The Progress Before and After / The Dining Room

The Dining Room - Before

The Progress Inside...

The Dining Room

I cannot believe we have been in our home for nearly a year now. We waited so long to get here, but wasted no time to start making our mark. We have accomplished so many things, I thought posting some before and after pictures of the work that has been completed so far would help tell our story of restoring the old farm house and property. We have "Gone Country".

One of the reasons we wanted an older home was for the woodworking details that are rarely replicated in homes built today. These handcrafted raised panels cried out for attention. This picture does not show the separation of the raised panels or any other defects the room held, but all of them poked loudly when you walked inside. Each panel had all the caulking removed; then was sanded and re-caulked. This took many evenings, but after three weeks they were ready for paint. I moved on to the walls which needed the same care and time to prepare them. Holes were filled, along with a lot of scraping and sanding of the imperfections.

The Dining Room - After

I favor the deep rich colors and painting the walls “Red Delicious” was a success for creating the ambience I wanted to achieve. It is made by Glidden and was in an egg shell finish. I chose “Crisp White Linen” for the trim and I will carry this color, on all the trim work, throughout the house. It too is made by Glidden but the finish was in a semi-gloss.

Everything we have completed so far started with a game plan before we ever moved forward with the actual work. Debating back and forth, we decided to leave the baseboard heating vents in place until we remove all of them throughout the house at one time. New units for heating and AC were installed and these vents are no longer needed. My husband changed the chandelier to the one we brought with us from our previous home. I purchased this chandelier many years ago and it was bare boned compared to what it is today. I searched for crystal pendants and chains of varying shapes and sizes. As time went on, I added them to the skeleton creating our dining room chandelier.

Many more projects to complete, inside and outside, so stay tuned.

Go Green Tips:

• Look into buying salvaged items. Of course, think safety first, but in certain areas a salvaged item could be better than new one. Can a rustic, reclaimed door for a room work or can it be used as a coffee table? Be creative and look around; there are a lot of items laying around out there just waiting for ideas.
• List items you no longer have a use for on sites like "Craigs List". The chandelier we took down in the dining room went in 1 week after posting it.  

One man's trash is another man's treasure!

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

"To understand the soul of a horse is the closest human beings can come to knowing perfection."

Author Unknown

Changes

After living out of a hotel room, our possessions stored all over town and with quite a bit of time passing, we finally did it. It took countless truckloads to get everything moved in. Now unpacking, planning, restoring, and rebuilding engulf every minute of our free time. With all comes many changes. The previous posts have been removed until we settle and reorganize. Periodically, I intend to release older blogs in some organized manner as time allows. We have so many things to accomplish with moving into our new home, along with the necessary work around the property. Time will be of the essence, but oh how we will savor every minute!

Looking forward to the future and a whole new way of living; bringing it all to the blog will be interesting. We have come so far, and although our journey to reach our farm concludes, a new journey begins as we strive to make our mark in our new home.

We have “Gone Country” – we are home.

GONE COUNTRY!

Front Drive

Go Green Tips:

• donate unusable items in good working condition
• when moving, collect reused boxes from your local stores for packing up your items

Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

 

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. 

Henry David Thoreau

Change Your Thoughts

Norman Vincent Peale

Looking back over the past four years, our lives have been filled with so many discoveries, both personally and professionally. These years have flown by adding more of them to the pile we have already accumulated. They have allowed us to grow internally and to truly focus on our future and a new way of life; one less complicated, simpler, in the country with our horses. This dream started with just a thought so many years ago and has led us to where we are today.

     We really worked hard mentally, physically and, emotionally to be where we are in our transformation, and we continue to live each day with the same solid effort and determination. We knew at the onset of our voyage that a lot of things had to change in order to realize our dream of a country life. At times, the idea of change was very scary, but we knew our minds, hearts and souls needed to be open to receiving, exploring, and learning in order to reach our destination.

    Reaching for our new life in the country, planted from that tiny seed all those years ago, was set in motion when we left the family business. This was the time for us to go for it! We started planning right out of the gate. The roads we traveled were unfamiliar and new; up and down, round and round we went, dealing with everyday life, our new business, and the ongoing move added even more twists and turns to our existence. Ironically, the roller coaster ride of emotions that we experienced is what gave us the mental strength to finish the ride.

    The chances and changes on the journey of life are unpredictable. Of all the roads we went down, astonishingly, one path landed us in a very familiar place. Our travels took us back to a world we left behind…back to the family business. Who would have thought that we would ever return, but due to the business's situation, it was necessary to take the plunge and dive back in. How does one's life change in so many ways, yet land in the exact spot they started ...and oh gosh, how will all this fit in to our “simpler country life”? Gratefully, the return did not stop us from moving forward. However, we did juggle for a while whether to move or not, but we stayed on target and decided to MOVE!

    Learning more and more from each and every journey, and keeping this knowledge close; we realized and understood the importance of focus and perception. This is how we achieved genuine change in our lives. When it all remains the same; the people, the places, the things, ourselves, we gain comfort and we feel secure. But idleness breeds stagnancy; change is what breeds growth. For some, the familiarity of consistency is satisfying, but for others, their dreams are what fuel their ambition. To change your world you must change your thoughts and step outside of your comfort zone. Authentic change occurs from within.     

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

    Upon returning to the family business, we sensed a difference because we had changed, we were different. We grew so much from all of the challenges we met along the way, and we were prepared to join our old professional lives with our new personal ones. Our thoughts focused, and with the learned knowledge from our experiences, we moved forward with our dream - that simpler life in the country. But where would we live? Work is in a fast growing city and our ideal property would not be obtainable there. We brought out the maps and started planning the trips to look for our new home. A reasonable drive time to work was now an important factor on where to settle. Originally, we were looking about three hours away (our new business was mobile), but this was not possible now because the family business is a brick and mortar building. Ironically, our limitation on drive time to work carried us across the state line for possible prospects. Not holding back, we set out again and again to find our new home!

WE FINALLY DID IT!

Before this blog has posted, our home sold and we found a property we truly adore. We were so fortunate to stumble across such a place. The peaceful serenity, the majestic mature landscape, and the home holding historic significance in the area drew us in - perfect for us! The lush green pastures and a quaint red barn - perfect for the horses!

“We changed our thoughts, our thoughts changed us; this changed the way we saw the world";

The Beginning of a Whole New Life

Our New Home

 

Our Back Pastures and Barn

Our Side Pastures

  

Our Accomplishment -  
Fulfillment, a sense of peace

Go Green Tips:

• once moved and unpacked, recycle your boxes - cut and fold them down before placing in recycle container or place an ad on Craigslist offering them free to someone else who can reuse them
• recycle bucket water the horses didn't drink - water the plants with it
  

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have We Found It?

Since we have been deep into the move, it is important to take some time out. I found this an opportunity to do some housekeeping for the blog and generate some light reading of previously acquired information. The blog has been organized a bit better and the layout spiced up with more visuals. I have saved loads of information over the years on horses and felt the time appropriate to unload from the cart some of the most recent blogs on Horse Sayings, Horse Idioms and Natural Horse Gaits. There is more to come, so please keep trotting back.

Of course, the process of the move is a big focal point in our lives right now. Still packing boxes, I wonder if it will ever end – HELP! Impossible to pack up everything, we will wait to have a definite closing date on the house before everything is in boxes. Still need those forks and spoons.

With prospects coming in and out of the house, we still wait for that one buyer. We continue with treks to the country looking for a property. We have decided to view only the ones that are move in ready and we have found an interesting property to visit. We called the listing agent and were excited to learn some of the past behind the home. The estate being steeped deeply in history has made it even more appealing. We are scheduled to meet with the realtor Wednesday for a showing – WOW!

The home is located in a very small rural town of 148 people, 2 churches, a feed and tack shop combined with a pizza parlor and karaoke bar. The only grocery store has remained in the same family for over 150 years and locals are still able to charge their groceries. However, the sign behind the old hand operated register reads “All charges must be paid within 30 Days”. Truly, a one-horse town, we look forward to our return visit.

Go Green Tips:

OPT OUT

• sign up and stop phone solicitations. Go to www.donotcall.gov and get on the "do not call" list
• stop those pre-screened credit card offers in the mail. Go to www.optoutprescreen.com  

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

To me, horses and freedom are synonymous.
~Veryl Goodnight

Changes at Hand

I t is said to keep articles short and sweet on the internet. No matter how hard I have tried to exercise this model, it is difficult for me to shrink the mammoth mounds of information researched into mini molehills. In addition, when I seek out information and come across the “short and sweet” version, I find myself continuing the search for “more”.

Most of my writings incorporate a horse topic and I somehow tend to create lengthy reads when I combine stories of our big move to the country along with the lives we share with our horses. Additionally, with the move around the bend more stories will be forthcoming on country living. I felt it best to make some changes and divide up the content on future writings to allow simplicity and more mobility within the site. Most blogs will be on a specific subject matter, although there will be times when blogs will be general in scope covering several categories. Either way, it is still not likely to guarantee a short read. There are various labels pertaining to horses and three new categories will be added “The Move”, "Changes" and later “The Journey” . These will cover the accounts of our lives with the move and the various roads we encounter with the horses. Whichever one I write, I do encourage and look forward to the exchange of experiences, comments or suggestions from readers. I hope these information swaps benefit all involved – and ultimately the horses, of course.

The move requires so much effort, from selling our home and uprooting everything to uncovering that special place we would like to call home, the current events seem endless. The course of the move has taken another setback, leaving us disappointed and exhausted. The deal on the house and property we wanted to purchase fell through about a month ago that left us drained and empty and we needed time to recover. Shortly, we understood a push forward was essential. So, with gathered energy and spirits we continue the travels back to the country in pursuit of finding a home. A general description of the property we are searching for includes; a historical home with plenty of acreage, in a small town – (actually, the smaller the better). Even with the current list of homes that meet our criteria narrowed down, applying the pros and cons of each property still generates a lot of discussion between those involved in the selection. Also, the decision remains open about whether to choose from among the homes we have already considered, or to keep the possibility of discovering another suitable property on the table. With all these limitations set forth, we are still eager to make the switch. We also await the sale of our current home.

Our home has been on the market for two months. There has been a moderate flow of buyers,but no bids yet. The current economy has affected the housing market and property values have dropped considerably over the past few years. Devoting many discussions to these conditions led us to make another change. We have decided to lower the asking price in selling our house, and in turn lower the offer on whichever property we choose. Let us hope this strategy works and increases the pace towards moving. We have been lined up and ready for quite some time now to get all these processes accomplished.

Go Green Tips:

• most areas have recycling centers - learn what can & cannot be recycled in your community
• set recycling containers next to the trash cans - paint recycle signs on them and labels for the intended contents

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

Feeling down? Saddle up.
~Author Unknown

Horse Boarder Checklist - Writing on the Stall

Horse Boarder Checklist

After being under the blanket of winter and all its hibernating tendencies, I feel like a flower surfacing in the onset of warmth. With the embrace of spring in the air, new found energy and enthusiasm emerges that I left behind somewhere in November. I am eager to spend more time with the horses and look ahead in the direction of the events yet to transpire. We are in the final stages of preparing our home for its sale. The expected date of the long awaited “for sale” sign in the yard is scheduled for April 30. We are all scurrying to finish the “to do list” and finally have it down to just a few minor things – Yeah!

In the meantime, our horses have endured several major changes in the past months and now have adjusted quite well in a different facility. The changes have been a valuable lesson learned for us. Until we move to our farm, our horses are boarded at a public facility. The current property is not the first facility we have experienced with our horses. Gosh, what horror stories they and we have encountered in previous arrangements. With the benefit of hindsight, we realize we did not pay attention to the “writing on the stall” at the other barns.

Many of the properties in our area were similar, and the barns held indicators in common. Whether through business or pleasure, exposure to many properties have allowed me to pay attention to many details. Some gauges can be easily seen and determined in one visit to the facility, but only after concluding a boarding commitment did the care and treatment become apparent, or an unforeseen attitude detected. Locally, even though many equine owners are hungry for a "professional" facility, for some reason, they do not offer any criticism on their experiences with local operations. This leaves the problem for horse owners to endure the "bad" ones before finding the "good".

Having a guide one could use when looking for a boarding facility will aid in this important decision. From our experiences, we designed a checklist consisting of areas requiring attention and questions to ask. It covers an array of elements one should consider and is a handy tool that will enlighten the route, through knowledge, when considering properties. Review the checklist and find the answers to the questions that arise. Be resourceful, it is to the advantage of you and your horse. Answers will avoid problems that will crop up; they are the “writing on the stall”.

Additionally, we designed a website for those dealing with businesses in the equine industry. This site allows one to rate the business based on their personal experiences; anonymously, if preferred. This can be an added tool for the equine owner. Visit ...www.agreenhorse.com and make a comment to help the horses and others.

BOARDER CHECKLIST

The most important factor to consider is your horse. Different horses have different characteristics and requirements. Your horse is the one who will live there - no matter how much time you spend with him or her. Regarding age, health, physical, mental and emotional requirements, experience and history of your equine will serve him/her well.

What type of facility are you interested in?

Your interests and activities should play an important role in your decision making. Housing your horse with others whose owners share common interests creates a sense of cooperation and community.

What expectations do you have?
Management of services varies between individual facilities; understand what you expect and what is expected of you.

A ) GENERAL:

I - Location:

• Distance from Home
• Distance from Work
• Ease of Access during Times of

- Special Events
- Rush Hours
- Emergencies

II - Board:

• Monthly Board Cost
• Fee Structure Provided for Services
• Yearly Board Increase
• Other Reoccurring Fees / Charges

III - Business:

• How Long in Business
• Hours of Operation Posted
• Holiday /  Special Event Closures
• Any Restrictions on Access to Your Horse or the Barn
• Does the Barn Cater to Certain Disciplines
• Boarder Turnover
• Review Policies, Fees, Conditions
• Security Deposit Required
• Written Contact Available
• Notice Requirements to Cancel Contract
• Types of Insurance the Barn Carries
• Stalls Available vs. Waiting List
• Security Provided
• Is a Referral List Available

B ) VISIT the FACILITY:

Make Notes of Your First Impression on:

• Property Appearance - Inside and Outside
• Appearance and Behavior of Horses

- Do they Appear Healthy, Active, Alert and Happy? (In Pastures and Stalls)

• Staff
• Other Boarders
• Assess Peak Hours at the Facility 
• Ask if You can Take Pictures of the Facility

I) HORSES

1) General:

• How are New Horses Acclimated into the Herd?
• Quarantine Area for New / Sick Horses
• Ask to See the Area
• Process for Disinfecting Holding Areas, Barn, Stalls,etc. See...Disinfect Your Barn
• How are New Horses Adjusted to Feed / Routine Changes
• Does the Barn Supply or Can You Use Your Own Heath Care Professional?
• Does Horse Owner Need to be Present? 
• Who Holds the Horse for these Services?
• Fee if Available through Barn

2) Health/Care:

Veterinarian

• Vaccination Schedule
• Mandatory Negative Coggins Test - Yearly
• Other Medical Requirements for Health Record Maintenance
• Medication Administered - Fees
• Other Specialized Medical Care Offered - Fees
• Worming Program
• Are Horses Required to be on the Same Schedule

Farrier

• Required Schedule

Dentist or Other Professions

• Required Schedule

Emergencies

• Natural Disaster Evacuation Plan / Posted
• Fire Evacuation Plan / Posted
• Injured Horse Procedures / Notification
• Emergency Transportation Available
• Fees for Emergency Care
• Release Required Granting the Facility Permission to Acquire Veterinarian Services for Sick or Injured Horses

Additional Care 

• Blankets / Sheets, Masks, Boots, etc. Service Available - Fees
• Grooming, Bathing, Braiding, Clipping, etc. Service Available - Fees
• Exercise Service - Fees 
  

II) OWNER/MANAGEMENT/STAFF  

• Is Anyone on Premises 24 Hours? 
• Manager Experience / Background
• Professionalism / Reliability
• Instincts / Attitude / Dedication
• Leadership - See ... "Treat with Respect".
• Individualized Care / Flexibility
• Staff to Horse Ratio - 1 for Every 10 Horses is a Good Rule

III) GENERAL SAFETY

• Communication w/ Boarders

- Phones
- Whiteboard / blackboard
- Injury Notification / Emergencies
- Owner / Manager / Staff Phone Numbers Posted

• Facility Rules / Restrictions Posted and Enforced
• Helmet Requirements
• Fire System See ...Fireproof Your Barn

- Sprinklers
- Alarms / Detectors
- Extinguishers- Inspected
- Evacuation Plan / Posted

• Pest Control See...Horse Pest Control

- Insect Management Plan
- Visible Rodent, Bird or Other Vermin Problems

• Manure Disposal / Procedures

- Storage Process / Area Until Removed from Property

IV) PASTURES / PADDOCKS

• Access / Layout
• Acreage / Size 
• Pasture / Horse Ratio - First Horse, 2 Acres and 1 Additional Acre for Every 1 Horse thereafter
• Number of Pastures
• Rotation of Pastures
• Clean of Debris
• Holes
• Drainage
• Soil Type
• Quantity and Quality of Grass
• Available Water thought out Seasons
• Adequate Shelter / Run Ins Available
• Amount and Type of Trees / Weeds

- Check for Poisonous Possibilities

• Manure Quantity in Pastures / Paddocks

- Harrowing

• Frequency of Monitoring Horses
• Fencing

- Type
- Safety

V) BARN

• Structure and Roof
• Maintenance of Facility
• Cleanliness / Organization
• Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
• Free of Debris
• Safety
• Ventilation

- Air Flow
- Open in Day and Close at Night
- Windows
- Any Odors
- Fans

• Natural Sunlight
• Safety of Electrical Work
• Aisle Flooring

VI) STALLS

• Clean and Dry
• Odors
• Dimensions (12 x 12 is an Adequate Size) - Consider Height
• Can Horses Relate to Each Other Through Visual Pathways
• Safety
• Flooring / Mats
• Bedding Type
• Mucking Practice / Frequency
• Water Availability

- Consider Seasonal Conditions

• Feed / Water Buckets Clean
• Salt / Mineral Availability
• Lighting

- Natural
- Electrical

• Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
• Tack / Blanket / Saddle Hooks
• Routine for Stalling Horses / Turnout

- Leave In / Out on Request?
- Inclement Weather Procedures

• Frequency on Monitoring Horses / Night Checks

VII) FEED / HAY

• What is the Daily Routine for Supplying Horses Feed / Hay
• Feed / Hay Choices Available
• Quality
• Quantity Offered
• Extra Hay Available - Fees

- Can Owner Supply?

• Special Diets Administered - Fees
• Supplement Care Provided - Fees

VIII) GENERAL AREAS / STORAGE ROOMS

• View Feed / Hay / Bedding Storage Areas
• Clean and Organized
• Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
• Food / Drink Facilities
• Lounge / Changing Area / Restrooms

- Climate Controlled

• Tack Room

- Individual Space
- Lockable

• Wash Stall

- Device to Secure Horse
- Hot and Cold Water
- Heated Areas

• Tack Cleaning Area
• Storage of Combustible Materials
• Recycle Options Available
• Parking Areas and Accessibility

- Car
- Trailer

• Hitching Posts or Other Forms of Securing Horses throughout Property
• Trails

- On-site or Nearby (public or private)
- Posted Rules / Guidelines
- Maintenance / Accessibility
- Hazards (Roads, Water, etc)
- Wildlife Precautions (Coyote, Bear, Snake, etc)

IX) EXERCISE / TRAINING RING or ARENA

• Rules and Regulations Posted
• Size
• Lighting - Indoor and Outdoor
• Sound System
• Flooring / Footing / Maintenance
• Proximity to Barn
• Mirrors, Jumps, Barrels, Posts, Tires or Other Obstacles You Wish to Use
• Instructors / Trainers / Coaches

- Policies
- Disciplines
- Lesson Program / Schedule
- Individual or Group - Fees
- Cancellation Policy
- Are Outside Professionals Permitted

• Horse Shows

- Transportation Available - Fees

• Grooming, Braiding, Clipping or Other Services - Fees

Tips from the Trail

Try to speak to as many people as you can when visiting the facility. You will gain a sense of the energy and attitudes of that facility.

Talk with your vet, tack/feed store and farrier. Professional opinions often focus on the way the facility operates on a business level. Their information can provide insight to the general well-being of the horses at the facility.

A careful study of the available stables and their methods of operation can result in a healthier horse.

Assess peak facility activity. Take in how the people interact with each other as well as the interactions between the people and when they are with the horses.

Communication is a key element in the relationship between you and the property owner/manager/staff. The importance of understanding the commitments between the two parties for the care of the horse avoids serious issues.

Always keep a copy of what you sign.

Your horse’s new boarding facility will be different for him or her. Changes to their daily routine should be introduced gradually.

 Happy Barn Hunting and Good Luck!

On to the future and with the arrival of spring, plans are in place outlining the preparations of the barn for the coming season. Management of a horse property is a major undertaking and dividing the responsibility biannually distributes the labor and streamlines effort. "Winterize Your Horse..." and "Spring Clean Your Barn..." will give a full year regime to prepare and maintain your facility. The heavy cover of winter and the past now lifted, we are moving forward with a new found barn, our big move just around the corner and the beauty of spring – brighter days are ahead!

Gather your spirits and flourish with the season.

Go Green Tips:

           

• Find a local farmer or gardener who will take the manure from your property
• If your boarding facility does not recycle, have a plan and present it to the manager. There is great information supplied by your local government. The Public Works Waste Management Division is a great place to start, move on and gather as much knowledge for a creative recycling plan for your facility. Private barns should consider recycling options too

Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com      


Don't be the rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse that is beneath him      
Jelaluddin Rumi Alarms

Which End is Up?

Which End is Up?

Well, it has been some time since I last posted. Everything seems to be happening all at once and going in different directions. The business is a main priority, of course, and I'm not complaining when it requires increased attention. People have been calling from referrals and we send a big thanks to all our loyal customers. With the arrival of fall, preparing the yard for the big move is one of the events we have been undertaking. As I write, the huge pile of mulch waits, but I can smile for some items have been deleted from the “To Do Yard List”. Still, the biggest chore for the yard has yet to be tackled - when all the trees loose their leaves, they somehow land and seem to stay in our yard. We rake and bag, rake and bag and rake and bag.

Because of the time required for the business and all the ups and downs of the move, the house is still not complete for its sale. With the economy and current housing market in such disarray, we want the house to be in pristine condition. So we plug away at making every effort to accomplish this objective. Here again, I can smile for several items from the “To Do House List” have been scratched off. A few big ones remain though; pressure washing and painting the exterior. We have realized with sadness, the sale date timeline for the house will need to be changed.

On to a brighter note, the horses and the attention given them remains constant. They are a part of our lives that rarely falters. They will be getting their yearly checkup, blood drawn and fecal check, this week. In addition, each will get their 7-way vaccination. I thought it significant to describe the procedure I use to prepare my horses internally for vaccinations. Today, I started administering sodium ascorbate powder in their feed. This form of vitamin C is safe for consumption and is tasteless. Now, some horses will be aware of it in their feed and may be hesitant at first because it is not odorless. However, the irresistible urge to eat their food outweighs the faint unfamiliar smell. Usually, the adjustment time is brief and after the first day it wanes. The horses look so forward to their evening feeding, as do we. Normally, we spend about three hours with them and find this undivided attention invaluable. This time has allowed us to learn their innate characteristics and vise versa – in other words, we learn each other's traits, build connections and form a desired bond and unity. They are such an enormous part of our lives that their health is central.

Concerning a healthy horse, a very important fact to note and a reality I addressed in my “Horse Vaccinations  blog… vaccinations deplete vitamin C in the body…sometimes so much so that they may cause death. All animals, except humans, some monkeys and guinea pigs manufacture their own vitamin C from their feed. Normally a horse produces about 30 plus grams a day when it consumes a balanced diet, but there are some situations in which these levels are not met, actually leaving the levels extremely low in their system. One such factor is when there is a scarcity of green feed in the horse’s diet; leading to the possibility of some serious health issues. As for vaccinations, they demand requirements that far exceed a horse’s normal production of vitamin C and in this circumstance the horse with “low levels” maybe destint for disaster. Supplementation of vitamin C prior to immunization is crucial for all horses.

Giving vitamin C supplements can substantially reduce the dangers of depletion caused by vaccinations. There are a few ways to dispense the vitamin, but the method I prefer for its ease of administering is two tablespoons daily of sodium ascorbate powder, mixed in their feed, for 3 days prior to the vaccination. A point to remember, if there is stress of any kind, whether it is from trauma, sickness, travel, poison bites or whatever, the extra demand required far exceeds the supply of this vitamin produced normally by a horse. Vitamin C is an important nutrient and may help in triggering the horse's response to many illnesses from viral conditions to snake bites. This information will be undertaken in future blogs. I hope this helps you understand the importance vitamin C plays in your horse’s world.

Uses in the Body - Vitamin C:

• Fight off Diseases
• Fight off Infections
• Healthy Cells
• Strengthens Blood Vessels
• Helps in Stress, Shock and Trauma
• Helps Reduce Swelling and Promotes Healing

More on Nutrients in Future Blogs

Even though we have to extend the sale date of our home, we plug away, staying focused knowing this is how we will reach our goal.

Whatever Goes Down comes Back Up!

A bit of encouragement, which always improves my state. Without demands or expectations, I walk to my horse, place my heart in my hands, and position them upon him. Then, I close my eyes, look to the sun and smile for there will be brighter days.

Go Green Tips:

• Test the well water your horses are drinking
• Filter city water that they drink

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

 All I pay my psychiatrist is the cost of feed and hay and he'll listen to me any day.  

Author Unknown

 

Stay on Target

Stay on Target

Ibelieve I need to supply you with more information on my current situation. As I mentioned previously, I left my career after 30 plus years for personal reasons. My life has changed drastically in the past several years – many, many changes are still evolving. My husband and I are in the process of relocating our “newborn” business and our home. We have lived in our current home for over 15 years, so we are deeply rooted. This is taking a lot of time to sort and pack it all up. It is a great time to eliminate all that unwanted and unnecessary stuff! A garage sale is on the agenda and donations are going out the door.

We are planning to move about 3 hours from our current location. We always wanted to live in the country – away from all the hustle and bustle. The move is in line with the “back to basics” and the "simpler way of living" we are trying to peruse. We made the decision - now is the time to go after our dream! We are striving for this move to occur this spring. Many balls are in motion to reach this goal. Everyday things need accomplishing and at times, they are overwhelming, but we Stay on Target!

Until the “Big” move is complete, we have to board our horses. In our area, there are not many reputable places to board your horse, so the choices are limited and there are definitely no “Green” ones are available. Most facilities are just a business with no real commitment to achieving the best for the horses. Many really feel like horse dump sites. But, if you live in the city and want a horse you have to board, so make sure you do your homework when choosing the most suitable facility for you and your horse... see "Boarder's Checklist". We have chosen our facility for its 24hr accessibility, barn and fence stability, location and the "low key" environment. For now, it is working and for the benefit of our horses, we have and continue to make adjustments in our lives and in theirs to supply the best for them.

“Barnyard” cleanup and pasture maintenance are two very important areas where efforts are necessary for an overall healthy horse. These two mentioned are just a few where our options are limited because the facility is not ours. Therefore, constantly we modify our program to achieve “Green” horses. I am always on a mission finding ways to better my circumstances and those of our horses. My husband and I go daily to visit the horses. We want to be with them supplying, their needs and  hopefully creating a bond for a life-long relationship. Rituals we perform daily:

• give them their necessary supplements - the pastures are huge, but weeds are prevalent in some pastures and it is obvious that regular maintenance does not occur
• supply the horses with the proper grooming and exercise they require 
• check their water and address any medical attention issues
• the tackling of some “barnyard” cleanup. 

Barnyard Cleanup tips ... see "Spring Clean Your Barn and Yard"

We constantly work to prevent…as much as possible, huge problems caused by insects at the barn this summer. The necessary "cleanups" at our facility are not preformed regularly and even though we try and maintain our area, the entire property must be maintained, for insect control to work properly . So, we carry on with the tasks necessary to provide our horses with the best care. I know it is late in the season, but my next blog will address “Pest Control” – there is still time left for you and your horse to benefit this season with the information at hand, and you will have some preparation ideas for next season.

More on Pest Control - see links below

In a previous blog, I mentioned the belief that maintaining required levels of vitamins and minerals are key to preventing many of a horse’s aliments. A majority of pastures do not supply horses with the adequate nutrients. I am sure a lot of you have the same situation – they are not your pastures, but through knowledge, innovation and persistence we can supply our horses with the best possible care. As I mentioned, we go daily to make sure our horses get their requirement of supplements. We feel this need is too important to rely on others to perform, and when we do it, we know it gets done. I do plan to outline a program for pasture maintenance, in the future. When we move and settle into our farm, the information will be needed to prepare our own pastures. At that time, I will be able to make available to you what I have studied, implemented and learned. Looking forward to those projects!

Related Pest Control Topics:

"Horse Pest Control"
"Horse Pest Control - B"
"Herbs for My Horses" Their Uses"

Attitude, knowledge, time, tools, techniques and imagination are the keys to success –
thanks Pat Parelli!

Go Green Tips:

• Instead of paper towels, use washable rags and a squeegee to clean windows
• Sun shining on a window will streak it when cleaning; wait for windows to cool down

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

Look back on our struggle for freedom,
Trace our present day's strength to its source;
And you'll find that man's pathway to glory
Is strewn with the bones of a horse.
Anonymous