Preparing Your Property For Horses

Posted on September 20, 2022 by blogeditor

Though most homes zoned for horses in Colorado are already suitable for them, that is not always the case. Horses need more than just land area. You’ll need a few outbuildings to serve as tack rooms, sheds, and more. Continue reading for more tips on preparing your property for horses. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Tip on Preparing Your Property For Horses

How much work to do will depend on what kind of property it is. Undeveloped property will likely require you to remove trees, boulders, and brush. When searching for a horse property in Colorado, keep the land’s natural resources in mind. For example, is the soil adequate for what you plan to do with the land? Does it have natural watershed protection? Also, make sure any foliage on the property is not harmful to horses. Otherwise you’ll have to make plans to eradicate them before moving in your horses.

Though most of the time it is wonderful here, Colorado is no stranger to harsh weather. Every season is different, so horse owners will want to establish a shelter for their animals suitable for all types of weather. This means you’ll need designating horse sheltering zones. Whether it’s an enclosed stable or a run-in shed, all shelters need to be draft-free and waterproof. Remember, humidity can cause overheating and distress in horses. You may even have to install circulating fans with automatic thermometers that help maintain comfortable temperatures.

Baling Your Own Hay

Posted on September 20, 2022 by blogeditor

Any horse owner will tell you how important it is to always keep fresh hay on your farm. Baling your own hay is a great way to save money. It may sound complicated, but it easier than you might think. All you’ll need is a wooden hand hay baler, twine, and of course hay. Continue reading for more details. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Baling Your Own Hay Tutorial

Don’t have a wooden hand hay baler? You can actually build one yourself. The most common design can even be found online. Once you have your baler, cut your twine approximately two and a half times the height of the baler. Loop your twin according to the baler instructions. Make sure to tie off the loose twine before putting in your hay. Now fill the baler with as much hay as you can pack in it. Depress the plunger on the baler, making sure to keep your fingers out of harm’s way.

You might have to depress the plunger a few times to get it fully compacted. To tie it off, lift the plunger and put in the open position. Depending on which hand baler you have, the method you tie the twine will differ. Therefore, make sure you follow the directions closely. Once the twine is tied tightly, you’re ready to release the bale and start over. Your homemade bale won’t be the typical giant circle that commercial balers produce. However, you’ll have neat and compact rectangles that will store easily in your shed or barn.

Treating Equine Back Pain

Posted on September 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Equine horse pain can be a serious problem when left untreated. When your horse exhibits signs of back pain, let your vet know as soon as possible. Diagnosing the root of the problem is key to preventing more serious injuries. Continue reading to learn more about how equine horse pain is treated. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Easing Equine Back Pain

Horse back pain could be due to a chronic injury or lameness. In many cases chiropractic care can help correct abnormal proprioception. This is the body’s unconscious perception of position and movement, which blocks nerve pathways. Chiropractic sessions prevent back soreness and chances for more injuries to occur. Another treatment for horse back pain is acupuncture. This procedure triggers endorphin release and sends calming signals to the nervous system. It also dissipates spasms, and brings blood flow to stimulate healing.

Have you ever heard of shock wave therapy? This procedure sends a pressure wave into the tissue. It increases the blood flow and new blood vessel formation, essentially helping the body heal from the inside. It also breaks up the scarring of tight, shortened muscles. With proper management and therapy, most horses with back pain can be rehabbed back. Having a good relationship with your horse clinician will make the process go smoothly. Make sure you exhaust any questions that you have about procedures before they take place.

Summer Horse Safety Tips

Posted on September 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that horses are very proficient sweaters? It’s true! This means that they are some of the most efficient animals at cooling themselves. However, they are not immune to the sun or heat stress. Though Colorado seems colder weather than many other states, it still gets very hot in the summer. Continue reading for some horse safety tips for the summer heat. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Horse Safety Tips

On hot summer days, make sure your horse has access to fresh water. Before exercising your horse, calculate the horse heat index. To do this add the day’s temperature in Fahrenheit plus the percentage of humidity. For example, if it’s 75 degrees outside with 65 percent humidity, the horse heat index is 140.  A horse heat index in the 120 to 150 range is okay to exercise in. Anything above 180 will increase your horse’s chance of heat stress.

During high horse heat indexes, make sure they get break frequently. How much your horse can exercise during high temperatures depends on many factors. If the horse is obese, thin, or has not been in regular work, begin with slow short workouts and very gradually increase time and intensity to allow the horse to acclimate. Many horse owners will avoid the hottest part of the day by riding in the early morning or later evening. Riding trails with plenty of tree shade or covered riding arenas are preferred.

Where to Swim This Summer

Posted on August 23, 2022 by blogeditor

It is summer in Colorado. It’s time to get outside and spend some of your free time in the water! Colorado gets a bad wrap for having a dry climate, but there are many wonderful places to go swimming. In fact, we’ve gotten more rain this summer than usual and some areas have seen an increase in elevation. Continue reading to find out where to swim this summer in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Where to Swim This Summer in Colorado

One of the most popular spots for swimming is Colorado is Jackson Lake. Jackson Lake is northeast of Denver, not far from Fort Morgan. Alongside Riverside and Empire, Jackson Lake is one of three reservoirs in the area. There are no lifeguards at the lake, so swim at your own risk. Aside from swimming, Jackson Lake is also an excellent place for boating, hiking, water-skiing, picnicking, and more. Jackson even has a park. The park is dog-friendly; just remember to bring your leash. The lake even offers ice skating and ice fishing during winter.

One of the best hidden swimming spots is the Big Dominguez Canyon. Big Dominguez Canyon is located in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area near Grand Junction, Colorado. The area has stunning scenery and a natural swimming hole with a waterfall. Also, there are petroglyphs on some canyon walls. It is one of the most unique swimming areas in the state. There is a short hike to the area, so make sure you’re up for an adventure when going to this spot.

Choosing The Right Tractor

Posted on August 23, 2022 by blogeditor

Do you use a tractor to maintain your horse property? Many horse owners use tractors to cut their pastures and to haul hay. However, tractors cost a lot of money and are a big investment. Continue reading for a few things to think about when looking for the right tractor for you. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

The Right Tractor For You

When researching for the right tractor for your horse property, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Generally speaking, the size of your Colorado horse property will help determine the type of tractor you’ll need. For example, a small piece of land may only require a small to medium sized tractor. These machines perform simple and small-scale tasks. A larger property requires more work to be done, including hauling, heavy lifting, or hail baling. Therefore, you’ll need a large tractor with a more substantial Horsepower.

Start by making a list of all the jobs that you will be using your tractor for. However, note that your list may change in the future. Many horse property owners buy tractors with more capabilities than they need. You never know when you’ll need more horsepower. You might need to haul away a tree that fell on your fence during a storm. Or perhaps you decide to get a trailer and offer seasonal hayrides to make some extra money in the fall. With that said, there is no shame is getting a smaller rig on the aftermarket. You can always upgrade to something bigger later.

Barn Surveillance

Posted on August 23, 2022 by blogeditor

Does your barn have a security camera? Perhaps you want to prevent theft, unwanted visitors, or vermin from getting into your barn. Maybe you need to monitor a pregnant mare or a sick foal without interrupting other responsibilities around your horse property. What ever the case may be, there are many benefits to having a surveillance at your barn. Continue reading to find out which systems we recommend. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Barn Surveillance Cameras

There are many different security cameras that are great for barn surveillance. Before purchasing a camera, determine your needs first. Do you need a camera that can be accessed remotely? Do you need a camera that has clear night vision or is weather resistant? Also, what is your budget? Some cameras require an internet connection. You can get a camera with network connectivity or just get a large memory card for continuous recording and video playback. Therefore with these questions in mind, here are two of the most popular cameras on the market.

The most popular barn surveillance cameras on the market are Reolink and RangeCam. The Reolink Go is wireless and also has a long-lasting battery. It provides images in 1080p full HD and is solar-powered. Is also does not need Wi-Fi connectivity when equipped with a SIM card and cellular data. On the other hand, the RangeCam activates by motion and allows for remote viewing with different surveillance options. It also includes a feature to receive photos and videos at specific intervals. This is a great option if you are expecting a pregnant mare or if you want to keep an eye on a sick horse.

Does Your Horse Need A Grazing Muzzle?

Posted on August 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that the overconsumption of pasture grass can cause obesity in horses. It has been reported that excessive pasture intake accounts for nearly 50 percent of all reported cases of laminitis. Laminitis is the inflammation of sensitive layers of tissue inside the hoof in horses. Continue reading to find out how you can help reduce risk with a horse grazing muzzle. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

A Horse Grazing Muzzle

Grazing muzzles are great because they reduce your horses bite size. They also restrict access to the entire grass leaf. Horses with grazing muzzles on can only really eat the top of the grass leaf. This is where the concentrations of sugar tend to be the lowest. Muzzled horses tend to graze larger areas and for longer periods. Therefore owners do not have to make big changes to their pastures. In addition, your horse will get more exercise as it has to move around more to graze. Weight loss will also reduce your horse’s risk of certain diseases.

Though sometimes clinicians ask owners to totally restrict their horse’s grazing, this is not always necessary. Grazing muzzles are a great alternative to total grazing restrictions. For example, horses predisposed to a metabolic disorder can still benefit from restricted grazing. So how do you know if your horse could benefit from a grazing muzzle? First determine the horse’s laminitis risk. Of course there are other factors for horse laminitis to consider like breed, age, and sex. Ponies are actually more commonly affected by laminitis than full sized horses. Ponies graze too much when given unrestricted access to pastures. Therefore, many pony owners in Colorado also own grazing muzzles to encourage weight loss.

National Monuments of Colorado

Posted on July 28, 2022 by blogeditor

Looking to get out of the house this summer? Colorado is full of wondrous parks, museums, and National Monuments. Some of the most visited national monuments in Colorado are Chimney Rock and the Dinosaur National Monument. Continue reading for more information on these amazing locations in the great state of Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top National Monuments in Colorado

One of the most popular national monuments in Colorado is Chimney Rock National Monument. Chimney Rock is an archaeological site located at the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. This area was the home of ancestral Puebloans of the Chaco clan. Therefore the area is full of archaeological ruins, artifacts, and abundant wildlife. Chimney Rock covers seven square miles. Also, nearly 200 ancient homes and ceremonial buildings stand here. Experts excavated many for public viewing and exploration. Secondly there’s Dinosaur National Monument.

The famed Dinosaur National Monument depicts the ancient world. On display is the exposed rock layer enclosing dinosaur fossils. Markedly, this old sandstone river bed is the Morrison Formation. It is from the Jurassic Period, some 150 million years old. The river system carried dinosaurs and other ancient animals downstream. The relentless forces of erosion exposed the layers at the surface for people to discover. Overall, this is a great family-friendly area. Also, children enjoy this curious time in our world’s history. Additionally, a town with the same name lies just south. Naturally the monument headquarters is located just east of the town on U.S. Highway 40.

Adding A Chicken Coop to Your Barn

Posted on July 28, 2022 by blogeditor

If you are just starting out with growing your homestead, a logical first step is to acquire chickens. They create a sustainable food source and make great additions to farms. Before building a new chicken coop, consider more cost effective ways to house your new chickens. Below are a few tips on how to include a chicken coop in your existing barn design. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Adding to Your Barn

Instead for spending a ton of money on building a brand new chicken coop, consider renovating an existing structure on your property. This could be a barn, a run-in shed, or even an old garden shed. Any of these structures can adequately provide a separate and safe space for your new chickens. We’ve even seen horse stalls and tack rooms converted into a chicken coop. Always ventilate enclosed rooms. Here are a few more things that you should consider when converting an existing space on your horse property into a chick coop.

We are enjoying a nice warm summer this year, but we all know how cold it gets in winter in Colorado. If you live in a cold area, like in the mountains, any partially covered structures need to be completely enclosed. This is precisely why building your chicken coop inside your barn will be an easier renovation. Close your barn off at night to prevent predators from harming your chickens. During the day, open your barn to let your chickens run free in a fenced barnyard. Chickens are happy to share their daytime outdoor space with other animals, like goats, sheep, and horses. There is no need to build a separate outdoor space if you already have something for other animals.