Quotable Quote

"Every time you ride a horse you're either training him or he is training you."

TV Listing: Rehab Survivor

CBS

Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

Episode 2: Handwalking on the Wild Side

After weeks of confinement, the horses enthusiastically greet the outside world.

Road Apple Classifieds

For Sale: 5/8-horse (half thoroughbred, half quarter horse) gelding.  This horse has the mind of a quarter horse and the sole of a thoroughbred.

Stockwatch: Pony Boy, Inc.

Pony Boy, Inc (GPB)
$75.21 (+1.32) (+1.79%)

Shares in Pony Boy, Inc.climbed today after the unveiling of the new Horse-Don't-Follow-So-Closely stick, now in patent-pending Native Yellow color.

TV Listing: Rehab Survivor

CBS

Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

Episode 1: Stall Rest Acrobatics

Based on Survivor, the popular human reality show, Rebhab Survivor follows 12 thoroughbreds rehabbing from injuries.  In the opening episode, Stall Rest Acrobatics, the drugs wear off and the horses exhibit their extreme agility in confined spaces.

Jumper Spends Entire Ride Pretending To Be A Cutting Horse Working An Imaginary Cow

Jumper Spends Entire Ride Pretending To Be A Cutting Horse Working An Imaginary Cow

Missing Fly Mask Presumed Dead

Missing Fly Mask Presumed Dead

Area Horse Tries To Rush Through His 30 Minutes Of Handwalking

Area Horse Tries To Rush Through His 30 Minutes Of Handwalking

Area Horses Try To Injure Themselves In Preparation For Owner's Upcoming Vacation

Area Horses Try To Injure Themselves In Preparation For Owner's Upcoming Vacation

Area Horse Can't Even Remember Why He Is So Excited

Area Horse Can't Even Remember Why He Is So Excited

U.S. Eventing Riders Warned Not To Watch Shark Week

The United States Eventing Association issued a statement this week urging riders to refrain from watching any of Discovery Channel's upcoming Shark Week.  "In our sport, riders need to be bold and fearless.  We can't have riders who are afraid to go into the water jump."

Correction

In last week's classifieds we ran an ad for a Shetland pony for sale with the price listed as "Free to a good home".  The listed price should have been "Free".  The Road Apple apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Area Woman Tired Of Bugs Who Just Fly Around And Don't Look Where They're Going

Area Woman Tired Of Bugs Who Just Fly Around And Don't Look Where They're Going

Road Apple Classifieds

Certifiable trainer has openings for new students.  Come ride and train at our world class institution.  Call 555-2799.

After Watching Olympic Gymnastics Coverage, Horses Around The World Are Seen Attempting Cartwheels In Their Pastures

After Watching Olympic Gymnastics Coverage, Horses Around The World Are Seen Attempting Cartwheels In Their Pastures

Stephen Colbert Plans To Write Off Dressage Lessons As Business Expense In 2012 Taxes

The Road Apple has recently learned that Stephen Colbert has given receipts for his recent dressage lessons to his tax accountant. He is intending to write off the lessons with dressage trainer Michael Barisone as a business expense. A tax accountant contacted by the Road Apple indicated that this would not be a good move. "Because of the current political climate, dressage enthusiasts and other multimillionaires are under increased scrutiny when they try to claim their horse-prancing activities as a business expense."

BREAKING NEWS: Stephen Colbert Plans To Write Off Dressage Lessons As Business Expense In 2012 Taxes

BREAKING NEWS: Stephen Colbert Plans To Write Off Dressage Lessons As Business Expense In 2012 Taxes

After Months Of Stall Rest, Area Horse Is Of Sound Body But Not Of Sound Mind

After Months Of Stall Rest, Area Horse Is Of Sound Body But Not Of Sound Mind

Area Blogger Alarmed By Number Of Manure Related Posts

Area Blogger Alarmed By Number Of Manure Related Posts

Book Review: The Art of Stall Cleaning

Price: $39.99
Publisher: Hillbilly Press, Inc.

This beautifully photographed coffee table book celebrates the mysterious and often under-appreciated art of stall cleaning.  Early chapters contain vivid color photographs that illustrate the complex interplay between manure and bedding.  In later pages we see intimate photographs of famous horses' stalls and we meet the stall artists who maintain them.

This book is a must have for manure enthusiasts.

Stockwatch: 3M Co

3M Co (MMM)
$86.27 (+$0.75) (+0.87%)
With the summer horse injury season in full swing, sales of 3M Vetrap have surged.

Correction

Yesterday's text message to the farrier should have read, "Peter Rabbit needs to be shod" (that's 'shod' with a 'd').  The Road Apple apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

News That Sounds Like We Made It Up, But We Didn't

An Austrailian researcher has named a rare species of horse fly after pop diva Beyonce.  This horse fly, Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, is notable for its big golden butt.

Area Dressage Horse Doesn't Understand Basketball

Last night Single Entendre, a 9 year old Hanoverian gelding, watched his first basketball game, a match between the Miama Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder. About five minutes into the game Single Entendre declared, “I just don't get it. These really tall guys run up and down a polished wood floor, bouncing a ball and throwing it around.  What's the point?” Single Entendre, an accomplished third level dressage horse, generally has a great appreciation for athletic feats, but the sport of basketball left him confused. “Every once in a while one of the tall guys would twirl through the air and then hang onto the hoop and the crowd would go absolutely nuts. And these guys get paid millions of dollars to do this?  I just don't get it.”

Area Horse Irritated By Horse Reference On CSI: Miami

Mr. Nickerson, a 19 year old paint gelding, once again became irritated last night while watching an episode of CSI: Miami.  After performing an autopsy, Dr. Woods declared that the victim had been injected with "enough drugs to kill a horse".  At this point Mr. Nickerson began yelling at the television, "Why do people insist on using horses as a yardstick for measuring drug overdoses?  When did we become a unit of measure for killing things?"  Vowing never to watch CSI: Miami again, Mr. Nickerson changed the channel to a rerun of Growing Pains.  Minutes later teenager Mike Seaver displayed appalling manners, prompting his father asked, "Were you raised in a barn?"  At this point Mr. Nickerson turned off the television and picked up a book.

Animal Rights Groups Target Carousel Horse Industry

Santa Monica, CA -- Several animal rights groups have joined forces to form 'Save The Carousel Horses' whose mission is to ensure that carousel horses have all of the same rights that real horses do.  Many celebrities have adopted the cause.  In an interview with The Road Apple, Paris Hilton said, “Those poor horses, stuck to a pole all day long.  I just had to do something.”  Save The Carousel Horses is primarily focused on changing laws.  “But I am more interested in rescuing them,” Hilton said, proudly pointing to a pile of carousel horses in the corner of her living room.

Road Apple Safety Tip

Road Apple Safety Tip: Always wear your helmet when crawling around behind horses

2012 AQHA Bootylicious Award

Amarillo, TX -- Heza Dunnit Now, a 7 year old quarter horse stallion, won the first annual AQHA Bootylicious Award.  He bested a field of 37 mares, geldings, and stallions for the honor.  Contestants were judged not only on the size of their hindquarters, but also on shape and texture.  Heza Dunnit Now was proud of his victory.  "I worked hard to achieve this.  I did a lot of stair climbing and weightlifting and I watched my diet carefully.  I am also blessed with good genetics, so any weight gain goes straight to my hips."

From The Onion: Big Brown Attempts Horse Racing Comeback As Jockey

Here's a link to an awesome photo from our inspiration, The Onion.  (They have a much bigger and better staff of photoshoppers than we do.)

http://www.theonion.com/articles/big-brown-attempts-horse-racing-comeback-as-jockey,28177/

Area Gelding Just Plans To Hang Out All Day

TV Listing: Covert Affairs

USA Network

9 p.m. EST

In this week's episode, the hounds draw the covert while members of the field stand around and talk about the weather, national and international politics, the latest diets, and their favorite movies.

101 Things To Do While Waiting For The Horseshoer

#63 Stage crime scenes

Area Gelding Wonders Where They Went

Horse On Stall Rest Practices Stevie Wonder Impersonation

Horse On Stall Rest Practices Stevie Wonder Impersonation

Press Release - Point Two Ltd

For Immediate Release

Point Two Ltd
, Marketing Department
Unit 10, Jayes Park Courtyard
Ockley, Dorking, Surrey RH5 5RR

INDEPENDENT STUDY VERIFIES THAT POINT TWO AIR JACKETS  IMPROVE SAFETY IN EVENTING

An independent research team was hired to conduct an extensive investigation into the safety of our Point Two Air Jackets.  We are pleased to announce the findings of this study.  The study found that since the Point Two Air Jackets were introduced there has not been a single incident of drowning in a water complex at a major eventing competition.

Point Two Ltd is pleased with our contribution to the safety of the sport of eventing.  We believe that this study will also make Point Two Air Jackets appealing to a wider variety of riders, including trail riders who have to cross creeks and show jumpers who jump liverpools and open water.

Royal Wedding Anniversary Press Release

On the eve of the anniversary of the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the rider from the Household Mounted Cavalry Regiment who fell off his horse during the procession issued a press release.  In it he stated, "I would just like to remind everyone that I did not fall off my horse.  The horse slipped and fell.  I did not 'fall off'."  After falling off his horse, the rider let go of the reins and the loose horse ran right passed the coach that was carrying the newly married couple back to Buckingham Palace.

Area Rider Gives Up On Competence, Settles For Continence

Area Rider Gives Up On Competence, Settles For Continence

Area Horse Not Planning On Getting Any Work Done This Weekend

Moorpark, CA -- Deacon, a 9 year old thoroughbred gelding, is not planning on getting any work done this weekend while he watches the live feed of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event.  "I always keep a work-related window open on my computer.  Then if someone walks by I just ALT-TAB over to that.  I don't know what I'll do if someone tries to take me for a ride.  Maybe I should just call in lame."

TV Listing: Fashion Television

Fashion TV

9 p.m. EST

In this week's episode, the hosts look at fashions that take women straight from the barn to the bar.

Business Opportunity: Hillbilly Farms Syndicate

For the first time ever, you have a chance to be a part of our exciting operation here at Hillbilly Farms.  For a low monthly investment, you can own part of one of the world famous Hillbilly Farms horses.

$25/month buys the part of the horse that doesn't want to be caught in the pasture
$20/month buys the part of the horse that produces large amounts of manure each day
$75/month buys the perfect, rhythmic canter -  SOLD!
$10/month buys the part of the horse that likes to walk around on his hind legs  
$50/month buys the part of the horse that gets injured and runs up huge vet bills
$5/month buys the part of the horse that rolls in manure before a show
$100/month buys the part of the horse that can jump a clean round - SOLD!

Shares are limited so purchase your share soon!

Area Woman Spends Most Of Her Money On Horses And Whiskey, The Rest She Just Wastes

Area Woman Spends Most Of Her Money On Horses And Whiskey, The Rest She Just Wastes

101 Things To Do While Waiting For The Horseshoer

#37 Fancy Dress Party

Shedding Season Report: Area Woman Mistakes Pile Of Hair For Horse, Saddles It Up And Tries To Ride It

Shedding Season Report: Area Woman Mistakes Pile Of Hair For Horse, Saddles It Up And Tries To Ride It

Another Tragic Manure Disposal Accident

Or was it an accident?

Amateur Owner Hunter Spun After Rider Comes Up Lame In The Jog

Bernville, PA - At the Big Bucks Horse Show this weekend, Valerie Cauthen, 52, and her horse Midnight Express were called back first for the jog in the Amateur Owner Hunter 36 & over.  But halfway through the jog, Cauthen rolled her ankle and had to limp through the rest of the jog, causing the judge to remove them from the placings, citing unsoundness. 

Praying Mantis Offended By George Morris Comment

Praying Mantis Offended By George Morris Comment

Area Rider Declares Self Long-Listed For The Olympics

Area Rider Declares Self Long-Listed For The Olympics

Statshot: Baling Twine: What Are We Doing With It?

Baling Twine: What Are We Doing With It?

15% Fixing the tractor
11% Making realistic looking fake tails for our appaloosa
7%  Macrame
21% Holding the old barn together
45% Breeding and selling
10% Decorating for the holidays
1%  Baling hay

Obsessive-Compulsive Horse Tries To Make Every Blade Of Grass In His Pasture The Same Height

Obsessive-Compulsive Horse Tries To Make Every Blade Of Grass In His Pasture The Same Height

DMS IV Entry: Weephobia

Weephobia is the pathological fear of miniature horses.  It is most commonly seen in large horses.  Treatments include the use of binoculars and stilts.

TV Listing: Manure Olympics

ESPN2

10 a.m. EST

This international competition includes events such as the Loaded Wheelbarrow Obstacle Course and Compost Flinging.  New this year is the demonstration sport Evening Gown Mucking where athletes dressed in formal attire must muck out an entire barn.

Area Woman Tired Of Her Favorite Blog, The Road Apple, Not Being Updated

Area Woman Tired Of Her Favorite Blog, The Road Apple, Not Being Updated

Area Horse Tired Of Being Compared To The Black Stallion

Scottsdale, AZ -- Midnight, a black Arabian gelding, is tired of his owner, Linda Ellison, constantly comparing him to the Black Stallion.  Whenever Ellison arrives at the barn she stands at Midnight’s pasture gate and whistles for him.  “I know she wants me to come galloping up to her, just like the Black would,” Midnight says.  Ellison is always disappointed when Midnight ambles up to her to get his treat.

The comparisons extend to all areas of their relationship.  “If we are out on the trail and we see a snake and I try to run away, she always says something like, ‘The Black would’ve fought the snake and saved my life.’  Whatever.  The Black also killed a man.  Oh, and by the way, the Black isn’t real.”

Horse Gives Dangerous Leaf On Trail A Wide Berth

Horse Gives Dangerous Leaf On Trail A Wide Berth

Horse Owner Dumped By Farrier On Valentine's Day

Santa Ynez, CA -- Horse owner Carrie Burrows was dumped by her farrier on Valentine's Day.  "He had been acting like a jerk for weeks, not returning phone calls, ignoring my texts."  Then the farrier didn't show up for their shoeing appointment last week, telling Burrows that his truck broke down.  He rescheduled for Valentine's Day, assuring Burrows that everything was fine.  “I was at the barn, waiting for him, and he texts me and tells me it’s over—he won’t shoe my horse anymore.”  The desperate Burrows then started phoning other farriers, but at press time none had returned her calls.

Stock Watch: Drinking Horsemen, Inc.

Shares of Drinking Horsemen, Inc. skyrocketed today when they unveiled their new product, the Wine Pick, a combination hoof pick and wine opener.  "We are very excited about this product and hope to reach a new, sophisticated consumer group," said CEO Robert Malone.  Last month shares of the company fell after the Beer Pick failed to resonate with consumers.

The Wine Pick

Area Barn Cat Finally Catches Mouse

Lake Oswego, OR -- After working for nearly three years as a barn cat, an orange tabby named Tangerine was finally seen carrying a dead mouse.  The incident is currently under investigation to determine if the mouse died of natural causes.

Area Woman Survives Day Of Riding Crazy Horses, Then Breaks Arm In Manure Disposal Accident

Area Woman Survives Day Of Riding Crazy Horses, Then Breaks Arm In Manure Disposal Accident

Horse Rescue Rescued, Again

Horse Rescue Rescued, Again

Horseybook - A New Equine Social Network

An equine entrepreneur has developed a social network exclusively for equines.  "We are very social animals and up until now we have been forced to use human developed sites, such as facebook and twitter," said the developer, an 8 year old quarter horse named Black Jack.   Horseybook allows horses to post photos, share their favorite rolling spots, post what they ate for breakfast, virtually groom each other, play Apartmentville, and much more.

Experts agree that for equine social networks to see real growth, significant advances in hoof-operated interfaces will have to be made.  "In focus groups we have encountered some problems with the way horses interact with the currently available smart phones and tablets," said one researcher.

TV Listing: House Hunters

HGTV

6 p.m. EST

It is not about horses, but for a brief, wonderful moment our brain makes us think that it is.

Barn Worker Blurs The Line Between Pajamas And Barn Clothes

Barn Worker Blurs The Line Between Pajamas And Barn Clothes

Area Woman Saved A Horse, Now She Needs A Cowboy

Area Woman Saved A Horse, Now She Needs A Cowboy

Area Woman Still Talking About That Time She Met George Morris 20 Years Ago

Loveland, OH   At the monthly barn happy hour, Dorothy Hayman once again told the story about how she met George Morris 20 years ago.  “I was checking out one of the shows on the Florida winter circuit and I was walking to one of the warm up arenas and I literally bumped into George Morris.  He said, ‘Excuse me.’  Then I said, ‘No, excuse ME.’  He was so polite and such a gentleman.”  Then Hayman proceeded discuss Morris’s other virtues, none of which she learned about during their brief encounter.

Emergency Rooms Report Dramatic Increase In Number Of ShowSheen Related Injuries

Emergency Rooms Report Dramatic Increase In Number Of ShowSheen Related Injuries

Shetland Pony Is Happily Outgrown

Shetland Pony Is Happily Outgrown

Area Woman Knows Way Too Much About Manure Forks

Parkton, MD   New barn owner Leah Hammett made the mistake of bringing experienced horsewoman Tamara Buller to the feed store with her to pick up supplies. The very knowledgeable Buller spent over two hours discussing the pros and cons of various manure forks.

First Buller covered material options for the handle of the manure fork. Then she went on to handle shape. “Whether you prefer a straight handle or an ergonomic handle depends on your mucking style. Are you a flinger or a rotator?” When Hammett shrugged noncommittally, Buller delivered an extensive lecture on mucking techniques and grip types. Then she moved onto head types, covering teeth spacing and her own strong preference for a basket-type head. Finally she assessed the overall balance of each manure fork.

After finally settling on a manure fork, Buller spent the next few hours educating Hammett about wheelbarrows.

Show Jumping Trainer Converts To Metric System To Make Himself Seem More Successful

Show Jumping Trainer Converts To Metric System To Make Himself Seem More Successful

Horse Calls Humane Society After Being Repeatedly Decorated For Holidays

Decorated for Friend's Birthday

Decorated for The Royal Wedding

Decorated for New Year's Eve

A horse called the Humane Society to report that he had been repeatedly decorated for various holidays.  In an exclusive interview with the Road Apple, the horse reported that he was increasingly concerned about upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

New Horse Owner Quickly Getting Used To Writing All Those Extra Zeroes On Checks

New Horse Owner Quickly Getting Used To Writing All Those Extra Zeroes On Checks

Rider Throws Heart Over Fence, Horse Does Not Follow

Photo by Tim Poulsen of Poulsen Photography

Horse Stages Protest, Occupies Area Just Outside Of Horse Trailer

Horse Stages Protest, Occupies Area Just Outside Of Horse Trailer

TV Listings: Downunder Horsemanship

RFD-TV

8 p.m. EST

In the series finale, Clinton Anderson explains how to find an actual trainer to help you with your horse in person.

Horse's Price Increases With Training, Still Doesn’t Sell

Horse's Price Increases With Training, Still Doesn’t Sell

Donkey Starting To Get Tired Of Ass Jokes

Donkey Starting To Get Tired Of Ass Jokes

Area Horse Really Wants His Own Pony, Promises To Take Very Good Care Of It

Seattle, WA   Area horse Pistol Pete has been begging for a pony of his own for weeks now.  He promises that he will feed his pony and clean up after it and take it for walks everyday.

Tired of the begging, Pete’s owner came up with an incentive program.  Pete gets a gold star for every week he behaves himself and does his chores without complaining.  When he has 500 gold stars he can get a pony of his own.  The 18 year old Pete was reportedly very excited about the plan and immediately started pony shopping.

Thoroughbred Filly Reads ‘Princess and the Pea’, Decides She Is Royalty

Thoroughbred Filly Reads ‘Princess and the Pea’, Decides She Is Royalty

Area Woman Critiques Gold Medal Ride

Raleigh, NC.   Training level dressage rider Jeanette Woodall spent last Saturday studying videos of the individual dressage competition from the 2008 Olympics.  She critiqued all of the riders, but was especially hard on individual gold medalist Anky Van Grunsven.  “She’s using too much spur—see how Salinero is swishing his tail?”  Her husband, Gregory, watching with her, nodded in agreement.  Woodall continued her critique, “Did you see him drop behind the vertical there?  She needs to soften the reins and let him stretch into the bridle.  She is riding him front to back.”  Woodall described Van Grunsven’s horse Salinero as ‘pretty nice’ but indicated that she would have trained him more correctly.

After spending the day critiquing Olympic level rides, Woodall headed to the barn and groomed her horse, but did not ride.

Champion Show Jumper Declines Jump, Refuses Interview

Champion Show Jumper Declines Jump, Refuses Interview

Police Blotter

On January 14^th, at approximately 3:41 pm, Scott Willams, 44, was apprehended at Eastside Laundromat in Boise, ID.  He is charged with attempting to wash two horse blankets and five saddle pads in the laundromat’s washers, despite a clearly posted sign stating “No Horse Laundry”.  Police had placed the laudromat under surveillance after customers repeatedly called 911 to report finding horse hair in the machines.

Mare Excited To Learn She Is Going To Get Studs, Begins Perusing Stallion Catalogs

Mare Excited To Learn She Is Going To Get Studs, Begins Perusing Stallion Catalogs

Area Woman Driven To Blogging To Support Horse’s Vet Habit

Tucson, AZ   Faced with a mountain of vet bills, horse owner Darlene Lawler was forced to start blogging to make ends meet.  She googled ‘how to make money blogging’ and the first bit of advice she found was to ‘blog what you know’.  So Lawler started a blog called The Clumsy Horse, where she details the injuries and treatments of her accident-prone horse, Waldorf.

Followers of her blog have become acquainted with her bandaging routines and medication schedules.  They are also kept up to date on Waldorf's water consumption and manure production.  The most recent entry read, “Just changed Dorfy’s bandage and gave him his meds.  There was fresh manure in his stall!”

Lawler’s previous entrepreneurial ventures include a CafePress site where she sold merchandise with a cute cartoon of a horse resting in a hospital bed.  At press time there were no indications that Lawler intended to get an actual job.

Bashkir Curly Buys Straightening Iron

Bashkir Curly Buys Straightening Iron

Horse Led To Water

Horse Led To Water

Business Report: Drinking Horsemen, Inc.

Shares in Drinking Horsemen, Inc. fell 9.8% today after the company reported that sales of the Beer Pick, a combination hoof pick and bottle opener, were lower than expected. The Beer Pick's advertising slogan “Drinkin’ Beer and Pickin’ Hooves” did not resonate with consumers.

The Beer Pick

Parelli-Trained Horse Wins Monopoly Tournament

Parelli-Trained Horse Wins Monopoly Tournament

George Morris Berates Squirrel For Low Standards

 George Morris

The offending squirrel

AUSTIN, TX   A George Morris clinic was interrupted yesterday when a chattering squirrel drew Morris’s ire.  Morris stopped the clinic to berate the squirrel, who was sitting in a nearby tree.  “If you want to learn anything you need to keep your mouth closed and your ears open.”  He then went on to criticize the squirrel’s work ethic.  Morris told the chatty squirrel, “I have paid my dues, but I still work hard.  When winter is approaching I am still out there gathering nuts.”

Kelsey Martinson was riding in the clinic when Morris went on his rant.  “We were working on shoulder-in when all of a sudden he started yelling at this squirrel.  Then he looked at me and was like ‘Kelsey, do you expect excellence from your squirrels?’  I had no idea what he was talking about, so I was like, ‘Yes, sir, Mr. Morris.’  Then he was like ‘See, Kelsey understands the importance of excellence.’”

The offending squirrel declined to be interviewed by the Road Apple.

Rider Left To Fend For Self After Horse Flees To Safety

Rider Left To Fend For Self After Horse Flees To Safety

Welcome to The Road Apple

The Road Apple is Hillbilly Farms' new dailyish news site.  Here we will provide you with completely made up headlines and articles about the day's horse events.  Enjoy!