Certified Horsemanship Association Monthly E-Blast

CHA -- Certified Horsemanship Association

4037 Iron Works Pkwy Ste 180
Lexington, KY 40511
859-255-0726 - fax
859-259-3399 - local
800-399-0138 - toll free
office@CHA-ahse.org
www.CHA-ahse.orgwww.CHAinstructors.com

"CHA - The Leaders in Horsemanship Safety. The purose of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education throughout the horse industry."

 March 2012

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2012 CHA
BOARD of DIRECTORS & STAFF:

Chief Executive Officer:
Christy Landwehr

Program Director:
Polly Haselton Barger

Membership Services Director:
Terri Weaver

Spokesperson:
Julie Goodnight

- - - - - - -

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

President:
Brent Morgan

President Elect:
Ward Stutz

Vice President:
Beth Powers

Immediate Past President:
Tara Gamble

Treasurer:
Peggy Adams

Secretary:
Tammi Gainer

- - - - - - -

BOARD:

Anne Brzezicki

Shellie Carmoney

Danvers Child

Don Kleckner

Jim McDonald

Darla Rathwell

Terry Williams

Dr. Bob Coleman

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CHA REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Region 1 (British Columbia, WA, Western MT, ID, OR, Alberta)
Christine Guenther
Christine.guenther
@frontier.com

Region 2 (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Eastern MT, ND, SD)
Tara Reiner
tara@cloud9ranch.ca

Region 3 (MN, WI, Western Ontario, Upper MI, IA, IL)
Kathy Findley
whisperingwillowfarm
@yahoo.com

Region 4 (Lower MI, IN, OH, TN, KY, WV, Eastern Ontario)
Ingrid Poissant
poissantingrid@yahoo.com

Region 5 (NY, NJ, Washington DC, VA, DE, PA, MD)
Jo-Anne Young
jyoung@houghton.edu

Region 6 (NH, VT, ME, MA, CT, RI, New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland)
Lori Maciulewicz
hideawayfarmljm
@yahoo.com

Region 7 (NC, GA, FL, SC, AL)
Ken Najorka
 najorkaperformancehorses@gmail.com

Region 8 (OK, TX, MS, AR, LA, NM)
Darla Ryder
texasdryder@aol.com

Region 9 (WY, NE, CO, KS, MO)
Julia Hershey
hersheysheavenlyhorses
@earthlink.net

Region 10 (CA, NV, UT, AZ, HI)
Lori Hall-McNary
hallmcnary@earthlink.net

Region 11 (AK, Yukon Territory)
Teddy Franke
lwranch@campliwa.org

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In This Issue:

CHA Badges, Pins and Certificates to award to riders as they achieve different rider levels within your riding program.

CHA Safety Posters to hang in your barn, tack room, or lecture room

CHA Level Manuals and other educational books!

Great DVDs to educate yourself and your students!

Is Your CHA Membership and Certification Current?

 Click here now to Find Out! Then email office@CHA-ahse.org or call 800-399-0138 if more information is needed.

Equine Affaire Ohio Volunteers Needed April 7 – 10, 2011

Volunteers Needed to Work CHA Booth at Mane Event in Red Deer, Alberta

CHA Board Nomination Time!

Interested in being on the CHA Board or finding out more about how to join a CHA Committee? Please send a current resume to us at tgamble@CHA-ahse.org for Tara Gamble, the CHA Past President and Nominations Committee Chair by no later than May 15, 2012. Thank you!

Click here to find out more.

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CHA International Conference at Canyonview Equestrian Camp and College in Silverton, Oregon – October 11 – 14, 2012

 Accommodations

Call soon to reserve your accommodations as they are limited. On site at Canyonview Camp is bunk and bath houses with no married housing. Rate is $26 a night per person and you must bring your own linens. Call 971-239-1347 or email info@Canyonview.us to make a reservation. 

The Oregon Garden Resort is only a few miles from Canyonview and there will be a free shuttle service provided to and from this hotel to the conference. Cost is $119 a night for one King or two Queen beds in a room. Limited number of rooms available so book soon. Cut-off date for reservations is September 10th, 2012. Call 503-874-2500 to book your room today! Use CHAORG for both user name and password. 

The Event

Some of the presenters and topics already set are:

*Julie Goodnight with HorseMaster TV

*Ren Bannerman from Canyonview with Working Cow Classes

*Patti Skipton from America Vaulting Association with Vaulting and Roman Riding

*Susan Xanthopoulos – The Research on Rider Biomechanics

*Anne Brzezicki from Middle Tennessee State with Lengthening and Collecting Exercises

*Dawn Salazar from Oregon State with Western Horsemanship Patterns

*Kim Meeder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

*Scott Depaolo from Boy Scouts of America with Trail Skills

*JoAnne Young from Houghton College with Exercises to Improve Responsiveness/Balance

*And many more!

Here is the tentative schedule to start planning your trip:

Thursday, October 11, 2012

CPR/1st Aid Training – 8 a.m. – Noon

Lunch – Noon

CHA Annual Membership Meeting – 1 p.m.

Educational Sessions on horseback and in classroom – 2 p.m.

Dinner 5:30 p.m.

Trip to local tack store – 6:30 p.m.

Working Cow Classes – extra fee – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Breakfast – 8 a.m.

Breakout Sessions from 9 – 11:45 a.m.

Lunch - Noon

Breakout Sessions from 1– 5:15 p.m.

Dinner - 5:30 p.m.

Trail Encampment Dessert and Cowboy Poetry and Dance – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Breakfast – 8 a.m.

Breakout Sessions from 9 – 11:45 a.m.

Lunch - Noon

Breakout Sessions from 1– 5:15 p.m.

CHA Annual Awards Banquet/Silent Auction at 6 p.m.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Breakfast – 8 a.m.

Cowboy Chapel – 9 a.m.

CHA Clinic Staff Retreat – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  Regional Directors and Upcoming Conferences Around the Continent!

Christine Guenther: Regional Director Trainer (503) 873-5580 or at christine.guenther@frontier.com

Region 1 Conference –– None due to CHA International Conference being in Region 1 this year.

Region 2 (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Eastern MT, ND, SD)

Tara Reimer Regional Director (204) 392-6308 or at tara@cloud9ranch.ca

Region 2 Conference – April 12-15th in Brandon, Manitoba with the Horse 3 Conference

Region 3 (MN, WI, Western Ontario, Upper MI, IA, IL)

Laura Jones: Regional Director (807) 577-3630 or at fljones@tbaytel.net

Kathy Findley: Regional Director Trainer (262) 895-6978 or at whisperingwillowfarm@yahoo.com

Jennifer Willey: Assistant Regional Director (612) 669-7564 or at jeniwilley@hotmail.com

Region 3 Conference – TBA

Region 4 (Lower MI, IN, OH, TN, KY, WV, Eastern Ontario)

Ingrid Poissant: Regional Director (517) 403-7628 or at poissantingrid@yahoo.com

Terry Williams: Regional Director Trainer (513) 850-5397 or at TerryJonesT@aol.com

Region 4 Conference – September 24 – 25 in Howell, MI at Innisfree Equestrian Center

Region 5 (NY, NJ, Washington DC, VA, DE, PA, MD)

Jo-Anne Young (585) 567-8142 or at joanne.young@houghton.edu

Region 5 Conference - Houghton College Equestrian Center in Houghton, NY – March 23 – 24, 2012

Region 6 (NH, VT, ME, MA, MD, CT, RI, New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland)

Lori Maciulewicz (774) 259-1004 or at hideawayfarmljm@yahoo.com

Lisa Broillard

Region 6 Conference – May 5 – 6, 2012 at Hillside Meadows in Grafton, MA

Region 7 (NC, GA, FL, SC, AL)

Ken Najorka (407) 721-9711 or at najorkaperformancehorses@gmail.com

Region 7 Conference – Harmony Equine Center in Harmony, FL – Friday, May 4, 2012

Region 8 (OK, TX, MS, AR, LA, NM)

Darla Ryder: Regional Director (918) 302-6926 or at experienceequus@yahoo.com or www.ridinginstructorresources.com

Cheryl West: Regional Director Assistant (918) 363-7610 or at westquest@yahoo.com

Region 8 Conference - TBA

Region 9 (WY, NE, CO, KS, MO)

Ashleigh Hamill: Regional Director (970) 416-8944 or tresorarabians@gmail.com

Julia Hershey: Regional Director Trainer (719) 440-4979 or hersheysheavenlyhorses@earthlink.net

Gerrie Barnes: Regional Director Assistant (303) 646-9855 or barnesranch@hughes.net

Region 9 Conference – Barnes Ranch in Larkspur, CO – June 24, 2012

Region 10 (CA, NV, UT, AZ, HI)

Lori Hall-McNary hallmcnary@earthlink.net or at (760) 741-1179 or (760) 224-2483

Cheryl Rohnke- Kronsberg: Regional Director Assistant (714) 693-4886 or crkstable@aol.com

Region 10 Conference – The Riding Academy in Menifee, CA – August 26, 2012

Region 11 (AK & Yukon)

Teddy Franke: Regional Director lwranch@campliwa.org or at (907) 457-6059 Cell (907) 687-6047

Region 11 Conference - TBA

Operation Free Ride

Horse Industry Survey

In 2009, AHP conducted an online nationwide survey made possible by the sponsorship of Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health. Upon its conclusion on Jan. 31, 2010, a total of 11,171 usable responses were collected. This completed the largest-ever equine industry survey of hands-on horse industry participants in the United States. AHP will strive to exceed that number with the current survey.

As in the previous survey, the purpose of the 2012 survey is threefold. The first objective is to obtain information regarding past, present, and expected future participation in the equine industry. The second objective is to identify which issues currently facing the equine industry are perceived as being most critical to those who own, or manage horses. The third objective is to analyze issues pertaining to horse health. In addition to questions on vaccines and deworming, the 2012 survey includes questions relating to nutrition, feed, and nutritional supplements.

Those eligible to participate in the survey are men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own or manage at least one horse and live in the United States. This study is anonymous; this means that no one–not even members of the research team–will be able to associate information that is given with responses. When the survey results are tallied, only aggregated results will be presented.

AHP members who have publications, websites, social media outlets, and professional organizations in the equine industry will promote the survey to their communities of horse owners for several months. AHP members who participate in promoting the survey will receive the complete results of the 2012 survey to release through their own channels. Full survey results will be released to the general equine industry 30 days after that.

To download the results of the 2009 AHP Results Discipline by Region Table, click on this link.

AHP members and survey sponsors receive a complete set of these results. The general equine industry may request a copy of this new information by contacting the AHP office at ahorsepubs@aol.com after April 1, 2012. Data will be available online at www.americanhorsepubs.org at that time. The survey closes May 15, 2012.

To take the 2012 AHP Equine Industry Survey, go to www.horsesurvey2012.com

CHA in the News!

Christian Camp and Conference Association Kicks Off Effort to Provide Camp Experience for Underprivileged Kids Across the U.S.

Christian Camp and Conference Association (www.ccca.org) has launched an effort to send underprivileged kids to camp for a week, regardless of their ability to pay. "Corners of the Field" is a national initiative to raise campership dollars and to help local camps across the U.S. give kids the best week of their lives in the beautiful setting of a camp. "Imagine the impact if any kid, anywhere could go to camp regardless of their ability to pay. Imagine if kids struggling with their identity, longing to be loved, faced with huge peer pressure or thoughts of self-injury could experience in a beautiful place the love of a God who has a plan for their lives," said Gregg Hunter, CCCA CEO/President.

In conjunction with a national awareness building effort called The Power of Camp, CCCA is educating parents and the public about the need for camp and the unique benefits children receive from a week away at camp. You can download an infographic about The Power of Camp and join the movement on Facebook.

The Remarkable Sally Swift

The creator of Centered Riding and mind-body riding guru still inspires.

By Randee Fox in America's Horse

Christy Landwehr CEO of CHA and Sally Swift at an American Horse Publications conference in June 2008.

Born into an era when women mostly honored their husband's demands and spent their time taking care of the family and household, Sally was among the great American women who broke the mold: impressionism artist Mary Cassatt; modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan; pilot Amelia Earhart; author and lecturer Helen Keller; seamstress and courageous leader Rosa Parks; and photojournalist Margaret Bourke White.

Born on April 20, 1913, in Hingham, Massachusetts, to Rodman Swift and Elizabeth Townsend Swift, Sally was named after her paternal grandmother, Sarah Rodman Swift. Since she had a cousin also named Sarah, her nickname became "Sally."

As a child, Sally loved riding horses. Her first experience was sitting on the back of the garbage man's horse when she was 2 or 3. Every summer for years, Sally's mother, who was also horse-crazy, rented a horse and boarded her at a neighbor's farm. Sally and her sister would take turns riding the mare down the side road, accompanied by their mother.

"Mom loved horses, and she was having a great time sharing her love of horses with us," Sally says. "She would have been very excited by my creating Centered Riding. Unfortunately, she didn't live long enough to share any of it with me. It's a shame, as it would have been very exciting to her."

At the age of 7, Sally was diagnosed with scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine. Sally's mother found physical therapist Mabel Ellsworth Todd to work with her daughter. Mabel was the author of "The Thinking Body," which was based on her belief that you could control parts of your body and reach muscles with your mind when you couldn't direct them with physical movement. Her ideas involved using creative visual imagery and consciously relaxed volition to create refined neuromuscular coordination. It's still a favorite of dancers, students of motor development and those concerned with questions of human fitness.

As the author said, "It is as profoundly true that we are as much affected in our thinking by our bodily attitudes as our bodily attitudes are affected in the reflection of our mental and bodily states."

"She would do some manipulation with her hands and give me exercises to do," Sally said. "Miss Todd encouraged me to do horse riding, saying that it would strengthen my weak back."

After high school, Sally apprenticed for three years with riding instructor Phyllis Linnington, an English woman who taught the importance of a balanced seat.

"Phyllis taught us that we were responsible for what our horses did," Sally said. "I was taught a balanced seat, balanced over your center but with tight knees. But I still had Miss Todd's training in my mind about using my body, the ball inside my body, and if you dropped it into your pelvis as if into the mud, you could do anything. As I look back on it, I see this as the beginning of Centered Riding."

For the first time, Sally went out on her own to teach riding.

"I believe one of the most important qualities of an excellent riding teacher is someone for whom teaching is more than a job – it is a life's passion," Sally said. "Great teachers have extreme patience and an eye for detail. I think having an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the body – mostly the human body – but also of the horse, is very important. I also believe it is very important to accept the student at the level of her riding and not to overload the student. Some teach too much at one time, and the student cannot sort it all out. It is very important to teach in small increments."

Sally used the winter months to school with Col. Guirey at the Boots and Saddle Riding School in New York City.

"Col. Guirey was a Cossack prince; he was a lovely, cultured person – a real gentleman," Sally said. "He was a low-key teacher, but good! In the first lesson, he said, 'Your knees are too tight!' I was absolutely horrified to hear this because I had spent so long making them tight! So for 15 minutes each lesson, I sat the trot without stirrups, and it loosened up my knees. I rode much better when they were soft because then I followed the horse. Instead of being on top of the horse, I became part of the horse."

One day, Sally did some experimenting while riding a horse who was so hot-natured, he wouldn't walk.

"He was sweet, but high-strung – hot as a pistol – and would've jumped the moon, if he could have," she says. "One day, I had made up my mind that I was going to make him walk. I began to experiment by first holding my breath, then I tried breathing (the way we now teach it in Centered Riding), and the horse responded. I did it at the walk, then the trot, and the horse responded. If I went on breathing without effort, he went on walking. The Colonel, observing this, said, 'Miss Swift, what are you doing?' I answered, 'Just breathing, Colonel.' "

In her 30s, Sally went to college and had a long career in the registration department of the Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle association. She began teaching again upon her retirement.

"It wasn't until I was 62, however, when I decided that I had had all the office work I wanted, that I thought I would retire, teach my friends and travel a little," she says.

Sally says her most profound moment of teaching was in the early days of Centered Riding.

"I was approached by a woman who had been quite seriously injured in a horse accident," she says. "When I started teaching her, she was very fearful and riding completely crooked. I took care of both of those things through my teachings. To be able to so clearly see the benefits of my teaching help her to totally overcome her fears and 'get straight' was more rewarding that I can put into words."

Sally experimented using her methods locally on the East Coast. Soon, Sally's Centered Riding program evolved and gained popularity, bringing a demand for more Centered Riding teachers. So she started training only instructors in her clinics and traveling longer distances. Centered Riding formalized its teacher certification program in the late 1980s; the corporation of Centered Riding was formed in 1993.

Karen Irland, a Level Four Centered Riding instructor from Washington, says, "Sally is the 'Yoda' of riding – truly a unique individual. "She was the first teacher to work mainly with the riders, and her unique ways of teaching riders feel awareness on the horse are her real gift. More and more western riders want to discover a connected, quiet seat on their horses. Centered Riding fits into their needs beautifully – whether it be a pleasure rider or a reiner or cutter."

"I believe it is very important for a rider to learn awareness of one's own body – understanding how the body functions, paying attention to yourself and the mechanics of how your body is functioning on the horse," Sally said. "Harmony between horse and rider is very important. The greatest equine partnerships are built upon unspoken communication. This communication will come about if you think about what you are going to do before you do it; think about how it's going to feel before you do it. When you feel in your body what you want it to feel like on your horse, your horse understands that."

When asked about the future of Centered Riding and what she believes lies ahead, Sally said, "In recent years, we have seen many therapies, bodywork modalities and even medicinal approaches built upon the theories of working with and directing the body's energy. This energetic connection, I believe, is the future of the partnership between horse and humans. I think Centered Riding is going a long way around the world, and I would hope that it is here to stay long past my days."

She passed away in April 2009.

Diatomaceous Earth and Deworming Horses

By Eleanor Blazer 

Millions of years ago the hard-shelled plants died – leaving behind remains, which consist of amorphous (without form) silica. Silica is a mineral and is beneficial to life. These massive deposits are mined and the "ore" sold to companies that market the product for various uses.

Diatoms are mainly used for filtration. Because of its porous properties diatoms separate fine particles effectively. The ore is also used as an abrasive, as an absorption material, as insulation and in soil for moisture control. So why is it sitting on the shelves of many horse barns?

Diatomaceous earth can be used as a non-chemical insecticide. When insects come in contact with DE the sharp particles damage the body and the dust dries them out - causing dehydration. If the pests eat DE, it will damage the digestive system, also leading to death. Keep in mind it will also kill beneficial bugs.

Many horse owners use it to dry out wet stalls and to fight the flies manure attracts. It is very absorbent; and detrimental to fly larvae. The most controversial use of diatomaceous earth is as a dewormer. The theory is the sharp particles will kill intestinal worms. Unfortunately various studies at recognized research centers have not proven this to be true.

Controlling intestinal worms in horses is a many layered endeavor. Rotating pastures, horse to acreage population, prior deworming history, age, closed stable versus a stable with new horses being introduced constantly, climate and season, manure management and type of parasite needing to be controlled requires a program designed for the stable or even the individual horse. Food grade diatomaceous earth will not harm your horse, but to rely on it as your only form of defense against intestinal worms is not wise.

DE deworming detractors think the volume and bulk of digesta in the equine digestive system protects the parasites from the sharp edges of the DE particles. As we never want to have an empty equine intestine, which can lead to twists and colic, trying to "fast" a horse before giving DE is not wise. The equine colon needs to be held in place by bulk. And the mucous membranes of the digestive system could be damaged by the sharp edges of the DE.

There is also the question about what DE could do to a horse with ulcers or other digestive issues. I would not want to introduce particles with sharp edges to an already compromised digestive system. Incorporating DE into a multi-faceted deworming program, which includes a bi-annual fecal flotation test, will not harm most horses. But it should not be your only means of defense against internal parasites. Consult your veterinarian.

If you decide to add DE to your equine management program make sure you purchase a product labeled as food grade or medical grade. These forms will be free of any contaminants or unwanted additives. Avoid the crystalline form of silica, commonly used in swimming pool filters, as the beneficial properties have been changed and other chemicals may have been added.

These skeletal remains will not warrant a headline in your local newspaper, but they may aid in your war against parasites.

April 18-22

McLennan Community College/Highlander Ranch
Waco, TX
Contact: Aimee Edwards
All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$600

April 22-27

Marmon Valley Farm
Zanesfield, OH
Contact: Matt Wiley
All Discipline Standard Instructor
$675

April 27-29

Pegasus Farm
Hartville, OH
Contact: Tammi Gainer
Equine Facility Manager Certification
$475

April 27-30

Fox Run Stables

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Contact: Tricia LaFoe

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification

Closed to Public: $600

May 2012

May 4-8

Camp Li-Wa/Living Waters Ranch

Fairbanks, Alaska

Contact: paulbethaustin@yahoo.com

All Discipline Standard Instructor

$650

May 13-18

Camp Ondessonk

Ozark, Illinois

Contact: Jeremy Culpepper

Trail Guide Certification

$750

May 14-19

Wears Valley Ranch
Sevierville, TN
Contact: Ryan McCaffrey
All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$750

May 14-18

St. Andrews Stables

St. Andrews, Manitoba Canada

Contact: Cecelia Liebrecht

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification

$750

May 14-18

Camp Misty Mountain

Armuchee, Georgia

Contact: Melissa Williams

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification

$750

May 17-21

Sugar Foot Farm

Utterson, Ontario

Contact: Delena Jennings

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$700

May 21-25

Nosoca Pines Ranch

Liberty Hill, South Carolina

Contact: Helen Faber

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$750

May 21-25

Potters Ranch

Union, KY

Contact: Tony Vornberge/Beth Long

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$800

May 21-26

Village Creek Bible Camp

Lansing, Iowa

Contact: Casey Breest

Combined Trail Guide and Instructor Certification

$650

May 27-June 1

Blue Star Camps, Inc.

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Contact: Susanne Valla

All Discipline Standard Instructor Certification
$750

May 28-June 1