From the Department of Looking Ahead

Since today's the day we're all balancing on the pinhead of a year gone and a year to come, I got the notion to pull up and re-read an article I wrote last year on the subject of trends and consequences to the horse world.

Actually, it was merely the text version of a talk I'd been giving to various equine groups for a couple of years. Before 2008's you-show-what hit the fan.

I couldn't help but apply all that came down in the second half of 2008 to what I'd been thinking and writing about earlier. Because I think the latest effects of economic crisis and changes in the public's mood are only going to make things change faster and more furiously all around.

Here's the article, if you care to read it (stand by for a longish read). Love to know what thoughts it sparks.
Trends:Consequences.doc

Forget Bad Weather--Let's Talk Horse Trailers Instead

Even though battling The Weather From Hell continues to be at the forefront of my horselife concerns (we had a windstorm yesterday that was so powerful it actually scared me out of the barn and back to the house, for fear the barn roof was about to blow off), I've decided to enforce some personal mental hygiene and dwell on something more fun to talk about.

So the topic du jour is....

Horse trailers: Mine, yours, or the one you dream about. Why you picked it, what you love about it, and what you wish were different.

My trailer (shown here) is a 1999 two-horse Sundowner gooseneck, with folding rear tack space, and extended-floor dressing room that we use as non-LQ camping space. I bought it new, as my "finally-get-to-have-it" dream trailer, with profits from a reining prospect I sold. Still love it every bit as much as I did the day I drove it off the dealer's lot.

Why Sundowner? It's the brand I came to favor after touring hundreds of horse trailers at the various equine trade shows I attend. Just a personal thing, I guess, like why you picked the S.O. you did--but every Sundowner I walked through had a consistency of quality and a horse-friendly "feel" that seemed to fit me.

Why two-horse? Easy--because the truck I had at the time, a gas half-ton, couldn't pull a loaded three- or four-horse. (Especially not on the mountain roads in my neck of the woods--right, Mikey?)

Why no LQ? First, price--at the time, even the most basic LQ package would have tacked $10K onto what was already a $15K trailer. (You do have to pay for that aluminum.) Second, reality: Most of the places we go to do any camping or overnight-staying with horses don't have hookups--and if it's not warm enough to sleep outside without a heater, I'm not goin' camping anyway. Third, maintenance: Just didn't want to go there with LQ plumbing, heating, AC issues, and so forth. Fourth, multi-usage: With no LQ package, the whole front of the trailer is readily available for packing, storage, and hauling of all kinds of things, from building materials to household furniture. (Can't beat it for those serious antiquing runs, ladies.)

Favorite features: Love, love, LOVE the walk-thru door from the dressing area to the horse compartment. When we get somewhere, we unload the horses, clean out their area, and have instant walk-thru access to what becomes, essentially, a second room (makes a great indoor kitchen area, for example, or a rainproof party lounge.)

I also love the large, RV-style slider windows that let in plenty of light and fresh air. I've camped in this trailer for the better part of a week, and never felt like I was roughing it. 

Wish were different: Had I known at time of purchase just HOW great this trailer's set-up is for camping, I'd have opted for the same trailer, but with a factory-installed roll-up shade awning.

There are times when the shade would be most appreciated. (I know I could do an after-market add-on, but haven't been convinced it would be the best idea to be drilling holes in what's proven to be a solidly rainproof roof.)

So anyway--that's my horses' ride. How about yours? If you have links to your trailers' manufacturers, or to other cool trailer-related sites, please share. I think it'd be fun for all of us to get to do a little vicarious trailer-touring while we wait for 2008 to end!

The View from Outside Our Indoor Arena

Last night, when I went to bed, I had big plans for spending most of today working with horses in our indoor arena.

Mother Nature had other ideas. Not only did she send our snow total up 7 or 8 more inches overnight, she's continued to snow all day today at the rate of an inch or more per hour. And to add insult to injury, she rained some, on top of all that snow.

So instead of having a fun, cozy horse day in out of the elements, I spent most of it up on the arena roof with Ed, shoveling (and being plastered by) snow. It was scary-deep up there in some places (over 3 feet), and it took the two of us, working steadily for about 4 hours, to get all that snow-load weight off the roof.

Whew. The horses didn't get exercised this afternoon, but the horsekeepers sure did. And I think we'll sleep a little easier tonight, knowing that tons of snow aren't still sitting up there, waiting to cave in.

 

Tiffany Tries Snow Surfing!

We've had record December snowfall in these parts, and it's made horsekeeping a challenge in some ways.

But it's also made it kinda fun, like when Tiffany finally got to leave the barn and checked out her snow-surfing ability. (How about those drifts out in the field and pasture--they remind me of the ocean!) We've had some interesting snow angels made by horses dropping into the deep snow to roll.

 

More snow on the way (nearby Spokane, Washington already has 46 inches), so Ed and I spent most of today clearing off roofs that probably shouldn't be asked to hold too much more. Good way to burn off all those Christmas cookies....

Get any good horsey gifts? Do tell.

Corky's Grandchildren Come for a Visit

We had a break between snowstorms today, so Corky finally got to meet two of his four grandchildren.

Aren't they adorable?! That's Ryder (honest) on the left, and Camryn, in Corky-matching pink, on the right.

They both got to take their very first rides on horses, with Corky and Miss Rose doing the honors, in our indoor arena. Too dusty there for photos, alas, but the mental pictures are great.

There's something about kids, first horses, and Christmastime, that jingles the heartstrings just like sleighbells.

2009's First H&R Issue: Comments Welcome!

Here's your sneak peek at the cover of January 2009's issue of Horse&Rider.

That's Al Dunning on the cover, enjoying a ride out in the desert surrounding his place in Arizona.

This issue also marks the debut of a new department by Al, called "How's My Riding?" We give Al a photo of a reader on horseback, and he critiques the reader's riding. It's inspired by the article from last year in which Al gave me a riding lesson that was captured on camera.

It's just of several new things added to H&R for 2009. (Note cover lines to that effect.)

Hope you find something within to grab your attention and/or tickle your fancy.

What Does YOUR Trip to the Barn Look Like Today?

Here's mine...with another foot of snow said to be on the way.

And did I mention it is 2 degrees, with a wind? So much for my notion of going on a snow-ride today--I am not that masochistic!

Colic First-Aid: A Cheat-Sheet for You to Keep on Hand

Colic--a general term for gut pain in the horse--is the number one killer in the equine world. It has many causes, from gas in the digestive tract, to obstructions and feed compactions, to bowel twists, strangulating tumors, ruptures and other issues.

When you first suspect a bout of colic, you can't just eyeball your horse and know whether the problem is mild enough to handle on your own, or serious enough to need veterinary intervention or hospitalization.

But you can be smart about how you proceed, and about how quickly you get your vet involved, even if just on the phone to start with. The longer you wait on this point, the more your horse can deteriorate, the closer you can get to a true (and even more expensive) after-hours emergency,  and the more critical mistakes you can make on your own.

 

Here's a plan that may help you overcome the "oh god, what do I do?!" panic that can set in when you find a colicking horse:

* Note the time and initial symptoms observed. Jot this information down (I use a pocket notebook); it's the start of your set of colic notes a vet may need.

* Contain the horse in a clean stall or pen for observation. If you start with clean bedding, you'll be able to take note of whether the horse has urinated or passed manure. What comes out--or doesn't--is an important symptom. Collect and set any freshly dropped manure aside, for possible evaluation.

* Leave a water source in the observation area, but remove all feed. If the colic is due to an obstruction, you don't want MORE feed jamming up behind it. Do not try to "fix" the colic by giving mashes or other feeds.

* Take and record the horse's vital signs: temperature, respiration, heart rate, gum color, capillary refill time. Every horse owner needs to know how to do this; learn how now, before you're in a crisis. Download and print out this vital-signs chart, to have on hand. If the horse is chilled, with a lower-than-normal temperature, blanket him to help conserve body heat.

* Call your vet to report the colic and the horse's vital signs. Then follow his/her advice on what to do next. Don't administer medication, such as Banamine, unless the vet gives you the go-ahead to do so--meds can mask symptoms and lead to later problems.

* Get ready to continue observing. I keep copies of this awesome little vital-signs chart in my "doc-box" vet kit, because it indicates when a change in vitals indicates worsening internal problems. Whether  the vet makes an immediate farm call or not, plan to continue taking vital signs at regular intervals (at least once per hour); keep an eye out for any eliminations, noting consistency changes, and saving the material; record unusual behaviors (such as "dog-sitting," or resting on the haunches; repeatedly dropping to knees only, without going all the way down; kicking or biting at flank; grinding teeth; attempts at rolling; etc.).

* Should you walk the horse? Also get the vet's input on this, as the horse may be just as well off to be allowed to rest. Panicked owners, not knowing what else to do, have a tendency to keep colicked horses up and walking to the point of doing more harm than good. You don't want to deplete the energy stores your horse may ultimately need for survival.

* Be prepared for transport. Many colics can be treated successfully with well-timed veterinary intervention, but not all can be managed successfully "in the field." If a haul-out is called for, you want a reliable rig standing by, fueled up and ready to roll. When a horse is sick enough to need a trip to town, he's sick enough for every 30 minutes to count.

* Roust the cavalry, e.g. friends or family members who can jump in and lend you a hand. Extra hands are always helpful, and 'nuff said about the need for moral support.

You Aren't Going to Believe the Size of This Thing

Corky, who we found down and rolling yesterday morning at feeding time, seems to be over the worst of his colic episode. And it looks like we found the internal culprit:

Check out this monster poop ball that I picked from his stall last night before bedtime! That's a normal sized one on the left. I have never, in all my years of having horses, seen a fecal ball of this size--have you??

I took six piles of manure from Corky's stall yesterday after treating him with Banamine and putting him under surveillance. Every one of the first five piles was normal looking. The sixth one had this record-setter in amongst a few normal sized poop balls.

No wonder the poor old guy was in distress as this thing moved through his system.

It just goes to show that you can be careful as can be during severe weather changes (we have heated watering systems, for instance, to encourage adequate water intake), and still be surprised by something. That poop ball is almost as big as the little gelding it came out of.

Corky (with Christmas decor and stethoscope hung on the front of his stall door) says, "Whew! That was almost like having a foal!"

Brace Yourselves, People--It's Colic Season

If you're in a part of the country that's just experienced the arrival of sudden arctic temperatures, be aware: Colic could come calling. I have a horse down with it right this moment, and am only taking time to post this between trips back out to the barn. 

I've been on the alert for a problem ever since it went from the 40s to below zero in a single night, and sure enough, one of the oldsters was down and rolling this morning at feeding time. (On Friday, we had no snow at all. Look at it now.)

Check your supply cabinet. Do you have:

* A working thermometer and a timepiece, for taking vital signs? (A stethoscope comes

in handy, but you can take heartrate and respiration rate without one if you know how.)

* Phone numbers for your vet?

* Banamine paste or injectible liquid, for quelling gut pain? (Could be very useful if your vet can't make it out, or is delayed in reaching you.)

* Access to a hauling rig, in case your sick horse has to go to a  clinic?

* Directions on how to get there?

I don't know what it is, exactly, about these big temp/barometer changes that brings on colics, but every time we've had one here it's been during a weather swing. Consider yourself forewarned....

Out From Under My Deadline Rock

To all who stopped by checking for new posts the last week, my thanks, and apologies for the longish stretch of nothing new. Every now and then, a story assignment comes along that guzzles brain cells and writing juice like a big old V8 boatmobile guzzles gas.

"Breeding Today" definitely qualified. Trying to cover the topic adequately in a single article was like trying to cover an airfield with a tarp. Basically impossible, but you gut it out and keep whittling until there's a written result. 

A few nuggets I will pass along, now that I've resurfaced among the living:

* When it comes to production of horses for the registered-horse market, breeding is definitely in recession. The pullback has been underway longer than most people realize--for about eight years.

* Since 2000, when the annual U.S. registration total reached a 25-year peak, at least 100,000 broodmares have been taken out of production.

* Examples: In 2000, the American Paint Horse Association recorded 106,000 bred mares on its stallion reports. In 2007, the mares-bred total was 52K. The Appaloosa Horse Club estimates it will have about 3,900 bred mares on stallion reports for '08. Five years ago, it had about 14,000.

* It's not just mares being taken out of registered-horse production. The number of stallions in use is dwindling as well, as shown by the reduced number of stallion reports being filed. (Registries require stallion owners to file an annual report of all mares bred; no report filed, no papers granted to the resulting foals.)

* The obvious (and most simplistic) effect is fewer foals added to the overall horse population--at least by breeders whose efforts are tracked and recorded. 

* The domino effects are quite a lot more complicated...not the least of which is the "opportunity" for all those out-of-work mares to end up in backyard whinnymills, pumping out foals that'll never get papers and never get counted. When broodmares are free for the taking on sites like craigslist, it doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out where they'll end up.

 

 

H&R Article in Progress: "Breeding Today"

I have an article due (overdue, actually) for February's Horse&Rider, on the subject of what's happening today with horse breeding. It's definitely a big onion of a subject--lots of layers to it, that's for sure.

I've been digging into such subjects, for instance, as who's breeding (or not), and why. I've looked at the tumbling registration numbers in various breeds (a trend that's been going on, by the way, in most breeds since 2001, and that's only recently accelerated. Turns out the year 2000 was WAS a watershed year, at least when it comes to high-marks in registration numbers.)

But before anybody jumps up to go "Hooray, breeding NEEDS to go down!," let me add that my research into this topic is revealing complicated consequences that many people just haven't considered.

And need to be prepared for. Why? Because so much of the horse industry rides on breeding-related revenue that a downturn's destined to affect everyone, whether they breed horses or not. 

OK, feel free to talk about this amongst yourselves. Cuz I gotta to back to writing the article itself.

Until I get a full wrap on this assignment, I'll keep the specifics to myself. But I'll check back from time to time--just to see what the subject of "Breeding Today" might do to trigger your thoughts.

 

Santa Comes Early for Corky

At first thought, you might not expect to find much in the way of girly (read PINK) horse stuff in a store that serves Montana cowboys. But never let it be said that Miles City Saddlery isn't up on the trends--when visiting there about a week ago, I found everything from a pink hoof pick, brush set, and rubber curry, to a pink hang-up tote bag to carry it all in.

With Corky, former pack-string horse, now living the life of a grandma/grandkid pony, pink's officially been added to the ranch tack room. I brought the pink goodies home from Miles City and turned them over to Corky's new owner, Shelley--who happily tried them out.

Merry Pink Christmas to Corky!