Yearly Archives: 2011

Older mares can become pregnant and carry foals to term into their 20s. One of the oldest mares recorded to give birth was a 42-year-old mare in Australia. However, the overall reproductive potential of a mare typically begins to decline by about 15 years of age. Pregnancy rate per cycle and seasonal foaling rate both decrease with age.

Read more of the article by By Dr. Patrick McCue in The American Quarter Horse Journal by clicking here

Phenylbutazone, or “bute,” belongs to a class of therapeutic medications called nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Aspirin and ibuprofen are other common drugs in this class. Like asprin, bute reduces inflammation and fever and also acts as an analgesic, or pain-reliever. It’s also one of the least expensive horse medications on the market.

Click here to read the entire article by Christine Hamilton of the American Quarter Horse Journal

In 2010, horse owners showing American Quarter Horse Association Incentive Fund-nominated horses earned more money per point than in 2009. The program utilizes the most familiar and proven concept in the American Quarter Horse Show industry, points won at AQHA shows. Each point earned at AQHA-approved shows in eligible open and/or amateur classes by an Incentive Fund-nominated horse will be worth a specific amount.

Last week, the United States Senate approved an amendment to the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act that will repeal the recent 1099 paperwork mandate. The amendment was offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The 1099 paperwork mandate was a provision of the health care bill passed last year that imposes new tax reporting requirements, on every business in the U.S., including those in the horse industry, beginning in 2012.

There were several attempts to repeal the 1099 requirement last Congress which failed.

“We are glad the Senate has taken this step towards repeal of the new 1099 requirement,” said American Horse Council President Jay Hickey. “There is wide agreement that this is a burdensome requirement for businesses. However, during the last Congress disagreement over details got in the way of repeal. We hope the overwhelming support of this amendment is proof that everyone is now on the same page.”

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Health Care Bill”) that was signed into law last year included a provision broadly expanding 1099 IRS form reporting requirements starting in 2012. Currently, the law requires 1099s to be sent to any independent contractor that receives $600 or more from a business in a year. The new requirement requires 1099s be sent not only to independent contractors but also to any individual or corporation from whom a business purchases a total of $600 or more in goods or services in any given year. Its stated purpose is to identify unreported taxable income, fraudulent tax deductions, and increase tax compliance.

This new requirement will greatly increase the administrative burden on all businesses, particularly small businesses, including those in the horse industry. For example, if a horse farm buys $600 worth of hay and grain from a particular retailer, or purchases buckets and bridles for a total of $600 from a tack shop, or an even buys office supplies of $600 from a supply store over the course of the year, or an individual buys a computer for $700 from a local store, they are required to issue each business a 1099 form that must be completed and returned to the IRS. This reporting mandate places an added burden on each business involved. The horse businesses would have to collect information and tax identification numbers for every entity they do $600 worth of business with and mail them forms and the business receiving the forms must complete them.

The Stabenow amendment repeals only the new reporting requirements. Businesses would still have to send 1099s to independent contractors.

The Senate must now approve the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act which will then be considered by the House. Repeal of the 1099 provision has broad bipartisan support. But the larger bill may or may not pass both the Senate and the House. Therefore, repeal at this juncture is not assured.

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Congressmen Steve Scalise (R-LA), have each introduced stand-alone bills that would also repeal the 1099 provision.

“The AHC will continue to work in support of repealing the new 1099 paperwork mandate,” said Hickey. “Repealing the 1099 mandate has broad bipartisan support and we are very optimistic that a fix will be in place before the new requirement goes into effect in 2012.”

Top Western Artist Don Bell is on his way to making a name for himself as an emerging sculptor. Click here to get a sneak peak of what the redesigned horse will look like before we reveal the completed bronze trophy in an upcoming article in the next few months.

Kathy L. Williams Tail Extensions has just debuted a new website. She is the go to gal for tail extensions in the horse industry.

Kathys Tails is the home of the original adjustable, removable weighted tail. Our tails are 100% horse hair and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. We have a wide selection of colors and options to suit your needs. Choose from slide (hole), one or two braids, or strings in light, normal, dark, or black sorrels, mixed, black, flaxen, white, cream white, or assorted grays. Tails come in 36" lengths and longer by request. Weighted tails are our specialty, a great non-abusive alternative. Tails can be created at any weight you desire. Kathy L. Williams has been in the business for 18 years and can be seen at all the major horse shows in the country.She also has a booth at the Quarter House Congress, Reichert Celebration, NSBA World, Southern Belle, Little futurity, and Tom Powers. All tails are AQHA, NSBA, APHA, PHBA TAILS. The number 1 choice in the industry!

Be sure to check out her new site, www.kathytails.com for all your tail needs!

The WCHA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Committee members have all been working hard putting together some programs, shows and exciting events for the WCHA membership.

1. WCHA Annual Meeting to be held at the AQHA Convention on March 5th, 7:30 -8:30 am, Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center, the room number TBD. Please plan on attending the AQHA Convention and support the Conformation Horse, we have a large contingent in DFW area and need everyone to attend. There are a considerable number of items concerning the halter horse on the various Committee's agenda so please review these agenda items at http://aqha.com/Home/About/Content%20Pages/About%20the%20Association/AQHA%20Convention.aspx

2. The WCHA Breeders Committee has put together an exciting program called the WCHA Breeders Championship Futurity and the WCHA Breeders Championship Futurity Stallion nomination program. The date for the WCHA Breeders Championship Futurity is Sept 24 - 25th to be held in Des Moines, IA in conjunction with the Iowa Breeders Futurity. Please read more about this exciting program at http://www.conformationhorse.com/. There is more than 50 stallion owners that have nominated their stallion for this program before we posted it on the WCHA website!

3. The WCHA Judges Exam will be in Oklahoma City during the Redbud Quarter Horse Show and The Jerry Wells Memorial Scholarship Futurity on or around June 4th. The forms to apply are at www.conformationhorse.com. The WCHA Judges Committee in working with the WCHA Board of Directors have put together a special session one time seminar for WCHA Judges to be held in Oklahoma City at the Biltmore Hotel on March 22nd. Current WCHA Judges are invited to attend to count as their seminar credit.

4.The 2011 Memberships are now due, go to www.conformationhorse.com to download membership forms

5. The Jerry Wells Memorial Scholarship Futurity will be held in Oklahoma City, OK during the Redbud Quarter Horse Show on June 4th. Please check the website for details at www.conformationhorse.com or www.jerrywellsfuturity.com/

In an amazing feat--the 21 Year-old gorgeous brown stallion, Invitation Only, is the number one leading performance sire of all divisions for the fifth year in a row. Find out more about this record breaking stallion that has revolutionized our industry.

The Prairie Classic will be held on the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds February 16-20. It is AQHA, Kansas and Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association approved. Check out the links below for more information.

Sponsored By Kansas Quarter Horse, Logan Western Supply, Capital City QHS, Ray & Carolyn Connell

February 16 - 20, 2011--Oklahoma City, OK

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

AQHA, OKQHA, KQHA approved horse shows. 5 sets of points in roping with 4 sets of points in everything else. Southern Belle Breeders classes that are NSBA approved including 10L maturity western pleasure, AA non pro hunter under saddle, green hunter under saddle, AA non pro western pleasure and green western pleasure. Circuit awards in all classes and Triple Crown Championship buckles in the Jr, Sr and Ama heading and heeling classes. Money added allowance pleasure class on Sunday for all exhibitors who show in a western pleasure class but do not earn any AQHA points. Special buckles for Kansas QHA members for all around youth and amateur. Most amateur and youth classes will be held on Saturday and Sunday with roping, reining and speed classes on Thursday and Friday.

Judges: Mike Hawkins, Brett Clark, Pierre Briere, Brent Tincher, Jeff Petska, Morgan Lybbert, Kent Martin. Cliff Kellmer, Dave Brock, Bob Tweedlie, Carl Hansen, Clay Farrell, Teri Beck

New for 2011

Southern Belle classes
KQHA member buckles for youth & amateur all arounds
Triple Crown Buckle Series for Open & Amateur team roping

Host Hotel
Saddleback Inn - $79.00 rate includes hot breakfast

Showbill, stalling information & pre-entry form

Sponsorship Form

Southern Belle Eligible Stallion List

Southern Belle Classes Entry Form

Prairie Classic Volunteer Information