September 27, 2008 - MARES New Fiscal Year Business Meeting

If you intend to rejoin, we really need to have your dues by our next meeting, October 11th. A member’s directory will be published again this year – details will be posted on the website as they become available.  There will be a new feature on the website – MARES Members’ Businesses.  If you’d like your business to be listed (and you are a MARES member), please send us a brief description and the contact information.  We reserve the right to edit.  Classified ads will run for three months.  If, after that, you’d like to relist, you will need to let us know. We’re looking forward to an educational and fun new year for the MARES Club.

May 13, 2008 - Equine Massage

Our Equine Massage meeting in May was well attended and wonderful. Thanks to Susan Peterson, owner of Kindred Spirits Equine Massage and a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, for a great presentation and to Three Gaits (and Rowdy) for hosting us. Although many horse owners think of massage as a “treat” for the horse, it truly is a therapeutic treatment and can help with so many problem areas. We will not be meeting over the summer.

April 5, 2008 - Conditioning Your Horse, Western Techniques, Nuitrition, Vaccinations and Neurological Issues

The April meeting at Gibson Training was indeed a treat! Starting with a presentation by Purina’s Kirk Dailey, through Gary Gibson’s training demo to Dr. Judy Batker’s talk on vaccinations...it was all great. I’m sorry so many missed it, as we had only eight club members in attendance. There were also terrific door prizes (everyone got one) and the local 4-H kids did a wonderful job with refreshments and lunch. The weather cooperated and it was so pleasant NOT shivering!. Really a great day...our thanks to Gary for letting us share in it.

March 11, 2008 - Madison Pilates

Our March meeting at Madison Pilates had only seven members but we worked hard enough for everyone! Owner Marissa and her aide, Jackie, put us through a mat class, paying special attention to breathing and form. It really reminded us that we as riders are athletes too – not just our horses – and need to pay attention to our fitness level.

www.madisonpilates.net

February 21, 2008 - Microshipping Your Horse

The February meeting had low attendance (only 7 of us) but the information on microchipping was great. Dr. Judy was ill with the flu and, in her place, fourth year veterinary student, Dr. (soon-to-be) Stephanie Hirshbrunner did a wonderful and thorough presentation. We very much appreciate Stephie stepping into this role on short notice. She did a great job. And, many thanks to Holly Beach for the delicious brownies, bread and homemade jam...what a way to spend the evening: good conversation, good friends, and good food.

January 9, 2008 - Colic in the EQUINE

Our meeting at Country View was very well attended and informative as well. We started out with a presentation by local trainer, Dan Grunwald, regarding the new Wisconsin  Interscholastic Horsemanship Association. For more info, contact Dan at cougar@jefnet.com. That was followed by our long-awaited, much-scheduled program on Equine Colic, given by Dr. Brian Hoelschaur. And we're glad we waited! Dr. Brian did a wonderful overview and provided very important information. Thanks to all who attended..