Archive for February, 2008

As I watched the news last night, I heard a comment that the gas prices are almost certain to reach an average of $4.00/gal this spring. Here, in NE Ohio, it has been around $3.00/gal and my husband and I have reluctantly adjusted by trading in our big SUV for a smaller car and parking our pick-up in the garage. However, the thought of the price of gas going up to $4.00/gal makes my stomach churn and causes me to consider adjusting my summer plans.

The tanking economy, terrible housing market and threat of a recession is also all over the news, especially since it is an election year. The article “Economic Slump: Effect on the Horse Industry” written by the Center for Equine Business Studies on TheHorse.com discusses how important this issue is to those involved with horses: Read the rest of this entry

My Laugh for Today

Back by popular demand, my equine joke.

An old man, a boy & a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey & the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Then, later, they passed some people who remarked, “What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.” So they then decided they’d both walk!

Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.
So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and man figured they were probably right, so they decide to carry the donkey.

As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story?

If you try to please everyone, you might as well…

KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE!

Should Morgan Trainers Judge Morgan Shows?

In the post “Morgans In Hand” a reader commented that “Trainers should not judge!!”.  They also said that “I quit showing in the halter classes when they changed from confirmation halter to a performance class and quit being judged by breeders, vets, etc., and started to be judged by trainers.”

I responded that I didn’t think that there would be enough judges available if the “trainer pool” was not used.  In addition, it is very hard to entice others to become judges due to the time required and the fact that there is little monetary compensation for judging a show (for more of my response see the comments to the original post, “Morgans In Hand“).

I am throwing out the question of whether others believe that Morgan trainers should not judge Morgan shows (In Hand or Performance classes) and, if not, who would be a better choice?

Adult Showmanship?

Does anyone know why the morgans don’t offer showmanship for adults? At QH shows the adult showmanship classes are packed and it gives people something else to work on with their horses.

Am I the only one who misses doing showmanship with my horses?

Glynis Snowden on Emergency Preparedness

As I watched the news reports of the Southern California wildfires last fall, remember asking myself “What would I do if I was in the middle of that?” Although there are many reports and articles written about emergency preparedness, they are all too easy to ignore. “That will never happen to me” … “I will worry about that later” … “I am too busy now” these are the things we tell ourselves to put off the task of being prepared if disaster strikes. Unfortunately, “later” can be too late.

Glynis Snowden of Gly-Rae Stables recently published her story about surviving the San Diego, CA wild fires on the AMHA website. Intrigued by her strength and perseverance, I called to ask her about how she prepared for the fires and what she experienced.

Read the rest of this entry

Western New York Morgan Horse Show

The following information comes to us from the New York State Morgan Horse Society:

The Western New York Morgan Horse Show will be held May 23-25, 2008 at the Chemung County Fairgrounds in Horseheads, NY. The judges for the main ring are Daryl Hopson and Missy Hanover, with Larry Thurber judging the Carriage division and Valerie Knight judging the Dressage division. The entry closing date is May 3, 2008.

Additions to this year’s show schedule include New York Member and Pro-Am classes and the “Western New York Classic”, a $2500 In Hand class for horses 2 and under. A reception/party on Saturday night will be held to celebrate this class. The annual exhibitor’s party will be Friday night. It will again be catered by Callear’s BBQ and will feature the band “Kate Lee with No Strings Attached”.

The Prize list will be mailed soon, and will also be available on the New York State Morgan Horse Society website.

The following information is from Julie Broadway, AMHA Executive Director via the AMHA press release:

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) and American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) hope you’ll spend the 133rd Kentucky Derby in Shelburne, Vermont, to help them celebrate the 20th anniversary of the “Home of the Morgan.” This is a fun filled weekend hosted by the Building Committee. AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway, said, “We hope everyone will turn out and enjoy the food and fellowship. While this is designed to increase awareness of the ‘capital building campaign’ underway and encourage the Morgan community to visit the national headquarters, this is not a fundraiser or an ‘ask’ event. We simply want everyone to come have fun and celebrate with us.”

The Capital Building Fund was established in 2007 to address repairs and maintenance to the AMHA National Headquarters and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse, both located in Shelburne. “We are celebrating 20 years in Shelburne, Vermont this year so it’s only fitting that the facility receive some updates”, stated Julie. Read the rest of this entry

In the comments to the post “Are Headers in the Walk/Trot and Classics Driving Classes Needed?” a discussion has arisen  as to whether the Classic Driving classes should allow professional trainers to head horses.  Presently, professionals are allowed to head as a “safety” measure, whereas in previous years only non-professional headers could enter the ring. 

My personal opinion is that having that safety net as an “ounce of prevention” is the better option than having a person heading a horse that may not be able respond properly in an emergency.  As I have stated in comments to the original post, I don’t believe that a “bomb proof ” horse exists and that there is always a risk when entering the ring.  So why not have precautions in place?

However,  others have brought up the point that the development of the Classic division was initially for the Amateur Owner/Trainers so that they did not have to compete against the professionals and professionally trained horses.  These viewers feel that over time, though, this division has become one for the “toned down” Pleasure Driving horse, leaving the amateur trained horses at a big disadvantage. 

So here are my questions…Should Professional trainers be allowed in the ring to head a Classic Driving horse?  Also should there be a division in the “A” rated Morgan shows specifically for the amateur O/T (as I am told the Classic division was originally design for) or should those who don’t want to compete with the professional trainers and trained horses stick to the smaller shows that cater more toward the Amateur O/T?

The following information comes to us from Caroline Cloud:

The Springtime PNW Morgan Horse Show scheduled for May 23-25, in Spanaway, WA is an expansion on the 54 year old tradition of the PNW Morgan show held annually in August, the oldest Morgan competition West of the Mississippi!  Three years ago we initiated a Spring version of this popular event.  This year’s show will be judged by Jill Yerger, Scottsdale, AZ.  Entries close April 23.  The show features a wide selection of classes including all the usual USEF “A” show offerings plus Sport Horse in Hand, Trail, Reining, Hunter Hack, Masters Pleasure, Carriage Obstacle Driving, and a very popular new offering: Adult Amateur Walk Trot.  This class had fifteen entries last year!  There is a Youth of the Year contest, AMHA Medal classes, lovely Jr. Exhibitor High Score awards for all seats and walk-trot, Gelding Sweepstakes ($100. prize), Morgan Versatility award, Morgan Masters award for stable areas and great hospitality in a comfortable setting with views of Mt. Ranier.  “The FUN ONE” welcomes all Morgan competitors and enthusiasts. For further information contact Catherine Cloud: seacloud@greatnorthern.net or 360.629-2619

My Laugh for the Day

This was a forwarded email that I found hilarious. Maybe it’s my science background.

MARYLAND SCIENCE EXAM………………………….

If you need a laugh, then read through these Children’s Science Exam Answers:

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the 
moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts – the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels; A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does “varicose” mean?
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term “Caesarean Section.”
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.

Q: What does the word ” benign” mean?’
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.