THANK YOU Sesquicentennial Horse Volunteers

Please read the following message from:

Paige E. Thacker, Horticulture Agent

Unit Coordinator/Agency Director

 

Hi all,

Well we made it through an amazing event! We couldn’t have made it happen without your expertise, time and endurance of the weatherJ. Thank you too for your patience and flexibility as we made this event a reality. 

Please see the summary of check in and the re-enactment from the horse perspective below:

• 68 volunteers contributed their over 600 hours of time and expertise to assist with check in of horses for the 150^th Civil War re-enactment event over a three day period.  These volunteers were affiliated with Virginia Cooperative Extension-Prince William Master Gardeners or 4H, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, Nokesville Horse Society, Haymarket Veterinary Service or horse savvy people within the community. 
• 260 horses of the 375 expected were checked in either at Catharpin Park or at Pageland Farm.  All owners provided the necessary documentation, a negative Coggins report, for the entry to the event.  Each horse received a numbered tag confirming their entry. Tags were worn on bridles/halters during the event. 
• Cavalry re-enactors were in tune with the needs of their horse(s), ensuring their safety and health.  Horses were kept in the shade and had sufficient water and hay supplies. 
• On Saturday and Sunday, Haymarket Equine Veterinarian, Dr. Jess Williamson, her staff, the Virginia Tech Equine Ambulance, led by John Dashiell and his staff, and the Prince William County F&R Technical Large Animal Emergency Response Team assisted six volunteers for on site horse assistance and medical response.  These people provided troughs with ice water and sponges for re-enactors to cool their horses as they returned from the re-enactment. Calvary commanders were notified of this and all re-enactors expressed their appreciation for our assistance and concern for their horses’ health.
• During the two day re-enactment, five horses were cooled with cold water and ice bags for high body temperature and one for colic. One horse was kicked by another but no treatment was required.  Two horses were reported as runaways on the farm, but were secured quickly.  
• As a result of this experience, Prince William County and Virginia Cooperative Extension in Prince William are better prepared to assist with future events that involve horses as well as have more defined resources to provide assistance and emergency response to the local horse community. 

Again, thank you for your contribution to this event! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Sincerely

Paige Thacker