I was born and raised in Tucson and unlike many others who reside here in Arizona, I am not a “snowbird” at heart. I have a love for the mountains and the snow and the winter’s cold. That “reptile blood” just doesn’t run through my veins and I so long for the cooler days of fall, which now, seem so far away.

Unfortunately, the ever-looming threat of summer is approaching. As humans, we adapt and find ways to escape the heat. But what about our equines? What can we do to prepare them for the scorching days ahead?

As a horse owner and resident of Colorado for 25 years, I decided to do a little research on the Internet. I’m sure this is “old hat” for many of you, but I think it’s important to reiterate some of these points. It may also be helpful to those horse owners, who are new to the state and who are unfamiliar with the conditions here and how they may affect your horse. This is some of the information I found on the following website:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com.

I think what I’ve learned, most importantly, is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate your horse. Make sure that he/she has plenty of water. Don’t exercise them in the middle of the day. If they are healthy, they should do just fine. I, on the other hand, may not do so well. I’ll just have to keep thinking about Colorado and those cool, crisp days that I spent in the Rocky Mountain air…and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

image courtesy of Equine Voices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Carol Grubb, event coordinator Telephone: 520-749-4026 Cell phone: 520-405-6054 Headmare0@yahoo.com Website: www.equinevoices.org

EQUINE VOICES RESCUE & SANCTUARY Hosts 8th ANNUAL BENEFIT:

As hay prices soar and the recession grinds on, this spring’s annual Benefit for Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary has become more critical than ever to stem the suffering of abandoned, neglected and slaughter-bound horses in this country.

WHAT: The 8th Annual Benefit for Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary – “A Very Special Horse Event…Building a Community of Compassion”

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3882 E. River Rd., Tucson AZ

WHY: A bad economy and skyrocketing feed costs have triggered a huge increase in requests from horse owners and law enforcement for assistance. All funds raised at this event go directly to the rescue, rehabilitation and recovery of horses in desperate need. Founded in 2004, Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed to save from slaughter mares and foals used to manufacture the hormone replacement drug Premarin. Equine Voices also works with law enforcement agencies to rescue horses that have been abused, abandoned, and starved, as well as those broken down when used to transport heavy loads of illegal drugs across the border. All of those demands – for shelter, medical care and feed – have become overwhelming during a struggling economy. Equine Voices Sanctuary, located near Amado, is now home to 48.rescued horses, while 18 mares still reside in Canada. Since 2004, a total of 458 horses have been rescued, and 385 adopted to new homes.

At the March 31 event: Jennifer Waddell, VIP guest from KGUN 9 News, will be on hand to help celebrate the day . Training demonstrations will feature rescued horses and the methods used in their recovery . Gulliver, mascot of Equine Voices, will be there to share his journey from rescue to recovery, along with several of his special equine friends, including Pirate, the miniature horse. Gulliver and Pirate will be available for photo opportunities with horse lovers of all ages . The fun-filled family day offers an opportunity to visit “Gulliver’s Store,” featuring unique clothing, art and jewelry. Also featured are live and silent auctions with items of interest for everyone, raffles with extraordinary grand prize drawings, and spectacular facial artwork by Face Paint Amy. Delicious food will be provided by Quesadillas and More and Grandma Tony’s Pizza – with a portion of all sales given directly to Equine Voices. Cost to attend: Adults, $5 (includes one raffle ticket). Children under 13 admitted free.

NOTE TO MEDIA: To arrange media tours for filming, photos and interviews at the Sanctuary, please contact. Karen Pomroy at karen@equinevoices.org or call the office at 520-398-2814.

For information or to make a donation to Equine Voices, contact Nancy at 520-887-8851 or email nancy@equinevoices.org Visit the Equine Voices website at www.equinevoices.org or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EquineVoices.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January, 2012

Phoenix, Arizona – The operation of Arizona Horse Lovers Park depends on grants, arena rentals and membership to maintain the park and equipment. A $20,000 grant from the Arizona Horse Lovers Foundation is a big step toward continuing operation of the park for 2012. The Arizona Horse Lovers Foundation is a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.

Like many other state and city parks that have been forced to close or limit park hours, the Arizona Horse Lovers Park has been affected by financial pressures and the City of Phoenix was forced to close the Park. This closure affected a variety of equestrian and non-equestrian programs, including the Arizona Equestrian Special Olympics, 4H clubs, scout groups, and the Black Stallion

Literacy Program (now called the Horse Tales Literacy Program) for underprivileged children who read books in Walter Farley’s series and enjoy hands-on experience at the park.

After the Park had been idle for nine months, a group of volunteers took over operation of the park in March of last year on a contract with the City of Phoenix. Activities for a wide variety of interests take place in this picturesque 95-acre desert park. For information about upcoming events, visit the Web site at www.AZHorseLoversPark.org.

The public is always welcome to watch the equine events at no charge.

Horse Lover’s Management Corporation currently operates under the fiscal oversight of the Phoenix Parks and Conservation Foundation 501(c)(3) (#95-3413342) while awaiting Internal Revenue Service certification of its own nonprofit status.

Contact Information:

Ross Libonati Horse Lover’s Management Corporation

Linda@AZHorseLoversPark.org

www.AZHorseLoversPark.org

In every Horse Master episode, Julie Goodnight works with a horse and rider—helping them reach their horsemanship goals together while she offers up her practical and kind advice. In its fifth year on RFD-TV, the award winning Horse Master with Julie Goodnight show’s cast and crew is heading West to Tucson, Arizona and the White Stallion Ranch (www.WhiteStallion.com ). This is your chance to be a cast member on the show and to work with Goodnight at this premiere guest ranch.

Apply online now for the January 22-27, 2012 shoot and find more details about what it takes to be in the cast at www.HorseMaster.tv 

Goodnight will choose a variety of cast members—those working on advanced riding maneuvers, those with challenges during ground work lessons, and those who would like to overcome obstacles on the trail or in the show ring. English and Western riders are welcome to apply.

Goodnight travels with her production crew to new locations throughout the year. She’s thrilled with the thought of shooting at a ranch where she and her cast and crew can relax and enjoy the scenery after long working days. The crew (led by producer/director Heidi Nyland Melocco and her Whole Picture, LLC as well as Stephen Schott of 12Basket Productions) coordinates and records eight episodes during one “shoot week.” Goodnight says she’s always ready to head to the warm, sunny Southwest for at least one shoot each season and the White Stallion Ranch is just the place. As with all episodes, the eight shows shot at White Stallion Ranch will air on RFD-TV then be available to purchase as DVDs at www.JulieGoodnight.com.

The True family’s White Stallion Ranch has over 3,000 acres of wide-open land and is based at the foot of the Tucson Mountains, adjacent to the Saguaro National Park. The Horse Master cast and crew will shoot at the main ranch and plans trail riding episodes to make the best use of the scenery. If you’re selected for the cast on this closed set, you’ll be treated to reduced rates to stay at the ranch.

Those wishing to stay and play after shoot week may participate in the ranch’s activities including guided trail rides and even time working cattle (it is a working Longhorn cattle ranch). You can also see where Western Movies such as Arizona with William Holden and How the West Was Won with James Arness were filmed.

If you and your horse are near Tucson and would love some down-to-earth help from Goodnight, this is your chance! Apply today. The next Horse Master shoot is scheduled for late February in San Antonio, Texas or Las Vegas, Nevada. If the crew is headed your way, make sure to alert your horse-loving friends. Being a member of the cast can be a life-changing experience—with time spent with Goodnight and her well-organized staff who will guide you throughout the casting and shoot-week experience. Stay tuned to Horse Master for more shoot locations or search for “Horse Master with Julie Goodnight” on Facebook. Check out Goodnight’s full line of horse training DVDs as well as books, training tools and gifts at www.JulieGoodnight.com.

And our call for riders:

Calling Arizona Riders!

Julie and the Horse Master crew will arrive in Tucson for a week-long RFD-TV shoot at the White Stallion Ranch January 22-26, 2012. Apply to be part of our cast! 


Applications are due NOW! Apply NOW>>  http://form.jotform.com/form/82040150217

(The above is a press release from Julie Goodnight)

Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography/www.louriezipf.com

November 26-27, 2011 – Southern Arizona Horse Expo., 77 Arena, Oracle, Arizona. The Southern Arizona Horse Expo is the creation of Clay & Jacquie Harper and their desire to bring World Class Horse Trainers, Clinicians & Presenters to Southern Arizona. It is the only Horse Expo in the area, and according to Harper, This year’s Expo will be the best one yet.”

The Expo showcases Southern Arizona Trainers as well as Nationally known Trainers with Arizona ties. John Lyons,( last year’s headliner), was a U of A student and lived in Tucson in the 70′s. “We work to showcase Trainers and Presenters that the local horse person can contact and work with. Our format is a bit different than most big Expos in that the people can access our trainers to help them with their horses. We are a smaller Expo, but we have been compared to some of the biggest and best in the country”, said Harper.

Tickets are $10.00 in advance, and $15.00 on the days of the shows. Tickets can be purchased at all Boot Barn Stores in Tucson, and at most Tack & Feed stores in Southern Arizona. They can also be purchased online at the following link: www.southernarizonahorseexpo.com.

December 3, 2011 -  First-Time Horse Ownership Seminar, Eastside Tucson. Event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  The cost of owning a horse begins not only with the purchase price. Learn all the basic knowledge you need to know in owning and caring for a horse, including choosing the right horse, costs involved, nutrition, care, upkeep & safety. Space limited to 15 people, $75/person/$125 for couple or adult/child pair.  Visit www.heartoftucson.org,  for registration information, or call (520) 445-1510.

Judy Glore, President of Heart of Tucson, watches as farriers attach Nolan Hoof Plates to Dyna King Saturday at Tanque Verde Stables. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography/www.louriezipf.com)

“Heart of a Champion”

Dyna King, son of Dynaformer and half-brother to Barbaro, has been given a second chance at life.

His first began last December when he was found wandering, both emaciated and lame, around “Dogpatch,” an area in South Tucson, which for the last couple of years, has served as a dumping ground for dogs, horses and other animals.

On December 12^th, at the point of near death, Dyna King was taken in by Judy Glore and Heart of Tucson, a rescue which is currently home to approximately 20 horses.

“He could barely stand,” said Glore, who is President of Heart of Tucson. “We were told that if we didn’t take him, he would be euthanized.”

When he arrived at Heart of Tucson, Dyna King, who reaches a height of 16.1 hands, weighed a mere 870 pounds. Today, thanks to Glore and the volunteers at HEART, he’s now close to 1200 pounds, the average weight of a horse his size.

Since his 9 months of painstaking rehabilitation, the sparkle in his eye is back. For a horse that ran in 56 races and at one time, was even nominated to run in the Kentucky Derby, he once again has a purpose in life.

But, like his half-brother Barbaro, Dyna King suffers from founder, or chronic laminitis – a disease, which in some cases, means the end for many horses.

Barbaro died as a result of laminitis in 2007.

This past Saturday, Dyna King got his second chance. Because of HEART, a number of farriers, veterinarians and several others involved with equine health, the 14 year-old thoroughbred will have a new way to deal with this debilitating and life-threatening disease.

Kym Lee, President & Owner of Nolan Hoof Health, shows the Nolan Hoof Plate. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

“Plate the Hoof – Restore the Horse”

Through the efforts of Nolan Hoof Health, a company out of southeastern Ohio, Dyna King was fitted with two steel plates, which cover the middle section of his front hooves. Dyna King will wear the plates for a 16-20 week therapeutic treatment period.

According to the company’s web site, “This period of rehabilitation allows for the restoration of blood circulation, which increases the overall strength and growth of the horny laminae, frog tissue and sole of the hoof.

Combined with proper diet, environment and trimming, the horse can be brought back to a healthy sound state with the Nolan Hoof Plate in a short period of time.

The Nolan Hoof Plate mimics the natural design of the horse’s hoof, stabilizing the forward migration of the hoof wall and allowing support with flexation. When applied with the horse’s shoes, the plate encompasses the hoof capsule, reinforcing the weak point of the hoof and providing immediate pain relief.”

The Nolan Hoof Plate was manufactured in 2006, and “has a 90 percent success rate,” says President and Owner Kym Lee. “We’ve had a tremendous response since the plate’s inception,” she added.

An x-ray shows the rotation of the coffin bone in Dyna King's front hoof. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

It should be noted that an equine enthusiast, who has had personal experience with the success of the Nolan Hoof Plate, donated the rehabilitation of Dyna King, the training of the vet and farrier, as well as the application of the plate itself.

Sean Isaacs holds Dyna King while farriers work on the horse on Saturday. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

“Horse and Man Recover Together”

Several days after Dyna King was brought to HEART, Glore’s son, Sean was in a horrific motorcycle accident. He suffered a number of injuries, including some to his head, legs and feet. Like Dyna King, Sean was close to death.

“Just six days after Dyna King came to us, I found out that Sean was in this awful accident. Both happened in the same week and just before Christmas – it was terrible,” said Glore.

During Saturday’s event, while farriers worked on Dyna King for several hours, Sean stood right next to the horse, serving as both handler and supporter.

“I have a plate holding my foot together, too.” said Sean, as he wrapped his arm around the sturdy, thick neck of Dyna King. “Well, like him, I actually have two of them.”

It was clear to see that both horse and man are recovering well together.

Dyna King will continue his rehabilitation at HEART, and Glore says that once he’s fully recovered, she will find a permanent home for him.

“This horse has seen it all,” said Glore. “He’s raced at Santa Anita, Del Mar and was even nominated to run in the Kentucky Derby. He deserves the very best, and I’m going to see that he gets it.”

To learn more about Heart of Tucson and Nolan Hoof Health, log on to www.HeartofTucson.org, and www.NolanHoofHealth.com.

Dyna King (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

Kym and Judy share a laugh together on Saturday. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

Photo by Kim Reis

“The Pony Expressed ” received the following press release recently and will be doing a follow-up, which will be posted Sunday, September 25th. For more information on this Saturday’s event, log on to www.heartofTucson.org. This is great news for horses suffering from laminitis.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Barbaro’s Half-Brother, Dyna King, to Receive Life-Restoring Treatment With the Nolan Hoof Plate

WHAT

The horse community is rallying to prevent another member of the Barbaro family from succumbing to the disease that claimed the famous racing horse four years ago.

Barbaro’s life ended early after a shattered leg led to a condition known as laminitis.

Dyna King, Barbaro’s half-brother, suffers from the same ailment but the Nolan Hoof Plate offers the horse a new lease on life.

Field-testing of the Nolan Hoof Plate showed a 90% efficacy rate, allowing horses not only to immediately find relief from pain and discomfort, but also to recover and go on and live productive lives within weeks of receiving Nolan Hoof Plates.

Dyna King is currently being rehabilitated at HEART of Tucson, a non-profit, pro-horse equine rescue organization run entirely by volunteers.

The rehabilitation of Dyna King, the training of the vet and farrier, as well as application of the Nolan Hoof Plate were all donated by an equine enthusiast who has personal experience with the success of the Nolan Hoof Plate.

AV Opportunities

Watch as a farrier fits Dyna King with the Nolan Hoof Plate

Interview President and Owner of Nolan Hoof Health, Kymberly Lee, and representatives from HEART of Tucson about the device and how it can restore Dyna King and other horses suffering from the same condition

WHEN

Saturday, September 24, 2011

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

One-on-one interviews available

WHERE

Tanque Verde Stables

11099 East Glenn St.

Tucson, AZ 85749

WHO

Kymberly Lee, President and Owner, Nolan Hoof Health

Dale Blankenship, Farrier

Judy Glore, President and Founder, HEART of Tucson

CONTACT

Todd Sheppard: 440.308.8868

Sarah Vura: 216.408.8268

Dyna King - Photo by Kim Reis

Cole Hood of Tucson nails his target during a recent practice of the Old Pueblo Peacemakers at Four Ropin' Ranch in Marana. (photo by Lourie Zipf Photography/www.louriezipf.com)

There’s a little cowboy in everyone.

That’s especially true of a group of men and women who call themselves the “Old Pueblo Peacemakers,” an upstart Cowboy Mounted Shooting club, which formed in Tucson a couple of years ago.

The Old Pueblo Peacemakers currently has about 10 active members. All are very versatile and accomplished equestrians, with backgrounds in everything from team roping to dressage to hunter jumper events.

The club’s motto says it all: “Where lawless, rabble rousing balloons roam the streets, kept in check only by the diligence of a group of pistol-packing sharpshooters known as the Old Pueblo Peacemakers.”

Like the rest of the country, as well as some parts of the world, the Peacemakers are setting their sights in on one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the nation – Cowboy Mounted Shooting.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting was founded by Jim Rodgers of Marana in 1992, and combines the speed of horse racing with the finely-tuned agility of barrel racing and reining.

Competitors use single action, .45 caliber single action revolvers, which are loaded with blanks of black powder, to shoot at balloon targets. While negotiating a series of courses, competitors shoot at 10 balloons placed strategically throughout each individual course.

The concept of mounted shooting as a sport was originated by Rodgers in 1990, through his love of the Old West and the days of the cavalries – when men in training rode horseback in order to improve their skill and accuracy in shooting.

Rodgers had a lifetime infatuation with the Colt Single Action Army revolver and eventually competed in several mounted shooting events using live ammo. He soon realized that shooting with live ammo from horseback was too dangerous, and he began to pursue other alternatives.

Eventually, live ammunition and broken glass bottles were replaced with blank ammo and balloons. The force from the black powder ignition in the blanks breaks the balloons.

“It’s just a really fun sport,” said Rodgers. “It’s very family-oriented and everyone is able to participate.”

The sport is open to all levels and ages of riders. Children, ages 9 to 12, ride the course without firearms, and children at age 13 are given the option to shoot.

Participants compete in 6 different levels, from novice to professional. 

Rodgers competes as a sixth level senior competitor and was a five-time National Mounted Shooting Champion. He has also found the time to help the Peacemakers get their club off the ground.

“Jim is a great mentor and teacher,” said member Cristina Beloud of Marana. “He’s been great with helping us get our club started,” she added.

“He’s a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of guy and seems to be very comfortable in that role.” said Beloud.

Jim Rodgers of Marana, Founder and Chairman of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, rounds the course while riding Weezer, during a recent Old Pueblo Peacemakers' practice. Rodgers started the CMSA in 1992. (photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

The Peacemakers will compete at the Shoot Out at the Santa Cruz County Fair, September 17th and 18th, at the Sonoita Fairgrounds.

Their next event will be the Old Pueblo Peacemakers World Points Qualifier at the Marana Founder’s Day Festival October 30th.

New members are welcome. To learn more about the Old Pueblo Peacemakers, go to www.oldpueblopeacemakers.com. For more information on cowboy mounted shooting, go to www.cmsaevents.com

On a personal note: I recently discovered and happily so, that some mounted shooting competitors use ear plugs for both themselves and their horses. This was great, new information to know.

Kim Temple of Marana fires at her target while riding “Gunsmoke,” a six year-old Palomino, during a recent Old Pueblo Peacemakers' practice at the Four Ropin’ Ranch in Marana. (photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

With the advent of the "Old Pueblo Peacemakers," Cowboy Mounted Shooting is alive and well in Tucson. CMS is currently one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the nation. (photo by Lourie Zipf Photography/www.louriezipf.com)

Look for the next entry to arrive Tuesday, as “The Pony Expressed” travels to Marana to cover the Old Pueblo Peacemakers, the only Cowboy Mounted Shooting club in Tucson…”where lawless, rabble rousing balloons roam the streets, kept in check only by the diligence of a group of pistol – packing sharpshooters.”

Levi Miles, who lives on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and Lorenzo, a Spanish Barb, participate in "Discover The Horse That Discovered America," at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, AZ. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography/www.louriezipf.com)

On a recent hot and sunny Saturday, I traveled to an area which I’ve passed through many times – so many times, I can’t even recall the exact number. Usually, it’s just a quick glance – one of several, as I make my way down the highway to my beloved Colorado. Texas Canyon is a mass of red rock and enclave, so vastly different from the Arizona desert, that it completely catches you by surprise as you approach it from Interstate 10. This wondrous and unique spot is located about 10 miles east of Benson, not far from the small town of Wilcox.

On this day, I was headed to Dragoon and the Amerind Museum, which is home to the Amerind Foundation. The Amerind Foundation was established in 1937 and “seeks to foster and promote knowledge and understanding of the Native Peoples of the Americas through research, education and conservation.” (To learn more about the Amerind Foundation, go to the following web site: http://www.amerind.org)

The Amerind Foundation hosts a number of events, tours and workshops throughout the year. This day was dedicated to the Spanish Barb, the horse which Arizona Governor Jan Brewer declared as Arizona’s State Heritage Horse, due to its integral role in the state’s history. The event was presented by the Spanish Barb Horse Association.

The Spanish Barb was introduced to the New World by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th and 17th centuries. These colonial horses were instrumental in settling the West, as they carried Francisco de Vasquez Coronado to Arizona from Spain in 1540. From 1687 to 1784, Father Eusebio Kino, also known as “The Padre on Horseback,” built 22 missions from Northern New Mexico to Arizona and credits much of his success to the stamina of the Spanish Barb.

In 1885, Dr. Reuben Wilbur purchased approximately 25 horses from Juan Sepulveda, a horse trader from Sonora, Mexico, for a working cattle ranch near Arivaca, AZ. Sepulveda brought a large number of these horses from Mission Dolores, a central breeding operation of Father Kino’s. Wilbur’s granddaughter, Eva Antonia Wilbur-Cruce later took over her father’s ranch after his passing in 1930.

In 2005, the Wilbur-Cruce horses were formally accepted as the sixth foundation strain of the Spanish Barb. Eva’s “rock horses,” as she fondly referred to them, are thankfully preserved today in several Western states.

The Spanish Barb is a small, hearty and rugged horse – many that were featured at the Amerind event were Paints and Pintos, with huge, expansive white blazes. (commonly referred to as “Medicine Hats”) Several horses sported one pale, blue eye.

The size of the Spanish Barb ranges anywhere from 13.5–15 hands, and the horse is known to possess a calm demeanor and a willingness to please. The Spanish Barb competes in every kind of event imaginable, from roping to cowboy mounted shooting to dressage.

I must admit…until recently, I was very unfamiliar with the Spanish Barb. I’ve since learned quite a lot about their beauty and versatility, both on the ground and under saddle. The “Pony Expressed,” I’m discovering, is becoming a great avenue for me to learn more about other breeds. I’ve owned an Arabian, named Speedy, for nearly 13 years and not long after buying him, of course, I was consumed with knowing “everything Arab,” that I soon turned a blind eye.

There are many different breeds of horses and they all have something special and unique to them that is their own. As horse owners, I think it’s important and necessary to “step outside the box.” Take the time to learn more about those horses that you may know very little about. In the end, you may be pleasantly surprised. I know, I was. For more information on Spanish Barb horses, log on to http://www.spanishbarb.org.

Jerry Dixon of Dragoon, watches the activities at "Discover The Horse That Discovered America" at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, AZ. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)

Stephanie Deratony rides Lorenzo during a dressage demonstration at the Amerind Museum. (Photo by Lourie Zipf Photography)