Apr 29, 2012
Panhandle Hotels
Enjoy the finest beaches in the world
Florida Panhandle beaches offer the whitest sand and bluest Gulf of Mexico waters.
Enjoy days on the beach and nights in fantastic dining and drinking establishments. Ride horses on beaches or enjoy shaded equestrian trails. Para sailing, boating, water skiing and jet skis are available for the adventurous. More info...
Apr 25, 2012
Horse falls short but gets to train in Yuma
Yuma, AZ
Tommy the horse failed to measure up in the United States Army, but it was nothing to do with his performance.
Tommy, it transpires, was simply too short. He did not grow as tall as expected, standing noticeably shorter than the other horses in the unit.
This would not normally be a problem, but his caisson (ammunitions) unit at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, performed a lot of ceremonial work, turning out for more than 100 military funerals a year.
Just like their human counterparts, the horses in the unit need to be of similar heights. More info...
Apr 25, 2012
Deworming Question: Can Horses Get Worms from Eating Hay?
Question: Can horses pick up worms from eating hay?
Recently a client asked if it’s possible for a horse to pick up worm larvae or worms from eating hay, and if so, even if larvae are dead, could they cause a parasite problem?
Upon further discussion, she mentioned that she was aware of the serious problems that could be caused by dead blister beetles in hay (every horse owner should know about blister beetles—see the University of Illinois Extension article for more information) and wondered if it was possible for dead worm larvae to pose a similar but far less serious health threat that warranted deworming.
The short answer: “No.”
On March 7, 2012, parasitologist Dr. Martin K Nielsen commented on the likelihood of parasite acquisition from hay on Horsetalk.co.nz in response to a question from another horse owner who was also concerned about the same deworming issue.
More info...
Apr 25, 2012
Ask Julie Goodnight: Your New Trail Horse
By Heidi Nyland with Julie Goodnight
Q: How can I increase trust with my new horse on a new trail? I look forward to riding my new horse on the trail but our relationship is brand-new, and he hasn’t left the arena too much in the past. I just brought him to a boarding barn near my home, and there are lots of great trails we can get to easily. These trails are new to me, though. What can I do to calm my nerves so I don’t make him spooky? How else can I prepare for trail challenges?
Connie Tyson
via e-mail
A: Connie, you’re starting off right by making sure you have a plan before you hit the trails with your new horse. Everything is new for you right now. How you start off this relationship with him will affect many future rides.
Start by building confidence with your new horse — getting to know him and his reactions at home and on the trail. Take these steps slowly. Give yourself time to gain confidence with your horse, the trails you’ll ride, and your own riding skills. More info...
Apr 25, 2012
Watch the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event from anywhere in the world
Lexington, KY
Get your big screen ready and set to NBC as the culminating Show Jumping phase of the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Bridgestone will be broadcast live on NBC on Sunday, April 29, from 2:00-3:00 PM EDT.
One of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and the only CCI4* in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Bridgestone returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 26-29. The event attracts tens of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers worldwide on international telecasts, including this year’s expanded live telecasts that will bring all the action to viewers across the nation live as it happens. More info...
Apr 24, 2012
2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace Injured, Retired
Lexington, KY
Owner Rick Porter posted on his Fox Hill Farm website April 23 that 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace has been retired after veterinarians detected an injury in her right front fetlock following a workout at Churchill Downs April 22.
"It is with great disappointment that I have to announce that Havre de Grace has been retired," said Porter. "Owning Grace through her racing career has been the highlight of my time in horse racing. She was a wonderful, wonderful racehorse, and I feel confident she'll be an equally wonderful broodmare. Thanks, Grace, for all you gave us, and here's to a long and enjoyable retirement." More info...
Apr 24, 2012
Learn the Right Way to Adopt a Rescue Horse with These 10 Tips
by Cate Lamm
In her role as a horse trainer for Colorado Horse Rescue, Cate Lamm has learned that horse rescues can be great places for you to find a special equine partner. Plus, you’ll be giving your adopted horse a second chance at life. Thinking of adopting a rescue horse? Here are Cate’s 10 tips to help you through the adoption process:
1. Consider all costs. The adoption fees may be low, but the cost of owning and caring for a horse is ongoing. Before you adopt, create a budget that includes all horse-related expenses. To determine your expenses, talk to local horse owners, farriers, and veterinarians. More info...
Apr 24, 2012
Does your tack fit? Learn how to prevent common horse problems by performing a p...
Lynn Palm
Does your tack fit? Learn how to prevent common horse problems by performing a point-by-point tack check including evaluating saddle fit with world champion trainer Lynn Palm.
Join world-champion trainer Lynn Palm as she guides you through a tack check to optimize the safety and comfort of both you and your horse. Lynn Palm will teach you how to check your saddle, saddle pad, bridle, and bit to prevent horse problems in the future. More info...
Apr 24, 2012
Help horses by volunteering at an equine charity
Find out how to get involved during National Volunteer Week.
Americans are encouraged to get involved in charitable causes during National Volunteer Week in April. There are plenty of ways horse lovers can combine their passion for horses with volunteer service.
Why Volunteer?
A donation of time. Most average Americans don't have the financial resources to write a big check to their favorite charities. Giving your time and talent is just as valuable and won't take a chunk out of your bank account.
Local focus. Volunteering for a local charity helps the people and animals in your own neighborhood. Donating a few hours a week can help make your community a better place to live.
Spend time with horses. If you don't have your own horse, volunteering at an equine organization gives you some quality barn time with lots of equines. More info...
Apr 23, 2012
Forages for Horses
This blog post is courtesy of Jennifer Earing, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Forage selection should be based on horse needs, as there is no one forage best suited for all classes of horses. For example, providing a nutrient-dense forage like vegetative alfalfa hay to ‘easy keepers’ can create obesity issues; however, that same hay would be good option for a performance horse with elevated nutrient requirements. With so many forages available, how does one choose the best option?? Differences in the nutritive quality of forages (hay or pasture) are largely based on two factors: plant maturity and species.
Maturity
Regardless of plant species, stage of maturity significantly affects forage quality.
Young, vegetative forages are very nutrient dense and contain fewer fibrous carbohydrates (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin).
As the plant matures (flowers and seed heads are indicators of maturity), the proportion of fiber in the plant increases, to provide structural support as the plant gets larger. The increased level of lignin associated with maturation interferes with the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose by hindgut microorganisms, thereby reducing the digestibility of the forage.
More mature forages also have lower energy and protein levels than their immature counterparts. More info...
More Florida Panhandle Horse News click here
