We certainly need to brag about Wade Clayton, Needville, Texas. He and roping partner Jake Kropik won the $86,000 top prize at the U.S. Team Roping Championships “open average” event in Oklahoma City back in October. Wade was riding an 11-year-old Appaloosa gelding named Below Freezing (nicknamed “Bear”), sired by Dashin Johnny Bar. The horse and rider have been together for several years.
Bear is just one more really outstanding argument against some of the myths about Appaloosa horses and their performance abilities. “USTRC” certainly ranks as top-level competition, for both horses and people. Having an Appaloosa at the top of the heap is, as some folks like to say, “way cool.” Congratulations!
Thought this might be of interest:
To help horse owners feed their horses cost effectively and with confidence, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is offering a free, live webcast Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. EST.
Aimed at garnering horse owners the most bang for their horse-feeding buck, the webinar “Nutritional Supplements for Horses” will feature Carey Williams, Rutgers University equine Extension specialist. She’ll discuss types of supplements, when supplements might be beneficial and how to determin if your horse needs a supplement. For more information or to register, go to noncredit.msu.edu.
My Horse University is a national online horse management program for horse enthusiasts. Based at MSU and founded by the MSU Department of Animal Science, MSU Extension and MSU Global, this program offers equine education courses and resources that can be tailored to achieve horse-management goals.
From a news release generated by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, published in Science magazine and available in full at ScienceDaily.com
An international team of researchers has decoded the genome of the domestic horse Equus caballus, revealing a genome structure with remarkable similarities to humans and more than one million genetic differences across a variety of horse breeds. In addition to shedding light on a key part of the mammalian branch of the evolutionary tree, the work also provides a critical starting point for mapping disease genes in horses.
“Horses and humans suffer from similar illnesses, so identifying the genetic culprits in horses promises to deepen our knowledge of disease in both organisms,” said senior author Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, scientific director of vertebrate genome biology at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and a professor of comparative genomics at Uppsala University in Sweden. “The horse genome sequence is a key enabling resource toward this goal.”
In addition to sequencing the genome of a Thoroughbred horse, the researchers also examined DNA from a variety of other horse breeds, including the American quarter horse, Andalusian, Arabian, Belgian draft horse, Hanoverian, Hakkaido, Icelandic horse, Norwegian fjord horse, and Standardbred breeds. The team surveyed the extent of genetic variation both within and across breeds to create a catalog of more than one million single-letter genetic differences (called “single nucleotide polymorphisms” or SNPs).
In a first proof-of-principle of the power of trait mapping in horses, the researchers harnessed the SNP catalog to localize the candidate mutation in the Leopard Complex or “Appaloosa spotting,” in which horses’ coats are mottled with striking patches of white, either with or without colored spots. Horses carrying this trait often suffer from a form of night blindness, a disorder that also afflicts humans. The researchers narrowed the list of genetic suspects in horses to 42 associated SNPs, including two candidate mutations residing near a gene involved in pigmentation.
“This demonstrates the utility of the horse for disease gene mapping,” said Wade. “By making these resources freely available to the scientific community, we hope that many new results will flow from them in the coming years.”
From our For-What-It’s-Worth Department comes a new study by Ohio State University that asked professionals in the field to rank agriculture education programs on characteristics that include research, faculty and program features.
The Top 10 were labeled “distinguished programs.” And they are: 1. University of Florida; 2. Texas A & M; 3. The Ohio State University; 4. University of Missouri; 5. Iowa State University; 6. Oklahoma State University; 7. North Carolina State University; 8. Pennsylvania State University; 9. Texas Tech University, and 10. University of Arizona.
The American Horse Publications (AHP) is conducting an Equine Industry Survey to gauge participation trends in the U.S. equine industry. In addition, the survey seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry.
Dr. C. Jill Stowe is providing consulting services for data collection and analysis to the AHP. Dr. Stowe is an assistant professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky.
The survey is sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health.
Those eligible to participate in the survey are men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own, manage, or lease at least one horse and live in the United States.
The survey closes January 15, 2010.
This study is anonymous; this means that no one, not even members of the research team, will be able to associate information you give with responses. When the survey results are tallied, only aggregated results will be presented.
“The AHP’s member publications, Web sites, and newsletters reach nearly 3 million people involved in the horse industry in the United States and around the world,” said Kimberly S. Brown, current AHP president. It was Brown who proposed the survey, which was backed unanimously by the AHP board.
“We have been through a rough year, and there are many stories out there of unwanted horses and the decline of the horse industry,” noted Brown. “But I think the real story is the wanted horses and their owners who are still strong despite the economic downturn.
“We think this is a great opportunity for us to use our collective resources and reach into the horse industry to get answers about how we are doing today, how we think we’ll be doing in the near future, and what we are concerned about in our industry.
“Let’s get 100,000 or more horse owners to participate in this survey!” said Brown. “We have a wonderful chance to come together to gather information that can benefit us all, so spread the word!”
“I especially want to thank Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health for sponsoring this survey,” said Brown. “Both of these companies—and the people behind the companies—are supporters of the horse industry because of their love of the horse, not just because it’s their business. And I want to thank Dr. Stowe for being willing to contribute her time and expertise to ensure we have a legitimate survey with accurate statistical analysis.”
To take the survey just click on www.horsesurvey.org
I’m pretty sure a recently released report by USDA has critical implications for the horse industry and our breed. The conclusion that “Boomers” are expected to continue their migration to the “country” is no big surprise, but it reinforces the notion that we need to figure out more ways to take advantage of a marketing opportunity.
USDA Releases Report: “Baby Boom Migration Tilts Toward Rural America”
Economic Research Service (ERS) reports:
The size and direction of migration patterns vary considerably by age, and baby boomers are migrating to rural destinations. If baby boomers follow migration patterns similar to their predecessors, the rural population age 55-75 will increase by 30 percent between 2010 and 2020. Local economic development strategies aimed at attracting more jobs will likely have little effect on the migration decisions of baby boomers searching for a better quality of life.
See http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/Features/BabyBoom.htm.
The ApHC has successfully completed the first international shipment of frozen semen under our international marketing plan. The breedings were donated by ApHC stallion owners whose stallions and collection services met USDA export guidelines and Australia’s import protocols. A total of 24 breedings from two ApHC regular-registered, champion stallions should have arrived in Australia yesterday, Sept. 1st. The breedings will be part of a stallion service auction managed by the Australian Appaloosa Association (AAA). Proceeds of the U.S. donated stallions will go to start a futurity for dual-registered appaloosas in Australia.
U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) funded the documentation fees and shipping and AAA will fund the clearance fees, storage. Insemination fees will be the responsibility of the mare owners and AAA.
This is the first shipment of genetic materials under the Market Access Program (MAP) branded program funded by USLGE.
Hi there,
I wanted to let you know that on October 14, our show about BJ Winship and her Appaloosa horse will air on Julie Goodnight’s Horse Master RFD-TV show. BJ was a delight to have on the show. Her father raised Appaloosas for years and offered that BJ could select the horse she wanted from his herd. BJ chose Candy who was part of the brood mare herd.
BJ’s dad passed away just recently and BJ is dedicated to helping Candy be the best horse she can be in order to celebrate her dad’s legacy. Since Candy hadn’t been started under saddle until late, she didn’t have a good stop cue. The episode with Julie starts with BJ telling her about her dad’s history with horses, then her plan to make BJ a great horse—if she can learn to stop! In the next two days, Julie taught BJ how to cue her horse with her seat first—teaching a sequence of cues that will help the horse have a relaxed stop once training progresses.
I’m attaching a quote from Julie about working with BJ and some still photos from the show.
“Working with BJ and her lovely Appy mare, Candy, took me back to my childhood and the first time I ever saw an Appaloosa. It was a stunning leopard stallion and he and his master were something to behold. Candy is a lovely mare with a good mind, strong build and that priceless willingness that is true to the breed. It was fun to think about BJ getting to choose a mare from her father’s herd and it was clearly fulfilling to BJ.” –Julie Goodnight
Julie’s Blog about the Horse Master shoot in Oregon, where BJ was one of 6 shows: http://juliegoodnightontheroad.blogspot.com/2009/07/long-road-home.html
Thank you!
Heidi Nyland
Horse Master Producer/ Marketing Director
heidi@juliegoodnight.com
Below you will find a brief introduction and link for a survey regarding Appaloosa stallions throughout the history of the breed. Your participation in the survey supports an active youth member who has developed her graduate thesis around the Appaloosa breed. The ApHC is proud to support its youth membership and we are asking you to as well by participating in the following survey:
I’m Brandy Kines and am writing to solicit your help in the research process of my thesis. I am a long-time member of the Appaloosa Horse Club and have been showing Appaloosas since I was five. Currently I am pursuing a master’s degree in Agricultural Communications at Texas A&M University.
For my thesis, I am chronicling the stallions that have influenced the Appaloosa breed and industry since the 1960s. I have read the book Spotted Pride and it has influenced me to pursue this as a thesis topic.
I am contacting individuals who are active participants in the industry. If you agree to help, you will be asked to complete an online survey to identify the stallions you believe should be included in the thesis, which should take a maximum of 15 minutes.
After the survey, if you have had personal involvement (breeder, trainer, exhibitor, etc) with one of the stallions identified for the study, you may be asked to participate in an interview about the stallion. The interview will take no longer than an hour.
I appreciate your taking the time to consider helping me with this undertaking. If you are interested in participating, please use the following link to access the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wgt7f2M_2fmRG07HTHvSEeDw_3d_3d
Thanks!
Brandy Kines
We had a call from Robert Bjorkman, Granby, Texas, who happens to own ApHC champion cutting horse Earthquake Ike. He wanted to be sure we knew about a feature article in the April issue of Quarter Horse News. The article, “Appaloosa enthusiasts strive to expand their horses’ presence in the Western performance world,” by Stephanie Duquette, presents a nice cross section of outstanding Appaloosa athletes.
Robert was enthused about the coverage in a QH publication and was justifiably proud of the fact that his horse and many others are adding to the credibility of Appaloosas as performers among all breeds and on any stage.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club along with Lazy Faire Ranch in West Cajon Valley, California is co-sponsoring the 7th annual benefit trail ride for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on May 2, 2009. Riders of all ages and their horses or mules are invited to “Saddle Up” & participate.
Cancer is the leading disease killer of American children and St. Jude is the leading center for the study of these diseases. Approximately 4,000 children are currently being seen at St. Jude. St Jude covers all costs not covered by insurance. Families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is supported by public contributions. Monies raised from this event will build an endowment fund to ensure St. Jude’s continued efforts. Prior years’ events have risen over $2,500 and we’d like to raise more this year. Have fun – Help save lives and Saddle Up for St. Jude!
Calizona ApHC is soliciting donations from Appaloosa enthusiasts anywhere in the country. Funds do not just have to come from riders and participants in our local community. Any amount in a donation to support this important cause would be appreciated. Your donations win you prizes too! Donate $35.00 and receive a “Saddle Up for St. Jude’s” T-shirt & pin. Prize level donations of $75, $125, $175 are cumulative and in addition to the pin & T-shirt include a saddlepack, sweatshirt, and cap. Prize items are mailed to the donor approximately one month after the event.
For those that are interested, donations can be mailed to:
(checks made payable to St. Jude Children’s Hospital)
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club
6163 Jarrow Rd, Phelan, CA 92371
If anyone has questions or desires more information, please call Leslie Foxvog (760) 249-3533.
From the American Horse Council
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This bill appropriated over $1.7 billion for the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that can be used for the maintenance and construction of trails and other infrastructure improvements on public land. Recreational riders must work with these organizations to ensure that equestrian trails are among the projects to benefit form these funds.
• The U.S. Forest Service will receive $650 million for capital improvements.
• The National Park Service will receive $ 750 million for operations, trails and maintenance.
• The BLM will get $320 million for management and construction.
The AHC has urged these federal agencies to use a significant portion of these funds for maintenance and construction of trails and other facilities that are open to equestrians. The NPS, USFS, and BLM have yet to finalize spending plans for this recently appropriated money.
Right now an opportunity exists for equestrian groups to provide input to land managers in their states and communities on how this money should be spent and what projects are important to them. Competition among projects for this funding will be intense and there is a limited window of time before final decisions are made.
The AHC encourages its member organizations and individuals who use these public lands to contact their local Ranger Districts, Forest Supervisors, BLM field or District offices and NPS Superintendents and work with them to identify projects beneficial to riders in their area. Doing this will ensure recreational riders are part of the planning process.
If you have any questions regarding this, please call the AHC: 202-296-4031.
What’s an Appaloosa’s favorite color? Green—and Appaloosas across the nation are earning plenty of money with the Appaloosa Horse Club’s (ApHC’s) Performance Permit Color Incentive Fund. More than $45,000 was awarded to owners and breeders of 78 Appaloosas that competed in 2008.
Performance Permit Color Incentive Fund payout is divided into 20 divisions; the first 19 divisions, one for each ApHC zone, are for regional show competitors, and the final division is split between ApHC racing and distance programs.
Want to get in on the action? The only requirement is to show a regularly (#) registered Appaloosa in ApHC-approved shows, and watch as the points and dollars add up!
The Performance Permit Color Incentive Fund is a direct benefit of the Performance Permit program, which allows non-characteristic Appaloosas to compete in ApHC-approved and sponsored events. The permit remains effective for the life of the horse once it is issued, regardless of ownership changes.
Appaloosas must be parentage verified through DNA analysis by an ApHC-approved laboratory before a Performance Permit is issued. The original certificate of registration, current photographs of the horse, and applicable fees must be submitted to the ApHC along with the permit application, which are available through the ApHC and its official Web site www.appaloosa.com. An updated certificate of registration will be returned to the horse owner once the permit is issued.
For all of the of the details regarding the Color Incentive Fund and Performance Permits, visit www.appaloosa.com or call the ApHC Performance Department at 208-882-5578 ext. 400.
Story by: Patti Ansuini © 2009 ~ All photos courtesy of Charles Hilton Images ~
www.charleshiltonimages.com
Dan Lopez admits he’d heard about Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race and had even seen the number one rated RFD TV show a time or two. It was fun to watch, but adds that it had never occurred to him that he might one day become a seriously Extreme contender.
At 74, Dan is semi-retired but still trains and shows a few horses for long time clients. The past few years he has geared down his operation and enjoys some free time riding his favorite mount, a colorful 12 year old Appaloosa stallion known as Badger Lee. The pair help friends out at cattle round ups and of course he wouldn’t miss a spring branding with his friends and neighbors.
During the holiday season several of Dan’s friends had stopped by and talked up Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. They asked his opinion on how he felt about entering the fast paced event that was scheduled for a run during the upcoming Equine Affair in Pomona, California. Several of his clients had asked that if he weren’t interested in taking a shot at the title himself perhaps he’d consider training them.
Dan reflected on the idea for a short time and gave them the answer most had hoped for. He didn’t feel he could honestly train someone to do something he’d never done himself so all bets were now on Dan. Family and friends alike reasoned, ‘wouldn’t it be something for that old Reinsman to show those youngsters how it’s really done’.
To read the rest of the excellent article about Dan Lopez, complete with additional photos, click here: extreme-cowboy-race
The Montana House of Representatives voted 66-33 yesterday to approve and send to the Senate a piece of legislation (House Bill #418) that would authorize “investor-owned equine slaughter or processing facilities” in the state.
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