On July 16, Julien’s Farm Store hosted the Granby Horse Council (GHC) during its monthly meeting that was held at Valkyrie Equestrian Center. Carolyn Mainardi, Valkyrie’s owner, gave a tour to start off the evening. GHC members and guests walked through the stables, past the indoor and outdoor rings, and were introduced to equine residents along the way.
Between the tour and the program, a buffet provided by Julien’s Farm Store was a special culinary treat—as those who have come to love Julien’s will well understand.
What is the Granby Horse Council?
The GHC was founded in 1979 by horse-minded residents of Granby. President Billie McNealey says members need not be Granby residents or even horse owners. She adds, “Many members are just lovers of horses, but don’t own them. Many others own a single horse, but multiple owners have two or more. The one thing they all have in common is a love and respect for these beautiful animals.” There are currently 75 members. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month, from April through October and open to anyone interested.
The group’s mission is to promote the rights of equines and horse people in the town of Granby. In one of its recurring community programs, called Share the Road, members provide guidance to the public regarding how to drive in the presence of horses being ridden on the road.
On Open Farm Day (Sept. 6), GHC members are there to share knowledge about horses. The council periodically invites the community to observe council activities—such as drill team practices, obstacle training events, and the Poker Ride—held at Salmon Brook Park and Holcomb Farm arenas.
This year members will hold a breed demo, which will consist of members showing their horses of different breeds and pointing out identifying physical and behavioral characteristics. The group maintains local multi-use trails and the exercise rings at Salmon Brook Park and Holcomb Farm.
Council’s evening program
A conversation between Dr. Harry Werner and Dr. Caitlin Rothacker, equine veterinarians, followed the meal. The moderator was Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse, a magazine for those intensively involved in the equestrian life. The veterinarians spoke of the positive changes that have occurred over the past 50 years in the care of horses.
Werner came to Granby in 1974. He described what equine veterinary practice was like at that time. One important issue for him was that there be a positive liaison between horse owners and town governance. In 1979, he helped to formGHC for that reason.
Werner related, “There was a time when horses could not be in the Memorial Day parade. We went to the parade officials to ask that horses be included. I pointed out to them that eight million horses were killed or died of disease and untreated wounds in military service while serving our country.” Horses have marched in Granby parades since then.
Werner noted the welcome introduction of specialized equipment over the past 50 years. “In 1983, we got the first ultrasound imaging machine. Now we have acupuncturists, board-certified vets, internal specialists, and a relatively-new podiatry specialty, whose practitioners are aptly called ‘horse podiatrists’.”
Rothacker became board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Equine Practice in 2014. She moved to Granby in 2015 and now works for Grand Prix Equine, one of the largest privately-owned equine practices in the northeast. Grand Prix is an ambulatory practice, with services provided where its equine clients live. Each doctor’s vehicle is outfitted as a mobile equine ambulatory clinic.
An equine practice on the cutting edge, Grand Prix performs radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, shockwave and laser therapy and chiropractic care. Rothacker noted, as had Werner, that increased availability of specialized horse care in cardiac, respiratory and neurologic cases have given equine vets apparent super powers. On the flip side of technological advances, Rothacker pointed out that, “There is great value in mentorship in our field—the sharing between experienced vets and those new to the field.”
The evening drew to a close with a business meeting. Members drifted away to their cars. It had been one of those perfect summer evenings.
In the golden embrace of a summer’s eve
Lush gardens sway, a sea of green.
Sunflowers, high as elephants’ eyes,
Yellow petals whisper: time to rest.
Horses roam, silhouettes against the fading sun,
Manes like flickering shadows.
Gentle breaths slow and soften
As dusk wraps the barns in a soft quilt of twilight.