Florida Sport Horse Club

Our recent heavy rains have done us no favors.  Not only do many of us have issues mowing our pastures because of boggy ground and standing water, but the saturated ground is driving ticks higher–up into the taller grasses (that we can’t cut), bushes and even trees, where we and our horses can easily “acquire”… Continue reading Beware the ticks….

We know that sometimes people don’t know until the last minute whether they’re going to come to a particular ride.  And that “things” can suddenly get in the way:  a flat tire, dead truck, horse that suddenly refuses to load, traffic accident, etc.  BUT:  it’s really helpful to know who’s coming, and here are our… Continue reading Why RSVP to Club Rides?

We had a fine time at our annual kick-off to the new club year, with Barbara and Steve Lassiter hosting.  Steve grilled some fine, fine ribs AND a humongous hunk of baloney (really, it was fantastic!). There were at least 35 people, although it was a bit hard to count everybody.  And WELCOME to our… Continue reading Our New Club Year has begun….

One of the major questions we get from new members is about how fast (or slow) our club rides are, as well as how long they last.  It’s understandable that people have different preferences about speed and endurance, and there are certainly ways of accommodating everybody if we all follow trail etiquette and communicate well… Continue reading Club Rides: Balancing Speed

National Farriers’ Week honors the men and women who care for and maintain the hooves of horses. This highly specialized trade requires skill in hoof care, blacksmithing, as well as care of injured and diseased hooves. While caring for these amazing animals, it is not unusual to receive calls at odd hours, to be stepped… Continue reading National Farriers’ Week 2018

Every club is a bit different in structure, officers and duties, but some things remain the same–mostly that it really takes some dedicated, hard-working people to keep a club healthy and happy.  Here’s our view of what is required. First of all, commitment—a willingness to serve. Secondly, time—one must take personal time out of a… Continue reading What Does It Take to Be a Club Officer?

We gave 123 kids at the Polk City Summer Reading Program “pony rides” in 1 ½ hours on June 18, and 16 club members (and several other volunteers, including Astrid Evans’ daughter and Kathy Grinsted’s students) came out to help. A special thanks goes out to Laura Branch who coordinated the horse end of the… Continue reading Polk City Library Pony Rides 2018

Our special speaker at the club’s June meeting was Dr. Katie Hennessey, DVM, of Polk Equine. We didn’t even give Katie a chance to give her prepared speech before hitting her up with questions. Some highlights: Worming: Parasites are increasingly resistant to wormers, including ivermectin and Quest. We will only add to the resistance and… Continue reading Updates From an Experienced Vet

We were very fortunate to have Bridget Stice, Polk County Agricultural Extension Agent, speak to us at our May meeting.  She identified plants that members brought in, handed out posters of poisonous plants, and recommended containment and eradication practices.  Polk County residents can email picture of plants to Bridget (bcarlis@ufl.edu) for identification or, with enough… Continue reading Know Your Pasture Plants

Two Florida Sport Horse Club members recently took a “Mounted Self-Defense” class from Mark of Suncoast Equine, Emerald Oaks Ranch in Webster, FL.  It was eye-opening, and definitely worth the time and money.  The attached document has some of the tips learned;  an online video shows just a few of the things taught.  http://www.horsenation.com/2015/03/31/mounted-self-defense-know-how-to-protect-yourself-on-horseback/.  Be… Continue reading Protect Yourself on the Trail