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Horses & People...It's the same rule in our life..Keep things simple,sensible & safe!!. Here we have listed some interresting tips & insights to help you in some basic information on horse care, trail safety, workshops we offer, & practical articles written by various authors on Twister's training techniques etc.
MOSQUITOS:
So you don't like those pesky mosquitoes, especially now
that they have the
potential to carry the West Nile Virus?
Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum.
Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple drops
of Lemon
Fresh Joy dish detergent.
Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area.
Not sure what
attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate color, or
what, but
mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking
the Lemon
Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet
of the plate.
Check this out---it works just super! May seem trivial, but
it may help
control mosquitoes around your home, especially in the South
and elsewhere
where the West Nile virus is reaching epidemic proportions
in mosquitoes,
birds, and humans.
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SCRATCHES:
50/50: DMSO and Non creamy Desitin (the white tube), NOT
THE BLUE TUBE. It is a fungus, not necessarily contagious.
Some horses are more prone to develop scratches than others.
Our experience is that we see it winter or summer. Keep it
applied on regular basis and we have found good results using
this mixture.
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SLICK THAT WINTER HAIR OFF YOUR HORSES:
Use Soy Bean Meal which is 48% protein. It just takes 1/2
handful per feeding or that is what we use. It has worked
real well.
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HORSE CARE TIPS ...Frequently Asked
Questions
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
IN ANY QUESTIONABLE SITUATION CONSULT YOUR LOCAL VET, OR QUALIFIED
HORSE CARE INDIVIDUAL.
FEEDING
Horses were born to graze.
HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH FEED IS ENOUGH?
Each horse is an individual: Our rule is - There should always
be hay found in the feeder at the next feeding.
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WATER
Fresh, clean, water supply - always available. Water containers
need to be clean - Scrub out with a brush on a regular basis,
especially in hot weather. At feeding time check water containers
for contamination due to drowning birds , horse fecal matter,
mice, etc.
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HOW CAN I TELL IF MY HORSE IS SICK?
For the sake of simplicity, let's work with the scenario
that your horse is stabled in a back pen at your home.
First, develop the habit to observe your horse on a regular
basis. Notice how he eats, waters, etc. In his pen, see how
he moves about, how he travels, is he a social creature?,
etc. Their personalities differ just like humans. The more
you get acquainted with your individual horse, the more apt
you will be to notice changes such as these generic signs:
- Off of his feed and water
- Somewhat standoffish
- Depressed
- Hangs his head - no interest - not alert or bright-eyed,
fever, runny nose etc.
With these signs in mind, changes will trigger you to investigate
further into your horse's well being. Check things out with
a knowledgeable horse person and, of course, your local vet.
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DO ALL HORSES NEED SHOES?
This all depends on your horse's feet, condition of the soil
he will be ridden in and the type of riding you will be enjoying.
There are individual considerations - check it out with your
horseshoer, trainer or otherwise qualified horse folk. There is quite a movement of barefoot horses....that can work in some circumstances but here in our Arizona ranch country it is a "rocky bugger".....We do the shoeing here & Twister is extrememly fussy as to getting it done right for our riding country here.
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WHAT ABOUT SHOTS?
Consult with your local vet. Your veterinarian is the individual
who can help you to instigate a shot program suited for your
location and well-being of your horse. He will be able to
provide you with clear guidelines to care for your horse.
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Training Tips
IMPORTANCE OF LOUNGING YOUR HORSE:
We lounge each and every horse here at the place every day
they are ridden--great way to warm him up. First, in the round
pen, then progress to just running them around on the end
of the bridle rein.
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IF YOUR HORSE IS FRESH:
Get your mount up from the pasture, pen or barn. Do the grooming,
tack him up and head for the round pen or an enclosed area,
making sure you have plenty of room to move your horse around.
Teach him to the longe line, and warm him up good, moving
him out in a warm up trot, moving him finally into a lope
around the pen, do both directions, . When he flattens out,
drops his head, licks his lips etc, he is ready for the first
ride. Horses can get really sick of the pen work, so look
for the signs that he is ready to be ridden, check and tighten
your cinch, mount up, lope around the pen in both directions,
then open the gate! We want him relaxed and ready to learn...don’t
build a sorry attitude by boring repetition of running him
around the pen forever.
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Trail Tips
#1.Don't wear aftershave or you gals, don't wear spritzers or perfumes when you are riding horses...you can save yourselves a Bee attack. Keep that in mind for dedorants etc.
#2. Snap, long sleeve shirts, for protection from the sun, cancer causing skin damage, & the brush. The snaps pop loose if you get hung up on brush etc.
#3. Jackets that have snaps also...same reasons. Think about it...if you bobble somehow on your horse & the bottom front of your jacket gently wraps itself over the horn...woozie!!! you is tied to it!!! (bad grammer on purpose)!!! I really like my denim jackets...some don't have snaps so I just don't button the last button.
#4. Wear wide brim hats for protection from the sun or rains. In the summer it will help you stay more hydrated...the heat here is brutal & dry.
#5. Wild Rags will save your life in the cold days...silk rags on sale can be spendy but I usually sew some up from inexpensive poly fabrics from Walmarts....it works great & makes good Christmas gifts.
#6. Riding Boots...Get a good fit, plenty of room in the instep & your calves should not be too tight in the boots...No lace ups....scary thing to wonder if your boot will pull off if you stick a foot thru a stirrup or if something spooky would take place.
This is a general guideline, it reaffirms “safety first”,
then enjoy.
Adios, from the other side of the fence, cook and domestic
engineer, the wife.
Sandy
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Please see our FAQ
page for more information.
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