Join the WEG 2010!

Would you like to participate in the World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky?

Everyone can participate by sponsoring a team! In fact, the Championship Driving Classes are being attended this year by David E. Suanders . David will be driving four-in-hand with his team of  USA bred Morgan Horses. He is one of many still in need of sponsors willing to volunteer services such as shoeing, stabling, and feeding for his world-class team. See their write-up on New England Morgan Horse Assoc. titled: Make Way for Morgans!

David did a great demo of his driving skills at the July 30th New England Morgan Horse Show in Northampton, Ma.     No one was left in doubt over David’s chances to win the WEG after witnessing his skillful maneuvering and flair for accuracy in tight turns. His horses quickly respond to his coaxing and push their own limits by maximizing their energetic efforts.  Northampton crowds were indeed delighted with such an exuberant four-in-hand, Morgan Team display.

If you can donate, by cash or services: http://blackprong.com/team/

coming next week: David’s videos from competition four-in-hand driving, on EQUI-TV.

Equi-Trivia Quiz! »« Videos you loved!

Videos you loved!

Bridleless Cross Country Pony & Rider

Back by popular demand! The most favored horse videos are back on EQUI-TV for this week. Thanks for your comments! Many of your favorite picks were actually our favorites too! The deeply moving and heart wrenching video: “Sound the Bugle” is tops for honoring the horse in battle. And for action, the jaw-dropping Metropolitan Mounted Police demo wins hands down and for the best horsemanship, too; imagine removing your saddle and going over jumps while carrying it on your arm. NO THANKS. And everyone loved watching John Lyons perform his miracle on the horse who wouldn’t walk over the tarp at last years Northeast Equine Expo. Our favorite? The adorable bridleless pony who takes his rider on a cross country gallop and does his clever tricks as well.

Thanks for watching and checking in on the Equi-TV page and for reading our website, volunteering information, and submitting such great articles!

Next month take the new Horse Trivia Quiz. Find out if you just “like” horses or if you are  a full-blown  horse addict!

Remember: For August: The first  EQUI-TRIVIA QUIZ

Join the WEG 2010! »« Working with the Local Sheriff Posse, by Steve Lock

Working with the Local Sheriff Posse, by Steve Lock

Photos:Volunteers with Yolo County Sheriffs Posse, California

When I was younger my focus was mainly in the area of Eventing. Shortly after the 9/11 attack, I joined our local Sheriff’s Mounted Posse. Being involved with the Sheriff’s Posse opened a whole new world for me with horses. I learned a lot more about desensitizing horses. I learned how valuable horses are as a search animal. As you can imagine, they provide a much larger field of view, they cover more ground and move faster, and they will alert you when there is something you need to check out. It may not be the person you are looking for, but then again, it may be. There are people who in recent years have started training horses to air scent, like some dogs do, and with good success. I spent about four years as a Training Officer with the Posse, and one year as President. I experienced many positive things I may never have had the opportunity to experience had I not been a volunteer with the Posse. I would encourage anyone wondering what to do with their horse, looking for something new to do with their horse, or who wants to serve their community to seriously consider joining their local Sheriff Posse if there is one, or if not, joining a Mounted Search and Rescue group. You and your horse will learn many new things, make some wonderful new friends, and have your lives enriched while you have great fun doing it. It is a very satisfying experience.
In addition to the Search and Rescue, as volunteers with the Sheriff’s Posse, we also rode in our local Christmas Parade each year with the Sheriff’s Department component. We patrolled the parking lots at our local county fair each year to deter break-ins and help people find their cars. We sat on our horses at the entry gates of the county fair and let people pet our horses, and answered the many questions they had about the horses and what work we performed. It was great fun for us, and great public relations for the Sheriff’s Department. We participated in Toys for Tots each December. As you may expect, we had training in many areas. A former San Francisco Mounted Policeman and Instructor trained us in friendly crowd control and formation riding. We participated in a four-day Search and Rescue training each year with several other Mounted Search and Rescue units. We learned about living and surviving with our horses in the wilderness. I had the opportunity to participate in a training demonstration put on by a former Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Mounted Officer and Trainer at the Western States Horse Expo two years in a row. All in all, it was a very enriching experience. One I am glad I did not miss out on.

Videos you loved! »« July 1-4, 1863:Horses of Gettysburg

July 1-4, 1863:Horses of Gettysburg

General Sherman

The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War since it ended the Confederate General Robert E Lee’s advancement northward to conquer New England. The State of Massachusetts had sent among its troops the 9th Battery Mounted Division with Captain John Bigelow in charge, who was severely wounded early on during the battle on July 2nd. The Mass Battery brought 110 men: 10 were lost, 18 wounded;  but of the infantry mounts - 88 horses of the 9th were killed on the battlefield. The Northern, or Union Soldiers, were 90,000 in number; they lost 30,000.  The Southern, or Confederate Soldiers, came with 75,000 men; they lost 27,000. Horses estimated killed in battle at Gettysburg: 1.5 million horses dead. Said Capt Bigelow: “The enemy opened a fearful musketry fire, men and horses were falling like hail…. Sergeant after Sergt., was struck down, horses were plunging and laying about all around….”

Horses from Battle at Little Round Top/Pictures from Library of Congress,Civil War Collection

Requiem for the War Horse, by Jerri Streeter

No battle fought was theirs by choice, nor came victory from their breath,

But they trotted forward just as ordered – into bullets, swords, and death.

Their brave hearts beating in silent courage, in fear that no voice would tell

They stood as targets, lay down as barriers, for soldiers intent to kill.

They labored for our liberty, they forfeited their lives,

Faithful military horses one and all — felled by cannons, bayonets, and knives.

They bore the blows and fatal wounds to save their mounted friends–

Who saved their saddles but not their horses when each battle came to end.

The war horse asked no questions, sought no medals, nor decorated pins

Just blinked an eye and charged ahead, trusting they’d go home again.

We salute with honor their deeds of valor: their sacrifice, pain, and torture.

For they were more than just mere transport….

They are the forgotten: Equine Military Soldiers.

Reader’s comment: I read once the way they trained the horses to charge into the face of fire was to have them charge a line of men. Then when they reached the line the men would pet them and praise them. They worked up to firing blanks when they charged. Then they would be petted and praised again. By the people firing as well as their riders, of course.  Mahalo, Steve

Working with the Local Sheriff Posse, by Steve Lock »« June 25,1876;The Horse who Survived

Mount up Providence!

Photo: Badboy with Officer Jose Castillo

If this horse looks familiar it is probably because you have watched him stroll down Westminster street or have seen him stand on watch during a Water Fire Festival in our own city of Providence, RI. Police horses are also considered officers of the law, even though they carry an additional police officer on their backs.  Police horses must be agile and hardy because they endure long hours on city streets, curbs, and sidewalks. Inspector Del Rio, who is in charge of the mounted division, explained that the horses “work late into the early morning hours. They’ll be patrolling the bars and streets with their officers until two in the morning,” which means they may not be back to their stalls until three or later that night. Many people don’t know that public mistreatment of these horses can be considered an assault on an officer and can actually bring a trip to jail for the offender. While they are mostly quiet and sweet tempered as they stand on watch or walk the beat, these patrol horses know their jobs and readily interfere when crowds become unruly. They are trained to assist their human officers in the line of duty regardless of dangerous conditions.  To learn more, or to meet these special mounts, you can read their biographies on the Providence Mounted Police web site listed here. Click on the link and meet all ten horses! http://www.providencepolice.com/mounted_command/meet_horses.html

Mules;the other war horse »« Comanche Tribe:Trainers of the Calvary?

Comanche Tribe:Trainers of the Calvary?

Empire of the Summer Moon, by SC Gwynne

This interview by FOX Business talks with Documentarian S.C.Gwynne about his book “Empire of the Summer Moon” and explores the facts of how the Comanche Tribe became the first to use combat from horseback.  The American Soldier took notice and adopted their idea. http://bit.ly/bStFlj There is always a brief commercial at the beginning of the video but it is very brief.

The book also probes the historical time-line of the Comanche People and brings in new information on the Quanah Parker band of Comanche warriors.

Mount up Providence! »« Trotting a Beat in San Francisco,by Delfin Vigil

Trotting a Beat in San Francisco,by Delfin Vigil

photo: (by Liz Hafalia,SFC)  Officer Olocco with patrol horse AAA
Officially founded in San Francisco, California, in 1872 (two years after New York City’s), the mounted patrol unit has been trotting through the city’s streets fighting and preventing crime in three centuries. While in its — ahem — heyday, there were upward of 30 badge-wearing horses, and although at one point every substation in the city had horses, there are only 13 on-duty patrol ponies left at the department’s stables in Golden Gate Park. Although some critics write off the mounted patrol as a chance for police officers to joyride through the park, many don’t realize that the horses are putting their lives at risk.
During one of the initial and largest protests against the current war in Iraq, the mounted patrol unit was brought in to help the first officers on the scene, who were being backed in and surrounded by protesters near Third and Market streets.
“Eleven horses were brought in to save the officers,” remembers Sgt Downs. “We were able to part the sea of protesters without hitting, stepping on or even touching a single person. That’s the beauty of the horse.”
Aggressive dogs are probably the biggest danger to the four-legged officers.
In November 2003, a woman was walking Nettie, a pit bull mix, in Golden Gate Park when she decided to take off the dog’s leash to let it play with other dogs. But instead it went after police horse AAA Andy.
AAA, who is not in the insurance business but was given to the department by the company, was bitten several times in the belly and legs by the dog, which continued to chase him for about a half mile as AAA Andy tried to find his way back to the stables. The officer was thrown to the ground during the frenzy. Another officer had to shoot the dog (who survived) to stop the attack.
AAA Andy went on disability for a couple of months. Within weeks of being back on the job he was in the news again for galloping down the “Spider-Man” burglar who had a record of more than 60 acrobatic burglaries through skylights and ventilation shafts in Sunset District buildings. This time, “Spider-Man,” a.k.a. 27-year-old Kristian Kwon Marine, was on the run after snatching a purse at a cafe on Ninth Avenue and Irving Street. With only a good old-fashioned “he went thataway,” tip, AAA and Officer Kaan Chin chased the burglar down in a field in Golden Gate Park.
“What people don’t always understand is that most of what all police officers do involves crime prevention,” says Kaan, who still rides AAA Andy. “But these horses are very capable of fighting crime in heat-of-the-moment ways as well. Once that saddle is put on, their personalities change and they are ready to work.”

Comanche Tribe:Trainers of the Calvary? »« A Brief look at the US Calvary

Horses and Plains Indians; R.E. Moore

scene from movie: Dances With Woves

To read more of our guest article click :  R.E.Moore

The Indians got their first horses from the Spanish. When the Spanish explorers Coronado and DeSoto came into America they brought horses with them. This was in the year of 1540. Some horses got away and went wild. But, the Indians did not seem to have done much with these wild horses. They did not start to ride or use horses until much later.

In the 1600s there were a lot of Spanish missions and settlers in New Mexico just to the west of Texas. This is where the Pueblo and Navaho Indians live. The Spanish in New Mexico used Indians as slaves and workers. These Indian slaves and workers learned about horses working on the Spanish ranches. The Spanish had a law that made it a crime for an Indian to own a horse or a gun. Still these Indians learned how to train a horse and they learned how to ride a horse. They also learned how to use horses to carry packs.

In the year of 1680 the Pueblo Indians revolted against the Spanish and drove the Spanish out of their land and back down into Old Mexico. The Spanish were forced to leave so fast they left behind many horses. The Pueblo Indians took these horses and used them. The Spanish did not come back until the year of 1694. While the Spanish were gone the Pueblo Indians raised large herds of horses. They began selling and trading them to other Indians such as the Kiowa and Comanche. The Pueblo Indians also taught the other Indian tribes how to ride and how to raise horses.

Horses spread across the Southern Plains pretty quickly. French traders reported that the Cheyenne Indians in Kansas got their first horses in the year of 1745. Horses changed life for the plains Indians.

A Brief look at the US Calvary »« Horses in Public Service

Horses in Public Service

At the turn of the twentieth century the horse was still a dominating influence in public life. As the source of primary transportation they pulled machinery and wagons in their role as field and farm helpers. In their civic duties they mobilized the fire, police, and military services.   Their role in military action required enormously rigorous training which a core of expert horsemen diligently implemented. It was not a surprise that such expertise would lead to public challenges to see whose country’s training regimen excelled, and so the beginning of the Equestrian Olympic Games began in 1900. Only three categories were listed, and two more were added as unofficial options although not included as official Olympic classes. There was the “Jump”, “High Jump”, and “Long Jump” categories with “Hacks and Hunters” and “Mail Coach” added as unofficial categories.  Belgium brought home two Gold Medals, a silver and one Bronze. France and Italy battled out and tied the remaining Gold Medal and battled for the remaining silver and bronze. The results were France winning two Bronze, one Gold; and Italy winning only one Silver and sharing the Gold with France.

(Equestrian pictogram from Olympic files)

Horses and Plains Indians; R.E. Moore »« Fun Training for Weekend Riders

Fun Training for Weekend Riders

Photo: Brenda Imus from myHorse.com

Do you work a forty hour week? Are you limited to just the weekends to ride? Are you unable to trailer out due to inclement weather? Here are some fun horseback activities you can do to keep your horse reasonably in shape and to keep his mind active.

Many riders find that the use of cones offers endless variety and complexity for training options. Just three cones in a spacious triangle, or on a straight line (verticle or horizontal), can mimic a trail ride by using the cones as ‘trees or rocks’ to maneuver your horse around. As you wind through them you can alert your horse to: not drifting sideways outside the intended circle; not to change speeds on his own; not to ignore your seat and force you to only use your reins for turning; and not to be one-sided, but instead bend both ways, right and left, when asked. As he gets the hang of it at the walk then you can pick up the pace to a trot, and when he gets really fluid and comfortable, the canter work has endless options for practicing figure eights, flying changes, and even counter canter.

Ground poles expand your cone lessons by moving beyond the turning and flexing exercises. The discipline of the work helps your horse with learning to shift his weight backward and begin lifting to step over objects.  This helps increase your horse’s impulsion and dexterity of stride, and assists you in gaining better control and influence in the saddle. (There is no reason why you can’t add a tarp to walk on, too.) One of my favorite uses of ground poles is to place two to three groupings of  poles throughout the ring. I lay them flat on the ground with a cone at each end. Then I practice figure eights by having the horse step over the center of the pole, bend around the end cone, step again over the center of the pole, then bend around the other end cone. As you come over one set of poles you can head for another set while in a leg yield/shoulder-in/half-pass, then return to the figure eight at the new set of poles.

You can see that even if you only have a few hours a week to ride, you can still imagine how to ride full-time.  Try jotting down your ideas during the day so that you can remember to try them out on your next weekend ride. When you finally return to riding your horse outdoors your horse should be better prepared from these special exercises, and you’ll have a closer relationship with him from spending extra time with him during the wintry months.

Horses in Public Service »« John “Red” Pollard