Category Archives: Citizenship

July 4, 2012 · 02:00

America’s wild horse bridleless – Happy July 4th

 An Act Of Congress
“Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; (and) that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people …”
(Public Law 92-195, December 15, 1971)

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a USA federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776. What better way than celebrating with America’s wild horse, the Mustang, a symbol of freedom, the American flag and the American anthem combined.

Sadie, the BLM Mustang, ridden in just a cordero (bridleless).

Sadie, BLM Mustang

The rider is Marietta Roby. The horse is Sadie, a BLM Mustang. Sadie was rescued after being abused by a prior adopter. She was angry and aggressive. She and Marietta have been partners since 2004, since Sadie was about 4.

Home of Marietta Roby and Sadi: Bentwire Ranch
Event held at Pony Pros.

Uploaded by  on Feb 7, 2010
Music: “Star Spangled Banner” – United States of America national anthem – by Francis Scott Key.  Singer is LeAnn Rimes – website.
Video length: 2 minutes 10 seconds

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management protects, manages, and controls wild horses and burros under the authority of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The BLM rounds up horses and burros periodically to manage land resources, then offers them for adoption under strict rules to qualified individuals. After properly caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government.  The BLM has placed more than 225,000 wild horses and burros into private ownership since 1971.

There is  still a great need to get the word out that Mustangs can make excellent companion riding horses. Even older Mustangs can be trained, if given a chance through adoption. In 2007 the Extreme Mustang Makeover events began. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has facilitated the adoptions of more than 3,300 gentled American Mustangs.

Learn how to adopt a wild Mustang.

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July 3, 2012 · 19:25

Train a parade horse

Have you wanted to take your horses in a parade, but you aren’t sure if they are ready? Will your reliable trail horse freak out by the commotion of a parade?

Icelandic horse ridden in July 4th parade

Bangsi only got worried at the very start of the parade.

How does a horse prepare for being ridden in a parade? How do you train a parade horse?

Start by letting your horses watch a parade. Let them watch safely on the sidelines, just like humans get to do. Pick a small town parade before you go to a major parade. Choose one that has an easy way to duck out, if your horse becomes overwhelmed. Try to find a parade that is horse friendly. There are parades that cater to horses, which are excellent as a first parade to lead or ride in.

Horse watching parade pass by with float of capping the 2010 BP oil spill.

Twistur watching the parade.

The wait for the start of the parade in the staging area can be tiring and chaotic. Take your horse to participate in a staging area, even if not actually being in the parade.

Even in a small parade you may experience loud sirens, blaring lights, balloons, whistles, bicycles, strollers,  electric wheelchairs, motorcycles, streamers, barking dogs, other horses or mini-donkeys, ATVs, clowns, kids running around, marching bands, truck air brakes, blowing objects of all sorts, frisbee thrown overhead, balls, loud speaker feedback, revving engines, horns, flags, waving, firecrackers, yelling, squeaks, car back firing, and candy tossed from passing floats. If you can think of something crazy happening, then you might see it at a large parade. Be prepared to walk on asphalt with potholes, crunching candy wrappers under foot and items blowing across the road. Check out the route before taking your horse.

Can your horse walk slowly and stand quietly amidst noise and excitement? The pace of a parade may be uneven with lots of time standing waiting, then just as suddenly needing to speed up. Practice at home with your horse with various spooky objects. Let them know that they can stand quietly and watch and listen to craziness.

Walking with our horse in local town Independence Day parade.

Why not walk in a parade? It is fun too!

Even if you plan to just lead your horse, make sure you have good control of your horse on the ground. If they are ready, then after letting them watch a passing parade try walking them in a parade as a groundwork training exercise.  It’s fun to walk in a parade too, so if you aren’t sure if you want to ride then you can lead instead. Later you can try riding in a parade, then maybe an even bigger parade another time.

We use clicker training with de-spooking. This works well for us and our horses.

A parade can make great de-spooking practice, but you can start small and build up to riding in the  Rose Bowl.

Be safe and wear your helmet!

Take A Horse in a Parade Safely

Parade Horse Training Tips

Preparing to Ride in a Parade

Excellent suggestions for preparing and riding in a parade.

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January 18, 2012 · 10:05

Web on Strike – Stop SOPA & PIPA

Protecting liberty and freedom is part of optimizing my life.

Today many major websites are protesting by going dark to raise awareness that the US Congress is considering censoring the web.

I am joining in this protest by adding information about these bills currently being considered in the US House and Senate.

Click links to read text of the bills:

  • House HR3261:  SOPA
  • Senate S698: PIPA.

SITES YOU USE EVERY DAY COULD BE BLOCKED IF IT PASSES.

The House’s Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is called the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate.

The bill lets corporations and the US government censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations.

This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

The House is not expected to vote on SOPA until next month but the full Senate will likely vote on PIPA on Jan. 24.

Please contact your representatives to ask them to oppose the legislation and support a filibuster.

Suggested letter text for Senator:

I am writing to you as a voter in your district. I urge you to vote “no” on cloture for S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act, on Jan. 24th. The PROTECT IP Act is dangerous, ineffective, and short-sighted. It does not deserve floor consideration. I urge my representative to vote “no” on SOPA, the corresponding House bill.

Over coming days you’ll be hearing from the many businesses, advocacy organizations, and ordinary Americans who oppose this legislation because of the myriad ways in which it will stifle free speech and innovation. We hope you’ll take our concerns to heart and oppose this legislation by voting “no” on cloture.

Suggested short letter text:

I am your constituent, and I urge you to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act.  These bills will kill jobs and stifle innovation, undermine cyber security, risk censoring the American Internet, and provide cover for totalitarian regimes that want to undermine Internet freedom abroad.

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