Massachusetts Horse December/January 2015

FIRST ANNUAL HOLISTIC ISSUE!

M A S S AC H U S E T T S

HORSE

ENHANCING YOUR HORSE’S WELL-BEING page 8

THE MASTERSON METHOD December/January 2015 mahorse.com $3

GUEST COLUMN page 18

BACKYARD MINDFULNESS MAKING MINDFUL CONNECTIONS page 22

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TRAIL GUIDE page 24

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December/January 2015

contents

December/January 2015

columns 18 The Masterson Method

8

22 Backyard Mindfulness

Jessica Whitmore

Karen Morang Photography

Guest Column

Making Mindful Connections

14

Right Lead

24 Borderland State Park North Easton Trail Guide

26 Wild Hearts

16

Lend a Hoof

Jessica M. Paquette

courtesy of Ohana Farm

Therapeutic Equestrian Programs

26

in every issue

features 8

Enhancing Your Horse’s Well-being Holistic Treatments

16

Ohana Farm Holistic Horse Care farm spotlight

5 From the Editor

14

Peter Whitmore Building Trust horseperson profile

7 Your Letters 25 This Olde Horse 30 Overherd: News in Our Community 36 Partners 42 Events Calendar 45 The Neighborhood 47 Advertiser Index 47 Is This Your Horse?

48 Massachusetts Marketplace 49 Junior Horsemanship Awards

Massachusetts Horse

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from the editor

T

he tenth annual Massachusetts Horse Benefit Show, on October 4 in Goshen, raised more than $7,000 for the Central New England Equine Rescue, which is in

West Brookfield. Massachusetts Horse has now given back to its

Alessandra Mele

community more than $55,000 since its inception.

The 10th annual Massachusetts Horse Benefit Show raised $7,000.

Thank you to all the hardworking volunteers who helped the show run smoothly. Next year’s show, on October 3, will benefit the Bay State Equine Rescue. Have ideas and suggestions for classes and divisions? Email steph@mahorse.com — I’d love to hear from you.

This holiday season, remember to support your local businesses. Keeping our hard-earned dollars in the Bay State makes all our lives a little better.

May your barn be full of sweet-smelling hay, your horses comfy in their winter woolies, and your barn kitties toasty in the heated tack room.

All the best,

Stephanie

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HORSE vol. 13, no. 4 December/January 2015

ISSN 1945-1393

99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096 phone: (413) 268-3302 • fax: (413) 268-0050 • mahorse.com Massachusetts Horse magazine is an independently owned and -operated all-breed, all-discipline equestrian publication for the Bay State. © 2014 Massachusetts Horse All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this magazine or portions thereof in any form without prior written permission.

publisher/editor Stephanie Sanders • steph@mahorse.com • (413) 268-3302 copy editor Doris Troy feature writers Nicole Birkholzer, Susan Graham Winslow Alessandra Mele, Jessica M. Paquette, Stacey Stearns contributors Lisa Grigaitis, Denise Kellicker, Kay Konove, Suzy Lucine Emily Messing, Jennifer Moreau, Liz Russell, Melody Taylor-Scott county desk liaisons Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties Alessandra Mele • (413) 949-1972 • alessandra@mahorse.com Bristol County Melissa Root • (508) 863-0467 • melissa@mahorse.com Essex County Holly Jacobson • (978) 356-5842 • holly@mahorse.com Sophiea Bitel • (781) 286-0729 • sophiea@mahorse.com Norfolk and Plymouth Counties Laura Solod • (617) 699-7299 • laura@mahorse.com Barnstable, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties Stephanie Sanders • (413) 268-3302 • steph@mahorse.com

State-of-the-Art Equine Laundry Facility Expert Tack Repair

advertising main office • (413) 268-3302 • ads@mahorse.com Advertising deadline for the February/March issue is January 10.

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Jennifer Safron JennsTackRepair@comcast.net 114 Coburn Ave., Gardner, MA (978) 340-5576 Please call for hours 6

December/January 2015

©Karen Morang Photography

Massachusetts Horse is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper.

@Mass_Horse

the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Massachusetts Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Massachusetts Horse, its publisher, editor, and staff are assumed for publication. Photos, stories (verbal or printed), notifications, news items, and all other material that is submitted, including all materials and photos not specifically solicited by Massachusetts Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Massachusetts Horse assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of material submitted for publication. Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety and return of all materials.

your letters To the editor:

To the editor:

Thank you so much! It’s support like yours that lets us con-

I want to say how much I look forward to getting Massachusetts

tinue our mission of making a difference, one horse at a time.

Horse! I have a hard time putting it down once I start reading a

Words can’t describe our appreciation. The work, effort,

new issue; you do a wonderful job and please keep it coming.

kindness, and generosity . . . our cup is overflowing. The

I enjoyed the October/November issue because it focused on

$7,000 donation was a thing dreams are made of for Central

trail riding. The 4-H article was great and I could relate, being

New England Equine Rescue. Thank you from the bottom of

a long-time member growing up. And Autumn Rides was a

our hearts.

great feature: we’re lucky to have so many places in

Vicky Berry and Betsy Johnson

Massachusetts to enjoy, and it was a good reminder of rides I

Central New England Equine Rescue, West Brookfield

still want to do. I also like the general information about events that were held around the state, and about ones to

To the editor:

come, too.

I just received my copy of Massachusetts Horse with the usual

Jamie Kubosiak, Chesterfield

beautiful cover and I wanted to tell Stephanie that the story of Dylan and herr mother was touching. Thank you.

Pat Jackson, Berlin

To the editor: I love the magazine and all you do for the local horse community.

Brianna MacNeil, via email

Let us know your thoughts . . . and be entered to win a $25 Cheshire Horse gift card. All letters received by January 5 will be entered in the drawing.

Send your letters to: steph@mahorse.com or Massachusetts Horse 99 Bissell Road Williamsburg, MA 01096

Massachusetts Horse

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Karen Morang Photograhpy

Enhancing Your Horse’s Well-being Holistic Treatments

by Susan Graham Winslow and Stephanie Sanders

M

ost horse owners make veterinary care an integral part of basic equine management, but there are many other ways to improve the lives of our horses.

The more we hear about a holistic approach, the more intriguing it becomes; the more people are open to learning about it, the more understanding they have of the traditions, the reasoning, the science — and the positive results. Along with regular veterinarian visits, the following are ways to pay preventive and palliative attention to our treasured horses.

Acupuncture “The first time I met Dr. Amy Plavin was the result of a referral by Dr. Robert Schmitt, of South Deerfield,” says Chris Johnston, of Shelburne. “Our twenty-fouryear-old Morgan gelding, Country S Troubadour, diagnosed with Cushing’s disease several years earlier, suddenly developed laminitis in his hind hooves. Dr. Schmitt did 8

December/January 2015

all he could do; another vet checked Troubie carefully and suggested we put him down. Dr. Schmitt called us with one last suggestion: Contact Amy to see if acupuncture might help.”

Amy Plavin, DVM, CVA, CVSMT, a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, owns Hemlock Ridge Integrative Veterinary Care, in Bellows Falls, Vermont, where she practices (and travels to Massachusetts) with a holistic approach.

“With that advice and our last hope for saving our beloved Morgan, we contacted Amy, who came immediately, examined Troubie carefully, and then performed acupuncture on him,” says Chris. “She identified issues in his aging body, but her focus was on the laminitis.

“After three sessions, Troubie was sound and painfree. I was able to ride him and enjoy him for four more years. Amy came several times during that period to admin-

ister acupuncture treatments to keep the energy flowing as it should, and we felt blessed by her knowledge and help.”

Amy became certified in veterinary acupuncture in 1995. “I’ve used acupuncture to treat horses with conditions such as laminitis, muscle injury, arthritis, kidney disease, and diarrhea,” she says.

“I use it in combination with herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and spinal manipulation. I ask for a commitment of four weekly treatments for chronic conditions. Acute problems are usually helped more quickly and with longerlasting effects, but chronic conditions often require monthly maintenance therapy.”

Amy has taken a number of advanced acupuncture courses given by the Chi Institute. She expanded her studies of traditional Chinese medicine by completing a Chinese-herbal course in the late 1990s and continued her training in integrative medicine with certification in veterinary spinal manipulative

therapy in 2006.

“Our second need for Amy and her acupuncture occurred more recently,” says Chris. “Our current Morgan, CBMF Strictly Personal, is rather skittish. When he was frightened by some unknown boogieman, he slipped and his left hind leg went right under him, causing pulled muscles and a lot of pain. Amy came, examined JT, did some chiropractic to realign his spine, and then administered acupuncture. She visited three or four more times to continue to align the spine, administer acupuncture, and give me advice regarding his work/ exercise. Within six weeks, JT was perfectly sound — and continues to be sound today.

“I can’t say enough about Amy’s expertise and sensitivity to a horse’s pain and blocked energy,” says Chris. “She ‘rescued’ two of our horses, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.”

Animal Communication Recently Susan Deren, an animal communicator, psychic,

and medium, helped a horse that had become a chronic head shaker, much to the concern of its owner and trainer. “The trainer told me the horse would start to shake its head the minute the bridle went on,” Susan says. “They tried a different bridle, different bits; they called in a veterinarian. They had even taken X-rays of the horse’s head, but there was nothing definitive and the behavior continued. When I read the horse, I immediately felt a pain that told me the horse had an abscessed tooth. They called in a specialist, who found the abscess and removed the tooth. This horse is no longer shaking its head. It’s very rewarding when I can help an animal like that.”

Susan, who lives in Haverhill, says she noticed her gift when she was a small child. “My desire to help animals and people has always been there,” she says, “and my ability to communicate with animals has grown stronger in the past twenty years.”

She makes it clear that she has great respect for vets, and that she’s not a substitute for one. “Horse owners should always seek the advice of their veterinarian,” she says. “I often work with them to augment what they do, but I don’t overstep my bounds as a medical intuitive. Animals don’t have a voice to tell us where it hurts, but when I read an animal, whether it’s a cat, a dog, or a horse, I can feel the area in my body that relates to that animal’s condition or pain. I often describe it as stepping into that animal’s body for a while.”

Many horse owners call Susan for physical concerns, and she tackles behavioral issues as well. Her psychic abilities helped a rider whose horse would jump for other riders but refused every time with her. “I asked her to show me what was happening,” Susan says. “As they

approached the jump, I knew immediately what the problem was. I asked the rider if she had had a crash at a jump when she was twelve years old, and if she broke her leg at that time. She said it had happened more than twenty-five years earlier, and she was just starting to jump again. I told her that it wasn’t a behavioral issue with the horse. I could feel the deep-seated panic in her, and the picture of the crash in her mind that she was inadvertently sending to the horse every time they approached a fence.”

Because she now understood the problem, says

for general maintenance of their horses and supports veterinary care through her rehab work. Although equine physical therapy is relatively new in the United States, it’s been a staple of care in Europe for more than 20 years.

Katja first does a thorough assessment. “I palpate the whole horse and test the range of motion of all joints,” she says, “because a lot of times the problem is not at the part of the body where it shows. This might just be the weakest part. It’s very important, then, to look at the whole horse to find the

“After three sessions, Troubie was sound and pain-free. I was able to ride him and enjoy him for four more years.

— Chris Johnston Susan, “the woman could work on a positive resolution instead of perhaps punishing the horse for behavior she herself was creating.”

Equine Physical Therapy “One horse I’ve worked on is very special,” says Katja Bredlau-Morich, equine physical therapist. “I went to see the horse, in Amesbury, because it had back problems and couldn’t canter. The owner bought him like that six years ago, had vets out to look at him, and was told that she had to live with the horse’s situation.”

Katja’s practice is in Waltham. She studied at the German Gymnasium with the Abitur and worked as an X-ray technician for 15 years. She attended the Institut für Tierheilkunde, in Viernheim, Germany, and in 2012 became both a certified physical therapist for animals and a certified acupuncturist for animals. Katja is also a certified leech therapist and is licensed in flexible taping for horses. She works with owners

source of the problem. After my assessment, I discuss the findings with the responsible person and adjust my treatment according to the specific needs of that horse.”

To return to the special horse: “When I looked at him, the horse had barely any back muscles on the left side from the withers to the sacrum; it looked like a hole.

The right side was developed normally. First I couldn’t figure out why he had no muscles on that side but when I did my assessment and palpated the whole horse, I found that he had a huge circular scar around the pastern of his left front leg. It wasn’t easily visible because of the hair. Because I also do acupuncture, it was clear that the scar tissue was blocking all six meridians that run through that leg and therefore blocking the energy flow on that side of the body. With no energy flow, the horse couldn’t build up muscle” As a physical therapist, says Katja, “I can choose from among many treatments, such

as massage, manual therapy, stretching, lymphatic drainage, scar treatment, leech therapy, acupuncture, and kinesiology taping.” In this situation, she decided on laser acupuncture.

“I stimulated those meridians on that leg,” she says, “then treated the scar with massage and infrared therapy. I just focused on getting the energy flow going again. At my next visit, a few weeks later, the horse already looked better and had built some muscles. Next I focused more on the back with a stimulating massage, stretching exercises, and kinesiology taping.”

Just what is kinesiology taping? “It lifts the outer layer of the skin and therefore creates space in the tissue underneath, so blood and lymphatic fluid can flow more easily,” Katja explains. “This effect then continues through layer after layer of tissue all the way down to the bone.

Depending on the type of application, you can assist muscle work for horses in training, you can relax a muscle, you can use it to support lymphatic drainage and start healing, and you can use it for joint and ligament support.”

And it worked. “A few days after my second visit,” says Katja, “the horse owner called me and was extremely excited because for the first time in six years she had been able to canter the horse. In order to canter, the horse has to be able to lift its back. To do that, the back muscles must be healthy.

“I treated the horse a few more times. Each time he looked better and had built more muscles, and now he’s able to use his body better.”

Massage and Reiki Mary Gordon, a certified equine massage practitioner and Reiki master teacher, does bodywork. “Bodywork encompasses traditional equine-massage techniques, Massachusetts Horse

9

Jeremy Mimitz: 413-297-1231 253 Main St., South Windsor, CT

10

December/January 2015

as well as Reiki and other energy work,” she says. “When a horse that’s been moving and behaving well suddenly stops and becomes angry, aggressive, or uncooperative, there’s a reason. The first step is having the horse checked out by the veterinarian. If the vet gives the horse a clean bill of health, then often a bodyworker is brought in to assess what’s going on.”

Mary, of Westford, has practiced Reiki for 14 years and has also utilized tai chi, qi gong, and other energy-based disciplines. She brings all this experience to her work with horses.

Reiki, which is at the heart of her practice, “is a method of conveying universal life-force energy to boost and balance a horse’s natural healing systems,” Mary says. “It helps to move energy and generally calms the horse. If it’s in pain, Reiki can help by stimulating endorphins. I can’t force Reiki on a horse: the animal chooses to draw it in from my hands only if it wants or needs it.

Typically, you see the horse start to lick and chew and generally relax when it accepts the energy.” Some horses Mary works with regularly, she says, “will relax into sessions of more than an hour.

Mary explains part of why she thinks it works: “I’ve often felt that Reiki gives horses a safe place to relax and just let go of their fears and discomforts and reset.

For a prey animal, especially if it has pain or has experienced trauma, I think that’s a great benefit. It’s also a wonderful way to relax the muscles and prepare a horse for massage. Some horses I’ve met were in such distress that they couldn’t tolerate massage. For them, Reiki was the first order of healing; it was only in later sessions that we added massage.”

Massage provides several benefits. “It can make a radical difference in how a horse feels and moves,” says Mary. “If a muscle, or more than one, isn’t functioning correctly, the horse begins to use other muscles to compensate. What may start out as a small knot of unreleased muscle fibers can, if untreated, proliferate through many muscles until the horse has significant pain that interferes with its mood and work. What looks like the horse just shutting down may in fact be stuck muscle fibers that could be released by a professional. Regular equine massage can prevent this problem and keep a horse moving well.

Catching muscle issues early is key.”

Also key — and all our practitioners mentioned this — is trust. “In both massage and Reiki, it’s one of the most criti-

cal elements to establish,” says Mary.

“Horses need to trust that I’m paying attention to the body and energy cues they’re sending about how they feel and how what I’m doing feels to them.

Horses will often point me to an area they want worked on or give me other information that helps me assess their condition and how best to help them.

Keeping constant focus on the horse produces the best outcomes. When we listen, they work with us in amazing ways to solve their problem.”

The Raucher family and the Heritage Farm staff and community would like to thank our many friends and business contacts across New England for their support as we ride into our 43nd year!

We wish each and every one of you, whether you have two legs or four, a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season with Best Wishes for 2015!

AUCTIONS

Joyce Wiernasz, of Cummington, has always loved horses. Although she’s no longer a rider, she spent years learning about equine body language, herd mentality, horse handling, and stable management in various barns, workshops, and clinics. When she decided to take a big step and get a horse of her own, Joyce knew she wanted the horse to live as naturally as possible, and turned to the equine-lifestyle paradigm set forth by Jaime Jackson in Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding.

The goal is to give horses freedom of movement through a grazing and living environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. Joyce opened her home to an older pony with a variety of problems, among them insulin resistance and a history of laminitis. After a year, Lady was joined by an aged Connemara mare owned by a friend. The pasture mates have an in/out situation with box stalls opening to their paddock paradise.

Joyce has worked to clear inroads through her property that encourage the horses to meander and forage on the move.

“Several times a day,” says Joyce, “I go out and place hay throughout the track I’ve made around a central forest area. The track is bordered by a single line of fence on each side and is four or five horses in width, so there’s plenty of room to move around. The horses are free to go into their stalls or out into the track or onto a dry lot throughout the day and night. We feed them a vitamin supplement, and I distribute different types of hay to give them plenty of nutrition and variety. They’re also turned out on grass for short periods, but they’re able to move freely and forage twentyfour/seven.”

Joyce has noticed remarkable results: “These horses are in their twenties and I instituted this three years ago,” she says. “Now Lady’s bloodwork shows

Celebrate 2015 at our New Year’s Special Auction!

Sunday January 3, 10 A.M. Start the new year off on the right hoof!

New tack and a very select group of horses to be sold at this auction, ready to be your new horse for the new year!

ever What ests, nter your i mething ve so we ha . Don’t be u for yo ger here! n a stra Alessandra Mele

Paddock Paradise

EVENTS

Look for an expanded calendar of events to be held at Heritage Farm in 2015: Auctions . Hunter Shows . Stock Horse Shows . Dressage Shows . Clinics Open to buy, sell, or trade horses 7 days a week, by appointment.

Nice Horses for Nice People.

Auctions . Hunter, Stock Horse, and Dressage Shows . IEA Team

The Raucher Family 30 Florence Rd. Easthampton, MA (413) 527-1612 www.farmheritage.com

Massachusetts Horse

11

that she’s no longer insulin resistant, and she hasn’t had any problems with laminitis since she came here. The farrier says the hooves of both horses are healthy and strong. And the Connemara mare has blossomed.”

Establishing this environment isn’t easy. For example, Joyce says, “it’s a lot of work to haul the hay around the track area each day.”

Her efforts have paid off, she says.

“It’s been very rewarding to give these horses this life, and they’re much easier to work with because they’re content. This has been a great lifestyle choice.”

I felt her guard drop, I knew it was okay to take a step forward . . . and Alberta took a step toward me. I took another step, so did Alberta. I was able to scratch her withers and put my hands on her. I took a few chiropractic contacts and she dropped her head and took a deep breath. During our third session, I was able to pet and interact with her. I got the feeling she wanted me to know she was okay. I watched as she walked to another horse in the herd, began groom-

Chiropractic

Victoria Laskoski

Dr. Eve Capkanis, owner of Blue Star Chiropractic in Amherst, approaches each horse following a pattern. “First I want to create a relationship of trust,” she says, “to let the horse know I’m doing something not ‘to’ her but, rather, ‘with’ her. I observe the horse’s breathing, her attitude, and how she holds her body before I find my way into feeling the spine, hooves, and upper chest. A horse will often drop her head, snort, yawn, or close her eyes to express the release of tension as she feels the relief of a chiropractic adjustment.

“When I first saw Alberta, she was in bad shape emotionally and physically,” says Eve. “She stayed away from the other horses except the horse she arrived with when she came to Blue Star Equiculture Draft Horse Sanctuary.” (Eve volunteers at Blue Star.)

Alberta, a six-year-old Belgian, came from the Camelot Horse Auction in Cranbury, New Jersey. Her past is unknown.

“The first time I approached Alberta, I felt a bubble of energy surrounding her,” says Eve. “I could only get so close to her. I respected her space and created rapport at the edge of her bubble of safety. I knew this was significant so she wouldn’t feel threatened by my presence, and I ended our first session there, without touching her. Our second session, I felt the same bubble around her but I wanted to get closer so I could check her spine. I respected her and took her lead in our engagement. When 12

December/January 2015

ing the horse’s withers, and turned back to look at me as if to tell me she was okay now.”It’s possible to do healing work from afar: “It doesn’t have to be handson,” says Eve. “It’s important to meet the horse where the horse is with love and respect to build a rapport. I didn’t ask anything of Alberta — I allowed her to set the pace in our interactions.”

Eve has been a chiropractor for 20 years. She graduated from Hunter College, in New York City, and received her doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University, in Atlanta. She’s been working with horses for four years.

“Chiropractic addresses the root cause of disease as opposed to fixing symptoms,” says Eve. “It’s most effective when utilized on a regular basis, just as we use other treatments, such as the dentist, to maintain health. Think about how the body heals a cut or a broken bone,” she says. “Our bodies have an innate intelligence to be self-healing. The brain and the nervous system are the master control systems; the spinal cord is the delivery system for that communication.

Physical, chemical, and emotional stress and trauma can disrupt the nerve

impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. This impairs the body’s communication process, causing the symptoms of disease.

“In horses, as with humans, symptoms can be problems with digestion, behavior, limited motion, and pain.

Chiropractic care reduces nerve blockage in the body and restores optimal communication between brain and body.

When chiropractic care is received regularly, it supports the resilience of the body, making it more adaptable to life’s stresses.”

Nicole Birkholzer, who lives in Westhampton, called Eve for help with Jesse. “My thirty-two-yearold Percheron gelding had a debilitating hip injury that left him with little control over his hind end,” says Nicole. “His hips swayed left to right at the walk, and he couldn’t lie down because he didn’t have enough strength to push himself back into the standing position.

“Eve worked with him, and after the first session, Jesse’s body was more in alignment. He must have felt good because that night he decided to take a nap. When I came out to the barn in the morning, he was down and well rested, but he couldn’t get up. He tried several times, but his hind end just wasn’t supporting his efforts. I made an emergency call to Eve; she came right over and treated Jesse while he was lying in his run-in shed.

“A short while after Eve left, Jesse gave it another try and, lo and behold, he made it,” says Nicole. “All in all Jesse needed five adjustments to realign his body. After that, he no longer swayed, and walked and even trotted through the pastures.”

Says Eve: “I make sure a horse knows I don’t view him as a thing to be controlled, that I respect him, and that I’m there to help.”

Susan Graham Winslow is a therapeutic riding instructor, lifelong horsewoman, and owner of Dancing Bear, a Shire gelding.

Feathers & Fur Reiki Connecting with animals on a deeper level can happen when you take the time and have the patience.

The rewards can be amazing!

Thomas Harvey & Stix

Petey

Romeo, Juliet, & Miss Kitty

What Is Animal Reiki?

Animal Reiki is the respectful cooperation between two dierent species resulting in mutual beneďŹ ts of improved general condition, a calmer nature, and a steadier temperament. Reiki energy works on a deep meditative level to aid in the healing of physical, mental, and emotional issues. Positive intentions and interactions used during Reiki sessions create unique bonds and strengthen relationships between the participants and those around them.

To learn more, visit www.feathersandfurreiki.com.

Call us at (978) 372-2231 to make an appointment.

The horses on this page receive my gratitude and thanks for sharing themselves with me.

Massachusetts Horse

13

Peter Whitmore

Orange

Building Trust

by L.A. Pomeroy

A

ground-tying, going through water sprinklers, and riding bareback. Everyone was impressed with Isaac and Peter’s amazing work.”

How does a wild horse become a winner in less than two months? Trust. Since his first 4-H walk-trot horse, Snickle Fritz, at the age of five, Peter has held to the

Jessica Whitmore

man of faith and a horseman of character, Peter Whitmore builds good horses the old-fashioned way — with trust and patience.

His Orange, Massachusetts, training service, It’s a Pleasure Training with Peter Whitmore, echoes a phrase that could have come straight from the horse’s mouth — and not just any average saddle horse. Since starting his career, as a teenager, Peter’s had a way with wild things from Chincoteague Island ponies to a Nevada Mustang named Isaac.

You could say it’s in his genes. He credits his abiding love for horses and his ability to work with them to his mother, Sandy Whitmore. Amid coaching an intercollegiate Western riding team, a 4-H drill team, and a therapeuticriding program at her own Orange facility, Crimson Acres, she has continued to encourage her son to become the best horseman Peter and Isaac. he can be.

In 2009, with the support of his family behind him, he participated in the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge with three-year-old, 14-hand Isaac, who had never really been handled since arriving, as a yearling, at a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding pen.

The challenge, presented by the Mustang Heritage Foundation (in cooperation with BLM efforts to home its captured Mustangs), gives select trainers, like Peter, 100 days to turn a wild horse into a safe and willing partner under saddle.

Isaac was halfway through his training program when Peter competed him in the Extreme Cowboy Race Northeast Regional Finals at Rocking S Ranch, in Fort Fairfield, Maine. It was a pretty good debut: they won the Pro division.

“Isaac had only fifty days of training at that point, and handled the trip and competition like he’d done it his whole life,” says Peter’s wife, Jess. “The competition was timed, and consisted of thirteen obstacles, including jumping,

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December/January 2015

philosophy Snickles taught him: Love and patience are the foundations of good training.

Not everyone is qualified to take on a wild horse or pony, but if you’re planning to bring a new horse or youngster into your barn, Peter’s techniques apply equally well for starting off any relationship on the right lead.

Setting the Tone “Horses are herd animals,” Peter says.

“In Isaac, I was especially blessed with a good partner, but most horses, to some degree, have a naturally inquisitive nature. “They’re interested in being with others. When Isaac first arrived, I kept him isolated.”

Peter’s intent was to encourage the horse to see him as his first herd mate in this strange, new environment. “He was looking for companionship,” says Peter.

Within a couple of days, the Mustang realized that if he wanted to bond, Peter was ready and willing.

“Horses go through a transition

period when they arrive at a new place,” says Peter. “It doesn’t last long, just a couple of days, but while in transition, you can start to give them a structured partnership.”

This transition period can apply to horses coming back from the trainer’s.

“People think, when they bring a horse home, that he needs a break,” says Peter, “so the first thing they do is to give him a few weeks off.”

Instead of learning to expect the same routine as at the trainer’s, the horse returns to its old barn and likely to the same patterns of behavior that led to the need for a refresher course in the first place.

“I advise people to keep working their horse right away,” says Peter. “If you immediately offer that same structure, you’re not depriving him of a break; you’re helping him make an easier transition.”

In a herd situation, horses rely on direction from others, so if you’re showing the way, they’re more likely to start relying on you. “Once Isaac decided that we were partners, he gave his all,” says Peter. “He jumped in with all four hooves.”

Choice or Submission Whether it’s on the wild range or in a backyard pasture, horses that are part of a herd use body language to give one another small corrections throughout the day: step back, you’re too close to my space, for example, or move faster.

These messages are small but consistent.

Training horses, Peter says, is no different. It’s still about one herd mate asking for corrections in the behavior of another.

“Set the tone early,” says Peter. His average training program, for any horse, is to dedicate at least 45 minutes a day, six days a week. Two- or three-day training schedules, he has found, don’t offer a horse enough time to digest a training

message and incorporate it into its daily behavior. A six-day schedule helps enforce that certain behaviors — or corrections if necessary — will be expected regularly.

“Horses have a great memory,” says Peter. “It’s just that it’s easier for them to learn if lessons are presented more often and in shorter increments. I don’t want a horse to finally give in because he’s exhausted after hours of drilling. I want him to respond because he understands what I’m asking for and feels willing to do it well. It’s better to get a response in ten minutes off a fresh horse than after two hours on a tired one,” he says.

“That’s the difference between choice and submission.”

Peter’s greatest challenge was Isaac’s innate easygoing nature and adaptability.

Working with him was simply too much fun.

“I don’t drink coffee or alcohol. I don’t smoke. I’ve never had an addiction to anything that made me crave it every day,” Peter says, grinning. “Probably the closest I’ve come to experiencing that sort of high has been training Isaac.”

Isaac took so well to Peter’s training in short but regular sessions that the number of lessons soon increased to two

or three a day. “I’d never trained a horse as often or as frequently,” Peter says. “I had to make myself not want to go back and work him some more. But overall, he’s certainly taught me how consistency and desire can accomplish a lot, without force, in a hundred days.”

Expect Nothing Less Consistency should not be confused with repetition. What’s kept the relationship fresh with his Mustang partner has been Peter’s willingness not to limit Isaac’s options.

The key to Isaac — or to any other horse — is to “expect him to do things,” says Peter. Changes in training help keep a horse fresh and attentive. “Stay safe but keep continuously challenging your horse,” he says.

When introducing something, like barrels, Peter says, “when you feel him hesitate, that’s when a horse is asking for redirection. You have to calmly and confidently ask again, that yes, this is what you expect.” With Isaac, whose short, wild life didn’t offer much chance for preconceived notions about man-made creations, he says, “by the second time you show him anything, he’s fine.”

Peter also had to learn to break the

trainer’s curse of sitting forward and riding defensively. “When you ride a lot of young horses, you start to get into the habit of keeping your weight forward because you’re expecting trouble,” says Peter. “Isaac had no problem moving forward off my leg. I had to learn to get out of his way and allow him to move the way he wanted.”

Building a trusting working relationship is about striking a balance — between consistent training and recognizing that each horse learns at its own pace.

“We went at Isaac’s pace,” says Peter.

“Every day, I introduced something new.

On a good day, that could mean going through puddles or riding over a moving bridge. On his bad days (and yes, every horse has them), we’d try to just reinforce the basics. I never set limits on what I believed he could do.” Nor did he set expectations.

“If you want a machine, don’t get a horse,” says Peter. “His brain doesn’t just turn on and off like a motor. You can do things right one hundred percent of the time, but for whatever reason, some days it’s not going to work. Horses, like people, are not infallible.” continued on page 41 . . .

Massachusetts Horse

15

North Brookfield

Ohana Farm

Holistic Horse Care

by Alessandra Mele

O

ing, there’s a tack-room addition, skylights now bring in stunning natural light, and a bathroom was put in. Now undergoing renovations is the viewing room.

With Farah’s loving attention, Ohana Farm is enjoying a transformation not unlike what occurs with the horses in her care.

Natalie Bourchier Photography

hana is a concept from Hawaiian culture and it means “family” — an extension beyond blood relatives to those adopted as family, even those with four legs. Trainer Farah DeJohnette established Ohana Farm, in North Brookfield, in July with community, respect, and love driving her vision.

She has created a center for holistic equine practices, where horses don’t just enter into a training program; they become part of a family.

A November wind whisks through the last of Ohana Farm’s autumn leaves, carrying them about the paddocks and pathways that connect the herds.

As Farah surveys the place, pointing to spots in transition and signs of growth (a farm renovation here, a horse there), her passion for the home and the family she has nurtured breaks the wind and warms the raw afternoon.

The farm provides boarders with a range of options for a natural, holistic approach to horse care and training.

Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship, which is based at the farm, specializes in rehabilitating horses with a difficult past.

Building a Dream When she purchased the nine-acre property, Farah knew she had to first and foremost give the place some love. The facility had known better days, but she saw within the draped cobwebs, leaky roof, and mangled fences an extraordinary opportunity to consolidate her efforts. “I was working out of several farms among New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, traveling to clients all over the place,” she says. “It was my dream to have a central place to teach, train, and rehabilitate, and this place has become that.”

She set to work making renovations, and since that beginning in July, Farah has accomplished an amazing amount.

There’s a new roof, 13 stalls have been redone, the arena has supple new foot16

December/January 2015

The Programs Farah individualizes every program according to a horse’s needs. Each offers creative training solutions, and strives to enhance relationships between horses and their humans. Clinics will be held regularly, ranging in topics from confident trail riding to healing with herbs.

Lessons are also available, for all ages and levels of riding.

The Ohana Farm lesson program breaks with tradition: Instead of school horses rotating among many students, Farah has established what she calls Share a Horse program, in which students are matched with a horse with which they can build a relationship over an extended period. Similar in many ways to a lease situation, a student helps with the horse’s care and participates in training and riding, which present the opportunity to savor the bond that results.

Engaging a variety of equine professionals in the Ohana Farm curriculum is important to Farah: “I want this to become a center for holistic horse care,”

she says, “incorporating all elements into a comprehensive program for natural and complete horsemanship.” For example, Fiona Habershon’s specialty is zoopharmacognosy, also known as selfselection. This entails an array of essential oils, plant extracts, dried plants and herbs, macerated oils, algae, seaweeds, clays, and mineral-rich mud from which the horse itself will make a selection, to self-guide its physical and emotional wellbeing — as it would in the wild. The farm also integrates regular barefoot trimming, along with the natural equine dentistry of Wendy Bryant.

Horses in small herds graze on freechoice hay from slow feeders and move over the graded, rocky terrain that helps trim hooves naturally. They live outside all the time, already having grown hardy winter coats, and choose when to take shelter from the elements. The arena is quiet at the moment, but obstacles such as bridges, platforms, jumps, balls, tarps, and barrels suggest the fun that goes into training here.

Thinking Outside the Round Pen There’s no shortage of creativity once Farah starts working with the horses.

Watching her interact with a young horse as it discovers its own stride, trotting unconstrained around her; sensing the confidence it pulls from her presence; marveling at its rippling muscles filling with newfound purpose; and seeing in its eyes trust in the bond they’ve established — what a privilege to witness the joy. “I encourage innovation and creative thinking in training, and want to get rid of stale notions,” Farah says. “Taking risks is the only way to change the direction of our horsemanship.”

Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship takes an approach that combines classical dressage and natural horsemanship to build trust, enhance relationships, and

create an enjoyable training experience.

Farah has put three decades of learning about alternative methods into developing her program Farah begins with a 30-day assessment of a horse’s mental and physical state, then presents the owner with an evaluation and a personalized training plan. “The goal is to get back to a healthy, happy horse, and develop connections along the way,” she says.

Then Liberty-Ground-Mounted, a three-phase journey that leaves plenty of room for individual style, provides the framework.

In the liberty phase, says Farah, “the crux of creating a bond with a horse is integrating into his community. We act as though we’re a new horse joining the herd. This enables the horse to choose whether to interact with us, and we’re forced to deal with pure horse language.

We enter his space as a structured exercise, and it’s quite magical the way he can connect with us as a result.”

The ground phase moves to the enclosed ring, where fundamentals acquired naturally during the liberty phase are given some structure to build toward riding. The horse is still completely free, and it takes guidance from Farah on the ground. “You’d be surprised what a horse can learn when communication is open,” she says “The horse will learn how to bend, stretch, keep a natural outline, remain light and soft, even work in a frame at liberty. It’s learning how to use itself correctly before I even introduce a saddle and bridle.”

Line work comes next, a graceful extension of the first two phases that gently bridges the space between freedom and having a rider.

At the mounted phase, Farah keeps things simple, trusting in the bond she and the horse have established. “I don’t believe in using gadgets and extra tack — the less equipment I need, the better the rider I consider myself,” she says. “I should be able to rely on my communication with that horse; it’s a sort of test.

I’m challenging myself to be the best horseman I can be, stripping away tack and relying on my communication.”

Farah doesn’t expect everyone to ride her or his horse bridle-less and bareback (although she often does), but she teaches in a way that minimalizes dependence on tack and instead focuses on clear, natural aids; listening to the horse; and using an effective seat.

“I came through some very classical instruction,” says Farah, “and when I first

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became a trainer, I felt as though I was spending too much time trying to fix horses. Adopting this method has enabled me to have a real connection with the horses I’m working with. I have a genuine relationship with every horse on the farm, whether it belongs to me or to a client. Having that is so much better than just fixing, and I love helping others improve their relationships with their horses.”

One such horse on the farm is Mya, a leggy Appendix Quarter Horse with kind eyes. She was brought to Farah by her owner, Karen Trombley, of Granby, Connecticut, at a time when hope was dwindling.

“Mya was my first horse, and a vet told me to get rid of her because of her behavior issues,” Karen recalls, shaking her head, the pain of a dreadful recommendation fresh once again. “With Farah’s help, we discovered it was really rooted in her health. She had a combination of Lyme disease and navicular changes, which created a lot of inflammation. She would barely allow us to touch her. Once we understood what she was trying to tell us, we developed a

program best suited to her needs. We started the liberty phase, and at first I was scared she was going to charge — and she did sometimes! But the more I worked with her freely in the paddock, the less present my fear was and the more we were able to connect. A lot of changes in her behavior and our relationship were revealed to me, and now I see a big difference in Mya and me together.” Karen smiles as Mya gazes at her paddock, content and comfortable, and no longer struggling to be heard.

The sense of peace and harmony among the residents of Ohana Farm imbues the atmosphere and epitomizes the concept the place was named for.

“Ohana Farm makes it possible for me to give horses with tough pasts a safe place to live,” Farah says. “This is a place where they can be understood and valued.

They usually have a lot to say, and they can say it here.”

Alessandra Mele, who lives in Wilbraham, works in marketing at W. F. Young/Absorbine. She enjoys spending time with the horses on her family’s farm, especially riding her Quarter Horse, JoJo.

Massachusetts Horse

17

guest column

The Masterson Method Going beyond massage, the Masterson Method is an innovative form of touch therapy that works with a horse’s natural instincts.

Even better — it’s something you can do yourself.

by Jim Masterson, with Stefanie Reinhold

D

oes your horse sometimes feel “off” for no discernible reason?

Does he often seem stiff, or resistant to training? Have the times or scores of your ordinarily good horse been trending in the wrong direction? Do you seek a way to enhance your horse’s performance without resorting to medications?

These are some of the problems I help riders deal with through my alternative therapy called the Masterson Method. It’s a unique, interactive approach to equine bodywork in which you learn to recognize and use the horse’s response to your touch to find and release accumulated tension in the junctions of the body that most affect performance.

In contrast to most traditional treatment modalities, the Masterson Method enables the horse to actively participate in the process of releasing tension. It’s something you do with the horse, rather than to the horse. In fact, if you don’t allow the horse to participate, it doesn’t work!

Although I developed this bodywork to improve performance in equine athletes competing in high-demand environments, such as show jumping, harness racing, endurance, reining, and barrel racing, its intuitive and interactive nature can do more than improve performance. It also enables you to access a

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December/January 2015

new level of communication with your horse.

The results of this interaction are both visual and palpable (you can feel them with your hand). You’ll see signs of release of tension in the horse’s body; improved performance, suppleness, mobility, and comfort; and, most important, the immediate bond of trust that begins to develop.

The Masterson Method, which I’ll explain later in this article, is a practical, hands-on approach that you can begin to use immediately. You don’t have to have knowledge of anatomy or massage to start with the basic techniques, and the techniques themselves are easy to learn.

They’re covered in depth in my new book, Beyond Horse Massage, and in the accompanying DVD. I also teach the techniques at seminars.

How Does It Work?

One reason this method works so well to alleviate soreness, strain, and tension is because of the horse’s incredible awareness and sensitivity to outside stimuli.

This is how he survives. Working with this sensitivity, you can access a level of the horse’s nervous system that enables him to release deep stress in his muscles, connective tissue, and structure. To do this you must learn how to use touch, and how to read what the horse is telling

you through his responses and body language.

To fully understand this, you need to be aware of two underlying principles of the horse’s survival instincts. First, he’s a prey animal; second, he’s a herd animal.

As a prey animal, in nature the horse’s survival depends on his ability to flee from danger. Getting away from danger, intrusion, or discomfort is the horse’s first survival response. If he doesn’t have this option, as is normally the case when with humans, the horse’s second survival response is to brace, push, or guard against intrusion, discomfort, or pain. By applying my techniques at levels of pressure that don’t trigger this bracing survival response (whether it’s internal or external), and knowing from the horse’s responses when this is happening, you can bypass the bracing response and access that part of the nervous system that will release tension.

As a herd animal, the horse relies, to a large part, on body language for communication. This can be seen from the most obvious flattening of ears and baring of teeth to the slightest softening of the eye, shift of weight, and change in breathing.

The horse will instinctively do his best not to show outward signs of pain or weakness, to prevent himself from being

either picked out of the herd by a predator or kicked out of the herd as a weak link. That’s why it’s often challenging to evaluate lameness.

When you learn to follow the signs and responses the horse gives you, he lets you know when you’re being effective, where he’s holding tension, and when his body has released this hidden stress. A fascinating aspect of this is that when the horse begins to realize you’re allowing him to release tension that he’s been holding instinctively, he begins to take part in the process by more readily showing you release responses, and letting go of tension in his body more easily. This creates a deeper bond of trust between you.

Body Junctions Repetitive work, pain, lameness, or compensation for any discomfort can cause tension patterns to develop in muscles and connective tissue that restrict movement in joints and other major junctions. This accumulated tension and restricted movement can affect performance and level of comfort, add to psychological and emotional strain, and result in behavior problems and a loss of willingness.

These restrictive tension patterns can themselves eventually contribute to lameness. Even after the primary cause of lameness is removed, the tension patterns and restriction often remain. A point has been reached where the horse can’t completely release this tension without help.

With the Masterson Method, you begin by focusing on the three main junctions of the body that most affect performance. These are marked on the skeletal drawing above. When tension is released in any of these key junctions, it is released in muscles and connective tissue in the larger areas of that junction, and often in more-remote areas.

The most important junction in relation to overall mobility and comfort is

the poll. In my experience, tension, pain, or discomfort anywhere in the horse’s body shows up as tension in the poll.

The other two main junctions are where the limbs join the body. Here, forces exerted by the horse’s limbs, as well as concussion during movement, are transferred to the body and tension then accumulates. When tension patterns begin to accumulate unilaterally — that

Less Is More

So how does this differ from traditional massage? One distinction is the role the horse plays in the process. With traditional massage, you’re trained with your hands to find —then “go to work” on — tension and anomalies in the muscle, and use levels of pressure that will break them up.

But using the Masterson Method, you listen to what the horse’s body has to Poll–atlas junction say and adjust your pressure to get the result you want: the Neck–shoulders–withers release from the Hind-end junction horse. If there’s any junction question about whether you’re using the correct amount of pressure, the answer is almost always “Less is more.”

The levels of pressure you use range from virtually none to about as much as you can apply, depending on which area you’re working on and what the horse is telling you. To avoid the use of technical terms (pounds per square inch, for example) in describing what level to use in any particular exercise and to is, more to one side than the other — make it easy to visualize, I’ve developed forces are exerted in an unbalanced the more-palpable descriptions below. manner and performance problems The key is to let the horse’s initial become apparent in bending, lead response, or lack of response, let you changes, and movement. This potential know if you’re using too much pressure. imbalance applies to all three main junc• Air gap: Barely touching the surface. If tions. you were to run your hand lightly down Touch and response, when you get your arm, you’d be barely brushing right down to it, are nothing more than across the hairs on it. stimulus and behavior. When you apply • Egg yolk: This is the amount of presthe correct stimulus (touch), you’ll get sure it would take to barely indent a raw the correct behavior (response), which egg yolk with your fingertip. It might be starts the process of release. When you use a good idea to break an egg into a bowl the correct level of touch and can recogto see how light this actually is. nize the responses that correlate to what • Grape: The amount of pressure it you’re doing, you can follow those would take to indent a grape. responses to bring about the horse’s • Soft lemon: The amount of pressure it release of tension. would take to squeeze a soft, ripe lemon.

Although this sounds scientific, once • Hard lime: The amount of pressure it you start to recognize the responses of would take to squeeze a hard, unripe the horse, and you get the correlation lime. (In some cases, this may be as hard between what you’re doing and what the as you can push.) horse is saying via body language, the It’s easy to misjudge or miscalculate horse begins to guide the process. how much pressure you’re using, particMassachusetts Horse

19

ularly at first. Practice your levels of touch on a friend for feedback. Even here, your mantra should always be “Less is more.”

This doesn’t mean that you won’t use any pressure or strength. It means you’ll need to keep in mind that, contrary to our human way of doing things, you won’t meet resistance with a more insistent touch. Instead, when you run into resistance to whatever level of pressure or touch you’re using, you’ll soften or yield to that resistance, allowing the horse to release his tension.

Types of Responses The correct level of touch will put your horse in a relaxed frame of mind, enabling him to more easily tell you through his responses when you’ve helped him release tension. Below are the visual responses to look for. They range from the subtlest reactions to blatant ones.

Subtle responses usually indicate you’re on an area of tension that the horse is blocking, and you’re using a level of pressure that’s bypassing the horse’s bracing survival response.

Among these responses are blinking or twitching of the eye; twitching or quiver-

HORSES

ing of the lips; a change in breathing (holding breath, breathing faster); sighing or exhaling; dropping the head; and softening of the eye or facial expression.

Larger responses usually indicate some level of actual release of tension. Among them are snorting or sneezing — especially repeatedly — and sometimes grunting; shaking the head and body (“shaking loose”); yawning — especially repeatedly; rolling back the second eyelid; stretching and flexing; and fidgeting.

Of these, repeated yawning while rolling back the second eyelid is the best indicator of a big release of tension. And expect a horse to fidget or move around.

If you’re using the method properly — meaning the horse is relaxed and not bracing — then when he starts to fidget, walk, or move, you’ll know he’s about to release. When this happens, stay softly with what you’re doing for just a little longer. You may have to move with the horse but almost always he will then show you a release response.

So, you might say, “horses always blink, yawn, lick their lips, fidget, and sometimes stretch. How do I tell if it’s a response or if my horse is just chewing food, blinking at flies, or scratching an itch?” The answer is that you’re not look-

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December/January 2015

ing for these behaviors only: You’re looking for the correlation between what you’re doing with him in that moment and the behavior he is giving you in response. This is the key. All it takes is the patience to watch, wait, and see what the horse has to say, along with the patience and willingness to go slowly and lightly with your touch. Remember, less is more!

More Pointers For the horse to participate in this process, you must allow him to do so on his own time. Let go of the element of time or he won’t respond. Throw away the clock. You’re on the horse’s agenda.

Go slowly in the Search, watch for the Response, and, when you get one, stay, stay, stay, until you get a Release or until you’re sure there’s nothing there.

Note: Every horse has his own personality. Some horses respond more readily than do others. Some are more guarded and give you hardly anything; then, after you’ve walked away, they’ll show a release. But there’s almost always some kind of response, and soon you’ll get good at recognizing even the subtlest change.

Bladder Meridian Initially, use a very light touch along an area of the horse called the bladder meridian. In Chinese medicine, the body has 12 primary acupuncture meridians. The bladder meridian is one of the major ones, in that it has a unique effect on balancing all the others.

In the horse, the bladder meridian runs along each side of the body, parallel and slightly below the topline. It begins just behind the eye and runs over the poll between the poll and the ear, and from there continues down the neck two or three inches below the crest and alongside the withers two to three inches beneath the topline until it reaches the croup.

From there, it “leaves” the topline and goes over the rump toward the “poverty groove” — the crease between the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus muscles. Follow this groove down the hind leg, over the side of the hock just off the hind centerline of the leg, down the groove on the side of the cannon bone, and over the fetlock to its termination on the coronary band.

In addition to giving you information about where the horse is holding tension, working along the bladder meridian establishes his sensitivity and the level of touch you’ll use to start. It

sets the stage for Masterson Method exercises that involve movement of different parts of the horse’s body.

Nonresistance How you ask the horse to move is fundamental to this method’s success. If the horse isn’t in a relaxed state when you ask for movement, then he is, in a sense, bracing as he moves.

Ask is the key word. For example, when you ask the horse to bend his neck toward you and he resists, your first impulse may be to pull harder to make him bend toward you. If you react to the resistance by countering it, the horse will continue to resist, tense, or brace. Even if he’s bringing his head toward you, he’s still, to some degree, resisting, tensing, or bracing as he moves.

Apply the principle of nonresistance: When the horse resists, soften your hand slightly so when he feels you stop pulling, he’ll let go. You then continue the movement. When you give the horse nothing to resist, he’ll stop resisting and you can immediately continue your move.

The following exercise will help you understand the principle of nonresistance.

Using a halter and lead rope, ask the

horse to move forward. Instead of mechanical force, use the principle of nonresistance by applying the least pressure possible to the lead rope. As the horse yields the slightest bit, by moving his nose forward or even just shifting his weight, release pressure and ask immediately for another yield. Ask, release, ask, release, until the horse shifts his weight completely and takes a step.

Once you get used to this counterintuitive way of communicating, you’ll experience the elation of discovering a completely new type of interaction with your horse. The results will increase effortlessly, and the new communication will spill over into other aspects of the activities you do with your horse.

This excerpt from Beyond Horse Massage, by Jim Masterson with Stefanie Reinhold, is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.HorseandRiderBooks.com).

Jim Masterson is the massage therapist for the United States Equestrian Endurance Team, and for equine clientele competing in the Fédération Equestre Internationale World Cup, Pan American, and World Games competitions. Jim teaches seminars, workshops, courses, and clinics, To learn more, visit www.mastersonmethod.com.

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Dealer Massachusetts Horse

21

the right lead

Backyard Mindfulness

Making Mindful Connections

by Nicole Birkholzer The Right Lead offers advice and tips from your neighbors and friends. Horse professionals from all walks of life will help you find the right lead.

What had changed? Joyce had followed their routine: she’d shown up at the barn at the same time, she’d spread hay in the open stalls and across the barnyard for Lady and the boarder to chew on, and she’d said the usual. So she hadn’t changed, yet the horse did something different.

Rather than stand there looking baffled, Joyce followed Lady. Surprise, surprise: When Joyce came up to her at the new pile, the pony picked up a hoof and

W

hat does a mindful interaction with your horse look like?

What makes a mindful interaction so different from those that are based on restraint?

And why does it matter?

Let’s address the last question first.

A mindful approach changes your relationship: When you consider your horse’s point of view, you’ll work with your horse, not against it. And if you give your horse a chance to express itself, it just might teach you a thing or two about itself.

Here are a few backyard examples of what a mindful interaction looks like and what makes it different from the typical one, and how a mindful approach helped to build a more meaningful relationship — a partnership.

a mindful way, rather than attempting to impose her will. Joyce felt good about giving her pony credit for solving what could have been a problem, and Lady learned she would be heard.

Trusting the Gut Christina was concerned about one of her horses. Mark, a large draft, was already a little bit underweight and she had a hard time even maintaining his weight. She tried a variety of grains and

22

December/January 2015

Diane Bevan

Joyce had adopted Lady, a beautiful black pony, two years earlier and they’d developed a nice routine: every evening after work Joyce spread four flakes of hay for Lady and her companion horse before she grabbed the brush box to give Lady her daily grooming.

All at liberty, no halter, no lead rope, Lady munched the hay while Joyce picked her hooves, brushed her coat, and tidied her mane and tail. Then one day the routine changed. When Joyce came close to pick Lady’s hooves, the horse walked away and on to another pile of hay. Joyce was surprised. Usually she said “Okay, girl, pick up” and by the time the word girl had left her mouth, Lady’s little hoof was in the air. So simple . . .

But that day Lady had walked to a different flake. And that’s what she did the following day, and the day after that.

As perplexed as she was, Joyce believed there was a reason for this behavior. Instead of using a halter to “make Lady stay,” she decided to think about the situation.

Christina Andersen

Airborne Hooves

Lady and Joyce.

Mark.

held it in the air.

At first Joyce was stumped, but then she wondered about why one heap of hay was more alluring than the first. And soon it came to her: She had started a new batch of hay. This hay was of a different texture, finer than the previous one, and the horses consumed it a bit faster. And though Lady still had hay at the first feeding station when Joyce asked her to pick up a hoof, it was apparently clear to the pony that the pile wouldn’t last through the grooming.

Maybe, then, Lady went to a fresh heap so she and Joyce could hang — Lady eating, Joyce fussing over her — without the food running low.

The next day, Joyce walked with Lady to the second pile and confirmed her theory. Joyce was amazed at how aware and proactive this little black pony had been. She explored the situation in

supplements, but nothing seemed to have any effect.

One day, when the gate to the backyard was open, Mark decided to take a walk and Christina followed to see where he was going.

It seems he was heading straight to the compost pile. Upon arrival, for a moment he towered above the leaves, manure, and grass clippings, then he stuck his nose into the latest addition: charcoal and ashes from a barbecue grill. He snagged some charcoal and began to chew it. Concerned, Christina tried to get it out of his mouth but the big horse was determined. Why in the world would Mark want ashes? It hardly looked appetizing . . . in fact it looked horrible.

Back in the house, Christina went to the internet. Her research showed that charcoal calms a stressed stomach. Mark

had recently moved to their new home, which brought about many changes. It made sense that he was nervous. When she asked her vet about this, he told her a charcoal supplement would be beneficial, so Christina ordered one.

Christina’s willingness to explore why Mark acted the way he did led to insights about why we should listen to what our horse tries to communicate.

Going Craaaaazy And here’s an example from my own backyard.

My older mare, Kaylaa, is 26 years.

Recently I let her and my younger mare, Shana, hang together in one of the turnouts. At nighttime, when I opened

stopped trembling and turned her head toward one of the back pastures. Then it all made sense.

For a few months, two new horses had stayed on my property. They were living on the other side of the barn, not visible to Kaylaa. Today the owner had let them into one of the back pastures . . . and Kaylaa had spotted them. Suddenly I remembered that whenever Kaylaa meets a new boy, she goes craaaaazy. Always has and, despite being, well, mature, I guess she always will.

This particular evening, Kayla needed a little support to find her way into her turnout. I grabbed a lead rope and as I approached her said, “Okay, my girl, occasionally even a perfect horse

Blood Hoax Life is anything but predictable on the Beckmere Farm that Ike Cherny manages. And to top it off, Tuleigh McKenna, the girl he’s about to marry, disappears. e sole item she left behind is the GPS she depended upon to get her to clients from Maine to Long Island.

Can Ike follow all 43 of her saved destinations and pick up a clue of Tuleigh’s whereabouts?

Fame & Deceit As a protagonist, Ike Cherny is not easy to love at first.

He’s the type of man mothers warn their daughters about. Good looking, arrogant and as much a stud as the stallions he profiles. But as he strives to turn the blue blooded horses on his employer’s stud farm into world class show horses while his stable of two-legged fillies keep on handing him problems, we begin to feel for him.

David Milos

Natural Balance Equine Dentistry

Nicole and Kaylaa with “boyfriend” Bill in the back.

the gate for Kaylaa to walk through into her own turnout, she refused.

I was quite surprised, as Kaylaa is one of the most compliant of horses.

She’s not stubborn, nor does she like to cause trouble. But that night she was and she did. When I tried to shoo her along the fence toward the gate, she ran in circles. When I tried to herd her from the other side, she rolled back on her aging haunches and spun the other way. When I tried again, she ran to hide behind Shana, who was quietly munching her dinner.

I didn’t understand. What was wrong? What had happened since I last saw Kaylaa, just a few hours earlier? Now she seemed on the edge of panic that I’d “make her” go into her paddock. “What’s going on, Kaylaa?” I asked. “Why don’t you want to go into your area?” She

like you needs a hand.” She stayed put so I could loop the lead rope over her neck, and then let me guide her through the gate.

When she was safely ensconced, I yet again marveled at how much my horses teach me in my own backyard.

Nicole Birkholzer, who lives in Westhampton, is the founder of Mindful Connections. She’s passionate about showing the logic behind our animals’ behavior. Her first book, Pet Logic, will be in stores this fall. To learn more, visit www.mindful-connections.com.

Restoring Motion through Balance in the Equine Mouth Improved Topline and Performance Increased Flexion Horses . Ponies . Minis . Donkeys Wendy Bryant, EQDT (413)237-8887 . w-bryant@comcast.net wbryantnaturalbalancedentistry.com Certified practitioner in Natural Balance Dentistry®.

Trained under Spencer Laflure of Advanced Whole Horse Dentistry Learning Center.

Massachusetts Horse

23

trail guide North Easton

by Stacey Stearns

Borderland State Park

R

bikes, children, strollers, and lots of dogs. And Borderland is home to two disc-golf courses. Each has 18 holes and winds through the forests, fields, and meadows. Expect to hear the gentle clang of discs landing in the metal targets.

Skip the hiking trails, such as the Northwest Trail and the French Trail

Stacey Stearns

iding the trails of Borderland State Park, in North Easton, is like taking a journey through a forgotten era. A three-story stone mansion, completed around 1910, sits amid wellmanicured lawns and gardens. Gravel roads cross the 1,782-acre property as trails lead off into the woods.

Borderland is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). There’s a sense of peace throughout the forest, yet the sounds of laughter and quiet conversations are never far off.

“This is a great place to desensitize a horse to other trail users,” says Barb Share, of Mansfield. “It’s a beautifully maintained park, with easy access from town, and it’s a site of historic significance because of the Ames family.”

In 1906, Blanche and Oakes Ames purchased land on the border of Sharon and Easton and named the estate Borderland. Blanche was an artist and suffragist and Oakes, a botanist, taught at Harvard. In 1971, the state of Massachusetts bought the property for its parkland. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1977.

Borderland now offers many recreational activities: tennis, walking, horseback riding, fishing and canoeing in the ponds, and ice skating, cross-country skiing, and sledding in winter.

Plan Your Ride The main entrance is on Massapoag Avenue, in North Easton. (The driveway is narrow, so drive slowly and with caution.) Stop at the self-service kiosk at the entrance to the Oak Grove parking area to pay a $2 day-use fee (cash or credit card). Then put the receipt, facing out, on your dashboard.

Follow the circle around the driveway, past the visitors center. You can deposit your trailer at the back right side of the parking lot. Before you unload the horses, head over to the visitors center to pick up a copy of the park map (and take advantage of the public facilities).

Equestrians may only walk and trot.

This important rule is for reasons of safety: sharing the trails will be mountain 24

December/January 2015

(part of the Bay Circuit Trail), and note that horses aren’t allowed on the Pond Edge, Swamp, and Quiet Woods Trails.

The bridle trails are unpaved roads with a dirt-and-gravel base. You’ll have plenty to choose from: the state park has more than 20 miles of scenic trails for you and your horse. All major intersections are marked with wood signs and a laminated map. For an easy introduction first ride here, try the 2.9-mile Pond Walk Trail. It circles Leach Pond, the largest of the six ponds on the property.

To begin, ride past the visitors center to the trails. Because Pond Walk is a loop, you can head toward the mansion or to the lodge. The brown signs point to the lodge, which has a slope to the trail.

The lodge is a small stone house used as by the Ames family for their guests. If you’re riding with a friend, one person can hold the horses while the other peeks inside to see the old fireplace. In front, there’s a popular fishing area with beautiful views of the pond.

Continue along the trail, past fields (stop and graze your horse), then turn right to follow the Pond Walk around Leach Pond. Here, you’ll cross between Leach Pond and Upper Leach Pond.

Where there are narrow bridges, there

are also paths for horses to ford the water.

Continue around the Pond Walk and enjoy the views and the wildlife — you may see ducks, hawks, even deer.

Now you’ll arrive at an intersection with another trail; you take a right to continue looping around Leach Pond. After you pass through two gates and over a small bridge, the Pond Walk brings you back to the large fields and gravel roads. Take a left onto the gravel road and ride down toward the mansion.

This area is particular popular for families and photographers.

Follow the driveway and ride around the mansion. You can also cut across the back lawn to ride past the tennis court over to the site of the old pool (now overgrown). Blanche Ames designed it, and its pipes were so intricate that only she knew how they worked. You can connect back to the Pond Walk and ride the short section of trail back to the gravel roads, or cut across the lodge fields and reconnect with the original section of the Pond Walk before heading back to your trailer.

Other Recommendations If you want a longer ride, you can add some mileage to the Pond Walk. The first option is to ride on gravelly Tisdale Road around Upper Leach Pond to Mountain Street (a paved road), where it reconnects with the Pond Walk. Or ride a loop from the Pond Walk to Bob’s Trail — a favorite of mountain bikers — to the unpaved Bay Road Lane before returning to the Pond Walk.

Carry a map of the park or forest whenever you ride. No hunting is allowed, but you should always be aware of hunting season and consider wearing blaze orange for safety. Shoes or hoof boots are recommended.

A sign indicates park closing time: about 20 minutes before sunset. This is strictly enforced and violators will receive a $25 ticket.

Make sure you clean up after your horse in the parking area and on the trails, and as always, please be respectful of other trail users.

Happy trails!

This Olde Horse

A. W. Elson and Co., Boston

East Northfield

Wanamaker Lake, East Northfield.

Have a photo for This Olde Horse? Email

editor@mahorse.com.

Massachusetts Horse

25

Wild Hearts

lend a hoof

West Bridgewater

by Jessica M. Paquette

ing from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), in addition to the other, emotional side effects from wartime service. Nicole Long is the therapist.

“Nicole and I met about four years ago at a farm where I was running Wild Hearts,” says Julie. “She took riding lessons there and the barn owner introduced us. As a therapist, Nicole was very

Jessica M. Paquette

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” Winston Churchill famously said, and that’s certainly true at Julie Lovely’s farm and her equine-assisted therapeutic programs.

Winter is on the way and all the signs of the change of season are evident: At Julie’s farm, in West Bridgewater, the last few red, orange, and yellow leaves are on the ground, the sun is lower in the sky, and there’s a slight chill in the air. Home to four horses — two of them minis —Wild Hearts provides a peaceful retreat from the busy city nearby.

Inside the barn, the tack room is warm and inviting, an ideal spot for a one-on-one session. Up the stairs, next to the full hayloft, is a classroom with a table, chairs, and even carpeting.

Decorative horseshoe plaques that adorn the walls are for sale to help fund the Horses for Heroes initiative, which is free to all participants.

Julie’s eyes light up as she talks about the work she and her staff are doing for the community since 2009, when Wild Hearts opened its doors.

She has a background in therapeutic riding. “The connection between mental health and horsemanship just fascinated me,” she says. “The study of the connection between horses and mental health is relatively new, since the 1990s, and I knew I wanted to pursue that. As the program progressed, I had to choose which path to focus on, and we shifted to offering mental health services exclusively in 2013.”

Wild Hearts operates two programs, both for adults. The first involves equinefacilitated psychotherapy (EFP), which partners with the horse as a means to reach specific goals set forth by a licensed therapist. The second, Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes, is designed to assist veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those suffer-

Therapeutic Equestrian Programs

26

December/January 2015

interested in EFP. We I talked, and soon knew we’d start an EFP program together, as soon as the time was right.”

“I’ve been working with horses for more than twenty years and have always been passionate and connected to them,” says Nicole. “For me, there’s a feeling of completeness being with horses. As I advanced in my clinical work, providing social-work services, I thought there was a real need for an alternative to traditional talk therapy.”

When Nicole, who brings years of experience working with the elderly and individuals with disabilities, and Julie joined forces to lay the foundation for both the EFP program and the veterans program, they saw benefits right from the start.

“I saw the way my clients were interacting with the animals and how they coped and responded to each situation,” says Nicole. “I got real-time feedback,” she says, as they recognized certain feelings and looked at how they might react differently, maybe in a better way. “They can be themselves, in the moment. They

trust their horse and are honest, and that experience gives them something to look back on when they’re in the everyday world.”

The Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy program runs year-round.

Each private session, of 50 minutes, centers on a specific therapeutic goal. The client meets with Nicole and then works with the horse on a particular activity, such as grooming or leading.

“The focus is always on the safety and mental and physical well-being of both the horse and the client,” says Julie. “But we try to enable clients to figure out the exercise themselves.” For example, she says, one exercise involves the round pen. “We ask the client to move the horse just using body language and energy at a walk, a trot, back to a walk and, a halt. This is helpful for people who struggle to regulate their emotions and energy and helps build emotional congruence” — that is, appropriateness.

Back at the barn, Kipper, a senior chestnut Paint, ambles around the paddock happily munching on hay while Izzy, the spirited Morgan–Arabian cross, plunks down for a roll. The two minis, Jimmy and Bootsie, are their playful companions.

Like the clients, Izzy has benefited from the tranquil atmosphere of Wild Hearts.

“Izzy started out with some trust issues,” says Julie. “We’ve worked hard and now he’s great in the sessions. For Izzy to follow a client, it’s a big deal, and very rewarding for both me and the client.”

Now, in addition to his “day job,” Izzy is Julie’s dressage horse. The two work with Jen Goddard, of Levaland Farm in Middleboro, a natural horsemanship trainer who’s also an integral part of the Horses for Heros program. continued on page 28 . . .

A Love Letter to My Property T he moment I put my foot on you, I knew I had come home. every inch of you resonated with me: The knoll behind the house took my breath away, the mossy path reminded me of my childhood, hanging with my pony at the edge of a creek.

At night, when I entered the big old dairy barn I didn’t need lights . . . I knew where the stairs were. naturally navigated around the old beams. occasionally, I smelled a hint of pipe tobacco, but it didn’t scare me. I figured it was an old guy who once took care of the land and couldn’t quite yet find his way into the light. I understood, you’re just too beautiful to leave.

I cherished your apple trees, indulged in the overladen peach tree, and I enjoyed family gatherings at a big table with a colorful tablecloth, pitchers of lemonade, the barbecue going.

Looking back on my time with you my land, I see why we found each other. When your beauty took my breath away, you responded with an equally surprised “Could it be? Could it really be?” “Yes, yes, yes,” I answered, “We’re made for one another.”

You had been fought over by early settlers, been worked hard to feed the community, given your best to humans and animals for a long time. now, with my arrival, the energy changed. I didn’t ask anything of you, just wanted to enjoy you while watching my horses graze on your rolling hills.

Many times I sat in the doorway of your century-old hayloft, overlooking the pasture that curves down to the pond, pinching myself at how lucky I was to have found you. I felt hugged by the meadows, the trees, the stone wall, and by the earth that is so rich and nurturing.

When my circumstances changed, I knew my time with you had come to an end.

How could I leave you behind? on you I got to be a child again, bowed in reverence in front of your tall pines, rode with my horses along your trails. Together you and I provided a home for animals in need, and helped people connect with their heart and find peace of mind.

And yet . . . the time has come for me to move on.

In your future I see a loving family. Kids and grandkids, ponies, and a table with a colorful tablecloth right there under the butternut tree. I see people coming together in the indoor arena, once again learning from horses; cookies baking in the open kitchen while the fire in the fireplace roars.

Come experience a life refreshed by country living in an idyllic setting at the foot of the Berkshires.

This 51-acre peaceful oasis is waiting for you.

Surrounded by rolling fields, a small pond, eight fenced paddocks (all high and dry), and 35 acres of forest with the potential for endless trails. The three bedroom, four bath Colonial homestead has been completely and masterfully renovated and

expanded to accommodate today’s lifestyle. An expansive country kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, and breakfast nook, mudroom, first floor laundry room, four working fireplaces, and farmer’s porch are only a few of the amenities the home has to offer. An antique barn with 10-stalls and massive post and beam hayloft affords a multitude of uses. Other outbuildings

include a 60' x 130' Morton indoor riding arena, an extra deep four-bay garage, and a quaint cottage with full kitchen and bath. Come feel the character, charm, and life-giving energy of this incredible property. Call today to schedule a private viewing!

Sally Mann, Realtor® at (800) 859-2745 ext. 704 or sally@eqyinehomes.com.

MSL# 71546752 Price REDUCED to $898,000.

~ Nicole We had an amazing journey together, this property and I. Now it’s looking for someone else to come and enjoy it. Are you the one? Find more information about this beautiful place below.

WeSTHAMPTon.GreATCuSToMHoMe.CoM Massachusetts Horse

27

. . . Wild Hearts, continued from page 26

Horses for Heroes

Developing riders and horses to their highest potential in a professional, friendly environment.

Lessons and Training Host three WNEPHA, MHC, NEHC-rated shows each year Travel to Local and A-rated Shows Summer Riding Programs

This free, 10-week program for veterans debuted this past summer. Once a week, for two hours, four participants worked with Nicole, Jen, and the horses. Now there’s a one-day workshop, too. Gail Kaloplastos, a veteran who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 and had to retire early, took part in October.

“Basically, I didn’t know what I was walking into,” she says. “You get there

and you see these big horses and you think you can’t do it. But let me tell you, I left there with so much confidence and felt a lot better both physically and mentally. The whole experience was unbelievable.”

Gail participated in a round-pen exercise and learned firsthand how in tune horses are to state of mind as she tried to instruct her partner, Kipper, to go from a walk to a trot and then back to a walk using just body language.

“I got frustrated in the ring because

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Equestrian Property for Sale 664 Adams Street is on one of the most scenic roads in Holliston, Massachusetts, close to Route 495 and the Mass Pike. The horse farm offers almost six acres, an irrigated outdoor arena with two patios, several acres of white-fenced pastures, many trails, and a seven-stall barn with feed room, tack room, washer/dryer, half bath, and storage for hay/shavings. The four-bedroom home has an open floor plan, hardwood floors, a natural cherry and granite kitchen with stainless appliances, a huge family room, home office, and formal dining and living rooms. Passing through the kitchen is an expansive wrap-around patio with a Koi pond, perfect for cookouts and entertaining. The oversized three-car garage offers room for storage and the two driveways to the facility offer ample parking for guests and boarders. MLS number: 71712674. $1,225, 000.

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December/January 2015

COMMONWEALTH

Mary Crane, REALToR® (617) 413-2879 www.marycraneproperties.com Equal Opportunity Housing

I can’t take direction well, and the more frustrated I got,” she says, “the more Kipper picked up on my energy and ran.

I had to really get my mind to be peaceful. Once I did that, he stopped and came over to me like he was reassuring me that I’d done it right. It was such a rewarding experience. I’ve loved horses since I was a little kid, and being around them was healing.”

The Future In October, Julie made her annual pilgrimage to the PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International Conference, in San Diego, where she and attendees from around the world, all involved with equine-assisted activities and therapies, brainstormed about all sorts of avenues to try. She says she got lots of ideas — and did lots of networking — and is excited about what’s in store.

“I run Wild Hearts out of my property right now,” she says, “and would love for the facility to have more space.

Someday, too, I hope to have more staff and more horses and to expand both programs. Eventually, I want to incorporate therapeutic riding into the Horses for Heros program.”

Julie and Wild Hearts hosted their first benefit dinner in April and plans are already in the works for next year.

Robert Foley, a retired Navy SEAL and advocate for equine-assisted therapy, will be the keynote speaker.

Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes is supported entirely through fund-raising efforts, such as the annual benefit dinner, and donations. There’s a fee for the EFP program, but Julie keeps the cost as low as possible to make it accessible.

“People are coming to us for all sorts of reasons and we don’t turn anyone away,” she says. “Whatever brought you here, we hope we can help you.

“For me, the greatest reward is seeing clients who may not have found success through traditional talk therapy spend a little bit of time with the horses and discover a part of themselves,” she says. “It’s much easier for someone to hear things from a horse than to hear the same things from another person.”

For more information, visit www.wildheartstherapeutic.org.

Jessica Paquette has been working at Suffolk Downs for almost ten years, most recently as television analyst and senior director of communications. She keeps her off-the-track Thoroughbred racehorse, What a Trippi, in Essex, where they’re

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overherd

News in Our Community

For the past few years, Mendon has been home to numerous world- and national-title winners from the Morgan The 16th World Percheron Congress Grand National. Nikki Rae Woodworth was held at the Eastern States took a great string of horses from KGA Exposition, in West Springfield, Stables. She drove her road horse, October 6 to 11. The event drew more Playmor’s Center of Attn, to the Reserve than 850 exhibitors from all over North World Roadster to Bike championship.

America, some from as far as Canada.

Rachel Menard showed the bay mare to The focus was on the breed’s versatility, n Sophiea Bitel win Reserve Grand National Amateur beauty, and strength in classes in showRoadster Under Saddle. Nikki coached manship, riding, and driving.

Chloe Deeb, riding As On display were big hitches, Predicted GCH, to win in plowing, and the famous World Junior Exhibitor Park Percheron Thunder.

Saddle. Earlier in the show, Josie Desroches, of this duo was Reserve Grand Palmer, and Remix were National Junior Exhibitor named world champions of Park Saddle 16–17 chamthe Youth English/Western pion. Chloe, who lives in Riding Walk Trot Ages 10 to Halifax, also showed Uptown 18 division. Josie is a volunBrown to win Reserve Grand teer at Blue Star Equiculture, National Junior Exhibitor in Palmer, and began working Pleasure Driving 14–17 and with Remix when he first Reserve World Junior arrived at the sanctuary, back Exhibitor Pleasure Driving in 2012.

14–17. n Alessandra Mele Coming back after a 20year hiatus from the Morgan Dreamland Wins at Grand National, Cheryl Ricci Pennsylvania National drove Fox Hollow Talk About Horse Show Me to the Reserve Grand Orion Farm’s Dreamland was National Amateur Masters named Grand Pony chamPleasure Driving champipion at the Pennsylvania onship, and then went on to Horse Show, in October, after Kellie Saccocia, of Halifax, winner of the W. Dayton Sumner Memorial Award win the world title in this a hack-off to settle a tie. division — Cheryl’s first world Dreamland, ridden by Emma for the highest placing in the Morgan youth judging contest at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. title ever. This pair also won Kurtz, had finished with 24 Reserve Grand National points in over-fence classes, as had Amateur Ladies Pleasure Driving Finals.

Caroline Passarelli on Little Black Pearl. Erin’s New Danny Cheryl’s daughter, Victoria, brought Congratulation to Erin Cheever, of Owned and bred by Linda Evans, of home titles of her own. She drove North Andover, on her new horse, South Hadley, Dreamland, also known Stardavari to the Reserve World Junior Ballygannon, a.k.a. Danny. Now an as Cinco, is a nine-year-old Welsh/ Exhibitor Park Harness championship eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Danny Thoroughbred cross. He and Emma and won the Reserve Grand National was imported from Ireland as a fourhave shown together over the last three Youth Park Harness Finals. On the lines year-old and evented in Canada up to years; they were Best Child Rider on a with Daisy Beisler’s gelding, Graywood’s now. Erin wants to send out big thanks Pony and Best Large Pony Hunter at Arthur, Victoria won Reserve Grand to Ashley Taylor-Zion, of Topsfield, and the Pennsylvania National.

National Junior Exhibitor Classic Katie Murphy, of Epping, New n Alessandra Mele Pleasure Driving 14–17.

Hampshire, for their wisdom and supAlso from Mendon are members of port. Keep an eye on this eventing team WNRDC Awards the Dan Kelley family, who had a great The winner of the West Newbury Riding in 2015. n Sophiea Bitel show under the direction of David and Driving Club Lifetime Award is Rand (Falmouth, Maine). David drove Felicity Beech, of West Newbury. their Upper Case Clayton to the Grand Massachusetts Morgans Felicity, a longtime member of the National Pleasure Driving Gelding WNRDC and a past board member, par- Take On the World championship. Hannah Kelley won ticipates not only in club activities but is The 42nd Annual Grand National and Grand National Youth English Pleasure World Championship Morgan Horse active with the Essex County Trail and the World Youth English Pleasure Show, held October 11 to 18 in Association and Myopia Hunts as well. championships with KJM Five Star.

Oklahoma City, attracted 1,022 horses She’s also notorious for her Adventure Mendon-based trainers Mike and from 45 states.

Trail Challenge to riders.

Jessie Tonry, of West Newbury, has been named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Jessie is the secretary for the Pipestave Horse Trials and has always been a Johnny-on-the-spot at WNRDC events.

Winner of the Volunteer Fall Raffle was Kathryn West McLeod, of West Newbury.

Jill Saccocia

World Percheron Congress in West Springfield

30

December/January 2015

Liz Murphy, of Legacy Stables, had a trio of young winners. Emily Iovanna won Grand National Walk Trot Hunter Seat Equitation 9 riding Pembroke Sweet Treat; they also won World Walk Trot Hunter Seat Equitation 9 and Under. Riding Stoneleigh Flair For Life, Carlee Veinotte came in first in World Walk Trot Hunter Seat Equation 10–11, Grand National Walk Trot Hunter Seat Equitation 10, Grand National Walk Trot Hunter Pleasure 10, and Reserve World Walk Trot Hunter Pleasure 10– 11. UVM Quechee and Maria Tartaglione teamed up to win the Reserve World and Reserve Grand National Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle 13 and Under championships and the Grand National Youth Classic Pleasure Saddle Finals.

Mike Carpenter, of Mike Carpenter Stables in Sutton, took seven horses to the show and came home with a trunk full of awards. He drove Stonecroft Epiphany to the Grand National FourYear-Old Park Harness Stallion championship and was Reserve World Four-Year-Old Park Harness champ.

Heidi Kunkel owns this son of Stonecroft Trilogy and HVK Christmas Flaire. Last year Mike drove one of

Heidi’s horses — JW Standing Tall — to the Reserve World Four-Year-Old Park Harness championship. This year that same horse came in first in Reserve Grand National Open Park Harness Stallion. A third entry owned by Heidi, Stonecroft Triumphant, was also in the winner’s circle: he was Grand National Ladies Park Harness Gelding champion and went on to win the World Ladies Park Harness championship, with Shanna Gish catch-driving for Heidi.

Mike also drove Bad Reputation for owner Melissa Curtis, and the bay won Grand National Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Stallion.

Harry and Carolyn Sebring, of Richmond, were busy this year. Versatile entries from their Sebring Stables kept them walking among the five rings on the fairgrounds. In the coliseum, Patricia Lloyd drove her bay gelding, NDT French Impression, to win Reserve World Amateur Masters Park Harness.

CBMF Me First was the Reserve FourYear-Old English Pleasure Mare champ.

She was ridden by owner Elsie Vieria.

Out in the Sport Horse Arena, Elsie rode Bay State Vista to capture World High-Point Low Working Hunter. They also won the Grand National Amateur

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Massachusetts Horse

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Working Hunter Finals and both the Grand National Low Working Hunter I and II championships.

Stoneleigh-Burnham School senior Grace Powers won Reserve Grand National Hunter Seat on the Flat Equitation 16. She was riding her gelding, Dexter Dawson, under the direction of Josh and Megan Merritt, of Meadowmere Farm, in Vermont.

Riding under the guidance of David and Kristen Cater, of Cater Stables, in New Hampshire, Casey Saccocia was the Reserve Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation 14-15 champ. The Halifax sophomore rode her bay gelding, Almost Famous.

n Suzy Lucine

NEER North Great Nonprofit Congratulations to NEER North, in West Newbury, on its recognition from GreatNonprofits as a 2014

top-rated nonprofit organization. GreatNonprofits.org is the leading developer of tools that enable people to find, review, and exchange information about nonprofits and charities.

n Sophiea Bitel

UPHA 14 Winter Tournament Show Chrislar Farm, of Rowley, is hosting a UPHA 14 Winter Tournament Show on Sunday, December 7. These shows are ideal for students who don’t own a horse, as all participants must use horses from a lesson program.

Attire is jodhpurs or breeches and boots; no riding coats, no derbies. It’s a great way for students to try showing.

The day of each show begins with coffee and doughnuts, picking up numbers, and warm-ups in the indoor arena. Tournaments start at 10 a.m., with a 30minute lunch break (a buf-

66 Acres with Indoor Arena and Beautiful Restored Home in Sutton, Mass.

Serenity and beauty surround you on this 66-acre horse farm with a dressage arena, indoor arena, Nelson automatic waterers, and the ability to accommodate 12 horses. The 3,625 sq. ft. farmhouse has been completely renovated offering 5 fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, and 2 full baths. $824,900.

Private Horse Farm with Fantastic View in West Brookfield, Mass.

This beautiful home with floor-to-ceiling windows invites the country setting inside. Set back off the road, the fence-lined driveway takes you to your own private equestrian retreat with a 2-stall barn, riding ring, and large pasttures. The home has a double-sided fireplace, views in almost every room, corian countertops, and large deck overlooking pastures. $320,000.

Grace Golden, Realtor . Coldewell Banker Residential Brokerage 908-319-4443 . grace.golden@nemoves.com Specializing in Equine Properties, Farms and Country Homes Grace has owned and operated farms for over 26 years. She is an active USDF “L” judge and dressage competitor. Not only does she understand your needs, goals, and dreams, she also clearly understands the value of your farm and equine property marketing.

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December/January 2015

fet-style assortment of sandwiches, hot dogs, soups, chili, and casseroles provided by the hosting barn and its customers) before the afternoon session.

n Sophiea Bitel

Halifax Youth Wins National Judging Honor Kellie Saccocia, of Halifax, won the W. Dayton Sumner High-Point Award during the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City in October. This award goes to the highest-scoring individual within the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) youth judging workshop.

Eight senior and 18 junior youth members competed in the annual Morgan-judging workshop.

Kellie won the Performance division and finished third in the In-Hand division.

“This was my first time competing in a judging con-

test, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Kellie says. “They set up individual classes for us to judge, and it was fun to assess different types of horses. I also learned a lot from meeting and talking with new people.”

In addition to the youth judging workshop, Kellie won the speech contest.

The high school sophomore did so well that she’s set her goal to qualify and compete for the AMHA Youth of the Year Contest at the 2015 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show.

n Suzy Lucine

MMHA Reserve Youth of the Year Hard work and determination helped 15-year-old Victoria Angers, of Merrimac, achieve the title of 2014 AMHA Reserve Youth of the Year. The annual competition was held during the Grand National &

World Championship Morgan Horse Show. “I love riding Morgans,” she says, “because they’re so willing to do what you ask of them.

They want to please us.”

Victoria leases the bay Morgan gelding CPM Five O’Clock Somewhere, and shows him in both hunter pleasure and hunter-seat equitation.

The Youth of the Year contests consist of four parts: horsemanship pattern, written exam, oral presentation, and judging. Victoria did well in the first three phases of a Maine Morgan contest, but wanted to do even better. “I was excited and nervous to compete on the national level,” she says. “The competition was fun, and I had the opportunity to meet and make new friends from across the country.

Participating in the AMHA Youth of the Year Contests, on the local, regional, and national levels, helps me gain a lot of education about Morgans, as well as about horses in general,” she says.

“I’ve learned anatomy, diseases, overall care of a horse, tack and equipment, horsemanship, showmanship, and judging Morgans.”

As the AMHA Reserve Youth of the Year, Victoria received a prize package worth $750. She plans to use the money to help provide riding lessons at CPM Stables, where she has her lessons, for those who can’t afford them, and wants to revive a few horse bowl competitions next year.

n Suzy Lucine

Joshua Noble Wins AMHA YAA Judging Scholarship The American Morgan Horse Association Young Adult Alliance (YAA), a group of 18-to-40-year-old amateur and professionals working together to strengthen the Morgan breed, announced that Joshua Noble, of Burkland Farm in Rowley, has been awarded the inau-

gural YAA judging scholarship. The first Professional Development Project launched by this group, the $1,500 scholarship is awarded to one individual age 21 to 40, professional or amateur, who is interested in attaining a Morgan “R” judging card.

“We created this scholarship to encourage young adults to enter the Morganjudging pool,” says YAA Professional Development Committee Chair Abbie Trexler. “We see it as a way to provide financial support to young adults who want to give back to the Morgan breed through judging. We received wonderful applications in this first year, and the competition for the scholarship was very competitive.”

Joshua holds a master’s degree from Cambridge College and works as a special education teacher and liaison at a local high school.

He also owns and operates his family’s Burkland Farm.

He received a wonderful letter of recommendation from “R” Morgan Judge Chris Cassenti, but Joshua’s application essay is what stood out: In it, he expressed his desire to continue his education through judging school and to give back to the breed through his contributions to the judging pool.

And to add even more excitement to his life, Joshua and his wife, Melanie, welcomed a daughter, Mackenzie Grace, on October 12.

Applications for the 2015 YAA Judging School Scholarship will be accepted through August 1. To learn more about the project, visit www.morganhorse.com.

n Suzy Lucine

New England Equitation Championships A highlight of the third week in October is one of the most prestigious finals in the country — the New England Equitation Championships, Massachusetts Horse

33

held in West Springfield.

There was a full schedule of medal classes for junior and adult riders, the coveted Katie Battison Horsemanship Award, the exciting Challenge of the States team competition, a celebration of juniors in their last year, and numerous special awards.

Judges were Kate Chope, Megan MacCallum, Katrina Weinig, Jenny Fischer, Pat Boyle, Scott Fitton, Julie Winkel, Scott Hoffstetter, and Patrick Rhodes. Patrick was also the course designer, and his routes were challenging and technical. He made great use of the arena: as many as 10 of 12 jumping efforts were set on the center and quarter line, creating multiple long approaches to single jumps and creative bending lines to roll-back turns.

More than 100 juniors took the written portion of the Horsemanship Challenge as well.

A huge crowd enjoyed

hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the ballroom lobby, then went inside for a delicious dinner with awards and the wonderful commemorative DVD given to the juniors in their last year, which was sponsored by Oliynyk Show Stables, Plainville.

Saturday, the exhibitor favorite Challenge of the States Invitational class ran after the 60 juniors under age 15 competed in two Open Equitation sections. As the morning classes continued, the top 13 scoring juniors from Friday’s written phase completed their practicum in the Katie Battison Horsemanship Challenge, which was sponsored by Volo Farm, in Westford. This class concept originated at the NEEC and combines the written, practicum, and average firstround score in the New England Finals to determine the overall top Junior Horseperson.

Sunday dawned bright

and chilly for the NEHC Junior Medal with 206 ready to ride. Concurrent with the medal’s first round, a new award was offered for juniors never having competed in a 3'6" medal final and based on their first-round score only. Competition was close: just three-tenths of a point separated the winner and second place.

n Melody Taylor-Scott

Equestrian Shop Consolidating The Equestrian Shop of North Andover, owned and operated for 60 years by the late Paul Proulx and his family, will be moving into a showcase store in Ipswich (the new location is under renovation). The Equestrian Shop will continue to celebrate the successes of local horsemen, support equine events, and come to the aid in times of need and disaster.

n Sophiea Bitel

Caroline Matterson Raises $3,710 for the MSPCA More than $20,000 was raised for the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm, in Methuen, at the October 26 ninth annual Horses Helping Horse Beach Ride at Salisbury Beach. The ride took place on Haverill’s Caroline Matterson’s birthday, and she put out this sponsor request: “This year I turned 60 and Clint is now 17.

Both of us have creaky joints and not so good days . . . man, it’s rough getting old but we’ll put all that aside to benefit the less fortunate horses at Nevins Farm. I am asking you to help in the 60th theme: $6, $16, $26, or $60 and so on . . .”

Caroline raised a hay load — $3,710 — with that request, exceeding her $2,600 goal! To make a donation, visit www.mspca.org.

n Sophiea Bitel

Massachusetts Extreme Mustang Makeover The Extreme Mustang Makeover comes to the Topsfield Fairgrounds August

A Classical Touch Classical Learning for Horse and Rider Riding Lessons All ages and levels Eventing . Dressage Jumpers . Hunters Horses available for On-farm lease

Boarding with 100' x 200' Outdoor New students receive their first half-hour private riding lesson free! A $30 value.

Sandee eroux 111 Federal Street, Belchertown (413) 250-3303 classicaltouchstable.weebly.com 34

December/January 2015

7 and 8. Two divisions will be offered in training wild Mustangs: Youth, ages 8–17, will compete in-hand with a young Mustang and adults, ages 18 and over, will ride a Mustang in preliminary classes to compete for a spot in the top-10 freestyle finals.

During the competition, Mustangs and trainers will be assessed by an accomplished panel. Many Mustangs will be available for paid adoption after the event.

The application deadline is February 27, and the estimated Mustang pickup date is April 11. To learn more, visit www.itsapleasuretraining.com and www.extrememustangmakeover.com.

n Sophiea Bitel

Girls Just Want to Have Fun Kaitlyne Wadman, of Haverhill, and TP Harley Daniels won sixth place in the National Reining Horse

Association Open Freestyle Reining Class at the American Quarter Horse Association Congress, in Columbus. Some of you may remember seeing Harley at WNRDC’s Adventure Trail, ridden by Spooky Fields volunteer Cheryl Wadman, of Haverhill. In Ohio, the dark bay Quarter Horse showed just what an all-around horse he is in the Freestyle Reining Class. Doing their routine, to Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Harley and Kaitlyne performed with gymnasts, oversized beach balls flying by, and a crew in fat suits. Their routine was a barn affair: many of the riders from Milestone Equestrian Centre, of Haverhill, went to Ohio to perform with the pair.

Congratulations, Kaitlyne and Harley!

n Sophiea Bitel

Dynamite Donation

Equiculture, of Palmer, as part of Dynamite’s Year of the Horse Project. The project was established as a way to give back to horse rescues and to celebrate their work in 2014 — the Chinese year of the horse. The tireless efforts of horse rescues tie directly into Dynamite’s vision: to improve the lives of all creatures. The Year of the Horse funds are accumulated through company donations from product sales as well as a cash-donationmatching program and product sponsorship for individual horses.

Dynamite Specialty Products, a family-owned company that’s been manufacturing and distributing nutritional supplements for all creatures for more than 30 years, has donated more than $20,000. To learn more about Dynamite, visit www.dynamitespecialty.com.

New England Horsemen’s Council Saddle-Seat Medal Finals Eighteen New England Horsemen’s Council SaddleSeat Medal riders entered the arena during the Octoberfest Horse Show, held October 23 to 26 at the Eastern States Coliseum, West Springfield. The beautifully appointed horses and riders were divided into two sections, each of which rode a short round of rail work before the lineup, then retired from the ring to return individually for the test phase. The top ten total of the two sections were called back for the rail-work part of the performance.

Returning in formal attire, the ten finalists created a beautiful picture as they flowed around the ring, demonstrating their skill on the rail for the judges.

n Melody Taylor-Scott

Dynamite Specialty Products donated $5,649 to Blue Star

R.J. Sadowski, Jr. HorseMindShip™ Horsemanship and Riding School 71 Pleasant St., Plainfield, Mass.

Learn to: • Understand horse behavior • Apply horse psychology • Build a powerful relationship with any horse

2015 Adult Day Classes May - October 3 Level 1 Series - Sat. or Sun. 1 Level 2 Series - Saturdays A few openings still available!

Dates at peacehavenfarm.com

Have fun: • Monthly All-day Classes • Trail Rides • New Obstacle Course • Private appointments at your farm or ours

Call R.J. or Paula for more information: (413) 634-8800 or (413) 335-7151 peacehavenhorsemindship@hotmail.com www.peacehavenfarm.com Massachusetts Horse

35

Partners We’d also like to extend a big thank-you to all who joined us at our events. We appreciate your support. And BRDC is grateful to the wonderful people who volunteer for us — and we invite you to be part of our team.

Barre Riding and Driving Club

36

December/January 2015

7Denise Kellicker Bay State Trail Riders Association On October 5, BSTRA held its second annual ride at Mount Jefferson Conservation

Lisa Grigaitis

Wow, it’s been a busy season!

After BRDC’s wonderful spring trail ride, we trotted into our show series starting with the club’s annual scholarship event. Congratulations to all participants. Club member Jill Poulin did a fantastic job at the awards banquet, making sure everyone received a yummy meal and of course those beautiful ribbons and trophies.

We’re proud to offer scholarship money again in January. Rebekah Heath, Delaney Payne, Emily Murray, Maddison Pirner, Lindsay Peck, and Joshua Hubbard each will receive $800 toward college tuition.

The club awarded the new Equiship Scholarship this year. Riders of all ages could apply for money to further their equine education through camps, Pony Clubs, clinics, and Interscholastic Equestrian Association teams.

Carolena Anne Eck, Brittany Stymiest, Abigail Marsh, Lisa Trum-Searah, Miranda Tollefson, and Lauren Johnson each received $200.

BRDC would like to encourage everyone to visit www.barreridingdrivingclub. com, to get information about how to apply for any of these scholarships for 2015.

The annual Fall Trail Ride in October was planned

by Margo Petracone, with the help of some kind club members and friends. The weekend was well attended by campers ready to hit the trails, but Mother Nature had her own agenda and dropped heavy rains all day Saturday.

Those who stuck it out had a wonderful hot meal in the evening, then a spectacular trail ride on Sunday. Thank you, Margo, for all you do to keep the spring and fall rides going smoothly.

loop for us and the views were stunning. It was really nice to catch up with some members I hadn’t seen in quite some time, so welcome back! A big thank-you to Sharron Cochran, who organizes this ride with SVR every year.

All of us at BSTRA send our condolences to the Whalley family. Norma Whalley, Ed Whalley’s wife, passed away on October 23 at the age of 91. Ed was the

Rose Zariczny, Bill Zariczny, and Darlene Falcon at the Bay State Trail Riders Association Mount Jefferson Conservation Area Ride, Hubbardston.

Area, Hubbardston. It was a perfect fall day to enjoy the trails in this lovely place. I grew up just a few towns away, so it’s special for me to take part. During lunch, I was chatting with a few people from Princeton for whom this was their first BSTRA ride.

They said they had a great time and would definitely be joining us again. Thank you, Jassy and Tom Bratko, for being our warm hosts.

If you ask my friend Cheryl, she’ll tell you every ride I go on seems to be my favorite, but this year one stood out. The BSTRA and Scantic Valley Riders and Drivers’ Tornado Alley Ride, in Brimfield State Forest, was a 10 out of 10. SVR members Linda Casey and Mark Fedora picked the most beautiful

executive director of BSTRA in the beginning. He took care of all the administrative duties and wrote and published BSTRA’s newsletter, The Bugle. The couple lived on Silver Lake in Bellingham and annually held a number of rides from their home.

Norma always prepared a great meal and opened her home to the group.

Mark your calendar for BSTRA’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet, February 7 at O’Connor’s Restaurant on West Boylston Street, Worcester. We decided to try an afternoon, in hopes of enabling more of our members to attend.

Happy holidays to all of our members and sponsors.

7Lisa Grigaitis

Colonial Carriage and Driving Society The Tub Parade in September was a bit soggy, but none of the entrants was at all daunted — everyone happily traveled the route from Shakespeare and Company through the town of Lenox, delighting the umbrella-toting crowds.

Maureen Gamelli did a great job organizing the event: She secured grants for funding, and kept the many volunteers well fed and appreciated.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made sure the event was safe and ran smoothly and to all the participants who helped keep the Tub Parade tradition going strong for the 23rd year!

Congratulations to Dr. James Leahey, grand marshall of the 2014 Tub Parade and a charter member of the CCDS. The monthly meetings have evolved into wonderful potluck meals and interesting speakers. In September, our guest presenter was Denise Vanaria. A Chicago native and Massachusetts resident, Denise is a longtime Titanic historian, specializing in the lives of Thomas and Helen Reilly Barbour Andrews.

Denise displayed beautiful gowns from the Victorian and Edwardian eras and talked about the customs and traditions of the time, many of which related to carriage driving.

October’s meeting, at Orleton Farm in Stockbridge, featured Deborah Herman, a local writer and animal communicator. She’s especially fond of “talking” to horses and regaled us with fascinating “conversations” with other animals, among them a bear.

November’s meeting was a reprise of Dick Lahey’s famous Quiz Bowl, where members buzz in their knowledge of horse trivia. It’s also a

club practice to bring dry and canned goods, to be donated to a local food pantry, to this meeting.

Every two years, over the Columbus Day holiday, the Berkshire Coaching Weekend is a highlight of the season.

Club volunteers play a valuable role: They provide hospitality (from hat checking to food service), decorations, traffic control, and museum tours. Harvey and Mary Stokes Waller host the drive at Orleton Farm, and invite coaches from all over the Northeast and the MidAtlantic. They re-create the sport of coaching, which was popular in the Berkshires during the Gilded Age (the late 1800s). Some of the destinations this year were Elm Court Estate, in Lenox; the Normal Rockwell Museum, in Stockbridge; and the Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, in Lenox. The public lined the streets and gathered at the sites for a wonderful presenta-

tion of the coaches by John Richards, who comes from England. To buy a colorful 2015 calendar depicting the drive and listing important driving events, contact Kay Konove, at (413) 298-3810 or kkfjords3@gmail.com. CCDS members enjoy a discount!

This year’s holiday party is on December 7 and the Annual Meeting and Banquet will be January 24. The holiday party is held at a member’s home and the banquet at the Lenox Club. Both events are open to members and guests. We’re already looking for donations for the banquet auctions. For details as they develop, visit www.colonialcarriage.org.

A schedule of 2015 activities is available at www.colonialcarriage.org. CCDS is planning its Classic Sleigh Rally on January 18 (if the weather cooperates). Looking ahead, save June 12 to 14 for the 17th Annual Orleton Farm Pleasure Driving Show.

Orion Farm

MASSACHUSETTS . FLORIDA

ESTABLISHED 1988

A reminder to all current and prospective members: Please send your 2015 dues by January 31 to Kay Konove, P.O. Box 1593, Stockbridge, MA 01262. I wish everyone a happy and healthy beginning to the new year.

7Kay Konove Granby Regional Horse Council The GRHC has had an incredible season, but we couldn’t have had so many events without our amazing volunteers. The August horse show, although not as large as the June show, was a great experience. The jumpers, in particular, were fun to watch.

Thanks to Dan Dali and his students from Mountain View Training Center for running the show so smoothly.

The poker ride took place on one of the most beautiful days in September.

Forty-two riders participated!

Berdine Boardway had the

winning hand. Thanks to Mark Girard and Diane Godek for running this event and to Carol and Lindsey Nobes for marking the trails.

Also in September was the Belchertown Fair and Parade — and some of our members took part in the parade, either on horseback or on foot. Thanks to Jose Rubero for organizing GRHC at the fair. The evening presentation included a Paso Fino breed demonstration by Jose and friends and Hatfield’s Full of Grace Farm. To end the month, we put on a gymkhana at Dufresne Park, Granby. We don’t know who had more fun, the adults or the kids! Thanks to Mike Goodrow and Jen Moreau and their group of helpers for all their efforts.

October was trail time.

The date of the Annual Fall Ride and Feast had to be changed, which meant some who planned to come couldn’t, but many showed

Join the Aiken Horse Community!

e W he r Are Stars Born!

Local to national champions, we can help you reach all of your riding goals.

All levels of lessons available for ages 4 and up, plus adults.

Quality horses and ponies for sale or lease. Boarding, training, and showing.

Located in Foxchase, an established equestrian neighborhood, this 2,000 s.f. brick ranch has direct access to Hitchcock Woods from the backyard. Three bedrooms, two baths, fireplaced family room, living room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, central AC, large deck, and oversized two-car garage. For your horses: two stalls, hay shed, and board-fenced paddocks. $299,000.

S. Hadley . (413) 532-9753 . www.OrionFarm.net

Call Claire at (803) 643-3184

If you want to be the best, you have to train with the best!

Massachusetts Horse

37

up to ride the beautiful trails at Glencroft Farm, Southampton. The foliage was magnificent. The second ride and obstacle course, at McDonald’s Preserve in Wilbraham, was well attended. If you’ve never been to this location, you’re missing out — so join us next year! Thanks again to Diane Godek and her helpers for running this event.

GRHC is always looking for new ideas, new members, and more volunteers. To learn about winter events, such as clinics and the sleigh rally, visit www.granbyregionalhorse.org or call (413) 5279532.

7Jennifer Moreau Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council Classic Show and Pleasure Finals There was a record turnout for the September 14 MHC Classic Show and Pleasure Finals, held at Briggs Stable in

Hanover. More than 100 exhibitors vied for great prizes and awards in a multitude of open, breed, pleasure, western, saddle seat, and equitation classes, and this year the show was also affiliated with the South Shore Horseman’s Council. Judges were Charles Ethier, of Slatersville, Rhode Island; and Linda Robson, of Hanover.

All agreed it was a great addition to the calendar of events.

New this year, the Classic is home to the NEHC Hunter Seat Pleasure Equitation Medal Finals, in which 12 qualifiers competed.

Congratulations to Cameron Martin, riding Carol Mayer’s My Sharona for the top medal, and Julia Kaplan on Brittany Mayer’s DZ Driver for reserve champion.

The board of directors of the MHC would like to thank all the exhibitors, trainers, parents, grooms, and volunteers for making this show such a success! For all the

The Northeast’s largest indoor jumper series!

December 7 ~ Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook, CT December 14 ~ Orion Farm, South Hadley, MA December 21 ~ Crosswinds Equestrian Center, LaGrangeville, NY December 28 ~ Berkshire Equestrian Center, Richmond, MA January 4 ~ Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA January 17 ~ Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield, MA January 25 ~ Orion Farm, South Hadley, MA February 1 ~ Berkshire Equestrian Center, Richmond, MA February 14 ~ Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield, MA February 21 ~ Smith College, Northampton, MA March 8 ~ Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook, CT March 15 ~ Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA March 21 ~ MLC Farm at By The Hounds, Millbrook, NY March 29 ~ Full Circle Farm, Manchester, CT April 5 ~ Tatra Farm, Clinton Corners, NY April 12 ~ Gold Cooler Finals, Mount Holyoke College, S.Hadley, MA Points carry to finals from best eight shows.

Ken Whelihan at (203) 912-1514 38

December/January 2015

results, visit www.mahorsecouncil.com or check us out on Facebook.

7Melody Taylor-Scott Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association MassQHA wrapped up a fine year with our annual trail ride and meetings. The ride took place on September 28 at Callahan State Park, Framingham. More than 50 horses and riders enjoyed beautiful trails, great food from Buck’s Roadside BBQ, and raffles and door prizes provided by our gracious sponsors. A special thanks to Don Gillespie for organizing this great event! For information about our activities, please visit www.massqha.com.

Representing MassQHA at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in the National Youth Activity Team Tournament were Anna Farnsworth, Julia Harriman, Sabrina Janis, Emily Rockwell, Matt Labrie, Alyssa Fasolo, Erica Peterson, Genevieve Ahlstedt, Liliana Baker, and Onna Downey — and the 2014 MassQHA queen, Amy Putney.

The last meeting for the year will be on Saturday, December 6, at the home of member Karen Brooks. “Like” us on Facebook as you check for updates on meetings and events. The club is looking forward to a great 2015!

7Emily Messing West Newbury Riding and Driving Club The WNRDC held its annual meeting and general elections on November 7. All officers and board members remain to serve another term. The efforts of our volunteers were recognized with various awards.

Volunteer of the Year went to Jessie Tonry and the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Felicity Beech. Kathryn West McLeod won in our semiannual volunteer raffle.

Membership in WNRDC is up for renewal in December. We welcome people regardless of discipline and locale. As a member, you have access to educational opportunities, a subscription to Massachusetts Horse, and admission to social gatherings, such as our winter potluck.

The Pipestave Hill Horse Trials once again had a full schedule of riders, with new divisions comprising combined tests, a Grasshopper 3 Phase, and dressage-only tests.

In 2015, the dressage-only portion will also include a western dressage division.

In August, the Centered Riding Clinic, led by Lucile Bump, was well attended. In keeping with our mission to provide educational experiences, a follow-up clinic is planned for next year. After her lesson, longtime member Deb Hamilton was beaming.

“This was my first formal lesson in thirty years,” she said, “and it was great!” The information from both the talk on the principles of centered riding and the lesson itself were immediately useful, she said, for her foray into the Pipestave Hill Horse Trials.

This winter, a series of free lectures may discuss natural horsemanship and exercise demonstrations for equestrians, and a veterinarian will explore an area of interest. For more information on membership, events, volunteer opportunities, and other activities, visit www.wrndc.com or our Facebook page.

7Liz Russell

40

December/January 2015

. . . Peter Whitmore, continued from page 15

Rounding It Up Fortunately, most of us don’t have to meet the challenge of training a wild horse in 100 days, but we do share a particular need: When introduced to a new equine partner, we want to make a positive impression. Without first earning trust, all future efforts in the ring or on the trail are threatened not by “if” there will be a breakdown in understanding but rather by “when.”

In those first few days, when a horse is in transition and acclimating to its new environment, remember to: • Help the horse bond first with you, not with other horses.

• Set the tone early with a consistent training program.

• Train in short (45-minute) sessions frequently (once or twice a day).

• Train six days a week to establish a routine the horse can depend on.

• Don’t limit options. Introduce various disciplines and jobs.

• Stay safe but keep challenging your horse to try new things.

• Show patience, patience, patience.

Peter respects Isaac, as he does every other horse with which he works, and extends his trust to him. In turn, Isaac trusts Pete to an amazing level.

When it comes to horse trainers, Pete is the real deal. He understands horses and respects them, and they listen to him. He’s calm, observant, and focused when he’s training. He acts like a teacher more than a trainer. You’d have to go a long way to find a better trainer, or person, than Peter Whitmore.

“Isaac did excellent at the Extreme Mustang Makover Challenge,” says Peter.

“Isaac was by far the quietest horse there.

He received second in the conditioning portion of the competition and fifteenth overall.”

she says, “with a full tail and a flowing mane that frequently covers his freeze brand. Whenever a new vet or farrier comes to the farm, I get the inevitable question: ‘What’s this horse’s breeding?’

To a person, everyone is amazed to learn that he was once wild. He loves to hang out with people, especially if he perceives that some other horse is stealing the attention.”

Still, Isaac is a Mustang, and, says Mary, “his traits come out in the herd. He moves the other horses around the field and is the first to notice any changes in his environment. That’s when his inner calm is most apparent. Unlike other horses, Isaac doesn’t panic. He’ll pause and study a fallen tree limb, for example, until he’s satisfied with his assessment. This quality is a godsend on the trail.”

His serenity is also wonderful when Mary comes home from work. “After a long, stressful day,” she says, “there’s nothing like barn time with Isaac. Whether he’s stealing my hat or nuzzling me while I do chores, he can erase the day’s cares with his presence. When I consider how far he’s come to be with us, I feel humble. He gives new meaning to the word awesome.”

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Western New England Professional Horsemen’s Association’s

Hunter/Equitation Shows December 7

Mount Holyoke College

January 11

White Horse Hill

February 22

Mount Holyoke College

March 1

White Horse Hill

March 8

Blythewood Stables

March 29

Riverbank Farm (E. Greenbush)

April 12

Biscuit Hill Farm

April 19

Undermountain Farm

April 26

Bellwether Stables

Dressage Shows English and Western dressage classes. Tests offered for English include (USEF): Introductory Tests A, B, C; Training Level Tests 1, 2, 3; First Level Test 1. Western Tests (WDAA): Introductory Level Tests 1, 2, 3, 4; Basic Level Tests 1, 2, 3, 4.

February 8 March 15 April 12 April 19

Mount Holyoke College Blythewood Stables Heritage Farm Mount Holyoke College

In 2012 Peter competed in the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge with two Mustangs, Eli and Abel, and finished in the top ten with both.

“The day Isaac arrived at my small Hadley farm, I knew I had a special horse,” says Mary Apgar, Isaac’s current owner. “He stepped off Peter’s trailer and straight into my heart. He’s grown, and now stands about fifteen hands. We hack around the farm fields and ride dressage patterns in the front-yard ring. My seven-year-old stepdaughter can ride him safely.”

Mary agrees with Peter’s assessment: “Isaac has a wonderful personality.” He’s beautifully built,

Featuring year-end awards in many divisions.

Full 2014 schedule can be found at:

wnepha.com

An organization for horsemen, by horsemen.

Massachusetts Horse

41

Come In from the Cold!

Stalls available in the 16-stall barn with attached indoor arena.

Nestled at the base of Mt Toby this “Massachusetts Horse Farm of Distinction” provides outstanding care for you and your horse.

Call or email for details.

events Massachusetts

December 1 MHC MEETING, Double Tree, Milford. www.mahorsecouncil.com.

2 CRDA MEETING, Restaurant 45, Miedway. www.crdressage.org.

3 – 5 TINA DONATONI-FROST CLINIC, South Hadley. jcollins@mtholyoke.edu.

5 WNRDC HOLIDAY YANKEE SWAP, West Newbury. www.wnrdc.com.

7 HRC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY, Meadowbrook Restaurant, Hanson. www.hansonridingclub.org.

6 IHSA WESTERN SHOW, South Hadley. www.ihsainc.com.

7 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Medway. www.rideiea.org.

6 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Holiday Acres, Rutland. www.rideiea.org.

7 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, Orleton Farm, Stockbridge. www.colonialcarriage.org.

6 VERSATILITY SERIES, Pepperell. www.tenbroeckfarm.net.

7 FUN SHOW, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. www.farmheritage.com.

6 – 7 DOM SCHRAMM CLINIC, North Andover. windkistfarm@comcast.net.

7 HOLIDAY OPEN BARN, Grandview Farm, Dighton. www.grand-view-farm.com..

7 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, South Hadley. www.wnepha.com.

7 UPHA 14 WINTER TOURNAMENT SHOW, Chrislar Farm, Rowley. www.chrislar.com.

7 FUN SHOW, Sandy Hollow Stable, Rehoboth. (508) 889-1375.

Clinics

10 PEACE FOR PONIES FUND-RAISER, Mashpee. www.artfullyyourspaintfun.com.

13 JUMPER SERIES SHOW #1, StoneleighBurnham School, Greenfield. www.sbschool.org.

TBA:

Verne Batchelder . FEI Trainer Sharon McCusker . FEI Trainer Bill McMullin . “r” Judge, Silver Medalist Bill Warren . International Judge

Xenophon Farm janice

&

elaine

Kachavos

80 sunderland rd., rte. 47 montague, mass.

413.367.9828 X enophon F arm @ aol . com 42

December/January 2015

7 SCHOOLING SHOW, King Oak Farm, Southampton. www.kingoakfarm.com.

13 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, UMass Hadley Farm. www.rideiea.org.

Presents the 20th

Equine Expo Paraphernalia Sale Saturday, April 25, 2015 . 9-3 Large marketplace of new and used items!

Plus services for the horse, rider, and driver.

Demonstrations All Day . $5 Admission Held in the indoor arena at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield Vendor Spaces Available . Free Parking

Contact Kay at: 978-768-6275 or kljoreo@aol.com

13 JP NORTH TACK AUCTION, Wheaton College, Norton. Starts at noon.

13 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Holly Hill FArm, Marston Mills. www.rideiea.org.

14 MSPCA EQUINE SAFETY AND AMBULANCE TRAINING, Methuen. Register at www.mspca.org/equineambulance.

14 CATTLE PRACTICE, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. www.farmheritage.com.

14 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Volo Farm, Westford. www.ride iea.org.

14 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Orion Farm, South Hadley. (203) 912-1514.

14 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, South Hadley. www.rideiea.org.

28 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Richmond. (203) 912-1514.

Massachusetts Horse

43

HORSE POwER SHOwS Rated Show Services at Unrated Prices!

HuNtER/JuMPER SHOwS Inviting courses . Open practice rounds all day Great mileage divisions for all ages & fence heights

DRESSAgE SHOwS Intro to 4th Level Englsih and Western

HORSE tRiALS Pre-Elementary, Elementary Beginner Novice, Novice

Prize lists and entry forms at wildairefarm.com!

wild Aire Farm wildairefarm.com . (508) 765-0641 926 Dennison Dr., Southbridge, MA Minutes off I84, MA Pike, Rtes. 20, 9, 290, 146, 395.

January

18 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Herring Brook Farm, Pembroke. www.rideiea.org.

3 NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL AUCTION, Heritage Farm, Easthampton. www.farmheritage.com.

18 CCDS SLEIGH RALLY, Orleton Farm, Stockbridge. www.colonialcarriage.org.

4 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, South Hadley. www.mtholyoke.edu.

9 – 11 EQUESTRIAN TALENT SEARCH, South Hadley. www.mtholyoke.edu.

21 HCRC MEETING, Westhampton. www.hampshirecountyridingclub.org.

10 HHRC ANNUAL BANQUET, Holiday Inn, Rockland. www.briggsstable.com.

10 WRC ANNUAL BANQUET, Westfield. www.westfieldridingclub.org.

10 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Dana Hall School, Wellesley. www.rideiea.org.

11 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Maplewood Farm, Berlin. www.rideiea.org.

11 WNEPHA HUNTER SHOW, White Horse Hill, Richmond. www.wnepha.com.

17 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield. www.sbschool.org.

17 HRC ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET, location TBA. www.hansonridingclub.org.

17 VERSATILITY SERIES, Pepperell. www.tenbroeckfarm.net.

17 MHC SHOW, Holloway Brook Farm, Lakeville. www.mahorsecouncil.com.

25 Forest Lane, Millis, Mass.

24 CCDS ANNUAL MEETING, Lenox Club, Lenox. www.colonialcarriage.org.

25 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Orion Farm, South Hadley. www.orionfarm.net.

February 1 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Berkshire Equestrian Center, Richmond. www.theberkshireequestriancenter.com.

1 MHC SHOW, Holloway Brook Farm, Lakeville. www.mahorsecouncil.com.

7 MHC SHOW, Holloway Brook Farm, Lakeville. www.mahorsecouncil.com.

8 IEA HUNT SEAT SHOW, Volo Farm, Westford. www.rideiea.org.

8 WNEPHA DRESSAGE SHOW, Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley. www.mtholyoke.edu.

14 GOLD COOLER JUMPER SHOW, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield. www.sbschool.org.

508-376-2564 • www.appleknoll.com

Congratulations to the Apple Knoll Farm family for a great show season!

Rent Apple Knoll Farm for Your 2015 Event!

Apple Knoll Farm’s facilities offer multiple dressage rings, a large indoor arena, and several jumping arenas as well as a full cross-county course through training level.

The facility is available for rent for shows, competitions, and clinics for all equestrian disciplines.

Keep up with us at: www.appleknoll.com and on Facebook: Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center.

Why not kick off the 2015 season by joining us in Aiken, South Carolina? Email Adrienne Iorio for details: msamberfrog@mac.com.

44

December/January 2015

the

neighborhood

Your Everything Equine “white pages”

4-H ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MASSACHUSETTS 4-H PROGRAM (800) 374-4446 www.mass4H.org/programs/horses Horse 4-H clubs in the Bay State.

DRESSAGE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FAIRFIELD FARM Rochester, MA, (508) 763-3224 www.dressageatfairfieldfarm.com Boarding, instruction, training, indoor.

EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• DALE PERKINS/MESA FARM Rutland, MA, (508) 886-6898 www.daleperkinshorseshow.com Trick riding and much more.

ASSOCIATIONS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAY STATE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC. Douglas, MA, (508) 476-3960 www.bstra.org Preserving trails, pleasure/competitive rides.

MORNING LIGHT FARM Brimfield, MA, (413) 563-3477 morninglightfarm.net Boarding, training, clinics, indoor, trails.

EQUINE MASSAGE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE RIBBON EQUINE Massachusetts (413) 325-5777 www.blueribbonequine.com Massage, laser, LED, animal communication, “Where does my horse hurt” body checkups.

GRANBY REGIONAL HORSE COUNCIL Central & Western MA, (413) 527-9532 www.granbyregionalhorse.org Family-oriented trails, shows, clinics.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB Goshen, MA, (413) 268-3372 hampshirecounty ridingclub.org Monthly trail rides, open show, hunter pace, clinics, educational speakers.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONAL HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION www.wnepha.com Hunter/equitation and dressage shows; year-end awards.

BARN CATS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• PAWS WATCH Newport, RI, (401) 848-9867 www.pawswatch.org Barn cats need homes! Healthy, fixed, vaccinated barn cats provide rodent control. Delivered!

BARNS/BUILDINGS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• THE CARRIAGE SHED White River Junction, VT, (800) 441-6057 www.carriageshed.com Barns, sheds, arenas, homes, garages.

BEDDING/SHAVINGS/SAWDUST ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• PROGRESS PALLET Middleboro, MA, (508) 923-1930 www.progresspallet.com Animal bedding in trailer-load quantities.

Call/email for details.

COMMUNICATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MINDFUL CONNECTIONS Nicole Birkholzer www.mindful-connections.com Build a deeper bond, communicate effectively, and develop a trusting relationship with your horse.

CREMATION/CEMETERY SERVICES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ANGEL VIEW PET CEMETERY Middleboro, MA, (800) 287-0066 www.angelview.com Horses, ponies, pets. Transportation available to all of New England, 24/7.

NANCY LATER LAVOIE Ashby, MA, (561) 714-7447 www.nancylaterdressagehorses.com Training, lessons, clinics. Accepting new students of all levels. Top-class facility.

WHITE SPRUCE FARMS New Braintree, MA, (978) 257-4666 www.whitesprucefarms.com Dressage shows, instruction, all levels/ages.

XENOPHON FARM Montague, MA, (413) 367-9828 xenophonfarm@aol.com Dressage and combined-test schooling show series; year-end awards; clinics.

EDUCATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• EQUISSAGE NEW ENGLAND/NY www.equissage-ne-ny.com Equine sports massage–therapy certification.

EQUINE DENTISTRY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WENDY BRYANT, EQDT Northampton, MA, (413) 237-8887 www.ravenhillequine.com Natural balance equine dentistry.

Improved topline, maximized performance, increased flexion. Serving New England/New York.

DILLON’S EQUINE DENTISTRY New England, (508) 528-2242 www.dilloneq.com 20+ years, servicing New England.

ANDREW MORTIMER, EQDT Plainfield, MA, (413) 634-5656 amanda@bcn.net Health, performance floating, extractions.

NORTHEAST EQUINE VETERINARY DENTAL SERVICES LEAH LIMONE, DVM Topsfield, MA, (978) 500-9293 www.nevds.com Licensed professional veterinary dentistry.

Routine preventive care, maintenance, diagnostics, extractions.

EQUINE DIRECTORY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• JUST HORSES DIRECTORY Huntington, MA, (413) 667-3439 www.justhorses.com Southern New England, eastern New York.

EQUINE SPORTS THERAPIES Brooklyn, CT, (860) 774-8027 www.equinesportstherapies.com Massage, digital thermography, aromatherapy, Reiki.

EQUISSAGE NE/NY Serving New England, (860) 564-7759 equisportmt@sbcglobal.net Certified Masterson Method practitioner, certified Equissage instructors, certified Equissage practitioners, equine bodywork, myofascial release, infrared photon light therapy, and Reiki.

HORSEBACK AND BODY Northampton, MA, (413) 320-7690 jobunny@comcast.net Massage therapy for horses, humans.

HORSE WELLNESS Waltham, MA, (617) 314-5768 www.horse-wellness.com Equine physiotherapist and acupuncturist certified in Germany; equine massage.

TOPLINE EQUINE MASSAGE Franklin, MA, (508) 254-7412 toplinemassage@yahoo.com Certified and insured.

EQUINE RESCUES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAY STATE EQUINE RESCUE Oakham, MA, (508) 882-3704 www.baystateequinerescue.org Providing for abused/neglected horses.

BLUE STAR EQUICULTURE DRAFT HORSE SANCTUARY Palmer, MA, (413) 289-9787 www.equiculture.org Helping horses, humans, and Mother Earth. Horse rescue and sanctuary.

CEDAR OAKS EQUINE RESCUE Plymouth, MA, (508) 728-9062 www.cedaroaksequinerescue.org Rescues and takes in horses in need.

CENTRAL NEW ENGLAND EQUINE RESCUE Central Mass., (978) 621-6717 www.cneer.com Rescuing abused, abandoned, neglected horses; restoring to health and spirit.

LUCKY HORSE EQUINE RESCUE Bolton, MA, (978) 293-6153 www.luckyhorse.org Dedicated to the care of all equines.

NEVINS FARM, MSPCA Methuen, MA, (978) 687-7453 www.mspca.org Animal care and adoption center.

NEW ENGLAND EQUINE RESCUE NORTH West Newbury, MA, www.neernorth.org mary.martin@neernorth.org Equine assistance in Massachusetts.

EQUIPMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BACON’S EQUIPMENT Williamsburg, MA, (413) 268-3620 Kubota, Yanmar, Stihl, Husqvarna. Sales and repairs for more than 30 years.

EVENTING ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• APPLE KNOLL FARM Millis, MA, (508) 376-2564 www.appleknoll.com Cross-country schooling, training, lessons, sales.

TMC EVENTING Ipswich, MA, (781) 244-9955 tiff316@yahoo.com Lessons, training, boarding, showing, clinics.

GRAIN AND BAGGED FORAGE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• AUBUCHON HARDWARE Webster, MA, (508) 949-2500 Purina, Mazuri, horse supplies, and more.

BLUE SEAL FEED (866) 647-1212 www.blueseal.com Feeds, supplements, forages, pasture mix.

PURINA (800) 227-8941 www.horse.purinamills.com Textured, pelleted feeds; supplements.

TRIPLE CROWN FEED (800) 451-9916 www.triplecrownfeed.com Feeds, forages, supplements.

HAFLINGERS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SOMMER HILL FARM Adams, MA, (413) 743-9301 sommerhaflingers@yahoo.com One Haflinger is never enough.

HAY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• JAY NOONE Serving New England, (413) 222-8286 hayjayhorses@yahoo.com Quality hay, local/long-distance horse transportation, stall mats, shavings.

Massachusetts Horse

45

HOOF CARE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BAREFOOT PERFORMANCE Williamsburg, MA, (413) 348-5798 betsymerritt@hotmail.com Orthopedic trimming and holistic lameness rehabilitation.

JOEY STETZ FARRIER SERVICE Blandford, MA, (413) 848-2336 www.ramona-farms.com Dependable, caring, ethical, and professional.

HORSES FOR SALE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHIPAWAY STABLES Acushnet, MA, (508) 763-5158 www.chipawaystables.com Horses, ponies for sale; trailers, tack shop, ranch supplies, grain, hay, shavings; roping, penning, and sorting.

HERITAGE FARM Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-1612 www.farmheritage.com Auctions, sale horses, shows, clinics, boarding, lessons, and training.

STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 www.strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable. Supplying NE with horses and ponies since 1967. Forty family, trail, and show horses to choose from. New loads every week. We buy horses, take trade-ins and consignment horses. Great three-week-exchange guarantee. Find us on Facebook.

HUNTERS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ORION FARM South Hadley, MA, (413) 532-9753 www.orionfarm.net Local to national champions, boarding, training, showing, ponies for sale.

WILD AIRE FARM Southbridge, MA, (508) 765-0641 www.wildairefarm.com Horse Power two-phases, hunter/jumper, and dressage shows.

INSTRUCTION/TRAINING •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BACK BAY FARM Ipswich, MA, (978) 356-0730 www.backbayfarm.com Lessons, boarding, training, and sales.

CRIMSON ACRES Orange, MA, (978) 575-0341 www.crimsonacres.org Boarding, training, lessons, clinics, camps.

CATHY DRUMM Pittsfield, MA, (413) 441-5278 www.cathydrumm.com Clinics, lessons, training, and more.

GRANDVIEW FARM Dighton, MA, (508) 410-5877 www.grand-view-farm.com Indoor instruction, training, showing, boarding.

46

December/January 2015

JOYFUL RIDING Donna Moret, BHSII, (413) 588-8514 Develop centered, balanced, harmonious connections between you and your horse. Dressage, balance seat, trails.

NEW MEADOWS FARM Pepperell, MA, (978) 502-0966 www.newmeadowsfarm.com Boarding, indoor, jump field, turnout, licensed instructor.

SANDY HILL FARM Florence, MA, (413) 535-7484 www.sandyhillriding.com Private riding lessons, all ages.

INSURANCE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A & B INSURANCE GROUP Westford, MA, (978) 399-0025 www.abinsgroup.com AFIS-designated equine insurance professionals.

CORINTHIAN INSURANCE AGENCY Medway, MA, (877) 250-5103 www.corinthianequine.com Equine protection specialists.

DON RAY INSURANCE Marshfield, MA, (781) 837-6550 www.donrayinsurance.com Farm, mortality, major medical and surgical, clubs, shows, instructors.

FARM FAMILY INSURANCE www.farmfamily.com Carver (508) 866-9150 Centerville (508) 957-2125 Dedham (781) 326-2002 Easthampton (413) 203-5180 Great Barrington (413) 528-1710 North Easton (508) 230-0995 Northborough (508) 393-9327 Southwick (413) 569-2307 Williamstown (413) 458-5584 Worcester (508) 752-3300 JUDGES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ED GOLEMBESKI Gill, MA, (413) 863-2313 riker119@comcast.net 4-H, open shows, clinics, lessons.

LOANS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FARM CREDIT EAST Middleboro, MA, (800) 946-0506 www.farmcrediteast.com Loans for equestrian facilities, farms, bare land, home sites. Equipment loans and leases.

MANURE REMOVAL •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MITRANO REMOVAL SERVICE Massachusetts, (978) 425-6181 www.mitranoremoval.com Manure removal for small and large farms; full stockpile removals.

MINIATURE HORSES, SUPPLIES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• STAR LAKES MINIATURE TACK Atlasburg, PA, (724) 255-8583 www.starlakefarm.com Complete line of Miniature horse tack.

NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BOB BURRELLI Plymouth, MA, (508) 224-9430 www.bobburrelli.com Licensed/certified horse trainer/clinician.

HORSE-MIND-SHIP: RJ SADOWSKI Plainfield, MA, (413) 634-8800 www.peacehavenfarm.com Clinics, colt starting, farm visits.

IT’S A PLEASURE TRAINING Orange, MA, (978) 652-2231 www.itsapleasuretraining.com Starting horses under saddle and in harness correctly, 100% satisfaction.

EQUINE HOMES — MARILYN LEARY Oakham, MA, (800) 859-2745, ext. 709 Specializing in equestrian, country properties.

EQUINE HOMES REAL ESTATE LLC MA and NH, (800) 859-2745 ext. 704 www.equinehomes.com sally@equinehomes.com Sally Mann, Realtor MA and NH. BERNICE GIARD, REALTOR/BROKER Oakham, MA, (508) 882-3900 oakham@charter.net Country properties.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE HERON FARM Charlemont, MA, (413) 339-4045 www.blueheronfarm.com Quality, purebred registered Fjords.

RIDING APPAREL •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• COUNTRYSIDE FARM RIDING APPAREL Sterling, MA, (978) 235-4004 www.countrysideridingapparel.com Custom and in-stock riding apparel, equestrian jewelry, JPC dealer, used apparel; consignments welcome.

PAINT HORSES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BALMY ACRES Middleboro, MA, (508) 947-5085 www.balmyacres.com APHA/PtHA, pleasure, show, performance.

STABLES, FARMS, BOARDING •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CARRIER’S FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-0333 rcarrier0333@gmail.com Indoor, outdoor arenas, round pens, fields.

PHOTOGRAPHY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• C A HILL PHOTO S. Dartmouth, MA (508) 789-0541 cahill.smugmug.com cahillphoto@gmail.com Equine, family, and farm photography in New England.

EMERALD FARM Bellingham, MA, (508) 966-2482 www.smithlyndequine.com Dressage, eventing, hunter, boarding, lessons, training, leases.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA N. Dighton, MA, (508) 863-0467 www.melissaroot.com Equine portrait photography and events.

PONY CLUBS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CENTRAL NEW ENGLAND PONY CLUB www.cne.ponyclub.org Central New England region.

RER PONIES - U.S. PONY CLUB CENTER Hatfield, MA, (413) 427-2026 www.rerponies.com Training, lessons, sales, Pony Club Riding Center, boarding, pony starting, tuneups.

SOUTHEASTERN PONY CLUB www.southeastern.ponyclub.org Southeast New England region.

QUARTER HORSES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SKYZ THE LIMIT PERFORMANCE HORSES Southwick, MA, (413) 297-1231 skyzthelimitph@yahoo.com AQHA Professional Horseman, boarding, lessons, training, sales.

REAL ESTATE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ALTHEA BRAMHALL HOMETOWN REALTORS North Quabbin Region, (617) 678-9300 althearealtor@gmail.com Real estate is more fun with horse people!

GLENCROFT FARM Southampton, MA, (413) 527-8026 kraymond24@hotmail.com Boarding, pastures, ring, trails, fields.

INDEPENDENCE STABLE Belchertown, MA, (413) 284-0371 www.independencestablellc.com Lessons, training, boarding, clinics, dressage schooling shows.

OLDE DARTMOUTH FARM South Dartmouth, MA, (774) 263-2845 www.oldedartmouthfarm.com Lessons, boarding, training, showing, transportation.

RIESLING STABLES Plymouth, MA, (508) 224-6533 www.rieslingstables.com 17 acres, 20 stalls, indoor/outdoor arenas, $650 per month.

STRAIN FAMILY EQUESTRIAN CENTER Southwick, MA, (413) 569-5797 www.strainfamilyequestrian.com Boarding, lessons, training, sales, therapeutic riding.

SUMMER CAMP •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MOUNTAIN TOP INN & RESORT Chittenden, VT, (802) 483-2311 www.mountaintopinn.com Adults, children, camps, overnight accommodations.

TACK •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHESHIRE HORSE Swanzey, NH, (877) 358-3001 www.cheshirehorse.com English, western, feed, supplies, trailers.

SMARTPAK RETAIL STORE Natick, MA, (508) 651-0045 www.smartpak.com/retailstore Tack, equipment, supplements, blankets, apparel, gear, gifts, clearance outlet.

STERLING STEED ENTERPRISES Cincinnati, OH, (513) 309-7681 www.sterlingsteed.com Draft, oversize, Baroque, custom, unique.

TACK, BLANKET, HARNESS REPAIR •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BLUE DOG LEATHER (978) 544-2681 www.bluedogleather.com Quality repairs and custom work.

JENN’S TACK & BLANKET SERVICE (978) 340-5576 jennstackrepair@comcast.net Blanket cleaning, repair. Used blankets and tack for sale.

VACATION RENTAL •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MAINE LAKESIDE FARM Maine, (207) 266-6100 Weekly vacation rental with barn, pasture, and riding arena; ride and drive at Acadia National Park.

VETERINARIANS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FAMILY VETERINARY CENTER Haydenville, MA, (413) 268-8387 www.famvets.com Traditional and alternative care for dogs, cats, exotics, and horses.

HAMPTON VETERINARY SERVICES Easthampton, MA, (413) 527-4414 thehorsedoctor@verizon.net Wellness care, dental, lameness, reproduction, digital radiography.

MASSACHUSETTS EQUINE CLINIC Uxbridge, MA, (508) 278-6511 www.massequine.com Full-service, multi-veterinarian, state-ofthe-art medical and surgical center.

NORTH SHORE EQUINE, PC Newburyport, MA, (978) 621-2641 northshoreequineoffice@comcast.net Excellent comprehensive equine veterinary care.

PARROTT EQUINE ASSOCIATES Hamilton, MA, (978) 468-6307 www.parrottequine.com Equine sports medicine, dentistry, reproductive, surgery, 24-hour emergency service, general medicine.

SANCTUARY ANIMAL CLINIC Holyoke, MA, (413) 532-2175 Dr. John Perdrizet, equine internal medicine specialist; Chinese acupuncture, herbology, and food therapy.

DR. ROBERT P. SCHMITT S. Deerfield, MA, (413) 665-3626 sdvc@aol.com Equine medicine, surgery since 1969.

SOUTH SHORTE EQUINE CLINIC Plympton, MA, (781) 585-2611 www.ssequineclinic.com Most up-to-date comprehensive and compassionate treatment.

VIDEO/DVD PRODUCTION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ZZ CREATIVE VIDEO PRODUCTIONS Fitchburg, MA, (978) 345-7250 www.zzcreativevideo.com Horse show/events documentation, reasonable, professional, experienced.

advertiser index Greengate Hanoverians ............................... 49

A Classical Touch ........................................ 34

Hampton Veterinary Services ...................... 48

Animal Translations ..................................... 34

Heritage Farm ............................................... 11

Angel View Pet Cemetery ............................ 51

HorseBack and Body ................................... 48

Apple Knoll Farm ......................................... 44

Horse-Powered Mysteries ........................... 23

Aubuchon Hardware ................................... 33

Horse-Wellness.com .................................... 41

Avalon Building Systems ............................. 25

Independence Stable .................................. 48

Bacon’s Equipment ....................................... 11

It’s a Pleasure Training ................................ 29

Bellwether Stables ...................................... 28

Jenn’s Tack and Blanket Service .................. 6

Betsy Merritt ................................................ 21

Join the Aiken Horse Community! ............... 37

Bitless Bridle ............................................... 32

Joey Stetz Farrier Service ............................ 35

Blue Dog Leather ......................................... 28

Lester Buildings ........................................... 25

Blue Seal Feed ............................................ 52

Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council ........... 43

Bob Burrelli ................................................. 48

Mitrano Removal Services ........................... 48

The Carriage Shed ........................................ 2

Natural Balance Equine Dentistry ............... 23

Century 21 Commonwealth .......................... 28

North Woods Animal Treats ........................ 36

The Cheshire Horse ...................................... 7

Orion Farm ................................................... 37

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage ...... 32

Peace Haven Farm ....................................... 35

Country Corral ............................................. 31

Purina Mills ................................................. 50

Crimson Acres .............................................. 48

RER Ponies .................................................. 49

DK SAddlery ................................................ 25

Salty Dawg Equine Services ......................... 6

Don Ray Insurance Agency .......................... 17

Skyz the Limit Performance Horses .............. 10

Draft Horse Passion ..................................... 26

SmartPak Saddlery ....................................... 5

Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Assoc. .............. 47

Smooth Moves Massage ............................... 5

Equine Equipment Savings .......................... 39

SRH Veterinary Services .............................. 49

Equine Homes .............................................. 31

Susan Bartfay, CEMT ................................... 48

Equissage ..................................................... 10

Western New England Professional

Equus Integrated Therapy ........................... 49 Essex County Trail Association .............. 21, 42

Horsemen’s Association ...................... 41 Westhampton Great Custom Home ............. 27

Fairview Farms JJC ...................................... 49

White Spruce Farms ..................................... 48

Family Veterinary Center ............................. 20

Wild Aire Farm ............................................. 44

Farm Credit East .......................................... 15

Xenophon Farm ........................................... 42

Farm Family Insurance ................................. 40

You Come Too .............................................. 35

Feathers and Fur Reiki ................................. 13

Yes!

Have your business and/or services in Massachusetts Horse and on MAHorse.com for just $49 for the year.

Plus, you receive a free one-year subscription to Massachusetts Horse.

Place your ad online at MAHorse.com or call (413) 268-3302.

is this your horse?

©Tracy Emanuel Photography

Absorbine ..................................................... 4

Advertise for just $49 a year?

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken by Tracy Emanuel, of South Hamilton.

If this is your horse, contact us at win@mahorse.com for a month’s supply of SmartPaks and more from the Bay State’s very own SmartPak, smartpakequine.com.

Gold Cooler Jumper Series .......................... 38

Massachusetts Horse

47

Massachusetts marketplace

Recovery . Maintenance . Performance Therapeutic Massage . Bodywork . Reiki Jo Bunny licensed massage therapist, certified equine massage therapist

(413) 320-7690 • jobunny@comcast.net

978-425-6181 cAll us first

MAnure reMovAl for lArge & sMAll fArMs roll-off containers 10 to 30 yards on call or scheduled service.

Advertise Here for $49!

full stock pile removals.

Dressage Schooling Shows

Barn/outbuilding demo & removal

Including Lead Line & Western Dressage Tests!

• fencing demo & replacement Proud Sponsor of Bear Spot Musical Freestyle and the Oakrise Farm Show Series.

www.mitranoremoval.com

Independence Stable, LLC

Lessons . Training . Boarding . Clinics

mahorse.com (413) 268-3302

Belchertown, MA (413) 284-0371 independencestablellc.com

White Spruce Farms Where Learning to Ride is Fun! Schooling Shows Adults-only Schooling Shows Dressage Lessons & Training School Horses Available Come join the fun!

Bring your own horse or ride one of our school horses.

Year-end awards for both show series.

Susan Rainville USDF bronze and silver medalist

www.whitesprucefarms.com (978) 257-4666 48

December/January 2015

Proudly serving the Pioneer Valley for over 25 years.

Susan Bartfay, CeMT Massage . Laser . LeD . Animal Communication “WHere DoeS MY HorSe HurT” Body Check-ups Susan is privately trained by Dr. Renee Tucker

(413) 325-5777 Blueribbonequine.com susan@blueribbonequine.com

Complete Wellness Care including Dental, Lameness, and Reproduction State of the Art Digital Radiography

John L. Cowley, m.S., D.V.m.

P.O. Box 1019, Easthampton, mass.

(413) 527-4414

mahorse.com thehorsedoctor@verizon.net . 413.268.3302

Junior Horsemanship Awards

Sarah Roberts

Massachusetts Horse gives back to your community through its Junior Horsemanship Award program. The award is given to the junior exhibitor who has shown the best horsemanship and sportsmanship at a competition in the Bay State. This is the junior who is not winning, but who is working hard with a great attitude. This junior is taking good care of

her horse, cheering on her friends, and helping others. Want to give out a free Massachusetts Horse Junior Horsemanship Award at your upcoming event? Just email are made possible by Stephanie Sanders, award@mahorse.com. These awards Massachusetts Horse publisher, and Absorbine.

Shiane Wheeler

Eliza Roberts

Kayli Smith

RER Ponies Training, Lessons & Sales

by CHA certified, BHS trained, and USDF competitor

Heather Reynolds Dostal Freelance Instruction . Lesson Horses Available U.S. Pony Club Riding Center

Charming private facility offering: Boarding, training, pony starting, and tune ups.

Ted Moser, BS, LMT A Masterson Method Practitioner 413 . 522 . 0658 equusintegratedtherapy.com Serving western Mass., southern Vermont, and northwest Conn.

Now Accepting Boarders New 20,000 square-foot Facility!

www.RERponies.com 413.427.2026 8 Circle Dr., Hatfield, MA

FEI Stallion: Werbellin, at stud.

Foals & Horses for Sale Training, Backing/Starting

Beginner to Advanced Instruction 413-245-3083 . fairviewfarmsjjc.com

295 High St, Ipswich, Mass.

978-356-1119 (phone) 978-356-5758 (fax) www.srhveterinary.com

Advertise Here for $69!

Horse Leases Available

Brimfield, MA

Helen Noble, vMd . Robert Orcutt, dvM derek Cavatorta, dvM phd Kirstin Anderson, dvM . Ashley Taylor, dvM

Professional, well rounded, goal oriented lesson program for riders of all ages beginner through advanced.

partial $275/mo., half $400/mo., full $525/mo.

Hunt Seat/Equitation, Dressage, Eventing, Western

Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Serving the North Shore since 1951

mahorse.com (413) 268-3302

Greengate Hanoverians

New Braintree, Mass info@greengatestud.com . 508-729-0706 www.greengatestud.com Massachusetts Horse

49

MASSACHUSETTS AW Brown’s Pet, Garden & Gift Store E. Longmeadow, MA (413) 525-2115

Amherst Farmers Supply Amherst, MA (413) 253-3436 50

Aubuchon Hardware & Feed Webster, MA (508) 949-2500

Fitts Mill

Sunnynook Farm

The Cheshire Horse

Scituate, MA (781) 545-1311

Rochester, MA (508) 763-5405

Swanzey, NH (603) 358-3001

Hamshaw Lumber

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Bernardston Farmers Supply

Orange, MA (413) 544-8211

Bernardston, MA (413) 648-9311

Hanson Grain

December/January 2015

Hanson, MA (781) 447-6621

Dodge Grain Co.

Achille Agway

Salem, NH (603) 893-3739

Peterborough, NH (603) 924-6801

VERMONT Achille Agway Brattleboro, VT (802) 254-8755

Over 34 Years of Service

Cremains available to family within 72 hours.

Massachusetts Horse

51

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID MONROE, CT PERMIT

Amherst Farmer’s Supply 320 Pleasant St., Amherst (413) 253-3436 amherstfarmerssupply.com A.W. Brown Pet & Garden Center 144 Shaker Rd., E. Longmeadow (413) 525-2115 . awbrown.com

Brattleboro Agway 1277 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT (802) 254-8757 . achilleagway.net Bridgewater Farm Supply 1000 Plymouth St., Bridgewater (508) 697-0357 bridgewaterfarm.com

Erikson’s Grain Mill 113 Main St., Acton (978) 263-4733 Essex County Co-op 146 S. Main St., Topsfield (978) 887-2309 essexcountycoop.net

Beaver Valley Farm 17 Main St., Pelham, NH (603) 635-2597 . beavervalleyfarm.net

Country Corral 35 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-0180 . countrycorralonline.com

Family Pet & Garden Center 14 Columbia Rd., Rte. 53, Pembroke (781) 829-2220

Bernardston Farmer’s Supply 43 River St., Bernardston (413) 648-9311 bernardstonfarmerssupply.com

Dodge Grain Company 59 N. Broadway, Salem, NH (603) 893-3739 . dodgegrain.biz

Hardwick Farmers Co-op Exchange Rte. 32, Gilbertville (413) 477-6913 hardwickfarmers.net

#140

Robbins Garden Center 28 Sutton Ave., Oxford (508) 987-2700 robbinsgarden.com Sweet Meadow Feed & Grain 111 Coolidge St., Sherborn (508) 650-2926 sweetmeadowfeedandgrain.com Thibault’s Poultry 92 N. Spencer Rd. Spencer (508) 885-3959