MRC_Newsletter_July_2014 1.1 MB

Mechanicsville Riding Club
The Hitching Post
Issue 129
2014 Officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Debbie Middleton
Linda Lainhart
Jenny Boswell
Marie Kosek
Activities –
By Laws – Carolyn Davis & Nancy Morris
Club Editor– Kathy Russis
Historian – Christine Sweet
Membership – Joan Blackmon
Parliamentarian – Gordon Martin
Property – Mary Beth Wise
Publicity – Cindy Gordon
Special Events –
Ways & Means –Debbie Middleton
Note from the President
Finally summer is here!!! People are starting
vacations and our June meeting is the only meeting
before convening till September. Please try to
attend. Our May roping demo was still a success
despite the rain---strike two. Next time it will just
have to be a spur of the moment thing. Some of
our club members showed promise with their roping
skills! And hanging out in a barn is always a good
thing. The Pleasant Grove Trail ride was well
attended. Comments from participating groups
suggested this be done again. Our July activity is
going to be a King Vineyard/ Polo Match tailgate
party on a Sunday towards the end of July. Date
TBD as we watch the weather. Don’t forget to
keep track of your ride hours. The added item
added to that list is that whoever rides at the
furthest location from home wins. We are doing
this for the month of June, July, and August.
Happy trails.
Debbie Middleton
July 2014
Next Club Meeting will be June 25th, at the
Mechanicsville Little League Bldg. Social starts 7:00,
meeting starts 7:30
CHUCK WAGON: Determined by membership
roster order
June: Marie Kosek and Linda Lainhart
Please let us know as soon as possible if you
can’t supply Chuck Wagon
June Birthdays
Jack Hines
Pictures from Millstone Trail Ride
Millstone trail ride photos are ready to view!
"April 26th, 2014 Millstone Farm, Quinton, Va"
Use the following link:
http://terriaigner.photoshelter.com/gallery/April-26th-2014-MillstoneFarm-Quinton-Va/G0000Unbm92vAT8c/C00002BbWBlh_flA
Club Note:
If anyone has any additions or updates for the
Trail Directory please give them to Diane Trittipoe
DIANE.TRITTIPOE@Longandfoster.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 25
Hill Top Stables Friday Night Fun Show
Fredericksburg, VA
Phone: 540-847-3078
Emal: hilltopstablestharp@yahoo.com
Web site: www.hilltopstablesva.com
July 25-27
TB Heritage Horse Show
Meadow Event Park
Doswell, VA
Hunter, Jumper, Pleasure, Dressage, CT
Email: VA thoroughbredheritage@gmail.com
July 25- 27
American Connemara Pony Society Region III Show
VHC, Lexington, VA
Web site: www.horsecenter.org
July 26
Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue Hunter/Jumper Show
Afton, VA
Email: hopeslegacy@hotmail.com
Phone: 434-531-5688
Website: http://www.hopeslegacy.com
Jumper classes from 18" to 3'6". Hunter over fences
from 18" to 3'6". Short Stirrup and Pre-Short Stirrup
(over ground poles). Equitation, Leadline, Pleasure
Classes and more!
July 26
Fox Pointe Farm VHSA/BHSA Horse Show
Quinton, VA
Email: foxpointefarm@yahoo.com
Phone: 804 932-8710
2014 Fox Pointe Farm Horse Show Series
July 26 (Judge: Danielle Russ)
Fox Pointe Farm is hosting a VHSA/BHSA 2014
show series.
July 26
Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center Jumper Derby Day
Remington, VA
Phone: 540-399-1800
Email: kellysford.horseshows@aol.com
www.innatkellysford.com
July 26
CP Horse Shows H/E/M
Manakin-Sabot, VA
Phone: 540-732-2138
Email: edgewoodone@aol.com
July 26
Bellemount Show H/E
Beaverdam, VA
Phone: 804-448-2977
Email: ewopony@hotmail.com
Web site: www.bellemountstables.com
July 26
Hawkesbury Farm H/E
Virginia Beach, VA
Phone: 757-721-3819
Email: hawkesburyfarm@aol.com
Web site: www.hawkesburyfarm.va.com
July 27
Hunter Lane Stables H/E N
Chesterfield, VA
Phone: 804-743-1986
Email: ewilson10@verizon.net
July 27
VADAF Dressage Schooling Show
Bayberry Riding Center
Spotsylvania, VA
Email: xcrkfarm@gmail.com
Phone: 540-752-0799
Website: http://www.vadaf.net
July 31- Aug 3
Eastern Arabian Championship
VHC, Lexington, VA
Web site: www.eastcoastshow.com
August 2
Spring Into the Ring II Miniature Horse and Pony Show
Virginia VSE Challenge
Hanover, VA
Email: springintothering@gmail.com
Website: http://www.BeckwithManor.com
August 2
Topline Horse Center H/E/M/J
Yorktown, VA
Phone: 757-591-8791
Email: jpcva@juno.com
Web site: www.toplinehorsecenter.com
August 2
Coventry Farm H/E
Ashland, VA
Phone: 804-798-2003
Email: coventryfarm@msn.com
Web site: www.toplinehorsecenter.com
August 2
Western Riders of Virginia Show Series
14294 Western Riders Lane
Glen Allen, VA
Phone: 804-512-2258
Web site: www.western-riders.com
August 7
The Year
of the Horse
Frying Pan Farm Park's Twilight Dressage Series
Herndon, VA
Email: jessica.zarudzki@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-437-9101
Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/equest.htm
August 9
Farmington Jumper/Equitation Show (VHSA Associate)
Farmington Hunt Club
Charlottesville, VA
Email: guerlain@virginia.edu
Phone: 434-242-7292
Website: http://www.farmingtonhunt.org
August 9
Varina Rising Stars 4-H open Show Circuit
Dorey Park
7200 Dorey Park Drive
Richmond, VA
Email: w.dowdy@comcast.net
Phone: 804-795-1424
Website: http://Varinarisingstars4-h.com
Open show starts at 10:00am Speed Division, Hunter
Division, Gaited Division, Western Division, Mini
Division, Pee Wee, Over the hill, Novice and Lead
line. Must be 9 to show, Helmets are required for 18
and under except fitting and showmanship and halter.
August 9
Autumn Olive Farm VHSA/BHSA Hunter Show Series
Autumn Olive Farm
Goochland, VA
Email: autumnolivefarm@msn.com
Phone: 804-457-3707
Website: http://www.autumnolivefarm.com
VHSA/BHSA Assoc hunter show. Most divisions,
including VHSA TB Hunter, BHSA Limit and AOF
Baby Green along with an OPEN division for
non-hunter riders. See website for prizelist and entry
form. Located in Western Goochland.
HORSE
HEALTH
MONTHLY
Equine health articles, diseases & problems,
horse healthcare & more
Lymphosarcoma Horse
Cancer
This disease is a cancer of the lymph
tissue. Thankfully horses don’t get cancer
often, but when they do it’s usually deadly and
it’s usually this disease.
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that
develop into masses, commonly known as
tumors. They may invade healthy tissue
sometimes as a more diffuse blanket of cells
throughout the tissue similar to roots of a tree
spreading throughout the ground. The tumors
themselves release chemicals into the body
that cause several different side effects such
as weight loss, depression, anorexia, fever,
anemia just to name a few. Once a cell type or
tissue becomes cancerous it can spread
through the blood or lymph system to all
regions of the body and become tumors
anywhere.
In the case of lymphosarcoma, the lymph
tissue becomes cancerous, often starting with
one lymph node and spreading to others. The
lymphatic system is the body’s defense
network and lymph nodes are small nodules
throughout the body that filter lymph, destroy
infections, and produce white blood cells.
People often refer to these nodes as "glands.”
Along with the lymph nodes, there is also
lymph tissue that is diffusely spread throughout
organs such as the intestines and the skin. Any
one of these "glands” or lymph tissue can
become cancers, hence the symptoms of the
disease can vary greatly depending on the
location of the cancerous tissue. There are four
general types of lymphosarcomas which are
categorized on location. The four main types
are generalized (multi-centric), intestinal,
mediastinal and cutaneous.
The generalized form is the most common and
includes multiple peripheral and internal lymph
nodes. Basically, it is tumors through the lymph
nodes of the body. Common sites are the
nodes (glands) around the throatlatch, in
between the jaw, at the base of the neck,
superficial inguinal, mesenteric, and the
pectoral region. The most common clinical sign
of this type of lymphosarcoma is large masses
on the chest, at the base of the neck, under the
jaw, and at the throatlatch. Ventral edema is
very common as well as weight loss.
Sometimes the diffuse lymph tissue within the
skin can also be affected which manifests itself
as a severe ulcerative dermatitis, where the
skin literally erupts with crusting sores that
don’t heal. This form also has the lowest
survival rates, often only weeks to a few
months.
Intestinal lymphoma involves the diffuse tissue
within the intestinal wall. Involvement in this
area causes malabsorption problems of the
intestines. This leads to severe weight loss,
diarrhea and sometimes colic. Mediastinal
refers to the lymph nodes within the chest in
between the lungs. Tumors in this region can
cause coughing, increased heart rates, fluid on
the chest and even fluid within the chest.
The best and least deadly form of this disease
is the cutaneous form which, is lymph nodes
that turn into tumors under the skin and don’t
migrate throughout the body. Horses with
these types of tumors typically do very well and
live fairly long with minor clinical symptoms.
Unfortunately, if large tumors are not visible,
diagnosis can be difficult. There is also overlap
of the different types, which leads to further
diagnostic challenges. A biopsy of the tumor
can confirm the diagnosis, but can sometimes
introduce tumor cells into the blood stream
which could cause the cancer to spread
further. An ultrasound of the tumor is typically
very characteristic and diagnostic. Often a
diagnosis is made from clinical signs such as
weight loss, masses, depression, edema of
belly and legs, fever, diarrhea, skin crusting
and scaling, coughing, high heart rate, blood
changes such as anemia and a variety of other
symptoms caused by the tumors that affect the
tissue they are close to.
Treatment is also difficult; many horses don’t
survive longer than a few weeks or months.
Chemotherapy has been proposed, but often
financial constraints and side effects severely
limit their use. Some herbal remedies have
been helpful for those horses with a less
aggressive disease. Corticosteriods have been
shown to be helpful but high levels are often
needed and secondary laminitis has been
documented. Interestingly, some tumors have
progesterone receptors and sometimes
pregnancy can reduce or eliminate some
cutaneous tumors, but the use of progesterone
for treatment is not widely accepted.
Trail Riding Tips
What is an Easement?
By Patrice D. Bucciarelli |
The loss of land for public use directly affects
equestrians when farmland once used to grow
hay and raise horses is sold for residential
subdivision development. But private land
transfers also impact equestrians in other
ways, says Charlotte Harris, director of the
North Salem Bridle Trails Association (NSBT),
a New York state organization that maintains
and develops a network of local public bridle
trails. The group also works with other local
land conservation organizations that acquire
and preserve open land in the area.
According to Harris, equestrians can lose trail
access when horse-friendly landowners sell
their properties to others who later deny riders
the right to cross their property lines in order to
access public trails.
“We’re located about an hour from New York
City, and we have a ton of open space here,”
Harris says. “But we stay aware of when
private lands change hands because you can
have one landowner who shuts down [public
access] to a whole section of the trail system.”
Conservation easements allow landowners to
voluntarily limit the type and scope of
development on all or part of their property
without losing ownership of the property
included in the easement. In most cases, the
easements remain in place even when the
property connected with it changes hands.
Such easements are especially helpful to riders
where trail systems are separated by privately
held lands because they allow equestrians to
enter private properties without trespassing.
However, landowners may benefit as well.
Under federal law, qualifying landowners may
receive income tax deductions if they establish
conservation easements on their properties.
To learn more about conservation easements
and other private land conservation strategies,
visit the Equine Land Conservation Resource
(ELCR) website at www.elcr.org
Back to Wide Open Spaces >>
TACK TALK
Synthetic Saddles Rock!
These editors found that synethic saddles lack nothing
when it comes to quality construction.
From left, the Thorowgood T8, Thorowgood T4,
Wintec Pro Dressage, Tekna S-Line Dressage.
Have you ever considered a synthetic horse
saddle, but wondered if the quality was
anywhere close to leather?
The editors at Horse Journal checked out
some of the leading synethic horse saddles
and their report is encouraging:
If you’ve gone horse saddle shopping with a
small budget, you know the quality available in
leather saddles for less than $1,000 is just not
there. That leaves a choice of buying a used
leather saddle (and being sure there’s no
broken or repaired tree), settling for a new
inexpensive leather saddle (and living with the
imperfections) or giving up on leather and
going synthetic.
The simplest, safest route is a new synthetic
saddle. Few people will even know your
saddle’s not leather as you ride by. Or even if
it’s sitting on the saddle rack, really. Plus, you
can skip that time-consuming saddle soaping.
When our test saddles arrived, the first
comment was always, “That’s not
leather?” The four saddles we had—the Tekna
S-Line dressage, the Wintec Pro dressage, the
Thorowgood T4 dressage and the hybrid
Thorowgood T8 dressage—showed great
attention to design.
They not only looked like leather, they were
virtually just as pliable. Plus, the material is
much more scratch and mold resistant. The
colors are deep and rich. Stitching is even and
tight. The designs are intuitive and rider
friendly. These saddles lack nothing when it
comes to quality construction. See saddle
chart and replaceable gullets sidebar.
CLEANING AND ACCESSORIES. Of course,
nearly everyone knows that synthetic saddles
are cleaned with water. (Really. Don’t use
anything else.) You must keep them out of the
sun while they’re drying and not expose them
to high heat, such as blow drying them or
locking them in a hot car (which isn’t good for
leather either). Other than that, they’re a piece
of cake. The suede-like areas did collect dusty
debris, but we wiped that off with a dry cloth
between washings.
We used leather stirrup leathers and girths on
these saddles without problem. You can also
purchase matching bridles, girths and leathers,
if you prefer. While we’ve heard that leather
can cause a squeak when used on synthetic
materials, we didn’t have that problem.
The Tekna saddle with the knee roll removed.
TEKNA S-LINE. The Tekna S-Line saddle
from English Riding Supply is available in a
smooth or suede-like finish. We chose the
smooth finish, and it was wonderful, appearing
very much like leather. The saddle was
comfortable with padded, shaped knee rolls
and a moveable knee block. The material is
breathable. It had the longest stirrup bar in the
trial, and changing stirrups was a breeze.
The long, shaped flaps add to its pretty design.
The pommel is slightly cut back, which we
liked.
When we rode, the saddle felt already broken
in. It allows a nice close-contact feel of your
horse.
Although we only had the medium-size
changeable gullet the saddle came with, we
pulled it out and put it back just to see what it
was like. You do really need to pull this saddle
apart to get the job done, but it’s not difficult.
We would like to see a little Velcro on the flap
that hides entry to the adjustable gullet, and
we’d appreciate a couple spare screws, just in
case one gets lost, but English Riding Supply
said they will send you one if needed.
The Wintec billet design.
WINTEC PRO DRESSAGE. The Wintec Pro
comes in an Equisuede/microfiber finish. We
chose wool flocking, but you can also get the
CAIR Cushion System.
When you first mount up, you may feel like
you’re sitting on a cloud, probably due to its
layer of foam cushioning. But it’s extremely
comfortable, especially with its narrow twist,
and you quickly adjust to it.
The panels are well-padded and appear
breathable. Wintec says it’s an “Equigrip”
lining, designed to help stabilize the saddle.
The saddle has an overgirth attached to the
flaps. It looks like it’s used to keep the flaps
close to the horse, to ensure they won’t
interfere with your leg and feel. It was an extra
step tacking up, but worth it.
Changing the gullet was the easiest of all these
saddles. Long gone are those notorious days
of struggling with the gullet.
The only thing that bugged us was the added
foam on the saddle skirt and upper corner of
the flap. It didn’t interfere with riding or feel, but
we felt it added to a puffy look.
Both saddles are beautiful and comfortable.
The design and look is very upscale, and the
long flaps on the saddle seem to promote a
longer leg. Test riders said they were
automatically in the perfect spot when they
mounted (one rider said her sitting trot was
twice as easy). The T4’s suede-like seat was
grippy but comfortable and barely noticeable.
Our horses moved wonderfully.
The panels are flocked with wool that’s easily
accessible by your saddle fitter. In fact,
Thorowgood takes over-the-counter saddles to
almost custom level with a variety of panels
and trees for cobs, wide horses, high or low
withers and so on. From there, you can tweak
the fit further with the gullets.
That, however, was a little tougher than the
Wintec, and we found the hex screw that came
with the saddle didn’t work as well as the one
from our own tool box, but that’s a minor thing.
The flap over the change area isn’t Velcro-ed,
but it held in place well.
BOTTOM LINE. Your saddle decision starts
with 1) Does it fit the horse? and 2) Does it fit
the rider? Only then should you think price,
and synthetics can save you a bundle. We
would be happy with any of these saddles, but
our favorite was the Thorowgood T4. It’s wellpriced, well-designed and comfortable. Plus,
we applaud the multiple fit options beyond the
gullet change. If you’re not ready for full
synthetic, go $200 more for the T8’s leather
seat and flaps.
One last thought: If you want a gullet-change
saddle to use on a variety of horses frequently,
consider the Genesis tree fit system (see
September 2012). The tree width changes
with a few simple clicks of the tree. Of course,
you pay for that simplicity, compared to the
synthetics, as the all-leather Toulouse Genesis
Aachen dressage saddle we used cost $1650.
MRC Medicine Chest
Furosemide
The Thorowgood billets and billet rings.
THOROWGOOD. The T4 Thorowgood is a
fully synthetic model with suede-like seat and
knee rolls, while the T8 is a hybrid, meaning it’s
mainly synthetic but has a leather seat, flaps
and knee rolls.
Pronunciation
fu-RO-se-mide
Brand Names



Disal Injection
Disal Tablets
Furoject





Furosimide 1% Syrup
Furosimide Tablets
Furotabs
Lasix
Salix
Description
Furosimide is the most commonly used diuretic
in the horse. It increases urine production and
decreases the amount of fluid within tissues
and organs of the horse's body. It also acts
upon the kidneys, causing increased excretion
of electrolytes and water.
Usage
Furosemide is used to treat pulmonary edema,
some allergic reactions, and congestive heart
failure. Some veterinarians prescribe
furosemide for racehorses because it is
thought to prevent or diminish the severity of
exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage or
bleeding from the lungs. This use is
controversial.
Side Effects
Side effects include dehydration and loss of
electrolytes. In some species, furosemide may
negatively impact hearing and balance.
group should be consulted before the drug is
used.
Interactions
When furosemide is given with corticosteroids,
a greater risk of electrolyte abnormalities,
including low blood potassium and calcium,
exists.
Doses of aspirin may need to be lowered when
furosemide is given.
Furosemide can change the response to a
number of drugs used during general
anesthesia. It is important that the surgeon is
informed of the use of furosemide and of any
other medications if the animal is to undergo
surgery.
Furosemide increases the risk of kidney and
ear damage from aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Combined use of furosemide and trimethoprim
sulfa may cause a decrease in platelet count.
Overdose
Drug overdose with furosemide may cause
dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances. Chronic overdose may cause
kidney damage. Signs include increased or
decreased thirst and urination, lethargy,
increased heart rate, gastrointestinal distress,
seizures, collapse, and coma.
Precautions
Furosemide should not be given to animals
with kidney failure, animals in a state of
dehydration, or those likely to become
dehydrated. It should be used with extreme
caution in animals with electrolyte
abnormalities or liver disease.
Furosemide is usually combined with other
supportive cardiac drugs in therapy for
congestive heart failure.
Use of furosemide during pregnancy has been
shown to cause fetal deformities in other
species. For that reason, furosemide should
not be used during pregnancy, and only with
extreme care during lactation.
Furosemide should be used with extreme care
in foals because of potential problems with
dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities.
Furosemide should not be used in older horses
with kidney and liver functions that are not
normal. Use of furosemide is FDA
approved for horses. U.S. law restricts this
drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral
order of a licensed veterinarian.
In those states that permit furosemide in
racehorses, the dose and administration are
highly regulated and the particular regulatory
Book Reviews
& Excerpts
Timber Ridge
Riders Series
for Readers 9-13
By Dale Leatherman, editor,
DiscoverHorses.com
Women of “a certain age”
grew up reading books by
Walter Farley, who portrayed
the horse world accurately and
created exciting plots that were
sometimes a little far-fetched,
but very believable at the time. On the down side, the
Black Stallion books were (with one exception) all about
a boy, Alec. How we longed for horse books with girls as
the main characters! There were none, unless you
count the classics,Black Beauty and National Velvet. Since
then, I’ve read and reviewed a lot of horse books for
young readers and, sure enough, there are now plenty
featuring girls. In fact, the pendulum has swung and
boys are relegated to token roles in most books of this
genre.
But, to my frustration, few contemporary horse books for
YA and middle school readers are accurate, compelling,
enlightening or memorable. Getting to the point, the
books in Maggie Dana’s Timber Ridge Series are all
that. Maggie gets everything right–characters, plot and
the bond between girls and their beloved horses and
each other. Even the boys are real, instead of tokens
trotted through the story, and the boy-girl relationships
are sweet, budding romances, not sexual encounters.
After discovering Keeping Secrets, the first book in the
series, I knew I’d found a winner, and I happily gobbled
up the next seven books. You will, too, if you’re a horseloving female of any age. And if you’re an adult, you’ll
buy these books for your daughters and your friends’
daughters. They’re not only entertaining, they carry a
message you hope your children will “get”–that winning
isn’t everything, that retaliation when wronged is not
always the right answer, that you should always be
faithful to your friends and that the horses always come
first.
Without giving anything away, I can tell you that the
series opens with Kate, who is staying with her aunt in
Vermont while her father is researching butterflies in the
Amazon. Kate takes a job as companion to Holly, who
has been in a wheelchair since an auto accident that
killed her father. Though there’s no physical damage to
her spine, Holly has lost the use of her legs, which
means she cannot ride her wonderful horse, Magician.
Instead of being bitter, Holly is great fun, and she and
Kate are instant friends. Holly’s mother, Liz, runs the
stable at Timber Ridge, and is delighted that the girls get
along so well. But Kate is keeping a dreadful secret
(hence the name of the book, Keeping Secrets), which
causes her to lie and say she’s afraid of horses. Angela,
the barn’s bratty rich girl, treats Kate at first with scorn
and then hatred when she finds out Kate can ride.
In Book Two, Racing Into Trouble, Kate is the only one
allowed to ride the new horse in the barn, Buccaneer,
which makes Angela jealous and even more determined
to cause trouble for Kate, especially after she
embarrasses herself in front of Kate and the new
boarder, Jennifer. Holly is learning to walk again, and
she and Kate are inseparable.
Don’t be put off by the glam
cover of Riding for the Stars,
Book Three in the series.
Kate–an inveterate tomboy
who is clueless about fashion,
make-up and movie stars–will
do anything to get the job of
stunt in the movie, Moonlight,
that’s being filmed at Timber
Ridge. Holly, like most teens,
is gaga over the book and Nathan,
the teenaged heartthrob who’s
starring in the movie. Kate, who hasn’t even read the
book, wants the job so she can earn the money to buy a
horse of her own. Of course, Angela, whose mother can
buy her any horse she wants, is keen to get the role and
rub elbows with the stars. She’ll do some pretty
underhanded things to get her way.
In Wish Upon a Horse, Book Four in the series, Kate’s
wish comes true when she rescues a scruffy looking
mare from the killers. But is this the horse of her
dreams? Even her best friend, Holly, isn’t sure. Ever on
the warpath when it comes to Kate, Angela insists that
Kate’s horse is an embarrassment and should be
banished from the barn. She enlists her mother’s help in
this cruelty, and even spreads the rumor that the horse
is stolen.
In Book Five, Chasing Dreams, things are going great for
Kate and her horse, Tapestry, who turns out to be lovely
and talented. Then her father returns from chasing
butterflies in the jungle and prepares to take a job out
West, which means Kate will have to sell Tapestry and
leave her best friend, Holly. Angela conspires to get Kate
in trouble—again—and Kate has no way to prove her
innocence.
In Almost Perfect, Book Six, everyone at Timber Ridge is
focused on making the team that will ride in the qualifier
for the prestigious Festival of Horses, where scouts from
the U.S. Equestrian Team will be looking for promising
young riders. Angela and her mother will do anything to
make sure Angela is on the team—and that Kate isn’t.
In Book Seven, Taking Chances,
Maggie Dana once again comes
up with clever, believable plot
twists that keep readers up late
at night, turning the pages or
staring at their Kindles. It’s been
less than a year since Kate came
to the barn as a non-riding helper
for the wheelchair-bound Holly
(Book One). But Kate seems to have
matured in some ways, if not in others.
She’s still clueless about boys, but she
shows fortitude in the face of an injury
that could sidetrack her riding goals. Angela, who has a
wonderful new horse, is still a major pain in the
backside, but Kate feels sorry for her and takes the high
ground instead of seeking revenge. Angela is
nonplussed when Kate is kind to her, but is not about to
change her evil ways. Hats off to the author, again, for
instilling her work with a sense of right and wrong. I think
we all recognize poor little rich girls like Angela, and
think back to how we reacted to them as teenagers.
Probably not as well as Kate, who will do anything to
avoid conflict.
After the Storm is the eighth book in the series, and it’s
obvious that the friction between Angela and Kate is
reaching a boiling point. In fact, both Holly and her
mother encourage Kate to take a stand rather than
turning the other cheek—advice that causes Kate to lash
out at the wrong people. In an instant, Kate’s whole
world is changed, and she’s adrift and miserable.
Angela’s relentless attempts to trash Kate’s reputation
are vivid reminders of the bullying that is making the
news today. This book may be Maggie Dana’s best yet.
It’s certainly full of suspense and carries the underlying
message that good does not automatically triumph over
evil. Sometimes it needs help.
I can’t praise Maggie Dana highly enough for giving us
such a wholesome, riveting series that any parent will
approve of–and any kid will enjoy. Check out the
enthusiastic reviews on Amazon.com if you don’t believe
me. Lots of OMG! In every book, Dana cranks up the
tension and there’s no predicting how things will work
out. Isn’t that the mark of a good book in any genre, for
any age? Without being aware of it, young readers get a
healthy dose of values as well as primers in horse care
and three-day eventing while enjoying the work of a
masterful storyteller.
About the Author
Maggie Dana’s first riding lesson, at the age of five, was
less than wonderful. In fact, she hated it so much, she
didn’t try again for another three years. But all it took
was the right instructor and the right horse and she was
hooked for life. Her new riding stable was slap bang in
the middle of Pinewood Studios, home of England’s
movie industry. So while learning to groom horses, clean
tack, and muck stalls, Maggie also got to see the stars in
action. Some even spoke to her. Born and raised near
London, Maggie now makes her home on the
Connecticut shoreline where she divides her time
between hanging out with the family’s horses and writing
her next book in the Timber Ridge Riders series.
Order any or all of the eight books in the Timber Ridge
Riders series on Amazon.com or Timber Ridge Riders.
Kindle books are $2.99, paperbacks, $7.19.
Horse Breed of the Month
Knabstrupper
Country of Origin: Denmark
Use today: Today, the horses are valued as top dressage
June Puzzle
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Tarzan
Topper
Silverbullet
Height: 15.2 to 16 hands
Duke
Profile: The Knabstrupper was developed by Major Villars
Ring Eye
Lunn in Nordsealand, Denmark, who put a chestnut blanketed Black Diamond
mare of Spanish breeding to a Fredricksborg stallion in 1812.
Joker
This first breeding resulted in a colorfully spotted colt and the
Black Jack
basis for a new breed. Historically, the Knabstrupper was
cherished by royalty and noblemen and used for leisure pursuits Loco
and in festivals. They were also used as cavalry horses for the Champion
horses and are also found in eventing and show jumping.
Color: The most popular spotted pattern is the full leopard,
which is solid white with black or brown spots.
officers. One of the Lipizzan’s foundations stallions, Pluto, was
a Knabstrupper. After World War II, the Knabstuppers were
commonly used in circuses throughout the world. Today, the
horses are valued as top dressage horses and are also found
in eventing and show jumping.
Characteristics: The most popular spotted pattern is the full
leopard, which is solid white with black or brown spots. There
are three types of Knabstruppers: the Sport Horse type, which
due to its crossing with European warmbloods, excels in
English sports. The Baroque type is more traditional in build
and resembles the old style circus horse. The Pony type is
a smaller version of the Baroque and is a popular child’s
mount. Knabstruppers average 15.2 to 16 hands high.
For more information: American Knabstrupper Association
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