A New Column and an Anniversary
Publisher Jennifer Rowan introduces a new section on our website, Ask The Expert, and discusses our upcoming 10th anniversary issue.
Hay Is Not For All Horses
Whether due to illness, availability or finances, sometimes you need to look at alternatives to hay. Here's what you should know.
Something's Fishy
Fish from the South Pacific are used in a new feed supplement called Wellpride Omega-3 for Horses. The Omega-3 is derived from fish oil and has long been on the shelves for humans.
Wellpride conducted a year-long study of racehorses and reported that the supplement aided in better breathing, enhanced joint and hoof health, increased endurance and a healthy, glossy coat. Manufacturers also claim that the supplement improves disposition and increases a horse’s ability to focus.
The supplement is available through select veterinarians and from the company itself. The product is shipped in bottles each holding a 30-day supply and costs $49.95.
For more information, contact Wellpride at 1-866-414-0188 or www.wellpride.com.
Healthy Help
Horse Health USA is now offering products from Wendals Herbs of England. First up are pure garlic granules. According to the manufacturers, garlic is believed to help repel flies as well as exhibit antibiotic, expectorant and antihistamine qualities. The product comes in a 2.2-lb. size, which lasts approximately 30 days, a 5.5-lb. size and an 11-lb. size. Prices start at $18.69.
Wendals is also distributing its Moody Mare through Health Horse USA. The supplement contains alfalfa, basil, chamomile, dandelion, golden rod, marigold, rosemary and vervain, all designed to help horses relieve tension and overcome PMT (PMS), say manufacturers. Moody Mare comes in a 2.2-lb., a 5.5-lb. and an 11-lb. size. Prices start at $35.59.
For more information, contact Horse Health USA at 1-800-321-0235 or order on-line at www.horsehealthuse.com.
Something New on the Table
One of the biggest equine suppliers, Farnam Companies, well-known for its deworming products, fly control products and more, has entered the feed business. Through an alliance with Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, LLC, Farnam has created its own signature feed and supplement brand. The feed line will be called Platform and is designed to work together with the line of supplements to avoid oversupplementing.
The feeds come in four categories: Pleasure, Performance, Mare & Foal, and Senior. The Pleasure feed, designed for sedentary or lightly-worked horses, includes 12 percent protein, 4 percent fat, 13.5 percent fiber and low starch. The Performance option, designed for medium- to hard-working horses, contains 14 percent protein, 8 percent fat, 10 percent fiber, low starch and a high level of vitamin E. Platform Senior is designed to cover all nutritional needs, including forage, of older horses. The feed contains vitamins E and B-complex, 14 percent protein, 6 percent fat, 19 percent fiber and comes in a softer pellet. Finally, the Mare & Foal formula includes 16 percent protein, 8 percent fat, 10 percent fiber and a high level of vitamin E. The feed is designed for pregnant and lactating mares and foals.
Every formula includes flaxseed, beet pulp, distiller�s grains, stabilized rice bran, beta carotene, selenium yeast, chelated minerals and yeast supplement. Other than Senior, the feeds are designed to be fed with roughage.
If the horses in your care need a little more help, the feeds are designed to work with four supplements without the worry of oversupplementing extra vitamins and minerals. The supplements include: Platform Joint Formula, with glucosamine, HCI, chondroitin sulfate, HA and MSM; Platform Hoof Formula, with biotin, methionine and lysine; Platform Complete Electrolyte, with essential minerals, amino acids and vitamins; and Platform Weight Formula, which contains prilled fat for concentrated calories. Platform Treats will also be offered.
Each supplement is color-coded without using preservatives.
Prices of the feed, which will only be available in bags to start, will range from $12.99 to $14.99. The supplements will be in the .95-cent to one-dollar-per-day range.
Both Purina and Farnam will continue to market and sell their current lines of feed and supplements. In addition, look for product expansions in the Platform line in the future.
Re: Protective Boots One of my guys was like that! He'd overreach and rip the shoe right off, taking a generous chunk of hoof with it. Toe clip aluminum shoes helped, but didn't completely solve the issue. My farrier suggested he live in bell boots, and that did the trick. He wears the soft gum pull on bell boots on his front feet, and I buy them from SmartPak. After an introductory period where he destroyed a few pairs, he now ignores them. They stay on, and so do his shoes. I was a little worried about the boots producing extra knee action or increasing the chances of "skin crud" (which we have way too much of here in the Pacific NW), but neither fear has come true, thankfully.
8/26/2010
Re: What are you doing to diversify and add $$$ revenue? Kelly- great ideas!! Most of my clients have stopped showing since it has gotten so expensive, so I rarely haul to shows now. I have been taking in injured horses and post-surgical cases for medical and physical rehabilitation ( I have been a registered vet tech for 30 years) In my spare time I am doing more volunteer work in the community with senior citizens. And eating more hot dogs and soup.
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."
8/17/2010
Re: Barn Drama. . .or Borderline Harassment? I am currently at a barn I have been at for TEN YEARS!!! I will be turning in my 30 day notice to remove my horses (required on our boarding agreement) this week due to another boarder who has purely harrassed me for the past 3 years. The owner is aware of the situation yet continues to try and justify the situation. Comments such as I know she is that way, but once you get to know her she is a nice person. This boarder has left me nasty notes, on the white board for all to see and hand written notes and has gone as far as last night standing on her porch as I was throwing hay, LOUDLY CURSING to the barn owner of the work I was doing!!! This boarder is also renting a trailer in front of the barn and has tried to make the rule that NO BOARDERS park where they have been parking since the barn opened in the 1990's. The noise of the car doors disturbs her!! She also yelled at my child at 2:30pm one summer day because her horse naighed!!!! Like I said, I have been there 10 years and also work there 3 days a week - I do not pay this particular woman, nor is her name anywhere on the boarding agreement, yet we are all asked to tolerate her because that is the way she is!!! I hate to leave, but for my own sanity and the safety of my child - we are ridding ourselves of this major drama spot!!!
FEED & SUPPLEMENTS
