Measuring Your Horse in Hands

Posted on July 31, 2023 by blogeditor

Have you ever heard of measuring your horse in hands? Experts have standardized the hand, a non-SI unit of length, to precisely 4 inches. It serves as a measuring tool for determining the height of horses in various English-speaking countries. These include Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Originally, this unit was based on the width of an average human hand. In 1959, with the acceptance of the international inch, a standardized imperial form was established, enabling easy metric conversions. Horse owners abbreviate the hand measurement as “h” or “hh”. Continue reading for more info 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 On Measuring Your Horse in Hands

Currently, the hand serves as a measuring unit for determining the height of horses, ponies, and other equines. Citizens of countries that utilize the metric system, like Australia, the US, and New Zealand use this measurement. However, in continental Europe and in international competitions, metric units like meters or centimeters are the norm for measuring horses. In specific regions like South Africa, measurements are sometimes provided in both hands and centimeters. Also, in Australia, equestrian regulations mandate the provision of both measurements. However, handlers use inches for smaller equines like miniature horses.

When measuring your horse in hands, the process involves determining the distance from the ground to the highest non-variable point of its skeleton, known as the withers. For official measurements, the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra is found through palpation and marked if required. Some varieties of Miniature horses have their height measured at the base of the last true hairs of the mane. Some experts even measure them without shoes. The Joint Measurement Board in the UK oversees the measurement of horses. They mandate the removal of shoes and proper hoof preparation before measurement.

Fall Leaves Dangerous For Horses

Posted on October 17, 2022 by blogeditor

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

It is autumn in Colorado, a magical time for the outdoors. The leaves have already begun to change colors and fall from branches. Though this is a beautiful sight for us, did you know that some fall leaves can be harmful to horses? Continue reading to find out which trees have dangerous fall leaves 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.

Fall Leaves that are Dangerous for Horses

The first on our list of dangerous fall leaves is the Red Maple. Ingestion of one and a half pounds is toxic. Ingestion of three pounds or more is fatal. If you have a red maple on your property make sure your horse can’t graze near it. Eastern Black walnut is also toxic to horses. Unfortunately these are sometimes used as shavings in horse-stall bedding. Therefore, be careful when sourcing your stalls floor bedding. Signs of black walnut toxicity include laminitis, reluctance to move, increased temperature and heart rate, difficulty breathing, digital pulse, limb edema, and increased gut sounds.

Certain Oak trees can be toxic to horses. Remember to keep horses out of areas where wilted oak leaves and acorns fall. This type of foliage contains tannic acid which causes kidney damage and gastroenteritis. Symptoms of poisoning include lack of appetite, depression, constipation, and colic. Did you know that cherry and plum trees have cyanide-containing compounds. It is found in leaves, fruit, and pits of the trees. Though the fruits are not toxic to humans, they can be fatal to horses in large quantities. If your horse has been exposed to any of the toxic foliage discussed here, make sure to contact your vet immediately for treatment.

The Horse From Sleepy Hollow

Posted on October 13, 2022 by blogeditor

Halloween is right around the corner, so let’s talk about the horse from Sleepy Hollow. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a gothic story by American author Washington Irving. It originally appeared in a collection of 34 essays and short stories. One of the big characters in the story is the Headless Horseman. Continue reading to find out more about the antagonist’s steed. 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.

Dare Devil Is The Horse From Sleepy Hollow

The Headless Horseman, or the “Hessian,” rode a horse named Dare Devil. As the story goes, the Hessian appeared as a mercenary sent by German princes during the Revolutionary War. The Hessian says that the horse’s father was a pitch black Arabian stallion. Tim Burton adopted the book into a film of the same name. In this film, two Spanish Horses played Dare Devil. Therefore, judging from their manes, tails, and other features, Dare Devil was an Andalusian.

The story occurs in 1790 in the countryside around Tarrytown in a secluded glen known as Sleepy Hollow. Here raconteurs tell of the legend of the Headless Horseman. He is supposedly the restless ghost of a trooper whose head had been shot off by a stray cannonball during the Revolutionary War. The hessian rides with a pumpkin for a head, searching for his actual head. The story implies that the Horseman was really an extremely agile rider named Brom in disguise. Brom also uses a Jack-o’-lantern as a false head to scare the people of Sleepy Hollow.

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.

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.

History of The Riding Helmet

Posted on April 11, 2022 by blogeditor

Ever wondered how the riding helmet got its start? In the 1950s, racing associations mandated jockeys to wear a cap. However, that changed after a serious head injury at the 1978 equestrian World Championships. It seems like a no-brainer, but this decision has come under fire since its installation. 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.

Horseback Riding Helmet

Dissenting is the 2022 National Cutting Horse Association rulebook. It states that competitors must wear a cowboy hat. They can only wear a safety helmet with advance approval of show management. However, rodeo and reining groups are more progressive. Saddle and bareback bronc riders, barrel racers, and reiners can all choose between a cowboy hat or protective helmet. Cowboy hats are seen as for performative and part of the experience. And yet helmet acceptance is increasing due to high-profile injuries.

If you are a horse property owner, your decision to wear a helmet may be driven by your insurance company. According to insurance agencies, head injuries occur a lot in horse sport and are avoidable in many situations. Your insurer may talk to you about wearing a helmet. For some horse property owners, premiums can rise when you’re not protecting yourself properly. Are head injuries covered in your policy? Does it specify whether the rider was wearing a helmet? Ask your insurer how your policy stands on these issues.

Horses and Vitamin E

Posted on April 11, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that horses need vitamin E? Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient in equine diets. This vitamin acts as a biological antioxidant in horses. This means that it protects tissues from the oxidative effects of free radicals. Free radicals are a natural outcome of cell metabolism. Continue reading for more information on why horses need vitamin E. 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.

Why Horses Need Vitamin E

So, how much vitamin E does your equine need? The National Research Council has the answer. There are minimum recommendations for vitamin E intake for different body weights and metabolic states in the Equine Nutritional Guidelines. A mature 500 kg horse needs a minimum daily intake about 500 IUs. If the horse is active, then bump it up to 1000. Horses consuming diets higher in unsaturated fat like corn or canola oil may not absorb vitamin E as well.

Fresh spring pasture is one of the most abundant sources of vitamin E. On the other hand, stored forages like hay lose their vitamin E activity quickly. This is the same for whole grains and other stored sources of unsaturated fats. They nay have vitamin E, but they can be eaten quickly enough. The most metabolically available source of vitamin E for equines is one where vitamin E is processed to make it water soluble. This means that you might have to provide your horse with a supplement. Talk to you vet to see if your horse is getting enough of this essential vitamin today.

Donkey Myths

Posted on June 22, 2021 by blogeditor

Did you know that donkeys are one of the oldest domesticated animals? It’s true. In fact, they were first domesticated around 3,000 BC, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia. Being a part of the human experience for that long, there’s no wonder that there are some donkey myths out there. Continue reading for the most common. Like quine myths? Here’s some top draft horse myths. 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 Donkey Myths

The most common donkey myth is that they are stubborn and stupid. This is not true. Donkeys are usually not as cooperative as horses. In other words, they’re not as easy to guide with a lead. Donkey’s are more hesitant due to the way they evolved. Horses evolved on plains where they had many sources of food. Donkeys evolved in mountainous desert areas with less resources. Donkeys take the time to assess their situation more than horses. They’re deciding whether they should stay where there’s food or move on.

Donkeys also have a reputation for being strong pack animals. However, there is a myth that they can carry more than other equines and that’s just a myth. Donkeys can only hold up to 20% of their weight. Donkey’s often don’t show they’re in pain for the same reason they’re perceived as stubborn. In a fight of flight situation, donkeys are more likely to stay and fight. Fight animals cannot show vulnerability to their opponents and so donkeys do not show their pain until they are very sick or critically injured.

Popular Wild Horse Spots in Colorado

Posted on June 10, 2021 by blogeditor

For many of us, our joy of horses start when we are very young. This is especially true if you grew up watching Black Beauty, Secretariat, or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. And what about wild horses? The term “wild horse” is also used colloquially in reference to free-roaming herds of feral horses such as the mustang in the United States, the brumby in Australia, and many others. Continue reading to find out where you can spot a wild horse 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 Horse Spots

The Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area is great for spotting wild horses. Found in the northwest corner of the state, the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area has more than 157,000 acres of land. The area is located about 45 miles west of Craig. With so much land it is not a surprise that it is home to an estimated population of about 700 horses. The area is also home to elk, mule deer, Greater sage-grouse, white-tailed prairie dogs, pronghorn, coyotes, mountain lions, badgers, and golden and bald eagles.

And then there’s the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area. This herd management area is one of the easiest to find. It is located southwest of Meeker and east of State Highway 139. If you’re lucky you can even spot some of the wild herd off of the highway. The herd is varied, featuring bay, gray, sorrel, black, roan, and buckskin breeds. Even larger than Sand Wash, this herd management area boasts 190,130 acres. You may also spot mule deer, elk, badgers and a variety of birds.