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What Every Horse Needs

Spencer — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:26:18 +0000

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.

Dressage Life: Check Horse's Mouth for Osteosarcoma

Winston — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:58:48 +0000

Horses have been in my life since I was a little girl. My parents couldn’t afford lessons, so I made do with Breyer horses growing up. They galloped in place and took me on many an adventure on the shelves my dad built for me in my room. It’s been 26 years now that I’ve been a recreational dressage rider and had a horse in my life thanks to my great husband (who gives me the opportunity to make one a part of our lives).

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.

Popular Dog Breeds

michael — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:58:35 +0000

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. When looking for a dog, it might be a good thing to know something about these popular breeds before you begin your search.

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.

What First Time Horse Owners Need To Know About Horses

Lina — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:18:43 +0000

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.

Trainers' Showcase Highlights Talents of Unwanted Mustangs

Winston — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:19:51 +0000

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 States Horse Expo, has developed an event called the Rescue Me Trainers' Showcase.

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.

Buying versus Adopting a Cat

michael — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:18:45 +0000

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.

Bathing Your Dog without Needing To Redecorate

michael — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:21:27 +0000

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 drowned rat, and then there are those that will struggle, fight, try to get out of the tub, and by and large carry on to such an extent that the water will be everywhere and a large dog trying to escape may actually do quite a bit of damage to your dainty furniture and Japanese silk screens. In some cases there is precious little you can do about this other than taking the dog to a professional groomer or relegating grooming activities outside. In other cases, however, the dog is not opposed to being bathed - it just does not appreciate your lack of skill!

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.

Want A Better Horse, Grow A Better Pasture

michael — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:16:22 +0000

Pastures are more than fencing and grass, at least to horse owners who care about horses. A quality pasture is worth, well its weight in hay

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.

Feeding Horses Treats

Lina — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:08:29 +0000

There are many visitors to horse stables who unintentionally do harm to horses by feeding them treats without asking the permission of the horse's owner. There are many reasons why giving a horse a treat may cause harm to the horse.

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.

Important First Aid and Wound Care Tips for Horses

Lina — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:06:03 +0000

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 injuries or wounds that do not require vet attention and first aid measures that should be rendered while waiting for a vet to arrive.

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.

Do You Know What Horse Colic Is?

Winston — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:49:30 +0000

Horse owners cringe at the mention of the word, "colic". Colic is the number one cause of death for horses. Colic is abdominal pain that occurs when there are gastrointestinal tract upsets. It is not a disease or illness, it is a condition. Owners need to be aware of the symptoms of colic so that they can understand what is happening to their horse early on, when there is still time for medical attention.

Symptoms to look for include a horse that is rolling around, kicking at his abdomen, or lying down more than is usual or who appears restless, may be sweating, or have an increased rate of breathing. Some horses may react in an almost violent way to abdominal pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, keep the horse in his stall and do not give him any feed or water. Call the vet immediately.

There are several types of colic including displacement or torsion colic, gastric rupture, enteritis or colitis, impaction, spasmodic, and gas.

Displacement is when an intestine is placed in an unnatural position. Torsion is when the intestine is twisted. These two conditions are very similar and are highly fatal. They both require immediate surgical intervention to save the horse's life.

Gastric rupture is when the horse's stomach expands due to overeating. The horse is not designed to be able to vomit, so when he overeats he cannot vomit the excess food. The stomach when pushed past its limits can rupture. This kind of rupture is fatal.

Enteritis/colitis is when the small or large intestine swells due to an inflammation. This causes great discomfort for the horse. A vet should be notified immediately so treatment can be administered.

Impaction is a partial or full blockage that happens in the intestines. When medical intervention occurs the conditions clears.

Spasmodic colic occurs when the intestines contract in abnormal, quick and strong fashion. The cause is usually parasites. The condition is very uncomfortable for the horse. If the vet is contacted immediately, the condition can be treated.

Gas can cause the intestines to expand a little bit and is a little uncomfortable, but is relieved when the gas is passed. Usually no treatment is needed.

The fatal types of colic have the same symptoms as the other types of colic so it is important to treat all cases as if they were the fatal type.

Typical symptoms of colic:

You may notice the horse lying down and then getting up, and then lying down again

The horse bends its head and neck towards his abdomen. When doing this horse may bite at his gut

Repeated pawing of the ground

The horse tries to kick his abdominal area

He rolls around on the ground

You notice a decrease in the normal amount of manure from the horse

He curls his upper lip, may sweat profusely, or breathe rapidly

Remove all food and water from the horse and immediately call the vet.

Let the vet know about any unusual behavior, eating habits, or change in manure amounts. You may need to check the horse's temperature (do not do if the horse is acting violent), pulse, and capillary refill time (press fingers against the horse's gum, release and count the seconds until the gum returns to normal color).

You want to prevent your horse from rolling around on the ground, so try to walk your horse slowly until the vet arrives. Try to keep the horse calm. Keep him away from loud noises. Do not overexert your horse. Do not stress the horse in any way.

Your vet will examine the horse and determine which type of colic he has. An appropriate treatment will be started if there is one for the type of colic your horse has.

Preventing Colic:

Every horse should be on a regular feeding schedule. Half of a horse's diet should consist of hay or forage. There should be more hay and water than grain. Avoid feeding excessive amounts of grain to your horse. If it is necessary to make any feed changes make sure to gradually make the change.

Avoiding intestinal parasites by keeping your horse up to date on his immunizations will also help to prevent colic.

Colic that is caught early can be treated and your horse's life saved. Horse's can survive colic and go on to live a long and happy life.

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

Jane Lu — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:54:22 +0000

We are resolved into the supreme air,
We are made one with what we touch and see,
With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,
With our young lives each springimpassioned tree
Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range
The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

With beat of systole and of diastole
One grand great life throbs through earth's giant heart,
And mighty waves of single Being roll
From nerveless germ to man, for we are part
Of every rock and bird and beast and hill,
One with the things that prey on us, and one with what we kill

One sacrament are consecrate, the earth
Not we alone hath passions hymeneal,
The yellow buttercups that shake for mirth
At daybreak know a pleasure not less real
Than we do, when in some freshblossoming wood
We draw the spring into our hearts, and feel that life is good

Is the light vanished from our golden sun,
Or is this daedalfashioned earth less fair,
That we are nature's heritors, and one
With every pulse of life that beats the air?
Rather new suns across the sky shall pass,
New splendour come unto the flower, new glory to the grass.

And we two lovers shall not sit afar,
Critics of nature, but the joyous sea
Shall be our raiment, and the bearded star
Shoot arrows at our pleasure! We shall be
Part of the mighty universal whole,
And through all Aeons mix and mingle with the Kosmic Soul!.

We shall be notes in that great Symphony
Whose cadence circles through the rhythmic spheres,
And all the live World's throbbing heart shall be
One with our heart, the stealthy creeping years
Have lost their terrors now, we shall not die,
The Universe itself shall be our Immortality!.

Everything you need to know about horses and treats

Winston — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:52:46 +0000

A lot of you may think treating horses to food at any time is a good idea. But giving a horse a treat without knowing its dietary habits can cause a lot of harm to the animal’s health.

As a stranger, you are always unfamiliar to the fixed dietary habits of the horse. You don’t know how much it’s already eaten or whether certain foods are restricted for that horse. You may not know it, but the horse may be taking special medication that disagrees with the treat you are about to give it. Also, feeding it too much could give it colic and other such digestive problems.

Treating horses habitually is also not advisable. Horses may get conditioned into expecting the treats and then react adversely if the treat is not given. This establishment of a behavioral pattern is what classical psychologists call ‘conditioning’. Ivan Pavlov, a psychologist, discovered in his experiments with dogs, that animals may get conditioned into expecting food at a particular time. After this they will continue to salivate and expect food at that time of the day, even if the food is not given. Thus if you treat a horse often and then suddenly stop doing so, it may start nickering or nudging you when it wants the food. This kind of begging for food is considered unmannerly in horses. It is only because of thoughtless strangers who treat them, that they form such habits.

The owner of the horse must be respected. The horse is after all, his investment and he is the one who knows it best. The owner alone will know what the horse eats, what it must not eat and what medication it may be on. The horse may also have allergies that a stranger will not know of.

To respect both the owner and the horse, always ask the owner if it is ok to treat the horse. Horses are bred by conditioning and eating restrictions are part of their training process. If strangers keep feeding the horse, it will be impossible to restrict the horse’s diet to what it needs.

Another thing to remember is not to litter the stable or corral where the horse is kept. Sometimes, horses will accidentally ingest harmful garbage such as plastic bags that have been left on the ground by careless strangers. These substances are toxic and harmful to the health of the horse.

Remember that asking permission before treating a horse is not belittling to you. It shows that you truly love horses and respect their owners as well. Imagine if someone came up to your child or pet and fed it something without asking you. Feeding a horse a treat without asking the owner is equally unmannerly.

There are many advantages to asking permission first. The horse may prefer to be fed the treat in a particular way, which only the owner knows about. Say, it prefers for the food to be left at the stable rather than hand-fed to it. Forcing it to do otherwise is very rude and unwise. Or say the treat you are giving it is will cause the horse to fall sick. How would you know if your treat is safe if you don’t ask the owner?

Thus it makes great sense to talk to the owner of a horse before you try to feed it. Asking a few basic questions will reflect well on you, and it will be beneficial for the overall health of the horse.

Keeping Your Pregnant Mare & Unborn Foal Safe & Healthy

Lina — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:49:46 +0000

Keeping Your Pregnant Mare and Unborn Foal Safe and Healthy

It is assumed that the pregnancy started with a healthy mare and that all physical, mental and emotional factors are normal. A mare that is a little on the plump side when she becomes pregnant is actually ideal, as she will usually do better. You want her to not only make it through the pregnancy but also have enough milk for the foal and a plump mare just does better in both situations. The mare should be current on all vaccinations before becoming pregnant. Be careful not to give any vaccinations during the first 90 days of her pregnancy.

There basically is not a whole lot to do that is different from normal care during the first 4 to 5 months of the pregnancy. You can even ride a pregnant mare for the first nine months of pregnancy as long as you do not do any risk activities (jumping, racing etc.). In fact, the mare will benefit from the exercise of riding her.

The foal will start to double in size the last 2 months of pregnancy and this is when the mare should be turned out so that she can get free exercise. She many experience swollen legs during these last two months of pregnancy and it is preferred to have her free exercise rather than to be ridden.

A pregnant mare needs to have adequate amounts of minerals during her pregnancy, which can be given using a commercial mineral mix that contains 25% salt to increase the palatability of the mineral supplement contained in the mix. Be careful NOT to feed any other source of salt to the mare while she is on this mineral supplement that contains salt.

When she reaches her 5th, 7th, and 9th months of pregnancy a vaccine for rhino pneumonitis should be given. This disease is serious, not to the mare but to her unborn foal, as it can cause abortion in pregnant mares and respiratory distress in young horses. During her last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy she will need to be given a routine booster for a variety of equine disease so that she will make new antibodies for these diseases, which will pass on to the foal in the mare's colostrum when she nurses. During the first few months of life the foal's immune system is maturing and until it does the foal will need the antibodies from the mare's colostrum to stay healthy.

Avoiding parasites:

The mare should be dewormed following a regular schedule until the last month of pregnancy. During that last month of pregnancy the mare should receive a daily dewormer until the foal stops nursing. Following this deworming schedule will greatly reduce the incidence of parasitism for both the mare and foal.

Hooves During Pregnancy:

Especially during those last two months of pregnancy the mare's hooves will be carrying a lot more weight and need to be checked more frequently for break up or splaying of the hooves. They need regular trimming and special attention.

Caring Properly for Your Horse

Lina — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:44:36 +0000

Caring Properly for Your Horse

There are many daily care tasks that are necessary for the health of your horse. Hooves need to be cleaned and checked, you need to check your horse's teeth, joints, and digestive health. You need to make good decisions regarding the right feed, watch out for foot and leg issues, buying proper tack and perform correct grooming. Your horse will need regular vaccinations and deworming, of course plenty of riding exercise.

To keep your horse healthy you need to be on the constant alert for any number of horse ailments that may crop up such as horse allergies, colic, Cushing's disease, dehydration illnesses, dermatitis and other skin conditions, Heaves, head shaking (a nerve problem or associated with allergies), stomach problems and ulcers, and also West Nile Virus.

Health care also requires regular vet care, learning how to care for your horse during cold weather, or caring for a horse after it has a surgery such as a castration, dealing with preventing heat stress and how to check your horse's teeth and perform dental care.

There are also less pleasant tasks such as preventing parasites, worms and insects from bothering your horse and making him sick.

Your horse also needs you to be able to recognize basic horse behavior changes and illness such as cribbing which is a sign of stress and nervousness, or hind limb interference which is when a horse hits its back legs together, or moos swings and temperament changes which could be a sign of illness and don't forget the bored horse which may kick a stall door in, or do a behavior called, "stall walking and weaving".

You need to know common horse first aid such as what to do for common injuries such as bumps and minor hematomas, knots and knobs.

Horses can also suffer from back pain, bowed tendons, broken bones, feeding issues and the special needs of older horses.

Part of properly caring for your horse is learning how to feed, groom train and exercise your horse.

There are special care needs for shelter and fencing, seasonal care, hoof care, parasite control, euthanasia decisions for older horses or horses that are seriously ill and decisions about breeding and buying additional horses. The life of a horse owner is never dull or simple, but it can be tedious as many of the tasks are the same day after day.

Taking proper care of your horse as time consuming as it may be it can also be very rewarding work. There is nothing quite so special as the bond between horse and rider, especially when the rider has a lot of time and finances invested in the health of the horse. One of the best ways to bond with a newly acquired horse is to groom the horse everyday.