Horse News
My Horse Property pick of the week…
How about 12+ acres with a great covered arena, stabling for about 12 horses and two modest homes in the Sebastopol area? Additional view building site. $1.25 million. Not publicly listed, so call or email for details.
Rental needed by February 1st. Renters are respectful and very responsible. Could be caretakers, they have 20 years in caretaking experience. Looking for a 1-3 BR home with acreage. Possibly look into a lease option. Both are fully employed and have lived and worked in West Sonoma County and Marin County. Expertise: craftsman carpenter, master gardener, master mechanic, animal care, certified dog trainer, chef, wildlands restoration and lifelong horsemen. Animals: 3 well -behaved dogs that go to work with renters and two horses.
My friend Dan Horn sent this to me, it’s a reprint of an article in the Index-Tribune. There will be a presentation by two of these groups at the Horse Cabinet meeting of the Sonoma Council Horse Council on Jan. 11, 2012, 7 pm at the Sonoma County Driving & Riding Clubhouse at the Fairgrounds. If you need more information, please call me at 707-579-5472.
SEC takes Sugarloaf lead
Stakeholders joined forces under the umbrella of the Parks Alliance for Sonoma County and included the Sonoma Ecology Center; the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association, which provides volunteers at all three parks; Sonoma County Regional Parks; the Sonoma Land Trust; the Sonoma County Trails Council and the Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District.
The goal of the alliance is to keep open the five state parks in Sonoma County slated for closure. The group supported Assembly member Jared Huffman’s bill, AB 42, which was signed last month and allows qualified nonprofits to take over management of parks the state can no longer afford to operate.
The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association has already had their proposal to run Jack London accepted for negotiations, and now the Sonoma Ecology Center is taking the lead to operate Sugarloaf Ridge.
“Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is headwaters for half a dozen watersheds, including Sonoma Creek and Santa Rosa Creek,
and includes some of the most important biodiversity in the region,” said Richard Dale, executive director for the Sonoma Ecology Center. “It has over 4,000 acres of wildlands, including a number of rare plants and animals, and it serves as a wild core for an extensive protected lands network. It has over 20 miles of trails and a beautiful waterfall on Sonoma Creek. It has the only public campground in the Valley. It is also home to one of the largest amateur-astronomical observatories in the country, the Robert Ferguson Observatory. It is hard to imagine the state wanting to close this treasure, and with so much to lose if it becomes neglected, our partners are determined to keep it open for the community and future generations.”
While the ecology center will be taking the lead on managing the vast natural resources of the park, it is only one of five organizations that will be critical to keeping the park flourishing. The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association will continue to work with park volunteers, the Sonoma County Trails Council will work to preserve the numerous hiking trails, United Camps, Conferences and Retreats will help manage the camping grounds and the Valley of the Moon Observatory Association will continue operating the Robert Ferguson Observatory.
The group, which calls itself “Team Sugarloaf,” has already sent a letter to the state expressing interest in managing the park.
Next up they will meet with the Concessions Division of California State Parks to discuss the details of what the state expects in a parks proposal.
Dale said he had one major concern, and that was the camping grounds. He said he fears the state might use a competitive bidding process in efforts to bring in the most lucrative option possible.
“This is something we’d like to avoid if possible because it would mean delays that could close the park and campground for months,” said Dale. “This would reduce revenue to the park and keep visitors from enjoying its magnificent open spaces. It would also put a sign on the park saying, ‘we’re closed,’ and could amplify illegal activity, like pot farms, that is a problem for many parks. This is also a concern for the Observatory, which will remain open for viewing events even if the park gates temporarily close.”
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has said it will close the parks July 1, so “Team Sugarloaf” is hoping for a speedy response from the state to begin making specific plans to take over operations at the park.
To support the ecology center’s efforts or volunteer, visit the Sonoma Ecology Center website at www.sonomaecologycenter.org, or the Parks Alliance for Sonoma County website at www.parksalliance.com.
Yesterday, we relayed the information that a single case of Equine Herpes Virus-1 was identified in a horse in Sonoma County . Today, we can confirm that two (2) additional horses on the affected premises have been confirmed positive by nasal swab for the neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1. The only clinical sign displayed by these two horses was a fever. The affected premises is under quarantine and the thirteen (13) other horses currently on the property are being monitored. Current epidemiologic investigation findings indicate minimal risk of disease spread from this closed premises.
Please be extremely cautious about interacting with other horses, traveling with your horses and watchful of signs of fever.
Come to the Sonoma Horse Park and see the Strides & Tides classic Hunter Jumper championship show! It’s our first year sponsoring at the SHP, which is a fantastic facility and we’re looking forward to the weekend of Sept 14 – 18.
Don’t miss this great event! Our absolute favorite display of fabulous horses, outstanding local riders and great equestrian performances while tasting our area’s finest wines. What could be more fun??? Stop by the Premier Equestrian Properties booth for prizes! Will have info on the best horse properties in the wine country.
This info just came in…
On August 23, 2011, a 15 year old Oldenburg mare from Sonoma County was confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1. The mare is isolated, quarantined and undergoing treatment at a veterinary referral hospital. The premises of origin is under veterinary observation and the potentially exposed horses temperatures are being monitored twice daily. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by CDFA reveals minimal disease risk based on lack of animal movement on and off the affected premises. The investigation has determined the positive horse has no direct link to the May 2011 outbreak of EHV-1 in cutting horses which resulted in 22 positive confirmed equine cases in California. CDFA staff will continue to monitor the situation to ensure disease control.
It’s real important that those of us who enjoy using public trails to ride read and respond to this. Your rights to ride are under threat! Don’t be stuck in the saddle… it’s easy to let your congressmen/women know what you want. Click here for more details: http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5916737d6d067a7214&m=feef1d757d6307&ls=fe0410707160007875157575&l=fef81178756c06&s=fe23137970660679731d70&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe26167675620c79701579&r=0
These never come up but I just thought I’d pass this along. A friend has a cute one BR cottage, suitable for a single person or couple, on 5 acres. She has a small barn and it’s fenced for horses, so she would consider someone to come and bring a horse or two. The cottage rents for $1150 per month, horse facilities would be extra. Lovely, country setting on the edge of Santa Rosa/ Sebastopol. Sweet garden area. Includes laundry facilities, cable and internet service. Wonderful landlords! If you’re interested, just contact me and I’ll put you in touch.
This is literally ‘the Bible’ of equestrian information in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties. Great information on trainers, stables, suppliers, vets, farriers… you name it. Sandy Kriegsman of Sanbar Dressage puts this together every year and it just gets better and better. If you don’t have a copy, email me and I’ll send you one. You shouldn’t go without if you have a horse ’round here!
And if you’re new to the area, or thinking of moving here… this is a wonderful introduction to give you the ‘lay of the land’ as far as the horse world goes.
Thanks Sandy, for putting such a wonderful directory together for us all.