archives

Pre 2022 material from the old website

Staunton State Park Opens in Jeffco

From high grassy meadows at 8,100 feet to soaring granite cliffs over 10,000 feet, Staunton State Park’s varied geology, soils, water features, and climate support rare and unexpected plant communities and a rich diversity of wildlife and provide a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities including  over 15 miles of trails for horseback riding. Colorado’s newest state park opened to the public on May 18, 2013. The park is located approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Denver, north of US Highway 285 and about six miles west of Conifer. The Park sits divided between Park and Jefferson counties, in Pine, Colorado. For more information visit the Staunton State Park website.

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Heil Valley Ranch Loop Ride

By Ann Hayes An 8 AM start from Boulder brought us to a convenient horse-trailer parking area at Heil Valley Ranch* by 9 AM. There we met the four other riders who, like us, were participating in a “Meet-up” group called “Natural Trail Ride” led by Vicki Knecht from Brighton. People are drawn to this group because of a common interest in natural horsemanship. Though some of us were previously acquainted this was our first trail ride together. The day was glorious, everyone was prompt, and we headed-up the switchbacking Wapiti Trail. It begins on gravel but becomes steeper and rockier as it ascends. Shoes or boots are a must. At 2.5 miles The Wapiti joins a network of loop trails. Our destination was an overlook along the Pondorosa loop where we expected to have a splendid view of the St. Vrain valley below and eat lunch. To return we completed the Pondorosa loop and re-joined the Waptiti, a total distance of 7.6 miles. Heil Valley Ranch comprises more than 5,000 acres and is part of North Foothills Open Space that includes Hall Ranch. There are the remains of the homesteads to explore, a variety of ecosystems, and wildlife galore. Before the first switchback a flock of wild turkeys scurried across our path. The area is home to mountain lions and large elk herds that are now calving. We saw dark marks on tree trunks where the bucks had rubbed their antlers. As we dismounted at the overlook, the wind came up and rustled the tree

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Brand Inspection

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.

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Rabies Caution

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  

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Exciting horse fossil discovery in Nevada desert

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MUSEUM May 22, 2013; 09:30 AM San Bernardino County Museum scientists excavating an Ice Age mammoth skeleton from the Tule Springs area north of Las Vegas have found a skull and lower jaw of an ancient horse never before reported at the site or in Nevada. Horses are not uncommon in the Tule Springs fossil record, but not Equus scotti, a large horse common in much of western North America during the Pleistocene Epoch, or Ice Age. Las Vegas-area volunteers were instrumental in the discovery. “Our research funding from the Bureau of Land Management includes a strong public outreach component,” said Kathleen Springer, the museum’s senior curator of geological sciences and lead scientist for the research program in the upper Las Vegas Wash. “Because of this, we set up Nevada’s first paleontology-based site stewardship program, getting local citizens involved in our research. And now it’s paid off — in a big way.” Springer discovered the fossil site in 2003, during survey conducted by museum scientists and funded by the Las Vegas district office of the Bureau of Land Management. The original find — a tusk and tooth of a mammoth just peeking out at the surface — suggested that multiple parts of the skeleton might be present. In 2012, Springer’s mammoth site was selected for excavation as part of the BLM’s celebration of 50 years of science at Tule Springs. The presence of multiple bones made it ideal for excavation by site stewards working with museum paleontologists. Brushing through desert sediments at the

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The Masterson Method Opens a New Door for Innovative Equine Bodywork

By Jean West-Watanabe The natural training approach to equine behavior has highlighted many new things about horses and their innate behaviors and instincts. One of those behaviors is that horses will store pain and stress in their bodies, learning to block pain out mentally so as not to show signs of weakness. Both domestic horses and their wild relatives are as inclined to do this for as long as they can, because they are prey animals and weakness can often mean death. It’s the very thing that predators look for when stalking herd animals. Horses will avoid showing weakness even in the comfort of their own backyards or barns. By the time a horse eventually favors a limb, leg and neck flexion have been compromised, the problem has reached an intolerable stage of pain and stress, and attention is needed immediately. What most people don’t know is that the stress and pain have already been stored there for quite some time, and early intervention can be helpful in preventing performance issues. The Masterson Method is becoming a nationally known therapy for innovative bodywork and is excellent in releasing this stored pain and stress for a better performance horse.  It all began in 1997 in Fairfield, Iowa, where Jim Masterson, the renowned equine bodyworker for USET Endurance Teams, FEI World Cup and World Games competition horses, began to take interest in Equine Massage. Jim noticed that horses would show neurological responses to light touch, releasing tension and stress from their body. Deep eye blinks, quivering lower lips,

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It was a glorious day at Hermit Park

Andrea, Pat, Mary and I met in Lyons and trailered up to Hermit Park, near Estes Park, Colorado.  It was a picture perfect Colorado Day. After the rough descent off the main trail into the old two track up to Homestead Meadows we picked up a trot and climbed gradually to the access gate. Off to the spring we stopped to water the horses and then on around the Meadow and a nice climb up to the burn area. Springs were running and flowers just getting started. All-in-all a lovely ride. Horse Camping Area: Yes…the horse pens are in but I wouldn’t put more than one horse in a pen. We did not get to go up to them but saw them from the road in. We spoke with the front desk person when we checked in to pay the $6 entrance fee to the Park. Apparently they had horse campers up there recently and they were a bit negligent. They put up a temporary grazing area and their dogs were running loose (all no, no’s). So please keep this in mind if camping there. They are also working on a trail that will lead directly from camp and out to the entrance gate. Have Hermit Park Horse Camp Feedback?S send it their way they want it! Linda P

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Coulson Gulch Trail Work Day

It was a gorgeous Saturday for a workday at Coulson Gulch. This was a multi-partner event with BMA, the Forest Service and BCHA volunteers. The BMA volunteers showed up enforce and got to work on trail maintenance. BCHA board members, Pat Holgate and Linda Parks picked up lunch at the Subway in North Boulder, arranged by Ed Perault with the Forest Service and BCHA, and headed up to feed the hard-working volunteers. After lunch there was a fun raffle and socializing. While we were there some area ca mpers left a fire pit burning and walked away to hike (dah)! Forest service called in a fire truck to put it out (ka-ching a $500 fine). So if you must have a campfire please be careful to bring enough water and a shovel on your trips to put it out before it puts out thousands of animals and homes. Warning to equestrians: The road up from the fork is gnarly, and absolutely not recommended for horse trailers. So if you are planning a ride there park below the fork in the road. This road is not maintained by forest service, it is maintained by county and let’s hope they grade it and put in drainage culverts in soon.

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Dowdy Draw: What a fun day!

It was a beautiful day to ride at Dowdy Draw. My friends Andrea on Ayee, Jill on Goldie and myself on Broom had a wonderful ride. We got lucky and was able to pull in to the one trailer spot left at 10 AM Sunday morning. Our route was Dowdy Draw to Spring Gulch north to the conservation easement, part of Goshawk and then Spring Gulch on the return.  A beautiful spring day with great scenery, flowers, and mountain air. Pat H

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Hay Resources

Sarah Metlock who presented the very informative “Hey Hay” educational seminar at the 2013 BCHA Horse Fair left us some area resources. Hay Auctions: Centennial Livestock Auction 113 NW Frontage Rd, Ft Collins, CO 80524 970-482-6207 Last Saturday of each month at 10 AM Producers PLMA–Greeley PO BOX 819 Greeley CO, 80632 800 -791-BEEF (2333) Second Saturday of each month at 10 AM High Plains Livestock Exchange 28601 Hwy 34 Brush, CO 80723 866-842-5115 Third Saturday of each month at 10 AM Hay Producers List Colorado Department of Agriculture: Colorado.gov/ag Hay Testing Equi-Analytical: equi-analytical.com Equine Resources: Nutrition, BCS and Outreach CSU Extension: www.ext.colostate.edu

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