Dressage Hafl

6 Things Every Horse Owner Should Have

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:22:00 +0000

When Hafl is happy, I am happy

Owning a horse can be an exceptionally rewarding experience, providing you know what to expect! If you want to provide a safe and healthy environment for your horse, you’re going to need to ensure you’ve got a range of equipment and resources to rely on. To ensure you’ve got everything covered, take a look at the six things every horse owner should have:

1. Shelter

It may seem obvious that your horse will need access to shelter but you’d be amazed at how many people think horses can live outside all year round. In reality, it’s essential to provide access to shelter so that your horse can escape the beating sun in the Summer and the cold and rain in the Winter.

2. Dental checks

A horse’s teeth keep growing throughout their adult life and only stop when they reach old age, which means annual dental checks are an absolute must. An undiagnosed infection could have tragic consequences, so it’s vital to ensure your horse’s teeth are checked by a vet at least once a year.

3. CCTV

No matter how close your field or stables are to your home, you won’t be with your horse 24/7. Having solar camera surveillance for farming ensures you can monitor your horse at all times from a remote location. As well as keeping your horse safe and your property secure, it will also give you peace of mind and allow you to relax after a tiring day at the stables!

4. Fly Masks

Flies and mosquitos aren’t just a source of irritation to your horse, they can also transmit diseases. Fortunately, fly masks are a simple solution that allows your horse to see and hear clearly while protecting them from flying insects. As they need to be inspected washed frequently, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got a good stock of them to hand.

5. Grooming Kit

A decent grooming kit always contains a hoof pick, curry comb, shedding blade and soft brush, at a minimum. Of course, most horse owners collect a lot more grooming equipment over time, particularly if they compete regularly. However, having these pieces available will ensure you can take care of your horse’s basic grooming needs.

6. Heated Water Bucket

It goes without saying that your horse will need access to fresh water, but what about when temperatures drop? Horses can develop colic due to dehydration, so it’s vital that they always have access to water. If you’re concerned that water will freeze overnight, a heated water bucket is an effective way to ensure your horse will always have access to drinking water. Horses can develop colic due to dehydration, so it’s vital that they always have access to water.

Caring for Your Horse

Whether you’re keeping your horse on private land or leasing a space at a local stables, it’s important to ensure you’ve got all the equipment you need to keep your horse happy and healthy. While horse ownership isn’t for the faint-hearted, the rewards are always second-to-none.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Top Tips For First-Time Horsebox Owners

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 09:46:00 +0000

Horseboxes are the best way to safely transport your horses. If you’re new to horse ownership, or just new to needing to transport them, this large piece of equipment can seem overwhelming. If you’re buying your first horsebox, use these handy tips to choose and use the horsebox.

Know The Law

If you opt for a standalone horsebox, rather than a horsebox with a driver cabin, you should double-check the laws and requirements for towing. Make sure your towing vehicle is suitable for pulling the weight of your horsebox when it’s fully laden. Check your car’s handbook to see what it can tow.

Don’t be tempted by offers of red diesel for your horsebox. Red diesel is not taxed for road use, so it should only be used on vehicles off-road at your stables. Tests are often carried out at shows, so don’t risk it. Red diesel or gas oil are great options for farm vehicles though, so read about it there to check it out.

Choose The Right Horsebox

There’s a lot of makes and models of horseboxes, all designed for different purposes and budgets. Research before you decide what to buy to decide which is the best for you and your horses.

A single horsebox is the best option for individual horses or horses that won’t travel in company. These are also lower weight, so can often be towed by a normal car. Multiple horse options can carry up to five ponies, but due to weight restrictions, most shouldn’t carry more than two large horses. For longer distances, some horseboxes have more space for a tack room, so you have room to transport other things that you think you might need.

Get To Know Your Horsebox

Your horsebox is a large piece of equipment. Just like you would with a new car, you need to get to know all the functions and features, so you can use it correctly and avoid any potential issues. Most horseboxes will have lockable doors, windows, ventilation, and a ramp. Each horse float will be slightly different, so always check the user handbook.

Before every journey, you need to check your lights are working properly, the brakes are off, and is properly attached to the towing vehicle. Check your tire pressure, and make sure you’ve fixed your vehicle registration number to the horsebox.

Horseboxes will need some general maintenance to keep it in good condition, to prevent rot and rust which could cause a lot of damage.

Insure Your Horsebox

It’s smart to insure your horsebox for damage, theft, and breakdown. Call your car insurer, and see what’s covered under your standard insurance. You might be able to extend your insurance to cover your horsebox, or it may need a separate policy. Get a few quotes before you commit to a policy to make sure you’re getting a competitive quote that covers everything that you need.

Protect your horsebox even more with hitch locks, tongue locks, coupler locks, trailer-wheel locks, alarms, and tracking devices.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Are You Feeding Your Horse Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 20:17:00 +0000

You’ve just brought a horse home to live with you, and you want to take care of them to the utmost of your ability. Of course you do, you’re a responsible owner, and you want to create a healthy and happy home for any horses you may bring home in the future.

The first place to start is with the feeding question: are you feeding your horse right? Of course, it’s going to differ from horse to horse, but there’s some general rules that are best to follow. And to help you do so, here are some questions to ask about the way your horse eats, and how you provide for them.

Is There Enough Roughage?

If you’re going to be letting your horse out to pasture, they’re going to be feeding on the grass out there, which is known as ‘roughage’. It’s important for horses to be able to eat roughage, as it helps their digestion, and horses evolved to eat grass.

So, if you keep your horse indoors, or in the stable a lot, it’s time to let them out and let them graze. If you don’t have the roughage to support a horse, you can use hay in their stalls, but it’s always best to plant along your pasture or trail for your horses to graze at their need.

What Feed Schedule are You on?

A feed schedule needs to be put together, if you don’t have one already. Because you’re going to need to change feeds every now and then, and you’re going to need to keep track of when these changes occur.

And most importantly, you need to be able to introduce changes on a gradual basis, with enough time for your horse to get used to new diets when you put them on one.

Not to mention the types of food you give your horse are important. You need to have a schedule that includes both all-natural products and any other food you need to include vitamins or other materials in, as well as roughage and grain.

Do You Know How Much to Feed Your Horse?

And finally, you need to know just how much to feed your horse. Depending on the weather, the size of your horse, the way they live, and how you work them, feeding amounts can be the most variable things in the world.

For example, grain needs to be given little by little; it’s good for the horse but hard to digest, so small portions are best. And if you need to give your horse a lot of grain for any reason, be sure to include smaller feedings of other feeds throughout the day.

You’re also going to need to measure feeds properly, and consistently with the same measurements. You can do this with a normal kitchen scale.

If you’re feeding your horse right, it’s going to show! So make sure you keep the above tips and tricks in mind when caring for your animal.

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Agriculture and Horse Caring

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 May 2020 20:25:00 +0000

Starting a horse-based business is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be infinitely rewarding. You can have the chance to spend most of your day in the company of or caring for your equine best friends. However, once satisfied with how it is all coming along, you might start looking at starting a side hustle or just expanding your horizons. Not only is this an excellent idea to try out your entrepreneurial skills, but you can make the most out of what you have already created!

Horse manure is precious.

First and foremost, horse manure is gold in farming. If you have been caring for a horse - or a collection - you will know in what quantities your animals produce it. Horses and agriculture have gone hand in hand for millennia, just today you can do so a little different from a few years ago. Indeed, instead of using your horses to help you with the hard work, you can make the most of the horse manure.

This substance is incredibly precious for farming and boasts some benefits rarely found in other compost. Horse manure can enrich the soil, and it is high in nitrogen - a compound essential for the wellbeing and development of plants. Moreover, it can help you save on commercial fertilizers and avoid the number of chemicals in the soil and produce.

Undoubtedly, this is the best way to optimize the costs of your horse-based business and reduce the waste deriving from it. Starting a farming business on a piece of unused land can offer you endless benefits - and you can do so cheaply!

Sheds and land

Before starting to plant seeds and sprouts across your property, you should check the laws in your area. Indeed, in many cases, you will need to dedicate a separate part of your property to farming. If you are thinking of doing so, you should have a clear idea of how to organize the equipment and facilities you will need to start a farming business.

Even if you are thinking of starting small at first, you should not try to cut down the budget on custom farm sheds. Indeed, these might seem an extra luxury at first, but you will need to keep all of your equipment separate from your horse-based business. Achieving this can suddenly become very complicated if you don’t have enough available space.#

Grow your produce or start a side hustle

Starting a farming business does not necessarily require you to have endless pieces of land and state-of-the-art equipment. Depending on your objectives for doing so, you might aim at selling a few fruits and vegetables at the local farmers market.

Alternatively, you could use the manure to grow the produce you will need to enrich your dinner table, without wanting to make a profit out of it. While it is undoubtedly beneficial to start a small farming business, you can decide yourself what you would like to make out of it in the future!

Basic Horse Care Tips for New Owners

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:07:00 +0000

Owning a horse can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it does come with many responsibilities that are difficult to manage without the right advice and guidance. This is why many people that own horses have a mentor or teacher that can help them with advice and offer assistance when it’s needed. With so many different types and sizes of horses, it’s important to speak to a professional in order to learn how to best take care of your horse.

But there are also a lot of general tips that can be useful for helping you establish a good foundation for horse care. So in this post, we’re going to take a look at some basic horse care tips for new owners.

Feed

Quality feed is a must to keep your horse’s body in good condition. You typically need around 1 to 2 kg of feed per 100 kg of bodyweight. You may also need supplementary horse feed if your horse is training or exercising regularly. A saltlick or mineral block is also needed. Since a horse’s dietary requirements can vary depending on their size and purpose, it’s important to consult a veterinarian that specializes in horses to get the right amount of advice.

Shelter

Horses will need plenty of shelter from the elements. Large walk-in steel sheds are perfect if you have space in your backyard, but it’s important that they can close up to protect your horse from cold weather. You should ensure that your horse is protected not just from the elements, but also potential thieves.

Space

You need plenty of space for your horse to walk and run around. A large field or backyard is preferable for this. If you don’t have much space, then the alternative is to ensure that they exercise daily. You may need to contact a specialist to ensure that you’re giving them enough exercise every day.

Company
Another important consideration to create the perfect environment for your horse is to give them company. Consider getting a second horse if possible or at least taking your horse to see and interact with other horses on a regular basis so that it doesn’t develop behavioral problems.

General Care

In addition to creating the right conditions for your horse, you also need to think about your horse’s health and general condition. For instance, their hooves need to be trimmed much like your fingernails. This should be done by a farrier every 6 to 8 weeks. Their teeth should also be checked by a dentist annually and you should be worming your horse every 8 weeks.

Educate Yourself

Reading this article is a good start to educating yourself about how to take care of your horse at home. It’s a huge responsibility to become a horse owner and it takes a lot of time to truly gain the experience you need to take the best care of them. At the end of the day, educating yourself through books, articles, mentors and your own mistakes will take time, but soaking up all that information will eventually pay off.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Horses For Courses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:13:00 +0000

When you were a child and your parents took you horse riding every now and again that dream of owning your own horse seemed like a distant and unlikely wish that might never be fulfilled. But now, as a fully fledged grown-up, you’re wondering if it might just be time to make that dream a reality and buy your own horse as a gift for yourself and the younger members of your family.

You know you have the time and the money to make it happen but should you? Is a horse really the right investment? In this blog we take a look at exactly what you need when it comes to buying your own horse and whether it’s the right move for you.

Baby Hafl

The Basics

Before you even set foot in a stable yard, let’s take a look at some of the research you’re going to need to put in when it comes to basic horse care.

Unless you have plenty of land yourself, it’s likely you’re going to need to rent a stable in order to house your new addition. Give yourself plenty of time to buy the basics you need to care for your horse when in his new home. Things like bridles and saddles can wait as you’ll want to make sure you get the right fit for your horse when he arrives, so stick with the basics.

Buy plenty of brushes and mane combs for grooming and make sure he has access to plenty of bedding. Your stable should allow you to use spades and forks for mucking out purposes and give you access to wheelbarrows and so on.

If they don’t already provide it, make sure your stable is equipped with feeding and watering troughs, old rainwater tanks customised for the job will do.

Make sure you have plenty of ropes and a halter and some old blankets for the colder months, then comes the fun part: choosing your steed.

One Size Does Not Fit All

If you’ve been riding for a while you’ll have a good idea of what size and the temperament of the horse you can handle. If you’re relatively new then remember that younger isn’t necessarily better and a calmer, more mature animal might be just what you need.

First of all, you’ll want to make sure you go to a reputable horse dealer or stable when it comes to buying your animal. You’ll want to go somewhere where the welfare of the animal is the first priority and animals are sold on in tip-top condition, healthy and without underlying problems. If you’re not sure then check online with owners or pony clubs to find your nearest recommendation.

Next check the wording of any advert that you’re answering. For example if an advert describes a horse as “green” then that animal is highly likely to need a lot of training and you’ll have to ask yourself if you’ve got the skill or expertise to make that happen.

Go and meet any horse you intend to buy and try and spend a little time with him. Check out his manners as you approach. Is he affectionate and stands still while you work around him or does he buck and bite? A horse who is calm on the ground is going to be an easier ride and will allow you to grow and mature with him.

Home Life

Where possible, try and choose a horse that comes from a similar background to the home he will be settling into. Horses from quiet, rural settings who suddenly find themselves in a busy stable yard may find it hard to adjust and take a little longer to settle in. You can’t be with them 24-hours a day so you need to know that your horse is not distressed as it comes to terms with its new surroundings.

Health Checks

Don’t even think about buying a new horse without having a thorough health check carried out. You’ll need a Pre-Purchase Examination done by a vet, bearing in mind that a five-stage PPE is needed in order to get insurance for your animal.

You will also need to check your horse against his passport particulars to make sure that you are being sold the same horse that appears in his documentation. That document should also set out all the vaccinations and previous owners he’s had and will give you a good indication of his history.

If you have any doubt about his health or his history, or if the passport details don’t seem to match up then you’ll need to walk away from the sale and report the seller for mis-selling an animal. The police or RSPCA may become involved in they suspect there is any animal cruelty involved.

Once all the paperwork is signed and you’ve prepared a stable for your horse it’s time to take them home. You’ll also then be able to find a correctly fitting saddle and bridle and begin the process of bonding with your animal.

Buying a horse is not the same as buying any other pet. For a start, it’s a lot more expensive and will demand daily visits to keep up with feeding, grooming, training and riding. Owning a horse is not a weekend activity and though you may be able to afford full or part-time livery, the responsibility still falls on your shoulders.

If you do buy a horse, the very best thing you can do is to find one that matches your level of experience and expertise. Unless you can spend hours training an inexperienced pony, don’t buy one younger than around five-years-old. You’ll also want to think about who’s riding your horse. Will it just be you or do you have younger children you’d also like to teach. A calm, older horse is a sensible option in this case.

Bear in mind how much expense is likely to be spent out on your horse. From the basics such as food and bedding to vet bills and stable fees, it can add up.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

A Decade With Hafl

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:02:00 +0000

I can hardly believe that ten years ago I decided to buy this never growing up babyface. I had no idea that he would change my life in such a way.

10 years ago, I bought my first horse, a standardbred off the track. Intended for my back then-boyfriend, he quickly became a younger brother as I was always longing for having my very own Haflinger. I was searching the internet for a two-year-old, such that I can work the standardbred while the smaller brother was still growing up. What a perfect plan. Only two months after buying the standardbred, I found Hafl as his previous owner was the only one to answer my request. I met him on national holiday of August 15, as we needed to drive to his young horse hideaway - a perfect trip for a day off. As soon as I saw his cutie pie forelock, I knew he had to be mine. And did not even see him move, I just checked if head, tail and legs were in the right place. Hafl was delivered later that year in October after the grazing season and I could not have been any happier with him as he turned out to be a real gem. Hard-working, always curious, always happy, never stupid or dangerous (let alone the one time we had our big accident), he has been by my side for the last 10 years now. And he has seen a lot.

He was part of my first young horse test where I have never ridden a young horse test. We came in third qualifying for the Haflinger Nationals - coming in last but who cared. He was cute. He allowed me to ride through all the levels - even though our fourth level/FEI YR was a disaster, I probably would not have had the chance to even entering such a class with a horse like him (read: non fanzy-schmanzy Warmblood). He was never the biggest mover, he was never the brightest star. But such a work ethic and a huge heart brought us to where we are now: a happy couple who almost spend all of HIS life together. Speaking of couples: Hafl has also been my most stable relationship - and one that will go on for many more years to come.

Even though we cannot always count on his health status with all those damn sarcoids haunting us, he never shows weakness just because of them. He still wants to work and even though we might never show again, we will still train like champions. Or just do nothing. We won't hug or cuddle as he hates it the way I do. We won't talk that much because we are both not the talkative types even though we do not seem like it. Sometimes I think we are happy just being together. Just spending time and doing whatever we like. Because barn time is quality time. Especially when you spend it with your partner in crime. I am so thankful for the last ten years and those memories will never fade.

Hafl had his regular day off today, just drove there to feed him his extra bucket of yummy mash and told him that I would be back tomorrow. Like I have been doing it for almost ten years now...

Equine Economy: Ways To Save Money While Caring For A Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 18:25:00 +0000

Whether you've got one little pony or a collection, horses are expensive. There's no way around this. But what we need to do, when looking after a horse, is provide the essentials for them to thrive. This can be difficult due to the various expenses. But let's provide you with some ways to save money on keeping your horse healthy and happy.

Get Into The Reusing Mindset
It's not about buying new hay all the time, it's about reusing what you already have. The same applies to water. If you're looking for a way to cut back on your bills, and you are paying a lot for water, consider getting a water tank. Suppliers like Clark Tanks provide these, which can help you catch rainwater, you can then treat the water, and it is as good as bottled water. You can then use this water, not necessary for drinking, but for bathing and tending to them.

Minimizing Veterinarian Bills
One of the most expensive aspects of owning a horse is the vet bill. But if you can find ways to reduce the costs, either by checking the charges of various dentists or vets, you can find a cheaper alternative. In addition to this, it's worth getting in contact with other liveries in the nearby area to find out when their horses' annual vaccinations are due. You can then schedule these with one or more owners, minimizing the call-out charge. If the vets usually deworm the horse, give consideration to doing it yourself. But don't cut back on the necessary expenses, like immunizations.

Cutting Back On Your Equipment
As tempting as it is to buy used items across the board, some don't necessarily work. For example, if you purchase used helmets, they might not provide adequate protection. On the other hand, you can buy equipment like bridles or riding boots from the consignment area of the tack shop. It's also getting into the habit of repairing items instead of replacing them. Having access to a sewing machine can make every item go a little bit further, especially expensive rugs and blankets. And also, any item that has the word "horse" written on it is likely to cost more. A good example would be a horse brush, you don't necessarily have to purchase a horse brush, and your horse won't care what you are tending to them with.

Feeding Them Healthily
Always buy high-quality hay, but be sure to buy off the field, and also consider the time of year that you purchase hay. In the summer, hay is at its cheapest. Always compare prices, especially in terms of grain. Buying bulks of grain is less expensive than buying per bag. And also, as tempting as it is to go for the big-name brands, you can find "generic" feeds which are as good as a named brand. But always be sure to compare the ingredients and the quality.

There are ways to be economical when caring for your horse, it's just about getting into the right mindset.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

What's In My Tack Closet?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 20:12:00 +0000

After we moved to the new barn earlier in March, we did not have a closet for all that horsey stuff you need every day at the barn. And let me tell you, that is a lot. I was considering buying an Ikea one but honestly, I neither had the right space for the pre-made luxury nor was I convinced that he would survive in the harsh barn environment. Further, I knew that Hafl's stall would be far from where the closets are located so I needed a device (insert saddle trolley) that could do the heavy lifting and transporting stuff from A to B.

Yet there was another constraint: space was limited as the other barn mates already had their huge closets all well set. Good - challenge accepted. I thus started planning a tailored closet with all the necessary accessories including a tailored saddle trolley where all the thingies we need would fit onto: saddle, bridles, boots, tall boots, wraps and polos, grooming kit, a pair of scissors, fly and mane spray...

I came up with great plans and I hated myself when I started building it. I did all the sawing by hand as I still haven't bought my miter saw yet, it was definitely hard work to put all those parts together.

But I simply love the result! It is an amazing closet with tons of space and oh my God is it good looking. The best part is for sure the saddle trolley that fits perfectly into the closet and follows me around wherever I go.

Unspoken Gifts: The Power Of Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 May 2019 21:13:00 +0000

In today’s extremely stressful society, people turn to all kinds of comforts in their lives. Emotional Support Animals are one of the most popular forms of calm that people turn to. In particular, people tend to reference their dogs as the ultimate companion. However, it is becoming more and more evident that horses provide a lot of the same connections to human beings that dogs do and are a force to be reckoned with in helping people cope with stress in their lives.

Having a horse is great but be sure to read up on the 3 most important things to consider before getting a horse. Their benefits are discussed below, but you need to make sure that the purchase of a horse is the right move for you.

The research that supports animals as a coping mechanism for stress is off the charts. Interaction with animals has shown to decrease people’s blood pressure and in the hormones associated with stress. They provide you with the opportunity to receive unconditional love and affection. Visit top 10 health benefits of owning a horse for even more detailed explanations on the health benefits of owning a horse that are outlined throughout this article.

Having a horse helps with your physical ability. Riding horses and being outside with them will help to keep you physically active. And the physical maintenance of taking care of your horse will keep you moving as well. Grooming, cleaning the stalls, and feeding are all daily chores necessary for taking care of your horse. You will also want to have plenty of hay available, which can be purchased at https://pomi.dk/en/. Raking that hay and moving things in and out of the stall using a wheelbarrow will certainly keep you physically active.

Owning a horse will also help to build self-confidence. The ability to work with and train a horse is one of the most rewarding experiences any pet owner can have. You will develop such a feeling of accomplishment when you see your horse responding to your commands as well as your discipline strategies. Having the ability to train a horse will also engage the creative side of your brain. You have to be able to think on your feet to develop the best strategies to help your horse understand what you are trying to teach them. If a strategy worked one day, but not the next, it is up to you to figure out what happened and make an adjustment.

Lastly, owning a horse develops your love of nature. Nature is such a soothing part of our world that many people don’t take the time to enjoy. You and your horse will be spending a lot of time outside hanging out together. Enjoying the fresh air together will help your mental health and allow you to soak up some vitamin D with the sun. It is an easy and simple way to take advantage of the beauty that surrounds us.

It is certainly a big responsibility when you decide to take care of a horse (or any animal for that matter) but their benefits are unmatched. There is nothing like the connection between humans and their animals. If you have space and the time, a horse could be just the fixture you need in your life.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

A Guide To Starting Your Own Horse Based Business

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 May 2019 07:00:00 +0000

If you’re thinking of starting your own horse based business, this guide is going to help you figure out how to succeed while others fail. You’ll be able to use the information here to avoid the common errors that unsuccessful businesses make, such as lack of a business plan and underestimating your expenses.

Still feel unsure? Then you’re in the right place. Read on and you’ll learn how you can start your own horse based business without fear!

Something You Need To Know

A horse trainer or riding instructor is a self employed person. You will not be employed by anybody else if you go self employed and start your own horse based business. This comes with its own unique set of challenges that you must be aware of.

Knowing Your Market

Knowing your market is the first rule of successful business management and starting a successful business. You might think you know your market, but it’s highly likely that you haven’t been specific enough. Yes, they probably love horses and want to learn how to ride them. However, you should also know things like:

How old they are
Where they live
Their income
Anything else that will help you

You can successfully come up with consumer profiles this way, and you’ll be able to come up with marketing materials that resonate with your audience perfectly.

Know What Makes Your Horse Business Profitable
If you’ve boarded your horse in the past, you must think that horse boarding businesses make a ton of money. After all, those rates are high! Wait a second, though - there are probably a few things you’re overlooking. You won’t be profitable on a boarding income alone, and that’s a fact. You have other things to think of, such as mortgage, utilities, water (and sewer or septic costs), grounds-keeping, fence repair, and more.

Structuring Your Horse Business
How will you structure your horse business? Considering your liability is imperative, as people could sue you if something were to go wrong. Choosing a business structure that gives you protection is essential, as is the correct business insurance.

Never, ever scrimp and save on insurance. You want to make sure you read the fine print and that it’s suited to what you’ll be doing. Get a State Farm quote to see where you could start with insurance if you haven’t figured this part out yet.

Quality Horse Care
Quality horse care is imperative. If you’re taking in boarders, then you need to make sure those horses are cared for to the best of your ability, sparing no expense and cutting no corners. It’s important to remember, though, that no matter how much you care for those horses, insurance is still a must.

Your Business Plan
A business plan can help you to succeed and stay focused. It may not be the most glamorous part of starting a business, but it’s crucial. How much do you plan to make? What exactly are you going to do? How much do you think it will all cost you? You iron all of this out in your plan. You can also show this to a lender when you’re looking to get financing.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

What Is A Perfect Match?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:59:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Just the perfect day of the year to think about the question: what is a perfect match? And I am not only talking about people here...

Have you ever wondered what an online profile of your horse would have looked like before you chose him? Hafl could have written something like: handsome him with ambitions, belly just looks too big because of short legs, hates cuddles, loves to be alone, would do anything for food. Would that be a perfect match for a curly-haired girl, dreaming of a dressage career, hard-working perfectionist, no experience in training young horses? Probably not.

Then, there are pictures. And no one would put up awful pictures of himself. On the contrary, it could happen that you end up with a little Photoshop here and there. You know you only have three seconds for a first impression.

Eventually, you meet him in person. And no matter what friends, family or your trainer say there it is, the magical moment of a perfect match. The moment when you literally fall in love with a curly forelock, with a slightly dismissive not yet ignorant attitude. A feeling you cannot explain and which cannot be explained in a rational way. How would a Haflinger fit a dressage diva? How on this earth would he ever ever be able to do things like pirouettes? Piaffe? Passage? How can she even think of things like that when all she had done before was walk, trot, canter on straight lines and circles? No one can talk you out of that, no matter what they say: you are convinced, you have found the one and only!

The perfect match cannot be found by algorithms and it cannot be the one that friends or trainers think that fits you. Only you decide whether it is a perfect match or not, with all the consequences. Do we have to work harder? Yes! Does it take longer to reach our goals? Yes! Is it worth it? Yes! Because I am lucky to have found my perfect match and I cannot imagine a day without working on my dreams with him.

Thank you, Hafl, for being my Valentine, every day!

Best Day Of 2019 So Far - Ditch The Double!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 19:25:00 +0000

Yep, this has been it! The best day of the new year to date! I can hardly believe how awesome today was! Okay, at work I got a reward for entering the most improvement suggestions in the last quarter of 2018 - what I did not know was that with that, you get an extra additional day off AND you get a parking spot (marked!) right in front of your office for the next quarter! Okay, that was pretty awesome I guess because who does not like yet another extra day off? And I definitely need more days of this year but more on that in a later post!

Snaffle fans unite!

But the most amazing thing I read today was that the Austrian Equestrian Federation decided to follow the FEI guideline regarding bridles in dressage classes: from now onwards, you can ride FEI classes in a snaffle! Wait, what?! Did I read that right? No more forced double bridle happiness which was never too much of happiness for me. Don't get me wrong, I definitely understand the concept of the double but it simply does not feel right to me. It is definitely my problem as I am not able to establish a decent connection, always afraid of hurting Hafl. I bought him another curb and he seemed to be getting along with that way better than the years before in the standard curb. And still, I do not like the double. Really, I hardly ever school in the double. With the change, I now have the chance to concentrate on riding and not on how to hold two pairs of reins and not shortening the curb reins too much and you know what I mean.

This is definitely like a sign for me as I was already thinking of entering our first show for 2019 in March but was still (again) worried about the bridle. No more worries, we will for now stick to the snaffle and then, one day when we have to show Grand Prix, we will get back to the double. If the rules do not change by then, letting everybody choose the bridle he likes most.

The Truth About 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 20:17:00 +0000

2018 was a bad year. An unforeseen one. Unforseeingly bad. As usual, it started off with my letter to the universe, revolving around all the wishes and dreams I had for 2018. It was planned to take a year off of showing, a relaxed year was supposed to be ahead with plenty of time on the weekends, traveling and enjoying my time. And as so often, it came completely different.

The jar of gratitude

Already in the first quarter, I quit my job. The one I had thought I was meant to be in. The perfect job for me with lots of traveling and lots of contacts to interesting people. I had the time of my (work) life when it comes to experiences I made during this job. And then I quit it. Moreorless, all of a sudden. I had no idea what to do back then in March, I even started working on my first start-up which did not go as planned either.

Hafl and I were supposed to be training hard and working on our flaws during our one-year break. All seemed perfect with that little extra time I had at hand during the job break. But then Hafl became sick - he needed to undergo surgery again, this time he even had to stay in the hospital for a month! Thanks to his sarcoids, I had no idea whether those massive wounds would ever heal, we tried hard to tuck them together but one of them kept bursting open. It was a month of constant fear and actually, I was thinking of having to put him down. I guess not even the vet was a 100% sure all the time that we could make it work. And it is not only about those wounds, but it is also about those nasty things coming back - bigger and worse than before.

The plan was to keep Opi, my car, for another two years. He seemed to do so fine and whenever I had him at the garage, I walked underneath and wondered how good he still looked although he had been more than ten years old already. He was not doing fine when he had his near-death experience during my trip to Croatia. What a mess to get him back home, reanimate him and make it work for us again. And then, all of a sudden, he died. Just on my way back home. I was devastated because I literally had no plans to buy a new car, I had not had made up my mind on which car to choose and guess what: after paying the vet bill (remember, it was a MONTH in the clinic!), on top of that, my budget was pretty limited.

I lost friends. They did not die - luckily, but it seems that we have lost each other along the way. People change and so do I and there were longtime friends who obviously developed in a different direction.

At this point, nobody should be surprised that I did not get married in 2018 either. Not even close.

So, with all that, it obviously was a pretty shitty year. Unless you take a second look. I started filling a jar of gratitude some years ago and at the end of the year, I unpack all those tiny pieces of paper and read what I had written back then in the moments of gratitude, things I needed to remember, moments when I was just thankful. It does not matter how big or small, I really try hard to keep that tradition going and write down every single incident of gratitude. And it is truly surprising but the 2018 jar of gratitude was fuller than the ones of the years before. It is true, so many "bad" things happen but so many options led to a learning experience, a moment where I developed. It seems like those bad years give you way more options to feel happy again, and you really start to appreciate those good moments. Well, I really learned a lot during 2018, about me, about Hafl, my family and friends, about others. I dare to say that it even was one of the most interesting years where I developed the most. Again, it is not all about sunshine, you need to learn to dance in the rain. When I opened the jar today, I could hardly read what I had written during the year but in the end, 51 times I remembered how happy I was, against all odds. A reminder of how good life is and that bad things have to happen - and most of the time, they are not that bad.

One of the moments was the time when we were filming a short intro movie for my start-up idea. I decided to have Hafl and some friends in it and it was such a gorgeous day, with lots of fun and laughter. Connected to that, I was so happy when I heard the first feedback on my idea.

When I was fearing to live under the bridge (which would of course never have happened) my mum told me that I could come back home anytime - just to make sure to remind me that there are always options and for sure places that you can go to when you see no way out. And those job offers I got immediately after leaving the company - I am still so happy for those people who wanted me to work in their companies! Those same circumstances also taught me how to better work with my money - a capability that still needs a ton of improvement considering the things I am planning for 2019! And eventually I got a job that is bringing me closer to the fulfillment of my dreams. I also took on a second job for a start-up and I like this office I call the Dutch Office (as the founders are Dutch) so much, that is really fun working late nights for them.

Of course, Hafl is one of the top runners in the list of moments I felt gratitude in. Riding, in general, felt awesome in 2018, even more so when he returned from the clinic and I rode for the first time. Such a good boy trying so hard. His canter improved so much I cannot stop cantering anymore! I simply love it now! And he is so supple - I have no idea how I could have ridden him before, honestly. There were even occasions when barn mates told me that he was doing great. Our first attempts of pirouettes may indicate the way to go! Have I mentioned his first two and one tempis yet? When I saw the progress of his healing wounds, I was close to tears of happiness, just because I knew he would make it - and he did! Coming back home was emotional - even more so when we consider it the last travel with Opi and the trailer. I was also happy for my barn mates I helped a little during the year, who made awesome progress with their horses.

This year, I also had another pep talk at a Rotary Club meeting and I talked about my Ikigai and true meaning of life - one of the most emotional talks ever even though the audience was a bit surprised to put it like that. At least it was my chance of being able to tell others about passion and what it means to me. And I will never forget the best self-presentation I gave at a job interview this year - I will even frame those sheets of paper where I draw my life on!

Due to my job change, travelling was limited but I could not not drive to the Netherlands for my road trip with my family - and I was so happy when my mum told me that she was so much looking forward to this trip. What you need to know is that we have partly Dutch origins, meaning it felt like driving home - and she had never been there before! Let alone my trip to Cologne which would normally have happened as part of my job - being there off duty and still meeting such awesome people like Steve Wozniak felt great.

A dying Opi left a ton of good memories of all the trips and things we had seen together but he also gave way to a new family member, Grisu, my new car. He is still green but he will grow into Opi's shoes and I cannot wait to haul Hafl to the next show!

There are thankfully some friends left, and when one told me that probably my flaws are my best assets, it really made me think. What an AHA moment! And there were friends who cared about any of my problems throughout the year no matter what and who offered help.

Have I told you already that 2018 was the year I developed the most? Well, also physically. When I could not ride, I started running - a thing I would never ever had considered before. I had started Nordic walking again in spring but it seemed that I needed to walk forever in order to see any progress. So I started running in August with as little as two kilometers. I could hardly believe that on Dec. 24, I ran my first 9k! I can hardly believe it.

See, the truth about 2018 is: it was awesome! Nothing happened without a reason and in the end, I turned out to be better me.

Thank you 2018, I cannot wait to empty my 2019 jar of gratitude.

A year full of moments of gratitude

Awesome Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 18:01:00 +0000

This year was special in so many ways (more on that in a later post), Christmas and the following holidays were no exception. Going away for Christmas was new to me but a little wellness never killed nobody. Well, not unless you decide to try your first long run - almost nine kilometers showed me what it means to feel every muscle in my body aching.

I returned just in time for my fav holiday celebration - animal blessings on Boxing Day. It has always been and will always be my personal highlight. Thanks to a friend, we have some awesome pictures to share - reminds me that I definitely need my personal photographer in 2019...

We hope all of you had awesome holidays like we had!

Stable Tips For Newbies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:35:00 +0000

During your childhood years you likely remember an instance or two where you would visit a horse stable with your friends or parents and be able to see the horses and get riding lessons too. Horse stables are wonderful place and these animals are just the best, and there’s nothing stopping you from buying some land to create your own stables this year. If you are new to running a stable and want some quick tips, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep it clean
The main thing you will notice as you begin to run a stable is the fact that nothing stays clean for very long. Looking after animals will always be like this but with such large creatures you can expect a lot of mud and a lot of poo to scoop. Make sure that every few days you clear out the horse stables and lay down fresh hay for the animals, and also think about investing in a pressure washer to get rid of mud and grime. Having a clean stable will make all the difference.

Organise the tack room
When you build up your stable, one room which you will need to add into the design is the tack room. This is the place where you will store all of your saddles and stirrups and other equine equipment ready for riding and other uses. Make sure you take some time to organise this well because you’ll be using the room a lot and if it isn’t kept tidy and organised it can become an absolute nightmare!

Compost it
Horse manure, as you know, is a valuable thing in farming. If you own a stable which is on a farm or you have a neighbouring farm next door to you, you can always take the manure and give it to someone who will use it, or simply compost it on your own land to use on your crops next year. You can find farm quad bikes for sale cheap online and these can be invaluable for transporting manure and other equipment around your land. You can also use these bikes to reach someone quickly if they ever fall off a horse and become injured.

Keep horses happy
Horses are beautiful, intelligent creatures. They are much like dogs and cats in the way they love humans and they really do value our company as much as we value theirs. The trick to running the best stable in your area is to keep your horses happy and comfortable at all times. Make sure that they have protection from the weather outside, that they have good quality food, and that they have regular checkups to keep them fighting fit.

Decide whether to offer lessons
If you want to earn some more money to run your stables, a great idea would be to offer horse riding for children and adults in the local area. As long as you have a large paddock with a flat surface to work with there is no reason why you can’t offer lessons to people. It can be a fun thing to do and it will also be something which can widen your reach in the area and draw in more people to rent out a space for their animal.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

A Guide To Hypothyroidism In Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:25:00 +0000

The endocrine system of any horse creates hormones, which their blood then distributes throughout the body. Complex cycles regulate the activity of these hormones, and there are a lot of hormones that have an impact on the actions of others.

A vet will typically be called out to carry out endocrine testing on horses. When these tests are carried out, abnormal results often occur. Even in normal horses, vets must prepare the owner for some abnormalities. This is because it is common for at least one, if not more, of the hormones to be outside of what is considered the normal range.

The true challenge comes when trying to determine whether the abnormalities are significant or not. Interpreting the results of any endocrine test is not easy. Perhaps it is simply a case of some other factor impacting the hormone? This could be anything from drug administration to insulin resistance.

There are a number of factors that determine whether or not the endocrine abnormalities need to be addressed. This includes the history of the horse, clinical signs, laboratory results, the ‘big picture’ of the horse, and any other coexisting conditions.

It is not unusual for hypothyroidism to then be diagnosed. This is a condition that is linked to the likes of a poor coat, cold intolerance, obesity, and lowered fertility. In contrast to a lot of the clinical signs that tend to be linked to this condition, experimental horses that went under the process of thyroid gland removal had lowered weight gain and decreased feed intake.

There are a number of different drugs, which are commonly administered, which can lower the concentrations of the thyroid hormone. This includes the likes of trimethoprim, phenylbutazone, and glucocorticoid steroids.

Horses that are unwell for different reasons, for example, sick euthyroid syndrome or nonthyroidal illness, can also have lower levels of thyroid hormones.

Moreover, when compared with adult horses, young horses, especially foals, have a higher concentration of thyroid hormone.

There was a study carried out in Kentucky, involving 329 broodmares, which determined that the mare being pregnant was not significantly linked with thyroid hormone supplementation or thyroid hormone concentrations.

There are a number of different diagnostic tests that can be carried out for this. Triiodothyronine and thyrozine are the thyroid hormones that are most commonly measured. You then have Free T, which is a more active and potent thyroid hormone in circulation.

There is only one test that can assess the full thyroid hormone axis’ function, and this is the thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. This starts the evaluation from the pituitary gland, hypothalamus in the brain, to the thyroid gland. Sadly, though, this test is not performed very often.

Hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of hypothyroidism in horses, as well as the challenges faced.

*This post may contain affiliate links.

[Guest Blog] 5 Exercise Routines for Horseback Riders

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 21:15:00 +0000

Horseback riding is great physical exercise because it needs you to have balance, endurance and strength so it’s important to keep up your overall fitness levels if you are embarking on a horse riding hobby.

The fitter you are the better your horse riding will become so it’s in your interest to work out, outside of the riding, to raise your general health and fitness levels. Not only will you feel better and more energetic but your riding will benefit as well.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photo-450548/

Our friends from Equisupermarket.co.uk shared with us five exercise routines which you can try out to keep up your overall fitness as a horse rider:

1. Aerobic exercise routines

Aerobic exercise helps us to stay at a healthy weight and also helps to improve our endurance levels so try running or walking regularly to help get your heart pumping and increase your aerobic health. The fitter you get, the faster you can run. Try signing up for a local running club or entering a 5k race.

2. A Pilates routine

Pilates is a great exercise routine to get into as a horse rider because it works on your postural muscles and strengthening your core, helping to improve your stability and balance – this will help you to stay balanced when in the saddle as well. Try joining a few classes near you or buy yourself a Pilates fitness DVD which you can try out in the comfort of your own home.

Many gyms also offer Pilates classes, or you could sign up with a personal instructor for one-to-one sessions to make sure you are getting the routine just right to help strengthen all the muscles within your abdominal area.

3. A Yoga routine

Some of the techniques you will learn in Yoga will help you to strengthen your position as you ride as well as helping you to remain relaxed and comfortable during your riding experience. Again, you can sign up for a local class or buy a DVD to get you started.

Yoga is great for stretching, improving flexibility, core strength and breathing exercise to keep your body agile and relaxed which can really help with reactions when out riding. It’s also a great way to stretch out the muscles and wind down after a long hard day in the saddle.

4. Weight exercises

Handling a large horse requires a certain amount of strength so adding in a weight training routine to your regular exercise will help to improve your riding ability by developing lean strong muscles and improved endurance.

You should commence by using a set of dumbbells which you can lift comfortably and try practicing a set of six exercises, resting for a couple of minutes in between each repetition. You should aim to do sets of curls, press, triceps extension, lunges, squats and rows.

As you get stronger you can increase the weight of the dumb bells and increase the number of repetitions you do for each set, helping to develop and strengthen your muscles as you go – this will help particularly on longer horse riding adventures.

5. Intensive workouts

While you need to start out with lighter exercise routines, as you get fitter it’s important to challenge yourself and to push your goals further and harder to help keep improving on your fitness and endurance levels.

You could try increasing weight levels and you will also need to push yourself on the aerobic exercises as well. Try increasing your activity levels so your heart is raised and your breathing is harder but without exhausting you.

Try increasing the length of time you carry out your aerobics routine for, and making it faster and harder. Fast, short spurts followed by rest breaks can help you to push your endurance levels.

Always remember to warm up before attempting any exercise routine, and cool down afterwards to avoid strains and sprains and muscle problems. Horseback riding is a fun activity with all sorts of benefits for your health and fitness but the stronger you are to start with, the easier you will find coping with the physical requirements.

Riding horses can be undertaken at any fitness level but the fitter you are the better as it will save you from getting too saddle sore and suffering with aching muscles every time you get down from the horse.

Keeping up your overall fitness routine will help you to have more energy and feel healthier and fitter for life in general as well as providing much needed endurance and strength to help you enjoy lengthy horse riding trails rather than suffering through them.

A combination of aerobic, cardio and relaxation exercises will help to keep all of your body working effectively for whatever type of activity you are undertaking every day, as well as enabling you to take care of your horse by becoming a more effective rider.

New Is Always Better?!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 19:06:00 +0000

I remember very well when Barney Stinson talked about his theory that new is always better. Last week, I eventually got a new car. Indeed, it is not only a new car to me, it IS a pretty new car, less than a year old. May I remind you that Opi died two months ago and in the meantime, I was really trying hard to find the optimal car for Hafl and me. See, that is the problem: I am not just buying a car for my personal pleasure or getting to work, I need a car to tow a horse trailer, meaning that there is a ton of restrictions. So it took some time to find something that would work as a commuter car and towing hero likewise.

And there was the fact that I really liked Opi, he was a good car. Well, he had his flaws (did I mention that the handbrake did not work properly or that from time to time my steering booster was not boosting anything let alone those hundred times when I needed assistance - I guess it might have even been cheaper for the automobile club to hire me and provide me with a company car than always being towed away...). Sure, after more than ten years on the road there was a bit of rust, there were some dents but all in all, he was in good shape. And most important: I knew all of that, to every detail. I knew how to park on a steep road without a fully reliable handbrake and I knew how he behaved on snow. I knew he was thirsty but in return, he felt like a tank on the road. His awkward steering angle made me feel like driving a lorry and God beware, in some cities around Europe, this Diesel engine would have been banned already.

Now that Opi has gone (and he literally has, he might get a second chance somewhere you don't want to know), it was time for Grisu. That's the name of my new car. And he has huge shoes to fill. First thing I checked the handbrake, second, steering. As soon as I realized that this works, I just got an idea of what more my new car can do. He cannot drive alone yet but with all the technical equipment available to me now, I feel like an astronaut. There is a rain sensor, there is a built-in GPS, the side mirrors have their own life and OMG I have a feature called sky view, a glass sunroof. He is by far less thirsty than Opi and sure, I could go to any German city with ease. I have no idea what my automobile club will do now without the work I used to provide to them.

But here's the point: is new really always better? From a technical point of view, yes, also, from an ecological one. But then there is the heart, and that is the most difficult critic to convince. We tend to link emotions to our belongings, and even more: moments. The one time I drove down to Milan for more than 500km just to see one of Christo's installations? Opi was there. The one time I drove Hafl up the mountain during heavy snowfall where I learned that car and trailer can only go sidewards when they want to go up on a covered road? Opi was there. When I had yet another breakdown at a horse show? Opi was there. When Hafl needed to go to the vet? Opi was there (just not last time). And no matter what, I loved him. We got used to each other. Many told me that nobody would buy such a car, that only so few of them drive around. That I should get rid of him because he was becoming old.

When I think of Hafl and all the issues we had over the last nine years, not only once there were people who told me that I need another horse, one that can go further up the dressage ladder. A fancy warmblood, able to do Grand Prix. And even so often I thought of how easier my dressage life would be with another horse. But new is not always better, it is just different! And there might be issues with the new horse, actually, it is very likely. Will there be issues with Grisu? Of course! I mean already now many tell me that I should have gotten another car, a German car, a more prestigious one. I start comparing him to Opi and miss all of those hidden compartments Opi had or the trunk that felt so much bigger despite the numbers that tell me that they are the same.

It takes time to get used to new stuff and even though they might seem way better on paper, it takes time to form a team. That goes for cars and horses alike. Even more, when you have to rely on your car because you have your horse in the back.

Hafl likes Grisu I guess. I introduced them and Hafl did not kick him so I guess they will be okay. Thank God I just had to replace my car and not my horse.

Making Savings In The Home When Taking Care Of Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 18:15:00 +0000

Having a horse in your life can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling hobby to have, however, it does come with huge responsibility. When you are fortunate enough to take care of your horse on your own grounds or farming, then you may thinking that this could be a saving compared to hiring stables and stalls on other farms. But there are further savings you can make and I wanted or share with you some of the less obvious options you could consider.

Horses first, rest later

Good pasture management to ensure the protection of your horse
One of the first things you need to consider is good pasture management. When you let your horse graze on the fields, there could be plants and growths lurking and some of these plants can actually be poisonous to a horse. Checking over your fields regularly can help you avoid this in the future. Which in turn will help save on those unexpected vet bills.

Using energy saving bulbs in stalls and stables
We all need some light in the stables and stalls where our horses are kept, especially during the winter months when the nights get darker a lot sooner. One thing you may not have thought about would be the type of bulbs you have in them. It might be worth taking the time to invest in some energy saving ones, so that your energy bills are not skyrocketing during the winter.

Collecting rainwater
Your water bill can be quite high at times, especially if you are on a meter, so collecting rainwater can actually be a great way to reduce the amount of water you need to use. Collecting the water in tanks is a great way to start. You could look at websites like https://www.teampoly.com.au for more information about it. Horses can drink the rainwater, it can be used for washing down dirty hooves and even be used to clean up stables and areas where your horses are kept.

Using the horse manure for other things
Each day you will be cleaning out the stalls and stables, so why not put the horse manure to good use? Many farmers who have fields of crops, or people with vegetable patches like to use manure as a natural fertiliser. You could sell it and boost your income rather than just getting rid of it or letting it build up. This could also be an easier and more cost-effective way of disposing of it, and making savings in the process.

Enabling them to be outside as often as possible
Finally, when possible, ensure that your horse is outside as much as possible. If they are out in the natural field, then they are being self-sufficient to when it comes to food and water, as well as not using up energy in their stalls with lights etc. Of course, it isn’t possible to leave them out all of the time, and during the evenings, especially in winter, but taking advantage of good weather when you have it could give you some long-term savings overall.

I hope that this has helped you to think outside of the box when it comes to making those extra savings.

Building your own things can help, too

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Keeping Your Steed Safe! The Ultimate Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:00:00 +0000

Safe at horse shows

Our horses are not just animals or modes of transport. In fact, for the equine enthusiast, their horse is a mixture of riding partner and friend. After all, there are two in every riding team, and you'd probably look pretty silly with your mount! What I'm saying here is that our horses are precious to us and not just in a commercial way, and that is why it's crucial to take care of their safety. A topic you can read more about below.

Protect them from the sun
Just like humans many horses can be vulnerable to heat exhaustion, as well as sunburn and skin damage from UVA and UVB rays. This can be a particular problem if they spend the majority of the time outdoors.

Safe travels!

Luckily, you can take action to prevent this during the hot summer months. First be sure to provide your horse with enough water each and every day. After all the stuff does tend to evaporate in the heat, and if he can't get to it, it won't be doing him much good!

Also, don't be afraid to use some sunscreen, as well as a mask on his face to protect the delicate skin there from sunburn and flies. Lastly, remember that while all horse sweat, some are more vulnerable to this than others especially ones that are using a something like these fly rugs. Therefore it's vital that you sponge such steed down after a ride, as well as provide supplements that will allow them to top up their minerals levels. Something that can easily be depleted through excessive sweating and may cause harm to your horse if not replenished.

Fencing

Next, when it comes to horse safety, the fencing that you chose to use around the stable or on your farm can make a huge difference. The reason for this is because that while barbed wire can seem like a secure option, it can be hazardous for horses.

Therefore is essential to use a style of fence that will keep your mount just where they should be at night, or when you aren't riding, but will also not pose a risk to their wellbeing. Barbed wire can catch on your horse's mane and skin and cause nasty injuries.

Happily, a solution can be found by using things like the sucker rods for sale from http://varnerpipe.com/sucker-rods/ instead of more traditional fencing materials. The advantage of which is that there smooth, yet strong construction means they are a horse-safe choice.

A solid wooden fence

A safe stable environment
For many horses, spending at least some time stabled is a necessary part of their routine, especially in colder weather. Yes, it's true that it is not always ideal to keep them indoors, but you can significantly improve their experience and their safety by following some basic rules.

The first is that mucking out needs to be done every day. Otherwise, you risk all sort of nasty conditions that could not only put your horse in danger but also cause them significant suffering as well. Also, don't forget plenty of hay should be provided for munching, and that water troughs need to be checked and cleaned out regularly too. If you want to keep your horse safe from illness and infection that is!

*This post may contain affiliate links.

So You Want To Keep a Horse On Your Property

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 07:21:00 +0000

Hafl in my parent's backyard

It’s not cheap, owning a horse. And that’s probably putting it mildly. But it’s also true that the costs don’t always have to be quite as expensive as first thought. Take boarding, for instance. Many people assume that they’ll need to keep their horse in stables, which can be expensive, but this isn’t the case. You can have your horse on your own property, though there are plenty of rules you’ll need to follow. We take a look at some of these below. If everything sounds good by the end, then this might be your best option.

How Much Land Do You Have?
This is the biggest consideration. Horses are large animals, and need space in which they can stretch their legs and move around. While you don’t have a space the size of a football field to work with, you do need to have some usable land. A couple of acres will suffice, though obviously the more that you have, the better. Note that this will have to be “managed” land, that is, land that will be fit for horse-related uses.

Removing Any Obstacles
Part of making the land usable for horses is removing any obstacles that may cause them harm. As such, you’ll want to clear the area of anything that might be bad news while they’re out. Trees, stumps, holes in the ground, any weeds that might be harmful to animals and so on should all be removed. Once you’ve removed everything, get in touch with a company like Edrich Lumber; they’re able to recycle items such as stumps, leaves, wood chips, and so on. Once everything’s removed, your horse will be able to roam around in a safe environment.

Securing the Premises
Of course, it’s not just your land that you have to worry about. You also need to think about how you’re going to prevent your horse from crossing your property line and escaping. It’s important that you put up fencing that is appropriate for horses; they’re not like other animals! For instance, barbed wire is a big no-no. It’s acceptable for other animals, but horses move fast and run the risk of cutting themselves before they even realize what it is. The best solution is a wooden rail fence, which can be put up pretty easily and is secure.

The Infrastructure
Your horse is going to be outside all the year round, so they need shelter to protect them from the elements. It’s advisable to put up your own stable and make it comfortable for the horse. If you live in an area that gets cold conditions, then you’ll also want to consider getting them blankets, though don’t be too concerned as horses navigate cold temperatures extremely well.

Adding Another Animal
Finally, consider getting a companion animal for your horse. They don’t like to be alone! If you don’t have space or money to care for another horse, then consider getting a goat, which function as surprisingly effective friends for horses. Plus, they’re fun!

Would love to see him graze at my house

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When Live Gives You Lemons...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 18:00:00 +0000

The last few months have been a tough roller coaster ride. Starting off with Opi breaking down in Croation just to coming back home finding out that Hafl needs surgery immediately, followed by a holiday filled with sorrow, ending up in Opi's death. Yes, you read that right: my beloved car died. I guess there was more damage done than just some pipes and a thermostat when breaking down in Croatia. The result? Motor failure. At least, it was a quick and painless death.

R.I.P. Opi, you have been a true friend

Looking back on those weeks I worried, I worried a lot. I worried about how to get the car back home from Croatia, worried about how to get Hafl to the vet clinic, worried about how Hafl was going to survive the whole procedures. After a month in the clinic, I thought we made it. Hafl's wound is still nasty but he is doing great. And just when you start to feel happy again, your car dies. Leaving you without a towing vehicle, leaving you with the need to decide for another car.

Sometimes it feels that you just cannot take anymore and I have to admit, all those things seemed overwhelming from time to time. But there is no way that you cannot face the facts: if your horse needs surgery, you will find a way to get it to the vet. If you have to pay a fortune for it, you will find a way to pay for it. If your car dies, well, there will be another car. Sure, it might look like a streak of bad luck and not only once you might ask: why me?

Let's look at it from another point of view: what could be the upsides? Hafl needed to get rid of those nasty sarcoids and no, the timing will never be right, but this time, I was at least kinda forced to remove most of them. Did one not heal well? Yes, but it will in the end. It looks already way better than a month ago and even if it takes another year to heal completely: who cares? It might look ugly but he is not in pain and that is the most important thing. Did it cost a fortune to save him? Sure, but it is worth to invest your savings into things you love - even though that might mean that you have to pay the vet. And - there wouldn't be an alternative anyway, right? I've thought about it: no way I could have let him down. I know that they might come back and that we might end up in the clinic again in two years from now. But he is my only horse, the one that made me into the rider I am today, the one that taught me so much. And have you checked horse prices recently? A horse on the way to fourth level would cost much more than any vet bill in the world, so that decision was made easily actually.

You never know what lies ahead

Talking about my car, yes, there might have been a reason for that as well. He was already ten, it would have been a matter of time anyway. And with my yearly mileage of roundabout 40k km, how long can a car practically last anyway? I also have to admit that after the break down in Croatia, I did not trust him that much anymore. What if he broke down when towing Hafl? I would not want that to happen! Honestly, I was planning to buy a new one in two years time, time flies so actually it does not matter that I have to buy one now. I have already decided on a new one and I am just waiting for my car dealer to find one in my dream color.

Hafl is just happy the way it is

After all, there is a solution for every problem. As long as I am healthy, I will be able to find a solution, If that means that I need to work harder, I will. If that means that I have to earn more money, I will. So no matter how many lemons are given to you, in the end, it will just be a lot more of lemonade. Problems are here to be solved and give you a chance to be creative to find a solution. Do not let your problems drag you down, squeeze them and get the most out of them.

How To Turn Your Land Into A Self Sufficient Enterprise

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 20:15:00 +0000

Owning land gives the perfect opportunity to create something beneficial to you and your family. Usually, plots of land come with properties but sometimes, people buy large areas away from their home for purposes such as farming, and you may already be aware that this can bring in a nice income for the landowner. So you’re looking to turn your land into something more than just a vacant space? Take a look at these ideas on how to turn your plot into a useful and self-sufficient enterprise!

Install solar panels
We’re all aware of how much we have damaged our beautiful earth, so why not help preserve the environment by cutting down the fuels that you’re burning? Solar panels absorb the sunlight and turn it into usable energy, and more often than not will also dramatically cut down your energy bills each year! Not only that, solar panels pay for themselves within a year or two so the investment that you’re making won’t be out of your pocket for long.
Store fuels

Speaking of fuels, sometimes there are occasions in which you will still need to use them. Instances such as powering tractors and harvesters, or even storing fuel in case there’s ever a shortage! Just remember to make sure that you’ve got the right kind of oil tanks so that you’re not damaging your land with any fuel spillages.

Create a farm of your own!
Another idea could be to raise your own livestock and grow crops. Depending on the size of your land, you could even do both! Doing this would open up opportunities to begin selling milk, meat, and even the crops that you grow on your land. Creating and maintaining your own farm can be very rewarding, but remember that running a farm is a full-time job, so be sure that it’s the right decision for you and your family.
Build yourself a stable

Who doesn’t love the idea of having beautiful horses galloping around their land? Horses are incredible, majestic creatures that not only are great for learning to ride with, but also for competing in equestrian events. Again, taking care of horses and keeping them at good health is time-consuming and also money consuming too. However, the money that you can make from keeping horses is definitely worth the hard work and dedication.
Use the plot for recreational purposes

If you’re not into the idea of spending lots of time tending to your land, then the option of turning it into an area for recreational uses might just be the perfect solution for you. Land with large dirt hills and plenty of space poses the perfect opportunity to rent it out for people who want to go dirt tracking, or even host events on your land. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can make from renting out your land for an hour or two!

Preserve wildlife
Too many species of wildlife are being forced out of their natural habitat due to trees being cut down, and land being renovated into social housing. Why not use this chance to preserve wildlife and give all of the incredible creatures a chance to create a home without disturbance? Perhaps you could open up your land to school for educational purposes and allow children to see the wildlife living in their natural habitat? Another brilliant way to make some extra income from your unused land.

Turn it into a campsite
Camping is becoming an increasingly more popular form of holidaying for young families these days. This is because it’s cheap, and it gives families a chance to spend some quality time together in the heart of nature. Turning your land into a campsite is a great way of creating a family-friendly plot for the public to camp on! All you’d need to do is simply install a few toilets and shower rooms, ensure that there’s some form of fresh water, and enjoy your little camping community!

Build a storage facility

We’re sure you already know how frustrating it can be when you’ve simply not got enough space for all of your belongings. Maybe you’re someone who likes to collect certain items, or you’ve got to store some of your belongings temporarily? The first thing you’d do it look for storage facilities! Why not seize the opportunity to turn your land into a storage facility and again, make yourself a nice side income? You’d need security cameras and guards of course, but you’ll be surprised at how much you can make from renting out small spaces for storage purposes!

Install wind turbines
Finally, if you’re going down the route of helping to preserve our beautiful planet, then why not consider installing wind turbines so that you can generate yet even more of your own usable energy? Selling your built up energy could make you a very profitable business, so it’s definitely something to consider!

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How To Choose The Best Diet Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 20:33:00 +0000

When it comes to choosing a diet for your horse it can seem extremeley overwhelming, even if you’ve been around horses your whole life. The moment you step into the store, you are surrounded by bags of all different shapes, sizes and colours, each of which being a different horse feed option. As you wonder through the store and look at all of the different bags of feed, it can become increasingly difficult in terms of which option is best for your horse.

That being said, just because the multiple bags of horse feed make it look a little complicated to choose a horse feed, that doesn’t mean it has to be. What you opt to feed your horse is up to you, it’s just a case of determining which option is best for your four-legged friend. Bearing that in mind, below are some tips and pieces of advice that should help to make the process of choosing the right feed for your horse a little easier and less stressful.

Take your horses age into account

When it comes to choosing the best food for your horse, it’s important to ensure that you take its age into account. This is important because the age of a horse has an impact on what specific nutrients and dietary requirements it may have.

For instance, if the horse is fairly young, his dietary requirements are linked to growth and he tends to require more energy than an older horse. The nutrional demands of growth are extremely high, which is why most feeds designed for growing horses tend to have protein of between 14 and 16 percent. Other nutrients, including mineralsand vitamins also need to be increased in food designed for young horses to help support their growth.

Whereas when it comes to older horses, a horse isn’t considered senior until it is no longer able to maintain the same body condition on the same adult diet. This shows that the horse has become senior and requires a specific senior diet as a result, to ensure that he remains healthy. Many foods designed for older horses are made to be easy to chew and easy to digest, they also have a high fibre content.

What is the horse’s bodyweight?
If you don’t have access to scales for your horse, your next option could be to get your vet to weigh your horse when they next pay a visit. Another option is the use of a weight tape to estimate your horse’s weight. To measure your horse’s weight, all you need to do is measure the length of the horse from the shoulder to the buttock, and then you also measure the heart girth. To estimate your horse’s weight, you need to do the following equation: heart girth (cm) x heart girth (cm) x length (cm) divided by 11,900 = weight in kg.

Another useful tool when it comes to determining a horse’s food needs is also body conditioning score (BCS). A horse’s body conditioning score involves the palpation and visual assessment of various areas of the horse, looking at which areas have fat on them, such as the ribs, neck, and behind the shoulders. How a horse is scored is done using a scale of one to nine, where one means the horse is extremely underweight and nine means the horse is obese. Regular BCS will help you to ensure that your horse is on the right horse feed.

What forage is available for your horse?
Forage includes types of hay and pasture and also forage rye, is meant to be the foundation of the equine diet. The idea is that the feed you choose should complement the forage that is already available to your horse. For instance, if your horse has access to quality pasture and hay, you will need to feed less concentrate to help reach the horse’s nutritional requirements. Of course, this will also depend on the horse’s activity levels.

There you have it, a guide to everything that you need to know about you should go about choosing the best diet for your horse. There are various options to choose from when it comes to your horse’s diet, so finding the right one is not always an easy task. However, the guide above should help to make the process a little easier and less stressful. It’s also important to bear in mind that if you’re ever unsure about what to feed your horse, it’s important to consult your vet, as he or she should be able to help you determine what diet would be the best fit for your equine friend.

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