Greeting From Washington Co

A few members from our chapter had a workday at Zaleski. We cleaned trails, painted tree markers and cleared a large area in the overflow.

Many more picket poles had been added to the overflow area.

There were 7 members that rode at Dillon State Park April 20. The wet weather that morning kept a lot of us from going but it turned out to be a nice day after all.

Our next ride was April 27th and was the 4th Annual Children's Miracle Network Ride at Salt Fork. It was a great success. There were 79 riders and over $15,000 was raised for the Children's Hospital in Morgantown, WV. There were many very generous supporters who donated many wonderful gifts, including a couple saddles from Schmidt's Horse Tack. We also had a delicious meal after the ride and luckily the rain held off till after it was all over.

Our yearly poker ride was held at Chicken and Dorothy Pugh's house and what a turn out we had. There were almost 70 riders and afterwards was a fish fry/potluck. We all had a great time like we do every year.

What a lucky duck Bob Piggett was. He won the poker money and also the 50/50 money. I hope he went out and got that lottery ticket on the way home. The luck was sure on his side.

It was voted and decided not to host a mini equine type event for next year and plans are now being made to possibly host another spaghetti dinner for next February.

Our out of state ride is at Cook Forest the week of June 24-30. Other June rides planned are the Trailathon/State Ride at Palermosa June 1-2, and Kinderhook June 15th with a wiener roast/potluck after the ride.

Sandy Schafer gave our program at the May meeting. She presented a video on the Key Method. It covered first aid help, aid with people with Physical ailments with touch of hand that can be beneficial until help arrives. It was quite interesting how with just a touch in certain areas you can do so much good.

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A Touching Equine Poem

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.

When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.

When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.

When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.

When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.

When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.

When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.

When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.

When you are lonely, let me be your companion.

When you are tired, let me carry the load.

When you need to learn, let me teach you.

After all, I am your horse.

And now, the REAL story...

When you are tense, let me teach you that there are dragons in the forest, and we need to leave NOW!

When you are short tempered, let me teach you how to jog around the pasture for an hour before you can catch me.

When you are short sighted, let me teach you to figure out where exactly in the 40 acres I am hiding.

When you are quick to react, let me teach you that herbivore's kick MUCH faster than omnivores.

When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet, because I don't FEEL like cantering on my right lead today, that's why.

When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness,GI complaint, and skin disease.

When you feel superior, let me teach you that, mostly, you are the maid service.

When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to PAY ATTENTION. I TOLD you about those dragons in the forest!

When you are arrogant, let me teach you what 1200lbs of a YAHOO-let's-go horse can do when suitably inspired.

When you are lonely, let me be your companion. Let's do lunch. Also, breakfast and dinner.

When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "Veterinary Services".

When you need to learn, hang around, bud. I'll learn ya..... let me show you how tall I can become when you come at me with that expensive tube of gunk, (Quest, Ivermectin, etc), and let me show you that llamas aren't the only things that can do target spitting.

Let me show you that even the toughest "bull" gate is no match for the 1600#s behind a Clyde-x stallion's chest...but then, don't you like the more natural curved effect???

Don't look at me until I am at least two years of age and have miraculously assumed the proper horse shape, (as opposed to various foal transformations---withers-high, butt-high, shag-carpet fur, toes in/out/combo, monthly color changes, etc).

If it makes you feel better to imagine that I greet you after work when you arrive after your hour-long commute to think that it is out of love...fine, but don't tarry too long in the house before you come up and feed me!!

Don't imagine that just because I live on a farm complete with every imaginable form of livestock, (including sheep, goats, dogs, cats, pot- bellied pigs, emus, llamas, cows, turkeys, chickens, and screaming peafowl), that the sight of a rabbit or deer won't turn me into a mass of quivering jelly!!

If I get expelled from two training barns and get returned to you four years after you sold me...well, just believe that I was so homesick I did what I could to come back to you!!

Caroline Patterson

Chapter website

http://members.tripod.com/wccohc