July marks the start of the new fiscal year for both the State of Maryland and the Maryland Horse Council, and it also marks the beginning of new three-year terms for MHC’s officers. Two new people step into officer roles this month and a couple of existing officers switch roles. The new line up is as follows:
Joining the Executive Committee for the first time are Claire Lacey, who is our new Vice President for Land Use Issues; and Chad Walker, who will serve as our new Secretary. Chad is taking the Secretary role over from Laura Lane-Unsworth, who is taking over from me as the President. I, in turn, will be stepping into a new role as the Vice President of Publications. John Nunn will remain our Vice President of Sponsorships, Corinne Pouliquen will remain our Vice President for Membership, and Crystal Pickett will remain our Treasurer. You can read more about each of our officers in our May announcement.
The July issue also marks month two of the reimagined Equiery. We return to what is known in the trade as “bright white” paper stock, which is somewhat sturdier and easier on the eyes for many readers. We also introduce our new guest columnist, Ross Peddicord, who will be traveling the state (and the country – and the world!) interviewing the fascinating people who comprise our industry. His first piece describes his adventures shepherding members of the Swedish racing industry around during Preakness week. Lastly, we start an occasional series to help our small businesses weather the economic uncertainties facing our region with a piece about how the best barn managers in Maryland hold on to their best boarders.
We also have a special feature this month on a topic that that does not always get the media coverage it should. Lori Larson, who owns Wyndham Oaks in Montgomery County, and her veterinarian Dr. Alisha Bretz, came to us with an article they co-wrote about their recent experience with a strangles outbreak. This detailed accounting outlines the steps they took to quarantine the facility to prevent the spread of the disease. We applaud Larson and Dr. Bretz for writing the piece, in no small part because it is rare for a barn owner or a veterinarian, much less both, to agree to discuss bio-security practices with the general public. It is even more rare for barn owners to reach out to the media proactively. Their article is worth a careful read.
These new features join our regular Farm Stewardship column, which this month is another informative piece by Amanda Grev, our forage and pasture specialist at the Western Maryland Education and Research Center. Grev’s July column is the first of two illuminating articles sharing advice regarding fall seeding for pasture optimization. We will run part two in August.
And as always, we have our regular news roundup, our July Calendar of Events, and our regular Out & About pages. We are especially delighted this month to be able to publish so many pictures from the equestrian Special Olympics at The Retreat at Beckleysville. We could all learn a lesson from these kind, empathetic, and ever-patient horses.
– Kimberly K. Egan is the Vice President for Publications