Dressage Star Blue Hors Matine Euthanized

Dressage mare Blue Hors Matine, whose dressage freestyle at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen became an Internet video sensation, was euthanized today after breaking a leg in a paddock accident, Horse and Hound reported. The 13-year-old Dutch mare was ridden by Andreas Helgstrand. She was retired from competition following a tendon injury at the Las Vegas World Cup in 2007. Blue Hors Stud Director Esben Moller told Horse and Hound Matine broke her right forelimb at the knee while out in her pasture. The YouTube video of her 2006 WEG freestyle has received nearly 10 million views. go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw to see the video.

When Should You Replace Horse Trailer Tires? The question above is one that you see frequently if you visit any forums that discuss horse trailers. For such an important piece of equipment, many people are not sure when they should replace the tires on their horse trailer.

Depending on how much you use your horse trailer, a rule of thumb for replacing tires is roughly every three to five years. But this number is just an approximation, because other factors may influence when you need to buy new ones.

One thing that determines when to replace tires is the appearance of dry rot. Dry rot, as the name implies, means the tire rubber dries out and begins to rot, which makes conditions favorable for the tire to blow out.

Dry rot occurs more frequently in tires that don't see a lot of miles, for example, your horse trailer sits idle all winter long, and you use it sporadically for the rest of the year. Weather conditions also affect how quickly tires develop dry rot. For those who live in warmer climates with very hot summers you may find that tires dry out much faster than they might somewhere cooler. And dry rot occurs in all tires, including the spare.

How do you know if your tire has dry rot? If you see cracks or splits along the outer edges of the tire, you're looking at dry rot.

Can you do anything to prevent dry rot? To some extent, yes.

Try not to park your horse trailer in an area where the sun beats down on it all day long. Make sure your spare tire is always covered. Visit your local auto parts store. Many sell spray on products designed to protect tires from sun and other environmental factors.

Use your horse trailer so it doesn't sit for lengthy periods. The constant weight of the trailer on the tires contributes to the development of dry rot.

Make it a point to check your tires regularly, not only to inspect for dry rot but to check the tire pressure too.

You've got a lot riding on your tires, so be sure to take care of them.

BOB GROVE / SADDLEDOCTOR
“DRY SPOTS”

Recently I have received several questions regarding “DRY SPOTS” on the horse back after un-saddling. I would like to address this in a little detail and hopefully it will answer many questions that your members may have.
First, do not over react at the appearance of dry spots, at least at first sight. Dry spots are an indication of improper fit. If you are only riding for 1-2 hrs and mostly walking, than you may very well see dry spots. If you are riding for 3-8 hrs and moving your mount through his/her paces and you have dry spots, than we do have a problem. Additionally, working your horse just 10-30 min per day will result in a new horse in just several weeks. When working your horse for 10 min or more, putting him / her through their paces should generate sweat and no dry spots. See full article
Trailriders

This is just a reminder that the new law which allows the Virginia State Forest system to charge a recreational user fee for horseback riding and biking is now in effect. Please be sure to purchase your licenses so that you are in compliance. The link for on line purchases is embedded in the press release below. They are being sold as an add-on to the state hunting and fishing licenses. Note that a $1 surcharge has been added so the actual cost is $16, not $15 as mentioned in the press release.

This has been done because the Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries is administering the program for the Dept. of Forestry (DOF). Please be sure to select the special license box Virginia State Forest Use Permit as shown below. The state will be able to track how many of these are sold so that we will be to obtain an impact analysis at the end of the year. You can make your purchase either on-line or at any location that sells hunting and fishing licenses. The special licenses will help the DOF to develop a small funding source for trail and trailhead improvements. This effort will by no means replace the trail volunteer efforts that are already established in the many of the Forests.  News Release For Immediate Release June 29, 2009 Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 or 434.989.0665 VDOF 09022 Certain Recreational Activities in Virginia's State Forests Will Require A State Forest Use Permit Beginning July 1, 2009 During this year's legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed a new law requiring certain recreational users of the Commonwealth's State Forests to purchase an annual permit. This law goes into effect Wednesday, July 1st.

The State Forest Use Permit is required for anyone 16 years and older who hunts, fishes, traps, rides mountain bikes or horses in one of Virginia's 19 State Forests.

Anyone walking, hiking or canoeing will not need the Use Permit. The new Use Permit replaces the state forest license that used to be required of those hunting or trapping on the state forests. Obtaining a Use Permit is a new requirement for those who fish or ride horses or mountain bikes in the state forests. The State Forest Use Permit is valid for all five activities. This State Forest Use Permit does not apply to our national forests, national parks, state parks or state-managed wildlife management areas.

The Use Permit, which costs $15 annually, is good for one year following its purchase. All funds generated by the Use Permit will go toward enhancing recreational opportunities on the State Forests.
Since the founding of Virginia's first state forest (Prince Edward Gallion State Forest) in 1919, the state forests have been self-supporting entities' meaning they receive no tax dollars. Now, with 19 state forests in the system and increased demand for recreational use by Virginia's citizens, the system cannot rely solely on the sale of timber on just the three largest forests to provide enough funding to operate, maintain and improve the entire system of 19 state forests' hence the need for the new Use Permit.
The State Forest Use Permit is available online at
http://secure01.virginiainteractive.org/horf/  or at authorized retailers who
sell the Virginia state hunting license.
Copy of amended regulation: CHAPTER 297 An Act to amend and reenact § 10.1-1152 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+10.1-1152  of the Code of Virginia, relating to forestry permits to fish and ride mountain bikes and horses. [S 1473] Approved March 27, 2009  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+29.1-327