The Genesee Valley Equine Clinic 2010 Educator of the year could be described as Western New York’s very own “HORSE WHISPERER”. Dave Minteer has devoted his life to the education of both horses and riders in our community.
Dave started his career with horses at the age of 12, when he acquired his first horse, which just happened to be unbroken. Dave and the horse learned together, and soon he was taking every opportunity to ride. Attracted to the excitement of the rodeo arena, he spent several years as a bronc rider, and met his wife Laney at the Attica rodeo.
The young couple moved to our area in the early 1960s, and Dave enrolled in farrier school at Cornell in 1967. For the next 22 years he trimmed and shod horses, gaining a reputation as a skilled and respected farrier who had a particular knack for working with difficult horses.
Soon he started training horses on the side. To broaden his skills he attended clinics with the noted John Lyons. John’s methods of Natural Horsemanship were a perfect fit with Dave’s thoughtful, quiet manner. He was a devoted student, and he used what he learned as the foundation of his training business.
Our educator’s success with difficult horses is legendary. His nomination was supported by letters from horse people of all stripes: trail riders, horse show competitors, dressage people, eventers, western riders and people who drive horses. Each letter described Dave as “wise”, “humble”, “unassuming”, “quiet”, “calm”, “gentle”, and “composed”. These qualities, combined with the innate “horse sense” and incredible patience of a true natural horseman and communicator, are what make him such a good trainer. He succeeds where others fail, particularly with horses that have a fear of trailers, or a dangerous habit like bucking or balking.
Dave Minteer has taken great care all his life with educating BOTH horse and rider. It is obvious that he has changed the lives of many area horses and their people. The impact of his work can be summed up by an excerpt from one very special letter that was sent in support of his nomination from none other than John Lyons himself.
“I believe he has the same attributes that I have found in every great horse trainer. First, he always wants to learn more and strives to constantly learn from the horses he works with. Second, he keeps an open mind and always is willing to learn what others are willing to share. Dave sees the positive in others and offers kind words and little criticism of others, and applies those same qualities to the horses as well. He never puts horses as more important than people, nor people more important than his wife, Laney, who has stood by him and supported him for so many years. She believes in Dave and thinks he probably created the horse. That is a good thing because we all need a person like that in our lives. He has helped so many horse owners throughout the years, and I have been very fortunate to have him as a friend. I do not know anyone who is more deserving of this award. Congratulations to you for picking him, and congratulations to DAVE MINTEER on receiving this award.”
Dave and Laney Minteer
GVEC Competes in 2008 River Challenge
A stellar team of Genesee Valley Equine Clinic paddlers competed in the 2008 Rochester River Challenge, held on September 13 at the Genesee Valley Park Waterways. GVEC, as well as several Rochester area businesses and organizations, sponsored a boat in this annual charity event to benefit disabled athletes who are also war veterans. The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project provides an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through participation in paddle sports.
Not only did the GVEC team lend a presence, but with the “encouragement” of GVEC founder, Dr. Robert Pierson, they won the open woman’s division. Way to go!!
Left to Right in standing photo: Dr. Robert Pierson, Julie May, Laney Widener, Dr. Amy Leibeck, Dr. Joan Ayers, Katy Page, Kellie Donovan and “Boomer”, Mary Hull
Pony Club Camp
Dr. Amy Todd and Dr. Joan Ayers from Genesee Valley Equine Clinic spent a lovely August afternoon at Wheeler Green in Geneseo sharing their knowledge of hoof anatomy and first aid with participants at the Genesee Valley Pony Club Camp. With the help of demo pony “Dancer”, D1 – D3 pony clubbers learned about things that can go wrong with their horse and what to do about them. Summer camp is one of many learning opportunities provided by US Pony Clubs for the development of young horsemen.
Horse Rescue Drill
Volunteer firemen secure a horse to the equine glide.
The Clifton Fire Department recently participated in a
horse rescue drill at Genesee Valley Equine Clinic. It was an excellent
opportunity for our staff to brush up on techniques for dealing with “down”
horses, and gave the firemen a chance to train on equipment that was new to
them. GVEC and Clifton practiced with the equine glide, a large stretcher
used to move a horse that cannot rise, and the large animal lift, a device
for assisting a horse to stand. Firemen are almost always the first responders
at emergency situations involving horses, and their assistance is critical
for a successful outcome. Thanks to all the volunteer participants from
Clifton FD who took one of their scheduled drill nights to work with us.
A little manpower can move mountains, or even a large horse.
GVEC Receives Full NYSVMS Accreditation
Our facility in Scottsville recently went through a rigorous evaluation by the New York State Veterinary Medical Society. GVEC met the criteria of the Veterinary Facility Accreditation Program (VFAP) and in February 2006 was granted full accreditation for 3 years. We are one of the first equine facilities in New York to meet this standard of excellence.
The VFAP certification ensures full compliance with current standards of veterinary practice as well as state and federal laws. Our inspection included our practice vehicles, treatment/surgery area, pharmacy, medical records, reception area and building and grounds. Our diagnostic equipment and medical records were evaluated, and the logs that we keep for patient procedures and tests, equipment maintenance, employee safety and medical inventory were reviewed. We are proud to have met, and in many instances, exceeded the program requirements. The next time you visit GVEC, look for the VFAP accreditation plaque in our office. This plaque is your guarantee that we maintain our facility, vehicles and medical records with the same high standard of care that we give your horse.
Welcome to the digital era. The next forward leap in radiography is Digital Radiography (DR). This method uses the same light weight x-ray machines that we normally carry, but the x-ray cassettes and film have been eliminated. Instead, there is one cassette that is connected to a computer, and when this cassette is exposed to radiation the image is sent immediately to the computer and appears on the screen in about four seconds. The cassette is then automatically erased and is ready for the next shot. If we like the quality of the image we go on to the next view; if not, we simply delete it and reshoot.
Having the image available so quickly allows us to implement appropriate therapy right away. There is no risk of having to come back and reshoot radiographs because certain views were not clear enough, the angle was not quite right, or any of the host of other issues that can effect the quality of the x-ray image. Also, the overall quality of the DR images is superior, and they do not deteriorate over time as film images can.
We are confident that DR will prove to be especially useful for prepurchase exams, difficult lameness examinations, and for giving immediate feedback when working with the farrier on founder cases.
Microchip Identification Program
Microchip implantation will soon be the primary means for positive, permanent, unalterable and inexpensive equine identification. This has clear benefits in the event your horse is lost or stolen and can help prevent fraud. Within the next few years, the USDA's United States Animal Identification Plan will apply to all livestock, including horses.
A rice-sized microchip containing the horse's ID number is injected, much like an IM shot, into the horse's nuchal ligament, about halfway down the neck. Once implanted, the chip is invisible. To read the number, a hand-held radio frequency scanner is passed over the neck area, much like your groceries are scanned at the check-out counter. Once the ID number is registered with a database, it can be used to positively identify your horse and even check his temperature!
Since its inception in 2003, the New York Healthy Horse Assurance Program has grown by leaps and bounds. Funded by the State of New York through the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the program is designed to promote and teach a proactive approach to equine health, care and welfare. In addition to the educational framework, its voluntary certification program recognizes operations with outstanding management practices. More than 20 equine operations have been certified in 2005.
The backbone of the NYSHHAP is a thorough examination of health, biosecurity, administration, housing, commodities, manure handling and pasture management standards. Better management practices reduce the chances of loss of money, time and enjoyment of your horses due to injury, contagious disease and other health issues.
NYSHHAP serves as a wonderful educational tool for individual farms as well as 4-H and Pony Clubs. Those who attain certification status can be proud of an achievement that places their operation among the best-managed facilities in NY. One of the many benefits of certification is participation in the microchip identification program. The farm owner is provided with up to 40 microchips, which can then be implanted by the farm's veterinarian. A scanner to read the chips is also supplied.
Any private or commercial equine operation in New York is eligible to participate at no charge, and the program is suitable for backyard stables as well as large boarding, showing and breeding farms.
GVEC urges all of our clients to consider participating in this program to optimize healthy horse management practices and promote a strong equine industry in New York. Some informational material is available in our office, and our barn manager, Laura Johnson, is available to answer specific questions about NYSHHAP. Materials can also be requested from Program Director Dr. Lyda Denney by calling (315) 829-4282 or e-mailing her at lyda.denney@agmkt.state.ny.us.
