Cleaning Up
For cleaning and management of skin problems in horses and dogs comes Dermacloth. Dermacloth is designed to aid in treating fungal and bacterial skin conditions as well as safely cleaning wounds, abrasions and hot spots. The wipes can also be used for grooming and general cleaning.
The ingredients of Dermacloth include de-ionized and filtered water, non-ionic surfactants for cleaning, vitamin E, Dexpanthenol, biguanide and Microban, an antimicrobial preservative. The cloths are soap and alcohol free. Each package contains 8 cloths and costs $11.99.
For more information, contact Kinetic Technologies at 1-877-786-9882 or check out their website at www.kinetictech.net.
A Little Support
Professional’s Choice has added to its equine leg protection products with the SMB Elite. According to manufacturers, the SMB Elite boots are lightweight and the contouring on both the inside and outside ensures a snug fit, while also keeping the dirt out. The boot is multi-layered with a limestone-based neoprene exterior and ultrashock lining.
For more information, contact Professional’s Choice Sports Medicine Products at 1-800-331-9421 or check out their website at www.profchoice.com.
The War Against Worms
Farnam Companies has introduced its latest product in the deworming category. Strongylecare paste (pyrantel pamoate) is designed to remove and control the mature infections of large and small strongyles, pinworms and large roundworms in horses and ponies. According to the manufacturer, Strongylecare is safe for horses of all ages and deworms horses up to 1,200 pounds.
In addition, the product comes with the Sure-Grip syringe to help with administration.
For more information, contact Farnam Companies at 1-800-234-2269 or on the web at www.farnamhorse.com.
FINDING OUT
4/15/2010
Re: College Student Boarder Going Home for Summer Great words of wisdom, Susan, thank you for spelling it out! I hope everyone will remember this when they consider something like an empty stall.
I do think an empty stall can be an opportunity! Be creative about using it without a boarder. If you have haul ins, make it your day stall for a fee so haul ins don't have to stand on the trailer. If you can find a mare and foal that need weaning, offer it to the owner. Taking the mare away from baby is a great way to wean, and mama can go back to work while she's boarded at your place for a month or two.
2/25/2010
Re: New Horse Shipping In - Help First impresssions are lasting, I likely would not charge for this at all since I am gaining a boarder and want to begin the relationship as considerate as possible yet professional. I am the type that would consider this an unusual request but a completely out of owner control one. First priority is getting the horse safely in and checked over. If it were me, I would insist that the owner be here, try to get the shipper to give a few hours heads up or a t least a confirmation of their eta within reason. Assuming that your board contract does have vet and farrier holding fees, so you are not setting yourself up for being walked on, you could sit in the wee hours joking that at least you are not waiting on the vet or that you would stay up all night waiting for the new foal also...after all this is their "baby" you are waiting for...it might be a good opportunity to create a great relationship. That could turn into a long term boarder who sings your praises or even a long term friend.
1/28/2010
Re: Taken For Granted? I had a leg wound horse except his leg had been open for 6 months before he came to me... I amended my boarding contract to include a standard of care clause. It states that wounds MUST be cared for. If the vet recommends this wound be cleaned every day then you must do it, send a friend to do it, or pay me to do it. Its a little bit more inclusive than that but you get the jist of it.
This same horse wouldn't keep weight on either. I include in my contract what I provide and the standard of care clause also states that if a horse requires more feed then you must provide it. This horse bruised his sole really bad and then had an eye ulcer among other things... this lady was already trying to sell the horse and didn't care and decided to donate him. Myself and boarders donated time and supplies to bring this horse back from the dead and when this horse recovered she took the horse off the property with-out paying the bill.
I took her to court and that standard of care clause won me the case. I also include farrier trimming and worming in my board so that I don't have un-kept horses stinking up my business! :o)
1/26/2010
Re: Taken For Granted? I wish I knew the right answer. Some horse owners consider horses to be property and will not provide more care than the horse is worth, while others love their horse and will take out a second mortgage to save him/her. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. From a liability stand point if your barn has people who provide low quality feed and do their own vaccines then they probably would not spend the time or money to seek compensation. The other side is the person who will spend thousands on a horse with abdominal pain (colic), they tend to seek satisfaction for unintended consequences (death). If a person makes a complaint to the state board of veterinary medicine and the vet’s records show that a non-owner diagnosed and prescribed drugs to a horse with abdominal pain, that person could be charged with practicing medicine without a license. It is not worth it to me to take on the liability just to save an owner a few bucks. I call the vet and owner, they can figure out what to do. If the owner wants to pay me to provide vet directed supportive care, I charge 2X my hourly wage during business hours and 4X after business hours. If the owner does not want to pay, they can do it. When I am taking care of other people’s horses, I always provide better care than I would to my own. The standard of care is always higher for a paid professional.
HEALTHCARE
