Horse Talk

Ask any horse lover and they'll agree: its the personality's of our horses that we fall in love with. Not what they can do; but what they are. Logen Witz, a nine year old horse lover from Georgetown, reminds us all what being a horse-lover is really all about in her work with New England Equine Rescues or (NEER). When Logen discovered the program that caters to abandoned and neglected horses, she knew she had to help.

Noir, a black trick horse, was found in a broker lot. Suffering from sarcoids (tumors) and at risk for being sent to slaughter, 'Another chance for horses' stepped in, later handing him over to New England Equine rescues. Many people pitched in with Noir's care, and Logen was one of them. She approached her principal, asking for permission to place a jar in the school's office so that Noir could have new shoes. Students and teachers would make donations into the jar, and Logen's dad would match all those donations.  In the end Logen collected $60.00 from the jar-and with her father matching it, made a grand total of $120.00! More than enough for Noir's shoes.

Logen even began riding one of the NEER horses, a little gelding named Boo. After the pair put in some hard work-it was show time! To raise awareness for NEER, and show that rescue horses can make great riding horses, they entered into the BTA/BOLT horse show for a day of fun and educating people about NEER. Boo strutted his stuff and proved himelf to be a great short stirrup pony.

Logen planned to enter her second show with Boo-the ECHO learn to event three phase. But before the show, Boo came down with colic. Its bad enough to have your horse or pony colic, but, before you second show together? Sadly, they were not able to participate in the event. But, Thankfully, Boo made it out just fine.

Logen takes riding lessons at Twisdenwood, the barn down the street from her house. Soon, Logen's buddy Boo will be coming to Twisdenwood to be fostered! Logen will be riding him, of course. Best of luck with Boo, Logen!

Submitted by: Abby Sniegocki (Seahorse Jr Leader,  Secretary)

During the summer, we had a new horse at the barn named Chance - who liked to play and rear up with our horse, Cricket. What happened was something you could not imagine - unless you actually witnessed it. Chance came down from a playful rear and slipped his front right shoe into Cricket's halter. We now had a situation on our hands of a stocky/draft mix with his leg up in the air attached to Cricket's face strap. Thank goodness they remained calm. We all tried to remain calm - which was key.

Cricket's neck was straining from the pressure. We always use breakaway halters - but, not that day. Who would have thought? We weren't trailering or anything. Just letting them play. It took two of us to unbuckle Cricket's halter - once I could get the strength to unlock one clasp - the entire halter burst open and broke. We were extremely lucky neither horse got hurt. It could have been a very serious situation had Cricket tried to run or if Change lost control.

If we had a break-away on, it would have snapped off immediately. From that day on, we only use break-away halters and suggest you do the same. You NEVER know what can happen. Safety first! (you can make any halter a breakaway with a simple add on leather piece sold at most tack shops).

Dan Kreiner (our farrier) could not believe when I called him about a piece of Cricket's nylon halter in Chance's shoe - that was lodged in and could not be removed. It was the first time he had ever heard of such a thing. He had to come out and remove his shoe to get that piece out. What a crazy day!

Let this be a lesson for all.

- Tina O'Connell