February 20, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
Virginia Cooperative Extension would like to offer a course in Basic Horse Handling Training for Emergency Responders in Northern Virginia. Please wear clothing appropriate for being outside and working around horses, including close-toed shoes. The format will include some lectures and demonstrations on equine behavior and handling as well as veterinary considerations during an emergency. These presentations will be followed by hands-on practice approaching, catching, leading, and releasing horses both in stalls and an open area. Future training will be made available and will cover more advanced emergency and disaster preparation.
[Wrangling 101. If anyone catches a photo of Asy in a 10 gallon hat and rawhide chaps, I'll consider posting it. Or not. Heh.]
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Our latest occurrence of seasonal snow and ice.
Sunday visit by a local hunt club.
Braving our wilderness to reclaim some strayed hounds.
Are those red jacketed hunt club types still allowed in America.
They have been banned in England as they are unkind to foxes.
Not a problem, since we have the politically correct version. They just drag a little bait and the hounds are supposed to follow that trail. Most of the time, the hounds just go for a generalized romp, the equestrians get breathless trying to round them up, and alls well with the world. We haven't had any problems with our much beloved local wild life.
Foxes are still hunted here as it is easy to work around the law. Just drag your bait across a fox scent, the dogs will chase the fox by 'accident' and it's legal.
Hmm. Maybe there are fewer hidey holes where you are, than here? [just look at how dense our forest is...] We have abundant Vulpes vulpes, and see them frequently if we walk out after dark. Plus you can count on the local equestrians being charter members and generous contributors to the Piedmont Society, SPCA, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy etc. Our chief wildlife problems here are with the SUV salesmen, real estate developers and Power Companies. [growls and snaps at same.]
I love your photographs, Asy, I am a devoted armchair traveller.
What a beautiful horse in the last pic 
Thanks!
Isn't that horse magnificent? The photo really doesn't do justice to the coloration, very fine dappling of silver and bright strawberry. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.
And just to add a soothing note to those kind hearted folk still fretting for the foxes, here's a close up of the tree behind them-thar red coats. We are on a first-name basis with our friendly Chief Game Warden.
Wrangling 101 sounds fun and I enjoy the glimpses of life as it is lived in strange exotic places (defined as everywhere past the motorway)
As for the SUV salesmen etc - aren't you allowed to put out traps if you call it pest control? 
Yup. They're called speed traps, and they have sheriff's deputies writing traffic citations in them. Wish they'd spring them here more often. Oh well, I've just read Virginia only has the 7th worst number of fatal collisions with deer. Guess things could be worse. [she said strangely and exotically....]