Bow-Wow-Wow! Summer is almost over and the start of a new school year is just around the corner! Lord Nelson is taking a much-needed summer vacation and asked me to fill in for him this week while he is away. My name is Andy, and I am a member of the Rutgers Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club (RUSEPRC).
Boy, it sure has been hot and humid lately! This weather got me thinking that it would be a good time to remind everyone about a disease that can be a seasonal threat to horse health during hot summer months. Cases of Potomac Horse Fever can occur any time between late spring and early fall, but are more common as temperatures rise in July, August and September.
August 4th marks one of the biggest days in Standardbred Harness Racing: The Hambletonian Stakes! At the Hambletonian (aka the Hambo), horses race in one-mile heats with the purse being one million dollars! That would be a life time of strawberry frosted donuts if I had that kind of money! Harness racing involves only Standardbred horses that compete with a specific gait: either a trot or pace. This is unlike Thoroughbred racing which requires horses to gallop around the track. Harness racing also requires drivers who sit in a small two wheeled cart called a sulky, as opposed to having a jockey on their back like in Thoroughbred races. The Hambletonian Stakes is known as the Standardbred equivalent of the Kentucky Derby!
Do you know that there is another big equine event coming up? The Haskell Invitational is a major race for three-year-old thoroughbreds in between the Triple Crown series and the Breeders’ Cup. With a current purse of $1,000,000, and its location in NEW JERSEY at Monmouth Park racetrack, you want to be sure not to miss this exciting event!! This year it takes place on Saturday, July 29! In addition to the race, there will be other activities in the picnic area like face painting, live music, pony rides, and maybe even strawberry frosted donuts!
Guess what time of year it is?? It’s summer so that means the Equine Science Center’s annual Summer Showcase is coming up!! The event will take place on Wednesday, July 11th from 10:00am – 12:00pm. My gal-pals Randy and Jolee will be participating in the crowd favorite high-speed treadmill demonstration! In addition, my good pal RU Wishone, the full-size equine skeleton, will be used to teach anatomy. You will have to put your equine science knowledge to the test with our famous jeopardy game! And finally, we will be reviewing the new “Equine Science 4 Kids” Interactive dentition presentation. OH I forgot to mention the best part: the event is FREE.
RU ready to watch the Belmont Stakes this Saturday, June 9th?! We might be welcoming a new addition to the exclusive Triple Crown winner club!
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and hold electronic data that enables identification of a horse. RU aware of the new microchipping rules from the USEF or USHJA?
Have you ever been to the Horse Park of New Jersey?? Residing on 185-acres, it has become the destination for equestrian enthusiasts of every discipline! The park opened in 1988 and has continued to host events and shows through the generosity of sponsors, members, and volunteers.
Guess what event is coming up?! Ag Field Day!! WOOOO!! It’s one of my favorite times of the year because I get to see all of you guys on my home turf on at the Red Barn on College Farm Road.
Terra Bella, a race horse living in Belize, reporting for blog post duty! Lord Nelson wanted me to tell you about the Junior Breeder Symposium, which will take place at the Red Barn on the Rutgers Farm next Saturday, April 7th!! I highly suggest you guys register to learn about all things equine!
My first job at Rutgers University was on mounted patrol. I also carried the Scarlet Knight mascot at football games. One day I became famous when I got excited, stepped onto the field and became the only horse in history to receive a penalty in a football game! And I’m curious and mischievous! I love to be outside, so don’t ever leave my stall door open. I love all kinds of food – just about nothing at a picnic is safe. I also don’t like cheese puffs. That cheetah on the bag scares me to death! After 22 years on mounted patrol, I’m proud to be back, working for the Rutgers Equine Science Center and telling everyone what I know.
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