Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

C O N N E C T IC U T

HORSE

BUILDING YOUR DREAM FARM GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

May/June 2019 connhorse.com $4

LUVIE ABELL, DVM HORSEPERSON

EARLE PARK TRAIL GUIDE

ALL IN FARM FARM FEATURE

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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Sally L. Feuerberg

courtesy of Grand Prix Equine

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Stacey Stearns

May/June 2019

courtesy of King Barns

contents

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24

22

features 8

Building Your Dream Farm

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Get it Right the First Time

18

Earle Park Trail Guide

Luvie Abell, DVM

A Passion for Horses

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Horseperson Feature

All In Farm

Peaceful Retirement and Barrels of Fun Farm Feature

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Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy at Community Mental Health Affiliates Lend a Hoof

in every issue 5

From the Publisher

36

Partners

48

The Neighborhood

7

Your Letters

42

Nutmeg State Events Calendar

50

Is This Your Horse?

Overherd: News in Our Community

47

This Olde Horse

30

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

From the Publisher

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orse activities abound throughout the state, so be sure to check out our Events Calendar (starting on page 42) to find clinics, seminars, trail rides, and competitions in your part of the state.

In this issue our lead feature is about building your dream farm. I’ve been lucky enough to do just that on 12 acres in the foothills of the Berkshires.

In 1990 I bought my home with no driveway, no outbuildings, no fencing.

It was a good price and had almost five acres of mostly fields. Horses were allowed in the town and it was an affordable option since the house was unfinished on the inside.

In the years since, I’ve built a 36' x 24' barn with a first-floor hay room (accessible right off the driveway for hay deliveries), three stalls in the back, and an open area in front of the stalls with a four-foot overhang to keep the weather out. Seventy-five percent of the fields are fenced in with no-climb mesh and a top board — what I found to be the safest and sturdiest option after trying

myriad options. There are smaller run-in sheds in some fields and one field is a Paddock Paradise to keep the

Congratulations to 11-year-old Cassandra Whaley of Ledyard and “the best pony ever” Almond Joy a.k.a. Amigo on receiving the Connecticut Horse Youth Award from the Southern New England Horsemen’s Association. Want a free Connecticut Horse Youth Award for your upcoming equestrian competition? Visit connhorse.com/youth-awards.

Miniature horses moving and at a healthy weight. A 160' x 80' grass riding ring and a 50' diameter round pen were added in 1999 with three-rail fencing.

Ten years ago I had the sacrifice paddock upgraded by removing the topsoil and replacing it with stone dust.

Spring no longer means mud for this area and manure no longer gets mixed in with the soil, making it impossible to remove. This was one of the best decisions I’ve made over the years. Last year I added an outdoor wash stall with warm water — baths are so much more pleasant now.

I’ve learned a lot along the way, little things like using screws and not nails when installing wood fencing (screws are easier to remove and also work better when wood inevitably warps and twists); using electric wire along the top of wood fencing to keep horses from reaching over for snacks and crushing the fence; and having spare fencing materials available for repairs.

Dream up your perfect farm, then do the due diligence — visit farms, ask questions, and research town regulations.

Enjoy building your dream farm!

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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CON N EC T ICU T

HORSE vol. 4, no. 6 May/June 2019

ISSN 2378-5721

99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096 phone: (413) 268-3302 (voice/text) • connhorse.com Connecticut Horse magazine is an independently owned and operated all-breed, all-discipline equestrian publication for the Nutmeg State.

Mortality & Major Medical . Farm Packages Horse Associations and Clubs . Directors & Officers Horse Shows, Clinics, Events . Expo Coverage Instructor Liability . Payment Plans We will provide you with competitive rates, educated service, and help substantiate values.

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© 2019 Connecticut Horse All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this magazine or portions thereof in any form without prior written permission.

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editor Kathaleen Emerson

feature writers Sally L. Feuerberg, Sean T. Hogan, Esq., Alessandra Mele, Lara Rudowski, Stacey Stearns

contributors Colleen Bjorbekk, Wynatte Chu, Patti Crowther, Allison Forsyth Stacey Golub, DVM, Raymond Hill, Jeanne Lewis, Tracey Woods

public relations & advertising sales Lara Rudowski . lara@connhorse.com . (860) 841-9070

reporters Sally L. Feuerberg . sally@connhorse.com . (203) 339-0357 Sarah Griffin . sarah@connhorse.com . (203) 560-4419 Linda Morton . linda@connhorse.com . (860) 822-3006

questions Main Office: info@connhorse.com, (413) 268-3302 (voice or text)

Baby, the Shire rescued by the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, ctdraftrescue.com. ©2019 Sarah Grote Photography (See page 17.)

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

the fine print The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Connecticut Horse staff or independent contractors, nor can they be held accountable. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for any misrepresentations or any copyright infringement on the part of advertisers. Connecticut Horse will not be held responsible for typing errors other than a correction in the following issue. All letters addressed to Connecticut 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 Connecticut Horse, are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication. Connecticut 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.

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Your Letters To the Editor: I absolutely LOVE the article. [March/April: Idlenot Farm] I’ve had many interviews, many articles, but never one that’s so well written and expresses so clearly what we do here.

Obviously writer Lara Rudowski is an artistic soul. Thank you very much for this.

Patricia Norcia, owner, Idlenot Farm, Clinton

To the Editor: Sally [Feuerberg] did just a great job on the article about me and the Sisterhood. [March/April: Diane Ciano] Thank you so much.

Diane Ciano, Plymouth

To the Editor: The ad looks great, stands out, and has great placement.

The magazine is so interesting!

Eva Brinner, Realtor Send your letters to editor@connhorse.com or Connecticut Horse, 99 Bissell Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096.

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Building Your Dream Farm

courtesy of King Barns

Get it Right the First Time

by Stephanie Sanders

ou’ve dreamed of the day when you’re standing in the doorway of your very own barn, gazing out at well-tended fields and the rings you designed and installed. The slide show continues, with views of lush, healthy grass; clean, smooth fencing; perhaps a massive, elegant indoor arena. The stalls are state-of-the-art and safe, your gear is neat and clean, hanging in rows on the wall of the tack room. It’s a satisfying picture, the dream of hundreds of horse lovers across the Nutmeg State.

Read on to learn how you can make your vision a reality, and avoid some of the pitfalls that result in a nightmare rather than a dream-come-true.

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subjects you need to know about. Then there’s the barn and fence configuration, the turnout area, stall sizes, and the all-important neighbor situation — before you even look at the home.

A real-estate agent well versed in horse properties won’t bat an eyelash when a prospective buyer rushes out to size up the barn and pasture before even glancing at the home. A buyer’s agent who understands the distinctive needs of horse owners can save shoppers valuable time and money during the search process by eliminating unsuitable properties early on. When you’re on a busy schedule and time is valuable, an agent who knows horses is an important asset.

Ask the Right Questions

A Cautionary Tale

Perhaps you want to buy a new home with room to create a farm, or are looking to purchase a farm with plans to expand the barns, pastures, and arenas.

Or maybe you already own some land, or are in negotiations to buy some acreage. A piece of land is a blank slate, with virtually unlimited potential.

Whether buying a home or land, the idea is certainly exciting, but in either case, do your homework and proceed with caution, and find a reliable realestate agent.

Farms are considered specialty properties, and as such there are numerous details to consider before you sign on the dotted line. Local regulations, livestock restrictions, and conservation and wetland issues are just a few of the

A couple from Connecticut found themselves in litigation with their town over their horses. They had applied for a building permit, which was granted; built a lovely two-stall barn, installed paddocks, and happily moved in their two horses. Immediately, they received notice that they couldn’t have horses on their property. It didn’t matter that they had the building or the fence — that was fine. They just couldn’t have horses.

They had spent almost $15,000 in improvements only to discover that it was all for naught. In the end, they had to put their place up for sale and look for a property where they could have their horses at home. A little research and a knowledgeable agent would have saved a great deal of heartache and money.

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

So, practice due diligence ahead of time and spare yourself misery later.

Many towns have a website that has information regarding zoning and horses. If you can’t find answers online, go to the town hall or city hall and ask the clerk for assistance. Ascertain what a town requires. If the property you’re considering has wetlands, that’s an important factor with its own set of rules and regulations.

Before you sign that contract, and well before you turn over that first spadeful of dirt, make sure you find out what the town regulations are for horses, setbacks, manure removal . . . you can’t overdo your research.

The bottom line: know before you buy or start building.

Location, Location, Location First, look at your land as a whole. Mark out the four directions, and know where north is. Then look at the directions of the prevailing winds in your part of the state. Are you on a hill or in a valley? Do you have shade trees you want to maximize? Look for hazards such as old-growth trees and areas that may flood. If you’re planting fields and adding run-in sheds, what direction will they need to face in order to catch air but not be blasted in foul weather? South.

“The barn should always be sited with consideration to prevailing winds, sun exposure, and proximity to available turnout,” says Georgia Hickey, equine facilities designer at King Barns.

Pocketful of Ponies Farm

Stories abound of horse owners who placed those run-in sheds in spots chosen for looks, only to watch the shelters go unused because their horses were at the mercy of wind, rain, and snow while inside. You don’t want to inadvertently place a horse in jeopardy because you didn’t fully consider the impact of weather conditions before you sited buildings, including the barn.

Many towns require that sheds or run-in sheds be anchored. Wind in New England isn’t the same type of problem that it can be in other parts of the country, but you do want to place your sheds in such a way that you avoid having tree branches fall on them and cause damage. That can also scare your horses, which means they no longer have a safe place in a storm.

Attaching a lean-to onto a barn gives you an area to work with the horses if there’s inclement weather, plus a place to park your tractor.

Terra Firma You’ll also need to consider the underlying terrain. Is it rocky? Ledge? If you’d like the barn to be in that pretty area surrounded by pine trees over in that field, are you willing to pay extra if you have to blast out ledge?

Do you have a glacial erratic — a giant piece of rock that differs from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests? Erratics take their name from the Latin word errare (to wander), and are carried by glacial ice, often over distances of hundreds of miles. (When cutting into a hillside on my farm to put in an arena, we came upon two of these and had to change the location for the arena.)

And what about the ground? Is it

sand, top soil, clay? Is it suitable for the riding arena? Will it attract standing water? Turn into mud?

Typically, barn builders send a knowledgeable excavating contractor to check out the site prior to construction.

If ledge is sticking up, or boulders, you might run into a problem. If the building inspector won’t let a barn builder tie columns into a ledge, or if there are huge boulders to move, the owner may have to pay to have the excavation people come back out to remove those things. Such a delay can cost time and money, more than if this issue is discovered and corrected early on in the site location process.

Wait to do the finish grading until the building is up. During the construction process, nails get lost from time to time. Most barn builders will go over the whole site with a magnet when they’re done, but if there’s already a foot of soft footing or landscaping in place, there’s no way to find all the nails.

At this stage, consider two other factors: access and manure. When thinking about access, ask yourself the following questions: Can I get my trailer in? Where will we put the tractor? What about when the hay truck comes in?

The issue of manure removal may not come to mind until the horses are on location, yet failing to have a good plan in place for manure removal can cause more work and headache than all the other planning combined.

Manure Disposal Before selecting your manure site ask yourself these questions: How will I handle manure? How will I remove it? Will a truck and heavy equipment have access? What are my town’s regulations

for farm waste? Do I have a well or do I rely on city water? Is the area muddy?

Will the site be visible while it’s filling up? Think, too, about pest control: Can I manage the flies? Will my neighbors be affected?

An adult horse defecates, on average, 18 times a day. A rule of thumb regarding waste: an average-size, say 15.2-hand, horse produces a square yard of manure per week. Multiply that by the number of horses you have and you’ll get a sense of the amount of waste you must dispose of, not to mention spoiled bedding materials. Don’t wait until you’re overloaded with manure to decide how to dispose of it.

Many towns require a written plan for manure management. If you’re building a new barn or are bringing horses to your property for the first time, many towns will want a manuremanagement plan on file, and they’ll hold you to that. If you change what you’re doing, you must make notification of that change.

One option is to look into a manure removal service such as Fred LeMay in Newtown who offers containerized manure removal, large manure pile removal, and can leave containers on site. Manure management is about fly control, pest control, and parasite control as well as wetland protection. Your neighbors expect this.

They don’t want to see a huge pile of manure sitting there.

Fred’s containers are available in different sizes and pick-ups can be scheduled to suit a farm’s needs. Most containers have doors that open so the owner can wheel manure right in. Some larger barns have devised ramping systems so that it can be dumped right Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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over the edge; others pile it on the ground next to the container, then scoop and dump it in with a tractor.

Fred will work with the barn owner in setting up a plan for removal. If your site can’t handle a dumpster, the company will come in and remove piles whenever needed.

If there’s no removal company in your area, there are other ways to handle this age-old problem. Contact local farmers and landscapers to see if any of them are willing to take your manure on a schedule. This works well when you have several animals and produce a fair amount of waste. Make sure you keep nonorganic debris, such as hay twine, out of the pile. Even some organic debris, such as garden weeds, will contaminate the manure with undesirable seeds.

If you have the equipment, pile and compost your manure, then sell it as aged manure once it reaches a usable state. You may be able to recoup some money from it as well. Plans on how to build a covered composting shed are available online. Find one where you can keep the internal temperature from 135 to 160 degrees, which kills off the pathogens, parasites, and weed seeds found in the manure.

“Locate a covered manure dump-

ster or composting facility close enough for convenience, but with enough distance to avoid drawing flies to the barn,” says Georgia. “Whenever possible, plan to lower the dumpster below grade to avoid ramping.”

Be sure to have a plan in place before the first horse ever sets foot on the property and poops.

Water, Water Everywhere Water has an impact on your site in a couple of ways — there’s water you want . . . and water you don’t. How does your property drain? Is it flat? Hilly? Are there low places? Is the soil quick to drain?

Walk around after a serious rain or, better yet, after a long wet spell. Where does the water pool? At the barn site, is water running through it or is it high and dry?

Water You Don’t Want “Since good hygiene starts with a clean, dry environment, elevate the barn pad just enough so it will not flood during heavy rains, and install a curtain drain to take water away from the building,” says Georgia. “The drain system will also take run-off from the roof and, with a little planning, this reclaimed resource can be used to water landscaping or for a variety of other needs.”

If you need to install a drainage system, do it before any building goes up.

Ask an excavating professional to look at your property and help you decide the best way to deal with excess water.

Horses are four-hooved rototillers, with lots of weight supported by hard, pointy hooves. The result is damage to the topsoil, which then turns to mud once water is mixed in. Probably the single largest complaint from all property owners is mud season. New England has five seasons: winter, mud season, spring (sometimes), summer, and fall. Will you need to have a sacrifice paddock where the horses can go when ground conditions are unfavorable for horses to be on pasture? How bad will the mud be? The one constant is that there will be mud; it pays to plan ahead.

Drainage management is crucial to minimize muddy conditions. Also key to this is knowing where your horses will be in their turnout. Typically, they will congregate along the fence line and gate, and around the water and feeding areas. You may have a horse or two that will actually run the fence line, thereby wearing a groove into the ground. All these spots will turn to mud when it rains, and will get even worse when the horses add manure. If you experience a

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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long wet spell, will you be left with an unusable area?

You can treat the ground near gates and troughs to make them less muddy.

One way is to install a product commonly called Cow Carpet, which is a geotextile that allows water to drain while preventing animals from sinking into the subsoil. Covered with a layer of sand or crushed stone, it can provide relief from that boot-sucking mud.

Another method is to remove the topsoil from problem areas and install sand, pea gravel, stone dust, or another porous material. You can lay wood chips (screened to be sure they don’t contain any toxic products) over high-traffic areas. The downside to wood chips is that they degrade and turn into soil, resulting in a deeper mud area; factor in removing them periodically and replenishing. You needn’t do the entire sacrifice paddock, but you’ll be better off in the long run if you treat the hightraffic areas now.

Water You Do Want You’ll need water in the barn, of course, but what about outside? It’s cost-effective to install water lines, even if you’re not ready to use them all, before any buildings go up. A few well-placed water

hydrants can make a huge difference to the overall ease of use later. What about winter watering? Can you use heaters? If so, will electricity be available?

It’s a good idea to install automatic waterers. Once they’re in, maintenance is virtually zero. Water lines must be below the frost line, which research in the state of Connecticut shows is about 42 inches, so it’s best to go down four feet. You can run electricity out to it as well, and tie that in for the heater. If you are already having water lines installed, you can put lines in place that can be accessed and tied into later for barn expansion, saving you money down the road.

Don’t have access to electricity but need water? Build or buy solar water tanks.

Barn Building from Scratch Okay, you’ve done your homework and are ready to choose a building. Budget is the primary consideration. Think about how you want to use the building and determine how much you can spend. Then call around to see if your budget is one that can be worked with, but be prepared to make adjustments to your wishlist and your budget.

Find out how much time construction will take. Maybe you want a stick-

built, custom barn. Or perhaps you need to have your horses there in three months and have no time to spare.

Either way, there are options.

“Whether your horses are for pleasure riding, showing, breeding, companionship, or a combination, their living environment plays an important role in their well-being, their performance, and their longevity,” says Georgia. “The decisions you make when planning and building their new home will determine how well it functions for all of you.”

“The size of your barn will be guided by the number of horses you need to house, the support areas needed to care for those horses, and your budget,” says Georgia. “Sizing and location of the tack room, feed room, wash stalls, and groom stalls will impact how well and efficiently the barn functions. Other considerations will include hay and bedding storage, manure handling, and all the mechanicals. If budget and available space will permit, you should consider laundry facilities, a small kitchen, a bathroom, and blanket storage to make the barn more comfortable and to help keep you organized.”

Many builders specialize in erecting barns and arenas. Often they’ll have floor plans from projects they’ve done to show you, or they can start from

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scratch with your design.

There are a number of features that can be incorporated to make a building efficient and aesthetically pleasing. For example, a cupola is a good way to enable air to circulate, which will help reduce condensation from the horses’ breath, and they’re quite pleasing to the eye. If you live in a valley and the summer heat sits in it like a wet blanket, you may want to have one or two large exhaust fans incorporated into the peaks to force air through the building.

In your basic design, plan where the water will be located in the barn. Can you put in a wash stall as well? Will you have a sealed room that can store grain? And what about equipment, such as saddles and bridles? Consider rubber mats for the stalls and perhaps the alleyways. You’ll be thankful later that you thought of them when you aren’t constantly filling in

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holes made by a digging horse.

Next, consider lighting and air circulation. Do you want a fan over each stall or near every stall? Do you want a light in each stall with individual light switches? Or, just aisle lighting?

“Few things are more important to a horse’s wellbeing than good lighting and ventilation,” says Georgia.

“How the barn is constructed will determine whether it will have adequate air movement and air exchange; the overall design will also determine the amount of natural light.”

“Whenever possible, I use a twelve-foot sidewall,” says Georgia. “This places the main floor ceiling at eleven feet, which gives a good free flow of air above the eightfoot-high stall fronts and partitions. It also affords the space to use a transom window above the windowed Dutch doors to bring in even more natural light.”

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“Venting cupolas and gable end louvers will help with ventilation in the loft,” says Georgia. “I also install a ventilation shaft to exhaust the heat or moisture from the main floor.”

“All lighting fixtures, fans, electrical wiring, and components must be designed and rated for an agricultural environment because those intended for climate-controlled areas or residential use can be hazardous in a horse barn,” says Georgia. “Of these, electrical wiring that is completely horse and rodent proof is the single most important component for safety in a horse barn because nearly all barn fires are electrical in origin. Plan the electrical service carefully so you do not overload the service or need to use extension cords, heat tapes, or other fire hazards.”

“I always include Dutch doors versus windows in any barn larger than three or four stalls,” Georgia says. “That way, horses can be quickly evacuated in case of emergency, and no one has to run into the barn. Also, Dutch doors can be fully opened in the warmer weather for added ventilation — I use a yoked steel screen to keep the horses inside.”

“My first and foremost concern is always for the comfort and safety of the horses, and I believe that stall mattresses are one of the very best things we can provide for them,” says Georgia.

“But it’s a big bonus that, because they require far less bedding and they’re faster to clean, they save labor, time, and money. In my experience, they pay for themselves within the first year.”

“Barn floors and barn aisles should be as slip-free as possible,” says Georgia.

“Recessed rubber mats, bordered by a concrete or brick apron, are a practical and attractive choice. They’re easy to clean and will not shift or buckle when they’re recessed. Rubber brick pavers are more expensive and harder to sweep, but they provide great cushion and are slip-free, even when wet. They are beautiful in the aisles and ideal for wash/groom stalls.”

Going Prefab The prefabricated building is a fast, good-looking alternative to the custom, stick-built variety. A prefab building can be a time saver enabling you to get horses on-site quickly, and can house overflow. The owner is responsible for

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site preparation and the barn can then be delivered and slid off onto the waiting pad, sometimes even wired and ready to go. The crew comes in, usually 12 weeks after the deposit is made and once on-site, the process is generally fast and efficient.

Often referred to as “Amish buildings,” these barns come ready-built, arrive at your site on a trailer, and simply slide off right where you want it.

They’re available in anything from one stall with utility room to three stalls per section — even longer if you custom order one. If you have only one or two horses, this is an attractive way of installing a well-built stall system without the fuss and expense of a huge building. Another great feature is that you can buy one in stock and have it on your property in a matter of days. Even if you eventually opt to build a custom barn, a prebuilt barn is always handy as an overflow or quarantine barn, plus you can move it if need be.

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING to build an arena, a stall barn, or some other building, the best thing you can

do is to visit other facilities in the area that have barns similar to the one you’re planning.

Talk to the people who work in them. Ask if they like it. Is it dark? Is it musty? Ventilation is very important in horse barns. Would they change anything? How did they like their builders?

Talk to the people who manage a farm.

You are making a significant investment, and you have to actually go inside a building, not just pick one from a picture in a brochure. You can get great ideas and a better idea of dos and don’ts from the people who work in these buildings, as well as recommendations about builders.

Get as much advice as you can. Ask questions. Visit other farms. You’ll be glad you did.

Stephanie is the publisher of Connecticut Horse and Massachusetts Horse. A lifelong horsewoman, she’s been a riding instructor and a breeding manager at an 80-horse Arabian farm. Stephanie currently lives in the foothills of the Berkshires on Pocketful of Ponies Farm, a 12-acre farm she envisioned, built, and maintains.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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Glastonbury

by Stacey Stearns

Trail Guide

Earle Park

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for the Connecticut Audubon Center, or 1287 Main Street for the Cider Mill. I chose the Audubon Center on the day of my visit. The Old Church Cemetery, dating to 1823, is next to Earle Park on your left as you enter the Audubon parking lot.

Main Street is a busy road, and you park next to it at Audubon. I parked on the edge of Audubon’s dirt parking lot.

I was able to pull in a circle so I could

uneven and hilly as you traverse through the park.

The trail from Audubon Center heads down the hill as you walk alongside the cemetery. The manmade Tom’s Pond is at the bottom of the hill. The amount of water in the pond depends on rainfall. Since my ride was in early spring, the pond was full. It’s not a large pond, but there’s a trail around it.

Pine trees had either been planted, or

club held mounted meetings, rallies, and lessons at Earle Park.

“We love that Glastonbury Pony Club has so much history there,” says Marlborough resident Nina Shea, Joint District Commissioner for Pony Club.

“It’s a great place for the little ones to learn to trail ride, and we want to hold more of our mounted meetings there.”

Glastonbury also owns the Cider Mill property to the south of Earle Park and has a right of way for walkers to the Red Hill Open Space, a third property.

The Old Cider Mill, situated on Main Street, is the oldest continually running cider mill in the country, and you can purchase apple cider here in the fall.

The Pony Club uses the area behind the Cider Mill to park.

The Wongunk tribe used Red Hill as a defensive position of refuge when warring with the Mohawks, Pequots, and other tribes. These tribes traveled on the Connecticut River to attack the Wongunks, who built stockades on Red Hill and threw boulders and tree trunks down the riverbank at their attackers.

drive out at the end of my ride. I led my gelding past the raised beds, compost bins, shaded picnic area, and down the trail past the cemetery before I mounted. There are picnic tables and bird rehabilitation cages in the Audubon area, and I wanted to be respectful of the property.

The website says there are maps available in a kiosk behind the Audubon Center. I didn’t find them, but didn’t check inside either. The map on the Audubon website is clear and has more details than the map on the town of Glastonbury website. I didn’t need either while riding.

On a gray Thursday afternoon, I saw quite a few other trail users, and several dogs on leashes. There are some community gardens in the park, and benches are placed throughout the trails for people to sit and enjoy the area. Many benches and bridges have plaques with the names of those whose contributions made them possible.

encouraged to grow in such a fashion that they form a canopy over the trail, creating a tunnel-like effect.

As I was riding through the tunnel, I noticed what I thought was a white plastic bag hanging from a tree branch.

When I got closer to the tree I realized it was a birdhouse. Just past the birdhouse was a trail leading to a bridge over Holland Brook, and up to the Pony Club field. It’s a steep hill, and there were downed trees, so I skipped this route. On the far side of the pond, we passed a bird blind used by bird watchers.

A fruit orchard behind the Cider Mill is on the southern boundary of Tom’s Pond and Earle Park, and I looped past that and back toward the main trail. Here, I crossed the main bridge over Holland Brook. There’s also an area to access Holland Brook, and I watered my horse here. The main bridge is wide and has railings, whereas the one behind Tom’s Pond didn’t.

Both bridges are extremely sturdy and well built, safe for horses.

Shortly after crossing the bridge there’s a sign stating no galloping on the trails because of hikers. Trails are well maintained, and although not as

Stacey Stearns

arle Park is named for Dr. B. Baylis Earle (1903–1972), a Glastonbury physician who owned the land, and served generations of families. The town of Glastonbury owns and manages the 49-acre park.

The property extends west down to the Connecticut River. The Glastonbury Pony Club maintains a large field with jumps, as well as some cross-country jumps out on the trails. In the past, the

A Leg Up The park is a short distance from Route 2. Use 1361 Main Street for your GPS 18

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Out Riding It Earle Park is mainly wooded. A mature stand of oaks and an area of beech trees are located in the park. Many trails are alongside Holland Brook. Trails are

remote as some locations in the Nutmeg state, have their own sense of adventure with river views and jumps.

I took the trail to the left at the nogalloping sign. It’s a short distance up to the Pony Club field at the top of the hill. This was part of a farm before the 1900s, and has sweeping views of nearby houses, the fruit trees at Cider Mill, and adjacent hills. The jumps are scattered throughout the well-maintained field with grass footing.

“We go there once a year to jump in the upper field,” says Lori Riley of Mansfield who rides with Windcrest Farm of Hebron. “We’ve had lots of fun times. Before they put the bridge in — which our horses need lots of coaxing to go over — we used to have to walk through the stream, which was also tough for non-trail horses. One day my horse got to the edge, waffled and waffled, then decided to jump the stream.

Water is nice and soft to land in.”

There are a few cross-country jumps on the trails that are easy to navigate around if you prefer not to jump. Down near the river the trails have wooden beams (water bars) built into them to divert water and prevent erosion. These are widely spaced, but provide good exercise for the horses. A third bridge near the river is unsuitable for horses.

There isn’t a good place to cross, so you can’t get horses to the river.

Footing on the trails includes wood chips, mulch, crushed stone, and natural woody trails. In places there were a lot of roots. Although my gelding was barefoot for this ride, I recommend hoof protection. As expected, the areas around the stream and river are swampy.

I heard several birds while I was out on the trails, no doubt benefiting from the work of the Audubon Center. I followed the trail down toward the river as far as I could go, and then looped back.

There’s quite a drop on the trail to get back to the bridge if you ride the loop. I turned around instead, and rode back down to the bridge from the Pony Club field.

Exploring the horse-friendly trails is about three miles. Although Earle Park is short on mileage, you can ride in the Pony Club field to spend more time in the saddle, and then cool down on the trails making it an appealing option for equestrians.

Happy trails!

Stacey Stearns, a lifelong equestrian from Connecticut, enjoys trail riding and endurance with her Morgan horses.

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19

Horseperson Feature Bridgewater

by Sally L. Feuerberg

Luvie Abell, DVM A Passion for Horses

e frequently use the word passionate to describe people who are completely devoted to the health and well-being of horses.

And, we all know someone whose stalwart passion seems to have always been a constant and intrinsic part of their life, so much so that they can’t even recall when their allegiance to the horse began. For veterinarian Luvie Abell, this has been her entire way of life, and to describe her drive, spirit,

W

“In college, I was focused on getting good enough grades to get into vet school and spending any free time I had working as an assistant in a small animal emergency clinic to booster my application,” says Luvie. “After graduating from Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, my internship at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Virginia was truly all-encompassing of my time and energy, so I didn’t ride at all. I spent all of my time working, pri-

recently expanded its services into central Connecticut.

“We’ve named this division of our practice Grand Prix Equine East,” says Luvie. “We have an office in Chester, and most of our clients are located in Middlesex, New Haven, and Hartford counties. I live in Madison to serve this group of clients. I love getting to know this beautiful part of the state as well as becoming acquainted with the great horse community in the area.”

and enthusiasm as passionate seems almost inadequate.

“I started riding before I can remember,” says Luvie. “I did my first lead line show at five years old. I was already in love with horses, but after igniting a competitive drive I was undoubtedly hooked. My grandparents, Bess and Tyler Abell, own a horse farm in Potomac, Maryland, called MerryGo-Round Farm. They’ve had more influence on the path my life has taken than anyone else in the world. They introduced me to horses and continued to support that passion throughout my upbringing. My granddad taught me a level of horsemanship that I now appreciate — today it’s a rarity.”

“Similar to not being able to recall the first time I rode a horse, I can’t recall my initial desire to become a horse doctor,” Luvie says. “My granddad is a bit of a tough guy . . . always the smartest in the room, generally difficult to impress. I recall the trust and appreciation he had toward our veterinarian and I always thought, ‘that’s what I want to be, no question.’”

marily with sick horses in the hospital, or those recovering from surgery. That was the longest period without riding in my life, but I developed a different level of love and appreciation for horses in that job. They can be so fragile, yet so strong and resilient. It’s amazing to see that firsthand.”

“Dr. Johanna Kremberg and I welcome veterinary students to join us during vet school not only to provide them with practical experience but also to see who would make a good intern or associate veterinarian for our practice,” says Grand Prix Equine owner Mark Baus, DVM. “Over the years, we’ve gotten to know a good number of vet students and have hired a couple of them to be an intern for us. When we met Dr. Abell four years ago, we knew immediately that she would be a perfect fit for our practice.”

Upon the completion of her rigorous rotating internship at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, Luvie joined the Grand Prix Equine team, headquartered in Bridgewater, as an associate veterinarian in August of 2018. The practice has

One of the most important components that make this new venture work so well is working alongside her veterinary technician Kacey Buckley. “Kacey is from Guilford, and originally worked for Gardner Equine,” says Luvie. “She’s stayed with us through several transitions and has been an invaluable constant for our clients. As I’ve stepped into this role, Kacey has provided vital guidance to me. The degree to which she cares about our patients goes far beyond the requirements of the job, which is something truly unteachable.

I’m so grateful to have her and can’t wait to see how she and I grow our division of Grand Prix Equine together.”

If you ask Luvie what was most appealing about becoming part of Grand Prix, she’ll tell you definitively, “Grand Prix Equine has the close-knit nature you receive from a small equine practice, while having the diagnostic and therapeutic tools of a large equine practice,” Luvie says. “Our clients have the comfort of twenty-four/seven emergency coverage from a familiar face as well as highend technology and expertise.”

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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“By far, my favorite aspect of equine veterinary care is sports medicine,” Luvie says. “I love solving the puzzle of a lameness exam, healing an athletic injury, and keeping horses at their peak potential. I continue to develop my skills in this field with continuing education through the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology as well as learning from the incredible Dr. Mark Baus.”

When she’s not working, reading equine research papers, or attending equine veterinary seminars, Luvie and her husband, Andrew, enjoy cooking together, and hiking with their two dogs Philo and Maple. “Andrew and I have been together since college,” says Luvie.

“He’s witnessed equine veterinary medicine transition from my dream to my job.

More than anyone, he understands how precious this career is for me. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner.”

When she needs a little relaxation time for herself, Luvie returns to her first love and continuing avocation — riding. “Dionne’s a twelve-year-old Hanoverian/Thoroughbred cross, truly gorgeous, and I’ve quickly fallen in love with her!” says Luvie.

Luvie’s sensitivity, approachable demeanor, and unwavering composure in all sorts of equine veterinary medical situations is admired and acknowledged by her Grand Prix clients. Kristina Vine of Wild Wind Stables in Northford says, “Dr. Abell is probably one of the most patient vets I’ve worked with; she is patient with both people and horses.

She always goes above and beyond to take the best care of our horses.

“This year has been a particularly difficult year at the farm and we’ve seen the vet more over the last few months than we have in years. It has been an array of problems, starting with something simple (a cough) and ending with a more complex founder case. We lost a boarder's horse to colic this winter after a long frustrating fall of colic episodes, and Dr. Abell would come right out for us each time and worked with me when I felt like other vets had given up on us.

I never feel like I can't talk to her about equine care and I always feel included.

She’s always happy to answer any questions I have. We all feel extremely fortunate to have her caring for our horses.”

“As a barn owner, your relationship with a good veterinarian is crucial,” Catherine Ruh of Quiet Rein Farm in New Milford says. “I first met Luvie when I was riding my jumper who suddenly took a few bad steps when Dr. Abell was just leaving from a visit. I practically chased after her on foot down the driveway, convinced my horse was seriously injured. Her ability to be calm and direct without wasting time or money left a lasting impression in my brain. I never have to worry about what the options are and sorting through them, or second guess what we are doing with a horse.

“Dr. Abell is an excellent veterinarian because she acts as our compass, helping us to navigate the confusing world of veterinary medicine, encouraging us to take reasonable precautions, and always reassuring us. What’s most refreshing about her is her ability to be honest without being startling, condescending, or abrasive, while putting things in a way that is easy enough to

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“Dr. Abell is passionate about anything to do with horses and has tremendous communication and people skills,” says Mark. “In her time with our practice, she has won the hearts of many clients and their horses. I’m confident that with Dr. Abell on board, the health and well-being of horses in the region is secured for years to come.”

“The main benefit that growing up around horses has given me in this career is understanding the power of the human-horse bond and how special these creatures can be to our souls,” says Luvie. “I know the feeling of winning a show with your four-legged partner after countless hours of preparation in the saddle. I know the heartbreak of an athletic limitation and the loss of a life.”

Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

21

Lend a Hoof

Harwinton

Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

by Sally L. Feuerberg

at Community Mental Health Affiliates

A

those merely wanting a unique experience. This approach is referred to as equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP).

The PATH International website defines EFP as “an interactive process in which a licensed mental health professional working with or as an appropriately credentialed equine professional partners with suitable equine(s) to address psychotherapy goals set forth by

tor of outpatient services for CMHA, as well as a horse owner. She has a Master’s in clinical psychology with a focus on community counseling. She furthered her education by receiving post-graduate college credits in counseling.

“I completed the required hours for my state license, which was granted in 2007,” says Michele. “I’ve worked at CMHA for almost eleven years. In that

include the reduction of stress, lowered blood pressure, and improved or elevated mood. We simply feel better.

As far back as the ancient Greeks, and throughout recorded history, horses have been known to have a healing effect on humans, and some of the benefits of therapeutic riding can be traced back to 17th century literature where it is documented to have been prescribed for gout, neurological disorder, and low morale. Therapeutic riding was also used to treat people with disabilities and to rehabilitate injured soldiers during World War I. In the 1960s, several equine therapy organizations were developed, including the North American Riding for the Handicapped Affiliates (NARHA) in 1969. NARHA became known as the Professional Affiliates of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) in 2011.

In the 1990s, mental health practitioners began to recognize the benefits of using horses as a means to help patients who might be resistant or nonresponsive to traditional therapy, or for

the mental health professional and the client.”

This specialized therapy has been utilized by addiction treatment facilities, veterans’ groups, and trauma centers, and has been employed in the treatment of a multitude of mental health issues and concerns, including mood disorders, grief and loss, anxiety, and depression.

Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA), located in New Britain, Torrington, and Waterbury, has recently launched an Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Program. The organization provides therapeutic learning and behavioral health counseling with a licensed professional clinician who is certified as an equine specialist in mental health and learning (ESMHL) by PATH International. Through calm, skill-building exercises, clients are guided by a therapist, in partnership with the horse, in cognitive behavioral therapy in both groundwork and stable work.

Michele Santos is a licensed professional counselor and program coordina-

time, I’ve been able to hone my skills and receive specialty training in many evidence-based practices, most of which focus on individuals with trauma, anxiety, and/or depression.”

“A few years ago, I received an email from Ray Gorman, the CEO of our company,” Michele says. “He’d been invited to participate in an EFP demonstration at Ebony Horsewomen in Hartford. Because someone told him that I had horses, he asked me if I would like to join him. It was a Saturday afternoon and when the demonstration was over, I took the opportunity to speak to the therapist there and got as much information as I could on how to become trained/certified in equinefacilitated psychotherapy.

“I found my way to the PATH International website and CMHA sponsored my training. It began with a threeday training and ended with a skills test.

Once I passed that test, I started my year-long journey to becoming fully certified. I completed all of my requirements and became fully certified as an ESMHL in 2018. During this time, we

Sally L. Feuerberg

courtesy of Community Mental Health Affiliates

nyone who has owned, ridden, or worked with a horse on a regular basis has extolled the therapeutic value of the interaction. Whether it involves the grooming, feeding, caring for, or just being with these fascinating animals, these equine-related activities and more have been associated with positive effects on both our physical and mental health. These

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were searching for a barn that would allow us to bring our clients to its facility and use the horses for this purpose.

Once we found Breezy Pines Farm, I worked with the horses for about a year in order to get to know them prior to bringing clients there. Our first official client started the program in December.”

Breezy Pines Farm is located in Harwinton and is owned by Lynn Case.

The farm has a large outdoor arena and an indoor arena attached to the barn, which allows the CMHA-EFP program to operate year-round.

“We chose Breezy Pines Farm because Lynn is such a warm, caring, and welcoming person,” Michele says.

“She’s a true horse person, and was open and willing to welcome me to her farm and to allow her horses to participate in this beneficial process. Her horses are well-mannered, and she makes sure they have the best care possible, many of whom she brought in from less than optimal prior situations."

Seven horses are currently available for use in the program. Some were rescued by Lynn and have now not only become an integral and valuable part of her lesson plans but are also a crucial component in Michele’s work.

In their first EFP session, clients are allowed to choose their equine partner and they will work with the same horse throughout the course of therapy.

“Therapy sessions are tailored to the individual client’s presenting problems and their goals,” Michele says. “For example, one client may struggle with self-esteem and confidence, and another client may have difficulties trusting others, which leads to unhealthy relationship patterns.

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy is unique in that it’s an experiential process, meaning that participants are not only learning new skills, but also practicing them, and receiving immediate feedback from their equine partner.

All of the therapeutic work is done in the context of a relationship with their equine partner.”

Michele explained that client activities during a session vary depending on the actions and reactions that occur during the client-horse interaction. As a therapist, she’s prepared to use the appropriate exercises that will encourage and initiate discussion, recognition, and introspection by the client.

“A session may include a client

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860.546.6998 . BCLargeAnimal.com attempting to get the horse to complete a particular task, like walk over a ground pole without touching the horse,” says Michele. “Or a client may groom a horse and that releases oxytocin in both the horse and the client. And while doing so, noticing the six senses — how do I feel on the inside, what do I feel on the outside, what do I hear, what do I taste, what do I smell, and what do I see?”

“Clients may attempt to regulate their body energy as a means of transferring that energy to the horse,” she says. “What do they notice about the effect their body energy has on the horse? Can they recognize how they’re feeling in the moment? Can they recognize how the horse is feeling? And, what evidence supports that?”

“Another exercise will ask the client to close their eyes and place their hand on the horse’s back while the therapist leads the horse around; how did that feel? What was their reaction and why?” says Michele. “Once a connection has been established, the client may participate in an attachment and/or detachment exercise. The client asks, ‘Will the horse follow me around at liberty? Can I ask the horse to detach without losing our connection?’ ” Horses are powerful, but also gentle, and highly attuned to human emotions. They’re perceptive creatures with feelings, thoughts, memories, and empathic abilities. “Horses are also great at communication,” Michele says.

“They provide us with immediate and honest feedback, in a non-threatening, non-judgmental manner, and this can assist clients in learning about their own relationships and communication patterns.

“Because horses are also a prey animal, horses often spend time in their

survival mode, similar to when people have experienced adversities in their life, which oftentimes leads to the development of negative coping mechanisms and unhealthy interpersonal relationships,” says Michele. “Horses model for us how to be present, forgiving, and live in the moment. Horses can also teach us about boundaries, self-care, emotion regulation, building a mutually beneficial relationship, communication, feelings of attachment and connection, the difference between being congruent and incongruent, trusting, and so much more.”

One of Michele’s clients eloquently shared his experience of participating in the program and his relationship with one of the very special horses used in the program. “I’m seventeen years old,” he says. “I’ve spent most of my life struggling with mental illness. For six years, I considered myself treatment resistant.

Then, by some stroke of luck, I met Vinny. Vinny is my therapy horse. He’s the first therapist I feel no judgment from. I see myself moving in the right direction for the first time in years. Of course, I’m not where I want to be, but I’m definitely not where I used to be, thanks to the one and only Vinny. The connection between a horse and a human is something you can’t find anywhere else. Equine therapy is for people like me, the treatment resistant people.

Equine therapy gives me hope.”

Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

23

Farm Feature Woodbury

by Lara Rudowski

All In Farm Peaceful Retirement and Barrels of Fun

he two, gray-painted barns at All In Farm in Woodbury appear sketched into a backdrop of trees and fields that stretches for miles.

Horse heads pop out of stall windows and neighborly greetings are nickered down the row. Others frolic in whitefenced paddocks along a gravel path.

Every horse person dreams of such a picture-perfect farm to wake up to each morning. For Melissa Santos, this view is

T

“Jack and Kip were the start of my business 10 years ago,” says Missy, pointing at two geldings relaxing in their stalls. “We used to live in Newtown.

When I had my son, I decided to be a stay at home mom. My husband asked if I would be interested in taking on two retirees to give me something to do. I took them, and it soon grew to about five horses in Newtown. We outgrew our property and we had to sell because I

Mary Varvatos visiting Picasso.

Missy running barrels on Bobbi.

one she doesn’t take for granted a single day. The farm, nestled among the hills of Litchfield County, gives retired horses a life away from the show ring and the fast pace of its competitive lifestyle. Here, horses are showered with four-star care from Missy herself, who with husband and farrier Joe Santos manage the farm hands-on with dedication.

Missy was in the saddle almost as soon as she could sit in one and hasn’t stopped riding since. She grew up in Bethany on a large family farm, where her passion for the western disciplines and barrel racing was born. In her early teenage years, Missy branched out to acrobatic trick riding. She travelled around the East Coast to shows and exhibitions. At 16, she met her future husband and the common ground in their love for horses has since made them a team in everything they undertake.

The first steps toward the establishment of All In Farm were taken in 2009, after Missy, who managed a small animal hospital in Naugatuck for 10 years, chose to forgo a full-time career and focus on her family.

had a waiting list of eight horses to come in. It was either stay small in Newtown, or go big in Woodbury. So we took the chance and we did it!”

Missy and Joe took on the task of transforming the 30 acres, formerly a Miniature Horse driving farm that was built to accommodate 120 much smaller tenants.

“We put all our energy into this,” says Missy. “We remodeled all the barns, painted everything, and put up fencing.

We rebuilt from the bottom up.”

The retirement farm is no longer a hobby for Missy, but a full-time commitment and one she tremendously enjoys.

However, undertaking the introduction of high-strung competitors to such a dramatic change of environment comes with its challenges. “[The horses] have been in the show world their whole lives, so when I get them, it takes me from two to four weeks to adjust them to this lifestyle because the majority of them are used to only going out for an hour or two a day,” says Missy.

The horses still get blankets and fly

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

sheets, vitamins, and medication for any of their injuries, but Missy wants them to get muddy and just be horses. “They don’t have to be clean all the time and look pretty,” she says. “If they want to get dirty, it’s all right.”

All In Farm is currently home to 15 retirees, four of Missy’s personal horses, and a dwarf Miniature Horse named Stuffy, who roams the property and steals hearts. Horses are rotated daily

Jessica Hoffmann’s Uniqa settling in at All In Farm.

between 12 spacious paddocks to maintain a change of scenery, and Missy takes time to match every horse with buddies, so they can socialize and bond. “[The horses] that come to me are between the ages of eighteen to twentytwo,” Missy says. “There’s no saying when they will come to me; that’s the owner’s decision. A lot of them I have because of injury and they’ll never come back out of it. They all have worked really hard their whole lives.”

“The owners are amazing, they’re all great clients,” says Missy. “They send whatever the horses need and the horses are all very well taken care of.

The owners go above and beyond.”

Joe, a well-regarded farrier, has played a large part in the foundation of their business. He has a large, competitive show horse clientele who regularly turn to him for his specialty and knowledge in corrective shoeing. In the winter, Joe divides his time between his clients up north and the competitors that travel to Florida. When horses encounter injuries that put them out of work and owners look to retire

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

25

them, he suggests Missy, if she has a stall available.

Mary Varvatos, owner of a handsome white gelding, Picasso, was forced to retire him early from the show world after he suffered a fluke leg tendon tear in his paddock. Mary was already impressed and thankful for all the shoeing and support Joe provided to Picasso, so when Missy was able to accommodate Picasso’s big change to a life of leisure, she had no doubt it was the right move.

“Missy is a horsewoman through and through,” says Mary. “All she wants is to provide the retirees with a great life.” Mary looks forward to hearing Picasso nicker to her and come over to greet her whenever she stops by the farm. “We go up there and my husband says, ‘it’s like the Hyatt resort here!’

Picasso has real grass, a friend, and big paddocks to run around. I have not a second thought of confidence that whatever he needs, he’s getting. He’s loving life and it makes me happy that he just gets to be a horse.”

Jessica Hoffmann, owner of mare Uniqa, echoes on the positive atmosphere of All In Farm. “It was the only place I even considered retiring her,”

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Jessica says. For years, she and Uniqa competed in Grand Prix show jumping until Uniqa retired at 20 years old. For a large part of her career, Jessica trusted Joe to keep Uniqa ring ready.

“She had very complicated shoeing and Joe was the only person I would let shoe her,” says Jessica. “He understood her and had the patience with her.

Missy also had an understanding that this horse had been showing her whole life — she had never been in a pasture, she didn’t know she was a horse. Missy really did a great job with helping Uniqa to transition. It’s been the perfect spot! I never would have believed that Uniqa would be happy being covered in mud, with a long mane, and out all day. I feel so lucky that I found them.

These horses work so hard for us and they deserve this fancy retirement.”

Missy does everything to keep All In Farm a tranquil retreat. “When clients come here, I make sure they understand this really is a retirement farm,” Missy says. “We don’t ride down near the retired horses; everything is very peaceful for the retirees.”

If you narrow your eyes and focus into the distance, opposite the farm and far beyond the last paddock fence, you’ll spot two long red flags waving over a large riding arena. These grounds come alive with the action of barrel racing, cutting, lessons, and competition. Missy’s lifelong love for the disciplines has carried on from her childhood to claim a piece of All In Farm.

“We wanted to replicate what we were doing at my dad’s farm, from team roping to team cutting to barrel racing,” says Missy, who competes across the Northeast at Fortunato Farm in Killingworth, National Barrel Horse Association events, and rodeos in New York. “I really take pride in barrel racing. I teach barrel racing once a week and have a great group of students. We rope two days a week — we get about ten cows in April and that’s pretty much our summer from May to October.”

Competitions twice a month on Fridays provide a schedule full of events.

Missy is happy to see the turnout of fans and competitors her events bring together. “We have plenty of people that come and watch the fifty to seventy competitors [at each competition]. We

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have an adult division, youth division of sixteen and under, and a peewee division for the little ones.”

“I tell my husband, while he’s in Florida for the winter show circuit, that I’m cold but I still wake up to a paradise everyday,” Missy says, smiling. “It’s beautiful and we’ve worked hard. Everything is here because my husband and I have done it from the ground up. I love being on the farm. I love it!”

For the retirees, the day begins and ends with the same surrounding calm the horses now know as their norm.

They play and banter with one another

and the familiarity between them is a welcome sight.

“It’s rewarding to see these horses that had such a great life in the show world be able to come here and I can reward them with the retirement life,” says Missy.

Singer/songwriter Lara Rudowski enjoys performing, spending hours at her piano composing, and writing stories and spoken-word poetry. Inspired by travel and the everyday details of life, she can often be found, camera in hand, at equestrian events capturing her love of horses and riding since childhood.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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Overherd

News in Our Community My middle school daughter Esther and I shared an Arabian/Quarter Horse cross, Cappuccino. He bonded with my daughter and willingly carried her around the Pony Club rallies.

It was obvious that he wasn’t a jumper and would not progress far up the levels, but that didn’t matter to either of them.

I really was shopping for another horse that could give Esther more competitive opportunities when I found the Ruffle Doctor. I met him at an auction in Massachusetts and even though I had registered as a bidder, I couldn’t bring myself to bid on any horses. He presented himself regally, although he was extremely thin. His eyes were soft and kind, a classic 16-hand bay Thoroughbred.

Since the minimum bid was not reached he was not sold that day. I followed him out to his pen and even rode him in the alley. My husband suggested we visit the farm the very next day and of course we brought the horse trailer. That was April 3, 1999. According to his official Jockey Club registration he was foaled in Florida May 4, 1988.

We simply call him Ben. He’d raced from 1990 to 1996 with 103 starts; five first places, 10 second places, and 16 third places, with net winnings of $95,662. My husband procured his race records from the Jockey Club after we had already purchased Ben. Had I known how intense his race history was, perhaps I would not have taken him home.

My trainer was not initially supportive and assured me Ben was probably drugged 30

and I would be in over my head. As an underweight 11-year-old Thoroughbred, my Ben was calm and steady and I took him on an organized trail ride within a week of bringing him home.

His ground manners were excellent but he had little or no trail experience. My

Ben. My husband would have to hold the reins when I mounted at home. Ben did not like to stand still, nor did he understand the canter.

His go-to speed was gallop.

We competed in hunter paces and eventually entered the world of dressage. My daughter was intimidated by

Colleen Bjorbekk and Ruffle Doctor, a.k.a. Ben.

Sarah Grote Photography

Ode to an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred

Willow and Gulliver at Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue.

daughter was still riding with me, and her Cappuccino willingly demonstrated that water crossings were safe and that horses shouldn’t run down steep hills.

As Ben began to bulk up and his ribs disappeared, he became more challenging.

Often my trainer rode him before I dared get on my

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

big Ben and never was interested in riding him. When she left for college, I faced a new obstacle. Could I trail ride by myself? It took almost nine months of trying to get Ben to leave the property without losing his marbles. I began to consider selling him, and he must have realized my dilemma. Each time

we left my property he would have a meltdown until one spring day he just kept going without the slightest protest.

After a couple miles of blacktop roads we had access to amazing trails.

We tried some hunter classes, but Ben thought he was supposed to pass each horse in the class and could never remain still when the judges walked around each horse. My trainer suggested dressage and I was willing but had no expectations. It took years to get Ben to canter a balanced, twenty-meter circle in both directions.

It was a slow process and we only showed a couple of times each year, but we successfully trained through Training Level and received a few blue ribbons.

Ben is now 32 years old and retired from all riding as of one year ago. I’m thankful to have received this precious gift 21 years ago and wanted to reflect on our journey before it’s time to say good-bye to Ben. I now ride a Swedish warmblood that reminds me of the younger Ben without all the gallop issues. They’re buddies on my small property in Connecticut.

True disclosure: I hit the dirt quite often in those early days, with only one fall that caused me to black out.

Praise God for helmets! I highly recommend taking a chance on an off-the-track Thoroughbred. The ride is worth the challenge!

n Colleen Bjorbekk

Nine Long Island Shires In 2013, Dr. Stacey Golub worked with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on a case of nine Long Island Shires who were found starved and neg-

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Thank you to the horse community for the support that helps make this important service a reality.

Member of International Association of Pet Crematories and Cemeteries Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

31

lected. With the help of the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue’s volunteers and friends, Dr. Golub was able to get five of the nine Shires released to her farm for rehabilitation.

Carefully documenting the horrific conditions of Dan, Dean, Gulliver, Smitty, and Molly, as well as their recovery once receiving proper care, Stacey presented the evidence to the SPCA, who then arrested the horses’ abuser. Unfortunately, the four remaining Shires that were still living in poor conditions were not seized. Stacey’s testimony in a later jury trial helped convict the owner of five counts of cruelty to animals. Sentencing did not happen until 2015. The day before sentencing, the abuser gave the four remaining Shires (Patsy, Gunner, Tess, and Baby) to a friend to move them to an undisclosed location. The judge awarded ownership of the first five Shires to the

SPCA, who then signed them over to CDHR. The owner convicted of cruelty did no jail time and no action was taken on the four remaining horses.

Despite each gaining 400 to 600 pounds within the first six months, the five Shires in all suffered long-term effects of their previous neglect.

Gulliver has a serious chronic heart condition that’s being treated with medications but will claim his life in the near future. He’s strongly bonded to Smitty, now called Willow, who suffers from tumors on her pasterns as a manifestation of the neglected, maggotinfested chronic, progressive lymphedema she had on arrival. Gulliver and Willow will live out their days at CDHR for as long as they are comfortable. Molly (now Callie) was returned to CDHR from her foster home with canker in her hooves, which was resolved with aggressive medical care. Dan had to be euthanized one

Got manure?

Containerized Manure Removal Large Manure Pile Removal Containers Left on Site

year after he was rescued, as the neglected cancer in his eye had spread to the rest of his body. Dean never recovered from the loss of Dan and mourned his brother’s death until he passed last year.

The four Shires that remained in New York — Tess, Baby, Patsy, and Gunner —moved from barn to barn with their new owner, who relied on donations for their boarding and care. Last spring, CDHR got a call from a boarding barn owner who knew of CDHR’s connection to the Shires. Their owner owed several thousand dollars in boarding fees and the boarding barn owner asked CDHR to help the horses. We welcomed the four Shires with open arms but their owner decided to sign over just two of the four horses, Patsy and Gunner (who were immediately adopted by a wonderful family).

In the summer of 2018, the owner moved Tess and

Baby to a pasture where they were adored by the public on a main road in East Hampton, New York. All seemed well until earlier this year when Tess became severely lame.

When it became clear she needed hospitalization and surgery, the owner asked for donations, but they never came.

A sponsor finally agreed to pay for Tess’s evaluation at the hospital, but could not give the thousands of dollars more needed for her surgery. When the family who adopted Patsy and Gunner heard this news, they generously offered to contribute to the cost of surgery and take on the task of the long recovery period. Tess and Baby’s owner signed Tess and Baby over to CDHR. Tess had surgery in February at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists to treat a septic (infected) coffin joint, but due to her size and the length of time she had not been bearing weight on that

Manes & Motions RIDE & STRIDE

Join us for a scenic trail ride or walk at the beautiful Machimoodus State Park on May 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Ride & Stride will benefit Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center. To participate, riders and walkers must collect a minimum of $75 in sponsorships. Lunch is included.

For additional information and to register for the event, please call 860-685-0008.

le onab Reas , s e Rat llent Exce es renc Refe

Fred LeMay . Newtown, Connecticut 203-426-2497 . 475-529-8567 (cell)

AgriMixMulch.com contactagrimix@gmail.com . akenworthman@gmail.com 32

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

www.hfsc.com

leg, she developed laminitis in the supporting (good) hoof. (Joint infections in horses are life-threatening, and even with immediate and aggressive care only about 50 percent survive.)

Tess received the best care available, including treatment by a veterinary podiatrist (a vet who specializes in hooves). Unfortunately, Tess was laid to rest in early March. Her comfort level was not improving, and a rear hoof had become involved, also showing signs of laminitis. The equine podiatrist confirmed that her condition was grave. After Tess was fed a bag of carrots and three apples, she peacefully gained her wings.

Baby (on the cover of this issue) is currently at CDHR and is scheduled to go to her forever home in May, completing the rescue of all nine long island Shires.

Even with these difficulties and challenges, CDHR is resolute in its dedication and

advocacy for draft horses. All nine Long Island Shires were rescued with fierce determination and love.

CDHR is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of draft horses bound for slaughter, in addition to victims of starvation, neglect, or abuse, or those whose owners are unable to provide for their needs. To date, CDHR has rescued more than 90 horses and adopted the majority to loving new homes.

In April 2017, CDHR found a new property with a lease to own option. The first three phases of CDHR’s Capital Campaign are complete, effectively paying for the move, land clearing, building of the paddocks, purchasing small infrastructures and a hay storage building, as well as the initial down payment on the property. The final CDHR Capital Campaign is now in progress to raise money to build a

barn on the farm named Autumn Ridge. To learn more about CDHR, including volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, how to donate, and fostering or adopting, visit ctdraftrescue.com and facebook.com/ctdraftrescue.

n Stacey Golub, DVM

Benedict’s Home & Garden Seminar Benedict’s Home & Garden in Monroe held an Equine Seminar on Saturday, March 16, to educate customers and the local equestrian community on proper feeding guidelines. Guest speakers were Dr. Marty Adams, an equine nutritionist working with Nutrena, Southern States, and Pro Elite brands of horse feed, and Sarah Mastrobattisto, a representative from the Kent Nutrition Group, which carries Blue Seal Feeds.

Marty served as an assistant/associate professor at Louisiana Tech University after graduate school. He

was an equine nutritionist for Seminole Feed before taking a position with Southern States and is now working for Cargill Animal Nutrition. He has two B.S. degrees from Missouri State University plus M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri (animal science/equine specialty) and an American Registry of Professional Animal Science Equine Certification.

Subjects in Marty’s Powerpoint presentation and discussion included quality estimates for types of hay, feeding rates based on hay quality, and the effects of nonstructural carbohydrates.

Glycemic responses in the hours after a horse has digested a meal, as well as a glycemic index for a variety of feeds and forage were discussed. Maintaining the older horse and his changing needs, equine endocrine disorders, and the different types of feed for horses rang-

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TAYLOR SHOW STABLES | Brooke Taylor, trainer Taylor Show Stables | 78 Killingworth Tpk., Clinton, CT | (603) 770-3089 | taylorshowstables.com Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

33

ing from easy keepers to those engaging in higher activity disciplines were also covered.

Bruce Benedict, owner of Benedict’s Home & Garden, briefly spoke to the audience about our state’s proposed new taxes and the impact they will have on the small farmer, equine care, boarding, and training.

Further education and getting involved with the Connecticut and Fairfield County Farm Bureaus was encouraged. The bureaus are organizations dedicated to raising the public profile of agriculture in Connecticut through education, market promotion, and legislative advocacy, as well as conserving farmlands and promoting the well-being of farmers, farm businesses, and the consumers they serve.

Sarah Mastrobattisto followed Marty with a Common Myths Associated with Feeding Horses presentation. Sarah has a master’s degree in education as well as a B.S. in animal science.

She’s a territory sales manager and product specialist with Kent Nutrition covering Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Long Island areas. Sarah spoke about many of the common misconceptions involving feeding our horses.

Both Marty and Sarah, and the feed representatives answered attendees’ questions and offered onsite horse nutrition evaluations and consultations to further assist the individual horse owner’s needs.

To find more seminars, visit benedictsgarden.com.

n Sally L. Feuerberg

Christmas In July Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue at 169 Black Hill Road in Plainfield is holding its Christmas In July Open Barn and Lighted Walking Trail starting at 8 p.m. on July 6, 12, and 13 (rain dates are July 7, 19, and 20). This event is free for the whole family.

34

Come meet our horses and walk the lighted trail.

This is a trail the horses use, and it is decorated with Christmas lights so people can walk the trail and enjoy the lights. The path is dirt and there is a hill so please come prepared with appropriate shoes. The horses will be at the barn where everyone can enjoy meeting them.

Donations are always appreciated.

To learn more, visit hayburrinn.org.

Volunteer at Manes & Motions!

Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit, volunteer-supported organization and is part of the Hospital for Special Care community. Its mission is to serve children and adults with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges through the benefits of equine-assisted activities.

Currently Manes & Motions is seeking dedicated and compassionate community members, 14 years of age and older with horse experience, to assist in its therapeutic riding program.

To learn more, visit manesandmotions.com or call (860) 685-0008.

Have a Stud that Needs to Be Gelded?

Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (CDHR) will hold its ninth annual Gelding Clinic at its Autumn Ridge Farm in East Hampton on Saturday, May 11.

This low-cost clinic is CDHR’s way of helping to prevent the breeding of more potentially unwanted horses and to give intact male equines a better chance at finding a good home once gelded.

It’s open to all equines (horses, donkeys, and mules) but they must have two descended testicles, be halter broke, and be in good health. Preregistration is required and the cost is

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

$100. Applications are available at ctdraftrescue.com/ geldingclinic2019.html.

Your sponsorships will help us in this mission. To become a sponsor, email us at ctdraftrescue@aol.com.

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut’s Spring Open House The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut) in Washington, now celebrating its 38th year, will hold its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, May 19.

The fun starts from the minute the gates open with hourly tours to meet the many horses. Pony rides for children will run from noon to 2 p.m. The popular bake sale will have tables filled with a variety of home-baked goods from cupcakes to cookies, many beautifully wrapped and ready to be given as gifts. Another great gift option is OMI Jewelry’s bracelets and necklaces.

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available. Remember, all the proceeds from purchases go directly toward helping to care for the horses.

The tack shop is packed with many items for our Spring Tack Sale, so be sure to stop in and check it out. A few of our featured items are two Wintec Isabell Werth dressage saddles, one in almost new condition. We have a huge variety of other English and western saddles, bridles, blankets, boots, helmets, grooming equipment, and new and used equine clothing.

Looking for a gift for the person who has everything?

There are several horses available for sponsorship, a program that includes four visits a month during which you can groom, spend time with, and hand-walk the horse for only $50 per

month. In addition to horses to sponsor, there are several available for lease and adoption. To learn more, visit horseofct.org and plan to meet the horses during your tour.

If you’re thinking about getting a horse, or are a new horse owner, the Basic Horse Care Clinic on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of horse care. You’ll work hands-on with some of our horses while learning about proper handling and grooming, taking a horse’s temperature, deworming, hoof and dental care, and diet requirements. There will also be a discussion on fencing and proper shelter. All this for just $10.

The Kids’ Fun Day will be held on on Saturday, June 22. There will be pony rides, arts and crafts, horseshoe decorating, cupcake decorating, face painting, necklace and bracelet making, T-shirt tie-dye, pony grooming, and an obstacle course. It will be fun for all ages and there’s sure to be something for everyone. Food and refreshments will be available.

Admission and parking are free.

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 rescue organization located at 43 Wilbur Road in Washington.

To learn more about any of these events, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit horseofct.org.

Denim, Diamonds, and Drafts Annual Fundraiser Plenty of generosity and good spirits helped to close out the last Saturday of April at the annual Denim, Diamonds, and Drafts fundraiser to benefit the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (CDHR) in East Hampton. Saint Clements Castle in Portland stood as the host to the widely attended event, as more than 150 guests in cowboy boots and jeans enjoyed a night of

dinner, dancing, raffles, and a silent auction to support the rescue.

Since last year’s event, CDHR has acquired ownership of Autumn Ridge Farm in East Hampton and made great progress in completing the main barn and attaining necessities for the place the draft horses call home. The nonprofit, all-volunteer run organization has more than 80 volunteers who tirelessly give their time to keep the rescue running and the love going for its four-legged residents.

More than 90 draft horses have come through the barn doors since CDHR’s establishment in 2011, and 18 are currently in its care.

Many have been adopted or are sponsored on the farm and showered with love by the volunteers. Founder and equine veterinarian Stacey Golub has transformed the rescue from a one-horse venture in a backyard barn to an establishment that accepts all draft horses, no matter the severity of their case. She provides exceptional medical care to get every horse standing strong and ready for a second chance.

The fundraiser once again kicked off with much exuberance! Guests purchased strands of colorful raffle tickets and jotted down their bids for a variety of prizes in the silent auction.

Among items up for the win were artwork donated by volunteers, handmade jewelry and quilts, and horseback riding lessons at local farms.

Dedicated board member and photographer Sarah Grote offered opening statements and thanks to the crowd — volunteers, wearing red ribbons, were specially acknowledged. There were moments of teary but happy emotions as Sarah shared many of the milestones achieved in the last year.

Stacey echoed Sarah’s statements as she reflected on her

pride in everyone involved.

Senator Norm Needleman and State Representative Irene Haines presented Stacey and the CDHR board members with a citation recognizing their extraordinary work. The citation highlighted the organization’s commitment to not only rescuing the horses but also providing veterinary care, community involvement volunteer opportunities, and rehabilitating the horses to find forever homes.

CDHR appreciates donations and volunteer work to aid in the expansion of the organization and its efforts.

To learn more, visit ctdraftrescue.com.

n Lara Rudowski

Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Show Fairfield County Hunt Club is gearing up for the 97th annual Fairfield June Benefit Horse Show running June 18 to 22.

As one of the most prestigious A-rated competitions in the country, the FCHC June Benefit Show is rated a Premier show by the United States Hunter Jumper Association, has been selected as the Member’s Choice Horse Show for zone 1, and, perhaps most importantly, has been designated by the United States Equestrian Foundation as a Heritage Competition, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an event, reserved for shows dedicated not only to technical excellence but also to philanthropy and community involvement. The June Benefit Show was also recently named One of the Top Ten Horse Shows in 2018 by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame.

This year’s show has a number of exciting changes and social events planned for equestrians and non-equestrians. We’re boosting our Jumper divisions by increas-

ing prize money for the Fairfield Grand Prix from $30,000 to $50,000. We’re also collaborating with the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show to offer a $5,000 June Show Jumper Challenge across both shows. The Jumper Challenge has been generously sponsored by Daigle & Travers Insurance.

New social events will be offered every evening for exhibitors, spectators, and FCHC members. This year’s events include a Sip & Shop (among our lifestyle boutiques and shops), an authentic Texas barbecue, a grand farm-to-table dinner under the stars, and the return of Family Fun Day on Saturday. Once again, the EQUUS Foundation will be the beneficiary of the show and will be hosting its Saturday luncheon to coincide with the $50,000 Grand Prix.

In preparation for our historic event, FCHC has invested in a number of ren-

ovations this spring to prepare the grounds and rings.

In March, our buildings and grounds crew teamed up with Double D Turf to decompact, aerate, top dress, and seed the entire field.

The crew also teamed up with Lawton Adams to prepare the Burr Ring by cleaning filters, adding fluffy all-weather footing, tilling, and laser-grading the ring.

Certa Pro Painter will be freshening up the ring fencing with stain and paint. The grounds are ready for a top notch, high-performance horse show.

Riders and staff at FCHC are excited for the new changes to our June Benefit Horse Show.

To learn more, visit junehorseshow.com, our new website dedicated to the show.

n Wynatte Chu

Join us!

We are a small but dedicated group, passionate about horses and hounds, friendly and helpful to newcomers. We sponsor Hunter Paces, Rides, Intro to Foxhunting Clinics, and more. Fall Foxhunting every Sunday and Thursday from kennels. We offer Main, Hilltopper, and Tally Slo (walk trot only) Fields.

May 12 - Hunter Pace, Douglas, MA June 23 - Hunter Pace, Pomfret, CT July 27 - Sunset Ride & BBQ, Exeter, RI Sept. 7 - Intro to Foxhunting, Pomfret, CT

Sept. 22 - Hunter Pace, Hampton, CT Oct. 6 - Blessing of the Hounds & Hunt, Greene, RI Nov. 23 - Hunter Trials, location TBA

www.TanheathHunt.com Follow us on Facebook: Tanheath Events

Cathy Leinert, MFH (860) 867-7063 . Bill Wentworth, MFH (860) 625-6173 Ray Hill, VP (401) 741-8185

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

35

Partners Our goal is to foster connections within the horse community throughout the Nutmeg State, and one of the ways we do this is with our Partners Program. Connecticut organizations that partner with us receive a free one-year subscription for each member; space in the magazine for news, events, and photographs; and a link from connhorse.com to its website.

Interested?

cumulative awards for hours ridden are awarded each year. The registration form is on our website; be sure to send it in.

Next up is the 58th Connecticut Morgan Open Show June 5 to 8 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Entries close May 6. The show committee has an exciting line-up planned, with all your favorite classes and some new twists. The Western

Area in the Arcadia Management Area in Escoheag, Rhode Island. The rain date is Sunday, June 16. To learn more, visit ctmorgans.org or find us on Facebook.

n Stacey Stearns

Connecticut Dressage and Combined Training Association CDCTA, in partnership with the Connecticut Valley Pony Club, hosted How to Improve

36

Arielle Spencer of Coventry riding Scout at the Connecticut Morgan Horse Association Hot Chocolate Beach Ride at Hammonasset Beach in Madison.

MaryAnn Smith

CMHA had a busy month in March, with its annual awards banquet on March 9 in Wallingford, and the Hot Chocolate Ride at Hammonasset Beach in Madison on March 30.

We gave out a few special awards at the banquet. Kevin Vine of Northford was named our Person of the Year, Molly Guglielmino of Cheshire was the Eileen Hunter Youth Scholarship recipient, Lauren Santoro won the Sue Brander Sport Horse Scholarship award, and Scott Neidlinger of East Windsor was our high point trainer for the year.

Congratulations to all of our award winners. We’re looking forward to another exciting year in 2019.

A group of 19 riders turned out for the Hot Chocolate Ride, although we saw many other equestrians enjoying the beach that day too. CMHA holds this ride annually on the last Saturday in March, and we were excited to have good weather again this year as we enjoyed the beach for one last ride before it’s closed to equestrians until the fall.

Morgan Time (hours ridden tracking) begins on May 1. Hours are tracked from May 1 through October 31. Riders must register before May 1 for their recreational riding hours to count. Year-end awards and

Fred Tullock

Connecticut Morgan Horse Association

Michelle Chapman riding Willow with clinician Ann Guptill at the CDCTA How to Improve Your Dressage Scores Clinic at Fox Ledge Farm in East Haddam.

Dressage division is open to all breeds and offers great prizes. Therapeutic Lead Line is also open to any breed of horse, and CMHA can help with transport and stabling costs for barns bringing horses for this class.

If you’re not planning to show, we invite you to join us and watch a few classes.

CMHA is sponsoring a new trail ride this year. The Arcadia Pleasure Ride will be held on Saturday, June 15, at the Reynolds Horsemen’s

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Your Dressage Scores with Ann Guptill April 6 and 7 at Fox Ledge Farm in East Haddam.

The event was well attended by auditors and riders alike. The format of this clinic was Ride-Critique-Ride with a one-hour classroom discussion.

Over the course of two days, 17 riders presented both the 2018 eventing dressage tests and the new 2019 dressage tests from Introductory Level to FEI

Intermediate II. Ann provided excellent instruction for each rider and advice on how to improve riding each test. Some riders worked on geometry, use of the ring, and how to use the movements to help improve their horse throughout the test.

Other riders worked on exercises to improve their horse’s impulsion, bend, and balance in order to improve their test scores.

More than 20 dressage enthusiasts also came to audit the clinic and to learn more about the 2019 dressage tests. The classroom lecture focused on how to improve scores by understanding what the judges are looking for when they are evaluating a test. Ann also spent time talking with the auditors and answering questions related to the collective marks on the dressage tests — how a judge sees characteristics such as impulsion, lightening of the forehand, engagement, rider’s position, and effective use of the aids.

The riders were pleased with the individualized instruction during their sessions with Ann and could see improvements in their scores from their first to second test. Auditors were able to see a wide variety of tests, and take away many new tools to apply to their own riding. Many thanks to Ann Guptill for all her efforts over two very long, successful, and enjoyable days!

CDCTA is also excited to host three Dressage and Combined Training Schooling Shows this year on May 12, July 14, and October 6. To learn more and join us, visit cdctaonline.com.

n Tracey Woods

Connecticut Renegades Cowboy Mounted Shooters The Renegades will kick off its competition season with Smokin’ Guns in Bethany on

Fortunato Farm 552 North Roast Meat Hill Road, Killingworth, CT 06419 860.209.7044 (call or text)

Born to Run, Trained to Win

r 24 Heated Stalls r 180 x 172 Outdoor Sand Ring r 140 x 60 Indoor Riding Arena r 26 Acres and Abuts Cockaponset State Forest r Porta - Grazer Distributor r Western Alfalfa Distributor r Owners Live on Premises r Specialize in Retirement Care r Join us for our fun Barrel Lessons! r Open to the Public

All In Farm

Melissa & Joseph Santos 48 North Forty Rd., Woodbury, CT . (203) 948-3374

Brittany O’Hara State Director (860) 819-5429

3D Barrel Racing Join us for fun-filled evenings!

May 10 . May 17 . May 31 . June 7 June 21 . July 12 . July 26 . Aug. 9 Aug. 23 . Sept. 6 . Sept. 27 Oct. 4 (make-up run) . Oct. 11 (make-up run) • Membership fee of $25 (per horse and per division) is due

by May 17 in order to qualify for year-end awards.

• Entry fee: $25 Open and Youth; $5 Pee-Wee. • Entries close 7 p.m.

• Rain dates will be posted.

• Follow us on Facebook at All In Farm Arena for updates.

• Contact: Missy Santos (203) 948-3374, Kacey Fortier (203) 996-5577, Jan Crotta (203) 988-9685 • Directions: Use Lighthouse Road to 48 North Forty Road.

Do NOT use Saw Pit Road as it’s inadequate for trailers.

CTNBHA01.com May 4, Saturday $500 Added Money Saddleview Farm, 192 Schaffer Rd., Bethany, CT May 19, Sunday Run ’N Gun, 123 Seekonk St., Norfolk, MA June 9, Sunday Brooklyn Fairgrounds. 15 Fairgrounds Rd., Brooklyn, CT June 22, Saturday Jackpot State Fundraiser Harwinton Fairgrounds, Locust Rd., Harwinton, CT July 12, Friday All In Farm, 48 North Forty Rd., Woodbury, CT August 4, Sunday Brooklyn Fairgrounds, 15 Fairgrounds Rd., Brooklyn, CT August 11, Sunday Harwinton Fairgrounds, Locust Rd., Harwinton, CT September 7, Saturday Saddleview Farm, 192 Schaffer Rd., Bethany, CT September 20 to 22 NE State Championship Show Falls Creek Farm, 368 Bailey Rd., Oneco, CT October 5 Awards Fundraiser Jackpot Harwinton Fairgrounds, Locust Rd., Harwinton, CT Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

37

shaping mounted shooters to be their very best. She has ridden in multiple disciplines but has found a home in the mounted shooting arena.

Kenda has achieved greatness

into the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Hall of Fame and holds numerous world records.

Kenda took the Overall Cowgirl spot at the 2018

Jeanne Lewis Images

Saturday, May 11. This is followed by the annual Border Wars competition with the Northeast Six Shooters on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26 (Memorial Day weekend) in Bethany. This weekend is a great example of how the two clubs come together for a fun, tough competition and, of course, a lot of friendly banter. The following month is our Amity Mayhem competition, to be held Saturday, June 22.

The next scheduled event is a two-day clinic in July with multi-world champion cowboy mounted shooter Kenda Lenseigne.

The Renegades first invited Kenda to Connecticut in 2012. That year, she traveled from her Arizona home to put on a clinic for our shooters that for many started them down the great path they continue on today. This year marks the club’s fourth clinic with Kenda.

Kenda brings many years of experience in guiding and

Kowboy Ken on Red with clinician Kenda Lenseigne at the 2018 Connecticut Renegades Cowboy Mounted Shooting Clinic.

on many of her mounts, but her proudest moment was capturing the title of Overall World Champion in 2009 with her horse Justin. She was the first woman to take the Overall title. Since then, Kenda has continued to win many national and world titles. She has been inducted

World Championship as well as the Winter U.S. Championships this past February.

This very genuine and humble horsewoman is still at the top of her game.

The Renegades enjoy participating in Kenda’s clinics not only for her focus on the drills and mechanics of

navigating a course, but also because she spends a considerable amount of time teaching the mental management of an athlete. This piece has been vital for Kenda personally, and many would say it’s been the key to her success.

Kenda will be here July 13– 14 to challenge our riders and horses into reaching the next level. Day one will include a full curriculum of drills, and day two will include one-on-one coaching at a competition.

If you’d like to join and be more involved, we’re always looking for help at our matches including keeping score, helping with gates, balloons, and more. Horse ownership is not required.

To learn more and join us, visit ctrenegades.com and find us on Facebook.

n Allison Forsyth

Connecticut Trail Rides Association Area vice president Cathy Clouse hosted the Beach

Providing honest sales, exceptional service, and the highest quality repairs that we proudly stand behind since 1990.

Grain . Shavings . Supplements Farm Equipment & Supplies New & Used Outdoor Equipment Sales, Service, and Repair Lumber . Building Supplies

47 Main Street, South Woodbury, Connecticut 203-263-4948 38

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

the Connecticut Horse Council. She hosted several rides from the park, including the first-ever weekend campout at the Sunrise Resort. Sadly, Ginger lost her

walkers. Members Christel Maturo and Sharon King oversaw the sign-in table and collection of donations. The ride brought $425 for the Friends of Machamoodus.

Cindy O’Neil

Ride held at Hammonasett State Park at the end of March. Ten hardy riders came out to brave the cold winds of the ocean. Member Ed Levin was the trail boss for the ride, which took the riders along the shoreline, up into the trails, and back to the trailers. This was the last weekend to ride horses on the beach until November 1.

As always, when visiting this beach or any place with your horse, truck, and trailer, do not leave anything behind.

Be sure to clean up loose hay, manure, and garbage.

Please be respectful; it will ensure that we will all continue to have the privilege of riding there in the future.

On April 7, treasurer Ruth Strontzer hosted a ride in Machamoodus State Park.

This was the Ginger Tullai Memorial Ride; donations in Ginger’s name went to the Friends of Machamoodus Park. Ginger was a CTRA member and a volunteer horse patrol member with

Ruth Strontzer and Ed Levin at the Connecticut Trail Rides Association Beach Ride at Hammonaset Beach in Madison.

battle with cancer in 2018 and this annual memorial ride recognizes her contribution to the club.

On April 6, members Donna Santos and Sharon King assisted Ruth with marking the trails for the Memorial ride, which brought 27 riders and two

This year’s campout weekend at the park will be held June 7 to 9.

On May 5, area vice president Vevette Greenberg will host a ride at Natchaug State Forest. Although the Lost Silvermine Horse Camp is closed for the 2019 season due to fallen trees, the ride

will begin outside the entrance to the camp.

The Cheshire Horse Council has invited CTRA members to the Blessings of the Mounts and Barbecue Ride, scheduled for May 19.

This ride is held at John and Christine Barry’s Farm in Cheshire. There will be a slow group and a faster group for the ride.

There is a full line-up for Memorial Day weekend at Camp Boardman. Saturday evening is the second General Membership Meeting for the club. Denise Clark will be hosting a potluck dinner in the pavilion before the meeting. Sunday morning there will be a delicious breakfast cooked by president Lynn Gogolya and treasurer Ruth Strontzer. We hope to see you all there.

There were a few lots assigned to new members this year. We hope everyone enjoys their time at Camp Boardman. If you have any questions, you can always

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

39

contact our camp director Pat Gogolya.

We have rides scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30. To learn more and join us, visit cttrailridesassoc.org.

n Patti Crowther

Tanheath Hunt Club

Raymond Hill

It is said that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” I don’t know if that really happened — it seemed rather cold to me, and much of April was chilly. However, May and June promise to be nice — we hope!

Tanheath Hunt Club is gearing up for some great events. Our annual meeting was held April 12. We always look forward to the larger number of members who attend this meeting where we plan the coming year and discuss any issues or projects that need to be addressed.

Tanheath was invited to participate in the UConn Horse Symposium. We are grateful to have the opportunity to present our organization to the many and varied equestrian attendees of the symposium. We brought one of our hounds and answered many questions about foxhunting.

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Do you really kill the foxes?” Foxhunting started as early as 1534 in England as a way to reduce the

40

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

fox population that was killing livestock. Obviously, it has changed in the centuries since that time. Tanheath is a “drag hunt,” as are many clubs now. Members and volunteers, either on foot, bicycle, or horseback lay a scent just before the hunt starts and the hounds follow that scent.

Foxes and/or coyotes are not involved. We are always looking for volunteers to help lay a scent; work with horses is not a requirement. Please contact us if you’re interested.

A second, big question arises about jumping and speed. We have all types of members with a variety of equestrian levels and skills.

We have members who do not jump and prefer a slower pace. We have two to three “fields” (groups) on the hunt. The first field prefers a faster pace with all jumps taken. The second field is slightly slower and picks and chooses the jumps. The third field (tally slow) does few, if any, jumps and is a walk-trot

pace. Some members move up as they feel more confident; others prefer to stay right where they are. This is fine as we are about having fun, being safe, and welcoming people to the hunt. Most riders who can handle a trail ride, versatility clinic, or hunter pace would do fine on a hunt. Please think about joining us as an observer or participant.

On May 5, we will participate in the New England Hound Show at the Norfolk Hunt Club grounds in Dover, Massachusetts. This is an opportunity for the New England hunt clubs to show their hounds and demonstrate the training and discipline needed to manage a pack of hounds. The show consists of a variety of maneuvers to demonstrate the hounds’ ability to work with other hounds as a group (pack) and follow the directions of the hunt staff, huntsman, and whippersin. People from equine-affiliated groups as well as other

animal groups attend. We hope you’ll join us.

In anticipation of the hound show, Sherri Colby, our huntsman, and her staff work year-round with the hounds and dedicate Saturdays in April to putting the finishing touches to the hounds’ training. It all pays off as we generally win a number of awards every year. We’re very proud of our hounds and they work hard all year to give us a wonderful experience.

We’re hoping to get a few spring hunts onboard; of course, this time of year hunts are weather-dependent. People who are interested in watching a hunt are welcome at any time.

We will be having our first Hunter Pace May 12 in Douglas State Forest in Massachusetts. With good weather, we’ll have 80 riders.

Our second Hunter Pace is June 23 at Tyrone Farm Pomfret. This is our most popular pace as the grounds are spectacular with varied

sites, terrain, and lots of jumps. The weather in June tends to be accommodating and everyone has a good time.

Information for both paces is on our Facebook page and at tanheathhunt.com. Entry forms, event descriptions, and liability release forms can be downloaded from the website.

The club is trying something new — a Sunset Ride and Barbecue on July 27. This ride will take place in Arcadia State Park in Rhode Island.

The event will start later in the afternoon and will be followed by a barbecue.

We are looking for amateur photographers who might be interested in attending some of our events and taking pictures. We are a small group and most times our members are either riding or working an event and are unavailable to take pictures. If you are interested, let us know. No experience with horses or hounds is necessary.

n Raymond Hill

The Midwest School of Natural Healing of Animals is offering hands-on classes in Southington, Connecticut!

Our in-depth curriculum, and ongoing mentoring after student certification, includes saddle fit and placement, hoof angle and dental analysis, biomechanics, gait analysis, causes of pain, muscular and skeletal evaluations, numerous rehab strategies, the preflex, and more.

Upcoming Classes in Southington Classes in Southington, Ct!

June classes already filled!

July 29 to August 4 August 1to 4 September 23 to 29 September 26 to 29 Payment plans are available!

Free mentoring to all students once certified — private live chats with instructors or group chats with instructors and other students.

A la carte classes consisting of red light therapy, myofascial release, cranial sacral therapy, and more.

Instructor Lindsay Keating, owner of Equitouch Bodywork & Rehab, is certified in equine and canine massage level 1 and 2, red light therapy, cranial sacral therapy, myofascial release, kinesiology rock tape, and thermography.

Lindsay at (203) 848-4371 . equitouchbodywork.com mnhaequinemassage.com.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

41

Connecticut

Events May

2 GRTA MANE EVENT, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

4 SCHOOLING SHOW, Magnolia Run Equestrian Center, Willington. magnoliaruneqcenter.com.

5 USEA COMBINED TEST, Riga Meadow Equestrian Center, Salisbury. rigameadow.com.

4 VOLUNTEER DAY, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington. horseofct.org.

5 COMBINED TEST AND DRESSAGE SHOW, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

4 4-H AND CONNECTICUT HORSE ENTHUSIAST COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY, Hop River Trail, Andover. jenifer.nadeau@uconn.edu.

4 – 5 KIM PERLMAN CLINIC, Somers. shallowbrook.com.

5 PINK FLAMINGO SCHOOLING SHOW SERIES, Epic Farm, Middlefield. showbrv.com.

4 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Litchfield. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

5 SCHOOLING SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. (860) 581-0307.

5 SNEHA SHOW, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

4 MARK LEONE CLINIC, Westbrook.

(203) 650-3148 or showbrv@gmail.com.

5 CHJA CHSA SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

5 CTRA RIDE, Natchaug State Forest, Eastford. cttrailridesassoc.org.

4 USEF SHOW, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

5 NEATO CINCO DE MAYO RIDE, Pattaconk Pond. orgsites.com/ct/neato.

5 NYUC REGIONAL PONY CLUB GAMES, Mitchell Farm, Salem. bitbybitstable.com.

4 NBHA BARREL RACING, Saddleview Farm, Bethany. ctnbha01.com.

5 SCHOOLING HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

5 DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. centerlineevents.com.

Open Shows

ircle Fa C ll

rm

Fu

3 – 4 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

May 19 & June 23 Puddle Jumpers 2' . Open Jumpers 2'6" and 3' . Walk Trot . green Hunter Intermediate Walk Trot Canter . Open Hunter . Short Stirrup . Long Stirrup . Lead Line Training Hunter . Intermediate Equitation . Open Equitation . Low Hunter

M

t

M & S Medals and Classics for Jumpers, Hunters, and Equitation an icu ch ester onnect ,C

Email entries to dkuzmickas@fullcirclefarmct.com or text/call entries to (860) 798-1749.

Hunters . Jumpers . Equitation

Boarding . Training . Lessons . Sales . Leases Showing Local to AA Shows . Individualized Training Programs Our training philosophy focuses on development of a solid mental and physical foundation for horse and rider.

We welcome those who are in pursuit of knowledge In the equestrian art or would like to pursue their competitive dreams.

Full Circle Farm Kristen guadagnino uSEf “r” H/HE/J (860) 798-7249 . Jessica Dougan (860) 324-5308 719 Birch Mountain road, Manchester, Connecticut 06040 . www.fullcirclefarmct.com 42

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

10 3D BARREL RACING, All In Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

17 3D BARREL RACING, All In Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

19 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

11 SPRING/SUMMER SERIES II SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

18 OPEN HOUSE, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington. horseofct.org.

19 BRV SHOW, Fair Hill Farm, New Milford. bhcmanagement.info.

11 GRTA DOGWOOD RIDE AND COUNTRY LUNCHEON, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

18 BRV PREAKNESS PARTY, Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport. bhcmanagement.info.

19 MANES & MOTIONS RIDE & STRIDE FUNDRAISER, Machimoodus State Park, East Haddam. hfsc.com.

11 MITCHELL FARM EQUINE RETIREMENT NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION, 10 a.m., Salem.

RSVP to volunteer@mitchellfarm.org.

18 WGHA MAGICAL UNICORN RIDE, Voluntown. wghaweb3.wixsite.com/wgha.

18 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TRAINING, Colchester. treasurehillfarm.com.

11 CMSA SMOKIN GUNS, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

11 CDHR GELDING CLINIC, Autumn Ridge Farm, East Hampton. ctdraftrescue.com.

11 LITCHFIELD COUNTY HORSE SHOW SERIES, Harwinton Fairgrounds. lchorseshow@gmail.com.

11 – 12 FALLS CREEK FARM OPEN SHOW SERIES, Sterling. fallscreekfarm.com.

12 USHJA CHJA CHSA OPEN SHOW, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

12 CDCTA DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOLING SHOW, Westbrook. cdctaonline.com.

18 CJHA NEHC CHSA RATED SPRING SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarmct.com.

19 SCHOOLING SHOW, Frazier Farm Training Center, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

19 SPRING II RATED HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

19 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Dawn Bonin Horsemanship, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

19 GRANBY PONY CLUB OPEN SHOW, Copper Hill Equestrian Center, West Suffield. granby.ponyclub.org.

19 PHT CROSS-TOWN RIDE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret Center. sjackson3773@gmail.com.

19 GRANBY PONY CLUB OPEN SHOW, West Suffield. granby.ponyclub.org.

19 CHC BLESSING OF THE MOUNTS RIDE AND BARBECUE, Cheshire. cheshirehorsecouncil.org.

19 FULL CIRCLE FARM OPEN SHOW, Manchester. fullcirclefarmct.com.

23 – 26 AQHA/CQHS SPRING FLING CIRCUIT, Sterling. cqha.com.

25 USEA USEF RATED HORSE TRIALS, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

25 BRV SHOW, Westbrook. bhcmanagement.info.

Fair Hill Farm Dawn-Marie Looney, CRI

SUMMER RIDING PROGRAM fair Hill farm offers an exceptional riding program for all levels of riders.

Beginner riders will learn in a safe and encouraging environment.

Even the most advanced riders will be challenged and discover something new.

u In addition to learning how to ride, participants learn various aspects of horse care. u Daily activities include riding (working with a qualified instructor); barn management including grooming, bathing, tacking up, horse parts, tack parts, feed; field sports; and arts and crafts. u riders are placed in small groups of five or less to ensure they receive individual attention.

The instructors maintain a safe and fun learning environment. u fair Hill farm has dedicated and designed this program to develop good horsemanship skills, build confidence, and encourage independent thinking.

Join us at Fair Hill Farm for a fantastic summer!

Session 1: June 24 to 28 . Session 2: July 1 to 5 . Session 3: July 8 to 12 . Session 4: August 12 to 16 . Session 5: August 19 to 23 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. . $395 per session, $729 for two sessions

Lessons . Pony Parties . Sales . Leasing . Clinics Fair Hill Farm, 1060 Sport Hill Road, Easton, Connecticut . 203.994.6412 Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

43

Fifth Annual

Cross-Town Ride with Tyrone Farm and Pomfret Horse & Trail Association

Sunday, May 19, 2019 Tyrone Farm, Pomfret 8 a.m. check-in opens; 10 a.m. last rider out Brick oven pizza lunch by the Rolling Tomato

25 – 26 CMSA BORDER WARS, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

6 – 9 5/A BAKER PRODUCTS CHARITY SHOW, Somers. 5abakerproductscharityhorseshow.com.

25 – 27 CTRA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RIDES, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

7 3D BARREL RACING, All In Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

26 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

26 TSHA TRAIL RIDE, Patchaug State Forest, Voluntown. tristatehorsemen.com.

7 – 9 CTRA CAMPOUT WEEKEND, Machimoodus/Sunrise State Parks, East Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

26 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

7 – 9 USEF USDF RATED DRESSAGE SHOW, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

26 CHSA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

7 – 9 TSHA OPEN SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

27 SPRING/SUMMER SERIES II SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

8 WILBUR J. TALLEY HORSE SHOW AND SPRING FESTIVAL, Ebony Horsewomen, Hartford. ebonyhorsewomen.us.

27 CHJA SHOW, Terry Allen Farms, Terryville. terryallenfarms.com.

31 3D BARREL RACING, All In Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

Register at:

pomfrethorseandtrail.com

June

1 CHJA CHSA SHOW, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

1 SHOW, Willington. magnoliaruneqcenter.com.

1 POLO OPENING DAY FARMINGTON CUP, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

1 TSHA DRESSAGE SHOW AND TWO PHASE, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

The Northeast’s Premier Trailer Dealer Family owned for 42 years!

“A happy horse rides in a Yered Trailer.”

1 NYUC REGIONAL PONY CLUB POLOCROSSE, Farmington Polo Grounds. bitbybitstable.com.

1 – 2 KIM PERLMAN CLINIC, Westbrook. bhcmanagement.info.

2 TSHA DRESSAGE SHOW AND TWO PHASE, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. tristatehorsemen.com.

2 RATED HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

11 West Mill Street, Medfield, Mass.

(508) 359-7300 YeredTrailers.com 44

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

8 SPRING/SUMMER SERIES II SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

8 POLO, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

8 LITCHFIELD COUNTY HORSE SHOW SERIES, Harwinton Fairgrounds. lchorseshow@gmail.com.

8 MITCHELL FARM EQUINE RETIREMENT NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION, 10 a.m., Salem.

RSVP to volunteer@mitchellfarm.org.

8 SCHOOLING SHOW, Hidden Brook Stables, Lebanon. hiddenbrookstables.com.

9 BASIC H.O.R.S.E. CARE CLINIC, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington. horseofct.org.

9 DRESSAGE SHOW, White Birch Farm, Portland. (860) 581-0307.

9 GRTA 98TH SHOW, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

2 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Connecticut Equestrian Center, Coventry. ctequestrian.com.

2 BETHANY HORSE SHOW, Bethany Airport. bethanyhorseshow.org.

Many more brands and models online at yeredtrailers.com!

7 – 9 BRV CHARITY CLASSIC SHOW, Westbrook. bhcmanagement.info.

2 CTRA RIDE, White Memorial, Litchfield. cttrailridesassoc.org.

5 – 8 CMHA MORGAN AND OPEN SHOW, West Springfield. ctmorgans.org.

9 CTRA POKER RIDE, Machamoodus State Park, East Haddam. cttrailridesassoc.org.

9 ABACUS EVENTS SCHOOLING SHOW, R Folly Farm, Morris. rfollyfarm.com.

9 VERSATILITY CLINIC, Dawn Bonin Horsemanship, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

9 HORSE TRIALS, Woodbury. frazierfarmct.com.

9 POLO, Greenwich. greenwichpoloclub.com.

9 NBHA BARREL RACING, Brooklyn Fairgrounds, Brooklyn. ctnbha01.com.

9 GREENWICH SHOW, Greenwich. thegrta.org.

11 – 16 OX RIDGE CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Darien. oxridge.com.

15 POLO SPORTSMANSHIP CUP, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

15 VERSATILITY COMPETITION, Dawn Bonin Horsemanship, Coventry. dawnbonin.com.

15 TOM KELNER MOUNTED ARCHERY CLINIC, Round Tuit Ranch, Enfield. (860) 749-7503.

15 – 16 DOM SCHRAMM CLINIC, Willington. magnoliaruneqcenter.com.

16 POLO, Greenwich. greenwichpoloclub.com.

16 FALLS CREEK FARM OPEN SHOW SERIES, Sterling. fallscreekfarm.com.

16 CTRA MOUNTAIN LAUREL RIDE, Hurd Park, East Hampton. cttrailridesassoc.org.

16 NEHC SHOW, Simsbury. wellawayfarmct.com.

18 – 22 FCHC BENEFIT JUNE SHOW, Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport. huntclubonline.org.

19 DOM SCHRAMM SUMMER CLINIC SERIES, Colchester. treasurehillfarm.com.

NEW Shop Tack e to th open c! publi

Horse Shows

May 4 & June 23 CHSA, CHJA, and M & S recognized

.

July 21 CHJA Schooling, Jumpers, Derby

Lessons . Boarding . Training . Leasing . Summer Programs . IEA Team .Hunters . Jumpers . Equitation . Dressage

Foxy Rider Tack Shop

Equestrian boutique offering everything for the beginner rider to A-rated show rider. Attentive customer service from owner Cindy Italiaander. Beautiful equestrian themed gifts, everyday accessories, and gently-used consignment for all aspects of the equestrian sport for both horse and rider available. Stop in and say hello or call for an appointment! Special order are always available at competitive prices. All top equestrian brands, huge selection, free shipping on orders more than $75.

Cindy Italiaander, owner/manager

210 South Street, Morris, CT . 860.567.1788 . cindy@foxcrossingequestrian.com . foxcrossingequestrian.com Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

45

19 DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW, Fox Ledge Farm, East Haddam. foxledgefarm.net.

22 – 23 TSHA TRAIL RIDE, Patchaug State Forest, Voluntown. tristatehorsemen.com.

27 CHJA SHOW, Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon. avonvalleyshowstables.com.

20 DOM SCHRAMM SUMMER CLINIC SERIES, Colchester. treasurehillfarm.com.

23 USEA HORSE TRIALS, Kent. kent-school.edu.

29 CJHA NEHC CHSA RATED SHOW, Windcrest Farm, Hebron. windcrestfarmct.com.

23 POLO, Greenwich. greenwichpoloclub.com.

21 3D BARREL RACING, All In Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

22 CHJA CHSA NEHC SHOW, Folly Farm, Simsbury. follyfarm.us.

23 CTRA RIDE, Upper Salmon River, East Hampton. cttrailridesassoc.org.

23 RECOGNIZED SPRING DRESSAGE SHOW, R Folly Farm, Morris. centerlineevents.com.

23 FULL CIRCLE FARM OPEN SHOW, Manchester. fullcirclefarmct.com.

22 CMSA AMITY MAYHEM, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

30 OPEN SHOW, Suffield. endofhunt.com.

23 TANHEATH HUNT SUMMER HUNTER PACE, Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. tanheathhunt.com.

22 PETER WHITMORE VERSATILITY CLINIC, Willington. magnoliaruneqcenter.com.

22 – 23 FALLS CREEK FARM OPEN SHOW SERIES, Sterling. fallscreekfarm.com.

30 BRV SHOW, Westbrook. bhcmanagement.info.

30 SNEHA SHOW, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

22 POLO, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

22 NBHA BARREL RACING, Harwinton Fairgrounds, Harwinton. ctnbha01.com.

30 CDA SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Grand View Stable, Columbia. ctdressage.com.

30 POLO, Greenwich. greenwichpoloclub.com.

22 KIDS’ FUN DAY, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington. horseofct.org.

22 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE AND COMBINED TRAINING, Colchester. treasurehillfarm.com.

29 – 30 SPRING/SUMMER SERIES II SHOW, Ridgefield. steppingstonefarmct.com.

23 CHSA CHJA SHOW, Fox Crossing Equestrian, Litchfield. foxcrossingequestrian.com.

July

4 – 7 CTRA HOLIDAY WEEKEND RIDES, Camp Boardman, Goshen. cttrailridesassoc.org.

23 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

23 SCHOOLING DRESSAGE SHOW, Weatogue Stables, Salisbury. weatoguestables.com.

26 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR HORSES FREE SEMINAR, Halcyon Stables, Litchfield. (860) 626-7222.

5 – 6 CROSS-COUNTRY DERBY, Canterbury. horsepowerfarm.info.

5 – 7 WHC SHORELINE “A” SHOW, Westbrook. bhcmanagement.info.

6 POLO, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

Boarding

Lessons

Training

New New England’s Largest Quality Sales Stable Celebrating 50 Years.

England’s Largest Quality Sales Stable

Leasing

Trails

2 Outdoor Arenas Indoor Arena

Covered Round Pen

Clinics

Parties

Group Lessons

Show Coaching

239 Sand Hill Rd., Portland, CT 06480 (860) 581-0307 wbfllcct@gmail.com

Dressage is our Specialty Board . Lessons . Training All Breeds Welcome (especially Morgans)

Gretchen Geromin, trainer USDF certified instructor . USDF bronze medalist . British Horse Society certified

Mansfield Center, CT . Just 10 minutes from UConn foxfirestables.net . (860) 543-1399 46

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

562 S Main St., Middletown, CT (860) 347-2531 www.midstatetractor.com

6 VOLUNTEER DAY, H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, Washington. horseofct.org.

6 CHRISTMAS IN JULY OPEN BARN AND LIGHTED WALKING TRAIL, Hay Burr Inn, Plainfield. hayburrinn.org.

Greenwich

This Olde Horse

6 – 7 FALLS CREEK FARM OPEN SHOW SERIES, Sterling. fallscreekfarm.com.

7 SCHOOLING HUNT SEAT SHOW, Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Gales Ferry. mvhchorse.com.

7 ABACUS EVENTS SCHOOLING SHOW, R Folly Farm, Morris. rfollyfarm.com.

7 BRV SHOW, New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan. bhcmanagement.info.

10 DRESSAGE SHOW, Sperry View Farm, Bethany. centerlineevents.com.

10 – 13 WHC SHORELINE “A” SHOW, Westfield. bhcmanagement.info.

11 CCBA OPEN SHOW, Glastonbury. connecticutcolorbreed.com.

12 3D BARREL RACING, All in Farm, Woodbury.

(203) 948-3374.

13 POLO DREAM RIDE CUP, Farmington. farmingtonpologrounds.com.

13 – 14 CTR KENDA LENSEIGNE CLINIC, Bethany. ctrenegades.com.

13 BAROQUE GAMES SHOW, Old Lyme. baroquegames.net.

14 SNEHA SHOW, Falls Creek Farm, Oneco. snehassociation.com.

Fox Ledge Farm Dressage Training with a Winning Tradition

Ann Guptill

USET Pan Am Dressage Team Silver USDF Instructor & Certification Examiner USPC Graduate A . USDF “L” Judge Graduate

Offering:

Board . Training . Lessons . Clinics All Levels Welcome . Exercise & Layup Conditioning Show Prep & Coaching . Indoor and Outdoor Facilities Competitions . Wooded Trails and Open Rolling Fields Staff On Site 24/7

29-A Daniels Road, East Haddam, CT (860) 873-8108 . eqarts@snet.net www.foxledgefarm.net

King Alar, the magnificent stallion with a record of 2.261/4. “Competent judges declare him to be the greatest heavy-weight trotting stallion now living,” writes Frank A. Arnold in the May 1906 issue of Suburban Life. “To describe him, he is a horse of most extraordinary size, standing 17 hands and weighing 1,450 pounds. His proportions are so perfect, however, that he does not impress one as being unduly large or extremely heavy, for the Thoroughbred crops out everywhere, from the tip of his small, delicate ears to his perfectly-formed hooves. His glossy coat keeps one guessing as to whether it is black or dark brown, and is so perfect and smooth that it shines like dark bronze metal.”

King Alar was owned by Miss Anna A. Marks of Willowmere Farm in Sound Beach (Greenwich). She was known for her enthusiasm in the breeding of trotting horses.

How about a nice massage?

For your horse!

Subscribe Today!

Ridgefield, CT (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net

connhorse.com Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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the

neighborhood

Your Everything Equine White Pages

ARTISTS

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EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

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INSURANCE

TACK

PORTRAITS BY SHAWNALEE Middlebury, CT, (203) 598-0065 shawnalee.com Charcoals, oils painted by hand.

MANES & MOTIONS Middletown, CT, (860) 223-2761 manesandmotions.com Therapeutic riding for body, mind, soul.

SMITH-WORTHINGTON SADDLERY Hartford, CT, (860) 527-9117 smithworthington.com Fine English saddlery and tack.

BARN CATS

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EQUINE MASSAGE

DON RAY INSURANCE (781) 837-6550 donrayinsurance.com Competitive rates, great service, farm packages, event insurance, liability, mortality and major medical.

TEAM MOBILE FELINE UNIT (888) FOR-TEAM everyanimalmatters.org Mobile spay, neuter, and vaccination clinic for cats.

EQUINE MASSAGE BY KATHLEEN Ridgefield, CT, (203) 297-3008 kathy.curran@snet.net A nice massage, for your horse!

BARN CONSTRUCTION

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THE CARRIAGE SHED (800) 441-6057, carriageshed.com Custom-built barns, shed rows, arenas, run-in sheds, Amish-crafted.

KING BARNS (888) 354-4740, kingbarns.com Custom barns, arenas, outbuildings, living quarters, complete design services, fine Amish craftmanship.

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EQUISSAGE NE/NY CT, MA, RI, (860) 564-7759 equisportmt@sbcglobal.net Integrated body work for performance horses: reiki, Masterson Method, sport and therapeutic massage, myofascial release, cranio sacral therapy.

FEED AND PET STORES

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G.M. THOMPSON & SONS Mansfield Depot, (860) 429-9377 gmthompson.net

BOARDING AND TRAINING

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DAWN BONIN HORSEMANSHIP Coventry, CT, (860) 985-7611 babcockhill.com Natural horsemanship, lessons, training, boarding, sales/leases, clinics, versatility competitions, group lessons, and seminars.

FOXFIRE STABLES Mansfield Center, CT, (860) 543-1399 foxfirestables.net Dressage specialty, board, lessons, training, all breeds welcome.

FOX LEDGE FARM, ANN GUPTILL East Haddam, CT, (860) 873-8108 eqarts@snet.net Quality dressage instruction and training; beginner to Grand Prix.

SHALLOW BROOK FARM Bridgewater, CT, (203) 788-2122 shallow-brook.com Event, hunting, and pleasure horses; boarding, lessons, sales; 4,000 acres of trails, cross-country fences.

WHIMSY BROOK FARM Redding, CT, (203) 938-3760 whimsybrookfarm.com Boarding, lessons, training, equine therapies, Pony Club.

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SEAN T. HOGAN, ESQ. Westport, CT, (203) 221-3250 seanhoganlaw.com Assisting owners, riders, and trainers with equine litigation, equine taxation, land use, ownerships, sales, leases, and USEF and FEI hearings.

LOANS AND FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

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FARM CREDIT EAST (800) 946-0506 farmcrediteast.com Loans for equestrian facilities, farms, bare land. Equipment loans, leases.

Payroll services, farm business consulting, record keeping, appraisals.

MANURE REMOVAL,

LITCHFIELD BLUE SEAL STORE Litchfield, (860) 482-7116

ASSOCIATED REFUSE HAULERS Newtown, CT, (203) 426-8870 associatedrefuse.com Containerized manure removal in southwestern Connecticut.

NORWICH AGWAY Norwich, (860) 889-2344 norwichagway.com SHAGBARK LUMBER & FARM SUPPLY East Haddam, (860) 873-1946 shagbarklumber.com VALLEY HOME & GARDEN CENTER Simsbury, (860) 651-5646 valleyhomeandgarden.com HAY AND SHAVINGS

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PLEASANT VIEW FARMS Somers, CT, (860) 803-2777 pleasantviewfarmsinc.com Quality hay, straw, and grain.

HORSES FOR SALE

WHITE BIRCH FARM Portland, CT, (860) 581-0307 wbfllcct@gmail.com Boarding, training, trails, lessons, leasing, clinics, indoor arena.

TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT

LEGAL ADVICE

H. H. STONE & SONS Southbury, (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons.benmoorepaints.com

LOCK, STOCK & BARREL (203) 393-0002, lsbfarmsupply.com Feed, pet food, tack, farm supplies, and power equipment.

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LE MAY, INC. Newtown, CT, (203) 426-2497 (475) 529-8567 (mobile) agrimixmulch.com We buy manure. Containerized manure removal, many options/sizes.

PHOTOGRAPHY

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JEANNE LEWIS IMAGES Wallingford, CT, jeannelewisimages.com Western events, barn shoots, portraits. Serving New England.

SARAH GROTE PHOTOGRAPHY Cromwell, CT, (860) 301-6647 sarahgrote.com Lifestyle, event, pet, and nature.

RETIREMENT SANCTUARIES

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MITCHELL FARM Salem, CT, (860) 303-8705 mitchellfarm.org Permanent sanctuary for senior horses.

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STRAIN FAMILY HORSE FARM Granby, CT, (860) 653-3275 strainfamilyhorsefarm.com New England’s largest quality sales stable celebrating 50 years.

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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TAYLOR FARM New Hartford, CT, (860) 482-8725 taylorfarmct.com Horse retirement is all we do!

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MIDSTATE TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT COMPANY Middletown, CT, (860) 347-2531 midstatetractor.com Kubota, John Deere, Scag Power Equipment, Stihl, Honda.

TRAILERS

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PAUL CONGELOSEI TRAILER SALES Montgomery, NY, (888) 310-2246 congelositrailersales.com Finding just the right trailer? At Congelosi Trailer Sales, it’s easy!

VACATION

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MOUNTAIN TOP INN AND RESORT Chittenden, VT, (802) 483-2311 mountaintopinn.com Vermont’s premier equestrian resort with miles of trails.

VETERINARY

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BROOKLYN-CANTERBURY LARGE ANIMAL CLINIC Canterbury, CT, (860) 546-6998 bclargeanimal.com Serving eastern CT and RI. Equines, farm animals,and camelids.

GRAND PRIX EQUINE Hawleyville, CT, (203) 733-0789 grandprixequine.com Focused care for the performance horse. Johanna Kremberg, DVM, Mark R. Baus, DVM. CARA KNESER, DVM Bozrah, CT, (860) 823-8951 kneserveterinary.com Mobile 24/7 equine veterinary service.

TWIN PINES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES Griswold, CT, (860) 376-4373 twinpinesequine.com Quality, compassionate care.

myAGWAY of Bethel 74 South St., Bethel (203) 743-3232 . myagway.com

myAGWAY of North Haven 66 State St., North Haven (203) 239-1687 . myagway.com

Litchfield Blue Seal Store 99 Thomaston Rd., Litchfield (860) 482-7116 . blueseal.com

myAGWAY of Manchester 33 Adams St., Manchester (860) 643-5123 . myagway.com

myAGWAY of Southington 1198 Queen St., Southington (860) 410-1726 . myagway.com

Lock, Stock & Barrel 770 Amity Rd., Bethany (203) 393-0002 lsbfarmsupply.com

myAGWAY of Middlefield 147 Meriden Rd., Middlefield (860) 347-7229 . myagway.com

G. M. Thompson & Sons 54 Middle Tnpk., Mansfield Depot (860) 429-9377 . gmthompson.net

myAGWAY of North Branford 11 Whitewood Ln., N. Branford (203) 483-7800 . myagway.com

H. H. Stone & Sons 168 Main St. S., Southbury (203) 264-6501 hhstoneandsons.benmoorepaints.com

Norwich Agway 217 Otrobando Ave., Norwich (860) 889-2344 norwichagway.com

Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supply 21 Mt. Parnassus Rd., E. Haddam (860) 873-1946 shagbarklumber.com Valley Home & Garden Centre 16 Railroad St., Simsbury (860) 651-5646 valleyhomeandgarden.com

Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

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Coventry

Is This Your Horse?

Connecticut’s own Smith-Worthington Saddlery is the proud sponsor of Is This Your Horse?

275 Homestead Ave. Hartford, Connecticut 860 . 527 . 9117 smithworthington.com

Sarah Griffin

Crafting fine English saddlery and tack since 1794.

Available at fine tack shops throughout the U.S.

Is this your horse?

This photo was taken at the April 14 Dressage Schooling Show at Connecticut Equestrian Center in Coventry. If this is your horse, contact us at win@connhorse.com for a Smith-Worthington Saddlery leather halter and a two-year subscription to Connecticut Horse!

Ashley Backman is an avid equestrian and Connecticut real Estate Agent. find your dream barn with a knowledgeable horse person, or sell your equestrian property with someone who knows the value and market for your home!

Visit our site to see CT horse properties currently for sale and call today to set up your showing!

www.CtHorseHomes.com

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Connecticut Horse May/June 2019

Connecticut Horse

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRIDGEPORT, CT PERMIT

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