Vermont Horse Council Homepage VERMONT HORSE COUNCIL AUGUST, 2002 NEWSLETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  President's Letter / Wish List

In this newsletter, along with some updates, I'm including my wish list. The horse council needs several people for specific projects and I'd like to open this up to everyone. I would really like to see members consider one responsibility and not fear that VHC expects you to get involved with everything. I know how quickly burnout sets in when you are spread to thin; and, when you have one priority to work on you can give it your all.
Please consider one of the following and contact me at LDOW@vermontlaw.edu if you are interested.
*VHC Contact Person to the Vermont Farm Bureau
*VHC Contact Person to the American Horse Association
*VHC Public Relations Person - write-up VHC news material for equine publications
*VHC Grant Person - Locate and guide the council through grant applications
*Collector of Nutrena bag tags - this is an easy fund raising opportunity

Thank you to ….
*Rose Hewes - our rep. to the Extension Advisory Council
*Morris Lasell - rep. to VT Trails and Greenways
*Brenda Lasell - who coordinates the Riding and Driving Club
*Karin Lewis - chair of the annual trail ride committee
*David Blow - chair of the NEKET committee
*Rama Schinder and Gina Lancaster - webmasters
and to all our additional supporting volunteers!!!!!

Other news….
*VHC contacted the Equine Affaire in Springfield MA. about getting a space at this years event. They sadly reported that all space is taken but we will be put on a list for next year. VHC is contacting other New England Horse Council to see if they would consider sharing a table with us. Hopefully we will be successful.
*NEKET chair David Blow reports that the committee is working hard with the Agency of Natural Resources on the trail plan. This process moves slowly but with each step progress is being mad. Work has begun on the trail markers and map, and the committee decided to extend all sponsorships and trail passes sold this year through 2003. This is a learn as we go project for VHC and the NEKET committee. VHC is very proud of the NEKET project and the positive work that is being done by all the volunteers!
*Cliff Murray Memorial Scholarship - we have not had any applicants this year! If you know of a college student in an animal science program please have them contact me and I will get them the information and application. VHC is contacting VSAC, Vermont Student Asst. Corp., to list our annual scholarship in their Vermont Scholarships Brochure.

Lynn Dow

Return to top of page.
Premarin Foals

I adopted my now 2-year-old appaloosa mare, Rumor in Sept of 2000. Spring Hill Horse Rescue in Brandon Vermont traveled to Winnipeg Canada to the auctions and bid and bought 32 foals. Meat producers often purchase these foals, fattened up and sent to slaughter for shipment to Europe. Rumor is bright, good-natured and I can't imagine my life without her... These horses are by products of the menopause drug that contains the estrogen hormone that is collected from pregnant mare urine. Once the foals are born they are allowed to stay with their moms for 4 months and then shipped to auction. Check out this website for more information. www.springhillrescue.com
There is going to be a "Birthday Bash" on August 11th at Rutland Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m. All the foals that have been adopted have been invited to attend and participate in demonstrations and shows. There are over 100 foals that have been rescued in the last 2 years. More to be rescued this year...please come and support these horses and adopt one yourself!!!!
We hope to see ya there...Susan Mitchell and Rumor
 Return to top of page.

VHC Volunteers Time To 4-H Horse Clinic

The Vermont Horse Council has once again shown wonderful support for the equine community. Several members volunteered their time to lend assistance at the Central Vermont 4-H Horse Clinic June 27-30 at the Tunbridge Fair Grounds. 75 participants, and their horses attended the clinic, from Vermont, Mass., N.H., and CT. This clinic includes riding lessons, workshops, demonstrations, games and awards. Stable management is evaluated throughout the weekend and an overall award given in each division.

Rose Hewes, VHC member, provided an informative demonstration of her Percheron mare & foal (Jackie & D.J.). After educating the group on the Percheron breed participants had the opportunity for an "up-close-and-personal look". Both Jackie and D.J. showed the draft horses' true colors by being quiet and patient while kids crowded around to touch them. Some even had the chance to sit on Jackie and see what it felt like to be 17 hands high! Rose also volunteered her time on Thursday evening checking in horses and then again on Saturday as a stable management evaluator.

VHC President Lynn Dow, Vice President Terry Rose, and member Roberta Ferris also provided instrumental assistance as stable management evaluators. This is the most difficult volunteer position of the entire clinic as it means scrutinizing the participant's horse or pony, their stall, tack, and supplies. They may also be asked questions about their animal and it's care. Evaluation takes place two times by different volunteers and then the average score is determined. This was particularly difficult for Terry Rose as she knew first hand about the knots in the participant's stomach as the evaluator, with clipboard in hand, approached the stalls. Terry had attended the clinic as a teenager and remembered the significance of this aspect of horsemanship. "I remember how important this was and how hard we tried to have everything just perfect...clean tack, clean stall, and clean horse," said Terry. "I have never forgotten it to this day."
The VHC is fortunate to have the opportunity to help young people in this hands-on learning environment. Good horsemanship starts with our youth! If anyone is interested in helping out at the clinic next year please call the Randolph 4-H office (802-728-1556) and leave your name and number so that you can be contacted next May. The clinic committee will be looking for demonstrations, workshops, and general volunteer time.

Return to top of page.