Taking Pictures for Your Vet

Posted on February 14, 2022 by blogeditor

In the case of emergencies, ask your vet if you can send them a picture of your horse. This can include images of wounds, abnormalities, or lamenesses. This is called telemedicine and can be very useful especially if you live far away from your horse clinician. Here are some tips for taking pictures for your vet. 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.

Tips for Taking Pictures for Your Vet

One of the most important things to think about when taking a picture for your vet is the lighting. Even during the day, barns are often dark. If your barn has overhead lighting this can throw shadows. Use the flash setting on your phone to give the image more light. However, the best solution is to take the picture outside. Natural lighting is the way to go. Also, try not to send your vet a blurry picture. Your vet will have a hard time helping you with a diagnosis if they can’t really see the wound.

If you have newer phone, then take a step of two back from the wound before taking the picture. This will help your vet see precisely where the wound is while still having the ability to zoom in. If you have an older phone in which zooming in on a picture makes it blurry, then you may have to send more than one picture to your vet. One picture from a distance and one picture up close. Sometimes it’s useful to use a reference object in the photo to show scale. Doing so will give your veterinarian context and perspective. You can use a coin, pen, or anything that you can easily hold near the wound. For more tips, talk to your vet.

How to Lower Your Horse Insurance

Posted on January 13, 2022 by blogeditor

Are you a horse owner and looking to save some money this year? Veterinary medicine has advanced substantially and the costs of horse ownership have risen. Fortunately, the horse insurance industry has seen some recent changes that could help you keep money in your pockets. Here’s what you need to know. 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.

Ask Your Horse Insurance Agent

Ask your horse insurance agency about their co-insurance options. This is where the owner and insurer share veterinary bills. For example, there are new insurance plans with a twenty percent clause. This clause means that the owner will pay twenty percent of veterinary bills and the insurer will pay the rest. A few years ago plans like these were only offered for small animal insurance programs. So this is a wonderful change in the industry for horses. If your insurer doesn’t offer this yet, talk to them about how you can at least lower your rates.

Similar to the car industry, if you can show you’re taking care of your horse then you should be able to get lower rates. In order for this to work, you’ll have to prove some stuff to your insurer. You must demonstrate that you are a proactive and engaged owner that works with a veterinarian and farrier on a regular basis. Healthy horses are easier to insure. Also, if you are working with a trainer and are a member of your Provincial Equine Sports Organization, then you’re going to get the most favorable rates.

Senior Horses and Winter

Posted on November 29, 2021 by blogeditor

Not all horses are the same, but generally speaking senior horses need a little more care during the winter months. Now is a great time to get your horses examined before the real cold gets here. Your vet can assess your horse’s weight and make specific recommendations for their nutritional needs. Continue reading for some more tips on how to get your senior horses ready for winter. 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.

Keeping Your Senior Horses Warm

Diet is important in keeping your horse warm. Within minutes of eating a meal, the horse’s digestive processes begin to generate heat and warm the body. Also, a lot like humans, calories that aren’t immediately absorbed are stored as fat. Fat is the ultimate insulation for horses. Older horses tend to have less fat on them, so make sure they have plenty of hay to eat this winter. Did you know that most horses consume 2% of their body weight in hay per day? For a 1,000-pound horse, that’s 20 pounds of hay! In winter you’ll probably need to increase that amount for your senior horse.

It’s a common misconception that horses have to have blankets on when it is cold or snowing. Rain and wind are actually worse, so make sure your senior horses have access to shelter. Shovel a path and put down straw, hay, gravel, or shavings to make it a safe surface for walking. But here’s the bottom line. An older horse with the proper weight and no health issues probably does not need a blanket. Leaner senior horses or horses with health issues should be blanketed. Shivering is a sign they definitely need a blanket.

Do You Soak Your Hay?

Posted on November 12, 2021 by blogeditor

Did you know that soaking your horse’s hay can help horses diagnosed with certain diseases? Well, now you know. That’s right, soak your hay for 15 to 60 minutes in water to reduce water soluble carbohydrates, potassium and dust. Here are the 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.

Reasons to Soak Your Hay

Soaking hay in water is a common way to care for horses diagnosed with a wide array of equine ailments. These include Laminitis, Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as the Heaves, is often abbreviated as COPD. However, it is different from the COPD that humans can be diagnosed with. The equine COPD is similar to asthma in humans and is a common reason for some horses persistent coughing. This can be tough to diagnose because affected horses do not have a temperature and they appear well.

Reducing your horse’s intake in carbs can help reduce their risk of developing these diseases. The experts suggest complete rations should contain less than 10-12% nonstructural carbohydrates. This is especially so for horses with laminitis and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. Also, horses with Hyperkalemic Pulmonary Disease need complete diets less than 1% of potassium. For more information, talk to your equine clinician soaking your hay in water.

What is My Saddle Made of?

Posted on October 5, 2021 by blogeditor

Photo by Roger van de Kimmenade on Unsplash

Ever wonder what your saddle is made of? The easy answer is probably leather, but so much more goes into it. Modern horse saddles are divided into two broad categories, the English and Western saddle. Depending on which you use, the materials that compose it may differ drastically. Continue reading to find out what goes into making saddles. 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 My Saddle is Made of

The three main parts of the saddle are the accessories, the saddle tree, and the seat itself. The accessories like flaps, girth straps, and stirrup leathers are typically made from animal skins. Depending on the saddlery, this could be from cattle, pigs, sheep, or deer. However, cowhide is the most common skin used for saddles. Saddle trees are composed of several different raw materials. These include wood, fiberglass, plastic, laminate, steel, aluminum, and iron. Seats are usually made from canvas, felt, and wool.

These raw materials are used for making all saddles. However, Western saddles have more requirements because they are used for working. These saddles have a wider and longer panel than the English saddle. This is so they disperse more of the rider’s weight over the back of the horse. They also have a roping horn on the pommel which is used for roping cattle. These extra pieces are usually equipped with extra D-rings, or tie-downs, to hold the ropes and other items.

Restoring Old Saddles

Posted on September 13, 2021 by blogeditor

Whether you are a new or experienced rider, leather saddles are a favorite in the horse community in Colorado. Though durable and great looking, leather saddles do deteriorate over time. This is why many new riders opt for a more synthetic brand. But did you know that restoring old saddles is actually easy to do yourself? Here’s how it’s done. 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.

Restoring Your Old Saddles

The first step is to take apart your saddle. You will need a screwdriver and nippers to do it. To get a good clean, remove the girth, stirrups and conches. Also, loosen the back and side jockeys. Use your screwdriver and nippers to take out any nails. Wash the leather pieces with traditional soap and saddle soap. Clean the surface with a soft-bristled brush. When you’re done. rinse rinse everything off with water and let it air-dry. Remember, you may have to do these steps more than more.

If the saddle that you’re restoring if very old, then regular soap may not work. In this case, use a leather detergent concentrate. There are many great solutions that you can find at your local saddlery shop or online. Dilute your detergent with water and scrub it onto the leather with a soft-bristled brush as you would with soap. If your saddle is hard or brittle, use oil to soften it up. Their are also some great oil-based “rejuvenators” on the market that can help. With a little bit of time and effort you can turn that old saddle back into the beautiful piece of art it once was!

Packing List For Horseback Riding

Posted on July 29, 2021 by blogeditor

Photo by Lazarescu Alexandra on Unsplash.pmg

Riding horses is one of the most magical experiences you can have. However, if you’re planning on going horseback riding there are some things you should know before you saddle up. This includes what you should pack with you on your journey. Continue reading for what should be on your packing list for horseback riding. 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’s in Your Pack?

Aside from horse tack, there are some things that should be on your packing list for horseback riding that you might not have thought of. First of all, bring some sunscreen, lip balm, and something to keep the sun out of your eyes like a hat, visor or sunglasses. The last thing you want to get from your riding experience is sun burned. Also, remember to carry a water bottle with to stay hydrated. The horse may be doing a lot of the work, but they’re not the only ones that will need to take a break and drink some water!

When it comes to riding comfortably, make sure to wear a heavy-duty pair of jeans. You don’t have to wear tall, cowboy boots if you don’t own any. However, you’ll still need to wear a pair of boots with a thick heel. If you are planning to ride during the colder Colorado months, then dress in layers. This will keep you warm and dry if it starts to snow. If you are unsure what to wear or where to buy appropriate clothing, ask your riding instructor where they shop for gear. Also, making an actual written-down list is not necessary, but wouldn’t hurt. It’s better to be overprepared than miserable on your horseback riding adventure.

Horse Spa Day

Posted on July 29, 2021 by blogeditor

Did you know that you can give your horse their very own spa day? You can do it at home and it won’t cost a fortune. For example, give your horse a bath at the warmest part of the day as a way to cool them off. If the weather is cooler, try using warm water for their bath instead. Continue reading for more tips on creating your own horse spa day! 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.

At-Home, DIY Horse Spa

Having a spa day is all about being completely relaxed and comfortable. That means if your horse doesn’t like baths then try something else. Typically horses like baths the most when they are the right temperature and there’s no splashing. To reduce splashing, try using a big soft sponge. The sponges they sell for washing cars are the perfect size and texture. Also, don’t get any water in your horse’s face. They hate that! Be mindful of the type of shampoo you use.

Different horse shampoos are formulated for different purposes. Some are for whitening and others are for treating skin conditions like try skin. Therefore, make sure you get a shampoo that is appropriate for your horse. When working in the shampoo, use a little bit of force, not too much, and massage in the product. Lightly massage the muscles around the joints to help sooth your horse. This gives you the perfect opportunity to screen your horse for any new bumps or lumps.

Equine Massage Therapy

Posted on June 21, 2021 by blogeditor

As horse lovers, we know that caring for you horse is very important. However, taking your horse to the clinician or large animal veterinarian can be very expensive. There are a few things that you can do to sooth your horse that also have physical benefits. Horse massage therapy can prevent your equine from sustaining serious injury. Continue reading for a few techniques that might help your horse, including trigger-point therapy and myofascial release. 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 Massage Techniques

Remember, before practicing these techniques have a professional horse chiropractic guide you first. Trigger-point therapy is a focused massage on sensitive spots causing pain in soft tissues because of contracted muscles. These trigger points or knots are small, firm areas within the muscle. They are often the result of hard work, stress, or injury. When practicing trigger-point therapy, apply direct pressure to relax the muscle. This will release lactic acid, relieve spasms, encourage blood flow, and improve oxygen supply.

Another soothing technique is myofascial release or MFR. This includes massaging the fascia surrounding the musculoskeletal system. This part of the horse anatomy can cause problems when it becomes tight and restrictive. Just like trigger-points this is often the result of trauma, disease, or hard work. If you spot these issues, your horse needs to stretch to release the tension and restore free movement. Again, a trained horse therapist can help you identify and remedy these issues.

Regional Horse Diseases

Posted on June 10, 2021 by blogeditor

Keeping your horses free of disease means understanding everything they could be up against. However, did you know that different diseases tend to have different geographic distributions? This is known as regional horse diseases. For example, the most recent outbreaks of Potomac Horse Fever in Canada have occurred specifically in eastern and southwestern Ontario, and parts of Alberta. Continue reading for more examples of common regional horse diseases. 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.

Common Regional Horse Diseases

So, certain equine diseases occur and spread in different areas—why? It all has to do with the environment of that region. Regions with ecological systems supporting large mosquito populations will automatically place horses at greater risk for mosquito-borne diseases. These include both the western and eastern variants of the enchephalitis virus, and also the West Nile virus. This harkens back to our Potomac Horse Fever example. Eastern Ontario has large hatches of mosquitos which act as a vector for the disease and makes it more prevalent in that area.

What’s great about this is that if you know what equine diseases are more prevalent in your area the better you can avoid them. So, what about Colorado and its horse population? Unfortunately, Colorado is no stranger to regional horse diseases. There have been confirmed cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA), equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM), and strangles in Colorado in the past. Strangles is highly contagious. It can spread rapidly from animal to animal and is one of the more common bacterial infections of horses. Check with your horse clinician and veterinarian to see if your area has reported any regional horse diseases. These professional will be able to tell you how to prevent your horses from catching these diseases.