Hoofprints

Where the really valuable horses compete - the "chore horse" competition

"The Chore Horse competition is a test of skill for driver and horses. There is a prescribed course of different tasks that must be attempted in the correct sequence. The tasks are all things that a working team would have to do in the course of their work. Teams are judged on disposition, power, versatility, precision and agility."- The Cochrane Eagle

Canada rocks when it comes to horse compeitions. They also have a versatility team breed contest, the Telus Battle of the Breeds. Read the full story on the "chore horse" competition in the Cochrane Eagle.

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A great outing for our show crew

Northern Colorado Back Country Horsemen's list of ways to help equine flood victims

The Northern Colorado Back Country horsemen distributed this email to all their members, suggesting ways we can help our equine flood victims:

The way we went from severe drought to record level rains and flooding is really something.  Please continue to pray for balance for our Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. 

It just doesn't feel right to do a normal newsletter right now so I thought we'd just send out a list of resources where you may be able volunteer your time or send donations or whatever feels right to you.   

The website:  Help Colorado Now is a wealth of resources for the many cities, towns, rural areas, animals, people and more ......  

http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/ 

They have a wide range of organizations who are providing assistance in many ways.  They keep the site updated with new organizations and new needs too.  

To help with the lost animals who need to be reunited with their families the Facebook page,  Colorado Disaster Wildfire / Flood Lost & Found Pets & Livestock serves part of that need.  https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoWildfireLostFoundPets 

And to help provide hay to those who are in need is Colorado Horsecare Food bank:

  http://www.horsefoodbank.org/  

Plus a direct line into Estes Park, 979-577-3974  to get help or to give help.   

Plenty of places to put forth any energy you are feeling compelled to offer.

Blessings,

Robin
Holistic-Herd.com 

 

Court ruling could label horses vicious animals -- and make horse industry uninsurable

"Such a classification - the nation's first, if it stands - would make owning horses uninsurable and jeopardize the state's sizable horse industry, farmers and horse owners say."- CBS News

Read the full CBS story.

Estes Park dude ranch horses stranded by flood; need pasture, transportation

"If you've got a car that gets old you get rid of it. You got a horse that gets old you feed it for the rest of its life."
-- Gary O'Dell, dude ranch owner who vows to go where his horses go

Read the full story at The Republic.

Rogue Poudre River: N. Shields bridge holding; river floods bike trail (video) - Fort Collins - Colorado

Engineers survey the N. Shields Street - Poudre River bridge, which is under attack by a swollen river.

Larimer County engineers survey the Poudre River bridge on our northwest corner as it is battered by debris, most likely washed down from the High Park Fire area. The bridge is scheduled for replacement, and its center pylon is already damaged by previous water scoring. Engineers have monitors wired to the bridge, which keep them informed as to the bridge's health. So far, so good, they say.

 

The river, which runs along our north border, is at about twice its spring melt levels, and has broken through to the gravel pond natural areas to the north. It has also flooded the Poudre River bike trail to our east, along the north border of the proposed Pateros Creek housing development.

Cayla Stone and her horse, Cooper, watch the swollen Poudre River from the safety of our east pasture.

 

 

High water, debris battering bridge - bike trail under water - N. Shields St. (video) - Fort Collins - Colorado

From our stable's north property line: The Poudre River has breached the bike trail underpass at N. Shields Street. Trees and other debris continue to whack away at the center pylon, but the bridge is holding. Road workers stand by, and tourists flock. All the horses are safe and happy on higher ground. In fact, from a rain standpoint, this is much better than the 1997 Spring Creek flood. What is hurting us now is the runoff from the mountains, which has nowhere to go but the river.

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Gruesome end for Father of Fort Collins; historic farm revealed

A great outing for our show crew

Colorado flooding forces thousands more evacuations

Surfin' down the bike trail - Poudre River - North Fort Collins - Colorado

A new bike trail is planned at this spot. Bring your surfboards!

Bridge watch: Will it hold? Poudre River - N Shields - Fort Collins

Fort Collins - Poudre River - N. Shields bridge. River has breached the bike trail underpass. Road workers blocking traffic.

Poudre River lapping at banks - natural area ponds breached

The Poudre River is lapping at its banks after heavy rain. "The Beach", a popular recreation spot, is now completely under water, and the river has breached the natural area ponds to the north. The Shields Street - Poudre River bridge on our northwest corner has become a tourist attraction, with cars stopping on the bridge for photos, and people posing with small children for that special shot. Little do they know that the bridge is slated for replacement, and is damaged by water scoring. If some of the flood debris, a big tree for instance, hit the bridge, would it hold?

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Cache La Poudre River Flooding At Epic Proportions

Gruesome end for Father of Fort Collins; historic farm revealed

Debris a major hazard as Poudre River rages

... and this is the small stuff. Rangers worry about the Poudre/Shields bridge to our northwest, known to be weakened by previous water scoring, or the College Ave./Poudre train trestle if a big tree comes at just the wrong angle.

Horses evacuated as Poudre River rises

We have evacuated horses in lower areas. Rangers say river at mouth of the Poudre is running at twice spring melt levels.

High water at NW corner proposed next-door housing development - trail closed

Rangers closing Poudre River bike trail at northwest corner off proposed Pateros Creek housing development. Rising water expected. 

Where Poudre River bike trail was torn out in Spring Creek flood

High water, but bank holding, so far. ..

Horse death ruled accidental

“An accident I can forgive. I can overlook that someone didn’t do this on purpose. They probably didn’t know she was hurt that bad. But I need to know what happened."
-- Christina Meade, owner

Read the latest update on the cause of death of the rescued 27-year-old horse originally thought to be stabbed to death: Stacey Page Online.

A great outing for our show crew

Our stable may be a "peaceful place for you and your horse", but a hardy handful here also enjoy competition, often with an able assist from Cayla Stone. If you ever get a chance, you should try Moqui Meadows annual August show. Wonderful jumps and delicious dressage await ...

 

Kalinda Livingston on Kalvin - cross country course - Moqui Meadows Horse Trials - August - 2013. (Photos by Delani Miller)

 

Our show crew, a determined little band of riders, takes a break at the Moqui Meadows Horse Trials, August, 2013.

 

What a lovely duo! Moqui Meadows Horse Trials, August, 2013.

 

The handsome red fellow is Billy Blue, also a real-life horse star in the novel, "Winning Bet". (Moqui Meadows Horse Trials, August, 2013.)

 

27-year-old rescued horse stabbed to death

“I’d tell them they are a coward for hurting her ... It’s bad enough if you are going to kill any animal, but she didn’t do anything to them.” -- Christina Meade, owner

Collectively we can all hope that murderer falls down, sprains their ankle, and that we'll know them by their limp. Or that NCIS takes over the case. Read the full story at ABC 57 News.