March/April 2009 Paddock Paper
Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association
President’s Message
The Rodeo de Santa Fe stall rental time (June 23 – 27) is creeping up on us. We are planning to put a small camper trailer at the turn off onto the road to our grounds for someone to be in at night in case we fill up and can turn the rigs away. If anyone has such a trailer I would like a call. If not we will rig up some place for a person to stay. This is the only way we feel we can control the night traffic. We would have a person at our trailer office to meet incoming rigs and take them to assigned stall. We MUST have help each day and through the evening hours. I can not handle it by myself at night. There will be a signup sheet at the April meeting. Please give some consideration to helping out. We WILL have a golf cart (Club Cart) to drive to the stalls. All it needs is racing stripes! We will have a cleanup/repair day or two the week before the rodeo. (June 14, 15). Will announce dates later. See you at the meeting.Eldon
February Meeting Minutes and Announcements
The February meeting was held on Wednesday, the 25th at the Plaza Café South. After dinner there were a few announcements:
- Eldon announced that the Show Committee was gearing up for the summer and fall shows with Mary Sexton taking the lead for the Committee at this time. Mary commented that there is not an official Chairperson but that she would be the contact and liaison until the Committee designated otherwise.
- Betsy encouraged all members to volunteer for at least one show, more if you can, because the shows are our major fundraisers and get our name recognized in the community.
- Lori announced that we need scholarship applicants by mid-April. Contact her at 471-2569 or mldpac95@msn.com for more information.
- Bob Larison announced that the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Posse also has a scholarship. For more information call Bob at 466-9616 or Dick Kimberly at 820-2727
- Board Meetings are open to the general membership and are the second Wednesday of the month at the Plaza Southside Cafe.
February Speaker
Our speaker for the evening was Karen Evans, Program Director and Instructor for Santa Fe Equestars Therapeutic Riding. Santa Fe Equestars is a riding program for people with special needs. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing the proven benefits of therapeutic riding and equine-related activities to people with physical, emotional and cognitive needs in a safe and enjoyable environment. They are located at the Santa Fe Horse Park and are funded by corporate and private donors. Santa Fe Equestars is primarily run by volunteers. They offer individualized instruction year round. Students of all ages learn riding skills and all aspects of horse care. The ultimate goal for students is to learn to ride as independently as possible and to gain self-confidence from their accomplishments. Santa Fe Equestars is in compliance with the standards set forth by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association which also certifies their instructors. Some of the benefits of therapeutic riding are:
• A new perspective of their ability
• Increased self-esteem, empathy and responsibility
• Improved posture, balance and muscle control
• Enhanced self-confidenceVolunteers do not need any type of previous experience with horses or therapeutic riding. They are trained in all aspects of the therapeutic riding process. Volunteer opportunities include: administration, fundraising, media, helping riders, working with the horses and special events.
Donation opportunities include: sponsoring a rider for one or more classes or a full session ($25 for a class, $125 for a session), sponsoring horse care and/or equipment, or the general operating fund. The program also accepts direct donations of equipment, feed, etc. All donations are tax-deductible. Another way to support the organization is to search or shop online using www.good search.com who will donate a penny for every search when you indicate Santa Fe Equestars as the group to receive your donations; www.goodshop .com will give a percentage of your purchase to Equestars; www.horse.com will donate 5% of your total order to Equestars when you enter Equestars in the Country Cares book at the top of the screen.
Equestars riders are referred by their doctors, groups for disabled people, or by personal referral. Riders must have a physical before being accepted to ride to determine that therapeutic riding will benefit them. Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays and normally have 4 riders per class. Equestars is currently in the process of establishing a scholarship for injured veterans.
Horses donated to the program go thru specialized evaluation and training process. Because they are usually older they have special needs of their own. Horses to be donated are evaluated based on the needs of the program before they are accepted. Horses used in Equestars demonstrate the following temperament and ability: self confidence, comfortable with all types of people, can accept different riders, like this type of work, and must be sound at a walk and trot.
March Meeting Minutes and Announcements
The March meeting was held on Wednesday, the 25th.
- Meeting began with great attendance.
- Eldon announced that we moved the 1st show date up to May 30th
- Eldon presented Nick Martinez with a lifetime membership award in thanks for his years of support to NNMHA. Most especially we have appreciated the generous donation of his time and materials fixing the office roof when needed.
- Shelley Green announced an upcoming “over-night” practice on June 13 for folks to spend a night with their horses and trailers at the Caja.
- Betsy reminded everyone of Clint's upcoming auction and also distributed flyers about a cow/cutting clinic with Art Grunig, May 21-26 in the El Dorado area.
March Speaker
Our first speaker, Dr. Doug Thal talked about horse health in general and fielded questions from the group. Of special interest this evening was a discussion about sand colic and how to detect if your horse eats in an area that would make them prone to it. Also a good discussion ensued about worming schedules and how to be careful about selecting the proper pastes and schedules for each horse.Our second speaker, Jacqui Present, then talked to us about her massage practice in which she specializes in working with ranchers and “horse folk”. She emphasized the importance of each rider and handler being fit and healthy and balanced in order to have the best success in riding and in making things more comfortable for the horse.
Ridge Riders
If you have suggestions for new rides, please give them to Matt Guenther at guenthmn@yahoo.com or 424-0148
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 or Betsy.
April 29 – Dr. Andy Cameron: Equine Dental Care – The importance of maintaining the health of your horse’s mouth.
May 27 – we are working out details of a special visit to Dr. Mark Meddleton’s new facility in Algodones. We’ll get our own NNMHA personalized tour!
June – Rodeo – No meeting
July 29 – NNMHA member, Clover Cochran, will talk to us about her experience competing side-saddle.August 26 – Joanne L. Belasco, Esq., President of Tapestry Institute and Director of the Horse-Human Relationship Program – Tapestry Institute’s Horse-Human Relationship Program explores the different ways we know, learn about, and respond to horses. Jo will talk about different ways of knowing (intellectual, experiential, spiritual, mythic, and integrated) and will show us how these ways not only impact our riding and our relationship with our horses, but how they influence and impact our life away from horses. A link for the program is: http://www.tapestryinstitute.org/horsehuman.html
November 25 – NNMHA member, Lisa Gordon – speaking and showing photos about riding horseback in Kenya.
In The News
Read about the latest awards received by NNMHA members – In The News.NNMHA Open Shows
Show dates have been set for May 30, August 15 and October 3.