Winter Care Tips

Hey NEIGHbours, it's that time of the year again, winter time.  You know what that means.  It's time to bust out those big blankets, water trough heaters, and it's going to be cold!  Here are some tips on how you can make sure your horses are prepared for the season.

Tip #1

Make sure that your horse has plenty of hay to eat in the paddock.  The bulk of their diet should be hay as by digesting it, the hay produces heat and helps to keep the horse warm.  A normal horse will consume roughly around 20 pounds of hay per day in warmer weather.  During the winter, that same horse may need 25 to 30 pounds a day.  

Tip #2

Ensure that your horse has an ample water supply.  Make routine checks to the paddock to make sure that the water trough is free of ice.  If you have electricity out near the paddocks, you could put in a bucket heater to help keep the water warm.  If the water is kept slightly warm during the winter, water consumption typically increases.  Add salt to your horse's feed, or provide them with a mineral salt lick to help increase water consumption. 

Tip #3

Show your horse some love in the winter and don't ask him to accept a freezing cold bit.  Keep the bridle in a heated area until it is not cold to the touch before putting it on your horse.  Hold the bit in your hand, under your arm, or inside your warm jacket to heat it up.  

Tip #4

Keep your horses feet free of snow.  A neat trick is to smear petroleum jelly on the bottom.  Make sure that you keep up with regular trimmings.  Clipped hooves will help provide a better grip on slippery ground, and are less likely to chip.  

Tip #5

When cooling down your horse after a ride, make sure he his ears are cold.  Cold ears mean a cold horse.  Make sure he is dry before putting him away.  Towel him over, roughing up the hair.  You can also use a hair dryer, if he is not afraid of them.  (Not a luxury for me, my horse would have heart failure.) Once dry, curry and brush him to separate the hairs and keep him warm.   

Tip #6

Ensure that you provide your horse with some form of shelter.  Trees help to provide a natural wind barrier, but the best protection comes from a run-in.  Make sure it is adequate enough to provide shelter for all the horses in the paddock.  When choosing a turnout blanket, make sure it is appropriate for the weather conditions.  Ensure that it fits properly and all straps are secure and safe.  

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  Be sure to check out my other blogs at http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca, and follow me on my respective social media sites.

Sources:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/30899/winter-horse-care-tips-for-owners

http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Horse-In-the-Winter

http://horses.about.com/od/seasonalcare/qt/winterhorsecare.htm

Percherons... The Gentle Giants

Recently I have developed a love for the gentle giants of the equine world, draft horses, particularly Percherons.  I thought I would do a write up on these beautiful draft horses.

Percherons originated in the Huisane river valley in northern France, part of the former Perche province. La Perche is one of the oldest horse breeding regions in the world and is where the Percheron name developed.  In the 8th century, Arabian and other oriental horses were mated with heavy native horses and cob stock, producing the first Percheron horses.  In the Middle Ages, the Comte de Perche introduced Spanish blood into the breed, followed by the importing of Andalusian stallions by Comte de Rotrou.  Arabs and English Thoroughbreds were mixed into the bloodlines in the 18th century.  The gray colour in the Percherons can be traced all the way back to 1820, to two imported, gray Arababian stallions.  All the Percherons around today, can trace their lineage directly back to 1823 to a horse named Jean Le Blanc.

Percherons were originally bred for use as war horses, and artillery horses.  They have also served as carriage horses, pulling stage coaches.  Later the breed began to be used as a working horse, hauling heavy goods on the farms.  Breeders became more interested in using the breed as a work horse, rather than a carriage horse.  In the middle of the 19th century, heavy mares were brought in to mix with the breed in order to focus on breeding the heavier Percheron people are accustomed to today.  The first Percherons in North America were imported to the United States in 1839.  Canada imported their first Percheron from the United States. All Percherons in Canada and the United States remain genetically pure, as all horses can follow their ancestry back to the originating stock from La Perche.

The Percherons found in North America today, stand, on average, between 16.2 and 17.3 hands.  The range can vary from 15 to 19 hands, and they weigh in, on average, 1900 to 2600 pounds.  Typically they are black or gray in colour, but have been known to be roan, bay, or chestnut.  White markings have been known to appear on heads and legs, but the registries consider excessive white undesirable.  The Percheron head has a straight profile, broad forehead, large eyes, and small ears.  The chest is deep and wide, and croup is long and level.  Feet and legs are heavy muscled.

Percherons are known for their intelligence, ease of handling, equable temperament, and willingness to work.  These horses are an elegant heavy horse, and are active, showy and easy movers.  Although they adapt to different climates well, they are not as hardy in extreme winter conditions as other draft types.  Today the breed is still used as a working horse on small farms.  When they are not working on the farm, they are used for hayrides, sleigh rides, and parades.  Many people show the breed in hitching lasses.  Some even use them under saddle for both English and Western riding.

On that note, I definitely think my next horse is going to be a Percheron.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  Please remember to subscribe to receive an email informing you of my next post.

Don't forget to check out my other blogs posts http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca, and follow me on my respective social media sites.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percheron
http://www.percheron.ca/history.htm

Endurance Riding... Perhaps My New Discipline?

Recently I have considered switching riding disciplines.  All I have ever known since I was seven years old, has been the world of Classical Riding, Dressage.  While I have enjoyed all that I have learned from it, sometimes you need a change of scenery.  I was introduced to the world of Competitive Trail Riding by a friend of mine.  It is something that she is looking into as well.  When we were at the Royal Winter Fair this weekend, we had the pleasure of speaking with a representative from the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association.  After speaking with him about what this discipline is all about, it prompted me to come home and learn some more about it.

Endurance riding was introduced by Wendell T. Robie.  The idea was to have a sport that involved rapport with one's horse; companionship on a trail; and the opportunity to share the incomparable scenery of the territory. The very first endurance ride was named the 100 Mile Telvis Cup, and due to it's success, 3 endurance organizations were soon created.  Endurance riding soon became a sport practiced by equestrian riders all over the world.

In 1968, Nancy Beacon, Di Regandaz, and Di Lindblad formed the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association (OCTRA).  OCTRA was formed after three founding rides.  The first was in 1967 when Di Linblad's Rockwood Trail Riders put on a competitive ride.  Following this ride, Nancy Beacon hosted a 30 mile competitive ride in Flesherton from Best's Stable.  The final founding ride was held by The Riding Canucks.  This was a 50 mile Endurance Ride that was open to everyone.  It began at Old Markham Fairgrounds in Markham Ontario, and ended in the Rouge Valley.  Only one horse failed to complete the ride.

Since its founding in 1968, OCTRA has grown to over 300 members in Ontario and Easter Quebec, and offers over a dozen competitions.  To find out more about how to join.  Visit OCTRA's website at http://www.octra.on.ca.

Thank you for reading my blog.  Please check out my other blogs at http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca

Sources:
http://www.octra.on.ca/Zikula/index.php?module=Pages&func=display&pageid=109

Rally For The Thoroughbreds At The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

As many of you have read in my earlier blog, the horse racing industry is suffering the effects of the government, mainly Dalton McGuinty and his ingenious idea to take the slots out of the racetracks.  This Saturday, a rally is being held at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair to help raise further awareness of this situation.  The rally will take place at 10am just out front of the main entrance between the Coliseum and the National Trade Centre.  All business professionals, horse owners, breeders, and general fans of horse racing are welcome, and encouraged to attend.  

For those who are unaware, McGuinty's decision results in a significant economic, social, and cultural blow to the horse racing industry.  The Ontario Horse Industry is a 2 billion dollar industry that created employment and wages for 60 thousand full-time and part-time employees, and also created 30 thousand jobs for green energy.  Not only is this decision putting employees out of a job, but the horses as well.  The future has forecast a mass slaughter of up to 13,000 Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses by early next year if the industry were to completely collapse.  It is estimated that two-thirds of Ontario tracks will close, there will be fewer racing days, less money in in the prize pots, and therefore, less of a reason to own, breed, and maintain these horses.  

The ripple effect from this decision will be dramatically felt by the Horse Industry. Owning a horse for pleasure or show will no longer be financially feasible, for the average person in Ontario.  As it is, the cost of hay has tripled.  Many of the veterinarians and medical professionals will be forced to head down to the United States, where the horse racing industry still thrives.  As a result to the removal of gambling funds, many rural taxpayers will be asked to compensate for the 20% loss in municipal tax base. At this rate, it will not be long before those beautiful horse farms that we see when we are driving in the rural areas of Ontario are a distant memory.

So please, please, please, come down to the main gate at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for 10 am on Saturday November 10, to show support for the Horse Industry, and show that we will not stand for this decision!

Thank you for reading.  Be sure to check out my other posts.

Nurtural Bitless Bridle - http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/11/nurtural-bitless-bridles-dawning-of-new.html#.UJmQlo4spAQ

Equine Controversy -  http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/equine-controversy.html#.UJXMOY4spAQ

Every Horse Deserves A Second Chance: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/every-horse-deserves-second-chance.html#.UJXMco4spAQ

Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken... Or Can They?: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/wild-hearts-cant-be-brokenor-can-they.html#.UJXNBY4spAQ

A Day At The Races: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/a-day-at-races.html#.UJXNJY4spAQ

A Bit Of MINIATURE Information: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/a-bit-of-miniature-information.html#.UJXNUo4spAQ

They're At The Post... And They're Off: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/theyre-at-post-and-theyre-off.html#.UJXNm44spAQ

Sources:

Why We Should Fight for the Horse Racing Industry?

Nurtural Bitless Bridles... The Dawning Of A New Era

As I was wandering around the Royal Winter Fair yesterday, I came across a booth that sells bitless bridles, called Nurtural Horse.  Curiosity took over, and I stopped in to inquire.   Eventually I will need to switch over to a bitless bridle with my horse Trovao, as recently melanoma has developed in his mouth.  Let me tell you that I am definitely interested in this bridle.  I would like to give it a try.

The Nurtural Bitless Bridle was designed by Gerry Guy and Zoe Brooks, on their farm in Northern Ontario.  Both Gerry and Zoe love to ride and have horses of their own.  They had tried a few of the other bitless bridles on the market and found that they did not work at all.  Working with the design of the bitless bridles and with the help of their Canadian mare, Hazel, they developed and patented their own bitless bridle.  Many hours were spent just listening to their horses, learning about their behaviours.  For example, how in order to have another horse back off, they stare at a spot on their nose.  So by applying pressure on the nose, you are able to indicate to your horse that you would like it to "back off" or stop, or back up.

So what is unique about these bridles?  The Nurtural Bitless Bridle has a solid crownpiece that ensures that the reinstraps do not slip, and provide gentle poll pressure that slows or stops your horse.  The reinstraps are held securely under the jaw by their patented Circle-X, which is adjustable so you are able to position the reinstraps properly on the cheek.  This design applies pressure on the horse's face only when you pull on a rein.  It also provides a constant pressure point under the jaw when you pull back on both reins that signals the horse to stop.  Nurtural reinstraps are shorter than most reins, however, they are able to provide clear consistent signals.  They attach close to the horse's mouth, giving you the same feeling as riding with a bit. The Nurtural reinstraps do not twist, tangle, or pinch the nose.  Each noseband has a rubber grip that stops it from slipping.   The final thing that makes this bitless bridle unique is that it gives better control of the horse than any other bitless system.  

If you are interested in purchasing the Nurtural Bitless Bridle, they are manufactured in 5 different materials, 6 sizes, English, Western, Driving, and Custom.  The 5 materials are nylon, synthetic, impressive, elegan, and ranchman.  The synthetic and nylon are available in a variety of colours.  Take a look on their website at www.nurturalhorse.com, or if you are in the Toronto area you can visit them at the Royal Winter Fair until November 11.  

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the rest of the blogs on my page:

Equine Controversy: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/equine-controversy.html#.UJXMOY4spAQ

Every Horse Deserves A Second Chance: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/every-horse-deserves-second-chance.html#.UJXMco4spAQ

Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken... Or Can They?: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/10/wild-hearts-cant-be-brokenor-can-they.html#.UJXNBY4spAQ

A Day At The Races: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/a-day-at-races.html#.UJXNJY4spAQ

A Bit Of MINIATURE Information: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/a-bit-of-miniature-information.html#.UJXNUo4spAQ

They're At The Post... And They're Off: http://fromthehorsesstall.blogspot.ca/2012/09/theyre-at-post-and-theyre-off.html#.UJXNm44spAQ

Sources:

www.nurturalhorse.com