SUMMER'S IN FULL SWING!!!
RIDING CAMP NEWS

One

There has been a change in format for the camp this weekend. Cookie is not feeling well enough to travel so I will be teaching the camp by myself. No worries! There's plenty to do and much to learn both on and off your horses. Plan to arrive Friday evening and call my cell 208-720-5181 so I can greet you and your horses.

Two

NEW DATES FOR AUGUST

Since I will be attending the Harry Whitney clinic in Hamilton on August on the 12-13-14-15th, I encourage anyone within traveling distance to audit that clinic. In order to save myself a trip back and forth to Montana, I moved the dates for the camp in Victor up to the 18-19-20th.

Three

Despite a day and a half of rain and cold, campers had a great time in Victor, MT at Cookie's place in May. The group was small, only true die hards play in such adverse conditions, so individual attention was readily available.

On the last day, Cookie asked, "Is there any goal anyone has that hasn't been addressed?" Sharon said she wanted to ride Smokey in a parade. Out came the American flag and Smokey's nature as a ham for the crowd. Smokey found his true calling and began showing off at every turn. Check out my scrapbook page.

PERSONAL NEWS: HAPPY AND SAD

On a personal note, a dear friend of mine, Joan Duggan, died last month. Her absence leaves a huge hole in my life and has brought some new awareness to me that I'd like to share. Joan left me in charge of placing her 2 dogs, 6 cats and 6 horses. If you have pets, I urge you to carefully consider what will happen to them in the event of your death. I thought I had done this by assigning a person to place my animals and a dollar amount to accompany them to ease the financial burden of taking them in. Let me say, that this is far too general a plan. First of all, the person you assign needs to know everything about the animals and where any documents related to them are kept. Further, that person needs be assigned legal authority to take action on the animal's behalf and specific homes should be designated before you pass. Quiz your friends and line up new homes now. For those of you who have a vague idea that some sanctuary lies in wait to take in a beloved horse, let me say that this is an unrealistic pipedream. Reality check: most of the horse sanctuaries I contacted all turned away upwards of 200 horses last year and some require donations of as much as $40,000 per animal. So, please take a moment to seriously consider the reality of what would happen should you no longer be available to care for your animals. Don't leave a mess of confusion for them or a friend in a time of grief.

Still on a sad note, I put Jack down last week. He was not happy. His physical progress had stalled out. He created a bad incident while I was out of town, threatening people, battering another horse and, once again, hurting himself. I considered selling him, but he would only bring abuse upon himself when his mysterious unsoundness, which was pain related, revealed itself, most likely as “disobedience.” It was a difficult decision for me. I believe the only fair solution for him was euthanasia.

New Dog

This is my husband's new dog, Vanna. My husband, Bob, helped care for Joan's dogs while I sought new homes for them. This little sweetie worked her way into his heart and is now in her new forever home working out the details of existing with her new brother “Cisco” and her new sister “Meggie”.

New Horse

Razzle Dazzle is a 6 year-old Thoroughbred fresh off the track. He is sweet, willing and sound! What change from my lineup of equine companions! I look forward to developing a long lasting relationship with him. He is special to me since he marks a transition period in my life and career and was a gift from Joan.

So, onward into the full swing of the riding season!

Be happy. Be strong. And be safe.

Nancy Camp
At Whole Horse Training