Image Caption: Dominanceby Jennifer Maharry

Venice, CA — A tribute to some of America’s last wild horses will be the focus of The G2 Gallery’s upcoming exhibit, Nature LA: Jennifer MaHarry, on view Tuesday, May 15, 2012.  Jennifer’s breathtaking photography documents free-roaming wild horses living in the desert and mountain regions of Western Utah.  A reception will be held Saturday, May 19 from 6:30–9:00 PM.

Two years ago, Jennifer presented an exhibit at G2 that featured rescued mustangs at a sanctuary in Ojai, Calif.  For her current project, Jennifer was able to get in and amongst herds of wild horses in their natural state.  She also received permission from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to witness the roundups—or “gathers” as they are termed by the BLM—which serve to inventory—and in most cases remove—wild horses on federal land. The images featured in Nature LA: Jennifer MaHarry document this incredible effort.

In 1971, the Nixon administration passed the Wild Horses and Burros Act, deeming mustangs “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.”  Protections for the horses were mandated, as well as stipulations regarding “excess animals” including roundups, removal from an area, adoptions, and euthanasia.

Today, the existence of wild horses on federal public lands presents a difficult challenge for the BLM, as they struggle to maintain healthy land and healthy herds while an ever-growing cattle industry is allowed grazing rights, and mining industries are allowed to divert water away from the horses’ designated Herd Management Areas.  Jennifer’s intention for these images is to give voice to the wild horses as their populations continue to decrease annually.

Since The G2 Gallery signed Jennifer to its roster of nature and wildlife photographers she has become one of the top-selling artists in the history of the gallery.  An opening reception with the artist in attendance will be held on Saturday, May 19, from 6:30–9:00 pm.  The exhibit Wild on Earth: Piper Mackay will also be highlighted at the opening and all proceeds from the $5 admission and from all art sales will benefit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Location:

The G2 Gallery (www.theg2gallery.com)
1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291-3742
Tel. 310.452.2842, E-mail info@theg2gallery.com

Contact:

Diane Shader Smith
310.386.6803
dianeshadersmith@gmail.com
Gia LaRussa
310.428.7752
gia@theg2gallery.com

About Jennifer MaHarry

Jennifer MaHarry is a photographer and graphic designer based in Culver City, California.  In 2000, Jennifer founded Eden Creative where, as creative director, she designs motion picture print advertising campaigns for major releases by the Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, and Sony among others.  A graduate of the School of Visual Arts at Syracuse University, Jennifer exhibited at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Venice Art Walk before her highly successful solo show at The G2 Gallery in 2010.  Since that time, Jennifer’s artwork has helped raise thousands of dollars for environmental causes through The G2 Gallery.

About The G2 Gallery

Established in March 2008, The G2 Gallery in Venice, California, is a green art space with a dedicated focus on nature and wildlife photography. In keeping with G2’s commitment to supporting arts and the environment, the gallery presents exhibitions with eco-conscious themes, donates the proceeds from all art sales to environmental charities and hosts events that bring awareness of critical issues to our community.

As horse professionals, you know that the business of horses can be an incredibly challenging one. Regardless of if you’re a sporting equestrian, an animal care provider, or for the personal satisfaction and love that’s created from bonding with such a majestic animal, there are several smart phone applications—for the iPhone, Android, and even the—that are horse-friendly, fun, educational, and even life-saving!

Here are the best mobile applications for horse lovers:

1. Equine AcuPoints ($14.99 – for iPhone)

The Equine AcuPoints app is an equine acupressure practitioner’s most reliable ally in the animal care field. Many veterinary doctors as well as equine health care providers rely on Acupressure—a form of alternative Chinese medical method that features placing pressure onto various vital points along the body to treat and cure various illnesses. Acupressure has been effective in treating many human health issues, and it has also believed to be beneficial for animals, including horses. During a procedure, a medical practitioner will place pressure on Acupoints in order to manipulate the energy that flow through the body’s meridians. The idea is that when meridians are unblocked and energy is able to flow smoothly, various symptoms and health issues will be resolved. This app was created by the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and provides a full-range of images detailing all of the major meridian points (or Acupoints) on a horse’s body for treating specific equine conditions, as well as their functions.

2. Horse Rider SOS ($8.12 – for Android)

The Horse Rider SOS is an emergency alert system created especially for the rescue of horse riders in trouble. The app uses GPS technology in order to locate isolated riders during an emergency situation. Horse-riding can be a risky endeavor, and if your horse is unpredictable, or stumbles, falls, spooks, or bolts, the rider can be unseated and injured in a remote area. The Horse Rider SOS app simply monitors rider activity using a GPS signal so if you should fall or be injured, the app will send an automatic alert to the first emergency contact on your friends’ list.

3. Colic in Horses: An Owner’s Guide (Free – for iPhone)

Horse owners fear colic in their beloved animals. The single, highest cause of equine death every year, untreated colic can cause painful and unforeseen death. Equine education is vital for horse owners as a quick diagnose and treatment are crucial to recovery. Created by Dr. Keith Taraba, owner of Northeast Texas Equine Services, this app will educate horse owners and care providers on the signs and symptoms associated with equine colic.

4. Horsemanship ($3.16 – for Android)

Successful horse trainers do more than practice and teach riding skills to animals—they must truly bond with the animal in order to understand the horse and interact with the horse from a place of trust and respect. The horsemanship app teaches new horse trainers how to work with horses efficiently, as well as safety procedures, and the basic principles and methods for interacting effectively with your horse.

5. Horse 360 ($1.99 – for iPhone)

The Horse 360 app teaches users about equine anatomy in a fun, learning-style environment. Using memory-style learning, this app visually connects different parts of the horse with their anatomical terms and then follows up with a quiz. As users learn and progress, they can increase levels to test their knowledge (the app offers five levels of difficultly). This app is a great learning tool for veterinary students, as well as horse owners to help them understand medical terms used during vet appointments.

Bio: Jane Johnson is a writer for GoingCellular, a popular site that provides cell phone related news and commentary. Whether you are looking for reviews on mobile service providers, the best deals on an Android tablet from T-Mobile or want to more about the latest handsets and devices, GoingCellular has you covered.

Equine Soundness East

When: Friday, April 20 – Sunday, April 22, 2012
Where: Equine Soundness East
Hopkins, SC (outside Columbia, SC)
For Whom: Anyone Interested in Holistic Hoof Care

This is a reminder that in two short weeks we will have a continuing education event here in South Carolina. Please consider joining us for this weekend packed with information. It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be educational and memorable.

We will be talking about the difference between a first trim and consecutive trims, when can you rehabilitate a hoof and at what time is the hoof to pathological to return to full functionality. With other words, when do you trim just to keep the horse comfortable.

We show you postural changes after trimming and will be discussing what to do when nothing changes. We have a whole presentation about trimming foal hooves, an anatomy lecture to clarify some important points of the hoof anatomy, and we will be talking about medio-lateral balance, when you can make changes and when you can’t.

We will show you an exciting way to determine how to detox horses on an individual basis, and talk about the latest findings in nutrition science. How to feed your horse and where to put your emphasis, so your horse can become healthier and his body can start to repair itself.

For the hoof care practitioner we will have a lecture about business considerations, because even though we love our job, we still have to make a living and be sensible about the future. And finally we will present you with a view about the connection between the horse’s teeth and his hooves.

This is rounding out the presentations. Beside the theory, we will have at Horrell Hill Equine Wellness Center three trim sessions. If you are not trimming yourself, it still will be very educational to see experienced trimmers at work. We will explain to those of you who do not want to trim, exactly what is done. We will let you trim a few challenging feet and help you making modifications to achieve optimum results with certain problems, especially those of underrun heels, contracted heels, wry feet, navicular syndrome and founder.

Here is what participants said in the past:

This was extremely informative and key to whole horse care philosophy. The bone specimens of the young horses were most helpful and underscore the imperative for understanding anatomy and physiology. This [mouth-hoof connection] section deserved its overtime. To me [the healing through nutrition lecture] was one of the most important lectures because it touches on all aspects of what the domesticated horse faces at the hands of humans. It is an opportunity to exploit the affinity between horses and humans, which may give people a more compassionate outlook for the way horses are treated.

So many details of horse keeping and use are focused on the convenience and pleasure of the human, often at the expense of the horse. In fact, society has organized things in such a way that it is difficult to even try to rectify some of these details back to the horse’s favor.

Trim considerations – Excellent presentation. This was another provocative lecture that certainly got my mind working. I will be bringing these considerations to my trimming.

Contracted Hooves – Eye opening! This lecture/discussion answered so many questions for me.

Practical Trimming – For me the most helpful information in practical trimming, second only to tips of recognizing pathologies. Being able to practice on cadaver feet with so much help one-on-one really etched into my mind what my trimming should look like.

There is still time to sign up. Come and join us! Equine Soundness East http://www.equinesoundness.com/CEApril2012.htm

Guess post by: Claudia Garner  of Equine Soundness

Claudia Garner
hhdressage @ sc.rr.com
803-647-1200
http://www.equinesoundness.com
http://www.hoofcareunltd.com

Horse wormers can come in all types of variations; the multi-purpose wormer Equimax, for example, comes in either a syringe to be administered at the back of the horse’s tongue, or in tablet form to be mixed with its feed.

A syringe-based administration allows direct transfer of the wormer into the horse’s digestive system, and can leave you safe in the knowledge that your horse has definitely been given the right dosage and has definitely been wormed. In tablet form, crushing them up and mixing them in with the feed doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the horse will be wormed, unless you give the food to the horse directly. However, this is a much more time efficient method of worming, as you can then get on with whatever jobs you have to carry out whilst the horse eats its feed.

As well as the different variations, there are also different methods of treatment. Purge worming is strong dose of wormers, given every 2-3 months, that quickly kills large amounts of worms. However, they should only be used specifically to kill large amounts of worms, as an absolute last resort. They should also be used when advised to do so by a vet. Continuous worming is a daily dose that aims to keep the parasites at a constant low level, without letting the population build up to a harmful level. Although it can be a pain administering the dosage every day, you’ll soon find that it becomes as routine as leaving some dog food for your pet before you go to work.

As with all medicinal purchases, be they for horses or humans, it is best to consult a professional before putting together a treatment plan. Your local vet will be able to provide you with a thorough plan based on your breed of horse, and can recommend the best product for you.

Article by Scott Clawson

Note from Joni: There are also horse de-wormers found in nature — certain herb plants. More can be learn about natural horse wormers here: “Natural Parasite Control – Herbs by Mother Nature“  http://snipurl.com/22wv27l You might also want to learn how you can help control worms by keeping your pastures clean with dung beetles…

“Important contributions to cleaner pastures are made by dung beetles” http://snipurl.com/22wv7bi

cleaning pastures of manure with dung beetles. – Google Search

Urine absorption is crucial; one kilogram of wood pellets absorbs up to a massive three kilograms of urine (which is more than the commonly used straw), which means that labour costs and material costs are greatly reduced. This factor goes hand in hand with the controlling of ammonia and odours in the stable. Horse urine has a strong and distinctive smell, and the more effectively the bedding can handle this, the happier both horse and owner will be. Ammonia can be a serious risk to a horse’s health, and the bacteria in the horse urine creates this, however wood pellets absorb such a great amount of waste that the control of ammonia and odour is naturally controlled alongside the absorption.

Wood pellets are the ideal horse bedding (http://www.verdorenewables.co.uk/), not only for the horse but for the owner, as wood pellets are simple to use and last for a long time. Once the bedding has been watered, it should be placed in the stable via wheelbarrow and scattered into the stable until a satisfactory level of bedding has been reached. Cleaning out the stable has been made easier by shovels which are designed to let dry pellets flake away while the soiled ones can be picked up, another labour-reducing benefit of using wood pellets. Once the soiled bedding has been cleared, fresh bedding can be sprayed with water and added to the middle of the stable.

The fact that wood pellets are naturally free of preservatives and allergens means there are no specific health risks to your horse by using them, therefore pellets come with peace of mind. Wood pellets are naturally eco-friendly and biodegradable; they are carbon neutral therefore your carbon footprint is not affected in the slightest. It is vital at this day and age that renewable sources are used as widely as possible to prevent global warming, and with wood pellets there is no risk of damage to the ecosystem and therefore should be widely used. All of these positive factors conclude that wood pellets are not only the most satisfactory solution for the upkeep and wellbeing of a horse, but greatly reduce labour costs, carbon footprint and wellbeing worries for the owner.

Guess article sent in by Polina Golubeva.

The film has already won many awards, made a vast amount of money and has earned its director further critical acclaim, with a theatre adaptation fast on the way. But this franchise has a real, honest heart. Watching the movie, and knowing Steven Spielberg’s love of filming issues that affect or resonate with him personally you can tell he wanted to shed some light on a slightly less human – but nonetheless, just as poignant – casualty of war and terror; the horse.

Fighting horses or draught animals

As the film shows, horses played a central and significant role in the First World War, giving both sides a mobility and carrying capacity that could not be provided to them by human strength alone. They could work in the mud and rain of the trenches where wheeled vehicles could not, and could be a lot more hardy than any machine. Both sides, when the war began, underwent a great scramble to find and re – appropriate any horse they could find. Millions of horses soon found themselves transported to the front – by 1917 the American Army, for instance, had procured and sent overseas over 1 million horses – either as fighting animals or as methods of transportation, carrying heavy weapons to, and wounded men back, from the frontal areas. They were also used to boost morale in the armies, terrified by the sounds and sights of war. Many men found companionship and friendship in the War Horses serving on the front. It has been estimated that, in total, over 6 million horses served in the war, and in some armies the ratio of horses to men was 1 horse to ever three men. These ‘War Horses’ suffered prodigious losses. The British Army, which counted their losses of ‘War Horses’ lost 484,000 in the years 1914 – 1918. The American Army suffered such terrible losses that, after the war, only 200 returned home.

Killed by disease or enemy action

War was a terrible time for horses. Attrition rates amongst horses were so high that few states who fought in the war left it with any more than a few thousand of the horses they originally sent. In some theaters – particularly those in the hot, disease ridden African states – losses were over 290% of the intake rate, meaning that by the end of the war some states – such as America and Germany – had literally run out of horses, and were relying upon donkeys or mules, or horses ‘captured’ on offensives. Perhaps the greatest killer of horses in the war was disease. Infections such as Equine Influenza and ringworm killing off scores of horses. It has been estimated that 75% of all horse losses were caused by disease in the conflict. The Germany army actually undertook several offensives in the latter part of the war with the principle aim of capturing new stocks of horses. Their loss of horses in the later years of the conflict was one of the main reasons the Central Powers lost the war.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Battle_of_the_Canal_du_Nord_-_Horse_drawn_artillery_wagon.jpg

Perhaps the greatest shame of all in the treatment suffered by horses in this period was in the post war environment, when the few horses that had survived war found themselves either abandoned, wandering lost in what had been no – man’s land, or sold and re – sold, desperately needed both to plough the ruined fields and as meat for the starving European populations, many of whom found themselves in starvation conditions because of lack of horses needed to work the farmland. Australia, which ended the war with a surprisingly large number of living horses – some 10,000 – found itself unable to get the horses back to its native shores. Most of them were sold off, mainly to India. Only one War Horse – Sandy – ever returned to Australia, which as it was desperately needed them to work its huge farms.

Heroes

The role of the horse in the war was huge. It can be fairly said that horses made a massive, genuine contribution to the allied war effort and to overall victory in the war. Much deserved thanks to their sacrifice was made in the form of various plaques, memorials and organizations – such as the Blue Cross – dedicated to re housing and helping abandoned or unhealthy horses. The St. Jude on the Hill memorial in England to this day bears the solemn inscription: “Most obediently and often most painfully they died – faithful unto death.” One hopes that the renewed interest in the terrible sacrifices horses made for human warfare all those years ago created by films such as War Horse will allow their role in that most important of events to be remembered forever.

–
Rebecca King used to ride every day, from eventing to regular hacking. As a horsebox insurance underwriter she no longer has much time but is returning to livery work this summer.

Horses are expensive to begin with, but few horse owners factor in the additional costs that they incur when going on holidays. Not only are the usual costs of food and care, but now there’s also the added cost of either getting a horse sitter or sending your horse on holidays to the local stables.

Of course, this problem only really crops up if you are keeping the horse on your own property. Not everyone can do this, and while you may feel unlucky not to be able to do so the rest of the year, when you’re thinking about going on holidays, you actually begin to count yourself lucky.

Cost of Stables

Full livery is an option, but there are a lot of factors to consider. First of all there’s the cost, which if you haven’t already factored it in, will eat into your holiday budget. Typical prices in the UK are roughly around £100-£140 per week, but this will vary depending on where in the UK you are based.

For most horse owners, a bigger consideration than cost is the way your horse is treated. While you’re getting spoilt rotten on your holiday, you want to know that the same is happening to your horse or pony. You also want to be certain that they’re getting good bedding, proper exercise and at least basic grooming. This can be difficult to work out without any prior experience of that ‘holiday livery’ or ‘horse hotel’ so it’s always worth asking around, particularly on forums, to see what other horse owner’s experiences have been.

A Horse Sitter

Then there’s the option of a horse sitter, something that’s becoming more and more popular these days, for a number of reasons. The first is the costs of full livery, but more important than that is the peace of mind it can bring horse owners. Not having to uproot your horse and play him in new surroundings is probably the key reason for the increased demand for a horse sitter.

A Few Important Points

Horse sitters vary from professional horse sitters, to friends and family to members of house and pet sitting websites. The last two options are often free, although you shouldn’t expect these people to be as skilled in minding horses as a professional horse sitter. That said, the savings in cost may make up for this, as most chores and tasks can be taught to someone if you’re only going away for a few weeks.

If you’re thinking about taking on a house or pet sitter, trustedhousesitters.com is a good place to start. There are hundreds of eager house sitters based around the world, all looking for house sitting opportunities.

The kind of person you can expect to be minding your horse (and house) is someone who’s either retired or who works from home, as many (although not all) of the house sitters on these websites work for free (in return for free accommodation).

In return for the accommodation, the house sitter usually agrees to take on some chores and tasks and this could involve mucking out, basic grooming, feeding and cleaning – although you will need to explain all of these tasks in detail to your prospective house sitter first.

Jemma from thehousesittingcouple.com recommends setting up a Skype interview first, in order to make sure that they’re aware of all the tasks and challenges involved. Once you’re happy, get something in writing to make sure you’re both, literally on the same page.

“We do list pet sitting services on our website” says Jemma, “but we’re always clear to point out that we’re animal lovers and not vets. We’re happy to undertake any task and we do put heart and soul into it, but having this agreement, even if it’s just over email, helps to set expectations properly beforehand.

I think the biggest concern for pet and home owners is reliability. If you’ve trusted a sitter to take care of a pet, or your home, or carry out a few important chores (starting the car regularly, cleaning the pool, taking important deliveries etc) you want to be certain that they’re not going to bail on you half way through. It’s difficult to figure out, but the references and the amount of time they’ve been working as a house sitter should give some indication to this. “

What if it’s an emergency?

If it’s an emergency, it’s probably better to either go with a professional horse sitter or to take your horse to the nearest livery yard. Although there are plenty of willing horse sitters on sites like Trusted Housesitters, organizing an emergency house sitter at least minute can be quite tricky. That’s not to say that it can’t be done of course. There are plenty of willing participants who are available last minute, but it’s always worth having a backup plan.

What costs are involved?

In the case of an emergency, where you’re employing the services of a traditional, professional horse sitter, especially a pet sitting agency, expect to pay a daily rate as well as possibly additional fees per animal. Some companies will charge a travel fee, which is usually priced per mile, so be sure to look out for horse sitters in your area.

You will also be expected to cover the cost of food and supplies as per normal, and to be liable for any veterinary bills that occur whilst the horse is under the sitters case (the small print). It’s worth pointing out that sitters on websites like Trusted House Sitters or The House Sitting Couple aren’t as stringent with costs, but may not be as easy to get a hold of at short notice.

Where to begin:

If you have friends or family that already own a horse, it’s worth speaking to them first of all, especially if they’re nearby and it’s only for a few days. If you have the time, look out for a trustworthy and reliable house sitter from one of the many pet and house sitting websites out there. This way you also get someone minding your home, which can be a major deterrent to burglars. Finally, take the time to research a few livery yards. Even if you don’t plan on using one straight away, it’s always good to keep your options open.

Jeni is a freelance equestrian writer, based in London. She is currently working on her first ebook on horse training tips.

When
Monday, December 19, 2011

Time
7:00pm until 8:00pm

Description

Rethinking the Horse Business 2012
How the Economy, the Horse Industry and the Internet Are Affecting Horse Business Owners

Rethinking the Horse Business provides vital information for horse professionals about the state of the economy and the equestrian marketplace.

It is the only event in the world geared solely towards helping horse professionals i.e. horse trainers, stable operators, riding instructors, breeders, and professional riders navigate the current economy and identify the best paths for success.

Topic: Rethinking The Horse Business 2012 – The Economy, The Horse Industry and The Internet
Date: December 19th 2011
Time: 5:00 Pacific 7:00 Central 8:00 Eastern
Place: On your computer or phone
Speaker: Elisabeth McMillan and guests

Find out key economic indicators of how the horse industry is fairing. The seminar features information from equestrian associations and companies around the globe. Opinions from industry leaders and influencers. Plus, survey results from hundreds of horse business owners including professional riders, instructors, horse trainers, breeders, and stable operators.

Hear reports on successful marketing strategies and discover new horse business models. Attendees will learn which areas of the equestrian community are growing and gain valuable insight into new marketing strategies, trends, and equine business opportunities.

Gain critical insight into where the horse business is headed and identify the most viable horse business and marketing strategies for the coming year.

Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 is free to all horse professionals but you must register to attend. We are also conducting our annual horse business survey. The results of this survey provide you with valuable insights into the overall health of horse businesses like yours. Please take a moment to complete the survey after you register for Rethinking the Horse Business. Sign up today!

Register Here:
Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 How the Economy, the Horse Industry and the Internet Are Affecting Horse Business Owners – http://www.equestrianprofessional.com/public/1130.cfm

The above info was posted here:
Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 (Facebook Event info) – http://www.facebook.com/events/313421005349685/

I am co-hosting a free equine nutritional seminar on Saturday, November 12, featuring Stance Equine founder and nutritional biochemist, Dr. Tim Kempton. Dr. Kempton was responsible for introducing copra (coconut meal) to the Australia’s livestock world some 20 years ago. Copra’s nutritional benefits proved so remarkable, it was adopted by horse owners there and in Europe who were looking for naturally clean, low NSC equine feed. It is now available in the US, first introduced a few years ago on the West Coast and, most recently, on the East Coast.

This seminar was initially planned for folks in our local vicinity who are using (with huge success) CoolStance and want more information about it. However, the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response necessitated that we move our gathering to a larger facility, so now we have space for even more attendees.

Beginning at 10:00, Dr. Kempton will present a morning educational session exploring topics on general equine nutritional requirements and nutritional partitioning, digestive conditions, including acidosis, dysbiosis and ulcers, and other metabolic-triggered issues such as laminitis, obesity, gait problems, behavior and tying up. Feed balancing is also on the agenda.

Lunch and a question-and-answer session will follow for those who can stay after Dr. Kempton’s morning program. Registration is required so we have a head count for lunch, so please contact me off-list or RSVP to Robin Brown at email maynevent @ msn.com or 843-832-9613. We can send you directions and details at that time.

Several local barefoot trimmers will be attending since they are seeing such positive responses to copra feeding from many of their clients’ horses, so thought this seminar might be of special interest to members of this group, in particular.

You’ll find more information about Stance Equine, Dr. Kempton and the topics that will be addressed in the workshop on Saturday at http://www.stanceequine.com/

If you’re interested in equine nutrition discussions, especially with a somewhat non-traditional, environmental “flavor”, please join our group conversation at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquinesEatingWell/

Hope to see you there and at the seminar on Saturday!

Message from: Cada McCoy

Email: mtmccoy @ bellsouth. net (remove spaces)

While my home and horses were not affected during the 2003 fires, I know many people who’s were.  Tragically, I am sad to say I know several people who even lost their lives.  Many animal lives were lost as well, as people were forced to simply turn their animals loose in hopes that they would escape in time.

During October of 2007, I was boarding my horse at a public boarding facility which became threatened by the extraordinary wild fires sweeping the area.  We were forced to evacuate the some 20 horses from the small, close-knit facility.

With horses in panic mode, high winds, choking smoke, unnerved owners, and heavy emergency vehicle traffic, it was a high anxiety situation to say the least.  But as I arrived to evacuate my horse that October day, I was surprised to find out that I was one of only about 3 boarders who had a trailer and was accustomed and able to hauling horses.  I was greeted in angst by others asking me to help them move their horses.  Of course, assessing the situation we were in with limited help and transportation, I eagerly agreed.

The day turned into one of the longest, eeriest, and most stressful days I’ve encountered, as I soon realized that there was no evacuation plan in place, we did not have enough trailers for the amount of horses, and worst, many horses were not accustomed to trailer loading at all!

I set forth, two by two, moving horses with my little two-horse trailer and truck, frantically making phone calls to equestrian friends to try to find safe barns who could take horses.  My father lived locally and has horse and trailering experience as well, so I immediately called him for help.  With his truck and a borrowed two-horse trailer from a boarder at my facility (who didn’t have a truck to tow with), the two of us almost single-handedly moved all the horses to safety.  We were eventually joined by a volunteer wild-life rescue team with a six-horse trailer who helped us move the last bunch of horses, and thanks to quick networking and generous horse people, we found temporary barns for all of the horses.

I can’t begin to truly express through these words the urgency and chaos that encompassed that day as we struggled to load horses, and I wouldn’t wish that anxiety and fear on anyone. I also cannot stress enough how important it is to have an evacuation plan in place for your animals, not just yourself!!  Know where you are going to take them, know how you are going to get them out.

That day, there were owners who did not even come out for the evacuation.  While some could not, do to home evacuations, road closures, and other similar issues, I was shocked at the amount of absent owners.  This is another important reason that your horse should load well; in the event you are not able to be there to transport your own horse in an emergency, you should be sure that others will be able to handle and load your animal safely and easily.

From this chaotic and frightening ordeal, I offer a few of my personal tips and take-home-lessons:

1) Get your horses micro-chipped.  No, it’s not just for dogs, and it’s not that costly.  After the 2003 fires and the stories of loose horses found but unable to be returned to rightful owners, I chipped my horses, and they were well prepared for 2007.  This practice also comes in handy for cases of stolen horses you hear of from time to time.  Ask your regular equine vet for more information on chipping next time you have them out.

2) Consider putting dog tags on your horse’s halters (as I did).  While they can be removed, they at least provide a quick reference for volunteers who may be handling your horse in an emergency situation.  I leave them on all year round, and it’s also nice for locating tack at boarding facilities.

3) Practice loading and unloading with your horse until they are proficient with it, before you are faced with emergency!  It becomes more than just a “vice” if they are uncomfortable with trailering, something you don’t quite grasp until faced with an emergency.  Borrow a friend’s trailer to train on if you don’t have your own.  It could save their life.

4) Establish an emergency plan for your animals.  If you keep horses at home, discuss where they would go in the event of a small house fire – a neighbor’s perhaps, or, maybe a nearby facility.  Have those numbers available, and, if you don’t own a trailer, establish a plan with a friend who’d be willing to help if needed.  If you live in a place like me where the entire county can be threatened at any given time, have a back up location, or three!

5) Boarders: if you don’t have one in place with your barn currently, talk to your owner/manager about establishing a plan.  You better believe that after that scary day in 2007, by barn owner got a plan in place FAST!

6) If you board or are a barn owner, try organizing a clinic/safety day event where you practice loading/unloading with your barn-mates.  It’s great practice/training for the horses – and more so the people – so you know what to expect, how to react, and who to rely on during an emergency.  It’s also great to identify which horses need more work and who could be transported easily to help things run smoothly during the real thing.

7) While hopefully you will never have to face an event like this, YOU NEVER KNOW!  Here in southern California, wild fires are a fact and reality every year.  Don’t think that it can’t happen to you, and don’t think that it can’t happen again, either!

I’d like to take a moment now to remember those lost in both the 2003 and 2007 fires, and thank those who helped keep me, my family, and animals stay safe during those times.

Alexis McCollom Bio:

Alexis McCollom is the owner of Equus Athletics, a San Diego based company dedicated to helping both horse and rider perform their best by bringing them the latest innovations in equestrian sporting technology.  A horse owner for more than 15-years and a San Diego Native, Alexis also enjoys many other outdoor activities, including biking, running, swimming, skiing, and kayaking.

Get to know Alexis at the sites below, where you can learn and share information about rider health and fitness, and all things equine!

Alexis McCollom’s Blog
Follow Alexis McCollom on Twitter
Alexis McCollom on Facebook