Spotlight on the News - February 2010

Norwegian Fjord from NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center was Chosen Prestigious "Equine of the Year" by NARHA

Kleng, an 18-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse who has carried hundreds of disabled riders on his strong back over the years at the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center (NWTRC) outside Bellingham, Washington, won the 2009 Equine of the Year Award, presented in Fort Worth, Texas by the NARHA, a national association of equine assisted activity and therapy.

Kleng has "a strong steady walk, a tireless trot and a ‘rocking horse’ canter," according to Julia Bozzo, his owner and executive director of NWTRC. A gentleman and a dandy horse, Kleng jumps, trail rides, lunges well with a rider and is trained to pull a cart.

Trained since the age of four to work in equine-assisted activities, Kleng has worked as a therapy horse at NWTRC for 13 years. Kleng performs in many disciplines, in many environments and for many ability levels. "He thrives from lots of riding and handling and always seems to look forward to the next challenge," Bozzo commented.

For more information or to donate or volunteer, please go to www.nwtrc.org.

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Water Bottle Holder from Cashel Company

This is the water bottle holder you shouldn't be without. It's structured in design so it makes replacing your water a one-handed task, which allows you to keep one hand on the reins. It attaches to your saddle horn or around the pommel with an adjustable strap to fit a wide range of saddle types and sizes. Reflective tape provides safety in low level light conditions. Replacement water bottles are also available.

Visit www.cashelcompany.com or call 1-800-333-2202.

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Got That Winter Itch?

Nothing is worse than that dry, itchy skin to cause your horse to rub his tail out during the winter. But you can use the “Scrub” to stop the “Rub” for a fuller and longer tail with Big & Sexy Tail Scrub by Aloe Advantage. This highly exfoliating and moisturizing sea salt scrub with essential oils gently lifts that dry winter dandruff from the base to the dock of the horse’s tail, leaving rich essential moisture to aid in the optimum growth of beautiful manes and tails. Not only is this product all natural and highly effective at exfoliating the skin to stimulate healthy and enhanced hair growth, it's also pleasant for the groomer with its outrageous lemongrass aroma! Your hands will feel like you just came from the spa. Everyone benefits with Big & Sexy Tail Scrub! It is easy to use in the winter; just take a warm bucket of water to rinse the tail in after you give it a good rubbin’ scrubbin’ with Big & Sexy Tail Scrub…no shampooing required!

www.AloeAdvantage.com or www.Durvet.com.

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Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment Gel Now Available in a Travel Size

Helps Speed Healing

Absorbine’s popular Veterinary Liniment Gel is now offered in a convenient 3-ounce travel size, making it easy to carry with you on the road or at the show. It is powerful pain relief right at your fingertips – deep, penetrating relief for sore muscles, joints and arthritis. Absorbine Veterinary Liniment Gel contains the same time-honored blend of natural botanical extracts of calendula, echinacea and wormwood as original Absorbine Veterinary Liniment, but with three times the level of menthol. Menthol loosens stiff joints and reduces swelling while the botanical extracts work to soothe and heal. The gel formula is pleasantly scented with spearmint and generates warmth, followed by deep penetrating heat.

Absorbine Veterinary Liniment Gel can be applied directly to the point of pain. Use it on legs, back, shoulders and flanks to relieve pain and reduce swelling for pre-workout rubs and post-workout setup. Learn more at http://www.absorbine.com/.

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Discover UC Davis Extension's Outdoor Exploration Programs

Join fellow horse enthusiasts for dinner and learn about horsepacking adventure courses coming next summer. Instructor Craig London will present slides and photos that showcase horsepacking excursions of years past. This three-hour open house is for anyone interested in attending one of the two summer courses:

Mustangs: A Living Legacy is a popular educational trek through the Pizona area of the Inyo National Forest and a great place to learn about mustangs and packing.

Mountain Horsemanship: Veterinary Care and Horsepacking in the Wilderness is a deluxe pack trip in the High Sierras with expert instruction on wilderness horse care.

The open house is Saturday, February 6, 6 to 9 p.m. on the UC Davis campus. The $25 enrollment fee includes dinner. For more information, please call 1-800-752-0881, email extension@ucdavis.edu or visit extension.ucdavis.edu/beyond.