New School Horse: Chance

Many of you may know Chance as a private horse and thanks to the enormous generousity of Carla Shamberg, we now have this beautiful Pinto pony as our newest school horse.

Cory found Chance at Ramp Tap for Zach Brandt. Zach did a wonderful job learning how to ride on Chance. they went on the Reserve Champion in the U.S. at the Junior Novice level. Chance was then sold to a girl who never really was able to bring out his best.  Carla Shamberg has owned him for the last two years. Chance is very talented and a super good lower level event pony.  Cory hopes someone will lease him and take him back to the show ring. She would love to see him bring another student along as he did with Zach. 

Chance will be used for most levels in the school. He is living up on the hill with all his new pony friends!

Taco is Retiring

Cory tells Taco's story:

Here is Taco's baby picture from his papers.
Did you know that Taco is a registered Paint Horse?
Follow this link to see his papers!

I got Taco at an auction. He belonged to an elderly man who rode him every day down a long dirt driveway to the mailbox and back. The gentleman passed away and his beloved Taco was sent to aution. I am so glad I was there that day. Most of you know Taco as the quiet walk/trot beginner's horse, but as a younger horse he was a fantastic jumper and went to many shows with Mill Creek students. 

Some of you remember Sandi Samel, who taught here for many years. Sandi has always loved Taco as much as I do. It makes me very happy to tell you all that Taco will be leaving to retire with Sandi in Oregon on the farm she and her husband own.

Taco turns 26 years old this month. He will be missed, but very much loved and cared for in his new home.

Thank you, Sandi, from all of us at Mill Creek who love Taco.

Message from Cory about Bows

As you may know, we lost Bows this month to severe colic. Below Cory relates what Bows meant to her and Mill Creek.

-- Bows --
1993 - 2012

I found Bows at a cowboy auction in Bakersfield. That was in 1997 and he was four years old.  He was the perfect size and had wonderful conformation. I was told by a cowboy he had bought him in New Mexico on an Indian Reservation. He said the teenaged boys were roping goats off of him. I paid $750 and headed home with Bows.  Bows took to jumping right away and loved his new job.  He went to many events and went on to win a Junior Training Level Championship at Ram Tap. It is impossible to count the numbers of children and adults Bows taught over the years.  I had great respect for Bows. He always gave 100% for every rider and never said no.

I will always remember him as one of the very special ones.

Cory

P.S. We will be having a 30th Birthday Party for LUCKY in June this year!!

Vaccination guidelines for horses at Mill Creek

The following vaccination guidelines were prepared especially for Mill Creek by California Equine Sports Medicine.

These recommendations are for both the horses that are showing and those that do not leave the facility. Due to the number of horses that do move around – shows, new horst, etc.—the potential for exposure to any contagious diseases remains present for those horses that do not leave the property.

For more information on the diseases/vaccines below, visit http://www.aaep.org/.

Equine Influenza – Every 6 months

Equine Rhinopneumonitis (EHV) – Every 6 months

West Nile Virus – Yearly vaccination (recommended late winter or early spring – prior to the onset of mosquitoes)

EEE/WEE – Yearly vaccination (recommended late winter or early spring – prior to the onset of mosquitoes)

Tetanus – Yearly vaccination. A booster is recommended if the horse is to have surgery or sustains a wound more than 6 months after his/her yearly vaccination

Rabies – Yearly vaccination

Strangles – Yearly vaccination (this vaccine does not provide full protection, but may help prevent the spread of the disease throughout the property if a single horse contracts it; it may also lessen the course of the disease)

Potomac Horse Fever – Only if you will be traveling to areas of the country where it is endemic (i.e., the East Coast)

Please check on your horse(s)’ vaccine status and talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate schedule to get your horse(s) up to date.

Important Notice about the vending machine

We have had a number of thefts from the vending machine by people reaching through the opening, pulling out snacks and not paying for them.  If this continues, we will have no choice but to completely remove the machine from Mill Creek.  Please don't spoil it for everyone!  Thank you.