Happy New Year

It should be a happy New Year, but unfortunately, many in the United States are currently experiencing extreme weather conditions, whether it be the brutal cold affecting a large portion of the country, or the historic wildfires in LA.

Here in Florida, where we tend to cycle every few days in the winter between cold and warm, balmy days, we are in the middle of a cold spell that is expected to last weeks…no complaints from me, I love the cold! It was 27 this morning in the barn and I will gladly take it over the brutal heat that we suffer for much of the year.

The video footage from LA is just heartbreaking. I have a daughter in the midst of it and I was surprised to learn how inadequately prepared the California government is, considering how many disasters, especially wildfires, they experience. My daughter had no clue whether or not to evacuate, could not find her evacuation zone (nor could I and neither could several fire prevention experts who I asked), and she had no clue as to what roads were even open. As much as I despise living in Florida, I will give credit to a government that is on top of disasters, from informing residents of when and where to evacuate, to beginning clean up immediately afterwards. I now understand why I saw footage of horses being led down the streets, flames leaping out close enough to touch them. From what my daughter tells me, they simply were not given enough notice to evacuate. (my daughter did finally leave her home, with her rabbit and valuables.)

It bears repeating, and I will repeat this as often as necessary! Please have a disaster plan! Wildfires usually occur with very little notice and the more prepared you are, the better your chances are for a positive outcome.

Here are links to the wildfire portion of my disaster blog as well as your evacuation check list blog:

In other news, U.S. five-star eventer Andrew McConnon has been provisionally suspended by the FEI. This follows video footage of McConnon abusing several of his horses. The USEA has stated that they will issue a reciprocal suspension pending the final outcome of the FEI investigation. While this report is somewhat vague, action has at least been taken against McConnon, while it is still crickets concerning any action regarding Cesar Parra. In fact, sadly, if you do a google search of Parra, nothing immediately pops up regarding the horrific abuse he committed against his horses. One must type in Cesar Parra Abuse to get any information, and there is nothing new, the latest report from almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, the USHJA has organized the USHJA Horse Welfare Commission, and in an article reported by the Chronicle of the Horse, past USHJA President Mary Knowlton said she was sickened to hear of the atrocities being committed. The report found cases of doping, physical abuse, psychological abuse, outdated training methods, and aggression against horses, all in an effort to win ribbons and prize money.

The unfathomable atrocities committed include adding gasoline to water buckets to discourage drinking (causing horses to become dehydrated and lethargic), tying heads up high in a stall for hours, and horses being injected with controlled substances such as Pentobarbital, and in some cases sometimes being injected by junior riders who are simply doing as their trainer is instructing them to do, without knowing the possible consequences of their actions. The report goes on to offer solutions to rid the industry of these bad apples, including requiring professional licensing, defining a responsible show schedule, independent policing, and prohibiting juniors from giving injections, as well as other possible solutions.

Sadly, there are some who turn an eye or worse, find nothing wrong with these practices. If you see something, you can report it anonymously, by texting 2USEF. Please don’t let a horse suffer.

I was first exposed to doping in the show world when I moved to Florida as a child and went from having horses in the backyard to taking lessons at a show barn. I remember being only 10 or 11 years old and being disgusted to learn about this dirty trick in the horse world. Even then, I didn’t understand why anyone would want to ride a horse that was drugged, how unsafe that could be. That action shaped who I became as a horsewoman, choosing to put the horse first and foremost, every single day.

In exciting news, my Etsy business, Two Donkeys and A Horse is getting a much needed rebranding! It has taken a back seat to my book for the past year and a half. Within a few weeks, I hope to have a new website up and running, and I look forward to appearing at local horse shows as a pop-up vendor. I have decided to shift my focus, and to include a few quality lines. I have become a retail partner for Lumier Equestrian, and I am excited to bring these beautifully made Australian bridles, and halters to the equestrian community. In addition, I will continue to offer Hilton Herbs, my book, Common Sense Horse Keeping (and eventually some related items, such as journals and barn books) as well as the best selling items from my Etsy shop. If you are interested in following the journey, you can find my shop here: Facebook and on Etsy at TwoDonkeysandAHorse - Etsy

And lastly, well, I may need to change the name from Two Donkeys and A Horse to Two Donkeys and Two Horses! Yes, we are getting another horse! Gabe has been a rock star at his boot camp in Ocala, tackling his first cross country course and his first jumper show like a seasoned pro! However, his being in a barn with other horse friends made me realize just how much he needs the company of not just the donkeys, but a horse who can play and groom him. So next month, a lovely Thoroughbred gelding by the name of Chance will be arriving from Thoroughbred Placement Resources. Stay tuned for details!!

Don’t forget to hug your horse!

Lori