Martha's Vineyard Horse Council
UPCOMING EVENTS
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February 12, 2026, 5:30 PM
MV Horse Council ZOOM Meeting
Zoom meeting, Zoom link TBA
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March 12, 2026, 5:30 PM
MV Horse Council Meeting
MV Agricultural Hall
35 Panhandle Rd, West Tisbury
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April 9, 2026, 5:30 PM
MV Horse Council Meeting
MV Agricultural Hall
35 Panhandle Rd, West Tisbury
Do you have something horse related to sell? Are you looking for something horse related?
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Ads are FREE and will run for 4 weeks.​ You must be a Martha's Vineyard Horse Council member to advertise.
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A Note from the MVHC President
Happy New Year! As we head into 2026, I’m excited to be taking the reins as the new President of the Horse Council. One of the things I’m looking forward to is your participation and new ideas for the organization. Please feel free to reach out at any time!
​The new year brings us a chance to try new things. Do you make resolutions or set goals for the coming year? Like most of you, one of my goals is to keep learning and improving as a horseman. Whether it’s riding technique, trying a new discipline or striving to understand how my horse sees the world, my theme
Jill Lane, MVHC President
for the year is to keep an open mind. Sometimes we learn from friends, sometimes from talented instructors and other times from books and videos.
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One of the books that influenced me this year was In the Middle are the Horsemen by Tik Maynard. (Many thanks to Tara Whiting for bringing Tik to the island in November for an excellent clinic and for introducing me to his work.) This book follows Tik’s personal journey to grow as a horseman and to eventually develop his own approach with horses. Starting as a working student in Germany, the author worked with many top riders and trainers in dressage, show jumping and eventing. Along the way he kept asking questions, trying out what he’d learned and experimenting with what made sense to him. He kept an open mind!
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I’d love to hear what books you’ve read that have guided you with your horses. Maybe we can pull together a list of recommendations and share it in a meeting or in the newsletter.
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Happy riding, and stay warm!
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Jill Lane
Deer Hunting Season on Martha's Vineyard
Be cautious on the trails and wear blaze orange (you and your horse).
Hunting is not allowed on Sundays.
Winter Primitive Firearms Season: Jan. 1 – Feb 14, 2026
Announcements
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Is it time to renew your membership?
Renew or join now! Membership runs from January 1 to December 31. Renew or Join Now
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Items for the newsletter need to be submitted to Tara Whiting-Wells (tarajw@yahoo.com)
by the first of each month.
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Applications for the Horse Council Scholarship are due each March. See your high school guidance counselor for details.
Introducing Dr. Corinna Barry
Backstretch Veterinary Inc. has announced a new pilot program to improve access to veterinary care for Martha's Vineyard's horses and their owners. Island resident Dr. Corinna Barry has joined the Backstretch team. She will be available one day a week for routine scheduled appointments. On days when she is not working at one of the small animal clinics, she will be available for more urgent calls from 7 am to 10 pm. Call (508) 479-7791 if your horse needs veterinary care.