Horse Sense

Birth Control for Horses?

Officials in Montana are looking at using birth control to control the number of wild horses there.  To read the rest of the story go to this link birth control for horses

Foals and Flowers

A week and half ago John and I visited McCulloch Farm in Old Lyme Connecticut.  It is beautiful farm full of Morgans.  They have been breeding Morgans since 1945 and the horses just weren't beautiful but very social with great temperaments. 

They even had one that looked exactly like my horse Penny, they could have been twins.  Same color, sweet disposition and very social.

We were able to tour the pastures, meet the horses, go down in back were they have a lake and walk through the barn.  If we could have stayed later we could have watched as they brought the horses in see just how smart they are as they go to their own stall without help.

They are having an open house May 27, 28 and 29.  They will have some foals to see as well as all the other horses.  Their number is 860-434-7355.  So if you love horses and are looking for a afternoon out with your family or friends check out McCulloch Farm - Whippoorwill Morgans, you'll have a great time.

What's in a Coffe Can?

Horse nutritionists recommend feeding rations by weight instead of by volume.  But some horse owners like to measure out grains with coffee cans.  Weight and energy per volume vary among the feed grains, so a can's worth delivers a wide range of food value, depending on what's being served.  Here's what a one pound coffee can hold:

• 1 1/2 pounds of wheat bran
• 1 pound of whole oats
• 1 pound of sweet feed
• 1 1/4 pounds of pelleted feed
• 1 1/2 pounds of barley
• 1 3/4 pounds of corn.

Can Your Horse Survive the Heat?

With warmer weather on the horizon riders will be outside much of the time riding their horses.  Care must be taken that your horse doesn't get overheated during exercise or competition.  It can be a life threatening event.  See how you can take steps to prevent it. Prevent Heat Stress

Acupuncture News

This article is about how it is being used in different kinds of animals for different medical issues.  I have heard about it and a women comes to our barn to use this alternative method on a horse with great success.  Acupuncture in Animals

Feeling Overwhelmed

Mary here, I'm feeling overwhelmed recently because I'm out of my element as far as horse training is concerned.  I mean I have two young horses one is 4 years old and the other 2 years old.  I have been having some trouble with the 2 year old because he is a stallion and thinks his way is the right way. 

Fortunately I met a wonderful and knowledgeable women named Carol Ross who has a background in natural horsemanship.  She has studied the works of Bill Dorrance, Dennis Reis and Pat Parelli as well as many others.  She is continuously learning which makes her a great teacher for both me and my horses.  When I watch her work with my horses I feel there is so much I don't know about horses. When I say about horses I mean what makes them tick, how they think and process what I'm trying to get them to do.  Carol has really opened my eyes.  Now I know what response I'm looking for from my horse and what response he needs from so he can understand and do it. 

One of the books Carol recommends is 'True Horsemanship Through Feel" by Bill Dorrance, I couldn't put it down.  I mean I see people handling horses all the time but not like this.  There is no fear or intimidation used against the horse.  If you are like me and you need help with your horse's training or it's behavior issue you need to get this book and so you can understand the basics of true horsemanship.

Meeting Carol comes at a perfect time because Rio will be having surgery in couple of weeks and I didn't know how the both of us was going to handle trailer loading.  It's all about preparation and reading your horse.  But your horse does need to understand the basics first of horsemanship through feel before you can have a successful trailer loading.

I will keep you posted how Rio, Penny and I do using this technique.  Talk to you soon.

What a day

John here-
Boy is Mary under a bit of stress today.

Thank god for Rio and Penny. They certainly work as serious stress relievers for her.

I'm sure your wondering what's going on and why I'm writing... Fact is I wanted to give everybody the heads up. Mary has been working nite and day on creating a DVD/documentary showing just how Rio has been progressing. To learn more about Rio you can visit horse nutrition and supplement therapy 

I'll be putting up some shots of his X-rays soon.

I'll bet your asking since things are going well and Rio's progressing why the stress?

Great question.

Mary is working with a camera crew and co-ordinating with a Thoroughbred rescue farm to get them both together to film some shots for the Rio DVD. It's a crazy but really important task. You see once we get the DVD together we will be able to send anyone who's interested a free copy to see just what can happen when you evaluate your horse using a hair analysis and what you can learn. In this case with a growing foal.

It's like Hollywood meets the quite back roads of small town Connecticut.

You think I'm kidding?

She's even in negotiations with the National Thoroughbred Association to get some great racing footage. We just found out Roi's pedigree is absolutely amazing. You wouldn't believe me of I told you!

OK I'll tell you... But you'll have to wait till my next post.

Rios big challenge was collapsed hocks.

It was a problem that he picked up from his Mom. I'm sure Mary fill fill in the details as soon as she has a minute to breath. So consider this a heads up. The videos coming and it will be educational, emotional and fun.  If you want more details you'll have to ask Mary. You can reach her at Mary@equus-rx.com

Hidden Dangers of Spring Grass

Today in Connecticut it's a bit on the chilly side but the flowers are coming up and it won't be long before the pastures are green again. I can't wait ... It's almost really spring!

When we think of spring we think of sunshine, warm days and the first blades of spring grass appearing in our pastures.  Our horses can't wait to eat it and we can't wait to put them out. 

But spring grass has dangers that some of us are not aware of. 

Grass is at it's very richest in spring, when the protein content can be up as high as 28 percent, and the energy content equivalent to that of a competition feed.  This is good for lactating mares with foals but spells trouble for other horses. 

When a horse is accustomed to a relatively dense winter diet suddenly consumes watery, lower-fiber, high protein feed, the resulting shock to the intestinal micraflora may lead to enteritis or colic.  Other dangers to look out for is the accelerated weight gain and laminitis often seen at this time.

This does not mean that you can't let your horse eat spring grass, it means it has be done gradually while your horse is still getting other roughage such as hay  or older grass that has survived the winter.  This will complement the spring grass and help him keep safe.

Buy a horse a cookie

If you enjoyed the blog, found anything of interest or learned anything of value and want to show your appreciation and love for horses,  here's your chance.

This link allows you to send my horse Penny a treat through pay pal. You can pretty much choose any amount you'd like. Click Give Penny a treat . Penny will love you and I'll keep working hard at bringing you the best information I can find.

Thanks
Mary and Penny

Horse Nutrition Made Easy

Hi Mary- I just finished all the details for your blog. I really hope you like it. Now you can write about horse supplements  and horse nutrition even what happens with a horses skin

Oh... I can't forget your 4 legged babies. After all what would you do for 3 hours a day if it wasn't for your Penny and Rio? Maybe have dinner at a decent hour or spend some time with me? Ok I know that's a typical remark heard round the world by just about every husband who's wife has horses.

I must admit though I certianly have a sweet spot for Penny. Rio's even starting to rub off on me.

Well while I'm at it... here's a shameless plug for the free nutritional test that will evaluate your horses diet on line in less time then it takes me to gulp my coffee down in the morning. You can put in your horses supplements your horses current diet even your horses hay and get the results fast.

Between you, me and the blogosphere I never realized that by testing horse feed and horse grain most companies fail miserably when it comes to preparing a balanced ration for horses. In my opinion shame on them. After all they spend all that money on promotion. It just makes sense to me (horse sense) to make a great product rather than make a pretty bag.

Don't get me wrong I love the pictures and the graphics on the bags. It's just such a waste of time energy and money if their product still doesn't fit the bill.

Ok, enough of my ranting. Good luck and have fun with the blog.

XXOO
John