Category Archives: Breeds

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Racing, Racing Sources

AQHA Studies Clenbuterol Abuse, Recommends Action

Leave a comment

The American Quarter Horse Journal, December 3, 2010 – Veterinary medical professionals and horsemen gathered at the American Quarter Horse Association’s annual racing conference on November 18 in New Orleans to consider the use – and misuse – of drugs and medications in racehorses. Topics included laboratory testing and procedures, out-of-competition and pre-race examinations, therapeutic and illegal medications, joint injections, acceptable threshold levels and withdrawal time, zero-tolerance policies, public education and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

Once the panelists and attendees started talking, the discussion focused primarily – indeed, almost exclusively – on clenbuterol.

Approved for veterinary use in horses with allergic respiratory disease and for medical use in humans with asthma, clenbuterol acts as a bronchodilator. The problem, however, is how the drug is being misused – both in horses and humans: While it is not an anabolic steroid, clenbuterol has some of the same effects, increasing muscle mass and enhancing performance.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12657

Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Racing, Racing Sources

First Down Dash Dies at Age 26

Leave a comment

The American Quarter Horse Journal – American Quarter Horse racing’s most prolific stallion, First Down Dash, died on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, at Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, California. He was 26.

“He lay down and went to sleep peacefully. He was missing Scoop and his sunflower seeds,” said Bonnie Vessels, referring to her late husband, Frank “Scoop” Vessels.

Dr. Ed Allred, the sport’s all-time leading breeder, released the following statement: “First Down Dash is unquestionably the greatest stallion of all time. No horse has had the influence of the great First Down Dash. He was an amazing horse. He was a sire of sires. What an incredible and great career… he was in one word ‘amazing.’”

The stallion was laid to rest at Vessels Stallion Farm on November 26. Bonnie Vessels said that First Down Dash was quietly eating hay in his stall when observed by ranch manager Kevin Dickson at 1 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. Three hours later, the night man observed First Down Dash taking his last breath.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12652

Associations/Breeds, Awards, Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Racing Sources, Western/Reining

AQHA: World Show Wrap-Up

1 Comment

The American Quarter Horse Journal – The American Quarter Horse Association crowned 94 world champions in Oklahoma City during the Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show November 6-20.

AQHA world champions received a prize package that included a Montana Silversmiths sterling-silver buckle with 14-karat gold overlay, a neck wreath, custom-designed gold-tone trophy, specially designed and logoed Cripple Creek jacket, medallion, a pair of smooth ostrich Techno Crepe Justin Boots, Professional’s Choice products, 100 pounds of Nutrena feed as well as a cash prize.

Meet each of our newly crowned AQHA world champions, and learn more about their accomplishments at www.aqha.com/worldshow.

AQHA also recognized some of the top competitors at the World Show, including the Farnam Superhorse, the Oklahoma Leading Owner and the Farnam All-Around Amateur.

Continue reading AQHA: World Show Wrap-Up →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Wild Horse Sources

Speak Up to Protect Cloud’s Herd

1 Comment
Part of Bolder's band including Cloud's grandson Echo, a target for removal in 2011.

Billings BLM Wants to Drug & Further Destroy Historic Herd – Send Letters by Wednesday, Dec. 1st

Dear Friends of Cloud, his family and herd;
Please take a few minutes out of what is a very busy time to year on behalf of Cloud, his family and herd in the beautiful Pryor Mountains of Montana.

We are asking you to comment on the BLM’s Preliminary Assessment, which would allow for five years of infertility drug use (2011-2015) on potentially every mare on the mountain over the age of one! Right now, 54 Pryor mares are currently on infertility drugs, 40 of them on a multi-year drug, PZP-22. Comments are due in writing by December 1st via mail to the Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101 or by fax at (406) 896-5281, or by e-mail to info@thecloudfoundation.org where we will fax your comments for you. You can also use the free computer fax service online here. If you email your comments to us, please try to do so by 2 pm MST on December 1st so we will have time to fax them in before BLM closes at 4:30 pm.

You can read the BLM’s proposal online here. Then click on “Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range Fertility Control Preliminary Environmental Assessment”.

Continue reading Speak Up to Protect Cloud’s Herd →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Rescue/Protection Sources

Midwest Ranchers Find Gold in Nevada’s Wild Horses

3 Comments

by Valerie James-Patton

November 19, 2010 – A two sentence article appearing in the Nevada Ely Times, November 3, 2010, only stated that “Chairman of the Governor’s Wildlife Commission, Scott Raine of Eureka, has designated a new Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners’ Feral Horse Committee “consisting of” what Raine calls “five of the foremost experts on the issue of feral horses in the State of Nevada.” The Chairman is Mike Stremler and members Commissioner Hank Vogler, Wayne Hage, George Parman and Floyd Rathbun.”

The title of the article was “Wildlife Commission subcommittee to oversee wild horse issues”, which begs the question: which horses and what issues?  More importantly, what is the purpose of this committee and what is the goal regarding feral horses?

With no information available on this committee on the internet, a quick search on the committee “experts” revealed rather startling information, although nothing that appeared to qualify these men at experts on wild or feral horses.

Continue reading Midwest Ranchers Find Gold in Nevada’s Wild Horses →

Art/Photography, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Wild Horse Sources

Freedom Fund Benefit Auction

1 Comment
Stallion painting by David Gonzales

Dear Supporters,
The Cloud Foundation’s “Freedom Fund Benefit Auction” is now underway with many beautiful pieces of artwork as well as an exclusive wine tasting/tour at Durell Vineyards and more! Thank you to all who donated items to this auction and thank you for looking. The bidding ends Friday at 6pm MST. Please call the Cloud Foundation office at 719-633-3842 with any questions. Click here to visit the online auction and learn more about America’s wild horses and what you can do to protect them.

Introducing the Cloud Collection of Pendants

Photographer Deb Little created a wonderful set of eight glass pendants featuring Cloud and other horses of the Arrowhead Mountains. These exclusive pendants make wonderful presents for horse lovers of all ages and are available on handmade horsehair necklaces (no horses were harmed of course).

"The Defender" Cloud fine art print by Deb Little

Check out the new collection today!

The Cloud Foundation

107 South 7th St

Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Training/Clinics

Stable Scoop Episode 117 by Omega Alpha – The Amazing Ivory Pal and the CHA

2 Comments

Meet Ivory Pal, the bit-less barefoot Tennessee Walker, and find out why he has become a sensation. Plus, we hear from Christy Landwehr all about the Certified Horsemanship Association and Kathleen tells us she is only eight days away from finishing her cross country ride. You won’t believe where she wants to finish the ride.

Stable Scoop Episode 117 – Show Notes and Links:

_____________________________________
Listen, Download or Subscribe:

listennow125

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Events, JRPR

Miniature Horse Shows Off High Jumping Skills and Gets Crowd on Their Feet during Opening Ceremonies at Syracuse Invitational

2 Comments
An American Miniature Horse named Royal Oaks Impressive Rolex showed off his jumping skills during the opening ceremony of the Syracuse Invitational Sport Horse Tournament. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Himlin)

Syracuse, NY (November 12, 2010) – A tiny American Miniature Horse named Royal Oaks Impressive Rolex showed off his jumping skills in a big way during the opening ceremony of the Syracuse Invitational Sport Horse Tournament. Rolex, owned by Stephanie Himlin of New York, is a five-year-old gelding that is registered with the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR).

“This was the second year that Rolex took part in the opening ceremony and people remembered him from last year and it was a great success. The opening was a real crowd pleaser and people were going nuts,” Himlin said.

Rolex had big hooves to fill, as he performed in front of Olympic horses from all over the world. “Rolex did the opening act on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and was also in the Parade of Breeds. We did one jump to get the crowd on their feet and then we stood by the military and the gentleman who played the anthem on his trumpet,” Himlin said. “It really was beautiful. As soon as the trumpet ended, they introduced us and then the first Olympic horse entered.”

Continue reading Miniature Horse Shows Off High Jumping Skills and Gets Crowd on Their Feet during Opening Ceremonies at Syracuse Invitational →

*Featured/Spotlights, Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, JRPR, World Equestrian Games

Hackney Ponies Added to the Excitement at the World Equestrian Games

Leave a comment
Lieutenant Dan, a Hackney Pony owned by Georgia Blevins, gave a high stepping, action packed driving demonstration at the WEG. (Photo by JRPR)

Lexington, KY (November 9, 2010) – Early Edition, a high stepping Hackney Pony, took part in a driving demonstration at the Equine Village at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, much to the delight of the crowd who gathered around to find out more about the glamorous, eye-catching Hackney. Early Edition, owned by T. J. and Georgia Blevins of Blevins Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is an American and Canadian National Champion Hackney Pleasure Pony.

Blevins said she was thrilled to be asked to perform a demonstration with Early Edition at the World Equestrian Games and was pleased that so many people were introduced to the breed. In addition to winning the Canadian National Champion Pleasure Pony title in 2009, the flashy Hackney, who is trained by Matt Schuckert of Debonaire Stables, also won the Championship at the Indianapolis Charity Horse Show in 2010.

Early Edition was bred by Bent Tree Farms of Virginia and started his career as a Road Pony, becoming the 2002 World Champion Four-Year-Old Road Pony Champion. Under the ownership of the late Jane Mueller, Early Edition switched to the Pleasure Pony division where in 2006 he became the World Grand Champion Pleasure Pony.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12521

Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Fundraisers, Racing

After the Finish Line Thoroughbred Racehorse Rescue Funding Non-Profit

Leave a comment

“The greatest victory for a Thoroughbred is not winning a race, but winning the race to live long past their days on the racetrack.”

You may have watched today’s Breeders’ Cup races. This select group of horses represents the fastest Thoroughbreds not only in the United States, but in the world. After the Finish Line congratulates these champions who provide all of us with a thrill of a lifetime.

Let’s not forget about the thousands of other racehorses who race with the will to win but do not have successful racing careers. There are other opportunities we can provide for them. After the Finish Line is dedicated to helping these ex-racehorses transition and excel in a second career.

Read about our dedication to the Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in After the Finish Line’s November newsletter, http://afterthefinishline.org/newsletter.htm. Please forward this message to your friends who are interested in helping the Thoroughbreds.

Continue reading After the Finish Line Thoroughbred Racehorse Rescue Funding Non-Profit →