23)

Email: Bill@radiant-energy.com

HAY FOR SALE

Mike Murphy 517.206.7377

www.murphyfarm.net

Horse & Cattle Hay: Square bales 60-65 lbs., 4x5 net wrapped round bales 850-950 lbs. From Northern Michigan, delivered by semi loads or in enclosed trailers. Custom hauling available. Timothy, clover, alfalfa. Minimum order for delivery Find us on Facebook.

MURPHY FARMS LLC – Mike Murphy 517.206.7377 | www.murphyfarm.net

Fowlerville, MI (Livingston) (PS-03/23)

HELP WANTED

Horse Farm Manager Needed – 12 stalls, plus numerous pastures and paddocks. Housing is a possibility Close to US-23 and I-96.

Call Ina (eena) 517.294.0328 - no text messages

Howell, MI (Livingston) (M-03/23)

HORSE BLANKET WASHING & REPAIR

FIBER LUXE – Horse blanket cleaning and repair. Free pick-up and delivery. (M-06/23)

FIBER LUXE 1.800.334.1994

Email: flblankets@comcast.net

THE LAUNDRY BARN horse blanket laundry. Offering blanket washing, repairs, waterproofing. 25 plus years of commercial laundry experience. Professional products and equipment used.

THE LAUNDRY BARN – 248.274.6070 (text ok)

NEW LARGE COMMERCIAL FACILITY:

169 W Clarkston Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48362

Email: laundrybarn@gmail.com

HORSES FOR SALE

BEAUTIFUL KNABSTRUPPER FILLY: Leopard Knabstrupper, KNN passport, born May 2022. Three balanced up hill gaits, good jumping form. Shown since days old. Friendly, confident personality, desire to please. Expecting another foal from this cross May 2023.

ON THE DOT FARM – 734.323.3884

Email: horseangels2@yahoo.com

Manchester, MI (Washtenaw) (M-04/24)

Facebook: On The Dot Farm LLC

CLASSIFIED ADS

HORSES FOR SALE, CONT.

MINIATURES/PONIES – Varity available: Pintos, Appaloosas, stallions at stud, mares, and colts. New foals on the way! Call for details.

DANSYN ARABIANS & MINIS

Donna Rogers – 989.667.4028

Bay City, MI (Tuscola) (M-04/23)

REGISTER QUARTER HORSE MARE: Buckskin, 3 years old. Sweet disposition. Handled daily

Text for more information: 989.325.8680

Millington, MI (Tuscola) (M-04/23)

HORSE TRAILERS

USED 201O 16 FT. CORN PRO – Step up stock trailer Great condition.

Text for more information: 989.325.8680

Millington, MI (Tuscola) (M-04/23)

SHOW CLOTHING

DIY Sewing Kits! Horsemanship Shirts, Western and Bolero vests. Kit includes: fabric, interfacing, thread, zipper, with or without a pattern. Just cut and assemble. Call us for all your sewing needs! Pegg Johnson – 810.346.2305

SHOW CLOTHES UNLIMITED (M-11/23)

Email: showclothes01@hotmail.com

Online: www.showclothesunlimited.com

Equestrian Wear Sewing Patterns: Full line of western show clothing patterns; jackets, shirts, vests, boleros, chaps. Child through plus sizes. Printed or PDF format.

Pegg Johnson – 810.346.2305

SHOW CLOTHES UNLIMITED (S-11/23)

Email: showclothes01@hotmail.com

Online: www.showclothesunlimited.com

TACK & APPAREL

For All Your Equestrian Needs! Used Western, English, Dressage, Saddleseat and Harness. Consignments welcome! Tuesday-Friday noon-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Sundays/evenings by appt.

BRIGHTSIDE USED TACK & CONSIGNMENTS

Call 989.277.8917 or on Facebook: (M-03/23)

SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES – We specialize in horse trailers: full living quarters with slide-out, to smaller two horse bumper pulls. Cimarron, Lakota, Sundowner and Trails West. Great selection and even better prices!

SPARTA CHEVROLET & TRAILER SALES

Call Jim Kelly 616.887.3456

8955 Sparta Ave. NW, Sparta, MI (M-06/23)

Email: spartatrailers@gmail.com

Online: www.spartachevytrailers.com

PET & FARM SITTING

K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING – Need to get away, call K & J! Also offering custom equestrian art, furniture, fly bonnets, wellness clips for furry horses needing quick shed off.

K & J HORSE AND FARM SITTING

Call or text Kim Kingstad – 248.667.2185 Milford, MI (Oakland) (M-02/24)

INCOME OPPORTUNITY

52 yr old manufacturing co. expanding Looking for individuals that have experience in agriculture and animal health, who are interested in building there own business using Christian principles. Please leave background/contact info.: 888.266.0014, ext. 8778 (S-12/23)

SADDLE/ LEATHER REPAIR

SADDLE REPAIR & LEATHER WORK. New and used saddles and tack bought and sold. Complete Leather Repair available. Years of experience. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat. 9:30-5pm. (S-08/23)

JIM'S QUALITY SADDLE CO.

Jim Moule – 248.887.4829 (Milford, MI)

Brightside LLC Used Tack & Consignments

8555 Monroe Rd., Durand, MI (1/4 mile off I-69)

Halfway between Lansing & Flint, MI

TRAINING & LESSONS

Beautiful boarding and training facility for all breeds and disciplines. Green horses and firsttime riders welcome! Offering western dressage and short-term intensive training programs.

IRONWOOD FARM – Dorothy 313.215.1944

Leonard, MI (Oakland) (S-03/23)

Email: ironwoodfarmdressage@yahoo.com

www.ironwoodfarmequestrian.com

INSTRUCTION: Dressage, Jumping, Eventing. After a lull in clinics/lessons after Covid, clinics will be scheduled mostly on Saturdays/Sundays. Lessons will be scheduled Thurs, Sat & Sun. Some evenings & private scheduling is available.

CROWTHORNE FARM

Lynnda Marie Malone – 248.535.8954

Hartland, MI (Livingston) (M-01/23)

Email: crowthornefarm@comcast.net

The Traveling Trainer offers training, lessons, consulting at your facility or mine. Over 30 years of experience. Bachelor’s degree in Equestrian Studies from the University of Findlay Also quality horses for sale. Find us on Facebook, or on Instagram: #thehappyhorsehouse, or visit our website at www.thetravelingtrainer.net

THE TRAVELING TRAINER LLC

Ann-Marie Lavallee – 810.796.3510

Dryden, MI (Lapeer) (S-08/23)

Email: thetravelingtrainer3@gmail.com

HTTPS://SADDLEUPMAG.COM/

SHOW & EVENT DATES

SHOWS

FREE HORSE SHOWS & EVENTS

Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com

1) Added to our online calendar with flyer

2) Listed in Saddle Up! Magazine’s online/printed editions up to 3 months

3) Shared to both Tri-State Horse Shows, Saddle Up! Magazine Facebook pages

4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.

Teens, come to 4-H Teen Fun Night, March 10th, 7pm-10pm. Teens aged 12-19 should head down to The Northern Center & Fox Den Restaurant, 7784 Stone School Rd., Houghton Lake, MI. Join us for a taco bar, a fun time and a chance to meet new friends! Teens from Roscommon and surrounding counties are invited for a night of video games, basketball, board games, cards and multiple door prize drawings throughout the evening! The cost will be free to first 50 who register at: bit.ly/4-Hteenfun_march. The cost will be $5 at the door, after first 50 registrants. Parents: if you wish, feel free to enjoy some quiet time and 50% off an appetizer at The Fox Den Restaurant! For more details contact John W., email wurmj@ msu.edu or by phone at (989) 275-7177.

Michigan Horse & Pony 4-H'ers, the Hippology Contest is March 18th, 8am-5pm Participants will demonstrate their experience and knowledge gained in horse judging, quiz bowl, speeches and practical horse management. Phases of the contest include a written exam, identification of items shown on slides, placing and/or identification of feedstuffs or feed tags, judging, identification stations, and team problems. Check in at 8:30am at the main lobby of Anthony Hall and the Contest will begin at 9am in Anthony Hall. There are opportunities for the top two senior Hippology teams to go on to compete at the National 4-H level. Entries must be submitted to your county office. Entries from individuals will not be accepted and will be returned. The deadline for submitting Hippology contest entries to your county is March 3, 2023 and the cost for the Contest is $23 per individual. If questions, please email Gwyn Shelle at heyboerg@msu.edu, or Roxanne Turner at turnerr@msu.edu

Michigan 4-H and FFA Horse Judging Contest will be April 16th, 8am-5pm at the MSU Pavilion! Participants in competitive horse judging learn how to properly judge horses

of various breeds and disciplines. A horse judging contest involves two actions: first, you must place a class of horses; second, you must be able to orally defend why you placed them that way Registration will begin at 8am at the main lobby of the Pavilion, orientation for participants, coaches, volunteers, and officials will be at 8:30am. The Contest will begin at approx. 9am, will have a half hour lunch break from 12:301pm, and will end with placings 3:30pm. There are opportunities for the top three senior horse judging teams to go on to compete at the National 4-H level. The registration deadline is April 3rd and the cost for the Contest is $23 per individual. If you have questions, please email Gwyn Shelle at heyboerg@msu.edu, or Roxanne Turner at turnerr@msu.edu

Ready to leave for college or to be out on your own? Are you prepared to do adult tasks and have skills to be successful? MSU Extension's Adulting 101 programs help teenagers and young adults demystify the obscure reality of being an “adult” through engaging educational sessions. Each free session is full of important life skills and tools necessary to live independently March 16th, 4pm, participants will learn all about paychecks and taxes. Understanding why and how taxes and other items are deducted from a worker's paycheck is an important step toward gaining financial knowledge. Building and protecting your credit will be the topic for Wednesday, April 12th, 6pm. This workshop will address credit myths, explain the importance of credit reports, demystify credit scores and provide strategies to build and protect your credit. Join this session to learn the basics of what credit is and how it can impact your future. For more information, contact Katherine Jamieson by email at jamies13@msu.edu

For more information on events or how to get involved in Michigan 4-H, contact Taylor Fabus, 4-H Horse & Pony Extension Educator, by email at tenlenta@msu.edu

OHIO 4-H

The Annual State 4-H Horse Communications Contest and the Ohio 4-H Hippology/ Judging/Horse Bowl Clinic will both take place on March 4th. The primary objective of the Communications Contest is to provide, in a friendly but competitive setting, an opportunity for youth enrolled in a 4-H horse project to demonstrate their communication and media skills on a specific equine or equine related topic. Youth may compete in the following categories: Public Speaking, Individual Presentation and Team Presentation. Jr and Sr Communications Contests will be held simultaneously inperson. Presentation times will be assigned on a random basis. With check in at 12pm, the 4-H Hippology/Judging/Horse Bowl Clinic will be from 12:30pm-4:30pm at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau Center. The Clinic's topics include: Fox Hunting, Hoof Care, Draft Horse Breeds, Respiratory Diseases, and Judging Stock, Saddle, & Hunter-Type Horses. For more details about the Clinic or the Contest, please email Dani Seitner at seitner.2@osu.edu

The Ohio State 4-H Horse Bowl will be on April 15th, 9am-6pm at the Ohio Exposition Center Questions, registration forms, and payment are all due March 24th. If questions are not received by then, teams will not be allowed to compete. Registrations submitted after this date will not be accepted. The primary objective of Horse Bowl Competition is to provide an opportunity for 4-H members enrolled in horse projects to demonstrate their knowledge of equinerelated matters in a competitive setting, where attitudes of friendliness & fairness prevail. More information or if questions, reach out to Dr Kimberly Cole, Ohio State Extension Equine Specialist, by email at cole.436@osu.edu. Find the Contest schedule online at: https://ohio4h org/ events/state-4-h-horse-bowl-contest

Also on April 14th, the Ohio State 4-H Hippology Contest will be held from 8am-6pm at

4-H IS A COMMUNITY FOR ALL KIDS – In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people.

by Lisa Skylis, in collaboraon with Cindy Couturier, editor, Saddle Up! Magazine

the Ohio Exposition Center. The primary objective of the Hippology Contest is to provide, in a friendly but competitive setting, an opportunity for youth enrolled in a 4H horse project to demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry, and the application of this knowledge and skill. A reminder that junior teams will be required to complete a team problem and will receive a score that will be included in their total score. As this contest determines which contestants will represent Ohio at national contests, only senior 4-H members are allowed to compete in the senior division to comply with national eligibility requirements. As you may have noticed, the Hippology contest will be held in conjunction with the State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest. Ribbons will be awarded for Top 5 Overall Teams and Top 10 Overall Individuals in both Senior & Junior Divisions for 2023. Registration forms and $30 payment (per team) are due on March 24th. Registrations submitted after this date will not be accepted. For more details, contact Dr Kimberly Cole, Ohio State Extension Equine Specialist at cole.436@osu.edu

Ahoy 4-H sea lovers, Ohio 4-H Sea Camp will be from July 14th to July 18th and preregistration is available! Ohio 4-H Sea Camp at Kelley's Island has offered hundreds of young people the opportunity to learn about aquatic science and experience a variety of recreational watersports on Lake Erie. Sea Camp is offered to youth ages 15-17. The mission of Ohio 4-H Sea Camp is to offer teenage youth an introduction to the Great Lakes through hands-on experiences in a variety of aquatic-based programs. Sea Camp will enable participants to experience Lake Erie-based activities and culture such as aquatic science, water recreation, and fishing The program is a supervised, educational environment fostered by Ohio 4-H and The Ohio State University The Camp registration timeline is as follows: February

1-March 31 is when camp staff application material will be available online, March 1 is when camper pre-registration will become available online, and May 1st is when camper pre-registration closes and the waiting list begins. All campers who have preregistered by May 1st will receive a confirmation email and a packet with camp forms. Forms must be completed and returned by May 20th to the Ohio 4-H State Office. Payment must be completed by May 20th through check or county sponsorship (payment options included in individual emails). Sea Camp fees are $400 for currently enrolled 4-H members and $450 for all other teens. For more info., contact Jenny Strickler at strickler.60@osu.edu or Ashely Hughey at hughey.28@osu.edu

Any Questions? Contact Dr. Kimberly Cole, the Ohio State Extension Equine Specialist, via email at cole.436@osu.edu

https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/

Mini 4-H Grades K-2 are invited to the Ancestor Detector Workshop March 8th, 5:30pm-7pm. Head down to the Harrison County Extension Office in Corydon and work with workshop leader Mary to learn more about your family's history. Class size will be limited, so please call the Harrison Extension Office at 812.738.4236 or email feve@purdue.edu to save a spot.

Interested in horses and horsemanship? Are you new to 4-H or the equestrian world? Come to Horse Bowl and Hippology meetings! We are open to any child who is interested in horses or learning more about horse breeds, nutrition, tack, anatomy, gaits, etc. Horse Bowl and Hippology is a quiz contest made up of questions pertaining to horse-related topics. Meetings are every Wednesday in January, February, and March in the Washburn Room of the Harrison County Purdue Extension Office from 6:30pm–7:30pm. For more information about Harrison County Horse Bowl

and Hippology meetings, please call the 4-H office at 812.738.4236.

Elkhart County 4-H'ers head to the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds on the following dates for these meetings: 4-H Saddle Club Jr Leaders meeting, March 5th, 6pm-8pm, 4-H Saddle Club Advisory Board meeting on March 6th, 7pm-8pm and 4-H Saddle Club , meeting,March 13th, 6:30pm-8pm. Elkhart 4-H Saddle Club Leader, Ashley Holdeman, email: ashleyholdeman4h@yahoo.com

Clay County 4-H participants and leaders! Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds for the following meeting dates: March 8th, Clay County 4-H Council meeting (time TBA), March 16th, 7pm-8pm, Horse & Pony Club meeting. For more information about the Clay County 4-H, reach out to the Clay County Extension Office at 812-448-9041 or email at clayces@purdue.edu

Want to learn the science behind a bath bomb? What makes it fizz and smell so good? Join DeKalb County 4-H March 16, 6pm-8pm as we make and decorate bath bombs and a shower steamer! Youth will get to take home 3 different items that they helped create. Program is best suited for youth in grades 3 & up. Workshop cost is $5.00. Registration required & closes on March 9th. Workshop takes place at the DeKalb Co. Office Building, 215 E 9th St., Auburn. For more details, please contact Effie Campbell 260.925.2562 or email her at campb314@purdue.edu

All animal-loving 3rd-5th graders, explore the vast world of veterinary care on March 22nd at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. Harrison County Vet Camp, from 9am-3pm. Participants will learn first aid, how to give injections, dissection, and more! The cost is $25 and the fee can be submitted to the Purdue Extension Office, located at 247 Atwood Street in Corydon, IN. Space will be limited, so be sure to RSVP 812.738.4236 anytime Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Equine Choke

Esophageal obstruction or “choke” is a common equine concern. In humans, choking happens when the trachea or windpipe is blocked by an obstruction. In horses, the obstruction is found in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).

Anytime a horse chokes it is considered an emergency situation, especially if it continues for more than a few minutes.

Signs of choke can appear quickly after feeding or grazing. These are the common symptoms:

· A large volume of discharge will appear from both nostrils. It can be a frothy texture, white colored, or it might be stained from grass. The discharge will usually contain food.

· The horse will arch and stretch his neck in an elongated manner trying to relieve the pressure appearing to yawn.

· He may experience cramping and tremors in his neck muscles

· The horse will attempt to open his mouth wide.

· He will probably cough, gag, drool, and retch trying to remove the impaction

· His eyes will appear alarmed and confused

· He may appear to have difficulty breathing

· He will show signs of sweating or discomfort that can mimic colic symptoms

Most cases of choke tend to resolve on their own, but it is still important to check with your veterinarian. Here is what to do while you while waiting:

1. Keep the horse calm. Encourage him to stand quietly with his head lowered but do not force him to do so. He will not stop breathing, so try to remain calm.

2. If the choke happens while he is on pasture, move him to a stall or dry lot.

3. Remove all bedding, especially straw

4. If he is restless, place a companion horse in the stall next to him if possible.

5. Remove all food/water from his reach. Don’t let him eat/drink.

6. DO NOT attempt to flush away the blockage. Washing away the blockage will not work, and you risk aspirating the matter into the lungs which can cause pneumonia.

7. If you feel comfortable doing so, attempt to wipe his mouth out with a towel to try to remove any remaining feed. Hold the tongue to one side and reach in to remove any food.

8. If possible, do not let the horse lie down.

9. Even if he seems to be getting better, call your veterinarian. A choke can risk damaging his esophagus.

10.Try a downward massage towards the heart along the jugular furrow to help move the blockage along. It won't do any harm, but it may help a bit. There should be a lump to indicate where the food has gotten stuck in the esophagus. Gently rub this area.

As choke symptoms can look like colic symptoms, refrain from giving medication which can aspirate into his lungs.

Upon recovery, feed him soft foods for the next week or two. Soaking grain and hay.

In extreme cases, surgery to remove the block may be required. Signs of aspiration pneumonia will begin to appear 24-48 hours post-choke.

The main cause of choke is eating too fast. Sometimes, it is just bad luck that it happens. Blockages can also be caused by large treats such as an apple, carrot, corn cobs, or beet pulp.

Hay, chaff, and grain are the most common causes of choke. When hay is changed, to a more fibrous type, sometimes horses do not chew it as thoroughly as necessary All hay changes should be made gradually

Dry pellets or beet pulp can swell with the addition of saliva. Soaking grain and hay prior to feeding can help prevent choke.

Horses who do not receive regular dental care are at greater risk for developing choke, but no horse is exempt from the possibility of an attack. Older horses may need more regular dental care as they age.

Providing clean water by his food supply is always prudent. Cribbing horses may choke on what they chew off and swallow

Other tips: Feed smaller portions more frequently; cut food into smaller pieces and never feed a treat over the size of a thumb; place rocks into a feeder so that he will have to eat around them; provide ample turnout time with grass or hay so that he doesn't feel the need to gobble his food.

If he has trouble getting enough food in a herd situation, it might be best to isolate him for feeding

Owners are the best source of prevention. Evaluate his feed and feeding patterns.

Dr. Joanna Bronson graduated from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 at the top of her class. Following graduation, she worked as an intern at a large equine referral practice in Cleveland, OH, specializing in lameness, surgery, and racetrack medicine. In 2005, she opened Bronson Veterinary Services in Coldwater, MI. What started as an ambulatory only practice, quickly grew to a fullservice equine and small animal hospital and surgical center The now three doctor practice provides medical, surgical, reproductive, and preventative care services for Branch County and the surrounding area Dr Bronson is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative healthcare as well as healthrelated educational opportunities for her clients.

For more information please visit www.bronsonvetservices.com

APRIL MAY

JUNE

JULY

29 9 29 3 4 6 10-11 17-18 24 8 11 15-16 22-23 5 27

WILD & FREE HAWK HILL FARM (BONUS STOP) GRAYLING

RAINE N DREAMS FARM, FARWELL THE SALUTE, WHITTEMORE

BEECHY, WEST BRANCH SLIDE ON IN, TURNER

RAINE N DREAMS FARM, FARWELL SPEAKEASY, HALE TROUT TOWN, KALKASKA BROKEN SPUR RANCH, WHITE CLOUD

GYSPY SOUL, MANTON RAINE N DREAMS FARM, FARWELL BANDIT’S PLAYGROUND, POSEN STARS & STRIPES, GAYLORD

AUG BEECHY, WEST BRANCH FINALS, GAYLORD

FinalsAugust 27 |Gaylord,MI

Attend 5 shows to attend FINALS

MORE 2023 SHOWS (2024 SEASON)

• September 2 – All In, Mt. Pleasant

• September 16 – Fall Color Run, Grayling

• September 23 – Beechy, West Branch

• October 7 – Superkicker, Midland

WeekdayShows$250 ADDED WeekendShows$500 ADDED

Ground Driving

Ground driving is also called Long Lining. Ground driving is a very good training technique for young horses to learn how to turn right and left, stop, and back. This exercise provides a great variety of training for any age of horse or rider

For the human part of this partnership, ground driving works on your coordination. It provides a focus on what you are doing with your arms, adjusting your reins and keeping them organized, your foot fall to stay in line with the horse, or your foot fall to stay inward on a curving line. You learn how to flex the horse's head inward so you can just see his eye.

The outside rein is longer to keep the horse straight and aligned. You also turn the horse by using the outside rein to move him away from the pressure of the rein. This is the same as under saddle, as a horse will turn with the inside rein. However, if you do this at the trot and especially the canter, you will have a poor turn and your horse will not be straight and balanced.

This exercise is also an excellent way to learn whether your horse is straight or not. You can see the top line and his spine. You can also see his head as well as the foot fall. When a horse is straight, the right hind steps into the right front foot print, and the same with the left. When you observe this and understand it on the ground, it allows you to learn it under saddle when you cannot actually see it. For the horse, this exercise is stress-free, and you can do all kinds of figure patterns as in Dressage tests by initially using these patterns in ground driving.

When you accomplish good, controlled responses with the walk, you can move to the trot work and then to the canter. Remember the trot is the best gait for developing the horse's muscles and strengthening the joints. It is a two-beat gait and you can develop the horse's weaker side to be as strong and supple as the strong side. Remember, horses are right- or left-handed!

I also have a training DVD on ground driving If you have never done ground driving before it is an excellent way to understand the techniques, especially your positioning on the ground for good control. It is a lot of fun and horses like it!

Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad, as well as online coaching. Please visit www.lynnpalm.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Call (352) 362-7847, or email: generalinfo@lynnpalm.com

MARCH 2023 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2023

2023 OPEN HORSE SHOWS

Saturday, April 29th

Blessing Of The Horses FREE Warm-Up Open Show Lunch Provided. Get Ready for Show Season!

Janet Swarthout 978.423.0576 or jkswar@yahoo.com

June 9, 16, 23 | July 14 | Aug 11 | Sept 1

Greater Thumb Area Silver Buckle Speed Series. Start: 7pm. Entry booth opens 6pm. MIHA rules apply.

June 9 & Sept. 1: Hosts N. Branch Equestrian Team. Contact Marie Curell (810) 614-9390

June 16 & June 23: Hosts Thumb Area Kids & Critters. Jackie (989) 302-0191, email: jd070409@gmail.com

July 14 & Aug 11: Hosts Kingston Equestrian Team. Contact Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

BWHA Father’s Day Show

June 18

Blue Water Horseman’s Assoc. Dave (810) 614-2290

Saturday, June 17th

Boots & Bridle 4-H Club Open Show

$4.00 per class. Great awards! Rosette ribbons 2nd6th place, extra large rosette for 1st. High point awards for all age groups. Call Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

142ND

Saturday, June 24th

Tuscola Co. 4-H Horse Leaders Open Show

$4.00 per class. Trophies & ribbons 1st-6th place. Jackie (989) 302-0191, email: jd070409@gmail.com

Saturday, July 1st

Thumb Area Kids & Critters 4-H Club Open Show

$4.00 per class. Call Jackie Garner (989) 302-0191 or email: jd070409@gmail.com

Tuesdays – July 11 & August 8

Twilight Pleasure Shows

Start: 7pm. Entry booth opens 6pm. Call Amy Kotsch (989) 683-3271

Saturday & Sunday, August 12 & 13

Ride For A Cure Benefit Open Show

Held at: HURON CO. FAIRGROUNDS, BAD AXE, MI

$5.00 per class. Sat. Trail, Speed and Fun Classes

2pm start (entries open 1pm). Sun. Pleasure Show, 9am start. All proceeds to local cancer patients. Purchase t-shirts to be worn as show shirts! Cameron & Peggy Lloyd, email: lloyd_peggy@yahoo.com

JULY

Carnival Opens at Noon. Kid’s Day: Free T-Shirts (Ltd. qty.)

Reduced Admission ages 2-14. Thumb Truck & Tractor Pull.

JULY

Super Kicker Rodeo

JULY

Midget Wrestling Warriors

JULY

Specials, Contact: John Riley at: tuscolacountyfair@hotmail.com

Event Rentals: seats up to 200 with A/C and warming kitchen.

TUSCOLA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Caro, MI(EntranceonM-81,nexttoPizzaHut)

www.tuscolacountyfair.org

TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK

The Trails Safe Passing Plan: STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK is a new educational initiative developed to increase safety by helping all trail users understand that horses, as prey animals, can naturally be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects. As a prey animal, horses are equipped to perceive and respond to potential threats with a “flight” survival instinct preferring to move their feet towards an exit route.

Recognizing that the community of trail users continues to grow at an exponential rate, ELCR joined an unprecedented consortium of advocacy groups, brands, media outlets, and ambassadors that have come together to create the public awareness campaign “Trails are Common Ground (TaCG)” in February 2021. The campaign elevates the importance of respectful, inclusive, safe, and enjoyable experiences on trails. All trail user groups are invited to participate. To learn more about the campaign and how you can support the movement, visit TaCG online at: https://trailsarecommonground.org/

ELCR remains an active member of the coalition participating regularly in coalition meetings along with Back Country Horsemen of America to represent the interest of the equine community. As part of the TaCG initiative, ELCR and Michigan Equestrian Trails Representative, Jenny Cook, have collaborated on the educational initiative Trails Safe Passing Plan: STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK to elevate trail safety and the overall shared trail experience.

Special thanks to the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) of Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado, for use of STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK trail sign. To use this sign for your trails, trailheads and community outreach, contact the RFVHC via email at: rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com

Better understanding of horses as prey animals, and how they perceive and react to their environment, can lead to safer and more enjoyable trail experiences for all!

Visit the ELCR online at: https://elcr.org/ or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquineLandConservationResource/

TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK

STOP:

Horses are prey animals and naturally can be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects. Horses have natural “flight” survival insncts and prefer to move their feet towards an exit route. Therefore, people with horses should pass at a walk while other trail users remain STOPPED unl passed.

SPEAK:

Please ANNOUNCE your presence.

Please SAY “Hi” when we pass by.

Speaking helps horses idenfy you as a person and will help keep them calm.

STAND BACK:

Please STAND BACK with your whole group on the same side of the trail.

Please contain children and dogs.

Please do not hide or stand behind a tree, as these acons may cause horses to fear you are a predator planning an aack.

SMILE:

Enjoy the safe and happy trails!

Lapeer Equestrian Team Fundraiser

T ACK S ALE

Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 10am-2pm

No Early Entry | Admission $3 (cash only) | 10 & Under Free LAPEER CENTER FOR INNOVATION

(Old Lapeer West High School) 170 Millville Rd., Lapeer, MI Use South parking lot near gymnasium and cafeteria

C RAFTERS /V ENDORS W ELCOME

$30 per 10x10 space (before March 11), $45 after. Bring your own tables and chairs. Set-up starts at 8am. Vendors allowed two workers per space. Additional people must pay admission. No refunds. No sale of food or beverages allowed.

Make checks payable to: MIHA Lapeer Equestrian Team

Mail to: Amanda Dixon, 8325 Petz Rd., Imlay City, MI 48444

Include: business/club name, contact name, phone, email, number of spaces, $15 late fee if after March 11th per space. Once payment is received, you will receive a conrmation email.

Questions? Amanda Dixon 810.614.3691 or Kaitlynn Tuckey 810.614.1468

Email: lapeerequestrianteam@yahoo.com

Donations of show equipment, tack & clothing always welcome!

Ayla is a spotted Leopard Appaloosa mare. Can you find her within this issue of Saddle Up! Magazine?

Find Ayla! Find Ayla & Win $30!

Each month, we hide a smaller image of Ayla within the pages of Saddle Up! Magazine. When you find her, mail us a letter or email us with the page that you “spotted” her on and you will be entered in our random drawing to win a prize of $30.00!

Email: saddleupmag@gmail.com

Address: 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430

Deadline: The 20th of the current month

Contest for ages 14 & under only. Include your age and address so we may mail your winnings, if you win.

Our February 2023 Contest Winner

Kinleigh C. | Akron, IN | Age 10

Contest Rules: Ages 14 & under only. One entry per month, per person. All correct answers will be entered in our random drawing.

2023 MQHA Approved Shows

MQHAEASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Weds.April 5 to Sun.April 9 – 6 Judges!

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing | Contact MQHA

BLUE SKYCIRCUIT

Tues. May 16 to Sun. May 21 – 8 Judges!

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing

ContactTom Powers: tripfarm@aol.com

MQHASUMMER SERIES

Thurs. May 25 to Mon. May 29 – 5 Judges!

Midland County Fairgrounds | Contact MQHA

MQHYASPARTAN SPECTACULAR

Fri. June 23 to Sun. June 25 – 4 Judges!

Ingham Co. Fairgrounds, Mason | Contact MQHA

MQHAHARBOR CLASSIC

Sun. July 2 to Sat. July 8 – 6 Judges!

WMFA, Ludington | Contact MQHA

NORTHERN MIALLNOVICE SHOW

Fri. July 21 – 1 Judge

NORTHERN MI QH SHOWS

Sat. July 22 to Sun. July 23 – 2 Judges

Midland County Fairgrounds

Contact NMQHA: Mary.short123@gmail.com

LISATERRYMEMORIAL

Thurs.August 24 to Sun.August 27

WMFA, Ludington

Contact: LisaTerryMemorial@gmail.com

MQHAFUTURITY/GREAT LKS. CLASSIC

Thurs. Sept. 14 to Sun. Sept. 17 – 6 Judges!

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing | Contact MQHA

MQHAHARVEST CLASSIC

Fri. Nov. 10 to Sun. Nov. 12 – 4 Judges!

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing | Contact MQHA

(616) 225-8211 | Fax (616) 835-9064

Email: info@miquarterhorse.com

https://miquarterhorse.com/

Great Lakes Buckskin Associaon Open Show

IBHA Approved Classes

JUNE 10 & 11, 2023

MSU Pavilion South Arena/Barn, 4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI

Start Time 8:00am – Rain or Shine

www.glbahorse.org

facebook.com/MGLBA/

Something for everyone – Miniature Horses, IBHA Horses, Walk Troers, Ranch & Trail Classes and Added Money Sweepstakes!

~ BREAK ~ Move Up ~

Class Fee $6/Judge

Ofce Fee $10 Weekend (1 horse/1 exhibitor) Blanket Fee $80 Weekend (1 horse/1 exhibitor across divisions) Stalls $50 Weekend or $40 One Day

Camping $50 Weekend

Sweepstakes Class Fee $15

Sweepstakes Payback 75% of entries plus100% of money added.

1st 35% ~ 2nd 28% ~ 3rd 22% ~ 4th 15%

Current Coggins Certicate required; current health papers for out-of-state horses required.

Current showbill, entry form, blanket fee class listing, and other show information available on www.glbahorse.org on the “Shows and Show Info” page.

NEXT SHOW: Proudly partnering with the MApHC for the...

EQUINE ACTIVITY LIABILITY ACT: This show and its sponsors operate under the Michigan Equine Activity Liability Act, in part: “An equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or another person is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from the inherent risk of the equine activity.”

Trail Riders Let’s Take Charge

If you are an equestrian who enjoys trail riding, then you have noticed an increase in trail usage over the past 3 years or so. This increased usage is by equestrians along with hikers and bikers. Whether you primarily ride trails, or if it’s just a nice change of pace from another riding discipline, it’s always more enjoyable if the encounters we have with other trail users are positive and uneventful. Speaking from personal experience, I have been witness to and experienced both uneventful and rather eventful interactions. Now, we have signage that helps explain how non-equestrian trail users should safely approach equines, and we hope very much that they read it and apply what they learned when they encounter us. However, I often feel that this is just not sufficient. It’s absolutely necessary, but I still feel as though my fate (I ride a spooky mule) is still in the hands of the non-equestrian approaching me. Rather than hope and pray that the hiker or biker is going to be considerate and know what to do, I prefer to do what I can to manage my own risk. There isn’t much risk involved for the hiker or biker who does not honor the right of way to equines, but us equestrians bear the brunt of the potential risk and danger. Personally, I don’t feel right putting my fate solely into the hands of others, so I am always thinking and looking for ways to manage my own well-being in these situations.

The following are a few things that I believe help me, the rider, take control of a potentially frightening situation for my mule.

Make sure your “Whoa” works. But seriously, have control of your animal. Make sure you can stop, turn, back up and move that animal around should you need to. Of course, things can go south even with the best laid plans, but if they do spook, you have some tools. If you have an inexperienced or new rider with you, or someone on a green horse consider ponying them to keep them out of trouble.

Expose your horse or mule to as many sketchy situations as possible. Our natural tendency might be to avoid what we can, and live to ride another day, but each positive encounter will make the next one less dangerous. Enter judged trail rides, hunter paces, etc. where people are located along the trails. They usually have umbrellas, chairs and clipboards with flapping papers too. Yay!

Stand next to passing vehicles and bicycles when given the chance in a safe situation. Take the time to let your horse settle and relax in these situations. Ask a fellow rider to just stand with you to give your mount some extra confidence. A few treats never hurt.

Talk to hikers, bikers and hunters as they approach. Not once have I had a hunter be anything but courteous. When you find someone that isn’t in a rush, stop and ask them how the hunting is going, or how many miles they are planning to hike that day. Again, let your horse settle and realize that there is nothing to get in a yank about. I have even asked kids to feed a treat to my mule while out on the trail.

Follow a bike or cart. Bicycles prove to be particularly challenging for a few reasons. They are quiet, they don’t move like an animal moves, and they’re fast. They also seem to stop pedaling when they get close, causing the bike to make that buzzing gear noise. It’s just what they do, so I usually look for a spot to give my mule a little extra space and may even put my hand up, to ask the bike rider to reduce speed and take caution. Again talking to them works, so long as they don’t have ear buds in, as I have learned. The best way I have seen someone handle bike desensitization is to follow the bike for a while. This also works if your horse has a fear of horse carts or buggies. Just ask, “Hey can I follow you for a few minutes to let my horse know it’s OK?”

RELAX! Or at least pretend to be relaxed. Easier said than done, especially if you or your horse or mule have had any bad past experiences, but it’s crucial. They feel everything we do up there so when we gather up the reins and tense up in preparation for a reaction, they are put on high alert for something dangerous. Keep talking to your fellow riders, or keep talking to your horse for that matter Again, treats after an uneventful pass never hurts.

It takes a lot of patience, time and positive experiences to make a solid trail horse. Unfortunately, many people view trail riding as “just trail riding” thinking that it does not require a finely tuned horse or mule. I strongly disagree. I feel it’s far more important for me to successfully maneuver an animal in a trail situation, than in a riding arena. No risk of a car hitting you, falling on rocks, or on a road or off a bridge in an arena, just to name a few. So, think about what you can do to improve you and your horse's confidence, which will improve your trail encounters and improve your entire day of riding.

Happy Trails, Brandy

Brandy Miller has a diverse equestrian background spanning over 40 years. She has competed in MQHA/AQHA ALL-Around events, Halter, Barrel Racing, and loves Trail Riding She is a United States Pony Club Alumni. Brandy currently enjoys participating in Top Trail Horse mileage challenges with her mule, Bristol and creating trail “tips and tricks” videos on her YouTube channel (BrandyandBristol). Brandy also serves as the Equine Trails Subcommittee Representative to the DNR for Central Lower Michigan.

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/boards/mtac/equine

2023 ISHA Spring & Fall Open All Breed Horse Show

Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, Indiana (rain or shine: covered arena)

Saturday/Sunday Classes Start Time: 8am | Sunday Jumping Classes Start Time: 8am

70% Paybacks

Spring Dates: May 20 & 21, 2023 – Judge: Kara Miller, LaGrange, KY

Fall Dates: August 19 & 20, 2023 – Judge: Duane Stutzman, Fresno, OH

Sport Horse In Hand Judges – SPRING: TBA

FALL: Cynthia Bellis-Jones, Paris, KY | Jumping Judge: Bobbi Milan, Greenwood, IN

$100 Added Money Payback Classes Saturday Night High Point Compeons

SATURDAY, MAY 20 & AUGUST 19, 2023

1 Sport Horse In Hand: All Breeds (open card) 8 AM-11 AM

2 English Type Halter: Geldings

3 Youth Stock Type Halter: Mares

4 Arabian Halter: Mares

5 Dra/Dra Cross Halter

6 Youth English Type Halter: Geldings

7 Thoroughbred Halter: Mares & Geldings

8 Half Arabian Halter: Mares

9 Color Horse-Pony Halter: All Breeds

10 Rescue Horse-Pony Halter: All Breeds

11 Stock Type Halter: Geldings

12 English Type Halter: Mares

13 *Youth Pony Halter: Mares & Geldings

14 Gaited Horse Model Halter: Mares

15 Youth English Type Halter: Mares

16 Hunt/Saddle Seat Type Showmanship: All Ages

17 Sck Horse (NO ENTRY FEE)

15 Minute Break

18 Roselyn A. Faut Memorial Class: W/T or W/J, 12 & Under Halter, Paern, Rail – no cross entry with class #19.

ISHA MEMBERS ONLY

19 Roselyn A. Faut Memorial Class: W/T/C or W/J/L, All Ages Halter, Paern, Rail – no cross entry with class #18.

ISHA MEMBERS ONLY

Lunch (45 Minutes)

Aernoon Classes not to begin before 11:00 AM

20 $100 Anything Goes Costume Class (in hand, riding or driving) 21 Beginner Hunt/Saddle Seat Pleasure: W/T/C, 13 Yrs & Up 22 Beginner Hunt/Saddle Seat Equitaon: W/T/C, 13 Yrs & Up 23

Questions or Stall Reservations: Donna Skatrud: 317-418-6381 or skatrudarabians@gmail.com

STALLS: Weekend Stalls $40 | Tie Outs $15 per day | ENTRY FEES: $8 Per Class | $10 for $100 Added Money Classes. OFFICE FEE: $10 Per Horse/Exhibitor Combination for Weekend

2023 ISHA Spring & Fall Open All Breed Horse Show

Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, Indiana (rain or shine: covered arena)

Saturday/Sunday Classes Start Time: 8am | Sunday Jumping Classes Start Time: 8am

Spring Dates: May 20 & 21, 2023 – Judge: Kara Miller, LaGrange, KY

Fall Dates: August 19 & 20, 2023 – Judge: Duane Stutzman, Fresno, OH

Sport Horse In Hand Judges – SPRING: TBA

FALL: Cynthia Bellis-Jones, Paris, KY | Jumping Judge – Bobbi Milan, Greenwood, IN

$100 Added

Money Payback

Classes Saturday Night High Point Compeons

SUNDAY, MAY 21 & AUGUST 20, 2023

66 Youth Stock Type Halter: Geldings

67 *Pony Halter: All Breeds

68 Arabian Halter: Geldings & Stallions

69 Stallion Halter: All Breeds

70 Stock Type Halter: Mares

71 Half Arabian Halter: Geldings & Stallions

72 Gaited Horse Model: Geldings & Stallions

73 $100 Halter: All Breeds

74 Supreme All Breed Halter Championship: All First Place Halter Class Winners are eligible: NO ENTRY FEE

75 Western Showmanship: All Ages

76 Lead Line

77 **RESTRICTED 10 & Under Equitaon: Walk

HELPER REQUIRED

78 Dra/Dra Cross Pleasure Driving: W/T

79 Light Horse Pleasure Driving: W/Pleasure Trot/Road Trot

80 Pleasure Driving: All Breeds

81 Beginner Hunt/Saddle Seat Pleasure: 10 & Under W/T

HELPER REQUIRED

82 Beginner Hunt/Saddle Seat Equitaon: 10 & Under W/T

HELPER REQUIRED

98 Hunt/Non-Gaited Saddle Seat Equitaon: W/T/C

15 Minute Break

99 **RESTRICTED Western Pleasure W/J

100 Stock Type Western Equitaon: W/J/L

101 Western Pleasure: W/J/L

102 TWH Open All Day Pleasure Youth – Oponal Tack (19 Yrs & Under as of 1/23)

103 **RESTRICTED Hunt/Saddle Seat Pleasure: W/T

104 KMH/RMH Trail Pleasure Youth – Oponal Tack (19 Yrs & Under as of 1/23)

105 **RESTRICTED Equitaon: W/T or W/J

106 Youth Hunt/Saddle Seat Equitaon: W/T/C

107 Open All Gaited Breeds Equitaon

108 Youth Pleasure: W/T or W/J

109 Youth Western Equitaon: W/J/L

112 KMH/RMH Youth Western Pleasure – Oponal Tack (19 Yrs & Under as of 1/23)

97 Adults 19 & Over, Horse-Pony Pleasure: W/T/C or W/T/J JUMPING

115

113 Ground Poles US (W/T)

114 Ground Poles OP

115 Ground Poles OP

X-RAILS DIVISION Classes 116, 117 & 118

116 X-Rails US (W/T/C)

117 X-Rails OF (12-18" height)

118 X-Rails OF (12-18" height) BEGINNER HUNTER DIVISION Classes 119, 120 &121

119 Beginner Hunter US (W/T/C)

120 Beginner Hunter OF (24" max height)

121 Beginner Hunter OF (24" max height)

HOPEFUL HUNTER DIVISION Classes 122, 123 & 124

122 Hopeful Hunter US (W/T/C)

123 Hunter OF (2'3" – 2’6” height)

124 Hunter OF (2'3" – 2’6” height)

hps://www.indianasaddlehorse.org/ Facebook: Indiana Saddle Horse Associaon

Questions or Stall Reservations: Donna Skatrud: 317-418-6381 or skatrudarabians@gmail.com

STALLS: Weekend Stalls $40 | Tie Outs $15 per day | ENTRY FEES: $8 Per Class | $10 for $100 Added Money Classes. OFFICE FEE: $10 Per Horse/Exhibitor Combination for Weekend

Therearecurrentlyapproximately155,000horses inMichigan,basedonthe last Equine Survey (2007). While these numbers may have decreased somewhat based on the recession, the use of horses in the state has not decreased,andinfactmaybeincreasing(personalobservation).Eachofthese animalsisinneedofregularhoofcare,withtrimmingrequiredevery6-8weeks andshoes(forthosewhoareshod)requiredonasimilarschedule.

Theoldadage“nofoot,nohorse”holds,inthatahorsewithoutregularhoof carebyaknowledgeableprofessional,isunlikelytobeofusetoitshumancaretakers.Further,mosthorsemenandwomenwouldratherhiresomeoneknowledgeabletodothisworkthantodoitthemselves.Finally,well-trainedfarriershavethepotentialtomakea decent living, as evidenced by “An American Farriers Journal survey in 2012 found that the national average annual salary for full-time farriers in the U.S. was reported to be $92,623 per year and for parttimers, $21,153. This amount is an average and varies according to experience level, training, etc.” (TheFarriersGuide.com)

TheproblemcurrentlyfacingthehorseindustryintheMidwestisthatthereiscurrentlynoreputablemeans by which to consistently produce well-trained farriers. Michigan residents wishing to pursue this line of work,haveneededtoleavethestateforextendedperiodsoftime.Untilnow.

Michigan State University offers the MSU Farrier School: Thisisa12or24-weekprogram,housedon theMSUHorseTeachingandResearchCenter,andwillbeledbyMSUalum,DavidHallock,CJF,ASF Students in the program will receive both hands-on and classroom-based instruction in hoof and farrier science, equine anatomy and physiology, basic welding, and business. The class runs8hoursperday,withtheintentionofproducingindividualspoisedtobewell trained,professionalfarrierstoservetheequineindustry

April

SERVING

32 ACRE HORSE FARM & RESIDENCE

Residence: Ranch home built in 1944 with 1,352 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, and 1 bath with well and septic. All appliances included.

Property: Approximately 32 acres, fenced and cross-fenced. Spring-fed pond on property, alfalfa hayfields and multiple pastures and turnouts.

Location: Ann Arbor Public Schools, Lodi TWP. taxes, paved road, close to national retail, businesses and expressways

ANN ARBOR

1955 Pauline Blvd, Suite 400

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Sale Price: $899,000 4250 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Horse Barn w/Attached Indoor Arena:

• 4,025 Sq. Ft. Horse Barn, 200 AMP Service

• 11 Box Stalls (12’ x 12’ Matted Stalls)

• Large Grain, Tack Room, Observation Room

• 9,000 Sq. Ft. Indoor Arena (60’ x 150’)

• Two Water Hydrants

Outdoor Arena – 160’ x 180’

• Steel Panels

• 2NS Sand Footing

Round Pen – 50’ Diameter

• Steel Panels • 2NS Sand

Storage Barns:

• 2,520 Sq. Ft. for Hay and Equipment

• 1,800 Sq. Ft. with Attached Run-In Shed

• Chicken Coop and

• Oats Bin with Auger

Saddle Up! Magazine Saddle Up!

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Professional Ad Design – You may submit camera ready art, or we can design your ad for you at no additional charge. A low resolution PDF proof (jpg upon request) will be emailed to you for your approval before your advertisement goes to print.

Reservations – Please reserve your ad space by the 14th of the month prior to the month you wish your ad to appear in Saddle Up! Magazine.

New Advertisers – Must prepay for the first three months until credit is established. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

5,000+ PRINTED COPIES | 5,000+ ONLINE READERS MONTHLY

2023 Deadlines and Special Editions

Jan December 1 uary 6 Membership Drive: Horse Associations & Trail Groups Special Rates

February January 1 MQHA Tack Sale: MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, Michigan 6

March 6 : MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, Michigan February 1 Michigan Horse Expo

April 6 Equine Affaire: Free Distribution, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Ohio March 1 Indiana Equine Round Up: Free Distribution, C Bar C, Cloverdale, IN Showbill Issue: Horse Associations/Non-Profits Special Rates

May April 17 Showbill Issue: Horse Associations/Non-Profits Special Rates

July 6 Summer Issue

August July 17 Summer Issue

Sept 6 Saddle Up! Summer Contest Winners Announced ember August 1

June May 16 Showbill Issue: Horse Associations/Non-Profits Special Rates 8th Annual Kids’ Saddle Up! Magazine Summer Contest Begins October Tack Sale Special: Discounted Ad Rates

thru April issues September 15

December November 16 Tack Sale Special: Discounted Ad Rates

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HOLLY, MI (ROSE TWP.): VACANT LAND! 39+ acres with frontage on two roads! Gently rolling, currently used for hay. Build your own home and horse farm. Located on corner of Rose Center Rd., and Buckhorn Lake Rd., just west of Milford Rd. Mature trees on perimeter for privacy MLS# 20221033494.

Price Improvement $450,000!

LAND CONTRACT TERMS!

SALEM TWP./PLYMOUTH/ ANN

MI HORSE FARM!

HOME, VETERINARY CLINIC AND INDOOR ARENA ALL ON 27 ACRES!

Beautiful Cape Cod home with remodeled custom kitchen and bathrooms. Veterinary clinic with living quarters. 27 acres with some hayelds. Indoor arena, stalls, run-in sheds, and pastures. Offered at $1,400.000. Seller willing to split with house/clinic on 2.2 acres and indoor arena/outbuildings on 25 acres. Contact KATHIE CROWLEY for details!

NEW! KALKASKA, MI: 10 great acres just off M-72. Nice 2200 sq.

ranch home, 4 bedrooms,

baths.

garage with storage. 40x60 barn with 6 box stalls and 6 tie stalls. Offered at $379,900. Call Kathie for more details!

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Shoo-fly sprays a fine mist of insecticide in the areas where flies and mosquitoes gather and effectively kills them. Spraying durations last 45-60 seconds and can occur as often as needed to keep your area pest free. Inexpensive, and easy to use. We

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Check out our drone video: www.ivoryfarm.com

• 110’x60’ indoor arena w/mirrors

• 140’x80’ outdoor sand arena

• 150 well-groomed acres for trail riding

• Well-insulated barn, stays comfortable year round

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