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

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

I came across a couple of articles today about David Saunders and the four-in-hand team of black Morgan geldings that he will be competing with at the World Equestrian Games. It’s always nice to see Morgans mentioned in the mainstream, non-equestrian press (even if some of the facts stated in the articles are…questionable.)

http://www.wickedlocal.com/georgetown/sports/x162774338/Morgan-The-horse-of-the-American-people

http://www.wickedlocal.com/georgetown/sports/adult_leagues/x162774370/Georgetown-based-Morgan-horses-driving-for-World-recognition

I saw this team at the WEG driving test event last fall and they are breathtaking. It’s exciting to see Morgans at the top of international competition. Going up against the Warmbloods is no easy task, but I know they’ll hold their own!

Edited to add a couple of photos of the team at last year’s test event:

Kind of a long shot, but I’ve got to put it out there.

http://www.netposse.com/stolenmissing/missing_1/AshleyNYmissingApr2010.html

The flyer says the DOB is 1999 but lists the age as 19. Based on the graying on the mare’s face, I’m guessing the age is correct and the DOB is a typo.

This is a very strange story with a lot of question marks. Nevertheless, if anyone hears anything suspicious about an older, Morgan-type mare for sale, keep this horse in the back of your mind.

I’m going to be attending the AMHA convention for the first time this year since it’s being held in my city of residence. The complete convention package is a bit pricey, so I’m trying to decide which two days to attend. I’d really like to go on the farm tours on Thursday, but then I have to choose between Friday and Saturday. I’m leaning toward Saturday, but I’m wondering if anyone has any insight into the programs.

http://www.morganhorse.com/association/annual_convention/

Also, the registration form has a separate ticket for “Saturday Evening Award Luncheon,” but since the luncheon is included with a Saturday ticket, I’m guessing the separate ticket is actually for the Stallion Service Auction/Party. Is that worth going to if you’re not actually breeding horses this year (or, in my case, ever)?

And is the Wednesday night welcome reception at PlayMor open to all attendees?

I have a couple of Weatherbeeta winter blankets for my horse and I like them. So I bought him a Weatherbeeta turnout sheet, but it fits awkwardly around the neck. It looks like it’s putting pressure on his withers, but if I loosen the chest buckles, it just seems to be too loose around the shoulders and doesn’t really seem to alleviate the pressure on his withers. I guess they’re designed more for a QH body type.

Has anyone found a good, waterproof turnout sheet for more upheaded or high-withered horses?

For those of us stuck at home last week and too poor and/or cheap to pay for the live streaming, Club Equestrian now has video highlights from OKC:

http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1299000424.aspx

I know everyone’s inundated by requests to help horses right now, but I wanted to at least throw this out there. This Craigslist ad was featured on FHOTD today. This guy in NC is selling three horses, one of them a 12-year-old Morgan mare who is clearly in dire need of groceries. She just needs someone with $350 and a green pasture. He’s selling two other horses for $100 and $150.

http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/1308395939.html

Does anyone know if the NEMHS webcast at MorganHorseVideos.com is showing all the rings, or just the main coliseum?

I’m dragging my pasture puff up to KYOVA this weekend.  It’s at the Champion Center in Springfield, Ohio, and I’ve never been there.  Is the show held indoors or outdoors?  What’s the stabling like?  How’s the surrounding area?