August 2020 Issue

Page 26 August 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Print subscribers get FREE classifieds! FREE Print subscribers get FREE non-commercial classified ads! Just email your non-commercial (events, horses/trailers/tack for sale, boarding/lessons/training etc.) classified, 35 words or less to steph@eastcoaste- questrian.net . Be sure to include your name and mailing address as it appears on your subscription label. (Not a print subscriber? Sign up online at eastcoastequestrian.net .) Classifieds can run in more than one issue but must be resubmitted each month. Deadline is the 12th of the month before publication. FARMS FARMS HORSES MISC. MISC. Go ahead...Ask da Mare By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… I don’t know much about horses or riding or the patois of the horsey set. A friend of mine who has started taking riding les- sons has been telling me all about the stuff she has to do to ride the horse she uses in her lessons. There’s the saddle pad, the girth, the bridle and the bit. I asked my friend about the eerie similarity in words bridal and bridle. Eye-roll- ing ensued, after which she point- ed out that I’m always looking for evidence that women are being dissed by society. Seriously. She said that! So I’m asking you how these words got into the equestri- an lexicon. Is a bridle for a bride? Does a bridal party need bridles? Does a horse look forward to wearing a bridle and that thing that goes in his mouth? The bit? -Curious, Really Dear Curious… I like your questions. Really! And, given the fact that you’re coming to this whole equestrian thing once removed from the actual horse and gear, I especial- ly like your take on the “patois of the horsey set.” So, here’s something that will set your hair on fire. The function of the bridle (all the leather stuff, the reins and the bit) is to control and direct the horse. The word is a derivation of the Old English bridel , which means to control or restrain. Sim- ilarly, the word “bride” is derived from an old—really old—English word bryd , which had a lot to do with cooking and brewing stuff. Are you seeing what I’m seeing here? It’s not that I’m a fanatic or anything, but are we not all in the mood these days to examine what the heck is behind all the words and habits and cultural norms we’ve embraced without even asking them where they came from? While we’re at it, let’s think about that old saw “champ- ing at the bit,” which literally means the horse is grinding the bit with his teeth. Why would he do that? Spite? Crankiness? Irritation? The equine world is full of strange customs, odd language and arrays of gear that seem often over the top. In the center, though, is the object of our collective affection. The horse. The Strange Patois of the Horsey Set Magnificent. Mysterious. Mis- chievous and profoundly kind. It may seem like a cult, but it’s not and your questions are intriguing and amusing. You obviously have a curious mind, and I hope you continue to give it free rein. Dear Mal… A friend of mine asked me about my horse’s skin and how I care for it during the summer. Duh! I felt like a terrible person because I said all I do is bathe my horse and try to keep the bugs off him. That didn’t sit well with her. She said that horses can get skin cancer the same as humans can (not sure if that is in fact true, but she was adamant). She wondered whether I had ever taken a course in how to properly manage a horse. Then she pointed out that someone could think I was neglecting my horse’s care by not doing more for his skin. She walked away in what seemed like disgust, and I immediately started worrying about my horse. And the sun. And cancer. My horse is a dark bay and has been with me for 15 years, and he’s a healthy and happy 22 year-old. But now I am obsessed with what I should be doing to protect him. Can you help? -Worried & Sad Dear W&S… What would we do without our friends? The ones who ask you questions like, “are you still dating that same guy?” or “have you ever thought about waxing your chin?” Okay, maybe I’m projecting a tad. But really. Let’s put your friend’s questions in perspective, shall we? As it turns out, nosy nellies occasionally hit on questions that actually make sense, albeit for the wrong reasons. So, it’s true that horses can get skin cancer, so, yes it is definitely worth watching for any signs of it. Even darker horses can get skin cancer, and you should keep an eye on suspicious lesions, sores, etc. Watch for any raised, red bumps on your horse’s skin, around his eyes and his sheath. This is a good issue to bring up with your vet when your horse is getting his shots or rou- tine vet check. Ask her to show (Continued on page 27) Horse Lay Ups: 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/ University Of Pennsylvania Vet School. (No self care avail- able). Owner owned and run. Over 30 years experience. Two references requested. Rates upon request. 610-721-5902. Great Care at Barn in Southern Chester County, PA. Indoor and Outdoor rings, round pen and trails. Stall board $450/month, Field $325. Vet references available, 20+ years experience, nice people. Judy 610-368-3822 TRAINING: Westfield Farm LLC, Tailored for horse and owner. ALL Breeds and disciplines. We will make your trail horse safe or a winning show horse More info at Westfieldfarmllc.com or CALL 717-432-2828. Travel Possible. Heather Hill Farm -between West Chester & Unionville- Field and Full Board available. Premium care . Outdoor ring w/ jumps. X country trails, access to Cheslen. Professional on site management. Low key & drama free. 610-212-0074. www.HeatherHillFarm.com HORSES Foaling Stalls: Limited space available for mares that want to foal in Pennsylvania. 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/ University Of Pennsylvania Vet School. Over 30 years experi- ence. Reasonable rates. 610-721-5902. 4 Year Old TB Gelding: Very reasonably priced. 16 and 1 hands. Dark bay. Very quiet. Sound. Trail rides. Paper chase. Green in the ring. Lovely ground manners. Ships/clips. Good home only. 610-721-5902. Large Chestnut Colt: Full brother to Devon/Upperville Winner. Unregistered TB. PA Bred. Will win on the line. Very athletic. Good mover. 610-721-5902. Beautiful, big, Black 6 yo WB mare free to best home w/ references. NOT RIDEABLE due to injury. Sweet, healthy, well mannered. Pasture com- panion, natural horsemanship, embryo transfer recipient. Current negative coggins, UTD on all vaccines. Roberteefford@gmail.com . MISC. Omega Horse Rescue located in Airville, PA has a variety of horses and ponies ready for their forever homes! Please visit our website to see pictures, videos and how you can help! www.omegahorserescue.com Better than right off the track! The PTHA's Turning for Home, Inc. always has OTTBs that are properly rehabbed, retrained and ready for their new careers. Find your next horse at www.turningforhome. org or call 215-808-7562. For Sale: Manure spreader, Millcreek #35. Ground driven with Poly floor. Will fit in a 48” opening. Very good condition with good tires. Asking $1,950. Please call 484-345-8329. Exiss 6 Horse slant aluminum gooseneck 2001. Stainless nose. Lighted, carpeted dress- ing room. Extra rear com- partment. Many saddle/bridle racks. Everything removable to enlarge stalls or fit carts. 7'6"ht. Extremely nice condition. $17,800. OBO 717-432-2828 August 6—9, PENNSYL- VANIA EQUINE COUNCIL MEMBERS ONLY TRAIL RIDE – Marienville, PA. Contact Aleta 888-304-0281 or secretary@pennsylvania equinecouncil.org . King Kutter Rotto Harrow - Like new, cost $600; yours $250. Make your arena look new again. Bird-In-Hand Eagle Carriage, cob size, Groom step., shafts . loaded. Excellent condi- tion $,4,500. 856-299-3616. CATS: Barn homes in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, PA. are needed to give rescued strays a chance at life. Cats are neutered, mi- crochipped, and vaccinated; delivered and acclimated. Fill out an application to adopt at StrayCatBlues.org or call 215-631-1851 Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian!