HORSE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER AND MORE!!!
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Topics in this issue:
1) Special Announcement: The new direction
2) Feature: The Path of the Horse documentary
3) Recommended products and services: Identification tag fundraiser
4) Questions and answers: controlling a pony, longeing in Pony Club, missing
issues, record books, and braiding
5) Fun and educational websites: Ride Badminton, horse search engine
6) Featured Rule: Longeing
7) Horsey Humor: You know you are a horse person when...
8) Free item exchange

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Special Announcement: The new direction
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by Stormy May

I hope this summer finds everybody healthy, happy, and doing what you enjoy
most. Thatıs exactly what Iım doing right now. This newsletter has been a
reflection of a certain part of my life for over 4 years now and with some
big life changes, the newsletter format will also be changing. Since 1989 I
have been blessed to be a part of the Pony Club organization, first as a
member and then for the past 13 years serving in various capacities ranging
from instructor, to clinician, to Chief Horse Management Judge to most
recently being designated as a National Examiner and a member of the Horse
Management Committee. Pony Club has seen me through significant growth and
has helped me develop as a trainer, leader, and judge, able to help the
development of many young people along the way.

For the coming year, the focus of my life is on producing a documentary
about the future of horse-human relationships, tentatively titled, ³The Path
of the Horse². In many ways this documentary is about my own path of
finding ways to become a better human being through my work with horses.
The journey for me started taking shape at the beginning of the century when
I read books by Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Linda Kohanov, and Mark Rashid.
These people wrote about the wisdom they learned from horses. Their words
struck a chord in me and I began to search for a more authentic connection
with horses that began and ended with my own feelings and intuitions, not
from what other people told me I should or shouldnıt be doing with horses.

In 2003 I produced the educational video, ³Understanding Bits². Bits were
one piece of horse tack that had always fascinated me. There were so many
different variations on how to control a horse, I wanted to try and make
sense of it all and help others to do the same. Near the end of the video,
I jump a course of small fences on a horse with no tack other than a neck
rope. I wanted to illustrate the point that a bit shouldnıt be used to
control the horse but it might be useful to refine control. I get more
comments on that part of the video than any other. Through my study of
bits, and after completion of the video, I came to the conclusion that a
horseıs life would be much better if the rider could learn to control the
horse without a bit.

For the ³Path of the Horse² documentary, I put together a list of the top
people that I saw working with horses today. Most of the people I found
through reading their books and the others through references from people I
crossed paths with. In the past several months I have made trips to visit
each of these people to make sure they were indeed who they seemed to be and
to talk about the possibility of filming them for the documentary.

On these trips, I got much more than I had expected. I experienced a new
feeling of what is possible in the relationship between horses and humans.
I felt that I need to pursue this path not only with my own horses but in
all facets of my life for my development as a human. Most of my students
realized over the years that my training and teaching methods tended to be
more gentle, with more consideration of the horse than other trainers but
what I found is that there is a whole new level to this that I probably only
imagined when I was very young.

Unfortunately, the new direction can no longer be supported with my energies
divided between traditional work with horses and this new direction. For a
long time I stood between these worlds, doing what I could to bring them
together, but the time has come when I need to completely step into this
unknown territory in order to continue my development and do the most good.
As a result, I am stepping away from giving traditional lessons and my
involvement in Pony Club.

There are many places a person can stand along this path. Someone might
still be involved in the horse world that is displayed in competition
results and shiny magazine ads for seductive studs but making sure to only
ride her horse in the most gentle bit possible. Others might be ready to
give up riding for the rest of their lives in order to give the horse the
best possible life. The point where Iım willing to begin working with
people is much farther down the path than what most will be ready for. If
youıre not ready or you feel that this isnıt the right path for you and your
horse, youıre welcome to stay subscribed to this newsletter and to simply
consider these ideas.

Those people who wish to explore this paradigm on a deeper level are invited
to continue reading this newsletter, discussing the ideas, and adding your
own experiences and views and questions to the forum. For people who want
to take it to the next level and work in these ways with their own horses
Iım still available to give presentations and clinics based on what Iıve
experienced.

I donıt want anybody to think that I will look down on them if they choose
to continue they way they have been working with horses. It took me 24
years of being with horses to come to this place. For me, it was a mixture
of cultural conditioning, upbringing, the role models I saw, and history
that served to lull me into a path that was ³acceptable² in this society.
It depended on my lack of awareness to keep up the illusion that it might be
in the horseıs best interest to do all the things that I did with him. This
type of social conditioning is so effective that most of us end up willingly
giving ourselves up in exchange for the approval of society rather than a
true connection with other beings and with our own internal guidance. I
need to now be the person I wish I had found when I was 10 years old and
just starting with my first horse.

The point where Iım at, where Iım willing to work with people is as follows.
First, and probably most important rule to follow is to cause no harm to the
horse. Iıve had to reevaluate what this means in the light of what current
research shows. There is much that we do with horses that has become so
culturally acceptable that it seems we forgot to ask the horseıs opinion.
For example, the use of bits. No matter what flowery terminology a person
uses, all bits cause pain either by just being in the mouth or at the point
when a rider pulls on the reins. If a person argues that the bit should
just lie in the horseıs mouth when properly used then why would it need to
be there at all? We take advantage of this pain to coerce the horse to give
us control. Those of us who have been bucked off or run away while using a
bit know that itıs not perfect control, but it does give some illusion of
partnership. Even riding itself is under scrutiny. The horseıs back was
designed to carry his own internal organs, not a rider, just like our own
shoulders were designed to carry our arms, not heavy backpacks. That said,
research shows that a healthy back can carry a proportionately sized rider
for up to 15 minutes without causing muscle or bone damage, just like we can
carry a backpack for a certain period of time before our muscles start to go
numb and get knotted.

Competition is the other big sacrifice on this path. It seems that
competition may be a normal and healthy part of human development. At some
point we want to know where we stand in relation to other people. There are
countless opportunities for a person to compete using her own two legs and
arms. Only the competitor can feel her own body and truly know how far to
push herself. If she pushes too far and there is a breakdown, she will have
to live with the consequences. If we push a horse too far, we have
compromised the life of another being who didnıt have a choice. This month,
June 2007, there have already been 95 equine breakdowns and 8 confirmed
deaths on American racetracks. (Source: Racehorse Breakdowns;
http://www.equuseditorial.com/equus/unknownsoldier.html)

Personally, I have boxes of blue ribbons and trophies galore, but Iıve
noticed that showing is always a passing high (or low), not anything that
really made me feel strong inside. For the past six months that Iıve been
working on this new path exclusively with my own horse partners, I have
gained a new level of cooperation and that I had no idea was possible
without the inevitable use of force. Since visiting the trainer Alexander
Nevzorov in Russia, no longer is this just an intellectual ideal Iım
reaching for, it is a very real experience that I feel every day that I work
with my horses.

This path also requires a very large time commitment. Horses are social
creatures who are best when they feel comfortable within a herd. When
horses willingly choose us as members of their herd that they can rely on to
be there for them, only then might they choose us to lead.

Probably the biggest sacrifice a person has to make in order to walk this
path is to be willing to completely let go of external goals. After six
months I am still not ready to ride my horses, I can occasionally ask them
to do silly tasks like pick up a ball or lift their feet, but itıs only when
they choose to do it, and I still struggle with leading them past grass
without having them dive for it. Internally, itıs completely different. My
pony Sofi has become more willing to be with me, and her previous aggression
has seemed to slowly melt away. My Hanoverian Patrik has a new sparkle in
his eye as he runs around me with an arched neck, always trying to guess
what he can do next to impress me. More importantly though, I feel a new
kinship with these animals that is no longer clouded by my own personal
strivings for external approval.

Part of my path has been to always look for ways to make the horseıs life
more enjoyable but it wasnıt until very recently that I have begun to
actually feel the gift that comes with letting go of my own agenda and fully
dedicating myself to the horsesı well being. In this path of service I have
found joys much greater than the temporary excitement of fulfilling my own
ego-centered goals such as winning at a horse show or successfully selling a
horse for a client.

Iıd like to develop a teaching and support system around this but the form
that it will take is still developing. The person whose work Iım most
closely patterning my own after is Alexander Nevzorov. His method is called
NHE (Nevzorov Haute Ecole, or New Haute Ecole) but I have no illusions that
I am anywhere near good enough to be able to teach his method. However, I
will urge anybody interested to visit his website and eventually join his
online school where there is access to valuable lessons and discussions.
You can visit his website at:

http://www.hauteecole.ru/en

Direct links to articles about NHE if youıre interested in learning more:

http://www.hauteecole.ru/en/press.php?sid=0&id=395
http://www.hauteecole.ru/en/press.php?sid=0&id=426
http://www.hauteecole.ru/en/press.php?sid=0&id=449
http://www.hauteecole.ru/en/press.php?sid=0&id=343

Meanwhile, I think itıs important to form some sort of community of people
who are interested in sharing their thoughts. This would need to go beyond
the scope of this newsletter and be more of an open forum for discussion. I
have formed a new group for this purpose. Postings will still be moderated
but they will be posted for all of the group members to see and comment on.
I also see the value in discussing different books and videos as a group and
especially discussing how this work with horses can extend into other areas
of a personıs life. To subscribe to this group, send a blank email to:

pathofthehorse-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Honestly, this whole direction isnıt much about training horses, itıs about
developing relationship with other beings. In this case, horses. Horses
are creatures with seemingly infinite patience and tolerance, who enjoy
their interactions with humans for the most part. It seems that they have
been waiting for us to recognize their true value as partners to show us how
to live in community, how to be in balance, how to trust, and how to love.

Enjoy your journey,
Stormy

Next month: A report on the filming with Mark Rashid and visiting the Rocky
Mountain national park in Colorado.

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Feature: The Path of the Horse documentary
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Synopsis:

Imagine that you could travel the world to meet some of the greatest
communicators of our times. These are not politicians, diplomats,
philosophers, or teachers in a traditional sense; they call themselves horse
trainers. A former war-scarred Russian soldier would teach you how to coax
the extraordinary out of a horse without use of bridles or bits, an Aikido
master in the Colorado Rockies would guide you in breath and body
disciplines that a horse can understand. You would follow a woman in
California into a herd of wild horses and learn to be accepted. You'd watch
as a woman in the Arizona desert helps people find healing solace from their
equine partners, and you'd join a man in Denmark as he roamed the
countryside in complete harmony with his surroundings. What could you learn
that would change the way you live your daily life?

This inspirational documentary explores the future of horse-human
relationships and ultimately all human relationships. As our culture evolves
from domination over nature into a partnership, we see this change being
reflected in the work that people are doing with horses. This is a story of
visionaries, of men and women who have made it their life's work to develop
and reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings through achievement of a
synergistic balance with the horse's own elegant naturalness. Horses have a
gift to share; teaching us how to develop community, balance, trust, and
love within our own families through a connection that goes beyond words.

Horses continue to be an enduring favorite subject for filmgoers and
television audiences alike. The Path of the Horse shows the progress toward
true partnership between horses and humans. Through the development of
qualities such as respect, humility, and an inner stillness, these people
have learned to relate to horses in ways that, in many cases, bring to life
the myths and fantasies that have long surrounded the equine species.

The program will focus on several individuals from around the world who are
considered "pathfinders". They are a select group of men and women, each
with a unique and extraordinary vision, all of whom are dramatically
changing the way we interact with horses. This documentary will take these
lessons and then apply them to ways we can change our own human interactions
to build community, develop strong relationships, and help raise our
children.

Including;


Alexander Nevzorov
Producer: The Horse Encyclopedia, Nevzorov Haute Ecole Priciples
Base: St. Petersburg, Russia
Website: http://www.hauteecole.ru/en

As a battle-scarred and wounded soldier of several military operations and
wars, Mr. Nevzorov came to hate the cruelty, injustice, and senseless
violence of mankind. His own sensitivities repelled him from what he saw as
traditionally violent methods of training horses. Over years of work he
would work within the art of Haute Ecole, teaching horses piaffe, passage,
capriole and other exercises training horses without the use of bits,
bridles, spurs, or any other form of coercion. While most trainers say this
is not possible, Alexander's results are irrefutable and he has created a
school of believers.


Mark Rashid
Author: Considering the Horse and Horses Never Lie
Base: Estes Park, Colorado
Website: http://www.markrashid.com

Horsemanship can, in the end, be more about a way to be than a set of things
to do. This is Mark Rashid's credo. He strives to work with horses in a way
that preserves those essential parts of their nature: their power, their
sensitivity, their subtlety and their desire to get along. Rashid uses his
experience in the martial art of Aikido to see horses as "energy", and much
of his work centers around the ideas of redirecting and influencing energy.

To the surprise of his students, Rashid says the best place to practice
horsemanship is outside the arena, while driving or at work or with one's
children. "Practice being soft, breathing, awareness and patience anywhere,
and then simply bring the practice to our horsemanship." A technique can
have a "Here, horse, let me help you" feel behind it. Or it can have a, "You
better do this or else" feel behind it. The feel behind the technique can be
the factor that decides whether the technique is effective or not.


Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling
Author:Dancing with Horses, What Horses Reveal
Base: Akedah School, Faaborg, Denmark
Website: http://www.hempfling.com

After teaching, traveling, and studying mythology, Klaus, at the age of 29
decided to study more deeply the most significant symbol of our culture, the
horse. He took off for the Spanish Pyrenees to be with the untamed herds in
their natural environment. What he came back with was a new understanding of
how horses can lead to the recognition of ones own self, through awareness
of the self of each horse. Rather than seeing the horse and our fellow
humans through a cloud of our own concepts and images, he teaches people to
recognize others in their essence, which leads to communication and healing.


Linda Kohanov
Author: The Tao of Equus and Riding Between the Worlds
Base: Epona equine program, Arizona, USA
Website: http://www.taoofequus.com

"The equine system is like a huge receiver and amplifier for emotional
vibrations. No matter how good you are at hiding things from yourself and
others, your nervous system still involuntarily broadcasts what you're
really feeling, at a frequency horses are especially good at tuning into."

This horse to human biofeedback is the basis of Linda's Epona program in
which she helps equestrians who have reached an impasse with their mounts.
She reveals how many of so-called "problem horses" are simply mirroring
feelings and intentions their owners had no idea they were projecting.


Carolyn Resnick
Author: Naked Liberty
Base: Escondido, California
Website: http://www.dancewithhorses.com

Known as "the girl who talked to horses" while growing up in the 1940s and
50s, Carolyn put these qualities to the test as she sought to gain
acceptance into a band of wild horses. Progressing up the pecking order with
nothing but her own two feet and a desire for acceptance, she ultimately
unlocked the secrets of the herd and was invited to ride the lead mare in
complete liberty.

Carolyn possesses a gift not only for communicating with horses, but for
teaching these processes for everyone to use not only with horses but within
their families and communities.


Program Structure:

The horse-human relationship has evolved differently throughout the world,
each culture bringing a fresh approach to horsemanship and each individual
trainer uniquely discovering their own path towards working with horses.

The Path of the Horse is a feature length documentary that introduces the
viewer to some of the world's greatest horse trainers, and accompanies them
as they ply their trade, developing extraordinary hands-on relationships
with their horses. Sometimes the viewpoint is from that of the trainer,
sometimes from that of the horse and often it will come from that of people
who have sought out these trainers to help them improve their own skills in
communicating with the equine world.

Each trainer will in turn share their experiences, their approach and their
stories will reveal a new understanding of human-horse relationships, yet
their methods soon lead to other unanswered questions that involve different
lines of research and yet another interview/point of view. Music and sound
effects will help segue elements of the story, and be used to evoke specific
emotional response from the viewer. Dramatizations may be used to recreate
defining moments in the lives of the trainers, horses and students. Animated
sequences may assist in discussion of difficult conceptual ideas. Using High
Definition digital video medium, many subtleties will be able to be captured
that would otherwise be lost to the casual observer.


Projected timeline:

Initial contact with all participants has been made. Filming was begun in
June 2007 with principal photography being completed by September 2007.
Editing will continue into the fall with a projected release date of late
winter 2008.

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Recommended products and services: Pony Club identification tag fundraiser
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The Mossy Creek Pony Club in Georgia has come up with a neat fundraiser for
their club. They are selling tack identification tags with an embossed Pony
Club logo. They are available in copper, gold, and silver colors. They are
still working on getting pricing to have the name of the club and region
engraved on the back, and hope to have it at a reasonable price.

Take a look at them here:

http://mossycreekponyclub.com/fundrasing.aspx

Prices are as follows:

Copper colored tag $1.25 each
Silver colored tag $1.50 each
Gold colored tag $2.00 each

Bulk Rates Copper Colored Tags:

20 for $11.00
50 for $20.00
100 for$ 30.00

Bulk Rates Nickel Colored Tags:

20 for $12.00
50 for $25.00
100 for $40.00

Bulk Rates Brass Tags

20 for $15.00
50 for $33.00
100 for $55.00

For more information please contact:

Katrina Gowen
Fundraising Coordinator, Mossy Creek Pony Club

kat@... or 478-825-7124

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Questions and answers
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Hi Stormy,

We are experiencing difficulty keeping strong/fast pony under control in the
jumping arena. Tried him in dutch gag on lowest ring plus flash but he
becomes extremely excitable and very fast to the point of appearing 'out of
control'. We have a kk jumping bit and don't know how to use it, or do you
think that a straight metal pelham with curbed chain would give more
restraint?

Regards
Julia via the Internet

Dear Julia,

A horse will never rush and get out of control because a bit isnıt strong
enough. He will rush because he is afraid, unbalanced, or in pain. A
strong bit might temporarily make the pain in his mouth more unbearable than
whatever he was running from in the first place, but I must stress that it
is a very temporary fix that doesnıt address the cause of the behavior.
Itıs true that some horses might run and get fast just for the sheer joy of
it, but those horses can be distinguished from the others because they will
easily come to a stop or turn with a very mild bit or bitless form of
control when the rider asks.

Your best bet for the long term enjoyment of both horse and rider would be
to get the horse checked by a vet, chiropractor, and/or saddle fitter to
rule out or treat pain. After youıre sure that riding and jumping isnıt
causing the horse pain then itıs best to go back to where the horse is
comfortable. It might just be trot poles on the ground or more dressage
schooling to build balance and strength. When you find a place that the
pony is comfortable with the mildest control possible, only then is it time
to try jumping higher fences again. If the pony gets uncontrollable, thatıs
his only way of telling you that something is wrong.

Keep him comfortable,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy! I love your monthly news digest; I have been learning a lot by
reading it! I am a new DC and Iım confused about the longing requirements
for Pony Club. Could you please feature the longing rule in your next
digest? Are there any exceptions to this rule? If a memberıs horse is frisky
before a lesson or rally event, and the horse needs to be longed for safety
of the rider, then who exactly is allowed to longe the horse? I am confused
by the rule, it says the member must be a C3 or above, but also states that
it can be the owner or a person designated by the owner. What if the owner
is a D2 or D3 and she wants to longe her horse? Then is it left to the DC or
instructorıs discretion (at lessons) or the HM judge at Rallies?

Thank you,
New DC

Dear New DC,

Great question! Youıre correct that at rallies, horses may be longed by C3s
or above or the owner or a person designated by the owner. You brought up a
good point that if the owner is rated below a C3, the rules make it sound
like that would make it OK. Iıve been suggesting that they change that to
³adult owner or other adult designated by the owner² because this was the
intention behind the rule. I donıt think they realized that most kids think
that they own their horses. Iım pretty sure that technically, kids donıt
³own² things until they are considered independent adults at age 18. Think
of all the child actors who donıt even own the money they make until they
are 18. So, at rallies longeing needs to be done by a C3 or higher rated
member or an adult owner or an adult designated by the owner.

The reason C3 was chosen is because that is the level that we know the child
has been tested and shown to be competent at longeing. Rallies are usually
unfamiliar, stressful situations so USPC wanted to make sure the longer has
good skills or at least could make good decisions. Longeing is first tested
at C2 so even C1ıs should be practicing their longeing skills in safe
situations in preparation for their C2 test. In lesson situations, you as
the DC can take more of a role in deciding who is safe and competent to
longe their horse or if you have a good instructor you can ask him/her to
make the judgment. It may be best to take it on a case-by-case basis. If
you think someone is unsafe while longeing her horse, try to set up a lesson
on longeing. I even teach Dıs to longe, usually starting with just how to
handle the line and whip, and then they have fun longeing each other! If
the child is too small, uncoordinated, or has a horse who is particularly
difficult to longe then it would be good to find someone else in the club
who can longe the horse as needed before lessons.

Keep it safe,
Stormy

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Hi Stormy --

I'm missing some issues of your newsletter and cannot figure out how to
download them; I tried to find out on 'Yahoo' but to no avail. Do you
happen to know how I can download those missing issues?

Thanks -- B. Sullivan via the Internet

Hi B.

Just go to the group webpage at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HorseManagementNewsletter

All the messages are available there. If you're looking for a specific
issue you can either search for the title (the month and year) or you can
search for any keywords as well.

Happy searching,
Stormy

********************************************

Hello Stormy-

This is Kaitlin Spak, from Northern Mines Pony Club. I am going for my H
this July, and I know that they appreciate a unique record system, rather
than the usual pc record book that suffices for the lower levels. Until
now, I have used the Pony Club record book (with some additions), but I
would like to step it up for my H.

I have been scouring my bookshelves, trailer, and tack room for a sheet that
I vaguely remember getting from you at some point- I think it was two or
three pages, and it had a list of everything a pony clubber needed to make a
great record book. I was wondering if you might be able to save me some
time and send me another copy if you still have it- I am sorry I can't be
more specific, but anything you have on this topic would probably help.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Kaitlin Spak, C3, Northern Mines Pony Club

Hi Kaitlin,

Sure, it's available in the December 2004 issue of the Horse Management
Newsletter here:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HorseManagementNewsletter/message/22

I think the latest trend is to not include feed samples so disregard that
bit.

Best of luck!
Stormy

********************************************

Hello Stormy,
 
I hope all is well with you.  I have a quick question about braiding.  In
the H/H-A Standards of Proficiency, it states nothing about mandatory
braiding for the rating and in the Manual, it says you can braid to show off
certain breed's neck but not required.  However, on the H/H-A Test Sheet,
under station 1, it states braiding.  Now is it required at the rating that
we will have to trim and pull a horse's mane and then braid it?  If so, is
there a specific Pony Club braid that we must use on the entire neck?  If
you could clarify this for me that would be great! Thanks!

Merisa Moy, C3, Deer Creek Pony Club

Hi Merisa,

You never know what horse you will be assigned to turn out for your H or HA
test. I've heard of everything from miniature horses to top Arabian show
horses and everything in between. Mostly the ratings are held at Pony Club
barns so there tend to be a lot of horses who could be presented as good
all-around Pony Club mounts. Once you get your horse you should also get a
set of instructions about what you can and can't do with this particular
horse. For example, an Arabian show horse you probably won't be allowed to
do anything with the mane, a draft horse you wouldn't be allowed to clip the
fetlocks. If you get a horse who would be best presented as a dressage
horse, eventer, Pony Club mount, or hunter, then you'll want to pull the
mane to an appropriate length and braid the entire mane in a typical hunter
or dressage braid. You won't have to do the tail unless it's a hunter and
you're good at it. If you get a horse that isn't appropriate to braid (for
example, the miniature horse with a huge mane or a Western pleasure horse)
then you will show a few braids on somebody else's horse so the examiners
know that you can correctly pull and braid a mane.

Don't forget that you'll be required to clean that sheath or udder too!

Happy practicing,
Stormy 


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Fun and educational websites
*******************************************************************

"Ride" the XC Course at Badminton

Take a look at this fence-by-fence 'virtual' ride around the Badminton
cross-country course. Follow this link and then select the 'course' button
on the top of the page.

http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/

************************************************

Hey Stormy,

Check this out! This computer worker mom has done a really cool thing here.
She's set this up so you can search for horse topics and not get the
"extraneous" items that show up from google searches. It rocks :0

Krista Powers

You are invited to check out the customized Misty Mountain Pony Club
Google search. Use this search to find articles on horse management
topics. Created to supplement the materials in Misty Mountain Pony
Club library, I have set up this customized Google search to search
only selected sites that have a variety of current horse management
articles.

Here is the link:
http://mistymountain.ponyclub.org/Library/library.htm

And if you know of a site with trustworthy horse management content,
please send the link to:

Trish Camozzi-Ekberg
Misty Mountain Pony Club - Northwest Region
DC / Club Librarian & Webmaster
http://mistymountain.ponyclub.org/


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Featured rule: Longeing
********************************************************************

2007 Horse Management Handbook page 19 section 11b:

Longeing must follow USPC standards and safety procedures and may only be
done with the consent of, and in the area designated by, the CHMJ.

Proper longeing attire:

Approved helmet
Proper mounted/unmounted footwear
Gloves

Individuals authorized to longe:

Any competitor C3 and higher, regardless of age
The adult owner of the mount or,
An adult designated by the owner

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Horsey humor: You know you are a horse person when...
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You drive your truck to work and the mirrors occupy the parking spaces on
both sides of the truck

You walk into a 'ritzy restaurant' with your friends after a full day of
showing horses wearing dirty tee shirts, jeans, boots, and spurs and you
really don't care

The car you drive to work everyday hasn't been washed in a year, but the
truck and trailer you use on week-ends is washed before and after every
horse show

Someone wants to borrow your horse trailer to haul cows and you emphatically
say "NO"

You cannot imagine why anyone would think it is kinky to own whips

The non-horsy guy/gal you just started dating gives you a funny look after
glancing into the back seat of your car, and you realize your whips and
spurs have been noticed

You often sneak furtively into Laundromats and pretend that you really
didn't just put that stinky, filthy horse blanket into the comforter-sized
machine

You buy business suits that will double as a showmanship jackets

You see the vet more than you see your child's pediatrician

You have more pictures of your horses in your office than you have of your
family

You pull a $17,000 horse trailer with a $1,700 pickup truck

You're seriously considering an even trade of your 2000 Buick for a 1986
Diesel crew cab dually pickup truck

You dress like a lawyer on weekdays, and someone who needs a lawyer on your
days off

You hate posing for pictures unless you're on your horse

The only picture you have of your spouse just happens to have been taken the
one (and only) time you let him/her ride your horse

You plan your pregnancy around the show season so you can send your horse to
the trainer during the eighth and ninth months

You buy duct tape by the case, and carry a roll in your pocketbook, your
briefcase, and the console of your car

You realize that finding a horse shoe truly is lucky because you've saved
ten bucks

You get your income tax refund and the first thing you do is head for the
tack shop

You have saved five old left mud boots "just in case", and another right one
has sprung a leak

You'll drive an hour in a snowstorm to ride your horse, but God forbid you
have to drive 5 minutes to the store to buy groceries

When your six year old tells everyone that he's going to be the "ring
steward" at your aunt's wedding!

Your friends no longer ask to get together with you on a weekend afternoon
because they know you'll say -- "I can't, I have a show/penning/rodeo/trail
ride."

You consider a pristine golf course as a waste of good pasture land.

Every time you drive past a construction site, you think how you could use
all that lumber at the barn!

After arriving at the barn and finding the sprinklers on in the indoor
arena, you go ahead and ride in it anyway. What's a little indoor "rain"?

Your horse gets new shoes more often than you

Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse complains that you love your horse more
then you love him/her and you answer: "And your point is?"

Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse does something nice for you, and you say
"good boy/girl" and pat him/her on the neck

You're trying to pass someone in a crowded hallway and instead of saying
"excuse me" to him/her, you cluck at them instead

You meet a business associate for a breakfast meeting and they reach over
the breakfast table to pick alfalfa out of your hair

No one wants to ride in your car because they'll get sweet feed and hay all
over their clothes...But hey, that's OK!! You'd have to rearrange all the
tack to make room for them anyway!

You are totally grossed out by human hair in the sink or tub, but don't mind
horse hair in your washer, on your clothes, in your food...

You don't mind throwing the frozen manure balls for the barn dog to fetch!

The first bills you pay each month are all horse related

You choose your new dog by which breed is best with horses

You always have new foal pictures in your wallet

Courtesy Show Horse Promotions:
http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/jff.htm

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Free item exchange
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**FREE**FREE**FREE**

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Submit your free horse-related items or services here. If you or your club
has items they are willing to pass along to a new family, this is a great
place to list them. Listings can come from any part of the country, or even
overseas!

Free items may include but are not limited to:

riding clothes
rally equipment
horse-related games and toys
tack and training equipment
blankets, wraps, halters
books or magazines
horse-related artwork
and of course...horses and ponies!

The recipient may be expected to handle any shipping costs.

Please provide a phone and/or email contact with each listing. Items will
be listed in the next HM Newsletter and will not be renewed unless an
additional email is sent asking for the listing to be continued.

So...clean out your tackroom and make room for more stuff!

To submit your items, simply reply to this email or write to:
stormy@... .

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Call for submissions
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Help make this newsletter the best it can be. Do you have any issues you'd
like to see addressed here? How about ideas for recommended products, books,
or videos? Want to submit your own article, or a question for the questions
and answers section? Send them to: stormy@... and I'll keep a log
of topics and articles for upcoming issues.