THE AUDACITY OF throwing grass clippings over a fence to a neighbor’s horses! You may think it’s a kindness, that your grass clippings are going to a good cause, but the complete opposite is true — you’re making them sick. If you don’t own the animal, do not feed it! That includes donkeys, alpacas, sheep, goats or what have you.
To a horse, a pile of fresh-mowed grass is like finding an all-you-can-eat buffet. They might gobble it all up super fast without chewing it properly. The pile may include toxic plants and weeds (and chemicals to thwart their growth) that they would otherwise avoid, but because they have been chopped up with other more palatable plants, the horse cannot detect them.
Piles of grass are fermenting (that is why they are warm or even hot when you put your hand inside a fresh pile of clippings), causing a lethal build-up of gasses within a horse’s gut. Giving an equine a pile of grass clippings is asking for digestive problems which can lead to diarrhea, colic (a painful, often lethal, stomachache), laminitis and even death. Just don’t!
This month, I’ve been enjoying a visit from my grand-nephew Isaac. Long-time readers may recall the exploits I shared through my column and Facebook posts while raising him from a toddler to age 9 (through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic). Then he went to live with my sister in San Clemente, Calif., since the schools never closed there. He loves the beach life there, including surfing and sailing.
Summer visits with me include riding dirt bikes I’d gotten in 2003 for his uncles, Wesley and Keaton Stromberg. A Honda XR70 and Yamaha TTR 125. When new and constantly ridden, I did a good job maintaining them. Only now, those bikes are more than 20 years old and only ridden occasionally. This year, they’ve had one problem after another, hence, I’ve been slowly learning how to fix them — yikes. I’ve long had workshop manuals for both, which explains step-by-step maintenance and fixes well, along with Google, but now I’m still stumped with the Honda’s throttle sticking wide open — despite rebuilding its carburetor, adjusting fuel/air mix screws, adjusting valves, cleaning air filter and cleaning/lubing the throttle cable. Now I’m checking for air leaks, and I’ve got a new throttle cable on order (nothing is in stock these days).
Then the 125 suddenly stopped kicking over to start. Put in a new spark plug, cleaned the carburetor and now I’m going through a checklist of things that could be wrong. I just hope I get them up and running quickly before he leaves at the end of this month. We just want to have fun!
Games
Speaking of fun, have you been to any of the Patterned Speed Horse game shows at the Crosby arena in Agnew? I stopped by to take some photos and visit with some old friends there.
Wearing his Superman T-shirt was Super Senior Division Rider Sam Parks. “I wasn’t wearing it at yesterday’s show, and a young girl who’s known me since she was little said I need to wear it, because I’ve always been Superman Sam to her.”
Along with his wife Donna, the entire Parks family dynasty were there — retired Naval officer daughter Jessica raced, son Jamie was the show announcer (and PSHA president). His wife Melonie is the book and timekeeper (and is PSHA social coordinator). Their son Duncan, now 19, was there racing on his grandfather’s horse. For the first time, he’s without his own horse simply because he hasn’t had the time to ride. He just finished his freshman year at college. This fall, Samatha, 17, will be a high school senior.
Events
July 19, 10 a.m., — 3rd 4D Game Show/Animal Rescue Fundraiser and silent auction at the 4L Arena. Events: Cal Stake, polo turn, half-8 and speed barrels. Entry fee is $65. Four awards brackets based on placings, not age group or time division. All participants will receive a very nice award. Twenty-five buckles and a trophy saddle, along with other great prizes, will be awarded. The event is extremely beginner-friendly, and lead-line is allowed (lead-liners must be able to support themselves unassisted in the saddle). Silent auction and raffle. Camping and stalls/pens available by reservation only. Entry: $65. “Never Won a Buckle” side-pot (two buckles awarded): $25. “Helmet Awareness” side pot (two buckles awarded): $25. High-Point Saddle side pot: $50. Re-ride “mulligans”: $10 each (no limit).
Amy Carey, who suffered a near-fatal riding accident, sponsored two of the show’s buckles to help raise awareness for helmet safety. She’ll be presenting the buckles and be on hand to share her story. All proceeds will benefit Welfare for Animals Guild and Center Valley Animal Rescue, with more local animal rescue organizations to be added. Pre-register or sign up day of show. Contact Kari Payne 503-789-4247, neuropuck@msn.com. Located at 95 S. McCrorie Road (off Blue Mountain), Port Angeles. In case of rain, check for updates on 4L Arena or Kari Payne’s Facebook pages.
July 18-20 — Neon Riders 4-H & Open Horse Show at Clallam County Fairgrounds. Added Open classes for adults and youth who are not eligible for horse 4H classes. Buckle awards for 4-H High Point Divisions.
Friday: English and western dressage.
Saturday: Showmanship and English.
Saturday evening: trail practice (for contestants), fun games and potluck.
Sunday: trail, reining, stockseat and bareback.
Camping and stalls available for Friday and Saturday nights at the Clallam County Fairgrounds. For more information, call Katie Newton at 360-775-0350 or visit Clallam County 4H Facebook page or website.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also call her at 360-460-6299.
4L arena Belt Buckle Awards
July 19 4L Arena High-point saddle award
