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Cowboy Days kick off Friday and runs through Sunday (Oct. 16-18) at the Empty Saddle Club in Rolling Hills Estates.

Held every year since 1992, the event honors the "old cowboy ways" with celebrations and competitions in such evetns as team roping.

Sounds like great fun. My dog Cowboy really wants to go. So do Tess and Annie Oakley.

The Empty Saddle Club began in 1935 when five horsemen from Redondo Beach decided they'd organize as a group to participate i nlocal parades and other civic functions.

For more information, visit the group's web site or email sdeming@cbre.com.

Let's hear it for all those animal lovers out there who jumped in last night and made sure the area's dogs, cats and horses had safe shelter. (That's Norman, left, who spent the night at Ernie Howlett Park after being evacuated.) 

As soon as word began to spread about the fire on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Pedro Realtor Rebecca Chamblis fired up her computer, using Twitter, Facebook and emails to offer services to area residents. She called the Terranea resort to make sure they'd accept animals as part of their overnight shelter package. She gives special credit to the American Kennel Club, a group she says is always ready to provide food, crates and other help during a natural disaster.

Meanwhile, horse trainer Callie Bell, also a San Pedro resident, hitched up her trailer and began ferrying horses out of the Portguguese Bend neighborhoods over to Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates. Owners were picking their horses up today.

Rebecca says someday she'd like to see a formal animal rescue group "on paper." But for now, the loose-knit, self-motivated band of volunteers -- some of whom don't even know each other -- is doing a pretty good job.

I've posted some more photos on the jump that I took this morning of the 15 horses who were taken to the Ernie Howlett park by Callie and others. Owners were picking them up by midday to return home.

A half-century ago, when Pat Murnane was growing up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it seemed like practically everybody had horses.
He recalls riding dusty trails - not to mention skateboarding down steep hills and swimming in backyard pools - and thinks of what a paradise for children the Hill was back then.
Now, the former house painter from Manhattan Beach is trying to re-create one aspect of that experience for local youngsters who have grown up in an environment where the equestrian spirit has waned.
"I always wanted to do trail rides. That was my dream," said Murnane, 58. "This is the nicest place to ride anywhere."
Murnane's Rolling Hills Estates-based trail-riding business, Wagon Wheel Ranch, has steadily attracted local youth groups and visiting tourists since it opened several years ago.
His rides are popular among his clients, according to letters submitted to the city on his behalf.
But not with some of the neighbors.
"If we thought for one minute that our street would be subject to strangers from all over coming and going, we would have moved elsewhere," said Jack Epstein at a City Council meeting last week. "It's a matter of privacy."

On Saturday, Aug. 1, there will be a bake sale, along with an sale on new and used equestrian supplies in front of the General Store to benefit the Palos Verdes Ponly Club.

The store is located at 26947 Rolling Hills Rd., in Rolling Hills Estates.

 The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

We don't get many of these notices at the pet's blog, but an acquaintance sent me this last night about a 20-year-old thoroughbred gelding that needs a good home. From the note:

Beautiful, spirited, extremenly well schooled. ... Perfect flying lead changes and jumps. For good home with strong, spirited rider who will appreciate the challenge. Well cared for and exercised by a top trainer. Inspiring, graceful, long smooth gates. Must be seen. $800 or best offer.

Contact David at davids0402@gmail.com

Another picture is on the jump.

Horse nutrition will be the featured topic at the Empty Saddle Club on Thursday Feb. 19.

All are welcome.

From the e-mail I received:

Dont miss this informative evening when our speakers will discuss good nutrition for the young horse, the competing horse and the senior equine.  They will present products that can make your horse look like a show horse all the time, introduce fish oil and its many great qualities (I thought horses were herbifores?) and scientifically proven feed to keep your horses engine running at maximum performance levels (that is if you need it). You will enjoy a DVD presentation on nutrition. And a great time for questions and answers from the experts.  Come join us!  PS Triple Crown provided the feed for our US Olympic Team.

The Empty Saddle Club is located at 39 Empty Saddle Road, Rolling Hills Estates. For more info, call 310-377-9059

The Peninsula Friends of the Library book sale will feature new books about horses. (There will also be books about Indians, gardening, Shaker furniture and the Civil War, but, hey this is a pet blog; we don't care about that)

It will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina in Palos Verdes Estates.

For info, call 310-377-9584, ext. 553.

This is a press release I got about an emergency hosemanship clinic being sponsored by the Cowboy Boot Camp. The event is being held at 3 p.m. Saturday Jan. 10 at 4 Sunnyfield Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.

For reservations or more info, call Jim Moore at 310-377-8834.

Despite their size and weight, horses are nature's delicate creatures and if you're a horse owner, or someone who's planning for horse ownership, you should be prepared for an equine emergency.

"Unfortunately, bad things sometimes happen when you're on the trail or when you and your horse are at a remote location or at a time when a vet might not be available," explained Jim Moore of Cowboy Boot Camp.  "A horse depends upon his human companion to make him feel better or possibly even save his life."

• How to respond if your horse colics or has other abdominal problems.
• How to care for a laceration, puncture wound and eye trauma.
• How to wrap a leg in case of emergency.
• What important data your vet needs to know prior to arrival.
• Do you know how to take and what a horse's temperature should be?
• What contents should every equine emergency kit include?

These emergency treatment & step-by-step procedure topics and more will be covered and discussed at the upcoming Cowboy Boot Camp horsemanship clinic in Palos Verdes.  Conducted by Los Angeles County-based equine veterinary practitioner, Dr. Sylvia Greenman, D.V.M., participants will get an opportunity for a "hands on" demonstration on how to respond quickly and confidently to equine emergency situations.

"Horse emergencies can be a challenging and emotionally charged situation for owners," said Dr. Greenman. "However, with preparedness clinics such as these, problems can be reduced by educating owners about first aid procedures."

For more information about this clinic as well as other Cowboy Boot Camp horsemanship seminars and events, visit their Web site or contact Dr. Sylvia Greenman. 

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Horsemens Association is hosting the 14th annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival on Saturday Jan. 17.

The shindig is being held at the Empty Saddle Club in Rolling Hills Estates, The club is located appropriately enough at 39 Empty Saddle Road

Chili and cornbread are being served at 6 p.m.

The show starts at 7 p.m.

It cost is free!

For more info, call: 310-539-1639

Tell 'em Josh sent ya, pardner.