Don't Bug Me
WF Young presents a new entry in the war on bugs called Bug Block. Bug Block contains Pyrethrins and Permethrin, which manufacturers say will kill and repel more than 70 species of pests, such as biting flies, gnats, ticks, scorpions and mosquitoes. Bug Block is approved for use on the horse and everywhere a horse will encounter flies, as well as on dogs and puppies over 12 weeks of age. Absorbine field tests have shown an effectiveness of 7 to 14 days after the initial treatment period.
The fly spray comes in a quart size ($13) and a gallon size ($45).
For more information, check out your local tack/feed shop or go on-line to www.absorbine.com.
Those Pesky Birds
If, like many barns, you have more birds than horses, Bird-X has added to its line with BirdShield, a food grade, biodegradable bird repellent that reduces nesting and roosting on structures. The repellent is sprayed on in liquid form and when it dries, leaves a grape-like odor that, according to manufacturers, irritates the trigeminal systems in birds (the trigeminal system is close to a human�s sense of smell). The solution, according to Bird-X, is effective against sparrows, starlings, pigeons, barn swallows, water birds, woodpeckers and more. A one-gallon container costs $95.
For more information, contact Bird-X at 1-800-662-5021 or check out their website at www.bird-x.com.
Oh, Those Flies
Equicare has a new weapon in its fly control arsenal called SimpliFly. The new feed-through product contains LarvaStop, which is a growth regulator that prevents larvae from developing into an adult fly. According to manufacturers, LarvaStop was granted reduced risk status by the EPA and is proven to reduce house fly and stable fly populations by 97 to 100 percent.
LarvaStop is excreted in the horse’s manure and subsequently prevents the production of chitin, which is a key component of an insect’s exoskeleton. When flies lay their eggs on treated manure, the larva’s exoskeleton cannot form and develop into an adult fly.
For more information, contact EquiCare at 1-800-234-2269 or go on-line at www.simpliflyfeedthru.com.
FINDING OUT
8/25/2010
Re: When is a boader's selfishness too much? This is why I could never be a dog trainer or pet sitter - in my opinion, no one can take as good of care as their dog as I could and it would drive me crazy.
As a barn manager, you don't have a say in alot of how an owner manages her horse, e.g. riding after a long layoff. However, you do have control over the mechanics of your barn. You have a perfect right to say "no" to the lights for both the expense and the mesquito issue with not only her horse, but others as well.
Not all horses need blankets on in the winter. It is always better to underblanket. Horses can always keep warm by walking around their stall. Also, the process of eating hay is also another way they keep warm. So winter may not be so much of a worry.
I understand about fading, but that should only be relevant if the horse is turnoud out. If he's in his stall, he doesn't need a blanket of any kind. If she is expecting you to put blankets on, tell her you don't offer blanketing services in the summer.
Finally, tell her that blanketing a horse to keep from growing a coat is a myth. It does nothing to keep their hair from growing or not - it has to do with the amount of daylight and the horse's own internal clock. Horses who are blanketed all the time LOOK like they don't have a coat, but they really do - it's just flattened down by the weight of the blanket. If they were to be left unblanketed, the fur would pop up to provide insulation.
Finally, I agree that as barn manager, you have the right to ask her to leave. I would say it by saying, "Boarder, it sounds like you aren't happy with the way I run things around here and I cannot provide the special services you require. As per our boarding agreement, I would like to ask that you leave at the end of the 30 days. I'm sure there is another barn that can better meet your needs."
8/25/2010
Re: When is a boader's selfishness too much? Hmm.. llights on in the summer when the sun doesn't go down until almost 10 pm.. odd. My barn (I own it) we do have 'some' that blanket in the summer. They use a light weight so the horse doesn't hair up or get dirty. In the winter we do have a few that have llights on above their stall (my show reiners included) HOWEVER, they are on a timer and go off and on at certain times of the night. Calling the animal warden I don't think will work. Though if the horse is heavily blanketed, one.. I would take it off. If the woman contiues to put it on, I would call the warden for sure so he/she can see the horse sweating to death. Then I would tell the woman "My Barn. My Rules.' I have needed to say that a few times to folks. Here at Green Ridge the full care boarders trust my judgement as far as blankets are concerned. I blanket and unblanket as I see fit. Full care boarders must also provide fly spray so I can use it on their horse. This woman doesn't sound like the quailty of person I personally would want in my barn. I would hand her a 30 notice and mail a registered letter of evection. If she didn't leave at the end of her 30 notice for some thing like, " I can't find a place for my horse," tell her it's not your problem and you'll help her load her stuff up cause she is going. I have done that with non-payment boarders. Get tough. One unpleasant boarder ruins the fun for the rest. Sounds like she needs educated on equine care. The same blanket 365 days of the year isn't going to provide warmth in the winter. I have one boarder that lunges her horse in the arena when I am working my reiners. I just ride around the lunging. She complained about it the other day and I told her not to worry about it, I won't run in to her or her horse. She isn't happy but hell the arena is for riding not lunging. Do it in the grass like the other folks here. Do I care if she leaves? Nope. It's impolite to lunge in the middle of a persons ride. I'm sort of looking forward to the day she decides to lunge in the arena again when I am working my horses. Especiall whn I've kicked a cow out and I'm taking it down the fence.
8/25/2010
Re: When is a boader's selfishness too much? I agree with DeAnn that she isn't compatible with your barn. I would allow the light in the winter but charge extra, if she won't double blanket I would do that myself and charge (blanketing charges are clearly laid out in our contract). And of course refuse the summer light unless she again pays for that and the full body fly/mosquito sheet. And I would speak to her about the obvious abuse. If she refuses any of it she should be evicted. I've only had to do that once and the barn was so much more relaxed afterwards that I was sorry I hadn't done it sooner.
6/24/2010
Re: Fly Control / Help For the past 6 or 8 years I have had rabon added to my custom grain mix. It has cut the fly population by at least 80%. With 30 horses and 25 calves within 200' of the main horse barn, it is amazing. Yesterday, I saw 1 fly inside the barn while I was untacking. One of my boarders feeds her own grain. By her runout area, there were at least a hundred flies! You can top dress or have it mixed. I would not buy some fancy brand with who knows what added so the manufacturer can increase the price. Just use the important ingredient...rabon.
FLY & PEST CONTROL
