The Princess and the Pony

The Horse Show

Over the weekend, I had the honor and pleasure of judging 8 trail classes at a local horse show. When I aggreed to judge these classes, I assumed I would arrive at the show, be given judging cards, and just sit in my wheelchair, and watch riders ride their horses through an obstacle course. A small club was managing the show, with few volunteers. I quickly learned that I also was required to design the course, make copies of the course for riders, set-up the course, post copies of the course around the show grounds, and a few other time consuming tasks. I am still using a wheelchair, so had plenty of time to do all these tasks. I volunteered Tom to set-up the course, with me barking orders, like "move that log 3 inches to the left". I went on-line to read up on judging this type of class, and course designs. The #1 problem I had was deciding between 2 riders that scored equally. This was especially true with the kids participating in the lead-line and WT age 11 and under. The riders are so cute, and in my opinion should all receive ribbons, but it is what it is. The only way I could think of making the decision in the lower levels of classes was what I called "appearance and suitability". Was the child confident, dressed appropriately, and fit the horse. For example: Two riders complete the course perfectly, but one isn't wearing proper attire, is 5 years old and riding a 17 hand horse, and is hanging on for "dear life". The same thing occured in the upper level classes. Open English Trail, may be open, but wearing a polo shirt, or no suit jacket, is going to earn you a slighty lower score, even if your horse completes all of the obstacles. What is the rider's attitude. I'm sorry, but it is a real turn-off when you need to use a crop to get your horse over the bridge! To parents and trainers, please don't critize the judge. I'm sorry if you think the magazine in the mailbox is too big, or you can't reach the raincoat because you horse is too tall, or too small. If your horse would stand still, and listen to your cues, these obstacles would probably not be a problem! All in all it was a successful day. I couldn't have managed without Tom's help. He was a real trooper throughout the day, even though he keep saying "I don't remember volunteering for this job"! Thank you, Tom. We are already on the list of judges for next year! BTW The horse in the photo is my "Fancy" This is a photo of her and her previous owner, Jen. It was taken 2 summers ago. Fancy was 26 years old! Aren't they beautiful?

World's Tallest Holsteiner

Stringhalt Anyone?

I know-I'm bitching again! Some horse owners never cease to amaze me!
This is what I just finished writing for my other blog: Craigslistadsthatpissmeofff
Yes, I know there are 3 "f"s in "off". I was typing too fast when I entered the title into the "setup your blog name page"!
I was browsing Equine.com this morning checking-out the Free Horses.
All but a pony were described as special needs, companion only, pasture pets. My guess is few stand any chance of ending up in a good situation. Maybe I'll see them on the Camelot Auction website, where current feedlot horses are listed. BTW, new horses are listed each Thursday morning, and ship to Canada on Sunday. The Champion horse, on Equine.com, shown above, is in Hamilton, MA, and has been shown very successfully at Myopia Hunt Club. For those of you that are not familiar with Myopia, it's the creme-de-la-creme of horse society. You mean to tell me that this horse, that has accomplished that much success for its owner, can not be provided for in its retirement?
Browse through the Free Horses on Equine.com, and see if there is a bad-backed, arthritic, allergic, laminitic, violently bucking, broodmare with stringhalt, an injured deep digital flexor tendon,COPD and ESPM that appeals to you. Come-on now,suck-it-up--everyone needs one of these horses in their barn!
To tell you the truth, if I had the time and money, I would take the sweet looking, grey, TB/Trakenher gelding!

Storm Warning

On June 1st we had severe thunder storms. Just 1/2 hr from us there were 3 tornados devastating sections of Springfield and Monson, Ma. There was also severe damage in Sturbridge and Brimfield. Four human lives were lost, and 1 horses' life. A horse trailer had been picked-up by the tornado and blown into a horse, instantly killling it. Another horse on the same property had serious damage to its leg from flying debris.
Tom and I were driving home from Worcester during the rainstorm. An emergency alert was broadcast on the radio to seek shelter in a basement, ect. Of course, our first thoughts were of the horses. Five of our horses were outside in paddocks, and Fancy was inside the barn (don't ask. It’s a long story!).The 5 horses had run-in shelters, but the shelters are not as sturdy as the barn. Hence the question arose. Are horses better inside a barn, or outside, during a severe storm that could include tornados? I imagine that in the central states like Kansas, it might be better to let the horses remain in the open. Didn't they let the horses loose in the Wizard of Oz? That way the horses can run away from the tornado. Here in New England there are lots of trees, so it would be difficult for the horses to run away. I've been asking other horse owners, and get different answers. Maybe I'll call the MSPCA, and find out what they recommend. Anyway, this issue is something we should think about. What are your emergency plans for your horse/horses? BTW, by the time Tom and I got home, the skies had cleared, and all the horses were fine, which was a good thing, as we had never come-up with a definitive answer to the question!
++The above picture is of Mark bringing in one of this horses during a rainstorm. Yes, it was really that dark at 3 PM++