April 2008 Paddock Paper

Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association

President’s Message
Thanks to all for the Birthday Cake! As I told the group at the dinner meeting, I do not feel old, I don’t feel anything till noon, and then it’s time for my nap! Since March 15 was my 75th birthday I felt the best way to celebrate was with my horses out on the trail. I realize just how great it is to be able to enjoy my horses and set a saddle! Thus the following:

A COWBOY’S THANK YOU
I had another birthday, twas just the other day.
I spent it horseback’ just doin’ things my way.

And then I started thinkin’ of all I'm thankful for.
I know that I am blessed, I couldn’t ask for more.

That feelin’ overtook me, so I took off my hat,
And I gave thanks to God right there where I sat.

Thank you for this saddle, and for this horse I ride.
And thanks for fresh breezes to cool my weathered hide.

Lord, I thank you for the two daughters of mine,
Grown and married now, and both are doin’ fine.

And Lord, I’m thankful for my Mom and Dad,
Though they’re gone it leaves me feelin’ sad.

Thanks for all that nature gives us, each thing in it’s place,
And I am ever greatful to be livin’ in your grace.

Thanks’ cause it’s my birthday. I’m doing what I please.
And thanks to you, I’m able, yet to do it with such ease.

And mostly, thank you for my wife, and for her love of life,
And for the things she sees in me that enriches our lives.

Thank you Lord!


I have been updating our list of “volunteer call ups” for the Santa Fe County Horse Evacuation and Rescue plan. For those that may be new in the area, the NNMHA took in the 183 horses from the Las Alamos fire and took care of them at the grounds for two weeks. I, by default, got involved along with the Santa Fe County Posse, to put in place an action plan that would be called on in case of another emergency such as fire, wind, flood, winter storm etc. We have had such a plan now for 8 years. We now need to update the volunteer “haulers” and “shot gun riders” to be called on to help haul horses out of any emergence area. Then we, NNMHA, will call on our volunteer list for help at the grounds to help care for the horses such as feeding, watering, walking the horses. I will have signup forms at the April meeting. There is a lot of concern for the safety and evacuation of horses in the area so I have been active representing NNMHA at clinics, and just visited with people in Farmington to help them get their plan under way. Now, as if I did not have a full plate, the roof on the grounds trailer blew off and now we have a new roof. I went to use the tractor to get up on the roof to see what needed to be done and the starter on the tractor would not work. I am concerned that we may not be able to get it fixed since it is so old. We need it for working the arena for shows etc. If anyone is “tractor savvy” I could use some help. One last word. Do not miss the April meeting! A few special things will take place and if you miss it you are out of luck. Remember, it is the 60th anniversary of the association. So, will see you all at the meeting.

Eldon

 

Meeting Minutes
Happy Birthday Eldon! Several of Eldon’s family members joined us at the meeting to help us wish Eldon a very Happy Birthday. The cake was delicious, too!

Announcements

  • Due to a recent wind we lost the fence and the roof on the trailer. Matt put the fence back up and is getting estimates to replace the roof. Thank you Matt.
  • This is the 60th year for the Northern New Mexico Horseman’s Association.
  • Betsy reported that the NNMHA brochures are done. She thanked Mary, Charlotte and Lori for helping with the mailing.
  • Everyone is encouraged to help with the shows to make them extra special this year.
  • We are ordering coffee cups with the NNMHA logo and 60th on them that will be for sale to members and at this year’s horse shows.
  • Betsy has brochures and membership sign-up cards. She also can provide the membership directory upon request.
  • 20-25 new members have joined since the new Brochure mailing went out.
  • The first show is June 15th. Susan needs help with the show in the office and on the gates.
  • There will be a trail ride on April 12th to Caja del Rio.
  • Board Meetings are open to the general membership and are the second Wednesday of the month at the Plaza Southside Cafe.

 

March Speaker
Eldon Reyer began an entertaining talk by reciting two of his poems. One of them he wrote for his grandson who was at the meeting. He then spoke on trail riding. He gave us lots of valuable advice such as learn how to handle your stock and learn about yourself. Eldon has worked with both horses and mules and he warned us that you don’t teach or train a mule, you set up a situation where they think it’s their idea. Eldon then demonstrated how a “horse and rider on the trail” should become “horse rider on the trail” so the horse and rider are one. Eldon gave us good advice that he learned when he was riding trails as a Park Ranger. He said when you’re trail riding, trust your horse’s instincts. When you’re trail riding in heavy brush, wear chaps!

To enjoy trail riding you must have experience and confidence on the trail. Be consistent, be repetitive. For example, stroke your horse’s nose while putting the halter on. Use both your vision and your horse’s vision to watch the trail for obstacles and establish a consistent cue to let your horse know when you see something up ahead. When handling your horse on the ground, have your horse under control with a lead rope, not just with the reins.

Eldon also gave us tips for handling your horse both in the saddle and out of the saddle. Horses respond to external stimuli in a natural and predictable way. Their natural response is a flight mechanism. Your job as the rider is to pay attention to what’s going on with your horse to cue him to disengage the flight response.

Thank you, Eldon for your advice and for sharing your many years of experience with us. We gained a lot of valuable information to make trail riding more enjoyable!

Ridge Riders
Trail riding season is finally upon us and Matt has come up with the following list of rides:
4/12 — Caja de Rio
5/17 — Dixon Apple Orchard (Cochiti Canyon)
6/7 — Pecos Wilderness Cave Creek
7/19 — Ski Basin Windsor Trail
8/16 — Tesuque Area
9/13 — Rio Grande Gorge
10/18 — Aspen Vista
We usually leave the NNMHA grounds at 9:00 a.m. and caravan to our destination. For more information, contact Matt Guenther at 424-0148 guenthmn@yahoo.com

 

Calendar of Events
Monthly meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month (excluding September and December) at the Plaza South Side Café, 3011 Cerrillos Rd. at 7 p.m. Speaker begins at 7:30 p.m. Good idea to get there by 6:30 if having dinner. For more info contact Eldon.

April 30 – Roeliff Annon “Extreme Mustang Makeover Contest: Thrills and Spills" http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/65695 Roeliff won 11th Place out of 100 trainers selected to ‘train’ wild mustangs in 90 days.

May 28 – Greg Gillespie and Rachel Knorr from The Feed Bin will talk about types of feed and what to consider when selecting a feed. Greg is the manager of the Feed Bin. Rachel has her BA in Equine Science and her masters in Agricultural Education and is a Ranch-Way “feed specialist” and will be the main presenter.

July 30 – Ruth Bourgeois from the Equine Spirit Sanctuary in Taos will come speak to us about the sanctuary’s programs. ESS began in 2005, but has recently moved to the facility previously used by Dr. Thal. They are working on starting a Therapeutic Riding program this summer and also offer other clinics and programs with the emphasis to be on education and promoting responsible horse ownership, with an overall goal to reduce the need for horse rescue altogether.

October 29 – Doug Thal, DVM – Conformation basics as they relate to function – Dr. Thal will discuss the basics of conformation as it relates to lameness and performance. Many breed characteristics have deviated from what is most functional and compatible with soundness. It is important to recognize the basics of sound conformation.

Other Equine Activities
Be sure to check out the Other Activities Around Town webpage for more fun events to attend.

 

Classifieds
Check out our Classifieds page for boarding opportunities, tack, horses and services.