Natural Horsemanship of Northern Nevada
February 2008 Newsletter
President: Debora Lay, 775-560-1330 lazyd@charter.net
Vice President: Position Open
Immediate Past President: Rebekka Rhodes, 775-972-9025 centaurgenic@mindspring.com
Activities Coordinator: Elizabeth Stanton, stantonservices@nvbell.net
Secretary: Louise Fernandes, 775-425-0778 l8luez@clearwire.com
Assistant Secretary: Position Open
Newsletter Editor: Position open
Treasurer: Dar Meredith, 775-972-1127 Darm@gbis.com
Web Master: Jann Hehn, 775-852-7261 wjhs@sbcglobal.net
Membership Director: Barbara Crossland, 775-852-5930 bcrossland@eduquest.usa.org Mail membership dues to NHANN c/o
Barbara Crossland 2775 Ravazza Road. Reno, NV. 89521. $25.00 individual, $35.00 family annual dues.
February Meeting Highlights:
 The club roster will now be available to all members in a modified format. All members will have their
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emails and phone numbers listed. Addresses will not be given out. However, a general geographical area
of where members live will be listed. For instance if you live in Spanish Springs or Washoe Valley, etc.
This will be helpful for members to know who lives close to them to connect for rides together etc.
Debora reminded that the 4H tack sale is Sunday February 10th. The set up is on Saturday the 9th
between 6PM and 9PM. Donna Artz of the Talking Hooves is donating twelve CD’s for us to sell. The
club will earn 20% for each one sold at the price of $20.00 each. New brochures for the club will be on
display at this event. Left over brochures will be displayed in various feed stores, and or veterinary
offices.
The brand inspection is on February 16th. We have nine horses registered for inspection. There are
afternoon slots available, beginning at 3PM. Please contact Elizabeth Stanton, activities coordinator
(above) if interested. If the weather this day is in climate, we will reschedule this event for a future date.
Dar reported the treasury balance for the end of January to be at $1677.07.
Debora asked members if they would like to have social meetings mixed in with the guest speaker
meetings in the future. It was decided by members that this would be okay, and picking a topic for
discussion would be the best way to stay on track and focused.
Upcoming Events:
NHANN March Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2008 at the Round Table Pizza, 185 Damonte
Ranch Parkway in the South Meadows Wal-Mart Center. The board meeting begins at 5:15PM, with the general meeting
following at 6:00PM. Our guest speaker is veterinarian Chrysann Collatos, addressing reproductive issues.
American Association of Natural Horsemanship Conference: This is an informative conference which targets horse
management practices that are natural and the least stressful for our horses. Dates: Sunday February 26, through Tuesday
February 28, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
AERC (American Endurance Riders Conference: February 29 through March 1, at the Silver Legacy Casino Pavilion.
This conference is free for shoppers and provides a great deal of information including in depth information on saddles.
There is also used tack for sale.
February Presentation Highlights: Ian Lafoon DMV, chiropractic care for horses.
Dr. Lafoon is a native Nevadan Veterinarian graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno and Colorado State
University. His current practice is now established in a new facility located in Chilcoot California, at the Sierra Valley
Veterinarian Hospital. Dr. Lafoon practices general equine care however; his interest lies strongly in chiropractic’s. This
interest was so strong for Dr. Lafoon that he really didn’t feel that being a veterinarian was his vocation of choice, veering
him towards human chiropractic’s instead. Discovering that this was less than satisfying for him as a career choice he
went into veterinary study. Dr. Lafoon soon realized he could satisfy both his love for chiropractic’s and horses with his
veterinarian degree.
Dr. Lafoon believes that most veterinarians are traditional and conservative in their approaches to health care for horses,
and not willing to consider alternative or adjunctive therapy in their care modalities While he believes there is a place for
traditional methods of practice, he believes that other less recognized or utilized methods can compliment care furthering
the well being of the animal. Dr. Lafoon’s goal in his practice is to reduce the amount of drugs and surgery utilized
through the use of chiropractic care. He states that chiropractic care is not a replacement for traditional medicine but,
rather a compliment to it. Dr. Lafoon also offers shockwave treatments (high energy sound waves) which target
musculoskeletal disorders that cause chronic pain and lameness. These treatments are non-invasive, and are done with
mild sedation on an outpatient basis
The Chinese were practicing manipulations in as early as 2700B.C. A man named D.D. Palmer founded modern day
chiropractic’s in 1895, beginning his work on animals. His son B.J. Palmer started the chiropractic schools first working
on animals and then humans. Today there are only three schools for animal chiropractics in the United States, and
enrollees must have either a veterinarian degree or have a chiropractic (Human) degree.
Chiropractic care is a science, art and philosophy that address disease from the perspective that diseases result from an
imbalance in the nervous system. Chiropractics treat subluxations, or the mal-position of vertebrae as it relates to its
adjacent segments. The adjustment of a subluxation must be done with speed, and restores the normal biomechanical
relationship of the adjacent segments. The goals of an adjustment are to reduce pain, restore motion and reduce muscle
hyper tonicity (tightness of muscle tissue).
All horses, from the performance horse to the backyard horse, from the foal to the geriatric can benefit from chiropractic
care. Some signs that may alert you that your horse might need chiropractic care are as follows: saddling problems, such
as ear pinning or bucking; not displaying normal horse behavior when turned out such as rolling, bucking, playing
running; pain or irritation when girthed; discomfort being brushed; abnormal chewing; refusal to accept the bit; hedging at
normally easy tasks; loss of performance; loss of flexibility; shortened stride.
Chiropractors will assess your horse with a basic exam which consists of a history, an examination of movement, and
palpation techniques. After these things are done then the adjustment follows, with the use of the practioners hands as his
tools (and maybe a mounting block to stand on). Dr. Lafoon doe not restrict movement after he does an adjustment, and
he allows them to be ridden or go back to work the next day. Follow-up care is variable depending upon the individual
horse.
For more information or to contact Ian Lafoon DMV, call (775) 424-6676, or (530) 993-1400.
Classifieds:
Horse Friendly Products:
Timberline Saddle Company Custom Saddles: Western, Dressage, English, Trail and Endurance models. 60-90 day delivery for
custom orders. Custom saddle pads, girths and cinches, bridles and accessories available. Tacky-Tack Saddle Pads – extreme
comfort and non-slip security; washable and breathable. Turtle Snapsquick release ties. Skidmore’s Leather Care products. Contact
Mark Rhodes, 775-972-9025 or email centaurgenic@mindspring.com.
Equischwinger:
Hand-made bamboo training sticks by Ray Henderson.
These lightweight training sticks and whips are the answer for sore wrists and tired arms! These gorgeous, hand-made sticks are light
but strong and can be customized to your specifications. Call Ray at 775-297-6092 or visit his web site at www.equischwinger.com.
Lilley’s Therapeutic & Sports Massage:
Long rides and sore muscles?
Call me! Susan Lilley, LMT, NCTMB, at 775-233-1064. Specializing in Swedish, Injury Massage, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Sports
Massage, Seated Massage. Reasonable rates, flexible hours. Gift Certificates available.
Farm Fresh Eggs:
Large brown eggs from cage free chickens. Basic feed, no chemical additives. $2.50 per doz. Call
LayzD Ranch at 775-972-4334 or go to layzd@charter.net
Horse for sale:
Seven is a 16h Standard bred gelding, approximately sixteen years old. The current owner Jamie has owned him for the past ten
years. He was ridden a lot up until the past two years, when Jamie began having children, and could no longer find time to ride him.
Seven needs a good home where he’ll be ridden and given a job to do. Jamie’s nine year old niece has ridden him in the arena, and
experienced friends have trail ridden him without any problems. She is asking $1,200.00 for Seven. If interested contact Susan at
(775(425-2877, or (775) 233-1064.
Classified ads are free to members and may advertise businesses, wanted items or sale items. Send an e-mail to l8luez @clearwire.net