Friday, February 27, 2009
“Hoof ‘n Holler”
by Jim Fritsche
“Horse
Charity”… Sounds like such
a good thing... But if you are thinking of supporting one, you should do some homework first. While the majority has good
intentions at the heart of their operation, a few people have exploited the “Non-Profit” rules to the extreme.
You should be aware that a “charity” can pay the directors any amount that the directors themselves approve! The
public would be surprised to find out that many questionable operations put the directors, their spouses and friends on the
payroll, and that the first dollars in go directly to them, not the horses! Before donating your time or money, ask for a
financial statement showing how much of the donation goes to overhead, and how much goes to actual animal care. One other
good indication of the situation is to go visit the facility.Look for the horses to be separated by size, and condition. The worst operators simply warehouseall of the horses together in dirt fields, making them
compete for limited food and cover; many of the older, weaker horses suffer by not getting enough to eat. Many questionable
operators simply keep too many horses in cramped conditions, and then ask for donations of cash. The properly run “Rescue
Operations” limit the number of animals, and see that this smaller group spend their remaining years in a stress free
environment, not fighting for their survival. Look to see if the money is spent on the animals, or the director’s lifestyle,
and home. We at
EQ-Wine Covers have been asked for years to donate Pasture Shelters, Hay Barns, and other buildings to Rescue Groups and Sanctuaries.
To this end, we set up the EQ-Wine Foundation. For eight years the Foundation has donated to groups that have been able to
document their positive efforts to save and nurture horses, while keeping their costs down. As feed prices rise, these groups
can use your help in caring for so many horses, it is a noble cause! Please join us in helping those who “help
the horses in need” on the Central Coast.
5:05 pm pst
“Hoof ‘n Holler”
by Jim Fritsche
“Rights” taken for granted are soon just memories.
Just as smokers have seen their ability to
have a cigarette anywhere they want taken away, others are seeing their rights to lawfully possess a firearm come under increasing
scrutiny. What leads to crackdowns on gun rights are both a small minority of unfit gun owners, and the complacency of law
abiding firearms owners. Stuck squarely in the middle are the millions of members of the National Rifle Association. Members of the
NRA must try to retain their rights to own a firearm, as well as pass on the valuable tradition to their children. At the
heart of these efforts is the annual “Friends of The NRA Dinner”. In 2008, Friends of the NRA held 1,053 dinners
around the country, raising $15.8 million dollars. This money has gone on to educate American children about gun and shooting
safety, build gun ranges, provide equipment, and so much more. The volunteers that organize, and hold these
events are truly at the forefront of saving the all important 2nd Amendment right to simply own a gun. On Saturday,
March 7th, the Paso Robles Friends of the NRA will hold their annual dinner and auction at the Paso Robles Event
Center. Everyone on the Central Coast is invited to attend! Please join in the fun of a great Tri-tip dinner, silent auctions,
live auctions, and get in on the chance to win some really great raffle prizes. Corporate sponsors can purchase tickets for
a table of eight guests, and receive some great incentives as well. For tickets, please call Noel Ryan at (805) 238-3401.Each year the Central Coast Dinner is
a night of great fun, and it has been one the Nation’s top ten fundraising events for years. I would like to leave you with a chilling quote from Aleksander Solzhenitsyn’s book The Gulag Archipelago.
Referring to the Russian government crack down on its citizens, and the citizen’s lack of resolve to stop the runaway
policies, he wrote: We
didn’t love freedom enough. And even more- we had no awareness of the real situation. We purely deserved everything
that happened afterward.”See you at the dinner…
See
previous articles at www.hoofnholler.net
Jim Fritsche owns EQ-Wine Covers
Co.
in Paso Robles, CA, and can be reached at
(805) 610-5566 eq-winecovers.com
5:01 pm pst
“Hoof ‘n Holler”
by Jim Fritsche
“A sure sign
that Spring is just around the corner is the arrival of baby chicks at feed stores across the nation. It is an amazing sound
to hear hundreds of chicks “peeping” inside metal feed tubs, waiting to be sold. The sound echoes throughout the
store, reminding you of their presence.
One of the best ways to introduce a young child to the responsibilities of owning and caring for an animal is to introduce
them to raising chicks. It is a very easy process, with just a simple daily checking of food and water. In just a few short
months, the young hens will begin laying eggs, and the young child will be introduced to a new world of wonder. If you wish to raise chicks,
stop by a store such as Atascadero Hay and Feed. They have the very knowledgeable staff to show you the many varieties such
as Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red, Silkies, Cochins, Bantams, and at least fifteen other breeds.In addition to chicks, they also carry geese, ducklings, Guinea hens,
and turkeys. On Saturday,
March 14th, Atascadero Hay and Feed will be holding their annual “Chick Days”. This is a great time to stop by and see the 1400 chicks, and learn just
how fun and easy it is to raisethe different
types of poultry. Please take time to stop and talk with Kevin Buffett, the owner, as he celebrates the one year anniversary
of the newly remodeled and enlarged store. Be sure to enter the raffle to win a Ware Manufacturing Chicken Barn, and enclosed,
screened yard. Tickets are just $1. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and the winner does not need to be present.
Stop by any time and enter.
Youth groups such as FFA and 4H should take time to look into the “Club Rewards” program, as it will directly
benefit the group, and its members!
AHF is located at 6155 Via Ave., Atascadero, and can be reached at (805) 461-6411. They are open Mon. – Friday,
8:30-6p.m., Saturdays, 9-5p.m., and Sundays 10-3p.m. Please come by, and see what’s new!
4:47 pm pst
Saturday, February 7, 2009
“Hoof ‘n Holler”
by Jim Fritsche
The thrill of a trail ride, traveling to horse
shows, and all the other fun things you do with your horse depend on one crucial item- your trailer! Now is the time to either
fix up the old one, or go looking for anew
model that fits your needs to a “T”. When you search
for that next trailer, or service on the one you own, be sure to look up a company that has been around
a while, and is local enough to know you each time you come in. Getting to know your dealer will insure
your safety, and your horse arriving anywhere safely, and in a good mood. On a recent visit to the
Trailer Barn, in Paso Robles, I learned of the recent improvements in horse trailer construction. Years ago, all Aluminum construction was desirable, but very expensive. With new manufacturing techniques, as well as the price of Aluminum staying
stable, new buyers can now get a corrosion proof, lighter weight trailer for just a few dollars more than an all steel model. Susan Borene,
and Aaron Montgomery both handle sales
at the Trailer Barn, and were glad to point to their line of Kiefer Built trailers as the tops in their class. Aaron pointed
out that the Kiefer stock trailers are the only brand to carry State certifications to haul Bison! If it can haul a buffalo,
it will take many years of what ever a horse could offer up, and then some. The Trailer Barn also offers a complete repair shop, with highly
a trained service staff than can handle any repair on your trailer, install gooseneck hitches, air ride suspension systems,
and much more. The folks at the Trailer Barn encourage any trailer owner to stop by for a free safety evaluation of your
current trailer. Remember that almost 50% of the break-away emergency braking system batteries sitting in trailers are dead,
and would not be ready to stop your trailer should it become disconnected! Have your system checked out before that next big
trip, and you can travel with some peace of mind. Call Aaron or Susan at (805) 227-4300, and they will put two decades of
service to work for you!
6:46 pm pst
“Hoof ‘n Holler”
by Jim Fritsche
As Spring approaches, horse owners, vineyards, and ranchette owners begin to
think about work to be done around their property. There is no better tool to help you get things done than a small to medium
sized tractor. With just a few attachments, and a loader bucket, you will be amazed at how much more can be accomplished,
in less time.From grading
driveways, dragging arenas, andmowing
or discing weeds, to removing manure, a quality tractor will become your number one toolaround the property. How about no more hand dugpost holes, or spraying toxic chemicals to kill weeds? With some basic
tools, the work will be fun!
Jeff Sponhaltz of C&N Tractors in Paso Roblestells first time buyers of the benefits of buying the right tractor the first time around.
“This is the best month
of the year to find a great deal on Kubota products”. Jeff says “harvest rental returns” come in from the
vineyards, with just a few hours on them, and they are then sold as new, but at a great discount. These units also have full
factory warranties, and can be set up to meet the new buyer’s exact needs, with just the right options. “On a small or medium
sized tractor, the Hydro-Static type transmission is the easiest to operate, and is perfect for the first time buyer”.
“We are happy to meet customers here at the dealership, orat their location to determine just what they wantto accomplish”, reports Jeff. Even more important, the sales staff
will then deliver the tractor, and demonstrate its operation, making sure the customer feels confident in all areas of operation.
It
has always been important to buy anything your ranch or vineyard needs from a local dealer. They will be there year after
year providing advice, and service for your tractor. Just as EQ-Wine Covers stands behind our products, you can count onC&N Tractors to take care of your needs. Stop bytheir Paso Robles location, or call Jeff Sponhaltz,
or Dave Merk, at (805)
237-3855. Chores around the ranch will never be a pain again, just something fun to do!
6:43 pm pst
