Laurel Roberts Discusses Quality of Modular Barns

Candid Interview with Laurel Roberts, well Known Equine facility Designer discussing the innovative features of client modular horse barn, built by Barns By Harrahs. Laurel Roberts can be reached at her site: http://laurelrobertsequinedesign.com/

Congratulations to Safe Haven Horse Rescue

It is amazing when we think that the Horse population is larger in US than the early 20th Century.

Good for us, as people who enjoy a close relationship with the HORSE, but bad for those horses who find themselves Abused and abandoned by their owners who just don't understand the responsibility when they acquire the noble steed.

To the right Onyx as he Arrived at Safe Haven

Because of the Population increase, tough economic times in some sectors, many horses are found neglected, abused and abandoned. The rise of Charitable groups around the US, known as Horse Rescue Facilities have sprung up around the country...
But they NEED support.

The average horse consumes 1 bale of hay a week in confinement, and most of these horse also need supplements to bring them back to health which at current hay prices represents about$50-$60 per month [per horse for nutrition, plus the cost of farrier and Vet supplies and Vaccines.

My Favorite Horse rescue located in Cottonwood Ca, is The Safe Haven Horse Rescue. Currently the manager Linda Richards, who also donates her property and the wonderful volunteer crew are caring for 60 horses many of which are responding quickly to the top-notch care and providing Horse Experience for local Youth, who could not afford the opportunity to meet and enjoy the HORSE
They just completed a fund raising raffle and raised $600, thanks to the donation of the Harrah Family from Barns By Harrahs, Corning California

Visit Safe Haven's Blog Post Raffle Winner Declared and learn More.

While you are there click on the Donate Button and choose between a modest Cash Donation or "adopt a Horse" with a regular Monthly subscription. Safe Haven is a Registered 501C3 Corporation and all donations are Tax deductible. Even if they were not it a worth While Cause for any Friend of the Horse.

The PayPal Button below will take you directly to Safe Haven's Account

Part 1 How To Fit and use the Fiador Throatlatch with your Bosal and Mecate

Another very Informative Video presented by John Brand of Buckaroo Leather.

Visit John's always exciting Blog http://buckarooleather.info

John shows us in three parts the various styles and methods of using the Vaquero Style Fiador Throatlatch with your Rawhide Bosal and Mecate.

Using the traditional training methods perfected by the Californio Vaquero tradition usually assure a well balanced and Level headed Horse, by the time they are ready for the bridle.

The video were produced in the Affordable, Safe and Maintenance Free Barn provided by Dave Harrah of Barns By Harrahs, the Largest West Coast Blue Ribbon Barn dealer

Innovative Horse Products from Western States Horse Expo, June 2009, Continuous Steel Pipe Fencing

Safe and Affordable Horse Fencing is always a concern for the serious Horseman. This unique fencing system was introduced at the 2009 Western States Horse Expo, by Keith Johnston, owner of Tri-County Fence, located in Corning California.

This system allow quality Fencing for so many terrain and elevation situations. Galvanized steel materials and easy installation makes this unique Product a Viable Fencing Alternative for Safe Horse Confinement.

Give Keith a call

530-567-5720

Part 4, A Visit to Buckaroo Leather, Stitching and Finishing with Oils and Waxes

This Fourth in a series of a wonderful visit Shirley and I experienced at Buckaroo Leather and John Brand in Diamond Springs, California. Check out John's Video on http://youtube.com/buckaroojohn for more of the visit.

We have been using Quality USA Raised Leather Tack form Buckaroo Leather for 25 years.

Composting for "Health and Wealth" of Your Horse Facility

The following article is from a good friend and associate, Peter Moon. Peter has perfected a Compost system system to be efficiently used for a Small "backyard Horse Operation" to a "Racetrack" size Facility.

Contact Peter at this site and Mention Chuck Bartok in your Inquiry and be
eligible for a nice DISCOUNT

Contact Peter
Peter Moon : Many years ago, I was involved with an agricultural waste management study conducted by King County, Washington. This study had several objectives - to estimate the:

• Number of horses in the county;
• Types, quantities and characteristics of bedding used;
• Volume of waste generated;
• Methods employed to manage this waste; and
• Nature and magnitude of environmental impact that resulted from these practices.

At first glance, this seemed to me to be a relatively straight-forward study, however, it quickly became apparent that the answers were illusive and not forthcoming. Several methods were employed to determine the answers, including an extensive telephone survey of horse owners, a windshield survey in known horse communities, and direct sampling and laboratory testing of manure piles where permission to access the pile was (seldom) granted.

In the end, the results were very fuzzy with an estimated 30,000 horses in scattered areas throughout the county, mostly bedded on shavings (with a growing awareness of wood pellets as an alternative) and with manure mostly "piled out back". While the environmental impact was difficult to measure, it became clear that virtually every watershed in the county was adversely impacted by nutrients originating on horse farms (i.e. non-point source pollution).

This study brought to my attention a critical need in the equine community, and from this was borne the early concept for the O2Compost Training Program. The Training Program took roughly 10 years to conceive, develop, test and refine, and many people were directly and indirectly involved in this process. Historically, the O2Compost Training Program has been conducted remotely on a one-on-one basis. Now we are pursuing our vision to conduct group training programs at host facilities around the country.

What brings all of this to mind is a study conducted by the American Horse Council that estimates the total number of horses in the United States to be approximately 9.2 million. How this number was determined is anyone's guess, but let's - for the purpose of this discussion - assume that it is reasonably accurate. Given that one horse produces roughly one cubic yard of manure each and every month, it stands to reason that the total volume of manure produced in the United States is on the order of 9 million cubic yards per month. And this does not include the volume of bedding which can easily double or triple the total volume of manure depending on the type of bedding used.

Aside: For those not familiar with the "cubic yard" as a unit of measure, it is equal to a cube that is 3 feet wide by 3 feet long and 3 feet high. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A standard pickup truck will hold 2 cubic yards if mounded.

Now, I find a volume of 9 million cubic yards hard to imagine in real terms, so I did some research and learned that the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, would hold over 84 million gallons of water if filled to the brim. Given that there are approximately 200 gallons in a cubic yard, you could fill the Rose Bowl roughly 22 times with horse manure each month, or 265 times a year. Another way to look at this: if a year's worth of horse manure were to be stacked vertically on a football field, from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline, the pile would stand 10 miles high - that's higher than commercial airliners fly. Now I think you'll agree, that's a LOT of manure.

Add to that the amount of bedding used and you can begin to see the order of magnitude of the problem - or opportunity - that we face. This volume of manure also represents a tremendous quantity of nutrients that can either be mismanaged and allowed to impact our fresh water resources and aquatic wildlife, or properly managed and utilized in a wide array of applications that help heal the earth.

The message that I am trying to leave you with is this:

Each of us impacts the world we live in, either negatively or positively.

This is especially true for those of us who own horses and other livestock. Properly managing horse manure is our responsibility! The impact from horse manure can be negative if we disregard our responsibilities to the earth. Alternatively, the impact can be positive and financially rewarding if we view manure as a resource and an opportunity. Composting is easy when you know what you are doing and with the O2Compost Training Program, your success is guaranteed.

Composting, in my opinion, is the most effective and profitable means to properly manage horse manure, to support sustainable agriculture, and to leave the world a better place for the generations that will follow ours.

I invite you to begin composting - to be a part of the solution.

Take Action!

Herbal Remedies for Horse Respiratory Diseases

A Unique Herbal Treatment For Equine Respiratory Disease
By Jean Hofve, DVM

Sport and performance horses are extremely susceptible to lung disease. Even seemingly healthy horses are frequently affected. Studies have shown that 90-100% of sport horses tested have evidence of damage to their airways that can lead to Equine Reactive Airway Disease (RAD, also called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD)--a serious and career-ending condition. The first (and often only) early sign is decreased performance.

Herbs can be a safe, effective way to both prevent and treat Equine RAD/COPD. In fact, many herbs would help with some of the symptoms of this disease. For instance, Yarrow is often used for upper respiratory complaints.

Properties of the ideal herb for preventing and treating RAD/COPD would include:



Antioxidant, to reduce inflammation-causing molecules in the body that contribute to asthma

Antifungal, to inhibit mold particles that commonly cause respiratory disease in horses

Immune-modulating, to decrease the over-reactive immune response to allergens

Anti-inflammatory, to protect the lungs from the harmful effects of chronic inflammation

Free from heavy metal contamination, to prevent toxic build-up

Contain no substance prohibited by equine sports regulatory bodies such as USEF or racing commissions

Funtumia elastica is a medium-sized African rubber tree; its bark has a long history of use for respiratory complaints. Funtumia has important antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. It has no known toxicity, and is not barred by any equine sport governing body.

Natural compounds found in Funtumia include:

Anthocyanins: plant pigments that give berries their color (such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries). Anthocyanins have been called "the mother lode in a gold mine of antioxidants." Anthocyanins have shown specific benefit in reducing immune-stimulated inflammation, and are thought to be valuable in preventing the development of asthma.

Flavonoids: Vitamin C is the most familiar member of this class of plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Flavonoids are useful in both preventing and treating COPD, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases.

Plant sterols: natural plant steroids are safer than synthetic steroid drugs like prednisone and dexamethasone. Phytosterols have immuno-modulating effects--normalizing an over-reactive antibody response--as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Natural anti-fungals: Funtumia specifically inhibits growth of many molds, including Aspergillus, which is commonly associated with equine respiratory disease.

Tannins: These compounds have shown promise in the treatment of allergic inflammation and asthma.

Funtumia has demonstrated excellent safety (low toxicity) in multiple laboratory experiments, and has tested negative for heavy metals including cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium, and nickel. It does not contain any substances that are prohibited by any equine sport authority.

Preventing equine respiratory disease is easier---and smarter---than trying to treat established disease. Excellent hygiene, clean feeds, fresh air, and preventive herbal therapy could make all the difference for your horse.

Dr. Jean Hofve is a retired holistic veterinarian with a special interest in horses and respiratory disease. She formulated Equinabine, a high-potency Funtumia product
( http://www.equinawellness.com). Dr. Hofve also founded Spirit Essences Holistic Remedies for Animals ( http://www.spiritessence.com) in 1995; and it remains the only line of flower essence formulas designed by a veterinarian. She is a certified Medicine Woman of the Nemenhah Native American Traditional Organization who uses holistic remedies as a part of body-mind-spiritual healing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Hofve,_DVM http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Unique-Herbal-Treatment-For-Equine-Respiratory-Disease&id=2119721

Why Have a Horse?

Spending most of my Adult life involved in the Horse Industry and have the privilege of owning some Fantastic Horse, one thing has always bothered me.

Many "horse lovers" never take the time to realize the responsibility of assuming the Care Control and Custody of Large Prey Animal ...THE HORSE

Photo courtesy of http://columbiariverimages.com

Horse Ownership is a huge responsibility, but offers great Rewards

Announcing up to 32 Horse Shows a year a have seen almost every scenario...
One most common is the Rider's inability to understand the "necessity of Give and Take"
when handling an Equine.

The folowing article brings out some very important ideas to be considered before you make that very Decision to be an Owner or maybe consider changing some habits to more enjoy your HORSE today
Why Have A Horse
Why Have A Horse?

By Cindee Grimes

I have met so many people during my life that had horses. The first type of people I met was when I was a young girl and my father owned race horses. I can't really remember any of them actually loving the horse. The actual animal. They loved what the horse could do for them regarding making them money, if they won the race that is. If the horse was a winner it was treated ok. It wasn't given much human attention other than training. Remember this is the part I saw, I am sure there are some owners and trainers in the 'bigger' winners that had more of hands on and I read of some owners that said they truly loved their race horses, the ones that owned the big winners.

The point being is the horse is not just an animal to be used and then to get rid of. I cannot believe how many people I have met through the years that want a 'quarter' horse. I am not talking about the breed quarter horse, I am talking about the wooden horse you put a quarter in, ride for a few minutes and it doesn't buck, bite, rear, spook, or do anything humans would call 'bad'. How could it, it is made out of wood or plastic or whatever this mechanical horse is made of. It isn't a living, breathing, emotional feeling animal.

However, that is what some of these so called 'horse people' need to buy because they complain about their horse doing what a horse does, or they complain just about all horses.

A horse is a horse of course, of course!! Even these so called trainers who have been around horses, trained horses, yada, yada, yada, since they have been 'born'!! And still don't know anything about the horse!! I have been to so many clinics, I have almost gone broke buying training videos to see what else someone has come up with and my own horse almost lost her life because of a 'trainer' that has 'grown up and been around horses and showed and trained all her life'.

Well be careful of these kind of trainers. When you can get a horse to do what you want without any bit, saddle, and of course without all those other gadgets (martingale, tie downs etc.) then your talking 'natural horsemanship'

Go to a trainer who uses love and patience not bits and binders and that hurry up and get that first ride today attitude!

We do live in a fast food society and fast everything society, and it is going into the way we train our animals and children for that matter and with that kind of training you will only get a short-term result and you will wonder what happened thinking "well I trained him, what happened?"

I won't even get into the people that won't even train Arabian horses because they say they don't think, they are just crazy. How sad are those people! Well if you just want something to get on and ride it into the ground, please go have a robot made into a horse!
Now, if you want a journey that will lead to a joyful and meaningful and fulfilling relationship then get a horse as there is nothing like it.

This saying is true but I changed it a bit: the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a caring person.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindee_Grimes

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Have-A-Horse?&id=1955302

Some Good Reading to Help Understand

Horse "Control" and Biting, How much is enough?

Although this Article focuses on the English Style of Riding and Dressage, those of us involved in the Western Disciplines can learn as well. My son Jonathan Bartok, Cutting Horse Trainer in Weatherford Texas, has always worked his horse with the lightest of contact. As a teenager he and his horse, Crow, enjoyed many events Bridless.

Horse Control and the Bit

Horse Control and the Bit

By Geraldine Chapman

On the first day of the Royal Melbourne Summer Horse Show last year a group of friends and I sat ringside watching some of the classes. Rider after rider, or handler after handler, yanked, jerked and wrenched at their horse's mouths with the bit making us endlessly cringe.

All of us, in the previous week, had read an article that had forever changed our view of the bit and its use with horses.

One of us is an elite theatrical show horse trainer; another is a breeder, two more are pony club instructors, one is a saddlery store owner. All of us, at one time or another, have been converted to so called "natural" horsemanship. That is to say, we have sought a different way, a non-aggressive way, of achieving a well mannered and calm horse.

We are sitting in the shade, watching an in-hand class of supremely turned out hacks. Two handlers have curbs on their horses and they repeatedly yank on their charges' mouths.

The stories flow thick and fast between us.

The theatrical show horse trainer recounts how her equine dentist discussed anatomy with her once, explaining that most people - because they want to do the right thing - will buy a thicker, plainer bit, thinking the thinner kind sharper and more cruel. And this is fine.For some horses.

But you get other horses, horses with smaller mouths, less room between top and bottom jaw, for whom a thick bit like that can be incredibly uncomfortable. Because it just doesn't fit, it's too big. And then the horse resists and opens its mouth and fights the rider's control.

"So we go and tie its mouth closed!" my friend exclaims.

The saddlery store owner talks about a Pony Club parent who came in seeking a twisted wire W bit because their pony, after years of good behaviour, suddenly refused to go left. Another PC parent advised them to try this bit, the magical answer to all control.

"Thankfully," says the saddlery owner, "we didn't have one."

She goes on to say that in a round about way her husband, an equine vet, got to go out and see that pony later on the same day. It had a very severe abscess in its left near hoof.

Privately I have always thought if you have to add more and more equipment to your horse to make it do what you want then it's time to give the game up.

FEI rules require submission to the rider and the bit. But which bit? Does it have to be a curb or double bridle? Top trainers, Monty Roberts, Andrew McLean, Janice Usherwood, Parelli, and others, all have said that the double and curb bridles made mandatory by FEI rules are instruments of torture that should, that must, be outlawed.

I am about to show you why.

Some of you may be familiar with the Nevzarov's, a Russian couple who practice and teach Haute Ecole Dressage bitless and bridleless. Alexander Nevzarov created the both horrifying and ultimately beautiful and liberating film & book The Horse Crucified And Risen, a documentary about the horse's long association with man.

The Nevzarov's commissioned a scientific study with the Forensics & Medical Examination Office, St Petersburg, Russia, to document the effects of double and curb bits on the horse's mouth. Taking part in the experiment were Forensic scientists, Vets and journalists (who recorded the experiment on video). The results were published in Horses For Life Magazine (US).

For the purpose of the experiments a model horse head was created that included a tongue made from Ballistin, a substance that closely fits the structure and density of living tissue (though not the flexibility). The Ballistin tongue was used to record the "hit", or pressure, placed upon the mouth by the bit.

While the experiment itself could not measure pain it was able to measure the amount of pressure placed on the tongue, jaw and other oral structures in the horse's mouth.

To begin with it was discovered that an "ordinary rider" with "good" (light) hands exerts about 120-130kg of pressure per square centimetre. The pressure is felt directly by the Trigeminal Nerve, a branch of which (mandibular nerve) runs along the jawbone and - owing to the lack of muscle along the bar of the jaw - is reasonably unprotected and exposed. This means there is almost direct contact with this nerve by the bit.

An article by staff at the University Of Lincoln, UK, on headshaking reports that it is thought that the head shaking condition is thought to be caused by either pressure to this nerve or the nerve itself "misfiring", causing spasms of pain. "There are many sources for potential nerve pain in the horse's head but the vets think that branches of the trigeminal nerve which conducts sensation from the muzzle and face to the brain may be the main source, particularly the Infraorbital nerve which is a branch of the maxillary. For some reason, parts of this nerve may be damaged and 'fire' inappropriately causing painful sensations in a particular area, i.e. the nerves are telling the horse that it is being hurt in this area when in reality it is not."

Lidia Nevzarov writes that this particular nerve is super-sensitive. She says, "According to descriptive adjectives pain like that in the area of the nerve is called 'especially acute, burning, paralysing'."

And that's from a rider with good hands.

A sharp jerk, like those we witnessed at the Royal Show last week, can exert a pressure of 300kg per square centimetre.

Now you know why a horse's first reaction is to throw his head up and back when being jerked in the mouth like that.

This jerking in the mouth syndrome is not uncommon. In fact I would say that most of us witness it regularly, even daily, at riding schools, Agistment parks, shows, pony clubs. But it is so common we don't think about it.

The central lingual (lingualis) nerve of the tongue also feels this pressure - 100kg per square centimetre in ordinary ("not doing anything") contact. A jerk increases pressure to this area to about 250-300kg per square centimetre. As with the Trigeminal Nerve this pressure causes intense discomfort and pain. In the experiment the Ballistin tongue was crushed by such pressure; a real tongue, comprised of living tissue, reshapes itself, though the pressure and pain is still felt and injury still occurs.

Lidia Nevzarov presents photos of two jawbones - one from a bitted horse and one from a horse that has never known a bit. The jaw of the unbitted horse is smooth and clean while the jaw of the bitted horse shows clear wear right on the bar where the bit rests; grooves and chips. So, our hands' action on the horse's mouth is strong enough to groove and chip bone.

Another branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (which runs along the jaw) exists in the groove under the chin - exactly where the curb chain rests. Again this area has no muscle to protect it, just skin, blood vessels and bone exist. Anatomically it is an ideal place to apply crippling pressure.

The researchers found that the curb chain applies an average of 300kg of pressure per square centimetre to this sensitive area. In fact, they found that exerting pressure on this area was able to break off the lower part of the model horse's jaw.

A living horse's jaw, of course, can withstand far greater pressure but we are not talking about breaking a horse's jaw, but rather the amount of pain we subject horses to through the use of standard riding equipment.

Lidia Nevzarov goes on to say that the Hard Palate (palatum duram) also sustains damage and experiences two kinds of pressure - constant, caused by the bit resting in the mouth; and hits, caused by applied pressure to the reins in a jerking motion. The palate is composed of mucous membrane that varies in thickness between 2mm (the grooves of the palate) and 6mm (the ridges) and this mucous membrane is all that sits between the bit and the palate nerve, palatines major. Pressures of 180-200kg per square centimetre were recorded and Nevzarov talks about the hematomas (bruises) present under the mucous membrane of the hard palate (on a dissected horse used in the experiment) as being an indication of the force applied causing injury.

Dr Cook, FRCVS., PhD, who created the modern Bitless Bridle, points out that "A fundamental principle of correct saddle fit is that the saddle should never contact bone. This principle is forgotten when it comes to bits. A metal rod in the mouth makes direct contact with unprotected bone at the bars [and], not surprisingly, bits commonly cause painful bone spurs to develop on the bars."

The Nevzarov study successfully proved the amount of pressure that is applied directly to the horse's jaw and oral structures and the damage it can do.

As a "technology" - The practical application of science to commerce or industry - the bit was developed some 5000 years ago by bronze age horsemen. While the design has changed and evolved, the use of the bit has not.

As we continuously expand our knowledge and our ability for scientific research we perhaps also need to expand, or change, the way we think in line with the results we find and the knowledge we gather.

To say that we cannot ride without the bit, or control the horse without the bit, that the whole concept of dressage (for example) relies on the bit, is a belief firmly entrenched in mythology, "tradition" and a rigid unwillingness to explore new paths.

There are many examples of fine horsemanship - and horse men and women - who exhibit perfect control of their horses without the need for a bit. Stacey Westfall, rode a winning round in a high level reining competition, bareback and bridleless. Steve Jeffries, the Nevzarov's, Cavalia, Zingaro Monty Roberts, Quantum Savvy - all perform without the use of bits and bridles, so we know it can be done.

http://www.horseyard.com.au/components/com

In many ways I see it as a shame that riders and regulatory bodies seem incapable of exploring horse control and submission without the use of such aids.

What a contest it would be where riders competed at the highest level bridleless. This would test a rider's control of their horse, and the horse's willingness to submit, like no other method. Further, as horse riders and competitors I believe we should challenge the peak ruling bodies - FEI, EFA, AQHA and all others - to instigate non -point rounds of competition for riders to compete bitless and demonstrate that control of the horse, at the highest level, is achievable without the use of a piece of metal in their mouth.

Don't tell me it can't be done. The only thing stopping you is the way you think.

Geraldine Chapman

Editor / http://www.horseyard.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geraldine_Chapman

http://EzineArticles.com/?Horse-Control-and-the-Bit&id=1937921

Here is an example of what can be done with Patience and Understanding Horse communication

Things are Happening in the Equine Industry

Horse Business Climate 2009

I am excited to see 2009 shaping up as being a bit Stronger for the Equine Industry. Fuel prices seem to be staying a bit lower, Gulf Oil CEO Joe Petrowski


It will be nice to see larger Turnouts at the National and Local Horse Shows.
To the right, John Stacy of Sunrise Show Horse at Nationals


Those of us involved in the Horse Facility Design and Construction Business are anticipating more orders than 2008. Clients with good credit and Banking relationships will taking advantage of Attractive Interest rates.

With all of the wonderful NEW marketing techniques from the Internet, I Believe the Experienced and New Horseman is a better educated. Training DVD's readily available,
Teleseminars and blogs are at the Equestrian's beck and call, many of Training information is available at much lower cost than actual attendance.

Every Horseman is always conscious of Feed Costs and in 2008 we saw Record prices. It put pressure on many Horse owners and helped fuel the Abandoned Horse Problem around the Country. Prediction are we may see some easing of prices in late spring 2009 according to Report in CattleNetwork.com and that will be beneficial to Equine Industry as a whole.

Because of rising Feed costs many horse owners are constantly looking for cost saving Feeding systems. I am really Impressed with the Stable Grazer Automatic Feeder. Find out more HERE.

Don't mistake poor quality feed as an alternative the VET bills could far overshadow the added Feed costs.

Since we are fortunate to Control our Income through Self Employment, and the overall market for our products is strong, we are looking forward to an enjoyable Horse activity season. If anyone would like to learn more on how to add additional Income, Save on Income Taxes and feel financially more comfortable with you Horse Activities, drop me a note

chuck@beginnersmarketingclass.com

or Comment here at the Blog and I will get in touch

The Beginning of a good Series on "FLAVORS" in Horse nutrition

Five Element Feeding - Five Flavors

By Dr. Madalyn Ward, DVM

Most people think of food from only its nutritional value which they consider the same for every horse but when viewed energetically foods have different effects on different horses depending on their Five Element type. In addition to looking at foods from a standpoint of different types we should also look at what we feed our horses in different seasons.

Each Element has a flavor associated with it and this flavor is often needed for that type when it becomes out of balance. The same horse may need a different flavor to help him balance for seasonal changes. For example, bitter is the flavor assigned to Fire because the Fire element has a tendency to overheating conditions. A Fire horse might benefit from some bitter foods in the diet on a regular basis but might need some sweet, warming foods in the heat of summer to help keep his energy moving outward to the periphery of the body to match the heat of the environment. Alfalfa is an example of a bitter food and grains such as oats are considered sweet according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. So an overall diet for a Fire horse could be include grass and alfalfa hay with minimal grain during the winter or cold weather and slightly less alfalfa and more grain during the summer. Alternately, you could leave the alfalfa the same and instead of grain give sweet vegetables such as carrots during the summer months.

Therapeutic use of the Five Flavors:

Bitter - Fire, heart and small intestine, yin, cooling, moves energy inward Sweet - Earth, spleen/pancreas and stomach, yang, warming, moves energy outward Pungent - Metal, lungs and large intestine, yang, warming, moves energy outward Salty - Water, kidneys and bladder, yin, cooling, moves energy inward Sour - Wood, liver and gallbladder, yin, cooling, moves energy inward

It is important to remember to balance first to the Five Element type of the horse and then if needed to the season. Never go to extreme with any flavor because too much can cause the opposite effect and weaken the organ you wanted to support.

Bitter
Properties: Horses that have excessive energy and impulsive behavior benefit from bitter foods because they have a centering effect of bringing the energy deeper into the body. Also good for slow moving, lethargic horses that have damp conditions such as stocking up or are just generally overfed and under exercised.

Uses: Very helpful in horses with inflammations, infections and damp skin conditions.
Organ functions: helps support the heart and blood vessels by removing deposits which lowers blood pressure. Celery is a vegetable which is perfect for this and could certainly be fed to horses. Bitter foods like celery can be given to help clear heat and inflammation out of the liver after overeating. Sounds like a perfect treat instead of the high sugar and starch store bought ones. I will have to try this out with my Fire horse, Cerise. Bitter foods help drain damp conditions such as yeast infections, parasites, moist skin eruptions, abscesses, tumors, cysts(including the aggravating ovarian types) and swellings. Bitter foods help with intestinal function by increasing motility. In addition to the liver and gallbladder, the lungs and kidneys also benefit from the bitter flavor. Any condition that shows thick, yellow discharges suggests dampness and heat and the bitter flavor is perfect to break this up and get it moving out of the body. Think about upper respiratory infections, uterine infections and hoof abscesses and just a few typical damp heat examples that benefit from the addition of bitter foods.

Season: Increase bitter foods throughout the fall and winter to pull energy in to protect the body from cold external temperatures or any season when heat symptoms appear.

Cautions: Horses that are weak, thin nervous, and dehydrated should be given bitter foods sparingly.

Examples: Bitter herbs include, dandelion leaf or root, burdock leaf or root, yarrow, chamomile, hops, valerian, chaparral, echinacea and pau d'arco. Alfalfa is a strictly bitter food, celery and papaya are bitter and sweet, citrus peel is bitter and pungent and vinegar is bitter and sour.

More on the other flavors later.

Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, laminitis, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com and her blog at http://blog.horseharmony.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Madalyn_Ward,_DVM
http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Element-Feeding---Five-Flavors&id=1886247

How to Properly Fit Your Breast Collar with an Over the Wither Strap

All serious Western Performance Horseman will want to use this Innovative quality leather Tack Item. Keeping your Breast Collar in the right position always helps your horse perform at optimum levels and add balance and support to your athletic Horse. look at our supply of Over the wither Breast Collar Straps at

Breast Collar Strap

Horse Boarding Contracts - What You Need to Consider

Horse Boarding Contract - What You Need to Consider Before You Sign

By Lynn Wenger

Before signing that horse boarding contract, have you ever stopped to wonder what all that fine print actually means? Reading over the entire contract positions you as an informed consumer with a more complete understanding of your responsibilities. Below we will be discussing why you need to sign a contract, the important sections on a typical contract, and how you can best protect yourself as a potential boarder.

Why Do You Need to Sign A Contract?
A horse boarding contract is a binding document that spells out the agreement you have with the barn owner. Usually including your payment obligations each month and the rights of the boarding facility should you fail to comply with the contract.

It is also most likely a requirement of the owner for you to sign a horse boarding contract with them, and not your choice. The barn owner usually needs each boarder to fill out a contract for legal and insurance reasons. It is a means for barn owners to protect themselves from liability and hold you accountable for all fees and charges you incur while your horse is on their property.

What Are The Important Parts Of A Contract?

Fees and services are spelled out clearly in most contracts. General board includes basic services for the daily care of your horse. The price will reflect the amount of daily services you expect to receive. For example, you will pay more per month if your horse has a stall compared to someone who has their horse on full pasture board.

Other added services may include administering wormer or daily supplements, regular exercise, horse training, and riding lessons. Also included in this section is information regarding the day of each month board is due with late fees and charges.

Most boarding facilities enforce health regulations on new horses coming into the barn. Usually you will have to provide proof of current negative coggins and in some cases prove that your horse is up to date on all shots and deworming. Some facilities may enforce a routine care schedule for veterinary care and deworming. If the boarding facility has specific requirements, they should be outlined specifically in the horse boarding contract. Keeping your horse current in all veterinary care will help stop the spread of equine illness.

Some contracts outline a procedure for emergency situations. As a horse owner you must be prepared for the unexpected. From small injuries to potential life or death situations, it is a good idea to provide an emergency phone number at the very least. A release to provide veterinary care when the barn owner cannot reach you can help ensure your horse gets any needed veterinary care, especially in an emergency.

If you have an insurance policy on your horse for mortality, major medical or surgical coverage, you should always provide that information along with the emergency phone number for the insurance company should your horse become ill or injured. Most insurance policies require immediate notification of the illness or injury to honor the claim on the policy.

If your horse boarding contract does not have any information on equine insurance policies, provide the barn owner with an emergency phone number, a copy of the insurance policy, and the insurance emergency phone number. It may also be a good idea to keep a card in your wallet with the emergency insurance phone number and your horse's policy number.

A liability release may also be included in the contract or drafted as a separate document for you to sign. Basically it releases the boarding facility from any liability resulting in your willing participation in equine activities on their property. Some facilities will require a signed release from any additional party you may bring on to their property, even if it is your horse they intend to interact with.

How Can I Protect Myself?
Your best protection as a boarder is to keep yourself informed by thoroughly reading and understanding the horse boarding contract before you sign. By doing this you have the complete understanding of all your obligations as a tenant to the boarding facility.

You also understand the rights of the boarding facility should you fail to pay. After a certain number of missed payments, a boarding stable may have the rights to take ownership of your horse if outlined as such in the boarding contract.

Your best bet is to stay informed and continue to make your payments on time. Establish a good relationship with the barn owner and anyone largely in charge of the care of your horse. Make sure the facility has updated insurance and health information along with an easy way to contact you in case of emergency. Not all of the above discussed sections will appear on a contract so if you have any concerns make sure you inquire with the facility owner and keep copies of everything you sign for future reference.

About The Author:

Lynn Wenger invites you to visit http://www.stock-horse-show-source.com/horse-stables.html for more information on horse stables, boarding, and the horse boarding contract.

Lynn has been active in riding and showing horses since 2000. She is a lifelong equine addict with no hopes of recovery and admits since buying her first horse as a young adult that she is an expert on not being an expert when it comes to owning and showing horses. She is also the creator and founder of Stock Horse Show Source http://www.stock-horse-show-source.com, developed to educate novice equine enthusiasts on the basics of horse keeping and showing.
(c) Copyright stock-horse-show-source.com, all rights reserved.

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How to Tie Mecate to the Snaffle Bit Bridle

More great Information from Buckaroo John Brand at http://buckarooleather.com.
The Snaffle Bit Bridle and the Cotton Mecate
have become a popular Combination with the Western Horseman for years.
We have always used this combination starting young horse to keep them supple and soft of the mouth

Training You and Your Horse with The ALPHA Mindset

One of the Joys of working with Horse and other animals it the learning
process of our Own Control Abilities. Developing the ALPHA Mindset is critical in Animal Training but we as Business aspirants also must learn to create and exercise the Proper Mindset,
The Alpha Mindset.

The following article by Bruce Johnson points to the Importance of
Alpha Mindset in Horse training and this Video will help us understand
the necessity in Business Growth also
Horse Training Using the Alpha Mindset

Horse Training Using the Alpha Mindset

By Bruce J A Anderson

Recently I took my three year old filly to a local show to hang out. While watching a class, a woman approached me to ask the question, What should I do about ...? In this case, her horse would fly backward every time she approached to put on the bridle. And so, the questions, What should I do? Why is he doing this? As always, difficult questions to answer. First, the horse tells me when to do, how to do, what to do in any given situation. There is no formula for "If he does this, then I do this." Next, what the horse is actually physically doing may not be the problem, it could be the by-product of the problem. What you do know is that what he is doing is not acceptable behavior. The real issue leads back to mindset: the horse's mindset and even more so, the person's mindset. In other words, it isn't necessarily what you're actually doing that the horse has a problem with, it is the pressure created by what you're doing, which in turn triggers a response; in this case, raising his head and flying backward. The horse is using something that Nature's View calls the tyrant mindset: in other words, freeze flee or fight is his natural instinct. When he is in this mode, the horse is actually saying "I want to do what I want to do." Sound familiar? There is nothing wrong with this mindset; in fact, in the wild, in Nature's World, the horse would depend on it for his own survival. The problem is that in our world, that mindset isn't beneficial to him and if he continues down that road, someone is likely to get hurt.

So, back to the first question, What should I do? The first thing to do is to introduce the horse to a new mindset: one called the alpha mindset. This isn't necessarily the same alpha that you may have heard of in other horsemanship methods. With Nature's View, the alpha is simply using the mindset of "How can I help you?" With the tyrant mindset that we mentioned before of "I want to do what I want to do." the horse decides what to do or the person decides how much pressure to apply (usually evoked from past situations, so you may over or under react). The alpha mindset, the other side of the pendulum, is defined as whatever the resistance from the horse is in any given situation determines the amount of pressure that is applied, plus a little bit more. This mindset calls for dealing with the moment, riding the horse beneath you, not the one four strides ahead or behind. Remember, we teach and learn by example, so which mindset would you rather your horse use: alpha or tyrant?

In any case, there are four basic things that we use to accomplish a task or goal: movement, direction, rhythm and track. These are actually the things that you can see: in Nature's View we use these things to work on the underlying things (things like problem-solving, timing, listening, etc.). This is actually true for us as well. Think about it: to get ready for work in the morning, first you have to move; then you need to move in the direction of the kitchen for breakfast; but back to the situation with the horse. As an example, within a segment of work, if we're asking a horse to go in a particular direction and the horse decides on his own to change direction, the amount of pressure that you apply is equal to his resistance, plus a little bit more. If you pay attention to the horse and let him tell you what to do in applying that pressure, more than likely, the horse will change back to the original direction. Each time you apply pressure you are raising what we call his negative pole. The poles within (both negative and positive) are those feelings that let you know when a situation is beneficial or not to your well-being. If the resistance continues and you keep increasing pressure (remember, using the alpha mindset), finally, what they are feeling from you will be greater than what they are imagining (the pressure to change direction). As soon as you feel that they have switched to the new mindset, you should release the pressure. Don't get caught up in watching for an action. Remember, as soon as you feel the horse switch to the new mindset, that is when you release the pressure.

So back to the questions; we use the bridle (the goal) as the reason for the journey (creating a relationship with your horse) to practice the unseen (timing, feel, anger management, listening skills) which allows you to develop a whole new alpha mindset, or way of thinking; lot to think about, isn't it?! Just like jumping the jump, crossing the creek or loading into the trailer, putting the bridle on or taking it off is one of the many seen things that we do with our horses; but the icing on the cake is having a willing partner in any task that we attempt. It's not about accomplishing the goal, not even about the journey; it's about the mindset needed for both. The goal is simply the reason for the journey. Within the journey, we are allowed to practice the mindset, and the more proficient we are at the mindset we will be able to follow our passion, whatever that may be (dressage, hunter/jumper, trail riders, western pleasure). So instead of putting the cart before the horse and focusing on the goal or even the journey, we first need the alpha mindset.

Copyright Nature's View, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Bruce Anderson is a full time equine consultant, trainer and clinician located in Camden, South Carolina. Originally from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, he has worked throughout the US, Canada and Great Britain. He conducts clinics and training opportunities with partner and co-author, Julianne Neal, using the Nature's View system. To learn more about their work, please visit http://www.naturesview1.org

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Also Visit our Friend John Brand's Blog and be
Up to Date on the Proper quality Leather Tack
to ease your Training situations

Buckaroo Leather Blog

How to tie a Mecate on your Hackamore Bosal

Enjoy this well presented Video By Buckaroo John Brand from Buckaroo Leather.
The Mecate and Bosal Hackamore have been a Favorite for Western Horseman for hundred years, allowing a soft way to encourage a green horse into supple Maneuvers