Attention Maricopa County Livestock Owners

This just came to my attention and is worth putting out to Maricopa County, Arizona horse owners...

 

 

"Keeping of Farm Animals in Rural Zoning Districts - If you own small acreage parcels in the unincorporated Maricopa County (this includes Laveen, Gilbert, Higley, Queen Creek areas and any surrounding unincorporated areas of Phoenix) and are not legally zoned by the county as agricultural/farm use, this will affect you."

 

"On March 8, 2006, 10:00 AM at 205 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, there will be an open county meeting regarding the "INTERPRETATION" of Chapter 2, Zoning Ordinance 501.2.4, for all of unincorporated Maricopa County R-43 land."

 

"Simply, the 'INTERPRETATION" could be defined in one of two ways:

1. That would NOT ALLOW the affected area property owners to keep livestock/farm animals including chickens, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, etc. Because it is an interpretation of a current zoning rule no one will be grandfathered retroactive back to 1969 (period of time when ordinance was put in place). All properties below the minimum acreage stated in the zoning rule will be affected and it can be enforced immediately upon approval.

OR

2. That the keeping of farm animals is considered a by-right use accessory to a single-family residence in the Rural zoning districts without any limitation on the number of animals (at least as per zoning requirements)."

 

 

Depending on the interpretation, this could affect life-style for many including families with children involved in 4-H and the Maricopa County Fair. It could ultimately affect the number of horses you keep for your family for recreational purposes.

 

Anyone interested in supporting the current ability to keep farm animals should contact the county supervisors in all districts by phone, in writing or email, deliver signed petitions to Darren Gerard, Deputy Director of Maricopa County and come to the meeting on March 8, 2006, 10:00 AM held at 205 W. Jefferson. Contact info: Maricopa County Zoning Code Enforcement 602-506-3694. darrengerard@mail.maricopa.gov, fbrock@mail.maricopa.gov, mwwilson@mail.maricopa.gov, akunasek@mail.maricopa.gov, dstapley@mail.maricopa.gov

 

 

Carousel Charity Horse Show change in Show Secretary

Carousel Charity Horse Show has a change in Show Secretary due to personal conflicts of the original secretary. Melanni Hershberger will be taking over as show secretary for the 2006 Carousel. Many of you will remember her from years past at Carousel Horse Show. She is very knowledgeable with several breeds and especially up on USEF rules. All fees will remain as printed in the prize list.

 

Please mail all show entries to:

Melanni Hershberger

Deer Mountain Arabians

13031 N. Miller Road

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

480-443-3372

 

All entries already mailed to Diane Nova will be sent to Melannie. If you have mailed your entry just in the past couple of days, contact Melanni to confirm that she has received it.

Cheney Shooting

It's totally off topic for gaited horses, but I just couldn't resist.

 

Cheney Shooting

 

A Weekend of fun

We just finished up the weekend with Mary Donald, approved horse show judge for a number of gaited breeds. We attended the Merry Go Round Horse Show on saturday 2/11/06, where Mary judged many of the gaited horse breeds, and in spite of the windy conditions had a great time. We came home with a ribbon or two, but just had fun showing with and against our Peruvian Paso horse show friends. We have some newcomers to the breed who took home some first place ribbons. We were excited for them and their success. We are looking forward to Carousel Charity Horse Show coming up in March, primarily for the chance to get out and show our horses and to have a few days with friends.

 

Congratulations to all exhibitors, the horse show committee, but particularly to the winners!

Mangalarga Marchador Classes Offered at 2006 Carousel Charity Horse Show

This year's Carousel Charity Horse Show has a new offering in classes. Carousel has added a division for the Mangalarga Marchador, a gaited horse breed originating in Brazil. Six classes for this beautiful and unique gaited horse are in the 2006 Carousel Charity Horse Show schedule. If you are interested in seeing this gorgeous horse, plan on coming to WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ, for the Carousel show on Friday morning and afternoon, March 17th, or Saturday afternoon, March 18th.

 

For more information, visit the DSHA website.

Horse Hands at the Phoenix Zoo!

Did you know that the Phoenix Zoo offers horsemanship classes to children ages 7-14 and to adults? The zoo offers a program called Horse Hands right on zoo grounds, where children and adults learn about animal observation, bonding, caregiving and basic horsemanship and riding skills. The program is designed to develop a caring relationship between participants and the horses. For children, the program consists of four levels, where each level guides the children to new skill levels. It is a great way for parents to permit their children to explore the world of horses without the need to commit to more than 4 weeks at a time. And gaited horse lovers, you'll be delighted to know that one of the horses used is a Tennessee Walking Horse with a wonderfully gentle disposition.

 

As a horse owner you may be frequently asked about giving lessons to children or beginning adults but may not have schooling horses or time available. The Horse Hands Program provides an excellent opportunity. If you are the parent or grandparent of a child asking for an chance to explore the world of horses and don't have a ready resource, you might wish to consider this program.

 

For more information, visit the zoo's website for information on the Horse Hands Program.

My Gaited Horse Has My Heart!

Take a look at the new t-shirts for horse lovers. The new My Horse Has My Heart line features a big red heart with the words, “my Horse has my heart”. The t-shirts and other apparel and gift items also feature the same design with, “my Horse-aholic has my heart”, “my Horse Show Hubby has my heart”, and more. Also available are Poop-er Scooper, Horse Addict, Gaited Horse, Mule and Gaited Mule. You will also find items sporting the design for Paso Fino, Classic Fino, Tennessee Walker, Plantation Horse and Lite Shod Horse.

Visit AZ Gaited Horses Online Store to shop for these new products. They make great year-round gifts and are perfect for Valentine’s Day, too!

February Merry-Go-Round Horse Show

Merry-Go-Round Horse Show has a new venue for it's February show. Empty Acres, the new Buckeye, Arizona, horse facility is the location of this show which features classes for American Saddlebred, Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Morgan, Arabian, Tennessee Walking Horse and Missouri Fox Trotter horse breeds. Also, the show offers Open division and Academy classes.

 

The shows dates are February 11-12, 2006. Saturday's schedule is filled with Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino, Tennessee Walker, Fox Trotter, Mangalarga Marchador and all gaited classes. Also on Saturday there will be Academy, American Saddlebred, Morgan, Friesian and Open division classes. Sunday will feature Saddlebred, Morgan, Friesian, Academy, Equitation, and Open division classes.

 

For more information, call 480-221-6430.

Horse New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions straight from the horses' mouths! Show everyone how sharp your show, trail or pleasure horse is with our Horse New Year's Resolutions. Your horse's list of New Year's Resolutions include promises like:

• I will not walk faster on the way home than on the way out.
  
• I will not jump over imaginary objects when the whim stikes.
• I will not chase the ponies into the electric fence to see if it is on.
• I will not have an attitude problem. I won't! I won't! I won't!
• I will not bite my farrier's butt just because it is there.
• I will accept that not every carrot is for me -- well, maybe!

So whether you ride a gaited horse or not you are sure to get a chuckle from your horse's New Year's Resolutions.

Paso Fino Gaited Horse Throw Pillows Make Unique Gift Ideas

If you're a Paso Fino horse enthusiast or are holiday shopping for a gaited horse lover, consider this unique holiday gift item, a Paso Fino Throw Pillow. The pillows measure a generous 18" x 18" with an 11" x 11" design area. Each pillow ships with a pillow insert and has a zippered removable cover for easy laundering.

Visit A-Z Gaited Horses Online Store for Paso Fino holiday gift ideas and for products for other gaited breeds. Shop our designs in merchandise for lovers of the Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino, Tennessee Walking Horse, Icelandic Horse, Missouri Fox Trotting Horse and more.