2021 is Here!

 2021 IS HERE~

Yes, it is indeed here and not much has changed.  Even though there has been a regrettable change in the White House, the sounds coming from politicians have changed very little, if at all.  In fact, they seem to be more vindictive and derisive than ever.  Our new President speaks out of both sides of his mouth, lives a hypocritical life as a Catholic, and is possibly just a stand in for powers far more evil than he can imagine.  We must hope and pray for peace, common sense, rational thinking, and less of those seeking power via government.  It will take time since we failed at the ballet box, so join with me in prayer, our only real power.  

The farm continues in a much more normal fashion than the outside world.  One weanling and two to come are dedicated to a life of service to those in need of help, be it physical or emotional therapy.  We have always had a heart for the challenged among us and believe by participating we help to make a difference.  What will you be doing to make our world a bit better in the new year??

Dear Father,

Please look upon this country encouraging the good to pray often for the return of the country our forefathers imagined and laid the foundation for.  Return us to a place of religious freedom, of generosity toward our fellow man, of rules designed to provide for the common good, respect for life including the unborn, the elderly, the terminally ill...all life is sacred. Create in your people a clean heart worthy of forgiveness.  Amen

David Lincoln Dunbar

David was an adventurer, a kind, generous, loving man.  He loved 'chocolate' and horses; hence, the name of Chocolate Horse Farm! He was the grease in the wheels of this farm, the inspiration that wanted the world to know about this special breed, the Gypsy Vanner.  Not caring what it was called, he was kind and willing to talk to anyone with a question.  He sought to unite rather than divide, to encourage, to set an example that would cause others to believe in themselves....if he can do it, then, just maybe, so can I!  He approached his biggest challenge, his cancer journey, with the same energy and optimism as he lived his life. I am sure he is flying high with the Angels and smiling down on us waving us on .....with his smile and enthusiasm....yes, you can do it.  What ever that is.

Till we meet again.  Cheers.

Versatility!

Versatility ....is the perfect definition for the Gypsy Vanner Horse.  Though bred and used by the Travelling community overseas, they are so smart, there isn't much they cannot do.  Bonding so easily with their human companions, we are reminded of the Arabian Horse that slept in the Bedouin tents and provided them with an early warning system due to their keen eyesight.  The Gypsy is kind, willing, and very smart.  They can be seen at many state fairs, breed shows, and on the farm.  

"Drive On Vanners" by Mark J. Barrett

Ann Corcoran on Refugee Resettlement

God Whispers yt.wmv

Happy Guy!

We frequented the coffee shop known as the Crazy Redheads, enjoyed the friendships that grew over conversation and  coffee.  My happy guy. 

David and David, Wonder who told the biggest story!

The Man and His Ride!

The Light From Above.

2018 is a year past and with it the soul of David L. Dunbar left us to be with friends and family we have known and loved.  His death was agonizing and his question..."is this as good as it gets?" broke my heart.  The cancer did not kill him.  And I am sure you have heard that before, but as his primary care giver, I assure you it is true.  He died from starvation and dehydration due to an inability to eat and drink on his own.  After a severe reaction to 5fu which produced fungal related mouth sores, swelling the inside of his mouth and throat, he was unable to eat.  He tried but just could not get it down.  The transition from TPN to feeding tube was mishandled and the dangers never discussed.  Will not elaborate but did get him home...eventually.  Nearly five weeks later he was skin and bones and slipped away as the peace and love of God settled around us early one morning.  It is quiet here now as those of you who knew David might suspect.  He filled the room with friendship and conversation and this quiet will take time to get used to.   The out pouring of prayers and love from our friends, family, and the horse world have been touching.  He was quite a guy. 

As I write this, I look out over one of the fields and the horses he loved and hope he knows ...his adventure was shared by many and as for myself, nothing will ever be quite the same.  I love you, David Dunbar.

PS:  The farm due south of us belongs to dear friends, whose Mother's kitchen window looks to the north with our buildings and fields in her line of sight.  On the morning of the 22nd of Dec. she noticed a lightness over our home that seemed to be coming from above...only the sun had not risen above the trees to the east as yet.  Later we learned she saw the light at the time of his passing.  

Appleby Horse Fair Sacred for the Gypsy and Travelling Community.

Appleby Horse Fair Friday 2018

The nervous horse rider..

https://www.horselistening.com/2018/04/24/10-strategies-for-the-nervous-horse-rider/

CHF ARCHIE

CHF Archie is growing like a weed and for the time being is learning to be a gentleman.   Left with mare past his six month birthdate, Archie has come in with another to experience day to day contact with humans.  The Gypsy's natural curiosity and friendliness assists the human by presenting a willing and interested student.  Will be taking pictures and updating his progress, so stay tuned!

How to Harness a Horse with Harry Sebring - Part 2

How to Harness a Horse with Harry Sebring - Part 1

Spring time....AQHA

Before horses start grazing on the green grass this spring, remember to check with your veterinarian to ensure your deworming program includes tapeworm control.

Tapeworms are transmitted by an intermediate host, the oribatid mite, which lives on pastures. While grazing, horses can ingest the mite and become infected. Once infected, it takes the tapeworm about two to four months to mature inside the horse.1

“Spring is a perfect time for transmission of the tapeworm,” says Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, DACVS, Senior Equine Professional Service Veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim. “As horses begin to get out and graze, they may become infected with tapeworms, which can lead to colic.”2

One study reported that 81 percent of the ileal impaction cases were tapeworm associated.2 Tapeworms can cause many other kinds of problems in the digestive system. For instance, tapeworms attach to the ileocecal area and may cause inflammation, ulceration and bowel obstruction.2,3 In young horses, tapeworm infections can cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as intussusception, which is the telescoping of the intestine into itself.3

Cheramie warns that these health concerns aren’t just for a particular age or geographic area. Tapeworm infections can occur in all ages of horses greater than 9 months of age,1 and tapeworms are common in grazing horses across the country.4 In one U.S. survey, more than half of the horses were infected with tapeworms. In fact, infection rates were as high as 95 percent in the upper Midwest4 and as high as 82 percent in Southern states.3,4

“It doesn’t matter where you live. Tapeworms are likely a concern in your area,” Cheramie says. “It’s important to make sure parasite control programs include effective tapeworm control.”

However, many dewormers are not effective against tapeworms. Horse owners should look for ingredients like praziquantel, which is found in broad-spectrum dewormers such as Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin and praziquantel) by Merial. ZIMECTERIN Gold is approved to control more species and stages of parasites,5,6 including tapeworms, than any other brand. It is more than 99 percent effective against natural tapeworm infections.* 5 Plus, ZIMECTERIN Gold is approved for use in adult horses and foals as young as two months of age.6

“Spring is a great time to consider your parasite control program and to make sure that horses are set up for a healthy year,” Cheramie says. “Treating for tapeworm infections, as recommended by your veterinarian, can easily and inexpensively help prevent the potential health concerns associated with tapeworms.”

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. There have been rare reports of swelling and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue following administration of ZIMECTERIN Gold. These reactions have been transitory in nature. Do not use in other animal species as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

On January 1st, 2017, Merial became part of the Boehringer Ingelheim group. As the second largest animal health business in the world, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to making the industry even better at improving animal health. With more than 10,000 employees worldwide, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has products available in more than 150 markets and a global presence in 99 countries. For more information about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, click here.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates presently with a total of some 50,000 employees worldwide. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.8 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 20.3 percent of net sales. For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Merial is now part of Boehringer Ingelheim.

®ZIMECTERIN is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2018 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. EQU-0540-PARA0318

*Anoplocephala perfoliata

1 Meadows DG, Henton JE, Reinemeyer CR. Control of internal parasites of the horse. TNH-4002. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. Available at https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/TNH4002.pdf. Accessed August 11, 2006.

2 Proudman CJ, Trees AJ. Tapeworms as a cause of intestinal disease in horses. Parasitol Today 1999;15(4):156-159.

3 Reinemeyer C. Update on equine tapeworms presentation notes. Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Equine Committee. 2003.

4 Reinemeyer C, et al. A prevalence survey of antibodies to Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses from the United States. Proceedings WAAVP. 2003:18.

5 Based on data provided in FDA Freedom of Information summaries.

6 Based on data provided on the ZIMECTERIN Gold product label.

Media contacts

Lacey Fielder Senior Reputation Manager, Sullivan Higdon & Sink 816.283.4715 lacey.fielder@shscom.com

Rene Ward U.S. Communications Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 816.244.7489

rene.ward@boehringer-ingelheim.com

2017 brought one new baby to Chocolate Horse Farm! A colt!  Healthy and active, we are fortunate that all went well.  If we were breeding all eight mares, we might have something come up that would require medical attention. So, when I say fortunate, that is exactly what I mean.  Having been spoiled by Bill and his staff at Leather Stocking Equine Center in New Berlin, NY....I often think when we move with horses, it is just as important to find good and nearby vet facilities as well as large medical centers in the new location.  This has all been brought home recently as dear friends have a 22 day old colt suffering from possible FPT or failure of passive transfer of antibodies from mare.  His hip is painful to touch and seems swollen.  He will be on his way to Kansas State today and we are praying for a good outcome.

Dear John Henry, reprint

		Dear John Henry
			John Henry, New York's favorite Eventing mule, now not only has his regular column in the BRAYER magazine, but has given ADMS permission to publish to the World Wide Web! He and owner Kathleen Conklin welcome questions - but they cannot quarantee they will be answered in the column form used in the BRAYER and ADMS website.  Please post any questions to ADMS, who will forward them to JH and Kathleen for review for the column. Dear John Henry: My mom is working me on a lunge-line before she rides me. I'm coming 4 years old, and I am getting light daily riding. One thing she has noticed is that I seem to take shorter strides when lunging to the left (counterclockwise, she says). She is having a hard time feeling it under saddle (she says she can kind of tell if she trots me in circles to the left) but she's sure she can see it when she lunges me at the trot. She had the vet look at me, and he says I'm not lame, I just need exercises to make me lengthen out that side. How can we do this? I can go round in circles all day, but it doesn't seem to help. Gone Crackerjax Dear Cracker, Tell your Mom that you are still quite young and it might be better to lunge you just a LITTLE (in VERY LARGE circles) to get any bucks out and then to ride. Your shorter strides on one side could be the result of uneven muscling on that side. If this is so it is a long term process to even out. I would suggest that you ask your Mom to ride in large easy circles in both directions but more to your weaker side. I would also suggest that your Mom always use a mounting block [or a stump, rock or trailer fender] when mounting to ease the pressure on your withers. Work over a larger number of ground poles at the (posting) trot in a straight line and eventually on a large curve will help even out your trot strides. You should make sure you have a good forward trot rhythm before you head to the ground poles. This isn't a fast and easy answer, but a long term goal that needs your Mom's continuing attention. There is a great book you can buy called Cavalletti written by the German Olympic Gold Medalist in dressage named Reiner Klimke that explains all about the use of ground poles and there placement and how they help improve the equine. Another tip is to make sure your Mom posts (rises to the trot) when trotting and that she post more often to the diagonal on your weak side. This will help a little in developing that side. (This means that working in a ring or pen, with the weak shoulder to the rail, she should be sitting when the outside shoulder is on the ground or all the way back). A lot of care should be taken that all training is done in both directions, but not necessarily equally at this time. Practicing carrot stretches to both sides and full front leg stretches should also help in equaling out your muscles. Carrot stretches are fun!  Have Mom hold a carrot behind your elbow, and you stretch your head around low and to the side to get the carrot.  She can stand beside you and keep you from swinging around.  Later, after your ride, you can also do a carrot stretch with her in the saddle.  She should hold it near her toe and watch to see if you shift your weight, step, or just reach with your head and neck. It might also be a good idea to get some professional instruction from an instructor you admire. It is always good to have an experienced "eye"; looking at you and helping you develop good habits. Speaking of an "eye", if you have access to a video camera be sure have someone take a lot of film of you lunging and being ridden right now and at intervals in your training.  It will give your Mom a good reference point when, in the future, she looks back and is able to see your progress. I have a problem lunging myself you know....my Mom (Kathleen) noticed early on in my training that I will cross-canter for a few strides on downward transitions in the lunge pen (in both directions). After much thought, Kathleen decided that I really didn't need to be lunged and that it would only reinforce cross-cantering when going from a canter to a trot. I never cross canter when being ridden under the same circumstances. The vet looked at me and so did a Standardbred race horse vet who's specialty is leg lamenesses. Neither vet could find anything wrong except that I am a little weaker on one side. I guess that this is usual in equines as well as people. Kathleen does everything listed above with me and in addition makes sure that I use both canter leads equally. These little problems are not usually life-threatening but they give you and your Mom something to work on and small goals to achieve. I like it when Kathleen notices something she doesn’t like or wants to improve on,  because then we have a new training goal to work on. It keeps my life interesting. Good luck.! Happy trails and Tally ho, John Henry \ /   & Kathleen

A ROOSTER Day!

It was a ROOSTER kinda day!  Nine roosters ruled the roost for a short time.  Like ISIS, started killing those of their own that should have been family aka flock.  So, the long arm of the law came along and dispatched nine of the wayward souls and once again we have peace.  This photo is called Rooster Bird Bath for the resident head of the family. It is a reminder to the human factor that sometimes we have to clear our inner selves of the demons before peace can be restored.