WCRH Summerfest draws Ranch Horse talent to CRC

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Tropical fun and SoCal sun converged on California Ranch Company in August for three days of West Coast Ranch Horse learning and action.

On Friday, WCRH hosted an Intro to Versatility Ranch Horse clinic with multiple AQHA and APHA World Champion Bryce Briggs. Attendees enjoyed a day-and-a-half clinic covering all VRH classes — complete with ranch riding, reining, flag work, boxing, roping, Q&A sessions and live feedback. There was a mock cutting/boxing show on Saturday afternoon.

TOVEA in San Marcos celebrates past, present, future

By Horsetrader staff

SAN MARCOS — The role of horses in the City of San Marcos dates back to 1797, and the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association intends to play it forward for future generations.

More than 125 supporters attended TOVEA’s 20 Anniversary Aug. 3 at Walnut Grove Park, celebrating two decades of local equestrian advocacy and their cumulative accomplishments that have led today’s thriving horse community. For their contributions, volunteers and sponsors past and present were recognized, including California Horsetrader founder Carolyn Read, a 62-year San Marcos equestrian who passed away in April at age 92.

UC Davis ‘Horse Day’ Oct. 11 gives us special insight

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Join the University of California-Davis for its annual “Horse Day” event on Oct. 11 at the school’s horse barn, and you’ll come away with a remarkable appreciation for the program. It is a day filled with workshops, demonstrations, and lectures dedicated to continuing education for horse owners and enthusiasts. There is something for everyone, with a wide range of topics from equine diseases, nutrition, lameness, current research, and reproduction.

By Daniel H. Grove, DVM

Fall is upon us, and this is the time of year that often featuers horses in new homes after summer sales.

Pre-purchase exams seem to be more numerous than normal. With so many new horse owners, let’s review some of the recommendations for veterinary care for your horses in the fall.

Youth, adults both shine at Grant Berg Memorial

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association each year honors Grant Berg at its July show. The club focuses on youth riders, and entry fees are for youth riders at this show. SCRCHA believes that by supporting our youth, it instills a love for the sport of cow horse and assures the sport’s health into the future.

This year’s Grant Berg Memorial Show had a great turnout with some surprisingly moderate temperatures. July in Temecula can be brutally hot, so participants were pleasantly surprised with cooler temps this year.

New premier equine retirement facility opens

From the Horsetrader sales staff

The Cole Ranch, located just two hours from Los Angeles in Terra Bella, has a distinguished history of providing comprehensive horse care farm services. With a foundation built on expertise in boarding, foaling, breaking, and training, The Cole Ranch is now expanding its focus to offer exceptional retirement care for these equine athletes. The historic 60-year-old farm has been lovingly run by Steve and Dana Cole for the past two decades. With 10 expansive, lush pastures, pristine barns, a 3 5/8-mile exercise track, round pens, a full-size arena and 24-hour vet care, the Coles welcome all breeds at a fixed, affordable rate.

The eyes are extremely important to our equine companions. If we lose one or both eyes, it can be career-ending for our animals. Signs of eye discomfort are blepharospasm (squinting), tearing of the eye, rubbing of the eyes, and changes in the normal appearance of the eyes. This month I will discuss some of the more common eye ailments I see and some tips on what can be done. Before we proceed, I feel I should mention that most eye problems should be seen sooner rather than later. Waiting can be devastating on some of these problems.

Eyelid Lacerations

Eyelid lacerations are extremely common. One Friday evening, I had three emergency pages back-to-back, all eyelid lacerations. If treated promptly, most can be sutured. If no tissue is lost, often times full function returns and there is little to no cosmetic defect. I usually give some sedation, locally anesthetize the skin and repair the laceration. A tetanus vaccine update and some antibiotics are often the only other medications needed.

Uveitis

The uvea is the back part of the eye itself. Some breeds are more prone to the condition, but it is thought that an infectious agent causes the disease, although it cannot always be proven. This area in the eye gets very inflammed and can fill with pus. These conditions are very painful and can cause significant blepharospasm (squinting) and tearing of the eye. The eyes can get a bulging appearance to them and they can appear yellowed. These are many ways these are treated, but anti-inflammatories are very important to reduce the swelling and discomfort.

Better character, better student, better health… and FUN!

By Jennifer Forsberg Meyer |
courtesy of ELCR.org

Riding offers much more than equestrian know-how. Here’s why horses can be a life-enhancing choice for your child.

Margaret Coon learned a lot about first aid and crisis management during her time with the United States Pony Clubs. So much so, in fact, that when she grew up and was dealing with her own child’s bump on the head, someone from her pediatrician’s office mistook her for an RN.

“No, I’m not,” explained Margaret, who’d wowed the staff by having her baby’s pulse, res-piration, and pupil size available for the doctor. “This is just what you do before you call the veterinarian.”

That degree of composure under pressure is common among Pony Club kids. Margaret’s mother, Ruth Harvie, says the incident is but one of many involving her children, all raised with horses.

‘Horse Human Connection’ symposium returns to Pomona

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Back by popular demand, the Human Horse Connection 2 will be coming to the Kellogg West Conference Center in Pomona Nov. 1-2 for two exceptional days of insights into how your horse thinks. The California Western Dressage Association is presenting the symposium, which will feature a roster of internationally known speakers for attendees of all disciplines.

By Sheryl Lynde | Horsetrader columnist

I pointed out the human tendency to shy away from situations of uncertain outcomes. In his book “Think like a Rocket Scientist,” author Ozan Varol states “our obsession with uncertainty leads us astray; all progress takes place in uncertain conditions.”

When we place the horse in unfamiliar situations, holes in their training are uncovered. We are able to focus our efforts on their areas of weaknesses. Similarly, human character flaws are also revealed when the heat is on. It is when we are tested that opportunities present themselves to get better, be better, go deeper.