September 2018
2 Mission Statement/AHC
3 WSHCEF WHC CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE
4 Red Barn Blues Thank You! OPEN SHOW AWARDS PROGRAM 5 Red Barn Blues Thank You! (cont.) ______
6 AHC Washington Update
7 Midwest Horse Fair
8 Calendar of Upcoming Events/2018 September Fair
9 WSHCEFSchedule/Classifieds Jan Spencer Scholarship 2019
10 WI Researchers Release New App to Study Ticks
11 WI Researchers Release New App to Study Ticks (cont.)
12 Miniature Therapy Horses Can Have Big Impact
13 Miniature Therapy Horses Can Have Big Impact (cont.)
14 Horse Riders Discovering
15 Horse Riders Discovering Benefits of Yoga
16 Notes of Thanks - REINS, Inc. Benefits of Yoga (cont.) 17 Three Gaits, Inc. Thank You 18 Thank You Notes 19 Vernon County 4-H Horse & Pony Clinic / JCDHA 20 2019 WHC Annual Awards 21 WHC Ride Wisconsin Flyer 22 Ferguson Back On His Feet With UW’s Help 23 Horse Pulling Showcases Pure Horsepower 24 WHC Forms 25 SPECIAL CUT OUT PAGE! Help Support the Equine Disease Communication Center 26 SPECIAL CUT OUT PAGE! Help Support the Equine Disease Communication Center (cont.) WHC District / WHC- CounciLetter Deadline Page 2 September Wisconsin Horse Council
Wisconsin Horse Council Our Mission Statement: Executive Board 2018-2019 To represent and foster a unified equine industry in Wisconsin. Executive Officers President - Nancy Edwards To promote the horse through leadership, education, service and 262-623-9092 communication. [email protected] Vice President - Katie Bachhuber 920-539-0601 And to take a proactive role in the future growth and [email protected] development of the equine industry. Secretary - Jill Feller 920-948-9502 [email protected] Treasurer - Ron Miller ATTENTION: 608-873-3848 Tear out page 25/26 and fold it [email protected] for a handy brochure to keep Executive Board of Directors or to share. Past President - Karen Kroll, 608-795-2321, This month’s featured [email protected] Director at Large to MHF & WSHCEF - James brochure is Harris, 608-987-3600, “Help Support the Equine [email protected] Director at Large - Gail Seasor, Disease Communication 608-576-9429, [email protected] Center” District 1 Rep - OPEN District 2 Rep - Holly McMullen, 715-351-0961 [email protected] District 3 Rep - Bonnie Shepherd, 262-670- Membership in the Wisconsin Horse Council is open to individuals, 1426, [email protected] associations, businesses, societies, or other entities whose interests District 4 Rep - Floyd Finney, 608-868-4543, are in line with WHC’s purpose and Mission Statement. Our member- ship year will follow the calendar year. Members will also receive our [email protected] monthly newsletter where FREE classified ads can be placed and District 5 Rep - Linda Catherman, 608-432- reasonable 1/4, 1/2 and full page ads can be arranged. The 2599, [email protected] newsletter reaches 500+ horse enthusiasts.
The Council employs a professional Lobbyist who works with us on Office Staff Member pending legislation as needed for the equine industry. Darla Schack - Newsletter Editor/Website Administrator, Administrative Assistant We are constantly working on adding new benefits for our members. [email protected] Please feel free to contact us with your comments or suggestions. P.O. Box 72 121 S. Ludington Street, Columbus, WI 53925 Phone: 920-623-0393 Fax: 920-623-0583 [email protected]
Midwest Horse Fair Megan Hanuszczak - General Manager [email protected] 131 S. Ludington Street Columbus, WI 53925 Phone: 920-623-5515 Fax: 920-623-5454 Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 3
Welcome to the Wisconsin State Horse Council Equine Foundation The bond between an equestrian and their equine is an experience worth cherishing; we are dedicat- ed to strengthening this bond and enriching the equestrian experience in Wisconsin through educa- tion, research, charity, and scholarship. Visit our website www.wisconsinhorsecouncil.org – Go to the WSHCEF tab at the top of the page What is the mission statement of the WSHC Equine Foundation? The Wisconsin State Horse Council Equine Foundation was created to better serve Wisconsin's growing equestrian community and to help that community realize its fullest potential. The Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and as such allows individuals to make tax-deductible contributions to support Wisconsin equine projects.
The mission of the Equine Foundation is to support Wisconsin's expanding equestrian community by funding: ....Educational Initiatives ....Equine Research ....Trail Development ....Youth Scholarship and Participation
What is our relationship with the Wisconsin State Horse Council? The Wisconsin State Horse Council is our parent organization and the sole member of the WSHC Equine Foundation. WHC Board of Directors are elected to serve on the WSHC Equine Foundation Board of Directors, along with non-WHC individuals. The WHC was incorporated in 1972 as an advocate for the equine owners and industry in the State of Wisconsin. It has grown to become the focus of the equine industry in Wisconsin.
The Mission Statement of the Wisconsin Horse Council is: To represent and foster a unified equine industry in Wisconsin. To promote the horse through leadership, education, service and communications, and to take a proactive role in the future growth and development of the equine industry in the State of Wisconsin.
WSHC Equine Foundation is a federally approved 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of equine activities and the equine industry in general.
The Foundation's main objectives are to promote education, research and development, charity, and scholarship opportunities for equestrians in Wisconsin.
WSHCEF Officers & Board of Directors
Officers Board of Directors & Volunteer Team President Gary Jackson James Harris Mike McGowan Karen Meekma Vice President & Diane Sackett Sharon Hookstead Rich Ernsberger Lori Helmer Secretary Margo Miller Gail Seasor Dave Kluge Treasurer Lila Lemanski Roxanne Kluge Linda Ernsberger
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Red Barn Blues THANK YOU !
A HUGE thank you to all who helped make the “Red Barn Blues” a fun and successful event! The WI State Horse Council Equine Foundation sponsored the July 28th fundraiser to benefit the future equestrian campground at Governor Dodge State Park. Partnering up with the Friends of Governor Dodge -Equestrians, the fundraiser was held at Shepard’s Bed and Barn in Columbus, Wisconsin. The day started with a presentation from WAMSTAR, Whitewater Area Mounted Search and Rescue. WAMSTAR members Roger Kincaid, Debbie Kahn, and Candi Kildow shared information about how the volunteer team works with local Sheriff/Fire Departments and EMTs to serve the public in locating lost or missing persons. Horses are especially useful in searches because of the terrain they can cover and the line of sight provided to the rider. Horses are valuable searchers as they are instinctively aware of their surroundings and will alert on anything out of the ordinary. The horse/rider teams undergo extensive training to become certified. Thanks to WAMSTAR’s Ralph Hunter and Bill Maddox for bringing their amazing horses to the Red Barn Blues. For more information about Whitewater Area Search Team and Rescue, a 501(c)3 organization, visit their website at http://www.wamstar.org. Next was the fascinating demonstration by WI Large Animal Emergency Response led by Howard Ketover, DVM. WLAER is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating emergency response, animal control and veterinary personnel in technical emergency response. Whether an animal is in a trailer accident, submerged in mud or water, trapped into a ravine, cast in a stall, or has fallen on barnyard ice and cannot get up, it is human nature to want to help. Large animals can be unpredictable, especially when in desperate, life or death situations and when stressed and trapped, livestock can injure themselves, property, and the people around them. It is crucial that the rescue is performed in an organized, efficient, and safe manner. WI Large Animal Emergency Response not only trains first responders around the state but also serves in a support and response role for large animal emergencies. For more information visit http://wlaer.org. Continued on next page... Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 5
...continued from previous page Red Barn Blues THANK YOU!
A BIG thank you to Peter Lewke at Shepard’s Barn & Bed for hosting the fundraising event in his beautifully restored barn and for all the preparations he and Micha took on. We are also extremely grateful to Madison’s Blythe Gamble and the Rollin’ Dice who performed their award winning original and traditional blues from 4:00-7:00 pm. There was plenty of good food to go around and local beer and wine crafters were on hand to serve refreshments. It was great to see folks of all ages, young and old, come out to enjoy the music and a fun day in the country! Most of all, a heartfelt thank you to the Wisconsin State Horse Council Equine Foundation for supporting The Friends of Governor Dodge in their efforts to build a new equestrian campground at one of the largest and most beautiful state parks in Wisconsin. Wisconsin State Horse Council Equine Foundation members came together to support an endeavor that will serve equestrians now and well into the future. Governor Dodge State Park has some of the finest horse trails in the state and with a suitable campground, riders from all over the state will be able to traverse the trails in the beautiful Driftless Area and then enjoy a positive and memorable camping experience. For more information or to DONATE TO THE CAMPGROUND FUND, visit https://www.govdodgeequestrians.com. Page 6 September Wisconsin Horse Council
Copyright © 2018 American Horse Council
Permission to pass on the AHC Washington Update to your members, readers, or others is granted on the condition that it is forwarded in its original form or directly linked with the AHC logo and a link to the AHC website.
The American Horse Council is a non partisan organization based in Washington, DC that works daily to advocate for the social, economic, and legislative interests of the United States equine industry.
July 26, 2018
House Appropriators Score Win for Horse Industry, Advance H 2B Visa Cap Relief!
On July 25, the House Appropriations Committee convened a mark-up for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropria- tions for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). By voice vote, the committee approved an amendment that exempts returning workers from the 66,000 statutory cap imposed on the H-2B guest worker visa pro- gram, providing much needed H-2B visa cap relief advocated by the horse industry and its allies. The amend- ment, offered by Congressional Horse Caucus Members Rep. Andy Harris, MD (R-MD) and Rep. Dutch Ruppers- berger (D-MD), among others, applies to workers who have received guest worker visas during the previous two years. Additionally, the provision also establishes a visa allocation system that disburses work permits on a quarterly basis. Lawmakers believe that the quarterly system will create more flexibility for employers whose labor demands do not align with the semi-annual allocation system, whereby DHS awards permits on April 1 and October 1. The horse industry and its allies in the H-2B Coalition fight for a variety of flexibility measures, including a straight-forward increase in the visa cap, or generous exemptions from the statutory cap, such as those for returning workers.
Pointing to another flexibility measure, Rep. Harris (R-MD) released a statement explaining the importance of a provision that allocates visas on a “proportional” rather than a “winner take all” basis. Under this provision, DHS would award a portion of all timely, requested visas to all applicants, even in the event that “the higher limits authorized by [the] amendment are not enough to satisfy all the needs in a given year.” To view a copy of Rep. Harris’s statement, please click here: https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/house- appropriations-committee-approves-harris-language-repairing-h-2b-visa.
While the House spending bill advances the goal of effectively raising the H-2B visa cap, the Senate version of the bill doesn’t address the H-2B visa issue, setting up an item to be negotiated during a House and Senate conference. Although lawmakers intend to finalize their spending measures before the current FY ends on Sep- tember 30, this is a deadline that Congress rarely meets. As in years past, Congress may pass a series of “continuing resolutions” to fund the federal government. AHC will keep you posted on developments related to the H-2B measure as the FY2019 appropriations process moves forward. To view a copy of the three-page amendment, please click here: http://www.horsecouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/07/HARRMD_037_xml- offered-2-1.pdf.
If you’d like more information related to the guest worker issue, including ongoing grassroots outreach from the horse industry, please contact Bryan Brendle at [email protected] or 202-296-4031. Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 7
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WHC Horsemen’s Calendar of Upcoming Events Upcoming Events 2017
September
September 1 Badger Horse Show Assoc. Open Speed Show, Rusty B Arena, W5641 Cty Rd J, Westfield, WI 53964, 9am, Contact Nola (920) 858-2860, [email protected] SANCTIONED September 1 & 2 WRHA 2018 Show Series, Heartland Equestrian Center, Custer, WI, 8am, Double Judged, Contact Rachel Meek [email protected], ONLY OPEN / ALL BREED CLASSES ARE SANCTIONED September 7 Coulee Region Riders Club 2018 Speed Shows, 6:45pm, Briggs Road (McHugh Exit), Holmen, WI, Contact (608) 484-0662 or (608) 484-0829 or [email protected], www.ridersclub.org SANCTIONED September 7-9 Villa Louis Carriage Classic, Prairie du Chien, WI, (608) 326-4436, www.carriageclassic.com September 8 & 9 Jefferson County Draft Horse Association, Old World Wisconsin, W372 S9727 Wisconsin 67, Eagle, WI 53119 September 8 Lazycreek Farm 2018 Speed Show, Claudia at (920) 349-3623 or [email protected] SANCTIONED September 9 West 20 Ranch & Saddle Co. Annual Open Pleasure Horse Show Series, 9am, W4812 Hwy 20, East Troy, WI 53120, Contact (262) 642-4272, www.west20.com SANCTIONED September 14-16 Wisconsin Foundation Quarter Horse Association Horse Show, 7pm & 8am, Jackson Co. Fair Park, Black River Falls, WI, OPEN CLASSES ONLY - SANCTIONED September 15 SKMHTA Annual Fall Fundraiser, Dinner & Raffle Prizes, Horseriders Campground, Palmyra, www.skmhta.com, Contact Sandra Shorr [email protected] September 15 & 16 Ryan Rose Clinic, Heartland Equestrian Center, Custer, WI, Contact Mary (715) 281-1568 September 23 Menomonee Falls Saddle Club 2018 Pleasure Show, 8:30am, MFSC Grounds, N75 W25500 Hwy 164, Sussex, WI 53089 Contact Laurie (414) 379-0858 www.menomoneefallssaddleclub.com SANCTIONED September 24 & 25 Friesian Keuring, Heartland Equestrian Center, Custer, WI, Contact Tiffany [email protected] September 26 WHC Board of Directors Monthly Meeting, 7pm, 121 S. Ludington St., Columbus, WI 53925
* FOR MORE EQUINE RELATED UPCOMING EVENTS, click on this link to be redirected to WalkTrotGo.com or Wisconsin Horsemen’s News.
Wisconsin 2018 Fair Schedule for September September 5-9 Richland County - Richland Center September 7-9 Forest County - Crandon September 12-16 Vernon County - Viroqua September 21-23 Central Burnett County - Webster
CLASSIFIED ADS EXCLUSIVELY for WISCONSIN HORSE COUNCIL MEMBERS ONLY! FREE CLASSIFIED ADS in OUR NEWSLETTER! Ads will be posted for 3 consecutive newsletters. Subject to editing to fill space. Ads must be personal for your horse and equine related items. Not for commercial/business advertising.
FOR SALE: APHA Bk/W Overo Mare, great for trail, beginners, breeding. Western Pleasure, 15.1h, location Trevor, WI, 262-862-6952 or 847-395-0348. (J/A/S) Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 9
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Wisconsin Researchers Release New App to Study What Makes Ticks ‘Tick’
By Tyler Fox for News Media
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a new smartphone app to help them understand where ticks are active and how people expose themselves to ticks.
The app is being released as Wisconsin faces an ever-increasing number of Lyme disease cases, sparking increased concerns about tick-transmitted diseases.
The app helps scientists better understand when and where ticks are picked up and educates people on what kinds of ticks to look out for and how to practice safe habits when venturing outside. It is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
“We’d like to know what the risk factors for tick exposure are and see what habits expose certain people to ticks, and also get a sense of what prevents tick bites,” says Bieneke Bron, a postdoctoral researcher at UW–Madison who is leading the project. “Ultimately, we’d like to understand and prevent human exposure to ticks.” Submitted Photo Users are prompted to record a “tick diary” every evening for The Tick App is a research and two weeks, in which they describe their activities for the day and educational tool designed to understand and then limit people’s whether or not they were exposed to ticks. Anonymized data exposure to disease carrying ticks. collected from many users will help researchers track the threat of tick-borne diseases. The app was developed by the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-borne Disease in partnership with Columbia University and the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, a UW–Madison research center that develops technology for health-related applications.
While the app is a research tool, it also teaches users tick identification, how to avoid being bitten, and how to safely remove ticks from skin.
Illnesses from tick bites in Wisconsin have tripled since 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services reports that 2017 had the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the state to date.
These numbers show that Wisconsin is experiencing a “slow-burn epidemic” of Lyme disease, says UW–Madison entomology department chair Susan Paskewitz, who helped develop the app.
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Wisconsin Researchers Release New App to Study What Makes Ticks ‘Tick’
In addition to Lyme disease, ticks can carry a host of other diseases such as babesiosis and anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system.
Ticks pick up these diseases in their nymphal stages, when they often choose small rodents like chipmunks and mice as their hosts. Nymphs are the smallest form of ticks that are actively searching for hosts. They are the ticks most likely to spread diseases like Lyme.
While these tick-borne illnesses are not spreading as fast as some diseases spread by mosquitoes, they are gradually increasing in numbers each year.
“When I first started here, there’d be about 400 cases a year that got reported to the state, and now it’s 4,000,” says Paskewitz. “Last year was the most cases they’ve ever seen (in Wisconsin).”
She adds that many ticks carrying Lyme disease also carry other Submitted Photo human pathogens. Her recent work found that 40 percent of ticks The app can also help users are infected, and about 5 to 15 percent have more than one identify any ticks they run into with pictures and descriptions to infection. understand their exposure to diseases. “I was startled when I saw this data set,” says Paskewitz, whose research focuses on diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
Right now, in mid-June, adult deer ticks are already in decline. However, nymphs are just starting to become more active now and will continue further into summer, making the Tick App’s release timely for the summer tick season.
If the app gains enough users, Bron says the developers might add features such as GPS tracking and the ability to send push notifications when users enter high-risk areas. These types of GPS -based warnings are already in use in areas like Staten Island, and could be rolled out to other cities with urban-forest habitats like Madison.
Bron says their goal is to survey 200 people across Wisconsin, and Submitted Photo they are hoping for additional participants across the Midwest. For those unfortunate enough to The researchers encourage everybody to participate because all find a tick already feeding, the data points help in understanding what makes ticks “tick.” Tick App helps demonstrate proper tick removal. Page 12 September Wisconsin Horse Council
Miniature Therapy Horses Can Have Big Impact
By Pat McKnight, Correspondent for The Country Today The therapists from the A and B Ranch might be small in size, but the miniature horses can have a big impact on those they visit. Ranch owner and horse trainer Bonnie Prestegard has been training her own and other miniature horses and their owners to bring a bit of joy to residents of health care facilities and group homes. Prestegard believes the smart and sociable minis offer those Submitted Photo struggling with health concerns a “kind of living medicine.” Miniature horse Gracie nuzzled a resident during a visit to a senior care facility. The daughter of a resident of a senior care facility that Prestegard Bonnie Prestegard of A and B Ranch owns and her minis visited told the trainer she hadn’t seen her father Gracie and has trained the horse to be a smile in a very long time. But after the visit from the mini equine therapy animal. therapist, the resident smiled long into the evening. Prestegard has been doing the equine assisted therapy since she bought, Billy the Kid, her first miniature horse in 2011. “His big brown eyes and pleasant personality captured my heart,” said Prestegard. “I began to train him and found him to be extremely intelligent. I dressed him in costumes and people got such a joy with him I decided to bring him to a nursing home in Pine Island.” That visit to the care center with Billy left an impression on Prestegard. “I saw how their (residents’) eyes lighten up and the atmosphere of depression disappeared and filled in with laughter and joy,” said Prestegard. However to be effective, the equine therapists do need to be educated. At her ranch near Pine Island, Minn., Prestegard trains the horses in the various skills needed to visit health care facilities and group homes and take part in community events such as parades. “There’s more to it than just taking a cute little horse into a building for petting,” said Prestegard. “There is much training, and it is a process in them developing into a great and sensitive therapy horse.” In the 12 week course, the horses’ handlers learn to communicate with their animals. “Humans have to learn the language of the horse,” said Prestegard. The lessons the horse and handler learn include crossing urban streets, parade etiquette, giving kisses, twirling and ground driving. The horses are taught to enter buildings, walk along hallways, ride in elevators and approach people in wheelchairs. They’re also taught good behavior, especially in the area of “potty training.” Continued on next page... Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 13
...continued from previous page Miniature Therapy Horses Can Have Big Impact
“I train the horse and then train the handler how to handle their horse,” said Prestegard. “In this program the horse will have all his basic and advance ground work done. They will learn all the things they need to do to have a safe therapy visit.” Other lessons include pedestal work. Prestegard believes training horses to stand on raised platforms improves the horse’s skill and mental cleverness, and the horse pays attention to both sets of feet and their entire physical body. “Quiet feet on the pedestal equals quiet mind and focus on the handler,” said Prestegard. “They learn to climb stairs, stand for long periods of time, handle obstacle courses, do downtown walk arounds and meet a lot of people to learn to handle pressure.” Before graduating from the basic program, the horse trainee will go on two therapy visits. When the horse completes the training, its owner will receive a certificate of achievement listing all the tasks accomplished. Prestegard will do private lessons where the horse owner brings his or her animal to the ranch once a week. However, such lessons tend to take longer as the handler and horse need to learn together. “I teach a task,” said Prestegard. “Then they go home with the homework to complete and then come back to be coached and add a new task as we build the horse and handler as a team.” She limits the number of horses and handlers accepted into the program because of the need to spend a lot of time to ensure the therapy teams will succeed. “I do want this to be successful for the handler and horse,’ said Prestegard. “This (training) is not about money but a mission to reach the community with these amazing therapists and give my handlers and horse the confidence and know how. Plus, I am available to them for any questions to keep them solid and good.” She’s working to put the training sessions online for handlers who live too far away but want to learn how to train their horses as therapy animals. In addition to, her stallion, Billy, Prestegard now owns minis Gracie, Lilly and Pearl. All are less than 34 inches in height. To be registered as a mini, mature animals need to be shorter than 38 inches tall. There are two different miniature horse registries, Class A and Class B. Minis 34 inches tall and under are registered as Class A; minis 34 to 38 inches tall are registered as Class B. Prestegard only works with Class A minis.
“When looking for a miniature horse for therapy, generally speaking, smaller is better,” said Prestegard. “This is because they can move much easier in rooms and confined spaces.” The equines were developed through the breeding of ponies with horses. While some exhibit pony characteristics, many breeders tend to prefer horse qualities over pony characteristics. In addition to programs such as Prestegard’s, miniature horses have been owned and used as companion animals and as guide animals for the sight impaired. More information about Prestegard’s mini horse therapy training program can be found on her ranch’s website at www.abranch.net. Page 14 September Wisconsin Horse Council
Horse Riders Discovering Benefits of Yoga
By Pat McKnight, Correspondent for The Country Today Equestrians are discovering the benefits of yoga. They are finding the millennia-old discipline improves their horsemanship as well as physical and mental wellbeing through better balance, flexibility and rhythm with their horses. Certified yoga instructor Kelley Shetter-Ruiz of Dousman offers instruction to riders to help them become more aware of their bodies, improve posture and positively influence their horses. “Harmony with your horse starts with your own body awareness,” said Shetter-Ruiz. “How can you expect to connect with your horse if you cannot connect with yourself?” Through her Carpe Diem Equestrian Training business, Shetter-Ruiz holds Yoga For Equestrians workshops. She takes her workshops to various stables around the Submitted photo state as well as the Midwest Horse Fair, providing Certified Equestrian yoga instructor Kelley Shetter- instruction to novice and advanced students. Ruiz, right, instructed a student about the benefits of yoga in riding. Shetter-Ruiz gives yoga workshops to In her workshops, Shetter-Ruiz combines body help riders become more in tune with their own and awareness, balance and alignment, along with building their horse’s bodies. strength as well as flexibility in mind and body. The various poses can develop stronger leaner muscle and stamina. She also believes yoga can promote kindness and compassion and self-discovery in riders as well as how they can influence their horses’ movement and behavior. “The horse is a mirror image of you,” Shetter-Ruiz. “If you’re stiff on your right side, your horse will be stiff on the right side.” Shetter-Ruiz suggests riders don’t often realize how unbalanced they are. Riders striving for balance are advised their dominant sides tend to be tighter and stronger than the less dominant side. To help riders determine whether they are out of balance, Shetter-Ruiz recommends riders weigh themselves using two scales with one foot on each scale. The scales will register whether the rider places more weight on one side of their bodies than the other. Riders can also stand in front of a full-length mirror to check for unevenness in the body. Continued on next page... Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 15
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Horse Riders Discovering Benefits of Yoga
She begins with the fundamentals of proper breathing. “Breathing is the manifestation of our lives,” said Shetter-Ruiz. “Too much oxygen in the body makes a person tense. Both yoga and riding integrate breathing and rhythm.” Correct breathing promotes relaxation, lowers the center of gravity, softens the back and allows flexibility and increases stamina in both rider and horse. Shetter-Ruiz asserts horses are influenced by their riders’ breathing. “Horses are sensitive,” said Shetter-Ruiz. “They can feel a fly when it lands on them.” Directing riders to concentrate on using their diaphragms for breathing, Shetter-Ruiz emphasizes rhythmic breathing is the foundation for developing rhythm with a horse. Located under the rib cage, the diaphragm is attached to the back. By using the diaphragm for inhaling and exhaling instead of the muscles located higher in the rib cage, yoga practitioners will exercise their abdominal muscles. Strong abdominal muscles provide better support for the back and spine allowing the rider to have better balance. “Balance starts with the core.” said Shetter-Ruiz. “Weak abdominal muscles will weaken the back.” While yoga poses incorporate positions for limbs, the emphasis is placed on developing the body’s core. A person’s core muscles are those located in the torso from the neck and shoulders to the pelvic region. Along with stabilizing the spine, core muscles transfer energy and strength to the limbs. Believed to have originated in India, yoga traces its start to the sixth and fifth centuries Before the Common Era. It was introduced to the western world in the 19th and 20th centuries. Derived from Sanskrit word for “attach, join, harness or yoke,” the discipline is said to have meditative and spiritual dimensions as well as physical. To arrange for a yoga workshop with Shetter-Ruiz or for more information her riding instruction service, visit her website at carpediemeqtraining.com. Page 16 September Wisconsin Horse Council
Notes of Thanks… ______Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 17
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THANK YOU….. Dear WHC Scholarship Committee,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to you for making the Dear Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin Horse Council Scholarship possible. I was excited to learn of my selection and I am deeply honored. Thank you for the $500 scholar- I have been accepted to a few colleges and have decided to start my ship. With your support, it will education in Marshfield, WI at the university. The financial assis- allow me to attend Fox Valley tance you provided will be of great help to me in paying my educa- Technical College for Agribusiness tional expenses, and it will also help me to concentrate more of my Agronomy. Thank you for your time for studying. continual support for graduates I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Wisconsin Horse like myself. Council Scholarship. Thank you for your generous support. I Robert Woock promise to work hard and succeed in my program. Yours truly, Torie Opelt
Dear Wisconsin Horse Council & Grant Committee,
On behalf of the Jefferson County Draft Horse Association, thank you for the generous grant of $1,850 to our association. The grant will help offset expenses for our teamsters going to Old World Wisconsin and demonstrating how horses were used in agriculture.
Thank you for your support.
With Sincere Thanks,
Jackie Schuster, JCDHA Secretary
Dear Wisconsin Horse Council,
Thank you so much for the contribution to further my education. Your support means so much and is greatly appreciated. I am proud and honored to receive the Wisconsin Horse Council Scholarship and participate in the Midwest Horse Fair Awards Ceremony. Thank you so much!
Holly Schoenherr Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 19 VERNON COUNTY 4-H HORSE & PONY CLINIC By Gail Bolstad, Horse & Pony project leader & Sally Brose, Vernon Co 4-H Horse & Pony leader On Saturday, July 21, 2018, we had a Vernon County 4-H Horse & Pony Clinic on Nutrition and Trail obstacles for our members and parents. One of our speakers was Tayler Etzel from Cargill. She did a fantastic job of informing our members and parents on the importance of good nutrition for their horses and what it takes to build muscle and have a balanced feed formula. She showed the kids how to evaluate their horse's top line and that would help them determine what type of feed they should be feeding. Tayler is available to speak to other groups about equine nutrition. Our other clinician was Pat Stevenson. Pat worked with the members on scoring Showmanship and Trail Class. He set up a Showmanship pattern and had two of our older 4-H members work the pattern while the other members scored them. Then he set up a Trail Class using a bridge, ground poles, a gate, a barrel and pole to simulate moving a branch on the trail, a mail box, and serpentine through the cones. The kids then scored each other doing the obstacles. They had fun and learned at the same time. Pat enjoys doing clinics for 4-H.
JEFFERSON COUNTY DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION
By Jackie Schuster, JCDHA Secretary July was Laura Ingalls Wilder month at Old World Wisconsin. The weekend of July 28 29, saw the Jefferson County Draft Horse Association making hay at Old World Wisconsin. On Saturday morning Ron Luebke, with his horses Doc and Cody, raked the hay. In the afternoon they hooked the hay loader to the wagon and picked up five loads of hay. On Sunday Ron used Dixie and Kayla to rake hay and bring in three loads of hay. The loads were taken to the German Village and unloaded into the hay mow to be fed this winter to the animals at Old World Wisconsin. The hay loader was owned by John Hanson, who is one of our members, and he sold it to Old World Wisconsin.
Our presence at Old World Wisconsin is made possible by the grant we received from the Wisconsin Horse Council. This grant offsets the expenses of the teamsters going to Old World Wisconsin to show the visitors there how farming was done years ago. Thank you Wisconsin Horse Council for the grant. Come back to Old World Wisconsin September 8 9, for fall plowing. Page 20 September Wisconsin Horse Council
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Ferguson Back On His Feet With UW’s Help By Bryce Richter, University of Wisconsin - Madison News
A miniature donkey named Ferguson got a hand — actually part of a leg — from UW–Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine recently. Ferguson had showed up at Holyland Donkey Haven, a donkey rescue center east of Fond du Lac, with a front left hoof was so disfigured it had formed a large abscess. At the School of Veterinary Medicine, veterinarian Samantha Morello amputated the hoof, and a prosthetist fitted him with an artificial limb. Now Ferguson is back on his feet and recovering. It was the first amputation with a prosthesis at UW’s large animal hospital, Morello said. Amputations on large animals such as horses and donkeys, who bear more weight, especially in their front limbs, are more complicated and rarely are done.
PHOTO BY: BRYCE RICHTER PHOTO BY: BRYCE RICHTER
Kelly Shaw, left, resident in the Large Animal Surgery Ferguson, a miniature donkey who had a Department, and Samantha Morello, clinical deformed front left hoof, eats grass in a small associate professor in the Large Animal Surgery pasture as he finalizes his recovery from Department, walk Ferguson, a miniature donkey with amputation surgery. his new artificial leg. Morello performed amputation surgery and was assisted by Shaw, and both managed his aftercare.
PHOTO BY: BRYCE RICHTER PHOTO BY: BRYCE RICHTER
Ferguson is starting to get familiar with his artificial Morello walks Ferguson, a miniature donkey that leg, increasing his mobility. had a deformed front left hoof. Amputation surgeries are more complicated for large animals, as the limbs bear more weight. Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 23
Horse Pulling Showcases Pure Horsepower By Benjamin Wideman, Regional Editor for The Country Today OSHKOSH — Talk about pure horsepower. The brute strength of mighty Belgian horses was on full display at the Winnebago County Fair during the annual horse-pulling event.
“It’s definitely competitive,” said Mike Wisniewski of the town of Black Creek. “You get to show how strong your horses are and show off your abilities and try to outdo the other teams.” Wisniewski has been involved in horse pulling since the early 1990s. As the driver, it was his job to guide his two Belgian horses as they strived to pull a “sled” carrying several thousand pounds the full distance of 27½ feet. Horses need to be squared up to maximize Photo by Benjamin pulling strength and minimize risk of injury. Wideman Each team had three chances to pull the weights the required distance, with successful Belgian horses, like this two teams advancing to greater weights in subsequent rounds. Many competitions use 27½ feet -horse team at the Winne- as the standard, because in the early 1900s studies of horsepower at Iowa State University bago County Fair in Osh- determined a horse loses maximum power upon reaching that threshold. kosh, can pull several thou- Wisniewski’s 5-year-old horses, Duke and Tony, sand pounds. weigh a combined 4,500 pounds and compete in the heavyweight division. Smaller horses vie in the lightweight division. Wisniewski, who also has two younger Belgians at home, begins developing his horses’ strength when they are about 4 years old. However, every horse is different, he said. “I’ve always enjoyed working with horses,” Photo by Benjamin Wideman Wisniewski said. “They’re just like athletes. You put them on a workload and build up their leg muscles. It’s important they get air and build their stamina.” Mike Wisniewski with his horses Duke and Tony competing at the Winnebago His father and grandfather raised Belgian horses, but they were used strictly as County Fair in Oshkosh. work horses on the farm. Many Amish farmers regularly use Belgian horses in the fields, he said. Although they’re competitors, horse-pulling participants share an interest in keeping alive the agricultural heritage of yesteryear, when horses did much of the labor on farms. “There’s a lot of camaraderie. Over the years I’ve met a lot of great people through horse pulling,” Wisniewski said. He was assisted at the Oshkosh event by David Wisniewski and Travis Rutter, whose roles as hookers involves hooking the horse gear to the apparatus carrying the weights.
Among the other competitors at the Winnebago County Fair was Amanda Traxler, 23, of Omro. As the only female participant, she served as both driver and hooker, depending on the pull, for a team led by her father, Lee Traxler. Assisting them was her cousin, Josh Serron. She’s a third-generation horse puller, having been involved in the sport for nearly a decade. Her father and grandfather also pulled ponies years ago. “It’s great,” Lee said when asked about having his daughter on the team. Amanda said horse pulling suits her personality. “I like to just get out there and do it,” she said. “I like to get dirty. I don’t like to be sitting around all clean. I do it because Photo by Benjamin Wideman it’s a lot of fun.” The Traxlers own 11 Belgian horses. At the fair, they featured the Amanda Traxler of Omro drove lightweight team of Dan, 10 years old, and Clyde, 6, and the heavyweight team of Jerry, her team of two Belgian horses 13, and Champ, 10. “Everyone treats me equally and is very supportive,” Amanda said during the horse-pulling event at about her fellow horse pullers. “We all just like to get out there and see what our the Winnebago County Fair in horses can do.” Oshkosh. Page 24 September Wisconsin Horse Council
All full sized WHC forms can be obtained at the WHC website, www.wisconsinhorsecouncil.org. Wisconsin Horse Council SPECIAL CUT & FOLD SECTION! Page 25
Page 26 SPECIAL CUT & FOLD SECTION! Wisconsin Horse Council
Wisconsin Horse Council September Page 27 District 1 includes the counties of: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor and Washburn District 2 includes the counties of: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, and Vilas District 3 includes the counties of: Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago
District 4 includes the counties of: Dane, Grant, Green, Districts Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Racine, Rock, Walworth, and Waukesha District 5 includes the counties of: Adams, Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marquette, Monroe, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Trempealeau, Vernon, and Wood WHC District 1: Contact - OPEN
WHC District 2: CounciLetter Deadline Contact - Marilyn Krueger 715-675-7016 The deadline for articles, upcoming events and [email protected] advertisements for the WHC CounciLetter is: October Issue: September 15th noon
WHC District 3: Articles must be equine related, may not be for commercial Contact - Katie Bachhuber benefit and must be sent to us in a timely fashion. The 920-539-0601 Editor reserves the right to revise or refuse articles. Ads [email protected] and articles are best sent in electronic format (prefer MS Word or Adobe Acrobat) to: WHC District 4: [email protected] Contact - Karen Kroll Office hours: Monday Friday 8am 4pm 608-795-2321 [email protected]
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