Preventing Horse Lyme Disease

Posted on May 17, 2019 by blogeditor

Equine Lyme Disease Prevention

Before reading, consider checking out our previous articles on Defining Equine Lyme Disease and Testing for Equine Lyme Disease. It is not an easy thing to care for a horse that has developed problems due to this disease. Horses that have developed neurological problems and uveitis tend to have a poor recovery. Very few horses with neurological signs are treated successfully. Unfortunately, most horses with uveitis lose their vision. No horse owner should have to go through that. This is why it is so important to prevent your horse from contracting the disease.

Lyme disease prevention consists of environmental management and controlling the risk of exposure. Mow all tall grasses, clear shrubs and bushes, and remember to keep your horses out of forests and woodland. Using fences to keep out animals carrying ticks is not always enough. Deer often transport ticks to horses, even if they do not have access to your pasture. Consider using feeding stations with insecticide-laden rubbing posts to treat deer for ticks that wander near your property. Also, use mulch between the woods and your pasture to create a buffer like a moat around a castle.

The Best Prevention Method is Simple

Regular grooming and careful tick removal is the best prevention method for equine Lyme disease. This helps prevent ticks from staying attached to horses long enough to transmit the disease. Remember to be careful when removing ticks from your horse to ensure that it does not survive and latch onto you instead. Also, apply a tick preventive such as a Permethrin spray to deter ticks from latching onto horses in the first place. Also, some veterinarians do administer a canine Lyme disease vaccine. Are you looking for a horse property in Colorado? Don’t settle for a regular realtor that doesn’t have experience with horses. Contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

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Testing for Equine Lyme Disease

Posted on May 17, 2019 by blogeditor

Does My Horse Have Lyme Disease?

Detecting and diagnosing equine Lyme disease can be very challenging. There is little to no scientific literature on the subject and therefore a lack of an experimental model for equine infection. Also, a positive lab test is not definitive enough to lead to a positive Lyme disease diagnosis. Because of this, equine Lyme disease is often over diagnosed. Though, you should still get your horse tested. However, lab results show the horse has been exposed to the disease at some point and has produced antibodies against it. With all these problems with diagnosis, here are a few sure-fire steps to figure out if your horse has the infection:

First of all, is your horse is located in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent?
Also, look for the clinical signs consistent with Lyme disease. You can find them in our article Defining Horse Lyme Disease.
You might have to rule out other causes of the clinical signs your horse is showing. These signs tend to overlap with many other equine diseases.
If your horse is in a Lyme Disease region and is showing common clinical signs of the disease that cannot be attributed to something else, then have your horse tested.

Testing Methods

Laboratory tests consist of blood and tissue testing from the affected area. Veterinarians test horse blood in several different ways. These include the indirect fluorescent antibody test, Western blot test, or whole cell immunology. However, blood testing alone can be inconclusive without tissue testing. The broad-spectrum tetracycline and similar antibiotics are the most commonly used drugs to treat equine Lyme disease. For more information check out our other articles on Lyme diseases in horses. Are you looking for a horse property in Colorado? Don’t settle for a regular realtor that doesn’t have experience with horses. Contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

Photo by Lucas Vasques on Unsplash.

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Lyme Disease In Horses

Posted on May 17, 2019 by blogeditor

Lyme Disease in Horses

Horses are exposed to many things because they are large mammals that spend most of their days out in the elements. Unfortunately, one of these things is diseases. You have probably heard about Lyme disease. It is transmitted by ticks to humans, cats, and dogs. You might not know however, that this disease can also affect horses. In humans, infections can lead to a wide range of clinical signs, including rashes, arthritis, and cardiac issues. For our house pets, Lyme disease can cause problems with the kidneys. Lyme disease in horses causes neurological issues, uveitis (eye inflammation), muscle atrophy, and behavioral changes, just to name a few.

In Colorado and other western states, Lyme disease is carried by the Western black-legged tick. These ticks have a two-year life cycle and feed on the blood of mammals to survive. Adult ticks are more active in the spring and fall. They climb to the top of the grass when temperatures rise above 40°F. When horses lie down in the grass or walk through tall grass, their hair brushes up against the leaves. This is typically how a tick attaches to the horse.

Equine Lyme Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or the CDC), reports that black-legged ticks are endemic in 14 states in the Midwest and along the East Coast. These areas have a cooler climate, therefore humans and house pets are unlikely to get the disease. Also, their geographical range appears to be expanding. However, horses live primarily outdoors, and are naturally at a higher risk of contracting Lyme disease.. In fact, horses might be more widely exposed to the disease than we realize. For information on equine Lyme disease, stay tuned for more upcoming articles on our blog. Are you looking for a horse property in Colorado? Don’t settle for a regular realtor that doesn’t have experience with horses. Contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

Photo by bradley on Unsplash.

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Horse Properties in Strasburg CO

Posted on April 30, 2019 by blogeditor

Homes For Sale in Strasburg CO

If you are looking to relocate to a small quiet town with your horses, Strasburg CO could be the right place for you. Strasburg is between the city of Denver and the high plains of Adams County. This agricultural community is rightfully cherished. Its 1,400 townspeople appreciate open fields, a simpler lifestyle, good schools and caring neighbors. Enjoy the comforts of living within driving distance of the city, with less noise, traffic, and bustle at home.

There are many developed areas in and around Strasburg where you may find available horse properties. These include Wolf Creek Farms and Coyote Ridge, and houses for sale in areas such as Strasburg East, Autumn Ridge, TC Estates, Comanche Crossing, Hutton Estate and Headlight Mile Road Estates. With so many options, Colorado Horse Property is here to show you what is actually available at any given time. If you need help in your search, contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

Strasburg CO

Besides its beautiful countryside, Strasburg is an important part of American history. Strasburg CO is the place where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans Continental Railroad. There is still a railroad depot in Strasburg as a reminder of the past. The depot is part of the Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum. The Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum also includes an old school, period house and additional display buildings.

Even though the town is small, Strasburg features a few shops, some casual sit-down restaurants, and beautiful parks. Denver isn’t the only thing within a short drive. There are several recreational facilities outside of town, including Barr Lake State Park. Barr Lake State Park is ideal for boating, fishing, bird watching and camping. You could also go to the Aurora Reservoir. The Aurora Reservoir includes a scuba-diving area, where a sunken twin-engine airplane can be viewed.

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Horse Properties in Arvada CO

Posted on April 25, 2019 by blogeditor

City of Arvada

There are many horse properties for sale in Colorado. Colorado Horse Property alone has over 3,000 listings to choose from. With so many great locations, it can be hard to start your search. A great place to look from horse properties for sale is Arvada Colorado. Arvada CO is in Jefferson and Adams counties, and a part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area. Therefore, this city has a great mix of urban and rural life that accommodates horses as well as their owners. In other words, you will have the space to care for your horses and then not have to drive a ton to get to civilization.

Arvada is the seventh most populous city in Colorado. The Olde Town Arvada historic district is only 7 miles away from the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. In fact, many horse owners work in Denver and are still able to go home to a quiet life with their horses. Check out our listings in Arvada today.

Arvada CO Attractions

Arvada CO, is full of things to do. For the horse owners, you can visit the famous Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Also, their is the Cussler Museum, which boasts a rare automobile collection. For the horses, their are many equine trails in the area they can benefit from. Most noteworthy of these trails follow beautiful creeks and canals. They are also Regional in nature, linking to other cities and counties outside Arvada’s boundaries. Popular trails include Ralston Creek Trail, Van Bibber Trail, and Little Dry Creek Trail. Arvada is also home to Rocky Mountain Horse Rescue and Iron Gait Ranch.

Arvada Weather

The city of Arvada has just the right climate for rearing horses. The average high temperature in Arvada is in 88 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Average low temperatures occur in January at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The average precipitation is approximately 15.6 inches per year.

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WZ Ranch and Colorado Horse Boarding

Posted on April 19, 2019 by blogeditor

Colorado Horse Boarders

Looking for a home is not easy. Finding the perfect area for you and your family will depend on many factors. Add a few horses into the mix and that search just got a lot harder. Finding the property with the right stable and pasture spaces can be difficult. Your friends at Colorado Horse Property suggest the best way to see if an area is suited for your horses is to bring them into the area. When searching for a new house, don’t you like to take a look at it first? Well, the same can be said for your horses. For a lot of horse owners, this could be an impossible task. Searching for a new home is hard enough for you and your family. Having to worry about hauling your horses up and down the state of Colorado puts stress on you and your horses. This is where a specialized horse boarding facility can benefit you.

There are many options for horse boarding services in Colorado. When choosing where to board your horse, ask yourself “what is important to me when looking for horse boarding near me?” Does your horse like to graze? Do you and your horse need ample trail riding nearby? Do you need access to a round pen or arena for training? If you said yes to these questions, then WZ Ranch is the overnight and short-term boarding facility you’ve been looking for.

WZ Ranch

WZ Ranch, a unique boarding facility accommodating traveling and relocating horsemen, is run by Tom and Phyllis Ellis. If regular overnight horse boarding facilities are horse hotels, WZ Ranch is the horse Hilton! Located just off of I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver, WZ Ranch has everything you and your horses need. The ranch boasts grand indoor stalls, paddocks with loafing sheds, indoor and outdoor runs, a round pen, a large indoor arena, and several grazing pastures as well.

The Ellis team moved to the Palmer Divide from Texas with the dream of offering spacious, clean, and safe spaces for horses traveling through Colorado. You will definitely want to pick their brains, since they have thirty years of experience with horses and the rodeo circuit. They can also connect you with the best clinicians, veterinarians, and farriers in the area. To make things more convenient for you while looking for your Colorado horse property, WZ Ranch offers LQ-RV pads with hookups so you don’t need to be away from your horses while searching for the perfect Colorado horse property. The Spruce Meadows and Greenland Open Space equestrian trailheads are only a few minutes away. For more details, visit the WZ Ranch website. If you need help looking for a horse property for sale, contact one of our horse-person realtors today. Also, check out our local resources page for more information on the horse services that Colorado has to offer.

WZ Ranch Photos

Taken by Colorado Horse Property with permission from Tom and Phyllis Ellis of WZ Ranch.

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Boating Lakes in Colorado

Posted on April 12, 2019 by blogeditor

Best Boating Lakes in Colorado

It is a common misconception that Colorado does not have rivers and lakes. In fact, some of the best boating lakes in Colorado are the most beautiful in the world! The following is a list of the best boating lakes in Colorado, put together by your friends at Colorado Horse Property. If you find yourself looking for properties for sale in Colorado near these great boating spots, search Colorado Horse Property. We have over three thousand listings.

Boating Lakes in Colorado

Chatfield Lake receives boaters from all over the state. The lake is a popular summer destination, where visitors take advantage of its impressive waters. It is located just outside of the Denver Metro Area. Boaters enjoy everything from fishing to water skiing on the lake’s pristine waters. The reservoir houses a full-service marina including boat rentals and a floating restaurant. Another boating paradise is Grand Lake, located at the headwaters of the Colorado River. Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake. Bring your boat and have fun swimming, participating in water sports and of course fishing. The historic Grand Lake Marina offers pontoon boats, whalers, kayaks and canoes for rent. Also, Grand Lake has some of the best view of the Rocky Mountains.

Also, Granby Lake is great for boating. Granby Lake is one of Colorado’s largest bodies of water. It has approximately 40 miles of shoreline. It sits at an altitude of 8,280 feet. The lake is home to the famous Lake Granby Yacht Club. Let’s not forget about Boyd Lake! Boyd Lake is located in Northern Colorado, one hour north of Denver. Boyd Lake has approximately 1,700 acres. Like other lakes, Boyd offers swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and biking.

Photo by Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash.

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Horse Properties in Westminster Colorado

Posted on March 28, 2019 by blogeditor

Westminster, Colorado

As a northwest suburb of Denver’s metropolitan area, Westminster Colorado has a lot to offer any horse lover looking to move to Colorado. Westminster is close to many great trails where you can take your horse for a ride. These include Little Dry Creek Trail, Farmers’ High Line Canal Trail, Rocky Mountain Greenway, U.S. 36 Bikeway, and Big Dry Creek Trail. One of the areas in Westminster with the most striking views is Standley Lake Regional Park. Just imagine the sparkle of the sun shining off the surface of the lake with the Colorado Rocky Mountains lining the background.

Westminster Mall and Landmarks

Colorado is full of beautiful landmarks. Besides the picturesque trails in the Westminster area, there are also man-made landmarks. The Westminster Mall opened in 1977 and has seen many successful additions over the years before its closing in 2011. Another famous landmark is the Westminster Old Spaghetti Factory. Contrary to what it sounds like, The Old Spaghetti Factory is not a decrepit old building, it is a thriving Italian restaurant that was founded in 1969. The restaurant is still a Westminster staple to this day. Also landmarks of the community, you will find The Westminster Library and Westminster High School. You can also visit the magical Westminster University, commonly known as the Westminster castle. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Horse Properties in Westminster Colorado

Looking for a great horse community to move into? Westminster is a great place to raise your horses. Westminster has some of the leading companies to work for in the country, including Ball Corporation and Alliance Data Systems. There are horse properties for sale in Westminster Colorado right now! If you are thinking about building a horse stable or barn in Westminster, make sure to read the Westminster land use code before getting started.

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Building Tiny Houses in Colorado

Posted on March 6, 2019 by blogeditor

Making Your Tiny House Legal

In Colorado, tiny houses built on a foundation are more legal than tiny houses on wheels. But when it comes to building tiny houses on wheels (THOW), don’t loose hope. Some jurisdictions in Colorado consider THOWs as residents if certain conditions are met. Permanently affix your tiny house on wheels to the ground. Hook it up to utilities and built it to the necessary safety standards. Even if a THOW is legal where you live, you also need to confirm the THOW can be used as an additional dwelling unit. However, ADUs are not lawful in every zone.

If your local government does not allow THOWs for residential use you can change it. Start by asking about the process for amending the zoning code to make them legal. The journey to legality will be costly and time-consuming. However, enough political pressure on your local government will lead to change of the land use code to allow tiny houses. Know what building and safety standards will apply to the construction of your tiny house on wheels. You will have to self-certify that it will meet Recreational Vehicle Industry Association standards. These will need to meet the American National Safety Institute standard 119 or manufactured home building standards. You can also contact your local building department for the safety standards that apply to you.

Tiny houses pose unique challenges to local governments. It may be tempting to forgo the permitting process. A neighbor could file a complaint and your local government may force you to remove your THOW and pay a fine. If you are looking for a horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property.

Image by callmewillen on Pixabay.

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Tiny House Regulations in Colorado

Posted on March 5, 2019 by blogeditor

Tiny House Building Regulations

Though the tiny house community continues to grow, it still isn’t legal to build them for full-time use. Zoning laws and tiny house regulations require a minimum square footage for new-construction homes. The journey to reduce this minimum is a slow and arduous one. But don’t give up just yet. You can count with your fingers how many cities have directly addressed tiny houses. Though there’s a lot of enthusiasm on tiny house living the zoning codes and tiny house regulations are often confusing. Most people feel intimidated to go to their local governments with their questions.

The recent activity in the community has been ran by grassroots organizers. They have pushed cities to accommodate tiny homes all by themselves. These small town groups asked their government officials for changes to local building and zoning codes. Therefore, new tiny house ordinances are very specific to the town or city they are approved in. We also now have the American Tiny House Association. This association has rounded up regulations for many states, as well as contact info for state chapter leaders. For the states without new regulations, your only option is to petition your own city for tiny house friendly zoning changes.

Tiny House References

We have gathered a lot of information on tiny houses for your convenience. In the state of Colorado, tiny houses on wheels are recreational vehicles in the eyes of the law. For more information on the legality of tiny houses on wheels in Colorado, read “Is Tiny House Living Illegal in Colorado.” Your other option is to build a tiny house on a foundation. For more information on this type of tiny house living, read “Additional Dwelling Units in Colorado.” If you are looking for a horse property in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property.

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