Kathy Davis
Communications
 |
| Jessica La Belle with Spanky |
Thanks to all WSDA employees who submitted more pet stories highlighting the special relationships with our animal friends during these strange times. We will publish all of them, but are continuing this series with two stories focused on WSDA horse owners.
The relationship Jessica La Belle has with her horse Spanky has been important throughout her life, but especially during 2020.
“I met Spanky in 2001 in Alaska when he was five-months old and just weaned from his mother. I began training horses around that time, and he was the first colt I started under saddle,” said Jess, an administrative assistant for the Entomology Branch of the Pest Program.
Spanky (short for “Sir Spankyface Dancypants Moneymuncher of Poopsalot”) is now 19 years old, and has traveled with Jess from Alaska to Colorado to Washington. Most horses go through several owners throughout their lifetimes, but Jess has been committed to providing Spanky with the best life possible and seeing him through to the end.
“The depth of relationship that can develop between a 1,000-pound animal and a human being is truly extraordinary and difficult to express,” she said.
“He is gentle, silly, and affectionate, and throughout the uncertainty of this year, has been a great source of comfort and normalcy to me. Watching him run or brushing his coat continues to fill me with joy after all these years.”
COVID-friendly hobby
Paula Moore, WSDA Seed Program manager, started backcountry horse packing as a hobby this year with Peggy Sioux (buckskin draft cross) and Roxie (flaxen red chestnut haflinger cross), who she purchased in February.
 |
| Paula Moore on backcountry pack trip with her horses. |
Paula joined the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, a group passionate about preserving backcountry trail use, as well as being capable teachers for learning her new skills.
For the last year, Paula had been practicing with empty pack boxes and gradually filling them with weight. In August, she and her horses took their first backcountry three-day pack trip as a fully loaded team into the Goat Rock region.
“One day, we took a trail hike on foot to the top of the waterfalls and the base of the glacier. The air was clean, the sun was out and the basin was beautiful. From the top, we could see only one other camper in the area,” Paula said.
During COVID-19, her horse experiences have had little impact. During the spring they worked on footwork, manners and home repairs like fencing, and in April started hitting the trails to get in shape for hill climbs.
“We are naturally socially distanced on the trails,” Paula noted. “Giving lots of space between other horse and trail users is standard. We started dry camping in June and went to one socially distant horse event for training.”
Paula has noticed an increase on the trails by a wider variety of users. But she said everyone she has encountered is respectful and friendly.
“Fortunately COVID hardly affected use of the trails and my two lovely horses,” she said. “This 2020 trail season, we have grown and bonded. Every outing is an adventure. I am happy to see many new and first-time trail users.”
If you have a story about how your pet has helped you get through this year, share it with me (kdavis@agr.wa.gov) for a future post.
In summary: The Insider pet stories series continues with the spotlight on two WSDA horse owners and how their special relationships with their horses are bringing them comfort, normalcy and connection, helping to get through this very strange year.
