MHAO Stable Sheet -

December 2025

Get the most out of this newsletter -

For those viewing this newsletter for the first time, links to websites or documents for more information are shown in blue and underlined throughout this newsletter. So are email address links if you choose to use them.

From Your Board Of Directors

Kathy Christensen, MHAO President

Election Results Are In!

The maximum number of 15 Board positions have been authorized and approved by the MHAO Membership. We do still have 2 open positions. *Kathy Christensen will reach out to the write-in candidates who received votes to see if any of them are willing to serve. If you are, let Kathy know.

Click here for Board contact information.

Congratulations to all our newly elected Board Members!

The first Board meeting will likely be in January. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Julie was chair of the Emergency Committee and was also responsible for the beautiful baskets that we provided to sponsors of the Oregon Morgan Classic horse show. She has been an invaluable member of the board for several years and she will be greatly missed. 

Lorraine was the co-chair of the Promotion Committee and provided guidance in setting up quality promotion events. Much work was done to make sure that MHAO promoted and introduced our Morgan horse to the public.

Thank you ladies for your time, commitment and dedication to the MHAO Board and the membership.

Calling all members who offer a service or product in any industry

Do you have a business card? You can put it in the monthly Stable Sheet newsletter for just $10 per year. Let MHAO members know what you do, and give them an easy way to contact you! All ad sizes are welcome and available at very reasonable rates.

10% discount for multiple publication of sized ads.

Ads in the Stable Sheet help offset the cost of the Constant Contact program. Your help would be much appreciated.

Questions, contact: Gay Adams

Email or text your card to:

(503) 936-4276

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Advertising Rates

Full Page - $25

Half Page - $15

Quarter Page - $10

Business Card for all year $10

Classified Ads are FREE



Click here to see our current membership list as of 9/6/2025

Click here to see our current youth membership list as of 9/6/2025

Renewals for 2026 are being accepted now.

Click here for a membership form.

Do you have something for sale? I'm sure you do! People are always looking for something or have something they would like to sell. From horses to tack to property, vehicles, trailers, training, lessons, stallions standing, trails to ride on, other services or products. Put your classified ad in the Stable Sheet. Members can sell anything here. Also post it on the MHAO Facebook page between the 1st and 5th of each month.

YOUR CLASSIFIED LISTING IS FREE!! I'll even include pictures. Larger ads can be put into the main part of the Stable Sheet newsletter for a modest fee. Do you put on events or clinics? Summer Camps? Let us help you get the word out.

I have created a separate section of this newsletter for classified ads. Join me as I endeavor to make it the "go to" place to share with those looking for horses or horse related items in this area. If you give lessons or sell something on an ongoing basis, why not put it here and on our website? Your listing is free! Do you stand a stallion? Offer training or give lessons?

Another idea, put your business card in the Stable Sheet! It only costs you $10 per year, and it helps us cover the cost of producing this newsletter. We need your support.

Once you no longer need the classified ad, be sure to let me know.

Click here for our most recent classified ads!

Have something or a horse for sale?

Send your ad to Gay Adams, sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Did you sell your item of horse? Be sure to let me know.

We had a record number of 37 photos submitted this year!

Fantastic !!

Click here to see all of them.

(scroll down on the webpage)

In the year ahead, plans are being made to increase our Youth activities and to add young members and families to our club. If you have any ideas on things you think we should be doing, please contact Kathy Christensen at mike-kak@Q.com.

Due to a shortage of personal time, Erin awarded gift certificates this year to all award winners. All were delivered to the winners inside some really cool MHAO coffee mugs. (I want some!) She is looking for ideas for awards for next year. If you have some ideas, please contact Erin Silver, silvermesamorgans@msn.com..

Congratulations to all our winners!

You had a great year!

Fees:

Initial Nomination Fee - $45

due December 31st in the year the foal is born

Re-nomination Fee - $25 Annually Thru the Foals 4 YO year,

due March 31st each year

Futurity Class Entries are $25 per class at OMC

if paid to the Futurity Chair by June 1st

Late Fees:

Any late nomination fees become $100 each

Late class entries become a post entry of $50

Benefits For Entering The Futurity:

• Prize money is earned for showing your horse in Futurity classes at the Oregon Morgan Classic. Those who have shown have earned back more than they have paid in for futurity fees.
• Prize money is offered for Futurity classes thru your horse's 4-yr-old year. Halter classes are available in two divisions: Traditional and Sport/Western. Classes offered are age & gender appropriate. Halter classes are available thru the horse's 2-yr-old year. Performance classes are offered from 2-yr-olds thru 4-yr-olds in a full array of classes. 2-yr-olds are offered driving classes only. 3-yr-old under saddle classes are walk-trot only.
• Halter, driving, and 4-yr-old classes do qualify horses to show at Nationals in like titled (not World Futurity) classes.
• A High Point award and prize money is offered to the 4-yr-old Futurity horse who has earned the most points thru the 5 yr program. Your horse will earn an individual award, be listed on a perpetual award, and earn additional money.
• Bonus money goes to the stallion donor and the breeder of Futurity horses who are the result of a breeding purchased thru the MHAO Stallion Service Auction if the foal wins Futurity Sweepstakes Champion or Futurity Sweepstakes Reserve Champion.
• Futurity Sweepstakes classes are offered for horses placing 1^st or 2nd in Traditional Futurity Halter classes and for Sport/Western Futurity Halter classes.
• The dam of all sweepstakes winners will be honored as a distinguished mare with information in our Futurity Booklet and on our website. They will receive a plaque to display at the Oregon Morgan Classic in the following year.
• Promotion of your futurity horse thru the MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity Booklet & on our website for each year they are nominated to the Futurity. Show others about your breeding program or about that young horse you are raising. Let us help you promote your horse!
• All participants in the Futurity need to be members of MHAO. As a member, you will receive the member reduced rate for any ad you place in the MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity booklet.
• The Futurity booklet is available at the 3 largest Morgan shows in the Western Region (Oregon Morgan Classic, Morgan Medallion, & C-Fair) at Nationals, & the Superior Morgan Horse Sale. It will be available at additional locations as the supply allows.

If you are raising a foal in the Western Region, don’t miss out. JOIN THE FUN!

Let us recognize and support your contribution to our breed!

Nominate your 2025 foal by December 31st for a fee of $45.

Pay a re-nomination fee of $25 each year thru the foal's 4 yr old year to keep them current. Win prize money by entering futurity classes at the Oregon Morgan Classic in Eugene Oregon in June.

Click here to download a Certificate of Foal Nomination form

Click here to see the Futurity Rules

Questions? Contact Gay Adams, Chair

(503) 936-4276, sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Member News!

By Sarah Welk Baynum

As of December 1, 2025, every horse entered in a USEF-licensed or -endorsed competition must be implanted with an ISO-compliant microchip. However, the new USEF Microchip Rule is more than just a requirement–it’s a game-changer for equestrian sports.

Designed to verify identity with certainty, this tiny chip also safeguards horse welfare, levels the playing field in competition and sales, and can even reunite lost horses with their owners.

Microchip Requirements of the USEF Rule

The new rule requires every microchip to follow ISO 11784/11785 standards, meaning each microchipped horse is assigned a unique 15-digit identification code. Microchips, about the size of a grain of rice, store electronic data linking to this identification code—providing a reliable way to confirm a horse’s identity.

Microchipping is a quick, routine veterinary procedure. The glass-encased microchip is implanted into the nuchal ligament on the left side of the horse’s neck, midway between the poll and withers. The vet preps the site and uses a sterile applicator to insert the chip. No sedation is typically needed, and the whole process takes only moments—much like a vaccination.

After a horse is microchipped, horse owners must report the 15-digit number to USEF. The easiest way is to log in to the My USEF Member Dashboard and update the horse’s record.



Click here to read the complete article

108 – November/December, 2025

   "He was spotted in a remote meadow 9 miles from the horse camp on Warm Springs Reservation October 19, on the 20th a group of amazing men from the Warm Springs Rangeland management spent the better part of the day catching him and getting him into a trailer. Yesterday I brought him home!! I can’t stress how instrumental Suzi Miller from Rangeland management was in making all of this happen. She secured a permit earlier this month, allowing myself and Christina Stanfield to look for him on the reservation. (Thank you for being an amazing friend and braving the cold rain to search with me). Then after he was spotted (4 days after our search concluded and 7 miles from where we had been focusing) Suzi coordinated a group of talented horseman who spent the day tracking him and getting him in their trailer. A big thank you to Garrett Green, Leander Smith senior, Joe Culps and whoever else I may have missed, who didn’t give up and refused to leave him up there to die. I have no doubt they saved his life. He is too skinny to have survived the winter out there on his own. He wouldn’t be home without the efforts of so many. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for all those who have been a part of this journey. I felt so supported and encouraged by strangers that cared. Countless people reached out over the summer encouraging me, or riding the trails around the camp with treats and an extra halter. 2 pilots volunteered their time and resources to search the area, trackers searched the ground. I can’t name everyone by name, but please know everyone’s support and compassion has meant the world to me. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it…but it’s all I’ve got, so thank you!

"Caspian is skinny, with overgrown hooves and a few new scratches, but over all seems unharmed and relatively unscathed for living feral for 4 months. He was happy to be home last night and went right for his grain, hay and was reunited with his favorite girl! Thank you Lord for answered prayers!!"

~Erin (425)-923-9462

Here's what you need to know about the potentially life-threatening neurologic form of a common equine herpesvirus strain.

What it Does: 

The most common of five types of equine herpesvirus, EHV-1 typically causes the respiratory infection known as rhinopneumonitis. It can also infect the placental walls of pregnant mares, causing abortion. In rare cases, it attacks the central nervous system, producing signs ranging from incoordination to paralysis, sometimes with fatal consequences. This neurologic form is technically known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM) and is often referred to as “neuro” EHV-1.

How it Spreads:

Highly contagious, EHV-1 is passed through the nasal secretions of an infected and clinically ill horse. The virus can spread through aerosolized secretions from infected coughing horses, by direct nose-to-nose contact or via shared water buckets, tack or even the clothes and hands of human caretakers.

A horse can also be a latent carrier of EHV-1, meaning that the virus is in his system and he may shed it, but he is not ill nor is he likely to infect other horses. Stress, such as competition or travel, may cause the virus to reactivate, but this has not been scientifically documented.

Signs of Infection:

The incubation period of EHV-1 is two to seven days. The initial signs of the neurologic form are nonspecific, but a horse may develop a fever in excess of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and the normally pale pink mucous membranes that line his body passages may turn red.

One to seven days after a fever appears, the horse may experience:

• weakness, particularly in the hind limbs
• gait abnormalities
• difficulty defecating and/or urinating
• trouble rising or standing.

In extreme cases, the horse may slip into a coma-like state.

Treatment: 

Supportive care, including nursing, anti-inflammatory drugs and DMSO, is the only treatment. Researchers are investigating the efficacy of antiviral drugs to treat cases in their very early stages.

Prevention: 

Vaccines against EHV-1 are available but none are labeled for protection against the neurologic form of the disease. By far the best way to protect your horse from EHV-1 is to limit his contact with horses who may have the disease or whose health status is unknown to you.

• Keep your horses from coming in direct contact with unfamiliar animals. Don’t even allow them to rub noses. Don’t share tack, grooming tools or water buckets. Don’t put one horse into an uncleaned stall that recently housed another, particularly at public events like shows.
• After handling one horse, wash your hands or use a hand disinfectant before moving on to another, particularly if you aren’t familiar with the individual’s health status.
• Abide by all quarantines, which typically remain in place for three weeks after the last case is diagnosed. Some sites are quarantined as a precaution when a case of neurologic EHV-1 is suspected. If it’s not confirmed, the quarantine may be lifted immediately. It is safe to return to a site that is no longer quarantined.

News from Oregon Department of Agriculture

Multi-State Equine Herpes Outbreak

The Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office has been made aware of an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)/ Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses that were at or associated with barrel racing and rodeo-type events in Texas and Oklahoma. Several cases of EHM have been confirmed in Texas and Oklahoma associated with these equine events, with numerous reports of additional cases and equine deaths pending investigation.

   We do not have any confirmed cases of EHV/EHM in Oregon at this time. Our office is coordinating with the affected states and we are currently awaiting to receive additional information from Texas and Oklahoma on Oregon horses that may have been exposed. If we receive information on exposures from other states, we will contact those owners directly and issue quarantine orders to mitigate further spread of the disease.  

   This outbreak serves as a reminder of the potential disease risks associated with large commingling equine events. It underscores the importance of timely reporting of diseases and ensuring that movement requirements are followed, including veterinary inspection and health certificates prior to travel.

From Shelley Bullard - NW Morgan News

See information from the Oregon Horse Center below

Articles:

• 5 Reasons Horse Contracts Fail
• Isolating lameness using a horse’s head bobs
• 

The 22nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Sale will be held January 20-21, 2026, at The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9443.

A tentative schedule is posted on the https://morganhorseauction.com/

AMHA Registrar Erica Eulau will be onsite during the sale to assist with Registry documents and questions.

Hello! This is the University of Oregon's club equestrian team! We are associated with the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. It is a nationwide catch-riding program for college students who seek to continue their competitive endeavors while pursuing their degree.

We are hosting our own show December 5th through 7th at the Oregon Horse Center. Our ability to compete is based on people's generosity in donating their horses for us to compete on. We were wondering if it would be possible to speak to your members at an upcoming meeting about potentially donating their horse to us for that weekend?

If this doesn't sound like something that would be of interest to your members, we understand! Additionally, we are looking for sponsors for class prizes or horse stalls! We can provide more information if you think that would be something of interest. We already have several Morgan horses that have been donated. Would you be interested in donating an item for a Morgan horse of the show award? We would thank your organization's kindness with a social media post and a sponsor sign on a stall.

Kind Regards,

Oregon Equestrain 

Here is some additional information:

We are looking for horses of all levels; we do flat and jumping classes, but for this show, it is all English. Additionally, we have riders of all different levels of experience; some are beginners, and some have shown in high-level jumping classes at A-rated shows. The owners would have full control of which class and how many classes their horse would be in. We have a variety of flat classes split by rider experience and over fences classes in the heights 2', 2' 3", and 2' 6". If any of the owners would like, they are also welcome to come watch a lesson to see how our program runs.

Camryn Nicholson used to be on our team, yes! She has since transferred and no longer attends the University of Oregon.

Here is some more information about our program if you want to check it out!

• https://uoequestrianteam.wixsite.com/uoequestrianteam?fbclid=IwAR1EhgrHp4AjfQDGJa8KxG32rdd8MeCQGI3DSuZc_MT9knZUxhxKvEEsZG0 

• https://www.ihsainc.com/about-us/general-information 

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8nHHwVlP7MLZnP6oP1UQGGD5rKsTZTLxtpRhZAvxHa5bLqA/viewform 

If you have any other questions, please feel free to let us know!

uoequestrianteam@gmail.com

Kind Regards,

Oregon Equestrian

For more Vet type news, see the Pigeon Fever article in the Platinum Performance section below. There is also information on Screwworms with the USEF information.

Oregon Horse Center Newsletter

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - 11/21/2025

Oregon Horse Center - Back Barns In Quarantine

The Oregon Horse Center was made aware of a boarding horse showing signs of a neurological issue this morning. We acted quickly and a veterinarian was notified and responded immediately. After consulting with the State Veterinarian who came and met us onsite with 2 hours, the decision was made to place our back barns on quarantine, pending the test results that we expect back by Monday evening.

It is important to note that this horse has not left the facility since its arrival 6 months ago and has not had any contract with any horses outside of the barn where it has been stalled.

It is also important to note that we discussed with the State Veterinarian the Mt Trail course, and he did not request us to stop any haul-ins for the Mt Trail course.

If you have any questions feel free to call the Office @541-689-9700 or email Events@OregonHorseCenter.com

From horses, we may learn not only about the horse itself but also about animals in general, indeed about ourselves and about life as a whole.

George Gaylord Simpson

From Koper Equine

A recent study from the University of Tennessee has provided clear evidence of something trainers and recovery practitioners have long observed:

ground poles significantly increase muscle activation in key postural and core muscles.

What the Study Found

1. Walking over ground poles increases activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi (the major spinal extensor and topline muscle)

• Abdominal muscles (critical for core stability and back support)

This means that even at the walk, poles ask the horse to lift the limbs higher, stabilize the trunk, and coordinate posture more actively.

2. Trotting over ground poles increases activity in:

• Abdominal muscles

Trotting requires more dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation over poles demands stronger engagement of the horse’s core to control the back and pelvis.

What This Means for Training and Rehab

These findings confirm what many practitioners have recommended for years:

Cavaletti and ground poles are one of the most effective, low-impact ways to:

• Strengthen the topline

• Activate and tone the abdominal muscles

• Improve back stability

• Enhance proprioception and coordination

• Encourage better posture and self-carriage

Because poles promote both spinal extensor activation (longissimus) and ventral line activation (abdominals), they help balance the horse’s musculoskeletal system — a key element in developing a healthy, strong, functional topline.

Why This Matters for Every Horse

Regular use of poles can help:

• Young horses develop correct movement patterns

• Performance horses maintain strength and prevent injury

• Horses in rehabilitation rebuild core control

• Older horses stay mobile and symmetrical

Best of all, the benefits occur even at the walk, making this exercise accessible for horses of all ages and fitness levels.

Maximizing Your Horse’s Warm-Up: Enhancing Mobility and Skills with Right Angle Poles

- https://koperequine.com/maximizing-your-horses-warm-up.../

#equinemassageandbodywork



Thank you to Erin Silver for sharing this on Facebook

Beginning Dec. 1, 2025, changes will be coming to GR801.6 regarding stirrup and other saddle attachments. A recent review of US Equestrian safety data noted incidents in which riders were injured because their clothing or body got caught on a stirrup with an upward-pointing projection in the course of dismounting from their horse.

Bearing in mind that many riders prefer some style of stirrup that includes an emergency release feature, USEF staff have issued this guidelines sheet to help members understand which styles are considered compliant.

Stirrups should be examined for compliance in their non-activated state (meaning any latch or releasing portion of the stirrup has not been triggered). In this state, the stirrup should either have closed branches (meaning there are no gaps in the outside frame of the stirrup) OR, if the branches are not closed and there is a gap in the outline of the stirrup, the gapping branch must sit inside the plane of the stirrup so there is no upward-facing, rigid projection. These guidelines include sketches to illustrate these two requirements.

Click here to learn more about What & Why.

The USEF Annual Meeting will be held January 15-18, 2026, at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The schedule is available online; please click the button below for more information.

Convention registrations must be received by the end of the business day January 6, 2026, to be eligible for the discounted rates. The cut-off date to receive the special hotel reservation rate ($185/night plus tax) is December 23, 2025. *Separate tickets are required for the Pegasus Award Dinner and the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Reception and Dinner.

*If you are only attending one of the awards dinners, you do not need to purchase a Meeting Registration.

Click here for more information &/or to register

Click here to join or renew

UPHA Ribbons Of Service

Enjoy the gift of COMMUNITY SERVICE with your friends. Raise money for ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. Work toward PRIZES and SCHOLARSHIPS.

UPHA's Ribbons of Service is a program through which UPHA youth members "ride for the cure" by raising funds for the patients and families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an approved non-profit charity. It is open to all youth members who compete in equestrian competitions while riding or driving a Morgan horse. The program was developed to teach youth members the importance of community service by donating their time to those in need. Through this program, kids learn the value of helping those less fortunate.

Click here for more information and to get involved.

Click here for more information

When A Horse Feels Safe

From Koper Equine

Feeling Safe transforms a horse’s biology.

• It raises oxytocin, boosts vagal tone, reduces stress hormones, softens the fascia, and shifts the entire body out of defensive tension.
• When a horse feels safe — in their environment, with their handler, in their work — the nervous system no longer braces for threat.
• The topline releases.
• Breathing slows.
• The gut begins to move again.
• Movement becomes more fluid, coordinated, and effortless.
• Safety is not an emotion for a horse — it is a physiological state.
• And that state reshapes the body from the inside out.
• A regulated, safe horse is a horse whose nervous system can finally rest, repair, reorganize, and reconnect with healthy patterns of movement and behavior.

#equinemassageandbodywork #horsetrainingtips #equinemassagetherapy



Thank you Jean Chaney for sharing this on Facebook.

JOIN THE AMHA YOUTH COUNCIL & HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS

Youth Council members serve to:

• Attract equine-minded youth nationwide to AMHA Youth Programs by developing diverse, interesting, and effective campaigns and programs to increase youth involvement.
• Perpetuate and promote the Morgan’s long-standing history of excellence, athleticism, intelligence, and willingness.
• Offer guidance to other AMHA youth and serve as exemplary role models.

All Youth are eligible to join the Council.

Click here for more information on this exciting opportunity, and to fill out an application, If you have questions, contact Nikki Dumas at (859) 287-2470 or Nicole@morganhorse.com.

Enroll as a Full Circle Angel

Do you have an interest in helping when a Morgan in your local area is at risk?

Now YOU can enroll a specific service you might be able to provide—fostering, quarantine, rehoming, free local transportation and more. Enter your name and contact information and we will add you as a "Full Circle Angel" on our website—it will be a way for those with a need to connect with you.

Sign Up Here

“Dollars for DNA” is a program developed by the AMHA Welfare & Rescue Committee to provide free DNA testing kits to registered 501(c)(3) rescues that help Morgan horses who find themselves in “at-risk” situations. Currently, a DNA Testing Kit costs $50 per horse (which covers the actual cost of the testing).

To be eligible, complete and submit the verification form. Once your status is verified, you will be notified and may begin requesting kits.

Dollars for DNA is funded 100% by donations. If you would like to contribute and ensure the future of this fund, please click HERE. Our Morgans thank you!

Register

Visit the WMF Stallion Service Auction

70 Fabulous Stallions are offered!

Download the WMF Stallion Service Auction Catalog

The MHF/WMF Stallion Service Auction is now LIVE! Bidding opened October 4, at the Grand National and online at 9 a.m. (Central).  

We have an outstanding roster of 70 stallions. Check out these amazing stallions HERE!

Each year, the MHF/WMF Stallion Service Auction helps make a difference for the Morgan breed. This program enables us to use more money for promotion, give more money back to the stallion owners AND to the winning foals, and award more money to the handlers of those winners. 

The auction (online only this year) bidding ends Friday, December 12, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern).

The AUCTION BONUS is $10,000 in additional Futurity money that goes to the first horse (or horses) that is a direct result of the WMF SSA and wins a World Morgan Futurity championship class.

If the winner is sired by a stallion in the TOP 5 of the auction, a BONUS MULTIPLIER of 2x will increase the potential bonus to $20,000.

If the winner is sired by a World Champion Stallion from the auction year, another BONUS MULTIPLIER of 2x will increase the potential bonus to $40,000.

So, bid...breed...and WIN! 

If you have questions or need assistance with online bidding, please contact Erica Eulau at (859) 298-3785 or erica@morganhorse.com. 

Learn more about the auction HERE. 

View the stallion roster HERE. 

Access online bidding HERE. 

MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR THE 2026 MORGAN JUDGES SCHOOL OFFERINGS

All auditors, applicants, Small ‘r’ and Large ‘R’ Morgan Judges may attend the following 2026 clinics:

- March 2026 – Scottsdale, AZ; held in conjunction with the Carousel Charity Horse Show

- June 2026 – Columbus, OH; held in conjunction with the Morgan Gold Cup Horse Show

Applications for both Carousel and Gold Cup clinics will be accepted starting January 2026 for the above-listed clinics.

Any judge who currently holds a Large ‘R’ Morgan Judge License may attend the January 2026 – Las Vegas, NV: held in conjunction with the 2026 UPHA National Conference

Applications are now being accepted for Vegas! (Please note, this January option is for Large ‘R’ Morgan Judges only!)

If you would like to attend any of these clinics, check out the Morgan Judging webpage for additional details including fees and application deadlines, or contact Alex at alex@morganhorse.com or (859) 687-2727.

The beautiful 2026 AMHA Wall Calendar is now available for purchase either online or from the AMHA Office. The calendars are $20.00 plus tax ($21.20 includes shipping).



Makes a great holiday gift for the Morgan lover in your life. Call the office at (859) 287-2470 to order or click on the link below.

The AMHA Board of Directors held their 4th Quarter Meeting on Saturday, December 6, 2025, and approved the following to be AMHA Regional Shows for 2026:

 

Eastern Region

Citrus Cup (Ocala, FL) April 22-25, 2026

Southern States Morgan (Raleigh, NC) May 20-23, 2026

New England Morgan (Northampton, MA) July 20-25, 2026

New York Regional Morgan (Syracuse, NY) September 16-19, 2026

Central Region

Morgan Gold Cup (Columbus, OH) - June 10-13, 2026

Sooner State Summer Showcase (Chickasha, OK) – August 6-9, 2026 (NEW)

Jubilee Regional (Springfield, IL) September 2-5, 2026

Western Region

Morgan Medallion (Las Vegas, NV) July 16-19, 2026

C-Fair Charity (Monroe, WA) July 29 - August 2, 2026

These shows offer a wide variety of classes; we hope you will support them. And remember, they are a great place to qualify for the Grand National in October!

More News:

• 2025 STALLION SERVICE REPORTS ARE DUE JANUARY 15, 2026
• 2025 BREEDERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS
• 2025 HONOR AWARDS
• MATCH FOR MORGANS CAMPAIGN
• 2025 OPEN COMPETITION & MEDALLION AWARD WINNERS
• 2025 STAR AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
• 
  

Articles:

• Winterizing - How To Prepare For a Healthy And Enjoyable Winter
• Preparing For Winter - Feeding & Management Considerations
• Winter Health Tips
• Equine Lamness Exams For The Layman
• Nutrition for Recipient Mares

Named for the forest, Sylvan is a mystical Morgan featuring a soft grey and pearly white sabino coat. Look closely—hidden in his markings are woodland creatures like deer, birds, rabbits, a fox, and more, evoking the quiet magic of an overcast day in the woods.

Ships in a mail order box.



Freedom Series | 1:12 scale | Ages 4+

Click here to order.

Calling all Morgan stallion owners, managers & FANS!

The New York Morgan Sweepstakes awarded over $30,000 this year to our Sweepstakes eligible weanlings and four-year-olds. When you purchase a service in our annual Stallion Service Auction, your 2027 foal will be eligible to compete as a weanling, yearling, and 4YO (in performance) for the prize money raised by this auction. Our online SSA will begin on JANUARY 3rd, and our live auction gala event will be on January 24th at 6:30 PM at the beautiful Del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, NY. Everyone is welcome!

If you're a breeder, tell the stallion owner you'd love to bid on their service!If you're a stallion owner, we'd love to have your stallion and will promote him on our website and social channels!

Click here to donate your stallion

October 11, 2025 by The Northwest Horse Source (A member of the Oregon Horse Council)

When Christie Goddard (2016 Virginia Tech grad) noticed fast-growing lumps on the eyelid of her 16-year-old American paint horse, Rowdy, she knew she needed to seek help. 

The gelding, who had been part of her life since her time on the Virginia Tech equestrian team, was seen by the Equine Field Services team and then quickly referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where she was examined by Renata Ramos, clinical associate professor of ophthalmology. 

The discovery confirmed an old adage: Too much of a good thing can be harmful, and in Rowdy’s case, that good thing was the sun. Dr. Ramos and her team quickly confirmed the diagnosis: squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer in horses, especially those with low pigmentation around their eyes.

“This type of cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body,” said Ramos. “But it can be locally invasive and is known to be aggressive in its recurrence.”

“I went in fully ready for him to have to lose his whole eye,” said Goddard. “So I was very scared, but the team at the teaching hospital was just so compassionate, kind, and reassuring.” 

A Different Type of Light

Rowdy was a perfect candidate for a newer treatment, photodynamic therapy, which uses light to target and destroy remaining abnormal cells after surgery. Photodynamic therapy is not widely available, but it is becoming more popular because of its promising outcomes.

“Unfortunately, it’s a battle,” said Ramos. “I tell the students all the time that they have so many available treatments for this type of cancer because none of them work perfectly, but I think we are on the right track to find a better solution for these tumors.”

For Goddard, the procedure was a fast relief. “We dropped him off at 9 a.m. and he was home and back in a stall by 3 p.m. the same day,” she said. “He kept his whole eye, and he can see totally fine.”

“Rowdy was a star. He was a great patient,” said Ramos. “But also, how fast his owner decided to have this addressed is what made the difference.” 

More than Fly Protection

Not all sun protection for horses is created equal, and Goddard said she hadn’t been aware of the differences in ultraviolet (UV) protection offered by fly masks. 

“The standard fly masks you can buy…most of them are only 60 to 70 percent UV protection,” she said. A field horse like Rowdy, who lives outside 24/7, needs a much higher level of protection. Goddard now seeks out brands that provide 90 to 100 percent UV protection. 

Key Takeaways for Horse Owners

All horses are susceptible to this common cancer, but horses with light-colored coats and low pigmentation around their eyes, noses, or other areas are at higher risk. This is especially true for breeds such as appaloosas, palominos, and American paint horses.

Ramos offered this advice for horse owners:

• Regularly check your horse for any unusual growths, lumps, or sores, especially around the eyes. Pay attention to any lesions that grow quickly or don’t heal.
• Make sure horses have access to shade in pastures to escape direct sun exposure.
• Use a high-quality fly mask that provides at least 90 percent UV protection. Standard fly masks often offer much less.
• Apply equine-safe sunscreen to pink skin around the nose and other areas that lack pigment.

For horses at higher risk, early detection is crucial: The quicker these issues are addressed, the better the outcome. If you notice anything concerning, contact your veterinarian immediately.

“As an ophthalmologist, I think all animals should have eye exams,” said Ramos. “But absolutely horses, not only for skin cancers, but also for uveitis, which is another common condition and one of the leading causes for blindness in these animals. So having the eyes checked once every year will be ideal.”

By Marjorielee Christianson for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University



See this article in the October 2025 Online Digital Edition

The Northwest Horse Source

The Northwest Horse Source is an independently owned and operated (since 1995) online magazine for horse owners and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines in the Pacific Northwest. Our contemporary editorial columns are predominantly written by experts in the region, covering the care, training, keeping and enjoyment of horses, with an eye to the specific concerns in our region.

www.nwhorsesource.com

Click here to view the digital version

In this issue:

• Cover Story: Temple Grandin – An Open Door
• Feature Story: How to Sell Your Horse – Part 1
• Feature Story: Lessons From My Mare
• Trail Savvy: Camping with Horses and Mules

What is School of Ranch?

 School of Ranch is a Central Oregon based 501c3 nonprofit. We hire experienced locals to teach practical and artisan skills, live and in person. Beyond teaching skills and creating paying gigs, we help strengthen our community by bringing people together in person and helping them find common ground, the basis for a strong community.

Congratulations to this Organization!

School of Ranch has been named to the Oregon Cultural Trust’s list of nonprofits committed to preserving Oregon’s cultural heritage.

Deadline Extended -

There Is Still Time!

Updates In Process!

1. You want to grow your business or oganization.

2. You don’t have a big budget, but can come up with less than $2 a week to promote yourself.

3. You need to reach out to more people in the equine industry in Oregon.

4. You are ready for more customers, volunteers, or clients.

5. You have a unique business or organization and want people to learn about it.

6. You want to find other equine businesses or organization that could cross-refer or partner with you.

7. You need a strong online presence so search engines find your business more often.

8. You need new ideas to grow your business…marketing, social media, business planning, legal, insurance, etc. – bring it on!

9. You enjoy meeting like minded, horse loving people who could buy from you or promote your business.

10. You know that the Oregon Horse Council is the most affordable option to promote your business, grow your association, learn, and network in Oregon! It works for you 24-7!

Click here to apply for a business level membership.

There are three levels of membership: $50, $100, or $250. You decide based on the level of support you are looking for.

Click here to apply for an Individual or Family Membership

Individual $35, Family $60

Benefits to you:

• Stay up-to-date on Legislative activity that can affect you.
• The Oregon Horse Council newsletter & Facebook page
• Enrollment in ‘Get Out and Ride’ Ore,onngon program (2 enrollments for family level – you choose age category)
• Oregon Horse Directory mailed to you directly
• Discounted registration for OHC industry and educational events
• Connection to the Equine Resources you need
• Knowing that you are helping strengthen and grow Oregon’s equine industry!

Our Mission Is To Strengthen, Connect, & Represent the Oregon Equine Community

The American Horse Council works daily to advocate for the social, economic and legislative interests of the United States equine industry.

This message goes out to everyone who signed up for our recent webinar on The Future of State Horse Councils. We sincerely thank you for your interest and participation in this important conversation!

If you weren’t able to attend live—or would like to revisit the discussion—the session was recorded for your convenience:Webinars & Recordings - The American Horse Council

During and following the webinar, we heard from state horse council leaders and potential leaders who expressed uncertainty about how to revive, start, or grow their organizations. The appetite for tools and resources is strong, and we’re answering that call. The American Horse Council team is currently developing a State Horse Council Toolkit along with new resources to support your efforts. Once these are ready, we’ll be sure to share them with you.

Thank you again for your commitment to strengthening the horse industry—we’re excited to continue this journey together.

Reminders for State Horse Councils,

As you prepare for the new year, we wanted to remind you of some great AHC member benefits & perks you can take advantage of (and so can your members!)

State Horse Council members upon signing up or renewing can get the following benefits and discounts

• Free Subscription to your choice of magazine - The Horse, EQUUS or Practical Horseman (valued at $32/year) State Horse Councils can elect which hard copy magazine you would like a free subscription to, at time of joining or renewal. If you are on auto-renewal, you can email info@horsecouncil.org and select which magazine you would like to receive by mail. It will be mailed to the address of the State Horse Council membership.
• Listing in the Horse Industry Directory
• Access to post on the community events calendar--Submit your event information to info@horsecouncil.org
• Discounts on all types of products and services from Tickets At Work (which AHC organizational members can share with their members) State Horse Councils can share an email link for Tickets At Work and your members can enter their email address and agree to receive the marketing materials that include the discount opportunities for parks, theaters, special events and an assortment of fun offers.
• USEF Free Fan members (which AHC organizational members can share with their members) State Horse Councils can direct their members to the USEF website, where they can sign up to join as a fan.
• AHC Advantage Plan includes savings on John Deere, SW Paints, Big Ass Fans, and Office Depot (which AHC organizational members can share with their members.) To use these discounts, State Horse Council members must provide the name of their state horse council and confirm the state horse council is an AHC member.

Check out the Loyalty Rewards points program

Rewards for Individuals and Small Business Members:

• 100 points for joining or renewing membership—earn a free subscription to your choice of magazine from Equine Network: The Horse, EQUUS, or Practical Horseman (valued at $32/year).
• 100 points for attending the AHC Annual Conference.
• 50 points for participating in our Annual Fly-In and meeting with Congressional or Federal Agency Staff.
• 50 points for attending AHC quarterly webinars.
• 50 points for responding to our “Call to Action” grassroots outreach.
• 50 points for referring a friend to join AHC.
• 10 points for each Facebook follow or share of AHC’s posts.

At 250 points, receive a free eBook “Winning with Horses” from Trafalgar Square (valued at $25).

At 500 points, receive a 20% discount on book purchases from Trafalgar Square, plus a free PDF of the Economic Impact Study Appendices (valued at $50).

Associations & State Horse Council Members:

• 100 points for joining – receive a free magazine subscription of choice from Equine Network.
• 100 points for attending the AHC Annual Conference.
• 50 points for participating in the Annual Fly-In and meeting with key officials.
• 50 points for attending quarterly webinars.
• 50 points for responding to grassroots outreach or sending AHC news articles to members.

At 250 points, receive the “Winning with Horses” eBook.

At 1000 points, receive a 20% discount on book purchases and a free PDF of the 2023 National Economic Impact Study and Appendices (valued at $150).

To advertise in the Stable Sheet, contact Gay Adams - (503) 936-4276 or

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® is pleased to announce verbal agreements with the following judges for 2026. Specialty judges will be announced at a later date.

CLASSIC/PARK/PLEASURE

Allison Deardorff of Molalla, OR

Jolene Galvin-Yerckie of Scottsdale, AZ

Fay Lowry of Columbia, MO

Kristen Stivers of Midway, KY

HUNTER/WESTERN

Josh Greer of East Bernstadt, KY

Coby Holowacz of Hamden, NY

Bruce McCrea of Edmond, OK

Jessica Sebring of Richmond, MA

EQUITATION

Sandra Currier – Bellville, TX

Lynda Freseth – Versailles, KY

Gayle Lampe – Fulton, MO

Matthew Roberts – Cave Creek, AZ

CARRIAGE

Kacy Tipton-Fashik – Weirsdale, FL

DRESSAGE

Doreen Horsey – Foothills, AB Canada

Carolyn Lindholm – Los Angeles, CA

Marie Maloney – Wichita, KS

HUNTER/JUMPER

Jeanne Marie Dunford-Miller – Palmyra, VA

REINING/RANCH/TRAIL

Jill Mitchell – Marysville, CA

We invite you to join us at the 53rd Annual Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®, October 10-17, 2026, as we begin a new era in the new OG&E Arena. Plans are underway for another great show in Oklahoma City showcasing some of the top Morgan horses in the world today!  

Show times will be at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily. For more information on the 2026 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®, please visit www.morgangrandnational.com.

Plans are underway for another great Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Look for more details in the coming months

Thomas J. Tornatore, 61 of Lakeside California peacefully passed away November 30, 2025 surrounded by his loving California family (Jimmy, Sharon, Darcy and Haley) by his side. Tom's passion in life was the love of Professionally training and showing horses, where he was awarded the Golden Rein Award through the Morgan Horse Association. He loved any animal that crossed his path. Going to his home was like visiting Doctor Doolittles Farm. He especially loved his trips back home to Saint Marys to spend time with his family and meet all the new additions. He will be missed for his love of family, his quick wit, his big heartfelt hugs, his beautiful smile and kindness to whom ever he met. He will be deeply missed.

Tom is survived by his father Robert (Lola) Tornatore Sr., his brother Robert Tornatore Jr., his six sisters, Susan Strandberg, Josie (Gary) Hill, Sheryl Tornatore Smith, Katie Tornatore, Lorie (Chip) (Chris) Hayes, Lisa (Bob) Merat. His special longtime friend Jimmy Napora. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother Lillie Tornatore, nephew Jesse Denio, grandparents Maximo and Bernice Tornatore, Arthur and Violet Winters. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

From the Saddle Horse Report

The Saddle Horse Report family and the Morgan world was saddened by the announcement of the unexpected passing of River Run Farm trainer, Tom Tornatore. Tornatore, who was 61, has been a fixture on the west coast for some time and most recently has guided the careers of such world and national champions as Graycliff Tony Hawk GCH, Acorn Ridge Iowa Hawkeye GCH, Crushin It, Cimi’s Voodoo Daddy GCH, Indiancreek Recordbreaker GCH, Valley Acres Who Dat GCH, and Open Invitation GCH, among others.

From Haley Attig·

We lost a great horseman, friend, gossip buddy, and an even better uncle. I will forever miss his endless advice and “let me show you” moments. Tom gave me the opportunity to quit my “real job” and start working horses full time, so uncle Tom who lit my hair on fire with his cigarette trying to teach me how to jog a horse when I was 8 became my boss. There was never a dull moment, with his fun personality and sassy comebacks we had the best time. Tom truly loved show horses and could bring a spark to any horse he worked with.

It has been an honor to learn and work alongside him for the last couple years and I will cherish those memories forever. He will be missed by so many

Liz would want her Morgan friends to be invited. So many times she declared to me and everyone around her how much the kindness of the Morgan Horse Association meant to her. Thank you everyone for welcoming her into our Morgan family even if it was only for a few years.

Elizabeth Marie Jones, born March 02, 1967, in Portland, Oregon to Richard William Jones and Sharon Ray Jones, passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of December 04, 2025. At just 58 years young, Liz was called home to her eternal live with Jesus where she will most certainly be riding on Heaven’s horses

From before she could construct complete sentences, Liz had a heart and passion for horses. She always joked she was “part horse” and proved it growing up as she cantered down the school hallways and into adulthood by always wearing her thick hear long like a horse tail. Her love for horses was the central point of her life, and it afforded her incredible friendships, employment, adventures, challenges, wisdom, and joy.

Born and raised in the highly populated Willamette Valley of Oregon, Liz always sought to live in the country and in the summer of 1995, she seized the opportunity to move to Eastern Oregon when she accepted a job starting racehorses and bought her home, sight unseen. It was the small town of Heppner where she raised her five children and called home for the rest of her life.

Although horse training was her first official job in EO, she worked many other jobs of service within her beloved community of Heppner, as a school janitor, at the local grocery market, caregiving, and her all-time favorite job: running the equine therapy program for CCS.

In 2023 Liz joined her daughter showing horses where she was the most coveted horse groom in the Pacific Northwest and at the World Show. She was, hands-down, the biggest enthusiast, supporter, and fan of the team she groomed for. It was through this experience her dreams of being at the World Horse Show came true.

Liz never knew a stranger and everyone who met her shared the same sentiments; she was a woman of great conviction and faith, a big sense of humor and a heart of gold. She was authentic, generous, and gave her all in everything she did.

Liz was a lover of life and lived it to the fullest. In addition to her passion for horses, she loved music, going on long drives in the mountains collecting antiques, and gardening. She volunteered many selfless hours teaching kids in the community to ride horses and touched a countless number of lives. Always showing up with her sense of humor, even into her last days during her intense battle with cancer, she would make her visitors laugh – a true testament to her caring nature to give laughter to those in her midst even with labored breaths.

Her biggest accomplishment of all, however, was raising five children on her own. An extraordinary Mother, loved, cherished, and treasured, leaves behind a beautiful family in whom she loved to boast: Daughter Sibbea Browning and Husband Matt Browning; Son Jon Cain and wife Elizabeth Cain, Grandson Xander; Daughter Hannah Rea and Husband Devon Rea, Granddaughter Lakelynn; Son Jessy Wolford and Fiancé Shelby Givens, Grandson Lucas; Son Joe Jones and Wife Socorro Jones, Grandson James, and Granddaughter Eleanor.

In addition to her five children and five grandchildren, Liz is survived by her parents Dick & Sharon Jones, Brothers, Ken [and wife Linda] and Rob Jones [and wife Lisa], her Sister Theresa Jones, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Heaven has gained a truly extraordinary soul.

A memorial service with reception following will be held at the Morrow County Fairgrounds in Heppner, Oregon on January 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM. We welcome and encourage anyone with memories, stories, or photographs they would like to share direct them to the email dedicated to capturing them: emj@trinoranch.com.

Memorial Service, Elizabeth Marie Jones, January 17, 2026, 2pm, Morrow County Oregon Fair Grounds

Going to miss this beautiful diva... Still hard to believe she's gone... run free my Fal gal... Alex Mooney will take you on many amazing rides in heaven. 

Sara Breyman

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...

Until you meet again.....