Volume 26, Issue 3 www.bcha.org Summer 2015 Cabinet BCH of Montana Natural Equine Care Clinic By Deena Shotzberger, President BCHA Education Grants at Work in Montana Left: Cindy Brannon demonstrating a boot fit on Dr. Oedekoven’s horse, Sonny. Below: Jim Brannon discussing and trim- ming Jenny Holifield’s Arabian, John Henry. Thanks to a grant from the BCH ed to offer a more complete approach hoof’s role and function Education Foundation, Cabinet BCH to hoof care for consideration (regard- • Assessing the health of hooves hosted a clinic with Dr. Amanda Oede- less of whether animals were shod or • Why proper hoof care and koven, veterinarian; Jim Brannon, nat- barefoot). Many hoof problems can living conditions can lead to a longer ural hoof care practitioner; and Cindy be avoided by following better nutri- working life for your horse, and why Brannon, hoof boot specialist in Libby, tion, exercise and environment, and a this is critical in young growing horses MT on March 21. This was a great op- more holistic method of hoof care. The • The difference between a shoe- portunity for 23 equine owners in our clinic offered participants information ing trim and a barefoot trim and how small community to learn about nutri- on how to lower the risk for navicular, the differences improve the health of tion, exercise and environment; anato- laminitis, and insulin resistance. Par- your horses’ hooves my and function of the lower leg and ticipants learned how to provide their • How to spot and address im- hoofs; hoof care and trimming prin- horse a healthier and fitter life through balances in the hoof before they cause ciples. In addition, they experienced recommended nutrition and methods problems hands-on demonstrations of natural of keeping horses and mules, how to • How to recognize and treat trimming, hoof care, and boot type and maintain correct hoof form to help re- common hoof ailments such as cracks, fit. The instructors and demonstrators store hooves to their original healthy abscesses, white line disease, thrush, donated their time to prepare and teach condition, how to perform a barefoot laminitis and navicular this session. The majority of the partic- trim, and how to use and fit riding • The role of boots and how to ipants were Back Country Horsemen. boots. transition a horse from shoes to natural By the end of the clinic, we are happy Clinic topics included: trimming and boots to report that we had four new families • Proper nutrition and mineral • How to perform a maintenance tion Grant) was help on April 25. Cabi- become members of the Cabinet Back supplements for our area trim between professional hoof care net BCH presented a saddle-fitting clin- Country Horsemen. • How to provide your equine trimming ic by Dr. Ron Stuber, DVM. This clinic Libby has several great farriers, with a natural environment even on • How to fit your horse for boots had lecture component in the morning but none who specialize in natural hoof limited acreage and the best type of boot for your horse and offered participants the opportuni- care and trimming. Cabinet BCH want- • Anatomy of the hoof and the • A demonstration on natural ty to work individually with Dr. Stuber trimming with an electric grinder to help them determine a correct saddle We received great feedback from size and type to fit their horse, and to NON-PROFIT ORG. participants. A second clinic (also try a variety of saddles on their horse. BCHA U.S. POSTAGE funded by a BCH Education Founda- PO Box 1367 Graham WA 98338-1367 PAID PERMIT NO. 178 SALEM, OR Inside... From the Secretary’s Desk ............................................................................ 2 Tales of the Trails........................................................................................... 2 From the Chairman’s Saddle ......................................................................... 3 National Reports .........................................................................................4-5 The Catch Pen..................................................................................5, 6-7, 12 Reporting from Mariposa County................................................................8-9 From the Executive Director’s Desk ............................................................ 11 The Trails Forever Fund .............................................................................. 11 NextGen BCHA............................................................................................ 12 Back Country Horsemen of America www.bcha.org 1 From the Secretary’s Desk geon had an opening and I went for it. and Chuck Miller were elected to the Good thing, too, because my poor ol’ Executive Committee. Jim McGarvey heart was working overtime. I got out has taken on the executive director’s PO Box 1367 of the hospital on the 14th and have position as a volunteer. BCHA will re- Graham WA 98338-1367 been working on getting better. Every imburse him for actual expenses only. (888) 893-5161 day there is improvement. My husband We are fortunate to have such a dynam- sees it more than I do. I am trying to ic person for BCHA as Jim McGarvey. Interested in Joining? walk a lot which is one of the best ways At the NBM, Michigan and Mis- Contact BCHA or the organization nearest to get better, but no driving for a while. sissippi were voted in as BCHA state you for more information. As is usual during the summer organizations! Saratoga New York was National: Show-Me Missouri BCH months, things have quieted down in given affiliate status! BCH of America 519 Good Hope Road Peg Greiwe Marshfield, MO 65706 the BCHA office since the National Thank you, thank you to Dennis Executive Secretary (417) 425-9969 Board Meeting. Serpa, the Mid-Valley Unit and the PO Box 1367 www.showmebch.org By Peg Greiwe, Executive Secretary Speaking of the National Board Back Country Horsemen of California Graham WA 98338-1367 Meeting (NBM) in Sacramento CA, it for hosting the National Board Meeting (888) 893-5161 BCH of Montana Hello BCHA Friends, FAX (360) 832-1564 PO Box 4864 was well attended with most all of our in Sacramento! The hotel was good, [email protected] Butte MT 59701 The BCHA office has been on spo- states represented. The minutes are on old Sacramento was fun as was the www.bcha.org [email protected] www.bchmt.org radic hours since May 7th. I had open the website if you are interested. We wonderful dinner and entertainment on State Organizations: heart bypass and mitral value replace- had many lively discussions and heard Thursday evening. Thank you for all BCH of Nevada BCH of Alabama PO Box 19324 ment. The surgery was successful and some great speakers. Our new officers your work! It is appreciated! 783 County Rd 1208 Reno NV 89511 I can hear the little “click, click” of the for 2015-2016 are Chairman Don Saner Hope your summer goes well and Vinemont AL 35179 (775) 843-2569 (205) 936-9043 mechanical valve – which is a good (WY), Vice Chair Tom Thomas (NC), you have lots of time on the trails! [email protected] (205) 590-2645 Treasurer Freddy Dunn (UT), and Past www.bchnv.com thing. I thought I would have the sur- [email protected] gery later in the summer but the sur- Chair Jim McGarvey (GA). Mack Long Peg backcountryhorsemenal.com BCH of New Mexico PO Box 37005 Buffalo River BCH, Albuquerque NM 87176 Arkansas [email protected] 18210 Simpson Lane www.bchnm.org Little Rock AR 72223 Tales of the Trails (501) 821-4053 BCH of North Carolina Jacque.alexander 110 Hobbit Lane @arkansas.gov Pisgah Forest NC 28768 Your Friend, The Map (828) 577-3462 By Robert Eversole, Owner and Chief Trail Boss of Trailmeister BCH of Arizona [email protected] PO Box 4486 www.bchofnc.org Many tools are commonly used to The source of all of these details is you where you might encounter lin- Chino Valley AZ 86323 BCH of Oregon help find your way happily down the of course that “sheet of the world”— gering spring snow in early summer, or (928) 445-3809 37245 Wheeler Rd trail. While without a doubt the sin- or as we would call it in the 21st cen- where a fall ride might include a dust- www.bchaz.org Pleasant Hill OR 97455 gle most important element in your tury—a map. A map gives us a bird’s ing of the white stuff. BCH of California (541) 746-4547 www.bcho.org equine travel toolbox is you, a map of eye view of the area on a flat piece of 13061 Rosedale Highway where you’re riding is a close second. paper filled with symbols to help guide 4. The patterns of the contour Ste G Box 217 Black Hills BCH Let’s take a moment to consider the of- the way. Different types of maps give lines will tell you how steep a trail seg- Bakersfield CA 93314 of South Dakota www.bchcalifornia.org 20112 Buckin Horse Lane ten-overlooked map. us different types of information so you ment will be and how hard your ponies Whitewood SD 57793 The early 16th century saw the first might need more than one map for a will be working to make the climb. BCH of Colorado (605) 645-2296 PO Box 1524 use of the word map as we know it. given trip. [email protected] Elizabeth CO 80107 www.bhbchsd From the Latin mappa (napkin or sheet) Two of the most common types of 5. A map will show you likely www.bchcolorado.org @blogspot.com and mundi (of the world), we have map- maps that you’ll encounter are plani- water sources along your route where pa mundi or sheet of the world. The you’ll have a chance to quench your BCH of Florida BCH of Tennessee, Inc. metric and topographic. Planimetric PO Box 815 777 Cedar Creek Cave Rd glorious definition “sheet of the world” maps treat the ground as flat and you horse’s thirst.