Post Pandemic Horse Vacations

Posted on May 10, 2021 by blogeditor

Looking for unique horse vacations this year that will get you off your devices and connecting with nature? Colorado has some of the best guest and dude ranches that you can visit in the country. Many guest ranches offer horseback riding, swimming and fishing, hiking, hayrides, cookouts and more. Here are the top rated guest ranches in Colorado. Remember to check for availability while things are slowly opening back up due to the pandemic. 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 Vacations in Colorado

One of the top rated guest ranches in Colorado is the Lost Valley Ranch. With over 20 secluded cabins, each nestled in the pines overlooking the ranch, there is room of everyone. Riding the amazing trails in the area or hiking through the Pike National Forest are some of the highlights. Also, you will ride with the professionals, enjoy heated swimming pools and learn the ways of the cowboy by helping the wranglers with their daily chores. Lost Valley Ranch has a pickle ball court, guided hiking adventures and family-friendly evening entertainment.

And then there’s Vista Verde Guest Ranch. Each private log cabin at the ranch is unique in design and décor and the amenities are amazing. They include a private hot tub on the deck, Italian linens, cozy comforters, spa robes, locally made bath products, and more. Also, summer is the season for the traditional family horse vacations. At Vista Verde enjoy the horseback riding, cookouts, green grass, quivering aspens, and fun barn dances. However, the winter is also a great time to visit. The ranch offers sledding, sleigh rides, hot chocolate, bubbling hot tubs, horses and snowshoes. Remember to check for availability before making any vacation plans.

Places to See Wild Horses in Colorado

Posted on May 10, 2021 by blogeditor

Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash

It is no secret that Colorado is big on horses. Not only does Colorado have a ton of horse properties for sale at any given time, if you’re lucky you can even spot wild horses. The term “wild horse” is also used colloquially in reference to free-roaming herds of feral horses. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the current population of wild horses in Colorado is around 400. Continue reading for the best places to see wild horses 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.

Wild Horses in Colorado

A great place to see wild horses is the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area. This area is located just eight miles northeast of Grand Junction and spans more than 36,000 acres. It is home to 90 to 150 wild horses depending on the time of the year. Spring and fall are the best times to spot the horses. You can see palominos, paints, grays, blacks, bays, sorrels, blue red roans, appaloosas, and more here. Of course you may also see elk, turkey, mule deer, snowshoe hare and more in the area.

Another great place to check out is the Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area. The area is located between Norwood and Dove Creek in the beautiful southwest corner of the state. This wild herd dates back to the early 1900s and includes bays, sorrels, grays, and pintos. This wild group of horses has nearly 22 thousand acres of open rolling hills and rugged mountain terrain to roam. Visitors to the area may also see elk, mule deer, bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, prairie dogs, and more.

Vaccinating Horses

Posted on March 24, 2021 by blogeditor

With vaccines rolling out to combat the pandemic, we are getting asked what about vaccinating horses? The answer is yes they need to be vaccinated, but not for Coronavirus. Horses contract diseases just like us. Horse owners vaccinate their horses against diseases. However, the diseases horses are susceptible to are different from the ones humans can contract. For more details, continue reading. 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.

Vaccinating Horses

There are a number of vaccines for horses. Some of these include tetanus, rabies, eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis, and West Nile virus. Vets recommend these for all horses. Some horses do experience adverse affects to vaccines, but these are very rare. Also, the American Veterinary Medical Association says core horse vaccines are extremely important. They protect horses from diseases that are endemic to a region. Not sure which regional diseases your horses are susceptible to? Ask your vet. Colorado has a large horse population. Therefore, the state has a lot of great horse clinicians.

Horses contract diseases that aren’t regional as well. Therefore, there are some vaccines that your horses only need in specific cases. Vets administer these vaccines for horses that need them. The need for each of the risk-based vaccines varies from horse to horse. Therefore, vets tailor vaccination programs for each horse. These vaccines include the equine herpesvirus, equine influenza, Potomac horse fever, strangles, botulism, anthrax, rotavirus, and equine viral arteritis.

Colorado Beasts

Posted on March 24, 2021 by blogeditor

With so many parks and open space, it’s no wonder that Colorado has a big diversity of wild animals. In fact, there are currently forty-two Colorado state parks in Colorado. All the parks provide a wide variety of recreation, from hiking and biking to camping and boating. Continue reading for a one in a lifetime opportunity to learn about Colorado beasts. 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 Best of Colorado Beasts

On April 8th from 6-7PM, Treasure Box Tours will be holding their Best of Colorado Beasts demonstration online. At this event you’ll learn about some of the animals that call Colorado home. The event will also focus on an upcoming tour at the Wild Animal Sanctuary. There have been some new developments at the Wild Animal Sanctuary. There is a new branch of the Wild Animal Sanctuary, in Keenesburg Colorado, where exotic beasts have found a new home.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary offers an incredible amount of natural habitats for its animals to enjoy. In fact, the Wild Animal Sanctuary boasts 10,500+ acres of habitat. The sanctuary focuses on giving homes to rehabilitated animals. They are home to more than 600 rehabilitated animals. The three facilities there represent the largest carnivore sanctuaries in the world, and are designed and built like no others in existence. For more information about the Wild Animal Sanctuary visit their website.

April Pet Expo

Posted on March 24, 2021 by blogeditor

During the pandemic, we all suffered from being cooped up indoors. This goes for pets too. Now that vaccinations are happening and we are able to get out more freely, it’s time to get your pets outside. Fortunately for us, Colorado Springs is opening up their annual pet expo. This is a great opportunity for you to get out with your pets and socialize safely! 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.

Colorado Springs Pet Expo

With so many parks, open space, and unchanged landscapes in Colorado, we are one of the more pet friendly states. Also, Colorado Springs is a great place for pets. The Colorado Springs pet expo features many of the top pet exhibitors from across the state. This event will also have lots of activities for animal lovers. Throughout the weekend of the event, there will be non-stop entertainment: including pet demonstrations, training seminars, adoptions and much more.

In order to bring your furry friends, there will be a waiver you must sign at the front door. However, save yourself some time and print your waiver in advance. Bring the filled out form with you to the expo entrance and you will get inside quicker. The expo will be held at the Colorado Springs Event Center at 3960 Palmer Park from April 23-25. If you have any questions, visit cspetexpo.com or call them at 800-756-4788. Adult tickets are just $7 and kids get in for free.

Horses in Film

Posted on March 24, 2021 by blogeditor

Animals and especially horses have been a part of films. Horses in film began around the 1920s when westerns were so big. Horses were a big part of filming the westerns National Velvet, Ben-Hur, and The Big Country. Today this relationship still exists in film. For example, horses were the only for of travel for the characters in The Lord of the Rings series. Unfortunately, horses weren’t always treated humanely. 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.

Horses in Film: The Past and Present

During the early years of horses in film, there was a dark side to the movie industry. Productions companies often viewed horses as commodities. In other words, they saw horses as expendable parts of the filing process. In old westerns and war films, tripwires were used to get horses to fall. This caused lameness, broken legs, and other injuries often resulting in euthanasia. However, time progressed and so has our treatment of horses in film.

Today, the American Humane Association dictates how animals are treated in filming. They work with production personnel and trainers during the pre-production stage through on-set filming. Also, they monitor their Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. In fact, the AHA monitors 70 percent of known animal action in film and television, which accounts for approximately 2,000 productions annually. Because of the actions of the AHA, we now have horses in film without endangering their lives.

Unique Places to Visit in Colorado

Posted on March 9, 2021 by blogeditor

Colorado is one of the best states in the union to go on vacation. We have some of the best outdoor recreation in the country. In fact, tourism contributes greatly to Colorado’s economy, with tourists generating $22.3 billion in 2018. Continue reading for some truly unique places to visit in Colorado that are off the beaten path. 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.

Places to Visit in Colorado Like No Other

A great place to start is the Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver. The tours here are free and you get to sample the goods. Colorado has a ton of other breweries and you can even attend a Colorado beer workshop online. If you’re looking to check out one of our scenic mountain towns, try Grand Lake. Grand Lake is less crowded than the more well-known tourist areas. Also, there is no shortage of shopping, dining, and sightseeing to do here. Plus there’s a lot of fishing and boating on the Grand and Shadow Mountain Lakes.

Like parks? Check out North Cheyenne Canon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center down in Colorado Springs. You’ll share the area with less tourists than other park, like the Garden of The Gods. And with the Discovery Center there’s arguably more to see here too. This park features eight picturesque hiking trails and the indoor center is full of interactive exhibits. There’s also the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan. Located just thirty-five miles northeast of Colorado Springs, the colorful Paint Mines Interpretive Park features a series of trails that wind around a unique and chalky archaeological district. The best part? These trails are free to hikers, so pack a bag and make a day of it!

Salt For Horses

Posted on March 9, 2021 by blogeditor

Just like us, horses need a good balance of nutrients, including salt. But did you know that there are different types of salt for horses? Giving your equine salt every day ensures that their maintenance sodium needs are met, which is vital for hydration. Continue reading for some tips on which types of salt to give your 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.

What Kind of Salt Should I Use?

Firstly, make sure you’re using sodium chloride and not Lite Salt. Lite Salt is a blend of salt that includes potassium chloride, which will not give your horse its maintenance salt. Sodium chloride comes in many forms, including plain white salt block, iodized salt, sea salt, kosher salt, Himalayan salt, and others. To keep your horse’s sodium level balanced, use plain white salt block. However, some horses are known to be picky eaters, in which case use a form of salt your horse prefers. As long as the packaging says sodium chloride, it can be used for horses.

But how much salt does the average horse need to maintain healthy levels? A 1,100-pound horse at maintenance on a cool day needs the amount of sodium provided by about 28 grams of sodium chloride. That is the equivalent of 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons of salt. This might seem like a lot, but remember your horse is a lot bigger than you and therefore needs more than you. If your horse doesn’t like salt-licks, you’ll have to add the sodium straight to their food. You can add the sodium chloride to their feed yourself, so you know they are getting the nutrients they need for hydration. However, you should still keep the block salt around so that your horse can consume more if they want.

Preparing For Spring

Posted on March 9, 2021 by blogeditor

If you are preparing for spring with your horses, you’ll want to get your horse trailer in good shape. Winter in Colorado brings snow, which can do damage to your trailer. Melted snow means that you could be dealing with mold, rust, and corrosion. A good cleaning inside and out is important–both for your comfort and for your horse’s safety. Mold is especially something you want to fix right away. It can cause your horses to develop respiratory problems. Continue reading for some tips on how to get your horse trailer ready for spring. 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.

Your Horse Trailer & Preparing For Spring

Start with making sure that your trailer is still waterproof. Leaks can come from doors, windows, body joints, roof vents, and rivets. Also, check the electrical plugs on both the truck and trailer. If there is any corrosion around the plugs, they need to be cleaned up before the trailer is used. Any horse owner worth their salt will tell to use a contact cleaner instead of WD-40. Not only is the contact cleaner cheaper, it removes the corrosion instead of just covering it up. Now that the inside of your horse trailer is clean, turn your attention to the tires.

Just like in your car, the tire pressure of your horse trailer should be well balanced. Tires can typically lose anywhere from 3 to 5 PSI per month. This is due to minor bead imperfections, porosity, and other small compromises. The longer a horse trailer is sitting unused, the more tire pressure it will use. During the rough Colorado winter, this is unavoidable. Therefore, before using your horse trailer, make sure all tires are inflated correctly, including the spare. Also, take time to inspect the sidewalls, particularly if the unit has been parked in a damp environment.

Horse Care For Severe Winter Storms

Posted on March 5, 2021 by blogeditor

Colorado is no stranger to cold weather. Also, our horses are just as resilient when it comes to dealing with more severe winter storms. However, climate change has made things a little more difficult. No, we’re probably not going to see another ice age. But polar temperatures finding their way down to Colorado like it did this February could occur more regularly. Continue reading for some things to think about when preparing for winter storms. 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 Water Supply During Severe Winter Storms

The biggest worry for your horses during severe winter storms is water. The average horse needs around 5 to 10 gallons of water a day. This becomes a problem when the water freezes. If your pasture has a larger stock tank than your stables, then it might be smarter to turn your horses out. The more water, the longer it takes to freeze. Another upside to this tactic is that you can probably use a vehicle to bring more water to the trough. This will be easier than lugging buckets to the barn in negative degree weather.

Another problem that arises is that older well pumps don’t like to work in severe winter storms. But if you have snow, you have water. If it comes down to it, you can melt snow to refill your troughs. However, a 5-gallon bucket of snow does not yield a 5-gallon bucket of water. This job can be labor-intensive, so ask a family member or neighbor to help you. If warmed water is unfeasible for all water supplies, there’s an alternative. Consider using a water heater in your barn. Warm small batches for water and rotate your horses through to offer them warmed water. It’s a hard job, but remind yourself that the weather will warm up and things will get back to normal.