nj-horse.com

Teen riders are champions

By KRISTY DAVIES • Courier-Post Staff

WATERFORD — Pounding hooves, flying dirt and racing hearts are why three local teens compete in an equestrian sport across the country.

Janis Reader, 14, of Berlin Township; Dominique Abrams, 16, and Noelle Brown, 15, both of Waterford, are champions with the U.S. Team Penning Association and will be competing in the national finals in Amarillo, Texas, this week .


                                   Noelle Brown (back to front), Janis Reader and Dominique
                                   Abrams practice their riding at Bit By Bit Stables in Elmer.

A lack of horse sense

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Two years ago, New Jersey became the first state to adopt comprehensive regulations on the humane treatment of livestock. Now a disturbing case from South Jersey shows the Agriculture Department and other agencies need to do more to make sure the regulations are effective.

World Games 2010 Foundation Selects Director of Hospitality Programs

LEXINGTON, KY - The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that Mrs. Kim Bennett has been selected as Director of Hospitality Programs for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

As Director of Hospitality Programs, Mrs. Bennett will oversee the planning, design, sales and execution of the 2010 Games VIP hospitality program. Mrs. Bennett will also have shared responsibilities in other areas of hospitality management surrounding the Games, including working with catering companies and specialty functions that may be developed ahead of and during the event.

Alternatives in Cancer Treatment

Cancer. (sigh) No one is exempt. This article spotlights a special local horse, owner and their journey to an alternative treatment.
Judy H is a Woodland Township resident and enjoys the company of her two horses Lark & Quincy. Lark is a lovely mare in her golden years enjoying the life of leisure at home and on social rides with ‘friends. Quincy is a strapping Arab cross, gelding, around 10-11 years old and is Judy’s partner on the competitive trail and endurance circuit. Quincy and Judy found each other approximately 4 years ago, and like all great teams, developed a system that has proved solid and effective in competition. They have competed successfully in 25, 30 and 50 mile rides. Judy’s commitment to his training is expansive including a distance conditioning program, dressage training for rider and mount balance, as well as social rides with friends for Quincy’s relaxation. He has huge potential and is a happy, willing, sensitive fellow.   Side note: Quincy is gray.
Gray horses are prone to cancerous lumps on various parts of their bodies sometimes benign and sometimes malignant.
Quincy had developed melanomas on his ear, shoulder and the underside of his tail. Judy sought the advice of specialists along with treatment options. The tumor on his ear proved to be an occupational hazard. The bridle naturally placed pressure on it and caused him discomfort. Treatment options were few:
·         Surgically remove all – very costly – it is likely that as he ages he will develop others (approx $1500 to $3000 per procedure)
·         Drug therapy – very costly – unstable rate of efficacy. (approx $500 for 24 days of medication)
·         Create a vaccine from the tumor and administer – most cost effective – least conclusive results – newest treatment option. ($1500 for the extraction of tumor material and creation of the vaccine)
·         Do nothing – no cost – no treatment – no rate of efficacy
Judy decided to have a vaccine created from material in Quincy’s tumors. Equine Melanoma Autogenous Vaccine in West Chester PA is the lab that creates such vaccines and created Quincy’s. Just as allergy injection serum is specific to an individual’s allergic reaction from injection testing, Quincy’s vaccine was made and designed specifically from the materials in his tumors. The collection, storage, transportation, etc have such extremely stringent protocols, that everyone involved from the veterinary facility where the tumor material is collected, to the lab that creates the vaccine, is on alarm from start to finish to be sure that the entire process occurs as it should to ensure purity of environment and optimum product viability.
Quincy initially receives a vaccine injection every other week for 6 weeks, then one injection every 12 weeks until there is no more vaccine left. The amount of vaccine is based on the amount of tumor material extracted. Quincy has had three injections so far. Judy feels that the tumor on his ear has reduced in size. She has also been able to creatively alter his bridle rigging so that his ear is no longer irritated. Result data is limited at this point, but Judy and Quincy are part of a larger picture that may change that in the future. They aren’t taking the path most traveled. Instead, they are part of a process that will leave behind a new trail for others.

Quincy and Judy lost this year of competition to diagnosis and treatment of Quincy’s melanomas. They hope to be back… large and in charge… to compete in a 50-mile event in October. We wish them the best of luck with Quincy’s treatment and this upcoming event. GO GET ‘EM! Happy trails. EK

2008 New Jersey HorseXpo

New Jersey HorseXpo is at the gate…

Get ready for the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce’s third annual HorseXpo, the only one of its kind in New Jersey!

Meagan McKee Named New Jersey 4-H Equestrian of the Year

By Jane Meggitt

Meagan McKee, of Blairstown, N.J. was named 4-H State Equestrian of the Year during opening ceremonies at the New Jersey state 4-H show, held Aug. 24 to 26 at the Horse Park of New Jersey.

Horse ownership is a luxury these days

BY TERRY JESTER
For The Coloradoan

If you’re thinking about going out and adopting or buying a horse, please consider this first: Other than the fixer-upper house, there is nothing more likely to suck money out of your pockets than a horse.

If you’ve got both time and money, maybe a horse is for you. But, if you’re short on either, it’s best to skip the cowboy/cowgirl phase and leave it to those with the necessary requirements.

How to Check Vital Signs

When you suspect colic, you'll need to be able to give your horse's vital signs -- temperature, pulse and gut sounds -- to your vet. We'll tell you how to gather this vital information.

By Karen Hayes, DVM, MS

When you suspect colic and call your vet, she'll need to know your horse's vital signs. Here's how you get accurate readings for temperature, pulse and gut sounds.

                                    Determining your horse's vital signs
                                    will help you and your vet gauge your
                                    horse's health.

When to Blanket Your Horse in Winter

Use this handy checklist to decide if it's time to offer your horse a little extra warmth this winter with a blanket.

By Melissa Hower-Moritz, Ph.D.

Some horses are happy in all but the most bitter temperatures, while others shiver on the first cold night of fall. To figure out if your horse needs a blanket, answer the following yes-or-no questions. A "yes" answer to any one means your horse would appreciate a little extra insulation.


                                       Knowing when to blanket your horse
                                       can help keep him comfortable through
                                       inclimate weather.
                                       Photo by Darrell Dodds

How To Teach Your Horse to do a Half Pass

If your horse can take a few steps sideways to do a full-pass you are ready to start teaching it to do a half-pass. Half-passes teach obedience that is useful both on trail and in the show ring. It’s best to work in a fenced ring or an arena as this provides straight lines to guide you.