To see video of the SFTR Parades please click on this link.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Quote of the month:
“ALL OUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE, IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSUE THEM.” WALT DISNEY

Hello South Florida Trail Riders!

The moonlight ride was wonderful! The moon rising from the ocean was beautiful and a sight to behold. All the people who participated told me that they had a superb time. I want to thank all of the people who helped me to put this program together. You all did an extraordinary job! Thank you for all your effort and hard work. We are going to do it again on March 14, 2009. This will be a great opportunity for those who were not able to join us to participate and enjoy it, as well as for those who took advantage of the event to enjoy it once again.
The Rodeo Association’s 60th Anniversary is coming up, so please do not forget to join all the upcoming events that they are preparing for the week before the Rodeo. Please remember to volunteer for the funnel cake booth that we are working at the Rodeo in order to raise funds. Please contact Manny Alvarez to volunteer.
The Thanksgiving campout was a success. Thank you to Jose and Maria Vidal for being the hosts. You did a great job of organizing all the events. Rene Gomez did an outstanding job with the turkey and the fried pork, as usual. Hopefully next time he will not forget to bring his horse so that he can go riding with us! However, we forgive him since he did the next best thing, which was to bring along his wife and children.
We had our Christmas party and the food was fabulous and the company was even better. Everyone had a great time. We had the raffle for the computer and none of the winners were present, however, they were all contacted by phone. See the separate article regarding their names.
Please do not forget to participate in the Black Stallion Kid’s day scheduled for this month. See the newsletter for the dates and times. Also remember to start collecting funds for the St. Jude’s Children Hospital. The ride will take place on February 7, 2009. Debi Catarineau is the new coordinator and she needs all your support and encouragement. Hope to see all of you on the ride and with lots of money collected!
I want to wish all of you a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
May the Spirit of Christmas be with all of you all year round and try to help others as much as you can. Remember it is better to give than to receive!

See you at trails end! Agustin Saavedra

TRUCK SURVEY

I am doing a truck survey to find information that may later help other members in the club. I need to know what type of vehicles our members are driving.

1) Make
2) Model
3) Engine (gas or diesel )
4) Engine size
5) Wheel brand and size
6) Mileage on vehicle
7) Mileage your getting on the tires

*How do you like the tires on your truck, pros and cons and would you buy that brand again.
*What mechanics do you use, are you satisfied or not with your mechanic.
*How about your vehicle pros and cons.
*Would you buy the same make truck.
*Are you having any particular problems with your truck?

As I come up with more questions I will email it out and if you have questions or suggestions for the survey please email me.

Please respond to me via email @
sushibuff@bellsouth.net

Thank You
René Gomez

 

HAULOVER MOONLIGHT RIDE

Words can't describe how exciting it was to watch the full moon come up at Haulover beach while about 45 SFTR were riding their horses on the beach.

Augie and Ben started working on this event in July and with the cooperation of the park mgr, Mike Dmytriw, we were able to work out the details of the ride.

We want to thank everyone who helped make this momentous ride successful:

Jose and Maria -- lighting, collections, drinks..
Wendy and Andrea--collections, sign-up.
Carrie and Wayne- sign up, clean up.
Peter and Jackie- everything, etc..
Augie and Ben- check up, clean up, close up.

A special thank you to all of our members, current and new that made this ride possible.
Ben Kroner

Below is a letter we received from a member.

To the staff and board members that worked so hard to make this such a incredible Trail Rider event. I would like to thank you on behalf of my family and friends, The beach ride will always be one of those experiences that you will never forget. How incredible was it to be on the beach on my horse and the most incredible full moon of the season. I hope you forward this to the members that did not enjoy this once in a life time evening. They missed the RIDE of the season.
Gina Milhet

 

HALLOWEEN RIDE & CONTEST

My Halloween ride turned out really nice. We had 17 horses total with 6 people and 5 horses dress up for the contest. The SFTR gave Robbie’s certificate’s to the first thru third placements. They placed as follows: Michele Foster was an Indian, Lynn Stine was a fly and her horse was the spider, Kelly Murphy was a punk rocker, Rene Reynolds had a marti gras theme going on, Ben Kroner was a cowboy and Ann-Marie was a pirate.

We rode the same trails on the greenways canal as it never gets old to me and I hope not to other people. The grass is wonderful to ride on and the canal is peaceful. We rode for about 2 hours and came back to a wonderful meal. Everyone brought their goodies and we chowed down.

Thank you to everyone who helps me with this ride, especially Wendy who gets the food ready for us and all the people who bring the food, that’s what makes the ride so special. Good food and good friends.
Andrea Sante

 

FUNNEL CAKE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

WHEN: JANUARY 22-23-24-25
WHERE: HOMESTEAD'S 60th ANNUAL RODEO

WHY: IT'S THE SINGLE BIGGEST FUNDRAISER FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS AND THE PROCEEDS KEEP THE CLUB RUNNING.

HOW: CONTACT MANNY ALVAREZ redlandtrail@aol.com or 305-469-1742 or and let me know the best day and time for you.

We need people for set up, take down, cleaning, mixing, picking up supplies, etc.

Anything you can volunteer for can help us out.

 

COMMON HORSE INJURIES

What are some common horse injuries?
As all owners know horses seem to be prone to injury. Some people say you can a put a horse in a pasture all by himself with no trees and perfect fencing, no holes in the earth and nothing in sight except grass and he would still injure himself. Here is a listing of just a few of the many injuries a horse can incur, both in the stable and turned out.
Lacerations
Horses seem to be especially talented at acquiring lacerations of all sizes, shapes and deepness on every imaginable area of their body. Lacerations on the head and lower legs will produce a lot of blood due to the close proximity of blood vessels to the surface of the skin and can therefore sometimes be deceiving. If you rinse the laceration with clean water you will be able to view the injury more clearly and determine whether it is deep enough to warrant stitches.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds can be particularly dangerous because of the risk of deep tissue infection. They are also dangerous because they are not as noticeable as a bleeding laceration and may go untreated until it is too late and a severe infection has set in. A deep puncture wound needs to be irrigated by the vet in order to remove any residual bacteria.
Scrapes and Abrasions
Although not usually life threatening scrapes and abrasions can interfere with daily grooming, riding and other activities and they just plain look nasty. If the abrasions are over a large area the horse can also become susceptible to infection and dehydration. The other issue to consider with scrapes and abrasions is the possibility of imbedded foreign material. Scrapes and abrasions are usually treated with a thorough cleaning with an anti-bacterial soap (irrigation for more severe injuries) and depending on the environment of the horse a water-soluble wound medication can be applied.
Contusions
Contusions are caused by blunt trauma and although they do not appear as traumatic as lacerations they can be just as dangerous. Contusions are most often the result of a kicking injury from another horse. The damage can occur to a heavily muscled area such as the upper leg, shoulder or hind quarters or to more delicate areas such as the lower legs or the head/face area. In either case immobilization (to reduce circulation and blood flow), cold compresses and a call to the vet are the best treatment.
General Lameness
Lameness can be elusive and confusing. The best way to recognize lameness is to be very familiar with your horse's gaits and self-carriage so that you are able to immediately recognize any lameness discomfort. Indications of lameness can be the result of something as simple as a stone wedged in the bottom of the foot to something as complicated and irreversible as torn ligaments or even a bone fracture. If lameness and/or swelling does not resolve itself within a matter of hours, consider contacting a veterinarian.
Peter Shaw
Emergency Management

 

BLACK- EYE PEA RIDE TO FEATURE “BEST BLACK-EYE PEAS” CONTEST
By Manny Alvarez

For the first time since we started the Annual Black Eye Pea Ride on New Year’s Day, We will have a contest to determine the best black eye peas. Three judges will sample all the entries and choose the Best of Show. The winner will receive a prize and a plaque.

This year’s ride will leave out of Augie Saavedra’s house at 2 pm sharp on January 1, 2009. 20501 SW 167 Ave.
Bring a covered dish for after the ride. We’ll ride for about 2 hours. In the past we’ve always had some excellent food brought to this ride, probably good leftovers from New Year’s Eve parties the night before.

Any black eye pea dish can be entered in the contest. Can be traditional, or your own creation. Rice and black eye pea dishes such as Hoppin John, and Arroz con Frijol Carita are also welcomed. We are equal opportunity when it comes to good eating.

Eating black-eye peas on New Years Day is an old Southern tradition. The black eye peas are said to bring prosperity (CASH!) in the New Year. So think of this ride as your own Equine Bail-out Program. And … there is no better way to start the New Year right than by riding a horse.

For more information contact Manny Alvarez at redlandtrail@aol.com or 305-469-1742.

 

SADDLE-UP AND MOVE 'EM OUT! SADDLE UP FOR ST. JUDE

Yes, it's that time again! Time to SADDLE-UP FOR ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. We have another fun and worthwhile benefit ride scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009. There's plenty of trailer parking @ Robbies Feed, 22390 SW 177 Ave. with registration beginning at 9:00 AM and the ride moving out @ 10:00 AM. So grab a sponsor sheet, start collecting your donations and SADDLE-UP FOR THE CHILDREN!

Did I mention the GREAT PERKS for having a great time for a great cause?! Collect a minimum of $35 and a Saddle-Up Lapel Pin AND T-Shirt are yours! $75 adds a Baseball Cap, AND for $150 a Saddle/Cantle Bag! I say bring them all home!

Did I mention the OTHER WONDERFUL PERK for having a great time for a great cause?! Once again, Robbie's Feed has generously offered 20% off (excluding feed) for all ride participants donating a minimum of $35.

Did I mention the PRIZES for the top three money makers?! You could win a Coggins Test & Summer Shots from Dr. Franklin's Office, a $100 Gift Certificate from Robbie's Feed or a dinner for two at a popular restaurant!

So ink-in SADDLE-UP on your '09 calendar, collect all those checks from your sponsors and bring your appetite for a sandwich and soda after the ride. You'll need the extra energy for all that shopping!

What is Saddle Up for St. Jude?

Saddle Up for St. Jude is a fun horseback trail-riding event that raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Trail riders from all over the country have joined together to hold Saddle Up events to help St. Jude in its fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Every person who participates in a Saddle Up event helps in the life-saving research and treatment at St. Jude.

To get more information and to see all the great prizes, visit www.stjude.org/saddleup or call 1-800-567-0675.

Augie and I look forward to seeing you there!!
Debi Catarineau-Priest

 

SFTR IS SPONSORING JOY GILPIN FOR HOMESTEAD RODEO QUEEN

My name is Joy Gilpin and I’m a Rodeo Queen Contestant. I currently go to school at South Dade Senior High. I’m in the ninth grade at the age of 15, but don’t let my age fool you, for I have a great knowledge of horses and still want to learn more!

While on the subject of learning, I am in all honors classes and two Heath Science classes. I have a 4.5 GPA; I plan to keep it either at 4.5 or higher for the rest of my high school years. I hope to get excellent grades so I can get the best scholarship to enter a good college and become an Equine Veterinarian. I’ve always wanted to become a veterinarian, but when I reached middle school I detailed my plans. I went to Richmond Heights Middle School and I enrolled in their Zoo Magnet Program which allowed me to learn all about certain animals and it opened my eyes to all the wonderful creatures within the world. Right beside horses, okapis are my all-time favorite.

I’m like every other South Florida Trail Rider, I love horses and for me to be able to have a horse by my side is no question. I have always had a horse on my property. At the moment I have eight horses and two cows. The horse that I personally give my heart to is my horse,Tequila. Tequila is 22 at the moment, he is my pride and joy and I wouldn’t have any other horse take me where I want to go. Even though he’s older than me he’s still my baby. Tequila is a great horse all around. He was a cutting horse back in the day and I know from just feeling him in the saddle, he wants to be in the arena again and show what he’s got. He loves to run and show off in parades or special events, he’s proud as can be.

I plan to move to New Mexico with my family and my dream is to ride my horse Tequila all around. In New Mexico I would like to have at least a half of an acre for a Vegetable garden and the rest of my property well be full of horses and cattle. My family is pretty set with moving up to New Mexico, so I’m learning how to ranch rope so I can gather any animal that needs to be caught or have any medical treatment.

Please call me or contact a Trail Rider board member to buy my tickets. The only way to win the Rodeo Queen is to sell the most tickets. Thank you for your support,
Joy Gilpin
(786)514-4162

 

PROMOTING SPORTSMANSHIP THROUGH HORSEMANSHIP

The South Florida Horseshow Association (SFHA) provides schooling shows for the local community to improve their horsemanship skills in both english and western disciplines.

SFHA promotes a fun, family atmosphere in which both youth and adults can gain the experience and skills needed to aspire to higher levels of competition & share their love of horses with friends.

SFHA invites the South Florida Trail Riders join the fun at our upcoming shows at Tropical Park Equestrian Center:

January 17, 2009
February 28, 2009 - New Date
April 18, 2009 (Joint SFHA/AQHA Show)
May 16, 2009
June 13, 2009

For more information visit SFHA on the web at: www.freewebs.com/sfha or contact SFHA President Natasha Goodman at 305-389-3091, or Corresponding Secretary Donna Fries at 305-409-4144. See you at the show!

 

PARADE TEAM NEWS

Parade of the Elves was a nice short parade and we had a great time. The horses did great, no metro rail problems this year! We were sponsored by “The Vettesmith” Our next parade is on Dec. 30th the Jr. Orange Bowl parade in the evening. We are on TV for this parade. You MUST be in full parade outfit.

Please sign up with the Parade Team now if you are interested in being in the parades.

We have 5 parades a year. We look awesome and want to continue this. We hope you and your friends will join up. If you like to show off your horse this is the event to do it.

It takes a while to get parade equipment so please call now if you would like to join.

We will have another Parade Practice set up in the near future for anyone who would like to ride with us. Keep checking the newsletter for a date.

Call Michelle Byriel 305-481-5547 for a parade application package.

 

CLASSIFIED ADS

ROOM-MATE WANTED: Looking for a female room-mate to share a house with 3 other girls. House is in Cutler Bay, has a pool , updated kitchen and the room has its own private bathroom. $550.00 includes all the utilities. Pets allowed, non-smoker preferred. Please contact Tanya @ 305-498-4065.

FOR SALE: Mini Donkey jack, 6 months old. Smart, sweet, CUTE !! Contact Sandy or Jeff fobbs@bellsouth.net or 305-258-4294.

FOR SALE: Tucker Endurance Gen II Saddle #158, 18 1/2 seat brown. Same saddle as seen in Valley Vet. Used only a few times. Asking $1,395. Tucker Leather Halter/Bridle brown New in package asking $85. Michele 305-259-3222.

FOR SALE: New Reinsman Tacky Too saddle pad, suede like top, round skirt, black 30" x 34" asking $60. Neoprene girth 34" black, new, asking $25. WeatherBeeta 72" Landa waterproof lightweight sheet/blanket used twice asking $55. Toklat bareback pad with girth, black $20. Michele 305-259-3222.

FOR SALE: Considering Ocala? 10 acre horse farm, great location, main house, guest house, 5 stall barn with feed/tack/tool room. Too many additional things to list. For more info call 352-502-3672 or view pictures at www.bellaocala.com

FOR SALE: Land available in Ocala. For more info call 352-502-3672 or on the web to view pictures at www.bellaocala.com

FOR SALE: 9 year old grey Paso Fino gelding, 13.2 hands. Trail rides pleasure. Easy keeper, loves people. $1,500 obo. 352-502-5551.

FOR SALE: 7 year old Appaloosa gelding, 15.1 hands, liver chestnut with frosted blanket on butt, trail rides loose rein, super horse, loves people, trailers easily, stands for farrier, loves baths, gets along with other horses. Easy keeper. $3,800 obo. 352-502-5551.

FOR SALE: Super nice chestnut Paso Fino filly, 14 hands, 2-1/2 years old, $1,500. Rides real nice but does not gait. Has a very smooth trot and canter. She might gait as she gets older. Very gentle, anyone can ride. Call Andrea 305-247-3211.

FREE CATS: Female, small about 6 lbs, gray & white, about a year old, spayed with rabies shot, likes to cuddle. Male, orange tabby, about 6 months, neutered with rabies shot, friendly, but not cuddly, not afraid of dogs. Michele 305-259-3222.

FOR SALE: Stubben Dressage Saddle, with fittings and saddle pad. $650 or best offer. Call 305-773-8227.

WANTED: Looking for a dark leather western saddle. 16" or 16.5" seat, medium QH bars. Needs to be in good condition and has lots of life left. Pictures appreciated, please send to amiequi09@bellsouth.net or call 305-484-6608.

FOR SALE: Old rusty 4H BP Stock trailer. Still very functional. I transport three big horses in it. Solid floor, rubber mats, center divider, walk thru door. $1500. Call Mike 305-331-7599.

FOR SALE: Neblina de Santa Maria is a beautiful Grey 4 year old Paso Fino mare. She can be your favorite ride, show prospect or a fantastic broodmare, with her pedigree. $5000. call Mike 305-331-7599.

FOR SALE: Grit Ware, Custom Knives for the Working Cowboy, $150 each, includes leather case. Handles of wood, sheep horn, buffalo horn, etc. Photos available via email. campnride@aol.com or phone 352-267-0226.

FOR SALE: Registered Spotted Saddle horse, Paso cross, 8 years, mare, chestnut and white, one blue eye. Smooth as silk, ridden in drill team and trails, trailers, loads, clips great, loves children and men. Bossy in the pasture. $2,500. obo, 352-669-6449

FOR SALE: Carousel and Coin-operated horses, all custom painted, let me paint a horse for you! Visit my website at www.carouselworkshop.com

BOARDING: 2 Stalls available January at Chosen Acres. Full-board, daily turn out, concrete barn, quality feed and hay, round pen, ring, jumps, lots of areas to trail ride. 12X12 stalls $400.00 month 305-522-1407.

FOR SALE: 2003 Exiss LQ horse trailer, all amenities, awning, electric jack, 3 horse with mangers, stud stall, 8' wide, ramp, like new. $31,000 or best offer. 305-522-1407.

FOR SALE: 12 y/o non-registered Palomino Quarter horse, 15 HH, no vices, used on trail. $1,500 with tack! Ready for Christmas. Redland Riding Academy 305-323-4038.

BOARDING: Want boarding with turnout? It's available here. Starting at $350.00. Redland Riding Academy 305-323-4038.

FOR SALE: 15” Original Bob Marshall (Treeless) Sport Saddle (Great condition) Black with full fenders, smooth leather. $1,050 or best offer. Kim #786-255-0740. The most comfortable saddle you could ever own, I will bring it to you for a test ride.