Louisiana Equine Council Podcast

We are joined in this episode by Mr. Happy Broussard of Forest Hills, La. Mr. Happy is a Board Member of the LEC and also the Chair of the State Trails Committee. He and his trails committee have 3 exciting rides lined up for you this year. The first one is called the Mardi Gras After Party Trail Ride and is next weekend, Feb. 16-18th at PJF Farms and Lodge, 4703 Cazan Lake Rd., Ville Platte, La 70586. This 4000+ acre facility has varying terrain, a bird sanctuary, multiple ponds and lakes and the weather should be very nice. Come in on Friday and get set up and meet the others. Saturday will have a gaited and non-gaited ride. Saturday evening there will be games like boot toss, a big fire to enjoy, a DJ, and a dance floor. There'll also be a Mardi Gras inspired costume contest. Saturday lunch and supper is included in the cost of the ride. There will be shorter rides on Sunday. You get all of this for just $30 for LEC members and $35 for non-members. LEC members will also get discounts on cabins, parking, and RV hookups through PJF Farms and Lodge. To get signed up visit both of these websites: https://www.laequinecouncil.com/events-clinics https://www.pjffarm.com/upcoming-events

In this episode, we are joined by Mariah Alexander. Mariah is originally from the Houston, Tx area, but is now a vet student at LSU. She is speaking with us on behalf of the Equine Club to promote their event, Equi Day. Equi Day is Oct. 7th, 2023 at the School of Veterinary Medicine building. It begins at 8am and you can either pre-register, or simply show up. The cost is $40 and you will be fed breakfast and lunch, and get a goody bag, as well as be eligible for door prizes. There will be lectures and demonstrations on topics like ulcers, what constitutes an emergency, temporary bandaging techiques, and more.

Sen. Heather Cloud first got into politics to become the mayor of Turkey Creek, after a massive fraud and embezzlement case in that town caused her to see the need for good, solid, and competent leadership from the private sector. She's now about to begin her second term as the State Senator from District 28, representing Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, and St. Landry parishes. She's a big supporter of horses, having a few for her family's personal use. She also hosts her main campaign fundraiser at Rustic Sky Horse Camp each year, even adding in a farrier/blacksmithing competition. https://senate.la.gov/smembers?ID=28 https://www.heathercloud.net/ https://www.facebook.com/CloudForSenate/

We sure like to bring y'all human/horse interest stories about wonderful things going on in Louisiana involving horses. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes disasters to bring about the best aspects of our Louisiana Livestock Community. Beauregard and Vernon parishes have been recently devistated by wildfires from the severe drought southwestern Louisiana has been having. The entire community of Merryville was evacuated, including many animals. As we've seen before, everyday citizens can do amazing things in those times of need and the group called Cajun Cowboy Rescue is a prime example. Mrs. Stephanie Williams runs Cajun Cowboy Rescue and talks with us about what has occurred, who has helped, what the joys and needs are, and more. Their Facebook page is linked below. If you feel the call to be of service to those in need, please contact them and see how you can help. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1348968265975180

It may come as a surprise to you that 1 in 6 veterinarians have contemplated suicide. Veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession and male vet techs have a suicide rate over 5 times the average. We've got a crisis going on in our veterinary community and we all need to be aware. Dr. Mallory Preston is a veterinarian practicing in the Houston, TX area and founded the Texas Chapter of Not One More Vet. NOMV is a mental health outreach non-profit specializing in taking care of our veterinarians and their workers. National Suicide Hotline: 988 https://www.nomv.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@notonemorevet https://www.instagram.com/notonemorevet/ https://twitter.com/notonemorevet Video on 4-7-8 Guided Breathing Exercise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUnFJ8P4gM Leaves on a Stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLaebgFO_8

As breeding season kicks off, we talked with Dr. Eddie Cramer DVM, equine reproduction specialist. Dr. Cramer runs the La Center for Equine Reproduction and specializes in advanced techniques for improved outcomes. Dr. Cramer is a native of Crowley, La and the LACER center is near Opelousas, La. Listen as we talk about some tips on having your mare in the best shape possible and some of the new modalities and advancing equine reproductive techniques. They stand several top racing stallions, but can handle shipped semen from anywhere and get your mare bred. https://www.laequine.com/ https://www.facebook.com/louisianacenterforequinerepro

In this episode we have a chat with Dr. Mike Strain, D.V.M., who is a former equine veterinarian and currently serves Louisiana as our Commissioner of Agriculture. We talk about our state's protocols regarding horses and the relatively new Dept of Ag's Equine Promotion and Research Board, which is currently handing out grants for equine related causes. Have a listen and tell your friends.

For this episode we talk with Louisiana's Lt. Governor, Billy Nungesser. Lt. Gov Nungesser's office is charged with tourism and running our state parks. Both of these tie in heavily with our state's equine industry. We talk with him about the trails and use issues within our state parks, as well as what his office can do to help us promote equine tourism within Louisiana and any help he can give us in promoting and growing our shows and events. Lt. Gov. Nungesser has been in the horse business and once ran an Equine Assisted Therapy organization. He's also always been happy and willing to work with us and we're trying to open that door even farther. Please take a moment after listening to this podcast to contact his office and let him know you heard him here and appreciate him helping out our La Equine Industry. https://www.crt.state.la.us/lt-governor/ https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaLtGov https://www.instagram.com/ltgovbillynungesser/ https://twitter.com/lastateparks https://www.facebook.https://www.facebook.com/BogueChittoStateParkcom/LA.State.Parks https://www.facebook.com/lakebistineaustatepark https://www.instagram.com/lakebistineau_statepark/ https://www.facebook.com/CheminAHautSP https://www.instagram.com/lastateparks/ #Louisianahorse #laequinecouncil #louisianaequinecouncil #feedyoursoul #OnlyLouisiana #laequinepromotionandresearchboard #LDAF #Louisianatrailriding #Louisianahorsebackriding #Louisianaseafood #Louisianastateparks #Louisianaofficeoftourism #louisianaltgovnungesser #lakebistineaustatepark #cheminahautstatepark #Boguechittostatepark #Kisatchienationalforest

This week we talk with Dr. Renee Poirrier, DVM and Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin from L.S.A.R.T. As we approach the peak of hurricane season, it's important for each of us to evaluate our individual situations and make a plan, just in case. Both of these veterinarians have been involved with L.S.A.R.T. since Katrina and give us the benefit of their experience in these situations. Additionally, we read out the procedures for water purification in an emergency and outline some other tips for preparations. You can find out more about L.S.A.R.T. here: https://www.lsart.org/ https://www.facebook.com/Louisiana-State-Animal-Response-Team-LSART-1731735080388561 Here's a link to the American Veterinary Medical Assoc.'s pamphlet, Saving the Whole Family. https://ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=140

Join us as we discuss with Mrs. Julie Broadway the legislative issues of the day. Mrs. Broadway has been a horsewoman since 4-H days and summer camps and was even a past president of the Morgan Horse Association. She has run a breeding operation and was a competitor. Now she's tasked with representing our Equine Industry in Washington D.C. We talk about the P.A.S.T. Act and the S.A.F. E. Act as well as horse processing in general. Mrs. Broadway also tells us about some of the other activities that the AHC is involved in like the study on rescue situations and just how many horses are in that pipeline, trail and horse camping issues, and help for horses on hard times. You can find out more about the AHC here: https://horsecouncil.org/ You can donate to the 501C3 American Horse Council Foundation here: https://donorbox.org/american-horse-council-foundation-donation-campaign And you can find the United Horse Coalition here: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/ We encourage you to educate yourself. Here's a link to the current version of the P.A.S.T Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2295/text Here's a link to the current version of the S.A.F.E. Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3355/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22H.R.+3355%22%2C%22H.R.%22%2C%223355%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2

This episode is all about current national legislation that will affect the entire equine industry in the US. Chase Williams is a Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer, Organist, and Political Strategist. He'll tell us why the addendum to the 1970 Horse Protection Act isn't all that it claims to be. Did you know that the act commonly known as soring a horse has been illegal since 1970? Even so, the Tennessee Walking Horse is one of the most scrutinized breeds in the world. Chase and Daniel will also discuss a larger agenda behind bills like the P.A.S.T. Act and the trapdoor language placed in these bills. The bill absolutely has language that moves beyond TWH into all other horses, which would offer the USDA broad sweeping powers over the entire industry. This bill also changes the definition of "soring" into something that would make a massive part of veterinary and farrier work criminally abusive. Did you know that the head veterinarian overseeing this for the USDA stated in a room full of trainers and TWH pros that he could see riding of any horse to be considered soring? Folks we really need you to become informed and get behind organizations like the LEC that are fighting and shining light on these radical animal rights groups and their real agenda. Please listen to the full podcast and the next few will all be about this type of national legislation. Contact your congressman and tell them you're against HISA, the SAFE Act, and the PAST Act and that these bills will ultimately severely hurt the horses and the industry. If you'd like to read up on these bills yourself, here are some links. Just keep in mind that what they say it's going to do, and what the bills actually say in them are not the same thing. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5441 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3355/text#:~:text=To%20amend%20the%20Horse%20Protection,consumption%2C%20and%20for%20other%20purposes.

In this episode of the LEC Podcast we talk with Mr. Richard Hebert. Richard has been a 4-H volunteer since the early 90's and was a graduate of the pilot class of the Master Horsemen Program. He's been running the State 4-H Horse Camp since 2004 and has even been inducted into the La 4-H Hall of Fame. Listen as Richard and I discuss what goes on at Horse Camp and about some of his experiences over the years as a 4-H Volunteer.

Please welcome one of our newest Board Members and the Lady behind the La Women's Riding Retreat. Mrs. Robbin represents District 2, which is the northeast part of our great state. She tells us a little about her background with horses and the things she'd like to accomplish via the LEC. We also discuss the 1st Women's Riding Retreat, hosted by Rustic Sky Horse Camp in Melder, La. The retreat actually begins today, so sorry for the late uploading of this podcast, but there's another one that will occur May 12-14 of this year. It should be a great time and there will be plenty to do besides trail riding. Please listen until the end, as a few facts changed between recording and releasing this one, so corrections are at the end. https://laequinecouncil.com/

In this episode of The La Equine Council Podcast, we talk with LSU Extension Service State Horse Specialist, and Associate Professor of Animal Science at LSU, Dr. Neely Heidorn PhD. In addition to her roles within the LSU Edu System and Extension Service, Dr. Heidorn is also the Chairman of the newly formed, 13 person board tasked by the La Dept. of Ag and Foresty to work on the state's equine industry concerns and help to allocate grants and monies to worthy entities. Please have a listen and find out about this new program and how you can help by contacting your local State Senator. https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/findmylegislators.aspx https://laequinecouncil.com/ https://www.facebook.com/laequinecouncil

This week we talk with Mr. Sky Wright who, with his wife Gina, owns and operates Rustic Sky Horse Camp in Melder, La. They purchased the horse camp about 6 years ago and have upgraded and expanded it significantly. It's a one of a kind resource for anyone who wants to enjoy Kisatchie National Forest from the back of a horse. Sky came and talked with us during the LEC's Annual Meeting a couple of weeks ago and it was apparent that we needed to have him on the podcast. He has a unique perspective of the trail riding opportunities and challenges in our great state and of the potential for this industry. You can reach Sky and his staff at their website of facebook page. http://rusticskyhorsecamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RusticSkyHorseCamp

Sky Wright and his wife, Gina, own and operate Rustic Sky Horse Camp in Melder, La. Formerly known as the Lucky 4B, Sky has greatly expanded and upgraded the facilities over the last 6 years. Tourists and Louisiana trail riders alike flock to Rustic Sky Horse Camp to stay at the well kept campground facilities and ride the extensive trails that Kisatchie Nat'l Forest has to offer. Sky came and spoke at our LEC Annual Meeting a couple of weeks ago and we knew we had to have him on the...

As this episode will come out just before our Jan 15th Annual Meeting, we thought it would be great to speak with the clinician for this year's meeting, David Carter. David is a Louisiana native who now resides in Mississippi. He and his wife own Great River Outdoors and the Double C Ranch in Natchez, as well as Great River Honda. David is a knowledgeable and engaging horseman and you'll certainly enjoy listening to him speak and watching him work with a half dozen or so problem horses after lunch at the meeting. https://greatriveroutdoors.com/

For this episode, we talk with Danielle Vail. She is the LEC Treasurer, a McNeese University Equine Science grad, Farm Bureau Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award Winner, and over nice lady. We talk about surviving Hurricane Laura and the ongoing recovery, her love of Australian Cattle Dogs, plans to open a meat processing plant, and, of course, her horse, Drover.

In this episode of the La Equine Council Podcast we talk with retired Louisiana State Horse Specialist, Dr. Clint Depew. Dr. Depew was a professor at LSU for many years and is a founding member of the LEC. We talk about the current state of Louisiana's horse industry and what the LEC is working on to improve things. We also get into a few stories from a life lived with horses. https://laequinecouncil.com/

In this episode of the LEC podcast, we interview Howard Cormier. Howard tells us about parts of his 48 year career working for the LSU AgCenter, including his beloved Master Horseman Program. We then discuss the inception of the LEC and different rolls he's played in the organization. Lastly, we get to Howard's true passion of exploring Louisiana's forests. His knowledge of riding in our national and state parks is second to none.