Dr. Cecilia Penedo, University of California-Davis, explains the steps involved in DNA testing at the Veterninary Genetics Laboratory for members of the National Pedigreed Livestock Council. The NPLC met this week in Sacramento to catch up on trends in livestock genetics, legal issues relating to intellectual property, activities of those who oppose animal agriculture and assorted discussions of association management.
Thanks to the VGL staff and everyone at UC-Davis who helped organize and coordinate the meeting in Sacramento. More than 50 members attended, with nine horse breed associations represented. This type of gathering is especially useful for those of us who don’t normally have the opportunity to share ideas and information with folks who work for other breed organizations. Equine folks obviously focused on specifics in the horse industry, but we can always learn from other groups who serve a membership of livestock raisers.
Researchers at the UC-Davis Equine Performance Research Center outlined some of their studies for a tour group of breed association executives from the National Pedigreed Livestock Council. The meeting in Sacramento this week included a tour of UCD facilities and lots of discussion about industry trends and issues. In case you’re wondering, this particular nanny is part of a study for the U.S. Army to investigate the effects of less than ideal environmental conditions (specifically dust and altitude) on soldiers.
For equine studies, the treadmill is especially useful in studying a horse’s gait and stride for signs of lameness and related compensatory changes. UCD is a premier facility with well-respected researchers in a variety of equine projects. The tour was definitely a highlight of the gathering in Sacramento. We also heard from experts in the field of genetic technologies who discussed “genomic enabled animal selection” and emerging science (which continues to amaze).
Lots of initials, but the University of California-Davis hosted attendees at the annual meeting of the National Pedigreed Livestock Council this week in Sacramento. After the business sessions, the Veterninary Genetics Lab staff at UCD took us on a tour of the DNA lab, the equine performance research facility and the goat studies area. It was a gorgeous day and the scenery was accented by this colorful driveway near the lab.
The NPLC is an organization of executive officers of the various nonprofit breed associations of dairy, horse and pony, sheep, goat, swine and beef species. Our program included updates on livestock genomics, association management, the future relevance of breed associations and discussions of legal issues relating to patents and intellectual property.
May 24-25 “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” and on Sunday, our “SPECIAL APPALOOSA SESSION” - our 5th annual!! It’s limited to 100 head! And - more geldings, mares, stallions, ponies, and young stock, too! Cowboy Church at 8 a.m. BLS Sale Arena! Loose horses sell at 9 a.m. with riding horses previewing at 10 a.m. We’ll rope at 11 a.m SALE TIME: 12 Noon! Supplement horses will follow with open consignment winding up the day’s activities.
See the consignments as they come in at http://www.billingslivestock.com/Horse_Sales/Sale_Horses.html
View the complete catalog on line Thursday, May 15 at http://www.billingslivestock.com/Horse_Sales/PDFs/horsecatalog.pdf
Jann Parker
Billings Livestock Comm / Horse Sales
406.245.4151 BLS
406.855.1947 Cell
see it all @ http://www.billingslivestock.com
We really enjoy getting reports from the field about Appaloosa folks doing well and spreading the gospel. Here’s a note from Brian McLachlin about daughter Kaylee, who is a member of the Alberta ApHA:
The photo is of Kaylee (McLachlin), Amigo and Frank Madden from the 3 day clinic at the Mane Event. The clinic went very well, and was a very positive experience. The sessions each day were 75 minutes long, and done in groups of 6 riders. The other 5 horses in Kaylee’s group were all large bays that were 1 to 2 hands taller than Amigo. Needless to say, Amigo stood out. I heard one girl sitting near us say “I want to see the Appy go, it might give me hope for mine.”
The first day was mostly flatwork, and Frank made a few comments like “That was good for an Appaloosa”, so I wasn’t too sure how the 3 days would go. Saturday saw some more flat work and Amigo stood out, not because of his size or color but because of his nice extended trot. It certainly caught the eye of the crowd which was huge on Saturday. There was more jumping than the day before and Kaylee more than held her own. She and Amigo rode clean, while a few of the other horses were taking down a rail or two.
Day three was mostly jumping, and Frank couldn’t say enough nice things about Amigo. One of the warm-up exercises saw the riders doing 5 strides between fences at a fairly open gallop. When it was Kaylee’s turn, Frank figured they would have to do 6 strides, but they did it in 5 like the bigger warmbloods. At this point he commented on how Amigo was “a real tryer”. Near the end of the session they did the course as if it was a jump-off situation. Amigo and Kaylee made some very neat inside turns, and went clear. The last 2 fences Frank was saying “What a horse! What a horse!” He told the crowd that he has great jump.
It was wonderful to see the difference in his comments from Friday to Sunday. By the applause you could tell Amigo was definitely a crowd favorite. Kaylee had many people coming up to her after the clinic to talk about her horse. The clinic was a great learning experience. Kaylee improved her fundamentals, and learned a lot about course management. It also showed that she is doing many things correctly, and that Amigo is getting some excellent training by Kaylee’s coach.
Brian McLachlin
An artist of great renown, Orren Mixer was internationally recognized for his ability to paint the Western stock horse. The Arcadia, Oklahoma, artist has painted Appaloosa icons Chief of Four Mile, King Plaudit, and Straw Bug, as well as, Mexican actor Vincente Fernandez on a black blanketed Appaloosa stallion. After enlisting in the Navy, Orren was sent to Chicago to illustrate training manuals. It was there that he discovered the value of his paintings when his wife, Evelyn, took a few paintings to a local department store where two sold the very first night. In addition to painting, Orren bred Appaloosas, including Tom Mixer, a 1982 gelding who won $65,605.51 during his race career, including victories in the summer and Worldwide Futurities in 1984 and the Cricket Bars Maturity in 1985.
From the American Quarter Horse Journal, April 30, 2008 –
Mixer was born in Oklahoma City in 1920 to Florence Motter and Orren Marion Mixer Sr. After attending public schools, he graduated from Central High School and through the efforts of his high school art teacher, Grace Chadwick, he obtained a scholarship to attend the Kansas City Art Institute from 1938-40.
Mixer worked in graphic arts in New York, Oklahoma City, and Fort Worth, Texas, before moving to San Diego to work in an aircraft manufacturing plant. He returned to Fort Worth in 1943 and joined the US Navy. Stationed in Chicago, he was a visual aids graphic artist.
In his personal time, Mixer painted Western scenes, and his first sales came through a Chicago sporting goods store. Discharged from the service in 1946, he brought his wife, Evelyn Leonard, whom he’d married in 1941, back to Oklahoma, where he built a house and studio near Arcadia/Edmond.
Mixer became a well-known local Western artist during the 1950s and 1960s. Livestock, particularly horses, became his specialty, and his work graced the covers of Western Horseman, Quarter Horse Journal, Cattleman, and Oklahoma Today. In 1968, the American Quarter Horse Association commissioned Mixer to paint “the ideal American Quarter Horse,” and six other breed associations followed suit. He depicted the ideal Pinto, Paint, Palomino, Appaloosa, Buckskin, and Pony of the Americas.
Briefly retired during the 1980s, Mixer resumed his artistic productions in the mid-1990s, still working from a studio near Arcadia.
Mixer was inducted in the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1993 (and the Appaloosa Hall of Fame in 1998).
Visitation
Matthews Funeral Home
601 S Kelly
Edmond, OK 73003
(405) 341-2787
Services Monday May 5 at 2:00 pm
Edmond’s First Baptist Church
1300 Southeast 33rd Street
Edmond, OK 73013
(405) 341-0253
In Lieu of Flowers please send donations to
Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children
Boys Ranch Town
5100 SE 33rd
Edmond, OK 73013
Phone: (405) 341-3606
Fax: (405) 348-3740
Cards may be sent to
Evelyn Mixer
PO Box 145
Arcadia, OK. 73007-0145
________________________________________
Appaloosa Horse Club members from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alberta gathered in Missoula April 26 & 27 for a Territory I Workshop. Discussions were productive and engaging. Ideas and strategies were shared among the regional club representatives. Thanks to Jan Phillips, president of the Western Montana ApHC, Lynette Thompson, Sandy Jones and all who helped organize the event.
My take on the meeting is that ApHC members are rallying together to find ways around current and projected economic conditions. There is more discussion of promotion and overall marketing at the local level. The group asked some really good questions, but also had some really good suggestions for ways to make the ApHC more user-friendly and effective. Not only did I take notes, I support many of the ideas offered and plan to share them with staff and directors. As an example, we’ll be talking about a better ways to build communications between new members and their respective regional clubs. We’ll be working on simpler language to explain some of the existing programs (ACAAP, trail ride approval and registration) and we’ll be providing more information about the Performance Permit and other recent developments.
Not only did Kevin and I enjoy the visit, we managed to win a door prize or two. Yes, we accepted gifts, but there were no promises made in return. Thanks again to all the members who attended the workshop. We enjoyed meeting you and sincerely appreciate your willingness to spend some time talking about our Appaloosa future.
ApHC Trail & Distance Program coordinator Kevin Pullen seems to like the latest piece of advice from Edith Stanger. They were discussing the 2008 Chief Joseph Trail Ride and the logistical challenges of moving 200+ horses, riders and support crew through the Bitterroot Valley and beyond. Edith made the trip from her home in southeastern Idaho to the Territory I workshop in Missoula, Montana.
Workshop participants engaged in good conversations about regional club issues, ApHC programs, member services and a host of topics related to ensuring a solid future for the organization and the breed. Higher costs of doing business and general economic trends tempered much of the discussion, but the members also focused on ways to cope and perhaps be more creative at the local level to maintain Appaloosa enthusiasm.
Sandy Jones, Deer Park, Washington, was the winning bidder for a terrific piece of art from the silent auction at the Territory I workshop this past weekend in Missoula. Sandy also helped organize the workshop and is a longtime Appaloosa breeder and supporter.
The artist is Kathy Hanson of Kalispell, Montana. She and husband Jeff operate J Bar K Horse Ranch and Rockin H Appaloosas. They participated in the workshop along with folks from regional clubs in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alberta. Kathy is being recruited to do some artwork for the ApHC office!
I promised not to make fun of Rita Nicholson’s best friend, so let’s emphasize the positive and allow the little canine to show off her Appaloosa Fan Club attire.
There was no post-event press conference to hear analysis of what the pooch learned at the Territory I workshop this past weekend in Missoula, but she did seem anxious to head home to Salmon, Idaho, and apply whatever new knowledge had been acquired.
You’ll know Rita as the author of the popular book, NATIVE TREASURE, a wonderful tribute to the Appaloosa horse and its magical appeal. The book is available through the Appaloosa Museum and can be ordered on line.
We were able to tour some amazing country on our scouting trip for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The Bitterroot Valley of Montana has long been one of my favorite places to visit, so it’s especially enjoyable to come back for a closer look at some of the less crowded parts of the area. This view is looking south from the “hills” above Stevensville.
In earlier posts I’ve issued an invitation for you to consider joining us on the 2008 CJTR. Though not an “extremely” rigorous trail this year, both you and your horse are advised to plan ahead and submit to some conditioning. Any time mountains are involved, there are laws of nature that say you will have plenty of uphill portions as well as the easier downhill stuff.
The ride starts at Lolo Hot Springs, offers some high country scenery, crosses the Bitterroot River and takes you through the foothills and mountains where the Nez Perce and those Lewis and Clark fellows traveled. You’ll get a feel for the history of the area and you’ll enjoy the comradeship of other Appaloosa enthusiasts. Check out details about the ride and find an application form by visiting the trail section of appaloosa.com. See you in July!
Robin Pedersen and Kevin Pullen check the map and evaluate potential campsites for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride through the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. Robin is a resident of Florence, Montana, and a veteran of several CJTR’s. She’s also valuable as our local ride manager because of her experience as a National Forest Service employee in the area.
Kevin is the ApHC coordinator for trail and distance riding programs. He likes to hit the trails in the areas around the Palouse and Lewiston-Clarkston valley when he manages to find some spare time.
For more information about the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, give Kevin a call at the ApHC office.
While sorting through the backroads of the Bitterroot Valley in our scouting for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride, we were impressed by this property entrance. Of course logs are plentiful in the area, but golly, this thing is huge. Not a lot of folks pass by, so it’s apparently a source of personal pride for the landowner.
Even with the clouds (or maybe because of them), this view of the Bitterroot Mountains from the foothills East of the river is pretty dramatic. One potential campsite for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride is nearby, so I can safely say that riders will enjoy the scenery.
If you’ve thought about participating in the historic ApHC-sponsored trail ride but haven’t quite talked yourself into doing so, might I suggest that 2008 will be a gorgeous tour through a region rich with the heritage of the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark. Details about the ride can be found in the trail/distance section of the appaloosa.com site.
Maybe it’s a topic unrelated to planning for the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, but while warming ourselves in Mike McNeill’s hobby shop, we were fascinated by this genuine made-from-scratch utility tractor. Parts for this little number came from all sorts of machines and pieces of equipment. Mike is either a genius or he has way too much time on his hands.
In the background is a 1955 Chevy that he occasionally drives. He’s also working on a couple of other vintage cars, a truck or two and a camper (or two).
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