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.

How Your Horse Property Can Work For You

Posted on July 21, 2022 by blogeditor

Wouldn’t you like to know how your horse property can work for you? These days supply chains aren’t always reliable and retail prices have risen. For horse owners this means that you might be looking to make some extra cash off your property. Here are a few simple ways how your horse property can work for you instead of the other way around. 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.

This Is How Your Horse Property Can Work For You

Does your horse property feature a riding arena? Whether it’s indoor or outdoor, riding arenas can be a huge asset. To make some extra money, offer riding rights to others via a monthly membership. Even if you have an unused pasture, you can rent it out for grazing. You will even save time and money on mowing the grass! In both cases, there is little to no upkeep needed from you. Just make sure there’s some sort of written agreement to ensure renters know what you expect from them.

Another way to make money from your horse property is by re-selling unused hay. Often horse owners buy more hay than they need. If you purchase hay in larger quantities you can often negotiate better pricing. Why not resell what you don’t use in smaller lots at higher prices during the winter when hay is in short supply? Also, consider selling your horse manure. Horses produce more than eight metric tons of manure per year. Connect with your local gardening groups or community gardens to discuss their compost needs. Not only will you make money, but you’ll also be connecting with your community in a positive way!

Teaching Old Horses New Tricks

Posted on July 21, 2022 by blogeditor

Have you ever been to a horse show and watched the horses perform stunts? Teaching horses tricks isn’t just for show horses. Anyone can do it! With a little bit of positive reinforcement you’ll be amazed at what your horse can learn. For each trick, make sure to use repetition, consistency, and reward. Continue reading for more information on teaching horses tricks. 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.

Teaching Your Horse Tricks

The best trick to start with is bowing. It is simple enough for a beginner horse to learn, while still wowing the crowd. Bowing refers to when your horse kneels on one leg while lowering its head. You need a halter and a lead rope for this trick. Stand beside your horse and use a treat to encourage it to lower its head. Gradually bring the treat down to the ground. Encourage your horse to move its head down with your lead rope. Be gentle and have patience. Give your horse the treat as a reward for a job well done. This will reinforce the behavior.

Another great trick to start with is lifting a leg. Use as a gentle aid as a extension of your hand. If you grow crops on your farm, a corn stalk makes a great aid. However, anything that is soft to the touch but rigid in the hand will work. Lightly tap just below your horse’s knee with the crop while saying a cue word, such as “lift.” It will be slow-going at first, so be patient! Your horse will eventually react and lift its leg. Reward with a treat and gently lift your horse’s leg forward by gripping above the knee.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

Posted on June 17, 2022 by blogeditor

Are you looking to invest in a horse property? You may be able to obtain one with a 1031 exchange. A 1031 exchange is a swap of one investment property for another. Most swaps are taxable as sales, although if yours meets the requirements of 1031, then you’ll either have no tax or limited tax due at the time of the exchange. Continue reading for more information. 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.

How to Use A 1031 Exchange

1031 exchanges have several nuances, but looking at it broadly this is what it entails. You can change the form of your investment without cashing out or recognizing a capital gain. That allows your investment to continue to grow tax deferred. Also, there’s no limit on how frequently you can do a 1031 exchange. You can roll over the gain from one piece of investment real estate to another, and another, and another. Although you may have a profit on each swap, you avoid paying tax until you sell for cash many years later.

This is why you’d want to use this type of investment exchange. If it works out as planned, you’ll pay only one tax at a long-term capital gains rate. To qualify, most exchanges must merely be of like-kind—an enigmatic phrase that doesn’t mean what you think it means. You can exchange an apartment building for raw land, or a ranch for a strip mall. The rules are surprisingly liberal. You can even exchange one business for another. However, if you are planning on staying up for a while then this strategy is not for you. Talk to your financial advisor to see if a 1031 exchange is right for you.

Adopting Wild Horses

Posted on June 17, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that adopting wild horses is possible in Colorado? The Bureau of Land Management has an adoption program that you can use. However, some wild horses end up at a rescue facility. After rehabilitating the horse and giving it some training, the horse is ready to be adopted. Continue reading for more information on how to adopt wild 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.

The Process of Adopting Wild Horses

One of the ways to adopt a wild horse is to simply go to an adoption facility. Though it isn’t as easy as picking the horse you want and pulling out your credit card. You’ll have to meet certain adoption requirements and submit an adoption application. Also, these facilities routinely hold adoption events. If you frequently go to stock shows, horse expos, and similar activities, you’ve probably seen the adoption centers booth. Most of the time the wild horses are available though regular adoption procedures, but sometimes they have to be auctioned off. In both cases, there are still requirements you must meet.

You can also adopt a wild horse online. The Bureau of Land Management’s Internet Adoption Program allows you to view photos of horses for adoption. To raise money for the organization, you have to bid on a horse for the right to adopt. Of course you must still meet the adoption requirements and complete an adoption application. Another way you can take home a wild horse is through a private sale. Animals eligible for private sale are those over 10 years old and younger horses that have been passed over for adoption at least three times. For more information, check out the Bureau’s website.

Sustainable Energy from Manure

Posted on June 16, 2022 by blogeditor

One of the jobs horse owners dread is manure and waste management. This type of work increases exponentially depending on how many horses you have. But what if there was a way to make a sustainable energy source from your horse waste? In Finland, this is exactly what is being done. Continue reading for more information on this relatively new form of energy harvesting. 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.

Manure Makes Sustainable Energy

Current heat recovery technology works well and is gaining momentum in local equine shows and amongst farmers. It is the hope of some organizations that this will be a sustainable energy source that could replace fossil fuels. The idea is simple. Composting horse manure creates fertilizer and generates heat as a by product. This heat energy converts to a more usable power for homes. A rotary drum composting mechanism, equipped with a heat recovery system, generates the energy. The system converts energy until the waste is fully composted within a week. The recovered energy heats nearby rooms and water.

However promising, manure management as an energy source faces some obstacles. At the moment, the technology only works on a small scale. Managing moisture is one of the key challenges. Also, manure is over 80% water. Therefore, it has a very low heating value when moist. One solution is mixing the manure with wood chips to overcome the humidity problem. Today, the Finns are researching more efficient ways to solve this problem and harness the potential energy. It is only a matter of time. Though Finland currently spearheads the movement, the entire world of horse owners are watching.

Increasing Your Horse Property Income

Posted on June 15, 2022 by blogeditor

Owning a horse property can be very rewarding, but it isn’t for everyone. One of the biggest problems that you may face is low horse property income. Property values have continued to increase and everyday equine management expenses are always on the rise. Here are a few money making and saving ideas for horse property owners. 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 Property Income

Did you know that you can share the costs of keeping a horse by part-leasing them to a suitable rider? This is a great opportunity for riders who can’t afford to buy a horse. In these types of relationships, it’s best to keep a written agreement detailing the lease. Also, include what you expect them to take care of and pay for while they’re in possession of the horse. If you don’t like that idea, you can always board someone else’s horse on your property for a fee. Create a boarding agreement in writing to make sure you’re on the same page as your boarder.

Do you have extra space in your barn? Is there an unused outbuilding on your property? Clinicians, instructors, and event organizers need facilities to conduct both riding and non-riding educational activities. Many of them rent spare spaces on horse properties to conduct business. Depending on the instructor, you could rent out your free space and possibly gain some free instruction at the same time. Another way to increase your income is by holding fee-based fun, educational, or competitive events on your property.