Local expert shares tidbits on how to 'spoil your horse'

If you’re new to the horse community, tricks of the trade should be pretty darn valuable.

"To whiten socks or clean legs, use baby powder," when it comes to their grooming. "The front legs of a horse are not attached to the spinal column, but the hind limbs are." "It is best to offer horses loose salt in a wooden box under cover, rather than the traditional cow-block."

The spinal column leg attachment data may, or may not be useful information, but her book, "Horse Recipes with TLC: 95 Ways to Spoil your Horse" is loaded with knowledge attained from experience and hard-knocks that Joanie Merriman learned over the many years that she sat in the saddle.

“Bill and I had a ranch in Post Falls, Idaho. We swam horses (for people) that had bad legs in our horse pool, and we had a big training center where Bill broke the horses, and I rode them,” she said.

They did this for many years and Merriman started to realize that what they had learned through experience, most horse-people may not know. So that’s where the book came into play full of tid-bits of information that might be different and useful, along with treat recipes horses love.

“We used to race thoroughbreds. Bill trained them, and we raced in 11 different states. We still have one, who is now 34 years old, but we lived and breathed horses for a good portion of our lives. We raised and foaled every one of our racehorses,” she shared.

The book was originally published in 2004, however, Merriman feels the information remains valid and much of it has been forgotten, if it was ever known to begin with.

“We have a special section in the book that most people do not know about horses, and it has been checked over and endorsed by a veterinarian in Spokane, Washington. But it’s a fun book and it’s meant to spoil your horses” she grins.

Merriman sold 2,500 copies and is now donating some to libraries in the area, the Mineral County Extension Office and a copy is being given to each of the 4-H kids in the equine program.

“The one thing that I think is important, especially to the kids in 4-H, are all of the facts that they will never know because they will never know how to research them.”

Dr. Jerry E. Ponti, owner of Ponti Veterinary Hospital in Otis Orchards, Washington writes, "I’ve known Joanie Merriman a long time and her book, Horse Recipes with TLC, should fill a niche that has not been provided."

The treat list includes Sunny Jim’s Moca Cookies (molasses, oatmeal, carrots and apples). Best-Ever Cold Weather Mash (bran, sweet feed, apples, carrots, molasses and alfalfa pellets) and Freezie Pops made from carrots and apples. A poem on the back covers concludes with, "I hope you really like my book so mosey to the kitchen… and start to cook."

People in Superior know Merriman for dropping by with a loaf of friendship-bread and a short conversation just to do her best in making people realize how blessed they are. “

I recently had surgery on my back, and it took away my ability to walk. But I keep going and doing things for people and that keeps me going.”

Stacy King with the First Methodist Church is helping with the local distribution of her book which sells for $12.99 by calling (406) 239-0788.

“I can’t drive anymore or ever again. Bill is 94 and his hands are full taking care of me. Right now, all we do is donate and help other people. That’s what our life is right now. But that’s the way it’s supposed to be, isn’t it?”