May/June 2010 Paddock Paper

Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association

Because of the rodeo, there was no general meeting in June. This is why the May and June Paddock Papers are combined, therefore, some is old news.  —Trish Hug

 

May Minutes and Announcements

6:30 p.m. - Meeting begins with announcements:

  • Need scholarship applicants for the NNMHA Scholarship available to students. Please let anyone you know who might be interested in applying.
  • Workday at the NNMHA Arena scheduled for 6/6/10 at 10a.m. Bring your own tools.
  • Need volunteers for Rodeo week 6/23 to 6/26 for all shifts.
  • Lisa Gordon’s Horsemanship Challenge dates: 6/13/10 and 7/11/10.
  • Reining competition at NNMHA Arena scheduled for 8/14/10.
  • Shelley Green and Alicia Nation are organizing an ACTHA ride for the last weekend of August. Proceeds will benefit NARHA – Horses for Heroes, a program of Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding, and the New Mexico Horse and Burro Association.
  • There will be a Ridge Riders ride scheduled for August, but no specific date has been set yet.
  • On 6/5/10 the Back Country Horsemen and American Hiking Society have a work day on the Windsor Trail. There will be free food and goodies provided by REI.
  • At the next NNMHA Member meeting the presenter will be Karyn Ogonowski of the Enchantment Driving Society.

6:40 - Shelley introduces this month’s speaker, Susan Smith.


May Speaker
Our guest speaker was Susan Smith, an equine practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy, which works with all body systems, not just the muscles. Sessions usually last 40 to 60 minutes. Ms. Smith had four horses at the arena to demonstrate her orthobio-nomy techniques.

The first horse was a 2 year old quarter horse who has equine protozoa mellitus (EPM), a debilitating neurological condition. Susan did her assessment first and determined that the horse’s left hind quarter barely moves while walking and the right side has more movement than the left. The neck on the right side was swollen and protruding. She believes the entire spine is affected by the condition. She manipulated the horse (to this observer it resembled acupressure) and “released” the spine and neck. After the manipulation the horse obviously tracked better and was more balanced.

The second horse treated was a 25 year old Missouri Fox Trotter. Susan’s evaluation determined that the hips did not move evenly – left side rises more than right, some dipping. Some atrophy on the right side, which is normal for a horse that age. Right hindquarter tighter than left. Released right side. The horse started licking his lips, which Susan said was a sign the the horse was “releasing.” Again, after her treatment, the horse seemed much more relaxed and his movements were more fluid.

The third horse was a 7 year old mustang with no particular issues. The horse entered the arena and was very active. The goal was to get the horse to relax. Susan’s evaluation revealed that the horse’s hip height was uneven. She released the neck and head, and after the treatment the horse was very much more relaxed, and the hips evened out.

The fourth and final horse was a 10 year old who had arthritic fetlocks. Susan evaluated the horse and determined he didn’t want to step on his heels. The coronet band should be nice and firm, but this horse’s was soft. She stated that she would try to increase circulation with manipulation. After her manipulation, she felt the coronet band and felt it had become more firm. The horse’s owner felt the coronet band too, and agreed that it was firmer.

Ms. Smith’s presentation was very informative and, with everyone observing, was obviously effective as well. Every horse came out of the arena much more relaxed and we were all able to observe the improvement in each horse’s movement post treatment. For more information, go to Susan Smith’s website www.susith.com/orthohorse.  —Phillip Bachicha

 

Calendar of NNMHA Events

July 11 – Horsemanship Challenge at the NNMHA arena

July 24–25 – Ridge Riders overnight trail ride at the Caja del Rio.

July 28th – General Meeting – Karyn Ogonowski from the Enchantment Driving Society will give an overview of carriage driving, a sport for all ages. Driving is something any horse person can take up even after they are older and perhaps cannot sit a horse to ride as often. Driving allows for the idea that we can be 80 and still be going strong with our beloved horses. Karyn will also let us know about the many clinics EDS will be offering this year, from beginners to a Combined Driving Event which includes dressage, cones and obstacles.

August 25th – General Meeting – Rick Iannucci, Director of “Horses for Heroes – New Mexico, Inc.”, a unique horse therapy program based in Santa Fe, NM, free to veterans and active military who have sustained physical injuries or combat trauma during their time serving our country. Find out more about their program “Horses for Heroes – Cowboy Up” at www.horsesforheroes.org

 

Ridge Riders

Find the latest trail ride information – Ridge Riders.

 

In The News


Catch up on the latest – In The News.


Other Equine Activities

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