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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Trigger, Jr. Has A Day At The Fair
 Pomona, CA in September means hot - it also means the LA Fair makes its appearance. This year a live horse in
the Redwood Corral was added to the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts museum. I popped Dr. Keith
Zupnik's stunning spotted palomino, aka Trigger, Jr, in my trailer, beating the early morning traffic
for our part of the exhibition. Trigger played meet and greet with hundreds of LAUSD school children from all over
the county. I explained horse basics, the history of the TWH and this horse's relationship to Roy Roger's Trigger
Jr. through Barker's Moonbeam. Staying true to his heritage, Trigger, Jr. patiently allowed these
children their first chance to touch a living horse. Trigger posed for the newspaper and TV cameras while I presented
TWH information to the reporters. After many treats, lots of hay, fresh water, watching parades with marching bands,
floats, and dancers , the time came for the big palomino to leave his spot under the redwood trees and head home from
the fair.
1:24 am est
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Everyone in the Water!
 This year's August multi-day ride took place at Montana de Oro State Park, Morro Bay, CA. 21 riders ventured
onto the dunes, through the creeks, into the Pacific Ocean, through the groves of trees and between horse-head high greenery.
Some of the group camped in tents, others in LQ trailers, a few stayed with nearby relatives and tough-campers (like
myself) roughed it in a motel with an ocean view dominated by Morro Rock. A family of raccoons ventured into camp
and proceeded to have their way with various foodstuffs. The little devils even left marks where they had tried (correctly,
but unsuccessfully) to open an ice chest or two we had wedged under the horse trailers. I recommend visiting this lovely
venue, stalls are available for reservation on-line with the national park reservation system.
12:35 am est
Sunday, April 27, 2008
April 16, 2008
Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital in Columbus, Ohio was the venue for the first Sound Horse Conference on
April 11-12, 2008. I attended on Friday, but couldn't stay for Saturday(had to get ready for a show on Sunday).
The information and available technologies to eradicate soring were impressive. Of special interest - Dr.
Haussler's Algometry Study, Dr. Turner's Thermography, Mr. Burke's PainTrace and Dr. Turner's Digital Radiography.
Please take a look at www.soundhorseconference.com
2:04 am est
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Horse Protection Act
 Each year, for thirty years, Invicta Farms hoped for improvements in the eradication of soring the gaited horse.
Perhaps the 2008 Sound Horse Conference in Columbus, Ohio will engender belief that those found guilty of soring
will be held accountable. In the past thrity years, soring methods have improved or perhaps hiding it
has. Detection that will hold up in court is more difficult and quite often the fox watches the hen house - therefore
it remains prevalent in the show world. Let's hope the newer technologies can catch up with these criminals
that have involved themselves in the gaited breeds and make it socially unacceptable, as well as illegal, for those that
sore to exhibit their horses.
1:00 am est
Monday, December 31, 2007
Looking back
Another year passes.
The trail ride to Flagstaff, AZ topped this year's highlight reel. Heart
rates escalated the higher we climbed - and they say riding gaited horses doesn't qualify as an aerobic
activity. One comment from the group during our descent from the mountain was "Look - we were way up
there!" Always a beautiful place to ride, whether on Mt. Elden or out in the wilderness toward Sedona, I recommend
this area for a pleasant summer ride. Layer your clothing - cool mornings give way to warm afternoon that
turn chilly as soon as the sun drops behind the mountains. Summer squalls come and go fairly fast, so light rain
gear is appropriate. The tanks don't always retain enough rainfall, so pack a bit of water
along for you and your horse if you're going out for the whole day. Lowlanders need a day or two to give
your horses and yourselves time to get used to the elevation for a long ride. Ride on!
11:37 am est
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