Arizona Fox Trotter Association (AFTA)
P O Box 605 Wittmann,
AZ 85361
NEWSLETTER - May, 2005
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Sam Pallin, MD
“Is This Your First AFTA
Trail Ride and Camping Weekend? What To Expect.”
Once upon a time we all went
on our 1st AFTA weekend trail ride. It was an exciting
adventure to meet all those new people and their foxtrotting horses.
But I must admit, a bit intimidating….camping with horses.
Our first weekend ride went something like this: Sam and I loaded up our 2 horse trailer with our
two spooky horses (Booger and Pearl) and as much tack that would fit
into that small compartment, not knowing exactly what we may need.
That left the pickup bed for hay, water, coolers, our tent, sleeping
bags, food, cloths, cookware, camping gear and all the miscellaneous
supplies. For those of you that don’t know Sam, he likes gadgets and
“stuff”. This brings to mind an earlier non-horse camp trip we
went on early in our relationship. Because of his preparedness and “stuff”,
I remarked, “You must have been a boy scout.” With a scowl on his
face, he replied, “I was for a while, but they were incompetent.”.
Anyway, so off we go with our horses in tow.
To make a long story short…we
arrived at the campsite, tied the horses to the trailer (their home
for the weekend), set up our tent (on an ant hill), it rained, our
tent leaked, we ran out of horse water, we did not have a dish planned
for the Saturday pot luck, firewood (heck no), flashlights – of
course we brought flashlights (spare batteries?? Opps!), easy boots
(what are they?). Did I mention…it rained? Did I mention spooky
horses? Spooky horses do not allow their riders to wear slickers or
hats for that matter. By the way, ignorance is bliss…at that time; I
did not know they made horse trailers with live in quarters. Setting
up a tent seemed like the natural thing to do. Anyway you get my
drift. Don’t get the wrong idea here…we had a wonderful time, our
new friends picked up the slack and we have been “regulars” for
the last six years, participating in hundreds of these trail rides all
over our beautiful state. And we like many others…”have come a
long way baby”, with help, guidance and pointers from our fellow fox
trotter friends. The beauty of it all…we continue to learn much
about our horses, tack, trailers, trucks and “stuff” (Sam isn’t
the only one that likes “stuff”) on every ride.
With that said, here is a
typical weekend trail ride and what to expect.
- Rides are posted in the
newsletter and/or on the AFTA website: www.azfoxtrotter.com
- Arrive Friday night.
Don’t be afraid to pull in late. Many of us come out after work
on Friday. Or if it gets too late, come in early Saturday morning.
Also, many times a group will go out a day or two early. Contact
Judy Kipen, our trail ride coordinator to meet up early. Note: We
choose locations that can handle large rigs. You will see
everything from bumper pulls with tents to 100’ deluxe rigs
(that’s a bit of an exaggeration).
- Set up camp. Most
campsites do not have any horse or people facilities… so bring
everything you may need for you and your horse(s). Plenty of horse
water is critical. To contain your horses, many of us use portable
panels, electric wire corrals, high lines (if trees are available)
or tie to our trailers.
- Make sure your horse
has plenty to drink in camp the night before and morning of the
rides. Many times there is no water on the trails.
- Weather permitting,
gather around the campfire Friday night
- Note: Dogs are welcome
if well behaved. Must be put away at dinnertime.
- Saturday and Sunday
rides usually start around 9:00 or 10:00am. The host or trail
leader will inform everyone of the time. Be ready to ride on time.
Rides leave promptly as scheduled.
- Rides average
approximately 4 hours with an hour break for lunch. Bring a sack
lunch and plenty to drink. Don’t forget a halter and lead rope
to tie your horse. Also an easy boot for the trail.
- Saturday afternoon:
once back in camp, if time permits before dinner, we gather for an
afternoon happy hour... Bring your own drink and a snack if
desired.
- Saturday Night Dinner
is a potluck. Bring a dish to share with all.
- Sunday Morning: off on
anther trail ride starting at approximately 9:00 -10:00am. Sunday’s
ride is usually a bit shorter then Saturday’s ride. Bring a sack
lunch. Sunday afternoon many of us pack up to head for home. Some
of the lucky few may stay the night & head out the next day to
miss the weekend traffic.
We hope you can join us on
the next AFTA trail ride. I hope some of this information will take
the guesswork out of your planning.
------------------------------
Veterinary Updates by Tom Clark, DVM
WEST NILE UPDATE
Despite mosquito and dead bird testing in central and southern
Arizona, only one mosquito sample from Mesa was positive for West Nile
Virus through mid-May in 2005. Recently, however, several mosquitos
have tested positive for WNV in the Yuma area. In 2004 there were 1305
confirmed cases of equine WNV disease in the USA. 109 confirmed cases
were in Arizona and 534 cases in California. The death rate from the
disease or euthanasia was 24.8% in Arizona and 43% in California.
Scientists have not been able to explain the differences in the
mortality rate from various states.
Dogs and cats are easily infected with the WNV, but usually suffer
no consequences. The peak season for equine infection is late
summer/early fall with August and September producing the largest
number of cases. There is no cross protection for WNV from vaccination
for Western or Eastern Encephalitis. There are 2 excellent vaccines
available for the prevention of WNV in horses. It is recommended to
vaccinate prior to peak risk, i.e. June or July for Arizona horses.
Foals should start their vaccinations at 3 months of age, and healthy
adult horses can receive their initial vaccinations at any time. A new
Texas A & M study found no connection between foal losses and
vaccination against WNV. This study was based on 595 mares from 4
different farms in Texas and Kentucky. Horses who have recovered from
clinical infections should be vaccinated 1 year after recovery.
RABIES UPDATE
As of March 25th, 43 animals have been confirmed to be infected
with rabies in 2005 by the Arizona State Health Laboratory. The vast
majority of these rabid animals have been skunks with 34 of the 38
found in Pima County. Only 3 bats and 2 foxes have tested positive for
rabies as of March 25th. Pima County usually reports the most cases of
rabies. Historically, bats and skunks are the most frequently infected
animals.
One of the recent rabid skunks joined a group of campers as they
enjoyed a campfire at Patagonia Lake State Park in Santa Cruz County.
Another rabid skunk was found by a trail rider in Saguaro National
Park east of the Rincon Mountains, southeast of Tucson.
On April 17th, Coconino County Health Department, USDA Wildlife
Services, Flagstaff Animal Control, and other collaborators started
distributing oral rabies vaccine in bait covered sachets for skunks.
In the past few years over 44.5 million oral rabies vaccine/baits have
been distributed in the USA for the control of rabies in raccoons. You
should check with your veterinarian as to their recommendation for
vaccinating your horse. It is out there!
VESICULAR STOMATITIS UPDATE
As you may have learned from TV news, the Arizona Department of
Agriculture has confirmed over 30 cases of Vesicular Stomatitis
throughout the state in 2005. The first case was confirmed on April
20th, 2005. Last year Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado had a problem
with VS, but Arizona managed to escape without any cases. This year
Arizona is the second state to detect the disease which normally
occurs in 5 to 8 year cycles, the last peak being 1998/1999. So far,
Colorado has not reported any cases, but Texas and New Mexico have. VS
is most likely to occur during the warm months in the southwestern
USA, particularly along river ways and valleys.
VS is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease of horses, sheep,
goats, cattle, swine, camelids, wildlife, and humans. Any sex, age, or
breed can be affected. Gnats and biting flies are suspected carriers
of the disease and direct contact with affected animals can be a
source of the infection. Humans are most commonly infected when
handling affected animals. In horses blisters and ulcers in the mouth,
around the muzzle, and on the coronary bands are the most common
signs. The disease can also cause blister like lesions to form on the
dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, external genitalia, and teats.
These blisters swell and break leaving raw tissue that is so painful
that infected animals may slobber, bleed from the nose, and generally
refuse to eat or drink. Some lesions on the coronary band may produce
signs of significant lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows.
There is no vaccination for VS and, fortunately, most all infected
animals eventually recover within 1-5 weeks with supportive care and
"tincture of time." VS can mimic Hoof and Mouth disease
which has been eradicated from the USA since 1929. The only way to
tell these diseases apart is via laboratory testing, therefore, the
state veterinarian requires all suspected cases of VS to be reported
to his office.
Infected animals must be quarantined and not allowed to move off
the premises for at least 30 days after the last lesion has healed.
What is important for us as trail riders, is that states not currently
having problems with VS, such as Colorado, want to make sure we do not
bring infected animals into their state. When traveling out of state
your health certificate may be required to be less than 48 hours old,
include a specific statement concerning VS, and have a permit number
issued by the state, as is currently required by Colorado. Check with
your veterinarian before traveling out of state to get the latest
requirements in order to avoid unnecessary delays.
------------------------------
AFTA Board Meeting Notes for
January
AFTA Welcomes New Members and New Board Members!
The Directors and members of AFTA would like to extend a warm and hearty welcome to the following new AFTA members:
Sharon Perry of Paulden Arizona
Sondra Haile of Chino Valley, Arizona
Jacki Garrett and Leah Sherrill of Maricopa, Arizona
Cathy Rhudy of Wittman, Arizona.
The Board and Officers of AFTA would like to thank the following members for volunteering their time and effort to further the goals of AFTA by serving on its Board:
Sandy Hollis, Steve Gordon, Jennifer and Jon Rinaldi
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING IN
NEWSLETTER
Members:
3 line ad/3 months (no photos) – Free
Mail info to AFTA, P O Box 605 Wittmann,
AZ 85361
or e-mail to cavecreekking@aol.com.
Non-members:
3 line ad/3 months (no photos) - $15 pre-paid. Mail
check payable
to AFTA, send check and information to AFTA, P O Box 605 Wittmann,
AZ 85361
____________________________________________________
AFTA
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
*
Shirts - $8.00 * Hats - $10.00
* License Plates - $15.00
* Contact:
Karen King, 623-465-7577
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
AFTA 2005 Membership Fees are due!
Memberhip
Application
Individual membership: $20 per year - Family membership:
$25 per year
Please renew your AFTA membership by sending your checks to:
AFTA
PO Box 33
Cave Creek, AZ 85327-0033
Please indicate any changes in your contact information. If you joined The Arizona Fox Trotters Association on or after October 1, 2004, no fees are due for 2005.
Thank you for your support!
Have
a change of name, address, etc.? Please contact
our Membership Committee.
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