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By Kay Coyte Published July 22, 2013 Washington Post This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the day an agreement was signed to end the fighting in the peninsula now divided into North and South Korea. On Saturday, men and women who fought in Korea will be honored in Washington. But the day before, another kind of leatherneck (a nickname for a Marine) will be honored: a little red horse. Her name was Sergeant Reckless, and the Marines “drafted” her to pack ammunition to the battlefield and carry the wounded back to safety. But here’s the thing: She did it on her own. She kept climbing those jagged hills even after she was wounded. The soldiers came to love her so much that they brought her home from Korea after the war to live at Camp Pendleton in California. On Friday, “Operation Reckless” at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico will feature the unveiling of a life-size statue of Sergeant Reckless, a real war horse. “She was one of them, and that’s why they’re honoring her,” said Robin Hutton, of Ventura, California, who has written a book on the mare to be published this year. “She wasn’t a horse; she was a Marine.” You might think that Sergeant Reckless was the inspiration for last year’s movie “War Horse.” But that was based on a children’s fiction book about an English farm horse on the front lines of World War I. The story of Sergeant Reckless is just as epic, and all true. Lieutenant Colonel […]

Be sure to get a Brand Inspection From the Colorado Horse Council Contact Newsletter This time of year sends many Coloradans outside to enjoy our warm days and cool evenings; horseback riding is often a favorite summer activity and the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds horse owners that state statutes require a “brand” inspection if they plan on buying, selling or transporting horses. Horse owners may purchase permanent horse travel permits for horses that are shipped frequently more than 75 miles within Colorado or across state lines. This can be a great financial savings since the permit is good for travel purposes for as long as the applicant owns the horse. “The Department typically sees an increase in the number of horses being bought and sold this time of year,” said CDA’s Brand Commissioner, Chris Whitney. “There has also been an increase in the number of horses in urban communities and folks need to remember to contact us for a transfer of ownership inspection.” In 2012, approximately 4,400 permanent horse travel cards were issued and 36,300 brand inspections were performed for horse sales statewide. Inspections include identifying the animal and certifying that the shipper or seller is the legal owner prior to issuing a certificate. The Division of Brand Inspection’s primary responsibility is to protect the livestock industry from loss by theft, illegal butchering, or straying of livestock. The division is assigned five principal regulatory responsibilities: Record and administer livestock brands Inspect livestock and verify ownership before sale, transportation beyond 75 miles, transportation out of state, or slaughter.

After posting the article on rabies I was saddened to hear of a beloved equine who was lost due to rabies. Our deepest thoughts are with you and your family. For those who have not vaccinated for rabies please consider discussing this with your veterinarian. I am reposting this from Sarah Reidy: Dear R.M.F.C. Members , This weekend brought the saddest news , one of our fellow members, avid participant in all of the the quadrilles Shari MacCallum  lost her trusted Fjord friend Finlay tragically to rabies. Finlay was  only seven years old , a beautiful horse, beautiful mover with a ton of bravado and cuteness. A rabies outbreak has been on the rise in Larimer County, and is moving rapidly both west and south. None of us really knew the real danger until now . Shari wants to tell all of us how important this vaccination is, she does not want anyone to go through what she had to endure. Vaccinations are only good for one year, a horses immune system is weak and the vaccination needs to be done annually. Shari will now have to take precaution for her own health and get the vaccination herself, this is no small task,  it is a series of shots over many weeks. Shari and Finlay were a lovely pair, and Finlay will be sadly missed. Our condolences Shari.
  Sarah Reidy