SMASH AND GRABS are on the rise at Olympic Peninsula trailheads. Recently, there were a number of break-ins reported by trail users at Miller Peninsula and Robin Hill Farm Park. Everyone is cautioned to remove anything of value from their vehicles, and fanny packs are a convenient way to keep your cellphone, driver’s license and credit cards with you while on the trail.
These days, thieves are taking photographs of vehicle registrations, which list home addresses, and texting it to others, who then rob homes knowing the residents aren’t there. Sadly, we all need to be vigilant and stay aware of our surroundings. Years ago, I started using a black Sharpie marker to cross out my address on my truck’s registration.
Rising crime rates go hand-in-hand with the rise of illegal drug use. Both bring to mind the old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” In other words, nothing good comes from boredom.
The pandemic brought so many good activities to a screeching halt. I think there’s a dire need to get our youths and their parents active again in local youth organizations that help build healthy relationships and futures. These organizations give kids confidence and the courage to navigate life’s challenges.
That’s why I was thrilled to see the Clallam County Fairgrounds host its first 4-H horse show and Future Farmers of America (FFA) auction in two years on Aug 21-22. There, 4-H riders had a great time showing English, Western and Showmanship, along with playing fun games, like Ride A Buck, Australian Pursuit, Watermelon Eating and others.
High point winners for the weekend were: Taylor Maughan, first place, winning a buckle; Lila Torey, second place, winning a halter; and KK Pitts, third place, winning a stall fork.
We need to get these youth organizations back up and running again. For more information about 4-H in Clallam County — for a variety of interests — contact Melanie Greer by phone at 460-417-2398 or 360-912-2062 or by email at melanie.greer@wsu.edu, or visit the website at extension.wsu.edu/clallam/4h/join-2.
In Jefferson County, contact Program Coordinator Su Tipton by phone at 360-379-5610, ext. 206, or by email at su.tipton@wsu.edu or visit the website extension.wsu.edu/ jefferson/youth.
WAHSET
The first Sequim Equestrian Team meeting for Washington State High School Equestrian Team is Monday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. at Freedom Farms, 493 Spring Road, for returning and new members. Any high-schooler who would like to know more should email Katie Newton at sequimequestrian@gmail.com.
Sign up forms are at tinyurl.com/PDN- WAHSET-Signup.
I’ve not heard if anyone has stepped up to coach the Port Angeles High School equestrian team yet, but I will let you know when I find out.
Ivermectin
Ivermectin horse dewormer to battle COVID-19 virus? In a word — no!
Truly, I just couldn’t believe it when I was sent an article by a friend who suggested using the horse and livestock dewormer Ivermectin to prevent or battle COVID-19. Nothing in that article was backed up or quoted from medical professionals or researchers, and yet my friend chose to believe what this person — with no medical or scientific background — was saying. My friend was even considering taking Ivermectin instead of getting a vaccine that has shown scientifically it protects against the dreaded virus that sparked this pandemic and the deaths of more than 4.5 million people globally.
What is Ivermectin? It’s a drug used to treat conditions caused by parasitic worms, primarily in horses and livestock. Is COVID a parasite? A worm that’s entered the intestines? No. It’s a virus. Do your research in legitimate medical journals.
Officials have reported that calls to poison control centers have surged as much as five-fold in recent weeks after people have dosed themselves with Ivermectin, as has the number of people hospitalized after ingesting it.
I think the Food and Drug Administration summed it up best when it issued a warning to the public to stop horsing around with Ivermectin to treat COVID: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”
Events
• Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 18-19, 8:30 a.m.: Layton Hill Horse Camp Competitive Mounted Orienteering competition, campout and ride.
Mounted orienteering can be described as a mounted treasure hunt (www.wacmo.org). Event organizers provide maps and course outlines, and riders provide their own horses. For more information, contact Wendy Brundle at 360-808-1503 or Sherry Brown at 360-496-4400 or email sherry brown89@msn.com. The camp is located at 2514 Chicken Coop Road in Sequim. www.laytonhill horsecamp.com.
• Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network, the horse rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming organization, is hosting a fundraising tack sale at 251 Roupe Road, off Hooker Road in Sequim. For more information, phone 360-207-1688.
• Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26: BCH Peninsula Chapter is hosting Teach Scouts! Horsemanship Badge Weekend at Layton Hill Horse Camp. Peninsula member Linda Morin, education/events chair, is in charge of hosting the Scouts, who will be earning their horsemanship merit badge. For more information or to help out (Morin could use more teachers, steady horses, mules, minis, donkeys and ponies), contact her at 360-775-5060 or email ehoytr3@gmail.com.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also call her at 360-460-6299.
Neon Riders Club member Lila Tory, with Smokey, shows off her ribbon for her Showmanship Champion title at the Clallam Country 4-H Horse Show. (Photo courtesy of Katie Newton)
