Saturday, July 24, 2010
Horse Quencher...make your horse drink!
Have you ever gone on a trail ride, horse show or worried about your horse not drinking? Here is a product that helps allieviate the problem! Horse Quencher: I haven't personally used it, but am going to order some to have on hand. Their website tells it all. Available from: http://www.horsequencher.com/home.asp , Valley Vet Supply http://www.valleyvet.com/, Jeffers Vet Supply: http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/ . You just never know when you might need something like this.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Dr. Bob Womack, a grand Tennessee Gentleman and Tennessee Walking Horse lover
you might enjoy this blog by Rhonda Lane. There are comments also of interest. I used Dr. Womack's book "Echo of Hoofbeats" for a lot of Tennessee Walking Horse history, and also history of soring in my book: "The Horse That Wouldn't Trot.
I talked to Dr. Womack while I was writing my book and got permission to use his information. Soring is still a very "sore subject" in the walking horse world, and so far efforts to STOP it have failed, but many keep working. My memoir book is my effort to help by telling true stories, but not dwelling at nauseum about the subject.
http://thehorseyset.net/5832/the-gentleman-scholar-of-the-tennessee-walking-horse/
I talked to Dr. Womack while I was writing my book and got permission to use his information. Soring is still a very "sore subject" in the walking horse world, and so far efforts to STOP it have failed, but many keep working. My memoir book is my effort to help by telling true stories, but not dwelling at nauseum about the subject.
http://thehorseyset.net/5832/the-gentleman-scholar-of-the-tennessee-walking-horse/
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Horse That Wouldn't Trot book review by Heidi Thomas
please check out the fabulous review (fab because it really shares what the book is about, as well as the fact she liked it!)
I met Heidi through the Equinest
www.theequinest.com/rose-miller/
where an interview with me about the book was posted. She is an editor and edited my second book: "Mules, Mules and More Mules: The Adventures and Misadventures of a First Time Mule Owner"
The URI to TrackBack this entry is: http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/the-horse-that-wouldnt-trot/trackback.
I met Heidi through the Equinest
www.theequinest.com/rose-miller/
where an interview with me about the book was posted. She is an editor and edited my second book: "Mules, Mules and More Mules: The Adventures and Misadventures of a First Time Mule Owner"
The URI to TrackBack this entry is: http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/the-horse-that-wouldnt-trot/trackback.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Riding Helmets Can Save Your Head!
Ever since I had a bad fall from my horse in 2004, I have worn a riding helmet...except for one time, and wouldn't you know it, I had a fall from my horse that did hurt my head. I read that after a fall you should replace your helmet, but this following article shows why. PLEASE everyone, wear a riding helmet!
Oliver Townend's Champion helmet did its job by absorbing the force from his fall at Rolex.
After Oliver Townend’s fall at Rolex, his inflatable vest was widely attributed for saving him from more serious injury.
Now it seems like his helmet should be getting the credit for protecting him. According to an article on the U.K. website Horsemart:
Oliver sent the Champion Ventair helmet that he was wearing at Kentucky back to the Champion factory in Cardiff, so that their technical experts could evaluate the extent of the damage. While the internal damage was described as ‘extensive’, on the outside the only evidence of damage to the helmet is a slight scuff mark. When the hat was stripped apart at the Champion factory, however, the shock absorbing polystyrene liner of Oliver’s damaged helmet was shown to have been crushed at the front left side down to 11mm, while the pictures taken of the stripped helmet also clearly show a crack on the opposite side where the liner has been crushed to 17mm. A new undamaged liner is approx 21mm at these points, a difference of up to 10mm. Further examination of the helmet also showed a large indent in the rear left lower side of the liner, which technical experts believe was made by the impact with the log, with measurements showing the liner had been crushed at this point to 13mm, which compares again to the 21mm thickness of a new liner.
If you needed a reason why you should replace your helmet after a fall where you hit your head, this should convince you. Perhaps all top riders should have their helmets tested and let the results be published. It might convince a few skeptics that it’s better to have your helmet absorb the force of a fall than your head.
Oliver Townend's Champion helmet did its job by absorbing the force from his fall at Rolex.
After Oliver Townend’s fall at Rolex, his inflatable vest was widely attributed for saving him from more serious injury.
Now it seems like his helmet should be getting the credit for protecting him. According to an article on the U.K. website Horsemart:
Oliver sent the Champion Ventair helmet that he was wearing at Kentucky back to the Champion factory in Cardiff, so that their technical experts could evaluate the extent of the damage. While the internal damage was described as ‘extensive’, on the outside the only evidence of damage to the helmet is a slight scuff mark. When the hat was stripped apart at the Champion factory, however, the shock absorbing polystyrene liner of Oliver’s damaged helmet was shown to have been crushed at the front left side down to 11mm, while the pictures taken of the stripped helmet also clearly show a crack on the opposite side where the liner has been crushed to 17mm. A new undamaged liner is approx 21mm at these points, a difference of up to 10mm. Further examination of the helmet also showed a large indent in the rear left lower side of the liner, which technical experts believe was made by the impact with the log, with measurements showing the liner had been crushed at this point to 13mm, which compares again to the 21mm thickness of a new liner.
If you needed a reason why you should replace your helmet after a fall where you hit your head, this should convince you. Perhaps all top riders should have their helmets tested and let the results be published. It might convince a few skeptics that it’s better to have your helmet absorb the force of a fall than your head.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
COWBOY POETRY
Cowboy Poetry
Jake, the rancher, went one day
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty
And the clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in
And gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen,
The wind and snow began to blow.
When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition
He knew it wouldn't start.
So Jake did what most of us
Would do if we had been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
And sent aloft a prayer.
As he turned the key for the last time,
He softly cursed his luck
They found him three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.
Now Jake had been around in life
And done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked --
It looked just like Wyoming !
Of all the saints in Heaven,
His favorite was St. Peter.
So they sat and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping' score --
In Heaven, time is free.
'I've always heard,' Jake said to Pete,
'that God will answer prayer,
But one time I asked for help,
Well, he just plain wasn't there.'
'Does God answer prayers of some,
And ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square --
I know all men are brothers.'
'Or does he randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day,
The weather or the season.'
'Now I ain't trying to act smart,
It's just the way I feel.
And I was wondering', could you tell me --
What the heck's the deal?!'
Peter listened very patiently
And when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, 'So, you're the one!!'
That day your truck, it wouldn't start,
And you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us trying.'
'A thousand angels rushed,
To check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard
From you in quite a long while.'
'And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
And started a truck in Minnesota '
Jake, the rancher, went one day
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty
And the clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in
And gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen,
The wind and snow began to blow.
When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition
He knew it wouldn't start.
So Jake did what most of us
Would do if we had been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
And sent aloft a prayer.
As he turned the key for the last time,
He softly cursed his luck
They found him three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.
Now Jake had been around in life
And done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked --
It looked just like Wyoming !
Of all the saints in Heaven,
His favorite was St. Peter.
So they sat and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping' score --
In Heaven, time is free.
'I've always heard,' Jake said to Pete,
'that God will answer prayer,
But one time I asked for help,
Well, he just plain wasn't there.'
'Does God answer prayers of some,
And ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square --
I know all men are brothers.'
'Or does he randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day,
The weather or the season.'
'Now I ain't trying to act smart,
It's just the way I feel.
And I was wondering', could you tell me --
What the heck's the deal?!'
Peter listened very patiently
And when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, 'So, you're the one!!'
That day your truck, it wouldn't start,
And you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us trying.'
'A thousand angels rushed,
To check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard
From you in quite a long while.'
'And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
And started a truck in Minnesota '
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
ESKENDEREYA retired from racing
The interesting thing to ME is that they did the best for the horse, and according to this article, they are trying to breed for stronger horses. Hopefully, the losses of Barbaro and Eight Belles has caused much more public awareness and also owner/trainer concern. Horse welfare and ending abuses is close to my heart, as I write about the Tennessee Walking Horses in my book: The Horse That Wouldn't Trot. http://www.rosemiller.net/
Zayat Stables' Eskendereya, runaway winner of the Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and overwhelming early favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been retired due to a soft tissue injury.
Owner Ahmed Zayat will retain a significant ownership stake in partnership with Jess Jackson of Kendall Jackson Wine Estates and the owner of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Together, Zayat said, they "will work to develop the best progeny for American racing."
No decision has been made where Eskendereya will stand. Zayat said the decision to retire the colt was made after "exhausting all possible options."
The son of Giant's Causeway-Aldebaran Light, by Seattle Slew, whom Zayat purchased for $250,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, had been withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby six days before the race after a filling was discovered in his left front leg.
"We sent him to two clinics for diagnostics and I wanted to send him to one more to get a third opinion, because I wasn't willing to give up," Zayat said. "But with a soft tissue injury, we pretty much knew he was done. The horse was sound as could be and had been training extremely well at Palm Meadows. Everything was ideal until it started going downhill when he went to Churchill.
"I cannot tell you how heartbroken I am and how hard it was for my whole family every time they showed the Wood Memorial on TV. We were all tearing up watching such a breathtaking performance. I can't express my sadness, but there is also joy to have been so close to a horse like this and picking him out at the sale. I broke the news to my son Justin and he is totally crushed."
An early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Eskendereya holds a special significance for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who won his first Derby this year.
"Eskendereya is as good a horse as I've ever brought to the Triple Crown races," Pletcher said. "Mr. Zayat and I investigated every possible avenue to get him back into racing form at the level that his fans expect, but after leaving no stone unturned, it became clear that this was the best decision to make for Eskendereya. His Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial victories were the most impressive prep races that we have ever had and we had tremendous confidence in his ability to excel at the distances of a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half. We look forward to this next stage of his career as a sire and creating the next generation of racing stars."
Zayat said Eskendereya helped him bond with trainer Todd Pletcher.
I feel Todd and I developed an emotional touch, with our baby, Eskendereya, the common bond," Zayat said. "He thought the world of him and he expressed his feelings about how he could be a Triple Crown winner. The affection he had for the horse and the dreams he had for him, it was like we had lost a family member, God forbid. It was very painful. I kept text messaging Todd to keep his chin up. He said he knew he had to focus on the Derby, but it wasn't going to be the same. He sent me a text after the Derby and said, 'Sorry, I couldn't win it for you.'
"The scary part is that the horse was getting better. He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Todd and I discussed every other possibility before concluding that retirement was the only option and the right decision to protect Eskendereya's health. This will probably take me a very long time to get over, but I am comforted by the fact that I will have the chance to see his offspring follow in his racing footsteps.
"We are excited about the future and are confident that he will continue to thrill the racing world by siring the best future progeny. Mr. Jackson is the perfect partner for such a beloved horse and I look forward to working with him as he has proven to be a true sportsman and a credit to our industry. He has tried to create the best breed and bring back the legacy of American racing. He has over 100 broodmares and I have 50, all top broodmares. Between us we are trying to bring stamina back in racing, not just speed. It's very important that I'm staying in, both emotionally and financially."
Jackson said: "I am extremely pleased to partner with Zayat Stables in ownership of this magnificent Thoroughbred. Eskendereya is best of class and his progeny will only add to his legacy and that of American racing."
Zayat pointed out that Eskendereya has run the fastest Beyer (109) as a 3-year-old, with a Ragozin speed figure of 2½ and a Thoro-graph number of negative 3. Eskendereya dominated the Fountain of Youth Stakes by 8½ lengths. No horse has won the Fountain of Youth by such a distance since Spectacular Bid's 8½ length win in 1979.
Eskendereya, which is Arabic for the city Alexandria, was bred in Kentucky by Sanford R. Robertson. He retires with four victories from six starts, with one second, for earnings of $725,700.
(This article first appeared on Bloodhorse.com.)
Zayat Stables' Eskendereya, runaway winner of the Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and overwhelming early favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been retired due to a soft tissue injury.
Owner Ahmed Zayat will retain a significant ownership stake in partnership with Jess Jackson of Kendall Jackson Wine Estates and the owner of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Together, Zayat said, they "will work to develop the best progeny for American racing."
No decision has been made where Eskendereya will stand. Zayat said the decision to retire the colt was made after "exhausting all possible options."
The son of Giant's Causeway-Aldebaran Light, by Seattle Slew, whom Zayat purchased for $250,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, had been withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby six days before the race after a filling was discovered in his left front leg.
"We sent him to two clinics for diagnostics and I wanted to send him to one more to get a third opinion, because I wasn't willing to give up," Zayat said. "But with a soft tissue injury, we pretty much knew he was done. The horse was sound as could be and had been training extremely well at Palm Meadows. Everything was ideal until it started going downhill when he went to Churchill.
"I cannot tell you how heartbroken I am and how hard it was for my whole family every time they showed the Wood Memorial on TV. We were all tearing up watching such a breathtaking performance. I can't express my sadness, but there is also joy to have been so close to a horse like this and picking him out at the sale. I broke the news to my son Justin and he is totally crushed."
An early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Eskendereya holds a special significance for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who won his first Derby this year.
"Eskendereya is as good a horse as I've ever brought to the Triple Crown races," Pletcher said. "Mr. Zayat and I investigated every possible avenue to get him back into racing form at the level that his fans expect, but after leaving no stone unturned, it became clear that this was the best decision to make for Eskendereya. His Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial victories were the most impressive prep races that we have ever had and we had tremendous confidence in his ability to excel at the distances of a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half. We look forward to this next stage of his career as a sire and creating the next generation of racing stars."
Zayat said Eskendereya helped him bond with trainer Todd Pletcher.
I feel Todd and I developed an emotional touch, with our baby, Eskendereya, the common bond," Zayat said. "He thought the world of him and he expressed his feelings about how he could be a Triple Crown winner. The affection he had for the horse and the dreams he had for him, it was like we had lost a family member, God forbid. It was very painful. I kept text messaging Todd to keep his chin up. He said he knew he had to focus on the Derby, but it wasn't going to be the same. He sent me a text after the Derby and said, 'Sorry, I couldn't win it for you.'
"The scary part is that the horse was getting better. He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Todd and I discussed every other possibility before concluding that retirement was the only option and the right decision to protect Eskendereya's health. This will probably take me a very long time to get over, but I am comforted by the fact that I will have the chance to see his offspring follow in his racing footsteps.
"We are excited about the future and are confident that he will continue to thrill the racing world by siring the best future progeny. Mr. Jackson is the perfect partner for such a beloved horse and I look forward to working with him as he has proven to be a true sportsman and a credit to our industry. He has tried to create the best breed and bring back the legacy of American racing. He has over 100 broodmares and I have 50, all top broodmares. Between us we are trying to bring stamina back in racing, not just speed. It's very important that I'm staying in, both emotionally and financially."
Jackson said: "I am extremely pleased to partner with Zayat Stables in ownership of this magnificent Thoroughbred. Eskendereya is best of class and his progeny will only add to his legacy and that of American racing."
Zayat pointed out that Eskendereya has run the fastest Beyer (109) as a 3-year-old, with a Ragozin speed figure of 2½ and a Thoro-graph number of negative 3. Eskendereya dominated the Fountain of Youth Stakes by 8½ lengths. No horse has won the Fountain of Youth by such a distance since Spectacular Bid's 8½ length win in 1979.
Eskendereya, which is Arabic for the city Alexandria, was bred in Kentucky by Sanford R. Robertson. He retires with four victories from six starts, with one second, for earnings of $725,700.
(This article first appeared on Bloodhorse.com.)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
New York City police horse honored
ATTA BOY!
New York Police Horse Honored for Role in Foiling Bomb Plot
by: Tracy Gantz THE HORSE
May 06 2010, Article # 16306
Miggs, the 15-year-old police horse who was one of the first responders to the failed bombing of New York's Times Square, on May 5 received carrots, apples, and cupcakes for his heroic efforts, according to the website dnainfo.com.
Miggs and his New York Police Department human partner, Officer Wayne Rhatigan, responded to street vendors about the suspicious Nissan Pathfinder parked in Times Square May 1. Rhatigan noticed smoke coming from the car, called for backup, and helped keep people out of the area.
New York City officials honored many for their efforts in the incident, including Rhatigan; his NYPD partner, Pam Duffy; NYPD's Bomb Squad; and their bomb-sniffing dogs.
"Usually horses are afraid and run where there's smoke," Rhatigan told dnainfo.com. "But Miggs did what he was supposed to do. He's proven to be a bomb-proof horse."
The horse has been part of the NYPD mounted unit for five years, and Rhatigan has partnered him the entire time. Miggs is named for a fallen Staten Island police officer
New York Police Horse Honored for Role in Foiling Bomb Plot
by: Tracy Gantz THE HORSE
May 06 2010, Article # 16306
Miggs, the 15-year-old police horse who was one of the first responders to the failed bombing of New York's Times Square, on May 5 received carrots, apples, and cupcakes for his heroic efforts, according to the website dnainfo.com.
Miggs and his New York Police Department human partner, Officer Wayne Rhatigan, responded to street vendors about the suspicious Nissan Pathfinder parked in Times Square May 1. Rhatigan noticed smoke coming from the car, called for backup, and helped keep people out of the area.
New York City officials honored many for their efforts in the incident, including Rhatigan; his NYPD partner, Pam Duffy; NYPD's Bomb Squad; and their bomb-sniffing dogs.
"Usually horses are afraid and run where there's smoke," Rhatigan told dnainfo.com. "But Miggs did what he was supposed to do. He's proven to be a bomb-proof horse."
The horse has been part of the NYPD mounted unit for five years, and Rhatigan has partnered him the entire time. Miggs is named for a fallen Staten Island police officer
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