INTERMOUNTAIN BRANCH, JEFFERSON COUNTY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2006

Editors: Dan Lincoln, 303-674-3834 and Connie Spiegel, 303-679-9307

NEXT MEETING: BRAND INSPECTION PROGRAM  Our next general meeting will continue our emphasis on fun and education with a presentation by J.G. Shoun, the Colorado State Brand Commissioner on the State Brand Inspection Program. Discover the realities of the law regarding registration of your horses and the horrors of non-compliance. Find out what you can do if you buy a horse out-of-state or lose track of one of your creatures. J.G. has a wealth of experience in brand inspection and dealing with Colorado horse owners and some good stories about our soul mates. The meeting will again be at Beau Jo’s Pizza in downtown Evergreen, October 12, 6:30 pm socializing, a short business meeting to elect our new officers at 7 pm, followed by the program. You’ve got to buy your own this time, but it is still a good excuse to abandon the kitchen and hang out with some other horse folk. Non-members are cordially invited.

POKER RIDE REPORT  If you missed the Poker Ride, you missed a fun horse event. The weather forecast was iffy, but the day turned out fine. We had 45 riders go around the course, and more folks showed up to see our exhibitors offering Magnetic Treatments, Stress Control Therapy, Pilates for Riders, fancy clothing and fine portraits of your favorite steed. Our winner (3 Jacks), K.C.  Butler, took home $225, and our beneficiaries, Harmony Horseworks and the Rec District Special Needs program, split another $225. We handed out a bunch of door prizes and a nice lunch. The Council is grateful for the Rec District support and the great turnout of volunteers, whom we will need again next year. The only glitch came from our riders lingering a bit long on the trail, but it was beautiful day, and all the horses were being kind. No wrecks this year.

HORSE HEALTH NOTES It is time for fall shots. Flu-rhino this time. It’s not hard to get the stuff from your vet and give it yourself, but do get it done. There is some kind of upper respiratory viral infection going around. Infected horses cough deeply, especially when exercising, and get snotty noses. It is contagious – probably fly borne – but only two of ye editor’s horse got it.  Dr. John Pallaro, of Golden Animal Hospital, treats with Equistim to stimulate the horses immune system and tetracycline injection, followed by SMG’s to ward off secondary infections. Dr. John says the disease is not fatal, and infected horses can be ridden, but, frankly, it is no fun to ride a horse that is coughing a lot. Expect at least a two week recovery period. My horses are still coughing some after a full month.