May/June 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN May/June 2025 Page 47 Horse Droppings By Sylvia Sidesaddle Racing for Life B E N E F I T I N G T H E F O L L O W I N G O R G A N I Z A T I O N S ©Robert Keller The Willowdale Steeplechase 6 Exciting Steeplechase Races :: Jack Russell Races :: Pony Races :: Boutique Shopping Food & Gourmet Coffee :: Kids Alley :: Classic Cars NEW VIP Experience “The Turf Club” Go to willowdale.org for more information & to purchase your tickets. Reserved Tailgates :: Private Party Paddocks :: GA Tickets :: Sponsor, Advertising & Vendor Opportunities © T. Della-Volpe ©T. Della-Volpe © T. Della-Volpe © T. Della-Volpe Small Horse Farms Now Eligible for MD Conservation Funds Press Release The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s cost-share funding to install a range of popular best management practices is now available for small-scale equine and livestock operations with at least 1,000 pounds of live animal weight. This expansion of the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program (MACS) extends the popular conservation assistance program to these smaller farms. Previous- ly, participation in MACS was limited to operations with 8,000 or more pounds of live animal weight. “We are actively seeking out and working with small farms to get them the financial assis- tance they need to improve the natural resources that support their operations,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secre- tary Kevin Atticks. “Erosion and runoff are issues that all equine and livestock operations—large and small—face. We are excit- ed to expand our conservation programs to help everyone do their part to protect the natural resources we all depend on.” MACS currently funds 40 conservation practices that help farmers and landowners reduce soil erosion, manage animal manure, and control nutrient runoff to protect the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay, as well as mitigate impacts associated with climate change. The program provides up to 100% cost-share for high-priority practices such as forest buffers and stream exclusion fencing. Examples of qualifying con- servation practices that benefit equine and livestock operations include: • Watering Facilities – Up to 87.5% cost-share • Pasture Management – Up to 87.5% cost-share • Animal Waste Storage Struc- tures – Up to 87.5% cost-share • Heavy Use Area Protection – Up to 87.5% cost-share • Roof Runoff Structures – Up to 87.5% cost-share • Stream Exclusion Fencing – Up to 100% cost-share • Interior Pasture Fencing – Up to 50% cost-share Since 1984, MACS has helped thousands of farmers protect natural resources on their farms, safeguard local water quality, and enhance the health of their livestock. Consult the Con- servation tab at mda.maryland. gov for more information. By Sylvia Sidesaddle Well hello again darlings! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, trees and tulips bloom- ing, catbirds singing, minimal mud to deal with…and best of all, Devon on the horizon. You know what that means, darlings… iced tea with mint and lemon, tiny cucumber and watercress sandwiches (crustless of course) and the air filled with the smell of gorgeous, athletic, clean horses. Syl can’t wait! Best of luck to all who enter! Angela Mangine , a veteri- nary student at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of four re- cipients of $75,000 Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarships, given to fourth year students with outstanding veterinary school performance in 2024. Mangine hopes to land an internship at a well-established, multi-doctor practice, then work in a larger practice specializing in sport horse and racetrack medicine. Large animal vets are a vanishing species, darlings…be sure to be extra nice to yours. And congrats and thank you Angela! Syl has received a request from a filmmaker who will be filming on Long Island this sum- mer. Bill Berloni is looking for a horse to do a rear with a rider mounted. He very thoughtfully doesn’t want to transport horses from far away during the summer for a day of shooting. If any of Syl’s darlings have a horse that qualifies and is looking for its day in the Hollywood spotlight, email Bill at daberloni@gmail.com. PA State Police are looking for the villains who shot multi- ple horses and cows in southern Lancaster County in the early hours of March 15. The criminals drove through Salisbury, Colerain and Sadsbury Townships shoot- ing animals—a crime spree! The horses survived but several of the cows did not. If any of Syl’s sweet things have an inkling of who could do such a horrendous thing, please contact Troop- er Richard Whitehouse at the Lancaster, PA Crime Unit. And part B of Syl’swhat- is-the-world-coming-to rant… wildfires! In New Jersey and Pennsylvania! The owner of a horse farm in Barnegat had to evacuate 21 horses as the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, NJ closed in April 22. It was the largest wildfire in NJ in two de- cades, consuming 11,000 acres as Syl writes and still burning. A call for help on Facebook helped to draw about nine trailers to move the horses to Applegate Ranch in Manchester Township according to the farm’s owner, April Curry. The fire closed a 17-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway in both directions. And as Syl writes wildfires are burning in Carbon and Cumberland Counties, PA and maybe elsewhere. If the dry conditions continue as July 4 ap- proaches, Syl’s sweet things might want to consult the PA Equine Council’s page on how to talk to your community about setting off fireworks near horses at pennsyl- vaniaequinecouncil.org . There’s even a poster you can print! Seven new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, among them Smarty Jones , the lone living selection. Bred in Chester County, PA by Pat and Roy Chapman , Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby (the first undefeated winner since 1977) and Preakness Stakes be- fore missing the Triple Crown by a length in a heartbreaking finish at the Belmont. He was trained by John Servis , who got the news about the induction from Pat, who asked him where he planned to be on August 1. He reportedly got emotional when she asked, “Do you want to go to Saratoga?” where the induction will be held. Twenty one years ago, darlings! How time flies!!! And that’s it for Syl for another month. Always remem- ber to S.S.S. (Send Syl Scoop) at PAEquest@aol.com. And…be careful where you step!