Coming together at LAEC

When the January fires hit, volunteers stepped in
From Horsetrader staff reports
BURBANK — It will be a while before the Los Angeles community recovers from the wildfires that devastated the area. The tragic week of Jan. 7-10 charred more than 36,000 acres just with the Eaton and Palisades fires, where close to 16,000 structures were destroyed and another 2,000 damaged. Twenty-nine lives were lost.
Galway Downs owner’s plan opposed

Temecula horsepeople balk at altering General Plan, use permit
By Horsetrader staff
TEMECULA — A pair of requests to Riverside County to alter policies defining how Galway Downs and adjacent property can be used were submitted in January, and area equestrians are voicing their disapproval.
Galway Downs, a 242-acre centerpiece to the equestrian region of southwest Riverside County, originally opened in 1968 as a racehorse training facility and now hosts equestrian competitions, trainers and services. It lies within the area’s Wine Country Community Plan, a formal guideline adopted in 2014 and then incorporated into the County’s General Plan to recognize and preserve the area’s equestrian and vineyard elements.
‘Spectacular’ start

SCRCHA ‘Kickoff’ Show launches 2025 cow horse season
By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader
TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its “Cowhorse Kickoff” Show on Jan. 3-5 at Tucalota Creek Ranch to open the 2025 show schedule, sponsored by title sponsor Equine Health Management of Murrieta.
January has traditionally been a cold and wet time to show members’ furry horses. This year yielded beautiful weather and some stellar sunsets on the park-like setting of Tucalota Creek Ranch, and there was a great number of entries to start the show year.
New horse owner guide
Bt Daniel H. Grove, DVM

One benefit I have seen after the COVID 19 period a few years back has been an increase in outdoor activities. I thought a little insight into the costs of ownership and some items you should have on hand as a new horse owner.
The expensive part of owning a horse starts after the purchase. While there is often time a significant upfront investment into owning a horse, it really is, usually, just a drop in the bucket. Let us look at a list of things you should budget for in your monthly expenses with horse ownership.
The January ‘InGate’

Bud Lyon Clinic, Schooling Show kick off WCRH 2025 offerings
From the Horsetrader sales staff
Mark your calendars for a full weekend of learning Feb. 15-16 about showing ranch horse and honing your skills in preparation for the 2025 season.
On Saturday, Bud Lyon will be teaching the West Coast Ranch Horse 2025 Season Kick Off Clinic at California Ranch Company in Temecula. Bud needs no introduction, as he is a multiple World Champion and a National Snaffle Bit Association Quarter Million Dollar Rider — among countless other achievements and accolades.
Is 2025 the year you…join a mounted patrol?

One great way for equestrians to serve communities is participation in mounted patrol units. There is a variety of groups eager to recruit and train volunteers. Not only does mounted patrol provide a service, it also promotes horses as endearing community assets to residents that may not otherwise experience them.
When to call the veterinarian
By Daniel H. Grove, DVM

“When do I call my veterinarian?”
That is a question many clients tend to struggle with. In my opinion, it is better to make that phone call and discuss your concerns rather than waiting too long and having a more challenging time resolving a case. I would much rather have someone call during normal business hours with questions about a mild colic rather than 10 o’clock at night with a colic that is now dire. It is hard to give a recommendation on times not to call without having an examination of the patient to make a determination. So, here are some key times when I think it is prudent to get on the phone and at least discuss the situation with your veterinarian.
The Year of the Volunteer

By Mark Flint / courtesy of ELCR.org
Many hands make light work, and if you have a project that could benefit from many hands, a well-run volunteer program can provide a low-cost solution that has the added benefit of building community among groups of people who might not otherwise interact.
GETTING ORGANIZED
Are you considering starting an advocacy or action group? What will your first steps be?