Upcoming Horse Show Schedule Update...

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Well, the secret is apparently out that the WEC in Wilmington OH is the place to be this winter.  Stalls are sold out through the end of February so we are revising our show schedule to include the following weeks:

February 22-26, March 1-5, March 8-12, March 15-19, March 22-26 and March 29-April 2

If anyone is intending to show any of these weeks and would like to be included in the stall counts, you need to LET US KNOW NOW before they're gone again!

Happy showing y'all!

Upcoming Horse Show Schedule...

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Despite winter temperatures and less sunshine, time is flying and we're already preparing for the February show at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington Ohio coming up February 15-19.  Stall reservations will be due Monday, February 6th so please let us know if you're planning to join this event.  As previously shared, stalls are free so we are anticipating good turn out.  Happy showing everyone!

Equine Wellness...

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“Antibiotic Resistance: Why Care?”
— By Nancy S. Loving DVM

History has taught us that prior to the discovery of penicillin in the early part of the 20thcentury, many people died of what are now treatable bacterial infections because there were limited options of available antimicrobial medications. In our current time, we take for granted the plethora of pills, tablets, solutions and ointments available to combat many varieties of bacterial infections.

Since the 1940s until recently, antibiotics have often been used indiscriminately and inappropriately in many cases. Widespread use of antimicrobials has caused many infectious organisms to adapt and build resistance rather than succumbing to the killing effects of antimicrobial medications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) notes, “Each year at least 2 million human illnesses and 23,000 deaths in the United States are caused by anti­biotic-resistant bacteria.” 

As it turns out, microbial development of resistance genes to thwart antibiotics is not a new phenomenon; in fact, researchers have found that specific enzymes responsible for some resistance factors date back 2 billion years. But what has spawned the current concern about resistance has to do with the popularity of using antibiotics for just about any sign of a sniffle or cough, or any other problem that is best left for the person’s or animal’s native immune system to deal with. 

Antibiotics don’t work against viruses or fungi; only against bacteria. Many antibiotics only target specific bacteria; so, using the wrong antibiotic product does nothing to kill the infectious agent but may instead kill off other commensal (useful) bacteria. In addition, exposure to unnecessary antibiotics potentially stimulates development of resistant genes in bacteria, including those that weren’t the initial target for treatment.

A recent report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states: “Overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals helps drive the evolution of resistant bacteria. Bacteria have a natural tendency to mutate and to acquire genes from other bacteria. These changes enable them to resist antibiotics and flourish in envi­ronments where antibiotics are used. 

As resistance genes move between bacteria, the bacteria themselves spread through soil, water, and wildlife. Over time, with continued antibiotic use, the situation worsens. Scientists are concerned that resistant strains of bacte­ria could spread globally through travel or trade, includ­ing the exchange of foods.”

It is just as important to consider that animals treated with antibiotics are part of the process of microbial resistance. The CDC comments, “Treatment of food-producing animals with antimicrobial agents that are important in human therapy may present a public health risk by the transfer of resistant zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans.” While horses aren’t food-producing animals, overuse in this species contributes to the problem of resistance. If many of our antimicrobials cease to be effective, then we will have nothing left in the medication armamentarium to use to treat human or animal infections when it really matters. This is why we should care. 

World Equestrian Center Wrap Up...

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Just when you think "it doesn't get any better than this", the World Equestrian Center manages to  step it up and live up to their name!  The facilities are amazing to say the least, not to mention a balmy 65 degrees making for a great place to "hang out" while the white stuff is flying.  The competition is not lacking either, but team Sport Horse pulled it together and covered that banner with ribbons.  Placings ranged from first through eighth and will be displayed on the ribbon wall in the entry way across from the wash rack.

Without Shayna's presence we were unable to capture most rounds but did manage to capture Punk and Brian in the 1.35m Jumpers.

Enjoy (despite the wife's nervous comments :)

 

Attention All Boarders & Lesson Students...

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Well, old man winter has arrived and appears he'll be staying for a while.  With falling temperatures and in climate weather comes less turn out and frisky grumpy horses.  All stalls are filled and with that plenty of stall kicking around feeding time.  The juggling act of finding amicable neighbors has begun, so next time you come to the barn and can't find your horse, don't fret.  It's just moved apartments in search of a better neighbor.

As of today we also have a stallion among our midst and with that in mind, please do not tie any mares in the north west isle way cross ties closest to the indoor arena.

The hose reel is now housed in the office/lounge area when not in immediate use to keep it from freezing.  We are hoping to get tank heaters out in the next day for all water troughs but not all fields have power so please keep an eye on your horses water consumption!  The tractor and manure spreader have also been housed when not in immediate use, any manure left in the spreader during these cold temperatures risks freezing the web to the floor and breaking it.  Anyone who would like to pick or clean their stall at night will have to purchase muck tubs and set them by the farrier's area overhead door where we will dump them the following morning.

And lastly, lesson schedule changes will be somewhat unavoidable with these winter temperatures.  Anything below 20 degrees warrants a make up day and we will advise everyone as quickly as possible pending the forecasted weather.

Here's to good books, fireplaces and hot lattes!!!  Best wishes to everyone for Old Man Winter Season!!!

Attention All SHi Lesson Students!!!

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Have your blooming young equestrians been begging for more barn time?  Wanting to spend every breathing second with horses?  Would like more riding practice opportunities?  Eager for more knowledge?  We are proud to announce the beginning of a new Sport Horse Program that may fill all of those shoes!

Commencing November 5th, every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm will present an opportunity for any Sport Horse Lesson Student Ages 10-17 to participate in daily barn chores, special projects and activities hosted by our resident Barn Manager Shayna.  Activities will include stall cleaning, water and trough cleaning, turn out, feeding routines, bathing and all general horse care, horse show etiquette, jump painting, course setting and riding so dress appropriately.  Participation in Saturdays with Shayna is free and will be limited to the first six children who choose to commit.  Requirements for eligibility are:  Age 10-17, currently enrolled in one hourly group or private weekly lesson and have a respectful and eager attitude.  All interested parties please email:  SHiEvents@me.com

Back by popular demand???

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After several requests during the last few weeks to host the Novice Shows again, we've decided to give it a whirl and host the November 5th show.  We will be posting the prize list under the "facilities" tab within the next couple of days as well as opening entires via horseshowtime.com as of Tuesday, October 17th.   Please let us know of your intentions to show so that we may plan accordingly.  Fingers and toes crossed for another great weather weekend!

KY September Show Wrap Up...

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Just when you think it can't possibly get better, Team Sport Horse pulls it off and shines yet once again.  You guys rocked it and we want to thank you for it.  Despite some horse show bloopers, what a great time, MOSTLY great weather and great results.  A special congrats to Andrea & Grady for their Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Adult Hunters and Aila & Libby for their Reserve Champion in the Short Stirrup Division!  And a huge thank you to all who posted pictures on Facebook that I was able to "steal" and share here :)

So, if pictures are worth a 1000 words then let's just roll with that shall we????

An URGENT reminder!!!

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Recent findings of various messes around the barn reminds us, barn management, to remind all of you, wonderful customers, of the Barn Rule that states "WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP AFTER OURSELVES AND YES, THAT INCLUDES THE HORSE WE RIDE OR GROOM  OR BATHE"!  This is a very simple rule, IF you utilize the cross ties, CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!  If you utilize the wash rack, CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!  We have plenty of shovels and brooms and muck tubs for this very simple task.  To leave your mess until after you ride is not acceptable, there are other people who use those same cross ties right after you whether it's an isle way or the wash rack, leaving your mess for them is rude and inconsiderate.

And while we are on the subject of muck tubs...  Where there's 💩, there are flies so in our quest to minimize those pesky flies daily dumping and rinsing of the muck tubs is necessary and yet just isn't enough.  We occasionally soak them in bleach water along with the quicker picker upper shovels...  Much to our dismay, every time we've "soaked" SOMEONE apparently thinks we're  making poop soup...  Please stop!  Please!

Your attention and efforts on this matter are appreciated, your barn family and it's equines will thank you for it!

September Kentucky Show Update...

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After a LONG wait, the prize list for the upcoming KHJA Show September 16-18 has finally been released.  For anyone planning to join us please leave your stall check made payable to KHJA for $150 in the barn office/lounge payment box by next Wednesday August 31st.  This is a non-rated show and one of the only opportunities to show at the Kentucky Horse Park without USEF rating and it's related costs!  Show management is expecting between 200 and 250 horses, should be a great show!

Bruce & Tammy have reserved a block of hotel rooms with the Fairfield Inn in Georgetown at $89, please contact them directly for further details ASAP.  With that many horses expected, we would encourage everyone to finalize their travel plans sooner rather than later.  Looking forward to another great weekend!

Sport Horse Team Spirit...

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The new Sport Horse Team caps, visors and towels have arrived...

SHi Caps $22, Sun Visors $19 and Gold Towels $17...  SHi Team Spirits....

As Richard Rawlings would say "Get you some of that"...

September Horse Show Calendar...

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The votes are in and it looks like we are definitely planning on returning to the Kentucky Horse Park for the 16-18 of September for a schooling show in lieu of the early September Shows at Country Heir in Fayetteville, OH.  The prize list is expected to be on line within the next few days and we will keep everyone posted of stall reservation deadlines and schedules as we receive them!  

Horse Show Wrap Up (finally)...

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It's hard to believe that we attended the Robert Murphy Stable Horse Show in Lexington a month ago today, the Wild Air Show in Zionsville the weekend of the 23rd & 24th and yet the silence of the blog continues...  A serious case of writer's block coupled with crazy "summerness" has been the main culprit, albeit today we shall seize and conquer :)

Let us start off by thanking all who contributed pictures and videos to capture the priceless moments of Team Sport Horse!  Tammy has been a huge contributor thanks to her new camera and fancy printer...  Unlike previous blogs reciting individual placings by class, we have decided to henceforth let the pictures speak for themselves, however awards such as Division Champion and Reserve will still receive specific notice.

So without further ado...  Enjoy :)

 

RMS Horse Show, July 7-10 2016 @ Kentucky Horse Park

Congratulations to Roxy & Claire for their Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Children's Hunter & Limit Rider Divisions!

 

Wild Air Farm Show, July 23rd & 24th 2016 @ Zionsville

Congratulations to Grady & Andrea, Reserve Champion in the Schooling Hunters, LaPua & Alex,  Reserve Champion in the Novice Non-Pro Schooling Hunters and Roxy & Claire for their Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Rider Equitation Division!

Awesome job Team Sport Horse!!!

Robert Murphy Show Update

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ANYONE interested in going to the Robert Murphy Show July 7-10th at the Kentucky Horse Park will need to bring a stall reservation check of $190 per horse by June 23.  Please make checks payable to Robert Murphy Stable Horse Show and deposit in the barn office payment box by June 23rd.  We are planning to mail in all participating entries under Sport Horse by June 23rd, if your check is not received by this date you will have to complete and submit your own entries.  This show is a USEF B rated show so non-member fees will apply if you've not renewed or joined USEF by the beginning of this show.  This is the only REASONABLY priced show that allows you the experience of showing at the Kentucky Horse Park without the AA rating price!

The schedule is attached, please note that all participants are required a minimum of 4 day schooling.  Please email Alex for an more detailed cost breakdown.

On another note...  In anticipation of lodging being hard to come by, Bruce & Tammy have made several reservations for Sport Horse with the following accommodations:  4 kings at Residence Inn for $89 and 1 double queens at Hilton Garden Inn at $102.  Please either email Alex or them directly if you're interested in taking advantage of those reservations at those rates.

Happy Showing everyone!