March / April 2021 Inside This Issue... The Jefferson County Draft Horse Association 2 Mission Statement/AHC 3 WSHCEF Info By Jackie Schuster, JCDHA Secretary 4 Dogs and Trails It is the start of a new year...2021! 5 Dogs and Trails (cont.) 6 Brodhead & Parkview FFA We have had plenty of snow, but then Thank the WHC it was a little bit too cold to go out for 7 Midwest Horse Fair 2022 sleigh rides, skijoring or just being 8 Valley View Equine Rehab & Fitness, LLC pulled by a horse while sitting on a 9 Valley View Equine Rehab & Fitness, LLC (cont.) sled. 10 Changes Coming Soon at Governor Dodge State Park 11 Friends of Governor Dodge Equestrian Treasure Hunt, The Jefferson County Draft Horse Horse Ride, Hike & Photo Hunt Flyer group was not able to hold their 12 WHC History Ǧ Part 5 of 8 annual sleigh ride because of COVID- 13 WHC History Ǧ Part 5 of 8 (cont.) 19 and the cold weather. We hope 14 WHC History Ǧ Part 5 of 8 that some of the members have been (cont.) / Classified Ads having their own sleigh rides instead. 15 WI Pinto Horse Association Show Dates for 2021 Please enjoy these pictures from our 16 Artist Finds Inspiration in Show Ribbons past sleigh rides. We would like to 17 WHC Membership Form thank the Wisconsin Horse Council for 18 WHC Upcoming Events Form their support in past years. It has 19 WHC Calendar of Upcoming Events / WIHA Info helped us out greatly! 20 Just a Friendly Reminder / DCHA Show Info/AHC COVIDǦ19 Resource Info 21 WI Farm Tech Days 2021 / EDCC Info 22 WHC Ride Wisconsin! Program Application Form Stay safe and warm until we meet 23 WHC Ride Wisconsin! Flyer again in the next newsletter! 24 WHC Advertising Form 25 “Stick to the Rules” WHC Brochure 26 “Stick to the Rules” WHC Brochure 27 WHC Districts / WHC CounciLetter Deadline Page 2 March / April Wisconsin Horse Council Wisconsin Horse Council WHC Mission Statement Executive Board 2020-2021 To represent and foster a unified equine industry in Wisconsin. Executive Officers To promote the horse through leadership, education, service and President - Nancy Edwards communication. 262-623-9092 [email protected] To take a proactive role in the future growth and development of the Vice President - Anne Murphy equine industry. 608-513-4488 [email protected] Secretary - Jill Feller 920-948-9502 [email protected] Treasurer - Ron Miller 608-873-3848 ATTENTION! [email protected] Tear out page 25/26 to fold as a Executive Board of Directors handy brochure to keep or to share! Past President - Karen Kroll, This month’s featured brochure is: 608-795-2321, [email protected] “Stick To The Rules”. Director at Large - Katie Bachhuber 920-539-0601, [email protected] Director at Large - Gail Seasor, 608-576-9429, [email protected] District 1 Rep - Renee Hendrickson 715-603-5458, [email protected] Membership in the Wisconsin Horse Council is open to individuals, District 2 Rep - Marilyn Krueger, associations, businesses, societies, or other entities whose interests are in 715-574-3950, [email protected] line with the WHC’s purpose and Mission Statement. Our membership District 3 Rep - Bonnie Shepherd, year follows the calendar year. Members will receive a free e-newsletter 262-670-1426, [email protected] and the option to purchase a printed newsletter whereFREE classified ads District 4 Rep - Floyd Finney, can be placed and business card, 1/4, 1/2 and full page ads can be 608-868-4543, [email protected] District 5 Rep - Pat Jenkins, purchased as well. The newsletter reaches 500+ horse enthusiasts. The 608-633-0273, [email protected] WHC currently sends out six issues per year. The WHC employs a professional lobbyist who works with us on pending Office Staff Member legislation as needed for the equine industry. We continue to work on - Newsletter Editor/Website Darla Schack adding new benefits for our members. Please feel free to contact us with Administrator, Administrative Assistant your comments or suggestions. Thank you! [email protected] 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 March / April 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 dedicated to strengthening this bond and enriching the equestrian experience in Wisconsin through education, 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 Members & Volunteer Committee Members Officers Volunteer Committee Members President: James Harris Gary Jackson Karen Meekma Dave Kluge Vice President: Gail Seasor Sharon Hookstead Rich Ernsberger Linda Ernsberger Secretary/Treasurer: Diane Sackett Margo Miller Roxanne Cromheecke-Kluge Jan Pieper Board Member: Lori Helmer Floyd Finney - WHC Exec BOD Rep. Wayne Osterhaus Katie Bachhuber Page 4 March / April Wisconsin Horse Council Dogs and Trails By Robert Eversole of Trailmeister.com Dogs are truly man’s best friend and joy to be around. I’ve belonged to numerous canids throughout my life and I have a soft spot for these most loyal of critters. And, although I love my pups, they don’t accompany me on trail rides nor do they venture out on wilderness trips with the horses. Here’s the four reasons why as well as 5 things your dog should know if you do choose to take them on a trail ride. To protect your dog from other animals Sure, your pooch might be a descendant of the mighty wolf, but allowing them to travel the trail off-leash still poses a number of threats. One major threat is that domesticated animals are often targeted by predators. Coyotes, cougars, and others pose threats to off leash dogs. These predators are brash and often not fazed by a dog's size. Other less thought of, but equally real, threats include porcupines and snakes. Keeping your dog at home also helps to avoid the risk of your dog triggering a predator (think bear) while off-leash before fleeing back to you with said predator close behind. The animals your dog may encounter don’t have to be wild to be a danger. There’s also the issue of other domestic dogs, especially poorly trained ones wandering off leash. The aftermath of two strange dogs getting into a rumble isn’t pretty. Topping the list of trail dangers are our own livestock. Untold numbers of dogs that have encountered a horse, or mule, that wasn’t keen on their attention, and suffered for it. A well-aimed kick from a 1,000 lb equine can make for a very unpleasant trip to the emergency vet. To protect your dog from trail hazards Every year you’ll find stories about dog rescues that could have been avoid entirely had the animal simply been kept at home or on a leash. Natural spaces pose a number of risks to our less than wilderness savvy companions, from hidden mine shafts to cliffs, getting lost, and beyond. Keeping your dog on leash helps keep them away from these hazards that their canine brain may not fully understand as they follow their nose. Other trail and wilderness hazards include various parasites including giardia and plague. For the safety of other trail users It seems that every dog owner thinks their dog "isn't aggressive”. However a dog doesn’t have to be aggressive to be a problem. Many of the people that we share our trails with have well founded fears of dogs. Your pups bounding, happy, barking, greeting may well be interpreted as aggression by a stranger. There’s also the instance of dogs running loose and causing horse accidents when they spooked another rider’s horse.