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Article by Robert M. Miller, DVM

SADDLE UP COBB NEWSLETTER

"We Have Passion For Horses"
Club Info:770-919-2944 / Website: www.saddleupcobb.org
President: Leah Urben 770-425-6862; leahchiro@aol.com
Newsletter: Jennifer LaGessie 256-435-9085; jlagessie@gmail.com
Webpage Administrator: Sue Crane 404-312-9623; suecrane@mac.com
Novermber 2008
SADDLE UP MEETING: 7pm, Thursday, November 6th at the CHEATHAM HILL CLUB at 3702 Barrett Parkway,
Marietta.
CHRISTMAS PARTY: Saddle Up will have the annual Christmas potluck party, Saturday, December13th at
6PM. The party will be held at the home of Sally Tomason which is located at 101 Bob Fleming Rd, Marietta. Saddle
Up Cobb will provide appetizers, the main entree, nonalcoholic beverages, and dessert. Everyone is asked to bring a
side dish such as veggie, salad, potato, rice, macaroni and cheese, etc. (Don’t forget a serving utensil for your dish!)
There will be an optional gift exchange. Please keep the gift value around $15. Please RSVP to Leah Urben
leahchiro@aol.com if you can make it!
WEB PICTURES: Now that fall has arrived, be sure to send in some new colorful horsey pictures to Sue Crane to
put on the Saddle Up Cobb web site. Sue, as you know, is the web administrator of the Saddle Up web site and she
has many wonderful pictures of Saddle Up members on the gallery. New members as well please send in a picture of
you and your horse for Sue to post! Sue’s email is: suecrane@mac.com.
IMPORTANT BITS
WELCOME NEW MEMBER: Bill Hagemann - PO Box 4322 Marietta, GA 30061. Bill was referred to the club by the
Cherokee Saddle Club. He enjoys trail riding. He is a Cobb County native, graduated from Marietta High and UGA Ag
school. Bill is “in the land business” at Fidelity Land Service. Bill states: “We sell land in NW GA. I have noticed that
many horse people are choosing to move out into the counties we serve (Bartow, Gordon, Chattooga, Dawson, Polk,
Floyd). My interest is in connecting with the horse loving community and perhaps having an opportunity to sell land to
people looking for farms. Our website is www.georgiafarmandforest.com. Please take a look when you have a
moment.” Bill’s office is in Marietta - 770-424-6366; bill@fidelity-land.com; www.fidelity-land.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: November 14th June Flood
ANNUAL HELEN GA TRIP: Saddle Up had its annual trip to Helen GA the weekend of October 17th. Leaves were just
starting to turn and we had nice crisp riding weather. Everyone had safe riding with the only incidence being a few
riders unfortunate enough to encounter bees....escaping fortunately with no major injuries. Abby Parks cooked for the
group and as usual, it was delicious. Friday night we had shrimp and cheese grits and Saturday night port roast and
vegetables. Attendees thank you immensely Abby for working so hard!
HOOF CLINIC: Annual Georgia Natural Horse and Hoof care clinic - Suches, GA - December 6th and 7th. Todd
Jaynes will teach this his is a 2 day clinic which will include many topics including hoof anatomy, trimming practices,
horses diet and environment and a live hoof trimming demo. For clinic details and more info about Todd, check out
Todd’s web site at: http://naturalhoofcare.net/clinicmainpage.htm.
KEMO TRAIL WORKDAYS: 2nd Saturday of every month, 8:30am. Parking at the park is available outside
the service area up the hill to the right past the Superintendent’s office at the back of the Visitor Center Parking Lot.
Work generally starts by 9:00 AM and finishes before 12:30 PM with workers back at the service area no later than
1:30 PM.
Meet for breakfast at 7AM at I-HOP in the shopping center on the North East Corner of Barrett Parkway and U.S. 41
at 7:00 AM. All are welcome!
BACK COUNTRY HORSEMAN MEETING: November 12th, 7:30. Topic will be the FOREST
SERVICE CLOSURE OF TRAILS/Equestrian Access in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (CONF). Learn
how the Forest Service plans to manage the closure of user created trails. The speakers will be Mr. George Bain, Forest
Supervisor, Mr. Jimmy Gaudry, Dispersed Recreation Program Manager for CONF, and Karen McKensie, Public
Affairs Officer for CONF. The topic will be. Please plan to attend and urge all concerned trail riders to be at this
meeting at the Bobcat Den, behind Gilmer County/Appalachian Community Bank.
Directions to the Bobcat Den: From Hwy 515 at the Hardee’s red light in Ellijay, (coming from the So.) Go left, then
make an immediate left on Industrial Blvd., go approx. 1/4 mi. and turn right into Appalachian Community/Gilmer
County Bank. The Bobcat Den is a chalet-style building around behind the bank to the left.
HORSEMANSHIP GET-AWAY : November 7-10 - Bell Bottom Farms, Cedar Hill Tennessee. A four day
weekend of Natural horsemanship Team taught by Betsy Moles (www.betsymoles.com) and Marianna Cramer
(www.bridgethegap4horses.homestead.com). Focusing on the four basic areas of horsemanship: online ground work,
off line or round penning, casual riding leading to bridles, and collection.
Cost is $400 for the weekend and this includes: Clinic fees, lodging, food for you and a pen for your horse! Clinic will
be set up with a group session in the morning and the option of a private session in the afternoon or another group
session in the afternoon. Booking will be handled by Nicole Reynolds. She can be reached by e-mail at
imnicoler@alltel.net or phone at (678) 910-7731
TACK SALE: The Cherokee County Saddle Club is having a tack sale Saturday, November 1st from 10 AM - 3
PM. The sale will benefit Garland Mt. horse trails. Set up will be in the parking lot at Tractor Supply, 860 E
Cherokee Dr. Canton, GA (770) 704-8011. You may rent a space for $10. Bring your own tables, chairs and other
horse related items to set up. Email your space requests to: mswhinney@juno.com. Food available from the
American Legion. Become a member of CCSC $20.00 single $25.00 family. Membership applications will be
available! For more information contact: Tamma Trump at 770 655-0819 or visit their website at
www.cherokeesaddleclub.com.
November 2008 Equestrian Trail Workdays
By Larry Wheat
For all workdays, wear sturdy shoes or boots; bring work gloves, bug spray, lunch or energy snacks, and plenty of
drinking water. (Lunch not needed for Kennesaw standard monthly events as they finish around 1:00 p.m.) Please
remember SAFETY as you work on any of the trails. Directions to the work meeting location are available from the
listed contact person(s) or optionally from Larry Wheat (l.wheat@mindspring.com). The USFS-Conasauga Ranger
District, NPS, and CTHA provide work tools for their events. CCSC provides trail tools except loppers. Please
register with the contact person prior to the event.
USFS - Conasauga Ranger District: Larry Thomas - 706-695-6736, X103 or lrthomas@fs.fed.us. November 15 (Saturday).
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Dally Gap. This is the annual Penitentiary Branch Trail erosion control maintenance event, in the Cohutta
Wilderness. Horses and hikers needed and welcome. Bring your lunch and plenty of water.
Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association (CTHA): Diane Ayres - 770-653-1139 or dmayres@alltel.net. November 1 (Saturday).
Meet at the Frady Branch parking lot. This will be a "clip 'n ride" event. Bring your horse, hand clippers, hand saws and packed
lunch for a day of working on the trails from the back of your horse. Arrive in time to ride out no later than 10:00 am.
Garland Mountain Horse & Hike Trails, Cherokee County Saddle Club (CCSC): Cindy Young - 770-517-9550 or
Cdingodog1@aol.com. November 8 (Saturday-morning and afternoon options). 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Trail construction in both
a.m. and p.m. Brush trimming planned only in morning session. Bring loppers or small saw if you plan to trim.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, NPS, Kennesaw Mountain Trail Club (KMTC): Jim Moylan - 770-356-4265 or
www.kemotrailcorps.org. November 8 (Saturday) 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Service Center behind the Visitor Center. Option: Call first
to see if they are working on equestrian trails.Ongoing maintenance at Jacks River Fields campground. Check website for latest
trail work days.Check the website for latest trail improvement events. Work planned in Oconee National Forest.
Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia (BCHNG): Melinda Towe 706-455-2921 or Melinda@LauraJRay.com or
www.bchng.org. Ongoing maintenance at Jacks River Fields campground. Check website for latest trail work days
Back Country Horsemen of Middle and South Georgia (BCHSG): Tina Maddox Owen - 706-319-0239 or francis@athens.net or
www.bchsg.org. Check the website for latest trail improvement events. Work planned in Oconee National Forest.
C L A S S I F I E D S
FOR SALE: horse - 4YO paint filly w/minimal color. Sweet disposition, good ground manners, loads, easy to ride, very willing to do
whatever you want. Excellent health up to date on all shots and worming. $1000 includes tack. If interested contact Brandy Godfrey
bgodfrey08@hotmail.com or call Tamma Trump at 770 655-0819.
FOR SALE: horse - 4YO QH paint (solid), sweet, good ground manners, sweet disposition, easy to ride & take care of. Health
good, UTD on all vaccinations, etc. $1000 w/ tack included. Email for photos. Email: mswhinney@juno.com
FOR SALE: horse - 8YO mare, 14.1hh, great w/older kids, hauls easy, clips great, easy to pick up hooves, wash, and an all-around
easy keeper. Knows leads, jumps 4 ft., great on trail rides. Sadly out grown by 15 yr old girl. Becky: 678 764 8662. Located in
Dahlonega area of Nth GA
FOR SALE: horse - 18YO dk bay mare - would make an excellent lesson horse, brood mare or could be tuned up to go back in
the show ring - has Open WP points w/AQHA; totally sound to ride or for breeding. Has been a brood mare for past 4 years; very
attractive, beautiful head, nice top line, no vices. $1,500 OBO. Email: flashy1@bellsouth.net
FOR SALE: horse - Reg. QH, tobiano-paint w/lots of white. 2YO around 800 lbs, 15hh. Has been ridden. $500. Rydal, GA. Call
Franklin Stephens at 770 382 1173.
FOR SALE: horses - 1.Poca: APHA mare,15.2hh,13YO, trails, loads, utd, stands for farrier. Very flashy horse Yellow dun. $2,000;
2. Crystal: 15hh, 15YO, mare, good trail horse, loves to swim, been used for lessons, loads, utd, stands for farrier. $1,000; 3. Lil
Black: 12.2hh, 6YO pony mare, been on a few trails, used for lessons, and used for pony rides at my yearly hoe downs, loads, utd,
can jump, will go western or English. $600. Located in Gainesville, GA; Mitsy Merritt: solosmister@bellsouth.net
FOR SALE: horses - Anyone interested in the following horses can contact Sharon Creek at 404-457-1264 or 770-266-7532.
1. TB mare, 15 YO, 16+hh, chestnut; elegant and feminine in type; multiple time champion in the hunter ring, and has evented
through training level; has jumped 4 foot with no problem, loves dressage and has beautiful self carriage; rides in a happy mouth
loose rein snaffle, and is calm and well mannered. $5,000. 2. registered branded merit Holsteiner mare, 4YO, 15.3hh (vet
believes she will mature to between 16hh to16.2hh); green broke, loves trail riding, knows walk, trot, canter; teddy bear
personality; will need some training due to greenness. Experienced riders or people willing to put her in a training program only;
fantastic jumping bloodlines. $3,000.
FOR SALE: horses - 1. Black and white paint gelding, 15.2hh, approx. 5 to 6YO. UTD on teeth, feet, shots and coggins. Extremely
sweet and good looking. loves attention. $1,800 firm 2. paint gelding, 15.3hh, approx. 6YO, handsome, awesome on trails, very
sweet, a real good boy, no vices, no health issues. $2,500. Approved home - references will be checked. Horses located in FL.
Call 561-758-8926
FOR SALE: donkeys - 2 gelded donkeys - one mini 3YO and one standard, but very small, 10YO. They must be maintained on
small eaten down pasture, both have foundered in the past. The mini is very friendly, the 10YO is shy, but well mannered once
caught. Both are grey with the cross on their back. $300 for both, will not separate. Deborah Dickinson 706-337-4257 evenings.
Jasper, GA.
FOR SALE: pot belly pig babies - born October 21st, 4 boys and 3 girls. Adorable little piggy babies. Well socialized - played with
daily and raised around other animals. Will be weaned and ready to go December 2nd. $50. Located in Jacksonville, AL (20 min
from GA line) but can meet in Dallas or Marietta. Can email pics. Email Jennifer at jlagessie@gmail.com or 256-435-9085.
FOR SALE - saddle - Aussie saddle; Kimberly Series “The Trailmaster” from Downunder Saddle. $300. Janaye Harmon
janaye.la.4u@gmail.com or678-333-1899.
FOR SALE - saddles: English Saddles: Klimke Dressage, 17 ½ W. $750.00, Almost New Duett Aria Dressage. 18” $900.00,
Passier Grand Gilbert, recently reflocked. $900.00, Crump 17 ½ Standard $200.00. Bates Wintec 2,000 all purpose, cair panels,
changeable gullet system, 17 ½ $350.00, Stubben Dressage. Standard 16 ½ $200.00. Passier Grand Gilbert 17 ½ R $750.00;
Western Saddles: National Bridle Endurance Gaited Horse Saddle. 17/12-18” great condition $750.00, Simco Roping Saddle
16”, like new. $650.00, Wintec Western 15” $275.00, Saddle King Synthetic, matching breastcollar, girth, pad, 16”$275.00, Action
Co. synthetic , 17”, $250.00, Cashel treeless cushion. 175.00 - Contact Sandi Forester at: sandiforester@bellsouth.net.
FOR SALE - saddle - 15.5 Tucker Equitation Endurance Saddle, wide tree, great shape, comes w/a brand new American Saddlery
Bridle, Rope Reins and a Wool Saddle pad. $850 OBO. Call or email for more information and pictures. Christina:
spotnnotfarm@bellsouth.net or 770-605-6753
FOR SALE - trailer - Aluminum Featherlite 2 horse, gooseneck, SL, Weekender LQ, cowboy shower VGC $10,500, Email: sale-
877663977@craigslist.org
FOR SALE - trailer -. 1997 Baron HB Brenderup (two horse); great condition; weighs 950 lbs; can be pulled by any 6 cylinder light
weight vehicle, great on your gas mileage! $9500 Becky -(404)355-1698
FOR SALE - trailer - 2001 CM semi LQ 3h slant load; drop down windows on head side and bus windows on butt side. Wood floor
with rubber mats. LQ has screen door, rooftop ac, shelves w/some cabinet space; mounted coffee pot, microwave, and a toaster
oven; antenna installed for TV; mounted tv stand. Asking 12,500. Mitsy Merritt 770 527 5307
FOR SALE - camper - Coachman 93or 94. It is a Catalina RK. Elec/ Gas 6.0 cubic ft refridg., gas oven/range. Gas heat.25 ft long.
Sleeps 5. Dinette seats 4. Roof AC. Excellent condition. Will include fifth wheel hitch and bed rails. Asking 5,000. Mitsy Merritt
770 527 5307
FOR SALE: Land- Northwest Georgia. Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker, Whitfield
Counties. Can divide tracts as small as 10 acres. www.georgiafarmandforest.com Bill Hagemann (770) 424-6366.
FOR SALE: hay - fescue$4.50 per bale. Located in Cumming, GA. Pick up in field. Call Mitsi for info at 770.527.5307
FOR LEASE - horse - seeking horse-lover with experienced intermediate riding skills who would enjoy riding my sweet tempered
TWH in a partial lease. 15YO, 15.2hh mare, extremely well mannered and educated Pirelli way. Beautiful brown/white roan paint.
Lovely and lively gaited 'walk' and gaited canter. Great 'Go' button and loves to please. Trail experienced, gentle, well - loved.
Riding would be on the property which includes a large pasture, large ring, and smaller pasture. Can use comfortable Wintec all
purpose saddle. $350 month. Barn is located off Clay Road in Austell. NO BEGINNERS!!!! Sensitive and responsive, accustomed
to being ridden some of the time with only halter, bridle when we do more of a 'work' workout. I just want some consistency for her
with my intermediate level of horsemanship. Please respond to Vicki at leightonvicki@yahoo.com or cell 678 485 98890
BOARD: Marietta/Kennesaw - Rebel Woods Ranch - direct access to Kennesaw Mnt trails as well as a 75’x150’ arena;15 acres of
manicured pastures; on-site trainer who is well experienced in Hunter/Jumper and some dressage; Looking for a well-behaved
gelding, no cribbing. $550 for full board stall. Discount given if horse can be used in lessons. Go to website for pics etc.:
www.rebelwoodsranch.com. Contact Jenny Fudge at jennyascott@mac.com or (404)276-3987.
BOARD: Full Board available in Powder Springs; private barn behind the West Cobb Avenues has one space for a boarder. 5
acres and 12x12 stalls. Fair amount of riding on property and just minutes from Cheatham Hill and Wildhorse Park. Very peaceful
and quaint. Board is $350-450 depending on arrangement. Contact heidalexiss@aol.com
BOARD: Pasture board w/stall available for one horse Hwy 92 near I-75. Riding trails behind barn. You provide feed & hay, we
feed twice daily. Lighted arena & round pen, hot & cold wash rack, trailer parking $250.00 per month. Call Jinnes 678/472-6655.
BOARD: 2 openings at Little Brook Farm. Small private adult barn with 9 stalls nestled in 30 acres of pasture. Access to hours of
trails and creeks. Manager is former Humane Agent with 30 years of equine care experience. We provide twice a day feeding (your
feed), daily pasture turn out, lighted arena, wash rack, restroom, trailer parking, no fee for blanketing and holding for Farrier or Vet.
Full or Partial Board available. Owner on site. Conveniently located just off 75 and 92 in Acworth. Contact Tamma Trump at
770-655-0819 or mswhinney@juno.com
FOR RENT: town house - 2br/2.5 BA townhouse w/ loft & amp; 1 car garage (Hiram/Dallas/West Cobb/East Paulding ) Several
upgrades and is only about 3 years old. Nice and quiet neighborhood. $975.Con
act:
FOR RENT: town house - Available Immediately in Darby's Crossing sub. off of Hwy 92 & Macland. Nice end unit, backs up to
woods, comes with all appliances including refrigerator, washer/dryer, microwave, dishwasher. Association fees covered in rent,
including lawn maint. Loft space for office, all upgrades including vaulted ceiling in Master BR, walk in closet, master BA has
double sinks, stand up shower & garden tub. A $500.00 deposit and 1st rent payment moves you in. Pets are welcome, no add'l
deposit needed. Contact: anon-862160399@craigslist.org
FOR RENT: house - Located on Puckett Road in Emerson, GA - easy access to I-75. 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch house w.full
basement on about 1.5 acres; small fenced area around a deck and about 10 mature blueberry bushes. $1,000 per month with
$1,000 deposit. Credit report and references required. Pasture board available for one horse on the adjacent 40 acres for $100
per month. Call Steve Hall: 770 833 3319
FOR RENT: house - house with pasture located in Gordon County available around mid-December; perfect for horse owners, or
anyone who likes country living. 2 bath, 2 bedrooms, secluded, modern kitchen, central heat and air. Barn and pastures. My 2
horses stay there. $800 plus utilities. Betsy: 770-548-0862
WANTED: Camp Director for Chukkar Farm. Looking for someone who lives in the Alpharetta area, adult, vast horsemanship,
self-motivated, outgoing/marketing personality, works well with kids as well as adults, and will work well as part of the Chukkar
team. This person needs to coordinate riding programs such as summer riding camps and holiday camps, help bring in regular
training lessons, etc. The farm offers trail riding, polo lessons/matches, ring/arena riding, Holy Cow Farm (petting farm), there are
too many amenities to list them all. There may be opportunity for the Camp Director to bring in their own horse(s) as well as an
opportunity to utilize an efficiency apartment next to the farm. Please look at the website to see how beautiful the property is at
www.chukkarfarmpoloclub.com. Jack can be reached via email at jackcashin@bellsouth.net.
WANTED: recommendations on someone that does quality fence work. Need to replace barbed wire pasture fencing with horse
wire fencing. Live in Woodstock north of Marietta. Kim Hampton 770-595-3060.
HOMES NEEDED: horses - looking for great homes for my 3 horses; willing to give them away to accomplish that. These are
quality horses and show material. 1. Lacey, 6YO bay homozygous pinto, double registered National Show Horse and 1/2 Arabian,
can be registered as 1/2 American Saddlebred. 16+hh, great to work with, loves people, smart and easy to train, has had only
minimal work, tons of potential, sire was Canadian Pinto Champion. 2. Mocha, 5YO solid chocolate Rocky Mt. x TB, very gentle
and easy going, loves to please, minimal training but very people oriented and smart, 16h. 3. Taz, registry eligible Arabian gelding,
bay with very long mane, extremely laid back and smart, easy to work with, has minimal training, loads of potential, sire was
champion racing Arabian and dam was a regional pleasure Arabian winner. Cannot reproduce but does still respond to mares
in heat-would require microsurgery at Vet school ($900-1,200) in order to be in close contact to mares. I would consider paying 1/2
the cost for this. Contact: Melda 404-374-4081
FREE: horse - to good home; 17YO registered Paint gelding, bay tovero 15.2hh. Great ground manners, would make a great
pasture mate or lead line horse, gets along with mares and geldings, loves people and other animals. Easy Keeper (grass and
hay), beautifully marked. Please call Linda Calahan 770 924-6298. Can email pics.
Possible closure of Bright Angel Trail/Grand Canyon National Park: (this article was written by Jerry Fruth, a
mule owner - This article has been shortened as it was very long!)
The National Park Service is making plans to close the historic Bright Angel Trail to the famous Grand Canyon Mules. The plan is
to rework the South Kaibab Trail and allow mule traffic to enter the Canyon there. As soon as work on the Kaibab Trail is
completed mules will no longer be allowed on the Bright Angel Trail. All of this is due to hikers wanting a trail they can hike on that
is "Well Maintained". The reason the Bright Angel trail is there at all and has always been highly maintained is because of none
other than the mules themselves. The National Park Service has heard this "Squeaky Wheel" (the hikers) and we know the
squeaky wheel gets the grease. The mules will be forced to take dudes down a trail that is much steeper, and will cause many
mules to have to retire before their time and the South Kaibab Trial is more treacherous, no place for the dudes that ride the Grand
Canyon Mules.
The Bright Angel Trail was originally built as a mining access trail for pack mules in 1891 by Ralph and Niles Cameron. They gave
up on mining and turned to tourist rides into the Canyon in the later part of the 1890's. Tourists riding mules into the Grand Canyon
has been going on every since.
Little does the tax payer know there are currently over 400 miles of inner canyon trails available to the hikers that livestock are not
permitted on. Now the hikers want the Bright Angel Trail. Originally all trails in the Grand Canyon were stock trails. Today only the
Bright Angel and the Kaibab Trails are allowed stock. Stock has been kicked off of the other trails one by one over the decades.
We have allowed it. It's time to speak-up. Some years back Western Mule Magazine heard they were fixing to shut down outside
stock to the Bright Angle and Kaibab Trails. When we brought it to your attention Western Mule Magazine readers made the
calls and wrote the letters to get that action stopped. Don't you think for a minute letters and phone calls won't cause another
meeting. Please don't lead yourself to believe the next person will and you don't need to, it's important that you do make the
contacts and express your opinion.
Department of the Interior: 1849 C Street North West Washington D.C. 20240/phone (202) 208-3100; National Park Service:
Director / Mary A. Bomar:1849 C Street North West, Washington D.C./phone (202) 208-6843; National Park Service:
Intermountain Regional Director Mike Snyder, 12795 Almeda Pkwy, Denver, Colorado 80225 / phone (303)969-2500
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Robert Miller is a very well known and respected vet, throughout the
country, and had published some very popular equine health and breeding
books.

By Robert M. Miller, DVM

The Nation was shocked when Barbaro broke down shortly after leaving the
gate at the Preakness. I saw the repaired fractures in TIME magazine.
What I think happened is that the sesamoid bone fractured, a common
injury. As a result, the fetlock collapses causing the pastern bone to
explode into multiple fragments, probably with the next stride or
two.The last time the general public was exposed to a racetrack tragedy
like this was when the great filly, Ruffian, fractured; the injury
eventually resulting in her death. The news media focuses on great
champions like these, but what most people don't realize is that such
injuries are relatively common occurrences in horse racing. Part of the
cause is that we have bred athletic power into our racing breeds far
exceeding what nature requires for the horse to survive in its natural
environment.

All wild horses need to do is outrun a
big cat. We have selectively bred for speeds that the anatomy of the
horse cannot always cope with. In addition, we train and race them long
before they are mature. The immature are often capable of spectacular
athletic performance. Every time I watch an Olympics and I see gymnasts
as young as 13, 14 or 15 years of age, I wince at the thought of the
damage I know is occurring to some of their bodies. I started a year of
gymnastics at17 years of age, and I wasn't very good, but I still
managed to do damage that manifested itself many years later.
Fortunately, I was drafted into the Army at 18, which ended my gymnastic
career.Half a century ago, when I was cowboying, "colts" were started at
four years of age or older.

Once in a while, one might be started as a three-year-old. Despite some
very hard work, barring accidents, those ranch horses were still sound
and working into their 20's. I'm not opposed to racing. It's a great
sport and has motivated mankind to produce truly great horse breeds. But
I am opposed to any practices which contribute to premature crippling of
otherwise healthy horses.Some years ago, the annual convention of the
American Association of Equine Practitioners (A.A.E.P.) was held in
Dallas. The same week, the national cutting horse futurities were being
held in nearby Fort Worth.
Three colleagues from Sweden told me that they wanted to see the cutting
horses.

So, one evening, after the day of scientific lectures had ended, I
accompanied the three Swedish vets to Fort Worth. After watching several
horses perform, the senior Swede, a professor from the vet school in
Upsula, Sweden, said, "This is incredible! It must take many years to
obtain such performance from a horse." "But," I answered, "this is a
futurity." "I do not understand this word," he said. "These are colts,"
I explained. "These are just three-year-olds. " He looked shocked,
turned to his companions and explained to them in Swedish and then said
to me in English, "I have only two comments: One, it must take great
skill to be able to train a horse to do this in so brief a time. And,
two, what is happening to their poor legs?"Today, we have all sorts of
futurities - reining, cutting, barrel racing, etc. I have tried many
times to get owners to postpone arduous training to give the colt a
chance to mature.

Most of the time, I was ignored. The lure of winning something or making
some money was too great to resist. My strategy when the owner insisted
on going ahead with training and/or competition that I felt was
premature was to say, "That's okay. You go ahead. What you are doing is
very good for my business."Why is it that the protests against
over-using young horses come primarily from the people who profit from
such abuse - the veterinarians? Is it because we best understand the
trauma being inflicted upon immature skeletons, joints, ligaments and
tendons? Just as I am not opposed to racing, if properly conducted, I am
not opposed to horse shows or competitive equine events.
Horse shows, like all livestock shows, were conceived of long ago to
"improve the breed". They were designed to demonstrate and reward the
people who were doing the best job of breeding, of selecting bloodstock,
and of creating superior bloodlines. Unfortunately, human nature, vanity
and greed have corrupted the horse show industry.We see grotesque
caricatures of the original character of each breed. Stock horses, the
working ranch breeds, are shown in Western Pleasure classes traveling in
a manner that would drive a working cowboy crazy. With lowered heads,
going in a downhill manner, these horses greatly magnify the forces
placed upon the forelimbs.

Once again, good for us vets. It produces income, but the horses suffer.
The wonderful Tennessee Walking Horse is shod and shown in distorted
gaits that can only be called "grotesque".If it weren't for the frequent
veterinary checks, which are mandatory, can you imagine how many
endurance racing horses would die because of their riders' consuming
desire to win? I remember the early endurance races. Saddlebred, with
surgically distorted tails, and gingered anuses, are exhibited with the
pupils of their eyes dilated with atropine. How many people who
sincerely consider themselves to be "horse lovers" wean foals at three
months of age, or even earlier, which nature never intended?How many
horses, a gregarious species, spend their lives locked in box stalls?
How many horses in the U.S.A, like so much of our human population, are
damaged healthwise by excessive nutrition? Such abuses exist in every
breed, every discipline, in every equine sport.

We need to step back and analyze what we are doing. One of my clients
was a prosperous, educated couple. They were very congenial, and they
owned three Quarter Horses. One day, they called me to come to their
home to worm their horses and check them over and booster their
vaccinations. When I arrived, I found only two horses, so I asked where
the third one was."Oh, he's in training as a reining horse, with
____________ " (a successful and notoriously brutal trainer who also
happened to be one of my clients). I said, "Oh, I see." Then the wife
said, "We know how cruel he is to the horses, but he wins!" I never felt
the same toward those people, again. This same trainer (he's been dead
for many years) once said to me, "Doc, why can't you guys cut the tails
on my horses? Why do you make me drive 300 miles round trip to get my
tails done?" He was referring to the illicit surgical paralyzing of the
tail, common in reining horses so they can't switch their tails. ALL of
the horses in his barn had their tails cut. I said, "Were you ever
beaten in a show by a horse that you knew had its tail cut?" "Oh sure,"
he said. "Lots of times." "Well," I told him, "I didn't cut the tail nor
did my partners. We won't do anything against the association rules."
This same guy, a world-class competitor, kept every horse in his barn on
Serpecil, a tranquilizer not approved by FDA for use in horses. I have
no idea where he got the drug, but somebody was selling it to him.I
believe that a conspiracy exists in the horse show industry. The
trainers are judges, and the judges are trainers. Too often, they
scratch each others' backs.

If Western Pleasure horses were shown as they were 50 or 60 years ago, a
good amateur could turn out a champion. But it takes a real pro to
produce the freaks seen in today's Western Pleasure classes. And, after
the horse goes back to the owner from the trainer and is no longer
winning, it has to go back to the trainer for a "tune-up". A few days
before I wrote this article, I got back from Bishop Mule Days, a unique
event I attend every year that has no equal anywhere in the world. I had
the pleasure of seeing Western Pleasure mules that WERE NOT "peanut
rollers". The trend began some years ago, but the mule people balked at
it and ruled it out.
GOOD FOR THEM! You see, to be a mule lover, you REALLY gotta love
horses!