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Dwayne Erickson photographed at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo infield late December, 2012. Photograph by: Gavin Young, courtesy Calgary Herald.
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A Silver Spoonful

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES July 2, 2010

Hes A Peptospoonful. Photo by Don Shugart

I recently read on www.sallyharrison.com that David and Stacie McDavid – owners of Hes A Peptospoonful – have offered to dish out $1 million dollars to the owner of any Hes A Peptospoonful offspring who can claim the title of National Cutting Horse Association Open Futurity Champion through to 2013. I believe this was in place for the 2009 Futurity, but obviously unclaimed, as the Dual Rey-sired stallion Rockin W was guided to that spectacular 229 finish by Tony Piggott.

The McDavid family are also offering a sizable bonus to non-pro, limited non-pro and amateur winners sired by Hes A Peptospoonful or Widows Freckles at all three of NCHA’s Triple Crown events, through the 2014 NCHA Summer Spectacular. In fact, they intend to match the official NCHA payout to any Hes A Peptospoonful-sired or Widows Freckles-sired offspring that win the non-pro, limited non-pro and amateur divisions of the NCHA Futurity, NCHA Super Stakes and NCHA Derby from the 2009 NCHA Futurity through the 2014 NCHA Derby.

According to Harrison’s blog post, David McDavid purchased Hes A Peptospoonful at the 2001 NCHA Futurity, where the three-year-old “had captured headlines by becoming the first horse in 30 years to win both go-rounds and the semi-finals. The red roan stallion was in the news again during the 2006 NCHA Futurity, where his first foals made an impressive showing in the finals.”

Hes A Peptospoonful stands at Joe Landers Stallion Station near the cutting capital of North America, Weatherford, Texas. His stud fee is currently $8,500 U.S.

The Horse at the Museum of Civilization

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 29, 2010

If I make it to Ottawa anytime before the end of 2010, one visit I won’t miss is to the Canadian Museum of Civilization for their newly installed The Horse exhibition, which premiered May 28.

The must-see exhibition follows the evolutionary path of the horse, both before and after it was domesticated by humans 6,000 years ago. In that time, we have developed more than 200 breeds whose size, shape, strength and disposition make them suited to specific activities.

But long before that, in fact some 10 million years ago, there were ancient horse breeds roaming the Great Plains, a good number of them are portrayed in this gorgeous diorama, including a small three-toed Nanippus and a herd of Dinohippus. (Pronounced just like it’s spelled for those of you who are wondering!)

The Horse showcases fossils and skeletons, prehistoric cave art and contemporary sculpture including this amazing piece by Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard. I was fortunate enough to catch a view of this sculpture at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary a number of years ago and I can attest it is incredibly awe-inspiring up-close and life-size. Fafard’s spectacular horses give us an exhilarating sense of speed and grace moving over the land. They capture the spirit of a creature that makes the human heart beat faster and makes us long to run with it.

Also featured are ancient toys such as this horse doll which originated from the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida.

Or, this toy brass horse with a soldier riding on top from India. Simply magnificent isn’t it?

I wouldn’t miss this vintage photo – the original of the world renowned series of photos where the gallop was first dissected. In fact, pioneering British photographer Eadweard Muybridge (1830–1904) was the first person to freeze the movement of a running horse in a series of still photographs. He set up rows of cameras that snapped pictures as the horse moved past. In the gait known as the gallop, all four feet leave the ground, but not when the legs are outstretched, as you might expect. Instead, the horse leaves the ground as its hind legs swing closest to the front legs, as this photo shows (second row).

Here’s an incredible piece of history I knew nothing about, entitled Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron. In 1918, to stop the rapid advance of a German force at Moreuil Wood near Amiens, Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew led a charge of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. They won the battle that day, but half the squadron was killed, including Flowerdew (who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross), and 800 horses.

Then there’s this amazing terra-cotta horse.

In the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, village potters create horse figures as offerings to Aiyanar and other local gods, who are said to patrol village borders and protect people from harm. Many village shrines contain hundreds of these votive horses, just imagine, some standing more than five metres (16 feet) tall. This horse is trimmed with garlands, like the stone horses in grand Indian temples. The face on its chest is Yalli, a spirit that protects Aiyanar.

My last piece of horse history eye candy for you today is this life-size German horse armour which includes: the chanfron, which covered the horse’s head and carried the rider’s family crest or coat of arms; the crinet, which protected the horse’s neck and was made of overlapping plates so the horse could move its head; the crupper, which shielded the horse’s hindquarters; the saddle, which kept the rider’s waist safe from lances, spears and arrows; and the peytral, which was worn over the horse’s chest and raised or flared outward to provide freedom of movement for the its legs.

Luckily we don’t have to worry about catching last minute trains, planes or buses to take in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. We have a bit of time as The Horse will be presented until January 2, 2011. Remember, it’s at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec.

~ with media files from the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Road Trips CDs #4

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 25, 2010

Here’s my last set of Road Trip CDs. The final five. Hope you’ve enjoyed the trip and please check back to see week one, two and three’s selections at Road Trip CDs.

#5.

Tom Petty – The Highway Companion

With the line, “a coyote raaaaan across the road,” . . . how could this not make the Road CDs list? Seriously, Tom Petty is a serious road tunes listen, and that pretty much includes any one of his compilations, however, this one is my favorite at the moment.

#4.

Frida Soundtrack

From the excellent movie, featuring Salma Hayek, it’s Lila Down’s music I’m drawn to most in this musical compilation, though I don’t think there is a single musical gem within which I haven’t heard a thousand times or more. Any road trip will benefit from the inclusion of this landscape of the the mysterious and tumultuous Mexico of the mid-20th century. Pay attention to Chavela Vargas’s Paloma Negra, recorded 40 years earlier. Vargas, once a lover of the free-spirited Frida Kahlo gives an unforgettable performance and she is featured in the movie as well.

#3.

Lucinda Williams – Little Honey

No music list of mine could be complete without a mention of the Goddess Lucinda. Williams is the real deal, drawing powerful breaths of authenticity. Little Honey is a wonderful rocky, bluesy sound, unmistakably Williams, who at 57, appears to have a lot of peak left in her. That’s an inspiration for a 40-something girl.

#2.

Corb Lund – Horse Soldier, Horse Soldier

At Western Horse Review, we love Corb Lund almost as much as . . . well, almost as much as Ian Tyson. I’m really, really sorry about this Corb. But consider, it’s not a bad deal being named in the same sentence as Ian. I especially love Especially A Paint, a beautiful ballad that draws a parallel between a lost desire and the Old West.

. . . which brings us to . .  .

#1.

Ian Tyson – Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories

It’s that gravelly voice that brings us to Ian’s latest, a beautiful compilation of songs and ballads suited for any drive, anywhere, any day.

And that finishes off the Road Tunes CDs set of four.

Now it’s your turn. What do you listen to down the road? Comment below with your fave Road CDs, and we’ll enter you to win one of three Ian Tyson, Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories CD’s we have to give away.

Contest closes June 30.

Leaving you with Lucinda William’s latest Letterman appearance performing Real Love. Enjoy!

Northern Trails Riding Club

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 22, 2010

There are localized horse clubs all over this country. Smaller clubs which offer a gamut of horse activities from rail classes to showmanship and halter to gymkhana.

In my neck of the woods I really appreciate these clubs for so many reasons. Take last weekend for instance.

Saturday morning.

8:00 a.m.

Me to Wee daughter: “Wee daughter, it’s a beautiful day out today. What would you like to do?”

“I’d like to take my pony to the horse show, mother.”

“Okay. . . .”

We quickly bathed and clipped pony, stocked the trailer and away we went.

This kind of spontaneity was only available to us for one reason. The Northern Trail Riding Club. The NTRC is a small, but vibrant horse club which has been operating around the southern Alberta region since 1982. The club’s motto is to “provide a venue for recreational riders to demonstrate their horsemanship skills, and to promote appreciation of riding and showing horses for riders of all abilities.”

Members range from 100 to 150 and the club offers four to five shows a year. Classes offered range from showmanship to halter to trail to all rail classes, a bit of hunter, and reining as well.

And, on this Saturday, they happened to be hosting a show at the Didsbury Ag Society grounds.

We made it in time for Wee to enter two classes – trail and horsemanship. And, I picked up the lawnmower on the way. How’s that for multi-tasking!

I’m always happy to get to an NTRC show, because I almost always run into someone I haven’t seen in ages, or at least, since last season. And, on this Saturday, someone I hadn’t seen for eight years!

Hi Melony! Before she moved out west, Melony showed on the Quarter Horse circuit in New Brunswick and is a family friend. Now she rides with trainer Pat Ross.

Waiting at the hitching ring.

NTRC may be a small club, but the quality of their judging is always sound. Here, judge Todd Bailey awaits the next rider.

If you happen to be a rider who prefers a helmet, you won’t feel out of place at an NTRC show.

 

 

Rail classes are a favorite at the NTRC shows.

Reiners have the opportunity to show their horses as well.

An NTRC show wouldn’t be an NTRC show without this character. He ensures we’re all on time, and have our reins just the right length.

Please note: You can find out all about the NTRC shows this summer at their website, www.northerntrailsridingclub.org. They do offer drop-in class rates, which can be real handy if you decide you’d like to head out to the show after entries have closed. You do however, need to have an active Alberta Equestrian Federation membership to participate in any NTRC event. That can be arranged at the AEF website, www.albertaequestrian.com.

All the photographs above (with the exception of “Wee”), were taken by Deanna Buschert. Deanna is going to be attending and snapping a lot of photos at horse shows this summers, and I’m so pleased to be able to present her work in these posts and also from time to time, in Western Horse Review, the magazine.

So, stay tuned for what promises to be a great summer of equine activities.

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Equine Conjunctivitis

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 21, 2010

This is Petey. He’s my new six-year-old gelding, and we’re going cutting this year! But, obviously, that’s not what this post is about.

Petey had a little problem with runny eyes earlier this spring. That is, the normally clear discharge turned mucoid, and he was clearly sensitive in the area.

When cleansing them daily at the barn and applying a little eye ointment didn’t appear to clear them up, I decided to take him to the equine health experts at Moore & Co.

A discharge from both eyes, swollen eyelids, and red eyes, as Petey was presenting, suggests goopy eyes, or as Dr. Shawn Mattson enlightened me – equine conjunctivitis – a common condition for horses.

Some cases may begin as an allergy – with horses being affected by certain pollens or dusts, or simply, the eyes have been party one too many times to the wind and dust storms which are regular features of our environment here on the prairie. Some cases have an element of infection involved which turns the clear fluids of the normal eye into thicker, more mucoid discharges or even into pus.

How Petey contracted equine conjunctivitis I can’t say for sure. But, that he had contracted it, was clear and easily diagnosed by Dr. Mattson and his able technicians at Moore & Co.

In this case, the solution would be a flushing of the tear ducts. This would be accomplished via the nasolacrimal duct, which begins in the nostrils and runs up to the tear ducts.

As this isn’t the most comfortable of procedures, Dr. Mattson administered some sedative to Petey to help him relax. Then, we proceeded.

How our able techs found that teensy pin-hole entrance to the duct, I have no idea, but they did and soon after, inserted a long, thin tube partially into it . . .

. . . and simply squirted up a solution of saline.

As you can see from this photo, the saline solution inserted in point A, reached point B in a second and flowed out copiously, just as it should, thereby unblocking the ducts.

Mission accomplished and we were on our way.

Dr. Mattson also sent me home with an eye ointment to apply once a day to Petey’s eyes.

When applying eye ointment on your own be sure to use clean water only to wipe away the muck from the side of the face and avoid cotton wool or soft tissues, which may shed fibres and exacerbate the irritation. Run a teensy ribbon of ointment along the border of the eyelid and as the horse blinks the ointment will get dispensed where it should. Dr. Mattson reminded me to use extremely clean hands, or wear medical gloves, in order to avoid imparting any further bacteria in the area.

Remember, to protect your horse’s eyesight, any discharging or swollen eye issues should be checked by an equine veterinarian if it hasn’t cleared up in 24 hours.

Further Reference: for a step-by-step of applying eye ointment correctly to a horse’s eye, have a look at our Equine Health section in Western Horse Review’s August issue.

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Mentally Tough Cutting

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 18, 2010

Whatever your discipline, any competitive horse sport really is 20% sport-based and 80% mental.

One of the first clinics I ever participated in was cutting horse trainer Barbra Schulte‘s mentally tough cutting clinic. Here’s a group shot of clinic participants from that day.

Yeah, it was a bit ago – March, 1997 to be precise. Phil, is that you? Kat? Man, I miss you guys. . .

You’ll might recognize some cutters who have gone on to become cool and confident champions in the cutting pen, since this clinic a decade ago. I myself have been a fan of hers since. Barbra offers up some very powerful ways to improve your competitive game. Her mentally tough strategies are energized with powerful messages, tips and skills – not only designed for cutting, but for any competitive sport.

Keeping in mind Barbra’s mentally tough messages as a foundation, I continue to develop myself as a rider, and improve my ability to perform under pressure and overcome the fear and anxiety which in the past, often ruled me prior to entering the show pen.

In fact, I still have Barbra’s original three VHS set of Mentally Tough Cutting. There they are – right between Fantasia and Jurassic Park!

Of course, most of my fellow competitors likely have the DVD version. Either way, it’s a great insight into mentally tough cutting. Video One concentrates completely on the mentally tough program. Video Two and Three – Physical and Behavioral Characteristics of Cattle and Herd Management Skills offer unique insights into reading cattle – a crucial skill in cutting. Other than the format of my personal copy, there is nothing dated about these videos, they are timeless instruction in strategies and herdwork we can all benefit from.

So, when Barbra announced she was in the process of expanding the original tapes, I wanted to let you know about it. She has a special offer on the current DVD and you can access it here. I should mention, this offer is only good until midnight, June 21st.

In case you’re not familiar with Barbra’s Mentally Tough program, here’s a quick clip from the original tape.

Road Trip CDs #3

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 18, 2010

Because it’s Friday.

Because my lawn mower is in the repair shop. Not that it matters.

Because I am resplendently rich in lilacs and rain showers on this day.

Because we might just head out on our own road trip this weekend to little daughter’s first horse show of the year. With her still slightly chubby pony, Princess.

And, because there have been such great suggestions for Road Trip CDs already made in the comment section below, I’m going to share my next five top Road Trip CDs right here, right now.

Before you do anything check out week one and two of the Road Trip CDs saga.

#10.

Crazy Heart Soundtrack

T Bone Burnett and the late Stephen Bruton penned the songs for character Bad Blake, an aging, alcoholic, yet achingly beautiful country singer, played by Jeff Bridges in the movie. It’s these originals I love most on the soundtrack: Hold On You, Somebody Else, Fallin’ And Flyin’ with the catchy line, “Funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’ but only for a little while.” And then there is the Oscar-winning The Weary Kind, by Ryan Bingham, which captures, for me, the loves of a dear friend or two in all of their haunting beauty. Combined with country classics like Waylon Jenning’s, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way, this collection has laid hold of the number one spot in my truck player for two months running.

P.S. Don’t miss the movie, it’s raw and true, and the music is a huge part of it.

 

#9.

Greg Brown  – The Evening Call

I can hardly believe this is Greg Brown’s 23rd release and my first. Brown’s vocals are not comparative to any other, and his lyrics are intelligent and poetic. It’s eclectic, completely authentic and so unusually, yet beckoningly different. My son loves Eugene (as in Oregon), wherein Brown talk-sings his way through a six-some minute long travelogue of camping and fishing spots across America and wise observations along the way, including “everybody’s got a story, everybody’s got a family, and a lot of them have RVeees.” This is a great one for the wee hours of the morning, after a long drive, when you can’t yet quite settle down to the idea of sleep.

By the way, Brand New Angel, in the movie Crazy Heart, is a Greg Brown tune.

Beginning to see the karma of my week?

#8.

Sam Baker – Pretty World

I heard a cut from this on CKUA’s fabulous Saturday morning program, Wide Cut Country, hosted by Allison Brock. Because I don’t know a lot about Sam, I looked up his website to see if he plays in Canada. On his home page, a note: Please confirm shows before travelling. This stuff changes in a most unpredictable manner – thanks, Sam.

Kinda like life.

#9.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – Naturally

What is this? Funk? Soul? Blues? Motown? . . . oh whatever . . . every piece on this recording is a wee little retro gem.

#10.

Steve Earle – Washington Square Serenade

Okay, so I was told that no road tunes collection would be complete without a little bit of the great Steve Earle. So, I thought, which one? I settled on this. An older mellowed Steve Earle lives on Washington Square. Though much of this CD is comprised of tunes of a more political nature, Sparkle and Shine and Come Home to Me are my faves.

And that, in a three-week nutshell are some of my favorite road tunes. I only have five more. Well, that’s not quite accurate.

I have 57 more.

But for this series, I only have five more and I’ll be posting them next Friday. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, I hope you find something within that hits your groove, and when you do, turn it up.

Now it’s your turn. What do you listen to down the road? Comment below with your fave Road CDs, and, as long as you try not to mention Toby Keith in the same sentence, we’ll enter you to win one of three Ian Tyson, Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories CD’s we have to give away.

Contest closes June 30.

I leave you with this video of Ryan Bingham singing the Oscar-winning The Weary Kind.

Have a great weekend, friends.

Equine Identification News

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 16, 2010

Photo by Ann Fercho.

Back on April 1, I posted a note about the new Meat Hygiene Directive which is tied in with an equine traceability program and which will have an effect not only on horse owners in Canada who need to ship or sell a horse for slaughter purposes, but all equine owners – however peripherally.

While many in the industry see this move as inevitable, others are outstandingly opposed to any program which places the burden and expense of formal equine identification, as well as movement accounts onto horse owners.

There were a number of thought-provoking responses to this post, and I used them as a basis for an interview with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the federal department responsible for this initiative.

Here’s how that conversation, with Guy Gravelle, Media Relations Officer, went.

How does this new Equine Information Document Program differ from past regulations?

Equine owners have, for the most part, been very good at keeping general records of their animals.  The changes being put in place formalize this process and bring equine documentation even closer to similar systems already in place for other food producing animals, such as poultry and swine by enhancing the transfer and traceability information required for equine animals destined for slaughter.

Why was this initiative created and who initiated it?

The CFIA initiated this program in part to meet its priority to enhance traceability, which is key to opening international markets for producers. For example, this program responds to the European Union’s equine slaughter requirements.

This formalized system will help producers and exporters clearly demonstrate that their meat products are safe. The ultimate outcome of this program is enhanced food safety.

Will this program be voluntary or mandatory?

The CFIA equine traceability program is strictly voluntary. It is not mandatory for horse owners to keep track of the medications used, especially if they do not plan to raise equines for meat processing. However if they want to have the option of selling them in the future for processing, equine owners are strongly encouraged to follow this
program and use the equine information document that can be found in the Meat Hygiene Directive no. 2009-49
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/meavia/man/direct/2009/direct49e.shtml). This equine program came into affect on January 31, 2010.

A similar program in the United States has been cancelled – the United States Department of Agriculture’s NAIS (National Animal Identification System) – will this affect the Canadian program in any way?

No.

Why is such a thorough description of the horse required (written details/photo)?

The CFIA’s ultimate goal is to bring equine requirements even closer to similar systems already in place for other food producing animals, such as poultry and swine – part of that objective includes making sure traceability information is available for equine animals destined for slaughter.

Who will be assigned the task of building and maintaining the database system described?

The CFIA is in consultation with the equine industry to determine the most appropriate way to develop and maintain the database.

The EID documents will be evaluated at the slaughter establishment by the operator. The CFIA will oversee the operator’s evaluation. The horse will be examined/inspected by the operator and the CFIA after arrival, as well as during processing for evidence of abnormalities.  When evidence of potential medication usage is found, and as a part of routine testing, samples may be sent to detect potential drug residue violations.

In terms of the legislation, effective July 31, 2010, it will be mandatory for all Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspected facilities in Canada engaged in the slaughter of equine for edible purposes to have complete records for all animals (domestic and imported) presented for slaughter.

Again, EIDs are not required for equine that will not be slaughtered for food. When the time comes to sell their animals, equine owners may want to increase sale opportunities to include a potential slaughter option. If a slaughter option is to be considered, equine owners may benefit by providing EID documents at the time of sale. The program is mandatory for equine slaughtered for food in Canada.

The CFIA further stated it is consulting with the equine industry to determine the most appropriate way to develop and maintain its equine traceability program. More on that later, but the majority of that consultation appears to be flowing through Equine Canada.

Western Vogue

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 15, 2010

REINING ALBERTA SPRING CLASSIC, RED DEER, ALBERTA, 2010

Deanna Paulsen snapped this shot of reiner Marilyn Copland at the recent Reining Alberta Spring Classic. It’s the sweet embroidered shirt which caught my eye, completely quirky and individual.

The 70-year-old Victoria, British Columbia reiner placed third in her Prime Time class and quipped she had a son old enough to compete in the same class!

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