Let’s Talk Home Lighting

Posted on March 2, 2018 by blogeditor

Getting the right kind of home lighting for your home is essential. Even if you had the nicest home in Colorado, it will not look that way without good home lighting. Fortunately, since the passing of a new energy act in 2017, it is now required that new energy-efficient light bulbs are used. 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.

Home Lighting

Standard incandescent bulbs do a poor job at lighting up your home. Therefore they are phasing out and eventually will be unavailable. However, you should still shop around when it comes to these new alternative bulbs because they differ considerably in price. For example, LED bulbs are the most efficient but they also cost the most. If you are looking for a bulb that will show off your new Colorado horse property but don’t have a fortune to spend, then CFLs are a less expensive alternative. Keep in mind that the more expensive replacements offer lower operating costs and longer economic life.

If you are making the decision to replace your home lighting, then you should have a plan in place. It could be very expensive to replace all the bulbs in your home at one time. What if most of the bulbs still work? Do you just throw them out? Colorado Horse Property would advice homeowners to only replace the bulbs in the rooms where the lights are used the most such as kitchen, family rooms and bathrooms. Bulbs differ in light output (lumens) as well as color of light.

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The Tax Cut and Jobs Act

Posted on February 28, 2018 by blogeditor

Buying a home is a big decision, and the tax laws in the past can weigh hard on that decision. In today’s economic climate buyers who worry about what might happen to the tax laws affecting home ownership should feel more confident about moving forward with their decision to buy. This is all thanks to The Tax Cut and Jobs Act. 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 Tax Cut and Jobs Act

The good news: The Tax Cut and Jobs Act continues to treat real estate as a favored investment. Whether it is for your home or a rental property, the tax laws are in place. The only thing that might still be concerning are mortgage rates which are expected to rise as well as prices. But don’t give up just yet. Your dream home can still be yours and sooner than you think.

Not only is the mortgage interest deduction intact for most taxpayers, the capital gain exclusion for principal residences up to $500,000 is also still in place. Taxpayers can annually elect to take a newly increased standard deduction or itemize deductions; the taxpayer will pick whichever will benefit them the most.

A house payment under the new laws, along with taxes and insurance, is most likely cheaper than to rent because rents will continue to rise in the future. Rental properties are still great investments because Section 1031 exchanges, capital gains and depreciation remain the same for rental properties.

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Hoof Cracks

Posted on February 28, 2018 by blogeditor

Problems with your horse hoof cracks should always be taken care of quickly. These issues can get worse if not fixed right away by your farrier. In fact hoof cracks can be very painful for your horse. However, some small cracks, usually vertical, are only a minor issue. Horizontal cracks an inch or less wide could be worse. In other words, it’s hard to tell. That’s why an experienced farrier should check them out. This type of damage indicates a minor, healed trauma to the coronary band and is quite common. These two issues are fairly harmless, but not all hoof injuries are the same.

Hoof Cracks

If you discover any of these issues when checking and cleaning your horses hooves, then you should get them fixed as soon as possible. If you notice vertical cracks at the bottom of the hoof that go around the bottom of the foot, this could be affecting the sole of your animal. Cracks that extend more than an inch up the hoof can be sign of a chronically unbalanced hoof.

Odd are you are great friends with your farrier, so you should work with them to find out the cause of this issue so that you can stop it from reoccurring. Remember the longer you waits to call your veterinarian and/or farrier the more damage can be done. Check out our local resources page if you need help finding a Colorado farrier. 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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Healing With Horses at Happy Dog Ranch

Posted on February 27, 2018 by blogeditor

Finding the right Colorado horse real estate for you can be difficult, especially if you want to live in an area that doesn’t compromise on social and night-life aspects just because you live in a rural area. Imagine that you are taking a thirty minute ride from downtown Denver. Also, you look out on over fifty acres of beautiful Colorado countryside, spotting dozens of horses.

Colorado Horse Property did some research and found that place with the perfect balance. It is called The Happy Dog Ranch Foundation. Happy Dog Ranch is a non-profit horse rescue and sanctuary, bordering the scenic Chatfield State Park to the north and east. The ranch is run by owners Bernadette and John Spillane. They now have over forty horses and an assortment of other animals including goats, ducks, chickens, alpacas, pigs and more. Also as a child, Bernadette always had an affinity for animals, and horses had a special place in her heart.

Happy Dog Ranch

The Spillane’s did not buy the property for the purpose of becoming the sanctuary that it is today. In fact they started out with just one horse. Then over the years they took in animals whenever the community needed them to. If you are looking for a horse property for sale in Littleton and the surrounding area, knowing that the Spillane’s are close by is a big comfort. The name of the ranch comes from the fact that Native Americans used to call horses dogs. Moreover, if you met the Spillane’s two Irish Wolfhounds, Carrie and Murphy, you would know why. At around thirty inches tall, these dogs are as big as their Haflinger Pony cross named Ayla.

The foundation fosters an environment in which adoption seekers really must get to know the animal first. Therefore eliminating rash decisions. They aren’t just buying a horse after all. They are also taking a member away from its herd and that is a big decision to make. Therefore, the foundation does less adoptions than other rescues.

How Happy Dog Ranch Heals

What makes Happy Dog Ranch unique is that it offers a space for clinicians, educators, and therapists to come together and serve the Colorado horse community. Through educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs, Happy Dog Ranch has helped many people with mental disabilities and behavioral problems, as well as those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from all ages and backgrounds. The ranch is a known space for Hope Held By A Horse, an organization that assists women who have had breast cancer in healing through sessions with horses. Horsemanship classes at the ranch can teach you to become a horse therapist and get certified.

The healing here is simple. Horses, as a biological need to preserve themselves, can sense when people aren’t well. Drawing out the fears and emotions of someone can help guide trained therapists in figuring out how they can better help those in need. Bernadette, the staff, and the volunteers at Happy Dog Ranch know that horses are teachers not tools. Therefore, these animals teach love, trust, and responsibility. The ranch is also a training ground for programs at the University of Denver and the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies.

How You Can Help

Like most non profit organizations, Happy Dog Ranch cannot function without the help and support from its community. However, one of the best ways that you can help this organization move forward is by sponsoring one of their many animals. You can also make a donation to Happy Dog Ranch through Amazon Smile, Colorado Gives, or simply through Paypal. The ranch also cannot survive without volunteers. Therefore, volunteers get firsthand experience with walking, grooming, feeding, and watering the horses. If you would like to volunteer at the ranch, just visit the volunteer page on their website to apply.

Happy Dog Ranch Photo Gallery

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Horse Nutrition

Posted on February 23, 2018 by blogeditor

Making sure that your horses have the right nutrition to stay healthy all year long can be a hassle. If you are not prepared that is. There are a few easy things that you can do to make sure that your horse nutrition is up to par. You should always try to provide fresh, temperate water for your animals. Water should be kept at a palatable temperature to encourage drinking and prevent dehydration. 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 Horse Nutrition

Another thing you can do is use a prebiotic or a potent probiotic to keep the hind gut microbial population healthy. Adding feed to your horses regular food is a great way to improve your animals health. When feeding bran mashes, or any added feed, make sure to continue the trend on a daily basis.

Use a commercial product with added calcium or feed alfalfa to counteract the elevated phosphorus content from the mash. Salt is also important for your horses nutrition. Salt blocks, free choice granulated salt, or adding two tablespoons of table salt to your horse’s meals per day will help a lot. Interested in reading more about horse nutrition? Check out more from our blog on this subject.

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Feeding Your Horses

Posted on February 23, 2018 by blogeditor

What you’re feeding your horses is important. When grass is cut for hay, it is then dried and stored. This process is a little counter-intuitive because the grass will begin to lose a lot of its nutritional value. Feeding your horses without vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin A, and omega-3 is not great. However, by the time it becomes hay, it is not enough to make sure that you’re horses are healthy. 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.

Feeding Your Horses

Your horses can get these nutrients from the fresh grass growing in your pasture. However, what about during the harsh Colorado winter when the grass dies and covered with snow? During the winter in Colorado, the days are shorter and therefore there is less sunlight. Making sure your horse gets enough vitamin D is important to insure healthy joints and muscles in your animals. During the cold months your horses need a supplement to make up for the lack of nutrients.

Fortunately there are plenty of alternatives that you can purchase for your horses to make sure they get all the vitamins they need to stay strong, most notable of which is alfalfa. Alfalfa is a leguminous plant with clover-like leaves and bluish flowers. This plant is high in protein which is great for your animals.

You can even mix in the hay that you already have with the alfalfa so that you don’t have to waste anything. This type of diet will protect your horse’s muscles, joints, feet, skin, hair and bones fed, and protecting his blood and immune function. Alfalfa also serves as a stomach buffer against developing an ulcer, a common occurrence when a horse is stalled during the winter after being used to full-time turnout.

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Horse Vaccinations

Posted on February 22, 2018 by blogeditor

The first line of defense against diseases and viruses that your horses may pick up this year are vaccinations. Horse vaccinations will boost your animals immune system to protect them against contracting diseases. However, living in the United States doesn’t makes your animals less prone to international 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.

Horse Vaccinations

Professional conducted a study of horses all around the United States in 2017. They found that nearly 400 of them had the West Nile virus. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching an animal suffer from a disease; one that can be prevented through a simple vaccination. Do the right thing and get your horses vaccinated. If you are in Colorado, consider visiting a professional at the Littleton Equine Medical Center or the Colorado Equine Clinic.

Other things you have to look out for are pathogens that mosquitoes carry. Also, these insects can potentially pass on to your animals. Mosquito populations tend to peak in the late summer and fall. Therefore, fall is often the time when we see more cases of mosquito borne diseases. This includes the horses diseases the Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis.

Traveling animals will be more horse vaccinations than those staying on the ranch. They come in contact with many different horses and environments like at rodeos of common horse shows and performances. Therefore, you need booster vaccines to help prevent highly contagious diseases such as equine influenza virus and equine herpes virus. Take your horses to the veterinarian at least once a year. Get a physical and dental exam, vaccinations and a deworming evaluation.

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Preventing Horse Rabies

Posted on February 22, 2018 by blogeditor

Taking care of your horses is a beautiful thing that can actually reduce stress. No one wants their animals to get sick. Therefore, doing what you can do to reduce the chance of your animals contracting horse rabies is importance. Studies show that there is an increased risk of your horses contracting this virus in the late summer and fall. This is when populations of wildlife are at their highest. 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.

Like any other animal, horses get this vicious virus by being bitten by another animal that already has it. Rodents, raccoons, bats, and other small mammals are often cited with carrying and spreading rabies. These types of animals have been known to stow away in barns. Therefore, make sure you check your horse stalls for these animals to reduce the risk of your horses getting bit.

Horse Rabies

Do you think that your horse has been bitten by a rabid animal? Be cautious when handling them even if you are not sure that they have horse rabies. Treat every case as if they do have the virus so that you do not risk your own exposure. If you have been in contact with a horses saliva after they have shown signs of having rabies, then you should immediately contact your doctor and get treated.

The quicker you get treated, for you and your animal, the better. The truth is that rabies is very hard to detect in horses, and though it is rare that they contract this disease it is a long road to recovery when they do. If you have any questions of concerns that your horse may have contracted rabies then you can take your animals to a professional at the Littleton Equine Medical Center or Colorado Equine Clinic.

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Time Management

Posted on February 21, 2018 by blogeditor

Time management is very important but also very underrated. If you have a family or an active lifestyle, then you know how precious time can be. Your schedule fills up quick with more things to do than there are hours in the day. Do you have an appointment in the morning? The kids have lessons to get to? Do you still need to go shopping to fill the empty pantry?

Time is valuable and no one wants to waste it, most of all real estate agents. Agents know that you can’t put your life on-hold while you’re trying to buy or sell a home. Whether you have a family, a couple, or you are single, life continues and the time constraints of moving can become burdensome. Agents at Colorado Horse Property are committed to helping you save time while making the experience of buying or selling a home memorable. We know the process and the potential problem areas and can help you move through them. So to preserve your precious time, and your agents time and energy, here are a few things you can do.

Time Management

First and foremost, if for what ever reason you are no longer able to buy or sell depending on what you are trying to accomplish, always let your agent know as soon as possible. There’s nothing worse than an agent spending hours trying to find the perfect home for you and then find out later that you changed your mind the day before. Secondly, if you agent is on time for appointments than you should be.

Cancelling appointments with agents should be done with as much notice as you can possibly give. One of the biggest set backs in the buying process is not having all of your required documentation. So work with your loan professional by providing all requested documentation when it is needed. If you gather all the required documents on the same day for an appointment and store them in the same place, you can reduce the chance of forgetting anything.

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Paying Off Your Mortgage

Posted on February 20, 2018 by blogeditor

Paying off your mortgage? Who doesn’t want to get rid of their debt? No long owing money on your home and paying off your mortgage so that you own your home is a huge part of the American Dream. But don’t write that check just yet—there may be conflicting circumstances that will change your mind. Paying off your mortgage early will no doubt leave you with more cash every month, less interest paid, and a great credit score, but there are also negative consequences as well. At Colorado Horse Property we know that everyone’s financial situations are different, so make sure you know the facts before making any decisions.

Paying Off Your Mortgage Pros

Paying off your mortgage will leave you with peace of mind knowing that you don’t have a mortgage to worry about.
You will save on interest, regardless of your current mortgage rate.
You can lower your housing costs, allowing you to save for more important things like retirement.

The Cons

You could use the money that you have to pay off your mortgage to pay off other debts that have higher interest rates.
Your employer might have a matching retirement plan that would benefit you a lot more.
You have more urgent financial needs like emergency fund, life, health and disability insurance. Don’t pay off your mortgage when the money is better used somewhere else.
If you believe that high inflation will affect the value of your mortgage then paying off your mortgage could become too expensive. Contact your property adviser for more information on inflation before making a decision.
You can invest at a higher rate than your mortgage.
You might not qualify for a mortgage currently.

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