
This is the movie I trained and shot with Odd Job Bob, the Gypsy Vanner horse. The Greening of Whitney Brown. It will be in theaters in November and in Walmart stores in December. You'll get to see an incredible horse along with his sweet sidekick, Sammi Hanratty. It was challenging working with a kid that never rode before, but I used it to my advantage and got her to understand what to do while being her character and getting that genuine feeling of how it feels to be on a horse for the first time.
I see Odd Job Bob didn't get listed on the poster, as I feel he is the star of the movie (Bob is in about 90 % of the scenes). You'll also get to see Maverick too. I hope all you horse people go out see this movie. It is a great family film with a lot of lessons your "teens and tweens" will take to heart. If you fall in love with Bob, as everyone does, you can get your own Gypsy Vanner horse at www.gypsyvanner.com or just go there to check out Bob and his friends. Friend Bob on FACEBOOK too. Thanks to Ed Fitts and Sue Rathbone for the opportunity to work with such beautiful horses.
Keep an eye open for the premier. I'll be there. Ride Fast... Take Chances! tommie

Here we are at the Monmouth County Fair in NJ. My niece gets a nice photo on Blade. She is a
cowgirl in the making with that smile.
To: PRCA Members
Re: Equine Health Alert
Date: May 20, 2011
From: Cindy Schonholtz, PRCA Director of Industry Outreach
719-440-7255
animalwelfare@prorodeo.com
The PRCA continues to monitor the EHV-1 outbreak in the Western States; this is the second update on the issue. The first update can be accessed here:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1101303344550/archive/1105560416151.html
We take the health of all livestock very seriously and have been in contact with many state animal health officials and are monitoring all official information from states that are reporting on the issue. At this time all of the information that we have is that all of the confirmed cases can be traced to the National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah from April 30 to May 8 or horses that have had direct contact with those horses. Additionally, no restrictions on horse transportation have been put into place, any change in these two factors will cause the PRCA to send further updates and reassess the situation.
Please contact Cindy Schonholtz at 719-440-7255 or animalwelfare@prorodeo.com with any questions or concerns.
Tips for All PRCA Members:
The PRCA wants our membership to make informed decisions and do what they and their veterinarian feel is best for their individual circumstances!
1. If there is even a chance that you know of that your horse may have come in contact with any of the horses that attended the Ogden, UT or if the horse has any of the symptoms, isolate, call the veterinarian and do not move that horse. This is very important. This is a highly contagious disease that has an incubation period of 2 - 10 days. There is not a vaccine for the neurological form of the disease and no cure, but the symptoms can be treated and the earlier the detection, the more successful that treatment is likely to be. If your horse has any of these symptoms while at a rodeo, DO NOT LEAVE, isolate the horse and contact the rodeo veterinarian immediately.
Symptoms to look for:
· Fever above 102 degrees with no other explanation
· Decreased coordination
· Urine dribbling
· Loss of tail tone
· Hind limb weakness
· Leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance
· Lethargy
· Inability to rise
2. If you choose to travel:
· Contact your veterinarian for advice if it is safe for you to travel with your horse
· Avoid nose to nose or close contact with other horses
· Do not share equipment, buckets, brushes, bridles
· Wash or sanitize your hands often, you can transmit the virus on your hands, shoes or clothing if
you come into contact with a horse that has the disease.
· When you return home with your horses isolate the horses that have been traveling from other
horses for 10 days and take their temperature twice daily.
Directory of State Veterinarians
http://www.avma.org/disaster/state_veterinarians.asp
4. Join Pro Rodeo Livestock Facebook group for the very latest updates
5. Resources:
Excellent article on the Subject: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18264
Guide to EHV: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf
TIPS FOR PRCA RODEO COMMITTEES
1. Contact your State Veterinarians Office to ask to be included in any email update lists and let them know of your upcoming event and ask if there is any news or travel restrictions that may affect your event. If state animal health officials or local veterinarians recommend cancelling your event contact PRCA Rodeo Administration immediately.
2. Work closely with your on-site rodeo veterinarian to institute bio security plans as well as any other suggestions they feel will assist in keeping horses safe.
3. Have a plan for handling media inquires regarding the EHV-1 outbreak. Ask your veterinarian to assist you in preparing a written statement on the issue that can be use.
4. Email animalwelfare@prorodeo.com with any information you obtain in your area that you feel would be helpful to the PRCA.
5. Have available to all contestants the attached flyer on the subject. Download flyer here.
6. Work with your rodeo veterinarian to have a plan if a horse at your event shows any symptoms.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
California Dept of Food and Ag
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Colorado is requiring importation permits, info available on the link above
Idaho Dept of Agriculture
http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Animals/animalHealth/healthehv.php
New Mexico State Livestock Board
http://www.nmlbonline.com/
Oregon Department of Agriculture
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/equine_herpes_virus.shtml
Texas Animal Health Commission
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/pr/2011/2011May_EHV1NationalInvestigation.pdf
Utah Department of Agriculture
http://ag.utah.gov/news/index.html
Washington Department of Agriculture
http://agr.wa.gov/News/2011/11-10.aspx
Wyoming Livestock Board Release
Note: They are requiring extra transport requirements read this release for more info
