Horsy News,
Views and Attitudes Vol. 1 Number 25 January 7-13, 2008
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Pony Pal Lisa C. goes for a
ride at 0 degrees F. __________________________________ How to tell the difference
COYOTE
DOG Coyote prints are on the left, dog prints are on
the right. Note that coyote's nails are visible and that the toes are more
pointed. Coyote tracks are narrower and longer than most dog tracks. |
Call of the Wiggins? Local Coyotes' Tracks Found A pony rider who followed last
Tuesday's nature hike saw some tracks in the snow. She asked wildlife expert
Tom Sanders to take a look. He confirmed that during the guided hike on Mount
Morris, Anna Harley of Wiggins had spotted tracks left by coyotes. "My friends Pam
(Crandal) and Lulu (Sanders) had made up flash cards to help me practice
knowing about animal tracks. So I could tell that these were different than
dog paw prints, " Anna said. Park Ranger Jack Stranton was with
the hikers and saw the tracks, too. He agrees with Mr. Sanders. "Eastern coyotes
are common in some parts of Connecticut," Stranton said, "but this
is the first time we've seen evidence of more than one or two around Wiggins." Four
separate sets of tracks in the snow lead Tom Sanders to make his
identifications. "Eastern
coyotes are larger than their western cousins – they can reach 50
pounds. Their tracks are larger than fox prints but smaller than wolf tracks.
They are narrower and longer than most dog tracks, " Sanders said.
"Anna was pretty sharp to spot that difference." "Coyotes like
suburban and rural farm areas. They will eat dog food or cat food that is
left outside," Sanders continued, "or even the small pets that food
is left out for! They also eat plants, fruit, insects, rodents, birds, deer,
rabbits and woodchucks." "Connecticut's
wolves were all killed in the late 1800s," Ranger Stranton said. "Their
loss caused an increase in hoofed prey like deer, moose and caribou. In the
same way that birds show up at a feeder because there is plenty of food, the
coyotes have come in since the late 1940s." Tom's daughter Lulu Sanders
was proud of her friend. "Anna was studying for a quiz in natural
history. She saw the difference between coyote and dog paw prints because
she'd really studied!" |
Thought for the day - -
You can't tell a
horse's gait until you start to ride.
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Horsy News,
Views and Attitudes Vol. 1 Number 25 January 7-13, 2008
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LEARN TO SPEAK
HORSE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q. I have just started leasing a horse named Maggie. She
is 15 and is a quarter horse. I know she is trying to test me and at
this point I am getting an F. When I get
her from the field she comes pretty easily with the help of a treat.
Then, as I take her out of the gate, she tries to walk away, she
actually pulls away very strongly.
She wants to eat the grass around, and if I do let her for a
little bit, she does not want to stop.
Then when I finally get to the stable, I have to struggle to get the
cross ties on her because she continually walks out of the barn and I have to
take her back in and then she will go into OTHER horses stalls, for no
obvious reason. AHHHHH! What should I do? A. Your horse does not think you are the
boss. In her mind you are part of a herd and she is lead mare. To make her do
what you want, you must change her mind to think you are her boss. How do you do this?
First, never move around a horse in anything resembling a tentative fashion.
Move around a horse like you own it. Always act decisive. You can teach
Maggie to do what you want by setting things up so that the easiest thing for
the horse to do is exactly what you want it to do. If you have never worked in a
round pen with a horse, get help to learn how to work a horse there. As you
work with Maggie, she must learn that you decide where she goes. The
round pen work is the safest place to help her learn this. Once you are the
boss in the round pen, you can use the walk in and out of her field each day
as a training opportunity too.
Make sure to think about where you want her to be and then ask clearly
for Maggie to move to that spot. You aren't going to hurt her feelings or be
mean by
taking control, it's something you do to keep yourself and the
horse safe. Remember to praise her when she does what you want. |
Pony Pals Letters Dear WebMaster Hi my
name is Lauren, I just turned 6 on Dec. 10th and for my birthday I received
28 of your pony pal books. I started reading book # 1 when I turned 5
and prayed for the other books and now I am on book # 11. My favorite
book so far has been The Wild Pony where The Pony Pals found Beauty. I love your books and I love
ponies and horses I have lots of toy ponies and horses, but I really want a
real pony. My mom says they are a lot of work and we have no room for
one. But maybe when we get our new house I can get a pony. If I had a
pony I would name it Acorn or Snow White or Lightning. What is a good
age to get a pony? How can I find your other books? Is there
really a Wiggins estate, if there is I would want to come and visit.
Please let me know. Dear Pony Pal Lauren If you read the
"about" page at http://www.clubponypals.com/about.html
I too wanted a pony
when I was growing up.
My riding students get their own pony when they can ride by
themselves, until then it is best to take lessons or join a pony club to
learn how to care for a pony. You may be able to trade work at a barn or
stable for lessons, that is a good way to learn about horses. ClubPonyPals.com has links
where you can buy new or used Pony Pals books. The Wiggins Estate is north of
Wiggins, which is a very tiny town in Connecticut. If you want to visit, you
can write to Wilhelmina Wiggins about why you want to go there. I can make
sure she sees your letter to her if you email it to me.
Editor Wiggins Weekly P. S. You can take a look at my pony at http://www.clubponypals.com/azzie2shot.html |
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Horsy News, Views and Attitudes Vol. 1 Number 25 January 7-13, 2008
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Ski Joring photo courtesy of North East
Ski Joring Association (NESJA) Ski Joring Clinic
Update North East Ski Joring
Association members will help with the training day on January 26 from 10 to
2 at Olson's Farm in Wiggins, CT.
"Ski joring is a great
way to meet new riders and skiers," Geoff Smith, President of NESJA, said.
"It is fun and fast and should be tried by all. I grow up an
alpine ski racer. My family has been strong into western riding, trail
riding and showing. Putting the two sports together has improved our riding
skills and the strength and agility of our horses. We now have more fun
with our horses in the winter than we do in the summer." Interested riders are encouraged
to register at Olson's Farm, or call 555-1255 for more information. |
Just for Fun Match up the tracks --
answers from last week.
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4 Deer |
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Send in a drawing or photos of tracks you see in
the snow, Tom Sanders will try to identify them. Email the Wiggins Weekly at
WebMaster@clubponypals.com