Latest Blogs http://www.riderscorral.com/blog/ Latest Blogs <![CDATA[Do's and Don’ts of Horse Colic.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/spencer/blog/do-s-and-don-8217ts-of-horse-colic/ Dos and Don’ts of Horse Colic.

Horse colic is the leading cause of death for horses. Yes, we know as a horse owner you’re cringing at the very mention ...]]> Dos and Don’ts of Horse Colic.

Horse colic is the leading cause of death for horses. Yes, we know as a horse owner you’re cringing at the very mention of it, but you also need to know about it, in order to save your horse. When the gastrointestinal tract is upset, abdominal pain occurs. This is the cause of horse colic. It is important to know that colic is not a disease/ailment, it is only a condition, and with timely attention it can be cured. You, as an owner, need to know and notice in time the symptoms of horse colic so that you can recognize it early on and take steps to prevent harm to your horse when there still is time for treatment.

The following are the danger signals of a horse beginning to suffer from colic: rolling around, kicking at abdomen, lying down more than is usual, restlessness, sweating or hyperventilation. Violence may be noticed in reaction to abdominal pain. Consult the vet immediately if any of the above symptoms are noticed. It is advisable that you keep the horse in the stall and do not give it any feed or water.

Torsion colic, gastric rupture, enteritis or colitis, impaction, spasmodic colic and gas are the various types of colic that might afflict your horse. Read on to know more about each type.

The first two-displacement and torsion-are almost inevitably fatal when not taken care of. The former occurs when an intestine is placed in an unnatural position, while the latter is a result of the intestine getting twisted. Immediate surgery is the only way to save your horse when either of these two occurs.

Your horse might be prone to overeating, and this might cause what is commonly known as gastric colic or gastric rupture. This happens when the horse’s stomach expands due to overeating, and since the horse is not designed to vomit, the excess food might cause the stomach to rupture when pushed past its limits. This too, is nearly almost always fatal.
Enteritis/colitis is a result of inflammation of either the small or the large intestine. The vet should immediately be consulted to prevent prolonged discomfort to the horse.

Partial or full blockage of the intestines causes impaction, and this condition is comparatively lighter as proper medical attention clears it in a short time.

Abnormal, quick and strong contractions of the intestines cause spasmodic colic. Parasites are the usual cause and, like the former, this too can be treated. The last, gas, causes the intestines to expand, but usually no treatment is needed.

What you should always keep in mind is that the fatal types of colic usually manifest with similar symptoms as the other types. So, all types should be given equal attention as you can never tell whether your horse’s discomfort might prove to be fatal or not.

Next we shall tell you about the symptoms of horse colic. The following are the most typical symptoms:-

The horse lies down and then gets up, and finally lying down again
Biting at its gut, the horse might bend its head and heck towards its abdomen, indicating discomfort. It also frequently tries to kick his abdominal area.

-The horse paws the ground repeatedly.
-It rolls around on the ground
-Your horse has trouble while defecating, and passes out less manure than is usual.
-It curls its upper lip, sweats profusely and hyperventilates.

The first thing you should do when you notice any of the symptoms is remove all food and water, and call the vet. Inform the vet about the changes in behaviour, eating habits or manure amounts. Unless your horse is acting violently, check its temperature, pulse, and capillary refill time (you can do this by pressing your fingers against the horse's gum, and then releasing and counting the seconds until the gum returns to normal color.)

Prevent any form of stress to your horse. To avoid violence, try to walk it slowly. This is turn, will prevent the horse rolling around on the ground. Try to keep it calm and avoid loud noise until medical intervention arrives. The vet will check and determine which type of colic your horse is suffering from. The treatment, if available for that particular type of colic, should be started immediately.

To prevent colic, take the following measure:-

-The feeding schedule should be regular. Half of the diet should comprise hay and forage, including more hay and water instead of grain. Excessive grain may play havoc with your horse’s system. Food changes, if at all necessary, should be introduced gradually over a period of time, and not abruptly.
-Immunizations should be kept up to date in order to prevent intestinal parasites.

Early diagnosis of colic is treatable. So don’t wince at the mention of the condition. Instead, take good care of your horse, try to prevent colic(prevention is better than cure), and if at all it occurs, proper and timely attention can cure your horse to give it back a healthy life.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/spencer/blog/do-s-and-don-8217ts-of-horse-colic/ Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:41:44 +0000 Spencer Before the vet arrives: First aid tips for horse owners http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/before-the-vet-arrives-first-aid-tips-for-horse-owners/ Horses as strong animals, but are susceptible to injuries nonetheless. Owners of horses must thus know some basic first aid for horses. However they s...
First Aid:
Timely first aid can be the difference between life and death for a horse. These basic steps can prevent permanent damage to the horse’s health too.
Approaching an injured horse:
Remember, horses are proud animals. Great care must be taken in approaching an injured horse. First assess the degree of the injury. If the injury is severe and the horse is in a state of great distress, it may be difficult to approach it. Approach it with caution. Remain calm, or else the horse will get more excited. Remove it to a familiar area if you can, and gently stroke it to calm it down. Try talking to it and soothing it, while you observe the injury.
If the horse is too excited to safely come near it, just call a vet and in the mean time, observe the changes in the injury.

Treating wounds:
Firstly, never treat a wound if it is too large. Call a veterinarian immediately. If you do venture to help a horse bleeding severely, take the following steps-

1. Apply a thick pad of gauze or a clean cloth folded many times to the wound. This acts as a pressure pad.

2. The pad puts pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. So make sure that the pad is firmly in place. Secure it by tying it. If that is not possible, simply hold it in place till the vet arrives.

3. Even if the pad is soaked with blood, do not remove it. Add another pad over the stained one and hold that in place.

4. Remember that horses bleed severely, so do not be alarmed if it takes over an hour for the bleeding to stop.

First Aid Kit:
A first aid kit is your best friend when there is no other help at hand for your horse. So keep it close and keep it well stocked. Every stable should have one, and you should carry one while riding too. It is advisable to keep it in a traveling kit, within a waterproof bag. Hook the kit on to the saddle, or attach it to your belt while riding.

Items to keep in your kit:

1.Basic items: Thermometer, Stethoscope, Latex gloves (for sanitary handling of wounds)


2.Tools: Flashlight (handy for seeing hidden wounds), Blunt nosed scissors, Knife (for making bandages or preparing a splint), Wire cutters (in case the horse is entangled in wire fencing), Twitch, Hoof-picks.

3.Medicines: Electrolytes in both powdered and paste form (re-hydrates the horse), Neosporin (anti-fungal), Diluted iodine solution (an antiseptic for deep cuts), Corona Wound Powder or Furacin or Nolvasan (antiseptic agents), Hydrogen peroxide, Ophthalmic Polysporin (used to treat eye injuries), Epsom salt, Betadine solution and scrub.

4.Bandages and bandaging materials: Wire gauze, Telfas (non-stick gauze), Diapers (used as pads on wounds), Duct tape (for securing the dressing), Leg wraps made of cotton, Elastoplasts of 1" and 2" varieties, Saran wrap, 6" of brown roll gauze, Med-Rip bandage tape.

5.Sprays and syringes: Irrigating syringe, 18 gauge needles, Anti-biotic spray.

6.Other useful items: Safety pins, Zip-lock bags, Petroleum jelly, frozen cooling packs or portable ice-packs.

This safety kit should be kept near at hand by every owner. The owner should also have some working knowledge of first aid and basic medicine, so he can help the horse at any time.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/before-the-vet-arrives-first-aid-tips-for-horse-owners/ Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:08:32 +0000 michael Proper Discipline for Puppies http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/proper-discipline-for-puppies/ The idea of punishing a puppy makes no more sense than the idea of punishing an infant child. Have you ever heard of anyone spanking a baby? The onl...
If you choose to punish a puppy, the most you will do is scare it and make it wary of you. If you smack a puppy, even lightly, all it knows is the pain of the strike and the fear it feels at that moment toward you. It doesn’t learn that it was doing something wrong because it’s too young to understand that concept.

If your puppy is chewing on something for instance, and you punish it with even a light tap, of course it will probably stop what it’s doing. It’s surprised and possibly feels pain from the smack, and now feels very frightened of you. It doesn’t link the punishment with what it was doing, though, and has no way of predicting when it might be punished next.

Shouting at the puppy can also do damage to your relationship. If you startle the puppy with a shout, of course it might stop what it’s doing. But again, the puppy doesn’t understand the relationship between its actions and your shouting. Even the angry tone of your voice can cause your puppy to be afraid for a moment.

If you use these punishments on a puppy, the puppy will learn to be afraid of you, or at the very least it will learn that you can be mean. The puppy might not trust you, because it doesn’t understand why you frighten it. This can keep the puppy from every really warming up to you, and you’ll be unable to have a good relationship as the puppy grows.

Some dogs are very passive, and will respond to you in a very defeated way. Your dog might stay in line all the time, solely out of fear, but it won’t ever trust you. Other dogs have a more stubborn streak, and because they feel threatened by you may attempt to dislodge you as the one in charge. Dogs are pack animals, and if your dog thinks it should be the leader, you might be in for many behavioral problems big and small.

At the very least, you won’t have as good a relationship with your dog as you could have.

Just as you would do with a very small child, use gentle correction when your puppy does something he shouldn’t do. Use gentle movements and a kind but firm tone of voice, so that your dog understands to stop without becoming frightened.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/proper-discipline-for-puppies/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:42:14 +0000 Winston Fall in Love With Horse Art http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/fall-in-love-with-horse-art/
Horse art can be captured in different mediums including oil paintings, acrylics, watercolorists, sculptors, colored pencils, charcoal, pen and ink, glass art, textiles/fabric and of course photographers.

Photos:

Horses have been captured in photos from famous race winners to noble steeds, to the playful neighbors horse rolling around in the grass. Famous photos include Seamus, the wonder horse; Lippazaner, the famous stallion Sandro and also Tom McNair & Sakr in the 5th Nationals.

There are many notable horse art artists including Dagmar Anderson, Carole Andreen-Harris, Megan Burford, Cholla, Debbie Dunbar, Graham Isom, Joan Larson, Joanne Mehl, Dee Dee Murry, Kathi Peters, Penelope Plumb, Sam Savitt, and also George Stubbs.

Artists have used many horse subjects such as dressage, driving, hunters and jumpers, Polo, Racing Saddleseat and Western Riding when capturing the spirit of horse art.

There are so many famous horse paintings, that it is difficult to name just a few. Some of the most striking are: Whistlejacket, Hambletonian, Rubbing Down, Blue Horses, Red Horses and Small Yellow Horses. There are some famous cave paintings at Lascaux in France.

Famous Horse Saying by Famous People:

Round-hoof'd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long,
Broad breast, full eye, small head and nostril wide,
High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong,
Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide;
Look, what a horse should have he did not lack,
Save a proud rider on so proud a back.
William Shakespeare

Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
Robert Browning

A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.
IAN FLEMMING

Sculpture:

Horses of History were captured in sculpture such as the Tang Dynasty Horse with head bowed to the left. Horses were the pride of the emperors, as several sculptures were found.

Horses of Anahita by William Morris Hunt is in the Art Institute of Chicago and is a large wall sculpture.

Horses played an important role in ancient Greece in the Parthenon Games and are the subject of many statues.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/fall-in-love-with-horse-art/ Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:08:31 +0000 Lina The Anatomy of a Horse http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/the-anatomy-of-a-horse/
The skeletal system of a horse is s...]]>
The skeletal system of a horse is significantly different from that of a human skeleton. The horse as an average of 205 bones. They do not have a collarbone, but have a front limb system that is attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, ligaments and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The legs and hooves are very unique as they are proportionately different from those of a human. The knee of a horse if very much like the carpal bones of a human (the wrist bones). The hock bones of a horse are like the ankle or heel bones of the human. The lower leg bones of the horse are very much like the hand and foot bones of the human. The fetlock is the proximal sesamoid bone between the cannon bones (like the metacarpal or metatarsal bones of the human - fingers and toes) and the proximal phalanges of the horse are located where one might find the "knuckles" on a human. Interestingly enough the horse has no muscles below the knees and hocks, only skin, hair, bone, tendons, ligaments and cartilage and a very specialized and assorted tissues that make up what is called the hoof.

The digestive system is well suited for an herbivore, which horses are. They mainly grass on grasses and other plant material. There are basically 3 categories of horse feed; pasture, hay, and concentrates. Pasture food is the greenery found in pastures. Horses doing light work can get along well with just pasture grazing if the area is large.

Hay is the basic food of most domestic horses. You need to feed horses good quality hay that has been inspected carefully before buying to guarantee that it is not green, that it does not contain dust, or mold. Hay can be soaked before feeding to be sure there is no dust content. There are three basic types of hay (Timothy, Brome and Alfalfa).

Concentrates are used to feed hard-working horses or pregnant horses or nursing mares, or very young horses. Concentrates are given to supplement the hay. Concentrates include grains (whole, rolled or cracked) sweet feed (grain mixed with molasses), or manufactured feeds (pellets, cubes, or extruded). You can feed beet pulp for additional bulk if needed. Beet pellets must be soaked first.

Horses need lots of fresh water. They can drink anywhere from 5 to 10 gallons of water each day.

Horses are known, as ruminants, which mean that they only have one stomach, just like humans. They have a "hind gut" that is called a cecum, or some people call it a "water gut", because food goes through this before reaching the large intestine. A horse surprisingly cannot vomit, so digestion problems can occur that can be serious even fatal, such as colic.

The teeth of a horse are perfectly designed for grazing. The horse has 12 incisors (six on top and six on bottom) that the horse uses to bite off grass and other vegetation. The horse also has 24 teeth for chewing. Stallions and geldings have four more teeth behind the incisors that are like canine teeth and are called "tushes". Some horses may develop small vestigial teeth in front of the molars, known as "wolf" teeth. If they develop these wolf teeth, they are usually pulled because they interfere with the bit.

The hooves are very important to the horse for movement. The hoof consists of distal phalanges (like a human fingertip or toe), which is surrounded by cartilage and other specialized soft tissue, which is rich in blood (laminae). There is an exterior hoof wall and a horn of the sole, which is made of the same type of material as the human fingernail is made of. Horseshoes are made to protect the horse's hooves. The hooves need to be trimmed and the horseshoes reset approximately every five to eight weeks.

The senses are more developed than those of a human because they are prey animals (other animals prey on them). This is why the horse has large eyes and excellent vision day and night. They have only a limited range of color vision though. Horses have difficulty distinguishing between the colors of green, brown and gray. They have a better sense of smell than humans. They have an outstanding sense of balance and sense of touch, which helps when it comes to warding off flies and mosquitoes. They need their keen sense of taste to tell the difference between good food and food that is poisonous or spoiled.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/the-anatomy-of-a-horse/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:00:44 +0000 Lina What Every Horse Needs http://www.riderscorral.com/spencer/blog/what-every-horse-needs/ Do horse owners really know what every horse is really
craving for, or that they physically and emotionally need? We all have heard of
horror stories ab

...]]> Do horse owners really know what every horse is really
craving for, or that they physically and emotionally need? We all have heard of
horror stories about abused horses, so we know that now all horse owners know
what their horses need.



Essentials:

Every horse needs basic essentials for growth, and good
health. These essentials include proper feeding, fresh and clean daily water,
shelter from inclement elements, companionship, exercise, mental relaxation,
and freedom from pain is basically what a horse needs.

Variety:



What a horse needs in addition to the basic essentials is
variety to break the monotony of life, as well as variety in diet. Horses love
flavor and can be delighted to experience different flavors in their feed including
banana, turmeric, oregano, garlic, ginger, rosemary, cherry and peppermint.
These flavorings can be added to otherwise unpalatable supplements.



Vary your horses feed by replacing some of the hay with a
short chopped hay replacer or a meal extender.



Mix it up a bit by putting the forage in different areas of
the stable.



Plant some meadow flowers and herbs in paddocks, including
wild thyme, marjoram, parsley and feverfew.



Vary his/her work assignments and you just may see a horse
with a livelier step.



Companionship:



Satisfy your horse's need for companionship by turning
him/her out as much as possible with other friendly horses.



Misc:



Do not hesitate to see a veterinarian's advice if you think
you may have a problem with one of your horses.



Do not physically strain any horse, especially while
working.



Avoid over-training by allowing plenty of time for any
stressful training session, such as loading.



Don't forget that every horse needs an annual dental
check-up, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
This annual exam will help to catch dental problems early when they are easier
to treat. Dental problems can result in significant weight loss, or colic.



Every horse needs tender loving care from owners who want to
spend time with the horse. Giving the horse the attention it needs and
deserves. The time and effort you put into being with and caring for your horse
will help to foster that bond between horse and rider that all owners want and
horses need.



There are many opportunities to spend time with your horse
including grooming, handling, and of course riding.



Horses need owners to be able to pay attention to how a
horse communicates. A horse communicates with the swivel of their ears and by
the movements of their hips, and with facial expressions. The horse needs for
someone to pay attention to the communication that he/she is trying to forge
between you and the horse.



If you provide for the physical needs of your horse, their
need for adequate medical and dental care, companionship, proper grooming, and
an opportunity to bond with their owner you will have a happy horse.


]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/spencer/blog/what-every-horse-needs/ Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:26:18 +0000 Spencer <![CDATA[Dressage Life: Check Horse's Mouth for Osteosarcoma]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/dressage-life-check-horse-s-mouth-for-osteosarcoma/
Throughout all these years, I’ve told many girls whom I’ve taught riding, “Being in love with horses is like a disease, it’s in your blood. It’s a part of you.” This is an analogy, but a disease is not really a good thing. Like a disease, you have to watch for signs that something might be wrong. How many times do you check your horse’s legs, give his body a once-over every time you get him from the pasture, take him out of the stall, or lead him to the barn? Do you ever think to check the inside of his mouth on a regular basis? If not, you want to add that to your checklist.

My partner for the last 10 years is a retired, Third level, Thoroughbred gelding that just turned 27. He was retired from the show ring at age 17 when I was introduced to him. He's still doing Third level work and even started jumping three summers ago and loves it. But that's not the real story.

Everyone that knows Rom knows he's special. He spent his show career throughout the state of North Carolina. Rom’s nickname became the "Energizer bunny." Yes, as the name implies, he keeps going and going and just gets better. But, this winter in the mountains of North Carolina, he faced the test of his life. Early in January, I stopped at the barn to check on him and he seemed fine. I went back two days later and there was an egg-shaped growth protruding from his right upper jaw. I called his vet, Dr. Amber Melton of Healing Springs Animal Hospital in Galax, Va., and after a quick exam, she found what appeared to be a large necrotic (black, dead tissue) mass surrounding the upper canine tooth. She immediately suggested a referral to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va., for mass removal and further diagnostics. Rom was trailered up that day and settled in.


A photo of Rom’s mouth, including the osteosarcoma, a rare equine form of bone cancer

The growth and canine tooth that the tumor surrounded were scheduled to be removed the next morning. During the night, Rom must have removed the tumor himself, by rubbing it off against the stall wall. That morning, the surgeon removed the diseased tooth, scoped and X-rayed his nasal passages. All results were normal. The histopathology report came back as an ossifying fibroma, which is a benign tumor that is unlikely to recur. I was thrilled and made several calls to all Rom’s “human friends” letting them know he was all right.

However, after getting him home, the growth came back three days later. I emailed Dr. Melton photos of his mouth and she suggested bringing him to Healing Springs Animal Hospital. After arriving, Dr. Melton debrided (scraped tissue) the area and sent off another sample for testing since the mass was not supposed to recur. She removed multiple tooth fragments and a large area of abnormal tissue from the previous procedure and performed cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen.

Rom stayed at the hospital following the surgery. He had a port stitched to his neck for his antibiotics (Potassium Penicillin and Gentamicin) and anti-inflammatory (Banamine) drugs. He also had twice daily mouth flushes. Throughout the ordeal, he was a good patient. He was able to chew his pellets on his left side, but hay was tough for a few days. Dr. Melton and I were sure he had one heck of a headache!

While we waited for the second histopathology report to come back, unhealthy, black tissue began forming again. This histopathology report came back as osteosarcoma, a rare equine form of bone cancer, which explained why the mass continued to recur. This cancer is so rare that Dr. Melton had never experienced it. There's not much out there, even when you Google it.

Dr. Melton discussed with me further treatment options for Rom including referral for radiation therapy or trying to further debride the area under general anesthesia. She and Dr. Jamie Cassell (also of Healing Springs Animal Hospital) worked together to perform Rom’s second surgery. After anesthetizing him, they successfully removed a large area of tumor and soft tissue surrounding the part of the maxilla (upper jaw) while also removing the tooth root. This time my calls to Rom’s "human friends" were to ask for prayers.

Rom spent a total of 10 days at Healing Springs Animal Hospital. Not only was I worried about Rom, but I was also stressing over when I could get him home. This past winter has been the worst in the North Carolina mountains since the early 60s. We had over 70 inches of snow and ice. I was able to go up and visit Rom one day when the roads were clear. We had one window of opportunity to get him home between snowstorms on Feb. 8 and had to take it. We were unable to trailer to the barn due to snow and ice and were forced to unload Rom on a main road. I had to walk him a quarter mile to the barn in snow that was over eight inches deep. His ears perked up when he saw his stall mate, Doc; he was glad to be home and so was I.

Dr. Melton came to our barn for spring shots in early April and was amazed at Rom's recovery. At the time of her visit, it had been eight weeks since the last procedure and as Dr. Melton said, “It's as if he never had a tooth there, there's not even a scar.” I now check Rom’s mouth a couple times a week and will do so the rest of his life.

It is spring now, and I’m working him. The first time I rode him since the surgeries, I had tears in my eyes. I wasn’t sure I’d have this opportunity again. We don’t know if or when the cancer will come back. Osteosarcomas appear to be locally invasive in horses, but can recur at the original site. This means that they do not tend to metastasize or spread to other areas of the body, but do tend to grow back even after surgical excision. But, right now we both have a smile on our faces, as life is good each and every day he’s here. Rom has given so much to so many people throughout his dressage career, and he just keeps giving now. He has given me another gift, more days with him, and that is a blessing I will cherish as long as I have him.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/dressage-life-check-horse-s-mouth-for-osteosarcoma/ Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:58:48 +0000 Winston Popular Dog Breeds http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/popular-dog-breeds/ There are 16 popular dog breeds that people turn to when they are looking to find a dog to own. Each of these breeds is popular for different reasons....
The 16 popular dog breeds are:

Beagle - The beagle is a scent hound and is an energetic dog, great for a family. Beagles love to hunt and are prone to wander if given the chance to escape.

Boxer - The boxer is a working dog with a shorthair coat. They are used in search and rescue work as well as police work and in the military. They are lively and strong and extremely loyal. They also have a high energy level like the Beagle does.

Bulldog - The Bulldog is a non-sporting dog that is strong, kind and courageous. This is NOT a vicious or aggressive dog. They crave human attention and need their humans to pay attention to them in order to be happy. They are very possessive of food and should never be fed while kids or other pets are present. They make excellent guard dogs.

Chihuahua - The Chihuahua is a toy breed with an average weight of only 6 lbs. They are the oldest but smallest breed in America. They can have very unique personalities and are energetic, yet graceful. They are often spoken of regarding their "human-like" expressions. They are NOT well suited for families with kids or those with other pets.

Dachshund - The Dachshund was originally bred for hunting badger. "Dachs" is the German word for Bader. This is a very intuitive dog and makes a good companion who loves to be around people. This is a very friendly and outgoing dog.

German Shepherd - The German Shepherd makes a great companion dog and is a dedicated worker, good for herding. This is a strong dog that is highly energetic, curious and dependable. They usually get along well with other household pets.

Golden Retriever - The Golden Retriever is a loyal dog that is kind and very energetic. This is a water lover who also loves to retrieve objects. They are very perceptive and very intelligent. They are good with other household pets and patient and gentle with kids. They require lots of attention and would not do well with a two-career family as they crave human companionship.

Labrador Retriever - The Labrador retriever is a sporting dog that is a popular family pet. They are highly intelligent, loyal and a very deeply devoted pet. They get along well with other dogs and make excellent watchdogs. They are very high-spirited dogs that love to play with family members, run and swim.

Maltese - The Maltese is a toy breed averaging in weight from 4 to 7 lbs. They are very playful, social dogs that are happy to be the center of attention. They are very gentle and trusting. They love to be cuddled and held. They do not do well with ill-behaved children. They can be over-protective of their human family, and of their "territory". They are fearless, and agile and require a high level of exercise. They do need to be securely leashed and supervised at all times.

Poodle - The poodle is a non-sporting breed that comes in all colors such as silver, cream, gray, blue, black, white, apricot, red, and brown. This is a very loyal dog, can be very athletic and yet graceful. The poodle is very devoted to its owner. They have sensitive natures and do not respond well to harsh or heavy-handed methods. They usually love to swim and enjoy walks. They will run off if not secured with a lead or leash. The toy poodle tends to be neurotic. The Standard poodle does well with children.

Pomeranian - The Pomeranian is another toy breed that comes in all colors and pattern of coat. They are intelligent, and extremely loyal and loving towards family members. They are not good in homes with children as they can be very temperamental. They do make good guard dogs and will bark when they sense danger. They are easy to train but difficult to housebreak. They can be litter box trained though, so that makes up for the difficulty in housebreaking. They only require short walks. They do well in apartments.

Pit bull - The pit bull is a favorite of farmers and ranchers for protecting livestock and to catch hogs and semi-wild cattle. This dog is really loyal and deeply devoted but affectionate and good-natured. They do NOT make good guard dogs for humans though as they are too friendly. They need early socialization and obedience training. They need lots of exercise such as long walks, hiking, and plenty of play sessions with a Frisbee or ball.

Pug - The pug is another of the toy breed dogs but can get up to 18 lbs in weight. Pugs make excellent watchdogs despite the size. They are very sturdy and can be a devoted companion. They are extremely good with kids. They get along with other dogs but need to be socialized when they are young. They are very lively little dogs. This dog is susceptible to breathing problems and tires easily.

Rottweiler - Rottweilers are working dogs and are usually black with tan markings. They do well with tracking, herding, police work, and guarding. They are a fun loving dog and can be very protective of a family and their home. They need to be socialized at an early age. Obedience training is a must for this dog. They need a very large yard to run around in, preferably fenced. They love long walks and do well in different sports. They need two hours of exercising each day.

Shih Tzu - A Shih Tzu is a very active and happy dog. This is an intelligent dog that gets along well with older kids and other pets. These dogs can be easily spoiled. The Shih Tzu needs extensive grooming because they can get tangles and mats. They can be very difficult to housetrain. They do not respond well to punishment. They do well with obedience training provided it is done with positive motivation. They are well suited for apartment living.

Yorkie - The Yorkie is another toy breed favorite and loves to be your "lap dog". They are very intelligent dogs that crave human attention and make great companions. They are loyal and do well with older children. They learn very quickly and must be given lots of praise during training. They do not need much exercise but do love do go for short walks. They need lots of attention.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/popular-dog-breeds/ Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:58:35 +0000 michael What First Time Horse Owners Need To Know About Horses http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/what-first-time-horse-owners-need-to-know-about-horses/ Owning a horse is exciting and something that first time owners may have been waiting a long time to do. In order to make the experience a rewarding o

...]]> Owning a horse is exciting and something that first time owners may have been waiting a long time to do. In order to make the experience a rewarding one, first time horse owners should take the time to reall understand the horse they are buying to be sure that the horse fit the purpose for which it is being purchased. You want a good match between horse and horse owner or the experience will be frustrating and perhaps an unhappy one. When purchasing a horse for the first time there are many things besides a good match in purpose to look out for. You need to look at the training the horse has received, the competitive record if the horse is being purchased to race, the breeding of the horse, you want to have disclosed any defects and have them inspected by a vet, you also want to discover what the seller's reason is for selling the horse as this may have a bearing on the quality of the horse.

Young horses and stallions are not suitable for first time
owners. A horse for a first time owner should be trained by a knowledgeable
person for the task that the first time owner is purchasing the horse for. A
horse that is suitable for a first time horse owner would be a horse that is at
least 6 years of age, is well trained and has a good disposition.

First time horse owners will also need to be sure that they
are prepared to shelter, feed, groom and see to the medical and dental needs of
the horse.

One necessity of a horse is for shelter. They will need not
only an outdoor pasture and corral but also a stable with a stall. The stall
size depends on the size of the horse.

8' X 8' stalls are fine for ponies and horses up to 12 hands

8' X 10' stalls will fit horses from 12 to 14 hands

10' X 10' stalls will be good for horses that are 14 to 16
hands

12' X 10' stalls will fit horses that are 16 to 17 hands

Horses that are over 17 hands will require a stall that measures 12'X 12'

Grooming tools that a first time horse owner will need to have on hand before the horse is purchased are:

A dandy brush, which is a stiff, bristled brush and used for thick-coated horses and ponies. It removes heavy dirt or is used to clean a long coat. The bristles may irritate or tickle horses, so care must be used when this type of brush is used on a horse. You can use this brush to damp to lay the mane down.

Shedding blades or combs have a variety of styles and are strips of metal with blunt teeth and a handle on each end. It is used to remove dead hair. When horses shed their heavy winter coats the shedding blade comes in handy.

A body brush is a soft bristled brush with a handle that is used on the head and other boned regions of the horse's body. They are used with metal currycombs.

Feeding a horse:

Grass or timothy hay is usually a good hay to feed a horse. If the horse is hard working, high energy or young you may do well to give it an additional flake or two of alfalfa.

Horses on average will eat 2 lbs of hay for every 100 lbs of body weight. Horses eat 3 times each day. When you feed a horse 3 times a day it mimics grazing which is a natural digestive state for the horse and eliminates boredom for horses that are stalled most of the time.

Your feed store will have grains, sweet feeds, and other combination mixes to give to your horse on occasion or if your horse has additional nutritional needs. Your vet can give you advice on the particular nutritional needs of your horse.

A horse needs an unlimited supply of fresh, clean, cool drinking water at all times. Water a horse using buckets or an automatic waterer, or large trough for when the horse is turned out in the pasture.

Free choice minerals or salt blocks are essential for the health of your horse. You should have these mineral blocks or salt blocks somewhere in the stalls, or in a turnout area where they cannot be rained on.

]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/what-first-time-horse-owners-need-to-know-about-horses/ Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:18:43 +0000 Lina <![CDATA[Trainers' Showcase Highlights Talents of Unwanted Mustangs]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/trainers-showcase-highlights-talents-of-unwanted-mustangs/ In an effort to erase the image of the broken-down, unwanted horse, the Grace Foundation, located in El Dorado Hills, Calif., along with the Western S...

Alejandro Salazar works with Blue Amber, a 10-year-old rescued Mustang, at the Rescue Me Trainers' Showcase.
Photos courtesy of David Reynolds/The Grace Foundation
In fall 2009, the Grace Foundation took in part of a large group of horses that had been branded with a symbol that looks like the capital letter "U" to indicate they were the most unwanted of the unwanted. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had sent these Mustangs through three auctions with no one bidding on them. When that happens, the BLM’s policy is to cease responsibility of the horses. Many rescue organizations pitched in to save these Mustangs and find them new homes, among them the Grace Foundation.

"When I looked at these horses, I could see what happened. They were just plain brown horses," says Beth DeCaprio of the Grace Foundation. "Nobody wanted them because they weren't flashy in any way. I thought that was so sad."

The Grace Foundation trailered 31 of the rescued Mustangs from Texas back to their Northern California facility and brought the horses back to good health. Then Beth developed a plan to showcase the plain brown horses at the big Western States Horse Expo and then offer them for adoption. She invited 31 trainers to each take on a rescued Mustang for two and a half months and uncover each horse’s potential.

Professional trainer Alejandro Salazar volunteered to see what he could do with a 10-year-old gelding they named Blue Amber.

"He had a kind eye. I liked that he seemed curious and interested in me," says Alejandro. Blue Amber is turning into a horse with job prospects.

"I’m confident that, with more time, Blue could go in a number of directions: competitive trails, working cow horse, reiner or low-level dressage, even a quiet pony club mount," says Alejandro. "He has been a pleasure to work with and a happy surprise."


Alejandro Salazar shows off his accomplishments with Blue Amber.

No one was more surprised than the crowd at the Western States Expo on June 10, 2010, when Alejandro presented Blue to the public. The photo tells the story. From unwanted to elegant. All of the Grace Foundation’s unwanted Mustangs were presented at the trainers’ showcase, and all have been adopted to new homes.

It took a lot of effort and a lot of caring people to save Blue Amber and the other most unwanted of the unwanted. Beth is happy.

"The trainers' showcase isn't a competition; it's a platform to reach the horse-loving public with an important message," she says.

Blue Amber is no broken-down horse. He might be a plain brown horse, but he’s clearly on his way to a better future.

The August 2010 issue of Horse & Rider magazine features "Rescue Me!", which offers tips for deciding if a rescue horse is right for your program and provides pointers for finding the right rescue organization with which to work.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/trainers-showcase-highlights-talents-of-unwanted-mustangs/ Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:19:51 +0000 Winston Buying versus Adopting a Cat http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/buying-versus-adopting-a-cat/ When the time comes to welcome a cat into the family, the question of whether to purchase a cat from a breeder or pet store or to instead adopt a cat

...]]> When the time comes to welcome a cat into the family, the question of whether to purchase a cat from a breeder or pet store or to instead adopt a cat from another family or an animal shelter can come up. If you’re looking for a purebred cat to take to cat shows then there is no question that you will probably wind up dealing with an expensive purchase, but if you don’t really care about the purebred status of a cat then your options are wide open.

Purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store comes with some benefits. Many of these places offer guarantees and documentation which allows you to not submit your cat to shows and to use your cat for breeding purposes, but for some people it’s a matter of status. Some cat owners swear by certain breeds with regards to a good temperament or healthy constitution, and the only way these folks can be guaranteed that they are getting exactly the breed of cat they want is by purchasing one that has accompanying documentation. For some people, this is the only way they would consider bringing a cat into their home.

Adopting a cat opens up the possibilities considerably, because there are usually a huge variety of cats of all breeds and ages awaiting adoption. Since a lot of these cats had previous owners, most of them are litter box trained and used to living with people. Some cats at shelters come with a full history, such as if they deal well with young children or with other pets. There is also a great feeling that can come with adopting a cat since some cats that are never adopted wind up euthanized by the shelter. There simply isn’t always enough room for all the cats in the shelter, so sometimes there is no other choice. By adopting a cat, you’re saving the cat’s life.

Not all adopted cats come from shelters. Some people have to give their cats away for whatever reason – allergies develop, moving to another city, financial problems – so if you peruse the pet ads within a local newspaper you’ll probably find an impressive selection of cats looking for new homes. The advantage of adopting a cat from another family is that there usually isn’t any charge involved unless the cat is a purebred with documentation. The disadvantage is that unless you take the cat to a veterinarian beforehand, you can’t ever be quite sure if the cat has some underlying health issues that may wind up costing you quite a bit of money.

The choice of whether to purchase a cat or instead adopt one is easy for some people, while other folks may struggle with the decision. If you aren’t sure with which route to explore, start at your local animal shelter and take a look at the cats there. Chances are you’ll find a great cat that will fit right into your family nicely, and as a bonus you can feel good knowing you’ve saved a life.

]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/buying-versus-adopting-a-cat/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:18:45 +0000 michael Bathing Your Dog without Needing To Redecorate http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/bathing-your-dog-without-needing-to-redecorate/ Dogs usually fall into two categories: there are those that love to be bathed or at least quietly submit to it, albeit looking as pathetic as a drowne...
Sure, bathing your dog without needing to redecorate is not brain surgery, but there are simple dos and don’ts to observe nonetheless.

1.Have a tub that is big enough to hold the entire dog. Split sinks - such as they are found in the majority of kitchens - are great for a Yorkshire terrier but when it comes to a Rottweiler they might be a bit undersized. You do need to have enough space for the dog to fit into the tub in its entirety.

2.Dogs hate slipping. Many a time when a dog is trying to escape a bath it is not the water or bathing that it loathes but the feeling of slipping in the tub. Placing a cheap rubber mat on the bottom of the tub is an easy way to fix this problem and keep the pooch securely in place.

3.Prior to the bath, brush dogs with long coats to get rid of tangles and also clumps of hair. Waiting until after the bath makes detangling a lot more difficult and will also clog your drain.

4.Invest in a high quality shampoo for the dog. Do not use dish soap or shampoo as this will dry out your dog’s skin in no time, leading to endless scratching and chewing, bald spots and before long the need for costly treatments. Considering that a dog is only bathed once very two to three weeks, you will get a lot of use out of that bottle of high priced shampoo and splurging should not hurt the pocket book overmuch.

5.Use lukewarm water – cold water is just as distasteful to your dog as cold showers are to you – and take care to not get water into its ear canals! If necessary, consider gently placing a little cotton ball into the ear canal to keep the water out.

6.Massage the shampoo into your dog’s fur and gently talk to your pooch. The dog should associate relaxing and soothing tones with the activity, not barked orders and pulling on tails or yanking on ears. Just like with a child, this is not the time to interrupt and take a phone call while the dog is freezing in the tub. When you are bathing your canine, it is best to stick with the activity at hand and not interrupt.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/bathing-your-dog-without-needing-to-redecorate/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:21:27 +0000 michael Want A Better Horse, Grow A Better Pasture http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/want-a-better-horse-grow-a-better-pasture/

Hay pri...]]>

Hay prices equates to: You’d better have a quality pasture. It just makes good horse-sense to make good use of your pasture. How do you do that?

The first thing any horse owner should do is to have a soil test done. Check your local agriculture extension service, or ask at a agricultural college if you have one nearby. Students are sometimes interested in doing soil test just for the lab experience.

Make sure you have the information you need concerning the best grasses to plant for maximum nutrition for your horses. Should you seed in some clover, alfalfa? Do you know what grasses you presently have in your pasture?

Depending on the soil test results, you may need to fertilize; just make sure you keep the horses out of the pasture while you do it. Follow all instructions on the fertilizer packaging and use a good fertilizer or lime or whatever the test result says you need. You want to grow the best pasture possible. Make sure you eliminate any weed problems too. Block off the field if you will be using a herbicide.

All pastures need regular mowing. You may need to mow two or three times over a growing season. The fresher the grass the more palatable it is for the horses.

Once a month drag the pasture in order to break up piles of manure. This will help to eliminate "contaminated" areas. This will allow the manure to break down more easily as fertilizer.

Make sure that you can rotate the pastures. Do not let horses overgraze in a pasture. Make sure the pastures are level and irrigate whenever needed. Pastures should have an adequate supply of mineral because the horses will make better use of the pasture grasses.

Pastures are a necessity when you have horses. Horses need the outdoor time in the sun. Make sure that you keep fresh water in the trough (located in the pasture). The best place for the trough is near the gate. Clean the trough weekly. You can also use "muck buckets", secured to the fence and filled with clean, fresh water.

Cold Weather Pasture Care:

Manure mixed with slush or rain can turn into mire and be a real mess, so clean it up quickly.

Before the snow falls pickup and put away trotting poles, jumps or anything else that may prove hazardous if left out and hidden by snow.

Make sure that all repairs to the pasture all done before the temps dip. Once the ice and snow hits you won't want to be doing any fence repairs.

If you have any hollows in front of gates or doors make sure you fill them in to prevent ice hazards.

Install water heaters in your troughs before the first freeze or the horses will not have water to drink. Also if the water in a trough is too cold, and horses drink it, this can lead to colic caused by impaction. Use a Ground Fault indicator receptacle to plug your water heater in to.

In late fall (depending on what area you are in) fertilize and "frost seed" legumes and grasses. Your local agricultural office can give you specific recommendations regarding how to care for your pasture during cold weather.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/want-a-better-horse-grow-a-better-pasture/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:16:22 +0000 michael Feeding Horses Treats http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/feeding-horses-treats/
When a stranger feeds a horse a treat they do not know the horse. They are not aware of how many treats the horse has already had and the fact that too many treats could give the horse colic. The stranger does not know what kind of diet the horse is on, what kind of medications or if the horse is restricted in any way regarding feed and treats.

The horse will learn a behavioral habit when stranger feed him. The horse will expect and seek out treats if it becomes a habit to receive treats when he comes up to the front of the stall. If he has learned this behavior and comes up to the front of the stall and a stranger does NOT give him a treat, the horse may resort to nipping, being pushy or other demanding and poorly mannerisms to beg a treat. This is a learned behavior fostered by the unthinking treat giving strangers who have come before you.

The horse owner has the right to ask that you not give treats without permission because the owner after all is the one that has the time and financial investment in the horse. The owner knows what kind of diet the horse is on. The owner knows if the horse is taking medications that may restrict what kinds of treats he may have and how many. The horse owner knows if the horse has any food allergies and the stranger does not know this information.

Be kind to the horse, by respecting his dietary needs; ask the owner first before giving the horse a treat. Part of keeping a horse healthy is regulating what the horse eats. It is difficult to regulate the horse’s diet if strangers are feeding him treats.

Another hazard that occurs when strangers feed treats to stabled horses or horses in a corral is that they sometimes leave empty plastic treat bags, or twist ties on the ground where the horse can pick it up and ingest it. Ingesting items such as these can lead to death!

Respect the health and well-being of these magnificent creatures by asking before giving treats (ask the owner not the horse). If you truly love horses, you will understand the need for the owner to control what treats the horse receives and how often he receives them.

Asking the owner if you can give a horse a treat may lead to you finding out that the horse owner prefers the treat to be placed in the manger instead of to hand-feed the treat, or that the horse is on a special diet and the treat you wanted to give him would have made him sick.

Feeding another person's horse a treat without asking permission is just as rude as a complete stranger coming up and feeding your child or dog a treat without asking permission to do so.

Next time you are tempted to give a treat to another person’s horse, stop and go ask permission first.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/feeding-horses-treats/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:08:29 +0000 Lina Important First Aid and Wound Care Tips for Horses http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/important-first-aid-and-wound-care-tips-for-horses/ Every horse owner should know basic first aid for horses. There are two types of first aid that may be needed to be rendered to a horse: treatment for...
First aid given to a horse can make a difference in the outcome of the horse's recover and future health.

The owner or other individual performing first aid on a horse must first of all remain calm. Someone who panics may cause further harm to the horse or may become injured if the horse becomes too excited or scared. Make sure it is safe to approach the horse. If it is not safe, do not go near the horse, but wait for the vet. You can watch the horse so that you can report any changes to the vet when the vet arrives.

If the horse can be moved, bring the horse to a familiar area where you can work on the horse while calming the horse down. Rub the horse's neck or talk to it while you move slowly around the horse to assess the injuries or the wound.

Wound care:

Always seek a vet's care if the wound is large, or you do not feel comfortable treating it by yourself. It may take up to an hour for fresh wounds to stop bleeding so do not be alarmed if it takes this long. If there is severe bleeding, you will need to apply a pressure bandage directly to the wound using a thick pad of gauze or clean cloth folded several times. If you cannot wrap the bandage to keep it in place, then you will need to hold it in place until the bleeding stops. If the pad becomes blood soaked, DO NOT REMOVE IT. Place another pad over the soaked pad and continue to apply steady pressure until the vet arrives.

A first Aid Kit is a necessity:

You should have a first aid kit in the stable and with you while traveling with your horse. Use a waterproof bag for the traveling kit. You will want to attach the kit to the saddle or to your belt if riding.

Items you should have in your first aid kit:

Thermometer

Stethoscope

Flashlight

Electrolytes (powder and paste), used for dehydration

Neosporin

Diluted iodine solution

Nolvasan, Furacin, Corona Wound Powder (antiseptic)

Hydrogen peroxide

Knife for making a splint or for cutting bandages

Wire cutters in case the horse get tangled in fencing

Twitch

Hoof picks

Fly lotion

Ophthalmic Polysporin for eye injuries

Bandaging materials such as gauze, Telfas, which are non-stick gauze, duct tape, diapers to be used as pressure dressings

Cotton leg wraps

Elastoplast (1" and 2")

Saran wrap

6" brown roll gauze

Med-Rip bandage tape

Latex Gloves

18 gage needles

Irrigating syringe

Antibiotic spray

Safety pins

Zip lock bags

Epsom salt

Betadine solution and betadine scrub

Petroleum jelly

Blunt-nosed scissors

If possible it is good to have some frozen cooling packs or other portable ice packs to be used in cold therapy.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/lina/blog/important-first-aid-and-wound-care-tips-for-horses/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:06:03 +0000 Lina