Here is a question:  My 4 year old mare is getting ready to go into a double bridle.  She is a hunter, yet when I look in Dover, etc. , etc., the only double bridles I find are honkin’ big ones for warmblood dressage horses, or Saddleseat double bridles.   Are Morgan Hunter people just changing the browbands and cavessons on the double show bridles or is there a place that sells a hunter double bridle for Morgans?

The focus of this blog is not to spread the word on Morgan rescues, but in light of the current discussion an organization that has recently come to my attention is the Unwanted Horse Coalition.  Along with Forever Morgans and AC4H this could be a good resource for placing these horses.  Also, UHC is sponsoring “Gelding Parties” (this just strikes me as funny).  Sounds fun, right?  I couldn’t find the information on their site, but AMHA had a blurb about it on their site a few days ago, click here for more information.

I’ve just added a few shows to the events calendar. The first is one that’s been around for a few years, but I’ve just recently heard about it. It’s the Pink Ribbon Classic and it’s in Meadville, PA on the same grounds as Penn-Ohio.  This one is coming up quick, Sept 10-12, so if you think you can participate there’s no time to waste.

The second is the California Fall Classic.  It’s mostly a Saddlebred show but they offer Morgan classes (I believe that’s a new thing for this year).  Unfortunately, this show falls after GN and the Morgan show world seems to go to sleep after OKC.  I’ll be interested to see how much participation they have.

This mare appears to be a Morgan or Morab and was purchased at the New Holland PA slaughter auction.  She is very sweet and appears to have considerable training.  She is in a wonderful, loving home now, but we would like to know her history.  Please see her blog at http://www.equusdreams.com/Equus_Dreams/Angels_Blog/Angels_Blog.html.

Contact me at 404-312-9623 or suecrane@mac.com

Looking for previous owner of this mare

I just got this alert from NetPosse (aka Stolen Horse International). Two Morgan mares have gone missing from Michigan, supposedly on their way to Indiana.

The story is a little confusing, but it sounds like a shady situation. If anyone from that area watches Craigslist or the sales for Morgans, just keep an eye out for these two. Their owner would like them back.

http://www.netposse.com/stolenmissing/Abby_Lily_MImissingAug2010.html

Well, it’s right around the corner! Just wanted to let you all know that I will be braiding at Nationals. If you are interested in having your hunter looking it’s best, please let me know!

bethany.towne@yahoo.com

Thanks and see you there! :]

Ok, so this is admittedly not the most “fun” topic, but I think it’s an important one.  Not just for equine professionals, but for everyone.  Financial planning was something that was drilled into me growing up and I’m often surprised by the number of times you hear about someone who just wasn’t financially prepared to lose that job, or face that illness, etc.

I know there are at least a few equine professionals who frequent this site, and maybe you guys already know about EquestrianProfessional.com, but I just found it a few days ago.  Apparently they’ve been sponsoring a series of seminars on financial planning, specifically geared toward those in the equine industry.  The third in the series will be held on September 13 and you can participate online or by calling in.  More details here.  I’m not sure, but I imagine they have resources available from the first 2 seminars.

Beautiful older Houghton show cart w/ 96″ shafts. Cart is complete with patent dash, 26″ chrome wheels, cream corduroy wing-back seat, black boot and Houghton covers. This is an older, but beautifully kept cart. Paint needs to be refinished for the show ring. Would make a great restoration project. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit my small (14.3) morgan and I don’t want to cut it down and risk ruining it! The cart was reportedly owned and used by Governor Deane Davis who was also the President of the Morgan Horse Association. It is painted in VT colors green and gold

There are two Morgan mares posted on Forever Morgans’ facebook page today. If anyone has some extra pasture space, even temporarily, please consider helping them out.

http://www.facebook.com/ForeverMorgans#!/pages/Forever-Morgans/149989315140

One is Salem Red Alert, apparently a former park champion who has been a broodmare for the past few years and is currently in foal. Not sure how she ended up at auction and don’t really want to think about it.

Edited to add: Forever Morgans is saying she’s safe now. That means she’s been bailed out of the auction, but I’m not sure if she has a forever home yet.

The other is a registered black mare, Petaconica Joy. There’s a photo of her on the Facebook page.

Here’s a current video of Salem Red Alert. The description for the video is actually the one for Petaconica Joy, but they have the correct descriptions on the Facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9OOso3wG4

Who’s excited for Jubilee? Me! That’s who!

For anyone who can’t be there in person I just found out that it will be available online by the same people who bring you New England, Mass Morgan and Grand National streaming video: http://morganhorsevideos.com/. For everyone else, I’ll be in the Judge’s School, but when they let us out look for the red AboveLevel.com hat and say “Hi” if you see me. I promise I won’t bite