Spruce Creek Trails Association, Inc. February - March 2008 Newsletter www.sprucecreektrails.com

Dues are due in January

Membership runs from January to January.  Please send in your Application and money to Roy Sillman (listed in Officers, last page).  Applications can be downloaded from web site for contact Roy Sillman.

E-mailed newsletters and dues are $20.00.  If your newsletter is mailed the dues are now $24.00 which covers the extra cost of copying, postage, and envelopes.  So, if you do have an e-mail address and have not used it for receiving the newsletter please include it on the Membership Form.

No February Newsletter if…

If you do not have a current membership for the year 2008 you will not be getting a February-March 2008 Newsletter. 

Troxel-Wood Trailhead Update

The fence around the trailhead is in. What a great job everyone has done in helping with this project which was a joint effort by Spruce Creek Trails Association and West Side Trail Blazers.

Pictured on their lunch break are Ron Brinkerhoff, kneeling, Barb Jancek, Mike Smith, Lowell Ensinger, Roy Sillman, Tom Jancek, Ken Pasternack and Donna Smith.  Absent from the photo is Tom Pickard.  Barb, Donna and the Pickards  provided lunch on the work site.

Donna Smith gets last minute driving tips from Tom Jancek.

Post holes were dug by Brian Matchette in preparation for the fence building day.  The sign will be put up soon and then the trailhead will be turned over to Big South Fork so their trail crew can do some improvements on the Yellowface and Salt Pine trails.

Christmas Gift Ideas

AirEvac membership, www.lifeteam.net, 1-800-793-0010.

The Harriet Carter catalog, 1-800-377-7878 or www.harrietcarter.com, carries all of those hard to find and not necessarily needed items such as: 

3-D Holiday cookie cutters.  The cookies stand up because they have 2 or 3 pieces.  Make Xmas tree, reindeer, star, bell, snowman and angel.  $7.98.  C7417.

 Cookie Tree Set.  Everything you need to make a Christmas tree made of cookies. $5.98, C6519.

The book “How to Think Like a Horse”, $19.98,  C6591.  Why didn’t I have that book years ago!

Battery-Free lantern/radio.  It would be great for camping and uses a crank instead of batteries.  $19.98.  E6820

Beverly Bailey says WalMart has or had last year a great windup flashlight with radio and whistle that would be great to carry in your saddle bag.

http://www.cavenders.com/, 1-866-826-4865, has

cowboy/cowgirl boot slippers as shown below.

www.griphook.com, has several interesting hooks to carry buckets, hay, feed, grocery bags, etc. and prices start at $8.99.  This company was just featured on RFDTV.  The photo below shows The Griphook.  The phone number is 1-720-327-7629.

www.whalesdirect.com, 1-800-234-1022 has several gifts that might interest you:

“I Love Horses” lounge wear set, $39.95, CG171

Laurel Burch “Dancing Horses” Shoulder Bag, $38.95, C1160

Horse Tapestry Luggage ranging from $15.95 to $34.95

“Beloved Pet” Garden Marker, $14.99, RM200

Horse Tapestry Bag, $15.95, RM036

“Gaining a Leash on Life” book which takes a look at life through a dog’s eyes, $15.95, CV067

 Tool Kits are for Everyone

This Old House suggests the following toolkits:

Tomboy Traveler, $49.95

Source: TomboyTools.com

Tools: hammer, slip-joint pliers, utility knife, multi-bit ratchet, screwdriver, tape measure, sanding block, level, hacksaw, carpenter's pencil, gloves, and safety glasses.

Rubbermaid Tough Tools, $49.99

Source: Target.com

Tools: hammer, crescent wrench, level, tape measure, tongue-and-groove pliers, long-nose pliers, multi-bit ratchet screwdriver, picture hooks, nails, and screws.

Barbara K Signature Tool Kit, $45.99

Source: Amazon.com

Tools: hammer, slip-joint pliers, adjustable wrench, painter's tool, tape measure, multi-bit screwdriver, 16 hex keys, level, picture hooks, nails, screws, anchors, and home repair guide .

First Aid kits for horse & Rider, Toll-Free: 866-211-1269 , http://www.equimedic.com

 Christmas Party, Art Show & Potluck

The Ensingers welcome everyone to come celebrate the Holidays with them on Saturday, December 1, 2007 beginning at 4 P.M.  Enjoy wood carvings by Gabriel.  This exquisite collection depicts God’s wondrous creation and our Spiritual Walk with Him.  Potluck supper with ham and turkey provided.

 The Best “Horsey” Gift I Ever Received

By Lois Schwartz

As for my best equine gift Christmas gift - it would have to be my first real jodhpurs and boots.  They were my Christmas gift when I was 14. I had been invited with my best friend to ride with the Howard County Hunt in Maryland on the children's Christmas Hunt.  I was so excited and grateful after I opened my gift that I ran outside to take calf manna to an orphan calf, slipped on the ice and severely twisted my wrist.  It looked as if I would not only be unable to join the hunt, but I would be unable to appear there in my new duds.  Such disappointment!

Fortunately, my grandmother came to the rescue and just as instructed in the Nursery Rhyme, "Jack and Jill", she wrapped my arm in vinegar and brown paper.  The results were miraculous.  The swelling disappeared overnight leaving my wrist good as new.  The ride, duds and hunt breakfast are among my best memories, as is the vinegar and brown paper and the newspaper we wrapped around our feet against the cold.

By Pam Atwell

My husband got me a tack trunk with a leather top which was embroidered with my horse’s name and a horse head.  It is a very special present for me.  My trunk was a total surprise and I have used and loved it for years.

By Bonnie Glasser

The best Christmas gift I ever received was a rump rug for my endurance horse, Kipple.  I had body clipped him so that he would cool off quickly at the events but otherwise he wasn’t very warm.  To my surprise I received this great rump rug that he could wear on the rides to keep his hindquarters warm.  Non-horse people just would not understand why I was so thrilled.

 By Joan Waterbury

My all time favorite Christmas present was the unexpected gift from my husband of my Pinto Paso Fino, Emasario.  My horse was born in Puerto Rico and then shipped to my friend, Mary Ann, in California.  I had been talking endlessly about this horse but had no idea my husband would pick up on this and actually present me with this wonderful gift.  I still have the horse and cherish him very much.

By Joyce Pickard

The Christmas I was nine years old my twin sister and I each received handmade bridles and martingales made by our elderly local saddle maker.  They were black with nickel studs all over and had a heart shaped fob on the martingale.  They matched our black pony saddles with the nickel horn and the covered stirrups. My dad was so excited that he couldn’t wait until our usual gift opening on Christmas Eve, so in the afternoon he told us he had just seen Santa go over our house and that we should check our bedroom.  We were onto the Santa thing but who can turn down presents. To our surprise “Santa”  had left our wonderful gifts. My Dad said that his best Christmas gift ever was getting his first bridle from his dad for Christmas.  I wish we had been able to keep the bridles and martingales rather than sell them to buy horse size equipment.

Cooking for your pets

Provided by Leslie Helm

Carrot Drop Horse Cookies

1 cup of sweet feed

1 cup wheat germ

1 ½ cups Cream of Wheat (original)

4 large carrots, shredded

½ cup molasses

½ cup white sugar

1 cup chunky applesauce

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Drop batter by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet and flatten with fingers, the back of a fork or the bottom of a wet glass.  Bake in a 300-degree oven for 30 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet. Store in a covered container or freeze until needed.

Horse people have dogs, right?

 Treats for dogs

1# beef liver

2 large eggs

1 cup cottage cheese

1½  cups wheat germ

3½  cups whole wheat flour

Cut liver into chunks; boil in water until done. Pour off water, saving one cupful. Puree cooked liver and both eggs (shell and all). Put in bowl; add liver, water, cottage cheese, wheat germ and flour. Knead it and add more flour if necessary. Make a ball, dust with flour and roll to ½-inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter. Bake at 300 degrees for one hour or until brown.  Refrigerate until using.

Package the above in a small ziploc bag. Poke two holes in the top,  above the zipper, thread a pretty piece of ribbon and add card.

What’s in Your Saddle Bag?

I (JP) use the Stowaway Deluxe Pommel Pack # EZSDP), $50.00 from Long Riders Gear, www.LongRidersGear.com, 1-888 420-4327.  It carries two 20 oz. bottles of water and has seven zippered compartments.

 In the three center compartments I carry:

>Money:  Over $15 in bills plus assorted coins

>A list of local and emergency phone numbers

>Cell phone

>A Trek I mini First Aid Kid

>Band-Aids

>Nutrition bar

>Pen and paper

On one side with two zippered pockets I carry:

>My two cross ties

>Copy of Coggins papers

>Hooded poncho

>A knife/pliers gadget with at least ten tools on it

>A wind-up flashlight

>Extra chin strap

>Solar blanket

>A pair of rein stops

>Two light sticks that last about 12 hours each

>A Glow Stick that you can turn on and off

>Tylenol Extra Strength

>Orange surveyor’s tape

>Small roll of toilet paper

>Repel 100 Insect Repellent with Deet

>Small roll of vet wrap

>Three white plastic ties (in case I need to tie up bad guys or repair gear

>One long shoe lace

>Two water-proof containers of matches

>Another nutrition bar

>One pocket that’s still empty

I also use a couple of carabineer clips to clip the bag to my saddle. Tom has put in extra grommet holes so that I can use saddle strings to tie things down.  I also put a couple of extra leather strings on my saddle and always ride with a halter rope around my horse’s neck.

So, please let me know what additions you have. 

Leslie Helm also includes a copy of her Air Evac card, tweezers, Visine and a signal mirror as well as cheater glasses to read trail maps.      

Product Review

Reinsman “Tacky Too” Swayback Saddle Pad 

 Many of you are familiar with tacky-bottomed saddle pads but did you know that you can order a Tacky Too pad made especially for swaybacked horses? It has a build-up of foam in the center, tapering towards the front and rear to prevent your saddle from “bridging.” If you go to www.reinsman.com, you’ll find an extensive selection of patterns and solid colors, including their popular synthetic suede.  The Swayback Pad is included with the bareback pads and comes in either 30”x30” or 32”x32,” either flat or contoured. If you have questions or problems, call Fawn Hooper, Reinsman’s knowledgeable, friendly and helpful Customer Service Representative at (800) 548-2487, ext. 111. They are located just down the road in Cleveland, Tennessee!

Leslie Helm has one of these for her older horse and loves it. 

 Holiday Horse Cake

Combine:

6 cups sweet feed

4 cups bran

1 cup molasses

2 cups chopped apples

1 ¼ cup water

Prepare a Bundt pan with nonstick spray. Grate a couple of carrots and arrange the shredded pieces in the bottom of the Bundt pan. Pour the batter in. Bake at 350 for about an hour. When the cake is cooked and you invert the pan, the shredded carrots will be on top. Arrange on a plate with apple slices and serve at room temperature.

Trade/Sell/Rent/Work Done

   >Mobile Home for Rent 2BR mobile home available for month to month rental.   Horses welcome.   Doreen Mendola.  (931) 752 8201.

>Bush hogging, post holes dug and light grading.  Tom Jancek. (931) 879-8660.

>Barns, buildings and garages built, bobcat work.  Brian Matchette.  (931)  879-5312.

>Pet Adoption – Donna Drochak is a volunteer for Best Friends Sanctuary and fosters dogs.  If you are looking for a new pet, phone Donna at (931) 752-8388 and tell her what you have in mind.

>Sewing by Joan. Turn your favorite photo into an embroidery design.  Custom slipcovers, cushion covers, pillows, draperies, etc.  Unique bathroom and horse trailer interior designs.  (931) 752-7643.

>Mulching machine/forester & manure disposal

Also fencing.  Leonard Dyal, (931) 704-1049.

>Cabin for Rent - Sleeps 6-10, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, fireplace, Jacuzzi, etc. www.kickingbackcabin.

Spruce Creek Trail Association