Worthwhile Causes – Tack and Tweed Equestrian: The Love of Horses

A Great Riding Read – Catch Rider by Author Jennifer Lyne

I admit it, I’m an older rider (cough cough), but I love to read anything about horses, especially books intended for young adults. It must satisfy some longing for a younger self, or maybe I never grew up inside, or maybe I’m just reaching mid-life crisis. Catch Rider, by Jennifer Lyne, is a wonderful read! I’m only partially through it, but I can’t put it down, even though I HAVE to because my family does require attention now and then.

I’m posting this before I finish my read because Ms. Lyne, a fellow Chappaqua resident, will be signing her book tomorrow at the great Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival located in Bell Middle School right in town. Any fans, new readers or parents of horse-crazy kids will want to stop by and meet her as well as pick up a copy of her book.

Not only will this support our wonderful festival, but Ms. Lyne has decided to generously donate all her proceeds from the festival to Everytown for Gun Safety – in honor of the victims of our most recent tragedy in Oregon. Thank you Ms. Lyne. I will be buying several copies.

I’m going to use the publisher’s description of Catch Rider, as I’m not done reading it yet!! I will, however, get right to it when the kids go down tonight. Watch out A Circuit 😉

Catch Rider is published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis

Sidney Criser, 14, pursues her dream of becoming a catch rider–a show rider who can ride anything–despite her poor background and ferocious competition from more privileged girls. Set in Virginia, Catch Rider is an authentic behind the scenes portrayal of a show barn and the elite, demanding world of equitation. Catch Rider is not a horse book; it’s a book about horse people.

The Ebony Horsewoman

Since I’ve been around horses, I’ve known the wonderful things they can do for young people. Some of the most responsible, talented, polite and hardworking boys and girls I can think of, work around a barn for lessons, for themselves and for their ponies and horses. Horses, sometimes intimidating but always a mirror to ourselves, can also reach even the hardest to reach humans. I witnessed this myself when I worked at a small urban barn in Queens, NY (Lynne’s Riding School) whose gentle lesson horses participated in Gallop NYC, teaching autistic and children with downs syndrome the joy of riding.

Patricia E. Kelley, a top Western equestrian and former marine (wow), has known this since 1983 when she founded The Ebony Horsewoman. She has been working with inner city kids, teaching animal care and science (including Western and English riding) to over 300 Hartford, CT kids per year.

“We use horses as a hook to create pride, esteem and healing,” said Kelly, 66. “They learn that they have ability. They just have to unlock it.”

By exposing kids in Hartford to horsemanship, she hopes to give them an alternative to the hardships that they may endure every day. They can escape street stress and spend time and energy in her 693 acre park with 14 horses, a Shetland pony, and a number of other animal species, which are taken care of by her students.

Really innovative is her Jr. Mounted Patrol – a group of young riders charged with patrolling the park and reporting back with what is going on in the park. How wonderful is this??

I want to highlight her work and perhaps drum up some dinero for her efforts. As winter descends upon the farm, they could use some money for feed and hay, and I’m sure any number of other items for her non-profit.

Way to go Ms. Kelley! I’ll be on your donor list 🙂

All photos are from their web site – I just thought they were too cool not to feature.

http://www.cnn.com/video/api/embed.html#/video/topvideos/2014/12/05/natpkg-cnn-heroes-tribute-kelly.cnn

Ebony Horsewomen, Inc.
337 Vine Street | Hartford, CT 06112

Phone: (860) 293-2914
Fax: (860) 293-0039

Email: info@ebonyhorsewomen.us
www.ebonyhorsewomen.us

Sorry Nassau Surrey Horses Need Help

We’re on a family vacation this week (taking a wonderful cruise with grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle/cousins) in the Caribbean, and while we’re having a great time, I couldn’t help but feel really shocked and sorry for the little Surrey horses pulling carriages in the port of Nassau, Bahamas. They looked totally broken, skinny and sore (terrible shoeing and rub sores all over their little bodies where their tack was digging into their skin). In torrential downpours or oppressive heat, they pull their loads: tourists that weigh more than they do, time and time again.

When we got back to our room, I found more information on these “Surrey” horses, and what I found wasn’t very encouraging. Between collapsing on the job, like the one (of several) that died horribly in the street, to malnourishment, their lives look pretty dim; obviously abused. I then looked for any organizations trying to help these little guys. I found a Facebook page with a stop the abuse petition, and of course I signed it (please sign it too). I just hope that there is someone with authority out there to take it seriously and find a way to stop the abuse. I’m trying to find a more organized effort to help these equines; if I do, I’ll spread the word.

https://www.facebook.com/surreyhorsecause

SPCA – Caring for Westchester’s Kittens Puppies & Ponies

Orange Tabby Kitten - ball of fluffy love ready for adoption — Ball of Fluffy Love up for adoption at the SPCA in Briarcliff NY – Orange Tabby Kitten

Anyone who is concerned with cruelty to animals has heard of the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and the one in Briarcliff, NY is one of the oldest. Founded by Mary Dusenberry (of Ossining) in 1883 after witnessing horses being mercilessly beaten and whipped as they carried heavy loads of coal up a nearby hill, Mary and her generous friends bought the land and started a fund to help our animal friends. Besides caring for smaller animals like dogs and cats, the SPCA in Briarcliff has an Equine Rescue Fund, helping to find our less fortunate equine friends right here in Westchester County; sad to say that there are many horses and ponies in bad shape right in our own back yards. They provide food, shelter, medical, farrier and emergency care for abused equines around the area. They even help enforce animal cruelty laws (Animal Cops Westchester!).

Ready for Adoption - baby Black mix...cute little boy needs some love!!! — Baby Black Retriever Mix ready for love and a fun family to hug!!

For more information, sponsor an animal or make a much needed donation to these heroes, please go to www.SPCA914.org. To reach the Equine Rescue Fund directly, please call (914) 941-2896 ext. 12. Contributions can be made out to the SPCA Equine Rescue fund and mailed to the SPCA. The SPCA depends solely upon private donations; it is a no-kill shelter and is not affiliated with the ASPCA, and receives no federal, state or county funding.

Rescued Pony from the Equine Rescue at the SPCA Westchester

I’m sponsoring the monthly care of a kitty and I challenge all my Westchester and Connecticut friends to help. No amount is too little.

The Equus Foundation: One of our Favorite Charities – Lastest News

For over 10 years, the Equus Foundation has played a key role in many equine-related charities.

They help by

Providing financial support through the award of grants to charities that are improving the quality of life of horses, using horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal;
Offering insight on management and financial practices of these charities through a thorough review of their operations;
and educating the public about horses.

Please see their latest news below, and if you can DONATE any amount of money or time to their worthwhile cause!

http://www.equusfoundation.org/news/news-release-190.html

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