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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Wenger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Horse-Boarding-Contract---What-You-Need-to-Consider-Before-You-Sign&id=1840424

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_J_A_Anderson http://EzineArticles.com/?Horse-Training-Using-the-Alpha-Mindset&id=1832904

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