Some Interesting Reading

A STRIDES rescue doing Dressage.

Since I will have no new blogs up until Monday I figured I'd post a link to a website I've been reading a lot of lately. It's called Sustainable Dressage and it is a very interesting and opinionated read. Now I'll put a little disclaimer right here; The folks at STRIDES Equine Rescue and anybody and everybody associated with them do not necessarily hold the ideas and ideals as reflected on the website Sustainable Dressage nor do that have any affiliation with them.

I (Annie Rose on Facebook) really enjoyed the section on bits and bitting and how different bridles effect the face. The entire site is very interesting although at times a bit like reading a text book. Totally worth taking a look at though. I've also found it's good for helping you form your own thoughts on a few things like what kinds of bits you like or dislike.

Monday Updates

I think I'm going to start doing Monday updates most Mondays that there are significant things to update on just to keep everybody on the same page and things going smoothly.
So this Monday here are the updates;

-The Flower Power Fundraiser reached it's $500 + goal but you still have a few days to purchase flowers if you have not already! Thank you to everybody who did purchase flowers! You have contributed greatly to raising the funds for the new barn!

-As of this week Studly is going to be much less studly. Yes folks he's going under the knife to become a gelding! Even though he's already sweet and quiet he is much better off as a gelding and once he recovers he will begin training and then finding his forever home.

-Lea is coming along very nicely and is finally coming out of her shell and learning some manners and to trust.

-Bentley is doing well and gaining weight.

-STRIDES is in need of a good, well fenced horse safe pasture in Sounteastern New Hampshire to pasture a few rescues while they learn to be horses again. If you have a pasture like this or know of somebody who does who might be willing to allow us to use it please contact Chellsey Camasso.

-The benefit trail ride is now being held at Tower Hill in Candia New Hampshire. More to come on this soon.

-STRIDES will be getting a new rescue TB in at the end of this week. More details to come on that horse as I get them.

Help Us Out!

STRIDES Equine Rescue is in need of a good, well fenced, horse safe pasture in Southeastern New Hampshire to allow a few rescue horses to rest and learn how to be horses again.
Please if you have a pasture like this contact Chellsey Camasso of STRIDES Equine Rescue at 603-489-9979

Obese Horses

I know we all know the dangers of horses being underweight like this;

Bentley AFTER gaining some weight.

But what about horses looking like this;

Studly this past week.

With fat rolls like this;

It's easy to think that bigger is better especially when you are rehabbing horses and you see a lot of thin ones but that is not so. STRIDES got a 13.3 hh stud pony in last week and he is FAT which means he's also more then a bit unhealthy. I figured this would be a good time to bring you folks some great YouTube videos about obese horses and ponies so you can be better educated and better able to recognize them and therefore care for them better.

Here is a great video about how to fat score a horse and what in the findings tells you they are overweight.

This is an interesting video about an epidemic of overweight horses in the UK and what is being done over there. We have the same problems here.

This is a good article on general proper feeding of horses and ponies.

And here is a great page on overweight horses and how to recognize and manage them. 

Better Picture Of Lea

As promised here is a better picture of Lea!

Two New Rescues

Meet Studly and Lea;

Better pictures are coming soon but for now here is the story; 

Studly is the black and white paint stallion and Lea is the solid mare. Both of them are 13 years old and have never had routine vet care, never had their teeth floated and have not seen a farrier in months. I saw Lea yesterday when I went to visit Chellsey and the rescue and she looks lost and in her own world, she walks stiffly and carefully because of her hooves but still can get up a good run if she really wants too. 

Studly is currently being housed at the quarantine barn and soon Studly will be less of a man and more of a gelding. For a stallion though he is quiet and sweet and well mannered, Lea though, seems scared and naughty and her manners are not as good. They are both halter broke but not broke to saddle, we think Studly will do well with this but Lea might do better with a non riding home.

Currently both horses are learning to be horses and getting the proper health care as well as working on their ground manners. If you are interested in donating to help Studly or Lea you can do so here.

10 Ways To Help STRIDES...For Free!

I know we all want to help STRIDES as much as we can, in fact if you are reading this I bet you are a horse owner, a horse lover or simply just love animals. Helping often involves donating money, which is extremely appreciated and needed, but we all at some point have all fallen on hard times and extra cash can be tough to come by. You have hit the dilemma of still wanting to help but feeling like you cannot spare the extra few bucks to do so. Well you can indeed still help and here are 10 ways you can do so!

1. Clean out your tack room! You have a horse, or a few horses, and chances are you have extra tack that is adding to the clutter! Do a spring cleaning of your tack room and donate what you don't need! Gently used and good quality halters, saddles, blankets, saddle pads and leg wraps and boots can always be used. Get your friends involved too! Get together and pool your donations!
If you don't know if something can be used just ask!

2. Network, network, network! I can't stress this enough! Get the word out, tell people about STRIDES, our Facebook Pages and this blog. Tell them to tell their friends. Put a flyer up about us at your local tack shop, feed store, even in your barn! Getting the word out is key and maybe the most helpful thing you can do.

3. Offer your time. Sometimes the best thing you can offer is your time. Whether grooming a horse or helping mend fences you too can help! Do you have a skill like construction or just being handy? Can your groom horses and give them a bit of attention? If you think you can offer time just ask and we will let you know how to help!

4. Put out donation cans at your local tack shops, feed and seed stores and any place animal lovers go! If you go some place every week then you can put out a can, check it and empty it and of course get the donations to STRIDES. Just ask for more information!

5. Put up flyers about our events, fundraisers and horses in need of sponsors. Once again, all you have to do is ask!

6. Ask about volunteering at the trail ride or any of our other events!

7. Start a donation campaign in your town or at your barn! Got a kid in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts or 4-H? Go to church? Any of these groups can be used to help! Get everybody involved!

8. Run a bake sale! Get all your friends together and sell some home baked goods! Keep flyers and information on STRIDES close at hand and you can even bake horse and dog treats to sell as well as human goodies!

9. Search your car, couch, purse or bag for change. Ask your friends to do the same. You'd be amazed how much you can find just laying around! You can also collect coins in a jar, this is also a great project for classrooms and any place there are large groups of folks wanting to help!

10. Once again; NETWORKING! Get the word out! This can't be said and done enough!

Contessa Under Saddle

Contessa had her first time under saddle at the rescue. You know how some horses after not having a rider for a while are a bit, well, twitchy and have more spunk and energy then is wanted? That was not Tess at all! she took it like a doll, calm, quiet and sane. Really like an old pro.

Tess was a bit lazy but that is to be expected with her lack of muscle and will go away once she gets stronger and used to working. She showed that she really wanted to please and wanted to do the right the thing and with some work and miles will be a fantastic horse!

Contessa does still need sponsors to help with her routine care and expenses while at the rescue before she finds her forever home. If you would to donate you can do so here.

Very Exciting News!

So, this blog is indeed about raising money for a new barn at STRIDES Equine Rescue and now there is a new and super fun way you can help out!
STRIDES in cooperation with the American Competitive Trail Horse Association will be holding a benefit trail ride in Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown New Hampshire on Saturday September 24th 2011!
Do you like trail riding? Do you like riding with others? Do you like helping out a great cause? Do you like fun? If you answered "Yes" so any of these questions then this is the event for you!

Bear Brook State Park is one of New Hampshire's largest state parks and has miles and miles of well maintained trails for folks of all riding levels and abilities. The ride will start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday September 24th and will go for around 2 to 2 1/2 hours. There will be optional challenge and obstacle courses at some points in the ride. Virgina Page Photography  will be onsite to take pictures of you and your horse being the super stars that you are that will be available for purchase after the ride.
Lunch will be provided by Grandview Stables or you can bring your own.
You MUST register in advance online and can do so here.
The entry fee is $58 for adults, $25 for children ans $40 for adult buddies of children. All these fees must be paid in advance online at the site linked above.
There is also a state park fee of $4.00, all information and more can be found here.
There is lots of parking for trailers at the park.

So, now that you know all about the ride and want to do it you may be asking what you will need.
Well here is a helpful list;

-A horse! (or donkey, or mule, or pony...some sort of equine)
-Proper boots and riding clothes, helmets are strongly advised.
-Proper tack for your horse, boots and leg wraps are always good.
-Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats as well as layers in case it's chilly.
-Snacks! For both you and your horse.
-A bag lunch of you would rather eat your own food or have dietary restrictions.
-Human and equine first aid kits.
-A cell phone, just in case you need it, not to chat!
-Liquids like Gatorade or bottled water to keep (and your horse!) hydrated.
-An extra hoof pick.
-Fly spray.

There will be a more extensive list as well some article links posted later but I think that's good enough to get you all started and ready!

New Bentley Pictures

Bentley is doing well and gaining weight! But she still needs sponsors!

Georgia

This is Georgia, she is a 4 y/o 14.2 hh registered Quarter Horse mare who is new to STRIDES.

Georgia is super sweet and loves people and will someday make a fantastic little hunter pony but right now what she really needs to sponsors to help her out while she's at STRIDES. To help out Georgia or any of the STRIDES horses please click here.

Bentley Needs Sponsors!

This is Bentley, she's a very sweet, very lovely 4 y/o racehorse flunkie who is looking for a few great folks to sponsor her while she is at STRIDES! Bentley is currently in quarantine but will be out in mid to late April. She was pulled from Camelot and was one sick little girl but has been coming along nicely with the help of a good vet, good food and good care. She sadly scores a 3 on Henneke Body Scoring Scale but if she keeps going the way she is she will soon be healthy and wonderful.

If you are interested in donating to sponsor Bentley you can contact Chellsey Camasso at 603-489-9979 or e-mail her at stridesrescue@yahoo.com or you can go here. 

We Need More Flower Power!

We are off to a great start and closer and closer to our goal of raising $500 over at Flower Power Fundraising! However we are not there just yet! So now that the snow is mostly off the ground and we can smell spring in the air now is the time to buy your flowers AND help a great cause and a great rescue and some fantastic horses!
Also, have you thought about what you are getting your Mom for Mothers Day? How about beautiful flowers that support something we all love!
So click the link and start planning your garden this year!