New group is set to start helping horse owners tap into resources that are available for them and their animals
Professor Sarah Ralston, founder of NJHorse Info and Somerset County regional coordinator Susan Data-Samtak with brochures for the organization that will be available at county fairs this summer to let people know about the group Although it has a website (njhorseinfo.org) and a facebook page that just went live, this new group also is personal. It's all about "horse owners helping horse owners," which is its slogan. Regional coordinators and volunteers have gathered information on how to find everything and everyone horse owners need, from tack and feed stores to veterinarians and farriers.
The organization has been in the formative stages since Rutgers University Professor Sarah Ralston got together 18 months ago with other members of the state's equestrian community, who had become aware that many new horse owners were totally clueless about horsekeeping. With the downturn in the economy, "rescue" horses abound, so people taking pity on the animals would buy them, only to realize they didn't know how to care for them. And they aren't the only ones.
"A lot of people are getting into horses because their kids are taking riding lessons and eventually it's time for a horse, but the parents know nothing. They think ponies are young horses. They will find this very useful," said Paula Sagui, one of the regional coordinators for Monmouth County.
"It's not like you can go to the yellow pages to find a hay dealer."
Sagui, the treasurer of the entry-level Central Jersey Horsemen's Association show organization, says "it's surprising how much some non-horse people don't know about horses when you talk to them, because it seems so second-nature to us."
Susan Data-Samtak, the regional coordinator for Somerset County, pointed out, "the information is there; but you don't know how to get it. And if even if you had a horse someplace else in the country and you move here, you don't know who to talk to."
NJHorse Info enables people to easily take advantage of the experience the coordinators have built up over decades.
"There's a lot of knowledge there that can help people," said Flossie Ale, Cumberland County's NJHorse Info regional coordinator, who works as the executive director of the Gloucester County Dream Park. She also wants to see the state's different breed groups get involved in NJH.
She, too, has seen people who buy a horse but "they don't know what it eats, they don't know where to keep it, they have no clue."
NJ Horse Info offers a way to tap into a network through resources that include the Agricultural Extension Service, the New Jersey Horse Council, the Equine Advisory Board, the Rutgers Equine Science Center, County Animal Response Teams (which deal with disasters), 4-H, Pony Club and the veterinary community.
Explaining how to sort out who does what, Ralston said if your horse has equine herpes, for example, you go to the Equine Science Center to find out facts about the disease, to NJHorse Info to find a veterinarian to treat it (and who will make the mandatory report to the state Department of Agriculture) and to the New Jersey Horse Council if your neighbors are suing you for having a horse with herpes.
Although the facebook page has more than 240 "likes," word is just starting to get out about the group. Plans call for distribution of literature at county fairs this summer to increase awareness. Those seeking help may ask questions on the website and facebook, or email regional coordinators or Ralston at ralstonvmd@msn.com. More volunteers also are needed to disseminate resource material and provide referrals.
ON THE RAIL -- John Long, who has been CEO of the U.S. Equestrian Federation since its founding, is stepping down next year. His contract ends in November 2014, but he will leave in June so his replacement can handle the 2015 budget process and be in place for France's 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games during August and September.
Long chaired the World Equestrian Games 2010 Foundation for the 2010 WEG, which was held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where USEF is headquartered.
Explaining his departure, Long said, "I want to spend some more time with my kids and my grand kids. They're all on the West Coast. It's been a great 11 years, but I've missed birthdays, and I've got a couple of weddings coming up."
Long, who turns 65 this year, emphasized, "I'm not retiring. There's some project work or special initiatives that I might be able to play a role in."
A search committee will be organized next month, though it's possible the job description may change for Long's successor...
A symposium about the equine back, "What Are You Really Sitting On," will be held Aug. 5 from 2-6 p.m. at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters on Pottersville Road in Gladstone.
Speaking at the session will be veterinarian Greg Staller; his wife, dressage rider Catherine Haddad Staller, who also will do a riding demonstration; veterinary physiotherapist Joelle Steyt and Keith Brooks, a saddle fitter with Stuebben saddles.
There is no charge, and no need to RSVP for the program, which is geared toward professional riders and trainers, but open to everyone. Wine, cheese and discussion are on the agenda after the seminar...
The New Jersey Horse Council's Ride to the Rescue trail ride will be held next Sunday at Sleepy Hollow Stable, 47 Woodruff Road, New Egypt. Both beginner and advanced trails will be available, with teams going out between 9 a.m. and noon.
A discount is available for those who register early. Beneficiaries are the horse council's foundation and South Jersey Equine Rescue. For more information, go to www.njhorsecouncil.com...
Dennis Dammerman, a founding member of the Welllington Equestrian Partners who are involved with the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, died Tuesday. He had been the chief financial officer at General Electric, which he also served as vice chairman. A celebration of his life will be held Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y...
Services will be held today in Kentucky for Jack Kelly, 68, the first 2010 WEG CEO, who died of cancer.
Kelly, who served the WEG organization from 2006-2008, also was president and CEO of the Goodwill Games for six years.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Today: Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Hunter Show, DVHA showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Smoke Rise Riding Club Show, 1 Talbot Dr., Kinnelon; Baymar Farms Show, 38 Harbor Road, Morganville; Horse Park of N.J. Horse Trials, Route 524, Allentown; Liberty Network Side-Saddle Show, U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, Pottersville Road, Gladstone.
Tuesday: Summer Fun Hunter/Jumper/Western/Equitation/Dressage Show, Horse Park of N.J., Route 524, Allentown.
Wednesday: Sussex County Benefit Show, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta.
Friday: Extreme Mustang Makeover, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130, Logan Township (through next Sunday); Sussex County Horse Show (Quarter Horse Division), Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta (through next Sunday); Woodedge at the Park, Horse Park of N.J., Route 524, Allentown (through next Sunday).
Saturday: Flying Change Farm Dressage Show, 60 Sutton Road, Lebanon; Dressage at the Meadow, 640 Powell Road, Mt. Holly.
Next Sunday: Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Driving Show, DVHA showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Ride to the Rescue Trail Ride, Sleepy Hollow Stable, 47 Woodruff Road, New Egypt;
Nancy Jaffer may be reached at nancyjaffer@comcast.net.