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.

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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.

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The Chincoteague Pony

Posted on January 25, 2021 by blogeditor

The Chincoteague pony is a breed of feral horse that lives on Assateague Island in both Virginia and Maryland. It is not common for a horse breed to be called a “pony”. The Chincoteague pony gets this name due to their smaller stature which is created by the poor habitat on Assateague Island. Island Chincoteague ponies live on a diet of salt marsh plants and brush, a poor nutritional diet that gives the breed their small size. Here’s some more on the history of this unique horse breed. 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.

History of The Chincoteague Pony

Some say this breed descended from survivors of wrecked Spanish galleons off the Virginia coast. However that is unlikely. Experts say the breed came from stock released on the island by 17th-century colonists. This was a popular thing at the time for those looking to escape livestock laws and taxes on the mainland. A volunteer fire company held the first official “Pony Penning Day” in 1924. The volunteers auctioned off Chincoteague ponies as a way to raise money for fire equipment. The annual event has continued in the same fashion almost uninterrupted to the present day.

Today, the federal government owns the entire Island. A fence on the Maryland/Virginia state line separates two herds of the ponies. Therefore, around 150 ponies live on the Virginia side of the fence and 80 live on the Maryland side. Also, the herds live on land managed by two different federal agencies with very different management strategies. Just like many other horse breeds, these ponies come in several different colors and patterns. They can be any solid color, and are often found in pinto patterns.

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Pest Prevention

Posted on January 25, 2021 by blogeditor

Pest prevention is an important part of securing your barn. There are several important reasons why you should do this. The biggest reason is disease prevention. Rodents are known to carry several diseases, many of which are transferable to both horses and humans. These pests can contaminate feed with diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis, and trichinosis. Rodents also carry fleas, mites, and ticks. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent these pests from infiltrating your barn. 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.

Pest Prevention For Horse Owners

Firstly, think about your feed storage. Plastic and wood containers are vulnerable to being chewed through by rodents. Try keeping your feed and supplements in rodent-proof containers such as metal trashcans with secured lids. Always sweep up any feed spills as these can attract the pests. Also, check the floor of your feed room regularly for holes. You can temporarily plug holes with with steel wool but ultimately should plug them with caulk. Windows and doors need to shut tightly with no gaps around the frame.

Now that you’ve secured the area, it’s time to be proactive. Barn cats and owls are a good solution for some horse owners. Just remember that these animals will need more to eat than rodents. If you aren’t looking to take care of extra animals, traps are also useful. Traditional spring traps or sticky pads placed near walls or holes work the best. Most horse owners that we know don’t use poison traps as they can inadvertently harm other animals.

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Stubborn Eaters

Posted on January 25, 2021 by blogeditor

Many horse owners see their equine companions as family; even as their children. Just like children, horses can be very stubborn eaters. Finding a diet that’s nutritious and stimulates the horse palate can be very challenging. Here are a few simple tips that you can use to get started when dealing with your stubborn eaters. 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.

Again, just like us, horses have specific preferences for the tastes, textures, and smells of the things they eat. However, nervousness can also play a large role in your horse’s picky habits. This presents a whole new set of challenges. First you must find what is causing your horse’s nervousness. Is it a physical problem? Issues like ulcers or dental problems could cause a horse to turn away from specific foods. If your horse is not nervous, then it could just be your horse’s preferences coming into play. For example, when it comes to grain some horses prefer pelleted feed. Other horses prefer their grain to be more textured.

And there’s more than just texture your horse might be fussing about. Did you know that many feed manufacturers add aromas and flavors to their products? Though these additives are meant to entice your horse, it could be doing the opposite. The answer here is to sample different products to find what your horse prefers. Horses often chose sweet flavors over sour ones, such as lemon and orange. In some cases, some horses have been known to not like grains at all. Nothing says your horse has to eat grain, but they’d have to make up the rest in forage. Remember, an average 1,000-pound horse requires 15-25 pounds of forage every day. If you are having issues with a stubborn eater, always check with your horse’s clinician for nutrition options.

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Barn Apartments

Posted on January 21, 2021 by blogeditor

Photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

Barn apartments are living spaces built into or above barns. There are many benefits to having this type of living space. Barn apartments serve many purposes. They provide housing for caretakers. Barn apartments are often used as a study or recreational space. They can even be used as a guest house for visitors. Planning is an important process when building any living space. The following are a few things to consider when working on your own barn apartments. 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 Apartment Planning

The first thing to think about when building your barn apartment is noise. There’s no way around it—horses are noisy. This makes sleeping in an apartment that’s beside or above a barn challenging. When planning out the space, try to position the bedroom next to or above the tack or feed room. These types of rooms are typically more quiet than the rest of the barn. Unfortunately, some designs can’t accommodate this. If you have to put the bedroom above the horse stalls, remember to use sound dampening materials during construction. A well-insulated room is just as good at keeping out animal noises.

Like any living space, your barn apartment will need utility access. With careful planning, you can take advantage of the utilities that your barn already has. This is particularly good when it comes to plumbing. By positioning the bathroom and kitchen above or next to the barn’s bathroom, you can use the existing piping in your build. The same goes for installing heating and electrical systems in the living space. Piggy-backing on ducts or electrical lines that are already there could save you time and money in your build.

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Corrective Exercises For Horses

Posted on January 7, 2021 by blogeditor

Forming good habits is key to providing the best training for your horse. The more time a horse spends in the correct alignment and balance, the more firmly good habits form. That’s why performing exercises that correct and promote alignment and balance are so important. Continue reading for how often to perform corrective exercises and the benefits of doing so. 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.

Corrective Exercises & Good Horse Habits

Every horse is different, therefore the amount of correct exercises you should perform each training session will vary. However, most professional trainers recommend using three to five corrective exercises during each training session. The best time for corrective exercises is in the beginning before the horse is warmed up. This will prime your horse’s neurosensory and neuro-motor systems, which go along with the larger muscles. Here are some of the most common benefits you can look forward to after using corrective exercises.

The simplest change is that it will reduce the time spent in unhelpful movement patterns. But there are other benefits that go beyond the surface. For example, corrective exercises increase the range of motion in joints, which in turn creates reflexive “releases” and looseness. Your horse will also build up their postural muscles, often referred to as core muscles. Strengthening these muscles allow the limbs to move more freely, resulting in better engagement. Developing good postural habits will minimize confusion, tension, and anxiety in your horse. Lowering your horse’s anxiety will not only increase their productivity during training, but will reduce their susceptibility to illness.

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Riding Sidesaddle

Posted on January 7, 2021 by blogeditor

Riding a horse sidesaddle is an idea that has been around for a long time. Sitting sidesaddle was originally created as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse without messing up their clothes. The type of saddle used for this riding style is quite different from the usual saddle. 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 Sidesaddle Design

In the early days of horseback riding, women wore long skirts. This type of clothing is impractical and dangerous when riding in a normal saddle. Before people began to dress differently, the safest way to ride with skirts was sidesaddle. This meant that saddle makers had to develop a saddle that could accommodate riding from the side while keeping the rider in control. The design of the sidesaddle has changed many times over its history.

By the 15th century this saddle included a central horn in the front that would become the “top pommel.” The cantle or the back part of the saddle was slightly raised at the rear, but overall remained too flat. Without the contour of the saddle that we have today, it was extremely hard to keep still on this saddle. That’s why the design later included a safety rail that steadied the rider. Over time, more changes and adjustments were made. By the 1830s another pommel, the “leaping head,” was introduced. This pommel curved over the rider’s left thigh, securing the rider more than ever before.

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Hiking In The New Year

Posted on January 7, 2021 by blogeditor

The National Association of State Park Directors reported that nearly 85,000 people attended parks for New Year’s 2020. But due to the pandemic, this number dropped significantly in 2021. However, you can’t stop hikers from hitting the trails for too long. Though the groups will be smaller, The National Association of State Park Directors still expect to see a ton of people hiking in the new year. 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 Parks For Hiking In The New Year

With that said, let’s talk about some of our favorite parks. Cheyenne Mountain State Park, located in Colorado Springs, is a favorite among our clients. Just starting from the Limekiln trailhead, there are so many trails to choose from. These include Zook loop, Sundance loop, and the 5.3-mile Talon Trail. Another popular park is Mueller State Park, in Divide Colorado. This park usually offers guided trips in some of the best trails in the state. Among these trailheads are Outlook Ridge, Elk Meadow, and Preacher’s Hollow.

If you’re looking for something closer to the Metro area, there’s Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora. This beautiful park, which boasts the Cherry Creek Reservoir, is only twenty minutes from downtown Denver. Alternatively, take a drive south on 85 and you’ll come across Chatfield and Roxborough State Parks. Both are great for hikers and include multiple trails to choose from. Though you’re outside, you’ll still be required to carry a mask with you in case you come across other hikers. Be safe and happy hiking!

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New Year’s Resolutions For Horse Owners

Posted on December 31, 2020 by blogeditor

New Year’s celebrations represent change and new opportunities to grow. Though the pandemic will halt the usual festivities this year, not even a virus can stop good old American tradition. I’m talking about New Year’s resolutions of course. However, this tradition does get a bad wrap because of the low numbers of follow through. In fact, an estimated 60% of Americans set New Year’s resolutions, while only 8% stick with it. But what if your resolutions include horse-related goals?

Sticking To Your Word

The key to setting New Year’s goals that you’ll stick with is making them achievable. When setting New Year’s goals we often go too big because we figure there’s an entire year to get things done, but unfortunately that’s not how humans work. When it comes to setting goals, being very specific is best. Also, if your goals involve things that you love (i.e. your horses), you’re more likely to follow through with them. So instead of saying, “I want to be a cowboy this year,” reword it to include the things you care about like “I want to be a better horse owner and rider.” You’re on your way, but remember to be specific. What specific goals can you achieve that will lead you to accomplishing the bigger objective?

Self-esteem also plays a very big role in keeping up with New Year’s resolutions. For example, if you don’t believe you’re a good rider then you’re never going to improve simply by saying it’s your resolution. Your specific goals should include spaces for you to celebrate achievements. For example, “After completing a riding training course, me and my horse are getting a new shiny saddle.” You might not be the best student your trainer has tutored, but you completed a goal and should be awarded for sticking with it. Positive reinforcements are another key factor to a successful New Year’s resolution. 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.

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